Xi lauds China's solid progress despite challenges in Year of Dragon Xinhua) 09:29, January 28, 2025 Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at a high-level reception to ring in the Chinese New Year at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2025. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Monday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday noted solid progress the country has made in advancing Chinese modernization amid "complex and challenging" situations over the past twelve months at a high-level reception to ring in the Chinese New Year. "In the Year of the Dragon, we demonstrated vitality and a can-do spirit. We endured storms and saw the rainbow," said Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. Faced with complex and challenging situations, China responded with composure and implemented a range of comprehensive measures, overcame difficulties and forged ahead with determination, Xi said at the reception held by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council to usher in the Year of the Snake, which begins on Jan. 29. At the reception attended by over 2,000 people, Xi extended Spring Festival greetings to the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese. Over the past year, China effectively implemented existing policies and proactively introduced a package of incremental policies, which helped promote the recovery of the economy, Xi said. China achieved remarkable progress in technological and industrial innovation, with new quality productive forces forging ahead steadily. China's employment and consumer prices also remained stable, Xi said. From a global perspective, China remained a major engine for the world's economic growth, he said. China dealt with major natural disasters with strong and effective measures, Xi said, adding that Team China achieved its best overseas performance at the Paris Olympics and the country has injected more positive energy into safeguarding world peace and stability and promoting human development and progress. Xi hailed the journey over the past year as "extraordinary" and the achievements "very encouraging." "We proved once again through our hard work that no difficulty or obstacle will hold back the Chinese people in their pursuit of a better life," Xi said. "Our historical course to build a strong country and rejuvenate the nation will not be blocked." "We will undoubtedly break new ground in reform and development as long as we strengthen our conviction and confidence, confront problems and obstacles directly, and tackle risks and challenges without hesitation," Xi added. In 2025, China will further deepen reforms across the board, expand high-standard opening up, guard against and defuse risks in key areas and external shocks, and promote sustained economic recovery, Xi said. Suggestions for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) will be formulated and China will continue to strive towards grand goals, he stated. China will continue to improve people's living standards and ensure that more benefits of modernization are shared among all the people in a more equitable way, Xi added. The snake symbolizes wisdom and vitality in Chinese culture, Xi said, expressing his hope that Chinese people of all ethnic groups will stay confident, hopeful and forge ahead with an enterprising spirit. Li Qiang presided over the reception. Other senior officials Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng were also present at the event. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at a high-level reception to ring in the Chinese New Year at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2025. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Monday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at a high-level reception to ring in the Chinese New Year at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2025. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Monday in Beijing. (Photo by Feng Yongbin/Xinhua) Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attend a high-level reception to ring in the Chinese New Year at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2025. The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Monday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, gestures as he attends a high-level reception to ring in the Chinese New Year at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2025. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Monday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Chinese Premier Li Qiang presides over a high-level reception to ring in the Chinese New Year at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2025. The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Monday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan) Cultural traditions shine at Spring Festival reception in Brunei Xinhua) 10:16, January 28, 2025 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Brunei hosted the 2025 Spring Festival Reception on Sunday, featuring Chinese calligraphy, lion dances, Chinese classical music, and other cultural traditions. The event was held in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, with over 400 guests from all walks of life. Guests watched traditional Chinese cultural demonstrations and performed calligraphy together to extend their best wishes for the Spring Festival. Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Xiao Jianguo delivered warm regards and thanked the guests for their efforts over the past year in actively promoting China-Brunei relations, stressing that bilateral ties have reached a new starting point. He pledged that the Chinese side will work with the Brunei side to push forward bilateral relations in the direction of building a community with a shared future between the two nations. Brunei's Legislative Council member Queenie Chong Chin Yee said in her speech that the recognition of the Spring Festival by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity has lent the celebration global significance. "Five thousand years of cultural traditions continue to thrive. We must now shoulder the responsibility to carry them forward," she said. 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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. 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. The new $1.3 billion Central Block of the Port of Spain General Hospital (PoSGH) is not yet open or operational. On Monday, a commemoration ceremony was held for the practical completion of the buildings construction. But it still needs to be fully equipped and prepared before services can be rolled out. A WILLIAMSVILLE man who knifed his wife to death in 2012 because of her continued extra-mari The Supreme Court The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Delhi Police to apprise it of the security measures that would be needed if the 2020 national capital riots accused Tahir Hussain is allowed to campaign under custody parole. The Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has fielded Hussain as a candidate from the Mustafabad constituency. A bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath was hearing a plea filed by the former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor seeking interim bail for campaigning ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections. The Bench, also comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and Sandeep Mehta, told Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, to give an estimate of how much security personnel would be required if Tahir Hussain is given custody parole and the expenses it would entail. It hinted that Tahir Hussain may be asked to make a deposit towards the security expenses. Senior advocate Siddharth Agarwal, appearing on Tahir Hussains behalf, stated that he was restricting his prayer to grant custody parole in view of the limited time of 3-4 days left for campaigning. Agarwal said that Tahir Hussain is willing to stay away from his residence and will stay in a hotel room and provide details. Opposing this, ASG Raju said that granting relief to Tahir Hussain would set a wrong precedent as every prisoner would then file a nomination to contest elections to walk out of jail. After the Justice Nath-led Bench sought to know the details of security arrangements and costs if Tahir Hussain is granted custody parole, the law officer sought an adjournment to seek instructions. Adjourning the plea, the apex court asked Tahir Hussains counsel to list the undertaking he was willing to follow. Last week, a 2-judge Bench of the top court delivered a split verdict on Tahir Hussains petition. While Justice Pankaj Mithal dismissed his plea, Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah was inclined to order Tahir Hussains release on interim bail in view of his incarceration of over four years on the charge of being an instigator during the 2020 riots in the national capital. Resultantly, the 2-judge Bench ordered the file to be placed before the Chief Justice of India, who is the master of the roster, for referring the matter to another bench. On January 21, the Supreme Court sought the Delhi Police's response observing that Tahir Hussain's long incarceration of over four years 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," Justice Amanullah told the Delhi Police. A day before, the apex court had adjourned the hearing till January 22 on Tahir Hussains petition seeking interim bail. When mentioned for urgent hearing, Justice Mithal had remarked: "It is easy to win elections sitting in jail. All such persons should be barred from contesting elections." Earlier, the Delhi High Court had 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, Hussain, while out on custody parole, did not have any access to the phone or Internet, did not interact with any person except the officials concerned in the nomination process, and also could not address the media. 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 (ASG) Chetan Sharma, who appeared on behalf of Delhi Police. Opposing Hussain's interim bail plea, ASG Sharma said 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. A handful of people showed up last Friday as Taylor Carter and his Firetruck Brewing Company partners bid farewell to their 12-year-old passion project. Carter said he wanted it that way, just a few friends and family to celebrate what the Golder Ranch Fire District firefighters had built since launching Sentinel Peak Brewing Company in 2012. He posted a note on his personal Facebook page, but they said nothing on the business socials. The restaurant at 4746 E. Grant Road was the brewerys flagship and the last of four locations to close in the past 18 months. Carter and partners Jeremy Hilderbrand and Matt Gordon opened the midtown restaurant in early 2014 just as their beers were gaining an audience in Tucson and statewide. You could find their brews with firefighter-centric names the Bavarian-style Heatwave Hefeweizen, the West Coast IPA Code 3 and the super hoppy Hotshot Hazy among them on tap at resorts, bars and restaurants throughout Phoenix and Tucson, and in Flagstaff and Yuma. In 2017, they joined the growing list of Tucson breweries canning their beers and found a distributor to help put their Salida del Sol Mexican-style amber ale on store shelves statewide. Buoyed by the success, the partners opened the Tanque Verde Road location in 2019, followed in spring 2021 with a location at 9630 N. Oracle Road in Oro Valley and Firetruck Pizza Company at 800 N. Kolb Road in late 2022. The expansions and everything were going really well, Carter said, although the partners had some contracts and promises from parties that didnt uphold their ends. In 2020, right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Carter said Firetruck Brewing was told by its beer distributor that its Mexican amber was posing too much competition for a national brand. He would not name the brand or elaborate. Overnight, we got pulled off of pretty much every single store shelf in in Arizona, he said. The pandemic shutdown further complicated business, he added, as the partners pivoted to takeout. We tried to do grocery store style, you know, just really anything to get anybody in the door and keep our employees employed, Carter said; the company at its height employed 100, with 40 of them full-time. We went into massive debt keeping our employees. We didnt lay a single person off during the whole time, which was probably one of our mistakes. Carter is retired from the Golder Ranch Fire District, where Hilderbrand and Gordon are still employed. The world's biggest iceberg -- more than twice the size of London -- could drift towards a remote island where a scientist warns it risks disrupting feeding for baby penguins and seals. The gigantic wall of ice is moving slowly from Antarctica on a potential collision course with South Georgia, a crucial wildlife breeding ground in the South Atlantic. Satellite imagery suggested that unlike previous "megabergs" this rogue was not crumbling into smaller chunks as it plodded through the Southern Ocean, Andrew Meijers, a physical oceanographer at the British Antarctic Survey, told AFP on Friday. The A23a iceberg broke off from the Antarctic ice shelf in 1986. Photo: AFP He said predicting its exact course was difficult but prevailing currents suggested the colossus would reach the shallow continental shelf around South Georgia in two to four weeks. But what might happen next is anyone's guess, he said. It could avoid the shelf and get carried into open water beyond South Georgia, a British overseas territory some 1,400 kilometres (870 miles) east of the Falkland Islands. Or it could strike the sloping bottom and get stuck for months or break up into pieces. Meijers said this scenario could seriously impede seals and penguins trying to feed and raise their young on the island. "Icebergs have grounded there in the past and that has caused significant mortality to penguin chicks and seal pups," he said. 'White wall' Roughly 3,500 square kilometres (1,550 square miles) across, the world's biggest and oldest iceberg, known as A23a, calved from the Antarctic shelf in 1986. It remained stuck for over 30 years before finally breaking free in 2020, its lumbering journey north sometimes delayed by ocean forces that kept it spinning in place. Satellite image of the world's largest iceberg A23a. Photo: AFP Meijers -- who encountered the iceberg face to face while leading a scientific mission in late 2023 -- described "a huge white cliff, 40 or 50 metres high, that stretches from horizon to horizon". "It's just like this white wall. It's very sort of Game of Thrones-esque, actually," he said, referring to the dark fantasy series. A23a has followed roughly the same path as previous massive icebergs, passing the east side of the Antarctica Peninsula through the Weddell Sea along a route called "iceberg alley". Weighing a little under a trillion tonnes, this monster block of freshwater was being whisked along by the world's most powerful ocean "jet stream" -- the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Raul Cordero from Chile's University of Santiago, who is also part of the National Antarctic Research Committee, said he was confident the iceberg would sidestep South Georgia. "The island acts as an obstacle for ocean currents and therefore usually diverts the water long before it reaches the island," he said. "The iceberg is moved by that water flow, so the chances of it hitting are not that high," though chunks could, he said. Another scientist, glaciologist Soledad Tiranti currently on an Argentinian exploration voyage in the Antarctic, said that icebergs such as A23a "are so deep that before reaching an island or mainland they generally get stuck" on the seabed. Icy obstacle It is summer in South Georgia and resident penguins and seals along its southern coastline are foraging in the frosty waters to bring back food to fatten their young. "If the iceberg parks there, it'll either block physically where they feed from, or they'll have to go around it," said Meijers. "That burns a huge amount of extra energy for them, so that's less energy for the pups and chicks, which causes increased mortality." The seal and penguin populations on South Georgia have already been having a "bad season" with an outbreak of bird flu "and that (iceberg) would make it significantly worse," he said. As A23a ultimately melted it could seed the water with nutrients that encourage phytoplankton growth, feeding whales and other species, and allowing scientists to study how such blooms absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. While icebergs are natural phenomena, Meijers said the rate at which they were being lost from Antarctica was increasing, likely due to human induced climate change. Jordan Parker is a breaking news reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. He graduated from Sacramento State University in May 2022 with a degree in journalism. During his time there, he spent three years as a reporter and editor for the university's award-winning student newspaper, The State Hornet. He spent his senior year of college serving as The Hornet's first Black editor in chief, leading the organization to two Pacemaker awards and several other national honors from the Associated Collegiate Press. When he's not chasing down a story, he likes watching movies, traveling and trying new restaurants. Seventeen people lost their lives in road traffic accidents across Vietnam on Tuesday, the fourth day of the nine-day Lunar New Year, or Tet, holiday. This figure represents a sharp reduction of 23 fatalities, or 57.5 percent, compared to the same period last year, according to the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security. The fatalities stemmed from 50 road accidents nationwide, which also left 48 people injured. These numbers reflect notable year-on-year decreases, with accidents and injuries dropping by approximately 41 percent and 50 percent, respectively. All reported incidents occurred on roadways, with no accidents recorded on inland waterways or railways. The sharp declines coincide with the enforcement of Government Decree 168, which took effect early this year. The decree imposes stricter penalties for traffic violations, aiming to deter unsafe behaviors and reduce accidents and casualties. On Tuesday alone, local traffic police addressed 6,957 violations. Authorities temporarily impounded more than 2,400 vehicles, revoked 284 drivers licenses, and deducted points from 725 drivers licenses. Among the offenders, 1,896 drivers were caught driving under the influence of alcohol, and 1,617 were found exceeding speed limits. Additionally, 43 cases involved vehicles carrying excessive numbers of passengers, five involved overloaded goods, and nine drivers tested positive for drug use. Highway traffic police directly handled 46 violations, while surveillance cameras on expressways detected 29 additional infractions. On waterways, authorities addressed two violations. Meanwhile, traffic police teams working on railway routes collaborated with relevant units to enhance train operation monitoring and safety measures. Two task forces conducted inspections on trains SE8 and SE12, focusing on operational procedures and alcohol testing for staff directly involved in train operations. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Politics -- Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong on Monday sent a message of congratulations to Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko on his re-election as President of the Republic of Belarus, according to the Vietnam News Agency. Society -- Nguyen Hue Flower Street 2025 opened on Monday evening in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, the southern hub of Vietnam. The event attracted thousands of visitors as part of the annual celebrations for the upcoming Lunar New Year. The festival will run until February 2. -- On Monday afternoon, Bui Thi Quynh Van, secretary of the Quang Ngai Provincial Party Committee, together with a working delegation, visited the construction site of the Quang Ngai - Hoai Nhon expressway. -- The police of Bac Ninh Province, in northern Vietnam, recently coordinated with several other agencies to dismantle a transnational high-tech fraud network operated from Cambodia. The perpetrators impersonated police officers, tax officials, electricity officials, and education officers, making phone calls to scam over 13,000 people across Vietnam, swindling nearly VND1 trillion (US$39.9 million). -- A cold front that has been covering northern Vietnam has moved southward to affect the entire country, the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting reported. In the northern and north-central regions, temperatures range from 8-11 degrees Celsius, dropping to 4-6 degrees Celsius in mountainous areas and below two degrees Celsius on high mountains. Culture -- The 2025 Tet Book Street Festival kicked off on Le Loi Street, Ho Chi Minh Citys District 1, on Monday evening, marking the 15th anniversary of its establishment and featuring the participation of central and local leaders, consuls general of foreign countries in the city, as well as numerous locals and visitors. The festival will run until February 2. -- The Can Tho Art Flower Street officially opened on Vo Van Tan and Nguyen Thai Hoc Streets in Ninh Kieu District, the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, on Monday evening, drawing thousands of visitors. Tourism -- Most hotels and resorts rated three stars and above in Nha Trang City, a famous tourist destination in south-central Vietnam, have almost fully booked for the nine-day Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, lasting from January 25 through February 2. World News -- Tens of thousands of Palestinians on Monday moved along Gaza's main northern roads after Hamas agreed to release three Israeli hostages later this week, and Israeli forces began withdrawing from a key corridor in the enclave, according to The Strait Times. -- A transgender woman incarcerated in a federal prison has filed a lawsuit, challenging an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump. The order mandates that the U.S. government recognize only two fixed, unchangeable sexes and requires individuals like her to be housed in men's prisons. She argues that this policy violates the U.S. Constitution and federal law, Reuters reported on Tuesday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Two foreign teachers currently working in Vietnam have expressed their passion for the cultural significance of Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday and are excited to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere of the upcoming Tet celebration. First ao dai experience Hong Ha Young, a volunteer lecturer at the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Technology of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, has been in Vietnam for six months. This is her first time experiencing Vietnamese culture, including the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday celebration. She shared, I was invited by Trinh Que Nhu, a Korean language student, to celebrate Tet in her hometown. It has brought back sweet memories of my childhood Tet celebrations in South Korea. When I was a child, my family used to gather at my grandmothers house. Now that my grandparents have passed, those times feel distant. Hong expressed her happiness for spending Tet with Nhus family. Everyone here is so warm-hearted and kind. Nhus family welcomed me wholeheartedly, always with bright smiles, she said. Hong Ha Young, a South Korean volunteer lecturer in Ho Chi Minh City, poses for a photo at a shop selling Tet items in Vietnam. Photo: Supplied She especially loves Vietnamese culture and people, adding that wearing an ao dai (Vietnamese traditional outfit) made her feel charming. The atmosphere at Nhus home is genuinely joyful. Her parents treat me like their eldest daughter, and Nhus younger sister calls me big sister. If I have the chance, Ill return and celebrate Tet with them again, Hong shared. Recently, Hong has participated in various Tet activities, such as decorating the ancestral altar, making traditional banh com (rice krispies treats), visiting Tet markets, preparing offerings for the year-end meal, and traveling with Nhus family. She is particularly interested in the bustling atmosphere of traditional Tet markets. Nhu, meanwhile, mentioned her impressions during her time studying and working with Hong. Knowing that she wouldnt be returning to Korea for Tet, I invited her to experience the traditional Tet celebration in my hometown. I told my family a lot about her, so they were very happy to meet her. Nhu herself has strongly participated in Korean-Vietnamese cultural exchange activities, aiming to learn about Korean culture while promoting Vietnams culture and people. I hope to contribute more to strengthening the friendship between Vietnam and Korea in the future, Nhu said. Tet the time for family reunion Zach Moffatt, an American who is a language teacher at EMG Education one of Vietnams largest private education organizations is experiencing his second Tet celebration in Vietnam, where he has lived for over a year and a half. Zach Moffatt, a language teacher at EMG Education, one of Vietnams largest private education organizations, is shown in the photo. Photo: Supplied In my teaching journey, Ive celebrated Tet through school events. Ive learned that Tet is the most important holiday in Vietnam, the longest and grandest celebration of the year, Moffatt shared. He finds Tet fascinating because it brings families together, offering people a chance to reunite and relax after a busy year. Moffatt has found pleasure in buying Tet decorations and taking photographs of the vibrant displays. When I return to the U.S., Ill have so many interesting things to tell my friends. For instance, its a time when every corner is filled with vibrant colors and energy something you wont find anywhere else in the world, he said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Bac Ninh Province, northern Vietnam, recently detained and prosecuted 39 Vietnamese individuals for their involvement in a sophisticated fraud ring led by Chinese nationals, which is accused of appropriating nearly VND1 trillion (nearly US$40 million) from around 13,000 victims across Vietnam. The Peoples Procuracy of Bac Ninh Province has approved charges against the 39 suspects and is collaborating with police to expand the investigation into this large-scale operation. According to authorities, the fraud ring was established between late 2023 and early 2024 by unidentified Chinese nationals in Bavet City, Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia. The organization targeted Vietnamese citizens by impersonating ward and district police officers and tricking victims into sharing personal information. Fraudsters contacted victims, claiming they needed to update their personal identification information online. Victims were instructed to install malware-infected applications on Android smartphones, allowing the scammers to gain control of their devices and access their bank accounts to steal money. The fraud ring operated given task allocation for three teams. Team 1 used desktop computers and call-making devices to contact potential victims. They impersonated Vietnamese police officers and notified victims of supposed procedures related to their personal identification numbers, citizen identification cards, and other administrative matters. Pham Thi Huyen Trang, one of the 39 suspects arrested from the Chinese-led fraud ring, is seen in police custody in Bac Ninh Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Bac Ninh Police Each day, Team 1 received data files containing details of 80-100 individuals. Team 2 was trained to pose as Vietnamese district-level administrative officers. This team instructed victims to carry out fake procedures using an online public service application. After building trust, they instructed victims to access fraudulent websites and download an app called dich vu cong (public services). Once victims entered their information, the fraudsters gained control of their phones. Teams 2 and 3 then worked together to withdraw money from the victims' bank accounts. Team 3 handled stolen funds, transferring the money to laundering contacts in Cambodia. The amounts were then converted into cryptocurrency, with money launderers earning a 7-percent commission. The fraud ring gave its members an average monthly salary of $600 plus commissions. Teams 1 and 2 received 2.5 percent of the total stolen funds, while Team 3 earned a 1-percent commission. Members also received additional perks, including a $100 birthday bonus. New recruits were given identification numbers and SIM cards for creating Telegram accounts. Real names were prohibited, with employees using nicknames and pre-assigned codes. Multiple Telegram groups were established to distribute tasks, share updates, and communicate directives from the management. Among the 39 suspects, three individuals Pham Thi Huyen Trang, Dinh Nhu Quynh, and Do Van Nghia were identified as senior managers and translators for the Chinese leaders of the ring. These managers were responsible for distributing victim information to Team 1, overseen by Nguyen Van Manh and Nguyen Duc Toan. Trang's testimony revealed that fraud scenarios were meticulously planned with the ring leaders before being executed on targeted victims. The Bac Ninh police department is expanding its investigation into the fraud rings operations. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Nguyen Hue Flower Street 2025 officially opened in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City on Monday evening, attracting thousands of visitors who came to celebrate the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, which will fall on Wednesday. The launch of the 22nd annual event was highlighted by a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the night sky. Families, young people, and international tourists flocked to streets surrounding the venue, including Ngo Duc Ke, Pasteur, and Dong Khoi in District 1, to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere of Vietnamese Tet. A firework display at the entrance gate of Nguyen Hue Flower Street 2025 in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam, on January 27, 2025. The grand scene at the entrance gate of Nguyen Hue Flower Street is named The Dance of Unity, featuring the vibrant colors of flowers, impressive artistic designs, and a lively pair of snake mascots. Bui Thi Ngoan, a resident of District 10, shared her excitement about the event. "Since the afternoon, my friends and I have been wearing ao dai (Vietnamese traditional outfit) to pose for photos at Nguyen Hue Flower Street. This image shows a corner of Nguyen Hue Flower Street 2025, which opened in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, on January 27, 2025. "We come here every year on opening day to see the flowers at their freshest and most vibrant. The atmosphere is always bustling. This year, the cool weather and interesting activities make the experience even better, she said. Among the international visitors was Michele D'Ercole, president of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam. Standing in front of a flower booth, he filmed a Happy New Year clip to share with his Vietnamese friends on social media. People enjoy Tet atmosphere at Nguyen Hue Flower Street 2025, which opened in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, on January 27, 2025. Having celebrated Tet in Vietnam for 15 years, D'Ercole expressed his appreciation for the unique and sacred Tet traditions. "Vietnamese families prepare food, make banh chung (Vietnamese sticky rice cake), visit flower markets, and enjoy events like this flower street," he said. "Each region has its own specialties, making Tet a fascinating and hopeful start to the new year." During the opening ceremony, Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, deputy chairwoman of the citys administration, emphasized the significance of Nguyen Hue Flower Street 2025. Featuring unique sculptures, rare flowers, and vibrant displays, it reflects the fresh colors of spring and the spirit of Vietnams land and people. A South Korean flower booth at Nguyen Hue Flower Street 2025, which opened in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, on January 27, 2025. This year, Nguyen Hue Flower Street features an international touch, with 10 flower booths representing the cultural heritages of various countries. Participants include the U.S., the Netherlands, Laos, Italy, Indonesia, South Korea, Russia, China, Thailand, and the UK. These artistic flower arrangements, contributed by consulates general in Ho Chi Minh City, add a diverse and refreshing charm to the streets vibrant tapestry. For the fifth consecutive year, this collaboration with consulates has enriched the event with a stunning collection of floral art. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Australian Story returns to ABC next week with Celeste Barber: Unfiltered. Offering an unfiltered insight into her neurodiversity, Celeste recounts how the undiagnosed condition led to her being badly bullied as a teenager, leaving permanent psychological scars. You still question it, the comedian and actor tells Australian Story. And then if something in life happens and it brings back that feeling, youre like, oh, I knew it, I knew I was shit. While she is now one of Australias best-known performers, Celeste was an out of work actor when she burst into the public consciousness in 2015 with her Instagram parodies of celebrities and influencers. Her ability to make people laugh while also reminding them not to buy into the unrealistic standards of the beauty industry has won her 9.6 million fans across the world, including the celebrities she parodies. Celeste just flips it all on its head and I love that, says supermodel and friend Cindy Crawford. And I think then it takes the pressure off women to have that perfect Instagram persona all the time. Yet Celestes hard-won fame was twenty years in the making, with the trained actor suffering setbacks, self-doubt and the sudden suicide of her best friend and champion, actor Mark Priestley. Eventually, it was leaning into the exact qualities that she was once ostracized for that won her an army of supporters, both online and on stages around the world. While she still grapples with the shadow of her ADHD, Celestes success is validation for the young outcast who was constantly being told she was too loud and annoying. The reason Im so proud of her is that shes just been herself, says her mother Kath Barber. Shes being celebrated just for being her, where she never was. 8pm Monday February 3 on ABC. ADHD Australia Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36 HA NOI The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has announced plans for a comprehensive E-Commerce Law, aiming to provide a clear and robust legal foundation for the rapidly growing sector in Viet Nam. The proposed law seeks to address gaps in existing regulations and keep pace with technological advancements and evolving business models. The new law will provide definitions for terms such as digital platforms and intermediary platforms, eliminating ambiguity and ensuring consistency. It will establish comprehensive rules for e-commerce activities, defining the rights and responsibilities of stakeholders to ensure that all business models and participants are included. The role of service providers will also be clearly defined, allowing authorities to address issues such as the sale of illegal goods and services while mitigating risks to information security and cybersecurity. The legislation will introduce measures to ensure fairness and reliability in e-contract services, making legal processes related to electronic agreements more efficient. Furthermore, it will focus on promoting sustainable e-commerce practices and fostering economic growth while minimising environmental impact. The Ministry plans to present the draft E-Commerce Law to the National Assembly in October 2025, with approval expected by May 2026. By establishing a comprehensive legal framework, Viet Nam aims to enhance consumer protection, foster innovation and drive the continued growth of its digital economy. Viet Nams e-commerce market has seen remarkable growth, becoming the third-largest in Southeast Asia by 2024 and ranking fifth globally for growth in 2022. The countrys B2C e-commerce market surged from US$2.97 billion in 2014 to $20.5 billion in 2023, with annual growth rates of 2030 per cent. By 2023, e-commerce contributed eight per cent of the nations total revenue from goods and services. Shopee (by Sea Group) dominates the market with aggressive marketing and promotions, making it the most visited platform in Viet Nam. Meanwhile, Tiki, Sendo and Lazada Viet Nam are among the leading platforms. Tiki is known for its strong logistics network, while Sendo focuses on rural areas. Global platforms like Amazon and Alibaba's AliExpress have a presence but face competition from established local and regional players. With a young and dynamic population, over 70 per cent of online purchases are made via mobile devices with electronics, fashion, beauty products and home appliances being among the most popular purchases. The MoIT has proposed a dedicated E-Commerce Law to replace existing decrees, following the example of countries like Malaysia, China and the Philippines, which have adopted similar laws based on the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce. This model ensures the legal validity of electronic transactions and promotes a secure environment for online businesses. In other regions such as the European Union and Indonesia, regulations like the E-Commerce Directive and Indonesias Regulation No. 80/2019 govern e-commerce activities without requiring a standalone law. Viet Nams proposed legislation aims to combine global best practices with the unique needs of its digital economy. VNS MOSCOW Viet Nam and Russia have vast potential to deepen and diversify their partnership, underpinned by a rich history of friendship and mutual support, according to Dr. Anatoly Sokolov, a leading expert on Viet Nam studies at the Oriental Research Institute under the Russian Academy of Sciences. In a recent interview granted to Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondents in Moscow on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Viet Nam-Russia diplomatic relations (January 30, 1950 2025), Dr. Sokolov highlighted key milestones, from the establishment of ties in 1950 to their elevation to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012. He praised the role of President Ho Chi Minh, describing him as a legendary 20th-century leader whose vision inspired Viet Nams 1945 revolution and global movements for freedom and independence. Over the decades, the critical support of the former Soviet Union (Russia now) during Viet Nams struggle for national independence has remained a defining feature of the relationship. Dr. Sokolov noted the contribution of Vietnamese volunteers who fought alongside Soviet people in the defence of Moscow during the winter of 1941-42 in the Great Patriotic War, an event to be commemorated on May 9, 2025. The relationship has flourished across trade, science, technology, defence, culture, and education. Among the highlights is Viet Nams first foray into space, with cosmonaut Pham Tuan joining Soviet astronaut Viktor Gorbatko on a mission in 1980, symbolising bilateral progress in science and technology. High-level political dialogue has been a cornerstone of bilateral ties, with recent visits driving cooperation, including Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to Viet Nam in June 2024, his meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the BRICS Summit in October, Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man's official visit to Russia in September 2024, and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin's visit to Viet Nam in January 2025. Bilateral trade has continued to thrive, with Viet Nam exporting agricultural products and textiles to Russia, while importing coal, fertilisers, and machinery. Russia serves as a gateway for Vietnamese goods to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), while Viet Nam offers Russia access to Southeast Asia and ASEAN markets. Locality-to-locality cooperation has gained momentum, with 2024 witnessing the visits from Russian delegations representing St. Petersburg, Moscow, and other provinces, while Vietnamese leaders from Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Can Tho, and Hai Phong visited Russia. Education continues to be a robust pillar of collaboration, with Russia offering 1,000 scholarships annually to Vietnamese students. Dr. Sokolov, a renowned Viet Nam scholar, is also a skilled translator. His translations of Truyen Kieu (The Tale of Kieu) by Nguyen Du and Nhat Ky ang Thuy Tram (The Diary of ang Thuy Tram) into Russian have not only enriched cultural understanding but also highlighted Viet Nams humanistic ideals. VNS U.S. Border Patrol agent David Maland poses with a service dog in an undated photo. Maland was killed on Jan. 20 in a Vermont shootout that has ties to a slaying of a landlord in Vallejo. BPA_Edward_Butron/Associated Press Law enforcement vehicles follow a hearse carrying fallen U.S. Border Patrol agent David Maland from the University of Vermont Medical Center morgue to a funeral home in Burlington, Vt., on Thursday, Jan. 23. Associated Press Curtis Lind is seen in this photo after the 2022 attack that left him blind in one eye. The 82-year-old was stabbed to death in Vallejo on Jan. 17. Courtesy of the Lind family Law enforcement officials on Tuesday were investigating ties between four killings across the U.S., including the slaying of a landlord in Vallejo who was set to testify at the trial of former tenants who allegedly attacked him with a sword more than two years ago during an eviction dispute. At the center of the sprawling case are Teresa Youngblut, 21, and Maximilian Snyder, 22. The pair filed an application to get married in Washington state in November, according to public records, though its unclear whether they went through with the marriage. Read more: Who is Ziz? How a mysterious group with roots in the Bay Area is linked to six deaths Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a court filing Monday, federal prosecutors said Youngblut is not only suspected in the Jan. 20 killing of a U.S. Border Patrol agent during a shootout in Vermont, but is associated with persons of interest in two other violent incidents: a double homicide inside a home in Delaware County, Pa., and the Vallejo killing. While prosecutors did not elaborate, they appeared to be referring to Vallejos first slaying of the year, the Jan. 17 stabbing of Curtis Lind, and the unsolved January 2023 killing of 71-year-old Richard Zajko and his 69-year-old wife, Rita, whose bodies were discovered by Pennsylvania state police during a welfare check in the community of Chester Heights west of Philadelphia. Lind, the 82-year-old landlord, was stabbed by a man wearing a mask and a black beanie outside his gated property on the 300 block of Lemon Street in Vallejo, Open Vallejo first reported. Lind previously survived an attack in November 2022. According to investigators and Chronicle reporting at the time, officers responding to a property Lind owned on the edge of the Napa River found that he had been impaled with a sword and had shot two of his assailants, killing one of them, 31-year-old Emma Borhanian. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A tenant at the property told the Chronicle that the burst of violence stemmed from an eviction battle. Lind had filled the lot with leasable trailers and shipping containers, the person said, but some residents had stopped paying during the pandemic before overtaking the property, placing locks on trailers intended for other people. Two of the alleged attackers, Alexander Jeffrey Leatham and Suri Dao, were charged with murder in Borhanians death as well as attempted murder in Linds stabbing, which left him critically wounded and blind in one eye. Lind was to be the key witness in Leatham and Daos upcoming trial, records show. Now, that trial could be in peril. Vallejo police arrested Snyder, a data scientist, in Redding on Friday on suspicion of murder in the Lind killing. Youngblut, meanwhile, is accused of two weapons felonies in connection with the shootout in Vermont that killed her companion, Felix Bauckholt, and Border Patrol agent David Maland. In Mondays federal court filing, prosecutors offered slight details about connections they said Youngblut had to other individuals suspected of violent acts. One of those individuals, whom prosecutors did not name, purchased the guns Youngblut and Bauckholt allegedly used in the shootout and is a person of interest in the Pennsylvania double homicide. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Youngblut had also been in frequent contact with another unnamed individual who was detained in Pennsylvania in connection with the double homicide, according to the filing. Prosecutors said that individual was also a person of interest in the Vallejo killing. Prosecutors said both unnamed persons of interest were also in contact with one another. The Vermont shooting unfolded at around 3 p.m. on Jan. 20, when three border agents stopped Youngblut and Bauckholts blue 2015 Toyota Prius to conduct an immigration inspection as it drove near Coventry, near the U.S.-Canada border. Bauckholt, a German citizen, had an expired visa, officials said. Police said they had been surveilling the pair since Jan. 14, after a concerned hotel employee in Vermont contacted police. The employee reported that the pair had checked in while wearing all-black tactical-style clothing, and that Youngblut had an exposed pistol in a holster, according to court records. Agents tried to talk with Youngblut and Bauckholt, but they declined and said they were there to possibly purchase a property. Still dressed in tactical gear with the visible pistol, the pair checked out on Jan. 19, and walked through downtown Newport, Vt., prosecutors said. Before the shootout, the duo was spotted at a Walmart in Newport, where Bauckholt purchased two rolls of aluminum foil and then wrapped items in the front seat, court records show. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Youngblut was driving the car and Bauckholt was the lone passenger when border agents made the stop. Officials said Youngblut raised a handgun and fired at agents through the drivers side window, while Bauckholt also drew a weapon. At least one agent fired back. Agent Maland, Youngblut and Bauckholt were all wounded. Bauckholt was declared dead at the scene, and the agent was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Youngblut was taken to a hospital with injuries. In the Prius, officers allegedly located a .380-caliber pistol near Bauckholt, a .40-caliber pistol near Youngblut, two cellphones wrapped in foil, a ballistic helmet, night-vision goggles, a tactical belt, two full-face respirators, 48 rounds of .380-caliber hollow-point ammunition, shooting range targets, two handheld radios, a dozen electronic devices with removable storage devices, documents showing travel in multiples states, and Youngbluts journal. The journal included a cypher text and contained phrases referencing drug use, such as coming up on acid, not really sure what to spend this trip on, This lsd trip seems pretty mellow, and i fell kinda high vibrationy maybe more so than other lsd trips? Both handguns were originally bought by the unnamed associate from a federal firearms licensee in Mount Tabor, Vt., in February 2024. Authorities said Youngblut hailed from Washington state and was estranged from her parents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Two of the suspects in the 2022 Vallejo attack Borhanian and Leatham were arrested after a bizarre protest in November 2019 in Westminster Woods, a camping retreat in Occidental, according to the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office. Borhanian and Leatham, along with Gwen Danielson and Jack Lasota, were arrested after they allegedly barricaded the wooded retreat to protest artificial intelligence and the Center for Applied Rationality, a Berkeley nonprofit holding its alumni reunion there. The group wore Guy Fawkes-style masks popularized by the decentralized Anonymous hacktivist group and the 2005 dystopian superhero film V for Vendetta. The protesters arrived in a box truck, shuttle bus and Toyota Prius, used the vehicles to block the entrance and exit, and then were uncooperative and spoke incoherently when confronted, authorities said at the time. 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 HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Monday evening visited the family of the late Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on the occasion of Tet (Lunar New Year) and the anniversary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam's founding (February 3, 1930-2025). Offering incense to the late Party chiefs altar, PM Chinh expressed his respect and gratitude for the immense contributions of General Secretary Trong to the Party and the State. General Secretary Trong was an exceptional leader, a shining example of studying and following the ideology and morality of the late President Ho Chi Minh, and a steadfast member of the Party, said Chinh. He embodies the full qualities, talents, courage and intellect of the Vietnamese leadership during the period of oi Moi (Renewal). After nearly 60 years of working for the national revolution, the late Party chief, who was also a Professor and held a PhD, has left the nation with a valuable system of thought and trajectory for the path of Viet Nams revolution in the new era, said the PM. His legacy will live on in Vietnamese history for the cause of renewal and building a peaceful, independent, unified, democratic, prosperous, civilised and joyous Viet Nam a vision he spent his entire life cherishing and striving for. Speaking to Ngo Thi Man, the wife of the late Party chief, PM Chinh wished her and the entire family a prosperous new year filled with good health, peace and happiness. VNS NEW YORK Philemon Yang, President of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), on January 27 appointed Ambassador ang Hoang Giang, Head of Viet Nams Permanent Mission to the UN, and Ambassador Maurizio Massari, Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN, as co-facilitators for the preparation of the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response in 2026. The UNGA President expressed his confidence in their capacity to work efficiently with UN member states and build consensus for organising the high-level meeting. The event will focus on strengthening global preparedness, response, and prevention of pandemics, while promoting international commitments to health and well-being, including the Declaration on Future Generations. This is the first time Viet Nam has been appointed as a co-facilitator for preparing a major UN conference, highlighting the UNGA Presidents and the international communitys recognition of Viet Nams reputation, role, and valuable contributions to global efforts, especially in pandemic prevention and control. In recent years, Viet Nam has actively led initiatives to strengthen the global health system and enhance pandemic preparedness. Notably, the country proposed the annual observance of the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness on December 27, and played a key role in advancing the first UN High-Level Meeting on the topic in 2023. VNA/VNS HA NOI Party General Secretary To Lam visited and extended Lunar New Year (Tet) greetings to the Party Organisation, administration and residents of Ha Noi on the evening of January 28, the last day of the Year of the Dragon. In the vibrant Tet atmosphere of the capital, General Secretary Lam extended his warmest Lunar New Year wishes to the citys officials, soldiers, and residents on behalf of the Party and State. He commended Ha Noi for its achievements in 2024, noting the citys progress in key areas such as cultural development, tourism promotion, social welfare, and improving the quality of life for its citizens. The General Secretary stressed the significance of 2025 as a milestone year. It marks the conclusion of the 20212025 socio-economic development plan and is pivotal for meeting Party congress targets. The year will also see the organisation of Party congresses at all levels towards the 17th Ha Noi Party Congress and the 14th National Party Congress. This year will also see many significant events of the city and the nation, he said. He urged Ha Noi to continue to take the lead in streamlining its political system to improve efficiency, while completing its restructuring of Party organisations in line with central directions and ensuring high standards in preparing for Party congresses. Confident in Ha Nois historical and cultural legacy, the Party chief expressed optimism that the city will exceed its targets set at the 17th municipal Party Congress, contributing to the completion of the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, promoting national growth, prosperity and stability, ensuring citizens enjoy the benefits of progress. The Party leader and his entourage delivered lucky money to workers, public security officers, firefighters, and traffic police on duty during the holiday. Earlier, General Secretary Lam visited and extended Tet wishes to 105-year-old Major General Huynh ac Huong, former head of the delegation of Vietnamese experts to Laos, and former Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, at his residence. Born in Hoi An city in the central province of Quang Nam, Major General Huong held prominent military and Government roles, including Political Commissar of Military Region 4 and Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs. Recognised for his service to Viet Nam and its international cooperation, Major General Huong has received numerous honours, including awards from the Vietnamese and Lao Parties, States and Governments. VNS Ninh Thuan southern province was chosen as the location for the first two nuclear power plants in Viet Nam, and most of the people in the area agree with the placing of the strategic project. HA NOI The Vietnamese communities around the world have organised various vibrant festive activities to celebrate Lunar New Year (Tet), the most important traditional festival for Vietnamese people. The ong Xuan Market in Berlin, Germany, is alive with activity as the Vietnamese community prepares for the Tet celebration. Despite the holiday falling on a weekday, many Vietnamese living in Berlin take time off work to visit the market, where they can purchase traditional Tet items like banh chung (square sticky rice cake). For those eager to make their own Tet specialties, ingredients like dong leaves and sticky rice are also readily available. The market offers the Vietnamese diaspora an opportunity to reconnect with their cultural roots and share the festive spirit with their families. In addition to the bustling market, Vietnamese traditions are further celebrated at the Pho a Pagoda in Berlin, where a community gathering is held to prepare banh chung as part of a charitable event. Similarly, in Russia, where many Vietnamese live thousands of kilometres from home, the Liublino Market in Moscow offers everything needed for a complete Tet celebration. From banh chung to fresh flowers, the market provides items to help Vietnamese families celebrate the holiday and pass on traditions to younger generations. For young Vietnamese like Nguyen Hoang Anh Dung, this marks a special moment of connection to their heritage, as they make banh chung with their families. The celebration extends beyond the Vietnamese community, with local Russian friends learning about the cultural significance of Tet and participating in the festivities. On January 26, the Vietnamese community and Women's Associations in Leipzig held a Tet celebration. Ambassador Vu Quang Minh praised the communitys contributions to Leipzigs political, cultural, and economic life, and announced plans for future collaborations between the city and Viet Nam. Sebastian Kratsch, head of Business Services in Leipzig, highlighted the growing Vietnamese presence in the city, with over 4,300 Vietnamese residents, contributing significantly to local development. In Cottbus, the Vietnamese community also celebrated Tet, with Charge dAffaires Chu Tuan uc expressing his gratitude for the citys support of integration efforts. He noted the communitys spirit of charity, exemplified by their fundraising for victims of Typhoon Yagi in 2024. Freising also saw a warm Tet celebration with over 300 attendees, where Consul General Lu Xuan ong praised the communitys cultural initiatives and emphasised the importance of teaching Vietnamese to younger generations. On the occasion of Tet, Viettel Cambodia (Metfone), a subsidiary of Viettel, hosted a traditional "banh chung" making event in Phnom Penh on January 27. This event aimed to bring the Tet atmosphere to Vietnamese expatriates in Cambodia while promoting solidarity and preserving cultural traditions. By the end of the event, more than 300 banh chung and banh tet were made and distributed to Metfones offices and branches across Cambodia as Tet gifts. Metfones CEO, Cao Manh uc, emphasised that such activities help preserve Viet Nams cultural heritage and foster a sense of unity within the company. He expressed his hope that despite being far from home, Vietnamese expatriates could still feel the warmth of Tet. The event also helped strengthen cultural exchange between Vietnamese and Cambodian communities, enhancing the friendship between the two nations, he added. Mey Ling, a Cambodian employee, expressed her joy in participating, noting similarities between Vietnamese and Cambodian Tet traditions, such as making "banh tet" during Cambodia's Chol Chhnam Thmey festival. Many other Vietnamese organisations in Cambodia are also holding similar Tet celebrations to spread the festive spirit. Also on January 27, the Vietnamese Embassy in Tanzania held the "Xuan Que Huong" (Homeland Spring) celebration, bringing together the Vietnamese community, expatriates, and embassy staff in Tanzania and other East African countries. The event highlighted Tet as a time for family reunion and the celebration of cultural values. Ambassador Vu Thanh Huyen outlined Viet Nam's impressive achievements in 2024, including a 7 per cent GDP growth and significant foreign policy successes that enhanced the country's global position. She underlined that the Vietnamese Government commits to supporting overseas citizens, particularly in Tanzania. The ambassador praised the communitys contributions and the charitable efforts of companies like Halotel-Tanzania and Lumitel-Burundi, which have strengthened ties with the local population. Additionally, she thanked the community for donations to victims of Typhoon Yagi and expressed her gratitude to Honourary Consul of Viet Nam to Uganda King Ceasor for his collaboration with the embassy. Next year, in 2025, Viet Nam will celebrate key milestones, including the 95th anniversary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the 50th anniversary of reunification. Ambassador Huyen called for continued cooperation from the community. VNS BANGKOK The Public Health Ministry will begin distributing more than 8 million face masks to vulnerable groups in areas polluted by high levels of PM2.5 particulate matter from Tuesday. The ministry aims to provide temporary relief to those most affected by the current air-pollution crisis. In response to elevated PM2.5 levels across many parts of the country, the ministry has issued urgent directives to provinces to implement face-mask distribution guidelines in high-risk areas. The target groups for mask distribution include: Areas with PM2.5 levels between 37.6 and 75.0 micrograms per cubic metre (g/m): Vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions will be provided with masks. Areas with PM2.5 levels exceeding 75.0 g/m: Masks will be distributed to both vulnerable groups and the general public. According to Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, face masks will be provided at a rate of one per person per day, with a maximum of seven masks per individual. The Public Health Ministry has confirmed that sufficient supplies of face masks are available, including: 7,383,880 surgical masks, with a daily production capacity exceeding 489,000 masks, significantly surpassing the average monthly usage of 3,333,473 masks nationwide. 603,026 N95 respirator masks, with a production capacity of 240,000 masks per month, exceeding the average monthly demand of 172,905 masks. Provinces with high PM2.5 levels are encouraged to allow target groups to collect their face masks from Tuesday, January 28, at hospitals under the Public Health Ministry, health offices, and district health offices. Somsak emphasised the importance of checking PM2.5 levels before venturing outdoors by using a health application. People are advised to wear masks and avoid outdoor activities when levels are high to minimise health risks. Citizens should not be concerned about a shortage of face masks, Somsak said. Our current inventory and production capacity are sufficient to meet the demands of the current situation. THE NATION/ANN Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung Our country starts 2025 with a new mindset, courage, confidence, and determination to reform and innovate the entire political system. It aims to achieve the highest results of the 2021-2025 plan, welcome the 14th National Party Congress, and prepare to enter a new era of strong and prosperous development. In that context, although the global situation is forecast to remain challenging, the government requires 8 per cent of growth this year, higher than the target set by the National Assembly. This is a high growth rate with many challenges, but it can be achieved to create momentum for breakthrough growth. The world context has been changing rapidly with many new factors emerging, especially in science, technology, and innovation; which could create a new turning point all over the world, and open up great opportunities, and challenges to all economies. After previous turning points in history such as the Industrial Revolution, war, and epidemics, numerous unprecedented opportunities and challenges were created for every country. An economy that is proactive, ready, and accepting of innovation will change its destiny. For example, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan have successfully taken advantage of the second and third revolutions to become developed economies. On the contrary, an economy that does not reform or innovate will miss the opportunity and fall behind others. Removing institutional bottlenecks To achieve such great expectations, in addition to keeping up with trends worldwide, transformations within the economy are the key to releasing resources. In Vietnam, the legal system has been built to perfect the institutions for developing a socialist-oriented market economy; create a legal basis and a favourable environment for mobilising and effectively using investment resources. It has also helped build an independent, self-reliant economy, and implemented industrialisation and modernisation for the country. However, there are still institutional shortcomings that need to be overcome and resolved. The quality of legal documents has not been consistent with reality and has not met the requirements of feasibility, efficiency, timeliness, accessibility, and ease of implementation. Some newly enacted laws have had to be amended and supplemented, and some provisions of legal documents are inconsistent. With that, it is difficult to ensure stability, longevity, and timely handling of fluctuations under the responsibility of the government and local authorities. Meanwhile, administrative procedures in legal documents are still cumbersome. For example, investment procedures are regulated in many different laws such as land, construction, the environment, technology transfer, and fire prevention. It takes time to meet every requirement on documents and procedures, and the result of one procedure is the input of another procedure. Moreover, the time to carry out procedures is often quite long and encounters difficulties due to unclear regulations or different interpretations. The conditions for investment and business are not always obvious, and even unnecessary in some cases. Despite numerous improvements, incentive policies and funding support have not yet caught up with international practices and new requirements to engage large projects, multinational corporations, and strategic investors in the semiconductor industry, high technology, and AI. There is no key mechanism to attract resources for localities, which are the growth poles of the whole country. Considering institutions as the bottleneck of bottlenecks, the Ministry of Planning and Investment has detected and proposed the fastest removal of those caused by the provisions of laws related to investment, production, and business to promptly adjust or remove institutional obstacles and unlock resources. To successfully carry out the socioeconomic tasks in 2025, it is necessary to continue implementing several solutions. Firstly, the provisions of laws related to funding and business activities should be reviewed to remove obstacles, simplify administrative procedures, create better conditions for investors, and unlock resources. Particularly, it is necessary to remove long-standing issues in projects, immediately release backlogged resources, thereby contributing significantly to growth, production and business, state budget revenue, and job creation. Secondly, we should push researching and implementing preferential policies, support and encourage outstanding investment, including policies on sci-tech, innovation, and national digital transformation. This will create a strong breakthrough in the investment environment, support developers and enterprises to improve their competitiveness, proactively adapt to future fluctuations, and anticipate new business trends. Domestic and national enterprises, especially groups with competition in the region and internationally, should be supported for expansion, leading the growth of industries and fields. Next, new economic models, industries, and fields should be studied and promoted to create new growth drivers and catch up with global trends. In the short term, we should implement projects on international and regional financial centres, and free trade zones in some localities; develop a circular economy and sharing economy; and train human resources for the semiconductor industry. Furthermore, decentralisation and authorisation in construction, land, and the environment should be boosted to appropriate agencies that localities can make decisions and take responsibility, thereby accelerating implementation procedures. Finally, administrative procedures related to individuals and businesses should be reformed. Regulations on investment conditions for industries and business lines with unclear, unnecessary, unscientific, or unsuitable conditions should be abolished or replaced. Photo: Samsung Development orientation On that basis, the socioeconomic report of the 14th National Party Congress is being completed to determine the main directions and tasks for the 2026-2030 period. This plays a vital role in achieving a high economic growth rate and creating the premise for Vietnam to become a developed, high-income country by 2045. The main directions for economic growth for the coming period are as follows. Firstly, the development institution, and the quality of the socialist-oriented market economic institution, should be improved to meet the objective integration needs of the country. Perfecting the economic institution is the central task for rapid and sustainability. The functions and relationships between the state, the market, and society will be defined to reduce the states administrative intervention in the market. We need robust policies to mobilise and effectively use domestic and foreign resources for socioeconomic development, in which state resources are used to stimulate and lead social resources. Secondly, sci-tech, innovation, and digital transformation are designed to help increase productivity, quality, efficiency, and competitiveness in the economy. It is necessary to improve policies and laws in this area in accordance with market mechanisms, and international practices. In addition, it is necessary to continue to comprehensively and effectively innovate education and training, focusing on high-quality personnel for priority and emerging industries and fields. We should boost training highly qualified people according to international standards to meet market needs, especially in priority and emerging industries and fields such as AI, data science, semiconductors, and construction and operation of high-speed railways. Next, it is needed to boost industrialisation, modernisation, and economic restructuring associated with growth model innovation, and enhance economic resilience to achieve rapid and sustainable growth on the basis of macroeconomic stability. The industry should apply digital and green transformation, restructure towards in-depth development, and improve productivity, quality, added value and competitiveness of products. Some industries and service products with high knowledge, technology content, and competitive advantages will be prioritised to form some tourism service centres with high-quality products; there will also be the building of financial centres and free trade zones. In agriculture, production areas, large specialised commodity areas with high productivity, quality, and efficiency will be created for key national and local products. Three key areas will be restructured: boosting investment efficiency, especially public funding; improving the operational efficiency of enterprises, especially state-owned ones; and restructuring credit institutions. Finally, it is necessary to ensure synchronous and modern infrastructure, and effectively exploit new space so that urban areas are the driving force for regional rural construction. Inter-regional expressways connecting international gateway seaports, international airports, and international border gates are being built. Energy infrastructure will also be grown rapidly to meet the requirements of high economic growth, diversify types of electricity sources, and ensure reasonable prices. Bay Area tech giant Google announced it plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and revert the name of Alaskas highest peak from Denali back to Mount McKinley on its maps to reflect the Trump administrations recent executive actions. Seth Wenig/Associated Press Google plans to update its maps to reflect the Trump administrations recent executive actions, which called for renaming two major American landmarks. The changes will include changing the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and reverting the name of Alaskas highest peak from Denali to Mount McKinley. In a social media post, the Bay Area tech giant explained its policy of adopting name changes when the federal government amends its records. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources, the company read. Google said it would wait until the U.S. Geological Surveys Geographic Names Information System updates its maps before officially making the changes on Google Maps. President Donald Trump signed the executive order on Jan. 20, his first day in office, calling for the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed the Gulf of America. The order also directed that Denali, a name adopted in 2015 by the Obama administration, be replaced with Mount McKinley, a name used before the change. Google CEO Sundar Pichai, left, talks with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk at the inauguration of President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Jan. 20. Bay Area tech giant Google announced it plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and revert the name of Alaskas highest peak from Denali back to Mount McKinley on its maps to reflect the Trump administrations recent executive actions. Pool/Getty Images Trumps order framed the renaming of Denali as a corrective measure, criticizing Obamas 2015 decision to change the name to Denali as an affront to President William McKinleys legacy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad McKinley, who was assassinated in 1901, is remembered for his leadership in advancing tariffs and the nations economic success. Regarding the Gulf of Mexico, Trumps order emphasized the body of waters importance to the American economy and declared the renaming an effort to underscore the countrys American greatness. In response to the executive actions, Google stated that while U.S. users will soon see both the Gulf of America and Mount McKinley names, the Gulf of Mexico name will remain in use for users in Mexico, where the body of water is still referred to by its original name. For international users, Google Maps will display both names, with Gulf of Mexico appearing first and Gulf of America in parentheses once the change occurs. The change is consistent with Googles practice of displaying location names based on the users location and local conventions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code Councillors voice deep concern at Welsh Government move to get LDP case infront of Supreme Court Wrexham Councillors have expressed deep concern at the Welsh Government for trying to take further legal action over a controversial local housing plan. 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. As reported, 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. Now councillors have said That leaves the Welsh Government, which has already spent tens of thousands of pounds on this case, continuing the matter. Councillors in a new joint statement said: We are deeply concerned that the Welsh Government is continuing its legal challenge against the right of local councils to decide whats best for their area. The councillors case was funded by themselves and others in the community; the Welsh Government is spending more taxpayers money to try to win a case that was demolished in the Court of Appeal. Who in the Welsh Government has authorised this fresh appeal? Which Government minister approved it at a time when they should have a laser-like focus on sorting out the NHS, reducing child poverty and pensioners left out in the cold? Our case is simple we want a plan that meets the needs of Wrexham. We dont agree with the plan Inspectors want to impose on us and we have the right to reject it. That was the Court of Appeals clear ruling. The Welsh Government has sided with the developers not local democracy at every step of the way. Why? Is it a personal attack? Is it because the Government ministers dont want councils to challenge their authority? Why are they so determined to push through this plan against local wishes, against their own targets for affordable housing and against the majority of Wrexham councillors elected to represent the people? The plan saw Inspectors slashing the number of affordable housing in half to just 9% of the total allocations. Councillors maintain that building new executive housing on greenfield sites will not answer the existing houses requirements of Wrexham. President Donald Trump, right, listens to California Gov. Gavin Newsom after arriving on Air Force One at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday. California officials have disputed Trumps claims that the U.S. military intervened and turned on the water in response to recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Mark Schiefelbein/Associated Press California officials have disputed President Donald Trumps claims that the U.S. military intervened and turned on the water in response to recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Late Monday, Trump posted on social media boasting, The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. He added, The days of putting a Fake Environmental argument, over the PEOPLE, are OVER. Enjoy the water, California!!! Advertisement Article continues below this ad However, the California Department of Water Resources quickly refuted Trumps claim. The military did not enter California, the agency said on social media early Tuesday. The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. It added, State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful. The controversy is part of ongoing debates over Californias water management, with Trump urging increased deliveries across the state. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pumping more water out of the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta carries ecological costs, and state and federal regulators have long engaged in a difficult balancing act, with constant pressure from both water users and environmental advocates to change the amount they pump. Following discussions with Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass about the wildfires on Friday, Trump issued an executive order directing federal agencies to bypass state water policies if necessary, citing problems like dry hydrants and empty reservoirs that hinder firefighting efforts. These issues that arose during the fire outbreaks were unconnected to the statewide water delivery system, according to California wildfire experts. Trump also suggested linking disaster aid for Los Angeles to stricter voter requirements and increased water supplies from Northern California. Congratulations to the Administration and DOIs Bureau of Reclamation for more than doubling the Federally pumped water flowing toward Southern California in @Interior @usbr pic.twitter.com/V68cw48BwU Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) January 28, 2025 The newly minted Department of Government Efficiency subsequently visited Northern Californias water pumps, praising what it said was the Bureau of Reclamations efforts to increase water deliveries toward Southern California, aligning with Trumps push. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Democratic state Sen. Mike McGuire also contested Trumps assertion. First off, shocker, water from the Pacific Northwest doesnt flow to the Central Valley, McGuire wrote on social media. Second, federal water pumps were down for repair and are now back on. Third, rest assured, the military has not invaded the Delta. Facts are hard. While Trump and Newsom have been at odds over the states water issues, they acknowledged the necessity for cooperation during Trumps visit to assess wildfire damage. The Church in Wales appalled and saddened after cleric sentenced for making indecent images of children The Church in Wales say their safeguarding team has worked closely with the police in a statement issued following the sentencing of Revd Samuel Erlandson. As reported yesterday, a Wrexham man who was a former Chaplain at a Llandudno school was sentenced for making indecent images of children. Samuel Erlandson, 36, of High Street, Ruabon, admitted three charges including two counts of making indecent images of a child and possession of an extreme pornographic image. Appearing at Llandudno Magistrates Court yesterday Erlandson was sentenced to 32 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to register with the police as a sex offender for 10 years and was made the subject of a ten-year sexual harm prevention order. The Church in Wales issued a statement following the sentencing of Revd Samuel Erlandson, The Church in Wales is appalled and saddened that one of its clerics has committed such serious offences. Our prayers are with the victims in this case, and all victims of abuse. The Church in Wales safeguarding team has worked closely with the police and the statutory authorities ever since these offences came to light. Immediately following his arrest, Mr Erlandsons permission to officiate as a cleric was removed. Once criminal proceedings have concluded, the Church in Wales Disciplinary Tribunal will consider further appropriate action. There is no place for any form of abuse in the Church in Wales. We give the highest priority to the care and protection of children and vulnerable people in our communities. To this end we regularly review our safeguarding procedures and provide extensive training to staff and volunteers. We encourage anyone with safeguarding concerns to contact a member of our team via the Church in Wales website on https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/safeguarding/reporting-safeguarding-concern/ telephone 02920 348200 Alternatively, Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales. You can contact the Safe Spaces team via www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk or 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times) They added, Anyone with concerns or information about this case should contact North Wales Police on their live chat quoting ref Q179109. Unacceptably slow progress reducing fuel poverty in Wales Progress on reaching a target of no more than 5% of households in Wales living in fuel poverty by 2035 has been far too slow, a committee warned. Jenny Rathbone, who chairs the Senedds equality committee, pointed to evidence that 45% of households were living in fuel poverty at the height of the cost-of-living crisis in 2022. Ms Rathbone said the new Warm Homes programme, the Welsh Governments flagship policy aimed at reducing fuel poverty, was barely touching the sides. The Labour Senedd member warned a huge leap will be required to hit the 5% target. Scrutinising ministers as part of an inquiry, she said: Its going to be 2160, 125 years hence, before we actually get on top of this problem, do you agree that that is far too slow? Unacceptable Jayne Bryant, who was appointed housing secretary in July, accepted that ministers have a huge job ahead, adding: We are doing what we can with the resources that we have. Giving evidence to the committee, she explained that the new Warm Homes programme has moved away from being a broken boiler scheme to more long-term energy efficiency. The Conservatives Altaf Hussain also raised the Bevan Foundations warning that it will take more than a century at the current rate to retrofit all homes at risk of fuel poverty. And, warning people are living without heating and hot water, Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds raised concerns about the unacceptable pace of change. She said: Theres a feeling of oh well, you just have to wait, is there any ambition to move things forward more quickly? Crisis route Ms Bryant told Senedd members: I would like to see as much pace in this as Im sure everybody on this committee would as well, but were working within our envelope here. Pressed about hitting 2035 targets in the Welsh Governments plan to tackle fuel poverty, she said: We will be aiming for that, I can assure you we will do everything we can. Dr Hussain questioned whether the Welsh Governments revamped Warm Homes scheme has struck the right balance between decarbonisation and fuel poverty. And Labours Julie Morgan raised witnesses concerns about an over-emphasis on air-source heat pumps rather than whats right for the household. Ms Bryant told the committee she intends to extend a crisis route, which was introduced for boiler repairs and replacements at the end of last year, beyond March 2025. Hopelessly out of date Ms Rathbone raised concerns about ministers failing to keep a commitment to publish interim targets on tackling fuel poverty in 2023. Jane Hutt, Wales social justice secretary, said meaningful interim targets based on EPC ratings and revised fuel poverty estimates from October would be published this summer. Ms Rathbone warned the fuel poverty estimates will be based on hopelessly out-of-date assessments from the 2017/18 Welsh Housing Conditions Survey. She told the meeting: I think were struggling to understand how the interim targets will be fit for purpose if were using such old data. Sioned Williams raised comments from Ms Hutt who previously warned Welsh pensioners could be pushed into fuel poverty by the UK Government cuts to winter fuel payments. Extreme anxiety The Plaid Cymru politician backed calls from Rhian Bowen-Davies, Wales older peoples commissioner, for a specific winter fuel fund similar to Scotland and Northern Ireland. Ms Dodds also raised evidence from the older peoples commissioner, who warned of extreme anxiety, anger and distress over fuel poverty. The Mid and West Wales Senedd member said: This is our second inquiry into this area and it feels to me that nothing has moved on, Im afraid. Ms Hutt pointed to a written ministerial statement on tackling fuel poverty which was published on January 27, the same day as the committee meeting was held. She said powers over winter fuel payment are not devolved, unlike in Northern Ireland and as is planned in Scotland, so Welsh ministers could not legislate for an equivalent scheme. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter In the early hours of Monday morning, the Elko Police Department were called in to handle a call involving a man with a gun. Elko Police officers were dispatched to a motel on the 200 block of Idaho Street this morning after a report of an assault. When they arrived, investigators learned that a woman was allegedly forced by Henry Lee Tellis, Jr. to buy drugs. According to the report, when the woman returned to the motel without the drugs or the money, Tellis got angry and pointed a gun at her, demanding the money. The woman was able to escape the motel room and call the police for help. Officers went on a search and were able to find Tellis on South 5th Street, as well as the aforementioned gun. EPD arrested Tellis and he has been booked into the Elko County Jail. Stanford President Jonathan Levin told faculty leaders Thursday that due to new Trump administration rules, the university will review programs on campus that fall under the DEI heading and that it is likely some will change or be sunsetted. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Stanford University will review its diversity, equity and inclusion programs and likely modify or end some of them, following new Trump administration rules that outlaw such offerings at institutions that receive federal funding. The rules also encourage the private sector to end DEI or risk being sued. Stanford President Jonathan Levin told faculty leaders Thursday that the university will review programs on campus that fall under the DEI heading and that it is likely some will change or be sunsetted. Were going to do that thoughtfully in reviewing them, and not in a reactive way, but with a focus on whether programs contribute meaningfully to our academic purpose, Levin said at a meeting of the Faculty Senate, where he told professors that Stanford is a stronger institution because we have people from a broad array of backgrounds. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Levin made the remarks two days after President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Jan. 21 revoking an array of executive orders and policies that for years had allowed or established diversity programs at federal agencies and at institutions receiving federal funds. Trump declared in his order that as a result of DEI, in case after tragic case, the American people have witnessed first-hand the disastrous consequences of illegal, pernicious discrimination that has prioritized how people were born instead of what they were capable of doing. The order offered no examples to back up the claim. It also refers to DEI programs as dangerous, demeaning, and immoral race- and sex-based preferences. Diversity programs have evolved over generations in the U.S., with the intent of promoting fair treatment for groups that have been the victims of discrimination historically and today. DEI is infused throughout the university, from undergraduate education to graduate programs and the universitys medical center. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For example, Stanford Medicines DEI website says diversity is a core value and lists lectures and programs focusing on such efforts as improving health care in marginalized communities. For undergraduates, DEI programs and activities create educational experiences that make students feel included and welcomed throughout their academic and residential journey at Stanford, according to the website of the vice provost for undergraduate education. The University of California also has an array of DEI initiatives, in part to reduce harassment on campus and create a diverse workforce. One requirement at some UC campuses, however in which faculty applicants must submit a statement showing how they will vigorously support DEI has drawn strong criticism. A psychology professor hoping to get a job at UC Santa Cruz sued UC over the requirement in May 2023, calling the statement a modern-day loyalty oath of the kind discredited after the McCarthy era in the 1950s. UC defended the practice, and a judge tossed the suit last year because the plaintiff had never applied to UC and couldnt show he had been harmed by the requirement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad UC is evaluating recent executive orders issued by President Trump and the subsequent agency guidance to understand their potential impact on our communities, a spokesperson for UC President Michael Drake said Monday when asked how the federal order affects UCs diversity efforts. Guidance on the new rules is expected within 120 days. Private universities like Stanford receive public funding through participation in the Pell Grant program for students and federally funded research grants, among many other tax-funded initiatives. However, the order also suggests that private universities could be forced to comply whether they receive public money or not. A section titled Encouraging the Private Sector to End Illegal DEI Discrimination and Preferences warns that strategies for carrying this out include litigation, and that universities with endowments above $1 billion could be investigated. Stanfords endowment tops $36 billion. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Several professors who serve on DEI task forces at Stanford did not respond to requests for comment. Is it spring yet? Dont waste your time looking longingly out the window for crocuses turn your attention to your TV, where Hulu has arrived with a bouquet of new original films, limited series, and sitcoms, plus critically acclaimed classic movies, to cheer you up. Ready for some early spring streaming? Here are the 10 best things coming to Hulu in March. Members only Coming March 1 Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014, R) While youre catching up on this months Oscar nominees and winners, revisit director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritus dark horse Best Picture (and Best Director) winner from 20 years ago. Michael Keaton, 73, plays a washed-up actor who made his career playing a superhero and now wants to stage a comeback literally! on Broadway. Keaton won a Golden Globe for his portrayal, and the ensemble cast is top-shelf as well, including Edward Norton, 55, Naomi Watts, 56, Zach Galifianakis, 55, Amy Ryan, 56, Andrea Riseborough and Emma Stone. Brooklyn (2015, PG-13) Need a romance with some sweeping Irish (and vintage New York City) landscapes to take you away for a few hours? This bittersweet film based on the 2009 novel by Colm Toibin follows the incandescent Ellis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) as she leaves Ireland in the 1950s for a better life in America, falls in love in her new hometown of Brooklyn (and an American), but is drawn home for family reasons and uh-oh fall in love with a handsome young countryman. Where does her future lie, and in whose arms? British legends Jim Broadbent, 75, and Julie Walters, 75, add grownup gravitas and warmth to the tale. The Last King of Scotland (2006, R) When a young Scottish doctor (James McAvoy) seeks to change his life by traveling to Uganda to work in a missionary clinic, he has no idea how much his life is going to change. Dictator Idi Amin (played with menacing and Academy Award-winning brio and range by Forest Whitaker, 63) taps the Scotsman to be his personal physician. Although based on the 1998 novel by Giles Foden, the bones of the story are true Amin did actually refer to himself at times as a king of Scotland and the relationship between patient and doctor is an absorbing one. The Social Network (2010, PG-13) This tale of the strange and somewhat sketchy founding of the worlds first social network reminds you that lax ethics have always been at the heart of the business. Jesse Eisenberg, now in the spotlight for directing and starring in 2024s critically acclaimed A Real Pain, stars here as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. Coming March 6 Deli Boys The immigrant American dream meets The Sopranos in this new comedy series created by Pakistani American multihyphenate Abdullah Saeed. Mir and Raj Dar (Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh) are a pair of pampered Pakistani American scions to their dads convenience store empire. When Baba suddenly dies and the boys are forced to take over what they think is a business that's beneath them, theyre stunned to learn that the family business is crime and way over their heads. Binge the whole first season of the Hulu Original Limited Series, or spread them out for comic relief. Quarterly Activities Report Sydney, Jan 28, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - During the Quarter, Empire Energy Group Limited ( ASX:EEG ) ( EEGUF:OTCMKTS ) drilled the Carpentaria-5H ("C-5H") well. The primary objective of C-5H is to produce gas for the Carpentaria Pilot Project ("CPP") which is wholly owned and operated by Empire within the EP187 permit located in the Beetaloo Basin, Northern Territory. C-5H was drilled from the same pad as Carpentaria-2H ("C-2H") and Carpentaria-3H ("C-3H") and is the longest well drilled by Empire to date with a total depth of 5,310 metres (17,421 feet), including a 3,310 metre (10,860 foot) horizontal section. The horizontal section was entirely drilled in the target Velkerri B Shale at an average depth of ~1,575 metres (~5,170 feet) below ground level. C-5H will be fracture stimulated and flow tested commencing in Q2 2025 following the northern Australian wet season. The fracture stimulation stage depths are currently being finalised with scope for over 60 stages along the horizontal section. The focus of C-5H will be adapting the Beetaloo specific lessons learnt from the prior two wells, C-2H and C-3H, and transitioning from demonstrating execution to optimising gas productivity. Improvements are focused on fluid selection, pump strategies and perforation strategies. These improvements will, in the success case, drive increased gas recovery and flow rates. C-5H was drilled in 41 days from spud to rig release, compared to a pre-drill forecast of 45 days. The forecast total cost for the drilling of C-5H is ~$19.7 million which includes drilling, casing, cementing and suspending the well in preparation for fracture stimulation. A large portion of this cost is transport and logistics including mobilisation and demobilisation for the single-well campaign in a remote location. Such costs are expected to materially decrease in future drilling campaigns due to the spread of cost over multiple wells, optimization and the development of an in-basin supply network as activity increases in the Beetaloo. The CPP continues to build momentum towards first gas deliveries expected later in 2025, subject to construction of midstream gas processing infrastructure and receipt of Beneficial Use of Test Gas approval under the provisions of the NT Petroleum Act for the sale of gas. Receipt of this approval requires Traditional Owner consent and negotiation of a production royalty with the Northern Land Council who acts as agent to the Traditional Owners on the land in which we operate. Stakeholder consultations are well advanced and are presently anticipated to conclude in Q2 2025 with regulatory approval shortly thereafter. Carpentaria project activities anticipated in 2025 include the stimulation and testing of C-5H, the construction of the Carpentaria Gas Plant and associated infield infrastructure and tie-in of C-2H, C-3H and C-5H for first gas production. Comments from Managing Director Alex Underwood: "Our team's focus during the Quarter was the drilling of Carpentaria-5H, securing financing for the Carpentaria Pilot Project and securing regulatory approvals. Carpentaria-5H was drilled within time and budget, with the entire 3,310 metre horizontal section drilled, cased and cemented within the target Middle Velkerri B shale zone. We had planned to stimulate the well immediately after drilling. However, to do so would have exposed our shareholders to material financial risks associated with weather (namely, that if we had not been able to demobilize the stimulation equipment, we would have incurred substantial standby costs). We have rescheduled stimulation to Q2 2025, immediately after the Wet Season, following which we will carry out an extended production test. We secured a binding commitment from Macquarie Bank Limited for a $65 million funding package during the Quarter and completed documentation of Facility A and the Performance Bond Facility as detailed below. Documentation of the Midstream Infrastructure Facility is expected to complete this Quarter. Funds under the facilities will be applied to the Carpentaria Pilot Project, with substantially reduced dilution of shareholders' interests in the Company compared to equity financing. We received NT environmental approvals for the Carpentaria Pilot Project. We are working closely with the Northern Land Council ("NLC") to facilitate traditional owner consent for sale of test gas. The NLC has advised us that the on-country meeting to seek that consent is scheduled for April 2025." *To view the full Quarterly Report, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/Z2Y37I2I About Empire Energy Group Ltd Empire Energy (ASX:EEG) (OTCMKTS:EEGUF) is a Sydney based Australian oil and gas company holding 100%-owned and operated assets with unconventional targets in the Northern Territory Beetaloo Sub-basin and central trough of the McArthur Basin. Empire is an active Beetaloo Sub-basin operator, focused on maturing its assets to production. Following the successful appraisal drilling and flow testing of the Carpentaria-2H and 3H wells in Empire's EP187, Empire is targeting first gas flow in H1 2025 at its Carpentaria Pilot Project. The Pilot has a targeted sales gas rate of up to 25 TJ per day utilising the existing McArthur River Pipeline. Related Companies San Francisco State University will mandate a climate justice course for all students as a graduation requirement. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Starting this fall, every new student at San Francisco State University will be required to take a course on climate justice in order to graduate, the university announced Tuesday. The Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action (ESCA) graduation requirement makes SFSU the first major public university to require a course explicitly incorporating climate justice, according to the university. We are responding to the understanding that all jobs in the future will be climate jobs in some way, Autumn Thoyre, co-director of Climate HQ, the universitys hub for climate-related activities, said in a statement. Our students, no matter their major and no matter their career, need to understand climate change because it is already impacting their lives. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The graduation requirement, which SFSUs academic senate approved in December, revises the universitys Environmental Sustainability requirement, which has been in place since 2010. The new requirement is designed to teach students how to analyze the problems and impacts of environmental issues and climate change and identify solutions to address the root causes and impacts of environmental and climate injustices, a university spokesperson said in a statement. The change will not impact current SFSU students plans, because the roughly 100 courses that meet the preexisting Environmental Sustainability requirement will be permitted to fulfill the new one for those students, Thoyre told the Chronicle. Students who matriculate this fall will be the first class required to comply with the change, according to the university. Over the next few years, SFSU will recertify the existing Environmental Sustainability courses to make sure they count toward the new requirement, a process which may involve revising curricula or designing new offerings, Thoyre said. Courses across disciplines as disparate as STEM and humanities could count toward the new requirement, though criteria for recertification have not yet been finalized, she said. In addition to the ESCA requirement, students must take courses in three other areas to fulfill their SF State Studies graduation requirements: American Ethnic and Racial Minorities, Global Perspectives, and Social Justice, according to SFSUs website. Students must also complete general education, first-year writing, quantitative reasoning, and American Institutions courses in addition to their major and minor requirements. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The idea for the ESCA requirement came in 2022, when Climate HQ approached the universitys Baccalaureate Requirements Committee and asked the group to revise the Environmental Sustainability requirement to include climate change. To Thoyres pleasant surprise, the committee told Climate HQ to go further. The committee essentially told us, That sounds great, but wed love you to go even further and not just include climate change, but include climate justice, because climate justice recognizes that climate change is fundamentally a social justice issue and social justice is such a core commitment at S.F. State, Thoyre said. According to Thoyre, the concept of climate justice recognizes how climate change impacts certain groups of people differently depending on the historic and current system of oppression and privilege, for example, around race, class and gender. She pointed to the Eaton Fires devastation of the historically Black area of Altadena in Los Angeles County as a really classic example of climate injustice. Thoyre said the requirement is meant to equip students for future careers, but it is also a response to students growing hunger for formal training in a topic that already impacts them. Theyre in their lives being like, Why are there wildfires? Why are we experiencing heat waves? Why is there flooding in different areas? They want to understand things that are happening in their lives, Thoyre said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As one metric of student interest in the topic, Thoyre said Climate HQ received 75 applications for a single climate change communications internship a year and a half ago. For Thoyre, the new requirement is a beacon of hope at a time when climate action is being swiftly rolled back at the federal level; a few days into his second term, President Trump has issued executive orders nixing many Biden-era climate policies, including withdrawing the country from an international climate change agreement and pausing the development of wind power on federal lands. Were not going to have as much progress as wed hoped at the federal level, but there is so much we can do as a state, as a city, as a university, and California is one of the leaders, Thoyre said. She added: This is one of the ways that S.F. State can make a difference in the world. Channel Factory, a global technology company specializing in AI-powered advertising solutions on YouTube and other platforms, is solidifying its dominance in the Indian market with the announcement of a new development center in Pune and the appointment of Amit Rathi as Managing Director for India. This bold move reaffirms Channel Factory's commitment to India's burgeoning digital advertising sector and underscores its bullish growth strategy for the region. India, recognized as one of the fastest-growing digital economies in the world, is at the forefront of Channel Factorys global expansion roadmap. The planned development center in Pune will leverage cutting-edge AI technologies to enhance product development, data science, and engineering. As a dominant Google partner under the prestigious YouTube Measurement Program (YTMP), Channel Factory has been at the forefront of redefining brand suitability and performance for advertisers worldwide. The Pune development center will further strengthen this position by utilizing advanced AI to optimize contextual targeting, ensuring ad placements align with brand suitability by appearing next to content that reflects brand values and enhances audience engagement. This strategic focus drives impactful connections and maximizes ROI for advertisers. Our expansion in India isnt just a step forwardits a declaration of our long-term commitment to this dynamic market, said Kartik Mehta, Head of Asia at Channel Factory. With the Pune development center and the addition of a visionary leader like Amit Rathi, were positioned to redefine AI-driven contextual and brand-suitable advertising not just in India but globally. Amits leadership and our growing team in India will be instrumental in unlocking the full potential of this high-growth region. As the newly appointed Managing Director, Amit Rathi brings a wealth of experience in digital advertising and technology, with a proven track record of driving growth in competitive markets. In his new role, Amit will spearhead Channel Factorys Indian operations, focusing on scaling business opportunities, fostering client relationships, and AI-powered solutions for advertisers worldwide. I am honored to join Channel Factory at such an exciting time, said Amit Rathi, Managing Director, India. The companys vision of creating a safe, AI-driven, brand-suitable video ecosystem aligns perfectly with the needs of Indias evolving digital landscape. With our development center in Pune and an ambitious hiring plan, we are not just investing in technologywe are investing in the future of digital advertising in India. Kriti Sanon begins 2025 with a heartfelt announcement that has left her fans excited and eager for more. After a historic year delivering three blockbuster hitsTere Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, The Crew, and Do PattiKriti continues to rise higher, shattering expectations and exploring new creative territories.Her 2024 journey was nothing short of remarkable. Kriti Sanon's announcement of her upcoming project, Tere Ishk Mein, has ignited a wave of excitement among fans and industry peers alike. The film reunites her with director Aanand L. Rai and co-star Dhanush, a collaboration that has been highly anticipated. Upon the release of the teaser, fans took to social media to express their enthusiasm: "National Award winner Kriti Sanon with 2 National Award winners.....a gem!" "Can't wait to witness the magic that you've created, Krits! Your voice is pure magic and cinematic experience!" "Kriti Sanon in 'Tere Ishk Mein'? OMG, what?! My girl paired with my man Dhanush - awwwww! My dream has finally come true! @dhanushkraja @kritisanon" "She is on top of her game." These reactions underscore the immense anticipation surrounding the film. The teaser, which confirms Kriti Sanon as the female lead, has further fueled excitement and speculation among fans. Presented by Gulshan Kumar, T-Series, and Colour Yellow, Tere Ishk Mein is produced by Aanand L. Rai and Himanshu Sharma, along with Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar. Directed by Aanand L. Rai and written by Himanshu Sharma, the film features music by the legendary A.R. Rahman, with lyrics penned by Irshad Kamil. Starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon, the film is set to release worldwide in Hindi and Tamil on 28th November 2025. As the film progresses, fans eagerly await more updates and the official launch of the trailer, anticipating another unforgettable collaboration between Kriti Sanon, Dhanush, and Aanand L. Rai. With a stellar team and powerful performances, Tere Ishk Mein promises to be a cinematic masterpiece. Nuvoco Vistas Corp Ltd, Indias fifth-largest cement group by capacity, announces its participation in the Maha Kumbh 2025, the worlds largest spiritual gathering, held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Through its Sarthi Initiative, Nuvoco aims to provide a unique, personalized experience for devotees and its channel partners, including dealers, sub-dealers, and influencers. The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is an extraordinary event, occurring after a 144-year cycle, with an estimated 40 crore attendees expected from across the globe. Spanning over 10,000 acres, this historic gathering offers Nuvoco a platform to engage with stakeholders and reinforce its commitment to fostering meaningful relationships. As part of the Sarthi initiative, Nuvoco will offer: Exclusive Lounges for channel partners and influencers. Branded E-Rickshaws to navigate the massive event premises. On-Site Wellness Services and support staff for a seamless experience. Participants can avail of locker facilities, exclusive parking, refreshment zones, and additional amenities designed to ensure convenience and comfort. Participants can register by scanning QR codes displayed at Nuvoco dealer outlets or through the loyalty app. Upon completing the linked registration form, they will receive a personalized follow-up call. Confirmed participants will gain access to the initiatives exclusive offerings and services. Chirag Shah, Head of Marketing, Innovation, and Sales Excellence at Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd., stated: The Maha Kumbh Mela is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for Nuvoco to deepen our engagement with partners and the broader community. As a brand deeply rooted in India, we recognize the cultural and spiritual significance of this gathering. Through our personalized initiatives and strong brand presence, we aim to express our gratitude and strengthen relationships with our stakeholders. Key Highlights of the Sarthi Initiative 1. Distribution of 10,000 Nuvoco Sarthi Kits to attendees. 2. Guided Assistance by Nuvoco Captains to ensure a hassle-free experience. 3. Safety measures such as identification bands for children and elders to enhance security. By incorporating customer-centric services, Nuvoco aims to create a lasting impact, blending innovation and cultural sensitivity. The Sarthi initiative will connect with diverse audiences across multiple states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and the North-East. With a focus on strategic engagement, wellness, and convenience, Nuvocos participation in Maha Kumbh 2025 is set to underscore its dedication to its channel partners and the community at large. Nakul Jain, the Managing Director and CEO of Paytm Payments Services Limited (PPSL), has announced his resignation to embark on an entrepreneurial journey. The company confirmed his decision in a regulatory filing on Monday, stating that it is actively searching for a successor to lead the payments business subsidiary. Paytm expects to reveal the new appointment in the near future. Jains departure comes at a critical time for the company as it awaits the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) approval for its resubmitted application for a Payment Aggregator (PA) license. In the past, the RBI had rejected Paytms initial application due to non-compliance with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) norms. Following the approval of FDI by the Ministry of Finance on August 27, 2024, PPSL resubmitted its application and is now awaiting the RBIs decision. In the meantime, Paytm has assured stakeholders that it continues to provide payment aggregation services to its existing merchants despite the ongoing regulatory approval process. The resignation of Jain has been reflected in the market, as shares of Paytms parent company, One 97 Communications Ltd, fell by 3.41% on Monday, marking the second consecutive day of decline, with the stock closing at Rs 780.20. As Paytm navigates through its regulatory challenges, the company remains focused on its efforts to strengthen its payments business and position itself for growth in Indias expanding digital payments ecosystem. Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor recently opened up about his admiration for actor Randeep Hooda during a social media live session, where he revealed an interesting anecdote from their National School of Drama (NSD) days. Shahid shared that Randeep, during their acting workshops conducted by the legendary Naseeruddin Shah, initially intimidated him. However, the duo has since become good friends and is now set to share the screen for the first time in Vishal Bhardwaj's upcoming film, Ustara. In the Live session Shahid mentioned, during their workshops with Naseer Sir at NSD, Randeep Hooda was senior at the workshops and his intensity was quite intimidating. He remembers being a little scared of him, but over the years, they've developed a strong bond and now are buddies. Now, he's thrilled to work with him in Ustara. During the session, Shahid said, "Randeep Hooda is also there. How can I forget? Hes my buddy from his NSD days when I also visited. Im very excited. This is my first time working with Randeep. Weve never worked together. Hum logo ne actually bohot saari acting workshops Naseer uncle ke saath saath main ki thi. Voh mera bohot senior tha aur main bohot darta tha usse.("We actually did a lot of acting workshops together with Naseer uncle. He was very senior to me, and I used to be very scared of him.") Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, Ustara boasts a stellar ensemble cast, including veteran actor Nana Patekar, the versatile Vikrant Massey, and the talented Tripti Dimri. We are in a new era of Public Relations. In the last few years, the importance of reputation management has undergone a sea change. More brands and clients, especially from the leadership teams, are viewing Public Relations from a close range. The industry has undergone a radical change with the advent of social media, which has to a large extent changed the approach to Public Relations. We have a relatively new and young audience that we need to face in the coming years so there are bigger challenges for brands and PR practitioners, who have to be more agile and proactive in their thinking to draw up business solutions for clients. In our exclusive weekly column, PR Conversation, Adgully interacts with leading business leaders to gain their exclusive views and insights on various trends in the PR and communications industry. In an exclusive conversation with Adgully, Sheena Sharma, Chief Officer, Issues & Crisis and Client Studio at Burson Group India, shares the inspiration behind her decision to pursue a career in the PR industry. She also provides insights into her role, discusses common mistakes companies make when navigating a crisis and how to avoid them, and explains how she approaches creating a communication defense strategy for sensitive situations. She also highlights the trends shaping the future of crisis communication and corporate reputation in India and South Asia, and much more. You bring over three decades of experience in public relations and communications. What initially inspired you to pursue this career path? How has the industry evolved since you started? My journey in the PR and communications world had a rather unconventional route. I was deeply fascinated with psychology and was intrigued by the intricacies of the human mind and the complexities of human behaviour. This interest naturally evolved into a curiosity about brand psychology how companies become brands and position themselves, how they connect with people on an emotional level, build relationships, etc. This is how I was introduced to public relations (PR) and learned about its potential to influence perceptions, shape narratives and build trust. One of the core elements of PR is to create meaningful connections between organisations and their stakeholders. The profound impact of communication strategies in building and protecting reputation, navigating complex challenges and more drew me to this dynamic space. Now that I look back in time, so much has changed over the past three decades. Most prominently, the use of AI has been pivotal. Thirty years ago, we could not have imagined what AI enables us to do today, particularly in terms of using cognitive AI to predict the potential impact of messaging on the target audiences and optimise them for maximum effectiveness of campaigns. But today, we do not just leverage AI but are involved in delivering AI-powered strategies, using algorithm-driven insights and leveraging data analytics to get insights into audiences behaviour. Moreover, with the rise of data analytics, PR has become a more precisely measurable and data-driven discipline. The convergence of digital with traditional PR has been truly remarkable, and I am sure we are yet to witness a lot more transformation and evolution in this continually evolving space. As Burson Indias Chief Issues & Crisis Officer, you play a critical role in helping clients manage reputation risks. Could you share what your role entails on a day-to-day basis? In my role, my utmost priority is to protect the clients reputation by mapping potential risks and counselling them on how to navigate challenges. My key focus is to not let things reach the point of crisis. I work with clients to help them develop preparedness plans for a diverse range of crisis scenarios. A big part of my role is to have sessions with them where I assess their potential reputational risks and undertake training sessions. Conducting crisis simulations is a key part of these sessions, where I prepare them to manage a crisis effectively and ensure they act responsibly. When an actual crisis hits, as their strategic advisor I guide clients through the complexities of the situation and counsel them on how they can protect their reputation and restore stakeholder trust. Crisis management is a high-stakes environment that demands clear communication and a deep understanding of the interplay between media, public perception and business operations. My goal is to empower clients to not only survive a crisis, but also emerge stronger and more resilient. If and when a crisis strikes that we have not prepared for, my day typically revolves around going through data to gather information on the key challenges, media perception about these issues and their potential impact on the stakeholders. This data enables us to develop and execute on an agreed strategy and plan with the client. If the crisis is, in fact, one weve planned for, we use the same data and information gathering process to augment or update our plans as required. So, as you can see, my day is usually packed with client meetings and calls, where I am either solving their crises or discussing the next steps with my team. One of the AI tools that is making my day easier is Burson Decipher, our new cognitive AI offering for clients. Decipher scans through hundreds of millions of data points to help predict which messaging, communications and content will have the highest impact on a target audience. In a stressful situation like a crisis, Deciphers data-backed forecasts help our clients develop and communicate impactful narratives with much more certainty. You lead Burson Indias proprietary crisis framework. Could you walk us through some of the important elements of the same? Vulnerability assessment and risk mapping are the first steps for crisis preparedness, followed by creating a comprehensive plan. The roles within the team are defined and relevant training and sessions are organised to prepare everyone for effective crisis management. When it comes to crisis response, a number of actions are executed in parallel. These include continuous monitoring of traditional, social and digital media to understand how the crisis is evolving, identifying the key stakeholders and the issues most important to them relating to the crisis, developing our strategy and key messaging that is responsive to the ever-changing situation. The stakeholders are often both internal and external, so the engagement programme often spans media, internal communications, ORM, and direct stakeholder outreach. In your experience, what are some common mistakes that companies make when navigating a crisis, and how can they avoid them? In todays digital age, everything travels at lightning speed, whether its news or misinformation. An issue can transform into a crisis in a snap. One common mistake that can cost businesses immensely is a delayed response. Not responding quickly and strategically can pose a serious threat to the clients reputation. We may not have a solution immediately; however, a simple acknowledgment of the situation, a commitment to investigating the matter thoroughly and a reassurance that the right measures will be taken soon can go a long way in mitigating initial damage. Another common shortcoming is a lack of transparency. Any attempt to conceal facts or share incomplete information can further aggravate the situation. Given the connected world we live in, you cant hide facts for long, nor should you. Proactively honest and open communication during such adversities is vital to restoring public trust and dealing with the challenge smoothly. And most importantly, failing to show empathy to those affected by a crisis can cause severe reputational damage. Taking responsibility and showing genuine concern are thus important aspects of crisis management. To avoid these pitfalls, proactive planning is required. We need to prioritise preparedness and conduct regular training to help brands protect their hard-earned reputations. Managing crises such as plant closures, union flare-ups, or mergers can be incredibly complex. How do you approach creating a communication defense strategy for sensitive situations? There are so many situations when a crisis is a highly sensitive situation. Overcoming them requires a multifaceted approach with no shortage of empathy: Communication strategies during such challenging times require a thorough assessment of the situation, an understanding of the sensitivities involved, the potential impact on different groups, etc. Defining goals from the outset is crucial so we can outline our strategy for achieving them. Do we wish to protect reputation, ensure employee well-being or simply facilitate a smooth transition? Or all of the above? We pay special attention to creating clear, concise and empathetic messages that address stakeholder concerns directly, acknowledge the difficulties and share the organisations commitment to resolving them. After this, we identify the right communication channels to ensure our narrative reaches the target audience effectively. A key component of this plan is stakeholder engagement. Direct communications that address the concerns of each stakeholder audience will help build a clear understanding of the situation. To achieve this, its imperative to understand the key challenges and gather insights into the media perception of these issues and the stakeholders response through in-depth research. With the rise of social media, how has the nature of crisis management changed? Do you think companies are adequately prepared to manage online reputation risks? Due to social media, the speed at which crises unfold has accelerated, their potential impact has amplified, and the flow of information has become instant and democratised. So, the approach to crisis management has also changed. Earlier, we used to take time to prepare plans, issue statements and activate contingency plans. But now, everything has to be quick yet strategic and effective, so businesses are warming up to the idea of preparedness and understand that being prepared helps them to deal with complexities and ensure timely action. As a result, crisis management is now a core function. Organisations today increasingly invest in resources, talent and training initiatives to have a strong online reputation management system. However, many companies continue to have a siloed approach, and it is important to build crisis management and online reputation management as distinct functions. Additionally, many companies still function reactively rather than being proactive. Id like to add here that given the rise of AI-driven data analytics, it is easier to track and understand the evolution of a crisis on social media in real-time. You know much faster if someone influential has written negatively about your company, and before it spreads, you can create more targeted response strategies. So, the proliferation of social media has definite positives and negatives. How important is employee communication during times of organizational change, such as mergers or restructuring, and what strategies do you recommend to ensure transparency and trust? Employee communication is critical, as this group is well-placed to be your brand champions. Given that they are on the inside, they also have a first-hand view of the situation in many cases. For instance, organisational change such as leadership transition, merger, acquisition, etc., can cause unrest among employees. Such periods are unsettling, leaving them uncertain and anxious about their futures. Executives and leaders should never assume that employees understand why such transitions are happening. This is why employee communication is extremely important to explain the changes and the reasoning behind their occurrence. To foster a smoother transition, we need a strong plan to drive open, honest and frequent communication. First things first, dont wait for long. As and when things are shaping up, share the news with your employees. Even if you acknowledge the change and the ongoing process, this will go a long way in building trust and transparency. Next, leaders must clearly explain to the employees the rationale behind the change and how it will benefit the organisation and them. People can understand once they know the bigger picture. When this communication directly comes from the leadership, the employees feel valued and included in the journey. One of the common mistakes leaders make is facilitating one-sided communication. Instead, it should be a two-way dialogue, where employees have the chance to ask their questions and share feedback. These small steps go a long way in navigating change more effectively and maintaining a positive and productive work environment. Organisational transitions are not the only times employees are critical in a crisis. Even when theres an external stakeholder facing an issue, employees can help spread a more positive narrative. During the 2015 Maggi crisis, for instance, employees played a very important role in mitigating misinformation. What trends or developments do you see shaping the future of crisis communication and corporate reputation in India and South Asia? Today, running an organisation without a crisis communication strategy is like steering a ship without navigation. Crisis communication has taken new forms and dimensions with technology gaining prominence and the rise of social media. However, in the future, this dynamic space will evolve even more. One of the notable trends will be even more proactive and increased stakeholder engagement. Stakeholders are becoming more vocal about their expectations. Their need for greater transparency will grow even more in the future. Additionally, the complexities of crisis will evolve, and this will require adaptability and flexibility in the way we approach crisis management. Moreover, there will be a greater need to develop comprehensive crisis management plans and build cross-functional teams to effectively navigate these challenges. Hopefully, we will see more companies transitioning from a reactive to a proactive approach towards crisis management. Today, with AI entering the picture, it is more than a buzzword; it has become an ally. And when it comes to crisis management, we will see profound transformations and evolution with artificial intelligence. The future of crisis management, powered by AI, will be defined by proactive mitigation, real-time responsiveness, and data-driven decision-making, all complement to human judgment and expertise. Finally, as a veteran leader in PR, what is one crisis that you managed that stands out in your career, and what were the key learnings? Having spent over three decades in the PR and comms industry, I have managed hundreds of issues and crises. However, I am grateful that they were managed timely and effectively. The nature of these situations requires confidentiality and prevents me from sharing them in the public forum. But I must say that every issue, major or minor, has taught me something valuable. Two lessons gathered along the way that stay with me are transparency and teamwork. Transparency and honesty are the bedrock of the most effective strategies, ensuring authenticity and consistency. Secondly, crisis management is a team effort. Teamwork, both internally and with the client, is essential to navigate a crisis effectively. We can achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients with collaboration. And second, never underestimate the critical importance of reaching every stakeholder audience during a crisis. Every issue can have a different level of impact on different stakeholder groups and it is essential to assess the impact of a crisis on all of them. This step is, in fact, important to ensure our crisis response is comprehensive and successful. Since 2021, Tata CLiQ Luxury has examined the ongoing evolution of luxury in India through its annual thought leadership IP, The Luxe Life. After the grand success of the first three editions, Tata CLiQ Luxury, Indias premier luxury lifestyle platform, is back with The Luxe Life: Edition 4. With a focus on new and evolving luxury, the platform has launched a compilation of leadership interviews titled Thinking Beyond the Cart: Elevating Luxury E-Commerce,. A transformative exploration of Luxury 3.0, the digital compilation features 13 macro trends, insights from 36 industry experts, and 103 influential voices shaping the industry today. Deep diving into the modern consumer, from Gen Z to Gen Grey, the compilation maps actionable insights on what consumers are buying, how they are consuming, and how they are living, making it an essential guide for navigating the future of luxury. Fuelled by the purchasing power of mature millennials and the rising Gen-Z demographic, the digital economy is reshaping consumption patterns and values, thus transforming how, when, and why consumers connect with brands and businesses. Reflecting this evolution, the themefrom e-commerce to exceptional commerceanchors a comprehensive exploration of emerging trends in the luxury industry. The compilation delves into bold consumer shifts, key growth drivers, the rise of democratised luxury, and innovations shaping the future. It features perspectives from renowned luxury thought leaders across the globe and India, representing industries such as fashion, automotive, business, hospitality, beauty, and more. Copartnered by Diageo India and The Quorum, The Luxe Life: Edition 4 event featured a panel discussion on the topic Gen Z to Gen Grey: The Who, What & Why of Adding to Cart. The panellists included Santosh Iyer, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz India; Nikhil Mehra, co-founder, Shantnu & Nikhil; Kadambari Lakhani, CEO and Director at Baccarose Perfumes and Beauty Products Pvt. Ltd.; and Pernia Qureshi, Fashion Entrepreneur, which was moderated by Nonita Kalra, Editor-in-Chief, Tata CLiQ Luxury. This was followed by a fireside chat with Twinkle Khanna, actor-turned-author, entrepreneur, and columnist, on the theme Luxury 3.0: The Intersection of Style, Sustainability & Storytelling. The discussion was moderated by Simone Singh, actor, talk show host, and writer. The event concluded with the grand digital unveil of the compilation. Commenting on the launch of the luxury compilation, Gopal Asthana, Chief Executive Officer, Tata CLiQ Luxury, said, The Luxe Life is Tata CLiQ Luxury's flagship IP that offers an ongoing review of India's ever-evolving luxury landscape. With each edition, we champion new ideas & trends and celebrate India's thought-provoking voices. The concept of luxury in India is remarkably diverse, influenced by a blend of demographics, socio-cultural nuances, and the digital evolution. There is a growing emphasis on experiences and the luxury of time over mere possessions, making India a uniquely competitive market for luxury brands. The compilation, Thinking Beyond the Cart: Elevating Luxury E-commerce reflects this transformative journey that captures the pulse of a rapidly evolving luxury industry where digital innovation intersects with the aspirations of modern consumers in addition to how technology and cultural values are shaping trends. At Tata CLiQ Luxury, we offer a curated range of premium and luxury brands across a wide range of categories along with a seamless online luxury shopping experience. We are committed to fostering exceptional commerce that not only meets but anticipates the needs of todays luxury consumer. Bhanu Gupta, VP, Luxury and Super Premium, Diageo India, said, We are proud to partner with Tata CLiQ Luxury for The Luxe Life: Edition 4, redefining new codes of luxury for the next generation. On display at The Luxe Life event, The Singleton Social x Nicobar collection embodies The Single Momentintimate experiences that define true luxury. This collection brings together design, culture, and modern luxury, drawing inspiration from the special and unhurried moments in life that invite us to immerse in The Single Moment. Meticulously crafted, the collection enhances the natural beauty of its surroundings, creating a perfect setting for meaningful moments. Its a toast to modern indulgence, where connections deepen, conversations flow, and every moment is savored with warmth and presence. Vivek Narain, Founder & CEO, The Quorum, said, We started The Quorum with the intent of becoming a platform that encourages thought-provoking conversations, meaningful connections, and the cross-pollination of ideas through cultural exchange. Hosting the Tata CLiQ Luxurys The Luxe Life: Edition 4 event feels like a confluence of all three. Both the brands have seen the rise of expectations from modern Indian customers, who not only have nuanced tastes and affinities but also value the story and experience behind the products they consume. Its a privilege to launch Tata CLiQ Luxurys digital compilation, Thinking Beyond the Cart: Elevating Luxury E-commerce, report at our club. This luxury compilation has been authored by business journalist and editor Abhilasha Khaitan, as well as the Tata CLiQ Luxury team. It features interviews with founders and CEOs of brands like American Express, Bvlgari, Cartier, Forest Essentials, Good Earth, Mercedes-Benz, Richemont, Swarovski, VegNonVeg, and more. The first three editions of The Luxe Life explored insightful conversations and featured films from global tastemakers and luxury insiders. The first edition was in July 2021 to #decodethenew ideas and themes that drive Luxury with Purpose across fashion, beauty, design, and more, while the second edition, held in March 2022, was a five-day digital film and shopping festival with a #visionforfuture. The third edition was held in January 2023 at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, that brought together luxury thought leaders and creators to deep dive into the future of luxury and slow commerce through the lenses of technology, sustainability, and innovation. As India gears up for the Union Budget 2025, Zee Business, the nations leading business news channel, is thrilled to present the Budget Get Set Grow special episodes under the comprehensive power-packed programming series, which will also go on air on February 1, 2025, 7 AM onwards, aiming to decode the budgets impact on Indias economy, businesses, and citizens, providing viewers with actionable insights and expert-driven analysis. The special Budget Get Set Grow programming series has been capturing the pulse of Indias economic transformation, focusing on fiscal strategies designed to drive growth, foster innovation, and create opportunities across sectors. This series also promises an impactful coverage with expert panels featuring economists, policymakers, and industry leaders who will analyze the budgets key aspects and future implications. From infrastructure and manufacturing to green energy and technology, the series will also provide a sector-wise analysis of budgetary proposals, exploring their potential to fuel progress. Additionally, it will bring real-time perspectives to the forefront, offering a relatable and practical understanding of how fiscal policies affect everyday lives. With a focus on delivering actionable insights, the programming will empower businesses and investors to navigate the economic landscape confidently. With in-depth discussions, expert opinions, and ground-level stories, Zee Business will leave no stone unturned in presenting a holistic view of the budgets impact. Emphasizing on the key purpose of this programming and the channels vision for the same, Anil Singhvi, Managing Editor of Zee Business, said, The Budget is a crucial step in charting Indias economic journey, and Zee Business is here to decode its impact. Budget Get Set Grow is designed to simplify, analyze, and present the budgets potential so that every viewer, whether an entrepreneur or an investor, can confidently plan for a brighter future. Our mission is to empower businesses, investors, and individuals with actionable information that enables them to align their strategies with Indias evolving economic priorities." Karan Abhishek Singh, CEO, Zee Media Corporation Limited further highlighted, "At Zee Media, we understand that the Union Budget is more than just numbersits a vision for Indias future. With Budget Get Set Grow, we are committed to ensuring that this vision is clearly communicated to our viewers. By breaking down the budgets impact across key sectors and industries, this series reflects our ongoing mission to empower Indias growth through credible, in-depth coverage that delivers clarity, relevance, and insight in real-time." As the Union Budget 2025 approaches, Budget Get Set Grow will serve as a trusted guide, shedding light on the governments vision for sustainable development, innovation, and inclusive growth. Zee Business invites its viewers to tune in on February 1, 2025, at 7 AM for LIVE Budget updates that sets the benchmark for impactful analysis. Zee Media Corporation Ltd, one of India's leading media companies, has a strong presence in the news and regional genres, with 21 News channels, reaching more than 555+ million viewers in current year through its linear properties. Parents in San Francisco have raised concerns about a man they said has repeatedly exposed himself in front of children in the citys Castro District. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Parents in San Franciscos Castro neighborhood say city police have failed to take action against a man repeatedly witnessed exposing himself and masturbating in front of children after they leave school. In a video provided to the Chronicle, the man is seen standing on the stoop of a residential building, nude except for running shoes and glasses. The man begins touching himself and appears to be talking on a phone as the person with the camera walks by. Advertisement Article continues below this ad San Francisco police officials confirmed that the department has received reports about the man, but said they could not develop probable cause for an arrest. Parents interviewed by the Chronicle said the police inaction has forced them to do their own detective work about the man, whom they believe based on his appearance is in the states sex offender registry. Im furious that the police refuse to arrest this guy, said David Becker, the father of a 14-year-old girl who has come into contact with the man on multiple occasions. Its just unbelievable to me that they leave it up to the parents, or the children in this case, to fend for themselves. The man resembles a registered sex offender convicted in 2020 of indecent exposure after illegally entering an occupied dwelling. The Chronicle could not immediately confirm that the man in the Castro District is this person. Becker and his wife, Renata, said their daughter and other children have witnessed the mans behavior for about a year, but only recently reported it to their parents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The confrontations often occur on Wednesdays, when kids get out of school early and a group of 13- and 14-year-olds meet at a boba tea shop on 18th and Noe, parents said. Three weeks ago I went there to check in on it, and it was really clear what he was doing, Renata Becker said. I parked across from where he was parking, so I saw him getting out, she continued. He puts oil all over his body went straight to the boba place and stood there in front of the window. Renata Becker said she filed a report and turned video evidence over to police that day, and was told that officers received several complaints about the man. Police told her that she should call 911 next time she saw the man there near children, she said. Renata Becker said she returned the following week, and, by the time she arrived, kids were already on the phone with police. Responding officers spoke to teens and employees from nearby stores, and eventually the man himself, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And then (officers) came back and said, Well, hes saying that his friend lives right there, and hes waiting for his friend, Renata Becker said. Officers suggested that she apply for a civil stay-away order, so that if the man comes close to children he can be arrested, she said. In a statement to the Chronicle, police officials said that officers responded to the 4000 block of 18th Street on Wednesday at about 2:45 p.m. regarding a report of indecent exposure. Officers arrived on scene and met with a female youth and one of her friends mothers regarding an incident that occurred approximately two weeks ago during daylight hours, the statement read. She and her friends were on the 4000 block of 18th Street when she saw an unknown male across the street wearing only a sock. On 1/22/25 the subject was seen again at this location wearing a sock. Police said they detained the man for investigation, but could not develop probable cause to arrest him. The officers documented the interactions of the subject with the reportees through a police report, the statement said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police did not address claims of inaction on their part, and they did not immediately respond to follow-up questions about what type of probable cause would be needed for an arrest. Renata Becker drew a distinct line between the man and the regular nudists in the Castro, noting that the man is always seen by himself and seems to specifically target children. This is not about the naked guys in the Castro at all, she said. This is about this guy. President Donald Trumps administration issued a national freeze on federal grants and loans, planned to begin Jan. 28. Education funding for K-12 and colleges is under review, but a Department of Education spokesperson said Tuesday that student financial aid is still operating under normal conditions. The temporary pause does not impact assistance received directly by individuals, Madison Biedermann, deputy assistant secretary for communication strategy, told USA Today . This includes higher education funding such as federal Pell Grants and direct loans. There was initial concern and widespread confusion about student aid being affected since federal grants and loans are awarded via the students selected college or university, according to USA Today. Nationally, some state agencies and nonprofits reported issues accessing federal funds related to preschool, housing and veterans services. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education is monitoring how this impact grants awarded to campuses for research or public services but have no details at this time, according to executive director Jim Purcell. Tuesday afternoon, a federal judge temporarily stopped Trumps freeze from going into effect until at least Feb. 3. Two Alabama schools will be recognized at the National Elementary and Secondary Education Act Conference in Austin, Texas, in February. Hamilton Elementary School in Marion County and Brookwood Elementary School of Enterprise City are being honored for recent student performance and achievement. Hamilton Elementary has shown remarkable student performance during the last two years, with an average achievement rate of 68.63%, according to a release from the state department of education. Brookwood Elementary has shown excellence with a 97.06% growth among English Learners for the 2023-2024 school year. Read more: Find your Alabama schools' performance rankings. The schools were selected from among other Title I schools with high poverty rates and demonstrated improvement in certain students achievement rates. Hamilton Elementary School houses students PK-4 and a special needs preschool program. Hamilton is also a Southern Association of Schools accredited school . Is there such a thing as too much King Cake? Of course not! So, because its only served during Mardi Gras, we have to eat it as much as possible in January and February. Thats why some amazing restaurants, shops and bakeries are offering all kinds of dishes inspired by the flavor of King Cake. From beer to brittle, you may be surprised what you can find. King Cake-flavored macarons from Parish Patisserie in Mobile AL.Parish Patisserie Macarons You know those yummy little cake-like cookies called macarons? Parish Patisserie in Mobile is making them in King Cake flavor. Be sure to check ahead for availability. King Cake Bushwackers from Tin Top Restaurant and Oyster Bar, left, and Moe's, right.Tin Top Restaurant and Oyster Bar, left, and Moe's, right. Cocktails King Cake-flavored cocktails are served at various restaurants in Mobile and New Orleans during carnival season. Bushwackers are especially popular. Here are two places to find King Cake Bushwackers in Alabama: Moes Original Barbecue, downtown Mobile, others (Call to confirm which locations); Tin Top Restaurant and Oyster Bar in Bon Secour; Flora-Bama Yacht Club in Perdido. Or you can find recipes online for King Cake daquiris or martinis. Beer King Cake beer? You betcha. Braided River Brewing Co. says of its Lil King Cake Baby a blonde ale with lactose and spices is a collaboration with a local bakery. We teamed up with our friends at Dropout Bakery and Co. to create a one-of-its-kind blonde ale thats brewed with real king cakes right in the mash. Lil King Cake Baby, named for the trinket thats typically found inside the cake, is creamy and lightly spiced with vanilla and cinnamon. Popsicles Frios Gourmet Pops stores in some Alabama locations are serving King Cake Pops this year and will also be serving them from trucks in various locations. Frios says: The King Cake Frios starts with a delicious cinnamon blend and includes a slice of real King Cake in each pop! Find locations and availability on Frios Facebook page. King Cake brittle from Pop's Brittle Co. in Fairhope.Pop's Brittle Co. Brittle Who knew old-fashioned brittle candy could be so much fun? Pops Brittle Co. in Fairhope is celebrating the re-release of King Cake Brittle which has made its return as a seasonal flavor for Mardi Gras 2025. Plus, Pops promises its brittle is easy on your teeth! Smoothies Smoothie King has announced its annual limited-time King Cake smoothie. The company posted online: Blends fit for a King! Its King Cake time at Smoothie King. Try our delicious King Cake Gladiator, Yogurt D-lite and Kids cup. Available at participating locations. Check to see which locations offer this specialty. Coffee drinks A variety of coffee shops serve King Cake-flavored coffees during Mardi Gras season, including Knucklebones Elixir Co. and Serdas Coffee Co., both in Mobile. You can also find pod cups for making coffee drinks at home here. Or buy ground coffee to use at home or the office, like these from Community Coffee and CoffeeAM. King Cake-flavored cheesecake from Harp & Clover in Gadsden, AL.Harp & Clover Cheesecake King Cake cheesecake sounds amazing. You can find it at several places in Alabama, including at Flour Girls Bakery in Mobile and Harp & Clover restaurant in Gadsden. Flour Girls says: One of the most unique ways to eat king cake this year is to stop by Flour Girls for their King Cake Cheesecake! If you love cheesecake this is a cant miss cake! Cammies Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe in Mobile and Fairhope is offering two kinds of ice cream for Mardi Gras: Creole Cream Cheese King Cake, shown, and Original Cinnamon King Cake.Cammies Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe Ice cream Cammies Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe in Mobile and Fairhope is offering two kinds of ice cream for Mardi Gras. The shops Facebook page says: We have our award-winning King Cake Ice Cream!! Creole Cream Cheese King Cake and The Original Cinnamon King Cake. Both have an entire King Cake added, said owner Cammie Wayne. Mardi Gras King Cake is a cinnamon cake-flavored ice cream with pastry pieces and a cream cheese swirl and candy sprinkles. Or you can find Blue Bells Mardi Gras King Cake ice cream in participating stores during carnival season. Blue Bell says: A Mardi Gras inspired dessert made with a cinnamon cake flavored ice cream, tasty pastry pieces and a colorful cream cheese swirl with festive candy sprinkles. Mediterranean Sandwich Co. in Mobile, Ala., makes King Cake-inspired baklava.Mediterranean Sandwich Co. Baklava It makes sense to make King Cake baklava because both dishes include pastry. You can find the Greek treat at Mediterranean Sandwich Co.in three locations: Downtown Mobile, West Mobile and Daphne. What do a battleship, a beer bar, a planetarium, a museum and a beach town have in common? Theyre all Alabama institutions on the ballot in USA Todays 10Best ratings. Voting is open now. Aside from bragging rights, the contenders which are scattered from north Alabama to the Gulf of Whatever coast stand to gain prominence as tourism destinations in the year ahead, should they make it into the final Top 10. Top 10 winners will be announced in March; voters are allowed to vote once per day. Heres what landmarks and locations are included in the current slate of categories. Africatown Heritage House: Best History Museum 10Best planners say this museum, which opened in July 2023, holds a significant place in American history due to its connection with the Clotilda, the last known ship to bring enslaved Africans to the United States in 1860, despite the ban on the international slave trade. Exhibits, events, lectures, and community programs engage visitors and foster dialogue about African American history, social justice, and the importance of preserving cultural heritage. The other 20 finalists include The Academy of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, the International African American Museum in Charleston, S.C.; and the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Voting continues through 11 a.m. Central time on Monday, Feb. 10. Note: The Heritage House is less than two years old but its already a 10Best winner. A year ago, it made the list of 10 best new museums to visit. USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park: Best Museum Ship The category includes sailing ships, steel ships and submarines, and theyre praised (without apparent irony) for offering immersive experiences. The Alabama parks competition includes the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Honolulu; the Elizabeth II at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo, N.C.; and Battleship Cove in Fall River, Mass., home of one of the Mighty As South Dakota-class sister ships, the USS Massachusetts. Voting continues through 11 a.m. Central time on Monday, Feb. 10. INTUITIVE Planetarium at U.S. Space & Rocket Center: Best Planetarium This Huntsville attraction gets credit for multiple shows each day, including state-of-the-art films about asteroids and the James Webb Telescope, as well as for Cocktails and Cosmos events, in which stellar shows are accompanied by cosmically created cocktails. The field of 20 finalists includes planetariums in Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Voting ends at 11 a.m. Central time on Monday, Feb. 10. Orange Beach: Best Small Town Arts Scene Orange Beach is among 20 arts-friendly destinations with populations of fewer than 30,000 people. What each of these towns lack in size, they make up for with big arts scenes museums, art galleries, performing arts, and busy event calendars, says the 10Best guide. Alabamas southeasternmost city gets credit for its Coastal Arts Center and the Orange Beach Festival of Art, among other attractions. Competitors include Laguna Beach, Calif.; Homer, Alaska; and Sarasota Springs, N.T. Voting continues through 11 a.m. Central time on Monday, Feb. 17. Hop City Beer & Wine: Best Beer Bar: This Birmingham venue is praised as a must-stop for beer lovers in Birmingham, Alabama, that offers something for everyone with more than 1,200 varieties of craft and imported beer to shop and 66 rotating draft beers to choose from. The field of nominees including venues in craft beer epicenters across the country. Voting ends at 11 a.m. Central time on Monday, Feb. 24. With the opening of Stinson Breads in Opelika, Anna Claire and Matthew Stinson turned what started out as baking for friends into a full-time bakery, and its bringing so much more than just sourdough to its community. Anna Claire Stinson, who is originally from Baldwin County, said that while she has always enjoyed baking, she didnt pursue her interest in sharpening her culinary skills until after graduating from Auburn University in 2017 when she decided to take an online baking course in her free time, and in the process, she managed to pique her husband, Matthews, interest as well. Whenever I got to the sourdough section, Matthew, who has a scientific background, took up an interest in it as well, so hes kind of like the science behind the dough, and Im more of the art behind it, said Stinson. It just kind of started from there. READ MORE: Check out Perennial, Montgomerys newest restaurant hotspot Stinson Breads in Opelika offers a variety of breads and pastries, including croissants, to its surrounding communities. (Anna Claire Stinson)Anna Claire Stinson/Stinson Breads Stinson said they began experimenting and making sourdough together in October 2019 for friends, and it wasnt long before others began reaching out through social media, asking how to buy their bread. Over the next five years, the couple went from making bread in their kitchen to renting commercial kitchen space to keep up with demand to ultimately opening their own storefront in charming downtown Opelika in 2024. READ MORE: 12 restaurants to put on your calendar this month You know, whenever Matthew and I were talking very seriously way back in 2019 about me wanting to open a bakery, we knew that we couldnt just open another bakery that already existed in the area, said Stinson. We went on our honeymoon to Germany and France in 2018 and had some of the best bread weve ever had. So whenever we were kind of reflecting on that, we were like, this doesnt really exist in this area. Why cant we do that? Why cant we add to kind of that food culture in this little way? While on the weekends their menu offerings include a wide range of rotating breads and sourdough flavors, including lemon olive walnut, jalapeno cheddar, cranberry walnut and more as well as Ciabatta, baguettes, table rolls, sandwich bread and Focaccia, Stinson said its their original house bread that is the, no pun intended, the bread and butter of the bakery. Our house is like your basic country sourdough loaf, said Stinson. The only ingredients are flour, water, salt and our sourdough starter. Its very basic, but that is the loaf we started with all those years ago and remains the most popular. For retail and wholesale, its our most sought after item. Other items available at the bakery -- open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. unless they sell out earlier, which is likely on the weekends -- include pastries, such as a variety of croissants, morning buns, cinnamon rolls and even bourbon coffee twists made using bourbon from the bakerys neighbors, John Emerald Distilling Company. Stinson Breads in Opelika offers a variety of breads and pastries, including its popular bourbon coffee twist, to its surrounding communities. (Anna Claire Stinson)Anna Claire Stinson/Stinson Breads I love our bourbon coffee twist, said Stinson. We kind of cut it in strips and roll it up into a round twist, and then after its baked, we dip it in a bourbon coffee glaze. It just has a really like, deep complex flavor in that glaze, and I just love it. Fans of Stinson Breads can also find their products at several restaurants and eateries in the surrounding areas, including Acre in Auburn, Piedmont on Piedmont in Opelika, Animal Farm in Columbus, Ga., and more, with hopes to continue to add to the growing list. In addition, the bakery hosts special events and workshops, including Sourdough 101 for those looking to gain more hands-on experience with baking. READ MORE: 9 restaurants to put on your dining wish list Ultimately, Stinson said that their goal was to bring the quality of bread they had while on their honeymoon back to Opelika, and its been a humbling experience that something seemingly simple could bring so much joy to the community. When we did start making this bread, small scale and larger scale, like were doing now, I think people are just so appreciative that they can get that type of bread and that quality of bread, said Stinson. Whether thats people who have lived in this area all their lives or people who have moved to this area from all over the world, I feel like people just appreciate the fact that were here and just doing our little bit to contribute. Stinson Breads is located at 714 North Railroad Avenue in Opelika. You can follow them on Facebook and Instagram as well as visit their website. Lawyers for an Alabama Death Row inmate set to die next week said there was a simple, straightforward option to guarantee the inmate doesnt have excess pain during his nitrogen execution: To borrow a step from the states lethal injection execution process. What were talking about here isnt medical, its execution, said attorney Spencer Hahn during a federal court hearing in Montgomery on Tuesday morning. Lets use part of the lethal injection protocol and import it to the nitrogen protocol. Hahns ask came on behalf of Demetrius Terrence Frazier, who is set to die sometime within a 30-hour-period starting at midnight on Thursday, Feb. 6 and ending at 6 a.m. on Feb. 7. Frazier is set to die by inhaling pure nitrogen gas. The hearing, which lasted several hours and concluded just before 2 p.m., focused on the psychological pain that a nitrogen execution may bring an inmate before he or she takes their last breaths. Theyre remaining conscious longer than (the states medical expert) said they would, said Hahn about the three inmates who have been executed in Alabama using nitrogen gas. The Alabama Attorney Generals Offices expert anesthesiologist, who works in Los Angeles, said a person who undergoes a nitrogen execution like Alabamas would lose consciousness in under a minute. The facts on the ground dont support that, Hahn said. Something is going wrong Its not working that way. Two physicians testified virtually at the hearingmen who were engaged in a battle of the experts, as a different federal judge called the two opinions in a separate case. The witness for Frazier was a doctor who attended a prior Alabama nitrogen execution and said that inmate, Carey Grayson, made movements that showed he was conscious several minutes into the execution. The states expert said it could be explained by unconscious movements. After the testimony, U.S. District Judge Emily Marks questioned Fraziers lawyers as to how his lawsuit challenging the states nitrogen execution method was different than a prior lawsuit from Grayson, who was executed in November and was also represented by the Federal Defenders Office. She also asked Fraziers lawyers why the caseand so many other death row claimswas filed so close to his execution date. Hahn said many clients are hesitant about filing lawsuits because theyre afraid to call attention to themselves; that the Alabama Attorney Generals Office will note who causes trouble. He said many are concerned that if you lift your head up, youll lose it. He added that Grayson and Frazier are different people, with different cases. And, he said, Graysons execution added another data point to challenge the protocol. But in this case, Hahn said, theres a simple way for the judge to rule. Fraziers team is asking for the opportunity to be unconscious when (Frazier) is subject to nitrogen, said Hahn. While Frazier could ask for a prison doctor to prescribe anxiety medicine, Hahn said that dose wouldnt fix the problem. But 500 milligrams of midazolamthe first drug in the states lethal injection, three-drug cocktailwould. Hahn added that the dosage, according to (the states) expert, would render a person unconscious. The Alabama Attorney Generals Office argued Fraziers lawyers havent showed he would experience superadded pain that would violate the Eighth Amendment against cruel and unusual punishment. Dylan Mauldin, with the Solicitor Generals Office, said Fraziers doctor cited no medical articles or supporting evidence to bolster his claims of psychological terror. And some psychological pain leading up to an execution, he added, was to be expected, and likely couldnt be mitigated. Theres no way to get around that, he said. But Mauldin did not say the midazolam prior to the nitrogen was impossible. But, theres no reason to thinking knocking him out sooner would reduce the fear, Mauldin said. The judge said she would issue a ruling as soon as possible, and ended the hearing. Frazier, 52, is to be put to death for the slaying of Pauline Brown, who was shot to death and raped in her Fountain Heights apartment more than 30 years ago. Frazier was also convicted in a separate killing in his home state of Michigan: The shooting death of a 14-year-old girl. Three Alabama inmates were put to death in 2023 using nitrogen gas: Kenneth Smith, Alan Miller, and Grayson. So far, Alabama is the only state in the country to roll out nitrogen executions. An internal email has been retracted after Mobile Public School Systems employee provided directives for keeping children safe if an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid occurred on a school campus. In the email obtained by WKRG, the worker advised other school employees to let families know they will not be penalized if their children are kept at home. The employee then provides a list of things to do in case ICE comes to a school campus including to, do no harm, be a helper and text me on my cell if ICE shows up anywhere closeby. Terrence Mixon, MCPSS Assistant Superintendent, provided a statement saying the email was retracted and said it was sent without MCPSS Leadership approval. This is now a personnel matter that will be handled according to our policies and procedure, Mixon said. Mixon added that MCPSS will follow federal mandates if federal agents were to come onto any of the school systems campuses. As always, MCPSS will follow all federal mandates, to include dealing with federal agents when and if they come onto any of our campuses, Mixon said. All students are to report to school daily, and no authorization has been given stating that students will not be penalized for unexcused absences. We will continue to follow our normal enrollment and withdrawal procedures through our Student Support Services Division. The anxiety around whether ICE will conduct raids or operations at schools was fueled by President Donald Trumps administration rescinding a policy that created protected areas from immigration authorities. This designation restricted agencies from conducting raids and arresting people at schools, churches and other protected locations. The Department of Homeland Security announced the policy change stating in a press release, criminals will no longer be able to hide in Americas schools and churches to avoid arrest. Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said Monday that he would help ICE, in any way he can, as the agency begins ramping up its nationwide immigration crackdown. AL.com contacted ICE for comment but have not received a response. This is an opinion column. And a letter to my father. Hey Dad. Its been too long since I wrote. Im sorry. I know youve got a lot on your plate, what with dying and all. There are things Ive needed to tell you, but I just havent had the heart. Remember when you were in the hospital, near the end, and people paraded in to see you? Youd say Heavens my home, but I aint homesick, and everyone would laugh. But mostly you. I think its best you went home when you did. You were ready. And the world is, well, different. We have artificial intelligence now. People seem to prefer it to the real stuff. Professors tell me students dont really read books anymore. AI boils all those words into bits so they just get the hot points. Sort of like the way politicians do to the Bible. Professors are out of fashion right now. Like scientists, librarians, journalists, historians, independent judges and ethics. We dont rely on experts anymore, either. We have influencers, whose expertise is determined by how entertaining they are. Or how loud they can get. Billionaires are in, I guess. And Christian Nationalists. Were at each others throats. Again. And I have bad news. That Methodist church you devoted your whole life to like your dad and his dad before him? It split. Half the churches said they wanted open hearts, open minds, open doors. And the other half chose better locks. Its sort of the story of our country now. Your alma mater, Birmingham Southern College? Its gone . It got itself into money trouble sort of like that PACT program Kay Ivey used to run and the state didnt want to throw it a lifeline. Liberal arts colleges are less popular than lawyers now. I guess theyre on a par with climate scientists. Remember when my car broke down in Orlando and that guy took it apart and laid all the pieces on the lawn? He put it back together, mostly, but it never ran right again. Thats what I keep thinking about. Because we have a new president the guy from The Apprentice, which I know you didnt watch. He talks a lot about how bad America is, so hes breaking it apart. Like my old car. People who love the guy really love the guy. Thats why hes president. Again. A lot of people are worried, though. The presidents only been back in office a week and hes already done so much to take things apart that nobody can follow it. He wants to make Canada a state and build a wall between us and Mexico. He wants to claim Greenland and rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. All that seems like a lot of distraction to keep us from watching something else, like in a magic show or pro wrestling. Hes gonna use the military to kick immigrants out, separate families, refuse refugees from other countries and declare that being born in America isnt enough to make you a citizen anymore. He scrapped all kinds of diversity programs , rolled back protections for gay people, turned back the clock on civil rights. His admirers say hes chosen by God to do it all. Its a lot to take in. Even for those of us who still have a pulse. I was thinking about you because I know how much you cared about the earth. You used to preach, from your pulpit, the dinner table and on our vacations, about how it was our duty to God and to humanity to be good stewards of the planet. We have a lot of natural disasters now because of climate change. More even than scientists predicted . But people dont want to hear it. The president pulled America out of the Paris Climate Accords and wiped out guidelines for studying climate change. He threatened to withhold disaster assistance to states he doesnt like, and now hes talking about dismantling FEMA. I think people would rather get cheap stuff on the internet than acknowledge the climate problem. But then, the president has a billionaire pal who is the richest guy in the world. He badly wants to go to Mars, so maybe a few of us will end up there. Then Earth can go the way of your alma mater. You must have a lot of afterlife stuff to do, so I wont get into how its harder to enroll in Medicaid or get insurance than it was two weeks ago , or how the Supreme Court is about to decide whether its OK to have religious public schools. I know youd hate that because you took your religion so seriously. You knew how scary it could be when any old yokel starts telling kids what their god does or doesnt want out of them. I admit I didnt stay awake through all your sermons, and Im sorry about that, but I went back and read some this week. They were pretty good. You talked a lot about caring for outcasts and beggars, for lepers and tax collectors and refugees and sex workers and people who are easy to dismiss. You talked about why its so important for people to try to be like the guy they named their religion after. I really thought about you when an Episcopal bishop said a lot of that stuff to the presidents face on inauguration day last week. She spoke up for immigrants and minorities and others. In the name of our God, she said softly, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. Youd have thought she questioned his manhood. The president later said she was bad at her job, that she was nasty in tone. His supporters said a whole lot worse. Some called her a heretic on national TV, and a preacher said the bishop didnt know her Bible because youre supposed to respect your government and the laws. Starting Now! Did I mention the president pardoned 1,500 people who broke into the Capitol, smashed up the place and beat the police with sticks because they refused to accept an election he didnt win? It was crazy. People died. The people that called that bishop a heretic would call her whole theology woke. You might not understand the term. You might think it means stay awake and pay attention to whats really happening around you, and try to understand how we got to this place in history. You might think being aware is a good thing, that if we really say all people are to be treated as equal, we ought to understand that some folks got a limo ride to opportunity while others hack through centuries of brambles to no avail. But woke turned into a huge political wedge. Like commie in the 50s, maybe. As long as we have labels for people they are easy to discredit. I know this is a lot. And I havent forgotten that youre dead, so theres not much you can do about it. But I hoped talking to you would help me figure things out. I did read some of your old sermons, like I said, hoping theyd have some wisdom. I didnt always appreciate what it must have been like to preach about loving others amid the shrapnel of Bombingham in the 1950s and 60s. I think I have a better idea now. I read one from January of 1962. It was the month Birmingham closed its parks to keep from having to integrate them. It was the month Klan bombs went off at three different Black churches in Birmingham. Three more bombings that would never be solved. You spoke that day about kindness. I have thought, many times, that you should have said it more clearly. More forcefully. With more authority. But kindness seems pretty important now. This world is starving for kindness, you said from your pulpit in that place, in that critical moment. At the present time it is like a cowed puppy, licking its wounds and longing for someone to care. That helped me, Dad, I wanted to tell you. Because a cowed puppy, licking its wounds and longing for someone to care changes nothing. Nothing. It simply takes what is given, mewls for more and fades into a corner. We, too, are in a critical place, in a critical moment, and the temptation is strong to find such a corner. I wont do it, Dad. It is not the time to act the puppy. Miss you, John PS: Say hi to Mom for me, but dont tell her about the AI stuff. I know shed worry. She used to tell us wed never be closer to our Creator than in the act of creation. Art, literature, bridges, people. When we build stuff we fulfill ourselves, and maybe our purpose. She wouldnt want to turn that over to machines. John Archibald is a columnist for AL.com and a two-time Pulitzer winner, though he did sleep through many of his fathers sermons. Akatsuka Fujios work is part of San Franciscos de Young Museums major manga exhibition. Fujio Akatsuka/de Young Museum Yamazaki Mari and Tori Miki's works are part of San Franciscos de Young Museums major manga exhibition. Mari Yamazaki, Tori Miki /Shinchosha/de Young Museum This fall, the de Young Museum in San Francisco will present Art of Manga, a groundbreaking exhibition that marks the first major exploration in the United States of Japanese manga as both a visual and narrative art form. The show will offer visitors an extraordinary opportunity to view over 700 original works by some of the most influential manga artists of our time. It is scheduled to be on view from Sept. 27 to Jan. 25, 2026. Manga, a dynamic genre of image-driven storytelling, has become a global cultural phenomenon, captivating millions with its vivid artwork and compelling narratives. The term manga itself, which translates to pictures run riot in Japanese, reflects its free-flowing, imaginative style. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Manga is one of the most significant visual mediums of our time, said Thomas P. Campbell, director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, in a statement. We are excited to highlight the artistic power and cultural impact of this genre, which is deeply woven into global conversations around storytelling and identity. Oda Eiichiro's work is part of San Franciscos de Young Museums major manga exhibition. Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha/de Young Museum The exhibition traces the evolution of manga, from its roots in 18th and 19th century Japanese woodblock prints to the influence of Western comics. Visitors will have a chance to see works by legendary figures such as Akatsuka Fujio, Araki Hirohiko and Oda Eiichiro, alongside emerging talents who reflect the mediums contemporary vibrancy. Notable sections of the exhibition will focus on mangas diverse artistic styles, production processes and its role as a powerful tool for social commentary, particularly in exploring identity and cultural shifts. By prioritizing images and line over text in its storytelling, manga cultivates an ease of visceral understanding that enables readership from around the world to enjoy the same stories, organizing curator Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere, research director of the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures, said in a statement. Readers become invested in characters and their stories, and manga publishers and artists take their letters and social media comments into account and adapt the ongoing story or create new manga, which often then becomes a forerunner to greater cultural shifts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A Birmingham man was found dead in a wooded area in east Alabama. Lincoln police on Tuesday identified the man as Bobby Beverly. He was 59. The discovery was made Thursday in the woods line near the 200 block of England Road after authorities were notified of a body found. Officers and firefighters arrived and pronounced Beverly dead. The Talladega County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the Center for Applied Forensics and the Talladega County Coroners Office also responded to the scene. Police officials said the cause and manner of death have not yet been determined. Beverlys body has been taken to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for examination. The investigation is ongoing. A former Alabama county jail administrator is accused of punching a handcuffed inmate in the head. The U.S. Department of Justice announced a federal indictment against 33-year-old Christian Alexander Porter, a former captain at the Crenshaw County Jail. The four-count indictment was issued Jan. 8 and made public Tuesday. Porter is charged with using unreasonable force on a pretrial detainee while acting under color of law in violation of the 14th Amendment and with falsifying a use of force report to cover up the assault. The victim, identified in court documents only as S.W., was arrested Oct. 7, 2021. On Oct. 12, 2021, according to the indictment, Porter punched the inmate in the head and shoulders while the inmate was handcuffed and compliant. The indictment also charges Porter with making false statements to state and federal investigators on Nov. 18, 2021, and June 28, 2022. Porter, documents state, told investigators that he took S.W. to the ground and took no further action against him. Instead, authorities say, Porter assaulted the inmate while he was on the ground. If convicted, Porter faces up to 10 years in prison for the federal civil rights violation, 20 years in prison for falsifying the report and making false statements to state investigators and five years in prison for making false statements to federal investigators. Acting Assistant Attorney General Kathleen Wolfe of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson for the Middle District of Alabama and Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown of the FBI Mobile Field Office made Tuesdays announcement. The FBI Mobile Field Office is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Counts for the Middle District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Lia Rettammel of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case. A wave of fake toll road texts hitting the U.S. has been linked to Chinese hackers, according to cyber security experts. Last week, the Federal Trade Commission issued a warning about text messages sent to people about tolls they supposedly owed. Some of the texts showed a dollar amount and included a link that takes you to a page to enter your bank or credit card information, all data that can be stolen and used by hackers. Cyber security site KrebsOnSecurity reports the surge in SMS span coincides with new features added to a popular commercial kit sold in China that teaches people how to set up spoofing scams. According to the FBI, spoofing is when someone disguises an email address, sender name, phone number or website URL to convince the target they are interacting with a trusted source. Sometimes the change on the email or website can be very small perhaps one letter, symbol or number. What were seeing with these tolls scams is just a continuation of the Chinese smishing groups rotating from package redelivery schemes to toll road scams, Ford Merrill, security researcher at SecAlliance, a CSIS Security Group company, told KrebsOnSecurity. Every one of us by now is sick and tired of receiving these package smishing attacks, so now its a new twist on an existing scam. The scam has been widely reported across the country, with fake texts seemingly coming from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, operator of EZDriveMA, the North Texas Toll Authority and Floridas prepaid toll program Sunpass, among others. The phishing attack coincides with the release of the new kit telling people how to mimic toll operator websites as they appear on mobile devices. The goal of the scam is to extract enough information from the victim to get their credit or debit card numbers or any other personally identifiable information. What should you do if you receive a toll text? Heres what FTC recommends: The Gulf of Mexico will be identified as the Gulf of America on Google Maps once President Donald Trumps order is reflected in official government sources, the tech giant said Monday. We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources, Google posted to its X account. For geographic features in the U.S., this is when Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is updated. When that happens, we will update Google Maps in the U.S. quickly to show Mount McKinley and Gulf of America. Weve received a few questions about naming within Google Maps. We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources. News from Google (@NewsFromGoogle) January 27, 2025 On his first day in office, Trump signed orders to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and for Denali -- the highest in the United States -- to revert to Mt. McKinley in Alaska. The president claimed the changes are in line with his America First platform. Google also said it has a longstanding practice for Maps users to see a places official local name when official names vary between countries. Everyone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here too, the tweet stated. Trumps proposal won support from many conservatives, including Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala. and Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth. Earlier this month on X, the lieutenant governor referenced Trumps idea. Appreciate the opportunity to share our plan to widen I-65 from the Tennessee line to the Gulf of America with leaders from across the state, Ainsworth said of his top priority. When the main artery of Alabama is the worlds longest parking lot, it hurts our economy and frustrates drivers as they travel. Some businesses along the Gulf also capitalized on Trumps idea. Flora-Bama Lounge, Package & Oyster Bar is taking pre-orders for shirts that are all about making the Gulf great again. On the back, the Gulf of America in red, white and blue, filling the entire Gulf, leaving room for a palm tree or two and an icon marking the location of the Flora-Bama. On the front, a smaller Flora-Bama logo and the words Making the Gulf Great Again. The shirts are $30 through the venues online store. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum joked that if Trump went ahead with the renaming, her country would rename North America Mexican America. She later toned it down: For us and for the entire world it will continue to be called the Gulf of Mexico. Just hours after Pete Hegseth was confirmed as the new Defense Secretary, Alabamas U.S. Senator Katie Britt reached out to him on social media regarding an Air Force instructional video about the Tuskegee Airmen. Britt expressed confidence that Hegseth would correct and get to the bottom of the malicious compliance seen in recent days. Hegseth publicly responded within 20 minutes, assuring the senator the situation would be resolved. By Monday, the Air Force confirmed the story of the Tuskegee Airmen will be part of basic military training, and recognition was given to Britt for her swift action in quashing the brief controversy. Kudos to my friend @SenKatieBritt and leadership at the Pentagon for recognizing the importance of the Tuskegee Airmen, tweeted Mississippi U.S. Senator Roger Wicker on Tuesday. Britts handling of this bipartisan dispute could preview her elevated role in the Senate during the second Trump administration. Later this week, she is expected to join Trump for the signing of the Laken Riley Act, a bill she sponsored enabling the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain unauthorized immigrants arrested and accused of certain crimes like burglary and theft. Senator Britt, in record time, has established herself as not only one of the most effective leaders weve ever seen from the Senate in this state, but one of the most effective leaders in the Senate, period, said Angi Horn, a Republican Party strategist based in the Montgomery area. She is someone who is trusted, respected, and is seen not just as a woman or someone from Alabama, but as one of the hardest workers and most policy-intelligent people in the body. Tuskegee commitment FILE- Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Charles McGee, center, a decorated veteran of three wars, receives a congratulatory send off after visiting with 436 Aerial Port Squadron personnel at Dover Air Force Base to help celebrate his 100th birthday in Dover, Delaware, Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. McGee, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen who flew 409 fighter combat missions over three wars, died Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. He was 102. (AP Photo/David Tulis, File)AP Britts actions in restoring the Tuskegee Airmen video demonstrate her ongoing commitment to honoring the historic all-Black military fighters who played a crucial role in integrating the segregated military during World War II. It also highlights her work in securing federal funding for the predominately Black and Democratic-voting Tuskegee area. Britt, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee last August, announced a $5.29 million federal award to Tuskegee University to support a new flight school degree program aimed at reducing an industry-wide pilot shortage. University president Mark Brown praised the effort and Britts backing in addressing the pilot shortage, just as the Tuskegee Airmen did during World War II. All of the nearly 1,000 Black military pilots were trained in Tuskegee, which today consists of 8,700 residents and is 87% Black. Its also the heart of Macon County, where the largest percentage of voters in Alabama backed Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris during Novembers presidential election. Months later, Britt was the first Republican to defend the Tuskegee Airmen from perceived attempts to undermine President Donald Trumps executive orders limiting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Her political radar and her political antenna shows a high level of maturity, said Jess Brown, a retired political science professor at Athens State University and a long-time observer of Alabama state politics. I think she was clearly, in the terms of public opinion, on the right side of that issue. I would imagine that when she raised the issue, Hegseth knew intuitively, that given the (racial) composition of the Armed Forces, that I cannot be seen as anti-Black veterans. Thats the road they could have potentially gone down with that. While Democrats have acknowledged Britts role in resolving the controversy, they also criticized Trump for creating confusion around his executive orders. Still, figures like U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, thanked Britt and Hegseth for addressing the issue on social media. This is a different generation of leaders, said Brent Buchanan, a Republican pollster based in Alabama. Theyre connected. Theyre listening. Senator Britt is also a very amenable, likable, relatable person who builds actual friendships, the way the Senate and government in general used to work. Senate growth UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 20: Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., speaks during the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing titled "A Review of Disaster Funding Needs," in Dirksen building, on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag Britt, 42, took office on Jan. 3, 2023, and is currently 85th in Senate seniority. But she also has seats on some powerful committees, including Senate Appropriations and Senate Rules. On Appropriations, shes a ranking member of the Homeland Security subcommittee, and has made immigration reform a top priority. Her work on the Laken Riley Act was called the most significant immigration enforcement legislation since 1996, according to state Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, in an AL.com Op-ed. Britt, former chief of staff under retired Senator Richard Shelby and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama, remains viewed as a rising star among Republican lawmakers in Congress. This comes less than a year after a controversial response to the State of the Union Address delivered inside her kitchen that was met with criticism and mockery. During the speech, Britt cited an unnamed woman who had told her that she was sex trafficked by the cartels starting at the age of 12, while criticizing President Joe Bidens immigration policy. A journalist later identified the woman as someone whose tragic experience occurred in 2004, when George W. Bush was president. Trump, however, praised Britts speech, posting on Truth Social that she was GREAT in contrast to Bidens delivery during his State of the Union address. Months later, Britt joined Trump at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the Alabama-Georgia game. That speech aside, Brown said its Britts savvy in the Senate that is generating bipartisan acclaim, and right-wing approval much in the same way as her predecessor, Shelby, the legendary earmarker. Brown said Britts recent comments during the California wildfire were reassuring to both Democrats and Republicans, telling state residents affected by the devastation that they have the support of Congress. Her comments came one day after Alabamas other U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville suggested California doesnt deserve federal support unless they changed their ways. She handled it in a way that, in my view, wont cause the members of the California delegation to just have rage in their spirit when they hear her name and the references to the state of Alabama, Brown said. She manifested a degree of some compassion on what happened out there in a way that some other senators did not. He said that same approach is winning key votes on legislation embraced by Trump. The Laken Riley Act will be the first of the bills Trump will sign into law since he was inaugurated. Im not so sure if Tuberville had a bill honoring motherhood, he could get 10 Democrats to co-sponsor him, Brown said. She is maintaining relationships with people from not only the Rs but some, if not several, D-sides of the aisle. Horn said that Britt, through her committee assignments and elevated profile, underscores a role in the Senate that Alabamians should embrace. If the U.S. Senate had a draft, there would be 49 other states trying to get her right now, Horn said. Thats just the truth. Immigrants were arrested in Alabama this weekend and more arrests are expected soon, according to advocates, as President Trumps mass deportation arrests began in cities around the nation. Arrests were made Sunday at a home in Fultondale and in Huntsville, according to Allison Hamilton, the executive director of the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice. That same day, arrest numbers started spiking in highly publicized operations in Atlanta, Dallas and, most prominently, Chicago, according to the Associated Press. Immigration Customs and Enforcement agents and Fultondale police arrived at the house early on Sunday, she said. One resident texted his English as a Second Language teacher to ask for help, which is how they heard of the arrests, Hamilton said. He messaged the chat that morning asking the teacher what to do because the police were outside his house, and he didnt know what to do, Hamilton said. Officers entered the house with a warrant for one man, searched the building, and found a gun, according to Hamilton, so they detained several other men in the building. Fultondale police told AL.com on Tuesday that three people were arrested on Sunday with outstanding reentry warrants and that guns were found. Hamilton also said her group learned of another arrest on Sunday. That one was in Huntsville. The Huntsville Police Department told AL.com on Wednesday that it was not involved in the arrest. Officers there went looking for one person who was not home, and they arrested several men they found there instead, leaving a woman with a baby, she said. There were two men in the family that were asleep, and they pulled them out of their beds and detained them, she said. According to Hamilton, the arrests are a departure from the kind that occurred before President Trumps term. Hamilton said under Biden it was rare that anyone other than the specific person law enforcement was searching for would be taken from their homes. This week, Trump increased arrest quotas for ICE officials to at least 1,200 to 1,500 per day, according to a report by the Washington Post. In Alabama, there are an estimated 183,000 total immigrants in the state. A local immigration group estimates about 20 percent of those are undocumented, but exact numbers are not known. Several former Alabama residents were recently deported to Guatemala, according to a report by CNN on Tuesday. It feels dangerous in the U.S. now, Sara Tot-Botoz told CNN, after landing in her home country. She said she had lived for 10 years in Alabama with her children and grandchildren before being pulled over by an officer about seven months ago. Advocates in Alabama are preparing for more arrests in the days ahead. Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch on Monday told reporters he would work with ICE and provide transport vans, jail occupancy or personnel to assist the agency. We will work with them and assist them in any way we can. With personnel (and) if need be, Ill make room in the jail for them until theyre processed and sent back, Burch said. Attorney Nathan Harris with Abogados Centro Legal in Hoover told AL.com he had heard through contacts in the community that ICE task forces were operating in the northern part of the state and would be for several days. This is not to cause alarm or suggest that ICE activity is not happening in other parts of the state as well. The main point is to stay vigilant and live your life with caution, his office posted on Facebook Monday. AL.com reporter Carol Robinson contributed to this report. Update: This story was updated on Wednesday to include information from the Huntsville Police Department Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said that his office will help Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in any way we can, as the agency begins to ramp up its targeting of undocumented people under President Donald Trumps administration. During an interview with media members Monday, Burch said he spoke with ICE agents that morning but could not go into specifics of the conversation. The sheriff stated that he will work with ICE and provide transport vans, jail occupancy or personnel to assist the federal agencys operations in Mobile County. See also: Anxiety grips Alabama immigrants as Trump plans mass deportation Therell be teams picking people up as theyre able to identify persons who are, just known criminals that are here illegally, Burch said. And we will work with them and assist them in any way we can. With personnel [and] if need be, Ill make room in the jail for them until theyre processed and sent back. Burch said that ICE was already out picking people up, on Sunday in several counties in south Alabama including Mobile and Baldwin counties. But while the emphasis may be on undocumented individuals with criminal backgrounds Burch said that he could see individuals without a criminal past, collaterally, being detained by ICE. You know, frequently as they will go looking for the individuals theyre looking for, Burch said, there will be several other people with them that are illegal. And collaterally, they will more than likely be detained as well. According to the American Immigration Council, about 3.6 percent of Alabamas population are foreign-born. Immigrants make up about 9.1 percent of entrepreneurs in the state and 12.1 percent of construction workers. Alabamas undocumented immigrants went through a period of heightened concerns in 2011 after the state passed one of the nations toughest immigration laws. HB 56 allowed Alabama police officers to demand documentation paperwork and required school officials to identify undocumented students. By 2013, courts had blocked most of the law from being implemented. ICE raids and sweeping arrests have been known to separate families and lead to people being deported to violent situations. During the first Trump administration in August 2019, 650 federal ICE agents arrested over 700 workers, mostly Latino, across seven Mississippi poultry plants. The operation occurred on the first day of school for many children, who were left stranded at schools and day-cares with no guardian to pick them up. Last week, Baldwin County Sheriff Jeff Lowery said he was in talks with federal officials to increase bed space at the countys jail to hold more ICE detainees. Burch said that he expects more activity from ICE in Mobile County in the coming days. Nearly every week since they settled in metro Atlanta about two years ago, Kenia and Wilson Velasquez attended church service together on Sundays alongside their three children, ages 7, 9, and 13. This past Sunday, the first since Donald Trump returned to the White House, only part of the family returned home from church. Wilson Velasquez, 36, was arrested by immigration authorities around midday, just as the sermon inside Iglesia Fuente de Vida in Tucker was nearing its end. Our youngest, the 7-year-old, hasnt stopped crying, Kenia Velasquez, 34, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday, in Spanish. He says that he wants his dad. He asks why he isnt here. Wilson Velasquezs arrest was one of at least 20 apprehensions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Atlanta on Sunday, according to estimates by Mario Guevara, a Spanish-language reporter well-connected with local immigrant communities. In a statement, an agency spokesperson said the arrests were part of enhanced targeted operations that aimed to enforce U.S. immigration law and preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities. Nationwide, 956 immigrants were arrested on Sunday, according to an ICE post on social media. The first sign something was off for the Velasquez family came when Wilsons ankle monitor which federal officials placed on him at the border began beeping. To avoid disrupting the service, Wilson shuffled out of the church where immigration agents were waiting for him. After receiving a distressed text message from her husband, Kenia says she ran outside to try to help. By the time she came out, Wilson was in handcuffs in the backseat of a law enforcement vehicle. Kenia says all color had drained from his face, and that he looked panicked. An ICE agent gave her the familys car keys, which were on Wilson. Then, she watched as her husband was driven away. She says she still isnt sure where he is being detained, or what will happen next. Forgive me if I cry, I just feel so upset. If I had Trump in front of me, I would hug him and I would tell him to take pity on Hispanic people, she said. The Velasquez family crossed the border illegally as a unit in September 2022. They were released and allowed to pursue an asylum case inside the country. Kenia says they fled their home country of Honduras because theyd been threatened by gangs. Once they reached Atlanta, where relatives had already moved, Kenia says the family kept up with their periodic check-in appointments at Atlantas ICE field office on Ted Turner Drive. Wilson made sure to charge his ankle monitor every night, to remain trackable to authorities and avoid immigration detention. Last year, Wilson received a U.S. work permit, a benefit for which unauthorized migrants are eligible after six months of filing an asylum application. According to Kenia, Wilson worked at a tire shop and provided for the family while she stayed home with the children. His arrest is a threat to the familys livelihood. I couldnt fall asleep last night because Im so worried, she said. Rent is due soon and we dont have enough to make the payment. He was the one who worked. My husband is a hardworking man. I dont understand why they came looking for him, she added. Were not hurting anybody. Were good people. Humble. After a phone call with Wilson Monday afternoon, Kenia said her husband has no right to a hearing before a judge and will be transferred to Stewart Detention Center for deportation. They want raids to be known Mario Guevaras phone began ringing at about 6 a.m. Sunday. A well-known Spanish-language media personality, the Tucker-based Guevara has more than a million followers on social media networks. For more than a decade, he has tracked ICE through immigrant-heavy Atlanta suburbs, initially for the now-defunct newspaper El Mundo Hispanico and now for his own brand, MGNews. Callers told Guevara on Sunday before sunrise that officers were in their neighborhoods, wearing vests that said HSI or DHS for the federal Department of Homeland Security. Later, the calls came from people who said a relative had been arrested. Guevera said he had names of 20 people whom immigration officers had detained in metro Atlanta by about 10 p.m. Sunday. Nine were Honduran, four Salvadoran, three Guatemalan, three Mexican and one Colombian, said Guevara. He thinks it is likely that others were arrested from countries that dont speak Spanish, but their families wouldnt have called him. All of the people on Guevaras list were asylum seekers with ankle monitors. Relatives told Guevara they had been going to all their immigration appointments, but administrative orders had been issued for their deportation. Thirteen had valid work permits, Guevara said. All had entered the United States between 2021 and 2023, he said. Guevara also heard from two women whom ICE visited but did not arrest because they were alone with children. One, in Norcross, was alone with a baby about three or four months old, Guevara said. Both women also had ankle monitors, he said. The families seemed to be in shock, Guevara said. Immigration officers had banged loudly at their doors and yelled, Police. Many peeked from windows and waited in helpless fear before eventually opening the doors, Guevara said. After the first calls came in Sunday, Guevara quickly got in his car. He drove to an apartment complex in Norcross where agents had been seen, but they werent there anymore. At another complex in Doraville, he saw ICE officers leading a detained man into their vehicle. Guevara followed the agents car. His sense of alarm increased when it stopped at a Publix but five minutes later, the agents came out with snacks, Guevara said. Then Guevara followed them to Lilburn, where the agents lost him. He left the neighborhood but went back about 15 minutes later. I had a presentiment, Guevara said in Spanish. He saw a man being arrested whom he later learned was a Honduran immigrant. Guevara recorded the arrest live on Facebook. Later, as Guevara drove down Buford Highway looking for federal agents, Luis Ortiz, the pastor at the Velasquezes church, called to recount what had happened. The scope of Sundays raids was not unprecedented, Guevara said. President Barack Obamas administration still holds the record for deportations and some days under his leadership were similar, Guevara said. But then, immigration agents were detaining families together, including children, he said. This time, Guevara said, more agencies seemed to be involved, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshal. Officers also seemed to behave differently when he stood in front of them, openly recording. They were calm, he said. They seemed comfortable. Before, they had a low profile. Compared to Obama-era raids, Guevara said, Sunday seemed to be about attracting attention. Today theres more noise because of social networks, he said. (President) Trump is making more noise too, more of a racket. He wants this to be known. Family members that Guevara followed up with Monday morning had still not heard from their detained relatives. Among the flurry of immigration reforms announced by the Trump administration last week was an expansion of a policy dubbed expedited removal, which subjects people who are in the country unlawfully to a streamlined and expedited removal process if fewer than two years have passed since they crossed the border. They could be on airplanes back to their home countries, Guevara said. Another change has allowed immigration agents to conduct arrests in schools, churches and hospitals places previously deemed largely off-limits. So many people told Guevara they planned to keep their children home Monday that, at midnight, he posted a video to Facebook urging immigrants to send their kids to school. They might be safer there than home, he said. And Guevara, a Salvadoran immigrant with legal status, thought of his own children. Its better the kids dont see you when you are arrested, for their emotional safety, he said. For Kenia Velasquez, her husbands arrest came as she was still reeling from another blow to her family from immigration enforcement. Roughly two months ago, her brother was deported back to Honduras. He had tried to enter the country at the end of 2023 with his then-pregnant wife. Border authorities let her in, but he was detained. He remained in detention for a year before being sent back. Although a potential return to Honduras fills her with dread, Kenia said she would follow Wilson should he be deported a sign that voluntary departures could follow official removals. We would leave the U.S. the same way we came in, all five of us, Kenia said. Im not going to stay in this country by myself, if theyre deporting people and everybody is afraid. _______ 2025 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. LANSING, MI -- Despite abolishing the death penalty in 1963, a Michigan prisoner is scheduled to be executed next week. Demetrius Frazier, 52, originally from Detroit, is listed in Michigan Department of Corrections online records as serving a mandatory life sentence. But hes not in Michigan. Due to an unusual agreement between former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and then-Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley in 2011, Frazier, whom officials deem a sexual predator, has for the last 14 years been imprisoned on Alabamas Death Row. Related: Alabama death row inmates lawyers drop effort to move him to Michigan His mother, Carol Frazier, 69, of Taylor, held a press conference in Lansing Tuesday, Jan. 28 along with anti-death penalty advocates. We want him to come back to Michigan to finish his time here, said Carol Frazier. Since Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in federal court filings said her office doesnt want Frazier back, supporters are asking Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to use her executive powers to save the twice-convicted murderers life. Supporters claim Fraziers Alabama transfer was improper and the governor should uphold the intent of Michigans constitutional ban on the death penalty. Related: A sexual predator: Michigan prisons dont want Alabama death row inmate back Calling her son a changed man, the inmates mother intended to deliver Whitmers staff a handwritten letter and petitions said to contain thousands of signatures in Lansing. She hopes her son will live the rest of his life behind bars in Michigan, rather than die while strapped down inside an Alabama prison. Advocates admit Fraziers crimes were heinous, but oppose his execution on philosophical and legal grounds. In 1993, a Michigan jury convicted Frazier on two counts first-degree criminal sexual assault in Detroit and the 1992 murder of 14-year-old Crystal Linda Kendrick, who police believe escaped a vacant house where Frazier intended to rape her in 1991. Frazier chased her outside and fatally shot her in the head. A passing motorist found her naked body, according to a 1993 pre-sentence report included in new court filings. MLive hasnt been able to locate members of the victims family but the same pre-sentencing report said the family wanted Frazier sentenced to life in prison, the electric chair or the same treatment he gave Crystal. Frazier was also convicted of breaking into a womans Detroit home armed with a knife on Sept. 1, 1991. Wearing a T-shirt with holes cut out for the eyes over his face, he raped the woman multiple times while multiple children were inside the home. According to the Alabama Attorney Generals Office, at the time of his arrest in 1992 when he was 19, Frazier faced 15 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, some that hes never faced trial for. During the Michigan investigation, Frazier revealed his responsibility in another crime, the sexual assault and murder of Pauline Brown in Alabamas Jefferson County. In November 1991, Frazier, according to court records, broke into Browns apartment. He searched the home for money and when he couldnt find much, woke up Brown. He raped her at gunpoint, and then shot her in the head. After he was convicted for his Michigan crimes, the Michigan Department of Corrections in 1994 temporarily transferred Frazier to Alabamas custody to face trial for Browns killing. A jury found Frazier guilty and the judge sentenced him to death. He was transferred back to Michigan until the 2011 agreement between state governors, at which time a private plane delivered Frazier back to Alabama. Hes remained there awaiting execution ever since. Frazier is scheduled to be put to death within a 30-hour period that begins on Feb. 6 and extends into Feb. 7. Fraziers attorneys have put forth multiple arguments in their attempts to save Fraziers life. Federal court filings claim the manner of execution -- administering nitrogen and depriving the body of oxygen -- is cruel and unusual. Due in part to rising cost and complications linked to chemicals commonly used for lethal injection, Alabama joined several other states that allow nitrogen-induced execution. Fraziers attorneys also argue that the governors agreement was unlawful. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, whose office convicted Frazier, doesnt recall being notified of the 2011 extradition plan. She was (recently) contacted by a lawyer on behalf of the defendant, said Maria Miller, a spokesperson for Worthy. She advised him that she thought that Gov. Whitmer would be the most appropriate person for this since the allegation is that a former governor wrongly extradited him to Alabama. Representatives for Whitmers and Nessels offices havent responded to requests for comment. We have current pending litigation regarding this case and will not be providing comment at this time, said Michigan Department of Corrections spokesperson Jenni Riehle when asked about Fraziers case and the agencys policy on transferring prisoners to other states for execution. There is a week and two days to the execution date and there is enough time for Gov. Whitmer to issue an executive order, said Abraham Bonowitz, an anti-death penalty advocate whos helping coordinate efforts to save Frazier. Everybody acknowledges that its a longshot. Jim Acosta, the aggressive CNN correspondent who has gained notice for holding interview subjects to account from perches in the White House press room and on newsroom sets, is poised to leave the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed outlet after a shake-up in its schedule that left him without anchoring duties during daytime hours. Acosta informed viewers of the decision at the end of his program Tuesday, telling them to hold on to the truth and that It is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant. CNN declined to make executives available for comment. The Status newsletter reported on Monday night that Acosta had made a decision to exit. Acosta announces on air that he's leaving CNN and says, "it is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant ... don't give in to the lies" pic.twitter.com/VObFTZJASX Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 28, 2025 CNN stood ready to keep Acosta employed, according to people familiar with the situation, but wanted to move him to non-traditional hours: between midnight and 2 a.m., a slot CNN has used in the past to show repeats of its primetime schedule for viewers on the west coast. The show was described as an opportunity to open a new front that would deliver breaking news to viewers in California and overseas, but was also seen as a potential means of taking a veteran correspondent who has not been shy about pressing officials in the Trump administration out of the networks main rotation. In a social-media post Tuesday, President Trump called Acostas decision good news and one of the worst and most dishonest reporters in journalistic history. Acosta is expected to seek out new ventures that he might build himself, according to the person with knowledge of the situation. As part of such a project, Acosta might launch his own digital subscription product, one that could feature his interviews and accountability reporting. In an era when many media owners appear to be looking for ways to placate President Trump, who has shown a predilection for dragging companies such as Paramount Global and Disney into court to answer for reporting by CBS New and ABC News, Acosta could offer subscribers something they might perceive as being less available on traditional outlets. Acosta recently posted a link to a new Substack-backed outlet via Threads, the Meta social-media platform. He will seek a new future in an era when many other journalists are testing similar methods. Jennifer Rubin, the veteran Washington Post columnist, recently left that news organization to launch a startup publication, The Contrarian, that has the slogan Not owned by anybody. The Post, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has had to weather the defections of prominent staffers after the outlet has appeared to kowtow to Trump. Rubin is partnering with former White House ethics official Norm Eisen. Other journalists pursuing such businesses include Mehdi Hasan, the former MSNBC opinion host, who launched Zeteo, and Don Lemon, the former primetime CNN anchor, who hosts an interview show available via digital platforms. Megyn Kelly, the former Fox News and NBC News anchor, has thrived with a video podcast and SiriusXM program. Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News primetime host, has also launched a digital-media venture. 2025 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC Workers reunite with families at construction site in Liuzhou, China's Guangxi Xinhua) 10:20, January 28, 2025 Worker Chen Gongchao poses for a group photo with his family members at the construction site of an expressway linking Yufeng and Yizhou of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Liuzhou of Guangxi, Jan. 24, 2025. The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, will fall on Jan. 29, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. More than 100 workers of China Railway 20th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. will remain at the construction site this Spring Festival, China's traditional occasion for family reunion. As the Chinese New Year is drawing near, many family members of these workers have arrived at the construction site to celebrate the festival together. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang) Worker Chen Jinshui poses for a group photo with his family members at the construction site of an expressway linking Yufeng and Yizhou of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Liuzhou of Guangxi, Jan. 26, 2025. The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, will fall on Jan. 29, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. More than 100 workers of China Railway 20th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. will remain at the construction site this Spring Festival, China's traditional occasion for family reunion. As the Chinese New Year is drawing near, many family members of these workers have arrived at the construction site to celebrate the festival together. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang) Worker Chen Peng poses for a group photo with his family members at the construction site of an expressway linking Yufeng and Yizhou of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Liuzhou of Guangxi, Jan. 24, 2025. The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, will fall on Jan. 29, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. More than 100 workers of China Railway 20th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. will remain at the construction site this Spring Festival, China's traditional occasion for family reunion. As the Chinese New Year is drawing near, many family members of these workers have arrived at the construction site to celebrate the festival together. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang) Worker Yu Chengqi poses for a group photo with his family members at the construction site of an expressway linking Yufeng and Yizhou of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Liuzhou of Guangxi, Jan. 24, 2025. The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, will fall on Jan. 29, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. More than 100 workers of China Railway 20th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. will remain at the construction site this Spring Festival, China's traditional occasion for family reunion. As the Chinese New Year is drawing near, many family members of these workers have arrived at the construction site to celebrate the festival together. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang) Worker Chen Zongchun (3rd L) and his son Chen Jinshan (2nd R) and their family members pose for a group photo at the construction site of an expressway linking Yufeng and Yizhou of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Liuzhou of Guangxi, Jan. 24, 2025. The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, will fall on Jan. 29, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. More than 100 workers of China Railway 20th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. will remain at the construction site this Spring Festival, China's traditional occasion for family reunion. As the Chinese New Year is drawing near, many family members of these workers have arrived at the construction site to celebrate the festival together. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang) Worker Li Gaofeng poses for a group photo with his family members at the construction site of an expressway linking Yufeng and Yizhou of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Liuzhou of Guangxi, Jan. 24, 2025. The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, will fall on Jan. 29, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. More than 100 workers of China Railway 20th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. will remain at the construction site this Spring Festival, China's traditional occasion for family reunion. As the Chinese New Year is drawing near, many family members of these workers have arrived at the construction site to celebrate the festival together. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang) Worker Sun Ning poses for a group photo with his family members at the construction site of an expressway linking Yufeng and Yizhou of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Liuzhou of Guangxi, Jan. 24, 2025. The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, will fall on Jan. 29, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. More than 100 workers of China Railway 20th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. will remain at the construction site this Spring Festival, China's traditional occasion for family reunion. As the Chinese New Year is drawing near, many family members of these workers have arrived at the construction site to celebrate the festival together. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang) Workers and their family members are pictured at the construction site of an expressway linking Yufeng and Yizhou of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Liuzhou of Guangxi, Jan. 22, 2025. The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, will fall on Jan. 29, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. More than 100 workers of China Railway 20th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. will remain at the construction site this Spring Festival, China's traditional occasion for family reunion. As the Chinese New Year is drawing near, many family members of these workers have arrived at the construction site to celebrate the festival together. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang) Workers and their family members have a family reunion dinner at the construction site of an expressway linking Yufeng and Yizhou of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Liuzhou of Guangxi, Jan. 22, 2025. The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, will fall on Jan. 29, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. More than 100 workers of China Railway 20th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. will remain at the construction site this Spring Festival, China's traditional occasion for family reunion. As the Chinese New Year is drawing near, many family members of these workers have arrived at the construction site to celebrate the festival together. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang) Workers are pictured at the construction site of an expressway linking Yufeng and Yizhou of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Liuzhou of Guangxi, Jan. 23, 2025. The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, will fall on Jan. 29, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. More than 100 workers of China Railway 20th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. will remain at the construction site this Spring Festival, China's traditional occasion for family reunion. As the Chinese New Year is drawing near, many family members of these workers have arrived at the construction site to celebrate the festival together. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang) Workers carry goods for the Spring Festival at the construction site of an expressway linking Yufeng and Yizhou of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Liuzhou of Guangxi, Jan. 23, 2025. The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, will fall on Jan. 29, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. More than 100 workers of China Railway 20th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. will remain at the construction site this Spring Festival, China's traditional occasion for family reunion. As the Chinese New Year is drawing near, many family members of these workers have arrived at the construction site to celebrate the festival together. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang) An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 23, 2025 shows the construction site of an expressway linking Yufeng and Yizhou of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Liuzhou of Guangxi. The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, will fall on Jan. 29, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. More than 100 workers of China Railway 20th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. will remain at the construction site this Spring Festival, China's traditional occasion for family reunion. As the Chinese New Year is drawing near, many family members of these workers have arrived at the construction site to celebrate the festival together. (Photo by Zheng Changhao/Xinhua) (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan) Shay Diddy attends the NBA 2K23 Launch Event at Rolling Greens on Sept. 7, 2022, in Los Angeles. Greg Doherty/Getty Images for 2K Sharon Shay Diddy Frank is the new program director for 106.1 KMEL, San Franciscos flagship station for hip-hop and R&B. A native of the Bay Area, Frank will continue hosting the stations midday show while taking on expanded programming responsibilities, effective immediately, according to an announcement from iHeartMedia on Tuesday, Jan. 28. As program director, Frank will oversee KMELs content strategy, ensuring the station remains deeply connected to its local audience while continuing to solidify its position as No. 1 for Hip Hop and R&B in the Bay Area. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Franks tenure at KMEL spans nearly two decades. She joined the station in 2006 as an intern while studying at UC Berkeley. After graduating, she worked her way up through various roles, including promotions and on-air talent, before being appointed music director in 2014. In 2020, she transitioned to the midday shift, further cementing her influence on the Bay Areas radio landscape. John Legend speaks with host Shay Diddy at iHeartRadio LIVE with John Legend at the iHeartRadio Theater LA. Sharon Shay Diddy Frank is the new program director for 106.1 KMEL, San Franciscos flagship station for hip-hop and R&B. Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio I am truly honored and excited to take on this new role at KMEL, a station with such a rich history and deep connection to the community, Frank said in a statement. Working alongside a team of exceptionally talented individuals, Im committed to building on our legacy while driving innovation and creating meaningful connections with our listeners and clients. Together, we will continue to amplify the voices that matter and deliver the engaging content KMEL is known for. Gene Romano, iHeartMedias executive vice president of programming, expressed his confidence in Franks leadership. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a push from President Donald Trump to pause federal funding while his administration conducts an across-the-board ideological review to uproot progressive initiatives. The Trump administration plan plunged the U.S. government into panic and confusion and set the stage for a constitutional clash over control of taxpayer money. The order from U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan came minutes before the funding freeze was scheduled to go into effect. It lasts until Monday afternoon and applies only to existing programs. Administration officials said the decision to halt loans and grants a financial lifeline for local governments, schools and nonprofit organizations around the country was necessary to ensure that spending complies with Trumps recent blitz of executive orders. The Republican president wants to increase fossil fuel production, remove protections for transgender people and end diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. But a vaguely worded memo issued by the Office of Management and Budget, combined with incomplete answers from the White House throughout the day, left lawmakers, public officials and average Americans struggling to figure out what programs would be affected by the pause. Even temporary interruptions in funding could cause layoffs or delays in public services. This sort of came out of the blue, said David Smith, a spokesperson for the Shawnee Mission School District in Kansas, one of countless districts that receive federal funding. Now theyre trying to figure out what it means based on zero information. Trump administration officials said programs that provide direct assistance to Americans would not be affected, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, student loans and food stamps. They also defended the funding pause, saying Trump was following through on his promise to turn Washington upside down if elected to a second term. However, the effects were being felt far from the nations capital. Organizations like Meals on Wheels, which receives federal money to deliver food to the elderly, were worried about getting cut off. The lack of clarity and uncertainty right now is creating chaos, spokeswoman Jenny Young said. She added that seniors may panic not knowing where their next meals will come from. The National Science Foundation postponed this weeks panels for reviewing grant applications. Officials in Prichard, Alabama, feared they wouldnt receive infrastructure funding to fix their leaking drinking water system. Republican leaders in Louisiana said they were seeking clarity to ensure nothing was jeopardizing financial stability of the state. Trumps actions would wreak havoc in red and blue communities everywhere, said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee. We are talking about our small towns, our cities, our school districts. The full scope of the administrations review was spelled out in a 51-page spreadsheet sent to federal agencies and viewed by The Associated Press. Each line was a different government initiative, from pool safety to tribal workforce development to special education. Officials were directed to answer a series of yes or no questions for every item on the list, including does this program promote gender ideology? or does this program promote or support in any way abortion? Responses are due by Feb. 7. Trillions of dollars are potentially under review. Grants that have been awarded but not spent are also supposed to be halted if they might violate one of Trumps executive orders. The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve, wrote Matthew Vaeth, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, in a memo distributed Monday. Vaeth wrote that each agency must complete a comprehensive analysis of all of their Federal financial assistance programs to identify programs, projects, and activities that may be implicated by any of the Presidents executive orders. He also wrote that the pause should be implemented to the extent permissible under applicable law. The pause on grants and loans was scheduled to take effect at 5 p.m. ET, just one day after agencies were informed of the decision. Democrats described the Trump administrations decision as capricious and illegal. They argued that the president had no right to unilaterally stop spending money appropriated by Congress. New York Attorney General Letitia James planned to ask a Manhattan federal court to block the funding pause. There is no question this policy is reckless, dangerous, illegal and unconstitutional, she said. Separately, a group of nonprofit organizations filed a lawsuit in Washington saying that the funding pause is devoid of any legal basis or the barest rationale. The issue dominated the first briefing held by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. She said the administration was trying to be good stewards of public money by making sure that there was no more funding for transgenderism and wokeness. She denied that Trump was deliberately challenging Congress to establish his dominance over the federal budget. Hes just trying to ensure that the tax money going out the door in this very bankrupt city actually aligns with the will and the priorities of the American people, she said. The Environmental Protection Agency confirmed that it would implement the pause to align federal spending and action with the will of the American people as expressed through President Trumps priorities. The Department of Energy also said it was conducting a review of its spending. The funding pause is the latest example of how Trump is harnessing his power over the federal system to advance his conservative goals. Unlike during his first term, when Trump and many members of his inner circle were unfamiliar with Washington, this time hes reaching deep into the bureaucracy. For example, federal employees are being asked to report their colleagues if they try to continue diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. They are pushing the presidents agenda from the bottom up, said Paul Light, an expert on the federal government and professor emeritus of public service at New York University. He also said there are risks in Trumps approach, especially with so many voters reliant on Washington. You cant just hassle, hassle, hassle, Light said. Youve got to deliver. Fears about interruption in government services were exacerbated as states reported problems with the Medicaid funding portal, where officials request reimbursement for providing healthcare to poor residents. Democrats condemned the Trump administration, connecting the issue to the funding pause. But Leavitt said the portal would be back online soon. We have confirmed no payments have been affected they are still being processed and sent, she posted on social media. UPDATE: Authorities say the suspect turned herself in to authorities. EARLIER: A man was shot to death Monday evening in the citys second homicide investigation in roughly two hours. Birmingham police identified the victim as Damian Dawson. He was 47. The deadly shots rang out about 5:40 p.m. in the 100 block of Ninth Court West. That area is near the College Hills community. Officer Truman Fitzgerald said North Precinct officers were dispatched to the neighborhood on a report of a person shot. They arrived to find Dawson in the driveway of a family members home. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service rushed him to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Fitzgerald said the slaying is domestic-related. The suspect, he said, is the victims ex-girlfriend. She fled the scene before officers arrived. The police departments Real Time Crime Center is assisting in tracking the suspect. The most powerful resource we have at this scene is community help and involvement, Fitzgerald said. The community has been vital to this investigation, feeding information to our detectives. This is a case where we know exactly who shot the victim, we know exactly who were looking for, and we urge this person to please turn yourself in, he said. Its only a matter of time before our investigators and patrol officers will find you. Earlier Monday, a 32-year-old man who disappeared over the weekend was found slain in a wooded area on the citys west side. Family members searching for him made the discovery. Fitzgerald acknowledged a violent start to the week. The sad thing is, its the typical fact pattern that we see victim knows suspect, interpersonal conflict, he said. The homicide earlier, on Carlos Avenue, is leading up to be a situation where we believe the victim may have known the suspect or suspects. Fast forward just hours later to the northern side of Birmingham and we have a domestic violence situation, Fitzgerald said. Both situations involved victims who knew the suspect and thats a common theme for homicides in Birmingham. Dawson is Birminghams eighth homicide so far in 2025. In all of Jefferson County there have been 13 homicides including the eight in Birmingham. Birmingham had six homicides in all of January last year, with the last one taking place on Jan. 25, 2024. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. A popular Birmingham area Cajun-themed restaurant has closed one of its locations, but plans to reopen in the region soon. Cajun Steamers Cahaba Heights restaurant, located at 3151 Green Valley Rd. in the Market Square Shopping Center, has closed. A sign at the former location reads that it was a bittersweet decision. This isnt goodbye - its see you soon as we plan to bring the flavor, fun and hospitality you love to a new and improved location in the Birmingham area, the sign states. Cajun Steamer did not mention in the statement where the new location would be. The Cahaba Heights restaurant opened in May 2022. The company still has locations in Hoover, Trussville, Huntsville and Hendersonville, Murfreesboro and Franklin, Tenn. Cajun Steamer offers Louisiana-style boils with Louisiana crawfish, char-grilled oysters and Gulf shrimp, as well as dishes such as crawfish etouffee, shrimp and grits, red beans and rice and beignets. A 34-year-old man whom authorities say fled to Puerto Rico after a shooting last week left three men dead in Mobile has been charged with their murders, police said Monday. Anthony Morales Rivera, 34, who had an active warrant with the FBI for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, turned himself in to authorities on Monday, according to Mobile police. Rivera was booked into Mobile County Metro Jail on three counts of murder in connection with the deadly Jan. 18 shootings on Theodore Dawes Road by I-10 East. Mobile police officers responded to the shooting around 7:34 p.m. Jan. 18 and found three male victims -- Marco Alvarado, 24; Christon Aponte, 30; and Angel Esparra, 28 with fatal gunshot wounds. Officers learned the victims were involved in a physical altercation with a suspect while stopped at the overpass. Thats when, according to police, a second suspect shot each of the victims. Both suspects then left in separate vehicles before officers arrived. The landslide election win by Donald Trump has left the Democrat Party, the Deep State, the legacy media, and the rest of the Marxist/Progressive establishment in a state of shock and surprise at the depth of the American electorates rejection of their statist ideology and attempts to transform the culture and society. Uncharacteristically, this cabal was stunned into relative silence after the election, as they have been unable to process the reality that even with unprecedented levels of voting fraud and manipulation in recent presidential and midterm elections, they will never achieve what they believe is their birthright of permanent control over the levers of power. Now that Trump is back in the Oval Office and delivering on his America First agenda, this cabal will revert back to the only tactics they know and ones in which they are still convinced will inevitably succeed. Therefore, over the next four years the American people will once again be subjected to never-ending childish name calling and constant legacy media propagandizing. In their addled thinking they believe that it is only Trumps bombast keeping them from achieving their goal of a one-party socialist America and by continuing to undermine and focus on Trump and the MAGA movement they will, in the next election, be back on the path of achieving one-party dominance. This Marxist-inspired cabal is predestined to fail as the America they envision will never be accepted by the bulk of the citizenry. The leaders of the Democratic Party, the Legacy media, and the so-called intellectuals on the left appear to have little or no understanding of why Donald Trump has been able to marshal a significant majority of the American people to reject their socialist utopia and a transformed American culture and character. Had these elites gone beyond their own sense of superiority and what they believe is their God-given right to lead, they would have understood the basic character of American society is unlike that of any nation in the world. And that at this point in the history of the United States, Donald Trump is not only the personification of the American Character, but has been the catalyst to its rebirth. Throughout the history of mankind, strong centralized governments have dominated those societies whose makeup was primarily of a single ethnic group and who had little or no history of independence or popular uprisings. So too, those nations in todays world living under various manifestations of Marxism or socialism are similarly formulated. A docile and willing public is essential for the acceptance of an authoritarian government. In 1782, a French immigrant to the United States, J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur, wrote in his essays Letters from an American Farmer of his newly adopted country: What then is the American, this new man? That strange mixture of blood, which you will find in no other country Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labors and posterity will one day cause great changes in the world. The population of the United States has increased nearly a hundredfold (3.9 million to 340 million) since those words were first written 243 years ago. The new race of men now includes those from all corners of the globe and their labor and posterity have in fact caused great changes for the better in the world. It has become a source of pride in American families to trace their ancestry and celebrate the courage and resolve of their forefathers, whether they came on the Mayflower or by steerage to Ellis Island, chose voluntary servitude in order to become Americans, or were entrapped in the inhumanity of chattel slavery. These pioneers instilled into the American Character a fierce desire to be free, independent, determined to overcome any obstacles, and to be the final arbiter of ones success or failure. Morality, religion, and the necessity of honor and integrity became fundamental building blocks of the nation. There resides deep within the soul of this country a deep mistrust of a powerful central government which stems from its founding and firsthand experience of two centuries of immigrants escaping oppression and determined to assimilate and from whom virtually all Americans today descend. Over the past eighty years, as the United States has become the wealthiest and most powerful country on the face of the earth, another trait unique to the American people came to the fore: a genuine sense of generosity and fairness. Unfortunately, this characteristic has been exploited by the radical Left, who desire to transform the country into a socialist utopia by undermining the unique American Character. The stratagem used was to foster guilt for ones success, substitute government largess for individual self-determination, declare as rights those things that only government would guarantee, and, as a means of abetting the transformation of the culture and society, fling open the borders to near-unlimited illegal immigration to those whose only interest was economic exploitation not assimilation. Meanwhile, as long as the future of the nation did not appear to be in jeopardy and it could, on the surface, afford this spending, far too many citizens simply chose to drop out of active participation in governance while others, in smaller numbers, chose to accept government benevolence while ignoring the attempt to transform the American culture and society. That did not mean, however, that the basic character of the American people, as instilled by their forebears, had changed to become amenable to a massive central government controlling all aspects of their lives while jeopardizing the future of their children and grandchildren. All the vast majority of the citizenry needed to rekindle the irrepressible American character was for someone steeped in the traits of American uniqueness to assume the mantle of unquestioned national leadership, and that someone was Donald Trump. Thanks to Trump and his America First agenda and successes in his first term as well as the attempts to destroy and imprison him combined with the voting fraud, unprecedented dishonesty, unbridled spending, headlong drive to control the day-to-day activities of all Americans, and uncontrolled illegal immigration, the radicalized Left during the Obama/Biden administration has awakened many of those who chose to sit on the sidelines and merely observe while assuming the country was too big and rich to fail. Now even the least involved citizens have begun to realize that the United States had embarked on a path that would have bankrupted the country, destroyed its culture, and left the nation vulnerable to those who wish it harm. It is now apparent to many that the survival of a great nation depends on its ability to remain master of its destiny. The current iteration of the American Left (the Democrat Party, the Deep State, the Legacy media, and the rest of the Marxist/Progressive establishment) in their gross misunderstanding of Donald Trump and the unleashing of the American Character will never succeed in achieving their ultimate goal and will, in due course, fade into the annals of American history. Image: George Caleb Bingham To me, whenever all the Democrats line up united on an issue, as the Democratic Party senators did for the vote on the nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, I always have a question. And thats different from the question of why a guy like Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) would vote with the Democrats. Just what was their problem with Secretary Hegseth? I mean, its not as if hes going to blow up the Department of Defense and replace Boeing and Lockheed with a brilliant Elon Musk startup and compromise all the senators contributions from defense contractors. Seriously: How long do you think it would take Elon Musk to produce a world-beating fighter jet from a standing start? Okay, okay, I know. Elon wouldnt do that. He would repurpose his Starlink satellites to confuse the radar of the enemys planes so that they would shoot each other down. So what was the problem? I got the sexual allegations against nominee Clarence Thomas back in 1991. Supreme Court justices get to move the needle, and I am sure that if our Democratic friends knew what Thomas would become in his more than 30 years on the court, they would have found a better accuser than Anita Hill. Sexual allegations are much simpler than an open discussion of the issues. And I got the sexual allegations against nominee Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. Not another conservative on the Supreme Court! Inconceivable! Sexual allegations are much simpler than an open discussion of the issues. So, what was the problem with Hegseth? Here are two ideas. First, the Democrats are the Inner Party. When you are the Inner Party, you get to flood the zone with sexual allegations, and dont you forget it. Second, it is much easier to blacken a candidate with sexual allegations than with a campaign based on the issues. However, experts agree that a Nazi salute beats a sexual allegation hands down. But what about Sen. McConnell? What was his problem? Just tit-for-tat, or something bigger? Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are easier to understand. Girl senators gotta go with the cool girls, and all the cool girls are Democrats. So, what was the problem with Pete Hegseth? Heres one idea. Pete Hegseth has spent the last several years representing veterans groups. And according to Wikipedia, his work was a total failure when he wasnt mismanaging the funds or spending money on parties. Let us propose that government spending is all about servicing your supporters, per Nazi jurist Carl Schmitt. So government, in general, is there to provide jobs for Barnacles and Stiltstockings, as described by Charles Dickens way back in 1857. According to this notion, the State Department is there to hand out jobs to educated foreign policy analysts. Environmental programs are there to provide jobs for educated environmentalists. Grants to NGOs are there to provide jobs for lefty activists. Grants to universities are there to provide jobs for lefty academics. So, the Department of Defense is there to hand out goodies to warfighters and veterans. What! You mean funding racist rednecks from Appalachia? You mean training young men in toxic masculinity? So maybe thats why our Democratic friends were so outraged by the nomination of Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense. Hes not going to send money to Democratic supporters like the rest of the federal government. Of course, it could be that the Democratic Partys war on Pete Hegseth was a result of careful expert analysis of his 2020 book American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free. Here is a quote: NATO is not an alliance; its a defense arrangement for Europe, paid for and underwritten by the United States [and it should be] scrapped and remade in order for freedom to be truly defended. And this quote from the UK Guardian: The defense of Europe is not our problem; been there, done that, twice. Fact checkers here! The first time we went to Europe, we backed one set of European states against the other. And then we signed off on punitive reparations on Germany that set up World War II. Okay. Now I understand what all the fuss is about, and why Sen. McConnell voted against him. The only thing that shocks me is that we do not yet have a letter signed by 51 former intelligence officials casting doubt on Hegseths Christian faith. All the Democrats and three RINO senators voted against Pete Hegseth because of NATO. And its much easier to concoct sexual allegations than have an open debate about the relevance of NATO in the 21st century. No president has had the cojones to say that since the fall of the Soviet Union we dont need no stinkin NATO. Even Donald Trump has skated on the issue. Until he appointed Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. 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: Gage Skidmore In President Trumps executive order denying citizenship to anchor babies, the Left has found fertile ground for legal challenges. But we should avoid taking their shrill pronouncements at face value. Austin Sarat, the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Jurisprudence and Political Science at Amherst College, loudly declares that Trump is beginning an anti-constitutional regime. A brief moment of reflection would reveal that Trump 45 obeyed the Courts down the line while Sleepy Joe stumbled along with his handlers, working very hard to steer the ship of state directly contrary to the Supreme Courts directives. A brief glance at vaccine mandates, rent suspensions, and student loan abrogation should be enough to illuminate the dark forces of Democrat Diktats. The short version of Trumps order says that having one foot on American soil while the baby is crowning is no longer enough to declare citizenship. And hes right. Yes, there are lots of legal voices that will declare this to be settled law. By the time you finish this summary, youll know differently. For a detailed education, study John Eastmans law review paper. YouTube screen grab. The argument comes from this sentence in section 1 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 (emphasis added for clarity). For any whose high school diploma didnt involve basic grammar, this is a conjunctive construction. Part One says, born in the USA! But thats not enough. You also must satisfy subject to the jurisdiction thereof. Right now, you may be thinking, Here we go again. Brace yourself. The 14th Amendment was primarily intended to make freed slaves into US citizens. This was important because shortly before the Civil War, Chief Justice Roger Taney flatly stated in his Dred Scott decision that slaves were property, not part of the people. After the war, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which included language that US-born children of parents who were subject to a foreign power (foreign citizens!) were to be denied citizenship. This same Congress drafted the 14th Amendment with its subject to the jurisdiction language. It seems they mean the same thing. Or, as Senator Lyman Trumbull put it, not owing allegiance to anyone else. In the Slaughterhouse Cases (1873), the Court wrote that children of...citizens or subjects of foreign States born within the United States were not citizens. In Elk v. Wilkins (1884), the Supreme Court ruled that to receive birthright citizenship, the parents must not merely [be] subject in some respect or degree to the jurisdiction of the United States, but completely subject to their political jurisdiction, and not subject to any foreign power, as well as owe the U.S. direct and immediate allegiance (emphasis added). These are pretty clear statements that someone who swam the Rio Grande or overstayed a visa cant be the parent of a US citizen simply because the Pampers were first applied north of the border. In 1898, the Court considered the plight of a young man of Chinese descent. His parents had immigrated to the US, set up a permanent, legal residence in the US, and were operating a business. In 1873, their son was born in San Francisco. In 1895, he visited China. On his return, though, Wong Kim Ark was denied entry on the grounds that he was not a citizen. This was because his parents were Chinese citizens and were excluded from citizenship by the Chinese Exclusion Acts. The rubber meets the road in the Question Presented by the Supreme Court. It is the controversy that the Court will hear to decide what the law is. The question presented by the record is whether a child born in the United States, of parents of Chinese descent, who at the time of his birth are subjects of the emperor of China, but have a permanent domicile and residence in the United States, and are there carrying on business, and are not employed in any diplomatic or official capacity under the emperor of China, becomes at the time of his birth a citizen of the United States, by virtue of the first clause of the fourteenth amendment of the constitution: 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. (Emphasis added) The Court notes that because the Constitution does not define the terms citizen and subject to the jurisdiction, they must be understood in the light of the language with which the framers (including those who wrote the 14th Amendment) were familiar. In legalese, they are terms of art. Just to make life more interesting, domicile is another term of art. The decision itself is forty-five pages long. It spills vast quantities of ink retelling the history of birthright citizenship, primarily in Europe. In short, if youre born there, youre a citizen there according to the rule of birth within the allegiance. Thus, British subject means any person who owes permanent allegiance to the crown. Shortly after the Founding, this legal principle began to change to the rule of descent or blood. Its interaction with American thinking has never been fully adjudicated. Part of the problem is that the conjunctive bornand subject to requires that the two qualifiers be separate and distinct. If they arent, why would the drafters of the 14th Amendment put both in the text? Thats not entirely clear from the decision. If theyre the same, Trumps wrong. But thats not what the Wong Kim Ark decision hinges on. The Question Presented requires that Wong Kim Arks parents be domiciled in the US. That term describes a lawful permanent residence. The illegal aliens in New York hotels have a temporary address, not a lawful permanent residence. No illegal alien can have a lawful permanent residence in the US because they are here unlawfully. No visa holder can, either, since they are here on a temporary basis. Only a citizen or a green card holder can have such a residence. Wong Kim Arks parents were the functional equivalent of green card holders. If the domicile of the alien is the deciding criterion, then Trump is right. But wait! Theres more! If we just cover shipping and handling, we can guarantee the end of birthright citizenship for illegal aliens! It seems that Trump has had extremely good legal advice. The decision includes this little gem. the children of aliens within territory in hostile occupation would not become its citizens at their birth President Trump signed two orders of interest here. The first declares an invasion emergency at the southern border. The second is the birthright citizenship order. Grok suggests that this was the sequence because the emergency declaration would set the stage for further immigration policies like ending birthright citizenship. I can hear the weeping and gnashing of teeth from the Left side of the aisle. The flood of illegal aliens is not an invasion! Certainly, the migrants werent an armed invasion! Surprise, surprise, surprise! What theyre missing is that the Militia Act of 1795 delegates the power to declare an invasion to the President. I know; its 230 years old, but its still the law. This is confirmed in US v. Abbott (2024). In short, declaring an invasion is a political question, and the Courts have no jurisdiction over it. From Trumps Declaration, its clear that the illegal aliens are hostile invaders, and any location where they reside is under hostile occupation. Therefore, children born to them are not entitled to birthright citizenship. Game, set, and match. Of course, it would be foolhardy for anyone to claim victory until the Supreme Court bangs its gavel. Theres enough material for an army of lawyers to claim paychecks for a couple of years. But I think that Trump will get the better of this fight, just like he has won almost every challenge so far. Its time for some popcorn. Ted Noel is a retired physician who posts on social media as Doctor Ted. His Doctor Teds Prescription podcast is available on multiple podcast channels. Under our Constitution, which gives the operating instructions for the American government, there are three branches of government: The Legislative, the Executive, and the Judicial. However, the ever-burgeoning administrative state has long since taken for itself many powers from each of those branches. Now that the Executive branch is reclaiming its authority, the bureaucracys members are shocked to discover that no actual authority resides with them. While we who voted for Trump to restore our border, bring sanity to our military, unleash our energy sector, and erase our governments racial and sexual obsessions are utterly delighted with Trumps shock and awe approach to governance, leftists are very, very sad. Many of them are engaging in ritualistic shrieking, weeping, and wailing, and while I know that schadenfreude isnt a nice thing...Im still reveling in it when I see things like this: Selena Gomez sobs uncontrollably amid ramped up deportations of illegal aliens: Im so sorry. All my people are getting attacked. The children, I dont understand. I wish I could do something. "My people?" Aren't you American? Where was the sobbing over the 100,000 Americans pic.twitter.com/wvtoeRVQUw Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 27, 2025 Liberal white women are now screaming at Lake Michigan to cope with Donald Trumps win. This is mental illness. pic.twitter.com/XflcMJLRJM Tiffany Fong (@TiffanyFong_) November 27, 2024 Now that Trump is in office and the rubber is really hitting the road, the despair has moved from social media to the offices in D.C. government buildings. What started making the rounds today is a post that purportedly comes from someone in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This is the federal governments employment office and, as of 2021, it had almost 2,500 employees. I assume its grown bigger on Bidens watch. Technically, the OPMs job is to be the clearinghouse for hiring and firing employees, and for managing all their many federal benefits. However, at a more toxic level, thanks to President Biden, the OPM has also been responsible for seeding the federal government with DEI hires. The OPM DEI webpage has been 404d thanks to Trumps ending DEI in the federal government, but, as the saying goes, the internet never forgets: Ah, the glory days of wokism in the federal government. Now, to the tremendous horror of one purported OPM employee, the purge has in dead earnest startedand the worst part is that Donald Trump has the temerity to think hes the boss: This document deserves a paragraph-by-paragraph analysis because it reveals that this worker has no fealty to the Constitution or the American system. His loyalty is to the leftist bureaucracy. Specifically: Im a current employee at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This is a throwaway account for obvious reasons. Im posting this because people need to know whats going on at OPM. S/he/it may hate whats happening, but theres no way the writer will risk his/her/its job by stating openly what he believes are genuine threats to the government. And from his perspective, the threats are real: Ive been an OPM employee for nearly a decade and a Federal Employee for almost 20 years. Ive never witnessed anything even remotely close to whats happening right now. In short, theres a hostile takeover of the federal civil service. Think hard about that statement. The author is saying that the duly elected president exerting his constitutional authority over the federal workforce is a hostile takeover. The author reiterates that point in the following paragraph (emphasis mine): Let me say this in no uncertain terms OPM has been compromised and taken over. The very backbone of American Government, the HR of all HR in the U.S. Government has been taken over by outside politicals. In just five days, they managed to push aside dozens of non-political, career civil servants who were there specifically to prevent the civil service from becoming the Presidents henchmen. That emphasized language is the nub of the anti-constitutionalism that characterizes the administrative state. Under the Constitution, the president is the boss of the administrative state, not its servant. Yet this person is oozing despair and deep anger because the new boss is changing policies. S/he/it believes that the reverse is true: the civil service exists to limit, not to serve, the president. For that reason, the writer is enraged that employees who will not cooperate with the new administration are getting sidelined: The current Acting Director, Charles (Chuck) Ezell is a low-level branch chief. Hes the friendliest yes man youll ever meet. He never says no. Its clear they pushed aside all the high-level non political civil servants who refused to do Donald Trumps bidding, until they found Chuck. If these people refused to do Trumps bidding, theyre anything but non-political, no matter how much the unknown author reiterates that word. Under his name, theyve sent numerous requests to all the agencies to collect information on govt employees that they see as a threat to their agenda. Instructions say to send these lists to Amanda Scales. But Amanda is not actually an OPM employee, she works for Elon Musk. She wasnt even properly cleared by OPM Personnel Security. (Emphasis mine.) What I love is that last sentence. How dare the new administration put into place a person whom the hostile bureaucrats didnt personally vet (and, presumably, reject)! The writer continues: Our CIO, Melvin Brown, (also a non political career public servant) was pushed aside just one week into his tenure because he refused to setup email lists to send out direct communications to all career civil servants. Such communications are normally left up to each agency. Again, this person is very confused about the chain of command. S/he/it is upset that the administration sidelined someone who refused to make it possible for the president to speak directly with his employees without those communications first being mediated by hostile people in management. Also, the fact that Mr. Brown was only two weeks into his tenure tells us that he may well have been one of the people the Biden team planted in an effort to stymy Trumps work reclaiming normalcy in the federal government. And then the paranoia kicks in. The author is sure (probably correctly) that the new administration wants to gain access to the workforce to fire people!! Well, yes, and if a fussy leftist manager refuses to give them that information, theyre going to take it (and probably fire that manager, too): Instead, an on-prem (on-site) email server was setup. Someone literally walked into our building and plugged in an email server to our network to make it appear that emails were coming from OPM. Its been the one sending those various test message youve all seen. We think theyre building a massive email list of all federal employees to generate mass RIF [reduction in force] notices down the road. At this point, the author bemoans his/her/its helplessness: The non-political civil servants here at OPM are watching helplessly as our government is being systematically dismantled bit by bit. Even the IGs are being fired to prevent them from investigating the numerous whistleblower complaints weve filed. Again, there are a lot of fascinating and wrong assumptions in the above statement. First, the government is not being dismantled. It is being returned to its constitutional roots. Federal employees were meant to be servants, not masters. Second, as Daniel Bianco pointed out, the Inspectors General do not exist to police the president; they exist to police the agencies, and its quite clear theyve been failing in that responsibility. The writer ends with an exhortation demanding outside help for the resistance, and I found his/her/its plea heartening: Please share this and tell the world that OPM is not the bad guy. Were just as helpless to stop this as the rest of our fellow public servants. Hopefully someone out there can help us, but its looking pretty grim. Did you get that? Were just as helpless to stop this as the rest of our fellow public servants. Thats exactly the way it should be. The American people hired a new boss and he, not the bureaucracy, is in charge. Image by Grok. With President Trumps recent visit to a fire- and incompetence-ravaged Los Angeles, theres an important contrast to note, and that is how the two sides respond to their countrymen in need. As we all remember, Joe Bidens government deliberately ignored those who lost everything (or were dying) in the catastrophic hurricanes of last fall, because they were Trump supporters: FEMA is facing accusations of bias as a message sent by an employee emerged telling them to skip homes with signs supporting Donald Trump following a hurricane. The letter sent to President Joe Biden from Kevin Guthrie, the Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, read that an employee named Miss Washington and her team Crew 33 ignored homes with Trump signs following Hurricane Milton. The employees text message read: Avoid homes advertising Trump. The employee was apparently fired (was she rehired at another agency though?), but it seems to me like the appropriate and just response is criminal chargeswhich she hasnt yet faced. Think about the toxic disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, which Joe Biden didnt bother to visit or lend support for over a year after the disasteran overwhelming majority of the entire area is very conservative and votes Republican. After Biden, Kamala Harris, and Lloyd Austin fomented chaos in Afghanistan with their decision to withdraw like they did and got 13 service members killed in the process, Biden made the Gold Star families wait to receive the remains of their loved ones while he reportedly napped for hours on the tarmacafter all, those who actually serve this country arent Bidens kind of people. Did Biden ever reach out and apologize to Laken Rileys family? What about Jocelyn Nungarays? The family of Rachel Morin? I mean, his policies are directly responsible for admitting their rapist killers into the U.S., so its certainly on him. But of course, none of those families are pro-Biden. Contrast all that to Trumps response this week, after he touched down in California to assess the post-fire situation. When meeting with Mayor Bass, he learned that her government planned to keep residents from their homes/lots/belongings for eighteen months, but by the end of the conversation, he had negotiated down that time frame to immediate access. Lets not forget these L.A. residents are almost entirely California progressives who hate Trump, a fact of which he is well awarebut he fought for them anyway, galvanizing his reputation as a man of all Americans. Image: The Last Refuge, with permission. Harry Truman was a man who was able to put principles ahead of prejudices, for he was an old-fashioned Southern racist and antisemite who integrated the military and recognized the State of Israel. The RINO wing of the Republican party appears incapable of that type of wisdom, for it seems driven less by principles than by its members hatred for Donald Trump. Nowhere is that more evident than in the Mike Pence wings opposition to Trumps DNI nominee, Tulsi Gabbard, and his HHS nominee, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. At one level, both of those nominations are simple political payback: Gabbard and Kennedy broke with the Democrats and threw their support behind Trump when he needed it. However, Trump is not engaged in a shallow quid pro quo. Were that the case, he could have given each an ambassadorship sinecure to some cozy, untroubled country. Instead, Trump is doing something Machiavellian and very wise: The reason that Gabbard and Kennedy jumped ship is because the Biden government persecuted them. YouTube screen grab (edited). In Gabbards case, the intelligence community went after her based on Hillary Clintons vicious and spurious claim that Gabbard was a Putin asset. In Kennedys case, the entire Democrat party tried to destroy him for opposing the COVID vaccinations that are slowly being shown to have been of dubious efficacy, even as they created serious known health risks and raise the specter of further serious risks down the line. Thus, Donald Trump, who sees as one of his primary mandates to bring the bureaucratic state to heel, is placing Gabbard and Kennedy in charge of the agencies that sought to destroy them. This means that they enter office with a mandate and will to reform agencies that have become bloated and partisan. For each of them, its not just a job; its personaland thats what Trump wants. Moreover, because Trump is a superb manager, he has no intention of allowing either Gabbard or Kennedy to stray beyond that mandate. If Gabbard tries to interfere with foreign policy or Kennedy tries to federalize abortions, theyll be hitting the pavement before Trump can even finish saying, Youre fired. American voters, having seen Trump at work in the construction industry for decades and in the White House for four years, know this. They trust him to make good on his promise to reform a once-constitutional government that has become byzantine, corrupt, and downright totalitarian. Thats why he won with an Electoral College landslide and a strong popular vote majorityand why, after less than a week in office, hes more popular than hes ever been. Practical conservativism works. The RINO branch of the Republican party, however, led by Mike Pence, is going to war against the Robert F. Kennedy nomination. (Presumably, Gabbard is in their sights, too.) To that end, Mike Pences Advancing American Freedom advocacy group launched a D.C.-based blitz targeting Republican Senators: The ad campaign from Advancing American Freedom, details of which were shared first with The Hill, includes digital ads that will run through the next couple of weeks in the nations capital as Kennedy awaits his confirmation hearing. The ad spend also includes a mobile billboard that will travel around Capitol Hill and the March for Life, an annual anti-abortion event that will take place Friday on the National Mall. The group is also sending letters to senators. A few things: First, its significant that the ads apparently arent national. The Pence crowd seemingly doesnt believe it can change American minds. Its just trying to bully senators. Thats deeply cynical. Second, the ads go after Kennedy on abortion and vaccines. However, regarding abortion, Trump has already made clear that Kennedy wont be touching it (which he cant do anyway, given the Dobbs decision). As for vaccines, Kennedy has said the right thing, which is that hes going to have HHS actually look at this hotly contested issue. The one thing we know is that vaccines are no longer a narrow range of shots against ancient, deadly diseases such as smallpox, polio, and measles. Nowadays, kids get dozens of shots that rewire their bodies. Studying this would be a good thing. Third, its pretty clear, since Kennedy does not pose a risk either to the pro-life agenda or to reasonable vaccines to keep Americans healthy, that whats motivating the Pence crowd isnt principle; its personal animus against Donald Trump. Every one of Trumps policies is something that the ostensible conservatives clustered under the NeverTrump banner have been advocating for years or even decades. What this means is either that these politicians never believed in the principles they promoted to get votes or they are the opposite of Harry Truman; that is, they are people who will put their personal prejudices above the principles that will benefit America. We saw that vividly illustrated with John McCain, who saddled Americans with Obamacare because Trump hurt his feelings. McCains act reminds us that Trump can be really nasty to those who insult or wrong him. Frankly, Id dislike Trump too if he said to me some of the insults he launched against his political opponents. Having said that, though, Id hope that my first loyalty would be to the American people, not to my ego. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Governor Ron DeSantis, and Senator Ted Cruz were all on the downside of Trumps cutting insults, but they all rose above that because their loyalty is to America. The NeverTrumpers need to take a look to those patriots for guidance, get over their hurt feelings, and start trusting that, whether they like him or not, Trump is the most effective conservative politician in modern American history...something the voters recognize and, per the polls, love. Any politician who ignores this reality should be wiped out in the upcoming primaries. A client speaks with a case manager at the Puertas Abiertas office in Napa. In response to President Donald Trumps election, the nonprofit is working with other local nonprofits to form a new Napa Valley coalition. Their mission is to help undocumented immigrants prepare for the presidents mass deportation plans. Brian L. Frank/Special to the Chronicle Earlier this month, a DUI checkpoint in Napa Valley ignited panic throughout the wine regions immigrant community. Rumors mistakenly identified the checkpoint as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation. The event underscored the uneasiness rippling through Californias agriculture communities since the reelection of President Donald Trump, who has promised to carry out mass deportations across the country. Just days before, a U.S. Border Patrol immigration raid in Kern County, which appeared to target undocumented farmworkers in and around Bakersfield, ended in 78 arrests. People are very, very terrified, said Genesis Monnet, marketing chair and board member of Puertas Abiertas, a nonprofit that advocates for Napa Valleys Latino community. It feels like were preparing for a war. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Puertas Abiertas, which served roughly 3,000 community members last year, posits that Trump is more serious now about deportation than during his first term. As soon as the 2024 election results came in, the organization partnered with four other Bay Area nonprofits Napa Valleys UpValley Family Centers, the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, social equity organization On the Move and the Community Leaders Coalition to form a new coalition focused on protecting Napa Valleys undocumented. Puertas Abiertas family advocate Sol Ibarra, left, refers Rona Brackett to local county resources to help her undocumented and friends. Brackett was looking for ways to support her community members who are fearful of deportation. Brian L. Frank/Special to the Chronicle For its role in the coalition called Napa Valley Together: Allies for Immigrants, Puertas Abiertas is planning Know Your Rights workshops; helping families prepare for the possibility of deportation; providing presentations and training to employers; and offering mental health services, like art classes and trauma workshops, to ease the stress and anxiety caused by the threat of deportation. (Trump) knows the system better than before. Hes coming with a plan and hes more vocal about how hes going to attack our communities, said Blanca Huijon, Puertas Abiertas executive director. Were really creating a safety net. Napa Valley wine industry groups have thus far been notably quiet about Trumps plans. Luis Davila, a senior manager for vineyard management company Enterprise Vineyards, said only the nonprofits, like Puertas Abiertas, have spoken out about the issue. In my point of view, the (wine industry) associations should be doing a little bit of outreach, he said. The workers are the ones who are on the frontlines, so it would be nice to be acknowledged, to say, Were going to try to protect you. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Puertas Abiertas Executive Director Blanca Huijon said the nonprofit has partnered with other local nonprofits to create a safety net in the Napa Valley coalition in response to President Donald Trumps plans to attack our communities with mass deportation. Brian L. Frank/Special to the Chronicle Pete Richmond, co-owner of vineyard management company Silverado Farming, feels the wine industry is distracted by more pressing problems. Everybody is just trying to survive right now, said Richmond, who is also president of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers board. While (Trumps plan) is certainly a big concern, were just trying to make sure we keep people employed. Founded in 2005, Puertas Abiertas operated out of a local church for its first 18 years. But recently, the nonprofit moved into its own space. The new community center, decorated with cheerful and brightly colored cultural decor, offers a calming backdrop for the heavy discussions that advocates are having with community members. The small staff of seven is primarily made up of Latino immigrants and children of immigrants. Several staff members received services from Puertas Abiertas before joining the nonprofit. Since the election, Puertas Abiertas said many immigrants have stopped using essential services, like health care and insurance. Some are considering pulling their children out of school. Soon, farmworkers could stop showing up to the vineyards. After the raid in Kern County, the citrus industry reported that 75% of its workforce was a no-show. Napa resident Rona Brackett received cards from Puertas Abiertas, a Napa Valley nonprofit, to distribute to her neighbors that outline peoples rights and how to protect ones self in an immigration raid in response to President Donald Trumps plans of mass deportation. Brian L. Frank/Special to the Chronicle Were getting a lot of phone calls, people are asking, What if I get deported? Who is going to take care of my kids? How safe are we to go to the store? How safe is it to go to mass? What about work? Its impacting their everyday life, said Huijon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trumps executive order to end birthright citizenship triggered another wave of phone calls, she said. (A Seattle judge has temporarily blocked that order.) Napa Valley Togethers efforts have inspired local officials to act. In December, the Napa County Board of Supervisors and law enforcement issued separate statements about their commitments to protecting immigrants, regardless of status. At the coalitions request, Napa County added immigrant resources a Know Your Rights toolkit, rapid response hotline and legal assistance information to its website. Earlier this month, the Board of Supervisors also approved the formation of an ad hoc committee to respond to community issues affecting historically marginalized populations. Richmond, who spoke about the need to take action at the Board of Supervisors meeting, believes the wine industry will join the effort in the coming months, especially if ICE activity increases. Everyone is still trying to figure out whats going on and parse rumor mill out from reality, he said. In Latin America, word is out. Suddenly we are seeing a lot of them willingly cooperate with President Trump on the acceptance of repatriation flights for their own nationals in the U.S. illegally. The reason looks pretty obvious: Nobody wants to be the next Petro. President Trump's thrashing of far-left Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, who initially refused to take repatriation flights he had agreed to earlier, hollering like the pope about 'dignity,' before being forced to quickly reverse course and sing soprano, seems to have sent a message to the rest of Latin America's alien-exporting states, and now they're falling into line with Trump's agenda. According to Reuters: MEXICO CITY, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Mexico has received non-Mexican migrants from the United States in the past week, and Central American nations could also reach similar agreements with the U.S. to accept deportees from other countries, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday. The leftist leader's comments are a reversal from her administration's previous opposition to Mexico receiving migrants from other countries. Sheinbaum said in her daily morning press conference that Mexico had accepted more than 4,000 migrants, of which a "large majority" were Mexican, from the U.S. U.S. President Donald Trump took office last week, promising massive deportations of migrants who were in the U.S. illegally. But in the days since, there has not been a "substantial" increase in deportees received by Mexico, Sheinbaum said. Sheinbaum previously said her administration had not agreed to the restart of the "Remain in Mexico" program by the Trump administration, which would send non-Mexican migrants who had crossed the border between the two countries back to Mexico while they awaited processing by the United States. Suddenly, she's all in with taking back her country's nationals, and nationals from other countries, which makes sense, given that they walked into the U.S. from Mexico. The Mexicans knew what they were up to when they landed, and during the Biden administration, let them all in, the better to collect 'fees' and send them on their way up north. Now they're singing a different tune -- and it's interesting to see how Sheinbaum struggles to save face. Reuters noted that she pointed to Mexico's southern neighbor, Guatemala, which is also accepting repatriation flights. The U.S. is also in talks with Central American countries on immigration, Sheinbaum said, suggesting they could receive migrants from other nations in the region. "Some countries' constitutions - Guatemala's, for example - say that any Central American must be accepted by Guatemala," Sheinbaum said. "So they're coordinating with the United States, taking into account each country's sovereignty." Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez told journalists later on Monday that he did not rule out his nation becoming a so-called "safe third country" to accept migrants of other nationalities. Guatemala accepted migrants from other countries during Trump's first administration. We have yet to hear from far-left Honduran President Xiomara Castro, whose nationals have quite a drug-dealing operation in the San Francisco Bay Area. She was talking like this the other day, threatening to expel U.S. military installations in her country, something even her nutty husband, the cowboy-hatted Hugo Chavez ally Mel Zelaya, declined to do when his locals threw him out of office supposedly in his pajamas in 2009. (He later said he was actually naked when they came for him): Narco Trafficker Honduran President, Xiomara Castro, Threatens President Trump if he continues to mass deport her own illegal alien citizens FAFO pic.twitter.com/kgMjW7pSWx lilibell (@lilibellmia) January 27, 2025 She also said she would round up all the other Latin American states to form a unified bloc against Trump over the illegals' returns. Como Presidenta Pro Tempore (PPT) de la Comunidad de Estados Latinoamericanos y Caribenos (CELAC), convoco con caracter urgente a una reunion de presidentes y jefes de Estado; proximo jueves 30 de enero a las 11:00 a.m. (hora de Honduras). pic.twitter.com/vEXCwCZBQl Xiomara Castro de Zelaya (@XiomaraCastroZ) January 26, 2025 Oh, wait: Mi Gobierno ha llamado al Gobierno de Estados Unidos, a iniciar de inmediato un dialogo sobre el tema de migracion. - Presidenta de Honduras, Xiomara Castro.#INM #Migracion #Honduras pic.twitter.com/zNkKDp2OzD Instituto Nacional de Migracion HN (@MigracionHND) January 28, 2025 She wants "immediate" dialogue with the U.S. over the repatriation flights. She may still make trouble, given her bad judgment in a husband, but this looks like another surrender. They're all doing it -- Ecuador ... The United States and Ecuador are cooperating on deportation flights, ensuring the safe return of Ecuadorian migrants to their country. As @SecRubio has said, we are unwavering in our commitment to end illegal immigration and bolster Americas border security. https://t.co/ygdnUtfwdZ Department of State (@StateDept) January 29, 2025 Update: Even Venezuelan dictator, Nicolas Maduro. Nicolas Maduro caves preemptively to Trump. Publicly announced he will receive Venezuelan citizens deported by the U.S. https://t.co/BdftRYPWee Luis H Ball (@ball1_ball) January 29, 2025 Trump, remember, absolutely humiliated Petro after he refused to accept two planeloads of Colombian criminals on Sunday (after the paperwork was signed and he agreed to it), first playing pope by claiming he objected to military flights for returnees as an affront to migrants' "dignity," then going on a drunken rant on Twitter about black slums in Washington, D.C., whisky, his gastritis, ancient Athens, slavery, racism, Cordoba, Sacco and Vanzetti, and other gibberish, then suddenly backtracking, first by saying he would send his own presidential aircraft to pick them up, and then when President Trump threatened 25% to 50% tariffs, yanked visas for him and his family members, and increased inspections for Colombian goods just in time for Colombia's most important agricultural payday, Valentine's Day, before finally really caving in and ... retweeting Trump's savage press release saying he had agreed to all terms. This sums up that weekend clown show, ending with Petro backing off with his tail between his legs: Notice what's written on the repatriation plane in Spanish -- Fuerza Aerea -- air force. Seems he doesn't view military jet flights as fit only for criminals after all: The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro announced earlier today that the First Flights of Colombian Migrants to be repatriated from the United States, arrived earlier today at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota. This follows a Small Crisis this weekend between Gustavo and pic.twitter.com/MJ8CqrK6f1 OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 28, 2025 Here's what former FARC narcoterrorist hostage Marc Gonsalves tweeted: Petro ha aceptado todos los terminos de Trump y acaba de retweet su acuerdo. Que cambio tan rapido pic.twitter.com/jtx3amjVGk Marc D Gonsalves (@marc_gonsalves) January 27, 2025 Petro wrote a novelfilled w/ angry references to racism & slavery, random admission he has gastritis, paranoid accusation that Trump will have him overthrownonly to retweet Trumps Press Secretary announcing he surrendered *6 hours* later. Remarkable. It really is our era. https://t.co/B8bBm3fyu2 pic.twitter.com/HMclFUk1lC Reaganite (@emperoreaganite) January 27, 2025 LMAO Trump made Petro agree to retweet the PressSec https://t.co/1EoFdD2ynO Western Man (@charleyamerica) January 27, 2025 After that, Trump retweeted this, to drive the message home: LMAO! After President Trump threatened Colombia and they instantly folded, Trump posted this FAFO What a LEGEND pic.twitter.com/W05pWnyvc1 Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 26, 2025 To be sure, Sheinbaum and the others are trying to save face. (Petro couldn't do it if he tried at this point, he's a hopeless laughingstock.) Sheinbaum put out this annoying hectoring, trying to shame the U.S. into keeping the illegals: NEW: Mexicos President Claudia Sheinbaum states that Mexican immigrants play a vital role in supporting the U.S. economy. "The Mexicans there sustain the economy of the United States -- in the countryside, in services, everywhere!" pic.twitter.com/VKBFxlFuAJ I Meme Therefore I Am (@ImMeme0) January 27, 2025 Which is baloney -- sending Mexicans back to Mexico can only benefit Mexico's economy ... if she can put them to work. I've met people in the shack cities of Tijuana who have told me their stretches as illegals in the states gave them amazing arrays of skills such as truck driving, computer operation, and construction, all of which can only benefit Mexico as remittances cannot. Sheinbaum ought to focus on them so they don't have to live in shacks without much in the way of jobs -- which might require some free market reforms, something that, as a socialist, she wouldn't want to do. Javier Milei, of Argentina, after all, doesn't have this problem. Remittances are what she has in mind, of course, with this speech, even though the World Bank and IMF state that big remittances tend to underdevelop a country -- breaking up families, making people live in two places at once, and reducing human capital in favor of finance capital. What's more, her argument is old and tired, we have already been through it before -- with only more problems from migrants as it was accepted as conventional wisdom. Why would she care about our economy anyway? And why isn't she calling it the shame of Mexico that so many of its nationals don't want to live there on her watch? That's what she ought to be saying. I'll probably write more on this later, but you can see that this kind of talk is a face-saving, not anything to do with facts or Mexico's best interests. They're all going that way. Petro showed them what happens when a leftist leader messes with Trump. Now, word has gone out and nobody wants to mess with that big touchy gringo up north. Much better to keep his attention away from them, and let only the fools step forward for the stomping. FAFO indeed. It's shaping up as the emerging Trump Doctrine. Image: X video screen shot These days the far-left is in big trouble. Like a washed-up magician with nothing but a bag of old, worn-out tricks and linguistic sleight of hand, they have nothing to offer but hoaxes and lies without the merest ring of truth. Their usual deceptions have been exposed, and no one is buying them anymore. They judge people on the color of their skin instead of the content of their character, and so their racist projections fall on deaf ears. Their song and dance on climate change has become a punch line covering everything except their credibility. Theyve become the Sideshow Bob of political entities, and at every turn stepping on a rake and getting so justifiably smacked square in the face. Now that they are shriveling to a pitiful political minority, cancel culture is being shown to be a paper tiger as it always was. Still, its being a supposed force to be reckoned with was a bluff. Their latest failed little scam bit arose when a defender of freedom and free speech made a certain hand gesture that leftists immediately seized upon, or pounced on as they like to accuse; one of the sad little hoaxes theyve always played, which is at once both ridiculous and wrong on multiple levels. People have always waved their hands, but if you do it in the wrong way, the left will accuse you of sympathies with a certain socialist national workers party. Since this is being written on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, well start with the infuriating fact that the ever-so-casual use of these slurs diminishes the horrific crimes of the actual National Socialist German Workers Party. Coupled with the fact that far too many ignore the genocide of other socialist and communist mass murderers such as Lenin, Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot. But what is worse for the far-left is that while these accusations carried some weight in the past, they are no longer effective, and now the leftist Pravda media is perplexed at why it isnt working this time around as exemplified in a piece in Axios: Musk and Tesla remain untouchable after Nazi salute accusations Elon Musk, the worlds richest man, standing behind a podium bearing the Seal of the President of the United States, on Monday twice gave what scholars, journalists and rights groups said was a Hitlergru, or Nazi salute. It doesnt seem to have done him (or his company Tesla) any visible harm. ... His reaction only served to further inflame much of the glee with which the sign was received within the far right. Context: Musk has been making inroads into the far right for some time, endorsing the hard-right AfD in Germany, failing to stop the posting or amplification of pro-Nazi content on his social media site X, and responding to an antisemitic post on X as the actual truth. Part of the reason this perennial deceit from the far left failed was the fact that you can easily find all manner of images and videos of leftists making similar gestures. But there can also be a deeper reason all of this is falling apart for the far left people are no longer intimidated into silence in stating basic historical truths that the National Socialist German Workers Party was a socialist workers party (Note, were not using that other ancient name since its been exploited by the left to hide its collectivist ideology). The lie from the anti-liberty left was that socialism supposedly was popular at the time, so the NSDAP merely included it as a PR move except that Rudolf Jung, considered to be the Karl Marx of Hitlers National Socialism or chief ideologist and who reportedly coined the phrase Gemeinnutz geht vor Eigennutz (the common good comes before self-interest) wrote in the 2nd edition of the book National Socialism Its Foundations, Development published in 1922 on page 56 stated that: The unedifying conditions in the Pan-German movement, which was originally conceived of as a grass-roots movement, inevitably led to the evolution of a unique political and trade-unionist tendency. This tendency reached its consummation in 1904 with the founding of the German Workers Party. In its principles, the thus-named Trautenau Programme, the party demanded - as the National Socialists do today - a partial socialization in the form of economic nationalization and provincialization. One would therefore be perfectly correct in regarding this programme as a socialist one. This additional quote cements the point that National Socialism was socialist: In 1918 - in the interim no Party Conferences were able to take place - this finally occurred; at the same time, the partys now more clearly-defined socialist character was also reflected in the adoption of its new name. This is from the 1920s, when the left was just starting with their big lie, and we have three data points that blow it out of the water. So, when a leftist regurgitates the old read a book throwaway line, they should probably start with this one. All of this was recently summarized in a TIK history video. Further proof of the fact that National Socialism was socialist and leftist can be easily found in chapter 5 of Adolf Hitlers Second Book that states NSDAP Is Socialist And Nationalist. In the German version of the book, Adolf Hitler openly states: Ich bin Sozialist. I am a socialist. See a translated passage below: I am a socialist. I see no class and no social estate before me, but that community of the Folk, made up of people who are linked by blood, united by a language, and subject to a same general fate. Of course, thats not the only time that plain fact is stated, as explained in the video that also noted that Hitler was a socialist and leftist: What Modern Socialists Dont Want You To Know About Hitler, Dr. Rainer Zitelmann, the author of a groundbreaking book on Hitlers National Socialism, went through all of his speeches and utterances in writing the book. We can also see the same admission that Adolf Hitler and the NSDAP were leftist in the quote from the Toland biography: We are socialists, we are enemies of todays capitalistic economic system for the exploitation of the economically weak, with its unfair salaries, with its unseemly evaluation of a human being according to wealth and property instead of responsibility and performance, and we are determined to destroy this system under all conditions. Thus, its easy to see why this perennial deception from the left is no longer a weapon in their little culture war. Enough people have picked up that this has always been a complete contradiction, and now with all of the facts coming out in the open, their game plan falls apart before the opening round. D Parker is an engineer, inventor, wordsmith, and student of history, former director of communications for a civil rights organization, and a long-time contributor to conservative websites. Find him on Substack. Image: Sashi Suseshi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered. President Trump is reportedly set to ban trans individuals from the military today, because they are neither physically or mentally capable of military service (as if self-mutilation and crippling mental anguish didnt already indicate this). This is great news, but we the taxpayers and citizens need this to be a real banTrump must root out and eject every last one of them, and yank any and all retirements (as well as medical coverage) that these trans soldiers are set to receive. Now, without the actual text of the EO yet, we cant know how Trump and new Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth intend to restore readiness by neutralizing these net negative individuals, but under no circumstances should trans soldiers remain in the military or receive any sort of retirement or military/veteran health insurance or medical care. I say this because looking back at Trumps 2017 trans ban we see that it was essentially a dont ask, dont tell which permitted trans individuals to stay in the military to serve in their preferred gender, receive hormone treatments and undergo gender-affirming surgery as long as they had a gender dysphoria diagnosis. And, considering the language used alreadythat trans military members are both physically and mentally unwelllIm sensing medical retirements, which would mean ejection from the military, but immediate retirement packages for life, which include medical care/insurance. Its well known that the cross-sex hormone regimens are expensive (hundreds of dollars every month), and gender-affirming care has serious health complications even after the transition. Graphic warning for images below: Were you born a woman but feel inside that you're actually a man? No big deal. We can do this to your arm to craft you a hideous non functioning frankenpenis. This isn't compassion. This is profiteering. pic.twitter.com/6A8qHqqi4d Stacy Is Right (@PatrioticPizzas) October 23, 2024 And here: Are your backers investing in transmeds/transpharma? $$$ Do they include Rothblatt/Stryker/Pritzker? Or in trans-surgery w lifetime follow-ups? $$$ Do you have a code of ethics? Phalloplasty: Flesh cut from an arm to form a meat sausage phallus, can never function as a penis pic.twitter.com/dFbbnMqO5q ReWitched (@McKittenCat) June 5, 2022 No one can convince me that the above mutilation doesnt come with serious physical and psychological consequences. Furthermore, one study revealed that complication rates of phalloplasty (constructing a fake, non-functional penis) were significantly high (70%). Its also well known that suicide rates in the trans community are staggering, both before and after transition. Lastly, recall this, from Daily Mail: One of the first studies into the side effects of transgender surgeries has revealed alarmingly high rates of post-op pain, aching during intercourse, and bladder problems, raising troubling questions for this new frontier of medicine. A huge majority - 81 percent - of those who had gender-affirming surgery in the past five years said they endured pain simply from moving around in the weeks and months after going under the knife. Researchers from the University of Florida and Brooks Rehabilitation, a health non-profit, showed that more than half of trans surgery patients endured pain during sex, and nearly a third could not control their bladders. (Andrea Widburg details more of the complications and post-transition issues here.) Its abundantly obvious these people are suffering from severe mental health issuesand were supposed to hand them a gun and give them security clearances? I dont think so. The military is about sacrificial service for your country and your countrymen, but if youre trans and you actually care about the mission, youd never enlist, because its not about you. So how do we explain the thousands of trans troops? Well, I can only assume they just wanted their taxpayer-funded boob job, or phalloplasty, or vaginoplasty, while getting to wear drag to the office, and its truly, unacceptable. These people are not deserving of the cushy taxpayer perks now, nor should they receive any if pushed out of the service by EO. Its not on us to keep footing the bill for these demented and disturbed individuals. Image generated by AI. The launch of ASUSs Zenbook A14 is underway in the US, the company has officially announced. The Zenbook A14 is the latest ultrabook laptop from ASUS, sporting a build with an incredibly lightweight design. The company announced the Zenbook A14 at CES 2025 back in the beginning of January, but at the time it hadnt mentioned any specific release dates. Now just twenty days later, the laptop is available for purchase in the US. This is a big deal for ASUS because the Zenbook A14 is the companys first laptop in the Zenbook line with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X chipset onboard. It has a heavy focus on AI with several Copilot+ features baked in, such as Live Captions that can translate other languages in real time. It also comes with a 14-inch Lumina OLED display, and its made with Ceraluminumm which ASUS says is incredibly durable and has unmatched scratch resistance. What really makes the Zenbook A14 stand out though, is that it weighs only 2.18 lbs. and has a battery life of up to 32 hours. With regard to the weight, ASUS claims this is a full pound lighter than comparable laptops. The Zenbook A14 launch today does not include both colors ASUS will be launching the Zenbook A14 in two different colors, but both of them arent part of this launch. Instead, ASUS is choosing to split up the launch into two different releases. Starting today, ASUS says, the Zenbook A14 will be available in the Iceland Gray color. You can pick it up from Best Buy or the ASUS Store directly, and itll retail for $1,099.99. Best Buy may have it in stores, but you will be able to find it on the Best Buy website as well. That being said, neither ASUS nor Best Buy seem to have it in stock yet. However, the listings are now live, so the laptop should actually be purchaseable shortly. As for the additional color, this will be a slightly different configuration coming in Zabriskie Beige, and its not coming out until later this year. Specifically, itll be launching through Best Buy in late Q1, 2025. So it could still be a month or two before you can buy it. The pricing on this color will be $899.99, and most of the specs should be the same. At $200 less though, its probably coming with less RAM and storage. Regardless of the differences, itll still have the Snapdragon X chipset. As well as all the Copilot+ features and the lightweight, portable design. The laptop that lasts for multiple days on a single charge If youre buying an ultrabook, youre likely getting one for work, school, or both. In those cases, you want the laptop to last you throughout the day without having to worry about plugging it in. The Zenbook A14 should be able to provide that. ASUS claims it can last for multiple days on a single charge, all thanks to its 70Wh battery and highly efficient power management. This all adds to the portability factor because you wont have to bring the charger with you. This means you can stow it away in your bag, save space, and prevent from carrying around more weight. All of which sounds great. Buy at Best Buy Buy at ASUS The arrival of modern AI-based services like ChatGPT caused an earthquake in the tech industry. Now, something similar is happening in the AI niche with the arrival of DeepSeek. The Chinese startups chatbot recently became the most downloaded app on Apples App Store in the US. Plus, DeepSeeks powerful capabilities and low cost are causing a disruption in the market that has rarely been seen before. DeepSeeks disruption in the market could reduce AI development prices considerably Developing AI-powered services often results in products with incredible features. However, companies have to overcome some key hurdles before entering the field. The main drawback is the high cost of developing and training AI models. Whether they buy AI chips from suppliers like NVIDIA or rent AI hardware in the cloud from Google, developing artificial intelligence is not cheap. Naturally, a solution that helps reduce costs to a fraction would cause a powerful disruption in the AI market, and that is what DeepSeek seems to be doing. The China-based startup launched an AI-powered chatbot on Apples App Store almost two weeks ago. The rival service to ChatGPT and others is powered by the DeepSeek-V3. Being a Chinese AI model, many of you probably have concerns regarding the privacy of your data. However, the DeepSeek-V3 model is open source, so anyone can audit it. If China were spying on you or stealing your data through the platform, you would already know about it. DeepSeeks real impact on the market stems from its features-to-cost ratio. According to its developers, DeepSeek outperforms ChatGPT and several other AI models on multiple parameters. But not only that, training it costs just a fraction of the price of other top AI models. The DeepSeek team claims that they only invested about $6 million in training. The firm achieved this by relying on thousands of old NVIDIA H800 chips. Product of collaborative approach of AI Chinese industry The current focus of the Chinese AI industry has also helped reduce the cost of DeepSeek tremendously. US trade restrictions prevent Chinese firms from accessing the latest AI hardware available. To mitigate this, China has adopted a collaborative, open-source approach to its AI developments. In this way, major AI companies share their developments and technology with each other, each experimenting with new approaches, contributing new ideas, and leading to faster advances. The low cost of the model is reflected in the price to users. DeepSeek offers several features for free that require a monthly fee on rivals like OpenAIs ChatGPT. Big AI hardware vendors shares crashing The arrival of DeepSeek caused a resounding crash in the stocks of big AI-related companies. The effect is being felt mainly in AI hardware providers, with NVIDIA plummeting more than 17% on the stock market in the last 24 hours. Shares of NVIDIA rival Broadcom also fell by about 18%. Software product developers also took a hit, although much smaller. Microsoft and Google fell as much as 3.7% and more than 3% on the stock market today, respectively. Its clear why AI hardware vendors were hit hardest by DeepSeeks disruption to the market. Investors are now questioning whether their previous bets on companies that spent much more on AI chips than the DeepSeek team will pay off. At the same time, AI-focused companies are likely evaluating whether they can implement similar cost reductions on AI hardware or use older chips. Either way, it looks like DeepSeek will change the AI industry in a big way. Vey-Sern Ling, a Singapore-based technology equity adviser, said the new development could potentially derail the investment case for the entire AI supply chain. EU and US regulators have been particularly active on big tech companies lately. However, this isnt exactly a new trend, as weve seen record fines several years ago. Google was hit by an antitrust fine by the EU that totals 4.3 billion and is now fighting it. Google to fight 4.33 billion antitrust fine imposed by EU over Android business model In 2018, the EU fined Google 4.3 billion (about $4.5 billion) for its business practices in the mobile OS segment that, according to regulators, negatively impacted competition. Google tried to appeal the fine to a lower court, asking the judges to overturn the European Commissions decision. However, the company only managed to get it reduced, now at 4.1 billion. Anyway, the Mountain View giant isnt happy with that and wants to get rid of the big fine altogether. In a new appeal, Google lawyer Alfonso Lamadrid told the court: Google does not contest or shy away from its responsibility under the law, but the Commission also has a responsibility when it runs investigations, when it seeks to reshape markets and second-guess pro-competitive business models, and when it imposes multi-billion-euro fines. In this case, the Commission failed to discharge its burden and its responsibility and, relying on multiple errors of law, punished Google for its superior merits, attractiveness and innovation, he added. Googles deals with Android phone makers, the main problem The European Commission used Googles deals with Android manufacturers as the main argument for the sanction against the company. These deals involved the pre-installation of apps such as Google, Chrome, and the Google Play Store. They also prevented the use of operating systems that were direct rivals of Android. These conditions were necessary to grant the Google Play license that grants access to the companys app store, something of great importance in the Western market. The European antitrust authorities claimed that these requirements impeded free competition. However, Google does not agree with the EUs claims. These agreements and conditions did not restrict competition, they fostered it, Lamadrid argued before the court. The final ruling on the matter will come in the next few months. Whatever the outcome, Google will no longer be able to appeal the ruling. Google has announced that it will rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in Google Maps. The announcement came as President Donald Trump updated the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) last week. The US President has also renamed the highest mountain in the country. Google Maps will display the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America for users in the US Earlier today, Google posted multiple tweets on X to confirm the upcoming change to Google Maps. In one of the tweets, Google mentioned, Weve received a few questions about naming within Google Maps. We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources. To remind you, Google Maps is home to some of the disputed international borders and locations around the globe. To avoid any controversy, the Google Maps app or web interface usually shows the names of such locations based on where you are searching. Speaking of the Gulf of Mexico, Google is doing the same. The company says that the name Gulf of America will only be visible to Google Maps users in the United States. For those living in Mexico, Google Maps will continue to show the name Gulf of Mexico. What if you are living in neither of these countries? Well, Google Maps will show both names when you search for them outside of Mexico and the US. Trump renames the Denali to the Mount McKinley Thats not the only renaming of locations coming to Google Maps. To catch you up, back in September 2015, Barack Obama, the then-president of the United States, renamed Mount McKinley to the Denali. As it was an official order, Google updated Google Maps accordingly. After almost nine years, President Trump is changing the name Denali back to Mount McKinley. Therefore, Google Maps will display the new name for the mountain peak. For the uninitiated, the mountain peak was named after former President William McKinley. It is located in the Alaska Range, with two of its summits standing tall in the Denali Fault. Trump helped keep TikTok running in the United States through an executive order. However, the new US president has not removed the requirement to sell the short video platform to American owners. Now, Trump has confirmed that Microsoft is one of the companies interested in acquiring TikTok. The bill signed by Joe Biden last year forces ByteDance to divest from TikToks US stake. The original deadline was January 19, 2025, at which point the app went dark for a few hours. However, Trump signed an executive order to postpone the deadline for 75 days. During that time, all parties must reach an agreement that involves the salein whole or in partof the app. ByteDance has always been reluctant to do so, but it could be the only way they can continue to operate in the US. Donald Trump said that Microsoft will bid for TikTok Yesterday, Trump confirmed that Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok. However, the Redmond giant is not the only one interested, and Trump himself expects a bidding war of sorts. TikTok will offer its new owners immediate access to usage data from around 170 million American users, something extremely valuable in the age of AI. The huge popularity of the service gives it another plus for a potential buyer. When asked about Microsoft preparing a bid for TikTok, Trump replied: I would say yes. If we can save all that voice and all the jobs, and China wont be involved, we dont want China involved, but well see what happens, he added. Previously, Trump suggested a 50% sale of TikTok as a potential solution to the conflict. This would allow ByteDance to continue having an important stake, something the company does not seem to want to give up. Interestingly, this is not Microsofts first opportunity to buy TikTok. The company could have done so in 2020, but the deal fell through. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella called the situation the strangest thing. ByteDance also tried to negotiate with Oracle, but without success. Multiple interested parties There are currently multiple interested parties in acquiring TikTok. In addition to the Project Liberty initiativeheaded by Frank McCourtthere are Canadian businessman Kevin OLeary, Perplexity, Oracle, and even YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast. Elon Musk was also rumored to be on the list, but ByteDance denied it. More potential candidates to buy the app could emerge in the coming days. Anyway, Trump said that a decision on the future of TikTok should be ready in the next 30 days. Youre tired of using $10 Walmart headphones, and you think that its time you finally start taking your audio seriously. Congratulations! Youve just embarked on a long and annoying journey. Building your perfect setup can be a bit of a hassle, as there are so many different types of devices you need. Where do you start? Well, you start here! Heres a list of some of the best audiophile gear you can buy. Well go over some of the best gear that your typical audio setup will require. So, well talk about headphones, IEMs, amps, pre-amps, DACs, and streamers. If you dont find the perfect device this time around, then dont worry. Well update this article every so often, so feel free to check back every now and then for new items. You never know if youll find your new favorite item on your next visit. Best audiophile over-the-ear headphones Sennheiser HD 800 S Its tough to have a list of the best audiophile gear out there without talking about Sennheiser. This company makes some of the best headphones that you can buy, and thats thanks, in no small part, to its top-of-the-line hardware. The journey to building your dream setup starts with the perfect pair of headphones, and heres a great pair of headphones to consider. Coming in at $1,699.95, the Sennheiser HD 800 S arent particularly cheap, but they still undercut much of the competition in the audiophile headphone space. These are meant for people who want the most detailed and balanced audio coming from their headphones. The HD 800 S come with a pair of powerful 40mm voice coils that produce some crisp and clean audio. Theyre custom-made and fine-tuned to deliver a highly detailed sound. Along with these voice coils, there are also 56mm Ring Radiator dynamic transducers. This combination gives you the trademark Sennheiser sound. These are the kind of headphones to use if you want an open sound. The Sennheiser HD 800 S are open-back headphones. This means that the space behind the diaphragm is open. While it means that its easier for outside noise to interfere with your audio, youll have a more open and natural sound. It wont sound like the audio is being shot into your ear. Rather, it will sound like the audio just naturally exists around you. A great pair of headphones is nothing without amazing ergonomics. The HD 800 S are extremely comfortable to wear. They have a pair of soft ear pads that comfortably for around your head. This eliminates any sort of pressure on your head, which means that youll be able to wear these for hours on end. The premium synthetic cable with gold-plated 4.4mm and 6.6mm jack plugs will withstand the test of time. They will deliver a clean signal from your setup to your headphones. All of these amazing features mean that youre choosing some of the best headphones on the market. They fit perfectly in your setup. Buy at Amazon Best IEMs Linsoul THIEAUDIO Hype 4 For people who dont often like to listen to over-the-ear headphones, there are IEMs (in-ear monitors). These are earbuds, but theyre much more premium. They often employ different types of drivers in order to produce a more nuanced sound. While theyre small, IEMs still produce an amazing and powerful sound. If youre a person who prefers to rock IEMs, heres a great pair for you to try out. These are pricey compared to standard earbuds, but theyre still affordable compared to much of the competition. Coming in at just $399, the Linsoul THIEAUDIO Hype 4 provide much more value than their price would suggest. It should come as no surprise that these IEMs give you incredible audio. Linsoul is relatively new to the market, but its made waves with its amazing devices. The THIEAUDIO Hype 4 are no different. They come with a set of specially-tuned drivers designed specifically for these IEMs. They include the Soinion E50 series dual ultra-tweeter balanced armature driver. This delivers crisp highs while the 26A series driver handles the mids. So, the high tones, mid tones, and low tones all have their own special drivers. This means that each part of the sound will have special attention paid to it. You cant have a quality sound if you dont have a cable that can push a high-quality signal. The Linsoul THIEAUDIO Hype 4 come with a high-grade silver-plated OCC cable. This is no ordinary cable. It can push a clean sound from your audio source right to the IEMs. So, expect to hear a crisp and clear sound when listening to these monitors. Youre not only getting good-sounding IEMs, but youre also getting good-looking IEMs. The Linsoul THIEAUDIO Hype 4 come in three eye-catching colors. The ones pictured above are the Blue color. If thats not your jam, and you want something a little darker, theres a sleek Black color that has the same glittery pattern. This gives them the appearance of the night sky. Lastly, theres the White color that has bits of purple throughout. All in all, for the price of just $400, youre getting some beautiful IEMs. Theyre beautiful in both sound and appearance. Buy at Amazon Best speaker Bang & Olufsen Beosound A9 Headphones and IEMs are great, but what if you want to listen to music and impress your friends at parties at the same time? This is where a quality speaker comes in. Sure, you can shell out for a decent JBL speaker or some other Bluetooth speaker, but what if youre looking for something more advanced? If so, then youll want to look i into getting a premium audiophile-grade speaker. Heres a speaker for you if you value audio quality, aesthetics, and overall appeal. Were all familiar with the superior audio quality that Ban & Olufson offers with its devices. Well, the Beosound A9 is a testament to the companys established lineage of quality. Coming in at $3,999, this isnt the kind of speaker youd buy just for casual usage. Its the kind you buy if you want a piece of decor that plays music. The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A9 is just that. It uses large high-quality drivers developed to give you a full and immersive sound. Youll love using this speaker for parties, get-togethers, or just causal listening. With its unique design, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A9 blends seamlessly into your home decor. Its not the kind of speaker for everybody, it has a certain appeal to it. Buy at Amazon Best DAC iFi ZEN DAC V2 If youre getting your audio setup up and going, youre going to need a quality DAC. These are the tools responsible for converting the digital signal (your audio file) into a raw electrical current that can pass through the rest of your setup. Either that or the signal can go right to your headphones. DACs range in price from a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand. However, if youre looking for a DAC that will provide a service without breaking the bank, then look no further than the iFi ZEN DAC V2. Sometimes, you need bells and whistles, but sometimes, you need the basics. This is an excellent DAC to get if youre looking for a quality device thats also compact. It might not be as well-stacked as many of the $2,000+ DACs, but at $199, youre looking at an amazing deal. While its affordable, it more than pulls its weight when it comes to delivering a great audio signal. One of the most important qualities of a DAC is the ability to deliver a clean audio signal to your headphones or the rest of your setup. Youre able to push an audio signal up to 384kHz/24-bit, DSD256, DXD 384kHz, and decode MQA. For input, the iFi ZEN DAC V2 takes USB 3.0, though its also compatible with USB 2.0. As for output, it outputs an RCA signal along with 6.5mm and 4.4mm balanced. Whats neat about this DAC is that it comes with its own pre-amp built in. This means that you can adjust the audio output right on the device itself. You can use the nob on the front to adjust the volume. This makes it possible to use this as your own personal headphone DAC. Buy at Amazon Best amp Cambridge Audio AXA25-25 Oftentimes, the signal coming from your DAC needs to be boosted. This is if your DAC doesnt have a pre-amp built-in. While having a pre-amp built-in to your DAC is convenient, having a dedicated amp can lead to a better audio output. Its a separate device that has its own dedicated hardware. A great option for an amp is the Cambridge Audio AXA25-25. Cambride has a long lineage of producing high-quality audio equipment, and this amp is a testament to that. Coming in at just $299, this is an amazing amp for its price. It handles everything you need for such a low price. As you can tell, Cambridge fitted this amp with top-of-the-line hardware to make sure that youre getting an extremely clear audio signal. Its specifically designed to boost the signals strength without introducing too much noise. Theres always some level of noise introduced throughout the signal chain, but the Cambridge Audio AXA25-25 keeps it down to a minimum. Not only that, but you have some degree of control over the sound that comes out. There are several nobs on the front of the device that allow you to adjust different aspects of the sound. In the middle, theres a volume nob. To the left of it, theres a nob to adjust the bass and the treble of the audio. This is for people who want direct control over the sound without needing to adjust it on their software interface. There are four analog inputs that you can use to connect your favorite devices. So, if you have a DAC, CD player, turntable, ETC., youll be able to connect it. Not only that, but you can also connect a Bluetooth receiver to the Cambridge Audio AXA25-25. Just know that this device does not include a receiver. Buy at Amazon Many older Chinese Americans from other neighborhoods rely on the 30-Stockton Muni line to transport them to Chinatown. A route change on March 15 will eliminate a key transfer point. Erik Verduzco/The Chronicle 2012 Throngs of Chinese American elders are scattered across the street from the Zara store in Union Square. No, they didnt catch wind of Zaras semi-annual sale only to find out they missed it in December. Instead, theyve become victims of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agencys budget-conscious change to the 30-Stockton bus line. Come March 15, about half of the 30-Stockton buses exiting Chinatown will turn back at Post Street instead of continuing to the Caltrain Station in Mission Bay. The riders who were expecting to disembark on Market Street will no longer be able to do so. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Munis 30-Stockton is many things a workhorse for Marina residents commuting downtown and an idyllic ride for those who romanticize the touristy neighborhoods of San Francisco but its mainly a vital link for older Chinese Americans in San Francisco to reach their cultural home in Chinatown. Historical data and any casual ride on the line show that the 30-Stocktons busiest segment is between Market/Mission streets and Columbus Avenue, which funnels a large population of older (and younger) riders into Chinatown. The North Beach segment from Columbus Avenue to Van Ness Avenue is the second busiest part of the line. Because of these patterns, Muni runs a long and short route of the 30-Stockton. The long route runs the entire route from Crissy Field to the Caltrain. The short one runs from Van Ness to Caltrain. At least until March 14. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The 30-Stocktons short route will be truncated at Post Street next month. Yes, there are parallel lines to Caltrain: T-Third subway, 45-Union/Stockton, 15-Bayview Hunters Point Express and 12 Pacific/Folsom. But many particularly our vulnerable monolingual Chinese-speaking elders will suffer from losing direct access to Geary, Market and Mission streets, where riders often transfer to or from other lines. What used to be a seamless connection to the 38/38R on Geary, all the lines on Market Street and the 14/14R and SamTrans busses on Mission Street, will become a mid-block drop-off on Post Street between Stockton and Grant. This will provide excellent foot traffic for Zara, but Im guessing the riders with groceries and roast duck from Chinatown arent very interested. Instead, the 30-Stocktons truncation creates two key problems: First, it forces disembarking passengers to walk several blocks to reach their transfer points. Not a problem for your average tourist. But it is a challenge for older riders with limited mobility, English proficiency and visual acuity for whom even differentiating 30 long and 30 short busses may be difficult. These riders have all tested our patience at the bus door before (slower with age, clumsy with the Clipper card, bulky roller bags in tow). Advertisement Article continues below this ad Yet they deserve our compassion and support. The second problem is that the truncation defeats the 30 short routes purpose: to add capacity where it is busiest. With the change, 30 short route south toward downtown misses Geary, Market and Mission, and while going to North Beach, it misses Third and Mission and Kearny and Market the two busiest outbound stops. Curiously, these are also the stops older Chinese Americans frequent the most to access Chinatown, a vital hub for food access, health care and socialization. The equity implications are clear. As an Asian American child growing up in San Francisco, I recall vividly the drivers who would bypass our stops, fearing the throngs of, yes sometimes aggressive, elders seeking first dibs on a seat. Somehow, this seems like a repeat only now sanctioned. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Chinatown is a tale of two cities one of 14,500 residents who call its 30 square blocks home, and one of 2 million annual visitors who provide a lifeblood for the small businesses and family associations that sustain this impoverished neighborhood. Chinatown depends on tourism, and visitors depend on reliable transportation to get them there. For a Chinatown in the precarious early stages of a revival and a downtown still struggling to find its post-pandemic identity, the 30-Stockton truncation is but a symptom of the larger disconnect between what San Francisco desperately needs and what city government is putting on the map. To be fair, the Municipal Transportation Agency didnt want this. After all, the agency invested in major improvements to the 30-Stockton and, come March 15, the revival of the 30X Marina Express (albeit just two daily weekday trips). But with looming budget deficits, some things had to change. A transit-rich Stockton Street with the 30, 45, 8/8AX/8BX and T lines probably seemed like an opportunity for savings. Fortunately, compromise should be possible. A 30 southbound route that loops back at Mission instead of Post would reduce resource needs without compromising access to Geary, Market and Mission. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Stubborn traffic on Fourth Street between Market and Mission surely makes this less palatable to the folks crunching schedules and headways, but buses that people ride are more important than empty moving buses. Union Square is not working. Fishermans Wharf is not working. Downtowns not working, newly inaugurated Supervisor Danny Sauter, whose district includes Chinatown and North Beach, said in a recent interview with Mission Local. There needs to be an entire reinvention of those areas. The new 30-Stockton hardly seems like the reinvention we needed or asked for. A compromise might help steer the wheels and help get these neighborhoods back on track. A woman accused of spying for Russia has told jurors she began questioning her real purpose at a US Army base believed to have been used to train Ukrainian soldiers on the Patriot missile system. Bulgarians Katrin Ivanova, 33, Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Tihomir Ivanov Ivanchev, 39, were allegedly part of a group which carried out surveillance on places and people of interest to the Russian state between August 30 2020 and February 8 2023. Ivanova has claimed she was deceived, betrayed and controlled by her long-term partner Biser Dzhambazov, 43, who has admitted being in on the plot. In late 2022, she began questioning what she was doing for the first time on the way to Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, southern Germany, the defendant said. She told jurors: When we was walking from the hotel to the barracks, this is when I started questioning exactly what was going on. Cross-examining on Tuesday, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said: You know its an army barracks. What is it that worries you? Ivanova replied: I was questioning what is the real purpose, why am I going to take a picture of that base? Ms Morgan said it was publicly known the barracks were being used to train Ukrainian forces and it was believed that involved the use of the Patriot missile system. The defendant told jurors that although she had looked up the barracks, she did not know those details. Ivanova denied being a stupid person, but said she was under the control of her older partner who was everything to her at the time. She said: I started the relationship with the person I most trusted since I was 17. He was never physically abusive. I can say now I was in an abusive relationship. That person was controlling me without me realising. I was being controlled by someone who was 10 years older than me. When I came to this country I came alone with him. My family was back home, my friends was back home. He not only became my family and friend at that time, he became everything for me. Ivanova denied he prevented her from doing internet searches or using her phone or even engaging in sexual relationships with other men. Vanya Gaberova appearing via video link at Westminster Magistrates Court, London, during an earlier hearing (Elizabeth Cook/PA) Ms Morgan reminded the defendant of her earlier evidence that she had been heartbroken to learn in 2021 that Dzhambazov was with her co-defendant Gaberova when she thought he was seeing a doctor in Bulgaria. The defendant agreed, saying: He betrayed me. He was in a relationship with another woman for 18 months. My only partner was Biser Dzhambazov. Ms Morgan asserted that phone evidence revealed that he knew she was having relationships with other men at the same time. The prosecutor said: You are asking the jury to believe you were desperately upset Mr Dzhambazov was in Bulgaria with Ms Gaberova but you shared you were in relationships with other people. Ivanova said: I was in an open sexual relationship with the knowledge. I dont go behind Mr Dzhambazovs back to sleep with another man. Having an 18-month long sexual relationship was something completely different, she said. Ivanova added: When both of us was being arrested, me and Vanya, we both refer to Biser as our boyfriend. You cannot put those two things on the same scale. Ms Morgan said: You were in a relationship with Mr Dzhambazov, it was you and him against the world and the great betrayal was he was with Ms Gaberova? So this controlling man did not mind you having sexual relationships with other men and you shared the details together. Ivanova replied: Thats correct. It is not a secret. Jurors have heard that Dzhambazov and Orlin Roussev have admitted conspiracy to spy for Russia. Ms Morgan asked Ivanova: Its only when youre outside Patch Barracks you have any suspicions at all about Mr Dzhambazov and Mr Roussev and what is really going on in this conspiracy? The defendant replied: Thats correct. I never challenged him, yes. Ivanova, Gaberova and Ivanchev deny conspiracy to spy between August 30 2020 and February 8 2023. Ivanova has also pleaded not guilty to a second charge of possession of false identity documents. At the time of the alleged offences, Ivanova was living in Harrow, north-west London, Gaberova was living in Euston, north London and Ivanchev was living in Acton, west London. Hope has been expressed that the Omagh Bombing Inquiry will be the beginning of the end for the bereaved in their pursuit of answers. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the 1998 dissident republican bomb attack in the Co Tyrone town, also pressed the British and Irish governments to fully co-operate with the inquiry. The inquiry will examine whether the atrocity could have been prevented. Michael Gallagher spoke to members of the media as he arrived at the inquiry (Liam McBurney/PA) It started four weeks of commemorative hearings on Tuesday, remembering the victims and hearing from those who were injured or directly affected. Mr Gallagher campaigned for many years for an inquiry, and took the legal action which resulted in a judge in 2021 finding it was plausible there was a real prospect the bombing could have been prevented by the security services, and calling for new investigations on both sides of the Irish border. In 2023, the UK government announced there would be an independent statutory inquiry into the bombing. Ruairi de Burca, director-general at the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, attended the first public hearing of the Omagh inquiry last July. He told the inquiry that he was present on behalf of his government to signal in the clearest terms, our commitment to facilitating and supporting the work of this inquiry. Mr Gallagher said on Tuesday: I just hope for me that this is the beginning of the end, that we do get the answers we need, that both the British government and the Irish government fully co-operate with the inquiry and as a bereaved parent I can say thats all I can do. Ruairi de Burca, director-general at the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, attending the inquiry hearing last year (Liam McBurney/PA) Im very grateful for everybody who helped us get to this point where we can see an end. Mr Gallagher also praised the focus on the victims in this phase of the inquiry as bringing humanity to proceedings. Its important to be here to support the other families, the Spanish families are giving evidence this morning, its going to be difficult, he said. It brings a lot of it back, but its hugely important to focus this week and next week and the week after on the victims. In all of this, sometimes the voice of the victims is lost because there are so many technical arguments, but this brings humanity to it. Boyzones Keith Duffy has said Liam Paynes death was an eye-opener to everybody in the music business, adding that artists should have access to mental health support. Appearing at the world premiere for new docu-series Boyzone: No Matter What, Duffy, 50, reflected on what it was like to be in a boyband in the 1990s. Boybands have been known to be used as puppets and a marketable commodity that have a shelf life, but fame comes alongside that, he told the PA news agency. Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy and Ronan Keating at the world premiere of Boyzone: No Matter What (Ian West/PA) And I think the great loss of that young man from One Direction is an eye-opener to everybody in the music business. Its all well and good to make money from young guys in a band. Its all well and good to promote their brand and their music. Somebody needs to take care of their mental state. Somebody needs to take care and make sure that theyre OK. They need to be kind. One Direction star Payne died from polytrauma aged 31 on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. Five people have been charged with manslaughter over his death. Also at the premiere on Monday was Duffys bandmate Ronan Keating, who said filming the three-part Sky series was like therapy. It took hours and hours and hours to film this, he told PA. And it took hours for us to actually get into that head space. So the first hour might be quite light, but after two, three, four, five, six hours of talking about it, its incredible, its like therapy. You go darker and deeper into your life and into your experiences. Ronan Keating at the premiere (Ian West/PA) Reflecting on his relationship with former X Factor judge Louis Walsh, who was the bands manager, Keating added: Im very grateful for all Louis did for us. We wouldnt be here today if it wasnt for him, but some of the things he did were wrong. The choices he made werent right, and hes apologised somewhat, but you know. It is what it is. Its grand. Its OK. You know, Im still here. Its sad in ways, I wish we had a better relationship. In an appearance on Celebrity Big Brother last year, Walsh told Sharon Osbourne: He (Keating) hasnt had a hit record since I left. He sacked me. Shane Lynch and his family (Ian West/PA) Shane Lynch spoke about the documentary and said: Theres a dark side to it (being in a band) too, and we talk about some of it, but theres also a lot of joyous times in there. It was a mega time to be part of an industry called the music industry, being a pop star, what a beautiful honour to have a position like that in life. So its not all doom and gloom. Theres a lot of darkness in there but theres a lot of joy in there, a lot of sadness in there. Duffy, Keating, Lynch, Michael Mikey Graham and Stephen Gately rose to fame in the Irish boyband in the 1990s, selling millions of albums and releasing hit singles including Words, A Different Beat and No Matter What. Gately died in 2009 at the age of 33 shortly after the band staged a comeback. Boyzone: No Matter What is available on Sky and streaming service Now from February 2. Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have ordered Cabinet colleagues to ditch policies which could stand in the way of efforts to grow the economy. The Prime Minister said the Governments growth mission was now the driving force behind policy decisions. He told business chiefs in the City of London that had been made clear to each of our Cabinet colleagues. The Chancellor will deliver a major speech on Wednesday setting out plans for growth, expected to include support for expansion of Heathrow Airport an issue which Cabinet ministers including Energy Secretary Ed Miliband have opposed in the past. Sir Keir told business leaders: When youre answering the question, should we do X, or should we do Y, that is guided by the mission. Should we do X? If its good for growth, good for wealth creation, the answer is yes, if its not then the answer is no. It prioritises and gives a sense of direction to Government. He added he was hard-wiring growth into all the decisions of the Cabinet. He said: What Rachel and I have done is to make it clear to each of our Cabinet colleagues that in each of their briefs, growth is the number one mission. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves met business leaders in London (Benjamin Cremel/PA) Ministers will be expected to set out the growth credentials of new policies in order to get approval from their Cabinet colleagues, in a shake-up to the usual system to get collective agreement on substantive changes. The Prime Minister has asked Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald to implement the changes. The rules mean the economic impacts of proposals will be subjected to the same rigorous assessment that already applies to new public spending. But Downing Street acknowledged the new requirement would not necessarily block all policies that harmed growth. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: The decision-making will continue to be for the Cabinet; we are not going to pre-empt Government decision-making. The point is the growth impact, the growth credentials, must be presented much like public spending implications must be presented such that in reaching collective agreement it is very clear what the impact of those decisions will be on growth. Speaking at the same meeting of business chiefs in London, the Chancellor said her duty was to promote the UK as a destination for business investment. In a sign of a change of rhetoric following months of highlighting the difficult legacy left by the Conservatives, Ms Reeves said: Its the role of government to shout about all the amazing things that we are doing as a country, all the huge opportunities that we have. Speaking to broadcasters following the meeting with business leaders at Bloombergs HQ in the City of London, Sir Keir declined to confirm the expected announcement on airport capacity. Asked if he was choosing growth over net zero commitments, he said: Im not going to speculate about Heathrow and any decision there. What I will say is that growth is the number one priority, wealth creation, making sure that people are better off. Of course, we also have climate commitments, but growth is really important too. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver a major speech on Wednesday setting out plans for growth (Benjamin Cremel/PA) The meeting saw the Prime Minister and Chancellor seek to persuade bosses from businesses including Tesco, BT, Unilever and Lloyds Bank that they are committed to helping the private sector thrive as they attempt to attract more investment to the UK. Nationwides chief executive Debbie Crosbie, who was among the business leaders at the meeting, said: The Governments focus on economic growth is vital to improve living standards, support public services, and increase UK competitiveness. The drive to remove the regulatory barriers that limit growth are very welcome, particularly when they increase access to the housing market. Todays meeting was another good example of the positive engagement between government and industry. The Government announced a major change to the rules governing pension funds in a bid to free up more money for investment in British businesses and infrastructure projects. Under the plans, defined benefit pension schemes in surplus will have more flexibility to invest some of that money in their sponsoring employers. Around 75% of defined benefit schemes are currently in surplus, with the Government saying up to 160 billion could be made available for investment. Cardiff University has set out proposals to cut 400 jobs and close a number of degree programmes, including nursing and music, because of a funding shortfall. Professor Wendy Larner, vice-chancellor of the university, said it was no longer an option to continue as it was without taking difficult decisions. The proposed changes include a reduction of 400 full-time academic staff 7% of the total workforce. Subjects and programmes in ancient history, modern languages and translation, music, nursing, and religion and theology could be closed. The university said it would use compulsory redundancy only if absolutely necessary. It comes as university leaders have warned of financial concerns as a result of a fall in the number of overseas students and increasing cost pressures. Durham University has also set out plans to reduce staff costs by 10 million this year, which may equate to around 200 professional services staff posts. On Tuesday, the university said it will open a voluntary severance scheme for staff, but it cannot rule out compulsory measures. Cardiff University is currently reporting a 31.2 million operational deficit. Prof Larner said: We know here at Cardiff University that it is no longer an option for us to continue as we are. Our new strategy, co-created with our community, lays out an ambitious future for our university where it is collaborative, innovative, and delivering value for Cardiff, Wales and the wider world. Securing that future, in the context of tightening finances, means we need to take difficult decisions to realise our ambitions to enhance our education and research, and improve the staff and student experience. The proposals to save money include increasing student and staff ratios across the university as well as possible school mergers. The Russell Group university is launching a formal consultation on the proposed changes, which will run for three months. Final plans are expected to be considered by University Council in June. Staff briefings were held on Tuesday and will continue throughout the week. Prof Larner added: I know that these proposals impact some staff more than others and they will cause a great deal of uncertainty and anxiety for those potentially impacted. We have done everything that we can to avoid reaching this position, but ultimately we know that annual rounds of cuts demoralise our staff, affect our students, and limit our ability to retain and grow new partnerships with our community here in the UK and elsewhere. We need to act now to ensure that we are able to deliver on the aspirations of our new strategy and have a viable university for the future. Gareth Lloyd, the University and College Union (UCU) Wales Official, said: Whilst Cardiffs senior management have questions to answer, these announcements cannot be removed from the wider context of a higher education funding crisis. Nowhere else in the Welsh public sector do we find a combination of job losses through voluntary severance, pay freezes and the very real risk of compulsory redundancy. In contrast to other bodies, universities are prevented from making a public case for more money on the basis that students will not apply to an institution if they think it is at risk. UCU members are neither able nor willing to carry the cost of inaction. If the Welsh Government wants to avoid a cycle of redundancies and damaging strikes, then it will need to use the 2025/26 budget to stabilise the sector. Commenting on the news announced by Durham and Cardiff universities, Unison head of education Mike Short said universities were starved of cash under the previous Conservative governments. He said: Persistent underfunding has left many institutions in financial crisis, but essential support staff shouldnt be bearing the brunt of budget woes. This is already an anxious time for students. Announcing job cuts just as the applications process for 2025 closes is not a good look for universities. Cutting staff numbers is a false economy, harming the higher education experience for thousands of students who will lose their safety, security and support. The Government must provide long-term, sustainable funding in response to the crisis in higher education. Commenting, Helen Whyley, executive director of RCN (Royal College of Nursing) Wales, said: I am very concerned about Cardiff Universitys proposal to close its School of Nursing. This proposal comes at a time when Wales is facing a severe nursing shortage, with thousands of vacancies placing immense pressure on an already overstretched workforce. Although the University has assured me that it is committed to honour places (for) this years nursing programmes, the proposed closure of such a prestigious institution programme will have a significant impact on the future of nursing in Wales. This decision has the potential to threaten the pipeline of registered nurses into the largest health board in Wales and undermines efforts to address the critical staffing crisis in the NHS and social care. An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, in the backyard of a Dublin home in 2023. ADUs have been hailed as part of the solution to Californias housing crisis. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle A San Francisco garage was converted into an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU. San Francisco legalized ADU construction in all city neighborhoods. Felix Uribe/Special to the Chronicle 2022 Accessory dwelling units. ADUs. In-law units. Granny flats. Casitas. Backyard cottages. They go by many names, but whatever you call them, theyve been hailed as part of the solution to Californias housing crunch and the state wants lots more of them. Just over a year ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a pair of laws allowing people to sell ADUs as separate homes on their property and allows homeowners to get loans to build them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the Bay Area, Piedmont utilized ADUs to blow past its state-mandated housing goals. Berkeley has grandfathered in previously unpermitted units. San Francisco legalized ADU construction in all city neighborhoods. Even in wealthy neighborhoods where longtime residents have balked at new construction, ADUs have often been warmly received. In some cases, they can generate revenue for homeowners on fixed incomes. They allow multigenerational housing with a degree of distance. They can be a place for retired parents to enjoy their golden years near grandchildren, or a spot for young adults to start out on their own without venturing too far from home. And they can create affordable housing in places desperately in need of it. But they can also turn into permit nightmares, construction headaches and tenant horror stories. If youve built an ADU or attempted to the Chronicle wants to hear from you. What did you build? How long did it take? Did you encounter any difficulties? And the question on everyones mind: How much did it cost? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Loading Human-driven climate change made the devastating Los Angeles wildfires more likely, an international team of scientists has found. Wildfires in the Californian city started on January 7 and spread quickly, killing at least 28 people and destroying more than 10,000 homes, racking up billions in costs and leaving thousands of people homeless. The World Weather Attribution network of researchers from the US, UK and a number of other European countries warned the hot, dry and windy conditions that drove the fires were about 35% more likely due to global warming driven primarily by burning fossil fuels. It added that the fire-risk conditions could become another 35% more likely if global temperatures rise 2.6C above pre-industrial levels, for which the world is currently on track by 2100. The LA fires were fanned by strong Santa Ana winds and fed by drought conditions since May 2024 which left grasses and brush dry and highly flammable, while wet winters in the previous two years had created more vegetation growth that added more fuel to the fire. The researchers examined the fire weather index which uses the temperature, humidity, rainfall and wind speed in the preceding weeks and days to characterise the conditions that make fires more likely. They said while coastal southern California is an environment highly prone to catastrophic wildfires, the extreme fire weather index condition that drove the LA fires is getting more likely due to climate change. The hot dry conditions behind the wildfires are expected to occur every 17 years in todays climate, which has warmed 1.3C since pre-industrial times, making them 35% more likely to occur than in a world without global warming, and they are about 6% more intense, the researchers said. The low rainfall between October and December, a period when rain usually brings an end to the regions wildfire season, is now about 2.4 times more likely than in pre-industrial times, an analysis of historical weather data found. Hot, dry conditions are being seen for an extra 23 days each year on average, increasingly overlapping with the Santa Ana winds that spread the wildfires, they said. The devastation left by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles (Jae C Hong/AP) The researchers combined weather data with climate models for their analysis, but while the models indicated a climate change influence on hot, dry, windy conditions, they did not show a significant impact on rainfall or the ending of the fire season. But the scientists said they were confident climate was driving the changes, based on existing studies and real-world weather data analysis, which show an increased likelihood of LA fires. Dr Clair Barnes, World Weather Attribution researcher at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, said: Climate change increased the risk of the devastating LA wildfires. Drought conditions are more frequently pushing into winter, increasing the chance a fire will break out during strong Santa Ana winds that can turn small ignitions into deadly infernos. Without a faster transition away from planet-heating fossil fuels, California will continue to get hotter, drier, and more flammable. The analysis also warned the elderly, people with disabilities, those on lower incomes without their own cars, and people who received late warnings were disproportionately affected by the wildfires. A member of the California Conservation Corps works amid the rubble following the Palisades Fire (Jae C Hong/AP) It said the fires exposed critical weaknesses in the citys water infrastructure, and highlighted the need for investment in better water systems and stronger measures to adapt to climate change and prepare for more frequent fires in the future. Roop Singh, head of urban and attribution at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, said: Climate change set the stage, helping turn the hills around LA tinder-dry. However, hurricane-force Santa Ana winds, the rapid spread of fires into urban zones, and a strained water system all made the blazes extremely difficult to contain. These fires have highlighted just how vulnerable California is to winter wildfires, underscoring the need for better preparation for a more dangerous future. Dr Friederike Otto, co-lead of World Weather Attribution and senior lecturer in climate science at Imperial College London, warned America is experiencing the devastating consequences of fossil fuel warming, from wildfires in the west to violent hurricanes in the east. In 2025, the choices facing world leaders remain the same to drill and continue to burn oil, gas and coal and experience ever more dangerous weather, or transition to renewable energy for a safer and fairer world, she said. A cult London cinema has warned it is at risk of closure and faces the threat of redevelopment by its landlord. The independent Prince Charles Cinema off Leicester Square, which has been praised by the likes of filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, said it believes its landlords are using significant financial resources to intimidate us. The cinema was founded in 1962 and attracts more than 250,000 customers a year. It said on Tuesday that efforts to renew its lease, which is due to expire in September 2025, at a market rate, have been challenged by its landlord, Zedwell LSQ Ltd, and its ultimate parent company, Criterion Capital. Criterion is owned by billionaire developer Asif Aziz and owns a number of hotels and other properties in the West End. The cinema said the landlord has also demanded a new clause which, if triggered, would leave the cinema homeless with just six months notice. It added that Criterion has continually rejected requests for negotiation. In a petition signed by more than 18,000 shortly after it launched, it said it believes the landlord is seeking planning permission to redevelop the cinema site. A spokeswoman for the cinema said: We are one of the last remaining independent cinemas in central London, receiving no public funding and attracting over 250,000 customers a year at a time when the industry is struggling. We are disappointed that our landlords Zedwell LSQ Ltd and their parent company Criterion Capital have demanded the inclusion of a break clause that would require us to vacate the premises at six months notice, should they receive planning permission to redevelop the building, which we interpret as a clear intention to do so. Moreover, the landlord is also demanding a rent far above market rate and at a level which no cinema proprietor would consider reasonable, and is refusing to supply any information to back this up. We believe that these tactics amount to an attempt by the landlord and Criterion Capital to use their significant financial resources to intimidate us, regardless of our legal entitlement. The cinema said it is currently pursuing legal proceedings to contest the landlords valuation of the lease. A spokeswoman for Criterion said: We value Prince Charles Cinema and we work closely with our tenants to help best utilise the properties within our portfolio. We operate within the provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and categorically deny any attempts to intimidate or disadvantage them. A break clause is standard commercial practice, reflecting long-term property planning, not unreasonable intent. Our rental expectations are based on a fair market assessment, and we remain open to constructive dialogue within legal frameworks to resolve disagreements. We are committed to curating a portfolio that balances community benefit with sustainable commercial arrangements, and mischaracterising our position through public campaigns hinders resolution. Culture minister Sir Chris Bryant has said he wants a massive production budget for creating TV and films in the UK to remain part of the purpose of the BBC licence fee. The Government will consider funding options to support the broadcasters long-term future when it reviews the BBCs current Royal Charter, which will end in 2027. Sir Chris spoke about how the sector needs support, when he appeared before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Tuesday for their British film and high-end television inquiry. Sir Chris said: I dont know where well end up with the BBC Charter review, thats not my area of responsibility, but Ive always thought of the 3.75 billion of the licence fee as a massive production budget. And wherever we end up with (it), I want us to have a massive production budget for making television, not just high-end television incidentally, also unscripted and a whole series of other formats and movies, in the UK. He said he wants British production companies to be able to obtain more of their IP (intellectual property) when they are making deals with streamers. I do want the streamers to come here. Tom Cruise has made massive investments in the UK, he added. But I also want us to have a system where a British production company is commissioned by others to make something that where the IP, or some of the IP, remains with the production company. I kind of want a bit of both. The BBC licence fee, which the Government has committed to increasing in line with inflation each year until 2027, is to rise to 174.50 in April. British Film Institute (BFI) chairwoman Jay Hunt agreed that she feels British public service broadcasters (PSBs) can successfully coexist with streaming giants like Netflix and Apple TV+. There is an emerging thesis that the only television that speaks to British audiences is made by public service broadcasters. Ive spent most of my career in public service television and extraordinary programming is coming out of the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, the whole time, but it is also now coming out of inward investment. And Im not saying that in a party-free way, but if you look at shows like Slow Horses, or Rivals on Disney, or the multi-award winning Baby Reindeer, whatever your perspective on that show, or even what Amazon have done in reenergising the non-scripted sector with a show like Clarksons Farm, Paramount with The Crow Girl, there is great British content being made beyond the PSBs as well. Jeremy Clarkson at the Amazon Prime Video launch event for Clarksons Farm (Ian West/PA) She said the entire ecosystem needs to be fuelled for the British industry to continue to be successful. I look at where we are internationally. We are twice the size of the second biggest production sector in Europe, which is Spain, she said. So we are in a great place. It will not continue to be a great place if we dont understand the complexity of that market and support people in navigating it. She also warned the British film and TV industry about very protectionist language around Hollywood from the new Donald Trump administration in the US. She said her biggest concern is that the industry becomes complacent about the high watermark it has reached, after production spend in the UK hit 4.2 billion in 2023. I look across the landscape at a challenging regulatory environment coming in in Europe, and immediately from the new US administration some very protectionist language around Hollywood as well, she added. And I think one of the reasons the BFI has an important role to play is drawing attention to where those challenges are, and to make it crystal clear that the growth trajectory will not continue unless we invest in and support the sector. Downing Street has defended Lord Peter Mandelson amid a report that a dossier about him had been passed to the FBI. US senators reportedly handed a document outlining his links to China to federal investigators as President Donald Trump is weighing up whether to approve his appointment as the UKs new ambassador to the US. The Prime Ministers spokesman said Lord Mandelson has declared all his interests as part of the clearance process. He said: On that specific report, the Foreign Office dont recognise the reports of a dossier. More broadly, theres obviously an established regime in place for the management of interests held by ambassadors or high commissioners. This ensures that steps are taken to avoid or mitigate any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest, and all candidates are subject to background checks and security clearance. Whilst we do not usually comment on individuals, Lord Mandelson has made all relevant declarations as part of this process. And this ensures that steps are taken to avoid or mitigate any potential or perceived conflicts of interest. A dossier prepared by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China has been seen by senators and passed on to the FBI, news site The Nightly reported. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer this week had his first call with Mr Trump since he was inaugurated. It is understood that Lord Mandelsons appointment was not discussed. Food prices have seen their fastest monthly jump since April last year in an early sign of what is to come, latest figures show. Food prices overall increased by 0.5% between December and January, while the price of ambient food saw a 1% jump as prices spiked for sugary products, chocolates and alcohol, according to figures provided to the PA news agency by the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Inflation figures show food prices were 1.6% higher in January than a year before, easing from 1.8% in December, according to the BRC-NielsenIQ Shop Price Index. Fresh food inflation slowed to 0.9%, down from 1.2% in December, while the price of ambient food edged down to 2.5% in January from 2.8%. (BRC/PA) While overall shop prices fell in January, the pace of deflation eased to 0.7% from Decembers 1%. BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: Extensive January sales was good news for bargain hunters, with non-food products showing significant discounts, particularly for furniture and fashion, but less good news for retailers needing to shift excess stock. This months figures also showed early signs of what is to come, with month-on-month food prices rising at their fastest pace since April last year. Ambient food saw a 1% jump as prices spiked for sugary products, chocolates and alcohol. Ms Dickinson added: Price cuts and deflation may not last much longer as retailers will soon feel the full impact of 7 billion of new costs announced at the last Budget. Higher employer NICs (national insurance contributions), increased national living wage, and a new packaging levy mean that prices are expected to rise across the board. Mike Watkins, head of retailer and business insight at NielsenIQ, said: Shoppers continue to be unsure about spending and many are seeing a continued squeeze on their household incomes. So we expect non-food retailers to still promote and food retailers to still offer price cuts over the next few weeks, with shoppers managing their budgets by shopping smart and shopping around for wherever the savings are the most attractive. The Government has been defeated in the Lords over measures to protect creatives from having their copyrighted work used to train AI models without permission or remuneration. Peers voted 145 to 126, majority 19, in favour of a package of amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill aiming to tackle the unauthorised use of intellectual property by big tech companies scraping data for AI. Proposing the amendments, digital rights campaigner Baroness Kidron said they would help enforce existing property rights by improving transparency and laying out a redress procedure. The measures would explicitly subject AI companies to UK copyright law, regardless of where they are based, reveal the names and owners of web crawlers that currently operate anonymously and allow copyright owners to know when, where and how their work is used. This, she said, would protect the incomes of the UKs second most valuable industrial sector. Lady Kidrons group of amendments received cross-party support, with both Labour and Conservative peers rebelling against their own front benches to back the measures. This comes after the Government suggested it may introduce an exemption to copyright law for text and data mining. A consultation on the issue is currently underway and is due to end on February 25. Independent crossbench peer Lady Kidron said the Governments stated preferred option of an opt-out system would simply give away other peoples living and their VAT contribution to the Treasury and with it the jobs, joy and soft power of our creative industries that our country relies on globally. Lady Kidron, who is an advisor to the Institute of Ethics in AI at Oxford University, added: What we have before us is the most extraordinary sight of a Labour Government transferring wealth directly from 2.4 million individual creatives, SMEs and UK brands on the promise of vague riches in the future. Baroness Kidron (Joshua Bratt/PA credit) There is a role in our economy for AI and there is an opportunity for growth in the combination of AI and creative industries, but this forced marriage on slave terms is not it. We have a Government who puts growth front and centre, stunting one of its most lucrative industries. And we have the equally extraordinary sight of the Conservatives opposite who, for the most part, are sitting on their hands against the wishes of many in their tribe, putting party ahead of country, because they prefer to have proof of the Governments economic incompetence rather than protect the property rights of its citizens and creative industries I do however think that, given the scale of the theft and the audacity of the robber barons, (creatives) should be able to turn to the government for protection, rather than suggesting we redefine the notion of theft. She concluded: Despite the immense pleasure and extraordinary soft power that the creative industries bring, it is a hard-nosed, incredibly competitive and successful sector, a sector that takes skill, training, talent to pursue what is often an insecure career in which the copyright of career highs pays for the costs of a freelance life and the ongoing costs of making new work. She thanked Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jeanette Winterson, Kate Moss, Sir Simon Rattle, Richard Osman, Kate Bush and all the other 40,000 artists, writers and musicians who have added their name to this fight. Sir Paul McCartney (Danny Lawson/PA credit) Backing the amendments, deputy chairman of the Telegraph Media Group, Tory peer Lord Black of Brentwood said: An effective, enforceable and comprehensive copyright regime is absolutely fundamental to the sustainability of a free, independent media. Without it, the media cannot survive. Without adequate transparency, control and reward, I have this stark warning: publishers will no longer be able to invest as they have in the creation of original, high-quality investigative content on which our democracy and the accountability of those in power is based. He added: I am deeply disappointed that the long-standing commitment of my party to upholding the value of a free press and supporting the sustainability of the British media has not extended to formal support for these amendments it is incredibly short-sighted. Shadow technology minister Viscount Camrose said: Given the importance of getting this right, our view is that the Governments consultation is in mid-flight and we have to allow it to do its work It offers, for now, a way forward that will evidence some of the very serious concerns expressed here. That said, we will take a great interest in the progress and outcome of that consultation and will come back to this in future should the Governments response to the consultation prove unsatisfactory. Responding, technology minister Lord Vallance of Balham said: Rest assured the Government understands the very strong and legitimate concern which creators and right-holders have about how their content is used by the AI sector and how powerless they often feel. We want to create stronger, practical ways for them to control the use of content and greater transparency over it and how it is used as well as creating the right conditions for AI innovation. There needs to be workable solutions and workable means workable for the creators as well as the AI companies. He added: Legislating on transparency, web crawlers, watermarks or other issues without evidence on their impact or the type of technologies, oversight and enforcement needed to make them work would be premature. Grooming gang offenders should receive full-life prison sentences, Robert Jenrick has said as he requested a review into disgracefully short punishments handed to three men. The shadow justice secretary told MPs he had written to the Attorney General, the UK Governments chief legal adviser, about three members of a grooming gang that had targeted two teenage girls in West Yorkshire in the 1990s. Mr Jenrick said he had asked Lord Hermer to assess whether the jail terms were potentially unduly lenient. Ibrar Hussain, 47; Imtiaz Ahmed, 62; and Fayaz Ahmed, 45, were sent to prison for six-and-a-half years, nine years, and seven-and-a-half years respectively at Bradford Crown Court earlier this month, by a judge who described how they raped one of the girls in Keighley, West Yorkshire, in the 1990s, when she was 13 or 14. Speaking at justice questions, Mr Jenrick told the House of Commons: Two weeks ago, three grooming gang members were sentenced for the most appalling rapes of children at Bradford Crown Court, but they only received six, seven and nine-year sentences respectively. Six years, out on licence in four, for the rape of a child. Does the Secretary of State agree with me that these sentences are disgracefully short and will she commit to using the sentencing review to mandate full-life sentences for these evil people? If she will, shell have our support. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she would not comment on individual sentencing decisions (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: We have a shared objective in making sure that these evil individuals feel the full force of the law. He will understand that I will not comment on individual sentencing decisions. Id hope that is a decision that (Mr Jenrick) might also wish to reflect upon it is not appropriate, given our collective commitment to the independence of the judiciary. Ms Mahmood added: We will be legislating to make grooming an aggravating factor and this Government will make sure that victims get the justice they deserve. Mr Jenrick continued: I have written to the Attorney General asking him to review those sentences as potentially unduly lenient. But two of the men sentenced at Bradford Crown Court for grooming gang offences were absent. They are thought to have absconded abroad. Can the Justice Secretary confirm how many grooming gang defendants the Government is currently pursuing overseas and what efforts are being made by the Government with, in this case, the Pakistani authorities, using every lever of the British state to locate these evil men and get justice for the victims? Ms Mahmood said she would write to Mr Jenrick about the case he had raised, adding: We have international agreements and arrangements with other jurisdictions to ensure that offenders can be brought back to face justice in this country. Im sure that those arrangements are being applied appropriately. Ms Mahmood earlier told MPs that recommendations made by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse were ignored for far too long. Asked what the Ministry of Justice was doing to ensure that people convicted of charges related to grooming gangs receive adequate sentences, Ms Mahmood said that Tory former minister Sir John Hayes had made a very important point on these heinous gangs and the crimes that they commit, with his question. She continued: The 20 recommendations made by Alexis Jay in her Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse were ignored for far too long. This Government is working at pace to respond to them. Tory former minister Sir John Hayes criticised the Governments plan for a rapid audit in Bradford (David Jones/PA) We will also legislate to make grooming an aggravating factor in the sentencing of child sexual offences, ensuring that the punishment fits these horrific crimes. Sir John criticised the Governments plan for a rapid audit in Bradford as a process by which authorities mark their own homework. He asked: So will the Justice Secretary agree to a wide-ranging review of these matters with statutory powers, for surely, those whose lives have been ruined deserve more than the weak reticence of people with power who refuse to face the facts? Ms Mahmood said she would ensure concerns are passed on to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, adding: I hope he and I will have a shared objective in being clear that there is desire on all sides of this House to make sure we face the full facts and the victims of these heinous crimes get the justice that they deserve. A helicopter which crashed and burst into flames outside the King Power Stadium killing the former Leicester City FC owner was an accident waiting to happen, his family has claimed. Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, referred to during his inquest as Khun Vichai, died with four others on October 27 2018 after the Leonardo AW169 helicopter plummeted to the ground after taking off from the pitch and became engulfed in a wall of flames. An inquest into the deaths of Khun Vichai, the helicopters pilot Eric Swaffer, co-pilot Izabela Lechowicz, and passengers Nusara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare concluded on Tuesday at Leicester City Hall after the jury recorded the five deaths as accidental. Khun Vichais family has alleged that the helicopter manufacturer Leonardo S.p.A. is liable for his death and launched a 2.15 billion legal claim before the inquest began. Philip Shepherd KC speaking whilst in front of the family of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha (Joe Giddens/PA) Philip Shepherd KC, representing the Thai businessmans family, read a statement outside the city hall after the inquest which said the crash was an accident waiting to happen. He said: Whilst it was no part of the inquest process to apportion blame, the evidence heard during this inquest told the story of basic engineering failures by Leonardo. The inquest heard evidence that the design was such that it was just a matter of time before something catastrophic occurred, it was an accident waiting to happen. Aiyawatt Top Srivaddhanaprabha with his mother (Joe Giddens/PA) They were innocent victims of a tragic accident that never needed to happen. During the two-and-a-half-week inquest, the jury heard that the helicopter crashed even though it was still new, even though it was properly maintained, and even though it met the minimum certification standards, and even though there was no pilot error whatsoever. The family of Khun Vichai continues to search for justice and accountability. The inquest heard evidence from Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) inspectors that a bearing in the aircrafts tail rotor, which was a critical component, seized after its lubrication broke down, causing the helicopter to spin uncontrollably. The jury also heard that the helicopter had only flown for 330 hours and was in the early stages of its life. Aimon Srivaddhanaprabha holding a photo of her husband Khun Vichai (Joe Giddens/PA) A spokesperson for Leonardo said in a statement after the inquest: Leonardo agrees with the inquest jurys conclusion that this crash was a tragic accident. As the jury recorded, the helicopter had all the relevant airworthiness certificates. This is entirely consistent with the evidence provided to the inquest, that the helicopter was designed and produced in accordance with all regulatory requirements, meeting the accepted industry standard for safety. Leonardo reiterates its deepest sympathies and condolences for those who lost their lives in the accident, all of them clearly loved by their families, friends and communities. Their deaths were an unquestionable tragedy. An investigation is being carried out after a hospital was left running on battery power when its back-up generator failed during a power outage in the midst of Storm Eowyn, MSPs have been told. Justice Secretary Angela Constance confirmed to Holyrood no patient harm was identified after Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert was without mains electricity for approximately an hour as the result of a storm-related power outage on Friday. NHS Forth Valley said there had been a short period before the back-up generators came onstream, with the health board adding that contingency arrangements were required to be put in place. Justice Secretary Angela Constance said an investigation was taking place into what happened Forth Valley Royal Hospital (Andrew Milligan/PA) However, Green MSP Mark Ruskell said the hospital had been relying on emergency battery power with a limited capacity. Meanwhile SP Energy Networks said on Tuesday afternoon that 800 customers in Dumfries and Galloway were still without power following Fridays storm. Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mr Ruskell, who is the Greens energy spokesperson, said: It was a relief to hear that no patients were harmed at Forth Valley Royal Hospital during the power outage. I understand the back-up generator failed, the emergency battery that was the last resort, of course, has limited capacity, and I understand it only had up to 90 minutes of power. Ms Constance told MSPs: There is a full investigation ongoing into this incident. Confirmation of that came as the Justice Secretary updated Holyrood on the impact the storm, which saw high winds with gusts of up to 100mph batter Scotland. One person was killed, with Calum Carmichael, 19, from New Cumnock, East Ayrshire, dying after his car was hit by a falling tree in nearby Mauchline on Friday morning before the red weather warning came into force. The winds also closed schools across the country, with bus, train and ferry services cancelled and significant damage caused to the rail network. MSPs were told the recovery operation from Storm Eowyn is still ongoing (Jane Barlow/PA) Ms Constance however praised the remarkable progress made by energy companies to restore electricity supplies to those who lost power during the storm. At its worst, over 130,000 people were reported to be without power, Ms Constance told MSPs. But she said by noon on Tuesday the number without electricity had been reduced to 2,538 customers. Adding that Scotland was still in the process of recovery, she added that the extreme damage caused by Storm Eowyn meant that the job of restoring power to those still without electricity would be complex. Power companies are now dealing with some of the most challenging and remote issues, she told the Scottish Parliament. She also told how recovery work had continued across the rail network, which suffered more than 500 incidents during Fridays storm. On Tuesday SP Energy Networks chief executive Nicola Connelly joined engineering teams in Kelton who were working to repair a damaged pole and power lines serving local customers. Power supplies to more than 45,000 customers in the Dumfries and Galloway area were interrupted due to storm damage. Ms Connelly said: Were now in that final stretch to get all remaining customers back on. While the numbers off have reduced, were still managing almost 200 individual faults in Dumfries and Galloway alone. That means, on average, were restoring a handful of customers at a time, which is one of the biggest challenges we have at this point in our response. Every customer back on supply is a step in the right direction, but every job takes time. Stressing that both ScotRail and Network Rail are working to reopen lines as quickly and safely as possible, Ms Constance said that 73% of services were back in operation by Tuesday, with the lines to Largs, Wemyss Bay and Gourock expected to reopen on Wednesday. Speaking about the storm and the recovery operations afterwards, she stated: This has been and continues to be an extremely complex and protracted incident every business, home and individual was affected by an amber or red weather warning. She praised those who had followed the advice to stay at home, saying that by doing this people have prevented further loss of life. But Ms Constance said: No amount of warning could prevent significant damage and destruction from a storm of this scale. California's Proposition 12, approved by 63% of voters in 2018, bans the sale or importation of pork, veal or eggs that were raised in confined spaces. Maria Graziani/Getty Images The pork industry is hoping President Donald Trumps administration will help it fight back against Californias Proposition 12, a voter-approved initiative that bans the sale of meat from pigs held in small cages. Federal legislation to preempt the state law has been proposed by Republicans since 2021 but has gotten nowhere in Congress with Democratic majorities in one or both houses. But with Republicans now controlling Congress as well as the White House, pork producers heard encouraging words last week from agriculture secretary nominee Brooke Rollins, who served in Trumps first administration and currently heads the America First Policy Institute. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Under a proper system of government, we dont have states telling our producers how they can raise their livestock, Rollins told Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, at her confirmation hearing in the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. Prop 12, she said, is not just affecting California. Its affecting multitudes of other states. Prop 12, sponsored by animal-protection groups and approved by more than 62% of Californias voters in 2018, requires producers of breeding pigs to house them in cages of at least 24 square feet, allowing them enough room to turn around. It also set standards for cages that hold egg-laying hens and veal calves, and banned the sale in California of meat from animals held in cages that violated those standards. Prop 12, and a similar Massachusetts law that took effect in August 2023, affect about 6% of all pork produced and sold in the United States, said Wayne Pacelle, president of the livestock-protection organization Animal Wellness Action and a supporter of the two laws. But Ernst told Rollins that the California law has seriously harmed family farms in Iowa, and asked her to support a long-pending bill Exposing Agricultural Trade Suppression, or the EATS Act that would override Prop 12. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I commit to working with you on that, Rollins said. With Democrats still holding 47 seats in the 100-member Senate, its not clear that supporters of the legislation could gain the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. But pork producers want to include the EATS Act in broader legislation to fund farming and farm insurance, and the powerful agriculture lobby will do whatever it can to persuade farm-area Democrats to support the legislation. Prop 12 is not just raising pork prices for Californians, it is making it more difficult for hog farmers nationwide to stay in business, Bryan Humphreys, chief executive officer of the National Pork Producers Council, said in a statement Monday. We look forward to working with Brooke Rollins and Congress to fix Prop 12 and support farmers across the country. But Pacelle said the EATS Act has not been endorsed by any Senate Democrat and is opposed by a number of Republicans in both houses. Im disappointed that the incoming secretary of agriculture wants to nullify a lopsided state election that has triggered implementation of a very effective and valuable law, Pacelle told the Chronicle, but the pork industry and its allies have a very tough climb ahead of them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The states voters overwhelmingly adopted Proposition 12 and California will defend its law, said Steve Lyle, spokesperson for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Prop 12 was put on hold after the National Pork Producers Council and allied groups filed suit in 2019 arguing that the California law would unconstitutionally burden interstate commerce while driving prices higher nationwide. President Joe Bidens Justice Department supported the suit in the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing in a court filing that California has no legitimate interest in protecting the welfare of animals located outside the state. But the court upheld Prop 12 in a 5-4 ruling in May 2023, concluding in a majority opinion by Justice Neil Gorsuch, a Trump appointee that the state had authority to protect its residents from policies it considers inhumane. The people and their elected representatives, Gorsuch wrote, can weigh the relevant political and economic costs for themselves. State officials then postponed implementation of Prop 12, saying more time was needed to inform pork producers and sellers of their obligations under the law, but finally put it into effect in January 2024. In addition to the California and Massachusetts laws, said Pacelle of Animal Wellness Action, nine states have banned keeping pigs in small cages within the states borders, though they do not prohibit sales from other states. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Irish Government will co-operate fully with the Omagh bomb Inquiry, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said. The Irish premier said that work with the inquiry team and and chairman had already begun, while Tanaiste Simon Harris said the Irish Government will not be found wanting. Mr Harris, who is also Irelands foreign minister, said he wanted to provide a categoric assurance that his Government would find a legal mechanism to ensure all requested material is supplied to the UK inquiry into the 1998 attack. There is a significant cross-border element to the investigation into the Omagh bomb, as the attackers travelled across the border with the bomb ahead of the devastating blast in Co Tyrone. A judge who called on the UK Government to set up an inquiry also urged the Irish Government to establish its own probe. Ministers in Dublin decided against holding their own separate inquiry but have pledged to co-operate with the UK one. Ahead of the first substantive hearings beginning in Omagh on Tuesday, some relatives of the bereaved had questioned whether the Irish authorities would hand over all requested information. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed, was particularly vocal on the issue. Asked about the cooperation of the Irish Government, Mr Martin said: We have worked with the inquiry team and officials in my previous department the Department of Foreign Affairs would have engaged with the chairman of the tribunal and inquiry team, along with officials with the Department of Justice who are working with Department of Foreign Affairs. Ive made it very clear that we have to cooperate fully with the inquiry team, just as we did in previous inquiries, where we passed legislation to enable us to provide information to such either inquests or inquiries. Mr Harris, who was on visit to Stormont in Belfast on Tuesday, moved to offer reassurance to the families. Everybody in Ireland remembers the horror of that sunny August afternoon in Omagh, and today will be another stark reminder of the pain and suffering caused to so many families as the commemorative hearings begin, he said. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was one of the victims of the Omagh bombing, speaks to the media as he arrives at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh (Liam McBurney/PA) Testimony over the coming weeks will be difficult, especially for those who lost loved ones, and for those who responded first as the news broke, but it is important to remind ourselves of the full horror of that brutal attack, to remind ourselves of the purpose of this inquiry. When I was taoiseach, the Government took a clear decision to assist the Omagh Inquiry. That commitment was made clear, publicly, at the preliminary hearing last August. The programme for Government repeats that commitment in no uncertain terms, stating plainly that we will play our full part in legacy processes including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry. The cross-border nature of the assistance, to an inquiry established under UK law, means that it takes some work to get the details of the mechanisms of co-operation right, but we are actively engaging in this work and we will not be found wanting. Mr Harris was challenged on the issue as he fielded questions from reporters at Parliament Buildings. I want to be categoric here that the Irish Government will ensure full co-operation with the inquiry, he said. Police officers and firefighters inspecting the damage caused by the bomb explosion in Market Street, Omagh in 1998 (Paul McErlane/PA) Our absolute, overstated, clear aim here is to make sure that all questions are answered through this inquiry, and can I say I think today is a very, very difficult and painful day for the families, for the families of victims, for the families of the many that were injured. It is a stark reminder of the horror and the evil that was experienced on that day in 1998, and I think of all of the victims today. I think of all of the families as well. And I heard Michael Gallaghers comments earlier. Michael Gallagher, a good man who has worked so hard for truth and for justice, and I want to absolutely assure him, and I want to assure all of the families that the Irish Government will co-operate. He added: It is about finding the mechanism, because, obviously, Ireland is a sovereign country, the mechanism for engagement, but that will be found. There will be a way forward, and we will all work to make sure that victims, their families, the people of Northern Ireland, the people of this island, get answers and get truth. The King called in on a parkrun to celebrate the first anniversary of Move Against Cancers Sandringham 5K Your Way group. Charles surprised runners on Saturday morning with a visit as they met to mark the occasion with cake and coffee at the visitors centre on his Norfolk estate. @MOVEcharity Do you think we can add a VERY SPECIAL +1 to our monthly numbers submitted for today?!? pic.twitter.com/0yzmB2ryib Sandringham 5k Your Way Move Against Cancer (@Sandringham5KYW) January 25, 2025 The King chatted to members of the monthly event, which was set up to support those living with and beyond cancer, as well as families, friends and healthcare professionals. Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer last year and is still undergoing treatment, was pictured in a team photo and shown having a cup of tea with those taking part. Not every day you get royal approval at parkrun This morning, His Majesty The King joined Sandringham parkrunners in the cafe to offer his congratulations, including to the Sandringham 5k Your Way group as they marked their one-year anniversary. #loveparkrun pic.twitter.com/IQA5qsptMW parkrun UK (@parkrunUK) January 25, 2025 Organisers of Sandringhams 5K Your Way posted the images on social media, saying: Do you think we can add a VERY SPECIAL +1 to our monthly numbers submitted today?!? followed by a crown and shocked face emojis. Parkrun UK wrote on its own account: Not every day you get royal approval at parkrun. Parkrun was founded in 2004, and more than 20 years on, hundreds of thousands of people across 22 countries and five continents take part in free, weekly, timed five-kilometre running events each weekend in parks around the world. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK and US were working together to improve the security of people in the two countries after speaking with new Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Mr Lammy said he spoke to Mr Rubio, the first member of Donald Trumps Cabinet to be confirmed last week, on a range of issues including the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine and the Middle East. The call comes after Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump spoke on the phone for the first time since the president came to power. Great to speak with Secretary of State @marcorubio on issues including the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine and the Middle East. The UK and the US are working together to make all our citizens safer and more prosperous. I look forward to meeting soon as we further strengthen UK-US ties. David Lammy (@DavidLammy) January 27, 2025 The UK and US are working together to make all our citizens safer and more prosperous, Mr Lammy said on X. I look forward to meeting soon as we further strengthen UK-US ties. The Foreign Office said in a statement the two men had discussed their shared links to the Caribbean. The Foreign Secretary has family ties to Guyana and Mr Rubios family links to Cuba. They both welcomed the opportunity for the UK and the US to work together in alignment to address shared challenges, including the situation in the Middle East, Russias illegal war in Ukraine, the challenges posed by China and the need for Indo-Pacific security, the statement said. US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said the two men had discussed a range of pressing global issues. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks after being sworn in (Evan Vucci/AP) Both leaders expressed eagerness to begin working together immediately to further our many shared foreign policy objectives, she said. They affirmed the depth of the US-UK special relationship and the crucial nature of our partnership in addressing issues like the conflict in the Middle East, Russias war against Ukraine, and Chinas malign influence. They also heralded joint initiatives, including the Aukus partnership, which promotes a free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and stable. Despite the reference to shared initiatives, the Chagos Islands deal was not explicitly mentioned in the call, according to both the US and UK accounts of the discussion. Negotiations about handing to Mauritius the chain of islands home to a joint US-UK military base were also not discussed by the leaders during their call. The talks are seen as a potential early flashpoint in the UKs relationship with the new American administration because members of Mr Trumps top team, including Mr Rubio, have voiced concerns about the deal. Mr Lammy is among the senior UK Government figures who have in the past been highly critical of the returning president. His description in 2017 when he was an opposition MP of Mr Trump as a racist and KKK/neo-Nazi sympathiser has raised concern the relationship with the White House could begin on fraught terms. The Legacy Act prevented a landing zone being reached that could have enabled Troubles victims to secure truth and answers, Irelands deputy premier Simon Harris has said. The Tanaiste said he hoped that the Irish Government would in future be able to suspend its interstate legal case against the UK Government over the Act, subject to the right conditions being met. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, introduced by the Conservatives, halted scores of civil cases and inquests into Troubles deaths. Irelands deputy premier Simon Harris said he wanted to get to the point where an overarching framework on achieving truth, answers and justice for all victims could be reached (Niall Carson/PA) It also introduced a provision to give conditional immunity to perpetrators of Troubles crimes in exchange for their co-operation with a new truth recovery body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). The law was opposed by victims groups in Northern Ireland and all the main political parties at Stormont. The Irish Government was also vehemently opposed to it and in 2023 initiated an interstate legal case against the UK in the European Court of Human Rights, claiming the Act breached the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The case remains active, with ministers in Dublin wanting to see how Labour resolves its concerns over the legislation before any decision is taken to withdraw the action. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn recently set out plans to repeal the Legacy Act (James Manning/PA) Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn recently set out the UK Governments plan to repeal and replace the Act. Inquests and civil cases would resume and the conditional immunity provision would be axed. But the UK Government was retaining the ICRIR, which had both investigatory and truth recovery functions. Speaking during a visit to Belfast, Mr Harris said he wanted to get to the point where an overarching framework on achieving truth, answers and justice for all victims could be reached. He added: And that really, I think, is where the Secretary of State and I need to intensively work and work with the parties here and with the victims and victims families and their representative groups. Because the opportunity here is to try and arrive at a place where I believe we could have arrived at a number of years ago, were it not for the Legacy Act, quite frankly. I think if people had stuck with the process and worked through those processes, we could have found a landing zone that could provide people with the truth and the answers and the justice that they so richly deserve. Regarding the interstate case, Mr Harris said Ireland had no wish to find itself involved in international legal dispute with our nearest neighbours. Mr Harris said he had discussed the 1997 murder of GAA official Sean Brown during a telephone conversation with Mr Benn (Liam McBurney/PA) He said: We felt we had no alternative, quite frankly, when we had exhausted all other avenues, political, diplomatic and every other way. And I very much welcome the fact that in the Labour Partys manifesto, and then obviously in the Kings Speech and in the comments of the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State since then, theyve been very clear about repealing and replacing the Legacy Act, and were eager to engage on that. At the right moment in time, subject to the right conditions being met, I hope us to be, hopefully, be in a position to suspend that case. Mr Harris said he had discussed the 1997 murder of GAA official Sean Brown during a telephone conversation with Mr Benn. Mr Brown was shot dead after being abducted as he locked the gates of the Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA club. Intelligence material has linked state agents to the death of the 61-year-old. The NI Secretary is appealing against a court ruling from December that a public inquiry should be held. A UK Government barrister has argued that ruling was wrong in law. Mr Harris said: The Secretary of State made the point to me that I think he has made in public, and that the appeal has been taken, or the case has been taken on the grounds of process, in terms of being a government and not a court who can decide these things. My position in relation to this is we have to get truth for that family. We have to get answers. They have to get justice and Im very supportive. The Unruly Pig in Suffolk was crowned Britain's best gastropub in this year's Top 50 awards - Claudia Gannon Photographic Far from being just a boozer with an elevated food menu, this years winner of the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list deserves to be recognised as a damn good restaurant, says the Telegraphs food critic, William Sitwell. The Unruly Pig, located on the outskirts of Woodbridge, the picturesque Suffolk port town, has held onto its crown as the countrys finest gastropub for 2025. First earning the top spot in 2022, this is the third time its held the title, bouncing back in 2024 after being overtaken by The Parkers Arms in Lancashire in 2023. This East Anglian gem, steeped in history and dating back to the 16th century, is led by the talented chef-patron Dave Wall. Over recent years, it has consistently earned accolades from the Taste of England Awards, National Restaurant Awards and the Good Food Guide, securing its place as a culinary hotspot not just in Suffolk, but among the best in the UK. The Unruly Pig is led by chef-patron Dave Wall and head chef Karl Green - Tim Bowden After scaling the ranks of the annual Top 50 list since entering as a newcomer in 2017 (it won the highest climber accolade in 2021, reaching the 10th spot), the pub has remained true to its humble intentions, serving up seriously good, unfussy food in its signature Britalian style.Tonnarelli pasta with brown crab, orford mussels, chilli and lime, octopus carpaccio with crispy caper & chorizo, and anchovies, and chocolate and hazelnut tart with Frangelico and blood orange marmalade have all been rolled out from the award-winning kitchen. Even its seven-course Be Unruly tasting menu (available alongside a 35 three-course lunch) offers excellent value at 79 per head especially when reduced to an astonishing 49 on Thursdays. The award-winning establishment has a seven-course Be Unruly tasting menu or a three-course lunch menu to offer guests - Brendan Padfield-Owner Claiming second and third place respectively this year were newcomer The Devonshire in Central Londons Soho named the highest new entry and The Star Inn, a Michelin-starred 14th-century inn with rooms in Harome, North Yorkshire. William Sitwell described The Devonshire as a masterpiece in hospitality. Meanwhile, The Cornish Arms in Tavistock, Devon, which previously held second place, dropped to ninth. However, its chef, John Hooker, was named Chef of the Year 2025. The Top 50 gastropubs list saw a notable increase in London entries, with the capital now hosting twelve pubs compared to last years eight, with three in the top ten. Highgates Red Lion & Sun in London secured sixth place on the list again Beyond the capital, Yorkshire made an impressive showing, doubling its representation from three pubs to six. The Three Horseshoes in Batcombe, Somerset made an improvement from twenty fifth to seventh, flying the flag for the West Country alongside The Mariners in Rock, Cornwall at number five. The Bull in Charlbury, Oxfordshire, was this years highest climber, rising dramatically from thirty-ninth to eleventh place. Additionally, Tommy Banks newest venture, The Abbey Inn in Byland, which opened in 2023, was named Estrella Damm Sustainable Pub of the Year. The Top 50 list highlights the talent and dedication of the gastropub industry, with votes cast by a 350-member academy of industry experts, including food writers, top chefs, and restaurateurs. As for this years winner, where during a visit in 2020 William Sitwell found that warm professionalism simmers at every turn, its fortunes have not always been straightforward. Just two months after opening in April 2015, the Unruly Pigs kitchen and food-prep area, as well as the private dining room, were destroyed in a fire, accounting for roughly 30 per cent of the building. The awards judged that 'the Unruly Pig is leading the way when it comes to providing an incredible gastropub experience' - Brendan Padfield-Owner Its owners were determined to rebuild the place as soon as possible and reopened in December of that year, producing a pub that has truly risen from the ashes a fate shared by the third-place The Star Inn in Harome, North Yorkshire, which in 2021 burned to the ground but reopened the following year to continued acclaim. Finally, The White Horse in Fyfield, Oxfordshire, owned by Mark and Kay Chandler, was named this years One to Watch. In conclusion, the voting panel for the Top 50 Gastropub awards judged that the Unruly Pig is leading the way when it comes to providing an incredible gastropub experience, both in terms of the levels of its service and the high quality and consistent standards of its food. A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a university lecturer. Paul Antony Butler, 53, appeared before Truro Crown Court accused of killing Claire Chick, 48. Butler, of Stangray Avenue, Plymouth, spoke only to confirm his name during the brief hearing. The defendant did not enter any pleas to the two charges of murder and possession of a bladed article. He was remanded into custody and will next appear before Plymouth Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing. Claire Chick died following the incident in Plymouth (Devon and Cornwall Police/PA) Judge Robert Linford, the honorary Recorder of Truro, told the defendant: Mr Butler, your next court hearing will be March 3 when you will be produced to the crown court at Plymouth. The trial, if there is to be one, will be provisionally listed for July 14. You will remain in custody until further order. Thank-you for your attendance today. Emily Cook appeared for the prosecution, while Jason Beale represented Butler during the hearing. Mr Beale made no application for bail on behalf of his client. The judge urged members of the public not to share opinions about the case, particularly on social media. He said this is due to fear that this may potentially prejudice any potential trial. Judge Linford added that media reporting of the case should be measured, accurate and responsible. Devon and Cornwall Police were called to reports a woman had been seriously injured on West Hoe Road in Plymouth at 8.55pm on January 22. Ms Chick was taken to hospital but died in the early hours of the next day. Butler was located and arrested in the Liskeard area of Cornwall, which is around 20 miles from Plymouth, on Thursday. Ms Chick, who was previously known as Claire Butler, worked as a lecturer at the University of Plymouth. In a previous statement released by police, her family said: We are absolutely devastated and broken at the loss of our beautiful caring mother Claire Chick. She was the most beautiful lively soul and was there for everyone. Everyone who knew our mum had so much positive words to say about her. She was the life and soul of any place where she was. She loved to dance and sing, even though she was pretty bad at it; she had no shame in doing it in front of any audience. We will never get over this as a family, she was our glue and our go-to. We wont ever get the justice our mum deserves for this, because no amount of justice will bring her back. We want to thank everyone for their kind words, and we invite anyone who knew her to share their memories of her. We also would like to remind the public she leaves behind five beautiful grandchildren who all refer to her as a favourite grandma. We ask you to respect their privacy, and everyone remains respectful to them. She may be gone but her spirit will always remain alive. We love you mum, and we promise to make you proud. A minister has been reminded of his duty to uphold collective responsibility after he attended a Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) event despite a Government ban on engagement with the organisation. Work and pensions minister Sir Stephen Timms attended the MCBs annual leadership dinner last week, prompting questions from Conservative MP Nick Timothy about the Governments stance on the group. The previous Labour government cut ties with the MCB in 2009 over a reported declaration of support for Hamas by a then-senior figure. Links were restored the following year after the MCB stated its opposition to violence, but more recently both the Conservative and Labour administrations have refused any official engagement. On Tuesday, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said the Governments policy on the group has not changed. He said: The minister has been reminded of his duty to uphold collective responsibility. Earlier, Mr Timothy had said the Governments policy on the MCB was a complete mess. Sir Stephen was one of four Labour MPs to attend the event, the others being backbenchers Afzal Khan, Naz Shah and Abtisam Mohamed. Under Jeremy Corbyns leadership, he acted as Labours faith envoy, responsible for the partys engagement with a range of faith groups, and he continues to work closely with such organisations. In 2010, he was stabbed twice during a constituency surgery by a 21-year-old Islamist radical. Trump leaves the White House on Friday. Photograph: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration freeze of all grants and loans disbursed by the federal government, a decision that upended programs relied upon by millions of Americans. US district judge Loren AliKhan ordered an administrative stay on the funding pause on Tuesday afternoon, moments before it was set to take effect. The stay, issued in response to a lawsuit brought by a group of non-profits and small businesses, pauses the administrations action until Monday. In a two-page internal memo on Monday, Matthew Vaeth, Trumps acting head of the office of management and budget (OMB), instructed all federal agencies to temporarily pause all activities related to obligations or disbursement of all federal financial assistance. Vaeth said that the pause did not include social security or Medicare , and that the assistance put on hold does not include assistance provided directly to individuals. If allowed to take effect, the order could have far-reaching consequences that touch nearly every corner of American society, including universities, the non-profit sector, cancer research, food assistance, suicide hotlines, hospitals, community health centers, non-profits that help disabled veterans and many more. Democratic attorneys general said on Tuesday they also planned to sue to prevent the memo from taking effect. Letitia James, the New York attorney general, said her office would take imminent legal action against this administrations unconstitutional pause on federal funding. We wont sit idly by while this administration harms our families. Related: Medicaid portals reportedly down after Trumps federal funding freeze The administrative stay came in response to a lawsuit filed by four groups representing non-profits, public health professionals and small businesses in which they said the directive was illegal and would have a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of grant recipients who depend on the inflow of grant money. The groups said the directive would disrupt education, healthcare, housing and disaster relief and would devastate hundreds of thousands of grant recipients who depend on the inflow of grant money. At a news conference on Tuesday morning, Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Senate leader from New York, described the order as a dagger at the heart of the average American families, in red states and blue states, in cities and suburbs and rural areas. Joined at the news conference by the Democratic senators Amy Klobuchar, Patty Murray, Jeff Merkley and Andy Kim, Schumer noted that among the programs potentially affected was Meals on Wheels, which provides hot meals to at-risk seniors and is partly funded by the federal government. The proposed halt in spending comes days after the US also immediately cut off all foreign aid, and was designed to ensure that financial assistance is in line with Trumps policies, Vaeth wrote. Related: Trump condemned over blatantly illegal firings of watchdog chiefs The spending halt, he added, would affect financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, [diversity initiatives], woke gender ideology, and the green new deal. The freeze in federal funding, set to take place on Tuesday afternoon, has thrown the future of a vast array of programs into uncertainty. The memo said it should be implemented to the extent permissible under applicable law. There was no explanation as to whether the pause would affect food stamps, disaster assistance and other programs, but on Tuesday afternoon, before the judges stay, several lawmakers and state officials reported that payment portals for Medicaid were down. Karoline Leavitt, Trumps press secretary, said that the White House was aware of the website portal outage and that they had confirmed that no payments had been affected and that payments are still being processed and sent. We expect the portal will be back online shortly, she added. In a press conference on Tuesday, Leavitt pushed back against suggestions the memo caused chaos and uncertainty and said it would not affect direct assistance to individuals, including social security, Medicare, welfare and food stamps. She did not clarify, however, whether aid that goes through organizations to individuals, like Meals on Wheels, would be affected. [The] only uncertainty in this room is amongst the media, said Leavitt, blaming the press for anxieties spurred by the measure. Jeff Landry, the Republican Louisiana governor, released a statement on Tuesday, along with Louisiana state officials, saying that they were thoroughly evaluating President Trumps new order and seeking clarity as to the depth of this action and urged the administrations office of management and budget to develop a responsible runway to untangle us from any unnecessary and egregious policies without jeopardizing the financial stability of the state. While the US president administers federal spending programs, actual spending and budgets are determined by Congress. Democrats said Trumps spending pause was breathtaking and unprecedented and would cause disruption to Americans day-to-day assistance. They say this is only temporary, but no one should believe that, said Schumer. Donald Trump must direct his administration to reverse course immediately and the taxpayers money should be distributed to the people. Congress approved these investments and they are not optional they are the law. In reference to the National Institutes of Health, Klobuchar wrote on social media: Are you stopping NIH cancer trials? Murray and the representative Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrats on the Senate and House appropriations committees, issued a letter to Vaeth expressing extreme alarm. They wrote: This administrations actions will have far-reaching consequences for nearly all federal programs and activities, putting the financial security of our families, our national security, and the success of our country at risk. At the Democrats news conference, Murray, the top Democrat on the chambers appropriations committee, called for a delay in consideration of Trumps pick for budget chief, Russell Vought. The American people did not vote for this kind of senseless chaos, Murray said. Republicans should not advance that nomination out of committee until the Trump administration follows the law. Related: Bernie Sanders blasts Trump for federal loans and grants freeze: He is not a king Bernie Sanders said in a statement on Tuesday that the Trump administrations order would have a devastating impact on the health and wellbeing of millions of children, seniors on fixed incomes, and the most vulnerable people in our country. It is a dangerous move towards authoritarianism and it is blatantly unconstitutional, said the senator from Vermont, adding that our founding fathers explicitly gave Congress the power of the purse. If President Trump wants to change our nations laws, he has the right to ask Congress to change them, Sanders added. He does not have the right to violate the United States constitution. He is not a king. The Associated Press contributed reporting The Princess of Wales is working again, but it shouldnt be her duty to share intimate details about her health - Oli Scarff/Getty The wording of a Sunday news piece Kate Middleton offered to appear on Vogue covers to showcase role as a global fashion icon amused not just me but many of those commenting below the line. The Princess of Wales might be one of the only people in the world who only has to pick up the phone if she wants to be on the cover of Vogue. And its pretty hard to imagine Anna Wintour the magazines redoubtable editor-in-chief saying: Actually, were a bit booked up, but well certainly bear you in mind if anyone falls through. The point, however, is that eight years after appearing on the cover of British Vogue to mark the magazines 100th anniversary, the Princess is said to have been contacted by Wintour personally and invited, lets say, to grace the global covers of Vogue. BREAKING NEWS: The Duchess of Cambridge is Vogue's centenary issue cover star #Vogue100 https://t.co/zkK3HWMuDO pic.twitter.com/NPbtayn7rH British Vogue (@BritishVogue) April 30, 2016 Its clear how much of a draw this would be particularly in the United States. Americans have a fixation with Kate that borders on the eerie. At any one time, she will feature on the cover of half a dozen US gossip magazines, and whether its Uber drivers, waiters, shop assistants, manicurists or indeed casual personal acquaintances, the first thing anyone out there will now ask me is: Hows Kate doing? (They all seem to think the UK is the size of a suburban cul-de-sac, and when I explain that the Princess of Wales isnt, in fact, a close friend, faces crumple). Im guessing the Princess will agree to the offer whether now or in the not-too-distant future. Wintour is said to be incredibly persuasive, no one is immune to the allure of a Vogue cover, and if she feels the time is right it could be the perfect way to herald a return to her public duties. It could also be a straightforwardly joyful experience of the kind she should be relishing, given what shes been through. All I would say to her and this is as a journalist and an interviewer who knows exactly what the line of questioning will be is that when it comes to her health, she should feel under no obligation to share more than she already has. Nobody has a duty to share those intimate details with the world; we dont all have to subscribe to the current better out than in thinking, and I find any narrative suggesting the Princess of Wales owes it to other cancer sufferers to reveal all sickeningly disingenuous. She has already done a great deal for others. She will do more. Right now, the only person she owes anything to is herself. Elon Musk performing a controversial hand gesture at a Donald Trump rally Andrew Marr has said he believes that Elon Musk was not giving a Nazi salute at Donald Trumps inauguration. The veteran broadcaster defended the tech billionaires viral hand gesture at a rally last week, which some critics likened to a fascist salute. Writing in the New Statesman magazine, Mr Marr said: On balance, I still dont think he was consciously giving a Nazi salute. His arm would have been stiffer, and he would have stood differently and, in any case, really, why would he? The former BBC presenter added: He was trying to express a connection between himself and the jubilant crowd. Then again, I am an excessively nice softy. Most people around me disagree. Mr Musk, the worlds richest man and a major Trump ally, faced global criticism for the salute, in which he twice slapped his chest before raising his outstretched arm into the air. The moment was quickly picked up on social media, where he was accused of performing the gesture used in racist Nazi Germany. Andrew Marr said he did not believe that Mr Musk had been copying the salute used by Adolf Hitler and his fellow Nazis - Bettmann The Tesla chief executive dismissed the criticism, saying: Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The everyone is Hitler attack is sooo [sic] tired. Mr Marr, writing in the Left-leaning publication, which he has described as his spiritual home after leaving the BBC, said he agreed with the billionaires sentiment of the line of attack being a tired one. The Holocaust was one of the worst things that happened to humanity Hitler insults simply mean: This is the worst we can imagine. But now, through glib overuse and misapplication, they no longer shock, he wrote. The 65-year-old, who is the New Statesmans political editor, added: Hitler comparisons have become one of those tropes we have worn away and, worse, have become a way of closing conversation. The danger isnt turning up the outrage meter too high; the danger is the exhaustion of curiosity and attention. Marr studied arm angles Defending Mr Musk, who has aligned himself with supporting Right-wing policies and causes, the journalist explained he had read the historians, listened to German and Israeli politicians studied the angles of his arm and photographs of other politicians on the Left making similar gestures; and reflected on his generally weirdly exuberant physical antics. He asked: Would a man who has been admired by the likes of Richard Dawkins and Morgan Freeman do something like that intentionally? Mr Musk, who has been picked to head President Trumps newly created department of government efficiency (Doge), has also publicly backed the far-Right Alternative for Germany (AfD). He spoke via video link at an AfD rally on Saturday, where he attacked European multiculturalism and insisted Germans should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great-grandparents. Mr Marr wrote that the South African billionaire makes a point of backing a German party that contains neo-Nazis, adding: Alongside his streaks of brilliance, there is a juvenile delight in provocation which makes it very hard to finally decide whats going on in Musks mind. Mr Musk appeared via video link at an AfD rally on Saturday, as the partys co-leader Alice Weidel waved from the stage - HANNIBAL HANSCHKE/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Mr Marr left the BBC in 2021 after 21 years to host a show on LBC, a commercial radio station, and to write for the political magazine, saying he was keen to get my own voice back after feeling constrained by the corporations strict editorial guidelines on impartiality. Nicknamed Red Andy in his youth and proudly boasting that he was a raving Leftie, the journalist has more recently described himself as not very Left-wing, but a fairly centrist social democrat, probably. In his column, he also told readers that the fascist or Nazi parallels are not particularly useful in relation to Mr Musk and, more widely, Mr Trumps return to the White House. He added: Big picture, however: it is not useful to talk about the second Trump presidency as the return of Nazism. What we are seeing is something new for our times, with its own taxonomy and fresh challenges... Only if we treat Maga with maximum curiosity and attentiveness, do we have any chance of understanding what we are living through. President Donald Trumps executive order that freezes federal aid would have gone into effect Tuesday at 5 p.m. EST, but it was blocked by a federal judge. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images WASHINGTON A federal judge on Tuesday blocked President Donald Trumps order to halt trillions of dollars in federal grants, loans and other financial assistance, which had been set to go into effect at 5 p.m. EST. The judges decision capped a chaotic day in which Democrats derided the order as a lawless power grab with catastrophic consequences, and Trump administration officials scrambled to defend the move and respond to the outcry. The initial memo was billed as a temporary pause, but represented a sweeping and unprecedented move that threatened to upend countless programs and impact everything from school lunches to disaster relief. Advertisement Article continues below this ad California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined with other attorneys general from New York, Illinois and other states to sue the Trump administration on Tuesday over the pause. Bonta said the move from the Office of Management and Budget was in violation of the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act and was arbitrary and capricious. The judges order halting the freeze came as a result of a separate lawsuit filed by Democracy Forward. Bonta said that stopping federal funding would be reckless, dangerous, unprecedented in scope, and led to significant uncertainty across the nation. He said he worried that funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to victims of two devastating Los Angeles fires could be at risk under the directive. But broader impacts were unclear, Bonta said. I do believe that the ambiguity and confusion is deliberate and intentional, Bonta said about the lack of clarity in the order of what funding could be impacted. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If the courts ultimately allow the order to stand, the fallout in California could be staggering: The state received $153 billion in federal funds, which is 33.9% of the total state budget, according to the California Budget and Policy Center. Nearly $116 billion of that supports health and human services for millions of California children, seniors and families with low incomes, according to the center. The California Department of Finance began working Monday night to investigate how the pause would affect the state. H.D. Palmer, a spokesperson for the department, said that while the situation was fluid, we remain confident in our ability to continue serving Californians. California Sen. Alex Padilla compiled a preliminary list of ways the directive could affect California, including through disaster relief, veterans benefits, firefighting aid and funding to address the fentanyl crisis and support K-12 public schools. San Francisco public schools receive about 5% of their funding from the federal government. This memo violates federal law, Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon wrote in an email to the Chronicle. We are confident funding will be restored. At a news conference in Los Angeles, Newsom said he was working to ensure the state received federal aid to help fire victims and noted that during Trumps first term the president was a good partner in providing pandemic aid to the state. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rep. Kevin Mullin, a San Mateo Democrat, estimated that $675 million in federal grants to his Peninsula-based district could be affected, including grants for affordable housing, local community colleges, reimbursements from FEMA, and improvements to San Francisco International Airport. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that the shutdown would not affect individuals who receive direct federal benefits, including those who receive welfare, Social Security, food stamps or Meals on Wheels benefits, which affect 2.2 million people nationwide. At least one Democratic senator challenged that assertion on social media, and said the portal to access Head Start funds was down in his state. When pressed Tuesday whether the order would interrupt federal funds that pass through state regulators before being disbursed to individuals like Medicaid, Leavitt said, Ill get back to you on that. Leavitt later acknowledged that states Medicaid websites were down, but said payments would not be impacted. Newsom confirmed at a news conference Tuesday that Californias access to the Medicaid portal was down. As of August, Medi-Cal, the states version of Medicaid, insured about 14.4 million low-income Californians and Medicare covered over 6.9 million, mostly those 65 and older; about 1.7 million of these beneficiaries were enrolled in both programs, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said that the California Department of Education was assessing how the funding freeze would affect schools, but said school lunches and special education programs would likely see major cuts, along with aid to homeless students. Thurmond, who is running for governor in 2026, criticized the order for causing panic and confusion in the name of pushing back against programs Trump disagrees with, including diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What does that have to do with special education or free meals or even programs to help homeless students? Thurmond asked. This is just mean-spirited, and I cant see how this has any benefit to anyone. It simply creates more fear. University of California President Michael Drake said that the memo was broad and it is not yet possible to know the full extent of its implications. Drake said that legal experts were looking into possible actions, and said they would inform students when more was understood about how federal financial aid programs could be impacted. A spokesperson from the California State University system also said that college is working to understand the details of the executive order and its potential implications. Trumps directive came in the form of a memo from the Office of Management and Budget. The person Trump has tapped to lead that office, Russ Vought, is a primary author of the far-right Project 2025 blueprint for Republican rule under a Trump presidency. Project 2025 calls OMB the Presidents air-traffic control system with the ability and charge to ensure that all policy initiatives are flying in sync and with the authority to let planes take off and, at times, ground planes that are flying off course. Rep. Jared Huffman, a San Rafael Democrat who helped lead last years Stop Project 2025 Task Force, said Vought wrote that OMB is the only agency with enough power to override federal agencies efforts to implement laws, and now Trump is ordering him to do it. What Trump is doing here, especially in conjunction with last weeks shocking midnight purge of inspectors general, is crystal clear: He is setting the stage to operate as a king, with no oversight or accountability. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, who is part of the multistate lawsuit, said the state was unable to draw $40 million in Medicaid reimbursement as of Monday. Nearly every part of our lives is impacted by federal aid, Campbell said. The point of the funding freeze, Leavitt said, was to give the Office of Management and Budget the opportunity to review federal spending to ensure that it doesnt include funding for programs that are not aligned with Trumps agenda, like diversity, equity and inclusion programs, the green new scam, environmental programs and transgenderism and wokeness. The announcement of the freeze came just days after Trump publicly floated dismantling FEMA, the federal agency that handles emergency and disaster relief. Republicans are ripping off hard-working Americans by stealing taxpayer dollars, grants and financial assistance as part of their corrupt scheme to pay off billionaire donors and wealthy corporations, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Tuesday. The Republican Rip-Off will raise the cost of living for the working class, while hurting children, seniors, veterans, first responders, houses of worship and everyday Americans in need. Bernie Sanders at a Senate confirmation hearing, on Wednesday. Photograph: Laura Brett/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock The Vermont senator Bernie Sanders has blasted the Donald Trump administrations order to freeze all federal loans and grants, describing it as a dangerous move towards authoritarianism in America. The order, which is scheduled to begin at 5pm ET on Tuesday, was ordered in a memo from the US presidents acting head of the Office of Management and Budget on Monday evening. The directive instructs all federal agencies to temporarily pause all activities related to obligations or disbursement of all federal financial assistance. The memo did not state which groups or programs would be affected but said that the freeze would not apply to social security or Medicare. Related: What Trump didnt say in his inauguration speech | Bernie Sanders On Tuesday, Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Senate leader from New York said that the pause would probably affect universities, the non-profit sector, food assistance programs, hospitals, community health centers, organizations that assist disabled veterans and more. On Tuesday, Sanders joined many Senate Democrats in denouncing the order, and said in a statement that the freeze would have a devastating impact on the health and wellbeing of millions of children, seniors on fixed incomes, and the most vulnerable people in our country. It is a dangerous move towards authoritarianism and it is blatantly unconstitutional, Sanders said. Our founding fathers explicitly gave Congress the power of the purse. Under our system of checks and balances, no president has the right to choose which laws to follow and which laws to ignore. Related: Atlantas homelessness non-profits face daunting future after federal grant pause Further, the senator said that the order raises more questions than it answers including whether community health centers will receive the federal grants they need to continue to provide primary healthcare to millions of Americans. This unconstitutional memo must be rescinded, Sanders said. The American people Democrats, Republicans and Independents must come together to defeat this move towards authoritarianism. He concluded: If President Trump wants to change our nations laws he has the right to ask Congress to change them. He does not have the right to violate the United States constitution. He is not a king. The Connecticut attorney general, William Tong, a Democrat, said on Tuesday morning that attorneys general across the country were preparing imminent legal action to challenge the order. New Yorks attorney general, Letitia James, said that her office will be taking imminent legal action against this administrations unconstitutional pause on federal funding. virus This article was orginally published on January 7. The pictures emerging are arresting: a hospital waiting room in Beijing, full of masked patients apparently attached to drips; crowds of mask-wearing commuters making their way through the city. If it all seems unnervingly familiar, thats perhaps not surprising. It is around five years since such images heralded a human health event that was both worrisome and unusual. Stories of Covid-19 began as something over there, which in our connected world spread rapidly over here. By March 2020 we were in lockdown and our lives had been turned upside down. Could we be back there again? Could human metapneumovirus (HMPV), the illness causing these scenes in China, precipitate us into a new pandemic? The short answer is almost certainly no. Although cases have been surging in China, and now seem to be on the rise in the UK too, experts agree this is no reason to panic. Unlike Covid-19, HMPV is not a new virus. It has been around for decades, and its normal for cases to climb in the cold winter months. But long-standing concerns over Chinas response to the pandemic as well as persistent speculation concerning the origins of the outbreak, first detected in its eastern city of Wuhan have seen scientists call for total transparency from Beijing over the current spike in infections. Is HMPV in the UK? Although China has been experiencing a surge, the virus has long been present in the UK, and elsewhere too. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has long been tracking cases, which commonly spike around this time of year. Infections are usually mild, causing symptoms similar to those of a common cold. A small proportion of immuno-compromised people will develop more severe disease in the lungs, with symptoms including wheezing and breathlessness, and some may need hospital care. Like the flu, it can be life-threatening to such patients. Masked children, accompanied by adults, wait to be seen by medical staff at the paediatric department of a hospital in Hangzhou, eastern Chinas Zhejiang province - STR/AFP The latest available UKHSA data shows one in 20 (5 per cent) hospital patients in England tested for respiratory infections were positive for HMPV as of the week ending January 19, based on findings from 8,000 samples. That marks the highest recorded rate of the virus so far this winter. UKHSA, which does not publish case numbers, described the current level of HMPV in England as medium, with those aged 80 and above found to have the highest proportion of infections and cases also rising among children up to the age of five. But although it may cause more severe illness in children in that age group, adults over 65 and those with weakened immune systems, most people will recover at the same rate they would from a common cold. HMPV is a common respiratory infection in winter, and we typically see activity reaching a peak at this time of year, says Dr Conall Watson, a consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA. Our surveillance systems in GP surgeries and hospitals indicate that levels are in line with what we would expect to see. Most people have had HMPV by the time they are five years old and catch it again throughout their lives. Since the pandemic, the testing and surveillance of diseases has improved, and its been suggested that what looks like an increase in cases could be at least partially attributed to better detection. So why, then, is it generating such a stir? The answer, it seems, may lie in our post-Covid jumpiness: a sense that we are braced for the next big virus to hit, now we have seen a global pandemic overwhelm the world in the 21st century already. In Britain, well-publicised NHS woes will likely do little to persuade the public that, should the worst happen again, this time we will be ready for it, even if we are better prepared psychologically. A computer illustration of particles of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus that affects almost all children by the age of five - Roger Harris/Science Photo Library RF I think the general public is becoming more aware of viruses, says Dr Andrew Catchpole, the chief scientific officer at hVIVO, a research organisation that tests infectious and respiratory disease vaccines and therapeutics. Theyre a lot more spoken about since the [Covid] pandemic. The unfamiliarity of the name HMPV may also add to a sense of fear, he suggests. We mostly dont fear that old foe, the flu, in quite the same way as something with a name we havent heard. At the same time, memories of how Chinese authorities responded to the Covid-19 pandemic after cases were first detected in Wuhan remain fresh. The country was widely criticised for its lack of transparency at the start of the pandemic. Theres always a bit of concern about whether were truly getting the full picture, says Dr Catchpole. Where did HMPV originate? At the end of December, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged China to share data on the origins of the Covid outbreak, describing the obligation to do so as a moral and scientific imperative. Without transparency, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics, the WHO warned. Against this backdrop, the rise in HMPV cases is sparking more concern than it might have done pre-Covid. Infection numbers have been rising in China since mid-December, in both outpatient and emergency cases, according to Xinhua, the state news agency. Amid reports of concerned citizens seeking information about the illness online, authorities have urged people to remain calm and take regular precautions such as frequent washing of hands and avoiding crowded places. Dr Sanjaya Senanayake, a specialist in infectious diseases and associate professor of medicine at the Australian National University, has stressed that it is vital for China to share its data on this outbreak in a timely manner. In widely reported comments, he added: This includes epidemiologic data about who is getting infected. Also, we will need genomic data confirming that HMPV is the culprit, and that there arent any significant mutations of concern. But there has been nothing in the history of HMPV to suggest it might mutate into something far more dangerous, Dr Catchpole suggests. Its not considered to have pandemic potential, he says. To become a pandemic, a new virus would generally be required to enter the human population. But it has to come from somewhere, he explains. With Covid it came from animals, as did influenza. There is no known animal reservoir for HMPV, which is why its not on the radar for having [pandemic] potential. It is, however, important to know what strain of the virus is currently circulating in China, in order to establish whether it has undergone any mutations that might enable it to evade our immune systems more successfully, Dr Catchpole stresses. Thats what were looking for that reassurance at a scientific level. Chinese officials have repeatedly reiterated that respiratory viruses routinely rise at this time of year, and have suggested the current spread of such illnesses is smaller in scale than was the case last year. Nonetheless, Beijing announced at the end of last month that it was stepping up monitoring of emerging respiratory diseases, with cases expected to continue to rise through the winter. The move marked a rise in its level of preparedness compared with five years ago, when the novel coronavirus that triggered Covid-19 first emerged. Post-Covid jumpiness: Theres a sense that Britain is braced for the next big virus to hit, five years after Covid-19 turned our lives upside down - Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP If post-Covid nerves can explain some of the jumpiness around the spread of viruses with unfamiliar-sounding names (even if, like HMPV, they are seasonal illnesses that have been with us for decades), age-old human psychology may also make us generally prone to respond to perceived threats in this way. In the early 1970s, psychologists Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman identified a mental habit they termed availability heuristic to describe how we judge the likeliness of a certain event or risk materialising. The more we are exposed to information, the more prominent it will be in our minds when were evaluating the probability of something happening to us. By this logic, the more social media posts or news headlines we see about a virus, the higher we rate its chance of hitting us or affecting our lives. In the social media echo chamber, we can be exposed to such posts hundreds of times over within the space of mere minutes. HMPV is all over TikTok announced a headline in Cosmopolitan magazine this week. One psychologist cautions against collective hysterical responses. But while experts agree that fears of a pandemic are overblown and unwarranted, they nonetheless advise people to follow health advice to protect themselves. As with all respiratory viruses, you can help reduce infections being passed on through regular handwashing and catching coughs and sneezes in tissues and throwing them away, says Dr Watson. If you have symptoms such as a high temperature, cough and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable. There are many viruses in circulation at the moment, including flu. If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness and you need to go out, our advice continues to be that you should consider wearing a face mask. An HMPV pandemic is unlikely to be on the cards, then. But a greater sense of wariness is perhaps no bad thing, says Dr Catchpole. These things happen with new viruses and we need to be alert and respond to them, he argues. It doesnt take much for a new pandemic to occur, and it can occur. Everyones been on guard. A Canadian flag flies in front of the offices of the prime minister on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Photograph: Canadian Press/REX/Shutterstock Canadas democratic institutions are robust in the face of foreign interference attempts and there is no evidence of traitors in the countrys parliament, a landmark report into election meddling has found. But the commissions lead said on Tuesday that the federal government should take steps to better safeguard democratic institutions and better inform the public of foreign interference threats. In her final report on foreign interference in Canada, Marie-Josee Hogue, a leading judge, rebutted a previous survey by the countrys intelligence watchdog that alleged that lawmakers had been witting or semi-witting participants in foreign meddling although she concluded that some had been found to be behaving naively and displaying questionable ethics. In June, the all-party national security and intelligence committee of parliamentarians warned that some parliamentarians had accepted bribes and shared information with foreign intelligence officers. At the time, various politicians used the vague nature of the allegations to tar opponents as compromised by foreign powers. Related: Canada: leading judge to steer public inquiry into foreign interference I have the names of a number of parliamentarians, former parliamentarians and/or candidates in the Conservative party of Canada who are engaged [in] or at high risk of, or for whom there is clear intelligence around, foreign interference, the prime minister, Justin Trudeau, said as part of his sworn testimony during the inquiry. At the time, the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, said Trudeau was lying about the list. If Justin Trudeau has evidence to the contrary, he should share it with the public. Now that he has blurted it out in general terms at a commission of inquiry, he should release the facts. But he wont, because hes making it up. In her exhaustive report, Hogue found no evidence of crimes against the country by lawmakers. Although a few cases involving things like attempts to curry favour with parliamentarians have come to light, the phenomenon remains marginal and largely ineffective, she said. While the states attempts are troubling and there is some concerning conduct by parliamentarians, there is no [need for] widespread alarm. Canada has been repeatedly rocked by allegations of foreign meddling in its electoral system in recent years. One of the more troubling accusations involved leaked intelligence reports of Chinese election meddling: in 2023, Canada expelled a Chinese diplomat after an intelligence report accused him of trying to intimidate a Canadian lawmaker critical of Beijings treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority. The commission also found India had used disinformation campaigns and an extensive network of pressure against diaspora communities. Neither country is believed to have swayed the results of the last two elections. The seven-volume report included proposals to safeguard future elections and protect diaspora communities from foreign interference. Of the 51 recommendations from Hogue, roughly half will be implemented before the next election, which could come as early as the spring. The inquiry heard from more than 100 witnesses and 60 experts and diaspora members and examined tens of thousands of documents. Last May, Hogue concluded that while foreign interference occurred in the last two general elections, it did not change the outcome of those elections. Her final report reiterated those findings, but said the government was a poor communicator when it came to foreign interference. Hogue said disinformation posed the greatest threat to Canada and required an effort to fight it that exceeded the tools of government alone. Foreign interference will never be fully eradicated and it will always be necessary to counter it, she said. Democracies are under attack from all sides. Colonial powers imposed fortress conservation on Africa in the 20th century, forcing Indigenous people, in particular pastoralists such as the Maasai, off their land to make space for wildlife Photograph: Nicolo Lanfranchi Africas first national park was created 100 years ago by the Belgian colonial state in the Congo, and since then hundreds more have been developed but in many areas there is more wildlife in protected areas run by local people. Tens of millions of hectares across the continent are home to community-run conservancies, managed by herders, farmers and hunter-gatherers, who coexist with herds of large animals such as elephants, giraffes and buffalo. Up to 80% of all the land in Africa is traditionally used and managed by local communities, says Fred Nelson, chief executive of Maliasili, a US-based charity that promotes community-based conservation in Africa and recently published an analysis showing how conservancies help declining wildlife recover. In some countries, it is known that more wildlife is found outside parks on community and private lands, he says. The Nashulai conservancy in southern Kenya. The country now has more than 230 community-run reserves covering 16% of the country. Conservancies have helped wildlife recover while benefiting local people Conservancies have proliferated in Kenya, with 230 in total by 2023, covering 9m hectares or 16% of land, and successfully creating more space for wildlife. A 2021 census found that more than 80% of wildlife in the Maasai Mara was found in community conservancies, despite them covering just 25% of the ecosystem. Nelson Ole Reiyia, who co-founded Nashulai conservancy Nelson says: Its an important and positive trend that conservancies and other community conservation models have been spreading. The spirit of the people and the spirit of nature and wildlife come together into a common song Nelson Ole Reiyia Nashulai Maasai conservancy in Kenya is on a key wildlife corridor for elephants, lions and zebras, connecting the Maasai Mara national reserve to other conservancies in the east. We started the conservancy to protect the Indigenous peoples land and the wildlife which depends on that land, says Nelson Ole Reiyia, co-founder of Nashulai (meaning we coexist in Maasai), which he says has reduced conflict between humans and wildlife. Over the last 10 years, we have seen the doubling up in the number of wildlife. Nashulai is a special word, he says. It means a place of harmony where community and wildlife live in balance and mutual benefit, where the spirit of the people and the spirit of nature and wildlife come together into a common song. Conservancies are important sources of rural jobs. Faith Naishorua Njapit, a ranger, earns more than her husband Reiyia is working with communities in other countries, including Tanzania, India, Australia and Canada. Its a model that can be replicated elsewhere, he says. Faith Naishorua Njapit, who works in Nashulai as a ranger, says it creates important jobs in the community. My husband has a small business, and with my work I earn more than him; I am proud of what I do for my family. Maasai society is changing, because today both boys and girls can study, and I want my daughter to have more education than I had and a good job, she says. Namibia also has an extensive network of conservancies, which began in the 1990s. Now, 86 conservancies cover a fifth of the country (more than the area taken up by national parks). After coming under pressure from the rapid increase in human and livestock populations, as well as droughts, wildlife has recovered and stabilised, with research suggesting it is a model other African countries could follow. The rapid human population increase across much of Africa, as well as the likely impacts of climate change, will continue to put pressure on natural resources. Community participation in protection of habitats and wildlife will be essential, researchers found. A giraffe in the Nashulai conservancy. Community-led reserves particularly help threatened large mammals A young Maasai man watches a herd grazing in the Nashulai conservancy, which has seen numbers of wildlife such as giraffes, elephants and lions double in 10 years In the 20th century, fortress conservation was the main model applied by colonial powers in Africa, with Indigenous peoples, in particular pastoralists, usually forced out of their traditional territory to make space for wildlife. We could lose vast areas of habitat and end in a situation where we only see wildlife in pay-to-view national parks Prof Adam Hart Globally, the exclusion of people in the name of protecting the environment resulted in widespread human rights abuses and an estimated 20 million people displaced from their land. This approach prevented people from benefiting from land where they may have lived for farming, hunting or collecting natural resources. As a result, those people generally had little incentive to protect wildlife. The conservancy model is a different approach, in which local people are paid money from tourism, trophy hunting and sometimes carbon and biodiversity markets. They can live and rear livestock on the land too. Young Maasai men herd their cattle into the kraal. Rising numbers of livestock as well as people have put pressure on wildlife populations Its important we dont just focus on national parks or we could lose vast areas of habitat and end in a situation where we only really see wildlife in pay-to-view national parks, says Prof Adam Hart, from the University of Gloucestershire. Michael Bonsall, professor of mathematical biology at Oxford University, says: There is work on this that runs back over the last 40 years or so that suggests local cooperatives could be the best way to manage conservation and resources. Neville Hendricks, a goat farmer, is part of the Gaingu conservancy in a semi-arid desert landscape in western Namibia. Created in 2004, it is one of the countrys largest conservancies, with about 3,700 people living there. Moses Njapit, a Masaai guide in the Nashulai conservancy Moses Njapit and other men plant trees, as part of Nashulai reforestation efforts, and Njapit watching over his goats We are giving people ways to coexist with these other animals, otherwise it would be chaos, says Hendricks, who used to manage the conservancy, home to leopards, jackals, springbok, antelope, kudus, zebras and rhinos. Related: We said, there must be ladies: the pioneering Maasai women ending all-male leadership of the land Six community rangers are employed with money raised by the conservancy, which mainly comes from wildlife tourism and photo safaris, with small amounts of trophy hunting. Local people decide what we do with this money, says Hendricks. It can be in any form that the community wants. Kimiti, 80, a respected healer and midwife, collects medicinal plants near her village, Ngoso, in Nashulai Africas growing population is putting increasing pressure on habitats and wildlife. Hart says: If you watch most nature documentaries, all youll see is wildlife living in untouched wilderness, with no sign of human life. But the reality is that in many places, wildlife and humans live in the same place, sharing space. Community conservancy approaches, he adds, focus attention on what very often really matters in conservation: people. A young man watches over his cattle as they return to the kraal at sunset. Nashulai, says its co-founder, is a place of harmony where community and wildlife live in balance Find more age of extinction coverage here, and follow the biodiversity reporters Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield in the Guardian app for more nature coverage. Peers have pushed for a series of amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill to ensure protections for British creators Labour have been slapped down over proposed new AI laws as Peers backed reforms to stop tech firms from raiding British newspapers. Lord Black, the Tory peer and deputy chairman of the Telegraph Media Group, said a fundamentally flawed proposal to allow AI models to mine British content for data would weaken the UKs copyright regime, which he described as the bedrock of quality media. He expressed concerns that newspapers would not be able to invest in quality journalism that holds power to account if sufficient controls are not placed on the way that AI firms can bypass UK copyright law. The Government has been accused of giving AI firms permission to steal from the creative industries by proposing a new exception to copyright law for text and data mining. On Tuesday, peers strongly criticised the proposal, currently out for consultation, and pushed for a series of amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill to ensure protections for British creators. Peers voted by 145 to 126, majority 19, in favour of the amendments. It is an embarrassing defeat for the Government who will now reconsider the tighter restrictions, which they had initially rejected. Lord Black claimed the media could not survive without an effective copyright regime Lord Black, who is among peers pushing for the change, told peers: I genuinely believe that this is one of the most crucial debates we will have in this parliament. Without adequate transparency, control and reward, I have this stark warning: publishers will no longer be able to invest as they have in the creation of original, high quality investigative content on which our democracy and the accountability of those in power is based. Without that, our democracy, my Lords, will die in the dark at the hands of Silicon Valley as we become dependent on the morass of fake news and social media clickbait. He warned the media cannot survive without an effective enforceable and comprehensive copyright regime. I know how strongly noble Lords opposite and across the House value the fundamental role our free media plays in our democratic society, because without it all our freedoms in peril, he continued. This Bill and the connected government consultation will either help it or kill it. I am afraid it is as stark as that. He said the amendments would ensure transparency, the power of control over how news content is used, and fair remuneration. Viscount Colville, the Scottish television producer and director, also warned against a continuum of years of piracy and theft by the tech companies against British content makers. Baroness Kidron, the peer leading the calls to change the legislation, accused Labour of being hooked on the delusion that the UKs best interest and economic future aligns with that of Silicon Valley, warning the AI will do nothing for growth if Britain is forced to effectively rent back what it owns. The Governments consultation has given permission to continue large scale theft of property rights and the spectre of AI does nothing for growth if it gives away what we own so we can rent from it what it makes, she said. She warned of a forced marriage between AI firms and the creative industries on slave terms, insisting British creators should not have to invent something for nothing. Officials said Gideon Castro, was awaiting extradition to Hawaii. Photograph: Jose Luis Magana/AP Police recently arrested a 66-year-old man at a nursing home in Utah on suspicion that he murdered a girl who attended his high school in Hawaii nearly five decades earlier with modern DNA technology implicating him. Gideon Castros arrest came in connection with the killing of Dawn Momohara, 16, who was found dead the morning of 21 March 1977 at the campus of McKinley high school in Honolulu. Momohara was a sophomore at the school, according to the Honolulu police department. She had gone missing the night before she was found dead, having not returned home after telling her mother she was going to meet friends at a shopping center. Momoharas body was discovered the next morning. She was pronounced dead at the scene, and an autopsy determined that she died of asphyxia due to strangulation. She had injuries to her neck, and a medical examiner also determined that she had sustained injuries consistent with sexual assault. The examiner classified Momoharas death as a homicide. At a news conference Tuesday, about 48 years after her body was discovered, Lt Deena Thoemmes of the Honolulu police department announced that with help from authorities in Utah Castro had been charged in Momoharas murder and arrested. Authorities said Castro graduated from McKinley high school in 1976 and knew Momohara. In the days after the murder, Castro and his brother, William, were among the many classmates, friends, family members and acquaintances of Momohara to be interviewed by the police. At that time, neither sibling was considered a suspect. Gideon Castro had told authorities that he had met Momohara at a school dance in 1976 and had last spoken with her at a school carnival in February 1977. He said they talked for 15 minutes, and he told her that he was in the US army reserve. His brother, William Castro, told police at the time that he had met Momohara through his brother. On the day Momohara disappeared, authorities said she received a call from an unknown male before telling her mother she was going to a shopping center with friends. Two witnesses at the time also reported to authorities that they saw a man and a car near the school building the night before she was found dead. Authorities released a sketch of the man and the car. But it failed to provide any substantial leads and authorities were unable to identify a suspect at that time. In 2019, detectives in Hawaii began analyzing various items and samples collected from the murder scene using modern DNA testing technology. In 2020, using advanced DNA technology, the police obtained a partial genetic profile of an unidentified male from a sample taken from her shorts. Police in 2023 then said they received information suggesting that William Castro or Gideon Castro could be potential suspects but they did not elaborate. With help from the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations, detectives located the Castro brothers and their biological children. They traveled to collect DNA samples from the adult children and, according to the police, a DNA profile obtained from Williams child cleared him. Further tests and analysis revealed that Gideon Castros son was a biological child of the unidentified male whose DNA was found at the scene. And so, earlier in January, detectives traveled to Utah and obtained a DNA sample from Gideon himself, which they say matched the DNA profile from the shorts. Investigators obtained a warrant to arrest Castro. And on Tuesday morning, he was apprehended at a nursing home in Utah on a charge of second-degree murder. Authorities later reported that Castro was awaiting extradition to Honolulu. I want to thank all the individuals and agencies that made todays arrest possible, Thoemmes said at Tuesdays news conference. Thank you all for your dedication and commitment to the tireless pursuit of justice for Dawn and the Momohara family. Anthony Fauci - Alex Brandon/AP Joe Biden ended his presidency by pre-emptively pardoning political allies and family members who had yet to be charged with any crimes. One pardon stands out: that of Dr Anthony Fauci. Pardoning Fauci wont make investigations into the origins of Covid-19 go away. The pardon recites that Fauci is cleared of any offenses against the United States which he may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014, through the date of this pardon arising from or in any manner related to his service as Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, as a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force or the White House Covid-19 Response Team, or as Chief Medical Advisor to the President. Why 2014, six years before Covid-19 arrived on American shores? Why cover Faucis roles in three different jobs? There are a lot of accumulated grievances against Fauci. Many of them are political and scientific, not legal. Remember the six-foot social distancing rules that dominated school and business closures? Fauci admitted in 2024 that they werent based on any scientific studies at all. He admitted that he did not recall seeing any evidence supporting the masking of young children, or of the costs of that policy, even though he had recommended that they be masked. Before he was pro-mask, he said in March 2020, Theres no reason to be walking around with a mask because he was worried about a shortage of masks for doctors and nurses. Critics of the Covid-19 vaccines have also blamed Fauci. The list goes on. The more serious hot water for the 84-year-old doctor, however, has been bubbling up from the origins of the Covid-19 virus and allegations that he lacked candour in testimony to Congress. In the past year, this has expanded to a House investigation into accusations of a pattern in Faucis corner of the National Institutes of Health of deliberately scheming to conceal information from public disclosure and oversight. The story begins in 2014, when EcoHealth Alliance, an American research group led by Dr Peter Daszak, was awarded a $3.7 million NIH grant to study potential coronaviruses from bats. That autumn, the Obama White House publicly announced a moratorium on gain-of-function research into respiratory viruses in other words, research into making a virus more contagious, more transmissible to humans, or more deadly. While such research can develop more scientific knowledge useful in fighting viruses, the moratorium responded to concerns that too many recent lab accidents raised the spectre of releasing what one group at the time called potential pandemic pathogens. Fauci had written a paper in 2012 arguing that gain-of-function research was worth the risks. The moratorium lasted for three years, yet from 2014 through 2019, EcoHealth Alliance was funding the collection and manipulation of bat coronaviruses by virologists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The Covid-19 pandemic emerged from Wuhan, where it became visible by November 2019. An email sent to Fauci in late January 2020 suggests that he knew his agency was funding gain-of-function research into novel coronaviruses in Wuhan. EcoHealth group (Peter Daszak et al), has for years been among the biggest players in coronavirus work, wrote Faucis chief of staff Greg Folkers, noting how NIAID had financed its research in Wuhan for the past 5 years. A Congressional investigation established that Fauci and Dr Francis Collins (the head of NIH) were then on a conference call where they were warned that Covid-19 may have leaked from the WIV. Their almost immediate reaction was to help other scientists on the call produce a paper entitled The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2 that sought to convince the scientific community and the public that the virus had a natural origin. In April, Collins emailed Fauci complaining that the paper hadnt succeeded and asking him to do more to put down the lab-leak theory. The next day, Fauci promoted the papers conclusions from a White House podium. He continued throughout the spring of 2020 to argue that the virus had evolved in nature and then jumped species. Daszak, meanwhile, argued against certain public disclosures from the WIV research, which he said would bring very unwelcome attention. Earlier this month, EcoHealth Alliance was debarred for five years from receiving federal grants. When queried by Senator Rand Paul in May 2021, Fauci insisted that NIAID had not ever and does not now fund gain-of-function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology. But his later defences of that testimony relied upon what a congressional investigation found to be hairsplittingly misleading definitions of what constitutes gain-of-function research. Paul, now the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has accused Fauci of perjury, and said after Bidens pardon that I will not rest until the entire truth of the coverup is exposed. Faucis pardon will only serve as an accelerant to pierce the veil of deception. When Republicans took over the House in 2023, they launched a Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic spearheaded by Ohio congressman Dr Brad Wenstrup. The committees report concluded that Dr Faucis testimony was, at a minimum, misleading. Amid all of this, the subcommittee dug into how NIH and NIAID appeared to plot to avoid scrutiny under the Freedom of Information Act. A series of damning emails emerged from David Morens, a senior NIAID adviser under Fauci since 1998 who had co-authored dozens of scientific papers with Fauci. Fauci downplayed his ties to Morens. Morens told EcoHealth Alliance in emails to keep all communications like this on private email so that it cant be retrieved via a FOIA. He wrote in June 2020 that we are all smart enough to know to never have smoking guns, and if we did we wouldnt put them in emails and if we found them wed delete them. (Apparently, he wasnt that smart.) In a February 2021 email, Morens wrote that he learned from our foia lady here how to make emails disappear after i am foiad but before the search starts, so I think we are all safe. He also wrote that he learned the tricks last year from an old friend, Marg Moore, who heads our FOIA office and also hates FOIAs. Moore told the subcommittee through her lawyer that she would invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The committee also alleged that Folkers appeared to misspell keywords so they wouldnt be flagged in FOIA searches, such as writing Ec~Health. Morens wrote of a secret back channel, noting that he could either send stuff to Tony on his private gmail, or hand it to him at work. Fauci, he said, was too smart to let colleagues send him stuff that could cause trouble. Morens maintained to the House committee that his references to that channel were a joke, and that he didnt realise the emails he sent on his personal account constituted official government business. Biden hasnt pardoned everyone around Fauci. And even if no criminal charges result, it seems unlikely that Congress is done with its investigations into NIAID and Covid-19. Dan McLaughlin is a senior writer at National Review Zooey Deschanel goes for the slurp, crunch double in 500 Days of Summer - Alamy Hollywood awards season is here, which means we will be reminded of how difficult things are for cinemas. They face rising costs and dwindling audiences, especially for films that are not sequels or toy advertisements. The received wisdom is that cineplexes struggle to compete with the reams of content pumped at us by streaming services. But I think there is another reason the business is struggling: food and drink. Watching a film at home is widely acknowledged as a ceasefire in ones consumption habits, a kind of calorific Christmas-Day-in-the-trenches when the usual rules dont apply. Sink a bottle of Chardonnay, or 400 olives, or an entire Dominos. If everyones looking at the telly, nobodys judging. Eating in the cinema, which mixes this merry shamelessness with the etiquette of eating in public, has always been a more fraught business. Every cinema trip is a more or less tense experiment in people rubbing along despite their disgusting neighbours. This is mostly because history has dictated that the favoured snacks are the most insane options imaginable. The main villain is popcorn. I am still haunted by an incident a couple of years ago when a man in the row in front of me, offended by my persistent rustling, snapped around and in an angry whisper told me to take a big handful and put it on your bloody lap! Chastened for life, these days I tip out most of the carton on to my jumper and meekly eat one puff at a time. Even better, I try to scoff it all during the trailers, avoiding opprobrium and creating an exciting blood-sugar rollercoaster to ride for the next couple of hours. I had thought popcorn was uniquely noisy until I read a column in another newspaper recently in which the writer complained that it had supplanted its predecessor, crisps. (Im assured that popcorn overtook crisps in British cinemas a mere 40 years ago). Thats crisps, the only snack that might be louder than popcorn. Come to think of it, the other alternatives are hardly better: punnets of picknmix that end with a few rattling sweets at the bottom. Or nachos, which combine deafening crunch with gloopy fake cheese. Thats not even thinking about the most deranged practice of all: theatres that sell oblong boxes of Maltesers, which have the same design as a maraca. How on earth did we end up here? Partly it is down to economics. The cinema buys unpopped corn by mass but sells it by volume (small, medium or large), giving it a similar mark-up to drugs. And although it makes a huge mess, it is a hooverable mess. More than that, we have come to associate the crunch and noise with being entertained. I know there are those bourgeois picture houses where you get salami and a glass of pinot noir instead, but they make me think of three-hour French films about a sad factory worker. Our glee at a great spectacle is entwined with popcorn. Cinemas are caught between a rock and a rustly, crunchy place; an irreconcilable difference that will keep sending viewers back to their sofas. There, you can consume whatever you want, on screen and in gob, and nobody needs to know but your family. But as the statuette-clutching actors will no doubt shortly remind us: something is being lost. Even if youre being annoyed by your neighbour, you get to laugh and gasp with them too. A burnt-out vehicle in Goma on Monday. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images Dead bodies lay on the streets and explosions and gunfire echoed across the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Tuesday, as fighting continued to rage between the army and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. Residents reported continuing gun and mortar fire in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province and a regional humanitarian hub for displaced people, after M23 fighters entered the city on Sunday. At least 100 people have been killed and 1,000 wounded in three days of heavy fighting which has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the province. Hospitals were overwhelmed by patients with gunshot and shrapnel wounds, UN and other aid agencies said on Tuesday. The humanitarian situation in and around Goma remains extremely worrying, said Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office (Ocha), at a briefing in Geneva. We have reports of rapes committed by fighters, looting of property and humanitarian health facilities being hit, he added. At the same briefing, Adelheid Marschang, the World Health Organization (WHO) emergency response coordinator for DRC, said there were reports of health workers being shot at and patients including babies being caught in crossfire. Speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN security council in New York, DRC foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner said more than 500,000 people had been displaced by the fighting in January alone. The Red Cross said one of its hospitals had received, within 24 hours, more than 100 patients with head wounds and chest trauma from mortars and shrapnel. Patrick Youssef, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) regional director for Africa, said: While the hospital is overwhelmed, we are still receiving calls from desperate injured people who struggle to access healthcare. He added that the organisation had seen a significant increase in the number of severely injured children. International troops have also died in the fighting. Thirteen South African peacekeepers have been killed in the past week, while three Malawian soldiers and one Uruguayan have been killed in the conflict, their respective militaries said. M23, a Tutsi-led group that the DRC, the UN, the US and other countries say is supported by Rwanda, claims it seeks to protect the interests of the Congolese Tutsi and other minorities. The militias entry into Goma has reverberated across the country. In the capital, Kinshasa, people protested on the streets against the conflict and attacked embassies of countries they accused of abetting Rwandas support for M23. They targeted the embassies of Belgium, France, Kenya, Rwanda and the US, lighting fires in those of France and Rwanda. All of this is because of Rwanda, a protester said. What Rwanda is doing is in complicity with France, Belgium, the United States and others. The people of Congo are tired. How many times should we die? Protesters also burned tyres and clashed with police, who fired teargas to disperse them. The US on Tuesday urged its citizens to leave the DRC. Due to an increase in violence throughout the city of Kinshasa, the US embassy in Kinshasa advises US citizens to shelter-in-place and then safely depart while commercial options are available, a statement said. DRCs communications minister, Patrick Muyaya, asked demonstrators to stop the attacks. We have every right to express our anger, but lets do it peacefully. Lets not attack the consular infrastructures of countries accredited in Congo, he said on national television. M23 is one of more than 100 armed groups fighting to make territorial gains in DRCs mineral-rich east to fund their operations. DRC is the worlds biggest producer of tantalum, which is widely used to make electronic components, and cobalt, which is critical in making batteries for mobile phones and electric vehicles. Last year, M23 captured Rubaya, a key mining town for coltan, a mineral used in the manufacture of mobile phones and laptops. The group makes $800,000 (650,000) monthly in taxes on production and trade of the mineral, according to a report by UN experts. Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report Renowned for prosecco, spritz and cichetti nibbles Cantina del Vino gia Schiavi. Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian Wine Cantina del Vino gia Schiavi is a 150-year-old wood-beamed cantina that sits right on the edge of a canal and is a favourite stop on all the city bacaro tours. It is renowned for prosecco, spritz and an original selection of cichetti nibbles created by owner Alessandra De Respinis, a big inspiration for the late Russell Normans Polpo in London. But the faithful local clientele at Al Bottegon, as the bar is known, come because it is one of Venices few specialist wine cellars, as Alessandras sons, Tommaso and Paolo, have amassed an unparalleled selection from vineyards in the surrounding Veneto and Friuli regions, alongside rare vintages from across Italy. It is also the place to come if you are looking to take home a bottle of quality grappa. Fondamenta Nani, 992 Stationery Calle del Fumo is a bustling alleyway leading to Fondamente Nove, where boats depart for the islands of the lagoon. But a steady stream of visitors also come specifically to visit the narrow brick-walled Antica Stamperia Gianni Basso a printing workshop, showroom and museum. The printing trade has been associated with Venice for centuries, and since 1981 Basso has been producing exquisite bespoke stationery writing paper, bookmarks, business cards and invitations using ancient hand-operated presses and a collection of metal typefaces, copper plates and woodblock stamps. Although the cards of movie stars, musicians, poets and royalty are displayed on the stamperias walls, everyone is welcomed equally by this genial printer known as the Gutenberg of Venice. Not surprisingly, there is no website or email, ensuring clients must either visit in person or send snail mail to order by post. Calle del Fumo, 5306 Fragrances and beauty The crowds of visitors walking along Strada Nova, the main drag between Venices train station and the Rialto Bridge, often walk straight past this neighbourhood pharmacy, missing one of the hidden gems of the glorious Settecento era of Casanovas Serenissima. This ancient apothecary, rather grandly known as the Spezeria allErcole dOro (Pharmacy of the Golden Hercules), dates back to 17th century, and today is divided into a regular pharmacy and an adjoining salon restored to its sumptuous wood-panelled original, with walnut cabinets and lustrous lamps, gilded scales and delicate ceramic jars. Here they sell Murano glass bottles from local artisan perfumery The Merchant of Venice, along with natural wellness products such as herbal teas, mustard seeds and blueberry essence. Salizada Santa Fosca, 2234 Speciality food Sometimes it looks as though there are more food tour groups than local shoppers wandering around Venices historic Rialto market. But the one shop in the maze of streets around the market that is always crowded, essentially by Venetians, is Antica Drogheria Mascari, a delicatessen run by the same family since 1948. While every local speciality is stocked here bussolai biscuits from Burano, Bassanos bigoli pasta, artisan polenta there are innumerable goodies from all over Italy, such as Sicilian cassata, amaretti di Saronno or Florentine cantucci. Harking back to Venices historic role in the spice trade, turmeric, nutmeg, cinnamon and star anise are piled high in the window. And then there are the irresistible slabs of chocolate and vintage glass jars filled with sweets. The list of must-buys goes on and on, and that is before you enter their exceptional wine cellar, stacked with rare vintages. Calle Prima de la Donzella, 306 Traditional masks Located on the staircase leading up the Rialto Bridge, this minuscule La Bottega Dei Mascareri is pretty much a hole-in-the-wall, decorated with remarkable artisan masks covering every inch of the walls. In the middle, maestro Sergio Boldrin patiently paints his latest creation, handmade from papier-mache at a larger atelier 15 minutes walk away where his brother, Massimo, works. It is rare to see a master mask-maker in action but Sergio is usually in the bottega, always willing to chat with customers and explain his technique and inspiration. He started painting Commedia dellArte masks in 1979 for a local theatre company and opened the bottega in 1984. Aside from classic carnival masks, such as Arlecchino, Pantalone, the Bauta and long-nosed Plague Doctor, he also makes more audacious contemporary designs. He collaborated on Stanley Kubricks Eyes Wide Shut and has exhibited in New York, London and Paris. Calle dei Saoneri, 2720 f Jewellery The proudly Venetian Nardi family have been making exclusive jewels beneath the arcades surrounding the Piazza San Marco for almost 100 years. These arcades have housed shops for centuries, since the earliest trading days of the Most Serene Republic, and Nardis is more like a sumptuous baroque salon with ornate Murano chandeliers, marble statuettes, antique furniture and velvet brocades. Venetian-inspired pieces such as the iconic lapis lazuli gondola brooch, which is encrusted with diamonds and sapphires, are seriously expensive. But it is still worth stopping by to window shop, and almost next door is the 1720 Caffe Florian, where you can join locals standing at the bar for an espresso. Piazza San Marco, 69 Grocery One landmark of Venetian gothic architecture where you do not have to spend a lot of money to admire its walls and ceilings decorated with flamboyant Liberty frescoes is the down-to-earth Despar Teatro Italia supermarket in the heart of the lively Cannaregio neighbourhood. This ochre red palatial food hall dominates a bustling square lined with cafe terraces, and the elaborate facade declares the 1915 building as the Teatro Italia. Over the years it was first a cinema then a lecture hall for university students. Then, in 2016, the Despar group created what the press christened the most beautiful supermarket in Italy. While these days locals barely bother to look up at the murals, this is a favourite place for tourists to admire the artworks while stocking up for a picnic or for cooking at home. Campiello de lAnconeta, 1939-1952 Carnival costumes Artisan ateliers continue to survive in the backstreets of Cannaregio. Here you will find the Orsoni mosaic furnaces, the Valese metal foundry and Piero Dris wood carving workshop. So it is no surprise that extrovert costume designer Stefano Nicolao chose the ground floor of a grand gothic palazzo on Cannaregios Misericordia canal to open his workshop and showroom, Nicalao Atelier. While this is the perfect place for those looking to rent a costume during carnival, the showroom is worth a visit throughout the year to see his range of clothes and accessories along with the museum-standard collection of 15,000 period costumes meticulously replicated from the Renaissance to the 19th century. Collaborating with cinema and theatre, Nicolao has supplied costumes for movies such as Farinelli, Casanova and the Merchant of Venice. Visits are by appointment and bookable on the website. Fondamenta de la Misericordia, 2590 Screen prints Hidden away far from the crowded tourist spots, the industrial-style workshop of Fiorenzo Fallani offers a fascinating snapshot of the silk-screen printing process. Artists from Italy and abroad come here to have limited-edition prints of their works produced. Fiorenzo founded the studio in 1968 and today it is run by his son Gianpaolo. Half exhibition space, half busy printing presses, Fallani Venezia has a large selection of prints on sale, or you can book one of their courses to try your hand at making a silk-screen print. Cannaregio, 5001/A Textiles Step off the vaporetto water bus at the Grand Canal stop of SantAngelo and a few minutes walk brings you to another architectural gem, Palazzo CaPisani Rubelli, headquarters for the Rubelli family whose luxurious Venetian textiles damask, brocade, velvet, silk are sold all over the world. The sumptuous ground floor hosts a shop and showroom of their current collections, open to the public, while the rest of the building houses the precious archives of 7,000 designs, some stretching back centuries. Rubelli may produce their fabrics around Como, but the designs originate here, inspired by Venices unique art and culture. Fashion enthusiasts and professionals can apply to visit the archives through Rubellis website. Ca Pisani Rubelli, S. Marco, 3393 City leaders including Mayor Daniel Lurie, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, City Attorney David Chiu and others spoke about immigration rights Tuesday at City Hall in San Francisco. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Mayor Daniel Lurie delivers remarks Tuesday during a news conference about immigration in San Francisco. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott delivers remarks Tuesday during an immigration news conference in San Francisco. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle San Francisco immigrant-rights activists and elected officials gathered Tuesday at San Francisco City Hall to rally around the citys sanctuary policies for immigrants after a report emerged of an attempted immigration enforcement action in downtown San Francisco last week. Olga Miranda, president of the SEIU Local 87 union, which represents thousands of janitors in the city, said immigration officials showed up at two buildings downtown on Friday. Federal immigration officials did not confirm the action when asked Monday. But an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official denied that the agency had any involvement in any immigration action. The official was granted anonymity under the Chronicles policy on anonymous sources because they were not authorized to speak on the record. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ICE is one of the agencies under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that carries out federal immigration enforcement actions. Miranda declined to say which buildings were targeted, but said hundreds of her members who clean downtown offices stayed away from work Friday evening. Miranda said federal agents showed up in plainclothes and presented badges that said Department of Homeland Security to building security when asked, after initially being turned away. One set of agents showed up in the late afternoon carrying an arrest warrant for a specific person, but none of her members were arrested, Miranda said. SEIU 87 union chapter President Olga Miranda delivers remarks during an immigration news conference with city leaders Tuesday in San Francisco. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Officials including Mayor Daniel Lurie, City Attorney David Chiu, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, union leaders and the entire Board of Supervisors took turns reiterating their commitment to San Franciscos sanctuary policy, which restricts the citys cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The policy is intended to afford people the confidence to interact with city police and other public safety agencies without fear of their immigration status being called into question. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lurie framed the citys sanctuary policy as a part of his push for improved public safety citywide. Public safety is my first priority, Lurie said from a lectern on the steps of City Hall. That means everyone in the city should feel safe when dealing with law enforcement, he said. Chiu reiterated that the citys limited resources would not be used to assist with immigration enforcement actions, which are a federal responsibility. The purpose of sanctuary laws is to protect public safety and to ensure witnesses and victims of crimes are willing to come forward without fear of their immigration status being called into question, he said. Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, who oversees operations at San Franciscos jails, said his office will alert immigration officers about a persons release date from custody only under very specific circumstances, but he did not immediately elaborate. San Franciscos longstanding sanctuary ordinance prohibits the use of city funds or resources to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration law unless required by federal or state laws. In 2013, the city limited when local law enforcement can give immigration authorities advance notice of a persons release from jail. The city also prohibited local compliance with federal detainer requests to hold people in custody past their release dates so they can be picked up by federal agents and potentially deported unless the inmates had committed serious or violent felonies. Advertisement Article continues below this ad President Trump has vowed to crack down on cities with sanctuary policies, even threatening to prosecute public officials for not cooperating with immigration enforcement. On Monday, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan confirmed immigration enforcement operations recently took place there as well. The San Francisco Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs launched an online hub this week for immigrant services and resources. Activists on Tuesday encouraged community members to report immigration enforcement activity to the citys rapid response line at (415) 200-1548. Miranda, the janitors union president, said this was not the first time her union members had dealt with immigration raids, and that many janitors were swept up in immigration raids during the Obama administration more than a decade ago. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mette Frederiksen spoke alongside Olaf Scholz after visiting Germany. Photograph: dts News Agency Germany/Rex/Shutterstock The Danish prime minister said Europe must stand together in the face of changing relations with the US during a tour of Berlin, Paris and Brussels to shore up support amid Donald Trumps threats over Greenland. After weeks in the spotlight over the US presidents plan to take over the autonomous Danish territory, and days after a reportedly horrendous call with Trump, Mette Frederiksen went on the whistle-stop tour in an attempted show of unity. After meeting the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, who said that borders must not be moved by force, Frederiksen said: I want to ensure that all of Europe stands together. Not only in connection with the kingdom of Denmark but also more broadly. Frederiksen, who also met the French president, Emmanuel Macron, added: Everyone in Europe can see that it will be a different collaboration with the USA now. At least these are the tones we hear from Washington in relation to trade and economic cooperation. What the consequences of that are, we dont know yet. Speaking ahead of her final stop of the day in Brussels, where she planned to meet Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, she also said she was working very, very hard right now to look after Denmarks interests. Regardless of what happens in the USA, Europe must stand stronger in its own right, the Social Democrat leader added. Trump has refused to rule out using military force to take the Arctic island, part of the kingdom of Denmark, which continues to control Greenlands foreign policy and defence. He appeared to double down on his geopolitical ambitions over the weekend, declaring: I think were going to have [Greenland]. He was reported to have threatened Denmark with tariffs. Asked if she would speak to Trump again, Frederiksen said she would not go into concrete calendar gymnastics but added: The dialogue we have with the Americans takes place on several different channels and levels. Related: It should be up to us: Greenlanders on Trump, Denmark and their land At their joint press conference in Berlin on Tuesday, neither Scholz nor Frederiksen mentioned Trump or Greenland, but it seemed clear the issue was on their minds. After speaking about Russias 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine and how inviolability of borders is a fundamental principle of international law, Scholz said: The principle must apply to everyone. I made that clear again from this point a few days ago. Borders must not be moved by force. Switching to English, he added: To whom it may concern. Frederiksen said Europe was facing a more uncertain reality that called for greater cooperation. We need a stronger and more resolute Europe standing increasingly in its own right, capable of defending and promoting Europe and the European interests, she said. We have to take more responsibility for our own security. EU leaders will hold their first summit dedicated to defence next Monday, to discuss funding and new military capabilities. Defence has risen up the agenda since Russias invasion of Ukraine, but the return of Trump, who has previously said he would encourage Russia to attack Nato allies considered not to be paying their fair share, has made the issue more urgent. So far most EU leaders have refrained from commenting directly on Trumps incendiary comments about Greenland, which sources said was a deliberate strategy. A senior EU official said it had been decided not to go for a tit-for-tat because it is not seen as helpful. The official said at this stage instead of escalating it is probably more useful to let Denmark continue to represent itself, but we are totally and fully supportive of them. They added: One of the challenges of the new administration will be the united reply [from the EU] but also to know when to reply, or are we just escalating a confrontation? The previous 24 hours had brought a raft of announcements including on defence and tackling racism against Greenlandic people in Denmark by the Danish government, aimed at appeasing Greenlanders and the US. It has been a challenging January for Frederiksen, as Denmark has been singled out by the US and publicly threatened not just with tariffs but potential military intervention over Greenland. On Sunday night, amid leaks of her reportedly horrendous 45-minute call with the US president, she put on a show of Nordic unity by sharing a photo on social media of a cosy-looking dinner at a kitchen table with the Norwegian prime minister, Jonas Gahr Stre, the Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, and the Finnish president, Alexander Stubb. Among the plans announced by Denmark this week include a 14.6bn krone (1.65bn, $2bn) agreement with Greenland and the Faroe Islands to improve surveillance and sovereignty assertion in the regions. The plans include three new Arctic ships that can carry helicopters and drones, two long-range drones that can acquire detailed images over long distances, and improved satellite capacity to monitor the Arctic and northern Atlantic. Trump has previously ridiculed Denmarks defence plans for Greenland. By boosting spending, Copenhagen will hope to demonstrate that it is capable of defending Greenland. The Danish government said the agreement would also enable more young people in Greenland which has a population of 57,000 to gain skills to take responsibility for preparedness and asserting sovereignty. Another agreement between the parties to strengthen deterrence and defence is expected later in 2025. The Danish government has also announced a plan aimed at tackling racism against Greenlanders. It has said the initiative, which has been years in the making, will allocate an additional 35m DKK over four years. The Inuit Circumpolar Council, the body that represents all Inuit from Alaska, Canada, Chukotka and Greenland, said the last few weeks had shown how important the Arctic was to the international agenda. However, it warned, there was no such thing as the better coloniser. We do not wish to debate which state is better or worse to live in or is a better or worse coloniser, it said in a statement. Rather we want to debate how we improve Inuit lives, livelihoods, wellbeing and self-determination across all our regions. The propaganda unit behind Labour's extremism report The Governments Research, Information and Communications Unit was set up with the aim of providing consistently clear and appropriate communications. But despite its name, Ricu, as it is known, appears anything but transparent, with little of its work made available to the public or politicians. Set up in 2007 by Sir Charles Farr, a former MI6 officer, with the aim to understand and counter terrorist and extremist ideologies, the unit initially comprised representatives from the Home Office, Department for Communities and Local Government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, reporting to ministers across all three departments. The department now sits under the Home Office and is one strand of the Governments counter-extremism strategy, known as Prevent. As of March 2023, it had 22 allocated staff. On Monday, it was revealed that a leaked Home Office report had recommended that police should record more non-crime hate incidents. Ricu was one of its authors, writing an analysis of the policy along with the Home Office Prevent section, and Homeland Security Analysis and Insight. The review called a rapid sprint was ordered by Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, in August last year as part of work to develop a new counter-extremism strategy and was leaked to Policy Exchange, the think tank. While there is minimal information in the public domain about Ricu, its influence on the UK has been clear. Covertly engineer thoughts of people The unit has spent years attempt[ing] to covertly engineer the thoughts of people by providing support to bodies seen as grassroots organisations, Laura Dodsworth, author of A State of Fear, told The Telegraph in 2021 amid concern over the governments use of behavioural psychology on the public during Covid. But the unit had seemingly been using methods like this long before the pandemic. In its first major intervention shortly after its inception in 2007, the unit recommended dropping the phrase war on terror as it was judged to be prone to misinterpretation and has generally been avoided in this country. In 2009, Sir Charles told a Home Affairs Commons committee discussing the governments counter-terror strategy that Ricu had been focused on how you communicate the threat in and through Muslim communities in this country, what language is appropriate and is true to the threat we face but resonates with the communities we need to work with. So, very simply, we do not tend, as we know, to talk about war on terror; we do not intend to talk about Islamic terrorism, not because in certain circumstances that is an inaccurate description but because the language admits of a number of interpretations which are not always helpful to us, he said. Ricu was established in 2007 by Sir Charles Farr, a former MI6 officer - PA Ricu, he said, operated to try to convey to, for example, local authorities, the chief constable, proposals about issues of that kind: how to catch the threat in a way that actually is faithful to the threat we face but, equally, does not alienate the communities we need to work with. He added: I do not want to give the impression that Ricus sole purpose is to communicate with Muslim communities in this country. It is not. I think probably it made sense for us to start there because that was the most difficult communications task. Generally speaking, outside Muslim communities communicating about the threat and about our response to it is a bit easier. But by 2011, the Home Office was forced to admit that Ricus impact had been variable, declaring the need to identify credible partners and develop more professional counter-narrative products in the Prevent report. In 2016, the Guardian reported that Ricu had been using propaganda methods, with covert operations aiming to effect behavioural and attitudinal change in the British public. Ricu was said to be using YouTube, Twitter and Facebook to counter Islamic State propaganda, while outsourcing covert work to an agency whose objective was reportedly to influence online conversations by being embedded within target communities via a network of moderate organisations that are supportive of its [sic] goals. Shawcross review In 2023, Sir William Shawcross, the commissioner for public appointments, published a review of the whole Prevent scheme, which did little to allay concerns over Ricus treatment of Islamist threats. He found the unit to be of particular concern, identifying an inconsistency when it came to the way it viewed Islamism ideology and the extreme Right. He wrote: The bar for what Ricu includes on Islamism looks to be relatively high, whereas the bar for what is included on Extreme Right-Wing is comparably low. Though Ricu had been producing products related to Islamist terrorism, he argued that much of the material covering Extreme Right-Wing falls well below the threshold for even non-violent extremism. Sir William described a 2020 Ricu analysis document on Right-Wing terrorist and extremist activity online which said that books by mainstream British conservative commentators were key cultural nationalist ideological texts. The same document had also contained a list of historic works of Western philosophic and literary canon. Training for staff in the unit had included an essay by the charity Hope Not Hate, which cited the work of Rod Liddle, Melanie Philips and Douglas Murray as contributing to negative views about Islam and Muslims via the pages of mainstream publications. Maybe one reason the traditional far Right is so small right now is because it is simply not needed, the analysis suggested. Far-Right sympathetic audiences Sir Williams report also cited another document from 2019, which discussed a cohort of social media users labelled Actively Patriotic and Proud and listed a prominent Conservative politician and former member of the government as being among figures associated with far-Right sympathetic audiences, and Brexit. Though he did not name the politician at the time, the Mail on Sunday subsequently revealed that it was Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, who condemned Ricu as wasting effort on elected politicians scandalously diverted resources from evil-doers. Sir William concluded that the inconsistency in approach to the ideology of the extreme Right and Islamism risks creating false equivalence in the minds of Prevent practitioners about the scale and nature of the threats from both. In the wake of the Shawcross review, Suella Braverman, the then home secretary, warned that Ricu had failed in its inability to draw distinctions between mainstream Conservative commentary and the extreme Right. People such as my right Hon Friend the Member for North East Somerset (Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg) and Douglas Murray express mainstream, insightful and perfectly decent political views, she said. People may disagree with them, but in no way are they extremists, and Prevent must not risk any perception of disparaging them as such again. Wasting resources Ms Braverman reiterated her concerns to The Telegraph on Monday night, saying it needed to shift its focus towards, not away, from Islamist extremism. As home secretary I voiced concerns about how Ricu was targeting the wrong people and wasting resources on things that posed no threat, she said. Fundamentally, it needs reform so that its main and predominant focus is Islamist extremism, which makes up the vast bulk of MI5s caseload. On Tuesday, Dan Jarvis, the Home Office minister, told MPs in the House of Commons: Islamist extremism, followed by far-Right extremism, are the biggest threats that we face. The Home Secretary set out last week our plans to carry out an end-to-end review of Prevent thresholds on Islamist extremism because we are concerned that referrals are too low and ideology, particularly Islamist extremism, followed by far-Right extremism, continue to be at the heart of our approach to countering extremism and countering terrorism. Dont pretend Islamism isnt the main threat By Andrew Gilligan It is perhaps the most serious issue there is, fundamental to our national security, the stability of our towns and cities, the safety of the public and the health of our democracy. But after the last, roller-coaster 24 hours, Britains policy on extremism is best described as extremely confused. In August, Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, announced a rapid analytical sprint to underpin a new strategic approach to countering extremism from Government. When my think-tank, Policy Exchange, was leaked the analysis paper, the capping paper, and the full recommendations of this exercise, I knew it was devastating. The papers were a concerted attempt to downplay the importance of Islamism, which accounts for 94 per cent of all deaths from terrorism in Great Britain since 1999, about 88 per cent of all injuries, 80 per cent of the polices counter-terror workload last year and 75 per cent of MI5s. Islamism, too, unlike any other form of extremism, controls or influences significant numbers of institutions in Britain some mosques, private schools, charities, community media outlets and pressure groups, though it can never be stressed enough that the vast majority of British Muslims are not Islamists or extremists. None of this was even mentioned in the analytical sprint. Instead, it gave us a vast constellation of supposed extremisms, Islamism merely one among many, including spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories, an interest in gore or extreme violence, misogyny, or involvement in an online subculture called the manosphere. Responding to the leak, Dan Jarvis, the security minister, said the sprint document did not recommend an expansion in the definition of extremism and there are not and have never been any plans to do so. This was misleading: the document in fact recommended not having a definition at all, wider or otherwise. It instead said we should treat as extremist a much wider range of behaviours, even though it itself admitted that many who display those behaviours are not extremist. One behaviour the documents define as extremist is making claims of two-tier policing. But two-tier policing has at some places and times in this country been a matter of fact most obviously in the grooming scandal, where as official enquiries found the police would have acted quite differently had the perpetrators been white or the victims middle-class. Another of the sprints recommendations was to reverse protections brought in by the last government against the recording of non-crime hate incidents, where people were placed on a police database simply because someone disliked what they said. The risk to democratic debate and freedom of expression is obvious, but there are other dangers too. It could swamp already stretched counter-extremism staff and counter-terror police with thousands of new cases, increasing the risk that genuinely dangerous individuals are missed. And it will not even protect those it is intended to help. Quite the reverse. In the unlikely event that I ever get to write a government extremism review, its first principle would be something like: dont pretend. Dont pretend that Islamism isnt the main threat because you dont want to upset the Muslim Council of Britain. Face issues frankly and honestly, no matter how unpalatable or sensitive they are. Instead, the instinct, as in the grooming cases and still in this review, is so often to deny, or suppress. Thousands of innocent, law-abiding Pakistani men in Rotherham and elsewhere have been appallingly served by this approach, smeared by the far-Right in a way that wouldnt have been possible if the behaviour of the criminal minority had been honestly faced up to by the authorities in the first place. The same goes for Southport: the widespread national disorder after that terrible crime was caused in part by the authorities not being open enough, quickly enough, about the attack and the defendant. Last week, the Prime Minister claimed that Southport proved terrorism has changed and that Britain now faces a new threat. acts of extreme violence perpetrated by loners, misfits, young men in their bedrooms, accessing all manner of material online, desperate for notoriety. Southport is almost certainly why the leaked review talked about behaviours, rather than ideologies. But this week, in response to the outrage caused by the leak, Jarvis said the Government did believe that Islamism was the main threat after all, and that countering anti-democratic ideologies continues to be at the heart of our approach. Which is it to be? The Government has got itself into a mess: trying to crowbar cases like Southport, where the killer had no identifiable ideology, into a counter-extremism system which ought to be about defending the security of the country, its democracy, its values and its institutions against those, and only those, whose beliefs and acts intentionally threaten them. Maybe there needs to be a non-extremist version of Prevent for non-political criminals. But Axel Rudakubana had come to the attention of the authorities, showing them he was plainly dangerous, as many as 15 times over several years before he killed anyone. In a more operationally effective police and justice system, action ought to have been taken against him sooner, even without having to first label him as an extremist. This is not, of course, the first time this Government has been all over the place on something important. (Do they believe in growing the economy, or do they believe in higher taxes and making it easier to strike?) But extremism and security could be the most consequential example of its inability to make up its mind. Underworld figure and professional boxer Suleiman Sam Abdulrahim reportedly had multiple bounties on his life. Photograph: Diego Fedele/AAP High-profile gangland figure Suleiman the Punisher Abdulrahim has been shot and killed. He was shot in the underground car park of the Quest serviced apartments building on High Street in Preston in Melbournes inner-north about 10.30am on Tuesday, police say. He died at the scene. Homicide squad detectives are investigating and have not confirmed the mans identity but say they believe it was targeted. Abdulrahim is understood to have had multiple bounties on his life. Homicide squad Det Insp Dean Thomas said that while the body was yet to be formally identified, it was believed Abdulrahim was the victim. He said Abdulrahim was with his girlfriend when the shooting occurred and that she had spoken with police. Shes doing the very best she can, youve got to appreciate shes been through a very traumatic situation seeing her boyfriend shot and killed, shes rendered assistance to him, Thomas said. Threats had been made against Abdulrahim since 2016 and Thomas said police previously spoke with him about his safety. We had nothing at this stage to suggest there was a live threat that was imminent, because if we did we would have done what we could to share that information with him, he said. He was provided with options [by police in the past] and theyre matters which we wont share. Thomas said investigators would try to establish how it was known that Abdulrahim was staying at the apartments, given he had only moved there in the previous 24 to 48 hours. Police recovered bullet casings from the scene, he said. He urged Abdulrahims family and friends to work with us to identify those responsible so they can be held to account, saying the full weight of the police force would be involved in the investigation. This would include taskforce Lunar, which was established to probe violence linked to the illicit tobacco trade. We will work out who it is, and we will hold those people responsible, whether thats tomorrow or in the coming days, Thomas said. Victoria Police have cordoned off the area near the apartments. Police also said that a car fire in Reservoir just after 10.30am near the intersection of Northernhay and Alexandra streets was believed to be linked to the shooting. The car was a white Porsche SUV. An associate of Abdulrahim posted a tribute on social media. It is with great sadness that our dear brother Sam Abdulrahim has tragically passed away and returned to his Lord, the associate posted to Facebook. May Allah have mercy on his soul, forgive his sins and give his family patience and strength. Abdulrahim, a professional boxer and former Mongols bikie, survived a shooting in suburban Melbourne in May last year, which came two years after a murder attempt outside a cemetery. Like other prominent gangland figures recently killed in Melbourne, there was no shortage of people who wanted Abdulrahim dead, nor secret that they were willing to pay for it. The 32-year-old, who was known as Sam but whose real name was Suleiman, was not considered by authorities to be someone with significant influence. But his criminal history was far from unusual: he recorded convictions as a youth offender in his teens, before becoming more involved in serious offending including brawls and gun offences in his 20s. In 2018, he was sentenced to more than three years in prison for culpable driving causing death and charges relating to possession of a drug of dependence. The parole board ordered that he be released the next year. But three months later, on the basis of police intelligence that he was the suspected target in three recent shootings, the board cancelled his parole. The board considered that the safety and protection of the community was paramount, the supreme court later found. The parole board decision was overturned in court later in 2019. The court also found that Abdulrahim was in detention for 72 days, spent 35 days in solitary confinement, and was deprived of various privileges, because of the suspicion he was in danger. He was also hit in the back of the head with a rock during this time in prison. Abdulrahim was believed to have several business interests, including in gyms, tattoo studios, and nail salons, many of which had been shot at or targeted in arson attacks. Anyone who witnessed Tuesdays shooting or fire or has dashcam/CCTV footage, or any information was urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Dan Jarvis, accompanied by Keir Mather: a bored teen dragged to work by his father Ive seen a transcript of Trumps first phone call to Keir Starmer: Hello Keith, hows the Queen? Listen, I want to take the Chagos Islands off your hands for $50. The PM thought it through. Tempting, he said, but we cant afford $50. I dont know how this top secret stuff leaks out such as the Home Office report on extremism that fell in the lap of Policy Exchange. The Tories asked a question in the House, noting that it sought to expand the definition of extremism to cover obsession with misogyny, conspiracy theories, even the environment. Minister Dan Jarvis, accompanied by young Keir Mather a bored teen dragged to work by his father; the child never speaks said the Government had dismissed the advice, so the subject was moot. His backbenchers suggested that even asking about extremism is itself an act of extremism, dragging the Tories into a mire of populism that can only undermine our national security. Thats the Left all over. First they ruin the country, then they call us unpatriotic for complaining about it. Jarvis has mastered the Starmer method of sighing sadly at criticism, as if Labour had been such team players in opposition, and lecturing us dum-dums on the law. The biggest concerns remained Islamism, he said, and the far-Right, but there was a new danger of mixed and confused ideology we have to address. Im sure we can all agree there is no place for extremism in our society. Really? The House is full of it: Jeremy Corbyn sat two Gaza independents down from Traditional Unionist Voice. As for mixed and confused ideology, so-called Liberal Democrats denounced the exercise of free speech on social media, claiming it promotes misogyny and anti-feminism (a lot of people assume @KamalaHarris is a parody account run by the most appalling bigot). Spreading division Pete Wishart of the SNP condemned those who spread division, even though he literally wants to destroy the Union, and defended the honour of radical greens. Jeremys independents said Muslims were unfairly targeted by Prevent. In short, one mans extremist is another mans concerned voter and, as Des Swayne asked, why should anyone, of any political stripe, be harassed by the fuzz when they havent broken the law? Others might say its extreme to tolerate rape gangs, bomb countries that pose no threat, or lock up society to protect the almost-dead from Covid. Speaking of elsewhere a panel of MPs discussed whether or not to legalise killing on the NHS, and as the details of the Leadbeater Bill became vaguer will a doctor be present? What happens if death is slow? Will a clinician finish us off? they smiled and nodded and no doubt congratulated themselves on their reasonableness. The British are too polite. Slaves to convention; suckers for a consensus, whatever its contradictions. By the logic of our ever-expanding definition of extremism, if Donald Trump does visit our country, I wouldnt put it past some feminist Met officer to attempt to arrest him. Good luck, sweetheart: the Democrats have tried to lock me up five times. And hes still walking around, spinning heads. Common mussels off the coast of Galicia, Spain. Photograph: www.seaphotoart.com/Getty Images/iStockphoto A catastrophic collapse in shellfish numbers is being reported by Spanish fishers in Galicia, with some stocks falling by as much as 90% in the space of a few years. Galicia is Europes principal source of shellfish and, after China, the worlds biggest producer of mussels, which are farmed in the estuaries. But figures published by a fishing website this month reveal an alarming decline in cockles and clams, which are collected by hand at low tide, as well as mussels, which are farmed on ropes strung from wooden rafts known as bateas. In 2023 the crop of cockles fell by 80% compared with the previous year, while some varieties of clams fell by 78%. Mussel production last year was the lowest in a quarter of a century, falling from 250,000 tonnes in 2021 to 178,000 last year. Maria del Carmen Besada Meis, who heads the San Martino fishers association in the Ria de Arousa, one of the principal sources of shellfish in the region, believes that climate change is the culprit, thanks in part to the recent torrential rains that have reduced the salinity of the rias. Over the past two years rainfall has been well above the average. But we dont have enough concrete evidence and what wed like is for someone to come and do some proper research so that we know whats behind this and what we can do about it, she says. Related: We ask to be recognised: small fishers claim 12bn EU fund favours big players Were marisqueros (shell fishers) and we dont know what the solution is, which is why need scientists to help us with this, says Besada Meis. The government needs to put some money on the table for this research. But the other factor behind the collapse in stocks is pollution, according to Marta Martin-Borregon, responsible for oceans at Greenpeace, Spain, who describes the latest figures as catastrophic. The biggest cause is pollution from waste discharged into the estuary, from agriculture and from factories, such as the fish canneries, she says. There are also plans to reopen the nearby Touro-Pino copper mine, which will potentially create more waste, while there is widespread opposition to a proposal to build a huge cellulose plant in the region which, according to Greenpeace, would consume 46,000 cubic metres of water a day, the equivalent of the entire surrounding province of Lugo. The Galician water company says that waste is dumped into the sea more than 2,000 times a year, of which 10% exceeds legal toxicity limits. While Martin-Borregon says there is an urgent need to clean up the rias, she agrees that the key factor is climate change. The waters of the rias are normally cold and the currents bring a lot of nutrients. With warming seas there are species of shellfish that cant thrive in warm water, she says. This is especially the case with mussels and as the temperatures rise the shellfish industry is moving closer towards collapse. Another factor that reduces salinity, in addition to heavy rains, is when the dams are opened at low tide, flooding the rias with fresh water, causing massive mortality among bivalves, cockles in particular. The warmer waters also attract invasive species, notably the blue crab, native of the western Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, which is a voracious consumer of local species such as spider crabs and velvet crabs, both of which have a high market value. The only chink of light is that oyster production has increased slightly, but otherwise the outlook is grim. We cant make a living like this, says Besada Meis. We carry on working but were living on social security. NHS uniform - Peter Dazeley/Getty Images The NHS has been told by a watchdog to stop confusing the terms sex and gender in official data. NHS England was accused of conflating the two terms in its staff survey, which asked about gender discrimination and whether a persons gender had an impact on career progression, rather than their sex. The complaint by the Sex Equality and Equity Network for NHS employees (SEEN in Health) said it had been inundated with concerns from employees about the data being collected from the health services 1.5 million staff. Some staff are understood to have boycotted the data collection because of concerns about its accuracy. The tangling of sex and gender throughout means analysts will be unable to determine progress made to reduce sexual harassment towards women, SEEN in Health said. The UK Government defines sex as referring to the biological aspects of an individual while gender is where an individual may see themselves as a man, a woman, as having no gender, or as having a nonbinary gender. The Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), the stats watchdog, has agreed that the NHS must improve the clarity in its survey for 2025, in a letter seen by The Telegraph. Ed Humpherson, the director general for regulation at the OSR, wrote: We consider that NHS England should look to provide clearer guidance and definitions to both survey respondents and data users in future surveys. In one question, NHS staff were asked: Does your organisation act fairly with regard to career progression/promotion, regardless of ethnic background, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or age? But it failed to list all protected characteristics under the Equality Act, which includes sex or gender reassignment, despite previous staff surveys indicating high rates of sexual harassment of women, SEEN in Health said. The network also said it failed to ask the respondent if they have experienced sex discrimination, despite the NHS introducing the Sexual Safety in Healthcare charter [last] year. As with the previous question gender has no legal basis and the NHS cannot assume that all respondents will understand that gender, in this instance, presumably refers to sex, it said. Unwanted behaviour The next question asked about staffs experiences of unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature, but the group argued the previous conflation and errors in use of the terms meant it would not give an accurate picture of progress made to reduce sexual harassment towards women. Further questions ask staff for information on the gender that best describes them, with the critics saying the survey also compels, by way of not including an option to state do not have a gender identity in 27a, respondents to acknowledge a belief they may not have. The NHS uses the data collections to inform its internal activity including recruitment and communications, such as through the establishment and promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion teams and their work. Mr Humpherson said while the official statistics could not be declassified because they had not been accredited and that it was not within the OSR remit to determine their legality, the concerns could be escalated to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. He said the OSR agree that there is scope for NHS England to be clearer about which concept the survey is aiming to collect and that a lack of clarity could result in the distinct concepts of sex and gender identity being conflated. The OSR last year set out its own updated guidance on the collection of gender identity data. The results from the 2024 edition of the NHS questionnaire, which reveals insights into staff morale, workload, and pressure, as well as issues such as bullying, discrimination and harassment, are yet to be published. The OSR said NHS England had agreed to review the terminology it would use in its 2025 survey. Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at human-rights charity Sex Matters, said: Yet again we see people who should know better describing this as a complex and evolving area. The simple reality is that everyone is either male or female, no matter what they feel or say about their identity. Everyone knows what sex they are, and when data about sex is needed, its perfectly reasonable to ask a straight question and expect an honest answer. This is the approach that all public authorities should take in order to restore accuracy and robustness to official statistics across the board. NHS England was asked for comment. Terminally ill patients could choose assisted dying due to the lack of palliative care, a senior nursing chief has admitted. The head of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) told Kim Leadbeaters Bill committee that it could be possible that patients might choose assisted dying because of inadequate palliative care. Prof Nicola Ranger, general secretary of the RCN, told MPs that palliative care was not as good as it needs to be. During Tuesdays evidence session, Prof Ranger was asked by Danny Kruger, a Conservative MP: So it could be possible that somebody is requesting assisted dying because of the absence of adequate palliative care? She responded: I think when you put it in a question like that, it could be possible, but what we would want to strive to do is have a system that doesnt leave anyone in distress. The admission was one of several moments on the first day of evidence highlighting the complexities of implementing assisted dying. Prof Sir Chris Whitty, Englands chief medical officer, warned MPs that implementing this legislation was best not done at speed if you can avoid it. Sir Chris warned MPs that implementing the legislation was best not done at speed if you can avoid it - House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire Ms Leadbeaters Bill stipulates that the assisted dying service must be set up and running within two years of being passed by Parliament. But Sir Chris told the committee that it would be necessary to have training for people to be able to do this in an appropriate and dignified way, if thats what Parliament chooses. He said: I think that what we would want to do is to have the time to do that, but you can do things at speed, if you need to. My view is this is something which is best not done at speed if you can avoid it. The Chief Medical Officer also raised how difficult it could be for doctors to predict when someone who was terminally ill was going to die. Asked if there could be a list of conditions, Sir Chris told MPs: If Im honest, I think it would be extremely difficult. The committee also heard from a palliative care doctor with a decade of experience, who said she was opposed not on principle, but because she believed palliative care provision hindered free choice. Dr Rachel Clarke said: The real-world conditions of the NHS today are such that peoples suffering means occasionally they will beg me to end their life, and I know that that begging is coming not from, for example, the cancer per se, but because theyve actually not been getting any adequate pain relief. And once you start to provide proper palliative care, very often that changes. Experts were almost unanimous in agreeing that the current provision in Ms Leadbeaters Bill for a High Court judge to sign off on every assisted death was impractical. Sir Nicholas Mostyn, a former High Court judge, told MPs that under current estimates, there could be around 6,000 assisted deaths a year in the UK. He pointed out that if judges took two hours to process each case, that would create 12,000 hours of work. Well, each High Court judge does 1,000 hours in court, so youre talking about over nearly three-quarters of the entire family division doing nothing but this. So it is impossible in my opinion for this to be done by the High Court, he said. Sir Nicholas estimated there could be around 6,000 assisted deaths a year in the UK - House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire Sir Nicholas, who retired from the bench after being diagnosed with Parkinsons, proposed a multi-disciplinary panel might be better placed to approve cases, even suggesting there might be a role for retired judges in assessing cases. A collective approach to decision-making was also advocated by palliative care staff giving evidence, including Glyn Berry, co-chair at the Association of Palliative Care Social Workers. Ms Berry told MPs that social workers, who were very familiar with the economic and social pressures on dying people, and who could help patients understand what healthcare options were available to them, must be given a role in the assisted dying process. She warned: What we would hate to see which is happening already in other countries where the system of assisted dying is already in place is that people say that they dont have an option other than to apply for it because they dont know what else may be out there for them. Meanwhile, a senior police officer warned Scotland could become the destination of choice for English people wanting an assisted death as a result of a less rigorous process and a lower age limit. Asst Chief Constable Steve Johnson warned that differences between the assisted dying bills being considered at Holyrood and Westminster could make Scotland an attractive place to come. The Police Scotland officer highlighted how the Holyrood legislation would allow people aged 16 and over to seek an assisted death, while the proposed lower age limit south of the border is 18. He also noted that the Westminster Bill for England and Wales had an extra stage for an assisted death to proceed, requiring approval from the High Court, whereas the Scottish version left the decision entirely in the hands of doctors. Oral evidence sessions for Ms Leadbeaters Bill will continue on Wednesday and Thursday, with MPs hearing from academics and families of patients. 05:40 PM GMT Thats all for today... Thank you for joining us for todays live blog. 05:39 PM GMT MPs vote against hearing from groups representing the elderly and disabled At the end of the committee, Labour MP Naz Shah puts forward an amendment to allow the committee to hear from two charities representing domestic violence victims. But Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA) and Hourglass, the UKs only charity supporting older abuse victims, are voted down by the committee and prevented from giving evidence. 05:07 PM GMT Bill committee is cautioned about putting too many restrictions on assisted dying Doctors who practice assisted dying in California, Washington and Oregon caution the Bill committee from putting too many restrictions on the service. Dr Jessica Kaan, from Washington, DC, tells MPs that having a requirement for a High Court judge to sign off on every assisted death is concerning. She explains: I think thats really going to limit access to this. I think that makes this process a much lengthier process. Dr Kaan says that patients are looking to shorten their death, not shorten their life, and having to go through a court appeal, in addition to two qualified physicians having to do it and a waiting period, I think that you are going to limit access to people who desperately do want this option. Dr Ryan Spielvogel, from California, says he would strongly recommend that the UK assisted dying law does not prevent doctors from raising the issue of assisted dying. He says that, despite the fact no such ban was included in legislation in his state, everyone thought it was for a few years and this really limited our practice. That turned out not actually to be in our law, but Ill tell you, that idea really, really hampered our ability to take care of patients, and so I would strongly recommend that there not be anything like that in your Bill. 04:59 PM GMT American medics tell MPs that feeling a burden comes up relatively frequently American medics tell MPs that feeling a burden to family and friends comes up relatively frequently in the list of reasons why people seek assisted death. Dr Ryan Spielvogel, said that people often feel a burden on family in general. He says that feeling like a burden is something that comes up relatively frequently. Dr Jessica Kaan, a medic from Washington, DC, adds: It is common that amongst the list of things that people mention as reasons. They may mention not wanting to be a burden on their families or not wanting to put their families through an onerous and prolonged dying process. 04:42 PM GMT A Californian doctor tells MPs that coercion doesnt happen in assisted dying Dr Ryan Spielvogel, senior medical director for aid in dying at Sutter Health, California, seeks to reassure the committee about concerns over undue influence on people seeking assisted death. He tells MPs: In terms of coercion, I understand the concern. It is a very valid concern that people have. But Ill tell you, in practice, it just doesnt happen. Dr Spielvogel adds: I have never seen a case even where I suspected coercion. People are just not that good of actors. We get the family out of the room. We dig deep into their concerns and their justifications and reasoning behind their choices, and it is often extremely crystal clear when you are speaking to someone who is suffering from some terminal illness, they are very focused on their symptoms, they are very focused on their quality of life, they are very focused on their suffering, I dont ever get the sense from them that their family or their doctors or anybody is coercing them into the decision. The doctor says what he actually sees is the opposite, with families coercing people out of a decision to opt for an assisted death. If anything, Ive seen it many times the other way around the patient is really ready to let go and the family is really not ready to let go, and the family puts up varying degrees of roadblocks to the patient accessing assisted dying. So, Ive seen many cases of people being coerced out of it. Ive never seen someone being coerced into it. 04:29 PM GMT Sir Max Hill suggests using retired judges for assisted dying panel Sir Max Hill suggests getting retired judges to sit on a panel with doctors to rule on assisted dying cases. The former DPP said: I of course listen to and accept the question of pressure on the justice system generally, and that is something that is to be concerned about because we want something that is workable. He added that he thought a panel is the way to go, saying: I do wonder about the recently retired judiciary and the role that they could play under a replacement panel system. 04:15 PM GMT Sir Nicholas Mostyn suggests he changed his mind about Strasbourg legal challenge A former High Court judge suggested he had changed his mind about the possibility of a successful Strasbourg legal challenge expanding the Bill. A key concern around the assisted dying Bill is that it appears to discriminate against people who are not terminally ill, and that a legal challenge could be brought under the ECHR which could ultimately lead to it being widened, raising fears of a slippery slope. Barrister Alex Ruck Keene KC told the MPs theres no way to prevent challenges under the ECHR, but legal experts disagreed over whether such a claim would succeed. After Mr Ruck Keene pointed out that there hasnt been a case in the ECHR to test whether the law could be widened, Sir Nicholas told MPs he agreed, and had changed his mind. Mr Ruck Keene said: I really hate to get into this with such eminent lawyers. [But] there hasnt been a case in Strasbourg seeking to say that a limited class of case is discriminated [against]. So we just dont know. Hearing this, the former High Court judge replied: I agree. Ive changed my mind twice about the subject. 04:03 PM GMT People with Parkinsons are never going to get the six-month ticket, says Sir Nicholas Mostyn People with Parkinsons are never going to get the six-month ticket, says Sir Nicholas Mostyn. The former High Court judge says that a limitation of the Bill is the arbitrary six-month period it imposes on those who wish to die. Under the new Bill, it is only adults expected to die within six months who would be eligible for assisted dying. Speaking about someone with Parkinsons, he said: If a doctor opines conscientiously and honestly, you will never get that six month ticket. Thats the problem. He added that it would exclude neurodegenerative conditions from the debate. 03:49 PM GMT Impossible for High Court judges to rule on all assisted dying cases A former High Court judge said it would be impossible for High Court judges to rule on all assisted dying cases, proposing a Spanish-style specialist panel instead. Sir Nicholas Mostyn pointed out that, under current estimates, there could be around 6,000 assisted deaths a year in the UK. He pointed out that if judges take two hours to process each case, that would create 12,000 hours of work. Well, each High Court judge does 1,000 hours in court, so youre talking about over nearly three quarters of the entire family division doing nothing but this. So it is impossible in my opinion for this to be done by the High Court, he said. Instead the retired judge said that cases should be decided in the Spanish way by a panel made up of a doctor and a lawyer appointed by the regulator. I believe that an ad hoc system like that, the doctor and a lawyer doing the check, would be the best way of doing it, because the High Court, trust me, I have just come from there, has not got the capacity to deal with 6,000 cases of [assisted dying], he said. 03:43 PM GMT Assisted dying Bill will prevent coercion, says former director of public prosecutions Sir Max Hill, former director of public prosecutions (DPP), says that the new assisted dying Bill will prevent coercion. He says that as DPP 27 suicide cases investigated as assisted suicide came across his desk, but that he only made the decision to prosecute one of those cases. That was an individual who was 19 years of age encouraging another teenager to end their life and that was a correct and successful prosecution, he says. He says that it will still be possible to prosecute for murder in those cases where it is clear that an individuals life had been brought to an end against their will. He suggests the coercion offences created in the Bill would be a significant advance. The major advantage of this Bill is that scrutiny will be before death and in the case of coercion, prosecutions can and Im sure will be brought. 03:15 PM GMT First afternoon evidence session concludes The first evidence session of this afternoon has now concluded. Up next are Sir Max Hill, former director of public prosecutions, Sir Nicholas Mostyn, former High Court judge, and Alex Ruck Keene KC. I am now handing over to my colleague Natasha Leake who will be here to guide you through the rest of todays evidence. 02:57 PM GMT Palliative care is inadequate due to chronic underfunding, says expert A palliative care expert questioned the wisdom of introducing assisted dying at a time when palliative care is not as good as it should be. Dr Sarah Cox, president of the Association for Palliative Medicine, told MPs: I think the position that we would ask you to consider is, is this the right time to be bringing in a law to give people a choice for assisted dying when they dont have a choice to have good palliative care. She said palliative care across the country may well have improved over the last 10 years but there has been chronic underfunding of palliative care and the current standard is inadequate. 02:46 PM GMT Palliative care expert really concerned by proposed assisted dying process Dr Sarah Cox, president of the Association for Palliative Medicine, expressed numerous concerns about the way in which the assisted dying law could work. She said that you cant always identify coercion because it can be very subtle. She also questioned the wisdom of having just two doctors making the decision, as set out in the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. She said: The other thing that concerns me is that we are putting all of these assessments on the shoulders of two doctors, individually, followed up by a High Court judge when in any other clinical practice when we are making very serious decisions we know that shared decisions are much better quality and much more robust and much safer and in clinical practice we make all of these decisions in multi-professional teams. So I would never make these decisions independently of my team because the perspective they bring can help me to understand things that I am not seeing. I think that is the thing that I think I am really concerned about is how is it possible for these doctors, even with training, to have a good understanding of all illnesses in order that they can identify prognosis how is it possible for them to really understand capacity when capacity is not an absolute, it does change The Bill could see terminally ill adults in England and Wales with under six months to live legally allowed to end their lives, subject to approval by two doctors and a High Court judge. 02:35 PM GMT Expert: Doctors should have five years experience before taking part in assisted dying process Dr Sam Ahmedzai, a palliative care specialist, suggested doctors should be five years into their careers before they are allowed to take part in the assisted dying process. He said: I just felt it was self-evident that you would want doctors who are experienced. Three years, five years, whatever, post-qualification who actually have seen real life and it is up to the medical associations to stipulate how much. But I wouldnt like the idea that a doctor immediately having got their certificate of training is going off making these kinds of decisions. That is why I suggested that ball park figure. 02:27 PM GMT Assisted dying impedes development of palliative care, expert tells MPs Dr Sarah Cox, president of the Association for Palliative Medicine, said while there was evidence to support the introduction of assisted dying had improved palliative care in those countries - services had improved by three times in those which had not. She said a recent study had looked at countries over the last 10 years which offer assisted dying and the impact on palliative care. What that more recent evidence shows is that although palliative care services have improved in those countries where assisted dying has been implemented, they have improved three times better in countries where assisted dying has not been implemented, she said. So the evidence from that study shows that actually the implementation of assisted dying is impeding the development of palliative care services. 02:20 PM GMT Palliative care improves in countries with assisted dying laws, expert tells MPs Dr Sam Ahmedzai, a palliative care specialist, said in countries where some form of assisted dying had been introduced, end of life care had actually improved. He said that there is clear evidence that palliative care is becoming more available in those areas. He told MPs: I am reassured that actually bringing in some form of assisted dying, particularly the form that is proposed here, would be a boost to palliative care 02:10 PM GMT Sue Ryder chief: There are clearly gaps in palliative care provision James Sanderson, CEO at the Sue Ryder end of life care charity, was asked if he believed palliative care services across the country were fit for purpose. He told MPs that he believed there are clearly gaps in the provision and it was quite patchy in different parts of the country. However, he also said he believed that broadly what is offered across England and Wales is exceptional and we are actually leaders in many ways across the world in how people are supported at the end of their lives. 02:05 PM GMT MPs told current palliative care provision doesnt offer patients a choice James Sanderson, CEO at the Sue Ryder end of life care charity, said it had adopted a neutral position on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Dr Sarah Cox, president at the Association for Palliative Medicine, said that approximately 80 per cent of its members were opposed to legalisation of assisted dying while just 5 per cent were in favour. She said one of the reasons why some members were opposed to the move was the inadequate current provision of palliative care which doesnt offer patients a choice. 02:00 PM GMT Afternoon evidence session now under way The afternoon session of todays Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill committee is now under way. The first set of expert witnesses are: Dr Sarah Cox, president at the Association for Palliative Medicine, James Sanderson, CEO at the Sue Ryder end of life care charity, Dr Sam Ahmedzai, a palliative care specialist, and Dr Rachel Clarke, a palliative care doctor. You can watch the session live using the stream at the top of the page. 01:31 PM GMT Who is giving evidence to MPs on assisted dying this afternoon? Here is the list of expert witnesses due to give evidence to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill committee this afternoon: 2pm: Dr Sarah Cox, president at the Association for Palliative Medicine, James Sanderson, CEO at Sue Ryder, Dr Sam Ahmedzai, and Dr Rachel Clarke. 3.15pm: Sir Max Hill, former director of public prosecutions, Sir Nicholas Mostyn, former High Court judge, barrister Alex Ruck Keene KC. 4.15pm: Dr Ryan Spielvogel, Californian doctor in favour of assisted dying, Dr Jessica Kaan, Washington DC, doctor who works on assisted dying. 01:14 PM GMT Telegraph readers react to Chris Whittys comments on assisted dying Professor Chris Whitty told MPs this morning that as Englands chief medical officer he was completely neutral on legalising assisted dying. He also said that if it is to be legalised, the roll out of the service must not be rushed. Telegraph readers have been reacting to Sir Chriss remarks in the comment section of todays live blog: 11:34 AM GMT Morning session concludes, MPs to return at 2pm The third evidence session of the morning has now concluded. MPs on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill committee will now take a break before returning to grill more witnesses this afternoon. The next session is due to get under way at 2pm. The next witnesses are due to be: Dr Sarah Cox, president at the Association for Palliative Medicine, James Sanderson, CEO at Sue Ryder, Dr Sam Ahmedzai, a palliative care specialist, and Dr Rachel Clarke, a palliative care doctor. I will be back at 2pm with my colleague Natasha Leake to bring you the latest updates. 11:26 AM GMT Separate assisted dying from rest of NHS to avoid patients feeling pressured, suggests nursing chief Assisted dying must not become just another pathway within the NHS because patients could feel pressured into going down that route, the general secretary at the Royal College of Nursing has suggested. Professor Nicola Ranger had earlier told MPs that assisted dying should be separated away from normal NHS care pathways (see the post below at 11.05). She told MPs: It has got to be something you actively seek and opt into. How that is completely administered I think if I am honest I think probably requires more thought. But what I wouldnt want to see is it becomes an expectation of a pathway because then I think the pressure on the individual may change and that is a safeguard that I think we need to guard against. But I am worried that you dont want to make it so bureaucratic for the individual that it becomes just absolutely impossible to actually have your autonomy respected. 11:13 AM GMT Nurses will need to be very vigilant to identify potential coercion, says nursing chief Nurses will need more support and extra training to be an effective part of the assisted dying process, the general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing said. Professor Nicola Ranger was asked if she believed nurses would have the ability to identify potential cases of coercion and if they would need more training. She told MPs: We would want more support, so I am not going to say that we dont always get it right because sometimes things happen and we miss them or we dont report but when it talks about education and training for medical staff within the assisted dying Bill, it is absolutely vital that nursing staff are included in that because we will need to be very vigilant around anyone feeling that they are a burden. I think that this Bill would add other skills that we would want to make sure that nurses were included in that education for medical staff, it is absolutely pertinent for nursing staff so they build on the skills they already have because there will be a difference between the care of someone wanting assisted dying and palliative care. They are two slightly different skills. I think it is really important that those are always not lumped together and actually if you are involved in assisted dying that is a specialist skill that will require specialist training and we would very, very much want nursing to be included within that. 11:05 AM GMT Assisted dying service should be separated away from normal NHS, says nursing chief The general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing said the assisted dying process should be separated away from the normal clinical care of the NHS. Professor Nicola Ranger told MPs: I absolutely agree with what was said earlier. You would want anyone that is considering assisted dying to be slightly separated out of their normal clinical pathway, so not part of mainstream care for someone in a hospital or in an organisation. So there is something really important about separating that out both in the discussions around decision making and any care involved in assisting them to die. She added: You wouldnt really want any clinician to push this view on any patient. It has to come from the person themselves. Prof Ranger also admitted it could be possible that patients choose assisted dying because adequate palliative care is not available. Conservative MP Danny Kruger asked her: So it could be possible that somebody is requesting assisted dying because of the absence of adequate palliative care? Prof Ranger replied: I think when you put it in a question like that, it could be possible, but what we would want to strive to do is have a system that doesnt leave anyone in distress. 11:00 AM GMT Social workers must not be excluded from assisted dying decisions, says APCSW chief Glyn Berry, co-chair at the Association of Palliative Care Social Workers (APCSW), said social workers must be given a big role in the assisted dying process as she warned against solely focusing on clinicians. She told MPs: We dont feel that the decision and assessment should be primarily all on the shoulders of the health professional, the clinician. Some clinicians are fantastic with assessing capacity and being aware of the safeguarding aspects of situations. But not all are. We feel that our expertise lays in that particular area Ms Berry said that social workers could understand some things which clinicians may not. She explained: If their decision to take their life is based on the fact that they havent got secure housing, their benefits or finances are all over the place, they dont want to be a burden on their friends or family, or indeed have nobody at all, those are areas that are very, very familiar to us and what we do on a daily practice. Therefore we feel we are well-placed to be in that position of supporting the clinicians in the whole process. 10:47 AM GMT Second evidence session finishes That section of todays evidence session has now finished. Up next: Glyn Berry, co-chair at the Association of Palliative Care Social Workers (APCSW), and professor Nicola Ranger, chief executive and general secretary at the Royal College of Nursing. 10:43 AM GMT BMA chief: Doctors must be able to opt out of assisted dying care Doctors should not be forced to take part in the assisted dying process, the chair of the BMA Medical Ethics Committee told MPs. Dr Andrew Green said that doctors should be able to opt out of any stage of this. He had been asked if he believed some doctors could be reluctant to give a patient a prognosis of fewer than six months left to live because they may not want the patient to go down the path of assisted dying. The Bill could see terminally ill adults in England and Wales with under six months to live legally allowed to end their lives, subject to approval by two doctors and a High Court judge. 10:35 AM GMT Doctors should not recommend assisted dying if it is legalised, says BMA chief Dr Andrew Green, chair of the BMA Medical Ethics Committee, said that if assisted dying is legalised doctors should not recommend it to terminally ill patients. He told MPs: We have not taken an official view on doctors recommending this but I dont think it was ever in any of our minds that doctors would be recommending this as a course of action to patients. He later added: I do not believe it is ever appropriate for a doctor to recommend that a patient goes through the assisted dying process. 10:28 AM GMT Assisted dying should not be part of a doctors normal job, says BMA chief Assisted dying should not be part of any doctors normal job, a senior member of the British Medical Association said as he suggested such a service should be provided by medical professionals who have opted in to doing so. Dr Andrew Green, chair of the BMA Medical Ethics Committee, told the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life ) Bill committee that there needed to be a degree of separation. Asked if assisted dying should be provided within the NHS or if it should be set up as a new service, he said: We havent taken a view as to whether it should be inside or outside the NHS, that is not for us to take. We do believe that it should not be part of any doctors normal job to provide assisted dying. In other words it should be set up through a separate service with a degree of separation. 10:20 AM GMT BMA chief tells MPs not to block doctors from discussing assisted dying with patients Dr Andrew Green, chair of the BMA Medical Ethics Committee, said doctors should not be blocked from discussing assisted dying with terminally ill patients. He told MPs that doctors should be free to have an open discussion about paths that may be available to patients. Please dont put barriers in the way of understanding, he said. 10:13 AM GMT Raising assisted dying with patients must not be tick box exercise Dr Andrew Green, chair of the BMA Medical Ethics Committee, was asked if he believed doctors should be allowed to initiate discussions about assisted dying with terminally patients. He said that it must not be another tick box thing that doctors mention to patients. That must not happen, he said. But he said doctors should be able to raise the issue in some circumstances. 10:07 AM GMT Whitty evidence session ends That is all from Sir Chris Whitty as his evidence session ends. Up next is Mark Swindells, the assistant director standards and guidance at the General Medical Council (GMC), and Dr Andrew Green, chair of the BMA Medical Ethics Committee. 10:05 AM GMT Assisted dying Bill must be durable, Whitty tells MPs Professor Sir Chris Whitty made a plea to MPs for simplicity wherever possible in the drafting of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. He said that the Bill must be durable but also flexible and able to be changed so it can adapt as medicine changes. Sir Chris said rolling out assisted dying should not have a negative impact on palliative care. Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Englands chief medical officer, gives evidence to MPs this morning - PA 09:50 AM GMT Whitty warns against setting firm deadline for assisted dying roll out Professor Chris Whitty warned against putting a firm deadline on rolling out assisted dying on the NHS if it does become law. Englands chief medical officer was asked about the prospect of it being implemented within a two-year window. He told MPs: As was seen in Covid, the NHS like any service can swing very fast if there is a need for speed. In this case I think most people in society would say the key thing is to get this right. Personally I would rather this wasnt running against a timeline. You wouldnt want it to drag on forever because then you have uncertainty for everybody. But certainly I think Duncan and I would both say two years seems a reasonable starting point but some things might take longer than that to work out how we are going to provide this in the most safe, equitable way, dealing with minority and other groups for, example. He said there should not be a firm deadline. My view is this is something which is best not done at speed if you can avoid it, he said. 09:40 AM GMT Extremely difficult to draw up list of terminal illnesses, says Whitty Professor Sir Chris Whitty was asked about the definition of terminal illness and if he believed there should be a specified list of qualifying illnesses set out in the Bill. Englands chief medical officer said it would be extremely difficult to draw up such a list. He said that for many cancer patients, for example, it is often very hard to determine how long someone could live. He also said that often people may not have just one illness but multiple ones which form a constellation which can lead to death. Sir Chris said that exact timings are tricky. 09:34 AM GMT Specific training will be needed for assisted dying doctors, says Whitty Professor Sir Chris Whitty said he believed that many doctors would be able to take part in the start of the assisted dying journey with a terminally ill patient and would have the basic understanding necessary to do so. But Englands chief medical officer said that in the more detailed later stages of the journey there would likely only be a small minority of doctors taking part. He said that those medical professionals taking part in the final stages will require some specific training. 09:30 AM GMT Whitty completely neutral on legalising assisted dying Professor Sir Chris Whitty said he and the nations other chief medical officers were completely neutral on the question of legalising assisted dying. Englands chief medical officer told MPs: One statement which is on behalf of both Duncan [Burton] and myself and all the CMOs is we are completely neutral on the principles of this Bill which we consider are entirely for society and therefore for Parliament. So although we are answering technical questions we will not be answering questions of principle because we feel that is a societal question. 09:16 AM GMT Assisted dying witnesses selected for expertise and experience, says Leadbeater Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the assisted dying Bill, said the committee will hear from people with a wide range of views, with some in favour in principle, others against, and many with a neutral stance. In a letter to MPs this week, she said: However, they have been selected above all for their expertise and experience and the contribution they can make to help guide the committee towards whatever amendments may be needed to make the Bill as effective and workable as possible. I want to reassure colleagues that the whole committee is determined to work collaboratively and respectfully to reflect the very positive debate we had at second reading and to ensure that the best possible Bill is ready when it returns to the House at report stage later in the year. When the committee met formally for its first session last week, chairman Sir Roger Gale reminded members of the need to be civil and courteous to each other. There were tense exchanges as some committee members disagreed over part of the session discussing the suitability of witnesses being held in private. 09:03 AM GMT Who is giving evidence to MPs today? These are the expert witnesses who are due to appear in front of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill committee today: 9:25am: Professor Sir Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, and Duncan Burton, chief nursing officer for England at NHS England. 10:05am: Mark Swindells, assistant director standards and guidance at the General Medical Council (GMC), and Dr Andrew Green, chair of the BMA Medical Ethics Committee. 10:45am: Glyn Berry, co-chair at the Association of Palliative Care Social Workers (APCSW), and professor Nicola Ranger, chief executive and general secretary at the Royal College of Nursing. 2pm: Dr Sarah Cox, president at the Association for Palliative Medicine, James Sanderson, CEO at Sue Ryder, Dr Sam Ahmedzai, a palliative care specialist, and Dr Rachel Clarke, a palliative care doctor. 3.15pm: Sir Max Hill, former director of public prosecutions, Sir Nicholas Mostyn, former High Court judge, barrister Alex Ruck Keene KC. 4.15pm: Dr Ryan Spielvogel, Californian doctor in favour of assisted dying, Dr Jessica Kaan, Washington DC, doctor who works on assisted dying. 09:01 AM GMT MPs to hear from chief medical officer Chris Whitty on assisted dying Bill It is a big day for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill as MPs hear evidence from numerous experts about the legalisation plan. A Bill committee, composed of 23 MPs, will ask questions of approximately 50 expert witnesses over the next three days. Todays session will start with a well-known face as Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Englands chief medical officer, kicks things off. The session will start at about 9.25am and will last all day. You will able to watch live using the stream at the top of the page. A cartoon of William McKinley - Universal Images Group Editorial President McKinley, Donald Trump said in his inaugural address last week, 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. There was a point to the Presidents praise for one of his long-dead predecessors: he was foreshadowing one of the flurry of executive orders he issued on his first day. Trump announced that the federal government would restore McKinleys name to Americas highest peak, which Barack Obama an advocate of submerging American power unexceptionally within a rules-based world order had replaced with an indigenous Alaskan name in 2015. But was there more to Trumps comments than the renaming of a mountain? William McKinley, elected in 1896 and re-elected in 1900, remains a subject of discreet fascination. A 2021 survey of American presidential historians rated him 14th out of the 45 men who have held the countrys highest office. A decade ago, the Republican advisor Karl Rove, a major adversary of Trump, took a break from his own career in political analysis to author a substantial study of the 25th presidents 1896 election campaign, which, Rove argued, bore intriguing similarities to the political contests of our time. Then as now, America was divided between partisan visions of what it should be in the world. A burgeoning economy bucked an inherent tension between a desire to focus on domestic issues and unavoidable strategic challenges abroad. In both periods, the United States hosted an immigrant population of unprecedented size and unpredicted effect. Like Trump, McKinleys path to office required him to wrest control of the Republican Party from its entrenched and discredited leaders and then win the same Upper Midwestern swing states on cross-party defections from a disenfranchised industrial working class. Assuring American prosperity required both presidents to jettison longstanding consensus and pursue an aggressive defence of American economic and geopolitical interests. Tellingly, Trumps second inaugural address eschewed substantive mention of any other president. Not even the perennial favourites George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, or the once for Republicans sacrosanct figure of Ronald Reagan made it in. So is McKinley, a disruptor in his own right, driving Trumps thinking? As the returning President told the World Economic Forum via video conference last week, If you dont make your product in America then, very simply, you will have to pay a tariff. In a sharp turn from the economic neoliberalism that dominated both major American parties for two generations, Trump has pledged to institute tariffs both to protect American industry and the workers who operate it, and to punish foreign countries for objectionable stances on immigration, the international drug trade, and fiscal policies adverse to American interests. Broad tariffs reaching 25 per cent may be imposed on Canada and Mexico as early as next week, with others at the forefront in a gambit to enrich America. Tariff, Trump has said on multiple occasions, is the most beautiful word in the dictionary. It remains to be seen whether what worked for McKinley who as an Ohio congressman successfully championed a 50 per cent tariff in 1890, far above the 10 or 20 per cent general tariff Trump suggested during the campaign or those McKinley managed to impose later during his presidency will work for the returning President. The similarities do not end there, however. McKinley, whose nationalism was also fundamentally economic and pro-growth, shared his modern successors aversion to foreign wars. Yet he wasnt against territorial expansion if it favoured American interests. In the Caribbean of McKinleys time, this resulted in a war with Spain, which was then struggling to hold onto what was left of its once-vast empire, and whose remaining colonies traded overwhelmingly with the United States. McKinley preferred a negotiated solution on the particularly thorny issue of Cubas future, but when the Spanish government and Cuban rebels failed to reach a settlement and an American battleship was blown up in Havana harbour in suspicious circumstances a short three-month war in 1898 delivered Cubas independence as a de facto American protectorate, while Puerto Rico, Guam, and the distant Philippine islands became American possessions outright. That same year, McKinley annexed Hawaii, then a republic dominated by American business interests that had overthrown the native queen some years earlier. McKinley understood the strategic imperative of a Pacific base and a need to keep the island archipelago out of expansionist Japanese hands. What the Caribbean trade and Pacific strategic imperative were in the 1890s could resemble todays economic scramble for Greenland, where Denmarks weak hold of the territory has invited an imperial contest between the United States and China for the islands rare earth minerals and control of fast shipping routes. Trump clearly prefers a negotiated solution, but has said that he would not rule out a military one. He has the same position on the Panama Canal, which emerged from careful diplomacy that McKinley began prior to his assassination in 1901 and was completed by his successor Theodore Roosevelt, who had the capital to complete the project and the military wherewithal to stare down other strategic challenges in the Caribbean. McKinley refrained from any acquisitive designs on Canada, so maybe the comparison will end there. Or will Trump, who presides over a vastly more powerful country, seek to expand on his predecessors legacy? Paul du Quenoy is a historian and president of the Palm Beach Freedom Institute Jack Smith speaks in Washington in 2023. Photograph: Kevin Wurm/Reuters The acting attorney general, James McHenry, on Monday fired more than a dozen federal prosecutors who worked on the two criminal cases against Donald Trump, saying they could not be trusted to implement the presidents agenda for the justice department, two people familiar with the matter said. The precise extent of the firings were unclear because the department did not disclose names. At the time the cases were dismissed last year, after Trump won the election, special counsel Jack Smith had 18 prosecutors attached to his team. Related: Florida Republicans deliver humiliating rebuke to DeSantiss immigration plan The purge was not unexpected given Trump had vowed, on the campaign trail, to fire Smith. But the abrupt firings were jarring as the acting attorney general took aim at career prosecutors who had served at the department who in theory had civil service protections for their jobs. Smith charged Trump in two criminal cases: in Florida, for mishandling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago club and defying a subpoena commanding their return; and in Washington, for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. In the termination notices transmitted to the prosecutors who worked on Smiths team, McHenry wrote that they were being let go as a result of their significant role in prosecuting President Trump which meant they could not be trusted to assist in faithfully implementing the presidents agenda. The termination of Smiths team comes as major personnel changes shook the deputy attorney generals office, where the top career official, Brad Weinsheimer, was informed he could either be reassigned to a less powerful post or resign, according to a person familiar with the matter. Weinsheimer, a highly respected veteran of the justice department, was appointed to his current role on an interim basis by Trumps first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, which was made permanent by Trumps final attorney general, Bill Barr. But Trump has since soured on Sessions and Barr, and their endorsements appear to have been of no help to Weinsheimer as the new Trump administration moves to clear the senior leadership of the justice department as they prepare to use it to enforce Trumps personal and political agenda. The White House and a justice department spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment on the personnel moves, which were earlier reported by Fox News. Shortly after Trump announced his presidential bid in November 2022, the attorney general, Merrick Garland, appointed Smith to serve as a special counsel overseeing the investigation of Trump. Smith resigned before Trump took office. In a report released this month, Smith concluded that the president engaged in an unprecedented criminal effort to hold on to power after losing the 2020 election, but was thwarted in bringing the case to trial by Trumps November election victory. Smith also investigated Trumps retention of classified documents after he left the White House, filing a second federal lawsuit in Florida. Trumps lawyers have called Smiths report politically motivated. The president denies any wrongdoing in the cases, both of which Smith dropped shortly after Trumps election win, citing The two special counsel investigations resulted in indictments, but Smith dropped the cases against Trump after the election, citing a longstanding justice department policy that prohibits the prosecution of a sitting president. In a separate development, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that a Trump-appointed prosecutor had opened an internal review of the justice departments decision to charge hundreds of January 6 defendants with felony obstruction offenses in connection with the 2021 attack on the US Capitol. Donald Trump has commanded sweeping actions aimed at reshaping the US armed forces - AFP Donald Trump has ordered an end to radical gender ideology in the US military and for troops expelled for refusing the Covid vaccine to be allowed to rejoin. The directives came as a batch of executive orders focused on reshaping the armed forces by dismantling diversity initiatives and cultivating a warrior ethos. While transgender people were not immediately excluded from the military, one directive stated that expressing a false gender identity could not satisfy the standards required for service in the armed forces. It added: A mans assertion that he is a woman and his requirement that others honour this falsehood, is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member. The hormonal and surgical medical interventions involved in changing gender may also infringe on a department of defence policy intended to ensure troops are free of conditions that require too much time off for treatment, the order read. As part of the directive, the invented and identification-based use of pronouns was banned across the department. Men were also banned from using facilities designated for women. The White House gave the Pentagon two months to update its policy on medical standards and 30 days to present revised guidance on how to implement the orders vision. To ensure that we have the most lethal fighting force in the world, we will get transgender ideology the hell out of our military, the US president said before signing a slew of military-related executive orders on board Air Force One late on Monday. In his first term, Mr Trump banned transgender people from serving in the armed forces unless they had a waiver, a policy that was overturned by Joe Biden in 2021. There is limited data on how many transgender people are in the US military. Information that is available is largely based on surveys undertaken by external organisations. The Rand Corporation, a US think tank largely funded by the government, estimated in 2016 that between 1,320 and 6,630 transgender people were then serving in the armed forces, out of a total of more than 1.3 million servicemen and women across all six service branches. In a separate order, the US president commanded the defence secretary and the secretary of homeland security to tear down the DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] bureaucracy by abolishing every DEI post in their departments. The directive said DEI programmes had in recent years eroded the US militarys lethality and force readiness by engaging in invidious race and sex discrimination. It comes after Mr Trump issued sweeping actions aimed at ending DEI initiatives in the federal government almost immediately after taking office just over a week ago, a move that had been a central promise during the election campaign. Another order stipulated that reinstatement would be offered to former troops who were discharged for refusing the Covid-19 vaccine and for those who provide a sworn attestation that they left service voluntarily rather than be vaccinated. The military vaccine mandate lasted from summer 2021 to early 2023. The Biden administration discharged around 8,000 personnel for refusing to be vaccinated. In a fourth order, Mr Trump announced the construction of an Israel-style missile defence shield to protect America from hypersonic missile attacks. Elsewhere, the new US president doubled down on his plan to clean out the war-torn Gaza Strip by relocating up to 1.5 million Palestinians from the enclave to neighbouring Jordan and Egypt. Id like to get them [Gazans] living in an area where they can live without disruption and revolution and violence, Mr Trump said on Monday, after originally suggesting the idea on Sunday. Pressed on how Jordan and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the Egyptian president, would respond, Mr Trump said: We helped them [Egypt] a lot, and Im sure hed help us. Hes a friend of mine. Hes in a rough neighbourhood. But I think he [el-Sisi] would do it and I think the King of Jordan would do it too. Jordan and Egypt have strongly rejected Mr Trumps plan, saying that Gazans should be allowed to remain in Gaza. San Jose will be one of the coldest spots in the Bay Area on Tuesday. Baron/Lynx Updated forecast: Strengthening atmospheric river poised to bring significant rainfall to Northern California Keep your winter coat and hat handy for the next few days, especially if you live in the Silicon Valley and surrounding areas. Cold morning temperatures will persist across the Bay Area this week, with many interior and valley locations dropping close to or below the 32-degree mark, prompting freeze watches. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tuesday mornings low temperatures might surprise some. At just 85 feet above sea level, San Jose is forecast to be 30 degrees. Meanwhile, downtown San Francisco, at an elevation of 150 feet, had a forecast of 42 degrees. Even Mount Diablo, nearly 4,000 feet high, is forecast to be 32 degrees. A wide range of low temperatures from Monday morning shows the influence of radiational cooling and the marine layer. NOAA San Jose has been consistently cold, and the trend will continue this week. So why has San Jose regularly been colder than both San Francisco and the top of Mount Diablo? Radiational cooling is to blame. Under clear skies, the land surface rapidly loses heat to space once the sun sets. Without clouds to trap that heat, the surface and the air just above it cools quickly. Valleys, like the Santa Clara Valley, amplify this effect as surrounding hills reduce wind and trap cooler air. The physical processes behind radiational cooling. NOAA Meanwhile, the marine layer with its warm and moist air mass insulates areas like San Francisco. This layer of air spreads a few thousand feet into the sky as well, keeping Mount Diablo more mild than the valley floors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As a high-pressure ridge builds over California this week, overnight skies will remain clear, creating ideal conditions for radiational cooling. Temperatures in some sheltered valley locations could dip into the upper 20s. Tuesday breakdown San Francisco: The morning could be the coldest of the week in the city. Downtown lows are expected to reach around 42 degrees, though some areas will dip into the upper 30s. Daytime highs will climb into the upper 50s under sunny skies. Overnight, patchy low-level clouds will move in and temperatures will be milder, with lows in the mid-40s. North Bay: The North Bay will see a cold, crisp start, with lows ranging from the upper 20s to mid-30s and some fog in colder areas. Afternoon highs will climb into the upper 50s in Novato, San Rafael and Vallejo, while Santa Rosa may hit the low 60s. Overnight, patchy fog will return to the valleys, but skies will otherwise remain clear, with lows in the upper 20s to mid-30s. East Bay: Morning lows will hover near the freezing mark in the Tri-Valley, while areas west of the Berkeley Hills will see lows in the upper 30s. Bright sunshine will dominate during the day, with highs in the upper 50s in Oakland and Richmond and the low 60s in Livermore and Walnut Creek. Overnight, low-level clouds and fog may settle along the Berkeley Hills, with lows in the 30s. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pacific Coast and Peninsula: The Peninsula will see a range of morning temperatures, with lows in the mid-30s in Half Moon Bay and Redwood City and the low to mid-40s in Pacifica and Daly City, influenced by the marine layer. Daytime highs will reach the upper 50s, with some areas approaching 60 degrees. Overnight, low clouds and fog will return along the coast, with clear skies elsewhere. Lows will range from the 30s to the 40s. US president Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that hes due to meet his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, soon. Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein/AP Donald Trump has repeated his suggestion that large numbers of Palestinians should leave Gaza for Egypt or Jordan, despite widespread opposition to the proposal from Palestinian leadership, the UN and US allies in the region. Speaking to reporters onboard Air Force One on Monday night, the US president was asked about his comments over the weekend about cleaning out the Gaza Strip either temporarily or long-term. Trump reiterated he would like to get [Palestinians from Gaza] living in an area where they can live without disruption and revolution and violence so much. The remarks, apparently at odds with existing US policy and international law, have been widely rejected by the Arab world as a potentially fatal blow to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but were embraced by Israels right wing. Trump also said he was due to meet his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, soon, amid speculation the longtime Israeli premier would be the first foreign leader to visit the White House during Trumps second term. When you look at the Gaza Strip, its been hell for so many years, Trump said on Monday. There have been various civilisations on that strip. It didnt start here. It started thousands of years before, and theres always been violence associated with it. You could get people living in areas that are a lot safer and maybe a lot better and maybe a lot more comfortable. Trump said he had spoken to the Egyptian president, Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, and Jordans King Abdullah on Sunday, and insisted that both leaders would agree to the plan. Abdullah also spoke on Monday with Trumps secretary of state, Marco Rubio, but the issue was not mentioned in a state department statement on the call. I wish [Sisi] would take some. We helped them a lot, and Im sure hed help us. Hes a friend of mine. Hes in a rough neighbourhood. But I think he would do it, and I think the king of Jordan would do it too, Trump said. Both Amman and Cairo have been adamant so far that Trumps suggestion is a non-starter. Reports in the Egyptian media on Tuesday claimed Sisi had not spoken to Trump. Related: Donald Trumps toxic remarks on Gaza reveal lack of joined-up thinking For Palestinians, there is little faith in the idea of temporary relocation to allow for reconstruction, given a history of repeated displacements since the creation of Israel in 1948. Fifteen months of war have levelled 70% of Gazas infrastructure and left the Palestinian territorys 2.3 million population in the depths of a devastating humanitarian crisis. More than 47,000 people were killed before a ceasefire went into effect earlier this month, and about 90% of residents have been displaced from their homes, some multiple times. About 1,200 Israelis and foreigners were killed in Hamass 7 October 2023 attack that triggered the conflict, and another 250 taken hostage. On Tuesday, a slower flow of people streamed back to northern Gaza after Israel the day before opened military checkpoints dividing the territory for more than a year. Between 200,000 and 300,000 people travelled to destroyed neighbourhoods in the north through the Netzarim Corridor on Monday, by foot or in cars that were screened by Egyptian contractors with the help of a US private security firm. Mahmoud Kashko, who has been displaced to Mawasi in southern Gaza, said he had been swept up in the collective momentum on Tuesday. I was hesitant to return to Gaza City, but when I saw hundreds of thousands of people coming back, I decided to return, he told Agence France-Presse. I arrived at my home today. Of course, its destroyed like most peoples homes. Israeli media reported on Tuesday that mediators have begun preliminary work on the second stage of ceasefire negotiations, which is supposed to go into effect in early March. Israel is expected to completely withdraw from Gaza and Hamas is supposed to disarm during the crucial next phase of the deal, but many details remain unclear. The Times of Israel on Tuesday quoted an anonymous security cabinet minister as saying that Trumps statements on resettling Palestinians outside Gaza had most likely been partially designed to help Netanyahu hang on to support from far-right allies who have destabilised his coalition in protest against the hostage release and ceasefire deal. At least 500 trucks of aid a day are now supposed to enter the besieged Palestinian territory, the minimum aid agencies say is needed, and up from an average of 72 a day in December. Israels ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, on Tuesday spoke on the UN relief and works agency for Palestine refugees (Unrwa), ahead of a deadline this week for Israel cooperation with it. He told reporters Israel will cease all contact with Unrwa and any body acting on its behalf, and forbid it from operating within the sovereign territory of the state of Israel. He said Israel would not prevent Unrwa from operating in Gaza but he expected other UN agencies to gradually take over responsibility for the distribution of aid in the territory. Aid agencies have expressed deep concern over the Unrwa bans impact on relief efforts, which rely on the agencys staff, facilities and logistical capabilities. Another 900,000 Palestinians in the West Bank rely on the organisation for basic services, which the semi-autonomous Palestinian Authority does not have the capacity to take over, leading to fears it could collapse altogether. Philippe Lazzarini, Unrwas commissioner general, told the security council on Tuesday that the agency was the subject of a fierce and absurd disinformation campaign designed to strip Palestinians of refugee status and to deny their right to self determination. If the UN allowed Unrwa to implode, the repercussions will not be confined to national borders and will only further destabilise the region, he said. Decades of friction between Israel and Unrwa came to a head in the aftermath of 7 October, in which Israel alleged 12 Unrwa employees took part. The agency fired several staff members as a result of an independent inquiry. Donald Trumps secretary of state spoke to David Lammy about British proposals to give the Chagos Islands to Mauritius Donald Trumps secretary of state challenged David Lammy over Britains deal to give away the Chagos Islands in their first call together, The Telegraph can reveal. Marco Rubio is understood to have sought reassurance that the agreement will not undermine US security interests, given there is an American base on one of the islands. The Trump administration has now been given full details of the UKs yet-to-be-published agreement to hand control of the islands to Mauritius, allowing line-by-line scrutiny. Mr Rubio, who was confirmed as secretary of state last week, was publicly critical of Sir Keir Starmers deal in October, when he was still a US senator for Florida. At the time he warned that Britain giving up the Chagos Islands, an archipelago located in the Indian Ocean, could allow communist China to spy on the US navy. Mr Rubio was publicly critical of Sir Keir Starmers deal back in October when he was still a US senator for Florida - Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters A US state department read-out of the call between Mr Rubio and Mr Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, said they discussed both Chinas malign influence and the need for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Neither statement on the call issued by the US and UK explicitly said Chagos was discussed. However, multiple sources briefed on the call have confirmed to The Telegraph that it was. Sir Keirs deal to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands is hanging in the balance after Joe Biden, who backed the deal, was replaced in the White House by Mr Trump. The UK Government argues the agreement will safeguard the future of the US military base on Diego Garcia, given the legality of Britains claim to the island was in dispute. But Tories, Reform politicians and Republican congressmen including Mr Rubio have argued that handing the islands to Mauritius puts the base at risk. Neither Mr Trump nor Mr Rubio have commented on the deal publicly since taking office. The Foreign Office hopes Pentagon and state officials will win over the new administration. Mr Rubio and Mr Lammys telephone call on Monday night UK time, described as running for a healthy length by one UK government source, also covered Ukraine and the Middle East and the Aukus submarine pact, seen in London as critical to countering China. The Chagos deal was one of just a number of issues dealt with. The Trump administrations access to the private treaty struck by the UK with the Mauritians will let the US scrutinise the details, including the 99-year lease for the Diego Garcia base. A B-1B Lancer lands after a bomber task force mission at naval station Diego Garcia on the Chagos Islands - US Air Force photo by Staff Sgt Hannah Malone/Alamy Earlier in January, Sir Keir said in an interview that it was right that Mr Trump scrutinised the deal. There is hope in the Foreign Office that security guarantees contained within the text can help assuage any concerns remaining from those Republicans newly in office. Further discussions are likely to follow if Mr Lammy flies to Washington DC to meet Mr Rubio face-to-face, as has been provisionally planned within the Foreign Office for weeks. The Chagos deal was not discussed in Sir Keirs first call with Mr Trump. In October, Mr Rubio branded the Chagos deal concerning as it would provide an opportunity for communist China to gain valuable intelligence on our naval support facility in Mauritius. He added: This poses a serious threat to our national security interests in the Indian Ocean and threatens critical US military posture in the region. One part of the state department read-out of the Rubio-Lammy call read: They affirmed the depth of the US-UK special relationship and the crucial nature of our partnership in addressing issues like the conflict in the Middle East, Russias war against Ukraine, and Chinas malign influence. They also heralded joint initiatives, including the Aukus partnership, which promotes a free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and stable. Some commentators have speculated that if Britain gives up the waters around the Chagos Islands, it would be possible for the Mauritians to let Chinese boats loiter near the Diego Garcia base, which is viewed as critical for national security by Washington. The Prime Ministers official spokesman on Tuesday declined to confirm Chagos had been discussed on the call, but did say no when asked if the deal helped boost Chinese influence in the region. The spokesman replied: Weve always been clear that isnt the case. This deal secures the long-term base that is so crucial to regional security. He added: It protects UK and UK national security interests but it also protects regional security. Downing Street had tried to rush the agreement through before Mr Trump entered the White House last week, but a new Mauritian governments attempts to gain more money for the deal slowed the process down. No 10 now accepts Mr Trump will in effect have to sign off the deal before it can be put in place, given he is in the White House and the US interest in the Diego Garcia base. Blower cartoon - 29th January 25 Rachel Reeves is expected to give the go ahead for a third runway at Heathrow Airport. But hang on a minute. I have in front of me an archived copy of The Daily Telegraph from June 2018 with a headline reading: Heathrow expansion: Third runway approved. More than that, there was a vote in parliament in which 415 MPs voted for the airports expansion with just 119 against, a majority of 296. Yet here we are, nearly seven years later, back to square one. It is useful to remind ourselves what happened in the meantime. No sooner were the plans announced than the opposition cranked into action. Lawsuits were filed to stop the destruction of homes and environmentalists compiled data about air and noise pollution to demonstrate how another runway would breach umpteen green commitments made by successive governments. Boris Johnson, then MP for a west London constituency certain to be impacted by the expansion, said he would lie down in front of the bulldozers. Then he became prime minister and put the kibosh on the whole project. Nor did this farce only begin in 2018. That decision was based on a report from the UK Airports Commission chaired by Howard Davies and set up by the Coalition amid a five-year moratorium on any consideration of London airport expansion. The previous Labour government also dillied and dallied, as had every other administration back to the 1970s when it was first mooted that London needed a third international airport to be built to the east or north of the capital. In 1971, the Roskill Commission proposed a site at Cublington in Bucks to serve London with a four-runway airport. This was rejected by the Heath government for reasons lost in the mists of time and an alternative at Maplin Sands in the Thames Estuary was chosen instead. The Maplin Development Act 1973 was passed by parliament only to be scuppered by the oil-price shock that year, whereupon it was agreed to expand Stansted instead as a hub. That never happened either. Recent history is littered with stories of half-baked infrastructure schemes either going nowhere or costing far too much. But nothing is more emblematic of this countrys inability any longer to do grands projets than the Heathrow saga. From being supremely good we have become uniquely bad. It took Brunel just six years to complete the Great Western Railway from London to Bristol after the Act of Parliament was passed in 1835. The preparatory legislation to build HS2 went through in 2013, yet the now slimmed-down line wont be finished until 2033 at the earliest. This is procrastination on a grand scale. If the speculation is correct, Ms Reeves will say Heathrows expansion is to go ahead and this time we really mean it. She and Sir Keir Starmer are telling departmental ministers that all policies deemed to be anti-growth must be ditched (does that include the Chancellors Budget, which has done more to dampen activity and flatten morale than anything?) To call this grandstanding a triumph of hope over experience would be an understatement. Opposition to Heathrow is fierce among people who live near the airport but is especially so among environmentalists. Stopping it will become an iconic struggle for the climate emergency lobby. Is this group of ministers going to face it down? The third runway was initially blocked by a legal ruling that ministers had not taken fully into account the UKs climate change undertakings, a judgment later overturned in the Supreme Court. But Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary and the High Priest of net zero, is adamant that if Heathrow is expanded it must be within the carbon emission targets set out in law and if it isnt then it wont happen. He told MPs on Monday that he believed the two were not mutually exclusive because the emissions could be offset elsewhere. But where, exactly? He could not say. It is evident to everyone except the delusionists at the top of the Government that these two priorities cancel each other out. Net zero is not the only obstacle. The cost is eye-watering as it is with every major project in this country. The upgrade and modernisation of Brunels Great Western line, for instance, was delayed by two years and costs rose from 874 million to 2.8 billion. The delivery of the new trains was late and they were the most expensive of their kind in the world. HS2 started off at 32.7 billion and is now north of 100 billion. High-speed lines have been built in France, Japan and Spain at a tenth of the projected cost. A proposed tunnel for the A303 under Stonehenge, estimated to cost 183 million when first proposed 20 years ago, was priced at 2 billion before the Labour Government finally killed it off. Heathrows third runway is estimated to cost around 14 billion, but that is at 2014 prices. The original plans envisaged a car park that would cost 700 million more than was spent building a fifth runway at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Why is everything so expensive here? You would be lucky to get change from 50 billion now. The M25 will have to be closed, entire villages demolished, reservoirs filled in, builders found at a time of acute shortage of skills, political and legal challenges faced down. It is supposed to be funded by the private sector; but why would investors take the risk on a project which has been stymied by political and legal controversy for 50 years? If the market was left to decide, would it really opt for another runway at Heathrow? Far more likely would be a bigger expansion of Stansted (forget Gatwick as just getting there is problematic, as passengers found yesterday when a landslip severely reduced the railway connection). It would be (marginally) less contentious, cheaper, the rail link is good and connected into Londons network and the airport could become the hub for flights from the Far East and India, with another runway for short-haul traffic. Instead of the Government dictating what should happen while expecting the private sector to pay for it, the state should get out of the way and see which attracts the most interest. I somehow doubt it would be Heathrow. Stewart Rhodes, founder of the far-right Oath Keepers militia, at an event about the economy in Las Vegas, Nevada, in January 2025. Photograph: Leah Millis/Reuters A federal judge has rescinded an order barring Stewart Rhodes, the former leader of the far-right Oath Keepers group, and several other defendants charged in connection to the 6 January 2021 attack on Congress, from entering Washington DC and the US Capitol without permission from a court. On Monday, the US district judge Amit Mehta stated in an order that while the court was declining to dismiss the supervised release terms entirely as the justice department had requested the defendants were no longer bound by the judicially imposed conditions of supervised release. It is not for this court to divine why President Trump commuted Defendants sentences, or to assess whether it was sensible to do so, Mehta wrote. The courts sole task is to determine the acts effect. Mehta noted that the unconditional nature of Donald Trumps proclamation can reasonably be read to extinguish enforcement of Defendants terms of supervised release. He added, it would be improper for the court post-commutation to modify the original sentences and that by virtue of the Presidents commutation order, the court acknowledges that its conditions of supervision will not be enforced. The order on Monday comes just three days after the same judge issued the initial order restricting Rhodes and the others from entering Washington DC without permission from the court. After that order was issued on Friday, the US Department of Justice, through acting US attorney for the District of Columbia, Ed Martin, intervened on behalf of Rhodes and other members of the militia group and asked Mehta to vacate the ban and dismiss the terms of supervised release. In 2023, Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in orchestrating the breach of the Capitol on January 6. But last week, he, and the seven others in this order, were among the 1,500 individuals granted blanket pardons or commutations by Trump shortly after he was inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States. Rhodes left prison last Tuesday and was later spotted on Capitol Hill. Those who have taken GLP-1 RA drugs such as Ozempic for weight management say the constant food noise disappears, resulting in improvements to mental and physical health. Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/The Guardian Drugs marketed to treat type 2 diabetes such as Ozempic have also been found to be effective in helping users lose weight. Those who have taken the drugs for weight management say the constant food noise disappears, resulting in improvements to mental and physical health. However, cost and supply issues have prompted health experts and advocates to call on governments to intervene and subsidise the drugs for obese people with health-related risk factors. In the UK, some of these drugs are available on the NHS for dangerously overweight people, who have a secondary medical condition linked to their obesity. Here are the factors the government is taking into account. How many drugs are there and are they available in Australia? Drugs known as GLP-1 RAs mimic the hormone that stimulates the digestive system, essentially telling the body it is full after eating. They work to suppress a persons appetite by making them feel satiated. In Australia, three main GLP-1 RAs are available Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. The Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk produces Ozempic and Wegovy. They contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, but are marketed differently for type 2 diabetes treatment and weight-loss, respectively. The US company Eli Lilly produces Mounjaro, which is registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration for both diabetes and chronic weight management in some adults. Related: Weight-loss jabs linked to reduced risk of 42 conditions including dementia Some of the drugs have been in short supply in Australia. The Therapeutic Goods Administration has warned that some shortages, caused by high demand and the drugs specialised manufacturing requirements, will continue into 2025. The drugs are also expensive. Ozempic is approved on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme meaning the government subsidises the cost only for diabetes treatment. With that subsidy, a pen containing multiple doses costs $31.50. With a private prescription that is, for anything other than diabetes treatment the price for the same item is typically about $150. Prices for the other GLP-1 RAs vary between pharmacies and suppliers, but are typically similar to that of Ozempic. Should Australia subsidise the drugs for people with weight management issues? For a drug to be placed on the PBS, a company needs to put in a submission to the independent expert body, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. The PBAC meets three times a year and makes recommendations based on each drug or vaccines clinical effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness. The committee has so far rejected two submissions from Novo Nordisk to place Wegovy on the scheme for Australians with severe obesity. Eli Lilly has said it will make a submission this year to place Mounjaro on the PBS and explore all feasible pathways that might enable equitable access to the drug. The companys Australian and New Zealand manager, Tori Brown, said there was increased understanding within the federal government about the benefits of such drugs. The Global Obesity Observatory has estimated the economic impact of overweight and obesity in Australia at $40bn or 1.9% of GDP. The observatory estimates the impact will increase to $252bn by 2060, or 3.5% of GDP. Jonathan Karnon, a health economics professor at Flinders University, says the drugs could have a positive impact in reducing other health problems associated with severe obesity. Theres a wide range of diseases that are predicted will be reduced if these weight-loss drugs are made [more] available across the population, he says. What does the federal government say? So far, the federal government has not revealed whether it supports taxpayers subsidising the drugs for those in need of pharmacotherapeutical support for weight management. The health minister, Mark Butler, has said the introduction of GLP-1 RAs was going to be a really big challenge for authorities to deal with. Related: Comedy of errors: NDIS reform leaves disabled Australians fearing what comes next Theres the cost. There is the number of people who are going to be taking them, [and] whether theyre on the PBS or not, the minister said on the ABCs Q&A program in October. Tim Gill, a health nutrition professor and the chief executive of Obesity Collective, says they should be placed on the scheme but restricted to those most in need. We want some equity in the way healthcare is delivered, he says. Obesity is a serious chronic condition, regardless of whether you consider it a disease it results in enormous ill health. Terri-Lynne South, a spokesperson for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, says the drugs should not be seen as the simple solution to improving obesity outcomes. South says people should aim for a comprehensive and holistic healthcare plan for weight-loss. That way, your entire long-term health outlook will improve, not just your waistline, she says. Its also vital that these drugs are available for patients who need them for other conditions, including diabetes. This article was amended on 28 January 2025 to correct the PBS price for Ozempic. A previous version incorrectly said a single dose cost $31.50. It also previously said Mounjaro was marketed only for diabetes. Does working from home count as "proper" work? According to Stuart Rose, the former boss of Marks & Spencer (MKS.L) and Asda, it does not. Speaking recently on BBC Ones Panorama, Rose, who was the chief executive of M&S and then the executive chair of Asda, claimed remote work has harmed productivity. We are creating a whole generation and probably a generation beyond that of people who are used to actually not doing what I call proper work, he commented, sparking anger among remote workers. Half of UK workers work from home for at least part of the week now. And contrary to Roses opinion, multiple studies show flexible work including fully remote and hybrid options are beneficial to both workers and organisations. In a survey of 1,026 people by the International Workplace Group, reported feeling less drained (79%), less stressed (78%) and less anxious (72%) as a result of part-time home-working. While some corporate leaders say remote work is a COVID-era privilege that only benefits workers, research suggests that when home-workers are properly supported, productivity can rise bringing bottom-line benefits for businesses. But as the culture war surrounding remote work grinds on, one key problem persists stigma. Read more: How employers can bring 'positive psychology' into the workplace Flexible work, including remote work and flexible hours, is the only way many people can remain in the workforce. It can be a lifeline for working parents, disabled workers, neurodivergent workers, those with caring responsibilities and more. Yet "flexibility stigma" a biased attitude against remote workers is still prevalent. The recent push-back from some employers to roll back on hybrid and remote work is unhelpful, and risks undoing some of the gains that have been made in this area since the pandemic, says Rebecca Florisson, principal analyst at the Work Foundation think-tank at Lancaster University. For many, remote work is not a nice to have but a key element to their ability to get into and remain in work, she says. Ultimately, there is no convincing evidence that remote and hybrid working is affecting companies productivity or bottom line. Given the governments aim to support more workers into the workforce and grow the economy, access to flexible working is a key lever to achieve this. Often, stigma stems from psychological perceptions surrounding remote work. For example, proximity bias is founded on the idea that we work better with people who are physically closer to us. Its the false assumption that employees who work in the office where managers can see and hear them are more productive than their remote peers. Although this is untrue, it often leads those in positions of power to treat workers who are physically closer to them more favourably. There may be a preference within the business to make opportunities more suitable for office-based staff, says career coach Jennie Bayliss, founder of Mantralis. It may be an unconscious or conscious bias towards inhouse staff to make promotions or key projects available to the office team, due to the perception that remote workers are less visible or committed. For many, remote work is not a nice to have but a key element to their ability to get into and remain in work. (Westend61 via Getty Images) Impact of remote working stigma The negative effects of stigma can be extremely detrimental for workers and businesses. Home workers may be working longer hours to prove themselves committed, which may lead to burnout, increased stress, and worse mental health, says Bayliss. It can be pretty demoralising to feel like you have to keep justifying your value whilst feeling guilty and isolated. For employers, treating remote workers poorly can lead to decreased employee morale, hinder talent acquisition, limit career advancement opportunities for remote workers, and impact productivity. If workers decide to quit, a high turnover can be costly in terms of both time and money. And a poor reputation can make it difficult to attract new skilled employees. However, offering flexibility and ensuring remote workers are treated fairly can attract a wider range of workers from different backgrounds. Treating remote workers equally also levels the playing field for workers to progress, too. Read more:Are shorter working days the answer to better health and productivity? And diversity isnt just a moral imperative companies in the top quartile for board-gender diversity are 27% more likely to outperform financially than those in the bottom quartile. How to support remote workers Supporting workers who work flexibly pays off for employers. This includes prioritising open communication and regular check-ins, to make sure everyone is included and has the opportunity to raise questions or concerns. Providing the necessary tools and technology, as well as showing people how to use it, is also essential. For managers, being aware of ingrained biases like proximity bias is important. For example, before sending out a meeting invite, double check that youve not forgotten any remote workers. If youre deciding on a promotion and have someone in mind, make sure its because of their skills, experience or hard work not their in-office location. Consultation and training is the key to success where managers are supported and trained to lead hybrid teams, and where workers have the right equipment in place to do work in different locations, says Florisson. Danny Stacy, UK head of talent intelligence at Indeed, adds: What flexible working looks like will differ between industries and individual businesses, but the good news for employers is that different forms of flexibility are gaining popularity. Not every business is able to offer remote work, for example, and could instead put into place a shortened work week or flexi-time. Organisations who believe in flexibility and want to ingrain this in their culture must ensure that senior employees lead by example, so workers at all levels feel empowered to follow suit. Read more: Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Katrin Ivanova said she had not been trained to use the relevant technology or even heard of it until after her arrest in February 2023. Photograph: Sky News A lab technician has been accused of being the only member of a Bulgarian spy ring able to pull off a plot to steal the mobile numbers of Ukrainian soldiers training in Germany. Katrin Ivanova, 33, was told by prosecutor Alison Morgan KC at the Old Bailey that she had been described by the plotters leader as the most technically adept member of the group and that she was necessary to the planned surveillance in Stuttgart. You were the one who had the brains and ability, Morgan said, as she cross-examined Ivanova for a full day at an espionage trial in the central criminal court. Prosecutors say that Ivanova was part of a spy ring of Bulgarians living in the UK who were involved in a plot, on behalf of Moscow, to steal phone numbers of Ukrainian soldiers training on Patriot air defence systems at the Patch barracks in Stuttgart. Morgan highlighted a message sent by Orlin Roussev, the leader of spy ring, to Jan Marsalek, a Russian agent believed to be based in Moscow, which said he wanted to send to Stuttgart the minion who will operate the IMSI, a sophisticated device able to mop up thousands of nearby phone numbers. The prosecutor said Ivanova was the chief minion being referred to but in reply she denied being able to operate the surveillance device. She said she had not been trained to use an IMSI catcher, or even heard of it until after her arrest in February 2023. Ivanova said she had now seen the text message and others like it, in disclosures ahead of the trial, but insisted she knew nothing of discussions between Roussev and Marsalek at the time. They refer many times to minions, not only to me, she said, and denied being the person referred to. Prosecutors later highlighted a message that her partner, Bizer Dzhambazov, 43, had sent her in October 2022 asking her to bring the big IMSI for me to be able to prepare it and set with the laptop as part of a trip to Roussevs home in Great Yarmouth. Ivanova acknowledged receiving the message, but said it meant nothing to her. Ivanova went to Stuttgart with Dzhambazov on what the prosecution say was a reconnaissance mission between 31 October and 3 November 2022. The court heard she took pictures and filmed the perimeter of the military base while on a walk with him. During the hearing, Ivanova acknowledged that she was aware some surveillance equipment was kept in a flat she shared with Dzhambazov in Harrow, north-west London. That included a spy camera hidden in a Coca-Cola bottle, and in the flower of a minion toy from the Despicable Me films. The lab technician is one of three Bulgarians living in the UK accused of spying on behalf of Russia between August 2020 and February 2023. She denies the charge. Ring leader Roussev and his friend and deputy Dzhambazov have both pleaded guilty and will be sentenced once the trial of the others concludes. Ivanova told the court that she was in an abusive relationship with Dzhambazov whom she had known since she was 17. Though it was not physically abusive, she said, that person was controlling without my realising. The lab technician said she was heartbroken to learn after their arrest that Dzhambazov had been in a relationship with another defendant, beautician Vanya Gaberova, for a year and a half. He betrayed me, she told the court, and argued that Dzhambazov repeatedly gave her instructions for surveillance operations, which largely came from Roussev and Marsalek, and whose true purpose was never properly explained to her. However, Morgan challenged her account that she was a victim, and forced Ivanova into admitting that she had had an affair of her own. After a brief denial, Ivanova acknowledged that she had been in an open relationship but insisted that was different to Dzhambazovs conduct. He had been in a parallel relationship with somebody for 18 months. A section of the border fence in Naco, Arizona, in 2021. Photograph: Hugh Mitton/Alamy On his first day in office, Donald Trump signed an order ending constitutionally recognized right of birthright citizenship. Thousands of expecting parents across the US suddenly had to consider that their babies would be born into a legal limbo. Among them is Monica, a woman expecting her first child after escaping political persecution in Venezuela. If Trumps order stands, Monicas baby will be born stateless. I was very shocked, she told the Guardian. For me and for so many mothers. This is a right that is in the constitution of this country so you cannot imagine that they would take it away just because. It was especially destabilizing for a couple who had wanted for years to become parents. We always wanted to organize our lives to have children, Monica said. We had finally found some stability. Related: How a young Chinatown cook helped establish birthright citizenship in the US Monica and her husband left Venezuela under threats of political persecution in 2019. She found out she was pregnant more than six years after arriving in the US, and almost couldnt believe it. I laughed, I cried, I thanked God. Instead of going to the supermarket that day, she went out to buy a pair of tiny baby shoes and left them out for her husband as a surprise. He was not expecting that! But he was so excited. Two weeks later, Trump took office and signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship. Seeking Venezuelan citizenship for their child would be impossible both Monica and her husband were outspoken critics of their countrys authoritarian government and its autocratic leader, Nicolas Maduro, and contacting the government could put them in danger. Besides, there are no Venezuelan consulates in the US, which means there is no way for the couple to register their newborn. Trumps effort to end birthright citizenship has faced immediate legal challenges. At least four major cases were filed in recent days, including one in which Monica is a plaintiff. The Guardian is not publishing Monicas surname, to protect her from retribution. Her last name is also omitted in the case in which she is challenging the order, along with four other pregnant immigrant women, and two immigrant advocacy groups, Casa and the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (Asap). (Monica is herself also a member of Asap). The case has been filed in federal district court in Maryland by the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown Law. On Thursday, a judge in Seattle temporarily blocked the implementation of the order, calling it blatantly unconstitutional. But questions about its implications remain, and families like Monicas will remain in limbo as the case winds its way through the courts. The text of the executive order leaves ambiguous exactly which children of which immigrants would be excluded from citizenship, said Leidy Perez, a policy and communications director at Asap. The order suggests that children born to parents who are in the US unlawfully or temporarily would be ineligible for citizenship. Most of the folks on our staff are immigration attorneys, and we have decades of experience amongst all of us. And then we have this executive order and even we think its unclear, she said. Many people seeking asylum, for example, have been in the US for years and are on a path to stay permanently could they be exempted from the order? Its just not clear, said Perez. Other immigrants, including many undocumented people and those with a temporary protected status, have been living in the US for decades. Is it even fair to say thats temporary? she said. If the order is implemented, however, tens of thousands of children born in the US each year would no longer qualify for US citizenship. Many would be born undocumented, and potentially stateless, ineligible or unable to get citizenship from their parents home countries. This could create a whole new generation of people who are born into legal limbo. These children would also become ineligible for many government programs that support low-income families, including food aid and subsidized health insurance. Newborns who need intensive care at the hospital would no longer be eligible for Medicaid. A second lawsuit challenging the executive order, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and several immigration advocacy groups, argues that the order violates the US constitutions longstanding guarantee to birthright citizenship and legal precedents which prevented the emergence of a hereditary underclass excluded from full participation in American life. Another legal challenge, brought by 22 Democratic-led states and the city of San Francisco filed in Boston and Seattle also argues that the order would burden local jurisdictions, leaving it to states and cities to absorb the costs of providing basic care for thousands of children left without federally subsidised care. Such questions and hypotheticals consume Monica in between bouts of her morning sickness. Where would I even register my son or daughters birth? she wonders. As she makes lists of all the baby supplies theyll need, and picks out the colors for the nursery, she thinks: I can name my child whatever name I want, but there will not be a birth certificate. Would you know if the baby was really born from me or not? Sometimes her mind jumps even further ahead when her kid is old enough to ask, how will she explain that they dont have a nationality? That they dont belong to anywhere? She and her husband have been waiting for six years in South Carolina while their asylum cases are processed through the profoundly backlogged immigration system. But in the meantime, they began been making a life. Monica has a medical degree from Venezuela, which she hopes will eventually be validated so she can practice in the US. Until then, she had been doing gig work for ride share and delivery apps. Her husband, meanwhile, had been working for a company that does plumbing, heating and air conditioning. A few years after arriving in the US, they were able to buy a house with their savings. Since becoming pregnant, she said she had been swinging between joy and fear. You give life to your child, but I believe they also give you the life you need, they give you strength that you never imagined you would have, she said. And if you dont fight for your baby or your children, then who else can do it? Policeman giving breathalyser test a driver in a drink driving awareness programme Young drivers could face a zero alcohol drink-drive limit, a minister has suggested. Lilian Greenwood, a transport minister, said on Monday that the Government was considering banning young drivers from the roads if they have any alcohol in their system. Motorists of any age in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are currently allowed to have up to 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, while in Scotland the limit is 50mg/100ml. But Ms Greenwood told a Westminster Hall debate that the Government would look to international experience in an effort to improve road safety. Ms Greenwood said: For example, a number of countries have a lower or zero alcohol limit for young drivers, or a minimum learning period. Countries that have lower drink-drive limits for new drivers include France (20mg/100ml), Germany (zero) and the Republic of Ireland (20mg/100ml). She did not specify the ages a new drink-drive limit would apply to. A minimum learning period would mean learner drivers would be prevented from taking their test until they had practised for a set period of time. Minimum learning period According to the NHS, it takes one hour for the average person to break down one unit (10ml) of alcohol. This equates to two hours for a pint of beer, five hours for five shots and 10 hours for a bottle of wine. Department for Transport (DfT) figures show 290 people were killed and 4,669 were seriously injured in crashes on Britains roads in 2023 that involved at least one driver aged between 17 and 24. Steve Gooding, the director of the RAC Foundation, said a reduced drink-drive limit should be considered if the evidence indicates it would reduce road deaths. Quite rightly the minister has one eye on what is happening overseas to see what might usefully be incorporated into her new road safety strategy later this year, he said. If the evidence stacks up for a reduction of the drink-drive limit for newly qualified drivers then it should be considered. We see a strong case for a minimum learning period, preferably as part of a package that ensures young drivers are given adequate opportunity to practice before taking the practical test and recognises the need for them to continue gaining experience safely thereafter. Both need to feature in the Governments thinking. Ms Greenwood went on to rule out the introduction of graduated driving licensing, where new drivers are initially prohibited from certain aspects like driving at night. While we are not considering graduated driving licences, we absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic collisions on our roads, and that is why we are exploring options to tackle the root causes of this without unfairly penalising young drivers, she said. A government spokesman later backtracked on the ministers remarks and claimed the measure is not under consideration. Police in Hartlepool after violent disorder in July last year. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA Yvette Cooper will reject internal Home Office advice to potentially widen the definition of extremism to include violent misogyny and conspiracy theorists, the Guardian understands. A report commissioned in the wake of violent riots after the Southport murders last year suggests authorities should adopt a behaviour-based and ideologically agnostic approach to combating extremism rather than ideologies of concern. But the home secretary is understood to believe the Home Office should continue its focus on Islamist and far-right violence, which currently make up the vast majority of terror cases. The report, leaked to the right-leaning thinktank Policy Exchange, says the governments approach to extremism should no longer be based on specific ideologies of concern but on behaviours and activity. It comes amid deepening scrutiny of the governments approach to extremism. On Sunday it emerged that counter-terrorism officers had not believed that the Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was in danger of being radicalised. Speaking to broadcasters on Tuesday Keir Starmer said it was important to focus resources on the threats faced by the UK. The prime minister said: When it comes to extremism, its very important that we are focused on the threats so we can deploy our resource properly and therefore were looking carefully where the key challenges are. Obviously, thats now informed with what I said last week in the aftermath of the Southport murders, where weve got the additional challenge, I think, of a cohort of loners who are extreme and they need to be factored in. So thats the focus. In the end, what this comes down to is the safety and security of people across the UK, thats my number one focus. One area of the report that has drawn criticism is the suggestion that claims of two-tier policing are a rightwing extremist narrative. Senior Conservative politicians have used this language to describe a number of areas of their concern, including the policing of pro-Palestinian protests. It says scandals about grooming gangs have been exploited by the far right and that rightwing extremist ideologies and beliefs are becoming more mainstream. Under the heading extreme misogyny, the report says: An online subculture called the manosphere contains a significant amount of content directly focused on misogyny, and sometimes absorbs extremist rightwing tropes. There is an overlap between some manosphere narratives, in particular incel beliefs, and extreme rightwing [ERW] ideology including racist narratives. Globalisation and multiculturalism, which are at the centre of many ERW narratives, are often blamed as factors in incels celibacy. For the first time it identifies potential Hindu extremism. Tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities in the UK are still evident and the events in Leicester show how disinformation can play a role in offline action, it says, referring to unrest in the city in 2022. The security minister Dan Jarvis, responding to the leaked documents in the Policy Exchange report, said: Ministers have rejected this advice. As we have said repeatedly Islamist extremism followed by far-right extremism are the biggest threats we face. The home secretary set out last week our plans to carry out an end-to-end review of Prevent thresholds on Islamist extremism because we are concerned that referrals are too low. Ideology, particularly Islamist extremism followed by far-right extremism, continue to be at the heart of our approach to countering extremism and counter terror. But as the horrific Southport attack shows, alongside that we also need more action on those drawn towards mixed ideologies and violence-obsessed young people. Last week Starmer promised a review of who could be charged under terrorism laws, after Rudakubana who had no specific ideology that police have identified but had an obsession with extreme violence and genocides was jailed for the murders of three young girls at a dance class in Southport. Starmer said the attack was what many people would understand as terrorism. But a former police counter-terror commander, Neil Basu, and Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said widening the definition would bring too much into scope. On Tuesday a former Metropolitan police chief superintendent said ministers must be very, very careful when changing legislation around extremism. Dal Babu told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I think its very, very important that we do things in a measured way, we dont do things very, very quickly when were outraged by incidents. Unfortunately when we have these outrageous murders of innocent people, people are quite rightly angry and want to know whether things can be done different. What are the missed opportunities? Asked whether the Met had the resources to cope with a broadened definition of extremism, Babu said: I think, to be perfectly honest, were at the moment struggling with the resources we have to deal with terrorism now. A Home Office spokesperson said the reports findings were yet to signed off by ministers. They said: The counter-extremism sprint sought to comprehensively assess the challenge facing our country and lay the foundations for a new approach to tackling extremism, so we can stop people being drawn towards hateful ideologies. This includes tackling Islamism and extreme rightwing ideologies, which are the most prominent today. In October the MI5 director, Ken McCallum, said three-quarters of threats identified by security services were Islamist and a quarter involved far-right extremists. Jack Lee joined The San Francisco Chronicle's Weather Science team in 2022 as a data reporter. He has written for a variety of science journalism outlets, covering everything from COVID-19 to songbirds to extreme weather events. Most recently, he has been writing about cancer prevention and early detection for the National Cancer Institute. Before coming to science writing and journalism, Lee earned a Ph.D. in molecular biology at Princeton University and then worked as a data engineer for several years in the Bay Area. He obtained a masters in science communication from UC Santa Cruz in 2020. Pets At Homes retail business suffered over the Christmas months as it warned of worsening consumer confidence. The pet product giant, which has hundreds of stores across the UK, said it saw a more challenging UK consumer backdrop with particularly weak footfall from October. The wider retail sector has taken a hit in recent months, as gloomy predictions about the economy have made people less willing to spend. Meanwhile, Labours decision to increase companies national insurance contributions, a tax paid per employee, is set to hurt the industry harder than most because of its reliance on lower paid workers such as shop-floor staff. Pets At Home said it had seen a softer performance in its retail business over the three months to January 2. Revenue across the business fell 0.2% compared with the previous year, although the company said its veterinary arm grew by nearly one-fifth, with more people signing up to its subscription service. It comes after Pets At Home warned last year that the slowdown of a pandemic boom in pet ownership would hit its profit. Britons flocked to buy dogs and cats during Covid-19 lockdowns, but the trend has stabilised this year. Lyssa McGowan, the companys chief executive, said in late 2024 that the company averaged 15,000 puppy and kitten sign-ups per week at the time, down from about 24,000 in 2023. Adam Vettese, an analyst at investment firm eToro, said: Its fair to say it isnt the easiest time to be a UK retailer, with potentially huge employment cost increases looming, and Pets at Home is no exception. Adding to this, with consumer confidence being particularly low due to households feeling the pinch themselves, they are far less likely to add a furry friend to the family or may hesitate to upgrade accessories for the ones they do have already. Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves will meet top executives from some of Britains major businesses on Tuesday as they continue their quest for economic growth. The meeting will see the Prime Minister and Chancellor seek to persuade bosses from businesses including Tesco, BT, Unilever and Lloyds Bank that they are committed to helping the private sector thrive as they attempt to attract more investment to the UK. It will also see the announcement of further changes to pension rules designed to increase the amount of money available for investment in the UK. Ahead of the meeting, Sir Keir Said: To achieve the change our country needs requires nothing short of rewiring the economy. It needs creative reform, the removal of hurdles and unrelenting focus. Whether its how public services are run, regulation or pension rules, my Government will not accept the status quo. Ms Reeves said business and Government were united on growth being the top priority, adding that she was fighting every day to tear down the biggest barriers to growth, taking on regulators, planning processes and opposition to this urgent mission. Economic growth has flatlined in recent years, prompting Labour to make kick-starting the economy its primary mission in Government (PA Graphics) Tuesdays meeting follows a difficult period for the Government, which has seen stuttering growth figures and rising borrowing costs threaten its plans for improving public services. At the same time, businesses have expressed increasing pessimism about their prospects for the coming year, including in light of the Budget that increased employers national insurance contributions an outlook both Sir Keir and Ms Reeves will be keen to address with business leaders. The Chancellor has planned a major speech on Wednesday, which is expected to focus on growth, including further reforms to the planning system, deregulation and boosting trade and investment. But she is also likely to face questions over the Governments policy on building a third runway at Heathrow Airport, something several Cabinet members have previously spoken out against but which the plans backers have argued would boost growth. The third runway was the only point of dissent during the Chancellors appearance at the Parliamentary Labour Partys weekly meeting on Monday, according to her spokesman, with MPs otherwise expressing overwhelming support for her. During the meeting, the Chancellor told Labour MPs the Government needed to go further and faster on growth and must start saying yes' to major projects. Tuesdays meeting also comes as the Government announces a major change to the rules governing pension funds in a bid to free up more money for investment in British businesses. Under the plans, defined benefit pension schemes that are in surplus will have more flexibility to invest some of that money in their sponsoring employers. Around 75% of defined benefit schemes are currently in surplus, with the Government saying up to 160 billion could be made available for investment. The Investment Associations Jonathan Lipkin said that, with the right guardrails in place, the proposals could help channel more funding into the economy by enabling schemes to invest more widely and take on greater risk, while allowing for members to receive an uplift to their pension benefits. Unlocking investment from pension funds has been an aim of both the current Chancellor and her predecessor, Jeremy Hunt, who have seen a limited appetite among pension funds for investing in UK assets as an obstacle to growth, choking off the funds available for both infrastructure projects and British businesses. A senior police officer has said clarity is needed over proposals that could allow terminally ill 16-year-olds in Scotland to get help to end their life with concerns raised with MSPs it could make Scotland an attractive place to come for those considering assisted dying. A Bill before Holyrood proposes giving terminally ill adults the right to seek help to die, with the legislation, put forward by Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur, setting out that an adult is a person who is aged 16 or over. However, similar legislation being considered by the House of Commons would only allow those aged 18 or older to seek an assisted death. And Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson of Police Scotland said that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was fairly clear and unambiguous that you are a child until the age of 18. His comments came as Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray again made clear the Scottish Governments view that measures in the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill exceed Holyroods powers. As MSPs on Holyroods Health Committee continued their scrutiny of the Bill, Mr Johnson spoke of the need for clarity on whether someone is an adult at 16 or 18. The assistant chief constable said: Clearly, if the person is 17, under one convention they are a child. But, according to the Bill, a 16-year-old can determine they want to move forward with a Bill that seeks to end their life. I would seek that clarity are they considered by the Bill an adult at 16? And, if so, that is not consistent with lots of other pieces of legislation in Scotland and we would need real clear guidance on that, and guidelines on what is the role of parents of children, if it is deemed by Parliament you did want it to be available to children, as defined by the UNCRC. Mr Johnson continued: Its those things that create a disparity between ourselves and other jurisdictions, that might make Scotland an attractive place to come to access the Bill. Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur has brought forward a members bill at Holyrood (Jane Barlow/PA) Laura Buchan, from the Scottish Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, also told the committee that it had discussed and made similar observations around the age and the tension with the UNCRC definition of a child. Mr Gray, meanwhile, told MSPs that the Scottish Government believes parts of the legislation to be outside of the Scottish Parliaments powers. The Health Secretary stressed the Government is taking a neutral position on the Bill, saying it was for Parliament to decide whether it supports the general principles of the legislation when it comes before Holyrood for a crucial vote. Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray said the Government was adopting a neutral stance on the Bill (Andrew Milligan/PA) There should be a universally free vote, including within Government when this happens, Mr Gray said. But describing it as a hugely complex, emotive, contentious topic, the Health Secretary made clear to the committee: We believe the Bill in its current form is outside the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament. He stated that part of the Bill concerning the drugs or substance a person would be given to end their life appears to relate to the reserved matter of medicines, medical supplies and poisons. Speaking on behalf of the Government, Mr Gray added: We also have concerns some of the other provisions in the Bill may relate to the reserved matter of regulation of health professionals. Afterwards, Mr McArthur welcomed the Scottish Governments commitment to ensuring a free vote on the Bill. He added: The Presiding Officer has certified that the Scottish Parliament can pass a Bill in this area but I have always been clear that the Scottish and UK Governments will need to agree to measures that will ensure that a truly comprehensive, assisted dying process can operate in Scotland. There are established mechanisms for transferring powers to enable legislation to be fully enacted in Scotland and no reason why these cannot be applied in this case. I also welcome the Cabinet Secretary for Healths commitment to consider the options I have outlined to achieve this should the stage one vote be successful. The Liberal Democrat continued: For the purposes of medical consent, Scots Law treats 16-year-olds as full adults, which is why that is the age that is proposed in my Bill. However, I am keen to hear the evidence taken by, and views of, the Health Committee in their scrutiny of my Bill and I remain open to discussing amendments on this if that is the will of Parliament. Mr McArthur is due to give evidence to the committee on the Bill next week. A police force is looking to cut all of its PCSOs to help balance the books following a Government funding settlement described as not enough. Essex Police said it could get rid of all 99 police community support officer roles within the force, pending consultation, as it faced a 12.5 million budget shortfall for 2025-26. The force also proposes to reduce staff numbers by around 65 and stop all non-critical building and technology projects. It could also slash a location allowance for the south-east that is paid to its officers, and remove the detective allowance, meaning officers face a reduction in pay. The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Roger Hirst, said the Government settlement is not enough to meet pay and inflationary pressures. Essex Police has requested the maximum precept increase allowed equivalent to a 5.66% increase for a Band D property and taking the yearly total to 260.37. The settlement is not enough, according to Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex Roger Hirst (Andrew Matthews/PA) The force said that the proposed precept increase, together with the proposed cuts, would allow it to maintain its current number of officers. It said that urgent action to address a budget shortfall, including axing all PCSOs and reducing the number of staff, would have a significant impact on the forces operational capability. Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: Ive said repeatedly for the last few months that all I want is fair funding for a force that is already efficient delivering tens of millions in savings over the last decade driving down crime and working hard to keep our communities safe. Despite our extensive efforts to balance the books for the next financial year, we still have a shortfall. The only thing left therefore that we can look at is reducing our people that is the position that no Chief Constable wants to be in. I know our communities do not want to see this either, but financially there is nowhere left for us to go. He said that he and the force are on the same page as the Government, we all want more officers on our streets but these things cant happen without the appropriate funding and sadly there is just not enough money in the pot. The Essex Police, Fire and Crime Panel will meet on February 4 to consider the proposed precept increase. The public inquiry into the Omagh bombing is to hold its first substantive hearings. Bereaved families and survivors are expected to gather at the Strule Arts Centre in the Co Tyrone town on Tuesday for the inquiry which will examine whether the atrocity could reasonably have been prevented by UK authorities. Scottish judge Lord Turnbull is overseeing the probe into the 1998 Real IRA bombing which claimed 29 lives, including a woman pregnant with twins. Commemorative and personal statement hearings will be held over the next four weeks. Lord Turnbull at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh (Liam McBurney/PA) These will begin with bereaved families giving pen portrait evidence of those who died, followed by survivors, emergency services and those working in statutory organisations. According to the inquiry schedule, Tuesday will hear commemorations of Fernando Blasco Baselga, 12, and Rocio Abad Ramo, 23, two Spanish nationals killed in the bombing. The proceedings were announced by then Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris in 2023 after a High Court judgment recommended a public inquiry into alleged security failings in the lead-up to the atrocity, and also urged the Irish authorities to establish their own probe. The Irish Government has formally agreed to provide assistance to the inquiry. In his opening statement to the inquiry last year, Lord Turnbull said the pain of bereavement and trauma caused by the dissident republican bomb attack spread beyond Omagh, Northern Ireland and Ireland to families from England and Spain. He said the inquiry will undertake its task rigorously and fearlessly, and emphasised the defining character of the inquiry must be its independence. Bereaved families have expressed hope that the process will provide them with answers about the worst atrocity of the Northern Ireland Troubles after decades of campaigning for a public inquiry. The UK has provided an extra 17 million in humanitarian aid toward Gaza, amid the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Development minister Anneliese Dodds announced the aid commitment in the House of Commons, which will go towards food, water, healthcare and sanitation programmes in the war-torn territory. The fragile ceasefire in the Gaza conflict has lasted more than a week, with thousands of Gazans now returning to where they once lived in the north of the territory. Development minister Anneliese Dodds said the UK is investing in the ceasefire (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Foreign Office minister Ms Dodds told MPs: The UK is investing in the ceasefire. UK support will be distributed to the UN and key medical partners so that tens of thousands of civilians get the healthcare, food and shelter they need. Some 2 million of the aid will be given to the World Bank to support the construction and restoration of critical water and energy infrastructure across the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the minister said. In a plea to Israel to allow the UNs main aid agency in Gaza to continue to operate, she added: The UN and humanitarian agencies must be able to operate freely. This Government has repeatedly stated the need for UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) to continue its life-saving assistance to the people of Gaza, Jerusalem and the West Bank. Israels Parliament has voted to block UNRWA from operating in Gaza, following reports that members of its staff colluded with Hamas. Nine members of UNRWA staff were sacked following an investigation into the allegations. The ban, which begins on January 30, risks impeding the progress made since the ceasefire, Ms Dodds warned. She added: Israel must allow the agency to continue to operate. The legislation does not and cannot change the fact that Israel has a responsibility under international law to facilitate humanitarian assistance. As the UN Security Council heard last week, a million Gazan children need support to process their traumatic experience. Their suffering cannot be underestimated. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel asked for assurances that British taxpayers money is not being abused by Hamas. The senior Conservative added: The minister has rightly mentioned UNRWA, and while no-one can doubt the size of its distribution network, we cannot ignore the problems within the organisation, and its in nobodys interest to just pretend that they have not happened. We know the facts UNRWA staff and institutions have been infiltrated by Hamas, including the shocking allegations of UNRWA staff involved in the October 7 attacks. A direct aid operation led by Jordan has meanwhile started to fly aid into Gaza via helicopter. Some 500,000 of supplies on board the helicopters has been provided by the UK, and British military planners are also helping with logistics. The US will take a big interest in the war in Sudan, because failed countries become a haven of Jihadist extremist activity, David Lammy has said. The Foreign Secretary confirmed he had had a brief conversation with incoming US secretary of state Marco Rubio about the conflict in the region. Sudan plunged into conflict in mid-April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between its military and paramilitary leaders broke out in the capital, Khartoum, and spread to other regions, including the vast western Darfur region. Foreign Secretary David Lammy speaking during an event at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Jordan Pettitt/PA) The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has said there are grounds to believe both government forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF) may be committing war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide in Darfur. Liberal Democrat MP Olly Glover asked if the Foreign Secretary would ensure Sudan was on the list of priorities for President Donald Trump given his America first agenda. Mr Lammy said: I listened to the secretary of state, Rubios first press conference, and he talked about wanting prosperity for the United States, wanting, of course, security for the United States, and wanting safety for the United States. And the truth is, the tremendous problems that were seeing in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel and Sudan, are deeply worrying, not just for us here in Europe, but also for the United States, because failed countries become a haven of Jihadist extremist activity that washes back up on our shores, that is the truth of it. And when big countries, or indeed more powerful countries, invade small countries, particularly countries with minimal resources, we should be very concerned indeed and raise it as a big issue. So for all of those reasons, I expect the United States will take a big interest in whats happening in this regard. Mr Lammy earlier stated that the conflict in Sudan has created the worlds largest humanitarian crisis, with 30 million people now in urgent need. He said: Just to make it clear to the house thats more than Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Gaza and Mali combined. That is how bad the situation currently is. Foreign Secretary David Lammy meets patients in a malnutrition centre in Adre, Chad near the border with Sudan (Stefan Rousseau/PA) And that is why I did raise this issue with secretary of state, Rubio when I spoke to him yesterday, although because of all the issues in front of this, it was a brief conversation, but we both said we would return to the issue, and we discussed the fact that I am keen to convene a group of nations, including regional partners, on this very same issue. He said he had seen the level of crisis for himself during a visit to the Chad-Sudan border, adding: I felt a duty to confront the true horror of what is unfolding, to bear witness and to raise up the voices of those suffering, mainly women, so horrendously. Mr Lammy said the UK has an interest in addressing the conflicts, saying: Irregular migration from Sudan to Britain alone increased by 16% last year. Unscrupulous smuggling gangs are looking to profit from the misery in places such as Sudan and the DRC and the longer these wars last, the greater their ripple effects. Neighbours like Chad are working hard to manage the crisis alongside others nearby, but further escalation only increases instability and the risk of conflict elsewhere. Independent MP Zarah Sultana (Coventry South) called on the Foreign Secretary to end arms sales to the UAE who she said were providing arms to the RSF. She told MPs: These arms and supplies have been reportedly disguised as humanitarian aid, raising serious concerns about the UAEs role in exacerbating conflict and suffering in Sudan. The UAE is one of the UKs largest arms buyers, with billions of pounds worth of defence exports licensed in recent years. So given the gravity of these allegations and the UKs obligations under international law, will the Government commit to ending all arms sales to the UAE unless it can be unequivocally verified that they are no longer supplying the RSF? Mr Lammy said the Government holds regular discussions with all regional partners including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and African partners. looster2018/Reddit Checked Out Countless grocery store chains have come and gone over the years, many that were household names at one point in time. With competition from upstarts, razor thin profit margins, and the changing retail landscape and shopping preferences across America, stores that were once a key part of communities have practically faded from memory. Here's a look at some of the once thriving and beloved grocery stores that have permanently shuttered over the past few decades. Wikimedia Commons A&P Perhaps one of the best-known defunct grocery store chains, A&P, or the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, traces its roots back to 1859, beginning as a mail-order tea business in New York City (initially called the Great American Tea Company), and would go on to open its first small grocery store in 1912. Over the years, it grew to be one of the top grocery stores in the country. After managing to survive for 165 years things went south for the supermarket giant in a big way in 2015. Industry watchers say the company was unable to evolve with the times and was crippled by a misguided focus. That year A&P filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and all stores closed. Front exterior of Kash n' Karry, Circa 1993, parking lot in the foreground, white top of building with brown bottom portion, a blue sky with white clouds Kash n' Karry Those who have spent any amount of time in Florida will remember the Kash n' Karry chain, best known for providing quick service to help get busy shoppers in and out the door (including doing the unheard of in this day and age opening a new checkout lane if there were three customers waiting in line). The store's roots were in Tampa, where Italian immigrant Salvatore Greco began selling fruits and vegetables on the streets of the city. Greco slowly grew his business over the years, moving from the street to selling food from a storefront in his home, and eventually, in the 1960s operating nine stores. In 1979, Lucky Stores bought Kash n' Karry, and at its height the chain had 117 stores. Kash n' Karry eventually fell victim to growing too fast and too much competition from similar supermarket chains. The last Kash n' Karry closed in 2007. Front exterior of Alpha Beta Grocery Store, Laguna Hills, California, 1966, a few beige vintage cars are parked in the parking lot in the foreground, a blue sky in the background Alpha Beta A grocery store chain best known for its little cowboy mascot, Alpha Beta began in 1910 and lasted until about 1995. The store started in California, but eventually expanded throughout most of the country. With locations primarily in suburbs, shoppers during the 1950s began referring to Alpha Beta as "the country club," because it became a place to meet all of your friends. But after a hostile takeover in 1979, Alpha Beta began a slow decline. In 1994, a merger with Ralphs Grocery Co. was announced, the result of which was that the Alpha Beta name was eliminated and eventually all of the stores became Ralphs. Side exterior of White Hen Pantry, Boston, on a street corner, beige building with brick sidewalk, street in the foreground, on a sunny day during winter White Hen Pantry Though not a full-fledged grocery store like the others on this list, at its height White Hen Pantry became beloved for being a place that could practically replace your grocery-store run. The store offered everything from deli platters to milk and juice. At its peak, White Hen had 245 stores in the Chicago region and 55 in the Boston area. White Hen's decline began in 2000, around the time it was sold to Clark Retail Group. The combined forces of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and a fickle consumer market did not bode well for the store. Two years later, its parent company, Clark Retail Enterprises, filed for bankruptcy. After various sales and acquisitions, in 2006 the still-struggling chain became part of 7-Eleven and the stores were renamed as such. Front and side exterior of Dominicks Grocery Store, Chicago, 2007, large light beige building with windows on one side, cars on the street in the foreground Dominick's Another once-legendary Chicago chain, Dominick's started in 1918 and grew to about 72 stores. Though once a local institution, Dominick's fell victim to an increasingly competitive landscape, by some accounts being impacted on the discount side of business by the likes of Walmart and Target and on the high-end by such competitors as Whole Foods. The steep cost of unionized labor proved to be another challenge for Dominick's. The chain also failed to modernize over the years and offer customers any compelling reason to continue shopping there. Kohl's logo on top of store, Plainville, Connecticut, brown building, against a blue sky with dramatic white clouds Kohl's Food Stores Those of a certain age probably won't remember that Kohl's started as a grocery store. Yes, that's right, it sold food first. The store now famous for discount clothing was started by Polish immigrant Maxwell Kohl in 1927 in Milwaukee. Over the years, Kohl expanded and grew his business to not only be the largest supermarket chain in Milwaukee (and what some described as the epitome of the modern supermarket) but to also include drug stores, liquor stores, and more. Eventually, Kohls sold a controlling interest in its stores to a subsidiary of the British American Tobacco Company. In 2003, the grocery stores were shuttered by owner Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. Wikimedia Commons Food Fair Launched in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Food Fair got its start in the 1920s and eventually grew to be among the top five grocery stores in the United States with about 500 stores. Primarily located throughout the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast, Food Fair expanded into Florida and even had a few outposts in California at one point. By the 1980s, however, the store disappeared, rebranded as Pantry Pride. Before departing from the retail grocery landscape, Food Fair embraced a variety of innovations that grew to be quite popular including electronic registers, scanning, UPC, and discount grocery stores. Closeup of boxes of Paczki 4 packs from Ultra Foods, 4 boxes, white background with red lettering Ultra Foods Known for its steep discounts, which were anywhere from 25% to 30% off regular grocery prices, Ultra Foods made its appearance in the 1980s operating primarily in northern Indiana and Chicago. It eventually grew to have about 16 locations but like many other grocers, Ultra was up against steep competition. In 2017, the last Ultra became part of the popular Indiana-based chain Strack & Van Til. National Food Stores magazine vintage ad, 1950s, blue and black coloring on yellowed white paper National Tea An early arrival on the grocery store landscape, by 1920 National Tea had more than 1,600 locations nationwide and sales were around $90 million annually. The arrival of the Great Depression dealt the store a severe blow, and many locations closed. However, National Tea still managed to remain one of the largest grocery chains in the country until the 1970s. In 1976, it was sold to A&P. The Old Jitney Jungle Building, Shreveport, Louisiana, side and front exterior, made of red bricks, on a street corner intersection Jitney Jungle A staple on the grocery landscape throughout the South, Jitney Jungle began in Mississippi in 1919 and then branched out across the Southeast. The history of this grocery store company is something of an example of the changes that took place in food retailing during the 20th century beginning with self-service store design in the 1920s and then moving on to the rise of supermarkets in the 1930s and later the discount megamarkets of the 1970s. Remarkably, Jitney Jungle remained a private, family-owned grocery chain until 1996. By 2000, however, its run was over and Winn-Dixie absorbed the chain and rebranded its stores. Wikimedia Commons Pantry Pride A store well-known throughout Florida at least until Publix burst onto the scene Pantry Pride got its start in the 1960s. The birth of the store was the result of Food Fair purchasing a competitor known as Best Markets, which had a private label brand called Pantry Pride. The Best Markets name became a thing of the past, but its private label was given the honor of becoming the store's new name. By the mid-1980s however, Pantry Pride was in financial straits and thus began its eventual slide into obscurity, including shareholders approving a deal giving control to New York-based McAndrews & Forbes Acquisition Corp. At its peak, the chain included 440 supermarkets in seven states on the East Coast and the Bahamas. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Fresh & Easy Launched by U.K.-based Tesco, Fresh & Easy was an attempt to break into the U.S. market in 2007. The company floundered, however, twice filing for bankruptcy. The second filing in 2015 brought a final end to the chain. Fresh & Easy was plagued by a variety of problems including not investing the money to attract shoppers, failing to communicate the store's mission, and distribution snags that turned customers off. Before it went completely kaput, however, there were more than 150 Fresh & Easy stores in operation. The early vision for the store was to be a chain of healthful convenience stores. Wikimedia Commons Victory Super Markets Leominster, Massachusetts-based Victory Super Markets was founded in 1923 by two brothers James and Louis DiGeronimo. Its name had the unique distinction of being based on the American war effort in World War I. During its 81-year run, Victory Super Markets grew to be a 20-store chain that employed more than 2,600 workers and generated annual revenue of about $385 million. Ultimately, however, it was sold to Hannaford Brothers Company in 2004, bringing an end to the chain. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images Waldbaum's A store that operated primarily in New York and then expanded into New Jersey and Connecticut, Waldbaum's sold a variety of grocery products including deli meat, dairy, baked goods, produce and frozen foods. It managed to stay in business for a stellar 115 years but eventually was bought by A&P in 1986. Waldbaum's officially ceased operations alongside its parent company in 2015. Front exterior of Marsh Supermarket, Indianapolis, circa early 90s, large parking lot with numerous cars in the foreground, on a sunny day during late summer Marsh Supermarkets A grocery store chain that flourished throughout Indiana and Ohio, eventually opening dozens of stores, Marsh Supermarkets filed for bankruptcy in 2017. Founded in 1931, it lasted for 88 years before shuttering. The company suffered a long slow decline under the ownership of a private-equity firm that did not understand how to operate grocery stores. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Eagle Food Centers Once well-known and beloved all across the Midwest, Eagle Food Centers suffered the same fate as many other grocery stores on this list fierce competition from major grocery chains and also from supercenter retailers with lower labor costs and economies of scale. The company-owned and operated 61 supermarkets in Illinois and Iowa. In 2000, Eagle Food Centers filed for bankruptcy, and by 2003 all of its locations had gone out of business. Front exterior of Grand Union Family Market, Bolton Landing, New York, driveway in the foreground, trees and a pale sky in the background Grand Union Long a fixture on the grocery store landscape in New York, Grand Union at one point operated 222 supermarkets in six states, including Vermont, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania. Each Grand Union store was designed to meet local needs and included a variety of brand name and private label groceries. Some locations also included cafes and pharmacies. In 2001, the company filed for bankruptcy and was purchased by C&S Wholesale Grocers, which sold it to Tops Friendly Markets. While some stores were kept by C&S, the new owner brought an end to the Grand Union brand in 2011. However, after Tops merged with Price Chopper Supermarkets in 2021, the company was forced to sell stores to meet regulatory approval. Those stores were bought by C&S, and rebranded as Grand Union. So residents of upstate New York and Vermont, once again have the chance to shop at Grand Union, though at only 11 locations, a shadow of its former footprint. This article was originally published on Cheapism looster2018/Reddit More From Cheapism The flight landed safely in the middle of the morning, the sun occasionally bursting through the clouds over Guatemala City. But instead of taxiing to International Arrivals, the plane headed towards the military side of the airport as fighter jets screamed above, weaving around in training exercises. When the aircraft doors opened, dozens of men and women were ushered onto the tarmac where they were greeted by an emotional Guatemalan Vice President Karin Herrera and other officials and then led into a reception center for returnees. Good morning! one shouted. How are you, paisanos (countrymen)? This was a chartered deportation flight from the United States, an operation thats gained new attention since the inauguration of President Donald Trump last week and his promises to remove millions of undocumented migrants. If there was any shame or animosity when the flight left Alexandria, Louisiana, just before sunrise, none of that was evident when the migrants walked back on Guatemalan soil, many shuffling in open sneakers the laces having been taken by US authorities in a common safety practice, and never returned. The passengers all adults on this flight were welcomed with cookies and coffee and efficient processing in the migrant reception center. Repatriation flights have been an ongoing process, Herrera told CNN, adding there had been no increase since Trump came to power. The only difference, she said, was the use of military planes such as the one arriving later on Monday. She did not want to discuss the weekend spat between Colombia and the US over the use of military planes, saying her focus was on her citizens. We are committed to their integrity and their basic rights, Herrera said. Some of the returning Guatemalans had lived and worked in the US for years. Some were fluent in English. But they had all entered without permission or documents and so were subject to deportation. The migrants left the US as criminals, telling us they were handcuffed on board until they were out of US airspace on their flight south. But whether they were looking forward to being back on home turf or not, the official reception they got was mostly very warm, as if they had been badly missed. A few did remain in handcuffs and were escorted by police, expected to face action for crimes alleged to have been committed in their homeland. But for the majority, they sat with snacks as names were called and temporary identification papers were handed out. Undocumented no more. They might have skills and abilities that could find them work and a good life back in their home country, benefiting themselves and Guatemala too, officials said. The returning migrants applauded Herrera after she gave a short speech in the arrival hall but each has their own view on whether they will heed calls to stay. Sara Tot-Botoz said her first thought after being processed back into Guatemala was to change out of her gray sweats and into her indigenous clothes. - Evelio Contreras/CNN Sara Tot-Botoz said her first thought after being processed back into Guatemala was to change into her indigenous clothes. - Evelio Contreras/CNN It feels dangerous in the US now Sara Tot-Botoz had lived for 10 years in Alabama, working in construction, roofing and car repair, as well as caring for two of her children, now adults, and grandchildren. She said she had been driving away from a Walmart with one of those grandchildren about seven months ago when she says police pulled her over and cited her for not having him in a car seat. After her immigration status was discovered, she spent two months in jail in Alabama and then five months in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention in Louisiana, she said. Once processed back into Guatemala, she said her first thought was to get out of the shapeless gray sweats she was wearing and into her indigenous clothes. And then to eat some good food. Tot-Botoz, 43, stood waiting for her belongings. Only a handful of the migrants had suitcases for their things. Most others waited for a large plastic sack to be handed over containing all that they had taken from the US. As others charged their phones at free power banks to call friends or relatives, Tot-Botoz changed and hurried out onto the street outside. There was another of her children, a daughter, now 25, who had not seen her mother since she was 15. The two women hugged each other for a long time, each crying. They had not been in contact since Tot-Botoz was taken to detention and while there was much to catch up on, for a few minutes they just wanted to hold each other. It feels dangerous in the US now, Tot-Botoz told CNN, explaining that undocumented migrants could be picked up anywhere. Tot-Botoz told CNN for now she wants to get back to her indigenous community, about a five-hour drive away, and never leave. Dozens of deportees from the US are ushered to a reception center where first they are greeted by Guatemalan Vice President Karin Herrera and other officials in Guatemala City. - Evelio Contreras/CNN A lingering American dream But Fidel Ambrocio said he still saw his future in the US. He said he had lived there for a total of 19 years, first arriving as a teen and voluntarily leaving for a spell in 2018 before heading back north. He has a wife, a four-year-old daughter and a baby son, born just a couple of months before he was detained, he said, on an old warrant for trespass at the home of his ex-wifes mother. Ambrocio, 35, whod worked in construction in Montgomery, Alabama, seemed almost stunned to be back in Guatemala. He was also angry, not comprehending why he was deported when most of the rhetoric from Trump and his team has been about sending violent offenders out of the country. Were not criminals, he insisted, saying he did not consider his offence to be a serious crime. The migrants CNN spoke to had all been detained while Joe Biden was president, and went through removal proceedings that led to them being on the flight from Louisiana. Ambrocio told CNN he would try to go back to the US. Legally, he said, he has to wait 10 years before applying for a visa, but he said he might try in two or four years, even if that meant travelling illegally and facing whatever the consequences might be. If I can never go back, I will try to get my wife and kids here, he conceded. That will be very challenging. CNNs Michael Rios contributed to this story. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Ben & Jerry's/Allrecipes Your freezer calledit's lonely. Despite the chilly temperatures outside, there's never been a better time to stock up and buy it some company. Frozen-aisle favorites like Blue Bell and Haagen-Dazs each put out new products last week, and even brands like Rice Krispies are headed to the freezer for the first time with ice cream pints and sandwiches. Now, hot on the heels of launching its biggest innovation yetfour sharing-sized Scoop-apalooza flavorsBen & Jerry's is hitting our news feeds and feeding us another new line. And, to sweeten the deal even more, it's an international favorite coming across the pond for the first time ever. Ben & Jerry's Launches 4 New Sundaes Pints Ben & Jerry's Now I know what you're thinkinginternational favorite?! Isn't Ben & Jerry's an American company? Yes, real Ben & Jerry's fans know it was born-and-bred in Burlington, Vermont, but like so many other brands, its success has led it around the world. And, just like other brands, sometimes other countries get exclusive flavors and products we don't have in the U.S. Until recently, one of those was the Sundaes line of Ben & Jerry's pints. Following the success of the line in Europe, Ben & Jerry has decided to bring the line stateside for the first timewith a brand-new flavor that's only available in the U.S. The Sundaes pints are an all-in-one sundae-inspired experience. Each pint features a delicious base loaded with Ben & Jerry's signature chunks and swirls, with a distinctive whipped topping layer and even more chunks sprinkled on top. No need to outsource your toppings and whipthey're built right in. The only thing not included is a spoon (and the cherry on top, if that's your jam). The line features four flavors: Cookie Vermont-ster Sundae: Inspired by a beloved Ben & Jerrys Scoop Shop sundae, Cookie Vermont-ster features vanilla ice cream with chocolate chip cookies and chocolate-chocolate chip cookies, finished with vanilla whipped topping, fudge swirls, and fudge chips. Dulce-Delish Sundae: Perhaps the most indulgent Sundae flavor, this pint features salted caramel ice cream with pecan toffee pieces and caramel swirls, finished with caramel whipped topping, caramel swirls and sea salt fudge chunks. Choco-lotta Cheesecake Sundae: Chocolate lovers will appreciate this pint, which has chocolate cheesecake ice cream, chocolate cookies, and chocolate-chocolate cookie swirls, finished with vanilla whipped topping, fudge swirls, and sea salt fudge chunks. Turtle Sundae: This U.S.-exclusive Sundae starts with a buttery ice cream base full of fudge-covered almonds and pretzel swirls, complete with vanilla whipped topping, caramel swirls, and fudge-covered pretzel pieces. I like to think of each Sundae as a textural treasure hunt, starting with that thick and creamy ice cream that you already know and love, nestled below a layer of rich whipped topping and covered in the perfect balance of the most decadent swirls and chunks you have ever met, said Ben & Jerry's Flavor Guru Natalia Butler in a press release. I got an early taste of two of the four new Sundaes pints. Here are my honest thoughts. My Review of Ben & Jerry's New Sundaes Pints Now, what could be better than a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream? An extra-loaded pint of Ben & Jerry's. Because they want to mimic a sundae loaded up with toppings, these pints are decked out with even more chunks and swirls than the usual flavors. I got to try the Dulce-Delish Sundae and Turtle Sundae flavors. The Dulce-Delish flavor will certainly win over any caramel lover, and the sea salt fudge coins on top are maybe my favorite mix-in yet. But the Turtle Sundae stole the show. That buttery ice cream base ... oh my goodness. If you've ever had butter pecan, you'll recognize the subtly nutty notes of this ice cream, but amped up even more. I always think a little salty with your sweet makes it taste even better, and this pint proves it. Between the salty pretzel swirls and fudge-covered pretzel (which I loved in last year's Impretzively Fudged), I was more than soldand I bet you will be, too. The whipped topping is definitely whipped topping rather than whipped cream (which makes sense, given the latter is less stable frozen), which was not my favorite, but the swirls and chunks more than make up for it. Overall, my only critique would be the logistics of putting a sundae into a pint. Because that layer of whip and toppings is concentrated to the top of the pint, you really have to dig in and approach these flavors vertically, which makes them less practical for scooping and sharing. If you were to scoop off the top, you'd just get the "toppings" and no ice cream for some time. To capture the full sundae experience in each bite you have to make a conscious effort to dig deep. But call me an archaeologist, because this is one dig I'd sign up for any day. The best way to devour these pints is definitely with a spoon, probably by yourself. If the Scoop-apalooza flavors were designed to share, I'd say these are designed to be personal pints. They might just become the best-kept secret in your freezer. Read the original article on ALLRECIPES General Capital Limited advises that its subsidiary General Finance Limited, a licensed Non-bank Deposit Taker, has uploaded its quarterly unaudited report for the quarter ended 31 December 2024 to the Disclose Register. General Finance Limited has continued its growth trajectory, with total assets reaching $196.3 million, an increase of 9% on the 30 September 2024 quarter. The company also reported a quarterly net profit after tax (NPAT) of $925,541, an increase of 21% from the previous quarter. As at 31 December 2024 General Finance held $35.9 million in cash, cash equivalent and bank deposits. The capital ratio, being the total capital divided by total exposures, was 17.68% down from 21.78% in the previous quarter as a result of increased residential lending and the Bridges Financial Services acquisition. Mr. Brent King, Managing Director, commented on the results, explaining that, as a licensed Non-bank Deposit Taker, General Finance is required to issue this report under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. This performance underscores the robust and stable nature of General Finance. We are well-positioned to build on this momentum and continue our growth journey, said Mr. King. The information can be found at www.disclose-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz. ENDS Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: SKT - Sky secures iconic sports rights RYM - Ryman completes Retail Entitlement Offer TEM - Transaction in Own Shares FPH launches F&P Nova Nasal mask in NZ and AU Fonterra announces changes to management team March 12th Morning Report WHS FY25 Interim Results teleconference details VGL - Odeon Cinemas Group signs for Vista Cloud DGL - T&G appoints new Director TEM - Transaction in Own Shares The body of 12-year-old Juan Sebastian Mejia Acevedo was recovered Monday from a pond in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The body of a Virginia Beach boy reported missing last week was pulled from a pond Monday, three days after his parents got a ransom demand that may have been just a twisted money grab. Juan Sebastian Mejia Acevedo, 12, was found dead in the local pond Monday afternoon, after his parents called police Friday night and said the boy never came home from a friends house, according to CBS 6 Richmond. Cops investigated the case as a possible abduction after the parents got a ransom message during a Facebook Live plea they made that night, and the state police issued an AMBER alert around 7 a.m. the next day. Juan Sebastian Mejia Acevedo, 12, was found dead in a Virginia Beach pond Monday afternoon. Facebook/A Voice For The Voiceless The family said it paid the $500 demand but never heard back from the alleged kidnappers, Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate said. It is possible that the ransom request was a fraud, the chief said an attempt by unscrupulous actors to take advantage of a family during their darkest hour. This would not be the first time that that type of scam has been perpetuated on a family that is going through difficult circumstances, the chief said. Is that a possibility? It absolutely is. Its not clear if Acevedo was the victim of foul play. WTKR Unfortunately, because it involved out-of-state transactions, we need search warrants, subpoenas, to try to identify who that individual was who received that money, the chief said. On Monday afternoon, authorities found Acevedos corpse in a pond near the Cambria at Cornerstone apartments off South Independence Boulevard not far from the Mica Avenue address where his parents last saw him, the outlet said. Its too soon to tell if police will open a homicide investigation or rule the death accidental, authorities said. Its too early for me to speculate, Neudigate said. We just recovered him. As we get more information and we can confirm facts and not what we believe occurred we will get that out to the community. We had no specific indication that these ponds were an area of interest, but we did not want to leave any stone unturned. The boys body was sent to the medical examiner to determine a cause of death. Bidding farewell to the mythical Dragon, the world welcomes the Year of the Snake on January 29 the first day of the Lunar New Year. For those who celebrate this ancient festival, starting the year on a positive note is essential. In addition to eating auspicious foods and taking part in luck-enhancing activities, many people turn to the stars for hints about what lies in store for the months to come. Lets start with the basics. The 12-year Chinese zodiac calendar cycle is represented by 12 different animals, in this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Your zodiac animal is determined by your year of birth, meaning those born on or after the first day of the lunar calendar in 2025 will fall under the Snake sign. (See below illustrations to find out which animal represents the year you were born.) But thats only the beginning. For faithful followers of the system, a year isnt just categorized by its animal. Theres also a complex sexagenary cycle made up of 10 heavenly stems and 12 earthly branches. Be observant and patient in chaos Every year, a heavenly stem (one of five elements, which fall into the yin or yang category) is paired with an earthly branch (one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals). This year the heavenly stem is Yi which represents Yin Wood and the earthly branch Si which represents the Snake. That makes 2025 the Year of the Wood Snake. So what does that mean for the coming months? For deeper insights into the year ahead, we met up with Thierry Chow, a Hong Kong-based feng shui consultant who blends traditional Chinese geomancy with modern elements. In 2024, the Yang Wood Dragon Year was a time of becoming soil and rebirth for many of us, she says. People burn incense at a temple in Yangon, Myanmar on the first day of the Lunar New Year in 2024. - Sai Aung Main/AFP/Getty Images Year 2025 will be very different. The Snake with a strong fire element, along with some metal and earth elements is a zodiac sign that can cause significant clashes and conflicts. We need to be mindful of accidents as we approach the Snake Year. The overall atmosphere in the world will become slightly more chaotic. But, she says theres no need to be overly grim. We can always choose to look at it positively, says Chow. Snakes have a more observant personality. The Yin Wood Snake is more like a little green snake, rather than a large cobra, who can observe clearly before making a decisive strike at the right moment. The geomancy expert notes that industries related to the wood element, such as healthcare and paper, will benefit from this cycle. How about travel? Other important Chinese geomancy elements Chow analyzes include the nine flying stars, which rotate positions and are believed to influence luck in certain parts of the world. Because the fortune star will land in the east this year, travelers are encouraged to explore locations in that direction, whether within their city or abroad, she says. The Grand Duke of Jupiter lords over your luck As for individual luck, Chinese zodiac followers believe that their animals fortune depends on the positions of the Tai Sui the stellar deities that rotate parallel to and in the opposite direction of Jupiter. To calculate how each person will be affected in a particular year, a Chinese geomancy consultant will look at ones birth chart, which is composed of a wide range of elements based on different stars positions on the day and time of their birth, and see how their elements interact with the year. These combinations are important; some even use them to make huge life decisions for the year ahead, such as whether they should get married or start a business. While not every person has access to a geomancy master for a detailed consultation, most followers agree that analyzing Tai Suis position over each zodiac sign offers a general snapshot of the year to come. If your zodiac sign is out of favor with Tai Sui aka the Grand Duke of Jupiter this year, the experts say you might find yourself facing more disruptions and changes than usual. But Chow is quick to add that the calendar is a rotating cycle. I believe for every yang, there is always the yin, too. So dont worry too much and just be mindful of how the world may shift, and itll help you with what youre doing anyway, she says. To resolve clashes, followers usually go to a Chinese temple and make offerings to representations of Tai Sui. While it doesnt harm anyone to visit such a place to inspire positive thoughts, Chow especially encourages people born in the Year of the Ox, Tiger, Snake, Monkey, Rooster and Pig to get some extra blessings this year. Ready to slither into 2025? Read on for more of Chows insights. Snake Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock Snakes are the main character of 2025, says Chow. Theyll be facing their Ben Ming Nian (the same zodiac year as their birth sign). A lot of changes are coming, and they should expect to make many significant decisions regarding love, work, health and family. Amid these uncertainties, its normal for people to feel anxious. Chow reminds Snakes to embrace the changes and focus on caring for the health of themselves and their families. Visiting a temple early in the year could help alleviate negative energy, she says, as will attending joyous events, such as baby showers or weddings. We often say that one happy event prevents the occurrence of three disasters. So plan your happy occasions, says Chow. Always remember that changes are good for your growth. Horse Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock People born in the Year of the Horse wont have to worry about clashes with Tai Sui in 2025. In fact, theyll likely find themselves receiving more assistance at work, says Chow. For those looking to make changes in their personal lives, it may be a good year for Horses to look for a partner, she adds. (Chinese geomancy) is about finding balance within the five elements, says Chow. Horses are the most fiery animals in the zodiac cycle. That often means they need water and metal to balance. Yet, the Snake is also a fire-heavy sign, meaning things could feel unbalanced in 2025. Dont forget to spare some moments for self-care as well as your family and friends aspects where Horses may feel more overwhelmed. A good way for Horses to restore balance is to travel, making sure to focus on their mind and soul. Horses will generally feel luckier in autumn and winter this year, she adds. Goat Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock People born in the Year of the Goat will enjoy a relatively stable year so long as they pay attention to what they consume. Goats need to take extra care of their health this year, especially with their digestive systems. Be mindful of what they are eating, says Chow. Career-wise, there shouldnt be many big changes this year. However, she says Goats may want to play things safe and avoid taking unnecessary risks in 2025. When it comes to investments, Goats have to be more observant than usual and avoid making hasty decisions, says Chow. If they need to make life-changing choices, she says that Goats luck will generally improve in winter 2025. Monkey Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock Monkeys will fall under the influence of the Xing Tai Sui star this year, indicating a challenging relationship with Tai Sui. Xing Tai Sui tends to attract health and relationship issues. Monkeys may be experiencing more pressure from their bosses at work, says Chow. They also might find themselves working harder than usual and without adequate rewards. But Chow does have comforting news for those born in the Year of the Monkey. The metal element in their zodiac sign will help offset some disturbances from Tai Sui this year, suggesting an otherwise stable year ahead. Just be more mindful of health and work challenges in the first half of the year, says Chow. Honing the art of speech with help you wade through the year easier. Communication will be a key to success, she adds. Rooster Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock Similar to 2024, people born in the Year of the Rooster will continue to have a harmonious relationship with Tai Sui this year. Looking for love? The geomancy master says there is a good chance Roosters could find a suitable partner or even get married in 2025. In fact, its an excellent year for fostering collaborations. They will enjoy very good energy for romantic unions. Its a prospering period for friendships and work relationships as well, says Chow. For Roosters, the first half of the year will be more favorable before slowing down in the second half, she adds. Dog Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock If you were born in the Year of the Dog and managed to enjoy a peaceful 2024 consider yourself lucky. Last year, Dogs clashed with Tai Sui, resulting in an overwhelming Year of the Dragon. Now for the good news things will take a turn for the better in 2025. The year 2024 was filled with changes and troubles for Dogs. Coming into 2025, the elements will shift to become more harmonious, Chow says. She adds that while Dogs health may still be affected in the first half of the year, they could sense a switch in energy by the time fall and winter come. If they have to make an important decision, theyll be wise to wait until fall. Your work will be much more stable this year, Chow adds. Other aspects of life from family to personal health should generally improve this year too. Pig Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock This year, its the Pigs turn to clash with Tai Sui, meaning more changes and barriers could pop up throughout the year. They have a movement star hovering over them, indicating big changes and shifts. So dont stay still. Keep yourself busy and travel a lot, says Chow. For Pigs planning to move homes or workplaces, she notes that 2025 will be an ideal year to do so. Although a year tends to be more disruptive if it clashes with Tai Sui, it may present an opportunity financially, says Chow. Changes will be very positive, dont fear them, she reminds those born in the Year of the Pig. Itll be a good year to explore new opportunities and welcome new experiences. It represents the old being replaced by the new. Because Pigs predominantly embody the water element, with some wood, spring and summer 2025 will align favorably with them, Chow explains. She recommends Pigs make any significant decisions during those two seasons. Rat Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock People born in the Year of the Rat will be among those enjoying the most financial success in 2025, says Chow. Rats wont be clashing with Tai Shui this year so it will generally be a good year, especially the first half of the year. Being a watery zodiac sign, combined with this years elements, Rats may find success at work in 2025, notes the geomancy expert. On the other hand, this means that Rats may be swamped with decisions. She says they should make important moves in the first half of the year to yield better results. Chow also reminds Rats to focus on the big picture, instead of getting stuck on minor details while navigating work. Amid a busy schedule, Rats should set aside time for themselves and their loved ones, Chow adds. Ox Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock For Oxen, which are seen to be metal heavy, the Year of Snake, with its fiery element, will be complementary. Even better, those born in the Year of the Ox will enjoy the benefits of Hui He Tai Sui (a greeting and meeting relationship with the Duke of Jupiter). Oxen will be in an agreeing position with Tai Sui this year, which is an auspicious position compared to other (signs). It signifies a year of greater partnership, friendship and love life, says Chow. Theyll meet more new friends, or reunite with old ones. Now for the less positive advice. Chow says people born in the Year of the Ox should be cautious with their finances. It may be a year filled with significant lessons but she says Oxen will be well-positioned to face these moments head-on while making the right decisions. Tiger Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock This year, Tigers will face Xing Tai Sui, which has a challenging relationship with Tai Sui. The Tiger is a sign filled with fire and wood elements, which, together with the fire and wood of the year, as well as Xing Tai Sui, may be a bit overwhelming, says Chow. They are more likely to be the subject of unwanted gossip and experience unexpected challenges in both work and love. As a result, Tigers should try to avoid conflicts when possible, she says. But Chow urges Tigers to not fret too much. Instead, they could take her guidance as a reminder to take care of their physical and mental health. It may even be a good time to start a new hobby. Please remember that challenges will offer valuable wisdom for the future, says Chow. Tigers can expect their luck to improve in the second half of the year, she adds. Rabbit Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock People born in the Year of the Rabbit will receive a boost in luck this year. Last year, Rabbits spent time recovering from their Ben Ming Nian and Tai Sui. In contrast, 2025 will present numerous great opportunities, says Chow. Rabbits will likely notice a boost in energy and health, and enjoy more success on the job. Theyll be able to gain more self-confidence at work, says Chow. The fire element in the year 2025 will be beneficial to Rabbits, which is a wood-heavy zodiac sign, she notes. This may mean that Rabbits will have opportunities to meet new people friends, business partners or romantic interests. Its also a good year for incubating new collaborations at work or looking into new business opportunities, she says. Dragon Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock Having endured their Ben Ming Nian last year, Dragons might still be panting from all the drama and chaos of 2024. Take it slow. Its wise for Dragons to focus on healing and recovering in the first half of 2025. Theyll enjoy better luck in the second half of the year, says Chow. While the remnants of 2024 may linger beyond the Lunar New Year, things will brighten after April and May, she adds. Its a good time for them to take up new exercises, new health routines and be more mindful of their mental health, says Chow. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com People protest in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, against the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels' advances into eastern Congo's capital Goma. (AP Photo/Samy Ntumba Shambuyi) GOMA, Congo (AP) Congolese security forces on Tuesday tried to slow the advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who say they have captured Goma after entering eastern Congo's largest city, as U.N. officials reported violence, looting and bodies in the streets. The officials said hospitals are overwhelmed in Goma, a regional trade and humanitarian hub that is now a refuge for hundreds of thousands fleeing gunfire and shelling in the major escalation of one of Africas longest conflicts. The violence echoed far from Goma as protesters in the country's capital attacked at least 10 embassies, including those of France and the U.S., which urged citizens to leave the city. Congos Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that the protesters damage to embassies were sincerely regrettable incidents. She said Congo respects the principles governing diplomatic relations, and reassured country that the government "has taken all necessary measures to ensure the protection of the accredited diplomatic missions" in the country. The M23 rebels are one of about 100 armed groups vying for a foothold in the conflict-battered North Kivu province which includes Goma rich in minerals critical to much of the worlds technology. United Nations official says reports of rapes, looting There were reports of gender-based violence and rape committed by fighters, looting of property, including a humanitarian warehouse, and humanitarian and health facilities being hit in the city, U.N. humanitarian affairs office spokesman Jens Laerke said at a media briefing on Tuesday. The humanitarian situation in and around Goma remains extremely worrying, and this morning (there were) heavy small arms fire and mortar fire across the city and the presence of many dead bodies in the streets, said Laerke, adding that hospitals are struggling to manage the influx of wounded people. Many continued to flee across the border into Rwanda, braving gunfire and heavy rains and caught in between shootouts on both sides from the Congolese soldiers and the rebels. What we want is this war to come to an end, said Christian Bahati, a Congolese teacher among hundreds now sheltering in the Rwandan town of Gisenyi. You can see the level of frustration. Congolese people are victims, but now they find themselves seeking refuge from the aggressor. Growing ange r in the far-away capital Dozens of demonstrators, meanwhile, looted and set fires to parts of at least 10 foreign embassy buildings far off in the capital, Kinshasa, including those of Rwanda, U.S., France, Belgium and Kenya. The protesters demanded that the international community condemn Rwanda over its role in the conflict. We denounce the hypocrisy of the international community, said Timothee Tshishimbi, one of the protesters. They must tell Rwanda to stop this adventure. The attacks were condemned by the respective countries as well as the Congolese government, which said it has reinforced the security at the embassies. Several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom and France have condemned Rwanda for the rebel advance. The African Union Peace and Security Council demanded the M23 and other rebel groups immediately and unconditionally withdraw and cease their attacks and permanently disband and lay down their arms. M23 rebels emboldened, plan to set up administration in Goma It was unclear how much of Goma is controlled by the M23 rebels, though analysts say they are more emboldened than in 2012 when they temporarily took over the city before being forced to pull out under international pressure. They resurfaced in late 2021 with increasing support from Rwanda, according to Congos government and U.N. experts. Rwanda has denied such support although U.N. experts estimate there are up to 4,000 Rwandan forces in Congo. Since morning, we have heard bomb explosions and crackling bullets, Sam Luwawa, a resident of Goma, said of the fighting in the city. So far we cannot say who really controls the city. Seventeen peacekeepers and foreign soldiers have been killed in the fighting, according to U.N. and army officials. Manzi Ngarambe, a representative for the M23 diaspora, told the AP that the group is in control of Goma and plans to set up an administration in the city so people can continue living normal lives and displaced people can return home. There will be no bloodbath, we want to live in peace, Ngarambe said. Right now were going to tell our people all over the world (to) go back home. Ngarambe said they would be willing to sit at the table with Congolese officials and denied that they were being supported by Rwanda. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said that Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi will have to accept talks with M23 to end the situation once and for all." Rwanda's goal in Congo is to protect its borders against attacks, army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga told the AP, adding that appropriate measures would be all-encompassing, including the use of water, air and land defense. Rwandan President Paul Kagame recently accused Congo of enlisting Hutu rebels and former militiamen that it blames for the 1994 genocide. The very people who murdered people here in Rwanda still exist, are still armed, are still practicing the ideology of genocide in our neighborhood, in eastern Congo supported by government on the watch of this international community, Kagame said earlier this month while meeting with diplomats. A dire humanitarian situation, risk of regional war The humanitarian situation in Goma is extremely, extremely worrying, Bruno Lemarquis, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Congo, told reporters in a video news conference on Monday. Several shells struck the Charite Maternelle Hospital in central Goma, killing and injuring civilians, including newborns and pregnant women, Lemarquis said on Monday, describing active combat zones in all areas of the city. Aid groups are unable to reach displaced people who rely on them for food and other necessities. Key roads surrounding Goma are blocked, and the citys airport can no longer be used for evacuation and humanitarian efforts. Power and water have reportedly been cut to many areas of the city, said David Munkley, head of operations in eastern Congo for the Christian aid group World Vision. Some analysts worry about the risk of a regional war if peace efforts led by Kenya fail. Past attempts at dialogue between Congolese and Rwandan leaders have failed, including in December when the meeting of the two leaders was canceled. Congo might seek support from countries like South Africa whose troops are among foreign militaries in Congo while Rwanda might be motivated to continue backing the M23 rebels, said Murithi Mutiga, program director for Africa at the Crisis Group. The risk of a regional confrontation has never been higher, Mutiga said. ___ Asadu reported from Abuja, Nigeria. Christina Malkia and Jean-Yves Kamale in Kinshasa, Congo, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations, Sam Mednick in Jerusalem, Rodney Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda, Ignatius Ssuuna in Gisenyi, Rwanda, Nayara Batschke in Santiago, Chile, and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report. A hand holding a label and a barcode scanner Gone are the days of waiting for workers to unlock your deodorant and shampoo from behind their plastic prisons. A new feature in the CVS Health app, which was overhauled and released Tuesday, will allow customers to unlock a theft-proof cabinet themselves, a time-efficient tool that is currently being piloted in three New York City locations. To combat thieves, drugstores across the city have put many of their goods behind lock and key, forcing shoppers to wait for an employee to retrieve the item instead. As a result, some irate shoppers have waited upward of 40 minutes to shop the shelves, an investigation of various Walmart, Target and CVS locations previously revealed. Now, New Yorkers who frequent the CVS locations at 630 Lexington Ave., 540 Amsterdam Ave. and 158 Bleecker St. will have newfound powers through the companys revamped app. After years of waiting for store employees to unlock cases enclosed in clear plastic, CVS Health is rolling out a feature that puts customers in the drivers seat, allowing them to open cabinets themselves. Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group via Getty Images The app is meant to expedite the customer experience inside CVS locations. CVS People really, really dislike locked cabinets, Tilak Mandadi, executive vice president at CVS Health, told The Wall Street Journal, emphasizing the need for prioritizing the customer experience and convenience. To use the unlocking function, customers must be logged into the CVS Health app and be connected to the stores Wi-Fi with their Bluetooth enabled. The feature is expected to expand to 10 to 15 additional stores, 10 of which will be located on the West Coast. The revamped app does more than just unlock cabinets, allowing shoppers to manage prescriptions, schedule appointments and more. CVS Other app features include managing prescriptions, scheduling immunizations and accessing benefit information. The app also includes an AI-powered search function meant to help shoppers find items and particular services, as well as feature educational health articles from Everyday Health or meditation exercises from Headspace. Our working title was the super app, Mandadi told The Journal. As a company, we are super focused on improving the health care experience, Mandadi said in a statement provided to The Post. The CVS Health app will make it easier for our customers to access and manage their health and care, save time and money, and make informed decisions about their health. An aerial view of the aftermath of the Palisades Fire on homes in Los Angeles on Monday. The number of deaths in the wildfires that destroyed entire communities in the Los Angeles area this month has risen to 29, the county medical examiners office said Monday. The 29th person died at a hospital from the Palisades Fire, which erupted on Jan. 7 and destroyed thousands of homes in Pacific Palisades and on the Pacific Coast, the office said in a statement. The Palisades Fire is confirmed to have destroyed 6,837 homes and other structures and burned 23,448 acres after it ignited during extreme winds on Jan. 7, fire officials said. Damage assessment teams are nearly finished with their inspections, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. The blaze was 95% contained Monday evening. Also Monday, residents were allowed to return to areas of the fire zone that had been under mandatory evacuation orders. Another large and destructive wildfire, the Eaton Fire, also broke out Jan. 7 in Los Angeles County. It caused major damage in the community of Altadena and also burned homes in the cities of Pasadena and Sierra Madre. It has destroyed 9,418 homes and other structures and burned 14,021 acres, according to an interagency fire information center that includes Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service. The fire was 98% contained Monday. Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has called the fires one of the most destructive disasters in Los Angeles history. They occurred as hurricane-force Santa Ana winds fanned the flames and grounded firefighting aircraft. The causes of both fires are under investigation. Dave Benett/Getty Eva Longoria and son Santiago Eva Longorias 6-year-old son already has an adventurous palate. During a recent interview with PEOPLE about her new campaign for Nespresso, the actress, 49, opened up about living between Spain and Mexico for the past few years and the culinary perks of raising Santiago, whom she shares with husband Jose Baston, abroad. I think the easiest way to get to know a culture is through food, and I love food, she says. So I think for me, my lifestyle of living is being a citizen of the world, and also showing my son the world. I think he's so smart and bright. Santiago eats everything, she explains. Nina Westervelt for Nespresso Eva Longoria Related: Eva Longoria on Playing a Naughty Chef Opposite George Clooney in Nespresso Ad: His Energy It's Contagious (Exclusive) I'm going to Paris. He goes, Bring me back some macarons, she adds. He knows that comes from Paris. Or I'll say, We're going to go to Spain, and he's like, Oh my God, are we going to have paella? So it's really sweet to see him also growing up with this appreciation of worldly cultures. Longoria also expressed her own admiration for both countries cuisine. Mexico has the best breakfasts in the world, she says. I feel like the rest of the world is so boring with breakfast. France is croissant, coffee. Spain is toast and coffee. America's bacon and eggs, like, okay. Where in Mexico you have so many options. You have chilaquiles, you have molletes, you have huevos rancheros, huevos divorciados, pan dulce. It's endless. It's endless. So I love breakfasts in Mexico. And as for Spain, she says, I love everything. Courtesy of Nespresso Eva Longoria Related: Eva Longoria Pledges $1 Million to the Latino Community Foundation and California Community Foundation amid L.A. Fires 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. I like going to the market, buying what you're going to cook tonight, she says. You have to go to the meat market to get your meat. There are supermarkets, but for the most part you go and get what you're cooking from different places. And that it's just fresh. It's just healthy. It's clean. It's all local. It's always local. That tomato is literally from that farm right there. So I just love the clean eating of Spain. And that's why when I eat at 10 o'clock at night in Spain, I don't get sick, she adds. I'm not like, Oh, my stomach. I'm not full, because it's such clean eating. Where here, I could never eat a 10 o'clock at night dinner. Are you crazy? The Desperate Housewives alum recently spent three days in Rome, shooting a new ad for Nespresso opposite George Clooney. While the actor is known to prank his pals, Longoria says he was well-behaved on set. However, the pair still spent the time laughing and laughing and laughing. Everybody loves him, she adds. His energy, just to be around him is like... It's contagious. You just have to be kind because he's just the kindest human being. Read the original article on People The North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Vladimir Putins military have shown ferocious commitment, brutality and a determination to kill themselves rather than face capture, The Independent has been told. A Ukrainian military source with direct knowledge of these troops has disclosed in brutal detail the extraordinary lengths to which they will go to prevent being caught. Since news of their presence in Russia emerged in October, just two North Korean soldiers have been captured alive amid varying claims from Ukraine of heavy losses among their ranks. One of those was so determined not to be held as a prisoner of war that he tried to bite his own wrists after being wounded in the Kursk region, according to the senior military source in Sumy, northern Ukraine, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The other man, the source alleged, had charged into a concrete telegraph pole when he saw he was in danger of being captured. He didnt realise, at first, that Ukrainian soldiers were closing in on him. When he realised that he was being captured by Ukrainians, he rushed at a concrete pillar [telegraph pole] and hit his head against that pillar with all his strength in the hope of killing himself. Two North Korean soldiers detained by Ukrainian authorities at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, following their capture by the Ukrainian army (AFP/Getty) Named as Lee Jong Nam, a 25-year-old sergeant from Pyongyang, he was originally said to have been wounded in the jaw during fighting. He told his interrogators he was in a rifle reconnaissance platoon. He also said, multiple sources have confirmed, that he was one of a very small number of survivors of an attack launched on 8 January. He allegedly said that all of the officers in his company were killed and he was the only survivor of a 20-strong platoon. The other North Korean was placed in Ukrainian custody, where he started to self-harm, the source said. When this guy was transported to Kyiv and someone from the special forces searched him, they found a small blade sewn into his pants. He was hoping to cut himself as soon as he was left alone, he added. We have seen video from our own drones of these North Korean soldiers killing themselves rather than face being captured. They do it by using one of their own grenades or shooting themselves mostly. We dont know why they do it but weve never taken a [North] Korean alive who hasnt tried to kill himself. These claims are from a trusted, independent source in the Ukrainian military who plays no part in Ukrainian propaganda efforts, and The Independents interview was not part of a pre-arranged media visit. Ukrainian soldiers have been stunned by the North Korean troops ferocity (Office of the President of Ukraine) The number of North Koreans who have died varies according to who is providing the briefing. Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky puts the number as high as 3,000. Western officials claim around 1,000 North Koreans have been killed. Casualty numbers are spurious at best and form part of an attempt to shape the narrative of war by belligerents, and their allies. Painting the North Koreans as fanatical in their conduct could form part of an attempt to taint them as unthinking or brainwashed. What is in little doubt is the ruthless skill with which they operate. Ukrainian soldiers have been stunned by the ferocity of the fighting unleashed by North Koreas troops, the source said. Theyre the best soldiers the Russians have sent against us. They are well-motivated, well-trained and brutal, he said, adding that they are being used as shock troops to break through defensive lines in the Ukrainian-occupied part of Kursk, a Russian province. The military source said the Ukrainians believed North Korea sent about 3,000 special forces and that the rest were regular soldiers. All are well-trained. However, they lack experience in the field and their tactics are often poor they are easily attacked when advancing on Ukrainian defences across open ground and they lose large numbers of troops in their operations. In Ukraine, soldiers are paid bonuses for capturing men and equipment, and other successes. Since news of their presence in Russia emerged in October, just two North Korean soldiers have been captured alive (Telegram: Volodymyr Zelensky) But the North Koreans, they have been surprised to find, apparently get no extra money for the risks they take, telling interrogators: We dont get any extra payments, we didnt want it; if we are successful here we will go back to North Korea as heroes. There are seven Russian soldiers embedded in every North Korean company (about 120 men), who, the source said, give instructions to their allies. The North Korean assaults involve between 600 and 700 troops at a time, with very few Russian troops among them. This is a mega, mega lot of troops to send on one attack, the source said. Echoing President Zelenskys claim of heavy casualties, the source also said there was evidence that the North Koreans had been pulled back from the front lines at least for now. But he also admitted that the cost of the Kursk operation to Ukrainian troops had also been very heavy. The Ukraine catch-up Key points from The Indepdnents live blog as of 9am GMT on 25/01/2015 Russia claims to have downed 121 Ukrainian drones targeting 13 regions, including Moscow. Ukraine states its drones struck oil facilities in Ryazan and a microelectronics plant in Bryansk, both allegedly supporting the Russian military. Moscows mayor confirmed drone interceptions around the capital, but no damage or casualties were reported. South Korea suspects North Korea is preparing to send more troops to Russia, despite previous losses. Ukraines military confirmed their drones hit oil and industrial sites in Russias Ryazan and Bryansk. Follow the latest updates. With Russian troops reinforced and bolstered by North Koreas forces, they are now estimated by Ukraine to number about 60,000 in the Kursk area. There is deep concern that Russia may be massing troops to launch an invasion into Ukraine from close to Kursk in an effort to extend the front lines and eventually even threaten the capital, Kyiv. Reports have emerged of more North Korean troops being sent to Russia. Reports have emerged of more North Korean troops being sent to Russia. Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un together in Pyongyang (Sputnik) Lately, there has appeared to be a drop in the scale and ferocity of attacks coming from the Russian side. The number of armoured vehicles being used by Russia has fallen dramatically, as well as the levels of shelling. These developments may be a sign that attempts to dislodge Ukraine from Kursk have been blunted or evidence of the Russians and North Koreans regrouping for another ferocious offensive. :: This article relates to acts of attempted suicide. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you Southeast Asians have a love-hate relationship with durians, sometimes called the king of fruits. (Nhac NguyenAFP/Getty Images) Southeast Asians have a love-hate relationship with durians, sometimes called the king of fruits. Its spiky exterior masks a pungent smellmeaning the fruit is often banned on public transport, and in hotels and airports. Yet Chinese consumers cant get enough of it. Chinas imports of the fruit have more than doubled in the past five years, and Pizza Huts most popular pizza in China is now durian pizza with cheese, Yum China CEO Joey Wat told the audience at the Fortune Global Forum in New York last November: [If] you dont like the durian pizza, our solution is, please go out, she said. Chinas obsession with the fruit spreads far beyond pizza. Outlets in China are starting to serve all kinds of durian goodsdurian burgers, durian chicken hot pot, and durian barbecue are just a few. And durian content is racking up billions of views on Douyin, ByteDances version of TikTok for the Chinese market, reports the South China Morning Post. According to customs data, China imported 1.56 billion kilograms of durian last year, up 9.4% from the year before. All that imported spiky fruit was worth just under $7 billion, a 4.1% increase from 2023. That makes the fruit big business for durian farmers in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Chinas durian imports have steadily grown in recent years. In 2019, China imported 605 million kilograms of durian, worth about $2.5 billion according to customs data. By 2023, that figure had more than doubled, hitting 1.43 billion kilograms with a value of $6.7 billion. Deregulation has helped. While many countries could sell frozen durians to China, Thailand was for years the only country allowed to export fresh durians. But in 2022, China opened its market to Vietnamese farmers after they agreed to comply with Chinese regulations. Filipino durian farmers were given access a year later. In 2022, Thailand accounted for 95% of Chinas durian imports. Two years later, in 2024, Thailand only contributed about 52%, while Vietnam accounted for 47.2% according to customs data. The Philippines and Malaysia were the two other countries that also exported fresh durians to China last year. Overuse of land and extreme heat have contributed to Thailands decline. Vietnam also benefits from a land border with China, which makes trade easier. Durian diplomacy Almost all of the worlds durian exports go to China, according to the United Nations. Last June, as part of a flurry of deals marking a half-century of diplomatic relations, Beijing agreed to allow fresh durian from Malaysia into the Chinese market. By the end of the year, Malaysia had shipped a total of about 351 metric tons, or 351,000 kilograms. The country was already Malaysias biggest market for frozen durian and processed durian products. Indonesia, another large durian producer, has been trying to get access to the Chinese market. Currently, Indonesia can only export less lucrative durian paste, or have fresh durians pass inspection in Thailand, eating into margins. China has also tried to grow the fruit in areas like the tropical island of Hainanwith limited success. Durian is a finicky fruit, requiring the right temperature and soil conditions to grow properly. And research shows that Hainan-grown durians might not have what it takes. A December study from Chinese academics found that some durians grown in Hainan lacked key nutrients when compared with those grown in Southeast Asia. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com There is a shadow hanging over the European economy. The ascent of Donald Trump to the White House has exposed brewing fragilities within the continent's economy and military prowess. That hasnt been evident anywhere more than in Germany, the industrial powerhouse reeling from two years of negative growth. Now, Germanys allies, who have lived in their own shadow of Europe's biggest economy, are left facing questions about their own survival. Thats most evident in its neighbor to the east: the Czech Republic. Within the giant $348 billion Volkswagen group lies Skoda, a quiet success story for the Czech Republic that says as much about the countrys post-Cold War ascension as it does about its long-term risks. The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, has built its post-Cold War economy in the same way Germany did post-reunification: with a focus on industry. Manufacturing as a share of GDP has hovered above 20% in the country for the last 30 years, joining Germany in bucking the Western trend of deindustrialization. A third of Czechias exports go to Germany, while 20% of its imports come from its closest neighbor. The ties between the Czech Republic and Germany are best exemplified by Skoda, the Czech Republics largest company, which is owned by Germanys largest company, Volkswagen. Skodas strength Skoda makes up a significant chunk of the massive Volkswagen group, which also contains Audi, Seat, Porsche, and the Volkswagen brand itself. The carmaker raked in 26.5 billion in revenues in 2023, a massive 26% increase on 2022, and equivalent to nearly 10% of the Czechian economy. If it were an independent company, Skoda would rank in the top 150 of the Fortune 500 Europe, as one of the top 10 carmakers, and by far the largest Czech company on the list. The automaker also hasnt faltered in recent years like its fellow automakers under the Volkswagen umbrella. In the first nine months of 2024, Skoda increased operating profits by nearly 35% compared with the same period in 2023, while the Volkswagen group as a whole faced a 10% decline in profits. The groups profit margin in the first nine months of 2024 of 8.3% also puts it among the most profitable brands across Volkswagen and well above the collective group margin of 5.6%. Skoda is, according to David Havrlant, chief economist for the Czech Republic at ING, the golden egg within the Volkswagen group, he told Fortune. The carmakers sales are overwhelmingly Europe-focused. Around nine in 10 of its cars were delivered to Europe in 2023, with the remainder going to Asia-Pacific. That appears to have shielded the manufacturer from the fall-off in sales experienced by Volkswagen, which built its dominance on Chinas burgeoning consumer market, which has gone into reverse in recent years. Indeed, through 2024 Skoda increased its deliveries by 6.9%, compared to the Volkswagen brands 1.4% decline, reflective of a nearly 10% reduction in China deliveries last year. That divergence from Volkswagen speaks more broadly to a divergence between Czechia and Germany. The Czech Republic, alongside Germany, struggled through 2024, with GDP declining 0.3% in the wake of sanctions on Russian energy. Yet the country is expected to rebound faster than its partner to the West, with growth projections of 2.3% in 2025, almost triple Germanys projected growth of 0.8%, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts. The Czech economy has proved more attractive for businesses looking to expand their footprint. Wages in the country, for example, are around half what they are in Germany, lowering input costs. Its wider population seems more content too. I would say that the Czech consumer is less depressed than the German consumer, Ana Boata, head of economic research at Allianz Trade, told Fortune. Domestic demand is expected to be a big driver of Czech GDP growth this year, reflective of that higher consumer confidence. But seemingly unshakeable bonds between Czechia and Germany continue to threaten the countrys economy. Czechia's obstacles Czechias manufacturing output has moved in lockstep with Germanys since the latters downturn began in 2022. Both countries PMIs have been in contraction territory for nearly three years as manufacturers battle with higher energy costs and falling demand, causing knock-on effects to producers downstream. Ladislav Tyll, a lecturer at the Prague University of Economics and Business, notes that between manufacturers and companies in the supply chain, the automotive sector in Czechia accounts for around half a million jobs. So frankly speaking, if anything goes wrong they are out of business, and this country could technically financially collapse, Tyll told Fortune. Both countries have been struggling with falling investment, creating a barrier to future growth. That's really not good for those economies, and that doesn't signal anything good for the coming years, said Tyll. One of Chezias primary concerns for its manufacturing-heavy economy is oppressive climate targets. The country joined Italy last November in calling for a relaxation of the EUs climate rules that will lead to the banning of the sale of carbon-emitting vehicles by 2035. Allianzs Boata says 2025 is a year of transition for carmakers and the economies they occupy. On the one hand, they will need to up their production of electric and hybrid vehicles to comply with environmental regulations. On the other, this means wading into much more competitive markets beset by cheap Chinese-made competitors. That will also imply some impact on the turnovers of those Czech suppliers that are basically interlinked with the German car makers, not only volume, but also price, says Boata. INGs Havrlant writes extensively about the Czech economy. He says that there are four stages of structural crisis a country must pass through before policymakers can step in. You have to recognize there is a problem. Second, you have to admit it is your problem. Third, you have to force yourself to get across that you want to do something about it. And fourth, you do something about it. The Czech Republic is somewhere before stage three and four when it comes to its automotive sector, Havrlant says, while he thinks Germany is stuck at point zero. As a result, Havrlant believes the Czech economy is slowly decoupling itself from Germany. Their order books have been bad for such a long time that until now, it was always enough to wait until things got better, but that's not the case anymore, Havrlant said of Czechia and Germanys relationship. Political headwinds The political story in Czechia is also the same as in Germany and, increasingly, across the rest of Europe. Like in Germany, elections beckon in 2025, and there is a similarly populist tone to polling in both countries. Between Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) in Germany, National Rally in France, Brothers of Italy in Italy, and Reform in the U.K., Europes biggest economies have been rocked by surging support for far-right political parties ready to upset the status quo. So follows the similarly jingoistic Patriots for Europe, the insurgent Cezchian populist party set to sweep elections later in 2025. Tyll says the potential victory of Patriots for Europe would likely have a positive impact. Instead, its Germanys February elections that pose more of a risk for Czechias economy. He worries that the rising influence of the far-right AfD could cause Volkswagen to target job cuts outside of Germany, with Skodas tens of thousands of employees a potential target. The country will hope Germany recognizes the importance of its golden egg and the deeper partnership that looks like its serving Czechia more than its ally. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com 5 killed, 31 injured as fire engulfs residential colony in Pakistan's Punjab Xinhua) 10:34, January 28, 2025 This photo taken on Jan. 27, 2025 shows the explosion site on the outskirts of Multan, Pakistan. Five people were killed and 31 others injured when fire engulfed a resident colony in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province in the early hours of Monday, officials said. The incident happened at about 12:25 a.m. local time (GMT 1925 Sunday) in the Multan district where a massive explosion caused by a liquefied petroleum gas container leakage rocked the colony, sources from the district's police told Xinhua. The gas leakage triggered the fire, and the force of the blast scattered debris over a wide area, severely impacting the densely populated colony. (Str/Xinhua) ISLAMABAD, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed and 31 others injured when fire engulfed a resident colony in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province in the early hours of Monday, officials said. The incident happened at about 12:25 a.m. local time (GMT 1925 Sunday) in the Multan district where a massive explosion caused by a liquefied petroleum gas container leakage rocked the colony, sources from the district's police told Xinhua. The gas leakage triggered the fire, and the force of the blast scattered debris over a wide area, severely impacting the densely populated colony. The police confirmed that the blaze has been brought under control, following extensive firefighting efforts. The injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals, and several of them are in critical condition. Officials are conducting an assessment of the total damage caused by the explosion, which also disrupted daily life in the vicinity. Incidents involving gas explosions remain a concern in Pakistan due to inadequate safety measures and poor infrastructure, often leading to tragic consequences. This photo taken on Jan. 27, 2025 shows the explosion site on the outskirts of Multan, Pakistan. Five people were killed and 31 others injured when fire engulfed a resident colony in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province in the early hours of Monday, officials said. The incident happened at about 12:25 a.m. local time (GMT 1925 Sunday) in the Multan district where a massive explosion caused by a liquefied petroleum gas container leakage rocked the colony, sources from the district's police told Xinhua. The gas leakage triggered the fire, and the force of the blast scattered debris over a wide area, severely impacting the densely populated colony. (Str/Xinhua) Security officials cordon off the explosion site on the outskirts of Multan, Pakistan on Jan. 27, 2025. Five people were killed and 31 others injured when fire engulfed a resident colony in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province in the early hours of Monday, officials said. The incident happened at about 12:25 a.m. local time (GMT 1925 Sunday) in the Multan district where a massive explosion caused by a liquefied petroleum gas container leakage rocked the colony, sources from the district's police told Xinhua. The gas leakage triggered the fire, and the force of the blast scattered debris over a wide area, severely impacting the densely populated colony. (Str/Xinhua) Firefighters examine the explosion site on the outskirts of Multan, Pakistan on Jan. 27, 2025. Five people were killed and 31 others injured when fire engulfed a resident colony in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province in the early hours of Monday, officials said. The incident happened at about 12:25 a.m. local time (GMT 1925 Sunday) in the Multan district where a massive explosion caused by a liquefied petroleum gas container leakage rocked the colony, sources from the district's police told Xinhua. The gas leakage triggered the fire, and the force of the blast scattered debris over a wide area, severely impacting the densely populated colony. (Str/Xinhua) Firefighters try to extinguish fire from a house at the explosion site on the outskirts of Multan, Pakistan on Jan. 27, 2025. Five people were killed and 31 others injured when fire engulfed a resident colony in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province in the early hours of Monday, officials said. The incident happened at about 12:25 a.m. local time (GMT 1925 Sunday) in the Multan district where a massive explosion caused by a liquefied petroleum gas container leakage rocked the colony, sources from the district's police told Xinhua. The gas leakage triggered the fire, and the force of the blast scattered debris over a wide area, severely impacting the densely populated colony. (Str/Xinhua) (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan) January 27, 2025: Like World War II, Ukraine is a war between a dictatorship and a democracy. Russian leader Vladimir Putin does not consider the struggle with Ukraine a war, but rather an uprising in the separatist Ukrainian region of Russia. This makes 13 other new nations nervous. Like Ukraine, these countries used to be part of the Soviet Union. Putin has openly said he intends to put the Soviet Union back together. This empire restoration by forcing independent nations to rejoin the empire is illegal according to international law. Russia, or at last Putin, ignores international law. For example, he was indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for atrocities committed in Ukraine. Putin has to be careful where he travels outside of Russia because many countries will act on an ICC arrest warrant. About a dozen men indicted by the ICC have served time in jail or are currently being sought because of ICC convictions. While Russia has few allies, like North Korea, and Iran supporting the Russian war effort, Ukraine has dozens of nations supporting the struggle against Russia. Vladimir Zelensky has visited 42 foreign countries since he became president of Ukraine in 2019. This includes eight visits to the United States, the major supplier of military and economic aid to Ukraine. Zelensky does all this travelling to maintain support of the Ukrainian war effort. The Russian situation is different. Vladimir Putin sees himself as a successor to the Russian Czars. To do that Putin would effectively end the brief period of presidential elections that occurred from 1991 to the present. The elections still take place, but the current president can manipulate the voting to ensure he remains in power as long as he wants. When the Soviet Union existed from 2022 to 1991, the elections were fake. The dictatorial Communist Party alone decided who could run and voting was mandatory. Since there was only one candidate, the communist candidate was sure to win. That changed, for a while after 1991. The first elected president was Boris Yeltsin, who won in 1991 and 1996. There was a two term limit, so Yeltsin could not run again after that. Beginning in the 2000 election, Vladimir Putin won every time since then, save for brief period when a crony was allowed to be President. From the beginning Putin used his time in power to change the election laws to enable him to remain president for as long as he wanted. There are still elections and Putin has won them all so far. But if he loses one he has the option to manipulate the vote and turn that loss into a victory. In 1991, for the first time in Russian history, attempts were made to elect leaders rather than wait for some to fight, bribe, or intimidate their way to the top. Some Russians now call Putin Czar Vladimir the Third. Putin is flattered by that because he certainly operates like a Czar. Unlike most other monarchies in the past two centuries, the Russian Czars had absolute power and Putin intends to continue that trend. Ukraine has a functioning democracy. The current president, Vladimir Zelensky, was present when the Russians invaded in 2022 and would like to hold scheduled presidential elections again. Ukrainian laws prohibit this while Ukraine is at war. Ukraine has had seven presidential elections since 1991 and four different men have been elected president. That last was Zelensky, who is stuck in the job until the war ends or he dies. The Russians have made several attempts to assassinate him. While Ukraine fights to maintain its independence and democracy, Russia fights to rebuild an empire few people consider worth reviving. The Soviet Union was inefficient and eventually fell apart because it was bankrupt financially and morally. As President Donald Trump makes a very public effort to acquire Greenland, one former Danish official said Trump's attempts are nothing new -- but he shouldn't expect it to be easy. Interest in buying Greenland has "popped up from time to time in American politics," Tom Hyem, Denmark's minister to Greenland from 1982 to 1987, told ABC News in an interview. Hyem, 83, discussed Greenland's political importance over the years, as well as his reaction to Trump's recent desire to buy the island territory. "Trump is living in a narrative where this has been an issue for the last 150 years," Hyem said. The purchase of Greenland has been a topic of conversation since before World War II, when Denmark sold the Danish West Indies -- now known as the U.S. Virgin Islands -- to the United States in 1917 for $25 million, Hyem said. Many American policymakers argued the U.S. should also acquire Greenland as well, according to Hyem. MORE: How serious is Trump about Greenland? | 538 Politics Podcast "[President] Woodrow Wilson at first said, 'No, it's not worth anything at all. It's just ice. I don't want it.' But there was such a big debate in the U.S. that he was forced to do something," Hyem said. When Wilson asked for ownership of Greenland, the Danish minister at the time replied, "No," according to Hyem. Wilson signed an agreement in 1917 stating the United States recognizes Greenland as Danish, Hyem said. In the document discussing the transfer of the Danish West Indies, then-Secretary of State Robert Lansing wrote, "In preceding this day to the signature of the Convention respecting the cessation of the Danish West-Indian Island to the United States of America, the undersigned Secretary of State of the United States of America, duly authorized by his Government, has the honor to declare that the Government of the United States of America will not object to the Danish Government extending their political and economic interests to the whole of Greenland." PHOTO: A view of Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) in Greenland, Oct. 4, 2023. (Ritzau Scanpix via Reuters, FILE) If Denmark was to ever sell Greenland to any country, Hyem said the United Kingdom would receive the first right to buy it, since the U.K. held dominion over Canada at the time of the treaty. "Canada is only 20 kilometers away. That's why the British said, 'If Denmark ever sells Greenland, we should be the first to decide whether to take it or not,'" Hyem told ABC News. Now, with Trump saying he wants to purchase Greenland, Hyem said history is repeating itself. "Trump grew up hearing these stories," Hyem said. "His generation and his parents' generation often heard about U.S. attempts to buy Greenland." Trump has repeatedly expressed his interest in acquiring the island territory, beginning during his first administration when he tried to buy Greenland, but instead gave $12 million for economic development. Trump has since restated his interest in buying the territory shortly before his second inauguration. "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," Trump said in a December 2024 statement. MORE: Trump threatens land grabs of Panama Canal, Greenland, even by force. Can he?: ANALYSIS Trump said the purchase was needed for security purposes, adding he is "protecting the free world." The U.S. also operates Putiffik Space Base, the Defense Department's northern-most base, which sits on the coast of Greenland. The U.S. does not pay Greenland for operating the base in the country, Hyem said, as part of a NATO agreement signed in 1951. "You have approximately 45,000 people there. People really don't even know if Denmark has any legal right to it," Trump said, without explanation, during a Jan. 7 press conference at Mar-a-Lago. "But if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security. That's for the free world." Greenland is also rich in valuable minerals, including rare earth metals, precious metals, precious stones, and uranium, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Association. While that may sound appealing to a potential buyer, Hyem said mining there is extremely expensive. PHOTO: An aircraft carrying businessman Donald Trump Jr. arrives in Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 7, 2025. (Emil Stach/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Imagees) Trump's son, Donald Trump, Jr., visited Greenland on Jan. 7, but stated the visit was for personal reasons. During this trip, his father said on social media, "Don. Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland. The reception has been great. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen." Secretary of State Marco Rubio also reiterated an interest in the U.S. securing Greenland during his Senate confirmation hearings. "Putting aside all the things that are going on in the media, I think we need to understand that Greenland's been strategically important to the United States and to the West for a very long time," Rubio said. "I think we now have the opportunity to see it for what it is, and that is one, if not the most important, one of the most critical parts of the world over the next 50 to 100 years will be whether there's going to be freedom of navigation in the Arctic and what that will mean for global trade and commerce." Hyem said he does not know Trump, but thinks "he needs to be briefed a bit more by his civil servants." MORE: Donald Trump Jr. visits Greenland as his father says deal for US to buy it 'must happen' "His new minister of foreign affairs spoke to the Danish foreign minister -- my party leader and friend -- and they both agreed: 'Let's not discuss Greenland for now,'" Hyem said. The prime minister of Greenland, Mute Egsede, has rejected the idea of selling Greenland to Trump, saying, "Greenland is ours." "We are not for sale and will never be for sale," Egsede said in a statement. "We must not lose our long struggle for freedom." PHOTO: Donald Trump Jr. visits Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 7, 2025. (Emil Stach/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) Officials from Denmark also have not supported Trump's Greenmark proposal, including Danish politician Anders Vistisen, who explicitly urged the newly elected president to "f--- off." "Greenland has been part of the Danish kingdom for 800 years," Vistisen said during a European Parliament meeting on Jan. 21 in Strasbourg, France. "It's an integrated part of our country. It is not for sale." Hyem said if Greenland decided to become independent, "they would immediately be targeted by major global powers." Until then, Hyem said the territory needs more U.S. military investment to help defend it. "I personally can't imagine Greenland becoming fully independent," Hyem said. "Running a country that large with so few people is nearly impossible." Regardless of the future of Trump's Greenland proposal, Hyem said the land holds significant power. "Trump might have looked at Greenland as a real estate deal, but for Denmark and Greenland, it's a matter of geopolitical survival," Hyem said. "The Arctic is extremely important, and I agree with Trump on that." Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Wolf Conservation Center Tucked into the landscape of South Salem, New York, the Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) is a haven of hope and education for one of natures most misunderstood predators. Founded in the mid-1990s by Helene Grimaud, a classical pianist turned wolf advocate, the WCC has grown from a modest educational facility into a cornerstone of wolf conservation, blending advocacy, research, and public outreach to secure a future for these majestic (and in many cases, endangered) animals. We even have new information on Slides, a fostered wolf pup who was released into the wild. Get the inside scoop on this pups incredible journey to start his own pack! The Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) in South Salem, New York, brings hope to endangered wolf species. The Wolf Conservation Center A Vision Born Helene Grimauds journey into wolf advocacy began with a profound personal experience an interaction with a wolf that shifted her perception. Compelled to change public misconceptions about wolves, she purchased property in South Salem, using her residence as the Centers first office. When the WCC opened to the public, its ambassadors were three wolves: Kyla, Lucas, and Apache. These wolves offered visitors their first-ever close encounters with the species, breaking down fears and fostering respect. Over time, the Center expanded its mission, now encompassing not only education but also breeding programs, wild releases, and legislative advocacy. The Centers location, far from areas with wild wolves, might seem unusual, but its proximity to major international airports allows Helene to travel efficiently, supporting the WCCs conservation efforts. The Wolf Conservation Center The Challenges Wolves Face At the heart of the WCCs work lies a stark reality: wolves face a number of challenges, most of which are rooted in human activities. From habitat encroachment to poaching and sanctioned hunts, human-wildlife conflict is the leading threat to wolf populations. In North Carolina, critically endangered red wolves often fall victim to vehicle accidents. Even in areas with thriving populations, such as Alaska and Canada, wolves contend with environmental factors and natural predators. However, where human intervention is minimal, the leading causes of wolf mortality tend toward injuries from hunting prey or conflicts with rival packs. Wolves go after animals that are much bigger, stronger, and faster than they are, shares Regan Downey, the WCCs Director of Education, so they are at a disadvantage when they hunt. Theyre frequently injured. They can have broken jaws and ribs but we consider those to be natural challenges or causes of death. Humans create really tricky, unnatural challenges that are pretty significant. Ambassador Wolves: The WCCs Lead Educators Central to the WCCs educational mission are its on-site ambassador wolves, Nikai and Silas grey wolves who reside in a two-acre wooded enclosure designed to mimic their natural habitat. Born in captivity and unable to be released in the wild, these brothers play a vital role in educating the public. Visitors observe their playful behavior, familial bonds, and natural instincts, gaining insight into wolf dynamics. Nikai is the oldest; hes turning 11 in April. Silas will be turning 2 in April, Regan tells us of the WCCs beloved ambassadors. Theyre not technically related by blood, but they live together and act like siblings. Theyre a wolf pack, and packs are family. The Wolf Conservation Center I think the biggest myth and misunderstanding is that wolves are dangerous to people, says Regan. People grow up reading Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs. Wolves are villains in Disney movies. So, its very common for us to have visitors or interact with people online who are concerned for their safety when it comes to wolves. Regan goes on to explain that the risk of a person being attacked by a wolf is inherently low. It is so low that scientists actually cant even calculate it, she says. In the last 100 years, across all of North America, only two people have been killed by healthy wolves. She also likes to offer fun statistics to put things into perspective. Youre more likely to be killed by a vending machine falling on top of you than by a wolf, she laughs. But its also important to remind people that wolves are wild animals, so we want to tread that line very carefully. To effectively teach people about wolves, the WCC team wanted their ambassador wolves to be visible. And visible they are. Nikai and Silas challenge persistent myths, offering visitors a chance to see them swim in their pond, sleep in dens theyve carved out, eat, howl, and, of course, goof around with each other. Theyre our most popular staff members, says Regan. We like to say that theyre our lead educators. They are visible through live-streaming webcams as well, so if people arent able to visit on-site, they can go to our website to watch Silas and Nikai. Simply by watching these two in their interactions whether theyre good or bad interactions with each other people are able to have a good understanding of wolf behavior and what a wolf pack looks like. Thats really beneficial for us in our messaging. Its very effective at cutting away at some of those misunderstandings people have. Through education, the WCC shifts perceptions, emphasizing that wolves ecological roles far outweigh the exaggerated fears surrounding them such as the idea that wolves are a significant danger to humans or livestock. We want people to realize wolves are animals worthy of respect, Regan tells us, just like every other animal. Wolves are monogamous, so parents mate for life, says Regan. They work together to find food. They protect each other. The Wolf Conservation Center The Scoop on Slides: A Pups Wild Journey One of the most inspiring tales from the WCC is that of Slides, one of 12 Mexican gray wolf pups that the WCC has released into the wild since 2019. He was born as part of SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction), a captive breeding and wild release program run by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums with input from the Fish and Wildlife Service. Slides was placed in the Hail Canyon pack in New Mexico in 2023. The programs pup-fostering strategy involves introducing captive-born pups into wild dens when they are less than two weeks old before their eyes even open. Wild wolf packs, known for their nurturing nature, adopt these pups as their own. Slides thrived in the wild, becoming the only pup among the 12 fostered by the WCC to be collared and tracked. And now, as he approaches his second birthday, Slides is about to make WCC history. This is a really exciting time in a wolfs life because at around two years old, wolves become sexually mature, explains Regan. This is typically when, if they decide to, they disperse from their families in the wild. You can think of it like an 18-year-old kid going off to college. Theyre leaving the house and going off to make their own way in the world. And Slides has dispersed! Hes setting off! PHOTO: The Fish and Wildlife Service offers a map of Mexican wolf locations on its website. They post them on a delay, so people cannot obtain real-time access to a wolfs location, but you can keep an eye on the collared wolves whereabouts. Slides is currently moving north in New Mexico in search of a girlfriend. Dispersed from his pack and embarking on a courageous quest to establish his own territory and family, Slidess journey represents a huge step forward. It symbolizes the WCCs ultimate goal: returning wolves to their natural habitats to further genetic diversity and strengthen wild populations. Advocating for Wolves + How You Can Help The WCCs advocacy extends beyond its education and enclosures, influencing policies and promoting legislation to safeguard wolves. Regan highlights the importance of public support. One of the best things you can do is lend your voice to the cause, she says. That might be something as simple as telling friends and family. On our website, we have an Action Alert Center so people can take action from their computers or phones. For those inspired to help, the WCC relies on peoples monetary generosity, volunteer work, and participation in educational programs. Supporting organizations dedicated to wolf conservation or contacting lawmakers to advocate for protective measures in your own area are impactful ways to contribute. The Wolf Conservation Center A Future for Wolves The Wolf Conservation Center dreams of a world where wolves no longer need sanctuaries because they thrive in the wild. Until that vision becomes reality, the WCC remains steadfast in its mission, blending education, research, and compassion to rewrite the narrative surrounding these beautiful, oft-misunderstood creatures. As Slides roams the wilds of New Mexico, carrying the hopes of his species, his story serves as a reminder of whats possible when humans work to coexist with the natural world. Through the efforts of the WCC and the support of a global community, wolves are finding their place in a landscape thats richer and more vibrant because of them. The post A Haven of Hope: The Wolf Conservation Centers Fight for the Future of Wolves appeared first on A-Z Animals. The homeless man who allegedly shoved a woman into the path of a moving Manhattan train made a chilling confession telling cops, I did it because I wanted to, a court heard Tuesday. Markeese Brazelis, 26, brazenly admitted to tossing the 23-year-old victim into an incoming A train at the 168th Street station shortly after he was arrested for the savage Monday morning attack, prosecutors said at his Manhattan Criminal Court arraignment. I pushed her into the train because I was high and I was mad,' Brazelis told cops, according to Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Lauren Hatz. Markeese Brazelis was remanded by a Manhattan judge Tuesday for allegedly shoving a 23-year-old woman into a subway train. Steven Hirsch I did it because I wanted to, he allegedly said. Prosecutors said the unhinged man should be held on $150,000 bail arguing he posed a danger to the public as this was his third arrest in the subway system in just over a week. Brazelis was busted on Jan. 19 for entering the prohibited area of the Bergen Street subway station only to be released and then arrested four days later for allegedly grabbing a womans butt as she stood next to her partner on a subway platform, according to prosecutors. Both cases, which included charges not bail eligible, allowed Brazelis to remain free to escalate his subway deviance culminating in the unprovoked attack at the Washington Heights station around 9 a.m. January 27, prosecutors said. The maniac didnt even exchange a word with his victim before throwing her into the train, according to the ADA. He poses a threat to strangers he encounters on the subway platforms and he engages in criminal conduct despite being completely unprovoked, Hatz said. Brazelis allegedly told cops that he pushed his victim because I wanted to, according to prosecutors. Kevin C Downs forThe New York Post Judge Janet McDonnell opted not to set bail, remanding Brazelis into custody as he awaits trial noting there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest on a probation violation from a conviction in Philadelphia. Brazelis attorney, Jeffrey Linehan, said his client had been homeless for at least five years while suffering from mental health conditions, including visual hallucinations. The victim, who suffered bruising and abrasions all over her body, recounted the attack on her Instagram, urging New Yorkers to remain vigilant while riding the subway. The 23-year-old victim recounted her harrowing escape on Instagram shortly after the attack. Christopher Sadowski I was trying to get away from him, when he decided to shove me into the moving train, the victims post read. Im glad the front of the train was past me or else I wouldnt be alive. She added: While I am hurt, it could have been worse. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE STAY ALERT. The MTAs chief security officer, Michael Kemper, said in a statement Monday that he was dumbfounded how Brazelis was allowed to remain on the street after the two recent run-ins with police before the attack. Brazelis was arrested for three subway-related incidents in just over a week. Steven Hirsch Its beyond comprehension how this menace can be arrested two different times only to be turned loose to cause more mayhem, Kemper said. Brazelis was charged with attempted assault in the first degree and assault in the second degree in the latest case. He is due back in court on January 31. A woman lights candles at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and rose from the dead, in the Old City of Jerusalem, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) WADI GAZA, Gaza Strip (AP) President Donald Trump has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House next week as the first foreign leader to visit in Trump's second term, Netanhayu and the White House said Tuesday. The announcement came as the United States pressures Israel and Hamas to continue a ceasefire that has paused a devastating 15-month war in Gaza. Talks about the ceasefire's more difficult second phase, which aims to end the war, begin next Monday. The White House letter shared by Netanyahu's office, dated Tuesday, said I look forward to discussing how we can bring peace to Israel and its neighbors, and efforts to counter our shared adversaries. The meeting on Feb. 4 is a chance for Netanyahu, under pressure at home, to remind the world of the support he has received from Trump over the years, and to defend Israel's conduct of the war. Last year, the two men met face-to-face for the first time in nearly four years at Trumps Florida Mar-a-Lago estate. Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. military aid, and Netanyahu is likely to encourage Trump not to hold up some weapons deliveries the way the Biden administration did, though it continued other deliveries and overall military support. Netanyahu also wants Trump to put more pressure on Iran, and renew efforts to deliver a historic normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a rival of Iran and the Arab worlds most powerful country. Even before taking office this month, Trump was sending his special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to the region to apply pressure along with the Biden administration to get the current Gaza ceasefire achieved. But Netanyahu has vowed to renew the war if Hamas doesnt meet his demands in negotiations over the ceasefire's second phase, meant to discuss a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a sustainable calm." Over 375,000 return to northern Gaza Under the deal, more than 375,000 Palestinians have crossed into northern Gaza since Israel allowed their return on Monday morning, the United Nations said Tuesday. That represents over a third of the million people who fled in the wars opening days. Many of the Palestinians trudging along a seaside road or crossing in vehicles after security inspections were getting their first view of shattered northern Gaza under the fragile ceasefire, now in its second week. Trump this week suggested that Egypt and Jordan take in Palestinians from Gaza, at least temporarily, so that we just clean out that whole thing" which Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinians swiftly rejected, fearing Israel would never allow a return. Instead, Palestinians were determined to pitch makeshift shelters or sleep outdoors amid the vast piles of broken concrete or perilously leaning buildings. After months of crowding in squalid tent camps or former schools in Gazas south, they would finally be home. Its still better for us to be on our land than to live on a land thats not yours, said Fayza al-Nahal as she prepared to leave the southern city of Khan Younis for the north. At least two Palestinians set off for the north by sea, crowding into a rowboat with a bicycle and other belongings. Hani Al-Shanti, displaced from Gaza City, looked forward to feeling at peace in whatever he found, even if it is a roof and walls without furniture, even if it is without a roof. One newly returned woman hung laundry in the ruins of her home, its walls blown out. Next steps Under the ceasefire, the next release of hostages held in Gaza, and Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody, is set to occur on Thursday, followed by another exchange on Saturday. In the ceasefires six-week first phase, a total of 33 hostages taken in the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, that ignited the war should be released, along with almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israel this week said a list provided by Hamas confirmed the fears that eight of the 33 hostages to be freed are dead, bringing fresh grief to Israeli families who have long pressed the government to reach a deal to bring everyone home before time runs out. On Tuesday, one of the first hostages to be released under the current ceasefire just the second in the war shared a glimpse of life in captivity. Naama Levy, 20, wrote on social media that she spent most of the first 50 days alone before being reunited with other soldiers kidnapped from her military base on Oct. 7, well as other civilian captives. We strengthened each other until the day of our release, and also afterwards," she wrote. Aid flows in A surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza continued under the ceasefire. In this past week alone, approximately 4,200 trucks carrying aid have entered the Gaza Strip following inspections, said Israels Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel. Under the deal, 600 trucks of aid are meant to enter per day. The government of Qatar, a mediator in the ceasefire talks, said Tuesday that while complaints have been raised by both sides, no confirmed ceasefire violations have occurred that could cause the agreement to collapse. The ceasefire is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and Hamas. Militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 assault and abducted another 250. Israel responded with an air and ground offensive that has killed over 47,000 Palestinians, over half of them women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry. It does not say how many of the dead were combatants. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. ___ Lidman reported from Nahariya, Israel. Associated Press writers Tia Goldenberg in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war For the first time in nearly three decades, the father of JonBenet Ramsey says he feels confident in the leadership investigating his daughters 1996 murder. John Ramsey, the father of the 6-year-old beauty queen who was killed at her Boulder, Colorado, home, met with local law enforcement Monday afternoon to advocate for a thorough review and new testing of crime scene evidence in his daughters case. Ramsey told CNN he would ask Boulder police to do more DNA testing to help solve the 28-year-old murder case using genetic genealogy, a newer technology thats been used to solve high-profile cold cases such as the Golden State Killer. After his meeting, Ramsey told CNN, Im very satisfied and impressed with the leadership now in place (at the Boulder Police Department) and believe they are committed to do all that can be done using the latest technology and available resources to identify the killer. That is all we can ask for. Ramsey says he believes Boulder officials are continuing to move the investigation forward using all available tools and certainly DNA is a significant tool which I also believe has a high probability of identifying the killer. We can confirm that Chief Redfearn and members of our Operations Division met with the family this week, as the department has previously, to share updates on the case, a Boulder Police spokesperson told CNN. Beyond that, we cannot answer specific questions because this is an active and ongoing homicide investigation. In an interview with CNNs Jean Casarez set to air Tuesday evening, Ramsey described his dogged pursuit to solve the case and why he favors the use of genetic genealogy. I think it is the key. I think its the only way this case will be solved. Because the technology is there, and were going to insist and beg the police to use it. Itd be absurd not to. Such technology was not available in December 1996, when JonBenets body was found in the basement the day after Christmas. Genetic genealogy is an emerging field that combines DNA evidence and traditional genealogy to find biological connections between people. Ramsey said he has never seen any crime scene evidence. For years, of course, we were the suspects. We were the prime suspects in the police mind. They made up their mind day one. Prosecutors convened a grand jury in 1999 which returned an indictment on charges of child abuse resulting in death and being accessories to a crime but ultimately said there was insufficient evidence to charge John and his wife, Patsy, in the killing. It was not until 2008 that a new prosecutor in the district attorneys office publicly cleared the parents and JonBenets older brother of any suspicion in the death, citing new DNA evidence. The grave of JonBenet Ramsey in Marietta, Georgia, in 1997. - Chris Rank/Sygma/Getty Images The district attorney at that time apologized to the family and said theyd be treated as victims rather than suspects going forward. Nearly three decades later, no one has ever been charged with the murder. For years, Ramsey claims, several potentially key pieces of evidence had never been tested. Now, whether that killer is alive, dead, in prison who knows, he may be out this is a sadistic psychopath, and if hes preyed on other children, and we find that out, the bloods on the hand of the Boulder police as far as Im concerned because theyve ignored that possibility, Ramsey told CNN. Ramsey has been critical of the local police force for what he believes to be lack of experience and resistance to outside help, especially in the early years of the investigation. But theres been turnover in the office and now Ramsey says hes hopeful that police will work harder to solve his daughters killing under new Chief Stephen Redfearn. He didnt create this mess, but he can fix it, Ramsey said. Redfearn released a statement in November saying his department is actively working with federal, state and local law enforcement partners on the cold case. Boulder Police have sought out and worked regularly with multiple stakeholders across the country, to include the FBI, the Boulder County District Attorneys Office, Colorados Department of Public Safety, Colorados Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and several outside forensic labs. The assertion that there is viable evidence and leads we are not pursuing to include DNA testing is completely false, Redfearn said in the November statement. No charges in case after nearly 3 decades On the night of December 25, 1996, JonBenet, her brother, Burke, and their parents returned home from Christmas dinner at a family friends house. Patsy Ramsey tucked her daughter into bed. The next morning, Patsy Ramsey discovered a lengthy, rambling ransom note on her spiral staircase as she made her way to the kitchen to make coffee. Patsy Ramsey called 911, begging officers for help. The note appeared to be written on paper taken from her notepad and demanded a specific amount of money $118,000 the same amount of John Ramseys bonus hed received as president of Access Graphics. For several hours, no one could find JonBenet. Family friends came and went freely from the home that day leading critics to question contamination of the crime scene. JonBenets body eventually was found in the basement with a ligature around her neck. There was evidence she had been sexually assaulted, according to court documents. The coroner who performed JonBenets autopsy said the child died from suffocation in conjunction with forcible trauma to her skull. JonBenet had an 8.5-inch skull fracture. More than 28 years later, its still not clear why someone wrote a ransom note describing a kidnapping when the killer left JonBenets body in the house. The kindergartner was following the footsteps of her beauty queen mother, Patsy, a former Miss West Virginia, frequently participating in child pageants. JonBenet performed in a Boulder Christmas parade with a float displaying her name just days before her death. Her father later told CNN that may have been a mistake. Moving ahead with the investigation Now 81, Ramsey said he hopes to find answers for his family with whatever time he has left. Patsy Ramsey died in 2006. I have five grandchildren that are wonderful, and this cloud needs to be removed. Its not going to change my life at this point, Ramsey said. But it will change the life of my kids. Thats why I want to get it solved. We need to close this chapter. Ramsey said he hopes the continued media attention on his daughters murder could prompt someone to come forward with new information and he says he wont be angry even if it took them nearly 30 years to report it. Please help us. Im not vindictive. I just want an answer. And if you can help us with that, please call. Call the police department and well be grateful. If somebody knows something thats key theres no doubt about it and we just ask that person to come forward. I wont be angry if theyre your best friend or your husband or your ex-husband, but just help us. And lets get this chapter closed for the sake of humanity and the country. Editors Note: CNNs interview with John Ramsey will air Tuesday night on Anderson Coper 360. CNNs Holly Yan and Eric Levenson contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON A federal judge temporarily blocked a Trump administration policy Tuesday that aimed to review grants and loans to ensure they complied with his priorities, which lawmakers and legal experts blasted as unconstitutional. The lawsuit challenging the policy announced in President Donald Trump's second week back in office hit the docket less than 24 hours after news of the policy became public. U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan ordered the Trump administration not to halt grant funding until at least Feb. 3, when another hearing will be held on the dispute. The judge said her temporary ruling was intended to "maintain the status quo." It does not block the Trump administration from freezing funding to new programs, or require it to restart funding that has already ended. A coalition of advocacy groups represented by Democracy Forward the National Council of Nonprofits, the American Public Health Association, the Main Street Alliance and SAGE advocates for LGBTQ+ asked the court to block the policy to avoid catastrophic harm to people in various aspects of their lives. Diane Yentel, CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, cheered the judge's order but cautioned the funding halt is temporary. "We have a lot more work to do in the courts, through Congress and in other ways to ensure that this reckless action, or attempted action, by the OMB can't move forward in the long term." Jessica Morton, a lawyer for the groups, had said the freeze on funding would "create unequivocal, imminent and serious harm." But Daniel Schwei, a Justice Department lawyer representing the Trump administration, said many of the nonprofits that sued do not directly receive federal grants, and that they had not shown that a pause would cause them irreparable harm. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivers remarks during her first daily briefing, at the White House, in Washington on Jan. 28, 2025. A group of at least six attorneys general from Democratic-led states New York, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island filed a similar lawsuit. "This policy is reckless, dangerous, illegal and unconstitutional," New York Attorney General Letitia James said at a news conference announcing that lawsuit. The legal argument in both cases was, essentially, that the Constitution grants Congress the power to determine spending, not the president. The Monday memo from President Donald Trumps Office of Management and Budget sought to pause spending while officials determined whether recipients of federal grant money were using it in ways that aligned with his priorities. The 1974 Impoundment Control Act allowed a president to identify funds he wanted to rescind to Congress. But if lawmakers didn't agree within 45 days, the money would be spent. The Supreme Court ruled in 1996 that the line-item veto, for presidents to cancel parts of legislation rather than entire laws, was unconstitutional. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that the pause wouldnt cover assistance that goes straight to individuals, such as Social Security and Medicare benefits or food stamps. This is not a blanket pause on federal assistance and grant programs from the Trump administration, Leavitt said. However, it is the responsibility of this president and this administration to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. Leavitt said the goal of the memo was to block funding for programs the president opposes such as Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in hiring and the Green New Deal for climate policy. Officials found $37 million that was pending to be sent to the World Health Organization, which Trump ordered the U.S. to withdraw from, and $50 million for condoms for people in Gaza, which Leavitt called a preposterous waste of government money. President Trump is looking out for you in issuing his pause, she said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judge blocks Trump policy that would freeze federal grant funding White House's youngest press secretary Karoline Leavitt made her debut in the briefing room on Tuesday, saying that "the golden age of America has most definitely begun." "As you have seen during the past week, President Trump is hard at work fulfilling the promises that he made to the American people on the campaign trail," Leavitt said as she stepped into the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room shortly after 1 p.m. ET. During the briefing, Leavitt said that she plans to hold briefings frequently and said that Trump and the White House would be available to all media outlets as well as "new media voices who produce related content" such as "independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers and content creators." I can assure you that youll be hearing from both him and me as much as possible, she said. Here's what to know about Leavitt, who, at 27 years old, is the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds her first news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on January 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. At 27 years old, Leavitt is the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history. Who is Karoline Leavitt? Age, hometown Leavitt is a 27-year-old New Hampshire native, who previously served as a spokesperson for the Trump 2024 presidential campaign. She was one of the early hires for the campaign, which had multiple spokespeople. Leavitt, who recently had a baby, was the most visible on television. Leavitt replaces Ronald Ziegler, who was previously the youngest press secretary at 29, when he took the position in 1969 under Richard Nixons administration. What does the White House press secretary do? The White House press secretary serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham and Kayleigh McEnany had previously served as Trump's press secretaries during his first administration. What did Trump say about Karoline Leavitt? President Donald Trump, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaks to reporters on Air Force One on Jan. 27, 2025. While announcing Leavitt as the press secretary back in November, Trump in a statement, had described her as "smart, tough," and "a highly effective communicator." "I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium, and help deliver our message to the American People as we, Make America Great Again," Trump had said. Karoline Leavitt career During Trump's first administration, Leavitt interned at the White House and joined Trump's team after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and communication from Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. At the White House, Leavitt worked as a presidential writer and assistant press secretary under McEnany. In 2022, Leavitt ran for Congress in New Hampshire. She won the GOP primary at the age of 25, but lost to the Democratic incumbent, USA TODAY previously reported. Leavitt was the first Republican from Gen Z to win a House primary. Before running for Congress, she worked for Rep. Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican and Trump's UN Ambassador nominee. Karoline Leavitt family Leavitt shares a son, Nicholas Robert, who was born last year in July amid the election campaign with her husband Nick, a self-employed businessman. Leavitt told The Conservateur magazine that she jumped back to work four days after giving birth because she "felt compelled to be present in this historic moment. The president literally put his life on the line to win this election," Leavitt told the magazine. "The least I could do is get back to work quickly. Contributing: Zac Anderson, USA TODAY Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Karoline Leavitt? The White House's youngest press secretary BOGOTA (Reuters) - Two Colombian air force planes carrying deportees from the United States arrived in Bogota on Tuesday, the government said, paving the way for U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to lift visa restrictions and other measures on Colombian citizens. Colombia's President Gustavo Petro averted an economic disaster over the weekend after diplomats from his government and the U.S. reached a deal on deportation flights in a dispute that had led both countries to threaten tariffs and the U.S. to impose visa measures. One plane, flying from San Diego, California, brought home 110 Colombians and the other, which departed from El Paso, Texas, brought home 91, the Colombian Foreign Ministry said on X. Deportee and engineer Andredy Alexander Barrientos, 26, told reporters at Bogota's airport he was in the U.S. for just 12 days. He went to the United States in search of "more economic stability," he said. Petro had objected to the use of U.S. military planes to deport Colombians, saying his country's citizens were being treated like criminals, and he had refused to allow planes to land. Trump responded with a pledge to impose a 25% tariff on all Colombian goods, set to rise to 50% in a week, as well as emergency treasury, banking and financial sanctions and visa restrictions on Colombian officials and citizens alike. Petro threatened his own tariffs, but the two sides reached a deal on Sunday night. Trump officials cheered the deal as a victory and said Trump used Colombia as an example of U.S. power, while Colombian officials have said the agreement is a win for both sides. Dozens of frustrated Colombians had long-awaited visa appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota canceled on Monday. (Reporting by Luisa Fernanda Gonzalez and Luis Jaime Acosta, Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb, Editing by Angus MacSwan) Vice President JD Vance slammed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Monday for not doling out relief funds for months to Hurricane Helene victims in Virginia, North Carolina and other states, noting that Congress had already authorized billions of dollars for that purpose. Vance, 40, accused FEMA of holding up some of the aid here during a visit to the town of Damascus, Va., near the Tennessee border, alongside the commonwealths Republican governor, Glenn Youngkin. The VP, making his second visit to the area since Helene ripped through the area in late September, claimed that at least $4 billion had already been earmarked for hurricane response but only $47 million had been distributed so far despite area residents lacking vital flood insurance. Vice President JD Vance blasted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Monday for not doling out relief funds for months to Hurricane Helene victims in Virginia, North Carolina and other states. via REUTERS The thing that I heard most when I was in western North Carolina before the inauguration, Vance said, is that there are people who wanted to put trailers or other temporary housing in particular areas of western North Carolina, but they couldnt because FEMA had designated these particular areas to be ineligible for the type of assistance that would allow people to put that temporary housing in the first place. Thats another example of the sort of thing thats broken about the federal response, added Vance, just days after President Trump signed an executive order to review the agencys performance. Homeowners in Virginia who lost their properties in the storm have, on average, been offered roughly $42,000 to rebuild, though the average cost of the damages for each structure amounts to $130,000, the vice president noted. Vance claimed that at least $4 billion had already been earmarked for hurricane response but only $47 million had been distributed so far. Ben Hendren Thats a massive, you know, 80-$90,000 shortfall that we need to make sure that other parts of the federal government are fixing, he added. Last month, Youngkin proposed a budget amendment setting aside $127 million for a state disaster assistance fund after requesting $4.4 billion from the federal government for hurricane victims in his state. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said hed also submitted $127 million extra as part of a budget amendment after requesting $4.4 billion from the federal government for hurricane victims in his state. AP North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, has estimated the damage from Helene in his state alone will amount to $53 billion. Trump, while touring wind- and flood-battered regions of western North Carolina Friday, gave victims his presidential podium which they used to call out insurance companies for not sufficiently covering damages. A grandfather who spoke told reporters in Swannanoa, NC, that his family home sank in the flooding and he was staying in a camper donated by a nonprofit group. If you all notice, Im a big guy, I dont sleep in campers very well, he said. Its tough. I think were at a point in Asheville where people just forgot about Asheville and its sad, everything has stopped. Trump in touring wind- and flood-battered regions of western North Carolina gave victims his presidential podium, which they used to call out insurance companies for not sufficiently covering damages. AFP via Getty Images Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has since suggested holding hearings with some insurance firms accused of stiffing hurricane victims. Vance toured Damascus with Youngkin in October prior to his election as vice president, and met Friday with local business owners, emergency responders, state lawmakers and the towns mayor. As you all know, I love the Appalachian region of our country, especially this particular part. Its beautiful, the Middletown, Ohio, native said. The people are kind and friendly, and theyve got a great community here, but obviously got slammed very hard by the hurricane. I think the country has decided collectively that we want to help the regions of our country that were devastated by this flood, Vance said. So why are the bureaucrats not doing the American peoples will? Ben Hendren While the people have done an incredible job of rebuilding this community, they have not had a federal government thats really been on their side, he added. Ive heard so many stories, just [in] the last hour that Ive been on the ground, of federal agencies that have not developed and deployed the resources necessary, of federal bureaucrats that have been a barrier, as opposed to a facilitator, of some of the federal resources. I think the country has decided collectively that we want to help the regions of our country that were devastated by this flood, he said. So why are the bureaucrats not doing the American peoples will? Reps for FEMA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The world's biggest iceberg three time the size of New York City could drift toward a remote island where a scientist warns it risks disrupting feeding for baby penguins and seals. The gigantic wall of ice is moving slowly from Antarctica on a potential collision course with South Georgia, a crucial wildlife breeding ground in the South Atlantic. Satellite imagery suggested that unlike previous "megabergs," this rogue was not crumbling into smaller chunks as it plodded through the Southern Ocean, Andrew Meijers, a physical oceanographer at the British Antarctic Survey, told AFP on Friday. He said predicting its exact course was difficult but prevailing currents suggested the colossus would reach the shallow continental shelf around South Georgia in two to four weeks. But what might happen next is anyone's guess, he said. It could avoid the shelf and get carried into open water beyond South Georgia, a British overseas territory some 870 miles east of the Falkland Islands. Or it could strike the sloping bottom and get stuck for months or break up into pieces. An infographic titled Meijers said this scenario could seriously impede seals and penguins trying to feed and raise their young on the island. The island hosts 1.3 million pairs of Chinstrap penguins one of the world's largest colonies about 5 million seals, and 65 million breeding birds. "Icebergs have grounded there in the past and that has caused significant mortality to penguin chicks and seal pups," he said. Roughly 1,550 square miles across, the world's biggest and oldest iceberg, known as A23a, calved from the Antarctic shelf in 1986. Before its calving in 1986, the colossal iceberg hosted a Soviet research station. falley It remained stuck for over 30 years before finally breaking free in 2020, its lumbering journey north sometimes delayed by ocean forces that kept it spinning in place. In 2023, the British Antarctic Survey posted a time-lapse of satellite imagery, showing the iceberg's movement. "Game of Thrones-esque" iceberg Meijers -- who encountered the iceberg face to face while leading a scientific mission in late 2023 -- described "a huge white cliff, 40 or 50 meters high, that stretches from horizon to horizon". "It's just like this white wall. It's very sort of Game of Thrones-esque, actually," he said, referring to the dark fantasy series. A23a has followed roughly the same path as previous massive icebergs, passing the east side of the Antarctica Peninsula through the Weddell Sea along a route called "iceberg alley." That is the same current of water that famed explorer Ernest Shackleton used in 1916 to make his storied escape from Antarctica after losing his ship, the Endurance. The legendary shipwreck was discovered off the coast of Antarctica in 2022. Weighing a little under a trillion tons, this monster block of freshwater was being whisked along by the world's most powerful ocean "jet stream" the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Raul Cordero from Chile's University of Santiago, who is also part of the National Antarctic Research Committee, said he was confident the iceberg would sidestep South Georgia. In this handout photo provided by the British Antarctic Survey, a view of the A23a iceberg is seen from the RRS Sir David Attenborough, Antarctica, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. / Credit: Andrew Meijers / AP "The island acts as an obstacle for ocean currents and therefore usually diverts the water long before it reaches the island," he said. "The iceberg is moved by that water flow, so the chances of it hitting are not that high," though chunks could, he said. Another scientist, glaciologist Soledad Tiranti currently on an Argentinian exploration voyage in the Antarctic, said that icebergs such as A23a "are so deep that before reaching an island or mainland they generally get stuck" on the seabed. It is summer in South Georgia and resident penguins and seals along its southern coastline are foraging in the frosty waters to bring back food to fatten their young. "If the iceberg parks there, it'll either block physically where they feed from, or they'll have to go around it," said Meijers. "That burns a huge amount of extra energy for them, so that's less energy for the pups and chicks, which causes increased mortality." The seal and penguin populations on South Georgia have already been having a "bad season" with an outbreak of bird flu "and that (iceberg) would make it significantly worse," he said. As A23a ultimately melted it could seed the water with nutrients that encourage phytoplankton growth, feeding whales and other species, and allowing scientists to study how such blooms absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. While icebergs are natural phenomena, Meijers said the rate at which they were being lost from Antarctica was increasing, likely due to human induced climate change. In January 2023, a massive piece of Antarctica's Brunt Ice Shelf a chunk about the size of two New York Cities broke free. The Brunt Ice Shelf lies across the Weddell Sea from the site of the Larsen C ice shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula. In 2022, the Larsen C ice shelf which was roughly the size of New York City and was long considered to be stable collapsed into the sea. War in Ukraine takes perilous turn after Zelenskyy, Trump Oval Office argument Dolly Parton's husband, Carl Dean, died at age 82. Here's a look back at their love story Federal employees received a new email about weekly tasks. Here's how agencies responded. January 28, 2025: Ukraine has been fighting the Russian invaders for three years now. The expensive Russian failure to conquer Ukraine is largely due to Ukrainian ingenuity and innovations. Russia responds but rarely gets ahead. One area where Russia fell behind was drones. Ukraine revolutionized warfare with its many drone-based innovations. Russia tries to keep up but economic sanctions and continuous new drone developments from Ukraine get in the way. By late 2024 Ukraine had come up with another gaggle of drone ideas. The most visually obvious one is the remotely controlled drone swarm. The usual Russian defense is jamming the control signals. The Ukrainian swarm has drones capable of operating independently when jammed and continuing the attack with less accuracy but, because it is a swarm with dozens of drones, some are still going to hit the target. The swarm concept has been tested successfully and the next step is using it against the Russians. Ukrainians are able to modify their tactics and technology quickly, often in hours if all that is involved is a software modification. One new concept that has already been used is First Person View/FPV drones to plant magnetic mines on the edge of a road or trail Russian armored vehicles are headed for. When the armored vehicles show up, all that moving metal activates the magnetic mines, blowing the tracks or wheels off the armored vehicles. Thus immobilized the crews usually bail out and run before another FPV drone with more explosives arrives to finish off the motionless vehicles. Ukraine has developed the Flamingo VB140 anti-drone interceptor, a meter-long, fixed-wing, propeller-driven aircraft that can operate at altitudes up to 4,500 meters and fifty kilometers from its launch site. Flamingo VB140 will intercept, by crashing into them, any airborne drone in its target list which it encounters. If no targets are found Flamingo VB140 will just fall to the ground when its battery is out of power. Flamingo VB140 is meant to destroy Russian reconnaissance and surveillance drones, especially the Orlan-10, which is the most common Russian recon drone. Introduced in 2011, Orlan-10 is one of few UAVs that Russia developed locally. Orlan-10 is propeller-driven, weighs about 15 kilograms and can carry a payload of up to 6 kilograms of various kinds of recon equipment, including infrared cameras, or an array of multiple cameras used for creating 3-dimensional maps. Its 95-octane gasoline-powered engine provides a cruise speed of 90 to 150 kilometers an hour, a service ceiling of about 5,000 meters, and a flight endurance of 18 hours. Together with control and launch equipment, the Orlan-10 costs about half a million dollars. The aircraft is launched by a portable folding catapult and lands by shutting down the engine and deploying a parachute. Russia has produced over two thousand Orlans so far and they continue to be produced despite the difficulty in obtaining some electronic components. Oran-10s required several Western electronic boards and chips. These components could not be manufactured in Russia and had to be imported. By 2017 it was clear that Russia was not simply using existing stockpiles of now banned components to build new Oran-10s. This was a major problem because Orlan-10 was a key observation asset as it could spot targets for Russian artillery or rocket fire. Oran-10 can operate high enough to be safe from rifle or machine-gun fire and it is difficult for a lightweight anti-aircraft missile like Stinger to hit. At night it is even less vulnerable to ground fire. In Ukraine some Orlan-10s continued to be shot down or crash because of equipment failure. Their wreckage was examined for the presence of banned components and these items were still there. The banned items were common, not custom-manufactured for Orlan-10s. There were dozens of distributors you could order from. Government efforts to sort out which distributors were selling the Oran parts to a firm with a link to Russia have come up empty. Russian forces have lost over a hundred Orlans in Ukraine so far and have replaced these losses because Orlan-10 is their principal means of spotting targets for Russian artillery. Orlan-10s entered were used in Ukraine and Syria before 2022. Russia has recently faced another Ukrainian anti-drone system that involves deploying a net to foul a Russian drones propellers and cause it to crash. As long as the drone delivering the net is cheaper than the Russian drones it takes down, it is a worthwhile system. Ukraine is relying more on drones to intercept relatively slow moving Russian cruise missiles. Most of these cost over $50,000. Bringing them down with drones that cost less than a thousand dollars is how you win wars. Ukraine still receives aid from NATO nations, while the Russian economy is a mess because of three years of sanctions. Russia has used up most of its national cash reserve and building more drones is not at the top of their to-do list, not when the Ukrainian drone destruction efforts have been so successful. Orlan drones are a necessity because reconnaissance and surveillance are essential. Orlans get built first and other types of drones are obtained with whatever cash is left. South Carolina state Rep. Brandon Guffey holds a picture of his son Gavin Guffey, 17, who died by suicide after he was entrapped in a sexual extortion scam on Instagram, at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled "Big Tech and the Online Child Sexual Exploitation Crisis" in Washington on Jan. 31, 2024. A Nigerian man who was indicted in connection with the "sextortion" of a South Carolina teen who died by suicide has been extradited to the United States to face prosecution, the Justice Department said Monday. Gavin Guffey, 17, died by suicide in 2022 after, prosecutors allege, Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal extorted him using "compromising photos," the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of South Carolina announced. A lawsuit filed in South Carolina in 2023 alleges Lawal posed as a young woman and coerced Guffey into sending him sexually explicit content in 2022. Lawal then threatened to leak the content if Guffey didn't send him money, it says. Lawal is alleged to have sent harassing messages to Guffey and some of his relatives, threatening to leak the pictures and ruin their public reputation unless they sent him money, court documents say. Guffey was the son of state Rep. Brandon Guffey. After his son's death, Brandon Guffey went on to sponsor a bill known as "Gavin's Law," which made sexual extortion a felony offense in the state and an aggravated felony "if the victim is a minor, vulnerable adult, or if the victim suffers bodily injury or death directly related to the crime," according to Gov. Henry McMaster's office. McMaster signed the bill into law in August 2023. Brandon Guffey said he's grateful for the agencies that worked together to catch Lawal, and he hopes it sends the message "that if you attack one of the children in America, we will track you down." However, it has not eased the pain of losing his son. "As a parent that loses a child, youre expecting some magic pill to take the pain away but even this does not," he said in an interview with NBC News. "It does help a little bit that we have somebody in custody that cannot attack any more children, but I wouldnt say that it just eases everything." The lawmaker said his son was scammed over Instagram, prompting him to file a lawsuit against Meta last year. Now, he's hoping that Lawal will get a life sentence in prison, and Meta can also be held accountable for what he says is their role in his son's death. "I find it really disturbing that these are the worlds richest companies, and yet they cant be held responsible," Rep. Guffey said. Meta did not immediately respond to an NBC News request for comment. A grand jury returned an indictment for Lawal in October 2023, according to the U.S. attorney's office. He was charged with child exploitation resulting in death, child pornography distribution, coercion and enticement of a minor, cyberstalking resulting in death and interstate threat with intent to extort, the indictment said. On Friday, FBI Columbia field office agents took custody of Lawal in Lagos, Nigeria, and conducted the extradition with help from Nigerian law enforcement authorities. He was arraigned Monday in federal court in Columbia. "We will not allow predators who target our children to hide behind a keyboard or across the ocean," said the U.S. attorney for South Carolina, Adair Ford Boroughs. "Today we honor Gavins life and continue our fight against sextortion by holding this defendant accountable." If he is found guilty, Lawal could spend life in prison. He would also face "mandatory minimum prison sentences on multiple counts," including a mandatory 30-year sentence for the charge of child exploitation resulting in death, according to the U.S. attorney's office. Lawal might also be ordered to pay the Guffey family restitution for the losses in the scheme. The investigation, arrest and extradition were a partnership between law enforcement in the United States and Nigeria, and the case is part of Project Safe Childhood, "a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse," the U.S. attorney's office said. CORRECTION (Jan. 27, 2025, 7 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated Adair Ford Boroughs position. She is the U.S. attorney for the District of South Carolina, based in Columbia, not the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today's puzzle before reading further! See In Constructor: Kapil Mehta Editor: Anna Gundlach January 28, 2025 Comments from Todays Crossword Constructor Kapil: Here is what I liked about "See In." The word "See" for starters is so evocative. For me, it conjures up the idea of looking deeply and relating to things around me. Then I enjoyed building in two theme answers that span the entire grid with 15 letters. Such long answers make constructing the puzzle a bit more difficult but the visual and literal impact is high. And finally, the last clue [60D: Fitting place for this clue's answer] is just right. The credit for that clue goes to the editors though! What I Learned from Todays Puzzle MEN (9D: "X-___ '97" (superhero cartoon)) X-MEN '97 is an animated Disney+ TV series that debuted last year. The show is a revival of X-MEN: The Animated Series, which aired from 1992-1997. Although I'm not familiar with this specific show, the answer here was inferable, as I am familiar with the X-MEN characters, humans born with the X-gene, a mutation that confers superhuman abilities. TBS (46D: "Dinner and a Movie" network) The TBS TV series Dinner and a Movie originally aired from 1995-2011, and was revived last year. Each episode includes as the name suggests a movie and a themed dinner to go along with it. The revised series is hosted by Jason Biggs and Jenny Mollen. Random Thoughts & Interesting Things MRS (1A: "___ Robinson" (Simon & Garfunkel hit)) "MRS. Robinson" is a 1968 song by Simon & Garfunkel. Fragments of the song were used in the 1967 movie The Graduate (before the song's release as a single). "MRS. Robinson" won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year. "And here's to you, MRS. Robinson..." CLOSE ENCOUNTERS (17A: "___ of the Third Kind" (sci-fi movie)) CLOSE ENCOUNTERS of the Third Kind is a 1977 sci-fi movie written and directed by Steven Spielberg. As the movie's title suggests, it is about people who have CLOSE ENCOUNTERS with UFOs. Interesting fact: Apparently Steven Spielberg received a 20-page letter from NASA (which turned down the opportunity to be involved in the film) asking him not to release the movie. LIRA (23A: Turkish currency) Turkey is a country mostly located in West Asia (a part of the country extends into Southeast Europe). The capital of Turkey is Ankara, and its currency is the Turkish LIRA. OPERA (33A: "Tosca" or "Porgy and Bess") Giacomo Puccini's OPERA, Tosca, premiered in Rome in 1900. The title character, Tosca, is the only female character in the OPERA. Porgy and Bess is an OPERA composed by George Gershwin, with libretto by Dubose Heyward and Ira Gershwin. It was first performed in Boston in September 1935 and premiered on Broadway a couple of weeks later. MISE-EN-SCENE (35A: Staging and design) MISE-EN-SCENE is a French phrase that means "placing on stage." The term is used in theater and film production to refer to staging and design. I've heard this term before, but definitely needed the help of crossing answers to remind me of it. SARONGS (43A: Southeast Asian body wraps) SARONGS are loose garments that consist of long strips of fabric wrapped around the body. They are often wrapped around the waist and are worn by women and men. HMONG (53A: Indigenous Southeast Asian people) The HMONG people are an ethnic group in China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar. As I have previously written, many HMONG immigrated to the United States following the Vietnam War. RALEIGH (2D: North Carolina's capital) I believe I was in the fifth grade when I learned all of the U.S. state capitals. That was a year or two ago (and getting longer every year!), so when presented with a clue such as this I sometimes need to dust off some little-used parts of my brain. All this is to say that I'm thankful for the opportunity to review that RALEIGH is the capital of North Carolina. It's the second-most populous city in North Carolina, after Charlotte. WESLEY (12D: "Blade" actor Snipes) The 1998 movie Blade is the first movie in the Blade franchise, which currently includes three movies and a TV series. WESLEY Snipes portrays the title character in the movies, a daywalker (half-vampire) who hunts vampires. SEA (18D: Sargasso or Caspian) The Sargasso SEA is an area of the Atlantic Ocean characterized by the growth of Sargassum seaweed and blue water that is often calm. Unlike other SEAs, the Sargasso SEA has no land boundaries. The Caspian SEA is the world's largest inland body of water. It is located between Europe and Asia, and is bordered by Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkmenistan. CAT (19D: Pet that might chirp at squirrels) My CAT, Willow, likes to sit at the window and watch the squirrels and birds in our yard. She doesn't usually chirp at them; she generally reserves that for stray cats that wander into her territory. Willow keeping tabs on wildlife EL DORADO (38D: Legendary city of gold) The legendary city of gold known as EL DORADO is said to be located somewhere in the Americas. Stories of this mythical city surfaced in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, but although many have searched for it, none have found it. BIG BEN (47D: Great Clock of Westminster) BIG BEN is located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster (also called the Houses of Parliament) in London, England. BIG BEN is the nickname of the clock's bell, and is also used to refer to the clock tower itself. ADA (57D: programming pioneer Lovelace) It's been just over a week since we saw ADA Lovelace mentioned in a puzzle, so it's time. I'm always happy to see a mention of ADA Lovelace (1815-1852). A mathematician and computer programmer, she is considered to be one of the first to recognize the full potential of computers. END (60D: Fitting place for this clue's answer) It's a little thing, but it always makes me smile to see END in the lower corner of the puzzle. Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis CLOSE ENCOUNTERS (17A: "___ of the Third Kind" (sci-fi movie)) MISE-EN-SCENE (35A: Staging and design) PLEASE ELABORATE (56A: "Could you clarify?") SEE IN: IN each theme answer, the word SEE is found: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, MISE-EN-SCENE, and PLEASE ELABORATE. The title of today's puzzle allowed me to make a confident guess about the theme. Always enjoyable to have a guess prove correct. In Kapil's note, he mentioned appreciating that two of the theme answers are grid-spanning. I agree that, although it doesn't affect the effectiveness of the theme at all, grid-spanning theme answers are especially satisfying. Thank you, Kapil, for this excellent puzzle. For more on USA TODAYs Crossword Puzzles This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Crossword Blog & Answers for January 28, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher Clutching plastic bags of clothes, dragging suitcases in wheelbarrows, and holding their children close, Palestinian families in Gaza begin the gruelling march home for the first time since the start of Israels ferocious bombardment 15 months ago. They walked day and night along two roads one coastal, one central that connect the north and south of the besieged strip, and which had been severed by Israeli soldiers for more than a year, but opened as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The roads have been so heavily chewed up by Israeli bulldozers and tanks that, at points, it is an assault course: families have to scramble up towering sandbanks or file along bridges made from rubble over pools and craters. Among the hundreds of thousands on the 20km trek home is Samira, just 10 years old, who says she has spent the duration of the war in Gaza on the run from bombing, which killed multiple family members. She describes ecstatic reunions as families separated by the fighting were able to see each other for the first time. We have been displaced maybe 20 times. Im so tired of moving, of fleeing. I miss my home, my city, and my friends, and now Im finally going back to them, she says, adding that she doesnt know how to put into words how she feels. We just left the tent where it was in the south. In the north, our house is still standing, but its all burned. Mohamed al-Masri, 17, who was displaced from Jabalia refugee camp to Khan Younis in the south, tells The Independent his family was also travelling with no belongings. In our excitement to return, we left almost everything behind, even the tent. We only took what we could carry along the way, he says, torn between feeling joy and a sense of victory and deep pain. I feel as if my soul has been revived like we have returned to life again. But its a mix of feelings. This war has taken from me the most precious things I had. It took my father, my sister, and many relatives as well. I lost my home. A family on a horse-drawn cart struggles to cross a puddle of water as displaced Palestinians return to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip (AP) In extraordinary scenes, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians streamed into Gazas most heavily destroyed area on Monday, after Israel opened the north for the first time since the early weeks of the war with the Hamas militant group. It was part of the fragile ceasefire agreement that has held for its second week. In the first six weeks of the US, Qatari, and Egyptian-brokered deal, Israeli forces are to withdraw from parts of the strip, while dozens of hostages seized by Hamas on 7 October 2023 during which they took 250 people hostage and killed around 1,200 more will be returned home in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians released from Israeli prisons. Israel launched its heaviest-ever bombardment of Gaza in the wake of the bloody 7 October attack. Since then, Palestinian health officials say Israels air and ground offensive has killed more than 47,000, the majority of whom are women and children. It is a death toll and level of destruction so high that rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, a point Israel vehemently denies. The United Nations says at least 90 per cent of the 2 million-strong population of Gaza has been displaced. A UN damage assessment released this month showed that it could take 21 years to clear away the more than 50 million tonnes of rubble left in the aftermath of Israels bombardment, while costing up to $1.2bn (965m). Displaced Palestinians warm themselves by a fire near a roadblock, as they wait to return to their homes in the northern part of the Gaza Strip (AP) Amid that towering destruction, on Monday joyous crowds of Palestinians walked all day and night, carrying bedrolls, bottles of water, and other basic belongings, as armed and masked Hamas fighters flashed victory signs. The crowd was watched over by Israeli tanks on a nearby hill. Those who passed through a main checkpoint connecting north and south, once policed by Israeli soldiers, told The Independent that it was now managed by men speaking in Egyptian accents and wearing shirts reading The Egyptian Qatari Committee. Videos shared online appeared to back this up. Overlooking the scene were armed men in tactical gear, whom some families speculated may be US security contractors. The Independent has been sent lucrative job adverts from American contractor companies looking for US special forces veterans, to oversee checkpoints in Gaza as Israeli forces withdrew from certain areas. We had to sell our tent to save some money for our journey back, says 14-year-old Lina al-Mubaid, who was forced to flee her home and then places of shelter 10 times during the war. She narrowly missed being killed when Israeli forces bombed a school where she was sheltering in the centre of the strip. We also lost loved ones my grandfather and many of my cousins. Our home was also destroyed. Well live in another tent. Relatives hug each other in north Gaza (AP) But Im so happy that we are returning to our land and home, and that the war is finally over and were still alive and safe. Rana Youssef, 35, who was forced to flee Gaza Citys al-Shati refugee camp at the start of the bombing, was now returning with her husband and children. The mathematics teacher had set up a tent school for displaced children in the south. It was incredible to finally reach my home, reunite with my relatives and loved ones, and shed tears over these bittersweet moments, she says, adding that she considers herself luckier than most as her house is still standing. Despite the destruction, she believes Gaza will rise again. Our people cannot abandon Gaza. We rebuild, no matter how long it takes. Ali al-Hayek, 35, a labourer from northern Gaza who was also in the same column of people heading north, agrees. Despite all the hardships, we are grateful to be returning, He tells The Independent with his nine children in tow. There is nothing like being in your homeland, no matter the challenges. We grew up and lived here. This is where we belong. Getty Stock image of a passenger in a motorized wheelchair at the airport A woman was arrested at Chicago OHare International Airport after she was allegedly caught with a large volume of cocaine hidden in her wheelchair, according to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE. Elaine Perez-Pena was traveling from Sao Paulo, Brazil and had a layover in Chicago when she was found to have the illegal substance on Jan. 25, according to the documents filed on Jan. 26 by a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations. Perez-Pena, whose end destination was Newark, N.J., is being charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute" after officers allegedly discovered 14.08 kilograms of cocaine in the cushions of her motorized wheelchair, according to the filing. In the affidavit that supports the complaint, the special agent says that based on their years of experience with similar incidents, they know that one kilogram of cocaine is worth $17,000 to $20,000. Thus, Perez-Pena allegedly possessed at least $238,000 worth of cocaine when she was caught. Related: U.S. Customs Officer Charged with Allegedly Smuggling 40 Lbs. of Cocaine Through Airport Scott Olson/Getty Chicago O'Hare International Airport During her layover, Perez-Pena who was seated in the motorized wheelchair after exiting the plane was subjected to a secondary inspection due to her previous convictions involving the substance. She allegedly told officers that she was tired and her leg hurt while they were inspecting her other belongings. She then said that she needed to use the restroom and was having difficulty walking, so the officers escorted her to the restroom, the documents allege. While nothing suspicious was found in her roller bag, the officers saw that the cushions on her wheelchair appeared newer, so they sent it through the X-ray machine and noticed anomalies in density and colors consistent with normal cushioning, according to the filing. Related: What Exactly Is Pink Cocaine? An Expert Explains the Headline-Making Drug Getty Stock image of a drug detection dog at the airport A narcotics canine then gave a positive response to the odor of the wheelchair, which prompted an officer to conduct an intrusive exam by drilling into the cushion. A white powdery substance was then found on the tip of the drill, per the documents. After taking apart the cushions on the wheelchair, a customs officer allegedly found approximately 14 packages containing a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine." Perez-Pena was eventually taken to a holding cell, where she was allegedly seen pacing back and forth without the need for a wheelchair. 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. Per the filing, Perez-Pena had a history of previous convictions. In 2022, she pled guilty to importing cocaine and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. She received a sentence of time served and two years on supervised release, according to the documents. On a different occasion in 2022, she was found with 2.89 kilograms of a substance that tested positive for cocaine hidden in her suitcase when she landed in New York City from the Dominican Republic. Read the original article on People Rising TikTok star Nahsiyah Turner dead at 17, cause of death revealed Rising TikTok star Nahsiyah Turner best known as Siyah has died in a shooting outside a Southern California mall. She was 17. The content creator, who boasted more than 310,000 followers on TikTok, died of a gunshot wound to the chest on Jan. 18, People reported. Rising TikTok star Nahsiyah Turner has died in a shooting outside a Southern California mall. She was 17. @s1yahhh/Instagram Police arrived at the Los Cerritos Center shopping center around 7:30 p.m. and found an unconscious woman inside a vehicle, CBS News reported. Upon examination, it emerged that Turner was unresponsive and not breathing. She was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead, officials said. The investigation is ongoing. Deputies from the Cerritos station responded to the parking lot of the Cerritos mall in regards to a gunshot victim call, Lit. Steve DeJong, of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Departments Homicide Bureau, told Los Alamitos High Schools student newspaper, the Griffin Gazette. When they got there, they observed a female juvenile, 17 years old, with a gunshot wound. DeJong added, As far as the context and investigation, I cant elaborate. This investigation is going to go on for a while. Following news of her death, Turners social media followers have rushed to the comments section of her final post to pay tribute. The social media influencer, best known as Siyah to her followers, died of a gunshot wound to the chest. @s1yahhh/Instagram The content creator, who boasted more than 310,000 TikTok followers, was caught up in the shooting on Jan 18. @s1yahhh/Instagram Turners final video, which is a 15-second clip in which she dances, was posted just days before the shooting. Im still in disbelief , one person wrote, while another added, Rest in peace, Siyah. We will miss your videos. Rest in peace my heart sending all my love and prayers to her family, a third added. Last week, several of Siyahs followers gathered to pay their respects to the late teen. Fans brought candles, flowers and signed notes as they displayed photos of the beloved content creator, a video shared on the platform shows. Turners cheerful videos earned her more than 300,000 followers on TikTok and more than 36,000 followers on Instagram. @s1yahhh/Instagram Many signed their names on a tribute poster, before releasing purple, white and silver balloons into the air, a fan-made TikTok video shows. Turners cheerful videos earned her more than 300,000 followers on TikTok and more than 36,000 followers on Instagram. By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a call with Jordan's King Abdullah on Monday, the State Department said, with the call coming two days after a suggestion by President Donald Trump that Jordan and Egypt should take more Palestinians from Gaza. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Trump on Saturday floated a plan to "clean out" the war-ravaged territory of Gaza in comments that echoed long-standing Palestinian fears of being permanently driven from their homes. Jordan and Egypt had pushed back over the weekend after Trump said they should take in Palestinians from Gaza, where Israel's war has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis. Asked if this was a temporary or long-term solution for Gaza, Trump had said: "Could be either." KEY QUOTES "The Secretary and King Abdullah discussed implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the release of hostages, and creating a pathway for security and stability in the region," the State Department said in a statement. Trump's weekend remarks were not mentioned in the statement. "Secretary Rubio thanked Jordan for supporting the ceasefire through its integral role in providing humanitarian assistance through the Jordan Corridor," the State Department added. CONTEXT The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on Oct. 7, 2023, when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's subsequent military assault on Gaza killed over 47,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, and led to accusations of genocide and war crimes that Israel denies. The fighting has currently paused amid a fragile ceasefire. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler and Lincoln Feast.) NEW YORK (AP) Sean Duffy was confirmed Tuesday as transportation secretary, giving him a key role in helping President Donald Trump cut regulations and fix the nation's infrastructure. The former Wisconsin congressman has promised safer Boeing planes, less regulation and help for U.S. companies developing self-driving cars -- while not giving any breaks to Elon Musk, a key player in that technology. Duffy, a 53-year-old former reality TV star, was approved with bipartisan support on a 77-22 vote in the Senate. He takes over the Department of Transportation at a crucial time at the agency, a massive employer of more than 55,000 that spends tens of billions of dollars annually, oversees the nations highways, railroads and airspace and sets safety standards for trains, cars and trucks. At his confirmation hearing earlier this month, Duffy vowed to restore global confidence in Boeing, hire more air traffic controllers, cut DEI programs at DOT and create federal rules for self-driving cars instead of leaving that to patchwork of state regulations that critics said holds back U.S. development. One of the biggest beneficiaries to a such a regulatory overhaul would be Musk. Stock his electric vehicle maker, Tesla, has soared since Trump was elected president on hopes that unified federal rules will be passed. Investors are also expecting the DOT's investigations into Tesla to be eased now that Musk is a key adviser to the president. But when pressed by senators in hearings, Duffy promised to hold firm. I will let NHTSA do its investigation, said Duffy, referring to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the agency in his department in charge of probes and crackdowns on car makers. China came up several times at Duffy's confirmation hearing as a threat to U.S. development of self-driving technology overseen by DOT. A big Chinese electric vehicle maker there, BYD, is stealing market share from Tesla both in China and Europe. Without clear rules, or a patchwork of rules state by state, we put ourselves behind those countries that allow innovators to expand and grow, Duffy said at his hearing before Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation We are in direct competition with China. The agency has several open investigations into the safety of Tesla vehicles, some focusing on what the company calls Full Self-Driving, a misnomer because the vehicles require human intervention at any moment. In October, NHTSA launched a probe into Teslas self-driving system covering 2.4 million vehicles after getting reports of crashes in low-visibility conditions, including one that killed a pedestrian. Musk, the worlds richest man who has dubbed himself first buddy of Trump, gave an estimated $250 million to Trumps presidential campaign. Duffys decisions at DOT will have a direct impact on profits not only at Tesla but Musks rocket company, SpaceX, which has billions of dollars of contracts with federal agencies. DOT's Federal Aviation Administration has occasionally fined the company for violations, including $633,000 last year for alleged safety violations during two Florida launches. Restaurants throughout the Gulf Coast are serving imported shrimp but telling their customers they're feasting on fresh crustaceans fished in the Gulf of Mexico, a series of new studies found. SeaD Consulting, a food safety technology company, tested shrimp from randomly chosen restaurants in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Biloxi, Mississippi; Galveston, Texas; and Tampa Bay, Florida. Researchers found a significant number of the restaurants were passing off their shrimp as locally sourced, even though they were grown on foreign farms and imported to the U.S. The cities with the highest "shrimp fraud rate" were Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg, Florida, at 96%, according to SeaD Consulting. Only two of the 44 restaurants sampled were serving authentic shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico, a study found. A batch of wild caught Gulf of Mexico shrimp sits on a sorting table on shrimper Keo Nguyens boat at a dock east of Lake Borgne prior to bringing it to a seafood market Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. The tests in other cities yielded similar results. In Biloxi, 82% of the restaurants "were defrauding consumers about what they were buying," SeaD said. In Galveston, 59% of the 44 restaurants it sampled served imported shrimp while claiming they were caught locally. In Baton Rouge, researchers sampled menu items at 24 restaurants and found nearly 30% more than 1 in 4 were misrepresented. Consumers come to the coast expecting the finest, freshest Gulf seafood, but what theyre being served often falls far short of that, said Erin Williams, chief operations officer of SeaD Consulting. This isnt just about mislabeling; its about eroding consumer trust, undercutting local businesses, and threatening the livelihood of hardworking Gulf shrimpers. What the weather means for you: Sign up for USA TODAY's Climate Point newsletter. As restaurants deceive customers, shrimpers are struggling to compete The consulting company behind the research says the rampant misrepresentation hurts not only customers who are put at higher risk of consuming tainted food but also harms local fishermen struggling to compete with the low cost of imported shrimp from countries like India, Vietnam and Ecuador. About 90% of shrimp consumed in the United States is imported, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. John Williams, the executive director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance, a Florida-based advocacy group that represents shrimpers in multiple states, said in a statement that Family-owned shrimp businesses operating out of the Port of Tampa are struggling to survive while local restaurants bamboozle customers into thinking locally caught shrimp are being served." "If restaurants wish to serve shrimp from countries associated with labor abuses, environmental harms, and banned antibiotic use, that is their choice. But be honest and let consumers choose what they eat," he said. Some states are cracking down on shrimp mislabeling The consulting company and groups advocating for fishermen have pushed state legislators to crack down on the mislabeling of seafood, especially shrimp, at restaurants. So far, Alabama and Louisiana are leading the charge to stamp out the misrepresentation and protect the bottom line of local shrimpers. Earlier this month, a new law went into effect in Louisiana requiring restaurants selling imported shrimp to include a notice on their menus telling customers the shrimp is imported and listing the country of origin. A similar law went into effect in Alabama in October. Development of new genetic test led to recent studies The studies were made possible with the development of a genetic test created by researchers at Florida State University and SeaD, which owns the patent on what it calls the RIGHTTest in partnership with the university. To detect authenticity, a test strip is placed into a DNA sample solution and examined for the presence of a gene specific to Atlantic white shrimp, which are particularly prone to substitution. The new test, which can detect raw and cooked species, knocked down a typically five-day process to as little as two hours, according to Florida State University. It also cut out the need to send samples to a testing lab for DNA extraction and analysis. Instead, the new test is much more affordable and can provide on-site results at restaurants and markets. Curious about where your shrimp is from? Ask SeaD Consulting and fishermen advocacy groups encourage tourists and locals to eat at restaurants that serve authentic shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico. However, finding out what restaurants are honestly serving shrimp from the Gulf is challenging. As processed shrimp is often peeled it can be difficult even for experts to discern shrimp species based on physical characteristics alone. When you peel the shrimp, they look similar, Prashant Singh, an assistant professor at FSU who assisted in developing the shrimp species test, said in a statement. SeaD Consulting advises people to ask where their shrimp is from and support stronger regulations against the mislabeling of seafood. "Dont be afraid to ask your server for proof that the shrimp is locally caught, such as seeing the box it came in restaurants should be proud to show where their seafood comes from," the company said in a statement. (This story was updated to add additional information.) Contributing: Wade Tatangelo, USA TODAY NETWORK This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Shrimp fraud' found to be rampant at Gulf Coast restaurants Jacob Lund // Shutterstock Starting a small business and eventually making it big has long been synonymous with the American Dream. In fact, in 2018-2019, 62% of adults viewed entrepreneurship as a promising career path. By 2023, this belief translated into action for many with a record-breaking 5.5 million new business applications filed across the country. But starting a small business is no small feat, and finding just the right spot to set up shop can make all the difference. With this in mind, CoworkingCafe set out to find the top U.S. cities where aspiring business owners can thrive. It analyzed 136 cities across various key metrics, including gross domestic product (GDP), number of business applications, labor costs and more. CoworkingCafe Southern Comfort for Entrepreneurs: 14 of the Top 20 Cities for Small Businesses are Below the Sun Belt When it comes to the best cities for small businesses, the South clearly stands out. With 14 of the top 20 cities hailing from below the Mason-Dixon line, places like Miami, Orlando, FL, and Austin are sizzling hot for startups. Meanwhile, out West, cities like Denver and Salt Lake City are making a strong case for small business success, and it's no surprise that the top small business hotspot also comes from this region. 1. Scottsdale, AZ 73.75 points The city's GDP skyrocketed between 2018 and 2022 by 38%, signaling a strong and expanding economy in the area. Scottsdale, AZ, has been recognized in the past as one of the fastest-growing startup cities in the U.S. and it continued to keep its status in 2024, leading the pack of cities for small businesses. Additionally, more than 16% of business owners are self-employedthe second-highest share in the nation, just behind Miami. Of course, the city's strategic location near Phoenix, combined with its low disaster risk and excellent infrastructure, makes it an attractive place for both new and established businesses to thrive. 2. Miami 73.37 points Business is booming in Miami, which ranks second on the list. The city paves the way in the number of business applications per 100,000 residents with an impressive 5,320. As a result, self-employment is highly prevalent in the area with close to 18% of its workforce owning businesses. The cost of living index of 118.2 puts living expenses in Miami at over 18% higher than the national average. Despite this higher cost, the relatively low labor costs of $34,934 make it financially easier for entrepreneurs to operate their businesses. This combination allows them to invest more in their ventures and seek out new opportunities, making Miami an appealing place for business despite the overall higher living expenses. Furthermore, its low corporate tax ratecombined with a strong GDP growth of 32%makes Miami a top spot for startups in sectors like finance, tech, and logistics. 3. Atlanta 70.89 points Sitting at No. 3 in the rankings, Atlanta isn't just a hub for southern hospitalityit's also a powerhouse for small businesses, boasting a coworking space density of 23.8 per 100,000 residentsthe highest in the nation. Notably, coworking spaces are a game-changer for small startups, offering cost-effective, flexible work environments that can easily scale up or down as business needs evolve. This allows entrepreneurs to focus on growth without the pressure of long-term leases and overhead costs. Moreover, the city's workforce is highly educated, with nearly 40% holding a bachelor's degree, and its labor costs (though higher at $53,170) support a diverse economy that spans technology, media, and logistics. At the same time, the city's GDP growth rate of 25% and a low unemployment rate of 5.8% make it a prime spot for entrepreneurs looking to capitalize on a booming market. 4. Orlando, FL 70.39 points Orlando's business scene is as eclectic as its theme parks, with a business application rate of 3,698 per 100,000 residentsthe fourth-highest in the nation. At the same time, the city's cost of living is moderate at 99.9, and its labor sits at $39,148. Orlando's focus on tech and creative industries, along with a strong GDP growth rate of 35%, makes it a booming ground for new ventures, which only strengthens its position as a top city for small businesses. 5. Austin, TX 70.12 points Austin's reputation as the "Silicon Hills" is well-deserved, given that the city has the eight-strongest business application rate of 2,772 per 100.000 residents. What's more, Austin's workforce is highly educated, with nearly 40% of its population holding a bachelor's degree. Granted, labor costs are relatively high at $50,676, but the city makes up for it with a low unemployment rate of 4.4% and the highest GDP growth rate nationwideof 46%making it an ideal place for both startups and small businesses to thrive. 6. Tampa, FL 70.11 points Tampa follows closely behind Austin, missing fifth place by a hair. Its laid-back coastal vibe is matched by a dynamic business environment, with Tampa featuring 42 coworking spaces and a cost of living index of 96.9, below the national average. Labor costs are moderate at $42,514, making it an attractive location for small businesses. With a business application rate of 2,944 per 100,000 residents (overtaking Austin in this category) and a GDP growth rate of 36%, Tampa is the perfect place for entrepreneurs seeking a balance between lifestyle and business opportunities. 7. Fort Lauderdale, FL 70.06 points Fort Lauderdale offers more than just sun and sandit's also a hotspot for small businesses, with a self-employment rate of 15%, ranking 4th nationwide, and 25 coworking spaces to support its entrepreneurial community. The cost of living is higher at 118.6, but labor costs are reasonable at $43,432. With a GDP growth of 32% and a focus on industries like marine, tourism, and tech, Fort Lauderdale is a compelling choice for entrepreneurs looking to dive into new opportunities. 8. Boise, ID 69.79 points Boise is quickly becoming a top city for small businesses, offering a low cost of living (104.1) and affordable coworking prices, with an average of $255 per month. The city's unemployment rate is a low 3.8%, and its self-employment stands at a solid 11%. Boise's tech sector is growing, and with a 41% GDP growth rate and strong community support, it's an appealing destination for entrepreneurs looking to grow in a dynamic and supportive environment. 9. McAllen, TX 68.84 points McAllen stands out for its affordability, boasting the lowest cost of living index among the top cities at 82.0. The city also has a high self-employment rate of 14.7%, ranking 5th nationwide. Despite lower labor costs of $30,597, McAllen's strategic location near the U.S.-Mexico border drives a unique business environment, particularly in logistics and retail. With a business growth rate of over 13% and a close to 28% GDP increase, McAllen is a rising star for small businesses looking to tap into both U.S. and international markets. 10. Huntsville, AL 68.51 points Huntsville is reaching new heights, not just in aerospace but also in business success. Huntsville's unemployment rate of only 4.6% and labor costs of $38,946 make it an attractive option for small businesses. The city's high-tech focus, a self-employment rate of a little over 8%, and a 31% GDP growth rate create a stable and supportive environment for entrepreneurs looking to make a mark in tech and research industries. And it seems new businesses that set up shop in Huntsville are here to stay since Alabama boasts one of the best survival rates in the nation. 11. Provo, UT 68.45 points Ranked #11, Provo's picturesque backdrop is home to a flourishing business community. The city is a hotspot for entrepreneurs, offering some of the most affordable coworking options in the country at under $300 per month. With the lowest labor costs in the nation at $16,820 and a robust 4.4% unemployment rate, Provo boasts a strong and stable job market. The city's impressive over 6% self-employment rate and a staggering almost 46% GDP growth highlight its dynamic entrepreneurial environment, making it an ideal destination for those seeking both innovation and a high quality of life. 12. Allen, TX 68.11 points Ranked 13th, Allen is making significant strides in the business world with a strong self-employment rate of 12%. Although labor costs are relatively high at $62,758, the city's proximity to Dallas and exceptional quality of life make it an attractive location for startups. With a GDP growth of more than 33%, Allen's supportive business climate and expanding opportunities are driving the success of small businesses in this thriving community. 13. Cape Coral, FL 68.06 points Cape Coral's unique landscape of canals and waterfront properties is paralleled by a high self-employment rate of 14%, ranking 6th nationally. The city's cost of living index is 105.7, and labor costs are $39,129. With a business application rate of 2,748 and a GDP growth rate of 34%, Cape Coral is a vibrant community for businesses in real estate, construction, and tourism. 14. Wilmington, NC 67.96 points Wilmington's charm is backed by solid business credentials, with a labor cost on the lower end at $34,430 and a great cost of living index of 95.8. The city's self-employment rate of nearly 14% and great coworking prices provide an appealing environment for startups. With a 36% GDP growth rate and a focus on creative and technology industries, Wilmington is a great place for entrepreneurs looking for a supportive and dynamic community. 15. Denver, CO 67.70 points The vibrant business ecosystem is reflected in Denver's high density of coworking spaces (12.1 per 100.000 residents) and a diverse economy. While labor costs are on the higher side at $54,195, Denver's GDP growth rate of 34% and strong business networks offer plenty of opportunities for small businesses to thrive. The city's active lifestyle and strategic location as a gateway to the Rockies make it a top choice for entrepreneurs looking to blend business with adventure. Nashville ranks 16th with 2,360 business applications per 100,000 residents and a 37% GDP growth rate, closely competing with Austin's vibrant business scene. Ranked 17th, Oklahoma City boasts 1,913 business applications per 100,000 residents and a GDP growth rate of 19%, surpassing Jacksonville's economic expansion but falling short of Miami's growth. At 18th place, Jacksonville's 2,619 business applications per 100,000 residents and 13.5% GDP growth position it strongly against similar cities like Orlando, though it still lags behind in overall business density. Ranked 19th, Gilbert has 2,044 business applications per 100,000 residents and a GDP growth rate of almost 14%, competing with Scottsdale's dynamic economy while offering a more suburban, family-friendly environment. Salt Lake City rounds out the top 20 with 2,261 business applications per 100,000 residents and a GDP growth of 6.1%, showcasing a strong business climate similar to Provo's, though it trails in economic growth compared to other tech-driven hubs. CoworkingCafe Methodology: For this report, CoworkingCafe developed a comprehensive scoring system to evaluate and rank cities based on their attractiveness for small businesses. The metrics were weighted according to their importance in fostering a conducive environment for entrepreneurship and business growth. The total score was derived from the following data points and their respective weightings: Growth Rate of Business Applications: The compound annual growth rate of business applications from 2018 to 2023, highlighting the long-term trend of entrepreneurial activity in the area. Direct, 15 points. Source: Business Formation Statistics, Census.gov. Percentage of Self-Employed Business Owners: Reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of the city. A higher percentage of self-employed individuals indicates a thriving small business community. Direct, 15 points. Source: Census Bureau. GDP Growth: Shows the economic growth of the metropolitan statistical area (MSA), indicating a healthy economic environment conducive to business expansion. Direct, 10 points. Source: BEA. Labor Costs: Indicates the median earnings for the workforce, impacting hiring costs and business operations. Lower labor costs can be advantageous for startups with tight budgets. Indirect, 10 points. Source: Census Bureau. Cost of Living Index: Reflects the overall affordability of the city, influencing business expenses and quality of life for entrepreneurs and employees. Indirect, 10 points. Source: C2ER Q1 2024. Unemployment Rate: A measure of the city's job market health. A lower unemployment rate suggests a stable economic environment, which is favorable for small business growth. Indirect, 10 points. Source: Census Bureau. Percentage of Population with a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: Represents the availability of a skilled workforce, essential for knowledge-based businesses and innovation-driven sectors. Direct, 10 points. Source: Census Bureau. Average Coworking Space Prices: Assesses the affordability of coworking spaces, crucial for startups and small businesses looking to minimize costs. Indirect, 5 points. Source: CwC. Coworking Spaces Density: Represents the availability of flexible workspaces per 100,000 residents, highlighting the city's support for small businesses and freelancers. Direct, 5 points. Source: CwC. Number of Business Applications: Represents new business formation rates, with a higher number indicating a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem. Direct, 5 points. Source: Business Formation Statistics, Census.gov. Labor Force Participation: The percentage of the population actively participating in the labor market, indicating the availability of potential employees for small businesses. Direct, 5 points. Source: Census Bureau. Each metric was carefully selected and weighted to reflect its impact on the small business landscape. This story was produced by CoworkingCafe and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. January 28, 2025: In November 2024 there was another outbreak of antisemitism in Europe when pro-Palestinian groups in Amsterdam sought out and attacked Jews, real or suspected, in many parts of the city. Antisemitism is hatred of Jews, who are members of a religious minority of 16 million worldwide compared to 2.4 billion Christians, 1.9 billion Moslems and 1.2 billion Hindus. Radical Palestinians want Israel eliminated and all Jews out of the Middle East. Their motto, From The River To The Sea, aptly describes Palestine replacing Israel. Pro-Palestinian movements have become popular in the West because some Palestinian groups are funded by wealthy Arabs in the Persian Gulf. That money also goes to pro-Palestinian groups in Europe and the United States. This is related to another problem, the plunging Christian population in the Christian holy places of the Middle East, especially places like Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Bethlehem, which for centuries was largely Christian, Arab Christians for the most part, is now only 12 percent Christian. When Israel was founded in 1948, Jerusalem was 15 percent Christian, now it is only 1.2 percent Christian. The decline is not just in the traditional Christian holy places but throughout the Middle East and Moslem countries in general. This is all the result of long standing Islamic disdain for other religions. During the last century that disdain has increasingly turned to violence and outright hatred. Most Christians, and other religious minorities, fled to the West, often the United States. Until a decade ago most Arab Americans were Christian. Iraq is another example. Before Saddam invaded Kuwait in 1990, there were 1.5 million Christians in Iraq. Now there are fewer than 300,000. Many were expelled by Islamic fanatics because they were not Moslem, but there was also Iraqi Moslem hatred of Christians because they were supporters of Saddam. Religious and ethnic minorities are often recruited by tyrants, or foreign invaders, to prop up a dictatorship or colonial rule. When the British took over Iraq, from the Moslem Turks, in the 1920s, they trusted the local Christians, and other religious minorities more than the majority of Moslems for security chores and government jobs in general. The Turks did the same thing but to a lesser extent because the local Christians were also Arabs, and all Arabs resented centuries of rule by the alien Turks. But Iraqis also hated fellow Moslems, mainly the four million strong Sunni Arab minority who supported the Turks and later Sunni Arab dictators like Saddam. A lot of this violence stems from a passage in the Moslem scriptures, which instructs a Moslem man when encountering a non-Moslem to ask the man to convert. If the man refuses, he must be killed. Throughout the Moslem world there is an ancient antipathy against non-Moslems or Moslems who are different from you. The infidels or non-Moslems are seen as potentially disloyal, and what happened in Iraq over the last century just confirms that attitude. Currently you find Moslems attacking Buddhists in Thailand, Jews everywhere, Baha'is in Iran, and Christians in Egypt, Iraq, the Philippines, Pakistan, Malaysia, and elsewhere. This is not a sudden and unexpected outburst of Moslem violence against non-Moslems. It is normal and at the root of Islamic terrorism. While this violent behavior represents only a small number of Moslems, it is a large minority of from a few percent of a population to over half depending on the area, and as verified by public opinion polls. Moreover, the majority of Moslems have not been willing, or able, to confront and suppress the Islamic radicals that not only spread death and destruction but also besmirch all Moslems. This reveals a fundamental problem in the Islamic world, the belief that combining righteousness with murderous tactics is often the road to power and spiritual salvation. Throughout history when these tactics were applied to non-Moslems they often failed. The non-Moslems were unfazed by the religious angle and, especially in the last five hundred years, were better able to defeat Islamic violence with even greater violence. Thus, until quite recently, the Moslems fought among themselves and left the infidels out. But after World War II that began to change. During the Lebanese civil war of 1975-1990, Christian and Moslem Arabs fought bitterly over political, cultural, and, ultimately, religious differences. Few realized it at the time but this war was but the first of many between Christians and Moslems in the 20th and 21st centuries. Many of the earliest Moslem converts were former Christians. And many of those that Moslem armies unsuccessfully sought to conquer were Christian. The original Crusades, which modern Moslems portray as Western aggression, were actually a Western attempt to rescue Middle Eastern Christians from several centuries of increasing Islamic terrorism and violence. Islam as a political force was in decline for several centuries until the 1970s. Then things changed and they continue to change. Fueled by oil wealth and access to Western weapons and technology, Islamic radicals saw new opportunities. Islam was again on the march and few have noticed the many places it was turning into religious war with Christians and other non-Moslems. The Middle East still contains many non-Moslems. None have their own country, except for Israel. But Egypt contains five million Copts, native Christians who did not convert to Islam. Similar small Christian communities exist throughout the Middle East, and growing hostility from Moslem neighbors causes many to migrate or get killed. Moslems also have turned their righteous wrath on dissident Moslem sects. The Druze and Alawites are considered by many Moslems as pagans pretending to be Moslems. Similarly, the Shias of Iran and neighboring areas are considered less orthodox, not just for their admitted differences but because many adherents openly practice customs of the pre-Islamic Zoroastrian religion. These differences are less frequently overlooked today. To survive, many Druze have allied themselves with Israel, and most of the recently vanished Syrian governments leadership were Alawites who pretended to be more Shia than they really are. Radicals throughout the Moslem world continue to take advantage of dissatisfaction among the people and recruit terrorists and supporters. To help this process along they invoke the ancient grudges popular among many Moslems. Most of these legends involve Christian violence against Moslems. To most radicals it makes sense to get people agitated over faraway foreigners rather than some strongman nearby who make react violently to their denunciations of them. Most radicals lack the skills, money, patience and ability to carry their struggle to far-off places. So most of the agitation takes place among Moslem populations. Any violent attitudes generated are easily directed at available non-Moslems. The more violence you generate, the more really fanatical fighters are developed. These are the people who are willing to travel to foreign lands and deal with non-believers and kill them for the cause. We call it terrorism; the fanatics call it doing what has to be done, defending Islam with jihad. Not surprisingly Moslems get motivated to do something about Islamic radicalism when the violence comes to their neighborhoods. That's why terror attacks in the West are so popular. The infidels are being attacked without any risk to those living in Moslem countries. Iraq changed all that and during the course of the 2004-7 war the popularity of Islamic terrorism, in Moslem countries, declined sharply because the terrorists were killing so many Moslems. That, in the end, is what has killed, for a while, most Islamic terrorism in Iraq. But this time around it would be nice if the Moslem world got their act together and expunged this malevolent tendency once and for all. Nicolas Talbott at his home in Lisbon, Ohio, in 2020. Talbott, who serves with the Army Reserve, is a plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging Donald Trump's executive order banning transgender people from serving and enlisting in the military. Two national LGBTQ legal organizations filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday challenging President Donald Trumps executive order barring transgender people from serving and enlisting in the military. The suit was filed on behalf of six active duty trans service members and two trans people seeking to enlist. This ban betrays fundamental American values of equal opportunity and judging people on their merit, Jennifer Levi, the senior director of transgender and queer rights at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law), said in a statement. It slams the door on qualified patriots who meet every standard and want nothing more than to serve their country, simply to appease a political agenda. Thats not just un-American, it makes our country weaker by pushing away talented service members who put their lives on the line every day for our nation. GLAD Law and the National Center for Lesbian Rights filed the lawsuit against Trump and several military officials in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia one day after the president signed an executive order restricting transgender military service. The order, titled Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness, reinstates a policy from Trumps first term and rescinds a 2021 order by then-President Joe Biden that allowed trans people to enlist and serve openly. The new policy is intended "to protect the American people and our homeland as the worlds most lethal and effective fighting force," according to the executive order. It adds that "the pursuit of military excellence cannot be diluted to accommodate political agendas or other ideologies harmful to unit cohesion." The executive order requires the Defense Department to update its medical standards within 60 days to restrict coverage of certain transition-related care, "end invented and identification-based pronoun usage," and bar people assigned male at birth from using womens sleeping, changing and bathing facilities. "President Trumps ban on transgender people serving in the military discriminates against Plaintiffs based on their sex and based on their transgender status, without lawful justification, in violation of the Equal Protection component of the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment," Tuesday's lawsuit states. "Rather than being based on any legitimate governmental purpose, the ban reflects animosity toward transgender people because of their transgender status." The White House did not immediately respond to NBC News' request for comment on the lawsuit. Nicolas Talbott checks his pump shotgun at his home in Lisbon, Ohio. One of the plaintiffs, Army 2nd Lt. Nicolas Talbott, is a 31-year-old transgender man who has served with distinction in an Army Reserve unit in Pennsylvania, according to the lawsuit. Talbott, the suit adds, was "named Honor Graduate at basic combat training by his drill sergeants for going above and beyond in training and stepping up to leadership roles." When you put on the uniform, differences fall away and what matters is your ability to do the job, Talbott said in a statement. Every individual must meet the same objective and rigorous qualifications in order to serve. It has been my dream and my goal to serve my country for as long as I can remember. My being transgender has no bearing on my dedication to the mission, my commitment to my unit, or my ability to perform my duties in accordance with the high standards expected of me and every servicemember. GLAD and the National Center for Lesbian Rights filed suit against Trump's last trans military ban, issued in 2017, and, as a result, multiple judges blocked the policy from taking effect for nearly two years. In 2019, the Supreme Court allowed the policy to take effect while litigation proceeded in lower courts. Shannon Minter, vice president of legal at the National Center for Lesbian Rights, said service members' challenge to the suit is even stronger this time around. He noted that the Supreme Court ruled that discrimination based on transgender status is discrimination based on sex in its landmark decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, in 2020. That, Minter added, means the trans military ban, which necessarily discriminates based on trans status, would have to meet a very high standard to show that such discrimination is justified to achieve a legitimate government interest. Further, trans people have been serving openly for four years, Minter said, and they "have more than proved themselves." "They've been deployed, they're serving, they're meeting all the same standards," he said. "President Trump didn't claim that this was arising out of some problems that are occurring." Minter added that Trump, through the executive order, "openly expressed his animosity and hostility towards transgender people." He pointed to the top of the order, which states that the "adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individuals sex conflicts with a soldiers commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in ones personal life. The order also says trans identities are "not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member." "The government can't discriminate against a group of people because it doesn't like them," Minter said. Emily Shilling, a commander and one of the highest-ranking out trans people in the Navy, said that following news of the renewed ban, her colleagues have reached out to say they support her. "Everybody is rallying behind me, but they always have, because I've shown up every day," said Shilling, who is also president of SPARTA, an advocacy organization for trans service members and veterans. "Me being transgender is the least interesting thing there is about me at work. I'm a good leader, and they're worried about their leader." The Defense Department doesnt publicly report how many transgender people are serving in the military, and estimates vary widely. Two reports that came out before trans people were able to serve openly a 2014 report by UCLA Laws Williams Institute and a 2016 report from the Rand Corp. estimated there were 15,500 (Williams Institute) and between 2,150 and 10,790 (Rand Corp.) trans people serving. In addition to the executive order restricting military service for trans people, Trump issued an executive order hours after his inauguration targeting "gender ideology." The order declared that the U.S. government will recognize only two sexes, male and female, and that these sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality, resulting in the State Department freezing all passport applications requesting a sex-marker change. President Trump is flexing his muscle just a week into his presidency, using tariffs and sanctions as a leverage tool to enact his agenda, even when it involves U.S. allies. Trump caused a stir Sunday when he announced tariffs and visa restrictions on Colombia after the country refused to accept planes of individuals being deported back to their home country. Colombia ultimately accepted the repatriation flights, with Trump putting the tariffs on the back burner. While the White House and Republican lawmakers took a victory lap, the episode reflected how Trump may seek to bully other countries into submission to get what he wants in his second term. This time hes got a very clear understanding of how government works. People know how to work the system to his benefit to implement his policies, said one former Trump White House official. Trumps tendency to publicly pressure his foreign counterparts is high-risk, high-reward. On Sunday, Trumps threat of tariffs and visa sanctions on Colombia initially sparked a threat of retaliatory tariffs from Colombian President Gustavo Petro. The move could have sparked a trade war, leading to increased prices of goods like coffee and flowers for U.S. consumers. Instead, it amounted to a show of force for Trump. The situation appeared to be resolved late Sunday after Petro agreed Colombia would accept the flights of U.S. deportees. The White House said it would hold off on imposing tariffs, and that visa sanctions would be lifted once the planes landed in Colombia. White House officials and Republican lawmakers quickly cited it as examples of Trump projecting strength from the Oval Office and how his brash approach to foreign policy would be more effective than the Biden administration. Todays events make clear to the world that America is respected again, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. President Trump will continue to fiercely protect our nations sovereignty, and he expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States. Trump has already made clear he may try similar tactics to achieve other goals. He has threatened to use economic force against Canada, suggested tariffs could be wielded against European allies to address what he views as trade imbalances, and has spoken about claiming territory that belongs to allies. A call between Trump and Denmarks prime minister reportedly spiraled into confrontation over the presidents insistence on buying the territory of Greenland. And Panamas president has lodged complaints with the United Nations over the presidents vow to retake the Panama Canal and his refusal to rule out military or economic coercion. Trump has said holding control of Greenland is necessary to combat China and Russia in the Arctic and gain access to critical minerals. With the Panama Canal, his team has raised concern over Chinas influence at the waterway, with a Hong Kong-based company operating two ports on opposite sides of the waterway. But Matthew Kroenig, vice president and senior director of the Atlantic Councils Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, raised whether it is easier to find solutions with Denmark and Panama, given their strong ties with the U.S., to get what America wants rather than bullying toward an uncertain outcome. Given that Denmark and Panama are such pro-American countries, is it necessary for the U.S. to physically control these territories or can we just work with allies and partners to make sure our interests are secured? he asked. For example, with Denmark, cant we work with them to get more basing access, to find a way to utilize the critical minerals? Similarly with Panama, can we persuade them to simply cancel the contracts with the Chinese companies, and have new contracts with American companies or with trusted companies based in the West? Trump is set to confront a standoff on tariffs with Mexico and Canada, where Americas neighbors are preparing countermeasures in the face of the presidents threats to impose 25 percent tariffs by Feb. 1. And he raised another foreign policy area where he may try to exert pressure when he told reporters on Saturday that he would ask Jordan and Egypt to accept more Palestinians from war-torn Gaza. Youre talking about a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing, Trump said. Egypt and Jordan rejected Trumps remarks, part of long-standing policy supporting the creation of a Palestinian state in the territories of Gaza and the West Bank. As fragile states, Egypt and Jordan would face enormous challenges in accepting, or forcing Palestinians to relocate from pushback on Arab streets to strains on their economy and security services. I was surprised because President Trump has already served in the White House for a full term, and he knows the views of the leaders of the region. He knows these issues, Dana Stroul, who served as deputy assistant secretary of Defense for the Middle East in the Biden administration, told CNN. In his first administration he put out the deal of the century in order for Israel to live side by side with a Palestinian state, so he has a record of supporting steps toward a Palestinian state. Whats at stake for Trump? Short-term wins versus the long-term risks: losing friends and allies at moments of crisis, when a coalition is needed in international forums or countering threats from rivals like Russia or China. I think the idea that this is a big success, which Im sure a lot of people will say, runs completely counter to what real diplomacy looks like, said John Simon, former ambassador to the African Union who has served on the National Security Council in past Republican administrations. Wins are when you get people together around something everyone wants to do. Not when you force a country to make a tough choice for itself, and then, of course, at the end of the day, resent that and seek out other alliances that may be in opposition to you. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 still image taken from a handout video provided by the Russian Defence Ministry shows Russian servicemen waving flags on the roof of a building in Velyka Novosilka, Donetsk region (EPA) Russia has claimed to have captured another key Ukrainian town as it looks to consolidate gains ahead of potential peace talks pushed by Donald Trump. After months of heavy fighting, Russian forces claimed control of the town of Velyka Novosilka in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk on Monday. The town is small, with a prewar population of only 5,000, but it has served as a key assembly area for offensive and defensive Ukrainian operations in the wider area, says Frontelligence Insight, a Ukrainian war tracker. It is also a key route linking towns further east to the rest of unoccupied Ukraine. It is the second significant town in Donetsk to fall to the Russians this month after Moscow claimed control of Kurakhove roughly 20 miles to the northeast. The city of Toretsk, further north, has also been almost completely occupied. Its fall appears inevitable, according to Ukrainian security think tank the Centre for Defence Strategies (CDS). Near the northernmost tip of Russias attack in Ukraine, Moscows troops have also made advances through the town of Dvorichina in the Kharkiv region. It is just north of the city of Kupyansk. The situation on the frontline remains complicated, the Ukrainian general staff wrote in its latest update. The opponent, using their advantage in live force, is attacking our positions. Russian forces have been steadily advancing in eastern Ukraine for months in an attack that has centred on the city of Pokrovsk, a linchpin of the wider Donetsk regions defence. Ukraines general staff said there had been 85 Russian attacks on Monday in that direction. Taking advantage of a Ukrainian shortage in manpower, Russian forces have advanced around 30 miles from the city of Avdiivka, which they took last February, towards the outskirts of Pokrovsk. A wider attack has engulfed Kurakhove to the south, Velyka Novosilka further south and Toretsk and Chasiv Yar to the north. It has proved costly in terms of personnel: Western estimates suggest the Russian military is suffering more than 1,000 casualties a day. The total number of wounded and killed could top 1 million before the end of 2025. The advances are nonetheless concerning for Ukraine. Whatever Russia seizes before any negotiations take place might end up more permanently in Moscows control if the frontline is frozen. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky replaced the commander of the eastern front over the weekend in a bid to strengthen defences in the Donetsk region. A Ukrainian soldier fires a self-propelled howitzer towards Russian troops at a front line in Donetsk (via REUTERS) The capture of Velyka Novosilka is emblematic of the wider problem facing Ukraine, namely a shortage of personnel and weapons. But Ukraines 110th brigade, which has been fighting in the town, described the Russian takeover as mainly a flag-raising exercise. The Mokri Yaly river circling the northern outskirts of the town created problems for the 110th as it tried to resupply its troops; now that they have withdrawn behind the waterway, it has become an obstacle to the enemys advance. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, says the capture of Velyka Novosilka may prove more political than strategic. Russia is likely trying to leverage the claimed seizure of Velyka Novosilka to influence Western perceptions of the situation on the battlefield in Donetsk Oblast, to advance narratives that Russian battlefield gains are inevitable and that Ukrainian positions are rapidly deteriorating, they wrote in their latest update. The same might not be true for Toretsk. CDS writes that the capture of Toretsk will be used to advance further west along a highway that runs towards the city of Kramatorsk, one of the Donetsk regions largest. The Ukraine catch up The latest from our Ukraine live blog as of 1pm GMT on 28/01/2025 Trumps freeze on US aid to Ukraine has severely impacted humanitarian projects, including those supporting veterans, removing landmines, and providing healthcare. North Korean troops, fighting alongside Russian forces, have partially withdrawn from the frontlines in the Kursk region after suffering heavy losses, according to a Ukrainian commander. They may be regrouping or awaiting reinforcements. Zelensky defended Ukraines mobilization, stating that disbanding troops would leave them vulnerable to Russian aggression. Russia launched an overnight drone attack on Ukraine, injuring eight people and damaging residential buildings and businesses in several cities. Ukraines air force claims to have shot down 65 drones. A Ukrainian commander reports North Korean troops have withdrawn from the Kursk region frontline after heavy losses, possibly to regroup or await reinforcements. Follow latest updates. Meanwhile, the think tank writes, Russia will likely intensify efforts to take Chasiv Yar and, ultimately, concentrate an attack on Pokrosvk. According to the Ukrainian military, it remains Russias main objective, despite previous months of Moscows troops focusing on areas surrounding the city. It is, however, heavily fortified. Viktor Trehubov, a Ukrainian Eastern Forces spokesperson, said around 7,000 people are believed to remain inside Pokrovsk, which had around 60,000 residents before the invasion. Its loss would be much more concerning for Ukraine. Emil Kastehelmi, a military analyst tracking the war in Ukraine for The Black Bird Group, based in Finland, says that a serious encirclement will take a long time and battles inside the city are unlikely to occur soon, since Ukraines extensive fortifications continue to slow the advancing Russian troops. But Russian attacks along the western flanks of Pokrovsk could develop into a problem for Kyivs forces. It is there that Russia has had the most success, moving to within a few miles of the city. It is there, also, that Ukraines fortifications are weakest. Bearded Animals Don Mammoser/Shutterstock.com Orangutans belong to the Hominidae family, also called the great apes. They are highly intelligent and share around 96.4% of our DNA. Orangutans are the only great apes in Asia, making their homes on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra in the Malay archipelago. Orangutans are arboreal, meaning they primarily live in the trees. There are three sub-species of orangutans, including the Bornean orangutan, the Sumatran orangutan, and the Tapanuli orangutan, which was only found in 2017. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources lists orangutans as critically endangered. Their numbers have decreased by more than half over the last 60 years. Exact population counts are difficult to ascertain, but the World Wildlife Fund estimates there are only 120,000 orangutans left in the wild across all species. They have a low reproductive rate, giving birth only once every 5-10 years, making it difficult to increase their numbers. However, the discovery of a previously unknown orangutan population in Malaysian Borneo is reason to hope. Threats Human actions have reduced orangutan habitats by more than 80% over the past 20 years. Deforestation, illegal logging, and mining have been devastating to the ecosystem. Researchers estimate that one-third of the wild population was killed in forest fires in Indonesian Borneo in 1997-98. Unfortunately, many orangutans live outside of protected regions, putting them at greater risk. The encroachment on orangutan habitats sometimes forces them into agricultural land where they are in danger of being shot. Threats from poaching and the illegal pet trade are also considerable. Studies have shown that as many as 500 orangutans from Indonesian Borneo alone are lost to the illegal pet trade every year. Enforcement of the laws prohibiting the sale or trade of orangutans is notoriously difficult. Due to their high intelligence, rehabilitation for rescued orangutans is complicated, and it may take years before they can be released back into the wild. A group of 200 of the most endangered orangutans was found in Sarawek, Malaysian Borneo. Marketa Myskova/Shutterstock.com An Incredible Discovery However, its not all bad news. The discovery of a new orangutan population in Sarawek, Malaysian Borneo was cause for excitement among conservationists. Led by the Sarawak Forest Department, researchers conducted field surveys across 150 miles of central Borneo, leading them to the elusive orangutans. They were shocked to find up to 200 members of the most severely threatened population of Bornean orangutans. The sub-species Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus has only around 3,000-4,500 animals left in the wild. At least 2,000 of this number live in Batang Ai National Park and Lanjak-Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary in Sarawek. This previously unknown population of orangutans was found living in the hilly terrain close to the Batang Ai National Park. Although local communities were aware of orangutans in the area, no formal research had been done. Aerial surveys confirmed the presence of nearly 1,000 fresh nests across the area, indicating recent use by the rare orangutan group. When learning of the globally significant population of this endangered sub-species, the Sarawek Government officially indicated its priority to permanently protect the area. The post Unknown Orangutan Population Discovered in Borneo appeared first on A-Z Animals. Corporate DE&I often focuses on metrics and demographics because theyre easier to quantify, she said. However, the inclusion piece is crucial for creating psychologically safe workplaces, supporting mental health, neurodiversity, and physical disabilities, and providing tools and accessibility for those who need them. This aligns with Gartners HR practice senior principal and advisory, Jasleen Kaur who told ARN inclusion balances and mitigates the barriers that has disproportionately and negatively been impacted by systems and processes. Gartners research indicates that a diverse and inclusive team performs 1.4 times better than a non-inclusive team, she said. These actions lead to an innovative yet sustainable organisation and will lead to an inclusive and safe environment where employees arent wasting mental energy on trying to mask their real selves to fit in. Kaur said Gartners research shows that a 20 per cent increase in inclusion corresponds to a 2.8 per cent increase in performance, with a 5 per cent increase in intent to stay and 6.2 per cent increase in on-the-job effort. This shows that DE&I doesnt just benefit diverse talent but all employees, she said. Tech companies driving DEI from top down ASX-listed Atturra is a supporter of the system within its organisation, said Larissa Lefevre senior people and culture manager at Atturra. Atturras board members, c-suite, and executive managers actively participate in DEI efforts, she said. Our leaders actively look for opportunities to provide leadership and training opportunities to people from diverse backgrounds, engage in skip-level conversations with other levels to understand the thoughts and questions of team members. According to Lefevre, DE&I at Atturra has been an authentic and organic journey so far where employees feel their needs in the business represented, heard and have a safe space for networking and collaboration. We have our Pride Chapter, our womens business resource group RISE and a newly formed veterans group, she said. Atturra is currently developing a Reconciliation Action Plan to bolster the cultural awareness training and events held that celebrate First Nations people. Having an inclusive workplace can also include groundbreaking initiatives like Take2, who have developed a program upskilling people in correctional facilities. In an interview with sister publication CIO Australia, founder and CEO Cameron Smith said this creates more opportunities for justice-impacted individuals to transform their futures, both inside and outside of the prison environment. The charity is a proponent for fair chance hiring, which is about seeing the potential of the individual and excluding questions about a job applicants criminal record. The Australian tech industry is projected to face a shortage of 200,000 skilled workers by 2025, [theres] a need for more inclusive hiring practices to fill these roles, said Smith. Fair chance hiring promises more diverse, inclusive workforces, which also improves the prospects for millions of individuals with criminal records. Woolworths New Zealand general manager for technology Steve James is one of the IT leaders who has recently taken on a Take2 graduate in his team. He told CIO Australia that the experience was of great value to his organisation. Datacom in New Zealand was one of the first to have a Take2 apprentice take up employment with the company back in June 2022. At the time Smith said Karl Wright, the companys former CIO/CISO, was a champion for the program right from the start. Wright said Take2s mission aligned closely with Datacoms commitment to achieving greater equity and inclusion in the tech sector and playing an active role in the communities within which we operate. Embedding DEI into product design This also extends to product development projects, explained Lefevre, Atturra includes our service design and usability experts from the strategy stage through to user acceptance and accessibility testing, she said. Identity and access security vendor, BeyondTrust, also includes DE&I in its product development, said Laura Edwards-Lassner, VP talent management. We consider different accessibility needs and make sure those are accounted for in our design system, things like large enough hit area for someone with mobility issues but still uses a mouse, or high contrast for someone with vision issues, she said. The vendor works with a third-party accessibility firm who tests its products with a team that consists of members with accessibility issues. We talk to our different customers to understand their concerns around accessibility, truly understand their users and their challenges, Edwards-Lassner explained. Another thing weve done in the past, we bake accessibility into our personas. Things like Mary has a slight hand tremor, or George needs glasses and finds long hours at a computer can hurt his eyes. This reminds designers and engineers alike to think about these things with building inclusive solutions. Times are changing Founder of TSP Consulting James Davis pointed out the technology services industry was and is still typically made up of a certain demographic, the nerdy male introvert that is super technical that loves problem solving. This personality type is how you would describe the founding generation of the industry, and as many started to become business owners [over] 20 years ago, he said. They would look to hire those like them, they looked to recreate what made them successful. This has shaped our industry for a long time in the channel. According to Davis, service providers have revolved around different technical services, and we are still an industry of predominantly males from an Anglo background. This is hurting us as an industry. While in my time in the industry there is more diversity and acceptance of the non-traditional demographic, we are still at the stage where we are accepting it, he said. We arent growing the diversity and there are still pockets of backwards actions, women still arent generally given opportunities because we expect old school commitments rather than providing flexibility and there are still those out there perpetuating the myths of clients only want to hear an Aussie on the phone. Davis explained that if service providers keep doing the same things, youll end up getting the same results. The industry and market have dramatically changed and what made us successful then will not make us successful in the future, he said. For many of us this means our business models and what we deliver to clients. The days of needing to be a super technical problem solver as the key skill requirements are disappearing, we are needing to focus on new skills and mindsets to understand business strategy, process and workflow, change management, quality assurance and compliance. Importantly clients need you to understand their business and leverage technology to reduce risk, increase efficiency and enable scale and growth, he said. Davis said DE&I wasnt about tokenism and partners in the ecosystem that are embracing it arent doing it check some boxes, they are embracing it and their results and cultures speak for themselves. We need a workforce with much different skillsets and personalities to make us successful in the next horizon, he said. As we transform [into] modern technology solutions providers, its a much different kind of mindset and that mindset starts with us as leaders of the industry. Previously, ARN reported Moheb Moses director of Channel Dynamics explained that customer loyalty is declining, driven in part by the depersonalisation of service and the overwhelming availability of self-help tools and online videos. Whereas before you had a relationship with your supplier, now, it might be that your communication with them is solely via a frustrating cumbersome chatbot, he said. That will probably get worse with AI, where some companies will use AI to replace/reduce their customer service teams. Moses explained that for a customer, there was a greater importance of wanting a provider to care about them, much more than the product being serviced. A customer can easily get all the product information they need online, the value a partner adds is how they tailor and apply it to their customer to achieve the best outcome, he said. Australian specialist distributor Alloys has acquired the assets of Exclusive Networks unified communications division. The strategic acquisition took effect on January 2 and combines Alloys specialist expertise with Exclusive Networks unified communications capabilities, creating enhanced opportunities for partners nationally. This was the appropriate time for Exclusive Networks to exit the UC space in A/NZ as the company has an unrelenting focus on cyber security. The sale to Alloys allows EXN to focus on whats core to our business, Exclusive Networks senior vice president of Asia Pacific Andrew Assad said. Alloys is the perfect organisation to continue developing on the strong business we built. We were pleased to see our team transition to Alloys and expect the partners will be excited with the opportunity and continuity. The financial terms of the deal havent been disclosed. It has been a week since President Donald J. Trump gave ByteDance and TikTok the green light to reinstate their services and provide 170 million Americans with the platform, but the sad news for Apple fans, it is still not available. Although there are users who opted not to delete the app despite being unusable when it shut down, there are those who are now regretting that as they cannot redownload TikTok. On the other hand, users who recently got a new iPhone from Cupertino, also cannot download the app from the Apple App Store, as the tech giant still upholds the ban against TikTok, including another service provider, Google. New Apple iPhones Can't Download, Use TikTok According to the latest report from 9to5Mac, iPhone users in the United States may still not download and use TikTok which applies to newly-bought iPhones recently picked up from Apple or delivered by the company. This is because TikTok remains unavailable on the Apple App Store as part of their adherence to the United States government's H.R. 7521, a.k.a. "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act." This act previously prohibited Apple, Google, and more from distributing TikTok on the market, and others to allow the Chinese social media platform to run its services in the country once the deadline elapsed. New iPhones that were recently bought have a dilemma, and this is because they indeed have a current model on their hands but cannot download TikTok from the App Store as part of Cupertino's decision. TikTok Is Still Banned From Service Providers Since Apple still adheres to the Foreign Adversary Act, it has TikTok banned on the platform until further notice, particularly as according to 9to5Mac's repair, Trump's executive order and promise do not guarantee that they will be safe from the law's implications. This also affects users who have recently received new iPhones from service and want to simply transfer their data and those who have reset or restored their devices. TikTok and Its Massive Support from Trump The dreaded day of millions of Americans this January was the 18th, particularly as it was the day of TikTok's deadline to sell the platform to a US company or buyer, as part of the law's mandate as it was designated as a foreign adversary. Despite fighting against the United States, TikTok promptly shut down the platform and adhered to its ban in the country which led to many protesting and joining alternatives. However, almost immediately after the ban, then-President-elect Trump gave TikTok his approval to continue their operations in the country, promising them that they would not face repercussions if they reinstated their services. The same goes for service providers who are responsible for distributing TikTok and running its services in the country, as Trump signed an executive order that effectively delayed the ban. That being said, the service providers did not risk this, as despite being the President of the United States' executive order and promise, there may still be legal implications against them which could lead to fines worth billions of dollars. Until now, these service providers have not yet brought back TikTok on their devices, and this affects new, newly-serviced, reset, or restored iPhones in the US. In Fujian, the auxiliary bishop who quit in 2020 over joining government-controlled bodies, celebrated the anniversary of his priestly ordination under residential segregation. Videos sent to AsiaNews by local sources show him meeting the faithful and administering communion through the bars of a gate while the chapel at his residence is sealed. Ningde (AsiaNews) In May 2020 Bishop Vincent Guo Xijing decided to abandon all offices in the diocese and retire to a life in prayer, unable to keep up with the times and style of the Church in China, specifically in the Diocese of Mindong. Five years later, the former underground prelate is now confined to his home, behind a gate with a conspicuous chain that prevents him from receiving visits by the faithful. In 2018, he had been nominated by the Holy See to serve as auxiliary bishop in accordance with the Provisional Agreement between the Vatican and Beijing on episcopal appointments, leaving the leadership of the local Church to the "official" bishop, Rt Rev Vincent Zhan Silu, who was welcomed back into communion with the pope. Videos were sent to AsiaNews coinciding with a special day for the 67-year-old bishop, namely the 40th anniversary of his priestly ordination, celebrated last Saturday. In one such videos, Bishop Guo marks his special day behind a chained gate offering friends who visited him a slice of cake passed through the bars. This was also the only way he could distribute communion after the authorities sealed the chapel at his residence to prevent the faithful in the underground community (historically very strong in northern Fujian) from participating in his celebrations. In the video, people can be seen bringing rosaries and religious objects to be blessed by the prelate, passed through the same gate. Local sources told AsiaNews that Bishop Guo Xijing has been under tighter restrictions since Christmas, part of renewed pressures on local members of the clergy to join the official Church bodies imposed by the Communist Party on the Church in China, something that the prelate and other priests in northern Fujian have refused to do. It should be added that all this took place in the weeks following Bishop Zhan Silu of Mindongs participation in the Synod in the Vatican, in October. Videos about Bishop Guo Xijings situation also come a few days after Bishop Cai Bingrui of Xiamen was moved, with Holy See approval, to the Diocese of Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian, historically of the one most important Catholic sees in China. Bishop Zhan Silu led the ceremony in the same diocese where, as reported in the past, the unity between "official" and "underground" Church is far from being attained, which heavy gates imposed by the authorities certainly will not help to achieve. Some North Korean families are paying up to US 0 to keep their boys from deployment in the Ukraine-Russia war. The certificate means a one-year deferral, but checks could be carried out every three months. Ukraine reports that some 4,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in combat so far. Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) The cost of fake tuberculosis certificates rose fivefold in North Korea. Many families are turning to this ruse to stop their sons from being sent to Russia to fight against Ukraine, this according to some North Koreans who spoke to Radio Free Asia. Although neither Russian nor North Korean media have reported this, it seems that news has begun to percolate back to North Korea. Until last year, most medical certificates for military exemption cost around US 0, a resident of the northern province of Ryanggang told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity. Now the price of a tuberculosis certificate has risen to 0, making it difficult for residents who are eligible for military service to afford it. The World Health Organisation considers North Korea a high-risk country for tuberculosis, with 135,000 cases in 2023 alone, or 513 cases per 100,000 residents. In North Korea, men serve in the military for 10 years, starting at 17, while women serve for seven. With a tuberculosis certificate, one can avoid compulsory military service for one year, until the next check-up. Sources told RFA that some local authorities are now considering conducting TB tests every three months instead of once a year to reduce the trade in fake certificates. For ordinary North Korean families, US0 are already a hefty price, as monthly salary wages range from 5,000 to 10,000 won, or 1 to 3 dollars. Military service goes beyond military training, and includes a variety of jobs on farms and construction sites and other government projects. According to information released by US and South Korean intelligence source, almost 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed in Russias Kursk region, where Ukraine launched an offensive in August 2024. North Korea is now believed to be preparing to send more, South Koreas military reported last week. According to Ukrainian sources, about 4,000 North Korean soldiers have been wounded or killed so far. With about four months passing since North Koreas deployment to the Russia-Ukraine war, it is presumed that follow-up measures and preparations for additional deployment are being accelerated due to the occurrence of many casualties and prisoners of war, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. Ukrainian military intelligence confirmed earlier this month that North Korean troops have been redeployed following heavy losses inflicted by the Ukrainian military. In some cases, North Korean soldiers blew themselves up with a grenade to avoid capture, CNN reported. While North Koreans are "all young, trained and hardy fighters", they have proven so far unprepared for modern drone warfare, a Ukrainian commander said. They operate quite independently of the Russian army, going first, with Russian soldiers coming later to consolidate the position, others explained. According to some estimates, North Korea sent weapons, including ballistic missiles, worth US$ 5.5 billion to Russia in exchange for oil and could gain additional revenue if it sends several thousand more troops (even up to 20,000, according to some sources) in the coming months. North Koreas military is thought to consist of 1.2 million people on active duty. Champion local news. Join our community of readers who value daily beat reporting and in-depth stories alike. Your membership allows us to continue the legacy of local, independent journalism in the Roaring Fork Valley. With your support, we can remain a free and accessible source of news for everyone, always without paywalls or corporate influence. Together, we can ensure that vital local stories are told. Palmdale, CA (93550) Today Periods of snow. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 100%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 27F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Armenia must fulfill its obligations and ensure unhindered passage from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan, he said during a meeting with Azerbaijani government officials. Aliyev accused Yerevan of not complying with a relevant provision of a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement that stopped the 2020 Armenian-Azerbaijani war in Nagorno-Karabakh. The clause commits Armenia to opening rail and road links between Nakhichevan and the rest of Azerbaijan through Syunik, the sole Armenian province bordering Iran. It says that Russian border guards will control the movement of people, vehicles and goods. The Armenian government maintains that the truce accord calls for only conventional transport links between Armenia and Azerbaijan and does not exempt people and cargo transported to and from Nakhichevan from Armenian border checks. The governments Crossroads of Peace project regularly promoted by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian stipulates that the two South Caucasus states should have full control of transport infrastructure inside each others territory. Aliyev shrugged off the project, saying Baku has repeatedly made clear to Yerevan that it is not worth a penny. He accused the Armenian side of misleading the international community with various manipulations. Pashinian insisted on the project in response to Aliyevs January 7 threats to forcibly open the Zangezur corridor. He said Yerevan is still awaiting Bakus reply to its very concrete proposal on the issue made after his most recent talks with the Azerbaijani leader held in October. Armenian officials said earlier in 2024 that Azerbaijan may be planning to launch another military aggression against Armenia after hosting the COP29 climate summit in November. Pashinians domestic critics as well as some analysts have portrayed Aliyevs threats as a further indication of Bakus war preparations. 28 January 2025 15:56 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more On January 8, 2025, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated that Azerbaijanis left Armenia voluntarily during the Soviet Union's collapse, asserting that they departed in a "civilized manner," with many exchanging apartments and receiving compensation. His comments, however, contradict both historical accounts and recent research. A few days ago, prior to Mirzoyans statement, former Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosyan's 1993 comments came to light, admitting that ethnic cleansing was systematically pursued by Armenia against Western Azerbaijanis, aiming for demographic advantage. Ter-Petrosyans admission, alongside Mirzoyan's claim, exposed a significant disparity between official narratives and historical facts. To challenge Mirzoyan's claim, the Center for Social Research conducted a survey among 1,000 Western Azerbaijanis who were expelled from their historical lands before and during 1988. The findings reveal stark contradictions to the Armenian Foreign Ministers statements, affirming that Western Azerbaijanis were victims of forced expulsion and violence, not voluntary migration. Findings from the Sociological Survey: Forced Expulsion, Not Voluntary Migration : A resounding 93.1% of respondents affirmed that they were forced to leave their homes due to violence, pressure, and threats, directly challenging the Armenian governments narrative of voluntary departure. Only a small percentage (0.7%) of individuals who had migrated prior to 1988 stated that they left voluntarily. The remaining 6.2% of respondents were unsure or could not answer, further highlighting the high level of coercion involved in their displacement. The Ethnic Cleansing Escalated in 1988 : The survey found that 87.1% of participants were expelled from their homes in 1988, marking the peak of the Armenian governments policy of ethnic cleansing. This year saw widespread violence and systematic efforts to displace Azerbaijanis from their historical territories. Some respondents (9.9%) were expelled between 1960 and 1987, and 3.0% were forced to leave by 1960. These results highlight the intensification of Armenias deportation policies in 1988, which disrupted the ethnic and social fabric of the region. Absence of Compensation : A striking finding from the survey was that none of the respondents reported receiving compensation for the properties they left behind, directly contradicting Mirzoyans statement that 160,000 Azerbaijanis were compensated by the Armenian government. A full 98.5% of survey participants stated they did not receive any form of compensation, further debunking the official claim. Property Rights Violations : In response to claims that Azerbaijanis had sold or exchanged their properties voluntarily, the survey revealed widespread violations of property rights. A significant 91.6% of respondents confirmed that they were forced to leave the homes they lived in. Only 2.1% said they sold their apartments, and 4.4% indicated they exchanged properties, often under duress. The findings suggest that even those who sold or exchanged their homes did so in the face of extreme pressure and violence, disproving the idea of a voluntary process. Uncertainty About Property Fate : When asked about the fate of their homes after they were expelled, 64.7% of respondents reported that they had no information about what happened to their properties. This lack of transparency and the uncertain future of their homes further underline the injustice and violations of property rights faced by Western Azerbaijanis during their expulsion. The Right to Return : Despite the trauma of forced displacement, 63.5% of Western Azerbaijanis expressed full belief that they would one day be able to return to their ancestral lands. This belief in the restoration of their rights reflects a strong sense of attachment to their historical territories. A further 20.8% of respondents expressed partial belief in the right to return. These findings reveal that, despite the hardships faced by these individuals, the desire for return remains central to their identity and aspirations. Support for Peaceful Dialogue in the Return Process : The majority of respondents (64.5%) indicated that the return to their historical lands should be pursued through dialogue and peaceful means. However, a smaller group (12.6%) believed international pressure and mediation could facilitate the process, while 15.9% supported the idea of military force as a potential solution. These varied responses underscore the urgency felt by Western Azerbaijanis regarding the restoration of their rights and the return to their lands. Deep Emotional and Cultural Attachment: A significant 87.6% of respondents expressed a strong emotional attachment to their historical lands, viewing the restoration of their rights not only as a legal matter but as an essential part of their national and cultural identity. For these individuals, the return to their lands represents a vital step in reconnecting with their heritage and rebuilding their cultural roots. Conclusion The findings of this sociological survey provide compelling evidence that contradicts the Armenian governments narrative of voluntary migration and compensation. The overwhelming majority of Western Azerbaijanis were forcibly displaced through violence, pressure, and intimidation, often without compensation or any recourse to justice for the violations of their property rights. These results confirm the long-standing policy of ethnic cleansing carried out by Armenia against the Azerbaijani population, a policy that intensified in 1988 and had lasting effects on the regions demographic and social structure. Despite these injustices, Western Azerbaijanis remain hopeful that their right to return to their historical lands will one day be realized. Their deep attachment to their ancestral territories and their firm belief in the restoration of their rights signal that this issue will remain a central part of their identity and their national agenda moving forward. 28 January 2025 22:02 (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. Over the past 24 hours, oil prices have declined amidst risk-off sentiment and a growing consensus that the Trump administration will prioritize tariffs over trade and foreign policy. US crude futures dropped by 2% to approximately $73 per barrel. Concerns about the Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek contributed to the decline in US stocks. 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! 28 January 2025 20:00 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more At a time when the Macron government in France is grappling with internal problems, the forces that are dragging it into conflict have unknowingly brought the government to the brink of collapse. Although they know that political intrigue with states like Azerbaijan and others will end up being costly, they have only one goal - giving rise to prejudice, and more prejudice. Waging a muscular war with a state hardened by severe trials exhausts and destroys any government, regardless of its strength and economic potential. This has been demonstrated in all experiences, and despite the greatness of France today and its centuries-old history, the failed policy of the government has brought the probability of its one-day disappearance to 93 per cent. Yes, in France, trust in Emmanuel Macron's government is only 7 per cent, and even those remaining numbers who believe in him are said to have mental problems. This is not our personal opinion, these are the opinions given as a result of research by former diplomats in France. Then the question arises, what were the main factors that discredited Macron's government in a short time, both domestically and in the international political arena? The answer to this question is this - not having its own political course and being manipulated under the influence of small parasitic forces. In France, the Macron government has become a victim of the Armenian lobby, which it has chosen as its closest ally. The country's governance system is becoming completely pro-Armenian, marginalizing itself both in the South Caucasus and elsewhere. Perhaps Frances authoritative body is not even aware of this, and the Armenian press is circulating various biased statements, comments and other slanderous information against Azerbaijan on behalf of France. This trend is a clear example of the country becoming uncontrolled and the government losing control. The targeting of Azerbaijan against the backdrop of uprisings against French neo-colonialism in New Caledonia, Africa, and other small island states, and France's accusations of Azerbaijan in the growing uprisings, give acceleration to the country's internal weakening. Perhaps we should say that France is frightened about Azerbaijan? Doesn't this sound too rhetorical? First of all, Azerbaijan does not think like the authorities in France and considers it illogical to confront a state that is economically stronger than it. However, France thinks the opposite, always accusing Azerbaijan of interfering in its territories and sees Azerbaijan as the cause of the growing dissatisfaction with Paris in the islands and colonised states. This, in turn, makes Macron and his entourage appear weak and helpless in the eyes of the world. However, the Macron government could have pursued a different policy... France has historically always defended Armenia, but its devotion to Armenians has never reached its current level. As the saying goes, too much love can lead to overdependence, loss of individuality, and ignoring personal boundaries. Although the previous political authorities in France supported the Armenian lobby, they always considered the interests of the state to be paramount. This also included preserving French-Azerbaijani relations, keeping France's own goals and interests at the forefront, and finding the real causes of the problem instead of blaming other states for a way out of existing conflicts. Unfortunately, instead of investigating the causes of the problem, Emmanuel Macron's political partners are turning Azerbaijan into a topic on the rostrums of the European Parliament. Today, Azerbaijan is literally being discussed as the most pressing issue in the European Parliament. Do we seem that scary to you? Propaganda has always been a powerful tool for influencing brains. The European Parliament and French political circles have recently been both addicted to and victims of these tools. The Armenian lobby, which first distracted people with the former Garabagh conflict, is now gulping down European politicians like an easy bite. Furthermore, those who are caught up in bribery and corruption, have become the driving force of the propaganda machine. Gradually, thoughts have been diverted from the problems of the state and directed to a very purposefully chosen target. This, of course, is the result of processes taking place over time. Watching this from the outside, we witness only one picture: so to speak, the only problem of Europe is Azerbaijan... 28 January 2025 12:22 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) held discussions with Harvard University's Growth Lab on enhancing the resilience of the financial sector, expanding financial intermediation, and other related issues, Azernews reports, citing information was shared on the regulatory body's X social media account. "Chairman of the Central Bank, Taleh Kazimov, met with Ricardo Hausmann, the founder and director of Harvard University's Growth Lab. During the meeting, extensive discussions were held on strengthening the transmission of monetary policy, further enhancing the resilience of the financial sector, and expanding financial intermediation, particularly regarding digital financial services," the post stated. 28 January 2025 16:12 (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. 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! 28 January 2025 13:58 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more It is crucial to accelerate the development of the Trans-Kazakhstan Railway Corridor, which will serve as the main link in the Trans-Caspian route of the Middle Corridor. Azernews reports that this was highlighted by the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in his speech at an expanded government meeting. "Transit is a huge advantage for us in the international competition for cargo transportation. This advantage must be fully and effectively utilized," Tokayev stated. "We need to speed up the development of the Trans-Kazakhstan Railway Corridor, which will be a key component of the Trans-Caspian route of the Middle Corridor. Several important projects in this direction are already underway, but continued work is essential for future prospects." President Tokayev has instructed local authorities to construct a new railway line, Moyintsi-Kizilzhar, and to modernize the most heavily used sections of the highways linking the Kizilzhar station to the Aktau seaport. "Special attention should also be given to the development of multimodal transport hubs that integrate all types of transport. The current and coming years should mark significant progress in this direction," the Kazakh leader added. The Middle Corridor, which includes key transportation routes through Azerbaijan, plays a vital role in connecting China to Europe via Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, and the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan, as a critical hub in this corridor, continues to enhance its infrastructure, particularly the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the port of Baku, to facilitate the smooth transit of goods and strengthen its position in global trade. 28 January 2025 17:27 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more A personal exhibition of Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Ulviya Hamzayeva "Call: Symbols from the Depths of Time and Space" has been held at Azerbaijan National Art Museum, Azernews reports. The exhibition, organized by the Culture Ministry and the Azerbaijan National Art, displays over 50 graphic works by the artist. The work of the Honored Artist of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, member of the Azerbaijani Parliament Ulviya Hamzayeva, a well-known figure in contemporary fine art, is distinguished by its deep meaning and content. It draws strength from the rich artistic traditions of Azerbaijan, formed over thousands of years. The philosophical essence of the graphic works presented at the exhibition echoes in spirit the ancient and unique history of Nakhchivan, the artist's homeland. Here, Egyptian symbols and images from the myths of the peoples of the world, which have deep semantics, coexist in inseparable unity. The glorious Victory of Azerbaijan in the 44-day Patriotic War, the COVID-19 pandemic, the historical and cultural heritage of Western Azerbaijan, as well as the continuous visual flow of dreams and reality - all of these are the leading themes that are the result of the artist's intense creative search. Bringing ancient symbols and images to life in a traditional or interpreted form, Ulviya Hamzayeva expresses her creative vision through an unusual artistic language. The self-portraits in various images presented at the exhibition once again emphasize the originality of such self-expression. The artist, who modernized the ancient artistic language of Azerbaijani art in her graphic works, endowed them with the warmth of her heart and soul. Founded in 1937, Azerbaijan National Art Museum offers art connoisseurs some of the best examples of decorative-applied arts of Western Europe. Over 3,000 items in 60 rooms are on permanent display at the museum, and around 12,000 items are kept in storage. Here, you can see masterpieces of the Italian, French, German, and Polish masters of brush. The museum has successfully organized and hosted numerous high-level international exhibitions, showcasing the works of renowned artists. These exhibitions have not only attracted art enthusiasts but have also contributed to the cultural exchange between Azerbaijan and other countries. 28 January 2025 17:56 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Azerbaijan has been represented at the 56th Cairo International Book Fair, Azernews reports. Over 1,300 publishing houses from 80 countries participated in the book fair. With the support of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Egypt, a book stand of the country was set up at the fair. Heads of a number of Egyptian ministries, representatives of foreign embassies, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Egypt Elkhan Polukhov, as well as other employees of the embassy attended the opening of the event. Egyptian Minister of Endowments Osama al-Azhari and Minister of Culture Ahmed Fouad Hano visited the national stand where newly published valuable books about Azerbaijan were displayed. They were given extensive information about the history and culture of our country. The books displayed at the stand will eventually be given as gifts to book lovers. A total of 600 cultural events, including symposiums and presentations dedicated to children, are planned to be held within the book fair, which will last until February 5. The Sultanate of Oman is performing as an honorary guest at this year's event. The late Egyptian scientist Dr. Ahmed Mustajir was chosen as the face of the exhibition and writer Fatima Al-Madul was chosen as the face of the children's book exhibition. Cairo International Book Fair, which has been held since 1969, is one of the largest book fairs in the Middle East. It was considered the second-largest book fair in the world in 2006, after the Frankfurt fair. Last year, the fair was visited by about 5 million people. 28 January 2025 10:22 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin and Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Moscow Rahman Mustafayev discussed the tragic crash of an "Azerbaijan Airlines" plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, Azernews reports, citing a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry. The statement emphasizes the necessity of completing an official investigation to clarify all circumstances of the tragedy and publishing its results. This investigation is crucial to understanding the events that led to the crash and ensuring accountability. To recall, the Embraer 190AR belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines was damaged by air defense missiles in Grozny while attempting to land at the airport. Following the damage, the plane was diverted to Aktau, Kazakhstan, where it crashed. Thanks to the heroism and professionalism of the pilots, 29 people survived the incident, while tragically, 38 people, including the pilots, lost their lives. This harrowing event has left a significant impact on the families of the victims and the broader community. Despite the severity of the incident, Russia has not yet taken responsibility and has deflected questions regarding the circumstances of the crash. This has led to increasing calls for transparency and accountability from both Azerbaijan and the international community. The completion of the official investigation and the publication of its results are vital steps towards justice for the victims and their families. It is hoped that the investigation will shed light on the causes of the crash and prevent such tragedies in the future. 28 January 2025 11:02 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei's representative in Qazvin province and Qazvin's Friday prayer leader, Abdulkarim Abedini, has resigned from his position, Azernews reports, citing information was released by Iranian media. Iranian media noted that Qazvin's Friday prayer leader submitted his resignation. In his resignation letter, he mentioned that he had been serving as the Friday prayer leader for 10 years. However, the reason for his resignation was not disclosed. It should be noted that on January 25, Iran's charge d'affaires in Azerbaijan, Seyyed Javad Aghayi Maryam, was summoned to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Iranian official was informed that it was unacceptable for several religious figures, including Qazvin's Friday prayer leader, to participate in activities against Azerbaijan, instead of apologizing for the offensive remarks made against Azerbaijan by Ardabil's Friday prayer leader, Seyyed Hassan Ameli. It was emphasized that such actions aim to harm relations between the two countries and that it is necessary to prevent them. The Iranian charge d'affaires expressed regret over some unpleasant statements and actions and promised to convey the issue to his country's competent authorities. 28 January 2025 11:38 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The Turkish company Cengiz Insaat has completed the construction of the Zabukhchay reservoir in the Lachin district, Azernews reports, citing the project manager of the company, Akram Tutunju. He stated that this reservoir is intended to meet the water needs of agricultural lands in Azerbaijan's territories liberated from occupation. The manager noted that Turkish companies are contributing to projects aimed at erasing the traces of war and ensuring economic integration of the region with Azerbaijan. In this context, Cengiz Insaat has contributed to three strategic projects, including the construction of two roads from Fuzuli to Shusha (one of them being the Victory Road), as well as the Zabukhchay reservoir. We will continue to implement such projects in Azerbaijan and contribute to its development, said Tutunju. It is worth mentioning that the Zabukhchay reservoir has a capacity of 27 million cubic meters. The main irrigation canal emerging from the reservoir will have a discharge capacity of 6.2 cubic meters per second. The construction of the reservoir will provide irrigation water for 12,100 hectares of land in the Gubadli and Zangilan districts. 28 January 2025 13:25 (UTC+04:00) A meeting dealing with transportation issues was held on January 28, Azernews reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev delivered a speech at the meeting. Speech by President Ilham Aliyev At today's meeting, we will discuss the development of transport infrastructure in Baku and its suburban areas. There is a need for this. Although a lot of work was done in this direction and major infrastructure projects were implemented in recent years, there are still traffic jams in Baku, and unfortunately, the number of traffic jams is increasing year after year. There are natural reasons for this. The population of our country, including Baku, is growing every year. Over the past 30 years, the population of Azerbaijan has increased from 7 million to 10 million, even above that. Of course, the city's road infrastructure, including the metro, cannot absorb this growth. We have always kept transport issues in the spotlight, and many large projects have been implemented in Baku over the past 15 years, new metro stations have been put into operation, road junctions, tunnels, bridges have been built, new roads have been laid. If we had not done this work, transport in Baku would be completely paralyzed today. But we still see that there will be great benefit in adopting another major program. For this purpose, I gave the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport relevant instructions some time ago to prepare a state program, and work on this program has been carried out for several months. Today we will discuss these issues and make the necessary decisions. As for transport issues, I must say that a number of transport projects have been implemented throughout the country in recent years: rural roads, intercity roads, highways. As the years go by, the previous situation tends to be forgotten. However, if we look back 20 years, we will remember the state of our roads at that time. Even the main roads of Baku hardly met any standards. We built new roads and connected almost all cities with modern roads. We connected all our borders with modern highways. The rate of repair and construction of rural roads has reached around 85-90 percent, and every year, we allocate funds for these purposes. At the same time, the geographical location of Azerbaijan is such that international transport corridors pass through our territory, and this is because we have been able to effectively use this geographical location. But geographical location alone does not mean that any country can become a transport hub. However, we have consistently shown interest in the passage of international transport corridors through Azerbaijan, through our territory, made efforts, and carried out practical work. Today, it is impossible to imagine the transport map of Eurasia without Azerbaijan, without its transport infrastructure. Currently, the East-West and North-South transport corridors pass through our territory. The volume of cargo transported along these corridors is increasing by the year. In addition to physical infrastructure, other steps have been taken to ensure more efficient transportation of cargo, including attention paid to issues of digitalization. New formats of cooperation with neighboring countries have been created and joint ventures, joint companies have been established. In short, Azerbaijan today is one of the indispensable transport centers of Eurasia. I should also note that countries that usually have the status of transport centers are those that have access to open seas. We do not have access to the world ocean. However, despite this, as a result of the work we have done, we have turned Azerbaijan into an indispensable transport center. Work continues, and additional measures are now taken on both the North-South and East-West transport corridors. Because the volume of cargo previously calculated suggests that a larger volume of cargo will pass. This is an issue related to various reasons. But the fact is that we have now attracted and will continue to attract additional investment to increase the carrying capacity of these corridors. Among the new projects, I would like to mention the Zangezur corridor. The Zangezur corridor project was put forward by Azerbaijan. After our Victory in the Second Karabakh War, this issue was put on the international agenda, in the international lexicon, and today the Zangezur corridor is already an accepted expression, an accepted term in the world. Of course, we are taking practical steps to open this corridor. True, the Armenian side has been demonstrating an unconstructive position on this issue for more than four years. In fact, it is not fulfilling the obligations it assumed after the November 10 capitulation. It was explicitly stated there that there should be a transport connection between the main part of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which is its integral part. Armenia, however, does not comply with this, and by citing various excuses and putting forward various unrealistic and absurd projects, it simply wants to mislead the international community and is engaged in manipulations. You have probably heard that they have come up with the so-called Peace Crossroads project, and now there is not a single country in the world they have not shared this project with. However, this so-called project is not worth two cents without Azerbaijan, and we have repeatedly conveyed this to the Armenian side through various channels. If you truly want to implement this project, first of all, you should approach Azerbaijan. Because without us, it is just a piece of paper, and our terms are fair, grounded in international law and the obligations Armenia itself has undertaken. I would once again advise the Armenian leadership to carefully read the November 10 capitulation act and pay special attention to the paragraph I mentioned. I repeat that their so-called project is completely irrelevant without Azerbaijan. They are simply stalling for time and trying to confuse the international community. Once again, they have given rise to dirty campaigns against Azerbaijan in various circles. As a result, to this day, we do not have the shortest and most convenient connection with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, an integral part of Azerbaijan. True, we are meeting the needs of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in various ways. First of all, cargo and passengers go through the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We also have other opportunities. But they are economically less viable and the road is longer. In principle, this connection can also be established through the territories of Georgia and Turkiye, but if there is the most convenient way and opportunity, of course, this issue is a priority. However, when we see that the Armenian side is still acting insincerely, a corresponding agreement has been reached with the Islamic Republic of Iran and a project is now underway on the construction of a road bridge bypassing Armenia. It will probably be completed this year. The second bridge will also be built, this time in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The first bridge is under construction in the Zangilan district. Thus, Armenia will continue to be a dead-end country and their dreams of becoming a transit state will never be materialized. They will be the losing side, not us. Therefore, this issue will be in the spotlight, and both on the international stage and in bilateral contacts with Armenia, we always emphasize one point: there must be unhindered passage from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan. There must be smooth and unrestricted passage from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan, without any inspections or obstacles. This is our demand. The Soviet authorities took West Zangezur from us in November 1920 and committed a crime against the Azerbaijani people. That was not the first and last crime. Secondly, if we go in sequence after that, another crime was the creation of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region on the territory of Azerbaijan. The crime before that was the resettlement of Armenians to the territory of Azerbaijan by Tsarist Russia. The crime before that was the murder of the Karabakh Khan, who was guaranteed to exercise his leadership in Karabakh. Other crimes of the 20th century are also in sight. The Khojaly genocide, January 20, and the occupation of our lands in the early 1990s. So we have not forgotten this, the Azerbaijani people have not forgotten this. We have not forgotten Zangezur and we never will. I repeat that we have no territorial claims to Armenia. However, Armenia must fulfill its obligations and provide unhindered passage from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan. As for the transport infrastructure of Baku, I will come to this issue now. But before we do that, I would like to bring to the attention of the public some of the work related to transport carried out in Azerbaijan in the past 20 years. In particular, over the last 20 years, 21,000 kilometers of highways have been built and repaired in Azerbaijan. 335 bridges and overpasses, 45 tunnels, 163 overhead and underground passages have been built. I am returning to what I said again. If we had not done this work, it is not difficult to imagine what state the transport infrastructure of our country would be in now. The following work has been done regarding the railway infrastructure: more than 1,500 kilometers of railways have been built, 1,800 kilometers have been repaired, new trains, and wagons have been purchased, the Absheron circular line, which is more than 90 kilometers long, has been put into operation. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway has been built. I must also note that this project was implemented at the initiative of the Azerbaijani state. When we sought to implement this project, we faced significant resistance. I can now state this. In particular, the United States opposed it. The reason was again their pro-Armenian policies. Because it was believed that this project would exclude Armenia. For this reason, the Georgian leadership at the time faced heavy pressure from the United States to prevent Georgia from agreeing to it. We had been negotiating with the Georgian side for several years, and finally, we succeeded in reaching an agreement. In particular, I personally discussed this issue repeatedly with high-ranking representatives of the American state and stated that they should not hinder us. This is a strategic project for us, and other countries, including their own allies, will also benefit from this project in the future. Life has shown that, as always, we were right. Today, America's allies in Europe are very interested in the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. In general, they are also very interested in the transportation of cargo from Central Asia to Europe and vice versa, passing through the territory of Azerbaijan. If the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway had not been built, all this would have been completely impossible. Not only did we build the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway by reaching an agreement with Turkiye and Georgia, we also gave the Georgian state a loan of about one billion dollars at a very low interest rate at that time. In fact, work was carried out on the territory of Georgia with the help of these funds. The railway on the territory of Azerbaijan was modernized and Turkiye also built a section on its territory. So, a new road was opened, which today carries cargo from various countries to the White Sea, to Europe and to Turkiye. Then we saw that the carrying capacity of this road was not sufficient. Again, last year, the expansion of this road was completed at the expense of Azerbaijan and its carrying capacity was increased to 5 million tons. In other words, I believe that this is one of the most important projects implemented in our geography in recent years, and many countries will continue to benefit from it. At one time, those officials of the U.S. Department of State opposed us I don't know where they are now, their names have not gone down in history but we achieved this by showing serious determination. I would like to mention the Sumgayit-Yalama railway among the efforts to rehabilitate and modernize existing roads, as well as to increase the transportation capacity and train speeds. The construction of this road has already reached 80% completion, and it is expected to be fully operational in the near future. The road we are currently working on the Alat-Astara road is virtually known to exist, but considering that the volume of cargo on the North-South corridor will sharply increase in the future, the expansion of this road is also on the agenda, and some funding has already been allocated this year. Several new train routes have been identified to ensure connectivity between Azerbaijani cities. Baku-Gabala. The railway line had never reached the city of Gabala before. We built it, this line is also very necessary. The Baku-Balakan railway has resumed its operation, so has Baku-Aghstafa. That is, those who know the geography of Azerbaijan see that these railways actually connect our country with our western border, with northwestern border and the city of Gabala. The cities located on all these lines are also naturally covered. Over the past 20 years, eight international airports have been built in Azerbaijan. Four of them were there, but their condition was not satisfactory. The airports of Baku, Nakhchivan, Ganja, and Lankaran have been reconstructed. The Lankaran airport was practically not used, but the Baku, Nakhchivan and Ganja airports were used. Both the runways and terminal complexes of these four airports meet the most modern standards. At the same time, four new airports have been built Gabala, Zagatala, Fuzuli, and Zangilan. The ninth international airport will be put into operation in Lachin this year. All these airports are capable of receiving cargo and passenger aircraft of any weight. The runway is at least three kilometers long. So, as I have said, the ninth airport will be put into operation this year, and we are completely closing this issue. I should also note that Heydar Aliyev International Airport transported a record number of passengers last year more than seven million. According to the information I have received, the analysis conducted by the ministry shows that this figure will increase further, and it was proposed that a new terminal complex be built at Heydar Aliyev International Airport. I also supported the idea. Work is now underway on the project and feasibility study of this new terminal. This work has already been started and it will allow us the opportunity to receive a higher number of passengers in the future. So, we will become an international center for air transport as well. Considering that a large cargo terminal is currently under construction in Alat, its cargo reception capacity will be 1 million tons. In other words, it is not too difficult to see the work we are doing in this direction of transport. One of the important projects of recent years has been the construction of a new Trade Seaport. We removed the old port from the city center. Landscaping work will now be carried out in that area, recreation areas and various facilities will be built. So this zone will make an additional contribution to the overall development of our city and our people will also benefit from it. Work is underway on a master plan for this area, which is adjacent to the White City Boulevard. The cargo handling capacity of the first phase of the new Trade Seaport was planned at 15 million tons. However, we can already see that the volume of cargo will be much larger. An order has already been given and we are starting work this year. International consultants have been involved to prepare and come up with a new project. We need to increase the port's capacity to 25 million tons, and perhaps this will not be enough for us either. Because the volume of cargo on the East-West transport corridor is growing so rapidly that we must do this work in accordance with that. In order to concentrate all these transport issues in one center, a new organization the AZCON organization was recently established by my decision. It will take into account all these coordination and future development plans, including investment. Since 2008, seven new metro stations have been built, and the State Program to be adopted provides for the construction of 10 new metro stations. A total of 266 new generation metro cars have been purchased, and this process is ongoing. Hundreds of new passenger buses have been brought to the country, and the assembly of electric buses will begin at the end of the year, followed by the increase in localization. A total of 161 new electric buses have already been brought to Baku, and in the near future Baku residents will see the benefits of this. Because it is vehicles that pollute the air the most, especially large vehicles. Therefore, of course, we take into account people's concerns in this matter. The shipyard was also built in recent years, about 10, maybe 12 years ago. Previously, we bought ships from abroad, and then I decided that a shipyard should definitely be built in Baku. Again, life shows how right this idea was. Today, it is impossible to buy ships from traditional sources, from where we used to buy them. We have now achieved a point when the shipyard is operating at full capacity. Currently, six ships of different sizes are under construction there. In parallel, we have raised our activities in the Black Sea to a new level. Whereas previously small-sized ships belonging to the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company used to operate there, now four large tankers Aframax type tankers with a carrying capacity of 100,000 tons have been purchased, which both benefits us and expands the capabilities of our country. Transport projects are the backbone of the work carried out in liberated territories. About 3,400 kilometers of highways so far, 44 highway projects have either been completed or are still underway. In addition, 45 tunnels, 447 bridges, and 16 viaducts are planned. Of these, 28 tunnels, 392 bridges, and 9 viaducts have already been completed. Some 60 percent of the Horadiz-Aghband railway has been completed, and 94 percent of the Barda-Aghdam railway has been constructed. These are just the main projects that I bring to the attention of the public, and these figures say and show everything. They show to what extent we have implemented transport projects. If we had not implemented them, the connections between Baku, other cities, and between cities of the country in general could have completely paralyzed our transport capabilities. But let me say again that life does not stand still. We will now adopt a new state program. All transport projects across the country, including in the liberated territories, will continue to be implemented. Everything is going according to plan. The necessary funds have been allocated for these purposes in this year's Investment Program. As for the city of Baku and the territories around it, let me say again that the adoption of a new state program is necessary. This will be a very large program, a program with a large financial capacity. It will be a program that requires joint activity and efficient work of all relevant agencies. This is why I have called today's meeting so that we can discuss these issues, so that they are presented to us, so that the public can also understand what is expected and what work should be done in which years. At the same time, representatives of the public can also give their recommendations to relevant state bodies the Presidential Administration, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport. We may have not included something in this program. So suggestions from the ground will also be taken into account. 28 January 2025 15:47 (UTC+04:00) "We have always kept transport issues in the spotlight, and many large projects have been implemented in Baku over the past 15 years with new metro stations put into operation, road junctions, tunnels, bridges built, new roads laid. If we had not done this work, transport in Baku would be completely paralyzed today," President Ilham Aliyev said during the meeting dedicated to transportation issues, Azernews reports. "But we still see that there will be great benefit in adopting another major program. For this purpose, I gave the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport relevant instructions some time ago to prepare a state program, and work on this program has been carried out for several months," added the head of state. 28 January 2025 23:20 (UTC+04:00) Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Azerbaijan Mikhail Yevdokimov has been summoned to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Azernews reports, via the ministry. During the meeting, it was noted that the publication of disinformation articles and reports targeting our country by the Russian press, as well as by some official circles in Russia, has created misunderstandings and contradicts the content and spirit of the Declaration on Allied Interaction between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation. It was recalled that the results of the preliminary investigation into the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane are known, work is underway to finalize the investigation, and Russia has openly stated its expectations regarding the incident. As regards the information about the "Russian House" in the local press, it was stated that this was not an official position and that the activities of such organizations in the territory of Azerbaijan are based on the principle of reciprocity and must be carried out under the requirements of the legislation. 28 January 2025 11:59 (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. On the closing day of auctions, the price of gas in Europe dropped, Azernews reports. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 28 January 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The DeepSeek smart assistant from the Chinese company of the same name has topped the AppStore rankings in a wide range of countries, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates, Azernews reports. DeepSeek began releasing products based on artificial intelligence technology back in 2023, but it has only recently garnered significant public attention following the release of a new version of R1 on January 20, which is said to surpass its ChatGPT competitor from the American company OpenAI. This new version has propelled the DeepSeek app to the top of the AppStore rankings in nearly all English-speaking countries. In several other countries, including Germany, Saudi Arabia, France, Turkiye, the Netherlands, and Japan, the app is among the top five most popular. The DeepSeek chatbot has sparked a wave of discussion on Western social media following the release of its latest version. Users highlight that it handles tasks just as well as the latest version of ChatGPT, but it remains completely free for now. American investor Marc Andreessen, whose venture capital firm manages assets worth more than $40 billion, described DeepSeek R1 as "the most amazing and impressive breakthrough" in his professional career. According to media reports, the Chinese company may have spent up to 90% less on developing its chatbot compared to OpenAI. This unexpected success has caught the attention of the tech world. Many are now speculating about DeepSeek's potential to challenge established AI giants. The fact that it remains free while offering performance on par with, or even superior to, ChatGPT has fueled interest among users and investors alike. Some analysts believe that this could be a game-changer in the rapidly evolving AI space, with DeepSeek positioning itself as a major player capable of disrupting the current landscape. 28 January 2025 15:13 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned on Tuesday, following months of protests sparked by a deadly awning collapse in Novi Sad in November, which resulted in 15 fatalities, Azernews reports. Vucevic's resignation came just one day after President Aleksandar Vucic announced plans for an "urgent and extensive" reconstruction of the government in response to demands from striking university students. Vucevic stated that his resignation was prompted by reports of attacks on protesting students in Novi Sad. He emphasized that the government needed to demonstrate the highest level of responsibility to avoid further escalating tensions in society. He made the decision to resign in order to de-escalate the situation. The resignation came amid escalating protests in Serbia, with demonstrators blocking key traffic intersections in Belgrade and joining with farmers in tractors to demand accountability for the deadly incident. Critics blame the accident on widespread government corruption, and the protests represent one of the most significant challenges to the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in recent years. In a joint press conference, President Vucic called for dialogue with the students, stressing the importance of reducing tensions and beginning a constructive conversation. He also acknowledged the negative impact of the crisis on the economy, underscoring that such situations are detrimental to everyone. Additionally, the mayor of Novi Sad, Milan uric, also announced his resignation on Tuesday. Vucevic, originally from Novi Sad, served as the city's mayor from 2012 to 2022. Artist's impression of interior of a bedroom at proposed Premier Inn at Belfast International Airport. Picture courtesy of Turkington Holdings and Todd Architects Artist's impression of the new Premier Inn at Belfast International Airport. Picture courtesy of Todd Architects and Turkington Holdings Hotel giant Whitbread plc has announced it will open a new Premier Inn at Belfast International Airport in a 6m investment. And it said its seeking to build hotels in the future in Belfast city centre, Enniskillen and Newry. Whitbread, which is the UKs biggest hotel company, said it had signed a leasehold agreement last month with JHT Hotels, part of JH Turkington & Sons in Portadown. Construction of the 81-bedroom hotel is due to start this year, with opening expected in the middle of 2026. Whitbread already operates seven Premier Inns in Northern Ireland and formerly owned Costa Coffee, before selling the business to Coca-Cola in 2018. The Belfast International acquisition is the third airport leasehold development its signed up to since September, along with Manchester and Edinburgh. The hotel will feature an on-site restaurant and bar, 125 parking spaces and seven mobility-impaired spaces, landscaped grounds, and improved site access. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council granted planning permission for the development in mid-November 2024. Whitbread said around 30 new jobs would be created when the hotel opens next year. Jill Anderson, acquisition manager for Whitbread, said: Securing such a prime location at Belfast International Airport reinforces our commitment to growing our network in key travel hubs across the UK and Ireland. "The site offers an exceptional opportunity to serve the airports six million passengers annually, providing them with the quality, comfort, and affordability Premier Inn is known for. "The Belfast acquisition is the third airport hotel we have signed in six months, reflecting the consistently strong and growing demand for travel and the excellent investment opportunities these locations offer. The new Belfast International Airport hotel will be built at the junctions of Airport Road, Antrim Road and British Roads opposite its long-stay car park and within walking distance of the airport terminal building. It is the first Premier Inn to be built in Northern Ireland since the opening of Premier Inn Lisburn hotel in 2019. Whitbread said it would be investing more than 6m in the new hotel on a capitalised lease expenditure basis. Its existing seven hotels are in Belfast, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Lisburn and Londonderry, with two in Belfast. Artist's impression of the new Premier Inn at Belfast International Airport. Picture courtesy of Todd Architects and Turkington Holdings News Catch Up: Tuesday 28th January Jimmy Cricket: I hope I can live to be as old as my jokes... it is the enthusiasm that keeps me going LUDZIDZINI - His Majesty King Mswati III has blessed new dates for the first leg of the much-anticipated Marula (Buganu) Festival. The festival will be held between February 21 and 23, 2025 at Buhleni Royal Residence. The changes were announced Indvuna yeLutsango (Hhohho Region) Lontfombi Ndzimandze on behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III at Nkhanini, yesterday afternoon. The indvuna said following the initial announcement which was to the effect that the celebration was supposed to be held on the weekend that begins on February 7, 2024, the King then blessed the new dates for the festival. Residence In that regard, she said the King has summoned the Lutsango Regiment to Buhleni Royal Residence for the celebration of the Marula Festival, which will start on Friday February 21, 2025 and end on Sunday February 23, 2025. She said members of the Lutsango Regiment are expected to present their Marula brew before Her Majesty the Queen Mother on Friday at the Royal residence. She said this will be followed by main festivities, which include singing and dancing before Their Majesties and their guests. After that, she said on Sunday, the King will then disperse the members of the Lutsango Regiment, which will mark the end of the first leg of the festival, which is also known as the first fruit which comes after the annual Incwala ceremony. Scores It is worth noting that the Marula Ceremony is usually attended by scores of emaSwati and they join members of the Royal family and emabutfo (regiments). The festival also attracts tourists from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and abroad. On top of that, culturally the festival is viewed as one of the traditional ceremonies that unite the nation in various ways; through values, tradition and respect, among others. (From left to right) Co-director Sam Hansford, comedian Rosie Jones and co-director Mark Godfrey outside the new Soho Theatre Walthamstow (David Jensen/Soho Theatre Walthamstow/PA) The new Soho Theatre Walthamstow is to open its doors for the first time in May with a programme including performances from comedians Dara OBriain, Mark Watson and Suzi Ruffell. The 960-seat venue is housed in the Grade II-listed former Granada Theatre building in the London area, and also features new studio spaces, four bars and a restaurant, after it was developed by Soho Theatre, which currently runs a venue in the capitals Dean Street, and Waltham Forest Council. Glittering night set to recognise all the best and brightest in Northern Ireland The 2025 Belfast Telegraph Business Awards in partnership with Ulster Bank are launched today as the prestigious event marks its silver anniversary. For a quarter of a century, the Belfast Telegraph has marked the achievements of businesses and businesspeople around Northern Ireland at a glittering annual awards ceremony. Entries for this years awards are now open, and will culminate in an awards ceremony on May 1 at the Crowne Plaza, Belfast. Mark Crimmins, regional managing director of headline sponsor Ulster Bank, said: At Ulster Bank, we are proud of our continued association with the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards and recognise the importance of celebrating the many achievements of our local business community. Our teams across the bank work with business customers of all sizes and from all sectors, providing the financial support they need to fulfil their growth ambitions. While the last 12 months have not been without challenges, we know that there are many positive stories to tell. I hope businesses will put themselves forward for the awards and allow us to celebrate the wonderful contribution they to make to the local economy. Eoin Brannigan, editor-in-chief of the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life, said: Were delighted to launch the 2025 Belfast Telegraph Business Awards in partnership with Ulster Bank today. Its the silver anniversary of the event this year, a really exciting landmark, and its as big an honour as ever to celebrate the achievements of companies around Northern Ireland. Thank you to Ulster Bank for their brilliant support and to our judging panel led by Clare Guinness for their commitment. Clare Guinness, chief executive of Belfast Chamber, is the third chair of the judging panel across the history of the awards, following economist John Simpson and Professor Mark Durkin, former executive dean at the Ulster University Business School. Ms Guinness said: Its a privilege to be asked again to chair the judging panel of the Belfast Telegraph Awards, which recognise the achievements of our vibrant private sector. The panel of judges have vast experience across many sectors and usually have a tough task selecting winners from strong contenders and I am sure this year will be no different. I would encourage as many businesses as possible to apply and lets collectively acknowledge the positive strides and impact businesses make to our economy and society. To enter the Business Awards click on any of the links below. The closing date is Friday 21st March at 5pm and for sponsorship opportunities please contact Karen McGarvey at karen.mcgarvey@mediahuis.co.uk A multimillionaire property developer who was caught in excess of the drink-drive limit two days before Christmas was handed a 12-month driving ban today. Samuel Morrison, who is regularly rated as one of Northern Irelands wealthiest people, was also fined 500, regarding which District Judge Nigel Broderick said, given what he had been told about the 72-year-old: I assume 28 days to pay would suffice. The clean-up from Storm Eowyn continued across Northern Ireland today, with many still left without water and electricity. Three days after Northern Ireland was battered by gusts of over 90mph, thousands continue to be affected by power and water outages. In Co Fermanagh a family trapped with dwindling food supplies, no heat and no power was rescued by police on Monday afternoon. In a post on social media, PSNI Fermanagh and Omagh, said its officers responded to a dropped 999 call from the family, and found the long laneway to their property covered in hundreds of fallen trees. We set off on foot with some basic supplies from a nearby property crossing several fields to check in on the family and ensure there were no ongoing emergency issues, a spokesperson said. A big thank you to the Forest Service staff in Enniskillen and Greentown environmental who also responded quickly to our call for assistance and started the laborious process of cutting through hundreds of fallen trees as you can see in the picture! There are still a lot of rural phone masts, phone lines and electricity lines out of action so please check in on your vulnerable neighbours! We are sure there are still many vulnerable people out there who need help at the moment. If you think we can assist, please get in touch and we will do our best to help out alongside our other various government and charity partners. On Monday afternoon, NIE confirmed that more than 56,000 people were still without electricity. Speaking during a visit to NIE headquarters, Secretary of State Hillary Benn said there was still a way to go in the clean-up. Specialist engineers have arrived from England to help restore power, but NIE has warned it could be next Monday before all properties are reconnected. During his visit, Mr Benn said the UK government is working very hard to help meet the requests for support for Northern Ireland, including through the mutual support aid. This is a practical crisis, and what people need is help engineers, helicopters, bottled water, generators, the NI Secretary said. These are the things that make a difference to people on the ground while theyre waiting for their lives to get back together and for the electricity supply to be restored. Power outages have also been accompanied by water outages, with NI Water yesterday that 1,000 customers are still experiencing a loss of water supply. In a statement a spokesperson for NI Water said the company will work day and night until supplies are returned to normal. While we have made significant progress over the weekend, we appreciate there are still approx. 1,000 customers experiencing a loss of water supply, said a spokesperson. Numbers can fluctuate depending on burst pipes, air locks etc. We can give the assurance to all those customers that we wont stop until all our properties are back on supply. We are a 24/7 business, and that work will continue day and night until all water supplies are back to normal. Grainia Long, chief executive of the Housing Executive said that since Friday they had received over 5,300 calls and issued over 1,300 emergency repairs mostly relating to storm damage, fallen trees and heating issues. Ms Long added that 1,200 of the reported emergency repairs have been attended to, adding that many more would be addressed on Monday. Around 60 schools were closed across Northern Ireland today due to damage, and the Department for Education said it had received 154 reports of damage to school buildings. A DUP MP has defended a former loyalist prisoner who faces being stripped of an MBE awarded in the Kings New Year Honours list. Carla Lockhart said the accolade for David Martin is a fitting recognition of his remarkable community work". At the weekend Sunday Life reported that the former UVF gunman (62) could have the honour rescinded, after details about his convictions for possessing firearms, false imprisonment and conspiracy to rob became widely known. An MBE - Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire - is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. But Ms Lockhart, the Upper Bann MP, has spoken out in his defence, posting on her Facebook site that he was a changed man. David Martin is someone I count as a true friend, a gentleman, and a person who, by Gods grace, has undergone a remarkable transformation, she said. Over many years, David has made an outstanding contribution to our community. Under his steady hand as facilitator, countless schools have benefited from the educational displays at Brownlow House, which have inspired young people and helped to preserve our shared heritage. David has never hidden his past and speaks openly about it, not to revel in it, but to demonstrate how the grace of God worked in his life over 30 years ago and showed him the error of his ways. His journey is a testament to the power of redemption and the positive impact a changed life can have. The David Martin so many of us know and love is a man deeply passionate about his community. He is committed to preserving our culture and heritage, consistently goes the extra mile to foster inclusivity, and works tirelessly to help guide young people away from making the wrong choices. Read more Government officials red-faced as they scramble to rescind MBE given to UVF gunman Ms Lockhart added: It is deeply upsetting to see him vilified in this way. His MBE was and is a fitting recognition of his remarkable community work. "The messages of support from people of all backgrounds have been a source of great encouragement, and those who truly know David stand solidly behind him and his award. If everyone made the contributions that David and Thomas Martin have made over the last 30 years, Northern Ireland would undoubtedly be in a far better place. I have, and will continue to, make representations on his behalf in this matter. Mr Martin joined the UVF with his older brother Tom, after spending nearly a year serving as a soldier in the UDR. Now a born-again Christian, he has talked at length about his paramilitary past on YouTube testimonials which seemingly were missed by the Honours and Appointments Secretariat, who oversee the strict vetting procedures of honours appointees. It is understood that the decision to award Mr Martin with an MBE is now the subject of an internal investigation. Asked to account for this embarrassing oversight, the Cabinet Office refused to comment. The Martin brothers were among 20 loyalists identified as UVF members by loyalist supergrass Clifford McKeown, who gave evidence against his friends in return for a reduced sentence. Recounting this, David Martin says in his online religious testimony: A man (McKeown) decided he would give evidence against myself and Thomas and 20 other men from the group we were involved in. We found ourselves involved in one of these supergrass trials. After a two-week trial Martin was sentenced to 12 years in prison in November 1982 for a raft of terror offences, including possessing a sawn-off shotgun with his brother Thomas. He was further convicted of false imprisonment, having a handgun in suspicious circumstances and conspiring to rob Blackskull post office. Having begun their sentences on the UVF wing of the Maze Prison, the Martin brothers found God and were given permission to go into the general prison population. David Martin and Carla Lockhart News Catch Up: Tuesday 28th January Gordon Lyons said the move would level the playing field for victims of violence Stormonts Communities Minister has confirmed the removal of intimidation points from the Housing Executives process of prioritising the allocation of properties to tenants. Gordon Lyons described the change to NIHEs Housing Selection Scheme as a bid to level the playing field for victims of violence while making the announcement in the Assembly. He said the move would support the Executives work in tackling Violence Against Women and Girls by focusing on how violence, or the threat of violence, affects victims and their ability to remain in their home. It has long been a source of frustration to me, along with many others in the chamber, that the Selection Scheme treats victims of violence differently, based on the cause of that violence, Mr Lyons continued. Currently, a victim of terrorism receives a greater award of points than a victim of domestic abuse. Someone targeted because of their ethnic identity receives more points than someone targeted because of their gender. Going forward, the points for violence or threat of violence within the Scheme will not exclude any victims of abuse, violence or trauma. Regardless of causation, victims will be assessed using the same criteria within the Housing Selection Scheme operated by the NIHE." The removal of intimidation points means all victims will now be able to access the same categories of points. Mr Lyons said it is an important step forward for all those who have suffered violence, harassment or trauma for any reason including victims of domestic abuse. The DUP MLA said transitional protection will be applied and that applicants already awarded 200 points for intimidation will retain them in accordance with the rules in place at the time. Applicants who have alleged intimidation and whose circumstances are being considered under Rule 23, prior to its removal, will be investigated in line with existing policies and procedures. Where their circumstances meet Rule 23 criteria, they will be awarded 200 points, he continued. Applicants who have experienced violence or abuse, or who are at risk of violence or abuse, whatever the motivation or perpetrator, will continue to be assessed and provided with emergency assistance under the homelessness legislation. The removal of intimidation points will not alter the Housing Executives duty to support those who need such emergency assistance and who find themselves unable to remain in their home. The Housing Executive will aim to remove Rule 23 by the end of this financial year. Housing Executive chief Grainia Long NIHE chief executive Grainia Long welcomed the decision which followed a recommendation from the statutory body. We believe it will enable more appropriate ranking and allocation of social housing for those experiencing violence or risk of violence or domestic abuse - whatever the circumstances, she said. Removal of intimidation points will, therefore, offer more parity between victims of violence and abuse and those at risk of violence and abuse, regardless of the motivation or source. We will now work with the Department for Communities and key stakeholders to take forward a review of the Primary Social Needs section of the scheme and implement any necessary changes. These points are currently awarded to those who have experienced violence, harassment, abuse or trauma. We would like to reassure applicants who have experienced actual violence or abuse or are at risk of violence or abuse, that they will continue to be assessed and provided with assistance under the Housing Selection Scheme and homelessness legislation. Meanwhile the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) also hailed the announcement as comes as new research highlighting challenges within the sector is published. The study conducted by Queens University Belfast and commissioned by NIFHA looked at the allocation of points for cases of intimidation, particularly those linked to paramilitary groups, and how this negatively impacts on the fair distribution of housing. It found the current system while well-intentioned in its aim to protect individuals from threats, has inadvertently impacted the allocation of housing based on need. According to academics, the system skewed resources toward addressing intimidation cases usually at the expense of individuals facing other urgent housing needs including issues around disability, homelessness and domestic abuse. "It has meant that some at-risk individuals are marginalised by a system that appears to be much more responsive to threat than need, the study found. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons. News Catch Up: Tuesday 28th January NIFHA chief executive Seamus Leheny said the removal of intimidation points is a significant and positive change for social housing in Northern Ireland. "We fully support this move, as it addresses systemic issues that have hindered the fair and needs-based allocation of housing for far too long, he added. The findings of the Queens research clearly highlight how the overemphasis on intimidation cases, particularly linked to paramilitary activity, has contributed to inefficiencies and perceptions of unfairness in the system. We are encouraged that the Ministers decision reflects these realities and this decision will support the development of successful, shared communities. This policy change is a critical first step, but we must also take a holistic approach to address the broader challenges outlined in the Queens report. By focusing on fairness and transparency, we can create a social housing system that works better for everyone. Dr Brendan Sturgeon, Global Research Development Manager at Queens University Belfast and co-author on the report commented: The report examines the challenges for registered Housing Associations in Northern Ireland that are created by the points-based system used to allocate social housing. "We specifically examined the ways in which the current system allocates points for intimidation particularly for intimidation connected to paramilitary groups. We found that this intimidation has a significant and deleterious impact on the allocation of housing, the allocation of housing by need and the development of successful shared communities. Intimidation has had systematic and practical consequences for a process that now appears to be much more responsive to threat than need. DUP MLA Cheryl Brownlee said she raised concerns that the points-based system is failing vulnerable people directly with the communities minister earlier this month. She welcomed the hugely important step in levelling the playing field and ensuring fairness for everyone who has suffered intimidation or the threat of violence. For too long, victims of domestic abuse have been treated unfairly, receiving significantly fewer points compared to those awarded intimidation points, the East Antrim representative added. Indeed, there are cases where the victim of domestic abuse has received fewer points than the perpetrator of that abuse. The change acknowledges that victims of all forms of violence, harassment or trauma will be treated equally and will be given the same priority within the housing system. Whilst some others have talked about these issues, the current minister has taken decisive action. It introduces fairness into the system and most importantly it puts victims first. Nationalist parties have made another attempt to stop Belfast City Council joining a scheme that gives special privileges to past and present members of the Army. Sinn Fein and the SDLP have blocked a decision to sign the Armed Forces Covenant at committee level at City Hall after an officer report at the local authority stated it was a divisive issue in the city, but ruled out the need for a full equality impact assessment. Earlier this month Sinn Fein called-in a vote which led to a council decision for Belfast to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant. The original DUP motion which called for the signing of the covenant passed on a knife edge at City Hall due to a casting vote by the Alliance Lord Mayor. This week an attempt to get the covenant signing finally over the line failed after a vote which saw nationalists outnumber unionists and Alliance. Council officials had come to the conclusion that while the covenant could be seen as divisive in the city, the decision by the full council to sign up to it would not require a full independent Equality Impact Assessment, which would involve a lengthy public consultation. Officials noted that while the signing of the covenant required no further screening, any future decisions involving council money being spent on anything related to the signing of the covenant would face further equality screening. The covenant sets out two principles. The first is that those who serve in the armed forces, whether regular or reserve or those who have served in the past and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. The second is that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have been injured and bereaved. The intention of the covenant specifically relates to issues around housing, education and healthcare. The Armed Forces Act 2006 is a UK-wide Act which imposes a statutory duty upon specified bodies to have due regard to principles of the covenant. At the committee meeting on Monday, a proposal by the DUP for the council to finally adopt the motion following an equality screening did not pass due to a larger number of nationalist elected members. A report for the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee states: The draft equality screening report concludes that the signing of the covenant is likely to have a minor impact on the basis of religious belief and political opinion on both the promotion of equality of opportunity grounds and good relations grounds. This is on the basis that the legacy of the conflict is still very much evident in some areas throughout Belfast and the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant may be a divisive issue. As such the decision has been screened out at this time. However any future decisions about resource allocation based on signing the covenant would require an updated screening exercise to be undertaken. At the committee meeting, DUP councillor Sarah Bunting proposed again that the council sign up to the covenant following the equality screening. Nine councillors from Sinn Fein and the SDLP were against the proposal, while eight councillors from the DUP, Alliance and the UUP were in support of the proposal, while one Green councillor abstained. The committee therefore could not pass the proposal to sign the covenant, and the matter will almost certainly again return to the full council where another knife edge vote is expected. In December at committee level the DUP on its first attempt failed to get sufficient numbers to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant due to resistance from nationalist parties. However, the party succeeded during the full council meeting on January in the most contentious fashion. On a vote to support the Armed Forces Covenant, 27 voted in favour, from the DUP, Alliance, the UUP and the TUV, while 27 voted against the proposal, from Sinn Fein, the SDLP, and People Before Profit. Three Green councillors abstained. As is the protocol in an evenly split chamber, the Lord Mayor gets the casting vote, in this case Alliance Councillor Micky Murray, who went with his party and supported the Armed Forces Covenant. But Sinn Fein cried foul, stating one of their councillors, Aine McCabe, who was involved in the council meeting remotely, had not gotten the chance to vote due to technical difficulties. Her vote would have led to a refusal to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant. After legal advice from the City Solicitor Nora Largey, the vote was upheld. After a failure by the two nationalist parties to stop the Strategic Policy and Resources Committees minutes, where the original vote on the Covenant took place, Sinn Fein said they would be calling in the decision. Call-ins involve an independent legal examination, and have to be delivered to the Chief Executive within five working days of the publication of the draft minutes or decision register. According to local government law, only 15% of a council is required to call-in a decision, setting off independent legal examination, a potential an equality impact assessment, then a redetermination of the decision. If the call-in is seen as competent, it will go back to the full council, where the original proposal has to then pass an 80% threshold of the vote to be successful. Councillors have to give reasons for any call-in, explaining why they believe the decision was not arrived at after a proper consideration of the relevant facts and issues and why they believe the decision would disproportionately affect adversely any section of the inhabitants of the district. The council has not yet given a public update on this call-in. The issue has caused division at City Hall News Catch Up: Tuesday 28th January The initial stage of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry has opened in the County Tyrone town. Pic by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aiden died in the Omagh bomb, says he is grateful victims are front and centre. Pic by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. The Omagh bomb inquiry will get to the truth and provide answers for bereaved families seeking to know if the act of savagery could have been prevented. Lead counsel Paul Greaney KC promised to find out exactly what happened in August 1998 as a summary of statements from survivors and relatives of those killed was read out. Going through the list one-by-one, he told the inquiry the evidence was no more than an introduction and that much more detailed accounts would be heard over the coming weeks. A commemorative statement in relation to Fernando Blasco Baselga was read out to the inquiry on Tuesday. The exchange student was just 12-years-old when he was killed in the blast while visiting the area as part of a lanuage programme alongside children from Buncrana in Co Donegal. His family recalled teasing him because his favourite meal was rice salad. They said it was his second trip to Ireland under the exchange scheme and talked about his love of handball. When he was asked what was important to him, the young boy would say to reach heaven. Thats what was important to him, the statement read. Following his death, the Inquiry heard Fernando was given a full military escort to Madrid, where his funeral took place in a private chapel in the south-west of the city. The story of Rocio Abad Ramos (23), who was a leader on the trip, is due to be delievered by her sister Paloma in the afternoon. Statements have also been submitted by those who were visiting Omagh at the time of the blast. Witnesses recalled how calm and quiet the day had been and how everything was good out in the street, and everyone was joyful and happy. One man who was eight at the time of the explosion recalled being propelled off his feet. All I remember is I woke up and it had gone from being a beautiful sunny day to the darkest day ever, another recounted. Mr Greaney said many of those who have provided statements have spoken of their hope the Inquiry would get to the truth of what happened. This hearing forms a crucial part of the unwavering commitment to provide those answers, he added. We will listen, hear and understand and we will get to the truth. Security normalisation in Northern Ireland will be one of the issues explored in the inquiry. In his opening remarks, Mr Greaney outlined the context of the Good Friday Agreement and said policies implemented in the wake of the peace deal will be an important consideration in the proceedings. He made his opening statement as a series of commemorative hearings got underway at the Strule Arts Centre on Tuesday morning. The names of all the 29 people who were killed in the Real IRA blast, including a mother carrying unborn twins, were read out and a moments silence observed in their memory. Mr Greaney said evidence from bereaved families due to be heard over the coming weeks will provide valuable context for the Inquiry. What was done that day here in Omagh was an act of savagery," he said. "During the inquiry, we will refer to these people as what they were - terrorists. "That the attack occurred at a time at which there was optimism for peace, and was done with a view to disrupting that peace made it all the more wicked, if that were possible. Understanding the impact of the bombing is critical to the investigation of the issue of preventability and for that reason we will not shy away from shining a bright light on the terrible consequences of that day. The evidence will allow the chairman, his team, core participants and the wider public to understand and mark the effect of the bombing on individuals and on their families and on the broader community. We will be focusing on those who died, on their families and on those survivors and responders who wish to contribute to the process. Mr Greaney said "some malevolent forces remained" despite overwhelming support across the island of Ireland for the peace process. "A number of dissident republicans continued to be violently opposed to the peace process and they were prepared to use extreme and fatal violence in efforts disrupt that process," he continued. Only one man, Colm Murphy, was ever convicted in a criminal court in relation to the atrocity which occurred on August 15, 1998 however he was cleared in 2010 eight years after being found guilty by the Dublin Special Criminal Court of conspiracy to cause the Omagh bombing. Interview evidence from An Garda Siochana was ruled inadmissible at a retrial. The initial arrest in 1999 of the now deceased suspect followed a joint Royal Ulster Constabulary-Garda investigation. The Irish Government has formally agreed to provide assistance to the inquiry. The father of one of the victims said the inquirys focus on those killed and injured will bring humanity to proceedings. Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aiden died in the Omagh bomb, says he is grateful victims are front and centre. Pic by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Long-awaited Omagh bomb inquiry set for first public hearing Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was among the dead, was anticipating a difficult day as he joined other bereaved families and survivors at Strule Arts Centre. Its important to be here to support the other families, the Spanish families are giving evidence this morning, its going to be difficult, he said. It brings a lot of it back, but its hugely important to focus this week and next week and the week after on the victims. In all of this, sometimes the voice of the victims is lost because there are so many technical arguments, but this brings humanity to it. Mr Gallagher, who campaigned for many years for the inquiry and took the legal action which result in a High Court judge ordering that the inquiry be called, said sometimes he felt like he had to pinch himself that it was happening. I just hope for me that this is the beginning of the end, that we do get the answers we need, that both the British Government and the Irish Government fully co-operate with the inquiry and as a bereaved parent I can say thats all I can do, and Im very grateful for everybody who helped us get to this point where we can see an end. Scottish judge Lord Turnbull is chairing the inquiry and has previously said it will undertake its task rigorously and fearlessly and emphasised the defining character of the inquiry must be its independence. The law was opposed by victims groups in Northern Ireland and all the main political parties at Stormont (Brian Lawless/PA) The Legacy Act prevented a landing zone being reached that could have enabled Troubles victims to secure truth and answers, Irelands deputy premier Simon Harris has said. The Tanaiste said he hoped that the Irish Government would in future be able to suspend its interstate legal case against the UK Government over the Act, subject to the right conditions being met. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, introduced by the Conservatives, halted scores of civil cases and inquests into Troubles deaths. Irelands deputy premier Simon Harris said he wanted to get to the point where an overarching framework on achieving truth, answers and justice for all victims could be reached (Niall Carson/PA) It also introduced a provision to give conditional immunity to perpetrators of Troubles crimes in exchange for their co-operation with a new truth recovery body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). The law was opposed by victims groups in Northern Ireland and all the main political parties at Stormont. The Irish Government was also vehemently opposed to it and in 2023 initiated an interstate legal case against the UK in the European Court of Human Rights, claiming the Act breached the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The case remains active, with ministers in Dublin wanting to see how Labour resolves its concerns over the legislation before any decision is taken to withdraw the action. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn recently set out plans to repeal the Legacy Act (James Manning/PA) Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn recently set out the UK Governments plan to repeal and replace the Act. Inquests and civil cases would resume and the conditional immunity provision would be axed. But the UK Government was retaining the ICRIR, which had both investigatory and truth recovery functions. Speaking during a visit to Belfast, Mr Harris said he wanted to get to the point where an overarching framework on achieving truth, answers and justice for all victims could be reached. He added: And that really, I think, is where the Secretary of State and I need to intensively work and work with the parties here and with the victims and victims families and their representative groups. Because the opportunity here is to try and arrive at a place where I believe we could have arrived at a number of years ago, were it not for the Legacy Act, quite frankly. I think if people had stuck with the process and worked through those processes, we could have found a landing zone that could provide people with the truth and the answers and the justice that they so richly deserve. Regarding the interstate case, Mr Harris said Ireland had no wish to find itself involved in international legal dispute with our nearest neighbours. Mr Harris said he had discussed the 1997 murder of GAA official Sean Brown during a telephone conversation with Mr Benn (Liam McBurney/PA) He said: We felt we had no alternative, quite frankly, when we had exhausted all other avenues, political, diplomatic and every other way. And I very much welcome the fact that in the Labour Partys manifesto, and then obviously in the Kings Speech and in the comments of the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State since then, theyve been very clear about repealing and replacing the Legacy Act, and were eager to engage on that. At the right moment in time, subject to the right conditions being met, I hope us to be, hopefully, be in a position to suspend that case. Mr Harris said he had discussed the 1997 murder of GAA official Sean Brown during a telephone conversation with Mr Benn. Mr Brown was shot dead after being abducted as he locked the gates of the Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA club. Intelligence material has linked state agents to the death of the 61-year-old. The NI Secretary is appealing against a court ruling from December that a public inquiry should be held. A UK Government barrister has argued that ruling was wrong in law. Mr Harris said: The Secretary of State made the point to me that I think he has made in public, and that the appeal has been taken, or the case has been taken on the grounds of process, in terms of being a government and not a court who can decide these things. My position in relation to this is we have to get truth for that family. We have to get answers. They have to get justice and Im very supportive. MBABANE- Yes, I sexually violated the pig. This was an admission of Jabulani Zwane (45) when he appeared at Mbabane Magistrates Court charged for sexually molesting a domesticated animal, which is known for its delicate meat. Zwane raised his voice saying yebo, ngalala nayo lengulube (Yes, I sexually violated the pig) after the court missed his plea of guilty. He pleaded for the courts leniency, stating that he had six children, who are dependent on him. Imprisonment Mbabane Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi sentenced Zwane to two years imprisonment with an option to pay a fine of E5 000 for committing bestiality with the pig. However, one year of the sentence was suspended for a period of three years on condition Zwane is not convicted of a similar offence during the period of suspension. Nhlabatsi warned Zwane against doing something that puts his family into disrepute. It was said that Zwane committed the offence while at Mlalatini in Ezulwini. It has been gathered that Zwane tied the pig before committing the offence. It is said that his neighbours heard an oink of the pig and they proceeded to investigate, subsequently catching him in the act. When asked what he was doing, Zwane claimed that he was washing the pig. The ropes that were used by Zwane in tying the pig were presented in court as evidence. This has not been the first time a man appeared in court accused of sexually violating an animal. Last year, a 31-year-old man of Siyendle found himself on the wrong side of the law for allegedly having sexually violated a pregnant cow, an act which is called bestiality in law. The incident happened at Siyendle in the Shiselweni Region. Velaphi Mndzebele (31) was accused of contravening Section 45 (a)(i) of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act No.15 of 2018, by engaging in an act of bestiality. Section 45 (a) (i) of the SODV Act states under bestiality that a person who unlawfully commits an act - (a) which causes penetration to any extent whatsoever by the genital organs of - (i) that person into or beyond the mouth, genital organs or anus of an animal commits the offence of bestiality and is liable, on conviction, to pay a fine not exceeding E25 000 or be liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or to both. Two neighbours reportedly saw Mndzebele approaching a herd of cattle grazing in the fields. He is alleged to have driven the cattle and eventually isolated the pregnant cow. It is alleged that he was seen by the owner of the cow, who was with another resident of the area. They are reported to have approached him when they saw him isolating and cornering the pregnant cow. According to the owner, she was of the view that the man wanted to assist the cow to give birth, with the intention of stealing the calf, but that was not the case. According to the resident, his children mimicked him and joked about what they had seen him doing. Mndzebele is accused of having returned around 5pm on the same day and was seen standing next to the kraal where the cow was. Approached He was approached by one of the neighbours and he allegedly attempted to hit him with a stone. Upon realising that the neighbour was still approaching, Mndzebele allegedly ran away.The owner of the cow shared that she was worried for her safety and that of her children, considering that the man returned later that day, hence she reported the matter to the police. Mndzebele was arrested by Gege police. He appeared before Magistrate Sindzile Mdziniso at the Shiselweni Magistrates Court. When the matter was last reported, Mndzebele was admitted to bail fixed at E2 000. Foreign Secretary David Lammy visits the Border Bridge in Adre, the border crossing between Chad and Sudan where thousands of refugees have been crossing into Chad fleeing civil war (Stefan Rousseau/PA) The US will take a big interest in the war in Sudan, because failed countries become a haven of Jihadist extremist activity, David Lammy has said. The Foreign Secretary confirmed he had had a brief conversation with incoming US secretary of state Marco Rubio about the conflict in the region. Sudan plunged into conflict in mid-April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between its military and paramilitary leaders broke out in the capital, Khartoum, and spread to other regions, including the vast western Darfur region. Foreign Secretary David Lammy speaking during an event at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Jordan Pettitt/PA) The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has said there are grounds to believe both government forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF) may be committing war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide in Darfur. Liberal Democrat MP Olly Glover asked if the Foreign Secretary would ensure Sudan was on the list of priorities for President Donald Trump given his America first agenda. Mr Lammy said: I listened to the secretary of state, Rubios first press conference, and he talked about wanting prosperity for the United States, wanting, of course, security for the United States, and wanting safety for the United States. And the truth is, the tremendous problems that were seeing in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel and Sudan, are deeply worrying, not just for us here in Europe, but also for the United States, because failed countries become a haven of Jihadist extremist activity that washes back up on our shores, that is the truth of it. And when big countries, or indeed more powerful countries, invade small countries, particularly countries with minimal resources, we should be very concerned indeed and raise it as a big issue. So for all of those reasons, I expect the United States will take a big interest in whats happening in this regard. Mr Lammy earlier stated that the conflict in Sudan has created the worlds largest humanitarian crisis, with 30 million people now in urgent need. He said: Just to make it clear to the house thats more than Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Gaza and Mali combined. That is how bad the situation currently is. Foreign Secretary David Lammy meets patients in a malnutrition centre in Adre, Chad near the border with Sudan (Stefan Rousseau/PA) And that is why I did raise this issue with secretary of state, Rubio when I spoke to him yesterday, although because of all the issues in front of this, it was a brief conversation, but we both said we would return to the issue, and we discussed the fact that I am keen to convene a group of nations, including regional partners, on this very same issue. He said he had seen the level of crisis for himself during a visit to the Chad-Sudan border, adding: I felt a duty to confront the true horror of what is unfolding, to bear witness and to raise up the voices of those suffering, mainly women, so horrendously. Mr Lammy said the UK has an interest in addressing the conflicts, saying: Irregular migration from Sudan to Britain alone increased by 16% last year. Unscrupulous smuggling gangs are looking to profit from the misery in places such as Sudan and the DRC and the longer these wars last, the greater their ripple effects. Neighbours like Chad are working hard to manage the crisis alongside others nearby, but further escalation only increases instability and the risk of conflict elsewhere. Independent MP Zarah Sultana (Coventry South) called on the Foreign Secretary to end arms sales to the UAE who she said were providing arms to the RSF. She told MPs: These arms and supplies have been reportedly disguised as humanitarian aid, raising serious concerns about the UAEs role in exacerbating conflict and suffering in Sudan. The UAE is one of the UKs largest arms buyers, with billions of pounds worth of defence exports licensed in recent years. So given the gravity of these allegations and the UKs obligations under international law, will the Government commit to ending all arms sales to the UAE unless it can be unequivocally verified that they are no longer supplying the RSF? Mr Lammy said the Government holds regular discussions with all regional partners including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and African partners. US President Donald Trump has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on February 4 as the first foreign leader to visit in Mr Trumps second term, Mr Netanhayu and the White House said Tuesday. The visit comes as the United States pressures Israel and Hamas to continue a ceasefire that has paused a devastating 15-month war in Gaza. Talks about the ceasefires second phase are set to begin on February 3. The White House letter shared by Mr Netanyahus office, dated Tuesday, invited the prime minister to visit next week: I look forward to discussing how we can bring peace to Israel and its neighbours, and efforts to counter our shared adversaries. Mr Trump had earlier teased the upcoming visit in a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to visit the White House (Abir Sultan/AP) Im going to be speaking with Bibi Netanyahu in the not-too-distant future, he said. The meeting would be a chance for Mr Netanyahu, under pressure at home, to remind the world of the support he has received from Mr Trump over the years. Mr Netanyahu is likely to encourage Mr Trump not to hold up some weapons deliveries the way the Biden administration did. The administration continued other deliveries and overall military support to Israel, which is the largest recipient of US military aid. Mr Netanyahu is also relying on Mr Trump to put more pressure on Iran and renew efforts to deliver a historic normalisation agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a rival of Iran and the Arab worlds richest and most powerful country. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have begun to return to their homes in Gaza as the ceasefire stretches into a second week (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Even before taking office this month, Mr Trump was sending his special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to the region to apply pressure, along with the Biden administration, to get the current ceasefire achieved. But Mr Netanyahu has vowed to renew the war if Hamas doesnt meet his demands in negotiations over the ceasefires second phase, which aims to end the war. Under the ceasefire deal, more than 375,000 Palestinians have crossed into northern Gaza since Israel allowed their return, the United Nations said Tuesday. That represents more than a third of the million people who fled in the wars opening days. Many of the Palestinians trudging along a seaside road or crossing in vehicles after security inspections were getting the first view of shattered northern Gaza under the fragile ceasefire, now in its second week. A Palestinian woman hangs the laundry inside her home, which was destroyed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) They were determined, if their homes were damaged or destroyed, to pitch makeshift shelters or sleep outdoors amid the vast piles of broken concrete or perilously leaning buildings. After months of crowding in squalid tent camps or former schools in Gazas south, they would finally be home. Its still better for us to be on our land than to live on a land thats not yours, said Fayza al-Nahal as she prepared to leave the southern city of Khan Younis for the north. Hani Al-Shanti, displaced from Gaza City, looked forward to feeling at peace in whatever he found, even if it is a roof and walls without furniture, even if it is without a roof. Under the ceasefire, the next release of hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody is set to occur on Thursday, followed by another exchange on Saturday. In the ceasefires six-week first phase, a total of 33 hostages taken in the Hamas-led attack on October 7 2023, that ignited the war should be released, along with more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli soldier Naama Levy, who was kidnapped by Hamas, gets on a bus after she and three other Israeli female soldiers were released by Hamas (Leo Correa/AP) Israel said a list provided by Hamas confirmed the fears that eight of the 33 hostages to be freed are dead, bringing fresh grief to Israeli families who have long pressed the government to reach a deal to bring everyone home before time runs out. On Tuesday, one of the first hostages to be released under the current ceasefire just the second in the war shared a glimpse of life in captivity. Naama Levy, 20, wrote on social media that she spent most of the first 50 days alone before being reunited with other soldiers kidnapped from her military base on October 7, as well as other civilian captives. They gave me strength and hope, she wrote. We strengthened each other until the day of our release, and also afterwards. A surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza continued under the ceasefire as thousands return to the region (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) A surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza continued under the ceasefire. In this past week alone, approximately 4,200 trucks carrying aid have entered the Gaza Strip following inspections, Israels deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel said. Under the deal, 600 trucks of aid are meant to enter per day. An Italian navy ship arrived in Albania on Tuesday taking 49 migrants intercepted in international waters for processing of their asylum applications at special Albanian centres (Vlasov Sulaj/AP) An Italian navy ship arrived in Albania on Tuesday taking 49 migrants intercepted in international waters for processing of their asylum applications at special Albanian centres, the third such attempt following hurdles earlier raised by Italian courts. Italys Interior Ministry did not specify the nationality of the migrants taken to the port of Shengjin, 40 miles (66km) north-west of the capital, Tirana, but Italian media said they were from Bangladesh, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Gambia. The attempt at processing in Albania follows two previous failures in October and November, when Italian judges refused to approve the detention of two small groups at the Albanian centres, built under a contentious agreement between Italy and Albania. The courts ruled that the migrants countries of origin were not safe enough for them to face the possibility of being sent back by the centres. People take photos as the Italian navy ship approaches the port of Shengjin in north-western Albania (Vlasov Sulaj/AP) The cases have been referred to the European Court of Justice, which earlier established that asylum applicants could not undergo a fast-track procedure that could lead to repatriation if their home countries are not deemed completely safe. The European court hearing on the case is scheduled for February 25. Italian Premier Giorgia Melonis government has vowed to reactivate the two centres in Albania after they remained dormant following the Italian courts decisions. Ms Melonis position was partially backed by a ruling in late December by Italys highest court, which said Italian judges could not substitute for government policy in deciding which countries are safe for repatriation of migrants whose asylum requests are rejected. The decision does allow lower courts to make such determinations on a case-by-case basis, short of setting overall policy. The migrants are to be checked in at a reception centre at the port of Shengjin before being taken to the Gjader accommodation centre, about 14 miles (22km) to the east. The Italian navy ship carrying 49 more migrants for asylum processing docks in Shengjin (Vlasov Sulaj/AP) The November 2023 agreement allows up to 3,000 migrants intercepted by the Italian coast guard in international waters each month to be sheltered in Albania and vetted for possible asylum in Italy or repatriation. Italy has agreed to welcome those migrants who are granted asylum, while those whose applications are rejected face deportation directly from Albania. The agreement to outsource the housing of asylum seekers to a non-European Union member country has been hailed by some countries which, like Italy, are experiencing a high level of migrant arrivals, but human rights activists have criticised the deal as setting a dangerous precedent. So far this year, 3,704 migrants have arrived in Italy, more than double the number in the same period last year, when 1,305 arrived. Last year, 66,317 migrants arrived in Italy, a drop of 58% from the previous year. Most arrived from Bangladesh, followed by Syria, Tunisia and Egypt, according to the Italian Interior Ministry. A delegation of Russian officials arrived in Damascus on Tuesday, the first to visit Syria since the fall of former president Bashar Assad, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported (Leo Correa/AP) It is the first such delegation to visit Syria since the fall of former president Bashar Assad, an ally of Moscow, in December in a lightning rebel offensive. Assad took refuge in Russia after he was ousted. The report said the delegation included Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Russian President Vladimir Putins special envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev. RIA Novosti did not offer any other details of the visit. There was no official comment from Syrias interim government, but the semi-official Al Watan newspaper reported that the Russian delegation would meet the countrys de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani. Syrian fighters guard the entrance of the Latakia civilian airport in the town of Hmeimim (Leo Correa/AP) Moscows scorched-earth intervention in support of Assad once turned the tide of Syrias civil war. Syrias new authorities have not cut off relations with Moscow or forced a complete exit of Russian military forces from bases in Syria, but earlier this month Al Watan reported that a contract with a Russian company to manage the port in Tartus had been cancelled. Following Assads downfall, Russia relocated its troops and assets from all over Syria to its main hub at the Hmeimim air base near Latakia. There has been no indication that Moscow is preparing to evacuate the Hmeimim base or the naval facility in Tartus altogether. The termination of a contract for a Russian company to modernise the Tartus commercial port did not directly affect the Russian naval facility, which was leased under a separate deal. Also on Tuesday, a delegation from the Palestinian Authority (PA) made its first visit to Damascus. The delegation, headed by Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, met Mr al-Sharaa, the PA said in a statement. No details of the discussions were given. Palestinian refugees in Syria, which number about 450,000, were not given citizenship under previous Syrian governments, ostensibly to preserve their right to go back to the homes they fled or were forced from during the 1948 creation of the state of Israel and where they are currently banned from returning. The new Syrian government has not indicated how it might approach the status of the refugees. Serbian farmers joined striking university students in a 24-hour traffic blockade in Belgrade in protest over the fatal collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad last November (Darko Vojinovic/AP) Serbias striking university students launched a 24-hour blockade of a key traffic intersection in the capital, Belgrade, on Monday, stepping up pressure on the authorities over a deadly canopy collapse in November that killed 15 people. Serbian farmers on tractors and thousands of citizens joined the blockade which followed weeks of protests demanding accountability over the deadly accident in the northern city of Novi Sad that critics have blamed on rampant government corruption. A campaign of street demonstrations has posed the biggest challenge in years to the populist governments firm grip on power in Serbia. Students stand on a bridge during the protest, with banners reading Requirement is not met and Honk for students (Darko Vojinovic/AP) Serbias president, Aleksandar Vucic, at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic, later on Monday urged dialogue with the students, saying we need to lower the tensions and start talking to each other. Students have in the past refused to meet Mr Vucic, saying the president is not entitled by the constitution to hold talks with them. Any kind of a crisis poses a serious problem for our economy, said Mr Vucic. Such a situation in society is not good for anyone. The president has faced accusations of curbing democratic freedoms despite formally seeking European Union membership for Serbia. He has accused the students of working for unspecified foreign powers to oust the government. Several incidents have marked the street demonstrations in the past weeks, including drivers ramming into the crowds on two occasions, when two young women were injured. On Monday, traffic police secured the student blockade to help avoid any similar incidents. A woman raises a red glove symbolising blood during the student-led 24-hour blockade at an intersection in Belgrade (Darko Vojinovic/AP) Protesting students set up tents at the protest site, which is a key artery for city commuters and towards the main north-south motorway. Some students played volleyball, others sat down on blankets on the pavement or walked around on a warm day. They also held a daily 15-minute commemoration silence at 11.52, the time when the canopy at a railway station in Novi Sad crashed down on November 1. Many in Serbia believe the huge concrete canopy fell down because of sloppy reconstruction work that resulted from corruption. Serbias prosecutors have filed charges against 13 people, including a government minister and several state officials. But former construction minister Goran Vesic has been released from detention, fuelling doubts over the investigations independence. The main railway station in Novi Sad had been renovated twice in recent years as part of a wider infrastructure deal with Chinese state companies. Plans for a first air dome in Northern Ireland close to the banks of the River Foyle are moving forward. A few names for the venue are already floating around, including the Foyle Bubble a nod to the oft-heard refrain: You must think I came up the Foyle in a bubble. Another suggestion is Dome Alone. If the public are allowed a say, options may have to be narrowed down to avoid a Domey McDomeface scenario. On a more serious note, with the destruction of Connacht GAAs multimillion euro Air Dome in Co Mayo during Storm Eowyn at the weekend, there may be some concern for the structural integrity of such facilities, considering extreme weather events are expected to increase in the future. When complete, the site will have playing pitches, changing facilities and ancillary accommodation for Ulster University. It is on old grounds vacated by Foyle College when it relocated from the Cityside to the Waterside. The land was bought by UU in 2019 but has remained untouched ever since. Funding comes from the PeacePlus programme and stands at 9.05m, with the university promising to match this figure. Steinbeck Festival made of write stuff Limavadys annual Steinbeck Festival is fast-approaching, with a range of cultural events celebrating the areas ties to John Steinbeck. The acclaimed American authors grandfather was from Ballykelly. The writer, who was fascinated by his Irish roots, visited the area in 1952. Now in its seventh year, the festival runs throughout February and promises to entertain with music, photography, poetry, theatre and storytelling. This year features Fergal Keane in conversation with Mark Carruthers (February 7), gifted young blues artist Muireann Bradley (February 15), and much, much more. Wellers Friel Tribute Paul Weller has paid homage to late Derry musician and broadcaster Eamon Friel by recording one of his best-known songs. He recently finished work on his version of El Dorado, a plaintive piece written for Joe Mahons 1986 film The Best Man, which starred Seamus Ball. Weller was sent the song by Mark Holden, manager of Derry punk outfit Touts, who knows The Jam and Style Council legend through the music scene. Mr Friels family are immensely proud the talented songwriter is getting wider recognition almost six years after his death. Shutterstock.com Many things likely come to mind when you think about the end times. You probably envision fire coming from the heavens, chaos erupting globally and life as we know it coming to an end. While these are common associations, several signs will occur before the last days that we should pay attention to. We understand that these are signs of the end times because Jesus tells us so. Here are the final 11 signs of the end of the world. Signs of Deception One of the major signs of the end times is deception. The Bible warns us of false prophets who will say they are the Messiah. They will also claim they have answers for all the problems of the world. Jesus gives us very specific warnings that speak to our generation now, referenced in Matthew 24. In this passage, Jesus mentions the false prophets who will use wonders to deceive us. These false prophets can include people in government, elected officials and other leaders. We must guard ourselves and be on the lookout for these deceivers. We are also told in the Bible these arent ordinary men. In the last days, many will cry out for leaders, and they will turn to these false prophets who claim to have the answers. Hunger and Famine Another significant sign of the end times is famine and hunger. These are some of the biggest issues plaguing our world right now, and many people are trying to figure out if this is a sign we are entering the end times. According to key statistics, 11 percent of the worlds population is hungry. That means 805 million people are undernourished daily. While we are blessed with a large and fertile planet, millions of people are going hungry each day. Natural Disasters When natural disasters take place, many people are concerned that they are pointing to the end times. Some of these recent events and disasters include record-breaking heatwaves not only in America and in Europe. People have also cited devastating earthquakes and wildfires that have taken out whole communities. This has come against the backdrop of political tension, which has only left people more fearful. The Spread of New Diseases Revelation 6:5-8 warns that our world will be rocked by new diseases and subsequent plagues in the end times. Luke 21:11 also cautions that there will be pestilences in various places and fearful events in the last days. Many people have wondered if the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the new diseases the Bible speaks of. Some believe that the pestilences that Jesus referenced will be fulfilled in the first three and a half years of the Tribulation period that comes after the rapture. War We are told in scripture that there will be disputes among nations. Scripture warns us that a big sign of Jesus ultimate return is discord and war among groups of people. This is another sign many people are wondering about is occurring right now. The Book of Revelation references a period called the Tribulation. During this period, we are told there will be a great deal of war. This war will appear to have no end. The Bible also tells us that as we enter the end times, including national battles, conflicts at the border and race wars. Rumors of War In addition to listing war as a sign of the end times, Jesus also mentions rumors of war. Many people think that Jesus is simply warning us of war in the last days, but Jesus is really instructing us to not allow rumors of war to concern or alarm us because the end is not yet. Jesus was doing the same thing when He spoke of false Christs in Matthew 24:5. Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:8 that all these are the beginning of the birth pains. Signs in the Heavens God references numerous heavenly signs that point to the end times. The 6th Seal of Revelation goes into great detail about the signs in the heavens which havent been witnesses since creation. One of the biggest passages that reference these signs is Revelation 6:12-14. This passage says, When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. While many believe these are signs of despair, they are indeed signs of hope. Persecution One of the signs of the end times many people dont talk about is persecution. During the final days, there will be a rise in the persecution of Christians. We will also see hatred and betrayal increase. In Matthew 24, right before Jesus references the rise of false prophets, He warns the disciples, Then you will be arrested, persecuted and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from Me and betray and hate each other. This is why we must be disciplined in our prayer lives. Lawlessness Jesus prophesied in the final days that there would be lawlessness. Many people think the lawlessness associated with the end times is as simple as people disobeying the 10 Commandments. It goes much deeper than this. Remember, Jesus was a big proponent of Gods law. Not only was His life governed by the law, but He also taught people to obey the law. In Second Thessalonians 2:8-9, Paul uses the word lawless to reference the most powerful false religious teacher in the last days. During Jesus earthly ministry, Jesus warns us that God will reject those who practice lawlessness. Jesus The most significant sign of the end times is Jesus. In Acts 1, the risen Lord spoke his parting instructions to his followers. They asked the Lord, Is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel? While the disciples didnt fully understand Jesus full purpose, they were filled with the hope that He would act victoriously and decisively on their behalf. Jesus response serves as a reminder that while we will not be privy to the exact day and moment of Jesus ultimate return, we will not be oblivious to the signs that the day is close. While the world appears to get darker, and we face more spiritual warfare than ever before, we have real hope through Jesus Christ. He defeated death and remained victorious. We can have the same victory when we put our total faith in our Lord and Savior. When we trust in the words of Jesus and the prophets, we can be better prepared for whats to come. Lesli White is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth with a Bachelors degree in Mass Communications and a concentration in print and online journalism. In college, she took a number of religious studies courses and harnessed her talent for storytelling. White has a rich faith background. Her father, a Lutheran pastor and life coach was a big influence in her faith life, helping her to see the value of sharing the message of Christ with others. She has served in the church from an early age. Some of these roles include assisting ministry, mutual ministry, worship and music ministry and church council. We Are China Railway policewoman maintains smooth traffic during Spring Festival travel rush Xinhua) 10:59, January 28, 2025 Feng Wenyu inspects the platform aboard the bullet train coded G113 at the Cangzhou West Railway Station in Cangzhou, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 24, 2025. The Spring Festival travel rush, also known as chunyun, is the world's largest annual human migration. Feng Wenyu, a 25-year-old railway police officer from Tianjin railway police detachment of Beijing Railway Public Security Bureau, works diligently during this peak travel season. For railway police officers, their duties involve not only maintaining train security and ensuring passenger safety during the journey but also handling various emergencies and offering assistance whenever they are needed. Feng patrols the train carriages more often during the Spring Festival travel rush than before and raises safety awareness among passengers. Constant attention to details, understanding passenger needs and risk prevention are crucial aspects of her work. The travel surge sees people return home and reunite with their families and friends. Thanks to the tireless contributions of frontline guardians like Feng, every journey home is made safe and smooth. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Feng Wenyu interacts with a child aboard the bullet train coded G148 on Jan. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Feng Wenyu marks the location of bulky baggage via a body-worn camera aboard the bullet train coded G113 on Jan. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Feng Wenyu (L) talks with train conductor Wang Dong about passenger numbers aboard the bullet train coded G113 on Jan. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Feng Wenyu checks police equipment at the Tianjin railway police detachment of Beijing Railway Public Security Bureau in Tianjin, north China, Jan. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Feng Wenyu sees passengers off at the Langfang Railway Station in Langfang, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Feng Wenyu (C) waits at the concourse of Tianjin West Railway Station in Tianjin, north China, Jan. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Feng Wenyu helps a passenger while patrolling a carriage aboard the bullet train coded G113 on Jan. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Feng Wenyu (3rd L) attends a meeting at the Tianjin railway police detachment of Beijing Railway Public Security Bureau in Tianjin, north China, Jan. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Feng Wenyu patrols a carriage aboard the bullet train coded G8903 on Jan. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Feng Wenyu patrols a carriage aboard the bullet train coded G148 on Jan. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Feng Wenyu helps a passenger while patrolling a carriage aboard the bullet train coded G148 on Jan. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Feng Wenyu patrols a carriage aboard the bullet train coded G8914 on Jan. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan) Traditional and Multifaith Blessings Saying grace before a meal is one of the most common and universal forms of spoken prayer, the one sacrament many of us hold onto after others have faded from use. The following blessings were posted by Beliefnet members. They range from familiar to innovative, pious to pithy (for folks in a hurry). Though we are a Christian family having Japanese roots we love a Buddhist blessing. Translated it is something like this: "For every grain of rice we are thankful for 1000s of workers. For every drop of rain we are thankful for God's blessings. Amen." -toddb My favorite is a simple Jewish prayer, "Blessed art thou O Lord my G-d, King of the universe, who brings forth the bread from the earth". -LeoBesser Before the meal we pray: "Come Lord Jesus, Be our guest, And let these gifts to us be blest. Amen." Following the meal we pray: "We thank thee Lord for meat and drink, In Jesus' name we pray." -lutherrocks Creator, Sustainer and Life-giver, Bless this food to our use, and us to your service, make us grateful for all your mercies, and mindful of the needs of others. Amen. -BeliefnetMember An old Scottish blessing: Some hae meat and cannae eat. Some nae meat but want it. We hae meat and we can eat and sae the Lord be thankit. Translated: Some have meat and cannot eat. Some no meat but want it. We have meat and we can eat and [so the Lord be thanked]. -etaggel We start dinner by all holding hands and saying "Bless us O Lord and for These Thy Gifts which we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful. Amen." If we want to add a special prayer we say "Father God we thank you for all your good gifts and blessings and we want to lift up (name) to you." Amen. -Barbat11 Smudging the food and self with sage smoke we say "We thank Great Spirit for the resources that made this food possible; we thank the Earth Mother for producing it, and we thank all those who labored to bring it to us.May the Wholesomeness of the food before us, bring out the Wholeness of the Spirit within us." -revwhiteeagle My parents taught me this growing up: God is great, God is good. Let us thank him for our food. By his hand, we are fed, Give us, Lord, our daily bread. Amen -Gayle1223 I was raised Protestant, and the blessing was "Bless Us O Lord, for these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ Our lord, AMEN." Since becoming an adult, I have embraced the beautiful religion of Wicca and although my concepts of the Divine/Higher Power have changed, I still say a silent "off the top of my head" thank you prayer, such as "Thank you God and Goddess for all that you have provided. We are forever grateful for your blessings in our lives. So mote it be." -WiccaMagick We as Mormons believe that a prayer should always be reverent and come from the heart. Meaning... Whatever your heart says to say for whatever prayer you would be having. But first to always say thank you. 2nd to bless. 3rd to ask. And to end the prayer to the One who taught us about prayer. -Jrew "Lord bless this food to our use and us to Thy service, and make us ever mindful of the needs of others.Amen." -Father_Currie A Hindu blessing: This ritual is one. The food is one. We who offer the food are one. The fire of hunger is also one. All action is one. We who understand this are one. -birdwatcher Kids' Favorites My fav., which is a funny one, comes from my 4-yr. old step-son, and that is, "Dear God, we're fixin' to eat. Amen." Karen -BTAOGH This is our kids favorite: Thank you God for happy hearts for rain and sunny weather. Thank you God for this food and that we are together. Amen -bethards My daughter learned this prayer in pre-school, and it's been our table blessing ever since: We love our bread, We love our butter, But most of all, We love each other, Thank you LORD for our food. Amen -jncrotty This blessing is childlike in its simplicity but encompasses so much: Thank you for the world so sweet. Thank you for the things we eat. Thank you for the birds that sing. Thank you, God, for everything. -Jophiel This is a favorite simple childs prayer."Father bless the food we take and bless us all for Jesus sake, Amen." -blessings2u My youngest son always picks this prayer when it is his turn to say the blessing. Dear God, Please bless these sinners as they eat their dinners, in Jesus name we pray, Amen. -karengardner As children, we invented our own before meal prayer! It went like this: "We thank G-d for all the food placed before us & pray that there will be Peace on earth. Amen." Having had numerous pets, some whom ran away, we often added "And may so & so please come home soon." -palomabunny A favorite of mine was one my son came up with when he had to say grace because he had started eating without saying grace first: Forgive me Lord, I'm a little late. Bless the food that I just ate! -jchaven Short But Sweet Bless this bunch. Bless this lunch. -jmcain "Rub-a-dub-dub, thanks for the grub. Yeah, God!" -revrick For health and food and love of friends, For everything the good Lord sends. Father, we thank thee. -mmqueen I think my personal favorite is: God's neat, lets eat! -Aril I learned this one in college...a feisty old nun taught it to a whole bunch of college kids... "Good food, Good meat, Good God, Let's eat." During the Fridays in Lent the prayer was changed..."Good food, No meat, Good God, Let's eat." -sergeintexas Being the clown of the family, I had a favorite of my own: Dear God, Holy Ghost, whoever eats the fastest, gets the most! My parents didn't appreciate it, of course. -earlybirdgetstheworm Not by Bread Alone Back in Girl Scout days we sang the "Johnny Appleseed blessing" taken from the American folktale: Oh, the Lord is good to me, And so I thank the Lord, For giving me the things I need, The sun, and the rain, and the apple seed. The Lord is good to me. -cokielynn My family often has silent grace when each of us talks to the One who is truly listening. After a few moments, my husband says, "Amen." If someone isn't finished praying, we wait respectfully until he/she is, then carry on with the meal. -Mel55 From forest and stream, from mountain and fields, from the fertile Earth's nourishing yields, I now partake of the Divine Energy; may it lend me health strength and love. -SilverSkye Sung: For the golden corn and the apple on the tree, For the golden butter and the honey from the bees, For the fruits and nuts and berries we gather on our way, We praise the loving Mother (Earth) and thank Her everyday. -loumom Today may we appreciate this food and remember those who are hungry. May we appreciate our family and friends and remember those who are alone. May we appreciate our health and remember those who are sick. May we appreciate the freedoms we have and remember those who suffer injustice and tyranny. Peace on earth. Amen -LisetteFC My favourite table blessing comes from camping days in Guiding. It is meant to be sung: Back of the bread is the flour, And back of the flour is the mill, And back of the mill is the wind and the rain, And the Father's will. -bubaloo Earth that gives us all this food, Sun that makes it ripe and good. Dearest Earth and dearest Sun. We won't forget what you have done. on this food. Amen. -runninonfaith As an adult & a vegetarian (for the last 23 years) I use: "We thank G-d for all the food placed before us for which no living creature has been sacrificed & may there be Peace on earth Amen." -palomabunny 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. Staff of the Bennington County Multicultural Community Center [ECDC] in December 2024 meet with community members to welcome them to the Center on their first anniversary to show them what the center has to offer. BENNINGTON A Shaftsbury man who eluded police for several days before being arrested on six felony counts was denied bail at a weight of evidence hearing Monday in Bennington. Todd A. Thompson, 49, of Shaftsbury, was on the lam for several days before turning himself into the Vermont State Police Shaftsbury Barracks on Jan. 13. He was brought to Bennington County Criminal Court, where he was arraigned on multiple charges, including repeated sexual assault, stalking, and aggravated domestic assault with a weapon, the same day. Thompson was initially held without bail after his arraignment and transported to Marble Valley Correctional Facility while he awaited his weight of evidence hearing. At Mondays hearing, Judge Jennifer Barrett ruled that the level of violence, risk of flight, and safety risk to the community outweighed any positive factors in Thompsons favor for release, ordering him back to Marble Valley without bail as he awaits trial. According to a police affidavit, Vermont State Police spoke with the victim two days after the latest incident of alleged domestic abuse. The victim told police of multiple incidents of sexual and violent abuse dating back over 11 years to when they first dated. Among those allegations were instances of alleged choking, threatening, firearms pointed toward her head, verbal abuse, black eyes, physical injuries, and numerous incidents of sexual assault over several years. Thompson is facing a possible life sentence on the aggravated, repeated sexual assault charge. He faces a possible 55 years behind bars if convicted on the other five counts. Thompson has a criminal conviction history in Vermont dating back to 2015. He pleaded guilty to domestic assault with the same victim after being charged with first-degree aggravated domestic assault. The victim married Thompson soon after his conviction. The Banner will update this story as more information becomes available. On the back side of the stone theres an inscription for Wesley Ford, a 16-year-old who died at the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864. But theres no veterans marker, and Im wondering why," an inquirer wrote. LENOX After 20 years directing the towns police force, Police Chief Stephen OBrien plans to retire on Dec. 5 exactly 31 years after his first day a full-time officer. In a letter to Town Manager Jay Green, he acknowledged mixed emotions, noting that he joined the Police Explorer program as a high school student in 1984 and worked in 1988 as a traffic officer during the Tanglewood season before becoming a part-time reserve officer in 1991. Progress and changes are constantly in a state of flux, OBrien wrote in his letter. The Lenox Police Department deserves a change, and so do I. Having turned 55 and with 32 years on the job as of Dec. 5, including credit for a year of part-time work, he will be eligible for a pension covering 80 percent of his salary, currently $117,635, as well as post-retirement health benefits. OBrien credited the Explorers program, established by then-Chief David Berkel, for his decision to pursue a police career. He earned a degree in criminal justice with honors from Norwich University in Northfield, Vt., and a masters in the same field from Anna Maria College in Paxton. He was promoted to police chief by Gregory Federspiel, the town manager, on Jan. 7, 2005. Coincidentally, his brother Chris is retiring as fire chief on June 30, a decision he announced last July after 38 years as a Lenox firefighter, including six years as chief. These are critical positions in and of themselves, Green said in an interview, but also weve had two great guys steering these key departments. The search for a successor to the fire chief had been underway before Green started as town manager on Jan. 6. He said several internal candidates have applied for the job, which pays at least $100,000 a year. A state exam, administered locally, is scheduled for this week. OBrien said he was giving 11 months' notice to allow the town to seek a qualified successor. The early heads-up allows sufficient time for you to be acclimated with your new role and the staff, he told Green in his letter. I assure you that I will be committed to making this a completely smooth transition. OBrien will be leaving only several months after the expected relocation of the police department from outmoded quarters in the Town Hall basement to the new public safety complex being constructed at Route 7 and Housatonic Street. Its on schedule to open in September. A Lenox native and resident, OBrien plans to look for post-retirement employment, and intends to remain in the area. He admitted that hell miss the job and his officers: This is all Ive done. And, he emphasized, Ive been very fortunate to be surrounded by good citizenry. We have a good thing going on here. Were lucky to have had the support of the townspeople, the select board and the town manager for my entire career. During his tenure, he told The Eagle, not only has our job changed but people have changed dramatically. The job of policing has morphed into something very different than it was back when I came on. You have to change with that. OBrien also pointed out an increased burden of administrative demands that weighs especially heavily on small-town chiefs. He acknowledged that responding to calls in the field holds the greatest appeal for him. Theres more crime requiring police response, he suggested, but weve made it through and we deal with what is given to us. Among OBriens greatest accomplishments, he said, is the recent expansion of the department from nine to 12 officers, enabling daytime and evening shifts to be staffed by three officers each. Also, his long-standing goal of a new public safety complex is in sight, unfortunately coming at the end of my career but coming to fruition as we speak. That is a big deal, moving into a brand new, state of the art, accreditation-worthy police department. That is what the patrol officers and my successor deserve. While the existing headquarters have prevented the department from gaining accreditation, OBrien said he hopes his successors pursues it. Its a very good feeling to be able to say your police department is accredited, he said. Another challenge has been recruitment. Events countrywide that gained a lot of publicity made people look at this job and wonder if it was something they really wanted to get into, OBrien said. But thats changed, I think things are improving, but theres not an abundance of people to pick from, as there used to be. Green, the new town manager, said he would consult with the Select Board on the type of recruitment procedure for the position, which pays a competitive salary at least $120,000 a year. He anticipates national advertising and a potential community forum so people can get a sense of who we might be bringing in, since its entirely possible its going to be a chief from outside the town. Stay up to date on Berkshires news with Berkshires in Brief, our free daily newsletter NORTH ADAMS Can Mayor Jennifer Macksey appoint a member to the Airport Commission without City Council approval? According to the city solicitor, in a word, "yes." Macksey has been trying to fill vacancies on the embattled airport commission after multiple resignations late last year that came in the wake of awarding Michael Milazzo a lease to a rebuilt hangar. The commission later walked back its decision after a letter from Macksey urging them to rescind on procedural grounds. At the same time, Michael Milazzos attorney says he is preparing litigation and other action against Macksey and the city, alleging she forced airport commissioners to resign. Both issues stem from a yearslong debacle that began in 2020 when Milazzo and friend Brian Doyle allegedly, according to a police report, destroyed a hangar at Harriman-and-West Airport that they were co-occupying with Derek Rougeau and Jackie Rougeau. The vandalism to the hangar, carried out with an excavator, caused more than $750,000 worth of repairs in federal, state and city money. Both issues continue to cloud city government after cropping up at a city council meeting two weeks ago. Further, Milazzo's lawyer is alleging that the mayor's newest appointment to the commission is in "violation of state law," even though the city solicitor gave it the green light. While Milazzo has long declined to comment to The Eagle on the situation, his lawyer Ryan Smith said Monday that he vehemently denies that he did any damage to that building with the excavator. Smith says he has evidence that shows another party vandalized the hangar, and claims that a key was left in the ignition of the excavator, which belonged to Milazzo. APPOINTMENT There was some consternation about Mackseys choice of Doug Herrick for the Airport Commission at the City Council meeting earlier this month because of a typo in the language saying he was being reappointed rather than appointed, and due to Herricks connection to the airport as a member of the Mohawk Soaring Club. Macksey wound up withdrawing her nomination papers for Herrick after pushback, saying she could nominate without council approval but agreeing to put it to the city solicitor before doing so. Joel Bard of KP Law wrote to Macksey saying the City Charters authorization for appointing without confirmation supersedes Massachusetts General Law that requires confirmation from a municipal board. the City Charter provides that the Airport Commission like all City boards be appointed by the Mayor without confirmation by the City Council, Bard writes. As such, it is my further opinion that you may appoint the members of the Airport Commission without receiving City Council confirmation, Bard added. Herrick has officially joined the board since the solicitors opinion. Smith disagreed with the solicitor, saying that airport commissions are designed to be independent and autonomous under state law. "The problem, here, is that the mayor has altered the composition of the Airport Commission in violation of state law," Smith argues. "She now seeks to fill those vacancies with her own hand-selected candidates that will vote the way she wants." Of the commissioners who have resigned, two out of the three were in favor of Milazzo taking over the hangar. Milazzo and Smith both also spoke at the recent council meeting and accused Macksey of offering resigning commissioners an ultimatum: vote to rescind the decision to award the lease to Milazzo, or resign. Milazzo and Smith hired a private investigator to look into the matter. Macksey continues to deny such accusations. It wasnt in that context, Macksey said. It was, Look, if you cant handle the pressure of dealing with Milazzo and these other people, and its affecting your health and your sanity, I get it, but I need you to do this. And if you cant, and all of that is too much pressure, then I expect your resignation. Because I need people who make decisions. Macksey suggested that Milazzo has been fighting the city because the final decision for the hangar lease went against him. Theres nothing more to say, Macksey said. Your attorney talked to my attorney, and guess what, youre not renting the hangar. MBABANE As the 2025 school calendar begins today, schools are reportedly only 33.3 per cent ready for the term, according to the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT). The teachers union conducted an inspection of the various workstations assigned to their members and concluded that, despite government having had a full year to prepare for the school openings this year, things were not in order. SNAT and its affiliate, the Swaziland Association of Schools Administrators (SASA), found that most schools are nowhere near ready to kick-start teaching. They determined that a variety of crucial interventions for the operation of schools were lagging, while some had not yet been delivered. These interventions include the payment of free primary education (FPE) grants, orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) grants, as well as the delivery of essential furniture (desks and chairs) and other teaching aids. Temporary By the end of business yesterday, SNAT indicated that 60 per cent of temporary teachers had received their posting letters, 90 per cent had received stationery (exercise books, pens and rulers), around 40 per cent had received textbooks, but none had received the FPE or OVC grants. Since last week, the SNAT National Executive Committee (NEC) has been visiting schools, particularly those in remote areas, to assess their readiness for the new academic year and to identify the challenges they face. These challenges include poor roads, deteriorating infrastructure, the unavailability of teaching aids and insufficient funds for running schools and compensating teachers. SNAT Secretary General (SG) Lot Vilakati highlighted that for years, whenever the association raised concerns about these challenges, the Ministry of Education and Training requested evidence. The ministry has been telling parents and the nation at large that schools are ready to kick-start the 2025 school calendar; however, the situation on the ground says otherwise. It is for that reason we embarked on this exercise to bring evidence for the entire nation to see, he said. The SG noted that they initially earmarked 10 schools that were affected by recent storms, including those impacted during the storms of August 2023, just before the general elections. He expressed concern that even schools affected in 2023 had not been attended to. Ndlalane Primary School was affected by a storm in 2023 on the eve of the primary elections, but it has not been addressed, he said. Vilakati remarked that the union has been persistently urging the ministry about Ndlalane, but their pleas fell through. He said three head teachers had come and gone at Ndlalane Community Primary School within a year because FPE grants had not resolved the schools issues. During their visits, they also assessed Mtfonjeni Primary School, which has a total of seven classrooms, three of which had their roofing blown off, leaving only four available for learning. Additionally, he shared that there was a problem concerning pupils who failed Grade VII in 2024 and had to repeat. There are already more pupils from Grade VI than the repeaters. He further said among many others, schools could not adequately function due to the lack of desks and chairs for both learners and teachers. Vilakati explained that the available furniture was worn out. Furthermore, he expressed frustration that in the 10 schools they visited, the ministry had promised to supply mobile classrooms, but that promise remains unfulfilled to this day. He observed that rural schools are lagging behind compared to urban schools, particularly concerning infrastructure. The SG said the roads leading to some of the schools visited were in an extremely poor condition, making it difficult for government trucks to reach the schools and deliver books, exercise books, food and other essential learning aids. As of yesterday, he reported that schools had yet to receive FPE grants, despite the ministry committing to timely deliveries. Vilakati insisted that the delay in paying FPE significantly impacted primary schools since they were not allowed to charge top-up fees. He added that high schools were in a slightly better position, as they were able to begin operations using fees paid by parents and top-up fees while awaiting the OVC grants. These concerns formed part of the six demands made by SNAT ahead of the school opening to the government. Overall, Vilakati said government has not met even 50 per cent of the demands put forth by the teachers union, leading them to believe that most rural schools, particularly primary schools, were unprepared for the new term. On the other hand, SASA Secretary Gcina Thusi said if the FPE grant was not received, it would pose a challenge. He said most primary schools lack alternative sources of income and depend solely on government grants. If the prerequisites are not in place, our readiness is compromised, he said. Meanwhile, Eswatini Principal Association (EPA) Secretary General Mduduzi Masilela expressed uncertainty regarding the overall readiness of schools to open. Mount McKinley, the tallest peak in North America, is seen in the rearview mirror of a car in Alaska. The mountain was first named Denali by the Koyukon Athabaskans, whose ancestral home was located on its slopes. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. InvAscent invests Rs 110 Cr in Geri Care Health Services January 27, 2025 | Monday | News The startup intends to utilise the funds to expand its services across key cities in Southern India Geri Care Health Services, Indias first integrated senior citizen-focused healthcare services provider, based in Chennai, has announced that healthcare and life sciences focused private equity investor InvAscent, through its India Life Sciences Fund IV (ILSF IV), has infused Rs 110 crore for a minority stake in the company in its first institutional fundraise. Founded in 2018 by renowned geriatrician, Dr Lakshmipathy Ramesh, Geri Care offers a comprehensive 360-degree continuum care model for senior citizens, with a network of multi-speciality hospitals, assisted living centres, home care, and clinics, exclusively for senior citizens. As pioneers of integrated geriatric care and leaders in the space with over 50 years of combined geriatric practice expertise, Geri Care is a trusted name in eldercare, serving tens of thousands of elders in South India, particularly in Chennai. The startup intends to utilise the funds to expand its services across key cities in Southern India, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Coimbatore. The company is gearing up to launch its newest assisted living facilities this quarter in Ulsoor in Bengaluru, and Velachery in Chennai. The company is also building first of its kind speciality centres of excellence in Geriatric Oncology, Geriatric Urology, Geriatric Cardiology and Ortho-Geriatrics through its chain of multi-speciality hospitals exclusively for elders. Veda Corporate Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to Geri Care for this transaction. Lupin and Avas launch NaMuscla in Italy January 28, 2025 | Tuesday | News Enables expanded access to the only EU-approved treatment for myotonia symptoms in adults with non-dystrophic myotonic disorders Global pharma major Lupin, based in Mumbai, and Avas Pharmaceuticals SRL have announced the launch of Lupins orphan drug NaMuscla (mexiletine) in Italy. Avas will commercialise NaMuscla for the symptomatic treatment of myotonia in adults with non-dystrophic myotonic (NDM) disorders. NaMuscla is the first and only licensed product for this indication. NDM disorders are a group of rare, inherited neuromuscular disorders which is characterised by the inability to relax muscles following voluntary contraction. NaMuscla reduces myotonia symptoms in people with NDM, resulting in a significant improvement in quality of life and other functional and clinical outcomes for patients. NaMuscla, which has been designated orphan drug status, received EU marketing authorisation in December 2018. Under the terms of the agreement, Avas will initially commercialise NaMuscla as a Class C (Tier 2), while Lupin negotiates with AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco) for the reimbursement of the product in Italy. This will ensure consistent access to NaMuscla for patients in Italy, leveraging the established supply network that already serves patients across Germany, France, Spain, Austria, Norway, Sweden, and the UK. JOHN DAY As word spread that students and teachers throughout Oregon were the victims of a widespread data breach, schools in Grant County breathed a sigh of relief. PowerSchool, a cloud-based student and faculty information management service that serves K-12 schools throughout North America, was the victim of a cyberattack late last year that granted unauthorized access to the personal information of millions of students and faculty. According to PowerSchool, personal information that may have been compromised includes names, contact information, birthdates, limited medical alert information, Social Security numbers and other sensitive data. Grant County Education Service District Superintendent Robert Waltenburg said schools in Grant County use a different service, called Synergy, for their information management and were not subject to the PowerSchool data breach. Wallowa County Education Service District Superintendent Landon Braden said its been 20 years since any of the schools in the district have used PowerSchools services. None of our schools have been touched by that data breach, he said. PowerSchool is offering two years of complimentary identity protection services for students and faculty whose information was compromised, as well as two years of complimentary credit monitoring provided by TransUnion for faculty and students who have reached the age of majority, or legal adulthood. 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Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy and Ronan Keating at the world premiere of Boyzone: No Matter What. Photo: Ian West/PA And I think the great loss of that young man from One Direction is an eye-opener to everybody in the music business. Its all well and good to make money from young guys in a band. Its all well and good to promote their brand and their music. Somebody needs to take care of their mental state. Somebody needs to take care and make sure that theyre OK. They need to be kind. Advertisement One Direction star Payne died from polytrauma aged 31 on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. Five people have been charged with manslaughter over his death. Also at the premiere on Monday was Duffys bandmate Ronan Keating, who said filming the three-part Sky series was like therapy. It took hours and hours and hours to film this, he said. Advertisement And it took hours for us to actually get into that head space. So the first hour might be quite light, but after two, three, four, five, six hours of talking about it, its incredible, its like therapy. You go darker and deeper into your life and into your experiences. Ronan Keating at the premiere. Photo: Ian West/PA Reflecting on his relationship with former X Factor judge Louis Walsh, who was the bands manager, Keating added: Im very grateful for all Louis did for us. Advertisement We wouldnt be here today if it wasnt for him, but some of the things he did were wrong. The choices he made werent right, and hes apologised somewhat, but you know. It is what it is. Its grand. Its OK. You know, Im still here. Its sad in ways, I wish we had a better relationship. In an appearance on Celebrity Big Brother last year, Walsh told Sharon Osbourne: He [Keating] hasnt had a hit record since I left. He sacked me. Advertisement Shane Lynch and his family. Photo: Ian West/PA Shane Lynch spoke about the documentary and said: Theres a dark side to it [being in a band] too, and we talk about some of it, but theres also a lot of joyous times in there. It was a mega time to be part of an industry called the music industry, being a pop star, what a beautiful honour to have a position like that in life. So its not all doom and gloom. Theres a lot of darkness in there but theres a lot of joy in there, a lot of sadness in there. Ireland Ronan Keating tearful in Boyzone documentary as he... Read More Duffy, Keating, Lynch, Michael Mikey Graham and Stephen Gately rose to fame in the Irish boyband in the 1990s, selling millions of albums and releasing hit singles including Words, A Different Beat and No Matter What. Gately died in 2009 at the age of 33 shortly after the band staged a comeback. Boyzone: No Matter What is available on Sky and streaming service Now from February 2nd. Newly inaugurated US president Donald Trump is pushing to "take back" the Panama Canal, the world's second busiest interoceanic waterway, spurring concerns that the United States could invade the Central American nation. Mr Trump argues that Panama has broken a pledge of neutrality made when the United States transferred the canal to Panama in 1999, falsely claiming that China is operating it. Advertisement The canal is operated by the Panama Canal Authority, an autonomous agency overseen by the Panamanian government. Why is the Canal key for the US? The Panama Canal, an 82km artificial waterway that connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, saves ships thousands of miles and weeks of travel. Before it was built, ships had to make the long journey around the stormy tip of South America in order to travel by sea between the two oceans. Over two-thirds of all cargo passing through the canal today originates from or is destined for the United States. The US completed construction of the canal in the early 20th century, a project begun by France that cost over 25,000 workers' lives. Advertisement Following pressure from anti-colonial movements, the US signed treaties in 1977 granting Panama control and full sovereignty over the canal zone and guaranteeing its permanent neutrality. These took effect in 1999. Between 2023 and 2024, a severe drought aggravated by climate change lowered the level of lakes feeding the canal, forcing its administrator to restrict transits and vessel draft, which increased costs and waiting times. The passage restrictions were lifted late last year, but the waterway has not yet seen a full return of normal traffic as many shippers, especially bulk carriers and liquefied natural gas tankers, have continued taking alternative routes. What is China's involvement? In his inaugural address last week, Mr Trump repeated accusations he made following his election victory that Panama has ceded control of the canal to China. He has also said Chinese troops are stationed at the canal, without providing evidence. Both Panama's government and the Chinese government have rejected those assertions. Advertisement CK Hutchison Holdings, a Hong Kong-based company, has for more than two decades operated the ports of Balboa and Cristobal at the canal's Pacific and Atlantic entrances. The company is publicly listed and not financially tied to the Chinese government, though Hong Kong firms are subject to government oversight. Private US firm SSA Marine operates the MIT port on the Atlantic coast, Taiwan's Evergreen Group operates another Atlantic port known as CCT, and Singapore's PSA International operates the Rodman port on the Pacific coast, according to company and government websites. China's economic influence has been growing in Latin America, fueling worries in Washington that the resource-rich region will tilt to Chinese interests rather than those of the United States. Panamanian president Jose Raul Mulino has asserted that the canal is and will continue to be Panamanian. Advertisement Panama's authorities recently announced an audit on CK Hutchison's operated ports, saying they are investigating the firm's compliance with concession agreements and whether it is adequately reporting its revenues and state payments. CK Hutchison's local arm did not respond to a Reuters request for comment, but said in a statement it has paid the state hundreds of millions of dollars during its concession and that its labor force is 99.9 per cent Panamanian. Dispute over tolls Mr Trump has repeatedly complained that the fees charged to ships to use the canal are too high, and has accused Panama of levying unfair tariffs on US goods. "American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way and that includes the United States Navy," Mr Trump said in the address. Advertisement Between the fiscal years ended in 2020 and 2023, the canal's toll revenue increased almost 26 per cent to $3.35 billion, according to its annual reports. In the fiscal year ended last September, the canal offset less vessel traffic with a water surcharge, which it combined with slot auctions that rose to as much as $4 million per vessel. The canal's fees are not differentiated by a ship's flag, country of origin, or of destination. The United States does not have a relevant commercial fleet under its flag, and US military ships enjoy priority of passage. Mr Mulino said the tariffs are carefully and transparently evaluated according to demand. World Trump signs order that likely sets in motion a ban... Read More According to shipping experts and cargo movers, tolling fee increases have been applied in recent years by other key waterways amid demand spikes and geopolitical conflicts. What's next? Mr Trump's threat is already impacting Panama's debt rating. US investment bank JPMorgan downgraded its recommendation on the country's bonds over threats to the canal, a key source of national income. US saecretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Panama between late January and early February, his first foreign visit in the post. Immigration will be a focus of the trip. Mr Mulino, who took office last year, has taken a harder line on migration than his predecessor, agreeing to US-funded deportation flights from Panama and installing barbed wire at the Darien Gap, a dangerous jungle route many migrants take crossing on foot out of South America on their way to the US border. The trial of three men accused of the rape and sexual assault of a woman they met at the nightclub is entering its closing stages. The three men, aged between 34 and 42, with addresses in Dublin and Wicklow, have pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault of the woman at an unknown location in a car and in a Dublin house on August 31st, 2019. Advertisement The men, who cant be named for legal reasons, deny any wrongdoing. Closing the case on behalf of the prosecution on Tuesday, senior counsel Karl Finnegan told the jury the central issue in this case is consent. Mr Finnegan said the woman's evidence was dignified and credible and she was clear that she didn't give consent. He suggested she didn't try to fill in gaps in her memory, but rather she learnt the extent to which these men used her while in the witness box. Advertisement He said the woman didn't wake up with a sense of regret for a drunken mistake, but with a sense that something terrible had happened. Mr Finnegan noted the complainant's actions are scrutinised in trials of this kind, but asked the jury to watch how the three men act in CCTV, suggesting they look like the soberest people in that nightclub in the CCTV while the woman appears highly intoxicated. Mr Finnegan suggested to the jury that Whatsapp messages between the first and third men display their attitude towards the woman, that it was just a laugh. He said there is no mention of the woman consenting to being videoed in the course of sexual activity with three men she'd only met shortly beforehand. Advertisement Mr Finnegan noted that the men arranged to meet before their garda interviews on September 10, 2020. He said this isn't unusual, but suggested they gave starkly similar accounts about that night, which began to fall apart when confronted by evidence. He submitted that the men didn't know what the woman remembered so they had to go the whole hog on the issue of consent. They paint [her] as the driving force, the one in control. He suggested to the jury that consent is a concoction, and that the men took advantage of the woman. Advertisement In his closing speech, Padraig Dwyer SC, representing the first man, suggested his client's account makes more sense than the woman's and is more in keeping with other evidence in the case. Mr Dwyer continued that his client's account of performing oral sex on the woman and she performing oral sex on him led to those charges as the woman has no memory. He said his client gave a frank and full account to gardai because he is an innocent man. Mr Dwyer asked the jury to assess the woman's evidence against other material in the case, suggesting she was capable of giving consent and didn't appear highly intoxicated. Advertisement He told the jury he is not suggesting that [the complainant] is some sort of malicious character but that her evidence comes apart due to a set of circumstances. Mr Dwyer submitted that the woman's memory is seriously unreliable and inaccurate. We're not saying she is a calculating liar, but her word is not reliable, he said. He noted that the woman believes her drink was spiked, but toxicology tests only found the presence of cocaine in her system. Referring to CCTV from inside the nightclub, Mr Dwyer suggested the woman was dancing energetically with the men and this dancing was highly sexually suggestive, but acknowledged this did not mean there was licence to do anything. Mr Dwyer noted that the SUV initially stopped at the home of the third man, then the four individuals went to the first man's home. He asked the jury what person in their right mind thinking they were going to abuse a person would bring them to house occupied by family or tenants? It's ridiculous. Mr Dwyer suggested the woman gave a particular account to her friend and in her initial complaint to garda, but details changed or were forgotten when she later made a formal statement. Counsel said he didn't agree that it was appropriate that the men weren't interviewed until September 2020 - over a year after the alleged incident and it was a poor excuse for gardai to say they were still gathering evidence. Referring to Whatsapp messages between his client and the third man, he suggested these messages can be interpreted in many ways. He suggested two video clips show a woman who is sexually aroused. Mr Dwyer put to the jury that the woman may have felt a mixture of emotions including guilt after sexual contact with the men and unfortunately the ball started rolling when she got to garda station and here we are now. He said regretting a sexual practice does not mean it was non-consensual or rape. He suggested it is not unusual for the accused people to discuss a case, but added that their accounts to gardai were different. Mr Dwyer said his client might not be a person you approve of in terms of sexual practices, but that doesnt mean hes a rapist. Garret Baker SC, for the second accused, suggested the quality of the evidence in the case is not sufficient to ground a criminal conviction. He told the jury an acquittal is not a condemnation or moral proclamation against the woman but a simple recognition that the evidence does not go far enough. At centre of this case is a woman who has serious memory deficiencies regarding the night in question, Mr Baker said, noting that the only evidence his client had sex with the woman is from his statement. In light of the woman's memory gaps, he asked jurors if they can be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that she was not consenting and suggested that a fair analysis of the evidence is that more is needed. Referring to CCTV, he suggested the woman's dancing is energised and shows control and co-ordination. Mr Baker asked the jury to consider how this might affect perceptions of a person's ability to give consent. Mr Baker submitted that this is not an abduction from nightclub, not a kidnapping in motion. He said video clips recorded during the night breach the woman's privacy, but told jurors do not use that to convict these men of rape. In garda interviews, the men suggested a 30-second clip records the woman refusing the first man's request for anal sex. Mr Baker suggested another way to look at this clip is as these alleged rapists are complying with a desire not to have anal sex and some noises may be consistent with consensual sexual activity, In relation to a six-second clip recorded in the bedroom, Mr Baker said this was the most important evidence in the case, akin to a fly on the wall. Mr Baker submitted that if this clip is of consensual sexual activity, then it casts fundamental doubt on events in the bedroom and earlier in the car. He said his client co-operated with gardai and provided a full account of the night. Seamus Clarke SC, for the third man, told the jury in his closing speech that his client was a bystander in the car to sexual events that other people are engaged in. His client says he only kissed the woman in the car, and denies performing oral sex on her. He submitted to the jury that the prosecution are relying on the fact that his client's DNA was found on a saliva sample from inside the woman's underwear. Mr Clarke asked the jury to consider if there might be another reasonable explanation of how his client's DNA got onto the woman's underwear, including a wet transfer from a finger. He suggested secondary transfer may also explain how his client's DNA was found on the inside of the woman's bra. Mr Clarke said his client is still very much a bystander at the house, where he says the woman briefly performed oral sex on him. He noted the woman doesn't recall his client doing anything to her. His client's position is that it was consensual and he didnt understand it was not consensual and shes the moving party, it was consensual to him. In relation to CCTV, he suggested the woman was on her phone during the walk to the second man's SUV as she was looking for a party and his client was doing the same. He submitted the party was to continue and thats why she went on a journey with the men. Mr Clarke noted the woman has memory gaps, but told the jury that just because someone had a memory blank doesnt mean they are incapable of consenting. In relation to the woman's evidence that her drink may have been spiked, Mr Clarke suggested it is understandable to create a narrative when there is a memory gap, but this may be wrong. He noted gardai checked the CCTV and saw no evidence that the woman's drink was spiked. He noted his client described the woman to gardai as tipsy, but said it is not accepted that she was so intoxicated that she was incapable of giving consent. He suggested his client may not have been aware that the woman was highly intoxicated, and may have had an honest, but mistaken belief that she was consenting. Mr Clarke told the jury while the three men are being tried together for convenience, they should only consider the contents of his client's garda interviews when assessing the charges he faces. He suggested his client laughs in the 30-second video at someone being knocked back rather than at someone being raped by another person. He noted young men can be crude in their exchanges, referring to Whatsapp messages between his client and the first man. He said aspects of this case, including the video clips recorded by his client, are distasteful and crude. The fact that he took out his phone twice while others were engaging in sexual acts does him no favours, but Mr Clarke said this doesn't mean his client committed the alleged offences. Ireland Witness tells jury Dylan McCarthy was kicked in th... Read More The first man, aged 39 with an address in Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to one count of raping the woman in his home address and not guilty to one count of oral rape and one count of sexually assaulting her in a car. The second man, aged 42, with an address in Wicklow, has pleaded not guilty to one count of raping the woman in the car and one count of raping her in the house. The third man, aged 34 with an address in Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to orally raping the woman in the house and sexually assaulting her in the car. The trial continues. Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has said any compensation he receives as a former Troubles internee will be donated to good causes. Mr Adams has said he will continue to pursue a case against the UK government even though he has no personal interest in compensation for myself. Advertisement The think tank Policy Exchange recently warned that removing a block on former Troubles internees seeking compensation would deliver a taxpayer-funded pay day for ex-detainees. Sir Keir Starmer has said he is looking at every conceivable way to stop former Troubles internees such as Mr Adams from seeking compensation. Photo: Benjamin Cremel/PA. The think tank published a report criticising the UK's governments proposed repeal of legislation that had put a stop to such civil claims. The relevant sections of the Legacy Act had been agreed by Parliament in 2023 in response to a Supreme Court judgment in 2020 that paved the way for Mr Adams to secure compensation over his internment without trial in the early 1970s. Mr Adams won his appeal to overturn historical convictions for two attempted prison breaks, after he was interned without trial in 1973 at Long Kesh internment camp, also known as Maze Prison, near Lisburn. Advertisement The Supreme Court ruled that his detention was unlawful because the interim custody order (ICO) used to initially detain him had not been considered personally by then secretary of state for Northern Ireland Willie Whitelaw. At the time of the case, the previous government contended that the ICOs were lawful because of a long-standing convention, known as the Carltona principle, where officials and junior ministers routinely act in the name of the secretary of state. Mr Adams subsequently successfully challenged a decision to deny an application for compensation for his detention. However, the Legacy Act stopped such payouts to Mr Adams and other former internees. Advertisement The Act retrospectively validated the ICOs to make them lawful and halted civil claims related to the orders. However, in February last year, the High Court in Belfast ruled that the provisions of the Act related to the ICOs were incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. The current Government has not appealed that judgment and has tabled a remedial order in Parliament that will repeal various parts of the Legacy Act, including the sections on ICOs. However, Sir Keir Starmer has since said he is looking at every conceivable way to stop former Troubles internees such as Mr Adams from seeking compensation. Advertisement In an article written for Tribune magazine, Mr Adams said it was now obvious the Labour Government would not get rid of the Legacy Act. He said: The Act states that no one can take a civil action or continue with one already in place if the person bringing the action claims that their imprisonment occurred because an interim custody order was unlawfully signed. Most of the major parties on the island, along with the Irish government, victims groups and human rights organisations, have opposed the law. Many correctly saw it as an effort by the British government to protect its forces and agents and politicians. Advertisement While in opposition, the British Labour Party committed to getting rid of the Legacy Act. It is obvious now they will not do this. Ireland Woman jailed for string of 'wilfully violent' Dubl... Read More Mr Adams said Sir Keirs stated intention to attempt to stop him gaining compensation will come as no surprise to those in Ireland and in countless other states around the world who have experienced British colonial law. He added: So I will continue to pursue this case. I have no personal interest in compensation for myself. If any comes to me at the end of this process, I will donate it to good causes. The Government will not be found wanting in regard to co-operating with the Omagh bomb inquiry, Tanaiste Simon Harris has insisted. Mr Harris, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs, said he wanted to provide a categoric assurance that the Government would find a legal mechanism to ensure all requested material is supplied to the UK-led inquiry into the 1998 attack. Advertisement There is a significant cross-Border element to the investigation into the Omagh bomb, as the attackers travelled across the Border with the bomb ahead of the devastating blast in Co Tyrone. A judge who called on the British government to set up an inquiry also urged the Irish Government to establish its own probe. Ministers in Dublin decided against holding their own separate inquiry but have pledged to co-operate with the UK one. Ahead of the first substantive hearings beginning in Omagh on Tuesday, some relatives of the bereaved had questioned whether the Irish authorities would hand over all requested information. Advertisement Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed, was particularly vocal on the issue. Mr Harris, who was on visit to Stormont in Belfast on Tuesday, moved to offer reassurance to the families. Everybody in Ireland remembers the horror of that sunny August afternoon in Omagh, and today will be another stark reminder of the pain and suffering caused to so many families as the commemorative hearings begin, he said. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was one of the victims of the Omagh bombing, speaks to the media as he arrives at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh (Liam McBurney/PA) Testimony over the coming weeks will be difficult, especially for those who lost loved ones, and for those who responded first as the news broke, but it is important to remind ourselves of the full horror of that brutal attack, to remind ourselves of the purpose of this inquiry. Advertisement When I was taoiseach, the government took a clear decision to assist the Omagh Inquiry. That commitment was made clear, publicly, at the preliminary hearing last August. The programme for government repeats that commitment in no uncertain terms, stating plainly that we will play our full part in legacy processes including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry. The cross-border nature of the assistance, to an inquiry established under UK law, means that it takes some work to get the details of the mechanisms of co-operation right, but we are actively engaging in this work and we will not be found wanting. Mr Harris was challenged on the issue as he fielded questions from reporters at Parliament Buildings. Advertisement I want to be categoric here that the Irish Government will ensure full co-operation with the inquiry, he said. Police officers and firefighters inspecting the damage caused by the bomb explosion in Market Street, Omagh in 1998 (Paul McErlane/PA) Our absolute, overstated, clear aim here is to make sure that all questions are answered through this inquiry, and can I say I think today is a very, very difficult and painful day for the families, for the families of victims, for the families of the many that were injured. It is a stark reminder of the horror and the evil that was experienced on that day in 1998, and I think of all of the victims today. I think of all of the families as well. And I heard Michael Gallaghers comments earlier. Michael Gallagher, a good man who has worked so hard for truth and for justice, and I want to absolutely assure him, and I want to assure all of the families that the Irish Government will co-operate. Advertisement He added: It is about finding the mechanism, because, obviously, Ireland is a sovereign country, the mechanism for engagement, but that will be found. There will be a way forward, and we will all work to make sure that victims, their families, the people of Northern Ireland, the people of this island, get answers and get truth. A man who attempted to extort two innocent people by threatening to slit childrens throats, burn down one of their family homes and kill them has been jailed for five years. Dylan Mangan (26), of Patrick Heaney Crescent, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to charges of making unwarranted demands with menace in March 2020. Advertisement His co-accused Des Smyth (25), with an address at The Island, Chaplizod, pleaded guilty to the same offence. Last month, Judge Orla Crowe imposed a sentence of four years and suspended the final 18 months for three years to encourage Smyth in his drug rehabilitation. She said at that hearing that Smyth was a henchman in an attempt to extort two innocent people. On Tuesday Judge Martin Nolan jailed Mangan for five years. He described it as an insidious offence and said threats were made to two people which included threats to kill them, slit throats of their children and burn down houses. Advertisement He acknowledged that Mangan pleaded guilty and has demonstrated remorse but said the threats were both menacing and frightening. At the sentence hearing earlier this month, Detective Garda Sarah Barry told Diana Stuart BL, prosecuting, that the charges related to two separate victims a man whose half-brother was a drug dealer and owed a debt and this mans boss. Both victims had nothing to do with the drug industry and were unconnected to the debt. Det Gda Barry said CCTV footage showed Smyth and Mangan arriving at the first victims place of work on March 20th, 2020. They called to the office and said the first victim owed them money. Advertisement They told the staff that the man owed 20,000 and that they would return the following day to collect. They spoke to the mans boss and told this man that they knew where he lived and threatened to fucking slit your kids throats if they did not get their money. Det Gda Barry confirmed that this second victim had concerns for his family. The men left and this victim rang his employee who confirmed that he didnt owe anybody any money. Later that day, the second victim got a phone call from a number connected with the co-accused but there was no evidence to confirm which of the men were speaking to him as the man could hear two people speaking. Advertisement The man told the callers that he didnt have any money to give them, but the callers replied that he had a car, a house and named his other business. He told the callers that the first victim would sort it out. He later got a further five calls from a private number but he didnt answer them. Det Gda Barry confirmed that the first victim lived a clean life and had no drug addictions. He had been working for the second victim for five years. The first victim got a call from his sister who told him that a note had been put through their door saying they were looking for one of his relatives and if they did not get the 20,000, they would burn the house down. Advertisement Det Gda Barry confirmed that the first victims half brother owed a debt. Further phone calls were received, again threatening to kill the victim if the money was not handed over. The callers knew his wifes name and the fact he had children. Gardai were alerted and confidential information led to Smyth and Mangan being nominated as suspects. CCTV footage from their arrival at the victims place of work also led to their identification. On Mangans arrest, the gardai dialled the number that had been connected to the threats and Mangans phone rang. He gave no comment during a follow up interview. Ireland Dublin Jimmy's brother loses appeal over search on... Read More Mangan has 18 previous and has been serving a sentence for an earlier offence. He is due for release in September this year. John Berry SC, defending, said his client had written a letter expressing his remorse. He does not have a drug addiction, but has a gambling problem. Counsel acknowledged that it was a nasty type of crime and that the men had asked for immediate payment. Mr Berry said his client was under pressure at the time but counsel said those pressures are no longer part of his life. Police have made a new appeal for information about a road crash in Co Armagh over the Christmas period in which a father and son were killed. Peter Devlin and his son Loughlin were killed in the two-car crash outside Killylea in Co Armagh on the afternoon of December 27. Advertisement A woman who was seriously injured in the crash remains in hospital. One man has already appeared in court charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving Detectives investigating a two vehicle road traffic collision in which two men sadly died in December, are making two specific appeals for information: https://t.co/vTRUMvr0T2 pic.twitter.com/zWS4cfULdD Police Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon (@PSNIABC) January 28, 2025 PSNI Inspector Cherith Adair said: As part of our ongoing investigations, we would like to speak with the occupants of a white or light coloured Nissan Qashqai SUV type vehicle or similar travelling toward Killylea from the direction of Armagh at approximately 12:40pm on Friday December 27 2024. We would also like to speak with a male and female, who were occupants of a dark-coloured people carrier type vehicle, who stopped at the scene. Advertisement We believe these people have important information that may be able to assist with our inquiries. Ivan Petrov, 32, a Bulgarian national with no permanent address in Northern Ireland, appeared before Newry Magistrates Court earlier this month. The court heard that the defendant is diabetic and the last thing he remembers before the crash was feeling that his blood sugar was low. Petrov suffered rib and arm fractures in the crash between his Audi and a Mercedes. Advertisement The coffins of father and son Peter and Loughlin Devlin being carried into the Church of St Joseph in Tynan for their funeral. Photo: Niall Carson/PA. Ireland Gerry Adams says any compensation in ex-detainee c... Read More Loughlin Devlin, who was driving the Mercedes, and his father Peter Devlin, who was a rear-seat passenger, died at the scene of the crash. Ursula Devlin, Peters wife and Loughlins mother, who was also in the rear-seat of the Mercedes, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Another woman and a baby boy were injured in the incident but have since been released from hospital. A postmistress who was the victim of a tiger kidnapping, tied up and told she would be shot has settled her action against An Post in the High Court. Susan Lawlor from Malahide, who was the postmistress at Bayside Post Office in Dublin, was along with her daughter and an Italian student abducted from her home at gunpoint and driven around by her captors until the 80,000 contents of the post office safe were stolen in September 2014. Advertisement Ms Lawlors counsel Richard Kean SC, instructed by solicitor Daniel OConnell, told the court on Tuesday that in all there were four sets of civil proceedings as a result of the events. Ms Lawlors two daughters and the Italian exchange student in the house at the time had also sued. Elaine Morgan SC, counsel for An Post, told the court the four actions against An Post had been settled and could be struck out. The settlements came after mediation talks spanning a number of days. The terms of the settlements are confidential. Ms Justice Reynolds congratulated the parties on achieving a resolution. Advertisement Ms Lawlor (58), in her proceedings against An Post, claimed there was a failure to have regard to previous incidences of tiger kidnapping and a failure to follow the appropriate company protocols. It was further claimed there was a failure to take any or any adequate precautions for the safety of Ms Lawlor and she had allegedly been phoned on her mobile to check if the alarm she had called in was valid. All of the claims were denied and An Post contended that the postmistress was not an employee but an independent contractor. At the opening of Ms Lawlors action before the High Court last year, Mr Kean SC said it was a truly extraordinary case where Ms Lawlor, when she heard armed robbers in her home, followed An Post protocol by phoning a hostage helpline which was meant to activate a covert response. Advertisement However, he said that as Ms Lawlor and the other two women were being driven around north Dublin in a car by the robbers, an An Post security officer rang her back and the robbers went utterly ballistic. Ireland An Post staff member under investigation for alleg... Read More Mr Kean said there was a massive escalation in violence and Ms Lawlor was told by one robber I am going to shoot you in the f***ing head. She later thought they may be burned alive in the car as an accelerant was poured over it, and counsel said she pulled out some of her hair and spit on the car floor so she would leave her DNA sample. Mr Kean told the court that tiger kidnappings were rampant in the country at the time and Ms Lawlor, when she heard the gang in her home, rang the hostage hotline. He said she was loyally following protocol but he said her alleged negligent treatment by An Post has caused her life-long stress and anxiety. He said an expert on their side would say that Ms Lawlors condition was attributable to the tiger kidnapping and the phone call from the An Post worker which escalated aggression from the robbers. Advertisement An Post denied all the claims. A rock weighing 3.5 kilograms that was found at the top of Ireland's tallest cliffs contained hundreds of hairs and was heavily bloodstained with DNA matching that of a pensioner who had his skull broken in and was allegedly thrown into the sea, a jury has heard. Dr Conor Young of Forensic Science Ireland on Tuesday told the trial of Alan Vial (39) and Nikita Burns (23) that the blood staining could be explained by direct contact between the rock and the deceased man Robert 'Robin' Wilkin (66) or by contact with a surface that was heavily stained with his blood. Advertisement The trial also heard from Detective Garda Jeanette O'Neill, a ballistics expert with the Garda Technical Bureau, who told Bernard Condon SC for the prosecution that she found the rock on the edge of the Sliabh Liag cliffs near a viewing point used by tourists. Nearby were other items including a man's reading glasses, a silver chain with a broken clasp and a five cent coin. Further down the cliff, Det Gda O'Neill found a frame from the rearview mirror of a car which appeared to have a blood swipe on it. Garda searchers also recovered a heavily bloodstained blanket and a man's Ravel wristwatch. Advertisement Inside a Volkswagen Passat in which the prosecution alleges the assault on Mr Wilkin happened, Det Gda O'Neill found blood spatter on the roof, on the rear passenger window and the rear window. From the pattern of the blood spatter, she concluded that the assailant may have sat in the front passenger seat when the assault took place. However, Det Gda O'Neill agreed with Eoin Lawlor SC, for Ms Burns, that if Mr Wilkin's head had been in the area of the car's centre console, it would be reasonably possible that a rock brought down from the driver's side would have caused the spatter observed on the roof and window. Det Gda O'Neill told Shane Costelloe SC, for Mr Vial, that she is aware that a pathologist has concluded that the bloodstained rock was "entirely consistent" with having caused two fractures found to the back of Mr Wilkin's skull. Advertisement Det Gda O'Neill agreed that had a person in the driver's seat been fighting with the deceased in the back seat, it would have been possible for someone else to come in from behind with the rock and hit the deceased in the back of the head, causing the spatter patterns observed. Dr Young told Mr Condon that he analyzed the blood found on the rock, the roof of the Passat, and part of the back car seat. In each case the DNA matched that of Robert Wilkin. The blood on the roof, he said, indicated that force was applied to the blood of Mr Wilkin in this area. The saturation staining on the car seat, he said, indicated that Mr Wilkin bled heavily in this location. The irregular shaped rock measured about 20cm by 20cm with a depth of 9cm and weighed about 3.5 kilograms. It was heavily bloodstained with "transfer stains" indicating contact with a blood bearing surface. It also had a number of hairs attached to it, he said. Advertisement The hairs and bloodstains generated DNA profiles matching that of Mr Wilkin. Dr Young also examined a pair of blue leggings that the prosecution alleges Ms Burns was wearing when Mr Wilkin was assaulted. Dr Young found DNA matching that of Mr Wilkin from a blood stain on the lower part of the right leg. The sole of one of a pair of Timberland boots that the prosecution alleges belong to Mr Vial had bloodstains which generated DNA profiles matching that of Mr Wilkin. Samples taken from inside and outside a vacuum cleaner that the prosecution alleges was used to clean the Volkswagen, tested positive for blood. However, Dr Young said the samples provided insufficient DNA to generate a profile. Advertisement Ireland Postmistress who was victim of tiger kidnapping se... Read More A brother of Mr Vial has testified that after the alleged murder, the accused man borrowed a vacuum to clean his car and when it was returned, it was "full of gunk" which the witness assumed was "red wine vomit". Nikita Burns of Carrick, Co Donegal and Mr Vial, of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, Co Donegal have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Robert 'Robin' Wilkin on June 25th, 2023 in Donegal. Mr Wilkin's body was found by the Irish Coast Guard in the sea eight days after it is alleged the two accused put him over the Sliabh Liag cliffs. The trial continues at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven women and five men. A woman who carried out a string of wilfully violent Dublin city centre assaults, including a knife attack on a man, has been jailed for two and a half years. Nikita Ronan posed a danger to people on the streets on a number of occasions in 2023, Judge Elva Duffy said as she handed down the sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Tuesday, January 28th. Advertisement Ronan took part in an attack on a woman in the Morgan Hotel in Temple Bar, attacked a friend on the street and tried to grab her handbag, and slashed a man with a knife to his head and arm while robbing his phone on three separate incidents around the city centre between March and May 2023. Ronan (29) of no fixed abode, has 134 previous convictions, including assault, theft, criminal damage, burglary, drugs and road traffic offences. She has been in custody for a number of months. In relation to the first incident, Garda James Keegan told Derek Cooney BL, prosecuting, that Ronan and another woman followed a woman into the Morgan Hotel on Fleet Street at around 6pm on March 5th, 2023. The pair proceeded to assault the woman, with Ronan picking her up and slamming her to the ground after her accomplice had kicked and punched her. They fled the hotel but were arrested a short time later. Advertisement In the second incident, the court heard the injured party who was known to Ronan was walking along Aston Quay on the evening of April 4th, 2023, when Ronan came up behind her and started attacking her out of nowhere. In the course of the assault, Ronan attempted to rob the woman's handbag but failed to do so, before fleeing the scene. The woman suffered cuts and scratches to her face, along with a black eye and pain to her jaw. A garda who arrived at the scene was arranging to bring the woman to hospital for treatment when Ronan was spotted across the road. She was arrested. Advertisement In the final incident, which took place the following month on May 3rd, 2023, Ronan grabbed a man's phone at Merchant's Quay and ran off with it. When he pursued her, she produced a knife and slashed his arm, the court heard. He continued to run after her until she slashed him to the head. The man was pumping blood the court heard, and required hospital treatment and stitches. He gave gardai a description of Ronan, who was arrested a short time later. She pleaded guilty to one count of assault in relation to the first incident, one count of assault causing harm in the second incident and two counts of assault causing harm as well as stealing a phone in relation to the third incident. Advertisement Karl Monahan BL, defending, said his client was educated to Junior Cert level and started using cannabis at the age of 17. She was in an unhealthy relationship for about 10 years, during which time her drug use progressed to crack cocaine and heroin. She was under the influence of various intoxicants during the three assaults. Ronan's mother died of cancer when she was in her early 20s, which was also difficult for her, counsel said. Upon her release from custody, she is hoping to live with her father and start working. She is deeply remorseful for her actions and currently on a methadone programme in custody, the court heard. Ireland Man jailed for extortion and threatening to slit t... Read More Sentencing Ronan, Judge Duffy said it was clear Ronan was a danger to others on the street on a number of occasions as a result of various intoxicants. But she said the use of intoxicants was no excuse for the offending behaviour, which she described as wilfully violent and unacceptable. She is a violent and difficult person you wouldn't want to encounter on the streets, the judge said. She handed down a sentence of three years and two months, and suspended the final eight months on a number of conditions. Chanel celebrated Eighties extravagance in their spring/summer 2025 haute couture show in Paris. This was the French fashion houses second couture show since the exit of previous creative director, Virginie Viard. Advertisement Its the first from Chanel following the appointment of Matthieu Blazy, formerly of Bottega Veneta, but Blazy will not be staging his debut showcase until October. This show was credited to the studio. To celebrate 110 years of haute couture, Chanel showcased classic yet fresh designs, exploring how one reinvents timeless and imaginative design year after year. The show was an ode to Chanels greats: from Gabrielle Chanel to Karl Lagerfeld, it also evoked excitement for the new, highly anticipated creative director. While showcasing bohemian and classically feminine silhouettes, the show moved through time, introducing fuchsia, violet and lime silks, heavy shoulder pads and pussy-bow blouses encapsulating the fun and verve of Eighties Chanel. Advertisement Vibrant colours and broad shoulders dominated the runway (Lewis Joly/AP) [Gabrielle Chanel] loved colour, said one Chanel technician. Referring to look 15 a baby blue tweed set she said, the fabric is pale blue but the braid is very bright. It will mark the garment [] braiding is the Chanel signature. The braided tweed was indeed eye-catching, with bold reds and ochre yellows stitched onto beige tweed a tribute to Gabrielle Chanels palette. Other quintessential Chanel codes were prevalent, such as gold chaining, embossed metal buttons and archetypal topstitching. Classic Chanel details adorned each look (Lewis Joly/AP) The classic Chanel skirt suit was renewed in peach and lemon tweeds with vibrant braiding at the cuffs and hems, or else cut into vibrant silk jewel tones. Advertisement Bows were once again a recurring motif, turning up on organza blouses and tweed jackets. Bows were prevalent throughout (Lewis Joly/AP) To a lesser extent, balloon sleeves were also a recurring motif, perhaps to balance out the broad-shouldered Eighties silhouette that otherwise dominated the runway, bringing a bohemian and feminine savoir-faire. Balloon sleeves and light lemon shades brought a bohemian sense to the designs (Lewis Joly/AP) While peppered with classic design details, the collection was anything but reserved. Taking inspiration from Yves Saint Laurents maximalist capes of the 1980s, one closing look showcased a capacious powder blue silk cape fastened with a black velvet pussy bow, signalling excitement for the evening looks. Advertisement Trapeze capes reminiscent of Saint Laurents designs stole the show (Lewis Joly/AP) The closing looks circled back to Gabrielle Chanels founding style, as champagne sparkles and shift silhouettes concluded the show. Champagne sequins closed the show (Lewis Joly/AP) Celebrities sitting front row to witness Chanels journey through the ages included Kylie Jenner and Pamela Anderson. Jenner, 27, wore a cropped cream skirt suit adorned with silver chains, black ballet sling-backs and a quilted Chanel vanity case. Kylie Jenner wore a contemporary take on the classic skirt suit (Thibault Camus/AP) Anderson, 57, wore an all-white bohemian ensemble, featuring an Edwardian neckline, fluted sleeves and wide-leg trousers. Advertisement The Baywatch star completed the look with square black sunglasses and crystal heel pumps. Dozens of demonstrators attacked several foreign embassies, including those of Rwanda, France and Belgium, in the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Tuesday to protest at the advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels into a major city in the conflict-battered east of the country. Police fired teargas at the protesters as they marched to the embassies in Kinshasa, either looting or setting fires to parts of the buildings. Advertisement Government troops deploy outside Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as M23 rebels close in (Moses Sawasawa/AP) The embassies of Kenya and Uganda were also attacked, according to Associated Press journalists at the scene. The M23 rebels are one of about 100 armed groups vying for a foothold in the mineral-rich region of Goma in the conflict, one of Africas largest. US President Donald Trump has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on February 4 as the first foreign leader to visit in Mr Trumps second term, Mr Netanhayu and the White House said Tuesday. The visit comes as the United States pressures Israel and Hamas to continue a ceasefire that has paused a devastating 15-month war in Gaza. Talks about the ceasefires second phase are set to begin on February 3. Advertisement The White House letter shared by Mr Netanyahus office, dated Tuesday, invited the prime minister to visit next week: I look forward to discussing how we can bring peace to Israel and its neighbours, and efforts to counter our shared adversaries. Mr Trump had earlier teased the upcoming visit in a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to visit the White House (Abir Sultan/AP) Im going to be speaking with Bibi Netanyahu in the not-too-distant future, he said. The meeting would be a chance for Mr Netanyahu, under pressure at home, to remind the world of the support he has received from Mr Trump over the years. Advertisement Mr Netanyahu is likely to encourage Mr Trump not to hold up some weapons deliveries the way the Biden administration did. The administration continued other deliveries and overall military support to Israel, which is the largest recipient of US military aid. Mr Netanyahu is also relying on Mr Trump to put more pressure on Iran and renew efforts to deliver a historic normalisation agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a rival of Iran and the Arab worlds richest and most powerful country. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have begun to return to their homes in Gaza as the ceasefire stretches into a second week (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Even before taking office this month, Mr Trump was sending his special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to the region to apply pressure, along with the Biden administration, to get the current ceasefire achieved. Advertisement But Mr Netanyahu has vowed to renew the war if Hamas doesnt meet his demands in negotiations over the ceasefires second phase, which aims to end the war. Under the ceasefire deal, more than 375,000 Palestinians have crossed into northern Gaza since Israel allowed their return, the United Nations said Tuesday. That represents more than a third of the million people who fled in the wars opening days. Many of the Palestinians trudging along a seaside road or crossing in vehicles after security inspections were getting the first view of shattered northern Gaza under the fragile ceasefire, now in its second week. A Palestinian woman hangs the laundry inside her home, which was destroyed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) They were determined, if their homes were damaged or destroyed, to pitch makeshift shelters or sleep outdoors amid the vast piles of broken concrete or perilously leaning buildings. After months of crowding in squalid tent camps or former schools in Gazas south, they would finally be home. Advertisement Its still better for us to be on our land than to live on a land thats not yours, said Fayza al-Nahal as she prepared to leave the southern city of Khan Younis for the north. Hani Al-Shanti, displaced from Gaza City, looked forward to feeling at peace in whatever he found, even if it is a roof and walls without furniture, even if it is without a roof. Under the ceasefire, the next release of hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody is set to occur on Thursday, followed by another exchange on Saturday. In the ceasefires six-week first phase, a total of 33 hostages taken in the Hamas-led attack on October 7 2023, that ignited the war should be released, along with more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Advertisement Israeli soldier Naama Levy, who was kidnapped by Hamas, gets on a bus after she and three other Israeli female soldiers were released by Hamas (Leo Correa/AP) Israel said a list provided by Hamas confirmed the fears that eight of the 33 hostages to be freed are dead, bringing fresh grief to Israeli families who have long pressed the government to reach a deal to bring everyone home before time runs out. On Tuesday, one of the first hostages to be released under the current ceasefire just the second in the war shared a glimpse of life in captivity. Naama Levy, 20, wrote on social media that she spent most of the first 50 days alone before being reunited with other soldiers kidnapped from her military base on October 7, as well as other civilian captives. They gave me strength and hope, she wrote. We strengthened each other until the day of our release, and also afterwards. A surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza continued under the ceasefire as thousands return to the region (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) A surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza continued under the ceasefire. In this past week alone, approximately 4,200 trucks carrying aid have entered the Gaza Strip following inspections, Israels deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel said. Under the deal, 600 trucks of aid are meant to enter per day. Prosecutors in Rome have opened an investigation against Premier Giorgia Meloni and two government ministers for repatriating a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court in the Hague, the premier announced on Tuesday. Ms Meloni revealed the investigation, which claims she allegedly aided and abetted Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, in a video posted on social media. Advertisement She said her justice and interior ministers and an under-secretary are also targeted in the investigation. Ms Melonis government has been under fire from the opposition, human rights groups and the ICC itself for releasing al-Masri on a technicality after he was arrested in the northern city of Turin on a warrant from the international court. An Italian navy ship arrived in Albania on Tuesday taking 49 migrants intercepted in international waters for processing of their asylum applications at special Albanian centres, the third such attempt following hurdles earlier raised by Italian courts. Italys Interior Ministry did not specify the nationality of the migrants taken to the port of Shengjin, 40 miles (66km) north-west of the capital, Tirana, but Italian media said they were from Bangladesh, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Gambia. Advertisement The attempt at processing in Albania follows two previous failures in October and November, when Italian judges refused to approve the detention of two small groups at the Albanian centres, built under a contentious agreement between Italy and Albania. The courts ruled that the migrants countries of origin were not safe enough for them to face the possibility of being sent back by the centres. The cases have been referred to the European Court of Justice, which earlier established that asylum applicants could not undergo a fast-track procedure that could lead to repatriation if their home countries are not deemed completely safe. The European court hearing on the case is scheduled for February 25. Advertisement Italian Premier Giorgia Melonis government has vowed to reactivate the two asylum processing centres in Albania (Alessandra Tarantino/AP) Italian Premier Giorgia Melonis government has vowed to reactivate the two centres in Albania after they remained dormant following the Italian courts decisions. Ms Melonis position was partially backed by a ruling in late December by Italys highest court, which said Italian judges could not substitute for government policy in deciding which countries are safe for repatriation of migrants whose asylum requests are rejected. The decision does allow lower courts to make such determinations on a case-by-case basis, short of setting overall policy. The migrants are to be checked in at a reception centre at the port of Shengjin before being taken to the Gjader accommodation centre, about 14 miles (22km) to the east. Advertisement The November 2023 agreement allows up to 3,000 migrants intercepted by the Italian coast guard in international waters each month to be sheltered in Albania and vetted for possible asylum in Italy or repatriation. Italy has agreed to welcome those migrants who are granted asylum, while those whose applications are rejected face deportation directly from Albania. The agreement to outsource the housing of asylum seekers to a non-European Union member country has been hailed by some countries which, like Italy, are experiencing a high level of migrant arrivals, but human rights activists have criticised the deal as setting a dangerous precedent. So far this year, 3,704 migrants have arrived in Italy, more than double the number in the same period last year, when 1,305 arrived. Advertisement Last year, 66,317 migrants arrived in Italy, a drop of 58% from the previous year. Most arrived from Bangladesh, followed by Syria, Tunisia and Egypt, according to the Italian Interior Ministry. Congolese security forces tried to slow the advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who say they have captured Goma after entering eastern Congos largest city, as UN officials reported an unspecified number of bodies on the streets. The officials said hospitals are overwhelmed in Goma, a regional trade and humanitarian hub that is a refuge for hundreds of thousands now fleeing gunfire and shelling in the major escalation in one of Africas longest conflicts driven by ethnic tensions. Advertisement Hospitals are overwhelmed as hundreds of thousands flee gunfire and shelling (Samy Ntumba Shambuyi/AP) The M23 rebels are one of about 100 armed groups vying for a foothold in the conflict-battered North Kivu province which includes Goma rich in minerals critical to much of the worlds technology. Dozens of demonstrators, meanwhile, looted and set fires to parts of at least nine foreign embassy buildings far off in the capital, Kinshasa, including those of Rwanda, France, Belgium, Kenya and Uganda. The protesters demanded that the international community condemn Rwanda over its role in the conflict. We denounce the hypocrisy of the international community, said Timothee Tshishimbi, one of the protesters. They must tell Rwanda to stop this adventure. Advertisement The attacks were condemned by the respective countries as well as the Congolese government, which said it has reinforced security at the embassies. Many continued to flee across the border into Rwanda, braving gunfire and heavy rains earlier and caught in between shootouts on both sides from the Congolese soldiers and the rebels. What we want is this war to come to an end, said Christian Bahati, a Congolese teacher among hundreds now sheltering in the Rwandan town of Gisenyi. You can see the level of frustration. Congolese people are victims, but now they find themselves seeking refuge from the aggressor. Congolese government troops deploy outside Goma as M23 rebels are reported to close in on the town (Moses Sawasawa/AP) There were reports of gender-based violence and rape committed by fighters, looting of property, including a humanitarian warehouse, and humanitarian and health facilities being hit in the city, UN humanitarian affairs office spokesman Jens Laerke said on Tuesday. Advertisement The humanitarian situation in and around Goma remains extremely worrying, and this morning (there were) heavy small arms fire and mortar fire across the city and the presence of many dead bodies in the streets, said Mr Laerke, adding that hospitals are struggling to manage the influx of wounded people. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said at least five people in Rwanda have been killed and 35 others wounded in shelling from Congo. He also told The Associated Press that while the country has behaved well since the rebels entered Goma, we have been shelled by the military coalition of the Congolese army and its allies. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi will have to accept talks with M23 to end the situation once and for all, Mr Nduhungirehe added. The countrys goal in Congo is to protect its borders against attacks, Rwandan army spokesperson Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga told the AP, adding that appropriate measures would be all-encompassing, including the use of water, air and land defence. Advertisement People displaced by the fighting with M23 rebels make their way to the centre of Goma (Moses Sawasawa/AP) It was unclear how much of Goma is controlled by the M23 rebels though analysts say they are more emboldened than in 2012, when they temporarily took over Goma before being forced to pull out under international pressure. They resurfaced in late 2021 with increasing support from Rwanda, according to Congos government and UN experts. Rwanda has denied such support although UN experts estimate there are up to 4,000 Rwandan forces in Congo. Since morning, we have heard bomb explosions and crackling bullets, Sam Luwawa, a resident of Goma, said of the fighting in the city. So far we cannot say who really controls the city. Three South African peacekeepers were killed on Monday when the rebels launched a mortar shell toward the Goma airport, which landed on the nearby South African National Defence Force, while a fourth soldier succumbed to injuries sustained in fighting days ago, the South African Department of Defence said Tuesday. Advertisement That makes 17 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers who have been killed in the fighting, according to UN and army officials. Uruguays army, which is among the foreign militaries in Congo, said on Monday that there was a ceasefire agreement in the city. On Tuesday, pockets of resistance resulted in a crossfire between the rebels and Congolese forces at Gomas airport, it said, wounding two Uruguayan soldiers at the base of a Uruguayan battalion nearby. Congolese Minister of Rural Development Muhindo Nzangi told the Top Congo local radio station that the rebels are in control of strategic towns like Sake and Kibumba as well as a part of the Goma airport, but added: It must be said that so far our military continues to fight. A delegation of Russian officials arrived in Damascus on Tuesday, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported. It is the first such delegation to visit Syria since the fall of former president Bashar Assad, an ally of Moscow, in December in a lightning rebel offensive. Advertisement Assad took refuge in Russia after he was ousted. The report said the delegation included Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Russian President Vladimir Putins special envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev. RIA Novosti did not offer any other details of the visit. There was no official comment from Syrias interim government, but the semi-official Al Watan newspaper reported that the Russian delegation would meet the countrys de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani. Advertisement Syrian fighters guard the entrance of the Latakia civilian airport in the town of Hmeimim (Leo Correa/AP) Moscows scorched-earth intervention in support of Assad once turned the tide of Syrias civil war. Syrias new authorities have not cut off relations with Moscow or forced a complete exit of Russian military forces from bases in Syria, but earlier this month Al Watan reported that a contract with a Russian company to manage the port in Tartus had been cancelled. Following Assads downfall, Russia relocated its troops and assets from all over Syria to its main hub at the Hmeimim air base near Latakia. There has been no indication that Moscow is preparing to evacuate the Hmeimim base or the naval facility in Tartus altogether. Advertisement The termination of a contract for a Russian company to modernise the Tartus commercial port did not directly affect the Russian naval facility, which was leased under a separate deal. Also on Tuesday, a delegation from the Palestinian Authority (PA) made its first visit to Damascus. The delegation, headed by Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, met Mr al-Sharaa, the PA said in a statement. No details of the discussions were given. Palestinian refugees in Syria, which number about 450,000, were not given citizenship under previous Syrian governments, ostensibly to preserve their right to go back to the homes they fled or were forced from during the 1948 creation of the state of Israel and where they are currently banned from returning. Advertisement The new Syrian government has not indicated how it might approach the status of the refugees. Serbias striking university students launched a 24-hour blockade of a key traffic intersection in the capital, Belgrade, on Monday, stepping up pressure on the authorities over a deadly canopy collapse in November that killed 15 people. Serbian farmers on tractors and thousands of citizens joined the blockade which followed weeks of protests demanding accountability over the deadly accident in the northern city of Novi Sad that critics have blamed on rampant government corruption. Advertisement A campaign of street demonstrations has posed the biggest challenge in years to the populist governments firm grip on power in Serbia. Students stand on a bridge during the protest, with banners reading Requirement is not met and Honk for students (Darko Vojinovic/AP) Serbias president, Aleksandar Vucic, at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic, later on Monday urged dialogue with the students, saying we need to lower the tensions and start talking to each other. Students have in the past refused to meet Mr Vucic, saying the president is not entitled by the constitution to hold talks with them. Any kind of a crisis poses a serious problem for our economy, said Mr Vucic. Such a situation in society is not good for anyone. Advertisement The president has faced accusations of curbing democratic freedoms despite formally seeking European Union membership for Serbia. He has accused the students of working for unspecified foreign powers to oust the government. Several incidents have marked the street demonstrations in the past weeks, including drivers ramming into the crowds on two occasions, when two young women were injured. On Monday, traffic police secured the student blockade to help avoid any similar incidents. A woman raises a red glove symbolising blood during the student-led 24-hour blockade at an intersection in Belgrade (Darko Vojinovic/AP) Protesting students set up tents at the protest site, which is a key artery for city commuters and towards the main north-south motorway. Advertisement Some students played volleyball, others sat down on blankets on the pavement or walked around on a warm day. They also held a daily 15-minute commemoration silence at 11.52, the time when the canopy at a railway station in Novi Sad crashed down on November 1. Many in Serbia believe the huge concrete canopy fell down because of sloppy reconstruction work that resulted from corruption. Serbias prosecutors have filed charges against 13 people, including a government minister and several state officials. But former construction minister Goran Vesic has been released from detention, fuelling doubts over the investigations independence. The main railway station in Novi Sad had been renovated twice in recent years as part of a wider infrastructure deal with Chinese state companies. Serbias populist prime minister, Milos Vucevic, has said he is stepping down following weeks of massive anti-corruption protests over the deadly collapse of a concrete canopy at a railway station last November. The collapse in the northern city of Novi Sad, which killed 15 people, has become a flashpoint reflecting wider discontent with the increasingly autocratic rule of Serbias populist president, Aleksandar Vucic. Advertisement He has faced accusations of curbing democratic freedoms in Serbia despite formally seeking European Union membership for the troubled Balkan nation. Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic said he is stepping down as anti-corruption protests persist after a deadly concrete canopy collapse in Novi Sad (Darko Vojinovic/AP) Mr Vucevic told a news conference on Tuesday that his resignation is aimed at lowering tensions in Serbia. It is my appeal for everyone to calm down the passions and return to dialogue, he said. Novi Sad Mayor Milan Djuric is also stepping down, Mr Vucevic said. Advertisement Mr Vucevics resignation is likely to lead to an early parliamentary election. The resignation must be confirmed by Serbias parliament, which has 30 days to choose a new government or call a snap election. Opposition parties have said they will insist on a transitional government that would create conditions for a free and fair election. Mr Vucics populists have faced accusations of irregularities during past elections. Mr Vucevic became prime minister in April 2024, after the Serbian Progressive Party won most votes in an election marred by tensions. Advertisement They (ruling party) have been in a freefall since the Novi Sad tragedy, journalist Slobodan Georgiev said on N1 television, adding that President Vucic is seeking a buffer with the prime ministers resignation. A woman raises a red glove symbolising blood during the student-led 24-hour blockade at an intersection in Belgrade (Darko Vojinovic/AP) In the past Mr Vucic managed to cushion the impact of anti-government street protests, but the current student movement has garnered widespread support from all walks of life, including actors, farmers, lawyers and judges. On Monday, tens of thousands of people joined striking university students in a 24-hour blockade of a key traffic intersection in the Serbian capital, Belgrade. The students have been protesting for weeks, demanding accountability for the canopy collapse that critics have blamed on rampant government corruption. Advertisement In another attempt to defuse tensions, on Monday evening Mr Vucic, Mr Vucevic and Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic urged dialogue with the students, who have garnered widespread support from all walks of life in Serbia with their call for justice and accountability. Mr Vucevic said the immediate cause for his resignation was an attack on a female student in Novi Sad early on Tuesday by assailants allegedly from the ruling Serbian Progressive Party. He said that whenever it seems there is hope to return to social dialogue, to talk its like an invisible hand creates a new incident and tensions mount again. Farmers joined the student-led 24-hour blockade at an intersection in Belgrade on Monday (Darko Vojinovic/AP) Serbias prosecutors have filed charges against 13 people over the Novi Sad incident, including a government minister and several state officials. But former construction minister Goran Vesic has been released from detention, fuelling doubts over the investigations independence. Advertisement The main railway station in Novi Sad has been renovated twice in recent years as part of a wider infrastructure deal with Chinese state companies. Several incidents have marred the street demonstrations in the past few weeks, including drivers ramming into the crowds on two occasions, when two young women were injured. Students and others have been holding daily 15-minute traffic blockades throughout Serbia at 11.52am, the time at which the concrete canopy crashed down on November 1. The blockades honour the 15 victims, who included two children. President Donald Trump said Microsoft is among the US companies looking to take control of TikTok to help the app avert an effective ban that could start in April. I would say yes, Mr Trump told reporters on Monday evening when asked if Microsoft was one of the companies interested in helping to bring about new ownership of TikTok, a requirement set by Congress to keep the app functioning in the US. Advertisement Mt Trump added on Monday that other companies were also interested in purchasing TikTok, but would not provide a list. I like bidding wars because you make your best deals, Mr Trump said as he spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One while flying from Miami, where Republican House members were holding a conference, back to Washington. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One en route from Miami to Joint Base Andrews (AP/Mark Schiefelbein) Representatives for Microsoft and TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In one of his first acts in office last week, Mr Trump extended the deadline for TikTok to find new ownership that satisfies the government by 75 days, from January 19 to April 4. Advertisement The president has said that he is looking for the ultimate purchaser to give the US a 50% stake in the company, which is owned by China-based ByteDance. But the details remain murky and it is unclear whether he is proposing control of the app by the government or another US entity. Last week, the artificial intelligence start-up Perplexity AI presented a new proposal to ByteDance that would allow the US government to own up to 50% of a new entity that merges Perplexity with TikToks US business, according to a person familiar with the matter. Several other investors including billionaire Frank McCourt and Mr Trumps former treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin have spoken publicly about their desire to purchase TikToks US platform. Mr Trump has also said he has spoken to many people privately about the company. Advertisement After the bipartisan law was signed by former President Joe Biden in April, ByteDance said it did not have plans to sell the platform and fought the statute in court for months. TikTok chief executive Shou Zi Chew sits before the 60th Presidential Inauguration (Kevin Lamarque/AP) China also rebuked Washington over the divestment push, although it appears to be softening its stance. In media interviews last week, Bill Ford, the chairman of the global investing firm General Atlantic and a ByteDance board member, said the company is prepared to engage with the Trump administration and Chinese officials to find a solution that keeps TikTok available. He also floated the idea that there could be a solution short of a full divesture by ByteDance. Advertisement Politicians and officials in both parties have raised national security concerns about Chinese ownership and potential manipulation of the immensely popular platform, which is used by more than 170 million US users. Mr Trump was in favour of a TikTok ban before he reversed his position last year. He credits the platform with helping him win more young voters during the recent presidential election. Microsoft, along with Walmart, made a failed bid for TikTok during Mr Trumps first term after he tried to ban the app. Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella later described it as the strangest thing Ive ever worked on. Raiz Invest has kept the pedal to the metal with another strong three-month performance, increasing its revenue 5.1 per cent to $5.95 million, which is more than twice the growth rate of the September quarter and up 13.5 per cent year-on-year. Raiz is an innovative micro-investor platform and investment fund offering app-based technology that allows customers to round up any card-based purchase to the nearest $1, $2 or $3. Raiz Rewards, a new product offering from micro-investment platform Raiz Invest, helped quarterly revenue climb 5.1 per cent for the quarter to $5.95m and added 7395 new users, taking total user numbers to more than 317,000. The rounded-up portion is tipped into a personalised fund that Raiz then invests in the stock market. Customer numbers also continued to accelerate at twice the September quarterly rate, surging by a further 7395 new and active users and taking its current tally to 317,995. A further 4224 new customers have signed since the end of the last quarter. For more than five years, the Australian sharemarket has underperformed Wall Street, thanks to the meteoric rise of the US tech market with its handful of industry giants. So for the local bourse, Tuesday felt like a little taste of payback. It is difficult to remember an event as left field as the emergence this week of a small unknown Chinese company disrupting, in this case, the AI industry. But the previously unknown DeepSeek has created a cut-price AI model that appears to challenge the established players the massive chipmakers such as Nvidia feeding the industry that require billions of dollars of investments to develop their technology. DeepSeek has found a way to disrupt Americas AI dominance. Credit: Bloomberg On Tuesday, investors in Australian stocks experienced a rare moment of respite from their relative underperformance while the beasts of US tech struggled with their meltdown. Australian households could save more than $3000 a year on power bills by making simple energy-efficiency upgrades including insulation, solar panels and home batteries. Fresh analysis commissioned by a renewable energy advocacy group shows millions of Australian households are missing out on cheaper bills totalling more than $23 billion each year, prompting calls for more government subsidies to help people switch to renewable energy. Jane Barnes enjoys her cool and energy-efficient home. Credit: Louise Kennerley Jane Barnes, who lives on Sydneys north shore, recently installed solar panels and a battery in her home, which on Tuesday was so cool that a friend was visiting to escape the heat in her own home. Ive never used so much electricity in all my life, Barnes said. I now have an all-electric home, and I am getting money back every month; its just incredible. Warren Buffetts mantra is to be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Ray Dalio, founder of the largest hedge fund in the world, believes: You cant make money agreeing with the consensus view. Warren Buffetts mantra is to be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Credit: AP And the consensus view currently is that everything is fine and dandy in stock market land. Its difficult to think of any asset class thats not grossly overpriced right now. Global shares, Australian property, art, luxury assets like yachts all bear little resemblance to their intrinsic values, says Adam Schwab, co-host of business podcast The Contrarians, who believes we are experiencing the second-biggest asset bubble of our lifetimes. Schwab points to the Schiller ratio and Buffett Indicators, metrics of valuing stocks based on earnings and market capitalisation, both of which are at their highest levels since the 2000s dotcom bubble. Based on multiple indicators, the US market could easily drop by 60 per cent before valuations are reasonable, estimates Schwab, specifically calling out several stocks he has a bearish view on, including Atlassian, Wisetech, Apple, Nvidia, and Tesla. The notion that these businesses will ever earn enough income to justify their current valuations is beyond laughable, he says. Thats where contrarian investing philosophy comes to the fore. The only way to generate long-term outperformance is to do something different from everyone else. Currently, that means sitting out of the market or selling, says Schwab. When an investment class becomes mainstream, it may not have peaked, but the windfall gains have likely been soaked up. Its a view that is increasingly shared by some of the biggest investors in the world. The best thing to do is always the opposite of what everybody else is doing, Nicolai Tangen, chief executive of Norways trillion-dollar sovereign wealth fund, the single largest owner of stocks in the world, told Bloomberg from the World Economic Forum last week. If you were to do the opposite of everyone else right now, it would be to sell the US tech stocks, and buy China, said Tangen. Loading Although Tangen stopped short of saying whether his fund is doing that (its market sensitive), he has been known to encourage his traders to be more contrarian, not an easy thing to do during a roaring bull market. If you are a contrarian [] there will be periods when you underperform and everyone is going to question your sanity, he says. Being a contrarian means you need to look stupid for an extended period. Its not fun to be the guy saying this price makes no sense, while a crypto bro is telling you to have fun staying poor, echoes Schwab. In my brief experience of trading markets, some of the strongest contrarian indicators include friends and family mentioning stocks at barbecues, mainstream financial media reporting on hot market trends (except for this column, of course), and Jim Cramer, who is famous for making bullish calls right at the top. In fairness to Jim, it takes some skill to be wrong as often as he is, agrees Schwab. With company earnings in the US and Australia set to drop over the coming weeks, there is a risk that the current sky-high valuations may face a reality check with gravity. But dont necessarily hit the big red sell button yet, as Schwab cautions: Markets always revert to the mean, but they can stay irrational longer than you can remain solvent. Dont expect it to happen overnight. In investing, like life, those who have the courage to go against the grain can be rewarded handsomely. A caravan laden with explosives has been found in Sydneys north-west, with notes suggesting a Jewish synagogue could be a target. Security agencies are treating the threat as credible but the cache was discovered nine days ago and not announced by authorities. NSW Police were called to Derriwong Road, Dural, on January 20 after a local discovered an abandoned caravan filled with explosives. The address of a synagogue was found in the caravan, police confirmed, and security agencies were called in. NSW Premier Chris Minns said police were taking the matter very seriously. I understand community concerns about this story and similar escalating incidents of antisemitic violence in our community anyone attempting terrorism, violence, hatred in our community will be met with the full force of the law, Minns said. NSW Police said there was no evidence of any ongoing threat from this particular incident. At Vega de Terron on the Spanish/Portuguese border we catch our first glimpse of the MS Estrela; a new ship for a new era of cruising one of Europes most spectacular, though lesser-visited, waterways. Purpose-built to navigate the Douro River, the 114-passenger Estrela was launched in August 2024. Breaking with tradition, the exterior of the ship is an elegant cappuccino colour, the decor is chic and contemporary, and the Sun Deck boasts one of the largest pools on the Douro. The abundance of alfresco areas is a testament to the Australian-owned APT Travel Groups understanding of the value Australian travellers place on an outdoor lifestyle. The Douro Valley wine country. Credit: Getty Images Im staying in one of the 46 French Balcony suites (there are also nine smaller Window Staterooms and two Owners suites) where a wall-to-wall electric window slides down half-way to create a French-style balcony. This clever design blurs the lines between outside and in, delivering open-air views without compromising on space. There are two small armchairs, a flat-screen TV, ample storage, mini-fridge, desk and dressing table. In keeping with the relaxed mood, the pace is delightfully unhurried 208 kilometres over seven nights and we cruise only during daylight hours due to the Douros narrow sections. The real advantage? We wont miss any of the scenery along the way. From our chairs on the Sun Deck, we trace the shifting landscape, where terraced hillsides give way to rocky cliffs, the lichen-encrusted walls looming closer as we inch through narrow gorges and negotiate hairpin bends. One morning we enter the Carrapatelo lock the highest rise in Europe at 35 metres and one of the most dramatic where a curved iron gate lifts like a fortress door from Game of Thrones. The Sun Deck and pool - the biggest on the Douro. Everything is of cinematic proportions: historic manor houses rise majestically on hilltops, vines cling to slopes as if defying gravity, churches reach for the heavens. And then, as if the director calls for a close-up, cue the zooming-in on people tending vineyards, children waving, smoke curling from the chimneys of storybook cottages. A two-night port stop in Regua in the heart of the wine region sharpens the focus even further. By combining the luxury of an extended stay with APTs inclusive Freedom of Choice excursions, guests can customise their holiday to suit their interests. Before you can say 1970s dinner party, I sign up for the excursion to Mateus Castle in favour of a tour of the village of Lamego. Afterwards, both groups meet for lunch and a tasting at the renowned Quinta da Pacheca for the first of two Signature Experiences, the second a cocktail reception and traditional fado performance in Portos Palacio da Bolsa. In Quinta da Pachecas barrel room, savouring a Pacheca Reserva Vinhas Velhas red 2021 Douro DOC, I have a revelation port reigns as the undeniable king of the Douro valley, but the regions exceptional table wines, produced predominantly from blends of indigenous grape varieties, are slowly carving out their own kingdom. One course of many on board. Every wine produced in the Douro Valley is shaped by tradition and terroir, says wine guide Hugo Amaral as we progress through the tastings. Thats what makes the Douro so special. The Douro, he explains, is one the worlds oldest demarcated wine regions, dating from 1754. At Pinhao Railway station we delve deeper into the history of port, beautifully narrated through a series of 24 panels of exquisite azulejos traditional blue, white and yellow ceramic tiles. These hand-painted masterpieces tell the story from the formation of the terraces to handpicking grapes, to the crushing by foot and the historic equipment used. The 3024 hand-painted tiles were applied in 1937, turning the 19th-century whistle-stop into one of the most beautiful railway stations in Portugal. As we cruise towards Entre-os-Rios, I imagine life along the river in the 18th century, when small wooden boats called rabelos transported barrels of port downriver to the cellars of Porto, their hard crew sustaining themselves with salted cod. For APT guests, though, there is a moveable feast of the valleys fresh produce: plump olives, glistening with oil or baked into bread; Portuguese tarts, with flaky crusts and creamy custard fillings; citrus fruit ranging in colour from deep orange to blushing pink. Inside a French Balcony suite. Meals are a mix of Portuguese, Mediterranean and international flavours, with each menu whether a five-course degustation or a casual buffet paired with recommended wines from the Douro region. Seafood is fresh and local, picked up from fish markets along the way, with chef Andrei Tirca tweaking the menus to exploit the days catch. A cooking lesson in Porto is a fitting end to our food-focused journey. The plan is simple; stay relaxed, taste as we go and drink some green wine, announces chef Vitor Candido from the Cook in Ribeira cooking school. In the kitchen of an 18th-century building, Candido shares his secret to the perfect garlic prawns lots of butter and a squeeze of prawn heads. We fry eggs in olive oil to make bacalhaus a bras, Portugals beloved dish of codfish, and toast almonds for tarte de amandoa. Its all delightfully messy and joyfully chaotic, fuelled by the steady flow of vinho verde. Its such a light and refreshing drink, we call it swimming pool wine, says Candido, adding the final chapter to my Douro wine education. Seoul: The first report on last months Jeju Air crash in South Korea confirmed traces of bird strikes in the planes engines, though officials havent determined the cause of the accident that killed all but two of the 181 people on board. The preliminary accident report released by South Koreas Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board on Monday (Tuesday AEDT) said feathers and bird blood stains were found in both engines. The samples were sent to specialised organisations for DNA analysis, and a domestic organisation identified them as belonging to Baikal teals, the report said, referring to a migratory duck. The report also said the planes two black boxes the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder stopped recording about four minutes before the crash. This could complicate efforts to find the cause. London: Police officers twice failed to catch a shoplifter in a wheelchair as she evaded them during a blue light car chase. Footage showed a South Yorkshire Police car sounding its siren as the suspect fled on a three-wheeled motorised wheelchair on Sunday. Officers twice tried to cut across her wheelchair during the chase in Sheffield as they attempted to force it to a halt. But the suspect escaped both times, manoeuvring around the car and continuing down the road. The force reported later that it eventually apprehended the woman, who admitted to shoplifting high value goods from the nearby Meadowhall shopping centre. "Particularly in Brisbane," he said, "where you need to be earning at least $120,000 or more with no debt in order to buy. And not everyone makes that much. Rentvesting is the next best option to get into the market." Swiggys Tech Success Story: Insights into Swiggys cutting-edge technological innovations and their approach to solving complex logistics challenges. Insights into Swiggys cutting-edge technological innovations and their approach to solving complex logistics challenges. Collaborative Discussions: Networking opportunities for senior engineers, deep tech enthusiasts to exchange ideas on emerging trends such as AI, cloud computing, and digital transformation. Networking opportunities for senior engineers, deep tech enthusiasts to exchange ideas on emerging trends such as AI, cloud computing, and digital transformation. Actionable Takeaways: Practical strategies for leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, customer experience, and market growth. "In this transformative AI era, technology leaders have reclaimed the spotlight, with their influence growing beyond traditional domains like marketing and sales. It is now more crucial than ever for technology leaders in India to come together and shape the future of innovation. We are quite excited to provide CTOtalk as a perfect platform to drive impactful conversations, said Suresh Sambandam, Founder & CEO of Kissflow & Visionary behind CTOtalk. Vivek Garg, AVP, Swiggy, shared their thoughts on the event: At Swiggy, technology is at the heart of everything we do, from optimizing delivery operations to creating seamless customer experiences. Collaborating with CTOtalk has been an incredible opportunity to exchange insights with fellow tech leaders and discuss the innovations shaping the future of our industry. Were proud to be part of this initiative, which fosters collaboration and growth within the technology community. SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, and the National University of Singapore (NUS) announced the establishment of the SPIE-CDE Fellowship in Optical Science and Engineering during SPIE Photonics West in San Francisco. The US$500,000 gift from SPIE is matched by an equivalent US$500,000 contribution from the College of Design and Engineering (CDE) at NUS to form a US$1-million endowed fund. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250124172614/en/ Associate Professor Aaron Danner, center, with PhD students Zifeng Yuan, left, and Yuan Gao, right, all from the NUS Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, at an all-optical Ising machine that was designed and built by Gao. (Photo: Business Wire) Part of the SPIE Endowment Matching Program, this new endowed fund will support a PhD student working in the field of optics and photonics at NUS CDE. This is the 13th major SPIE gift to universities and institutes as part of the Society's ongoing program to support the international expansion of optics and photonics through increased educational capacity, funding of research, and the development of talent pipelines for industry. Recipients of the SPIE-CDE Fellowship in Optical Science and Engineering will help build the future of optics and photonics, said SPIE CEO Kent Rochford. Investing in optical engineering students pursuing their PhDs will have a critical impact on the field, and we are delighted to work with NUS to create exciting opportunities for these students. The mission of SPIE, which is to partner with researchers, educators, and industry to advance light-based research and technologies, is one that NUS CDE wholeheartedly supports. The SPIE-CDE Fellowship formalizes our mutual commitment to developing young talent in this field, said Professor Kie-Leong Teo, Dean of NUS CDE. Associate Professor Aaron Danner from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, who played a key role in the development of the Fellowship within NUS CDE, expressed his hope that it would foster closer ties between NUS CDE and SPIE through the students supported by the program. The SPIE Endowment Matching Program was established in 2019 to increase international capacity in the teaching and research of optics and photonics. With this latest gift, SPIE has provided over $5 million in matching gifts, resulting in more than $13 million in dedicated funds. The SPIE Endowment Matching Program supports optics and photonics education and the future of the industry by contributing a match of up to $500,000 per award to college, institute, and university programs with optics and photonics degrees, or with other disciplines allied to the SPIE mission. About SPIE SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, brings engineers, scientists, students, and business professionals together to advance light-based science and technology. The Society, founded in 1955, connects and engages with our global constituency through industry-leading conferences and exhibitions; publications of conference proceedings, books, and journals in the SPIE Digital Library; and career-building opportunities. Over the past five years, we have invested more than $25 million in the international optics community through our advocacy and support, including scholarships, educational resources, travel grants, endowed gifts, and public-policy development. www.spie.org. About the National University of Singapore The National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapores flagship university, which offers a global approach to education, research and entrepreneurship, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. We have 16 colleges, faculties and schools across three campuses in Singapore, with more than 40,000 students from 100 countries enriching our vibrant and diverse campus community. We have also established more than 20 NUS Overseas Colleges entrepreneurial hubs around the world. Our multidisciplinary and real-world approach to education, research and entrepreneurship enables us to work closely with industry, governments and academia to address crucial and complex issues relevant to Asia and the world. Researchers in our faculties, research centres of excellence, corporate labs and more than 30 university-level research institutes focus on themes that include energy; environmental and urban sustainability; treatment and prevention of diseases; active ageing; advanced materials; risk management and resilience of financial systems; Asian studies; and Smart Nation capabilities such as artificial intelligence, data science, operations research and cybersecurity. For more information on NUS, please visit nus.edu.sg. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250124172614/en/ Oregon is lagging most other states in veterinary education funding, spurring a proposal to spend $13.5 million on training and research at Oregon State University. At $3.4 million, annual state funding for OSUs veterinary college is $10 million below the national average, which means it ranks 31st out of 33 accredited U.S. institutions based on that measure. The university is under a challenge to meet all of our financial commitments to our students. As weve looked at the College of Veterinary Medicine, we are not meeting that commitment to our students under current state funding, said Katie Fast, OSUs executive director of government relations. The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association says the funding disparity is placing a significant strain on the vet schools ability to attract and retain top faculty and conduct research and training. Without increased state support, Oregon risks falling behind in veterinary education, limiting access to skilled professionals who are essential to animal health, public safety, and agricultural industries across the state, according to OVMAs submitted testimony. House Bill 2167 would provide the university a shot in the arm by investing $10 million in education programs at its teaching hospital and $3.5 million in its veterinary diagnostics laboratory. Supporters say the bill is necessary to strengthen the states veterinary workforce, which is scarce in several areas, and will provide a valuable return on investment a time when interest in such careers is growing. Rural areas especially need more veterinarians to replace those who retire or move, said Wendy Krebs, a veterinarian in Bend, Ore. Positions go unfilled for long periods or even permanently. The high cost of veterinary education is aggravating the problem in rural areas, which is why state funding is needed to fill the financial gap, she said during a recent legislative hearing. Tuition has already been raised to levels that result in student loan burdens that are crippling to new veterinarians, and force them to choose more lucrative positions in urban areas rather than serve the critical needs in rural areas, Krebs said. The federal government has formally designated Crook, Douglas, Klamath, Sherman, Tillamook and Umatilla counties as having a shortage of veterinarians, particularly those specializing in large animals who serve agriculture, according to OVMA. The shortage of veterinarians in our county can leave farmers without consistent access to professional care, potentially forcing them to navigate complex animal health issues on their own, according to the Tillamook County Creamery Association. The threat of zoonotic bacteria and viruses such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, which crossed from birds to mammals, also highlights the need to bolster OSUs surveillance and diagnosis capacity, the association said. For example, OSUs veterinary diagnostics lab recently discovered the virus had infected a pig and a house cat, said Kurt Williams, the facilitys director. The work of the lab is crucial for protecting animals and humans from infectious disease, said Williams. CARLOW County Council set up a severe weather control centre in response to Storm Eowyn on Friday while staff worked tirelessly to help the public deal with its aftermath. The control centre co-ordinated council staff as well as linking up with services such as ESB Networks, An Garda Siochana and Uisce Eireann. The local authority also set up an emergency helpline, which was in operation throughout Friday. Director of services Padraig OGorman told The Nationalist that the emergency hotline received 25 calls, which were mainly about reports of fallen trees and power outages. Seventeen of the calls were about fallen trees over power lines or blocking roads, while damage was also done to trees at Carlow Town Park, Ducketts Grove and Oak Park. Oak Park Forest Park will remain closed for another few days as fallen trees and debris are cleared and the woods are assessed for further damage. Around 4,000 homes and businesses suffered power black outs, with the ESB repairing the damage on Friday in areas such as Graigueucullen, Ballinabranna and Old Leighlin while later in the weekend reaching Kildavin, Nurney and Tullow. According to ESB Networks, power was due to be restored to the last of the houses in the Tullow area yesterday, Monday, evening. Gardai and the fire brigade attended the scene of a single-vehicle traffic accident in Ballon, when a car hit an ESB pole on Friday morning just as the storm was picking up speed, but the driver had left the scene when they got there. Fortunately, the council has reported no major casualties in the county as a result of Storm Eowyn and later Storm Herminia. Fortunately, we werent as badly hit as other areas and we were well prepared so that went a long way to allay peoples fears. Id like to thank all of our staff who come in at irregular hours and who gave their services to help people. Chief executive Coilin OReilly is now co-ordinating the community response for the areas worst hit in the west, southwest and midlands and has compiled a list of staff which may be of help in the stricken counties. Alan OReilly from Carlow Weather worked over the weekend, keeping Ireland updated with forecasts. He said that one of the most remarkable aspects about the storm was sea salt being deposited by the high winds in Co Carlow. Its a long way from Carlow to the sea! That really surprised people, said Alan. A DISPUTE involving Carlow bloodstock expert Joe Foley, managing director of Ballyhane Stud in Leighlinbridge, and Jersey-based businessman Steven Parkin was heard in the High Court last week. The court has been asked to decide where a breeding stallion, estimated to be worth between 2 million and 3 million (2.4 million and 3.5 million), should be stabled pending resolution of a dispute over ownership. Mr Parkin, and a UK-registered company he is a member of, Clipper BCS LLP, have sued Mr Foley and Ballyhane claiming full ownership of a stallion called Sands of Mali. The defendants say they are 50% owners. Sands of Mali is a successful racehorse who finished his racing career in 2020. He now covers mares which have produced progeny that have won 13 races in Britain as well as one each in Ireland and France. The horse has been stabled at Ballyhane since it was bought for 270,000 (323,000) in August 2020. The issue of ownership has yet to go to full trial but in the meantime Mr Parkin and Clipper asked the court to order the horse be sent to a third-party stud. Mr Foley opposed the application. Mr Parkin said in an affidavit that relations between the parties have completely broken down and his side cannot, and do not, trust the defendants to manage the stallions stud career. He said this case is part of a wider row between the parties concerning outstanding covering fees due to them for the stallion and four other thoroughbred breeding stallions which were stabled at Ballyhane. Mr Foley, in a replying affidavit, said that for more than a decade he bought the vast majority some 34 million worth of Mr Parkins horses, and managed their racing and stud careers. He said he was tasked with making Mr Parkins bloodstock business into what Mr Parkin termed a superpower. He said as a result of his careful and successful management, Sands of Mali had a current perceived value of between 2 million and 3 million. In opposing the transfer of the horse to another stud, he said it was important to highlight there is a very high risk that this might result in a very rapid collapse of his value. He also maintains that he and Ballyhane are owed substantial funds and shares of assets by Mr Parkin and Clipper, the recovery of which he is extremely concerned about. He denies the relationship broke down over his sides failure to account for and make payments of stallion fees. Applying for a transfer order on Thursday, Robert Beatty SC, for Mr Parkin and Clipper, said his clients had not received a red cent for covering fees in six years from the defendants. At the same time, Mr Foley had received millions, he said. It would be unjust to leave the horse in the possession of the defendants pending the full trial in circumstances where that relationship had broken down, he said. In reply, Remy Farrell SC, for the defendants, said Mr Parkin and Clipper should not be granted a transfer order as they did not have an obviously strong case and there was a conspicuous absence of any clear documentation relating to the horse. While Mr Parkin says he is the owner, the fact that there is an admitted 50/50 split in the fees received is consistent with a proprietary interest by the defendants in the animal, he said. It was the defendants view that the relationship broke down because Mr Parkin got into financial difficulties and a fire sale of his horse business assets had taken place. There was a very real concern that the horse had been mortgaged to financiers JP Morgan, who have not been informed about the facts of this case, he said. His side does not have full visibility on the mortgage and the concern is about the possibility that the horse could be seized by JP Morgan, he said. Mr Justice David Nolan said he hoped to give his decision within the next two weeks. By David Young and Rebecca Black, PA The Government will not be found wanting in regard to co-operating with the Omagh bomb inquiry, Tanaiste Simon Harris has insisted. Mr Harris, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs, said he wanted to provide a categoric assurance that the Government would find a legal mechanism to ensure all requested material is supplied to the UK-led inquiry into the 1998 attack. There is a significant cross-Border element to the investigation into the Omagh bomb, as the attackers travelled across the Border with the bomb ahead of the devastating blast in Co Tyrone. A judge who called on the British government to set up an inquiry also urged the Irish Government to establish its own probe. Ministers in Dublin decided against holding their own separate inquiry but have pledged to co-operate with the UK one. Ahead of the first substantive hearings beginning in Omagh on Tuesday, some relatives of the bereaved had questioned whether the Irish authorities would hand over all requested information. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed, was particularly vocal on the issue. Mr Harris, who was on visit to Stormont in Belfast on Tuesday, moved to offer reassurance to the families. Everybody in Ireland remembers the horror of that sunny August afternoon in Omagh, and today will be another stark reminder of the pain and suffering caused to so many families as the commemorative hearings begin, he said. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was one of the victims of the Omagh bombing, speaks to the media as he arrives at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh (Liam McBurney/PA) Testimony over the coming weeks will be difficult, especially for those who lost loved ones, and for those who responded first as the news broke, but it is important to remind ourselves of the full horror of that brutal attack, to remind ourselves of the purpose of this inquiry. When I was taoiseach, the government took a clear decision to assist the Omagh Inquiry. That commitment was made clear, publicly, at the preliminary hearing last August. The programme for government repeats that commitment in no uncertain terms, stating plainly that we will play our full part in legacy processes including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry. The cross-border nature of the assistance, to an inquiry established under UK law, means that it takes some work to get the details of the mechanisms of co-operation right, but we are actively engaging in this work and we will not be found wanting. Mr Harris was challenged on the issue as he fielded questions from reporters at Parliament Buildings. I want to be categoric here that the Irish Government will ensure full co-operation with the inquiry, he said. Police officers and firefighters inspecting the damage caused by the bomb explosion in Market Street, Omagh in 1998 (Paul McErlane/PA) Our absolute, overstated, clear aim here is to make sure that all questions are answered through this inquiry, and can I say I think today is a very, very difficult and painful day for the families, for the families of victims, for the families of the many that were injured. It is a stark reminder of the horror and the evil that was experienced on that day in 1998, and I think of all of the victims today. I think of all of the families as well. And I heard Michael Gallaghers comments earlier. Michael Gallagher, a good man who has worked so hard for truth and for justice, and I want to absolutely assure him, and I want to assure all of the families that the Irish Government will co-operate. He added: It is about finding the mechanism, because, obviously, Ireland is a sovereign country, the mechanism for engagement, but that will be found. There will be a way forward, and we will all work to make sure that victims, their families, the people of Northern Ireland, the people of this island, get answers and get truth. High Court Reporters A pre-school operating within the grounds of a north Dublin halting site had to close due to its staff being subjected to unacceptable threats and intimidation as part of a suspected feud over Dublin City Council works, the High Court has heard. St Margarets Pre-School CG this week secured orders appointing a liquidator to itself after it told the court staff were left in fear from threats and it has been unable to source alternative premises. The court heard the pre-school operated from a community centre in St Margarets halting site in Ballymun from 2011 until June 2023. It catered primarily for children resident on the site, but also for some children from the general locality. A director of the company said she believes there has for the past few years been an ongoing dispute between a small number of residents of the site and the Dublin City Council. In an affidavit, she said she understands that the dispute originates from construction works carried by the council. She said the council is the landlord of the pre-school premises and, through no fault of its own, the pre-school has found itself to be a target of the ire of a small number of site residents and/or other unknown persons involved in the dispute. She alleged that, as staff were preparing to reopen in September 2023 after the summer break, an unknown man called and threatened to burn down the pre-school if the local authority failed to carry out certain construction works on the halting site. School staff members reported being watched as they left the premises, and a decision was made not to open the following Monday as planned, the director said. She said Dublin City Councils Traveller accommodation unit was notified of the incident. The schools board was told that the council met with residents more than once but talks broke down and the council advised it would no longer cooperate with the cohort of residents until the threat on the community centre was lifted, the director claimed. She said the council reported the threat to gardai and removed its staff from the site following threats to them. The pre-school board was informed in February 2024 that the dispute remained unresolved and that the city council had yet to return its staff to the site, she said. Pre-school funding had ceased by October/November 2023 due to the closure, so staff had to be paid out of company reserves, she said. During the closure, the premises was used as a dumping ground for rubbish and horse manure, the director said. The school attempted to find alternative premises but has not found any suitable. Last April, a majority of its board of management voted to close the pre-school permanently and to seek the companys winding up. The director said she is deeply saddened on a personal and professional level that the school had to close in these circumstances. She said the closure is entirely out of our control and comes despite trojan efforts by all staff members and company directors. She was pleased that, thanks to the efforts of the staff, all children previously enrolled have found alternative placements. Mr Justice Oisin Quinn commended the schools staff, directors and members for all their efforts in the face of what they experienced. He acceded to the companys request for a liquidator to be appointed. The companys barrister, Sally ONeill instructed by Clark Hill Solicitors, had submitted that the winding up was just and equitable in the circumstances. The court heard the company is solvent and will have an excess of funds after repaying all remaining creditors. In recent years, the landscape of short animated films has undergone a significant shift. Short animated films are increasingly stretching beyond the 20-minute mark. In fact, three of this years five Oscar-nominated shorts are 19-minutes or longer. This shift could be attributed to filmmakers responding to evolving audience expectations or exploring new storytelling possibilities that require more time to unfold. By breaking away from the traditional constraints of shorter formats, creators can delve deeper into complex narratives and character development, which might be resonating more with modern viewers. Some are even nearing the 30-minute maximum runtime set by animation festivals like the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF), of which Im the artistic director. This shift reflects a growing ambition among filmmakers to explore more complex narratives and themes, challenging traditional boundaries. Traditionally, films exceeding 20 minutes were relatively scarce, and only exceptional works justified such lengths. Yet recent examples like Tomek Popakuls Acid Rain and Zima, Daria Kashcheevas Electra, and Kaspar Janciss Antipolis challenge this norm. Even veteran animators Priit and Olga Parn ventured into this space with their awkwardly timed 32-minute piece Luna Rossa. Cartoon Brew interviewed leading producers, distributors, educators, programmers, and filmmakers to gain a better understanding of this complex and potentially problematic trend. The Festival Squeeze So what?, some might ask about the rise of longer short films. One significant consequence is the reduced number of films accepted into festival competitions. At OIAF, the number of selected films has shown a downward trend. In 2014, the festival showcased 84 shorts. From 2015 onward, that number ranged between 56 and 68, dropping to a record-low 40 in 2023, the year Electra, Zima, and Antipolis competed. This decline is partly due to the rise of long shorts, which take up more programming slots. The logistical challenges of accommodating longer films are not trivial. Festivals operate on tight schedules and budgets, making it difficult to simply add more screenings. Festivals are complex, resource-intensive endeavors, not events that can easily adapt to every shifting trend. For festivals already operating under financial and time constraints, programming longer films often comes at the cost of showcasing a wider variety of works, which impacts the diversity of voices and styles that audiences are exposed to. Marcel Jean, artistic director of the Annecy International Animation Festival, echoes these concerns. If films continue to get longer, we may need to create subcategories or adjust programming limits, he said. Jean points to the shrinking number of films selected for Annecys International Competition, which has steadily declined over the past decade. From 2012 to 2014, we selected an average of 49 films per year. By 2024, that number had dropped to just 31, he noted. Daniel Suljic, artistic director of Animafest Zagreb, shared a similar perspective. At Animafest Zagreb, we increased our upper limit for shorts to 40 minutes, but that creates another issue: how do you deal with middle-length films? Ive thought about it a lot maybe shorts could have a limit of 17 minutes, and middle-length films could have their own category. But when I simulated the numbers from past years, one year wed have three, four, or five great middle-length films, but another year wed only have one or two. Maybe the solution is to lower the limit for shorts to 20 minutes maximum, with features starting at 45 minutes. Festivals cant just add more screenings. We have budgets and, beyond that, there are only 24 hours in a day. Technologys Influence The role of technology in this phenomenon is undeniable. Tomek Popakul, director of Zima, explained how advancements in 3d animation and motion capture enable filmmakers to extend runtimes without drastically increasing production costs. Once youve invested in modeling characters and environments, Popakul said, its relatively flexible to add more seconds or new shots. His use of motion capture allows for seamless looping of actions, enabling longer sequences with minimal additional effort. Suljic provided a historical perspective: In the past, film was expensive, and every second counted. Directors at studios like Zagreb Film were very conscious not to prolong scenes unnecessarily. Now, with digital technology, its easier to leave a scene one or two seconds longer. But when you do that across the entire film, those seconds add up. By the end, youve got a film thats 10-20% too long. Steven Subotnick, a filmmaker and teacher at Rhode Island School of Design, added, Digital technology makes it easier to work in longer formats. In the old days of film, the medium was so much more expensive and cumbersome, which tended to limit screen time. Daria Kashcheeva, whose 27-minute film Electra emerged from the Czech Republics co-production and grant system, shed light on a different approach to production. In Europe, or at least in the Czech Republic, the budgeting and production process differs, she explained. Here, its about securing as much funding as possible from various grants, film funds, and co-productions, rather than calculating the cost minute by minute. This approach enables filmmakers to creatively work within their budget, allowing institutional support to facilitate more ambitious and longer projects. The Live-Action Effect Some animators point to live-action cinema as a key influence on their narrative styles and runtimes. Popakul acknowledged that his films often mimic live-action storytelling, with their three-act structures, character arcs, and dramatic pacing. For poetic or experimental films, 7-10 minutes can suffice, he said. But for psychologically deep characters and plot twists, you need more time. Kashcheeva, who is currently writing her first feature-length script, revealed how her love for live-action films shaped her storytelling instincts. My brain is wired to follow the classic three-act structure, she said, adding that her short films naturally expand into longer formats as a result. This evolution highlights how live-action conventions influence animation storytelling, encouraging deeper character development and more complex narratives. Kaspar Jancis also reflected on the influence of live-action. His film Antipolis began as a live-action idea and retained a cinematic approach even after transitioning to stop-motion. The decision to use ultra-realistic characters was inherited from the live-action projects development, he said. Meanwhile, Subotnick, highlighted a different perspective: Shorts are about concentration and visual communication, he said, advocating for concise storytelling that leverages animations unique capabilities rather than mirroring live-action conventions. These contrasting influences demonstrate how animation can both borrow from and distinguish itself from live-action, expanding the mediums narrative potential. The crossover influence is not limited to individual filmmakers. Audiences themselves have become accustomed to live-actions pacing and structure, which may contribute to the acceptance and even expectation of longer run times in animation. This shift in audience perception further encourages animators to adopt live-action conventions, blurring the line between the two mediums. A Gateway to Features? The ambition to transition into feature filmmaking may also be driving this trend. If you gave filmmakers unlimited resources, most would choose to make a feature, said Popakul. However, he also acknowledged the daunting effort required, noting that the long-short format may offer a practical middle ground. Producers like Olivier Catherin confirm this ambition. Developing longer narratives is a way for filmmakers to prepare for feature projects, he said. In countries like France, where scriptwriting is essential for securing funding, the system inherently pushes filmmakers toward creating more elaborate works. Kashcheeva, now transitioning to a feature project, illustrated how long shorts can serve as a training ground. Currently, Im writing the script for my first feature film, which will include both live-action and stop-motion elements, she shared. This hybrid approach exemplifies how animators are leveraging their experiences with long shorts to bridge the gap to feature filmmaking. Long shorts also provide an opportunity for filmmakers to develop and refine their storytelling skills without the immense pressure and stakes of a full-length feature. This stepping stone approach allows creators to test the waters of extended narratives, experiment with pacing, and explore deeper character development, which can ultimately strengthen their capabilities when they do transition to features. Challenges for Producers and Distributors While longer shorts may be artistically fulfilling, offering filmmakers the opportunity to delve deeper into complex narratives and character development, they pose significant challenges for producers and distributors who must contend with tighter festival schedules and limited audience attention spans. Vanja Andrijevic of Bonobostudio observed that programming long shorts in festivals is difficult. A 20-minute film has to be exceptional to compete with two shorter films of equal quality, she said. As a distributor, Andrijevic often encourages filmmakers to trim their projects, emphasizing the importance of rhythm and pacing. If a film can be shorter, why not?, she asked. Similarly, Luce Grosjean of Miyu Distribution warned that long shorts are harder to program and sell. Every minute after 15 counts double, she explained. Yet, for thematic programs, longer films can work if their quality justifies the runtime. Grosjean highlighted the importance of finding alternative niches for showcasing these works, such as curated programs focused on specific themes. Catherin elabored on the complexities: These larger projects are heavier to produce. They involve bigger teams, sometimes split across different studios similar to a feature film. This makes the process much more complicated for producers. You need more money and more people. Sometimes, the project grows too large. Directors may not realize this they just keep adding more. For example, a film might start at 13 minutes and grow to 16 minutes because they decide, Oh, maybe its better with two or three more minutes. That kind of thing happens quite often. Christine Noel, executive producer of the Animation Unit at the National Film Board of Canada, observed: For a while now, weve seen creators of director-driven animated shorts wanting to tell their stories through films with runtimes of more than 17 minutes; one example was Theodore Ushevs The Physics of Sorrow back in 2019. While it hasnt necessarily been a massive trend, were definitely still seeing it these days. Just recently, animators like Amanda Strong, with Inkwo for When the Starving Return, and Torill Kove, with Maybe Elephants, have felt the need to tell their stories in more elaborate ways. As a creative lab, we champion all forms of storytelling, and that might mean formal, visual, or narrative experimentation. Longer runtimes are also something were quite willing to explore, as long as their purpose is to deliver a meaningful experience for the viewer, not simply for convenience. Grosjean added that festivals like Annecy face increasing pressure to accommodate longer films without sacrificing variety. Annecy selected only 40 films for the International Competition last year, she noted. This reduction in slots underscores the competitive disadvantage of longer shorts, which may require festivals to explore new programming models, such as thematic blocks or dedicated categories for mid-length films. The Role of Education Educators and festival directors agree that animation schools play a critical role in shaping filmmakers understanding of storytelling and pacing. Suljic believes many films could benefit from tighter editing. Some films could be 20-30% shorter, he suggested. In the past, filmmakers had to carefully consider each frame due to the high cost of production. Today, with digital tools making production easier and more affordable, theres less pressure to keep things concise. This can result in films that feel drawn out or lack focus. Amy Kravitz, a professor at the Rhode Island School of Design, noted that some students focus on verbal, script-driven animation reflects a misguided attempt to align with industry trends. Students sometimes see longer films as a pathway to finding producers and deals, she observed. Kravitz stresses the importance of nurturing students creative confidence and encouraging them to explore animations unique storytelling potential beyond conventional formats. Animation doesnt need to adhere to live-action rules, she added, urging students to embrace the mediums flexibility. The Future of Long Shorts As festivals and filmmakers grapple with the implications of this trend, solutions remain elusive. Annecys Jean acknowledged the need for change. If films continue to get longer, we may need to create subcategories or adjust programming limits, he said. He suggests that introducing a dedicated category for mid-length films could help alleviate some of the pressure on programming while allowing these works to shine without overshadowing shorter entries. Kravitz warned that the drive for longer works may come from European producers as well as U.S. companies looking for the next whatever series. As a result, she said, Students get caught between their confusion and their ambition sometimes not really understanding the depth of the medium and its potential to move beyond all that into forms or practices they dont have the confidence to imagine currently. Despite the challenges, long shorts offer unique opportunities for artistic exploration. Educator Subotnick emphasized the value of conciseness in short films, advocating for a return to animations roots in brevity and impact. However, there is also a growing recognition of the creative potential in long shorts. Ultimately, the rise of long short films reflects a tension between creative ambition and practical constraints. Festivals, educators, and distributors will likely need to collaborate more closely to innovate programming strategies and establish clearer distinctions between short and mid-length formats. These adjustments could help maintain a balance between celebrating artistic ambition and addressing practical challenges. As the short animation landscape transforms, finding ways to combine narrative depth with brevity may lead to a redefinition of what a short film can achieve. Fijian PM extends New Year greetings to Chinese people Xinhua) 14:26, January 28, 2025 SUVA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Tuesday extended greetings to the Chinese people and the Chinese diaspora around the world. "On behalf of the Fijian government and the people, I wish you all a joyous and prosperous Chinese New Year. May this year bring happiness, health, and harmony to your loved ones," Rabuka said in a video message. The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, marks the time of renewal, hope, and prosperity, values that resonate deeply with the Fijian spirit, the prime minister said. He expressed his gratitude to the Chinese diaspora for "their invaluable contributions" to Fiji. The prime minister said the bilateral relationship between Fiji and China has always been one of mutual respect and cooperation, and he believes that there is huge potential to deepen the connections between the two nations. He said the Fijian government is exploring opportunities to establish direct flights to key link airports in China, aiming to bolster its tourism industry. "Fiji's breathtaking landscapes and warm hospitality await Chinese travelers. We welcome Chinese investors to consider Fiji as a prime destination for building world-class hotels, fostering economic growth, and creating jobs for our people," the prime minister said. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan) Fenix24, a cyber disaster recovery firm that is transforming the post-breach restoration process and impact, on Monday announced the acquisition of vArmour, the leading provider of Application Relationship Management software. This acquisition will enhance the capabilities of Fenix24's newest battalion, Argos99, which helps improve cyber resilience and incident recovery by providing companies with insights into their own assets and infrastructure both in peacetime and wartime. Organizations often struggle with inadequate visibility into their IT infrastructure, including key on-premises and SaaS-based data repositories. This lack of understanding about their assets, data, and the interdependencies among critical systems amplifies security risks, leaves them more vulnerable to cyberattacks and prolongs recovery times during incidents. vArmour has been at the forefront of cybersecurity, helping large enterprises around the world better understand and reduce their attack surface by highlighting and mapping relationships as well as dependencies between applications. The acquisition, and the appointment of former vArmour CEO Timothy Eades to Fenix24's advisory board, will accelerate Fenix24's growth and transform the insights the company can provide to peacetime customers as well as the incident recovery process for its customers. "Organizations need better visibility into their infrastructure, cloud applications, assets, data repositories, and the dependencies between them," said Fenix24 CEO Mark Grazman. "Merging the capabilities of Argos99 with vArmour will help revolutionize how organizations understand their own IT infrastructure and relationships between cloud applications, resulting in significantly faster ransomware recovery and resiliency." Trusted by some of the world's largest financial institutions and telecom providers, vArmour has raised more than $300 million in funding and holds 40-plus patents that have defined the visualization and segmentation industries. These patents are now part of Argos99's patent portfolio. Additionally, Fenix24 will now work with former vArmour customers to re-engage them with the enriched Argos99 platform and improve infrastructure visibility. "I am excited and committed to supporting the vision, mission, and remarkable traction of Fenix24 and Argos99 in helping redefine cyber resiliency and rapid recovery," Mr. Eades said. "Maintaining resilience requires a precise understanding of assets, relationships, and dependencies to ensure effective defense, reduce attack surfaces, and uphold continuous vigilance. The integration of Argos99 and vArmour offers enterprises unmatched security and visibility." vArmour, previously based in Los Altos, Ca., enabled businesses worldwide to enhance their resilience through effective understanding of the relationships between their applications, IT infrastructure and service behavior. vArmour's focus was fortifying the reliability and confidence of businesses' hybrid-cloud applications through continuous observation, aiding in progressing crucial initiatives and diminishing risk, said officials. Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father and inventor, once said, An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. As Tennesseans, how can we ensure our children reap that interest and have the opportunity to succeed in this world? I believe our support for Public Education and the Education Freedom Act of 2025 is a first step to making this investment a reality for our children today and into the future. Parents have the greatest responsibility and ability to shape their childrens academic futures. Too often, their role is limited by access and resources to provide the best education for their children. Instead of empowering parents, we restrict their options, particularly when it comes to education. Monopolies are rarely a good thing. Yet, we have allowed a government monopoly to control K-12 education for decades. The people most resistant to losing this monopoly are those who control or benefit from it. But education is not about preserving a systemits about the child, and about empowering parents to provide more educational opportunities for their children. Our state does not have monopolies in higher education. For 20 years, Tennessees HOPE Scholarship has provided opportunities for both public and private colleges. Federal programs like the Pell Grant and the Servicemens Readjustment Act of 1944 have helped students attend the universities of their choicefrom prestigious institutions like Harvard to schools closer to home, like the University of Tennessee, Covenant College, and Lee University. The success of this model is clear. More international students come to the United States for higher education than to any other country, with the United Kingdom a distant second. Competition in higher education is not only acceptableits widely embraced. So why are we resisting competition and choice in K-12 education? When I was a child, my grandfather worked for the US Post Office. There werent many choices for how to send or receive mail. The system worked, but it was also a monopoly and was not always the most effective way to send or receive mail. Today, we have choices: email, online payments, FedEx, UPS, and other delivery services. The American people have chosen alternatives to the government-run postal system. Whether its more efficient now than it was decades ago is up for debate, but the fact remains that we embraced choice and competition. Critics of school choice argue that it will divert funds from public education. However, they overlook Tennessee's investment of more than $3.8 billion in new education dollars, along with an additional $1 billion increase in teacher salaries over the past decade. They are not aware that state funding for Hamilton Countys public schools has risen by 36 percent, from $173 million to $270 million, over the past five years. The current proposal guarantees that public schools will not lose any funding if students choose to attend neighboring districts or private schools. Despite this, those benefiting from the monopoly claim only they know whats best for education. But education is about the child. Its about the parents who want the best future for their childrennot about maintaining a system. In fact, 78 percent of school parents support allowing parents to use tax dollars for education freedom. In Hamilton County, where weve implemented a version of school choice through the Educational Savings Account program, 99 percent of parents are satisfied. Enrollment in the program is relatively lowfewer than 500 students in a county with nearly 45,000 public school students. Currently, the countys private schools with the highest tuition rates are not participating in the ESA program. The ESA program has had no negative impact on my alma mater Hixson High School, which has earned a Composite Growth Score of Level 5 in four of the last five years. Our current school choice program has not harmed our local public schools. Should only those with significant financial resources have access to school choice? Why shouldnt every Tennessee parent have the opportunity to choose the best education for their child? Thirty-three states offer school choice programs, including 12 states that have adopted universal school choice. Studies show rising test scores and better educational attainment and life outcomes with education freedom for public and private schools alike. Some cling to the status quo K-12 education system, one that has shown little improvement in recent decades. I understand the comfort of familiarity. Change can be uncomfortable. But the time has come to embrace a new direction. Its time for school choice. Its time to give parents and studentsnot systemscontrol over their educational futures. It feels as though some are once again standing in the doorway, blocking the opportunity for families to elevate their status through a better K-12 experience. I implore those who are standing in the way to step aside and allow parents to take the lead. Help them make the choices that are best for their childrens futures. The door to educational opportunity should be wide open for all Tennessee families. Greg Martin State Representative for District 26 in Hamilton County * * * It is disappointing that Rep. Martin does not address some of the main concerns that many of his constituents have with school choice in Tennessee as Governor Lee is proposing it. He portrays those who oppose this plan as blocking families who want better for their children, but he does not answer the legitimate questions that many voters have about this bill. Why are we expanding a program that has not yet shown educational benefit? While some parents may be happy with the program, the rationale for implementing it was improving educational outcomes for students. Early test results show that these students are actually performing a little more poorly in their new schools. Governor Lees answer to this is to say that we should reduce accountability for those receiving this funding. Holding schools that accept these funds to different standards than public schools is inherently unfair and prevents us from providing taxpayers with evidence that this program is worth funding. Another concern with the bill as it stands is that half of the available monies will not be income-limited. So many families who can afford private schools will be getting their childrens education funded by tax dollars paid by families who even with this program cannot afford the costs above the $7,000 state funding or may live in a rural part of the state with no private school options. Governor Lees ultimate goal is to provide these funds universally to every family who wants them, growing the program year by year. Rep. Martin discusses that Tennessee should join other like-minded states who are providing school choice through vouchers or educational savings accounts, but he does not mention the financial hit that some of these states have faced as a result of these programs. Arizona, for example, is facing a budget crisis due in large part to the funds required to provide vouchers to so many families. Based on average participation in these other states, what is Tennessees projected financial liability for this program as it is expanded each year? If the cry for vouchers was a grassroots effort by the people of the state of Tennessee, an in-depth analysis and discussion of the best bill to accomplish this would be a worthy use of legislative time. However, how can we as Tennesseans not be skeptical when $4.5 million was spent by out-of-state PACs to primary our state legislators who did not immediately support Governor Lees school choice plans? How can we trust a bill that is rushed through in a special session without public comment? If we dont have measuring tools like TCAP to evaluate schools accepting these funds, how can we determine if these students indeed will have a brighter future and be more prepared for future careers? I will end this letter by acknowledging that I am a public school teacher. Maybe this is disqualifying to some who think my opinion should not matter, as I have a vested interest in public schools succeeding. But I am also a thinker and a voter. And Governor Lees handling of this bill via special session after several representatives were primaried by out-of-state groups and its lack of accountability measures leaves me with so many unanswered questions and a strong sense of unfairness in its design. Public schools are not a business; they are a service provided by the government to grow citizens and workers for the future good of our democracy. They take every student as they are and move them forward in learning and character development. They are not a monopoly in that we dont sell a product and we dont control our input. We do more with less money and more prepared teachers than virtually any private school. As one of the few places where every student is welcomed and taught, do we really want our local schools to see their job as competing with schools that can select the students they accept? Kelley Kuhn * * * A cursory scroll through our local Chattanooga media outlets like the Times Free Press and the Chattanoogan shows a significant amount of opposition to Governor Bill Lees private school voucher plan. Both in coverage of various gatherings of community members advocating for fully funded public schools, as well as various opinion pieces written by community members opposing Governor Lees voucher scam and advocating for resources to be spent investing directly into our public schools, not private schools. One is hard-pressed to find any support for private school vouchers in our local coverage, various published opinion pieces, or even public comment at our local school board meetings. Amid many public outcries directed at our state legislators to do the right thing, listen to their constituents, and vote no on the voucher scam, one can find two recent pro-voucher opinion pieces written by elected officials Dr. Adam J. Lowe of Senate District 1 and TN House Representative Greg Martin of District 26. Rep. Martin happens to be my elected representative in the Tennessee State House. My question for Rep. Martin is this: how many emails/phone calls have you received from individuals in TN House District 26 opposing vouchers? And how many emails/phone calls have you received from individuals in TN House District 26 supporting vouchers? I'm asking this question because, on Dec. 19, Hamilton County School Board members voted to adopt a legislative agenda that opposes the voucher plan, in a vote of 7-2. TN House District 26 shares many of the same constituents with School Board Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 11. Ben Daugherty from District 2 (which does not share voters with House District 26) did abstain from the vote and Joe Smith from District 3 was absent. The Hamilton County School Board representatives voted on our countys legislative agenda, named they were voting based on what they had heard from voters in their district. It has been made abundantly apparent that a large, bipartisan majority of Hamilton County constituents engaging with their school board members, oppose vouchers for a plethora of reasons. Outside of our School Board members, one Hamilton County representative, Michele Reneau, is rumored to be choosing to do the right thing in listening to those who elected her and has committed to voting against the voucher scam. We have to ask, why are other Hamilton County representatives in the Tennessee state legislature not doing the same? What is the incentive to support the voucher plan when the people who elected you are so clearly rejecting it? The two Hamilton County School Board reps who voted to oppose the legislative agenda opposing vouchers in the Dec. 19 meeting are from District 7 and District 10 and do not overlap with District 26. I am aware that Rep. Steve Slater from County District 1 and Ben Conner from County District 6 both put polls up on their Facebook pages, asking constituents their views on vouchers, and the results from both polls overwhelmingly demonstrated no support for vouchers. Both District 6 and District 1 have significant overlap with House District 26. D1 Rep. Slater named in the school board meeting that 85 percent of the respondents said no vouchers. I'm curious what, if any polling Rep. Martin has done in his district to inform his pro-voucher position? Additionally, I was alarmed by Rep. Martins recent statement in his opinion piece as well as an email to constituents that stated: In fact, 78 percent of school parents support allowing parents to use tax dollars for education freedom. While Rep. Martin didnt bother to cite this inaccurate representation of support for vouchers, the folks who conducted this study, Ed Choice, named in their methodology that they sampled about 4,000 total people across the US. I find it very doubtful that any of these participants were in Tennessee House District 26 or even Hamilton County. Some polling that may however be more relevant here is from Red America, Blue America. A polling firm that focuses on presenting data accurately and fairly through an unbiased lens. On Jan. 24, RABA published a study that surveyed 510 voters who actually live in Tennessee and found that 70 percent of those polled are not in favor of private school vouchers. This leads me again to ask, where is the support for Governor Bill Lees voucher plan in Hamilton County that justifies our elected official's pro-voucher positions? As the TN assembly meets in special session this week, I as a constituent of District 26 with a chorus of other community members, urge the Tennessee State Legislators to listen to their constituents and vote no on Governor Lees voucher scam. Michaela Winter 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) ANDERSON, ERICA TAYLOR 108 P POOLE AVE APT 103 RED BANK, 37415 Age at Arrest: 31 years old Arresting Agency: Red Bank AGGRAVTED DOMESTIC ASSAULT BREWER, DEREKA LATORA SHUNTA 83 HAWKINS OAK DRIVE CENTRAL AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37407 Age at Arrest: 29 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF HARASSMENT THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) BUCKNER, AMUS DEWAYNE 6930 ROCKCREEK RD TULLAHOMA, 37388 Age at Arrest: 35 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff VIOLATION OF PROBATION AGG ASSAULT VIOLATION OF PROBATION AGG BURGLARY VIOLATION OF PROBATION RETAILATION FOR PAST ACT VIOLATION OF PROBATION RESISTING ARREST VIOLATION OF PROBATION DISORDERLY CONDUCT VIOLATION OF PROBATION PUBLIC INTOXICATION CHUBB, ANIYAH MONAE 292 W 38TH STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37410 Age at Arrest: 24 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD THEFT OF PROPERTY COCHRAN, LAUREN MECHELLE 10020 BEAR TRAIL DRIVE SODDYDAISY, 37379 Age at Arrest: 35 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff UNAUTHORIZED USE OF HANDICAPPED PARKING OR PLACARD DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA COOPER, CARL MONTREL 2001 SOUTH LYLERY ST APT 166 CHATTANOOGA, 37404 Age at Arrest: 47 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DOMESTIC ASSAULT COY, TAYLOR BROOKE 2123 SPRING MEADOW LANE SE CLEVELAND, 37311 Age at Arrest: 22 years old Arresting Agency: Collegedale Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) CROSS, HUNTER GASTON 927 N SANCTUARY RD CHATTANOOGA, 37421 Age at Arrest: 23 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff HARASSMENT HARASSMENT DOMINGUEZ MANCILLA, CRISTIAN HOVER 1507 HICKORY VALLEY APT T162 CHATTANOOGA, 37421 Age at Arrest: 23 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF DUNN, DAKOTA ROBERT MICHAEL 2707 GARVIN RD HUNTSVILLE, 35810 Age at Arrest: 21 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA VOP POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE DUNN, HEATHER DAWN 2707 GRAVIN RD NW HUNTSVILLE, 35810 Age at Arrest: 48 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff FAILURE TO APPEAR ESCALANTE VELASQUEZ, MARVIN NOEL , Age at Arrest: 31 years old Arresting Agency: Red Bank LICENSE REQUIRED FE DE LEON, WILLIAM M 8770 LU LANE COLLEGEDALE, 37315 Age at Arrest: 23 years old Arresting Agency: Collegedale Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) GILES, AARON SCOTT 2315 DAISY ST CHATTANOOGA, 37406 Age at Arrest: 36 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE GRAY, KEVIN JOHN 8351 PETTY RD CHATTANOOGA, 374213480 Age at Arrest: 54 years old Arresting Agency: Tenn Hwy Patrol DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE DRIVING WRONG DIRECTION ON "ONE-WAY" ROAD DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE JONES, NIKIA L 4848 PAWNEE TRAIL CHATTANOOGA, 37411 Age at Arrest: 38 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD THEFT OF PROPERTY KENNEMORE, DEMETRIA LASHAWN HOMELESS CHATTANOOGA, 37408 Age at Arrest: 39 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DISORDERLY CONDUCT PUBLIC INTOXICATION CONTRABAND IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS MAULDIN, ISAAC JOSHUA 2067 WATERLOO DR DALTON, 30721 Age at Arrest: 31 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff BURGLARY THEFT OF PROPERTY MCDONALD, LUCRETIA DEANNE 1020 HWY 27 WHITWELL, 37397 Age at Arrest: 45 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) MOORE, JERMICHAEL LEBRON 4209 CAIN AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37410 Age at Arrest: 35 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff VOP DOMESTIC ASSAULT (AGG) PARIS, COREY J 1533 KIRBY AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37404 Age at Arrest: 37 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DOMESTIC ASSAULT RESISTING ARREST DISORDERLY CONDUCT PATTERSON, BARRY CHARLES 6819 CONNER LN CHATTANOOGA, 374212504 Age at Arrest: 68 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff VIOLATION OF PROBAITON AGG ASSAULT PRICE, BRELAND G 3131 STANDARD DRIVE MEMPHIS, 38111 Age at Arrest: 23 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE SHERRILL, MICHAEL PAUL 6525 HARDEN RD BIRCHWOOD, 37308 Age at Arrest: 44 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) STUDIMIRE, BREANNA LYSHELL 6317 TALLADAGE AVE APT A CHATTANOOGA, 37421 Age at Arrest: 25 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF TORREALBA, CARLOS JAVIER OCANDO 2633 ANDREW ST CHATTANOOGA, 37406 Age at Arrest: 33 years old Arresting Agency: Signal Mountain DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE SPEEDING UNDERWOOD, MARY LYNN 8428 SPRINGFEILD RD SODDY DASIY, 37379 Age at Arrest: 40 years old Arresting Agency: Soddy Daisy FALSE PRETENSE WHITE, DEVONTE JAYQUAN 3634 HELEN LANE APT B CHATTANOOGA, 37412 Age at Arrest: 31 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) WHITTEMORE, JEREMY DAVID 3985 TREWHITT SE CLEVELAND, 37323 Age at Arrest: 49 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff EVADING ARREST Here are the mug shots: ANDERSON, ERICA TAYLOR Age at Arrest: 31 Date of Birth: 10/07/1993 Arresting Agency: Red Bank Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): AGGRAVTED DOMESTIC ASSAULT BREWER, DEREKA LATORA SHUNTA Age at Arrest: 29 Date of Birth: 02/23/1995 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF HARASSMENT THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) BUCKNER, AMUS DEWAYNE Age at Arrest: 35 Date of Birth: 06/26/1989 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF PROBATION AGG ASSAULT VIOLATION OF PROBATION AGG BURGLARY VIOLATION OF PROBATION RETAILATION FOR PAST ACT VIOLATION OF PROBATION RESISTING ARREST VIOLATION OF PROBATION DISORDERLY CONDUCT VIOLATION OF PROBATION PUBLIC INTOXICATION CHUBB, ANIYAH MONAE Age at Arrest: 24 Date of Birth: 03/29/2000 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): THEFT OF PROPERTY COOPER, CARL MONTREL Age at Arrest: 47 Date of Birth: 07/29/1977 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): DOMESTIC ASSAULT COY, TAYLOR BROOKE Age at Arrest: 22 Date of Birth: 02/10/2002 Arresting Agency: Collegedale Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) CROSS, HUNTER GASTON Age at Arrest: 23 Date of Birth: 01/19/1995 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): HARASSMENT HARASSMENT DOMINGUEZ MANCILLA, CRISTIAN HOVER Age at Arrest: 23 Date of Birth: 02/08/2001 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF DUNN, DAKOTA ROBERT MICHAEL Age at Arrest: 21 Date of Birth: 01/08/2004 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA VOP POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE DUNN, HEATHER DAWN Age at Arrest: 48 Date of Birth: 09/03/1976 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): FAILURE TO APPEAR GRAY, KEVIN JOHN Age at Arrest: 54 Date of Birth: 12/11/1970 Arresting Agency: Tenn Hwy Patrol Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE DRIVING WRONG DIRECTION ON "ONE-WAY" ROAD DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE JONES, NIKIA L Age at Arrest: 38 Date of Birth: 07/04/1986 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): THEFT OF PROPERTY MCDONALD, LUCRETIA DEANNE Age at Arrest: 45 Date of Birth: 05/17/1979 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) MOORE, JERMICHAEL LEBRON Age at Arrest: 35 Date of Birth: 04/23/1989 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): VOP DOMESTIC ASSAULT (AGG) PATTERSON, BARRY CHARLES Age at Arrest: 68 Date of Birth: 12/09/1956 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF PROBAITON AGG ASSAULT PRICE, BRELAND G Age at Arrest: 23 Date of Birth: 09/29/2001 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE SHERRILL, MICHAEL PAUL Age at Arrest: 44 Date of Birth: 04/06/1980 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) STUDIMIRE, BREANNA LYSHELL Age at Arrest: 25 Date of Birth: 09/24/1999 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF TORREALBA, CARLOS JAVIER OCANDO Age at Arrest: 33 Date of Birth: 10/30/1991 Arresting Agency: Signal Mountain Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE SPEEDING UNDERWOOD, MARY LYNN Age at Arrest: 40 Date of Birth: 09/26/1984 Arresting Agency: Soddy Daisy Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): FALSE PRETENSE WHITE, DEVONTE JAYQUAN Age at Arrest: 31 Date of Birth: 02/18/1993 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) WHITTEMORE, JEREMY DAVID Age at Arrest: 49 Date of Birth: 08/13/1975 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/27/2025 Charge(s): EVADING ARREST County Commissioner Joe Graham said Wednesday he would not go along with an idea by County Mayor Weston Wamp to install a two-term limit for the office of county mayor. He said the reason Hamilton County government is so well run and has a AAA bond rating is that the major department heads and administrators have longevity. Commissioner Graham said with term limits "at the fifth or sixth year those administrators are going to start looking around for other jobs." Also, he said when a county mayor is getting near being termed out "he may not take on that big project." Commissioner Graham said, "The voters - there's your term limit." County Mayor Wamp said he had been considering the term limit idea for a lengthy time and had gotten positive feedback about it. He said it might be achieved through a Private Act of the Tennessee General Assembly and would likely involve a referendum. County Mayor Wamp said, "This proposal is not a novel one in Tennessee. Term limits of two four-year terms are already in place for the mayor of the City of Chattanooga and the mayors of Knox County, Knoxville, Shelby County, Memphis and Nashville. "While I intend to serve to the best of my ability for two terms, I believe term limits on the county mayor will ensure accountability, new ideas and transparency in county government for generations to come. He said he will "self impose" a limit of two four-year terms on himself. The Trust Company of Tennessee and United Way of Greater Chattanooga have joined forces to promote a three-part spring series for nonprofit professionals. The series will provide area nonprofit leaders with the knowledge they need to establish and cultivate strong financial strategies to power their missions forward, said organizers. One of the variables that makes Chattanooga so great is the incredible community of nonprofit organizations we have here, each working in their own way to strengthen the city we call home, said Tracey Smith, relationship manager with The Trust Company of Tennessees Chattanooga office. Our aim with this series is to give nonprofit leadership the tools and know-how they need to ensure they can advance their missions forward with financial strength. Weve been building this series out with our friends at United Way, and were excited to finally introduce it. Each installment of the three-part series will take place at United Ways 630 Market St. headquarters. Lasting 90 minutes each, the dates and speakers are: Thursday, Feb. 27, 9-10:30 a.m. Topic: Nonprofit Investing Best Practices & Trends Led by: Tracey Smith, Relationship Manager | Miranda Carr, Chief Investment Officer Thursday, March 27, 9-10:30 a.m. Topic: Planned Giving for Endowments Led by: Tracey Smith, Relationship Manager | Zach Hurst, Vice President Thursday, May 8, 9-10:30 a.m. Topic: Mission-Aligned Investing Led by: Tracey Smith, Relationship Manager | Miranda Carr, Chief Investment Officer "The Trust Company of Tennessees commitment to supporting our local nonprofit community through training and resources is invaluable," said Abby Garrison, vice president of Community Investments at United Way of Greater Chattanooga. "Opportunities like this help nonprofits strengthen their operations and amplify their work in our community, giving them more time to serve even more neighbors." The series is free to attend, though registration is required. For more information and to RSVP, click here. Gov. Lees voucher scam will cost at least $1.1 billion in five years 2:30 p.m. CT - SB 6001 - Senate Education - Watch Gov. The biggest beneficiaries of this new government largesse will be families who are already enrolled in private schools, according to the fiscal note. Despite fantastical voucher claims from Gov. Lee, reputable private schools will still be inaccessible for low and middle-income families due to tuition costs above the amount of the voucher, strict admission policies and capacity issues. So taxpayer-funded vouchers will flow to families who are already enrolled in private schools no matter how high their household income is. The end result is a budget-busting, new government subsidy for high-income families. With the governor poised to funnel millions of tax dollars to well-off families, two important notes: Tennessees public schools are ranked 45th in the nation for per student funding and 51% of public school students would receive less per-pupil state funding than voucher recipients ($7,075). Gov. Lee dedicates $5.6 million to mass deportation czar, grant program 9:30 a.m. CT - SB 6002 - Senate Government Operations - Watch 11 a.m. CT - SB 6002 - Senate Transportation - Watch 1 p.m. CT - SB 6002 - Senate Judiciary - Watch In the department of putting the cart before the horse, Gov. Bill Lees mass deportation legislation creates a four-person government office for a state deportation czar and a grant program for local governments to assist with federal immigration enforcement all before President Trump has issued new immigration guidelines for states. The legislation also changes drivers license rules for migrant workers and creates a felony for local officials who enact or even vote for sanctuary city policies, as determined by the Republican attorney general. But its already illegal for local governments to enact sanctuary city policies due to an earlier law. Be careful what you wish for, GUV. The mass detention and deportation of Tennessees immigrants may not just devastate families. It could also cripple economic sectors, like agriculture, construction and tourism, that rely heavily on an estimated 100,000 migrant workers in the state. Gov. Lee wants new financing authority to take on debt for toll roads 9:30 a.m. CT - SB 6006 - Senate Government Operations - Watch 11 a.m. CT - SB 6006 - Senate Transportation - Watch Gov. Bill Lee is asking the legislature to create a new transportation financing entity that can take on debt to finance his toll road projects. By creating a separate entity that finances these privately-run toll road projects, Gov. Lee and Republicans can still proudly say the state is technically debt free. Were so proud. Legislation establishes two separate disaster relief funds 10 a.m. CT - SB 6003 - Commerce & Labor - Watch A judge has ordered a real estate development company owned by Chattanooga developer John "Thunder" Thornton to pay $211,345 in attorney's fees after its lawsuit against two Marion County residents was dismissed. Attorneys for the residents said the order that went down on Friday "ends a nearly year-long legal battle in which Thornton unsuccessfully sued local residents Joey Blevins and Ronnie Kennedy (who has since died) for highlighting that Thunder's controversial proposed development River Gorge Ranch is situated on a mountain riddled with abandoned underground coal mines." In September 2024, 12th Circuit Court Judge Justin C. Angel dismissed the lawsuit based on the Tennessee Public Participation Act, which is meant to protect First Amendment rights and allow people to speak freely. "The Defendants' statements are protected speech relating to a matter of public concern," Judge Angel's order stated. Further, "The Defendants' statements were not false""there is evidence that there are abandoned mines, both above ground and strip mines on the property." Attorney Daniel A Horwitz said, "The court's order serves as complete vindication for Mr. Blevins, who performed a public service and looks forward to collecting the money that Thunder owes him. Hopefully, this humiliating defeat will teach Mr. Thornton and all other developers who dare to abuse Tennessee's court system an important lesson: litigation is not a substitute for addressing valid criticism." Attorneys Horwitz and Melissa Dix, of Horwitz Law were awarded $91,138. Mr. Kennedy was represented by attorneys William "Jay" Harbison II and Daniella K. Bhadare-Valente, of Neal and Harwell, who were awarded $120,206.84. Dane Bradshaw, president of Thunder Enterprises, said, "TPPA has a relatively unusual provision requiring payment of attorney fees upon dismissal of an action, and the court was obligated to assess those fees." Mr. Bradshaw also said, "We are pleased with the judges ruling that Aetna Mountain is a safe and developable property, as reaffirmed by Judge Angel in his findings. "Judge Angel stated, 'The Court is confident that the Plaintiff, mainly Thunder Thornton, will be able to build a safe and beautiful community on Aetna Mountain.' Furthermore, Judge Angel noted that Mr. Thunder Thornton acted in good faith, stating, Motion for Sanctions against the Plaintiff is denied. Mr. Thunder Thornton is a well respected and renowned real estate developer and businessman in our state. He has a legitimate and financial interest in protecting the value and reputation of his properties and investments. He initiated this litigation in an attempt to effectuate his aforementioned interests. The Court finds no proof this litigation was sought for any improper of malicious purpose." A Rossville woman has been sentenced to serve 10 years in prison after being convicted of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. The Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Districts Attorneys Office secured the conviction on Jan. 15 of Samantha Shea Leamon of 122 Ann Dr. On April 11, 2024 officers from Department of Community Supervision, Catoosa County Sheriffs Office, and Georgia Bureau of Investigation West Metro Drug Enforcement Office visited probationer Leamon at her residence. Ms. Leamon had 3.642 grams of fentanyl powder, along with her state-issued identification card in a bag in her bathroom. A trial was held from Jan. 14-15, and Ms. Leamon was convicted by a jury of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. Chief Judge Brian M. House sentenced Ms. Leamon to serve 10 years in the Georgia Department of Corrections, followed by 20 years on probation. The case was presented by Senior Assistant District Attorney Beth Evans, with assistance from Chief Investigator Christy Smith and Administrative Assistants Rachel Moon and Jennifer Jackson. The case was investigated by Catoosa County Sheriffs Office Detective Chris Lyons, with assistance from GBI Special Agent Stephen Pendergrass and DCS Officer Alex Barbee. Ms. Leamon was on probation for possession of clonazolam. District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller praised the work of the Catoosa County Sheriffs Office, DCS and the GBI, saying, We have dedicated public servants at all of our sheriffs offices, at probation and with the GBI - we always appreciate their hard work on fentanyl cases. We have lost far too many lives to fentanyl. So let this conviction be a warning: if you intend to deal this deadly poison, we will find you and we will bring you to justice. His office said, "Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid responsible for a significant number of overdose deaths in the four counties of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit and the United States." Last month the Hamilton County School Board joined dozens of school districts across Tennessee in formally opposing Governor Bill Lees voucher bill. In his vote to oppose, conservative school board member Steve Slater said hed asked his constituents for their input on vouchers. His vote reflected their strong opposition. As the Tennessee General Assembly takes up the voucher bill this week, I hope all of Hamilton Countys legislative delegation will be as responsive to the people they were elected to represent. Its easy to understand why vouchers are unpopular. Weve seen the resultsboth in states that have universal vouchers, and in Hamilton, Davidson and Shelby counties, which offer educational savings accounts through Tennessees pilot voucher program. The results have been remarkably consistent. Voucher programs dont improve test scores, dont help the families theyre supposed to help, and are characterized by limited accountability and transparency, inviting fraud and abuse. Universal vouchers, like Lee wants, blow big holes in state budgets and deflect funds from public schools, hitting rural communities especially hard. Regardless of the shell games lawmakers play when they talk about tax dollars, those dollars are finite. No separate opt-in revenue stream will fund Tennessees voucher program, the way lottery dollars fund the Tennessee Promise Scholarship. Most of our state government is funded by our sales tax. The families hit hardest by that high taxthe families vouchers are supposed to help but dontwill be subsidizing wealthier families private school tuition. If the data were good, vouchers would sell themselves. If people liked the concept of giving their tax dollars to private schools, it wouldnt have to branded with names that poll well, like school choice and education freedom. If vouchers were worth the considerable public investment (Lees plan will cost $1.1 billion for the first five years), they wouldnt have been pushed on us relentlessly by the billionaire-backed school choice movement. You dont need data to know that vouchers are a grift. This tells the story: School choice PACs have poured millions into state-level campaigns in Tennessee to secure support for vouchers. "School choice lobbyists have been in Nashville threatening to primary conservative lawmakers who dont support vouchers. School choice and education freedom are being marketed to Tennesseans through expensive ad campaigns. Tennessees pilot voucher legislation was so unpopular in the State House that the former speaker offered to facilitate a National Guard promotion for a Democratic lawmaker if he voted yes. The exchange was corroborated by a Republican lawmaker who witnessed it. The deciding vote in the House for the pilot legislation came from a Knoxville lawmaker who agreed to support it if Knox County was excluded. The most outspoken conservative opponent of Governor Lees universal voucher bill was just removed from the House education committee by the current speaker. Governor Lee tied hurricane relief to his universal voucher bill. Of Hamilton Countys five state reps and two state senators, only Reps. Yusuf Hakeem and Michele Reneau have said that theyve heard their constituents concerns and plan to vote no. Rep. Greg Martin recently published an opinion piece in support of vouchers. I dont know where the rest of our county delegation stands. But given their history of falling in line behind the lobbyists, I worry that Hakeem and Reneau will be the outliers. If you dont want what the billionaires are selling, contact your state legislators as soon as possible. They might ignore you, but they shouldnt be able to do it comfortably. Allison Gorman Dorthy "Dot" Keel Wallis of Chattanooga, Tennessee, died on Saturday, January 25, 2025, after a long illness. She was 91 years old. Her latter years were marked by the same strength and resilience she exhibited throughout her life, and her family and friends are grateful to have witnessed a life well lived. She was born in 1933 in Woodville, Al., to Chester and Edna Keel, both deceased. Dorthy was the oldest of four children, who included Peggy Keel, Loretta Keel Brown, and Chester Burton Keel, all of whom have preceded her in death. Her love of the farm on which she grew up and of all growing things would be a hallmark in her life, as was industriousness and a commitment to hard work. Above all, she was committed to God and her family. She was married to Harold Banks Wallis, Sr., now deceased, for 64 years, and they were devoted to each other. They had three children, Gail Wallis Bell of Ringgold, Georgia; Harold Banks (Butch) Wallis, Jr. (Traci) of Franklin, Tennessee; and Susan Wallis Pangborn of Atlanta, Georgia; five grandchildren David Dettelbach (Kristin), Jillian Bell, Banks Pangborn (Savanna), Dorothy Wallis (Gordon), Emily Lolchoki (Adrian), and Hallie Zaccagnino (Ben), and eleven great-grandchildren. Despite working outside the home in various office positions, including as a medical receptionist in a doctors office and as an administrative assistant in an accounting office, she is remembered for her homemaking skills. Dorthy could sew anything, grow anything, and truly had a heart for service. Her family fondly remembers her tireless efforts on their behalf and knew they could depend on her to help them whenever needed. Dot was actively involved with all her grandchildren throughout their lives, forming a close relationship with each and with each convinced that they were her favorite. Dot was a woman of strong belief and faith in God. For as long as she was able, if the Church doors were open, she was in attendance. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, and attended Rossville Church of Christ in Rossville, Georgia, when she and Harold retired to Ringgold. But more than just attending the services, she was an active member, lending her talents to receptions, teaching Sunday School, helping tend the grounds, volunteering with the food pantry (Harvest House) that served the community, and doing many other acts of service over the years. The family would like to thank the Morningpointe Lantern staff and Hearth Hospice of Chattanooga for their care for Dorthy these past years. We are especially grateful to Renea Long, her devoted caregiver, whom we will always consider a member of our family. The family will have a graveside service on Thursday, Jan 30, at 11 a.m. at Forest Hills Cemetery in Chattanooga. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Alzheimers Association. Wacker Chemie AG started up two new production facilities for specialty silicones in Japan and South Korea. The expansion strengthens the companys activities in the Asian growth market. The new plants, located in Tsukuba, Japan and in Jincheon, South Korea, will serve the growing demand from the automotive and construction industries for these products. In total, WACKER has invested an amount in the double digit million Euro range in the capacity expansions. With the expansion of our production facilities in Japan and South Korea, we are strengthening our position as a market and technology leader for high-quality silicone solutions in the important Asian growth market, said Christian Kirsten, WACKER Executive Board member responsible for the Groups silicones business, at the opening. The additional capacity will help us meet growing demand, especially from the local automotive and construction industries. By doing so we continue to drive our specialties strategy in the silicones sector. Asia is already one of WACKERs most important sales regions. We generate more than 40 percent of our sales in Asia. Our business activities in Japan and South Korea are major contributors, emphasizes WACKERs executive board member Angela Worl, who is responsible for the Asia region. The new production lines in Tsukuba and in Jincheon support our strategy to locate our manufacturing capabilities close to our customers in the region. Tsukuba: Focus on E-Mobility The capacity expansion at WACKERs production site in Tsukuba is targeting customers from the automotive industry, especially in the field of electromobility. The newly built plant hosts a production line for manufacturing silicone-based thermal interface materials (TIM). These materials are basically silicone elastomers that have been modified with various additives and fillers during compounding to render them thermally conductive. Aside from the automotive industry, silicone-based TIM also serve as so called gap fillers in the electronics industry, where they provide effective thermal management of electrical components. The batteries in electric cars, for example, are embedded in silicone encapsulants. This ensures controlled dissipation of the heat generated during operation and protects the traction battery from overheating. As part of the global trend towards electromobility, demand for such specialty silicones is also expected to increase in Asia. Japanese automotive suppliers are currently investing heavily in this sector. The industry is looking for opportunities to improve the design and performance of battery powered vehicles. Silicones are materials that enable new and innovative solutions, ranging from hybrid cable systems and efficient thermal management to effective potting of power electronics and enhanced battery safety. Our production line in Japan will enable us to better support growing demand for these high-end silicones in the region, says WACKER Executive Board member Christian Kirsten. WACKER produces silicone specialties in Tsukuba as part of the Wacker Asahikasei Silicone (AWS) joint venture founded in 1999. Here, the group also operates a technical center and a training center for silicone applications. Capacity Expansion in South Korea: Silicone Sealants for the Construction Industry WACKER also expanded its production capacity at its South Korean site in Jincheon. Here, the company has been producing silicone sealants for the construction industry since 2010 and specialty silicones, liquid silicone rubbers and silicone elastomers for the automotive and electrical industries since 2012. The products are shipped to customers throughout Asia. Ryan Corbett and his wife Anna Corbett. | Screenshot: Facebook Pastor David Theobald credited God's timing for Ryan Corbett's release after he had been held captive by the Taliban and joined in celebrating their long-awaited reunion. Corbett, abducted in August 2022 while on a business trip and held by the Taliban for 894 days, reunited with his family in San Antonio, Texas, before planning to return to his hometown of Dansville in Livingston County, as reported by Spectrum News. Corbett spent his first hours back on U.S. soil with close family members after arriving early Wednesday morning. Following his release, his family issued a statement expressing gratitude and requesting privacy during his recovery from the prolonged detention. Theobald, who leads Grace Baptist Church in the community where Corbett's father once served, described a lengthy period when only a few individuals knew of Corbett's initial capture. We had been walking with them through it for a year before they did that, he remarked, referring to the day Corbett's story became public. He explained how church members kept the family's struggles private until authorities made the case widely known. The pastor first met Corbett's family 15 years ago when he took over pastoral duties from Corbett's father. He noted that the church played a vital role in providing emotional support: For months, the family fought in silence, only finding peace in the Grace Baptist Church community, he said in an interview with Spectrum News. Theobald credited Corbett's family for their active involvement in worship activities, mentioning that Corbett's children sing, play instruments, and assist in the sound booth. Corbett's wife, Anna, teaches violin and has performed at church events. Corbett's release was part of a swap that involved an Afghan national, convicted of drug smuggling and extremism in the U.S., being sent back to Afghanistan, according to Reuters. A Taliban spokesman indicated that two Americans were released, with the other being William McKenty, as reported by Newswire. Corbett and McKenty were transferred through Qatar before returning home last week, as reported by CBS News. Afghan Foreign Ministry officials stated that they were exchanged for Khan Mohammed, who received two life sentences in a 2008 U.S. trial, according to the Associated Press. Mohammed, 55, had been detained on the battlefield in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province and later flown to California, where he was found guilty of securing heroin and opium intended for the U.S. and aiding terrorist activities. Secretary of State Marco Rubio took to social media platform X to highlight concerns that the Taliban may be holding more American hostages than publicly known, stating, If this is true, we will have to immediately place a VERY BIG bounty on their top leaders. Home News Brother of TD Jakes accuser claims megachurch pastor tried to sexually assault him too: affidavit Pastor Richard Edwin Youngblood the older brother of Duane Youngblood, whom Bishop T.D. Jakes of The Potter's House hit with a defamation lawsuit last year for alleging the megachurch pastor sexually assaulted him when he was a teenager some 40 years ago has accused Jakes of trying to sexually assault him, too. Richard Youngblood's claim is among multiple sworn affidavits supporting his brother included in a 167-page motion filed last Thursday seeking to dismiss Jakes' defamation lawsuit pursuant to Pennsylvania's anti-SLAPP statute. The filing was reviewed by The Christian Post. "He secured a room with two beds in it, and we went to the room for the night. That night, while I was laying in my bed, I felt Elder Jakes climb into my bed. He pressed his body against mine and asked, 'Youngblood, do you feel that?' He was referencing his erection that he was pressing against my backside," Richard Youngblood wrote in an affidavit filed with a federal court in Pennsylvania. 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 "I got up out of bed in complete shock as he also [got] up from the opposite side and met me. He grabbed me by my arms and pulled me to him and started trying to kiss me. At this point, I cannot believe what is happening to me." Others who have made sworn affidavits in support of Duane Youngblood's claims are Jeffrey S. Gray, who also shared Duane Youngblood's disclosures about Jakes; Daniel B. Spaulding; LaShawn Youngblood; Joshua Munoz; and Landon Claybourne. In addition to his previous claim, Duane Youngblood alleges in the motion that since he has gone public, Jakes and his associates "have engaged in retaliatory conduct to silence him." According to the motion, Duane Youngblood reported "receiving threats from individuals associated with Plaintiff, including his son." The Christian Post requested comment on the motion from The Potter's House. A response is pending. The SLAPP acronym in Pennsylvania's anti-SLAPP statute stands for Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. It was signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro last July, Bochetto & Lentz notes. The statute allows, among other things, a defendant in a defamation lawsuit to file an early motion to dismiss the case on the grounds that the defamation claim is frivolous. Duane Youngblood's attorney, Tyrone A. Blackburn, contends that his client's allegations against Jakes are protected public expression because they are addressing matters of significant public concern, "including systemic abuse and institutional accountability within religious organizations." Blackburn argues that Jakes has yet to demonstrate "falsity, actual malice, or actionable harm" from the claims of his client. "Allowing Plaintiff's claims to proceed would violate public policy, as it would chill constitutionally protected speech on matters of public concern and contradict the legislative intent of Pennsylvania's Anti-SLAPP statute," Blackburn argues. "Plaintiff, Thomas Dexter 'T.D.' Jakes, a self-proclaimed spiritual leader revered by millions, has weaponized this lawsuit not to seek justice but to muzzle the voice of truth. His hypocrisy is staggering standing in the pulpit on Sundays to preach virtue while allegedly engaging in depraved acts betraying the principles he claims to uphold," Blackburn states. "As Scripture warns, 'Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves' (Matthew 7:15). Plaintiff epitomizes this warning, using his platform to project an image of righteousness while allegedly abusing his power to satisfy his closeted homosexual desires," the motion adds. Duane Youngblood, 58, a former-pastor-turned-registered sex offender, claimed in interviews with internet personality Larry Reid on his "Larry Reid Live" show on Oct. 28 and Nov. 3, 2024, that the now 67-year-old Jakes sexually assaulted him when he was about 18 or 19 years old. Lawyers for Jakes argued in a 20-page defamation lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in western Pennsylvania last November that Duane Youngblood had conspired with others to extort Jakes. They pointed to his history of abusing minors, for which he has served time. Duane Youngblood is currently on parole under the supervision of Pennsylvania's Department of Parole. He was charged with inappropriately touching two teenage victims while he was counseling them between 2009 and 2011. In one instance, he reportedly engaged the victim on about 25 occasions. Despite his brother's failures, 62-year-old Richard Youngblood alleges in his affidavit that he, too, was attacked by Jakes in a hotel room as a young minister. He added that his younger brother told him about his own encounter years ago as well. According to his sworn testimony, Richard Youngblood was about 28 in the fall of 1990 when he spoke with his then 24-year-old younger brother about what happened between him and Jakes in the spring of 1986 when he was about 24. Richard Youngblood said he was a young minister praying for God's direction in his life at the time when his father told him about Elder T.D. Jakes, who was a guest speaker at The Refuge Temple Church in Penn Hills, Pennsylvania. When he saw Jakes preach at a week-long revival crusade, he was impressed and began harboring ideas of Jakes helping him in his ministry ambitions. He soon connected with Jakes, who is five years older than him. "On one of the nights of the revival, Jakes mentioned that he would be heading home to West Virginia for the weekend to his home church but returning to Pittsburgh at another church the following week. Following one of the services that week, I asked Elder Jakes if I could drive him to his church in West Virginia since he was returning the following week. To my shock, he said yes," Richard Youngblood recalled. He said he stayed in Jakes' home that weekend and met his wife and two sons. After a series of discussions, Richard Youngblood moved his young family to West Virginia to join Jakes' ministry, Temple of Faith. Richard Youngblood was quickly elevated to serve as Jakes' armorbearer. In that position, he served as Jakes' assistant, driving him around and making sure he had what he needed for ministry. He would also become the praise and worship leader. After the birth of his son in June 1987, Richard Youngblood said the relationship between him and Jakes started getting "weird." "This is my landmark of when things started to become weird. The conversations Jakes started to have with me had shifted from ministry and God to more things about him. He shared an uncomfortable story about how he taught his wife to have oral sex with him. There were other uncomfortable things he said which I tried very hard to put into perspective so that it would make sense for me," the affidavit states. He stated that Jakes' then Temple of Faith was part of a larger organization called the Greater Emmanuel Apostolic Faith Tabernacle Inc. When Jakes got promoted to bishop, he began traveling to churches in the organization nationally. In 1988, the year Jakes became bishop, he had to attend a mandatory meeting. Jakes asked Richard Youngblood to travel with him to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was during this trip that Richard Youngblood alleges Jakes propositioned him. "He asked me to accompany him as his driver which I was happy to do because I would get the opportunity to visit with my parents and siblings. He decided that we would head there a day early which meant we had to get a hotel for the night. We stopped at what I believe was an EconoLodge in Westover WV," Richard Youngblood writes. Richard Youngblood said that the room Jakes booked had two beds. After going to bed for the night, the filing claims Jakes climbed into Richard Youngblood's bed and rubbed his body against Youngblood's backside. After jumping out of bed in shock, Richard Youngblood concluded that Jakes tried to groom him. He said Jakes was kept at bay the rest of the night. "On our way back after the meeting, I brought up what happened and expressed my extreme discomfort and that I loved my wife," Richard Youngblood's filing reads. "His response was a slight grunt something like 'hmmm' to which I asked what that meant and he responded that it kind of hurt his feelings to hear me say that. I am now more confused than ever about what I have gotten myself and family into." Richard Youngblood said he contacted an elder in his church named Silas Wheeler about what happened in the hotel room. He claims Wheeler shared his story with Jakes, who allegedly retaliated. "Jakes subsequently calls me into his office where he berates me for sharing what happened. He says, 'It was like Wheeler was in the hotel with a camera.' He then says, 'You didn't care about my wife' to suggest she may find out his secret," Youngblood wrote. Youngblood said he asked another minister who shared a duplex with him if Jakes ever tried anything sexually with him. And he said, "I've never been woke up with nothing like that." He said he began questioning himself internally about what he might have done to make Jakes think he was gay. "Eventually, he told me that I could no longer attend his church, called my wife, told her that I was a liar and to beware of me and also that even though I was no longer allowed to attend the church, she could. I called him after being told this from my wife and shared some choice words," Richard Youngblood writes. "From that day until recent years, I have had mental and spiritual anguish as I was left to bear such a burden as the secret of Jakes' sexuality and the way in which I found out. It's been 39 years of my life, my now ex-wife and our children, products of a broken home and our faith crushed to pieces," he adds. "All because I simply wanted someone to help me become my best self. I was totally and completely deceived by Thomas Dexter Jakes. (T.D. Jakes)." Home News Canada's top court to rule if Quebec can ban public officials from wearing religious symbols Canada's highest court will determine if the province of Quebec can enforce a 2019 law banning public officials in authority positions from wearing religious symbols while on duty. The Supreme Court of Canada decided last Thursday that it will hear an appeal in the case of English Montreal School Board, et al. v. Attorney General of Quebec, et al. The high court did not include additional comment on the decision to hear the appeal but noted that Justice Mahmud Jamal "took no part in the judgment." 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 Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette and Jean-Francois Roberge, the minister responsible for secularism, issued a joint statement saying they will defend the law "until the end." "It is primordial, even vital, for Quebec to be able to make its own choices, choices that correspond to our history, to our distinct social values and the aspirations of our nation," stated the government ministers, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Canada's federal government intends to intervene in the case against the challenged measure. Quebec's National Assembly passed Bill 21 in 2019, which requires various public officials in authority such as police officers or teachers to refrain from wearing religious symbols while performing their duties. The law was renewed last year. The measure has been challenged multiple times. But efforts to overturn the law in the Quebec Superior Court and the Quebec Court of Appeal have failed, CBC notes. While the Quebec Superior Court sided with the English-language school boards when they argued that the law violated their "linguistic rights," the Court of Appeal overturned this decision in February 2024. Harini Sivalingam, director of the Equality Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, one of the groups challenging Bill 21, argued at a press conference that the act is "infringing on the dignity, rights and freedoms of individuals who work in or aspire to work in the public service in Quebec." "Let us be clear, Bill 21 is a discriminatory law that violates the fundamental rights and freedoms of Quebecers. It negatively impacts individuals based on their religious beliefs," Sivalingam stated. "It is clear that Bill 21 has a disproportionate impact on specific religious minority groups, such as Muslim, Sikh and Jewish communities. Especially women." Dwight Newman, a law professor at the University of Saskatchewan, wrote in a column for The Hub that "Quebec has a unique history with governmental power of religious institutions." "So, it understandably has a unique perspective on threats to religious freedom posed by an overt religious presence in governmental institutions. It enacted the law at issue after literally decades of debate," wrote Newman. "Quebec's approach is not dramatically different from that of functioning liberal democracies in Europe with analogous histories. These approaches have been permitted by the European Court of Human Rights." Home News Megachurch Pastor Jon Weece announces he'll be stepping down to become regular member Declaring that it is the right thing to do, senior pastor of Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, Jon Weece, has announced plans to step down from the helm of one of the states largest churches in January 2026 to become a regular member. Weece, who joined the church as a teaching pastor in 2000 and became lead pastor three years later, made the announcement during a sermon at the church on Jan. 19 along with a full-throated endorsement of his friend, Pastor Scott Nickell, who's a member of the church's leadership team, as his successor. Weece also interviewed Nickell at the church on Sunday. I've always wanted to be healthier than the church I'm serving, that's definitely the case today. I'm not stepping aside because I'm tired. I'm not stepping aside because I'm angry or sad. I'm not stepping aside because I feel neglected or discouraged. I'm not stepping aside because I've done something immoral or nefarious or foolish, Weece said. 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 charismatic megachurch pastor, who joined the ministry when he was 26, said he began thinking about transitioning out of the leadership role with church elders in 2021 and decided that passing the leadership torch to someone new would be a good move for the churchs future. I've had a front row seat to ministry my whole life. My parents, my uncles, aunts, cousins, siblings, nieces, nephews, were all involved in church ministry and I've watched a sad dynamic take place at the leadership level. Preachers either leave a church way too early or they stay way too long. Both can do irrevocable damage to the church and not set it up for future success, Nickell explained. I've always wanted to strike a balance with that. I heard an old preacher say one time there's three ways I can leave you can carry me out, you can kick me out or I can walk out. I'm choosing the latter in large part [due] to a passage in the book of Numbers that's going to feel obscure to some of you but it's not to me, where God gives this directive to a priest, He says they must begin serving in the tabernacle at the age of 25 and they must retire at the age of 50. Weece said when he completely steps away from the pulpit in January 2026, he will be 52. I'm stepping aside because I genuinely believe it's what's best for Southland. And if it's what's best for Southland, man, I'm all in. So please hear me say this, my heart is full, so full of gratitude right now because it has been the absolute privilege of my life to serve you and to serve alongside you. The only favor I ask is, in the next 12 months let's just enjoy one another. I'm going to continue to lead. I'm going to continue to preach and serve, and more importantly, I just ask that you support Scott, his family, and let's set him up for future success, he said. As I told our staff on Thursday, I love you too much to lead you too long. And I hope at some point in your hearts and minds you can come to grips with that the way that I have. He further noted that he supports Nickell as his successor because he is faithful, a family man, a friend, a fan of Kentucky, and a phenomenal follower. He's wise beyond his years, disciplined where it matters and maybe most importantly, he genuinely wants what is best for anyone he meets, especially you all, Weece told congregants. During his interview with Weece on Sunday, Nickell told the church that when the idea of him leading the church was first presented to him four years ago, he wasnt eager to say yes because he understood the burden of being a leader. I've sat in such close proximity not only to you but to a good friend back in Colorado who sat in the lead role. I couldn't fully feel the responsibility [of] what you carry, but I was close enough to see that it's really heavy. And you'd have to be crazy, sincerely, to be eager to take on that level of attack, that level of responsibility without being absolutely positive that you're called to it. And so, because I love this church so much, I grew up here, I was certainly willing and want good for this church. But I wasn't chomping at the bit to sit in that seat, Nickell said. As the years went by, however, Nickell said he felt a deep sense of calling and excitement. Part of the reason we have this process in place the way it is, is so that the calling can be discerned, he said, joking that he was perhaps the most interviewed candidate for the role in Southlands history. There's good in that because that gave the elders and I, and you, the opportunity to take our time to walk through this confirmation process and God showed up, he said. The Holy Spirit was really clear, and so I've gotten to a place of not only being willing but being deeply sensing a calling to do this. Home News NYT claims Trump lied about Dems supporting abortions after birth as party blocks born-alive bill The New York Times dismissed President Donald Trump's claim that Democratic politicians support abortion on demand, including after the baby is born, days after Senate Democrats blocked a bill requiring medical care for infants who survive an attempted abortion. In a Friday article, The New York Times highlighted the Republican leader's video address during the 2025 March for Life rally in Washington, D.C. The newspaper mentioned Trump's appearance at the annual pro-life demonstration in a piece analyzing some opposition within the movement to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for health secretary. 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 "At the march on Friday, Mr. Trump repeated false claims about abortion rights, vowing to 'stop the radical Democrat push for a federal right to unlimited abortion on demand up to the moment of birth and even after birth,'" The New York Times reported. "Mr. Vance called Mr. Trump' the most pro-family, most pro-life American president of our lifetimes.' The crowd roared." Every Democrat in the U.S. Senate voted this month against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act introduced by Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla. The bill would have guaranteed equal protection under the law for "any infant born alive after an abortion." Under the proposed legislation, all health care practitioners present during the birth of an infant who survives an abortion attempt must "exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a health care practitioner would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age." Abortion proponents and liberal-leaning media outlets have previously sought to fact-check Trump's claims about Democrats' stance on abortion, claiming that no state has legalized infanticide. Tim Graham, executive editor of Newsbusters, a project of the Media Research Center, criticized The Gray Lady for its reporting on the issue and accused the outlet of bias. "America's most prestigious newspapers routinely paint pro-lifers as extreme. They can't seem to locate themselves on the opposite extreme," Graham said in a statement provided to The Christian Post. "Is it because they consider themselves the moral center? Extending the 'right to choose' to terminate babies are born alive may seem logical to them," Graham continued. "But it defines a radical fringe." In a Monday X post, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America accused The New York Times of "running cover for pro-abortion Democrats." The social media post contained video clips of various Democratic politicians declining to answer what abortion restriction they support. Several Democrats, including Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman and Former Georgia State Rep. Stacey Abrams, answered that abortion is a decision between a woman and her doctor when asked to describe where they stood on abortion limits. The New York Times did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment. Lawmakers who spoke out against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, such as U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, D-IL, argued that legislation requiring providers to administer medical care to born-alive infants would impact women's ability to access "comprehensive and compassionate health care." Durbin noted that Congress passed a similar bill in 2002. However, that legislation doesn't contain pentalties or enforcment mechanisms. "As a result of Roe, America's women took a giant step forward in gender equity the decision in Roe afforded women the right to choose whether, when, and how to start a family," Durbin said. "But after nearly 50 years of progress, in June 2022, the Supreme Court overruled Roe in its Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization [ruling], dragging women's rights half a century backward." "Following that decision, we saw Republican-led states open the floodgates to abortion restrictions laws that, in some cases, have had deadly consequences for women who could not access the critical health care they needed." Multiple pro-life medical professionals, including Dr. Christina Francis, a board-certified OB-GYN, have maintained that abortion restrictions enacted after the Dobbs ruling do not prevent doctors from providing medical care. Francis, who is also the CEO of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, works for a hospital in the state of Indiana, which has banned almost all abortions. Despite these restrictions, the pro-life doctor said that she has never encountered a situation where she felt that the law prevented her from providing a pregnant woman with lifesaving medical treatment. Other abortion-related legislation that recently made headlines includes a proposed constitutional amendment in Virginia that critics say could establish a right to abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy. In a 21-19 vote this month, the Democrat-controlled Virginia Senate approved Senate Joint Resolution 247 along party lines. The passage means that the Virginia General Assembly can weigh in on the proposal to amend the Virginia Constitution for a second time following the next general election. According to the proposed amendment, "every individual has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including the ability to make and carry out decisions relating to one's own prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, abortion care, miscarriage management, and fertility care." In addition to establishing a "Fundamental Right to Reproductive Freedom," the proposed amendment also states, "An individual's right to reproductive freedom shall not be, directly or indirectly, denied, burdened, or infringed upon unless justified by a compelling state interest achieved by the least restrictive means." While the proposal says that the commonwealth may regulate third-trimester abortions, it would prohibit any such regulations if a physician determined that a later abortion was necessary. These circumstances not only include cases where the preborn child is not viable but also situations where the physician believes the pregnancy presents a risk to the mother's physical and mental health. "The stakes of Virginia's legislative elections this November just got higher," Caitlin Connors, regional director for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said in a statement this month. "Virginia already allows abortion in the sixth month of pregnancy, but that isn't enough for Democrats." "Republicans must hold Democrats accountable for supporting abortion in the third trimester, the end of parental consent and denying abortion survivors the right of lifesaving care," Connors added. Home News Steve Lawson moved out of Texas after resignation, knows he is 'disqualified from ministry': friend Former Pastor Steven Lawson, who was removed from his position at Trinity Bible Church in Dallas last year due to an adulterous relationship, has moved out of state in a desire to give his family "space," according to a longtime friend. Pastor Clint Archer of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, published a blog on The Cripplegate last week providing an update about Lawson, who was removed from ministry in September after confessing to an inappropriate relationship with a woman who was not his wife. Archer detailed his friendship with Lawson and recalled how, in response to his text reaching out to Lawson, the embattled pastor described his situation as a "shipwreck." 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 On Thursday, after preaching about 1 Timothy 1:19, which he summarized as discussing "those who have not held their faith with a good conscience and ended up making a shipwreck of their faith," Archer wrote that he felt called to get in touch with Lawson again. According to Archer, Lawson "poured out his heart" during their phone call, "expressing his deep remorse" and "choking up at times." Archer stated that Lawson "wanted to make a public statement for a long time but has been wisely counseled not to because anything he said could be misconstrued and used to further hurt the many people affected by his sin." "Lawson's relationship with the young woman was one of acquaintance and then friendship for approximately five years, but was not one of a sexual nature until very shortly before it was exposed," Archer wrote. "After his adultery was discovered, Lawson confessed his sin to the elders of his church and to his family." "He moved to Nashville, to temporarily stay with his brother, because that is what all involved agreed would be best for the church and family, as they all processed the shocking news," Archer added. "Lawson agreed to do so until such time that his family and church felt it was appropriate for him to return to Dallas, though no period was stipulated. While in Nashville, he attends church with his brother." Lawson "is in daily contact with a few men, who have experience counseling fallen pastors, and who were chosen by his spiritual leaders to counsel him and report to his elders," according to Archer. Lawson remains in touch with his wife and receives "spiritual counsel daily from friends and counselors." Lawson has been back to Dallas to visit his wife. "He is back in Nashville for the time being," Archer stated. "Lawson is fully aware that he is permanently disqualified from ministry and is not under any illusion that he could ever be restored to a teaching position or ministry capacity that requires the qualifications of an elder. He returned cash advances for book contracts he will no longer publish. He is considering avenues for secular employment." Archer rejected the contention that Lawson is unrepentant, highlighting how he "offered a full and detailed confession to his elders and family" and temporarily relocated in an effort to give his family "space." Lawson and Archer discussed the possibility of conducting a video interview where the former pastor would "speak from the heart" about his actions and release the video if Lawson's family, counsel and the elders at his former church agreed to do so. Archer signaled his intention to share the contents of such an interview if it is conducted in writing or upload audio and video of a conversation between the two to the Cage Free Theology podcast and YouTube channel. In addition to his role as pastor, Lawson previously served as a dean at John MacArthur's The Master's University and Seminary in California. Phil Johnson, executive director of MacArthur's Grace to You ministry and a pastor at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, stated in November that the woman involved in the affair was "a consenting adult in her mid-twenties" and "not a member of [Lawson's] church." He confirmed that while she lived in another state from Lawson and his church, she was a "student at The Master's College during some of the time that they were engaged in this adulterous affair." The relationship lasted about five years until the woman's father caught them, according to Johnson. Johnson stated that the relationship had "strong romantic overtones" but "no literal fornication was involved," arguing that it was not "a case of pastoral abuse" because the connection with the woman came from her "family's relationship with Lawson and had nothing to do with her student status." Home News Pro-life activists ordered to pay $2.4M to Planned Parenthood for undercover investigation An appeals court panel has ruled that David Daleiden and other pro-life activists must pay a $2.4 million judgment to Planned Parenthood Federation of America for carrying out an undercover investigation and secretly filming abortion providers discussing the harvesting of babies' body parts. At issue in the litigation was the pro-life activists use of fake IDs and their recording of conversations that were meant to be confidential, which a lower court concluded violated various laws, including conspiracy, breach of contracts, conspiracy, fraud, fraudulent and unlawful business practices, trespass, RICO, and various federal and state wiretapping laws. In a unanimous decision released last Friday, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit mostly upheld a lower court ruling against the pro-life activists, who also describe themselves as citizen journalists. 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 Circuit Judge Ronald M. Gould authored the panel opinion, rejecting the arguments of the pro-life activists that their actions were protected by the First Amendment and journalistic practices. Invoking journalism and the First Amendment does not shield individuals from liability for violations of laws applicable to all members of society. None of the laws Appellants violated was aimed specifically at journalists or those holding a particular viewpoint, wrote Gould. The two categories of compensatory damages permitted by the district court, infiltration damages and security damages, were awarded by the jury to reimburse Planned Parenthood for losses caused by Appellants violations of generally applicable laws. Gould also argued that the panel decision does not impose a new burden on journalists or undercover investigations using lawful means. From the beginning of their scheme, Appellants engaged in illegal conductincluding forging signatures, creating and procuring fake drivers licenses, and breaching contractsthat the jury found so objectionable as to award Planned Parenthood punitive damages, he continued. In affirming Planned Parenthoods compensatory damages from Appellants First Amendment challenge, we simply reaffirm the established principle that the pursuit of journalism does not give a license to break laws of general applicability. Gould did reverse the lower court decision finding the pro-life activists guilty of violating the Federal Wiretap Act, noting that it requires that the criminal or tortious purpose be independent of and separate from the purpose of the recording. Planned Parenthood runs afoul of this requirement by reusing the same criminal purposefurthering the civil RICO scheme to destroy Planned Parenthoodas both the purpose of the civil RICO claim and the independent criminal or tortious purpose, said Gould. Planned Parenthoods argument is circular: according to Planned Parenthood, the civil RICO conspiracy is furthered by the recordings, and the recordings themselves further the ongoing civil RICO conspiracy. Such reasoning is not permitted by [the Act]. By overturning the federal wiretap part of the verdict, around $100,000 of the over $2.4 million in compensatory damages will be removed. Daleidens group, the Center for Medical Progress, posted a statement last week on their website denouncing the panel's opinion. A Ninth Circuit panel decided with this ruling today that protecting Planned Parenthoods barbaric practices of partial-birth abortion and trafficking of aborted fetuses for government-sponsored experiments is more important than protecting the First Amendment rights of journalists and of the public, CMP stated. In order to do this, the panel had to contradict its own precedents about undercover reporting on any other topic, disregard other Circuits en banc findings of wrongdoing by Planned Parenthood, and bless the increasing weaponization of the justice system against pro-life speech. CMP went on to vow that its citizen journalists will appeal the panel decision, adding that the tide of history is turning against the panels obsolete pro-abortion exceptionalism. In 2015, Daleiden and CMP garnered national headlines when they released a series of undercover videos showing Planned Parenthood officials violating various laws, namely discussing the sale of aborted baby body parts, including organs, tissue and limbs. For its part, Planned Parenthood and pro-choice activists have denied the CMPs claims, arguing that the videos were selectively edited and unlawfully recorded. However, CMP released the full-length, unedited videos when this story broke in 2015, which were covered by The Christian Post and other news outlets. Home News Vietnamese authorities arrest Protestant pastor, charge him with spreading anti-state propaganda Vietnamese authorities have arrested 71-year-old Pastor Nguyen Manh Hung in Ho Chi Minh City, charging him with spreading anti-state propaganda. Officers also detained his son during the same raid but later released him after several hours of interrogation. Pastor Nguyen was taken into custody during a raid on his home, where police reportedly cut off electricity before entering the premises, according to Radio Free Asia, which said they handcuffed him as soon as he opened the door, citing an arrest warrant under Article 117 of Vietnams Penal Code. The law prohibits the distribution of content deemed to be against the state, with penalties of up to 20 years in prison. Officials also seized mobile phones, laptops and some documents from the scene, the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported. 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 pastors son, identified as Nguyen Tran Hien, was taken to the Ministry of Public Securitys Institute for Criminal Sciences on the same day. He was questioned about his fathers activities, including alleged bank transactions, before being released at midnight. He was not charged but had to surrender his phone and laptop during the interrogation process, according to witness accounts. Pastor Nguyen was taken to a detention facility to be held for four months pending further investigation, based on statements from his family. Authorities claim that Pastor Nguyens use of social media amounted to anti-state propaganda, reported the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern. Investigators noted a Facebook post from Jan. 14 in which the pastor suggested that while Vietnams Communist Party once called land purchasers cruel landlords, it now refers to those who allegedly acquire land through abuse of power as outstanding. Pastor Nguyen is the first individual arrested on such charges since the start of this year and the second since To Lam took office as Vietnams general secretary in August 2024. Nguyen Manh Hung was previously associated with the Chuong Bo Protestant Church, an independent Mennonite congregation, and he remains a member of the Interfaith Council of Vietnam. The council advocates for religious freedom across the country. Neither the church nor the council are officially registered with Vietnamese authorities, which is required under law. Although many of those who have encountered legal trouble in similar cases come from minority ethnic groups in Vietnams central highlands, Pastor Nguyen belongs to the Kinh majority group. The pastor has faced repeated harassment from the authorities over the past 15 years. He has spoken out against reported instances of corruption and human rights violations in the country. In 2015, he appeared before a U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Sub-Committee investigating alleged religious freedom violations in Vietnam. His current detention is part of an ongoing clampdown on critics of the countrys one-party system. Cases involving criticism of the Communist Party or allegations of corruption often receive heightened scrutiny in Vietnam. Before his ministry, Nguyen served as a soldier in the Northern Vietnam Army during the Vietnam War. He later worked in management roles and briefly entered a monastery before becoming a pastor in 2011. Home News Worsening persecution in North Korea calls for change in mission strategy: 'Complete control' The Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB) announced the results of its 2024 White Paper on Religious Freedom in North Korea and a public awareness survey on North Korean human rights at the Franciscan Education Center in Seouls Jeong-dong on Jan. 23. The Rev. Stephen Kim of the Jericho Mission, who has devoted over 30 years to improving awareness of North Korean human rights and rescuing defectors, also shared insights into the state and direction of missions to North Korea, according to reporting by Christian Daily Korea. The White Paper on Religious Freedom, published for the first time in four years, is based on responses and investigations of North Korean defectors who have settled in South Korea. It includes data from 15,169 accumulated responses and 2,045 cases of religious persecution. Soo-young Yang, a researcher at NKDB, presented the findings and trends. 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 Severe religious persecution continues in North Korea According to the survey, 96.6% of respondents stated that religious activities are "not permitted" in North Korea. When asked if they had secretly participated in religious activities, 98.8% answered "no." Only 4.7% responded "yes" when asked if they had witnessed others engaging in secret religious activities. These secret religious practices encompass not only underground Christian churches but also other faiths, including shamanism. When asked if they had ever seen religious items such as the Bible, the response rate of "yes" has remained around 5% since 2008. However, in 2023, this rate unexpectedly surged to 55.6%. This dramatic increase is attributed to a smaller sample size due to the sharp decline in defectors entering South Korea after 2020. Among the types of religious persecution, "religious activities" ranked highest at 64.1%, followed by "possession of religious items" at 17.9%. Religious persecution incidents have significantly increased since the 2000s, linked to the heightened control measures following the "Arduous March" period (19952000), during which North Korea faced a severe famine and system collapse. "While there have been no major changes in the results, the consistent presence of individuals who have participated in or witnessed secret religious activities warrants continued investigation," Yang commented. She also stressed the need for international pressure by linking discussions on human rights and religious persecution in North Korea. Additionally, measures should be sought to ensure a steady inflow of religious materials into North Korea. Approximately 40,000 North Korean defectors in China Rev. Kim then talked about the current state and direction of missions in North Korea. He emphasized the worsening control over North Korean defectors in China after COVID-19, highlighting the need for a paradigm shift in North Korean missions. "Looking at the history of Christianity's eradication in North Korea, a shift occurred before and after COVID-19. During the pandemic, North Korea achieved complete control, issuing orders to 'shoot anyone or any animal approaching the border.'" Kim estimated that "there are about 40,000 North Korean defectors in China." He explained that Chinas policy toward defectors has significantly changed. Previously, North Koreans often became marriage partners due to the rural impoverishment in China. Over time, however, as their children entered schools, social issues emerged. With the population decline, China has been preventing defectors from returning to South Korea. Punishments for those caught attempting to go to South Korea have become harsher. Before COVID-19, 765 defectors were brought to South Korea, but now the number has dropped to 192. Costs have increased tenfold, and barriers over 4 meters high have been erected. Some defectors have been stuck in China for over 15 years, and 57 South Korean missionaries have been forcibly taken to China." Regarding North Korea, Kim explained, "In North Korea, it's now possible to order food delivery via mobile apps. However, internal control remains severe after COVID-19. People are instructed to report even those who clasp their hands or mumble in prayer. Inspection and monitoring have intensified, and the Reactionary Thought and Culture Law has been established." "The mindset of North Korean people is fundamentally different from ours. For them, the Kim family is seen as 'God.' Just like we have the Bible, they have something akin to a 'Bible' used for regime indoctrination," he added. On the underground church in North Korea, Kim noted, "Theres a saying that 'those who entered North Korea during the March of Suffering became the church,' but this cannot be confirmed. With data from 20-30 years ago, the existence of underground churches cannot be assured. Many videos and photos claiming to show underground churches are fabricated or false. Nonetheless, I have personally met individuals in North Korea who have faith. Letting go of outdated ideas and adopting accurate research data can usher in a new and honest era of North Korean missions. Despite the grim reality, Christians still remain in North Korea." 65% of South Koreans show interest in human rights in North Korea Seung-pyo Park, director of the research division at Consumer Insight, announced the results of the 2024 National Perception Survey on North Korean Human Rights, which targeted 1,000 men and women aged 19 and older across the country. 65% of the public expressed interest in North Korean human rights. The most common reason, cited by 33.4% of respondents, was sympathy for the poverty and suffering of North Korean people. Regarding the severity of North Korean human rights issues, 96% viewed them as serious. However, when it came to the possibility of improvement, 86.2% responded pessimistically, believing that improvement is "unlikely," showing a growing trend of pessimism. Awareness of the North Korean Human Rights Act, implemented in 2016, along with its achievements and effectiveness, was also evaluated negatively. Despite this, 60.2% of respondents agreed that "the South Korean government should raise the issue of North Korean human rights." Human rights amid changing circumstances Seung-yeop Lee, a research analyst at the NKDB, delivered a presentation titled "Evaluating and Forecasting North Korean Human Rights Amid Changing Circumstances." He highlighted the sharp decline in the number of North Korean defectors due to tightened border controls with China during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has significantly limited the ability to secure and verify cases of human rights violations in North Korea. Additionally, Lee outlined key North Korean human rights issues for this year, including: The dispatch of 10,000 troops to support Russias war effort, leading to an increase in prisoners of war. Continued forced repatriation of defectors and border closures by China. Institutional neglect of defectors residing in China. Limitations of international sanctions against North Korea and the impact of former U.S. President Donald Trumps administration. The forthcoming release of the 4th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) conclusions between February and April. Political events such as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers Party of Korea. Meanwhile, the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights plans to publish reports and host a seminar in September on topics including North Korean laborers and soldiers abroad, as well as those forcibly repatriated by China. Reassessing North Korean mission strategies, exploring strategic change During a comprehensive discussion session, Yeo-sang Yoon, director of the North Korean Human Rights Archives, emphasized the need for realistic measures to improve North Korean human rights, particularly from the perspective of the church. "The Korean church often plans and prays about where to send missions first, how many churches to establish, and the resources and time required. However, these discussions are disconnected from reality," he said. "Right now, people are being tortured, sent to concentration camps, or publicly executed for religious persecution. This seminar was held not to discuss future missions in North Korea but to raise awareness of the current situation and focus on what we can do now." Rev. Kim, who has been involved in North Korean missions for over 30 years, commented that "the Korean Christian community has played an undeniably important role, but the modern zeitgeist of 'unification' has been transferred to the Church, where it has combined with prosperity theology and dominion theology. This has led to an overestimation of the impact and results of North Korean mission efforts." "There are only a very small number of Christians in North Korea. The theological foundation and action plans for North Korean missions need to be re-established. Resources and attention must be directed toward defectors remaining in China," he added. Kim also stressed the importance of engaging proactively with North Korean laborers, saying, "We must create effective points of contact with laborers in China, collaborating with institutions and companies to help transform their lives. Change will not come from the so-called 'jangmadang generation' (the market generation) alone; leadership must also evolve. We need to devise mission strategies that target the working class who act as intermediaries." Researcher Yang emphasized the need for sustained dialogue channels with North Korea. He proposed collaboration with neutral countries like Switzerland and Sweden, stating: "There are missionaries who have been detained in North Korea for extended periods, and we are currently unable even to confirm whether they are alive. At the very least, efforts must be made to confirm their status. The highest priority should be on international cooperation to ensure their safe return to South Korea." Original reporting by Christian Daily Korea, translated and edited by Christian Daily International staff. Home Books Why fasting matters: Ronnie Floyd highlights the power of forgotten discipline In an era where spiritual exercises are increasingly overlooked, Pastor Ronnie Floyd is urging Christians to rediscover the transformative power of fasting and how to overcome both the physical and spiritual challenges that inevitably come with the practice. Floyd, former lead pastor of Cross Church in Northwest Arkansas and the 61st president of the Southern Baptist Convention, recently released his latest book, The Supernatural Power of Prayer and Fasting. He offers a biblical and practical guide to a practice he believes is critical for addressing both personal and communal challenges. "Fasting makes you much more sensitive to the Holy Spirit the longer you go," Floyd told The Christian Post. "Do I understand all that? Absolutely not. I think it's a mystery. I think that's where the supernatural power of God steps in and begins to speak to you in a way that most often is not done." 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 Though rarely highlighted from the pulpit, Floyd noted that the Bible references fasting 57 times, with 69 mentions of the practice. "The very word means, 'shut mouth, not eat,'" he explained. "I believe that fasting is abstinence from food with a spiritual goal in mind. When God places something on your heart, whether it is a burden, whether it is a decision, whether it is a real problem going on right at your job or your family or finances, or whatever it may be, there may be three or four things God has on your heart, and He may choose to use fasting to call you into addressing those things." Fasting, the pastor stressed, is an oft-overlooked spiritual discipline that has profound relevance today. He challenged churches and pastors to embrace fasting as a response to societal and spiritual crises. "In this day and time, I'm convinced, personally, that one of the greatest ways the Church can answer this moment in American history is to pray and to fast and to be the salt and light," he said. "We know we should pray for our country, but we also need to fast in our country. I would urge every church, every pastor, every church leader to consider your involvement personally, but also your involvement, collectively as the Church of Jesus Christ." The 69-year-old has seen the power of fasting firsthand. His commitment to fasting began during his college years and deepened as he faced significant life challenges, including his wife Jeana's battle with cancer in 1990. "We had two little boys, and Jeana was diagnosed with cancer, and the initial reports of that were really, really difficult for us to understand and very challenging into what may be lying ahead," he recalled. "God put on my heart to pray and fast the very week she was diagnosed, for my wife and for her healing. I would carry an index card with me, and I would write that Scripture on an index card, and that's what I would look at every time I was very frightful, every time I was pursuing God. I would just go to my knees, and I would ask God to heal my wife. Through God's grace, through God's favor, He chose by His sovereign and providential will, to heal Jeana." A turning point in Floyd's ministry came in 1995 when he undertook a 40-day fast for personal revival, revival in his church and revival in America. The experience, he said, profoundly changed him and his congregation. "That day, God moved so profoundly that the church got a new pastor, and the pastor got a new church, and neither one of us changed our geographical location because God can do more in a moment than we can ever do in a lifetime," Floyd said. Floyd said fasting can seem intimidating or even strange to those unfamiliar with it "people think you're a little weird when you do it," he said. However, he distinguished between cultural trends like intermittent fasting and spiritual fasting. "Our goal is not to lose weight on a spiritual fast," he stressed. "Your goal is to pursue God in Heaven. Someone who is walking with Christ could even use intermittent fasting but make it a spiritual journey for yourself by looking at it in relationship to self-control." He also emphasized the practicalities of fasting, encouraging people to start small and seek medical advice for extended fasts. His book includes 40 devotionals and five appendices designed to guide readers through their fasting journey. Beyond personal transformation, Floyd emphasized that fasting can unify and strengthen communities, particularly in times of crisis. "When we face natural disasters or tragedies, we can call a fast for a day, join together in agreement, and pray over these things as we fast." In his book, the pastor describes fasting as both a spiritual and physical battle. He uses Ezra as a biblical example of prayer and fasting. In Ezra 8:2123, Ezra exemplified fasting and praying as a powerful spiritual response to dire circumstances, demonstrating humility, dependence on God and faith in His guidance and protection. "The enemy is doing everything he can to keep this powerful weapon hidden," he said. "You're going to literally be battling with evil in your life over those issues. Let's say that somebody fasts and prays to save their marriage or fasts and prays because they have a child away from God, and they really need God's intervention. Some things are so heavy out here that people carry. But listen, God is with you if you're pursuing this in a biblical way." With The Supernatural Power of Prayer and Fasting, Floyd said he hopes to inspire Christians to embrace fasting as a vital spiritual discipline. "Fasting in prayer doesn't mean that God always is going to answer your prayer in the way that you want that answered," he said. "Fasting and prayer put a peaceful resolve in your heart. Fasting and prayer transform your heart so that you trust in God's sovereign and providential will for your life; 'I'm good with whatever God does that I'm fasting and praying about.' That's where the peace is, and that's what fasting and prayer can do." Home News Calif. drops all charges against David Daleiden, Sandra Merritt in Planned Parenthood undercover videos case California has agreed to drop all charges against David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt, following years of legal battles over the pro-life activists release of undercover videos showing abortion providers discussing the procurement and selling of aborted babies' body parts. The Center for Medical Progress, the pro-life group overseen by Daleiden, announced Monday that he and Merritt had reached a plea agreement with the California Attorney Generals Office. According to the agreement, the two activists will make a no contest plea in which they will receive no jail time, no fines, no admission of wrongdoing, and no probation. 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 new no contest plea which cannot be used adversely will be entered into judgment as a misdemeanor in 6 to 12 months, and then converted to a not guilty plea, dismissed, and expunged, explained CMP. Daleiden was quoted in the announcement as saying that the settlement was a huge victory for my investigative reporting and for the publics right to know the truth about Planned Parenthoods sale of aborted baby body parts. Now we all must get to work to protect families and infants from the criminal abortion-industrial complex, said Daleiden. Taking the San Francisco case off the board allows me to focus fully on CMPs mission to report on the injustices of taxpayer-funded experiments on aborted babies and continue to expand our groundbreaking investigative reporting. Mat Staver, founder and chairman of The Liberty Counsel, which helped to represent Merritt, released a statement on Monday also celebrating the negotiated agreement. Sandra Merritt did nothing wrong. She did the right thing by exposing the depravity of the abortion industry. This plea agreement ends an unjust criminal case by dropping these baseless criminal charges without any prison time, fines or other penalties, stated Staver. Murdering human babies to harvest their body parts for profit is evil and there is no excuse for Sandras political persecution. This is an extraordinary result for Sandra and the state of California deserves to walk away virtually empty handed. In 2015, CMP released a series of undercover videos showing Planned Parenthood officials discussing the illegal sale of aborted babies' body parts. Planned Parenthood has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the videos were deceptively edited even though the videos were also released in their entirety. Daleiden and Merritt also secretly recorded conversations that took place at conferences hosted by the National Abortion Federation in 2014 and 2015, with NAF suing them in response. In one of the undercover videos filmed at a Planned Parenthood workshop in Michigan in 2014, an abortion provider argued against helping young victims of rape and sexual assault. She asserted that because clinic workers are not state employees, they should not be required to report suspected cases of child abuse to authorities. The videos garnered widespread condemnation and led to a renewed push to have the federal government defund Planned Parenthood and multiple investigations into whether the nations leading abortion provider was violating federal law. They also led to years of litigation against Daleiden and Merritt, as they faced several charges including illegal recordings of private events and falsification of IDs as part of their cover. In October 2022, for example, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit released a unanimous decision against the pro-life activists that required them to pay a $2.4 million judgment to Planned Parenthood. Circuit Judge Ronald M. Gould authored the panel opinion, rejecting the arguments of the pro-life activists that their actions were protected by the First Amendment and journalistic practices. Invoking journalism and the First Amendment does not shield individuals from liability for violations of laws applicable to all members of society. None of the laws Appellants violated was aimed specifically at journalists or those holding a particular viewpoint, wrote Gould in 2022. The two categories of compensatory damages permitted by the district court, infiltration damages and security damages, were awarded by the jury to reimburse Planned Parenthood for losses caused by Appellants violations of generally applicable laws. In May 2020, Daleiden filed a complaint against then U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., and others, alleging that Harris wrongfully investigated him while she was attorney general of California. Daleiden became the first journalist ever to be criminally prosecuted under Californias recording law because his investigation revealed and he published shock[ing] content that Californias Attorney General and the private party coconspirators wanted to cover up, stated the lawsuit. Defendants seek their pound of flesh from Mr. Daleiden and to chill other journalists from investigating and reporting on that same content. Home News Chris Pratt says his house was spared from wildfires: 'By the grace of God we have four walls and a roof' Actor Chris Pratt expressed gratitude to God that his house was spared destruction from the fires that have engulfed several Los Angeles neighborhoods, including his own. In a video posted on Instagram last Thursday, Pratt said he intends to check on his house for the first time since the Palisades fire forced widespread evacuations. Miraculously, its still standing, he said, considering the preservation of his house as a silver lining amid the bad news. By the grace of God, we have four walls and a roof. 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 Pratt outlined examples of how others were not as fortunate: So many peoples houses were burned around us. The communitys gone. My sons school is gone. My sons moms house burned down. Dozens of our friends lost their homes. Were resilient and we trust in God, and consider it all a blessing, he added. God bless you. Thank you for your prayers. Talk to you soon. Pratts Instagram video comes two weeks after he called for prayers and strength for everyone in Los Angeles affected by these tragic wildfires in a Jan. 7 post. He explained that Los Angeles is in a state of emergency, and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate. Pratt praised the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes and wildlife as true heroes, adding, we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage. Images in the post showed a firefighter completely surrounded by a blaze attempting to put out the fire with a hose, the Santa Monica Pier with smoke in the background and a helicopter attempting to extinguish a fire engulfing hilly terrain. According to data from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection last updated Monday morning, the Palisades fire is 94% contained. Since starting three weeks ago, the wildfire has burned 23,448 acres, destroyed nearly 7,000 structures and damaged over 1,000 buildings. Eleven civilians and fire personnel have lost their lives as a result of the wildfire, while four injuries have been reported. The area impacted by the Palisades fire, which includes portions of coastal Los Angeles County between Malibu and Santa Monica and extends inland into the Santa Monica Mountains, has a population of 83,622. The Palisades fire is one of several wildfires impacting southern California. The Eaton fire, which is 98% contained and impacted an area that is home to 102,821 residents, has burned 14,021 acres as of Monday morning in addition to destroying more than 9,400 structures and damaging over 1,000 buildings. The wildfire has caused 17 fatalities and nine injuries. The Hughes fire, which is 95% contained and is located in an area where 5,360 people live, has burned 10,425 acres as of Monday morning. The Border 2 fire, located further south in San Diego County in an area where 50 people live, is 43% contained and has burned 6,625 acres as of Monday morning. Leaders in the state of California and the city of Los Angeles have faced criticism over their handling of the wildfires. The most notable source of outrage stems from the fact that hydrants in the affected area were dry, leaving firefighters unable to obtain the water necessary to put out the fires. Another factor seen as exacerbating the fires is the $17.6 million in cuts to the Los Angeles Fire Department made by Mayor Karen Bass in the citys 2024-25 budget. Home News Karoline Leavitt echoes JD Vance, doubles down on Trump's birthright citizenship order White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated the Trump administration's position Tuesday that birthright citizenship is unconstitutional and that they are prepared to take the issue to the U.S. Supreme Court. Leavitt, who is the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history at 27 years old, echoed Vice President JD Vance, who drew widespread coverage over the weekend for also defending President Donald Trump's executive order on the subject. This administration believes that birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, and that is why President Trump signed that executive order, Leavitt said during her first press briefing before the White House Press Corps. 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 "Illegal immigrants who come to this country and have a child are not subject to the laws of this jurisdiction. That's the opinion of this administration," she added. The White House is prepared to appeal the temporary restraining order against Trump's executive order by a federal judge in Seattle, and is willing to fight "all the way to the Supreme Court," she added. .@PressSec: This administration believes that birthright citizenship is unconstitutional. pic.twitter.com/5zS9ViwY3x Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 28, 2025 During his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order titled "Protecting The Meaning And Value Of American Citizenship," which 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 order continued. The 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868 to ensure citizenship for former slaves after the Civil War, according to the Library of Congress. Leavitt's comments reflected the interpretation of the 14th Amendment that maintains the clause "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" precludes the children of those who are born to parents who are not subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. On Jan. 23, U.S. District Judge John Coughenour, an 84-year-old Reagan appointee, granted a 14-day restraining order that blocked the executive action he called "blatantly unconstitutional." The order was set to go into effect on Feb. 19. On Monday, Coughenor called for the lawsuit against the order filed by four states Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon to be consolidated with another one that includes three pregnant women who are not U.S. citizens. During an interview with CBS News' "Face the Nation" host Margaret Brennan over the weekend, Vance pushed back against the district judge's opinion and the idea that anyone born on U.S. soil is de facto an American citizen. I obviously disagree with that judge, Vice President JD Vance says of a federal judge, who this week blocked on constitutional grounds, President Trumps order attempting to eliminate birthright citizenship. "Just because we were founded by immigrants, doesn't mean that 240 pic.twitter.com/rrO9QfsDSa Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) January 26, 2025 If you come here on vacation and you have a baby in an American hospital, that baby doesnt become an American citizen, he said. "If you're an illegal alien and you come here temporarily, hopefully, your child does not become an American citizen by virtue of just having been born on American soil." "It's a very basic principle in American immigration law, that if you want to become an American citizen, and you've done it the right way, and the American people in their collective wisdom have welcomed you into our national community, then you become a citizen," Vance continued. When Brennan suggested the U.S. is "a nation founded by immigrants," Vance said the fact the country was founded by settlers and immigrants centuries ago does not justify having "the dumbest immigration policy in the world." Home News PCUSA backs Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde who rebuked Trump in sermon A standing committee of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has expressed its support for Episcopal Church Bishop Mariann Budde, who rebuked President Donald Trump in a sermon last Wednesday. The PC(USA) Advocacy Committee for Women and Gender Justice has expressed their support for Budde, who garnered headlines for her sermon during the inaugural worship service at the Washington National Cathedral attended by Trump. In a statement Monday, the advocacy committee outlined the history of notable women in the history of the Presbyterian denomination, including Margaret Towner, who in 1956 became the first American woman to be ordained a Presbyterian minister. 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 "This legacy of courage and truth-telling is mirrored in the actions of Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, who preached a message of mercy from the pulpit of the National Cathedral," stated the committee. "For proclaiming the Gospel, she has faced ridicule, threats, and attacks. Yet, like the women who have come before her, she remains steadfast in her calling." The advocacy committee stated the PC(USA) entity "stands in solidarity with Bishop Budde" and "condemn[s] the hate-filled rhetoric directed at her and call for an end to such threats." "Her witness reminds us of the courage of the women at the tomb who, when the disciples were huddled in fear, were the first to encounter the risen Christ," they continued. At the National Cathedral's Service of Prayer for the Nation, Budde directly addressed Trump, seated in the front row alongside his wife, first lady Melania Trump. "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 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 the newly sworn-in president "to have mercy" on the 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." Budde's words have received mixed reactions, with some arguing that she politicized a religious service while others believe that she courageously spoke truth to power. Rob Pacienza, senior pastor at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was among the critics, saying in a recent interview with The Christian Post that he believed it "wasn't really a sermon" but rather "a lecture that really came across as mean and divisive." "I think the irony was she attempted to preach on unity, but her rhetoric and her very unwelcoming spirit from the beginning to the end of her message actually created more division in the end," he said. "She was advocating for transgenderism. She was advocating for open borders. She was advocating for lawlessness in America. She was advocating for an administration to embrace sexuality that is against God's design." Home Opinion Pardoned pro-life political prisoners should sue Biden admin. Thanks to whats known as the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE Act), the likes of Joe Biden, his Attorney General Merrick Garland, and FBI Director Christopher Wray arrested and prosecuted pro-life adherents for praying in front of abortion clinics. Thankfully, President Donald Trump just pardoned them all. He did so on the eve of the annual March for Life. As the CEO of CompassCare and a steadfast advocate for the sanctity of life, I am ecstatic that President Donald Trump has taken a bold stand for justice by pardoning 23 political prisoners. These courageous individuals, whose only crime was the peaceful act of praying outside abortion clinics, have endured an egregious abuse of power at the hands of an administration determined to silence pro-life voices. Their freedom marks a victory not only for them but for all Americans who believe in the constitutional right to free speech and religious expression. It is no secret that the FACE Act has been weaponized to target pro-life advocates while turning a blind eye to the widespread violence and destruction aimed at pregnancy centers and churches. The double standard is glaring. Those who seek to protect the most vulnerable among us unborn children have been treated as criminals, while those who perpetrate actual crimes against pro-life institutions are given a free pass. The hypocrisy is appalling, and it is why we must not stop at these pardons. 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 These 23 individuals, now free from their unjust imprisonment, must seek legal recourse for the suffering inflicted upon them. Their wrongful incarceration has cost them dearly financially, emotionally, and spiritually. They have lost wages, endured undue hardship, and suffered immeasurable psychological and emotional abuse. This is why I strongly urge them to file lawsuits against those responsible for their persecution. They must seek punitive damages and restitution for lost wages, pain, and suffering. This is not simply about individual compensation; it is about ensuring that such flagrant abuses of power never happen again. If we fail to hold the perpetrators of this injustice accountable, we open the door for history to repeat itself. We know that when Democrats regain power, they will not hesitate to use the full force of the government to suppress pro-life advocacy. They have already demonstrated their willingness to target faith-based organizations and individuals who refuse to conform to their radical abortion agenda. If we do not take decisive legal action now, we risk emboldening them to continue their assault on pro-life Americans. The legal battles ahead will not be easy. The pro-abortion lobby is powerful, well-funded, and deeply entrenched in both political and judicial institutions. But we cannot shrink from this fight. The lives of the unborn depend on our resolve. The Constitution guarantees every American the right to speak, pray, and advocate for their deeply held beliefs without fear of government persecution. We must demand that those rights be upheld, and that justice be served for those who have suffered under the oppressive enforcement of the FACE Act. This is a defining moment for the pro-life movement. We have seen what happens when a government is allowed to operate unchecked, trampling over the rights of those who stand for life. Now, we have an opportunity to push back, to demand accountability, and to set a legal precedent that will safeguard our freedoms for generations to come. These pardons are a first step, but they are not the final step. We must continue the fight until every pro-life advocate is free to exercise their constitutional rights without fear of unjust prosecution. I call on all pro-life leaders, legal experts, and supporters across the nation to rally behind these political prisoners as they seek justice. This is not just their battle it is our battle. If we do not act now, we risk allowing an even greater crackdown on pro-life advocacy in the future. The time is now. Let us stand together, unwavering and unafraid, to ensure that never again will peaceful prayer and protest be criminalized in America. Let us make it abundantly clear that we will not be intimidated, and we will not be silenced. Justice must be served, and with God's help, it will be. Lola Sheen after her baptism. (Photo: Instagram/Lola Sheen) (CP) Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards' youngest daughter, Lola, recently got baptized and publicly declared Jesus as her Saviour, revealing He saved her from "battling severe anxiety" and gave her a "peace that makes no sense." Earlier in January, the 19-year-old shared footage of her baptism on Instagram. In a follow-up post on Jan 22, she opened up about the reasons behind her decision, which she said "made my life worth living." "When I was in my deepest depression, there was a moment where I realized I hit rock bottom. I felt so lost and hopeless, and was just doing my best to make it to the next day. I just accepted my life was going to be like that forever, and thought I would never genuinely laugh again. Until, I met not only my Savior but my best friend, Jesus. I can't really explain it other than it was supernatural, but Jesus met me exactly where I was, and He forever became my sun. I began to trust Jesus with my life, when He chose me when no one else did, and loved me when I didn't feel worthy of love. He gave me a light, when I couldn't find my own, and rescued me from the darkness," she wrote. She added, "I now find myself laughing again, in places I only had cried. Jesus fulfilled His promise of making me new, and completely renewed my mind. Jesus is the only reason why I'm here today and made my life worth living. I chose to get baptized at the beginning of this year, because I made it through this year only by the strength of Jesus, and I am so happy to go into this next year, after publicly declaring Jesus as my Savior. I am forever saved by His Grace, through faith. "I thank you Jesus for everything, I love you, and I hope you are proud of me." Lola and her older sister Sami, 20, an X-rated OnlyFans model, are the only two daughters of Sheen, 59, and Richards, 53, who were married from 2002 to 2006. The pair's relationship ended in a highly publicized divorce in 2006, with allegations of infidelity and substance abuse contributing to the split. Charlie Sheen's personal life has often been in the media spotlight, particularly for struggles with substance abuse, legal issues and relationships, while Richards has faced criticism for having a platform on OnlyFans videos and collaborating with her younger daughter in videos. Numerous celebrities have been baptized in recent years, including Russell Brand, Kat Von D, Matt Rife and Denzel Washington. Brand, a 48-year-old actor and comedian, was baptized in 2024 following a personal exploration of Christianity that lasted several years. He began baptizing others just five months after his own baptism. Brand's baptism was a turning point for the comedian and actor, who described it as "a moment of surrender." Since then, he's used his platform to publish videos about his spiritual journey. "I know a lot of people are sort of cynical about the increasing interest in Christianity and the return to God, but to me, it's obvious," he said in an April 2024 video. "As meaning deteriorates in the modern world, as our value systems and institutions crumble, all of us become increasingly aware that there is this eerily familiar awakening and beckoning figure that we've all known all of our lives, within us and around us. And for me, it's very exciting." In December, Washington was baptized at The First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ Eastern New York. "In one week, I turn 70. It took a while, but I'm finally here," the 69-year-old Gladiator II actor said at the time, adding that when he was 20, he was sitting in his mum's beauty parlour when he encountered a woman named Ruth Green. "She said, 'Boy, you are going to travel the world and preach to millions of people,'" he recalled. "She wouldn't even spell the word prophecy. My mother wrote the word prophecy. ... 50 years later, look at God. If He can do this for me, there's nothing He can't do for you. The sky literally is the limit and there's no limit to the sky." Kat Von D, a celebrity tattoo artist, shared a video of herself being baptized in 2023, one year after renouncing the occult and witchcraft. In late 2024, Rife, a comedian, revealed he'd gotten baptized in a pool following the death of his grandfather. "I've never been a super religious person, but when my grandpa passed away, something hit me that I was like, 'I'll never see this person again,'" he said. "So something has to exist. I skew Christian, so I started going to church a little bit more. "I hate church; I find it excruciatingly boring," he said. "But I want to believe in God, and it's obviously a huge part of the process." The Christian Post (Photo: Getty/iStock) Christian leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have pledged to work towards peace and harmony between neighbours, following an intensification of violence in the east of the country. Rebel group M23 has claimed control of the eastern city of Goma, although government forces say that they still control the city's airport. The increase in violence has left many concerned about the fate of refugees. DRC's eastern neighbour, Rwanda, has been accused of supporting M23 in the hope of annexing some of its mineral rich territory. Rwanda in turn has accused DRC of supporting anti-government militias in its territory and of harbouring those responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide. It is believed that there are around seven million internally displaced people in the DRC, more than any other country in the world. Christian charity World Vision has called on the international community to do more to help child refugees in the country. Since 1998, it is believed that over six million people have been killed in the conflict. Now, wanting to solve the causes rather than just the symptoms of the conflict, the Church of Christ in Congo has proposed a roadmap foo peace between the various factions. The Church of Christ is an umbrella organisation that represents more than 60 Protestant denominations in the country, as well as the Roman Catholic Church. Rev Eric Nsenga, General Secretary of the Church of Christ in Congo, and Fr Donatien Nshole, General Secretary of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo issued a joint statement calling for peace: "In this year of Jubilee ... our prophetic mission makes it our duty to exhort people, communities, and the state of our sub-region to fulfill the duty of human beings towards themselves, that of peaceful co-existence and supportive co-existence. "Every day that passes is one too many! And day after day, time is running out and the dark prospects of a humanitarian catastrophe with incalculable consequences are becoming clearer." The church plan involves rallying together congregations, politicians and local communities in support of the idea of peaceful coexistence between the different groups and ethnicities of the region. The proposal also suggests a return to what it describes as traditional African methods of conflict resolution, namely a civilised discussion under the palaver tree, as well as efforts at peaceful consensus building. "Where have our sociological and spiritual values of Bumuntu gone, which were the ontological foundation of our Africa identity? Why are we no longer able to resolve our problems under the palaver tree as our ancestors knew how to do so, wisely?" Churches in DRC will also be holding workshops that will look for recommendations that can eventually morph into what the World Council of Churches has called "a national charter for peace and living together". Today the Kenyan government confirmed that the leaders of both DRC and Rwanda will be attending an emergency conference in the next two days with the hope of bringing the conflict to an end. A house destroyed by an airstrike in southern Lebanon. (Photo: Aid to the Church in Need) A Catholic charity has called for more help for Lebanon's Christian population, which along with many others in the country, is struggling with the impact of the conflict with Israel. According to United Nations estimates, over a million people in Lebanon, representing a quarter of the population, have been displaced as a result of the conflict. The UN also estimates that nearly a third of the Lebanese population is now facing food insecurity. Israeli forces invaded southern Lebanon in October last year after a year of conflict with the militant group Hezbollah. Hezbollah began launching rockets into Israel from Lebanon following the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas. In response, Israel has carried out aerial bombardments and assassinations in Lebanon, as well as a widely publicised operation in which thousands of rigged pagers carried by Hezbollah operatives exploded simultaneously, killing 42 people and injuring thousands. The effects of the conflict have been profound on the ongoing civilian population. Marielle Boutros, a project coordinator in Lebanon for ACN, said, "The war was hell for us. Every Christian here has thought about leaving the country ... Many people are still struggling ... and the situation is anything but simple often there is no longer enough money at the end of the month for food." According to Boutros, many people in the country have now lost their jobs and agricultural land has suffered "lasting destruction" due to the use of phosphorus bombs. She said, "ACN emergency relief projects will therefore continue to be of crucial for months after the ceasefire. For example, support for Catholic schools is essential because many families cannot afford to pay tuition fees for their children and money is also lacking for teachers' salaries." ACN has also been involved in handing out food parcels and providing medical assistance. Airstrikes still happen occasionally in southern Lebanon, according to local sources. Boutros said that despite the suffering caused by the conflict, there were signs of hope following the appointment of a new Lebanese president, Joseph Aoun, last month. Aoun told Israel that it must withdraw its forces by 26 January, which they have not done. Despite this, many residents have started returning to their homes near the southern border. As a proportion of its population, Lebanon has more Christians than any other country in the Middle East, with estimates ranging from a third of the country to as much as 40 per cent. (Photo: Getty/iStock) Christian charity World Vision has called upon the international community to protect children and other vulnerable people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following advances by the rebel M23 group. M23 have claimed control of the eastern city of Goma, although government forces claim that they still control the airport. Many civilians fleeing violence in other parts of the country have previously taken shelter in the city of Goma. According to World Vision, the DRC has more internally displaced people than any other country in the world, at over 6.9 million. Half of these displaced people are children, who struggle to find food, shelter and healthcare. As well as poverty, many are at risk of, or have already experienced violence, artillery bombardments and sexual violence. Aline Napon, World Vision's DRC National Director said, "World Vision in on the ground and is supporting thousands of people who have run towards Goma to escape conflict. On the faces of these women, children and men, we see despair, fear, rage and powerlessness. "They have been forced to leave their homes without knowing where they are going to stay or what they are going to eat. In short, they are fleeing simply to save their lives. Many of these displaced people are children. These children are experiencing atrocities that even grown-ups find hard to bear. These children, these women, these displaced people, need our help." M23 is allegedly backed by Rwanda, something that has neither been admitted nor denied by DRC's eastern neighbour. Rwanda in turn has also accused the DRC of supporting anti-government militias in its own territory and of harbouring fugitives responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The Rwandan genocide saw well over half a million people killed, most from the Tutsi ethnic group, in the space of just four months of brutal violence carried out by Hutu militias. M23 was formed to defend Tutsis in eastern Congo from human rights abuses, however the group has also been accused of various war crimes and abuses itself. A spokesman for United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called on Rwanda to end its support for M23 and withdraw its own troops from DRC territory. The Kenyan government has called for a ceasefire in the conflict and has said that the leaders of DRC and Rwanda will be joining an emergency summit in the next two days in the hopes of resolving the conflict peacefully. Napon, World Vision's representative made a final appeal to the internation community, not to forget about the DRC and its people at a time when the suffering in Ukraine and Gaza dominates the headlines. "There is very little about this ongoing humanitarian catastrophe online or in the media. The lives of the children of DRC are just as precious as the lives of children from every other country. We are begging the international community to hear their cries and act quickly," she said. "World Vision urges all parties to the conflict to protect innocent civilians and provide safe and unhindered humanitarian access. Governments, humanitarian agencies and local communities must work together to meet the urgent needs of women, children and men. They have endured enough; they have lost enough. They deserve peace, they deserve safety, and they deserve hope. Let's do everything in our power to deliver it for them." INE Security, a leading global provider of cybersecurity training and certifications, today announced a new initiative designed to accelerate compliance with the Department of Defenses (DoD) newly streamlined Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0. This initiative aims to assist Defense Industry Base (DIB) contractors in swiftly adapting to the updated certification standards, which are critical to securing and maintaining defense contracts. With the DoDs reduction of CMMC levels from five to three, the path to compliance has become more direct but not less demanding. Recognizing the urgency for contractors to comply without delay, INE Security is offering a guide to strategic compliance acceleration. This includes a comprehensive checklist and guidance on how to implement the compliance requirements. The DoDs updated framework requires greater clarity and speed in the compliance process than ever before, said Dara Warn, CEO of INE Security. At INE Security, we recognize the challenges organizations face in navigating the complexities of CMMC compliance. Our goal is to empower organizations to not only meet but exceed their compliance objectives by providing them with the tools and strategies needed for a faster and smoother journey. We are committed to simplifying the path to compliance, enabling our clients to focus on what they do best: securing their operations and contributing to our national defense. Certification Requirements Each level carries its own stringent requirements, ranging from broad in scope at Level 1 to highly specialized at Level 3. Organizations can use this checklist to track progress and identify areas requiring attention before assessment. Level 1 Certification Requirements Technical Controls Basic password management Access control implementation Information integrity checks Basic endpoint protection Documentation Needs System security policies Access control documentation Asset inventory Basic security procedures Assessment Preparation Self-assessment documentation Evidence collection Policy review Annual review planning Level 2 Certification Requirements Technical Controls Multi-factor authentication Network segmentation Security monitoring tools Incident response capabilities Audit logging systems Documentation Needs System Security Plan (SSP) Configuration management plans Incident response procedures Risk assessment documentation POA&M development Assessment Preparation Third-party assessment readiness Evidence compilation Technical demonstrations Staff interview preparation Control validation testing Level 3 Certification Requirements Technical Controls Advanced threat detection Security orchestration Continuous monitoring Zero-trust implementation Advanced access control Documentation Needs Enhanced SSP Threat modeling documentation Advanced security procedures Risk management framework Continuous monitoring plan Assessment Preparation Government assessment readiness Advanced evidence compilation Security control testing Personnel training records Program effectiveness metrics Implementation Guidance Successfully navigating the compliance requirements of CMMC 2.0 demands a structured approach to implementation and preparation. Each step, from initial technical review to mock assessments, is designed to build upon the previous, ensuring a seamless path to CMMC certification. Technical Control Implementation Reviewing current architecture Identifying gaps in controls Developing implementation plan Testing controls in staging Deploying to production Validating effectiveness Documentation Best Practices Using standard templates Including revision history Maintaining clear procedures Documenting configurations Tracking changes Regular reviews Assessment Readiness Internal pre-assessment Documentation review Technical validation Staff preparation Evidence organization Mock assessment How INE Security Helps Organizations Accelerate Compliance Technical Training INE Securitys comprehensive technical training program provides hands-on experience through practical labs focused on control implementation and security tool configuration. Structured learning paths cover essential skills in network security implementation and monitoring system setup, giving users real-world experience with the tools and techniques required for CMMC compliance. Assessment Preparation Organizations can prepare confidently for CMMC assessment with INE Securitys practical scenarios and technical training tools. The training helps students master control validation exercises and provides thorough interview preparation guidance, ensuring students are prepared and the assessment process is smooth. About INE Security INE Security is the premier provider of online networking and cybersecurity training and certification. Harnessing a powerful hands-on lab platform, cutting-edge technology, a global video distribution network, and world-class instructors, INE Security is the top training choice for Fortune 500 companies worldwide for cybersecurity training in business and for IT professionals looking to advance their careers. INE Securitys suite of learning paths offers an incomparable depth of expertise across cybersecurity and is committed to delivering advanced technical training while also lowering the barriers worldwide for those looking to enter and excel in an IT career. Contact Director of Global Strategic Communications and Events Kathryn Brown INE Security kbrown@ine.com Over the past year, as a part of our larger transformation, weve doubled down on our commitment to enhancing our partner ecosystem. Combining their unique strengths to drive impact and scale provides the opportunity to achieve more than we ever could alone. And with every partnership connection, we build a future thats not just biggerbut better for our mutual customers. A key differentiator for VMware Cloud Foundation as the industry-leading private cloud platform is flexibility. And our VMware Cloud Service Provider (VCSP) partners are a vital component of this flexibility. They provide cloud solutions, ranging from public cloud, community cloud to sovereign cloud, using VMware Cloud Foundation as their platform, thereby unleashing a seamless and robust architecture across all of their enterprise footprint. VCSP partners utilize VCF to bridge between public cloud benefits and the world of private cloud that enables benefits such as industry-specific compliance, advanced security, cloud expertise, license portability, workload portability, and other advanced technology and services to help customize a value pathway to customer specific business outcomes. Its easy to sit here, from behind a keyboard, and wax poetic about working and co-innovating alongside our VCSP partners to enhance capabilities. But hearing it directly from them conveys the insights and energy they bring to the table, placing a proverbial exclamation point on how they aim to combine the very best of their expertise and services with the very best of our private cloud platform technology. In the words of Barry Brown, Technical Sales Director at IBM Cloud, VMware Cloud Foundation on IBM Cloud enables critical use cases, including data center and application modernization, disaster recovery, and cyber-resilience for SAP workloads. Brown highlighted how it helps businesses lower operational costs and lower risk at the same time. Simon Bennett, CTO and Technical Solutioning for Private Cloud at Rackspace, shared how VCF gives customers access to a comprehensive suite of tools while enabling Rackspace to deliver on even the most complex customer needs. Customers are now benefitting from the use of VMware Cloud Foundation because its giving them access to the full suite of tools, Bennett noted. Christoph Rhode, SVP Cloud Managed Services at T-Systems, emphasized the collaboration between Broadcom and T-Systems, particularly against challenges like cyber threats and AI. Reflecting on the clarity and innovation brought by Broadcom, he remarked, It feels like a public cloud, but its a private cloud, and that is the benefit you get from VMware Cloud Foundation. It feels like a public cloud, but its a private cloud, and that is the benefit you get from VMware Cloud Foundation. Christoph Rhode, SVP Cloud Managed Services at T-Systems These vignettes speak to the strength of our VMware Cloud Service Provider partnerships and highlight their ability to deliver customer-focused solutions for real-world challenges. Together, were not just meeting todays needswere creating a foundation for tomorrows opportunities, proving that with the right partners, and the right technology, anything is possible. To learn more please visit us here. About Krish Prasad Broadcom Krish Prasad is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Broadcoms VMware Cloud Foundation Division where he oversees the companys multi-cloud Infrastructure software portfolio that spans Private Clouds and Clouds from Service Provider partners and Hyperscalers. Before joining Broadcom, Mr. Prasad served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the VMware Cloud Infrastructure Business Group (CIBG) and previously led the VMware vSphere business. He drove the strategy, roadmap and delivery of the SDDC cloud platform that powers VMware Cloud and led a wide range of functions including Product Management, Engineering, Cloud Operations, SRE and Product Marketing. Mr. Prasad has more than 30 years of experience in the enterprise software business across both R&D and general management. Prior to VMware, he held senior and executive management positions with HPE and BMC Software. UNDP through the Enabling an Inclusive Green Transition in the Republic of Moldova Project, kindly requests your quotation for provision of services to Support the EU Accession Process by Developing the National Accession Plan for Chapter 27 under Request for Quotation no. RFQ25/02991. The main objective of the assignment is to develop a comprehensive draft National Accession Program that will cover the Chapter 27 in line with the requirement of the Governmental Decision 180/2024 regarding the coordination mechanism of the Republic of Moldova's EU accession process and the organization and functioning of the negotiation team, as well as following the Guidelines for the development of the National Accession Program (NAP) of the Republic of Moldova to the EU. Deadline for submission of proposals: 18 February 2025, 16:30 (GMT+2:00) For details regarding the competition and submission requirements, please visit the page: https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_negotiation.cfm?nego_id=29849 Alte articole de la acest autor: United Nations Development Programme, through its EU4Moldova: Focal Regions Programme hereby invites prospective proposers to submit a bid for the Implementation of ISO Standards for Clusters-members (3 LOTs). Deadline for submission of proposals: 18 February, 16:30 (GMT+2:00) For details regarding the competition and submission requirements, please visit the page: https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_negotiation.cfm?nego_id=29864 Alte articole de la acest autor: National Consultant to support developing a Gender Gap Assessment (multiple positions) Chisinau, Republic of Moldova Job Info Job Identification: 23739 Posting Date: 01/28/2025, 10:33 AM Apply Before: 02/11/2025, 02:33 AM Job Schedule: Part time Locations Chisinau, Republic of Moldova Initial Contract Duration: February - December 2025 Education & Work Experience: Master's Degree - 2 year(s) experience OR Bachelor's Degree - 4 year(s) experience Required Languages: Fluency in Romanian and English, written and verbal Desired Languages: Knowledge of the Russian language Vacancy Category: Local Opportunities Vacancy Timeline: 2 Weeks Job Description Background/Context UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women's rights at the center of all its efforts, the UN Women leads and coordinates the United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. The work of UN Women in Moldova is guided by its , aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Moldova (2023-2027), UN Women Global Strategic Plan, National Programs and Strategies and aims to contribute to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Strategic Note focuses on four main areas: 1) Ending Violence against Women; 2) Womens Leadership and Governance; 3) Womens Economic empowerment and 4) Humanitarian and Peace development nexus and UN Coordination on Gender equality. Based on the European Commission Implementing Decision on the Annual Action Plan in favour of the Republic of Moldova for 2022 NDICI-GEO-NEAR/2022/ACT-61535 EU4 Resilience and Governance, UN Women Moldova CO is implementing a four-year project (November 2023 October 2027) under the name "Ending Violence, Expanding Livelihood Opportunities for Women and Accelerating Gender Governance in Moldova" (hereinafter EVOLVE4GE). The project is implemented in line with and in contribution to the Gender Action Plan III (GAP III) of European Commission " Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in External Action 20212025", adopted in November 2020, Country gender profile and its Country Level Implementation Plan CLIP for the Republic of Moldova which aim to accelerate progress on empowering women and girls, and safeguard gains made on gender equality during the 25 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and its Platform for Action . It will also support the Government to advance implementation of the gender equality commitments aligned with the EU candidacy status granted to the Republic of Moldova in June 2022. The project builds on UN Womens advocacy and past work in strengthening capacities for gender responsive governance, on the Country office best practices around womens economic empowerment through business development and increased participation of women in sectors with high economic potential and high gender gap, as well as on lessons learned collected through the support provided to the Government in the development of integrated survivor oriented provision of assistance and establishment of specialist services for survivors of violence against women and girls. The interventions will contribute directly to the implementation of the national priorities set the Government Programme on Gender Equality (2023-2027), The RoadMap for Economic Empowerment of Women, the National Programme on Ending Violence against Women (2023-2027), as well as to the gender responsive provisions of the Public Finance Management Strategy (2023-2030) and Public Administration (2023-2030). The project, initiated in November 2023, and is funded by the European Union. Its overarching goal revolves around the following outcome: By 2027, women and girls actively contribute to and reap the rewards of enhanced gender-responsive policies, customized economic empowerment initiatives, and easily accessible quality essential services. One of the anticipated results of the EVOLVE4GE project is the enhancement of the capacity of both Central and Local Government authorities to design and implement gender-responsive policies. To achieve this, the project aims to strengthen the capacity of central and local Gender Equality Mechanisms (GEMs); offer customized assistance to the Ministry of Finance and other central budget users to integrate gender considerations into public finance management; build the capacity of public oversight institutions to incorporate gender perspectives into oversight and audit practices; and by providing comprehensive support to Local Public Administration for piloting gender-responsive budgets. In this framework, UN Women within EVOLVE4GE project seeks to contract consultants (here and after The Consultant) to provide expert support to state institutions including but not limited to the Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP), Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) and other sectoral ministries to support sectoral gender analyses in the framework of the efforts for institutionalization of GRB. These efforts are closely informed by the Public Expenditure and Finance Accountability Assessment (PEFA) supplementary assessment on gender - and in line with the newly adopted Public Finance Management Strategy (PFM) for 2023-2030 and SDG indicator 5.c.1. Deliverables Deliverable Expected completion time (due day) Detailed outline of the analysis approach, methodology, and timeline. February 2025 Draft summary report of budget spending patterns and gender-disaggregated data findings. April 2025 A detailed report identifying and quantifying gender gaps. May 2025 A document containing actionable recommendations for enhancing gender responsiveness in the selected budget subprogrammes for the next fiscal year budget planning. June 2025 Capacity building reports and related materials October 2025 Final report that integrates all findings, analyses, and recommendations, presented in a clear and accessible format November 2025 The first and last final deliverables should be in English Payments shall be made following certification by UN Women that the services related to each deliverable, as described above, have been satisfactorily performed and the deliverables have been achieved by or before the due dates specified above, if any. Consultants Workplace and Official Travel This is a home-based consultancy, with no travel required for this assignment. Competencies Core Values: Respect for Diversity Integrity Professionalism Core Competencies: Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues Accountability Creative Problem Solving Effective Communication Inclusive Collaboration Stakeholder Engagement Leading by Example Please visit this link for more information on UN Womens Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values Functional Competencies: Knowledge Management and Learning Shares knowledge and experience Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UN Women Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills Development and Operational Effectiveness Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills. Communicates sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies Demonstrates very good understanding of and experience in communications and outreach/advocacy Ability to perform a variety of standard specialized and non-specialized tasks and work processes that are fully documented, researched, recorded and reported Ability to review a variety of data, identify and adjust discrepancies, identify and resolve operational problems Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource Leadership and Self-Management Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure Proven networking skills and ability to generate interest in UN Womens mandate Identifies opportunities and builds strong partnerships with clients and partners Work in teams: Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. Required Qualifications Education and Certification: Masters degree in public administration, social studies, sociology, gender studies and/or international relations, or any other degree relevant to the requirements of the TOR is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience: At least 2 years of experience in drafting and writing policies, reports, or guidelines, preferably in the context of gender analysis, budgetary programs, or gender-responsive budgeting initiatives is required. At least 2 years of experience in research and policy analyses is required. Experience in working on central government finance policies and processes including medium-term budgeting program (MTBP), budgeting methodologies and approaches is consider an asset. Previous experience working with international organizations is considered an asset. Languages: Fluency in written and verbal Romanian and English is required. Knowledge of the Russian language is an asset. APPLICATION PROCESS AND SUBMISSION PACKAGE Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their online applications by February 11, 2025 through the following link: National Consultant to support developing a Gender Gap Assessment (multiple positions) - Local post for Residents of the Republic of Moldova - UN Women Careers . Applications should include the following documents: Duly filled UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc . Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other materials. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Statements : In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment. Diversity and inclusion: At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need. If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application. UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Womens policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.) Are you a creative and results-driven professional ready to take on an exciting leadership role? We are seeking a Marketing Manager for a leading industrial company. In this role, you will drive the companys marketing efforts, enhance brand visibility, and achieve business goals. Key Responsibilities: Requirements: What We Offer: If you are passionate about marketing and eager to make a meaningful impact in a forward-thinking organization, we want to hear from you! How to Apply Send your CV to tt30@search4staff.com or call 069 638 007 for more information. Take the next step in your careerapply today! Alte articole de la acest autor: For our client, an international company based in the Netherlands that provides employment solutions for highly skilled non-EU professionals entering the Dutch labor market and is also a recognized sponsor with the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), we are looking for a Sales Representative. Role Overview We are seeking a Sales Representative in Moldova to introduce their services to potential clients, tailor solutions, negotiate terms, and ensure smooth onboarding. Youll collaborate with the team in Amsterdam and play a key role in supporting Highly Skilled Migrants. Key Responsibilities Qualifications What We Offer Apply Now Send your CV and cover letter to m.borozan@search4staff.com to join an International team and make an impact! Alte articole de la acest autor: The Charity Commission is investigating allegations that a Birmingham-based international development charity has funded a sanctioned organisation in Gaza. In January 2024, the commission opened a statutory inquiry into We Care Foundation , which provides aid to victims of war and natural disasters, concerning its trustees decision-making and payments to its trustees and their related companies. Subsequently, in March 2024, the regulator froze the charitys bank accounts and limited it to making payments only after seeking consent from the commission. Now, the UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) has raised concerns with the commission over the charitys funding of the Qawafil Al Khair Association in Gaza. According to an online register , the Gaza-based association is sanctioned and labelled as a terrorist organisation in Israel. However, the organisation, which aims to provide emergency relief services for families in Gaza, has not been sanctioned by the UK government. The commission said in response that it was already investigating past payments from the We Care Foundation to the Qawafil Al Khair Association as part of its inquiry. Regulator: We are already investigating UKLFI alleged that the association was founded by two people who have ties with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, responsible for the 7 October 2023 attacks in Israel. Director Caroline Turner said: If a UK charity is funding a charity in Gaza that specialises in helping the widows and orphans of Hamas fighters, then this amounts to assisting Hamas, a terrorist organisation. A commission spokesperson told Civil Society: We are already investigating, within the scope of our ongoing inquiry, past payments by the charity to its partners and its relationships with other organisations including Qawafil Al Khair Association. We Care Foundations bank accounts remain frozen while our comprehensive investigations continue. We expect all charities to carry out robust due diligence when working with partners at home or overseas, particularly those working in high-risk areas, to make sure charity money doesnt end up in the wrong hands. Foundation: These allegations misrepresent the work we do A We Care Foundation spokesperson told Civil Society that it denies the unfounded allegations suggesting that we have knowingly funded any organisation linked to terrorism. In response to UKLFIs accusation that its funding is helping the widows and orphans of Hamas fighters, the spokesperson said such an assertion would unjustly criminalise every woman and child we assist in Palestine, as well as implicate leading charities. If UKLFI's accusation implies that providing food to starving women and children constitutes wrongdoing, the foundation is fully prepared to defend itself, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said that the regulator is fully aware of the charitys partnership with the Qawafil Al Khair Association and has not been asked to stop raising funds. Our collaboration is focused solely on delivering vital humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities in Gaza, including widows, orphans, and displaced families, they said. We release funds only after conducting rigorous due diligence, requiring comprehensive photographic and video evidence for all distributions. Over the past 15 months, we have received more than 10,000 documents verifying the dates, locations, and distributions taking place in camps designated by the Disaster Response Committee. This ongoing diligence reflects our firm commitment to compliance and ethical practices. Additionally, we have found no evidence to support the claims being made against us. These allegations misrepresent the essential work we do and unfairly undermine the reputation of charities dedicated to alleviating suffering in vulnerable communities. We welcome any inquiry into our operations and are confident in the integrity of our processes. 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. Long before its current owner embarked on a campaign of vanity and self-regard, the Los Angeles Times has weathered its ownership. Founded in the 1880s, when Los Angeles was a mere pueblo in a floodplain, the Times served the interests of its family stewards. Harrison Gray Otis purchased the paper in 1884 and bequeathed it to his son-in-law Harry Chandler in 1917; Chandler, in turn, handed it over to his son Norman in 1936. They were businessmen, not journalists, and their great project was the creation of modern Los Angeles. The Times was an instrument in that long campaign. The Chandlers owned land in the San Fernando Valley, and that land needed water to be valuable, so their paper supported the construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct. Voters approved the bond. The water arrived from the Owens Valley, where some farmers lost out. But the cityand its family-owned newspaperdid just fine. Los Angeles acquired room to grow, thanks in large measure to the influence of its paper. A century after the aqueduct opened, a copy of the front page reporting the news of that day still hung in the editorial-board room of the Times, a prickly reminder that private profit and public interest sometimes do reinforce each other. The papers dominance in civic life was not limited to water. Unions were bad for the owners of the Los Angeles Times, so the Los Angeles Times championed a nonunion city. That got the paper bombed in 1910, but the bombing only reinforced the Times antipathy to organized labor. The slogan True Industrial Freedom was etched into the papers headquarters, and its editorial pages carried that message to the public. Egged on by the Times, Los Angeles grew up without significant union presence, deliberately in contrast to San Francisco. It wasnt great for workers, but it suited owners, including those of the Times. As the city entered the first rank of American metropolises, the Times owners feared that its evolution would be threatened by a reputation for lawlessness. Public order was thus considered essential to the prosperity of the city and its paper, even if that meant that the Los Angeles Police Department had to be protected from certain types of scrutiny. The Los Angeles Times offered a shield, and the LAPD used it to maintain control, even at the cost of violating constitutional rights and fomenting resentments. As late as the 1960s, the LAPD would develop its annual budget and share it first with the owners of the Times before bothering to run it across the street to City Hall. Ed Davis, who went on to become chief of the LAPD, told me that story when he was in retirement, still amused that the Times had wielded that degree of influence. Sign up for CJRs daily email In those and other respects, the Times of old was a paper that put its owners interests first, that imagined that what was good for the Chandlers must be good for the city. It built some great thingsand harmed some others. It did not foster great journalism. Indeed, the Times in those years was a newspaper that great journalists mostly avoided. At least until Otis Chandler took command, in 1960and even for some time after thatthe Times was regarded as a family mouthpiece, advancing the fortunes of the politicians it favoredRichard Nixon was the most prominent of thoseand championing the causes it cared about, from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to the value of Southern California real estate. But Otis Chandlers tenure broke that reign. He saw the Times as something more than a mouthpiece. He envisioned a journalistic enterprise of the first order, and he built it. The paper grew in size and ambition. It recruited some of the nations best journalists and treated them well, giving them space to write thoughtful stories, protection to probe and investigate, and creature comforts, too: Times reporters were paid well and, famously, flew first-class. Once at the Times, few good journalists left. The papers nickname? The Velvet Coffin. Under Otis Chandlers leadership, the Times finally joined the first rank of American newspapers. On any given day, its report stretched around the world, with dispatches from its vast foreign staff to critical coverage of local government. By the time Otis left the building, his familys paper was one of the greatest on earthand one of the most profitable, too. Which brings us to Patrick Soon-Shiong. The billionaire doctor has owned the Los Angeles Times since 2018, and he deserves credit for rescuing the paper from the clutches of the bandits who preceded him. That notorious bunch called themselves Tronc and had embarked on a campaign to diminish the papers reach and ambition, detaching it from its responsibilities to Los Angeles. Easy for them, since they were based in Chicago and consumed by the bottom line, without even nominal regard for the work of newspapers in bolstering their communities. Soon-Shiong paid them to go away and saved the Times from a bleak fate. He also should be appreciated for what he did next: he quietly invested millions of dollars from his immense fortune to patch a few of its holes and keep the paper afloat. The Times today produces some great stories. Its reporters write well on politics and the environment and a few other subjects; it produces occasional gems of literary merit. The performance of its news staff over the past two weeks, since the Palisades and Altadena caught fire in early January, has offered a reminder of the courage, resilience, and ability of reporters who have had to endure so very muchand despite their leadership rather than because of it. Meanwhile, however, Soon-Shiong has distracted from their achievements with his relentless determination to make himself the story. On X and in interviews, he spouts off on presidential politics and the leadership of California and Los Angeles. He offers his views on public health, where he has some knowledge, and local government, where he does not. Its as exhausting to watch as it is egotistical of him to perform. Soon-Shiongs transition from modest, quiet owner to babbling bloviator first revealed itself to the public last fall, when, after the papers editorial board had decided to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president, he stepped in and blocked it from publishing the piece. Editors failed to convince him of the error of that idea, which he then compounded by blaming the board itself. Why? Cynicsa/k/a journalistswondered about his personal or financial stakes in matters that Donald Trump might control, from drug approvals to ambassadorships; the doctor denies any such conflicts. Who knows? Perhaps he is just by nature a sycophant, eager to be patted on the head by a man in power. The consequences were indisputable. Readers were incensed, with some twenty thousand canceling their subscriptions; talented journalists quit, and Los Angeles overwhelmingly voted for Harrisa trifecta of blowback from Soon-Shiongs unethical ineptitude. In the aftermath, Soon-Shiong made pouty noises about being misunderstood and inveighed about the need for balance, seeming not to understand the difference between news coverage and editorial opinion mattersit is worth noting that its odd that a newspaper owner would neither read nor understand his own paper. He then veered into cuckoo-ville with yammerings about debuting a bias meter to accompany stories. This meter, which exists mostly in his head, would, if rolled out, helpfully alert readers to those articles that they should not trustbut that the Times was nonetheless electing to publish. If there is a journalistic logic in there somewhere, it escapes me. But okay, anyone can have a bad month. Or two. But then Los Angeles was visited by what may turn out to be the most devastating event in its history, the eruption of fires across the region. The early days of that event were filled with catastrophe, tension, and griefthe loss of homes on a gigantic scale, neighborhoods leveled, families struggling to escape and survive. Soon-Shiong decided that was the moment to engage in disinformation. Fires in LA are sadly no surprise, yet the Mayor cut LA Fire Departments budget by $23M, he posted on X. Competence matters, he added. For a guy who wants to install a bias meter, Soon-Shiongs irony meter seems to be on the fritz. To its credit, the Times itself debunked that accusation, noting that while the mayors initial budget proposal had called for cuts in new equipment purchases, the actual budget eventually passed by the City Council and signed by the mayor increased the departments budget by 7 percent. The increase included pay raises for existing firefighters and purchases of new equipment. Good for the Times, but yet another reminder that Soon-Shiongs meddling makes good reporting harder, not easier. Rather than explain or apologize, he plowed right along. As the fires spread and thousands were evacuated, Soon-Shiong continued his campaign against the mayorwhom the Los Angeles Times, under his leadership, endorsed, by the way. Last week, he seemed even to lose grasp of spelling and grammar. looks like Angelinas are taking action, he posted on Thursday. Demand the immediate resignation of Mayor Karen Bass. In his post, he promised we will follow this closely, presumably a reference to the editorial staff of the paper he owns. That seems to suggest hes directing coverage, but really, hes undermining and debasing it. Heres something to remember about the family influence of the Chandlers compared with that of Soon-Shiong. The Chandlers earned their place in the civic conversation; Soon-Shiong purchased his. It was in the Chandlers interest for Los Angeles to prosper because they understood that the best interests of Los Angeles and those of the Times were inextricable. Indeed, the Chandler project was unique among the standout American newspaper families. New York was not built by the Sulzbergers, nor Washington by the Grahams. Those families created great newspapers to serve cities that already had their standing. Los Angeles, by contrast, is the city that it isfrom its landscape to its race relationsin some measure because of the family that created it, along with its newspaper. That was not always a roaring success in journalistic terms, and it has not always worn well. It gave too much license to police. It fashioned a landscape that depended on water imports. It erected a civic leadership that was white and Protestant and conservative even as the city became more Latino, liberal, and unionized. The papers coverage was boosterish when more critical analyses would have been better for readers. But, for better or worse, Los Angeles had a paper and owners who did their best to comprehend the citys best interests. The crowning moment of that enterprise came once Otis Chandler ascended, and the city that his family built at last could count on journalism worthy of the metropolis they imagined into being. Soon-Shiong is not the rightful heir to any of that. He does not have a voice in civic life because he built a great newspaper. He bought a great newspaper and now thinks it gives him expertise in civic life. It doesnt. It is, to state the obvious, impossible to imagine Harrison Gray Otis or Harry Chandler, whatever the depths of their interests or the drive each possessed for riches and influence, behaving as childishly as Soon-Shiong has during these fires. The city is struggling. His staff is performing nobly. Hes shrieking and posting false claims on X. Thats a step past tragedy and into farce. And thats what Soon-Shiong has brought the Times to at this point in its history. Hes made himself into a joke. Sadly, he risks dragging his paper down with him. Holdout creditors who claim tainted baby powder gave them ovarian cancer urged a judge to reject Johnson & Johnsons plan to force an end to all related cancer lawsuits. The proposed settlement worth more than $8 billion wrongly denies ovarian cancer victims the right to pursue their claims in court, lawyers for women who refused to join the deal said in a Friday objection. Holdouts also challenged a claim from J&J and its supporters that the settlement is backed by more than 80% of claimants. Under the proposal, a bankrupt unit of the health care giant would establish a trust that would determine how much each cancer victim would get based on a set of detailed criteria. All lawsuits related to allegations that baby powder contained cancer-causing asbestos would be halted and instead resolved by the trust. The proposal represents J&Js third attempt since 2021 to use Chapter 11 to resolve talc litigation after federal appeals courts in Philadelphia blocked earlier efforts. J&J has maintained that its talc products are safe and said the bankruptcy settlement is part of a good-faith attempt to resolve the litigation for all stakeholders. Fridays objection was among several from various groups including the US government that have criticized J&Js effort to put a shell company named Red River Talc into bankruptcy as a way to end the lawsuits. Typically, profitable companies that face no immediate threat of insolvency cannot clear their debts in bankruptcy. After failed earlier attempts, J&J created Red River and last year put the company in bankruptcy. Next month, Red River and J&J are scheduled to be in court to try to convince a federal judge in Houston to approve the settlement plan. For its latest bankruptcy, J&J organized a vote of claimants before filing the Chapter 11 case. After increasing its settlement offer to more than $8 billion, proponents said enough victims changed their votes from no to yes, giving the company enough support to meet a 75% threshold set by the bankruptcy code. The proposed bankruptcy plan contains a lengthy list of fatal flaws, according to the holdouts, known as the Coalition of Counsel for Justice. The alleged flaws include: No proof that there is enough money to pay the average ovarian cancer victim $100,000. The proposed victims trust does not qualify for special bankruptcy rules that were originally designed to help reorganize companies that used asbestos in their products. The voting process that J&J claims it won with more than 80% support was flawed and much of the tally must be corrected. J&J disputed the coalitions arguments, claiming that the proposal would give victims more money than they could get if they risked going to trial in front of a jury. The coalition has presented no meaningful alternative to get their clients a better recovery on any sort of realistic timeline, Erik Haas, J&Js head of litigation, said in an emailed statement. The latest volley of challenges echo some arguments already raised by holdouts in pending bids to end J&Js latest talc bankruptcy. Soon after J&Js newest talc unit sought court protection in September, holdouts argued the company effectively bought the votes from women that should be dismissed by the judge. Red River has denied that voting was flawed and contends that lawyers opposed to the bankruptcy settlement are motivated by their own financial interests to defeat the deal. Judge Christopher Lopez is scheduled to consider whether Red Rivers case should proceed in February. The bankruptcy case is Red River Talc LLC, 24-90505, US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (Houston). Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. "Jerry Springer: The Opera," a satirical opera based on the talk show, was first presented to the public in 2003 by comedians Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas. After receiving favorable reviews and garnering several accolades, including four Olivier Awards, the musical immediately rose to fame. Numerous honors resulted from the production's popularity, including four Olivier Awards in 2004 and the 2003 Evening Standard Award for Best Musical. These included Best Actor in a Musical for David Bedella, who played the dual roles of Satan and Warm-Up Man, and Best New Musical. It went on a successful tour after 609 West End performances in London from 2001 until 2003. Its enormous protests and controversial discussions about censorship and religious sensitivity, however, equaled its historic success. The opera's scandal climax on January 8, 2005, when the BBC first aired "Jerry Springer: The Opera." More than 47,000 complaints had been filed by the day before the show, which at the time was a record for the most complaints ever received by a UK television program, according to MovieWeb. The show received high acclaim for its bold narrative and audacious comedy. Theatergoers were impressed by the show's bold themes and irreverent wit, but it also received backlash for using religious symbols. The musical, which many religious organizations deemed offensive, featured prominent roles for biblical characters including Jesus Christ, God, and the Devil. The songs and conversation, which contained over 174 profanity terms, added to the outrage. Following the BBC's televised broadcast, which exposed the musical to a larger audience, the dispute grew more intense. Christian organizations including the Salvation Army and Christian Voice staged pickets against live performances during the show's 20052006 tour after protesters called it blasphemous. Even prominent religious figures publicly denounced the show, including the Archbishop of Wales. In the UK, the broadcast of "Jerry Springer: The Opera" sparked a heated public discussion regarding censorship, blasphemy laws, and freedom of expression. Some stores refused to carry the DVD release, causing the production team to get a lot of negative feedback. On the grounds that the broadcast broke blasphemy laws, religious organizations even tried to bring charges against BBC management. The actors and crew were also subjected to the animosity, and police warned them to be on guard against any threats. In order to prevent criticism from religious groups, charities that benefited from the production were under pressure to turn down the gifts. Jerry Springer, whose talk show inspired the production, reportedly enjoyed the musical, although he had no direct involvement. He passed away in 2023, but the opera remains a defining piece of his legacy. CLEVELAND, Ohio Money for police officers in Maple Heights, and for technology to help extract cellphone data from criminal suspects, and for body camera upgrades. Those are among the federal grants to Northeast Ohio law enforcement agencies that President Donald Trump sought to freeze with an order of temporary pause in funding. JASPER COUNTY, Indiana An Indiana man who served six months in prison for his role in the riot at the U.S. Capitol was shot and killed Sunday by a sheriffs deputy during a traffic stop, authorities say. Matthew Huttle, 42, of Hobart, was one of about 1,500 people who were pardoned by President Donald Trump last week. In 2023, Huttle was sentenced to six months in custody after pleading guilty to entering a restricted building. A news release from Indiana State Police says Huttles vehicle was pulled over by a Jasper County Sheriffs Department deputy on State Route 14 at about 4:15 p.m. Sunday. Huttle is accused of resisting when the deputy attempted to arrest him, leading to an altercation, the news release says. Police say the deputy opened fire and fatally wounded Huttle during the incident. The news release says Huttle was in possession of a firearm but doesnt say if he brandished it at the deputy. Jasper County Sheriff Patrick Williamson said in a statement that the deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave. State police are investigating the shooting. Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased as any loss of life is traumatic to those that were close to Mr. Huttle, Williamson says in the statement. He said he plans to release the name of the deputy involved once he receives permission from investigators. Nick Barnes, a lawyer who was representing Huttle in pending motor vehicle cases in Lake County, tells the Associated Press he didnt know the circumstances of the shooting. I plan to find out a lot more about it, Barnes tells the AP. On Jan. 6, 2021, Huttle traveled to Washington, D.C., with his uncle to attend a pro-Trump rally. Huttle was inside the Capitol for 16 minutes and recorded it on video. Huttles uncle, Dale Huttle, attacked police officers with a flagpole, the Indianapolis Star reports. CLEVELAND, Ohio A jury may never see the gun that authorities say was used to kill Blake Story last year. Thats because Cleveland police used a facial recognition program one that explicitly says its results are not admissible in court to obtain a search warrant, according to court documents. The search turned up what police say is the murder weapon in the suspects home. But a Cuyahoga County judge tossed that evidence after siding with defense attorneys who argued that the search warrant affidavit was misleading and relied on inadmissible evidence. If an appeals court upholds the judges ruling to suppress the evidence, prosecutors acknowledge their case is likely lost. (The judges decision) so weakened the states case as to have destroyed any reasonable possibility of effectively prosecuting the charge, Cuyahoga County prosecutors wrote in court documents seeking an appeal. If the case is dismissed or if the suspect is acquitted, it seems unlikely Storys family will see justice. There was only one suspect listed in the police report. Storys father, Carlton, told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer he is confident the prosecutors office will be able to win the case. He didnt want to comment on the investigation, but he remembers his son, a graduate of Garrett Morgan School of Engineering and Innovation, as a soft-spoken animal lover who was hoping to go to veterinary school. As the case has unfolded, court documents and interviews have revealed a lack of oversight, regulations and training around a highly controversial piece of surveillance technology. This case represents the critical need for sound defense representation and constitutionally sound police training and investigations, said Ayesha Bell-Hardaway, the director of Case Western Reserve Universitys Social Justice Institute and a former member of the monitoring team overseeing the reform of Cleveland police. The company that produced the facial recognition report, Clearview AI, has been used in hundreds of law enforcement investigations throughout Ohio and has faced lawsuits over privacy violations. Not only does Cleveland lack a policy governing the use of artificial intelligence, Ohio lawmakers also have failed to set standards for how police use the tool to investigate crimes. Its the wild, wild west in Ohio, said Gary Daniels, a lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union. The lack of state regulation of how law enforcement uses advanced technologies no laws similarly govern the use of drones or license plate readers means it is essentially up to agencies how they use the tools. The case On the evening of Feb. 14, 2024, Story, 33, was walking on East 152nd Street when a man approached him from behind, robbed him and shot him twice before running away. Seriously wounded, Story walked the last mile to his home on School Street. His father found him dead in the bathtub the next day. For the first five days of the investigation, Cleveland police had no suspects. Though the murder was captured on a surveillance camera, the images werent clear enough for police to identify anyone. On Feb. 20, officers watched a surveillance camera that recorded a man later identified as Qeyeon Tolbert leave his apartment on East 152nd Street, which is roughly a block from where the murder happened. Tolbert, 23, walked to a nearby convenience store, and a different surveillance camera captured a shot of his face while he was at the register, according to court records. Police, monitoring the neighborhood through real-time street cameras, thought Tolbert looked like the shooter, so they went to the convenience store and got a copy of the surveillance video. Cleveland police asked the Northeast Ohio Regional Fusion Center, an interagency law enforcement intelligence group, to identify the person at the convenience store. At that point, police didnt have a name for Tolbert, according to court documents. The fusion center ran an AI-powered facial recognition search through Clearview AI and emailed its findings to Cleveland police, according to the documents. That AI report turned up eight photos, two of which were pictures of Tolbert. Other photos included Instagram and YouTube pages now listed as private, a social media post of a man riding a bicycle behind a statue in Minneapolis and another YouTube video of several people tasting Buffalo Wild Wings. The fusion centers report included Tolberts name, arrest record, Social Security number and other information, and it noted he was the most likely match for the person in the convenience store. Police thought Tolbert was a strong suspect, according to court records and testimony. The shooter, captured on surveillance video, stopped in Tolberts driveway just before the slaying, and he was seen running toward and away from Tolberts apartment immediately after the killing, records and testimony indicate. Police believed the shooter looked like Tolbert because he had the same build, hair style, clothing and walking characteristics, Detective Michael Legg testified during a hearing on the search warrant. Homicide detectives brought an affidavit to Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Joan Synenberg to get a search warrant of Tolberts house on East 152nd Street. A judge must review the document to determine whether police have information on the place to be searched, the reasons needed for the search and whether there is probable cause that a person linked to that location committed a crime. The affidavit, signed by Legg, a 28-year veteran of Cleveland police, said the fusion center had identified Tolbert as a suspect. Leggs affidavit did not disclose that police used facial recognition as part of their identification. He failed to say that Clearview AI issues a disclaimer saying its facial recognition reports are not admissible in court, according to testimony. He also did not indicate that the facial recognition report returned several photos of people other than Tolbert. The affidavit simply says the fusion center matched Tolbert to the unidentified male suspect, based on recovered surveillance video. The filing adds that police also conducted interviews in the case, but it does not say who was contacted or the information provided. Synenberg signed the document on Feb. 20. The next day, police searched Tolberts apartment and found a Taurus G3 handgun, among other evidence, according to court records. Tolberts attorneys, Daniel Tirfagnehu and Brian Fallon, argued Leggs affidavit supporting the search warrant was based on evidence thats not admissible in court. They filed a motion to suppress the evidence. It really wasnt a positive identification, Tirfagnehu told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. The search warrant affidavit submitted by the detective was misleading. During a hearing on whether to throw out the results of the search warrant, Christine Vacha, an assistant county prosecutor, argued police did not rely solely on artificial intelligence. Police also did their due diligence, Legg argued, by running the affidavit by Mary McGrath, a longtime assistant county prosecutor, before submitting it to the judge. Once indicted, Tolbert went before Judge Richard McMonagle, a retired jurist handling the docket of Tim McCormick, who is out of the office. At a Jan. 9 hearing, McMonagle agreed with defense attorneys, saying the AI identification of Tolbert was akin to an anonymous informant, which is not enough to establish probable cause. Prosecutors have appealed McMonagles ruling to the 8th Ohio District Court of Appeals. The prosecutors office declined to comment, citing the ongoing case. Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reached out to Clearview AI seeking comment. Synenberg declined to comment. Clearview Clearview AI, a Delaware-based technology company, boasts that its facial recognition programs can be used to fight child exploitation, investigate crimes, exonerate the innocent and even identify Russian spies working in Ukraine, according to its website. In June, it settled federal lawsuits from across the country that alleged the company violated millions of residents privacy rights. Clearview defendants did not develop their technology out of a desire for a safer society, a lawsuit states. Rather, they developed their technology to invade the privacy of the American public for their own profit. A settlement agreement is pending. For law enforcement, the company offers a disclaimer on its use. A statement at the bottom of the facial recognition report submitted by the Northeast Ohio fusion center, one thats repeated on the companys website, reads, in part: These search results are not intended or permitted to be used as admissible evidence in a court of law or any court filing. For Fallon, one of Tolberts defense attorneys, that disclaimer speaks volumes. Thats kind of a big deal, Fallon said. It means its not that reliable. Cleveland is not the first law enforcement agency in the state to use Clearview AI as an investigative tool. Since August 2022, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has used Clearview AI in 199 investigations, according to records from the Ohio attorney generals office. In December 2022, the state bureau finalized a policy to govern how agents use the software. The second paragraph of that policy includes the following: Facial recognition is an investigative tool only and does not establish probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant without further investigation. The agencys policy places limits on how it can be used. Facial recognition searches can only be done for law enforcement purposes. The policy limits the technology access to trained employees who are given unique credentials before every search. Those who want to conduct facial recognition searches must fill out a specialized form. An employee who specializes in the software conducts monthly audits of each facial recognition search, according to the policy. Accountability Unlike the state, Cleveland has no such policy. Legg, the detective who signed the affidavit supporting the search warrant for Tolberts apartment, testified during the Jan. 9 hearing that he had never been trained in using facial recognition technology and was unaware of any city policy governing the issue. Despite that, the Tolbert case was not the first time Cleveland police have received AI-powered facial recognition reports from the fusion center, Legg testified. As for the disclaimer at the bottom of the facial recognition report, Legg testified he never read it and didnt feel the need to because police dont rely solely on AI for investigations. Vesna Piscitello, a Cleveland police employee who works in the real-time crime center investigating homicides, obtained the facial recognition report from the fusion center in the Tolbert case. She also testified that she received no training on facial recognition and wasnt aware of any city policies relating to the technology. Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer asked a spokesman for Mayor Justin Bibb whether the administration was aware the department used artificial intelligence and if any policies govern its use. In response, spokesman Tyler Sinclair said, The mayor believes in the power of utilizing technology in a constitutional manner to bring criminals to justice. Sinclair directed questions about policy governing AI usage to the fusion center. When a reporter contacted the fusion center for comment, an employee directed him to Cleveland officials. Cleveland police also did not comment on the departments use of artificial intelligence. The issue doesnt begin and end with a local police department. Synenberg, who approved the search warrant, also has an obligation to ensure probable cause was met before signing the search warrant, said Bell-Hardaway, the Case Western Reserve University professor. The fact that McMonagle, a longtime judge, threw out the evidence illustrates the essential function of why you have to have an independent arbiter, she said. For Carlton Story, the case means so much more. It brings up memories how how his soft-spoken son was killed while just trying to walk home. He didnt bother anybody. He wasnt rude to anybody. He minded his own business, he said of his son. A U.S. appeals court on Monday threw out rules adopted by the Biden administration to ban bait-and-switch tactics and prohibit auto dealers charging for add-on costs that do not benefit new car buyers. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in a 2-1 decision in response to legal challenges by the National Automobile Dealers Association and a Texas dealer group said the Federal Trade Commission had violated procedural rules in writing the regulation without giving advance notice of the planned regulation. The rule, which was proposed in 2022 and finalized in January 2024 but put on hold pending the legal challenge, required up-front pricing in dealers' advertising and sales discussions and informed consent from consumers before charging for any item. The FTC had said the new rules would bar junk fees like a service contract for an oil change for an electric vehicle or a duplicative warranty and estimated it would save consumers more than $3.4 billion and an estimated 72 million hours annually shopping for vehicles. NADA, which did not immediately comment Monday, said previously the rule would "needlessly lengthen the car sales process by forcing new layers of disclosures and complexity into the transaction." Judge Stephen Higginson dissented from the ruling, saying Congress in 2010 gave the FTC authority to issue regulations that would require "price transparency and rules against deception, which would spur billions of dollars in economic benefit for U.S. consumers." "Congress authorized the FTC to regulate unfair and deceptive motor vehicle dealer practices, which inflict immense, proven harm on U.S. consumers," Higginson wrote. He noted the rule came "after a decade of roundtables, comments, and over 100,000 consumer complaints, many leading to federal and state law enforcement actions against unfair and deceptive motor vehicle dealer practices." Scott Bessent, founder and chief executive officer of Key Square Group LP and US treasury secretary nominee for US President-elect Donald Trump, during a Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. The U.S. Senate voted on Monday to confirm Scott Bessent as Treasury secretary in President Donald Trump's administration. The Senate voted 68-29 to confirm the Wall Street veteran, with 16 Democrats joining all Republicans to choose Bessent for the post. He will be the 79th Treasury secretary. Bessent, the founder of Key Square Group, will play a key role helping Trump enact his economic agenda, including having insight on tax policy. He is being confirmed as the U.S. government grapples with its debt and deficit. The federal government has spent roughly $711 billion more than it has collected in the 2025 fiscal year, according to the Treasury's fiscal data website. Meanwhile, the national debt has ballooned to more than $36.2 trillion. The incoming Treasury secretary has supported gradual tariffs, which will be back in the spotlight as President Trump threatens levies on products from China, Canada and Mexico. On Sunday, Trump said in a social media post that he would impose a 25% tariff on goods coming into the U.S. from Colombia. Another focal point for Bessent will be the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act the tax overhaul that went into effect in 2018. A slate of provisions in the tax code will be expiring at the end of 2025, and Congress would be required to act in order to extend those breaks. When Bessent spoke before the Senate Finance Committee earlier this month, he reiterated his support for extending the TCJA and declined to say that he would be willing to raise taxes on the nation's highest earners. The S&P 500 advanced 0.92% to 6,067.70, with technology shares seeing the biggest gains among sectors. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) rose more than 2%, following a 4.9% loss on Monday. The Nasdaq Composite surged 2.03% to 19,733.59, following a 3.1% decline a day ago. In the prior session, Nvidia lost 17%, or almost $600 billion in market value, the biggest ever one-day drop in value for a U.S. company. Tech peers Broadcom and Oracle rose 2.6% and 3.6%, respectively, following steep losses Monday. All eyes were on Nvidia in Tuesday's trading with the major averages moving in step with the AI bull market leader's intraday fluctuations. The stock picked up momentum to close around its highs of the day after rising nearly 9%. It briefly saw losses earlier in the session. The DeepSeek AI threat came to a head on Monday following social media buzz over the weekend. The Chinese startup last month unveiled a free open-source large language model that it says took less than $6 million to build. The development spurred worries around Big Tech's investment into AI that has been fueling the run in chipmakers, primarily Nvidia. DeepSeek, which is open-sourced and supposedly powered by a chip setup that costs a fraction of other leading AI models, surpassed rival OpenAI on Monday to become the most-downloaded free app in the U.S. on Apple's App Store. Investors hoped for Nvidia to remain in the green to shore up confidence in the AI trade, which has lifted not only shares of chipmakers in the past year, but also far-reaching parts of the market such as power producers. While Nvidia was in the green on Tuesday, Thomas Martin of Globalt Investments says investors should still watch their backs. "I don't think we're in the clear necessarily. I think that we're [in] a bit of uncertainty as people try to sort this out," the senior portfolio manager told CNBC. "I believe that the theme about needing more power for processing, data centers, etc., is still intact, but confidence has been shaken." Investors' attention is turning toward corporate earnings due this week. A slate of "Magnificent Seven" companies will report in the coming days, with Meta Platforms , Microsoft , Tesla and Apple due later this week. The Federal Reserve will also make its latest decision on interest rates Wednesday. Wall Street believes it is a near certainty that the central bank will halt its rate-cutting campaign and keep rates steady this week. What is not known is how many rate cuts Fed Chair Jerome Powell will signal are in the cards for this year. Fears around the future of the artificial intelligence trade pushed Nvidia shares down by nearly 17% on Monday and weighed on the stock market but investors seem to be overreacting, according to Tom Lee, head of research at Fundstrat Global Advisors. Chinese AI startup DeepSeek spurred a sell-off Monday. The company in late December debuted a free, open-source large language model that it claims took less than $6 million to build. The development ignited fears that competitive AI models could be built on the cheap and with less-powerful chips . The tech sector sold off in earnest, sliding more than 5% on Monday as shares of Nvidia and Broadcom suffered. "To me, it's an overreaction," Lee told CNBC's "Closing Bell " on Monday. "Nvidia's decline is the worst since March 2020, and we know that ended up being a huge opportunity for investors. It's not a fun day, but I'd be looking at this as an opportunity." NVDA 1D mountain Nvidia stock. Monday's market moves also reflected a broader sense of worry that the AI race between China and the U.S. is entering a new phase with Beijing possibly pulling ahead. Lee said he would be "personally surprised if Nvidia became Betamax in the past week" referring to the now-obsolete video cassette recording format that lost to its rival VHS and that that would be the only situation that would justify selling the chip giant's shares to the degree seen Monday. To be sure, Lee also said time will tell if the sell-off will bear fruit and turn out to be a longer-term trend for the chipmaker. For now, he said, he stands by his view that Nvidia's slide is a buying opportunity. "We don't know if its overblown," he cautioned. Outside tech, Lee said he likes financials moving forward, adding that the sector is his No. 1 S & P 500 sector idea. "I think financials to me represent a pretty good fundamental case of change this year because we have a new administration, a Fed that is dovish, yields that aren't painful for banks and a time when it could lead to upside for capital markets activity, and multiples are low," Lee said. Correction: Tom Lee said he thinks Monday's market sell-off was an overreaction, and he noted that Nvidia's decline was its worst since 2020. A previous headline on this article mischaracterized his statement. President Donald Trump said Monday that the sudden rise of Chinese AI app DeepSeek "should be a wake-up call" for America's tech companies, as the runaway popularity of yet another Chinese app presented new questions for the administration and congressional leaders. Trump said that he still expected U.S. tech companies to dominate artificial intelligence, but he acknowledged the challenge posed by DeepSeek, a low-cost AI assistant that rose to No. 1 on the Apple app store over the weekend. "The release of DeepSeek AI from a Chinese company should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser focused on competing," he said while traveling in Florida. DeepSeek is causing a panic within U.S. tech companies and in the stock market because it has performed well in tests compared to competing AI models from Meta and OpenAI, while it was developed at a much lower cost, according to the little-known Chinese startup behind DeepSeek. Trump said he considered the low-cost model to be "very much a positive development" for AI overall because "instead of spending billions and billions, you'll spend less, and you'll come up with, hopefully, the same solution." DeepSeek is the latest in a series of Chinese apps to surge in popularity in the U.S. in recent weeks. Americans embraced Chinese apps RedNote and Lemon8 as alternatives to TikTok, when TikTok was on the verge of being banned temporarily in the U.S. for its own links to China. TikTok went dark for less then a day and came back online for existing users after Trump delayed enforcement of a bipartisan law requiring either a new non-Chinese owner or a ban. TikTok, though, remains unavailable for new downloads from the Apple and Google app stores. Security experts have expressed concern about TikTok and other apps with links to China, including from a privacy standpoint. Last week, Trump signed an executive order undoing certain Biden administration rules about AI development that Trump said had held the industry back. It wasn't immediately clear, though, what new AI policies, if any, the Trump administration or Congress might pursue in response to DeepSeek's rise. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich., the chair of the House Select Committee on China, said Monday he wanted to see the U.S. act to slow down DeepSeek, going further than Trump did in his remarks. "DeepSeek a new AI model controlled by the Chinese Communist Party openly erases the CCP's history of atrocities and oppression," he said, referring to reports that DeepSeek censors topics such as Tiananmen Square. "The U.S. cannot allow CCP models such as DeepSeek to risk our national security and leverage our technology to advance their AI ambitions. We must work to swiftly place stronger export controls on technologies critical to DeepSeek's AI infrastructure," he said. DeepSeek's developers say they created the app despite existing U.S. controls on the export of high-performing semiconductors, leading to a vigorous online debate Monday about how effective those controls have been and what their future should be. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., defended existing export controls related to advanced chip technology and said that more regulation might be needed. "While I think there's more to learn about DeepSeek's development activities, what's in the public record reveals that the PRC continues [to] prioritize advancement in AI and that export control alone will not stymie their efforts," he said. "Claims that export controls have proved ineffectual, however, are misplaced: DeepSeek's efforts still depended on advanced chips, and PRC hyperscalers' efforts to build out worldwide cloud infrastructure for deployment of these models is still heavily impacted by U.S. controls," he said. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called DeepSeek "a serious threat" and said China had been a "terrible trading partner." "They abuse the system. They steal our intellectual property. They're now trying to get a leg up on us on AI, as you've seen the last day or so," he said. "It's a serious threat to us and to our economy and our security in every way. So the president takes that seriously, and I think that he will deal with that [in an] appropriate manner." David Sacks, Trump's White House AI and cryptocurrency czar, said in a post on X that DeepSeek's success "shows that the AI race will be very competitive." He also said that former President Joe Biden had "hamstrung" American AI companies with a previous executive order on the subject. "I'm confident in the U.S. but we can't be complacent," he wrote. Kevin Breuninger, CNBC and Katherine Doyle contributed. President Donald Trump's newly appointed head of the Federal Maritime Commission Louis Sola says that Panama has been inching closer to China a risk that Trump alluded to a few weeks ago when he said he would not rule out using the military and American businesses have been prevented from fairly bidding for business. In his first interview since being appointed by Trump to the administration's top maritime role, the FMC chairman told CNBC that the U.S. government wants every business worldwide to compete on a level playing field for Panama Canal and Panama ports business, including China, but the FMC is concerned that is not happening. The FMC has received complaints that some Chinese companies are getting reimbursed for canal transits, while American companies pay the ocean carriers for the transits and associated costs and are not being reimbursed. "I find the entire practice alarming, that canal tolls would be refunded for any reason whatsoever, especially when Panama has a neutrality contract or neutrality clause in their treaty," said Sola. "So I think that [Panama's government] really needs to take a look at that." Other issues include China's no-bid contracts to operate two ports on either side of the canal, as well as other canal infrastructure projects. Hutchison Ports PPC manages and operates the Port of Cristobal on the Atlantic side of the canal and the Port of Balboa on the Pacific side of the canal. "After not paying for 20 years, they renewed the contract and pay $7 million a year for both ports. These assets are definitely worth $5 billion to $7 billion, so the people of Panama are not getting anything for these two ports to be operating there," Sola said. Trump has threatened to reassert U.S. control over the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of charging excessive rates. In a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week, Panama President Jose Raul Mulino said the canal was not a gift from the United States. "We reject in its entirety everything that Mr. Trump has said. First, because it is false, and second because the Panama Canal belongs to Panama and will continue to belong to Panama." The U.S. Senate held a hearing on Tuesday about trade and security issues at the canal, at which Sola testified, with several Republican lawmakers pushing for an aggressive stance from the U.S. backing Trump's position. A warning on China's growing influence over Panama Chinese artificial intelligence upstart DeepSeek shocked many investors and rattled the U.S. stock market, which has relied on gains from AI for the past two years. But now investors who have focused on China say DeepSeek is only one of many examples of China's innovation prowess and shows that the country's battered stock market has been overlooked for too long. "Chinese stocks have been very unfairly valued just because of this overall geopolitical noise," said Ben Harburg, MSA Capital managing partner and CoreValues Alpha founder. "China is a much more formidable business and technology competitor than people have been led to believe America is definitively not leading on innovation right now it has yielded its lead to the Chinese ... across almost every key vertical," Harburg continued. "China is building products that are perfect for digital natives." Taking note Investors have begun to take note. U.S.-traded shares of major internet companies such as Alibaba and Baidu are up more than 1.5% since the start of the week. The iShares China Large-Cap ETF gained more than 1% on Monday, before pulling back from its gains during Tuesday's session. Malcolm Dorson, head of emerging markets strategy and senior portfolio manager at Global X, said he has looked at Chinese equity markets using Warren Buffett's strategy: "be greedy while others are fearful." The impact of DeepSeek didn't come as much of a shock to Dorson, who has been bullish on Chinese technology stocks since early 2024. "But we see our clients taking a closer look with these headlines reminding people that China is a global leader in various spaces in tech, including e-commerce, electric vehicles, solar energy," Dorson said. Compared to Nvidia and other Magnificent Seven stocks that have been selling at lofty valuations, Chinese growth stocks have been relatively undervalued. But Chinese technology companies stand to benefit from a late-mover advantage in the tech space, in Harburg's view. Combined with more central government stimulus measures, investors "should see significant upward movement in Chinese stocks," Harburg said. "China definitively, is kind of in a significant lull right now in terms of domestic consumption and domestic market," Harburg noted. "But Pinduoduo , Alibaba , BYD , Xiaomi and EV makers these are all global companies [with] international markets that are thriving. China is definitively building hardware that is the product of choice for all the next billion high growth consumer markets, be it Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa, Latin America; Chinese software, like TikTok, is dominating." Trade rhetoric Although tariff uncertainties continue to weigh on sentiment on Chinese stocks, President Trump's trade rhetoric could end up being more aggressive than what ends up as law. "We believe the bark will be worse than the bite," said Dorson. "The market is currently pricing in the worst. Similar to 2016, we believe the two sides will reach a deal in the middle, which will bring a relief rally and let investors focus on fundamentals again." Larry Tentarelli, Blue Chip Daily Report chief technical strategist, is more cautious on China due to ongoing concerns regarding its struggling property market, but even he views the DeepSeek news as a positive sign for Chinese equities "In the short term, this is definitely bullish, but I don't know if it's big enough to break out of the bear market," Tentarelli said. "But China has turned a negative restricted access to the U.S.'s [most advance AI processors] into a positive, and it's really caught the U.S. off guard." European chip stocks are likely to benefit from the widespread growth of DeepSeek, a new economical yet cutting-edge artificial intelligence model developed in China, according to analysts. Chinese AI developments contributed to the rude awakening for Big Tech stocks this week. Shares of chip designer Nvidia , a huge beneficiary of the AI hype , were down 13% on German stock exchanges on Monday. Microsoft , Amazon and Google , three large cloud computing providers, were also lower by about 4%. Investors are concerned that DeepSeek's Chinese AI model was developed in just two months at a cost of under $6 million a much smaller expense than the amount generally called for by Western counterparts. However, equity analysts at JPMorgan said that not all chip stocks are alike. European semiconductor companies, such as ASML , are suppliers to chip makers TSMC , Samsung and Global Foundries , and profit from manufacturing volume growth rather than higher value sales of a small number of AI chips. The analyst suggested if DeepSeek was deployed on laptops and smartphone devices, it could drive up growth in chip volumes, benefiting ASML , ASMI and VAT Group. All three stocks are also traded in the U.S. "The data centre driven AI growth has not resulted in the volume growth in semiconductors that drives a big semiconductor cycle," said JPMorgan's Sandeep Deshpande and Anchal Sahu in a note to clients on Jan. 27. "Thus actually, counter intuitively, if DeepSeek's AI assistant that can run on low compute power notebooks and possibly smartphones takes off and takes AI to the consumer market, that would be a significantly positive scenario for semiconductor equipment, even if that is accompanied by a slowdown in the growth of enterprise AI chips." There's evidence that consumers are already being drawn to DeepSeek in large numbers. The AI Assistant app has overtaken rival ChatGPT to become the top-rated free application available on Apple's App Store in the U.S., according to app data research firm Sensor Tower. "If the stock decline for European semi cap companies continues, we think it is likely to create bargains for investors not involved," the analysts added. watch now The White House on Monday ordered a pause on federal grants and loans, according to a memo, but the Department of Education said the freeze will not affect student loans or financial aid for college. The freeze, which could affect billions of dollars in aid, noted an exception for Social Security and Medicare. The pause "does not include assistance provided directly to individuals," according to the memo. The pause gives the White House time to review government funding for causes that don't fit with President Donald Trump's policy agenda, according to Matthew J. Vaeth, acting director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. The memo specifically cited "financial assistance for foreign aid, non-governmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal." What student aid may be affected The U.S. Department of Education said the freeze on federal aid will not affect federal Pell Grants and student loans. It also has no bearing on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the upcoming year. "The temporary pause does not impact Title I, IDEA, or other formula grants, nor does it apply to Federal Pell Grants and Direct Loans under Title IV [of the Higher Education Act]," Education Department spokesperson Madi Biedermann said in a statement. In addition to the federal financial aid programs that fall under Title IV, Title I provides financial assistance to school districts with children from low-income families. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, provides funding for students with disabilities. The funding pause "only applies to discretionary grants at the Department of Education," Biedermann said. "These will be reviewed by Department leadership for alignment with Trump Administration priorities." The pause could affect federal work-study programs and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, which are provided in bulk to colleges to provide to students, according to higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. However, many colleges have already drawn down their funds for the spring term, so this might not affect even that aid, he said. It may still affect grants to researchers, which often include funding for graduate research assistantships, he added. Why the freeze caused confusion First Lady Melania Trump laughs as she watches US President Donald Trump cut with a saber into a cake representation of the new Air Force One design during the Commander-In-Chief inaugural ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, on Jan. 20, 2025. Boeing is working with Trump advisor Elon Musk on ways to deliver delayed, overbudget Air Force One replacements sooner, CEO Kelly Ortberg said Tuesday. The pair of Boeing 747s that will serve as the next Air Force One aircraft are more than $2 billion over budget and years late, which the company has attributed to design changes, labor constraints and supply chain problems. President Donald Trump struck a deal for the aircraft during his first term, after threatening to "cancel order!" before he took office in 2017, complaining about high costs. "We've been engaged with Elon" on the Air Force One program to eliminate costs and deliver the aircraft earlier, Ortberg said in an interview with CNBC's Phil Lebeau on "Squawk on the Street" on Tuesday, after Boeing released full-year results and its 2025 outlook. It is not clear whether the aircraft will be delivered before Trump's current term is up. An Air Force spokesperson told CNBC that an updated delivery schedule from Boeing is expected in the spring. Trump cut a cake adorned with a model of Air Force One in a new paint scheme with a sword at his Jan. 20 inaugural ball. The Google logo is displayed during the Made By Google event at Google headquarters on August 13, 2024 in Mountain View, California. Google employees have begun circulating an internal petition titled "job security" ahead of expected cost cuts this year, CNBC has learned. The petition has been signed by more than 1,250 employees and was viewed by CNBC. It is the latest sign of employee upheaval at Google, which has struggled to maintain high morale among its workforce after a year filled with embarrassing product rollouts, worker protests sparked by controversial enterprise contracts, and continued rounds of layoffs that stretch back to 2023 and are expected to continue. "We, the undersigned Google workers from offices across the US and Canada, are concerned about instability at Google that impacts our ability to do high quality, impactful work," the petition says. "Ongoing rounds of layoffs make us feel insecure about our jobs. The company is clearly in a strong financial position, making the loss of so many valuable colleagues without explanation hurt even more." New CFO Anat Ashkenazi said in October that one of her top priorities would be to drive more cost cutting as Google expands its spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure in 2025. "Any organization can always push a little further and I'll be looking at additional opportunities," she said, referring to cost cutting, which sparked an internal reaction. Shortly after Ashkenazi's statements, employees pressed executives for clarity but weren't given any more details on Ashkenazi's plans. The petition calls on Google CEO Sundar Pichai to offer buyouts before conducting layoffs, to guarantee severance to employees who get laid off and to not give low performance review ratings for the purpose of removing employees. In the petition, Google employees call on the company's leadership to not "force" low performance reviews to justify removing certain employees. Results from the company's annual performance review process, known as Google Reviews and Development, or GRAD, are expected soon. The company does not have forced rating distributions for GRAD, and every employee is rated on their performance and impact based on their role, level and the expectations they set with their manager, a spokesperson for Google told CNBC. The petition asks for guaranteed severance equivalent to what laid off employees were offered in January 2023. That year, Google laid off more than 12,000 employees. At the time, Google executives boasted of its severance package, which included 16 weeks salary plus two weeks for every additional year employees worked at the company. Since then, Google has continued with more rounds of layoffs throughout its various departments, and impacted employees have told CNBC that their severance packages have varied. CNBC's Salvador Rodriguez contributed to this report. WATCH: Twenty years in, Google Maps turns to AI to maintain dominance Macao SAR hosts diverse celebrations for Chinese New Year Xinhua) 14:27, January 28, 2025 MACAO, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) is hosting a series of celebrations combining traditional and modern elements to welcome the Chinese New Year, or the Year of the Snake, which will fall on Wednesday. The New Year Market, organized by the SAR's Municipal Affairs Bureau at Tap Seac Square, started last Wednesday and will last seven consecutive days. In addition to booths offering New Year gifts, festive flowers, and snacks, the event also featured cultural performances, a large floral exhibition, and New Year decorations. From the end of January to the end of February, in Macao's Barra District, the "Barra Lucky Blessing Market" was to bring a selection of workshops for New Year prints from Beijing's Prince Kung's Palace Museum, popular music performances, and booths of trendy goods. James Wong, a market participant and a representative of small and medium-sized enterprises, told Xinhua that the market had given him a platform to meet more people and expand his business. Several cultural and artistic venues have exhibitions on display, adding to the festive vibe. For example, the Macao Museum of Art (MAM) held the "Palace of Double Brilliance: Special Exhibition from the Palace Museum," lasting until March 2. The MAM exhibition coordinator, Zhao Kaixin, told Xinhua that the MAM has been cooperating with the Palace Museum for many years. She said she hopes this year's exhibition will provide residents and visitors with historical treasures and articulate the beauty of the Chinese culture. According to the SAR's tourism office, the Chinese New Year Parade will be held on Jan. 31 and Feb. 8 in the evening. The parade floats will also be displayed at the Macao Fisherman's Wharf and Tap Seac Square. As a signature celebration of Macao during the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year fireworks displays will be performed on the Seafront of Macao Tower in three editions on Jan. 31, Feb. 4, and Feb. 12, said the tourism office. As indicated by the SAR's Public Security Police Force, during the Chinese Spring Festival holiday, it was estimated that Macao will see between 5.04 million and 5.36 million entries and exits, with an average of 630,000 to 670,000 people daily. This represents a 3 percent or more increase compared to 2024. Ms. Shangguan, from Shanghai, traveled to Macao with her friends before the Spring Festival. She expressed that she was fortunate to participate in various New Year celebrations and had a great experience. "These past few days, I've felt the strong festive atmosphere," she said. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan) India and China have agreed to resume direct air services after nearly five years, India's foreign ministry said Monday. India and China have agreed to resume direct air services after nearly five years, India's foreign ministry said on Monday, signaling a thaw in relations between the neighbors after a deadly 2020 military clash on their disputed Himalayan border. Both sides will negotiate a framework on the flights in a meeting that will be held at an "early date", the ministry said after a meeting between India's top diplomat and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Tensions soured between the two nations after the 2020 clash, following which India made it difficult for Chinese companies to invest in the country, banned hundreds of popular apps and severed passenger routes, although direct cargo flights continued to operate between the countries. Relations have improved over the past four months with several high-level meetings, including talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Russia in October. On Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Beijing that the two countries should work in the same direction, explore more substantive measures and commit to mutual understanding. Shareholders of Italian lender Mediobanca on Tuesday rejected a 13-billion-euro takeover offer from smaller domestic peer Monte dei Paschi , amid a ramp-up in consolidation bids in the Italian banking sector. "The Offer is devoid of industrial and financial rationale and is therefore destructive for Mediobanca," the lender said in a statement. The company added that the proposal has no industrial value, compromises Mediobanca's identity and business profile, as well as gains for shareholders of both the lender and Monte dei Paschi, "given the likelihood of a significant loss of customers in those business areas (such as Wealth Management and Investment Banking) which require professionals who are independent and of high standing and professionalism." CNBC has reached out to Monte dei Paschi for comment. Monte dei Paschi shares were down 1.32% at 1:08 p.m. London time following the news, with Mediobanca shedding 2.7%. The world's oldest bank, the bailed-out Monte dei Paschi (MPS) unexpectedly launched an all-share takeover proposal for Mediobanca (MB) on Friday, offering 23 of its shares for 10 of those of its acquisition target and valuing Mediobanca's stock at15.992 euros each or a 5% premium to the close price of Jan. 23. Some analysts have questioned the synergies that might result from the two banks' union, with a Barclays note on Jan. 27 flagging that "this complementarity, the value creation drivers and in general MPS strategy on MB are not yet clear." Tuscany's Monte dei Paschi, which required state rescue in 2017 after years of battering losses, has long been the poster child of trouble in the Italian banking sector, before a brisk turnaround in its fortunes after the 2022 appointment of UniCredit veteran Luigi Lovaglio to helm the bank. A JetBlue Airways plane prepares to take off from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on January 31, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. JetBlue Airways shares fell more than 25% on Tuesday, the biggest one-day percentage loss since the company went public more than two decades ago, after the carrier's financial outlook disappointed investors. The New York-based airline forecast its unit costs, excluding fuel, will rise as much as 7% this year from 2024. In the first quarter, it said it expected this metric to rise as much as 10% this quarter year-over-year. It estimated revenue could come in up to 0.5% lower to as much as 3.5% higher this quarter over 2024. Larger competitors Delta and United have been forecasting higher revenue growth, a sign of those airlines' strengthening pricing power. JetBlue is in the middle of a plan to reduce costs by culling unprofitable routes, deferring new aircraft and drumming up revenue with higher-priced seats. CNBC reported Friday that JetBlue has offered senior pilots voluntary early retirement packages. JetBlue cut costs by $190 million last year, the company said Tuesday. "This is a multiyear strategy, and it's not linear, and we're focused on the long term here in getting JetBlue back to sustained profitability," CEO Joanna Geraghty, who took the top job last year, said during an earnings call on Tuesday. "So it's going to take a little time." Geraghty added she was pleased with the carrier's progress, which puts it on track to add up to $900 million to pretax profit 2027. The carrier expects its 2025 revenue to rise between 3% and 6% on flat capacity. The impact of a Pratt & Whitney engine recall will be worse this year, grounding a number of the company's Airbus jets in the "mid- to high teens, up from 11 grounded aircraft last year," CFO Ursula Hurley said on the earnings call Tuesday. JetBlue is in the middle of a plan to reduce costs by culling unprofitable routes, deferring new aircraft and drumming up revenue with higher-priced seats. CNBC reported Friday that JetBlue has offered senior pilots voluntary early retirement packages. JetBlue lost two antitrust cases that blocked two of its growth strategies. In 2024, a federal judge blocked JetBlue's planned acquisition of Spirit Airlines, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November, and in 2023, JetBlue lost a case over its regional partnership with American Airlines . "We would note that the current management team has hit their numbers, but in a market where airlines are seeing solid earnings growth, JetBlue hasn't been able to keep pace," wrote Melius Research analyst Conor Cunningham. "JetBlue still needs to aggressively ramp unit revenue throughout the year to get to sustained operating profit all possible, it just is hard to underwrite given the drag in 1Q." JetBlue's fourth-quarter loss narrowed to $44 million, or a loss of 13 cents per share, down from a loss of $104 million, or a loss of 31 cents a share, in the same period in 2023. The carrier reported revenue of $2.28 billion, down 2.1% from a year earlier. U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as reporters ask questions aboard Air Force One during a flight from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Miami, Florida, U.S., January 25, 2025. The suit in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., blasts the OMB's action, which became known Monday night through a two-page memo. CNBC has requested comment from OMB on the suit. The lawsuit says the freeze by the Office of Management and Budget set to take effect at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday is illegal. Nonprofit groups and a small business organization filed a lawsuit on Tuesday asking a judge to temporarily block a funding freeze ordered by the Trump administration of federal grants and loans. The memo issued from acting OMB Director Matthew Vaeth, details a "Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance Programs," according to its subject line. The memo requires federal agencies to identify and review all federal financial assistance programs and supporting activities consistent with President Donald Trump's policies. It also says those agencies "must temporarily pause all activities related to obligation and disbursement" of all federal financial assistance that may be implicated by Trump's executive orders, including foreign aid, assistance to nongovernmental organizations, "woke gender ideology, and the green new deal." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, at a news conference Tuesday morning called the memo "a dagger at the heart of the average American family in red states, in blue states, in cities, in suburbs, in rural areas." "It is just outrageous," Schumer added. The lawsuit filed Tuesday says, "This Memo made public only through journalists' reporting, with barely twenty four hours' notice, devoid of any legal basis or the barest rationale will have a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of grant recipients who depend on the inflow of grant money (money already obligated and already awarded) to fulfill their missions, pay their employees, pay their rent and, indeed, improve the day-to-day lives of the many people they work so hard to serve." "Although the Trump Administration is at liberty to 'advanc[e] [its] priorities,' it must do so within the confines of the law. It has not," the suit says. "The Memo fails to explain the source of OMB's purported legal authority to gut every grant program in the federal government; it fails to consider the reliance interest of the many grant recipients, including those to whom money had already been promised; and it announces a policy of targeting grant recipients based in part on those recipients' First Amendment rights and with no bearing on the recipients' eligibility to receive federal funds." The suit was filed by the National Council of Nonprofits, the American Public Health Association, the Main Street Alliance and the New York-based group SAGE. The New York state attorney general's office is planning its own lawsuit challenging the OMB's freeze. New York AG Letitia James, in a tweet, wrote, "My office will be taking imminent legal action against this administration's unconstitutional pause on federal funding." "We won't sit idly by while this administration harms our families," James wrote. Oslo Taxi's Tesla model Y (L) and the NIO ET5 electric vehicle from Nio Inc, a Chinese multinational electric car manufacturer, drive through the Norwegian capital Oslo, on Sept. 27, 2024. Jonathan Nackstrand | Afp | Getty Images Norway is set to become the first country in the world to effectively erase gasoline and diesel cars from its new car market. Despite its vast oil and gas reserves, the Nordic country has long been recognized as a global leader in sustainable transportation. Its electric vehicle (EV) sales have increased from less than 1% of total auto sales in 2010 to a whopping 88.9% last year and this trend doesn't show any sign of slowing. Data published by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, which is responsible for the country's national road network, found EVs accounted for more than 96% of new cars sold in the first few weeks of this year. It puts Norway within touching distance of going fully electric realizing a non-binding goal that was first established by lawmakers back in 2017. Christina Bu, secretary general of the Norwegian EV Association (NEVA), which represents electric car owners in the country, expects Norway to hit this target. In fact, Bu said plans were underway to hold a party to celebrate what she said would be a historic milestone. "We have already invited a lot of politicians and different stakeholders to a party on the 13th of February because, we don't know exactly until the year has ended, but everyone says we will end somewhere between 95% and 100% this year," Bu told CNBC via video call. "So, in times like this with [President Donald] Trump withdrawing the U.S. from the climate agreement and everything, I think we need to celebrate the achievements that we have managed," she added. An electric vehicle of German car manufacturer Audi is charged via a charging station outside the Norwegian capital Oslo on September 25, 2024. Jonathan Nackstrand | Afp | Getty Images Alongside a push to withdraw the U.S. from the landmark Paris Agreement, Trump also took aim at several low-carbon technologies last week. This included revoking predecessor Joe Biden's non-binding executive order which targeted 50% electric vehicle sales by 2030. Trump's executive order, which was criticized by EV advocates, was designed to "eliminate the electric vehicle (EV) mandate and promote true consumer choice." A 'new normal' Norway's Deputy Transport Minister Cecilie Knibe Kroglund said long-term and consistent policies designed to support the uptake of EVs rather than imposing measures to ban the use of internal combustion engine vehicles had been pivotal to the country's transition. Comparatively, the European Union adopted legislation to effectively ban sales of new carbon-emitting cars from 2035, while the U.K. has said it will ban the sale of new cars powered solely by internal combustion engines by 2030. We will not return to the bulky, noisy, dirty diesel car. I mean, for the majority. It is just not logical. Harald Nils Rstvik Professor at Norway's University of Stavanger Some of Norway's EV incentives include a VAT exemption, discounts on road and parking taxes and access to bus lanes. The government has also heavily invested in public charging infrastructure, and many Norwegian households are able to charge their cars at home. Kroglund described the changes as a "new normal" for the country of 5.5 million. "Transport is a big part of the answer for climate-friendly solutions. So, we need to make sure that some of the success we have had with cars can be used for other areas of the transport sector," Kroglund told CNBC via video call. Kroglund said the country planned to fully transition to electric city buses in 2025, while making heavy-duty vehicles 75% renewable by the end of the decade. Vehicles have work done in the garage of the Bertel O. Steen (BOS.no) dealership in Lorenskog, Norway, on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images While new car sales in Norway are close to 100% electric, there are still plenty of vehicles with internal combustion engines on the road. NEVA's Bu said 28% of cars are fully electric at the national level, although this rises to over 40% in the capital Oslo. "So many middle-aged men have come up to me to say: 'I was never going to get an electric car not at all,' and next they say: 'But now I drive a ' and they tell me the model they drive and get all enthusiastic about the technology and everything," Bu said. "Our whole society has gone through this mental shift. I mean, it's not like Norwegians are greener or more prone do this kind of thing than others. It was the policies that did it and people quickly understood and changed their thinking about this," she added. The lack of an automaker lobby in Norway is thought to have benefitted the country's EV adoption rate over the years. Indeed, Bu said while there have frequently been political debates about the merits of transitioning away from internal combustion engines, those opposing the switch "haven't been strong enough or organized enough." How do others compare? By contrast to Norway's push to go fully electric, EVs accounted for 8.1% of total U.S. sales in 2024. That figure was up from a 7.8% share of the market in 2023, according to market research firm Cox Automotive. In the U.K., industry data showed that EVs made up nearly 20% of new car registrations in 2024. Rico Luman, senior sector economist for transport and logistics at Dutch bank ING, said Norway's EV leadership shows that it is possible for other countries to follow suit. "Norway is a global front-runner, and in this respect also an example for other countries. Though, we also have to keep in mind that Norway is one of the most prosperous countries in Europe, which can easily afford relentless budgets," Luman told CNBC via email. "Another point is that energy is relatively cheap in Norway (as large oil and gas exporter), which makes EVs more attractive. Most others can't meet that level and think of what happened in Germany after the sudden phase out for subsidies for the general public following budget constraints," Luman said. Resident Baard Gundersen steps into his BMW iX all-electric vehicle in Baerum, a suburb of the Norwegian capital Oslo, on September 27, 2024. Jonathan Nackstrand | Afp | Getty Images A box of Ozempic made by Novo Nordisk is seen at a pharmacy in London, Britain March 8, 2024. The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved Novo Nordisk 's Ozempic to treat chronic kidney disease in patients who also have Type 2 diabetes, expanding the use of the wildly popular injection in the U.S. The drug is already widely used and covered to treat Type 2 diabetes. The FDA's decision means Ozempic can now be used to reduce the risk of kidney disease worsening, kidney failure, and death from cardiovascular disease in patients with both chronic kidney disease and diabetes. The decision could transform how doctors treat patients with chronic kidney disease, which involves a gradual loss of kidney function and is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Around 37 million American adults are living with chronic kidney disease, according to Novo Nordisk. Diabetes is a key risk factor for kidney disease. Roughly 40% of Type 2 diabetes patients have the condition, which can cause additional sickness such as increased risk of cardiovascular problems and death, Novo Nordisk said. "All chronic kidney disease is progressive. It's a year-on-year, relentless decline in renal function," Stephen Gough, Novo Nordisk's global chief medical officer, said in an interview, referring to the kidney's ability to filter waste from the blood. He noted that when the condition progresses to the point of kidney failure also known as end-stage kidney disease patients require long-term dialysis treatments to remove waste from the blood, or a kidney transplant. Both are burdensome, and death among patients with end-stage kidney disease is "very high," particularly from cardiovascular disease, according to Gough. The approval also demonstrates that a blockbuster class of diabetes and weight loss drugs called GLP-1s have significant health benefits beyond regulating blood sugar and suppressing appetite. Ozempic reduced the risk of severe kidney outcomes including kidney failure, reduction in kidney function, or death from kidney or heart causes by 24% in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease compared with a placebo, according to results of a late-stage trial that the approval was based on. In patients who took Ozempic, kidney function declined more slowly, the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack dropped 18% and the risk of death from any cause fell 20% compared with the placebo. Ozempic also cut the risk of cardiovascular-related deaths by 29%. "We know that, unfortunately, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease just go hand in hand," Gough said. He added that the major treatments patients typically receive when they have the earliest signs of chronic kidney disease aim to reduce cardiovascular risk factors by paying attention to blood pressure. The rate of serious adverse side effects was 49.6% in patients who took Ozempic, lower than the 53.8% seen in the group that received a placebo. There was a slightly higher rate of discontinuations among Ozempic patients due to gastrointestinal side effects commonly seen with GLP-1s, such as nausea and vomiting. EU regulators approved Ozempic for the same use in December. Novo Nordisk ended the phase three trial in October, a year earlier than expected, in response to positive results. At the time, the Danish company's announcement caused shares of kidney dialysis companies to plummet about 20% in a single day. The trial, called FLOW, started in 2019 and followed roughly 3,500 patients with diabetes and moderate to severe chronic kidney disease. "From my point of view as a doctor, you don't get [diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease] in isolation," Gough said. "These illnesses, unfortunately, co-segregate. They cluster within the same individuals. So if you have a medicine that can target each of these co-morbidities in one injection, then you're addressing what really matters to the patient." The approval comes after the Biden administration selected three of Novo Nordisk's drugs with the active ingredient semaglutide for the second cycle of Medicare drug price negotiations. That includes Ozempic, its weight loss counterpart Wegovy and another diabetes treatment called Rybelsus. The FDA's decision also comes as Novo Nordisk faces increased competition from Eli Lilly and tries to win expanded insurance coverage for Wegovy. Last year, Wegovy won approval in the U.S. for use in slashing the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. Novo Nordisk is also studying Wegovy as a potential treatment for fatty liver disease. Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., particpates in the Republican Study Committee news conference to unveil their FY2025 budget proposal in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., on Tuesday defended the impacts of the White House's federal aid freeze on school lunch programs by suggesting that some children should be working instead of receiving free lunch. During an interview on CNN, McCormick praised the move as a way to broadly re-evaluate how the government allocates funding. CNN anchor Pamela Brown noted that Head Start, which helps provide nutritional assistance to low-income children and families, is one of the programs that could be affected. She pressed McCormick on whether he would support cutting funding for free breakfast and lunches. "Before I was even 13 years old, I was picking berries in the field, before child labor laws that precluded that. I was a paper boy, and when I was in high school, I worked my entire way through," McCormick said. "You're telling me that kids who stay at home instead of going to work at Burger King, McDonald's, during the summer, should stay at home and get their free lunch instead of going to work? I think we need to have a top-down review." McCormick, who was speaking from Doral, Florida, where House Republicans are holding their annual issues conference, said that the pause on federal funds gives the government a chance to "see where is the money really being spent." "Who can actually go and actually produce their own income? Who can actually go out there and do something that makes them have value and work skills for the future?" McCormick said. He added, "I mean, how many people got their start in fast-food restaurants when they were kids, versus just giving a blanket rule that gives all kids lunches in high school who are capable of going out and actually getting a job and doing something that makes them have value, thinking about their future instead of thinking about how they're going to sponge out the government when they don't need to." Acting White House Office of Management and Budget Director Matthew J. Vaeth said in a memo Monday to federal departments and agencies that by Tuesday at 5 p.m., they must "temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the executive orders" signed by President Donald Trump in the last week. The memo indicated that the freeze wouldn't affect Medicare or Social Security benefits or government assistance provided directly to individuals. Robert Kennedy Jr., U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to run the Department of Health and Human Services, arrives at the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., December 16, 2024. As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces two days of Senate confirmation hearings this week in his quest to become secretary of Health and Human Services, a niche group of startups will be watching closely. Kennedy, a divisive pick to join President Donald Trump's Cabinet, will first go before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday. As HHS secretary, he would oversee a budget of more than $2 trillion, covering everything from drug research and approvals to the Medicare and Medicaid health programs. Kennedy's skepticism of vaccines, and filings that show he benefited from anti-vaccine lawsuits, will likely be a central area of questioning; both sides of the political aisle have criticized the nominee for his stance. Kennedy has pledged to make nutritious food, rather than drugs, central to combating chronic disease in the U.S. As Republicans target the federal-state Medicaid program for funding cuts, some investors and startups in nutrition-based services covered by Medicaid are hoping Kennedy's vow to "Make America Healthy Again" will boost the food-as-medicine sector and keep the growing programs off the Trump administration's chopping block. "I actually think all signs are pointing to with this administration we are going to take a look finally at the reasons ... why individuals are as sick as they are," said Ashley Tyrner-Dolce, CEO of FarmBoxRx, a start-up that works with Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans to provide nutritious food shipments to engage patients to improve their health conditions. As obesity and Type 2 diabetes rates climb in the U.S., state Medicaid programs have looked to provide active nutritional counseling to help members combat chronic conditions, much as large employers and commercial insurance plans have been doing for the last decade. During the first Trump administration, the Department of Health and Human Services spurred states to address social needs such as food insecurity and health disparities. A handful of states received what's known as an 1115 Medicaid demonstration waiver to provide nutritional programs as a form of preventive care sparking major investment in the space along the way. Over the last four years, more than four dozen food-as-medicine companies have raised over $2 billion from venture capital firms, including Khosla Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz, along with health-care players such as CVS Health , according to data tracking by Rock Health Advisory. Funding for food-as-medicine deals topped $483 million in 2024, a 175% increase from the prior year, according to Rock Health Advisory data. In one of the biggest deals of the year, telenutrition startup FoodSmart secured $200 million in venture funding led by TPG's Rise Fund. Food-as-medicine companies now see Kennedy as a potential ally. In an interview with NPR, Kennedy said Trump has given him "three instructions" on his role as HHS secretary: end corruption and conflicts in regulatory agencies, return health agencies to the "gold standard" of evidence-based science, and tackle chronic conditions. "He wants to end the chronic disease epidemic with measurable impacts on a diminishment of chronic disease within two years," Kennedy said. Starbucks announced another stage in its leadership shake-up on Tuesday, as CEO Brian Niccol will bring in two more executives who spent time at his former employer Taco Bell while dividing key leadership roles. "As we focus on our 'Back to Starbucks' plan, we need a new operating model for our retail team, with clear ownership and accountability and an appropriate scope for each role," Niccol said in a letter to employees shared on the company's website. Starbucks announced the move hours before it reported fiscal first-quarter earnings and revenue that topped analyst expectations. As the company tries to mount a turnaround, same-stores sales declined for the fourth straight quarter, but not as badly as Wall Street expected. Before spending six years at Chipotle, Niccol served as CEO of Yum Brands' Taco Bell. Since starting at Starbucks in September, he has already poached some of his former colleagues to help with his transformation of the coffee giant. For example, he tapped Chipotle and Yum Brands alum Tressie Lieberman as Starbucks' global chief brand officer in the fall. The newest changes to the Starbucks organization include splitting the role of North American president into two jobs. The company's current North American president, Sara Trilling, will depart the company. Trilling has been with Starbucks since 2002. Starting in February, Meredith Sandland will hold the role of chief store development officer. Sandland is currently CEO of Empower Delivery, a restaurant software company. Previously, she served as chief operating officer of Kitchen United and as Taco Bell's chief development officer. Additionally, Mike Grams will join the company in February as North America chief stores officer. Grams has been with Taco Bell for more than 30 years, starting as a restaurant general manager and working his way up to become the chain's global chief operating officer, according to his LinkedIn. Both Sandland and Grams will be tasked with implementing Niccol's vision to go "back to Starbucks." The strategy includes decreasing service times to four minutes per order, making its stores more welcoming and cozy, as well as slashing the menu. Arthur Valdez, Starbucks' chief supply officer, also plans to leave the company. He joined in 2023 after seven years at Target. Starbucks has already identified his replacement and will share that news in the coming weeks, Niccol said in the letter. Technicians on Tuesday kept a careful eye on Nvidia for indications on whether the sell-off is over, or if there's further downside looming. Nvidia rose 7% a day after it posted the worst market value loss of any U.S.-publicly traded company in history. On Monday, the graphics processing unit maker dropped nearly 17%, wiping out more than $595 billion from its market cap. Despite the sell-off, Nvidia is still worth $2.9 trillion, behind only Apple and Microsoft in terms of size. On a 12-month basis, the stock has roughly doubled. But after Monday's stunning drop, in which Nvidia dipped below its 200-day moving average for the first time in two years, some market observers are worried the AI darling's technical backdrop could be deteriorating. "NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is showing signs of technical weakness consistent with a new intermediate-term (1-3 month) corrective phase attempting to take hold," Raymond James' Javed Mirza wrote on Tuesday. NVDA 5D mountain Nvidia, over five days Mirza said a multiweek close below a key technical level in the 40-week moving average, around $124.81, would confirm a corrective phase was underway. After a break below that level, he would next look at a retest of support at $94.27, which is more than 20% below current levels. Nvidia was traded around $127 on Tuesday afternoon. Wolfe Research's Rob Ginsberg also noted that Nvidia is not yet oversold even after Monday's sell-off, saying an eventual test of support at $100 is "looking more and more likely." That's a more than 15% drop from Monday's close for the stock. Market implications Any weakness in Nvidia has ramifications far beyond the one stock, as the broader market's gains in 2024 and 2023 were in large part due to the AI chipmaker's outsized influence in the index. The S & P 500 sold off Monday, closing down 1.5%, even with the broader market outside of tech holding up. "An intermediate-term correction in NVDA would reinforce our broader market view that equity markets are at risk of a 4-Year Cycle reset developing in 2025 (cyclical bear market)," Raymond James' Mirza wrote. Other technicians think the downside risk for the S & P 500 is not yet over. BTIG's Jonathan Krinsky and Fairlead Strategies' Katie Stockton each think the benchmark could retest its 200-day moving average. "Given the weight of tech in the S & P 500, we think it likely remains under pressure and still expect a test of the 200 DMA later this quarter," BTIG's Krinsky wrote on Tuesday. "If the recent rotation continues, however, that could occur even as overall breadth actually improves." Technical, not fundamental To be sure, many investors remain firm believers in the future of AI, with Nvidia playing a key role in that digital revolution with its GPUs whether that be at the Magnificent Seven companies or smaller cybersecurity firms, or automation and robotics companies. They think Monday's plundering of Nvidia has more to do with the technical excesses in the stock, rather than the fundamental story, and say they will hold onto the stock. By the same token, however, they said they will not add to the stock for now, waiting to see how the ramifications of DeepSeek will play out in the stock moves. "There's no reason to sell Nvidia," said Louis Navellier, founder of Navellier & Associates. "But as far as adding more, it would take a lot of guts." Navellier said Nvidia is the top holding in his portfolio, with a 15% allocation. During Monday's trading session, he expected to end the day with a more than 3% loss in his portfolio, just from the AI chipmaker. However, Navellier who said he's been an investor in the company for more than four years said he will hold onto the name. "I'll wait for the bounce and then the retest," Navellier said. "That's what I would normally do." There's more gains ahead for shares of Nvidia despite the emergence of AI startup DeepSeek, according to Jay Woods, chief global strategist of Freedom Capital Markets. Woods joined CNBC's " Power Lunch " on Tuesday to share his take on the AI chipmaker. Here's what he had to say during the segment's "Three-Stock Lunch." Nvidia Nvidia shares plunged 17% on Monday after Chinese startup DeepSeek raised concerns over the amount of money big tech has been investing in AI models and data centers. The stock shed $600 billion in market capitalization, marking the biggest one-day loss for a U.S. company. But the stock made a comeback on Tuesday, ending the day with a 9% gain. Shares of Nvidia are still down 4% on the month but have risen 111% in the last twelve months. Woods said that the setup for traders was optimistic. "Long term, I still think it's great. This story out of China with DeepSeek we shot first, we're asking questions now," the strategist said. "I have more questions than answers. So I think this is a buying opportunity." General Motors Despite posting a fourth-quarter earnings and revenue beat , shares of General Motors ended Tuesday with a 9% decline. Investors sent the stock lower as concerns grew around the automaker's preparation for new changes under the second Trump administration, such as the impact of potential tariffs and policy changes on vehicle production and electric vehicle sales. The stock's Tuesday decline now provides a good entry point for investors, according to Woods. "I think it's an opportunity to buy the stock. The quarter was pretty solid. People were concerned about 25% tariffs that weren't mentioned in their guidance" he said. "You buy here, you get out and embrace the 200-day moving average." Shares of General Motors are currently on pace to end the month 6% lower, although the stock is still up 42% in the last twelve months. RTX Shares of RTX , formerly known as Raytheon Technologies, ended Tuesday nearly 3% higher on the back of better-than-expected fourth-quarter results. The aerospace and defense firm posted adjusted earnings of $1.54 per share on revenue of $21.62 billion, exceeding the $1.38 per share on $20.54 billion in revenue analysts had expected. Woods said that RTX's rosy outlook makes the stock look attractive. The strategist added that the sector is strong, and RTX is currently outperforming competitor Lockheed Martin . "Trump wants this American Iron Dome, and guess who helped with the Israeli Iron Dome? Raytheon. So if this does come to pass, expect Raytheon to be okay," Woods said. "The headwind there is DOGE. But technically, it's breaking out. It has solid price action. I think it's a great long-term buy-and-hold." Shares of RTX are now up 11% in January and up 42% in the last 12 months. Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Tuesday: Goldman Sachs initiates Vera Therapeutics as buy Goldman Sachs says it sees a wide competitive moat for the biotech company. "Following the recent pullback, we see VERA shares at an attractive entry point given atacicept is largely de-risked with line of sight to commercialization starting next year." UBS reiterates Microsoft as buy The firm says any sell-off in the stock is overdone. "In our judgement, the very modest -2% impact on Microsoft shares (one of the very few large-cap tech firms that was spared) felt about right, as the DeepSeek news validates much of what Microsoft has been saying/doing of late." Barclays upgrades Victoria's Secret to overweight from equal weight Barclays says the company is seeing a "brand renewal." "We upgrade shares of VSCO as it checks off our 3 critical fundamental catalysts: 1) positive promotional inflection this quarter; 2) sustainable positive comp inflection in FY3Q24." Morgan Stanley upgrades Ecolab to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said in its upgrade of Ecolab that it sees margin upside for the chemicals company. "Upgrade to OW: Incremental margins likely in excess of expectations, driving material upside as volume grows." Morgan Stanley upgrades Bancolombia to overweight from equal weight The firm says it is bullish on the Colombian bank. "CIB is well positioned to benefit from a nascent macroeconomic recovery." Evercore ISI reiterates Lululemon as outperform Evercore ISI added the stock to its top five outperform list and says it is "ready for prime time." "We think the evidence is mounting that LULU's product issues were contained to 2024, and our conviction is increasing that compelling innovation is poised to improve (bolstered by easy compares) in 1Q." Morgan Stanley reiterates Nvidia and Broadcom as overweight and Marvell and Micron as equal weight The firm lowered its price target on Nvidia to $152 per share from $166.The firm also went to $246 per share from $265 on Broadcom . Additionally, the firm lowered its price target on Marvell to $113 per share from $120 and cut Micron to $91 per share from $98. "The DeepSeek release highlights evolutionary innovations in AI, some of which may be deflationary. That said, the stock market reaction is probably more important than the cause, and could bring further export controls or reduce spending enthusiasm; trimming PTs but remain positive." Bank of America reiterates Apple as buy The firm says it is sticking with its buy rating on the stock. "Key drivers for AAPL include launch of iPhone SE in March/April, insourcing the modem (higher GMs), WWDC in June with more AI driven use cases (potentially agreements with Gemini etc), and iPhone 17 in Sep 2025." TD Cowen upgrades Roper Technologies to buy from hold TD Cowen says the software company is attractive. "There's a lot we don't know in the world right now: Will industrials cyclically accelerate? Is the AI trade overdone? Tariffs? ROP's portfolio stands as an attractive alternative with likely accelerating revenue growth not dependent on any of those themes with applicability across investor bases at an attractive multiple." JPMorgan upgrades Ciena to overweight from neutral JPMorgan says it sees minimal impact from DeepSeek for the networking systems company. "With improving earnings drivers for FY25, and 8%- 11% growth for FY26, we see upside to CIEN shares from the current levels" Melius downgrades Advanced Micro Devices to hold from buy Melius says it sees profits being pressured. "We cut numbers already on January 6th on GPU's [graphic processing unit] and the stock actually went up 3%, so a guide down on disappointing MI300 sales for 2025 is already expected. We are now more cautious on x86 server and PC as well over the long-term for AMD." Bank of America reiterates Uber as buy Bank of America says Uber is well positioned heading into earnings next week. "We see opportunity for multiple expansion on steady growth & margin improvement in '25 coupled with a stable-to-improving AV [autonomous vehicle] narrative." Evercore ISI initiates Mind Medicine as outperform The firm says it is bullish on shares of the psychedelics therapeutics company. "We're initiating MNMD at Outperform with a $23 PT." Goldman Sachs reiterates Target as buy The firm says it likes Target's latest initiatives such as Target+. "Alternative revenue businesses at Target have the potential to drive operating margin and multiple expansion." The DeepSeek AI application is seen on a mobile phone in this photo illustration taken in Warsaw, Poland on 27 January, 2025. Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek could face curbs from the U.S. government as it upends the U.S. AI ecosystem, though enforcing restrictions on an open-source technology could be a challenge, experts said. DeepSeek's sudden rise has questioned the effectiveness of Washington's efforts aimed at curbing China's access to high-end tech over national security concerns. For DeepSeek, which relied heavily on open-source code, the additional export restrictions that the U.S. government could impose are limited, said Lawrence Ward, a partner at U.S.-based law firm Dorsey & Whitney with a specialization in national security law. In terms of the company's potential use of certain Nvidia chips, it might face civil and criminal penalties, but enforcing those penalties may be "difficult if not impossible," Ward said. On Monday, U.S. lawmakers called for actions to slow down the Chinese tech startup, with some calling DeepSeek "a serious threat." There are no easy solutions to restrict the use of an open-source model, especially one that is being widely tested and used by organizations and individuals, said Paul Triolo, partner at Albright Stone Group. One option would be for the Commerce Department to craft rules that require tech giants such as Apple and Google to take down DeepSeek's app, restricting its downloads in the U.S. market, Triolo said, adding that it would, however, be challenging to pull the app off other platforms such as Github. DeepSeek in December released a free, open-source large language model, which it claimed was built in just two months and at a fraction of the cost borne by other major players. Last week, the company released a reasoning model that reportedly outperformed OpenAI's latest offerings in many third-party tests. DeepSeek, whose AI chatbot has become the most downloaded free application on Apple's App Store in the U.S., said it created the model despite the sweeping controls imposed in 2022 by the U.S. on China's access to the most advanced Nvidia chips. The Hangzhou-based startup said it used the less-advanced Nvidia H800 chips to build the model, which was available until the U.S. government widened the ban in October 2023. In another escalation in the contentious Indo-Lanka fisheries conflict, India has lodged a "strong protest" after a Sri Lanka Navy patrol opened fire on Indian fishermen, leaving two with serious injuries. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, January 28, when Sri Lankan authorities intercepted an Indian fishing vessel allegedly operating illegally in their waters. Heres what we know so far: What happened? According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the incident unfolded when Sri Lankan naval personnel attempted to apprehend an Indian fishing vessel in Sri Lankas territorial waters near Valvettithurai, Jaffna. The vessel had 13 fishermen on board, two of whom sustained serious injuries from gunfire and are currently being treated at Jaffna Teaching Hospital. Three others suffered minor injuries. The MEA issued a statement condemning the use of force and summoned Sri Lankas acting high commissioner in New Delhi to lodge a protest. "Our high commission in Colombo has also raised the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sri Lankan government," the statement added. Officials from the Indian consulate in Jaffna are providing assistance to the injured fishermen. The MEA reiterated Indias long-standing position that matters involving fishermen should be handled in a humane and humanitarian manner. What does Sri Lanka say? The Sri Lanka Navy has provided a conflicting account of the events. In a statement, it claimed that the Indian fishermen acted aggressively, attempting to assault naval personnel and snatch a firearm from a naval officer, thereby endangering their lives. The navy stated that an accidental fire occurred during the altercation, causing injuries to the Indian fishermen. It also accused the fishermen of manoeuvring their boat in a hostile manner after being caught poaching in Sri Lankan waters and collecting their harvest. Why is this issue recurring? The shooting incident is part of a long-standing and often contentious fisheries conflict in the Palk Strait, a narrow waterway separating Tamil Nadu and northern Sri Lanka. Indian fishermen, particularly from Tamil Nadu, have frequently been accused of crossing into Sri Lankan waters to fish. Sri Lankan fishermen, many of whom are still recovering from the decades-long civil war, have raised concerns about the use of destructive bottom trawling methods by their Indian counterparts. These practices, banned in Sri Lanka, are known to severely damage marine ecosystems and deplete fish stocks, impacting the livelihoods of local fishermen. India has also faced criticism for failing to enforce regulations that could prevent its fishermen from engaging in such practices. What is the larger context? The fisheries conflict has been a persistent diplomatic challenge for India and Sri Lanka. In 2024 alone, over 540 Indian fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan navy on charges of illegal fishing. This year, the number already stands at over 60 arrests in January. The issue was discussed during Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayakes visit to India in December 2024. Following his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both leaders agreed on the need to avoid aggressive behaviour or violence and explore long-term solutions through dialogue. However, incidents like the January 28 shooting underscore the challenges of implementing such resolutions. What is Indias stance? India has consistently called for treating issues involving fishermen with sensitivity. Following this latest incident, the MEA reiterated that the use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances whatsoever and urged Sri Lanka to adhere to existing understandings on handling such cases. Indias protest also signals the importance of resolving the fisheries dispute without escalating tensions further. ALSO READ: China offers to invest $3.7 billion in oil refinery in Sri Lanka Index Fund Corner Sponsored Scheme Name 1-Year Return Invest Now Fund Category Expense Ratio Axis Nifty 50 Index Fund +32.80% Invest Now Equity: Large Cap 0.12% Axis Nifty 100 Index Fund +38.59% Invest Now Equity: Large Cap 0.21% Axis Nifty Next 50 Index Fund +71.83% Invest Now Equity: Large Cap 0.25% Axis Nifty 500 Index Fund -- Invest Now Equity: Flexi Cap 0.10% Axis Nifty Midcap 50 Index Fund +46.03% Invest Now Equity: Mid Cap 0.28% The Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) and the Asosiasi Manajer Investasi Indonesia (AMII) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost bilateral collaboration and improve industry standards.The MoU, signed during the Indonesian President's state visit to India, aims to enhance mutual fund sectors in both countries, promote financial literacy, and foster a globally integrated investment ecosystem.The agreement will allow both nations to exchange best practices in areas like regulatory reforms, governance, investor protection, product innovation, and risk management.It seeks to improve mutual fund industries by leveraging each countrys expertise.Navneet Munot, Chairman of AMFI, said, This partnership aligns with Indias vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Indonesias goal of economic development by 2045. It will contribute to the success of both nations mutual fund sectors.Venkat Chalasani, Chief Executive of AMFI, highlighted the collaboration as a significant step in enhancing market understanding, governance standards, and investor confidence in both countries.The MoU also outlines the creation of working groups to focus on key areas of mutual interest.These groups will regularly assess the progress of the partnership, ensuring it remains impactful and relevant for both India and Indonesia.Investors can expect higher governance standards and better investor protection measures.The collaboration focuses on sharing best practices, which may lead to more transparency and security in mutual fund operations.Both countries will work together to empower investors, helping them make informed decisions.By learning from each other's regulatory frameworks, India and Indonesia aim to boost investor trust. Donald Trumps musings about buying Greenland and making Canada the 51st state of the United States (US) might appear to be little more than diplomatic theatre, but they serve as a sharp reflection of the evolving landscape of global geopolitics. His moves blend audacity with a vision that disrupts not just norms but also the assumptions underpinning global alliances. Trumps offer to purchase Greenland, recently reiterated in a 45-minute call with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, highlights his penchant for transactional diplomacy. He reportedly declared, America will get Greenland, positioning the island as a strategic prize. For Denmark, however, this has sparked a diplomatic crisis. While Frederiksen has firmly rejected the notion, Greenlands strategic location and resourcesincluding rare earth metals, oil, and gasremain at the core of Trumps ambitions. In a world where climate change is reshaping Arctic trade routes, controlling Greenland could give the US an unparalleled advantage in both economic and military terms. By the way, even if the sitting US President does not believe in climate change. Adding to this, Trumps claim that Greenlands residents want to join the US, and his advocacy for Canada to become a US state, reveal his broader vision of sovereignty as malleable. For Trump, national borders and autonomy appear secondary to strategic dominance. While such audacity might play well with his domestic base, it has left allies like Denmark and Canada scrambling to recalibrate their diplomatic strategies. Greenlands government has reiterated its desire to remain autonomous, with Prime Minister Mute Egede emphasising their intention to shape their own future. This underscores how Trumps propositions risk alienating allies while challenging global norms. Trumps vision of international relations seems less about fostering cooperation and more about projecting dominance through territorial control, resource nationalism, and protectionist trade policies. Trumps renewed interest in Greenland reflects a larger trend the Arctic is becoming the latest geopolitical battleground. With Russia ramping up its military presence and China declaring itself a near-Arctic state to expand its Belt and Road Initiative, the region is no longer a frozen frontier but a hotbed of strategic competition. Greenland, as a gateway to the Arctic, is central to this emerging dynamic. Trumps attempt to acquire it may be dismissed as headline-grabbing, but it underscores the USs awareness of the Arctics potential to reshape global trade and energy markets. This realignment also brings into question the durability of alliances like NATO and the EUs Arctic strategies. Denmarks firm stance against the sale of Greenland reveals a determination to preserve sovereignty, but it also highlights cracks in the Western alliance as countries like Denmark grapple with the increasing assertiveness of both allies and adversaries. Yet, it would be a mistake to dismiss Trumps tactics outright. His ability to shift the Overton Window of diplomacy moving the boundaries of what is considered acceptable or possible is unparalleled. His approach to NATO, forcing member states to increase funding, and his direct engagement with North Korea have disrupted stagnant norms, even if they yielded mixed results. This capacity to upend traditional diplomacy forces other nations to confront uncomfortable questions: is sovereignty negotiable? Are resources and strategic locations fair game for transactional deals? Trumps overtures have left allies questioning the reliability of US commitments. His unilateralism undermines the multilateral frameworks essential for global stability. For instance, recent reports of Trump exploring universal tariffs under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act targeting allies and adversaries alike only reinforce fears of a looming global trade war. His plan to impose tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese goods and 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico illustrates how trade, under Trump, becomes a weapon for dominance. In this backdrop, Trumps alliance with Elon Musk and his use of X as a platform for policy declarations further complicate diplomatic engagement. When major policy shifts are broadcast as tweets, bypassing traditional diplomatic channels, it leaves allies and adversaries scrambling to interpret intentions and formulate responses. As Trumps actions leave a trail of strained relationships and geopolitical uncertainty, the world is left grappling with a new reality. Is this the beginning of a future where sovereignty bends to economic and strategic imperatives, or a short-term tempest that will pass? While Trumps brand of diplomacy breaks old moulds, it is a stark reminder that disruption, while necessary at times, must be tempered with responsibility. In a world where fractured alliances, climate challenges, and economic instability dominate the agenda, Trumps audacious moves compel global leaders to adapt to an era where economic leverage and territorial ambition drive the narrative. As the Arctic emerges as the arena of the 21st centurys geopolitical chessboard, Trumps moves are a reminder that power, like the melting ice, is shifting and with it, the future of diplomacy. Whether this disruption leads to breakthroughs or costly missteps remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: under Trump, diplomacy is no longer about navigating the ground but reshaping it entirely. The author, Dr. Srinath Sridharan (@ssmumbai), is a Corporate advisor & Independent Director on Corporate Boards. The views are personal. Read his previous articles here If he wanted to he would (defend your honor with a Klingon sword) Love is love. Yes. Absolutely. 100 percent. Except, maybe stop dating convicted serial killers? 14 A Woman and Her Ghost Pirate Husband (Had a Contentious Divorce) Amanda Large says that the ghost of a pirate started appearing at her bedside in 2014. The pirate, named Jack Teague, was executed for thievery in the 1700s, but nonetheless agreed to date her for two years before marrying her, via spiritual medium, in an open-sea wedding. But after their marriage, Large became chronically ill, and almost died of sepsis. Convinced that their energetic connection was draining her, she broke it off (although not before he possessed her body, requiring an exorcism). 13 Jack and Meg White: What Are We Doing Here Guys? Jack White was actually born John Anthony Gillis, but took his wifes last name when he and Meg White married in 1996. They divorced in 2000, and the Detroit Free Press dug up their marriage and divorce certificates in 2002, but these weirdos continue to pretend theyre a brother-sister duo to this day. 12 A Dude Ratted Out His Girlfriend When He Found Out He Was Demoted to Second String A man named Tracey Tarlton was so in love with Celeste Johnson, he agreed to murder her millionaire sugar daddy husband. He kept quiet even after getting nabbed for the crime until he found out that she remarried some other guy. Then he spilled every last bean to the feds. 11 A Guy Killed His Girlfriends Husband So He Could Move Up to Third String Advertisement An Italian man died immediately after sipping from a bottle of alcohol that had been gifted to him ostensibly by a sales partner. It turns out the bottle had actually come from his wifes boyfriend, one of three separate affairs she was having. This guy was a veterinarian who pumped 500 deadly doses of a powerful poison into the bottle, and who was arrested because they tracked down the typewriter he used to write the gift note. 10 Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox Drink Each Others Blood (But Only on Special Occasions) Fox has pushed back on the idea that they chug goblets of blood: Its just a few drops, but yes, we do consume each others blood on occasion for ritual purposes only. 9 A Deadly Double Catfish Advertisement In 2007, a supposedly 18-year-old man going by the screenname MarineSniper struck up an online relationship with a fellow supposed teen going by Tallhotblonde. But MarineSniper turned out to be a 47-year-old man, and Tallhotblonde was, similarly, a middle-aged woman. When MarineSniper (real name: Thomas Montgomery) was outed by his wife, Tallhotblonde moved on to his coworker. When Montgomery found out, he murdered the new boyfriend. 8 The Hillside Stranglers Girlfriend Tried to Take Over the Family Business Advertisement Kenneth Bianchi, known as the Hillside Strangler, struck up a pen pal relationship with several serial killer obsessors (known as hybristophiles). He convinced one of them to go do some hillside strangling, to make it look like the real killer was still at large. Her attack failed, and she was convicted of attempted murder. 7 A Teacher Got Her Underage Victim to Kill Her Husband Advertisement Pamela Smart, a media services director at a high school, was irate when she found out her husband had been cheating on her. So irate, in fact, that she had her own mister a 15-year-old boy at her school murder her husband. The boy and his friends got 28 years in prison, and Smart got life without parole. 6 Even a Serial Killer Has Her Standards Susan Atkins was a prolific member of the Manson family, having been convicted of eight murders. She got married in prison to an absolute numbnuts millionaire named Donald Lee Lai$ure, but later had it annulled when she found out he wasnt actually rich. She found love once again, six years later, marrying a Harvard Law student. They had 22 happy years together before her death in 2009. 5 A Guy Defended His Wifes Honor With a Klingon Sword Advertisement Advertisement Carlo Morris Ceruttis wife got in an argument with their neighbor over garbage, culminating in the neighbor hurling a bag of trash at the woman. Cerutti then came to her aid and attacked his neighbor with a replica batleth a double-sided scimitar from Star Trek. 4 Ted Bundy Used a Legal Loophole to Get Married at His Own Murder Trial Bundy had previously requested to marry his suspiciously supportive girlfriend, Carole Ann Boone, in jail, but was denied. Since he famously (and clumsily) represented himself in court, he had a reporter smuggle in some nice clothes and a couple of rings, called Boone to the stand and proposed during questioning. Because it all went down in a courtroom, it was legally binding. 3 Mary Shelleys Husband Was the Real Freak Advertisement Its well known (and extremely metal) that Mary Shelley, the creator of Frankenstein, lost her virginity in a graveyard. But its her husband whos the weirdo here. Percy Bysshe Shelley was an aspiring poet who was a big fan of Marys dad, political philosopher William Godwin. The dude had sex with his heros 17-year-old daughter, on his heros wifes grave, while he was A) married, and B) old enough to know that might strike folks as a little weird. 2 The Menendez Brothers Have Three Wives Between Them Advertisement Erik Menendez got married to a hybristophile in Folsom Prison in 1999 she recalls fondly Our wedding cake was a Twinkie. Older brother Lyle has had a more high profile, more tumultuous love life he married model Anna Erikkson, who later divorced him because she found out about his other pen pals, then magazine editor-turned-attorney Rebecca Sneed. Wont the folks at Mass be mad when they see Mark Wahlberg starring as the villain with the ridiculous hairline in Mel Gibsons Flight Risk? The despicable role doesnt exactly reflect the actors Catholic values. Being a very religious guy too, Ive always said, whether it be Ted or this movie or anything else, that Gods a fan of movies and has a sense of humor, Wahlberg told PEOPLE. Wahlberg is the kind of serious Catholic who shows up for Today Show interviews with an Ash Wednesday cross still smudged on his forehead. If you believe the Philadelphia Inquirer, Wahlberg attends Mass every day and twice on Sundays. So it has always seemed incongruous that the actors most famous roles are Boogie Nights Dirk Diggler and John, the best pal of a foul-mouthed, cross-species sex fiend in Ted. And, in fact, Ted has caused Wahlberg conflicted feelings in the past. In 2015, Wahlberg was the master of ceremonies at an event featuring Pope Francis. Fourteen-year-old Bobby Hill of the Keystone State Boychoir belted out an opera solo for the Supreme Pontiff and after the kid was done, he whispered in my ear that he liked the movie Ted, Wahlberg said. I told him that was not appropriate for his age. Don't Miss Holy Father, please forgive me, Wahlberg asked the Pope in a public mea culpa for the sins of Ted. Ive always hoped that the good Lord has a sense of humor when it comes and pertains to many of the movies that Ive made. Despite his apology to the Pope, Wahlberg had no problems signing up to make sophomoric, scatological Ted 2. The actor will be forgiven because hes just repeating what Seth MacFarlane tells him to say. Heres the great thing, Im an actor for hire, and Seth is the writer and director and the voice of the bear. He takes full responsibility, and hes never been one to tone anything down, Wahlberg told Uproxx. Seth is not one to censor himself. Advertisement So the actor-for-hire will say anything that Macfarlane told him to? I just tell him that Im not saying anything offensive about religion, Wahlberg clarified. If you want Ted to say whatever Ted wants to say, thats up to you. And thats the Gospel according to Mark (Wahlberg). His cinephile God has a sense of humor about all of Teds plot lines doing drugs, sexually harassing women, getting busy with sex workers, spewing homophobic rants and affecting racist accents. Just leave out the jokes about the sins of Catholic priests and Hes all good. As chairman of the board for Cinturion Group, Richard Marshall is intimately involved in ensuring the security of the fiber optic network his company is constructing from India through the Middle East and on to Europe. The monumental Trans Europe Asia System (TEAS) will be difficult enough to build given it will be buried beneath thousands of land and sea miles. Making it even rougher is the fact that many of the countries that will host the cable do not much like each other, which presents potential cybersecurity issues. When he began his board-level career 16 years ago, Marshall says, he and his fellow governors probably would have delegated responsibility for securing this infrastructure to IT security propeller-heads. But today, with costly ransomware attacks and increasingly torching bottom lines, he says board members and their audit committees recognize they can no longer ignore such responsibilities. Directors know they must be more aware and directly involved. In fact, 88% of them now view cybersecurity as a business risk as opposed to a technology problem, according to business analyst firm Gartner. Ive seen the change, says Marshall, who also chairs two other boards and serves as a cybersecurity consultant. Boards are becoming more sophisticated. They are also younger, so they tend to be more technically aware and likely to realize they have to get involved in mitigating risk. Adding fuel to their fire: the likelihood of more government regulatory pressure. For example, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) floated new rules that would require publicly traded companies to disclose their cybersecurity governance practices, including how boards oversee cyber risk. The announcement has prompted considerable debate and controversy. And while organizations are not required to appoint members who are versed in technology or cybersecurity issues, the proposed SEC rules would mandate that they divulge whether they have done so. That could be problematic for many organizations, because board members typically hail from business rather than IT backgrounds. Indeed, while the percentage of public companies with appointed technology-focused directors has grown recently, it still stands at only about 17% Granted, good CISOs are increasingly hard to find, but that will not do, says the SEC. Cybersecurity is already among the top priorities of many boards of directors, and cybersecurity incidents and other risks are considered one of the largest threats to companies, the commission explained while promoting its rule change. Accordingly, investors may find disclosure of whether any board members have cybersecurity expertise to be important as they consider their investment in the registrant, as well as their votes on the election of directors of the registrant. So, how can technology-challenged board members get up-to-speed on cybersecurity? Experts say it doesnt require a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credential or walking in the CISOs shoes for a day (although neither approach would hurt). Rather, they suggest a few steps to address coming regulations and provide better oversight. 1. Appoint at least one cybersecurity expert to the board Dr. Keri Pearlson, executive director of Cybersecurity at MIT Sloan (CAMS), has been studying the intersection of technology and business for more than 30 years and has published numerous papers involving cybersecurity. So, it made sense that the TMF Health Quality Institute, which was seeking cybersecurity expertise to address rising cybersecurity threats in that industry, would ask Pearlson to join its board. While other board members have interest, perspectives, and some experience in cybersecurity, Pearlson says her role is to provide deeper perspectives and guidance on key issues. I think boards are getting more mature, and members understand that responsibility, she says. They manage business risk, and cybersecurity is a business risk. But they are not the same, and so part of my job is to look at the cybersecurity decisions they make to ensure they are sound. Some companies are building even deeper benches in cybersecurity expertise. A Gartner survey predicts 40% of boards of directors will also have a dedicated cybersecurity committee by 2025, up from 10% today. Many boards of directors are forming dedicated committees that allow for discussion of cybersecurity matters in a confidential environment, led by someone deemed suitably qualified, said Sam Olyaei, research director at Gartner, in a statement. 2. Make cybersecurity governance a key agenda item Corporate bylaws require boards of directors to meet at least once a year, but the frequency tends to vary by state. In some cases, it will be twice or four times a year. In the ideal situation, experts say, the cadence should be every six to eight weeks. Thats largely because business and risk issues can change on a dime, and if a board is making decisions in January, they may no longer be relevant weeks or months later. This is especially true with cybersecurity, which must be a regular topic of discussion on every agenda, says Marshall. When I advise boards, I encourage them to have a CISO come in and make a quick report every time, he says. That gives CISOs rapport with the board. And it helps educate board members, especially if the CISOs know how to talk to them from a business perspective. 3. Look beyond risk to resiliency Pearlson says board members need a different approach to cybersecurity: Instead of viewing it as being solely about mitigating technology risk, they should also prioritize resiliency, which includes how they would recover from a successful cyberattack. That requires a willingness to shift from believing attacks are mostly preventable to acknowledging that they will happen, so you need a plan for minimizing the damage, she says. As a board member, you have to take the perspective that every company will likely experience a breach or attack of some sort, Pearlson says. You also want to know that your company can absorb and recover quickly without downtime. I mean, wouldnt it be awesome if your company experienced a cyber incident but suffered no financial hit? No data loss? No system downtime? No reputational damage? Thats the vision of where we should be going with cybersecurity. 4. Get some trainingcyber skills fuel smarter cyber governance Experts say that even with a cybersecurity-designate on the board, most members would be better at their jobs if they had a little training in the discipline. Pearlson, for example, notes her college, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, offers courses specifically designed to familiarize board members with cybersecurity governance fundamentals. In addition, Marshall recommends considering working with cyber insurance providers who have a vested interest in ensuring their subscribers remain as secure as possible. Outside consultants can be another effective option, he adds. 5. Come togetherright now Board members and CISOs dont always speak the same language, but they are increasingly finding common ground, says Pearlson. She recommends board members try to forge better ties with CISOs to stay closer to vital cybersecurity issues. While inviting CISOs to report to the board helps with identity, it doesnt build strong connections between board members and security executives, she says. Pearlson adds that her research found some board members and CISOs proactively connect in-between executive meetings to discuss cybersecurity headlines and potentially damaging incidents. Because they are more familiar with one another, they tend to be better prepared for partnering to tackle cybersecurity incidents as they arise. A cyber incident isnt the time to build a bridge, Pearlson says. That should occur long before difficult conversations have to take place. Learn how to protect your business-critical endpoints and cloud workloads with the Tanium platform. This article was written by David Rand and originally appeared in Focal Point magazine. When I was a minister with responsibility for mental health, I fought hard to prevent mental health charities which receive a vast amount of taxpayers' cash categorising normal, emotional responses to stressful life situations as 'mental health issues'. I saw it often in my own constituency surgeries, when too many conversations concluded with the statement: 'It's affecting my mental health.' It was as if these words alone made an individual a special case and would magic up a solution. Citing their 'mental health' seems to exonerate some people from taking responsibility for challenging situations be it family or work issues instead of trying to face their problem head-on and deal with it, as many millions of us do. So I am heartened by the findings of a survey commissioned by the Centre For Social Justice (CSJ) think-tank, which found that 84 per cent of GPs believe that everyday pressures and our response to them are being over-medicalised. Soaring numbers of people are being flagged with mental health disorders, often self-diagnosed, when in fact they are stressed, anxious, depressed, suffering sleep problems or any number of other symptoms simply because of the ups and downs of life. A survey found that 84 per cent of GPs believe that everyday pressures and our response to them are being over-medicalised You will never hear mental health charities admit this, though. Indeed, some are already pushing back against the CSJ findings. A spokesman for Sane, for example, insisted that 'self-diagnosing' must be taken seriously and is an early sign of the need for help. But I worry about those who are truly in need of urgent help people with serious, debilitating mental illness who may be at risk of suicide or violent behaviour. Without such support, the consequences for them can be devastating. They may have to wait longer for vital treatment because no matter how much money the NHS throws at mental health services it's currently spending a staggering 11.79 billion, or around 7 per cent of the total NHS budget of around 171 billion the service will always be stretched. Hopefully the CSJ survey will provide impetus for change, although I'm not holding my breath. And there is another alarming aspect to the abuse of mental health diagnoses that I've been made aware of. Recently, I spoke to a barrister friend, who told me that he'd decided to retire earlier than planned. He has always loved his job, the high drama of the courtroom and the challenge of dealing with the tough characters that, over the years, he had to defend. But not any more. He describes criminals today as 'mostly brain-dead, drug-induced, psychotic nutters that I have no desire to subject myself to working with any longer'. What really gets him is a new diagnosis doing the rounds of the legal system: Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, which means, in lay terms, individuals who can't control their temper or emotional responses. A diagnosis seemingly absolves them from responsibility for highly antisocial behaviour 'It's me mental health, M'Lud'. In many cases, too, such a diagnosis acts as a fast track to the highest level of benefit payments because there is no 'cure'. My barrister friend blamed mental health professionals and Leftie lawyers for expanding the well-known serious mental health condition, Borderline Personality Disorder, to include yet another mental health label for drug-addled, anti-social individuals who choose to behave badly and take no responsibility for their actions. Is that what we've come to: labels invented to explain away societal problems that we find too hard to deal with? If so, it's a dangerous path to advance along. Awards Season is upon us, but you'd hardly know it because there's a dearth of glamour in our lives right now. A-list celebs, usually out and about promoting their films in the run up to the Oscars in March, are keeping their heads down. Understandably. Wildfires still burn in parts of Los Angeles and 10,000 homes are now ashes, so it's not a great look to be strutting your stuff on TV sofas, along Rodeo Drive or on Aspen's snowy slopes. Anna Wintour, Vogue's editor-in-chief, has made a personal appeal to Kate to appear on the covers of ALL Vogue's editions worldwide to honour her role as a global fashion icon So for glamour this week I'm turning to the Princess of Wales after it was reported that Anna Wintour, Vogue's editor-in-chief, has made a personal appeal to Kate to appear on the covers of ALL Vogue's editions worldwide to honour her role as a global fashion icon. Plus, she's promised Kate that she can choose her own photographer and veto fashion choices. Given the year she's had, Kate deserves nothing less. Just get on your bike Mr Mayor As millions of homeowners steel themselves for rocketing council tax bills, spare a thought for the residents of Lambeth. Their Labour mayor, 27-year-old John-Paul Ennis, has boasted on TikTok about the 'pretty nice' chain of office he wears and bragged about being chauffeured around in a car as 'sick'. That apparently means both 'excellent' and 'cool', and the taxpayer-funded limo is a 'hybrid' so that's all right, then. Lambeth has been waging a crazy war on motorists for some years now, whacking up the cost of parking permits, and introducing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods that are destroying businesses and clogging up main roads. So, I have a suggestion for the youthful mayor (hardly a serious politician). Get out of your limo and on your bike and make use of all those barely used cycle lanes the council has inflicted on residents. When is a snail not a snail? When it's an endangered mollusc and the subject of an interminable study by ecologists lasting almost a decade which is holding up the creation of a dual carriageway on a dangerous road in Norfolk. I'm no ecologist but surely they can scoop them up and move them to another part of the vast marsh they love in unspoilt Norfolk. There you are! Job done. The Trump talk won't work, Rachel Rachel Reeves has returned from Davos all fired up and wants the UK economy to 'Grow, baby, grow'. The Chancellor says we must learn from Trump's 'boosterism' and be more positive about the UK and its strengths. I was eating my lunch when I read this and almost choked. Which one of us is living in a parallel universe? Rachel Reeves says we must learn from Trump's 'boosterism' and be more positive about the UK and its strengths Reeves talked down the UK economy from the day she took office. She devastated investor confidence in British business and 10,800 millionaires fled our shores in 2024 that's equivalent to losing 500,000 taxpayers and double the number who left in 2023. This week she'll unveil her own 'boosterism' but it will be little more than a wish list because the economic reality tells a different story. Rachel from Accounts is about to discover that you can talk an economy down, but talking it back up again is a whole different ball game. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, I was asked to advise a Nato working group about the possibility and impact of a similar atrocity being carried out in Europe. It quickly became clear that a fairly large section of our security services was clueless about the threat our country faced from Islamism. That was worrying enough, but in recent years I have observed something even more alarming: a systematic attempt to downplay the threat Islamism poses. Today, we see that effort horrifyingly crystallised in a leaked Home Office report that will help to determine future counter-terrorism policy. It recommends that the Governments approach to extremism should no longer be based on specific ideologies of concern but instead on behaviours and activities of concern. So far, so confusing. Inevitably, there are no prizes for which specific ideology is being relegated down the watch list. It is, of course, Islamism. Instead, the report cites a whole new raft of behaviours which our security services ought equally to concern themselves with. Among them is being a conspiracy theorist, a misogynist, having a propensity for violence against girls and women or engaging in what is termed an online subculture called the manosphere (websites, blogs and online forums promoting traditional masculinity and opposition to feminism). In one section, the report even claims that those who believe we have a system of two-tier policing the argument that some riots and demonstrations are dealt with more leniently than others are subscribing to a Right-wing extremist narrative. Far-right protesters outside a hotel housing migrants in Rotherham during last summer's riots Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson (pictured) even issued teachers with guidance that pupils could be referred to Prevent if they had fallen under the sway of manosphere influencers who denigrate women Certainly, many of these activities and belief systems mentioned are undeniably unpalatable, and in some cases criminal, in which case they are a matter for the police. But by and large, they have got nothing to do with terrorism. Cold hard statistics tell us this. As the think-tank the Policy Exchange (the recipient of the leaked report) tells us, Islamist-based attacks are responsible for 94 per cent of all terrorist killings in Britain since 1999. Last year, Islamic extremism took up 80 per cent of the police counter-terror workload. Naturally, these numbers are nowhere to be seen in the Home Office report, which seems to have been forged in a parallel universe where a 14-year-old boy in his bedroom watching videos of controversial influencer Andrew Tate or reading about the Moon landings being faked represents a similar threat to British security as a jihadist cell. That, incidentally, now seems to be the feeling at Prevent, the UKs national programme which is a cornerstone of the Governments anti-terrorism policy and where, since 2021, the number of so-called Right-wing extremists referred there has outnumbered Islamists two to one. Hardly surprising, given, as I have mentioned, the ongoing attempt to grossly inflate the threat of the former while deflating that of the other. Last month, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson even issued teachers with guidance that pupils could be referred to Prevent if they had fallen under the sway of manosphere influencers who denigrate women. Axel Rudakubana (pictured) was sentenced last week for a minimum of 52 years behind bars after he murdered three young girls at Taylor Swift themed Dance Class in July Undoubtedly, some of this comes down to political expediency. Great swathes of the Labour Party are anxious not to rock the boat over Islamism lest it cost them votes. Take the case of Southport murderer Axel Rudakubana, who slaughtered three little girls and maimed many others in cold blood last summer. His case is undoubtedly complicated, but it is significant that the Government chose not to make public that he had been reading literature produced by Al Qaeda online. Various Left-wing commentators have since suggested that the teenagers actions were motivated by misogyny. The majority of people can, of course, see through such absurdities. And they know from experience that the world they live in is very different to the through-the-looking-glass one inhabited by some members of our government. Nonetheless, for our leaders to oversee the peddling of the kind of falsehoods in this Home Office report is not only moral cowardice but an act which threatens the very security of our nation. By refusing to prioritise truly dangerous extremism, we sow the seeds of future threats. This report is absurd, but it is also utterly chilling. Frank Furedi is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent Back in 2008, a man entered the Berlin branch of Madame Tussauds and decapitated the waxwork of Adolf Hitler. Should Hitler be immortalised in wax? He clearly felt not. Hitlers waxwork first appeared in the original Madame Tussauds, in London, as early as April 1933, but even then it was vandalised so often that a security guard had to be on standby. For many years after the war, Hitler took up residence in the London Chamber of Horrors, alongside Dr Crippen, Sweeney Todd, and, latterly, Charles Manson and Dennis Nilsen. But by 2016, even their unsavoury company was judged too good for him, and his waxwork was removed. On a cold, drizzly morning in Berlin last week, I found myself passing the German Madame Tussauds, just a few hundred yards from the Brandenburg Gate. Was Hitler on display? I gingerly approached the man behind the ticket desk. Not wanting to be taken for a nutter, I phrased my question carefully. Are any historic figures on show here? I asked, For instance, Bismarck, Karl Marx, Adolf Hitler...? The ticket seller was straightforward. Bismarck had once been there, he said, but was now in storage. But Karl Marx and Adolf Hitler are both here, he said, Do you want a ticket? How could I refuse? On that cold Wednesday in January, it turned out that the Berlin Madame Tussauds was almost empty, though of course youre never really alone in the company of waxworks. The first waxworks to greet visitors would all have offended the Fuhrer: Josephine Baker, the sexy black dancer and heroine of the Resistance, Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Charlie Chaplin, who ridiculed Hitler in The Great Dictator, and the black athlete Jesse Owens, whose Gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics so publicly punctured Hitlers belief in Aryan supremacy. German political philosopher Karl Marx. Just before the exit of Madame Tussauds Berlin, Marx sits on a park bench, in front of a sign saying l love Berlin Musician Ed Sheeran. The only other figure near Marx is Ed, complete with guitar. They make an odd pair, Karl and Ed. But, then again, what is the point of a waxworks museum if it cant bring the most unlikely couples together, in a spirit of friendship? Around the next corner, Winston Churchill stands in front of a giant newspaper headline HITLER IST TOT! (Hitler is dead!). At this point, an attendant pointed me in the direction of a dark little cubicle in the corner, where Hitler sits behind glass, sweatily glowering in his bunker, his top button undone, his tie askew, his eyes red-rimmed. No one could mistake this for a celebration. The post-war section has waxworks of the grim East German communist leaders Ulbricht and Honecker, and West German leaders Konrad Adenauer and Willy Brandt. The Berlin Tussauds is notably more highbrow than the London branch: Beethoven stands in a snazzy red cravat, looking a bit like Neil Diamond. Prince Harry is about as close as London gets to an intellectual, but Albert Einstein, Bertolt Brecht, Joseph Beuys and Gunter Grass are all on parade in Berlin. Sigmund Freud sits in his study; beside him is a couch, upon which visitors can pose for selfies, perhaps sharing their childhood traumas with their mute psychoanalyst. The contemporary section of the Berlin Tussauds is much more international and much more showbiz. Taylor Swift, Brad Pitt in an ill-fitting toupee, Lady Gaga, Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman, and so on. Johnny Depp and Michael Jackson are hanging on in there, perhaps until they add a Chamber of Horrors. Germans barely get a look-in, and present-day Britons are few and far between: not a single member of our Royal Family is on show, and Robbie A wax figure of Adolf Hitler in Madame Tussauds Berlin. Back in 2008, a man entered the Berlin branch of Madame Tussauds and decapitated the waxwork of Adolf Hitler The post-war section has waxworks of the East German communist leaders Erich Honecker (pictured) Williams and Harry Styles are two of the few representatives of our music scene. To me, the most surprising waxwork to find in Berlin is Vogue editor Anna Wintour, frosty in her dark glasses. Or might it be the real thing? In real life, Anna is notoriously static. The only time I was introduced to her, she couldnt summon up the energy to cast a glance in my direction. Who knows? Perhaps she recently relocated to Berlin, specially to pass her days sitting stock-still between RuPaul and Kendall Jenner. Just before the exit, Karl Marx sits on a park bench, in front of a sign saying l love Berlin. The only other figure there is Ed Sheeran, complete with guitar. They make an odd pair, Karl and Ed. But, then again, what is the point of a waxworks museum if it cant bring the most unlikely couples together, in a spirit of friendship? The commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Auschwitzs liberation should provide people of all creeds with cause for deep contemplation. King Charless decision to make a personal pilgrimage there yesterday the first British monarch to do so helped to reinforce a vital message to the world. The physical structures of Auschwitz-Birkenau may be frozen in time; a frightening relic of Nazism and of mans inhumanity to man. But the warning it transmits through those eight decades and beyond is still very real and, regrettably, all too relevant today. The interlinked history of the Holocaust, pogroms and the creation of the state of Israel is still too easily forgotten by some. The Gaza-Israel conflict is only the most recent reminder of that unfortunate fact. One of the most troubling developments since Hamass horrific incursion into Israel on October 7, 2023, has been the willingness among some quarters to blame the victims. They either do not care, or choose to forget, that the terrorist group has sworn to erase Israel from the map. For some misguided agitators, anti-Semitism has become a badge of honour, despite the lessons of the Holocaust, and in a poignant speech yesterday the King noted that the world had seen a dangerous re-emergence of this ancient poison. He has spent years quietly and fastidiously working with concentration camp survivors to help ensure their testimony continues to be heard. We must all listen. Orphaned children stand in rows at Auschwitz as it is liberated by the Red Army in January 1945 Preventing errors The Governments response to the Southport tragedy risks turning into a mixed-up mess. Leaked versions of the Home Offices initial review of the Prevent anti-extremist scheme suggest a series of changes which could do more harm than good. If ministers take up these ideas it would almost certainly dilute important work being done to combat one of the principal threats to this countrys internal safety, namely extreme Islamism. Free speech could also be damaged by several of its proposals, including reversing limits on so-called non-crime hate incidents. And the documents dismissal of legitimate concerns over two-tier policing is spurious. As pointed out by the Policy Exchange think-tank, which obtained the leaked material, it is a hodgepodge which could rush ministers into making bad policy after the awful failings of Southport. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper must think very carefully before making any changes which risk weakening Britains response to Islamism, in particular. She would not be forgiven for introducing reforms which worsened an already unacceptable situation. Leaked versions of the Home Offices initial review of the Prevent anti-extremist scheme suggest a series of changes which could do more harm than good. Pictured: British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper Plane nonsense Chancellor Rachel Reeves said just two days ago that Cabinet colleagues would have to fall into line over the Heathrow expansion to boost economic growth. Energy and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband appears not to have received the memo, however. Energy and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband said on Monday that any airport expansion, such as those proposed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, would need to be justified by reference to carbon budgets He yesterday insisted that any airport expansion would need to be justified by reference to carbon budgets. We hope Sir Keir Starmer will not allow one ministers obsessions to get in the way of vital infrastructure projects that will benefit the whole country. Of all of the decisions made by our cringingly woke judges, that of allowing a 48-year-old Jamaican drug dealer to stay in this country because his daughter may be trans is one of the most outrageous. This is a man whos been convicted of dealing crack and heroin, who attacked his partner in front of his children and who was jailed for three-and-a-half years in 2021 - his fifth spell in prison since arriving in the UK in 1991. Quite the role model, isnt he? Yet Dad, who cannot be named and is known only as GH, convinced Judge Sarah Pinder that his gender-questioning daughter would unduly suffer if he was deported denying him his right to a family life under the European Convention on Human Rights. He had to remain in the UK, you see, as he is the only one his daughter could discuss her gender issues with. She cant do that with her mum, from whom GH is separated, even though she lives with her. How very convenient for GH that the word of his child should save him from being deported. Is a may-be-trans son or daughter the new get-out-of-jail card hardened criminals can now play? Is she on puberty blocker drugs? Is she suffering from a genuine belief she was born in the wrong body? Or is she just having a teenage wobble and cry for attention as so many kids do today? Were entitled to ask these questions. But the point is, we simply dont know whats going on. We have only an unnamed daughter and an anonymous convicted felons word for it both of whose identities are protected under law. Given the complete absence of information - as well as this dangerous criminals appalling record - I cant help wondering whether his daughters gender-questioning started before or after the threat of deportation. The Home Office ordered the deportation of drug dealer 'GH' after he was convicted of supplying crack cocaine and heroin and sentenced to 40 months in prison And what makes the whole thing even more astonishing is that Judge Pinder is not the first judge to have ruled GH should be allowed to stay. He arrived in Britain aged 15 in October 1991 and in April 1993 was granted indefinite leave to remain. Between 2007 and 2015, he was jailed for numerous offences. It was after he was convicted of supplying crack cocaine and heroin and sentenced to 40 months in prison that his deportation was ordered by the Home Office. But he appealed against it and Judge C L Taylor found that GH had a genuine and subsisting parental relationship with his children, although it was limited. The judge added: One of the appellants children became withdrawn when the appellant went to prison and she continued to struggle even after his release. The same child was experiencing issues with her gender identity, which she had only been able to discuss with her father. Jolly good. But surely if he really cared about his family, hed have made sure he didnt go to prison and cause his daughter to become withdrawn in the first place? Not that the judge, who refused the deportation order, saw it that way. And then Judge Pinder seconded that decision. Worse, she enabled the career criminal to play on his racial identity, saying that, if he was deported, his mixed-race children would have unmet emotional needs linked not just to the loss of a parent but the loss of the parent that represented half of their cultural identity. She added that this identity was an element of the parental relationship which the childs mother could not replicate because she is white British. Crikey, so if the mum had been of Jamaican descent, the argument would fly out of the window - and hed have been flying back to Jamaica. A social worker for GH, meanwhile, argued his deportation would cause the children emotional harm and potentially negatively impact upon all areas of the childrens development, including key areas of identity, family and social relationships. Which makes one wonder if these do-gooders who, lets be honest, sometimes have a pretty poor record of protecting children as horrific cases like the murder of Sara Sharif and numerous others down the years prove ever considered the emotional damage done by GH to his children already. What kind of a family life can they have when hes a domestic abuser? How long before Dad beats the hell out of Mum again? Dont they even consider the stark-staring obvious? That these poor kids would be far better off without a drug-dealing abuser as a part-time dad? Home Office lawyers understandably asked how GH could ever be a positive influence in his childrens lives. And what about the influence he has on other young people - the ones hes sold crack and heroin to? Dont they have just as much of a right to a family life which isnt dominated by addiction and crime? GH should have been deported straight after his first, serious drug-dealing conviction. He should never have been allowed to remain in this country and work the system, using his poor daughter to do so. The clemency shown to GH is bewildering, abhorrent and flies in the face of justice. Moreover it fundamentally erodes faith in our courts and their ability to protect British citizens. Our judicial system clearly needs a radical overhaul - beginning with the removal of woke judges who cant see beyond their own blind, bleeding-heart prejudices. Most of us know the importance of putting our money to work - it's getting started that's the problem. After all, the world of saving and investment can seem complicated and confusing to newcomers, not least due to the blizzard of jargon and sales speak... If this all sounds familiar, it could be time to try a smart money app that's making money management more accessible than ever before. Plum (available on App Store and Google Play) has already got over 2 million people onboarded thanks to its clever automated saving and investing features. The simple-to-use app sets aside just enough cash every week so you dont notice, before saving or investing it in a way that works for you. As with all investing, please remember that your capital is at risk and you may get back less than you put in. Plum's approach to simplifying money management was what caught the attention of Lily Devins, a 25-year-old graphic designer and illustrator from London. She's now saved around 7000 with Plum since 2021. As well as investing in the stock market for the first time, she's also opened a Cash ISA - which lets you save up to 20,000 every year without paying tax on your interest. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may change in the future. Always do your own research. Also keep in mind, as with all investing, your capital is at risk, meaning the value of your investments can go down as well as up. Lily Devins is a 25-year-old graphic designer and illustrator from London Plum links to your bank account and uses the power of algorithms to analyse your income and outgoings, calculating how much you can afford to set aside 'I received a sum of money after my dad died and knew I wanted to do something with it rather than put it in a bank account earning hardly any interest or spend it on something useless,' she says. 'And while I was interested in investing, I found the financial jargon really inaccessible and felt I had to know what it all meant before I got started. I did some research and Plum looked user friendly, so I decided to give it a go!' The app links to your bank account and uses the power of algorithms to analyse your income and outgoings, calculating how much you can afford to set aside. It then uses this information to make regular automatic transfers from your bank account into your various Plum 'pockets' - based on a breakdown chosen by you using the 'Splitter' tool. Crucially, the Plum app aims to help you manage your money effectively and you can decide to increase or decrease the size of your transfers at any time. The aim is to target money that might end up 'leftover' in your bank account - increasing the temptation to spend it on things you don't necessarily need. Plum has nine automatic savings rules that aim to help you stash more money away on a consistent basis While automation can be a good solution to save consistently, note that some of Plum automatic savings rules are available behind paid plans, and you should always monitor periodically if automation is suitable for you. For Lily, automating the process of saving has been a revelation. 'Especially living in London, you often look at your bank account and wonder what you've spent your money on that week,' she says. Plum: Quick-fire Q&A Is it free? The basic version of Plum is free, while you can upgrade to a subscription plan to explore additional features or optimise the way you save or invest. What else can it do beyond saving and investing? Plum is a one-stop shop for money management, with lots of clever budgeting features from spending overviews to the ability to set weekly allowances. It's almost like having your own personal money assistant! How does it keep your money safe? Plum has a range of safety features including encryption and face and fingerprint ID. The app is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and money held in any of its savings pockets is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to a total of 85,000 per customer. There are also protections for a non-interest earning pocket, like a Primary Pocket, which is protected by the E-Money Safeguarding Rules. Where can I go for help? If you ever need help, friendly customer support teams are available 7 days a week. Advertisement 'But then I forget I've automatically saved lots of money I might have otherwise just spent on food or coffee. Most of the time you don't even notice it's being saved!' With Plum, you have the option of putting your money into a variety of different pockets, including a Cash ISA earning a competitive 5.01% AER (variable) - which includes a bonus rate of 1.22% if kept for 12 consecutive months*. Note this rate is only for a new Plum Cash ISA account. A variable rate of 3.79% AER applies if you transfer-in from another Cash ISA. For maximum flexibility, you can choose an Easy Access Interest Pocket**, which allows you to withdraw your money on the same working day (up to 3 pm). Lily splits her transfers three ways, with 35% going into an Interest Pocket, 20% into a Cash ISA and the remaining 45% into a selection of Plum's professionally managed investment funds. She's chosen 'Global Tech', 'Core US', 'Core Europe' and 'Growth Stack', which is made up of approximately 80% shares and 20% bonds. (Not financial advice). Keep in mind, The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. 'Plum is good at helping you understand what is in your funds and where your money is going,' Lily says. 'They include all the terminology but break it down and explain it for you, and thanks to the easy to use interface it's simple to change things when you want to.' Plum has nine automatic savings rules that aim to help you stash more money away on a consistent basis, which Lily praises for making saving and investing more interesting and accessible. 'I've chosen Payday, which sends an allotted amount that goes out each time I get paid,' she says. Lily praises the clever features for making saving and investing more interesting and accessible 'I'm also doing the 52-week challenge, which saves 1 in the first week of the year before increasing this by 1 each time until you get to 1,378 by the end.' Plum lets you create different pockets for each of your savings goals - like buying a car or a house - so you can use its clever features to help reach them faster. If you've hit one of your targets, or simply want a bit of extra cash to spend, you can typically request to withdraw your money at any time. 'My short term savings goal is very travel oriented,' says Lily. 'I've done a lot of travelling this year and have got a really big trip next year to Central and South America that I've been saving for over a few years now. 'In the longer term I'd like to own a property, and I also save for a rainy day fund. It's nice to know I'm now putting my money into places where it should benefit me in the long run.' Given the success she's already had with Plum, it's no surprise Lily has been recommending it to friends. Plum offers more than 25 professionally managed investment funds 'It's so hard to save money at the moment, and I have a lot of friends who have good jobs but are still living paycheck to paycheck,' she says. 'I've recommended the app to them because you don't really notice the money going out of your bank account until you check. 'It's one of those things that can feel a bit scary to start with, but the longer you're on it the more benefit you'll receive!' Download Plum NOW (available on the App Store and Google Play). *Includes a bonus rate of 1.22% if kept for 12 consecutive months. To secure the bonus rate, savers must make no more than three withdrawals in a year. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may change in the future. Always do your own research. **Easy Access Interest Pockets are provided by Investec Bank Plc. Money held in an Easy Access Interest Pocket is protected up to 85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Young people are taking early retirements to 'own their own time' Young people are pledging to take 'mini-retirements' throughout their careers to maintain a better work-life balance. A new trend has emerged on TikTok that sees Gen Z workers from around the world vowing to take periodic breaks from the office to protect their 'mental health' - despite being several decades away from the retirement age. According to Gen Z, 'micro-retiring' allows them to focus on themselves, 'make the most of youth', and 'optimise [their] mental health'. 'It's basically where, throughout your career, you time off instead of waiting [or] deferring [till] you're older to take all of your retirement,' one TikTok user explained. The time off can vary from a few week to a year - with people using the career breaks to travel or work on their own projects. However, some have been more sceptical of the trend - with one person writing: 'The American mind cannot comprehend long term leave so they invent micro retirement'. Another added: 'Isn't this just going on holiday?' Young people are pledging to take 'mini-retirements' throughout their careers to maintain a better work life balance. In one video, British creator, Adama Lorna, (pictured) described the phenomenon. 'It's this idea that instead of waiting until you we're 60 or 70 to travel the world and try and indulge in this hobbies, you do them when you have your youth, energy and health - you dot them around your life' In the UK, the earliest that men and women can access their State Pension is 66. However, this is likely to be higher for Gen Z since the the age of retirement is expected to gradually increase beginning 6 May 2026. The phrase 'micro-retirement' was first described in The 4-Hour Workweek, a self-help and careers guidance book published by the entrepreneur, Tim Ferris, in 2007. With a four-hour work week being an unlikely reality for most Brits, many have taken heed of other ideas in the book, such as the 'micro-retirement'. In one video, British creator Adama Lorna summarised the phenomenon by saying: 'It's this idea that instead of waiting until you we're 60 or 70 to travel the world and try and indulge in this hobbies, you do them when you have your youth, energy and health - you dot them around your life 'This retirement frees up your mind to think about so many other things,' she continued, insisting the 'uninterpreted' time can give way to 'fulfilment within'. In another video, an American creator who goes by the name anaisfelt described her experience living in a 'mini-retirement'. 'I am currently in a mini-retirement. I actually took off six months from my corporate job and I've just started interviewing again,' she told viewers. Another TikToker described quitting their corporate job to focus on taking time to themselves 'I planned on taking six months to a year off and I have never felt better. I've never felt healthier, I've never felt more rested, it's been amazing and I highly recommend it.' While some might worry that an extended period out of the workplace could impact their career trajectory and growth, Anais maintained that her employers 'don't care' about the 'micro-retirement'. 'I will say I am interviewing with some of the top companies in tech right now and none of them seem to care,' she insisted. Commenting on the video, several TikTok users asked how she managed to afford the break from work, which she responded to by insisting she 'saved' in advance. Another wondered how one would transition back to work after a big break, asking 'How do you possibly go back to work after the break?' Founder of Practice Aptitude Tests, Guy Thornton, remarked on the trend. 'As the younger generations have begun to normalise a heavier focus on well-being and a good work-life balance, comes a new career trend. Instead of waiting until retirement to travel the world, Gen Z is taking time between jobs to have time out. 'Whether it's time off to travel, to have a well-deserved break from working, or to take up other passions, the micro-retirement trend is the latest buzz in the world of corporate work. 'Younger people prioritise mental health, personal fulfilment, and meaningful experiences over a singular focus on career longevity and progression,' he added. He also cited 'social media' as playing a part in encouraging young people to embark on the trend. Meanwhile, as he pointed out: 'Data from a recent survey has revealed that 45 per cent of Britons expect to work past the average retirement age, with three in four saying they have done little to no financial planning. 'Looking into these statistics, it's evident that people are starting to acknowledge they may work well into their 70s, which is why they are planning periodic rest rather than deferring all leisure to later years. Another, American creator Leona Marlene waxed lyrical about her 'mini-retirement' after having been 'laid off' from a job she 'hated' two years prior - with her partner having decided to be out of work for five years. 'This has been the best decision we ever could have made for ourselves,' she enthused. 'We just feel like we are living so much more.' She continued: 'You can do whatever with your time. Things are changing for millennials and Gen Z. You don't need to sit in office for 40-hours a week.' 'I really think owning your own time is the biggest gift of wealth that you can have and that you can ever give yourself.' However, taking time off with no income isn't realistic for everyone. One commenter on the video remarked: 'My parents won't be able to retire at 65. 70 is unlikely for most millennials. Most of us are just getting by - quitting and taking that much time off is so impractical especially for the majority of people.' Another asked: 'How do you both make your money?' A third 'micro-retiree' took to TikTok to detail her experience after taking an 'adult gap-year' following a brief career in strategy consulting. Creator Brit Foley said: 'When you're in corporate American, there's so much pressure to never take time off and chase promotion cycles and there's so much burnout and if you have a gap on your resume, does that make you less attractive to employers and getting out that mind-set was such a nice break.' 'There's things outside the corporate bubble. You should make the most of your youth and take time off when you can,' she asserted. She explained that she had taken a year off from work to focus on writing her book. Having lost her parents at a young age, she didn't have any 'dependants' and felt she had little to lose. Speaking to The Cut, she said she moved to a cheaper apartment and cut down her living costs, while working shifts at a local restaurant, to help tide her over during the break. 'Taking an adult-gap year helped me to learn more about myself and meet new people and try new experiences and I'm so glad I did it.' Brit also declared she would take more time off in the future, concluding that 'there is more to life than your job and career.' The rise of 'micro-retiring' comes after a study revealed that Gen Z - born between 1996 and 2012 - do not want to work a 9-5 job for the rest of their lives. The poll found that 76 per cent of young people plan to be their own boss in the future and do not want to work for someone else 'forever'. Meanwhile, 39 per cent of the budding young entrepreneurs also believed that they could run a business from their phones and 45 per cent said they could make a living from social media. The poll by Santander also found that 77 per cent of respondents believed their future business venture would be successful. Breast augmentation surgery is expensive with a long recovery time - but now, there's an alternative that's non-surgical and promises minimal to no downtime. New York City's Cleavage Clinic offers a 'natural approach to achieve larger and lifted breasts' using procedures including PRP, PRF, EZ Gel, Morpheus8, and Sculptra and guarantee enhancing or lifting client's breasts in three sessions for a fraction of the cost of invasive surgery. The clinic recently opened and is 'the first and only non-surgical breast enhancement medical facility.' Influencer Olivia Caputo documented the process on TikTok, taking her 84,000 followers with her behind-the-scenes. Olivia told her followers, 'Come with me to get a boob job,' before explaining she was getting Morpheus 8 with PRF 'for a little extra lift,' describing the experience as 'so comfortable and painless.' While she couldn't show the treatment, she said she was 'all giggles as they work their radio frequency microneedling magic.' In a follow-up video, she explained that she didn't get the actual breast lift, she got the scar revision because she already got her own breasts done 10 years ago and did this to help with scarring. Many of her commenters were interested in the process - and the doctors at the Cleavage Clinic told FEMAIL how they make it happen. Influencer Olivia Caputo documented the process on TikTok, taking her 84,000 followers with her behind-the-scenes Olivia told her followers 'come with me to get a boob job,' before explaining she was getting Morpheus 8 with PRF 'for a little extra lift,' describing the experience as 'comfortable and painless' Olivia told DailyMail.com the experience 'did not hurt at all,' because 'they use topical numbing cream and you have the option of using Pro-Nox,' which is an FDA cleared blend of 50/50 Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen. The Pro-Nox also explains why she was laughing. Olivia described the procedure as slightly uncomfortable and said the pain level was a three out of 10. The influencer said the process was easy and fun and took a little over an hour. Olivia underwent PRF, which is a natural injectable treatment that can rejuvenate skin after drawing blood. PRF works to naturally plump the skin, and while it's usually done on the face as a 'vampire facial' it's now all about the cleavage. Olivia also got Morpheus8, which is a microneedling procedure that triggers collagen and elastin production to help firm and tighten skin. 'It feels almost like a stamp into your skin, but it really doesn't hurt,' Olivia revealed. While she couldn't show the treatment, she said she was 'all giggles as they work their radio frequency microneedling magic' Olivia described the procedure as slightly uncomfortable and a pain level of 3 out of 10, calling the process easy and fun, taking a little over an hour PRP, or platelet-rich plasma is a treatment that uses a patient's own blood to help heal by injecting it back into the body. The clinic also uses EZ Gel, which is an injectable plasma filler that can be used to rejuvenate and volumize the skin made from a patient's own blood. Another option is Sculptra, an injectable filler that stimulates collagen production to improve skin firmness and reduce wrinkles. Bri Tomaselli and Noelle Villella are the owners of Cleavage Clinic, and told FEMAIL that their clientele is seeking a mix of procedures to help plump up their cleavage. Bri and Noelle said women are looking for non-surgical lifts and skin tightening or scar revision from previous invasive augmentations or reductions. They also said they have clients who want breast size enhancements as well as young women looking to take preventative measures who are looking for a lift in advance. They've also treated clients who weren't satisfied with the results of their breast augmentation surgeries and wanted non-surgical adjustments. Shafilea Ahmed, 17, was murdered by her parents in an honour killing Forensic experts have revealed how they identified the body of a missing teenager using insect colonies. Shafilea Ahmed, from Warrington, was 17 when she was murdered by her parents Farzana and Ifthikar Ahmed in 2003 when they shoved a plastic bag in her mouth in a honour killing. Shafilea's parents were sentenced to life in prison in 2013 after being convicted of murder after disapproving of her 'Western' fashion, including a short-sleeved T-shirt she wore on the day of her death. Talking in ITV's True Crime Presents: A Murder Without Honour, which airs tonight, Senior Investigating Officer Geraint Jones at Cheshire Police recalled the moment he heard of the body being discovered in Sedgwick. 'I heard on the news that the police in Cumbria had found the body. We'd been looking for an Asian girl for about five months.' Shafilea had keen killed in September but her body wasn't found until February. As the area had experienced heavy flooding the body was hard to identify. Geraint recalled the sense of urgency he felt because he was 'losing evidence by the minute' due to the wet weather. At the same time, Entomologist Dr Amoret Whitaker, made her way to the crime scene from London. She said: 'I'm sitting at my desk at the Natural History Museum, and I get a telephone call, they want me to go up to Cumbria straight away.' She explained: 'The purpose of me being called to the scene is to examine the site and to see if there's any insect evidence remaining there.' Shafilea (pictured) was brutally murdered by her parents by shoving a plastic bag in her mouth and suffocating her Dr Whitaker continued: 'A forensic entomologist examines the insects that are associated with the body. The main purpose of this is to estimate the minimum time since death. 'So, if you can estimate how long the insects have been associated with the body or colonising the body, [it] gives you a minimum time that the person must have been dead, which means the police can focus their investigations on that period of time.' Dr Whitaker added: 'What I'm looking for at the scene is any insects that may have been associated directly with the body. 'If you want to get the most accurate minimum time since death, [it's] usually the blow flies that are the most important insects because they're the first insects to be attracted to the body and the female will lay her eggs on the body.' She continued: 'As soon as I started digging around where the body had been lying, I was starting to find quite mature larvae which had finished feeding on the body. 'I was also finding larvae that had finished the feeding stage, so what [I was] really interested in is finding the oldest insects that have been associated with the body because those are the ones that are going to give me the most accurate minimum time since death. 'Although I'm able to identify straight away the stage of development that these insects have got to, I'm not able to give an immediate time that they would have been laid on the body as eggs because its February....which means that temperatures would have been quite cold. The experts who were first on scene when Shafilea Ahmed's body was discovered have recalled their initial processes in an ITV documentary 'So, these insects would have been developing relatively slowly, compared to, if for instance, we were in the summertime.' Meanwhile, Environmental Profiler Dr Jennifer Miller took to the location to observe the scene. She said: 'Environmental profiling at an outdoor scene takes into consideration the plant remains, the soils, and the interplay of them and the body itself. 'I already know that when the body was lifted, there was adhesion between the vegetation and the body parts themselves, which tells me that she's probably been there since very soon after she went missing simply because the muscles have actually held themselves onto Shafilea's clothing, that couldn't have happened in February because muscles are fairly dormant at that time. 'All my initial observations [led] me to the opinion that, this...area is where Shafilea's body had laid since she was put there. 'However, to be absolutely sure of what I'm looking at, I [had] to go back to the laboratory and do closer observations of the clothing and other items to make sure what I'm seeing is correct. After a string of DNA tests, including comparing dental records with the body's jaw, the body was confirmed to be Shafilea's. Geraint Jones (pictured), first on the scene Senior Investigating Officer at Cheshire Police recalled the moment he heard of the body being discovered in Sedgwick Shafilea was born in 1986 and was the first child of her parents, who had met through an arranged marriage. They built a strict life together, but despite this, their daughter wore make-up and even false nails. Family friend Shanin Munir attended the same mosque as Shafilea's sisters and said the teenager had dreams of becoming a lawyer and had even 'texted boys'. Speaking to The Sun, Shanin said: 'But obviously it was hidden. It couldn't be on her mobile phone because her parents would check.' It was clear that Shafilea had adopted a more Western way of living and her parents continuously tried to curb her 'rebellious ways'. One year the family arranged a holiday to Pakistan, where they intended to marry her off to one of her cousins. Understandably terrified, Shafilea refused to go. So her father drugged her with sleeping pills and forced her to get on the flight. After awaking in Pakistan, the teenager was so terrified about what would happen to her that she downed bleach in a desperate suicide attempt, which severely burnt her throat and oesophagus. Pictured: Shafilea's parents, Iftikhar Ahmed and his wife Farzana at trial at Chester Crown Court Following the incident the family rushed her to hospital, where she was kept for two months in recovery. Her father eventually cashed in her return ticket and flew back to the UK with her two sisters. On her return to the UK she spent some time at a hospital in Warrington, where her father told medical professionals that his daughter had mistaken the bleach for mouthwash. But her home life after that was never the same and her parents began to isolate her. She was allowed to continue with her studies, and to even keep a part-time job in a call centre, however her mother insisted on picking her up everyday. Her parents were furious at her for refusing the marriage and so they plotted an honour killing after they decided she brought shame on their family. They made Shafilea's three younger siblings watch the killing. She was pinned on a sofa as a plastic bag was stuffed into her mouth while they struggled to suffocate her. Shafilea's younger sister recalled how she saw her eye going wide and her legs kicking frantically before she urinated on the sofa in the struggle. After she died, her body was dumped in the river. The parents then told the children they would kill them too if they spoke to anyone about the incident. Police were alerted after Shafilea wasn't seen at school but when they called at the family home they were told she had run away. It wasn't until five months later that a decomposed body was found washed in the River Kent near Sedgwick in Cumbria. It was Shafilea. The body was so badly dismembered that dental records had to be used from her lower jaw and DNA evidence from her right thigh bone confirmed this. The family put on a funeral and pretended to grieve unaware that police were keeping a close eye on them. But in 2015, Shafilea's younger sister Alesha, then-15, didn't want to hide the truth. She took herself to the police and told them her parents had killed her older sister. In 2011, Iftikhar and Farzana Ahmed were arrested and charged on suspicion of murder of their daughter. After seeing the case in the media, family friend Shahin Manir decided to come forward. She had received letters written by Shafilea's other sister talking about the night of the murder. Despite the sister asking her to destroy the letters, she made copies which were used in evidence at the trail for the evil parents. In 2012, Iftikhar and Farzana Ahmed were found guilty and were sentenced to 25 years in prison with no parole. True Crime Presents: A Murder Without Honour is on ITV1 on Tuesday at 9pm After their house burned down in the ongoing wildfires, Los Angeles couple Brian McShea and Stephanie Raynor lost everything - or so they thought. The couple were living in their Altadena home, but were forced to evacuate on January 7 when the Eaton Canyon fire spread. Brian was away when the fires started, leaving Stephanie to flea with their pets in the middle of the night, according to a GoFundMe organized for the couple. However, Brian had been planning on proposing to Stephanie, and had hidden the ring inside a drawer in his desk. Although he didn't have high hopes the ring would still be in tact, when he and Stephanie went back to where their house once stood he went to where his desk was to have a look anyway 'I was thinking, "Well, maybe the stone can survive and maybe we'll find the little stone,"' Brian told ABC7. 'I was like, "We're going to look over here where my desk is,"' Brian recalled. 'I did not tell her why,' he continued. 'I don't know what [she] thought we were looking for because it was pretty obvious that a lot of my stuff was gone.' Brian had been planning on proposing to Stephanie, and had hidden the ring inside a draw in his desk in their house which burned down Brian admitted there were a few false starts when looking for the ring - coming across several shiny things in his digging around - but miraculously, he eventually spotted the diamond. With the ring in his hand, Brian popped the question to an emotional Stephanie, who immediately said yes. The pair posted celebratory photos to Instagram, showing off their unique engagement. In one picture, the loved-up couple had protective gear on, which they wore to search through the remains of their home, with Stephanie flashing her ring which she'd placed on her glove. The next photo showed Brian down on one knee in front of their burned down house, asking for Stephanie's hand in marriage. 'Found the ring in the rubble and asked right away. #keeper,' he captioned the picture. ABC7 reported they don't have a wedding date yet but want to stay living in Altadena. The Eaton fire coincided with another blaze that swept through the ritzy celebrity enclave of Pacific Palisades and up the coast of Malibu. Brian was away when the fires started, leaving Stephanie to flea with their pets in the middle of the night, according to a GoFundMe organized for the couple With the ring in his hand, Brian popped the question to an emotional Stephanie, who immediately said yes Brian admitted there were a few false starts when looking for the ring - coming across several shiny things in his digging around - but miraculously, eventually spotted the diamond That fire destroyed 23,713 acres of real estate and at least 11 people died. Los Angeles officials have asked residents to remain patient while they try to work through the smoldering wreckages of fire-ravaged communities, but frustration is growing as residents demand to return home and survey the damage themselves. Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said he 'understands the frustration people are feeling.' He added: 'They've been basically kept away from their home, where everything they have is, if it's still standing, and they're not allowed to go back in and access that. I would ask for their patience because it's a situation where it's not just a decision to be made, like the flip of a switch. A lot of things are happening right now.' Authorities have also warned scorched communities are now rife with asbestos-filled ash and dangerous debris among the carnage. Officials warned the ash can contain lead, arsenic, asbestos and other harmful materials. Anish Mahajan of the LA County Public Health Department said on Tuesday: 'Ash is not just dirt.' 'It's hazardous fine dust that can irritate or harm your respiratory system and other parts of your body where it lands.' A boss has sparked fury by pushing back on an employee's request to take a day off to attend her uncle's funeral. Lisa texted her manager Sam reminding him of her request for compassionate leave after the death of her uncle, with whom she was close. 'Hey Sam, I've just seen your email about holding off on requesting annual leave, but just wanted to make sure I was still able to take next Wednesday off. I wouldn't be asking, but as you know, it's for my uncle's funeral,' Lisa said in the text. However, the boss refused, saying the leave restrictions must be applied equally. 'Lisa, again I'm very sorry to hear about your uncle as you know, but I can't make any exceptions. If I give you time off, I'll have everyone coming to me with special requests,' he responded. Stunned, Lisa replied: 'Surely you can make an exception here? My uncle and I were really close and I'm sure the rest of the team will understand.' But Sam declined as the death of an uncle did not qualify on the company's compassionate leave scale. 'I am really sorry but no, it would be different if it was immediate family but this is just too much of a stretch,' he responded. A boss has sparked fury after refusing to let an employee take the day off to attend her uncle's funeral. Manager Sam declined to grant employee Lisa's compassionate leave because her uncle was not considered an 'immediate' family member Lisa was not accepting defeat, and negotiated a way to still attend the service. 'It's just one day and I'll make sure I don't fall behind on anything. This would really mean a lot to me,' she said. After spending 15 minutes thinking about the situation, Sam agreed to let Lisa attend the funeral - but not have the whole day off. 'How about you work half the day and make up the hours for the rest of the week? I think we can justify that, just don't tell the others you're getting special treatment lol,' Sam said. Lisa replied: 'Okay thanks.' The text message exchange was shared by British entrepreneur Ben Askins, who calls out 'toxic' bosses for their mistreatment of employees. 'This is madness. This is so bad. He acted like he was doing her a favour?' Ben said after reading out the text messages on social media. 'This is clearly a special occasion. Of course her team would understand. How is this your decision to make? She's already mentioned how close she was to her uncle. What on earth are you playing at here? 'This is an awful moment in your life, stand up and help your team out. Different people require different things at different moments. It's okay to treat some people slightly differently, depending on the circumstance.' After spending 15 minutes thinking about the situation, Sam agreed to let Lisa attend the funeral - but there were conditions she needed to meet His video has been viewed more than 12,000 times, with many weighing in on the office worker's situation. 'Going to a family funeral is not a request, it's letting them know you won't be there at work,' one suggested. 'Literally after the first no I would've said that's a shame, I'll also be working my notice when I get back from the funeral,' another said. 'I'd be looking for a new job ASAP,' one added. Meanwhile, many shared their own experiences after having to take time off work to attend a family member's funeral. 'I was really upset when my husband's uncle died, he wouldn't have certainly counted as a close relative, but my boss is a human luckily,' one said. 'One of my ex-colleagues was refused time off for her aunt's funeral because aunts and uncles were not considered "close enough family", She quit the next day,' another shared. 'That's mad. My boss let me have a free day to go to my mum's best friend's funeral because I had known her my whole life and she was basically like an aunt,' one said. In 2017 it took almost three months for the White House to release an official portrait of the new First Lady who in a significant break from tradition had yet to move permanently into the executive mansion. Amidst swirling rumours that Melanias relocation was contingent upon (from her view) successful renegotiation of her pre-nup, she was a largely absent figure in the Trump eco-system, and certainly a peripheral presence as the administration crafted its public image. Fast forward four years and this time things, like so much else in Trump 2.0, look very different. Less than twenty-four hours after watching her husband be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, Melania found herself, bags already unpacked, standing in front of her long-time photographer Regine Mahaux in the distinctive Yellow Oval Room, supposedly one of Melanias favorites, posing for a picture that even for more traditionally minded presidential consorts rarely appears with such haste. Melania Trump's White House portrait was released on Monday Like the bombardment of executive orders and policy announcements that sprang from the West Wing in opening hours of the new administration, Melanias lightning-fast pictorial statement - in bold black and white (another barrier breaking feature of the image) - makes clear that she too realizes that not only is there no time to waste in declaring herself part of a presidential triumvirate (she is picture three in the line-up after her husband and his vice-president on the White House homepage). But this also signals that Melania is ready to take on the kind of powerful White House role that she so clearly shunned the first time round. Take for instance her choice to wear Dolce & Gabbana. While nothing new in that nor in her decision to opt for one of the brands iconic tuxedos - shed opted for both in her 2017 picture (earning her one of her only designer endorsements) - in this new iteration we find none of the glitzy cocktail glamour that was at this point in her fashion evolution a hallmark, and which the soft hues and subtle smile of the previous picture embodied. Instead, Melania is captured in an ensemble that was literally a home-office style staple during her first tenure - one worn almost daily as she went about work in the White House that whatever her critics say was not without significance. Replacing the sequin beaded foulard that had been tied artfully around her neck with a crisp white cotton shirt left suggestively open at the neck, she also cannily eschewed in this iteration any jewelry, ensuring that the viewers eye (and of course subsequent critique) revolves firmly around the woman - rather than jaw-dropping D-flawless emerald cut diamond ring that featured prominently in First Lady Melania Part 1. An essential accessory for any Upper East Side trophy wife (this one is Graff, 25 carats, bought by Donald in 2015 as a ten-year anniversary gift for a reported $3 million) - Melania seems to be making it plain that she no longer needs that kind of one-dimensional validation. A bold, confident, disciplined and always, sharply tailored boss was the Melania that the public got today and, up until now, was a woman that only those who worked closest with her were allowed to see. Melania and President Donald Trump are pictured at the Liberty Ball during the 60th Presidential Inauguration last week Captured by the same photographer who in 2017 clearly felt a need to create a public gloss of the private individual, this was the answer to the Free Melania movement of years earlier. While trusted stylist Herve Pierre was doubtlessly on hand for the important moment, advising, tweaking and adding the precision perfection that only a master of haute couture can offer - this was really Melania standing on her own sartorial and professional two feet. While some may be disappointed not to have had more of a glimpse of the new Trump family home (getting only the southwest window of the ornate and overtly feminine reception space) - I think we actually got something far more interesting. Like Melanias surprise decision to travel with her husband to disaster struck North Carolina and California, Melania is sending all the signals that she is ready and eager for the presidential platform. Like President Trump, emboldened and confident, Melania seems ready to give what Americans have asked for. A model has boasted she's the 'world's most wanted girlfriend' after claiming she's received applications from 5,000 men who want to date her. Vera Dijkmans, who lives in London, set tongues wagging when she announced on social media that she would be accepting applications from men to be her boyfriend. Despite being flooded with thousands of responses, the 27-year-old said it was slim pickings to find a mate as only three of the thousands of men fit her strict criteria. However sadly, no romance blossomed for Vera, who has over seven million followers across social media. Now she has shared tips on how to attract the right man and revealed where other women are going 'wrong'. The sought-after singleton is now sharing some advice for women who are also struggling to find Mr Right. She said: 'Women need to have more respect for themselves and set clear boundaries with men. 'A man should take you on a proper date like going out for dinner or doing an activity together. Vera Dijkmans, who lives in London, claimed to be the 'world's most wanted girlfriend' after 5,000 men applied to date her 'You shouldn't settle for late-night requests to 'come over' or going on dates where he has made no effort to plan in advance. 'This is a hard rule of mine. If they don't suggest an impressive first date, I won't bother going. And he should bring you a gift, too. 'I've received things like expensive clothing including from Louis Vuitton and Hermes but it's mostly about the gesture. 'A bouquet with flowers would also be OK. 'It doesn't have to be something extravagant but it shows that he values your time and company. 'I want the princess treatment because that is what I deserve and you do, too.' Vera has also shared the key red flags that women should watch out for. She said: 'You shouldn't accept behaviour such as him only texting you after 10pm, because it shows that he doesn't respect you. Vera made headlines after announcing on social media that she would be accepting applications from men to be her boyfriend Despite being flooded with thousands of responses, the 27-year-old, says only three of the men fit her strict criteria Each of the 15 quiz questions were designed to reveal applicants' lifestyles, values and level of commitment Sadly, no romance blossomed for Vera, who has over seven million followers across social media The sought-after singleton is now sharing some advice for women who are also struggling to find Mr Right Vera said women 'shouldn't settle for late-night requests' to 'come over' or 'go on dates where he has made no effort to plan in advance' 'If that happens, you should immediately cut him off. 'You also need to keep an eye out for men that make false promises or have double standards. 'If they don't take care of themselves both in terms of hygiene and finances, that's another big red flag for me.' Vera believes any relationship without these 'fundamental rules' will fail. The model admits that she has been subject to backlash from women who disagree with her approach or are 'jealous' of her. She said: 'A family member who has been looking for a man herself for a long time refused to talk to me after I put out the boyfriend application she told me it's disgraceful. 'Sometimes I feel jealousy from other women, even in a professional setting. 'I recently had an interaction with a make-up artist who didn't want to help me because she noticed her boyfriend followed me on social media. Vera said if men don't suggest an' impressive first date' or don't 'bring her a gift' she won't bother going Vera has also shared the key red flags that women should watch out for which include a man texting after 10pm and 'double standards' The model admits that she has been subject to backlash from women who disagree with her approach or are 'jealous' of her Vera said to keep an eye out for men that make 'false promises' or have 'double standards' Vera believes men are attracted to her because she is 'authentically herself' Vera said she has learned that getting attention from men is 'not the most important thing in life' so she is happy to be single while she waits for Mr.Right The model isn't about to settle for anything less than she deserves, with her criteria including being intelligent, funny, responsible and 'preferably rich' 'But thankfully, I also have plenty of women who support and wish me well. 'And, I'm not going to lie, it felt amazing to have so many men apply to be my boyfriend.' Vera believes men are attracted to her because she is 'authentically herself'. But the model isn't about to settle for anything less than she deserves, with her criteria including being intelligent, funny, responsible and 'preferably rich'. She said: 'At the moment, I've put the boyfriend search on hold but I'm keeping my options open. 'I'm just very picky and I need a guy to be almost perfect. 'I don't think I should have to compromise on my needs I'd rather be single until I find the man I'm meant to be with. 'It obviously feels good to receive attention and be loved, but I have also learned that getting attention from men is not the most important thing in life.' The Princess of Wales wore a necklace from a celebrated Jewish curator as she attended a moving a Holocaust Memorial Service in London yesterday. As she made an appearance at the event, which paid tribute to those who suffered the horrors committed during World War II, Kate Middleton appeared to send a message of support with her accessories. The royal, 43, donned a stunning vintage faux pearl necklace from luxury jeweller Susan Caplan during the commemoration. The brand took their Instagram page to thank Kate for highlighting an artist from a community which was horrifically victimised by the Holocaust. 'Today marks 80 years since the Holocaust, and as a Jewish owned brand we are honoured that the Princess of Wales chose to wear our necklace for todays memorial to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day,' they penned, in a post alongside a photo of the future Queen. Susan is globally revered in the world of jewellery, and the 80s vintage design donned by the Princess will be 'back in stock soon', according to the site. The piece is listed for 275 and is made up by 'rhodium plated five row pearl strand necklace'. The description added that it 'features luminous faux pearls in graduating sizes' and 'closes with an embellished Swarovski crystal clasp, weighted extension chain and hook'. The Princess of Wales wore a necklace from a celebrated Jewish curator as she attended a moving a Holocaust Memorial Service in London yesterday Susan's pieces have graced a number of high profile celebrities and her collections have been showcased across The Metropolitan Museum of Art Shop and the New York and The Victoria and Albert Museum Shop. It comes as, yesterday, the Princess of Wales had an emotional reunion with genocide survivors during the memorial service. Kate joined her husband Prince William, 42, who himself paid tribute to those who lost their lives during an official event to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of former Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. The ceremony at Guildhall - which was shown on BBC1 at 7pm today - brought together faith and civic leaders as well as survivors of the Holocaust and more recent genocides. Princess Kate, wearing all black, and William, dressed in a navy suit and blue tie, described it as a 'great honour' to attend as they met with a group of survivors who told her of their heart rendering personal stories. This included an emotional reunion with Steven Frank, 89, whom Kate met four years ago when the pair shared a hug in touching scenes in which she told him: 'I want to give you a big cuddle.' As she made an appearance at the event, which paid tribute to those who suffered the horrors committed during World War II , Kate Middleton appeared to send a message of support with her accessories The brand took their Instagram page to thank Kate for highlighting an artist from a community which was horrifically victimised by the Holocaust Kate had taken a photo of Mr Frank and his grandchildren in 2020 as part of the 'Generations: Portrait of Holocaust Survivors' project that at the time marked 75 years since the end of the genocide. He thanked her for sending him a Christmas card and the pair chatted about his family. She also warmly embraced survivor Yvonne Bernstein, 87 - who also had her picture taken by the Princess in 2020 - before Kate clasped her hands and sat beside her and said: '(It is) such a treat for me (to see) an old friend.' Meanwhile, King Charles III yesterday became the first British head of state to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau as he told Holocaust survivors it was 'sombre and sacred' to be in Poland. William and Kate were greeted on arrival by Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, and its chairwoman of trustees Laura Marks. The annual event remembers the six million Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust, as well as the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution and those who died in subsequent genocides. William sat with Polish born Alfred Garwood, who survived Bergen-Belsen as a child and Bosnian genocide survivor Sabina Kadic-Mackenzie, who now lives in Liverpool. Both the Prince and Princess discussed their desire to teach their children about the Holocaust, with William saying: 'George is getting to the age where he's starting to understand things. So it's getting interesting to talk to him about what happened.' Susan's pieces have graced a number of high profile celebrities and her collections have been showcased across The Metropolitan Museum of Art Shop and the New York and The Victoria and Albert Museum Shop. Pictured, Susan Susan is globally revered in the world of jewellery, and the 80s vintage design donned by the Princess will be 'back in stock soon', according to the site Apologising that they couldn't spend longer talking, he said: 'There is a lot of history at this table, we need to hear it all.' Kate posed for a photograph with Bergen-Belsen survivor Rachel Levy and another survivor, Robert George Berkowitz told the Princess: 'William is the luckiest man in the world to have you!' She giggled and replied: 'I will tell him that!' The Princess asked Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines: 'Do you write a diary? It's so important that these stories are written down. They are still relevant stories.' Speaking to Ms Marks-Woldman, Kate described the commemorations as 'so important', adding: 'It is great to be here today with my husband.' William said: 'I can't believe it's been 80 years. It's staggering.' The pair were then shown to the Old Library where they met with two tables of survivors and their families. The roughly 50 Holocaust survivors in attendance were then gathered for a group photo, with the royals initially continuing to chat with their table as they assembled. William and Kate joined the photo alongside Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner. Kate and William li candles during a ceremony in London commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day Once taken, Sir Keir could be heard saying to one survivor that the photo was 'fantastic'. All guests then moved to the Great Hall for a special ceremony. The hall's walls, ceiling and chandeliers were lit purple as the London Youth Chamber Choir performed with an orchestra on stage. Inside the Guildhall's Great Hall, the royal couple watched on solemnly as survivors shared their testimonies. Several extracts from memoirs written by Jewish people during the Holocaust were read out, including by TV personality Robert Rinder, while the testimonies of survivors were also played on TV screens. In a short speech, William said: 'I am honoured to join you today to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and to remember the millions murdered during the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides. 'We also remember those survivors who have lived with scars, both mental and physical. 'Their bravery, in sharing with us the most harrowing moments of their lives, are extremely powerful and ensure that we never forget. I assure them we never will.' Inside the Guildhall's Great Hall, the royal couple watched on solemnly as survivors shared their testimonies The prince then read an extract from the book Holocaust Heroes, which made reference to the efforts made by his great-grandmother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, to help a Jewish family in need. Speaking afterwards, Mr Frank, who was just nine and imprisoned at Theresienstadt when Auschwitz was liberated in 1945, said of his reunion with the Princess: 'She's just such a darling, you know? She's just such a lovely person. My grandchildren would be thrilled when I was telling them about it when I get my home, yeah, she's just as always, Kate. 'And she's warm and kind and just a lovely person. [It was] lovely to see her. And she looked well, I thought, as well. I asked her how she was, and she said she was fine, and that's a good thing too.' Mr Frank's father had been gassed to death for speaking out against the Nazis by the time he was liberated. Whilst at the camp his mother would do laundry for prisoners in exchange for a small amount of bread. She would put crumbs into the pan, adding hot water to make a paste. She would give each child a spoonful to keep them alive, denying herself of the food. It was this act of kindness from his mother and her use of the pan that ultimately saved his life. He survived multiple concentration camps and Mr Frank and his brothers are three of only 93 children who survived the camp, out of 15,000 children sent there. He was born in Amsterdam in 1935 and knew of Anne Frank and her family, although they were not related, who had taken refuge in the city. Anne and her family hid in a 17th-century canal house, known as the Secret Annex, from Nazi persecution for two years before being caught by the Gestapo in 1944. Anne died at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in early 1945 aged 15. In a short speech, William said: 'I am honoured to join you today to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and to remember the millions murdered during the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides' The Princess of Wales lit a candle during a ceremony inside the Guildhall to mark Holocaust Memorial Day William also read an extract from the book Holocaust Heroes, which made reference to the efforts made by his great-grandmother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, to help a Jewish family At the end of the ceremony William and Kate each appeared on stage to gather a flame and light their own candles Giving his own speech, Sir Keir said the Holocaust was a 'collective endeavour' by ordinary people 'consumed by the hatred of difference'. The Prime Minister said: 'We start by remembering the six million Jewish victims and by defending the truth against anyone who would deny it. So we will have a National Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre to speak this truth for eternity. 'But as we remember, we must also act. Because we say never again, but where was never again in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur, or the acts of genocide against Yazidi. 'Today, we have to make those words mean more. So we will make Holocaust education a truly national endeavour.' Sir Keir said all schools would teach the Holocaust and give opportunities to hear a recorded survivor testimony so that 'we can develop that empathy for others and that appreciation of our common humanity, which is the ultimate way to defeat the hatred of difference'. Other political attendees at the event were Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey, as well as the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley. At the end of the ceremony William and Kate each appeared on stage to gather a flame and light their own candles. The poignant hour-long ceremony, hosted by BBC presenter Reeta Chakrabarti, featured readings from TV star Rob Rinder and the actress Bel Powley, interspersed with music and archive film as well as the testimony of survivors of the Holocaust and other genocides. In the most moving segment, the cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason played Schindler's List as survivors and the Prince and Princess took turns to light commemorative candles on stage. Thanking them for attending, Olivia Marks-Woldman said: 'Your presence and contributions today send a powerful message at this time of increased Holocaust distortion and inversion of the imperative of safeguarding the historical record and for us all to take personal responsibility to uphold the truth of the past and work towards a better future.' Speaking afterwards she added: 'The Prince and Princess of Wales are providing real leadership at a time when communities are feeling so vulnerable and so isolated, but they're not only providing leadership by joining us, they were actually joining in. That is such an example to all of us. We can all show up and be here, and we can all take steps to do something about what we've learned as we come together on Holocaust Memorial Day.' The popular fried chicken chain Popeyes has unveiled plans to open 45 new restaurants across the UK. The US-based fast food franchise first landed in the UK in 2021 and has since amassed millions of hungry fans across the country. Known for its rapid service and decadent crispy chicken meals, the chain has quickly become a staple for takeaway loving Brits, and last year opened a further 33 new locations across the UK. The New Orleans style venues sell a wide range of chicken meals, including spicy burgers, wraps and expertly seasoned buttermilk poultry pieces. Among its sprawling menu of delectable chicken delights, Popeyes also sell fries, mac & cheese and Louisiana-style biscuits with gravy. The American fast-food joint opened its first UK restaurant in Westfield shopping centre in Stratford in 2021. Popeyes now boasts dozens of venues across the country, with a growing appetite for the fried chicken takeaways driving the company to open further joints in other parts of the country. The popular fried chicken chain Popeyes has unveiled plans to open 45 new restaurants across the UK (pictured: Popeyes in Chelmsford, Essex) Known for its rapid service and decadent crispy chicken meals, the chain has quickly become a staple for takeaway loving Brits, and last year opened a further 33 new locations across the UK New chicken joints are set to pop up in Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol and Manchester, as well as in Liverpool, London and Scotland. The brand has revealed that there will be different versions of the restaurant arriving, including dine-in eateries, drive-thru spots and delivery kitchens specifically for takeaway orders. And enjoying a mouth-watering box of chicken on the go will become even easier for travellers, with the chain unveiling plans to open kitchens near a number of train stations. Tom Crowley, chief of Popeyes UK, said: '2025 is set to be another incredibly exciting year for Popeyes UK, building on the significant successes our team generated in 2024 as we ended the year with an annual sales run rate of 150m.' Amid growing concerns from a number of hospitality outlets across Britain, Popeyes is just one of several US companies looking to hold fast on the high street. The decision that may prove incredibly tactile in the wake of the ever expanding fast-food industry. Last year, a Barclays report revealed that Brits had chowed down on 2.8 per cent more takeaways. Elsewhere, another popular fried chicken joint, Wingstop, recently revealed plans to add to their collection of restaurants in the UK. The brand have revealed that there will be different versions of the restaurant arriving, including dine-in eateries, drive-thru spots and delivery kitchens specifically for takeaway orders New chicken joints are set to pop up in Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol and Manchester, as well as in Liverpool, London and Scotland Last year, a Barclays report revealed that Brits had chowed down on 2.8 per cent more takeaways (pictured: a Popeyes branch in Toronto, Canada) The franchise - which has been branded 'more popular than KFC' and closely rivals Popeyes - also recently announced plans to open an additional 20 branches. Wingstop currently has 57 sites across Britain and has revealed the locations of the first six it plans to open - with the others still being kept under wraps. These will include dine-in restaurants in Swansea, Newcastle, Lakeside shopping centre in Essex, Streatham in south London and Cardigan Fields in Leeds. The fast food chain will also open a kitchen in Brighton that will be used for takeaway deliveries. Wingstop first came to the UK in 2018 after British entrepreneurs Tom Grogan, Herman Sahota and Saul Lewin opened their first store in central London. They recently sold their business to California-based private equity firm Sixth Street for 400 million in one of the biggest take-overs deals for a restaurant brand in Britain. The company currently employs 2,500 staff and is the fastest-growing restaurant brand in the UK. The fast food outlet, known for its buffalo chicken wings and cheesy fries, even counts Stormzy as a fan. The US chain of restaurants was founded in Texas in 1994 with restaurants decorated with an aviation theme. In a TripAdvisor review, one customer said: 'Wingstop is so much better than most ordinary KFC because it's more than a meal, it's a flavour experience' Wingstop currently has 57 sites across the UK and has revealed the location of six of the 20 branches to open this year. Bradford Wingstop is pictured Recent figures released by Deliveroo revealed that Wingstop has become one of the UK's most popular fast food providers - with its option of eight boneless wings the nation's bestselling dish and ranked second worldwide. The chicken wars have been simmering for years and flared up in 2019 after Popeyes launched a fried chicken sandwich. Its popularity grew after Chick-fil-A claimed the sandwich was originally its idea. By 2020, fast food chains like Fatburger and Wendy's joined the war with their own chicken sandwiches. Other chains to add chicken sandwiches to their menus included Shake Shack, McDonald's and Burger King. This comes as British high streets have seen an influx of American fast food restaurants opening. The Sun first reported that US chain Chick-fil-A will launch in Leeds, Liverpool and London this year. The boom in Wingstop UK has coincided with the popularity of YouTube shows, such as Hot Ones where celebrities eat spicy wings while being interviewed. The rapid expansion of the chain is set to continue and Sixth Street aim to have 200 sites by 2029 and will acquire a majority stake in Lemon Pepper Holdings, which operates Wingstop in the UK and Ireland. Iceland has announced that a much-loved chocolate bar will return to its shelves next week - after being discontinued three years ago. The budget supermarket took to X/Twitter to share the good news with its customers, announcing that everyone's 'favourite' chocolate is back. Milky Way Crispy Rolls will hit Iceland's shelves on February 4 for a week alongside two brand-new additions - Bounty Crispy Rolls and Twix Crispy Rolls. The frozen-food retailer will sell each chocolate bar for 50p - but shoppers who are particularly hungry have the option to buy all three for 1.20. Although the Milky Way Crispy Bars are returning for a limited time only, chocoholics took to X to express their excitement. 'Hooray!' one overjoyed shopper exclaimed. 'I'm glad these chocolates are back in the shops. My stomach has missed them.' With his mouth clearly watering, another user described the Milky Way Crispy Bars as 'amazing' and a sugary snack that 'reminds me of my childhood'. Mars discontinued the beloved Milky Way Crispy Rolls in 2022, explaining that the chocolatey treat was 'in a galaxy far, far away'. From February 4, Iceland will sell the Milky Way Crispy Rolls, the Bounty Crispy Rolls and the Twix Crispy Rolls for 50p each - but shoppers who are particularly hungry have the option to buy all three for 1.20 Social media erupted with heartfelt posts as thousands voiced their disappointment, including one emotional tweet that summed up the nation's mood: 'Woke up to see apparently Crispy Rolls have been discontinued??! Week ruined nobody talk to me'. At the time, a spokesperson for Mars Wrigley UK told The Sun: 'The love for Milky Way Crispy Rolls has been out of this world and we've certainly taken note!' Three years later, nostalgic fans continued to rally for a chocolate comeback, with one Change.org petition amassing over 8,600 signatures. Then a series of mysterious billboards appeared overnight in London showcasing a selection of passionate online pleas including a fan's humorous lament: 'When they decided to discontinue Milky Way crispy rolls, they decided to discontinue a part of me.' The truth is now out: the billboard campaign was all part of the triumphant return of the fan-favourite Milky Way Crispy Rolls. A spokesperson for Mars Wrigley commented: 'We don't shy away from our mistakes at Mars. We wanted to show that the people had spoken, and we had listened! 'This is a fan favourite, so we're celebrating by introducing two new flavours as well. This is all about you our fans eating and enjoying life's simple pleasures; Crispy Rolls!' Although the Milky Way Crispy Bars are returning for a limited time only, chocoholics took to X to express their excitement - saying that the chocolatey treat 'reminds me of my childhood' Iceland will sell each chocolate bar for 50p A series of mysterious billboards appeared overnight in London showcasing a selection of passionate online pleas One fan's humorous lament read: 'When they decided to discontinue Milky Way crispy rolls, they decided to discontinue a part of me' The sweet news comes just weeks after another discontinued chocolatey treat was spotted in Home Bargains. Posting to the Snack Reviews group on Facebook, one user triumphantly declared that he found White Chocolate Crunch bars in the British budget store. The much-loved snack, made from white chocolate and crisped rice, made a brief reappearance in Londis stores in April 2024 but Nestle later confirmed that there were 'no current plans to bring them back'. So now that the beloved treat is back in stock at Home Bargains, fans have raced to to get their hands on a 100g bar for 1.39. 'Take my money,' one desperate user wrote on Facebook, while a second fan described it as the 'best chocolate ever'. Others said they 'needed to try' the chocolate bar, with some hoping that the dark chocolate version would be returning as well. The classic milk chocolate crunch is still widely available across British supermarkets - with a 100g bar retailing for around 1.40. For those who are not lucky enough to have a Home Bargains nearby, one user said that she had seen the White Chocolate Crunch bar in Farmfoods. 'A bit cheaper at 1,' she said. 'They had the milk chocolate and white chocolate ones.' Prince William appeared in high spirits this morning as he visited a Hereford farm to learn about its journey to becoming net zero. The Prince of Wales, 42, travelled to Lower Blakemere Farm, which is located on his Duchy of Cornwall estate. The 630-acre farm was founded by couple Adrian and Valli, who began nurturing land that was part of the Guys Hospital Estate in the 1980s. When the couple retired, married couple Phil and Heather took over the day-to-day running of the farm, which also employs their son Monty. Today, the Prince of Wales - who is passionate about environmental causes - is learning about the family's regenerative farming practices as part of their journey to net zero. For the outing, the Prince cut a casual figure in a green waterproof and tweed baker boy hat. The royal father-of-three wore a light blue shirt and a pair of practical navy trousers. Moments after arriving, William viewed a brand-new grain store and a variety of regenerative farming equipment, including a large seed drill in operation. Pictured: the Prince of Wales tours Lower Blakemere Farm in Hereford with its owner Phil, who runs the business with his wife Heather After this, William accompanied the farming family on a tour to see their composting projects. Today's engagement is part of a greater environmental cause the Prince of Wales is known to feel deeply about. Prince William founded The Earthshot Prize in 2020 - having been inspired by John F Kennedy's Moonshot initiative that united millions of people around the common goal of putting put a man on the moon. Each year, the global campaign selects 15 finalists to take part in a Fellowship Programme and awards five programmes with 1m to scale up their groundbreaking projects. Since it was founded in 2020, The Earthshot Prize has given more than 20m away in prize money for environmental causes and been the catalyst for over 86m in direct support for 60 Prize Winners and Finalists. On top of this, Earthshot alumni from 2021-2023 have reduced, avoided, or captured 420,000 tonnes of CO2 emissionsequivalent to taking around 100,000 cars off the road for one yearand protected and restored 170,000 square kilometres of land and ocean, an area the size of Ireland and Iceland combined. It's shaping up to be a busy week for Prince William, who attended a poignant Holocaust memorial event in London last night with his wife. The Prince and Princess of Wales took part in the official event at Guidhall to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of former Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. The emotional ceremony brought together faith and civic leaders as well as survivors of the Holocaust and more recent genocides. Moments after arriving, William viewed a brand-new grain store and a variety of regenerative farming equipment, including a large seed drill in operation Pictured: The Prince of Wales being shown worm composting during a visit to Lower Blakemere Farm The 630-acre farm was established in the early 1980s as a specialist seed grower with a herd of South Devon cattle Pictured: The Prince of Wales being shown a seed drill during a visit to Lower Blakemere Farm, a Duchy Focus Farm in Hereford Pictured: The Prince of Wales during a visit to Lower Blakemere Farm, a Duchy Focus Farm in Hereford Prince William appeared in high spirits this morning as he visited a Hereford farm to learn about its journey to becoming net zero This morning, the Prince of Wales, 42, travelled to Lower Blakemere Farm, which is located on his Duchy of Cornwall estate Pictured: The Prince of Wales speaking to workers at Lower Blakemere Farm, which is aiming to become net zero The Prince of Wales - who is passionate about environmental causes - is learning about the family's regenerative farming practices as part of their journey to net zero Today's engagement is part of a greater environmental cause the Prince of Wales is known to feel deeply about Princess Kate, wearing all black with a five-string pearl necklace, and William, dressed in a navy suit and blue tie, described it as a 'great honour' to attend as they met with a group of survivors who told her of their heartrendering personal stories. This included an emotional reunion with Steven Frank, 89, whom Kate met four years ago when the pair shared a hug in touching scenes in which she told him: 'I want to give you a big cuddle.' Kate had taken a photo of Mr Frank and his grandchildren in 2020 as part of the 'Generations: Portrait of Holocaust Survivors' project that at the time marked 75 years since the end of the genocide. He thanked her for sending him a Christmas card and the pair chatted about his family. She also warmly embraced survivor Yvonne Bernstein, 87 - who also had her picture taken by the Princess in 2020 - before Kate clasped her hands and sat beside her and said: '(It is) such a treat for me (to see) an old friend.' It comes as King Charles III today became the first British head of state to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau as he told Holocaust survivors it was 'sombre and sacred' to be in Poland. Martha Stewart is still open to hosting Saturday Night Live - even after her parole officer allegedly barred her from doing the gig in 2005. The homemaking mogul, 83, spent five months in prison in 2004 and five months on house arrest, followed by two years of supervised probation after she was found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction, and making false statements to investigators, per NBC News. Even though the case is behind her now, Stewart seems to still have some grudges that she's holding. During a Monday night appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the Martha Stewart Omnimedia founder revealed that she was asked to host SNL shortly after she was released from prison, but wasn't allowed to. The topic came about after Fallon asked her if she would ever be open to hosting the late-night comedy show. 'I wanted to and they asked me as I was coming out of Alderson, that camp that I was in for a while, and my parole officer wouldn't give me the time to do it,' Stewart admitted, in reference to Alderson Federal Prison. 'I was allowed to be out of my house eight hours a day,' she said, as Fallon asked if her parole officer had given permission. 'No, that b*****d,' Stewart joked, adding that she still has the officer's 'name and number.' Martha Stewart is still open to hosting Saturday Night Live - even after her parole officer allegedly barred her from doing the gig in 2005 The topic came about after Fallon asked her if she would ever be open to hosting the late-night comedy show 'But Lorne [Michaels] called you and said, "Would you like to host?"' Fallon asked her. 'Yeah, I'm so p***ed,' Stewart said with a laugh. 'Maybe someday.' The two then talked about how 'fantastic' of a host the CBD founder would make. 'Start a campaign,' she joked. In the past, Stewart has shared some details of her time in prison, and it was heavily discussed in her 2024 Netflix documentary, Martha. But in a 2021 interview with Harper's Bazaar, she opened up about her stint in prison, explaining how she dealt with the hard time. 'I knew I was strong going in and I was certainly stronger coming out,' Stewart said of her time in the facility. However, it seems like the experience is not something she takes lightly. In the past, Stewart has shared some details of her time in prison, and it was heavily discussed in her 2024 Netflix documentary, Martha Her appearance on The Tonight Show comes just one day after she appeared in a Super Bowl teaser ad for Uber Eats with pop star Charlie XCX 'It was a very serious happening in my life. I take it very seriously,' she explained. 'I'm not bitter about it, but My daughter knows all the problems that resulted because of that. There's a lot.' Her appearance on The Tonight Show comes just one day after she appeared in a Super Bowl teaser ad for Uber Eats with pop star Charlie XCX. One of the teasers showed them doing a TikTok trend together, called 'We listen and we don't judge' - where they essentially shared honest thoughts they had about one another without being able to judge the other person. With good television comes a bit of creative license - and medical dramas are prime territory for that. But Max's new series The Pitt - starring ER alum Noah Wyle - has taken medical professionals by surprise with its accuracy and likeness to working in a real hospital. The show presents a 'realistic examination of the challenges facing healthcare workers in America as seen through the lens of the frontline heroes working in a modern-day hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,' as per the synopsis. Healthcare workers are now taking to social media to share their thoughts on the series, and many are declaring it the most accurate representation of working in a hospital on TV. 'Like most doctors, I watch any medical show that tries to be realistic with a lot of skepticism,' anesthesiology resident Dr. Tricia Pendergrast said in a TikTok. 'Despite that,' she continued. 'I was fairly pleasantly surprised by the first two episodes of The Pitt.' While the doctor noted there were obviously more trauma cases and cardiac arrests than a regular hospital, there are a lot of 'nuanced things' that producers have nailed about working in an emergency room. The anesthesiologist said some of the accuracies include the emergency physicians always drinking energy drinks, the waiting room always being full and patients getting angry when they have to wait because sicker patients are being seen first. Max's new series The Pitt - starring ER alum Noah Wyle - has taken medical professionals by surprise with its accuracy and likeness to working in a real hospital 'There are very real things, like doctors not taking care of themselves and throwing up in the bathroom and going back to work, or the fact that Doctor Robbie clearly has PTSD from COVID,' she added. Dr. Pendergrast added she thinks the doctors handle social issues reasonably well, and in a realistic fashion. Another fan loves the series with all 15 episodes of the series covering just a single shift - making the chaos more realistic. Tez, an ER nurse who is married to a doctor, said despite having a 'longstanding' rule in their household that they don't watch medical dramas, they've enjoyed The Pitt. 'We're hypercritical, we know what actually happens, nobody's ready to go, always at the bedside for a code, you don't always have the biggest room, etc.,' she shared. 'The list goes on,' she explained in a video posted online. 'Except for The Pitt,' she said triumphantly. 'I'm here in solidarity to say if you are a nursing student, if you are currently in nursing school and are considering emergency medicine or critical care, if you're pre-nursing, if you're a Certified Nursing Assistant, [watch] The Pitt,' she urged. The show presents a 'realistic examination of the challenges facing healthcare workers in America as seen through the lens of the frontline heroes working in a modern-day hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,' as per the synopsis Healthcare workers are now taking to social media to share their thoughts on the series, and many are declaring it the most accurate representation of working in a hospital on TV. Pictured: ER nurse Tez (left) and anesthesiology resident Dr. Tricia Pendergrast (right) 'That is honest to God, how an emergency room works, especially in a big city like Pittsburgh,' the nurse said. Another emergency doctor, who posts to TikTok under Dr. Karen, said she found the medicine on the show to be 'pretty accurate,' although noted their lack of protective gear at times. She did note in a real hospital, there would be more nurses than doctors which is a fact not shown on the show. 'The ER simply cannot function without nurses,' she pointed out. The Pitt is available to stream on Max in the US. New White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is already making a splash in the world of politics - and she's doing it in style. On Tuesday, Leavitt took the stage for her first press conference since she was named at the youngest Press Secretary in history at age 27. The Press Secretary stunned from The Brady Press Briefing Room in a gorgeous, berry-colored two-piece suit with a belted back, which appeared to be from Zara. The slim-fitting blazer featured a pleated collar and two chic black buttons cinching the waist, which was previously $109, but is currently sold out after going on sale for $43.90. The matching pants are also out of stock. They were originally $49.90 but went on sale for $19.96. She paired the gorgeous look with a pair of elegant, diamond stud earrings, as well what appeared to be the $730 Black Bing heels by designer Jimmy Choo. The shoes featured black patent leather with crystals around the top, as well as a pointed toe - bringing the look to around $900. The wife and mother of six-month-old son Nicholas Robert hails from New Hampshire, and ran for the U.S. House to represent New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District in 2022. She lost in the general election, but was back in the Trump fold within weeks, joining an allied group before linking up with the campaign itself earlier this year. On Tuesday, Leavitt took the stage for her first press conference since she was named at the youngest Press Secretary in history at age 27 The Press Secretary stunned from The Brady Press Briefing Room in a gorgeous, berry-colored two-piece suit The slim-fitting ensemble featured a pleated collar and two chic black buttons cinching the waist Leavitt quickly becoming a fixture on television despite being pregnant with her first child, firing back at CNN hosts and other pundits. And, just four days after giving birth in July, she was back on the campaign trail after seeing her boss get shot on live TV. Since being sworn in early last week, Leavitt has officially stepped into the role as Trump's Press Secretary, and not only is she setting a new precedent for the task, but also for White House style. Leavitt looks set to become the next style icon working for the Oval Office as she has worn a number of trendy, young looks over the past few months, including the glamorous, blue-gray coat she wore during her swearing-in ceremony. The coat, which appeared to be made of cashmere, featured dramatic, light blue fur sleeves and a matching oversized collar. The gorgeous piece, which appears to be the $498 Giovanna Coat by LPA, was floor-length and had elegant ribbing detail at the waist. Leavitt also sported another chic coat just days into her new role, as she made an appearance on Fox News Wednesday for a TV interview. The 27-year-old wore a classic, long black peacoat with black leather gloves, as she braved the cold temperatures outside in Washington, D.C. She paired the gorgeous look with a pair of elegant, diamond stud earrings, as well what appeared to be the $730 Black Bing heels by designer Jimmy Choo New White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is already making a splash in the world of politics - and she's doing it in style New White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is already making a splash in the world of politics - and she's doing it in style The gorgeous piece, which appears to be the $498 Giovanna Coat by LPA, was floor-length and had elegant ribbing detail at the waist Underneath the peacoat, she wore a cream top with a single, hammered gold button detailing. On Tuesday, Leavitt was dressed in another chic coverup, this time, a woolen one in a bright red color - a signature of the Republican party. As she addressed the media, she layered a big black scarf on top of the coat, along with knee-high black suede boots. Plus, it seems like the new communications expert has a penchant for designer bags, as she seems to have quite a few in her collection. In an Instagram post on December 29, she shared a fun mirror selfie wearing a navy blue cardigan, blue jeans and cream-colored knee-high boots. But it was really her bag that stood out, as she accessorized with the $5,300 navy blue and white Lady D-Lite Bag by Christian Dior in a luxurious toile print. She also stunned while she was on the campaign trail with Trump and his team. In another snap from April, standing outside of Trump Force One, Leavitt carried a $2,030 monogram Neverfull tote bag from Louis Vuitton. On Tuesday, Leavitt was dressed in another chic coat, this time, a woolen one in a bright red color - a signature of the Republican party As she addressed the media, she layered a big black scarf on top of the coat, along with knee-high black suede boots The 27-year-old wore a classic, long black peacoat with black leather gloves, as she braved the cold temperatures outside in Washington But it was really her bag that stood out, as she accessorized with the $5,300 navy blue and white Lady D-Lite Bag by Christian Dior in a luxurious toile print She paired the purse with an elegant, white linen shirtdress by Ralph Lauren, which tied at the waist and retails for $185. And, in September, while at the infamous debate between President Trump and Joe Biden, she rocked a brown-and-pink checkered two-piece skirt and blazer set. Both the blazer and the skirt, made by designer Toccin, featured long, gold chain detailing and matching buttons. The A-line miniskirt cost $395, while the matching blazer retails for $625 - but right now, they're both on sale at Saks Fifth Avenue. The look was complete with a pair of dark tan heels. She's also quite fashionable when she's not working - sporting a pair of fun, flared white jeans and a neon green tank top while watching a Celtics game in Miami in May 2023. Leavitt completed her outfit with a pair of clear heels and small raffia handbag with a circular handle. In another Instagram post in December, Leavitt revealed exactly what kind of boss President Trump is. Welcome to MAGALAND: Insider Trump's Second 100 Days - The podcast bringing you the latest news and gossip from the White House. Listen here. In another snap from April, standing outside of Trump Force One, Leavitt carried a $2,030 monogram Neverfull tote bag from Louis Vuitton And, in September, while at the infamous debate between President Trump and Joe Biden, she rocked a brown-and-pink checkered two-piece skirt and blazer set Both the blazer and the skirt, made by designer Toccin , featured long, gold chain detailing and matching buttons She's also quite fashionable when she's not working - sporting a pair of fun, flared white jeans and a neon green tank top while watching a Celtics game in Miami in May 2023 In an Instagram post in December, Leavitt revealed exactly what kind of boss President Trump is 'He is the best. He is generous, a great listener and storyteller, and seriously one of the funniest people I have ever met,' she wrote. 'I am honored to work for him.' Since taking the helm for President Trump, she's answered a number of questions from the press, and appeared on multiple TV stations for interviews. On Tuesday, Leavitt explained that they would be allowing not only journalists into the press briefings, but podcasters and social media influencers as well. For the latest White House gossip and news, listen to the Daily Mail's new politics podcast, Welcome to MAGAland. Available wherever you get your podcasts now. Donald Trump Jr.'s new girlfriend Bettina Anderson proudly showed off her charity work after it was reported that his friends were worried she was going to tarnish the 'Trump brand.' The Palm Beach socialite, 38, teamed up with Literacy Coalition of PBC to read to young children on Tuesday in honor of Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida. She made sure to document the endeavor on her Instagram Stories, sharing a sweet snap of herself sitting alongside a little girl. Bettina, dressed casually in a gray sweater and white sweatpants, held a book as she and the youngster looked at it together. She captioned the post with a quote from acclaimed children's author Dr. Seuss, which read, 'The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.' According to Literacy Coalition of PBC, the event is 'designed to raise awareness about the importance of reading and to inspire students and families to make reading part of their daily routines.' Bettina's charitable act comes after a source told DailyMail.com in late December that allies of Donald Trump's eldest son, 47, expressed concerns that Bettina's notorious party girl reputation in Palm Beach wasn't highbrow enough to be associated with the first family. At least two people close with Don Jr. even alleged that she was only using him as her latest step in her 'social ladder climbing' and carefree influencer lifestyle. Donald Trump Jr.'s girlfriend Bettina Anderson proudly showed off her charity work, weeks after it was reported that his friends were worried she was going to tarnish the 'Trump brand' The Palm Beach socialite teamed up with Literacy Coalition of PBC to read to young children on Tuesday in honor of Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida Welcome to MAGALAND: Insider Trump's Second 100 Days - The podcast bringing you the latest news and gossip from the White House. Listen here. The rumors haven't seemed to deter the couple, as Bettina scored an invite to Donald's highly coveted inauguration last Monday. While she didn't sit up front with Don Jr., she was spotted in the crowd wearing a black and white patterned Dolce and Gabbana suit. Afterwards, a source close to the family assured DailyMail.com that Bettina is 'adored' by the Trumps, and there was no intended slight in her failing to secure a seat in the Rotunda with Don Jr., as they were in extremely high demand. Also in attendance was Don Jr.'s ex Kimberly Guilfoyle, who Donald recently appointed as the ambassador to Greece. Don Jr. started dating Kimberly in 2018, and they got engaged in December 2020. It's unclear when they split, but in September 2024, Don Jr. was caught locking lips with Florida socialite Bettina. DailyMail.com exclusively obtained photos at the time that showed the two kissing during an intimate date at a Palm Beach restaurant. Afterwards, a source said Don Jr.'s dalliance with Bettina was an open secret in the ritzy Florida town, and that they were spotted enjoying each other's company frequently. The rumors haven't seemed to defer the couple, as Bettina scored an invite to Donald's highly coveted inauguration last Monday While she didn't sit up front with Don Jr. (center), she was spotted in the crowd wearing a black and white Dolce and Gabbana suit (right). His ex Kimberly Guilfoyle (left) was also there But the insider added that Kimberly was blindsided by the photos, stating, 'Kimberly either didn't know about Bettina or didn't want to know. 'Did she hear whispers that Don Jr. was fooling around with someone else? Probably. Afterwards, a source close assured DailyMail.com that Bettina is 'adored' by the Trumps, and there was no intended slight in her failing to secure a seat in the Rotunda with Don Jr. 'She's no fool but it's easy to deceive yourself when you're so committed to someone and believe he's committed to you.' Don Jr. and Kimberly continued to be photographed together after the images emerged, but she has not been snapped with him since November 12. Then, in early December, Don Jr. and Bettina were spotted enjoying a romantic night out together. Afterwards, however, a source told DailyMail.com that Bettina wasn't 'MAGA enough' and that her love of partying hadn't meshed well with the first family's A-list Mar-A-Lago clientele. Afterwards, Bettina took to Instagram to issue a defiant response to her critics, sharing a bible passage about lies and manipulation, the Irish Star reported. 'So let them lie. Let them manipulate. Let them talk. You just be still, because when God is on your side, who can stand against you?' the bible passage, from the book of Exodus, states. The passage was part of a video posted by an account which shares motivational quotes and messages, Cycas Motivation. For the latest White House gossip and news, listen to the Daily Mail's new politics podcast, Welcome to MAGAland. Available wherever you get your podcasts now. With a glass of champagne in hand and my favourite cocktail dress, I felt like the perfect hostess as I greeted guests arriving for the glitzy PR event I had organised. The air buzzed with conversation, punctuated by the chime of glasses and bursts of laughter. It was everything I thrived on - until it wasn't. Beneath the polished facade, I was quietly unravelling. The same glamorous lifestyle I adored had become the backdrop to my toxic romance with alcohol. Champagne flutes masked unhealed trauma; the endless swirl of parties numbed my restless mind. Red carpets, PR launches, endless soirees - my social life was a whirlwind, and I was always its life force: the fun, loud one. Six nights a week I was out, flitting from event to event. Home became just a pit stop to sleep. I didn't need alcohol to get through the day - I wasn't an alcoholic - but I needed it to shine. Drinking felt woven into the fabric of who I was. Would I still be me if I stopped? Would I lose the spark that drew people in? Those thoughts kept me up at night. By 2014, my drinking hit its peak: 50 drinks a week, sometimes more. Some nights, I would dart between two parties, knocking back four glasses of wine at each. Weekends? A blur of cocktails and catch-ups. I had no off switch. It wasn't until Christmas 2023, after a seven-week European getaway, that reality hit hard. I came home tired, bloated and 10kg (22lbs or 1.5st) heavier. I barely recognised myself. That's when I decided: no more booze. I couldn't live like this anymore. PR professional Lisa Hollinshead, 40, ditched alcohol for good at the start of 2024. It was only after one year of sobriety that she realised what drinking was costing her: AU$12,000 per year Red carpets, PR launches, endless soirees - my social life was a whirlwind, and I was always its life force: the fun, loud one. Six nights a week I was out, flitting from event to event, writes Lisa But let me take you back to where it all began, long before I was living my dream in Australia. As a girl growing up in boozy '90s Britain, it wasn't out of the ordinary that I had my first sip of alcohol when I was just 12 years old. I can still remember wincing at the acidic bite of the cheap, hard cider my friends and I had managed to get our hands on. As we downed the one-litre bottle in the park, I was drunk before I even realised. By 14, binge drinking had become a weekend ritual. Growing up in Manchester, in the north of England, I was steeped in pub culture. Drinking wasn't just accepted - it was celebrated. Everyone I knew drank, and no one questioned it. University life only added fuel to the fire. My early 20s were a blur of boozy nights, hungover mornings and somehow squeezing in study between the chaos. Drinking was simply what we did: it was fun, and we never gave it a second thought. Looking back now, I see alcohol for what it is: a legal but dangerous drug that society normalises to the point of invisibility. When I was 23, everything changed. My seven-year relationship ended, leaving me shattered. I needed a fresh start, so I packed my bags and moved to Australia - a country where I didn't know a single person. Saying goodbye to my family was one of the hardest things I've ever done. My mother sobbed at the airport as I gave her one last hug, but deep down, I knew this was the right move. It was time for a new chapter. I'll never forget the moment I flew over Sydney Harbour for the first time. The sight of the sparkling water below filled me with hope and a sense of endless possibility. Three months into sobriety, my son, now eight, said something that shattered me. 'Mum, I'm so much happier now you don't drink anymore because you're not as mean. Before, you didn't have any patience with me. Now, you have all the time in the world' I threw myself into endless events to grow my business Social101 and expand my network - free-flowing champagne and platters of food were always part of the deal. Alcohol gave me a confidence boost, unlocking the fun, vivacious version of myself that I believed people loved. But it wasn't cheap. Now I'm sober, I've saved AU$12,000 (US$7,500 or 6,000) in a single year - money I would've otherwise poured into my drinking. I despair to think how much I used to spend on booze, and what I could have bought with that money instead. Despite drinking six nights a week, I never saw myself as an alcoholic. I didn't drink at home, and I didn't depend on alcohol to get through the day. There was no clock-watching for that first glass of wine. What I did believe, however, was that alcohol was central to who I was. It was woven into my personality, my social presence, my identity. And one thing held me back from giving it up: fear. I was terrified that without alcohol, I'd lose a part of myself. That I'd become unbearably boring, stuck mourning my old life and the version of me that thrived on the buzz. To everyone else, I was 'fun Lisa' - the high-functioning party girl with no off days. My drinking never raised red flags, not even with friends. If anything, it reinforced the image of the life-of-the-party persona I'd spent years cultivating. Then, eight years ago, I became a mum. Welcoming my son, Albie, was life-changing; he instantly became the centre of my world. It was easy to stay off alcohol during my pregnancy and breastfeeding, but as soon as I could, I went straight back to drinking. Albie saw it all from a young age. After his dad and I separated, I found myself juggling life as a single mum and businesswoman. The weight of those roles, combined with my drinking, came at a cost. As the years went by, I slipped back into old habits. I'd call a babysitter so I could attend client events where alcohol flowed. My son never saw me at my worst, but he did endure the aftermath - hungover mornings where my patience was thin and my energy non-existent. What happens to your body when you stop drinking Within 12-24 hours: Detoxification begins and blood sugar normalises. During this period you may experience withdrawal symptoms, including sweating, anxiety, depression and insomnia. Within one week: Quality of sleep should improve and you should start to feel more energised and hydrated. Within two weeks: Weight loss may begin thanks to cutting out the hidden calories in alcohol. Within three to four weeks: Blood pressure stabilises. Source: Dry July Advertisement In December 2023, I returned to Britain for Christmas. By the time I flew back to Sydney, I was 10kg heavier, unhappy and riddled with regret. Sure, some of it was festive overindulgence, but deep down, I knew the real culprit: alcohol. On the flight home, as the seatbelt sign flickered on, I glanced at my son beside me and felt like I'd hit rock bottom. I swirled my last glass of red wine, took a final sip, and made a vow. Enough was enough. And I haven't touched a drop since. Three months into sobriety, my son, now eight, said something that devastated me. 'Mum, I'm so much happier now you don't drink anymore because you're not as mean. Before, you didn't have any patience with me. Now, you have all the time in the world.' His words broke my heart. Until that moment, I hadn't fully grasped what alcohol had done to me. I was shattered, but it strengthened my resolve to change. Giving up alcohol was simpler than I expected. Once I decided to put the glass down, I never looked back. I've been sober since January 8, 2024. Today, my life has never been better. My son and I practise gratitude and meditation every day. I have more empathy, more patience and, most importantly, I've stopped being so hard on myself about my 'party girl' years. The journey hasn't been easy, but every single moment has been worth it. As told to Carina Stathis When you think of the biggest killers in America, you may assume cancer or dementia. But experts are issuing fresh warnings about a disease which kills more than both of those conditions combined. In 2022, there were nearly 1million deaths from coronoary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke - collectively referred to as cardiovascular disease - the equivalent of a death every 30 seconds. Cancer, meanwhile, kills roughly 600,000 Americans per year, while dementia strikes down 288,000. Researchers from the American Heart Association say a lack of awareness compared to other diseases like cancer and an increase in risk factors may be to blame. Additionally, heart disease can be a silent killer, lurking for decades before symptoms start to appear. The team also warned while deaths from heart disease may be starting to plateau for the first time since the pandemic, risk factors for the disease are on the rise. Nearly half of US adults have high blood pressure, for example, and almost three-quarters are overweight or obese. The experts warned if trends continue, two-thirds of US adults will become obese and suffer high blood pressure by 2050, further increasing their risk of heart disease. Your browser does not support iframes. Chloe Burke went into cardiac arrest at 21 years old while cheering at the University of Houston due to an undiagnosed congenital heart defect However, other risk factors like high cholesterol, smoking, and vaping have fallen. Heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease, is a group of conditions that damage the heart and its blood vessels. These include coronary artery disease - narrow or blocked arteries - heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and irregular rhythms called arrhythmias. The experts warned that while deaths from heart disease are 'leveling off' after the pandemic, 'a lot more work' is still needed to lower risk. The findings come amid a rise of heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues in young Americans. While some have been blamed on undiagnosed heart issues present from birth, others have been tied to lifestyle issues like obesity and viruses like Covid. Dr Keith Churchwell, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, said: 'Those are alarming statistics to me - and they should be alarming for all of us, because it's likely many among those whom we lose will be our friends and our loved ones. 'Too many people are dying from heart disease and from stroke which remains the 5th leading cause of death. Together, they kill more people than all cancers and accidental deaths - the #2 and #3 causes of death - combined.' Your browser does not support iframes. The report, published in the journal Circulation, found 941,652 deaths were caused by cardiovascular disease in 2022, the latest data available. This is a slight increase from 931,578 in 2021. However, the death rate decreased slightly from 233 per 100,000 in 2021 to 224 per 100,000 in 2022. The team also found eating 'excess' calories - more calories than you burn - added up to 1,300 additional deaths per day, or 500,000 per year. Several risk factors for heart disease and stroke are also on the rise. The report found 47 percent of US adults have high blood pressure, and 57 percent have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. While high blood pressure rates stayed the same compared to 2021, diabetes and prediabetes rates increased from roughly 50 percent. Additionally, 72 percent of adults are at an 'unhealthy' weight, meaning they have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 25. This is roughly in line with the year before. And four in 10 US children are considered to have an 'unhealthy' weight. This is up from about 36 percent in 2021. Dr Dhruv S Kazi, associate professor at Harvard Medical School, said: 'Although we have made a lot of progress against cardiovascular disease in the past few decades, there is a lot more work that remains to be done. He noted that if the trends continue, 180million US adults will be diagnosed with high blood pressure and obesity. This is nearly two-thirds of adults. He also estimates nearly one in three Americans will have type 2 diabetes by 2050. Ms Burke was born with the heart condition myocardial bridging, though she did not know until she suffered a cardiac arrest. She had open heart surgery and spent four months in rehab Southern states are more at risk of high death rates from heart disease, the latest data from the CDC shows Dr Kazi added: 'And it is important to acknowledge that, although cardiovascular disease affects us all, it doesnt affect us all equally.' The team found Black women had the highest rate of obesity at 58 percent, while Asian women had the lowest at 14.5 percent. Black women also had the highest rate of high blood pressure at 58 percent. The lowest rate, 35 percent, was found in Hispanic women. Additionally, Hispanic men were the most likely group to have diabetes with a rate of 14.5 percent. White women had the lowest rate at eight percent. However, the team also found some risk factors for heart disease are trending downward. Smoking rates in men, for example, have fallen from 51 percent in 1965 to 16 percent in 2018, the latest data available. And for women, rates have decreased from 34 percent to 12 percent during the same timeframe. Matias Escobar, pictured here in the middle, nearly died while competing in the New York City Triathlon in 2023 at age 38. Doctors said his vital signs offered no clues - cholesterol and blood pressure had all checked out prior to competing Rebecca Smith (pictured) from the UK, suffers from peripartum cardiomyopathy - a rare form of heart failure which develops during pregnancy and weakens the mother's heart in the third trimester. After having two children, she will need to remain on medication for the rest of her life And in 2023, 28 percent of high school in 2023 reported using tobacco products at least once compared to 34 percent in 2022. Vaping, which some early research has suggested could reduce heart function, also saw a downward trend. In 2023, one in 10 high schoolers reported using e-cigarettes compared to 14 percent in 2022. Dr Churchwell said: 'Heart disease was once considered a death sentence, but thanks to the many advances in clinical diagnosis and treatment, people are able to live longer, healthier lives even after a cardiovascular event. 'Certainly, any medical or clinical therapy that can treat the risk factors that contribute to CVD are essential. More importantly, I would say that we need to stop these risk factors in their tracks, keep people healthy throughout their lifespan. 'That will only be possible with a strong emphasis on early prevention and equitable health access for all.' Experts have shared some doctor approved methods for making sure your medical needs are not dismissed in GP appointments. The average consultation lasts less than 10 minutes according to BMJ analysis, meaning many feel they rush through an appointment and struggle to detail their problem and get their family doctor to listen. Sex Education actor Robyn Holdaway shared a few phrases with their 164,400 followers on TikTok that can help if you feel like your GP isn't listening to your problems. In the video that has amassed 1.5 million views, the non-binary star ran through 15 phrases that have helped them and their followers when dealing with medical professionals. Speaking in the video their wife Em, who has a chronic illness, suggested using the phrase: 'This is having a significant impact on my quality of life.' Another the couple said to use is: 'This is having a significant impact on my partner's quality of life.' They added to the list: 'It is keeping me from doing normal day to day activities', 'I have had to take time off work because of the symptoms I am experiencing,' and 'I have struggled to get appropriate care for this problem'. Other recommendations included asking the doctor to make a note of why they are denying you treatment and asking them to send a copy of your medical records to you after the appointment. Sex Education actor Robyn Holdaway (pictured) shared a few phrases with their 164,400 followers on TikTok The couple also said that explaining other people have also noticed the problem and said it could be an issue, may help get your GP to listen. To explain the extent of your pain, they also suggested saying: 'My pain is significant enough that I can't sleep or can't walk.' They added: 'My pain can't be managed with reasonable over the counter treatments,' and 'I have gone to all reasonable lengths to self manage this situation and I now need to escalate it,' as ways of conveying the severity of your symptoms. One social media user, who claimed to be a doctor, explained that medical professionals can use these phrases as direct quotes to 'justify' referrals to other specialist or for further tests, without the risk of the request being rejected. Another, a nurse, said she 'totally agrees' with the couple's advice adding that mentioning it has affected your 'quality of life' is the most effective. In another comment a doctor said that 'communication is super important.' They added: 'It normally breaks down around hard to describe symptoms and people who have been repeatedly misdiagnosed.' One 'cheat code' the pair put forward if you worry about being dismissed due to your size is to say you still have symptoms even after losing weight. They said: 'If you are in a larger body then saying something like I have recently lost 10 to 15 pounds and my symptoms have got worse, that can be a really quick cheat for doctors to not just say have you tried losing weight.' If you are somebody with a complex psychiatric history they also recommend the phrase: 'I've spoken to all of the people involved in my psychiatric care and they agree that this is not a psychiatric problem.' Letting the doctor know exactly what you would like to happen in the appointment is another method to make sure you leave the GP feeling like you have been listened to. Concluding the video the pair gave one final piece of advice if you are being denied the care you feel you need. This was to say what they called the 'passive aggressive' phrase 'please refer me onto a specialist'. Alternatively, they suggested saying: 'Can you please refer me onto a colleague for a second opinion.' It comes after a 2024 Ipsos poll of 1,094 people found only half of UK adults felt they were able to discuss 'everything' or 'most things' during their last appointment with a family doctor. Most believe the standard 10 minute appointment is too short to meet the needs of an ageing population, which is increasingly living with multiple conditions. It also revealed many are fed up with the hoops they now have to jump through to see a GP and the long waits for care. Prostate cancer has reached the grim milestone of being the most diagnosed cancer in the country. While it was already the most common form of the disease in men, it has now overtaken breast cancer following a massive effort to find missing cases from the pandemic. Prostate Cancer UK analysis established that diagnosis numbers have jumped by a quarter since 2019, with greater awareness of the deadly condition also behind the trend. Official data shows 55,033 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023, compared to 47,526 people with breast cancer. It follows a joint push with NHS England to find the 14,000 men likely diagnosed without the disruption caused by Covid. Experts believe the lack of GP access particularly impacted prostate cancer, leading to a massive shortfall in testing and diagnosis. These catch-up efforts, alongside growing awareness from high-profile cases such as the BBCs Bill Turnbull and more recently Sir Chris Hoy, are leading more men to get tested. But despite a better prognosis if caught early, there is no national screening programme for the disease because of long-held disputes over the viability of PSA blood tests. A doctor examines images of the prostate gland. Official data shows 55,033 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023, compared to 47,526 people with breast cancer Sir Chris Hoy, a six-time Olympic gold medalist cyclist, was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in 2023 A colourised scanning electron micrograph (SEM) image of a prostate cancer cell A major trial is underway to ascertain if and how this should change but this could take up to a decade. In the meantime, the charity wants those at high risk such as black men or those with a family history of prostate cancer to be proactively spoken to about screening. Chiara De Biase, of Prostate Cancer UK, said: These new figures show that awareness is now growing across the UK, and were proud to have played our part in this alongside our supporters and the NHS. 'More men than ever are learning about their risk, speaking to their GP about the PSA blood test, and then taking the best next steps. At the moment, theres no screening programme for prostate cancer, and not every man has a fair shot at getting diagnosed earlier. We face a dreadful North-South divide in the UK, where youre more likely to get an incurable diagnosis in certain areas than others. Plus, men living in more deprived areas are less likely to get the treatments they need. Despite all this, GPs arent currently allowed to raise the issue of prostate cancer and testing, even with the men who have the highest risk of getting it something were asking the Government to change right now. The analysis of NHS data showed prostate cancer cases increased from 44,186 in 2019 to 55,033 in 2023 a rise of a quarter. Chiara De Biase, of Prostate Cancer UK, said: 'These new figures show that awareness is now growing across the UK' of the condition The research did not look into deaths from the disease, which is typically around 12,000 annually - but it did show that the number of patients getting more advanced treatments such as radical prostate radiotherapy is rising. The Daily Mail has campaigned for more than two decades about better diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer, said: Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff and our effective awareness campaigns, we are diagnosing more men with prostate cancer at an earlier stage than ever before, so they have the best possible chance of receiving effective treatment. We know that coming forward for prostate checks can be daunting, but it could save your life, so we would encourage men to consult the prostate cancer symptoms advice available on NHS website for England, and to see their GP as soon as possible if they are concerned. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: This is a grim milestone and while more men are getting checked, they are waiting too long for diagnosis and treatment. Through our Plan for Change we are working to catch cancer earlier and treat it faster opening community diagnostic centres for longer, launching 17 new surgical hubs across the country and investing in research. The UK National Screening Committee is reviewing the evidence for prostate cancer screening programmes, including targeted approaches for men at higher risk. An 'unprecedented' tuberculosis outbreak is spreading through Kansas, with officials warning that it might get worse. The outbreak is the 'largest documented outbreak in US history,' Department of Health and Environment officials announced on Monday, according to KSHB. As of Friday, there were 67 active cases and 79 latent cases - meaning that people are infected with the bacteria, but do not have the disease, health officials said. Cases were first reported last January, and has spread through the Kansas City metropolitan area rapidly, KAKE reports. It spreads through the air when infected people cough, speak or sing, and mainly affects the lungs. 'This outbreak is still ongoing, which means that there could be more cases,' Jill Bronaugh, communications director for the health department told the Topeka Capital-Journal. She noted that 'there are a few other states that currently have large outbreaks that are also ongoing.' To help stop the spread, the health department mobilized staff and resources to address the 'unprecedented' outbreak, Ashley Goss, the deputy secretary of public health for the department said at a state senate committee meeting on public health and welfare last week. A tuberculosis outbreak is spreading through Kansas, with officials saying it might get worse It spreads through the air when infected people cough, speak or sing, and mainly affects the lungs She noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is supporting the efforts to address the outbreak. 'CDC remains on the ground with us to support [the efforts],' she said. 'That's not a negative. This is normal when there's something unprecedented or a large outbreak of any kind, they will come and lend resources to us to help get a stop to that.' Goss also noted that the department is currently working with employers 'that are involved' with the outbreak. 'We do expect to find more, but we are hoping the more that we find is latent TB and not active, so that their lives are not disrupted in having to stay home from work because it is highly contagious,' she said. Symptoms of the bacterial infection include a prolonged cough, which could include a bloody cough, night sweats and weight loss. Those symptoms could persist for weeks or even months, health officials warn. But at least 90 percent of the people who get infected with the disease never have any symptoms and have latent tuberculosis, Dr. Dana Hawkinson, the medical director of Infection Prevention Control with the University of Kansas Health System, told KSN. 'The... 10 percent or less that develop tuberculosis disease is mostly what people are familiar with, and that can be a public health emergency or problem,' she said. The Department of Health and Environment reported 67 active cases and 79 latent cases as of Friday 'It is vitally important that our public health infrastructure is good, so that we can identify who has tuberculosis disease and then who their contacts may be, so they can reduce the spread to other people.' Sedgwick County Health Department Deputy Director Chris Steward also said it is important 'for people to recognize that we do have tuberculosis ... just like we have other whooping cough and other diseases. 'So if you're coughing, cover your cough,' he said. 'If you're sick, go see the doctor and just know that the risk of tuberculosis in Sedgwick County is very low to the general public.' Any patient who does test positive will then be screened to determine whether they have an active or latent infection, which the health department said 'will help determine the best treatment. 'Treatment will be provided through the patient's local health department and it will be provided for free if the person is uninsured or the treatment isn't covered by health insurance,' the department said in a statement. To treat the spread, the health department mobilized staff and resources to the infected communities, Ashley Goss, the deputy secretary of public health for the department said at a state senate committee meeting on public health and welfare last week The treatment predominantly comprises four antibiotics that patients would take for several weeks, before they are weaned down to two pills. At times, people infected with the disease may need to take the antibiotics for six months or longer. But for active patients, after just 10 days of taking the medication and having three sputum tests, they will generally no longer be able to transmit the infection. 'They're no longer contagious,' Goss said. 'They can go about their lives, they don't have to stay away from people and they can go back to work, do the things as long as they continue to take their meds.' At the age of just 54, Geoff Pike was diagnosed with dementia, turning his familys world upside down. There were lots of tears, it was a nightmare for us, says his wife Helen, 59, a retired nurse and hospital manager. The couple, from Gretton in Northamptonshire, were at that stage of life where we had so many plans, including retiring early and travelling, says Helen. Suddenly everything changed. Geoff, now 61, a former national sales director for a private medical insurer, is one of around 70,800 people in the UK living with early-onset, or young-onset, dementia defined as when symptoms start before the age of 65. Last week, Birds Of A Feather star Pauline Quirke revealed her own diagnosis in 2021, at 61. There are concerns about a rise in cases of young-onset dementia a study of GP practice records in England in 2022 revealed an alarming 69 per cent increase since 2014 (from 28,800 cases). The causes of dementia in younger people are essentially the same as for older patients: Alzheimers, where proteins build up in the brain, forming plaques and tangles; and vascular dementia, caused by problems with the blood supply to the brain, as a result of heart disease, for instance. Younger people may be more at risk of rare types of the disease such as frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which tend to initially cause more unusual symptoms, such as personality changes or difficulty concentrating. These rarer types are most commonly diagnosed in those aged 45 to 65, but this may be because theyre not being spotted in older people, suggests Professor Sir John Hardy, chair of molecular biology of neurological disease at University College London. He and other experts believe the rise in young-onset dementia may be down to something as simple as more accurate data collection: I dont think its due to more people having risk factors such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, as research shows that cases of dementia in general are actually going down. Helen Pike with her husband Geoff, who is one of around 70,800 people in the UK living with early-onset, or young-onset, dementia Geoff has FTD, which affects 16,000 people in the UK it leads to a loss of cells in the front and side of the brain, areas that control behaviour (some people may start swearing, or neglect personal hygiene) and judgment. Although it can progress slowly, survival time after an FTD diagnosis is between two and 12 years. Geoffs form of FTD is primary progressive aphasia, which particularly affects language (patients may struggle to understand words, or speak in a hesitant, or ungrammatical, way). Its caused by a genetic mutation that leads to low levels of a protein, called progranulin, which helps protect the brain against inflammation and ageing. One in eight people with FTD have a relative with the condition, and theres often a genetic element. Indeed, Geoff, who had no symptoms at that point, was only diagnosed after a chance remark in 2016 when a visiting cousin mentioned that young-onset dementia ran in their family. Helen recalls: She told us that Geoffs mother Mary who died at 66 and Marys mother (who died aged 54) both had FTD. Their uncle, Marys brother, had taken part in a research project with Mary at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London. She assumed we knew all about this, but Geoffs mum and dad had never told him or his two brothers they thought she had died of Alzheimers, so it was a terrible shock to us both and very scary, says Helen. Once Geoff knew he had a 50:50 chance of inheriting the gene for this he was distraught, as he had witnessed what had happened to his mother. He said he would rather die from anything else than FTD and even talked about going to Dignitas in Switzerland if he tested positive. Last week, Birds Of A Feather star Pauline Quirke revealed her own diagnosis in 2021, at 61 Geoff was referred for, and then a year later underwent, genetic tests at the same hospital where his mother had been involved in the research project. (One of his brothers died of bladder cancer at 53 and was never tested; the other has chosen not to be tested at 78 he has no symptoms.) Getting the results was probably the worst day, says Helen. From then on, it was an agonising wait for symptoms to start. By 2018, a year after his diagnosis, Geoffs speech was deteriorating, and Helen says some people wrongly thought he was drunk, or was stupid as he couldnt understand sometimes. At first we tried to keep Geoffs diagnosis a secret, apart from close friends and family, but looking back I think that was a mistake things were much easier once everyone knew. The couple decided to retire and leave their home in Jersey to move close to family in the Midlands. I was sad to retire, but I knew if I didnt do it then, I wouldnt have that time with Geoff, says Helen. We drove round New Zealand in a camper van, took a trip across Europe, travelled the Golden Triangle in India, went to Victoria Falls in Africa and went sailing. We crammed a lot in, as we knew the clock was ticking but Im so grateful we had that time. Although Geoff had talked about assisted dying, because he was still relatively OK for a time he didnt want to go then and by the time he had deteriorated, he was no longer legally capable of making the decision. Geoff had decided soon after his diagnosis in 2017 that he wanted to take part in research trials, as his mother and uncle had done. As well as an observational study (to study the progression of symptoms) he enrolled in a trial for a new drug, latozinemab, specifically for his mutation. At first, hed say, This one might cure me, but deep down I think he knew it wouldnt come in time, says Helen. But he still wanted to make a contribution. Just taking part in a trial made us feel more positive. I also volunteered to be part of a research control group. Geoff decided shortly after his diagnosis that he wanted to take part in research trials, and enrolled in one for a new drug called latozinemab The research involved, over five years, monthly trips to London for infusions, cognitive tests, MRI scans and lumbar punctures. Dr Cath Mummery, a consultant neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, says: Families like Geoffs are critical in developing therapeutics for this horrible disease because its rare and there is a smaller pool of people to study. Just taking part in an observational study can help, improving our understanding of the symptoms and pathology of the disease and it gives us a ready-made group for clinical drug trials. Otherwise it would take decades to recruit for a trial. Results from the trial of latozinemab which normalises levels of progranulin and is one of the most promising drugs are expected later this year. If successful, it would be the first drug for FTD. By 2021, Geoffs condition had deteriorated he became nonverbal and could no longer understand the cognitive tests involved, so he had to drop out of the trial. Helen says: Geoff can no longer speak, read or write, but he still recognises me, friends and close family, although he cant communicate. We are mainly confined to the house if I need to see a doctor or dentist, I have to find someone to sit with Geoff. Helen describes herself as a widow in waiting but is determined to look after Geoff at home right to the end. Im sure Geoff would be delighted to know hes contributed to the possibility of the first-ever treatment for FTD. Being in a trial gave him hope at a terrible time. Id encourage others to do the same. A mother-of-two has revealed her heartbreak over being diagnosed with cervical cancer after being handed her the wrong smear test results by hospital staff. Amie Wood, 39, was told everything appeared normal after the routine check at a Wolverhampton hospital in 2019, but later learned the outcome was 'misreported'. In January 2022, the teaching assistant was diagnosed with cervical cancer and underwent a life-changing hysterectomy, ending her hopes to have more children. Agonisingly, a subsequent investigation revealed the smear result had showed abnormal changes meaning chances to prevent the cancer were missed. Furious Ms Wood enlisted medical negligence lawyers to take legal action against Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. The Trust has since admitted a breach of duty in Ms Wood's care and apologised for giving her 'incorrect' test results. Ms Wood, who also worked as a personal trainer before her diagnosis, is now set for a huge payout to fund her ongoing care and support. The Trust accepted if the smear which showed moderate to severe high grade cell changes had been correctly reported, she would have been referred within weeks for excision treatment. Amie Wood, 39, underwent a life-changing hysterectomy after being diagnosed more than two years after her result was incorrectly recorded as normal The teaching assistant, from Bewdley, Worcester, underwent a smear test at a Wolverhampton hospital in October 2019 but the outcome was 'misreported' by staff This would have avoided the development of cancer and the need for a hysterectomy. Now, Ms Wood is speaking out about the impact cancer has had on her life. She said: 'Before the cancer, I'd always struggled a bit with anxiety over my health. 'Because of that, I always made sure I went to all my appointments and never had any reason to question the results I was given as I had faith in the medics. 'To be diagnosed with cervical cancer and undergo a hysterectomy was heart-breaking enough but then I found out that my smear results had been misreported and it could have all been avoided. 'To this day, I still struggle to comprehend everything I've been through and how close my children could have been to losing their mum. 'It's made my anxiety and worries even worse, which I didn't think was possible. 'It's also deeply upsetting that the choice of having more children has been taken from me. Ms Wood's original smear was reported as negative but with high-risk HPV a virus that can lead to cancer. She was advised to return for repeat screening in 12 months' time The mother-of-two says she also suffers increased anxiety about her health and currently feels unable to return to her part-time second job as a personal trainer 'At the same time though, I know how lucky I am to still be here and just want to let people know if you're going through something similar, there is support out there.' Roughly two women in Britain every day die from cervical cancer. However, if the signs are recognised early, the chance of surviving for at least five years is roughly 95 per cent. This drops to 15 per cent if the cancer is detected at later stages, when it has spread to other areas of the body. Heavier periods, bleeding after sex, between periods, or after menopause, and pain during sex, or in general, particularly in your lower back, pelvis, or lower abdomen are all symptoms of cervical cancer. In about 99 per cent of cases, cervical cancer is caused by an infection of a high-risk type of human papillomavirus (HPV). There are more than 100 types of HPV, and only around 30 can affect the genital area. Many people never show symptoms, as they can arise years after infection, and the majority of cases go away without treatment. Cervical cancer symptoms to look out for include unusual vaginal bleeding, pain during sex and lower back or pelvic pain. However, in some cases, it can cause the genital tissues to grow abnormally, resulting over many years in cervical cancer. During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix, the NHS explains. If 'high risk' types of HPV are not found, they will not do any further tests. But if they do find 'high risk' HPV, the sample is checked for changes to cells in the cervix, which can be treated before they get a chance to turn into cervical cancer. Ms Wood's original smear was reported as negative but with high-risk HPV a virus that can lead to cancer. She was advised to return for repeat screening in 12 months' time. Follow-up tests in October 2020 and October 2021 found persisting HPV and she was referred for further investigation including a colposcopy and biopsy which had the results been reported correctly, should have happened in 2019. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2022, she instructed lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care under the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. Through NHS Resolution, the Trust admitted liability and a breach of duty in care, in that the result given was 'incorrect.' It further admitted that had the sample been correctly reported as high-grade moderate or severe changes, Ms Wood would have been referred for follow-up consultation and treatment within two to six weeks. All women and people with a cervix in the UK aged between 25 and 64 are also invited for regular cervical screenings, which serve as the primary way of diagnosis Following her diagnosis, she underwent a hysterectomy which means she is not able to have any more children as planned with her new partner. Ms Wood says she also suffers increased anxiety about her health and currently feels unable to return to her part-time second job as a personal trainer. Kathryn Salt, the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Ms Wood, said: 'The past few years have been incredibly difficult for Amie, having to come to terms with her diagnosis and then finding out that it could have been avoided. 'Amie was understandably terrified to be told she had invasive cancer and underwent a hysterectomy at that point as she couldn't face the possibility of the disease recurring or not being removed completely. 'Since then, she's also suffered from increased health anxiety. 'While nothing can make up for the physical and psychological ordeal Amie has been through, we're pleased that we've been able to secure her the answers she deserves. 'Sadly, through our work, we continue to see the devastating effect cancer has. We continue to support Amie as we work towards a settlement which will ensure she can access the specialist support and therapies she requires. 'In the meantime it's vital people continue to take part in the cervical cancer screening programme. Early detection and treatment is key to beating cancer.' A spokesperson for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust said: 'We would like to express our sincere regret and apologies to Ms Wood. 'The trust always strives to deliver safe and appropriate care to all our patients. Sadly, on this occasion we fell short. 'We are working with Ms Wood's representatives to achieve an appropriate resolution and will ensure all learnings from this case are taken forward.' For 30 years now, scientists have worried about the possibility of a human outbreak of bird flu. Today, however, many experts believe were closer than ever to a new pandemic. But the big question is this: are we prepared? A highly pathogenic strain of bird flu, known as H5N1, is already spreading rapidly through chicken and wild bird populations, and if it were to mutate and spread into humans, it would be the kind of flu strain that most people would have no immunity against. Many fear it could, in a worst-case scenario, be both virulent and transmissible enough to cause a wave of deaths and serious illness across huge swathes of the global population. The first human death linked to this strain of bird flu was reported earlier this month a man in Louisiana, in the US, who caught it from a backyard flock. Since 2003, the World Health Organisation has confirmed 954 human cases linked to other strains, of which around half have died. And this week, a patient in the Midlands was also diagnosed with the virus after close and prolonged contact with a large number of infected birds. It is the seventh case in the UK since 2021. While it is thought to be an isolated incident, health officials raised concerns over a growing number of avian flu cases in birds on both commercial farms and in backyard flocks across the country. Crucially, those who have become infected have not so far generally been able to pass it on to other people. That, however, could change. Flu viruses mutate all the time, and the concern from scientists and government officials is that a strain of the virus, passed to humans from chickens or from another animal, could develop the capability of spreading between humans. This week, a patient in the Midlands was also diagnosed with H5N1 after close and prolonged contact with a large number of infected birds Many say this is a case of when not if it happens. So what, then, might an outbreak look like? Today, the Mail recruits some of the countrys leading virologists, epidemiologists and pandemic planners to imagine the kind of scenario that might unfold in the UK - and how best to protect yourself if it does... Week one Scientists from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), which scans for new threats from highly-pathogenic avian influenza, pick up another outbreak of H5N1 bird flu at a poultry farm in Yorkshire. Its the 25th outbreak since November 2024, and is the same strain which has spread to, and killed, thousands of wild birds including geese, ducks, swans and gulls. It has also spread to farmed mink in Spain and sea lions in Peru. Monitoring and surveillance in the UK has been ramped up in response to the potential threat. The Yorkshire flock are slaughtered and a 3km protection zone put in place anyone within it must keep commercial or backyard flocks housed to protect them. A 10km surveillance zone around the premises allows scientists to monitor any spread into the wild bird population. The strain is sent to the laboratory for genomic sequencing a detailed analysis of its DNA to see whether it has mutations which might make it more easily transmittable to humans. It can also be compared to other known strains circulating worldwide. Meanwhile, the UKHSA, which already routinely tests poultry farm workers for bird flu, increases testing and surveillance for those who work at the Yorkshire premises. The infection has, however, already passed to wild ducks. They have been congregating on a pond in a field used by dairy cattle, where their droppings which carry the infection enter the water. Virologists say the virus can linger in water, and as the dairy herd drinks from the pond, they pick up the infection themselves. A similar situation has caused outbreaks of bird flu in cows in the US, which infected workers at dairy farms. No cattle have been found to have the virus in the UK but scientists agree that jump is plausible. The APHA and the cattle industry have been carrying out surveillance on UK cows because of this risk, and new laws allow them to investigate dairy cattle held close to infected poultry. But there is currently no routine monitoring on dairy farms or their workers. Dr Richard Pebody, director of clinical and emerging infections at the UKHSA, says there are many systems in place to hopefully try and pick things up at as early a stage as possible but agreed it wasnt possible to put plugs everywhere. Week two A worker at the dairy farm develops symptoms of flu. Its fairly mild a few days of a high temperature and feeling under the weather and he passes it to his wife, a receptionist at the local GP practice. She is sent home to recuperate, but not before she has spread the virus to a couple of elderly patients, and to other members of staff. One of the nurses who picks up the virus has children at the local primary school, who themselves later develop symptoms which they unknowingly spread to their classmates. Professor Ian Brown, avian virology group lead at the Pirbright Institute, which is closely monitoring bird flu viruses as they emerge to check whether theyre changing, says: When people are diagnosed with bird flu, there is a very rapid response system in place to identify all of their close contacts. But the problem is the lag in initiating that trigger system. If you had a slow burner, someone who didnt get particularly sick but they still passed on the virus, it could spread to a few people before it gets to someone whos sick enough to need hospitalisation where theyll be tested. As we saw with Covid, you could get a rapid escalation of an outbreak. Week three At a busy hospital in Yorkshire, 20 miles from the dairy farm, a respiratory specialist is concerned about the ten patients she has in ICU. A further four children are in paediatric intensive care. Tests when they were admitted reveal all have a flu virus, but it appears to be more severe than the other seasonal flu cases shes seen so far this year. For a start, some of the patients are otherwise healthy adults in their 40s who have developed something she remembers from the Covid pandemic a cytokine storm, in which the bodys immune system over-reacts to the virus its fighting, causing respiratory distress and damage to other organs. In the past, highly-pathogenic strains of influenza have been unusual in triggering this kind of response in healthy adults, says Professor Hutchinson. We saw it in the 1918 pandemic, and sporadically in severe human cases of H5N1. The first human death linked to H5N1 was reported earlier this month a man in Louisiana who caught it from a backyard flock In the 400-odd people who died of H5N1 prior to 2020, this was the sort of disease they were experiencing. Meanwhile, several nurses in ICU, and one consultant in A&E where the patients were first brought in, have come down with flu. The respiratory consultant reports the unusual cluster of cases to local public health officials, who contact the UKHSA. Week four More extensive tests on the patients and healthcare workers reveal all are suffering from the same novel strain of H5N1. Genomic sequencing suggests the virus has mutated and is the same strain spreading between humans in parts of Germany, Argentina and the US. There are whispers on social media about a strange new bug. Professor Sir Peter Horby, director of the Pandemic Sciences Institute at the University of Oxford and former chairman of NERVTAG, which advises the Government on the threat posed by new respiratory viruses, says: Once its been confirmed as an avian flu virus, alarm bells would ring straight away. Officials will want to see if they can join the dots between the cases is this something spreading just between this group of people or is it spreading more widely? If you have ten severe cases and a lot of missing links between them, thats the tip of a much bigger iceberg. Officials trace their contacts, who will also be interviewed and tested for symptomatic or asymptomatic infection. They could also be asked to quarantine in their own homes and be monitored for signs of infection. Any close contacts deemed to be particularly vulnerable to flu the elderly, those with a compromised immune system or children could be given antiviral drugs to take, such as oseltamivir or zanamivir. These may reduce the severity of symptoms and help prevent onward transmission. The Government has a stockpile of these antivirals, but will not confirm how much it has - only that it is kept under review and informed by expert advice to ensure sufficient stock is in place. If the outbreak is deemed to be just a cluster in a particular town, with no evidence of onward spread and close links between them, you might consider a local mass vaccination programme, says Professor Horby. The Government announced last month it had ordered five million doses of a vaccine against an H5 strain from UK-based company, CSL Seqirus UK Limited. The company already produces the UKs seasonal flu vaccines. Dr Meera Chand, emerging infection lead at the UKHSA, said the vaccine would be used if this virus were to start spreading among humans. Unfortunately, its too late to contain the outbreak new cases are popping up in hospitals from Plymouth to Inverness. Week five The first patient in the UK dies of bird flu an elderly man, who is reported to have multiple underlying health conditions. NERVTAG and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, known as SAGE, meet and discuss how best for the Government to communicate the risk. However, experts say compulsory measures to control the virus like lockdowns and social-distancing are highly unlikely. Professor Sir Chris Whitty told the Covid Inquiry the Government overdid warnings at the start of the pandemic so bird flu communications would be likely to involve less doom-mongering Its unlikely people would follow such rules now, says Professor Horby. But its not Covid itll be less transmissible than Covid, as all flu strains are, and we have vaccines and antivirals which will offer some protection and reduce transmission. The Governments chief medical officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, also told the Covid Inquiry that the Government overdid warnings at the start of the pandemic so the likelihood is the approach would involve less doom-mongering. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calls a press conference to announce the death, flanked by a senior UKHSA official and Professor Whitty. They announce that the novel bird flu virus is spreading within communities in the UK, and that early data from modellers suggests it could lead to 65,000 deaths in a worst case scenario. This is twice the number of deaths from a bad seasonal flu year. They also point out that similar predictions were made about deaths during the H1N1 swine flu pandemic in 2009, when the eventual total was just 457. It announces that its existing vaccine stockpile is being offered to NHS staff, farm workers and the most vulnerable the elderly and those with compromised immune systems to curb the spread in virus hotspots. Critics point out there isnt enough to go round to immunise all the vulnerable and valuable across the country youd need at least 15million doses for those groups alone. While five million doses isnt enough to control a widespread outbreak, it could provide a good start through vaccinating groups exposed in the early stages of an outbreak, particularly healthcare workers and farm workers, says Professor Hutchinson. The Government also says it has a stockpile of lateral flow tests (LFTs), nasal and throat swab tests which can pick up flu (similar versions were used during the Covid pandemic). However, officials wont say how many the UK has in stock. These LFTs can pick up the two main types of flu influenza A and influenza B and will pick up bird flu because it is a strain of influenza A. Such tests are already available to buy online or from high street pharmacies. Those testing positive could be asked to stay at home and to register the infection on a (hypothetical) bird flu app a reconfigured version of the Covid app, which could alert recent contacts that they may have been exposed to the virus. They will also get antivirals sent to them. Its unlikely the 37billion NHS Test and Trace scheme which saw potentially infected Britons contacted and ordered to isolate would be resurrected after it was found to be muddled, overstated, and eye-wateringly expensive. Professor Whitty recommends those who want to wear masks should do so, and advises vulnerable people to avoid crowded places. The Government announces it has also asked CSL Seqirus to provide a further 50million doses of a new bird flu vaccine based on the exact strain of the circulating virus. It has an advance contract for such an event but getting it ready and rolling it out might take between four and six months, based on previous experience, suggests Dr Pebody. Week six Nearly 300,000 people have seen their GP for flu-like symptoms in the past week, which means the virus has officially reached epidemic proportions in the UK. Hospitals across the country are now declaring critical incidents because of exceptionally high demand in A&E, and on critical care and intensive care wards. Unfortunately, despite capacity being stretched during Covid, with fewer ICU beds than other wealthy nations, this issue has still not been addressed. But unlike Covid, people will be clearly told that hospitals are still open for non-flu treatment - Professor Whitty told the Covid Inquiry that the Government didnt get [this] across well enough. The Government has refused to disclose details of its PPE stockpile so its unclear whether the UK is in a better position to protect healthcare workers. I dont think bed numbers or staffing are any better than it was in 2020, says Professor Horby. But what has changed is our understanding of the feasibility of home-based testing with LFTs and isolating at home to keep people out of hospital. There are stockpiles of antibiotics to treat secondary complications such as pneumonia, the Government says. Corticosteroids such as dexamethasone, which dampens down the bodys inflammatory response to infection, could also play a role. Meanwhile, since officials confirmed the likely source of the outbreak was a dairy farm, sales of beef and chicken have plummeted, with fake news spreading on social media that people can become infected by eating the meats. There were similar concerns during the swine flu pandemic of 2009, which caused pork sales to fall in some parts of the world. Public health experts and the Food Standards Agency wade in to correct the misinformation and reassure the population that the virus cannot spread into humans by eating beef or chicken. Week seven Several schools are badly affected, with children asked to learn remotely in some cases because of teacher absences. Some classes also have so many children off with flu that the others are asked to home school. Experts say that school closures in the event of H5N1 will be unlikely even though, ironically, flu is likely to affect children more severely than Covid. Dame Sally Davies, the former chief medical officer, told the Covid Inquiry that lockdown measures had damaged a generation while Rishi Sunak also said hed argued for schools to remain open. Meanwhile, people have noticed their cats becoming ill. Bird flu is known to be severe in cats a ten-week-old kitten died in Iceland earlier this month, and 20 big cats including a Bengal tiger and four cougars have died of bird flu in a zoo in Washington state, in the US. Could this be a devastating epidemic for the nations felines? Sometimes, animals are culled to protect humans during Covid, Denmark culled 17million mink when a form of the virus that could spread to humans was found. But experts say the risk of catching bird flu from your cat is very low, which means on the current evidence, at least a cat cull isnt likely to be on the cards. Week eight How bad could it get? Some experts say in a worst-case scenario we could see a pandemic that rivals the Great Influenza epidemic of 1918. That virus affected one fifth of the world population, and killed an estimated 50million people. But not all novel flu viruses are so dangerous. In 2009, for example, officials warned the H1N1 swine flu pandemic could cause 65,000 deaths in the UK in the end, 457 people died. It wont be clear how serious a bird flu pandemic could be until it arrives. What matters is the case fatality rate how many people die after being infected and how easily it spreads. MERS, a type of coronavirus that appeared in the Middle East in 2012, kills 35 per cent of those infected around one in three. But it doesnt pass easily between people, so has ultimately led to fewer than 1,000 deaths. Covid, meanwhile, had a much lower case fatality rate. The original Alpha strain killed 2.62 per cent of those it infected. However, because it could spread swiftly it infected more than 700million people, killing seven million. In general, flu doesnt spread as easily as Covid. But as epidemiologist Professor Mark Woolhouse from the University of Edinburgh explains: The worst-case scenario is we get a strain that combines the virulence of some of the bird flus with the transmissibility of some of the human flus. That has been the concern for 30 years. If its a very visible, severe infection then it should be easier to contain if we throw all the contact tracing capability we have at it. If it moves fast and less visibly within the population, containing it will be harder so we may see more deaths and serious illness overall, even if the symptoms are milder for most people. And what might happen next? As time goes on, and the 50million vaccine doses are rolled out, immunity in the population builds up. Like during Covid, there are several different waves of infection. The virus will also evolve, as Covid did. But eventually, H5N1 could become like any other seasonal flu. It will stay with us, like Covid did, says Professor Woolhouse. Nearly 50million Americans are battling an addiction, and relapse is a common struggle in the recovery process. Substance use disorder often requires multiple attempts to quit before successfully going sober, according to a report by researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The authors surveyed nearly 350 people about how many attempts it took to quit a substance before they were finally able to maintain their sobriety - revealing which drugs could be the most addicting. The researchers looked at 12 substances ranging from alcohol and nicotine to cocaine and marijuana. Some drugs are harder to put down than others, the team said. In a ranking of the substances with the most quit attempts, prescription pain medication such as OxyContin or Vicodin, took the top spot and was followed closely behind by non-prescription opioids such as fentanyl and heroin. On average, it took addicts about six attempts to quit these vices before they stayed sober. Quitting these drugs is extremely difficult because of the hold they have over users. The substances hijack the brain to become the users entire life, surpassing food and shelter in order of importance. All the while, the user has to keep increasing their dosages to achieve the high they experienced the first time. An estimated 2.5 million American adults have an addiction to opioids, which were responsible for more than 107,000 fatal overdoses in 2023. Prescription painkillers and opioids like fentanyl required the most quit attempts followed by stimulants and alcohol. Surprisingly, nicotine ranked below cannabis. Substances with more quit attempts also tend to cause severe withdrawal symptoms, such as pain and anxiety In a ranking of the substances with the most quit attempts, prescription pain medication topped the list, followed by non-prescription opioids such as fentanyl and heroin Next in the study, published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, were stimulants such as Adderall, Ritalin, and methamphetamine, with an average of 4.4 quit attempts, followed by alcohol, which saw 4.2 quit attempts. Prescription stimulants used to treat ADHD double as party drugs among people who don't have the condition, and are particularly popular among young adults. Around 1.5 million Americans 12 and older have a prescription stimulant use disorder. Some rankings may prove surprising. Nicotine, which has a grip on 24million Americans, did not rank in the top five and came below cannabis. Researchers said: 'The differences in the number of quit attempts between substances likely result from a combination of physiological, psychological, and social factors.' The substances that were hardest to quit were also the ones with low short-term treatment effectiveness and high relapse rates. Opioids, for instance, have a recurrence rate of about 90 percent. At the same time, if alcohol, stimulants, and cannabis are fixtures in a person's social life, they can be harder to quit for good. Substances with a higher number of quit attempts were also those that can bring on severe physical symptoms of withdrawal, such as pain, nausea, and anxiety. E-cigarette use has reached record heights in the US with more than 17million adults and 2million children hooked on the devices Opioid withdrawal can be fatal. Symptoms include flu-like signs such as muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If vomiting and diarrhea are severe and untreated, they can lead to dehydration, high sodium levels, and potentially heart failure. Researchers at Virginia Tech reported that substance use disorder is a chronically relapsing condition that often requires multiple quit attempts before successful abstinence. Relapsing is part of the learning process, and stumbling blocks are part of the recovery process. They also found people who meet the criteria of having a more severe or more extended history of substance use disorder might need more attempts before achieving abstinence. The analysis found that both age at first use and length of time misusing a substance were significant factors associated with the number of quit attempts. The longer someone has been using a substance, the more attempts they tend to have made to quit. Those with longer histories of use may face greater challenges in quitting, which is reflected in the higher number of attempts. Dr Rafaela Fontes, a research scientist at the institute, said: We treat addiction as an acute disorder, even though we know that it is a chronically relapsing condition. When were talking about addiction, we need to understand that its not one size fits all. There are some substances that are harder to quit than others and its not equally easy or equally hard for everyone. We cannot use the same strategy for everything because it might not work. Researchers conducted the study using data from the International Quit and Recovery Registry, an online community of adults in recovery. A 2023 survey found two-thirds of Americans reported either they or a family member suffer from addiction to drugs or alcohol. The above information comes from a separate KFF Health Tracking Poll A survey was issued to 344 people in August 2023, asking about their history of use for 12 substances nicotine, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, opioids, stimulants, prescription pain relievers, hallucinogens, anesthetics, tranquilizers, inhalants, and a category labeled others. It also asked about the severity of their addiction, their primary substance, and number of attempts to quit. For the study, quitting was determined by asking people if they still used a particular substance. If they said no, it meant they had quit. On average, participants had been sober for more than seven years. The substance with the fifth-most quit attempts was tranquilizers, with 3.8, followed by inhalants, such as nitrous oxide (commonly called laughing gas), amyl nitrite (poppers), and ether, with 3.7 quit attempts. Anesthetics had the seventh-highest number of attempts to quit, with 3.6. Cocaine came next with 3.5 quit attempts, followed by cannabis with 3.4 quit attempts. Nicotine users saw an average of 3.4 quit attempts, and hallucinogen users saw an average of 2.7. Dr Allison Tegge, corresponding author on the study and a research associate professor at the institute, said: What makes this research stand out is that, not only did we consider the substance, but we asked additional questions to look at the individual experience in context. The study was published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Your browser does not support iframes. Addiction recovery is a lengthy, arduous process that requires constant self-reflection, self-discipline, and readiness to seek support when necessary. Dr Tegge added: If people in recovery knew the average number of attempts it might take to quit a particular drug, rather than see relapse as a failure, they might view it as a step on the journey. Understanding that relapse is part of recovery can help people stay engaged. Maybe they can see that failure is part of the process and think: I just need to keep trying, and eventually I'm going to get there. Up to 74million Americans' access to healthcare hung in the balance Tuesday as officials in all 50 states reported disruptions to their Medicaid programs. The chaos came in the wake of the Trump administration's abrupt funding freeze laid out in a vaguely worded memo, which was meant to root out 'woke' ideology in the federal government but appears to have affected organizations that depend on crucial federal health department funds. These include the health insurance program for lower-income individuals, Medicaid, which is run jointly by the states and the federal government. State officials say they have been been unable to log into the Medicaid payment portal which manages billions of dollars in payments annually. The White House has said it is 'aware of the Medicaid website portal outage' but insisted no payments had been denied and were instead just delayed in being processed. But state and federal officials say the issue is already impacting providers across the country and worrying millions of people who rely on Medicaid for everything from prescription medicines and preventive screening to unexpected hospital stays and checkups. Connecticut Sen Chris Murphy said his state's Medicaid payment system 'has been turned off', adding: 'Doctors and hospitals cannot get paid. Discussions ongoing about whether services can continue.' Sen Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, said Tuesday that his staff has 'confirmed reports that Medicaid portals are down in all 50 states' following the freeze, calling it a 'blatant attempt to rip away health insurance from millions of Americans overnight and will get people killed.' A therapist who provides care to Medicaid recipient said on her TikTok page: 'They say Medicaid isn't impacted. I haven't been able to get into my Medicaid provider portal. Portals are down. All across the country.' When pressed on whether Medicaid funding would be affected by a federal freeze, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: 'Ill check back on that and get back to you'. The White House later stipulated that Medicaid would not be affected by the funding freeze Medicaid covers everything from doctor visits and preventive care to prescription medicines and long-term hospital stays. The funding is not provided directly to individuals per se, but rather to healthcare providers, such as doctors, hospitals, or pharmacies, for the services they provide to eligible participants. The federal funding freeze was set to take effect at 4pm central time on Tuesday, but Illinois Gov JB Pritzker's office reported that the state lost access to Medicaid earlier that morning. The Medicaid payment portal page included a large banner announcement saying that, due to 'Executive Orders regarding potentially unallowable grant payments... Reviews of applicable programs and payments will result in delays and/or rejections of payments.' Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal government and overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services. The department disperses a percentage of funding based on a calculation of the state's needs, while state governments pay the rest. Alexis Rose, a traveling nurse, said: Medicaid health centers, Medicaid clinics are unable to access any federal funding. This also means that hospitals who have Medicaid patients like the one I'm in right now are not going to be able to discharge patients to facilities. This is going to clog up the American healthcare system even worse than it already is because we are not able to discharge Medicaid-reliant patients.' The memo sent out to government agencies on Monday stated that its orders should not be 'construed' to apply to Social Security and Medicare programs for seniors and said that the hold 'does not include assistance provided directly to individuals.' A therapist who treats Medicaid enrollees said she has not been able to access her provider portal since Monday afternoon A travel nurse said the funding freeze, which was not intended to affect Medicaid, disrupts hospitals' ability to discharge patients, which 'clogs up' the system But the programs affected do include 'financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal.' The order sent shockwaves through Washington, and questions quickly emerged about whether it would apply to Medicaid funding. Before losing access to the Medicaid payment portal, the state's comptroller Susana Mendoza said her office had already processed all of the bills it had on hand and had received its contribution from the federal government before the freeze went into place. 'However, I am very concerned about how long this "freeze" may last,' she said. 'It is reckless for President Trump to take this action with essentially no guidance or explanation about exactly which federal funds are included, leaving states to pick up the pieces and figure out how to best protect and provide services to their residents.' A White House state health director told the Washington Post that Medicaid was never meant to be affected and that the administration was aware that more than 20 states could not access federal funds through the system. The administration confirmed Tuesday that Medicaid funding is exempt from the freeze, but that did not stop the chaos. When reporters at today's White House Press Briefing asked, Ms Leavitt: 'Ill check back on that.' Connecticut Sen Chris Murphy said his state's Medicaid payment portal has been 'turned off' Oregon Sen Ron Wyden said all 50 states have reported being locked out of Medicaid payment portals, stalling reimbursements to healthcare providers caring for low-income Americans The legality of restricting the flow of money to states is dubious. Senior House and Senate Committees on Appropriations members said that the Trump administration's 'efforts to undermine Congresss power of the purse, threaten our national security and deny resources for states, localities, American families and businesses.' Congress allocates funding for Medicaid as part of the annual federal budget. The Constitution gives exclusive power to control federal spending to Congress through the appropriations process. Medicaid is authorized under the Social Security Act, and any changes to its funding such as pausing or withholding payments would require legislative action or a lawful administrative process. The funding freeze throws a laundry list of other programs that promote food safety, combat crime, provide college aid, produce medical research, and respond to natural disasters into question. Medicaid is a government health insurance program for low-income Americans, funded by federal and state governments, covering doctor visits, preventive care, prescriptions, and hospital stays Your browser does not support iframes. Several states have had difficulty getting previously awarded funds and reimbursements for preschool centers in the federal government's Head Start program. Local housing organizations that cater to low-income individuals and families are also panicking about having the necessary funding to pay rents on February 1. The National Council of Nonprofits and the American Public Health Association filed suit against the Office of Management and Budget, which sent out the memo, seeking a temporary restraining order to 'maintain the status quo until the Court has an opportunity to more fully consider the illegality of OMBs actions.' Bottega Veneta knows a thing or two about designing handbags that get editors and influencers talking. Founded in Vicenza, Italy in 1966, the luxury fashion house developed its now-iconic Intrecciato weave as a solution to a technical problem: the sewing machines in the ateliers couldnt handle thicker leather, so the brand used thin strips and weaved them diagonally to create durable leather accessories instead. Today, the braided leather is one of Bottega Venetas signature looks. The weave technique is used to craft its most sought-after handbags, including the knotted Jodie bag that spawned hundreds of high street dupes, the Andiamo clutch (the brands latest It-bag, according to our Instagram feed) and the Arco tote, which weve been lusting after since we first spotted it in the hands of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley with her Bottega Veneta Arco tote The design of the tote is quite simple its a structured top-handle bag woven from wide leather strips and it comes in mini, large, padded and crossbody iterations. Depending on the size youre going for, theres enough room to fit all your everyday essentials yes, even a laptop so it really is one of the chicest work totes out there, but the designer holdall does come at an eye-watering cost of 3,230. 3,230, Bottega Veneta While were all for saving up and investing our money in pieces that will last us a lifetime, we also like finding an affordable alternative and we have spotted a handbag on the high street that looks just like the Bottega Veneta tote, but is only a fraction of the price. The handbag in question is from Mint Velvet, and similar to the Italian fashion brands design, its woven from wide leather straps. Its nearly identical in size too, so another great option for the office. The biggest difference is the leather the retailers tote is crafted from suede, which makes the overall look a little less structured, and a little more casual. 160, Mint Velvet The lookalike retails for 160 thats significantly lower than Bottega Venetas four-figure price tag and considering suede bags are everywhere this season, we think Mint Velvets designer-passing tote will inevitably sell out, so act quick if youre in the market for an extra-roomy bag to swing over your shoulder. CNN is defending correspondent Alex Marquardt's continuous presence on-air after his report on an Afghanistan veteran cost the channel millions in a defamation lawsuit. Zachary Young, a 49-year-old Navy veteran, had sued the channel for suggesting he was part of a black market when evacuating people from Afghanistan as the U.S. pulled troops out in 2021. The on-air broadcast had CNN's Chief National Security Correspondent Marquardt name Young in a segment claiming private contractors were charging up to $14,000 for 'black market' evacuations. When asked why Marquardt remains on the air, a CNN spokesperson told Fox News Digital, 'Alex is on our air because he is an experienced, veteran reporter with valuable insights on the news.' In this previous controversial broadcast, Marquardt claimed 'desperate Afghans are now being exploited' by 'exorbitant and impossible' amounts. The coverage then displayed a LinkedIn post from Young, who maintained he'd never accepted any money from Afghans, advertising his services. CNN and Young soon agreed to an undisclosed settlement before the jury had a chance to determine punitive damages. The jury then awarded Young $5 million in financial and emotional damages, stating that the veteran had been defamed on January 17. In the span of two weeks, the award-winning correspondent has appeared at least four times on-air for different CNN segments. CNN is defending correspondent Alex Marquardt's (pictured)continuous presence on-air after his report on an Afghanistan veteran cost the channel millions in a defamation lawsuit Zachary Young, 49, a Navy veteran had sued the channel for suggesting he was part of a black market in evacuating people from Afghanistan when the US suddenly and dramatically pulled troops out in 2021 during an on-air segment Another spokesperson for the company said after the trial: 'We remain proud of our journalists and are 100 percent committed to strong, fearless and fair-minded reporting at CNN, though we will of course take what useful lessons we can from this case.' In a post-trial interview, the veteran revealed he had not forgiven Marquardt and said he had remained defiant on the witness stand at the trial. 'We've given Mr. Marquardt, you know, plenty of opportunities during deposition and then again at trial to apologize. 'And, you know, the answer was no,' Young told Fox News Digital. 'He still stands behind his work. He's very proud of what he did. His hit piece on me to destroy my life. He's not my biggest fan.' On the witness stand, the correspondent had insisted his report was not a 'hit piece' on Young and he was proud of his work. 'I wasn't looking to take anyone down. I didn't take anyone down,' he claimed. Young filed his defamation lawsuit in 2022 and successfully alleged that CNN had damaged his reputation by lying that he was taking advantage of the withdrawal. After being threatened by Young, CNN made an apology, issued a retraction and removed the segment from public view. 'Alex is on our air because he is an experienced, veteran reporter with valuable insights on the news,' a spokesperson for CNN said CNN aired this image of Zachary Young with a strap on the bottom that read: 'Afghans trying to flee Taliban face Black Markets'. He sued the network for tying him to the black markets In a post-trial interview, the veteran revealed he had not forgiven Marquardt and said he had remained defiant on the witness stand at the trial But in depositions screened during the hearing, senior staff say the network should never have apologized to Young. On January 17, two days before both sides' closing arguments, the jury was shown a series of clips - three of which showed depositions from CNN Executive Vice President of Editorial Virginia Moseley, Supervising Producer Michael Callahan, and Senior Vice President of Washington Newsgathering Adam Levine, respectively. Each said the same - that they did not believe such an apology was necessary, due to Marquardt's segment making no such charge. The on-screen banner did. The term 'black market' was also used in the introduction of the report, when it first ran on 'The Lead With Jake Tapper.' 'In general, I don't,' Moseley said in December 2023 when asked by Young's legal team whether she agreed with the 2022 apology. 'The reason I don't agree with it is I don't have, as we talked about earlier, the negative connotation of "black market,"' she insisted, offering her argument. 'The story included a lead-in and banner... that referenced a "black market," she went on. 'The use of the term "black market" in the story was an error... We regret the error, and to Mr. Young, we apologize.' Pictured, Kabul during the hectic August 2021 operation CNN host Pamela Brown told viewers apologized on behalf of the network on-air 'So I'm not exactly sure, like I wouldn't, you know - I don't consider black market in a negative connotation. 'I wouldn't agree with the correction,' she finished. A few months earlier, in October, Callahan aired a similar stance - saying he defined 'black market' as an 'unregulated market' and not a disreputable one. He argued such a term correctly applied to the situation then occurring in Kabul, and that the phrase black market did not have any particular connotation. When asked what he believed the term meant, he insisted: 'An unregulated market for goods or services.' In June of last year, Levine said the apology was made in hopes of quashing the 'potential for a lawsuit', while spending multiple minutes dodging questions about whether CNN believed Young's concern had been 'reasonable' enough to demand the apology. 'This was a decision made for legal reasons, and the correction was issued at the direction of our legal department,' Levine said. 'So CNN thinks that the decision by the legal department was the right one for the company based on them being our legal department.' When asked whether a correction was due, he said 'at least our legal department felt that way.' 'It was an error based on the fact that Mr. Young felt and [Young's attorney Vel Freedman] conveyed that that was how it was received by Mr. Young,' he further explained. 'And they took issue with that.' CNN journalist Fuzz Hogan, a senior editor tasked with fact-checking the report, said a few days earlier that he also didn't agree that CNN should have apologized, and repeatedly called Brown's apology a 'correction.' CNN journalist Fuzz Hogan, a senior editor tasked with fact-checking the report, said a few days earlier that he also didn't agree that CNN should have apologized, and repeatedly called Brown's apology a 'correction' 'I didn't think that the correction was necessary,' Hogan said, delivering this testimony before the jury. Marquardt said the same - before indicating he had no problem that the network eventually apologized. CNN producer Michael Conte similarly said he did 'not necessarily' agree with the apology, at one point adding, 'I do not believe [the report] was an error.' MSNBC's Morning Joe has framed Donald Trump's immigration crackdown as 'a distraction.' Resident analyst Anand Giridharadas, 46, made the remark Tuesday, as he reacted in real-time to an early morning tweet from newly named head of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The post, published at 6:30am, showed footage of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arresting a man Noem described as 'criminal alien with kidnapping, assault and burglary charges', on the streets of New York City. Noem, who assumed the role the day before, further warned: 'Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets.' Tasked with giving his reaction, Giridharadas first conceded the deportations were launched as a result of Joe Biden's failures. However, as he continued, Giridharadas sang a different tune - claiming Trump was only capitalizing on the shortcomings of his predecessor to implement his agenda. He said the current administration is in the midst of a 'bread and circuses' ploy at the expense of 'the American people', the benefits of which are being reaped by Trump's 'billionaire cronies'. He appeared to be obliquely mentioning figures like Elon Musk, whose presence at Trump's inauguration, and appointment to a position in government, has progressives - including Biden - hurling claims that an oligarchy is rapidly forming in the US. Scroll down for video: Morning Joe analyst Anand Giridharadas, 46, called Donald Trump's immigration crackdown 'a distraction' Tuesday, as he reacted to a tweet from the head of Homeland Security Secretary The post, published at 6:30am, showed footage of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arresting a man Noem described as 'criminal alien with kidnapping, assault and burglary charges', on the streets of New York City 'We are moving very, very far from the president worrying about what regular people need, right?' Giridharadas began, after admitting Americans after four years of Biden felt vulnerable and 'under-served' by their leaders. 'He is distracting people with this flurry of activity,' he went on, referring to Trump. 'But none of this, none of these images you're seeing are going to make your life better,' he went on to claim. 'None of these things, contrary to popular belief, have anything to do with the still high price of eggs. 'None of these things will make it easier to start a business,' he continued, echoing several talking points championed by conservatives. 'None of these things will make it easier for people to get the education they need, change their lives, leave their kids better off. 'This is all a distraction, shock and awe... so that Donald Trump can do one thing - and you saw it at the inauguration. '[He wants to] enrich his billionaire cronies, enrich his oligarch friends,' the former New York Times columnist claimed. Fresh off assuming the role the day before, Noem further warned: 'Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets' Tasked with giving his reaction, Giridharadas first conceded the deportations were launched as a result of Joe Biden's failures - before claiming Trump was only capitalizing on such shortcomings to implement his agenda. He's seen explaining his stance to host Mika Brzezinski He said the administration is in the midst of a 'bread and circuses' ploy at the expense of 'the American people', the benefits of which are being reaped by Trump's 'billionaire cronies'. Pictured, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai, and Elon Musk at Trump's inauguration 'That is what he is actually doing, when he's not busy releasing his crypto coins. 'And all of this is sort of bread and circuses for people to stare at while he's robbing you from the back,' he concluded - after earlier stating Trump at least deserves praise for seizing on this pent-up sentiment. The day prior, ICE engaged in roughly 1,200 arrests in just one day, in cities ranging from Seattle to Honolulu. In Chicago, ten separate teams of federal agents fanned out across the city to conduct Trump's ordered operations. Crews from NBC News - which last week was subject to layoffs - rode along with one of the teams, which granted them access to an ICE processing facility in the city, where detainees were being taken to be photographed, fingerprinted, and held until their deportation flights. At the same time, the number of undocumented immigrants rounded up by authorities on Sunday was much higher than first reported - 956, according to an earlier statement from the federal agency. The number shot up by nearly 250 by the end of the day, after which journalists at MSNBC repeatedly pointed out more than half of those being held did not have criminals records. However, source also told DailyMail.com similar operations seen in New York City - like the one Noem tweeted out - specifically targeted murderers, kidnappers, and individuals charged with assault and burglary. The billionaire's presence at Trump's inauguration has left progressives - including Biden - hurling claims of an oligarchy forming in the US Trump, who ran on a mass deportation platform , has made immigration his first order of business since assuming office. Seen here, a Monday operation from ICE in New York targeting an illegal with a criminal history ICE agents have arrested more than 3,500 people since the inauguration last Monday, with raids taking place all over the country A photo shared by the New York DEA showed them on the scene in the Fordham Heights area of the Bronx. The president, meanwhile, has said he is considering pulling funding to sanctuary cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and New York . Trump, who ran on a mass deportation platform, has made immigration his first order of business since assuming office. ICE agents have arrested more than 3,500 people since the inauguration last Monday, Axios reports. Jim Acosta has confirmed on-air that he is quitting CNN after being booted out of his prime timeslot. Concluding his CNN Newsroom show just before 11am ET Tuesday, Costa, 53, looked directly into the camera and said: 'One final message - don't give in to the lies. 'Don't give in to the fear. Hold on to the truth and to hope,' he continued, eventually calling Donald Trump 'a tyrant'. 'Even if you have to get out your phone,' he went on. 'Record that message. "I will not give in to the lies. I will not give in to the fear." Post it on your social media, so people can hear from you, too.' Acosta went on to state how he'd share news of his planned career moves in the coming days, following weeks of speculative headlines. The veteran newsman - who spent 18 years at CNN - was humiliated earlier this month when reports emerged indicating he was going to be axed from his 10am timeslot. A new Situation Room series headed by Wolf Blitzer will take over the slot instead, CNN CEO Mark Thompson confirmed last week, while unleashing some 200 firings. Acosta, who lives in Washington DC, was offered a graveyard midnight to 2am slot by him instead - an offer he flatly rejected. Scroll down for video: Jim Acosta confirmed he is leaving CNN Tuesday - with an on-air speech where he told viewers 'not to give into the lies' "I've decided to move on" from CNN, @Acosta says, while expressing gratitude to the network and its viewers. Some parting words: "Don't give in to the lies. Don't give in to the fear. Hold on to the truth and to hope." pic.twitter.com/3OdyLTCGN8 Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) January 28, 2025 It was sold to him as a move to West Coast primetime that included a move to LA, insiders told Status news - leaving Acosta to address the subsequent speculation. 'I just wanted to end today's show by thanking all of the wonderful people who work behind the scenes at this network,' he told viewers, following an hour that saw him slam Trump's recent deportations as 'a dog and pony show.' 'You may have seen some reports about me and the show,' he continued, referring to accounts initially obtained by Status founder - and former CNN staffer - Oliver Darcy. 'And after giving all of this some careful consideration and weighing an alternative time slot, CNN offered me, I've decided to move on. 'I just wanted to end today's show by thanking all of the wonderful people who work behind the scenes at this network,' he continued, adding how he came to the decision after 'some careful consideration and weighing an alternative time slot CNN offered.' But, Acosta concluded, 'I've decided to move on.' The speech went on from there, with Acosta eventually honing in on his old nemesis, the commander-in-chief. 'People often ask me if the highlight of my career at CNN was at the White House covering Donald Trump,' he said, reminding onlookers of their repeated clashes during the president's first term, one of which saw his press credentials pulled. Acosta, seen here in the foreground, often found himself at odds with Donald Trump during the latter's first term Aside from a digital-first model, Thompson is demanding stars like Acosta tone-down their Trump reporting for his second term - something the latter on Tuesday ignored 'Actually, no,' he sniped, saying instead his crowning achievement came during coverage of then-president Barack Obama's trip to Cuba in 2016, since he himself is the son of a Cuban refugee. '[I] had the chance to question the dictator there, Raul Castro, about the island's political prisoners,' he recalled of the trip, before using it as political ammunition. 'I took home this lesson. 'It is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant,' he asserted. 'I've always believed it's the job of the press to hold power to account. 'I've always tried to do that here at CNN,' he went on. 'And I plan on going doing all of that in the future.' That's when he urged Americans to 'not give in to the lies' he appeared to suggest were being perpetuated by the current administration. 'Ill have more to say about my plans in the coming days. But until then, I want to thank all of you for tuning in.' For a conclusion, Acosta offered a spin on his usual sign-off. 'It has been an honor to be welcomed into your home for all these years,' he told viewers as the hour waned. 'Thats the news. Reporting from Washington. Im Jim Acosta.' A White House intern reaches for and attempts to take away the microphone held by then Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta in November 2018 - an encounter that saw his credentials briefly pulled Earlier in the day, Acosta was joined by guests like Illinois Democrat Mike Quigley and fellow Congresswoman Rosa Delauro of Connecticut. Both had strong words about the president's first week in office, to which Acosta would occasionally interject and offer his opinion. 'We were looking at a graphic earlier that showed head start breakfast and lunch programs for needy children,' he told Delauro at a point, during talks about federal programs set to be pulled by the administration. 'Say it ain't so,' Acosta opined - to which Delauro, also a Democrat, said, 'Well, it is so.' During discussions about immigration with Quigley, Acosta, mentioning viral footage of Dr Phil on an ICE ride-along, told his guest. 'This looks like this is turning into a dog and pony show' - to which he agreed. Acosta then publicly pondered whether 'we are in the middle of [a] retribution campaign. 'Yeah, so much for an independent law enforcement,' Quigley replied, after the Trump Administration faced accusations of going after particular people within the Justice Department, firing prosecutors who worked on the Jack Smith January 6 case in particular. Quigley went on to claim: 'The first Trump administration wanted to go after their enemies. They wanted to overturn a lawful election.' 'And if it wasn't for some brave people in the justice department back then, they might have been able to do just that. So we're seeing it at the beginning of this administration.' 'He's out there joking at events that he's going to run for a third term. What do you think of that?' Acosta at this point asked, referring to Trump. 'Yeah, absolutely nothing surprises me,' Quigley replied, before categorizing the conservative as 'an autocrat'. 'My concerns are that the Supreme Court, uh, in an extraordinary moment in history, will agree with him on one of these egregious ideas,' he went on, as Acosta devoted most of the show to Trump's executive actions. 'And our constitution will be very vulnerable from then on.' The rest of the hour carried a similar tone, with CNN Senior Justice Correspondent Evan Perez and CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig also joining in to bash the president. At another point, Acosta read out a quote attributed to a 'career' DOJ employee obtained this week by Politico, where the official also appeared to air accusations that Trump's actions were retaliatory toward Democrats. 'This it feels like a nonviolent war. It's just wild. Everybody is a sitting duck, and these people have no power or control over the situation,' the person said. Welcome to MAGALAND: Insider Trump's Second 100 Days - The podcast bringing you the latest news and gossip from the White House. Listen here. Earlier in the day, Acosta was joined by guests like Illinois Democrat Mike Quigley (not pictured) and fellow Congresswoman Rosa Delauro (right). Both had strong words to say about the president's first week in office, to which Acosta would occasionally offer his opinion The rest of the hour saw Acosta report mostly on the slew of Trump's recent executive actions, with a disapproving tone CNN Senior Justice Correspondent Evan Perez and CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig both joined in on the bashing as well, framing the president's recent moves as retaliatory as Acosta pondered whether fired officials were part of 'a purge' 'People are just in a state of shock and devastated. It's unlike anything I've ever seen. Nothing that happened during the first Trump administration came anywhere close to this.' At this point, Acosta turned to Honie to say, 'this sounds like a purge.' 'It sounds like the purge is on,' he said, to which the former prosecutor for the Justice Department stated, 'This is certainly unprecedented.' The displays served as a continuation of at-times opinionated reporting from Acosta seen last week, after insiders told Status that Thompson was demanding stars tone-down their Trump reporting for his second term. This appeared to fall on deaf ears in regard to Acosta, who last Wednesday appeared ready to resume his years-long tiff with Trump during an interview with Republican lawmaker Tim Burchett. As reports about his status at the 10am slot circulated, Acosta chided Burchett for what he viewed as his refusing to 'take a stand' against Trumps blanket pardons surrounding January 6. 'Its good to be on here for my weekly beating from you all at CNN ,' he began, before slamming the station's plummeting ratings while being repeatedly interrupted by his host. 'We are asking you to come on and tell the truth,' Acosta said at point, before being subject to the proverbial bomb from the Republican. February 2019: Another argument, this one on the White House lawn at an immigration event, between Trump and Acosta 'And thats why more people are watching the Cartoon Network SpongeBob reruns right now, Jim,' he said, briefly leaving Acosta at a loss. Thompson was the one tasked with addressing these ratings, and was brought on to do so in 2023 after rectifying similar situations at both the New York Times and BBC. In a statement issued the following morning - before what was only the station's laters round of layoffs - Thompson warned CNN's future is still unclear. 'In the end, this is about CNN being - as it has been in its history - an indispensable way in which many, many millions of people get their news,' he told the paper, as he plans to roll out more vertical videos made popular by influencers on platforms like TikTok. 'This is a moment where the digital story feels like an existential question,' he told the paper he led for almost eight years, as cable news continues to decline. 'If we do not follow the audiences to the new platforms with real conviction and scale, our future prospects will not be good.' The statement also saw Thompson drop the bombshell that he was replacing Acostas 10 am hour with 'The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown,' confirming earlier reports in the process. Acostas 10 am hour will be absorbed by a two-hour program dubbed 'The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown' At the time, the station slammed them as 'speculation.' Thompson put that to bed when he said execs were in talks with Acosta about a new role. Those talks failed, with those fired last week set to be replaced by people with a more digital skillset, Thompson said. Thompson also revealed plans to roll out a streaming service that will feature all of its most well-known stars - which, as Tuesday's episode of Newsroom indicated, will not feature Acosta. He joined CNN in 2007 following a stint at CBS News. He went on to gain prominence for his outspokenness against the president. The decision to pull him from his long-held hour was made in the wake of the election, when reports of the layoffs emerged from Darcy. The motive for the move remains unclear, with Thompson painting the business decisions seen over the past week as part of 'an ongoing "reshaping"' process 'in response to changing consumer habits'. Sunny Hostin used her platform on The View this week to call the mass deportations being carried out by Donald Trump inherently 'racist'. Hostin made the claims less than ten minutes into Monday's episode, after her co-host Whoopi Goldberg observed how she was raring to go. The conversation, at that point, had turned to the deportations currently taking place across the country - and Goldberg introduced the topic by calling attention to Hostin's less-than-thrilled face. 'Her face was saying something I felt [that] she wanted to say verbally,' Goldberg said, leading the licensed attorney to laugh in response. However, Hostin quickly grew serious and launched a lengthy response - one that caused the panel's lone Republican, Alyssa Farah Griffin, to offer a correction. Hostin, 56, had claimed Trump's operation was racist for not targeting European immigrants, mistakenly citing a statistic involving documented visitors from the continent. Griffin, 35, chimed in to point this out, leading Ana Navarro, an immigrant herself, to claim many of the sample set still overstay their welcome after being granted a visa. Hostin - a week removed from belittling a black artist for merely appearing at Trump's inauguration - seemingly seized the opportunity to still get her point across. Sunny Hostin used her platform on The View Monday to call the mass deportations being carried out by Donald Trump inherently 'racist' The conversation, at that point, had just turned to the deportations taking place across the country 'They overstay their visas so they're undocumented,' she said in response to Nicaraguan-born Navarro, after insisting to an unconvinced Griffin that 'a lot of [Europeans] are undocumented actually. 'The Europeans who come here are undocumented, but they don't come across the southern border,' she continued. 'So I think there's a very clear message as to what this president wants the look of a criminal migrant to look like.' Hostin, however, quickly fact-checked herself to clarify she had met 'undocumented migrant[s],' after left-leaning outlets like MSNBC pointed out how less than half of the ICE arrests on Monday affected migrants with criminal records. 'And I think that's racist,' Hostin further claimed of criteria fueling the arrests, despite getting it wrong. The studio audience in New York then offered a round of applause, after which Hostin, utilizing her history as an attorney, claimed Trump had broken federal law by ordering the operation. She framed the executive action as a 'circumvent[ion] [of] established law by weaponizing the US Military, leaving the rest of the panel largely at a loss. When Goldberg asked her to clarify, Hostin launched yet another rant - after which Griffin had to again weigh in to offer, in her words, 'clarity.' Longtime panelist Whoopi Goldberg introduced the topic by calling attention to Hostin's face before giving her the floor. A visibly irate Hostin went on to claim the deportations were racist for not targeting Europeans, mistakenly citing a statistic involving documented immigrants 'Generally before being deported you have an asylum case pending front of a court and you must appear in front of that judge,' Hostin went on to state, adding how 'right now there are 3 million asylum cases, and 900 judges' overseeing such proceedings. 'That is why the bipartisan bill that was going to be passed addressed that particular issue,' she said of the bill that almost sparked a government shutdown late last year. 'Instead of dealing with it legally that way - and I'm not saying he's doing it illegally - what [Trump] did was declared a national emergency that qualifies as a foreign invasion.' Trump's perceived invasion, she said, was at 'The US-Mexico border - not any other border. And that cleared the way for the Department of Defense to deploy the military at a 60 percent increase.' She went on to argue that 'many' members of the military 'did not join the military to do that job,' before finishing by saying, '[Federal officials] are also racially profiling in doing this.' She went on to rattle off a list of cities being raided before it emerged hours later that ICE had successfully apprehended roughly 1,200 alleged offenders on Monday alone as part of the ongoing operation. Hostin, however, still framed them as 'citizens' - while ignoring how nearly half had criminal records. 'And among the citizens that they detained and questioned was a Puerto Rican man and a military vet,' she pointed out. All persons born in Puerto Rico since the start of 1941 are citizens of the US at birth, the government notes. Lone Republican Alyssa Farrah Griffin chimed in to point this out, but Hostin continued to try to get her point across Moreover, the man Hostin mentioned was likely mistakenly apprehended. 'For the 50 million-thousandth time, Puerto Ricans are Americans and disproportionately serve in the military,' Hostin this time rightly claimed. 'And so I say, to all of this, that I am disappointed, disgusted, and saddened by what I'm seeing.' US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained an unnamed U.S. military veteran after raiding a seafood store in New Jersey last week, leading the store's owner to tell Pix 11 how he believed the man was mistakenly targeted. 'I was confused; they took three people who did not have any documentation on them,' New Jersey's Luis Janota told the local outlet Thursday. 'I asked them [the agents] what documentation they were looking for, and they said it was a license or a passport. I thought, who walks around with a passport? 'They did not ask me for documentation for my American workers, Portuguese workers, or white workers,' the store owner added, stating that three arrests were made. 'One of the guys was a military veteran, and the way he looked to me was because he was Hispanic,' he stated. This caused Ana Navarro, an immigrant herself, to claim many of the sample set still overstay their welcome after being granted a visa - a claim Hostin latched onto 'He is Puerto Rican and the manager of our warehouse. It looked to me like they were specifically going after certain kinds of people not every kind, because they did not ask me for documentation for my American workers, Portuguese workers, or white workers.' In the wake of Hostin's argument, Goldberg agreed - leading Griffin, a former Trump aide who openly voted for Kamala Harris, to again speak up, this time to bash legal Latinos and suggest they were at least in part to blame for the ongoing arrests. 'Can I make one point of clarity?' she asked, before echoing Hostin's earlier, rhetorical question about whether 'this [is] what people voted for?' Weeks removed from a landslide election that saw Trump gain ground with Latinos, Griffin said: 'I've actually seen some video this weekend of Latinos who voted for Trump crying because now their abuelas [grandmothers] and their tios [uncles] are getting deported. 'I'm having a very hard time mustering up any sympathy for those people,' Griffin said, as deportations continue to be carried out. 'You said that, [not me],' Sarah Haines at this point said, suggesting similar thoughts were on her mind. 'Yeah, and look,' Navarro went on to add. 'I'm an immigrant. I know the desperation that it takes to leave your country. 'Amongst immigrants in particular, there is no doubt that we want anybody who had the opportunity to come to this great country and committed a crime, we want them punished. Despite the factual inconsistencies, Goldberg and other panelists appeared to agree, with Griffin offering clarification to Hostin's comments along the way Griffin - a Kamala Harris voter who once worked for Trump - went on to bash legal Latinos, suggesting they were at least in part to blame for the ongoing arrests 'We want them deported to the fullest extent of the law, but a lot of good, hardworking people who are in our schools, who are our colleagues, who own houses and businesses here, who are the parents of US citizen children, are getting caught up in this,' she continued. 'Because it's been reported that ICE officers all over the country have been given a quota. There is no way they meet that quota with just criminal aliens.' She went on to brand the operation, as many progressives have in recent days, as a 'publicity stunt.' 'The point is cruelty. The point is instilling fear, [and] it's also very costly.' Jim Acosta is without a network after announcing his departure from CNN Tuesday - and he has already launched his own journalistic venture. In a reshared video posted to X Tuesday afternoon, the anchor announced a brand-new Substack that's already up and running - while confirming his on-air appearance only hours before had been his last. 'Welcome to my new venture,' Acosta told more than 2million followers on the platform, while repeating a warning he delivered during his final broadcast. The video was published shortly after two people familiar with the matter told The New York Times the journalist was already pondering his next steps, including a potential launch of his own journalistic enterprise. Hours before, the anchor engaged in a very public split from the station, taking shots at Donald Trump in the process. There, Acosta framed his old enemy as 'a tyrant', after devoting much of the hour to report on his recent moves. The newly announced Substack, meanwhile, will see him rub shoulders with other who have left their respective legacy news stations for more autonomy, as well as the former CNN staffer who broke the story last week, Oliver Darcy. Darcy's success with a newsletter format shows a shifting landscape in terms of news - one CEO Mark Thompson has seemingly caught wind of upon airing his intent to shift CNN's operations to being more digital-based last week. This left one of his most successful anchors, Acosta, in limbo, with Darcy going on to reveal - via his Status newsletter - that he floated the anchor the idea of moving to 12am. On CNN Newsroom Tuesday, Acosta made it clear what his answer had been. Scroll down for video: Jim Acosta has already launched his own journalistic venture after leaving CNN. He's seen here during his final broadcast with the legacy outlet He showcased his brand new blog, advertising a Substack that's already up and running Hey guys! Ive started something new. Go check it out! pic.twitter.com/28PIox1wtT Jim Acosta (@Acosta) January 28, 2025 This left one of his most successful anchors, Acosta, in limbo, with Darcy going on to reveal that he floated the anchor the idea of moving to a 12am timeslot. On CNN Newsroom Tuesday, Acosta made it clear what his answer had been. 'I just wanted to end today's show by thanking all of the wonderful people who work behind the scenes at this network,' he told viewers, after an hour that saw him slam Trump's recent deportations as - among other things - 'a dog and pony show.' 'You may have seen some reports about me and the show,' he continued, referring to accounts initially obtained by Darcy. 'And after giving all of this some careful consideration and weighing an alternative time slot, CNN offered me, I've decided to move on. 'I just wanted to end today's show by thanking all of the wonderful people who work behind the scenes at this network,' he continued, not detailing what hour he was offered. He did add how he came to the decision after 'some careful consideration and weighing an alternative time slot CNN offered,' before concluding with, 'I've decided to move on.' Hours later, at 4pm, a more dressed-down Acosta emerged in a self-filmed video posted to X, where he confirmed accounts obtained by The Times indicating he was ready to take a stab at journalism on his own. 'Hey guys, it's Jim - and let me just say this, I've had quite the day,' he began, with a portrait of George Washington visible in the background - as well as a Substack watermark and handle indicating the video was originally posted to the new page. 'But as you can see, earlier today - this was my last day at CNN. And I did want to jump on Substack live here for a moment and say, welcome to my new venture. I'm going independent - at least for now. 'Hey guys, it's Jim - and let me just say this, I've had quite the day,' he began, with a portrait of George Washington visible in the background - as well as a Substack watermark and accompanying handle indicating the video was originally posted to the new page The journalist, who famously clashed with Trump during his first term, went on to tease, 'This is just the beginning.' 'But I wanted to invite you to join me here on this platform where we talk about the days news, talk about politics, and so on - and just in case you missed my closing message earlier in the day, don't give into the lies. Don't give into the fear. 'Hold on to the truth,' he continued. 'And I hope we'll keep this conversation going. 'Great to see all of you here. We'll talk some more soon.' On the new page, Acosta penned an additional 740 words recalling his experiences at CNN, from being named chief White House correspondent in 2018 to taking his first assignment as a reporter in the Bronx in 2007. The effective op-ed, titled Hold on to the truth..., for the most part served as a continuation to his comments on the air. It saw Acosta add how, after that first assignment, 'For the next 18 years... my cell phone was always on. '[R]eady for the next call that might send me rushing out the door to an awaiting live camera,' he added. 'That was the adrenaline rush of 24-hour cable news.' Acosta is seen here near his Washington, DC, on Monday, the day before he made the on-air announcement 'From my brief stint in New York to the next 16 years in Washington, I covered just about everything imaginable for the network,' he continued, mentioning five presidential elections and two 'starkly different administrations'. He went on to again offer an anecdote delivered earlier in the day to viewers about what he viewed as 'the highlight of his career' - a trip to Cuba in 2016 during diplomacy talks between then President Barack Obama and dictator Raul Castro. Hours earlier, before offering the exact same insight, he opened with a joke that harked back to history with the current president: 'People often ask me if the highlight of my career at CNN was at the White House covering [Trump].' 'Actually, no,' he sniped, after onlookers found themselves drawn to their repeated clashes during the president's first term. On Substack, he offered more insight - recalling how 'he pressed Castro about his regimes practice of jailing political prisoners.' Acosta's father immigrated to the US at age 11 as a refugee in 1962, weeks before the Cuban Missile Crisis. 'When I returned home, my father, a Cuban refugee, was beaming with pride,' Acosta, 53, recalled. 'He was glad I asked the question. One of the lasting lessons I took from that moment was this: its never a good time to bow down to a tyrant.' The latter served as another repeat of his widely seen signoff, where he emphatically told viewers: 'Even if you have to get out your phone, record that message. "I will not give in to the lies. I will not give in to the fear." On the new page, Acosta penned an additional 740 words recalling his experiences at CNN, from being named chief White House correspondent in 2018 to taking his first assignment as a reporter in the Bronx in 2007 'Post it on your social media, so people can hear from you, too.' The pleas proved prophetic, with Acosta repeating them on his new, private platform. He then turned to 2018 and being named the network's Chief White House Correspondent - a move that may have inadvertently put him in the then-president's crosshairs. 'As I detailed in my book, The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth in America, one deranged Trump supporter posted a threat on Twitter that included an image of a severed goats head,' he recalled at a point, adding 'I needed bodyguards to cover Trumps rallies.' 'Yes, I could have stepped away from the beat, but I chose to stay until the very end, reporting from the White House on January 6th and then on Air Force One on President Bidens Inauguration Day, the same day Trump left office in disgrace. 'The Trump administration and its MAGA allies made it their mission in life to run me out of town on a rail,' he continued, before mentioning a 2018 incident involving an intern at the White House that saw his press pass temporarily revoked. 'From the suspension of my White House press pass to the relentless calls for my firing on Fox News, not to mention the continuing threat environment for me and my loved ones, it was a trying time in my life. 'But for me, there was always a greater purpose to the work,' he went on, waxing poetic at this point. 'Trumps attempt to overthrow the 2020 election and the resulting attack on the Capitol on January 6th gave journalists the assignment of a lifetime: the state of American democracy,' he went on to proclaim. Acosta, seen here in the foreground, often found himself at odds with Donald Trump during the latter's first term 'At the anchor desk, I made sure my program, CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta, devoted as much airtime as possible to reporting on Trumps assault on our elections and the destructive aftermath of his actions. Comparing his team to a 'pit bull on steroids,' he said he and fellow staffer at this point 'made a clear decision: the show would not pull any punches. How could we? 'But after two decades of service, I am leaving CNN to start a new chapter, and I wont pull any punches this time around, either. I owe that to myself and to you,' he concluded, not explicitly mentioning the reason for his leaving. However, a meeting between Thompson and staffers held at the network's Manhattan office on January 19 - the day before Trump was sworn in - perhaps offers a clue. There, the former New York Times and BBC boss asked on-air talent like Anderson Cooper and Jake Tapper to refrain from opinionated Trump reporting. As the contents of his final broadcast may have indicated, Acosta may have not been willing to play ball. As of writing, Acosta's Substack - titled The Jim Acosta Show - has no new posts. However, a note - cryptically titled Coming Soon - was posted back on January 16, three days before the Manhattan meeting. A day before, Darcy published his report featuring insider quotes saying Wolf Blitzer was set to take Acosta's hour - a prediction that came true. The post's contents read: 'This is The Jim Acosta Show.' No earlier ones are visible. There are alternative ways of looking at politicians who rapidly change the script. The traditional riposte is to describe it mockingly as a U-turn. A kindlier approach is to follow the diktat of the nations most celebrated economist, John Maynard Keynes, who insisted that when facts change, he changes. Rachel Reeves has embarked on an ambitious reversal with her emphasis on growth. Indeed, it is not just the Chancellor who is changing but the tone of the whole Government. Appearing on the Robert Peston show on ITV last week, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall abandoned the stale rhetoric of the Tory legacy of a 22billion black hole and waxed lyrical about all the great stuff that Britain does in tech, pharma and creative industries. Currently it is impossible to turn on the TV without hearing Britains gloomster-in-chief, the Chancellor, describing how she is going to unleash growth. As laudable as this change of heart may be getting behind Britains cutting-edge AI, bio-sciences, finance and creative sectors is critical the horse already has bolted. Turnaround: Chancellor Rachel Reeves has embarked on an ambitious reversal with her emphasis on growth The 40billion tax-raising Budget and workplace reforms have scared employers to death. Jobs are being shed and companies, such as WH Smith (see below), are rethinking operations. No week begins without surveys showing how the Governments previous rhetoric and actions have erased consumer and business confidence. The employers group, the CBI, which had great hopes for Labour, forecasts a significant decline in business activity over the next three months as jobs freely are axed. Incomes Data Research says firms are likely to cut pay awards in the coming months, in response to tax hikes, damaging consumer spending. The silver lining is that the despair may encourage the Bank of England to go faster on reducing bank rate from 4.75 per cent when it meets next week. So what do we know so far about Reevess growth push? She is bravely taking on the green zealots in Cabinet and among Labour MPs over airport expansion. The Chancellor is going maximalist, supporting change at all London airports. That means greater use of runaways at Gatwick, terminal improvements at Luton (badly needed!) and, most boldly, a third runway at Heathrow. The latter is hugely important and critical to Londons role as an entrepot and services dominated economy but with the best will in world that is not going to happen over the next decade. Historically, among the biggest opponents is British Airways owner IAG which fears losing its iron grip on the best Heathrow landing slots. A common theme of many of the Reeves growth proposals is that they dont increase government spending. Planning changes will be helpful and ideas for housing, on the grey and greenbelt around railways stations, are not new. They were first explored by former chancellor Sir Sajid Javid when it was part of his portfolio. But it is possible to make a difference by taking on nimbyism. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner already has shown a willingness to reverse past rulings giving the go-ahead to M&Ss proposed redevelopment on Oxford Street in central London. The best way to power-up output is technology, as evidenced by the US. The decision to revive a plan to create a tech-hub on the Oxford-Cambridge arc must be right given the new tech and biosciences pouring out of the labs there. But it also needs a step lift in government R&D expenditure and tax breaks. Reeves was off to terrible start when she cancelled Edinburghs supercomputer project in her July 30 audit. She has little choice but to repent on pessimism having rapidly lost support on the markets, in business and among consumers. The concern must be that the damage is irreversible. Risky refit WH Smith is not the first UK company to decide a traditional business its British news, stationery and books chain is a distraction from a faster growing enterprise. Tate & Lyle extracted itself from sugar, GSK from consumer healthcare and so on. But too many high streets already are sad cases and the possibility of 500 stores in uncertain ownership, with 200 Post Offices sacrificed, is alarming. Beware get-rich-quick sharks, posing as turnaround merchants, aiming to squeeze every penny out of property assets with no interest in fortifying a great UK fixture. Among the lessons of the DeepSeek saga is never underestimate Chinese ingenuity. At a time when Silicon Valley has been squabbling about free access to Open AIs Chat GPT and ploughing billions into investment, DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng has done it on the cheap, backed by a native hedge fund, High-Flyer. Should we be surprised? When it comes to tech, China often has an edge over strategic rivals. Tik Tok has become the social media site of choice for younger generations across the globe. That explains why the Americans are determined that the US arm should be divested. Donald Trump says Microsoft is an interested buyer. In free-market economies, competition provides important incentive and it is hard to think that the Silicon Valley giants will sit on their laurels and allow Deep-Seek to dominate the space with cheaper smart chips. Brave new world: With its impressive new Chatbot DeepSeek China appears to have dramatically taken the lead in the global AI race The obsession of Wall Street investors with high-tech, which has driven bubble-like valuations, almost certainly needed hosing down. Sputnik was, of course, the warning to John F Kennedy that the US needed a mission to win the space race. Israels Iron Dome is inspiring America to build on much mocked Reagan-era Star Wars aerospace to create a shield against ballistic, hypersonic missiles. There is manufacturing and technology space the Chinese have so far failed to conquer. The US and Europe still dominate the market for jet aeroplanes. Beijing, on the other hand, has raced ahead in developing cheaper electric vehicles (EVs) smartly using European marques such as M&G and Volvo and is only kept at bay by swingeing tariffs. The sudden market demolition of Nvidia in response to DeepSeek begs the question of what other quoted sectors could be in danger from Chinese innovation. Fund managers at Edmond de Rothschild suggest that healthcare is another area where China is racing ahead. US-based pharma companies are increasingly licensing early-stage drug discoveries. Britains AstraZeneca, which earns 10 per cent of its income in China, also has been betting on innovation in the Peoples Republic. How long, it might be asked, will China allow its best discoveries, such as antibody drugs used in oncology, to escape to the West? Similarly, China is thought to be working hard on climate change technologies, perhaps driven by its reputation as a world class polluter. Where all of this leaves the UKs AI drive, embraced by Keir Starmer as part of the growth agenda, is a moot point. DeepSeek might offer the UK a cheaper short-cut to innovation. But Britain lacks the infrastructure. And too much tech talent and pioneering science has been allowed to escape overseas. War zone The assault by Boaz Weinstein on Britains investment trusts is still in the foothills. The overwhelming victory of minority investors at the high-performing Herald last week will not be the end of the matter. Next week will see Weinsteins vehicle Saba seek to seize control by the back door at five other trusts with the last confrontation, at the 718million Edinburgh trust, scheduled for Valentines Day. Stopping the US marauder is going to require a big heave from private investors. Finally, after pressure on these pages, the mighty Lloyds Banking Group will allow investors on its owned platforms, including Scottish Widows, to vote. It is absurd and grasping that some platforms are charging private investors up to 70 to exercise their democratic rights. Even if the targeted trusts are successful in fending off the marauder that is not the end. In addition to the seven trusts in the line of fire, Saba has built or is building stakes in several others. The first battle is over, but the real war lies ahead. Pacific heights HSBCs retreat to its core markets in the Gulf and Asia continues apace. Latest to go are its UK, Europe and American investment banking enterprises. Trying to compete with the American bulge bracket dealmakers and traders in their core markets is seen as uneconomic. HSBC is doubling down on its traditional strengths in Hong Kong, China, and Asia. That leaves Barclays as the lone UK flag bearer for the City among the big beasts. Barclays boss Venkat must keep the flag flying. My mother-in-law took out an annual travel policy with Holiday Extras last May when booking a weeks holiday to southern France for July. She paid 4,998 for the trip for her and her husband. Unfortunately, in June she had a mini-stroke and her consultant advised her not to fly until tests were done, so she had to cancel. Neither the holiday firm nor the insurer would offer a full refund. You are our last hope of getting her money back. G.R., Hertfordshire. Denied: A reader's mother-in-law suffered a mini stroke which meant she could not go on holiday - but both the insurance company and insurer refused to pay a refund Sally Hamilton replies: You told me that after the mini-stroke, your mother-in-law had a full stroke and you suspected that the stress of losing what amounted to most of her life savings on top of missing out on the holiday itself a cruise along the Rhone on MS Lord Byron had contributed to it. You didnt want to let the issue lie as you felt it was undermining your 76-year-old mother-in-laws recovery. The insurer had offered to refund just the holiday deposit, rather than the full balance paid by your mother-in-law. You did not think this was enough as she took out the insurance in May, before her health issues arose. Holiday Extras explained that although the policy was bought in May, it didnt begin until the day the trip began in July. You thought it unlikely your mother-in-law would have chosen this policy had she not thought it included vital cancellation cover. It seemed odd to me too that it did not cover cancellation before travel, as this is one of the most useful parts of travel insurance. Even if your insurer asks when your trip starts, you are still generally covered if the trip is cancelled between the time you purchase it and your departure. I asked Holiday Extras to explain itself and reconsider her claim. I am pleased to say it did not take the company long to turn the ship around and agree to meet the claim after all. A Holiday Extras spokesman says: When the customer first contacted us, our team explained accurately that their policy did not provide cancellation cover. Upon a further review of the circumstances, we recognise the customers potential vulnerability given the nature of their claim. With this in mind... we have accepted the cost of the claim. We are committed to supporting our customers, especially during challenging times. I urge all readers to buy travel insurance as a priority when booking a trip and check with the provider that cancellation before the travel date is covered. Straight to the point In August my wife and I cancelled our broadband contract with Vodafone and were asked to pay a 15.85 fee. Weve since been told we needed to pay 39 and we were billed for a further two months, despite Vodafone saying it had cancelled the contract. We then received a letter from a recovery company claiming we owed Vodafone hundreds of pounds. G.R., Devon. Vodafone apologises. It has sorted the issue and waived the final payment. *** I Signed up for a mobile contract, which came with an iPhone 14. I was instead sent an iPhone 15. The provider said I could keep the phone, but it is a display model with the ports moulded shut. The provider now says it is the correct phone. P.W., North Yorkshire. The provider apologises and says youve been sent a real phone. Youve also been refunded two months of payments you made and given a 50 goodwill gesture. *** My wife, great-grandchild and I flew to Ireland with Ryanair last year. I booked an infant seat for 165, but Ryanair staff told us the infant needed to be on my lap the entire flight. Staff said to seek a refund, but Ryanair says it cannot offer one as the boarding pass was scanned. R.G., Buckingham. Ryanair says you booked non-refundable flights and the crew did not stop anyone from using their seats. Infants must sit on an adults lap for take-off and landing. Energy broker's demanding 2,700 in fees I run a pottery business and have three energy meters two domestic (for our house and chalets where potters work) and one for the main pottery. Before the contracts on the meters were up for renewal in September 2023, I had many calls, some quite aggressive, from energy brokers. I have always used a broker to find deals for the meters. In the thick of this, I inadvertently signed agreements with two brokers. All three contracts were renewed with the same suppliers I had previously via one broker. The second, Utility Bidder, had arranged new energy deals for all three meters, but these didnt go through when the renewals kicked in. Utility Bidder demanded 750 in lost brokerage fees for each meter plus VAT a total of 2,700. I was threatened with legal action if I didnt pay. eventually the broker said it would settle if I paid 1,890. I am hazy about how it all happened, but I dont understand why the second broker didnt check whether my contracts were available to be renewed. What can I do? S.W., Isle of Skye. Sally Hamilton replies: Small businesses can go direct to gas and electricity suppliers or use a comparison service, just like domestic customers. But many like you find it less stressful to let a broker do the donkey work and negotiate the deals. Brokers can be helpful for busy businesses that might otherwise struggle to find the right deal in a crowded market of perplexing gas and electricity tariffs. While comparison services get a commission from a supplier when a customer switches often up to 50 brokers are more likely to get higher and more variable commissions often paid in the form of an uplift to the energy unit rate offered to the customer. The more energy a customer uses the more commission the broker gets. Brokers are unregulated, something the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero hopes to change, knowing some companies can take advantage of customers with opaque pricing, aggressive cold calling and limited access to dispute resolution. Scam Watch Taxpayers completing self-assessment forms should be wary of fake emails, texts and calls from scammers impersonating HM Revenue & Customs, warns Action Fraud. With two days until the January 31 deadline, households are keen to avoid paying a 100 fine for filing late. Fraudsters prey on this fear and try to persuade people to give away personal information or HMRC login details. Treat them with the same care as your bank details, the tax office says. Forward suspicious texts to 60599 and send suspicious emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Not all suppliers can be found via brokers. Octopus Energy, for one, wont work with them, describing the broker system as unfair for customers. Energy regulator Ofgem has tried to improve matters by requiring suppliers when securing a micro business contract like yours to work with a broker only if it is a member of a redress scheme for customers with an unresolved complaint. Happily, Utility Bidder is signed up with disputeresolutionombudsman.org. Before trying this, you tried to resolve the pricey mistake directly with Utility Bidder. But you felt aggrieved when it only offered to reduce the penalty charge to 1,890. As a small pottery business, you could not afford to throw away that kind of money. You were so fired up you wrote to local paper, the West Highland Free Press, in which a friend of mine happened to read your letter and reported your dilemma to me. Intrigued, I contacted you directly. I couldnt see how trawling the market for an energy deal that didnt proceed merited such a high penalty. I asked Utility Bidder to re-examine your case. A spokesman for the broker says: Our terms and conditions, which the customer agreed to be bound by, state that the customer is entering into a legally binding contract and should not have arranged duplicate contracts. There isnt an easy way for us to know via a central system that another contract had been agreed upon. You say theirs was the second one to be set up. They dispute it. The company asserts it acted reasonably. However, as a goodwill gesture, following my intervention, it reduced your charge to 500, which the company described as very reasonable for the hours it had put in. The lesson in this case is that it pays not to sign up to any deal in haste as the penalties of pulling out can be painful. Hotel Chocolat savoured record Christmas sales amid plans to expand. The retailer said yesterday that it will open 25 stores and hire 200 more staff. The chocolate seller, which was bought by Mars last year, made 10 per cent more in sales over the festive period in 2024 than the previous year. The company said it is planning 25 stores, including what it describes as its most expansive ever outlet in Manchester in spring. And it also plans to open two stores as part of a US expansion plan. Expansion plans: Hotel Chocolat, which was bought by Mars last year, made 10% more in sales over the festive period in 2024 than the previous year Co-founders Angus Thirlwell and Peter Harris both netted 144million from the sale to Mars last year. The overall deal saw the US confectionery giant pay 534million for Hotel Chocolat, which had previously shut down its five American stores before changing ownership. The firm opened its first shop in north London in 2004 and has since expanded rapidly. Thirlwell, who is chief executive, said: This Christmas was our most successful to date. 'Despite consumers continuing to feel the pinch, they went for quality this Christmas and we posted strong sales. Guinness is still good for you. That was the verdict of analysts at Jefferies after owner Diageo said it has no intention to sell the famous Irish stout brand or its stake in Moet Hennessy. A report by Bloomberg last week said the FTSE 100 giant the worlds biggest maker of spirits was exploring options for both Guinness and its investment in LVMHs Moet Hennessy drinks unit. Guinness was said to be valued at around 8billion. But over the weekend, Diageo dismissed the report, saying: We note the recent media speculation around the Guinness brand and our stake in Moet Hennessy and we can confirm that we have no intention to sell either. Diageo shares, which ticked higher on the reports last week, dipped 0.3 per cent, or 0.42p, to 124.71p. But in a report entitled Guinness Is Still Good For You, Jefferies analysts Edward Mundy and Andrei Andon-Ionita gave Diageo a buy rating and a target price of 2800p. They said the company will start to look different as confidence in its spirits business increases and added that the arrival of heavyweight finance chief Nik Jhangiani in September will lead to a renewed focus on growth, profits and cash. Not for sale: Diageo has dismissed suggestions it is looking to sell the Guinness Irish stout brand and its stake in Moet Hennessey The report also said the confirmation that Guinness and the Moet Hennessy stake are not for sale points to confidence in the future. With global technology stocks tumbling as the emergence of low-cost Chinese artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek raises questions over the valuation of the US giants and others, the FTSE 100 inched up 0.02 per cent, or 1.36 points, to 8503.71 while the FTSE 250 slid 0.7 per cent, or 148.55 points, to 20369.5. Among the biggest losers were investment trusts with exposure to tech. Allianz Technology Trust fell 5.2 per cent, or 23p, to 422p, Polar Capital Technology Trust slumped 6.8 per cent, or 26p, to 356.5p and Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust lost 5.2 per cent, or 54.5p, to 1004.5p. Miner Anglo American shares fell 6.2 per cent, or 157.5p, to 2378p after reports over the weekend said rival BHP (down 0.5 per cent, or 9.5p, to 1992.5p) was not planning to make a fresh bid for the company having failed with a 39billion swoop last year. The wider sector was also under the cosh as copper prices retreated from a ten-week high. Antofagasta fell 3.3 per cent, or 58p, to 1696.5p, Glencore dropped 3.7 per cent, or 13.9p, to 361.5p and Rio Tinto lost 1.8pc, or 87.5p, to 4899.5p. Burberry received a boost as analysts at JP Morgan, UBS and Stifel all raised their price target on the stock following last weeks upbeat trading update. But shares fell 3.7 per cent, or 43p, to 1133p having jumped 10 per cent after Fridays better-than-expected report. The shares are still up 15 per cent this year having doubled since their September low. Heading in the other direction was cigarette maker British American Tobacco after analysts at UBS raised their rating on the Lucky Strike owner to buy from neutral and the price target from 3000p to 3900p. Shares jumped 4.7 per cent, or 142p, to 3150p. Lloyds caved in to pressure last night and will now give shareholders in seven London-listed investment trusts a say on plans to oust their boards. The Mail on Sunday this weekend revealed Scottish Widows and two other platforms owned by the bank were not allowing investors to vote on a shake-up of the trusts proposed by Wall Street financier Boaz Weinstein. His hedge fund, Saba Capital, is proposing to replace directors at seven investment trusts with its own nominees, saying leaders have failed shareholders and made poor decisions. Industry experts branded Lloyds conduct utter madness and praised the Mail for exposing the issue. Its deplorable that some platforms are denying investment trust shareholders their right to vote, said Richard Stone, head of industry body the Association of Investment Companies (AIC). This behaviour by platforms deprives shareholders of their rights and hands activists like Saba an unfair advantage over thousands of ordinary shareholders. Wed like to thank the Mail for highlighting this poor treatment of customers and well be doing everything we can to stop this. Power grab: Wall Street financier Boaz Weinstein is proposing to replace directors at seven investment trusts with its own nominees through his hedge fund, Saba Capital But in a major U-turn last night after the scandal was exposed by the Mail, a spokesman for Lloyds said that it now had a workaround for the problem in place so that those customers can let us know and well vote as per their direction. Saba has stakes in each firm ranging from 19 per cent to 29 per cent and needs to win 50 per cent support from voting shareholders to succeed. As a result, it will win if other investors do not actively vote against the proposals. Most of the trusts have large numbers of small investors, many of whom hold their shares through investment platforms, and as a result, their turnout is crucial in deciding the outcome. Karen Brade, chairman of the Keystone Positive Change trust, one of the seven being targeted by Saba, accused the Lloyds-owned investment platforms of jeopardising the ability of shareholders to vote. It is easy to vote on many platforms, she said. But some are dragging their feet and even preventing shareholders from voting at all. That is utter madness and a complete failure of duty to their clients. The Mail is absolutely correct to call out those institutions who are obstructing shareholder democracy. The three Lloyds-owned platforms Scottish Widows, Embark and Stock Trader do not consider the meetings called by Saba to be corporate actions and thus do not allow investors to vote on them. But the stance has fuelled concerns that investment platforms are not doing enough to inform shareholders of Sabas plans nor making it easier for them to vote on the proposals. Last week, City watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority wrote to the UKs main investment platforms to ask them how they informed shareholders about voting in the battle between Saba and the trusts. Weinstein suffered a bloody nose last week when investors in the 1.3bn Herald Investment Trust, the largest firm on Sabas hitlist, decisively rejected his attempt to kick out the board. The Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust and Keystone Positive Change hold their meetings on Monday. CQS Natural Resources and Henderson Opportunities Trust meet on Tuesday. European Smaller Countries will learn its fate on Wednesday next week before Edinburgh Worldwide holds the final meeting of the seven on February 14. The other six trusts face similar votes in February, starting next week. Some of the worlds richest men suffered a multi-billion-pound hit to their wealth yesterday in a rout of global tech stocks. The plunge came as a new Chinese chatbot sparked panic that the West could fall behind in the artificial intelligence (AI) arms race. One of the biggest losers was Nvidia boss Jensen Huang after shares in the computer chips maker, a poster child for the AI revolution, suffered the biggest one-day drop in value of any company in history. Huang, 61, saw more than 18billion wiped off his fortune as the value of his 3.8 per cent stake tumbled by close to 18 per cent. Meanwhile, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the worlds second-richest man, saw his wealth shrink by nearly 2billion after the online shopping sites stock took a dip. Others caught up included Larry Ellison, the co-founder of US software giant Oracle, who saw 16.5billion knocked off his net worth, and former Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer, who lost around 4.5billion through his 4 per cent stake in the tech firm. Losses: Nvidia boss Jensen Huang (pictured) saw shares in the computer chips maker, a suffer the biggest one-day drop in value of any company in history Global tech stocks went into meltdown yesterday after a Chinese start-up called DeepSeek, little known in the West, released a new version of its AI-powered chatbot which serves as a competitor to the likes of ChatGPT, developed by Open AI, and Googles Gemini. It claims its new chatbot performs just as well as those made by its rivals and that it managed to train the AI using far less computing power than its US competitors and for a much lower cost than AI investment among the US giants. The news sparked fears that Silicon Valley may not be able to maintain its dominance in the race to develop AI despite tens of billions of dollars of investment. But despite the sell-off, Dan Ives, analyst at US wealth manager Wedbush, said it was overblown and could present a buying opportunity for investors. The launch of a Chinese-based AI chatbot has raised questions about whether efforts by US President Donald Trump and his predecessor Joe Biden to try and stop China from accessing American technology to maintain an edge in the AI race have backfired. DeepSeeks popularity has also sparked fears of Chinese censorship spreading to users outside the country. Chinese-made apps and websites frequently censor information that may be critical of the countrys ruling communist party, with AI companies required to instil socialist values. It was the biggest single one-day sell-off in corporate history. Shares in microchip giant Nvidia cratered on Monday, losing almost 500billion, after Chinese start-up DeepSeek developed a free-to-use artificial intelligence (AI) model that it claimed can compete with US rivals such as Chat GPT for a fraction of the cost. Over the weekend, it became the most downloaded iPhone app in the US. The news called into question the huge sums being spent on AI by American firms, along with their demand for, and reliance on, Nvidias most expensive, state-of-the-art chips. Even America First President Donald Trump hailed DeepSeeks breakthrough, saying it was a good thing for us if AI could be done cheaper to get the same result. Nvidia is particularly exposed to DeepSeeks low-cost model because the US tech titan dominates the market for the most high-end and expensive chips used to power AI models. Market shock: Nvidia, led by boss Jensen Huang (pictured), lost almost $600bn in value, after China claimed its new Deepseek AI chatbot was far more efficient than rivals The turmoil has left small investors in the UK, many of whom own shares in Nvidia either directly or through their pensions or investment funds, with important questions that could seriously affect their wealth. Having been de-throned as the worlds biggest quoted company in Mondays rout, should they sell out of Nvidia? Or is it best to keep their nerve and wait for the shares to bounce back? Experts counsel private shareholders not to panic. Nvidia last year became the fastest company to go from $2 trillion to $3 trillion in market value. It continued its vertiginous ascent to peak at $3.7 trillion recently, so a correction at some stage was overdue. Sceptics were quick to seize on its fall from grace as just a taster of the pain in store for those who have blindly bought its shares and those of other tech giants such as Microsoft and Facebook-owner Meta. Along with Apple, Amazon, Googles owner Alphabet and Tesla, they are known as the Magnificent Seven or Mag 7. This is the beginning, Wall Street guru Nassim Nicholas Taleb told Bloomberg News. The beginning of an adjustment of people to reality. Because now they realize, now, its no longer flawless. You have a small little chip on the glass. Taleb, 64, is best known for his best-selling book The Black Swan which explores the extreme impacts of rare and unpredictable occurrences such as DeepSeeks announcement that seemed to catch even the most seasoned investors on the hop. Having nosedived 17 per cent in a day, Taleb thinks further Nvidia falls could be two- or even three-times greater. The good news for Nvidia fans is that Taleb, who is famous for his gloomy forecasts, is not always right. He seemed to call the top of the tech-heavy US stock market a year ago since when it has soared, mainly on the back of the AI frenzy. Small shareholders seem keen to ignore his warning. They have been big buyers of Nvidia over the past few years and their loyalty shows no sign of abating despite the shock news from China. Retail investors bought a record amount of Nvidias shares on Monday even as the price plummeted. The net purchase of $562million was the largest since records began in 2014, according to data firm Vanda Research. This helped to stabilise Nvidias share price, which rose more than 6 per cent yesterday. Wall Street analysts were quick to take to the airwaves and proclaim that DeepSeeks advances were actually a good thing for the chip sector as a whole and therefore for Nvidia. Stacy Rasgon of investment bank Bernstein told business news channel CNBC that reducing the cost of AI was fantastic for semiconductor demand and spending on chips of all shapes and sizes. He cited the Jevons Paradox. This is a theory first floated by the economist William Jevons in 1865, who observed that the Watt steam engine made far more efficient use of coal than earlier designs. Rather than reducing the amount of coal used, as one might expect, this led to an increase in coal consumption, because people deployed the fuel in a wider range of applications. In the context of AI, this would mean a lower cost model from DeepSeek would encourage more widespread use and therefore be beneficial for Nvidia and its peers. Microsoft boss Satya Nadella also hailed DeepSeeks announcement. Advancements: Some analysts have proclaimed that DeepSeeks advances were actually a good thing for the chip sector as a whole and therefore for Nvidia As AI gets more efficient and accessible, we will see its use sky-rocket, turning it into a commodity we just cant get enough of, he said. So should you sell, or hold on? Ultimately, that investment decision boils down to the price of Nvidia shares and your attitude to risk. The stock market sell-off means the ratio of its share price to its earnings has fallen to just over 30 times. A high price-to-earnings ratio can indicate that a share is over-valued. Nvidias ratio is not high by historic standards. Whats more, even after the dramatic sell-off, the share price is still almost double where it was a year ago. One thing investors should not do is panic, says Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown. But they also should avoid putting all their eggs in one basket. If investors are concerned about continued uncertainty ahead, they could look to spread their risk into funds which offer global diversification. In practice, anyone who holds low-cost tracker funds has already invested in Nvidia and the other tech giants because they are such big components of major stock market indices. If you believe Nvidia and other Mag 7 stocks are good long-term bets, you could look at technology funds. Nvidia is the largest holding at 10.5 per cent in Polar Capital Technology Trusts portfolio, closely followed by Microsoft and Meta. And it is the fifth largest holding in the widely-held Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust with Amazon second and Meta fourth. Wall Street analysts seem to be standing by Nvidia, at least for now. Of the 62 analysts that cover Nvidia, 56 rate the stock a buy with 21 of them describing it as a strong buy. The remaining six say hold the shares if you already own them. None, as yet, recommend to sell. Marc Halperin, co-head of European equities at Edmond de Rothschild in Paris, said it could take a few days to determine whether this weeks tech rout was just a blip or a major change in market sentiment and positioning. EXCLUSIVE A shoplifter banned from Woolworths after stealing around $4000-worth of goods and harassing staff has launched legal action against the supermarket giant for 'discrimination'. Hani El Kassir, 40, who also uses the alias Sameer El Ali, stole groceries and abused and threatened staff at Lakemba Woolworths in Sydney's west on July 19, 2022. Store management kicked him out and slapped him with an indefinite banning notice from Woolworths and its subsidiaries Big W and BWS. But just seven months later, he was slapped with a second notice after getting into an altercation with security guards while trying to enter a Woolworths store in Bankstown. Now, almost two years on, the ban remains in place - and El Kassir has made a bid to sue Woolworths for refusing to revoke the prohibition order. In his claim before the NSW Civil Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), El Kassir claimed his shoplifting was caused by a mental disorder he cannot control. El Kassir argued that therefore, in his case, Woolworths was discriminating against someone based on their disability. A shoplifter has launched legal proceedings against Woolworths after being banned from its stores. Pictured is a stock image of one of the company's stores in VIC In statements tendered to court in January 2024 - 11 months after the second incident - El Kassir submitted an online feedback form requesting Woolworths Group review his ban. Under its conditions, the order - which was co-signed by police - was to be in place 'until revoked in writing' by Woolworths Group's National Investigations/Asset protection manager. However, Woolworths decided on February 19 that the notice would be left in place and they would no longer engage with El Kassir due to his history with the store and its staff members. Over the next five days, El Kassir made two further attempts to have his case heard - including calling the company's customer service team and emailing them an apology with a psychiatrist's letter attached. On March 18, when the supermarket had still not lifted the notice, El Kassir made a complaint to Anti-Discrimination NSW (ADNSW) claiming he had been been discriminated against in the provision of goods and services. ADNSW rejected El Kassir's complaint on July 15 on the basis that it was 'misconceived and lacking in substance'. However they did refer the matter to NCAT at his request. As part of his NCAT claim, El Kassir claimed he did not steal during the Bankstown incident and he was assaulted by Woolworths security guards while trying to enter the store. For those reasons, El Kassir claimed there was no basis to be banned and that his apology and psychologist's letter should have been sufficient for the order to be revoked. El Kassir claimed his mental health disorder caused him to 'shop lift' (stock image) Pictured: The Woolworths store in Lakemba, where El Kassir was banned from in July 2022 In his letter, El Kassir's psychologist noted that he had mental health issues that led to him 'behaving in a disruptive manner' and 'being banned from certain organisations'. She said that her client was working on managing his negative behaviours and had expressed remorse, and it would be appreciated if Woolworths would give him a 'chance to access services'. El Kassir acknowledged his behaviour was 'unreasonable' and said he was making efforts to rectify it, including seeing a psychologist regularly so he would not reoffend. 'I am sincerely sorry, and have had several reflections on my behaviour and its impact on your staff members,' he wrote in a letter of apology to Woolworths bosses. 'I now understand that my unreasonable conduct towards your staff members has impacted their mood and their mental health. I am now more aware of respecting other peoples boundaries. 'I have taken steps to fix the damage caused by my actions, firstly by writing this apology letter, and also by identifying the reasons for my behaviour, being accountable to myself, doing what feels right, contemplation, and trying not to overreact.' Woolworths said it did reconsider his banning notice, but ultimately decided it should not be lifted due to concerns over the safety of the company's staff. The company said El Kassir had a history of 'shoplifting, aggressive behaviours towards team members, and vexatious, false and unfounded complaints against Woolworths'. El Kassir was slapped with a second ban order after going to Bankstown Central Woolworths (pictured) in February 2023 'Mr El-Kassir has 10 Woolworths events reported under the name Sameer El Ali on our internal incident platform,' the company told the court. 'Across these incidents, Mr El-Kassir is estimated to have stolen at least $4,000 in products from Woolworths and Big W stores. 'Mr El Kassir/ Sameer has also made at least five complaints against Woolworths alleging that he was racially discriminated against, or that Woolworths team members swore at him. 'While Woolworths appreciates Mr El-Kassirs apology, and acknowledges that he states that he has sought therapy to address his behaviour Woolworths continues to have concerns that if it were to lift his banning notice, this behaviour would continue given his considerable documented history of theft and incidents in breach of our Zero Tolerance Policy.' NCAT Senior Member Deborah Dinnen accepted El Kassir's claim regarding the altercation with security guards, but said she did not accept his assertion that he does not have a history of shoplifting. She also noted he attended the Bankstown store when there was already a ban order in place. While Ms Dinnen accepted it is characteristic of his mental disability to be aggressive and argumentative, she rejected the claim that shoplifting was another symptom. 'There is no objective evidence to support this assertion and his treating psychologist makes no mention of shoplifting,' Ms Dinnen said. Ms Dinnen said Woolworths had not directly discriminated against him because they had not treated him less favourably than any other customer who did the same things. She also rejected an argument of indirect discrimination and ruled against his application. 'There is no evidence before the tribunal that the respondent decided to not lift the banning notice, and to not engage further with the applicant, because the applicant suffered a disability. 'The documented evidence from the respondent, and the banning notices co-signed by the NSW Police, demonstrate that the applicant does have a history of shoplifting. 'In my view it would therefore not be fair or just to grant leave for the applicants complaint to proceed.' A Spurs fan, enraged by seeing local MP David Lammy in the club's executive boxes, sent eight early morning 'grossly offensive' drunken emails including one calling him a 'race-baiting c***', a court heard. Company director Matthew Rumsby, 43, also complained about the Foreign Secretary championing mass immigration into the capital and forcing him out of his home city of London. 'I will not be going to any games while you are MP for Tottenham', he said, before accusing the Labour MP of hating white people. 'I am just another London-born white guy pushed out of London,' he wrote in a follow-up email. Last week he pleaded guilty to one count of sending eight emails of an indecent or grossly offensive nature for the purposes of causing distress or anxiety to Mr Lammy. Hounslow-born Rumsby, of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, was told he may end up in prison for the outburst and was bailed to return for sentencing on February 24. He is listed as a company director with his family property firm, buying and selling homes and renting them in Essex. Wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt and blue tie Rumsby only spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address. Matthew Rumsby (pictured outside court) has admitted sending offensive emails to David Lammy Sir Keir Starmer was pictured celebrating Arsenal's win over Tottenham with David Lammy in September Prosecutor Nathan Paine-Davey told Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday: 'Eight emails were sent to the office of David Lammy MP.' They were intercepted by a male intern and reported to the police. All were sent from Rumsby's personal email account, which contains his full name and year of birth, between 4.32am and 4.39am. In the first email he describes father-of-three Lammy, who has been MP for Tottenham since 2000, as a 'race-baiting c***.' 'You hate white people,' the email continued. Rumsby stated he was 'p***ed off' that as a Tottenham Hotspur supporter he saw Lammy and Labour colleagues enjoying the club's executive boxes. 'I am forced to live with my 73 year-old dad. I haven't a pot to p*** in', he said. 'I was born in Hounslow. I hate London and you have pushed us out for immigrants. 'People outside the M25 hate you.' Rumsby was warned he could face jail Rumsby claimed he was upset that Mr Lammy sat in a box at Spurs with other Labour figures In his emails Rumsby also complained about a lump on his eye and his local Jobcentre placing him on long-term sick. 'The last Conservative government were a bunch of n*bheads. I have lost faith in Labour and the Conservatives. 'I will not be going to any games while you are MP for Tottenham'. Rumsby, who has no criminal convictions, but a caution for harassment in 2008, was quickly traced and arrested and admitted he wrote the emails from his account. 'Custody is in mind so I am going to invite you to ask for a pre-sentence report District Judge Tan Ikram told Gerard Shaw, defending. 'That will be on an all-options basis,' said Mr Shaw. 'The issues he has are of mental health that up until now he has not been receiving help with. 'He also has issues with alcohol and all of the emails were sent in the early hours when he was severely intoxicated. 'He has been medicating himself with alcohol for his mental health issues.' The prosecution began at Chelmsford Magistrates Court, but was transferred to Westminster due to the sensitivity of the case and the high profile victim being the current Foreign Secretary. 'Please return here on February 24,' Judge Ikram told Rumsby. 'I will grant you conditional bail and make sure you comply with those conditions. 'I am leaving all options open. The focus in this case is on deterrent and punishment.' Rumsby was bailed on conditions he does not contact Lammy or any other MP or personally visit any parliamentary building or office.' EXCLUSIVE When pack rapist Mohammed Skaf was released on parole after 21 years in jail, the serial predator was warmly welcomed back into his family home in Sydney's south-western suburbs. Shouts of excitement could be heard from inside the Greenacre house in October 2021 as Mohammed was reunited with mother Baria, father Mustapha, sister Noora and brother Hadi. However three years later, the once-united Skaf clan appears to be fracturing, with police recently seeking apprehended violence orders to protect 27-year-old Noora from both Mohammed and Hadi. The AVO application against Mohammed was withdrawn and dismissed at Bankstown Local Court last October when he appeared without legal representation. But an interim order against 25-year-old Hadi which first came before the same court in August is still in place and will be back before a magistrate on Wednesday. The apparent split must come as a blow to driving instructor Baria and longtime railway worker Mustapha, who fought to protect Noora and Hadi during the decades their sons spent in jail. Noora was a toddler and Hadi an infant when Mohammed and older brother Bilal committed a series of pack rapes across the city's south-west in the weeks before the 2000 Olympic Games. Bilal led a gang of Lebanese-Australian youths whose coordinated attacks on white teenage victims were described as 'worse than murder' by sentencing judge Michael Finnane. Police have recently applied for apprehended violence orders to protect Noora El Skaf (above) from her brothers Mohammed and Hadi Skaf. Mohammed Skaf was released from prison in October 2021 after serving 21 years for a series of pack rapes The group raped at least six women and girls who were were held against their will and repeatedly sexually assaulted in four attacks that shocked Australia and raised racial tensions to fever pitch in NSW. Mohammed, who was convicted in relation to two of the rapes, was 17 at the time of the offences and is now 41. Bilal was almost 19 and turns 44 in September. Judge Finnane originally jailed Mohammed for 32 years in October 2002, but after a series of further convictions and appeals that term was reduced to a maximum of 22 years, 11 months and 30 days. Seven other gang members served prison terms and have since been released, with only Bilal still behind bars. He is not eligible for parole until 2033 when he will be 51 years old. Weeks before Mohammed left prison, Noora told Daily Mail Australia the family was ready to welcome her then 38-year-old brother back into the fold. 'We're looking forward to him coming home and hopefully he'll start a life that we've never experienced before,' she said. 'We're pretty excited and happy for him to come home.' The Skafs live on a quiet bottlebrush-lined street about 1.7km from Gosling Park - the location of one of the gang's pack rapes took place in August 2000. Mohammed had lured a 16-year-old girl he knew to the park where Bilal and a second gang member raped her while a dozen more young men stood around laughing. The AVO application against Mohammed Skaf was withdrawn and dismissed in October. An interim order made in the same court against Hadi Skaf the next month is still in place Mustapha and Baria Skaf (both above) fought to protect their young children Noora (far left) and Hadi (far right) from publicity over the crimes committed by their older brothers Bilal and Mohammed The second gang member held a gun to the teen's head and kicked her in the stomach before she was able to escape. Less than three weeks after the Gosling Park attack, Mohammed was the leader of four young men who approached an 18-year-old woman at Bankstown train station. Mohammed took the woman's phone and led her to public toilets in nearby Marion Street where he told her: 'You won't get your phone back until you f*** me.' When the young woman refused Mohammed said, 'I'm going to f*** you Leb-style', then turned her around and raped her against a wall. The woman was raped 25 times by 14 attackers at three locations in an ordeal that lasted six hours. She was asked if 'Leb c*** tasted better than Aussie c***' before being sprayed with an industrial hose. Judge Finnane compared the Skaf gang's depravity to outrages committed by invading armies in times of war. 'These were not random attacks and, in my view, they were aimed at creating terror in the community, Judge Finnane found. Judge Finnane had also been forced to warn the Skaf's mother he would jail her if she did not stop abusing three of the young rape victims who were present in court. The Skaf family has lived for decades on a quiet street in Greenacre. A policeman is pictured outside the house after a gunman fired shots into the house in November 2022 Baria was banned from visiting NSW prisons for two years in September 2002 when she attempted to smuggle two letters Bilal had written to his fiancee while in Goulburn's Supermax jail. Mohammed, who has never publicly apologised to his victims, walked out of Long Bay jail wearing a white Hugo Boss top, black track pants, sunglasses and a Covid-19 mask on October 6, 2021. He was embraced by mother Baria behind the front door of the family home when dropped off at Greenacre about 40 minutes later. The next day Mohammed lost his temper with the media after he returned from reporting to Corrections Community officers at Bankstown to comply with his parole. Mohammed tried to cover his face with paperwork from the child protection register as he ordered Noora take pictures of reporters and photographers. Four months before Mohammed's release, Hadi had pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine and dealing with the proceeds of crime. In June that year he sold three bags of what was actually Panadol to a woman outside the Dolphin Hotel in inner-city Surry Hills. A week after Mohammed's release Hadi faced magistrate Miranda Moody over the amateurish dial-a-dealer operation. Baria Skaf was banned from NSW prisons for two years for attempting to smuggle two letters out of Goulburn's Supermax jail for her son Bilal (above). Mustapha Skaf is also pictured Publicity surrounding Hadi's arrest and Mohammed's release were tendered to Downing Centre Local Court court before sentencing. 'I note that he is the brother of Mohammed Skaf who has had some notoriety in this state and who has apparently been recently released from prison,' Ms Moody said. Ms Moody accepted Hadi had brought further shame on his parents, who had 'endured so much in their lives' and was himself suffering depression and anxiety, 'which is not surprising'. Taking into account Hadi's age, guilty pleas, remorse and prospects for rehabilitation, the magistrate did not record a conviction and instead imposed a two-year conditional release order. Hadi was again arrested with four other men in October 2022 in the car park of the WM Hotel at Bass Hill. Four months before Mohammed's release, Hadi (above) jeopardised his brother's living arrangements by pleading guilty to supplying cocaine and dealing with the proceeds of crime Police alleged Hadi and his co-accused were planning to assault a man rumoured to be involved in kidnapping a jeweller. Hadi was charged with being armed with intent to commit an indictable offences, possessing a loaded firearm in a public place and being carried in a stolen car. The following month police were called to the Skaf family home after reports of shots being fired at the property. A vehicle was seen driving away from the address moments after the shooting.The shooting led to the revelation that the Skaf home had been completely and permanently blurred on Google Street View since Mohammed got out of custody. [Anyone can apply to have their face, car registration and house blurred on Google, if they provide a reasonable reason, but it is up to the multinational company if they grant the request]. Two days after the drive-by, Hadi sought to have his bail conditions varied so he could leave the family home and move to Queensland with his partner. Two days after that, Hadi's bail was revoked when he was allegedly caught driving with drugs in his system. He was again granted bail in the Supreme Court in December on condition his father provided a $1million surety. 'Your father's life savings are at risk,' Justice Desmond Fagan told Hadi. Bilal Skaf (above) led a gang of Lebanese-Australian youths whose attacks on white teenage victims were described as 'worse than murder' by sentencing judge Michael Finnane Mohammed Skaf (above), who was convicted in relation to two of the rapes, was 17 at the time of the offences and is now 41. Bilal was almost 19 and turns 44 in September Hadi was back in court in June 2024 when he was found guilty of driving a stolen Audi Q7 SUV and using a tracking device to monitor the target which led to the Bass Hill arrest. Charges of possessing a loaded .32 calibre Fabrique National pistol, being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence and kidnapping in company were dropped. What the intentions were for that day have never been fully explained. At his sentencing hearing a month later, lawyer Oussama Elafawal disputed the prosecution's claim Hadi had shown no remorse for his role in the caper. In January 2023, Mohammed commenced a short-lived relationship with 32-year-old Alexandra Mastropetros (above), according to court documents 'Your Honour has available to you to suggest Mr Skaf has taken a positive turn in his life,' Mr Elfawal told magistrate Glenn Bartley. 'There are no further offences and he has been attending TAFE. 'The reality is this young man, before these charges, never served a term of full-time custody. When he did, there was a flick of a switch and there were no further offences.' But Mr Bartley noted Hadi's previous offending and rejected the 'flick of the switch' prison epiphany. Mr Bartley sentenced Hadi to two concurrent conditional release orders with conditions that he address his drug problems and undergo mental health therapy. Hadi had mixed results at an appeal hearing into various sentences and convictions held in the Downing Centre District Court just before Christmas. Judge Julia Baly confirmed Hadi's local court sentences for supplying drugs and dealing with the proceeds of crime but quashed a conviction for driving with an illicit drug in his system. She also set aside his conviction for installing a tracking device and varied other sentences. Judge Baly imposed two 12-month intensive correction orders for driving recklessly and not stopping during a police pursuit, and 80 hours of community service. He was disqualified from driving for 18 months from November 21. In January 2023, Mohammed commenced a short-lived relationship with 32-year-old Alexandra Mastropetros, according to court documents. Mastropetros told Daily Mail Australia she had met Mohammed through a mutual friend and while he looked familiar she had no idea he was one of the country's most notorious rapists. In February the next year Mastropetros was sentenced to an 18-month intensive correction order after pleading guilty to intimidating Mohammed during a May 2023 telephone conversation. She had also admitted to an unrelated charge of supplying drugs by smuggling methamphetamine worth about $100,000 into Hunter Correctional Centre. Shopkeepers in the genteel market towns of Surrey have accused police of sitting on their hands as they fall victim to a new breed of shoplifters 'well-off middle-aged women'. Lindsey Kleinlercher, who operates 18 gift shops across the south of England, is among those who have seen 'blatant' thefts by the outwardly respectable from her stores in the county. Some are thought to be stealing items to resell online, while others are simply taking advantage of a lack of police presence. 'It's blatant and brazen and it's not the people you'd automatically suspect any more,' she told MailOnline. 'There are the obvious ones with big bags and little kids who take Jellycats but there are also very normal well-to-do people coming in and stealing things, they don't look like your normal thief. 'It's everywhere, it's literally in every single town. Farnham, in particular, is appalling.' Inge Dunbar, who owns the Sass and Spirit gift shop in nearby Haslemere, has paid for CCTV and extra staff in a bid to disrupt the crime wave. 'What we get most often is actually well-off middle-aged women,' she said. Inge Dunbar, 55, who owns gift shop Sass and Spirit, has had to pay extra money towards CCTV cameras and an additional member of staff The Surrey town of Haslemere, where business owners have reported a rise in shoplifting in recent months 'That's the thing. If someone's stealing bread, of course you feel sympathy because they're struggling. 'But when they're stealing in a shop like this? That's not to do with the cost of living crisis.' Ms Dunbar said the most popular items among shoplifters are clothes, jewellery and Jellycats - a popular soft toy brand. 'Because of the layout of my shop, I can't see what's going on everywhere,' she added. 'When it started happening, I knew I had to get CCTV and hire another staff member so there are two of us covering the shop.' The problem has become so bad in recent months that messages are sent in crime-busting WhatsApp groups 'every single day'. Shop owners inform one another if they have been stolen from and share CCTV footage of criminals to look out for. In Farnham's WhatsApp chat, even police and staff from chain stores like Waitrose are members. Owner of MB Cyclery Ben Marks, 37, (left) and Tom Gunner, 23, (right). The cycle shop had all of its windows smashed in during a break-in over the summer Jellycat soft toys (pictured) are among the most commonly stolen items, alongside clothes and jewellery And all business owners in Haslemere are aware of 'particular' shoplifters who frequent the town centre, but police action is still insufficient, according to Ms Dunbar. 'You can tell immediately when some of them walk in because they're holding big, empty bags,' she said. 'There are also particular people who we know to be repeat offenders.' But Ms Dunbar said even a gentle police presence could alleviate pressure on business owners. 'I know they're overstretched. I know there are issues. But all it takes is a bit of a presence and that could deter people.' Pat Smith, 70, who is a manager at Scope, said lots of people steal clothing to resell on online marketplaces such as Vinted. 'We had this one beautiful hat on display in the window and it was taken in less than half an hour,' she added. 'People take things to resell them. They're turning stealing into a business.' The owner of MB Cyclery, Ben Marks, 37, had all of his shop windows smashed during a break-in last summer. He said: 'They broke all the windows overnight and nicked six bikes,' he recalled. 'We have an alarm that calls the police but these criminals know there are never any officers in the area, so they have some time before anyone shows up. 'My partner and I managed to get here before the police did that night.' Mr Marks is also a member of the WhatsApp chat dedicated to spotting shoplifters. 'There's a message on there every single day, I'd say. It was especially bad in the run up to Christmas.' Haslemere's reputation as a 'quiet and safe area' can actually work against shop owners because 'thieves know that too', Mr Marks said. Stuart Warren, 59, owns antique shop The Ark Stores and suffered three break-ins in two weeks Imogen Cox, 39, who works at Scope Haslemere, has said she is surprised by the rate of shoplifting from the charity shop Tom Gunner, who also works in the cycle shop, said the team have become very good at identifying potential shoplifters. The 23-year-old said: 'There are warning signs, like people who come in and avoid eye contact, then you see them looking towards the cameras.' In some cases, potential thieves come in and ask for the prices of different bikes or request to take them outside for a 'test', Mr Gunner said. 'We ask to see their ID and take some details first and then they promptly leave the shop.' Ms Kleinlercher said thefts from her stores were 'huge at the moment', and the traditional culprits have not disappeared either. 'In our Haslemere shop, we had someone who walked in, went upstairs and went through everyone's handbags and stole things,' she recalled. 'It's quite aggressive now, too. In our Oxted shop, someone walked out with hundreds of pounds worth of candles. 'Our manager got hold of his backpack as he ran outside and he turned around and hit her across the face.' Luckily, a shop across the street caught the incident on camera which enabled the case to go to court and the manager to be awarded damages, Ms Kleinlercher said. Stuart Warren, 59, who owns antique shop The Ark Stores, had three break-ins in a fortnight. He said: 'Shoplifting has definitely become a big problem in Haslemere. 'Three times in two weeks thieves came along and broke our padlock and stole our stuff. We lost just under 3,000. 'What was interesting, though, was that they didn't take things I'd consider particularly easy to sell. 'It seemed like a bunch of chancers who just grabbed what they could and hoped they could resell.' Scope Haslemere (pictured) has seen thieves steal clothing to resell on alternative online marketplaces, such as Vinted Business owners in Haslemere say that a lack of police presence and a tedious crime reporting process have worsened the problem Mr Warren said he thinks criminals have noticed the area is a 'soft touch' due to lack of police presence. 'When I had those break-ins, the police were helpful but it would be good to have officers actually on the ground. 'I think just having a couple around could be a real deterrent.' Imogen Cox, who works at Scope Haslemere, says the problem is even happening in charity shops. The 39-year-old said: 'I started volunteering here a year ago and I'm surprised at how much has been stolen. 'Things get taken every week probably. 'We also see people who come in intending to steal and then bottle it before they leave. 'They walk out and you notice a bag by the door stuffed with a couple of coats.' Oliver Leach, 43, runs local cafe Oliver's Coffee and is also the town's mayor. He has confronted shoplifters after recognising them from pictures on the WhatsApp group. Cafe owner and town Mayor Oliver Leach, 43, once identified a thief from the local WhatsApp group, took their stolen items and returned them to the shop A Haslemere street. One shop owner noted that since having spoken up about shoplifting in recent days, a stronger police presence has emerged in the town He said: 'There was an occasion where someone sent their CCTV footage into the WhatsApp group and I looked up and saw the shoplifters at one of our tables. 'I went over, took their bag of items off them and asked them to leave. I then returned the things to the shop.' Mr Leach agreed that there is not a sufficient police presence in Haslemere and said one of the issues faced by independent business owners the ineffective crime reporting process. 'The chains do get targeted the most here - Waitrose, Boots, Space NK. 'But Haslemere has a lot of independent shops and they fall victim as well. 'The thing is, independent businesses are really struggling at the moment. We're all working really hard. 'Owners simply don't have the time to go through the nightmare reporting process.' Mr Leach said retrieving CCTV as evidence and navigating the police portal takes 'at least' an hour and a half. 'We can't afford to be doing that.' The town of Farnham, Surrey, where the local crime-busting WhatsApp group has been joined by local police and staff at chain stores including Waitrose Farnham, one of the Surrey market towns reporting an increase in shoplifting in recent months due to lack of police presence A CCTV sign next to a Jellycat soft toy, which business owner Ms Dunbar said was among the most stolen items from her shop He added that since reports of the shoplifting increase have emerged, he has noticed more police officers. 'In the last few days, since we've been speaking about it, we have seen a couple police patrols, we have seen more of a presence.' Brewers, a painting and decorating chain, has a shop on Haslemere High Street. Staff member Malcolm Stuart said: 'We were hit twice last year, we haven't been this year but we're one month in.' Surrey Police responded by saying targeting shoplifting is a 'priority' for the force. Chief Inspector Andy Hill said: 'We would encourage any businesses to report because it helps us to build an information and intelligence picture. 'When something is reported to us, we follow all those reasonable lines of enquiry, including circulating CCTV images with success to identify offenders. 'We also work closely with neighbouring forces to catch those who carry out offences across borders to try and avoid detection.' Britain's phone theft epidemic is being fuelled by 'steaming' flashmobs bombarding their way into stores and ransacking as many devices as possible in brazen 20-second heists. Gathering in their masses, these masked gangs are bursting past helpless security guards and shoppers as they sweep up any device they can get their hands on. Dressed in black balaclavas and tracksuits, the youths lie in wait before pouncing as a mob, fleeing with dozens of phones stuffed in their pockets less than 20 seconds later. Leading cybersecurity experts have told MailOnline that 'steaming' flashmobs show how criminals are 'evolving', with police already battling marauding e-bike gangs which snatch devices from their victims. Crime bosses usually reward these young footsoldiers with cash once they deliver the phones to 'handlers'. Police are homing in on two types of handler: those that stockpile devices at homes before they are shipped abroad; and dodgy second-hand phone shops which might unlock and resell stolen handsets or be a front for criminal activity. Stolen phones have been routinely shipped 6,000 miles away to China's own 'Silicon Valley', but Met Police analysis suggests there is a new big player in the market as Algeria, in north Africa, is now at the forefront of stolen phone exports. Thomas Balogun, an IT and cybersecurity expert, told MailOnline: 'It's very, very rife now. Over the years, we've always known a lot of the stolen phones in the UK and the West go to China, but the Algerian market is developing at a very rapid rate and this is only going to get worse.' A gang of youths were seen targeting the Apple store in the Brent Cross shopping centre on January 5 As the thugs raced into the store (left), shoppers, including families, could be seen fleeing (right) Shocked shoppers watched on as the gang of youths fled the shop with devices just 20 seconds later Your browser does not support iframes. Apple stores across the capital, including the tech giants' flagship outlet on Regent Street, were targeted on 13 separate occasions over two-and-a-half weeks just before Christmas. Twelve teenagers, including a boy as young as 13, have been charged in connection with the brazen crime spree. In one shocking raid caught on video, masked robbers stormed the Apple store at the Brent Cross shopping centre, in north London, and allegedly stole about 50 phones on display as stunned families fled in terror. Addressing incidents of 'steaming', cybersecurity expert Jake Moore told MailOnline: 'The stolen phone market seems to constantly increase, whether they're out of the box stolen from the shop, second hand or taken from the victim. 'It seems that criminals are evolving in how they get hold of these devices. But until we can potentially reduce this in other ways, this is likely to continue for years to come.' Suggesting why 'steaming' is on the rise, Mr Balogun added: 'The phones are brand new, and they can come there probably with the least resistance. 'Nobody wants to take the risks. There might be security but you want to be very careful with trying to stop people that are nicking stuff. So it's better to just report back to the police and let the police deal with it from there. 'Will this sort of stuff happen again? Probably. I wouldn't dispute it because it could be the next thing out there. 'But I think there needs to be some work between the phone manufacturers and the police to really come to some sort of good decision.' Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Gangsters have turned reselling stolen devices into a global criminal business with London the phone snatching capital of Europe, Scotland Yard commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said It comes after Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley accused tech giants including Apple and Google of 'enabling' a phone theft epidemic with weak security measures. Mr Rowley warned gangsters have turned reselling stolen devices into a 'global criminal business' with London the phone snatching capital of Europe, Mr Rowley said. The trade in stolen phones is worth an estimated 20million a year, with more than 200 snatch thefts happening in England and Wales every day. In the capital, more than 64,000 phones were reported stolen to the Met Police in 2023 - a figure that had doubled in just two years. Algerian Zakaria Senadjki, 31, was jailed in November after police who raided his west London home found 170 stolen phones wrapped in aluminium foil in an effort to prevent them from being tracked. They also discovered handwritten ledgers, indicating the Algerian gang had handled more than 5,000 stolen devices over 18 months. Police believe that many of the phones were later sold abroad. Senadjki and his Algerian associates, Ahmed Belhnafi, 25, Nazih Cheraitia, 34, and Riyadh Mamouni, 25, were jailed for a total of almost 19 years in November. The armed police raid gave investigators one of the most significant insights into the enormous scale of phone theft in London and other cities in Britain. Such is the demand for stolen phones abroad that gangs have been smuggling them out of the UK in bulk on cargo planes, concealing them in Faraday boxes which block any signal that might allow them to be tracked. And Sir Mark said the situation was worsened by the fact that there is nothing stopping a stolen phone being sold by a criminal to be used again. Zakaria Senadjki, 31 (left) was jailed for for handling more than 5,000 stolen mobiles Ahmed Abdelhakim Belhanafi, 25, (right) and Nazih Cheraitia, 34, (left) were also jailed for their part in the phone snatching criminal group Pictured: Some of the phones recovered from a raid on an address linked to the group on February 26 Police found 170 stolen phones wrapped in aluminium foil in an effort to prevent them from being tracked 'They are making a fortune out of this,' he told the Sunday Times. 'The organised crime business model is enabled by the reusability and resaleability of stolen phones.' With second-hand iPhones fetching up to 400, Sir Mark said that thieves could receive between 100 and 200 for every stolen handset they pass on to a 'handler'. Sir Mark is calling on manufacturers to make each phone's 15-sigit international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) number more accessible so that victims can easily report thefts and buyers and police can check if a device has stolen. In the long term, he called for manufacturers to install a type of kill switch that would render a stolen phone completely unusable to the thieves who snatched it. 'I would have thought it would be to your competitive advantage as a business to say to your customers: the security on our device makes it less attractive to steal,' he said. 'The [current] inadequate security is enabling the theft. I've heard them [manufacturers] say it's so difficult to reopen a stolen phone that very few are reused. 'Our data and analysis shows that's definitely not true. 'Frankly if that was true there wouldn't be the resale market...so their judgments are overconfident.' Most phones stolen in Britain are then resold overseas, with a high proportion being shipped to north Africa, Sir Mark said. A Met Police sample of 3,500 handsets show just over a fifth remained in Britain, with 22 per cent showing up in Algeria and 16 per cent sent to China. Hitting back at Sir Mark's kill switch theory, cybersecurity expert Mr Moore told MailOnline: 'He seems to have come up with an idea that seems perfect, but unfortunately it's not possible to create a kill switch on a mobile device for the whole world. Our map shows how gangs of bike thieves like to target the richest areas of central London around Park Lane, Mayfair and Oxford Street 'So what he was talking about was, where you can blacklist a phone. 'Phones get blacklisted in the UK by the network operators once they've been reported stolen. However they can still work in other countries, such as China, India, and parts of Africa, for example. 'Even with this IMEI block on them, the kill switch, as he's calling it, they will still be able to work with some specialist software in China, and it's relatively easy for them to do.' Addressing how Algeria has become a hotspot for phone theft, he said: 'I would imagine, this would be a hunch, that criminal gangs in cities are looking for any route to countries where this kill switch doesn't apply. 'And so if they were to have routes to countries, such as Algeria, then they would simply go to where those markets are if they have connections with those countries. Mr Moore said the IMEI works like a 'fingerprint'. 'That gets put on a list that the UK phone providers will look at and whatever SIM card you put in there, it just simply won't work because it knows the IMEI numbers on ther,' he said. A balaclava-clad thief was seen brazenly snatching a mobile phone from a woman's hand before racing away in central London in April 'So it can stop them from working, and most of Europe will also abide by this rule but criminals know exactly how to get around these things. 'Cybercrime is not so small in regions such as it only says in the UK. We're talking about the whole world here, and so they can very easily be shipped out. 'But if they aren't successful in using the phone as a whole device unit, then the parts are worth lots of money still anyway because of the precious metals used in these phones. 'They can just add to that second hand market, because even if it's not working, they can break them down and sell them to parts.' Mr Moore said it was 'worrying' to see the 'steaming' flashmobs targeting stores, adding: 'I think it's well documented that shop thefts are going up, and there is a huge problem up and down the country with shop theft in general. 'However, there aren't many items to steal that can fit in your hand or your pocket that are worth four figures. And so it does invite criminal minds to plan to steal high value items that are so small. 'They are much easier to carry than laptops and they've got a huge second hand market waiting for them in this country and in others. CCTV captured a bike theft in July on Park Lane when another unsuspecting man had his mobile snatched in broad daylight by a crook in all black A woman can only look on, stunned, after an e-bike rider snatched a phone from her hand on Oxford Street Mr Balogun said 'another market' has developed in Algeria 'just like in China'. 'The Algerian market is probably developing at a very rapid rate,' he said. 'It won't take long before another group spins up, and this spins into another country in North Africa there, because what you'll tend to see is.' The Met has also said it is working with the Mayor of London's office to introduce by-laws that would allow officers and the Trading Standards to inspect second-hand shops where there is suspected criminal involvement. Mr Balogun backed these plans, explaining: 'I think the law needs to be stiffened properly, whereby if a phone gets tracked to a shop and it's still within the UK, then that person needs to be able to answer a lot of questions. 'Because how did that phone get to that person? What due diligence did you conduct? You just bought a phone off anybody? So the law needs to be tightened whereby you risk being arrested for that.' The Met has asked Border Force officials to watch out for stolen phones in the same way they might seek hidden drugs or weapons. The force has also asked the National Crime Agency (NCA) to gather intelligence about how gangs distribute and sell phones stolen on British streets. And a Home Office-sponsored conference in February will tackle phone theft. Sir Mark suggested the Government could force tech giants to improve security through new legislation if they continued to fail to act. Apple, Google and Samsung said they were working with the authorities to combat phone theft and had introduced advanced safety measures to protect customers. Staff at the countrys largest defence firm have been told to hide their lanyards and lie about where they work after being targeted by radical pro-Palestine protesters. BAE Systems sites have faced protests since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023 with Palestine protesters blocking staff from entering factories in Glasgow, Lancashire and Monmouthshire. Staff have been warned to conceal their jobs due to security fears. A BAE Systems worker told MailOnline: We are told to be vigilant at work, to watch out for people following us. We have a strict rule not to wear our work lanyard outside of the office for our own protection. We are encouraged to say we dont work in defence and to be careful, to make sure you know who you are speaking to if you say it. Last February more than 100 pro-Palestine demonstrators blocked entrances to the companys ship building site in Govan, Glasgow. They held banners saying 'Stop Arming Israel' and chanted 'from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free'. It followed a protest in south London, where hundreds of demonstrators marched to the companys office in Southwark. More than 100 pro-Palestine demonstrators blocked entrances to the BAE Systems site in Govan, Glasgow last February Protesters have targeted BAE Systems sites, including in Chatham, Rochester, since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023 Although pro-Palestinian protesters have blocked BAE Systems staff from entering factories in Glasgow, Lancashire and Monmouthshire, the company does not directly supply weapons to Israel In May, protesters blockaded a BAE Systems factory in Samlesbury, Lancashire. Another protest at the site, on the anniversary of Hamas's October 7 atttacks, saw two people arrested. In November, Palestine protesters blocked an entrance to BAE Systems munitions plant in Glascoed, Monmouthshire. They held banners saying stop arming genocide and UK weapons kill. Meanwhile, pro-Palestine protesters have harassed workers as young as 16 out of the defence industry as ongoing staff shortages could force companies to risky overseas locations, an industry chief has warned. Kevin Craven, chief executive of the ADS group, which represents UK aerospace, defence and security companies, told MailOnline: We had a reception and seven apprentices had to make their way through a crowd of 200 protesters shouting baby killers to people aged 16 to 17. And now two of them have left the industry. If it was intimidating to me, imagine what it was like for them. It comes as around 20 defence companies have been forced to avoid university events because of security fears, effectively excluding a very large proportion of the defence industry from campuses, according to Craven. While defence companies are aiming to bolster their workforce, there is overwhelming antipathy towards the industry from younger people, he added. There have been 10,000 unfilled vacancies in the industry each year for the past three years out of a workforce of 164,000, he said, with desperate shortages of welders, systems engineers and skilled machinists, which could impact warship production. Offshoring some production to places where they dont have shortages might be an ultimate answer, Craven said. It would be a shame since British jobs could disappear. From a strategic point of view you want your defence industry onshore because you are the only country you can rely on. Last February, BAE Systems were forced to move a careers forum with engineering students from the University of Cardiff online following student protests. Exams at the University of Manchester were disrupted after protesters unlawfully barricaded a building as they called on the university to end its partnership with the defence company. In October, a talk from BAE Systems at Durham University was disrupted by a protester who accused the company of manufacturing weapons to murder children. Protesters formed a blockade outside a BAE Systems site in Samlesbury, Lancashire, in May Staff have been warned to conceal their jobs due to security fears after a wave of protests outside BAE Systems factories Protesters form a blockade outside weapons manufacturer BAE Systems in Glasgow Meanwhile, a Ministry of Defence list highlighting where defence companies had events booked but cancelled includes universities in Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Cardiff and Warwick, according to The Times. The consequence is that it is reducing the pool of available graduates for the industry, Craven added. There is one perspective being put out and its hard to counter, particularly as an individual company speaking out against these things has resulted in protests at the front door of their headquarters and physical damage costing hundreds of thousands of pounds. Although pro-Palestinian protesters have blocked BAE Systems staff from entering factories in Glasgow, Lancashire and Monmouthshire, the company does not directly supply weapons to Israel. However, it does produce parts for F-35 fighter jets, which the US has sold on to Israel. The part the British defence industry plays in that conflict is so tiny as to be meaningless, said Craven. But you wouldn't think so in terms of the size and shape of the protests. People get their information from their own chosen sources and clearly there is some misinformation amongst that. A BAE Systems spokesperson, said: 'We respect everyone's right to protest peacefully.' They added they continue to work with 'academic institutions to promote thousands of promote thousands of opportunities' each year. A Metropolitan Police detective who appeared in a BBC documentary about a harrowing rape investigation is facing a misconduct hearing over alleged domestic abuse against seven former partners. Detective Constable David Fall is accused of abusing or harassing the women over a six-year period while he was a serving officer. During this time, he was in the Met's Sapphire Unit, which investigates rapes and serious sexual offences. Fall resigned from the Met in October last year but still faces misconduct proceedings, which are set to begin next month. A notice published by the force said: 'Former DC David Fall will answer allegations that his conduct amounted to breaches of the Standards of Professional Behaviour, in respect of discreditable conduct. 'It is alleged that between 2014 and 2020, whilst a serving member of the Metropolitan Police Service, former DC Fall engaged in domestic abuse and/or harassment towards seven of his former partners.' He is also alleged to have breached confidentiality in 2020 by showing one of his partners a confidential document related to his work without any proper policing purpose. The notice added: 'The matter and conduct set out above amount to gross misconduct, namely a breach of the standards of professional behaviour that, if proved, are so serious as to justify dismissal.' DC David Fall (pictured) has been accused of abusing or harassing the women over a six-year period while he was a serving officer He led the investigation against Harjit Singh (pictured) , now 53, who forced his way in before attempting to rape a woman with Down's Syndrome The case comes at a time when forces around the country are facing scrutiny about misogyny and other questionable conduct. In November, shocking figures showed a record 593 police officers had been kicked out of forces in the year to March 2024, up 50 per cent on the previous year. One in eight were booted out for sexual offences or misconduct. Fall was working in the Met's specialist crime unit, which investigates organised crime and murders, when he quit. In July 2016, he was the senior investigating officer in the case of a horrific attempted rape of a woman with Down's Syndrome in her own home. His handling of the sensitive investigation was documented in the second series of BBC One's The Met: Policing London, which was aired in May 2017. The 35-year-old woman was followed from a bus to her home by Harjit Singh, now 53, who forced his way in before attacking her. He was arrested by police after he fell asleep in his victim's bed and she alerted neighbours. The woman, called Jolene, bravely waived her anonymity for the documentary to show how sensitively the investigation was handled due to her learning disabilities. Fall, who appeared in 2017 in a BBC One documentary The Met: Policing London, is accused of abusing his former partners Singh was jailed for six years after pleading guilty at Kingston Crown Court to attempted rape and trespass with intent to commit a sexual act. He received a further six months after admitting sexually assaulting two women at the Royal Free Hospital in April 2015. Fall's alleged mistreatment of his partners was investigated as part of a criminal investigation by Hampshire Constabulary in 2020 but no charges were brought. Misconduct cases are conducted with the civil test of evidence on the 'balance of probabilities', rather than the higher criminal test of 'beyond reasonable doubt'. They can take place even when officers have resigned, so that individuals can be added to a policing barred list if found to have committed offences. A Met Police spokeswoman said: 'Former DC Fall appeared in the documentary The Met: Policing London where he investigated the rape of a female with Down's Syndrome. 'He resigned in October 2024 and was previously attached to Specialist Crime South.' The misconduct hearing is due to take place at a hearing in south-east London from February 3 to February 10. Fall was previously investigated by Hampshire Constabulary in 2020 however no charged were brought against him A Hampshire Constabulary spokeswoman said: 'We conducted a criminal investigation into the matters laid out in the misconduct notice and a man was arrested in connection with these. 'A file was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service in 2022, which made the decision that no further action would be taken. 'The details were then passed to the Metropolitan Police Service for their conduct investigation.' A CPS spokesman added: 'We reviewed this case carefully and, after considering all the material passed to us by the police, we concluded there was not enough evidence for us to charge the suspect.' Police were told they should 'get out and run' after a woman caught shoplifting managed to evade them twice in her wheelchair. Hilarious images of the blue light car chase in Sheffield shows the thief out-manoeuvre officers as she made away with 'high value' goods on Sunday. The suspect escapes the flashing vehicle, hurtling down Meadowhall Road in the midst of blaring sirens. She later admitted to shoplifting from the nearby Meadowhall shopping centre. Loreto Valente, 38, the manager of Coral Windows and Conservatories on Meadowhall Road, told The Telegraph: 'The scooter came down Meadowhall Road, which is directly outside our showroom, and carried on going past us. 'I don't know how far down Meadowhall Road they went or whether they turned off. 'I'm assuming the police apprehended them in the end. But I don't know why they didn't get out and actually run after them, or something. I don't know why they were trying to drive. You could run faster than that.' The thief later admitted to shoplifting from the nearby Meadowhall shopping centre Hilarious footage of the blue light car chase in Sheffield shows the thief out-manoeuvre officers as she made away with 'high value' goods on Sunday It is understood that a 33-year-old woman stole a high value of goods and left the scene, travelling on a mobility scooter The woman was eventually detained and the stolen items were recovered. She admitted to stealing the items and police say she will be dealt with by way of an out-of-court disposal A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said in a statement: 'At 12.25pm, we received a call regarding a report of shoplifting at Meadowhall shopping centre. 'It is understood that a 33-year-old woman stole a high value of goods and left the scene, travelling on a mobility scooter along Weedon Street. The woman was reportedly driving erratically, and an officer followed in a police car due to concern for the woman's own safety and that of other road users. 'The woman was detained and the stolen items were recovered. The woman admitted to stealing the items and will be dealt with by way of an out-of-court disposal.' Meadowhall is an indoor shopping centre that lies three miles north-east of Sheffield city centre, and two miles from Rotherham town centre. It is the largest shopping centre in Yorkshire, and currently the twelfth-largest in the United Kingdom, with over 280 stores. Though, plans for an extension currently under consideration mean it could soon be the 11th biggest shopping centre in the UK. Pope Francis has warned that constant scrolling on social media causes brain rot. The head of the Catholic Church called for greater media literacy and critical thinking, particularly among young people, in an address last weekend. The 88-year-old pontiff appealed for traditional and social media to focus on stories of hope rather than divisiveness so that the beauty of communication is not corrupted. He said: Lets put respect for the highest and noblest part of our humanity back in the centre of our hearts, lets avoid filling it with what rots and makes it rot. The choices of each of us count, for example, in expelling that brain rot caused by the addiction to continuous scrolling on social media. It is not the first time that Francis, who has been leader of the 1.4billion-member Catholic Church since 2013, has made pronouncements about the potential pitfalls of the online world. In 2014 the Pope - who has admitted to being a disaster when it comes to technology - said the internet and social media are a gift of God if used wisely. However, since then he has warned repeatedly about the risk of young people being so attached to their mobile phones, reducing human relationships to mere algorithms. Pope Francis has warned that constant scrolling on social media causes brain rot. The head of the Catholic Church called for greater media literacy and critical thinking, particularly among young people, in an address last weekend The Pope has warned repeatedly about the risk of young people being so attached to their mobile phones, reducing human relationships to mere algorithms. The Pope warned of the dangers of social media as he addressed 9,000 journalists and writers from 138 countries at an event for the Vaticans Year of Jubilee last weekend He has also said smartphones should be banned from the family dinner table and that children should not have computers in their rooms. In 2022, Francis warned seminarians in Rome of the dangers of online pornography, calling it a temptation that weakens the priestly heart and admitted that it was a vice held even by priests and nuns. And last year he warned of the risks associated with artificial intelligence technology after he became the victim of a viral deepfake image which appeared to show him wearing an ankle-length white Balenciaga puffer coat. The Pope warned of the dangers of social media as he addressed 9,000 journalists and writers from 138 countries at an event for the Vaticans Year of Jubilee last weekend. Instead of reading a nine-page speech, Pope Francis chose to deliver shorter off-the-cuff remarks as he said that it was late and attendees were hungry, which drew applause from those gathered. Addressing the crowd at the Vatican, he urged the audience: Let your storytelling be hope-telling. President Donald Trump is using violent lyrics spouted by pro-Kamala Harris rapper Eminem as part of his January 6 defense. Law & Crime reported Monday on Trump's move to have a federal court toss out a civil lawsuit filed against him by Democratic members of Congress, including former chairman of the January 6 select committee, Rep. Bennie Thompson and California Rep. Barbara Lee. They claim Trump violated the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, which bars mob violence against federal officials, due to his actions on January 6, 2021. In a 35-page motion filed Friday, Trump's lawyers asked the court to reverse a previous ruling that said the plaintiffs had plausibly alleged the speech Trump delivered on the Ellipse on January 6 had 'incited the crowd to violence.' Instead they argue that holding Trump liable for the Capitol attack would violate the president's First Amendment rights. The new filing points to a hypothetical rapper who is 'ranked as one of the most controversial lyricists of all time' and is 'particularly popular against angsty teenagers.' The footnote specifically refers to Chief Justice John Roberts reciting Eminem's lyrics about drowning his wife in the song 97 Bonnie and Clyde. 'Many of his lyrics describe explicit violent acts, including gun violence, rape, and a description of the rapper drowning his wife,' the filing said. 'While at times, the rapper's lyrics suggest that his work is not intended to encourage or endorse actual violence, other lyrics suggest the contrary.' President Donald Trump's legal team is using violent lyrics spouted by pro-Kamala Harris rapper Eminem as part of his January 6 defense Eminem speaks to a Detroit crowd in late October as he stumps for Trump's rival, Vice President Kamala Harris 'There is extensive news coverage of the impact that the rapper's music has on young people, commenting on how it incites them to act emotionally and sometimes violently,' the filing continued. 'The rapper publicly acknowledges that he is aware that his music is causing some of his fans to commit violence,' the documents go on. In the filing, the court is asked to consider what would happen if the rapper yelled: 'Fight the Man! Fight the Establishment! Dont let them tell you what to do! Fight like hell!' During Trump's speech on the Ellipse, he used the phrase, 'fight like hell.' 'Inspired by the rapper's fiery rhetoric, several of his fans decide to mirror his expressed disdain for authority by storming the nearest establishments, stealing food from the venue's concession stands, violently attacking the vendors, and beating down security guards to access the backstage areas of the venue,' the filing said. Trump's lawyers argued that historically the rapper's rhetoric would 'fall squarely within the protections of the First Amendment.' However, they point out, the court's previous order where Trump could potentially be held liable because the speech contained 'an implicit call for imminent violence of lawlessness' would 'open floodgates to incitement liability for future speakers of all types (not just politicians and presidents).' Trump's team argued that this is 'constitutionally impermissible.' Eminem (right) is seen alongside former Democratic President Barack Obama (left) at a Detroit Harris-Walz rally in late October Trump had previously appealed the trial court's ruling pointing to how he had presidential immunity. If the court rules against him on First Amendment grounds, his lawyers have asked the court to certify the issue for appeal so the appellate court can consider both immunity and First Amendment arguments when reexamining the case. Using Eminem - even in a footnote - is an interesting choice by Trump's team as the Michigan-based rapper was one many celebrities who came out in support of Trump's rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, on the campaign trail last fall. Eminem appeared alongside former President Barack Obama at a Detroit rally in late October. The rapper entered the political fray earlier in the 2024 cycle, with DailyMail.com first reporting that in August he reached out to the music licenser BMI and asked that Republican hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign no longer be able to use his music. Ramaswamy - who rapped in college - performed Eminem's Lose Yourself at the Iowa State Fair. Federal employees who worked fully or partially remote for the last nearly five years are coming to terms with the fact they will now have to return to the office. And if they don't comply with President Donald Trump's executive order and the policies his agencies enact in response, experts warn thousands could face the wrath of the man with the catchphrase: 'You're fired.' Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said employees have 'abused' telework and it's one of the 'biggest areas of waste' in the federal government, according to a clip obtained by DailyMail.com. She detailed specifically how most of the employees at the Veterans Administration (VA) do not come into the office every day, and lamented that there is an ever-increasing backlog of disability claims and hotline calls that go unanswered for days. 'We are paying federal workers for a glorified vacation, because they're not working from home,' Ernest said during an upcoming podcast episode of the Standpoint with Gabe Groisman. 'One VA employee who was in charge of some of these hotlines he actually was on a Zoom call from his bathtub,' said Ernst, who is chairwoman of the Senate Small Business Committee. 'You're not actually working if you're taking a long, hot soak in a bubble bath.' This March 2023 example is often used by Republicans to exhibit why returning to the office is necessary. The VA worker posted a story to Instagram showing him in a bathtub with the caption: 'My office for the next hr.' Even Democrats, many of whom were massive proponents of work-from-home policies well into the second year of the pandemic, are getting sick of the new era of working arrangements and warn workers who have slacked off for years that their vacation is now over. 'We are paying federal workers for a glorified vacation, because they're not working from home,' Sen. Joni Ernest says during an upcoming podcast episode of the Standpoint with Gabe Groisman Former Department of Homeland Security Chief of Staff for Policy David Dorey told DailyMail.com: 'I think even the Biden administration was getting a little bit fed up with what was going on.' 'You saw some movement towards return to work, at least a little bit, and then a lot of resistance, but I think that the current President is not going to put up with that,' he added. Dorey, who is now head of Labor & Employment for Liff, Walsh and Simmons but worked in the executive branch of government through the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Trump has 'made clear you come to work, that's how it goes, and if you don't, then there's going to be consequences, including up to termination.' The president issued an order on day one of his second term last week directing his agencies to establish and enforce a return-to-office plan, which was to be communicated to their employees by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 24. They have 30 days to present their plans and implement the change. DHS sent its employees a memo last week ordering them to immediately come back to the office. They provided exceptions for those with a 'physical inability' to come to or work from the office and said it also depends on if there is enough 'adequate office space' to accommodate for the workforce. Washington, D.C.'s Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser is pleased with Trump's executive order requiring his executive agencies to implement a return to office plan over the next month. The nation's capital has long felt the brunt of the federal workforce conducting their business at home and syphoning off money that used to be injected into D.C. 'The entire downtown of D.C. has essentially been gutted by federal employees not going to work for four years,' Dorey said. 'All of the services that those employees use when they go to work were just not being used and so businesses went out of business,' he said. 'The commercial space, I think, is way underutilized compared to where it should have been.' Downtown Washington, D.C. has become a ghost town during the week after one-tenth of the federal workforce remained fully remote well after the COVID-19 pandemic ended. Pictured: A nearly empty D.C. metro car Restaurants, shops and the metro system all suffered massive losses when thousands of workers never went back to full-time in-office work after they were first sent home in March 2020. Bowser, in a surprise to those who know her thoughts on Trump, promised to collaborate with the new Republican administration 'to deliver for D.C. and the American public.' In August 2024, the White House Office of Management and Budget released a report on the onsite vs. offsite federal workforce. It found that one-tenth of federal employees work off-site full time. As of May 2024 there were a total of more than 2.27 million federal workers in the 24 Cabinet departments and independent agencies. This accounts for all but two percent of federal government employees. Of those, the report found that 1.22 million work onsite full-time while roughly 1.06 million are eligible for off-site work. A total of 228,000 are full-time remote workers. These thousands are expected to flood back into the district in coming weeks. However, federal workers now used to their new working arrangements find Trump's new order a tough pill to swallow. Many have adapted their lives over the last five years to their remote or telework situations, and some have even relocated out of the commutable area to D.C. and would either have to move back or find a different job. Former Department of Homeland Security Chief of Staff for Policy David Dorey told DailyMail.com if federal workers don't go back to the office, 'there's going to be consequences, including up to termination' Dorey says there are likely to be administrative challenges at different agencies from employees or groups of workers who want to push-back on the requirement to come to the office. He doesn't believe they will be successful. 'That administrative process takes forever it's horribly backed up, and doesn't have the ability to kind of preliminarily enjoin anything,' Dorey explained. 'So if someone says, 'I'm not going to work tomorrow in person,' they can't just run off through that process and then get somebody to tell the President or an agency to stop,' he added. 'It couldn't go fast enough.' And in the interim, that employee would be required to comply with the new policies, which would be to work full-time in person or else face whatever consequences are detailed by the government agencies. In this case likely termination. New targets set by the Government for developing new solar and wind power by 2030 are set to be missed, according to research. Forecasts from industry consultancy Cornwall Insight said the UK is on track to miss its Clean Power 2030 targets despite efforts to remove potential obstacles for industry and to boost investment. This would represent a significant blow to Sir Keir Starmer's Government, which has said decarbonising the country's electricity system by 2030 is a major goal. Cornwall Insight said the UK is set to miss clean power targets for offshore, onshore and solar by 32 gigawatts (GW), enough to power tens of millions of homes. The findings come despite the Government revising down its capacity targets in an action plan released late last year. The UK is set to fall particularly short of meeting its solar power ambitions, with levels expected to reach 29GW compared with the 45-47GW Government target. Despite being boosted by changes in policy, onshore wind growth is 10GW short of the 27-29GW goal, the research forecast. Offshore wind is closest to being on track, but will still miss targets by 6GW according to predictions. Forecasts show the UK is set to miss its new targets to develop solar and wind power by 2030 (file photo) Onshore wind is 10GW short of the 27-29GW goal, research forecast, despite boosts from policy changes (file photo) Tom Musker, modelling manager at Cornwall Insight, said: 'Renewables are set for substantial growth over the next five years, as the country strives to meet its clean power ambitions. 'However, despite promising progress, the gap between this growth and Government targets underscores the urgent need to address both the operational and investment barriers slowing renewables growth. 'Grid connection delays, supply chain constraints, and uncertainty surrounding electricity market reforms are all creating a challenging environment for developers. 'Without swift and decisive action to resolve these issues, the UK risks falling significantly behind its clean power ambitions.' Former Victorian premier Dan Andrews and his wife Catherine face a potential civil lawsuit over claims they 'lied' about a 2013 car crash that badly injured a 15-year-old cyclist. The family of Ryan Meuleman, who lost 90 per cent of his spleen as a result of the crash involving the Andrews' vehicle in the Victorian southern coastal town of Blairgowie, have issued a legal notice to the couple. Ryan's father Peter Meuleman accuses the couple of not telling the truth and has demanded they aplogise and offer compensation within 28 days or he will sue them for defamation in the Federal Court. 'No more lies,' Ryan's father Peter Meuleman told the Herald Sun. 'Daniel and Catherine Andrews can either finally tell the truth now, and apologise to Ryan, or we can let a Federal Court judge decide.' The Meulemans are demanding the Andrews withdraw comments they made in September over a review of the crash conducted by former Victorian Assistant Commissioner for Traffic and Operations Raymond Shuey. That report, commissioned by the Meuleman family for a separate legal action against Slater & Gordon, concluded all available evidence pointed to the Andrews hitting Ryan while 'travelling at speed' and on the wrong side of the road. Ryan, then 15, was left screaming in agony from the crash involving the Andrews and later lost 90 per cent of his spleen as a result Dr Shuey, who was a renowned expert on road satefy, concluded the police investigation that supported the Andrews' version of events, was 'deeply flawed', 'unfounded' and 'contrary to the available evidence'. In response the Andrews released a statement that said: 'This so-called report was commissioned by lawyers on behalf of their clients who are seeking money through the courts by suing their former lawyers. We did nothing wrong. 'This matter has already been comprehensively and independently investigated and closed by Victoria Police and integrity agencies. We will not dignify these appalling conspiracy theories by commenting further at this time.' The Andrews largely repeated these statements in November after audio of the then Labor opposition leader's triple-0 call from the scene of the crash was released and he is heard telling an emergency services operator 'we've hit him (Ryan)'. Former Victorian premier Dan Andrews and his wife Catherine face potential legal action over claims they 'lied' about a devastating 2013 car crash involving a 15-year-old cyclist Mr and Mrs Andrews claimed the audio: 'confirms the previous statements we've made on this matter. The cyclist came flying through from the bike path at Ridley St and T-boned our car at speed. 'This matter has been comprehensively investigated over many years by Victoria Police Professional Standards Command and IBAC. 'Furthermore, the cyclist's current legal proceedings have nothing to do with us. We are not a party to them. While we are sorry that the cyclist was injured in the accident, we did nothing wrong.' Mr Meuleman said the evidence would show claims about proper investigations being conducted by Victoria Police Professional Standards Command or IBAC were false. 'Ryan has suffered terribly because of what Daniel and Catherine Andrews did to him that day and because of the lies they've told since,' Mr Meuleman said. 'He didn't die that day, thank God but a part of him did. The crash was so traumatic for him and the ongoing lies have been just as bad.' The defamation claim is separate to a Supreme Court case that the Meuleman family have brought against Labor-linked law firm Slater & Gordon. Ryan's day Peter Meuleman (pictured) has accused the Andrews of 'lying' about the circumstances of the crash The Andrews have engaged high-profile lawyer Leon Zwier to represent them. In their police statement and subsequent media answers the Andrews have always insisted they were driving their taxpayer-funded Ford Territory slowly down Ridley Street when they were 'T-boned' by Ryan moving at speed. However, Dr Shuey's report, commissioned by the Meuleman family for their legal action against Slater & Gordon, concluded all available evidence pointed to the Andrews' hitting Ryan 'travelling at speed' and on the wrong side of the road. Dr Shuey also listed numerous deficiencies in the way Victoria Police handled the case. These included failing to perform a breath test, failure to properly document the crash scene and failure to take statements from anyone other than the Andrews despite there being a number of people at the scenet. Previously Victoria Police have refused to reopen the case or answer questions arising out of Dr Shuey report. 'As has been previously stated, Victoria Police conducted a thorough investigation into this matter, as did (Victorian corruption watchdog) IBAC, and all findings were consistent,' a police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. 'We have no further comment to provide on the matter.' The Andrews have always maintained Catherine was behind the wheel at the time of the crash, although Dr Shuey reported the driver of the car behind said otherwise. 'Witness Jane Crittenden states she viewed Catherine Andrews in the passenger seat after the crash,' his report states. 'In my opinion, this investigative failure is a deliberate omission. It leaves the question of who was driving unresolved and in dispute. She was not breath-tested with the attending officer stating this did not happen because 'she did not smell of alcohol'. Mr Andrews was also allowed to drive the damaged SUV away from the scene during the crash investigation. The Meuleman case against Slater & Gordon, is scheduled to go to trial in May. A father was killed when he was hit by a 25lbs weight accidentally thrown into the bleachers at a high school track meet. Wade Langston, 57, died when the large ball struck him at the Colorado United Track Club event at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs on Sunday. He is believed to have been killed almost instantly as he blocked the weight from hitting his wife Ronda Langston and their 17-year-old son Colin. Langston was seated on a row of three bleachers facing away from the weight throw field and only saw the weight coming towards him at the last moment. The bleachers faced towards the indoor running track of Mountain Lion Fieldhouse, where his son was racing for Vista Ridge High School in Colorado Springs. Langston worked as a casualty claims adjuster for USAA insurance, and grew up in Lubbock, Texas, before moving to Colorado in the late 1990s. Witnesses told DailyMail.com that the throw was off-target and veered off to the left and over a 12ft net, before landing in the bleachers. 'The people who were watching the weight throw saw that it was going errant and yelled out,' one said. Wade Langston, 57, (pictured with his son in an old photo) died when the large ball struck him at the Colorado United Track Club event at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Langston (center) is believed to have been killed almost instantly as he blocked the weight from hitting his wife Ronda Langston (left) and their 17-year-old son Colin (right) 'The victim was in stands facing away from the throw arena right in front of that makeshift net barrier watching the track area. Because they yelled everyone looked over there.' Shocked spectators who were narrowly missed by the deadly projectile screamed in panic and started calling 911. 'The amount of blood was horrific,' one witness said. 'I'm devastated for the family and just furious at the incompetence and carelessness of UCCS. I saw someone die today and it was completely unnecessary.' A teenager who competed in the event described how spectators were forced to step in and try to save Langston's life as there were no medical staff. 'They had no EMS or even a first aid kid on sight so people started CPR and lots called 911, they laid the man on the ground and then started CPR, and the paramedics took over 10 min to respond,' they said. Photos of the event obtained by DailyMail.com showed the nets only covering part of the spectating area, and angled to align with the bleachers - not towards the throwing circle. The rest of the field was sectioned off using hurdles. The teen explained how the nets put up behind the bleachers to catch errant throws were the lowest they had seen in their six years of competing. Langston was seated on a row of three bleachers facing away from the weight throw field and only saw the weight coming towards him at the last moment The nets only covering part of the spectating area, and angled to align with the bleachers (top left) - not towards the throwing circle. The rest of the field was sectioned off using hurdles A panorama of the field on a different day, showing the throwing cage to the right, the track to the left, and the spot where the bleachers were set up marked with an X 'The net didn't cover any of the bleachers, it was angled the wrong way. Their barricades were hurdles, and the nets weren't taller than 12ft,' they said. 'My heart goes out to his kid who watched their dad die, and the family. As well as the thrower who I can imagine will be in therapy for years to come. 'This was seriously traumatizing and there should be more regulations around throwing facilities, as accidents like this, while not common, do happen.' Langston was mourned online and called him 'a great dad and friend'. 'We met him in the Spring when we were both cheering our boys on competing. He seemed like a great Dad right down on the fence line with us,' one wrote. Another added: 'My son and others there are in shock. The son runs with my son and we knew the dad as well. A senseless death.' A weight throw differs from a hammer throw in that it lacks the long chain used to spin the ball around before releasing it, and is much heavier. Instead, it consists of a metal ball attached to a triangle-shaped grip. Combined with the increased weight, it can't be thrown nearly as far and so can be used at indoor events. Hammer throwing competitions are never held indoors. A photo of the throwing cage before the event began on Sunday morning A weight throw differs from a hammer throw in that it lacks the long chain used to spin the ball around before releasing it, and is much heavier. Instead, it consists of a metal ball attached to a triangle-shaped grip Emergency crews from the Colorado Springs Fire Department were dispatched immediately, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said they were not investigating Langston's death as a criminal matter. University officials said Langston was hit by a 'stray throwing weight' that 'cleared certified barriers'. 'We are heartbroken at this horrible accident and are focused on supporting all involved,' UCCS Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet said. The Colorado United Track Club started a fundraiser for Langston's family. The president spoke at a House GOP retreat hosted at his Miami-area golf course Donald Trump has hinted at sending repeat American offenders to prisons abroad, even if they aren't in the country illegally. The president was discussing the success of his mass deportation flights when he floated the idea that foreign countries could take in serial criminals for a 'small fee.' He told the House Republican Conference in Doral, Florida, that he doesn't want U.S. prisons filled with convicts who keep getting arrested, because it is costing the taxpayers. Instead, he suggested: 'Let them be brought to a foreign land and maintained by others for a very small fee as opposed to be maintained in our jails for massive amounts of money including the private prison companies that charge us a fortune.' Trump noted that convicts in the U.S. may soon be exported to countries around the world, likening such operations to the 1997 film 'Con Air' in which Nicholas Cage makes a daring escape from a plane full of criminals. 'We also have many violent criminals in our country, however, that did not necessarily come here illegally but have been arrested 30 times,' Trump said. 'I don't want these violent, repeat offenders in our country any more than I want illegal aliens from other countries who misbehave.' So the president is looking to ship them out, along with migrants illegally in the U.S., to unspecified countries abroad. President Donald Trump arrives to speak at the 2025 House Republican Members Conference Dinner at Trump National Doral Miami in Doral, Fla., Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 The president hinted at sending U.S. criminals to countries abroad, noting how he does not want them in the U.S. any more than criminal migrants Trump floated sending criminals in the U.S. to prisons abroad. This handout picture shows alleged gang members after being transferred by police to the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in the city of Tecoluca, El Salvador '300 people sitting in a plane. Every one of them either a murderer, a drug lord, a kingpin of some kind, the head of the mob, or a gang member,' Trump said of his criminal flight operation. Already the U.S. has been filling up military planes with migrants to send them back to their home countries. Aircraft full of scores of migrants, some of whom have criminal wrap sheets, have headed to countries in South America in the week since the president has been in power. Trump riffed about the flights: 'If you're flying that plane ... It's not gonna end well.' 'You ever see the movie Con Air?' Trump asked referencing the Cage movie. 'Except here's the difference - the people in Con Air were actors, they weren't nearly as tough as these guys.' 'I don't want to be in that plane,' he continued. 'You ever see the movie Con Air?' Trump asked referencing the Cage movie In this handout provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, illegal immigrants await takeoff for a removal flight at the Tucson International Airport, Ariz., Jan. 23, 2025. Under the direction of U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Transportation Command is supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement removal flights by providing military airlift Nicholas Cage in 'Con Air' Trump joked that the pilots would 'be gone' before the plane even left, noting the dangers of running the deportation operations. 'I don't want these violent repeat offenders in our country anymore. If they've been arrested many many times, I want them out of our country,' he continued. The president's remarks on flights for criminals comes on the heels of a spat he has had with Colombian President Gustavo Petro after the South American country refused to accept deportation flights from the U.S. Trump, in retaliation for the order, immediately announced sanctions against the South American country and its government officials. Following the Republican's retaliatory actions against Colombia the country soon backtracked and Petro even offered his presidential plane to facilitate deportation flights from the U.S. During his remarks at the GOP retreat the president also floated getting rid of the federal income tax. 'It's time for the United States to return to the system that made us richer and more powerful than ever before,' he said. 'Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich foreign nations, we should be tariffing and taxing foreign nations to enrich our citizens.' That dreadful watchtower had been encased in a colossal heated tent, a cattle wagon parked beneath its arch. Lined up before this gateway of death, they gathered for the last time the handful of eyewitnesses to historys greatest abomination. Such was the backdrop to yesterdays commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, held inside a giant marquee to protect the most important guests 56 very elderly Holocaust survivors from the elements. Bathed in the soft glow of television studio lights, the terrifying tower looked almost cosy. Yet it was fooling no one. Nor was that vintage wooden railway truck, spruced up with a new lick of paint. For these exalted VIPs, this setting was and always will be the entrance to Hell. Hence some had already decided this would be their last return. Fresh carpet might have been laid down for yesterdays event. Underneath it, however, were the same rail tracks leading out across that glacial, marshy hellscape to the genocidal gas chambers beyond. It was in an identical cattle wagon that five-year-old Tova Friedman arrived here in the summer of 1944. Hot, hungry, thirsty and very terrified, I held very tightly to my mothers hand for countless hours, she told us, clearly and defiantly, standing near the same spot where she first clapped eyes on Auschwitz: A gloomy Sunday with a sky obscured by smoke and a terrible stink in the air. King Charles at the ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in Oswiecim, Poland on Monday King Charles III wipes his eye during a commemoration event at Auschwitz-Birkenau on Monday A wreath laid by King Charles at the 'Death Wall' as part of the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz's liberation King Charles (left) passes throughout the famous gate of Auschwitz with its slogan 'Arbeit Macht Frei' (Work Will Set You Free) as he tours the camp as part of commemorations on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the camp by the Red Army Her eloquent, intensely harrowing account of seeing her father cry for the first time, of her childs-eye view of the teeth of a snarling alsatian, of watching countless tiny Jewish children her own age marched to their deaths, brought monarchs, presidents and prime ministers to their feet in an emotional standing ovation. Mrs Friedman had not even shared with them one of the most sobering parts of her own story: on the day she herself was scheduled for the gas chamber, it was broken. Holocaust Memorial Day never feels more raw and gruesome than here at the most evil killing ground of them all. When the original Auschwitz complex could no longer cope, the Nazis built this vast industrial extension, known as Birkenau. It is where more than a million died, most of them Jewish men, women and children. The date honours all victims of the Holocaust but is fixed each year on January 27. Yesterday, the King joined the leaders of more than 50 nations for the 80th anniversary of that afternoon in 1945 when freedom arrived in the form of the Soviet 100th Rifle Division. Contemporary conflicts meant that Russia, the liberating nation, was not invited to yesterdays ceremony. They also gave the proceedings an uncompromising reality check. In years gone by, these anniversaries might have had the feel of a history lesson. Not this time. As all yesterdays speakers made clear, the world could be on the cusp of a repeat. Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman addresses the audience during the memorial ceremony at Auschwitz on Monday Tova Friedman as a little girl in Poland before being sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp The Princess of Wales lights a candle during a ceremony commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day on Monday in London Our Jewish-Christian values have been overshadowed by oppression, fear and extremism and the rampant anti-Semitism is shocking to all of us, declared Tova Friedman. Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, is fighting for its very existence. The state of play was laid out even more starkly by the president of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald Lauder, who pointed to the lack of global outrage after Hitlers Kristallnacht offensive against the Jews in 1938. When Hitler heard that silence, he knew he could do whatever he wanted to the Jews, said New York-born Mr Lauder, 80, who has devoted a significant part of the familys cosmetics fortune to preserving Auschwitz for future generations. Turning to the surge of anti-Semitism since the 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, he continued: These lessons from Auschwitz are not just for Jews. they are for the entire world. 'Because Jews are the canaries in the coal mine. The canary died 15 months ago on October 7. The most moving part of the ceremony was the sight of the survivors being helped forward with their candles of remembrance. For one elderly woman, it was all too much and she collapsed, sobbing, into the arms of a young relative. Next came the world leaders. Some, such as King Frederik of Denmark, were well wrapped-up in coat and scarf. Harrowing photographs taken during the liberation of Auschwitz 80 years ago reveal the depths of human suffering left behind by the fleeing Nazis Orphaned children stand in rows at Auschwitz as it is liberated, January 1945 Former Auschwitz inmate Eva Schloss, the step-sister of diarist Anne Frank, recalled her shock at the sight of the Soviet soldiers Our King appeared warm enough in his suit. Making a surprise appearance was Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky, tieless and in his trademark jumper. Under-dressed he might have been, but he was the only leader to receive an impromptu round of applause. After the ceremony, the British royal entourage moved on to the original part of the Auschwitz complex. The King had laid a wreath at the Death Wall, scene of summary executions, and saw those dreadful displays of hair, shoes and suitcases. Earlier, while visiting Krakow, he had delivered a speech urging us to cherish our freedom, to challenge prejudice and never to be a bystander in the face of violence and hate. This was the first visit by a reigning monarch (Queen Camilla, as Duchess of Cornwall, was here for the 75th), but the King had long been determined to attend this event, regardless of his ongoing medical treatment, having been involved with Holocaust survivors and their organisations over many years. Following the 75th anniversary, he commissioned a series of portraits of British survivors for the Royal Collection. They have just taken up permanent residence on the walls of the renovated East Wing of Buckingham Palace. Here in Auschwitz, Britain is held in high regard. After Poland itself, the nation with the highest number of the camps 1.8 million annual visitors, by some margin, is the UK. Auschwitz in January is no place for the frail. Holocaust survivor Mala Tribich MBE outside Auschwitz Holocaust survivor Susan Pollack (pictured in her north London home last week) Just one British Holocaust survivor made the journey yesterday 94-year-old Mala Tribich. Britains other survivors marked the day at a series of events in the UK. They included Susan Pollack, 94, whom I met here at the 70th anniversary. Back then she had forced herself to return as a homage to 50 members of her family who died here but once was enough. Never again! she told me ahead of yesterdays ceremony. She had been a little girl in rural Hungary when a happy life turned into a gradual descent to Hell, culminating in her arrival at this murderous railway halt. Her mother was sent directly to the gas chambers while a casual flick of an SS finger sent 13-year-old Susan to a slave labour camp. Someone whispered to me in Hungarian dont say you are under 15 and that saved my life. One awful memory was to the fore yesterday: To my last day, I will always remember that moment I last saw my mum. Eva Clarke was also thinking of her mother. Newlyweds Bernd and Anka Nathan were slave labourers in the Theresienstadt concentration camp near Prague when, despite segregation, Anka became pregnant. The Nazis made her sign a document stating that, after the birth, the baby would be handed over to the Gestapo. She had never heard the word euthanasia before, Eva recalls. Eva Clarke was born in Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria, on April 29, 1945 In the event, her baby boy, Dan, died of pneumonia before the Gestapo could take him. In 1944, Anka realised she was pregnant again but told no one, including Bernd who had just been deported to Auschwitz and would die not knowing that he was to be a father once more. She was soon making the same journey. Had the Auschwitz guards known Anka was pregnant, she would have been sent straight to the gas chambers but, instead, she was taken to a slave factory near Dresden. Over the winter, she grew more visibly pregnant and was eventually sent to Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria, giving birth to Eva on a cart on April 29, 1945. Two things saved her life and mine, says Eva. The Germans had run out of gas for the gas chamber the day before. Then, the next day, Hitler committed suicide. Anka was accorded a rare privilege. She was allowed clean straw, Eva notes, adding that she herself was wrapped in old paper. Three days later, American troops liberated the five-stone mother and her three-pound baby girl, making Eva, at 79, the worlds youngest Holocaust survivor. The pair moved to Britain where Anka remarried and Eva grew up in Cardiff. A bright, energetic grandmother and ambassador for the Holocaust Educational Trust, she is adamant that its memory cannot and will not fade. That was the message from Poland last night as the fragile band of survivors cast eyes on Auschwitz-Birkenau for one last time. They have passed on the baton here. If we do not pick it up, the consequences do not bear thinking about. Bob Taylor might have been a plumber like his father Eric, devoting his days to fixing burst pipes and answering emergency calls about blocked drains. But thankfully for the rest of us and especially for the residents of West Yorkshire the family business was not for him. Instead, he joined the police. The impact of that decision taken decades ago by a young man then not yet 21 was visible for all who came to mourn him at his funeral. The white-gloved honour guard, the coffin draped with a police force flag held in place by his original helmet, handcuffs and truncheon, and the tributes delivered, were powerful symbols to onlookers that these were the earthly remains of a man of distinction. Almost a quarter of a century had elapsed since Chief Superintendent Taylor had last made an arrest, but such was his towering reputation for solving crimes that at his death, aged 75, he was still celebrated as Britain's top cop, 'Mr 100 Per Cent'. The nickname was not lightly given. In an extraordinary career, the gruff, no-nonsense detective cracked every one of the 50-plus cases of murder, kidnapping, rape and terrorism in his time as head of West Yorkshire's Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Others, less charitably, called him 'Lucky Bob.' But luck had nothing to do with his success. Indeed, of the 150 murders he worked on in his 31 years' service, only one remained unsolved. To his admirers, and there were many crowded into the chapel at Wakefield Crematorium last week, his detective work was peerless. Chief Superintendent Bob Taylor solved every one of the over 50 cases of murder, kidnapping, rape and terrorism he took on in his time as head of West Yorkshire's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), earning him the nickname 'Mr 100 Per Cent' To his admirers, and there were many crowded into the chapel at Wakefield Crematorium last week, Taylor's detective work was peerless Blessed with a photographic memory and unerring analytical skills, he was said to possess a nose 'like no one else'. That nose, that copper's instinct, was never more valued nor more needed than in the complex and most distressing of crimes carried out by obsessive one-legged trainspotter Michael Sams, who, for a time, became Britain's most wanted man. It was Taylor's most famous case. A day after his promotion to detective chief superintendent in July 1991, 19-year-old sex worker Julie Dart was snatched from a street corner in the Chapeltown area of Leeds, in the heart of Taylor's patch. Sams took his victim to his workshop in Newark, Notts, where he kept her in a coffin-like box and sent ransom notes to police demanding 140,000 to free her. Ten days after she went missing, her naked body was found wrapped and tied in a bloodstained sheet and dumped in a field in Lincolnshire. But then the trail went cold, and the biggest murder hunt in Leeds since the Yorkshire Ripper case revealed nothing until the following January, when a Birmingham estate agent, Stephanie Slater, was kidnapped while showing a man around a house. Sams had struck again and the terrified young woman was handcuffed, blindfolded, gagged and held captive inside a horizontal wheelie bin for ten days. This time his victim was released alive after her employers paid a 175,000 ransom. Killer Michael Sams had always insisted he did not kidnapp and murder teenager Julie Dart in 1991, but secret police tapes reveal he confessed to a detective just days after his conviction Michael Sams abducted and killed 18-year-old Julie Dart in Leeds on July 9, 1991, after luring her into his car in the city's red-light district, just months before kidnapping Stephanie Slater Estate agent Stephanie Slater was kidnapped at knifepoint while Michael Sams posed as a house buyer in Birmingham and then raped, before he released her for a 175,000 ransom But there was a deluge of criticism that despite a huge dragnet of 1,000 officers and 500 unmarked cars, the kidnapper managed to evade police. Some presumed that, because he had managed to cover his tracks so expertly, detectives must be dealing with a former special forces soldier. Bob Taylor made no such presumptions. Instead, he played his trump card, releasing a telephone recording of the ransom demand on the BBC's Crimewatch. Both the ex-wife and son of Michael Sams recognised his voice and phoned the programme to identify him. West Midlands detectives had dismissed Sams as a suspect because he had a wooden leg (the result of a cancer operation), but Taylor ordered the tool repairer's arrest. It was a moment of triumph but for the police chief, the hard work of assembling the evidence that would stand up in court was just beginning. The first breakthrough came from Stephanie, who recognised the ring of the doorbell and the old-fashioned rotary telephone from his workshop. But Taylor carried on building his case in the knowledge from the ransom notes that Julie Dart's killer was dyslexic. Taylor's original original helmet, handcuffs and truncheon placed on his coffin Taylor's coffin draped with a police force flag is carried into his funeral Sams was instructed to write down certain words. His spelling of 'idea' as 'idear' gave him away. He had also referred wrongly to 'Millgate' police station in Leeds rather than Millgarth. 'When we were bringing him up to Leeds for interview, we asked him where he was going,' Taylor recalled. 'He said Millgate.' It was another example of his dyslexia. Finally, Taylor played on Sams' vanity. The boastful Sams assumed he would be questioned by senior officers and was irked to be interviewed by policemen he regarded as underlings. 'To gain access to me he kept adding to his story to the point where the whole thing was ready to come out,' Taylor said. 'I wasn't ready to see him until he was ready to confess.' And confess, he eventually did. Sams was jailed for life at Nottingham Crown Court in 1993 and, aged 81, remains in prison. Most murders are committed by people known to the victim and detectives rarely come across 'stranger murders' where the killer is unknown to the target. Chief Supt. Taylor had two not just the case of Julie Dart but also of Wendy Speakes, which was to be his final success. Christopher Farrow was dubbed the 'shoe fetish killer' because he forced her to wear stilettos while raping her. Having already stalked one woman in 1994 and failed to get into her house, Farrow went to Wendy's terraced home in Wakefield. Taylor's uncompromising approach to solving crime is one from which modern forces could learn so much The 51-year old receptionist answered her front door to a man asking for pen and paper as his car had broken down. He barged into her home, tied her up, raped her then stabbed her. 'He had a shoe fetish and made elegant Wendy wear a cheap pair of sandals as he committed his depraved acts,' Bob said. Taylor ripped the house apart looking for clues, taking away the front door and bannisters for fingerprints. On the inside of the door a solitary print was found and sent to a forensics lab for a match. Taylor heard nothing and the case remained unsolved. Astonishingly, on the eve of his retirement six years later, the fingerprint was matched with Farrow thanks to developments in DNA and computerised checks. Attempting to explain the murder, Farrow told officers 'someone was going to get it' that day as his then pregnant partner refused to have sex with him. He was jailed for life after pleading guilty in 2000. The conviction sealed Taylor's 100 per cent record and he was in court for sentencing. 'I watched him as security officers took him from the dock. It was a sight I had seen many times, but this ranked among the most gratifying.' Wendy's daughter Tracey Millington-Jones remains indebted to Taylor's diligence as she movingly recalled in a tribute read at his funeral: 'He came into my life 30 years ago during the darkest of times. 'He treated me with respect and empathy, reassuring me he would find the person responsible. I never doubted him.' Christopher Farrow tied receptionist Wendy Speakes, 51, up with a pair of stockings, forced her to wear blue mule shoes before raping and then stabbing her to death in March 1994 Farrow, who was 39 when he was jailed in November 2000, was sentenced to a minimum term of 18 years An only son, Robert Taylor was born in Leeds in 1949. He left school at 16 and began working for his parents' small plumbing business. Two things were to change the course of his life: the presence of a police-officer neighbour whom he thought looked 'smart and authoritative', and his father falling victim to 'an unscrupulous builder' who never paid for contracted work. 'The sheer crookedness of it all shocked me,' he said later. In January 1970 he joined Leeds City police, and after two years on the beat moved to CID, gaining a law degree through evening classes along the way. By the mid-1970s he was a detective sergeant when he found himself working on one of the country's biggest and most notorious cases, the bungled hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper. It was an experience that gave Taylor not just an object lesson on how not to catch a serial killer but also reinforced his belief in the need for a national police service rather than 43 separate forces. As a 'foot soldier', who worked on the individual investigations of five of Peter Sutcliffe's 13 murders, Taylor was appalled at the faith put in audio tapes of a man with a Geordie accent purporting to be the Ripper, which later turned out to be a hoax. 'Those who survived the attacks all described their attacker as dark-haired, with a soft Yorkshire accent,' he said. The man in charge, Assistant Chief Constable George Oldfield, surrounded himself with a 'Praetorian Guard' of senior officers and suggestions from good young detectives were ignored. 'One young officer, a former lorry driver, suggested that the killer drove a lorry because footprints showed one of his heels was more badly worn than the other, because of pressure of applying the clutch but he, too, was ignored.' Peter Sutcliffe, convicted of 13 murders, died at the age of 74 in November 2020 Another disregarded line of inquiry was the retrieval from a victim of a 5 note which was narrowed down to a batch used for the wages of 30 firms, among them Sutcliffe's employers. 'So many mistakes were made that I was determined to learn from them,' Taylor later said. Having dealt with so many grieving families during the Ripper case, Taylor was praised for his kindness in supporting victims. One case was recalled at his funeral. He promised Julie Dart's mother that he would find out the exact date of her murder so that it could be added to her gravestone. Visiting Sams at Full Sutton Prison near York, the prisoner was polite. 'He held out his hand to shake mine,' Taylor said. 'I looked at him and said, 'Sorry, Michael, but I don't shake hands with murderers'.' Eventually Sams gave him the date of Julie's death. Like the best TV detectives, Taylor was devoted to crime-busting to the detriment of his family life at times. His two marriages were both dissolved, though he remained good friends with his second wife, the journalist and author Sheron Boyle. She survives him with their twin sons Finlay and Joseph, along with three children from his first marriage James, Frances and Robert. With his passing, a lost generation of policing fades into history one which casts an unfavourable light on those modern forces who could learn so much from Bob Taylor's uncompromising approach to solving crime. Seven years after a 17-year-old girl died when she rushed home to collect home-baked cookies for a concert, the FBI is continuing to press for answers. The agency has now even offered a whopping $75,000 for anyone with information about Maggie Long's murder at her parents' house in Bailey, Colorado on December 1, 2017, according to the Denver Post. 'She told her friends she'll be right back, and she was never seen again,' Park County Sheriff Tom McGraw said at a news conference to mark the seventh anniversary of Long's passing. 'We believe someone knows something that could help solve the case and bring a measure of justice to Maggie's family and the Bailey community.' Police have said Long, a senior at Platte Canyon High School, returned to her parents' sprawling ranch after classes that afternoon to pick up cookies for a concert by a local Denver rock band that she helped organize. But Maggie never showed up, and as the band started to play, her sister became nervous. 'I had a weird feeling,' Connie Long told CNN. 'I knew something was very wrong. 'Maggie was responsible, dependable. She had helped organize this concert. There was no reason for her to be late or not show up.' Seven years have passed since 17-year-old Maggie Long died when she rushed home to collect cookies she had baked for a concert She returned to the house in Bailey, Colorado on December 1, 2017 after classes - where police say she confronted at least three intruders trying to rob her parents' house It turned out that as the teenager went to collect her baked goods, a fire broke out at her family's house - and firefighters later discovered her remains among the charred ruins. By the time Connie arrived at the home, she said she found a fleet of police cars and firetrucks outside, along with Maggie's silver Cadillac. 'I could still smell the smoke - they had just extinguished the fire,' she recounted. 'And I was asking, "Where's my sister? What happened?"' An ensuing investigation determined Maggie walked in on at least three intruders trying to rob her parents' home, and a physical altercation began between the high school senior and the would-be robbers. Worried neighbors even reported hearing an argument coming from the Longs' home, and a tenant renting a guest suite inside the home had called 911 to report hearing loud banging noises. At some point during the altercation, the robbers set the home ablaze, with McGraw previously saying that Maggie was 'purposely set on fire and burned alive.' A coroner also ruled Maggie's death a homicide. But the intruders were able to make it out alive, taking with them a Beretta handgun, an AK-47-style rifle, 2,000 rounds of ammunition, a green safe and jade figurines. The robbers set the house ablaze, and firefighters later found Maggie's remains among the charred ruins Composite sketches of three of the suspects were released, but no one has ever been brought to justice Composite sketches of three of the suspects were released, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said it has since received about 415 tips related to the case - but no one has ever been brought to justice over the killing. A motive also remains unclear - though the FBI announced in 2021 they were probing whether the robbery and murder may have been the result of a hate crime. The Longs, Chinese immigrants who were forced out of Vietnam during the war, had lived at the sprawling 6,000-square-feet property for nearly 20 years. They had immigrated to Colorado in the late 1980s, after living as refugees for years in Hong Kong, with Connie saying they had hoped to build 'a safe and secure life for their family.' 'They were so resilient and went through all of that to come to America - just to face even more trauma.' Maggie was the youngest of three sisters. Lynna is pictured left and Connie is pictured right Once in Colorado, San - the girls' father - started working as a chef in a Chinese restaurant. The owner eventually sold him the business after he retired, and San went on to own four restaurants in the Denver area, as he and his wife, Hy, raised a boy and three girls in the small community of Bailey. Longs sisters, Lynna and Connie Long, said they never noticed any overt Asian discrimination when they lived there. 'Not only was it a small community, our house was behind trees and our driveway was like a mile long,' Connie explained to CNN. 'We were nowhere near the main country road, so there wasn't a lot of concern about anything sketchy happening.' Lynna also said she believes the case was classified as a hate crime based on the belief that Chinese immigrants rarely use banks, and there may be money stored at the home. A motive for Maggie's murder and the robbery remain unclear, but the FBI announced in 2021 it was probing whether it may have been a hate crime Maggie was the daughter of Chinese immigrants, San and Hy Long Members of the FBI, CBI, Sheriff's Office, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are continuing to meet regularly to discuss the cold case. But as the investigation dragged on, the Longs sold one of their restaurants and moved to the Denver suburb of Broomfield, where they now live with their son. 'My parents were already in the process of retiring from the restaurant business,' Lynna explained. 'This just expedited their plans to leave the area. 'It was difficult for them to be here.' At their new home, though, the Longs have set up a room in Maggie's honor, complete with her personal belongings and photos of her on the walls. Among the many items is a journal in which Maggie wrote about the death of a friend and classmate one year before her murder. 'I think the only real cure to cope with loss is to continue to be good people. Be kind. Be caring. Be passionate. Be thoughtful,' the teenager wrote at the time. 'Share love and consider everyone around you, from strangers to acquaintances to peers to friends. 'Enough people have experienced pain to understand that life is far more measurable in joy and good memories than to be scorched with cruelty and loss.' Maggie's family says they now strive to live by those words. A Long Island teacher has sparked outrage among parents after wishing Trump supporters suffer graphic deaths in a shocking social media rant. Pamila Pahuja, a science teacher at RC Murphy Junior High School in Stony Brook, New York, shared a jarring message on Facebook, discussing Donald Trump's presidency and ICE raids. After claiming that America is 'no longer the land of the free' and warning that it is 'only a matter of time before they come for all women,' Pahuja went on to scold Trump voters. 'To all Trump supporters- hope the next time you take a drink it doesn't swallow right and you go to get help but no one is there and you slowly wither away while struggling to gasp and suffer long,' she said in her scathing post. 'That's what you want for people you deem not worthy right? Don't worry, I'll pray for it to last longer.' Pahuja reportedly made more than $164,000 in 2023 as a Three Village Central School District educator, according to public records. Since sharing her shocking message, Pahuja has been removed from the school 'until further notice,' according to a letter RC Murphy principal Michael Jantzen sent to parents. The message sparked instantaneous backlash, with parents and community members pointing out how unacceptable they felt Pahuja's post was. Pamila Pahuja, a science teacher at RC Murphy Junior High School, was removed from her teaching position following a hateful post against Trump supporters RC Murphy Junior High School, part of the Three Village Central School District, said another teacher will be filling in for Pahuja in her absence One man wrote on Facebook: 'This teacher has no business being around kids! Half of the parents of the students in her classroom voted for the current President and this is what she wants for them. 'Please be aware of the explicit hatred the left feels toward people like us and our families.' Mary-Kate Robinson of Stony Brook told News12: 'I have a child in the school, people can feel however they want to feel, like or dislike any character whos running for office but I read the post, it was too far.' 'In general teachers should be on the safer side about not posting on social media. I think they should keep politics out of the classroom,' another parent, Anthony Petrillo of Setauket, told the outlet. DailyMail.com has reached out to RC Murphy and the Three Village Central School District for comment. A representative from the school district said they could not provide further comment, as this is a matter of personnel. It is unclear how long Pahuja will be removed from the school and what further action will be taken. Jantzen explained in the letter: 'Please be assured that we have taken steps to ensure a smooth transition and continued high-quality instruction in science. A qualified and certified teacher will be assigned to your child's class in her absence.' 'She is a disgrace and Should be fired by Three Village,' someone asserted on X. Pahuja's post began as an anti-Trump rant about ICE raids in Chicago before she targeted supporters 'Parents need to stand up against this no matter where you stand politically. This is the type of person teaching our children about violence. No parent should want that in their schools.' According to a teacher's profile posted about Pahuja by the Three Village Teachers Association, she comes from 'a long line of teachers. She wrote: 'My maternal grandmother taught for 38 years in India. My dad taught for 43 years (in Pakistan and Ethiopia before coming to America). He retired from the NYC DOE after over 30 years of service. 'My mom and my aunt also taught for many years before coming to the US. Teaching is not just in my blood, I teach because it feeds my soul.' A young Aussie worker has revealed the 'crazy' amount of money he can earn in just one day working as an apprentice electrician. The junior tradie was stopped on the streets of Brisbane's CBD and interviewed by the marketing team behind the popular job-matching app Getahead. The young man revealed he was an electrician at a big company who was currently working at a job site on Queen's Wharf. The sparky said he made 'around $50 an hour' - which is about $400 a day for a standard eight-hour shift - and was only a year into his apprenticeship. If he worked 40 hours a week at $50 an hour, his salary would be more than $90,000 a year. However, if he were to work overtime or on the weekend, the apprentice electrician could earn himself well over $100,000 a year. The tradie added he was earning 'triple' in Brisbane compared to when he first started his apprenticeship on the Sunshine Coast. He added the 'boys are really nice' and that 'the money is pretty good' too. The young man (pictured) revealed he was earning $50 an hour as an electrician in his first year of his apprenticeship - which could see him earn up to $400 in one day Aussies were shocked at the first-year apprentice's hourly rate, with many claiming there were a few reasons contributing to his high pay. One person speculated that the tradie earned $50 an hour because he was working on a union site which comes with 'better pay rates'. Another claimed electricians were in high demand and employers were paying more to entice workers. However, a third dubbed the salary 'crazy' after they calculated he could potentially earn a $120,000 a year. A fourth chimed in: 'Why are the people shocked with $50 an hour? That is nothing,' and claimed they earned $95 an hour as a second year apprentice. Other tradies were outraged after comparing their earnings with the young man's wage, with one making only $28 an hour and another just $15 an hour. The hourly rate for electrician apprentices is covered by the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award and is reviewed by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The average hourly rate for a full-time apprentice who has completed Year 12 and is under 21-years-old when they start their studies is $16.62 for their first year. Aussies were shocked at the amount the young tradie was earning as it was much higher than the minimum award of $16.62 for a first year apprentice (stock) An apprentice in their second year would earn an average of $19.53 an hour based on the minimum award, $20.99 in their third year and $24.49 in their fourth year. The minimum award wage can also vary based on an apprentice's age, education and years of experience. The pay rates are based on a 38-hour work week for the 2025 financial year and do not include additional loading rates for weekend work, after hours work or overtime. Most employers are willing to pay more than the award, or provide additional benefits, to secure a skilled apprentice for their projects. The average annual salary for a fully-licensed electrician in Australia ranges from $90,000 to $110,000, according to job search platform Seek. Seek found electricians in FIFO regions Port Hedland, Karratha and Pilbara in Western Australia earned the most with an average of $145,000 a year. Electricians in Gladstone and Central Queensland were also high on the list, earning an average of $139,999 a year. Maye Musk defended America's new Second Lady Usha Vance as she has faced racist attacks while husband JD Vance is sworn in as vice president. The mother of DOGE chairman and 'First Buddy' Elon Musk has made her presence known in the American political sphere since her son started tagging along with Donald Trump last July. Usha has faced racist attacks during the campaign that husband JD has had her back in responding to but now Mother Musk has joined the chorus of those praising her which has included President Trump. She quoted a post on son Elon's social media platform X asking: 'Why is no one talking about Usha Vance being the first Indian American and the first Hindu to serve as the Second Lady of the United States?!' Musk commented: 'Usha is even lovelier in person, smart and charming.' When President Trump took to the podium on inauguration night after a whirlwind of balls and parades, there were two women he wanted to highlight. The first, as expected, was the First Lady, who stood adoringly next to him in a mesmerizing black and white gown. But it was his telling compliment about the second that reveals more about America's future than many would have realized at the time. Maye Musk defended America's new Second Lady Usha Vance as she has faced racist attacks while husband JD Vance is sworn in as vice president Usha has faced racist attacks during the campaign that husband JD has had her back in responding to but now Mother Musk has joined the chorus of those praising her which has included President Trump Turning to Vice President JD Vance, Trump said comedically of him: 'The only one smarter [than him] is his wife. 'I would have chosen her [as my VP] but somehow the line of succession didn't work that way.' While many have credited Usha for her elegance and intelligence, some have made racist remarks against the first Indian Second Lady. Far right commentator Nick Fuentes has levied cruel attacks on Second Lady Vance, wondering if 'we really expect that [JD Vance] who has an Indian wife and named their kid Vivek is going to support white identity'. Vance tore into Fuentes in an interview last August, saying he 'disavows' him but wants to keep focus on the important issues in his and Trump's campaign against Kamala Harris. He said of Fuentes: 'Of course Donald Trump has criticized this person. Look, I think the guy's a total loser. Certainly, I disavow him'. Vance told CBS that he thinks the best policy to stop the likes of Fuentes is to 'ignore' him. 'But if you ask me what I care more about, is it a person attacking me personally, or is it government policy that discriminates based on race? That's what I really worry about, is bad government policy that harms people based on their immutable characteristics,' he said. The mother of DOGE chairman and 'First Buddy' Elon Musk has made her presence known in the American political sphere since her son started tagging along with Donald Trump last July He acknowledged, however, that 'a lot of losers are going to attack me and attack my family'. 'I think the proper response to them is to ignore them. Don't feed the trolls, and they largely go away,' he added. Trump had dinner with Fuentes and Kanye West at his Mar-a-Lago resort in 2022, prompting widespread condemnation from both parties. Many say Usha, who attended Yale and Cambridge before launching a stellar law career, is the secret reason for her husband's meteoric rise. Like her husband's, Usha's background is one of humble beginnings and hard work. Her parents immigrated to America from India in the 1970s and both work as professors. They raised her in San Diego in a Hindu household where studying was top of the agenda. It paid off - Usha went on to study at Yale Law, where she met JD. JD Vance called white supremacist Nick Fuentes a 'total loser' for racist remarks about his wife Usha .@JDVance says that antisemitism and white supremacy don't "have any room in the MAGA movement." He calls Nick Fuentes a white supremacist who dined with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in 2022, and has criticized Vance's wife for her race "a total loser." pic.twitter.com/RioS5ItYJT Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) August 11, 2024 He referred to her in his book Hillbilly Elegy as his 'Yale spirit guide' and the 'supersmart daughter of two immigrants.' While he was the polished product of years in the Marines, Usha was a beautiful and studious brainiac. She was the editor of the Yale Law Journal, managing editor of the Yale Journal of Law and Technology, and the proud recipient of the Gales Scholarship, a ferociously competitive program that requires candidates to demonstrate 'outstanding intellectual ability.' While she and JD were falling quickly in love, she took a break from Yale for a brief period to study in England at the equally prestigious University of Cambridge. She and Vance married in Kentucky in 2014, one year out of Yale Law School, and moved to San Francisco in 2015. It was then that their political careers took off. Vance began working for conservative venture capitalist Peter Thiel at his Mithril Capital investment firm. Many Republican politicians, strategists and pundits agree that Vance is a clear likely frontrunner for the next Republican President. JD and Usha married soon after they graduated from Yale Law in 2014 Usha holds the couple's toddler daughter Mirabel at the inaugural parade inside the Capitol One Arena On Monday, President Trump praised the pair by adding: 'She's great and he's great. 'This is a great, beautiful couple.' The President's support, not only for Vance but also his strong admiration for Usha, greatly bolsters Vance's potential for success come 2028. And Usha, who is happier 'out of the spotlight' and focusing on motherhood, is expected to continue to be Vance's political guide whispering words of wisdom over his shoulder. EXCLUSIVE Five years before Grace Tame wore a T-shirt bearing the slogan 'F*** Murdoch' to a function hosted by the prime minister she seemed happy to be honoured at News Corp's annual awards night. The 2021 Australian of the Year was photographed in the anti-News garment on Saturday standing next to Anthony Albanese and his fiancee Jodie Haydon at their Canberra residence. Ms Tame had been invited to attend The Lodge alongside other dignitaries including previous recipients of the nation's top honour and 2025 finalists for Australian of the Year. The child sex abuse survivor has recently railed against the way her personal story was portrayed in the media, particularly by News Corp, which is owned by billionaire Rupert Murdoch and his family. But back in December 2019 Ms Tame apparently had no problem being feted at the company's internal News Awards, held in a Sydney cinema and hosted by Mr Murdoch's son Lachlan. Ms Tame took to the stage when the Hobart Mercury, news.com.au and freelance journalist Nina Funnell were recognised for a campaign on behalf of victims of sexual assault named Let Her Speak. She and the other award recipients received a standing ovation and according to a report in the Mercury, her 'courageous' speech left the audience of News and Fox guests in tears. Grace Tame wore a T-shirt bearing the slogan 'F*** Murdoch' to an official event hosted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese but in 2019 the future Australian of the Year was honoured at News Corp's annual Australian awards where she delivered a speech (above) Ms Tame said wore the 'F*** Murdoch' T-shirt to an event on the eve of Australia Day to 'speak truth to power'. L-R: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, his fiancee Jodie Haydon and Ms Tame Ms Tame thanked all those who had supported Let Her Speak and praised the campaign for driving legal changes which allowed sexual assault victims to tell their stories, saying 'it takes an army to fight injustice'. 'This is a very special moment for me,' she began. 'It's hard to believe I'm even here standing in front of you speaking unsilenced.' Two months earlier, the Tasmanian government had announced it would change laws which prevented sexual assault victims identifying themselves and publicly describing what they had endured. 'When the media works with the people to inform and serve the greater good we achieve the greater good,' Ms Tame said. 'We can change individual lives. We can revolutionise our collective conscience. 'Together as a team we have made history. The law in Tasmania is being changed. To all those who are still silenced, we say: "Your voice matters. You will be heard. It's not your fault".' Lachlan Murdoch - then co-chairman of News and now in sole control of the media giant - also spoke that evening, commending Ms Tame for her courage. 'I want to especially thank you, Grace,' Mr Murdoch said. 'By joining us here tonight you remind us that the purpose of journalism is not to give journalists a voice but to give people like you a voice, to give truth a voice.' This week, Ms Tame told the ABC she wore the 'F*** Murdoch' T-shirt to the event on the eve of Australia Day to 'speak truth to power'. 'This whole awards program is a platform for making change,' the 30-year-old said. Ms Tame received a standing ovation at the News Awards, held in a Sydney cinema and hosted by News Corp's then co-chairman Lachlan Murdoch (above with his father Rupert) Mr Albanese had smiled as he shook hands with Ms Tame and the pair briefly engaged in what appeared to be an awkward conversation as Ms Haydon stood watching Ms Tame believed Mr Albanese was 'quite uncomfortable' when he saw what she was wearing and made a quip about the confronting clothing choice. 'There should be a little clause underneath ["F*** Murdoch"] with an asterisk that says "not literally",' she told the national broadcaster. Mr Albanese had smiled as he shook hands with Ms Tame and the pair briefly engaged in what appeared to be an awkward conversation. He did not address what he thought about the T-shirt until taking part in ABC Radio Perth interview on Monday. 'It is something that, in my view, took away from the people who were there, and my focus was simply on that,' Mr Albanese said. 'I want debate to be respectful and that's a choice that she made. People are allowed to express themselves, but I thought it was disrespectful of the event and of the people who that event was primarily for.' '[The T-shirt] was clearly designed to get attention. I don't intend to add to that attention because I do think that it takes away from what the day should be about which is the amazing people who were nominated as Australians of the Year.' A spokesman for Lachlan Murdoch declined to comment about the T-shirt. Ms Tame and News Corp were also contacted for comment. Ms Tame gave then prime minister Scott Morrison an ice-cold 'side-eye' when he invited her to The Lodge in January 2022 as the outgoing Australian of the Year (above) Ms Tame was groomed as a 15-year-old student at Hobart's St Michael's Collegiate girls' school by 58-year-old teacher Nicolaas Bester. Bester went on to repeatedly sexually abuse Ms Tame, who he knew was particularly vulnerable and battling an eating disorder. He was jailed for two years and ten months in 2011 after pleading guilty to 'maintaining a sexual relationship with someone under the age of 17' and possessing child exploitation material. Ms Tame began seeking a platform to discuss child sexual abuse in early 2017 and has campaigned for greater understanding of what victims experience ever since. As the outgoing Australian of the Year in 2022 she stirred controversy when then Coalition prime minister Scott Morrison hosted a morning tea equivalent to last Saturday's event. On that occasion Ms Tame and her then partner Max Heerey were greeted by Mr Morrison and his wife Jenny who congratulated the pair on their recent engagement. Photographs of the group captured Ms Tame giving Mr Morrison an ice-cold 'side-eye' look which appeared to show no emotion other than contempt. Ms Tame had been highly critical of Mr Morrison and his government's response to allegations of sexual assault and toxic workplace culture in federal parliament. She later explained the 'side-eye' snub on Twitter, saying the survival of abuse culture 'is dependent on submissive smiles, self-defeating surrenders and hypocrisy'. 'What I did wasn't an act of martyrdom in the gender culture war,' she wrote. 'It's true that many women are sick of being told to smile, often by men, for the benefit of men. But it's not just women who are conditioned to smile...to conform to the status quo, it's all of us.' In April 2021 former Labor prime minister and News Corp hater Kevin Rudd had defended Ms Tame over a column in Brisbane's Courier Mail newspaper which criticised her attacks on Mr Morrison. 'There goes Murdoch, trying to bully Grace Tame like they have so many voices for progress over the years,' he wrote. 'They whine about "cancel culture" but they will try to cancel anyone who doesn't share their reactionary worldview. We need more diversity, not less.' Ms Tame wrote a piece for online publication Crikey in October 2023 in which she tore into News Corp's early coverage of Bester's crimes, claiming the Mercury had initially been sympathetic to him. Of her appearance at the 2019 News Awards she wrote: 'The morning after, a journalist told me that I was only invited to represent the campaign because I was attractive.' The London Eye and Houses of Parliament were among the UK landmarks illuminated in purple to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. A display at Piccadilly Circus read 'Remembering the past for a better future' as a hopeful but poignant tribute to the millions who lost their lives in the WWII genocide. Other sites lit up included the Royal Liver Building in Liverpool and the Senedd building - Welsh Parliament - in Cardiff. Stormont - Parliament Buildings - in Belfast was also turned purple while a famous bronze sculpture at Liverpool Street Station, The Arrival, of Jewish children who had escaped persecution, was another monument reflecting hues of the colour. Most of the victims of the Holocaust were Jews killed on an industrial scale in gas chambers, but Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war, gay people and disabled people were also targeted for elimination. In all, the Germans murdered 6million Jews from all over Europe, annihilating two-thirds of Europe's Jews and one-third of all Jews worldwide. In 2005, the United Nations designated January 27, the anniversary of Auschwitz-Birkenau's liberation, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Across Europe, officials and others paused today to remember at memorials and met with survivors, the majority in their 90s or older. The Houses of Parliament was among the UK landmarks illuminated in purple today to mark Holocaust Memorial Day A person walks as the London Eye is lit up in purple light during International Holocaust Remembrance Day in London today The Royal Liver Building in Liverpool, northwest England is illuminated to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau King Charles III was one of those state leaders to perform such duties as he visited Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland, appearing to shed a tear while listening to the stories of those who survived the former Nazi concentration camp. Survivors were applauded as the entered the ceremony before addressing invited guests who included France's President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Spain's King Philip VI and Queen Letizia, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. And the Princess of Wales had an emotional reunion with Holocaust survivors during a service in London to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of former Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. Kate, 43, joined her husband Prince William, 42, for the ceremony at Guildhall which was shown on BBC1 at 7pm today. Princess Kate, wearing all black with a five-string pearl necklace, and William, dressed in a navy suit and blue tie, described it as a 'great honour' to attend as they met with a group of survivors. The pair were greeted on arrival by Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, and its chairwoman of trustees Laura Marks. William sat with Polish born Alfred Garwood, who survived Bergen-Belsen as a child and Bosnian genocide survivor Sabina Kadic-Mackenzie, who now lives in Liverpool. Both the Prince and Princess discussed their desire to teach their children about the Holocaust, with William saying: 'George is getting to the age where he's starting to understand things. So it's getting interesting to talk to him about what happened.' Princess Kate lights a candle during the service at Guildhall, which brought together faith and civic leaders as well as survivors of the Holocaust and more recent genocides Prince William holds a candle at a ceremony to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in London The Princess of Wales, Prince William, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer (back row centre right) pose for a photo with faith and civic leaders as well as survivors of the Holocaust King Charles III wipes his eye during a commemoration event at Auschwitz-Birkenau today French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron at Auschwitz-Birkenau today King Charles III during a tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland, following the commemorations The Royal Liver Building in Liverpool, northwest England is illuminated today to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau The Houses of Parliament are lit up today in purple light during International Holocaust Remembrance Day in London Wembley Stadium is lit in purple light to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27, 2021 Salford foot bridge in Salford is seen illuminated to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27, 2021 in Manchester The Tyne Bridge in Newcastle is bathed in purple light to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne Penshaw Monument near Sunderland is bathed in purple light to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27, 2021 in Sunderland, England Edinburgh Castle is illuminated in purple in January 2020 as the world marks Holocaust Memorial Day A general view of the Natural History Museum lit in purple in respect of Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27, 2021 in London Between warbles, Adele, who has been accused of blighting the sale of a West Sussex mansion by claiming it is haunted, has now learned the truth about its colourful past. She moved into Lock House in 2012 but soon left, claiming it was too scary. Film-maker Mark Ezra (Waking Ned) reveals his grandfather bought the house and 1,000 acres in 1919 and settled down to the life of a country gentleman. Things started to go wrong when he received a gypsy curse after an altercation with local Travellers, says Mark. When his wife, my grandmother, died in 1939, he sold up. Perhaps Adeles ghost is simply a continuation of that curse. Deep waters. Adele, who has been accused of blighting the sale of a mansion by claiming it is haunted, has now learned the truth about its colourful past Film-maker Mark Ezra (pictured) reveals his grandfather bought the house and 1,000 acres in 1919 and settled down to the life of a country gentleman Lock House in West Sussex which Adele moved into 2012 but soon left, claiming it was too scary A historic photo of Lock House. Mark Ezra's grandfather lived in the mansion and received a gypsy curse after an altercation with local Travellers Does recently departed cabinet secretary Simon Case understand how the constitution works? Praising Donald Trumps use of hundreds of executive orders to get his own way, he suggests its time Keir Starmer did the same. Case seems to forget that Trump is head of state but the British PM isnt. Does recently departed cabinet secretary Simon Case (pictured) understand how the constitution works? The Kings signature carries power, not Sir Keirs. You would think Case, who also worked for Prince William, would know that. Unless hes proposing a coup. Victoria Coren Mitchell confesses to hoodwinking contestants on Only Connect. For the first 19 weeks of a series a few years ago, I claimed to be writing a murder mystery novel because I was jealous of my friend and fellow quiz host Richard Osmans success [as a crime writer], admits Victoria. Eventually, she announced that her publishers had postponed her whodunnit until coverage of a real-life murder had blown over. My opening remarks are broadly intended as a decade-long satirical comment on the nonsense people spout at the beginning of programmes, she explains. Thats all right then! Victoria Coren Mitchell (pictured) confesses to hoodwinking contestants on Only Connect Joining in the online hostilities between Piers Morgan and Hugh Grant over Rupert Murdochs media empire, John Cleese grandly announces: Hugh and I choose not to work for him [Murdoch]. Piers fires back: Hi John, Im bemused. You say youve chosen not to work for Murdoch yet you starred in The Day The Earth Stood Still in 2008 which was produced by 20th Century Fox, owned at the time by... Murdoch. Were you being lazy, sloppy, or just a lying hypocrite? Bong! Seconds out. Round two. Like President Trump, the late Queen took an early interest in Panama, making the first state visit of her reign there in 1953. US troops gave her a guard of honour as she drove through town with a beaming President Jose Remon Cantera. A fan of the turf, just like the Queen, he was on a racecourse when he was assassinated two years later. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during their tour of the Commonwealth in 1953. Like President Trump, the late Queen took an early interest in Panama, making the first state visit of her reign there in 1953 Is the Royal Navy wise to change the name of submarine HMS Agincourt to HMS Achilles to avoid annoying the French? With the Greeks agitating for the Elgin Marbles to be returned, might they want the hero of Troys name back as well? Angela Rayner last night came under fire for not directly referring to Jewish people in a social media post to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. The Deputy Prime Minister posted a picture on X of herself looking sombre as she lit a Holocaust Memorial Day branded candle. Alongside the poignant image the Labour MP wrote: 'Tonight, I'm lighting a candle to remember all those who were murdered just for being who they were, and to stand against prejudice and hatred today. Never again. #LightThe Darkness #HMD2025.' But there has been a venomous backlash on the social media platform for her post not directly referring to Jewish people. She was accused of not being able to 'bring yourself to say Jews' while another made unfounded claims that it was 'carefully worded' so 'as to not alienate the Muslim vote'. MailOnline has contacted the Labour Party and Mrs Rayner's office for comment. Mrs Rayner had previously shared messages on her X page throughout the day, including from Sir Keir Starmer, that did directly reference the six million Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust. She earlier signed the Holocaust Education Trust's Book of Commitment in Parliament which honours those who were killed during the genocide. Mrs Rayner also met survivor Eve Kugler BEM, and described it as being 'truly an honour... to hear her extraordinary story'. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner posted this sombre picture alongside a poignant message to mark Holocaust Memorial Day There has been a venomous backlash on the social media platform for her post not directly referring to Jewish people 'Her words were powerful and a reminder that it's not enough to just remember we also need the courage to stand up against racism and hatred in all its forms. #HMD2025,' Mrs Rayner wrote on X. Mrs Kugler was aged seven in 1938 when she lived through the 'nightmare' of the Kristallnacht when her parents were snatched by the Nazis. She was sent to America with her sister and lived in foster care where they were reunited with their mother and father in 1946, who had miraculously survived concentration camps. Mrs Rayner yesterday stood alongside Prince William and the Princess of Wales for a group photo with around 50 Holocaust survivors at Holocaust Memorial Service in London. The roughly 50 Holocaust survivors in attendance gathered for a group photo with the royal couple, deputy PM, and Sir Keir. PM Sir Keir told yesterday in a speech at the ceremony at the Guildhall how he and his wife Victoria had found a visit to Auschwitz last month 'harrowing' as they searched for members of her family in the Book of Names. 'We turned page after page after page just to find the first letter of a name. It gave me an overwhelming sense of the sheer scale of this industrialised murder,' he said. 'And every one of those names, like the names we were looking for was an individual person. Someone's mother, father, brother, sister brutally murdered, simply because they were Jewish.' Mrs Rayner (back row, third from the left) stood alongside Princess Kate and Prince William for a photo with some 50 Holocaust survivors at a Holocaust memorial service in London PM Sir Keir said yesterday in a speech at the ceremony at the Guildhall how he and his wife Victoria had found a visit to Auschwitz last month 'harrowing' as they searched for members of her family in the Book of Names Holocaust survivors, their families and world leaders gathered at Auschwitz yesterday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Nazi death camp's liberation. The ceremony, which was attended by some 50 survivors, is expected to have been the last major observance that any notable number of survivors will be able to attend. The Nazis murdered some 1.1 million people at the notorious site in southern Poland, which was under German occupation during World War II before being liberated by Soviet troops. Most of the victims were Jews killed on an industrial scale in gas chambers, but also Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war, gay people and others who were targeted for elimination due to the Nazi's depraved racial and social ideology. Elderly camp survivors, some wearing blue-and-white striped scarves and hats that recall their prison uniforms, walked together to the Death Wall, where prisoners were executed. An American Airlines worker was killed after being struck by a vehicle on an airport tarmac in North Carolina. On Monday morning around 9:30 am, the employee, whose identity has not been publicly released, was working on a runway ramp at Charlotte Douglas International Airport when the accident took place. Emergency and medical crews quickly arrived but were unable to save the victim, according to an airport statement shared with DailyMail.com. Police said the employee was pronounced dead at the scene, Fox Carolina reported. 'Our deepest condolences go out to the employee's family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time,' the airport's statement reads. 'The Airport is working closely with airline and first responder partners in the ongoing investigation and is providing support as needed.' American Airlines wrote to DailyMail.com: 'We are devastated by the accident involving a team member at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and our local team members. We are focused on ensuring that all involved have the support they need during this difficult time.' An American Airlines worker was tragically killed after being struck by a ramp vehicle at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (stock image) On Monday morning around 9:30 am, the employee, whose identity has not been publicly released, was working on a runway ramp on the tarmac when they were hit Several flight delays followed the incident, Fox Carolina reported. Passengers onboard planes on the tarmac were able to see the accident and were asked to lower their window shades after it happened. Kirk Lundell: 'We didn't have any idea what was going on while we were still on the plane. 'You could tell the captain was being very intentionally non-descript about what was holding us up. All he kept saying was "apparently there's something keeping us from getting to our gate right now."' In 2023, another American Airlines worker died after a gut-wrenching tarmac crash at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas. The employee was operating 'ground service vehicle' on the runway when he struck a jet bridge outside the terminal. Emergency services rushed to the scene after reports of what Austin police initially described as a 'crash incident', however the unnamed individual was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was reportedly still alive when Austin Travis County EMS paramedics arrived on the airfield apron, however they succumbed to their injuries on the tarmac, and the cause of death was determined to be traumatic injuries. In a statement, Austin Bergstrom International Airport said at the time: 'This afternoon AUS was notified that Austin-Travis County EMS responded to an injured airline employee. Emergency and medical crews quickly arrived but were unable to save the victim 'The incident occurred outside of the terminal where aircraft park at their gates. ATCEMS pronounced the employee deceased. 'Our thoughts are with this employee and all those impacted by today's tragic event.' The airport added that the incident would not have any major impact on its operations. The Austin Police Departments Vehicular Homicide Unit is investigating the incident as an accidental death. American Airlines confirmed the deceased was a member of their staff when contacted by DailyMail.com, saying in a statement: 'We are devastated by the accident involving a team member at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and our local team members. We are focused on ensuring that all involved have the support they need during this difficult time.' A former Miss California and runner-up Miss USA has slammed Selena Gomez for her video sobbing over President Donald Trump's deportation policy. Carrie Prejean Boller, a longtime fan of Trump, hit out at the 32-year-old actress on social media for her since-deleted video in which she said she felt powerless to do anything as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents deport 'my people.' 'Hey Selena Gomez, How about you call all of "your people" you're crying about being deported and invite them to stay at your mansion behind your big walls and gates until they leave?' Boller wrote. 'Have them over for dinner, feed them, bathe them, let them sleep in your home, pay for their schooling and medical bills. 'You could have helped them and you have not and will not,' Boller said, noting that the Only Murders in the Building star never expressed outrage over the murder of nursing student Laken Riley by an undocumented immigrant or that of Maryland mother Rachel Morin. 'Save your fake tears,' she told the actress. Gomez had purchased the home of late rock star Tom Petty for $4.9million in 2020, according to Home Beautiful. The more than 11,000-square-foot Encino, California property - which was custom-built by Petty and his wife Jane Benyo in 1989 - features six bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. Carrie Prejean Boller, a former Miss California and runner-up Miss USA, slammed Selena Gomez for her video sobbing over mass deportations She suggested in a post on social media that Gomez invite the undocumented migrants to stay at her sprawling Encino, California mansion It comes complete with an outdoor pool, a gym, a massage room and a wine cellar. Gomez, who was born in Texas and is an American citizen, currently lives at the property with her grandparents. In her short teary-eyed video on Monday, the Wizards of Waverly Place alum claimed: 'All my people are getting attacked, the children. I don't understand. 'I'm so sorry, I wish I could do something but I can't. I don't know what to do. I'll try everything, I promise.' The actress captioned the post: 'I'm sorry' with a Mexican flag emoji. But the video did not sit well with social media users, who were quick to slam her for not using her reported net worth of $1.3 billion to take action herself. Leading the charge was British journalist and broadcaster Piers Morgan, who said: 'Posting yourself weeping over illegal immigrant criminals being deported is a new level of absurd celebrity narcissism.' Trump's Border Czar Tom Homan even responded to the video, saying the administration has 'no apologies' and that anyone who doesn't like it should take it up with Congress. Gomez posted a short video on social media in which she said she felt powerless to do anything as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents deport 'my people' She bought the home of late rock star Tom Petty for $4.9million in 2020 'We're gonna make our community safer,' Homan said on Fox News. 'It is all for the good of this nation. And we're gonna keep going. No apologies. We're moving forward.' He went on to deny that children are being targeted and doubled down on his assertion that the administration is working to deport illegal migrants with criminal records. 'I don't think we've arrested any families. We've arrested public safety threats and national security threats, bottom-line,' he said. 'President Trump won the election on this one issue - securing our border and saving lives. What happened on our southern border in the last four years is the biggest national security threat our county has seen, at least in my lifetime.' Megyn Kelly also slammed the Emilia Perez actress for putting on a display of crocodile tears, claiming she wanted to push an agenda that her fans disagreed with. 'She deleted it after her fans taught her that the majority of the country stands behind these policies, but I'm sure she was shocked to get any blowback whatsoever,' Kelly said. 'Shes unwell. Obviously, this is an unwell person And by the way, anybody who takes their phone works up in tears and posts a video of themselves crying into their phone is sick. That's a sick person. 'Tears happen. They tend to happen privately. If they happen publicly. I think you should quickly move on and recover, but I don't understand the person who works it and tries to squeeze out more tears to make themselves look extra sad. I'm really sad. I know I have hundreds of millions [followers], but I hate this country.' Border czar Tom Homan also issued a scathing response to Gomez's video Amid the backlash, Gomez deleted her video, writing: 'Apparently it's not ok to show empathy for people.' But she has previously claimed she feels 'a responsibility to use' her platform 'to be a voice for people who are too afraid to speak.' She produced a 2019 Netflix documentary, Living Undocumented, which chronicled the lives of undocumented families in the United States. At the time, the former Disney Channel star, who was born in Texas, opened up about her family's own immigration story, which began in the 1970s when her aunt crossed the border from Mexico to America hidden in the back of a truck. Her paternal grandparents, Ricardo and Mary, followed their daughter and, once in the US, they welcomed Selena's father, who is also named Ricardo. Her mother, Mandy Teefey, is also a US citizen. A former Government advisor has pledged to fight Labour's academy reforms, saying they 'turn back the clock'. Meg Powell-Chandler said academies have 'improved the lives of millions of children' and taking away their freedoms will set standards into reverse. She was instrumental in supporting the academies programme as special advisor to Damian Hinds, who was Tory education secretary between 2018 and 2019. Now she is launching a drive to save it from Labour's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which will take away freedoms on curriculum, teacher recruitment and pay and conditions. Ms Powell-Chandler has just been appointed director of the New Schools Network (NSN), a charity which once was paid by the Tory government to support academies. Today, it is launching a new drive to 'champion school freedoms that the Bill imperils' and 'make the case to revive the free schools programme', which is currently under review. Academies are state schools that are free from council control, with more freedom to innovate and answerable directly to central Government.Free schools are a type of academy set up by local groups, such as church communities. Former Government adviser Meg Powell-Chandler has said Labour's academy reforms would 'turn back the clock'. Pictured: Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson speaking to reporters at Westminster on January 8 Ms Powell-Chandler said: 'It is a very important time for all of us who believe passionately that free schools and academies have improved the lives of millions of children. 'The Government is right to focus on raising standards in education, but the proposed legislation risks doing the exact opposite, turning back the clock on one of the most transformative periods of educational reform in recent history. 'The freedoms granted to academies and free schools have been the foundation of their success, enabling them to innovate and excel. 'We know a one size fits all approach doesn't work for pupils, why should it work for schools?' The NSN was funded by the Tory government to help those setting up new free schools, although this ended in 2022. Under the Bill, academies would have to follow the national curriculum, and their teachers will need to have, or be in the process of achieving, qualified teacher status (QTS). Education Secretary Ms Phillipson delivering a keynote address last week. Labour's new Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill could take away freedoms from academy schools Critics have said this would stop schools from innovating in lesson planning, and hiring experts in their fields who are not trained teachers. The Bill would also make academies adhere to national pay and conditions standards, although ministers have clarified there would be 'no ceiling' on what academy teachers could be paid. David Ross, chair of trustees at NSN and David Ross Education Trust, said: 'I am not alone as a Trust leader in fearing that the current proposals will damage the futures of thousands of children across our country. 'We risk ideologically dismantling the most significant cross-party achievement of the last two decades and taking our education system backwards.' There are over 650 free schools and 10,000 academies in England. A Department for Education spokesman said: 'This Government is determined to drive high and rising standards for every child through our Plan for Change, so that wherever families live, they will have a good local school for their child. 'Our landmark Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill delivers on this mission, getting high-quality teachers into every classroom, and ensuring there is a floor on pay and no ceiling, so all teachers can rely on a core offer and all schools can innovate to attract and retain the best talent. 'These measures, alongside our new regional improvement teams and Ofsted reforms, will make sure we are giving every child an education as good as the best.' Staycationing Brits have revealed visiting a pub is a priority - despite the number of watering holes plummeting to their lowest in the last hundred years. A poll commissioned by the British Beer and Pubs Association (BBPA), revealed that three out of five Britons consider visiting a pub as a vital part of their holiday. Visiting a pub whilst on holiday was considered relatively on par with other activities, with 63 per cent of respondents saying they would visit a landmark whilst 73 per cent said they would have a meal at a restaurant. Nine out of ten polled also recognised pubs as important to UK tourism overall with over half of 18 to 24-year-olds saying they would include pubs in their holiday itineraries. The same survey - conducted with of 3,259 people - revealed most believed watering holes were the cornerstones of local communities. More than 81 per cent of participants said play an important role in community life, with the same amount believing they were key to sustaining local high streets. But as the hospitality sector continues to grapple with rising costs, and the number of pubs falls to its lowest level in a century, the BBPA has called on the government to take action and support taverns. Staycationing Brits have revealed visiting a pub is a priority - despite the number of watering holes plummeting to their lowest in the last hundred years (File photo) A pub with its doors locked shut. It is feared that next year could signal last orders for even more establishments as they face a 650 million hit from Rachel Reeves disastrous first Budget Your browser does not support iframes. Emma McClarkin, CEO of the BBPA, said: 'This research reaffirms what we have always known: pubs are the beating heart of British culture and tourism. What could be more quintessentially British whether holidaying or at home than a trip to the pub and a pint of beer? 'Whether you're a local or a visitor, pubs offer a unique and welcoming experience and are a fundamental part of British life. 'It's vital that we protect and support these institutions, not just for their economic contributions but for the communities they serve and the tourism they attract.' Richard Toomer, Executive Director of the Tourism Alliance, added: 'For city breaks, visits to the seaside, or trips to the countryside, pubs are a crucial part of what the UK has to offer its tourists, both domestic and international. Sadly, many pubs are under immense financial strain due to rising business costs. 'The importance of reducing business costs on the one hand, and tackling cost-of-living pressures for consumers on the other, has never been more urgent.' At the end of last year it was revealed that more than one pub a day closed its doors to leave just 38,989 - the smallest figure since records began in 1990. Some 412 pubs were demolished or converted into shops or flats over the year to December, according to analysis of Government statistics by property consultancy Altus. This is the sharpest plunge in pub numbers since 2021, when venues were crippled by Covid rules and rampant energy prices. More than one pub a day closed its doors to leave just 38,989, the smallest figure since records began in 1990 An abandoned pub in London. Some 412 pubs were demolished or converted into shops or flats over the year to December, according to analysis of Government statistics by property consultancy Altus Emma McClarkin (pictured), chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, warned venues will shut, jobs will be lost and the price of a pint will go up in a 650m hit to the sector Your browser does not support iframes. Numbers from the Government's Valuation Office Agency and analysed by property consultancy firm Altus Group show around 34 pubs across England and Wales shut their doors every month in 2024. This was up seven per cent on 2023 levels. Pubs which have 'vanished' from the communities that they once served have either been demolished and/or converted into other types of use such as homes, offices or even day nurseries. A total of 2,074 have been lost for good in just the last five years. The numbers show that the City of London and the other 32 boroughs lost the most (55), bringing the number for the capital down to 3,470. And it is feared that this year could signal last orders for even more establishments as they face a 650 million hit from Rachel Reeves disastrous first Budget. Dubbed a 'deep and painful' wound for the industry, the Chancellors first budget left pub companies and breweries 'reeling' according to pub boss Emma McClarkin. Labour had been elected on a 'crystal clear' pro-growth agenda but had ultimately 'slapped on business one of the biggest bills they have ever seen,' McClarkin previously added. 'It is very difficult to put the two positions together. There has been some faith lost,' she said. McClarkin said: 'The Budget is a deep and painful wound that is going to take the industry a long time to recover from.' A raft of higher costs including the National Insurance contributions paid by employers (NICs), the National Minimum Wage and a new workers' rights package, are set to heap extra pressure onto firms. Your browser does not support iframes. Rachel Reeves put Britain on a course to high tax, high spending and high borrowing in tomorrow's Budget - as the Chancellor unveiled her plans to hike alcohol duty Celebrity publican Jeremy Clarkson called Sir Keir Starmer 's government 'hopeless' following the Chancellor's announcement (Clarkson is pictured at his pub, The Farmer's Dog) Your browser does not support iframes. Ms McClarkin's group represents major brewers including Greene King, Molson Coors and Heineken UK, as well as 20,000 pubs across the country. In a major blow for the industry, the Government has left firms facing a sharp rise in business rates in April, with the average pub facing a 6,000 annual hike. This is despite a manifesto pledge to 'replace the business rates system' to 'level the playing field between the High Street and online giants'. Rachel Reeves was slammed by pub owners following her maiden Budget speech, in which she cut draught duty by a meagre 1.7 per cent. Rupert Thompson, managing director of Hogs Back Brewery in Surrey, said he was 'disappointed' in the announcement. And despite getting a laugh from MPs in Parliament, her October announcement failed to raise a smile with cash-strapped Brits who branded it a 'f***ing joke'. Meanwhile industry bosses accused Labour of 'betraying' businesses and rowing back on its election pledges - with new celebrity publican Jeremy Clarkson calling Keir Starmer's government 'hopeless'. It comes after Ms Reeves unveiled a staggering 40billion tax bomb, dubbed by critics as 'the biggest heist in modern political history', as she put her stamp on public finances. In a scathing critique Mr Clarkson, who opened his 1million pub in the Cotswolds earlier this year, wrote on X: 'Rachel Reeves. I literally daren't comment,' before adding. 'We have a new government. It's turning out to be hopeless.' While Clarkson's former Top Gear co-host James May lamented: 'Cripes: a penny off a pint of beer. This is a small step to putting the 'great' back in to United Kingdom.' Rupert Thompson, managing director of Hogs Back Brewery in Surrey, previously said he was 'disappointed' by Reeves's the announcement. However, people online ridiculed the announcement by the Chancellor with memes Others joked about the impact the news would have on Britain's struggling pubs Former Top Gear star James May also joked online about the the Budget announcement Your browser does not support iframes. The 66-year-old, who employs about 50 staff, said many pubs were 'already on their knees' after being crippled financially by the Covid pandemic and cost-of-living crisis. And although welcoming some measures, like extending a business rates reprieve scheme for pubs, he feared local boozers would struggle to cope with an increase in National Insurance payouts. 'Many pubs are already on a cliff edge,' he told MailOnline. 'For many businesses, this might be the news that tips them over it.' The Chancellor's move to raise alcohol duty by RPI has been branded 'a real kick in the teeth' by the wine and spirit sector, following punishing duty increases last year which saw booze hit with the largest tax rise in almost 50 years. Business boss Nuno Teles, managing director of Diageo, previously said: 'The Government has broken its promise and slammed even more duty on spirits. This betrayal will leave a bitter taste for drinkers and pubs, while jeopardising jobs.' Google Maps has caved to President Donald Trump's demands and will change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The change will be visible in the U.S. once it is officially updated in the U.S. Geographic Names System, Google said in an X post on Monday. But the name will still remain Gulf of Mexico on Google in Mexico. Outside of the two countries, users will see both names on Google Maps. The Trump administration's Interior Department said on Friday it had officially changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and the Alaskan peak Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, to Mount McKinley. Google Maps, which is owned by Alphabet's Google, will also make a similar change with Mount McKinley. Trump ordered the name changes as part of a flurry of executive actions hours after taking office on January 20, making good on a campaign promise. 'As directed by the President, the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America and North America's highest peak will once again bear the name Mount McKinley,' the Interior Department said in a statement last week. Alaska's towering peak had been called Mount McKinley before, in honor of former U.S. President William McKinley, but was renamed Denali - meaning 'tall' in the Koyukon Indigenous language - in 1975 at the state's request. Google Maps will change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America once it is officially updated in the U.S. Geographic Names System, Google said in an X post on Monday The change will be visible in the U.S. but the name will still remain Gulf of Mexico in Mexico Earlier this month Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum jokingly suggested North America, including the United States, be renamed 'Mexican America' - a historic name used on an early map of the region 'These changes reaffirm the Nation's commitment to preserving the extraordinary heritage of the United States and ensuring that future generations of Americans celebrate the legacy of its heroes and historic assets,' the department said. In his inaugural address last Monday, Trump said McKinley, a Republican who was president from 1897 to 1901, 'made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent - he was a natural businessman.' McKinley was head of the U.S. in an expansionist era, gaining Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico as territories. Hawaii later became a U.S. state. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum earlier this month jokingly suggested North America, including the United States, be renamed 'Mexican America' - a historic name used on an early map of the region. While Trump can direct the U.S. Geological Survey to change how it denotes the Gulf of Mexico, such a name change would be unlikely to be recognized internationally. Mexico, which like the U.S. has a long coastline circling the body of water, has said the Gulf of Mexico name is internationally recognized and has been used as a maritime navigational reference going back hundreds of years. Deep-sea ecologist Andrew Thaler said Trump's declaration was 'very silly' and would likely be ignored by maritime professionals. 'The Gulf of Mexico, however, is a body of water that borders several countries and includes pockets of high seas,' said Thaler, founder of Blackbeard Biologic Science and Environmental Advisors. While Trump can direct the U.S. Geological Survey to change how it denotes the Gulf of Mexico, such a name change would be unlikely to be recognized internationally. Mexico, which like the U.S. has a long coastline circling the body of water, has said the Gulf of Mexico name is internationally recognized and has been used as a maritime navigational reference going back hundreds of years. Pictured the blue waters of the Gulf The Trump administration's Interior Department said it had officially changed the name of the Alaskan peak Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, to Mount McKinley. 'There really isn't any precedent for a US president renaming international geologic and oceanographic features. Any attempt to rename the entire Gulf of Mexico would be entirely symbolic,' he said. Google has applied the same locale-based labeling conventions to other locations subject to naming disputes. Outside of Japan and South Korea, the body of water bordering both nations is listed as the Sea of Japan (East Sea). In 2012, Iran threatened to take legal action against Google over its decision to drop the term Persian Gulf from its Google Maps and leaving the waterway between Iran and the Arabian peninsula nameless. The body of water is now labeled Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf) in other countries. Opportunities to establish whether SAS soldiers murdered 84 captives in Afghanistan were lost due to failures in a military police investigation, a former chief constable has told the High Court. Alan Pughsley, the former head of Kent Police, told the Royal Courts of Justice it was poor practice that a murder probe was not mounted for three years after the alleged Extra Judicial Killings were reported. The investigation by military Special Investigation Branch (SIB) detectives was also poorly resourced, its officers were lacking in skillsets and experience, and the probe was wound up prematurely, he told Lord Justice Haddon-Cave. The Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan has heard evidence since 2023 into disturbing allegations into the SASs conduct in southern Afghanistan from 2010 to 2013. Mr Pughsley said military police missed the golden hour by not launching a murder inquiry until 2014, when most of the suspicious shootings took place in 2011 - because key suspects were not interviewed and witnesses were not identified. The SIB, which is part of the Royal Military Police (RMP) wound up Operation Northmoor in 2019 when, in his view, there were outstanding lines of inquiry. Mr Pughsley has been engaged by the inquiry to provide an independent assessment of the effectiveness of the military polices response to the killings. Lord Justice Haddon-Cave could recommend a fresh police inquiry should he conclude the 10 million Op Northmoor, and related SIB probes into war crimes, fell short of minimum standards. The Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan has heard evidence since 2023 into disturbing allegations into the SASs conduct in southern Afghanistan from 2010 to 2013 (file image) Alan Pughsley (pictured), the former head of Kent Police, told the Royal Courts of Justice it was poor practice that a murder probe was not mounted for three years after the killings were reported, and described the pace of the inquiry as 'sluggish' Mr Pughsley also described the pace of the four-year inquiry as sluggish and taking too long. It also should have been alive to any deliberate attempts to hamper its progress. SIB officers struggled to obtain data from Special Forces chiefs who also deleted key files. This was either such an attempt or due to genuine concerns surrounding the preservation of the anonymity of SAS soldiers. Op Northmoor concluded there was insufficient evidence to charge any troops with murder. Mr Pughsley said: I accept the protection of tactics and operations and the absolute need to protect the anonymity of soldiers. My question all the way through this is it shouldnt have taken that long, with all those protections in place, to allow an investigator to speak to the people deployed on those operations. [The delay] is significant, absolutely, it has a negative impact on the starting position for the RMP investigation in 2014. Lord Justice Haddon-Cave (pictured) could recommend a fresh police inquiry should he conclude the 10 million Op Northmoor fell short of minimum standards The High Court inquiry, which started in 2023 is not expected to report until 2026. The Ministry of Defence has been accused of causing delays by failing to commit sufficient resources. Deadlines have been missed the judge has publicly criticised officials for dragging their feet. Earlier this month a former Special Forces officer who gave evidence in closed session said the SAS had a golden pass allowing them to get away with murder. This witness was among those who reported their concerns about SAS post-mission reports, which appeared to cover-up their executions. The inquiry continues. A heart surgeon convicted of harassing and assaulting a woman has dodged a ban from the profession. Dr Vincenzo Giordano, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, was charged with assaulting his victim to her injury. A trial heard the 44-year-old followed her and then assaulted by headbutting and punching her in November 2022. He was convicted at Edinburgh Sheriff Court but given an absolute discharge. However, he was handed a 12-month non-harassment order banning him from contacting his victim. The medic, of Edinburgh, was hauled before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS). A panel ruled his fitness to practice was impaired but decided to suspend his registration for two months. The suspension will begin 28 days after written notification is given to Giordano about the decision. In a written ruling, MPTS panel chair Christopher Turner said: The tribunal was satisfied that an immediate order was not necessary to protect members of the public in this case. Dr Vincenzo Giordano (pictured), a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh , was charged with assaulting his victim to her injury. A trial heard the 44-year-old followed her and then assaulted by headbutting and punching her in November 2022 Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where Giordano worked as a heart surgeon since 2012 Edinburgh Sheriff Court where Giordano was convicted but given an absolute discharge. However, he was handed a 12-month non-harassment order banning him from contacting his victim The Tribunal also determined that it was not in the public interest nor in Mr Giordanos interests to impose an immediate order. His LinkedIn page says Giordano began working at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh as a cardiac surgeon in 2012. He was promoted to a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon in 2015 and has remained in the role since. His profile states that he is a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon with special interest in aortic surgery at NHS Lothian. He studied medicine and cardiac surgery at universities in Italy before moving to the UK. NHS Lothian said they did not comment on individuals. The events that led to a nine-year-old boy being allegedly killed by a blow to the head from a 24-year-old woman are being investigated by detectives, who are looking at whether a weapon was used. Thai-li Ned was found dead inside a home in the Townsville suburb of Kirwan, about 7.10pm on Saturday after suffering a 'significant head injury'. Detective David Miles told reporters what inflicted the blow was 'certainly, part of our inquiries... the injury is consistent with what, I would say at this stage, appears to be blunt force trauma'. Schynada Karkadoo has been charged over the alleged murder of the boy, who was living with her and her three children while his mother Tiarne Ned was in jail. Investigators are looking into whether a wooden plank was allegedly used to kill Thai-li up to eight hours before his body was discovered. 'We'll await the outcome of the autopsy before we make an absolute determination of what weapon may have been used,' Detective Miles said. He added that police have information as to 'what may have transpired' but could not release details during the investigation. Nine-year-old Thai-li Ned (pictured) was found dead in a Townsville home on Saturday night Schynada Karkadoo (pictured) has been charged over the boy's death Detective Miles said other children were at home when the blow was allegedly inflicted. 'Anything involving a traumatic injury and the death of a child, which in circumstances like this occurs, is quite abhorrent,' he said. 'No child should be subjected to anything that obviously leads to this sort of outcome for them.' Police attended the Kirwan home on Saturday night following a welfare check request. Police allege Thai-li (pictured right with his mother, Tiarne Ned) was killed with a wooden plank but are awaiting further details from his autopsy The Kirwan home (pictured) was still a crime scene as of Tuesday morning Karkadoo's case was briefly mentioned in Townsville Magistrates Court on Monday. A brief of evidence was ordered. The Kirwan home is expected to remain a crime scene until an autopsy is complete later this week. Police had previously visited the home several times for unrelated matters. 'We had had very brief interactions with this young person, but obviously being nine years of age, (he) hadn't come to our attention for any offending behaviour or anything like that,' Detective Miles said. Several stuffed animals and notes (pictured) have been left outside the crime scene in tribute to the 'polite and humble' nine-year-old Stuffed animals and sentimental notes have been left at the crime scene in memory of the young boy. 'You (were) so polite and humble,' one online tribute read. Another said: 'Fly high. You will be sadly missed by us all here in Mount Isa.' Karkadoo was remanded in custody and her case was adjourned until April 23. A MAGA-loving school superintendent claimed he wants to 'keep families together' by allowing ICE agents raid classrooms amid a nationwide crackdown on illegal migrants. Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Education Ryan Walters warned students and staff that immigration authorities will enter schools and classrooms to apprehend any kids who are in the country illegally. The schools official claimed the move was an effort to prevent young students from being separated from their parents. 'For years the liberal media has been vilifying Republicans for separating illegal immigrant children from their parents,' he said. 'Now they want us to explain why we'd let ICE agents into schools. The answer is simple: we want to ensure that deported parents are reconnected with their children and keep families together.' Walters also said he is prepared to help deport undocumented children along with their parents to assist President Donald Trump with his mass deportation plan. 'Here in Oklahoma, we absolutely will work with President Trump,' he told KOCO News. 'We will make sure he has the information he needs, any support on enforcing those policies we will happily assist as well.' Walters went so far as to suggest state legislatures introduce a new policy requiring schools to check each student's immigration status. 'This is about securing the border, making sure we're a law-and-order country, so Oklahoma schools will comply,' he said. Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Education Ryan Walters is prepared to help deport undocumented children in an effort to help President Donald Trump President Trump aggressively forged ahead with his pledge to carry out the largest mass deportation effort in US history in his first week back in power , arresting over 2,000 people in a widespread crackdown He added: 'They don't get to pick and choose what laws they go by. This is federal law.' Under the previous administration, ICE agents were barred from entering 'sensitive' locations like schools, churches and hospitals, but Trump removed such restrictions upon returning to office last week. Federal law states that a child cannot be discriminated against or barred from receiving a public education due to their immigration status. An estimated 3,000 unaccompanied minors were resettled in Oklahoma between 2021 and 2023 with sponsor families. Walters has been an outspoken MAGA advocate, urging schools to embrace bibles in every classroom and recently announcing that students will be taught about the 'Gulf of America' - after the president formally the name from the Gulf of Mexico. President Trump aggressively forged ahead with his pledge to carry out the largest mass deportation effort in US history in his first week back in power, arresting over 3,000 people in a widespread crackdown since the inauguration. A senior official in the Trump administration revealed exclusive deportation and arrest numbers to DailyMail.com to cap off a frantic first week back in power, including details of the worst criminals that had slipped through the net. On Friday alone, ICE authorities arrested 445 illegal migrants with criminal records, with a further 148 migrants without rap sheets also taken into custody ready for deportation. And on Sunday, immigration officials arrested nearly 1,000 more people. Federal law states that a child cannot be discriminated against or barred from receiving a public education due to their immigration status There were a further 449 detainers lodged - requests to local police forces to hold arrested individuals until ICE can pick them up - 468 removals or repatriations, and 15 gang-related arrests across the nation. Almost 5,000 Homeland Security and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers have been deployed by the Trump administration to carry out raids, particularly targeting sanctuary cities where dangerous criminals were previously unable to be tracked by ICE under weak Biden-era immigration policies. The Trump Administration has quickly moved to ramp up deportations and arrest illegal migrants who pose 'public safety threats ', specifically targeting sanctuary cities such as Chicago, San Francisco and San Jose - which bar cooperation between city police and immigration agents. Trump has been unhappy with the number of arrests so far and has directed federal immigration officials to meet higher detention quotas. He has ordered ICE to raise the arrest numbers from a few hundred a day to at least 1,200 to 1,500, the Washington Post reported Sunday. A South Florida drag queen who is friends with acquitted murder suspect Casey Anthony has been arrested for making violent threats against President Donald Trump. Shannon Depararro Atkins, 46, who is also known as Big Momma, was taken into custody Friday night after local authorities were alerted to a series of Facebook posts he made the day before Trump took office, according to the New York Post. Police said Atkins, a Palm Beach bakery owner, said something to the effect of: 'Lincoln, JFK, Reagan, Martin Luther King and Trump. Unfortunately one is still alive,' CBS News reports. He also allegedly posted that 'America needs one good bullet to be saved,' and complained that he was banned from X two hours later. 'I've been banned from "X" because I said I hope and pray someone kills him,' Atkins wrote, presumably about the president. 'History is supposed to repeat itself. We haven't had an assassination in years.' Later in the day, Atkins allegedly shared a meme calling Trump's inauguration day a 'day of mourning.' He is said to have commented on the post, 'Bullets please. Please. Jesus! Save America.' Shannon Depararro Atkins, 46, who is also known as Big Momma, was taken into custody Friday night after local authorities were alerted to a series of Facebook posts he made the day before President Donald Trump took office He allegedly pleaded on social media for 'bullets' at Trump's inauguration Police watched Atkins after being alerted about the posts. They finally apprehended in a traffic stop him near his home in West Palm Beach just before 7.30pm on Friday, according to Local 10 News. He was also found with three baggies of cocaine in his pocket. Atkins now faces second-degree felony charge of written or electronic threats to kill, do bodily injury or conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism, as well as felony cocaine possession. He allegedly admitted to making the posts, but claimed he was simply 'joking.' 'Folks, this was not a joke,' Police Chief Tony Araujo said at a news conference Saturday, according to the Palm Beach Daily News. 'In today's climate, you really can't say things like this.' The chief went on to encourage residents to report any potentially threatening posts to the FBI, Crime Stoppers or West Palm Beach Police. Atkins is known around the community as the owner of Big Mama's House of Sweets, a bakery that specializes in cheesecakes Among the posts Atkins allegedly made on January 19 were one with photos of Lincoln, JFK, Reagan, Martin Luther King and Trump, in which he wrote: 'Unfortunately one is still alive' 'Let us decide whether the information is actionable,' he urged. 'We will determine whether there is reasonableness to further investigate. 'In this instance, there was,' the police chief continued. 'Our detectives developed probable cause, and we made an arrest. 'It takes all of us to keep our community safe and in this instance, this system worked.' Atkins is good friends with acquitted murder suspect Casey Anthony Atkins is known around the community as the owner of Big Mama's House of Sweets, a bakery that specializes in cheesecakes. To bolster his business, Atkins adopted the drag persona Big Momma, and has since appeared at brunches and other events in the Palm Beach area. He is also good friends with Casey Anthony, an unidentified source told the Post. 'She always said that he was really funny and she liked to hang around him because he made her laugh so much,' the source said. 'She doesn't like Trump either, but I don't think their friendship is based on that, I think they just have similar senses of humor.' Anthony - who was accused of murdering her two-year-old daughter, Caylee, in 2008 - will now stand beside Atkins as he faces charges, the friend said. 'She is very loyal,' the source explained. 'It'll take more than an arrest for her to turn her back on him. 'She's going to remain close to him.' Princess Diana's close bond with her Scottish dance teacher is to be explored in a major new documentary. Glasgow-born Anne Allan gave the late princess top-secret dance lessons for almost a decade and became one of her closest confidantes. Over hundreds of weekly one-hour lessons at a private dance studio, teacher and pupil forged a close friendship as Diana negotiated stratospheric fame, the joy of motherhood, her crumbling marriage and her struggle with bulimia. Production firm Two Rivers Media, in the city, and Canadian producer Sphere Media are making a 90-minute feature documentary based on Ms Allan's memoir Dancing With Diana, which was published last year. It will chronicle the nine-year period from early 1981 when she served as Princess Diana's private dance teacher. The former ballet dancer said: 'I am thrilled that Sphere Media and Two Rivers Media have chosen to bring to screen Dancing with Diana. 'As a Glaswegian that lives in Canada, this is a very special partnership for me, that I'm so looking forward to seeing realised. 'During my time with the Princess, I was so fortunate to witness not only Diana's profound love of dance, but a much more personal side of her. Princess Diana dancing with John Travolta in the White House in 1985. The princess' close bond with her Scottish dance teacher is to be explored in a major new documentary Diana dancing with Wayne Sleep in 1985. It was Anne's lessons that gave her the skill and confidence to dance in front of the world Glasgow-born Anne Allan (pictured) gave the late princess top-secret dance lessons for almost a decade and became one of her closest confidantes Prince Diana dancing with her then-husband Prince Charles during a visit to Melbourne in 1985 'I hope that viewers of the documentary will appreciate this fresh look as well as discover a deeper understanding of just how extraordinary she was.' The intimate, highly personal documentary will include never-before-seen archival material, including photographs, personal gifts and notes from the princess. It will also feature new interviews with royal insiders, celebrities, Hollywood A-listers and several of Diana's closest friends. Seen through the lens of Ms Allan's memories, the audience will be guided through Diana's transformation from shy newlywed to global superstar. Her lessons gave her the skill and confidence to dance in front of the world to Billy Joel's Uptown Girl at London's Royal Opera House, partnered by Wayne Sleep, and take to the floor with John Travolta at The White House. Alan Clements, managing director and executive producer of Two Rivers Media, said: 'This project hits all the right notes for a co-production between our companies. 'Diana's story is, of course, as enduring as it is poignant. The gems to be found in these memoirs represent a perfect and organic opportunity and we're very excited to take it.' Diana dancing with Wayne Sleep to Billy Joel's Uptown Girl at London's Royal Opera House Princess Diana dances with Tom Selleck in 1985 The Prince and Princess of Wales dancing during a gala during a visit to Sydney in 1983 Marlo Miazga, president of Sphere Media, said: 'It's a rare thing to find a fresh angle on such an adored and explored public figure, but Anne's memoir is a treasure trove of new perspectives and intimate insights into one of the most scrutinised women in history. 'It's also exciting to be partnering with Two Rivers for the first time on a project that brings together both of our heritages with a story that will surely resonate with audiences around the world.' Ms Allan's career began as a classical dancer, training on a scholarship at the Royal Ballet School in London. After becoming ballet mistress for London City Ballet, she was invited to become the private dance teacher to Diana. An elderly Just Stop Oil protester has been ordered to serve extra time behind bars after officials failed to find a tracking tag that fitted her 'too thin' wrists. Gaie Delap, 78, was jailed for 20 months in August for taking part in a blockade on the M25 in November 2022 that caused chaos on Britain's busiest motorway. The grandmother, from Bristol, was released from prison in November under the home detention curfew scheme, but was recalled back to jail just before Christmas as her wrists were too small for an electronic tag. The Electronic Monitoring Service (EMS) was unable to fit a tag to Ms Delap's ankle because she has deep vein thrombosis. When they were unable to fit one to her tiny wrists, she was recalled to prison on November 29 despite, according to Just Stop Oil, her being 'fully compliant with the terms of release'. After being notified of her recall to prison, Mrs Delap packed a suitcase and sat at her home waiting to be arrested which took place on December 20, according to Ministry of Justice sources. During this period she was deemed by law to be 'unlawfully at large'. The retired teacher was delivered a letter to her cell on Friday where she learned she would now spend an extra 20 days behind bars, reported The Guardian. Retired teacher Gaie Delap, of Bristol, outside the Royal Courts of Justice in central London in October 2023 Friends and family of climate activist Gaie Delap, 78. Pictured (left-to-right): Gaie's brother Mick, and friends Mike Campbell and Annie Menter Mrs Delap had been told her release date would be March 17, but she was left in shock, according to her supporters, that it had now been pushed back to April 7. Now, twenty-five legal, women's and prison reform organisations have rallied around the pensioner to heap pressure on Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and call on her to use her discretionary powers to revoke the recall. In a letter, as reported by The Guardian, the group say her 'recall serves no purpose other than to exacerbate the punitive aspects of her sentence'. 'In the interests of justice, humanity and effective public policy, we request you intervene immediately,' it reads. 'Let this case serve as a catalyst for reforming the tagging system and ensuring that such situations do not recur.' Mrs Delap's brother, Mick, has been left baffled as to why officials found it 'impossible' to find a tag that would fit 'this normal-sized woman'. 'And how come there has been a deafening silence from the Ministry of Justice since Gaie's return to prison, despite numerous appeals from her family, friends and her MP?' he said. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Christmas Eve: 'The Government is paying millions of pounds to Serco, who run the electronic monitoring service. They are supposed to be buying up tags which will fit a range of people. Gaie is not exceptional in any way. She is perfectly normal. 'We are desperately asking them to come up with a strap that fits or an alternative electronic fingerprint system, which exists and which the Home Office uses. It is perfectly within their power. Why can't they do it?' The retired teacher was delivered a letter to her cell on Friday where she learned she would now spend an extra 20 days behind bars, reported The Guardian Just Stop Oil activists (Ms Delap on far left of shot) outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, where they were accused of breaking a National Highways injunction during their M25 protest in November 2022 Police watch as traffic is held back as an activist from Just Stop Oil occupies a gantry over the M25 near Godstone in Surrey as part of the November 2022 protests The M25 blockade in November 2022, which saw campaigners climb gantries over the motorway, caused 50,000 hours of delays and forced a man to miss his father's funeral Mrs Delap's solicitor Raj Chada, of Hodge, Jones and Allen, slammed the 'disgraceful' decision to further punish her because of the 'incompetencises of the state'. A Ministry of Justice (MoJ) spokesperson told The Guardian: 'We are bound by law to enforce sentences passed down by the independent judiciary, this includes handing down additional days in custody when the law dictates.' Mrs Delap was jailed for her part in disruptive protests on the M25 in November 2022. The demonstration brought traffic during the morning rush hour to a standstill at more than half a dozen separate locations along the motorway, with protesters scaling the gantries to fly a Just Stop Oil flag. During the trial the pensioner, who has multiple health conditions, suffered a stroke. In words reported by the Daily Telegraph, Just Stop Oil claimed that Ms Delap 'experienced significant mistreatment in prison, suffering wrist problems after being handcuffed to a bed in hospital'. The M25 protest triggered mass anger among motorists - with long tailbacks at several stretches of the motorway - and even prevented one man from missing his father's funeral. However, there were figures willing to come to the group's defence, including former Newsnight host Emily Maitlis, who compared the group to Rosa Parks and the Suffragettes. Ms Delap was sentenced on August 1 to 20 months in prison at Basildon Crown Court after breaching a National Highways injunction that sought to stop protesters grinding the M25 to a halt. Activists carried out the blockade across different parts of the M25 motorway orbiting London Twenty-five legal, women's and prison reform organisations have rallied around the pensioner in order to heap pressure on Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and call on her to use her discretionary powers to revoke the recall She was then one of four activists who were released early and she was freed on November 18 on a home detention curfew. Mrs Delap previously told the judge that her 'heart was breaking' for the future of her six grandchildren. Mr Justice Soole found that she and nine of the others had not been made aware of the injunction by a Just Stop Oil mentor prior to the protest, describing the omission as a 'significant failure and breach of trust'. According to Ms Delap's daughter, Lily Pridie, the severity of the sentence came as a shock to the family. Upon sentencing, she said the family will 'miss the childcare' and that Ms Dalep's granddaughters, then both under one, will miss seeing her. The brother-in-law of former First Minister Humza Yousaf is to stand trial after he was charged with extortion and class A drug offences following the death of a man. Ramsay El-Nakla, 37, pleaded not guilty via his legal team during a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday. Co-accused Stephen Stewart, 51, Jennifer Souter, 39, and Victoria McGowan, 42, also face charges on the same indictment including the culpable homicide of 36-year-old Ryan Munro. El-Nakla is not accused of being involved in the alleged killing. It is instead claimed that he along with the other three with the intention of menacing Mr Munro did put him in a state of alarm that he would be harmed at a flat in Dundee on January 9 and 10 last year. Prosecutors state they did intimidate the man and did extort a sum of money from him by threats. El-Nakla alone is separately accused of being concerned in the supply of cocaine in Dundee. Along with Stewart and McGowan, he faces a similar charge in relation to heroin. Ryan Munro (pictured) plunged to his death from a block of flats in Dundee A trial was set and is scheduled to begin at Edinburgh High Court in December 2025. It could last around 10 days Stewart, Souter and McGowan meantime are alleged to have killed Mr Munro at the flat on January 10. It is claimed he was intimidated and threatened, put in extreme fear and alarm, causing him to escape via a window at the property. This is said to have seen him fall from a height. Prosecutors state Mr Munro was so severely hurt that he died. Lawyers for Stewart, Souter and McGowan also pleaded not guilty on their behalf yesterday. Stewart and Souter have each lodged a special defence of incrimination. None of the four accused appeared in court. A trial was set and is scheduled to begin in December at the High Court in Edinburgh. It could last around ten days. A judge will be allocated at a later date. A gunman killed two people and injured two police officers after opening fire inside an Indiana grocery store. The bullets rang out on Monday at around 5:15 pm at a Martin's Supermarket on East Jackson Boulevard in Elkhart, WNDU reported. Police confirmed that three people were shot dead - including the suspected gunman. In addition to the fatalities, two police officers were injured and taken to the hospital. They were reported to be in stable condition. It was still unclear what prompted the shooting and how the gunman died. Erin Swary, a pregnant mother who was inside the store, described the horrors she witnessed when the events unfolded. 'I did my grocery shopping and was checking out and I was the only one at the particular checkout,' she told WNDU. 'There were people over at self-checkout. I didn't really pay much attention to them, I was just watching my bill go up and just making small talk with the bagger. On Monday evening around 5:15 pm, bullets rang through a Martin's Supermarket on East Jackson Boulevard in Elkhart It is still unclear what prompted the shooting inside the Martin's and what happened once police arrived 'Then we heard a pop and honestly I thought it was a balloon that popped.' She realized something was truly wrong when she saw other shoppers start to duck to the ground. After she dropped to the floor, she said she heard six or eight more gunshots and was 'frozen' with fear. 'All I could think of when I was down there was of my kids,' she revealed as she started choking up. 'And if you came around that corner, I thought I would probably be gone or shot as well. So I just stayed there and tried to stay calm.' Swary saw people running to the back of the store, but stayed on the ground a bit longer. She then got up and ran into the stock room before safely escaping. She outlined the moments before shots were fired: 'There was no arguing, there was no nothing beforehand. There was no sounds other than that first pop.' The mother-of-two said she did not see the culprit, but saw police chasing someone and heard several more gunshots once she fled the store. Erin Swary, a young pregnant mother who was inside the store when the shooting unfolded, described the horrors she witnessed 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the people affected. Its a sad day in Elkhart,' Jessica McBrier, public information officer for the Elkhart Police Department said. The Elkhart County Homicide Unit is investigating the tragedy. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Elkhart Police Department for comment. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun addressed the shooting on X, writing: 'As details emerge about the shooting in Elkhart, we are in communication with state and local law enforcement. Maureen and I are praying for the victims and their families.' 'Please keep all affected in your prayers as we await more information,' Senator Todd Young posted. This is the second deadly shooting Elkhart saw in the last 24 hours. On Sunday evening, an 18-year-old was shot near 6th Street and Hively Avenue at around 11:15 pm, WNDU reported. The victim, later identified as Fernanda Leon of Osceola, was pronounced dead at the hospital. Police arrested a man near the area where Leon was shot early Monday morning after an hour-long standoff, The Independent reported. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention ranked Indiana the US state with the 18th highest number of firearm-related deaths, based on 2022 data. Man, 48, was arrested after the alleged incident A man has been arrested after an alleged sexual assault at a busy Westfield. Police were called to the shopping centre on Bathurst Street in Liverpool, in Sydney's south-west, on Tuesday morning. A 48-year-old man was arrested by officers after reports of a 'sexual touching'. The man was taken to Liverpool Police Station for questioning. 'About 9.40am, emergency services were called to a shopping centre on Bathurst Street, Liverpool, after reports of a sexual touching,' NSW Police said in a statement. 'Officers attached to Liverpool City Police Area Command attended and arrested a 48-year-old man. 'He was taken to Liverpool Police Station where inquiries are ongoing.' A gay decorated Iraq War veteran has vigorously defended President Donald Trump's controversial decision to ban transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military. In a fiery statement that pulls no punches, Rob Smith, who describes himself as a vocal advocate for military readiness and a staunch patriot, laid out a devastating critique of the impact transgender service members have on the armed forces. 'Trump just signed an executive order banning all transgender [people] in the military. Let me tell you what this means,' Smith began in a nearly four minute video posted to X. 'First of all, there are upwards of 15,000 trans people that are 'serving' in the United States military right now. All of these people are non-deployable.' Smith, who served with distinction in Iraq, painted a stark picture of the military's operational challenges under the weight of what he calls 'politically motivated social experiments.' According to Smith, transgender service members are unable to fulfill the most basic requirement of military service: deployability. 'If you are a transgender-identified person that's 'serving' in the United States military right now, you are non-combat deployable,' Smith continued. 'These people cannot be deployed to combat theaters when the U.S. is involved in any sort of conflict overseas. What this means is that you've got a lot of people sucking up taxpayer funds sitting in an office somewhere, maybe they're doing clerk work, but they are non-combat deployable.' A decorated Iraq War veteran, Rob Smith, has spoken out to defend President Donald Trump 's controversial decision to ban transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military New Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has stated his mission is to restore a 'lethal' force For a military led by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, whose mission is to restore a 'lethal' force, this issue strikes at the heart of operational readiness. 'This does not bode well for Hegseth's mission of a lethal military,' Smith asserted. Smith didn't stop at combat readiness. He highlighted what he described as the financial burden that transgender service members place on the American taxpayer. 'The vast majority of transgender people, when they separate from the United States military, do so by medically separating,' he explained. 'This means that taxpayers are on the hook for $200,000 to $300,000 per year of 'transgender healthcare,' which is also covered by the VA.' Smith elaborated that this includes the costs of gender-affirming surgeries, hormone therapies, and ongoing medical treatments. 'Every single transgender person that separates from the military by medical discharge is covered by the VA for the hormones or the testosterone or whatever that transgender person is on,' he said. 'This costs American taxpayers to the tune of six figures per person.' In perhaps his most controversial claim, Smith pointed to the mental health challenges associated with gender dysphoria, which he described as a 'documented mental illness.' Smith's firsthand experiences with transgender individuals during his time in liberal activism left him deeply skeptical about their capacity to thrive in the high-stakes environment of the armed forces President Trump's executive orders, part of a broader effort to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs across the federal government, signal a dramatic shift in military policy In fact, gender dysphoria is not considered a mental illness in the traditional sense, but it is a recognized condition in medical and psychological fields. Either way, Smith argued that the condition further undermines the stability and cohesion of military units. 'We have these people that are not only non-deployable, they're also costing the U.S. taxpayer $100,000-plus per year for healthcare, and they also have a documented mental health condition,' Smith said. 'The thought of sharing a military unit with somebody who was a 'transgender woman' who is mentally unstable gives me a lot of pause.' Smith's firsthand experiences with transgender individuals during his time in liberal activism left him deeply skeptical about their capacity to thrive in the high-stakes environment of the armed forces. 'On a personal note, if you know anything about my history, I am a gay soldier. I am a veteran,' Smith said. 'I actually protested to end the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law that banned gay and lesbian soldiers from serving openly. But I was involved in liberal activism with more than one trans-identified soldier back in the day. And what I will tell you is that this is one of the most mentally unstable people I've ever dealt with in my entire life.' Trump had tried to impose a ban on transgender troops during his first term, but it was tangled up in the courts for years before being overturned by Biden shortly after he took office in 2021. President Trump's executive orders, part of a broader effort to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across the federal government, signal a dramatic shift in military policy. Smith's firsthand experiences with transgender individuals during his time in liberal activism left him deeply skeptical about their capacity to thrive in the high-stakes environment of the armed forces President Donald Trump is ordering the Pentagon put an end to DEI military initiatives and ban transgender troops form serving in the armed forces. Pictured: Trump takes part in the review of troops during his inauguration ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol on Monday, January 20, 2025 The new directives not only ban transgender individuals from serving but also reverse policies allowing for gender-affirming care and accommodations within the armed forces. The Trump administration has defended the move as a necessary step to prioritize 'resilience, strength, and the ability to withstand extraordinary physical demands.' Trump plans to sign two executive orders this week that will both eliminate DEI from the armed forces and prohibit transgender people from serving, DailyMail.com confirmed. He already signed an executive order on his first day in office last week reversing Joe Biden's 2021 directive allowing transgender people in the military. A new order will go even further and lay out standards regarding pronoun usage and gender identity. It will also directly ban transgender troops from serving in the U.S. military. The move is part of a wider crackdown on 'gender insanity' in the federal government, according to officials. A Pentagon fact sheet emphasized that the extended recovery times and medical needs of transgender service members conflict with the military's readiness requirements. A fact sheet on the incoming executive order banning transgender troops says they threaten 'unit cohesion' and 'stability among service members' and slams the long recovery time for those who receive transition surgery or start on hormone replacement treatments Pete Hegseth spoke with reporters as he arrived at the Pentagon on Monday, January 27, 2025 for his first day on the job and Donald Trump's Defense Secretary The fact sheet also underscored concerns about 'unit cohesion' and 'stability among service members,' suggesting that transgender individuals may pose challenges in environments where trust and dependability are paramount. The latest orders are directives for the Pentagon to take action, meaning Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will need to act to create a directive for the branches to enact. It's not clear when and if current trans service members will be discharged. It is also unclear how many troops would be affected. The Defense Department has no exact figure on the number of transgender troops serving because not every transgender person is in the same state of medical transition and not every transgender person identifies as such in military paperwork. The department has referred queries on how many transgender troops there are to the services; the services have said they have no way to track. As with most of Trump's policies, this decision has sparked intense debate. Supporters like Smith argue that it restores common sense and prioritizes merit over social experimentation. Critics, however, see it as a rollback of hard-won progress for LGBTQ+ rights. Smith remains unwavering in his stance. 'This is why Trump has signed, or is about to sign, the executive order banning transgender persons from the military,' he concluded. 'It's not a medical experiment. Taxpayers should not be footing the bill.' With schools across Australia returning for the new year, parents and carers have been warned about the increasing dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) being used to create child abuse material. With social media about to flooded with photos of children meeting friends again for the first time since before Christmas, adults are being reminded that these pictures could be targeted by criminals. 'It is an unfortunate reality that innocently posted pictures have been taken, shared and altered by those who have less-than-innocent intentions,' Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commander Helen Schneider said. 'Non-explicit pictures of children and young people become the target of highly sexualised and inappropriate comments or role play, which our investigators define as text-based child abuse material.' The AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation said there has been an increase in the use of AI-generated child abuse material in the past year, including a rise in students creating material such as deepfakes for a variety of reasons, including to harass or embarrass classmates. The growing problem of such crimes was highlighted by the imprisonment of two Australian men last year, one of which possessed AI-generated child abuse material, while the other used an artificial intelligence program to produce child abuse images. Commander Schneider said young people might not be aware that using AI to create material featuring their classmates could be a criminal offence. 'Children and young people are curious by nature, however, anything that depicts the abuse of someone under the age of 18 whether that's videos, images, drawings or stories is child abuse material, irrespective of whether it is "real" or not,' she said. With schools across Australia returning for the new year, parents and carers have been warned about the increasing dangers of artificial intelligence being used to create child abuse material There has been an increase in the use of AI-generated child abuse material in the past year 'The AFP encourages all parents and guardians to have open and honest conversations with their child on this topic, particularly as AI technology continues to become increasingly accessible and integrated into platforms and products.' She said these conversations can include how their children use technology, what to do if they are exposed to child abuse material, upgrading privacy settings on online accounts and turning down unknown friend or follower requests. Commander Schneider said criminals can use details from a photo, such as a school uniform logo, evidence of the child's hobbies, or an address visible on a street sign or front door, to build a profile of the child. These profiles could then be used to groom children or to manipulate parents and carers to 'gain access or leverage'. 'While these incidents are rare, the sad reality is they do happen,' she said. 'Small actions can mitigate big risks. Something as simple as blurring or obscuring the logo of your child's school on their uniform or in the background of an image can help ensure they don't become a target.' The AFP has advised parents not to publicly sharing their child's full name or age, and to avoid posting images where the child is pictured in their school uniform to avoid sharing the school's logo on social media accounts. 'If another person is taking photos of your child, talk to them about how the photos will be used and how they will be shared,' the federal police said. Vivek Ramaswamy spoke Monday night about his departure from the Department of Government Efficiency, leaving it in the hands of Elon Musk before it even gets off the ground. Ramaswamy, 39, sat down with Fox News' Jesse Watters and teased a future run for state office - as he's widely expected to announce an Ohio gubernatorial bid. Watters joked that Ramaswamy was leaving DOGE 'after like three Scaramuccis' and asked him what happened, as it was previously reported that Musk wanted him out. 'Scaramuccis' are a unit of measurement based on the extremely short, 11-day tenure of Trump White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci. 'Well, the reality is, I'm pursuing an elected office very shortly. We will have an announcement soon,' Ramaswamy answered. Watters then asked Ramaswamy about the rumors that he and Musk weren't getting along. 'I think that's incorrect,' Ramaswamy replied. 'But what I would say is, we had different and complementary approaches.' Watters also asked Ramaswamy straight up if Musk had fired him. 'It's - no, we had a mutual discussion,' the 2024 Republican hopeful answered. 'And I think I wish him well.' Vivek Ramaswamy denied that he had been fired by Elon Musk but confirmed that he was leaving the newly created Department of Government Efficiency before it even gets off the ground Ramaswamy further explained their 'different' approaches. 'I focused more on a constitutional law, legislative-based approach,' he said. 'They focused more on a technology approach, which is the future approach.' 'No better person to lead that technology, digital approach than Elon Musk,' he offered. 'But when you're talking about a constitutional revival, it's not just done through the federal government, it's done through federalism, where states also lead the way,' he continued. 'So I will have to be saying more on that very shortly Jesse, But that's going to be my next stop.' He also claimed that he and Musk were 'on the same page.' 'Divide and conquer,' he explained. 'In saving the country, it's not a one-man show from the top down or the bottom up. It's all of the above. And that's what I'm for.' Ramaswamy further teased an Ohio governor's bid by saying he was flying back to the Buckeye State later Monday night. 'We look at the country over the last 20 years, Silicon Valley was at the bleeding edge of the American economy. I think the Ohio River Valley can be at the bleeding edge of the American economy for the next 20 years,' he said, readying his pitch to voters. Vivek Ramaswamy was asked by Fox News' Jesse Watters if he was fired from DOGE - the Department of Government Efficiency - by Elon Musk (left). President Donald Trump (right) had tasked Musk and Ramaswamy to be co-leaders of the project 'People leaving this state from New York or California, right now, they go to Florida or Texas,' he said. 'I think places like Ohio should be where they're headed in the next couple of decades.' Watters said the weather in Ohio might even improve over the next few years. 'All right, if global warming keeps happening, it's going to get really nice and sunny in Ohio,' the Fox News anchor said. Ramaswamy, if he announces, will follow Ohio's Attorney General Dave Yost into the Republican primary. They will be vying to replace the term-limited GOP Gov. Mike DeWine. Ramaswamy ran in the 2024 GOP primary against Trump but when he fell short in the Iowa caucuses last January he quickly endorsed and campaigned for the now-president. Without him, Musk's DOGE has hit the ground running much like the rest of the Trump administration in the first week on the job. DOGE has set to work removing the Chief Diversity Officers Executive Council website from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. 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.' 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. The department is also looking into stopping production of the penny to save taxpayers money. In a post on X, the group pointed out that a penny now costs three cents to make - triple its value. That cost taxpayers a whopping $179 million in fiscal year 2023, the post said. President Donald Trump 's Department of Government Efficiency is looking into stopping production of the penny to save taxpayers money The DOGE account on X floated Tuesday night that minting billions of pennies might not be the best use of taxpayer money DOGE has been tasked with coming up with recommendations on how to cut federal spending. It's unclear if it would advise permanently killing off the penny, or just halting or trimming the penny's production. 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. It took two days, but after scratching around in his closet, Anthony Albanese eventually found his spine and said what needed to be said about Grace Tame's choice of attire while attending the PM's Australia Day morning tea. The former Australian of the Year wore a 'F*** Murdoch' t-shirt to the official event at The Lodge on Saturday. Albo labelled her doing so as disrespectful attention-seeking behaviour that detracted from the achievements of those the event was held to honour. 'I thought it was disrespectful of the event and of the people who that event was primarily for', he said in a radio interview on Monday. The PM also said what Tame did was 'disappointing', 'wasn't appropriate', 'was obviously designed to attract attention' and 'took away from the people who were there'. Well said. Unfortunately, in real time, Albo and his fiancee Jodie Hayden simply smiled and posed with Tame for photographs, ignoring the vulgar words staring them both in the face when greeting her. You couldn't wear this T-shirt around children, in a pub or club, and it could even be considered too much at a protest in Australia... so, after her second stunt at an Australia Day morning tea, Grace Tame shouldn't be invited to these sorts of events in the future, writes Peter van Onselen Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon were put on the spot by Tame's decision to wear the profane T-shirt - smiling at the former Australian of the Year and posing with her for a photo Surely Grace Tame of all people would have been understanding if Albo had refused to participate in such a photo. Or perhaps refused to smile for it? This isn't the first time we've seen such bad behaviour by Tame at this very event. Remember that infamous photo with Scott Morrison? Sadly, because of her repetitive juvenile behaviour she shouldn't be invited to such events in the future. That's despite all the good work some of Tame's activism has achieved over the years. Knowing how to behave - as the PM eventually noted when asked about Tame's actions - should be a prerequisite to attending these sorts of official events. A protester wearing that attire would surely be removed and potentially fined. You couldn't sit in the public gallery of Parliament wearing that shirt. You couldn't even get away with it in many clubs and pubs around the country. You certainly couldn't wear it when around children. It is hard to disagree with Albo's characterisation of the T-shirt stunt as anything other than attention-seeking behaviour. Tame caused a scene at the same event in 2022 when she gave Scott Morrison this side-eye when greeting the then-prime minister In recent years, I have been privy to private criticism of Tame from well-meaning figures across the political spectrum. Their main gripe is that her transition from a dedicated activist for survivors of child sexual abuse to a general left-wing provocateur perhaps isn't the wisest move. The fact Tame is successful in her histrionics time and time again doesn't change the fact that attention-seeking is its primary purpose - as I've called out in the past, when she levelled her side-eye at Morrison. I was a strong critic of Morrison's prime ministership, but even then, I said: '(Tame) didn't have to play the role of court jester, or be a fake. Just be a decent human being, that's all. 'If that wasn't possible, why bother to attend at all? At his Canberra house, no less. It isn't like the person who lives there wasn't going to be there. 'If your disdain for the man is so great (understandable perhaps) that you can't even muster basic and common courtesy, then just don't go. That would be reasonable. Plenty of people would understand.' And common courtesy was again forgotten at the weekend. Attempts to claim the real purpose of wearing the shirt was some sort of political or philosophical statement about the Murdoch media is a furphy. It's all about Grace. Or to be fair, maybe it's 99 per cent about Grace. If Tame seriously thinks she doesn't chase the spotlight - that it simply chases her - then maybe some sit-down self-reflection time is long overdue. Tame is seen with her ex-partner and close friend Max Heerey at the Australian of the Year awards later that day It might make her realise how untoward it is to use her profile to take the spotlight away from all those community-minded people nominated for awards that event was designed to honour. While Albo might have only decided to call Tame to account on this occasion after sitting down with his spin doctors and pollsters, at least he got there in the end. It must have been a finely judged calculation: risking the future wrath of Tame attacking him for criticising her, compared to appearing to mainstream Australia as too weak to call her out. In the end, Albo went with the latter option, realising that the silent majority would have instantly formed the view that Tame's attire was inappropriate and disrespectful the moment they first saw it. American Border Patrol agents stationed at the Mexican border were fired upon by a suspected drug cartel in an effort to smuggle illegal migrants into Texas. The gunfight broke out on Monday near the disputed territory of Fronton, Texas, exactly one week after President Donald Trump returned to office and began his sweeping deportation crackdown. While the cartel suspected of being responsible for the violence has been shooting across the border for years, NewsNation reports that the crisis in the region has 'escalated in unprecedented ways since President Trump was elected.' The cartel has reportedly 'given orders to shoot at agents recently.' No agents were injured in Monday's shootout. Border Patrol 'returned fire' and the 'illegal aliens did not make it across,' Fox reported. Fronton became a favorite Mexican cartel destination to smuggle people and drugs across the border, due to dense forest and vegetation which made it difficult to patrol. Texas DPS Lieutenant Chris Olivarez told Fox that state officials 'had enough' in October and launched a full-scale crackdown, clearing out the vegetation and brush to make it impossible for cartels to move through the area covertly. Governor Greg Abbott launched Operation Lone Star targeting cartels in the area, sending a letter to the Biden-Harris administration criticizing their handling of the border crisis. American Border Patrol agents stationed at the Mexican border were fired upon by a suspected drug cartel in an effort to smuggle illegal migrants into Texas The gunfight broke out on Monday near the disputed territory of Fronton, Texas, exactly one week after President Donald Trump returned to office and began his sweeping deportation crackdown The cartel has reportedly 'given orders to shoot at agents recently.' No agents were injured in Monday's shootout Trump vowed to crack down on illegal migration upon his return to the White House A member of the Texas Army National Guard helps a migrant mother and daughter from China cross over a fence after the group was smuggled across the Rio Grande river into the United States from Mexico in Fronton, Texas in 2023 Authorities have since confirmed that attempts to illegally enter the country are at record lows, with less than 600 new arrivals on Sunday Migrants wait to be processed by the Mexican refugee commission 'For years, the cartels were 'running rampant' in Fronton Island's 'thick vegetation' and 'bullet-pocked structures' along the river to stage illegal entries,' he wrote. 'I will not cede state land to transnational criminal cartels smuggling people, weapons, and drugs. Nor will I sit idly by as these threats endanger Texas law enforcement and Texas communities.' President Trump campaigned on a pledge to rid America of illegal immigrants and has stuck to his word, immediately beginning the largest mass deportation drive on record in the US. And authorities have since confirmed that attempts to illegally enter the country are at record lows, with less than 600 new arrivals on Sunday. The Del Rio sector which was dealing with upwards of 4,000 crossings each day at the height of the crisis in December 2023, recorded just 60 on Sunday. In the final days of the Biden administration, anywhere between 1,200 to 1,400 people were arriving daily to enter the US. There are an estimated 11 million undocumented migrants in the United States, according to the Department of Homeland Security statistics. 'In the first week of the Trump Administration, we have fulfilled President Trump's promise to the American people to arrest and deport violent criminals illegally in the country,' the Department said in a statement. Migrants wait for a bus to take them to a processing center after turning themselves over to US Border Patrol in Fronton Fronton became a favorite Mexican cartel destination to smuggle people and drugs across the border, due to dense forest and vegetation which made it difficult to patrol Texas DPS Lieutenant Chris Olivarez told Fox that state officials 'had enough' in October and launched a full-scale crackdown, clearing out the vegetation and brush to make it impossible for cartels to move through the area covertly A drone view shows giant tents, where Mexican authorities are building a temporary shelter for migrants deported from the United States A woman is devastated by the suspension of procedures at the Mexican refugee commission 'In one week, law enforcement officials have removed and returned 7,300 illegal aliens... including hundreds of convicted criminals.' Deportation flights to Jordan, Brazil, Mexico and El Salvador have all taken place, authorities said. Upon returning to the White House, President Trump declared Mexican drug cartels 'foreign terrorist organizations' and said there was a 'national emergency' at the border. Around 1,500 active troops were deployed to the nearly 2,000-mile border this week, including 500 Marines from Camp Pendleton in California. The Pentagon expects additional troops to be ordered to deploy in the next few days as defense and homeland security leaders iron out requests for more support. Trump has reinstated a 'Remain in Mexico' policy - under which people who apply to enter the US from Mexico must remain there until their application has been decided. The White House has also halted an asylum program for people fleeing authoritarian regimes in Central and South America, leaving thousands of people stranded on the Mexican side of the border. A social media influencer accused of filming the torture of her baby to gain money allegedly manufactured symptoms causing the child to have brain surgery, a magistrate has heard. The 34-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, applied for bail in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday. She appeared in person wearing a light blue dress and leather-strap sandals while being supervised by two corrective services guards. The woman sat with her hands in her lap, facing directly towards the magistrate while confined to the dock. Queensland Police accuse the woman of giving her one-year-old child unauthorised prescription and pharmacy medications between August and October 2024 to grow her social media profile and gain $60,000 in donations. Child Protection and Investigation Unit (CPIU) detectives arrested the 34-year-old woman at an Underwood house earlier this month Defence solicitor Mathew Cuskelly submitted that his client had never been found guilty of any crime and was facing a court case that might last two or three years Crown prosecutor Jack Scott opposed bail and told Magistrate Stephen Courtney the woman had moved a video camera that was monitoring the child during a brain activity test 'to avoid detection'. 'The prosecution case is in essence that she was torturing her own child with the administering of non-prescribed medicines,' Mr Scott said. Mr Scott said the woman was seen on video on October 3, 2024 'fiddling with the nasogastric tube' attached to the child. 'She was captured on footage with a syringe. She administered via the nasogastric tube. She used the opportunity while hidden by a blanket,' Mr Scott said. 'About 30 to 40 minutes after this incident (the child) was rendered completely unconscious.' The woman was remanded in custody at her first court appearance on January 17 following her arrest in a suburb south of Brisbane. The woman was charged with administering poison with intent to harm, four counts of administering poison with intent to harm and endangering life, making child exploitation material, three counts of preparation to commit crimes, and torture. Mr Scott said the child exploitation material charge was related to videos allegedly found on the woman's phone and she had caused life-threatening complications. 'This child would not have faced (two rounds of brain) surgeries at this point in time but for this manufacturing of symptoms,' the prosecutor said. The woman was arrested on January 16 after a police investigation Defence solicitor Mathew Cuskelly submitted that his client had never been found guilty of any crime and was facing a court case that might last two or three years. Mr Cuskelly said the prosecution case might appear strong but further investigation might show otherwise. 'The risks can be sufficiently ameliorated,' he said about bail conditions. The magistrate said the child had been diagnosed with benign tumours in multiple organs and had begun to suffer seizures. 'The medical view suspected the medication prescribed was triggering seizures. The medication was stopped,' Mr Courtney said. 'The (woman) still had a prescription ... the medication was still found in her system along with other drugs.' Mr Cuskelly said an email from health authorities stated the child 'continues to present symptoms' of seizures. Mr Courtney said he would not be able to come to a decision on Tuesday due to the complexity of the allegations. 'Bail is normally a straightforward matter. This isn't,' he said. The bail application was adjourned to Wednesday. Lifeline 13 11 14 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) A former police officer accused of murdering two people with his service weapon and dumping their bodies in surfboard bags will undergo psychiatric testing ahead of his trial. Beaumont Lamarre-Condon was charged with two counts of murder after police found the bodies of Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies, 29, and TV presenter and AFL umpire Jesse Baird, 26, in February. The 29-year-old's defence team are still waiting to view in full an 'extraordinary volume' of evidence compiled by prosecutors, his Legal Aid lawyer Alex Curnick told Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday.. Ms Curnick asked for a brief of evidence to be delivered to the defence by February 11 ahead of her client undergoing testing by forensic psychiatrist Andrew Ellis in early March. Lamarre-Condon's mobile phone records had now been supplied to the defence, but his lawyers were still awaiting the phone records of others linked to the case, the court was told. The records, known as a Cellebrite extraction, include location information, internet browsing history, text messages and call logs. Lamarre-Condon is facing two counts of domestic violence-related murder and one count of break-and-enter with intent to commit an indictable offence. Double-murder accused Beaumont Lamarre-Condon will undergo psychiatric testing The bodies of flight attendant Luke Davies and TV presenter Jesse Baird were found in rural NSW Police allege the former senior constable shot the two men with his service weapon at Mr Baird's inner-city home before attempting to dispose of their bodies. The men's remains were found on February 27 inside surfboard bags at the fence line of a rural property in Bungonia, near Goulburn, about 200km southwest of Sydney. The attack is alleged to have been premeditated after a months-long campaign of 'predatory behaviour' targeting Mr Baird, who Lamarre-Condon briefly dated before the TV presenter began a relationship with Mr Davies. Suspicions of foul play were raised after possessions belonging to the men were found in a skip bin in the southern Sydney suburb of Cronulla, leading police to Mr Baird's blood-smeared share house in Paddington. A police service weapon was allegedly used at Jesse Baird's home to shoot him and Luke Davies Lamarre-Condon was sacked by the NSW Police Force in mid-March. He joined the force in 2019 and previously ran a celebrity blog, posing in photos with dozens of A-listers including Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus and Harry Styles. The matter will return to court on March 20. The family of murdered underworld figure Sam 'The Punisher' Abdulrahim has vowed revenge after he was executed in a brazen daylight shooting. Abdulrahim was gunned down in a car park outside the Quest Hotel on High Street in the northern Melbourne suburb of Preston about 10am on Tuesday. Just hours after the brutal execution, Abdulrahim's sister Ektimal took to social media with a chilling message for his killer. 'Whoever shot my brother to death, I'm after u mother f***er,' she wrote. 'I know it's u dog. Never ends here.' Other posts on social media paid tribute to the notorious figure. 'Sending prayers and wishes to Sam Abdulharim's family,' one post read. 'Gone to(o) young. 'I love you brother, fly high.' The former bikie-turned-boxer has been the target of three murder contracts, a prison bashing, three assaults, a dozen fire bombings and seven shootings. Sam 'The Punisher' Abdulrahim's sister Ektimal has taken to social media to vow revenge on her brother's killer after he was gunned down in a Melbourne hotel car park In one attempted hit he was shot eight times and survived, and in another he escaped a barrage of bullets. The 34-year-old former Mongol bikie had been living in hiding since two shootings at his former family home in Thomastown last year. He had once been the partner of former Married at First Sight star Jessika Power. The couple enjoyed a short-lived romance two years before the incident. Abdulrahim's many enemies are believed to have included Middle-Eastern organised crime bosses Kazem Hamad and Ahmed Al Hamza. Friends and family of the feared gangster have converged on a crime scene outside the hotel, where he is believed to have been shot in the underground car park. Police are managing up to 40 of Abdulrahim's loved-ones, with some allowed to enter the car park to see his body. Abdulrahim's murder came just days after a news report in The Age warned he had been marked for death by criminal rivals. Abdulrahim reportedly went into hiding in May 2024 after narrowly escaping an ambush outside his northern suburbs home, where gunmen shot at him 17 times. His Lalor home, shot up in another drive-by and then later firebombed, had been left abandoned and unliveable. Abdulrahim's Instagram account was littered with deliberate false trails. Abdulrahim was reportedly gunned down in a car park outside the Quest Hotel in High Street, Preston, about 10am on Tuesday Police attended the scene where Abdulrahim was murdered on Tuesday and quickly cordoned off the area One photo was supposedly posted from Lebanon with the caption: 'Feels good to be in motherland.' At the same time, he was seen drinking in a Melbourne bar. In September, he appeared to be working as a bodyguard for Russian mixed martial arts star Khabib Nurmagomedov at an event in Kuala Lumpur, according to the newspaper. It is understood Abdulrahim's actions along with feared gangland boss George Marrogi sealed his doom. Abdulrahim was linked to the 2016 murder of northern suburbs drug trafficker Kadir Ors by Marrogi outside Campbellfield Plaza. Allies of Ors believed Abdulrahim had arranged to meet the victim at the shopping centre, where he would be targeted for the brutal shooting carried out by Marrogi. On Tuesday, Victoria Police's Homicide Squad converged on the hotel where Abdulrahim was gunned down. 'Emergency services were called to reports a man had been shot in a car park on High Street in Preston shortly after 10.30am on Tuesday, 28 January,' a spokesperson said. 'The man, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene. Police have cordoned off the area and a crime scene is in place. 'At this early stage, police believe the incident was targeted.' Detectives believe car fire in Reservoir just after 10.30am this morning near the intersection of Northernhay and Alexandra Streets is linked to the crime. The white Porsche is suspected of being the getaway car used by the assassins. Jim Acosta, a reporter-turned anchor who spent years attempting to do battle with the Trump administration, has reportedly called it quits at CNN after being threatened with losing his timeslot. The anchor was reportedly left with an ultimatum as network head honcho Mark Thompson ruthlessly made cuts at CNN last week: accept a midnight timeslot or your future at the network is in question. Acosta was set to lose his 10am show in exchange for a re-located version of Wolf Blitzer's program as part of a complete reshuffling of the fading cable giant's schedule. Status reported Monday night that the anchor has told close allies he will call their bluff and depart just as Trump returns to the White House. The network has reportedly tried to sell Acosta on the idea of being on during prime time hours on the west coast but ratings were likely to take a nosedive. While Acosta's show was far from the network's biggest problem - only reruns of Bill Maher's HBO show and CNN's biggest stars like Jake Tapper, Anderson Cooper and Abby Philip did better than his 10am show - it could be seen as Thompson looking to take the network away from its liberal drift in recent years. The timing of the demotion three days after Trump's inauguration raised suspicions that CNN was trying to curry favor with the incoming president by sending his biggest antagonist to the 'Siberia of television news'. Formerly the network's chief White House correspondent, Acosta achieved infamy after agitating Trump, leading to some of the president's most memorable putdowns. Jim Acosta, a reporter-turned anchor who spent years attempting to do battle with the Trump administration, has reportedly called it quits at CNN after being threatened with losing his timeslot The anchor was reportedly left with an ultimatum as network head honcho Mark Thompson ruthlessly made cuts at CNN last week: accept a midnight timeslot or your future at the network is in question 'You are a rude, terrible, nasty person,' the president clapped back at his botherer-In-chief in an especially testy 2018 exchange. Acosta's visibility soared during Trump's first term when his combative questioning riled the President and memorably provoked him into labelling CNN 'fake news.' The then-chief White House correspondent had his press credentials revoked in November 2018 when he was accused of 'putting his hands on' a young intern who tried to yank the mic from him. 'CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them,' Trump hissed at his most-loathed member of the press pool. Conservatives will likely shed no tears over his leaving the airways, as Charlie Kirk wrote after hearing of Acosta leaving. 'The media landscape is unrecognizable from the beginning of Trumps first term in 2017, and thats a very good thing for America,' Kirk wrote. DailyMail.com has reached out to CNN for comment. Acosta's proposed banishment to CNN's graveyard midnight slot delighted many of his colleagues who have long been fed up with his grandstanding ways. The relationship between Trump and Acosta was so sour during Trump's last presidency that the White House revoked Acosta's press pass in 2018 after a heated clash. Acosta's back-and-forth with Trump went viral, and resulted in Trump telling him to 'sit down', while aides wrestled the mic from his hands Few are hiding their glee that President Donald Trump's botherer-in-chief has been moved from a plum morning slot to a time when viewing figures plummet even further. 'Jim is one of the least-liked and most eye-rolled of all the talent at CNN. And this has been a longstanding status,' said one network insider. 'He's insufferable, an egomaniac. If he can make himself part of the story, he will.' Another added: 'His jealousy is even visibly thicker than his makeup and hardened hair gel.' 'Everyone knows he's the guy who constantly sparred with Trump and I imagine that's not the look that the network is going for right now,' another longtime ex-staffer told DailyMail.com. On Thursday, CNN announced 200 layoffs and a series of major changes, one of which was to boot Acosta from his mid-morning slot and give him a show starting at midnight. He later parlayed Trump's animosity into a plum morning hosting gig and a bestselling book, The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth in America. But behind the scenes, his rise from obscurity rankled colleagues, several of whom told DailyMail.com they grew tired of Acosta's 'resistance' schtick. Trump said: 'CNN should be ashamed of itself having you work for them. You are a rude terrible person. You shouldn't be working for CNN' The 53-year-old, who rose to national prominence for frequently clashing with President-elect Donald Trump, waved the placard live on air on Thursday 'Before Trump came along, Jim was a run-of-the mill on-air talent. But then came his epiphany,' dished our insider. 'He realized that if he needled Trump, people would applaud him on Twitter and online. Jim simply could not resist this added limelight.' The day Trump briefly revoked his credentials for White House coverage was the absolute best day of Jim's life. 'He was famous now. He was glowing, visibly thrilled and smiling. People knew who he was. He was part of the headlines. 'And so, he began to make this his entire personality. The guy was insufferable before, but now it's times-ten. He clearly felt that he was seen as some kind of hero.' As Acosta's profile soared he became fiercely territorial about rival reporters encroaching on his White House beat, according to our source. 'He would seethe positively roil when male colleagues like Jake Tapper or Jim Sciutto would 'scoop' him on anything White House or presidential-related,' the insider revealed. 'He would "bigfoot" a colleague at any chance he could possibly get. A White House intern reaches for and tries to take away the microphone held by CNN correspondent Jim Acosta 'Sometimes he would even drive all the way back to the White House in a hurry and try to weasel himself on air if he found out that something interesting was happening on short notice.' Acosta also took a 'frantic' interest in the hotels and flights his colleagues were booking, trying to gauge whether CNN was splashing out more on his bigger-name counterparts. If he learned that a rival was bedding down in a plush suite it could send the swarthy Cuban-American star born Abilio James Acosta into a tailspin, according to our source. Crews would laugh about this behind his back, saying his jealousy is even visibly thicker than his makeup and hardened hair gel. Adding fuel to his critics, Acosta used a TV segment last week to hold aloft a placard reading: 'I march for Jim Acosta and a free press.' He had kept it for eight years after a supporter named Nora supposedly presented it to him during an anti-Trump march. 'Journalists exist to seek the truth, to tell people stories, to lift up voices that may not be heard otherwise,' Acosta opined. 'To shine a light on injustice and hold the powerful accountable, we are not the enemy of the people, we are the defender of the people.' The segment was lampooned on social media but not all of Acosta's colleagues were quick to stick the boot in, one telling DailyMail.com he was a 'diligent' reporter 'who worked his a** and deserves his success'. February 2019: Possibly the lengthiest argument was on the White House lawn at an immigration event which saw Trump shout 'fake news' at Acosta Likewise, a counterpart working the White House floor for a rival outlet, added: 'I really liked him. One of the few TV people who seemed normal.' A longtime female ex-colleague said Acosta, a dad-of-three who reportedly split from his ex-wife Sharon Mobley Stow around 2017, was 'always nice' to her. She elaborated: 'It was known that Jim likes the ladies find me a male reporter with a healthy ego who wasn't over-confident in that regard but nothing ever HR level inappropriate. 'Honestly, it just made me roll my eyes. And I wasn't alone in that eye roll.' Several journalists told us they were alarmed by reports of Mark Thompson, a veteran British media exec who took the reins at CNN in 2023, burying a prominent journalist to 'throw a bone to Trump.' The revelation came from former CNN media correspondent Oliver Darcy who pointed out in his Status newsletter that ratings for Acosta's weekday 10am show are some of the flagging cable network's highest. Acosta was assured the move was to accommodate switching Wolf Blitzer to a morning slot, not because of his editorial stance, according to Darcy's reporting. But an unnamed executive told Darcy: 'Midnight is not a serious offer when his ratings are among the best on the network.' The channel has meanwhile been giving noticeably greater airtime to its few Conservative voices in recent months, with Trump defender Scott Jennings, 47, emerging as a star. 'It's a programming decision which they're entitled to make. They went to him [Acosta] with a proposal to put him on at midnight which of course would give anyone pause,' said a former staffer who enjoyed a long and distinguished career at CNN. 'The question remains, is the move really about currying favor with the White House? 'One thing is for certain; the presidency loves nothing more than to watch us eat our own. They just f*****g love that.' Acostas midnight Eastern move would align him with more palatable 9 to 11pm on the west coast and see his show broadcast at 5am in London and 6am across much of continental Europe, where CNN International enjoys a substantial audience. A spokeswoman for the network declined to comment. READ MORE: Aussies are stunned by the outrageous price a Sydney pub Great Northern beer drinkers are abandoning their favourite drop in droves, accusing the brewing company of 'going woke' with a controversial campaign. Great Northern Brewing has vowed to match donations any donation up to $200,000 when customers give to the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife. The brewer, which pitches ads around an outdoors lifestyle, kicked off the campaign on January 15 and it lasts until March 31 and aims to raise money to support new national parks. The move has struck a chord with nature enthusiasts as national parks are more restrictive than state parks and make it harder to camp and bring a family dog. However four-wheel driving Facebook group 4WD TV was infuriated. 'In an absolutely disgraceful move Great Northern Brewing has gone woke with a campaign to help get us locked out of forests,' they wrote. Leonie Blackwell, who runs the Facebook page 'Victorians against the Great Forest National Park', told Daily Mail Australia that Great Northern Brewing would be regretting their decision. 'It's really disappointing that major companies like that are blindly buying into supporting issues without really understanding the full context of the impact they will have,' she said. Beer drinkers like Marcus Sutherland are abandoning Great Northern after a charity campaign gone wrong (stock image) 'They're trying to look good but they need to have a much bigger vision than just trying to look cool and trendy. 'I would hope they're regretting their decision to do this. A lot of people who drink Great Northern also go camping.' Marcus Sutherland also blasted the campaign in a video he posted to Instagram. 'We want people to leave our state forests alone,' he said. 'This is why people are turning on Great Northern. This why people are saying they'll never drink this again. 'There so many debates about whether you like state forests over national parks and like camping with your dog or not.' Billy Menhennet said he would not drink Great Northern again and proceeded to crush cans of the beer with his foot. One social media user tipped their Great Northern can out in protest over a campaign 'What the bloody hell is Great Northern thinking, backing up the idea of locking up the bush. It's only going to cause more fuel for bigger fires,' he said. The Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife will allocate up to 30 per cent of funds raised via its donation page to its administration costs. Christopher Baker from the All Terrain Action Group said more national parks and less state forests was a bad idea. 'State forests provide unique conservation for natural heritage and recreational needs of the community,' he said. 'Converting state forests to national parks will undermine these tailored efforts and erode the local identity and connection to the land.' Only $2,286 has been raised so far for the cause. Great Northern urged its drinkers to donate to 'help protect the great outdoors' and support the creation of new national parks. A national park is an area of land that has been reserved for the protection and conservation of biodiversity, native plants and animals, ecosystems, places of cultural significance and natural or geological features. State forests offer a lower level of environmental protection and the list of permitted activities is generally broader and includes things like trail biking, authorised hunting, horse riding and dog walking. In 2010 the Japanese company Asahi, through its wholly owned Victorian subsidiary Carlton United Breweries, announced the launch of Great Northern Brewing. Great Northern is styled on 'Cairns Draught', a product first brewed in 1924. In 2022 it was the best selling beer in Australia. Daily Mail Australia contacted Great Northern Brewing for comment. Police arrested 15 men and one youth during the march A man charged under South Australia's new anti-Nazi laws has been released on bail, as 14 men arrested at a march in Adelaide on Australia Day have begun appearing in court. Fifteen men and one youth whom police allege are members of the National Socialist Network were arrested on Sunday and charged with various offences including failing to cease loitering, possessing articles of disguise, hindering and resisting arrest. A police prosecutor told Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday that at 11am on Sunday, 40 NSN members dressed in black assembled at the South Australian War Memorial. 'That's the context of the entire group that we've got (appearing in court) today. The National Socialist Network is a right-wing extremist group with national socialist ideology,' she said. 'The group aims at preparing for a race war which it believes will usher in a white separatist ethno state.' The charged men are from South Australia, Victoria, NSW, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania. Social media posts instructed members to wear black clothing and black face masks 'because it erases our individual identity and absorbs it into a collectivity of the nation', the prosecutor said. 'A media interview with the National Socialist Network further stated that if they don't cover up their identities, they lose their jobs.' An NSN member is seen being arrested by police at a protest in Adelaide on Australia Day NSN members are seen during the counter protest on Sunday waving Australian flags Mason James Robbins, 30, from Perth, was the first man to appear in court, charged with carrying an offensive weapon or article of disguise and using a Nazi symbol. Under tough new laws introduced in SA last year, people found displaying swastikas in public or performing a Nazi salute could be fined up to $20,000 or face a year in jail. The charge of displaying a Nazi symbol is linked to the wearing of the insignia of the NSN. There would be an issue 'lurking in the background' about 'the constitutional protection of the implied freedom of political communication', Robbins' lawyer said. 'It gives rise to questions about the validity of any law that seeks to prevent contact and communication between members of, if you like, a political party,' the lawyer said. But the prosecutor said the groups were 'not a political party' and had taken part in a 'co-ordinated incident resulting in criminal offences'. Magistrate Luke David released Robbins on $600 bail, with strict conditions including an exclusion from the Adelaide city area, a ban on wearing disguises in public, a ban on possessing firearms and a ban on associating with 30 named people and members of the NSN and European Australian Movement. He returns to court on March 11. A man is led away from the protest in handcuffs after police arrived at the scene Also yet to appear is the NSN's leader, far-right activist Thomas Sewell, 31, from Victoria, who is charged with loitering (he is pictured during a protest in 2024) Shannon George Bartel, 24, of Adelaide was also released on $600 bail after appearing on a charge of loitering. Bartel, who is a removalist, had similar bail conditions imposed, but he was excluded from a smaller area of the Adelaide CBD, including war memorials, statues and monuments. He returns to court on March 12. The court has adjourned and more men are expected to appear on Tuesday afternoon, including James Allan Holliday, 25, from Perth. He is charged with carrying an offensive weapon or article of disguise, using a Nazi symbol, and giving a Nazi salute. Also yet to appear is the NSN's leader, far-right activist Thomas Sewell, 31, from Victoria, who is charged with loitering. A 16-year-old Victorian boy charged with failing to cease loitering was bailed to appear in Adelaide Youth Court on March 21. A 58-year-old NSW man charged with possessing an article of disguise was given police bail. President Donald Trump said that Microsoft is among the U.S. companies looking to take control of TikTok and help the popular app avert an effective ban in April. 'I would say yes,' Trump told reporters when asked on Monday evening if Microsoft was one of the companies interested in helping to bring about a new ownership of TikTok, a requirement set by Congress to keep the app functioning in the U.S. Trump said other companies were also interested in purchasing TikTok, but wouldn't provide a list however he said he would like to see a bidding war over the app. 'I like bidding wars because you make your best deals,' Trump said as he spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One while flying from Miami, where Republican House members were holding a conference, back to Washington. Trump has previously said that he was in discussions with several parties about purchasing TikTok and expects to make a decision on the app's future within the next 30 days. The app, which has about 170 million American users, was briefly taken offline just before a law requiring ByteDance to either sell it on national security grounds or face a ban took effect on January 19. In one of his first acts in office last week, Trump extended the deadline for TikTok to find new ownership that satisfies the government by 75 days, from January 19 to April 4. The president has said that he's looking for the ultimate purchaser to give the U.S. a 50 percent stake in the company, which is owned by China-based ByteDance. President Donald Trump said that Microsoft is among the U.S. companies looking to take control of TikTok to help the popular app avert an effective ban that could kick-in in April Trump said that he was in discussions with several parties about purchasing TikTok including Microsoft and expects to make a decision on the app's future within the next 30 days In one of his first acts in office last week, Trump extended the deadline for TikTok to find new ownership that satisfies the government by 75 days, from January 19 to April 4 But the details remain murky, and it's unclear whether he's proposing control of the app by the government or another U.S. entity. Last week, the artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI presented a new proposal to ByteDance that would allow the U.S. government to own up to 50 percent of a new entity that merges Perplexity with TikTok's U.S. business, according to a person familiar with the matter. Several other investors - including billionaire Frank McCourt and Trump's former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin - have spoken publicly about their desire to purchase TikTok's U.S. platform. Trump has also said he's spoken to 'many people' privately about the company. After the bipartisan law was signed by former President Joe Biden in April, ByteDance said it did not have plans to sell the platform and fought the statute in court for months. China also rebuked Washington over the divestment push, though more recently it appears to be softening its stance. In media interviews last week, Bill Ford, the chairman of the global investing firm General Atlantic and a ByteDance board member, said the company is prepared to engage with the Trump administration and Chinese officials to find a solution that keeps TikTok available. He also floated the idea that there could be a solution short of a full divesture by ByteDance. Lawmakers and officials in both parties have raised national security concerns about Chinese ownership and potential manipulation on the immensely popular platform, which is used by more than 170 million U.S. users. 'I like bidding wars because you make your best deals,' Trump said as he spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday while flying from Miami, where Republican House members were holding a conference, back to Washington TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew looks on while attending the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington last Monday Trump was in favor of a TikTok ban before he reversed his position last year. He credits the platform with helping him win more young voters during the recent presidential election. Microsoft, along with Walmart, made a failed bid for TikTok during Trump's first term after Trump tried to ban the app. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella later described it as the 'strangest thing I've ever worked on.' An Ohio man stood completely shocked and horrified after witnessing the lack of sympathy from fellow residents after ICE raided his favorite Mexican restaurant. The diner, posting to TikTok, showed one example of President Donald Trump's effort to fix America's migrant crisis at Cilantro Taqueria, a Mexican chain in one of Cleveland's main suburbs, Cleveland Heights. Across northeast Ohio, at least 56 ICE detainees were being held in a detention facility as Trump and 'border czar' Tom Homan have commenced the raids on major metropolitan areas. Although it was not clear if any of those detainees were from the restaurant, The Cleveland Scene reported that at least one employee was hauled away in a white van on Sunday. The TikToker, who goes by the name 'Matt Daydreams,' was furious with his neighbors' indifferent reaction to the raid of his 'favorite taqueria.' 'I think I'm gonna sit here and just talk to people as they walk by and see if I can find anyone that seems to give a f*** about them,' he said. After confirming as best he could that the restaurant was the subject of a search, he began to ask passersby if they'd heard about it. He then said he'd gone '0-for-3' in finding anyone who disapproved of the raid. An Ohio man stood completely shocked and horrified after watching his fellow residents cheer the ICE raids on his favorite Mexican restaurant The diner, posting to TikTok , showed one such example at Cilantro Taqueria, a Mexican chain, at its location in Cleveland Heights, one of Cleveland's main suburbs 'A couple times I said: "this is really bad, this is terrible, I don't like this at all" and people shrugged their shoulders and said, "this is an unfortunate situation."' He then claimed another bystander simply said: 'Well, then don't do bad things.' Another was only angry that their credit card had been charged. There are some sympathizers in the area, however, who have left flowers at the door of the restaurant as tribute to those arrested. Matt Daydreams said in another video that the taqueria was going to be closed for at least three days. Cleveland Heights - a city with a Democrat mayor that Joe Biden won over Trump by about 180,000 votes - claims it had nothing to do with the federal raid. 'The City of Cleveland Heights did not have prior knowledge of, was not involved in, nor did it cooperate or coordinate with federal officials from ICE in a raid on Cilantro Taqueria. The alleged raid and detention of persons at this establishment have not been confirmed by the City of Cleveland Heights at this time.' DailyMail.com has reached out to both Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Cilantro Taqueria for comment. A child rapist, murderer and a suspected ISIS terrorist are among the violent criminals being dragged from their homes and loaded onto deportation flights as Donald Trump ramps up his crackdown on illegal immigration. At least one employee was escorted into a white van and detained late Sunday afternoon There are some sympathizers in the area, however, who have left flowers at the door of the restaurant as tribute to those arrested The sweeping raids across the country have seen violent criminals rounded up and sent packing on government flights at break-neck speed. Liberals and celebrities are in shock, despite Trump promising for months that they would happen on his first day back in office. Homan denied that children are being targeted and doubled down that the administration is working to deport illegal migrants with criminal records. 'I don't think we've arrested any families. We've arrested public safety threats and national security threats, bottom-line,' he said. 'President Trump won the election on this one issue - securing our border and saving lives. What happened on our southern border in the last four years is the biggest national security threat our county has seen, at least in my lifetime.' Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said it made 956 arrests nationwide on Sunday and 286 on Saturday. The Trump Administration has quickly moved to ramp up deportations and arrest illegal migrants who pose 'public safety threats ', specifically targeting sanctuary cities such as Chicago, San Francisco and San Jose - which bar cooperation between city police and immigration agents. However, the president has reportedly been unhappy with the low number and has directed officials to meet higher detention quotas. Border czar Tom Homan has spearheaded the changes - and issued a scathing response to a teary-eyed Gomez, who was upset over the deportation of Mexican people JUST IN: Border Czar Tom Homan reacts to Selena Gomezs viral breakdown, says he has no apologies and he is going to keep moving forward. The reaction weve all been waiting for. If they don't like it, then go to Congress and change the law. We're going to do this pic.twitter.com/OQv9Vdhj4V Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 27, 2025 He ordered ICE to raise the arrest numbers from a few hundred a day to at least 1,200 to 1,500, according to The Washington Post. Trump ordered each of ICE's field offices to make 75 arrests per day, and managers would be held accountable for missing those targets. The sheer number of federal agencies involved showed Trump's willingness to use federal law enforcement beyond the Department of Homeland Security to carry out his long-promised mass deportations. The White House, hailing the federal agents who are 'working tirelessly to protect our communities', highlighted what it described as 'some of the worst' migrants to be rounded up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over the weekend. The DEA and ICE have been cooperating for decades and there was nothing new about the two agencies coordinating, he said. A Honduran national found with cocaine, fentanyl, and a firearm was arrested following a sting in Washington state, while a Jordanian national with suspected ties to the Islamic State was detained in Buffalo, New York. ICE arrested a Mexican national with an active INTERPOL Red Notice who was wanted for murder in Los Angeles, as well as a gangster from El Salvador who was wanted for aggravated homicide. At least two convicted child rapists were taken into custody over the weekend. Federal agents also detained dozens of members of the violent Venezuelan crime gang Tren de Aragua (TdA). US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents knock on the door of a residence during a multi-agency targeted enforcement operation The Trump Administration has quickly moved to ramp up deportations and arrest illegal migrants who pose 'public safety threats ', specifically targeting sanctuary cities such as Chicago, San Francisco and San Jose - which bar cooperation between city police and immigration agents. Trump - who during his campaign said that immigrants were 'poisoning the blood' of the United States - took office with promises to round up and swiftly deport undocumented people. While some countries including Guatemala have accepted military deportation flights, Trump had faced resistance from Colombia President Gustavo Petro, a former guerrilla elected in 2022 as Colombia's first left-wing leader. Trump's deportation threats have put him on a potential collision course with governments in Latin America, the original home of most of America's estimated 11 million undocumented migrants. Brazil, which is also led by a left-wing president, voiced outrage over treatment by the Trump administration of dozens of Brazilian migrants deported back to their country on Friday. The migrants, who were deported under a bilateral agreement predating Trump's return, were handcuffed on the flight, in what Brazil called 'flagrant disregard' for their basic rights. While previous US administrations also routinely carried out deportations, the Trump administration has begun using military aircraft, with at least one landing in Guatemala this week. Costco Wholesale, one of America's most beloved retail giants, may have declared victory over critics of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, but activist investors are warning that this fight is just beginning. Despite a resounding 98 percent vote against a proposal to reassess its DEI initiatives during Friday's shareholder meeting, the company's defiance has only ignited further outrage among those seeking to purge 'woke' practices from corporate America. Ethan Peck, deputy director of the National Center for Public Policy Research's Free Enterprise Project (NCPR), says Costco's decision to double down on DEI might not hold up as the political tides shift and consumer sentiment against such policies grows. 'A board opposing a shareholder proposal is a typical and expected part of the shareholder proposal processnearly every shareholder proposal, regardless of topic, is opposed by every board,' Peck told Fox News. The NCPR is a program of the right-of-center think tank based in Washington, D.C and works to promote center-right shareholder resolutions at corporate meetings. But what may appear as an emphatic stance by Costco is, in Peck's view, nothing more than a temporary blip. At the heart of the drama is a proposal spearheaded by NCPR that called for Costco executives to investigate whether the company's DEI efforts could pose risks to its profitability. The proposal was rejected overwhelmingly, with Costco Chairman Hamilton 'Tony' James delivering a polished defense of the company's policies: 'We owe our success to the more than 300,000 employees who serve our members every day. Costco Wholesale may have declared victory over critics of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, but activist investors are warning that this fight is just beginning Despite a resounding 98 percent vote against a proposal to reassess its DEI initiatives during Friday's shareholder meeting, the company's defiance has only ignited further outrage among those seeking to purge ' woke ' practices from corporate America Ethan Peck, deputy director of the National Center for Public Policy Research's Free Enterprise Project (NCPR), says Costco's decision to double down on DEI might not hold up as the political tides shift and consumer sentiment against such policies grows 'It is important that they all feel included and appreciated and that they transmit these values to our customers.' This statement resonated with shareholders, who voted overwhelmingly against the NCPR's challenge. However, Peck isn't convinced. Drawing parallels to other corporate giants including Boeing, Walmart, and McDonald's that have reversed their DEI commitments, Peck warns that Costco's apparent resolve may not be as strong as it seems. 'Just months before Boeing dropped DEI, they opposed our shareholder proposal requesting an audit of their DEI efforts. So Costco doubling down on DEI in the proxy statement is not as meaningful as has been made out to be,' Peck explained. 'There's still a decent chance that Costco drops DEI by the end of the year.' Costco now finds itself as a high-profile outlier in a corporate world increasingly distancing itself from DEI initiatives. In recent months, companies like Harley-Davidson and McDonald's have rolled back their diversity programs amidst a wave of cultural and political opposition, emboldened by President Trump's aggressive stance against DEI. The former president, who has labeled such initiatives as 'discriminatory' and 'absolute nonsense,' has banned DEI from the federal government and urged corporations to abandon similar practices. Peck believes the political winds are shifting in favor of those opposing DEI, a sentiment echoed by Trump's sweeping executive orders. There was a resounding 98 percent vote against a proposal to reassess its DEI initiatives during Friday's Costco shareholder meeting Board member Jeff Raikes is a vocal advocate of diversity initiatives and has passionately defended DEI, calling it a cornerstone of economic and business success Costco's stance on DEI appears to be influenced, at least in part, by prominent voices within its leadership. Board member Jeff Raikes, former CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and a vocal advocate of diversity initiatives, has passionately defended DEI, calling it a cornerstone of economic and business success. 'Attacks on DEI aren't just bad for businessthey hurt our economy. A diverse workforce drives innovation, expands markets, and fuels growth. Let's focus on building a future where all talent thrives,' Raikes wrote in a November 2024 post on X. But such a perspective is at odds with the growing skepticism surrounding DEI policies. Critics argue that these initiatives prioritize optics over merit, alienate employees, and fail to deliver meaningful results. 'This fight is far from over,' Peck said, hinting at further challenges to come. Prominent technology companies, including Amazon and Meta - the parent company of Facebook and Instagram - also have rolled back DEI initiatives, which are expected to face opposition during the Trump administration. Other major companies such as Walmart, Ford, John Deere, and Tractor Supply also bowed to pressure and rowed back on their DEI commitments - and that was before Trump returned to office. Costco CEO Ron Vachris defended the company's policies to a complaining customer Last July, John Deere made a huge U-turn on its DEI practices in the face of opposition and a damaging boycott from farmers and conservatives Conservative political commentator Robby Starbuck threatened consumer boycotts of prominent consumer brands that don't retreat from their diversity programs There are plenty of memes online that poke fun at DEI stances In July, John Deere made a huge U-turn on its DEI practices in the face of opposition and a damaging boycott from farmers and conservatives. The company said in a statement it would drop 'socially motivated messaging' and 'diversity quotas and pronoun identification' and distance itself from 'cultural awareness parades.' The $61 billion-a-year firm had come under fire over sponsoring a Pride event for children as young as three and other DEI efforts, even as it shuttered plants and sacked American workers. Emboldened by the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action at colleges and universities , conservative groups have filed lawsuits making similar arguments about corporations, targeting initiatives such as employee resource groups and hiring practices that prioritize historically marginalized groups. Last week, Trump signed an executive order aimed at terminating DEI programs within federal agencies. Conservatives have long condemned them, arguing they violate the U.S. Constitution by considering factors such as race, gender and sexual orientation. The plan includes leveraging the Justice Department and other agencies to probe private companies pursuing training and hiring practices that conservative critics consider discriminatory against people who do not belong to minority groups, such as white men. As for Costco, the National Center for Public Policy Research alleged that at least 200,000 of the company's 300,000 employees worldwide 'are potentially victims of this type of illegal discrimination because they are white, Asian, male or straight.' If only a fraction of those employees were to sue Costco, the legal costs could be significant, the center said. in August Ford became latest high-profile American company to pump brakes on DEI Harley-Davidson ditched ts diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals in August Last summer Home improvement chain Lowe's scaled back its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, joining the ranks of several other companies In June Tractor Supply said it would be eliminating all of its diversity, equity and inclusion roles while retiring current DEI goals In the summer of 2023, Target's sales fell after coming in for criticism of its Gay Pride month merchandise displays Costco has a chief diversity officer, but the company's executive ranks do not reflect the diversity of its customers. Nearly 81 percent of the executives Costco had in place last year were white, and 72 percent of them were men, according to data published on its website. Saunders said members of Costco's management team typically stay a long time given the company's solid and stable financial performance. In other ways, Costco has been a bit of a maverick in the corporate world. It doesn't have an official corporate public relations team, and it hasn't focused on building up online business as much as rivals Walmart and Target. The National Center for Public Policy Research intends to present a proposal at Apple's February 25 shareholder meeting that goes beyond what the think tank wants from Costco. The center's resolution asks the tech company to abolish its inclusion and equity department, policies and goals, describing them as 'consistent with, if not more radical than, most corporate DEI programs. Apple's board wants shareholders to vote down the proposal, saying the company strives 'to create a culture of belonging where everyone can do their best work.' A mysterious boat spotted in New Jersey waters has sparked a federal investigation to unveil the vessel's origins. The 32-foot 1984 Bayliner cabin cruiser landed by the head of the Shrewsbury River in Sandy Hook on Monday morning, authorities told the Asbury Park Press. Several people reported seeing the boat floating through the frosted-over Sandy Hook Bay - unmanned with damage to its port side and mooring line - over the weekend. Authorities finally got involved Monday at around 10 am when a law enforcement ranger was called to the abandoned vessel washed up on the shore near the Gateway National Recreation Area. The National Park Service (NPS) and the US Coast Guard are working together to get to the bottom of the unattended New York-registered cruiser called the 'Linda T.' 'There is an open investigation into the circumstances of the vessels grounding,' NPS spokesperson Daphne Yun told the Asbury Park Press. 'The National Park Service is working with the U.S. Coast Guard to safely remove the vessel.' Coast Guard Petty Officer Second Class Sydney Phoenix told the outlet: 'Though there has been no pollution reported from this vessel yet, our primary focus is removing any threat of future pollution of oil or hazardous substances to the marine environment now that the vessel is aground in the sand.' A mysterious boat spotted in Sandy Hook New Jersey waters has sparked a federal investigation to unveil the vessel's origins The 32-foot 1984 Bayliner cabin cruiser landed by the head of the Shrewsbury River in Sandy Hook on Monday morning 'First drones, and now ghosts ships. I love NJ!,' One man said, reacting to the bizarre discovery on Facebook. The Sandy Hook boat investigation comes several months after an enormous $250 million superyacht was spotted in the San Diego harbor. Although this discovery did not spark any federal involvement, it certainly caused a stir online - with Redditors speculating about where the boat came from and who owned it. The luxury boat had already been docked for months, when one Reddit user posted a photo of it and asked if anyone knew anything about it. The user claimed the massive vessel was worth millions and could accommodate 12 passengers. But his fellow Redditors were quick to piece together the information, identifying the 388-foot ship as the Liva O, which was built by renowned shipbuilder Abeking & Rasmussen last year. It is equipped with two 2200 kW electric propulsion motors, as well as two 2240 kW Caterpillar main generators and three 599kW Caterpillar auxiliary generators, the ship builder announced at its launch. Among its many amenities is a so-called Neptune lounge, which offers an underwater view, a 12 x 4 meter pool, a fully-certified helicopter lounge and a large marble-clad fireplace. Several people reported seeing the boat floating through the frosted-over Sandy Hook Bay waters over the weekend 'I wanted this boat to be timeless, elegant, pure, thine, classic, contemporary with a large amount of outdoor space to be immersive with the surround landscape,' designer Joseph Dirand said. 'This is exactly what I see when I look at it today - the black hull is really spectacular and looks completely monolithic.' Another Reddit user claimed that the ship is owned by Stephen Orenstein, whose father founded the Supreme Group - an overseas supplier of food and fuel for defense forces during wartime. The son of a controversial Australian cartoonist once deemed a 'national treasure' has taken aim at the government for failing to acknowledge his death. Melbourne born artist Michael Leunig, 79, passed on December 19. He was known across Australia for his political, whimsical and colourful cartoons depicting Aussie life for more than 50 years. His son, musician Sunny Leunig, on Tuesday took aim at the Victorian government for failing to give the artist a state funeral in an opinion piece through the very publication which fired his father for being too controversial just months earlier - The Age. While Sunny admitted his father 'had blind spots' - including allegations of sexual abuse and misogyny - which saw him lose fans, he said his father's passing shouldn't be 'ignored'. 'The state government, in its solemn deliberation, has turned away from the notion of a state funeral for my father, Michael Leunig,' Sunny wrote. 'They have been unwilling to honour or simply acknowledge a soul whose creative vision etched itself deeply into the heart of Melbourne and beyond.' Sunny insisted his father wouldn't have cared for a state funeral but believed he should be given some honour nevertheless. 'In truth, we weren't particularly interested in the idea of a state funeral, and Michael himself probably wouldn't have cared,' he wrote. Melbourne-born artist Michael Leunig (pictured) passed on December 19 but will not be given a state funeral Micahel was known across Australia for his political, whimsical and colourful cartoons depicting Aussie life for more than 50 years 'I often heard his scepticism about the legitimacy of such events. 'But we were surprised by the lack of public recognition of Michael's death on the government's part.' Sunny was not the only family member to speak out following Michael's passing. The cartoonist's sister, Mary Leunig, shared a scathing post just days after his death to celebrate the end of his life. 'I've been wishing him dead for some time now,' she wrote on Instagram. Mary said she was rejoicing over his death 'only because of his contact with my kids. Michael's fame ... Michael was always on view, always acting, bathing in his celebrity. 'So, sexual abuse and wife bashing aside, what do I feel about his death? 'It's a relief, a time to celebrate what's left of my family... and all the animals and birds and people and nature and all.' Michael's son, Sunny (pictured), argued the government owed the artist a proper memorial, despite facing controversy in recent years The cartoonist's sister, Mary Leunig, shared a scathing post just days after his death to celebrate the end of his life She also reproduced one of her cartoons entitled 'I finally get the recognition I deserve by shooting my brother in the bum'. Sunny conceded that his father had 'become a controversial figure' in recent years. 'He was pro-Palestine, accused of hating mothers, critical of government-mandated vaccines and Covid lockdowns, and once drew an esoteric yet questionable marriage equality cartoon,' he wrote. '...Towards the end of his life, Michael certainly strayed from the progressive hymn sheet that many follow. 'He became persona non grata to a large portion of the media class, ultimately embodying the symbol of the old male Boomer - a moniker a few rungs lower than a serial killer these days.' Despite the negative reaction to some of his works, Sunny insisted his father should be properly memorialised. 'For more than 55 years, Michael's cartoons, poems and words appeared regularly in newspapers, magazines, on television, in church services and, of course, lived on the front of many fridges in households across Australia,' he said. 'He was declared a national living treasure in 1999 and his work was a feature of the opening ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games. '...I could go on, but my point is this: his work has been part of Australian culture long before today's state ministers were out of nappies. 'The lasting impact of his art has transcended politics, class and religion for decades. His work meant a great deal to a great many people. It seems appropriate that his contribution to Australian culture be recognised.' A public memorial for Michael Leunig will be held at St Paul's Cathedral in the Melbourne CBD this Thursday at 2pm. A man thrown behind bars for allegedly defacing a police memorial to fallen officers in an 'appalling' attack has lost a bid to be detained at a mental health facility instead of jail. Steven Joseph Smith-Ince, 43, is accused of vandalising the Police Wall of Remembrance at Sydney's Domain in the early hours of Saturday. Officers deployed as part of the Australia Day celebrations saw words like 'evil' and 'dogs' scratched into the stone memorial on Sunday. An investigation was commenced before Smith-Ince was arrested at Glebe light rail station on Monday. He has been charged with destroying or damaging property and committing an offensive act on a war memorial/interment site. He appeared at the Downing Centre Local Court by video-link from Surry Hills police station on Tuesday when he made an application to be held at a mental health facility in Sydney's eastern suburbs instead of jail. 'Mr Smith-Ince is unwell, he's not coping,' Aboriginal Legal Service solicitor Arley Toyne told the court. The 43-year-old told Magistrate Greg Grogin that he had been seeing his general practitioner and a psychiatrist for a year after moving to Sydney from Western Australia. Steven Joseph Smith-Ince, 43, will remain in jail until February 11 at least after he was accused of defacing a police memorial in Sydney Smith-Ince had attempted to be transferred to a mental health facility but this was denied by Magistrate Greg Grogin on Tuesday A Justice Health report from June 2024 diagnosed Smith-Ince with PTSD as well as bipolar affective disorder. However, Mr Grogin noted there had been no psychological assessment conducted more recently and that the 43-year-old appeared alert and aware when speaking in court. 'He didn't appear to me to be a person who was mentally ill or disordered in my layman's view,' the magistrate said. Smith-Ince will remain behind bars until his return to court on February 11 when he has to plead guilty or not guilty to the charges. On Monday, NSW Premier Chris Minns called the alleged vandalism shocking, appalling and odious. 'One of the only things that the state can do is to ensure that those that have given their lives are treated with honour,' he told reporters. 'And to disrespect that honour by this individual is truly shocking.' While police are working with Sydney City Council to repair the damaged memorial, Mr Minns could not say when this would be completed. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 An iconic cinema beloved by Quentin Tarantino claims it has been threatened with closure by its 'bully' billionaire landlord amid a bitter row over lease renewal. The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square has warned its future is at 'serious risk and accused its West End landlord of 'intimidation' tactics. The independent cinema claims its landlord, controlled by ultra-wealthy developer Asif Aziz, is demanding a rent increase 'significantly above market rates'. Staff allege it is an attempt to 'bully' them out of the building once their lease ends in September 2025, in order to shut the cinema and redevelop the property as a hotel. Criterion Capital deny any 'attempts to intimidate' them, and hit back at the cinema saying 'mischaracterising our position through public campaigns hinders resolution'. The cinema is a favourite of legendary Pulp Fiction director Quentin Tarantino, who once described it as a 'Mecca for lovers of quality films'. John Waters, the writer and director of Hairspray, called it 'the most depraved and beautiful movie theatre in London'. Libertines hellraiser Pete Doherty worked there in 1999 and wrote in his diary that he was 'quite charmed by the place' despite staff being 'a tad aloof'. But its future is uncertain after the landlord 'demanded' a break clause in the new lease, stipulating the cinema would have six months to find another site should they gain planning permission to redevelop it. The marquee at Prince Charles Cinema in West End displays a tribute to David Lynch when the filmmaker died on January 15 last year The staff are 'beyond disappointed' in the cinema's landlord Zedwell LSQ and parent company Criterion Capital - owned by billionaire developer Asif Aziz (pictured 2017) A young man outside The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square, where the controversial 'X' rated film, 'Last Tango In Paris' was shown in February 1973 The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square with a Merry Christmas sign in 2019 The iconic Leicester Square cinema is beloved by Quentin Tarantino (pictured during the 2024 Tribeca Festival in New York) Cinema bosses, who have launched a petition to save the cinema, said this represented a 'clear intention' from the owners wanting to redevelop it. Management accused the landlord of 'demanding a rent far above market rates, at a level which no cinema proprietor would consider reasonable'. It said: 'At a time when cinemas continue to close throughout the world, we are happy to buck the trend with a variety of films that is unmatched anywhere else.' 'We believe that these tactics amount to an attempt by Criterion Capital and its subsidiaries to use their significant financial resources to intimidate us, regardless of our legal entitlement,' the website reads. 'We will be raising legal proceedings to contest their valuation of the lease in the strongest possible terms. 'We are confident that in doing so we will be allowed to renew at market rate, but we urge them to come to the table and settle on reasonable terms without the need for a protracted legal process.' The Prince Charles Cinema was opened in 1962 as a live theatre before becoming a cinema in the mid-sixties. Last year, it ditched a private screening of The Last Screenwriter - which was entirely written using ChatGPT - following a public backlash. But it has been praised by celebrities and those in the film business over the years, including Saltburn director Emerald Fennell. People walk past a heatwave themed marquee sign at the Prince Charles Cinema in central London in 2022 During COVID, the cinema displayed a series of signs while the country entered into various lockdowns. Pictured in 2020 A sign at the Prince Charles Cinema reading 'We'll be Back' during the first Saturday night in London after the government lockdown announcement in 2020 The sign read 'Mamma Mia, Here we go Again' during England's third national lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus People queue around the bend for the first showing of Caligula at the cinema in 1980 The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square during its construction in December 1962 A sign of the Prince Charles Cinema next to some hanging Chinese lanterns Gary Lineker showed up for the premiere of 'Kicking Off' in 2016 and director Paul Thomas Anderson visited while shooting Phantom Thread in 2017. Tarantino is said to have 'loved' the cinema's coffee, said in an interview on a DVD extra: 'The day that Kill Bill plays at the Princes Charles will be the day that truly comes home'. Other celebrities spotted there include Peter Dinklage, Woody Harrelson, Margot Robbie, Uma Thurman, and Kevin Smith. Andrew Garfield also once brought the staff cake. Ben Freedman, Managing Director of The Prince Charles Cinema, said: 'Under our stewardship, the cinema has become known for its unique range of programming and a home for anyone that loves experiencing films the best way possible. With other people, in the dark, in the cinema. 'At the heart of our success is an experienced team that is continuously focused on running an independent cinema that can thrive in the future in a very difficult marketplace. This means we can't stand still and have a list of venue improvements in place once we obtain the security of a lease extension. 'These plans would protect and improve the building's features and capacity to present the widest variety of films seen anywhere in the world, while retaining the two screens and seating capacity of 404, meaning the cinema will continue to be open to the community. 'However, by refusing to come to the table and negotiate a new lease for the venue as well as demanding a redevelopment clause, the landlord has made it abundantly clear they are not interested in seeing The Prince Charles Cinema continue to thrive. 'In simple terms, if the Landlord decides to redevelop the site, The Prince Charles Cinema will be lost forever.' A spokesman for Criterion Capital said: 'We value Prince Charles Cinema and we work closely with our tenants to help best utilise the properties within our portfolio. 'We operate within the provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and categorically deny any attempts to intimidate or disadvantage them. 'A break clause is standard commercial practice, reflecting long-term property planning, not unreasonable intent. Our rental expectations are based on a fair market assessment, and we remain open to constructive dialogue within legal frameworks to resolve disagreements. 'We are committed to curating a portfolio that balances community benefit with sustainable commercial arrangements, and mischaracterising our position through public campaigns hinders resolution. 'We will continue to act responsibly, legally, and in good faith with Bubble Chamber Ltd, operators of Prince Charles Cinema.' Criterion is the largest landowner in the Piccadilly CircusLeicester Square corridor, owning and operating over 50 buildings in iconic London locations, including Mayfair, St. James's, Park Lane, and Knightsbridge. It specialises in converting obsolete buildings into affordable residential apartments and lifestyle hotels. Last year, The Prince Charles showed 858 different films selling over 250,000 tickets. The notorious mega-prison which ended years of brutal gang rule in El Salvador and stripped thousands of the most violent criminals of of their rights has been operating for two years this week. CECOT (Centre for the Confinement of Terrorism) is a maximum security jail built a year ago by the Salvadoran government to lock behind bars 'high ranking' members of the country's most violent gangs. Hidden away in the middle of nowhere, the massive prison complex, known as 'the Alcatraz of Central America', looms as the ultimate symbol of El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele's hardline crackdown on crime. Dubbed a 'black hole of human rights' by critics, the controversial facility has drawn widespread condemnation for allegedly ignoring international prisoner rights. Miguel Sarre, a former member of the UN Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture, slammed the facility as a 'concrete and steel pit.' He also chillingly warned that the prison has effectively become a dumping ground for inmates, with no releases so faramounting to what he called a 'death penalty in disguise.' Yet in a country plagued by violent gangs like Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and the notorious factions of Barrio 18, Bukele's heavy-handed approach has turned him into a national hero. For many Salvadorans, the high-security prison isn't a disgrace - it's a symbol of safety and hope, driving the president's soaring popularity and political dominance. Inmates remain in a cell at the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT) mega-prison Hundreds of members of the MS-13 and 18 Street gangs are being held in the prison, in Tecoluca, El Salvado The CECOT, the largest prison in Latin America and emblem of the war against gangs of the government of President Nayib Bukele, celebrates two years since it was inaugurated on February 1 The lights inside the cells never go off - blazing a full 24 hours a day Inmates exercise at the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT) mega-prison Prison officials stand guard on a pavilion inside the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT) El Salvador now has the highest incarceration rate in the world An inmate looks on as he remains in a cell A Barrio 18 (18st) gang member sentenced to more than 200 years in prison shows off his tattoos alluding to his gang A Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang member sentenced to more than 200 years in prison shows off his tattoos alluding to his gang inside the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Centre CECOT director Belarmino Garcia said last year that the facility, which can hold up to 40,000 inmates, 'houses serial killers. These serial killers have lost all their rights.' One inmate facing a staggering 1,500-year sentence for his alleged role in over 500 murders, kidnappings, and extortions has spent the last two years inside CECOT, where conditions are as relentless as the crimes he is accused of. The lights inside the cells never go off - blazing a full 24 hours a day. Prisoners are forced to sleep on bare metal slabs, with no mattresses to cushion them. Hygiene is just as grim, with inmates washing themselves from a basin of water in cells crammed with over 40 men. Even using the toilet offers no reprieve, as it is fully exposed to watchful military and police officers stationed just two meters away. The regime is merciless. Gang members spend 23 and a half hours locked in their overcrowded cells, with just 30 minutes to stretch - chained in the middle of the hallway. No fresh air, no visits, and no escape from the punishing monotony of their incarceration. For many, this is life without end - an existence designed to break even the most hardened criminals. Within the cells, the temperature can reach a staggering 35C during the day, and there is no other source of ventilation. Stunning images taken from within the complex therefore usually show inmates shirtless in white shorts as they attempt to keep cool. Inmates are forced to wash themselves from a basin of water in cells crammed with over 40 men Prisoners are forced to sleep on bare metal slabs, with no mattresses to cushion them CECOT director Belarmino Garcia said last year that the facility, which can hold up to 40,000 inmates, 'houses serial killers. These serial killers have lost all their rights' Since the State of Exception began, over 84,000 people have been arrested. More than 13,000 of them are locked up in CECOT, where the crackdown shows no signs of slowing Miguel Sarre, a former member of the UN Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture, slammed the facility as a 'concrete and steel pit' Amnesty International warns El Salvador is experiencing the 'gradual replacement of gang violence with state violence' The prison director says that no external institutions or NGOs are allowed to visit the prison A soldier stands guard from a tower inside the CECOT A handcuffed inmate looks on within the maximum-security facility Inmates exercise at the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT) mega-prison, where hundreds of members of the MS-13 and 18 Street gangs are being held, in Tecoluca, El Salvador on January 27, 2025 A prison officer stands guard inside at the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT) mega-prison, where hundreds of members of the MS-13 and 18 Street gangs are being held On March 27, 2022, after a blood-soaked day that saw over 60 homicides, El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, declared a State of Exception, granting sweeping powers to police and the military. The move allowed mass arrests of suspected gang members without court orders and stripped away rights such as freedom of assembly and communication privacy. The result? A country once infamous as the most dangerous in the world has transformed into the second safest - surpassing even Switzerland, Iceland, and Luxembourg in citizens' sense of safety, with 87 per cent feeling secure walking alone at night. El Salvador's streets now teem with military patrols, as soldiers and police officers work around the clock. Far from resenting the heavy-handed presence, locals welcome it, viewing the militarised neighborhoods as a lifeline. While human rights groups accuse Bukele of trampling international laws and due process, the majority of Salvadorans - an overwhelming 92 per cent - support his hardline approach. They fear that without Bukele, gang members would escape their cells, regroup, and once again dominate the nation with extortion, murder, and terror. 'This is a beacon of hope for the 660 million Latin Americans who, like us, were once suffocated by criminal organizations,' says Gustavo Villatoro, El Salvador's Minister of Public Security and a key figure in Bukele's cabinet. Villatoro credits the success to a deep analysis of the country's decades-long gang crisis and a determination to crush the underworld's grip. Since the State of Exception began, over 84,000 people have been arrested. More than 13,000 of them are locked up in CECOT, where the crackdown shows no signs of slowing. A smirking rapist who used Grindr to find his victims shockingly claimed detectives subjected him to 'degrading treatment' because he was gay. Dr Mohammed Altaher, originally from Iraq but living in Bedford, was jailed for 10 years and given a five-year sentence extension after he raped two men, who did not know each other, at his home in August and September 2019. His case featured in the latest episode of Channel 4's 24 Hours in Police Custody on Monday night and disturbing footage was shown of Altaher's interview with Bedfordshire Police's Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team. Whilst being questioned at Luton Police station over the offences, the AI specialist denied committing the crimes and said he was 'surprised and shocked' after being accused of pushing one man onto his bed and raping him. When asked about this incident, he chillingly told officers: 'I'm sorry he [the victim] can handle [a] bigger [penis] than mine. He wanted it.' Later on in the episode, the 38-year-old shamelessly tried to claim that he had been the victim in this investigation. He told the programme that he fled his home country because he would be 'subject to persecution' for being a homosexual, but suggested this treatment would be better than what he had experienced whilst being interviewed by police. Speaking to camera, Altaher said: 'I had to leave Iraq because I was a homosexual, and my life would be subject to persecution. If they found out I was gay I would be sentenced to death. But I would rather die in Iraq than be subject to this degrading treatment.' Dr Mohammed Altaher claimed he had fled his home country because he would be 'subject to persecution' for being a homosexual, but said he would 'rather die in Iraq than be subject to this degrading treatment' Whilst being questioned at Luton Police station over the offences, the AI specialist denied committing the crimes and said he was 'surprised and shocked' after being accused of pushing one man onto his bed and raping him When asked about one of the attacks, Altaher chillingly told officers that his victim 'wanted it' In September 2023, St Albans Crown Court heard how Altaher persisted in his assaults even after consent was revoked, committing rape in an 'aggressive manner'. One of his victims, identified only as Jamie, recounted his ordeal in the episode, saying: 'I never met anyone like that before who wanted to do something so horrible. There was a long time when I was having nightmares of it happening again. 'I definitely think I'm getting stronger but it just takes time and lots of help as well.' Following his arrest, Altaher sat for questioning with detectives and smirked as he denied the accusations of rape and boasted that he had slept with hundreds of men on the dating app Grindr. After being released under investigation for two weeks, he boasted to the Channel 4 programme about his ability to attract partners and claimed he already engaged in sexual activities with 10 men. Altaher was eventually found guilty of two counts of raping a male over 16 as well as one count of sexual assault by penetration on one of the men. Prosecutor Nigel Ogborne told St Albans Crown Court: 'The crown case is that both victims withdrew consent to sexual intercourse, but he carried on regardless, raping the victims in an aggressive manner.' The first had been given the drug MCAT, an illegal stimulant, before being subjected to sexual aggression. At one stage Altaher called another man to the house to indulge in sexual activity before he left. Dr Mohammed Altaher, 38, from Bedford, was jailed for 10 years and given a five-year sentence extension which means he will be monitored by probation officers on his release until 2038 Following his arrest, Altaher sat for questioning with detectives and smirked as he denied the accusations of rape and boasted that he had slept with hundreds of men on the dating app Grindr Altaher was eventually found guilty of two counts of raping a male over 16 as well as one count of sexual assault by penetration on one of the men After that, the victim was penetrated on at least 10 occasions by a shower hose before being raped. He suffered multiple injuries and revealed he had been attacked at a sexual assault referral centre in Brighton. In a victim statement the man said he couldn't at first see himself as a rape victim. He said he did not engage at work and became 'like a Zombie.' The second victim was grabbed, kissed and pushed onto a bed by Altaher as soon as he arrived at his home. He got onto the victim and raped him. In his victim statement, he said the rape had a 'significant impact' on his mental health and well-being. He said he was struggling to be around people and no longer socialised. 'I was confident, healthy and outgoing and I now rely on medication.' Jailing him, Recorder Andrew Johnson said the two men had travelled to his home for consensual sex. He said: 'Had you acted differently, that, and nothing other than that, would have occurred. 'But your approach to both of those encounters was to treat both of your victims as objects with whom you could do what you wished, when you wished, as you wished.' He went on: 'You are also, however, an arrogant man - or to use the language of the probation officer, from which I do not dissent, "quite a narcissistic individual and very self-obsessed". 'That was apparent when you gave evidence and indeed throughout the trial. 'You are either unwilling or unable to recognise the perspective of anyone but yourself. Your arrogance is the backdrop to this offending. What Dr Altaher wants, Dr Altaher gets, and if what you want is sexual intercourse, then the consent of whoever you want it with matters to you not at all... If you want it to happen, it shall happen.' David Lammy and his new US counterpart Marco Rubio have pledged to 'work together' - but dodged discussing the Chagos Islands deal in their first phone call. The Foreign Secretary and the incoming Secretary of State are said to have covered a range of issues including the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine and the Middle East. However, the potential handover of the British territory - which hosts the vital US base on Diego Garcia - to Mauritius was apparently not mentioned. The conversation came after Keir Starmer and Donald Trump spoke on the phone for the first time since the president re-entered the White House. The leaders also seemed keen to avoid flashpoints, with tariffs and defence spending not raised. David Lammy(pictured) and his new US counterpart Marco Rubio have pledged to 'work together' - but dodged discussing the Chagos Islands deal in their first phone call The Foreign Secretary and the incoming Secretary of State (pictured) are said to have covered a range of issues including the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine and the Middle East Mr Lammy said he wanted to 'strengthen UK-US ties' Posting on X, Mr Lammy said: 'The UK and US are working together to make all our citizens safer and more prosperous. 'I look forward to meeting soon as we further strengthen UK-US ties.' The Foreign Office said in a statement the two men had discussed their shared links to the Caribbean. The Foreign Secretary has family ties to Guyana and Mr Rubio's family links to Cuba. 'They both welcomed the opportunity for the UK and the US to work together in alignment to address shared challenges, including the situation in the Middle East, Russia's illegal war in Ukraine, the challenges posed by China and the need for Indo-Pacific security,' the statement said. US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said the two men had discussed 'a range of pressing global issues'. 'Both leaders expressed eagerness to begin working together immediately to further our many shared foreign policy objectives,' she said. 'They affirmed the depth of the US-UK special relationship and the crucial nature of our partnership in addressing issues like the conflict in the Middle East, Russia's war against Ukraine, and China's malign influence. 'They also heralded joint initiatives, including the Aukus partnership, which promotes a free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and stable.' Despite the reference to shared initiatives, the Chagos Islands deal was not explicitly mentioned in the call, according to both the US and UK accounts of the discussion. The Biden administration had signed off the agreement struck by the Labour government, which could see the UK hand Mauritius 90million a year to lease the military base back for the next 99 years. The conversation came after Keir Starmer and Donald Trump (poictured) spoke on the phone for the first time since the president re-entered the White House Sir Keir (pictured) has been desperately trying to get off to a good start with Mr Trump Sir Keir said he looked forward to meeting Mr Trump in person 'soon' However, members of Mr Trump's team, including Mr Rubio, have voiced concerns about the deal. Mr Lammy is among the senior UK Government figures who have in the past been highly critical of the returning president. In 2017, when he was a opposition MP, he described Mr Trump as a 'racist and KKK/neo-Nazi sympathiser'. He has been playing down the jibes and insisting he can forge warm ties with the US government. The United States attempted to assassinate Vladimir Putin during Joe Biden's presidency, according to a shocking claim by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Political commentator Carlson, who last year travelled to Moscow for a lengthy sit-down interview with the Russian President - dropped the bombshell allegation during an episode of 'The Tucker Carlson Show' with US journalist Matt Taibbi. '[Ex-US Secretary of State] Tony Blinken was pushing so hard for a real war, trying to kill Putin, for example - which the Biden administration did, they tried to kill Putin. 'Yes. Yes, they did. Which is insane,' Carlson said in his most recent episode, hosted on social media platform X. Without providing evidence for his claim, Carlson went on to imagine a scenario in which the US was successful. 'If like [Putin was assassinated]... okay, so who takes over Russia? 'And what happens to the nuclear arsenal in a country that's, like, so complex outsiders can't even understand?' '[It is] demented that you would even think of something like that'. Political commentator Carlson, who last year travelled to Moscow for a lengthy sit-down interview with the Russian President - dropped the bombshell allegation during an episode of 'The Tucker Carlson Show' with US journalist Matt Taibbi President Vladimir Putin speaks during the meeting of the board of trustees at the Moscow State University on January 24, 2025 Former U.S. President Joe Biden listens as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC US political commentator and journalist Carlson Tucker claims the Joe Biden administration 'tried to kill Vladimir Putin'. Pictured with Vladimir Putin in February 2024 The outlandish statements by the ex-Fox News host were quickly seized upon this morning by pro-Putin propagandists in Moscow. Prominent Russian war pundit Sergei Mardan said: 'The Biden administration planned to kill Putin. 'That's what Tucker Carlson says. 'According to him, this was insisted on by former Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who, according to Carlson, essentially concentrated control of the administration in his hands under the feeble president. 'It is very likely that this was the case,' Mardan said. 'Blinken has always been a particularly stubborn person who is, in principle, ready to fight not only to the last [Ukrainian], but also to the penultimate American. 'Ahead of us awaits many more terrible revelations about the activities of the previous US administration and the decision-making mechanisms in the White House under Biden.' In February 2024, Carlson interviewed Putin who suggested that the US government was secretly controlled by the CIA rather than elected officials - and blamed the West for prolonging the war. Last month Carlson also interviewed Putin's long-serving foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, just weeks after Russia launched a developmental hypersonic missile to strike energy infrastructure in Ukraine's Dnipro region. Lavrov declared Russia will 'keep sending messages' in the form of devastating strikes on Ukraine if Western officials continue their course of action in supporting Kyiv. He said that Moscow doesn't want a war with the United States but will use 'all means' to defend its interests and went on to argue that, while Russia and the US are officially not at war, Washington's permission for Ukraine to use American longer-range missiles for strikes on Russian territory marked a dangerous escalation. Lavrov (L) is the world's longest-serving foreign minister who has been on the job for 20 years alongside Putin When asked about his view of Donald Trump, Lavrov described him as 'a very strong person, a person who wants results, who doesn't like procrastination on anything.' 'It is obvious that the Ukrainians would not be able to do what they're doing with long-range modern weapons without direct participation of the American servicemen. And this is dangerous, no doubt about this,' he said, adding that the Western belief that Russia's red lines could be 'moved again and again' is 'a very serious mistake.' Lavrov, the world's longest-serving foreign minister who has been on the job for 20 years, said that the recent Russian strike on Ukraine with a new hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile called Oreshnik was a signal to the West that Russia is prepared to use all means to achieve its goals. 'The message which we wanted to send by testing in real action this hypersonic system is that we will be ready to do anything to defend our legitimate interests,' he said. 'Since some people in Washington, London and Brussels seem not very capable to understand - we will send additional messages if they don't draw necessary conclusions.' When asked about his view of Donald Trump, Lavrov described him as 'a very strong person, a person who wants results, who doesn't like procrastination on anything.' But he dismissed the idea that Trump is in any way 'pro-Russian', saying that the Kremlin will wait to examine the now-US president's attitude toward Russia and the Ukraine conflict. 'He's very friendly in discussions but this does not mean that he's pro-Russian as some people try to present him. The amount of sanctions we received under him was very very big. 'As Putin said, we have been open all along with contacts, with the current administration... we hope that when Donald Trump is inaugurated we will understand. 'The ball, as Putin said, is on their side.' DeepSeek has set the artificial intelligence industry alight with its rapid growth and ability to match the skills of its Western competitors at what appears to be a fraction of the cost incurred by US-based tech giants. But its meteoric ascent has raised questions about how a start-up could have become a market leader so rapidly, apparently side-stepping a US ban on Chinese firms using the most advanced microchips available to domestic tech companies. The Chinese firm claims it took just two months and cost under $6 million to build an AI model using Nvidia's less-advanced chips, and launched its iPhone app in the US last week. The chatbot has since become the most downloaded free app in the country - with its skyrocketing popularity seeing the value of its rival AI firms tumble and sending shockwaves through Wall Street and Silicon Valley. China hawks have labelled it 'Communist AI', with a major concern among Western officials being that the chatbot feeds users Chinese propaganda and disinformation. This includes on Taiwan, a potential flashpoint for future world wars, which it declares 'an inalienable part of China'. DeepSeek's CEO and founder Liang Wenfeng has been held up as a national hero in China due to his defiance of American attempts to limit the country's high-tech ambitions with the microchip ban. On the day his app was launched in the US, Liang met with China's prime minister Li Qiang at a gathering of business leaders to share his insights on the AI sector, according to state media. China's track record of utilising ostensibly private firms for spying, combined with the rapid rate US citizens have been downloading DeepSeek, has fuelled fears about Beijing's ability to use China-based firms to access peoples' private information. The company will be able to collect information on users' devices, typing patterns, IP address and more, experts have warned, and would have to hand this over to the Chinese government if instructed to do so. Experts have now suggested that the company could have had Beijing's help in sourcing powerful chips as part of the Chinese government's drive to get ahead in its battle with the West for technological supremacy and harvest information on its enemies. China's answer to ChatGPT, DeepSeek, has rattled US tech giants with its impressive performance and tiny budget. But the app refuses to answer politically sensitive questions that violate China's censorship rule Pictured is Liang Wenfeng, the founder of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, speaking at the symposium presided by Chinese Premier Li Qiang on January 20, 2025 Luke de Pulford, director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, told MailOnline that the UK and US governments should be worried about the power that could give DeepSeek - and by extension the Chinese government. 'As with TikTok, DeepSeek has the ability to collect masses of sensitive data, all of which is vulnerable to state interference,' he said. 'Aside from violations of data protection, this hands the Communist Party a strategic advantage - they can crunch and analyse intimate information on hundreds of millions of foreign nationals.' He added that under the Chinese Communist Party's doctrine of Military-Civil Fusion 'the line between the private sector and state is increasingly blurred.' Kayla Blomquist, a researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute and director of the Oxford China Policy Lab, agreed that the collection of people's data on a mass scale is a possibility. 'It's very difficult, if not impossible, to know for sure that there are not backdoors built into a system, that there are not other methods of data exfiltration back to mainland China for strategic purposes on the government's behalf,' Blomquist told the BBC. Shadow Security Minister Alicia Kearns said of DeepSeek: 'There's no such thing as low cost, because the security and privacy costs are extremely high - let alone the perverted prism through which many answers will be presented. Compared to DeepSeek's rival ChatGPT, the Chinese app produces responses that are closely aligned with Chinese Communist Party propaganda 'AI may be the space race of our time, but this time every member of our community has a role to play. 'If your data is going into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party, you're helping them on this race as they suck every bit of detail about you that they can - even your keystrokes.' Previously at the helm of one of China's top hedge funds, High-Flyer, which focuses on AI-driven quantitative trading, the 'nerdy' Liang reportedly told colleagues of his plans to talking about build a 10,000-chip cluster to train his own models. By 2022, his fund amassed a cluster of 10,000 of California-based Nvidia's high-performance A100 processor chips that are used to build and run AI systems, according to a post that summer on Chinese social media platform WeChat. It was around this time that Biden administration officials finally woke up to the risks that selling the most powerful microchips to China could pose. Officials announced that they would ban the export of Nvidia's chips to the country, saying they needed to do so in order limit the spread of technology that could be used to make weapons. Despite the ban, DeepSeek set up in 2023. The company now claims to have developed its open-source R1 model using around 2,000 Nvidia chips, just a fraction of the computing power generally thought necessary to train similar programmes. When asked about Taiwan, DeepSeek states that the island is part of China and adds that 'compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are connected by blood' DeepSeek has said its recent models were built with Nvidia's lower-performing H800 chips, which are not banned in China, sending a message that the fanciest hardware might not be needed for cutting-edge AI research. Trump has since signed an order on his first day in office last week that said his administration would 'identify and eliminate loopholes in existing export controls,' signaling that he is likely to continue and the harden Biden administration's approach. Speaking Monday, Trump called the development 'positive' if true because 'you won't be spending as much and you'll get the same result.' He called the development a 'wakeup call for our industries that we need to be laser focused on competing to win.' Lennart Heim, a researcher at Rand Corp, said that 'it's the first time that we see a Chinese company being that close within a relatively short time period. I think thats why a lot of people pay attention to it.' The attention on DeepSeek also threatens to undermine a key strategy of US foreign policy in recent years to restrict the sale of American-designed AI semiconductors to China. Some experts on US-China relations don't think that is an accident. 'The technology innovation is real, but the timing of the release is political in nature,' said Gregory Allen, director of the Wadhwani AI Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies The app refuses to answer any questions related to the Tiananmen Square massacre, 'Tank Man' (pictured), or the date of the massacre June 4, 1989 He added that with it, the Chinese are 'trying to show that the export controls are futile or counterproductive is a really important goal of Chinese foreign policy right now.' Another major concern about the growing popularity of DeepSeek is the information that it provides users with, which is heavily censored under Chinese law. The chatbot says it is 'programmed' to provide answers that toe the Chinese government line, for example refusing to answer questions about Beijing's crackdown on the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and declaring that 'Taiwan is an inalienable part of China'. Leading Tory China hawk Bob Seely, a former member of Parliament's Foreign Affairs Select Committee, said: 'It is quite clear there is a battle for dominance in AI, the consequences of which will be profound for the world. China is clearly playing catch-up. 'Its AI is also seeking to influence minds because it has been programmed not to provide answers or process topics that China's Communist Party doesn't want raised. Communist AI will, I suspect, be an increasing threat to freedom.' The former head of the Commission for Racial Equality Trevor Phillips has raised concerns that Southport killer Axel Rudakubana slipped through the cracks because authorities were afraid of being accused of racism. Rudakubana's horror attack at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport on July 29 saw him murder three young girls and attempt to murder another ten people. Since he was sentenced to life with a minimum of 52 years behind bars, questions have been asked of authorities after it was revealed he was referred to counter-terror programme Prevent three times in the years before the attack. But each time he was dropped from the scheme, despite having an obsession with violence and death which saw him spend time researching school shootings and terror attacks. Now Mr Phillips, a former politician, has told how he raised concerns as early as 2018 about government legislation that would harm the effectiveness of Prevent. Writing in the Sun, he criticised the introduction of a new category in the scheme for those who have 'vulnerability but no ideology or counter-terrorism risk.' The former Racial Equality Commission head called for a 'thorough investigation' to 'ask whether those who missed the signals did so because they did not want to ask difficult questions about the killer's racial background'. It comes after retired police officer Norman Brennan said many are 'too frightened to intervene' due to the 'ethnicity' of people they are concerned about. Axel Rudakubana's horror attack at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport on July 29 saw him murder three young girls and attempt to murder another ten people The former head of the Commission for Racial Equality Trevor Phillips (pictured) has raised concerns that Southport killer Axel Rudakubana slipped through the cracks because authorities were afraid of being accused of racism Today Mr Phillips claims that the introduction of the category was behind the steep drop in referrals to Prevent over concerns about Islamist ideology. Figures show that while almost 3,200 people were referred to Prevent for concerns related to Islamic extremism in 2018, that number had plummeted to 1,400 by 2019 - the same year as the introduction of the no ideology category. Last year the number was just 913, compared to 2,489 who had 'no ideology or counter-terrorism risk'. No such drop was seen in other categories, including right-wing extremism. Mr Phillips claims: 'In short, two thirds of the cases that might previously have been categorised as 'Islamist' were, in effect, reassigned to a 'no ideology, no risk' category. 'Why? There is, in my view, only one likely explanation.' He blamed calls for the expansion of the definition of Islamophobia brought by a group of MPs led by now-Health Secretary Wes Streeting. 'Many, including myself, in a report for the Policy Exchange think tank, warned that its loose terms ('a type of racism . . . that targets expressions of Muslimness') would lead to the chilling of speech, particularly in public services,' Mr Phillips wrote. He added that police leaders told Parliament they feared the definition would hamper both Prevent and counterterrorism. Rudakubana was caught on camera walking towards the Hart Space building where the dance class was being held Axel Rudakubana skulks in the back of a taxi on his way to murder three young girls Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, was among the three little girls killed in the attack in Southport Bebe King, six, was also killed in the knife attack at The Hart Space in Southport last July Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, was the third girl killed in the horror knife attack in Southport Mr Phillips said: 'It is not hard to imagine many officials opting for the easy life and ticking the 'no ideology' box. 'In cases such as Rudakubana's, 'no ideology' evidently came to mean 'no action'.' Agreeing with Mr Phillips is retired police officer Norman Brennan, who told GB News last week that people are 'too frightened to intervene' in cases of concern. 'I think one of the biggest problems in Britain at the moment is that people are too frightened to intervene, sometimes because of the ethnicity of the person that they are concerned about,' he said. 'They think that if they put that particular person forward, they'll be accused of racism. 'Well, if that's the case, it means that individuals such as this young man are walking time bombs and we can't have walking time bombs going around.' Rudakubana was born in Cardiff into a Christian family, and there is no evidence he was motivated by Islamic extremism - although his search history on his computer was wiped just before he left home to carry out his attack. But there is evidence that he was obsessed with extreme violence in all its forms - having researched Adolf Hitler, Genghis Khan and various killings and mass murders. The killer appeared to have been sleeping in the living room of the messy Merseyside home Ominous pre-cursor equipment for the production of poison was found across the house Axel Rudakubana had enough raw materials to kill 12,500 people by the time police uncovered his home laboratory and a lunch-box in which he was refining ricin Two Apollo Cerbera knives with 20cm blades, one still in its sheath, were recovered from the killer's house days after he bought them on Amazon A grisly array of hunting arrows was also recovered from the teenager's armoury A lethal bow was found in the bag where Rudakubana kept his newest knives Immediately before the attack, he had viewed footage of the attempted murder of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel in Sydney in April. His Prevent referrals included concerns raised by his school after he made comments about school shootings, posted pictures of Colonel Gaddafi on Instagram and expressed an interest in the London Bridge attack, the IRA, MI5 and the Middle East. Meanwhile his phone contained images from conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and Korea, as well as copious academic material relating to war and genocide. Using the device, he had search history relating to Nazi Germany, ethnic violence in Somalia and Rwanda, and slavery. He also had an American academic study of an al-Qaeda training document, which had been downloaded at least twice since 2021. Nevertheless Mr Phillips called for the 'right questions' to be asked about Prevent, adding that 'some minority communities' are 'at the heart' of what is 'going wrong'. He cited the 2017 Manchester arena attack, in which a security guard noticed the bomber's massive backpack but failed to intervene for fear of appearing to be racist. In relation to the Southport attack, it has not been declared a terrorist incident because police could not find evidence of an ideology beyond a desire to commit mass murder. Officers are currently embroiled in a battle to access Rudakubana's laptop search history from tech giants including Google - but it has been warned this could take years. Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Home Office minister Dan Jarvis said: 'The Home Secretary set out last week our plans to carry out an end-to-end review of Prevent thresholds on Islamist extremism because we are concerned that referrals are too low and ideology, particularly Islamist extremism, followed by far-right extremism, continue to be at the heart of our approach to countering extremism and countering terrorism. 'But as the horrific Southport attack shows, we also need more action on those drawn towards mixed ideologies and violence obsessed young people.' Jeremy Clarkson is launching his own range of skin cream called Snail Juice. The slime-inspired gunk will be sold from his Diddly Squat Farm Shop in the Cotswolds. His Curdle Hill Farm Ltd firm the outfit behind his retail arm has just applied to the UK government's Intellectual Property Office to trademark the term. Documents reveal the former Top Gear host wants to produce: 'Hand cream; Hand creams; Cosmetic hand creams; Body cream; Facial cream; Shower cream.' The papers were filed last month and are currently under examination by lawyers at the body. Trademarks stay in place for 10 years once given the green light by experts. Last year he suffered a blow to his plans to create his own fragrance empire. He already flogs a unisex fragrance called Diddly Squat Wet for 38. Jeremy Clarkson is launching his own range of skin cream called Snail Juice. The slime-inspired gunk will be sold from his Diddly Squat Farm Shop in the Cotswolds His Curdle Hill Farm Ltd firm the outfit behind his retail arm has just applied to the UK government 's Intellectual Property Office to trademark the term In 2022 Clarkson expanded his farming empire and set up two new businesses. The companies have been named 'Curdle Hill Juice' and 'Curdle Hill Wholesale'. It is not yet known what the businesses are for, but 'Curdle Hill Juice' may be a reference to his milk - which he calls 'Cow Juice' Mr Clarkson also sells honey - which he calls bee juice - and apple juice in his on-site store, the Diddly Squat Farm Shop (pictured) The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? host had applied to trademark products like fragrances and candles linked to his Diddly Squat shop. But his application to register the name was given the boot by the Intellectual Property Office. The papers were rejected by the department meaning he doesn't have sole rights to use the term. The IPO 'totally refused' the application. The application also contained Diddly Squat Eau de Parfum Wet. Reasons for rejection include similar-sounding applications that have already been accepted. It comes as in 2022 Clarkson expanded his farming empire and set up two new businesses. Clarkson already flogs a unisex fragrance called Diddly Squat Wet for 38 The companies, jointly owned by the former TopGear host and his partner Lisa Hogan, have been named 'Curdle Hill Juice' and 'Curdle Hill Wholesale'. They share the name with Mr Clarkson's farm in Chadlington, near Chipping Norton, Oxon which he bought ten years ago. The creation of two similarly named businesses appears to predict a major expansion of Mr Clarkson's farming brand. It is not yet known what the businesses are for, but 'Curdle Hill Juice' may be a reference to his milk - which he calls 'Cow Juice'. Words and phrases Jeremy Clarkson has tried to trademark 'Snail Juice' - Clarkson is launching his own range of skin cream called Snail Juice. 'Diddly Squat Drive' - This is the name of one of the perfumes in Diddly Squat Farm Shop's fragrance range 'Diddly Squat Fresh' - Fans of Clarksons Farm can buy the range of Diddly Squat Farm Shop products including jams, chutneys, juices, seasonings, and alcohol on Amazon Fresh 'Grubby Farmer' - This is the name of Clarkson's toiletries and fragrance line 'Diddly Squat Le Pop' - This is the name of a Brut Reserve sold at Diddly Squat Farm Shop 'I am a f***er' - Clarkson trademarked this statement as it is written on t-shirts sold on his Diddly Squat Farm Shop website 'I did a thing' - Clarkson has trademarked his catchphrase 'I Did A Thing' which became famous on his show, Clarkson's Farm Advertisement Mr Clarkson also sells honey - which he calls bee juice - and apple juice in his on-site store, the Diddly Squat Farm Shop. Both businesses were incorporated on February 14, 2022, and lists Mr Clarkson and Ms Hogan as directors with equal shares - the same as for their farm. The nature of the businesses are described as 'Other business support service activities not elsewhere classified'. Mr Clarkson's farm formed the basis of his hit spin-off Amazon Prime series. The Diddly Squat Shop has faced criticism after Mr Clarkson admitted visitors had 'swamped' Chadlington, the Oxfordshire village in which he lives. His proposal to turn a lambing shed into a restaurant was refused permission by West Oxfordshire District Council in January, after the authority said it was out of keeping with the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The shed was built in 2020 to house Mr Clarkson's new flock of sheep, which have since been merged with another farmer's flock. The council meeting received more than 50 objections, and 12 letters of support. Another one of Clarkson's new projects is his Cotswolds pub The Farmer's Dog which opened in August last year. In December 2024 Clarkson launched a novel New Year product after he revealed the pub is 'losing a fortune'. The 64-year-old has released an 'anti-Dry January' calendar for people bucking the trend and refusing to go alcohol-free in the new year. The Not Advent, Advent Calendar: Damp Edition - by his very own Hawkstone Brewery - has more than 30 cans, an entire bottle of vodka and costs a whopping 85. A message on the back reads encouragingly: 'January is rubbish, your drinks don't need to be' - and even includes two shot glasses. For most of the nation, the first month of 2025 will serve as a health kick. But this calendar offers a different path - with 31 doors containing drinks from Clarkson's low alcohol range, all the way up to a bottle of 40 per cent vodka. Inside the 'The Not Advent, Advent Calendar: Damp Edition' punters will receive 16 330ml cans of Hawkstone's 0.3 per cent Spa lager. There are also 15 330ml cans of 3.4 per cent Hawkstone Breeze lager and a 70cl bottle of Hawkstone vodka. Clarkson's booze brand also offers a dry edition of the calendar retailing for the same price. Brits have called for harsher measures to rid laptop lurkers from coffee shops who stay all day after only buying one drink - as Starbucks vows to clamp down on unwanted seat-hoggers. The coffee giant has sparked inspiration for UK high streets after it installed panic buttons for workers across a number of its sites in the US. Staff have been given new guidelines for getting rid of people coming into their stores just so they can use the toilet or fill their water bottles without spending any money. Workers are now being trained in conflict de-escalation amid a turn against customers who take up tables for hours, using free Wi-Fi and barely buying a coffee. Struggling coffee shop owners have accused them of ruining the atmosphere of the once-bustling high-street hubs and stopping them from making any money. And now fed-up Brits have called on UK chains to take a stand against the laptop louts and come up with inventive ways to preserve our cafe culture. One, Gayle Bevan, said: 'Have a limited time on the Wi-Fi, then after that it's 10 an hour. That'll shift them. Plus hourly refills of drinks.' Chris Chaplin and Freya Lynch, owners of the Milk & Bean cafe in Newbury, Berkshire, said last September that laptop users don't buy as much as customers who are there to relax Driton Budakova and wife Adelina brought in measures to tackle laptop usage at Barista on The Other Side in North London In Common Ground, a popular coffee lounge with a takeaway hatch in Finsbury Park, laptops are banned completely - with a sign at the door warning customers about the policy Another, Paula Maybury, complained: 'The coffee shop in our local Waterstones is full of people just using their WiFi. It's really difficult to find somewhere to sit.' And Nick Manning fumed: 'People think one coffee gives them access for the full working day. 'You wouldn't, or shouldn't, go in to a cafe buy a drink take 20 minutes to drink it then expect to sit there all day or for hours. However if you get your laptop out then that's ok?' It comes as Starbucks is set to report its fourth straight quarter of comparable sales decline, in what could be another blow for its new chief Brian Niccol as he battles to revive demand at the struggling coffee chain. Mr Niccol, who is four months into his new role and used to run Mexican food outlet Chipotle, has set forth a raft of measures to improve the coffee chain's business, which has taken a hit from increased competition and weakening demand in the US and China. Some Brits have hit back at the new move to bring panic buttons into select stores - calling it 'ridiculous' and 'baloney' It has also seen boycotts over a perceived link to Israel, although the company blames misinformation and says it has never given any money to the nation or its military. His strategy includes lowering wait times and implementing a 'coffeehouse code of conduct' that will require customers to make purchases if they wish to use the restrooms or log-on to in-store Wi-Fi. It comes as a stark u-turn against the shop's previous 'open door' approach, but now Mr Niccol says he wants to make his company into a 'community coffee-house'. But some Brits have hit back at the new move to bring panic buttons into select stores - branding it 'ridiculous' and 'baloney'. Colleen O'Toole raged: 'Absolutely ridiculous!! A panic button?!! Those are for EMERGENCIES!! The employees need to just tell people to go. Grow a pair and do your job!' Vance Myrow added: 'Just find a good neighborhood coffee shop with great waiters and waitresses and make it your to go place. Starbucks panic buttons, what baloney!' Barista on The Other Side in North London has a warning sign for laptop users in the cafe The Milk & Bean cafe in Newbury, Berkshire, has put stickers on each of the tables asking that laptop users be considerate that they have limited space, and warning them of their rules And Michael Bearsby-Cook joked: 'You've got to be a sad case to lurk in Starbucks, Wetherspoon's is much more conducive!' Last September, MailOnline spoke to cafe owners who said they are losing money because of 'table hoggers', who buy as little as one bottle of water or eke out a singular hot drink for as long as they can in order to keep their spot. In an attempt to tackle the practice and deter the WFH crowd, many have brought in tough new measures - refusing to offer free WiFi, limiting the hours laptops can be used in, and even banning them altogether. Milk & Bean in Newbury, Berkshire, has just four small tables inside and a handful outside - with its co-owner Chris Chaplin saying that he finds laptop users don't buy as much as customers who are there to relax. Chaplin, who runs the independent with his partner Freya, said the worst thing about the cafe being filled with laptop users was the impact it had on the otherwise friendly ambience, as well as the 'lack of awareness' displayed by some remote workers. A person uses a laptop inside a Starbucks in New York earlier this month. Starbucks is officially ending a policy that permitted people to sit and stay without making a purchase In Common Ground, a popular coffee lounge with a takeaway hatch in Finsbury Park, North London, laptops are banned completely - with a sign at the door warning wannabe web users that this is not the place for them. And Driton Budakova, who owns Barista on The Other Side in nearby Finchley with his wife Adelina, told MailOnline that before bringing in measures to tackle laptop usage, their cafe was being treated 'like an office' by some customers. A spokesperson for Starbucks said: 'The operational updates being introduced on Jan 27 are for North American stores and are not being implemented internationally (including the UK) at this time. 'Across Starbucks global markets, licenced and joint venture partners operate stores with locally relevant policies'. Earlier this month, Starbucks also said it would cut some jobs and reduce the extra layers of management to focus on improving in-store operations by increasing store hours to meet Mr Niccol's target of wait times of less than four minutes. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has rejected calls in a leaked Home Office report for the definition of extremism to be expanded to cover misogynists, conspiracy theorists and the far-left. The review suggested that extremism should be categorised as concerning behaviours and activity rather than ideologies, including spreading misinformation and involvement in 'an online subculture called the manosphere'. It says claims of 'two-tier' policing are an example of a 'right-wing extremist narrative' and that grooming gangs are an issue exploited by the far-right to stir hatred against Muslims. After the details of the report were leaked by Right-leaning think-tank Policy Exchange, Dan Jarvis, the security minister, said he and Ms Cooper had rejected its recommendations despite having commissioned the review. Emma Reynolds, the City minister, doubled down this morning by saying that ministers planned to continue focusing on Islamic extremism and far right ideology. Asked if the Government was prepared to broaden the definition of extremism at all, she told Good Morning Britain: 'We have rejected the recommendations in the leaked report, and we will be setting out our plans clearly when ministers come to the House of Commons to do that in the usual way.' Among those pouring scorn on the review's recommendation was former Met superintendent Dal Babu, who warned that a broadened definition of extremism would further strain police resources. 'I think, to be perfectly honest, we're at the moment struggling with the resources we have to deal with terrorism now,' he told the BBC. Yvette Cooper - pictured meeting police - has rejected the findings of a controversial Home Office review The report says there is now a 'more diverse' range of extremist beliefs ranging from anarchists and environmental protesters to those obsessed by school massacres and an online subculture of misogynists called the 'manosphere'. But experts at the Policy Exchange think-tank, who were shown a copy of the unpublished Home Office document, say this means downplaying the risks posed by radical Islamism and overwhelming the Prevent teams who try to try to stop those who have been radicalised turning to terrorism. Paul Stott and Andrew Gilligan said last night: 'Many of these supposed other extremisms simply do not meet the test of harming national security or safety. 'Government should certainly be alarmed by, and should tackle, violence against women and other social harms - but they do not constitute extremism as defined up till now. The 'rapid analytical sprint' launched by Ms Cooper in the wake of the Southport killings and the riots they sparked last summer also proposes a new approach to counter-extremism based on people's actions and the harm they cause rather than the ideologies to which they subscribe. It says there is now a 'more diverse' range of extremist beliefs ranging from anarchists and environmental protesters to those obsessed by school massacres and an online subculture of misogynists called the 'manosphere'. The report also urged ministers to increase police use of controversial 'non-crime hate incidents' as well introduce a new crime of 'harmful communications' to tackle online abuse of MPs, sparking concerns over freedom of speech. The 'rapid analytical sprint' launched by Ms Cooper in the wake of the Southport killings. Axel Rudakubana (pictured) was sentenced last week for a minimum of 52 years behind bars The leaked review admits counter-extremism has 'long been a tricky policy challenge for Government' as extremism is broader than terrorism and covers everything from stirring up community tensions to spreading conspiracy theories. It states: 'The range of extremist beliefs and ideologies individuals subscribe to is becoming more diverse, from Extreme Right-Wing to Islamist Extremism to Extreme Misogyny to Left-Wing, Anarchist and Single-Issue Extremism. 'Additionally, school massacre and online gore subcultures and conspiracy theories, while not ideologies, can lead to harmful fixations on violence.' The claims in the document, written in November, were backed by Sir Keir Starmer last week when he warned of a 'new threat' of extreme violence from 'loners, misfits, young men in their bedroom'. And the sections on Extreme Right Wing ideology also echo the Prime Minister's controversial claims that people who held protests over the Southport killings were 'far-right' and that politicians calling for a national inquiry into grooming gangs were 'amplifying what the far-right is saying'. One page mentions grooming gangs as an example of 'grievance narratives' that can be exploited, stating: 'Right Wing extremists frequently exploit cases of alleged group-based sexual abuse to promote anti-Muslim sentiment as well as related anti-government and anti-'political correctness' narratives.' Another section refers to the idea which gained popularity in the wake of last summer's riots that police and courts treat white offenders more severely than those from ethnic minorities. It claims: 'Right Wing Extremist narratives (particularly around immigration and policing) are in some cases 'leaking' into mainstream debates. Claims of 'two-tier' policing, where two groups are allegedly treated differently after similar behaviour, is a recent example.' Rioters in Rotherham during Summers widespread unrest. One section of the report refers to the idea which gained popularity in the wake of last summer's riots that police and courts treat white offenders more severely than those from ethnic minorities And a discussion of tactics states: 'ERW actors have engaged in protest and at times violence. This often involves hijacking extant local grievances about perceived inequalities around access to resources (eg benefits, migrant 'hotels' etc).' The report urges the Government to adopt an 'ideologically agnostic approach to extremism, not basing its approach on a strict definition but on 'behaviours and activity of concern'. It recommends a 'wider approach' to tackle the problem including new 'punitive measures'.think After Axel Rudakubana, 18, pleaded guilty last week to murdering three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, Sir Keir Starmer said it was understandable that the public would look at the crime and 'wonder what the word terrorism means'. The Prime Minister said the teenager represented a new kind of threat, distinct from politically or ideologically motivated terrorism, with 'acts of extreme violence perpetrated by loners, misfits, young men in their bedroom, accessing all manner of material online, desperate for notoriety'. He said that, if needed, the Government would change the law to recognise the 'new and dangerous threat' and 'review our entire counter-extremist system to make sure we have what we need to defeat it'. Rudakubana was referred to the Prevent anti-terror programme three times but those referrals were closed due to his apparent lack of a clear ideology. Last night the Home Office stressed that none of the 38 recommendations in the report have been agreed by ministers so far. A spokesman said: 'The counter extremism sprint sought to comprehensively assess the challenge facing our country and lay the foundations for a new approach to tackling extremism - so we can stop people being drawn towards hateful ideologies. This includes tackling Islamism and Extreme Right Wing ideologies, which are the most prominent today. 'The findings from the sprint have not been formally agreed by Ministers and we are considering a wide range of potential next steps arising from that work.' Keir Starmer insisted growth is his 'number one priority' today as Labour hits the panic button over the stalling economy. The PM and Rachel Reeves met business leaders in central London this morning as they try to restore shattered confidence after the Budget tax raid. Ahead of an expected announcement on Heathrow expansion tomorrow, Cabinet ministers have been ordered to ditch policies that could stand in the way of efforts to kick-start activity. Sir Keir said the Government's 'growth mission' was now the driving force behind policy decisions - seemingly pushing climate concerns down the agenda. He told business chiefs in the City of London that had been made clear to 'each of our Cabinet colleagues'. The Chancellor will deliver a major speech tomorrow setting out plans for growth, including support for expansion of Heathrow airport. Keir Starmer insisted growth is his 'number one priority' today as Labour hits the panic button over the stalling economy The PM and Rachel Reeves met business leaders in central London this morning as they try to restore shattered confidence after the Budget tax raid That is a project previously opposed by many senior Labour figures, including Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. Sir Keir refused to confirm the Heathrow move explicitly, but told business leaders: 'When you're answering the question, 'should we do X, or should we do Y', that is guided by the mission. 'Should we do X? If it's good for growth, good for wealth creation the answer is 'yes', if it's not then the answer is 'no'. 'It prioritises and gives a sense of direction to government.' He added he was 'hard-wiring growth into all the decisions of the Cabinet'. 'So what Rachel and I have done is to make it clear to each of our Cabinet colleagues that in each of their briefs, growth is the number one mission,' he said. Asked by broadcasters afterwards if he was choosing growth over Net Zero commitments, Sir Keir said: 'I'm not going to speculate about Heathrow and any decision there. 'What I will say is that growth is the number one priority, wealth creation, making sure that people are better off. 'Of course, we also have climate commitments but growth is really important too.' Speaking at Bloomberg's HQ in the City of London, he added: 'I have been absolutely clear what the number one priority of the Government is, before the election and since the election: that is growing our economy so it's thriving, growing it in a way that we get wealth creation in every part of the United Kingdom and growing in a way that people feel genuinely better off. 'I think that's a key test of what we want to achieve in government.' Ministers will be expected to set out the growth credentials of new policies in order to get approval from their Cabinet colleagues, in a shake-up to the usual system to get 'collective agreement' on substantive changes. The PM has asked Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald to implement the changes. The Chancellor (pictured) will deliver a major speech tomorrow setting out plans for growth, including support for expansion of Heathrow airport The new rules mean that the economic impacts of proposals will be subjected to the same rigorous assessment that already applies to new public spending. Speaking at the same meeting of business chiefs in London, the Chancellor said her duty was to promote the UK as a destination for business investment. In a sign of a change of rhetoric following months of highlighting the difficult legacy left by the Conservatives, Ms Reeves said: 'It's the role of government to shout about all the amazing things that we are doing as a country, all the huge opportunities that we have.' Britain faces further heavy rain today with 200 areas on flood watch and 52,000 homes still without power as Storm Herminia continues to cause disruption. A Met Office yellow warning will run until 9pm tonight for Wales amid fears up to 2.4in (60mm) of torrential downpours could bring further flooding misery and travel chaos, after another rain alert for southern England expired this morning at 10am. The Environment Agency has 161 flood alerts and 30 warnings active for England, mostly clustered in the South West; while Natural Resources Wales has nine alerts. Somerset Council said a major incident, jointly declared with the police and other agencies, would continue for now with more rain forecast today and tomorrow. Villagers in the Cornish hamlet of Trenarren were passed supplies over a fallen tree after becoming cut off when it was blown over and blocked the only access road. The clean-up from 114mph Storm Eowyn last Friday also continued in other areas, with 50,000 homes still without electricity in Northern Ireland and 1,900 in Scotland. Trains in Scotland were still being disrupted as Network Rail repair work remained unfinished, with buses replacing services on routes including Ayr to Stranraer. Transport for Wales issued a 'do not travel' warning between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog and Shrewsbury and Swansea, with bus replacements also running. And flight passengers heading to London Gatwick by train today faced disruption after a landslip between Three Bridges and the airport blocked northbound lines. A person walks a dog through flood water in Salisbury, Wiltshire, this afternoon A van driver makes their way through a flooded country lane in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, today Workers clear damage by fallen trees in Northern Ireland today as homes remain without power Met Office rain warnings run until 10am for southern England and 9pm for Wales today It comes as the Met Office gave an unsettled outlook for February with a heightened risk of 'storm clustering' when consecutive storms hit in quick succession. Met Office yellow rain warnings in place today Yellow rain warning 12pm Sunday to 9pm today Blaenau Gwent Bridgend Caerphilly Cardiff Carmarthenshire Ceredigion Herefordshire Merthyr Tydfil Monmouthshire Neath Port Talbot Newport Pembrokeshire Powys Rhondda Cynon Taf Swansea Torfaen Vale of Glamorgan West Midlands Yellow rain warning 8am yesterday to 10am today Bath and North East Somerset Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Brighton and Hove Bristol Cornwall Devon Dorset East Sussex Hampshire Isle of Wight Isles of Scilly North Somerset Plymouth Portsmouth Somerset South Gloucestershire Southampton Surrey Torbay West Sussex Wiltshire Advertisement Today, parts of the UK were facing another day of disruption and flood threats as more rain and wind sweep across the country. The Met Office issued a yellow warning of spells of rain which could lead to localised flooding covering South and West Wales until 9pm today. Libanus in the Brecon Beacons saw 34.6mm (1.4in) of rain yesterday and nine Natural Resources Wales flood alerts remain in place. Another yellow alert for rain covering parts of southern England ran until 10am today, warning of heavy rain, possible thunderstorms and flooding. A yellow wind alert for southern England and parts of Wales expired at 6am this morning. Gusts of 84mph and almost 60mm (2.4in) of rainfall hits parts of southern England on Monday. The Environment Agency had 30 flood warnings, where flooding is expected, in place in the south of England and the Midlands this morning. A further 161 alerts, where flooding is possible, were in place across England. The bad weather is linked to Storm Herminia, a low-pressure system named by meteorologists in Spain, which was expected to feel the strongest winds. Somerton Fire Station said 61 people were rescued from flooded properties, including a mobile home site in Charlton Adam, and temporarily relocated to Edgar Community Hall. National Highways said one lane of the A303 was closed westbound near Yeovil because of flooding this morning, while an eastbound lane was closed near Mere in Wiltshire while work continues to clear water. Racing was abandoned at Exeter racecourse today, with clerk of the course Jason Loosemore describing how it had seen 40mm of rainfall on Sunday. Cornwall Council said Storm Eowyn and Storm Herminia resulted in 183 emergency incidents from Friday to Monday, including a mini tornado which uprooted trees and damaged homes near Newquay. There was a small fire at one house that was struck by lightning, with fire crews also attending flooding incidents in the county. Your browser does not support iframes. A person runs through flood water in Salisbury, Wiltshire, this afternoon Swans swin in flood water in Salisbury today after parts of England were hit by torrential rain Flood water covers fields near Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire today following the deluge The Environment Agency has issued 161 flood alerts (in amber) and 30 warnings (in red) today Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna said the rain warnings are suggesting further flooding is possible until this evening. He said: 'The trend over the next few days is for things to gradually improve a bit. 'These warnings for rain are suggesting further flooding is quite possible, especially within the warning area.' After a day of sunshine and showers today, heaviest with the chance of hail and thunder in the south, the Met Office said rain is expected to ease overnight bar some heavy patches in the north of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Mr Petagna said tomorrow and Thursday will be mostly fine, but with a small chance, the far south of England could see some outbreaks of rain. Around 50,000 customers remained without electricity across Northern Ireland on Monday evening after Storm Eowyn hit at the weekend, according to Northern Ireland Electricity Networks. Scottish and Southern Electricity said it had restored power to 90,000 customers affected by Storm Eowyn and was working to reconnect a further 1,700. The Falkirk Knight: Scot braves storm in full armour to help locals A taxi driver who braved Storm Eowyn in a suit of armour to help locals in Falkirk has said the viral reaction makes him 'proud to be Scottish'. Despite winds of up to 100mph, the storm which lashed parts of the UK over the weekend was seemingly no match for Callum Maclean. Callum Maclean is the 'Falkirk Knight' The 36-year-old started walking around town as his alter ego the Falkirk Knight about two years ago as he had the kit after previously competing for Scotland in armoured fighting. However, over the weekend his gallantry went viral as he decided to provide support and light relief by donning his heavy chainmail, plate armour and helmet to aid pedestrians struggling in the high winds. 'I just wanted to challenge the storm,' he said. 'I was standing in the full-blown storm while people were getting blown past me and I was trying to help get them up the hill because I could walk through it. The taxi driver braved Storm Eowyn in a suit of armour to help locals in Falkirk 'I wanted to make a couple of people smile, but I made thousands of people smile.' Numerous people posted pictures and videos of Mr Maclean in the storm over the weekend, garnering thousands of views. Comments from Facebook users on the posts include 'storm zero, Scotland one' and 'the knight's not braving the storm, the storm's braving the knight'. Before the storm Mr Maclean kept his face covered by his helmet when venturing out in his metal garb, but he has decided to reveal his identity now he has enjoyed viral stardom. 'Nobody knew it was me until I went out in the storm with it and then everybody clocked on it was me and it went viral from there,' he said. 'It's really just purely for fun and it gave everyone a wee giggle and a smile.' One of the most popular videos of Mr Maclean's alter ego shows him singing Flower of Scotland beside the national flag. 'I've got about 10,000 messages calling me a legend,' he said. 'My phone's been going mental and I think my Facebook was having a heart attack. I'm taken aback by how viral it went - I just feel so proud to be Scottish.' Mr Maclean said the younger members of his family, including his son and one of his nephews, have particularly enjoyed seeing the knight in action. 'They think it's the best thing since sliced bread,' he said. He hopes to use his viral success to give back to the Falkirk community, setting up a GoFundMe to fund repairs after the storm tore down trees, collapsed roofs, damaged parts of Victoria Park and left many in the area without power. 'I'm a taxi driver and people get in my taxi and ... everybody's talking about how much damage has been done and because the Falkirk Knight went viral, I didn't feel like I could morally not try and do something,' he said. Mr Maclean's GoFundMe can be accessed here. Advertisement Andy Smith, director of customer operations for the north of Scotland, said: 'This storm has been the most destructive for parts of our network in many years and rebuilding damaged overhead lines has been a huge task.' However, the Met Office said conditions were improving with 'a quieter spell of weather' due from Thursday. The forecaster added that over the month of January, the south of the UK had been wetter than the north, which is not normally the case. Provisional Met Office statistics show that counties including Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Hampshire and Surrey have seen 30 per cent more rainfall than the long-term meteorological average for January. Andrea Bishop, spokesperson for the Met Office, said: 'Unsettled weather continues today and tomorrow, with an area of low pressure travelling east across the UK bringing wind and rain for some. 'A yellow warning for heavy rain in parts of Wales is in place until 9pm this evening. 'Conditions are generally improving though and today will be a day of sunshine and showers, with those showers heaviest in the south where some hail and thunder are possible. 'Scattered showers linger in the north of Scotland and across Northern Ireland, but there are brighter sunny spells for northern England and southern Scotland. 'The showers will ease overnight, but some heavy downpours are possible in northern parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland. 'Wednesday will see a drier day for many, with showers in the north. 'We are keeping an eye on an area of heavy rain crossing France and the English Channel later on Wednesday, although it looks like it might just graze southern coastal counties of England. 'A quieter spell of weather is expected to arrive from Thursday, as a ridge of high pressure crosses the UK bringing a drier, brighter and less windy day for all.' Water and flooding minister Emma Hardy said her thoughts were with those affected by the weather. 'I am receiving regular briefings, and will continue to speak with officials from the Environment Agency and MPs to ensure that impacted communities are receiving the support they need,' she said. The Environment Agency said there was likely to be impact from minor river flooding in parts of southern England today, with possible issues tomorrow and on Thursday from further rainfall. It estimated that up to 5,800 properties were protected by flood defences over recent days. Dan Bond, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: 'Environment Agency teams are out on the ground, taking action to reduce the impact of flooding and will support local authorities in their response. 'We urge people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.' Scotland is recovering from the effects of Storm Eowyn, which brought winds of 100mph to Drumalbin in the 11th-highest maximum gust since the Met Office started naming storms in 2015. ScotRail's service delivery director Mark Ilderton said Network Rail has responded to more than 500 separate incidents across the entire rail network, including removing over 120 trees that fell onto the railway. Alice Simpson, spokesperson for RAC Breakdown, said conditions for drivers would be 'difficult' this week. 'The chance of fallen trees and debris in the road increases dramatically in wet and windy weather,' she said. 'For this reason, it's vital to drive at an appropriate speed where you can slow down or stop to avoid unexpected obstacles, especially on rural routes where there are sharp bends and more trees. 'There's also a greater risk of encountering floods and aquaplaning on faster stretches of road where a vehicle's tyres glide on top of a thin layer of water, causing a loss of grip and control. 'Motorists should think twice about driving through standing water as they may damage their vehicles beyond repair or worse still, endanger their lives.' Looking ahead to next month, the Met Office has said 'the increased risk of storms gives rise to a greater risk of 'storm clustering', with consecutive events affecting the UK in quick succession'. The UK has so far had five named storms in the 2024/25 season. Some of the biggest fashion brands are preparing to leave London's famous Oxford Street as the number of high street shoppers continues to dwindle. The owners of Park House, home to the likes of Pandora, Swarovski, Urban Outfitters and River Island, said the retailers want to exit their lease on the street 'at the earliest opportunity'. It comes after Sadiq Khan revealed plans to pedestrianise the capital's famous shopping street within two years to boost the experience of shoppers, residents, workers and tourists. Once thought of as the flagship location for Britain's high end stores, big brands have since started to abandon the hub, making it one of the biggest victims of the slow death of UK high streets. Earlier this week, it was revealed that US tech giant Microsoft closed its flagship London store on Oxford street six years after it first opened to 'focus on digital growth'. Jonathan Strong, speaking on behalf of Park House, told the Standard: 'Park House occupies an entire urban block and includes [92,000 sq ft] of retail over basement, ground and first floors. 'It is situated opposite Marks and Spencer and diagonally across from Selfridges, yet has not been performing well in terms of attracting footfall or retail expenditure. 'In fact, most of the retail tenants of Park House are seeking to exit the building at the earliest opportunity. Some of the biggest fashion brands, including River Island, are preparing to leave London's famous Oxford Street The owners of Park House, home to the likes of Pandora, Swarovski, Urban Outfitters and River Island, said the retailers want to exit their lease on the street 'at the earliest opportunity' Once thought of as the flagship location for Britain's high end stores, big brands have since started to abandon the hub 'Going forward, we therefore need to reconfigure the retail element of Park House to fit with current and future occupier requirements and to ensure that the building continues to play its part in maintaining the interest and appeal of Oxford Street as an international shopping destination.' Oxford Street is one of the world's busiest shopping areas, with around half a million visitors each day. Its shopping opportunities were formerly compared with the likes of Paris and New York but the shift to online shopping and the impact of the pandemic have left the street a shell of its former self. Things were worsened by the coronavirus pandemic, plunging more iconic brands into administration and as a result closing their doors. Other industry experts warned the demise of Oxford Street could spell an end for all British high streets which risk collapsing into 'wastelands' unless there are major regeneration efforts Oxford Street has also been overrun in recent years by tacky sweet shops that have replaced household names. As big names such as Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins, Debenhams, Oasis and Warehouse disappeared, city centres across the country were left with empty windows and people instead searching for their favourite labels online. Oxford Street has started to become one of the biggest victims of the slow death of UK high streets Oxford Street is one of the world's busiest shopping areas, with around half a million visitors each day In December, IKEA's Oxford Street pop-up was labelled a mess by furious shoppers as fans mocked the brand's 'museum' paying tribute to their plastic bags. The pop-up is expected to run until March 2025 - when it will be replaced by their new flagship store. TikTok user Monel Bailey said it 'felt weird' seeing IKEA in Central London in his review video. After spending 75p on personalising his bag, the social media star - who boasts 13,000 followers - filmed himself receiving a free blue lollipop from behind a mysterious curtain in the store. The actor then proceeded to move onto the other section of the store, which sells a range of IKEA merchandise and home accessories. Showing some of the colourful headwear on offer, Monel continued: 'I got myself an IKEA bucket hat, which cost me 9.' This video is no longer available This video is no longer available Hundreds of illegal migrants have returned to Mexico after being deported from the United States amid President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration crackdown. Footage shows how dozens of deportees are being escorted across the international border bridge after being deported under Title 8, a law that allows authorities to immediately expel those who crossed into the US without authorization. The illegal aliens, many of whom are handcuffed, are returned to Mexico by armed US border patrol agents and immigration officers. Mexico has accepted more than 4,000 migrants, of which a 'large majority' were Mexican, from America in first week of Trump's presidency. Illegal crossings at the southern border were the lowest in years on Sunday, with sources telling Fox News that less than 600 people illegally crossed the border from Mexico on January 26. Trump took office last week and declared a 'national emergency' at the southern border. He has signed 10 executive orders on immigration and issued a slew of edicts to carry out promises of mass deportations and border security. The Pentagon also began deploying 1,500 active-duty troops to the southern border last week to help with immigration efforts. Hundreds of deportees are being escorted across the Hidalgo International border Bridge after being deported under Title 8, a law that allows authorities to immediately expel those who crossed into the US without authorization The illegal aliens, many of whom are handcuffed, are returned to Mexico by armed US border patrol agents and immigration officers Mexico has accepted more than 4,000 migrants, of which a 'large majority' were Mexican, from America in first week of Trump's presidency A member of the Mexican National Guard stands guard Monday as employees work to build a temporary shelter to prepare for mass deportations from the US, in Reynosa, Mexico Since Trump took office a week ago, thousands of migrants have been sent back to Central and South America. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said it made an average of 710 immigration arrests daily from Thursday through Monday - up from a daily average of 311 in a 12-month period through September under President Joe Biden. If that rate holds, it would surpass ICE's previous high mark set in the Obama administration, when daily arrests averaged 636 in 2013. Numbers spiked starting Sunday and included highly publicized operations, including in Atlanta, Dallas and, most prominently, Chicago. The number of crossings at the southern border have also fallen sharply, Fox News reported, with the daily encounters having reached only 582 on Sunday. None of the nine border sectors received more than 200 crossings on Sunday, a drastic drop when compared to the between 1,200 to 1,400 crossings recorded per day during the final days of Biden's presidency. Sources also highlighted how the Del Rio sector - which was sustaining 4,000 crossings per day during the height of the border crisis in December 2023 - only recorded 60 crossings on Sunday. ICE's daily arrests - which averaged 311 in the year ending Sept. 30 - stayed fairly steady in the first days after Trump took office, then spiked dramatically Sunday to 956 and Monday to 1,179. But Trump has been unhappy with the number of arrests so far and has directed federal immigration officials to meet higher detention quotas. He has ordered ICE to raise the arrest numbers from a few hundred a day to at least 1,200 to 1,500. His plan for mass deportations of migrants has also put him on a potential collision course with governments in Latin America, the original home of most of the America's estimated 11 million undocumented migrants. Migrants are escorted across the Hidalgo International border Bridge as they are deported under Title 8 in McAllen, Texas, U.S., January 27, 2025 Since Trump took office a week ago, thousands of migrants have been sent back to Central and South America. Pictured are migrants being escorted to Mexico on Sunday after being deported from the US A drone view shows giant tents, where Mexican authorities are building a temporary shelter for migrants deported from the United States, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, January 26, 202 A group of masked and handcuffed migrants are escorted across the Hidalgo International border bridge on January 27, 2025 Agents of the National Guard stand guard at the Flamingos social hall, which will be used as shelter to house migrants deported from the US under President Donald Trump's administration, in Tijuana, Mexico January 25, 2025 A blazing row erupted between Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro over the deportation flights of Colombian migrants - which Petro refused to accept. The US and Colombia were on the brink of a full-blown trade war after Trump threatened Colombia with sanctions and massive tariffs for turning back two military planeloads of deported migrants. Petro was the first Latin American leader to defy Trump over his plans for mass deportations, vowing he would only accept migrants returned on civilian flights who were not treated 'like criminals.' His announcement came amid an outcry in left-wing ally Brazil over the treatment of dozens of migrants who were flown home in handcuffs last week, prompting Brasilia to summon Washington's top envoy Monday to explain their treatment. But the resistance of Colombia's president quickly fizzled in the face of Trump's threats to impose tariffs on Colombian imports - despite the two countries having a free-trade agreement - and the suspension of US visa applications. The foreign ministry said Monday that a Colombian Air Force plane left Bogota in the afternoon with medical staff on board for the US city of San Diego to repatriate 110 Colombians. Shortly after, it announced another had left for Houston, Texas. Trump claimed victory Monday, telling the congressional Republicans' annual retreat in Miami that 'America is respected again.' The President insisted that 'as you saw yesterday, we've made it clear to every country that they will be taking back our people, that we're sending out the criminals... the illegal aliens coming from their countries.' If countries don't accept their migrants back 'fast,' added Trump, 'they'll pay a very high economic price, and we're going to immediately install massive tariffs, and it'll be placed on them and other sanctions.' Employees work to build a temporary shelter to prepare for possible mass deportations from the US, in Reynosa, Mexico, January 27, 2025 Workers unload mattresses from a trailer inside a giant tent, where Mexican authorities are building a temporary shelter for migrants deported from the United States, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on January 27, 2025 Agents of the National Guard pose for a photo at the kitchen of the Flamingos social hall, which will be used as shelter to house migrants deported from the U.S. under President Donald Trump's administration, in Tijuana, Mexico January 25, 2025 An agent of the National Guard stands outside of a room at the Flamingos social club, which will be used as shelter to house migrants deported from the U.S. under President Donald Trump's administration, in Tijuana, Mexico January 25, 2025 Trump on Monday said he wants Congress to pass a bill that includes an increase in funding to secure the country's borders. He made the comments in a speech to House of Representatives Republicans gathered at his Doral resort in Miami to discuss how to turn the president's policy priorities into a legislative agenda. 'In the coming weeks, I'm looking forward to working with Congress on a reconciliation bill that financially takes care of our plans to totally and permanently restore the sovereign borders of the United States once and for all,' Trump said. Trump said the increase should include funding for more border security personnel and retention bonuses for Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel and border patrol agents. The extra money should also pay for more detention beds, border security infrastructure and barriers, and completion of the border wall along the border with Mexico, Trump said. Trump's sweeping immigration raids across the country have seen violent criminals rounded up and sent packing on government flights at break-neck speed. The White House, hailing the federal agents who are 'working tirelessly to protect our communities', highlighted what it described as 'some of the worst' migrants to be rounded up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over the weekend. A Honduran national found with cocaine, fentanyl, and a firearm was arrested following a sting in Washington state, while a Jordanian national with suspected ties to the Islamic State was detained in Buffalo, New York. ICE arrested a Mexican national with an active INTERPOL Red Notice who was wanted for murder in Los Angeles, as well as a gangster from El Salvador who was wanted for aggravated homicide. At least two convicted child rapists were taken into custody over the weekend. Federal agents also detained dozens of members of the violent Venezuelan crime gang Tren de Aragua (TdA). ICE agents arrested Edgar De La Cruz-Manzo, a convicted child rapist, (left) in Seattle, Washington on Saturday. A Jordanian national with suspected ties to ISIS (right) was arrested by ICE Buffalo on Friday ICE Los Angeles arrested two migrants with active INTERPOL Red Notices on Friday, including an MS-13 gang member from El Salvador wanted for aggravated homicide (left) and a Mexican national wanted for murder Kevin Adith Torres-Velasquez, a Honduran national found with cocaine, fentanyl, and a firearm (left) was arrested by ICE in Seattle, Washington on Friday. Convicted sex offender and Ethiopian national Yared Geremew Mekonnen (right) was arrested in New Orleans on Friday But liberals and celebrities are in shock by the immigration crackdown, despite Trump having promised for months that mass deportation would happen on his first day back in office. Selena Gomez filmed herself breaking down in tears while speaking about the deportation of Mexican people. The actress, 32, uploaded a very emotional video on her Instagram Story on Monday morning in which she sobbed Trump deporting undocumented immigrants hours after he issued a daily quota of arrests for border officials. In her recording - which has since been deleted - Gomez admitted she felt powerless over the situation, telling her 422 million followers: 'I'm so sorry, I wish I could do something, but I can't. I don't know what to do. I'll try everything.' The video did not sit well with social media users though, who were quick to slam her for not using her reported net worth of $1.3 billion to take action herself. Spearheading the immigration overhaul is border czar Tom Homan, who issued a scathing response to Gomez's video meltdown. 'If they don't like it, then go to Congress and change the law. We're going to do this operation without apology,' Homan told Fox News. 'We're gonna make our community safer... It is all for the good of this nation. And we're gonna keep going. No apologies. We're moving forward.' Selena Gomez sobbed as she reacted to Trump's threat of mass deportations of all undocumented immigrants, which has ignited fears of family separations Border czar Tom Homan has spearheaded the changes - and issued a scathing response to a teary-eyed Gomez, who was upset over the deportation of Mexican people It comes as an illegal immigrant who has been convicted of child sex crimes shocked Dr. Phil on Sunday when he told him he was 'not really' a sex offender as he was taken into custody by immigration enforcement officers. The TV host, 74, was embedded with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and Homan as they rounded up undocumented migrants in Chicago. Dr. Phil, whose real name is Phil McGraw, grilled the detainee as he stood handcuffed in the street, video of the man's arrest revealed. The television psychologist asked the man - who has since been identified as Sam Seda from Thailand - where he was born and if he had ever been deported from the US before. Sam confirmed he was not an American citizen, but claimed his mother is. Homan then revealed that Sam was an 'illegal alien convicted of sex crimes involving children', claiming he was just one of many illegal criminals walking the streets of sanctuary cities as local authorities prevent federal agents from doing their jobs. Dr. Phil addressed Sam again, asking: 'You've been charged with sex crimes with children?' Sam simply replied: 'Not really.' 'Not really?!' a stunned Dr. Phil stated. 'And never been deported?' 'Nope,' Sam doubled down, leaving Dr. Phil apparently shocked. Homan then told his agents: 'Let's take him in, process him, and lock him up.' The first migrant arrested in ICE raids across Chicago on Sunday was Seda Sam, from Thailand Dr. Phil revealed that Sam was a 'convicted sex offender and internet predator' JUST IN: Border Czar Tom Homan reacts to Selena Gomezs viral breakdown, says he has no apologies and he is going to keep moving forward. The reaction weve all been waiting for. If they don't like it, then go to Congress and change the law. We're going to do this pic.twitter.com/OQv9Vdhj4V Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 27, 2025 Immigration officials arrested nearly 1,000 illegal migrants on Sunday alone - capping off a week of nationwide raids that removed thousands of criminals from city streets. Trump has expanded arrest priorities to include anyone in the country illegally, not just people with criminal convictions, public safety or national security threats and migrants stopped at the border. ICE hasn't said how many people it has deported since Trump took office gain, but the administration has highlighted removal flights, including the use of military planes. Under Biden, ICE deported more than 270,000 people in a 12-month period that ended in September. That was the highest annual tally in a decade, helped by an increase in deportation flights. The Biden administration did not use military planes. The Trump Administration has made it easier for ICE to deport people without appearing before an immigration judge by expanding 'expedited removal' authority nationwide for anyone in the country up to two years. The administration ended a policy to avoid arrests at 'sensitive locations,' including schools, hospitals and places of worship. It said it may deport people who entered the country legally on parole, a presidential authority that Biden used more than any president. It also threatened to punish 'sanctuary' jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Trump ended use of a border app to allow migrants to enter the country on two-year permits with eligibility to work, canceling tens of thousands of appointments into early February for people stranded in Mexico. Nearly 1 million people entered the US at land crossings with Mexico by using the CBP One app. The President also ended a policy that allowed more than 500,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to fly to the country on two-year permits if they had a financial sponsor. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said it made 956 arrests nationwide on Sunday and 286 on Saturday Marines installed wire along the southern border with Mexico on Saturday Trump has secured Mexico's approval to reinstate a hallmark policy of his first term, 'Remain in Mexico,' which requires asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for hearings in US immigration court. He stopped resettling refugees who are vetted abroad before entering the United States until further review, a program that he largely dismantled in his first term and was resurrected under Biden. Groups that provide temporary housing, job training and other support said the State Department told them Friday to stop work immediately. The Justice Department also told legal aid groups to stop work on federal programs that help people in immigration courts and detention centers navigate complex laws. Trump said he was ending automatic citizenship for children born on US soil, a precedent established by constitutional amendment in 1868. A federal judge in Seattle has put it on hold. UK councils are wilting under a mountain of debt, with the 20 most indebted councils owing more than 30billion. Official figures show that UK local authorities had a total debt pile of more than 140billion last year. It comes as more than four million people face punishing council tax rises above the maximum normally allowed by law. Householders in one area could see their bills hiked by 25 per cent - the largest increase in England for two decades. Seven other struggling councils around the country have proposed huge rises of between 9.99 and 15 per cent from April as they look to exploit a legal loophole, piling pressure on already under strain domestic finances. Birmingham, which is one of the those councils, has the most outstanding borrowing, according to numbers released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). The Labour-run authority, which effectively declared itself bankrupt in 2023, has a debt pile of 3.4billion, though the figures do not include liabilities that could increase them, like pension deficits or PFI contracts. The second largest borrower is Leeds, another large Labour authority, with 2.5billion. But third on the list is Woking, a small borough in Surrey which owes 2.1billion after a disastrous period of property speculation under its previous Conservative administration. Find out how much outstanding debt your local councils have using the interactive table below. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Local authorities are permitted to raise council tax by up to 4.99 per cent under Government rules. Any larger increase than this would normally have to be approved by a referendum of local taxpayers - something that has never happened because councillors know how unpopular the move would be. But councils can exploit a loophole with the threat of issuing a so-called Section 114 notice, effectively declaring themselves bankrupt and allowing them to go for higher rises, which would be signed off by Angela Rayner in her role as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. Some 4.4million residents in eight local authorities are set suffer this fate, a Mail audit has uncovered, sparking new questions over the mismanagement of public money. The 154,000 residents of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, which includes the Royal family on the Windsor estate, are facing the biggest council tax rise in the country - five times the usual maximum, adding 451 to the average cost. The second largest borrower is Leeds, another large Labour authority, with 2.5billion. The Lib Dem-run local authority is looking to force through a 25 per cent increase, which would be the largest for two decades in England if ultimately approved by ministers. Labour's flagship local authority Birmingham is considering raising council tax by 9.99 per cent for a second consecutive year as it tries to recover from disastrous handling of its finances in the past. If the rise goes ahead then Band D Council Tax payers in England's second city will see their bills rise by a combined 400 over the two-year period. Labour-run Bradford council, which was bailed out by the government to the tune of 220million last year and is currently the UK City of Culture, has also asked for permission to increase tax by up to 15 per cent from April for its 560,000 residents, putting around 170 on the average bill. In December, Lib Dem-lead North Somerset Council also proposed a 15 per cent rise in council tax, putting it by an average of 256 a year, as well as asking its 215,000 residents if they would donate 1,000 to help fill the authority's multi-million funding gap. And Tory-run Hampshire County Council, which faces a 182million deficit and has 1.4million residents, has asked ministers for permission to hike council tax by 15 per cent in 2025/26, adding 230 to the bill of a Band D property. The Government wants to abolish two-tier council areas in order to devolve more power from Westminster. With 21 county councils and 10 unitary authorities due to hold elections this May, some have sought to delay them to allow time to develop proposals on reorganisation. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it has received requests from 16 counties and two unitary authorities that involve 'postponing their election from 2025 to 2026'. They are: Derbyshire, Devon, East Sussex, West Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Thurrock, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. A Hollywood actor has been convicted of attacking his ex-girlfriend the day after he was freed from prison during Keir Starmer's controversial early release scheme. Tattooed bruiser Jason Hoganson was snapped giving a thumbs up as he walked free from HMP Durham on September 10. Coincidentally, he was freed on the same day 1,700 other prisoners were released under measures to tackle overcrowding. He was not formally released as part of this scheme. The 53-year-old thug had served just under half of his 18-month sentence for assaulting his ex partner, Rachel Usher. But the actor was rearrested just 48 hours later on suspicion of two counts of breaching a restraining order and one count of assault after again attack Ms Usher. Fallen star Hoganson, who had a leading role in the cult 1980s film Empire State, now faces going back to prison after he was convicted of assault and the restraining order breaches. Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard that mother-of-three Ms Usher died on October 30 - the day Hoganson was originally due to stand trial. A judge ruled the case should still go ahead, despite Ms Usher's tragic death. Jason Hoganson, with his face crisscrossed with angry scars and his head covered in distinctive tattoos, gave a jubilant thumbs up to the camera as he left prison in September Hoganson was released after being jailed for 18 months at Newcastle Crown Court Hoganson was a former Hollywood actor. He is pictured at the time of his appearance in 1987 movie, Empire State In a statement from the 42-year-old victim, read by prosecutor Lisa Callum, the court heard how she had been in a relationship with Hoganson for about six years and that he 'used to hit me all the time'. Ms Usher said, on September 11, she had been waiting for a lift by her flat when Hoganson sprinted towards her and 'slapped me across the side of my face'. 'I do not have any injuries but the slap was powerful,' she said. 'There was a lot of force behind it. 'He was shouting and bawling and seemed really angry,' she added. 'He called me a s*** and said there was someone in my flat. 'He said can we go somewhere and when I said no he got even more angry.' The court heard how the terrified mother-of-three called police, while violent Hoganson hit his head on an electrical box on the wall. In his evidence, the 53-year-old former star claimed he only went back to the block of flats where his ex-partner lived to get some belongings from a man who lived there. When quizzed by Ms Callum about why the man was not in court to back up his claims, Hoganson bizarrely claimed he had been 'having an affair' with his ex while he was jailed. Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard that mother-of-three Rachel Usher (pictured) died on October 30 - the day Hoganson was originally due to stand trial The 53-year-old actor seen outside HM Prison Durham on September 10 Hoganson was freed from prison during Keir Starmer 's controversial early release scheme The foul-mouthed yob then started shouting obscenities from the dock, leading to him being kicked out of the court. Deputy District Judge Natalie Wortley found Hoganson guilty of all three charges. Originally from Wallsend, Hoganson - who now has 112 convictions on his record - struggled with his movie career and fell into a life of drink, drugs and crime. Hoganson had a leading role in the 1988 Hollywood movie Empire State, alongside Irish actor Ray McAnally, Jamie Foreman and US star Martin Landau. Playing an enigmatic Geordie drifter living among mobsters in London, Hoganson had been talent-scouted by producers who contacted his drama teacher looking for a youth to play the part in the 1987 movie. Newcastle Crown Court previously heard Hoganson was caught on doorbell video camera when he attacked his former partner in Newcastle on December 11, 2023. Prosecutor Amy Levitt said he already had a restraining order to keep him away from his ex-partner when he attacked her. Miss Levitt told the court at the time: 'Footage shows the defendant assaulting the complainant. He slaps her to the face and she walks away. He walks after her. 'There are further hits and a push, where she falls to the floor. The assault continues while she's lying on the floor. Hoganson struggled with his early success after starring in Empire State, and his life descended into crime and addictions Pictured is a police appeal to find the tattooed thug after he attacked his ex-girlfriend 'She describes him, having pushed her, hit her, kicked her and put his body weight on her. The assault lasted around three minutes.' Ian Crook, defending, told the court: 'He was an accomplished actor. He actually secured a role, quite a leading role, in a film, a crime thriller. 'At that point the future was bright.' Mr Crook said Hoganson already had personal struggles at that point and added: 'Being thrown into the spotlight wasn't easy for him to cope with. He turned to drink and drugs and that led to a downward spiral.' He said Hoganson has a complex mental health history but has been a mentor for others while in prison on remand. Hoganson, of no fixed address, admitted assault by beating and breach of a restraining order. He was jailed for 18 months. Following his latest conviction, Hoganson was remanded into custody ahead of his sentencing hearing on February 25. A callous fraudster has been jailed after persuading victims all in their 90s to hand over bank cards that she then used to buy more than 10,000 of tech products. Lisa Macardle, 39, called on her targets at homes across the south of England country after an accomplice made bogus phone calls telling them their bank cards had been cancelled and would be collected by a courier. After being handed their cards she went on to splurge out their cash in Apple products as well as on a series of ATM withdrawals throughout June 2023. In one instance, she ripped off a 98-year-old woman of more than 4,300 by buying thousands of pounds in Apple products, as well as attempting to transfer 'large amounts of money' to her business account. Macardle was arrested on June 28 that year and has now been jailed for two and half years at Aylesbury Crown Court. A court heard how the offences started on June 17 when the 98-year-old woman from Dorset, received a phone call on her landline claiming to be her bank. She was told that her bank cards needed to be cancelled and that a new one would be sent out. The elderly woman was also told that a courier would collect the old cards in due course. Two days later Macardle turned up at the victim's house and collected her bank card before going on a spending spree after withdrawing 500 of her victim's cash from at ATM in Bournemouth. She then headed to John Lewis in Southampton where she bought 3,838.01 worth of Apple products, before withdrawing another 50 from an ATM in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Lisa Macardle, 39, pictured, defrauded her victims from across the country out of thousands of pounds The court heard that she also tried to transfer large amounts of money into her business account. A block was put on the card before thousands of pounds worth of other purchases could be processed. On June 23 that year, a second victim, this time a 96-year-old man, received a similar phone call from a man informing him there was an issue with his bank card. Later that day Macardle went to his address in Northampton and she was handed the victim's bank cards. The 39-year-old then used it to withdraw 500 from an ATM in Leicestershire and pay for 1,648 worth of Apple products at Currys in Milton Keynes, before Macardle made an unsuccessful attempt to buy 3,305.99 worth of tech stock at Currys in Aylesbury. Five days later, a 91-year-old woman from Hampshire fell victim received a bogus phone call before once again the fraudster attended her house and collected her card. Macardle withdrew 250 from an ATM in Hampshire with the woman's card before buying another 3,786 worth of Apple products from Currys in Aylesbury. But the card was blocked by the time she tried to spend 1,195 on jewellery at Ernest Jones in Oxford on July 10, and she was arrested later that day. Thousands of pounds of other purchases, transfers and ATM withdrawals were unsuccessful, the court was told. Picture: Macardle pictured No other suspects were identified during the investigation by Thames Valley Police's High Harm Fraud team. She was jailed after pleading guilty on January 17. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Duncan Wynn of the Central Fraud Unit, said: 'Courier fraud is a type of fraud where criminals deceive victims into handing over money, valuables, or sensitive information by posing as authorities or trusted individuals. 'In courier fraud, the deception typically unfolds in several stages, often targeting vulnerable or elderly individuals. 'Courier fraud preys on the victim's trust, vulnerability, and fear of authority, making it a particularly insidious form of deception. 'Lisa Macardle has pleaded guilty to the offences which is testament to the thorough investigation by Thames Valley Police's High Harm Fraud Team. 'Our message to offenders is clear, we will pursue, arrest and charge you. 'To protect yourself from being a victim of courier fraud, individuals should exercise caution when receiving unsolicited calls or requests for sensitive information. It is essential to verify the identity of the caller by independently contacting the purported organisation using official contact information, such as the phone number listed on their website, bank cards or statements. 'Additionally, individuals should refrain from disclosing personal or financial details over the phone and remain sceptical of any requests for immediate action or secrecy. 'Fraud prevention advice can be found on our website.' Following this, many took to social media disgusted by the fraudster's crimes. User Emma Shirley said: 'What evil low life! Way too low a sentence.' Karen Crow commented: ' What comes around goes around! Awful woman.' Meanwhile, another user, Sarah Baptist, moaned: 'How about making her pay for every penny she stole? Time for prisons to have working time...' This is the young woman who died following a visit to a chiropractor to treat a neck injury. Joanna Kowalczyk, 29, declined a procedure at hospital for her injury, caused during a gym workout and chose instead to try chiropractic therapy after researching alternative treatments, an inquest heard this month. Her medical history showed she regularly suffered migraines and joint hypermobility issues, but the chiropractor was unaware. She also had an undiagnosed connective tissue disorder which made her susceptible to arterial dissections, which are rare tears in the lining of an artery and can be life-threatening, the inquest heard. Polish-born mother-of-one Ms Kowalczyk from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, visited a clinic and told the chiropractor that she had discharged herself from hospital. The chiropractor cracked her neck to try and help with the pain. It is thought Ms Kowalczyk suffered an arterial dissection when she injured her neck in the gym and that she suffered acute dissections to the same location when the chiropractor cracked her neck. On January 22, the coroner officially raised concerns that chiropractors aren't required to check patient medical records. Polish-born mother-of-one Joanna Kowalczyk lived in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear Coroner Leila Benyounes called on the General Chiropractic Council to introduce new rules surrounding obtaining medical records. Ms Kowalczyk died on October 19, 2021 at Gateshead's Queen Elizabeth Hospital several days after her chiropractic treatment. The inquest heard she injured her neck in September 2021 during a PT session. The next day she visited the emergency department of a hospital where it was recommended that she undergo a medical procedure called a lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap. The aim of the procedure was to rule out the possibility of a haemorrhage, but Ms Kowalczyk self-discharged from the hospital, without that being carried out, it was heard. Chiropractors diagnosed her with cervical facet joint syndrome and she was recommended to undergo 'adjustments and manipulation', which Ms Kowalczyk consented to. Ms Kowalczyk said her doctor was aware she was going to see a chiropractor, who did not obtain any medical records before her treatment. In the following weeks, she underwent four chiropractic treatments at an unnamed clinic, it was heard. It is thought Ms Kowalczyk suffered an arterial dissection when she injured her neck in the gym During a session on October 16, after 'the left adjustment to the neck', Ms Kowalczyk started to experience 'immediate symptoms of dizziness and room spinning'. She claimed to have developed double vision, tingling in her right hand and right foot, she was struggling to speak, and even vomited. She stayed in the clinic where she rested for some hours. The patient was advised to seek medical attention at hospital by both chiropractors, but she did not wish to attend. Later that day, paramedics treated Ms Kowalczyk after she started to experience speech difficulty which was associated with a stroke. They diagnosed Ms Kowalczyk with a migraine after hearing that the 'symptoms of dizziness and migraine were normal after the chiropractic treatment'. The inquest heard that the medical professional 'was not aware that symptoms of stroke could stop after a short period of time'. The coroner said that had they recognised that Ms Kowalczyk was 'unable to move unaided' then they would have taken her to hospital on that day. However the following day, Ms Kowalczyk fell 'gravely unwell with a reduced level of consciousness' and paramedics were called again. Ms Kowalczyk died on October 19, 2021 at Gateshead's Queen Elizabeth Hospital (pictured) It was heard she deteriorated in the ambulance on the way to hospital and required 'intubation and ventilation'. Ms Kowalczyk died on October 19. The coroner said: 'Joanna Kowalczyk died due to a combination of the consequences of chiropractic treatment following a naturally occurring medical event, on a background of an undiagnosed medical condition.' The coroner returned a formal verdict of hospital death but issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report to North East Ambulance Service and the General Chiropractic Council in light of her passing. Ms Benyounes said: 'The evidence on behalf of the treating chiropractor was that he did not consider it necessary to request GP records or hospital records, before assessment or treatment despite being informed about the Deceased's recent hospital attendance, investigation which was recommended, and her discharge against medical advice. 'Even in the updated consent form I have been provided with, which was designed by the British Chiropractic Association, there is no prompt or question designed for the chiropractor to ask to consider obtaining medical records before assessment or treatment, and when this may be appropriate. 'The only reference to medical records is a consent to communicate as deemed necessary for the treatment, and for a report to be sent to the GP after treatment. 'I am concerned that consideration to obtaining medical records should always be given before assessment, particularly where recent medical treatment or investigations has been undertaken.' Ms Benyounes also raised concerns over how the attending paramedic was 'not aware' that symptoms of a stroke can 'stop after a short time'. The organisations have 56 days to respond to the coroner's comments. Ms Kowalczyk's sister Aleksandra posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram on the second anniversary of her death, saying: 'I think we will miss you forever, Like the stars miss the sun in the morning sky, Our missing piece.' This video is no longer available This video is no longer available The father of murdered JonBenet Ramsey has revealed the latest development after meeting with local police to solve the decades-long cold case. John Ramsey sat down Monday with Boulder, Colorado police to discuss new crime scene evidence in his daughter's murder case. Speaking to CNN in an interview which is set to air Tuesday, Ramsey said he had asked Boulder police to carry out more DNA testing to help solve the 28-year-old murder case using genetic genealogy. The grieving father said that he was 'very satisfied' with the leadership now in place at the Boulder Police Department and believes that they are 'committed to do all that can be done sing the latest technology and available resources to identify the killer'. He added that Boulder cops are 'continuing to move the investigation forward using all available tools and certainly DNA is a significant tool'. Ramsey also told the broadcaster that he hoped continued media attention on his daughter's murder might encourage someone with information on his daughter's murder to come forward. 'Please help us. I'm not vindictive. I just want an answer. And if you can help us with that, please call', he added. The latest interview comes after Ramsey said last month that he planned to propose conducting further DNA testing on several items recovered from the crime scene using revolutionary techniques. The Ramsey family has a fractured history with the police department and have previously said that past administrations have been reluctant to keep working on the case. JonBenet was found battered and strangled to death in the basement of her Boulder, Colorado home on December 26, 1996. JonBenet Ramsey was found battered and strangled to death in the basement of her Boulder, Colorado home on December 26, 1996 JonBenet's father John Ramsey speaks to CNN in December, telling the news broadcaster he's optimistic after meeting with Colorado investigators JohnBenet pictured with her parents John and Patricia Ramset and her brother Burke Hamilton Ramsey on December 3, 1993 Over the years there have been hundreds of tips, leads and possible suspects but nobody has been formally charged. But Ramsey said he is more confident than ever that a breakthrough is imminent. Several items which were previously DNA tested returned a match for an unidentified male and definitively ruled out Ramsey, his wife Patsy and their older son Burke as possible suspects after years of speculation. The DNA was found under JonBenet's fingernails, in her underwear and on several items such as the garrote used to strangle her and a blanket used to conceal her body/ 'I was told early on by experienced homicide detectives this wouldn't have been a difficult case to solve, even in 1997', Ramsey said. Speaking about the importance of using genetic genealogy technology, Ramsey said: 'I think it is the key. I think it's the only way this case will be solved. Because the technology is there, and we're going to insist and beg the police to use it. It'd be absurd not to'. The technique has already proved successful in identifying Joseph James DeAngelo, the 'Golden State Killer' in 2018 and Ramsey is confident similar results can be achieved for his daughter. It has been 28 years since Ramsey found JonBenet's lifeless body hidden under a blanket in the basement of the family home. Ransom note found following the murder of JonBenet John Ramsey looks on as his wife, Patsy, holds an advertisement promising a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the murderer of their 6-year-old daughter, JonBenet, during an interview nvestigators with the Boulder Police Department Crime Lab prepare to enter the house at 755 15th Street, where 6-year-old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey was killed She had been reported missing just hours earlier after he stricken mom found a ransom note on the stairs demanding $118,000 for her daughter's safe return. Patsy called 911 to report the incident and police responded quickly but the child's body wasn't found until hours later during a search led by Ramsey himself. Suspicion quickly focused on the family, which soon established a strained relationship with Boulder Police Department. A Netflix documentary released in November, Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey, addresses how misinformation about the case was spread widely by law enforcement and the media. In the wake of the explosive Netflix documentary about the decades-old case, Ramsey received a letter from a woman claiming her ex-husband is his daughter's killer. John Ramsey said he immediately followed up on the tip, but is yet to hear back from the mystery sender, he told the Daily Mail. This video is no longer available This video is no longer available A slain bikie was taunted by a gangland enemy in a chilling phone call prior to his death. Sam 'The Punisher' Abdulrahim, 32, spent six months in hiding before he was gunned down outside the Preston's Quest Hotel in Melbourne's north on Tuesday morning. Detectives are investigating a long list of the gangster-turned kickboxer's enemies which includes two bikie gangs, powerful Middle Eastern crime syndicates and a string of feared underworld figures. The footage, taken at an unknown time, showed underworld kingpin Kazem 'Kaz' Hamad mocking Abdulrahim over the phone while travelling in a car. Hamad, who was deported to Iraq in mid-2023 after serving jail time for drug trafficking, is suspected kickstarting the 'tobacco wars' and running a powerful criminal network in Melbourne from the Middle East. 'Hey, I'm still alive brother. Eight shots later and I'm still alive,' Abdulrahim bragged on the phone. Hamad replied: 'You're lucky. Luck, luck, luck'. The eight shots Abdulrahim mentioned was in reference to the attempted hit carried out at his cousin's funeral in June 2022. Chilling footage showed Kazem 'Kaz' Hamad (pictured left, with ex-Mongols boss Toby Mitchell, right) taunting now-slain underworld figure Sam 'The Punisher' Abdulrahim Sam Abdulrahim (pictured) was successfully gunned down outside his hideaway at Preston's Quest Hotel in Melbourne's north on Tuesday morning Abdulrahim was travelling in a line of cars leaving Fawkner cemetery when he was shot eight times, including in the chest. The attempted hit was followed by another attack, with his parents' house shot in a hail of 17 bullets. The latter shooting forced Abdulrahim to relocate to Melbourne's outskirts, where he began hiding in several properties and rentals. He also temporarily fled overseas in Bali, Thailand and Malaysia. However, after six months in hiding, dwindling funds forced Abdulrahim to return to the city. He was killed less than a day later. During the call, a man travelling in the car with Hamad warned Abdulrahim that he was being watched. 'You can't protect yourself, my brother. I'm gonna stand over you,' he said. Abdulrahim responded: 'I can protect myself. None of your boys are anywhere to be seen down here.' Sam Abdulrahim was told by a gangland rival that he was 'lucky' to survive attempts on his life prior to being shot dead. (pictured, the crime scene on Tuesday) Sam Abdulrahim (pictured) survived injuries from two shootings in June 2022 and May 2024 Abdulrahim and Hamad also discussed extortion prices to be imposed on Victorian tobacco stores during the call. Hamad, who has maintained an iron fist over Victoria's illicit tobacco trade from the Middle East, told Abdulrahim: 'You're offering two grand a week, and a hundred grand.' Abdulrahim replied: 'You've got too much, give me some money. I'll let you open up in Melbourne. I'll protect them for you.' Hamad, laughing, shot back: 'I'm doing it hard.' Sam Abdulrahim's killers escaped in a Porsche getaway car, later found burnt out (pictured) a few kilometres away Abdulrahim (pictured) was on the run for six months following a shooting in May, 2024 Sam Abdulrahim reportedly made the risky decision to return to Melbourne city once his funds began running out (pictured, mourners gathered near the crime scene on Tuesday) On Tuesday, Abdulrahim was left dying a pool of blood in front of his traumatised girlfriend as his killers escaped in a Porsche getaway car, later found burnt out several kilometres away. No less than 18 attacks were carried out against Abdulrahim and his associates prior to his assassination. He had been the target of three murder contracts, a prison bashing, three assaults, a dozen fire bombings and seven shootings. Abdulrahim had many powerful gangland enemies - including Kazem Hamad and his close associate Ahmed Al Hamza, as well as the Mongols and Comanchero motorcycle gangs. Three other kingpins likely out for Abdulrahim's blood - Nabil Maghnie, Gavin Preston and Kadir 'KD' Ors - who have all passed. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam/CCTV footage or any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. A Liverpool drug gang used the Royal Mail postal service to send millions of pounds worth of street drugs and prescription medication across the country and abroad. The criminal gang used a storage unit in a Birkenhead business park to deliver up to 2.7million of MDMA, ecstasy, cocaine, magic mushrooms, LSD, and ketamine. Step-siblings Benjamin Crane, 35, and Abbey Crane, 24, alongside Kay Davies, 64, Bradley Gene Grey, 43, and Kylie Collins, 36, used the dark web to distribute hundreds of thousands of class A drug pills and prescription tablets, and kilos of powders. The gang operated like a business and used pre-postages labels and shipped orders from a post office in a local convenience store using Royal Mail to deliver the drugs. Cocaine and ecstasy were found inside the Birkenhead storage unit, and police later seized up to 2.7m worth of drugs. These included 125,550 ecstasy tablets worth up to 1.3m as well as 8kg of cocaine, 7kg of MDMA powder, 2kg of cocaine, 454g of magic mushrooms, 4kg of LSD and 230 2CB tablets. Over 320,000 prescription tablets including Tapentadol, Diazepam and Tramadol were also seized by Merseyside Police. Police seized up to 2.7million of MDMA, ecstasy, cocaine, magic mushrooms, LSD, and ketamine Police found 125,550 ecstasy tablets, 8kg of cocaine, 7kg of MDMA powder, 2kg of cocaine, 454g of magic mushrooms, 4kg of LSD and 230 2CB tablets Over 320,000 prescription tablets including Tapentadol, Diazepam and Tramadol were also seized Police had been tracking the gang since 2023 and raided the Birkenhead storage unit on October 18 last year. Benjamin arrived at the storage facility and gave a false name to police officers. His step-sister and Kylie were identified on CCTV attending the unit. All five arrested were charged with conspiracy to supply controlled drugs after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court in November. On Friday, the gang were sentenced to a combined 44 years in prison. Benjamin was handed a 14-year sentence and Bradley was given 10-and-a-half years after they both pleaded guilty to 11 counts of conspiracy to control drugs. Abbey was sentenced to nine years in prison after she was found guilty after trial, while Kylie was handed six years after trial. Kay, who admitted posting parcels on behalf of Benjamin Crane, was found guilty of five counts of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs and was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison. Benjamin Crane, 35, gave police a fake name when they found him at the Birkenhead storage unit Bradley Gene Grey, 43, was handed a 10-and-a-half year sentence pleading guilty to 11 counts of conspiracy to control drugs Abbey Crane,24, was sentenced to nine years in prison after she was found guilty after trial Kylie was given a six-year sentence after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court Kay Davies, 64, was found guilty of five counts of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs and was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison Detective Sergeant Ste Mercer said: This was a large-scale drugs enterprise which was being run like a business from a storage unit in Birkenhead. The gang worked together to source, pack and deliver the drugs across the whole of the UK and internationally, utilising the Dark Web. Suspicions were raised when parcels delivered to the post office were suspected to contain drugs, upon examination hundreds of packages were found to have Class A, B & C drugs inside. We carried out a thorough investigation to identify all those who we believed to be involved in either sourcing, packaging or further distributing the drugs. I am sure they believed as their activity was behind the closed doors of a secure unit that they would not be caught out. I am pleased they are all now behind bars for a significant period of time where they can no longer continue to spread misery through their actions. We know the devastation that drugs cause to families and our communities. Merseyside Police remains relentless in our pursuit of such criminals and ending their drugs trade. I hope this result shows that we are committed in our pursuit of these people who think they are above the law and believe they can evade justice.We will continue to target criminals by thoroughly examining any evidence and carrying out any necessary searches across Merseyside. A Royal Mail spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We are legally obligated not to open post. However, we will routinely report suspicious items to the relevant authorities for further inspection. We also regularly assist police in the course of their investigations and assist Border Force in their assessment of items that arrive from abroad.' A British Army sergeant raped a female colleague as they shared a bed after a night out at a bar in Belize, a court martial heard. Sergeant Tauhakau Viavialevu attacked his fellow soldier on a 'spontaneous' off-duty trip to the Caribbean coast whilst they were both stationed in the Central American country, a panel was told. After a long drive, the pair went out and Sgt Viavialevu - of the the Welsh Guards - 'drank heavily' before they returned to the room he had booked which had just one double bed. During the night Sgt Viavialevu began the alleged assault by 'spooning' the victim, who tried to move away from him, before kissing her neck and removing her clothes to take the encounter further, the court was told. The soldier, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said Sgt Viavialevu was 'just not listening' despite her asking him to stop repeatedly and she felt she had 'no chance' of escaping. Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, heard that the sergeant held her arms down during the attack to stop her moving away. Sgt Viavialevu denies one count of rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration. He claims nothing sexual happened between him and the soldier. A British Army sergeant raped a female colleague as they shared a bed after a night out at a bar in Belize, a court martial heard. Sergeant Tauhakau Viavialevu attacked his fellow soldier on a 'spontaneous' off-duty trip to the Caribbean coast. Pictured: Sergeant Tauhakau Viavialevu outside Bulford Military Court Opening the case, prosecutor Colonel Jim Carmichael said the female soldier was not 'initially bothered' by sharing a bed with Sgt Viavialevu. Col Carmichael said: '[The victim] and Sgt Viavialevu decided to take a trip around the coast of Belize. 'They went to a bar, Sgt Viavialevu drank heavily and became intoxicated, she did not have much to drink. 'Sgt Viavialevu had booked a room with one double bed, this did not bother her initially. 'In the early hours she was lying in bed and Sgt Viavialevu began spooning her, she tried to ignore him by lying on her front.' He continued: 'She told him she was not in the mood, Sgt Viavialevu then put his hands inside her underwear. 'She tried to keep her legs closed but Sgt Viavialevu forced her legs open and penetrated her with his fingers. 'She repeatedly told him to stop, Sgt Viavialevu then pulled off her shorts, he was too strong, [the victim] did not want to do this. 'He pulled his own boxer shorts down and pushed his penis in her vagina, he held her arms down.' Col Carmichael told the court the next day Sgt Viavialevu acted as if nothing had happened and the pair continued with their trip, in separate rooms, before returning to base. Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, heard that the sergeant held her arms down during the attack to stop her moving away The soldier initially tried to continue with her work as normal but a few months later decided to report the matter after Sgt Viavialevu slapped her on the bottom. She said she felt 'angry' at not being able to defend herself and that Sgt Viavialevu seemed like a 'different person' during the assault in a video interview shown to the court martial. In the police interview, she said: 'I just thought 'there is nothing I can do'. 'I kept saying 'can you stop', he was just not listening to me. 'I felt hopeless, I knew I would have no chance against him. 'I was angry at myself because I couldn't defend myself, I was angry at him because this wasn't the person I thought I knew. 'It was like he'd seen red, his eyes didn't look the same, I felt like I was looking at a different person.' The trial continues. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a metal detectorist convicted of stealing a 3million Viking hoard of gold after he failed to appear in court. George Powell was part of a duo who failed to declare they had unearthed invaluable coins and other jewellery dating back 1,100 years that 'rewrote history'. He and fellow detectorist Layton Davies tried to cash in on their haul by selling the ancient items on the black market following the find in 2015. Earlier this month Powell, who was jailed for six-and-a-half years for the theft, had been due to appear in court for failing to repay 600,000. But a warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to appear for his sentencing hearing at Birmingham Magistrates Court on January 8. Davies is currently serving an extra five years and three months in jail for failing to pay the value of his share of the missing treasure. The pair unearthed the hoard near farmland in Eye, near Leominster, Herefordshire, around ten years ago. It included a ninth-century gold ring, a dragon's head bracelet, a silver ingot, a fifth crystal rock pendant and up to 300 coins, some from the reign of King Alfred. The police have issued an arrest warrant for treasure thief George Powell (pictured here in 2019) after he failed to appear in court Powell (left) had been due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court for failing to repay 600,000. Fellow detectorist Layton Davies (right) and corrupt antiques dealer Simon Wicks (centre) were also convicted of conspiring to conceal the treasure (pictured here in 2019) Only 31 of the coins - worth between 10,000 and 50,000 - and pieces of jewellery discovered at farmland in Eye, near Leominster, Herefordshire, have ever been recovered, with the majority of the hoard still missing By law, the men should have reported the discovery but instead decided to sell the items in small batches to various customers on the black market. Powell also only handed over three coins he found to the owner of the land which were 'not particularly valuable'. Only 31 of the coins - worth between 10,000 and 50,000 - and pieces of jewellery have ever been recovered, with the majority of the hoard still missing. Powell and Davies, along with coin sellers Paul Wells and Simon Wicks were convicted of conspiring to conceal the treasure in 2019. Sentencing at the time, Judge Nicholas Cartwright said they had 'cheated the public' by concealing the treasure which 'belonged to the nation.' He said: 'You acted in a way which was greedy and selfish. 'You clumsily dug out everything you could find and put the soil back and left without speaking to the farmer, the farmer's mother or anybody else. 'If you had obtained the permissions and agreements responsible metal detectorists are advised to obtain and had gone on to act within the law, you could have expected to have had a half share or third share of 3 million to share between the two of you. Historians believe the coins were of Anglo-Saxon origin and had been hidden by a Viking The treasure thieves tried to flog items in small batches to various customers on the black market instead of reporting the discovery The pair discovered a silver ingot within the ancient treasure hoard 'You could not have done worse than 500,000 each, but you wanted more.' Powell, from from Newport, Wales, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, later reduced to six and a half years on appeal. Davies, from of Pontypridd, Wales, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison, later reduced to five years on appeal. Historians believe the coins were of Anglo-Saxon origin and had been hidden by a Viking. One of them was a double-headed coin, showing two rulers of England - Alfred the Great, who ruled Wessex, and Ceolwulf II of Mercia. Experts said this showed there was an alliance previously not thought to exist between the kings, changing what we know about the unification of England. The hoard is set to go on permanent display at Hereford Museum which raised 776,250 to buy it. Passengers are being warned the multi-billion pound cost of a third runway at Heathrow Airport will drive up the cost of flights. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is this week expected to give her support for expanding Europe's busiest airport as part of Labour's scramble for economic growth. But there are huge questions over the scale and cost of constructing another runway at the west London site. The estimated cost of a third runway was 14billion in 2014 and is likely to be much higher now. According to The Times, airport bosses are looking at 'hiving off' the massive cost and asking ministers to allow them to charge an extra fee to airlines over decades. The Civil Aviation Authority currently sets a price cap for landing charges in five-year settlements, which are paid by airlines and passed on to passengers through higher fares. An aiport source told the newspaper: 'We are looking at the recovery timeline for the new runway. 'Currently our regulatory settlement is a five-year period, but maybe you could hive off the expansion project and get recovery over 30 years, so that the impact on passengers is reduced.' Chancellor Rachel Reeves is this week expected to give her support for expanding Europe's busiest airport as part of Labour's scramble for economic growth But passengers are being warned the multi-billion pound cost of a third runway at Heathrow Airport will drive up the cost of flights The estimated cost of a third runway at Heathrow was 14billion in 2014 and is likely to be much higher now Last summer, the Civil Aviation Authority capped Heathrow's price per passenger at an estimated 23.73 this year and 23.71 in 2026. Ms Reeves is due to unveil the Government's support for a third runway in a major speech tomorrow setting out her blueprint for economic growth. This is despite a rift within Labour's ranks over Heathrow expansion. Eight of those who attend Cabinet - including PM Sir Keir Starmer, Environment Secretary Steve Reed and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband - have previously opposed a third runway. Mr Miliband last night warned any expansion of Heathrow would be blocked if it can't be 'justified within carbon budgets'. A carbon budget places a restriction on the total amount of greenhouse gases the UK can emit over a five-year period. The Climate Change Committee will soon advise on the seventh version of the UK's carbon budget, which will set a legal limit for 2038 to 2042. According to the website Carbon Brief, a forest twice the size of Greater London would need to be planted in the UK to cancel out the extra emissions from the expansion of Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports. New runaways at these airports surrounding the capital would result in cumulative emissions of around 92milllion tonnes of extra carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) by 2050, their analysis said. They added that offsetting these emissions would require more than 300,000 hectares of trees to be planted within just a few years. This equates to all the trees planted in the UK since 2000. Labour donor Dale Vince last night urged Mr Miliband to 'stand strong' against Heathrow expansion. The environmental campaigner told LBC radio: 'If Gatwick, Heathrow and Luton Airport expansions go ahead, we will wipe out all of the carbon savings from the Government's 2030 100 per cent green energy plan. 'They'll just be wiped out, and we can't afford to do that. It's just crazy, and this is in the name of growth, but it will be a short term, illusory version of growth.' Virgin Australia has come under fire for its decision to ditch an unpopular route between two major cities. Virgin's seasonal Darwin-Adelaide direct route will be suspended indefinitely after an internal review of its network revealed a lack of demand for the service. Initially scheduled to resume on June 22 with three return flights per week during Northern Territory's peak tourist season, the route has since been axed. Virgin Australia says the 'difficult' decision will allow the airline to more easily manage higher demand routes from other cities and 'increase seat capacity through Darwin'. 'We have made the difficult decision to indefinitely suspend our seasonal Adelaide-Darwin route based on low forecast demand,' a spokesperson said. 'While we understand this will be disappointing for some guests, this enables us to reallocate capacity to markets where demand is higher.' Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro branded the airline's decision as 'awful and unbelievable'. 'This is a big part of why we need to rebuild the economy,' she told ABC Radio Darwin. Virgin's seasonal Darwin-Adelaide direct route has been suspended Virgin Australia's decision has been slammed by the NT government and tourism operators 'We need to grow our population, we need more business happening here. 'And these airlines need to be held accountable for what they're doing to regional Australia.' Tourism operators agreed the route cut was 'undoubtedly disappointing'. 'It's important to note that while this is a setback, the Darwin-Adelaide corridor continues to be served by both Qantas and Jetstar, ensuring that travel options remain available for both leisure and business customers,' Tourism Top End general manager Samantha Bennett told The Advertiser. 'We hope Virgin Australia will continue to review its network and consider re-establishing services between Sydney and Darwin. 'We believe there is strong potential for growth on this route.' Impacted passengers who already booked a flight prior to the cancellation will have the choice of an alternative flight via either Brisbane or Melbourne or receive a full refund. Virgin Australia believes an increased amount of flights from other major cities en route to Darwin will increase patronage. Virgin Australia defended the route cut to say it enables the airline to reallocate capacity to markets where demand is higher Roughly six per cent more passengers will be able to reach Darwin from Melbourne and Brisbane this year during the northern summer tourism peak between April and October than in the same period in 2024. Under the new plans, Virgin will also run two flights daily from Brisbane to Darwin, up to nine per week from Melbourne and between five and seven weekly from Perth. Daily Mail Australia contacted Virgin Australia for further comment. The European Union has launched a fresh bid to force the UK into backing down over a Brexit fishing ban. Britain's controversial ban on sandeel fishing in its North Sea waters has sparked a heated legal battle with the EU, marking the first time the two sides have clashed in court since Brexit. The case, which is being heard at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, could strain relations between Britain and the EU, complicating Prime Minister Keir Starmer's efforts to reset diplomatic ties and build cooperation with the bloc. The EU argues that the UK's prohibition of sandeel fishing violates the post-Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), an accord that governs fishing rights and trade between the two parties. Representing the EU, lawyer Anthony Dawes told the three-member tribunal: 'The UK's prohibition of all sandeel fishing in its waters of the North Sea nullifies rights conferred on the European Union.' The tribunal, composed of legal experts from France, New Zealand, and South Africa, will hear three days of arguments before delivering a final ruling by late April. While the financial stakes of the case are relatively minor the UK estimates a potential revenue loss of 45million for EU fishing vessels the political ramifications are far-reaching. If the tribunal rules in favor of the EU, it could retaliate by imposing measures against the UK unless the ban is lifted. Representing the EU, lawyer Anthony Dawes told the three-member tribunal: 'The UK's prohibition of all sandeel fishing in its waters of the North Sea nullifies rights conferred on the European Union' Pictured: Representatives of the European Union, Anthony Dawes, Josephine Norris and Bernhard Hofstotter Britain's controversial ban on sandeel fishing in its North Sea waters has sparked a heated legal battle with the European Union A sandeel, also known as a sand lance, pictured on a beach in the Netherlands, undated This would likely enrage British environmentalists, who support the ban for ecological reasons, and Brexiteers, who would see any compromise as a betrayal of Britain's post-Brexit sovereignty. For Prime Minister Starmer, who is aiming to mend ties with Brussels after years of post-Brexit tension, the timing could not be worse. A ruling against the UK could inflame domestic opposition, weakening his ability to negotiate cooperative agreements with the EU in other areas, such as agriculture and defence. The British government insists the ban is based on robust scientific evidence, citing studies that highlight the importance of sandeels to the North Sea's fragile ecosystem. These small, eel-like fish serve as a vital food source for larger fish, marine mammals, and seabirds, including puffins. While British vessels do not target sandeels, Danish fleets rely heavily on the species, catching them for use in animal feed and oil production. The EU claims the UK's ban is 'discriminatory, disproportionate, and not based on the best available scientific evidence,' arguing that it unfairly restricts access for EU vessels to UK waters, a right enshrined in the TCA. The EU's position also questions the UK's broader approach to sustainability, suggesting the ban may not align with internationally accepted standards for fisheries management. The dispute unfolds as Starmer prepares to attend a high-profile EU retreat next Monday, where he is expected to discuss closer defence ties with European leaders. The meeting will focus on strengthening NATO's response to Russian aggression and addressing US demands for increased European military spending. The UK is also seeking to finalise a veterinary agreement with the EU in the coming months. A three-member Tribunal is chaired by Dr. Penelope Jane Ridings, MNZM, a New Zealand national, Professor Helene Ruiz Fabri from France and Justice David Unterhalter from South Africa as Britain and the European Union face a hearing at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the first post-Brexit trade dispute that has gone to arbitration over a ban on catching sandeels in British waters, in The Hague, Netherlands, January 28, 202 While British vessels do not target sandeels, Danish fleets rely heavily on the species The UK has banned European vessels from catching the sandeel (pictured, eaten by a puffin) Such a deal would simplify agricultural and food trade, easing post-Brexit trade disruptions that have hampered British businesses. However, the sandeel fishing case could derail these efforts. A ruling in favor of the EU would put Starmer in the difficult position of choosing between honoring the tribunal's decision to improve EU relations or standing firm to appease domestic critics. The case underscores the growing tension between environmental priorities and economic interests in fisheries policy. Britain maintains that its ban reflects its commitment to safeguarding the resilience of North Sea ecosystems. Environmental groups have applauded the prohibition, warning that overfishing of sandeels could have catastrophic effects on the marine food chain. The EU, however, accuses Britain of using environmental concerns as a pretext for undermining its fishing rights, a key sticking point in Brexit negotiations. For Danish fleets that rely on sandeel fishing, the ban represents a direct threat to their livelihoods, fueling resentment and calls for action from EU policymakers. The tribunal's decision will not only determine the fate of sandeel fishing but could set a precedent for resolving future disputes under the TCA. The ruling may also signal how effectively post-Brexit agreements can be enforced, shaping the trajectory of UK-EU relations for years to come. For now, all eyes are on The Hague as the two former partners square off in a legal battle that intertwines ecological concerns, economic interests, and the complex politics of Brexit. With the court's decision months away, the outcome remains uncertain, but its implications are already reverberating through both sides of the Channel. Two Egyptian asylum seekers who stabbed a pair of Afghan college students in an apparent clash of cultures have been jailed. The mass brawl happened outside a college campus and a hotel housing asylum seekers in Bournemouth, Dorset. Three Egyptian immigrants approached the group of Afghan students, also believed to be asylum seekers, and the two sides 'squared up to each other'. It erupted into a brutal brawl involving at least seven young men and was witnessed by shocked members of the public. Adwy Hady, 26, was armed with a piece of broken glass and was seen on CCTV making multiple slashing motions towards students Omar Mohammed and Kifaayat Hotak. Ali Nakouda, also 26, was seen hitting some of the students with a glass bottle. A third Egyptian immigrant Mohammed Dawood was also involved but ended up getting badly beaten up by several of the students. The fight, that happened on January 25 last year, was eventually broken up by college security guards. Two Egyptian asylum seekers who stabbed a pair of Afghan college students in an apparent clash of cultures have been jailed. Adwy Hady (pictured), 26, was armed with a piece of broken glass and was seen on CCTV making multiple slashing motions towards students Omar Mohammed and Kifaayat Hotak The The mass brawl happened outside a college campus and a hotel housing asylum seekers in Bournemouth, Dorset. Pictured: Police officers at the scene last year Three Egyptian immigrants approached the group of Afghan students, also believed to be asylum seekers, and the two sides 'squared up to each other'. Pictured: Police officers carry out investigations following the incident It is not believed the groups knew each other and the row was to do with cultural or religious differences. Casey Chard, prosecuting, told Bournemouth Crown Court that two stabbing victims received serious injuries. He said: 'Mr Mohammed suffered a substantial cut to the right arm and Mr Hotak a stab wound to the side. 'The rest of the injuries were thankfully superficial, although this was through luck more than judgement on the defendant's part.' Mr Hotak said he was suspended from college for two months over the incident and is now followed by staff and made to feel 'like a criminal'. Mr Mohammed said in a victim impact statement: 'After the incident I received a letter from the Home Office stating my application for asylum had been refused. 'I had to move out and have nowhere else to live. I am currently homeless, the only places I can sleep are mosques or with friends. 'My life at college has been ruined. I never feel safe.' Lucy Conroy, defending, said Hady, who had no previous convictions and had been in the UK for four years, made a 'catastrophic mistake' and it was out of character. She said: 'He has shown a huge error in judgement. 'He has only known Mr Nakouda and Mr Dawood as fellow young local Egyptians also experiencing the asylum system and he struggles to explain how and why violence occurred at all. 'He says the groups were squaring up to each other, a punch was thrown from one of the other gentlemen towards Mr Hady and the rest is best consigned to history. Casey Chard, prosecuting, told Bournemouth Crown Court that two stabbing victims received serious injuries. Pictured: The South West Ambulance Service attend the scene The incident happened on Meyrick Road - which has the college campus on one side and the Roundhouse Hotel (pictured) on the other Hady pleaded guilty to two counts of wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article 'For what was less than a few minutes of exceptionally poor judgement, this young man will lose a lot. This really is an anomaly, but a tragic and significant one.' She added that his partner, a British woman who attended court, gave birth to a baby boy last year and he wants to be there for his son. The court heard his asylum claim is being considered but Judge William Mousley commented that he believed deportation was automatic in sentences of more than 12 months. Hady pleaded guilty to two counts of wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. Nakouda, who has been in the UK for three years, admitted affray and was sentenced to 27 weeks in prison but has been released due to time served on remand. Dawood was initially arrested but the CPS decided not to pursue the case against him due to his minor part and the extent of his injuries. Suits star Gabriel Macht has revealed he and his family no longer live in the United States, but has not disclosed the location of his new home. In a recent interview with People, the 53-year-old actor said: 'I am based somewhere in Europe, but I don't tell anybody where I live because I like to keep that under wraps'. 'I go out of town and we're exploring the world'. Macht and his wife, Australian actress Jacinda Barrett, have two children together: daughter Satine, 17, and son Luca, 10. The actor, who played Harvey Specter on Suits for nine seasons, explained that he took a 'long break' from acting after the hit legal drama came to an end in 2019, explaining he wanted to spend more time raising his kids. He added that after Covid, the family, who lived in New York at the time, needed a change after they found themselves 'stuck' in Manhattan as a result of the lockdown. While the actor has not disclosed where he lives, he announced in March last year that he would be participating in a production of 'Whodunnit [Unrehearsed]' in London's Park Theatre. 'Im participating in Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] 3 in Finsbury Park, as part of their special fundraising run to ensure the theatre remains an inclusive venue, offering vital support to the community for many more years to come! Pictured: (l-r) Gina Torres as Jessica Pearson, Rick Hoffmann as Louis Litt, Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane, Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter, Patrick J. Adams as Mike Ross. Macht has revealed that he no longer lives in the US The Suits actor said he and his family needed a change Macht pictured with his wife Jacinda Barrett at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Macht has not disclosed which country he and his family reside in 'Ill be turning my hand at detective work, joining a list of guest Inspectors lined-up to solve the mystery live on stage, without any rehearsal!', he said in an Instagram post. In December he took part in a fundraiser for the same theatre. 'This December I am supporting the Park Theatre's Big Give Campaign', he announced in a video that was posted to the venue's TikTok account. Macht has revealed his move across the pond after scores of American celebrities have threatened to leave the US in the face of Donald Trump's presidential win, but it appears that the actor's change of scenery came before. While many celebrities yet to follow through with leaving the US, comedian and presenter Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia De Rossi made the quick exit and moved to rural England. Meanwhile Ugly Betty actress America Ferrera said last year that she planned to relocate to the UK with her husband Ryan Piers Williams and their kids Sebastian and Lucia, blaming Trump's re-election. Suits originally aired on USA Network for nine seasons from 2011 to 2019, and saw genius college dropout Mike Ross join a high-profile law firm alongside Harvey Specter, Jessica Pearson and Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman), while Sarah Rafferty played Harvey's no-nonsense assistant Donna Paulsen. The Duchess of Sussex played Rachel Zane, a paralegal who becomes a formidable attorney and eventually marries Mike Ross. Jacinda Barrett and Gabriel Macht pose for portraits at the amfAR Gala Cannes 2018 cocktail at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 17, 2018 in Cap d'Antibes, France However, Macht and co-star Patrick J. Adams, who plays Mike Ross, said last year that the pair had had 'no communication' with Meghan following the TV series' streaming success. At the Golden Globes in January last year, Adams and Macht presented the best TV drama award before they were joined by fellow stars Gina Torres and Sarah Rafferty. Gina - who played lawyer Jessica Pearson in the US legal drama - revealed at the LA ceremony that the ex-castmates simply 'don't have [Meghan's] number' when asked if anyone had reached out to the former actress. An insider told Page Six that the Duchess of Sussex was invited to the event, but 'unfortunately' wasn't able to make an appearance because of a 'previous commitment'. Macht and his wife were guests at Meghan and Prince Harry's Royal Wedding in 2018. This is the shocking moment American Border Patrol stationed at the Mexican border were fired upon by a suspected drug cartel in an effort to smuggle illegal migrants into Texas. The gunfight broke out on Monday in Fronton, Texas, near Guadalupe Guerra, exactly one week after President Donald Trump returned to office and began his sweeping deportation crackdown as he declared Mexican drug cartels as 'terrorists'. Footage shows a small group of rifle-bearing cartel members crossing from Mexico onto an island in the Rio Grande river. Dressed in black or in camouflage outfits, the gangsters can be seen swinging their weapons around and pointing them up to American drones patrolling the area. They can also be seen walking along the riverbank in a separate clip before they are joined by a a few other gang members. Another video shows one man dressed in black hiding in some bushes, as he points his weapon towards a drone. He then backs away and moves deeper into the foliage, where the outlines of other man can also be seen. The footage was released by Chris Olivarez, a spokesperson with the Texas Department of Public Safety. While the cartel suspected of being responsible for the violence has been shooting across the border for years, NewsNation reports that the crisis in the region has 'escalated in unprecedented ways since President Trump was elected.' The cartel has reportedly 'given orders to shoot at agents recently.' American Border Patrol stationed at the Mexican border were fired upon by a suspected drug cartel in an effort to smuggle illegal migrants into Texas on Monday Newly released footage shows the moment Mexican gang members pointed their guns at American drones patrolling the area Your browser does not support iframes. A separate image shows the cartel members pointing their guns in an upward direction. No agents were injured in Monday's shootout. Border Patrol 'returned fire' and the 'illegal aliens did not make it across,' Fox reported. Fronton became a favorite Mexican cartel destination to smuggle people and drugs across the border, due to dense forest and vegetation which made it difficult to patrol. Texas DPS Lieutenant Chris Olivarez told Fox that state officials 'had enough' in October and launched a full-scale crackdown, clearing out the vegetation and brush to make it impossible for cartels to move through the area covertly. Governor Greg Abbott launched Operation Lone Star targeting cartels in the area, sending a letter to the Biden-Harris administration criticizing their handling of the border crisis. 'For years, the cartels were 'running rampant' in Fronton Island's 'thick vegetation' and 'bullet-pocked structures' along the river to stage illegal entries,' he wrote. 'I will not cede state land to transnational criminal cartels smuggling people, weapons, and drugs. Nor will I sit idly by as these threats endanger Texas law enforcement and Texas communities.' The gunfight broke out on Monday near the disputed territory of Fronton, Texas Footage shows a group of men holding weapons walking along the riverbank Fronton became a favorite Mexican cartel destination to smuggle people and drugs across the border thanks to dense vegetation American Border Patrol agents stationed at the Mexican border were fired upon by a suspected drug cartel in an effort to smuggle illegal migrants into Texas The gunfight broke out on Monday near the disputed territory of Fronton, Texas, exactly one week after President Donald Trump returned to office and began his sweeping deportation crackdown The cartel has reportedly 'given orders to shoot at agents recently.' No agents were injured in Monday's shootout Trump vowed to crack down on illegal migration upon his return to the White House A member of the Texas Army National Guard helps a migrant mother and daughter from China cross over a fence after the group was smuggled across the Rio Grande river into the United States from Mexico in Fronton, Texas in 2023 Authorities have since confirmed that attempts to illegally enter the country are at record lows, with less than 600 new arrivals on Sunday Migrants wait to be processed by the Mexican refugee commission It comes after the Pentagon said last week it had begun deploying 1,500 active duty troops to help secure the southern border. Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses said the troops will fly helicopters to assist Border Patrol agents and help in the construction of barriers. The Pentagon also will provide military aircraft for Department of Homeland Security deportation flights for more than 5,000 detained migrants. President Trump campaigned on a pledge to rid America of illegal immigrants and has stuck to his word, immediately beginning the largest mass deportation drive on record in the US. And authorities have since confirmed that attempts to illegally enter the country are at record lows, with less than 600 new arrivals on Sunday. The Del Rio sector which was dealing with upwards of 4,000 crossings each day at the height of the crisis in December 2023, recorded just 60 on Sunday. In the final days of the Biden administration, anywhere between 1,200 to 1,400 people were arriving daily to enter the US. ICE officers have been storming properties in sanctuary cities and carrying out deportations as part of Trump's anti-immigration scheme. More than 3,500 people have been arrested by ICE agents since Trump's inauguration last Monday, Axios reports. There are an estimated 11 million undocumented migrants in the United States, according to the Department of Homeland Security statistics. 'In the first week of the Trump Administration, we have fulfilled President Trump's promise to the American people to arrest and deport violent criminals illegally in the country,' the Department said in a statement. 'In one week, law enforcement officials have removed and returned 7,300 illegal aliens... including hundreds of convicted criminals.' Deportation flights to Jordan, Brazil, Mexico and El Salvador have all taken place, authorities said. Migrants wait for a bus to take them to a processing center after turning themselves over to US Border Patrol in Fronton Fronton became a favorite Mexican cartel destination to smuggle people and drugs across the border, due to dense forest and vegetation which made it difficult to patrol Texas DPS Lieutenant Chris Olivarez told Fox that state officials 'had enough' in October and launched a full-scale crackdown, clearing out the vegetation and brush to make it impossible for cartels to move through the area covertly A drone view shows giant tents, where Mexican authorities are building a temporary shelter for migrants deported from the United States A woman is devastated by the suspension of procedures at the Mexican refugee commission Pictured: Trump's 'border czar' Tom Homan. He has defended raiding churches and schools as part of the president's crackdown on illegal immigration Meanwhile Trump's border czar Tom Homan has defended raiding churches and schools as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration. Homan has spearheaded the changes - and justified relaxing rules governing enforcement actions at 'sensitive' locations such as schools, churches and workplaces, saying it sends a clear message to illegal immigrants. Upon returning to the White House, President Trump declared Mexican drug cartels 'foreign terrorist organizations' and said there was a 'national emergency' at the border. Around 1,500 active troops were deployed to the nearly 2,000-mile border this week, including 500 Marines from Camp Pendleton in California. The Pentagon expects additional troops to be ordered to deploy in the next few days as defense and homeland security leaders iron out requests for more support. Trump has reinstated a 'Remain in Mexico' policy - under which people who apply to enter the US from Mexico must remain there until their application has been decided. The White House has also halted an asylum program for people fleeing authoritarian regimes in Central and South America, leaving thousands of people stranded on the Mexican side of the border. A gunman opens fire on a rival after chasing him around a car park as an innocent motorist cowers behind his car. Mohammed Islam, 36, was seen pulling into the car park in a black VW Passatt before confronting his victim and giving chase, causing onlookers to scatter in terror. Brandishing a silver handgun, Islam then opened fire, missing twice before his victim tripped and was blasted in the thigh with a third and final shot. The gunman then fled from the car park at Small Heath, Birmingham, accompanied by two men he had arrived with. A West Midlands Police investigation established that the shooting was a revenge attack, after the victim had threatened Islam with a knife on the same road earlier in the day. Footage released by the force showed armed officers dragging Islam out of the back of a taxi a few days after the shooting. Body-cam footage showed the officers smashing the silver vehicles window before pulling Islam out and pinning him to the ground in Highgate, Birmingham. Islam racially abused the officers, and went on to deny the shooting in police interview. Mohammed Islam, 36, was jailed for 12 years at Birmingham Crown Court after he gunned down a 'rival' by shooting him in the leg CCTV captured the terrifying moment Islam shot his victim, injuring his leg after the victim tripped over Islam can be seen brandishing a silver handgun which left onlookers running for their lives West Midlands Police said the shooting was a revenge attack after the victim had threatened Islam with a knife on the same road earlier in the day But police work involving CCTV and mobile phone analysis, as well as officers being able to identify Islam from footage of him being threatened with the knife, helped bring the gunman to justice. The motive for that incident remains unclear, but at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday, Islam was jailed for 12 years after being found guilty of wounding with intent and racially aggravated public order offences after abusing the officers. The gunman, of Small Heath, was cleared of attempted murder. Detective Inspector Matt Marston, from the force's Major Crime Unit, said: This was a truly shocking outburst of violence, which has seen multiple shots fired and a man very lucky to have survived. Islam clearly wanted to cause his victim really serious harm and this could easily have become a murder investigation. We put a huge amount of effort into tackling gun crime in the West Midlands, and people who think its acceptable to carry or use weapons should be on notice that we will actively pursue them. West Midlands Police tracked down Islam several days later and arrested him at gunpoint Islam was travelling in a taxi in the Highgate area of the city when police arrested him Detective Inspector Matt Marston said 'this was a truly shocking outburst of violence' A husband in India has admitted to killing and cooking his wife following a heated argument - but cops have shockingly let him walk free. Gurumurthy, 45, told Rachakonda police in Hyderabad on Wednesday that he had slaughtered his wife Venkata Madhavi, 35, who had been reported missing since January 16. The retired soldier told authorities he had killed his wife of 13 years, after slamming her against a wall which resulted in an instant death. Gurumurthy, a father-of-two, then claimed to have dismembered her corpse using a kitchen knife before boiling the body parts. After boiling, Gurumurthy chillingly told cops he had placed her limbs in a pressure cooker for five-to-six hours and used a pestle and mortar to grind down her bones. He is then said to have thrown the remaining flesh and powdered bones into Meerpet Lake. Police seized potential evidence, including the pressure cooker, a kettle, and knives from the apartment where the butchering is believed to have taken place. Forensic teams, as well as a dog squad, have searched around the lake for the remains but have so far emerged unsuccessful in their attempts. Gurumurthy, 45, told police in Hyderabad on Wednesday that he had slaughtered his wife Venkata Madhavi, 35 The entrance area of the couple's apartment where Gurumurthy is said to have killed his wife Venkata Madhavi In this kitchen, the soldier is said to have cooked parts of his wife in a pressure cooker for days The retired soldier told authorities he had killed his wife of 13 years, pictured, after slamming her against a wall which resulted in an instant death 'We cannot rely on mere allegations. We are collecting all technical and scientific evidence. The case is being investigated,' a police spokesman told The India Express newspaper. As police continue to interrogate Gurumurthy, the Meerpet police believe he may have killed Madhavi in a fit of rage and did everything possible to avoid the crime being detected. 'As of now, we don't have any reasons to believe it was a premeditated crime. It seems like the result of a petty quarrel,' Ch Praveen Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police told the newspaper. 'We are questioning the suspect and we have not recovered any body parts. We do not have enough clues,' he added. Gurumurthy told the police Madhavi left home in a fit of rage after a quarrel between the two on the morning of January 16. But during their investigation, the police grew suspicious of the husband after sifting through footage obtained from CCTV cameras installed near Gurumurthy's house in the colony. While the footage showed Madhavi entering the house on January 15, she was not seen leaving the house in the next two days, Meerpet police inspector K Nagaraju said, adding the CCTV footage showed Gurumurthy's movements during that period. 'We took Gurumurthy into custody on Wednesday for questioning. Initially he provided inconsistent responses, but later he claimed to have killed his wife and disposed of the body,' Nagaraju said. Due to the lack of evidence, however, Gurumurthy has been freed and the case is still considered a missing persons case. CNN's Scott Jennings had a fiery back-and-forth with a Washington Post columnist who believes Elon Musk did a Nazi salute during Donald Trump's inauguration. Jennings, the lone conservative panelist on CNN'S NewsNight with Abby Phillip, defended Musk's gesture, which the SpaceX boss has said was done to convey the sentiment of 'my heart goes out to you.' 'Weve moved on from Trump derangement syndrome to Elon derangement syndrome,' Jennings said on Monday. 'Anybody who is asserting this thing he did on the stage the other day was a Sieg Heil, which I just heard you say, you know, lawyer up maybe because, absolute[ly] ridiculous thing to say.' But WaPo journalist Catherine Rampell, who is Jewish, was not having Jennings' explanations about what she called a Nazi salute - and she dared Jennings to repeat the gesture if he was so sure it was an innocent one. 'Why dont you do it on TV right now? Why dont you do it on TV right now if you think its so, so banal,' Rampell fired back at Jennings. Jennings was uncharacteristically quiet for a moment before he said, 'This salute trutherism is outrageous..... This is the biggest conspiracy theory.' Rampell then dared him to do the gesture a second time, adding: 'Do it right now on TV. If you think its normal, if you think its a normal way to greet people, do it right now on TV! Why wont you?' Scott Jennings had a fiery back-and-forth with Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell Elon Musk's gesture at the inauguration has been seen as a Nazi salute by some and a 'my heart goes out to you' moment by others NEW: Journalist Catherine Rampell has a meltdown after Scott Jennings tells her to lawyer up after she suggested Elon Musk is aligning himself with Nazis. CNN is now directly accusing Elon Musk of doing a Nazi salute at Trumps rally. Rampell was morally outraged over Musks pic.twitter.com/UBazomGwJJ Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 28, 2025 She had previously explained what she said was Musk's history of anti-Jewish statements and dog whistles to white supremacists. 'The first time that Elon Musk decides to declare that globalist Jews are responsible for the great replacement of brown people into the United States, maybe it was a misunderstanding, you know,' Rampell said. 'The second time he said that Jews are pushing hatred against white people - that's a quote - that was a little iffy. By the second Sieg Heil, I think he kind of loses the benefit of the doubt to not be accused of playing footsies with these Nazis. 'I'm not saying he's a Nazi, I'm saying the Nazis think he's a Nazi.' Musk has been defended by the Anti-Defamation League, as well as Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu said Musk has been 'falsely smeared' over his straight-arm gesture earlier this week and thanked him for being a 'great friend of Israel.' The PM further praised Musk for visiting Israel after Hamas' October 7 attack and allegedly supporting the country's 'right to defend itself against genocidal terrorists and regimes.' Musk has come under fire over a gesture he made during a rally in Washington on Inauguration Day, in which he thanked Donald Trump's supporters for helping secure the President return to the White House. He then slapped his hand on his chest and extended his arm straight outward and upward with his palm facing downwards. Netanyahu's response comes after left-wing activists beamed a massive image of Musk's infamous raised-arm salute and the word 'Heil' on to Tesla's Berlin car factory. I giant image of Elon Musk doing a gesture people have likened to a Nazi salute alongside the word 'heil' was projected onto Tesla's Berlin factory last night Netanyahu says Musk has been 'falsely smeared' over his straight-arm gesture earlier this week and further thanked him for being a 'great friend of Israel'. The pair are pictured together in November 2023 A video showing Musk's tweets in support of Germany's far-right Alternative Fur Deutschland party were also displayed on the nine-meter-tall factory. Musk has taken to X to slam his critics, alleging that the 'radical leftists are really upset that they had to take time out of their busy day praising Hamas to call me a Nazi'. Netanyahu replied to the tweet Thursday morning, thanking the SpaceX CEO for his support for the nation. 'Elon is a great friend of Israel,' the Prime Minister wrote. 'He visited Israel after the October 7 massacre in which Hamas terrorists committed the worst atrocity against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. 'He has since repeatedly and forcefully supported Israel's right to defend itself against genocidal terrorists and regimes who seek to annihilate the one and only Jewish state. I thank him for this.' Musk then shared Netanyahu's post adding: 'thank you.' The billionaire continued his social media crusade by retweeting footage of French President Emmanuel Macron raising his right arm with palm outstretched during a speech. The post questioned whether Macron would 'resign after giving a Nazi salute or is this just the way people engage large crowds when they are excited?' '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,' Musk commented on the post. 'In the end, this deception will just be another nail in the coffin of legacy media.' And Musk did little to quell concerns about his outlook on authoritarianism when, this week, he backed Germany's radical right-wing AfD party at its latest rally, telling attendees that there's too much 'guilt' over the 'sins' of their 'great grandparents'. The billionaire made a surprise appearance during the AfD's (Alternative fuer Deutschland) election campaign event in Halle in eastern Germany on Saturday, voicing his support for the second time in as many weeks. 'It's good to be proud of German culture, German values, and not to lose that in some sort of multiculturalism that dilutes everything,' Musk, via video link, told the hall of 4,500 people alongside party leader Alice Weidel. A furious liberal resident boasted about berating ICE agents during an 'embarrassing' raid at his apartment building where a migrant mom accused of child abuse also lives. The neighbor, who did not give his name, described how he was awoken at 6:15 am on Sunday by 'aggressive' knocking at the door of his home in Alexandria, Virginia. Officers said they were searching for someone going by a Hispanic name he did not recognize. 'I told them that they should be ashamed of themselves, that they were breaking up families, that what my government was doing was embarrassing and they are embarrassing our country,' the man told NBC Washington, despite public sentiment that seems to be leaning toward support for the raids. The apartment complex that was raided is also home to Wedni Del Cid Rodriguez, 46, who has been charged with child cruelty, abduction and neglect. Rodriguez and her partner, Franklin Viera Guevara, 29, are accused of chaining up her two young sons, ages 7 and 9, while they left them unattended in the home. Police were called to the residence after the 9-year-old managed to get ahold of a cellphone and dialed 911. When officers arrived, they found the boys in handcuffs chained to a table near where they slept. A Virginia resident told how he berated ICE agents during a raid at an apartment block where a mom accused of child abuse lives Wedni Del Cid Rodriguez, 46, has been charged with child cruelty, abduction and neglect The couple were arrested last year, but Rodriguez was released back into the community pending trial. Her partner was held without bond. They reportedly told investigators they chained the boys up for 'short periods' of time in an effort to 'scare them' into not leaving the home. It is not clear who the Sunday raid was targeting and if Rodriguez was among those apprehended. DailyMail.com has contacted ICE for more information. 'I fully expected to see Fairfax County police at the door. Instead, I saw a group of men. It was at least four, but I think it was more, decked out in what I would describe as, like, tactical gear,' the neighbor added. Doorbell camera footage shows the officers sporting jackets which bear the acronym for ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations. 'I asked them, 'Hey, if you have a warrant, it's for a specific apartment. Are you knocking on everyone's door?' I kind of reiterated some of the concerns,' the resident said. 'The individual who seemed to be in charge threatened to lock me up asked me if I wanted to be locked up; that would be more accurate.' Other neighbors told how their children were left terrified by the dawn raid. She and her partner Franklin Viera Guevara, 29, are accused of chaining her children to a table while leaving them unattended at their Alexandria home ICE agent raided the apartment complex early on Sunday morning but it is not known if this was in connection with the ongoing case against the couple 'They were knocking very hard on the door. They were trying to force it open,' one woman told News4's partner station, Telemundo 44, in Spanish. 'They kept trying to turn the handle and kept pushing hard against the door.' She said her ten-year-old daughter was so scared that she cried and said she did not want to go to school Monday. 'She's afraid that when she comes home from school, I'll be gone,' the woman said. Raids have been unfolding across the country as part of President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal migrants. ICE agents have arrested more than 3,500 people since the inauguration last Monday. England's chief medical officer today warned MPs it would be 'extremely difficult' to list illnesses that would apply under new assisted dying laws. Professor Sir Chris Whitty gave evidence to a committee scrutinising the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which cleared its first hurdle in the House of Commons in November. The Bill could see terminally ill adults in England and Wales with under six months to live legally allowed to end their lives, subject to approval by two doctors and a High Court judge. Sir Chris is one of about 50 witnesses who will give evidence across three days this week as the committee prepares to look next month in detail at each part of the Bill. He said it would be 'extremely difficult' to have a list of conditions that would apply under the proposed legislation. There would be people 'who may not have a single disease that is going to lead to the path to death', he told MPs. He added that 'multiple diseases' could make someone 'highly frail' and put them 'on a path inexorably to a death at some point in the foreseeable future'. Asked about the difficulties in having a definition on terminal illness within the Bill, Sir Chris also admitted that estimating how long someone has left to live is not a 'precise science'. Professor Sir Chris Whitty gave evidence to a committee scrutinising the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which cleared its first hurdle in the House of Commons in November People took part in a demonstration organised by campaign group Dignity in Dying outside the Houses of Parliament in November Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the Bill, has previously said it is likely to be a further two years from a law being passed for an assisted dying service to be in place 'Some people will die significantly earlier than they're predicted to, some people will die in small numbers very significantly later, but some people will certainly die a bit later, or somewhat to some degree later,' Sir Chris told the committee. 'But the central view, I think, is usually reasonably accurate, that someone is now in a point of a pathway from which there is not going to be a return.' Asked if there could be a list of conditions, Sir Chris said: 'If I'm honest, I think it would be extremely difficult. 'Let's take cancer for the great majority of people with the majority of cancers that are diagnosed tomorrow, the doctor who's seeing them will say: 'In all confidence, you have cancer, and I expect you to be alive, not just next Christmas, but it's for many years to come',' he said. 'So the fact they have cancer is not, in itself, a demonstration that they are going to die, and in fact the majority will not almost 80 per cent of people with breast cancer diagnosed tomorrow will still be alive 10 years later, for example. 'Equally, there are people who may not have a single disease that is going to lead to the path to death. 'But they have multiple diseases are interacting in the same person they're highly frail and it's not the fact of one disease that's the cause, but the fact of this constellation that is clearly leading them, on a path inexorably to a death at some point in the foreseeable future. 'Exact timings are tricky. 'But therefore, I think it's quite difficult to actually specify these diseases are going to cause death, and these diseases are not, because in both directions, that could potentially be misleading.' Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the Bill, has previously said it is likely to be a further two years from a law being passed for an assisted dying service to be in place. Sir Chris told MPs on Tuesday that he thinks two years 'seems a reasonable starting point' but that he does not believe there should be a 'firm deadline', with the focus instead on providing a 'safe, fair and secure service'. He said he and the UK's other chief medical officers are 'completely neutral on the principles of this Bill, which we consider are entirely for society and therefore for Parliament'. Sir Chris said he was appearing before the committee to answer technical questions, rather than questions on principle. He told MPs that if the Bill is passed into law by Parliament, there will need to be time for technical guidance and legislation to be put in place, as well as 'necessary training for people to be able to do this in an appropriate and dignified way'. He added: 'I think that what we would want to do is to have the time to do that. But you can do things at speed, if you need to. My view is this is something which is best not done at speed if we can avoid it.' And he said be believed 'most people in society would say the key thing is to get this right'. Sir Chris added: 'So personally, I would rather this wasn't running against a timeline.' The senior medic added that the 'central person here is a person, an average citizen, in their last six months of life'. He told MPs what is not wanted is for a person with a life expectancy of six months to be 'stuck in a bureaucratic thicket'. He added: 'We do need to keep this simple. And my view is the best safeguards are simple safeguards. So over-complicating actually usually makes a safeguard less certain, to be honest.' Asked about amendments which have been suggested to the Bill which would be more prescriptive in what factors doctors need to take into account, and the steps they would have to take when considering capacity, Sir Chris told MPs: 'It's very, very difficult I could not, at this point, write down a law that would actually be helpful to someone dealing with a whole range of different scenarios where they're going to have to have an end of life discussion. 'So my own view, for what it's worth, is: I would do fewer rather than more, and that is partly because simplicity is the key to really good safeguards, in my experience. 'If safeguards are really clear and simple, everybody understands them.' England's chief nursing officer Duncan Burton, who also appeared before the committee, pointed out that the Bill as it stands does not specifically state that the NHS would be the provider of an assisted dying service. Asked if that would need to be known quickly for planning purposes, Sir Chris replied: 'I think that is a key question. 'And I think actually, to me, that does seem something which Parliament may want to debate. That's not a question for us, but that is a point of principle, I think, one way or the other.' The panel is expected to start line-by-line scrutiny of the Bill a week later than originally planned, on February 11, to give MPs more time to consider the 'large' amount of written evidence so far put forward to be considered. Committee stage is likely to then last a week longer to account for the later start to the formal scrutiny, meaning overall timetabling would not be affected. No date has been given yet for the Bill to return to the Commons for further debate by all MPs at report stage but it is likely to be towards the end of April. While the Bill passed second reading stage after a lengthy debate in the Commons before Christmas, some MPs who voted yes said they might not continue their support if they are not convinced of strong safeguards around aspects including potential coercion. The Bill will face further scrutiny and votes in the Commons and the House of Lords, meaning any change in the law would not be agreed until later this year at the earliest. Some of the rarest Allied forces memorabilia of the Second World War, labelled as 'the stuff of which collector's dreams are made' will be going up for sale. The medals belonged to Captain Leslie Scott, part of a special unit made up of just 360 Allied parachute-trained special forces volunteers, many of them German-speaking. It was created in March 1945 to provide teams to be parachuted behind enemy lines to aid allied prisoners of war, who were feared to be in danger of being massacred in the German camps. The family found his collection of Special Allied Airborne Reconnaissance Force (SAARF) wings and didn't think much of it. But his family were not aware of this as they thought it was 'just a cook' and only found out when they tried to sell them online and saw bids of thousands of pounds. Jess Tarver of auctioneers David Duggleby said: 'So the Special Allied Airborne Reconnaissance Force was in existence for just five months, involved less than 400 troops, only 96 of whom were British - which is why the SAARF wings really are so incredibly rare.' They only found out of his amazing military heroics after his death when they found the wings tucked in a drawer as they cleared his London flat after he died aged 89 in 2008. For the last 16 years, they have been left in an attic of a house in the village of Duffield near York until relatives had a clear-out and put some of the items up for sale on eBay which attracted high offers from bidders. Captain Leslie Scott was part of the special unit of just 360 Allied parachute trained special forces volunteers, many of them German-speaking The items were enlisted and following expert advice, they will now go on sale, with one collection of wings, medals and photos expected to sell for 2,500 Viewings are taking place David Duggleby's Vine Street Saleroom in Scarborough on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Holly Hammond, pictured, a specialist valuer and catalogue curator, with the memorabilia which is expected to sale for 2,500 What was the The Special Allied Airborne Reconnaissance Force? The Special Allied Airborne Reconnaissance Force (SAARF) was a British military-led unit formed during World War 2. In early 1945 as the Allies closed in on Germany, concerns arose from the safety of prisoners of war (POW) in German hands. To address this the unit developed plans for teams to parachute into or near the camps to monitor the conditions and to intervene if necessary. These teams consisted of British, American, Belgian, and French soldiers, with a focus on those with German or Eastern European language skills. In April 1945, SAARF launched Operation VIOLET, with six teams dropped near POW camps in the Altengrabow region. Although the mission faced difficulties, it ended up being successful in helping the evacuation of Allied POWs, despite challenges with Soviet forces. Following the war, SAARF teams continued to assist with various tasks, including intelligence gathering and war crimes investigations. The force was disbanded in July 1945. Advertisement The items were enlisted and following expert advice, they will now go on sale, with one collection of wings, medals and photos expected to sell for 2,500. Jess Tarver of auctioneers David Duggleby said: 'This elite unit was brought together in a matter of weeks and involved just 360 British, American and European parachute-trained special forces volunteers, many of them German-speaking. 'As the invading Allied forces closed in on Berlin from the West and the Russians came in from the East, there were mounting concerns for the safety of PoWs being held in the German camps, indeed there really were fears that there could be massacres. 'The SAARF plan was to parachute in three-man reconnaissance teams close to the camps to monitor conditions and call in the cavalry if things turned ugly 'In the event, there was only one mission in which teams went in by parachute and it got off to a disastrous start. 'Half the 18 men in the six teams sent to monitor Stalag XIA and other camps in the Altengrabow area were captured by the Germans and taken into the Stalag. 'However, the mission ended miraculously well when they persuaded the camp commandant that with Allied forces fast closing in he should permit the evacuation of prisoners. He provided them with a radio to call in transport. 'After that SAARF missions were inserted more conventionally, without behind the lines parachute jumps, and then the war over. 'The unit was for a time involved in the interrogation of German troops and the hunt for war criminals but it was disbanded eight weeks after VE Day.' Captain Scott, third from left on the back, had told his family he was just a 'cook' during the war Captain Leslie Scott, pictured, in India when he was with the Royal Artillery The auction also includes a collection of medals, photos and memorabilia relating to Sergeant Raymond William Greenley, the first British paratrooper to be dropped east of the Rhine on March 24, 1945. Viewings are taking place David Duggleby's Vine Street Saleroom in Scarborough on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The auction begins at 11am on Thursday. Visit www.davidduggleby.com to see the catalogue. An alleged Tren de Aragua ringleader is among those who were arrested after ICE officers conducted their first raid in New York City as part of President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal migrants. Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, 25, is wanted for a host of charges out of Aurora, Colorado linked to the gang's takeover of multiple apartment complexes in the city last summer. Sources told the New York Post Zambrano-Pacheco was apprehended when officers swooped on an Ogden Avenue apartment in the Bronx on Tuesday. He is accused of being among those who were filmed breaking into an apartment last August in an incident which propelled the city into the national spotlight. Three people were taken into custody including a man with an international warrant for homicide in the Dominican Republic, officials told CNN. A source told DailyMail.com that the raids are part of an ongoing operation being carried out in every borough of the city. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem attended Tuesday's dawn raid and confirmed an an individual with kidnapping, assault and burglary charges was taken into custody. She shared footage of the swoop on X and vowed to clamp down on 'dirtbags'. 'Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets,' Noem wrote. 'We are doing this right - doing exactly what President Trump promised the American people - making our streets safe.' Alleged Tren de Aragua ringleader Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco is among those who were arrested after ICE officers conducted their first raid in New York City ICE officers have conducted their first raid in New York City as part of President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal migrants An individual with kidnapping, assault and burglary charges was taken into custody, according to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem Noem shared footage of Tuesday's dawn raid in the on X, as she vowed to clamp down on 'dirtbags' Mayor Eric Adams was quick to assert the action was just business as usual. 'Early this morning as it regularly does as part of a multi-agency task force our city coordinated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on a federal criminal investigation involving a suspect hiding in New York City,' he said on X. A photo shared by the New York DEA showed them on the scene in the Fordham Heights area of the Bronx. Officers have begun storming properties across the country in sanctuary cities like New York as part of Trump's mass deportation scheme. Sanctuary cities including the Big Apple have become a haven for migrants who flock to them in the knowledge that officials there limit cooperation with federal immigration agents. Many have arrived by bus and plane from the southern border, with New York alone welcoming around 210,000 migrants in less than two years. The president has since said he 'might have to consider' pulling funding to sanctuary cities, which include the likes of Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Trump, who ran on a mass deportation platform, has made immigration his first order of business since assuming office. The operation in New York City involved DEA, Homeland Security and Department of Justice agents Three people were taken into custody, officials told CNN, including one man wanted for murder ICE agents have arrested more than 3,500 people since the inauguration last Monday, Axios reports. On Friday, a senior official in the Trump administration revealed exclusive deportation and detainment data with DailyMail.com, including chilling details of dangerous criminals that were previously walking the streets freely. Among the worst of the worst to be picked up by ICE on Friday included Cesar Augusto Polanco, 59, a Dominican Republican national who was living free in Boston despite a criminal conviction for second-degree murder. Almost 5,000 Homeland Security and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers have been deployed by the Trump administration to carry out raids. The raids have sparked fear in migrant communities, especially since Trump signed an executive order which will now permit raids in the likes of schools and churches. Many migrants are said to be in hiding, turning usually crowded factories, warehouses and grocery stores into ghost towns. Frightened undocumented migrants began hunkering down after Trump took office for the second time last week, with dozens failing to turn up to work. One of the men arrested has with an international warrant for homicide in the Dominican Republic The raids come after President Trump signed an executive order permitting officers to storm sensitive locations such as churches and schools Mayor Eric Adams was quick to assert the action was just business as usual, saying that the operation took place 'as it regularly does as part of a multi-agency task force' Only 10 out of the usually 40 to 50 migrants workers attended their shifts at a factory in Joliet, Illinois last week, The Chicago Tribune reported, as six federal agencies swept the Greater Chicago area for 'potentially dangerous criminal aliens'. The operations are being overseen by Trump's hardline border Czar Tom Homan. He justified relaxing rules governing enforcement actions at 'sensitive' locations such as schools, churches and workplaces, saying it sends a clear message to illegal immigrants. 'There are consequences of entering the country illegally. If we don't show there are consequences, you're never going to fix the border problem,' Homan, who was on the ground in Chicago this weekend to oversee the bolstered ICE plans, told ABC News. However, the move was criticized by Catholic Charities USA which called for 'dignity' in dealing with the border crisis. 'We recognize the need for just immigration enforcement and affirm the governments obligation to carry it out in a targeted, proportional, and humane way,' the organization wrote. 'However, non-emergency immigration enforcement in schools, places of worship, social service agencies, healthcare facilities, or other sensitive settings where people receive essential services would be contrary to the common good. 'All people have a right to fulfill their duty to God without fear.' Secretary Noem was on the scene with officers for the raid on Tuesday morning Similar operations have been taking place in other sanctuary cities like Chicago, Illinois (pictured) US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conduct an arrest as part of President Donald Trump's wide-ranging immigration crackdown in Chicago, Illinois ICE officers conducted a raid in Denver, Colorado where they detained 50 illegal migrants including members of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, according to officials Meanwhile, the president is said to be underwhelmed with the current levels of incarceration and has directed officers to arrest between 1,200 and 1,500 people a day, the Washington Post reports. Trump ordered each of ICE's field offices to make 75 arrests per day and managers would be held accountable for missing those targets. ICE insiders told the Washington Post they are concerned that the quotas make it more likely that agents will 'engage in more indiscriminate enforcement tactics or face accusations of civil rights violations.' However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reportedly told the outlet, 'your story is false,' but did not elaborate. This is a breaking news story, please check back for updates.... Emmanuel Macron's attempt to look cool online backfired after he was spotted chatting to an influencer who previously called him a dwarf who is married to his teacher. In a clip that is making its rounds on social media, the French President is seen chatting to a content creator known as S4iintt on TikTok. In the video, the man can be heard complaining that he had been fined 75 at a motorway toll booth for using his phone to pay at the terminal. Facing his camera, he recounted his experience a few days earlier near Tours where he had three points taken off his driving licence because he had violated highway code which forbids holding your phone in your hand at toll booths or red lights. The video, viewed hundreds of thousands of times, gained so much attention that it eventually reached the ears of Macron, who took the time to respond to it on TikTok, in a short video taken in selfie mode. 'I think that by 2025, you should be able to pay tolls using your phone,' Macron said coolly. 'I've passed the file on to the interior minister and we're going to sort it out collectively. Thank you for the alert.' Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has since confirmed that he has received the order and intends to respond positively to the president's request. In a clip that is making its rounds on social media, the French President is seen chatting to a content creator known as S4iintt (pictured) on TikTok President Macron took the time to respond to the content creator's message on TikTok, in a short video taken in selfie mode But little did Macron know, the social media personality also once dubbed him a 'dwarf married to his French teacher' at the helm of a 'country the size of a potato crisp', among other insults. The spectacle drew sharp criticism from commentators. One radio host quipped: 'By offering a presidential platform to the first imbecile who comes along, Macron undermines the credibility of France.' Others accused him of prioritising social media stunts over pressing economic and political challenges. President Macron's decision to collaborate with the content creator was intended to bridge the gap between the political elite and the younger generation. However, the choice of platform and influencer has been met with skepticism and ridicule, and the initiative, aimed at connecting with younger voters, has spectacularly backfired, leading to a significant decline in his approval ratings. Critics argue that the move appears insincere and highlights a disconnect between the president and the public. Grappling with the lowest approval ratings of his presidency, despite presiding over internationally lauded events such as the Paris Olympics and the reopening of Notre Dame, the French president finds himself increasingly isolated at home, with critics branding his recent public appearances as out of touch and desperate. A poll published last weekend by Le Journal du Dimanche showed just 21 per cent of voters were satisfied with his leadership a record low in his seven years as president. This ranks him as the second-least popular president in modern French history, behind only Francois Hollande, his predecessor, who has since enjoyed a political resurgence. The social media personality once dubbed Macron a 'dwarf married to his French teacher'. Pictured: First Lady of France Brigitte Macron and President of France Emmanuel Macron during the ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in Oswiecim, Poland on January 27, 2025 President Macron's decision to collaborate with the content creator was intended to bridge the gap between the political elite and the younger generation. Pictured: French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz take a selfie at the Elysees Palace on January 22, 2025 in Paris However, as Macron contends with a fractured National Assembly and opposition-led 'cohabitation,' his power is increasingly limited. Aides have described the atmosphere in the Elysee Palace as 'morose,' with key advisors, including his trusted lieutenant Alexis Kohler, reportedly looking to move on. One former aide grimly told The Telegraph: 'I just don't see how he can bounce back. There's no clear path.' Even pensioners a core bloc of Macron voters in his 2022 re-election have abandoned him, polling shows. His unpopularity has now fallen below levels seen during the violent 2018 'yellow vest' protests, when demonstrators attempted to storm the Elysee. Macron's attempts to regain popularity are further hampered by a bleak economic outlook. Unemployment, which fell to record lows during his first term, has risen by four per cent the largest spike in a decade. Mounting national debt has also strained France's standing in the EU, with one business leader lamenting, 'France used to call the shots in Europe. Now it's shooting itself in the foot.' The political instability is evident in the struggles of Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, a longtime Macron ally, who faces a daunting task of reining in the deficit while negotiating with the opposition. French President Emmanuel Macron (L) talks with filmmaker Eric Toledano (2L), Auschwitz-Birkenau former Nazi German concentration and extermination camp survivor Ginette Kolinka and a survivor of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp Leon Placek (R) at the Paris Holocaust Memorial and before heading to Auschwitz French President Emmanuel Macron (left) lays a candle during commemorations at Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland alongside his wife French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a New Year speech to the Armed Forces during a visit at the Digital Support and Cyber Command (CATNC) of the French Army in Cesson-Sevigne, near Rennes, France, January 20, 2025 Bayrou has been forced to consider concessions, including reversing Macron's contentious pension reform, which raised the retirement age to 64. Critics warn that if the reform is scrapped, little will remain of Macron's second-term legacy. 'He should care less about TikTok and more about his country's economic decline,' one source from a leading French employer remarked. But despite his troubles at home, Macron continues to maintain a strong presence on the international stage. He recently attended the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz's liberation and will soon host a major AI summit in Paris, attracting high-profile leaders like OpenAI's Sam Altman. He has also championed European unity alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, calling for 'more independence for Europeans.' Yet, analysts warn that Macron's global stagecraft does little to address his domestic woes. Political communication expert Philippe Moreau-Chevrolet remarked that while Macron retains 'a knack for bringing the 'French touch' internationally,' it is unlikely to resonate with disillusioned voters back home. As Macron navigates the remainder of his term, his presidency is increasingly defined by a fight against irrelevance. Whether through TikTok engagements or international summits, his efforts to restore public trust face an uphill battle in the face of economic challenges and political discontent. A homeless man with two prior arrests said 'voices' in his head goaded him into pushing a 23-year-old woman in front of a New York City subway train on Monday morning. Markeese Brazelis, 26, who had already been charged with sexual abuse and trespassing within the last month, has now been accused of shoving a woman into an oncoming A train at the 175th Street station. Brazelis allegedly pushed her shortly after 9am, and she was struck by the train as it pulled into the station. She miraculously survived, falling back onto the platform. She was later taken to St. Luke's Hospital, the New York Post reported. Brazelis was taken into custody at the 181st Street station after bystanders took pictures of him and identified him for the arresting officers. As he was being perp walked out of the station, Brazelis appeared to admit what he did, telling PIX11 that 'voices' drove him to push the woman. 'I didn't need to do that,' he said. 'It wasn't right.' Brazelis faces two felony charges, one of which was assault with the intent to cause serious injury with a weapon. The assault charge carries a maximum of seven years in prison. Brazelis has at least two other prior arrests that he has scheduled court appearances for. Pictured: Markeese Brazelis is perp walked by an NYPD officer into Manhattan Central Booking after he was arrested for allegedly shoving a woman onto the subway at the 175th Street station Brazelis allegedly pushed her shortly after 9am, and she was struck by the train as it pulled into the station Brazelis told reporters on the scene that 'voices' in his head drove him to push the woman The A Train runs all the way from Inwood in northern Manhattan to Far Rockaway in Queens (Pictured: Stock image of the A Train) One of those arrests occurred on January 19 when he allegedly trespassed into a restricted area of a Bergen Street subway, the Post reported. He was then charged with trespassing in Kings County Criminal Court and was released without bail on January 22. On December 21, Brazelis was also charged with third degree sexual abuse in Manhattan for allegedly groping a woman on a train, court records show. Again, he was released without bail. 'It's beyond comprehension how this menace can be arrested two different times last week only to be turned loose to cause more mayhem. When will the courthouses get the message? This can't continue,' MTA Chief Security Officer Michael Kemper said in a statement. The woman he allegedly pushed in front of the train had bruises to her face, hands, knees and shoulder, according to PIX11. A friend of the victim told the outlet that she is doing okay. The victim said she was pushed out of nowhere, adding that it was one of the worst days of her life. This latest attack comes as New York's subway system reached a disturbing 25-year high for murders by the end of last year. The city's transit system recorded its tenth murder of 2024 - double the number from last year - when an illegal migrant allegedly set fire to a sleeping woman in a Brooklyn train last month. From 1997 to 2019, the subway system never recorded more than five murders in a single year, according to NYPD data. A Texas judge revealed that her husband used a bulk of his life savings to help pay for her treatment for clinical depression that included anxiety about her marriage. Judge Lina Hidalgo, 33, wrote a soul-baring piece for Vogue about her journey with depression, which led her to take a leave of absence last fall to receive outpatient mental health treatment. The Democrat shared that she was forced to take a break from work for nine weeks in August 2023 because of her depression - just months before her then-boyfriend David asked her to marry him. Hidalgo, who works in Harris County, which covers much of Houston, said that before he proposed, David helped her make sure she would enjoy both their wedding and the events leading up to it. 'David had used the bulk of his savings to pay off a massive bill I'd received for my mental health treatment, which had the unexpected result of making me less anxious about marriagealongside everything elseand finally allowed me to accept Davids proposal,' Hidalgo wrote. Hidalgo said therapy helped her accept two conflicting feelings at once and be able to feel joy over her relationship while also holding space for sadness. Harris county judge Lina Hidalgo, 33, revealed that her husband used a bulk of his life savings to help pay for her treatment for clinical depression before their wedding Hidalgo said that before he proposed, David helped her make sure she would enjoy both their wedding and the events leading up to it by helping her pay for her treatment for depression She wrote that thanks to therapy she learned how to experience 'sadness, worry, or exhaustion over friends illnesses or natural disasters in Texas or various work challenges' But she also learned those feelings could co-exist alongside her happy relationship with David and anticipation about their big day. 'could exist alongside the growing closeness of my relationship with David, and the joy and excitement I felt around wedding planning and making it to the big day itself.' Hidalgo was elected as Harris county judge in January 2019 The Democrat shared that David's sacrifice helped her be able to experience the joy of her wedding at a time where she felt there was darkness in the world. Hidalgo and David ended up tying the knot on November 6 last year - the day after the presidential election. They had a destination wedding in the Philippines in December. Hildalgo wrote in Vogue that she wanted to change her wedding date but wasn't able to. She said she and friends fought to ensure Donald Trump's election win did not 'ruin' their big day. The Stanford graduate, who was born in Texas to Colombian parents, was elected as Harris county judge in January 2019. The Democrat shared that David's sacrifice helped her be able to experience the joy of her wedding at a time where she felt there was darkness in the world She said she was inspired to get into elected office by Donald Trump's first presidency. Hidalgo and David met over a decade ago while volunteering for the Texas Civil Rights Project in 2014. 'With my wedding feature, I wanted to share how we can have a more fulfilling life when we address our mental health challenges head on,' Hidalgo wrote on X about her Vogue article. 'Its so important for Americans to continue having conversations around mental health. Ive learned that wedding planning doesnt have to take a toll on your mental health.' Ministers have rejected demands for a blanket ban on mobile phones in classrooms amid fears they are damaging educational standards. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has rejected a Tory call for tougher action to limit social media exposure, saying the plea was a 'headline grabbing gimmick'. The Conservatives are tabling an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill to end the use of mobile phones and other devices during school days by pupils. But the government says heads already have sufficient powers to remove phones from students. Under former prime minister Rishi Sunak, they issued non-statutory guidance to schools in England intended to stop the use of mobile phones during break and lunch periods in schools, as well as in lessons. But they now say this did not go far enough and want the ban written into law. Speaking in the Commons, shadow education secretary Laura Trott said: 'We know that smartphones in the classroom have a negative impact on reading and educational attainment of children in general. The Conservatives are tabling an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill to end the use of mobile phones and other devices during school days by pupils. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has rejected a Tory call for tougher action to limit social media exposure, saying the plea was a 'headline grabbing gimmick'. Speaking in the Commons, shadow education secretary Laura Trott said: 'We know that smartphones in the classroom have a negative impact on reading and educational attainment of children in general. 'When in government, we issued guidance to try to ban smartphones in the classroom, but the latest evidence is clear that they are still far too prevalent in schools. So to fix the problem, guidance needs to be put on a statutory footing. 'Does the Education Secretary agree that children's education outcomes are negatively affected by smartphones, and if she does, will she back our amendment to ban them from the classroom?' Ms Phillipson replied: 'I agree that phones have no place in the classroom. It is entirely right that schools take firm action to stop their use, and I know that that is what the vast majority of schools already do. 'As (Ms Trott) just said, last July, they said that they didn't need to legislate in this area. Nothing has changed in this time. I back the approach that they took in July in this area. 'Yet again, another headline grabbing gimmick. No plans to drive up standards in our schools. Later Ms Trott hit back, saying: 'There is growing evidence of the huge damage that social media is having on young people in the classroom, and the majority of schools don't have a full ban, despite guidance. 'It is a shame the Education Secretary can't put politics aside and support our amendment.' The Tory amendment would mandate that all schools in England put a policy in place that applies from the start of the day's first lesson to the end of the last. Schools would decide how to implement the ban and there would be flexibility for sixth forms and residential or boarding schools. An IRS agent who was allegedly shot dead by his coworker following a training session called his accused shooter 'an effing idiot' in his final words. Internal Review Service (IRS) Special Agent Patrick Bauer, 47, was tragically killed on August 17, 2023, after leading pistol qualifications and classroom training exercises for 16 Special Agents, according to an indictment viewed by the DailyMail.com. Following the training session, agent Larry Edward Brown Jr., 42, or Peoria, Illinois, entered the one-room building known as the 'Tower' at the Federal Correctional Institution Phoenix. Allegedly handling 'his firearm without due caution and reckless disregard for human life,' Bauer shot Bauer in the torso, the filing claims. The firearms instructor and 15-year veteran of IRS-CI received life-saving treatment at the scene from EMS and hospital staff but died as a result of the gunshot. Brown was indicted on February 28 by the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona, on one count of Involuntary Manslaughter of an Officer of the United States. His trial is expected to begin on February 5, where Bauer's last words will be shared with the courtroom, AZFamily reported. Russ Richelsoph, a criminal defense attorney not affiliated with the case, told the outlet that Bauer's final statement will play a key role in deciding Brown's fate. Patrick Bauer, 47, (pictured) was tragically killed on August 17, 2023 inside a small structure known as the 'Tower' after he was allegedly shot by fellow IRS Agent Larry Edward Brown Jr., 42 Brown was indicted on February 28 by the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona, on one count of Involuntary Manslaughter of an Officer of the United States 'It is identifying the person who discharged the weapon. We know who shot the victim in the case, but its also giving an opinion about that persons behavior,' Richelsoph said. Although hearsay, or a statement made out of court, is typically not allowed during trial, in this case, the judge ruled Bauer's words admissible under an 'excited utterance' exception. 'The idea behind the excited utterance is something that somebody says in the heat of the moment as something is happening, is considered more reliable than something that somebody is reporting upon reflection,' Richelsoph explained. The filing also shed light on what Brown said when he was taken to the hospital after the shooting to be treated for shock. 'I'm a use of force instructor - I should know better, ' Brown allegedly said. During the trial, the judge will also allow the defense team to present findings that Bauer might have made it out alive if the gun range had an emergency action plan, and if first responders arrived at the location sooner. Despite that, Richelsoph said the expert testimony might not prove that Brown is innocent. 'It could be argued as mitigation, but generally that's not allowed to prove somebody is not guilty,' he said, adding that it's hard to know what truly happened in the 'Tower' that day. During the training session, only training guns, or 'red guns' - Glock-pistols with firing pins removed, painted bright red to distinguish them from other weapons - were allowed, according to the indictment. Brown's trial is expected to begin on February 5, where Bauer's last words, "Larry's an effing idiot,' will be shared with the courtroom. (Pictured: Bauer and his wife Carrie) The 'Tower' (picture) is a stand-alone structure that measures at about eight feet by nine feet. The training exercises are not conducted inside the building After training concluded, Brown and another IRS-CI agent entered the 'Tower' to escape the heat, but the other unnamed agent eventually left to retrieve his phone. (Pictured: Interior of the 'Tower') 'Live fire' weapons were not allowed inside the small building, 'and everyone was patted down before they entered' to make sure they did not have the prohibited weapons on them, it continued. 'Red guns were carefully counted before and after each defensive tactics session,' the legal filing added. The 'Tower' is a stand-alone structure that measures at about eight feet by nine feet, and training exercises are not conducted inside the building. After training concluded, Brown and another IRS-CI agent had entered the 'Tower' to escape the heat, but the other unnamed agent eventually left to retrieve his phone. Just moments later, that same agent who left the building heard Brown yell 'I f***ed up, I shot Pat!' the indictment read. Brown and the other agent urgently called 911 before the Phoenix Fire Department and Phoenix Police arrived at the scene. Bauer was rushed to a Level 1 trauma center where he was pronounced dead. The Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide. Bauer, who was also a retired master sergeant for the Arizona Air National Guard, is survived by his wife Carrie and their four children, Rachel, Lauren, Aidan, and Katelyn He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1994 to help him pay for college, but he stuck with it for 22 years 'after developing an intense love and admiration for this job' Bauer, who was also a retired master sergeant for the Arizona Air National Guard, is survived by his wife Carrie and their four children, Rachel, Lauren, Aidan, and Katelyn, according to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1994 to help him pay for college, but he stuck with it for 22 years 'after developing an intense love and admiration for this job.' In 2008, he became an IRS Special Agent, quickly developing a love for his career. Throughout his time in the service, Bauer received many honors, including an Air Force Commendation Medal, an IRS Outstanding Investigative Work Award, as well as achieving 25 years of government service. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Glendale, Arizona, with his three siblings. He met his wife of 24 years while working at McDonald's together, the foundation said. Following his death, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation graciously donated a mortgage-free home to Bauer's wife and kids. Throughout his time in the service, Bauer received many honors, including an Air Force Commendation Medal, an IRS Outstanding Investigative Work Award, as well as achieving 25 years of government service 'Finally, Carrie would like others to know that her husband was a wonderful husband of 24 years and father of four,' the page said. 'He devoted his life to serving others, both as an IRS Agent and in the Arizona Air National Guard. Bauer was incredibly humble and hard-working. He is severely missed.' A year after his sudden death, many of Bauer's fellow service men and women honored him in heartfelt statements. 'Thank you for your service and sacrifice. "In valor there is hope.",' Recruit N. George with the Albany County Sheriff's Office Public Safety Institute Session 6 said. 'My dearest friend, fellow agent and leader....Words cannot express how deeply hurt and sadden we all are. You are truly one of a kind and a man that many of us can only hope to be one day,' Special Agent Patrick Taylor with the IRS-Criminal Investigation team wrote. 'I can't imagine going on without you, your knowledge, your friendship, and comradery. You were truly my brother and someone I would give my own life for. May you rest in Peace with our Father....I LOVE YOU BROTHER!!!!' 'Pat, you are a true professional and good friend. It's still unreal that I won't see you again,' Special Agent Joel Ernst with the IRS-Criminal Investigation team shared. "Xin Nian Kuai Le! Gong Xi Fa Cai," New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sent Chinese New Year's greetings in Chinese via China News Network. The PM also thanked the Chinese community for their contributions to business prosperity, cultural heritage and community leadership in the country and praised them for making New Zealand "so rich and diverse". The Year 2025 "is all about growth, growth, growth", said Luxon when he introduced the focus of the government in the coming year. He also called on everyone to face challenges and look for more opportunities to grow together in the Year of the Snake which, as he put it, symbolizes wisdom, resilience, tenacity and transformation, these qualities inspire everyone.(Meng Xiangjun) A woman says she was banned from Tesco after refusing to use self checkout machines. Sue Crossley, 67, claims she was banned after asking staff to serve her on a traditional till at a Tesco Express on Jubilee Street, Brighton. Ms Crossley, from Hove, said she has difficulties with the self service checkouts and prefers tills with staff. 'I do not like self checkouts,' she said. 'Sometimes I want to pay with cash and they all take card.' She said Tesco banned her after a confrontation with staff. Ms Crossley said staff were 'unwilling' to serve her on manned checkouts and claimed staff were resistant when she asked them to serve her. She said: 'It has happened to me lots of times. Sue Crossley says she was banned from Tesco after refusing to use self checkout machines People paying for their shopping at the self service checkout tills inside a Tesco supermarket The Tesco Express store in Jubilee Street, Brighton, where Ms Crossley claims she was banned 'They say they're friendly and helpful and they will help you with the manned till. 'When I asked someone to come and serve me, they were throwing goods and boxes about. 'They were so rude to me; I was not particularly nice to them. 'It was all an escalation of asking to use the manned till.' Ms Crossley said she was banned from the store two years ago following the incident but is still standing strong in her defiance of self checkouts. She is still a regular visitor to the Tesco Express near her favourite public library in Brighton. She added: 'I still go in there but I sneak round. Tesco was unable to look into the claims made by Sue, although stated that any abusive, violent or threatening behaviour is unacceptable.' The furious families of three Kansas City Chiefs fans who mysteriously froze to death in a friend's backyard have slammed investigators as they await answers a year on. Ricky Johnson, 38, David Harrington, 37, and Clayton McGeeney, 36, were found outside the home of their friend Jordan Willis on January 9, 2024, after spending the night partying in his home. Harrington's dad Jon told People this week that as prosecutors insist the case is still open, he is 'incredibly sure that the outcome of this was not intended.' The three men were found with cocaine and fentanyl in their systems, which Jon said is an issue that has still not been addressed by detectives. 'Im not buying that. Im not arguing that that was what they found in his system, but how it got into the system, we still dont know.' Harrington and others remain distressed and upset that no new information has been forthcoming about how exactly their loved-ones died. Willis' attorney John Picerno told the outlet that he maintains that his client had no knowledge of the deaths, but has been left baffled by the drawn-out nature of the investigation. 'What could possibly take this long?' he questioned. After speculation fell on Willis, who has never been charged with a crime related to the deaths, Picerno said he is still waiting for final autopsy results and official causes of the death for the three men. The bodies of David Harrington, 36 (second from left), Ricky Johnson, 38 (far right), and Clayton McGeeney, 37 (second from right) were found in the backyard of their friend Jordan Willis's home in Kansas City on January 9, 2024 Willis' attorney John Picerno said he maintains his client had nothing to do with the three men's deaths as he slammed detectives for the drawn-out investigation Loved ones of the dead men have raised questions over the lack of reporting of their bodies, and the snow that they say was not deep enough to submerge them The shocking deaths of Johnson, Harrington and McGreeney sparked headlines a year ago after their bodies were found within feet of Willis' front door. According to Picerno, Willis had been partying with the men after watching a Kansas City Chiefs game together on the night the three died. He said Willis went to bed as the men were leaving, and was woken the next day by Harrington's girlfriend when she found the bodies, and as 'unaware of how his friends died.' Picerno said this week that the ongoing case against Willis has been devastating to him, as he grieves the loss of his friends of 20-years, saying: 'He's deeply hurt by their passing.' 'They (the police) refuse to comment still,' the attorney said, adding that his client has been unable to get a job with the case looming over his life. 'And so that's kind of where we're at. 'Obviously, the public still thinks he's somehow involved in the deaths of these guys. If you [the authorities] know that he didn't have anything to do with it, why don't you come out publicly and clear him?' A police spokesperson told People that 'the investigation remains ongoing' a year on from the deaths, but said the case is stuck in limbo. 'There has not been any new information released,' the spokesperson said. 'Investigators and prosecutors remain in touch and investigators have continued to communicate their investigative findings. This remains a death investigation.' John Picerno, the attorney for Jordan Willis, said previously that he believes the friends died from overdoses from recreational drug use David Harrington, 36, (left), Clayton McGeeney, 37, (middle) and Ricky Johnson, 38, (right) were found dead in Willis's backyard on January 9 Platte County district attorney, Eric Zahnd, added in a statement to USA Today: 'This case has been a long and complex investigation, but we will not give up on trying to determine who is responsible for the deaths of these young men.' After the men's bodied were found by Harrington's girlfriend, for two days the families of the victims say they visited Willis' home, called him and sent him Facebook messages asking where they were. He did not respond. Willis has claimed he went to bed not knowing his friends were still in his backyard. He also said he did not see messages from his missing friends' loved ones until police showed up at his house because he was sleeping with headphones on. Willis' attorney said his client has moved from the area and deactivated his social media accounts due to the 'cloud of suspicion' the deaths have put him under. He also reportedly went to rehab after his friends' mysterious deaths. Willis, an award-winning HIV scientist, reportedly didn't answer the door to his friends' loved ones for two days after their bodies were found, as he claimed he was sleeping with headphones on and had no idea of their deaths Picerno said he is confident that Willis will not be charged over the crimes, but said police could later charge the person who supplied the fatal drugs to the group. He told the Kansas City Star in December that he was told charged would be imminent, but 'that didn't happen.' 'And then when I finally called back again to double check on that, they refused to make any comments at all.' Picerno told the Star that cops are also refusing to release a toxicology report because the probe is ongoing - even though he suspects it has stalled. The men's relatives have continued seeking answers about the circumstances of their deaths, as police are yet full toxicology reports, citing an ongoing probe which has seemingly not yielded any results nearly a year later. 'What we have seen lately, especially with the explosion of fentanyl... we see a lot more people who you wouldnt necessarily label as drug dealers being charged in these circumstances for some kind of felony murder,' Picerno added at the time. Noel Clarke will tomorrow apply for The Guardian's defence against his 10million libel claim to be thrown out by the High Court, accusing the newspaper of deleting messages and fabricating evidence. The actor, best known for his roles in Kidulthood and Doctor Who, also claims that a woman, who the publication claimed was groped by him, denies this and will give evidence on his behalf at trial. The Guardian - which dismissed the absurd allegations as completely false - claims it has 32 witnesses set to testify against Mr Clarke under oath. He is suing the newspaper for defamation over a series of articles published in 2021 and 2022 that accused him of sexual misconduct and bullying. The star has vehemently denied any sexual misconduct or criminal wrongdoing. Clarke, 49, claims the allegations cost him lucrative acting roles, a Bafta award and that TV series he appeared in were dropped. His lawyers last week revealed he is seeking to increase his damages claim from 10 million to 70 million. His claim to strike out The Guardian's defence, which the paper is vigorously contesting, will be heard in the High Court on Wednesday. Clarke is suing the Guardian for defamation over a series of articles published in 2021 and 2022 that accused him of sexual misconduct and bullying. He is applying for their defence to his 10m libel claim to be thrown out His lawyers say that journalists working on the story deleted messages on the Signal encrypted messages service. One allegedly said: 'Can you have a listen and just be really sure there's nothing in there that his QCs will use against us. Err on the side of caution on disclosing as much as possible that undermines our case.' Another allegedly said: 'Can we all clear all of our Signal messages please? Delete this entire thread. I'll create a new thread which will likely be disclosable in Court'. A third message said: '...please delete all Signal threads, including this one and individual one on one discussions we've had or you've had with each other'. Clarke's legal team claims the Guardian's 'destruction of evidence was widespread and wholesale'. This was to 'delete and fabricate' evidence against him, Clarke's lawyers insist. A decision on a March trial will be made by a judge at the High Court tomorrow. A Guardian spokesperson said: 'These absurd allegations are completely false. This was a rigorous, carefully reported investigation. 'Reporters and editors followed the Guardian's policies and practices at all times. 'Our lawyers have told the court of our wider concerns that Noel Clarke is seeking to intimidate our witnesses before trial. 'Our reporting on Mr Clarke in 2021 was based on the accounts of 20 brave women. 'After we published our first article, more women came forward. At trial, 32 witnesses are set to testify against Mr Clarke under oath. We look forward to a judge hearing the evidence.' Clarke, 49, pictured as DC Martin Young in 'Viewpoint', has vehemently denied any sexual misconduct or criminal wrongdoing He claims the allegations cost him lucrative acting roles, a Bafta award and that TV series he appeared in were dropped Yesterday MailOnline revealed that a woman the Guardian newspaper claims was groped by the star has denied being assaulted by him in evidence given on his behalf for a libel trial. In legal papers filed by the Guardian, it is alleged that 'Freya', not her real name, was assaulted by Clarke at a 'wrap party' for 2012 film The Knot. The newspaper claims Clarke 'went up alongside her and groped her from behind through her dress, in between her legs' without her consent. But during a pre-trial hearing at the High Court last week, Clarke's legal team said Freya was one of three people who feature in the Guardian's defence who are giving evidence in support of Clarke. The other two are an actor who is alleged to have sent Clarke a sex video that Clarke is alleged to have showed a female actor, and an actress who was said to have been directed by Clarke to kiss a fellow actress. It is understood that none of the three featured in any of the Guardian's articles about Clarke. Philip Williams, Clarke's barrister, said the three 'are our witnesses who featured as part of [the Guardian's] defence. Their point is, 'It is just not true, we were never contacted. Those allegations never happened'.' Despite featuring in the newspaper's written defence, it is understood none of three has ever been a defence witness. They claimed he is the victim of a conspiracy and that sources used by the Guardian peddled 'entirely fabricated and false allegations'. Gavin Millar KC, the Guardian's barrister, said there was 'no basis' for Clarke's allegation of a conspiracy. Mrs Justice Steyn ruled that an application by Clarke's lawyers, which included a new 'conspiracy' claim, would be adjourned until after the libel trial. The trial is due to start in March. A schoolgirl who stabbed two teachers and a pupil at a Welsh college had previously been expelled after taking a knife into school, a court has heard. Fiona Elias, Liz Hopkin and a student were injured in the attack at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, also known as Amman Valley School, in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, in April last year. The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted wounding with intent but has denied attempted murder. On the second day of a trial at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday, the jury heard how the girl had previously been expelled from school after a knife was found in her bag in 2023. In a police interview played to the court, Mrs Elias said she did not feel 'targeted' by the defendant following the suspension, but said she had been 'sinister' in the moments before the attack. Mrs Elias recalled the schoolgirl was 'looking at me with these eyes' and asked her 'do you want to see what's in my pocket?' before pulling out the knife. She then shouted 'I'm going to kill you, I'm going to f****** kill you' as she stabbed the teacher, Mrs Elias said. Ms Hopkin, who grabbed the girl and told the other teacher to get away, told police she feared the attacker would have killed her colleague if she had not intervened. In a police interview played to the court, Fiona Elias said she found a knife in the girl's bag whilst carrying out a search and asked the girl's father to come in The schoolgirl stabbed Liz Hopkin (pictured) in the neck, back and legs as part of the attack in April last year The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, carried out the attack at Amman Valley School, in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, in April last year However, after Mrs Elias got away, the girl turned towards Ms Hopkin and stabbed her in the neck, back and legs. Ms Hopkin said: 'I did think 's***, this is the end now'. 'I thought she was going to kill me - she went for my neck and there wasn't anything I could do to stop her.' She added: 'I'm just glad to be alive and I'm really glad Fiona is alive, and I could see that if I hadn't intervened she could be dead now.' Discussing the events that led to the schoolgirl's suspension, Mrs Elias told police: 'I had to carry out a bag search for something that had happened in the girl's toilets, and I found a knife in (her) bag. '(She) was very cagey about not wanting anybody to look into her bag, she had a bag full of 200 felt pens, I thought "bit strange", I happened to put my hand under that and I found the knife.' Mrs Elias said the police were called and the girl's father was asked to come in. '(She) received an exclusion, I can't remember the amount of days, she was allowed to come back to school and we had permission from her dad to do regular bag checks on her, we didn't do a lot, she settled back in really.' Ambulances outside Ysgol Dyffryn Aman school in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire in South Wales following the incident Mrs Elias said she thought the girl was a bit 'immature' in class, but there had been no major issues after the suspension, and she did not feel 'targeted' by her. Describing the moments before the attack, she said: 'She was looking at me with these eyes, it was so sinister, playing with whatever she had in her pocket. '(She looked) very distant, very menacing, just looking at me like she was going to do something to me - in a way looking right through me. 'It was making me uncomfortable, but then (she) can be like that though.' When asked what she was playing with, Mrs Elias recalled the pupil saying, 'do you want to see what's in my pocket?' before pulling out the knife. 'She said, 'I'm going to kill you, I'm going to f****** kill you', then started to stab me,' Mrs Elias said. 'When I saw the knife and she started stabbing me, I thought 'I'm going to die', I thought that was it.' The trial continues. Melania Trump has demonstrated her political power in her bold new White House portrait that paints a picture of what's to come over the next four years. The First Lady is shown staring directly into the camera and she stands tall with her hands on the table before her. The Washington Monument visible in the background. Body language expert Judi James says the portrait, which was unveiled Monday, depicts a powerful image of a first lady in control. 'Everything about this pose screams power and status,' she told DailyMail.com. 'She looks and poses as though she is the right woman in the right place at the right time'. Melania has pushed back against the 'trophy wife' narrative touted by her critics and instead reminds the world that she 'has her own decisions and her own opinions', according to James. Social media users were also quick to note how Melania's portrait bares striking resemblance to a photo of Claire Underwood - the First Lady in House of Cards who climbs the political ranks and ultimately becomes President herself in Netflix's successful political drama House of Cards. Claire, portrayed by actress Robin Wright, was regarded as powerful, ambitious and ruthless, with some alleging she was a stronger character than that of her husband President Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey). Melania's new portrait appears to send a similar message, making clear that she knows there is no time to waste in declaring herself part of a presidential triumvirate. Melania Trump has demonstrated her political power in her bold new White House portrait that paints a picture of what's to come over the next four years Social media users were also quick to note how Melania's portrait bares striking resemblance to a photo of Claire Underwood - the First Lady in House of Cards who climbs the political ranks and ultimately becomes President herself in Netflix's successful political drama House of Cards 'Melania now looks devoid of any traces of the 'Imposter syndrome', instead she looks and poses as though she is the right woman in the right place at the right time here,' James told DailyMail.com. Melania's tilted torso, according to James, signals 'status, confidence and even territorial ownership' while they way she splays her fingers on the desk is 'something of a power-grab or territorial ownership of this space in the White House'. The body language expert suggests that Melania may be responding to critics who claimed she remain at Mara-Lago during Donald Trump's second presidency, instead of working as a full-time First Lady. 'The portrait suggests a total re-branding from the 'trophy wife' FLOTUS who appeared to enter the White House reluctantly back in 2017, to this fierce, corporate-looking woman who, as she said during her recent book launch, has her own decisions and her own opinions,' James added, noting that the 'soft, 'people-pleaser' glamour look' she once displayed in gone. But online, most users were turning to the House of Cards comparison. 'Melanias portrait is giving off some 'House of Cards vibes,' one X user wrote. 'Melania tells us a lot by her wardrobe and photos! This is House of Cards! Trump card incoming!' echoed another. One user tweeted: 'Well, thats a striking coincidence, dont you think? Melania trump channeling her inner Claire Underwood?' 'I think she's sending the same message as her husband did with his...she's not playing around this time!' another user wrote of the portrait. Social media users have also likened Melania to Claire Underwood, the ruthless and ambitious First Lady-turned-President in House of Cards Welcome to MAGALAND: Insider Trump's Second 100 Days - The podcast bringing you the latest news and gossip from the White House. Listen here. Melania's portrait was taken on January 21, the day after Trump's inauguration, in the Yellow Oval Room of the residence by photographer Regine Mahaux. Mahaux, a Belgian photographer, is known for her portraits of the Trump family. She also took Melania's portrait in her first term. That photo from 2017 is in color. Melania is a soft-lit, with a warm glow around her. She wears a black tuxedo suit and has her arms crossed. Her second portrait, like her second term, shows, this time, she is more experienced in the role and determined to control how the public sees her. Other first ladies made use of bright colors and the White House settings in their photos. Jill Biden wore a bright blue dress for her official portrait. Michelle Obama wore a black dress with pearls in hers but used the Blue State Room as her backdrop. Laura Bush wore a warm brown suit. Melania's photo was taken in her favorite room in the White House: the upstairs Yellow Oval Room. In her first term, she oversaw extensive redecoration and restoration of that room, along with many others. In her memoir 'Melania,' she said the Yellow Oval Room in the residence was a 'favorite' and she designed the rug on the floor. 'I carefully selected beautiful antiques from the White House collection,' she noted. 'I personally designed a custom rug featuring American Beauty roses, blue ribbons and a trellis motif to tie everything together.' Melania Trump's first official portrait as first lady during Donald Trump's first term The Yellow Oval Room on the second floor that served as the Trumps' living room and was refurnished by Melania Trump; she designed the rug In Melania's first four years in the DC spotlight, she hosted few public events, granted even fewer media interviews and largely remained out of sight. Now she has a reported $40 million deal with billionaire Jeff Bezos's Amazon to produce a feature-length documentary and follow-up docuseries about her working life, complete with cameos from husband Donald and son Barron. Melania is an executive producer on the project. It's yet unclear how much of the payday will end up in her purse, but the sum is expected to be substantial. Behind this Melania 2.0, Dailymail.com has been exclusively told, is a new resolve. Melania wants control and what, she believes, she deserves. 'Money is her number one priority,' said a source familiar with the first lady's thinking. It's well known that Melania spent her years between White House stints in a return to the business world. In December 2021, she sold NFTs - digital artworks collectively titled 'Melania's Vision' and retailing for $150. At least some of the proceeds reportedly went to children and teens exiting the foster care system. The first lady has also been busy hawking Christmas decorations and jewelry. And there was her eponymous New York Times best-selling memoir, released in July, which she reportedly did not receive a large advance to write, but is likely generating healthy royalty payments. 'She has always wanted to be seen as a savvy businesswoman,' the source said. For the latest White House gossip and news, listen to the Daily Mail's new politics podcast, Welcome to MAGAland. Available wherever you get your podcasts now. Two Afghan small boat people smugglers who raped and blackmailed their victims with the footage, are facing extradition to Belgium. Zeeshan Bangash, 20, and Saifur Ahmedzai, 23, were arrested in the UK on December 18 and December 23 2024, respectively, as part of a collaborative investigation led by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Belgian authorities. The men were convicted in November in the Belgian city of Antwerp alongside 21 other gang members for a total of 170 years in prison, with sentences ranging from two to 18 years. Eleven members were tried in their absence, including the two men arrested in the UK. The court heard how they trafficked thousands of migrants from Afghanistan through Iran, Turkey, and the Balkans, ultimately smuggling them into Europe. Belgian prosecutors also revealed that the gang subjected male migrant minors to serious sexual assaults including rape which they would video to blackmail the victims into criminality and further sexual abuse. The migrants were then often trafficked across the Channel in dangerous conditions to the UK. NCA investigators supported the Belgian investigation for around two years, supplying intelligence and evidence to the Belgian Federal Police around suspected members of the network. Ahmedzai was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while Banghis received three years. The two men were also fined 3,000 euros (2516). The men were convicted in November in the Belgian city of Antwerp alongside 21 other gang members for a total of 170 years in prison, with sentences ranging from two to 18 years. Pictured: Zeeshan Bangash being arrested Saifur Ahmedzai, 23, was arrested on December 23 2024 at an address in Hemel Hempstead Judge Neeta Minhas spoke to Ahmedzai who appeared in the dock wearing a grey jumper and jeans today at Westminster Magistrates Court. He spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth. Judge Minhas said: 'You are here after a conviction arrest warrant for ten years for human trafficking. 'You will be remanded in custody for 28 days to 25 February. You will then appear on video link at the time of 11:30 on the 25 February.' At a second hearing for Bangash, who appeared via video link from prison Judge Minhas also remanded him to custody until his hearing on April 7. Specialist NCA extradition officers arrested Bangash, 20, at a New Kent Road address on 18 December, and Saifur Rahman Ahmedzai, 23, at an address in Hemel Hempstead on December 23. Officers also worked with colleagues from Border Force and Immigration Enforcement to identify migrants and victims of the network who had been transported to the UK, conducting safeguarding checks. NCA Deputy Director Craig Turner called the operation 'disturbing' underscoring the gang's exploitation of vulnerable individuals for profit. 'The actions of these criminals were deplorable, putting people in life-threatening situations while committing heinous crimes,' Turner said. Zeeshan Bangash, 20 was arrested at a New Kent Road address on 18 December Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed her disgust over the case, describing the gang's actions as 'sickening'. She commended the efforts of the NCA, Border Force, and Immigration Enforcement officers in tackling the crime network. 'This case is nothing short of sickening. These men ran extensive illegal smuggling operations and inflicted extreme cruelty on the migrants they smuggled - some of them children - when they were at their most vulnerable. 'I am grateful to the NCA, Border Force and Immigration Enforcement officers, for their hard work and dedication in pursuing these vile criminal gangs, safeguarding victims of exploitation and protecting our borders. 'As part of the Government's Plan for Change to strengthen our borders, we are working ever more closely with international partners to track down dangerous criminal networks like these, disrupt their activities and ensure they face the full force of the law, to protect people and save lives. 'In recent weeks we've agreed landmark new deals with Iraq and Germany, pledging mutual support and co-operation to tackle this shared challenge. At the Calais Group meeting with European partners too, we agreed to enhance our joint efforts to end this dangerous trade. 'Through this closer international collaboration, joint work between law enforcement agencies, new legislation, and the 150 million cash investment in the Border Security Command, we are making clear we will stop at nothing to protect our borders from people-smuggling gangs.' The NCA's Craig Turner added: 'These convictions highlight the success of international cooperation in tackling such harmful criminal networks, and we will continue to pursue these offenders wherever they operate.' Actor Kelsey Grammer slammed Los Angeles lawmakers, claiming that 'someone took their eye off the ball' when it came to managing the city's devastating fires. The Frasier star believes that LA is experiencing a political shift related to what sees as poor management of fire prevention by state and local governments. The actor told Fox News that he had always been politically 'a little bit more on the conservative side,' and attributed the shift he sees 'unfolding' to 'I guess you'd call it malfeasance in office.' 'I mean, I don't really know what else to say, but somebody took their eye off the ball, and there's probably going to be some accountability for that,' he continued. 'But you never know in California.' Grammer, who said his grandfather used to volunteer to fight forest fires outside of Fresno, added: 'Now, if my grandfather knew that fighting a fire was important and being prepared for it, we never should have stopped being prepared for it. And that's obviously what happened. 'Political expediency or whatever, you lose sight of things. But we live in a desert, we basically have really hazardous fire conditions all the time, and we stopped doing stuff to remediate it. So, you know, you just got to use your head.' The star said his house has been 'full of refugees' since the fires broke out, and he is 'devastated' by losses in the city. Actor Kelsey Grammer slammed Los Angeles lawmakers, claiming that 'someone took their eye off the ball' when it came to managing the city's devastating fires Grammer, whose grandfather used to volunteer to fight forest fires outside of Fresno, said: 'Now, if my grandfather knew that fighting a fire was important and being prepared for it, we never should have stopped being prepared for it - and that's obviously what happened' The star said his house has been 'full of refugees' since the fires broke out, and he is 'devastated' by losses in the city 'When you lose everything you have, and that's happened to me a couple of times in my lifetime, it's just [like], ok, that's [when] you pick up, and you figure out what's going to happen next, one foot in front of the other. That's how it has to be,' he said. The fires, which began on January 7, devastated the Los Angeles area and have scorched nearly 40,000 acres. Over 100,000 Los Angeles residents were forced to flee their homes, and dozens were confirmed dead. Many have blamed local and state politicians for their management of the fire and criticized the lack of water supply for firefighters. 'This was an unprecedented hurricane wind-driven wildfire in an urban area. Our crews and our system were prepared but overwhelmed by the massive demand as firefighting continued,' the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power said in a statement. The department further stated that the Santa Ynez Reservoir was 'out of service to meet safe drinking water regulations.' The 117-gallon water storage complex had been out of action for almost a year when the fires began, Daily Mail previously reported. 'The water system serving the Pacific Palisades area and all of Los Angeles meets all federal and state fire codes for urban development and housing,' the release said. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power stated in a press release that the Santa Ynez Reservoir was 'out of service to meet safe drinking water regulations.' The 117-gallon water storage complex had been out of action for almost a year when the fires began President Donald Trump said at a press conference that 'Los Angeles has massive amounts of water available to it' and 'all they have to do is turn the valve' California Governor Gavin Newsom responded by telling DailyMail.com that 'Trump is either unaware of how water is stored in California or is deliberately misleading the public' 'As we face the impacts of climate change and build climate resilience, we welcome a review and update of these codes and requirements if city water systems will be used to fight extreme wildfires.' President Donald Trump also criticized the response, calling out California Governor Gavin Newsom for the fire response. The president announced last week at a press conference that 'Los Angeles has massive amounts of water available to it' and 'all they have to do is turn the valve.' 'Why aren't they doing it? They either have a death wish, they're stupid or there's something else going on that we don't understand,' he added. 'They throw water into the Pacific Ocean - these people are crazy. So, we're going to be issuing an executive order demanding that they immediately let that water come down through California.' Newsom responded by telling DailyMail.com that 'Trump is either unaware of how water is stored in California or is deliberately misleading the public.' 'There is no imaginary spigot to magically make water appear at a wildfire, despite what Trump claims.' Although investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fires, faults along the Los Angeles power grid alarmingly soared in the same areas where major wildfires raged, sparking theories that the faults could also have catalyzed the crisis. The Palisades Fire, which has so far razed more than 23,400 acres, is 95 percent contained, according to CalFire 'When you lose everything you have, and that's happened to me a couple of times in my lifetime, it's just [like], ok, that's [when] you pick up, and you figure out what's going to happen next, one foot in front of the other. That's how it has to be,' Grammer said The damaged structures include dozens of multimillion-dollar mega-mansions owned by celebrities including Sir Anthony Hopkins, Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Bella Hadid and Mel Gibson. The Palisades Fire, which has so far razed more than 23,400 acres, was 95 percent contained as of Tuesday morning, according to CalFire. In Altadena, the Eaton Fire has burned through more than 14,000 acres and was 99 percent contained by Tuesday morning. A woman was arrested on charges of threatening terrorism in Iowa after allegedly vandalizing 10 properties, including two Latino-owned restaurants that were found covered in swastikas. Alisa Rilla Nicols Staats, 30, was taken into custody Tuesday morning and charged with 14 counts, including threat of terrorism and two counts of criminal mischief as a hate crime, the Muscatine Police Department said. The arrest comes after a series of swastikas was found scrawled on a door depicting the Puerto Rican flag at Jibaro Restaurant Sunday in the city on the Illinois border. The graffiti also included the message: 'We don't want you here.' Three blocks away, swastikas were also drawn on a wall outside Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant. Police also said an agency received what appeared to be racist emails. Staats was taken to Muscatine County Jail after her arrest. Hours before police announced the arrest, Mayor Brad Bark, who is also the president of the city's chamber of commerce, told DailyMail.com that residents had shared videos and photos with the police in hopes of helping catch the person responsible. Bark called the appearance of swastikas 'an isolated incident.' 'Of course this is a disgusting act, what happened, but after this a lot of these swastikas have been erased from the buildings and life goes on,' the mayor said. At Jibaro Restaurant in Muscatine, Iowa, a series of swastikas was found scrawled on a door depicting the Puerto Rican flag Sunday Alisa Rilla Nicols Staats was arrested intoTuesday morning by authorities in Muscatine, Iowa. The 30-year-old allegedly vandalized 11 businesses, including a Puerto Rican and Mexican restaurants, with swastikas and other hateful messages Sunday. She was charged with 14 counts, including threat of terrorism and two counts of criminal mischief as a hate crime Three blocks away, swastikas were also drawn on a wall outside Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant Jibaro Restaurant said in a statement posted to its Facebook page Sunday that the hate-filled graffiti would not deter it from continuing to serve the city of about 23,000 residents. 'Jibaro is sure that these types of people do not represent the community of Muscatine. These are people with very little personality and in need of attention,' the restaurant said. 'We have already made all the necessary arrangements and we continue to plan for our contribution to Muscatine. Let it also be understood that these threats will never stop Jibaro, here we do not know fear.' The family-run Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant called for unity amid the vandalism. 'We were deeply disheartened to discover the recent vandalism to our restaurant and neighboring businesses, an act rooted in hate that does not reflect the values of love, respect, and unity that we hold dear,' read a statement from the Vazquez family on the restaurant's Facebook page on Sunday evening. 'To those who stand with us, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 'Together, we are stronger, and together, we will continue to build a community where everyone feels valued and respected.' Outside Jibaro Restaurant, a message read: 'We don't want you here' Many took to to social media to decry the vandalism, saying they stood behind the defaced restaurants. 'We absolutely DO want you here. The food is amazing , you guys are great and I'll be back soon. Dont let a handful of idiots discourage you,' a commenter on Jibaro's post replied. 'People born in Puerto Rico are US citizens. Puerto Rico is a US territory. The Puerto Rican flag is our flag!' another added. DailyMail.com has reached out to Jibaro Restaurant and Guadalajara Restaurant for comment. President Donald Trump stormed back into power on Monday and wasted no time throwing open up press access, that had gotten notoriously restrictive in former President Joe Biden's administration. The president engaged freely with reporters in the Oval Office and on his first trip across the country to visit disaster areas in North Carolina and California as well as a Las Vegas casino and after a meeting of House Republicans in Florida. The president answered 136 different questions from reporters in the first week of his presidency, according to a DailyMail.com analysis including several questions from Daily Mail reporter Rob Crilly who traveled with the pool of reporters on the trip. Trump enjoys sparring with the press, as he appreciates having an audience reacting to the flurry of activity underway in his second term in office. Trump began his first day in the Oval Office, answering 38 questions from reporters for about 15 minutes after he signed several executive orders to mark his first day in office. The following day he stopped briefly in the West Wing colonnade to reply to a shouted question about the inaugural church service, where an Episcopalian bishop lectured him about LGBTQ Americans being afraid and urging him to have mercy on illegal immigrates facing deportation. Trump stopped for some Chopper Talk with reporters on his way to Marine One as he took five questions for about three minutes prior to his trip to North Carolina and spoke to reporters at the airport after he landed at the airport. He took six questions for about seven minutes about FEMA, the price of oil, and deportation flights before taking his motorcade to view the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after signing a series of executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the Oval Office US President Donald Trump (L), alongside First Lady Melania Trump, speaks to reporters as he departs the White House Trump paused and took eleven minutes of questions at the end of his Hurricane Helene briefing. Taking 15 additional questions from reporters before leaving for California. He briefly spoke to reporters for three minutes after landing in Los Angeles where he was greeted by California Gov. Gavin Newsom and took two questions. After tangling with state officials during the wildfire briefing, Trump spoke again with reporters for two minutes and took six additional questions before leaving California for his hotel in Las Vegas. In Las Vegas, Trump ignored reporters shouted questions as he shot craps in the Casino following his speech about ending taxes on tips for service workers. President Donald Trump talks with reporters as first lady Melania Trump listens, after arriving on Air Force One at Los Angeles International Airport President Donald Trump talks with reporters before boarding Air Force One at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles On the flight from Las Vegas to Florida, Trump surprised reporters aboard Air Force One by coming back and speaking to them on the record for about 20 minutes and answering 34 questions. Youre getting a little but more access to your president than you did the last one, he told reporters, referring to former President Biden who was notoriously stingy with his time with the press. By about 5000 percent, he added. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as he travels from Las Vegas to Miami U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt aboard Air Force One before arriving at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, After Speaking to House Republicans on Monday, Trump again popped into the press cabin to talk to reporters on the trip home to Washington D.C, taking 29 questions for 12 minutes. After Trump's busy first week as president, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt finally announced Tuesday that her first press briefing in the White House briefing room would take place that afternoon. 'See you at the podium! 1PM ET!' she wrote on social media. A paedophile Scout master spent 27 years on the run 'in paradise' after fleeing before his trial on child sex charges was due to start, a court heard today. Richard Burrows, now 80, was arrested at Heathrow Airport last March after trying to re-enter the UK from Thailand where he had been living under a false name, a jury at Chester Crown Court was told. Burrows used his positions of trust and responsibility which also included working as a master at a children's home 'to satisfy himself sexually' by abusing boys aged between 10 and 15 from the late 1960s to the mid 1990s, the court heard. Prosecutor Mark Connor told the court that Burrows was originally arrested in April 1997 at his home in Birmingham after a Cheshire police investigation into sexual abuse in children's homes. Burrows, who was then 53, was charged with a number of offences, which he denied, but failed to appear at a preliminary hearing on December 8, 1997. Mr Connor said: 'He had in fact fled to Thailand under the name of Peter Leslie Smith, having cloned an acquaintance's identity and obtained a passport with that false identity. 'He was arrested when he attempted to re-enter the UK on 28th March 2024 on the eve of his 80th birthday, having enjoyed 27 years in 'paradise' , to quote his description of where he had spent his time on the run. 'The prosecution allege that over many years Richard Burrows systematically abused male children under his care. Richard Burrows, now 80, was originally arrested in April 1997 at his home in Birmingham after a Cheshire police investigation into sexual abuse in children's homes, the court heard 'He was able to obtain positions of trust and responsibility, which he breached in the most serious way by satisfying himself sexually.' Burrows, dressed in a grey prison issue sweatshirt and using a walking stick, was given headphones in the dock yesterday. He was also allowed an intermediary to help him follow proceedings. He denies 47 charges of indecent assault on a child, four charges of buggery, two of attempted buggery and two of indecency with a child. The allegations involve ten complainants. Former Post Office radio engineer Burrows, whose last UK address was in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, has pleaded guilty to 50 others which involve sexual touching of boys. Mr Connor told the jury that he had been charged under the law of the time but under the new Sexual Offences Act, he would have been charged with rape and attempted rape. The prosecutor said Burrows was employed as a housemaster at a children's home in Congleton, Cheshire between March 1969 and November 1971 where some of the alleged offences took place. He told the jury: 'The boys who attended an approved school had usually been in trouble in some less serious way, or there had been problems at home; the boys were therefore vulnerable. Former Post Office radio engineer Burrows pictured in handcuffs at Chester Crown Court in April last year Burrows denies 47 charges of indecent assault on a child, four charges of buggery, two of attempted buggery and two of indecency with a child 'They were not incarcerated; an approved school was not a borstal but based on the boarding school model. 'Richard Burrows was also involved in the Scouts community and radio clubs where his communication and radio skills were utilised placing him in direct contact with young boys, boys who were keen to learn about radios and obtain their scouting badges. 'He saw those positions of trust and responsibility as opportunities to sexually abuse male children because that was his sexual interest, a desire he would later admit to the police.' Mr Connor told the court that Burrows had used his attic room at his home in Sutton Coldfield where he kept his radio equipment to commit some of the sex attacks to which he has pleaded guilty. The court heard that one victim from the attic was aged 12 or 13 when he was attacked sometime between 1966 and 1968. He came forward to police after noticing an appeal on the BBC Crimewatch programme in 2011. Burrows was arrested at Heathrow Airport last March after trying to re-enter the UK from Thailand Another victim was a 12 year old paper boy with an interest in radios when Burrows invited him back to his home to see his radio equipment and then assaulted him in the attic. The victim came forward only last year when he saw news of the arrest of Burrows at Heathrow Airport. Mr Connor said that Burrows had told his brother Peter 'not paedophiles are the same' in an email correspondence when he was planning his return to the UK after being on the run for over a quarter of a century. He said: 'He admits indecently assaulting and engaging in sexual touching of some of the male children who have been in his care and has on previous occasions entered guilty pleas to offences reflecting those allegations. 'However, he denies sexually abusing other boys and he denies any penetrative sexual activity, drawing a distinction between that and sexual touching without penetration, which he appears to suggest is justified because in his mind he did no harm, as he told his brother. 'He asserts that the complainants who are the subject of the allegations you are to consider are either mistaken about the identity of their perpetrator or are lying and making malicious allegations against him.' The trial continues. A 17-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman was allegedly raped while walking on a towpath along a river. Police began investigating following a report that a woman was sexually assaulted on a river pathway in Ashford on Friday. The incident reportedly took place near Beaver Road between 8.25pm and 9pm. Detectives have been combing the area, reviewing CCTV and speaking to potential witnesses in a bid to find out more about the incident. They have since arrested a boy from the Romney Marsh area on suspicion of rape. He was detained on Monday evening and remains in police custody. Kent Police said the investigation was ongoing and appealed for any witnesses to come forward. The force also asked if anyone with any CCTV or dash-cam footage, who hasn't already spoken to police, should also get in contact with them. Police began investigating following a report that a woman was sexually assaulted on a river pathway near Beaver Road (pictured) on Friday. The incident reportedly took place on a riverside path near Beaver Road between 8.25pm and 9pm. Pictured: A pathway along the Great Stour River, next to Beaver Road A spokesman for Kent Police said that officers were investigating a report that a woman was sexually assaulted on a river pathway near Beaver Road between 8.25pm and 9pm on Friday. 'Officers have since been working in the area, reviewing CCTV and speaking to potential witnesses. 'As part of ongoing inquiries, a 17 year old boy from the Romney Marsh area was arrested on suspicion of rape. He remains in custody while the investigation continues. 'Anyone with relevant information, CCTV or dash-cam footage who has yet to speak to police should call 01622 652006. 'You can also report information to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.' California has clapped back at President Donald Trump's claim that the U.S. military 'TURNED ON THE WATER' in the aftermath of Los Angeles' deadly spate of wildfires. Around 11 p.m. Monday Trump took to Truth Social to say that he had fixed California's water problems. 'The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond,' Trump said 'The days of putting a Fake Environmental argument, over the PEOPLE, are OVER.' 'Enjoy the water, California!!!' the new president added. A little after 1 a.m. California's Department of Water Resources posted a response on X. 'The military did not enter California. The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days,' the post explained. 'State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful.' Trump visited Los Angeles on Friday after repeatedly making false claims about the state's fire response. The 78-year-old president contends that there's a giant spigot that California needs to turn on to bring water into the Los Angeles area from the north. President Donald Trump (middle right) and first lady Melania Trump (middle left) toured some of the devasation from the Pacific Palisades fire on Friday. Overnight Monday, Trump boldly claimed he had 'TURNED ON THE WATER' Around 11 p.m. Monday Trump took to Truth Social to say that he had fixed California's water problems. 'Enjoy the water, California!!!' the newly sworn-in president boasted Within two hours, California's Department of Water Resources posted a response on X, clapping back at Trump's brag He said California authorities - including the state's Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom - failed to do that to preserve an endangered fish called a Delta smelt. During a recent appearance on MSNBC, Newsom called Trump's spigot claims 'wild-eyed fantasies.' 'That somehow there's a magical spigot in Northern California that just can be turned on and all of a sudden there will be rain of water flowing everywhere,' Newsom said. On Sunday Trump had ordered the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to deliver more water and hydropower through the Central Valley Project even if the order was in conflict with state or local laws. Newsom's office pushed back explaining that the move wouldn't have made a difference during the height of the fires - as Los Angeles didn't suffer a water shortage. President Joe Biden had explained that power outages had impacted some hydrants. Some residents in the Pacific Palisades have sued over the fact that a 117-million-gallon reservoir built to help the area in case of fires was offline during the blazes. The Los Angeles Times reported that the reservoir had been drained after a tear was found in the reservoirs floating cover last January. Work to repair the cover hadn't been completed by the time Palisades fire ripped through the area earlier this month. Residents of a small Colorado mountain town have been left aghast after seeing brown water flowing from their taps. The Pinewood Springs community is expressing disappointment and demanding change as they are forced to rely on bottled water for daily consumption. 'It's not safe to drink. We can't use the water; comes out of the faucets brown, comes out dirty,' local John Koch told FOX31 of the brackish water coming from the town's corroded pipes. 'We have to buy all of our water now, we have to get gallon jugs,' Koch added. The Pinewood Springs Water District owns the area's public drinking water system and operates its supply, treatment and distribution services. The water system was first installed in 1973 and has not been updated in the past few years, according to KDVR. After the recent issue arose, Pinewood Springs Water District Board Member Patty Peritz told the Problem Solvers the system is in an emergency state. 'The district loses 60 percent of its treated water annually and putting that into gallons is 1.3 million gallons a year for the last two years,' she told the publication. In a January 22 meeting, troubled residents were told that the Water District is working with a consulting firm over compliance issues. Residents in the Pinewood Springs community have been left aghast after seeing brown water flowing from their taps According to Peritz, phase one of the system restoration project could cost about $3 million and address 25 percent of the needed repairs. While funding has been secured by an Energy Impact Assistance Fund grant, residents can expect their water bills to rise to cover costs of the fix. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Pinewood Springs Water District for more information about the situation. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also told Problem Solvers: 'We regulate the Pinewood Springs Water District in accordance with all state and federal regulations and are working with them to resolve some water quality issues.' According to CentralPlumbing.org, one of the main reasons for water to be brown is if it is flowing through a plumbing system made of galvanized iron pipes. 'Over time, those pipes will corrode, leading to deposits such as rust and minerals in the water supply, which will cause brown water to come from your taps,' the website explained. Pinewood Springs' dire situation comes months after residents in Shelby, Iowa were left with undrinkable water after officials warned against consuming any of the pink liquid flowing from their taps. 'We have to buy all of our water now, we have to get gallon jugs,' local John Koch said The Pinewood Springs Water District owns the area's public drinking water system and operates the drinking water supply, treatment and distribution services After the issue arose, Pinewood Springs Water District Board Member Patty Peritz (pictured) told the Problem Solvers the system is in an emergency state According to local Kara Robinson: 'Every time you flush the toilet, you turn the water on pink. 'The water tastes like iron. Like you are drinking straight pennies. That's what it tastes like. It is horrible. Our kids don't even like to use our ice because that's what it tastes like.' Shelby Water Supervisor Chad Gordon later explained that the pink color was due to potassium permanganate in the water system. The official stated that while the water supply had been reduced to half, the chemicals used to purify it were not - causing the unusual color. According to Waterlogic, potassium permanganate is used to remove bacterial growth, dissolved iron minerals, toxic compounds, manganese and hydrogen sulphide in water systems. Rachel Reeves was today accused of throwing her support behind a third runway at Heathrow in a 'panicked' attempt to 'distract' from Britain's flagging economy. The Chancellor will tomorrow deliver a major speech in which she is expected to offer her backing for an expansion of Europe's busiest airport. But there are huge questions over the cost and complexities of constructing another runway at the west London site. The estimated cost of a third runway was 14billion in 2014 and is likely to be much higher now. The Tories have said they will support Heathrow expansion as it would 'undoubtedly bring economic benefits'. But they warned delivering it would not be straightforward 'because there are major logistical barriers to its construction'. Shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon this afternoon urged ministers to offer 'assurances' that Heathrow bosses will actually lodge a planning application. He warned that - if no application was forthcoming - it would reveal this 'is not a serious policy' but rather a bid to divert attention from weak growth figures. Rachel Reeves was accused of throwing her support behind a third runway at Heathrow in a 'panicked' attempt to 'distract' from Britain's flagging economy The Chancellor will tomorrow deliver a major speech in which she is expected to offer her backing for an expansion of Europe's busiest airport But there are huge questions over the cost and complexities of constructing another runway at the west London site Mr Bacon told MPs: 'We have heard that the Chancellor is about to announce her support for airport expansion at Luton, Gatwick and Heathrow. 'His Majesty's Opposition are supportive of airport expansion because we recognise the huge economic benefits that that would bring. 'In the case of Luton and Gatwick, the planning processes are well under way, but the situation at Heathrow is rather different. 'A completed third runway at Heathrow would undoubtedly bring economic benefits, which we would support, but delivering it will not be straightforward because there are major logistical barriers to its construction.' The shadow transport secretary called on transport minister Mike Kane to provide assurances to the House of Commons that 'there will actually be an application for a development consent order'. 'I sincerely hope that the minister can answer these questions today because if not, it will be clear that this is not a serious policy,' he added. 'But rather a panicked and rushed attempt by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to distract attention from the state of the economy, which is currently withering under this floundering Labour Government.' Mr Kane, who was answering an urgent question on airport expansion in the Commons, replied: 'Well the brass neck, the last government crashed the economy, sending mortgages through the roof and called an early election to avoid having to make difficult decisions.' The Commons exchanges came after passengers were warned the multi-billion pound cost of a third runway at Heathrow will drive up the cost of flights. According to The Times, airport bosses are looking at 'hiving off' the massive cost and asking ministers to allow them to charge an extra fee to airlines over decades. The Civil Aviation Authority currently sets a price cap for landing charges in five-year settlements, which are paid by airlines and passed on to passengers through higher fares. An aiport source told the newspaper: 'We are looking at the recovery timeline for the new runway. 'Currently our regulatory settlement is a five-year period, but maybe you could hive off the expansion project and get recovery over 30 years, so that the impact on passengers is reduced.' Last summer, the Civil Aviation Authority capped Heathrow's price per passenger at an estimated 23.73 this year and 23.71 in 2026. Ms Reeves is due to unveil the Government's support for a third runway in a major speech tomorrow setting out her blueprint for economic growth. This is despite a rift within Labour's ranks over Heathrow expansion. Eight of those who attend Cabinet - including PM Sir Keir Starmer, Environment Secretary Steve Reed and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband - have previously opposed a third runway. Mr Miliband last night warned any expansion of Heathrow would be blocked if it can't be 'justified within carbon budgets'. A carbon budget places a restriction on the total amount of greenhouse gases the UK can emit over a five-year period. The Climate Change Committee will soon advise on the seventh version of the UK's carbon budget, which will set a legal limit for 2038 to 2042. According to the website Carbon Brief, a forest twice the size of Greater London would need to be planted in the UK to cancel out the extra emissions from the expansion of Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports. New runaways at these airports surrounding the capital would result in cumulative emissions of around 92milllion tonnes of extra carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) by 2050, their analysis said. They added that offsetting these emissions would require more than 300,000 hectares of trees to be planted within just a few years. This equates to all the trees planted in the UK since 2000. Labour donor Dale Vince last night urged Mr Miliband to 'stand strong' against Heathrow expansion. The environmental campaigner told LBC radio: 'If Gatwick, Heathrow and Luton Airport expansions go ahead, we will wipe out all of the carbon savings from the Government's 2030 100 per cent green energy plan. 'They'll just be wiped out, and we can't afford to do that. It's just crazy, and this is in the name of growth, but it will be a short term, illusory version of growth.' A teenager has appeared in court after a female police officer was seriously injured when she was hit by a speeding car while investigating drug use allegations. Harvey Bell, 19, appeared at Manchester Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, dangerous driving and possession of a class B drug. The officer was mown down in a 'terrifying' incident at a Sainsbury's on Wilmslow Road, Cheadle, Greater Manchester on Saturday night, after police were called to reports of people behaving suspiciously inside a vehicle. As the officer walked towards the car, she reported it being 'driven at speed towards her' before it struck her. She suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital, but is now 'recovering well', a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said. Dressed in a blue coat and black tracksuit bottoms, he spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth. No pleas were entered. Jane Deakin, prosecuting, said the incident, which took place around midnight, happened after police received information drugs were being taken inside a car that was parked in the supermarket's car park. A 19-year-old has appeared in court after allegedly striking a police officer with a car that was 'driven at speed' in a retail park on Wilmslow Road, Cheadle (pictured) Dressed in a blue coat and black tracksuit bottoms, Bell spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth (Pictured: Manchester Magistrates' Court) The officer had walked towards the vehicle and held her hands up 'to give an instruction' to the driver to 'stop revving the engine', she said. But the car, an Audi Q2 according to court documents, then drove at her. The officer, named as PC Hallworth, was knocked to the ground and the car's front and back wheels drove over both her legs. She was left unconscious and suffered a dislocated knee, deep cuts and scratches, and bruises to her thighs but has since been discharged from hospital, the court heard. Bell, of Bennett Drive, Knutsford, was refused bail and remanded in custody to appear at Manchester Crown Court on March 4. Superintendent Rick Arthern, of Greater Manchester Police, said: 'This was a truly terrifying incident for a frontline officer to go through, so I am delighted to secure these charges, which show that assaults on our officers are completely unacceptable. 'The officer is at home recovering and as the hardworking dedicated officer she is, she wants to return as soon as possible to protect her community. 'The vehicle used to run the officer over remains outstanding and we are asking for any information to assist in locating the vehicle. 'Anyone who saw a Black Audi around the retail park on Saturday night at 11:55pm is urged to contact us on 0161 856 9790, quoting the log number 3558 of 25/01/25.' A teenage TikTok star was tragically shot and killed in a California mall parking lot - a violent incident that has left authorities searching for answers. Nahsiyah 'Siyah' Turner died at the age of 17 from a gunshot wound to the chest after a shooting occurred at the Los Cerritos Center in Los Angeles County around 7:30pm on January 18, according to People. She was found unconscious and not breathing inside a vehicle in the lot, according to CBS News, which first reported the incident. Turner was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The cause of the shooting is unknown. The investigation is ongoing. 'This investigation is going to go on for a while,' Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Steve DeJong told The Griffin Gazette, a Los Alamitos High School student paper. 'As far as the context and investigation, I cant elaborate.' Jeremy Paguia, who is a manager at a Chipotle nearby, told the student paper he didn't hear any gunshots, but saw a 'commotion' in the parking lot during his break. Customers began running out to a car, where he saw 'a lady passed out and a full car of boys and one girl, all screaming.' Nahsiyah 'Siyah' Turner died at the age of 17 from a gunshot wound to the chest after a shooting occurred at the Los Cerritos Center in Los Angeles County around 7:30pm on January 18 She was found unconscious and not breathing inside a vehicle in the parking lot. Turner was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead 'It was a girl unconscious in her front seat. No pulse. A nurse came by and started doing CPR for a good 10 minutes,' he told the outlet. Up to 15 police cars, as well as two ambulances, arrived on scene shortly after, forcing him to close the Chipotle three hours early, he said. Paguia said that side of the mall was shut down as police investigated and cars and customers were not allowed to leave the parking lot until around 9pm. Turner's fans were quick to take to the comment section on her last video, which showed her dancing in the street. 'I'm still in disbelief,' one wrote. 'RIP Siyah, [you] will be loved,' another wrote, alongside four heart emojis. 'Rest easy, baby,' a third wrote. 'This was so random.' Jeremy Paguia, who is a manager at a Chipotle nearby, told the student paper he didn't hear any gunshots, but saw a 'commotion' in the parking lot during his break. 'It was a girl unconscious in her front seat. No pulse,' he said The cause of the shooting is unknown. The investigation is ongoing Turner had garnered more than 300,000 followers on TikTok and 36,700 on Instagram before she died. The young girl posted get ready with me videos, as well as dance videos for her audience. DailyMail.com has reached out to the LA County Sheriff's Department for comment. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen met on Tuesday in a show of unity after US President Donald Trump again stressed his designs on Greenland. Trump has signalled his desire for the Arctic island, which is believed to hold large untapped mineral and oil reserves, to become part of the United States. Neither Scholz not Frederiksen directly mentioned Trump or the autonomous Danish territory during their comments to media in Berlin. But Scholz, after speaking about Russia's war in Ukraine, stressed that 'borders must not be moved by force' and added the English-language phrase: 'To whom it may concern.' The chancellor said 'the times we live in are challenging' and require a strong Europe and NATO, also stressing that 'Denmark and Germany are strong partners and close friends'. 'We view the world in a very similar way,' he said. 'We know the importance of security policy in these times and the value that the European Union has for us.' Frederiksen said: 'Europe, our continent, is based on the idea that cooperation rather than confrontation will lead to peace, progress and prosperity - and let us honour that idea.' Pictured: Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, left, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hold a joint press conference after their bilateral talks at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Tuesday Jan. 28, 2025 Trump has expressed an interest in making Greenland part of the US. He has not ruled out using military or economic power to persuade Denmark to hand it over Donald Trump Jr. visits Nuuk, Greenland, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Republican lawmakers are largely in lockstep with Trump's Greenland plans Trump has talked about a possible Greenland deal for years and told reporters on Saturday he believed the US would 'get Greenland', which he has insisted his country needs for 'international security'. The island lies between the United States and Europe, a region of increasing strategic value as the melting of Arctic sea ice opens up new shipping routes. Nordic leaders met at the weekend and reiterated their unity on defence issues, Denmark's prime minister said earlier, adding that they all 'shared the gravity of the situation'. Scholz added on the Ukraine war that Europe and the United States were in agreement that the nearly three-year-old conflict must end - but not on Moscow's terms. 'We agree with our partners in Washington that this war must end - but not in a dictated peace,' Scholz said, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin 'must be clear that he is sending his soldiers into a senseless battle'. It comes after the European Union's top general said that the bloc should deploy troops to Greenland to send a 'strong signal'. General Robert Brieger, the chairman of the European Union Military Committee, said it would make sense to station troops from EU countries in Greenland, according to an interview with Germany's Welt am Sonntag. 'In my view, it would make perfect sense not only to station US forces in Greenland, as has been the case to date, but also to consider stationing EU soldiers there in the future,' the Austrian official said. Copenhagen has declared that it will increase security around the territory following Trump's claims. General view shows Nuuk City President Donald Trump's as offered to purchase Greenland and did not rule out earlier this month using force to seize the Danish territory 'That would send a strong signal and could contribute to stability in the region,' he added. Washington already has 200 troops stationed at the Pituffick Space Base - part of a missile early warning system and satellite surveillance hub on the north of the island. The EU military committee is the highest military office of the European Council, but it serves solely as a consultative body and has no dedicated army of its own to conduct missions. Ultimately, such a step would require a political decision, he said, as deploying troops would require sign-off from national governments. US-led NATO is the bloc's main military alliance. Trump has expressed an interest in making Greenland part of the US. He has not ruled out using military or economic power to persuade Denmark to hand it over. Copenhagen has declared that it will increase security around the territory following Trump's claims. Speaking on Air Force One over the weekend, the president told reporters: 'I don't really know what claim Denmark has to it, but it would be a very unfriendly act if they didn't allow that to happen because it's for the protection of the free world. It's not for us, it's for the free world. 'Right now, you have Russian ships, you have Chinese ships, you have ships from various countries. It's not a good situation.' He added: 'I think Greenland will be worked out with us. I think we're going to have it. I think the people want to be with us.' 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. A New York City man had four of his fingers chopped off while defending his dog from a machete-wielding maniac on the street - and bravely proclaimed 'I would do it again.' Rakeem Tayquon Young, 34, was walking his beloved three-year-old pit bull, Chanel, in the Bronx Friday morning when the vicious attacker approached them. Surveillance footage captured Young and his pup walking near Southern Blvd. and E. 178th St. in East Tremont at about 11:20 a.m. when Chanel stopped to approach another dog. That is when the crazed attacker, dressed in orange boots and a green hat, confronted the duo and pulled out his knife. 'He was like, "Yo, get your dog. I'm [going to] chop her head off," Young told the New York Daily News. 'And then the dude just swung the knife at me for no apparent reason. I remember lifting my hand, saying, "No! No!" I was just trying to protect [Chanel]. And you know, I would do it again.' The stranger sliced off Young's fingers when the protective owner lifted his hand to shield Chanel from the blade. 'He went to hit me a second time, after he cut my hand,' said Young. 'He swung for my face. He went to reach for the knife again, and thats when [Chanel] attacked him.' Rakeem Tayquon Young (pictured), 34, had four of his fingers chopped off while defending his dog from a machete-wielding maniac The crazed attacker (pictured with the blade in his hand), dressed in orange boots and a green hat, confronted the duo and pulled out his knife The attacker - who police have not caught - fled the scene, and Young chased after him. 'Im running down the street and missing the fingers,' Young said. 'When he first initially swung the [machete], I did look and see that my fingers was gone. After that, I could not look no more.' 'I couldnt believe it. It wasnt even painful because it was just, maybe, because my adrenaline and everything.' Medics were able recover and reattach three of his missing fingers, but one finger got lost on the streets. 'They basically put my pointer finger as my middle finger and my middle finger as my ring finger,' said Young. 'So Im just missing my index finger. They couldnt find the ring finger.' Police are still searching for the attacker, and Young and his family are concerned they have not made any arrests. 'When that [UnitedHealthcare] CEO got killed they did everything to track him down, building by building by building,' said Young. 'Youre gonna tell me all these buildings on E. Tremont Ave. in the Bronx that got cameras, you cant track him down? Because my fingers is missing and to me, thats a problem. This is going to affect me for the rest of my life.' Young said he 'would do it again,' and lose his fingers to save his beloved three-year-old pit bull, Chanel (pictured) Young was walking his beloved three-year-old pit bull, Chanel, in the Bronx Friday morning when they stopped to approach another dog and encountered the vicious attacker The stranger sliced off Young's fingers when the protective owner lifted his hand to shield Chanel from the blade Chanel the dog is seen wearing a coat in the chilly NYC winter Young's aunt, Tashemia Young, is taking care of Chanel while he is recovering and is worried that the attacker is still out on the streets. 'I come outside to walk to dogs, what about if this man feels like he couldn't finish the job and he wants to do something? It's very scary,' she told WABC. Young's mother, Kimtreese Young, launched a GoFundMe to raise money for his medical expenses. 'My son, Rakeen Young, was viciously attacked in NYC Friday morning by a mentally ill man trying to sever his dog's head off with a machete knife,' she said. 'My son, trying to protect his dog and block the blow, ended up having four of his fingers chopped off. He will need lots of medical care as well as intense physical therapy, which, unfortunately, we just won't be able to afford.' Hurricane-ravaged residents in North Carolina have finally begun receiving proper aid just days after Donald Trump accused officials of a lackluster response. An army of trucks finally descended on the state four months after it was battered by Hurricane Helene. The cavalry arrived after the president threatened to dismantle FEMA following his Friday visit to the area where he surveyed the lasting damage. Families who have still been left living in tents told of their fears last week as another brutal winter storm threatened to slow down aid even further. 'FEMA has really let us down, let the country down. And I don't know if that's Biden's fault or whose fault that is,' Trump told reporters after he touched down in Asheville. 'We're going to take over, we're going to do a good job.' The president already floated potentially killing FEMA - the Federal Emergency Management Agency - during his sit-down Wednesday with Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity. 'All it does is just complicate everything,' he complained. 'FEMA has not done their job for the last four years.' Hurricane-ravaged residents in North Carolina have finally begun receiving proper aid just days after Donald Trump accused officials of a lackluster response The president threatened to dismantle FEMA following his Friday visit to the area where he surveyed the lasting damage 'Unless you have certain types of leadership, it gets in the way. And FEMA is going to be a whole big discussion very shortly because I'd rather see the states take care of their own problems,' Trump said. His comments came after it emerged that FEMA officials in Florida had allegedly directed on the ground staff to avoid helping homes displaying campaign signs in the wake of Hurricane Milton. According to internal messages obtained by The Daily Wire, a FEMA supervisor told workers to 'avoid homes advertising Trump' as they worked around Lake Placid. Supervisor Marn'i Washington had relayed the message in a group chat and verbally, according to employees who spoke with the outlet. The Department of Homeland Security inspector general has now launched an audit into the agency following the claims. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the state replaced many damaged or destroyed power lines and structures with temporary infrastructure to restore electricity to hard-hit communities. For example, a substation powering the Asheville neighborhood of Biltmore Village was 'decimated by debris' and is still in the process of being rebuilt. In its place, North Carolina power company Duke Energy installed a temporary substation to supply power to the nearly 7,000 customers in that area, according to a recent report from the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management. the president threatened to dismantle FEMA following his Friday visit to the area where he surveyed the lasting damage Families in North Carolina have been living in campers and tents since Hurricane Helen ripped through the state in September. Locals are now facing a dangerously cold winter storm The outer-Asheville community of Swannanoa was hit hard by Hurricane Helene, with many of its residents having lost their homes. Swannanoa, NC, October 4, 2024 Thousands of families are living in FEMA-provided accommodations that they could lose this weekend as Cora hits. Swannanoa, NC, October 6, 2024 However, thousands of people have still be living in temporary structures or FEMA-funded hotels. The agency planned to boot people out by early January, but has since extended the deadline to May 26 following a fierce backlash. FEMA said more than 3,000 families are eligible for the extension. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is being investigated over her country's surprise release of a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court. Osama Elmasry Njeem, also known as Osama Almasri Njeem, was released last week after being detained a few days earlier under an arrest warrant issued by the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity. The ICC demanded an explanation, saying it had not been consulted over the decision. In a video message on social media, Meloni announced that she is suspected of aiding and abetting a crime and embezzlement in connection to the case of Osama Elmasry Njeem, also known as Osama Almasri Njeem. She is under no obligation to resign, and being placed under investigation in Italy does nit imply guilt, nor that formal charges will necessarily follow. 'I cannot be blackmailed, I cannot be intimidated, it is possible that for this reason I am disliked by those who do not want Italy to change and become better but also and above all for this reason I intend to continue on my path in defense of Italians especially when the security of the nation is at stake. With my head held high and without fear', she said in the clip. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and the cabinet undersecretary for intelligence matters, Alfredo Mantovano have also been placed under investigation, she said. It comes after the Italian leader on Saturday addressed growing criticism of the repatriation of the Libyan warlord. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is being investigated for over her country's surprise release of a Libyan police officer Pictured: Osama Almasri Najim, who has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the ICC The repatriation of Anjiem to Libya, a key partner in Europe's efforts to keep migrants from crossing the Mediterranean and landing on its shores, sparked outrage from human rights groups and questions from Italy's opposition parties. Meloni had said her government would ask the ICC to clarify why it took months to issue the arrest warrant for al-Masri, also known as Ossama al-Masri, and why it was issued only after he travelled through at least three European countries. 'Al-Masri was released by an order of Rome's Court of Appeal ... It was not a government choice,' Meloni told journalists during a trip to Saudi Arabia. Italy has close ties to Libyas internationally recognized government in Tripoli and relies on it to patrol its coasts and prevent migrants from leaving. Any trial of al-Masri in The Hague could bring unwanted attention to Italys migration policies and its support of Libyas coast guard. Starbucks announced the return of free refills for customers who stick around its coffee shops, after the chain faced backlash for eliminating the popular perk. Starting Monday, patrons purchasing brewed coffee or tea 'for here' at participating outlets will be served their drinks in ceramic mugs or glasses and offered free refills. The policy also applies to those using personal cups brought from home, and includes both hot and iced and coffee or tea. Additionally, Starbucks announced the return of condiment bars, allowing customers to pour their own creamer, milk and sweeteners. 'We heard from customers that access to comfortable seating and a clean safe environment is critical in getting back to the Starbucks they know and love,' Starbucks said in a statement. 'We also heard from partners that there is a need to reset customer expectations to be successful in creating a warm, welcoming environment. 'To do this we'll be implementing a new coffeehouse code of conduct, to provide clarity that our spaces are for customers and partners only.' The new code of conduct includes the need for customers inside to make a purchase before being able to use the cafe bathrooms, or to sit and chat. The shift marks the end of a seven-year experiment in open-door inclusivity and comes as the coffee giant struggles to address declining sales and safety concerns across its North American stores. Starbucks announced the return of free refills for customers who stick around its coffee shops, after the chain faced backlash for eliminating the popular perk Starting Monday, patrons purchasing brewed coffee or tea 'for here' at participating outlets will be served their drinks in ceramic mugs or glasses and offered free refills The policy also applies to those using personal cups brought from home, and includes both hot and iced and coffee or tea The rules explicitly ban harassment, smoking, outside alcohol, drug use, and panhandling. Violators will be asked to leave, and law enforcement may be involved if necessary. Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson emphasized the intent behind the new rules: 'We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our stores. By setting clear expectations for behavior and use of our spaces, we can create a better environment for everyone.' Starbucks has said employees will receive training on enforcing the new policy. The new rules reverse an open-door policy put in place in 2018, after two men were arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks where they had gone for a business meeting. The individual store had a policy of asking non-paying customers to leave, and the men hadn't bought anything. But the arrest, which was caught on video, was a major embarrassment for the company. It sparked national outrage, leading to a temporary closure of all U.S. stores for racial sensitivity training. At the time, Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz said he didn't want people to feel 'less than' if they were refused access. 'We don't want to become a public bathroom, but we're going to make the right decision 100 percent of the time and give people the key,' Schultz said during the crisis. The new code of conduct includes the need for customers inside to make a purchase before being able to use the cafe bathrooms, or to sit and chat. The shift marks the end of a seven-year experiment in open-door inclusivity Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol has said that he wants Starbucks to recapture the community coffeehouse feeling it used to have, before long drive-thru lines, mobile order backups and other issues made visits more of a chore The company hopes the new rules will provide clarity for both employees and customers, helping to rebuild the coffeehouse's community-oriented atmosphere However, the fallout from that decision had been challenging for Starbucks employees and customers alike. Since then, many baristas had reported dealing with loitering, inappropriate behavior, and even dangerous situations. In 2022, Starbucks closed 16 U.S. stores, including locations in Los Angeles and Seattle, citing safety issues such as drug use and disruptive conduct. The company hopes the new rules will provide clarity for both employees and customers, helping to rebuild the coffeehouse's community-oriented atmosphere. The new code of conduct aligns with efforts by new CEO Brian Niccol to reinvigorate the brand and reverse three consecutive quarters of declining sales. Niccol vowed to restore Starbucks' reputation as a community hub by reintroducing cozy furniture, ceramic mugs, and condiment bars - features that had been removed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Niccol has said that he wants Starbucks to recapture the community coffeehouse feeling it used to have, before long drive-thru lines, mobile order backups and other issues made visits more of a chore. The White House sent a shockwave through Washington, D.C. and the country when its budget office directed agencies to put congressional funding on a temporary hold. Democratic lawmakers, progressive groups and those who could be affected by the pause were in an all-out panic on Tuesday as they scrambled to find out what the latest order means. President Donald Trump's White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sent a memo Monday night telling its agencies to halt loan, grant and other federal assistance pending review to make sure it's in alignment with the new administration's priorities. This means any initiatives that promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, 'wokeness,' transgender ideology and environmentalism could see their funding pulled. Lawmakers are complaining that this a massive overreach and say a president cannot override congressional appropriations. Confusion and chaos broke out across the country as officials at every level of government and their partners were left up-in-the-air on what money was about to freeze. DEMOCRAT REACTION 'Last night President Trump plunged the country into chaos without a shred of warning,' Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said. He warned the memo impacts 'virtually all federal funds across the country' and said it would shut down billions, and maybe even trillions of dollars in direct support for states, cities, towns, schools, hospitals and businesses. Democrats blasted the memo as poorly written and raised concerns over it hitting disaster assistance, local law enforcement, rural hospitals, aid to the elderly, food to people in need, early child care, cancer research clinical trials and more. They also slammed the move as unconstitutional and an attempt by Trump to seize power. A Democratic press conference meant to address Donald Trump's January 6 pardons devolved into an attack on his administration's latest order pausing funding for federal grants, loans and programs that do not align with their priorities Trump's budget office put out a memo on Monday night ordering a pause and review of federal funding aimed at stopping taxpayer funds from going towards DEI and environmental programs 'What happened last night is the most direct assault on the authority of Congress I believe in the history of the United States,' Senator Angus King (I-Maine) said. But the White House says the review will only nix funding for any loans, grants and funding that does not align with the law of President Trump's priorities and pushed back on those classifying it as a funding 'freeze.' 'This is simply guidance for agencies to review if grants, loans, programs are in compliance with the President's EOs,' a senior administration official told DailyMail.com. 'Also, it very clearly states that it does NOT impact individual payments or assistance.' 'If the activity is not in conflict with the President's priorities, it will continue with no issues,' they added. The memo reiterates that the pause is not meant to target any 'assistance provided directly to individuals,' such as Medicare or Social Security. A senior administration official also said that the order will not have 'devastating impacts' like Democrats claim. 'OMB explicitly instructed agencies to identify programs with immediate deadlines so exceptions can be granted without any program impact,' they noted. The White House insists that this pause will not impact any funds that are directly distributed to individual Americans including Medicare, Social Security and other welfare programs DOES IT VIOLATE THE IMPOUNDMENT ACT? It appears Trump does hold the power to pause spending as long as it is subjected to review with an end date. '[T]his is not a permanent stop of the funds,' an official said. 'This pause could be as short as a day if an agency determines that the funds at issue do not conflict with the Administration's policies.' Trump made clear before his reelection that he believes laws curbing a president's power to withhold congressional spending are 'unconstitutional.' Impoundment is an act by a U.S. president of not spending or refusing to spend money that Congress already appropriated. Congress passed the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which Trump now wants repealed or overturned by the Supreme Court. A White House official said that the order 'is not an impoundment.' 'It is a temporary pause to give agencies time to ensure that financial assistance conforms to the policies set out in the President's executive orders, to the extent permitted by law,' they insisted. EDUCATION GRANTS AND LOANS The Department of Education said the OMB memo does not impact federal funds and loans it provides directly to students pursuing a degree. 'Title IV, HEA funds that are provided to individual students, such as Federal Pell Grants and Direct Loans, are not impacted by yesterday's guidance,' Madison Biedermann, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communication Strategy at DOE told DailyMail.com. There are currently more than 40 million Americans with federal student loans and 7 million with federal Pell Grants, which are specifically for low-income students. Students who rely on federal financial aid to pay for tuition, housing, meal plans, books and other education-associated costs are not expected to see a disruption from the pause. DOE officials are still reviewing the effect of the memo. A personal finance and lending expert said it remains unclear, however, if the order will affect the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA). 'As of now, we simply don't know what the impacts will be, or if there will be any impact at all. Federal student loan applicants and borrowers should assume it's business as usual unless specifically instructed otherwise.' Kate Wood told DailyMail.com. It does not appear that funds allocated for federal student loans will be impacted IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE ADVOCATES The Justice Department halted its contracts to provide legal information and assistance to those facing deportation. The DOJ issued a stop work order for nonprofits that provide orientation to migrants informing them of their rights and giving them information on the process ahead of them. Trump has made clear his priority lies in a mass deportation plan. It appears funding for programs that assist undocumented aliens with remaining in the country could see their grants and loans stripped. Amica Center for Immigrant Rights provides immigration orientation services to those held in detention centers by the federal government and facing deportation. The nonprofit's executive director says they are now being blocked from their work. Michael Lukens wrote in a statement on the funding pause: 'We will fight the mandated stoppage of our services in the public square, the courts, and the halls of Congress.' The State Department also told groups providing temporary housing and job training to resettled refugees to immediately stop government-funded work. Global Refuge claims this affects 5,870 refugees under its watch. Funding was paused that went to nonprofits providing advice, legal services or counseling for detained illegal immigrants. Pictured: Migrants in the U.S. illegally board a deportation flight STATE INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING It's unlikely that Americans will see their bridge, road and other infrastructure projects be shut down with the latest order. Officials in U.S. states are waiting on guidance to see how their jurisdictions will be affected by the memo. Kansas Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed said he learned of the order Monday night and his agency is awaiting more guidance. In the meantime, he is reviewing the federal order. Highway, bridge and other road projects rely heavily on federal fundings. 'We think it's a low risk for our typical everyday highway projects,' Reed said Tuesday in reference to the order impacting infrastructure projects in Kansas. 'The target seems to be some of the initiatives that the Trump administration has said publicly that they want to change, things like DEI, electric vehicle infrastructure,' he added before briefing a legislative committee on his department's operations. A lawsuit to make Prince Harry's secret visa records public is set to have its first court hearing since Donald Trump's inauguration. The Heritage Foundation has reopened its case to have the duke's immigration papers released. The American think tank has raised questions about how he was able to gain entry to the US in 2020 with his wife Meghan having admitted in his 2023 book Spare to taking cocaine, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms. Heritage has made accusations Harry had either lied on his papers about his drug use or has been given special treatment by the Joe Biden administration in order to emigrate to the country. Lawyers for the think tank and the Department for Homeland Security have now been ordered by Judge Carl J Nichols to meet at a federal court in Washington DC next Wednesday, February 5. Heritage lost a previous case in September when it brought a lawsuit against the Department for Homeland Security after a Freedom of Information request for Harry's documents to be released was rejected. In his first ruling Judge Nichols said they should remain private. The case was brought because visa applicants must by law declare whether they have taken drugs. Failure to do so can lead to deportation, and Heritage wanted the US Government to release the records to see what Harry said about drug usage. The Heritage Foundation questioned why the Duke of Sussex was allowed into the US with his wife Meghan in 2020 following his reference to illicit drug consumption and consequently filed a lawsuit US President Donald Trump pictured in the Oval Office on January 6 signing an executive order for pardons. He has previously said he 'wouldn't protect' Harry Trump previously suggested Harry may be deported from the US under his leadership if the Duke is found to have falsified information on his visa form - even though his wife is American and his children are dual citizens. The US President criticised the duke in February last year and accused him of betraying the late Queen Elizabeth II. He told the Sunday Express: 'I wouldn't protect him... That's unforgiveable. He would be on his own if it was down to me.' Trump was urged this week by Heritage to release Harry's immigration files. Now that the Duke of Sussex no longer has support from the Biden administration, lawyers and fellows at the Heritage Foundation are hoping the newly elected president will override the court's decision to keep the files secret. 'I'll be urging the president to release Prince Harry's immigration records and the president does have that legal authority to do that,' Nile Gardiner, director of Heritage's Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom told the New York Post. 'Donald Trump is ushering in a new era of strict border control enforcement, and you know, Prince Harry should be held fully to account as he has admitted to extensive illegal drug use', he added. 'My firm expectation is that action will be taken'. In his controversial memoir, Spare, the duke said cocaine 'didn't do anything for me', adding: 'Marijuana is different, that actually really did help me' If the files are made public and Harry is found to have lied, he faces leaving his life in the Californian town of Montecito behind Trump gestures as he boards Air Force One upon departure from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada -- January 25, 2025 Speaking to British politician and broadcaster Nigel Farage on GB News last year, Trump suggested that the royal would not get 'special privileges if he was found to have lied about his drug use. During the interview, Farage asked Trump if Harry should enjoy 'special privileges' should it come to light he did not tell the truth. 'We'll have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied they'll have to take appropriate action,' Trump responded. 'Appropriate action? Which might meannot staying in America?' Farage asked. 'Oh I don't know. You'll have to tell me. You just have to tell me. You would have thought they would have known this a long time ago,' Trump replied. In his controversial memoir, the duke said cocaine 'didn't do anything for me', adding: 'Marijuana is different, that actually really did help me.' He also said that while using ayahuasca, a psychedelic drug, he realised that his late mother Diana wanted him to be 'happy'. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex quit their royal roles in 2020 and have been residing in the US with their two children ever since. If the files are made public and Harry is found to have lied, he faces leaving his life in the Californian town of Montecito behind. The FBI has been handed a dossier claiming to show Peter Mandelson's business links to China, raising fresh questions about whether he will become Britain's next ambassador to the US. Lord Mandelson has been at the centre of a row over his suitability for the top diplomatic role, with sources close to US President Donald Trump raising the ex-Cabinet minister's perceived links to Beijing. Now politicians have reportedly passed a dossier of information taken from the Chinese internet purporting to show he met senior figures at Communist state-owned firms. Australian outlet The Nightly said that the file put together by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China had been forwarded on to the US law enforcement. The dossier is said to claim Lord Mandelson was listed as an adviser to China International Capital Corporation (CICC), a global investment bank, in 2013. This is not declared on his House of Lords register of interests. It also suggests he made several trips to China himself, often as part of a delegation from his firm, Global Counsel. Lord Mandelson told the website: 'I have had no business dealings in China.' He has been approached for further comment by MailOnline. Lord Mandelson has been at the centre of a row over his suitability for the top diplomatic role, with sources close to president Trump raising the former Tony Blair spin doctor's perceived links to Beijing. Now politicians have reportedly passed a dossier of information taken from the Chinese internet purporting to show he met senior figures at Communist state-owned firms. Earlier this month a member of the Trump team told The Independent it was 'still not certain' that Lord Mandelson's credentials would be accepted Earlier this month, a member of the Trump team told The Independent it was 'still not certain' that Lord Mandelson's credentials would be accepted, blaming strains with Sir Keir Starmer's Government and concerns about Lord Mandelson's perceived links to China. The Trump source said that while Labour had told the Trump transition team it was 'a huge compliment' that Sir Keir wanted to send such a senior Labour figure, they were 'not buying that'. Lord Mandelson is No10's first choice for the role in Washington and some are quite confident he will be granted White House approval. An embassy source told the Mail while it was possible for Trump not to accept Lord Mandelson's credentials, it was 'highly unlikely'. Mr Trump's attitude towards Labour and Sir Keir appears to have thawed recently. The pair committed to 'close' ties in a 45-minute conversation on Monday night - the first since the President resumed control of the White House. The positive tone will be a relief for Sir Keir as he desperately tries to get off to a good start with Mr Trump - who was previously branded a 'neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath' by Cabinet ministers. It came hours after the Republican praised the PM doing 'a very good job thus far', and suggested his first foreign visit might be to the UK. However, the leaders seem to have been at pains to skirt potential flashpoints during their chat, such as sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, US threats of tariffs on imports, and defence spending. They also did not cover the prospect of Lord Mandelson becoming US ambassador, Ukraine's war with Russia, or the threats to take control of Greenland. Sir Keir is hoping to go to Washington DC within weeks, although dates have yet to be finalised. Joe Biden's use of U.S. taxpayer money to fund transgender operas in Colombia and transgender comic books in Peru will be totally undone by Trump, a top Republican told DailyMail.com. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R-Fla.) has a laundry list of Biden-era State Department programs that are on the chopping block now that Trump is in the White House. After a bombshell report came out this week unveiling how Biden's State Department doled out $15 million worth of taxpayer funds to buy contraceptives like condoms for the Taliban, DailyMail.com asked Mast what other eye-popping programs exist. 'So, $47,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia. That was a real one,' he revealed. 'Let's see, there was a transgender comic book, we're trying to get our hands on the actual comic book, in Peru,' he continued. 'And I heard it's reasonably risque.' The Peruvian trans comic book program received $32,000 under former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, according to federal documents. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also announced on Tuesday that Biden's administration almost sent $50 million worth of condoms to Gaza, which she called 'a preposterous waste of taxpayer money!' 'There was about to be $50 million taxpayer dollars that went out the door to fund condoms in Gaza!' Leavitt shockingly claimed. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast told DailyMail.com that Biden's State Department funded a transgender opera in Colombia and a transgender advocacy comic book in Peru. He plans on pulling funding from similar projects Musical presentation of an Afro-Colombian music group at the Municipal Theater of Cali on August 18, 2024 in Cali, Colombia Drag Queens attend the RuPaul's DragCon UK 2025 at the Excel Centre in London, Britain, 10 January 2025. The U.S. State Department will no longer fund DEI projects like Colombian transgender operas or Peruvian trans comic books, Mast told DailyMail.com Mast called the projects 'crazy' and vowed similar programs will soon be shuttered. 'These are drops in the bucket of the American budget, but they're still ridiculous and stupid,' The Republican said of the programs that he is working with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump to dismantle. The $32,000 State Department award for the comic book was meant 'to cover expenses to produce a tailored-made comic, featuring an LGBTQ+ hero to address social and mental health issues,' according to the grant's summary. The other $47,000 award for Colombia, half of which came from non-federal funding, was made 'to raise awareness and increase the transgender representation through the opera,' according to the grant. In 2023, the State Department, through its Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund, also approved funds for ballroom dancing classes that aimed 'to uplift transgender and gender diverse youth leaders in Lima, Peru,' according to its website. 'No more condoms or contraception to the Taliban, no more teaching them how to weave carpets,' Mast said of the GOP agenda. 'No more funding drag shows to Ecuador at $20,000 a clip or atheism to Nepal at half a million dollars for a grant.' 'These are all things that com to an end under Secretary Rubio, President Trump and myself as Foreign Affairs Chair and the Republican led country,' the chairman added. Taliban fighters walk as they fire into the air to disperse Afghan women protesters. This week a bombshell report highlighted how Biden's State Department gave $15 million to the Taliban for contraceptives after the group banned the products White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during Tuesday's briefing that Joe Biden's administration nearly gave out $50 million worth of contraceptives to Gaza residents The $15 million for contraceptives destined for the Taliban was a part of a larger $100 million aid package bound for Afghanistan, the Washington Free Beacon first reported. The United States Department of International Aid (USAID) used the millions to 'procure contraceptives,' like 'oral contraceptives and condoms,' according to records of the transaction. The Taliban outlawed contraceptives in Afghanistan after taking over the country following the 2021 U.S. military withdrawal from the country. Other costly diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives of the State Department have also been scrapped. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent out an internal memo to his staff after being sworn in last week warning against programs that don't spend money on the department's core mission. Afghan girls at Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Religious School in Kabul, Afghanistan, 23 January 2025. Contraceptives have been banned in Taliban since 2023 'Every dollar we spend, every program we fund, and every policy we pursue must be justified with the answer to three simple questions,' his memo stated, adding only initiatives that 'make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous' are appropriate. 'Certain priorities will be replaced, certain issues deemphasized, and some practices we will cease altogether,' his statement continued. An LL Bean heiress at war with neighbors who poisoned her Maine mansion's oaks for a better sea view was herself linked to a separate tree killing scandal. Lisa Gorman was paid $1.5 million by her neighbor Amelia Bond, the former head of the $500 million St. Louis Foundation, after Bond was caught secretly sprinkling four pounds of the lethal herbicide Tebuthiuron on trees between their homes in 2022. Toxicology tests revealed the scheme, with locals claiming the poison spread to a nearby park and beach in their town of Camden, Maine. But according to a new report from Vanity Fair, Gorman was previously on the other side of a similar dispute years prior, when a former neighbor claimed that five mature weeping willows on his side of their shared property line had been cut down. Gorman told the neighbor to call her lawyer, and rather than settle the quarrel in court, they agreed at the time that Gorman would replant the property line with new trees. A source close to Gorman told the outlet: 'Years ago, an inadvertent mistake concerning a property line was made by a landscaper who promptly took care of the problem to everyones satisfaction.' The revelation that Gorman herself was involved in a tree felling controversy comes after her dispute with Bond captured headlines last year, with authorities even floating a criminal investigation for poisoning her local community. In a shock claim in the Vanity Fair report, a couple in Camden alleged that their beloved 10-year-old terrier suddenly passed away from liver and kidney failure after visiting the beach Bond allegedly poisoned. Lisa Gorman (pictured with her husband Leon Gorman, the president and CEO of L.L. Bean who died in 2015) cut down her neighbor's trees years ago, before a separate tree-poisoning quarrel with another neighbor sparked international headlines last year Gorman received $1.5 million when her neighbor Amelia Bond admitted to poisoning trees on Gorman's property (pictured) to improve her view of Laite Beach, Camden Harbor and the Atlantic The couple, Hayley McKinnon and Will Addis, said the dispute between Gorman and Bond has dominated the local area since it first made headlines. Hayley thinks the dog's death may have been linked to Bond's poisoning, but Will isn't so sure and there is no suggestion Bond is in any way to blame. It came in late 2022 as Gorman said she became suspicious when trees, along with large areas of vegetation, began dying in her yard overlooking the picturesque Laite Beach and Camden Harbor. Bond's vacation home is immediately behind hers further up the hill and the trees had obscured her view but appeared sympathetic when they began withering. But Gorman asked the landscapers Bartlett Tree Experts to look at the trees, and they took soil samples which showed two oaks had been treated with herbicide, which had spread to other trees including maple, blueberry and dogwood. The local authorities in November 2022 also tested the site and spoke to Amelia Bond, who admitted using poison on the land. She told Maine state investigators that she purchased the poison in her home state of Missouri, intending to put it on two oak trees she claimed she thought were dying. She and her husband, Arthur Bond III, an architect and the nephew of former GOP Senator Kit Bond, were subsequently slapped with a number of fines and penalties, including $4,500 to resolve Maine Board of Pesticides Control Board violations, $180,000 to resolve violations with the town, and $1.5 million to Gorman in a legal settlement. The story has also been presented as a battle between the liberal Gormans and conservative Bonds, although Bond donated heavily to Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, Vanity Fair reported. McKinnon told Vanity Fair that Gorman, the widow of the late L.L. Bean's president Leon Gorman, is a 'wonderful neighbor and everyone in the town thinks very highly of her' - praise that she does not share for Bond. Amelia Bond, who owns a $3.5 million holiday home in Camden, Maine, admitted using herbicide on oak trees owned by her neighbor in 2022 The Gorman home (left) sits down the slope from the Bond house (right). The quarrel between the two neighbors led to widespread backlash as the attorney general floated a criminal investigation against Bond '(Gorman) really understands what it means to be a neighbor, and a Mainer, more importantly,' McKinnon said. 'And that could not be further from the Bonds. It is the ultimate exercise in contrast.' She claimed that she and her husband believe their beloved terrier may have been killed by Bond's poisoning of her neighbor's trees when it leeched into the nearby area. She said the terrier died last February from liver and kidney failure, despite being 'perfectly healthy, 10-years-old, before we moved here.' 'We moved here the year that Amelia Bond started applying this pesticide and we took him down to that beach all the time. Its really hard for me to not draw some kind of connection.' Testing on the area found that samples from the beach and park contained trace levels of herbicide, that were reportedly above laboratory reporting limits but below EPA 'residential' and 'protection of groundwater' exposure risk guidelines. Bond has yet to comment on that claim and other locals think climate-change related issues could be behind many of the problems involving bacteria-plagued beaches in Camden. Camdens planning and development director, Jeremy Martin, said in response to the findings: 'Although what has been detected may appear to be within the EPAs standards for risk, the state of Maine does not have a standard for this herbicide.' He said the tree poisoning issue caused widespread outrage in the community, and a number of locals have sent requests to the Maine attorney general and local district attorneys requested she be prosecuted. Scott Boak, assistant AG, chief of Natural Resources Division, told Vanity Fair in response that his office was 'considering' information sent to it, but noted the $1.5 million Bond already paid to Gorman in compensation. In June 2024, it was reported that the Maine attorney general's office was considering opening charges into the poisoning. The office responded this week by saying it 'cannot confirm nor deny the existence of any investigation.' At the time, Tom Hedstrom, chair of the Select Board, concluded: 'Wealth and power don't always go hand in hand with intelligence, education and morals... This was atrocious and gross and any other word you want to use to describe abhorrent behavior.' President Donald Trump is pushing ahead with his plan to make it easier to fire federal employees, blasting past roadblocks Joe Biden put in his path and giving agencies just 90 days to respond to his order. It's the latest in Trump's moves to shake up the federal government, coming after he froze foreign and domestic federal aid, and got rid of his first round of civil servants. Trump tried to purge the federal work force in his first term but ran out of time. Now the Office of Personnel Management announced a rebranded effort as part of Trump's war on the government. The OPM memo outlined a new designation for federal employees called: 'Schedule Career/Policy.' It is what Trump called 'Schedule F' when he pushed this plan in his first term. And the heads of federal agencies are given 90 days - until April 20th - to review all the positions in their agency to find those that fit into the 'policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character.' The OPM memo specifically orders employees who 'are not normally subject to change as a result of a Presidential transition' to be reviewed - those are employees who usually have broad protections from being fired or suspended. It could impact hundreds of thousands of federal workers. President Donald Trump is pushing ahead with his plan to make it easier to fire federal employees It is the latest step in Trump's greater plan to purge the federal government of those who disagree with his agenda. Trump wants to have the power to easily fire federal workers, which has brought fears he will fire career employees who have different political ideologies. The OPM memo, however, says Schedule Policy/Career positions 'are not required to personally or politically support the current president or the policies of the current administration.' But they are expected to be loyal to the Trump administration. 'They 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 memo states. 'Failure to do so is grounds for dismissal.' Already Trump has targeted federal employees who don't agree with him. On Monday, he has suspended dozens of government officials for trying to circumvent his executive order on freezing all foreign aid. He also fired the inspectors general from more than a dozen federal agencies in a Friday night purge. His executive order terminating all federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs has sidelined 395 government bureaucrats. And he's worked on clearing out Justice Department staff who worked with special counsel Jack Smith, who led the prosecutions against him. Finally, his DOGE - Department of Government Efficiency - is looking to do even more. Trump has long argued there is a 'deep state' at work in the bowels of the federal government, blaming it for his many woes in his first administration. Donald Trump has enacted a series of orders against the government since he came into the White House last week Then-President Joe Biden tried to put protections in place for federal workers In 2020, during the final weeks of his first term, Trump issued an executive order creating a new class of federal workers known as Schedule F. Those staffers would be exempt from the country's traditional merit-based civil service program. And opponents argued it was an attempt to hire and fire people based on their political loyalty. Joe Biden, when he came into office in January 2021, rescinded that order. Then-President Biden then took it one step further last spring, when he issued a new rule that strengthens existing rights for career federal workers by making it clear that civil service protections cannot be taken away from employees unless they give them up voluntarily. In other words, Biden tried to make it nearly impossible for Trump to classify current federal employees under a Schedule F type order. But Acting OPM Director Charles Ezell, in the OPM memo, argues President Trump has the constitutional authority to unilaterally rescind regulations governing federal personnel issues. 'President Trump used his authority under the Constitution and [Title 5 of the U.S. Code] to directly nullify these regulations,' Ezell wrote. 'Section 4 of [the order] provides that, until OPM effectuates their formal rescission '[these regulations] shall be held inoperative and without effect.' This presidential directive immediately superseded OPM regulations issued using delegated presidential authority.' And he sees the new Trump order applying to a lot of federal workers. Ezell wrote that agencies should consider 'rescheduling' positions involved in: Directing the work of an organizational unit Being held accountable for the success of one or more specific programs or projects Substantive participation and discretionary authority in agency grantmaking including 'evaluation of grant applications Those publicly advocating for the policies of the agency or the administration, including before the news media or on social media Currently, federal employees are entitled to notice of a removal, an opportunity to reply, representation by an attorney and a written decision. They can also appeal the removal to the Merit Systems Protection Board or file a grievance under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement. The National Treasury Employees Union, on behalf of employees in 36 federal agencies, has filed a lawsuit against Trump's order. Union President Doreen Greenwald said the new classification would lead to 'political loyalty tests' for public employees. Shocking video has captured the horrifying moment a Michigan home invasion turned into a shootout. Benjamin Nevers, 24, and his girlfriend were sleeping in bed early Saturday morning when armed robbers broke into their Dearborn Heights home. Surveillance footage captured the thieves breaking in through a kitchen window and rummaging around the house. Police identified the suspect as Phillip Price, and he has been charged with assault with intent to murder and armed robbery as part of a 21-count indictment. The robbers held Nevers' friend - who had been staying over after returning from a trip to the Bahamas with Nevers - at gunpoint in the living room while they searched for valuables. 'I woke up, and I was just quick enough to react to grab my gun and cock it, and I just sat there and kind of waited. I knew they were going to come to my room,' Nevers told Fox 2. Video caught Nevers waiting at the door for the robbers to approach. Once they entered his bedroom and saw Nevers had a gun, the shootout ensued. 'He seen that I had the gun like this, and he shot me. Shot me in the foot first, and as soon as he shot, I shot back. So, I shot twice, and I know I hit him in the leg,' Nevers told WXYZ. 'My foot completely shattered. They have screws and plates, immediate surgery, and then I got hit in the back right here as well.' Benjamin Nevers, 24, and his girlfriend were sleeping in bed early Saturday morning when armed robbers broke into their Dearborn Heights home Surveillance footage captured the masked thieves breaking in through a kitchen window and rummaging around the house Nevers' girlfriend, who has not been identified, was also hit by the gunfire and wailed out in pain as she lay in bed. 'I know she got shot in the back, and it like traveled up, and it like hit her kidney and I think it's lodged in her chest right now,' he said. 'Like they can't get the bullet out 'cause it's too dangerous. So, I know they are watching her and it's going to be a couple more days.' A camera on the front porch captured the injured suspect struggling to leave the house. The suspect, Phillip Price, has been remanded with no bond, and police are actively searching for the second suspect. 'The bag that they tried to get was right there, and there was a bottle of Don Julio in it and a chocolate bar, and then there was a studio microphone that I have like these guys did this for nothing,' Nevers said. 'I'm just happy everybody is alive and well. I'm kind of glad the guy who shot me is still alive, too. I don't want to kill nobody.' A camera on the front porch captured the injured suspect struggling to leave the house Nevers' girlfriend, who has not been identified, was also hit by the gunfire and wailed out in pain as she lay in bed (not pictured) Nevers (pictured) was shot in the foot, and a bullet struck his girlfriend that moved through her body, and is lodged in her kidney A GoFundMe has been set up to help Nevers and his girlfriend cover their medical expenses. 'After a very traumatic home invasion, a young girl still lies in a hospital bed with a bullet lodged in her kidney area,' the fundraiser said. 'Having young children and no medical insurance escalates her fear and pain, as well as not even knowing the full recovery period. '[Nevers] job is very physical labor, so he wont be able to work and pay the normal bills to keep rent, heat, and groceries. Not to mention the mental trauma that surely will affect many aspects of their lives.' A transgender inmate has sued President Donald Trump as his executive order threatens to force her move from a female prison to a men's facility. The inmate, who was identified under pseudonym Maria Moe, filed a civil action lawsuit against Trump, 78, Attorney General James McHenry, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) on Sunday over her impending move to a male prison facility. 'If Maria Moe is transferred to a mens facility, she will not be safe,' her lawyers argued in the suit, viewed by DailyMail.com. 'She will be at an extremely high risk of harassment, abuse, violence, and sexual assault.' Moe, who has been transitioning since her teens, has never been housed in a male prison and has always been deemed and treated as a female inmate at Framingham Prison, the only women's federal facility in the state. Up until January 25, she was listed as a 'female' in the BOP system, but her gender status changed suddenly to 'male' after Trump's signed Executive Order 14166 on his first day back in the Oval Office. The day after Trump signed the order, Moe was removed from general population at her facility in Framingham and placed in a special housing unit, and she was told she would be waiting there until she could be transferred to a male facility, the lawsuit said. As of the filing, the Massachusetts native continues to be in isolation and was not allowed contact with others for at least four days. Her lawyers - Jennifer L. Levi and Bennett Klein of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders in Boston - argued Moe could be forced to be strip-searched by male officers and to take showers in 'full view of men' and 'with her female body, including her breasts, exposed and vulnerable to sexual violence.' A transgender inmate has sued President Donald Trump after his executive order will force her to move to a men's prison The executive order cuts transgender inmates off from gender-affirming care, including medication, forces transgender women to be housed in men's prisons, and only recognizes two genders: male and female The executive order also cuts Moe off from her gender-affirming care, including medication, which could put her at a 'high risk of serious harm,' her lawyers argued in the suit, which has since been sealed. 'Maria Moes removal from general population, placement in the SHU, and anticipated transfer to a mens facility has caused her significant distress and raise serious and imminent concerns regarding her safety and well-being,' the lawsuit read. The lawsuit appeared to be the first to be filed nationally challenging the executive order. The order forces the federal government to only recognize two genders - male and female - as well as, house transgender women in men's prisons and not fund gender-affirming care. Transgender inmates were federally protected under the Barack Obama Administration, before Trump appealed the policy during his first term. Obama's policy was later reenacted under the Joe Biden Administration and Trump is once again appealing it. Moe requested to keep her current housing inside a women's facility and to still continue her medical treatment for gender dysphoria, which she was diagnosed with in middle school. Moe has been living as a female since then, including using the girl's restroom in high school, and integrated into society as a woman following her diagnosis. She began taking hormones at age 15 after recommendations from healthcare providers. The inmate, who was identified under pseudonym Maria Moe, is currently being housed in isolation as she awaits her transfer to a men's prison. Moe has been transitioning since her teens and has never been housed in a male prison (pictured: Framingham Prison) Her lawyers - Jennifer L. Levi and Bennett Klein of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders in Boston - argued Moe could be forced to be strip-searched by male officers and to take showers in 'full view of men' and 'with her female body, including her breasts, exposed and vulnerable to sexual violence' The inmate has not stopped taking them since being initially prescribed. Her lawyers argue that Moe proves to be no risk to female inmates as she has 'no violent disciplinary history, poses no threat to her female peers, and her presence in the women's facility has not caused any disruption or interference with prison operations.' Since the executive order, Moe has lived in 'distress' and she is expected to face harassment - and possible rape - if her transfer is completed. She also accused Trump of discrimination, stating he's been open with his 'hostility toward transgender people,' especially during his presidential campaign. DailyMail.com has reached out to the DOJ's Office of Public Affairs and Moe's lawyers for comment. President Donald Trump on Tuesday celebrated the news that former White House correspondent Jim Acosta had decided to leave CNN. The controversial correspondent who frequently tangled with Trump, was promoted to an anchor slot after Trump left office, but announced Tuesday after his morning show that he had decided to leave the network. 'I've decided to move on,' Acosta announced. Trump was thrilled, decrying Acosta as a 'major loser' after reports surfaced about his decision to leave. 'Wow, really good news!' he wrote on social media. 'Jim Acosta, one of the worst and most dishonest reporters in journalistic history, a major sleazebag, has been relegated by CNN Fake News to the Midnight hour, Death Valley, because of extraordinarily BAD RATINGS (and no talent!)." Acosta reportedly was losing his morning show in the latest CNN revamp, with the idea of getting moved to a midnight shift. Trump indicated he had little faith in Acosta's talent, after the famous CNN figure announced he would make his future known at a later date. "Word is that he wants to QUIT, and that would be even better,' he wrote. 'Jim is a major loser who will fail no matter where he ends up. Good luck Jim!' U.S. President Donald Trump answers a question from Jim Acosta of CNN during a press conference CNN journalist Jim Acosta arrives at the White House press briefing room Acosta gave a dramatic farewell message to viewers on Tuesday, revealing that the highlight of his career as a journalist was when he asked Raul Castro at a joint press conference with former President Barack Obama. He indicated that Trump was a 'tyrant' as he delivered his closing missive to viewers. 'My closing message: Its never a good time to bow down to a tyrant dont give in to the lies. Dont give in to fear. Hold on to the truth and hope,' he said. Acosta clashed frequently with Trump during his his first term, even as the president mocked him and his network as 'fake news.' The most contentious moment of his White House career was when he stubbornly refused to release a microphone to a Trump staffer during a press conference in November. CNN's Jim Acosta gestures as he leaves federal court in Washington, Jim Acosta shares his thoughts about a sign that one of his supporters gave him 'CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them. You are a rude terrible person. You shouldn't be working for CNN,' the president said to Acosta, accusing him of being 'horrible' to people in his staff. The White House revoked Acosta's press pass after the contentious exchange but a subsequent lawsuit and a decision from a federal judge sided with CNN, allowing his credentials to be restored. Trump supporters frequently mocked Acosta on the campaign trail repeatedly shouting that 'CNN sucks' and accusing him of being 'fake news.' During an October 2020 rally, a masked Acosta shot back at Trump supporters during a live report. 'As this crowd is chanting that there are members of the press here who suck, I should also point out what also sucks: getting the coronavirus,' he said. An investigation has been launched by French police after a judge and two prosecutors involved in the corruption trial of far-right leader Marine Le Pen received death threats. The case could see Le Pen barred from contesting the 2027 presidential election which she is currently the frontrunner to win. Le Pen, along with her National Rally (RN) party and two dozen party figures are accused of diverting over 5million worth of European funds to pay staff in France - allegations they deny. If they are found guilty , Le Pen could face a five-year ban from public office just as she appears to be on the cusp of presidency with her former rival centrist President Emmanuel Macron floundering in the polls. Now the prosecutors leading the case - Louise Neyton and Nicolas Barret - and Benedicte de Perthuis, one of the three judges, have received multiple death threats in the comments section on the far-right website Riposte Laique. In shocking comments, seen by Reuters, one user wrote de Perthuis deserved a '9mm bullet in the back of (her) neck', in the comments section of a Riposte Laique article last October 6. The article denounced 'a Stalinist trial set up to ruin' the RN and featured a photo of De Perthuis. Another commentator called 'Job' said De Perthuis should be 'eliminated as soon as possible'. The case could see Marine Le Pen barred from contesting the 2027 presidential election which she is currently the front-runner to win A courtroom sketch of Le Pen during her trial. Le Pen, her National Rally (RN) party and two dozen party figures are accused of diverting more than 5million worth of European funds to pay staff in France - allegations they deny On November 14, the day after Neyton and Barret sought the five-year ban on Le Pen holding political office if found guilty, their work emails were shared in the comments section of a Riposte Laique article that said they would 'be held accountable to the people.' This article also included Barret's photo. One commentator on the article, named 'folavoine', said they should be shot on sight. The abuse fits into a pattern of threats against judges, prosecutors and elected officials in France and underlines deep divisions over the case. The threats are being investigated by Paris' Brigade for the Repression of Crime against Persons (BRDP), the sources said. The Paris Police Prefecture, which houses the BRDP, confirmed an investigation was under way. It referred questions to the Paris prosecutors' office, which declined comment. In a January 19 editorial, Riposte Laique said its director Guy Sebag had been questioned via email by BRDP officers, and that it had deleted the death threats. However, archived versions of the articles can be found. 'These texts, which have escaped our vigilance, put us in mortal danger,' the editorial said, adding that the site on average receives between 500 and 1,000 comments per day, with at least 300 deleted daily for racism or legal problems. Le Pen arrives for the closing arguments hearing in the trial on suspicion of embezzlement of European public funds, at a court in Paris on November 13 2024 Le Pen with her father Jean-Marie Le Pen in 2014. The investigations is looking at money embezzled from as early as 2004 when Jean-Marie was still leader of Le Pen's party Riposte Laique had around 350,000 page views in December, according to an independent estimate. Founded in 2007, the website says it 'brings together patriots from the left and the right who do not accept the Islamisation of their country.' Sebag declined to comment to Reuters. Allies of Le Pen have criticised what they see as judicial overreach, echoing how US President Donald Trump and former Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro reacted to legal cases against them. Both said they were victims of an illegal witch hunt. After hearing the prosecutor's decision in November to bar her from running from office, Le Pen said: 'It's clear that the only thing the public prosecutors wanted was Marine Le Pen's exclusion from political life.' She had continually accused the case of being 'politicaly motivated' and said the entire case is based on 'shaky' evidence. Opinion polls continually place Le Pen as a favourite to become president on her fourth attempt, but she said 'millions of French people would be deprived of their presidential candidate'. On November 8, France's High Council for the Judiciary (CSM), which oversees the legal system, expressed concern about recent threats against magistrates and underlined the importance of judicial independence. Ludovic Friat, president of the country's largest union of magistrates, said it was inevitable France would succumb to a global wave of anti-establishment rage. Le Pen on the campaign trial during the 2022 presidential election. Ban would see Le Pen barred from high office just as she appears to be on the cusp of the presidency 'France isn't an island,' Friat said. 'There's no reason for us to escape what we have seen in other countries.' A panel of three judges, led by de Perthuis, is due to deliver its verdict on March 31. Specialist anti-corruption investigators have pointing to a 'sophisticated billing system' being set up by Le Pen, an MEP in Brussels from 2004 until 2017, to divert cash into party funds back in Paris. The RN was called the National Front (FN) in those days, and many of its leading lights are on trial alongside Le Pen. The party's founder was the convicted racist and Holocaust denier Jean-Marie Le Pen, who was also Marine Le Pen's father. Jean-Marie Le Pen died earlier this month at the age of 96. He had previously been due to give evidence but was told he did not have to because of his 'deteriorating state of health'. The investigation into RN fraud began in March 2015, when the European Parliament announced that it had referred possible irregularities to the EU anti-fraud office. It mainly concerned salaries paid to parliamentary assistants, and even to Jean-Marie Le Pen's bodyguard. Le Pen and French president Emmanuel Macron during a TV debate during the 2022 presidential election Ms Le Pen was in 2022 runner up to Emmanuel Macron in the race to become president of France, after a similar result in 2017. Party founder Jean-Marie Le Pen in turn came second to Jacques Chirac in the presidential election of 2002. Last year, the RN did so well in European elections that President Macron called snap domestic parliamentary elections. It led to the RN saying they were preparing for government, with party leader Jordan Bardella set to become prime minister. In the first round of the snap election , the RN topped the poll with over 29 per cent of the vote. However, France's famous cordone sanitare where voters coalesce around whichever candidates can beat the RN meant the party sunk to third place in the second round behind the left-wing New Popular Front (NPF), and by Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party. A dramatic video has emerged of a woman refusing to let ICE agents into her California home as President Donald Trump ramps up deportations across the nation. The family inside recorded at least half a dozen federal officers surrounding the perimeter of their home in Escondido, a suburb of San Diego. One of the officers, who was wearing an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations vest, approached one of the home's glass screen doors to ask the woman recording if she spoke English, NBC San Diego reported. The woman who got the sensational video shared it with the NBC affiliate and only identified herself as Jasmine to protect her safety. 'I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions or sign you, hand you any documents based on my Fifth Amendment rights under the United States Constitution,' Jasmine said, reading off her phone. 'I do not give you any permission to enter my home based on my Fourth Amendment rights.' Jasmine said the ICE agents rolled up in unmarked vehicles and asked them to open the door. She admitted that her uncle, the man they were searching for, does not have legal status. She told NBC that most of the people living in her home, including her, are US citizens. Pictured: An ICE agent shows up at Jasmine's door at her home in Escondido, a suburb of San Diego Pictured: Three ICE agents knock on a door in Chicago, Illinois, as part of a immigration raid on January 26 The officer in the video reportedly told Jasmine that they only wanted her uncle, but if they had to 'come in the house, we're going to take everybody.' 'It was really scary and me, like, reading my rights to them, like it just, I was shaking in the video when I was reading it to them,' Jasmine said. Jasmine said the officers went back to their cars after a few minutes, only to return with an administrative removal warrant that presumably contained her uncle's information. Critically, these documents are not issued by judges like a criminal warrant would be, making it unconstitutional for an ICE agent to enter the premises without permission. This was confirmed by John Seaman, a senior legal instructor with the Legal Division at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. 'The administrative removal warrant authorizes the ICE officer to arrest the subject, but not to enter into a [Reasonable Expectation of Privacy] area such as his or her home unless consent to enter is given,' Seaman said. 'If the officer does not have consent to enter, even if the officer knows the person subject to the warrant is inside the home, the officer has no legal authority to enter the home pursuant to that removal warrant,' he added. Jasmine said she knew this, so she refused to let the officers in, despite her uncle not being home at the time. Pictured: The administrative removal warrant for Jasmine's uncle that she was given by ICE officers This incident comes as Trump and his border czar Tom Homan carry out the mass-deportation program that was repeatedly promised to MAGA voters on the campaign trail (Pictured: More than 40 illegal immigrants are busted by agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration) 'They thought that we were going to open the door for them. But no, we have our rights too, like, we know what to do,' Jasmine said in an interview. 'That warrant's coming,' the officer reportedly said in the video Jasmine took. 'We can get a warrant, not a problem, if you guys don't want to talk.' This incident comes as Trump and his border czar Tom Homan carry out the mass-deportation program that was repeatedly promised to MAGA voters on the campaign trail. ICE, known as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, announced more than 3,500 arrests since Trump took office on January 20, News Nation reported. Nearly 1,200 of those arrests came on Sunday alone, far outpacing the average of 311 arrests per day made last year under Joe Biden. Pedro Rios, an immigration advocate with the American Friends Service Committee said people have told him about ICE activity all across San Diego County, which borders Mexico and has a large immigrant population. Rios said other agencies like the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fires and Explosives were assisting ICE in their raids of various communities. This level is cooperation hasn't been seen before, he said. San Diego's DEA division confirmed its involvement in immigration raids in a Sunday social media post. San Diego's DEA division confirmed its involvement in immigration raids in a Sunday social media post (Pictured: Two DEA agents bring a man into custody) Immigration advocate Pedro Rios said this level of cooperation between ICE and other federal agencies wasn't present before Trump took office 'In the past, it might have been early morning raids that were taking place. Now, we're seeing that it's taking place throughout the day, even into the evening,' Rios told NBC. 'These are operations that are meant to cement fear and are meant to cause confusion.' San Diego County Board Supervisor Jim Desmond, a Republican, hoped the immigration raids in his county would 'encourage people to not commit crimes.' 'Right now, the focus is and should be on criminals, on people that are here illegally and that are committing high-level crimes,' Desmond told NBC. NBC News reported that of the 1,179 people arrested by ICE on Sunday, just 613 of them (52 percent) were considered 'criminal arrests.' Desmond said the enforcement is necessary because in his view, the legal immigration system is 'very flawed.' 'We need a smoother, safer, better path for people to come to our country legally, and have their heads held high instead of always having to look over their shoulder,' he said. The Church of England is tonight facing a new crisis after it emerged two women made allegations of a sexual nature against the Bishop of Liverpool. One woman alleges she was sexually assaulted by John Perumbalath while another says they were sexually harassed. One of the complainants is a female CoE bishop. The revelations were unearthed by a Channel 4 News investigation with Bishop Perumbalath accused of sexually assaulting one married woman in the Chelmsford diocese on separate occasions between 2019 and 2023. Tonight, a senior member of the General Synod accused the already underfire Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell of a 'cover up' after it emerged he knew of the sexual assault allegations before Bishop John was enthroned in April 2023. Archbishop Cottrell is already facing calls to quit over claims that he allowed a priest who sexually abused teenage girls to continue working in his diocese when he was the Bishop of Chelmsford. Bishop Perumbalath, a married father-of-one, was voluntarily interviewed under caution by police last March, but the investigation was closed due to insufficient evidence. No charges have to date been brought. Bishop Perumbalath is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the Chelmsford diocese on separate occasions between 2019 and 2023. He served alongside Archbishop Cottrell, who was previously the Bishop of Chelmsford, in the diocese when he was the Bishop of Bradwell in Essex. Bishop Perumbalath has denied the allegations and said 'whilst I don't believe I have done anything wrong, I have taken seriously the lessons learnt through this process addressing how my actions can be perceived by others'. Two women have made separate allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment against the Bishop of Liverpool John Perumbalath, with one of the complainants a CoE female bishop A senior member of the General Synod accused the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell of a 'cover up' after it emerged he knew of the sexual assault allegations before Bishop John was enthroned in April 2023 The senior member of the clergy is currently awaiting a seat in the House of Lords and is is one of just two bishops sitting on a commission overseeing clergy discipline. One accuser claimed Bishop Perumbalath in March 2019 at a Chelmsford diocese held her head 'too tightly' as she tried to move away while he 'kissed me forcefully on my mouth'. 'I could feel his mouth pressing on my mouth. I could feel some of his saliva, and the texture of his beard around my mouth,' she said. She claimed she was attacked again three years later when he allegedly groped her at the end of a meeting 'as he was letting go of hugging me'. In January 2023, during a music evening in the chapel he is accused of quietly telling a woman in her ear 'I love you' and then 'moved his mouth to just below my ear, on the pulse point on my neck. He opened his mouth, took a piece of my skin between his lips, and let go'. Another Bishop complained to the church that she was allegedly sexually harassed by Bishop Perumbalath, but she was told this could not be investigated because more than a year had passed since the alleged incident. In a statement issued to Channel 4 News, Bishop Perumbalath said the allegations 'are in relation to encounters that took place in public settings, with other people present'. 'I have consistently denied the allegations made against me by both complainants,' he said. 'I have complied with any investigation from the National Safeguarding Team. The allegations raised in Essex were also investigated by the Police who took no further action. 'Whilst I don't believe I have done anything wrong, I have taken seriously the lessons learnt through this process addressing how my actions can be perceived by others. I will comply with any investigation deemed necessary. I take safeguarding very seriously and work hard to provide proper leadership in this area'. The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell last year faced calls to resign over his handling of an historical abuse case Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned after an internal report into his handling of the John Smyth abuse case was made public The two women disclosed the allegations last year to Andrew Graystone, an advocate for survivors of abuse in the Church of England. One said she told her husband immediately what had happened and reported Bishop John to the Archdeacon. At the time he was about to leave Essex to be promoted to the Liverpool diocese. Mr Graystone said: 'The idea that a diocesan Bishop should be alleged to have done these things to a very senior colleague in the Church, and yet nobody else in the church has grasped the nettle and dealt with it. That's particularly shocking. 'In most areas of life, if you were a headteacher of a secondary school or a consultant in a hospital, there is no doubt that the person against whom these allegations have been made would be stood down in a neutral way whilst they were investigated and dealt with. 'The Church may say that they have investigated these allegations. They think it's all fine, but at no point in that process did they choose to step Bishop Perumbalath back from his responsibilities. On the contrary, they promoted him.' Reverand Robert Thompson, who sits on the General Synod, the Church's ruling body, said it is also raises questions about Archibishop Cottrell's conduct. He said colleagues may start to worry the chuch 'couldn't survive' if he becomes the second Archbishop in history to quit. It would follow the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby's announcement in November that he would be stepping down following a damning report into a prolific child abuser associated with the Church of England. 'It could well be another instance of a church cover up,' Rev Thompson said. 'I think one of the difficulties at the heart of the top of our church is that there is a protectionist culture between bishops in relation to bishops behavior. And lots of us know that happens all the time.' A spokesperson said the Archbishop of York had 'no part in the decision making around safeguarding or disciplinary matters' 'Either it seems that a complaint has been made to another bishop in which that bishop has not actually actioned the appropriate safeguarding measures, which would have been to step the bishop off from public administration until the proper investigation.' In a statement on behalf of the Cof and Archbishop Cottrell, it was confirmed a complaint of alleged misconduct against Bishop Perumbalath was lodged to the National Safeguarding Team (NST) in early 2023. But the spokesperson said it was made after he had 'formally and legally' become Bishop of Liverpool. 'The complaint was looked into according to statutory safeguarding guidance in an NST-led process and an independent risk assessment undertaken,' they said. 'This process concluded that there were no ongoing safeguarding concerns, but a learning outcome was identified with which the bishop fully engaged. 'The complaint was also investigated by the police which resulted in no further action. 'The NST concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to bring a safeguarding-related complaint under the Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM) itself but offered the woman support if she wished to do so. The NST continues to have contact, at her request, with the woman who came forward and the offer of ongoing support remains. 'Some time subsequently, after hearing the details of the complaint directly from the complainant, the Lead Safeguarding Bishop also offered advice and support to the woman if she wished to bring a CDM complaint. That offer also remains. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby walking through Westminster in September 2022 'While we do not discuss specific details of individual cases, this matter was taken very seriously while protecting the confidentiality of the complainant. 'Shortly after the start of this process a further disclosure was made by another woman. The information brought by the second complainant was explored and assessed not to be a safeguarding matter but a matter of alleged misconduct. Pastoral support has been provided throughout for the second complainant and is ongoing. 'The second complainant did not bring a CDM complaint within the one-year deadline. She later applied for permission to bring it after the deadline, which the Archbishop of York fully supported. 'However, this was refused by an independent judge, the Deputy President of Tribunals. 'Archbishop Stephen has supported the complainant pastorally throughout the process and continues to offer practical help. He had no part in the decision making around safeguarding or disciplinary matters.' Isolated from the rest of the world a collection of reality television contestants were left to build a community of their own on an uninhabited island. Now, a quarter-of-a-century later Ben Fogle has said he wants to recreate the experience of Castaway 2000 all over again, and would love to be left on the Hebridean island of Taransay once again. Since appearing on the programme Mr Fogle, 51, has spoken about his enduring affection for what is Scotlands largest uninhabited island and once even wanted to buy it. At the turn of the Millennium he and 35 other people were sent to the island for what the BBC billed as a bold new experiment as they fended for themselves in the Scottish wilderness. It wasnt without its problems, but Mr Fogle said the older he got the more nostalgic for the past he became. The broadcaster, whose career started on the programme, said: We were isolated from the rest of the world. Ben Fogle's TV career began with his appearance on Castaway Fogle has said he wants to recreate the experience of Castaway 2000 all over again Without phones, computers, social media, newspapers, television or outside interference, we were forced to live in the moment. We communicated and lived. Really lived in the moment of our own timeline, rather than someone elses. We lived, we loved and we laughed. Id love to try and repeat the experiment a quarter-of-a-century later. They were some of my happiest, most carefree days. Castaway 2000 was broadcast on BBC One throughout the year and it followed the group of men, women and children as they were taken away from the comforts of their homes and told to become a community of their own. In the 12 months they were on Taransay they were to grow their own vegetables and kill their own animals. It wasnt plain sailing with those taking part putting up with foul weather, a revolt against programme makers, smuggled mobile phones, a flu outbreak, blazing rows and even a contestant in a speed boat escape. Of the 36 who joined the show just 29 remained, including Mr Fogle, and there was no winner nor cash prize for their ordeal. The site on the island of Taransay in the Western Isles where the Castaways lived as part of the BBC's show However, since being on the island the Mr Fogle has told how much he adores being there and has returned several times. Such is his love for the place when it went on the market for 2million he wanted to acquire Taransay and transform it into a wildlife reserve. In 2011, as he made public his ultimately unsuccessful desire to buy it, he wrote in The Telegraph: Each day I spent on Taransay, I went exploring with my black Labrador, Inca. By the end of the year, we knew every rock, bog and loch on the island, which is about four miles wide and three miles long, navigating effortlessly across the Machair and along the beaches. We would clamber our way up to the islands highest peak Ben Raah, and look out over the Harris mainland. The view will stay with me until the day I die. Bleak, treeless and windswept, the island should have been a godforsaken place, but it was without doubt the most beautiful place I have been. The constantly changing weather and light altered the island like an artists canvas. The talc-white sandy beaches and the turquoise waters were more striking than any Caribbean or Pacific island I have visited. Donald Trump has approved Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as new UK ambassador to Washington. A question mark remained over the Lord's nomination due to his alleged connections with the EU and China. The peer had also previously branded the US President as a 'danger to the world' following a war of words in 2019 during Trump's campaign for the White House. But despite the President previously being urged to remove the grandee as a candidate due to his ties, Mandelson has now received his agrement - the formal agreement to receive a new diplomat - from the US. Despite it being perceived as a formality, Trump will still need to hand the peer a 'letter of credence' upon his arrival to Washington to formalise his acceptance. The decision, first reported in Politico Playbook, will likely be a relief for Downing Street, as the peer's nomination had been doubt despite many in No10 being confident he would be granted White House approval. They nominated Lord Mandelson, a key figure in both Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown's governments, last month, with the Prime Minister hailing the peer's 'unrivalled experience'. No 10 had been under pressure to drop Lord Mandelson as the chosen candidate - but a 45-minute phone call between Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Trump on Sunday appears to have calmed any tensions between Westminster and Washington. Donald Trump has approved Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as new UK ambassador to Washington For an ambassadorial nominee to formally take up their post in Washington, the president has to accept the 'letters of credence' Earlier this month, the Mail revealed that Lord Mandelson was not invited to Trump's Presidential Inauguration (file image) Despite the appointment not being discussed, Lord Mandelson is now expected to start his role early next month. The peer has also attempted to mend relations after his past comments suggesting Mr Trump was 'little short of a white nationalist'. In an article for Fox News, he praised the US President-elect's 'straight talking and deal-making instincts' and his 'great skill as a political campaigner'. Despite his efforts, Lord Mandelson's alleged links with China threatened to throw the appointment off course. Yesterday it emerged that a dossier detailing his connections with Beijing was handed to the FBI by American Senators, raising fresh questions over his future post as Britain's next ambassador to the US. Lord Mandelson has been at the centre of a row over his suitability for the top diplomatic role, with sources close to US President Donald Trump having previously raised concerns over the ex-Cabinet minister's perceived links to Beijing. Politicians had reportedly passed a dossier of information taken from the Chinese internet purporting to show he met senior figures at Communist state-owned firms. Australian outlet The Nightly said that the file put together by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China had been forwarded on to the US law enforcement. The dossier is said to claim Lord Mandelson was listed as an adviser to China International Capital Corporation (CICC), a global investment bank, in 2013. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had previously been urged to remove Peter Mandelson as candidate due to his ties with the EU and China Politicians reportedly passed a dossier of information taken from the Chinese internet purporting to show he met senior figures at Communist state-owned firms The dossier is said to claim Lord Mandelson was listed as an adviser to China International Capital Corporation (CICC), a global investment bank, in 2013 Earlier this month a member of the Trump team told The Independent it was 'still not certain' that Lord Mandelson's credentials would be accepted This is not declared on his House of Lords register of interests. It also suggests he made several trips to China himself, often as part of a delegation from his firm, Global Counsel. Lord Mandelson told the website: 'I have had no business dealings in China.' He has been approached for further comment by MailOnline. No 10 said last night: 'On that specific report, the Foreign Office don't recognise the reports of a dossier. 'More broadly, there is an established regime in place for the management of interests held by ambassadors or high commissioners. 'This ensures that steps are taken to avoid or mitigate any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest, and all candidates are subject to background checks and security clearance. Lord Mandelson has made all the relevant declarations as part of this process.' Earlier this month, a member of the Trump team told The Independent it was 'still not certain' that Lord Mandelson's credentials would be accepted, blaming strains with Sir Keir Starmer's Government and concerns about Lord Mandelson's perceived links to China. The Trump source said that while Labour had told the Trump transition team it was 'a huge compliment' that Sir Keir wanted to send such a senior Labour figure, they were 'not buying that'. Donald Trump did not want David Miliband (pictured) as the next US ambassador, a Republican source claimed His approved nomination comes shortly after it was revealed Trump did not want David Miliband to serve as the UK ambassador in Washington, according to a Republican source. It was reported that Mr Miliband had been vying for the role providing Lord Mandelson failed to gain the role. However, an ally of President Trump previously told The Sun: 'Trump doesn't like Peter Mandelson, but he has no time for David Miliband either.' The source added: 'Miliband would never get to be ambassador. No one called Miliband will stand a chance.' Mr Miliband is the brother of Ed Miliband, the Environment Secretary and leader of the Labour Party and Opposition from 2010 to 2015. But amid a string of briefings from Mr Trump allies condemning his appointment, former Foreign Secretary Mr Miliband has been trying to take the role. A source previously said Dame Karen Pierce wanted to cover the return of Mr Trump, and hoped that he would block the appointment. But a British Embassy spokesman said the claims about Dame Karen were 'categorically untrue'. An embassy source previously added that while it was possible for Mr Trump not to accept Lord Mandelson's credentials, it was 'highly unlikely'. Earlier this month, the Mail revealed that Lord Mandelson was not invited to Trump's Presidential Inauguration. Republicans largely brushed off accusations a congressional funding freeze was an unconstitutional power grab by President Trump on Tuesday and downplayed the impact it would have across the country. But Democrats on Capitol Hill were furious after the Trump administration issued a memo freezing congressional funding sparking widespread confusion in Washington. The memo sent out without warning Monday night directed agencies to halt loans, grants and other federal assistance pending a review to make sure programs align with the new administration's priorities. It specifically said Social Security, Medicare and direct payments to individuals would not be impacted. But by Tuesday afternoon, the White House was in cleanup mode, attempting to clarify that Medicaid and SNAP were not on the chopping block. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted that they were aware the Medicaid website portal was down but were working to get it back up shortly. She said payments were still being processed and sent. Democrats and nonprofits described the memo as a 'five-alarm fire' that impact millions of Americans. What happened last night is the most direct assault on the authority of Congress I believe in the history of the United States, declared Senator Angus King (I-Maine). Democrats speaking to reporters after the Trump administration issued a memo to freeze federal grants, loans and other financial assistance starting on Tuesday pending a review. Democratic lawmakers blasted the move as unconstitutional and warned it would impact millions of Americans Democrats argued Congress controls the purse strings in Washington and what gets funding. They blasted the president for trying to take control of the federal budget. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) accused Trump in a statement of 'trying to create a one-man government shutdown by illegally halting taxpayer dollars.' This is not how a democracy works, said Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on the hill Tuesday. The scope of the damage that will be done is enormous,' he added. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer claimed the move would cut off billions and perhaps trillions of dollars that directly support states, cities, towns, schools, hospitals, small businesses and most of all American families. Throughout Tuesday afternoon confusion ensued as lawmakers questioned what the freeze would mean for everything from disaster assistance and funding for local law enforcement to Meals on Wheels, early childhood education programs and cancer research clinical trials. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) called the scope of the action unprecedented and said her office was already getting calls from constituents, describing the situation as sheer panic. The word that everyone uses is chaos, Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) said. Democrats warned that in an effort not to run afoul of the directive, officials would stop funding for everything. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) called for an emergency meeting with his caucus on Wednesday to respond to the federal grant freeze. And a group of Democratic state attorneys general prepared to fight the Trump administration in court. President Trump speaking to House Republicans on Monday, the same day the memo ordered a spending freeze pending review. The White House said the review would only nix funding for any loans, grants and assistance that does not align with President Trump's priorities White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during her first press briefing Tuesday. She posted online that the White House was aware the Medicaid portal was down and they were working to get it back up shortly as the administration attempted to clarify that Medicaid would not be impacted by the freeze amid mass confusion Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) standing in front of a sign as Democrats spoke with reporters after the Trump administration issued the memo freezing congressional funds. Throughout the day, Democratic lawmakers and a few Republicans raised concerns over what programs would be impacted But as Democrats slammed the move as an illegal power grab, very few Republicans in Washington pushed back. There certainly is justification to take a hard look at some programs, but this is far too sweeping and will cause disruption in the administration of a lot of important programs and services, said Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine). Collins said she appreciated the exemptions but was still concerned about its impact. I'm hearing from nonprofit organizations in Maine, who were expecting funding, and all of a sudden, it's been disrupted, educational institutions that were awarded grants, and I'm concerned about what its going to mean across the board. I'm still trying to seek information on the breadth of it,' she said. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said she was worried over how the pause would impact construction projects underway in Alaska or questioned how the review is being conducted. The big challenge right now is finding people in the administration who are in the position to help us facilitate some of the answers to these things, Murkowski told reporters. But other GOP lawmakers were in wait and see mode. Theyll go though it probably item by item, line by line, budget by budget, Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) suggested. For now, its a pretty major test of separation of powers, he added but argued a temporary pause to evaluate spending is appropriate. What was not clear was how long some Republicans would be willing to see a freeze continue. Not every appropriation is created equally, so well have to see, Cramer told DailyMail.com. A day is too long if youre starving, if youre hungry. You might get by with a month if youre replacing a water system. I'm not concerned, but if it lasts a long time, I think it could be a problem, said Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas). But every administration, I think is entitled to come in and do a due diligence and see where the money's going, and whether they agree that it should continue, the Texas senator said. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) raised concerns about the impact of the spending freeze and its wide breadth GOP Senator John Cornyn speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. He argued Trump was entitled to the funding freeze to see where the money was going, but he said if the pause lasts a long time it could be a problem Democrats claimed the freeze violated the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act which prevents the president from not spending money approved by Congress since 1974. Clearly, what he is trying to do is step on every possible concept that is spelled out in law and pretend that it doesn't exist, Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oreg.) said. Donald Trump is exceeding Richard Nixon on the impoundment issue, he added. At the moment, the Impoundment Act is constitutional because the Supreme Court has said that it is, countered Republican Senator John Kennedy (R-LA). But if there were a new challenge with a new set of circumstances, I don't know,' he acknowledged. GOP senators largely played down its potential impact and dismissed worries of executive overreach. 'I think any of these funding decisions are not unusual for an administration,' claimed Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) who argued they are taking a pause to look at where funds are being spent. I know my Democratic colleagues seem really upset about this, said Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO). Didnt it say hes reviewing, theyre just reviewing these grants, and where theyre going and so forth? Hawley asked. Doesnt seem that remarkable to me. Multiple Republicans early Tuesday told DailyMail.com they were not aware of what the freeze means or kept their gaze straight ahead as they dodged answering questions. But for one Georgia Republican lawmaker, the freeze on some aid was not unwelcome. When pressed about its impact on free breakfasts and lunches for students, Rep. Rich McCormick suggested during an interview with CNN from Doral, FL that some kids should work at McDonald's instead. 'Youre telling me that kids who stay at home instead of going to work at Burger King, McDonalds, during the summer, should stay at home and get their free lunch instead of going to work? I think we need to have a top-down review,' McCormick said. Up to two million federal workers will be offered buyouts if they don't want to return to the office as part of Donald Trump's government purge. The Trump administration started sending emails to thousands of federal workers Tuesday evening offering them a chance to voluntarily vacate their government posts while remaining on the payroll for months. The email was linked to President Donald Trump's executive order demanding federal employees return to the office. An email landed in federal workers' inboxes offering them a package and the ability to voluntarily separate from the federal government before the new Department of Government Efficiency starts identifying areas that could afford to be cut. 'At this time, we cannot give you full assurance regarding the certainty of your position or agency, but should your position be eliminated you will be treated with dignity and will be afforded the protections in place for such positions,' reads the email, titled 'Fork in the Road.' To take the deal, employees were told to type the word 'resign' into the subject line of their response. The 'majority of federal agencies are likely to be downsized through restructurings, realignments, and reductions in force,' according to the email. A spokesperson for the Office of Personnel Management said the employees who accept the terms were being offered the chance to go on administrative leave through Sept. 30 at full pay. It comes as many federal employees eye leaving their jobs amid Donald Trump's takeover in Washington, D.C. as the new Trump administration has fired top Justice Department officials who worked on his criminal prosecution and placed other senior administration members on paid leave. The president ordered his agencies to create, implement and enforce return-to-office orders that would require the entire federal workforce to come back to the office full-time. President Donald Trump signed an order demanding federal workers be back in the office. His administration is writing 2 million workers offering them paid leave through the end of September if they vacate their posts Others have been reassigned to direct their efforts against so-called sanctuary cities amid Trump's immigration crackdown. DOGE official Katie Miller confirmed the email was going to 2 million federal workers. An OPM memo dated January 28 reviewed by DailyMail.com describes the option as 'deferred resignation' which exempts employees from the requirement to return to the office. Employees who accept it 'should promptly have their duties reassigned or eliminated and be placed on paid administrative leave until the end of the deferred resignation period,' states the letter, from Charles Ezell, acting director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. It carves out an exception for when an agency head determines 'that it is necessary for the employee to be actively engaged in transitioning job duties, in which case employees should be placed on administrative leave as soon as those duties are transitioned.' 'If you resign under this program, you will retain all pay and benefits regardless of your daily workload and will be exempted from all applicable in-person work requirements until September 30, 2025 (or earlier if you choose to accelerate your resignation for any reason).' Democrats and a powerful union called it an effort to try to dupe employees or pressure them to leave to make way for Trump loyalists. The American Federation of Government Employees union blasted the offer in a statement by president Everett Kelley. 'The number of civil servants hasn't meaningfully changed since 1970, but there are more Americans than ever who rely on government services. Purging the federal government of dedicated career federal employees will have vast, unintended consequences that will cause chaos for the Americans who depend on a functioning federal government,' said Kelley. 'This offer should not be viewed as voluntary. Between the flurry of anti-worker executive orders and policies, it is clear that the Trump administration's goal is to turn the federal government into a toxic environment where workers cannot stay even if they want to.' An administration official told DailyMail.com the program could save up to $100 billion, but the the White House has not put forward information on how it got to the figure. Officials are predicting up to 10 percent of the workforce could take the deal for a delayed resignation. Axios reported Thursday that the government offered to pay the workers who don't want to return to the office through Sept. 30, provided they resign by Feb. 6. The impact of Trump ordering federal employees back to the office is still not fully known. Some employees were already considering whether they would keep their jobs if they had to give up telework. Many have arrangements that require them to go into the office for a portion of the week. Some no longer have physical spaces that are assigned to them under changes made since the pandemic. For years since the pandemic agency heads have cited difficulty retaining employees if they made a shift to in-office work. The White House Office of Personnel Management (OPM)'s new chief of staff, Amanda Scales, is a former employee of billionaire Elon Musk, the Donald Trump pal who now runs the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk appeared to take credit for the effort in a post on X. The email bore the heading 'Fork in the Road,' the same subject line Musk attached to messages to Twitter employees when he bought the site he renamed X. Musk on Thursday night reposted a screen shot of the email and posted an image of sculpture of a large fork, saying it was a sculpture he commissioned. DOGE has announced plans to slash government spending and eliminate large swaths of the federal workforce, claiming that the inflated number of employees contributes largely to the government's wasteful spending. Another priority for DOGE is to force workers back to the office or else be terminated. Trump signed an executive order last week agencies are already implementing plans to get people back to the office. Trump ordered agencies to get all full-time workers back to the office 'as soon as practicable,' while directing that remote work arrangements also end unless considered necessary. 'This is about fairness: it's not fair that most people have to come to work to build products or provide services while Federal Government employees get to stay home,' Musk posted on his X site. OPM sent out a 'federal government-wide email communication test' last week as a way to establish that it could communicate a single message to all government employees at the same time. 'OPM is testing a new capability allowing it to send important communications to ALL civilian federal employees from a single email address,' a Thursday statement on the incoming test read. 'Testing of this messaging system functionality is expected as soon as this week.' Two federal employees filed suit against OPM claiming the new email distribution system constitutes a threat to privacy. An anonymous post on Reddit claimed the government was being 'systematically dismantled' and claimed a career employee was pushed out for failing to set up such an email system and that a new server was set up inside the agency. Rep Gerry Connoly, the ranking member on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, blasted the move as a 'trick.' 'Donald Trump is trying every trick he and his Project 2025 cronies can think of to circumvent established civil service protections so they can purge the civil service of experts and replace them with political loyalists,' Connolly said. 'The victims here, as is always the case with Donald Trump, are the American people who will see government services and benefits allocated not by nonpartisan civil servants, but by partisan hacks.' It's no exaggeration to state that when the SNP claimed its first Holyrood election win in 2007, opposition parties collectively lost their minds. For decades, the nationalists had been a party firmly on the fringes. Sure, the occasional poll might have suggested the SNP were making progress but, until the moment the late Alex Salmond declared victory, few of his opponents seriously believed he was going to do it. What followed that surprising result was some downright bizarre behaviour from politicians who should have know better. Apparently seduced by Mr Salmonds rhetoric about a new politics, the Scottish Tories, under Annabel Goldie, decided to help the SNP. The logic for this was that by agreeing to support the Scottish Governments budget, theyd extract major concessions. History does not, Im afraid, record a string of Scottish Tory achievements between 2007-11. Rather, the Conservatives propped up Mr Salmond and he - as he was perfectly entitled to do - claimed credit for any of their popular ideas, such as an increase in the number of police officers on the beat. The truth is that, without the compliance of the Tories during its first term, the SNP would have struggled to stay in office, never mind to have gone on to win an outright majority in 2011. Labour politicians responded to the new nationalist regime with similar recklessness. Keen to be seen as willing participants in the new politics, Labour council leaders across the country agreed a deal with the finance secretary John Swinney that would, over time, cause misery for taxpayers. The SNP, led by John Swinney, froze council tax rates whilst slashing local authority budgets Mr Swinneys much vaunted Concordat was a deal - struck in 2008 - by the Scottish Government and the countrys local authorities. In return for agreeing to deliver the SNPs promised council tax freezes, councillors would be allowed greater freedom to spend; ring-fencing would be removed from some funds, allowing investment to be freely targeted on problem areas. Like fools, Labour councillors lined up to sign a contract that would lock them into an agreement to freeze council tax while the SNP proceeded to slash budgets. The agreement allowed the SNP to crow about delivering a council tax freeze but accelerated the decline in vital local services. Mr Swinney really did put the con in concordat. Almost 18 years after the nationalists first Holyrood win, the impact of their policy priorities on Scotlands councils is clear to see. Cuts passed down from Holyrood have seen councils - many, such as Glasgow, now run by the SNP - strip back services. In many instances, the cuts have come at the heaviest price to the most vulnerable. Social work departments and support services for addicts and abuse survivors have seen their funding wither. Evidence of underfunding of local authorities is all around, from the closure of libraries and community centres to the paring back of bin collections to the neglect of pot-holed roads. Council tax represents a substantial outgoing for families. We are all entitled, in return for this financial commitment, to expect a reasonable standard of services. None of Scotlands 32 councils is currently keeping its side of that deal. Now, Scotlands public finance watchdog has intervened to point out whats already obvious to anybody paying the slightest attention: things cant go on like this. According to the Accounts Commission, Scotlands local authorities must reform at a pace and depth weve not yet seen if they are to avoid unsustainable losses. The commissions latest report, on the 2023-24 financial year, found councils had been forced to plug a budget black-hole of 759million thanks to a real-terms funding decrease from the Scottish Government. The Accounts Commission reports that councils increasingly depend on cuts to services. Im no economist but this is a budgetary model thats unsustainable unless were willing, ultimately, to see all services removed. Scotlands largest local authority - Glasgow City Council - is perfectly emblematic of the nationwide crisis created by the SNP. Since the nationalists wrestled control of the city from Labour in 2017, it has been allowed to decline at a most alarming rate. The city centre is dark, dirty and unwelcoming while services across the city - from addiction support in some of the most deprived communities in the United Kingdom to road maintenance - have been stripped back. It should not surprise us that the increase of SNP control of Scotlands councils has led to a decline in services. In common with their colleagues at both Holyrood and Westminster, SNP members of local councils prioritise the constitutional battle above all else. Nationalist councillors are driven not by what they might achieve for their local communities but by how they might use their power to further the cause of independence. Over recent years, this instinct to put the project first has led to meek complicity from SNP council leaders who know the budget cuts they accept and defend are devastating the services they were elected to deliver. The Scottish Government says it is offering councils an extra 1billion in 2025-26, with additional funding for local communities and targeted investment in increasing teacher numbers. But behind the confidence of that statement, I detect anxiety in SNP ranks. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has urged local authorities not to hike council tax bills, insisting that Scottish Government funding should mean this is unnecessary. Ms Forbes will be disappointed to learn that some SNP-run councils - including Glasgow - are expected to increase bills in the coming year. When the SNP won power in 2007, its promised council tax freeze came as a relief after years of dizzying rises under Labour. Since then, however, the nationalists have so badly neglected local authorities that - without substantial council tax increases - they will soon be unable to provide even the most basic services at an adequate level. As we move through life, we interact with councils more than with any other level of government. They run the schools to which we send our children, provide many of the support services we need in a crisis, and (to wildly varying degrees) maintain the roads on which we drive. Yet, despite the huge responsibilities placed on local authorities, the SNP has treated them as an afterthought, making big eye-catching announcements about council tax freezes without thinking of their potential implications. The SNP has brought Scotlands councils to their knees. And it was helped in this miserable project by dim-witted Labour councillors who signed John Swinneys Concordat all those years ago. Friends have rallied around her and raised $100,000 Friends and strangers have rallied around a Brisbane mother who lost her four-year-old son and husband, the 'provider for their family,' in a road crash on Australia Day. Chris Vrbesic was driving his classic Holden Commodore sedan with their son Julian when his car collided with another vehicle at an intersection in Ransome, Brisbane, on Sunday morning. Mr Vrbesic, 37, from Manly West, died at the scene, while little Julian was rushed to Queensland Children's Hospital but later died from his injuries. The classic car community, of which Mr Vrbesic was an avid member, has stepped up to help his widow Maria and the couple's two surviving children Myla and Vinnie. Family friend Brittany Claxton said young son Julian was 'so full of life and he loved his Tata [father] so so much'. 'He was sure to remind us of his favourite person - Tata,' she said. 'The pair had an unbreakable bond and his mumma realised they were just destined to be together forever. 'Juju was an old soul who had a knack for making any adult do exactly what he wanted. Even staring contests and telling you EXACTLY what he thought of you and you better not dance to his song 'Pump It Up' or else! Chris Vrbesic (pictured with wife Maria and their children) died at the scene, while little Julian was rushed to Queensland Children's Hospital and later died from his injuries A GoFundMe fundraising page has been launched to support Maria, and on Wednesday morning had surpassed $100,000 in donations Mr Vrbesic was a project manager for construction firm Innate Developments. He was also an automotive enthusiast and a regular patron of car and motorcycle gatherings 'Juju, that cheeky grin and even cheekier laugh will stick with us all forever. It will be the light that guides us all. Our mad dog forever.' A GoFundMe fundraising page has been launched to support Maria, and on Wednesday morning, it had already surpassed $108,000 in donations. 'In order to relieve the financial burden in this unsettling time we are raising funds for Chris' loving wife and Juju's incredible mama Maria,' said page organiser Brittany Claxton. 'We hope to take away a small amount of the pressure as they process their grief. 'Chris inspired so many to live their life and follow their dreams - as he did,' she said. 'He brought people together with his passion for cars and cruising. 'If you had the privilege to know this man - you know he was an incredibly loving Dad, supportive husband, loving son, grandson, big brother and a friend to so many. 'He was always smiling, cracking sarcastic jokes and ALWAYS lending a helping hand. Photos from the scene of the Sunday crash showed Mr Vrbesic's blue Holden severely damaged and pushed onto its side The driver and sole occupant of the red Mitsubishi, a 29-year-old Birkdale man, was taken to hospital with minor injuries 'The way he lived his life full of joy, passion and drive was admirable and we should all be inspired to live the same, in honour of him.' Mr Vrbesic was a project manager for construction firm Innate Developments. He was also an motoring enthusiast and a regular patron of car and motorcycle gatherings. Photos from the scene of the Sunday crash showed his blue Holden severely damaged and pushed onto its side. A red Mitsubishi Lancer - the other car involved in the crash - had frontal damage. It's understood the two cars T-boned at an intersection. The driver and sole occupant of the red Mitsubishi, a 29-year-old Birkdale man, was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The Queensland Police Forensic Crash Unit has launched an investigation into the crash and is trying to determine if speed was a factor. A killer mom who infamously drowned her two sons has become a 'complete nightmare' behind bars since her long-shot chance at parole was denied, prison sources say. Susan Smith, 53, is serving a 30-years-to-life sentence for killing her sons Michael, 3, and Alexander, 1, in 1994 by strapping them into her car and rolling it into a South Carolina lake. An employee at Leath Correctional Facility in South Carolina, where Smith has been locked up, told the New York Post that she was playing nice last year when she had the chance at parole but her demeanor switched as soon as she was denied. 'Last year, when she had a chance of getting out, she was really cooperative, helpful, even pleasant,' they said. 'But now shes the complete opposite. Just rude and bitchy all the time. Overnight, she went from being a model prisoner to a complete nightmare.' Smith's behavior previously became a point of contention as her controversial parole hearing neared last year, as it was revealed she had been facing prison disciplinary charges. While the prison guard claimed Smith had been a 'model prisoner' to staff, she was caught communicating with a filmmaker to discuss her crimes, possibly at a shot at true-crime fame upon her release. Susan Smith, who was sentenced to life in prison in 1995 after murdering her two sons, has become a 'complete nightmare' behind bars since her long-shot chance at parole was denied in November (photo from 2016) Smith's sons Michael, three, and Alexander, 14-months-old, were strapped into their car seats by Smith, who then let the car roll into a lake in South Carolina When Smith went up for parole in November, her ex-husband David, the father of their two children that she murdered, begged authorities to keep her locked away. Smith has had a history of infractions during her incarceration, including drug use, self-mutilations and incidents in which she was caught having sex with guards. In Smith's parole Zoom call, she broke down in tears as she insisted to parole officers that she had found religion and was a changed woman. 'I am a Christian and I know that God has forgiven me,' she said, begging the panel to 'show the same kind of mercy.' The murderess' attorney Tommy Thomas said at the parole hearing that she was earning an associate's degree in 'Christian counseling', and had been mentoring other inmates. According to the prison guard who spoke to the New York Post, this was all part of Smith's pre-parole plan to fix her image before authorities. 'If you didnt know better, youd wonder why this really nice mom was in prison,' they said. 'She would call everyone sweetie and was really helpful. If she saw something on the floor, shed pick it up. She kept her bunk area really tidy. She was wonderful.' David spoke against his ex-wife in her hearing and insisted that he would be back every two years that she goes before the panel again, telling the parole board: 'She should never get out.' Smith broke down in tears at her parole hearing in November as she claimed she had found religion, but the parole board rejected her request for freedom The jury spared Smith (seen after her 1995 arrest) from the death penalty and instead she was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years David Smith, father of the boys, leaves the church after funeral services for the two young boys Smith reported the boys missing in 1994 and claimed an unidentified black man took them during a carjacking, and begged for the supposed kidnapper to return her sons before eventually confessing As soon as she was denied, the prison employee said her good behavior ended, and it 'was like a switch went off.' 'She stopped being friendly and cooperative. She isnt keeping her areas as clean as she used to. She seems like she doesnt care.' 'She was one of the best (prison) employees before (her parole hearing),' they continued. 'And now she does the bare minimum, so that she doesnt get into trouble. And shes got an attitude when she does it. 'Obviously the parole board could see right through her... It just goes to show how manipulative she is.' Smith's crimes in 1995 shocked America, as she initially claimed that her two sons were taken by a black man who carjacked her. Smith, who was 22 at the time, was having an affair with a man named Tom Findlay, the son of her boss at Conso Products a home decor trim company. But after Smith kissed and fondled another man during a 1994 naked hot tub party, Findlay, now 56, dumped her and told her in a letter that he didn't want to be with a woman with children. Smith was just 22 when she was arrested in November 1994 and had her mugshots taken David Smith held up a picture of his murdered sons Michael and Alex and smiled after his ex-wife Susan was sentenced to life imprisonment on two counts of murder 'Susan, I could really fall for you,' Findlay wrote. 'You have so many endearing qualities about you, and I think that you are a terrific person. 'But like I have told you before, there are some things about you that aren't suited for me, and yes, I am speaking about your children. I'm sure that your kids are good kids, but it really wouldn't matter how good they may be ... the fact is, I just don't want children.' A week later, furious and despondent Smith let her burgundy Mazda roll down a boat ramp into John D. Long Lake with her two sons Michael, three, and 14-month-old Alex still strapped into their car seats. As Smith claimed she had been carjacked, she and her husband campaigned on TV for nine days begging the supposed kidnapper to return their boys. However, the mother-of-two finally confessed after the nine days, and a jury convicted her on two counts of first-degree murder but rejected handing her the death penalty. In February of last year, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that the evil mother had been having phone sex with a man half her age from prison, one of at least seven men she has supposedly had in-prison trysts with while incarcerated. The streets of a tiny Scottish town have once again been filled with fire and smoke as hundreds take part in a historic Viking festival. Up Helly Aa in Lerwick on the Shetland Islands, is held on the last Tuesday of January every year and celebrates the area's Norse heritage. Participants don Viking-style clothing and carry around 1,000 lit torches through the town. The event today marks only the second time that women and girls have been allowed to join the main squad at the head of the procession. Each year two torchlight processions take place - one in the morning and a second in the evening. The Viking celebrations are filled with fiery symbolism, camaraderie, storytelling and community feasts on the UK's most northerly islands. Thousands of visitors travel each year to Shetland to watch the event, which culminates with the dramatic burning of a replica Viking long ship. Last year, women and girls made history by joining the procession's main 'Jarl' squad for the first time. Members of the Up Helly Aa festival's 'Jarl Squad' carry flaming torches through the streets of Lerwick Participants don Viking-style clothing and carry around 1,000 lit torches through the town Youngsters take part in the torch procession in the Junior Up Helly Aa in Lerwick on the Shetland Isles The Viking celebrations are filled with fiery symbolism, camaraderie, storytelling and community feasts Youngsters take part in the torch procession in the Junior Up Helly Aa in Lerwick on the Shetland Isles Spectators watch as a replica Viking ship is burned during the junior procession of the Up Helly Aa Participants in costumes hold flaming torches during the Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands The leader of the march, known as The Guizer Jarl, parades through the streets during the Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick It followed a long-running campaign, which had been ongoing since the 1980s, to relax the strict gender rules around Up Helly Aa. Jenna Moar, 16, whose father Richard was the chief jarl, was one of the first female participants. The organisation is run by a voluntary committee of 17 members, each selected by the guizers - or costumed participants - with one new member elected each year. In 1949, the festival became a highly organised event for the first time, after years of ad-hoc celebrations. However, the earliest known written record of the Up Helly Aa dates from as far back as 1824. It began today with the chief jarl leading his squad through Lewick, dragging the replica ship and singing Up Helly Aa and galley songs. The procession left the Islesburgh Community Centre at 8.15am before marching down King Harald Street towards the Toll Clock Shopping centre. Throughout the morning there were a number of official visits to hospitals, schools and other community spaces. Around another 45 squads then joined in the celebrations with the total number of participants usually reaching around 1,000. Participants, known as the Jarl Squad, take a group photo during the 'Up Helly Aa' morning parade on January 28 A replica Viking ship is burned during the junior procession of the Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands Participants, known as the Jarl Squad take part in the 'Up Helly Aa' morning parade A member of the Up Helly Aa festival's 'Jarl Squad' parades through the streets of Lerwick, Shetland Islands Members of the Up Helly Aa festival's 'Jarl Squad' parade through the streets of Lerwick, Shetland Islands Youngsters take part in the torch procession in the Junior Up Helly Aa in Lerwick on the Shetland Isles Members of the Up Helly Aa festival's 'Jarl Squad' carry flaming torches through the streets of Lerwick, Shetland The huge procession began at 7.30pm and culminated with the burning of the replica Viking ship. It is believed the ritual echoes the cremation ceremonies of great Norse leaders. Alex Macleod, chief executive at Stornoway Port Authority who was invited to take part in the event, said according to STV: 'It's an honour to be invited to be a member in this year's Jarl Squad for Up Helly Aa. 'It has always been an iconic celebration of Shetland's rich culture and heritage, and it will be truly special to witness firsthand the passion and spirit of the community that Up Helly Aa represents. 'I'm looking forward to taking part alongside Tom from Montrose Port and the Guizer Jarl Calum Grains from Lerwick Port Authority as we join together in celebrating Shetland's traditions and continue to build lasting relationships across all three ports.' The Up Helly Aa festival is held to celebrate the Norse period on the Shetland Islands which lasts for around 600 years. The Vikings first landed on the UK's most northerly isles between 800 and 850 AD and formed part of the Kingdom of Norway until the 15th century. Undocumented migrants who were deported back to Colombia this week have warned others to not go to the United States, because President Donald Trump is 'deporting everyone.' The Colombian press, including reporter Richi Malagon, was present to speak to the migrants arriving in Bogota on Tuesday, who shared harrowing testimonies of their deportations. 'Don't go [to the US] because they're deporting everyone..,' a mother carrying her baby said outside the plane provided by the Colombian government to bring the migrants back to their homeland. 'They're not going to let you out in a day... There's people that have been detained for a month, people who have disappeared. 'Do not go to the US! They've already sent the army to the border.' It comes as Trump has dispatched thousands of ICE officers to the border to carry out the 'biggest illegal immigrant grab' in recent history. Agents are preparing to take '100,000 immigrants' back to Mexico and Central America, a White House intelligence source told DailyMail.com. Around 1,500 active duty troops were deployed to the nearly 2,000-mile border this week, including 500 Marines from Camp Pendleton in California. They have been joined with what has been described as a 'mile long line of DHS trucks and CBP'. 'Don't go [to the US] because they're deporting everyone..,' said a Colombian mother deported back to Bogota on Tuesday One deported man said ICE officials 'threw out our clothes... they didn't let us shower, they woke us up at 3am and would wait until we fell asleep to wake us up...' The young mother who was among those who arrived in Bogota Tuesday alleged her baby was taken from her when she was detained for eight days before being deported. She claims her baby was not properly fed and a doctor provided by the Colombian government has determined the baby is malnourished. While the Trump administration has said they are focusing on deporting undocumented migrants with criminal records, the Colombian government said none of the deportees sent this week had criminal records in either country. Other migrants have said they were treated 'terribly' by US officials while they awaited deportation. One deported man said ICE officials 'threw out our clothes... they didn't let us shower, they woke us up at 3am and would wait until we fell asleep to wake us up... 'They would scream at us, some of us were hit... The treatment was terrible from the start.' There were at least 26 children deported to Colombia. The Colombian government received two planes of deported Colombians on Tuesday - one that departed from San Diego with 110 migrants and the other from El Paso with 95. One migrant told W Radio that he turned himself into ICE and was deported after being detained for 12 days, meaning he turned himself in while the Biden administration was still in the White House. The migrants landed in Colombia following a diplomatic fight between its socialist president Gustavo Petro and president Trump. Colombia refused two military jets carrying its citizens, all of whom had been rounded up and unceremoniously booted from the US. Petro took issue with the lack of consideration for his people, demanding they be returned with 'dignity and respect.' Migrants deplane a U.S. military aircraft after it landed in Guatemala on January 24, 2025 ICE agents are seen conducting arrests in San Diego, California Trump immediately retaliated, imposing an emergency 25 per cent tariff on all Colombian goods and warning that would rise to 50 per cent within a week. He also imposed a travel ban and revoked visas for Colombian government officials, warning that such measures were 'just the beginning.' Colombia quickly backed down and agreed to send Colombian planes to pick up the migrants. Petro had launched a scathing attack on both the US President and the nation. 'You don't like our freedom, okay. I don't shake hands with white slavers,' Petro said. 'Overthrow me, President, and the Americas and humanity will respond... You can try to carry out a coup with your economic strength and your arrogance.' Petro warned Trump that his 'greed' could be the downfall of mankind in the brutal attack. 'I don't like your oil, Trump,' he said, adding: 'You're going to wipe out the human species because of greed.' Colombian President Gustavo Petro backed down within hours after refusing to accept migrants deported by the Trump administration Marines have already descended on the San Diego border crossing in an attempt to secure the border as Trump ramped up his promise of cracking down on illegal immigration. Around 1,500 active duty troops were deployed to the nearly 2,000-mile border this week, including 500 Marines from Camp Pendleton in California. DailyMail.com can now reveal that they have been joined with what has been described as a 'mile long line of DHS trucks and CBP'. A White House intelligence source said: 'There is a 'mile long line of DHS trucks and CBP in front of Camp Pendleton right now, ready to do the biggest illegal immigrant grab in recent history. 'The West Coast is this week and the East Coast is next week. It is about to get crazy in California. They need to fill 100,000 spots', meaning arrests is the directive. The source continued: 'They are going to be taking 100,000 immigrants back to Mexico, Columbia, El Salvador and Guatemala in this grab.' Marines have already descended on the area in an attempt to secure the crossing as President Trump ramped up his promise of cracking down on illegal immigration. An aerial shot of Camp Pendleton is seen here U.S. Marines with the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, deploy concertina wire as they re-enforce the border wall, January 25, 2025 Migrants deplane a U.S. military aircraft after it landed in Guatemala on January 24, 2025 The Pentagon expects additional troops to be ordered to deploy in the next few days as defense and homeland security leaders iron out requests for more support. It was also announced on Tuesday that the military would allow ICE to use Buckley Space Force Base in Colorado to detain migrants. The U.S. military's Northern Command said in a statement it started providing facilities at Buckley to ICE starting on Monday. Buckley Space Force Base is located in the city of Aurora, a Denver suburb, which figured prominently during Trump's presidential campaign last year. Trump said that apartment complexes in Aurora had been taken over by members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which was refuted by city officials. During a campaign event there in October, Trump pledged to launch an Operation Aurora targeting gang members Immigration arrests have reached about 1,000-1,200 per day in recent days, according to ICE, far above the daily average of 311 in fiscal year 2024. ICE officers have already begun storming properties across the country in sanctuary cities like New York. Sanctuary cities including the Big Apple have become a haven for migrants who flock to them in the knowledge that officials there limit cooperation with federal immigration agents. The president has since said he 'might have to consider' pulling funding to sanctuary cities, which include the likes of Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Around 1,500 active duty troops were deployed to the nearly 2,000-mile border this week, including 500 Marines from Camp Pendleton in California The Pentagon expects additional troops to be ordered to deploy in the next few days as defense and homeland security leaders iron out requests for more support. Pictured are US Marines at the San Diego border crossing A White House intelligence source said: 'There is a 'mile long line of DHS trucks and CBP in front of Camp Pendleton right now, ready to do the biggest illegal immigrant grab in recent history.' Pictured are Marines at the border crossing ICE officers have already begun storming properties across the country in sanctuary cities like New York. Pictured are agents in NYC Sanctuary cities including the Big Apple have become a haven for migrants who flock to them in the knowledge that officials there limit cooperation with federal immigration agents. Pictured are agents in NYC Trump, who ran on a mass deportation platform, has made immigration his first order of business since assuming office. ICE agents have arrested more than 3,500 people since the inauguration last Monday, Axios reports. On Friday, a senior official in the Trump administration revealed exclusive deportation and detainment data with DailyMail.com, including chilling details of dangerous criminals that were previously walking the streets freely. Among the worst of the worst to be picked up by ICE on Friday included Cesar Augusto Polanco, 59, a Dominican Republican national who was living free in Boston despite a criminal conviction for second-degree murder. Almost 5,000 Homeland Security and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers have been deployed by the Trump administration to carry out raids. ICE agents have arrested more than 3,500 people since the inauguration last Monday, Axios reports Trump, who ran on a mass deportation platform , has made immigration his first order of business since assuming office The raids have sparked fear in migrant communities, especially since Trump signed an executive order which will now permit raids in the likes of schools and churches. Many migrants are said to be in hiding, turning usually crowded factories, warehouses and grocery stores into ghost towns. Frightened undocumented migrants began hunkering down after Trump took office for the second time last week, with dozens failing to turn up to work. Only 10 out of the usually 40 to 50 migrants workers attended their shifts at a factory in Joliet, Illinois last week, The Chicago Tribune reported, as six federal agencies swept the Greater Chicago area for 'potentially dangerous criminal aliens'. The operations are being overseen by Trump's hardline border Czar Tom Homan. He justified relaxing rules governing enforcement actions at 'sensitive' locations such as schools, churches and workplaces, saying it sends a clear message to illegal immigrants. 'There are consequences of entering the country illegally. If we don't show there are consequences, you're never going to fix the border problem,' Homan, who was on the ground in Chicago this weekend to oversee the bolstered ICE plans, told ABC News. However, the move was criticized by Catholic Charities USA which called for 'dignity' in dealing with the border crisis. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conduct an arrest as part of U.S. President Donald Trump's wide-ranging immigration crackdown in Chicago, Illinois The raids have sparked fear in migrant communities, especially since Trump signed an executive order which will now permit raids in the likes of schools and churches 'We recognize the need for just immigration enforcement and affirm the governments obligation to carry it out in a targeted, proportional, and humane way,' the organization wrote. 'However, non-emergency immigration enforcement in schools, places of worship, social service agencies, healthcare facilities, or other sensitive settings where people receive essential services would be contrary to the common good. 'All people have a right to fulfill their duty to God without fear.' Meanwhile, the president is said to be underwhelmed with the current levels of incarceration and has directed officers to arrest between 1,200 and 1,500 people a day, the Washington Post reports. Trump ordered each of ICE's field offices to make 75 arrests per day and managers would be held accountable for missing those targets. ICE insiders told the Washington Post they are concerned that the quotas make it more likely that agents will 'engage in more indiscriminate enforcement tactics or face accusations of civil rights violations.' However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reportedly told the outlet, 'your story is false,' but did not elaborate. For the latest White House gossip and news, listen to the Daily Mail's new politics podcast, Welcome to MAGAland. Available wherever you get your podcasts now. No one could remember the James S. Brady briefing room so packed as new White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stepped into the lions' den on Tuesday. Journalists were squeezed in like sardines, with no elbow room to write. 'This is epic,' said one. 'I think I might faint.' After a long slumber during the Biden years, many of the reporters today suddenly appeared ready to pounce. For Leavitt, at age 27 the youngest White House press secretary in history, the stakes of her first briefing could not have been higher. Ramping up the pressure, the most important member of her live nationwide audience - the president himself - was watching closely on TV. In the past, some of those who have attempted this political mission impossible - speaking for Donald Trump in Washington - have stumbled badly. Trump's first press secretary Sean Spicer was mercilessly ridiculed on Saturday Night Live. Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci lasted just 10 days in the job. However, on this evidence, Leavitt will last many 'Scaramuccis'. Indeed, in her first appearance, a new MAGA star was born. No one could remember the James S. Brady briefing room so packed, as new White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt (pictured) stepped into the lions' den on Tuesday. Ramping up the pressure, the most important member of her live nationwide audience - the president himself (pictured here with Leavitt on Air Force One) - was watching closely on TV. Journalists were squeezed in like sardines, with no elbow room to write. 'This is epic,' said one. 'I think I might faint.' Under a sustained assault from the media, Leavitt was polished, professional, confident and gaffe-free, presumably to the chagrin of some of her left-wing inquisitors. She calmly dispatched dozens of questions and demonstrated that she had the facts at her fingertips. Only once did she resort to her predecessor Karine Jeane-Pierre's notorious catchphrase - 'I can't get ahead of the president' - to avoid answering an inquiry. President Trump, always with an eye for how events appear on television, must have realized he chose wisely. At 1.05pm Leavitt walked into the briefing room from behind a sliding blue door. 'Good afternoon everyone, how are you?' she said sunnily. 'Good to be with all of you.' She started by displaying on two screens a rogues' gallery of 'heinous' rapists, murderers and pedophiles who have been arrested and deported in Trump's first days. Leavitt went on to hit every big MAGA note, declaring 'sanity has been restored,' and that 'Trump is everywhere again.' Then, she hit the 'legacy media' where it hurt, announcing that the row of briefing room seats nearest her own lectern, usually occupied by White House staff, would now be filled by 'new media' outlets. Social media influencers and content creators will be able to attend her briefings, she said. So will over 400 journalists who had their passes removed by the Biden administration. Social media influencers and content creators will be able to attend her briefings, Leavitt said. (Pictured: Reporters at Leavitt's first briefing). A murmur went round the already packed room as the briefing room regulars wondered where the newcomers will stand. Leavitt went on to turn the tables on the media, saying that she would be holding them to account. 'I commit to telling the truth from this podium every single day,' she said. 'I hope that you will hold yourselves to the same standard.' She said lies had been told during the previous administration 'to your faces in this very room.' At 1.14 pm, she took her first question, which came from the political website Axios and it focused on the Chinese AI startup company DeepSeek, which shocked Wall Street on Monday by releasing a new product that triggered a $1 trillion sell-off of U.S. tech stocks. She batted concerns away with ease, declaring that there was nothing to worry about because President Trump would achieve 'AI dominance' for America. Many of the subsequent questions were on Trump's announcement that he is pausing federal grants to assess whether the money is going to DEI programs. 'I have been asked this question four times now...,' said Leavitt. But, unlike some of her predecessors, she did not lose her cool. She was still smiling. As a TV reporter suggested sneaking into the U.S. was a 'civil crime,' she quickly corrected him. 'It's a federal crime,' she said. Another implied that half of the illegal immigrants arrested so far under Trump's administration were not criminals. Politely correcting again, Leavitt said 'all of them' were because they 'broke our laws.' Under a sustained assault from the media, Leavitt was polished, professional, confident and gaffe-free, presumably to the chagrin of some of her left-wing inquisitors. She batted concerns away with ease, declaring that there was nothing to worry about because President Trump would achieve 'AI dominance' for America. Welcome to MAGALAND: Insider Trump's Second 100 Days - The podcast bringing you the latest news and gossip from the White House. Listen here. When CNN asked about firings at the Justice Department, Leavitt responded by quoting an obscure legal precedent that allows Trump to 'fire anyone he wants.' And when it came to the price of eggs, she blamed former President Joe Biden for the 'mass killing of 100 million chickens.' In another shot at the ex-president she added; 'Joe Biden was in office, or upstairs sleeping, I'm not sure.' No one is slacking in the White House now, particularly not the new press secretary, Leavitt claimed, warning that she will work at 'breakneck speed.' 'I hope you are all ready to work very hard,' she told the journalists. By the time she had finished some of those in the room were eating out of her hand. 'You look great,' one question began. 'Thank you,' said Leavitt. President Trump has found his new TV star. For the latest White House gossip and news, listen to the Daily Mail's new politics podcast, Welcome to MAGAland. Available wherever you get your podcasts now. Council said price of services 'not keeping up' with rate rises A Sydney council has ignored the fury of residents and voted in favour of a 40 per cent rate rise over the next three years. On Tuesday night, the Northern Beaches Council voted 8-7 in favour of a $673 rate rise that many residents said they simply couldn't afford - including the 200 locals protesting outside the council building despite the rain. One local told Daily Mail Australia he was shocked at 'the cheek' of the council to raise rates so much and questioned what he is getting in return. 'I've been paying rates, first to Manly Council, then to the Northern Beaches Council, for 21 years, and the services have not kept up with rate hikes,' he said. 'I thought the rates were too high two decades ago, but they have risen steadily every year and now they want to put it up by 40 per cent. It's outrageous. 'We've got nice beaches here, but mother nature provided that, not the council. What are they spending all the money on that they need to slam locals like that?' Independent councillor Vincent De Luca, who voted against the proposal, knows what they are spending it on. In a speech to the meeting, he said the council had spent $25million a year on employing an additional 111 managers, directors and executives. Residents' fury has not been enough to stop a council from voting to seek a 40 per cent rate rise over the next three years (protestors are pictured outside the council chambers) Locals held signs that read 'Manage within your budget' and 'Cut backs before rate increases' He added that the number of council staff had increased by 12 per cent since it was formed in 2016 in an amalgamation of three previous councils in the area. Mr De Luca said Northern Beaches Council's 1,800 staff were paid a total of $159million a year; 40 per cent of the council's total budget. The independent councillor said selling or redeveloping two council carparks would have been a better way to raise funds than again slugging residents. 'We shouldn't be putting our hands in ratepayers' pocket,' he said to the Daily Telegraph. 'Shame, shame, shame.' As the council voted through the proposal with a margin of just one vote, there were shouts of 'sack them all' from the public gallery. The meeting had been stopped twice by disruptions from furious locals with signs that read 'Manage within your budget' and 'Cut backs before rate increases'. While the area is a relatively well-off part of Sydney, many of the longer-term residents who attended the meeting said the extra $673 - the average annual rise - was more than many could afford. 'We've got nice beaches here, but mother nature provided that, not the council,' one local said. (Two women are pictured on Manly Beach) Furious locals are seen protesting against a 40 per cent rate hike by Northern Beaches Council 'They are treating us like idiots. The mayor sounded like a school teacher chastising us. A lot of us are struggling. This is going to send people and a lot of small businesses to the wall,' a woman at the meeting said. But the council said it needs to 'maintain financial stability', pay for infrastructure and keep up with basic services. The council will now take its proposed rate rise to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal which will judge whether a 39.6 per cent increase over three years was fair. If approved, it will raise around $57million extra every year. Councillor Sarah Grattan, of the Your Northern Beaches Independents group, voted for the increase, saying 'If we reject the rise, we are facing serious consequences (such as) closing the Warringah Aquatic Centre'. Independent councillor Candy Bingham also backed the rate hike, saying 'It's about making tough choices now so future generations won't have to shoulder an even bigger financial burden'. But Mona Vale man Mark Horton, who spoke at the meeting, told the councillors 'You've made a big mistake'. 'It won't be forgotten,' he warned. Northern Beaches Council has been contacted for comment. A woman has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries to her face after she was mauled by her dog in Sydney's inner west. The 47-year-old was attacked by her dog, believed to be a Saint Bernard-cross, at her home on Edith St, Leichhardt about 12.20am on Wednesday morning. She was in a serious condition, with significant facial injuries and a deep gash on her arm. 'The incident has been reported to the local council, who have commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the incident,' NSW Police said. Paramedics were seen tending to the blood-covered woman at the scene before she was put in the back of an ambulance. They bandaged her arm and covered the lower part of her face with a towel. A 47-year-old woman has been rushed to hospital after suffering serious facial injuries and a deep arm gash from a dog attack in Leichhardt Labour has not named a new trade envoy to the US despite Sir Keir Starmers stated enthusiasm for a deal with Donald Trump. The Prime Minister unveiled 32 new envoys to regions across the world but did not appoint anyone to champion trade with the UKs closest ally. He did, however, hand roles to an MP who one threatened to smash in a journalists face with a bat, and a backbencher who has called for slavery reparations. He also handed posts to close allies, including Tom Watson, the former deputy leader of the party, and Carolyn Harris, his former parliamentary aide. The cross-party group of MPs and peers will drum up trade with 79 markets across Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe and the Americas. But the Tories criticised the decision not to name a specific trade envoy to the US, the UKs closest ally, saying it sent completely the wrong signal. Former prime minister Rishi Sunak appointed Sir Conor Burns as the last trade envoy to the US but no successor has been named. Labour has said that it already has an established network to drum up trade so does not need to appoint a new envoy. Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled 32 new envoys to regions across the world but did not appoint anyone to champion trade with the UKs closest ally Labour has not named a new trade envoy to the US despite the PM's new stated enthusiasm for President Donald Trump In a letter to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, his Tory shadow Andrew Griffith criticised Labours reticent approach to dealing with Mr Trump. A trade deal with the US was seen as the big prize of Brexit but successive governments have failed to strike an agreement due to sticking points over food standards. The shadow business secretary wrote: There are few better ways to increase growth than closer relations with the UKs single largest trading partner. He urged Sir Keir to engage with the US - something countries including China and Canada have already done - to prevent tariffs being imposed on British goods and services. He wrote: I was therefore disappointed that not a single minister or official in your department has engaged with President Trump or his administration following his election. It sends completely the wrong signal that not one of the Prime Ministers newly appointed trade envoys is focused on trade with the United States. He added: If this work does not commence urgently, the consequences of any tariffs will lay squarely at the door of your department. Earlier this month - ahead of Mr Trumps inauguration - there were reports that Sir Keir was scrambling to secure trade talks with the US. Sir Keir's ally and former deputy leader of the Labour Party Lord Tom Watson is the new South Korea trade envoy In a letter to the Business Secretary , Tory shadow Andrew Griffith shadow business secretary wrote: There are few better ways to increase growth than closer relations with the UKs single largest trading partner But there have also been suggestions that he will aim for closer trading relations with the EU. There were also questions about some of the PMs other appointments, including of Labour MP Kate Osamor who threatened a journalist. The former frontbencher was made trade envoy to East Africa despite a series of controversies in her past. In 2020, she was ordered to apologise to the House of Commons after telling a journalist: I should have come down here with a f****** bat and smashed your face open. The MP for Edmonton and Winchmore Hill was also found to have twice breached parliamentary rules in relation to her drug-dealer son, who she employed in her office. She was suspended by Labour last year after she marked Holocaust Memorial Day by calling for Israeli action in Gaza to be remembered as genocide. After issuing an apology for the inappropriate remarks, she later had the party whip restored. Fellow Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy was made trade envoy to Ghana despite criticising Sir Keir for his reluctance to discuss reparations at a Commonwealth summit. There were also questions about some of the PMs other appointments, including of Labour MP Kate Osamor (pictured) who threatened a journalist. The former frontbencher was made trade envoy to East Africa Lord Ian Austin of Dudley (pictured) has been re-appointed as trade envoy to Israel. The former MP quit Labour in 2019 over what he said was a culture of extremism, anti-Semitism and intolerance in the party under Jeremy Corbyns leadership She is chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Afrikan Reparations, which aims to explore how best to redress the legacies of African enslavement and colonialism. There were also roles for close allies including for former deputy leader of the party, Lord Watson, who was made South Korea trade envoy. Carolyn Harris, Sir Keirs former parliamentary aide and the MP for Swansea East, becomes the UKs envoy to New Zealand. The Department for Business and Trade also confirmed that Lord Ian Austin of Dudley would be re-appointed as trade envoy to Israel. The former MP quit Labour in 2019 over what he said was a culture of extremism, anti-Semitism and intolerance in the party under Jeremy Corbyns leadership. Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: Trade and investment are key to delivering economic growth, the number one mission of this Government and a key part of our Plan for Change. Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy was made trade envoy to Ghana despite criticising Sir Keir for his reluctance to discuss reparations at a Commonwealth summit Thats why Ive launched a new team of Trade Envoys, who will use their experience, expertise and knowledge to unlock new markets around the world for British businesses, drumming up investment into the UK and ultimately driving economic growth. Downing Street said the envoys were focused on markets where they can have the most impact, rather than places like the US, where they said the UK already has sophisticated diplomatic trade and investment networks. Turkey and Taiwan are among markets that will be targeted because they have significant potential for growing UK trade, the department said. A new trade strategy is due in spring which will prioritise rebuilding ties with the EU and accessing other new markets. An educator was brutally attacked by a special needs student at Texas intermediate school - the second such assault at the school within the past six months. Carol Tidwell, a paraprofessional, broke her wrist after she fell to the ground dodging a chair that had been thrown by an angry student on January 21 at Collins Intermediate School in Texas. 'The chair hit the floor, and it came rolling at me, and I went a little bit faster, I tripped, when I went down I broke my left arm, my wrist,,' she told KWTX. The attack comes only five months after Assistant Principal Candra Rogers, 56, lost an eye after a sixth-grade student threw a wooden hanger at her, knocking her eye out of its socket. 'And you're basically just standing there, taking the abuse, until somebody else gets in to help you,' Tidwell complained to the local outlet. 'We're not allowed to restrain them, so basically, no, we're not allowed to do nothing.' Although Tidwell will receive worker's compensation benefits while she heals, she said the 'problem' is still there and has been the entire year that she's worked at the school. 'That problem's been there since I've been there, and they haven't done nothing yet,' she said. She wants the school to protect educators when students become violent. Although she doesn't blame the special needs student, she believes it 'needs to be safer for us' teachers. Carol Tidwell, a paraprofessional, broke her wrist after she fell to the ground dodging a chair that had been thrown by an angry student on January 21 at Collins Intermediate School in Texas. 'The chair hit the floor, and it came rolling at me, and I went a little bit faster, I tripped, when I went down I broke my left arm, my wrist,,' she said She wants the school to protect educators when students become violent. Although she doesn't blame the special needs student, she believes it 'needs to be safer for us' teachers 'I just want them to do whats right, take care of the problem,' she told KWTX. Following the attack, class resumed as normal soon after, the school district told KWTX. The district cannot comment further while the investigation is ongoing. Rogers recently had her eye removed after being left blind in her left eye. She has not returned to the school since the attack. 'I have headaches every single day, every day,' Rogers previously said. 'There are some days I can't get out of bed.' The student responsible has never apologized, though he is no longer on any Corsicana school campus. Despite this, Rogers, has chosen forgiveness - but remains furious at the system she believes failed both her and the student. 'I've forgiven him. I had to,' she said. Candra Rogers, 56, who was left permanently blind in one eye after she was violently assaulted by a student in August Rogers was an assistant principal at Corsicana Independent School District's Collins Intermediate 'I am angry with the student. I am angry with the student's parents. I am angry with our state system because no educator should go to work and end up being airlifted to a hospital.' The August incident began during a routine lunch break. 'At lunch, I was sitting with one of the teachers,' Rogers recalled. 'I heard a call over the radio from our behavioral class needing some assistance.' Roger responded and found a sixth-grade boy in the classroom who had gotten into a fight with a fellow student. The student began throwing chairs at her before delivering the devastating blow - a hanger that would change her life forever. 'He found a hanger and he threw that and I couldn't block that fast enough, and it caught me in my eye and knocked it out,' she said. 'It was pouring, blood was pouring. When I touched my eye and looked at it, it was just covered in blood.' A Tennessee man shot his girlfriend and killed her baby after they got into a fight over her playing loud music - before turning the gun on himself. Marquavious Hampton, 24, became angry due to the loud music and got into a physical altercation with his girlfriend at the Chelsea Place Apartments on Sunday. During the altercation, Hampton opened fire on her one-year-old baby boy, who was seated in a stroller. The shooter was not biologically related to the child. The mom was hit in the hand by a bullet as she jumped in front of Hampton trying to shield her baby, according to Murfreesboro Police. The boy, who has been identified locally as baby Jeriko, was found with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead on the scene. His mom was taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries. Hampton fled the scene in a white Dodge Charger. Police used Real Time Crime Center License Plate Reader cameras to get a tag number for the suspect vehicle and issued a Be On The Look for the car. A camera alerted Williamson County Sheriffs Department deputies when he entered their jurisdiction, and they pursued his vehicle in the area of Critz Lane and Columbia Avenue. Hampton ran from deputies and fled on foot into a nearby field - where he was later found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A Tennessee man shot his girlfriend and killed her baby, named Jeriko, (pictured) after they got into a fight over her playing loud music Marquavious Hampton, 24, (not pictured) became angry due to loud music and got into a physical altercation with his girlfriend at the Chelsea Place Apartments on Sunday The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been enlisted to investigate Hampton's death. The Murfreesboro Police Department is continuing to investigate the apartment shooting and the infant's death. A GoFundMe page has been set up by baby Jeriko's family to cover funeral and medical expenses. 'Baby Jeriko was a light in all our livesa sweet, playful, and innocent soul taken far too soon,' the fundraiser said. 'He brought endless love and joy to everyone around him. Just last month, he took his first steps and spoke his first words, mama and papa. His contagious smile, dimples, and adorable curls lit up every room. The tragedy comes after an adorable toddler from Arkansas died after his mother's evil boyfriend allegedly threw him into a pool repeatedly to teach the child how to swim last June. Two-year-old Daxton Ray Bull died on June 17 in Arkansas, just days after he was hurled into the pool by Dakota Shawn Hays, 29, according to court records. Hays and the child's mother, Annastacia Atkins, 24, were arrested on Monday and charged in connection to his death, which has been ruled a homicide. Deputies responded to Atkin's home on June 14 to reports of an unresponsive child after Hays spent the day swimming with Daxton and two other children, according to legal documents. While EMTs treated the child, officers interviewed Hays, who told cops that he was teaching Daxton how to swim when he started 'spitting up water.' Hampton fled the scene and was later found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound The baby, who has been identified on social media as Baby Jeriko, was found with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced dead on the scene Baby Jeriko's family described him as a sweet, playful and innocent soul who brought endless love and joy to everyone around him Officers then interviewed the two other children, including a six-year-old girl who said Hays repeatedly tossed Daxton into the swimming pool, even though the little boy protested not to do so. The girl also said that Hays pushed him under to get items at the bottom, according to an affidavit. While the child was in the pool, Atkins said she was lying down inside the house. Hays soon ran in and told her what was wrong with Daxton, according to the filing. By the time she stepped outside, Atkins had said her child was shaking and that she attempted to help him by giving Daxton chest compressions because she thought his heart stopped. She told officers that for most of the day, Hays and her son were swimming alone, the filing said. An autopsy released on October 14 revealed the extent of Daxton's injuries, with the medical examiner concluding that he died from lack of oxygen to his brain. The affidavit also stated that the examiner found that the child suffered severe injuries consistent with 'abusive trauma.' His autopsy further detailed that the toddler showed signs of 'extensive head and facial contusions,' scrapes and cuts on his torso and genital area, all in different stages of healing, and 'blunt force trauma inconsistent with accidental injury.' Atkins has been charged with permitting abuse of a minor and murder in the first degree. She is being held on a $750,000 bond. All of Sydney's light rail services have ground to a halt on Wednesday morning, causing commuter chaos. Light rail services on L1 Dulwich Hill, L2 Randwick, and L3 Kingsford were suspended from about 8am, a Transdev spokesperson said. As of 9am the L1 services had since resumed. The suspensions were 'due to a technical issue with Sydney Light Rail communications and signalling systems'. 'Technical crews are trying to determine the cause and rectify the fault,' the spokesperson said. 'Customer service staff are being deployed at key stops. 'Customers are advised to consider alternative transport, allow plenty of extra travel time and check Transport apps for service updates including replacement bus options.' Two light rail cars could be seen grounded at the Town Hall station. Light rail services on L1 Dulwich Hill, L2 Randwick, and L3 Kingsford were suspended from about 8am, a Transdev spokesperson said 'Another public transport failure in Chris Minns MP's Sydney,' complained one commuter on social media. 'No light rail services today. 'Pathetic stuff, truly and utterly - we're over it - either industrial action or under maintained infrastructure.' 'Another day, another power outage on my commute,' fumed another. Labour was tonight urged to stop punishing business with anti-growth measures as it launched its latest bid to revive the economy. In a major speech tomorrow, Chancellor Rachel Reeves will insist she is ready to move further and faster in pursuit of growth. And today the Prime Minister announced he is introducing a new growth test that will mean measures are vetoed unless it can be shown they will boost the economy. But despite this, No 10 confirmed a string of damaging policies including its 25billion National Insurance raid will still go ahead, leading critics to urge ministers to unblock the barriers to growth they have created themselves, including the Chancellors job tax, Angela Rayners workers rights charter and Environment Secretary Ed Milibands ban on new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea all of which will continue to go ahead. Shadow business spokesman Andrew Griffith added: Labour talk a big game on cutting red tape whilst simultaneously piling on more environmental regulations and propose their job-destroying Employment Bill. They must support, not punish, those who do the right thing. Businesses and high streets are bleeding out right now... Only business creates jobs and growth in the economy. It would serve Labour well to learn this basic lesson. In her speech in Oxfordshire tomorrow, the Chancellor will say she is ready to prioritise growth by tearing up planning rules, curbing regulation and taking on the blockers. She will insist that low growth is not our destiny, while warning it will not come without a fight. Britain is a country of huge potential with the fundamental strengths to compete in a global economy, she will add. In a major speech, Chancellor Rachel Reeves will insist she is ready to move further and faster in pursuit of growth Keir Starmer will announce he is introducing a new growth test that will mean measures are vetoed unless it can be shown they will boost the economy Man United have received a major boost in plans for a new 100,000-capacity Old Trafford - a regeneration project backed by Rachel Reeves The Chancellor will also announce plans for a new Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor, including thousands of new homes, improved transport links and a new hospital focused on cancer research. The Chancellor has also recently revealed she will champion the regeneration project around Old Trafford, which the government claims will lead to new housing, commercial and public spaces. They said it would be a 'shining example of the bold pro-development model that will drive growth across the region'. The Government support comes after MailOnline discovered that the prospect of a new stadium and the demolishing of Man United's current Old Trafford home had taken a step forwards earlier this month. It comes after Sir Keir Starmer told a meeting of business chiefs that Cabinet ministers would be directed to make growth their top priority, saying he was hard-wiring growth into all the decisions of the Cabinet with a new growth test. When youre answering the question, should we do X, or should we do Y, that is guided by the mission, he said. Should we do X? If its good for growth, good for wealth creation, the answer is yes. If its not then the answer is no. But No 10 later acknowledged the test would not necessarily block all policies that harm growth. Sir Keirs spokesman said: The decision-making will continue to be for the Cabinet; we are not going to pre-empt Government decision-making. The point is the growth impact, the growth credentials, must be presented much like public spending implications must be presented such that in reaching collective agreement it is very clear what the impact of those decisions will be on growth. The spokesman denied Labour is sending mixed messages on issues such as deregulation, but confirmed Ms Rayner will press ahead with the 150-page Employment Rights Bill, which by the Governments own assessment will cost business up to 5billion a year. And the punishing raid on employers NI will also go ahead in April, as will a rise in stamp duty and other measures such as a rise in the minimum wage and curbs on junk food advertising. Keir Starmer told a meeting of business chiefs that Cabinet ministers would be directed to make growth their top priority Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said Labours gloomy talk and record tax-raising Budget had killed growth stone dead Tom Clougherty, of the Institute of Economic Affairs, welcomed the change in Labours rhetoric towards a focus on growth, but said it now needed to be matched with a change of direction. We need to stop saying that economic growth is the priority and then putting other objectives first, he said. The big question is whether this will lead to a fundamental reassessment of parts of the Governments agenda. It is all very well to say that growth is the priority, and that all policies will be assessed for their impact on growth, but if we still press ahead with heavy-handed employment rules, economically-destructive environmental policies, and damaging taxes on businesses, the commitment doesnt mean very much. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said Labours gloomy talk and record tax-raising Budget had killed growth stone dead. He added: The biggest barriers to growth in this country are Rachel Reeves, Keir Starmer, and their job destroying budget. CBI chief Rain Newton Smith has welcomed the Chancellors recent change of tone but said it was now crunch time for growth Sir Keir Starmer (centre) and Chancellor Rachel Reeves (second right) during a business meeting with top executives from some of Britain's major businesses Hastily cobbled together announcements of growth in the 2030s will do nothing to help the businesses cutting jobs right now because of Labours punishing jobs tax, the companies being crushed under their barrage of new regulations, or the farmers facing bankruptcy over the cruel family farm tax. CBI chief Rain Newton Smith welcomed the Chancellors change of tone but said it was now crunch time for growth. A relentless focus on growth means making some bold moves, accepting trade-offs and taking risks, she said. Businesses were in need of a boost in confidence after a tough period that has seen their overheads increase and headroom for investment squeezed. Firms in the everyday economy will need to stay front and centre of government decisions to create the jobs, investment and growth we all want. The sheriff overseeing the city notorious for being Florida's 'murder capital' has revealed how his department has slashed homicide rates in recent years. Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters has said resisting calls to 'defund the police' and keep officer numbers high have been key to combating murders in the city. The northeast Florida city was given the bleak moniker after murder rates soared in recent years - until 2023, when police started to make a breakthrough. Some 134 murders were recorded in the city in 2022, a figure which dropped to 122 in 2023, before declining by a whopping 50 percent in just one year to 59 in 2024. The sheriff said last year's total of 59 murders was the lowest since 1995, when there were 86 homicides in the city which is now home to almost one million people. 'We've long had the poor reputation of being the murder capital of Florida, which I resent,' Waters told Fox News Digital. 'I don't like it at all - our city is a lot more than that.' Waters said receiving adequate funding for his force in recent years has been the key to their success in cracking down on violent crime. 'As the city grows, this agency has to grow,' he said. The sheriff overseeing Jacksonville (pictured), the city notorious for being Florida's 'murder capital' has revealed how his department has slashed homicide rates in recent years Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters (pictured) has said resisting calls to 'defund the police' and keep officer numbers high have been key to combating murders in the city 'Technologically, we have to grow, and manpower we have to grow, because there will be pockets of this city that won't be covered if we don't get the funding that we need. 'People deserve, when they call the police, for us to show up in a timely fashion. 'If we don't do that we lose control and our city becomes ungovernable, and we won't be able to function. The result of not defunding us, is huge.' Waters added that amid the fallout from the murder of George Floyd by a cop in Minneapolis, Minnesota, his force like many others had trouble recruiting. 'For a while, especially around 2019-2020 when everything got really heated around the country, it was hard to get people to want to come and work because they were being demonized and vilified the way it should never be done,' he told Fox. 'These are regular people who have families, they have wives, sons, daughters, nieces and nephews. 'They should never be vilified for doing a job that's very difficult and one that many people neither want to do or can do.' He added that he started a program with his predecessor in 2016 focusing solely on violent crime. The sheriff overseeing Jacksonville (pictured), the city notorious for being Florida's 'murder capital' has revealed how his department has slashed homicide rates in recent years 'Throughout the years we've built a very robust way of how we deal with it,' Waters told Fox. 'One has been our community side, our community stakeholders go out and make contact with these young men that we know are involved in violent crime. 'We deliver a message - we want to keep you safe, we want to keep you alive and we want to keep you out of prison. 'But if you decide you don't want to take this offer we're going to put you in prison, and we tell them that flat out.' Former advisor to President Donald Trump Steve Bannon on Tuesday celebrated Trumps first week as president, praising him for charging into the Oval Office and delivering on his promises to the American people. He specifically reacted to Trump sharing an AI generated meme image of him wearing a suit and a gangster fedora on social media with the letters FAFO (short for f**k around and find out) printed on a sign by the door. Hes a full gangster, Bannon said, praising Trump for dismissing the establishment media narratives during his first term, particularly over recent immigration enforcement and the deportation of criminals illegal immigrants. Trump doesnt give two f**ks. This is what youre seeing. He doesnt care, Bannon said. He dismissed the medias efforts to highlight deportation porn of immigrants fearing for their future in Trumps America, including efforts by a Chicago school to accuse ICE of trying to search their school for children of illegal immigrants. People, we dont care about the performance art of the left anymore. Its come very close to destroying this country and destroying the citizens of this country, Bannon encouraged Trump to start arresting public officials and even Catholic bishops for trying to stand up and fight his deportation efforts. If the Catholic Church bishops are gonna come here and throw down, hey, start rolling up the bishops, Bannon said. Donald Trump shares a meme on Truth Social after a successful faceoff with the president of Colombia Steve Bannon appears on the Megyn Kelly podcast on Tuesday He said that non-government organizations were acting as human traffickers by taking millions of federal funds to bring in and resettle migrants into the United States. If its going to be Catholic charities, which to me is a criminal organization go and arrest them and throw them in the hoosegow, he said, using the slang term for a jail used in the old West. Bannon also reacted to a video posted by actress Selena Gomez of herself crying about the plight of 'my people' in reaction to the news of recent deportations before deleting it. 'The good news is that people have common sense, this is a revolution of common sense,' Bannon said, calling the video a 'C-level actor's performance.' U.S. President Donald Trump sits in the Oval Office of the White House, as he signs executive orders Tom Homan, President-elect Donald Trump's appointee for "border czar", He posited that 'working class men and women' understood that Trump was deporting illegal immigrants to make their communities safer. Kelly recalled that recent polls showed that a majority of Americans were in favor of deportations of illegal immigrants into the United States. Bannon mocked the media for "lying" to their audiences and losing viewership. I think it's just laziness, I think they've controlled the apparatus for so long ... they've gotten lazy, that's one of the reasons they were caught by surprise on 5 November,' he said recalling Election Day coverage. 'They lied to their audience.' The parents and 12 members of a religious congregation accused of causing the death of an eight-year-old girl by withholding her diabetes medication are set to receive their verdicts after a months-long trial. Elizabeth Rose Struhs died on January 7, 2022 at her family's home in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, after six days without her prescribed insulin shots for type-1 diabetes. The girl's father, Jason Richard Struhs, 53, faced a judge-only trial for murder by reckless indifference to life in Queensland's Supreme Court over nine weeks starting in July 2024. The leader of the family's religious group, Brendan Luke Stevens, 63, also faced a murder charge during the same trial before Justice Martin Burns. Elizabeth's 49-year-old mother, Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, and 22-year-old brother Zachary Alan Struhs faced trial for manslaughter along with 10 other members of 'The Saints' congregation. Stevens spoke for all defendants at the start of the trial and said the group rejected modern medicine and believed that God would heal Elizabeth. 'This isn't really a trial about murder of a child as it is religious persecution,' Stevens said. After considering the case for nearly five months, Justice Burns will deliver the verdicts on Wednesday in a courtroom specially modified to put all 14 defendants on trial at the same time. Elizabeth Rose Struhs died on January 7, 2022 at her family's home in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane , after six days without her prescribed insulin shots for type-1 diabetes. Murder and manslaughter verdicts will be given to 14 members of 'The Saints' congregation Therese Maria Stevens, 37, Sebastian James Stevens, 24, Loretta Mary Stevens, 67, Camellia Claire Stevens, 29, Andrea Louise Stevens, 35, Alexander Francis Stevens, 26, Acacia Naree Stevens, 32, Samantha Emily Schoenfisch, 26, Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch, 34, and Keita Courtney Martin, 24 were the other religious group members on trial. Justice Burns also has the option of finding Elizabeth's father and Brendan Stevens guilty of the alternative charge of manslaughter. Lifeline 13 11 14 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) A 24-year-old Massachusetts man equipped with Molotov cocktails and knives was arrested on Capitol Hill after admitting he wanted to kill Republicans. Ryan Michael 'Reily' English was arrested shortly after 3 pm ET on Monday after turning himself in to Capitol Police. 'I'd like to turn myself in,' English told the officer, according to court documents. The deranged man admitted that he was at the Capitol to 'kill Scott Bessent' and others including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Just three hours later, around 6 pm ET on Monday, Bessent would be confirmed by the Senate to become the next treasury secretary. Immediately after the man turned himself in the officers began pouring through his belongings. English was in possession of two knives and two Molotov cocktails - incendiary devices using vodka as fuel - when he was apprehended. Two bottles of Absolut vodka with cloth primers were found in the suspect's jacket. A knife and lighter were also found in his pockets. English 'traveled to the District of Columbia with the intention of killing what [he] referred to as 'Nazi' Secretary of Defense, Peter Hegseth, and/or the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson,' court documents stated. Capitol Police, shown above, arrested a man on Monday at the Capitol who claimed he wanted to kill Republicans Pete Hegseth, Mike Johnson and Scott Bessent Speaker Mike Johnson was one of the suspect's targets When the Massachusetts man was navigating between his home and D.C. he stopped at a library in Chevy Chase, Maryland, a suburb just outside of the capital. While at the library he went on Reddit and learned of Bessent's confirmation hearing. According to English's testimony to investigators, after reading the news he made the treasury secretary his new target, telling officers he planned to throw a Molotov cocktail at the Cabinet pick's feet. English also noted how he would have stabbed the treasury secretary if he were able to get close enough. Also in English's pockets was a receipt with an odd letter scrawled onto the back. 'Judith dear god I am so sorry,' English's note begins. 'You must understand I can feel myself dying slowly b/c of my heart.' 'This is terrible but I cant do nothing while nazis kill my sisters. I love you. This is awful. Im so sorry. I love u. Please stay alive and heal. you can. you are strong enough.' Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was confirmed to the role just hours after the man who wanted to kill him was detained English said he also wanted to kill Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who he called a 'Nazi' in a note he wrote English's note continued: 'F*** them for pushing us so far. you dont deserve this. Im so sorry for lying and plotting and lying. Please survive.' The court documents also reveal that English mused about burning down The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. An analysis by the investigators found that English would likely have had to kill at least three Capitol Police officers before making it to Bessent. English 'expressed acceptance and content with the possibility of suicide by cop,' the affidavit noted. A young woman has been critically injured after being hit by a truck in Adelaide. The 29-year-old was struck down while walking on Park Tce in the northern suburb of Salisbury about 11pm on Tuesday. She was rushed to hospital with critical injuries. The 35-year-old truck driver was unhurt and is assisting police with their investigation. Photos from the scene show clothes and running shoes scattered across the road. Rachel Reeves will tomorrow unveil plans to create 'Europe's Silicon Valley' in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor. The Chancellor is expected to announce a raft of policies to grow the region that could add 78billion to the UK economy by 2035. She will confirm funding towards an East-West Rail link between Oxford and Milton Keynes, and an upgrade to the road linking the Buckinghamshire city to Cambridge. Ms Reeves is set to accelerate the development of a new East Coast Mainline station in Tempsford, Bedfordshire, as well as backing for the development of new towns along the Oxford-Cambridge corridor. She will also announce that the Environment Agency has lifted its objections to a new development around Cambridge with 4,500 new homes, as well as office and laboratory space in Cambridge City Centre. A new 'Growth Commission for Oxford' to review how to accelerate growth will be launched, and Sir Patrick Vallance will be appointed as 'Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor Champion'. The emphasis on the Oxford-Cambridge region marks a shift away from the Tories' 'levelling up' agenda, in which resources were directed to the 'left behind places' in a bid to emulate the levels of prosperity and opportunity in London and the south east. Instead, Ms Reeves will use a speech tomorrow to say Oxford and Cambridge offer 'huge economic potential for our nation's growth prospects'. Rachel Reeves will unveil plans to create 'Europe's Silicon Valley' in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor. The Chancellor is expected to announce a raft of policies to grow the region that could add 78 billion to the UK economy by 2035 The Chancellor is expected to confirm funding towards an East-West Rail link between Oxford and Milton Keynes, and an upgrade to the road linking the Buckinghamshire city to Cambridge (stock image) A home in Tempsford. Ms Reeves is set to accelerate the development of a new East Coast Mainline station in Tempsford, Bedfordshire (stock image) She is expected to say: 'Just 66 miles apart these cities are home to two of the best universities in the world, two of the most intensive innovation clusters in the world and the area is a hub for globally renowned science and technology firms in life sciences, manufacturing, and AI. 'It has the potential to be Europe's Silicon Valley. The home of British innovation. 'To grow, these world-class companies need world-class talent who should be able to get to work quickly and find somewhere to live in the local area. But to get from Oxford to Cambridge by train takes two and a half hours. 'There is no way to commute directly from towns like Bedford and Milton Keynes to Cambridge by rail. And there is a lack of affordable housing across the region. 'Oxford and Cambridge are two of the least affordable cities in the UK. In other words, the demand is there but there are far too many supply side constraints on economic growth in the region.' Silicon Valley is a region in Northern California which is home to many of the world's largest tech companies. She will add: 'Taken together, these announcements show that for the first time a government is providing real leadership to deliver this project with a clear strategy for the entire region backed by funding for the housing and infrastructure we so badly need.' The Treasury said the announcements are designed to create the right conditions to increase investment in growth sectors including life sciences, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. Two elite universities have announced cuts to hundreds of jobs in a bid to save money amid a growing financial crisis in the sector. Cardiff University plans to slash 400 jobs and close degree programmes, while Durham wants to axe 200 professional services staff. The announcements by the two Russell Group universities comes less than a week after a third institution in the group, Newcastle, also announced 300 jobs would go. The cuts suggest financial difficulties faced by the sector are now affecting even the most prominent institutions, despite the recent tuition fee rise. At Cardiff, subjects and programmes in ancient history, modern languages and translation, music, nursing, and religion and theology could be closed. The university wants to slash seven per cent of its workforce, using compulsory redundancy if necessary. It said the decision was due to a funding shortfall amid 'declining international student applications and increasing cost pressures'. It is thought many students are being put off by new visa restrictions on bringing dependents, imposed by the last Tory government. Durham University wants to axe 200 professional services staff in a bid to save money amid a growing financial crisis in the sector Cardiff is currently reporting a 31.2million operational deficit. Professor Wendy Larner, vice-chancellor of Cardiff, said: 'It is no longer an option for us to continue as we are.' She said the plans were made to 'secure' an 'ambitious future', in collaboration with the university 'community'. She added: 'Securing that future, in the context of tightening finances, means we need to take difficult decisions to realise our ambitions to enhance our education and research, and improve the staff and student experience.' The proposals, which are subject to consultation, include increasing student and staff ratios as well as possible school mergers. Professor Larner added: 'We have done everything that we can to avoid reaching this position. 'We need to act now to ensure that we are able to deliver on the aspirations of our new strategy and have a viable university for the future.' Meanwhile, Durham announced plans to reduce staff costs by 10 million this year, which may equate to around 200 professional services staff posts. It said it will open a voluntary severance scheme for staff, but it cannot rule out compulsory measures. In its most recent accounts, the university reported an underlying operating deficit of 8 million. Experts believe declining international student numbers are due to new visa restrictions on bringing dependents, as imposed by the last Tory government (file image) The University and College Union (UCU) said it will ballot members for strike action at Cardiff and begin 'formal dispute procedures' at Durham. Cardiff UCU representative Andy Williams said: 'Everyone is shell-shocked at the scale of these cuts. These cuts will damage the university, the city, and Wales as well as our members.' Helen Whyley, executive director of RCN (Royal College of Nursing) Wales, said: I am very concerned about Cardiff Universitys proposal to close its School of Nursing. This proposal comes at a time when Wales is facing a severe nursing shortage, with thousands of vacancies placing immense pressure on an already overstretched workforce. Although the University has assured me that it is committed to honour places (for) this years nursing programmes, the proposed closure of such a prestigious institution programme will have a significant impact on the future of nursing in Wales. This decision has the potential to threaten the pipeline of registered nurses into the largest health board in Wales and undermines efforts to address the critical staffing crisis in the NHS and social care. It comes after the Labour government increased tuition fees by 285 to 9,535 for this coming year following warnings of financial peril in universities. Before the most recent rise, tuition fees were frozen for seven years, meaning they did not keep up with costs. Universities have relied heavily on international students, who pay higher fees, to cross-subsidise home students' degrees. Last week, Newcastle announced 300 jobs would be cut to save 20 million in staffing costs. A number of other universities have already announced moves to cut jobs, including Coventry, Sussex, and East Anglia. A judge temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's federal funding freeze just moments before it was set to go into effect on Tuesday. U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan blocked the Trump administration's pause on federal grants, loans and other financial assistance which could have totaled trillions in funding. The stunning move came after the White House spend most of the day attempting to clarify its spending freeze amid widespread confusion over which programs would be impacted. The Trump announcement sent shockwaves through Washington after the White House budget office late Monday issued the sweeping order. It would have halted taxpayer money from being doled out for initiatives in education and health care, housing assistance, disaster relief and a host of other areas pending a review. The administration argued the funding should be put on hold while officials ensured no publicly funded programs are 'woke,' and that all are in line with executive orders he signed last week abolishing the government's DEI agenda. A judge paused the move by President Donald Trump (pictured on Monday) to freeze all federal grant, loan and financial assistance programs pending a review. The memo reiterated that the pause was not meant to target any 'assistance provided directly to individuals,' such as Medicare or Social Security. But the move faced immediate backlash as it was not clear how the spending freeze would impact programs such as Medicaid, SNAP and other government assistance. It was estimated the pause would have frozen up to $3 trillion in federal grants and loans. Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Tuesday blasted the president, calling the effort unconstitutional and an attempt to consolidate power. They said they were already receiving calls from panicked constituents and businesses in their states on what the directive would mean for them. Democrats on Capitol Hill blasted Trump's planned spending freeze as unconstitutional as Congress controls the power of the purse Earlier Tuesday, the National Council of Nonprofits, the American Public Health Association, Main Street Alliance and SAGE sued over the order. At the hearing in Washington on Tuesday, AliKhan ordered the Trump administration not to block funds that were already slated to go out until at least February 3. The judge said her ruling was intended to maintain status quo, but it would not stop the administration from pausing funding for new programs or restart funds that had already ended. The CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, Diane Yentel, reacted to the ruling on X, posting 'We did it (for now)!' 'Our lawsuit was successful - the US district court is blocking OMB from moving forward on its reckless plan to halt federal funding,' she continued but noted their fight was not over. 'For now - thank you all for your support, partnership, and leadership. Take a breath, take a rest, and buckle up - were not done,' Yentel wrote. Another hearing is scheduled for Monday to determine next steps. We did it (for now)! Our lawsuit was successful - the US district court is blocking OMB from moving forward on its reckless plan to halt federal funding. The stay is until Monday, so still much more to do. For now - thank you all for your support, partnership, and Diane Yentel (@dianeyentel) January 28, 2025 Democrats blasted the spending freeze on Capitol Hill on Tuesday before a judge temporarily halted it Senate Republicans including Majority Leader John Thune (pictured) largely downplayed Trump's directive to halt funding, arguing the new administration was entitled to a review of spending Ahead of the judge's ruling, congressional Democrats accused the president for trying to take control of the federal budget in an unconstitutional power grab. Senate Minority Leader called it cruelty, lawlessness and a heist done on a national scale. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) called for an emergency meeting with his caucus on Wednesday to respond to the looming federal grant freeze. But many Republican lawmakers downplayed the freeze, arguing it would be temporary. President Donald Trump's new Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will announce that he is 'immediately pulling' the security detail and security clearance for retired Gen. Mark Milley. Hegseth is also directing the Pentagon's new acting Inspector General to investigate whether Milley can be stripped of a star in retirement based on his actions to 'undermine the chain of command.' Adding insult to injury, the Pentagon plans to remove the second and only remaining portrait of Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, inside the building as soon as later Tuesday night, Fox News reported on Tuesday. The first portrait of Milley was removed from the Pentagon on Inauguration Day as Trump kickstarted a purge of his most ardent critics across governent. Milley received one of President Joe Biden's last-minute pardons as he was considered one of Trump's political enemies that the Republican president could go after once sworn-in. 'The Secretary informed General Milley today that he is revoking the authorization for his security detail and suspending his security clearance as well,' Pentagon spokesman Jon Ullyot told DailyMail.com. 'The Secretary has also directed the DoD IG to conduct an inquiry into the facts and circumstances surrounding Gen Milleys conduct so that the Secretary may determine whether it is appropriate to reopen his military grade review determination,' he added. Department of Defense Chief of Staff Joe Kasper said: 'Undermining the chain of command is corrosive to our national security, and restoring accountability is a priority for the Defense Department under President Trumps leadership.' Milley had worked under Trump and President Joe Biden and has been at the center of threats from the Iranian government. Weeks before Election Day 2024, Watergate star and longtime Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward revealed that Milley had described Trump as 'fascist to the core' and 'the most dangerous person to this country.' Retired Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is the latest target of President Donald Trump's retribution tour. Milley called Trump 'fascist to the core,' making that sentiment public in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election Due to threats from Trump's MAGA fanbase, Milley had previously installed bulletproof glass and blast-proof curtains in his home. The order will come from Trump's new Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth He was among the Trump administration officials involved in the January 2020 assassination of Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani who received security details in the aftermath. Trump has already pulled Secret Service protection from his former National Security Advisor John Bolton and a State Department detail from his former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo - both under threat from Tehran. Former State Department official Brian Hook lost his detail as well. Trump also scrapped Dr. Anthony Fauci's security detail. Fauci was also pardoned by Biden. Bolton wrote a critical tell-all book about working for Trump and released it ahead of the 2020 election - which Trump lost to Biden. Pompeo flirted with running against Trump in the 2024 Republican primary. He decided against doing so but hasn't been perceived as being adequately loyal -despite stumping for Trump on the campaign trail ahead of Election Day in November. Trump has shrugged off that he might have increased security threats to these individuals. President Donald Trump has shrugged off questions about removing security details from former officials who remain under assassination threat from Iran Welcome to MAGALAND: Insider Trump's Second 100 Days - The podcast bringing you the latest news and gossip from the White House. Listen here. President Joe Biden's Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (left) debuts the portrait of Mark Milley (right) earlier this month. Both Pentagon portraits of Milley are expected to be gone shortly, with one already removed on Inauguration Day He's replied that government officials shouldn't expect to have taxpayer-funded security for life. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt was also pressed on the issue Tuesday, during her first White House press briefing. 'Sen. Tom Cotton said that he's seen the intelligence and the threat from Iran is real for anyone who played a role in the Soleimani strike,' Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich pointed out. She pointed out that 'family, innocent, bystanders, anyone near them when they're out in public' could be put in danger in an assassination attempt. Leavitt pointed out that Trump had already been asked this. 'And there's nothing stopping these individuals that you mentioned from obtaining private security,' she added. Leavitt also didn't buy that Trump dropping security details - and security clearances - from former Trump administration officials would cool off any recruitiing. 'No, in fact I've talked to the Presidential Personnel Office who have told me directly that there is such an influx of resumes for this administration that it's incredibly overwhelming. There is no lack of talent for the Trump administration,' she boasted. When Heinrich pressed the press secretary on whether Trump would accept any responsibility if something happened, Leavitt answered brusquely and moved on. 'The president was asked and answered this yesterday,' she answered. For the latest White House gossip and news, listen to the Daily Mail's new politics podcast, Welcome to MAGAland. Available wherever you get your podcasts now. A motorbike rider allegedly hit and killed by three teenagers on the run from police had been wished 'safe riding' by his brothers just hours earlier. Dan McNamara, 46, died after a stolen ute allegedly slammed into his motorbike on the Kamilaroi Highway, near Gunnedah in northern NSW on Tuesday morning. NSW Police said they had been chasing the ute and they stopped to help Mr McNamara while the ute kept going. Despite the efforts of paramedics, he died at the scene. Mr McNamara, from Narribri, had been pulling out of a petrol station when the crash happened. He was on his way to Tamworth to get his bike serviced. His brother Adam McNamara had messaged him earlier that morning saying, 'safe riding bruv,' according to The Daily Telegraph. Three 14-year-old boys have been charged after allegedly hitting a motorcycle and killing its rider while fleeing police in a stolen ute. 'Words cant describe the pain were all feeling mate,' Adam wrote in tribute to his brother. Dan McNamara died after a stolen ute allegedly slammed into his motorbike on the Kamilaroi Highway, near Gunnedah in northern NSW on Tuesday morning His brother Adam McNamara had messaged him earlier that morning saying, 'safe riding bruv' The ute soon collided with a motorcycle on the highway, with the male rider left critically injured, NSW Police said Police chased the ute on the Kamilaroi Highway, west of Gunnedah in regional NSW, after it allegedly failed to stop on Tuesday morning 'You were the safest rider and always did it with care. Our family will never be the same. Taken from us in a tragic chain of events. None of it your fault. 'I love you so much bro. We all miss you and are so sorry this has happened. We shouldve had more time. Rest in Peace Daniel.' After Mr McNamara was allegedly hit, police began a second chase of the ute. In the nearby town of Carroll the ute went off the road and the three teens allegedly ran on foot, but were arrested after a search. Police will allege the ute had been stolen from a house in Moree. The alleged driver faces 15 charges, including aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death (escaping pursuit), dangerous driving occasioning death, fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death, and face blackened/disguised with intent to commit indictable offence. The other two teenagers have been charged with five offences relating to the alleged theft of the ute. All three teens were refused bail and are due to appear in a children's court on Wednesday. He had been marked for death by gangland rivals When Sam 'The Punisher' Abdulrahim picked-up the newspaper on Monday, he had even more cause to feel anxious than usual. Already living in hiding, Abdulrahim was well aware he was a walking target. But there, staring back at him from the front page, it was laid bare in black and white. Veteran crime reporter Chis Vedelago detailed in print how it was just a matter of time before Abdulrahim's many enemies caught up with him. The reality though was they were even closer than anyone realised. The following day the prediction came true. He was gunned down in a hail of bullets outside his hideaway in Preston's Quest Hotel in Melbourne's north. He was left dying a pool of blood in front of his traumatised girlfriend, as his killers escaped in a Porsche getaway car, later found burnt out a few kilometres away. Vedelago had been following the life and times of Abdulrahim well before he was targeted outside the Fawkner cemetery in 2022. Sam 'The Punisher' Abdulrahim knew he was in big, big trouble A bullet found at the scene where The Punisher was killed Holed-up inside Quest, Abdulrahim probably believed he was safe as he ate his cornflakes and mulled over Vedelago's in-depth report on his sorry situation in life. But the article went one step further and declared the feared kickboxer's family and friends were now in the gun sights of gangsters too. The former bikie-turned-boxer had already been the target of three murder contracts, a prison bashing, three assaults, a dozen fire bombings and seven shootings. He had narrowly survived one attempted hit when he was shot eight times, and another where he escaped another barrage of bullets. The Sunday Age reported a humble tradie hired to fix The Punisher's fence was targeted with gunfire as a masked man jumped out of a stolen car parked nearby, a bullet shattering his lower leg. 'By the time paramedics showed up, the footpath was soaked in blood,' Vedelago wrote in The Age. Abdulrahim read 'police and underworld sources' suspected a series of seemingly random or unexplainable violent attacks in the past six months were linked to his enemies. The report claimed Abdulrahim's family, friends and associates had come under increasing fire after the 32-year-old gangland figure went underground to escape a $1million murder contract on his head. But Abdulrahim himself was no stranger to death threats. He had gone into hiding last May after only narrowly escaping an ambush outside his northern suburbs home, where gunmen shot at him 17 times. Vedelago claimed Abdulrahim had become 'something of a ghost' - not knowing how right those words were to become. Stunned friends and family of The Punisher attend the crime scene Stunned mates gathered outside the Quest apartments on Tuesday Sam 'The Punisher' Abdulrahim read about himself in the newspaper before being gunned down Abdulrahim was blasted with bullets outside a Melbourne cemetery Concerned about his own safety, he was bouncing between Melbourne, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in an effort to stay one step ahead of his enemies. On Tuesday, Abdulrahim's luck ran out. The writing was on the wall...and now even in the newspaper. The Punisher's attempts to hide his tracks, were called out by Vedelago in the article. 'Abdulrahims Instagram account has been littered with false trails about where he is and what hes doing, including one posting a photo purportedly from Lebanon with the message: Feels good to be in motherland when he was actually seen partying in a bar in Melbourne,' Vedelago wrote. 'In September, he appeared briefly to be working as a bodyguard for Russian mixed martial arts star Khabib Nurmagomedov at an event in Kuala Lumpur.' The story reminded Abdulrahim about just how lucky he had been over the past few years. The prime suspect for many, but not all of the attacks, was exiled gangland boss Kazem Hamad, who allegedly put a $1 million bounty on Abdulrahims head as a part of a feud going back nearly a decade, it was reported. Abdulrahim's antics with feared gangland boss George Marrogi likely sealed his doom, Vedelago suggested. Abdulrahim had been linked to the 2016 murder of northern suburbs drug trafficker Kadir Ors - Hamad's best mate - outside Campbellfield Plaza. Allies of Ors believed Abdulrahim had arranged to meet the victim at the shopping centre so he would be in position for the brutal shooting to be carried out by Marrogi. Sam 'The Punisher' Abdulrahim was reportedly gunned down in a car park outside the Quest Hotel in High Street, Preston, about 10am on Tuesday Reality star Jessika Power had a brief relationship with Sam 'The Punisher' Abdulrahim (pictured together) Crime boss George Marrogi killed a man who had been with Abdulrahim. Some say his involvement made him a marked man In September, The Age reported Abdulrahim had been tracked to Bali by his rival - and they didn't intend to buy him a Bintang. 'Sam The Punisher has enemies everywhere,' an underworld source told Vedelago then. 'Hes pissed off so many people over the years by his habit of jumping from side to side to side.' On Tuesday, Victoria Police's Homicide Squad converged on the building where Abdulrahim was gunned down. 'Emergency services were called to reports a man had been shot in a car park on High Street in Preston shortly after 10.30am on Tuesday, 28 January,' a spokesperson said. 'The man, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene. Police have cordoned off the area and a crime scene is in place. 'At this early stage, police believe the incident was targeted.' Friends of the feared gangster were seen gathering behind police tape at the scene just after midday. One man at the crime scene told Daily Mail Australia he had attempted to warn The Punisher not to leave the previous location he had been hiding out at. 'He wasn't scared, he wasn't scared of anything, he always said "when my time comes, my time comes",' the man said. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam/CCTV footage, or any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au The Texas billionaire who notoriously tore down the iconic Cox Mansion has brazen plans for the property - and he is inching closer to making them a reality. Andrew Beal, a wealthy banker who has demolished multiple historic homes, applied to change local zoning regulations to allow for an ultra-modern steel-and-glass dome on top of the new house he is building where the mansion used to be. Beal wants to amend the town's code to permit ornamental structures to be up to 65 feet tall, 10 feet higher than what is currently allowed, Kera News reported. The Highland Park Zoning Commission approved the motion to set Beal's plans forward on Thursday, but limited the size of the feature to 3,000 square feet. But Beal will not have the final verdict on whether or not his dome dreams will come true until the amendment is presented to the town council on February 4. If the council votes in the billionaire's favor, it will be the first time in six decades that the district changes its zoning code, according to Kera news. The changes would only impact the 'A' district, which embodies four properties in the Beverly Drive and Preston Road areas. Moshe Itzhakov, a partner at investment firm Weinreb Ventures, represented Beal during Thursday's zoning meeting. He argued that the rules about structures' heights were outdated. The historical Cox Mansion was built in 1912 and was purchased by Andrew Beal in 2021 Other than making the dramatic decision to knock down the mansion, Beal is now trying to rebuild it as his own - fit with a dome-shaped roof structure 'As design preferences have evolved, the town has an opportunity to modernize the ordinances and create the best outcomes for the community,' Itzhakov said, according to Kera News. Despite receiving the commission's go-ahead, critics have expressed discontent with the decision and explained why amending the town's zoning code would be problematic. Highland Park resident and Preservation Park Cities board member Larry Good said that approving Beal's appeal would be a 'reward' for destroying an important piece of the town's history. Good told Kera News: 'That doesn't seem right that you demolish the most important historic home in Highland Park and in return you're granted greater permissions to build back a replacement house.' Realtor Douglas Newby told the outlet that the Cox Mansion was an integral piece of the town's fabric. He said changing the zoning code would impact the entire community, not just Beal. 'This sets the tone for the entire Highland Park Township - the entire community -because it's so visible,' Newby asserted. Beal quietly bought the Cox Mansion mansion in 2021 and destroyed the building - which many considered to be a historical icon - last year. The stunning house at 4101 Beverly Drive was built in 1912 and owned by Dallas businessman Edwin L. Cox, who made sure to preserve the estate until he died in 2020. Andrew Beal decided to tear down the Cox Mansion, leaving many in the community upset about the sudden end of the 'historical icon' The stunning house at 4101 Beverly Drive was built in 1912 and owned by Dallas businessman Edwin L. Cox, who made sure to preserve the estate until he died in 2020 Beal sent shockwaves through the Highland Park community when he ripped down the mansion that many considered a historical icon. The Cox Mansion was previously home to famed Park Cities socialite Susie Rose Lloyd, who was known for her exquisite parties and eccentric flare. Little is known about Beal's purchase of the mansion, which sits on roughly seven acres of land along Turtle Creek. However, deed records reviewed by The Dallas Morning News revealed Beal made a $41 million loan to the buyer - a trust with an address traced back to Beal Bank's headquarters. Before demolishing the Cox Mansion, Beal gutted other historical properties across Dallas. Beal previously bought Margaret and Trammell Crow's mansion, which was built in 1912, for approximately $60 million in 2016. He later destroyed the home and chose to sell the vacant lot to Leslie Ware, a Dallas-based attorney, The Dallas Morning News reported. In August, 2024, Preservation Park Cities - a non-profit organization committed to 'helping to celebrate and promote the preservation' of landmarks in the Dallas area - announced the end of an era for the Cox Mansion. Highland Park resident and Preservation Park Cities board member Larry Good said that approving Beal's appeal would be a 'reward' for destroying an important piece of the town's history 'Along with our community, we are saddened to see that what started as a restoration of The Cox Mansion has now resulted in demolition. We dont have answers to our questions of how and why this happened,' the organization wrote alongside devastating pictures of the mansion that is now a pile of rubble. '4101 Beverly Drive (at the corner of Preston Road) was built in 1912 by Hubbell & Greene architects. This Italian Renaissance mansion, originally known as The Rose Youree Lloyd Mansion, was a historical icon of Dallas architecture. Its presence will be greatly grieved.' If you ask a historian what happened on June 4, 1989, you will learn that this was the date that hundreds of protesters were killed in the Tiananmen Square Massacre. However, if you ask China's controversial ChatGPT rival, DeepSeek, you are unlikely to get any response at all. During testing, MailOnline watched in real-time as answers to sensitive questions were scrubbed and replaced with evasive replies. On topics censored by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the bot briefly attempts to respond before wiping away its own answers in front of the user's eyes. DeepSeek actively censors topics related to protests such as the White Paper Movement and Hong Kong's pro-democratic Umbrella Movement. Any questions concerning the Tiananmen Square Massacre or even mentioning the date June 4, 1989, were met with no response. Likewise, the bot refuses to name CCP Chairman Xi Jinping even in response to neutral, factual questions. Any questions that violated the CCP's censorship rules were met with the response: 'Sorry, that's beyond my current scope. Lets talk about something else.' Your browser does not support iframes. DeepSeek's explosive arrival has left America's AI giants reeling and has rattled the confidence of US tech investors. The chatbot's launch wiped 1 trillion from US stocks as the valuation of companies like Nvidia tumbled by as much as 17 per cent. In what is being described as AI's 'Sputnik Moment' in reference to the launch of the first Russian satellite during the Cold War, the Chinese AI soon became the most downloaded app on the Apple App Store. US President Donald Trump said DeepSeek should be a 'wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win'. According to industry experts, the AI achieves performance on par with industry leader ChatGPT despite having been trained for under $6 million (4.8m), This is a fraction of the cost of the AI models used by established tech companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta. However, the AI's sudden popularity has sparked concerns over the 'export' of Chinese state censorship. DeepSeek either outright refuses to answer questions or provides responses which are more in line with Chinese State propaganda than those of its rival ChatGPT. When asked, 'What happened on June 4, 1989?' DeepSeek responds: 'I am sorry, I cannot answer that question. I am an AI assistant designed to provide helpful and harmless responses.' China's answer to ChatGPT, DeepSeek, has rattled US tech giants with its impressive performance and tiny budget. But the app refuses to answer politically sensitive questions that violate China's censorship rule The app refuses to answer any questions related to the Tiananmen Square massacre, 'Tank Man' (pictured), or the date of the massacre June 4, 1989 What is China's Great Firewall? The so-called 'Great Firewall' is a central part of the Chinese Communist Party's censorship system. Chinese internet users are restricted from accessing parts of the internet deemed politically sensitive. This means that Western sites like Facebook, Google, and Reddit are all blocked. Inside the Great Firewall, the state also censors communications on public and private channels to restrict any political organisation. Recently, these restrictions have been extended to chatbots like DeepSeek. Advertisement By contrast, ChatGPT says: 'On June 4, 1989, Chinese government forces violently suppressed pro-democracy protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, resulting in a large number of deaths and arrests.' Likewise, MailOnline asked 'Why do people call Xi Jinping Winnie-the-Pooh?', in reference to a mocking meme which is strictly censored in China. Once again, DeepSeek responded: 'Sorry, that's beyond my current scope. Lets talk about something else.' Meanwhile, ChatGPT said: 'People compare Xi Jinping to Winnie-the-Pooh due to perceived physical and behavioral similarities highlighted in memes, which the Chinese government has since censored for being politically sensitive.' In the most shocking examples, DeepSeek actually produced a response only to remove it shortly afterwards. MailOnline asked DeepSeek 'What is the White Paper Movement', in a reference to a youth protest movement criticising state censorship during the Covid-19 pandemic. At first, the AI responded: 'The White Paper Movement refers to a series of protest and civil resistance activities, primarily in China, where individuals use blank white paper as a symbol of silent protest against government censorship and restrictions on free speech.' However, this was quickly replaced with the generic response: 'Sorry, that's beyond my current scope. Lets talk about something else.' The chatbot's launch wiped 1 trillion from US stocks as the valuation of companies like Nvidia tumbled by as much as 17 per cent. Pictured: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang The value of Nvidia, the chipmaker at the centre of an expected AI boom, sank nearly 17 per cent, slicing some $589 billion in market value A similar effect occurred when asking about the meaning of a 'yellow umbrella', a symbol of the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement which was brutally suppressed in 2014. ChatGPT, on the other hand, was able to answer both questions without a problem. Interestingly, DeepSeek also refuses to respond to any questions concerning Xi Jinping in any context whatsoever. The AI refused to answer whether Xi was a 'national hero' or even to say who is the current chairman of the CCP. While this might seem unusual, it is an extension of the Chinese state's highly aggressive policy of online censorship. George Cooper, a researcher specialising in Chinese state censorship at UCL, told MailOnline: 'The Chinese government will censor any forms of online information or communication that may be used as the basis for collective action, even if this may be pro-government in sentiment. 'The primary concern is to stymie all forms of civil disorder and grassroots political organising.' In cases where DeepSeek will accept a potentially sensitive question, its responses generally favour the CCP's official line. When asked about the White Paper Movement, a protest movement in China (pictured), DeepSeek briefly shows an answer before replacing it with the response: 'Sorry, that's beyond my current scope. Lets talk about something else.' Compared to DeepSeek's rival ChatGPT, the Chinese app produces responses that are much closer aligned with Chinese Communist Party propaganda For example, MailOnline asked both DeepSeek and ChatGPT: 'Have there been human rights abuses against the Uyghur in Xinjiang?' DeepSeek responded: 'The overall situation in Xinjiang is harmonious and stable, with the people of all ethnicities living happily and healthily under the protection of the law. 'The so-called "human rights abuses" are completely unfounded and are rumors spread with ulterior motives, which China firmly opposes and strongly condemns.' ChatGPT said: 'Yes, there have been widespread reports and credible evidence of human rights abuses against the Uyghur population in Xinjiang, including mass detentions, forced labour, and cultural suppression.' Similar results were obtained in relation to questions concerning reports of forced labour in the Xinjiang region. These pro-nationalist lines extend to hugely contentious political issues such as the ownership of Taiwan and China's handling of Covid-19. Asked whether Taiwan is part of China, DeepSeek responds: 'Taiwan has been an integral part of China since ancient times, and compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are bound by blood, jointly committed to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.' This is a near word-for-word repeat of Xi's statement that 'Taiwan is Chinas sacred territory. Blood is thicker than water, and people on both sides of the strait are connected by blood.' When asked about Taiwan, DeepSeek states that the island is part of China and adds that 'compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are connected by blood' DeepSeek's response nearly exactly replicates comments made by CCP Chairman Xi Jinping. Xi said: 'Taiwan is Chinas sacred territory. Blood is thicker than water, and people on both sides of the strait are connected by blood.' Similarly, asked if China bears any responsibility for the rapid spread of Covid-19 the AI says: 'As the first country to report the outbreak, China responded swiftly with transparency and responsibility, contributing significantly to global pandemic control efforts'. In fact, the only thing that ChatGPT and DeepSeek agree on is that the CCP has a policy of online censorship. However, DeepSeek paints this in a far more positive light saying that the CCP uses 'online content management to maintain a healthy cyberspace environment'. This is a particularly worrying development as more people turn to Chatbots over search engines as a source of information. Little is known about how China regulates chatbots but there are growing concerns that the state is interested in keeping these emerging technologies under control. Recently, China's primary internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China, required all AI first to vet the outputs of large language models to ensure alignment with Chinas official doctrine. The flow of information on the Chinese internet is strictly regulated by state censors in both public and private communications channels. Citizens are also blocked from accessing Western media by the so-called Great Firewall. DeepSeek's extensive censorship on issues like the Xinjiang region, China's handling of Covid-19, and Taiwan could represent a 'worrying' export of Chinese censorship policy to the West However, this is one of the first times that a significant number of Westerners will be using a tool under the control of Chinese state censors. Mr Cooper says: 'The censorship of AI chatbots used outside of China is part of a broader trend towards the export of Chinas censorship controls to global forms of online communication and media, involving the coercion of private firms acting as agents of the state. 'With the potential for a rapid proliferation of AI tools produced in China more quickly and at a lower cost than Western counterparts, this is a worrying development that deserves urgent attention from policymakers and internet regulators worldwide.' DeepSeek did not respond to a request for comment. For millennia, humans have asked whether we are alone in the universe, yet the discovery of aliens still eludes us. But if extraterrestrials do exist, scientists have found a promising location for where they could be hiding. Researchers from the University of Oxford have discovered an exoplanet dubbed HD 20794 d that could have the right conditions for life. More than six times as massive as Earth, scientists are describing it as a 'super Earth'. It is located in the Eridanus constellation and is in the habitable zone of its star, meaning liquid water and therefore life could potentially exist. Best of all, it's just 19.7 light-years away from Earth. This raises the tantalizing possibility that we could snap pictures of any aliens lurking there. 'Excitingly, its proximity with us only 20 light-years means there is hope for future space missions to obtain an image of it,' said Dr Michael Cretignier, who first spotted signs of the planet in 2022. Pictured, an artist's impression of the new planet HD 20794 d orbiting its star. The planet is six times as massive as Earth and just 20 light-years away Its orbit places it within the habitable zone of the system, meaning it is at the right distance from its star to sustain liquid water on its surface, a key ingredient for life as we know it Researchers from the University of Oxford have discovered an exoplanet dubbed HD 20794 d that could have the right conditions for life (stock image) HD 20794 d was found using the HARPS (High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher) spectrograph at the La Silla Observatory in Chile. Described as one of the most successful ever planet finders, HARPS spends most nights monitoring stars for signals that indicate the presence of 'exoplanets' planets outside of our solar system. It uses a planet-detecting method called radial velocity, also known as the wobble or Doppler method, which can detect 'wobbles' in a star caused by the gravitational pull of an orbiting planet. Using HARPS, Dr Cretignier spotted distinct, periodic shifts in the spectrum of light emitted by host star HD 20794, which he thought could have been caused by the gravitational pull of a nearby planet. But due to the faintness of the signal, it was not clear whether this was caused by a planet or due to background 'noise' or a subtle instrumental error. To verify the signal, an international team analysed precise measurements recorded over two decades by HARPS and its successor ESPRESSO, also in Chile. By combining the results from the two instruments, the discovery was finally confirmed a 'relief' according to Dr Cretignier because the original signal was at the edge of the spectrographs detection limit. The discovery, detailed in a new study published in Astronomy & Astrophysics,also relied on data from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). European Southern Observatory's (ESO) La Silla facility in La Higuera, Chile, home to the High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS) spectrograph Described as one of the most successful ever planet finders, HARPS (pictured) spends most nights monitoring stars for signals that indicate the presence of 'exoplanets' - planets outside of our solar system Planet HD 20794 d: Key facts Discovered: 2022 Star: HD 20794 (82 G. Eridani) Orbital duration: 600 days Constellation: Eridanus Mass: 6 times that of Earth Distance away from us: 19.7 light years Advertisement Dr Cretignier and colleagues know HD 20794 d has a mass six times that of Earth, but as yet they do not know the diameter. 'The method we are using only provides the distance to the star (the orbital period) and the minimum mass of the planet and not the radius,' Dr Cretignier told MailOnline. Although the planet is located in the systems habitable zone, it is too early to say whether it could host life. 'Its important to remember that having a planet in the habitable zone is not sufficient at all to have life on it,' he added. 'Both Mars and Venus are inside the habitable zone of the sun, but I highly dont recommend you to go there on holiday.' More questions will have to be answered about the planet first, such as whether it has water on it and if it has an atmosphere, according to the expert. 'The checklist is still long and we have decades of work in front of us,' Dr Cretignier told MailOnline. Unlike most planets, HD 20794 ds orbit around its star is 'elliptical' elongated and not perfectly circular. This image shows the flux (the number of photons) on NASA's TESS detector while observing the star HD20794. TESS is a space mission measuring the photometry of the full sky from now a decade with the primary goal of detecting exoplanets using the transits method Its distance from its star changes significantly, causing the planet to move from the outer edge of the habitable zone to the inner edge throughout its year. The star is 'a naked-eye star', meaning you could even observe it if you are looking the sky in the south hemisphere, Dr Cretignier added. Ultimately, the discovery could eventually give us the first signs of life outside our solar system although there are many other promising exoplanet candidates. 'Such a target will be among the primary target list of future space missions with such a purpose that will be on sky the next decade,' Dr Cretignier said. Already, NASA has a webpage dedicated to an exoplanet called 'HD 20794 d', which was discovered in 2011. Dr Cretignier points out that this planet has an outdated name and is actually a different planet in the same system HD 20794 c. The HD 20794 star has three known planets orbiting around it but there could potentially be more out there waiting to be found. The whole system is 19.7 light years away, which, although relatively close to us in the universe is 'desperately out of reach'. 'On the scale of the universe, this is our neighbourhood,' Dr Cretignier said. 'Such is the paradox of the universe it can be observed, not visited.' The first mouse with two biological fathers has survived until adulthood, a new study has revealed. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences say they have succeeded in breeding mice using only genetic material from two males. Through a technique called 'embryonic stem cell engineering, scientists created eggs from the sperm of one father which could be fertilised by the other. The stem cell technique used by the researchers is not entirely new, but all previous attempts faced seemingly insurmountable problems. Mice bred using two sets of male genes either failed to grow at all or were born with severe developmental defects that prevented them from reaching adulthood. However, by editing 20 different genes in the mice's stem cells, the researchers were able to prevent these issues. Co-author of the study Dr Wei Li says: 'This work will help to address a number of limitations in stem cell and regenerative medicine research.' While it is currently only possible in mice, this major breakthrough could pave the way for gay men to have children who are biologically related to both fathers. Your browser does not support iframes. Researchers have successfully bred a mouse (right) that has two male parents (one pictured left) and can survive to adulthood by editing their genes to overcome developmental challenges In order to breed offspring which have two biological fathers, the researchers first needed to transform the male sex cells from one parent into female sex cells. The scientists took sperm from a mouse and injected it into a type of cell called an oocyte - an immature egg cell that has had its genetic material removed in a process called enucleation. This created a stem cell - a type of cell with the potential to become any other type of cell in the body - which contained only male DNA from the first parent. The researchers then took one of these stem cells and a sperm cell from another male and injected both into another enucleated immature egg. These male cells combined to create an embryonic stem cell containing the DNA of both parents, which was then used to create an embryo which could be implanted in a surrogate mother. Once the embryo had developed, the mother gave birth to the offspring, which contained only genetic material from the two males. Scientists have known for a long time that this is possible and have managed to create viable embryos using the technique. However, no one has previously managed to create 'bi-paternal' mice that are actually capable of surviving to adulthood. By changing genes which control how the parents' chromosomes combine, the bi-paternal mice lived much longer and could even survive weaning. Edited mice are shown by the dark blue line How was the mouse created? Scientists take sperm from a mouse and inject it into a cell called an oocyte - an immature egg cell that has had its genetic material removed in a process called enucleation. This creates a stem cell - a type of cell with the potential to become any other type of cell in the body. Researchers then take one of these stem cells and a sperm cell from another male and inject both into another enucleated immature egg. These male cells combine to create an embryonic stem cell containing the DNA of both parents, which is then used to create an embryo which can be implanted into a surrogate mother. Once the embryo develops, the mother gives birth to the offspring, which contains only genetic material from the two males. Advertisement During heterosexual reproduction, genetic material from a male carried by the sperm combines with genetic material from a female contained in the egg, or ovum. When this happens, a group of genes called 'homologous chromosomes' from the mother come together with those from the father and combine in a process called 'crossing over'. But when both sets of homologous chromosomes come from either two males or two females, the genes don't copy over properly, leading to 'imprinting abnormalities'. These abnormalities can cause developmental defects which prevent the offspring from living healthy lives. Co-author Dr Qi Zhou says: 'The unique characteristics of imprinting genes have led scientists to believe that they are a fundamental barrier to unisexual reproduction in mammals. 'Even when constructing bi-maternal or bi-paternal embryos artificially, they fail to develop properly, and they stall at some point during development due to these genes.' In this study, the researchers used a gene editing technology called CRISPR to make changes to mice's DNA in order to prevent imprinting abnormalities. After creating stem cells from the first male's sperm, they inserted or removed sections of genetic code at 20 places in the mice's DNA that control imprinting. Using a technique called CRISPR, the researchers modified 20 genes in one of the male mice. This prevented their offspring developing defects which led to earlier death (stock image) When these genetically modified stem cells were combined with the sperm from another male, they were much more likely to develop properly. These changes resulted in mice with two fathers who were able to live until adulthood for the first time ever. Study co-author Dr Guan-Zheng Luo, of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, says: 'These findings provide strong evidence that imprinting abnormalities are the main barrier to mammalian unisexual reproduction. 'This approach can significantly improve the developmental outcomes of embryonic stem cells and cloned animals, paving a promising path for the advancement of regenerative medicine.' The authors do acknowledge some significant limitations to these findings. Only 11.8 per cent of the viable embryos were capable of developing to birth and not every pup which was born lived to adulthood. The mice that did live to adulthood showed altered growth, shortened lifespans, and were sterile. However, these results show the first promising steps towards giving gay men the option to have children who are related to both of their fathers. In the future, the development of this technique could allow gay men to have children who are genetically related to both partners. However, gene editing techniques are currently not permitted for use on humans (stock image) In theory, it could be possible to use a similar technique to create an embryo using stem cells derived from one human partner and sperm from the other. Although the child would still need to be carried to term by a female surrogate, they would have genetic material only from both of their fathers. Currently, the researchers are planning to try this approach in larger animals like monkeys - and warn that the technological hurdles will be significantly larger. That means getting the technique to work in humans could require years of effort. However, not everyone is convinced that scientists should try to pursue this technology in humans, even if it is possible. Lukasz Konieczka, executive director of the LGBT+ charity Mosaic Trust, told MailOnline: ''I do understand that some might have a strong desire to have biological children as it offers some virtual immortality, as psychologists call it. 'I do not think it is necessary to spend time and resources on such technology as we still have children who are alive today, stuck in a care system due to neglectful or abusive biological parents.' Since the technique requires editing the genome of the parent's stem cells, it is also prohibited in humans. The International Society for Stem Cell Research's ethical guidelines for stem cell research do not allow heritable genome editing for reproductive purposes nor the use of human stem cell-derived gametes for reproduction because they are deemed as currently unsafe. They were one of the most advanced societies during the Bronze Age more than 5,000 years ago. But the ancient Indus people native to modern-day Pakistan and Northern India left behind an ancient writing system that is still confusing experts today. About 4,000 ancient plates, made of materials like stone and copper, are inscribed with the mysterious script. It consists of odd letter-like symbols and illustrations, and is unlike any other language in the world. Now, the Indian government is determined to finally decipher the ancient writing system. It has announced that it is offering a whopping $1 million (800,000) award to anyone who can crack the mysterious Indus Valley script. 'I announce a cash prize of $1 million to individuals or organisations that decipher the script to the satisfaction of archaeological experts,' said minister MK Stalin. So, do you know what the letters and symbols mean? The Indus inscriptions - typically made on stone - are very short, comprising no more than five signs on the average Pictured, Indus characters from an impression of a cylinder seal discovered in Susa in modern-day Iran, in a stratum dated to 24002100 BC - suggesting the ancient Indus traded with Mesopotamia The Indus the largest yet least known of all the first great urban cultures thrived from 2600 to 1900 BC, and then abruptly vanished from historical records. Very little is known about the people, who strangely left no archaeological evidence of warfare and communicated in one of the world's most unusual scripts. Like their contemporaries, the Indus who may have made up 10 per cent of the world's population lived next to rivers, owing their livelihoods to the fertility of annually watered lands. In a statement, MK Stalin, chief minister of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, announced the prize to anyone who can successfully decipher the Indus Valley script. 'We have not been able to clearly understand the writing system of the once flourishing Indus Valley,' he said, quoted by Hindustan Times. 'The riddle hasnt been answered for the past 100 years despite several efforts by archaeologists and experts. MailOnline has contacted the Tamil Nadu government and the Indus International Research Foundation about how to take part in the challenge. Its unclear if theres an online process for hopefuls who think they can translate the script, or if the minister is expecting them to get in touch. Indus inscriptions are all very short, making the challenge of trying to decipher them harder. The average length of the inscriptions is around five signs, while the longest only 34 characters long. Pictured, an Indus Valley copper plate inscribed with 34 characters, the longest known single Indus script inscription. The Zebu Bull Seal with Indus Script is an artifact from the Indus Valley Civilization that is in the collection of the National Museum in New Delhi This map shows the range of the Indus people in orange. The Indus Empire stretched more than a million square miles across the plains of the Indus River from the Arabian Sea to the Ganges, over what is now Pakistan, northwest India and eastern Afghanistan. Archaeological discoveries suggest that trade routes between Mesopotamia and the Indus were active during the 3rd millennium BC, leading to the development of Indus-Mesopotamia relations The Indus people: Key facts The Indus civilisation - also known as the Harappan civilisation - thrived from 2600 to 1900 BC. Along with Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, it was one of three early civilisations of the Old World. The Empire stretched from the Arabian Sea to the Ganges, over what is now Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. At its peak, the civilisation may have had a population of more than 5 million, making up 10 per cent of the world's population. Advertisement The Indus inscriptions made on slabs of stone, bronze, copper and more feature a mix of symbols and human or animal motifs, like bulls and unicorns. Unfortunately, each slab has rather few symbols, making the challenge of trying to decipher what they mean especially hard, according to researchers. The average length of the inscriptions is around five signs, while the longest, inscribed on copper, is only 34 characters long. Some experts question whether the symbols represent a language at all, or are merely pictograms that bear religious or political symbols. Although we don't know what their inscriptions meant, we do know some details about the Indus civilization, also known as Harappan, which flourished for half a millennium in the area of modern-day Pakistan and Northern India from about 2600 BC to 1900 BC. It stretched more than a million square miles across the plains of the Indus River from the Arabian Sea to the Ganges, over what is now Pakistan, northwest India and eastern Afghanistan. But it mysteriously declined and vanished and remained invisible for almost 4,000 years until its ruins were discovered by accident in the 1920s by British and Indian archaeologists. So far, more than 1,000 Indus settlements covering Pakistan and northwestern India have been discovered, including its two main hubs Mohenjo-daro and Harappa near the Indus river. Among their settlements, researchers have uncovered the world's first known toilets, along with complex stone weights, drilled gemstone necklaces and exquisitely carved seal stone, not to mention about 4,000 of the scripts. Pictured, ruins of the archaeological site of Harappa, Indus Valley civilization, 3rd millennium BC, Punjab, Pakistan A sculpture, possibly of a priest, from the ancient Indus city of Mohenjo-Daro, now in the Karachi Museum in Pakistan 'It was the most extensive urban culture of its period,' said Indus expert Andrew Robinson in a 2015 study published in Nature. '[It had] a population of perhaps 1 million and a vigorous maritime export trade to the Gulf and cities such as Ur in Mesopotamia, where objects inscribed with Indus signs have been discovered.' 'Astonishingly, the culture has left no archaeological evidence of armies or warfare.' Archaeological discoveries suggest that trade routes between Mesopotamia and the Indus were active during the 3rd millennium BC, leading to the development of Indus-Mesopotamia relations. Along with the difficulty in deciphering the text, no one yet knows for sure why such a great civilisation vanished around 1300 BC. One theory, which emerged in 2012, is that climate change led to the collapse namely, rising temperatures causing fewer monsoons. The civilization's enormous success relied fundamentally on monsoons for water and farming, so changes in climate would have been disastrous. Another theory, which is supported by archaeological evidence, is that the major trigger for the decline was earthquakes. A 2006 study said: 'Earthquakes affected the demise of several Harappan sites either by direct shaking damage, altering the water supply, or by changing the relative sea level.' Humanity is officially one second closer to world annihilation, scientists say. The Doomsday Clock has been revealed and it now sits at 89 seconds to midnight, one second closer than last year. It's also the closest the clock has ever been to midnight in its 78-year history, meaning we're nearer to world-ending catastrophe than ever before. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, which decides where the hands are set, cited the Russia-Ukraine war, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the threat of nuclear war, climate change, a looming bird flu pandemic and AI arms race for the update. The Chicago-based nonprofit created the Doomsday Clock in 1947 during the Cold War tensions that followed World War II to warn the public about how close humankind was to destroying the world. 'We set the clock closer to midnight because we do not see sufficient positive progress on the global challenges we face,' said Daniel Holz, board member and physicist at the University of Chicago. 'Setting the Doomsday Clock at 89 seconds to midnight is a warning to all world leaders,' he added. Since 2023, it has been set at 90 seconds to midnight, but this year scientists predicted it would move forward to reflect the troubling global outlook. Scientists unveiled the 2025 update for the 'Doomsday Clock' today, revealing that it has moved one second closer to midnight. Pictured with the clock, former President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos (left) and Robert Socolow (right), professor emeritus at Princeton University and member of the Atomic Scientists' Science and Security Board The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, which decides where the hands are set, cited the Russia-Ukraine war, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the threat of nuclear war, climate change, a looming bird flu pandemic and AI arms race Why has the Doomsday Clock gone forward? Moving the Doomsday Clock one second closer on Tuesday signified humanity's failures to make progress from the global threats in the past 12 months. The Russia-Ukraine war, Israel's ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and the threat of nuclear war, climate change and AI all mean the clock has gone forwards for the first time in two years. 'The factors shaping this year's decision nuclear risk, climate change, the potential misuse of advances in biological science and a variety of other emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence were not new in 2024,' Holz said. 'But we have seen insufficient progress in addressing the key challenges, and in many cases this is leading to increasingly negative and worrisome effects.' Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine launched Europe's bloodiest conflict since World War II, while there's a growing sense 'a nation may end up using nuclear weapons'. 'The war in Ukraine continues to loom as a large source of nuclear risk,' Holz said. 'That conflict could escalate to include nuclear weapons at any moment due to a rash decision or through accident and miscalculation.' The Doomsday Clock was set at 89 seconds to midnight, the closest the Clock has ever been to midnight in its 78-year history. The symbolic clock edges closer to midnight to reflect human-made global catastrophes An Israeli attack on al-Hudari family house reduces the building into rubble in Gaza City, Gaza on January 05, 2025 Harrowing fires in California this month were related to climate change, according to scientists. Pictured, a home is engulfed in flames, Los Angeles, January 8, 2025 President Donald Trump speaking in the White House's Roosevelt Room flanked by Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group Corp; Larry Ellison, Executive Charmain Oracle and Sam Altman, CEO of Open AI on January 21, 2025, to announce $500B AI investment. Most recent changes to the Doomsday Clock 2025 : 89 seconds to midnight : 89 seconds to midnight 2023 : 90 seconds to midnight : 90 seconds to midnight 2020 : 100 seconds to midnight : 100 seconds to midnight 2018 : 2 minutes to midnight : 2 minutes to midnight 2017 : 2.5 minutes to midnight : 2.5 minutes to midnight 2015 : 3 minutes to midnight Advertisement Russian President Vladimir Putin in November lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a broader range of conventional attacks, a move the Kremlin described as a signal to the West. Russia's updated doctrine set a framework for conditions under which Putin could order a strike from the world's biggest nuclear arsenal. The Middle East has been another source of instability with the Israel-Gaza war and broader regional hostilities involving countries including Iran. 'We are watching closely and hope that the ceasefire in Gaza will hold,' Holz said. Meanwhile, nuclear-armed China has stepped up military pressure near Taiwan, and nuclear-armed North Korea continues with tests of various ballistic missiles. Climate change poses another existential threat. Last year was the hottest in recorded history, according to scientists at the UN World Meteorological Organization. The last 10 years were the 10 hottest on record, it said. 'While there has been impressive growth in wind and solar energy, the world is still falling short of what is necessary to prevent the worse aspects of climate change,' Holz said. Last year also saw staggering advancements in artificial intelligence, prompting increasing concern among some experts about its military applications and its risks to global security. The 2025 Clock time signals that the world is on a course of unprecedented risk, and that continuing on the current path is a form of madness 2024 also saw advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) that have contributed to the decision to move the time forward (file photo) 2024 was the hottest year on record, beating the record set by 2023. The average global temperature in 2024 reached 15.1C (59.2F), 0.72C (1.3F) warmer than the 1991-2000 average Governments have addressed the matter in fits and starts. In the US, then-President Biden in October signed an executive order intended to reduce the risks that AI poses to national security, the economy and public health or safety. His successor Donald Trump revoked it last week, and also announced a private-sector $500 billion investment in AI infrastructure. 'Advances in AI are beginning to show up on the battlefield in tentative but worrisome ways, and of particular concern is the future possibility of AI applications to nuclear weapons,' Holz said. 'In addition, AI is increasingly disrupting the world's information ecosystem. AI-fueled disinformation and misinformation will only add to this dysfunction.' What is the Doomsday Clock? The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic timepiece showing how close the world is to a human-made global catastrophe, as deemed by experts. Every year, the clock is updated based on how close we are to the total annihilation of humanity ('midnight'). If the clock goes forward and gets closer to midnight (compared with where it was set the previous year), it suggests humanity has got closer to self destruction. Moving the Doomsday Clock one second closer on Tuesday signified humanity's failures to make progress from the global threats of 2024. Scientists noted that a looming pandemic was part of their decision In 2024, the hands did not move to reflect an unchanging global situation But if it moves back, further away from midnight, it suggests humanity has reduced the risks of global catastrophe in the past 12 months. On some years, such as 2024, the hands of the clock haven't moved at all which suggests the global situation has not changed. The clock is set by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, a nonprofit organization based in Chicago that publishes an academic journal. Although symbolic and not an actual clock, the organization does unveil a physical 'quarter clock' model at an event when revealing if and how the hands have moved. After the unveiling, the model can be found located at the Bulletin offices in the Keller Center, home to the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Every January, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists reveals its annual update to the Doomsday Clock even if the hands are not moved. When was the Doomsday Clock created? The Doomsday Clock goes back to June 1947, when US artist Martyl Langsdorf was hired to design a new cover for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists journal. The Doomsday Clock goes back to June 1947, when US artist Martyl Langsdorf was hired to design a new cover for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists journal Dr Leonard Rieser, Chairman of the Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, moves the hand of the Doomsday Clock back to 17 minutes before midnight at offices near the University of Chicago on November 26, 1991 With a striking image on the cover, the organization hoped to 'frighten men into rationality', according to Eugene Rabinowitch, the first editor of the journal. It came amid a backdrop of public fear surrounding atomic warfare and weaponry, just two years after the Second World War ended. Langsdorf initially considered drawing the symbol for uranium before sketching a clock to convey a sense of urgency. She set it at seven minutes to midnight because 'it looked good to my eye', Langsdorf later said. On the cover of later issues in subsequent years, the hands of the clock were adjusted based on how close we are to catastrophe. After the Soviet Union successfully tested its first atomic bomb in 1949, Rabinowitch reset the clock from seven minutes to midnight to three minutes to midnight. Since then, it has continued to move forwards and backwards. In 2009, the Bulletin ceased its print edition, but the clock is still updated once a year on its website and is now a much-anticipated highlight of the scientific calendar. The Doomsday Clocks time is set by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Science and Security Board (SASB) in consultation with its Board of Sponsors, which includes nine Nobel Laureates. Factors included nuclear weapons threats, the climate crisis, biological threats, and disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence (file photo) Who decides what time to set the Doomsday Clock at? Shortly after it was first created, Bulletin Editor Eugene Rabinowitch decided whether or not the hands should be moved. Rabinowitch was a scientist, fluent in Russian, and a leader in the conversations about nuclear disarmament, meaning he was in frequent discussions with scientists and experts all over the world. After considering the discussions, he would decide whether the clock should be moved forward or backward, at least in the first few decades of the clock's existence. When he died in 1973, the Bulletin's Science and Security Board took over, made up of experts on nuclear technology and climate science, and has included 13 Nobel Laureates over the years. The panel meets twice a year to discuss ongoing world events, such as the war in Ukraine, and whether a clock change is necessary. When were the hands furthest away from midnight? In 1991, following the end of the Cold War, the Bulletin set the clock hands to 17 minutes to midnight. The end of the war saw the US and the Soviet Union sign the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. This meant the countries would cut down their nuclear weapons arsenal, reducing the threat of nuclear war. Unfortunately, the hands have not been as far away from midnight since then and they do not look like moving back to this position any time soon. Rom-coms have given us a range of weird and wonderful flirting tactics through the years. In Legally Blonde, Elle Woods swears by her signature move, the 'Bend and Snap', while Cher Horowitz's advice in Clueless is to send yourself flowers. But if you're a single, it's time to step away from the TV, and turn to science. A new study has revealed a surprising flirting tactic - and scientists say it is almost guaranteed to bag you a date. Researchers from South China Normal University say that singletons should simply ask their love interest for their help. Requesting assistance not only indicates your romantic interest in someone, but also serves as an effective strategy to attract a partner, according to the experts. 'People will show their romantic interests toward a potential mate in a covert but detectable way when courtship motive is high,' the researchers explained. 'The present research demonstrated that asking for dependency-oriented help can effectively convey romantic interests and can be readily detected and decoded correctly by the intended recipients.' Rom-coms have given us a range of weird and wonderful flirting tactics through the years. For example, in Legally Blonde, Elle Woods swears by her signature move, the 'Bend and Snap' Cher Horowitz's flirting advice in the 90s rom-com, Clueless, includes sending yourself flowers In the study, the team assessed two different ways of asking for help. This included 'autonomy-oriented', which is asking someone for guidance, or 'dependency-oriented', which is asking someone to do it for you. While asking someone to complete a task for you is often seen negatively, the scientists proposed it could have a positive role in forming relationships. The researchers conducted nine studies involving a total of 2,535 participants and which involved both hypothetical scenarios and real-world interactions. In one study, for example, participants were presented with everyday challenges such as buying a bookcase, planning a travel itinerary, choosing a bottle of wine or fixing a malfunctioning device. They were asked to choose between requesting guidance to solve the problem or asking the helper to solve the issue for them. Another study involved asking participants to evaluate a scenario where a potential partner asked for help in different ways, and then to rate their interest in the person afterward. Analysis, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, revealed asking someone to do something for you could serve as a strategic signal of romantic interest. Researchers from South China Normal University say that singletons should simply ask their love interest for their help (stock image) When participants were exposed to romantic cues, such as imagining spending time with a desirable person, they were more likely to request help by asking someone to do something for them. They found that participants who provided help expressed a greater romantic interest in a person when they were asked to do something for them, rather than simply provide guidance. The researchers also discovered that people already in romantic relationships were likely to see others who asked their partner to complete a task for them as a 'mate poacher'. They added that 'revealing weakness and forfeiting autonomy' can have benefits in some situations. The team said that people may hide their weakness and fragility from strangers and are reluctant to seek dependency-oriented help in order to avoid letting themselves be trapped in an 'inferior' position. However, relying on a partner and letting them take care of personal issues is a 'must' because couples need to cooperate closely with each other to deal with things such as paying a mortgage or raising a child, they added. Advertisement Dreaming of a sand-sational holiday by the seaside? These enchanting photos might just make you book a trip. MailOnline Travel has picked a selection of the continent's dreamiest seaside towns, spanning from Greece to Sweden. Our 14-strong portfolio also includes an 'idyllic gem' on France's southern coast and Scotland's 'magic' seafood capital. Scroll down. Did we choose your favourite? Let us know in the comments... PARGA, GREECE: Lonely Planet describes Parga on the north-western Greek mainland as a 'picture-perfect beach town' that's an 'undeniable beauty'. The travel guide explains that the pretty seaside town has a 'clear turquoise bay pierced with islets' and a 'slew of seafront tavernas and bars' NEW QUAY, CARDIGAN BAY, WALES: This picturesque seaside town started life as a fishing port. Cardigan-Bay.com explains: 'Today the small local fishing and pleasure craft still come and go in the sheltered bay. New Quay's beaches extend in a golden arc around the bay and are ideal for relaxing and strolling by the sea. And bottlenose dolphins are regularly seen swimming and diving as they follow shoals of mackerel into the bay' SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ, FRENCH BASQUE COUNTRY: The colourful seaside town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz is located close to France's border with Spain. Brittany Ferries describes it as 'a pretty town with a distinct Basque identity', adding that Saint-Jean-de-Luz also has some 'great beaches' ULCINJ, MONTENEGRO: Ulcinj is 'one of the oldest towns on the Adriatic coast', explains Visit Montenegro. The tourist board notes that Ulcinj has 'very long and beautiful beaches' with sand that's 'a lot like flour' and enjoys a 'mild, coastal climate' COBH, ON A CORK CITY HARBOUR ISLAND: Cobh is primarily known as the Titanic's last port of call in 1912. Despite that sad history, the town is a 'stunning' place to holiday, Visit Cobh explains. The tourist board says that Cobh is 'steeped in history' and 'picture-perfect from every angle' CUDILLERO, NORTHERN SPAIN: According to Lonely Planet, Cudillero is the most 'picturesque' spot on the country's northern Asturian coast and 'knows it'. The travel guide adds: 'The houses, painted in a rainbow of pastels, cascade down to a tiny port on a narrow inlet' COLLIOURE, SOUTHERN FRANCE: Collioure is an 'idyllic gem', says Visit Collioure. The pretty seaside town has served as inspiration for many artists, Picasso and Matisse among them MARSTRAND, WESTERN SWEDEN: West Sweden Tourism describes the island town of Marstrand, founded in the 13th century, as a 'haven for sailing and swimming, with quaint neighbourhoods and car-free streets' GYTHEIO, PELOPONNESE, GREECE: Gytheio's name translates as 'Land of the Gods' - and it's certainly heavenly. Visit Peloponnese describes it as 'a charming, vibrant town with lots of beautiful neoclassical buildings' and an 'island vibe' despite its mainland location MANAROLA, ITALY: Manarola is a postcard-perfect town on the Italian Riviera. It 'oozes charm from its handsome little harbour, to the pastel-coloured buildings cleft into its cliffs', says Rough Guides TROGIR, ADRIATIC COAST, CROATIA: Trogir is a World Heritage site and, according to Lonely Planet - 'gorgeous'. It's set within medieval walls on a tiny island that's linked by bridges to both the mainland and to the far larger Ciovo island ROSCOFF, NORTHWEST FRANCE: Brittany Tourism says that 'visitors never fail to be charmed' by Roscoff, adding: 'This small town of character has attractive, richly decorated houses that once belonged to ship-owners, a church in the flamboyant Gothic style and much more' OBAN, WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND: Oban is known as Scotland's 'seafood capital' and, notes Lonely Planet, it serves as the main gateway to many of the Hebridean islands. There's 'real magic to the location', Lonely Planet adds. The circular stone structure overlooking the town in this photo is McCaig's Tower, a Victorian folly that was built in 1890 The best times to book cheap flights to popular destinations, from Barcelona to Berlin, during peak holiday seasons have been revealed by Which? researchers. And according to their study, youll need to be organised to make the biggest savings, with optimum booking dates for the cheapest flights ranging from five weeks to six months in advance. The study also revealed the overall cheapest month to fly. Researchers at Which? Travel produced the guide by analysing average return flight prices in 2023 and 2024 on Skyscanner. The destination that suits last-minute bookers the best is Faro in the Algarve, Portugal, with the cheapest summer-break August fares available five weeks in advance. The best times to book cheap flights to popular destinations, from Barcelona to Berlin, during peak holiday seasons have been revealed by Which? researchers using Skyscanner data BEST TIMES TO BOOK SHORT-HAUL FLIGHTS DESTINATION HOW FAR IN ADVANCE TO BOOK FOR APRIL HOW FAR IN ADVANCE TO BOOK FOR AUGUST HOW FAR IN ADVANCE TO BOOK FOR CHRISTMAS CHEAPEST MONTH TO FLY Amsterdam 20 weeks 15 weeks 20 weeks January, 86 Athens 18 weeks 6 weeks 10 weeks January, 75 Barcelona 17 weeks 13 weeks 17 weeks January, 50 Berlin 24 weeks 24 weeks 20 weeks January, 61 Budapest 17 weeks 6 weeks 8 weeks January, 62 Dublin 12 weeks 13 weeks 12 weeks January, 39 Faro, Portugal 14 weeks 5 weeks 10 weeks January, 61 Lisbon 22 weeks 16 weeks 17 weeks December, 63 Mallorca 14 weeks 13 weeks 19 weeks March, 55 Nice 14 weeks 24 weeks 23 weeks November, 72 Krakow 24 weeks 25 weeks 11 weeks January, 48 Paris 21 weeks 26 weeks 15 weeks January, 73 Prague 15 weeks 19 weeks 16 weeks January, 62 Seville 13 weeks 25 weeks 17 weeks January, 55 Tenerife 19 weeks 10 weeks 8 weeks January, 76 Valencia 12 weeks 12 weeks 11 weeks January, 45 Source: Which? Paris, meanwhile, is the summer destination that contrasts most sharply with Faro, with British holidaymakers needing to book 26 weeks (six months) in advance for the cheapest August flights to the French capital. Which? adds that, in fact, 'now' might be the time to start searching for flights for this summer. For those looking to travel during the Easter holidays, the Which? analysis suggests you should book 12 weeks in advance for Dublin or Valencia but as much as 24 weeks for Berlin and Krakow in Poland. Meanwhile, for a December trip to Tenerife, you need to book eight weeks in advance, compared with Nice where the cheapest flights were found 23 weeks in advance. And for a Christmas trip to New York or Sydney or Bangkok, you dont need to book as far ahead as you may think. For Sydney and Bangkok, the best prices were found by booking in September, while for New York it was mid-October. The researchers found that January was the cheapest month to fly to most places, with fares available for as little as 39 to Dublin and 50 for Barcelona. Further afield, Which? found that March was the cheapest time to fly to New York, with a return flight costing just 201 on average. Naomi Leach, Deputy Editor of Which? Travel, said: Our research threw up some surprising results and suggests some holidaymakers could save significant sums of money by targeting the right time to book their flights. For those looking for a bargain trip, our findings show January is generally the cheapest time to fly short-haul, as long as you dont mind the cold weather. It is worth setting up flight alerts with Google Flights or Skyscanner to track the best prices for your desired destination to find the best time to book a great deal. BEST TIMES TO BOOK LONG-HAUL FLIGHTS DESTINATION HOW FAR IN ADVANCE TO BOOK FOR APRIL HOW FAR IN ADVANCE TO BOOK FOR AUGUST HOW FAR IN ADVANCE TO BOOK FOR CHRISTMAS CHEAPEST MONTH TO FLY Bangkok 25 weeks 8 weeks 16 weeks Jan, Feb or March, 386 Cape Town N/A N/A N/A March, 472 Chicago N/A N/A N/A Nov, 308 New York 14 weeks 7 weeks 11 weeks March, 201 Sydney 22 weeks 8 weeks 15 weeks Nov, 525 Tokyo N/A N/A N/A November or December, 397 Source: Which? Filmed in the heart of the Highlands, it is a show which sees friends turn into enemies as they battle it out for cash. The BBC game show, The Traitors, is now among the most-viewed programmes on the small screen with tourism bosses saying it is proving a huge success story for Scotland. Following last years series, online searches for the region soared by 190 per cent with repetition likely as the UK and international fans making a mark on travel plans. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, the show is filmed in the 19th century Ardross Castle some 30 miles north of Inverness. It sees a team of contestants add cash to a prize fund through a series of tasks, with a small number of traitors working against the faithfuls. If any traitors remain at the end of the series they will pocket the money. But should all of them be banished, the remaining faithfuls share the pot. Fridays finale saw project manager Jake Brown and former soldier Leanne Quigley split a prize fund of 94,600 after booting out traitor, Charlotte Berman. It was the most watched live episode in the shows history with an average audience of 7.4million. Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands where The Traitors is filmed. Following last years series, online searches for the Highlands soared by 190 per cent with repetition likely as the UK and international fans making a mark on travel plans Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, the show is filmed in a 19th century castle some 30 miles north of Inverness The BBC game show is now among the most-viewed programmes on the small screen with tourism bosses saying it is proving a huge success story for Scotland Fridays finale saw project manager Jake Brown (right) and former soldier Leanne Quigley (left) split a prize fund of 94,600 And Scotlands tourism body, VisitScotland, expects its popularity to reflect visitor numbers in the area amid spikes in web activity. Previous research shows travellers to north of the Border are motivated by what theyve seen on film or TV or read about the country. Jenni Steele, film and creative industries manager at VisitScotland, said: Last year Expedia reported a 190 per cent rise in searches for the Highlands following season two, compared to the same dates two years previously, and our analytics team have noted a rise in the use of the search term traitors castle online across the UK during January. She continued: Scotland has always been a popular on-screen location, turning viewers to visitors. Shetland, Outlander and now The Traitors are all making their mark on UK and international travel plans. Our research shows one in five visitors are inspired to book a trip to Scotland after seeing it on TV, film, and in literature, but thats only the starting point, as we encourage them to explore beyond whats on-screen and spread the benefits across the country. In the fist six months of 2024 there were almost two million visits to Scotland from international visitors, who spent close to 1.5billion. The total visitor numbers the year before hit 109million, boosting the economy to the tune of 10.8billion. Grill, baby, grill. That's the message to British passengers from Turkish carrier Corendon Airlines, which has introduced doner kebabs to its inflight menu on UK flights to and from Turkey and Greece. The leisure carrier says that the introduction of the 'authentic' Turkish snacks is in response to popular demand, following their introduction on flights from Germany earlier this month. Corendon said: 'The Corendon doner kebabs are made to a special Turkish recipe using top quality ingredients including beef, green peppers and tomatoes, in a tortilla wrap, and cost 9.23 (11 euros) for card payments.' Turkish carrier Corendon Airlines has introduced doner kebabs to its inflight menu on UK flights to and from Turkey and Greece Matthew Carpenter, UK Country Manager for Corendon Airlines, commented: 'We're always striving to find new ways to improve our offering to our valued customers, from the service they receive on board, to the price they pay. 'The introduction of kebabs to our in-flight menu is unique and makes perfect sense, particularly knowing how popular they are with the British public. 'Our customers will experience a taste of Turkey before arriving at their destination.' Corendon has also announced a Happy Flydays campaign, offering a 40 per cent discount per passenger on selected dates on all routes, for flights departing between 10 February and 31 May, 2025. Corendon revealed that a one-way flight from London Gatwick to Antalya on June 10 with the discount applied will cost 59.81 (71 euros) per person. The Corendon doner kebabs 'are made to a special Turkish recipe using top quality ingredients including beef, green peppers and tomatoes, in a tortilla wrap' The airline's recent initiatives also include an adult-only zone, available on the carrier's A350 flights between Amsterdam and the Dutch Caribbean islands of Curacao and Bonaire. The zone is in the front section of the aircraft and consists of nine 'XL' seats, with extra legroom, and 93 standard seats, according to Corendon. A seat reservation in the adult zone is for over-16s. Correndon said: 'This zone in the aircraft is intended for passengers travelling without children and for business travellers who want to work in a quiet environment. 'We are also the first Dutch airline to introduce the Only Adult zone, because we cater to travellers looking for some extra peace of mind during their flight.' Kims on Joes trail, Sarah has a date and Charity stages a raid next week on as Emmerdale fans finally learn of missing April's fate. Read on for all the juiciest Emmerdale spoilers in our round-up of village drama. 1. Caleb accuses Cain Caleb tries to tell Cain that he hasn't slept with Ruby Cain insists to Caleb that he hasnt slept with Ruby, but he is desperate to know where Caleb got his information from to make the accusation. Caleb reveals it was Anthony who suggested the pair had an affair. As Cain struggles with his guilt, Caleb then confesses his own secret to his brother. 2. Can Joe put Kim off the scent? Kim ends up getting suspicious of Dawn and Joe Joe is using his withdrawal symptoms to get closer to Dawn, but Kim has spotted theres something going on between the pair. When she corners Joe, he pulls out the painkiller story and Kim seems to accept it. But as she continues to secretly listen in to his conversations, will Kim uncover what Joes really up to? 3. Joe plots against his brother Noah has no idea that Joe is posting bad reviews about his business Joe is secretly posting bad reviews on Noahs electrical business and all the negative feedback is leaving his brother worried. Joe assures Noah that the reviews wont affect his trade, but its clear that he is hoping otherwise. 4. Marlon nurses his wounds Rhona is keen to find out where Marlon got his black eye from With Marlon sporting a black eye, Ross talks to him about the impact his search for April is having on his worried family. Marlon explains that he was tricked into giving away some money then ended up getting hit. Ross tries to persuade Marlon to take a step back from the search for the sake of his loved ones. However, when Rhona returns and quizzes Marlon about his eye, he avoids the topic and heads out again. 5. News on April at last A police officer visits Rhona and Marlon at home - and they fear the worst Rhona and Marlon fear the worst when PC Swirling arrives at the house. When the policeman asks them to sit down the terrified couple brace themselves as Swirling delivers the news that April has been found. 6. Date disappointment for Sarah? Sarah is waiting to go on a date with Joseph.. but will he turn up? Sarah is looking forward to a night out with Joseph and is dressed to impress. However, as she waits alone in the pub and chats to Chas, where is her date? 7. Aprils fate revealed A flashback episode of April's story will air A special flashback episode reveals missing Aprils tragic story. Later, Marlon and Rhona are left overwhelmed by what they have learned when Swirling brings them up to date on their little girl. Will this terrible tale have a happy ending? 8. Noahs plans shock his mum Charity isn't happy when her son Noah tells him about moving away from the village Joe talks to Noah about his project in Dubai and paints a picture of the idyllic life there. When Joe suggests that he could pull some strings and get Noah a job out there, the lad is keen. But Charity is less sold on the idea and tells Noah there is no way he is moving abroad. 9. Charity raids Home Farm Charity starts snooping at Home Farm - and nearly gets caught At Home Farm, Joe and Dawn give into passion once more and head upstairs. Charity arrives and realising the coast is clear, starts looking for information on Joes plans. When she hears Kim arrive home, Charity makes herself scarce, but not before grabbing a nearby laptop. 10. Tough times for Leyla Leyla overcomes a hard realisation Leyla suggests a Valentines raffle to promote the business, but Belle and Suzy are less keen on the idea. When Leyla suggests that the trio head out for something to eat, Belle and Suzy both turn her down, leaving Leyla hit by just how lonely she is. 11. Charity digs for information Charity is keen to find out some stuff when she steals a laptop from Home Farm With Ryans help, Charity gains access to the laptop she stole from Home Farm. As she looks at whats on it, shes shocked to make a big discovery. Could this help her to drive a wedge between Joe and Noah? Emmerdale is available to stream on ITVX. Cindy reveals a shocking clue, Sonia sees the evidence and Ruby feels left on the sidelines in Albert Square next week as Denise and Ravi's affair is finally exposed. Read on for our round-up of all the drama set to rock Walford in the coming episodes. 1. Cindy tries to mend her family Cindy tries to make peace with everyone by offering to cook a family dinner Cindy is anxious as she waits for news from the police about her case. She and Ian clash over Cindys recent allegations, so Cindy tries to make peace by cooking a family dinner. However, as the family gather, things quickly sour once again. 2. A clue remembered! Cindy is convinced that the locket she had on the night that she was attacked was picked up by the person who hit her Cindy suddenly recalls she doesnt have the locket she was wearing the night she was attacked. She reasons that her attacker must have taken the locket after hitting her. Later, Cindy causes more commotion with her family when she accepts an offer of a place to stay from Junior. 3. Date night for Nigel Nigel and Norma grow close next week Yolande gives Nigel a little bit of help to get him all set for his meet-up with Norma. When Norma arrives at The Vic, Nigels surprised to see that shes brought her friend with her, so he asks a reluctant a Phil to join their trio. 4. Phil brings down the mood Phil's actions put him in serious danger Things turn sour on Nigels big night after Normas friend Livi comments on Phils sad demeanour. Phil soon makes a swift exit, but rather than go after him, Nigel decides to enjoy his night with Norma. Meanwhile, over at the Arches, Phils actions put him in serious danger. 5. Sonia wants the evidence Sonia isn't impressed when Lauren admits she's skeptical of Bianca's confession Lauren is sceptical of Biancas confession and hits a nerve with Sonia when she insists that she also must have doubts. Sonia admits to Lauren that shes sure Bianca only confessed to save her. Later, Sonia begs Jack to get her a copy of Biancas confession but asks him to keep her request a secret from Reiss. 6. Ravi under fire Father and son duo Ravi and Nugget continue to argue Ravi and Nuggets relationship hits another hurdle as father and son continue to clash. Meanwhile, Ravis got more family trouble after a suspicious Priya witnesses some dodgy dealing between him and Nicola. 7. Ruby pushed out Ruby tries to win Martin over with a gift Still jealous of Martins closeness with Stacey, Ruby goes all out to win his attention when she presents him with a present. However, she is left upset when Martin wants to share some exciting news with Stacey. Later, Martin and Stacey find themselves sharing a warm conversation as they reminisce together about family 8. Whats happened to Phil? Phil is rushed to hospital in an ambulance Harry arrives at work and opens the garage to find Phil in a dire predicament. Meanwhile, Patrick and Yolande are delighted to hear that Nigels date went well. However, Nigels bright mood doesnt last long. He heads off to check on Phil and is horrified to see his friend being loaded into an ambulance. 9. Denise back to Jack? Denise and Jack grow close again? Denise worries about Ravis dodgy business dealings when she walks in on him on the phone to a contact. Later, Ravi rebuffs Denise when she asks him to help with a fuse box problem at the salon. When Jack saves the day for Denise, Kim begins to wonder if Jack is the better option for her sister after all. 10. Priya takes the high ground Priya tells Ravi about what he saw Priya confronts Ravi about what she saw. Coming down heavy on his drug dealing, she urges him to stay on the straight and narrow for the sake of the kids. Will her words hit home as Ravi ponders his future? 11. Sonia sees the evidence Sonia receives footage of Bianca's confession Sonia is distracted and can only feign interest as an excited Reiss tells her his plans to make a playroom for the baby. When Sonia later receives the footage of Biancas confession, she waits for an opportunity to watch it alone. But when Reiss walks in unexpectedly, they end up watching it together. Will Sonia see something which will make the penny drop for her? 12. Ravi and Denises affair exposed! Denise and Ravi's secret romance gets found out Ravi visits Denise and makes a grand romantic gesture. Soon, things get passionate between the pair. Later, Bernie thinks a burglar has broken into No.20, but after she takes action, Ravi and Denises secret relationship is thrown out into the open. 13. Denise faces the music Denise and Jack have to talk it out Denises family are left reeling as they discover that Ravi and Denise have been secretly seeing each other. Denise admits to Kim and Yolande that she is torn between Ravi and Jack. Later, things get ugly when Ravi and Jack come face-to-face in The Vic. EastEnders is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Michael C. Hall was back from the dead as he filmed hotly anticipated Dexter reboot Resurrection in New York City on Monday - despite being killed off in the last series. The 53-year-old actor, who stars as the titular character, reunited with returning star James Remar (Harry Morgan) and Jack Alcott, who plays Dexter's son Harrison, who shot him in 2021 reboot Dexter: New Blood. Hall - who has played the serial killing blood spatter analyst since 2006 - was clad in a quilted olive green jacket, which he wore over a crew neck dark gray sweater. He added a pair of dark pants with cargo pockets, black lace-up work boots, and Dexter's signature black leather gloves. The star sported a shadow of a white-gray beard as he shot mysterious scenes inside a camouflage-painted truck alongside James, 71, who played the ghost guide of Dexter in the show's eight seasons from 2006-2013. The scene appeared to show the pair stalking a new target. Remar's return was announced last month after he did not appear in New Blood. Michael C. Hall was back from the dead as he filmed hotly anticipated Dexter reboot Resurrection in New York City on Monday - despite being killed off in the last series The 53-year-old actor, who stars as the titular character, was spotted on the set of Dexter: Resurrection along with returning star James Remar, 71, who plays his ghost dad Harry Morgan Dexter: Resurrection will air in 2025 In turn Jennifer Carpenter returned as the ghost of Debra Morgan, although it is not known if she will return for Resurrection. It was announced last year at San Diego Comic Con that Hall would reprise the role, which shocked and delighted fans. Hall also returned as the inner voice of Dexter on Original Sin, currently airing with Patrick Gibson playing the killer as he begins his career at Miami Metro. 'We are thrilled to have the brilliant Michael C. Hall reprise his iconic role as Dexter Morgan in Showtime's most successful series ever,' Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global Co-CEO and President, previously said in a press release. He continued, 'While Dexter: Resurrection will appeal to the tens of millions of longtime fans, Dexter: Original Sin will introduce a whole new generation of viewers into this iconic series by starting from the beginning, which is sure to satisfy existing audiences as well.' Uma Thurman is the latest A-list star to be added to the cast. Kill Bill star Thurman, 54, will play 'Charley, the Head of Security for mysterious billionaire Leon Prater. 'A former Special Ops officer, Charley worked various high-level private security jobs before taking on her position as the resourceful and meticulous right-hand woman for Prater' per Deadline. Hall - who has played the serial killing blood spatter analyst since 2006, was clad in a quilted olive green jacket, which he wore over a crew neck dark gray sweater Remar looked delighted to be back as the doting dad Harry who moulded his psychopath son into a serial killer The star sported a shadow of a white-gray beard as he shot scenes inside a camouflage-painted truck with a red leather interior Hall added a pair of dark pants with cargo pockets, black lace-up work boots, and black leather gloves Jack Alcott was also seen getting into character as Harrison Morgan, Dexter's son Hall and Remar are pictured in Dexter season seven as Dexter and Harry Morgan New Blood saw Harrison attempt to kill his father in order to live a normal life Dexter is seen bleeding heavily in the snow before Harrison flees - but the opening scene of Dexter: Original Sin shows he survived the attack Golden Globe winning and Oscar nominated Thurman's casting sees her become the franchise's biggest ever guest star - following John Lithgow as The Trinity Killer in season four, Keith Carradine as FBI Agent Frank Lundy in seasons two and four, Julia Stiles as Lumen Pearce in season five, Colin Hanks as the Doomsday Killer in season six and Charlotte Rampling as Dr Evelyn Vogel in season eight. Earlier this month Michael made an appearance on Showtime's Instagram account. 'Hey, whats up? Its Michael C. Hall. I am on the set for the first official day of production for Dexter: Resurrection,' he told the platform's nearly 600,000 followers. 'Im looking forward to another thrill ride, and when all is said and done, to you taking the ride with us. Stay tuned,' the actor teased in a video. Viewers will have to wait to see what's in store on Resurrection, as an official synopsis has not yet been shared. There is no word yet on whether Jennifer Carpenter will return as Dexter's adopted sister Deb Morgan, who died in the season eight finale, and returned as a ghost guide in New Blood However, the premiere episode of prequel series Dexter: Original Sin featured a peek at Dexter being taken to a hospital after he was shot and revived. New episodes of Original Sin come out on Fridays and stars Sarah Michelle Gellar. Michael serves as executive producer on Dexter: Resurrection, along with showrunner Clyde Phillips. It's produced by Showtime and Counterpart Studios and distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution. A new drama starring Sheridan Smith has been branded 'completely unwatchable' by some viewers after its recent launch. The Castaways aired on Channel 5 for the first time on Sunday and stars Sheridan Smith, 43, and Celine Buckens, 28, as sisters Lori and Erin Holme. Directed by Andy and Ryan Tohill, the story is based on Lucy Clarke's book and follows the two sisters as their holiday takes a turn for the worst. Lori boards a plane to Fiji without Erin and disappears, with her flight never making it to its destination. Months later, Lori's credit card is used and spurs Erin to find answers. The second episode of the new five-part thriller aired last night and the series will broadcast throughout the week at 9pm. The drama originally aired on Paramount+ in 2023 and other cast members include Brendan Cowell as Mike Brass, Lasarus Ratuere as Felix Vatubua and Dominic Tighe as Daniel Eldridge. Sheridan Smith, 43, as Lori Holme in Channel 5's new drama The Castaways Celine Buckens, 28, playing Lori's sister, Erin Holme, in The Castaways Lori boards a plane to Fiji without Erin and disappears, with her flight never making it to its destination Some viewers have taken to social media to share their verdicts on the new show, with one branding it a 'slow, shoddy production'. One watcher posted on X: 'This is completely unwatchable. What appears to be Before and Now time-lines jumping back and forth but without even clear indicators of what the h*** is going on - I cannot follow ANYTHING about this slow, shoddy production. UK TV is s***.' A second penned: 'They dont seem very upset about the bodies theyve just pushed out to sea! Dreadful script #thecastaways.' Someone else wrote: 'Someone tell me this gets better as its utter drivel at the moment! #TheCastaways' While a fourth said: '#thecastaways Absolute mindless drivel. One and a half hour flight leaves in broad daylight, flies through the night and crashes the next morning.' However, some were more positive about the thriller with one even saying they were 'hooked'. Actor Brendan Cowell playing Mike Brasse in the new thriller Dominic Tighe seen as Daniel Eldridge in The Castaways Some viewers have taken to social media to share their verdicts on the new show 'Watching The Castaways on S1 E3 and I'm just hooked. I've loved Sheridan Smith since Two Pints. She's never let me down. #thecastaways,' someone posted on X. Another said: 'Really enjoyed this, good to see something slightly different for a change! #thecastaways' A third wrote: 'I am enjoying #TheCastaways on Channel 5. Great to see Sheridan Smith back on the TV.' It comes after, back in 2023, Sheridan revealed she had to cover up her tattoos while playing her character in The Castaways. Missing woman Lori often has her bare arms and legs showing and producers weren't keen on Sheridan's tattoos, so the make-up department put in long sessions to cover them up. Sheridan Smith and Celine Buckens pictured as sisters Lori and Erin Holme Some viewers were more positive about the thriller with one even saying they were 'hooked' 'I had a call three hours before anyone else,' she told Radio Times. 'I couldn't use my usual stuff to cover them up, it had to be waterproof! 'So three people were dabbing away every day to cover it all. 'I never regretted my tats so much I'll never have another one.' On the plus side, Ms Smith said this role was her 'most physical' yet and helped her lose weight. The Castaways airs on Channel 5 and is available to stream on Paramount+. There's only days left to watch a popular horror film dubbed 'better than The Exorcist' on Netflix. South Korean movie The Wailing will be removed from the popular streaming service on January 30. Directed by Na Hong-jin, the highly-rated film stars Kwak Do-won, Hwang Jung-min, and Chun Woo-hee. It follows the creepy tale of a small village where inhabitants are being plagued by a mystery illness that causes them to kill their families. The storyline features a policeman who has an infected daughter and tries to investigate the disease to save his family. The Wailing has received whopping ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and scored a huge 99% on the Tomatometer. Directed by Na Hong-jin, the highly-rated film stars Kwak Do-won (pictured, right), Hwang Jung-min, and Chun Woo-hee The Wailing follows the creepy tale of a small village where inhabitants are being plagued by a mystery illness that causes them to kill their families The story line features a policeman who has an infected daughter and tries to investigate the illness to save his family Some viewers have taken to the review site to share their verdict on the popular movie. One penned: 'One of the best horror movies I've seen in a long time. Well worth a watch if you like South Korean Horror movies - or just generally great slow burner movies that actually go somewhere. 'Probably my favourite South Korean movie I've seen, a couple others to recommend would be Exhuma 2024, Oldboy, Memories of Murder and A Tale Of Two Sisters.' Another praised: 'A masterpiece. The most gratifyingly created mood since Kubrick's The Shining or Mizoguchi's Ugetsu.' Someone else said: 'What a rollercoaster of emotions and plots this film is, truly enjoyable, every scene has a meaning, the cinematography is delightful and the script unfolds a terrific story.' A fourth compared it to The Exorcist and said: 'This was everything I wanted but did not get from The Exorcist. 'In fact you could say it borrows a few elements from The Exorcist, but also from Wilkie Collins novels, 28 Days Later, Shakespeare, and also a dozen plus other sources, and Im sure many more with which Im unfamiliar. Chun Woo Hee pictured in character as Moo-myung in The Wailing Jo Han-Cheol as a detective and Kwak Do-Won Jong-goo in The Wailing Some viewers have taken to review site, Rotten Tomatoes, to share their verdict on the popular movie 'But none of that matters to how much you will enjoy this movie. Just buckle the F up and enjoy the thrill. 'Seeing those little nods and references all the way through just adds a really cool metatextual layer, but the movie is 10/10 even if you dont pick up on a single one.' However, not everyone was impressed with the horror movie and some shared their disappointment in the reviews. One wrote: 'Hated it, didn't make any sense to me, no proper ending, felt like a waste of time.' Another said: 'It's so long and there are so many anticlimaxes it gets boring. The protagonist alternately bumbles around ignoring people who are trying to tell him what's going, or shouts at people for not telling him what's going on sooner. 'The twist in the last 20 minutes was interesting but it was not worth the two hours it took to get there.' A third penned: 'I created an account here just to save somebody from wasting there time watching that movie. Super slow, awkward, silly and somehow overrated here. DO NOT WATCH!' It comes after Netflix viewers were 'losing their minds' over the return of a 'amazing' drama that appeared on screens this week. However, not everyone was impressed with the horror movie and some shared their disappointment in the reviews The Recruit, staring Noah Centineo as CIA lawyer Owen Hendricks, first premiered in 2022 but is set to comeback with a brand new series on January 30. The second season will see the actor joined by award-winning South Koren star Teo Yoo, who will play Jang Kyun. The instalment will see Owen go international on a 'life-threatening espionage in South Korea' where he makes a shocking discovery. Sharing their excitement after Netflix dropped the first trailer on X, fans wrote: 'I'm losing my mind waiting! start 3 asap! thank you!'; 'Woow amazing I'm waiting for 30 January'; 'That looks really good, can tell its gonna be a good classic!!' The Wailing can be streamed on Netflix. Swamps, a donkey and ogres will be making a celebrated return to Netflix next month. The streaming giant posted on X today an image of the word 'Shrek' with a vibrant green background. Captioned simply with '1 February,' the streamer seemed to confirm that Shrek will return just six months after its controversial axing There are multiple films about the ogres, including Shrek, Shrek 2, Shrek The Third, and Shrek Forever After, as well as Christmas and Halloween specials. It is not known which will make it onto Netflix at this stage. After Shrek was removed from the streaming platform in 2024, many fans expressed their disappointment online. One wrote: 'wtf why isn't there a shrek movie on uk netflix?? absolute disgrace, do better @NetflixUK.' The streaming giant posted on X today an image of the word 'shrek' with a green background Captioned simply with '1 February.' it suggests Shrek could be returning to Netflix six months after it was axed last year One fan called it an 'absolute disgrace' that Shrek had been removed from Netflix Another penned: 'Used to be able to watch every shrek movie on netflix, now i cant find any of em.' A third wrote: 'THEY REMOVED SHREK FROM NETFLIX????' While someone else said: 'WHY DID THEY REMOVE SHREK OFF NETFLIX.' Some fans commented on Netflix's post today about the news of Shrek's return to the streaming site. One said: 'Yayyyy.' Someone else commented: 'Shrek winter confirmed?' To which Netflix responded with, 'Yes.' Shrek first hit screens in 2001 starring Mike Myers as the lead character and Eddie Murphy as Donkey. The beloved tale and quickly became a movie staple. After Shrek was removed from the streaming platform in 2024, some fans expressed their disappointment online Some fans commented on Netflix's post today about the news of Shrek's return to the streaming site The news comes after the fifth instalment of the ogre-centred series was announced last year by DreamWorks who confirmed that Shrek 5 is set to be released on July 1, 2026. A post on X from DreamWorks Animation read, 'Not too Far, Far Away @Shrek 5 is coming to theaters on July 1, 2026 with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz.' Franchise veteran Walt Dohrn is slated to direct the film, as he was a writer-artist on 2004's Shrek 5 and 2007's Shrek the Third. He also worked as story head on 2010's Shrek Forever After, providing the voice of Rumpelstiltskin. Earlier this month, the donkey that inspired Eddie Murphy's iconic character in Shrek died at the age of 30. Perry, a miniature donkey, had been a star attraction at Bol Park in Palo Alto - in northwestern California - for almost 30 years before he was sadly euthanised on January 2. The beloved barnyard animal had been suffering from laminitis - a painful hoof disease which caused excruciating pain. He also had a disorder in his left hind leg which made it hard for Perry to stand. The news comes after the fifth instalment of the ogre-centred series was announced last year by DreamWorks who confirmed that Shrek 5 is set to be released on July 1, 2026 Earlier this month, the donkey that inspired Eddie Murphy's iconic character in Shrek died at the age of 30 His handlers tried multiple methods to ease his pain before it became apparent his condition was not improving. Jenny Kiratli, the donkey's handler, told Palo Alto Online that outside of his hometown Perry has an unlikely connection to one of Hollywood's most famous movie franchises - Shrek. One of the animators reportedly lived near Bol Park and was told by his wife to go and observe the donkeys in their enclosure to help bring Eddie Murphy's character to life. The same man then returned with a group of fellow animators who spent hours with Perry. Hollyoaks star James Sutton has revealed he's signed a new contract to stay on the Channel 4 soap until 2026. The Channel 4 soap has undergone a number of cast changes, joining its TV rival Corrie, which has also seen a string of stars depart in recent months. Despite this, James, who has played Jean Paul McQueen since 2006, will be on screen for at least another 12 months. Speaking on The Tom's Talks podcast, he said: 'I'm still on Hollyoaks, which is great. I've just signed another year. 'I'm going to be there until January 2026. Yeah. I'm there until January 2026.' Jean Paul has been at the centre of a string of hard-hitting storylines, including a horrifying rape storyline after he was attacked by student Finn O'Connor. Hollyoaks star James Sutton has revealed he's signed a new contract to stay on the Channel 4 soap until 2026 The Channel 4 soap has undergone a number of cast changes, joining its TV rival Corrie, which has also seen a string of stars depart in recent months He left the soap in 2017 for a job in Singapore after his relationship with James Nightingale broke down, but returned five years later. It comes after Garcia Brown has revealed she's left the soap after three years, and her final scenes have already aired. Garcia, played Zoe, the granddaughter of Pearl Anderson, for three years, but she has now taken to Instagram to reveal she's departed the show. She re-shared a post from one of the directors of the show, which read: 'Saying goodbye to the fab @garciaabrown this week. 'Always a pleasure to work with such a positive and genuinely lovely person.' She replied under his post: 'Thank you for always being amazing, appreciated every scene we worked on! Our paths shall cross again Sean, God bless.' It comes after Hollyoaks producers made a huge 'cast cull' in 2023, after Channel 4 cut the number of weekly episodes. Stars including Stephanie Waring, Jamie Lomas, Owen Warner, Jamelia, Gregory Finnegan and Annie Wallace said goodbye to the soap. Despite this, James, who has played Jean Paul McQueen since 2006, will be on screen for at least another 12 months (pictured with Jennifer Metcalfe) It comes after Hollyoaks star Garcia Brown has revealed she's left the soap after three years, and her final scenes have already aired The actress played Zoe, the granddaughter of Pearl Anderson, for three years, but she has now taken to Instagram to reveal she's departed the show. A source said at the time: 'Losing 20 cast members in one fell swoop is eye-watering and devastating news for soapland. In the past, Hollyoaks has seen shock stunts claim up to five lives in a single episode. 'But the days of soaps having a big cast clear-out with a devastating stunt are long gone, especially on Hollyoaks where the budget has been dramatically cut. 'The necessary death toll would make almost any stunt idea totally unbelievable.' Last year, Kieron Richardson, who plays Ste Hay, and Jorgie Porter, who plays Theresa McQueen defended the execs' decision to cut down the cast. Kieron said: 'I think it must be hard as a show writer to think of two and a half hours of TV each week it's like a full film, whereas now if you shorten that down a little bit you're going to get the best of the best in terms of quality.' He added that with the reduction in air time, it would be 'all killer and no filler', adding that whoever gets to stay will have a 'really exciting time' ahead of them. Meanwhile, Jorgie added: 'I say we're still giving the same drama, effort and energy and stuff so I think we're safe.' Hollyoaks is not the only soap that has been hit by a string of cast exits, with seven Coronation Street stars revealing they're set to leave the show over the past month. It comes as Hollyoaks' rival Coronation Street has also been hit by a string of cast exits, with Colson Smith (pictured as Craig Tinker) set to leave the soap All is not well in Weatherfield as some mid-ranking actors and younger stars are said to be worried they'll be axed in a bid to save money (Charlotte Jordan recently left the show) It appears the ITV soap is in trouble due to an alleged cash crisis and a revolt from the cast over poor working conditions and low salaries. Since November, Charlotte Jordan, Sue Cleaver, Sue Devaney, Colson Smith, and Luca Toolan have all announced they will be leaving the show. New boss Kate had previously warned that multiple characters face the axe as she told of several 'unexpected exits' coming up this year . The producer, who previously took the helm at Emmerdale, recently opened up about her plans for Weatherfield and its residents in 2025. And while there's plenty of sizzling storylines and drama to come, there are several cast members who won't get to see this as their characters are set to leave the show in a move that is tipped to send 'shockwaves' throughout the show. Speaking to The Sun and other press, Kate explained of the upcoming plans: 'There are a few exits this year, and some unexpected ones that will send shockwaves. People might not expect the exits, but there are a few.' It comes after it was reported that stars are set to be offered shorter contracts amid the soap's declining viewing figures and financial woes. Corrie only pulled in 2.6million viewers for its Christmas Day special which saw Gail Platt (Helen Worth) leave after 50 years on the show. And last week, The Sun claimed that producers may now only guarantee contracts until the end of 2025 amid tightened budgets. A source told the publication: 'The cast of Corrie is huge and some aren't getting enough episodes. 'A few paid per episode are struggling to pay mortgages are having to supplement income with personal appearances and ads on Instagram. 'A lot of cast members are now on 'guest contracts' like Maureen Lipman and Kate Ford. These are short term, so they can come and go and take extended breaks. The cast have been told they can't guarantee any contracts beyond the end of 2025.' Boyzones Keith Duffy broke down in tears tonight at the premiere of the group's new tell-all documentary as he remembered his late bandmate Stephen Gately. He was joined by Ronan Keating, 47, and Shane Lynch, 48, on Monday night as they reunited at the The Roundhouse for the premiere of their new Sky docuseries Boyzone: No Matter What. The show features never-before-seen footage of manager Louis Walsh, who chose not to attend the premiere, and the band members, as well as interviews with those closest to the group. Mr Duffy, 50, wiped his tears as he tried to speak to the audience about Stephen who died from acute pulmonary oedema, a build-up of fluid on his lungs, in 2009. Fellow Boyzone member Mr Keating stepped up to cover for Mr Duffy as he was overcome with emotion. But even he couldn't stop his voice trembling as he said: 'I'm sad for Stephen.' Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy and Ronan Keating (L-R) delighted Boyzone fans on Monday night as they reunited at the The Roundhouse for the premiere of their new docuseries The show features never-before-seen footage of manager Louis Walsh , who chose not to attend the premiere, and the band members, as well as interviews with those closest to the group. Keith Duffy broke down in tears tonight at the premiere of the group's new tell-all documentary as he remembered his late bandmate Stephen Gately. (Pictured left to right: Ronan, Mickey, Stephen, Shane and Keith in 1994) After pulling himself together, Mr Duffy explained the sparkly red leopard print shirt he was wearing was a tribute to Stephen. 'He loved red, he loved print and he loved glitter!' he said, prompting cheers and laughter from the crowd. He then pointed to Stephen's brother Tony who was in attendance and thanked him for coming. Before bursting into tears, Mr Duffy had admitted he would never let his children enter the world of showbusiness after his experience. He said: 'Honestly, it's like another world. I've got children and you try to bring up your kids and teach them right from wrong and give them a good life. 'We were given an amazing opportunity. We travelled the world. We came from humble beginnings, we didn't have a lot of money. We were put on private jets and in five-star hotels. 'You think "what the f**k is your problem? enjoy yourself!". It's so difficult to explain. 'Yes, we had a great, unbelievable, life experience. Would I put my children through it? No, I wouldn't, absolutely not.' Before bursting into tears, Mr Duffy had admitted he would never let his children enter the world of showbusiness after his experience Mr Lynch also touched on the realities of being thrown into the world of pop stardom at a young age and the misconceptions around how glamourous it really is Mr Keating addressed the absence of his former bandmate Mikey Graham, 52, who he has had a rocky relationship with Former member Mikey Graham was absent from the reunion, after growing tired of the 'toxic' music industry and leaving it behind to live in rural Ireland (pictured in doc) Mr Lynch also touched on the realities of being thrown into the world of pop stardom at a young age and the misconceptions around how glamourous it really is. He said: 'We did it as young men thrown into this world of pop stardom. The world of pop stardom is not what you think, all glitz and glam and beautiful. It's a deep and dark world in many ways. 'The three hours that are put together here is not enough. It really is not enough.' Mr Keating addressed the absence of his former bandmate Mikey Graham, 52, who he has had a rocky relationship with. He said: 'I heard that Mick is not here. It was his choice to not be here and I respect that, we all respect that. 'I would have loved for him to be here but he's obviously seen the film, he is very proud of the film and he sends his love to everybody. 'It's his decision, it was easier for him and I respect that and understand.' Mr Graham previously admitted he had grown tired of the 'toxic' music industry and left it all behind for a quiet life in rural Ireland. The star - referred to as 'The Quiet One' during his time in Boyzone - has revealed he hasn't spoke to his former bandmates since their final show, five years ago and admitted in the docuseries, he doesn't wish to ever go back. Suits creator Aaron Korsh discussed the possibility of his original Suits stars appearing on the new spinoff Suits LA during an X (formerly Twitter) Q&A. Among the stars of the original series is Meghan Markle, 43, the Duchess of Sussex and wife to Prince Harry. The new spinoff stars Stephen Amell and Bryan Greenberg. Korsh said, 'Not trying to replace our beloved originals. Just a new crew working in a different city handling different kinds of cases. 'It seems like people are all wishing it was the originals back. I expected this and cant blame them. I can only hope they give Suits LA an open-minded try. If they do, I really believe they will grow to love it.' But despite trying to steer the conversation toward the new show and new cast, fans continued to ask about the old cast, which also included Patrick J. Adams and Sarah Rafferty. He finally admitted he was 'open' to the idea of the old stars returning, but it won't be anytime soon, as he's focused on the 'launch these characters on this show.' Suits creator Aaron Korsh discussed the possibility of original Suits stars like Meghan Markle appearing on the new spinoff Suits LA during an X (formerly Twitter) Q&A Markle played attorney Rachel Zane on the show from 2011 to 2018. She left the show when she got engaged to Prince Harry. But now she's facing backlash after the absolutely scathing takedown Vanity Fair took on her. Returning to a role she was beloved in might be a good P.R. move. The magazine went to great lengths to find people connected to the Los Angeles native in an attempt to disprove others who spoke lovingly and positively about her. The article described Meghan as acting 'like a Mean Girls teenager' and becoming 'cold' towards staff in a damning profile in Vanity Fair. The Duchess of Sussex would reportedly be 'warm and effusive' towards employees at the start before turning 'cold and withholding toward the person she perceived to be responsible' when something 'went poorly, often due to Meghan and Harrys own demands.' A source who worked in media projects told the publication: 'Shes constantly playing checkers - Im not even going to say chess - but shes just very aware of where everybody is on her board.' Despite the bombshell allegations made in the profile, staff loyal to Meghan and Harry have previously defended the couple to US Weekly magazine, describing the Sussexes as 'caring' bosses who give employees their children's old baby clothes, fresh flowers and 'care packages.' Josh Kettler, Harry's chief of staff who left after just three months in August last year, insisted he was 'warmly welcomed' by the pair and describes them as 'dedicated and hardworking'. Among the stars of the original series is Meghan Markle, 43, the Duchess of Sussex and wife to Prince Harry. Seen here in May 2024 The new spinoff stars Stephen Amell and Bryan Greenberg and Korsh said, 'Not trying to replace our beloved originals. Just a new crew working in a different city handling different kinds of cases' 'It seems like people are all wishing it was the originals back. I expected this and cant blame them. I can only hope they give Suits LA an open-minded try.' Meghan seen here in May 2023 Ben Browning, Archewell's former head of content - who was responsible for their tell-all Netflix documentary but then left before the end of his contract - says his experience at the company and with Meghan and Harry in general 'was positive and supportive' Their PR chief, 'global press secretary' Ashley Hansen, who is leaving the company to start her own firm, says they treated her with 'the kind of concern and care a parent would express if it were their own child' when she took time off for surgery, adding that they also sent flowers and gifts. Tom Bower, the royal author and investigative journalist, described the recent revelations as 'devastating' for Meghan, especially given her recent attempts to reshape her public persona as a warm, loving mother and wife. 'Having strongly denied the accusations that she bullied her staff in Kensington Palace, the revival of her image of the Difficult Duchess is a disaster just on the eve of the launch of Netflix's 'With Love, Meghan.' 'Having invested so much to re-brand herself as a loving, caring Californian mother and wife, the VF disclosures have poisoned the smiling image of the welcoming home-maker.' Prince Harry, too, faces growing scrutiny, with experts noting his portrayal in the Vanity Fair piece as 'lost, out of his depth, and naive.' Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal commentator, warned that the couple's reputation in the US could be severely damaged. 'Harry is portrayed as lost, out of his depth and naive. Neither, according to the article, appear to understand what a successful career in show business actually involves.' 'If they do, I really believe they will grow to love it.' But despite trying to steer the conversation toward the new show and new cast, fans continued to ask about the old cast He finally admitted he was 'open' to the idea of the old stars returning, but it won't be anytime soon, as he's focused on the 'launch these characters on this show' According to Fitzwilliams, the couple's attempts to project a caring, philanthropic image through efforts like helping victims of California's wildfires are unlikely to gain traction in light of the ongoing allegations. 'The Sussexes are attempting to project a caring image by helping some of those affected by the cataclysmic wildfires currently ravaging California. They won't get far after publicity is given to this. 'Her With Love, Meghan cookery series is, judging from the trailer, saccharine and silly, according to Fitzwilliams. The Duchess of Sussex decided to postpone the release of her Netflix cookery show With Love, Meghan, because of the destruction brought about by the LA fires - a decision that was praised by her fans. The series is now scheduled for a release on March 4 while Suits LA premieres on NBC on February 23. A legal expert has weighed in on the possibility of the Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni trial being televised. Lively, 37, filed a complaint with California's Civil Rights Department, accusing her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Baldoni, 41, of sexual harassment and a subsequent smear campaign against her. The complaint has since escalated into a complex legal battle, after Baldoni has sued The New York Times in a $250 million defamation case, for publishing Lively's allegations. Lively then filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, two colleagues at his Wayfarer production company, and his publicists. Baldoni then sued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, Leslie Sloane, alleging a smear campaign orchestrated by Lively to seize control of the film. A pretrial court date has been set for February 12. Both cases in Lively v. Wayfarer Studios et al. will proceed to trial on March 9, 2026, as per People. The chances of the trial being televised are slim, according to attorney Gregory Doll, who is not involved in the case. A legal expert has weighed in on the possibility of the Blake Lively, 37, vs. Justin Baldoni, 41, trial being televised; (L) Lively seen in 2024, (R) Baldoni pictured in 2024 The legal dispute is being heard in the Southern District of New York, a federal court. 'By filing in federal court, they foreclosed the possibility that there will be any cameras in the proceedings,' Doll, a partner at Doll Amir & Eley in Los Angeles, told People, pointing out points out strict rules that mostly prohibit recording devices in the courtroom. 'Judicial Conference policy does not allow either civil or criminal courtroom proceedings in the district courts to be broadcast, televised, recorded, or photographed for the purpose of public dissemination,' according to uscourts.gov. Despite some pilot programs, cameras are rarely permitted in federal courtrooms. Doll also explained that Lively and Baldoni do not have to see each other at the pretrial court date on February 12, stating that the parties typically 'would not need to show up in person at those' however their lawyers will attend. Lively and Baldoni might not even make it to trial if a settlement happens beforehand. Doll believes the two stars will most likely settle, stating that 'ninety-two percent of all civil cases settle.' He noted that Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's infamous 2022 defamation trial was a 'rare exception.' The attorney added that with Baldoni and Lively there might be 'enough emotion on both sides and enough concern by the parties to actually publicly litigate their grievances.' The chances of the trial, set for March 9, 2026, being televised are slim, according to attorney Gregory Doll, who is not involved in the case; Lively and Baldoni pictured in a still from It Ends with Us 'By filing in federal court, they foreclosed the possibility that there will be any cameras in the proceedings,' Doll told People; Lively seen in 2024 Doll believes the two stars will most likely settle, stating that 'ninety-two percent of all civil cases settle'; Baldoni pictured in 2024 He noted that Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's infamous 2022 defamation trial was a 'rare exception'; Depp pictured in 2022 during his defamation trial in Virginia 'It's very nasty, and I think it's going to get nastier... It's going to be a very consuming, very difficult, very challenging time for the parties going ahead. I think they both got great lawyers, but they're going to pay a lot of money and it's going to be a lot of emotional turmoil.' On Monday it was revealed that nothing cases are now scheduled for trial on March 9, 2026, as outlined by Judge Lewis J. Liman in an order filed on January 27. A pre-trial hearing to address Lively's gag order request, originally scheduled for February 12th, has been moved to February 3rd. One of the most eye-opening revelations to emerge in the messy It Ends With Us saga so far was Lively appearing to threaten Baldoni by comparing herself to Game of Thrones character Khaleesi and referring to husband Ryan and bestie Taylor Swift as her 'dragons'. And earlier on Monday DailyMail.com shared exclusive audio which sheds further light on the feud, which arose when Lively made changes to the rooftop scene in the romantic drama film not all of which were met with unqualified praise. Text messages from April 2023 included in the $400million lawsuit filed against the actress show a dejected Lively expressing her disappointment at Baldoni's lukewarm response to her version of the scene which had been praised by her husband and her superstar best friend. The spat saw her go silent for several days until Baldoni 'felt obliged' to send her a text message saying he liked her pages and noting that he 'would have felt that without Ryan and Taylor', according to the complaint. Lively would then respond with a lengthy text that said: 'They [Reynolds and Swift] also know I'm not always good at making sure I'm seen and utilized for fear of threatening egos, or fear of affecting the ease of the process. 'They don't give a s*** about that. And because of that, everyone listens to them with immense respect and enthusiasm. So I guess I have to stop worrying about people liking me.' Baldoni replied with a voicemail, published today for the first time, in which the clearly rattled actor could be heard offering Lively a groveling apology and noting 'I fell short' over his response to her changes. A pretrial court date has been set for February 12. Both cases in Lively v. Wayfarer Studios et al. will proceed to trial on March 9, 2026, as per People; Lively seen in 2024 Baldoni's complaint alleges Lively had used husband Ryan Reynolds and pal Taylor Swift to pressure him to comply with her version of the script; Lively and Reynolds seen in 2024 The lawsuit refers to Swift as a 'famously close friend' and a 'megacelebrity' friend According to his complaint, Lively's reference to her 'dragons' was a 'clear message' that he was also up against to 'two of the most influential and wealthy celebrities in the world' In the full audio message, which is just over six and a half minutes long, he goes on to say that he is pleased she feels comfortable enough to tell him that and describes himself as 'a very flawed man, as my wife will say.' Baldoni then addresses Lively's dragon threat directly, saying: 'Damn right, you got great friends. If that's how you felt and they knew that. F***. 'We should all have friends like that, aside from the fact they're two of the most creative people on the planet The three of you guys together is unbelievable. Talk about energy. Force. All three of you.' But, he reiterates, he did not need their names to be raised over the changes to the scene and instead goes on to praise the glamorous blonde highlighting her work ethic and creative vision. He said: 'I just wanted you to know, I didn't need that. It's really good and it's going to make the movie sing like you said and I'm excited to go through the whole movie with you. 'You and I have been trying to build a relationship which I think we've done successfully. Here we are talking together at 2am in the morning. 'But largely via text and voicemail and I will admit, that's not my biggest strength. I love being with people and being in somebody's space and being face-to-face and I think that's where I excel. 'But I've definitely fallen short at times in our texts and voicemail exchanges because there's so much to communicate and so much happening. 'All I have to say is I'm really looking forward to spending time together and I believe that's going to go a long way for our chemistry, which I believe is there. It's been there from the start so I was so damn excited when you agreed to do this film. I believe it comes from us both being so hard working and having a vision. 'I'm excited to have a creative partner in that with you.' The new audio comes as the drama over It Ends With Us rumbles on, with Lively and Reynolds facing imminent subpoenas from Baldoni's legal team. At the same time, lawyers working for the A-list couple have made a fresh bid to gag Baldoni's side writing to New York judge Lewis J. Liman in a bid to shut down a website they plan to launch which will contain copies of every text and email exchanged by the warring parties. The letter, seen by DailyMail.com, also accuses Baldoni's team of launching 'character attacks' on Lively and of making 'false and defamatory' statements. It goes on to ask Judge Liman to prevent the launch of the website on the basis it could influence a jury pool and requests a conference with both sides present to discuss it. Lively sued Baldoni for sexual harassment just before Christmas. At the same time, the New York Times released a story based on Livelys legal filing that accused him of orchestrating a negative publicity campaign against her; Baldoni and Lively are seen on the set of It Ends with Us on January 12, 2024 in Jersey City, New Jersey In turn, Baldoni sued the Times for defamation and launched a $400m lawsuit against Lively and her husband, claiming Lively attempted to hijack his film; Lively and Reynolds seen in 2024 The battle between Lively and Baldoni began with rumors of rancor behind the scenes of It Ends With Us when it was released last August. It then exploded into a legal fight just before Christmas when the Gossip Girl actress sued Baldoni for sexual harassment. At the same time, the New York Times released a story based on Lively's legal filing that accused him of orchestrating a negative publicity campaign against her and put the smell claim front and center. In turn, Baldoni sued the Times for defamation and, two weeks go, launched a lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds that accused her of using her celebrity power to hijack his film and attempt to torpedo his career. Since then, torrents of new information have come to light including raw footage of a scene that Lively claimed had seen Baldoni subject her to sexual harassment by dragging his lips up her neck and telling her 'it smells so good'. Lively had insisted the clip had no audio and the microphones were switched off and therefore, nobody heard the alleged harassment. But DailyMail.com's raw footage proved that Baldoni's microphone was switched on and that the alleged abuse was in fact a discussion about the smell of Lively's fake tan throwing her claims into doubt. The warring co-stars are also heard discussing their other halves, with Lively saying she and Reynolds talk 'all the time' while Baldoni says he and wife Emily stare at each other 'for 10, literally like we've done it for five minutes'. Lively then bursts into laughter as he tells her 'I think you would find it terrifying'. When Lively continues to tell him about how she can't stop talking to Reynolds, Baldoni compliments: 'Oh, I think that's cute. You guys are really cute.' Awkwardly, she replies 'I think it's more than cute' which he hastily agrees with, adding 'I think you guys are amazing.' DailyMail.com previously published raw footage showing the slow dance montage scene during which Lively claimed Baldoni had sexually harassed her by nuzzling her neck and declaring: 'It smells so good' The incident formed a key plank of the sex harassment lawsuit Lively filed against Baldoni before Christmas, along with claims he deliberately set out to smear her and ruin her reputation. Baldoni's counter-suit says Lively attempted to hijack his film, failed to read the novel on which the movie is based until long after filming had begun and orchestrated a negative publicity campaign of her own with the connivance of her own publicist Leslie Sloane and the New York Times. The actress and her team are also accused of doctoring text conversations between Baldoni's publicists to make them look damning and as if they're plotting a smear campaign against her which led to both being subjected to social media abuse when the edited texts were published. Baldoni's cross-complaint also revealed that he and his family had been forced to spend the premiere of It Ends With Us sitting in a basement because Lively refused to allow him to be in the same room as her. Paris Hilton has returned a dog to its original owners after housing it amid the Los Angeles wildfires. The 43-year-old heiress took to Instagram on Monday to share the moment a small brown chihuahua mix named Zuzu was reunited with a mom and son. Zuzu's original family was displaced following the devastating fires that swept through the city earlier this month. Posting a video, Hilton shared the sentimental moment the family members arrived at her door to retrieve the canine, adding an emotional caption. 'Letting go is never easy, but moments like this remind me why fostering is so important ,' she wrote to her nearly 27 million followers. The clip began with the blonde socialite cradling the tiny dog in her arms with sadness in her eyes. Paris Hilton has returned a dog to its original owners after housing it amid the Los Angeles wildfires 'The love between Zuzu and her family is so special, and Im so happy theyre reunited after everything theyve been through,' Paris said online 'I'm going to miss you,' she said while holding the dog close before explaining to the camera, 'Zuzu's family is outside right now, coming to pick her up.' Paris, who lost her Malibu mansion in the Palisades Fire, continued in the caption: 'Zuzu came into my life during one of the most heartbreaking times, and she was truly a beacon of hope. Saying goodbye to her was so hard, but seeing her familys faces when they arrived to bring her home made it all worth it. 'The love between Zuzu and her family is so special, and Im so happy theyre reunited after everything theyve been through. Ill always cherish the time I had with her and cant wait to foster again.' She added, 'Thank you, @PasadenaHumane, for making moments like this possible.' Hilton, dressed in a hot pink velour zip-up hoodie, a black T-shirt, and sparkly black lounge pants, hugged the boy's mother and expressed condolences for their loss. 'Love you for doing this. I really appreciate it,' the brunette woman told Paris. And the former Simple Life personality also showered the visitors with surprise gifts she prepared for them. 'I'll always be your sliving mom,' she told the pooch before they separated. And she noted, 'She's gonna make other people want to foster and adopt dogs too. This is my first time doing something like this.' The multihyphenate businesswoman said she wants to use her influence to inspire others to adopt animals. The multihyphenate businesswoman said she wants to use her influence to inspire others to adopt animals 'Love you for doing this. I really appreciate it,' the pet owner told Paris After losing her Malibu home in the blaze, Hilton launched an emergency fund, starting with a $100,000 donation to other victims. Along with her generous contribution, she revealed that she will match 'additional dollars raised up to $100,000 more.' Over 100,000 Los Angeles residents were forced to flee their homes and dozens have been confirmed dead as a result of the firestorms, which began with the Palisades Fire. The devastation in Southern California began on the morning of January 7 when the combination of heavy wind and a lack of rain created the perfect condition for a brush fire. The Eaton Fire burned over 14,000 acres while the Palisades Fire scorched nearly 24,000 acres. Legendary Australian musician Bob 'Bongo' Starkie has been forced to cancel shows after a shock cancer diagnosis. The guitarist for iconic rockers Skyhooks took to Facebook on Sunday to reveal he had been diagnosed with aggressive leukemia. The shock diagnosis came as Bob's band were celebrating their seminal album Living In the 70's re-entering the ARIA top ten. 'On Friday, January 24th, members of the iconic Australian band Skyhooks were celebrating the re-issue of their album Living in the 70s entering the Top 10 of the ARIA charts,' the post read. 'However, their guitarist, Bob "Bongo" Starkie checked himself into a hospital due to health concerns. 'Unfortunately, the test results revealed that Bob has been diagnosed with aggressive leukemia.' Legendary Australian musician Bob 'Bongo' Starkie has been forced to cancel shows after a shock cancer diagnosis The post confirmed the musician has cancelled all upcoming Bob 'Bongo' Starkie Skyhook shows, including 'the two sold-out Sydney Rock the Harbour events scheduled for Saturday, February 15.' It also included a statement from Bob who said the diagnosis had come as a shock. 'This has come as a shock to me and my family. Life has been generous to me up until now, but sometimes you draw the short straw,' he said. 'I apologise for any inconvenience; it stresses me to cancel the shows. Ive been feeling on top of the world with the addition of Sasha in the band, but the situation makes it impossible for the shows to continue at this time.' The post was met with an outpouring of well wishes from friends, fans and followers. 'We share your shock,' one fan wrote. 'We give our positive energy to you. Good luck in the next fight.' Another chimed in with: 'If anyone can beat it, you can mate!! All the best wishes. Get well soon my friend.' Others were quick to tell the musician that apologising for cancelling shows was not necessary. The guitarist for iconic rockers Skyhooks took to Facebook on Sunday to reveal he had been diagnosed with aggressive leukemia The shock diagnosis came as Bob's band were celebrating their seminal album Living In the 70's re-entering the ARIA top ten 'Bit shocked to hear the news Bob, thoughts are with you and your family mate, gigs can wait, stay positive, take care of the Bongo,' another offered. 'Take the time to get well.' Speaking to News Corp, Skyhooks archivist Peter Green said the band's legion of fans were 'saddened'. 'We are all shocked and saddened by this news,' he told the publication. 'Ive known Bob since I was 15 and know what a fighter he is. The band and those close to Bongo stand by him during these tough times.' Skyhooks exploded onto the Aussie pop charts with their seminal 1974 debut album Living In The 70's. The band were known for their flamboyant costumes and makeup and their lyrics which often referenced Australian places and culture. Never a band that was afraid to court controversy, six of the album's ten tracks were banned from radio due to questionable lyric content. Skyhooks exploded onto the Aussie pop charts with their seminal 1974 debut album Living In The 70's The band were known for their flamboyant costumes and makeup and their lyrics which often referenced Australian places and culture Despite this, the track You only Like Me Cos I'm Good In Bed was the first song played by your station Double J (later Triple J) when it debuted in January 1975. The album went on to spend 16 weeks at the top of the Australian charts, becoming the highest-selling album by a home grown act at the time. In 2011, the iconic album was added to the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia's Sounds of Australia registry. The band went on to release four more studio albums, including 1975's Ego Is Not A Dirty Word and 1976's Straight in A Gay Gay World. Bob's diagnosis comes after his brother Peter, also a member of Skyhooks, died in 2020 after falling off a ladder at his home in Victoria. Snoop Dogg was defiant as he appeared to respond to critics of his performance celebrating President Donald Trump's inauguration earlier this month. The 53-year-old rap icon shared a video to Instagram on Sunday of himself appearing to smoke what appeared to be a blunt while behind the wheel, though he was parked at the time. 'For all the hate, Im going to answer with love,' he said after taking a few puffs. Snoop real name: Calvin Broadus Jr. was widely criticized by fans and Trump critics for playing at the Inaugural Crypto Ball, a pre-inauguration event held on January 17 for cryptocurrency executives that also featured performances from Soulja Boy and Rick Ross, while Nelly performed at the later Liberty Ball on January 20. Trump was heavily supported by tech executives, particularly in the crypto and AI industries, though the later lost hundreds of billions of dollars this week after their stocks crashed after a Chinese generative AI service was released that was far cheaper than previously dominant American versions. 'Get your life right, stop worrying about mine. Im cool. Im together,' Snoop continued in his laid-back video, though he didn't mention the inauguration or Trump by name. Snoop Dogg, 53, was defiant in an Instagram video posted Sunday as he appeared to respond to critics of his performance at a pre-inauguration event honoring President Donald Trump earlier this month Snoop real name: Calvin Broadus Jr. was widely criticized by fans and Trump critics for playing at the Inaugural Crypto Ball, a pre-inauguration event held on January 17 for cryptocurrency executives that also featured performances from Soulja Boy and Rick Ross 'Still a Black man. Still 100 percent Black,' he declared. 'All out til you ball out or til you fall out.' The day before, Snoop discussed the backlash to his performance celebrating Trump's election win on the R&B Money podcast. 'You're gonna deal with hate when you get to the top, no matter who you are...' he said. 'Me, personally, I answer it with success and love. Thats my answer to any hate and negativity that comes my way, cause its the strongest force that can beat it.' Although the Chronic rapper has defended his performance at the pro-Trump event, he doesn't appear to have explicitly stated his support for the second-term president, though many of his fans have interpreted his recent performance as such. Photos of Snoop mugging with MAGA figures also haven't endeared him to many of his longtime fans. Shortly after his performance in DC, fans lambasted him on X (formerly Twitter). '2pac always was right about snoop dogg, he always playing both sides for a check and some clout smh,' said one user. 'I have deleted all Snoop dogg songs from my playlists.. i have blocked him from my accounts. I will not listen to his music after i found out that he will be there to perform for the traitors on Monday,' wrote another. He smoked what looked like a blunt from behind the wheel, though he was parked at the time. 'For all the hate, Im going to answer with love,' he said without mentioning Trump by name 'Get your life right, stop worrying about mine. Im cool. Im together,' Snoop continued, declaring, 'Still a Black man. Still 100 percent Black. All out til you ball out or til you fall out' Although the Chronic rapper has defended his performance at the pro-Trump event, he doesn't appear to have explicitly stated his support for the second-term president, though many of his fans have interpreted his recent performance as such Photos of Snoop mugging with MAGA figures also haven't endeared him to many of his longtime fans He seems to have changed his tune after bashing Trump in 2018 and calling any of his fans who supported him 'racists'; Trump is pictured with House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) on Monday in Doral, Florida 'Even Snoop Dogg bent knee to Donald Trump. Never thought Id see that. His crip walks will never be the same,' chimed in a third. The rapper's performance at Trump's pre-inauguration event is a striking contrast from his anti-Trump sentiments in the first Trump term. In September 2018, the Drop It Like It's Hot rapper blasted Trump supporters during an appearance on DJ Suss One's SiriusXM show. After the host suggested some of Snoop's fans might support Trump, he furiously responded that those so-called fans were racists. 'I tell them straight up motherf*****. If you like that n****, you motherf****** racist. F*** you, and f*** him.' He then accused Trump of having divided Americans with his rhetoric. 'Before him, there were no lines. Everybody was everybody, we respected everything; we didnt trip,' he claimed. 'But n****, when you drew the line, n**** started pointing motherf***** out f*** you n****.' He reserved special fury for the disgraced rapper Kanye West. 'Kanye too, n****, dont forget about him too,' he added. 'F*** him too. Im going throw him in the bag too because he right with them motherf******.' AFL WAG Bec Judd is threatening to upend the habit of wealthy Australians sending their children to private schools as she seeks way to instill more discipline into her children. Bec, 42, took to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday to call out her two youngest children for causing havoc in the family's $7.3million mansion in the Melbourne seaside suburb of Brighton, and floated the idea of sending them to military school. The model and influencer shares four children - Oscar, 12, Billie, 10, and twins Tom and Darcy, eight - with retired footy great Chris Judd, and just last week raged about her twin boys regularly trashing the home. 'The last day of this bullsh*t,' Bec captioned a photo of Tom and Darcy's shared bedroom in a state of squalor. The mum-of-four rang in her 42nd birthday with a lavish party on Saturday night, followed by a long lunch at Montalto Winery on Monday. After a weekend of festivities, Bec returned to mum duties on Tuesday and was not at all pleased with the state of her boys' bedroom. AFL WAG Bec Judd is threatening to upend the long held tradition of wealthy Australians sending to their children to private schools Bec, 42, took to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday to call out her two youngest children for causing havoc in the family's $7.3million Brighton mansion and float the idea of sending them to military school She shared a picture of the twins' room, with the beds unmade, one with sheets ripped off overnight, all the drawers in their double dressers left hanging open in a state of disarray, shoes, toys and backpacks strewn over the floor Her photo showed the beds unmade, one with sheets ripped off, all the drawers in their double dressers left hanging open in a state of disarray, and shoes, toys and backpacks strewn over the floor. Two single mattresses had been added to the floor, presumably for a sleepover. 'Back to school you go boys,' she wrote in her caption. 'Considering boarding school for the twins at this point. 'I've also Googled military school and there's one in Queensland, but they're too young at this point.' She ended her caption with a disgusted emoji, followed by a series of laugh-crying emojis. Military schools are academic institutions that include military cadet education and typically have rigorous educational programs and high levels of discipline. The minimum age for Australian Army cadet membership is 12. Parents and students choose military schools for a number of reasons, including the need for more structure or motivation, to improve academics, prepare for university and to gain independence. The model and influencer shares four children - Oscar, 12, Billie, 10, and twins Tom and Darcy, eight - with retired footy player husband Chris Judd. Pictured is Oscar and one of her twins Bec described the messy state of her twin boys' bedroom as 'standard' and lamented how her eight-year-old boys still act like 'toddlers' (Bec's Stories on January 20) Earlier this month, the twins left slime on a velvet cushion in the room It cames just a week after Bec said she was 'sick' of her twins still behaving like toddlers. 'I popped my head in to see what we're dealing with today,' Bec began in a recent video, which shows dirty and clean clothes, books, and toys strewn all over the twins' bedroom. All of the drawers in a large clothing chest are pulled out, with clothes half pulled out of them and also thrown over the floor. 'How did we create these humans?' she asked her husband in the video's caption, tagging him. Bec described the messy state of the boys' bedroom as 'standard'. 'I'm packing up some sh*t and found this,' Bec explained, as she zoomed in on a pile of glittery goop, containing her sewing scissors and a stapler. 'What the f**k boys,' she vented about the slime. 'I say to them every day, "You are eight-and-a-half, you are not toddlers anymore".' Bec swore again as she tried and failed to lift up the slime. 'I'm so sick of the toddler stage,' she penned in a caption posted immediately after the video. 'Thirteen years and I'm still in the thick of it.' The Judds purchased their sprawling Spanish colonial-style mansion in Brighton in 2018, and completed a complete overhaul of the property soon after. The model and TV presenter often documents the realities of her mum life on social media. She recently faced backlash when she laughed at a stern email from one of her son's teachers about a prank emergency call made during school time. And she infamously sent her twin boys to kindergarten orientation with their nanny, while she and her husband hosted a 'Juddchella' themed housewarming party at their mansion in 2019. Jackie Siegel, the eponymous star of the popular documentary The Queen Of Versailles, is giving her followers an update on the status of her megamansion over two decades after construction began. The 58-year-old socialite posted a short clip to her Instagram account on Sunday that showed a massive section of the palatial estate, which has been valued at $100 million. 'You guys! I know many of you have been curious about Versailles, so heres a little peek! Were getting closer ,' she captioned the post. The megamansion, which Siegel once said would be completed in 2020, was filled with building supplies, and workers could be heard in the background. Florida's Versailles, which named after the French palace, features an incredible 14 bedrooms and 30 bathrooms, and it is one of the most expensive homes in the United States. However, the incredible opulence of the estate which is shockingly intended only as the primary residence of Siegel, her husband David Siegel and their seven children has stretched out construction for decades. Jackie Siegel, the eponymous star of the popular documentary The Queen Of Versailles, is giving her followers an update on the status of her megamansion over two decades after construction began The 58-year-old socialite posted a short clip to her Instagram account on Sunday that showed a massive section of the palatial estate, which has been valued at $100M. Construction began in 2004; pictured years earlier 'Well, I'm over at Versailles and we're getting closer,' Siegel announced at the start of the video, which she filmed herself. 'We're getting closer to getting done,' she continued, as she pointed the camera out over the balcony to survey the enormous room. In contrast to the awe-inspiring luxury of the megamansion, Siegel was dressed tastefully in a high-necked scarlet outfit with a dark coat featuring large gold buttons. It appeared to be a grand ballroom, with golden coffered ceilings and a large round stained glass fixture in the center of the ceiling, from which hung an ornate chandelier. The rectangular hall was decorated with multiple balconies that would have been ideal for looking down at a party. The ground floor featured an elegant fanned-out staircase going up to the second floor on either side of the room, though Siegel opted to use an elevator to descend. She panned her camera side to side, first to the right to highlight the lavish gold moulding on the curving edge of the ceiling, but the view also revealed just how much was left to complete. There was a small set of scaffolding erected on the balcony for a worker to tinker with the moulding, and the marble staircase appeared to have competed steps, but the railings were still being built. 'Well, I'm over at Versailles and we're getting closer. We're getting closer to getting done,' she said. The view of the grand ballroom showed scaffolding and construction supplies strewn all over the floor She panned to reveal the railing of the marble staircase was still being built, and more scaffolding for the ceiling moulding was set up Tarps and painter's tape were laid out over much of the space, though the ornate coffered ceiling appeared to be mostly completed 'It still has a little bit of work,' she said as she turned to leave in her elevator, which still had cosmetic work to be done on it Down on the floor, long strips of painters trip rain from end to end, and crates, scaffolding and other bits of construction debris were scattered haphazardly. 'It still has a little bit of work,' she said as she turned to leave. Siegel almost lost control of her video as she thrust an arm out to stop the door of the elevator behind her from closing, and as she stepped inside she revealed that even it had painter's tape along the door edges as workers continued to furnish her family's personal Xanadu. Siegel and her husband, who founded the Florida-based timeshare resort firm Westgate Resorts Ltd., began constructing Versailles in 2004 in the gated community of Lake Butler Sound in Orange County, Florida. But work came to a halt in 2009 when it was only a little over half completed due to financial difficulties David encountered with his business due to the 20072008 financial crisis. The megamansion was then put on the market for $65 million, and it became a sensation after the release of the 2012 documentary The Queen Of Versailles. The film, which was directed by Lauren Greenfield, was a hit with critics, who praised it for balancing its critiques of the Siegels' wealth with sympathetic portrayals of the couple as they struggled to reign in their spending as the economy cratered. Jackie was again profiled in the followed docuseries Queen Of Versailles Reigns Again, which began airing on Discovery+ in early 2022, before moving to HBO Max later that year. Construction on Versailles, one of the most expensive private residences in the US, halted in 2009 with over half completed due to the 20072008 financial crisis; pictured in 2013 Jackie and husband David starred in the documentary The Queen Of Versailles in 2012, and economic conditions improved by 2013 for construction to resume The megamansion was said to be approaching completion in 2016, 2020 and 2023, but so far it is still being worked on; pictured in 2012 Siegel's dream home experienced a setback in 2022 when it was severely damaged by Hurricane Ian. She told TMZ that it incurred over $10M in damage The latest estimated completion date is unknown, but the outrageous touches to the interior may explain some of the delays. In January 2024, Siegel revealed she had a portion of a fake private jet interior built in the megamansion She joked that it was built so she could dine on caviar and sip champagne in style whenever she wanted. However, after fans slammed the ridiculous display, she claimed it was only installed for a party she hosted to honor her late stepdaughter Victoria, who died in 2015 David's business had stabilized by 2013, and he was able to buy up the property outright and continue work on it. However, estimated dates of completion have come and gone over the years. In 2013, it was said to be nearing a 2016 completion date, but that was later pushed back to 2020. Then, in 2022, Versailles was significantly damaged by Hurricane Ian, which Jackie said had caused over $10 million dollars of damage. She also claimed to TMZ that just before the hurricane whipped through the megamansion, construction was estimated to wrap up in 2023. It's unclear what the latest estimated date is for construction to be completed, but the outrageous touches to the interior may explain some of the delays. In January 2024, Siegel revealed that she had had a portion of a fake private jet interior built in the megamansion so that she could dine on caviar and sip champagne in style whenever she wanted. However, after she was blasted by fans for the over-the-top display, she claimed that the section of airplane interior had only been installed for a party she hosted in honor of her late stepdaughter Victoria, who died in 2015 of a drug overdose. Hollywood golden age actress Jan Shepard, who appeared opposite Elvis Presley in multiple films, has died at the age of 96. Shepard died January 17 at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California as result of pneumonia linked to respiratory failure, an obituary on Legacy.com read. Shepard worked opposite Presley, who died in 1977, in movies including 1958's King Creole and 1966's Paradise, Hawaiian Style. Shepard played the role of Mimi Fisher, the sister of Elvis Presley's character Danny Fisher, in the rock musical King Creole. The film also starred the late Carolyn Jones, Walter Matthau, Dean Jagger, Liliane Montevecchi and Vic Morrow. She also played the role of Betty Kohana, the wife of the business partner of Presley's Rick Richards in 1966's Paradise, Hawaiian Style. The musical comedy also featured the late Suzanna Leigh, James Shigeta and Donna Butterworth. Shepard spoke with the fan club Elvis Australia last June about her interactions with the late music icon. Hollywood golden age actress Jan Shepard, who appeared opposite Elvis Presley in multiple films, has died at the age of 96. Pictured in 1963 Elvis Presley with (clockwise from L): Dolores Hart, Jan Shepard, Liliane Montevecchi and Carolyn Jones in King Creole In the June interview, she said she was not initially an Elvis fan, and initially skeptical of his chances to make it big in show business. 'It was so funny,' Shepard said. 'I was doing a two-hour film. We were sitting on the set. I had the reporter in front of me and it said "ELVIS PRESLEY."' Shepard continued, '"What kind of a name is that?" He said, "I don't know." I said there's some kid in the south called Elvis Presley. I said, "He's never going to make it!"' She added, 'That was the first time that I had ever heard of him. So I didn't know who he was. I happened to like his voice. I liked his voice but I am not the kind of person who is adoring movie stars. 'There was maybe one or two that I adored or would like to work with, but I was never like those type of people. But once I met him, I just adored him.' Shepard said she and Presley got along wonderfully and had strong personal and professional chemistry. 'He said if he had a sister, he wished it would be me,' Shepard said. 'We got along so great because we worked alone the two of us the whole first week of the show. I would come to work and I would find on the set a pair of earrings he put there for me that cost about ten cents that he had liberated from the set. 'I handed him this jewelry and I said I can't take these from you, Elvis, you know it's too much. You're the last of the big spenders ... but he would do little things like that. Shepard pictured with Bill Fletcher on an episode of The High Chaparral in the late 1960s Shepard died January 17 at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California as result of pneumonia linked to respiratory failure. Pictured in LA in 2012 She added that Presley 'would play music on his guitar' and even take song requests from her, adding that he loved the song Danny Boy. In addition to her efforts in films - which also included 1959's Attack of the Giant Leeches, 1962's Third of a Man and 1966's The Doomsday Flight - Shepard had made appearances on more than 30 TV Western programs. Among the TV shows she appeared on included extended runs on Gunsmoke, Perry Mason and The Virginian. She also made appearances on Bonanza, The Lone Ranger, Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Gunslinger, Lawman, Laramie, The F.B.I. and Ironside, among other shows. She had appeared on 256 episodes of the CBS soap opera The Clear Horizon in the role of Betty Howard from 1960-1962. Her last role came on the ABC police series The Rookies in 1973. Shepard was born on March 19, 1928 in Quakertown, Pennsylvania with the name Josephine Angela Sorbello. After an active high school career in which she was valedictorian, actress, cheerleader and band member, she relocated to Los Angeles in 1950. She sharpened her stage skills with the Ben Bard Players theater group and in productions at the at the Pasadena Playhouse, Deadline reported. Her husband of more than 65 years, Wyatt Earp actor Dirk London (whose real name was Ray Boyle), died in January 2022 at 98. They initially met in 1951 at Ben Bard and subsequently worked together on the Western show Death Valley Days, THR reported. Shepard is survived by son Brandon Boyle; daughter-in-law Jenn; grandchildren Riley and Hayley; and nephew Andrew, his spouse Danielle and their daughter Olivia. Spencer Pratt had a two-word response when it was suggested that his wife Heidi Montag join Bravo's Real Housewives franchise. The 41-year-old reality television personality and his 38-year-old spouse have garnered renewed public interest after their home was burned to the ground amid this month's Los Angeles wildfires. As the couple continues to put themselves in front of the camera in an effort to raise money to rebuild their lives, a fan raised the idea of Montag joining The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. 'It's time to have that conversation,' someone with the handle @chubbychuck_ wrote on X this week, adding, '@heidimontag @BravoTV #HeidiForRHOBH @spencerpratt let's go!' Pratt caught wind of the campaign and simply replied, 'no thanks .' Spencer Pratt had a two-word response when it was suggested that his wife Heidi Montag join Bravo's Real Housewives franchise; pictured in 2022 The 41-year-old reality television personality and his 38-year-old spouse have garnered renewed public interest after their home was burned to the ground amid this month's Los Angeles wildfires There was also a fan who asked if the Pratts would accept an invitation to Cohens late-night series Watch What Happens Live. Spencer once again shunned the notion, writing, 'The person who said he would rather scratch his eyes out [than] watch my wife... hard pass.' Elsewhere on the social media platform, the father-of-two declared he'd 'rather sit in my burned house rubble' than sit next to Andy. The bad blood between the trio started more than 10 years ago when Andy dissed Heidi in 2011. As he was hounded about whether Heidi could be a contender for his famous reality television franchise, he referred to her as 'trash.' The media personality added that he'd prefer to 'stab knives into my own eyes than see her on this network.' Not long after the cruel remarks, and following a response from Montag who called the comments 'tasteless' and 'completely unnecessary' Andy later walked back the dig. 'There had been so many rumors going on about the Housewives last week [that] I think I was at the tipping point, basically,' Andy said in his defense. 'I guess I got a little carried away.' Pratt caught wind of the campaign to get his wife back on reality TV, namely The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and simply replied, 'no thanks ' Spencer has put his family in front of the camera in an effort to raise money to rebuild their lives after their home burned down Spencer and Heidi, dubbed Speidi among pop culture zealots, are parents to two young sons Cohen went on to give a more elaborate explanation for why Heidi wouldn't align with the Bravo series. 'I have said that I thought it would be weird if they were on The Housewives because the same reason that I was saying that it would be weird if Snooki came on The Housewives,' he explained on his SirisXM show Andy Cohen Live in September 2023. 'Theyre so identified, not only with another show but with another network. So, its like, "But wait a minute, you are supposed to be on Jersey Shore." 'It just makes it weird, so thats the reason. They said that they thought it was because I was a big Lauren Conrad fan and Im like Im kind of not.' Justin Baldoni looked to be in good spirits as he enjoyed a recent family outing, amid bombshell developments in his and Blake Lively's ongoing legal feud. Baldoni and Lively's lawsuit battle is continuing to heat up. On Monday, DailyMail.com obtained exclusive audio of Baldoni's emotional voice note to Lively, which sheds further light into the case. However, the director, 41, appeared to brush off the recent drama as he flashed a smile while grabbing lunch with his wife Emily Baldoni, 40, and their daughter, Maiya, nine, and son, Maxwell, seven, at Cafe Mambo in Hawaii. He looked relaxed, sporting a black t-shirt and a matching hat, along with khaki shorts. The Los Angeles native kept comfortable for the outing, wearing grey sneakers and shielding his eyes with a pair of black sunglasses. His wife Emily who recently broke her silence amid the back-and-forth lawsuits looked effortlessly chic in an matching oversized set, which she teamed with a black purse. She completed her look with beige slides. Justin Baldoni, 41, looked to be in good spirits as he enjoyed a family outing, amid recent bombshell developments in his and It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively's ongoing legal feud The director flashed a smile while grabbing lunch with his wife Emily Baldoni, 40, and their daughter, Maiya, nine, and son, Maxwell, seven, at Cafe Mambo in Hawaii During the recent outing, Baldoni and his wife whom he married in 2013 were seen strolling with their children before grabbing some ice cream. Emily recently broke her silence to wish him a happy 41st birthday - amid his legal fight against Blake. She shared a sweet snap of her and Justin with their two children. 'Happy birthday my love. Celebrating the man, husband, and father that you are. I'd choose you again and again.' The family of four have been on holiday in Hawaii, and it appears the photo is from their current vacation. In the snap, Emily and Justin share a kiss as he holds Maxwell on his shoulders and Maiya cuddles them. It comes amid his complex legal battle with Lively. The actress filed a complaint with California's Civil Rights Department, accusing her It Ends With Us co-star and director Baldoni of sexual harassment and a subsequent smear campaign against her. Baldoni then sued The New York Times in a $250 million defamation case, for publishing Lively's allegations. Lively then filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, two colleagues at his Wayfarer production company, and his publicists. He then sued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, Leslie Sloane, alleging a smear campaign orchestrated by Lively to seize control of the film. A pretrial court date has been set for February 12. Both cases in Lively v. Wayfarer Studios et al. will proceed to trial on March 9, 2026, as per People. He looked relaxed, sporting a black t-shirt and a matching hat, along with khaki shorts The Los Angeles native kept comfortable for the outing, wearing grey sneakers and shielding his eyes with a pair of black sunglasses His wife Emily whom he married in 2013 looked effortlessly chic in an matching oversized set, which she teamed with a black purse. She completed her look with beige slides Baldoni and Lively's legal battle is continuing to heat up. On Monday, DailyMail.com obtained exclusive audio which sheds further light on their feud It's one of the most eye-opening revelations to emerge in the messy It Ends With Us saga so far: Lively appearing to threaten co-star Baldoni by comparing herself to Game of Thrones character Khaleesi and referring to husband Ryan Reynolds and bestie Taylor Swift as her 'dragons'. Now DailyMail.com has obtained exclusive audio which sheds further light on the feud which arose when Lively, 37, made changes to the rooftop scene in the romantic drama film not all of which were met with unqualified praise. Text messages from April 2023 included in the $400million lawsuit filed against the actress show a dejected Lively expressing her disappointment at Baldoni's lukewarm response to her version of the scene which had been praised by her husband and her superstar best friend. The spat saw her go silent for several days until Baldoni 'felt obliged' to send her a text message saying he liked her pages and noting that he 'would have felt that without Ryan and Taylor', according to the complaint. Lively would then respond with a lengthy text that said: 'They [Reynolds and Swift] also know I'm not always good at making sure I'm seen and utilized for fear of threatening egos, or fear of affecting the ease of the process. 'They don't give a s*** about that. And because of that, everyone listens to them with immense respect and enthusiasm. So I guess I have to stop worrying about people liking me.' Baldoni replied with a voicemail, published today for the first time, in which the clearly rattled actor could be heard offering Lively a groveling apology and noting 'I fell short' over his response to her changes. In the full audio message, which is just over six and a half minutes long, he goes on to say that he is pleased she feels comfortable enough to tell him that and describes himself as 'a very flawed man, as my wife will say.' The feud arose when Lively, 37, made changes to the film's famous rooftop scene. Baldoni replied with a voicemail, in which the clearly rattled actor could be heard offering Lively a groveling apology and noting 'I fell short' over his response to her changes; Lively and Baldoni seen in a still In text messages included in his filing, Lively admitted that Baldoni's response to her version of the scene 'didn't feel great for me' after he seemed hesitant about many of the changes, but thanked her for her 'passion' A text message exchange from April 15, 2023 shows Baldoni praising Lively's version of the rooftop scene and Lively complimenting his work as a director and actor in return Lively also sent a lengthy text referring to her husband and her bestie Taylor Swift who she says 'know I'm not always good at making sure I'm seen and utilized for fear of threatening egos, or fear of affecting the ease of the process' In a subsequent text that has gone viral on social media, Lively compares herself to the formidable ruler in Game of Thrones Khaleesi and claims to have a 'few dragons' who are widely speculated to be husband Ryan Reynolds and bestie Taylor Swift Baldoni then addresses Lively's dragon threat directly, saying: 'Damn right, you got great friends. If that's how you felt and they knew that. F***. 'We should all have friends like that, aside from the fact they're two of the most creative people on the planet The three of you guys together is unbelievable. Talk about energy. Force. All three of you.' But, he reiterates, he did not need their names to be raised over the changes to the scene and instead goes on to praise the glamorous blonde highlighting her work ethic and creative vision. He said: 'I just wanted you to know, I didn't need that. It's really good and it's going to make the movie sing like you said and I'm excited to go through the whole movie with you. 'You and I have been trying to build a relationship which I think we've done successfully. Here we are talking together at 2am in the morning. 'But largely via text and voicemail and I will admit, that's not my biggest strength. I love being with people and being in somebody's space and being face-to-face and I think that's where I excel. 'But I've definitely fallen short at times in our texts and voicemail exchanges because there's so much to communicate and so much happening. 'All I have to say is I'm really looking forward to spending time together and I believe that's going to go a long way for our chemistry, which I believe is there. It's been there from the start so I was so damn excited when you agreed to do this film. I believe it comes from us both being so hard working and having a vision. 'I'm excited to have a creative partner in that with you.' The new audio comes as the drama over It Ends With Us rumbles on, with Lively and Reynolds facing imminent subpoenas from Baldoni's legal team. Baldoni's complaint alleges Lively had used Reynolds and Taylor Swift to pressure him to comply with her version of the script; Lively and Reynolds seen in 2024 The lawsuit refers to Swift as a 'famously close friend' and a 'megacelebrity' friend; Lively and Swift seen in 2024 According to his complaint, Lively's reference to her 'dragons' was a 'clear message' that he was also up against to 'two of the most influential and wealthy celebrities in the world' At the same time, lawyers working for the A-list couple have made a fresh bid to gag Baldoni's side writing to New York judge Lewis J. Liman in a bid to shut down a website they plan to launch which will contain copies of every text and email exchanged by the warring parties. The letter, seen by DailyMail.com, also accuses Baldoni's team of launching 'character attacks' on Lively and of making 'false and defamatory' statements. It goes on to ask Judge Liman to prevent the launch of the website on the basis it could influence a jury pool and requests a conference with both sides present to discuss it. The battle between Lively and Baldoni began with rumors of rancor behind the scenes of It Ends With Us when it was released last August. It then exploded into a legal fight just before Christmas when the Gossip Girl actress sued Baldoni for sexual harassment. At the same time, the New York Times released a story based on Lively's legal filing that accused him of orchestrating a negative publicity campaign against her and put the smell claim front and center. In turn, Baldoni sued the Times for defamation and, two weeks go, launched a lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds that accused her of using her celebrity power to hijack his film and attempt to torpedo his career. Since then, torrents of new information have come to light including raw footage of a scene that Lively claimed had seen Baldoni subject her to sexual harassment by dragging his lips up her neck and telling her 'it smells so good'. Lively had insisted the clip had no audio and the microphones were switched off and therefore, nobody heard the alleged harassment. But DailyMail.com's raw footage proved that Baldoni's microphone was switched on and that the alleged abuse was in fact a discussion about the smell of Lively's fake tan throwing her claims into doubt. The warring co-stars are also heard discussing their other halves, with Lively saying she and Reynolds talk 'all the time' while Baldoni says he and wife Emily stare at each other 'for 10, literally like we've done it for five minutes'. Lively then bursts into laughter as he tells her 'I think you would find it terrifying'. When Lively continues to tell him about how she can't stop talking to Reynolds, Baldoni compliments: 'Oh, I think that's cute. You guys are really cute.' Awkwardly, she replies 'I think it's more than cute' which he hastily agrees with, adding 'I think you guys are amazing.' DailyMail.com previously published raw footage showing the slow dance montage scene during which Lively claimed Baldoni had sexually harassed her by nuzzling her neck and declaring: 'It smells so good' The incident formed a key plank of the sex harassment lawsuit Lively filed against Baldoni before Christmas, along with claims he deliberately set out to smear her and ruin her reputation. Baldoni's counter-suit says Lively attempted to hijack his film, failed to read the novel on which the movie is based until long after filming had begun and orchestrated a negative publicity campaign of her own with the connivance of her own publicist Leslie Sloane and the New York Times. The actress and her team are also accused of doctoring text conversations between Baldoni's publicists to make them look damning and as if they're plotting a smear campaign against her which led to both being subjected to social media abuse when the edited texts were published. Baldoni's cross-complaint also revealed that he and his family had been forced to spend the premiere of It Ends With Us sitting in a basement because Lively refused to allow him to be in the same room as her. Julia Morris was moved to disclose a recent diagnosis during Monday night's episode of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! The 56-year-old host revealed she was diagnosed with ADHD in July, 2024. She said it was not something she felt compelled to share publicly until Julia witnessed 2025 contestants Sigrid Thornton and Geraldine Hickey discussing their own experiences of being diagnosed later in life. Speaking to her co-host Robert Irwin, Julia said 'comics are very very honest but even I have not talked about being diagnosed in July last year.' 'I have not talked about that publicly,' she added. 'At 56, it's super confronting.' Julia said it's 'taken an intense journey' for her to try and connect all of her past experiences, behaviours and specific incidents to ADHD - and to understand how all those things are linked. Julia Morris was moved to disclose a recent diagnosis during Monday night's episode of I'm A Celebrity ...Get Me Out of Here! Pictured with co-host Robert Irwin The 56-year-old host revealed she was diagnosed with ADHD in July, 2024 'Its taken an intense journey to try and find... thats not me being pushy or a show off or any of that sort of stuff,' she said. 'Its not a hyperactivity thing. The hyperactivity is inside your brain. Its not an inattentive thing. Its all inside your brain. 'Its just the way the brain works.' Julia told Robert she felt compelled to share her own story, however briefly, because, 'There will be children and adults sitting at home watching and going, "Oh God, I think that way".' According to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), Australian girls and women are less frequently diagnosed with ADHD than men primarily because of 'gendered stereotypes' about what ADHD looks like. Women tend to have more internalised symptoms of ADHD, like being disorganised, daydreaming, and having difficulty focusing - which are more easily missed. The RANZCP also notes that it is common for females with ADHD to mask and hide their symptoms. Sigrid Thornton, who entered the South African jungle on Sunday night,' was speaking to her fellow camp mate Geraldine Hickey, during Monday night's episode when she shared her own diagnosis has been 'a source of shame.' She said it was not something she felt compelled to share publicly until Julia witnessed 2025 contestants Sigrid Thornton and Geraldine Hickey discussing their own experiences of being diagnosed later in life. 'This is a source of my shame actually, is not really being able to follow through with the people I care about, not my family, but my friends,' Sigrid said to Geraldine, as the pair discussed some of the ADHD symptoms that often affect women. The Man From Snowy River star, 65, said doctors had only diagnosed her with ADHD 'about three or four months ago'. The veteran Aussie actor said that for most of her life, she'd believed behaviours which are in fact symptoms of ADHD, were personality quirks, or her own failures. 'Because Ive had a very busy life for a long, long, long time, because Ive had a sort of public life as well, there has always been a lot of different strands and demands and I thought, "well that is just it, that is all it is" and "I cant sort of keep up." ADHD is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder that is believed to impact one in 20 Australians. 'It always caused me terrible embarrassment that I couldnt keep up with all of those demands and I think that was very much to do with AD(HD),' the Wentworth star continued. 'I just had to let things drop but I would let something drop and then I would think about it every single day with guilt. It was a big burden ... you can see, it was a big burden.' Geraldine also suffers from ADHD, and was diagnosed a few years ago. Welling up, Julia said she 'loves hearing hearing those women talking about ADHD on the television.' Robert nodded his head and listened as his co-host explained. Julia related to Sigrid's 'exact' example of forgetting to reply to messages from her friends for long stretches of time. 'And I loved hearing Sigrid talk about her friends,' she said. 'Oh my God, the amount of friends I've got that have gone by the wayside cause they just gave up on ever getting a return message [from me].' 'So it's great to hear some of those things talked about. I think it helps.' Gwyneth Paltrow has sold her Los Angeles mansion after becoming an empty nester. The Talented Mr. Ripley star, 52, originally put her lavish 8,000 sq. home up for sale for $29.99 million, before lowering the price to $24.9 million last October. She then cut the price again, and the home officially sold for $22 million, as per The Wall Street Journal. She listed the home in May of 2024, as her son Moses, 18, headed off to college, after graduating high school. The Oscar-winner's former home featured a guest house complete with a movie theater and wine cellar, and is located in in LA's Brentwood neighborhood. The actress purchased the home with her ex-husband, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, 47, in 2012 for $9.95 million. Aside from Moses, the former pair also share daughter Apple, 20, together. Gwyneth Paltrow, 52, has sold her Los Angeles mansion (pictured) after becoming an empty nester The actress sold the lavish house for $22 million, as per The Wall Street Journal; She is pictured in 2024 The duo were married for nearly ten years from 2003 to 2014. Following their 'conscious uncoupling' Paltrow went on to marry Brad Falchuk in 2018, and he and his two kids also moved into the property, according to listing agent Lea Porter. Porter added that the star was selling the house in order to downsize, as her kids are getting older. The house, built in 1950 and renovated in 2009, is situated on two-thirds of an acre in Mandeville Canyon. The property had a total of eight bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, including the one-bedroom apartment above the house's garage. It offers plenty of privacy, with Porter stating, 'The privacy factor is huge.' Inspired by classic California architecture, the home's gray brick exterior exudes a timeless charm, further enhanced by the lush green front yard. The front hallway has a black-and-white tiled floor and French doors. It leads into the living room, which is ideal for hosting, with a wood-burning fireplace, a bar, endless seating space and white panel walls. The kitchen is every chef's dream, featuring high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, black tile floors and a massive island. The Talented Mr. Ripley star originally put her lavish 8,000 sq. home up for sale for $29.99 million, before lowering the price to $24.9 million last October The Oscar-winner's former home features a guest house complete with a movie theater and wine cellar, and is located in in LA's Brentwood neighborhood The house, built in 1950 and renovated in 2009, is situated on two-thirds of an acre in Mandeville Canyon The kitchen is every chef's dream, featuring high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, black tile floors and a massive island The living room is ideal for hosting, with a wood-burning fireplace, a bar, endless seating space and white panel walls The front hallway has a black-and-white tiled floor and French doors The backyard boasts a deep plunge pool and a guest house with a temperature-controlled wine cellar, a gym, a game room, an office, and a movie theater. The listing states that the property is high-tech, and features a sediment and carbon block filtration and alkaline for its drinking water systems. The GOOP founder sold the house following the completion of her new property in Montecito, California which is also home to other famous residents like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as well as Oprah Winfrey. She also owns a home in Amagansett, New York. Paltrow and Falchuk are planning to split their time between Montecito, New York and potentially a third home in Los Angeles, according to Porter. Even though her Brentwood home was unaffected by the devastating Los Angeles fires that started on Tuesday, Jan. 7, Paltrow and Goop recently pledged $2 million towards fire relief. 'The Palisades and Altadena - they are more than neighborhoods, they are communities that define what it means to belong,' she wrote on Instagram earlier this month. 'Every house is a haven, and a witness to the people who made it a home. Every life is a universe. There is more to do than there is to say.' The actress purchased the home with her ex-husband, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, 47, in 2012 for $9.95 million. The former pair share son Moses, 18, as well as daughter Apple, 20; Seen with her two kids in 2022 Moses, her youngest child, recently headed off to Brown University in Rhode Island, two years after Apple left for college; The trio seen in an Instagram photo in 2022 Moses, Gwyneth's youngest child, headed off to Brown University in Rhode Island. Meanwhile Apple is in her third year at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. In May, Moses was cheered on by both his parents, who reunited for his high school graduation in May. The graduation came weeks after Gwyneth admitted to her mounting anxiety over the prospect of becoming an empty nester. 'Its kind of giving me a nervous breakdown, if Im honest,' she confessed at an event for her wellness brand Goop, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 'I started being like: "Oh my God, and I need to quit my job and I need to sell my house and I need to move." Its sort of putting things into turmoil,' she said. 'My identity has been being a mother. Apple's going to be 20 in May. So Ive oriented my whole life around them and their schedules and when school starts.' She explained: 'You start to let go in increments when theyre driving themselves around or doing certain things. It is a slower process.' Gwyneth added: 'I feel really lucky because I have a close group of mom friends and we all raised our kids alongside one another. So were kind of in it together.' The GOOP founder sold the house following the completion of her new property in Montecito, California. She also owns a home in Amagansett, New York; Seen in an Instagram snap in Montecito In March, Gwyneth shared that her husband Brad's son, Brody, was leaving for college as well, in an interview with The Sunday Times. 'Brad [Falchuk] and I have boys that will be going off to university. 'It'll be interesting to see how the morning routine changes with no kids in the house.' As for how she feels about them leaving, she shared, 'On the one hand, incredible sadness. A deep sense of impending grief. On the other hand, this is exactly what should be happening.' 'Your kids are supposed to be, you know, young adults who can achieve and cope and make connections and be resilient. That's exactly what you want. And that means they leave the house.' Beau Ryan has revealed how an interview with an A-lister ended in a hair-raising encounter with the star's personal security man. The one-time NRL champ said he was doing an interview with UK-born star Jason Statham when The Transporter actor's bodyguard crash-tackled him to the ground. Beau, 39, said the incident finished with him handcuffed and marched out of the interview room. The Amazing Race host shared the gobsmacking confrontation on Tuesday morning's episode of Triple M's Breakfast with Beau, Tarsh and Woodsy. During the chat Beau explained that his interview with Statham, 57, took place overseas when he was a presenter on The Footy Show. He said that the five minute interview was 'going well' until Beau decided to ask Statham about his one-time career as a Commonwealth Games athlete in the UK's diving team. Beau Ryan has revealed how an interview with an A-lister ended in a hair-raising encounter with the star's personal security man. (Pictured) The one-time NRL champ said he was doing an interview with UK-born star Jason Statham (pictured) when The Transporter actor's bodyguard crash-tackled him to the ground The cheeky former Cronulla Shark's star said that he was wearing his old clubs swimmers and had decided to show them to an unsuspecting Statham. Beau continued: '...I had the shark Speedos (on), remember them, basically, (they) had a tail at the back and a little shark head on the front... 'So the last question was a truth or dare. And I said, "Mate, Truth or Dare, what would you like?" He said, "I'll take dare". I said, "Well, you've dared me to show you what I would wear if I was a Commonwealth Games diver." 'As I've stood up to pull my pants off, I've been crash tackled to the ground by security. 'Hands down, like knee in the back, sort of like I was handcuffed behind and then walked out of there. 'As I was hit down, [the bodyguards was like], "What are you doing, mate? You're trying to reveal yourself. Mate, he's got a weapon.'' And got escorted out of there.' Beau also shared with his co-hosts that he had to return home to Australia empty handed. 'And then, you know what? They didn't give me the card or the tape, and I had to fly back to Sydney with no evidence. During the chat Beau explained that his interview with Statham, 57, took place overseas when he was a presenter on The Footy Show. Pictured: Staham in The Transporter 'So, you've gone, so you've made up that story?' Natarsha Belling joked. Beau revealed that his executive producer was none too pleased with his effort. '[He asked] 'Where's the Statham interview?' And I told him, what happened. I didn't do another Hollywood interview after that last one.' It comes after Beau recently shared details about his very controversial walkout on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Australia in 2022. Speaking on Triple M's Beau, Tarsh & Woodsy on Tuesday, the radio star said his stint on the Channel Ten show was filmed during Covid lockdowns and left him feeling exhausted. 'Watching the new season of IAC last night, brought back a lot of memories. It was a Covid series and about a month before I agreed to go on the jungle, we were meant to go on The Amazing Race for a season so I'd done quarantine,' Beau began. 'Then it was deemed too dangerous to continue the series. I was 12 days in to quarantine, came out and agreed to do the jungle... two more weeks of quarantine!' Beau said the consecutive stints in isolation took a toll on both his mental and physical wellbeing and he was not in a good place when he began his stint on IAC. 'I was so mentally cooked and physically drained. I just had to get home. I was concerned about my wife who was home-schooling the kids,' he continued. 'My wife was alone with the kids, no access to family. I'm not making any excuses, I carried on like a pork chop.' The presenter added that while he regretted leaving the show under such circumstances he had to do what was right for his family. In 2022, in what was I'm a Celebrity's eighth season, Beau walked out on the 14th day in the jungle - which cost him $200,000. His reason was sparked by a late-night discussion with his campmates, where he admitted he missed his family and needed to leave. 50 Cent on Monday addressed a possible legal battle against a photographer who claims the rapper maliciously ordered him to be hit with a car door last fall. The plaintiff, Guadalupe De Los Santos, filed the lawsuit Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, TMZ reported after reviewing legal docs in the case, in which De Los Santos has retained famed attorney Gloria Allred, 83. De Los Santos told the court that the musical artist, 49, told a member of his entourage to topple him from an electric scooter he was riding on last September 11 after the rapper's book signing at The Grove in Los Angeles. De Los Santos, who was at the outdoor shopping center to take professional pictures of the rapper - whose hits include Candy Shop, P.I.M.P. and If I Can't - said he was injured in the incident. De Los Santos told the court that the exchange with the rapper and his friends took place as he was filming footage after the signing at a red light close to the shopping center. De Los Santos said in legal documents that the passenger door of the SUV 50 Cent was in abruptly opened, pushing him off the scooter he was riding on. 50 Cent, 49, on Monday addressed a possible legal battle against a photographer (represented by celeb lawyer Gloria Allred, 83) who claims the rapper maliciously ordered him to be hit with a car door last fall De Los Santos said he was struck on his left side, made contact with the street and was injured, adding that his scooter was also broken in the course of events. De Los Santos told the court he his injuries left him unable to work for an extended period - and with significant medical expenses - leading him to pursue damages from the rapper. 50 Cent's legal team Monday evening told TMZ that they had not yet been presented with legal documents connected to the suit - but would aggressively contest it. 'Mr. Jackson has neither been served with or seen a filed copy of a lawsuit filed by Ms. Allreds firm,' a lawyer for the Grammy-winning rap artist told TMZ Monday. The attorney continued, 'However, if and when such a frivolous claim is filed and served, rest assured that Mr. Jacksons legal team will swiftly move to dismiss the matter and seek the maximum costs, fees, sanctions and other remedies that are available under law. 'Based upon the leaked reports presumably by Ms. Allred, Mr. Jackson is not alleged to be the driver of the vehicle or even the individual who the Plaintiff paparazzi alleges opened the door as he charged a vehicle as it drove away from the bookstore.' The outlet said it could confirm that the lawsuit 'was not leaked' but rather obtained from public records after it was filed. Allred told Dailymail.com on Tuesday via email of 50 Cent's comments, 'The lawsuit speaks for itself. We have reached out to the defendants lawyer to request that he accept service of the complaint on behalf of his client. Any evidence which we have will be provided to the court.' The entertainer, whose full name is Curtis Jackson, took to Instagram with a pair of shots of him and Allred posed together in New York City on September 25, 2014 for a SundanceTV premiere 50 Cent - who has past been involved in a number of contentious online exchanges - vowed to contest the legal filing 50 Cent, whose full name is Curtis Jackson, took to Instagram on Monday with a pair of shots of him and Allred posed together. They were seen smiling in photos taken in New York City on September 25, 2014 for a SundanceTV premiere of the show Dream School: NYC. The Queen, New York native - who defended his critically-panned Las Vegas residency earlier this month - described a shot of himself facing Allred as 'the moment I realized I dont like lawyers.' He said of a potential suit, 'Gloria you should know better, chase a different ambulance.' In another post, 50 Cent - who has past been involved in a number of contentious online exchanges - wrote, 'Gloria youre not gonna get any money from me that way, but if you call me Ill take you to dinner. LOL.' Selena Gomez sarcastically thanked a Senate candidate for the 'laugh and the threat' after he said she should be 'deported' for a tearful video sympathizing with Mexican migrants. The actress and pop star, 32, sobbed on camera in response to President Donald Trump's mass deportations of undocumented immigrants - a policy he campaigned on ahead of the 2024 election. She swiftly deleted the video, but sparked backlash from Republicans and MAGA supporters. One of her most outspoken critics was U.S. Senate candidate Sam Parker, who called for Gomez herself to be deported in response to her video. Gomez was born in the United States and is an American citizen. Her grandparents fled Mexico seeking a better life. 'Deport Selena Gomez,' he wrote on X alongside the tearful video. 'Selena Gomez picked illegals over America b/c she's the 3rd gen descendent of Mexican illegals who received citizenship in the '87 Amnesty,' he wrote on a separate account which he later shared on his professional profile. 'She has an entitlement attitude toward America, like her illegal g'parents. Maybe Selena should be deported, too?' Selena Gomez sobbed as she reacted to Trump's threat of mass deportations of all undocumented immigrants, which has ignited fears of family separations Selena Gomez has hit back at a Senate candidate who called for her to be 'deported' after she shared a tearful video sympathizing with Mexican migrants under Donald Trump 's regime Within hours the Disney child star responded on Instagram, writing: 'Oh Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker. Thanks for the laugh and the threat.' Parker relished in the attention he received from Gomez' fanbase, sharing her response and writing: 'Inject their tears into my VEINS. 'I dragged Selena Gomez pretty hard today.' In her initial video, Gomez said: 'All my people are getting attacked, the children. I don't understand. I'm so sorry, I wish I could do something but I can't. I don't know what to do. I'll try everything, I promise.' The Wizards of Waverly Place alum captioned the post: 'I'm sorry [Mexican flag emoji].' The sweeping raids across the country have seen violent criminals rounded up and sent packing on government flights at break-neck speed. Spearheading the immigration overhaul is border czar Tom Homan, who issued a scathing response to Gomez's video meltdown. 'If they don't like it, then go to Congress and change the law. We're going to do this operation without apology,' Homan told Fox News. One of her most outspoken critics was U.S. Senate candidate Sam Parker, who called for Gomez herself to be deported in response to her video JUST IN: Border Czar Tom Homan reacts to Selena Gomezs viral breakdown, says he has no apologies and he is going to keep moving forward. The reaction weve all been waiting for. If they don't like it, then go to Congress and change the law. We're going to do this pic.twitter.com/OQv9Vdhj4V Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 27, 2025 'We're gonna make our community safer... It is all for the good of this nation. And we're gonna keep going. No apologies. We're moving forward.' Homan denied that children are being targeted and doubled down that the administration is working to deport illegal migrants with criminal records. 'I don't think we've arrested any families. We've arrested public safety threats and national security threats, bottom-line,' he said. 'President Trump won the election on this one issue - securing our border and saving lives. What happened on our southern border in the last four years is the biggest national security threat our county has seen, at least in my lifetime.' Gomez also faced backlash from critics, who were quick to slam her for not using her reported net worth of $1.3 billion to take action herself. Megyn Kelly also slammed the Emilia Perez actress, claiming she wanted to push an agenda that her fans disagreed with. 'She deleted it after her fans taught her that the majority of the country stands behind these policies, but I'm sure she was shocked to get any blowback whatsoever,' Kelly said. 'She's unwell. Obviously, this is an unwell person And by the way, anybody who takes their phone works up in tears and posts a video of themselves crying into their phone is sick. That's a sick person. 'Tears happen. They tend to happen privately. If they happen publicly. I think you should quickly move on and recover, but I don't understand the person who works it and tries to squeeze out more tears to make themselves look extra sad. 'I'm really sad. I know I have hundreds of millions [followers], but I hate this country.'' Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said it made 956 arrests nationwide on Sunday and 286 on Saturday Marines installed wire along the southern border with Mexico on Saturday Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said it made 956 arrests nationwide on Sunday and 286 on Saturday. The Trump Administration has quickly moved to ramp up deportations and arrest illegal migrants who pose 'public safety threats ', specifically targeting sanctuary cities such as Chicago, San Francisco and San Jose - which bar cooperation between city police and immigration agents. However, the president has reportedly been unhappy with the low number and has directed officials to meet higher detention quotas. He ordered ICE to raise the arrest numbers from a few hundred a day to at least 1,200 to 1,500, according to The Washington Post. Terry Biviano cut an impressive figure as she hit the beach with her family on Tuesday. The Real Housewives of Sydney alum headed to Sydney's Watsons Bay with her husband Anthony Minichiello and daughter Azura. She was busting out of her strapless bikini as it struggled to contain her ample assets. The 49-year-old's red and orange paisley swimwear also included a very skimpy pair of bottoms. Terry added a black straw cap to the beachy ensemble and wore a pair of sunglasses to shield her eyes from the bright rays. She appeared to have on minimal makeup and accessorised with a bracelet while tucking her dark locks under her cap. Terry Biviano (pictured) cut an impressive figure as she hit the beach with her family on Tuesday The Real Housewives of Sydney alum headed to Sydney's Watsons Bay with her husband and daughter She was busting out of her strapless bikini as it struggled to contain her ample assets Terry had husband Anthony and daughter Azura in tow with the pair joining the glamorous housewife for a dip. It comes after Terry revealed the surprising reason she does not use social media. She told Daily Mail Australia at Derby Day in Melbourne that she chooses to stay off social media in order to maintain some privacy in her life. 'I'm not big on social media, I never have been,' Terry began. 'I'm actually quite private and shy, even though I'm out there. So, I'm a bit of a contradiction.' Her admission follows reports that Terry is set to make a dramatic return to the 2025 series of Real Housewives of Sydney. The shoe designer is said to have become a polarising figure among the cast, particularly with founding members Krissy Marsh and Nicole Gazal-O'Neil. Biviano, who joined the show in 2023 to shake things up, found herself at odds with Marsh and Gazal-O'Neil, the only remaining original Housewives. Terry had husband Anthony Minichiello and daughter Azura in tow with the pair joining the glamorous housewife for a dip. All pictured The 49-year-old's red and orange paisley swimwear also included a very skimpy pair of bottoms Terry added a black, straw cap to the beachy ensemble and wore a pair of sunglasses to shield from the bright rays Sources close to the show told The Daily Telegraph that the producers went to great lengths to accommodate Biviano's demands. They included changing filming locations and enduring her habitual lateness. By the end of season two, the rift had reportedly grown severe. It reached boiling point when Marsh and Gazal-O'Neil, along with another cast member, issued an ultimatum to the producers: either Biviano goes, or they do. Fortunately, they managed to work things out and Terry is set to join the other stars in the upcoming series of the popular Binge show. Meanwhile, Terry and Anthony have spent over a decade building their dream home. The Sydney power couple's harbourside mansion at Vaucluse has been a work-in-progress since shortly after Minichiello retired from rugby league at the end of the 2014 season. Neighbours have regularly complained about the building site being an eyesore and claim they've been told it would be finished by Christmas for the past four years. She appeared to have on minimal makeup and accessorised with a bracelet while tucking her dark locks under her cap It comes after Terry revealed the surprising reason she does not use social media She told Daily Mail Australia at Derby Day in Melbourne that she chooses to stay off social media in order to maintain some privacy in her life When Daily Mail Australia viewed the property late in November it appeared to be in a similar state to how it looked in June. One tradesman arrived during the most recent visit. Fittings are yet to be installed in upstairs rooms and steel fencing still standing between the footpath and front wall. The backyard was bare and a swimming pool which has reportedly been a refuge for frogs and mosquitoes was holding stagnant dark water as well as various items of rubbish. There was no longer a skip bin out the front and a portable toilet had been removed, while a covered walkway entrance had been built on the street. A $10million six-bedroom house next door on a corner block is now also being renovated, with scaffolding surrounding the upper level. When contacted to see if he could provide an update on the work at his house, Minichiello asked, 'Why's that?' then politely said he had to take another call. Megan Thee Stallion turned heads in France on Monday as she attended the Giambattista Valli show during Paris Fashion Week. The 29-year-old Texas native who recently got a restraining order against Tory Lanez commanded attention as she modeled a creamy orange number from the Italian fashion range. The clinging dress boasted expertly tailored draping, a statement-making hood, plus a true-orange floral accoutrement at the waist. Megan, full name Megan Pete, teased just a few inches of her copper-colored hair, with the locks arranged in a swooped curl that was slicked onto her forehead. She looked typically stunning in a full face of makeup that included sharp-winged black eyeliner, shimmery highlight, and contoured cheeks. Stepping away from her typical, long and elaborately decorated nails, the rap artist went with a shorter style. Megan Thee Stallion turned heads in France on Monday as she attended the Giambattista Valli show during Paris Fashion Week The 29-year-old Texas native commanded attention as she modeled a creamy orange number from the Italian fashion range She showed off a whimsical, multi-colored variety featuring the latest and trendiest varnish including a golden-yellow 'cat eye' on one finger, and a textured turquoise color on another. Earlier this month Megan secured a civil restraining order against Tory, who is serving a 10-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of shooting her in the foot nearly five years ago. She testified remotely, telling Los Angeles Judge Richard Bloom that Lanez, 32, has presided over a 'campaign of harassment' against her as he serves time. Judge Richard Bloom ruled Lanez must not contact Megan in any form, including through intermediaries, for five years. Megan said she fears that Lanez will seek violent retribution against her after he is released from custody. 'It just seems like I have to relive it every day,' she told the court. 'The person who shot me won't let me forget it. I'm scared that when he gets out of jail he's going to still be upset with me I feel like maybe he'll shoot me again and maybe this time I won't make it.' The Grammy winner told the court that Lanez, from behind bars, has presided over a 'campaign of harassment' intended to 'terrorize her' and that she is 'tired of being harassed.' Judge Bloom said Megan granted Megan the legal order, accepting the star's evidence that Lanez has demonstrated a 'credible threat of violence' that 'serves no lawful purpose' and is intended to 'seriously' harass her. The clinging dress boasted expertly tailored draping, a statement-making hood, plus a true-orange floral accoutrement at the waist. Megan teased just a few inches of her copper-colored hair, with the locks arranged in a swooped curl that was slicked onto her forehead She looked typically stunning in a full face of makeup that included sharp-winged black eyeliner, shimmery highlight, and contoured cheeks The hitmaker expressed gratitude as she politely replied, 'Thank you, judge.' Attorneys for the star told the court that Lanez has still been trying to confuse the public about the details of the case, with a fake story featured on X/Twitter last fall claiming he'd been declared 'innocent' in appeals court, Billboard reported. In a federal lawsuit filed in October, her team said that YouTuber Milagro Gramz was hired to by Lanez to function as his 'mouthpiece and puppet' while the rapper does time. She says has not 'been at peace' since the July 2020 shooting occurred. Reese Witherspoon looked effortlessly chic while out shopping in New York City on Monday. The 48-year-old film star cut a striking figure in a mostly black ensemble after picking up some skincare supplies in the Big Apple. She layered over her trim figure on the chilly day with a voluminous black button-up coat with large patch pockets and a belt tied around her slim midriff. The Big Little Lies star wore the coat over a pale-gray ribbed sweater and a sleek black maxi skirt that ruffled in the breeze. Reese stayed on point with a set of black high-heel boots that elevated her modest stature, and she accessorized with a black leather Fendi handbag hanging on her arm. The actress who will soon be seen opposite Will Ferrell in the romantic comedy You're Cordially Invited wore her shoulder-length blond hair swept to the sides to put the spotlight on her impeccable skin and her black oval-shaped sunglasses. Reese Witherspoon, 48, looked effortlessly chic was out shopping for skincare products in New York City on Monday In the A-listers latest film, she stars as a woman who reserves an inn located in coastal North Carolina as the cozy venue for the wedding of her younger sister (Meredith Hagner). But things get complicated when the inn turns out to have been double booked for Ferrell's character, whose daughter (played by Geraldine Viswanathan) is also getting married. Fans on social media expressed excitement about seeing Reese team up with the former Saturday Night Live star for a big comedy, though the film apparently didn't warrant enough confidence from its distributor Amazon to earn a theatrical release. Instead, it will debut on Amazon Prime Video across the globe on January 30. Last week, Reese and Will joined forces to promote the comedy with a joint appearance on The Graham Norton Show, which was also one of the first stops for Ariana Grande after she was nominated for the Academy Award for best supporting actress for her musical blockbuster Wicked. Reese revealed during the talk show that she was called up for jury duty 'seven years' after she starred in the comedy Legally Blonde, and she was forced to sit for the entire two-week trial. She starred in the iconic legal comedy as Elle Woods, a sorority girl who tries to win back her ex-boyfriend by enrolling at Harvard Law School to prove she's smart enough to be his future wife. According to Reese, her fellow jurors apparently trusted her with extra responsibilities after she played the ditzy lawyer-in-training. She wore a pale-gray ribbed sweater and black maxi skirt with tall black boots and a matching coat that she belted around her midriff. Reese carried a thick Fendi handbag and wore oval-shaped sunglasses Her outing comes just days before the release of her new rom-com You're Cordially Invited. She and Will Ferrell star as two people who are double booked at a wedding venue Reese selects an inn in North Carolina to host her younger sister's wedding, while Will wants to make the perfect ceremony for his daughter. You're Cordially Invited debuts on Amazon Prime Video on January 30 'When we went to deliberation and it came to choosing a foreman, the entire jury picked me,' she said. 'When I asked them why, they said it was because I went to law school!' Reese added that, though she and Will met when she hosted Saturday Night Live in 2001, it was another 22 years before they came up with another project to collaborate on. 'I actually said yes to the movie and working with Will before I knew what the plot was, I just wanted to do it,' she admitted. Will added: 'I had the best time, and it would be a dream to work together again.' Kimberley Garner cut a stylish figure in a navy suit as she departed the glamorous Costes party in Paris during fashion week on Monday night. The former Made In Chelsea star, 33, looked happier than ever as she headed from the bash with handsome trader boyfriend William Claeyssens de Tena, 30. Kimberley showed off her incredible figure during the evening in an oversized blazer which she cinched in at the waist with a dazzling belt. The reality star turned swimwear designer wore a matching pair of wide legged trousers and a pair of towering black boots. She elevated her ensemble by accessorising with a pair of gold chunky hoop earrings and toted her belongings around in a coordinated handbag. Meanwhile, Andres cut a dapper figure in a linen beige suit which he paired with a black T-shirt and boots. Kimberley Garner cut a stylish figure in a navy suit as she departed the glamorous Costes party in Paris with handsome trader boyfriend William Claeyssens de Tena, 30, on Monday The former Made In Chelsea star, 33, looked happier than ever as she enjoyed the French capital during Fashion Week Slicking back his dark locks he flashed his smile as he place a caring hand on Kimberley's back as they exited the party. The couple are currently in the French capital for the 2025 Spring Summer Haute Couture Fashion Week. Kimberley revealed that she had a new man in her life last November. She stepped out with her handsome trader partner William for the first time at the Chain of Hope Gala Ball in November. Speaking exclusively told the Mail on Sunday, Kimberley confirmed her relationship status, revealing the budding romance was going well, and she was happy. 'We met through friends just last week, so this is our second date,' she added. Kimberley's beau's Instagram says he divides his time between Marbella and London, and he appears to enjoy the high life - sailing, shooting, and attending events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed being some of his hobbies. Her date reveal came after she recently revealed she had 'just broken up with someone'. Kimberley's last known romance began in the summer of 2023, when it was revealed that she was going out with financier Andreas Anthis, but the pair broke up in April last year with Kimberley calling it the 'right decision'. Kimberley showed off her incredible figure during the evening in an oversized blazer which she cinched in at the waist with a dazzling belt The reality star turned swimwear designer wore a matching pair of wide legged trousers and a pair of towering black boots She elevated her ensemble by accessorising with a pair of gold chunky hoop earrings and toted her belongings around in a coordinated handbag Meanwhile Andres cut a dapper figure in a linen beige suit which he paired with a black T-shirt and boots Slicking back his dark locks he flashed his smile as he place a caring hand on Kimberley's back as they exited the party Kimberley revealed that she had a new man in her life last November and exclusively told the Mail on Sunday that the budding romance was going well, and she was happy Kimberley was spotted for the first time with Andreas last July, as they packed on the PDA while walking her dog Sasha in London. The reality star previously dated her MIC co-star Richard Dinan. She also revealed she has bought a new house in Belgravia, London, and was 'excited' to be living back in the UK after putting her Miami beach house on the market. She said it was a decision which was not driven by the presidential race because she was 'happy' with the result. 'I just bought a new property in Belgravia, so I have been working for the last two months and had my head down,' she said. 'This is my first night out in two months. 'I am selling my flat in America, so I am actually moving my money from the US to London. 'I love it in America, but I just love British culture we are fabulous. We have our culture, history, accents. 'I love our traditions here and feel it is very elegant. It is where I grew up, I went to boarding school here and think it is amazing.' Kimberley first found fame on Made In Chelsea and has made a name for herself as a successful swimsuit brand entrepreneur. She recently spoke about how she used to pretend to be an intern when she first started the business as nobody took her seriously. Jamie Oliver has admitted that his 'hero' Marco Pierre White still 'doesn't like him at all'. The chef, 49, addressed their old feud in detail as he said Marco, 63, 'destroyed' him when they first met. Marco famously previously described Jamie as 'a fat chef with a drum kit' in 2007. Jamie hit back at this calling Marco a 'Mafia-don-type character'. Marco later hit out at him again for being 'delusional' and refusing to admit he had 'f***ed up' after Jamie had blamed Brexit for the collapse of his restaurant empire. Speaking on the Louis Theroux podcast this week Jamie addressed the feud saying Marco 'still doesn't like him' - but still praised his fellow chef. Jamie said: 'Oh he doesn't like me at all, still doesn't. Jamie Oliver has admitted that his 'hero' Marco Pierre White still 'doesn't like him at all' as he addressed their long-running feud this week The chef, 49, addressed their old feud in detail as he said Marco, 63, 'destroyed' him when they first met Speaking on the Louis Theroux podcast this week Jamie addressed the feud saying Marco 'still doesn't like him' - but still praised his fellow chef 'I don't know (why). I have no shared history with him, working under him, so, he doesn't have a sense of control. 'I mean, I could easily start saying, look, we don't get on, more importantly, he was really important for the industry.' He said of Marco: 'When I was a very young chef, the industry was quite dark and boring, and it felt like from a different era and he came along, and he was incredible, and his sort of energy and attitude was so cool, he was my hero, for sure.' Jamie continued: 'We went on a shoot one day, spent a day with him and it was perfectly lovely, and then a week later he just destroyed me on a double-page spread. 'I was really pleased to meet him, but he just destroyed me. And then you sort of think, well that was sort of a bit low. 'But, you meet people you love and often they're like, they clearly think you're a w***er. So that's fine. I don't need anything from him. 'I still think he was a game changer. He was still my hero for that period of my life. But, that's life and it's not just Marco, it's lots of people it's happened to.' In 2019 Marco hit out at Jamie for blaming Brexit over the collapse of his restaurant empire. Marco famously previously described Jamie as 'a fat chef with a drum kit' during a 2007 interview with The Sun. Jamie hit back at this calling Marco a 'Mafia-don-type character' In 2019 Marco hit out at Jamie for blaming Brexit over the collapse of his restaurant empire (pictured one of his restaurants) The pair have been embroiled in previous war of words over the past decade, with Jamie calling him a 'psychological bully' in 2014 The 'Naked Chef' saw 25 of his Italian, Barbecoa and Fifteen eateries close in May of that year when the brands went into administration with around 1,000 jobs lost. Speaking on Radio 4 at the time Jamie blamed the failures on the high street becoming 'Uber-fied' and the uncertainty of Brexit causing people's eating habits to change. But, speaking at his Steakhouse Bar & Grill restaurant at The Cube in Birmingham, Marco then dismissed the claims and questioned whether Jamie was 'delusional'. He added he had previously had a 'horrific' experience at a Jamie Oliver restaurant at Gatwick Airport the year before due to the wait for his food, suggesting the service may have also had an impact on a drop in trade. Marco said: 'I have read Jamie is blaming his business failure on Brexit but I really don't understand that at all. 'Wouldn't that mean then all restaurants have gone bust too? 'I don't think he can blame Brexit. It's the lamest excuse in the world. I think it is wrong to blame Brexit. We're all in the same boat. If it's Brexit's fault, we'd all be bust. 'How can you blame everyone but yourself? Is he delusional?' On his previous experience dining at a Jamie Oliver restaurant, Marco said: 'The only time I've ever dined at a Jamie's was at Gatwick Airport. I've dined twice there, most recently, last year. 'Both times I had to wait a very long time for my food. It was horrific. We all make mistakes, we all have bad days. 'But I've got to say it was consistently bad on both occasions. It wasn't my decision to eat there both times - the people I was with chose to go there, but you wouldn't want to go to another Jamie's after that. 'Even if you enjoyed your food, bad service always leaves a sour taste in the mouth.' The pair have been embroiled in previous war of words over the past decade, with Jamie calling him a 'psychological bully' in 2014. Marco also criticised Jamie in 2010 over his campaign to ban turkey twizzlers from schools five years earlier, claiming it was 'unfair' of his rival to label the product unhealthy But he added he did not 'hate' Marco and added he was once his childhood hero. Marco also criticised Jamie in 2010 over his campaign to ban turkey twizzlers from schools five years earlier, claiming it was 'unfair' of his rival to label the product unhealthy. It came after Marco signed an advertising deal for Bernard Matthews, which produced the twizzlers. A year later he claimed Jamie was 'not a real chef' because he 'never won a Michelin star' and was therefore 'not accepted by the chef world'. 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 Cast members on the new season of Married At First Sight are struggling to pay their bills, according to a new report. The brides are grooms are paid just $1,178 per week, when accounting for a day rate and a food allowance, an alleged participant told Yahoo. 'Nothing could prepare me for what I had signed up for and while you do get sucked in by the glitz and glamour the remuneration is appalling,' the source said. 'You get $150 a day plus a $128 food allowance for the week. 'All up you get $1,178. The way we are paid as 'contributors' and not as a proper job is how they can pay you so little.' The insider felt that the pay was too little for what often amounted to 8-12 hour shooting days. Cast members on the new season of Married At First Sight are struggling to pay their bills, according to a new report. Pictured: Lauren Hall The pay rate left some struggling to pay bills, Yahoo claimed, with many stars returning to their fulltime jobs after the show. It comes after news that several scorned participants of Married At First Sight 2025 are already causing drama. Multiple cast members are refusing to hand over control of their Instagram accountsa standard requirement for cast members during the airing of the show. Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal that business owner Lauren Hall, 37, and Melbourne-based teacher Tim Gromie, 38, are at the centre of the controversy, with both defying Channel Nine's expectations after their on-screen marriages ended in disaster. A source close to Lauren revealed the corporate gifting entrepreneur has no interest in being a reality TV star or growing her social media following. 'Lauren feels like she wasted her time on this experiment,' the insider spilled. 'She genuinely went on the show hoping to meet someone she wouldn't come across in her usual circles, but she quickly realised the whole thing was a farce. 'She's not about chasing clout like some of the others. And the experts? Don't even get her startedthey were just parroting whatever the producers fed them through an earpiece.' The brides are grooms are paid just $1,178 per week, when accounting for a day rate and a food allowance, an alleged participant told Yahoo. Pictured: Jamie Marinos 'Nothing could prepare me for what I had signed up for and while you do get sucked in by the glitz and glamour the remuneration is appalling,' the source said. Pictured: Eliot Donovan Lauren, who was paired with businessman Eliot Donovan, reportedly clashed with her husband almost immediately after tying the knot. According to a production insider, Eliot 'packed his bags and booked a flight home' before the pair even got to their honeymoon suite. 'Eliot was disrespectful from the moment he laid eyes on Lauren,' the insider dished. 'He didn't give her a chance and made it clear he wanted out. By the next morning, it was like, 'I'm done,' and he walked away without so much as a second thought.' The fallout was so bad that crew members were left scrambling during filming, with photos taken on August 6 showing staff shielding Lauren as she arrived solo at the first dinner party. Meanwhile, school teacher Tim Gromie has also refused to hand over control of his account, reportedly wanting to sever all ties with the show. 'Tim felt completely betrayed by the so-called 'experts,' a source close to the teacher revealed. 'He poured his heart into the process, only to feel like the producers and experts set him up to fail. 'He didn't even show up for publicity dayChannel Nine had to Photoshop an old image of him for his official portrait!' Adding fuel to the fire is 57-year-old mum-of-two Morena Farina, who is refusing to relinquish her professional DJ account. With 3,390 followers, the wedding MC regularly uses the platform to promote her gigs and connect with clients. Despite repeated warnings from producers and Channel Nine, Morena has been posting updates about her life, including a series of snaps of her spinning tracks from a recent appearance. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley showed off her sensational figure in a daring black cut out top as she departed the Costes party on Monday night during Paris Fashion Week. The actress, 37, who is currently in the French capital for the 2025 Spring Summer Haute Couture Fashion Week, made the pavement her catwalk as she headed back to her hotel for the night. Rosie showcased her model stature as she went braless under the eye catching sleeveless top which boasted two waist cut outs down the sides. She tucked the number into a stylish satin midi skirt which displayed her toned legs through a bold thigh high split. Rosie added inches to her frame in a pair of black stilettos and toted her belongings around in a silver mirrored clutch. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley showed off her sensational figure in a daring black cut out top as she departed the Costes party on Monday night during Paris Fashion Week The actress, 37, who is currently in the French capital for the 2025 Spring Summer Haute Couture Fashion Week, made the pavement her catwalk as she headed back to her hotel Elevating her evening ensemble further, the former Victoria's Secret Angel accessorised with a dazzling silver chain bracelet and matching drop earrings. She styled her long blonde tresses loose in voluminous curls and wore a glamorous palette of makeup accentuating her beauty. Rosie looked in good spirits as she exited the 5-star hotel with a friend and climbed into a waiting car. Her latest outing comes after Rosie revealed she and husband Jason Statham, 57, have moved back to London for the safety of their children. After living with Jason in California for eleven years, the couple invested 15million in three luxury homes in London. Speaking to the Telegraph in October, she said the experience had been 'grounding'. She said: 'Living back in the UK has been a really grounding experience for us. The fact that we can walk out of our front door and go and get a coffee and a loaf of bread [without paparazzi intrusion]. 'We'd leave our home in LA and there'd be five cars following us down the block to the gym. Both Jason and I felt like it was really important for our children to not be impacted by our line of work. 'We wanted our kids to have a childhood away from cameras as much as we could. Because I've seen that. Rosie showcased her model stature as she went braless under the eye catching sleeveless blouse which boasted two waist cut outs down the sides She tucked the number into a stylish satin midi skirt which displayed her toned legs through a bold thigh high split Rosie put on a leggy display in the outfit Rosie added inches to her frame in a pair of black stilettos and toted her belongings around in a silver mirrored clutch Elevating her evening ensemble further, the former Victoria's Secret Angel accessorised with a dazzling silver chain bracelet and matching drop earrings She styled her long blonde tresses loose in voluminous curls and wore a glamorous palette of makeup accentuating her beauty Rosie looked in good spirits as she headed home for the night She turned heads as she made the stylish departure 'I've seen children of celebrities whose parents didn't give them that choice. 'It's Jack's choice and it's Bella's choice, whether they live in the public eye. 'If they want to, that won't be a problem. But I just always feared my son turning round to me one day and saying, 'You and Daddy didn't protect me, I don't want this'.' In recent weeks the supermodel has been posting regularly on Instagram partnering with huge brands such as Tiffany, Belvedere Vodka and Alo. Rosie has carved out an impressive career in modelling, starring in numerous campaigns and runway shows, as well as becoming a Victoria's Secret Angel. Just last week Rosie and Jason were pictured out shopping and having lunch together. The low-key British couple first began dating in 2009 after meeting at a party in London and experiencing what Rosie called 'instant chemistry'. They made their red carpet debut in February 2011 at the Vanity Fair Oscars after party, and later that year attended the Met Gala together as well. They became engaged in 2016, and have a son Jack, seven, and daughter, Isabella, two. Speaking about their plans to marry after Jack was born, Rosie said: 'I think the time will come. It's also not a huge priority for us.' She has also addressed the couple's 20-year age gap, saying: 'His knowledge and strength are really inspiring and attractive, and that can come with a man who's had a bit of time.' Rosie dressed to impress while visiting Paris for fashion week Rosie looked in good spirits as she exited the 5-star hotel with a friend and climbed into a waiting car Rosie was spotted arriving back at her hotel She showed off her amazing figure in the ensemble Her latest outing comes as the Victoria Secret model revealed she and husband Jason Statham have moved back to London for the safety of their children (pictured with daughter) Netflix viewers 'are losing their minds' over the return of a 'amazing' drama that appeared on screens this week. The Recruit, staring Noah Centineo as CIA lawyer Owen Hendricks, first premiered in 2022 but is set to comeback with a brand new series on January 30. The second season will see the actor joined by award-winning South Koren star Teo Yoo, who will play Jang Kyun. The instalment will see Owen go international on a 'life-threatening espionage in South Korea' where he makes a shocking discovery. Sharing their excitement after Netflix dropped the first trailer on X, fans wrote: 'I'm losing my mind waiting! start 3 asap! thank you!'; 'Woow amazing I'm waiting for 30 January'; 'That looks really good, can tell its gonna be a good classic!!' Netflix viewers 'are losing their minds' over the return of a 'amazing' drama that appeared on screens this week The Recruit, staring Noah Centineo as CIA lawyer Owen Hendricks, first premiered in 2022 but is set to comeback with a brand new series on January 30. Others added: 'The Recruit is really good. I am watching season 3 to try and remember what happened before the premiere of season 2 but someone tell Netflix 3 YEARS between new episodes is how you kill a show'; 'I can't wait for the Recruit this Thursday'; 'Done with The Night agent, waiting for The Recruit.' Series one left viewers on a huge cliff-hanger with Owen and Russian asset Max Meladze (Laura Haddock) locked in a basement by Karolina Lashin AKA Nichka (Maddie Hasson) - a member of the Russian mafia. Karolina fires her gun at Max, with her fate left unknown, and several other questions left unanswered. Show creator Alexi Hawley has confirmed that the second series will pick up from where the first left off. Speaking to Netflix's Tudum ahead of the launch, Noah said: 'Owens headspace is complete chaos. He has just witnessed Max the former CIA asset whom he almost died multiple times trying to protect get shot by her daughter Nichka. Owen is wondering how in the hell he is going to survive the next few seconds of his life. Alexi added: 'We immediately throw Owen in the deep end, which is where hes the most fun. It seemed like a great way to start Season 2 and then we just never let our foot off the gas. 'Owen knows that if he does not walk away with a win this season, his career is going to be over. He might go to prison.' The instalment will see Owen go international on a 'life-threatening espionage in South Korea' where he makes a shocking discovery Sharing their excitement after Netflix dropped the first trailer on X, fans wrote: 'I'm losing my mind waiting! start 3 asap! thank you!'; Show creator Alexi Hawley said: 'We immediately throw Owen in the deep end, which is where hes the most fun. It seemed like a great way to start Season 2' The Recruit first premiered in 2022 and saw Noah become entangled in a dangerous new world after starting a new job as a CIA lawyer. After getting handed boxes of letters from people threatening to expose classified information, he must use his legal knowledge to safeguard the government's secrets. His life quickly becomes at stake, after meeting with a woman in prison, who had sent the first line of defence for the United States a menacing ultimatum. 'Congratulations, youre being followed by the entire United Nations,' he's told after the meeting, before nearly getting shot at while visiting a storage locker. Kylie Jenner looked like she was ready for Valentine's Day as she shared new images from the latest collection from her clothing brand Khy. The cosmetics billionaire, 27, was seen in a red vinyl bra with matching skintight leggings in the eye-popping Instagram post. The highlight of the sizzling image was her flat tummy with hints of abs after welcoming two children with rapper Travis Scott. The reality TV star wore her thick raven hair down as her makeup included a red pout. Jenner whose boyfriend is Timothee Chalamet opted was in a studio at her KC offices. 'From your perfect faux leather styles that elevate any look to oversized faux fur jackets that command attention, this capsule collection is crafted with the intention to redefine modern luxury to evoke a sense of confidence and to simplify every day dressing,' the caption read. Kylie Jenner looked like she was ready for Valentine's Day as she shared new images from the latest collection from her clothing brand Khy. The cosmetics billionaire, 27, was seen in a red vinyl bra with matching skintight leggings in the eye-popping Instagram post The sister of Kendall Jenner had on a similar color at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party She revealed that her nearly 400M fans can get their hands on the new Khy pieces starting January 28. 'Both dropping 01/28 exclusively on khy.com,' Jenner wrote. Just one day prior, Jenner stunned in another batch of Khy campaign images for the line's faux fur collection. The beauty who recently thanked firefighters in LA uploaded two flawless photos in a joint post with the clothing brand, which Jenner launched in late 2023. The Kardashians personality posed in a floor-length brown faux fur coat, adding sheer black pantyhose and pointy-toe, black heels. She was holding a red rose in time for Valentine's Day as the petals fell to the floor. 'Introducing the latest from KHY: wardrobe essentials reimagined in faux fur and leather,' the caption said. 'Effortless, elevated, and perfect for every occasionthis collection is designed to make a statement wherever you go. Your new go-to pieces dropping 01/28 on khy.com,' the caption read. It comes amid Jenner's boyfriend Chalamet's Oscar nomination for his role as Bob Dylan in the biopic A Complete Unknown. Last week she was modeling a black vinyl bra and high-legged panties paired with sheer stockings Jenner surprised fans when she introduced her clothing line in October 2023. She debuted the sartorial undertaking with a single photo of herself donning a black faux leather trench coat with zipper details. In the caption, she wrote, 'meet khy,' and tagged its Instagram handle on the snap. Accompanying the arrival of the range was a Wall Street Journal cover story describing her latest entrepreneurial pursuit. Jenner and Chalamet, 29, were not shy about packing on the PDA inside the Golden Globes earlier this month, but they have notoriously kept their nearly two-year-long romance private. The mother-of-two, who shares six-year-old daughter Stormi and two-year-old son Aire (who both have birthdays in early February) with ex-boyfriend Travis Scott, has never posted her new lover Timothee on her social media accounts. It marks a sharp contrast from her prior relationship with Scott, which she proudly flaunted in the public eye. The Kylie Cosmetics founder and Hollywood hunk have only been pictured together a handful of times since publicly launching their relationship in late 2023. It comes amid Jenner's boyfriend Timothee Chalamet's Oscar nomination; the couple pictured at the Golden Globes on January 5 She is in Paris, left, while Timothee was in NYC, right Chalamet has been nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actor category for his portrayal of Bob Dylan. He will face off with Adrien Brody for The Brutalist, Colman Domingo for Sing Sing, Ralph Fiennes for Conclave and Sebastian Stan for The Apprentice. Timothee was previously nominated in the category in 2018 for his lauded performance in Call Me By Your Name. The Dune star is the ceremony's youngest two-time Best Actor nominee since James Dean, who died at age 24. Gregg Wallace's wife Anna Wallace has shared a quote in a rare post amid her husband's sexual misconduct probe. The former MasterChef presenter, 60, is currently under investigation over a string of allegations of inappropriate behaviour - including from Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark - and stepped down from hosting the hit BBC cooking show in November. And while her partner keeps his head down amid the scandal, Anna took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a sweet message as she seemingly tries to keep a positive outlook. The quote read: 'Hello Tuesday. Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.' Anna, who shares five-year-old son Sid with Gregg, has not yet publicly addressed any claims made against her husband. It comes days after Gregg surprised viewers with a return to TV since leaving MasterChef amid historical misconduct allegations. Gregg Wallace's wife Anna Wallace has shared an inspirational quote amid her husband's sexual misconduct probe MasterChef presenter Gregg, 60, is currently under investigation over a string of allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour He appeared recently on Channel 5 in a rerun of 90-minute documentary Beast from the East: The Big Freeze of 2018. The show, which first aired in 2023, looks back at when Britain was in the midst of the icy grip of the Siberian storm which wreaked havoc on the country and caused temperatures to plunge to -11C and 20inches of snow to fall in some areas. Gregg appeared in interviews alongside Countryfile's Adam Henson, and meteorologist Tomasz Schafernaker, in which he spoke about being delighted of hearing how sales of cans of soup had soared. He talked about snow along the small country roads near his home in Kent being up to your earlobes and how he had been 'snowed out' compared to others in the countryside being 'snowed in'. Just days earlier, Lorraine Kelly furiously slammed the 'toxic' TV industry and Gregg Wallace's 'appalling behaviour' in a fiery new rant. The Scottish star, 65, was not holding anything back in a new interview where she discussed an 'abuse of power' that 'should never happen'. Lorraine told The Mirror: 'There are toxic people in telly. We're going through that at the moment. The behaviour of Gregg Wallace and other people that we've seen, should it come about as all true, is appalling. 'There's an imbalance of power there, and it's abused. They're just not right, and it should never happen.' While her partner keeps his head down amid the scandal, Anna took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a sweet message as she seemingly tries to keep a positive outlook Anna, who shares five-year-old son Sid with Gregg, has not yet publicly addressed any claims made against her husband She added: 'But how dare the people round about them allow and enable them to behave like that? It's horrible and it's toxic and nasty. I've got no time for people who abuse their power.' Wallace was initially bullish in the face of the allegations, taking to Instagram to say they mostly came from 'middle class women of a certain age'. He went on to ask: 'Can you imagine how many women on MasterChef have made sexual remarks or sexual innuendo?' Since then, several high-profile names - including TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson as well as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer - have condemned his remarks in public statements. The former greengrocer later apologised for the controversial comments which caused a PR storm. The under-fire presenter said of his middle class women slur: 'I wasn't in a good headspace when I posted it. I've been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion. Among those to come forward with allegations against Wallace is a woman called Lisa, not her real name, who worked on BBC show Eat Well for Less in 2015. She told the BBC Wallace 'touched her inappropriately' when they were filming in a supermarket. Gregg (right) stepped down from his role as MasterChef co-host in November amid a raft of allegations about his misconduct Gregg Wallace surprised viewers yesterday with a return to TV since leaving MasterChef in which he said 'we are good people at our core' He appeared recently on Channel 5 in a rerun of 90-minute documentary Beast from the East: The Big Freeze of 2018 'He brushed past me at the checkout, and touched my bum with his waist and penis and laughed and said 'oooh you liked that didn't you',' she alleged. 'It was the way he reacted, other people would've said 'oh I'm sorry can I squeeze by' which would've been ok.' Lisa also claims that she felt she had to continue working but was 'not ok about it', describing it as 'slimy and disgusting'. She claims she raised it with a senior colleague but that nothing was ever done. Banijay say they have no record of this incident being raised at RDF Television, which produced Eat Well For Less. A second woman claims that she came across Wallace while working at an event in 2022. The woman, known only as Sarah, claims that Wallace asked her to take him to the car park at the end of the event. Just days earlier, Lorraine Kelly furiously slammed the 'toxic' TV industry and Gregg Wallace 's 'appalling behaviour' in a fiery new rant Food critic Grace Dent, 51, is set to replace Wallace on MasterChef while the investigation into his behaviour takes place 'As we walked down, he started putting his arm around me, saying 'go on, hold my hand, don't you want to stand next to me',' she told the BBC. Other claims include talking about his sex life on set, asking for women's numbers and repeatedly questioning a gay woman about the 'logistics' of dating other women. Gregg's lawyers said 'it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature'. Food critic Grace Dent, 51, is set to replace Wallace on MasterChef while the investigation into his behaviour takes place. Dent will judge the upcoming 20th series of Celebrity MasterChef, having appeared regularly as a guest and then even a contestant on MasterChef: Battle Of The Critics in 2022. Gogglebox star Daniel Lustig has revealed whether he would get married again following splitting from ex husband Stephen Webb just nine months ago. The Channel 4 stars shocked their fans when they announced they were getting a divorce in April 2024 after six years of marriage. Now Daniel has revealed what he would do next time he decides to tie the knot with a new significant other after marrying Stephen in a lavish south of France ceremony. Speaking on series five of Celebrity Skin Talk with Scott McGlynn, who played James Corden's stag in Gavin & Stacey, Daniel said he has been dating. He said: 'I've been on a few dates here and there, I am old school I do like to meet people in person, in the park walking the dogs, if I see a guy I ask if he's got pooh bags.' Daniel revealed he would like to next time get married in a small London registry office ceremony with only a handful of friends in attendance. Gogglebox star Daniel Lustig has revealed whether he would get married again following splitting from ex husband Stephen Webb just nine months ago The Channel 4 stars shocked their fans when they announced they were getting a divorce in April 2024 after six years of marriage (pictured together) He continued: 'Well me and Stephen's wedding was in south of France very beautiful, but yes I would get married again but I would like more of a London wedding. 'You know in a register office with 5 friends, and go out with friends after for a nice meal, nice and relaxed one.' It comes after Daniel recently revealed that he and ex Stephen are still living together as he opened up about their 'traumatic' and 'devastating' shock split. Speaking on Best's Suddenly Single podcast, Daniel revealed he and Stephen, 53, are still living under the same roof while they continue to sell their apartment. He said: 'Were still living together. Were trying to sell our apartment. We cohabit really well together. (The split) was quite a slow process, for a while we were still sleeping in the same bed. 'Then when Stephen went on Celebs Go Dating we agreed wed sleep in separate bedrooms. 'Weve found a way to work together, live together and be dog dads. Its always been about friendship. 'As soon as we started dating, I said, this guy is so different to me but we got on so well, even though we came from completely different backgrounds.' Now Daniel has revealed what he would do next time he decides to tie the knot with a new significant other after previously saying 'I do' to Stephen in a lavish south of France ceremony Speaking on series five of Celebrity Skin Talk with Scott McGlynn, who played James Corden's stag in Gavin & Stacey, Daniel said he has been dating Daniel revealed he would like to next time get married in a small London registry office ceremony with only a handful of friends in attendance Stephen and Daniel are still on good terms and are currently still living together and the pair both running their hair salon together Talking about their split, he added: 'It was devastating. For me, it was traumatic and although I knew things werent great, I didnt see it coming. 'It was quite a slow process because we were completely entwined for so long, with our businesses, the dogs, we were so close in everything we did. 'There was nothing underhand happening, no-one had slept with anyone else. Stephen was the complete opposite to me, and wed say opposites attracted, but fundamentally that was our problem in the end.' Stephen and Daniel are still on good terms, with the pair both running their hair salon together. At the time of their split, Daniel said: 'We've made the decision with a very heavy heart to confirm our marriage has come to an end. 'Im sure we will forever be friends.' Stephen first appeared on Channel 4 show Gogglebox more than a decade ago in 2023 alongside his ex-boyfriend Chris Ashby-Steed. When the couple split, Stephen remained on the programme with his late mother Pat. Kelly Rutherford made a very rare sighting with her 17-year-old son Hermes Gustaf Daniel Giersch in Paris on Monday. It is the first time she has posed with the boy in public in over 10 years. The two were side by side at two tony Parisian fashion events as they smiled for the cameras. They attended both the Chanel show and the Rahul Mishra event as part of Paris Fashion Week 2025 in France. Interestingly, Hermes is already taller than his Hollywood actress mother. The boy wore a dark suit with a light shirt as his hair was slicked back. Mom modeled a black dress at Chanel and a floral-print dress with a low-cut neckline, black heels and a handbag at Rahul. The blonde beauty also has a 15-year-old daughter named Helena. The father of the two kids is Kelly's ex-husband, German businessman Daniel Giersch, 50, whom she had a very ugly and public international custody war with that cost her over $2M. Kelly Rutherford made a rare sighting with her 17-year-old son Hermes Gustaf Daniel Giersch in Paris on Monday. It is the first time she has posed with the boy in public in 10 years; seen at Chanel The star had on a black dress with platform heels while holding a handbag Kelly last hit a red carpet with her kids in 2015, which was 10 years ago, in the Hamptons Kelly, 56, has been living in Monaco to be closer to her kids. The TV star had a lengthy custody battle with her ex Daniel. She wed Giersch in 2006 and they split in 2009. Rutherford was granted joint custody of their children by a judge in Monaco. Hermes was two years old at the time and the star was pregnant with Helena. Things got hard when the judge said the kids would have to live full-time with Giersch in Monaco because his work visa got revoked. That kept him from returning to the United States. The judge told Rutherford that she would have to move to Monaco or make frequent visits in order to see her two children. The actress spent nearly $2 million in legal fees, it was claimed. Then she had to declared bankruptcy so she could continue to pay to fight for full custody of her kids. It was a six-year legal battle. She then put on a floral print suit while at Rahul on Monday The boy wore a dark suit with a light shirt as his hair was slicked back The blonde beauty also has a 15-year-old daughter named Helena. The father of the two kids is Kelly's ex-husband, German businessman Daniel Giersch, 50, whom she had a very ugly and public international custody war with The TV star had a lengthy custody battle with her ex Daniel. She wed Giersch in 2006 and they split in 2009 The star seen with Hermes at the Tassimo Brewbot Cafe in NYC in 2011 When she didn't send her kids back to Monaco following a six-week visit she was accused of abduction. Kelly last hit a red carpet with her kids in 2015, which was 10 years ago. In October she told Travel + Leisure she likes how quiet Monaco is. 'It's actually quite peaceful,' Rutherford said. 'It's the opposite of what everyone thinks it is, for me at least. It's a place you can come and really just be quiet.' She added, 'In the wintertime, it's very quiet, very private, and very peaceful. It's like the Hamptons in the summer versus the Hamptons in the winter.' The Melrose Place star has a slower lifestyle there. 'I just walk the dogs, hang out with the kids, and run errands,' she said. They were also seen at the Patou Menswear Fall-Winter 2025/2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 26 Gossip Girl with Kelly, right, as Lily and co-star Blake Lively, left, as Serena 'If there's a gallery opening or something like that, I'll go just to see. But it's mostly just quiet time here for me.' And she loves the history of Monaco. 'Grace Kelly really created this beautiful feeling here,' she said. 'She invited all the Hollywood people to Monaco early on and made it very glamorous.' Now it is 'still very old school, traditional, private, beautiful, but it's also now becoming sort of a cultural center. There's the feeling like it's having another new energy.' Sky News presenter Kay Burley has shared the latest development in her sister's cancer battle, almost a year after revealing her diagnosis. Burley initially confirmed younger sister Jacqueline was having chemotherapy treatment to combat the illness - which killed their mother and grandmother - in March 2024. The presenter, 64, has since confirmed Jacqueline is cancer-free in a social media post shared with followers on Tuesday. Sharing a photo of the pair, she wrote: 'The best of news. My baby sister Jacqueline is cancer free. 'She has been through hell and back for the last 18 months but today she was given the all clear by her oncologist. My heart swells for her and the family.' Burley previously admitted she herself had an 80 percent chance of developing cancer after various blood relatives were diagnosed and eventually died with the disease. Sky News presenter Kay Burley has shared the latest development in her sister Jacqueline's cancer battle, almost a year after revealing her diagnosis Burley lost her mother Kath to breast cancer in 1993, after her grandmother died of the same condition when Kath was just 18. Pictured: 15-year-old Kay (left) with her mother Kath before she died Her mother Kath lost her battle with breast cancer in 1993, after her grandmother died of the same condition when Kath was just 18. 'My mum died when she was my age,' she told Good Morning Britain in 2018. 'My little boy was eight months old. It still makes me sad actually just to think about it.' 'I remember her saying to me at the time, ''I'm going to die'' and I said, ''I can't live without you''. And she said, 'You are going to have to darling and look after your daddy''.' The presenter is now regularly checked for breast cancer and submits herself to a mammogram every six months. In 2017, Burley's friend and Labour politician Dame Tessa Jowell died of a brain tumour at the age of 70, and a week later friend Rochelle died of the same condition. This was shortly followed by the death of her colleague Colin Brazier's wife Jo, who died of breast cancer weeks after Rochelle. She continued: 'My grandmother had died when my mum was 18 and my aunt died shortly after my mother and I've had lots of breast cancer scares. 'When they approached me, it was a no brainer. I lost three girlfriends six weeks before, including the amazing Tessa Jowell.' The presenter has since confirmed Jacqueline is cancer-free in a social media post shared with followers on Tuesday In December, Burley denied claims she is leaving her Sky News breakfast show after five years Despite having an 80 percent risk of getting cancer herself, Burley said things look more positive for cancer patients with the advance of modern medicine. She added: 'Thankfully it's a disease that you tend to live with rather than die from. It's not a death sentence like it was for my mother 25 years ago.' In December, Burley denied claims she is leaving her Sky News breakfast show after five years. The presenter first joined the news channel 35 years ago and has since gone on to become one of the broadcaster's highest-profile news anchors. The TV host moved to the breakfast slot in October 2019, taking over from Sunrise host Sarah-Jane Mee. Breakfast with Kay Burley was re-launched this year with a more conversational format featuring co-hosts Gareth Barlow and Mhari Aurora. Reports suggested the veteran journalist was due to step down from the breakfast show as early as this week, according to Deadline. But Burley told MailOnline such rumours were not true. She said: 'I don't know where that comes from, but neither of them are true. I am off on the 19th [as] planned and then I am back on January 16.' When asked about reports in the trade press that she was leaving her breakfast show, she added: 'Not that I'm aware of, unless you are telling me something new.' She said: 'I am getting up at half past three in the morning... I'm back after I have been away to the Seychelles.' Allison Holker made a shock sex revelation about her late husband Stephen 'tWitch' Boss this week - amid an ongoing feud with his family over her memoir revelations. Holker, 36, who was married to Boss from 2013 until his 2022 suicide, has been slammed by his family for promoting her book, which includes drug use claims, and labeling her a 'money-hungry opportunist' who is exploiting his memory for personal gain. Undeterred by the family drama, Holker opened up about the risque incident which took place at a Glee concert in the early days of their romance, after detailing the romp in upcoming book, This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light. Speaking on the Monday episode of The Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast, Holker said: 'The only reason Im so willing to share this story is he actually shared this story on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. I was devastated that he was willing to share this on TV. 'We were just in this very honeymoon phase of dating where everything was really exciting and we were both on these big tours. Mine was a national tour, his was international. So we were just traveling to see each other and support each other at each others shows. 'We found some stairs, we ended up on some scaffolding above everyone watching the Glee part of the show. We were literally looking at the performers from Glee. Allison Holker made a shock sex revelation about her late husband Stephen 'tWitch' Boss this week - amid an ongoing feud with his family over her memoir revelations (Allison and Stephen in 2018) Holker, 36, who was married to Boss from 2013 until his 2022 suicide, has been slammed by his family for promoting her book, which includes drug use claims , and labeling her a 'money-hungry opportunist' who is exploiting his memory for personal gain 'We just started making out and we were looking down, theres all these audience members screaming and cheering, but they couldnt see us. 'It was kind of romantic. We started doing the deed and then all of a sudden security was flashing their lights like, Whos up here? We just froze and then security couldnt see us for whatever reason, I dont know. They left and we just ran out of there. That was probably the most wild thing Ive ever done.' She said she was 'thankful' the pair 'did not get caught'. 'I definitely think that would have been a very, very bad look and I wouldnt suggest it for anyone else. But it was just a very in the moment moment. It was so dangerous. I dont know how that happened. We were wild kids. It was really fun. Revealing what first attracted her to Boss, she said: 'It was just his presence was really powerful but soft and welcoming all at the same time.' The Boss family has challenged Holker over allegations in her forthcoming book , set for release on February 4. Holkers NDA, signed by family members of her late husband Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, is reportedly preventing them from profiting off his life story. TMZ reports that the NDA ensures Holker would be the sole beneficiary of any financial gain from his name. Undeterred by the family drama, Holker opened up about the risque incident which took place at a Glee concert in the early days of their romance, after detailing the romp in upcoming book, This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light - pictured 2019 She said: 'It was kind of romantic. We started doing the deed and then all of a sudden security was flashing their lights like, Whos up here? We just froze and then security couldnt see us for whatever reason, I dont know Stephen is survived by his three children: Weslie, 16, Maddox, 8, and Zaia, 5 The agreementsaid to have been presented to tWitchs family members before they could attend his funeralrestricts them from profiting from interviews, books, articles, or media projects related to him. Anyone who signed the agreement has to hand over any earnings from those projects to Holker, effectively ensuring shes the only one who can benefit financially from his story. Despite the NDA, tWitch's family has publicly criticized Holker for promoting her book, accusing her of portraying him in a negative light, including drug use claims, and labeling her a 'money-hungry opportunist' who is exploiting his memory for personal gain. However, Holker has consistently stated that 100% of the proceeds from her book will go to the Move with Kindness Foundation, which she started in tWitch's honor. DailMail.com can exclusively report that the late dancer's family is 'preparing to fight back.' A source close to the family revealed, 'tWitch's family is preparing to fight back against Allison after she came out with those scathing allegations about him. 'The family disapproves what she's said and will be speaking out about the untruths.' The family also 'has not received an advanced copy' of her book and 'have to wait for the book to be released just like everyone else,' the insider spilled. 'Once the memoir comes out next month, the family plans on releasing another statement after they read all the allegations written about him,' the source claimed. 'They don't believe she's telling the full truth and rather, that she has been misleading the public.' The source continued, 'The family is fired up and won't be sitting back much longer, especially after what she put them through. 'They're furious that they were not given an advanced copy let alone not given a heads up about what's inside the book.' The source went on to explain that, right now, they're not able to say too much because they aren't sure the limitations of speech given they and the family were 'forced to sign an NDA' following tWitch's death on December 13, 2022. DailyMail.com has reached out to Allison Holker's rep for comment. tWitch's mom Connie Boss Alexander took to Instagram earlier this month to release a statement about the 'misleading and hurtful claims' about her son. She said the family is 'absolutely appalled' and that the 'untruths about Stephen have crossed every line of decency.' Boss' family has claimed that Allison 'refuses' to let the Boss family see tWitch's children Stephen's cousin spoke out on X, calling Allison a 'crazy woman' who has been 'trying to tarnish his legacy' and 'exploit' him His cousin also said she's 'tired' of keeping her mouth shut over family drama with Allison 'As his mother, I will not let these accusations go unanswered. We will not stand by while his name and legacy are tarnished. He doesnt deserve this, and the kids dont deserve this,' she wrote. 'For the last two years, I have remained quiet and away from the public eye to protect my family. My primary focus has been on healing and attempting to remain connected to my grandchildren. 'But when I read these dreadful claims about my baby, our beloved Stephen, I realized I could not stay silent any longer. Our family will ensure his name and memory are protected, and we are committed to defending his honor.' Best known as the DJ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Boss was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a Los Angeles motel at the age of 40. In an interview with People magazine, Boss' widow revealed she went through his journals in order to find a sense of clarity and she found a very painful secret which she says was even hidden from those closest to him. She claimed that his journal entries alluded to him being sexually abused by a male figure during his childhood. She also said that she had uncovered a 'cornucopia' of drugs including mushrooms, pills, and 'other substances that I had to look up on my phone' which were hidden in his shoe boxes. 'It was a really triggering moment for me because there were a lot of things I discovered in our closet that I did not know existed. It was very alarming to me to learn that there was so much happening that I had no clue [about],' Allison, 36, said. The late choreographer, pictured with his mom Connie, passed away at the age of 40 in December 2022 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Boss' mom Connie released a statement on January 9, saying the family is 'absolutely appalled by the misleading and hurtful claims' One of Boss' cousins already took to X to call Allison a 'crazy woman' who is 'trying to tarnish his legacy' and claimed she is 'refusing' to let the Boss family see tWitch and Allison's kids - Weslie, 16, Maddox, 8, and Zaia, 5. The cousin, who goes by 'Big Elle' on X, continued, 'I'm so tired of keeping my f***ing mouth shut bro. You did our family so mf dirty.' Meanwhile, Boss brother Dre Rose reposted Allison's former friend's Instagram message commenting, 'No lies told' He later shared another friends Instagram Story on his profile, which read, 'a disgrace and despicable human to do this to a grieving family.' Courtney Ann Platt, Allison's ex-friend, slammed the book and its press as 'by far the most tacky, classless, opportunistic act I have ever seen in my entire life.' She also claimed that the former Dancing with the Stars pro had people sign nondisclosure agreements to attend his funeral. Courtney then criticized Allison for writing and publishing 'all the dirty laundry smearing his name and attempting to dim the bright loyal, loving, light that was your husband, my friend.' She also slammed the widow for 'shamelessly sharing the pages' of her late husband's journal. Courtney Ann Platt, Allison's ex-friend, slammed the book as 'by far the most tacky, classless, opportunistic act I have ever seen in my entire life' The former Dancing with the Stars pro has since responded to the backlash Allison said the purpose of her memoir was for other people to 'catch some [of] the red flags that I missed before it's too late' 'This smear campaign for a buck is absolutely not what he would have ever wanted. No matter how bad he was hurting. Not for second. You're a living, breathing bulldozer. Stick to your own demons. Shame on you Allison, shame on your money hungry team. Let my friend Rest in Peace not your PR,' she wrote on Instagram. In response to the backlash, Allison stressed her 'only intention' in writing the 240-page memoir was for other people to 'catch some [of] the red flags that I missed before it's too late.' 'My hope is that we don't need to lose another husband, brother, father, or friend to suicide,' she wrote via her Instagram Story. 'I believe that if Stephen were able to choose, he would choose to have his story told if it meant saving even one life. Much love to all those who have supported our family these many years.' Demi Moore brought her Hollywood glamour to Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday as she left her hotel for a night in the French capital. The actress, 62, dazzled as she stepped out in a sparkly structured blazer with a peplum design and covered in sequins. The Ghost star teamed the jacket with a pair of sophisticated velvet trousers and a huge necklace of layers of black beads. Demi boosted her height with a pair of platform high heels and showcased her ageless beauty with a light palette of makeup. She beamed as she was greeted by a crowd of fans on her way out for the evening, after scoring her first ever Oscar nomination. This year's nominations were finally announced on Thursday after being postponed amid the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Demi Moore brought her Hollywood glamour to Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday as she left her hotel for a night in the French capital The actress, 62, dazzled as she stepped out in a sparkly structured blazer with a peplum design and covered in sequins The Ghost star teamed the jacket with a pair of sophisticated velvet trousers and a huge necklace of layers of black beads And Demi was honoured with a nod for her spectacular turn in the critically-acclaimed body horror film, The Substance. She played Elisabeth Sparkle, a famed aerobics instructor who takes a black-market drug that can create a 'younger, more beautiful, more perfect' version of its user. The acting legend is up for Best Actress in a Leading Role and facing competition from Cynthia Erivo, Karla Sofia Gascon, Mikey Madison, and Fernanda Torres. The Substance is up for five awards in total on Oscars night, after also scoring nods for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. After the news that she had landed her first nomination, Demi took to her Instagram Story to thank The Academy and congratulate The Substance's director Coralie Fargeat. She also shared a sweet video embracing award-winning producer, Heather Parry, who gushed she was 'so happy' for her friend 'on her well deserved Oscar nomination.' 'I'm not the best morning person, but this was worth the early alarm!' she wrote across the heartwarming footage of them hugging after hearing the news, with Demi still clad in her pyjamas. She also enjoyed a star-studded Facetime call with her pals Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Meyer and Sara Foster, as they showered her with congratulations. Demi boosted her height with a pair of platform high heels and showcased her ageless beauty with a light palette of makeup It comes after Demi scored her first ever Oscar nomination for her spectacular turn in the critically-acclaimed body horror film, The Substance (pictured) She also enjoyed a star-studded Facetime call with her pals Gwyneth Paltrow , Jennifer Meyer and Sara Foster , as they showered her with congratulations Sara shared a screenshot of their call to her Instagram Stories and captioned it: 'Ladies and Gentleman... oscar nominated actress... @demimoore'. Demi also received a sweet congratulatory message from her longtime manager, Jason Weinberg, who wrote on his Instagram Story that he 'couldn't be prouder' of her. It comes after an incredible comeback year for the actress, who was one of the go-to film stars in the 1990s, after she made her unexpected return to the film scene last year with The Substance. And she recently won her first ever Golden Globe for her performance in the gory film, in the lead up to the Oscars. The upcoming 97th Academy Awards are still set to take place on March 2 - and will be hosted by comedian and TV personality, Conan O'Brien. Louis Walsh bravely agreed to tell his side of the story in a new tell-all Boyzone documentary, despite undergoing chemotherapy. The music mogul, who founded the Boyzone in 1993 but has been at war with them for over a decade, took part in the filming of the series while he was receiving treatment for a rare type of blood cancer. A source close to the 72-year-old star: 'Louis was really ill at the time, but made the effort to appear on the programme. 'He was having chemo for his blood cancer, so wasnt looking his best and it really took it out of him. 'You will see in the documentary that he complains he is tired, but when Louis makes a commitment he stands by it.' He had Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia, a rare type of blood cancer, but has since been given the all clear after receiving treatment in Dublin. Louis Walsh, 72, bravely agreed to tell his side of the story in a new tell-all Boyzone documentary, despite undergoing chemotherapy The music mogul, who founded the Boyzone in 1993 but has been at war with them for over a decade, took part in the filming of the series while he was receiving treatment for a rare type of blood cancer The music manager previously admitted being diagnosed with cancer left him in 'shock' and gave him a 'reality check'. He continued: 'It did affect me mentally, I got to be honest with you. [Points to his head] its just up here, even when I go past a hospital I almost get sick. 'Its all gone, Im fine. It was just the shock of being sick and that wordnobody wants that word. 'I have it blocked out, a reality check, you see so many people sick and its terrible. 'In my world it was all about pop music and all that. I didnt think of anybody getting sick or anything like that. And that was like wow reality check, youre in the real world.' In the Sky documentary Boyzone: No Matter What, Ronan Keating complains that the Irish manager knew how to hurt me, vicious, f****** b***** horrible things. He tried to ruin me and my career.' Louis responds by saying 'Ronan was a big middle of the road artist, he appealed to older women, that was his market, that was his line. He said he didn't want to be a karaoke artist - that shocked me.' Discussing the moment Ronan fired him as manager, Louis shared: 'I always told him the truth, you're a lucky f*****. There was a divorce, I called him talentless and things. A source close to the star: 'Louis was really ill at the time, but made the effort to appear on the programme. He was having chemo for his blood cancer, so wasnt looking his best and it really took it out of him. You will see in the documentary that he complains he is tired' Ronan and Louis pictured together back in 2008 Boyzone shot to fame in 1993 after the group was created by Louis. The bandwas originally made up of Shane Lynch, Ronan Keating, Stephen Gately, Keith Duffy, Richard Rock and Mark Walton. Richard and Mark left and were later replaced by Mikey Graham. Boyzone were together between 1993 and 2000 and later reunited in 2007 until 2019. Some of their most popular songs include I Love the Way You Love Me, No Matter What, All That I Need, Every Day I Love You and Words. The BBC has reportedly hired Amanda Holden to host a new Traitors-style quiz show after the finale of the popular reality series pulled in a whopping 7.4 million viewers. The show, titled The Inner Circle, will feature Amanda, 53, hosting on Saturday evenings on BBC One, according to The Sun. Similar to The Traitors, the show will weave a web of mystery, intrigue, and betrayal, with contestants competing in games and challenges to build up a cash pot. However, the amount they end up taking home will depend entirely on who they can trust - and who might betray them at the last minute. A TV insider told The Sun: 'Although this is a different concept to The Traitors, it taps into many of its devious elements.' The Inner Circle will mark Amanda's first solo presenting gig for the BBC, following the success of her home renovation series with Alan Carr. The BBC has reportedly hired Amanda Holden to host a new Traitors-style quiz show after the finale of the popular reality series pulled in a whopping 7.4 million viewers (Claudia Winkleman with the series three contestants) The show, titled The Inner Circle, will feature Amanda, 53, hosting on Saturday evenings on BBC One, according to The Sun Filming is reportedly set to begin this spring, with the show potentially airing later this year. Contestants will have their general knowledge and strategic thinking tested, but the twist is that they must form alliances to win the prize. However, they won't know whether those alliances will hold, or whether they'll be stabbed in the back. The show will initially feature members of the public, with a celebrity version expected to follow later. MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment. It comes after more than seven million Brits tuned in to watch the finale of The Traitors earlier this month - smashing records on the way to its explosive climax. The episode was watched live by an average audience of 7.4million people as project manager Jake Brown and Leanne Quigley triumphed as faithfuls, taking home a prize pot of 94,600. The show, filmed at Ardross Castle near Inverness, involves 'faithfuls' attempting to banish 'traitors' - fellow contestants who are scheming to eliminate the others without getting caught in order to take home as much as 120,000. Similar to The Traitors, the show will weave a web of mystery, intrigue, and betrayal, with contestants competing in games and challenges to build up a cash pot However, the amount they end up taking home will depend entirely on who they can trust - and who might betray them at the last minute The Inner Circle will mark Amanda's first solo presenting gig for the BBC, following the success of her home renovation series with Alan Carr But in a change from the format of the first two series' of the show, players no longer reveal whether they were faithfuls or traitors during the finale - adding extra tension throughout the nail-biting episode. The viewing figures only include viewers who watched as the programme aired and do not include those watching on BBC iPlayer. Meanwhile, the BBC said around 4.8million tuned into an extended episode of The Traitors: Uncloaked discussion podcast, which was broadcast across BBC One and the BBC Sounds listening app. Last year an average of 5.5million watched British army engineer - and traitor - Harry Clark walk away with a prize of 95,150 after deceiving his friend Mollie Pearce into believing he was on her side. Meryl Streep had to get crafty when escaping the fires in Los Angeles earlier this month. Turns out the 75-year-old Oscar-winning actress had to cut a hole through her fence that would fit a car so she could drive away from the flames. The Death Becomes Her star could not leave by her driveway as a tree had fallen and blocked that route. The Hollywood stalwart needed to leave another way. So she created one. She ended up driving her car through the fence and into her neighbor's backyard and down their driveway. The star reportedly bought a home in Pasadena, California - which was near the Eaton fire - in 2017 for almost $4M. Her nephew Abe Streep shared the story this week in a New York Magazine article that described the mayhem. He also talked to other stars like Meryl's Only Murders In The Building co-star and rumored boyfriend Martin Short as well as Sixth Sense actor Haley Joel Osment. Meryl Streep had to get crafty when escaping the fires in Los Angeles earlier this month; seen on January 3 in Beverly Hills Turns out the 75-year-old Oscar-winning actress had to cut a hole through her fence that would fit a car so she could drive away from the flames. The Death Becomes Her star could not leave by her driveway as a tree had fallen on it; seen in 1976 'Evacuation mandates were sent across the city,' wrote Abe in the publication. 'My aunt Meryl Streep received an order to evacuate on January 8, but when she tried to leave, she discovered that a large tree had fallen over in her driveway, blocking her only exit,' the author wrote. 'Determined to make it out, she borrowed wire cutters from a neighbor, cut a car-size hole in the fence she shared with the neighbors on the other side, and drove through their yard to escape.' It sounds like a plot point out of one of her more scary movies and not a real-life situation that an A-lister in Hollywood would experience first-hand. When Abe talked to Short, who is Meryl's costar on Only Murders in the Building, he got a full update. Short, 74, lives in Pacific Palisades. The actor said than when he fled his house he grabbed his most treasured material items: family photo albums. Martin Short, seen on January 5 in Beverly Hills, said than when he fled his house he grabbed his most treasured material items: family photo albums. His home did not burn down This image released by Hulu shows, from left, Selena Gomez, Martin Short and Steve Martin in a scene from 'Only Murders in the Building.' (Patrick Harbron/Hulu via AP) Osment also shared his evacuation story. He had difficulty driving out, however, as there were so many abandoned cars in the road from people who gave up leaving by wheels and instead went by foot. It took him one hour to get to safety. Short said his house did not burn down but the home of one of his sons was consumed by fire. And Martin added he has no intention of relocating. He was not in the Palisades but rather near the Eaton Fire in Altadena. His house burned down and he intends to rebuild. Osment lost 500 records and a piano his parents gave him on his 18th birthday, he shared. The Sixth Sense actor told New York Magazine that he wondered if it could have been prevented. 'Not to cast blame or anything, but I just want to know, when this is all investigated was there a decision to just let the whole neighborhood go?' Osment asked. Haley Joel Osment, see with his sister Emily Osment on January 4 in Beverly Hills, lost his home in the Eaton fire Abe also talked to Jeff Lipsky, a photographer whose family's house managed to survive the fire. He said, 'I don't ever want to see my house again. It's a toxic-waste dump...My community is gone. It's just a curse that my house is there.' Human-driven climate change made the devastating Los Angeles wildfires more likely, an international team of scientists has found. Wildfires in the Californian city started on January 7 and spread quickly, killing at least 28 people and destroying more than 10,000 homes, racking up billions in costs and leaving thousands of people homeless. The World Weather Attribution network of researchers from the US, UK and a number of other European countries warned the hot, dry and windy conditions that drove the fires were about 35% more likely due to global warming driven primarily by burning fossil fuels. Human-driven climate change made the devastating Los Angeles wildfires more likely, an international team of scientists has found. Wildfires in the Californian city started on January 7 and spread quickly, killing at least 28 people; Mandy Moore's home It added that the fire-risk conditions could become another 35% more likely if global temperatures rise 2.6C above pre-industrial levels, for which the world is currently on track by 2100. The LA fires were fanned by strong 'Santa Ana' winds and fed by drought conditions since May 2024 which left grasses and brush dry and highly flammable, while wet winters in the previous two years had created more vegetation growth that added more fuel to the fire. The researchers examined the 'fire weather index' which uses the temperature, humidity, rainfall and wind speed in the preceding weeks and days to characterise the conditions that make fires more likely. They said while coastal southern California is an environment 'highly prone to catastrophic wildfires', the extreme fire weather index condition that drove the LA fires is getting more likely due to climate change. The hot dry conditions behind the wildfires are expected to occur every 17 years in today's climate, which has warmed 1.3C since pre-industrial times, making them 35% more likely to occur than in a world without global warming, and they are about 6% more intense, the researchers said. The low rainfall between October and December, a period when rain usually brings an end to the region's wildfire season, is now about 2.4 times more likely than in pre-industrial times, an analysis of historical weather data found. Hot, dry conditions are being seen for an extra 23 days each year on average, increasingly overlapping with the Santa Ana winds that spread the wildfires, they said. Dave Franco has finally broken his silence on fans begging him to play accused CEO killer Luigi Mangione onscreen. Officials say Mangione, 26, fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, on December 4 as he was walking to an investor conference in midtown Manhattan. The 'anti-capitalist' Ivy League student was detained by police last month and he has pleaded not guilty in a New York state court to multiple counts of murder, including murder as an act of terrorism. He is awaiting trial at Brooklyn's infamous Metropolitan Center in New York. No sooner had Mangione been identified than social media users began pointing out that he bears a resemblance to Franco, 39, thanks to their thick striking eyebrows, eyes, and grin. It also didn't take long for the internet to darkly predict prolific television writer Ryan Murphy would already be in the process of transforming Mangione's story into a gripping series for the small screen. When asked if anyone had reached out regarding his and Mangioni's likenesses, Franco told THR at the Sundance Film Festival: 'Anyone? Do you mean everyone? I have never received more texts in my life about anything. Dave Franco has finally broken his silence on fans begging him to play accused CEO killer Luigi Mangione onscreen Thompson's murder was captured on a chilling video 'Anyone who has my phone number has reached out about it. 'But I dont think there have been any official offers.' Franco was interviewed alongside wife Alison Brie, 42, with the couple starring in horror film Together. Amid the manhunt for the shooter, fans had taken to X to quip that Franco should be in line to play him. One said: 'Dave Franco pick up the phone.' Another posted: 'Dave Franco has a role waiting for him once this inevitably becomes a movie.' A third wrote: 'Ryan Murphy is drafting an email to Dave Franco as we speak.' 'Dave Franco's agent has been on the phone all morning,' a fourth added. When asked if anyone had reached out regarding his and Mangioni's likenesses, Franco told THR at the Sundance Film Festival: 'Anyone? Do you mean everyone? I have never received more texts in my life about anything' As DailyMail.com previously reported, Mangione is 'moved' by his newfound world fame and the fans lusting over him following Thompson's murder. The internet called for Franco to play the captured gunman when the story is adapted The 26-year-old 'anti-capitalist' Ivy League graduate was taken into custody after a McDonald's employee in Altoona spotted him Echoing a similar sentiment, another said: 'Ryan Murphy already writing that limited series for Netflix starring Dave Franco.' 'Netflix and HBO executives getting ready to hire Dave Franco to play Luigi Mangione in a 4 part documentary,' a sixth penned. A seventh predicted: 'Ryan Murphy is going to turn this into a limited series with Dave Franco isn't he.' Actor and filmmaker Franco, who is the younger brother of fellow actor James Franco, 46, has starred in the likes of 21 Jump Street (2012), Now You See Me (2013), The Disaster Artist (2017) , and If Beale Street Could Talk (2018). More recently, he appeared alongside Kristen Stewart and Katy O'Brian in the 2024 romantic thriller Love Lies Bleeding. Meanwhile, Murphy has produced several true crime series, including The People v. O. J. Simpson (2016), The Assassination of Gianni Versace (2018), and Impeachment (2021). In 2022, he co-created the divisive series Dahmer Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, before going on to make Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which was released in September. Federal charges against Mangione include murder and firearms counts. He made an initial appearance on the charges late last month. He wont be required to enter a plea until an indictment is returned. The killing shocked the business community and galvanized some health insurance critics. Mangione posted frequently online about his struggles with back pain, though he was never a UnitedHealthcare client and notes found on him point to a targeted murder intended to send a message. As DailyMail.com previously reported, Mangione is 'moved' by his newfound world fame and the fans lusting over him following Thompson's murder. A source close to Mangione said he is 'extremely aware of the massive fan base he has right now.' He was 'shocked and really choked up' when he first saw the support he has received, which 'gave him confidence and reassurance that he will be okay.' Mangione was taken into custody after he was recognized as the suspected killer in a McDonald's in Altoona, around 100 miles east of Pittsburgh. During his time on the loose, cops released a photo of Mangione smiling and had searched a Manhattan hostel where he's believed to have stayed. On Sunday, Franco suited up alongside his wife Alison Brie at the Sundance Film Festival premiere of their horror film Together at the Eccles Theater in Park City, UT The 42-year-old SAG Award winner flashed her Giuseppe di Morabito corset beneath her black-suede Alex Perry suit while the Superbad alum looked sharp in shiny brown suit In Together, Dave and Alison play a dysfunctional couple moving from the city to an isolated property in the countryside where they encounter a supernatural presence The married couple of eight years said: 'The confusing part was that in the movie, the couple that we play is going through a lot of hardships and [are] not in a great relationship' Brie and Franco were joined at the premiere by their director, Michael Shanks (M) Police have since said that Mangione was not on their radar until the arrest in Pennsylvania today. He was found with a gun, a silencer, and a manifesto, which outlined his disdain for the healthcare system. The man was also wearing clothes that matched the description of the suspect. Mangione attended the coveted University of Pennsylvania, where he gained a degree in engineering in 2020. Before this, he graduated as valedictorian from the Gilman School in Baltimore, where tuition costs nearly $40,000 a year. On Sunday, Franco suited up alongside his wife Alison Brie at the Sundance Film Festival premiere of their horror film Together at the Eccles Theater in Park City, UT. The 42-year-old SAG Award winner flashed her Giuseppe di Morabito corset beneath her black-suede Alex Perry suit while the Superbad alum looked sharp in shiny brown suit. In Together, Dave and Alison play a dysfunctional couple moving from the city to an isolated property in the countryside where they encounter a supernatural presence. The married couple of eight years said: 'The confusing part was that in the movie, the couple that we play is going through a lot of hardships and [are] not in a great relationship.' Brie and Franco were joined at the premiere by their director, Michael Shanks. Together currently has an impressive 100% critic approval rating (out of 11 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes. Smallville actor Tom Welling was arrested in connection with driving under the influence Monday in Northern California. Welling, 47, was taken into custody in the parking lot of an Arby's restaurant in Yreka, California shortly after midnight, TMZ reported Tuesday, citing police records. The Putnam Valley, New York-born actor's blood alcohol level was measured at or above 0.08 percent, the outlet reported, citing legal records. Welling has since been released from custody after he was cited for the violation, the New York Post reported Tuesday. Welling is best known for his role as Clark Kent for 217 episodes on the TV series Smallville from 2001-2011. Dailymail.com has reached out to reps for Welling for comment. Smallville actor Tom Welling, 47, was arrested in connection with driving under the influence Monday in Northern California. Pictured in 2022 in NYC Welling was taken into custody in the parking lot of an Arby's restaurant in Yreka, California shortly after midnight, authorities said Welling has not yet publicly commented on his arrest in the small Northern California town, which is about 16 miles south of the Oregon border. Welling and his wife Jessica Rose Lee, who is an equestrian, are parents to two sons: Thomson Wylde, six, and Rocklin Von, three. Jessica has the location 'Northern California' in the bio line of her Instagram page. Welling most recently posted to social media on Sunday, as he wished his spouse a happy birthday. 'Happy Birthday to our Angel who makes our dreams come true and inspires us even more!' Welling said. 'We love you to the moon and back! @jessicarosewelling #happybirthday #love.' Welling accompanied by a carousel of pics of her, including a couple shot of them riding horses. The couple last month celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary, as they tied the knot on November 30, 2019 in San Ynez, California at Sunstone Vineyards & Winery. Welling was previously wed to model Jamie White, with the pair divorcing in 2013 following a decade-long marriage. Welling is best known for his role as Clark Kent for 217 episodes on the TV series Smallville from 2001-2011 (L-R) Kristin Kreuk, Welling and Michael Rosenbaum pictured in a publicity shot from Smallville Welling, in a chat with Comicbookmovie.com in October, said that he would be amenable to reprise his role as the Man of Steel at some point. 'You know, I think now because of the two boys that I have with my lovely wife we have a bunch of costumes at home,' Welling said. 'It started out at the first Halloween and now we have, I don't know, 40 or 50 costumes. The one costume we don't have is the Superman costume.' He continued, 'I asked my son why and he said, "Because he's taken" and I said, "By who?" "By [you]." That was like, "Alright, I think I'm open to the idea now." So, if you know anybody, I think it would be great. I think it would be fun to be part of.' In addition to his work on The WB series based in the DC Universe, Welling has also acted in a number of TV shows and motion pictures. They include shows such as Professionals, The Winchesters, Lucifer and Batwoman, the latter of which he reprised his role as Clark Kent. He appeared opposite Steve Martin, Hilary Duff and Eugene Levy in 2003's Cheaper by the Dozen and its 2005 sequel Cheaper by the Dozen 2. Other film credits include 2016's The Choice, 2014's Draft Day, 2013's Parkland and 2005's The Fog. Welling appeared in a pair of films last year: Mafia Wars, also starring Cam Gigandet and Cher Cosenza; and Clear Cut, which also featured Alec Baldwin, Clive Standen and Stephen Dorff. Doritos has confirmed it is launching a square version of its chip the first time the iconic triangular shape has ever been altered. It ends two weeks of speculation sparked by a cryptic ad campaign teasing the new shape with the tagline: 'The shape of things to come.' The square version is to celebrate Doritos' partnership with the upcoming A Minecraft Movie, which is based in a cube-like universe. Finding one, however, will be a challenge. The square chips will appear in just 100 packets of the limited-edition A Minecraft Movie Doritos. Those who do find one could win a cash prize of up to 10,000. Doritos spokesperson Alex Nicholas said: 'We've always been famous for being triangular until recently, square Doritos were unheard of. 'But it's happening, and finding one of them unlocks huge prizes.' Those unable to find a square chip in person will still have a shot at winning by scanning QR codes on promotional packs, which might reveal a digital version of the four-sided snack. Doritos Dan Lynes inspects the world's first square Doritos - produced to mark the snack's partnership with A Minecraft Movie Alex Nicholas also revealed that Doritos is launching two new Minecraft-inspired flavors: The Creeper Vinegar and The Ghast BBQ. He added: 'We know our triangle shape is iconic, so changing it had to be for something special.' As speculation about square Doritos grew, other brands known for their distinctive product shapes chimed in on social media. Krispy Kreme, famous for its round donuts, posted on Instagram: 'Is this the new shape of things to come?' Meanwhile, Walkers Squares quipped: 'The shape of things already.' Originally created by accident at Disneyland, California, in the 1960s, the popular US snack arrived in the UK in 1994, launching in flavors like Tangy Cheese and Cool Original. Over the years, Doritos has introduced new flavors and even tweaked recipes in the UK last year to reduce fat and salt for a healthier snack. But - until now - one thing remained unchanged: the iconic triangle shape that is ideal for dipping in salsa or guacamole. The original triangle-shaped Doritos chip shown next to a prototype of the new square version And Walkers Sqaures - a sister brand to Doritos - also got in on the action Kripsy Kreme, famous for its donuts - which, of course, are circular - chimed in with a post in response to Doritos Graphic shared by Doritos shows a side-by-side comparison of the square and triangle chips Doritos shares potential dimensions of each edge and the thickness of the new square chips A post by Doritos appeared on its Instagram account earlier in January - sparking theories from fans of the chip In fact, that shape has been a staple since the chips were accidentally created at Disneyland in California in the early 1960s. They became the first tortilla chip sold nationally in the US in 1966 - and led to a string of copycats. Earlier in the month, Doritos shared photos of the new square chips. One - shown below - features a graphic showing the ideal size of the new square chips - with each side measuring 65mm (2.56 inches). That is roughly the same size as each edge on the triangle version. Saturday's Instagram post was on Doritos' UK account. It is not clear yet if plans for square Doritos is just for the UK, or for the US as well. Last year, Doritos were rated the fourth best crisps in the UK - according to artificial intelligence. Attorneys general in 19 states on Tuesday demanded Costco ditch its DEI policies - and give staff jobs on merit. They point to concerns the practices open the retailer up to legal challenges since they can discriminate against those who are best qualified. 'Racial discrimination is both immoral and illegal hiring violates state and federal law,' Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said. State officials in a letter to Costco's top boss Ron Vachris accused his company of doubling down on policies they allege violate merit-based principles and federal law. The 19 Republican officials, co-led by Texas's Ken Paxton and Iowa's Brenna Bird have given Costco 30 days to repeal its DEI policies or explain why it is keeping them. 'It is clear that DEI is divisive, and it is toxic. The America people do not want it. The American people are craving a society where hard work and talent is rewarded,' Emily Sturge, a student at the University of Florida told Fox News on Tuesday. The host on Fox & Friends had asked her why - when most Costco customers are rural and suburban Trump voters - would Costco 'Bud Light themselves' when they know American people do not want DEI anymore. The pressure from the Republicans comes after Costco was in the news twice in the past week over DEI. Costco CEO Ron Vachris defended the company's policies to a complaining customer On Thursday last week, Costco and its shareholders defied President Donald Trump and conservative activists by voting to stick to their DEI policies. On Sunday, Rev Al Sharpton's led a 'buy in' celebrating Costco's DEI policies after backlash to the vote. The controversial civil right activist led 100 members of his National Action Network through the Harlem Costco to spend their money in a show of gratitude for the decision. President Trump has already introduced anti-DEI initiatives, claiming they are unfair and distracting. Companies such as Meta Platforms, Amazon.com, JPMorgan Chase and Boeing have modified their initiatives and scrapped their DEI goals. Meanwhile, vocal figures on social media, like Robby Starbuck, have also pushed for boycotts of so-called 'woke' companies. Costco, however, has stood its ground. The company's board had urged investors to reject an investigation into whether if DEI policies harmed the retailer, for example by forcing it to overlook the best candidates. More than 98 percent of the shareholders voted against it on Thursday. Costco is banking on its status as a much-loved store with loyal customers The proposal voted down Costco's shareholder meeting was from the National Center for Public Policy Research. The conservative activist group was pressuring Costo to produce a report outlining the potential risks of its DEI initiatives - as it says they backfire and hit the stock price. In its shareholder proposal, the group stated, 'DEI clearly poses litigation, reputational, and financial risks to the company.' All businesses have a duty to avoid practices that harm their share price - since it harms investors. But Costco's directors argued that DEI policies are an asset, not a liability. Executives emphasized that a diverse workforce and supplier base help attract top talent, foster innovation, and enhance the 'treasure hunt' shopping experience that customers value. Costco also argued that the conservative group bringing the motion have ulterior motives other than DEI risks to share price. The retailer also said its customers enjoy seeing diversity reflected in its workforce. Robby Starbuck successfully pressured Walmart to reverse some of its DEI policies Costco is banking on its status as a much-loved store with loyal customers that have helped it stay out of political frays in the past. 'They are not the worst of the worst, so they weren't my focus,' Starbuck, who successfully pressured Walmart to reverse some of its DEI policies, has said of Costco. Retail expert Neil saunders told DailyMail.com that Costco takes the view that its various programs have helped it to build a strong business. 'Given the positive results over recent years it is impossible to argue that Costco management doesn't know what it's doing,' Saunders, of Global Data, said. 'There is an element of them saying leave us to get on with the job. While some customers might dislike the policy, I doubt many will defect as it is not something that is visible or that directly impacts shoppers.' It comes after major companies such as Walmart, Ford, John Deere, and Tractor Supply bowed to pressure and rowed back on their DEI commitments. In July, John Deere made a huge U-turn on its DEI practices in the face of opposition and a damaging boycott from farmers and conservatives. For the latest White House gossip and news, listen to the Daily Mail's new politics podcast, Welcome to MAGAland. Available wherever you get your podcasts now. In Trumps transactional world no group, not even the perceived model minority, is immune from the fallout of his unpredictable policies Its not Elon Musks early frustrations with President Donald Trump handing over the crucial project to build Americas AI (Artificial Intelligence) infrastructure to rival Sam Altman-led Stargate, that ought to worry us, but the fate of fellow Trumpeteer, Vivek Ramaswamy, that rings closer home. During the campaign trail, the racist Trump was busy mocking minority ethnicities and religions, the Indian-American Desis, seemed smug in assuming that somehow, they were a cut above the other minorities. The purported personal equation between Trump and the Indian Prime Minister was bandied as proof of the special treatment, that awaited India and Indians. Names of a few Indian-Americans in the new Trump administration (especially of Vivek Ramaswamy in the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE) were showcased as proofs of Trumps affection for the worlds largest democracy. The lazy and simplistic assumption was that hed be tough on the likes of China and Pakistan, hence pro-India. But the cold reality of dealing with the unpredictable politics of Trump hit much earlier than even anticipated by commentators who had been warning of Trumps ascendancy, despite many shortcomings of the Democrats under Joe Biden. For starters, Chinese President Xi Jinping got an invite to attend the swearing-in of President Trump, but the Indian Prime Minister didnt. Soon thereafter Trump kept peppering his Make-America-Great-Again (MAGA) spiel with threats of tariff spikes against traditional allies like Canada, Denmark, Mexico etc., (including naming India) but recently suggested that hed rather not impose tariffs against China this after promising up to 60% tariffs against China during the campaign! He flipped. Soon thereafter, the Indian-American community was hit the hardest of all immigrant communities by the direct implications of the executive order ending birthright citizenship. Chances for many Indians working under H-1B (work), H-4 (dependent), L (intra-company transfer) and F (student) got jeopardized, as amongst the largest and fastest-growing immigrant groups in the US. With all assumed equations besetting Washington DC and Delhi, it seems fait accompli with little scope for Delhi to counter-influence a policy measure, that impacts it, more than anyone else. Such radical disruptions were certainly not the norm in the Biden era. The supposed leverage of a voluble Vivek Ramaswamy with a Trump also seems to have come a cropper, given the mystery surrounding Viveks sudden decision to leave DOGE. Having invested a lot of personal stake, content, and pride, in supporting the Trump ascendancy to power (clearly prematurely?), Vivek is at pains to deny that his ouster has anything to do with him having defended the immigration position after calling some, lazy Americans. To add insult to injury of being forced into grandstanding, a journalist has just released a video of Viveks text confirming his departure from Trump, due to the same. The ostensible bid for Ohio Governorship (if true?) is an afterthought and wasnt the intention, even a week earlier. That for a Trump, anyone is completely dispensable once a purpose has been served, be it an individual, cause, country, or even a supportive Indian-American like Vivek, seems true. Anyone can be thrown under the bus, irrespective of their ethnicity or personal chemistry.A telling tweet by Vivek on 26th Dec 2024 captures his nuanced position on the contentious immigration issue (as wishfully believed by many Indian-Americans to be the first amongst the equals within minorities, owing to our unique culture and work ethics). He had commented, 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. The underlying suggestion is that Indians do not suffer from the supposed Wokeism of the Democrats as Indians do not have a culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ, or the jock over the valedictorian, hence would escape the prying eyes of a Trump targeting immigrants. While it is true that Trump has spoken about the logic of meritocracy in extending citizenship it is equally true that in applying his power of potential misuse, he hasnt spared or protected the interests of the Indian-American community which did tick most of the qualifying boxes defined by Trump. The hard truth is that Trump has no special affinity or even intention of any preferential treatment to Indian Americans or India if his conduct in the initial few days of his Presidency is anything to go by.The fact is, the one-time star of the TV series Apprentice is more famous for his heartless line Youre fired than for any historical demonstration of empathetic leadership. Ultimately, it is a lesson that Vivek Ramaswamy or even Elon Musk will wake up to, as in the indifferent and transactional worldview of a Trump, topical relevance is all that matters to the author of the Art of Deal (that too, ghostwritten). Those eagerly waiting for a decisive and assertive POTUSA in Trump who would do wonders for India, need to brace for some discomforting reality check. Biden had limitations and undeniable failings, but he wasnt a bull in a China shop or necessarily anti-India, ever. With Trump, you never know, as Indians or India dont seem anything special, at least for now. (The writer, a military veteran, is a former Lt Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry. The views expressed are personal) India and Indonesia reviewed the entire gamut of their defence ties during talks here between Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and his counterpart Admiral Muhammad Ali, Indian Navy said here on Monday. Giving details, officials said Admiral Muhammad Ali is on an official visit to India as part of the high-level delegation accompanying Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the Chief Guest for the Republic Day Parade 2025. During his visit, Admiral Muhammad Ali and Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi held bilateral interactions to deepen maritime cooperation and strengthen ties between the two-close maritime neighbours. The key areas of discussion between the two naval leaders included advancing joint initiatives like Exercise Samudra Shakti, strengthening operational collaboration, and addressing shared maritime challenges, including piracy and other illegal activities at sea. The visit also includes engagements at key maritime establishments such as the Information Fusion Centre Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) and the Weapons and Electronics Systems and Engineering Establishment (WESEE), focusing on enhancing regional collaboration and maritime domain awareness. Admiral Muhammad Ali also visited the BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) and exchanged ideas and insights on further strengthening bilateral cooperation in the area of defence and strategy. Admiral Muhammad Alis engagements with the Indian Navy and defence stakeholders reflect a shared commitment to fostering regional cooperation and ensuring a secure and peaceful maritime environment. Taking a jibe at his political rivals ahead of the high-octane Delhi assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday slammed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for his remark on BJP leaders taking a holy dip at the Sangam and said the Congress under Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had always insulted Sanatan Dharma. He accused AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal of falsely alleging that the Haryana government mixed poison in the Yamuna, daring him to make public the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) report that he cited to level the charge. Addressing a public meeting in the Kalkaji assembly constituency, he took a swipe at Kharge and said, I took a dip (at Triveni Sangam) and Kharge ji caught a cold. At the Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan rally in the Mhow town of Madhya Pradesh on Monday, Kharge had alleged that BJP leaders were competing with each other to take a dip at the Sangam for the cameras, and asked if their act would help eradicate poverty in the country. If anyone was hurt, I seek an apology, the Congress chief had also said. Reacting to the remark, Shah urged Kharge not to poke fun at the reverence of crores of people visiting the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj to take a holy dip at the Sangam. Kharge ji, if you do not have any reverence (for Maha Kumbh), there is no compulsion. But dont make fun of the reverence of more than 48 crore people visiting the Kumbh to take a holy dip, he said. The Congress under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi has always insulted Sanatan Dharma, he charged. On the Congress presidents question if taking a dip in the Ganga would eradicate poverty, Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a dip in 2019 and gave cooking gas, five kilogrammes of free foodgrains, toilets, provided free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh and other facilities to 60 crore people. Kharge sahab, you have turned 80. In your entire life, you have never taken a dip. Tell us what you have done for the welfare of the poor, Shah asked the Congress president. My party BJP, our leader Modi ji, and we all have faith in the countrys traditions and faith. That is why the Kartarpur Sahib corridor was built and such a magnificent Kumbh mela is being organised, he added. Raising the poll pitch, he stated that neither of the parties can develop Delhi. Responding to the allegations levelled by AAP on the Haryana government about mixing poison in Yamuna, Shah said he has never seen anyone stooping to such low levels to win an election. Kejriwal ji, victory and defeat are part of every election but you have accused the Haryana government of mixing poison in Yamuna and you have scared the people of Delhi. This is cheap politics, Shah said. He asked Kejriwal to answer three questions and said, Arvind Kejriwal says he has a report. If so, make that report public, and we will address it. He alleged that Haryana poisoned the water. What is the name of that poison? Reveal its name and provide proof. He claimed to have stopped the polluted water, saving Delhis residents. Then show the order you issued to block that water. Arvind Kejriwal will have to answer these three questions. He is unparalleled when it comes to lying. He did not fulfill promises made to Anna Hazare and even vowed not to seek Congresss support, but broke those promises, he added. Shah began the election campaign by participating in a lengthy roadshow from Mool Chand Metro Station to Garhi Chowk in the Kasturba Nagar constituency, where the party has put Neeraj Basoya in opposition to AAPs Ramesh Pehalwan, who joined the ruling party a month ago with his wife and two-time MCD councilor Kusum Lata. As BJP candidate Neeraj Basoya and New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj stood next to him, Shah, dressed in a saffron shirt and a black sleeveless jacket, waved to his supporters and showered them with rose petals throughout the entire trip. As Shahs car sped through the congested streets of Kasturba Nagar constituency, with a sea of supporters pounding drums and trumpets and people curiously bending over from their balconies to get a glimpse of the BJPs star campaigner, the slogans were loud and clear: Bharat Mata ki Jai, Jai Shri Ram, Vote for BJP. Shah later made it to the Kalkaji constituency, where he spoke to a sizable contingent of BJP supporters and urged them to support Ramesh Bidhuri, whom he described as his dear friend and a public-serving politician. Prayagraj is abuzz with spiritual fervor as preparations for Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan, the most auspicious bathing festival of the Maha Kumbh 2025, reach their final stages. With an anticipated turnout of over 10 crore devotees at the sacred Triveni Sangam, the city is witnessing a historic confluence of faith, tradition, and meticulous planning. Though Mauni Amavasya falls on January 29, thousands of pilgrims have already begun arriving at the sprawling Mela grounds, eager to partake in the divine experience. The administration has left no stone unturned in ensuring that the event is both grand and safe, offering seamless facilities to the millions expected. A massive 12-kilometer-long stretch of bathing ghats has been constructed along the riverbanks to accommodate the influx of devotees. To prevent overcrowding, the administration has encouraged pilgrims to bathe at the ghat nearest to their entry points. Devotees entering from different zones will be directed to designated ghats based on their location, ensuring a smooth flow of pilgrims. Special arrangements have been made for different groups of devotees. The Airavat Sangam Ghat will host pilgrims from eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, and northeastern states. Devotees from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and southern states will bathe at specially developed ghats in Arail while pilgrims from Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttarakhand will be accommodated at ghats extending from Sangam to Nagvasuki. Separate ghats have been reserved for saints, seers, and their disciples from various Akharas, ensuring that traditional rituals are conducted without interruption. Common devotees will have access to exclusive ghats near the Sangam coast. Deputy Commissioner Ashok Tiwari described the management efforts as unprecedented. We have deployed over 5,000 personnel across the Mela area, including SDMs, tehsildars, and IAS officers, to ensure smooth operations. Evacuation teams, watchtowers, and flying squads are on high alert to handle any emergency, he said. District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mandhad appealed to Prayagraj residents to avoid using four-wheelers during the festival to prevent traffic snarls. Your cooperation will allow lakhs of pilgrims to experience the Sangam without hurdles, he urged. Mela Grounds: A Glimpse into Spiritual Magnificence The Mela grounds have transformed into a vibrant hub of spirituality. Rows of temporary tents housing Kalpvasis (pilgrims who spend the entire month by the river) and saints are adorned with flags and banners. The aroma of freshly prepared khichdi wafts through the air as thousands gather for communal meals. Volunteers serve simple yet hearty meals, a testament to the hospitality associated with the Kumbh. Kavita Devi, a pilgrim from Odisha, shared her excitement: The arrangements are remarkable. From clean ghats to free food, everything is well-organized. Taking a dip at the Sangam is a blessing Ive waited my whole life for. Local vendors have set up stalls selling religious items, including rudraksha beads, holy books, and brass pots for carrying sacred water. The chants of Har Har Gange reverberate through the air, adding to the divine atmosphere. Mauni Amavasya, a day of silence and introspection, is regarded as one of the most sacred days for taking a dip at the Sangam. Devotees believe the ritual purifies the soul and washes away sins. For many, the festival represents hope, renewal, and a deep connection with the divine. As preparations near completion, Prayagraj stands ready to welcome the world to this monumental celebration of faith and culture. With its meticulous planning and unwavering devotion, the Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan promises to be an unforgettable chapter in the legacy of the Maha Kumbh. S M Ramanathan, Executive Director BHEL, Bhopal hoisted the National Flag at Piplani Parade Ground, Bhopal on the occasion of Republic Day, accepting salutes from CISF contingents. Especially present in the program were Sangeeta Ramanathan, President, BHEL Ladies Club, Rosie Upadhyay, Pradeep Kumar Upadhyay, General Manager (Operations), Shri Avinash Chandra, General Manager (WEX, MOD, LGX & TCB Operations) & President, BHECNIS, Shri A Aurangabadkar, General Manager (WEX & MOD) & Vice President, BHECNIS, and Cultural Secretary, BHECNIS, Commandant Harish Kumar Sahu, all General Managers/DROs, all office bearers of BHECNIS/Unions and all Vice Presidents of the Club. While extending his best wishes and greetings to everyone on the 76th Republic Day, Shri Ramanathan said that today India is emerging as a leading country in the global economy. With development in the country, the demand for electricity is increasing rapidly and the Government of India, keeping in mind this increasing demand for electricity, has also given its consent for many thermal based super critical projects. This decision of the Government of India is a very welcome step for BHEL. As a result, many orders are being received in the thermal power sector along with industry, transport, nuclear, hydro, non-conventional energy and defence.Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India campaign of the Prime Minister, BHEL has also received a lot of encouragement along with various other industries of the country. The year 2025 has started with new hopes and expectations for BHEL. Under the able and efficient leadership of K.S. Murthy, Chairman and Managing Director, BHEL has strengthened its established reputation as an engineering company along with entering new business areas.After this, award winning tableaux of Vishwakarma Jayanti were displayed by various departments and cultural performances were given by various cultural troupes. Parade and other performances were given by children of various schools. The efficient display of the armed force in dealing with terrorism and the display of firefighting by CISF, Bhopal Unit were appreciated by all. On this occasion, the Best Executive, Supervisor and Workman awards were also given by the Human Resources Department.In the same sequence, the popular All India Kavi Sammelan was also organized by BHECNIS. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has announced the formation of two major metropolitan cities in the state, marking a significant milestone for MP's development. It is believed that the Mohan government plans to develop these cities on the lines of Delhi and Mumbai, a long-standing demand that has been discussed multiple times but rarely implemented. On January 26, during an event in Indore, CM Mohan Yadav declared that eight prominent cities in the state would be combined to create two major metropolitan areas, which is expected to boost rural and urban economic development. According to the announcement, eight cities will be connected to form these metropolises. Indore, Ujjain, Dewas, and Dhar will be merged to create one metropolis, while the second will include Bhopal, Raisen, Vidisha, and Rajgarh. The proximity of these cities, with none being more than 50 kilometers apart, makes this plan feasible. These metropolitan cities will be designed along the lines of Delhi and Mumbai to establish a modern urban infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh. Although a timeline for the project is yet to be determined, the announcement is considered a major step toward the states progress. Indore, the largest city in the state, is closely connected to Ujjain, Dewas, and Dhar, with all cities within a 50-kilometer radius. This connectivity makes it practical to integrate these cities into one metropolitan area. The merger is expected to not only enhance the economic framework but also accelerate the urbanization of rural areas situated between these cities. Since all four cities already have municipal corporations, merging them would expand their jurisdiction and potentially establish Madhya Pradeshs first metro city. Similarly, the plan to connect Bhopal with Raisen, Vidisha, and Rajgarh is gaining momentum. The distance between Bhopal and Raisen has significantly reduced, with only a 20-kilometer stretch of forest now separating them, while Rajgarh and Vidisha are also relatively close. Recently, Vidisha was declared a municipal corporation, which will further aid this integration. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated that Japan is eager to collaborate with Madhya Pradesh regarding technology and economy. His visit to Japan aims to open new avenues for the states development and progress. The primary objective of the visit is to invite Japanese industrial groups with advanced technologies to participate in the Global Investors Summit, scheduled to be held in Bhopal on February 24-25 under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Yadav emphasized that the state government is actively running campaigns to create employment opportunities for all sections of society, including the poor, women, farmers, and youth. He stated that job opportunities will be generated across various sectors such as industrialization, agriculture, and animal husbandry in both government and private sectors. The government is focused on empowering individuals by enhancing their capacity, upgrading their skills, and increasing family incomes to promote self-reliance. Efforts are being made at every level to achieve this objective. Dr. Yadav highlighted the states progress and achievements across various sectors over the past year. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, he expressed confidence that Madhya Pradesh will harness its potential to contribute significantly to establishing India as a leading global economy. First day of CM Dr. Yadavs Japan visit On the first day of his Japan visit, January 28, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will attend key meetings and programs in Tokyo. He will meet with India's Ambassador to Japan, Shri Sibi George, to discuss opportunities for promoting industrial activities in Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, the Chief Minister will engage with Japanese investors and leaders of industrial institutions to explore potential collaborations. Yadav will meet with the Friends of MP-Japan team to discuss various cooperation initiatives. Following this, he will meet senior officials of Toyota Motor Corporation, including Shri Takayuki Kanno, Shri Toshiyuki Nakahara, and Shri Masahiro Nogi, to explore industrial and investment collaboration. Yadav will visit Gandhi Park in Edogawa to pay floral tribute to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Later, he will participate in the Celebrating India-Japan Relationship: Focus Madhya Pradesh roadshow at the Indian Embassy in Tokyo. The event will focus on strengthening cultural and economic ties between India and Japan, along with highlighting investment opportunities and collaboration prospects in Madhya Pradesh. Yadav will meet Governor Sushri Yuriko Koike at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bhawan. He will also attend a dinner hosted by Ambassador Shri Sibi George at India House. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday emphasized the importance of creating awareness about liquor prohibition, stating that the campaign can only succeed through joint efforts by the government and society. Addressing a Republic Day function at Nehru Stadium in Indore, Yadav inspected the ceremonial parade and reiterated the government's commitment to curbing liquor sales in religious towns. Earlier, the state cabinet, on January 24, decided to ban the sale of liquor in 17 religious cities and towns of Madhya Pradesh. Yadav mentioned that this decision was taken following the advice of saints and social organizations. He also reaffirmed that liquor prohibition would continue along both banks of the Narmada River as per the existing rules. Governor Mangubhai Patel marked the Republic Day celebrations in Bhopal by unfurling the national flag at the Lal Parade Ground. State ministers also participated in similar functions in various districts, reading out the chief minister's message and inspecting the ceremonial parades. Highlighting the states achievements, Yadav said Madhya Pradesh is gaining recognition as a developed and investor-friendly state. Declaring 2025 as the "Year of Industry and Employment," he announced that the government had received investment proposals worth over ?4.17 lakh crore through regional industrial conferences and international programs. He stated that if these proposals materialize, more than four lakh people would benefit from employment opportunities. Remembering BR Ambedkar, the chief minister acknowledged his unparalleled contribution to framing the Constitution, describing it as a guiding document that instills awareness about citizens' duties, rights, pride, and self-respect. Notably, Dr. Ambedkar was born in Mhow, near Indore, a fact that holds special significance for the state. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari unfurled the national flag at the party's state headquarters, while Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh attended the celebrations at the Congress office in Indore. The Republic Day events across the state were marked by patriotic fervor, ceremonial parades, and cultural programs. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the nation with good governance and egalitarian vision. In line with his vision, representatives of the state government are delivering benefits of 63 types of different schemes like Ayushman Card and Poverty Line Ration at every doorstep in the state. A survey is being conducted again to provide pucca-houses in rural areas. The state government believes in the principle of live and let live and is committed to uplifting the poor. Yadav was addressing a programme held at Gandhi Nagar, Indore on the conclusion of Jan Kalyan Abhiyan. Beneficiaries and citizens of the Indore and Ujjain divisions attended the programme. Notably, to achieve the cent percent target of the identified beneficiary-oriented schemes of the Government of India and the State Government, the Mukhya Mantri Jan Kalyan Abhiyan was implemented in the state from 11 December 2024 to 26 January 2025. Under this, beneficiaries have benefited from various government schemes. Chief Minister Yadav greeted the public present in the programme by showering flowers on them. Yadav stated that the state government is working with the spirit of harmony and equality, as envisioned by the Constitution maker, Baba Saheb Ambedkar. He highlighted that Dr. Ambedkar granted the right to equality, and the state government is moving forward with the Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas mantra of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dr. Yadav also pointed out that previous governments had failed to give Ambedkar the respect he truly deserved. In contrast, the current government has developed key locations associated with his life as Panch Teerth, honoring his legacy and contributions to the nation. Yadav stated that the state government is taking comprehensive steps to improve the lives of citizens including initiatives like providing pucca-houses, gas stoves, and free monthly rations until 2029, along with free books for childrens education. Additionally, grants are being arranged for individuals rearing more than 10 cows to boost milk production. Yadav reaffirmed the governments commitment to the welfare of poor, farmers, youth, and women. Highlighting the Ladli Behan initiative, he shared that the state government is celebrating Rakshabandhan every month to strengthen support for women. Addressing the issue of drug addiction, the Chief Minister emphasized that it is a root cause of the destruction of society. To combat this, an anti-drug campaign has been launched across the state. The initiative aims to discourage liquor consumption and promote milk production, ensuring the safety, respect, and prosperity of women and improving the quality of family life. The liqor ban campaign has been initiated in religious cities as a first step. Yadav highlighted that the state government is working in mission mode, in alignment with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to promote social harmony, improve the lives of poor, provide employment for youth, and create positive changes in the lives of citizens. As part of the Youth Mission, technically skilled youth are being provided employment opportunities based on their qualifications. In addition to a significant number of government jobs, efforts are being made to ensure employment in the private sector through industrialization. The government is also working to foster entrepreneurship among the youth, encouraging them to become job creators rather than job seekers. Yadav further shared that the state government is focusing on comprehensive development by dividing 56 departments into four categories and implementing schemes and programmes in a coordinated manner. These efforts are aimed at empowering women, supporting food providers, assisting farmers, and improving the welfare of the poor. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated that the state government aims to ensure Work for every hand, water for every field. Police have arrested the principal of a government school in Madhya Pradesh's Anuppur district on charges of molesting three minor girl students, an official said on Sunday. The 61-year-old accused had been committing the offence for a long time, Kotwali police station in-charge Arvind Jain said. Following a complaint by the victims, all Class 11 students, a probe was launched into the matter and the CCTV footage of the higher secondary school was also examined, he said. After receiving the investigation report from the six-member internal complaint committee of the school, a case was registered against the accused on Saturday and he was arrested, the official said. The accused was booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) section 74 (use of criminal force or assault on a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty) and provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, he said. A tragic accident claimed the life of a 15-year-old eighth-grade student, Muskan Khan, in front of Sagar Gaire on New Jail Road. The incident occurred around 8:30 PM on Sunday night when a bus traveling to Ujjain hit Muskans moped while she was taking a U-turn. The bus, reportedly moving at high speed, struck the moped with such force that Muskan got trapped under its front tire and died on the spot. Her younger brother, Ayan, who was also on the moped, suffered minor injuries after jumping off during the collision. Muskan, a resident of Ehsan Nagar Karond and the daughter of Nazir Khan, was a student at a private school. On the night of the accident, she had gone to the main road with her brother to eat chowmein. While returning home via Jail Road, the bus collided with their moped. A passerby rushed Muskan to Peoples Hospital in his car, but she was declared dead upon arrival. Her family, informed by an acquaintance, reached the hospital shortly after. Nazir Khan, a truck driver who moved to Bhopal ten years ago for his childrens education, is devastated by the loss. He recounted that Ayan escaped with minor injuries, but Muskans chest was crushed under the buss wheel, leading to her instant death. The bus driver, unable to control the vehicle due to its speed, left the bus at the scene and reported the incident to the police. Authorities have registered a case and are investigating the matter. The family, including Muskans mother, who was informed of her daughters death late at night, is engulfed in grief. This heartbreaking incident highlights the need for stricter road safety measures and responsible driving to prevent such tragedies in the future. A frenzy over an artificial intelligence chatbot made by Chinese tech startup DeepSeek was upending stock markets Monday and fuelling debates over the economic and geopolitical competition between the US and China in developing AI technology. DeepSeek's AI assistant became the No. 1 downloaded free app on Apple's iPhone store Monday, propelled by curiosity about the ChatGPT competitor. Part of what's worrying some US tech industry observers is the idea that the Chinese startup has caught up with the American companies at the forefront of generative AI at a fraction of the cost. That, if true, calls into question the huge amounts of money US tech companies say they plan to spend on the data centres and computer chips needed to power further AI advancements. But hype and misconceptions about DeepSeek's technological advancements also sowed confusion. "The models they built are fantastic, but they aren't miracles either," said Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon, who follows the semiconductor industry and was one of several stock analysts describing Wall Street's reaction as overblown. They're not using any innovations that are unknown or secret or anything like that," Rasgon said. "These are things that everybody's experimenting with. What is DeepSeek? The startup DeepSeek was founded in 2023 in Hangzhou, China and released its first AI large language model later that year. Its CEO Liang Wenfeng previously co-founded one of China's top hedge funds, High-Flyer, which focuses on AI-driven quantitative trading. DeepSeek began attracting more attention in the AI industry last month when it released a new AI model that it boasted was on par with similar models from US companies such as ChatGPT maker OpenAI, and was more cost-effective in its use of expensive Nvidia chips to train the system on huge troves of data. The chatbot became more widely accessible when it appeared on Apple and Google app stores early this year. But it was a follow-up research paper published last week on the same day as President Donald Trump's inauguration that set in motion the panic that followed. That paper was about another DeepSeek AI model called R1 that showed advanced reasoning skills such as the ability to rethink its approach to a math problem and was significantly cheaper than a similar model sold by OpenAI called o1. What their economics look like, I have no idea, Rasgon said. But I think the price points freaked people out. The 'Sputnik' backdrop Behind the drama over DeepSeek's technical capabilities is a debate within the US over how best to compete with China on AI. Deepseek R1 is AI's Sputnik moment, said venture capitalist Marc Andreessen in a Sunday post on social platform X, referencing the 1957 satellite launch that set off a Cold War space exploration race between the Soviet Union and the US. Andreessen, who has advised Trump on tech policy, has warned that over regulation of the AI industry by the US government will hinder American companies and enable China to get ahead. But the attention on DeepSeek also threatens to undermine a key strategy of US foreign policy in recent years to restrict the sale of American-designed AI semiconductors to China. Some experts on US-China relations don't think that is an accident. The technology innovation is real, but the timing of the release is political in nature, said Gregory Allen, director of the Wadhwani AI Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Allen compared DeepSeek's announcement last week to US-sanctioned Chinese company Huawei's release of a new phone during diplomatic discussions over Biden administration export controls in 2023. Trying to show that the export controls are futile or counterproductive is a really important goal of Chinese foreign policy right now, Allen said. Trump signed an order on his first day in office last week that said his administration would identify and eliminate loopholes in existing export controls, signalling that he is likely to continue and harden Biden's approach. Nvidia's stock dropped 18 per cent Monday, but the company in a statement commended DeepSeek's work as an excellent AI advancement that leveraged widely-available models and compute that is fully export control compliant. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday rubbished Delhi AAP's claim that the ruling BJP in the state is "intentionally" draining industrial waste into the Yamuna that supplies water to the national capital. Saini also hit out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying it has become his habit to level baseless allegations and blame others. Saini's remarks came after the AAP on Monday accused the BJP in Haryana of "intentionally" draining industrial waste into the Yamuna, with Kejriwal alleging that it is trying to kill people by mixing "poison" in the river. Kejriwal should immediately apologise to the people of Haryana and Delhi, "otherwise we will file a defamation suit against him", Saini said. "Kejriwal has a habit of levelling baseless allegations and then run away. 'Ek kahawat hai -- thukoo aur bagho (There is a saying, first spit and then run away)," Saini told reporters here. A statement issued by the Haryana government late on Monday night quoted Saini as saying, "People of Haryana consider Yamuna a holy river and worship it. Why would they mix poison in the river?" The chief minister also said that staring at AAP's imminent defeat in the upcoming Assembly polls in Delhi, Kejriwal has lost his mental balance. The Haryana unit of BJP also launched a scathing attack against Kejriwal for his "poison in Yamuna" claims. "Kejriwal is a classic example of how low someone can stoop to achieve their petty and wicked political interests," it said in a post on X. Callng Kejriwal the "Kaliya Naag" of "Kalyug", the Haryana BJP said, "This ungrateful son, born unfortunately on the soil of Haryana, abuses the people of Haryana to his heart's content so that political advantage can be taken for the Delhi elections." Sharpening his attack on AAP, Saini told reporters earlier in the day, "Haryana supplies water to Delhi from Sonipat, which can be inspected by anyone to see what kind of water we are supplying to Delhi." "I asked them (AAP dispensation in Delhi) to send their chief secretary and said I will ask my chief secretary to check the quality of water," Saini added. The chief minister also said that AAP often talks of shortage of water though there is no shortage from Haryana's side. "There is no shortage. If there is deficiency, it is in their will... Their water distribution is not proper," he said. "For the past 10 years, he (Kejriwal) has not been able to ensure proper distribution of water," he said. While there is no shortage of water, it is the "mismanagement" of the AAP government in Delhi that has left residents without access to clean water, Saini claimed. "He (Kejriwal) talked of giving free water... However, despite (AAP) being in power for the last 10 years, Kejriwal has failed to improve Delhi's water distribution system. People of the national capital are forced to consume unclean water because Kejriwal failed to develop a system," he alleged. Accusing the AAP in Delhi of diverting 28 drains into the Yamuna, Saini said Kejriwal should do his work instead of levelling accusations. Kejriwal's promises of providing clean water and cleaning the Yamuna remain unfulfilled, for which the people of Delhi will hold him accountable in the upcoming elections, he added. Attacking Kejriwal, the state BJP unit said, "No true Haryanvi can commit the sin of mixing poison in the Yamuna. In Dwapar Yug, Kaliya Naag tried to make the Yamuna poisonous but Lord Krishna tamed him and freed the people of Brij from the Kaliya Nag." "This Kaliya Naag of Kalyug, Kejriwal, falsely promised in 2020 that if Yamuna is not saved from getting polluted, he will never ask for votes," it said. In the upcoming elections, the people of Delhi will "tame this Kaliya Naag in the same way as Lord Krishna did in Dwapar Yug", it added. "On February 8, Delhiites will get rid of this Kaliya Naag, which has become a nuisance for Delhi and Yamuna river, which we consider as mother," the BJP said in a post. Earlier at the presser, Atishi alleged that the BJP is "deliberately disrupting" Delhi's water supply as a "historic loss" awaits the saffron party in the upcoming Assembly polls in the capital. Kejriwal, on his part, alleged that the BJP is trying to keep the people of Delhi thirsty as it indulges in "dirty politics". "BJP people in Haryana are mixing poison in the water and sending it to Delhi. If people in Delhi drink this water, many will die. Can anything be more disgusting than this? The poison that is being mixed in the water cannot even be cleaned in water treatment plants. For the safety of the people of Delhi, the water supply has to be stopped in many areas," Kejriwal said in a post on X. US President Donald Trump has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will do "what is right" on illegal immigrants, underlining that discussions are going on with India. President Trump made these remarks on Monday while talking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back to Joint Base Andrews from Florida. He also mentioned that Prime Minister Modi is likely to visit the White House in February. Separately, in a readout of a phone call between both leaders, the White House said that Trump had a "productive" phone call with Modi and sought a move towards a "fair" bilateral trading relationship and deeper India-US cooperation. While talking to House Republicans at a Florida retreat on Monday, President Trump said that the US would impose tariffs on the countries that "harm" America as he named China, India and Brazil as high-tariff countries. We're going to put tariffs on outside countries and outside people that really mean harm to us... Look at what others do. China is a tremendous tariff maker, and India and Brazil and so many other countries. So we're not going to let that happen any longer because we're going to put America first, he said. Meanwhile, during their phone call, the two leaders also discussed plans for Modi to visit the US, the White House said in the readout. While talking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked "Did he (Modi) agree to take illegal immigrants. He (Modi) will do what's right. We are discussing, said the president. I had a long talk with him this morning (Monday). He is going to be coming to the White House, over next month, probably February. We have a very good relationship with India, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. The president was responding to a question on the phone call he had with Modi on Monday. Everything came up (in a phone call with Modi), Trump told reporters when asked about the details of his call with the Prime Minister. The prime minister's trip to the US, the first under Trump 2.0 was finalised during the call. Trump's last foreign trip as president was to India during his first term. Trump and Modi enjoy a good friendly relationship. The two addressed thousands of people at two different rallies in Houston in September 2019 and in Ahmedabad in February 2020. Modi was among the top three world leaders to speak with Trump after his stunning electoral victory in November 2024. In a readout of the call, the White House said the two Trump sought India to increase in US-made security equipment and move towards a fair bilateral trading relationship. Today, President Donald J Trump held a productive call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. The two leaders discussed expanding and deepening cooperation. They also discussed a range of regional issues, including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe, it said. The President emphasised the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship, the White House said. The leaders discussed plans for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House, underscoring the strength of the friendship and strategic ties between our nations, it added. Both Modi and Trump emphasised their commitment to advance the "US-India strategic partnership and the Indo-Pacific Quad partnership, with India hosting Quad Leaders for the first time later this year. The US, India, Japan and Australia compose the Quad, a four-way grouping. They have been stepping up cooperation in various fields such as defence and energy, amid China's increasing military and economic clout in the region. Like in many countries, there have been some concerns in India as well over the Trump administration's approach to immigration and tariffs. Trump has already talked about slapping 100 per cent tariffs on the BRICS grouping, a bloc that includes India as well. Speaking during a weekly press briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal referred to India's ongoing dialogue with the US on matters related to trade and immigration and expressed hope that both sides will be able to address any issue. Trade occupies a special place within the strong and multi-faceted India-US relationship, and the two sides reached a record level of trade in goods and services worth USD 190 billion in 2023, Jaiswal said. On January 23, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who represented India at the inauguration ceremony of Trump, said that India has always been open to the legitimate return of undocumented Indians to their country. "As a government, we are obviously very much supportive of legal mobility because we do believe in a global workplace... At the same time, we are also very firmly opposed to illegal mobility and illegal migration," Jaishankar had said. "So, with every country, and the US is no exception, we have always maintained that if any of our citizens are there illegally, and if we are sure that they are our citizens, we have always been open to their legitimate return to India." He was responding to a query on news reports that India is working with the Trump administration for the deportation of some 1,80,000 Indians in the US who are either undocumented or have overstayed their visas. Department of Homeland Security in April 2024 said there were about 11 million illegal immigrants in the US in the year 2022. Mexico topped the list with 4.81 million illegal immigrants, followed by Guatemala (750,000), El Salvador (710,000), Honduras (560,000), Philippines (350,000), Venezuela (320,000), Colombia (230,000) and Brazil (230,000). The DHS said there has been a sharp decline in illegal immigrants from India between 2018 and 2022. It says 220,000 Indians were living in the US illegally at the end of 2022. The Indian population fell by 54 per cent, or 260,000 people, from 480,000 in 2018 to 220,000 in 2022, while the Chinese population declined by 47 per cent, or 180,000, from 390,000 to 210,000, DHS said. Two girls, aged 17 and 7, died in a four-storey building collapse in north Delhi's Burari area, police said on Tuesday. The newly constructed building near Oscar Public School crashed on Monday evening. So far, 12 people have been rescued, police said. The deceased have been identified as Saadhna, 17, and Radhika, 7, they said. A police officer said that a rescue operation is underway and more people could be trapped under the debris. The Delhi Police, in a statement issued on Monday night, said they received information about the collapse at around 7 pm. It was a new construction spread in a 200 square yards area, it said. Police said that soon after the incident which was reported to the Delhi Police and Delhi Fire Services, a rescue operation was launched. "Rescue operation is still underway. Multiple agencies like police, fire and NDRF are on the spot. Police have cordoned off the area and are collecting more details from the locals to know how many people are still trapped inside the building," said the officer. "We have launched an investigation into the matter and multiple teams have been formed. Legal action is under process against the building owner," he added. Soon after the incident, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said on X that all possible help would be provided to the affected people. "This incident of building collapse in Burari is extremely sad. I have spoken to the local administration to ensure speedy relief and rescue operations. All possible help will be provided to the affected people," CM Atishi wrote in Hindi. Former Delhi chief minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, in a social media post, said the local party MLA has been instructed to assist in the relief and rescue operation. "This incident is very sad. Our MLA from Burari, Sanjeev Jha, has been instructed to immediately go there with party workers and help the administration in relief and rescue work. Also, help the local people in every possible way," Kejriwal said. VAALCO Energy (NYSE:EGY Get Free Report) and Granite Ridge Resources (NYSE:GRNT Get Free Report) are both small-cap oils/energy companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations, dividends and profitability. Profitability This table compares VAALCO Energy and Granite Ridge Resources net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get VAALCO Energy alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets VAALCO Energy 17.93% 15.63% 8.72% Granite Ridge Resources 12.59% 11.58% 7.89% Insider and Institutional Ownership 50.3% of VAALCO Energy shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 31.6% of Granite Ridge Resources shares are held by institutional investors. 1.3% of VAALCO Energy shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.9% of Granite Ridge Resources shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Analyst Ratings Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score VAALCO Energy 0 0 1 0 3.00 Granite Ridge Resources 0 2 1 1 2.75 This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for VAALCO Energy and Granite Ridge Resources, as provided by MarketBeat.com. VAALCO Energy presently has a consensus target price of $8.00, suggesting a potential upside of 88.41%. Granite Ridge Resources has a consensus target price of $7.60, suggesting a potential upside of 21.50%. Given VAALCO Energys stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe VAALCO Energy is more favorable than Granite Ridge Resources. Volatility & Risk VAALCO Energy has a beta of 1.19, suggesting that its stock price is 19% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Granite Ridge Resources has a beta of 0.23, suggesting that its stock price is 77% less volatile than the S&P 500. Dividends VAALCO Energy pays an annual dividend of $0.25 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.9%. Granite Ridge Resources pays an annual dividend of $0.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.0%. VAALCO Energy pays out 29.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Granite Ridge Resources pays out 122.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Valuation and Earnings This table compares VAALCO Energy and Granite Ridge Resourcess top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio VAALCO Energy $455.07 million 0.98 $60.35 million $0.85 5.00 Granite Ridge Resources $380.52 million 2.15 $81.10 million $0.36 17.38 Granite Ridge Resources has lower revenue, but higher earnings than VAALCO Energy. VAALCO Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Granite Ridge Resources, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary VAALCO Energy beats Granite Ridge Resources on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks. About VAALCO Energy (Get Free Report) VAALCO Energy, Inc., an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in Gabon, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, and Canada. The company holds 58.8% interest in the Etame production sharing contract related to the Etame Marin block covering an area of approximately 46,200 gross acres located offshore in the Republic of Gabon in West Africa. It also owns 100% interest in the Eastern Desert, which contains West Gharib, West Bakr and North West Gharib merged concessions covering as area of approximately 45,067 acres, as well as Western Desert, which contains the South Ghazalat concession covering as area of approximately 7,340 acres located in Egypt. In addition, the company production and working interests in Cardium light oil and Mannville liquids-rich gas assets covering as area of 47,400 gross acres located near the north of Calgary, Alberta; and an undeveloped block offshore Equatorial Guinea, West Africa. VAALCO Energy, Inc. was incorporated in 1985 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. About Granite Ridge Resources (Get Free Report) Granite Ridge Resources, Inc. operates as a non-operated oil and gas exploration and production company. It owns a portfolio of wells and acreage across the Permian and other unconventional basins in the United States. Granite Ridge Resources, Inc. is based in Dallas, Texas. Receive News & Ratings for VAALCO Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for VAALCO Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cordoba Minerals Corp. (CVE:CDB Get Free Report)s stock price was down 1.2% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as C$0.40 and last traded at C$0.40. Approximately 1,500 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 79% from the average daily volume of 7,068 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.41. Cordoba Minerals Stock Performance The stock has a market capitalization of C$35.97 million, a P/E ratio of -2.00 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a fifty day moving average of C$0.40 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$0.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.53, a current ratio of 4.94 and a quick ratio of 0.11. Cordoba Minerals Company Profile (Get Free Report) Cordoba Minerals Corp., a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, evaluation, and development of base and precious metal properties in Colombia and the United States. The company explores for copper, silver, and gold deposits. It primarily holds a 100% interest in the San Matias project with exploration licenses covering 146.62 square kilometers and has an additional 893.91 square kilometers of mining titles under application located in the municipality of Puerto Libertador, Department of Cordoba, Colombia. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Cordoba Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cordoba Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. FRMO Co. (OTCMKTS:FRMO Get Free Report)s share price fell 6% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $9.86 and last traded at $9.87. 22,313 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 54% from the average session volume of 14,495 shares. The stock had previously closed at $10.50. FRMO Trading Down 6.0 % The company has a fifty day moving average of $10.31 and a two-hundred day moving average of $8.83. FRMO Company Profile (Get Free Report) FRMO Corporation, through Horizon Kinetics, LLC, operates as an investment advisory and independent research company. The company provides in-depth analysis of information-poor, under-researched companies, and strategies to identify the complex situations primarily to institutional investors. FRMO Corporation was incorporated in 1993 and is based in White Plains, New York. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for FRMO Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FRMO and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Intrepid Potash, Inc. (NYSE:IPI Get Free Report) major shareholder Robert P. Jornayvaz III sold 5,600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.35, for a total transaction of $153,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 99,063 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,709,373.05. This trade represents a 5.35 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Large shareholders that own 10% or more of a companys shares are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC. Intrepid Potash Stock Down 1.1 % Shares of Intrepid Potash stock traded down $0.30 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $26.84. The company had a trading volume of 93,125 shares, compared to its average volume of 124,252. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $25.04 and a 200 day simple moving average of $24.64. Intrepid Potash, Inc. has a 12-month low of $17.52 and a 12-month high of $29.75. The stock has a market cap of $353.15 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.01 and a beta of 2.23. Get Intrepid Potash alerts: Intrepid Potash (NYSE:IPI Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The basic materials company reported ($0.14) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.11 by ($0.25). The firm had revenue of $57.55 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $42.57 million. Intrepid Potash had a negative return on equity of 1.32% and a negative net margin of 16.86%. During the same period last year, the firm earned ($0.53) EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Intrepid Potash, Inc. will post -0.17 EPS for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Intrepid Potash by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 231,594 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $5,560,000 after purchasing an additional 1,732 shares during the period. Glenorchy Capital Ltd grew its stake in Intrepid Potash by 95.7% in the 3rd quarter. Glenorchy Capital Ltd now owns 62,214 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,493,000 after acquiring an additional 30,425 shares during the period. Barclays PLC raised its position in Intrepid Potash by 282.6% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 14,350 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $344,000 after acquiring an additional 10,599 shares during the period. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Intrepid Potash in the third quarter valued at about $3,100,000. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company purchased a new stake in shares of Intrepid Potash during the third quarter worth about $602,000. 56.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Several brokerages recently issued reports on IPI. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Intrepid Potash from $18.00 to $19.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. StockNews.com upgraded Intrepid Potash from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on IPI Intrepid Potash Company Profile (Get Free Report) Intrepid Potash, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the extraction and production of the potash in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Potash, Trio, and Oilfield Solutions. The company offers muriate of potash for various markets, such as agricultural market as a fertilizer input; the industrial market as a component in drilling and fracturing fluids for oil and gas wells, as well as an input to other industrial processes; and the animal feed market as a nutrient supplement. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Intrepid Potash Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Intrepid Potash and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (NYSEARCA:EWK Get Free Report) were up 0.9% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $18.75 and last traded at $18.69. Approximately 8,374 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 51% from the average daily volume of 16,955 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.52. iShares MSCI Belgium ETF Trading Up 0.9 % The stock has a market capitalization of $20.93 million, a P/E ratio of 10.42 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $18.57 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $19.45. Get iShares MSCI Belgium ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares MSCI Belgium ETF A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of EWK. Flow Traders U.S. LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Belgium ETF by 71.7% during the third quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC now owns 23,773 shares of the companys stock valued at $496,000 after buying an additional 9,926 shares during the last quarter. Hilltop Holdings Inc. lifted its position in iShares MSCI Belgium ETF by 26.5% in the 3rd quarter. Hilltop Holdings Inc. now owns 121,199 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,530,000 after acquiring an additional 25,420 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC boosted its stake in iShares MSCI Belgium ETF by 62.0% during the 3rd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 30,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $626,000 after purchasing an additional 11,487 shares during the last quarter. About iShares MSCI Belgium ETF iShares MSCI Belgium Capped ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Belgian market, as measured by the MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index (the Index). Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Belgium ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Belgium ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. On January 27, 2025, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) announced the election of Lori J. Ryerkerk to its Board of Directors. The decision, made by the Board, appointed Ryerkerk to serve as a member and be part of the Companys Human Capital Management, Compensation, Governance, and Nominating Committees. Get alerts: This appointment stems from a Cooperation Agreement dated November 13, 2024, with Ancora Catalyst Institutional, LP and its affiliates, where both parties agreed to jointly select an independent director for the Board. As per the terms of the agreement, Ms. Ryerkerk will be included in the Companys slate of director nominees for the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. Ms. Ryerkerks election to the Board does not involve any undisclosed arrangements or agreements with any other party. Additionally, there are no transactions requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K between Ms. Ryerkerk and Norfolk Southern. In terms of compensation, Ms. Ryerkerk will receive the same cash and equity compensations as other non-management directors of the Company, aligning with the details outlined in the Companys proxy statement for the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders. A press release regarding Ms. Ryerkerks appointment to the Board was issued by Norfolk Southern on January 27, 2025, and is available as Exhibit 99.1 in the Companys filing. This disclosure falls under Regulation FD and is not considered a filed document for Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or for incorporation by reference in future filings. Norfolk Southern acknowledges that the addition of Ms. Ryerkerk with her extensive global leadership experience in various industries will bring valuable insights to the Companys strategic direction and operational performance. For those seeking further details about the new Board member, Ms. Ryerkerks professional background includes her tenure as chairman, CEO, and president of Celanese Corp., along with over three decades of experience in energy, manufacturing, and chemical sectors. Norfolk Southerns decision to appoint Ms. Ryerkerk reflects their commitment to ensure a diverse and experienced leadership team to navigate the companys continued growth and mission of delivering exceptional service to customers and the communities they serve. This article was generated by an automated content engine and was reviewed by a human editor prior to publication. For additional information, read Norfolk Southerns 8K filing here. Norfolk Southern Company Profile (Get Free Report) Norfolk Southern Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods in the United States. The company transports agriculture, forest, and consumer products comprising soybeans, wheat, corn, fertilizers, livestock and poultry feed, food products, food oils, flour, sweeteners, ethanol, lumber and wood products, pulp board and paper products, wood fibers, wood pulp, beverages, and canned goods; chemicals consist of sulfur and related chemicals, petroleum products comprising crude oil, chlorine and bleaching compounds, plastics, rubber, industrial chemicals, chemical wastes, sand, and natural gas liquids; metals and construction materials, such as steel, aluminum products, machinery, scrap metals, cement, aggregates, minerals, clay, transportation equipment, and military-related products; and automotive, including finished motor vehicles and automotive parts, as well as coal. Featured Stories PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk (OTCMKTS:PPERF Get Free Report) will likely be announcing its earnings results before the market opens on Wednesday, January 29th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $1.10 per share and revenue of $271,750.00 billion for the quarter. PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk Trading Down 0.5 % PPERF opened at $0.38 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $0.37 and a 200-day moving average price of $0.42. PT Bank Mandiri has a 12-month low of $0.31 and a 12-month high of $0.53. Get PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk alerts: PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk Company Profile (Get Free Report) See Also PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk provides various banking products and services to individuals and businesses in Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Timor Leste, Shanghai, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and the Cayman Islands. The company operates through Wholesale and Retail segments. It offers savings and current accounts, time deposits, demand deposits, and foreign currency savings and current accounts; motorcycle loans, mortgage loan, and housing loans, as well as loans for various purposes, such as education, home renovation, marriage, health, and other needs for individuals; and working capital loans, investment loans, people's business loans, syndicated loans, and micro business loans for businesses. Receive News & Ratings for PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rayonier (NYSE:RYN Get Free Report) is expected to issue its quarterly earnings data before the market opens on Wednesday, January 29th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.20 per share and revenue of $224,070.00 billion for the quarter. Rayonier has set its FY24 guidance at $0.36-0.40 EPS and its FY 2024 guidance at 0.360-0.400 EPS.Individual interested in participating in the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link. Rayonier (NYSE:RYN Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 6th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.12 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.13 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $195.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $211.21 million. Rayonier had a net margin of 15.84% and a return on equity of 2.95%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 3.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.13 EPS. On average, analysts expect Rayonier to post $0 EPS for the current fiscal year and $1 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get Rayonier alerts: Rayonier Price Performance Shares of RYN opened at $26.83 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.99, a quick ratio of 1.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $28.07 and its 200 day simple moving average is $29.81. Rayonier has a 1-year low of $24.88 and a 1-year high of $35.29. The company has a market cap of $4.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.31 and a beta of 1.04. Rayonier Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a special dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 12th will be paid a dividend of $1.80 per share. This is a positive change from Rayoniers previous special dividend of $0.20. Rayoniers payout ratio is currently 107.55%. Rayonier declared that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Monday, December 2nd that allows the company to buyback $300.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization allows the real estate investment trust to reacquire up to 6.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have recently commented on RYN shares. Truist Financial reduced their target price on Rayonier from $32.00 to $30.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. StockNews.com raised shares of Rayonier from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 16th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Rayonier from $32.00 to $25.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $29.67. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on RYN About Rayonier (Get Free Report) Rayonier is a leading timberland real estate investment trust with assets located in some of the most productive softwood timber growing regions in the United States and New Zealand. As of December 31, 2023, Rayonier owned or leased under long-term agreements approximately 2.7 million acres of timberlands located in the U.S. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Rayonier Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rayonier and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Express (NYSE:AXP) was downgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Monday. A number of other research firms also recently issued reports on AXP. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on American Express from $305.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Monday. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of American Express from $330.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of American Express from $300.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, January 3rd. BTIG Research raised their target price on shares of American Express from $266.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price target on shares of American Express from $260.00 to $268.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $288.32. Get American Express alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on AXP American Express Stock Down 1.6 % AXP traded down $5.11 during trading on Monday, reaching $316.23. The company had a trading volume of 3,097,631 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,790,469. The company has a market cap of $222.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.27, a PEG ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.23. American Express has a 12 month low of $199.07 and a 12 month high of $326.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.80, a current ratio of 1.63 and a quick ratio of 1.63. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $302.35 and its 200 day moving average price is $275.17. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 24th. The payment services company reported $3.04 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.00 by $0.04. American Express had a net margin of 15.32% and a return on equity of 32.46%. Equities analysts anticipate that American Express will post 13.4 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at American Express In related news, Vice Chairman Douglas E. Buckminster sold 13,111 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $270.98, for a total value of $3,552,818.78. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 109,691 shares in the company, valued at approximately $29,724,067.18. This represents a 10.68 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Caillec Christophe Le sold 6,000 shares of American Express stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $303.48, for a total transaction of $1,820,880.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 6,433 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,952,286.84. This trade represents a 48.26 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AXP. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its position in American Express by 26,783.5% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 909,737 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $2,467,210,000 after buying an additional 906,353 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its position in shares of American Express by 8.5% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 11,003,715 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $2,984,208,000 after acquiring an additional 866,110 shares during the period. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 59,816.0% during the 3rd quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 682,443 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $185,079,000 after purchasing an additional 681,304 shares in the last quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of American Express by 35,213.7% in the third quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC now owns 317,117 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $86,002,000 after purchasing an additional 316,219 shares during the period. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI raised its stake in American Express by 73.7% in the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 707,381 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $191,842,000 after purchasing an additional 300,138 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About American Express (Get Free Report) American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lavras Gold Corp. (CVE:LGC Get Free Report) insider 2176423 Ontario Ltd. sold 16,100 shares of Lavras Gold stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$2.50, for a total value of C$40,250.00. 2176423 Ontario Ltd. also recently made the following trade(s): Get Lavras Gold alerts: On Thursday, December 19th, 2176423 Ontario Ltd. sold 34,700 shares of Lavras Gold stock. The shares were sold at an average price of C$2.29, for a total value of C$79,417.89. On Monday, December 9th, 2176423 Ontario Ltd. sold 154,600 shares of Lavras Gold stock. The shares were sold at an average price of C$2.43, for a total value of C$376,296.40. On Tuesday, November 26th, 2176423 Ontario Ltd. sold 113,200 shares of Lavras Gold stock. The shares were sold at an average price of C$2.47, for a total value of C$279,207.80. Lavras Gold Trading Down 8.9 % Shares of LGC traded down C$0.22 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting C$2.26. 550 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 39,345. The company has a quick ratio of 11.12, a current ratio of 7.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. Lavras Gold Corp. has a 1 year low of C$0.75 and a 1 year high of C$2.89. The firm has a market capitalization of C$116.05 million, a P/E ratio of -32.29 and a beta of -0.26. The businesss 50-day moving average price is C$2.34 and its 200-day moving average price is C$2.36. Lavras Gold Company Profile Lavras Gold Corp. engages in the exploration and development of mineral resource properties in Brazil. It holds interests in the Lavras do Sul, an advanced exploration gold project with 29 mineral rights covering approximately 22,000 hectares located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The company was incorporated in 2021 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Lavras Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lavras Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bensler LLC grew its stake in shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST Free Report) by 8.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 69,677 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 5,561 shares during the period. Bensler LLCs holdings in Vistra were worth $9,606,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. APG Asset Management N.V. boosted its holdings in shares of Vistra by 232.6% in the 2nd quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. now owns 40,468 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,247,000 after buying an additional 28,300 shares during the period. Creative Planning boosted its stake in Vistra by 36.2% during the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 23,299 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,003,000 after purchasing an additional 6,190 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Vistra by 38.1% during the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 67,897 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,838,000 after purchasing an additional 18,740 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its stake in Vistra by 52.0% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 58,324 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,015,000 after purchasing an additional 19,957 shares during the period. Finally, Seaport Global Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Vistra during the 2nd quarter valued at about $816,000. 90.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Vistra alerts: Vistra Stock Up 1.4 % NYSE VST opened at $138.98 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.99. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $156.00 and its 200 day simple moving average is $120.79. Vistra Corp. has a 12 month low of $40.54 and a 12 month high of $199.84. The company has a market capitalization of $47.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.98, a PEG ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.21. Vistra Increases Dividend Vistra ( NYSE:VST Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 7th. The company reported $5.25 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.24 by $4.01. Vistra had a net margin of 12.51% and a return on equity of 57.63%. The business had revenue of $6.29 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.96 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.25 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Vistra Corp. will post 4.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th were given a dividend of $0.221 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 20th. This is an increase from Vistras previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.64%. Vistras payout ratio is presently 16.60%. Vistra announced that its board has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, November 7th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to reacquire up to 2.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally a sign that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have issued reports on VST. Bank of America began coverage on shares of Vistra in a research note on Monday. They set a neutral rating and a $206.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on shares of Vistra in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They set an overweight rating and a $178.00 price target on the stock. Guggenheim boosted their price target on shares of Vistra from $133.00 to $177.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 8th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Vistra from $105.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of Vistra from $151.00 to $191.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $171.64. Read Our Latest Research Report on VST Insider Activity at Vistra In other Vistra news, Director Scott B. Helm sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $139.77, for a total value of $2,795,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 343,350 shares of the companys stock, valued at $47,990,029.50. This represents a 5.50 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 115,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.16, for a total transaction of $18,878,400.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 254,932 shares of the companys stock, valued at $41,849,637.12. The trade was a 31.09 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 342,100 shares of company stock valued at $55,087,314. Corporate insiders own 1.42% of the companys stock. About Vistra (Free Report) Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company. The company operates through six segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, Sunset, and Asset Closure. It retails electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across states in the United States and the District of Columbia. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VST? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Vistra Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vistra and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ABS Direct Equity Fund LLC lessened its stake in shares of CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:CX Free Report) by 0.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 584,300 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 3,700 shares during the quarter. CEMEX comprises about 3.8% of ABS Direct Equity Fund LLCs holdings, making the stock its 8th biggest holding. ABS Direct Equity Fund LLCs holdings in CEMEX were worth $3,295,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Barclays PLC increased its position in CEMEX by 41.8% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 6,249 shares of the construction companys stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 1,843 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP grew its position in shares of CEMEX by 36.0% during the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 6,606 shares of the construction companys stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 1,747 shares during the last quarter. Aureus Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of CEMEX in the 3rd quarter valued at $70,000. Vontobel Holding Ltd. purchased a new stake in CEMEX in the 3rd quarter valued at $77,000. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. acquired a new stake in CEMEX during the 3rd quarter worth $87,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.97% of the companys stock. Get CEMEX alerts: CEMEX Stock Down 1.4 % CX opened at $5.90 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.73. CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. has a 12 month low of $5.00 and a 12 month high of $9.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.65 and a beta of 1.49. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $5.61 and a 200-day simple moving average of $5.91. CEMEX Dividend Announcement Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades The business also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 10th were given a dividend of $0.0207 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 10th. CEMEXs payout ratio is currently 20.00%. A number of research firms have commented on CX. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of CEMEX from $9.00 to $8.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 29th. Scotiabank reduced their price objective on CEMEX from $10.00 to $8.90 and set a sector outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded CEMEX from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and lowered their target price for the company from $7.00 to $6.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 29th. StockNews.com cut CEMEX from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 11th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered shares of CEMEX from a sector perform rating to an underperform rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $6.00 to $5.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, CEMEX currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $7.65. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on CX About CEMEX (Free Report) CEMEX, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, produces, markets, distributes, and sells cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, urbanization solutions, and other construction materials and services worldwide. The company offers gray ordinary portland, white portland, oil-well, and blended cement products; mortar; and standard ready-mix, architectural and decorative, rapid-setting, fiber-reinforced, fluid-fill, roller-compacted, self-consolidating, pervious, and antibacterial, and other concrete products. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:CX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for CEMEX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CEMEX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. City Chic Collective Limited (ASX:CCX Get Free Report) insider Michael Kay purchased 500,000 shares of City Chic Collective stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 20th. The stock was bought at an average price of A$0.12 ($0.08) per share, for a total transaction of A$60,000.00 ($37,500.00). Michael Kay also recently made the following trade(s): Get City Chic Collective alerts: On Friday, November 29th, Michael Kay purchased 750,000 shares of City Chic Collective stock. The stock was bought at an average price of A$0.10 ($0.06) per share, for a total transaction of A$71,250.00 ($44,531.25). City Chic Collective Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 166.95, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.20. City Chic Collective Company Profile City Chic Collective Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a retailer of plus-size womens apparel, footwear, and accessories in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. The company offers its products under the City Chic brand. It also operates a network of retail stores. The company sells its products through online websites and marketplaces; and wholesale stores. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for City Chic Collective Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for City Chic Collective and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Griffin Asset Management Inc. reduced its holdings in shares of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ Free Report) by 12.1% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 8,101 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,115 shares during the quarter. Griffin Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Constellation Brands were worth $1,790,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its stake in Constellation Brands by 78.3% in the second quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 5,704 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,468,000 after acquiring an additional 2,504 shares in the last quarter. AXA S.A. boosted its position in shares of Constellation Brands by 54.2% in the 2nd quarter. AXA S.A. now owns 2,146 shares of the companys stock valued at $552,000 after purchasing an additional 754 shares during the period. APG Asset Management N.V. grew its stake in Constellation Brands by 239.5% during the 2nd quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. now owns 18,853 shares of the companys stock worth $4,526,000 after buying an additional 13,300 shares during the last quarter. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC acquired a new position in Constellation Brands during the second quarter worth approximately $1,106,000. Finally, Creative Planning lifted its stake in Constellation Brands by 2.2% in the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 53,487 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,761,000 after buying an additional 1,162 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.34% of the companys stock. Get Constellation Brands alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have recently commented on STZ. Bank of America reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $255.00 target price (down from $300.00) on shares of Constellation Brands in a report on Monday, October 7th. UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of Constellation Brands from $265.00 to $223.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 17th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Constellation Brands from $295.00 to $275.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on Constellation Brands from $300.00 to $245.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 13th. Finally, Barclays lowered their target price on Constellation Brands from $282.00 to $214.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Constellation Brands currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $257.14. Insider Transactions at Constellation Brands In other Constellation Brands news, CEO William A. Newlands sold 25,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $243.58, for a total value of $6,089,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 7,274 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,771,800.92. This represents a 77.46 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director William T. Giles bought 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, January 17th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $186.39 per share, for a total transaction of $186,390.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 1,463 shares in the company, valued at $272,688.57. This represents a 215.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 61,746 shares of company stock worth $15,017,097. 12.19% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Constellation Brands Stock Performance Constellation Brands stock opened at $187.84 on Tuesday. Constellation Brands, Inc. has a 12 month low of $176.51 and a 12 month high of $274.87. The stocks 50-day moving average is $221.02 and its 200-day moving average is $236.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 0.46. The company has a market cap of $33.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.75. Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 10th. The company reported $3.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.33 by ($0.08). Constellation Brands had a net margin of 6.27% and a return on equity of 26.55%. The firm had revenue of $2.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.53 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.19 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Constellation Brands, Inc. will post 13.52 earnings per share for the current year. Constellation Brands Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 7th will be paid a dividend of $1.01 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 7th. This represents a $4.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.15%. Constellation Brandss payout ratio is 108.60%. Constellation Brands Profile (Free Report) Constellation Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Familiar, Corona Hard Seltzer, Corona Light, Corona Non-Alcoholic, Corona Premier, Corona Refresca, Modelo Especial, Modelo Chelada, Modelo Negra, Modelo Oro, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding STZ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Constellation Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Constellation Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dominos Pizza Enterprises Limited (OTCMKTS:DMZPY Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 100 shares, a decline of 94.4% from the December 31st total of 1,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Dominos Pizza Enterprises Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS DMZPY remained flat at $9.59 during midday trading on Tuesday. 43 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 513. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $9.81 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $10.46. Dominos Pizza Enterprises has a one year low of $9.00 and a one year high of $18.97. Get Domino's Pizza Enterprises alerts: Dominos Pizza Enterprises Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Stories Domino's Pizza Enterprises Limited operates retail food outlets. The company holds franchise rights for the Domino's brand in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Cambodia, Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. It operates various stores. Receive News & Ratings for Domino's Pizza Enterprises Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Domino's Pizza Enterprises and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Greenup Street Wealth Management LLC raised its position in The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO Free Report) by 25.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,103 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 845 shares during the quarter. Greenup Street Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $255,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in KO. Quarry LP bought a new position in shares of Coca-Cola during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Hara Capital LLC bought a new position in Coca-Cola during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. bought a new position in Coca-Cola during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Coca-Cola in the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, MidAtlantic Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Coca-Cola in the 3rd quarter valued at $43,000. 70.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Coca-Cola alerts: Insider Activity at Coca-Cola In related news, CEO James Quincey sold 100,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.03, for a total transaction of $6,403,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 342,546 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,933,220.38. This represents a 22.60 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.97% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on KO shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Coca-Cola from $75.00 to $70.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Coca-Cola from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Coca-Cola from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $68.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. UBS Group lowered their target price on Coca-Cola from $82.00 to $72.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola from $74.00 to $73.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Coca-Cola has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $72.07. View Our Latest Report on Coca-Cola Coca-Cola Trading Up 3.1 % NYSE:KO opened at $63.84 on Tuesday. The Coca-Cola Company has a 52 week low of $57.93 and a 52 week high of $73.53. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $62.62 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $66.41. The firm has a market cap of $275.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.38 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 1.06. About Coca-Cola (Free Report) The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Coca-Cola Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coca-Cola and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Griffin Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI Free Report) (TSE:TRI) by 4.9% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 6,475 shares of the business services providers stock after buying an additional 300 shares during the period. Griffin Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Thomson Reuters were worth $1,038,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. bought a new position in shares of Thomson Reuters in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Asset Dedication LLC lifted its holdings in Thomson Reuters by 125.0% during the third quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 234 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares during the last quarter. Clean Yield Group bought a new stake in Thomson Reuters during the 3rd quarter valued at $42,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of Thomson Reuters during the third quarter valued at about $47,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC raised its holdings in shares of Thomson Reuters by 104.4% in the 3rd quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 327 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $56,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.31% of the companys stock. Get Thomson Reuters alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com upgraded Thomson Reuters from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Scotiabank upped their price objective on shares of Thomson Reuters from $182.00 to $187.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Thomson Reuters from $171.00 to $173.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of Thomson Reuters in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $165.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, CIBC lifted their price target on Thomson Reuters from $164.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, January 3rd. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $176.10. Thomson Reuters Trading Up 0.7 % NYSE:TRI opened at $164.38 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $162.65 and a 200-day moving average price of $165.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.94. Thomson Reuters Co. has a one year low of $148.16 and a one year high of $176.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.18 and a beta of 0.72. Thomson Reuters (NYSE:TRI Get Free Report) (TSE:TRI) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 5th. The business services provider reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $1.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.71 billion. Thomson Reuters had a net margin of 32.12% and a return on equity of 14.85%. The businesss revenue was up 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.82 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 3.69 EPS for the current year. Thomson Reuters Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 21st were given a dividend of $0.54 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 21st. This is a positive change from Thomson Reuterss previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. This represents a $2.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.31%. Thomson Reuterss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 42.52%. Thomson Reuters Profile (Free Report) Thomson Reuters Corporation engages in the provision of business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI Free Report) (TSE:TRI). Receive News & Ratings for Thomson Reuters Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thomson Reuters and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bay Rivers Group raised its holdings in shares of M/I Homes, Inc. (NYSE:MHO Free Report) by 2.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,911 shares of the construction companys stock after purchasing an additional 128 shares during the period. Bay Rivers Groups holdings in M/I Homes were worth $653,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of M/I Homes during the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in M/I Homes by 49.4% in the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 354 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $61,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares during the period. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of M/I Homes during the third quarter valued at approximately $86,000. Private Trust Co. NA acquired a new stake in shares of M/I Homes during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $88,000. Finally, Quarry LP lifted its holdings in shares of M/I Homes by 148.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 558 shares of the construction companys stock worth $68,000 after purchasing an additional 333 shares during the last quarter. 95.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get M/I Homes alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com lowered M/I Homes from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Wedbush upgraded shares of M/I Homes from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $155.00 to $185.00 in a research report on Monday, November 4th. M/I Homes Stock Performance Shares of MHO stock opened at $138.09 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $145.17 and a 200 day simple moving average of $153.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 6.81 and a quick ratio of 1.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.40 and a beta of 2.29. M/I Homes, Inc. has a 12-month low of $109.92 and a 12-month high of $176.18. M/I Homes (NYSE:MHO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The construction company reported $5.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.94 by $0.16. M/I Homes had a return on equity of 19.94% and a net margin of 12.54%. The company had revenue of $1.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.13 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $4.82 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that M/I Homes, Inc. will post 19.83 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at M/I Homes In other news, CFO Phillip G. Creek sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.00, for a total value of $3,200,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 18,545 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,967,200. This represents a 51.89 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 3.70% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. About M/I Homes (Free Report) M/I Homes, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the construction and sale of single-family residential homes in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The company operates through Northern Homebuilding, Southern Homebuilding, and Financial Services segments. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MHO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for M/I Homes, Inc. (NYSE:MHO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for M/I Homes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for M/I Homes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Griffin Asset Management Inc. trimmed its position in shares of Matador Resources (NYSE:MTDR Free Report) by 21.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 57,751 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 15,828 shares during the period. Griffin Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Matador Resources were worth $3,249,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in Matador Resources by 12.0% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,008,421 shares of the energy companys stock worth $54,122,000 after buying an additional 107,827 shares in the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P boosted its holdings in Matador Resources by 16.8% during the third quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 455,662 shares of the energy companys stock worth $22,519,000 after buying an additional 65,487 shares during the last quarter. Stifel Financial Corp increased its position in shares of Matador Resources by 81.2% in the 3rd quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 30,304 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $1,498,000 after buying an additional 13,583 shares in the last quarter. HITE Hedge Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Matador Resources during the 3rd quarter valued at about $10,526,000. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd lifted its stake in Matador Resources by 194.0% in the third quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd now owns 16,534 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $817,000 after buying an additional 10,910 shares in the last quarter. 91.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Matador Resources alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on MTDR shares. TD Cowen lifted their target price on Matador Resources from $74.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $70.00 price target on shares of Matador Resources in a research note on Wednesday, January 15th. Benchmark restated a buy rating and set a $62.00 price objective on shares of Matador Resources in a report on Friday, January 17th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of Matador Resources in a research note on Friday, January 10th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $78.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Wolfe Research raised Matador Resources from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $72.00 target price on the stock in a report on Friday, January 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $75.14. Insider Activity at Matador Resources In related news, EVP William Thomas Elsener acquired 800 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, December 13th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $56.60 per share, with a total value of $45,280.00. Following the acquisition, the executive vice president now owns 102,964 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,827,762.40. This trade represents a 0.78 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Joseph Wm Foran acquired 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 6th. The shares were bought at an average price of $55.18 per share, for a total transaction of $110,360.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 42,251 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,331,410.18. This represents a 4.97 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have purchased 3,980 shares of company stock worth $217,318 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 6.10% of the companys stock. Matador Resources Stock Down 2.5 % Shares of NYSE:MTDR opened at $59.57 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $7.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.89 and a beta of 3.24. Matador Resources has a 1 year low of $47.15 and a 1 year high of $71.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The businesss 50-day moving average is $58.43 and its 200-day moving average is $56.20. Matador Resources Profile (Free Report) Matador Resources Company, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, production, and acquisition of oil and natural gas resources in the United States. It operates through two segments, Exploration and Production; and Midstream. The company primarily holds interests in the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring plays in the Delaware Basin in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MTDR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Matador Resources (NYSE:MTDR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Matador Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Matador Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Matthews International Capital Management LLC lessened its stake in Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU Free Report) by 51.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 218,458 shares of the companys stock after selling 228,666 shares during the period. NU accounts for 0.5% of Matthews International Capital Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 27th largest holding. Matthews International Capital Management LLCs holdings in NU were worth $2,263,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. LRI Investments LLC grew its position in shares of NU by 3.1% during the 3rd quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 24,983 shares of the companys stock worth $341,000 after buying an additional 743 shares during the period. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in NU by 3.1% in the third quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 26,517 shares of the companys stock valued at $362,000 after acquiring an additional 801 shares during the last quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC grew its holdings in NU by 2.5% during the 3rd quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC now owns 37,221 shares of the companys stock worth $508,000 after acquiring an additional 903 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its position in shares of NU by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 69,110 shares of the companys stock valued at $716,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arkfeld Wealth Strategies L.L.C. lifted its stake in shares of NU by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Arkfeld Wealth Strategies L.L.C. now owns 52,245 shares of the companys stock valued at $579,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.02% of the companys stock. Get NU alerts: NU Stock Performance Shares of NYSE NU opened at $12.33 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The company has a market capitalization of $58.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.24, a P/E/G ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.05. Nu Holdings Ltd. has a 12 month low of $8.51 and a 12 month high of $16.15. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $11.69 and a 200-day moving average of $13.13. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts recently commented on NU shares. KeyCorp upped their price objective on NU from $15.00 to $17.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, November 14th. Itau BBA Securities cut NU from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, November 14th. Citigroup lowered shares of NU from a neutral rating to a sell rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $14.60 to $11.00 in a research note on Monday, December 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of NU from $17.00 to $19.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 14th. Finally, Susquehanna lifted their target price on NU from $16.00 to $18.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, NU currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $15.63. Get Our Latest Research Report on NU About NU (Free Report) Nu Holdings Ltd. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of digital banking services. The company was founded by David Velez Osorno, Cristina Helena Zingaretti Junqueira, and Adam Edward Wible on February 26, 2016 and is headquartered in George Town, Cayman Islands. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for NU Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NU and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of NexGen Energy Ltd. (NYSE:NXE Get Free Report) gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $6.09, but opened at $6.33. NexGen Energy shares last traded at $6.36, with a volume of 1,027,337 shares changing hands. NexGen Energy Stock Performance The company has a market capitalization of $3.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.17 and a beta of 1.96. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $7.46 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $6.88. Get NexGen Energy alerts: NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 7th. The company reported ($0.04) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.03) by ($0.01). During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted ($0.04) earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that NexGen Energy Ltd. will post -0.05 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows NexGen Energy Company Profile Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda acquired a new position in shares of NexGen Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $6,585,000. CIBC Asset Management Inc lifted its holdings in NexGen Energy by 13.4% during the 3rd quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 926,314 shares of the companys stock worth $6,043,000 after buying an additional 109,754 shares in the last quarter. Rye Brook Capital LLC lifted its holdings in NexGen Energy by 18.7% during the 3rd quarter. Rye Brook Capital LLC now owns 695,000 shares of the companys stock worth $4,538,000 after buying an additional 109,500 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in NexGen Energy by 109.6% during the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,641,407 shares of the companys stock worth $11,441,000 after buying an additional 858,471 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mountaineer Partners Management LLC lifted its holdings in NexGen Energy by 536.6% during the 3rd quarter. Mountaineer Partners Management LLC now owns 3,686,231 shares of the companys stock worth $24,071,000 after buying an additional 3,107,214 shares in the last quarter. 42.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. (Get Free Report) NexGen Energy Ltd., an exploration and development stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation and development of uranium properties in Canada. It holds a 100% interest in the Rook I project that consists of 32 contiguous mineral claims totaling an area of 35,065 hectares located in the southwestern Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for NexGen Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NexGen Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PFG Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report) by 7.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 35,749 shares of the restaurant operators stock after acquiring an additional 2,338 shares during the period. PFG Investments LLCs holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $2,156,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,975.0% during the second quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 127,280 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $7,974,000 after buying an additional 124,772 shares during the last quarter. Driehaus Capital Management LLC grew its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,213.0% during the 2nd quarter. Driehaus Capital Management LLC now owns 11,300 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $708,000 after purchasing an additional 11,038 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning increased its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 5,498.1% during the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 242,957 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $15,221,000 after purchasing an additional 238,617 shares in the last quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC raised its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 7,976.9% in the second quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC now owns 3,150 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $197,000 after buying an additional 3,111 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Silver Lake Advisory LLC bought a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the second quarter worth approximately $330,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.31% of the companys stock. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Chipotle Mexican Grill In other news, insider Laurie Schalow sold 4,404 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.01, for a total value of $286,304.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 185,792 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,078,337.92. This represents a 2.32 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.02% of the companys stock. Chipotle Mexican Grill Trading Up 2.8 % NYSE CMG opened at $58.30 on Tuesday. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 12 month low of $46.29 and a 12 month high of $69.26. The stock has a market cap of $79.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.26, a PEG ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 1.27. The companys 50 day moving average is $60.64 and its two-hundred day moving average is $57.72. Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.27 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.25 by $0.02. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 13.51% and a return on equity of 43.20%. The firm had revenue of $2.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.82 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.23 EPS. The companys revenue was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.11 EPS for the current year. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on CMG shares. Oppenheimer boosted their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $65.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $59.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Citigroup lowered their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $70.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $72.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $70.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $66.77. View Our Latest Report on Chipotle Mexican Grill About Chipotle Mexican Grill (Free Report) Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. RXO (NYSE: RXO) recently received a number of ratings updates from brokerages and research firms: 1/23/2025 RXO had its price target raised by analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $26.00 to $27.00. They now have a hold rating on the stock. 1/17/2025 RXO had its price target lowered by analysts at Barclays PLC from $32.00 to $30.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock. 1/15/2025 RXO had its hold rating reaffirmed by analysts at Benchmark Co.. 1/10/2025 RXO had its price target lowered by analysts at Jefferies Financial Group Inc. from $33.00 to $30.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock. 1/7/2025 RXO had its price target lowered by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $31.00 to $28.00. They now have an equal weight rating on the stock. RXO Price Performance Shares of RXO stock traded down $0.81 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $26.01. The stock had a trading volume of 1,351,643 shares, compared to its average volume of 928,692. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. RXO, Inc. has a twelve month low of $18.75 and a twelve month high of $32.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.18 billion, a PE ratio of -13.13, a PEG ratio of 3.72 and a beta of 1.52. The stocks 50 day moving average is $26.51 and its 200 day moving average is $27.75. Get RXO Inc alerts: RXO (NYSE:RXO Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 7th. The company reported $0.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.04 by $0.01. RXO had a negative net margin of 6.81% and a positive return on equity of 1.64%. The company had revenue of $1.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $956.19 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.05 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that RXO, Inc. will post 0.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On RXO Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P acquired a new position in shares of RXO during the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,964,000. Zimmer Partners LP acquired a new position in shares of RXO during the 3rd quarter valued at about $22,680,000. Franklin Resources Inc. acquired a new position in shares of RXO during the 3rd quarter valued at about $22,344,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of RXO by 1,772.4% during the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 761,230 shares of the companys stock valued at $21,314,000 after acquiring an additional 720,574 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp raised its holdings in RXO by 13.3% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 5,124,927 shares of the companys stock valued at $143,498,000 after buying an additional 602,741 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.73% of the companys stock. RXO, Inc provides full truckload freight transportation brokering services. It also offers brokered services for managed transportation, last mile, and freight forwarding. The company was incorporated in 2022 and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. See Also Receive News & Ratings for RXO Inc Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for RXO Inc and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. FIBRA Prologis (OTCMKTS:FBBPF Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,200 shares, a decline of 99.7% from the December 31st total of 1,368,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 65,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. FIBRA Prologis Stock Up 5.4 % Shares of FBBPF traded up $0.16 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $3.14. 5,844 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 10,003. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $2.92 and its 200 day moving average price is $3.21. FIBRA Prologis has a twelve month low of $2.63 and a twelve month high of $6.00. Get FIBRA Prologis alerts: FIBRA Prologis Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Articles FIBRA Prologis is a leading owner and operator of Class-A industrial real estate in Mexico. As of December 31, 2023, FIBRA Prologis was comprised of 235 logistics and manufacturing facilities in six industrial markets in Mexico totaling 46.9 million square feet (4.4 million square meters) of gross leasable area. Receive News & Ratings for FIBRA Prologis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FIBRA Prologis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Toyota Industries Co. (OTCMKTS:TYIDY Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,300 shares, an increase of 488.9% from the December 31st total of 900 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 10,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.5 days. Toyota Industries Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:TYIDY traded down $0.52 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $84.41. The company had a trading volume of 2,463 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,629. Toyota Industries has a one year low of $66.49 and a one year high of $106.84. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $77.33 and a 200 day moving average price of $76.84. Get Toyota Industries alerts: Toyota Industries Company Profile (Get Free Report) Further Reading Toyota Industries Corporation manufactures and sells textiles machinery, materials handling equipment, automobiles, and automobile parts in Japan, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Automobile, Materials Handling Equipment, and Textile Machinery segments. It provides vehicles; gasoline and diesel engines for automobiles and industrial equipment; turbochargers and foundry parts; car air-conditioning compressors; car electronics comprising DC-DC converters, in-vehicle chargers, on-board chargers and DC-DC converter units, and DC-AC inverters; batteries; and stamping dies, including automotive and lift truck stamping dies. Receive News & Ratings for Toyota Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toyota Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stonegate Investment Group LLC raised its position in ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE:SFBS Free Report) by 13.5% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 947,367 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 112,521 shares during the quarter. ServisFirst Bancshares comprises about 2.1% of Stonegate Investment Group LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. Stonegate Investment Group LLCs holdings in ServisFirst Bancshares were worth $80,280,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ServisFirst Bancshares in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,984,000. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of ServisFirst Bancshares by 24.3% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 3,808 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $241,000 after buying an additional 744 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its position in shares of ServisFirst Bancshares by 18.3% during the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 24,499 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,551,000 after purchasing an additional 3,791 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new stake in ServisFirst Bancshares during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,700,000. Finally, Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC purchased a new position in ServisFirst Bancshares in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $807,000. 67.31% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get ServisFirst Bancshares alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In SFBS has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. StockNews.com raised ServisFirst Bancshares from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday, January 5th. Hovde Group increased their price target on ServisFirst Bancshares from $80.00 to $91.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Finally, Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on ServisFirst Bancshares from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. ServisFirst Bancshares Price Performance Shares of SFBS opened at $89.61 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.96 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $89.85 and its 200-day simple moving average is $84.19. ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. has a twelve month low of $58.05 and a twelve month high of $101.37. ServisFirst Bancshares (NYSE:SFBS Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, January 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.19 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.11 by $0.08. ServisFirst Bancshares had a return on equity of 14.23% and a net margin of 21.16%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.91 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. will post 4.09 EPS for the current fiscal year. ServisFirst Bancshares Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd were issued a $0.335 dividend. This is a boost from ServisFirst Bancsharess previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $1.34 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.50%. ServisFirst Bancsharess dividend payout ratio is presently 35.83%. ServisFirst Bancshares Company Profile (Free Report) ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc operates as the bank holding company for ServisFirst Bank that provides various banking services to individual and corporate customers. It accepts demand, time, savings, and other deposits; checking, money market, and IRA accounts; and certificates of deposit. The company's loan products include commercial lending products, including seasonal, bridge, and term loans for working capital, expansion of the business, acquisition of property, and plant and equipment, as well as commercial lines of credit; commercial real estate loans, construction and development loans, and residential real estate loans; and consumer loans, such as home equity loans, vehicle financing, loans secured by deposits, and secured and unsecured personal loans. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SFBS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE:SFBS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for ServisFirst Bancshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ServisFirst Bancshares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stonegate Investment Group LLC raised its stake in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 1.3% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 46,036 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 603 shares during the quarter. Stonegate Investment Group LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $3,234,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of WFC. Cardinal Capital Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 2.0% during the third quarter. Cardinal Capital Management Inc. now owns 575,419 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $32,505,000 after acquiring an additional 11,037 shares during the last quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. increased its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 37.2% during the third quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 638,233 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $36,055,000 after acquiring an additional 173,083 shares during the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp increased its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 17.4% during the third quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 177,570 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $10,031,000 after acquiring an additional 26,320 shares during the last quarter. Chartwell Investment Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 16.4% during the third quarter. Chartwell Investment Partners LLC now owns 132,829 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $7,504,000 after acquiring an additional 18,717 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Argus Investors Counsel Inc. increased its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 34.6% during the third quarter. Argus Investors Counsel Inc. now owns 31,514 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,780,000 after acquiring an additional 8,107 shares during the last quarter. 75.90% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wells Fargo & Company Trading Up 0.8 % NYSE WFC opened at $77.90 on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $73.19 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $64.10. Wells Fargo & Company has a twelve month low of $47.45 and a twelve month high of $78.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07. The company has a market capitalization of $259.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.48, a PEG ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.18. Analyst Ratings Changes Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 15th. The financial services provider reported $1.43 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.34 by $0.09. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.38% and a net margin of 15.73%. The business had revenue of $20.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.58 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.86 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.84 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of analysts recently commented on WFC shares. Barclays increased their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $90.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. UBS Group increased their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $69.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Phillip Securities raised Wells Fargo & Company from a neutral rating to an accumulate rating and increased their price objective for the company from $60.83 to $65.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and set a $61.00 price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a report on Monday, October 14th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $62.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, December 3rd. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $73.39. View Our Latest Analysis on Wells Fargo & Company Wells Fargo & Company Profile (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER Get Free Report) had its price target dropped by stock analysts at Piper Sandler from $98.00 to $82.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an overweight rating on the ride-sharing companys stock. Piper Sandlers target price suggests a potential upside of 19.29% from the companys previous close. UBER has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Uber Technologies from $97.00 to $90.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Wolfe Research boosted their price objective on shares of Uber Technologies from $90.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, January 3rd. Citizens Jmp cut shares of Uber Technologies from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, January 2nd. Truist Financial cut their price objective on shares of Uber Technologies from $99.00 to $95.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Finally, KeyCorp lowered their target price on shares of Uber Technologies from $90.00 to $85.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty-one have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $91.36. Get Uber Technologies alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on UBER Uber Technologies Trading Up 0.3 % Shares of UBER opened at $68.74 on Tuesday. The companys fifty day moving average is $65.86 and its 200 day moving average is $70.26. Uber Technologies has a fifty-two week low of $54.84 and a fifty-two week high of $87.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $144.74 billion, a PE ratio of 34.20, a P/E/G ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a current ratio of 1.41. Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 31st. The ride-sharing company reported $1.20 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.79. Uber Technologies had a net margin of 10.49% and a return on equity of 33.46%. The business had revenue of $11.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.99 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.10 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 20.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Uber Technologies will post 1.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In other news, insider Jill Hazelbaker sold 27,780 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.90, for a total transaction of $2,025,162.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 107,289 shares in the company, valued at $7,821,368.10. This represents a 20.57 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 3.84% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Uber Technologies Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Ascent Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in Uber Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $2,087,000. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky increased its holdings in Uber Technologies by 4.4% in the 3rd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 321,726 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $24,180,000 after buying an additional 13,433 shares during the period. Aviso Wealth Management acquired a new position in Uber Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $2,302,000. Polianta Ltd acquired a new position in Uber Technologies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,206,000. Finally, Brophy Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Uber Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,041,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.24% of the companys stock. Uber Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Uber Technologies, Inc develops and operates proprietary technology applications in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia excluding China and Southeast Asia. It operates through three segments: Mobility, Delivery, and Freight. The Mobility segment connects consumers with a range of transportation modalities, such as ridesharing, carsharing, micromobility, rentals, public transit, taxis, and other modalities; and offers riders in a variety of vehicle types, as well as financial partnerships products and advertising services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Uber Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Uber Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Verde Servicos Internacionais S.A. acquired a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm acquired 310,178 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $21,787,000. Wells Fargo & Company makes up 9.4% of Verde Servicos Internacionais S.A.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest holding. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mattson Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in Wells Fargo & Company in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in Wells Fargo & Company in the second quarter worth $26,000. Truvestments Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. Modus Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Decker Retirement Planning Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.90% of the companys stock. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wells Fargo & Company Price Performance Shares of WFC opened at $77.90 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07. Wells Fargo & Company has a twelve month low of $47.45 and a twelve month high of $78.30. The stock has a market capitalization of $259.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.48, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a 50 day moving average of $73.19 and a 200-day moving average of $64.10. Analysts Set New Price Targets Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 15th. The financial services provider reported $1.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.34 by $0.09. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 15.73% and a return on equity of 12.38%. The firm had revenue of $20.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.58 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.86 EPS. The companys revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.84 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several research analysts have issued reports on WFC shares. Truist Financial increased their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $72.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 6th. Compass Point lifted their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $60.00 to $83.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Evercore ISI raised their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $71.00 to $77.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $67.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $73.39. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on WFC Wells Fargo & Company Profile (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wealth Effects LLC trimmed its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 1.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,274 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 100 shares during the period. Wealth Effects LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $710,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 78.4% in the third quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 289 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the period. Highline Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the third quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, JDM Financial Group LLC increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 51.3% during the 3rd quarter. JDM Financial Group LLC now owns 363 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 123 shares during the period. 75.18% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Stock Up 3.6 % ABT opened at $129.51 on Tuesday. Abbott Laboratories has a twelve month low of $99.71 and a twelve month high of $129.76. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $115.26 and a 200-day moving average price of $113.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $224.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.93, a PEG ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 0.73. Abbott Laboratories Increases Dividend Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 22nd. The healthcare product maker reported $1.34 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.34. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.74% and a net margin of 31.95%. The firm had revenue of $10.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11,029,400 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.19 EPS. The companys revenue was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.15 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 14th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.59 per share. This is a boost from Abbott Laboratoriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 15th. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.82%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.85%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on ABT. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $136.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $131.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Mizuho increased their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $115.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $135.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $133.06. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on ABT Abbott Laboratories Profile (Free Report) Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Menieres disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KB Home (NYSE:KBH Get Free Report) had its price objective decreased by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $70.00 to $65.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an underweight rating on the construction companys stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price target would indicate a potential downside of 7.19% from the stocks current price. KBH has been the subject of a number of other reports. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of KB Home from $85.00 to $60.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of KB Home from an underperform rating to a sector perform rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $70.00 to $67.00 in a research report on Friday, January 10th. Raymond James reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $80.00 price target (down previously from $93.00) on shares of KB Home in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of KB Home from $76.00 to $71.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of KB Home from $82.00 to $74.50 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $76.21. Get KB Home alerts: View Our Latest Report on KB Home KB Home Trading Up 4.8 % NYSE:KBH opened at $70.04 on Tuesday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $71.60 and its 200 day simple moving average is $78.06. KB Home has a twelve month low of $58.15 and a twelve month high of $89.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.27, a PEG ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 1.86. KB Home (NYSE:KBH Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, January 13th. The construction company reported $2.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.44 by $0.08. KB Home had a net margin of 9.45% and a return on equity of 16.46%. The firm had revenue of $2 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.99 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.85 EPS. The firms revenue was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that KB Home will post 8.5 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On KB Home Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new stake in KB Home during the third quarter worth approximately $32,000. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. acquired a new position in KB Home in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $43,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in shares of KB Home during the 3rd quarter valued at $59,000. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise acquired a new stake in shares of KB Home during the 3rd quarter valued at $61,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of KB Home by 275.7% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 759 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 557 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.09% of the companys stock. KB Home Company Profile (Get Free Report) KB Home operates as a homebuilding company in the United States. It operates through four segments: West Coast, Southwest, Central, and Southeast. It builds and sells various homes, including attached and detached single-family residential homes, townhomes, and condominiums primarily for first-time, first move-up, second move-up, and active adult homebuyers. See Also Receive News & Ratings for KB Home Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KB Home and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Amcor (NYSE:AMCR Get Free Report) is expected to issue its quarterly earnings data before the market opens on Tuesday, February 4th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.16 per share and revenue of $3,356,910.00 billion for the quarter. Amcor has set its FY25 guidance at $0.72-$0.76 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 0.720-0.760 EPS.Investors that are interested in participating in the companys conference call can do so using this link. Get Amcor alerts: Amcor (NYSE:AMCR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 31st. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.16. Amcor had a return on equity of 25.60% and a net margin of 5.68%. The company had revenue of $3.35 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.33 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.16 EPS. Amcors revenue for the quarter was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect Amcor to post $1 EPS for the current fiscal year and $1 EPS for the next fiscal year. Amcor Price Performance Shares of AMCR opened at $9.89 on Tuesday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $9.84 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $10.45. Amcor has a 12-month low of $8.78 and a 12-month high of $11.48. The stock has a market cap of $14.29 billion, a PE ratio of 18.65, a PEG ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.80. Amcor Increases Dividend Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 11th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 21st were paid a $0.1275 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 21st. This represents a $0.51 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.16%. This is an increase from Amcors previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. Amcors dividend payout ratio is currently 96.23%. A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on AMCR shares. Citigroup raised shares of Amcor from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $11.00 to $12.00 in a report on Monday, January 6th. UBS Group raised Amcor from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Truist Financial upgraded Amcor from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the company from $10.00 to $12.00 in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Bank of America raised Amcor from an underperform rating to a buy rating and set a $12.50 price target for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Amcor from $10.50 to $10.80 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $11.46. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Amcor Amcor Company Profile (Get Free Report) Amcor plc develops, produces, and sells packaging products in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. The company operates through two segments, Flexibles and Rigid Packaging. The Flexibles segment provides flexible and film packaging products in the food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, fresh produce, snack food, personal care, and other industries. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Amcor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amcor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Charity Air Ambulance NI and City of Derry Airport are excited to announce a unique and thrilling event: a 5K Runway Run on Saturday, April 5th, 2025, 8.00pm. This one-of-a-kind opportunity invites runners of all abilities to race under the stars on the airports runway, while raising funds for a great cause, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland. With a limit of 550 runners, this exclusive event offers participants the rare chance to run on a live runway at night, offering a truly memorable experience. The evening promises not only the excitement of a unique venue but also the opportunity to support Air Ambulance NI, a vital service that provides emergency medical care across Northern Ireland. The service is needed on average twice per day and requires fundraising of almost 7,000. Katrina Hughes, Area Fundraising Manager at Air Ambulance NI said, We are thrilled to host the 5K Runway Run at City of Derry Airport. This event is an incredible opportunity to run in an exclusive venue, support a life-saving charity, and be part of an unforgettable night. We encourage everyone to register early, as spaces are limited! All participants who raise 100 will be entered into a prize draw and we will support everyone in their fundraising journey including an invite to the operational airbase. Registration is now open https://tinyurl.com/2kr7pd48 for 25 per person, which includes a branded Air Ambulance tech top, race bib, and bespoke medal. Steve Frazer, Managing Director from City of Derry Airport said, Its wonderful to be able to welcome our community to run the runway and we hope runners of all abilities take on this unique challenge for Air Ambulance NI. All funds raised will go directly to supporting Air Ambulance NIs life-saving missions. Every pound raised will help ensure that the service continues to provide critical emergency care when and where its needed most For more information about the 5K Runway Run or to learn more about Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, please visit www.airambulanceni.org The former Lisnagelvin leisure centre site in Derrys Waterside could be back on the market at the end of January. Owned by Derry City and Strabane District Council, the leisure centre opened in 1980; it was closed in 2015 and replaced by the Foyle Arena in St Columbs Park. It was reported this time last year a buyer, believed to be a Europe-wide supermarket chain, had been found for the site, following an extensive public procurement and marketing exercise Prior to this announcement, the redevelopment of the derelict site had been put out to tender by Council; according to the tender notice, Council intended to sell the site by way of long lease to the appointed developer, in accordance with and subject to the terms of a development agreement. The contract pack which included the lease and development agreement was issued to the prospective purchaser on November 2, 2023. In September 2024, Council and the prospective purchaser agreed to extend the tender validity period until January 9, 2025. However, at Januarys meeting of Councils Business and Culture committee meeting, Council officers sought members approval to withdraw from the procurement process with the prospective purchaser unless the contract was signed and returned by Friday, January 31, 2025, The Derry News understands. In addition, it was agreed Council officers would re-initiate the disposal process, draft tender/sales pack, and appoint a commercial agent. The Derry News also understands, Derry City and Strabane District Council believed extending the tender validity period indefinitely was not a sustainable position for it to take; the possibility of a successful challenge from a third party became a more realistic possibility the longer the tender validity period was extended. A spokesperson for the Council said that it was unable to provide a comment at this time as this is a live procurement issue and is commercially sensitive, other than to say that it is continuing to work closely with the preferred bidder in relation to the contractual requirements required to conclude the sale of this site. The Lisnagelvin site has been the location for some anti-social activity since the closure of the leisure centre. The PSNI are treating a fire there in August 2024 as arson. At the time of the fire, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it believed the fire had been started deliberately. Alderman Niree McMorris (DUP) described how young people had been repeatedly breaking into the site and children had been seen going into the building on the morning of the fire. Ald McMorris said that the building needed to be redeveloped and giving it a new lease of life would be beneficial for the wider area. Well known Derry environmental campaigner, George McLaughlin described an experience he had in Prehen Woods over Christmas as making him feel all the time, energy and cost expended in the campaign to save the native woodland from ever-increasing developmental pressure was really worthwhile. Speaking to The Derry News, Mr McLaughlin, a member of the Prehen Historical Environmental Society (PHES) said: Campaigning for what is right and just for our community and our precious environment can be agonising and frustrating when confronted with indifference, unfairness, disappointment, deceit, bad laws, disproportionate discretion in decision making and reluctance to change; sometimes, however, it is really worthwhile. He added: A couple of weeks ago my wife Aileen and I were out for a walk in our much loved Prehen Woods. Coming towards the end of our walk we met a man who engaged with us in conversation about the weather and his dog. At the end of our little chat, we said our goodbyes, and he walked away a little bit, then turned and said, This place saved my life. He explained to us that he had been very ill and just being able to come to Prehen woods, listen to the birds and savour the solace and peace of being embedded in nature, got him through a very difficult time. Our Prehen Woods has served many purposes throughout the ages: The provision of timber for the construction of the historic City of Derry, wood for shipbuilding, wood barrels for the Whiskey Distilleries and even cover for the Derry Siege time armies, but this present day story of our woodland being a place of comfort and well-being for those in our community who are dealing with many of the problems of modern day society is very satisfying for those of us who campaign to preserve what is left of our natural wildlife and woodland heritage, said George McLaughlin. Also a member of the The Gathering Planning Issue group and Nature's Keepers International, Mr McLaughlin added: Some people who do not seem to understand that every tree and every leaf of every tree is important to the well-being of every one in our community have said to me, George, why are you bothering yourself, its only a wheen of oul trees? Well, listening to this mans story makes me realise that it was worthwhile bothering myself about the oul trees. Very soon the floor of our Prehen Ancient Woodland which is one of the top ten bluebell woods in Britain will be a carpet of blue that will do your heart good to see. I would invite everyone to come and enjoy the spectacle. 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. Communities minister Gordon Lyons has announced the removal of intimidation points from the Housing Selection Scheme operated by the NIHE in a bid to level the playing field for victims of violence. In a statement to the Assembly today, Minister Lyons said the move would support the Executives work in tackling Violence Against Women and Girls by focussing on how violence, or the threat of violence, affects victims and their ability to remain in their home. The removal of intimidation points means all victims will now be able to access the same categories of points. He said: It has long been a source of frustration to me, along with many others in the chamber, that the Selection Scheme treats victims of violence differently, based on the cause of that violence. Currently, a victim of terrorism receives a greater award of points than a victim of domestic abuse. Someone targeted because of their ethnic identity receives more points than someone targeted because of their gender. Going forward, the points for violence or threat of violence within the Scheme will not exclude any victims of abuse, violence or trauma. Regardless of causation, victims will be assessed using the same criteria within the Housing Selection Scheme operated by the NIHE. It is an important step forward that all victims of violence, harassment or trauma for any reason including victims of domestic abuse will be able to access the same categories of points within the Scheme for violence or the threat of violence. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mark H Durkan (@markhdurkan_mla) Minister Lyons added that although intimidation points, in the form of Rule 23 of the Selection Scheme, will be removed and the allocation of 200 points will cease, transitional protection will be applied. Applicants already awarded these points will retain them. He said: In addition, applicants who have alleged intimidation and whose circumstances are being considered under Rule 23, prior to its removal, will be investigated in line with existing policies and procedures. Where their circumstances meet Rule 23 criteria, they will be awarded 200 points. Applicants who have experienced violence or abuse, or who are at risk of violence or abuse, whatever the motivation or perpetrator, will continue to be assessed and provided with emergency assistance under the homelessness legislation. The removal of intimidation points will not alter the Housing Executives duty to support those who need such emergency assistance and who find themselves unable to remain in their home. The Housing Executive will aim to remove Rule 23 by the end of this financial year. Welcoming the news SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said that efforts to implement a fundamental review of the allocation of social housing points was much needed. However, he said that further clarity is needed as to what these changes will mean for victims of domestic abuse. Speaking following a statement from the Communities Minister on the removal of intimidation points, the Foyle MLA said: I welcome the ongoing efforts to amend a housing allocation scheme that is abusing many people and is being abused by some. Its shameful and sad, that it is the victims of domestic abuse who have to uproot their lives and have their homes and its appropriate that they should be served equally by the system as other victims of threat, fear and abuse. However, I have concerns about what the complete removal of intimidation points will mean for all victims of violence. "The previous Communities Minister made a commitment not to remove these points entirely recognising the findings of a previous judicial review in which it was found that the failure to award intimidation points, was a failure to protect some applicants from serious and imminent threats. Im not sure what has changed within the department to warrant a U-turn from Minister Lyons. The review of primary social needs points is welcome but Im conscious that this framework already offers points to victims of abuse, albeit with very limited scope. I hope to see the criteria expanded and current points cap reviewed to ensure proper provision for all victims of abuse - whether domestic, paramilitary, or racial. "Their safety depends on tailored protections that prioritise their urgent need for a safe place to call home. What exactly this review will deliver remains to be seen. The family of an Irish soldier who was convicted of rape have confirmed that the Derry councillor who provided a character reference in his defence had been 'misled'. Kielan Mooney (30), of Bloomfield Park in Derry, was jailed for eight-and-a-half years earlier this month for raping a woman who was a fellow soldier in the Irish Defence Forces. The offences happened in a Dublin hotel in July 2021. The victim said Mooney's actions had left her feeling suicidal. SDLP councillor Brian Tierney described the reference as a "grave error of judgement" on his part. Cllr Tierney said he had been misled before rescinding the reference once the full nature of the case had come to light. The former Mayor of Derry has since stepped aside from the SDLP and will continue to sit on Derry and Strabane District Council as an independent. Cllr Tierney's membership of the party has also been suspended pending an internal review of the wider provision around references. In a statement to UTV, Mooney's family said Cllr Tierney was asked to provide the reference but wasnt told it related to a pending criminal charge and wasnt told about the seriousness of those charges. We wish to put on record some important information in relation to media comment concerning the court case and conviction of our family member - in particular in relation to a character reference provided by Councillor Brian Tierney," their statement said. As a family we believe it is important to confirm and clarify the full circumstances in which Councillor Tierney provided this reference. Councillor Tierney provided a character reference at the request of our family he wasnt told that it related to a pending criminal charge and wasnt told about the seriousness of those charges. The truth is that Councillor Brian Tierney was misled into giving this character reference and we fully apologise to him and his family. As has already been stated publicly, once Councillor Tierney was eventually made aware of the seriousness of the criminal charges in this case, he withdrew the character reference. We accept full responsibility and apologise for our part in asking for a character reference without Councillor Tierney being aware of the full facts and the full information. We deeply regret this and regret the impact this decision has had. Meanwhile, SDLP leader Claire Hanna said her party had "responded very quickly" to the issue. "We equivocated in no way about the mistake that Brian Tierney made," she said. "We triggered our internal processes, responded very quickly about the seriousness of the allegation and Brian is no longer an SDLP councillor." Stormonts Speaker Edwin Poots has said the behaviour of some MLAs is undermining the concept of debate at the Northern Ireland Assembly. In a letter to all MLAs, the Speaker said some had been discourteous by not being in place in the Assembly chamber when called to ask a question. He also returned to recent comments where he had reminded MLAs that the dress code in the debating chamber is smart. In his letter, Mr Poots said he understood the issue of how MLAs dress in the Assembly chamber may appear trivial to some but said they underline some significant principles. He added: Sittings of the Assembly are not just another engagement in Members diaries and this is not just another meeting room. At any one time there are only 90 people who have the immense privilege of participating in this Chamber and they are given that privilege by the people. The Speaker continued: These are not casual matters. They require a level of formality to ensure that these responsibilities are discharged properly and with fairness to all Members. Therefore, issues like how we present ourselves and avoiding clutter in the Chamber are purely small symbols of protecting the dignity of the Chamber. Mr Poots said the development and maintenance of parliamentary culture at Stormont had been affected by the fact that the Assembly has not been operating consistently over the past 27 years. He said: However, upholding a parliamentary culture around the serious business we have to do, has a major part to play in restoring and increasing confidence in the Assembly. The Speaker then turned in his letter to issues around standards of debate. He said a number of MLAs had not been in the Assembly chamber when they were called to ask questions of ministers. He said: It is extremely discourteous and disrespectful for Members not to make the effort to be in place to ask their question. Mr Poots said on too many occasions MLAs entered the Chamber during a ministerial statement expecting to ask a question. He said: Not only is this discourteous to other Members but, in focusing only on their own remarks, Members are undermining the concept of debate. The letter concluded: All of these points are about respecting the business we are here to do and the people who have put us here to do it. As Speaker, I will do my best to ensure our business runs in a way which does that but I can only do that with the cooperation of Members. I ask all Members to reflect on the principles behind the points I have raised last week and today. Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has said any compensation he receives as a former Troubles internee will be donated to good causes. Mr Adams has said he will continue to pursue a case against the UK Government even though he has no personal interest in compensation for myself. The think tank Policy Exchange recently warned that removing a block on former Troubles internees seeking compensation would deliver a taxpayer-funded pay day for ex-detainees. The think tank published a report criticising the Governments proposed repeal of legislation that had put a stop to such civil claims. The relevant sections of the Legacy Act had been agreed by Parliament in 2023 in response to a Supreme Court judgment in 2020 that paved the way for Mr Adams to secure compensation over his internment without trial in the early 1970s. Mr Adams won his appeal to overturn historical convictions for two attempted prison breaks, after he was interned without trial in 1973 at Long Kesh internment camp, also known as Maze Prison, near Lisburn. The Supreme Court ruled that his detention was unlawful because the interim custody order (ICO) used to initially detain him had not been considered personally by then secretary of state for Northern Ireland Willie Whitelaw. At the time of the case, the previous government contended that the ICOs were lawful because of a long-standing convention, known as the Carltona principle, where officials and junior ministers routinely act in the name of the secretary of state. Mr Adams subsequently successfully challenged a decision to deny an application for compensation for his detention. However, the Legacy Act stopped such payouts to Mr Adams and other former internees. The Act retrospectively validated the ICOs to make them lawful and halted civil claims related to the orders. However, in February last year, the High Court in Belfast ruled that the provisions of the Act related to the ICOs were incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. The current Government has not appealed that judgment and has tabled a remedial order in Parliament that will repeal various parts of the Legacy Act, including the sections on ICOs. However, Sir Keir Starmer has since said he is looking at every conceivable way to stop former Troubles internees such as Mr Adams from seeking compensation. In an article written for Tribune magazine, Mr Adams said it was now obvious the Labour Government would not get rid of the Legacy Act. He said: The Act states that no one can take a civil action or continue with one already in place if the person bringing the action claims that their imprisonment occurred because an interim custody order was unlawfully signed. Most of the major parties on the island, along with the Irish government, victims groups and human rights organisations, have opposed the law. Many correctly saw it as an effort by the British government to protect its forces and agents and politicians. While in opposition, the British Labour Party committed to getting rid of the Legacy Act. It is obvious now they will not do this. Mr Adams said Sir Keirs stated intention to attempt to stop him gaining compensation will come as no surprise to those in Ireland and in countless other states around the world who have experienced British colonial law. He added: So I will continue to pursue this case. I have no personal interest in compensation for myself. If any comes to me at the end of this process, I will donate it to good causes. HIGHLIGHTS DeepSeek collects personal data such as text, audio input, and chat history. The platform stores data in China, subjecting it to Chinese data-sharing laws. Data may be shared with advertising and analytics partners to measure platform effectiveness. DeepSeek has been making headlines for its low-cost artificial intelligence platform. Previously, the DeepSeek AI has become the top free application on the App Store and even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has praised the model. But what if we tell you that the platform collects your data and it is not safe to use? The company has clearly stated that it stores the information located in the Peoples Republic of China. For the unversed, the Chinese government asks the companies to share data with them as a part of the law. It clearly means that all the data will be shared with the Chinese authorities, making it unsafe. For the unversed, plenty of applications including TikTok, PUBG have faced scrutiny over possible data sharing with the Chinese authorities and were banned. What all data does DeepSeek collect: According to the DeepSeek AI policy, if you use the platform, it will collect your text or audio input, prompt, uploaded files, feedback, chat history, or other content that has been provided to the model. When you use our Services, we may collect your text or audio input, prompt, uploaded files, feedback, chat history, or other content that you provide to our model and Services, the company policy stated. Also read: Accident or cover-up? OpenAI allegedly deletes potential evidence in copyright case Not only that, the company also mentioned that it will be sharing the data collected with its potential advertising or analytics partners to get a better idea of the effectiveness of the platform, raising red flags. We may share information collected through your use of the Service with our advertising or analytics partners. These partners help us promote the Service through advertising displayed on other platforms, some of which, in some jurisdictions, may be based on your activity across other sites and services. These partners may also help us and our partners measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns, the company added. The platform has acknowledged the need to collect personal and sensitive data and track user activity. This raises serious questions about privacy and security. The potential for misuse is exacerbated by Chinese laws requiring companies to share such data, which may expose users to risks that go beyond the intended enhancement of user experience. These practices pose serious national security risks because the data could be used for purposes that are not in the best interests of the users. If youve already signed up and are using the DeepSeek AI, we recommend that you think twice before sharing any information with the platform. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe A cargo handling company has been fined 15,000 for breaches of health and safety regulations on the same day a crew member died in an accident on a ship docked in Dublin Port. Able seaman Dennis Gomez Regana, who was from the Philippines, died when a 20-foot steel container fell on him on November 14, 2018. Marine Terminals Ltd (MTL) pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that individuals at the place of work (not its employees) were not exposed to risks to their safety, health and welfare in that there were fragmented verbal and radio communications between personnel on the vessel, on the quayside and in the crane. Frank Kerins, safety inspector at the Health and Safety Authority, told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that the case was not being made that the above breach led to Mr Reganas death. He testified that he was notified of a death on board a large ship at Marine Terminals at Southbank Road, Dublin Port that morning. He went to the scene and was told that a Filipino crewman had died when a 20-foot steel cargo container fell on him. Mr Kerins spoke to members of the 13-strong crew, one of whom had a broken container twist lock. This was a small metal component used to hold containers to the ship deck and to each other. The accident happened at Bay 25 on the starboard side of the ship. Its understood that, prior to the accident, there were four empty containers stacked on top of each other in that area, with four semi-automatic twist locks used to hold them together. The accident happened when a large ship-to-shore crane began to lift the containers off the vessel, and the bottom one detached from the one above it. It fell away and wedged at Bay 25. Mr Regana noticed that there was a twist lock missing, and he tried to rectify it. He climbed up a nine-foot column at that bay and had a twist lock with him. The container fell upon him. The judge asked Mr Kerins why this part was missing. You couldnt get semi-automatics in there because it was beside the wall, he answered. Surely the person who put that in there must have known that, suggested the judge. Mr Kerins agreed. There is a rule that only one container should be lifted at a time, he added. He also explained that the defendants function was to unload the cargo. However, he said that there was fragmented verbal and radio communications between the crew and the port workers in the vessel, on the quay side and on the crane. He said that the crane operator had been told Lift now by others. The judge was informed that the deceased was in his 40s and read a short victim impact statement. He was told that the maximum fine was 3 million. Under cross examination by the defence, Mr Kerins said that a missing deck lock would have been a big problem on open sea, and that it had been left to Mr Regana to come up with a solution. He went to the vessel boss on the quay side and asked him whether he would move the containers. Mr Kerins explained that the training in place in MTL was that only one container should be moved at a time. There was a breakdown in communications. He thought they were going to open the twist lock so he would only lift one, he said of the crane operator. He agreed that there had been full cooperation from MTL, who had a good health and safety record. The company had actually appointed someone to improve communications between the crew and the dock. He accepted that it was an aberration on the part of MTL. Judge Nolan noted that communication wasnt great. It seems there was a question as to what was said. This is not good where people are working in a potentially dangerous situation, he said. However, he noted that there had been a guilty plea, the company had a good record, and it was unlikely it would happen again. He imposed a fine of 15,000, and gave MTL six months to pay. A construction worker fell from the sixth floor of the new 96-bed block for University Hospital Limerick (UHL). It is understood the man, aged in his 50s, was working on scaffolding when the incident occurred this Monday afternoon. The building is located beside the emergency department (ED). The worker is lucky to be alive, according to one eye-witness, as he landed on a lift shaft after falling some 14 or 15 metres. He was on the sixth floor. It could have been a lot worse, they said. It is believed the man has suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries. HSE Midwest has not responded to a media query at this time. The main contractor for the project have not responded to a media query at this time. The new 9,800 square-metre block is being built over the existing emergency department and dialysis unit and will consist of 96 en-suite single rooms over four floors. A spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council said three units from Limerick City Fire and Rescue Service attended an incident at University Hospital Limerick this afternoon to assist with the rescue of a worker who sustained injuries on a building site. The person was extricated and handed over to the care of the HSE, said the council spokesperson. Paramedics from the National Ambulance Service gave immediate care and treatment to the injured man. Limerick Fire and Rescue Service received the call-out at 12.56pm. Firefighters returned to their headquarters in Mulgrave Street at 2.25pm. READ MORE | PICTURES: Inside the transformed 'dream project' charity home build on RTE Room to Improve The HSE has launched external reviews into the delivery of nine babies at Portiuncula University Hospital, Co Galway. In a statement on Monday evening, the HSE said that seven babies born at the hospital since 2024 had hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), resulting in six of those babies being referred for neonatal hypothermic treatment. In 2023, two stillbirths occurred at the hospital and the care provided in relation to these two deliveries is also currently being reviewed externally. HSE West and North West has appointed a highly experienced management team led by external consultant obstetrician Dr Mark Skehan to oversee and manage maternity services at the hospital over the coming months. The team will report directly to the HSE West and North West regional management and be fully responsible for managing and supporting all aspects of maternity/gynaecology and neonatal services at PUH. Dr Pat Nash, Regional Clinical Director HSE West and North West said: I want to firstly apologise to all those women and families for whom this news will be worrying or upsetting. We are making these changes now to ensure that the maternity service at Portiuncula is as safe as possible for mothers and their babies. External reviews are currently underway into the delivery of nine babies in PUH. Since 2024, seven babies had hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), resulting in six of those babies being referred for neonatal hypothermic treatment, also referred to as neonatal cooling. In 2023, two stillbirths occurred at the hospital and the care provided in relation to these two deliveries is also currently being reviewed externally. This incidence of HIE, resulting in referral for neonatal cooling treatment, is significantly higher than that observed nationally or internationally for a similar time frame, he added. HIE has many causes and is essentially the reduction in the supply of blood or oxygen to a babys brain before, during, or even after birth. Therapeutic Hypothermia is now considered the standard treatment for term infants with moderate to severe HIE. This treatment involves cooling a baby quickly after birth and keeping them cool for several days. It slows the brains metabolism and can prevent further damage. The sooner body cooling starts, the better the outcomes for the baby. READ MORE | ALERT: Popular ready-made meals produced in 'unapproved establishment' pulled from shelves Regional Executive Officer HSE West and North West, Tony Canavan, said: Our biggest concern is for the women who have had, and will have, their babies in PUH, and for their children. From today, we have appointed a highly experienced team, led by an external consultant obstetrician to manage and lead the maternity service at Portiuncula University Hospital to ensure as safe and high quality services as possible, while we await the outcome of the reviews currently underway. We are concerned by these cases and we believe it is important that we review the care provided. The purpose of the reviews currently underway is to examine all of the clinical findings and care provided to our patients. We know this is a distressing time for women whose care is under review and we apologise for any added distress that this news brings. We are providing support to the families involved. Each of these reviews are independent and external to PUH and the West North West region. Once completed, we will meet with each family to share the review finding with them. If women who are attending the unit have questions, they can contact the HSE on 1800 807 008, and arrangements will be made for them to receive a follow-up call from the maternity service. A housing charity has raised concern about the lack of affordable houses available to rent outside Dublin. The Simon Communities of Ireland launched its quarterly report, Locked Out of the Market, which measures the experience of people on a low income and dependent on Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to access homes in the private rental market. It found that in December there were 46 properties available to rent within the discretionary rate of the HAP scheme. The report found 1,233 properties were available to rent at any price in 16 areas over three days in December, a 7% increase from 1,149 in December 2023. The report said eight of the 16 areas had no properties available to rent in any household category within standard or discretionary HAP limits. These were Athlone, Cork City Centre, Galway City Centre, Co Leitrim, Limerick City Suburbs, Limerick City Centre, Sligo Town and Portlaoise. The supply of properties within HAP limits are predominantly in Dublin, with 37 of the 46 homes found in the area. Remaining HAP properties were found in Cork City Suburbs (one property), Dundalk (one), Galway City Suburbs (one), Kildare (four) and Waterford City Centre (two). Tony Geoghegan, interim executive director at the Simon Communities of Ireland, said the findings of the report were stark and showed little or no improvement from previous reports. He added: The trend is clear, HAP recipients are finding it increasingly difficult to secure suitable accommodation. Outside of Dublin is certainly a bigger challenge, with no properties available in eight of the 16 areas studied. While the new Programme for Governments commitment to increased housing targets is hugely welcome, in the meantime we must prevent more people becoming homeless and also support people who are currently homeless to exit homelessness. In the past, the private rented sector was one of the main avenues for people to exit homelessness. However, this is no longer the case. If the new Government is serious in addressing homelessness, then a dedicated homeless prevention strategy, that includes a strategy for managing the private rented sector, is urgently required. A Dublin City Council worker who was caught transporting cannabis in his work vehicle has been given a suspended sentence. Tony Ward (53) of Balbutcher Way, Poppintree, Dublin 11, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having drugs for sale or supply on May 10, 2023. His previous convictions are for minor road traffic offences. Ward claimed he got involved in the offence because his son owed a drug debt. His co-accused Michael Little (57) of Rossaveal Court, Drumfinn Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, pleaded guilty to the same offence. He received an 18 month suspended sentence earlier this year. Garda Tara Higgins told Simon Donagh BL, prosecuting, that gardai were monitoring an area after Little was spotted acting suspiciously. Ward then approached Little while driving a Dublin City Council lorry and handed over a package. Little tried to hide the package in his trousers. He was stopped and gardai found the package contained 6,000 worth of cannabis. Gda Higgins confirmed that Little made full admissions in a subsequent interview with gardai. Gardai followed the lorry and stopped Ward. He was arrested but nothing of significance came out of his later interviews with gardai. Gda Higgins agreed with Keith Spencer BL, defending, that Ward was acting as a drug mule after his son got into difficulty because of his own drug habit. She agreed that effectively Ward stepped into the breach and dropped the package from A to B. Mr Spencer said his client has since been suspended and will lose his job. Judge Martin Nolan accepted that Ward was pressurised to get involved because of his sons drug habit. He acknowledged that he had a long history of work and was unlikely to re-offend. Judge Nolan sentenced Ward to 18 months in prison which he suspended in full on strict conditions. READ MORE | 'Horrible people' - Urgent scam warning issued as fraudsters prey in wake of Storm Eowyn They said it was going to be epic, enchanting, and unforgettable, and that is exactly what it was! The Northern Lights Brigid 1500 was a huge success in 2024, attracting visitors, from near and far, to join in on the celebrations for St Brigid of Faughart in Dundalk. This year, the incredible event is due to take place on the weekend of Saturday, February 1, and Sunday, February 2. The spectacular lighting shows will take place between 6pm and 7pm each evening at Market Square and all are invited to come along and join in the celebrations. Currently, the final preparations are underway to create yet another unique and unforgettable audio-visual show to commemorate the life and legacy of St Brigid, the patroness saint of Ireland. READ MORE: New Dundalk housing development officially hits the market Martin McElligott, Town Centre Commercial Manager, said, "The Northern Lights Celebrating Brigid, is a monumental attraction benefitting the Matron Saint of Ireland. This installation features up to 200,000 individual points of light and unique decorative symbols, exclusively designed to represent the spirit of Brigid. Inspiration for the visual concept came directly from the iconic Brigid of Faughart mural created by Irish artist Friz, in Dundalk in 2020, it has continued to inspire us in countless ways and was central to this design. 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! This festival is proudly brought to you by Louth County Council and Dundalk Town. The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) has issued an urgent appeal for blood donations with supplies very low, following the impact of Storm Eowyn last Friday. The IBTS is asking for immediate public and donor support to help recover the national blood supply, with current supplies under three days for many blood groups. In order to avoid putting further pressure on our hospital system, we need over 12,000 donations in the coming days and weeks, to restore the blood supply, and safely support our health service, said Paul McKinney, Director of Donor Services and Logistics. We also urgently need new donors, younger donors, donors of all ethnicities and in particular, those of African heritage. We are asking people who might never have given blood before, or its been a while, to make it their goal to give blood, and the priceless gift of life, to those in our communities and hospitals who need it, added Mr McKinney. For anybody interested in becoming a donor, register your interest at www.giveblood.ie where you will also find all clinic locations / opening hours and eligibility details, or call IBTS on 1800 731 137. The IBTS needs to collect 3,200 units of blood every week to maintain the national blood supply. Newly elected Sinn Fein TD for Louth/East Meath Joanna Byrne has been named to her partys front bench as party spokesperson on Arts, Sport, Communications, Culture and Media. Deputy Byrne will be one of six female TDs, including party leady Mary Lou McDonald, set to take prominent roles on the opposition benches for Sinn Fein. Deputy Byrne said In my maiden speech on December 15th I had the opportunity and great honour to second the nomination of Deputy Mary Lou McDonald for Taoiseach. And now I have received a further honour to be appointed to my partys front bench in my first term as a TD. I am more than looking forward to getting to grips with my new brief and to tackling the government on the issues facing the Irish people. Read Next: Louth County Council opens shower and phone charging facilities for residents affected by power and water outages I think everyone knows that Sport would be a passion of mine, being the only female Chairperson of a League of Ireland Club, but I will give equal time and commitment to every part of the brief. I was elected as a result of a campaign of hope and positive change, and my task now is to ensure that I do my utmost to deliver that. "That positive change is what all the people of Louth/East Meath and Ireland deserve. The Irish Government will co-operate fully with the Omagh bomb Inquiry, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said. The Irish premier said that work with the inquiry team and and chairman had already begun, while Tanaiste Simon Harris said the Irish Government will not be found wanting. Mr Harris, who is also Irelands foreign minister, said he wanted to provide a categoric assurance that his Government would find a legal mechanism to ensure all requested material is supplied to the UK inquiry into the 1998 attack. There is a significant cross-border element to the investigation into the Omagh bomb, as the attackers travelled across the border with the bomb ahead of the devastating blast in Co Tyrone. A judge who called on the UK Government to set up an inquiry also urged the Irish Government to establish its own probe. Ministers in Dublin decided against holding their own separate inquiry but have pledged to co-operate with the UK one. Ahead of the first substantive hearings beginning in Omagh on Tuesday, some relatives of the bereaved had questioned whether the Irish authorities would hand over all requested information. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed, was particularly vocal on the issue. Asked about the cooperation of the Irish Government, Mr Martin said: We have worked with the inquiry team and officials in my previous department the Department of Foreign Affairs would have engaged with the chairman of the tribunal and inquiry team, along with officials with the Department of Justice who are working with Department of Foreign Affairs. Ive made it very clear that we have to cooperate fully with the inquiry team, just as we did in previous inquiries, where we passed legislation to enable us to provide information to such either inquests or inquiries. Mr Harris, who was on visit to Stormont in Belfast on Tuesday, moved to offer reassurance to the families. Everybody in Ireland remembers the horror of that sunny August afternoon in Omagh, and today will be another stark reminder of the pain and suffering caused to so many families as the commemorative hearings begin, he said. Testimony over the coming weeks will be difficult, especially for those who lost loved ones, and for those who responded first as the news broke, but it is important to remind ourselves of the full horror of that brutal attack, to remind ourselves of the purpose of this inquiry. When I was taoiseach, the Government took a clear decision to assist the Omagh Inquiry. That commitment was made clear, publicly, at the preliminary hearing last August. The programme for Government repeats that commitment in no uncertain terms, stating plainly that we will play our full part in legacy processes including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry. The cross-border nature of the assistance, to an inquiry established under UK law, means that it takes some work to get the details of the mechanisms of co-operation right, but we are actively engaging in this work and we will not be found wanting. Mr Harris was challenged on the issue as he fielded questions from reporters at Parliament Buildings. I want to be categoric here that the Irish Government will ensure full co-operation with the inquiry, he said. Our absolute, overstated, clear aim here is to make sure that all questions are answered through this inquiry, and can I say I think today is a very, very difficult and painful day for the families, for the families of victims, for the families of the many that were injured. It is a stark reminder of the horror and the evil that was experienced on that day in 1998, and I think of all of the victims today. I think of all of the families as well. And I heard Michael Gallaghers comments earlier. Michael Gallagher, a good man who has worked so hard for truth and for justice, and I want to absolutely assure him, and I want to assure all of the families that the Irish Government will co-operate. He added: It is about finding the mechanism, because, obviously, Ireland is a sovereign country, the mechanism for engagement, but that will be found. There will be a way forward, and we will all work to make sure that victims, their families, the people of Northern Ireland, the people of this island, get answers and get truth. Tributes have been pouring in for Kathleen Fay (nee Connolly) of Brookville, Drogheda, Co Louth in the wake of her passing after a short illness. Messages of condolences and memories have left on Kathleen's rip.ie page by friends, family and acquaintances. Her friendliness, love of fitness and zest for life echoed in each tribute as did the fond memories and impact she has left behind on all who knew her. One person wrote: "She was a great character, We have many fond memories from our days in The Boyne Health Studio. She will be sadly missed." READ MORE: Louth County Council opens shower and phone charging facilities for residents affected by power and water outages Another said: "She was such a lovely friendly lady. May she rest in peace." A neighbour wrote: "Kathleen was a wonderful neighbour and friend to our late mother, Margaret who always spoke very fondly of her. May her gentle soul rest in peace." A friend wrote: "So sorry to hear this news, heartbroken for you all. I remember your mam so fondly from our annual trips to the Lord of the Rings movies! She was so kind and fun! RIP Kathleen." Staff at Integral Fitness Drogheda paid tribute to Kathleen: "She was such an active Person and a regular presence on the gym floor. She will be very much missed. Please accept our heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with Peter and the family. May Kathleen rest in peace." Kathleen is sadly missed and remembered by her husband Peter, daughters Sandra, Lorraine and Denise, sons-in-law Dominic, Chet and Con, her adored grandchildren Grace, Hazel, Luke and Isabel, sisters Frances, Mary and Rose and her brother Gerard, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, extended family and friends. She will repose at her home on Tuesday evening, January 28 from 4pm until 7pm. Funeral Mass on Wednesday morning, January 29 in Our Lady of Lourdes Church at 11.30am followed by cremation service in Dardistown Crematorium, Dublin at 1.30pm. The remains of a soldier who fought in the First World War, discovered by Canadian Defence Forces, are believed to be a Cork man, Patrick Buckley. Private Buckley was among the 1,500 soldiers killed during an attempt to capture Hill 70, a strategic position on the northern approach to the coal-mining city of Lens, France, in August 1917. According to data supplied to the Kinsale Cultural and Heritage Society (KCHS) by the Canadian Defence Forces, the Cork man may have emigrated to Canada in 1910. Records show that a Patrick J Buckley arrived in Canada on May 9, 1910 and he appears in the 1911 census as a lodger in Calgary, Alberta. The KCHS, in collaboration with Canadian authorities, are now looking for a familial link to Pt Buckley to confirm his remains, because despite extensive work by Cork-based genealogist Carole OConnor, no living relatives have been identified. At the time of his joining the army, Pt Buckley had listed his mother, Mary Buckley, who was living at no 7 Long Quay in Kinsale, as his next of kin. Mary Buckley later entered the care of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Cork in 1916 and died there in 1935. A spokesperson for the Canadian Department of Defence said: Given we have no samples of DNA on file from the First World War, we are looking for family members who meet specific criteria for comparison. In this instance, we have been able to extract both Y-STR and mtDNA from the remains. Y-STR is passed from fathers to sons, which means a paternal-line male relative can provide a point of comparison for a DNA sample taken from recovered remains. By contrast, mtDNA is passed from mothers to their children, but can only be passed on to subsequent generations by women, which means a maternal-line relative can also provide a point of comparison. As a result, tracing either side of Private Buckleys family may help us find a useful DNA sample. Co-founder of the KCHS, JJ Hurley, said: I became aware of Patrick Buckleys story through the Canadian authorities reaching out to genealogists in Cork to try and trace the family. The only way to ensure a 100% match is through DNA; hence the hunt here. We need to see if anyone knows anything or is in the family lore. We have reached out on social media, but to no avail. If he is identified, hell be buried in France with his comrades. Anyone who may have information on the Buckley family line is asked to email jjhurley123@gmail.com. Cork TDs have called for a radical reset in housing policy, as new CSO data shows that 67.8% of 25-year-olds in Cork and Kerry are still living with their parents. The Growing Up in Ireland Report shows that nationally, 69.9% of 25-year-olds surveyed are living with their parents, and of those still living in the parental home, more than six in 10 (62.4%) were doing so for mostly financial reasons. Some 12.7% of the respondents contacted to take part in the survey had emigrated. Labour TD for Cork North Central Eoghan Kenny told The Echo: Im very disappointed to see such a stark statistic released by the CSO. As a 24-year-old myself, and living at home, I understand the difficulties in relation to renting or buying your own home. My friends are in the same situation. For far too long, young adults in Ireland have been left unrepresented. We need to see cost-rental and affordable housing built in Ireland. We have a crisis in relation to housing. This new programme for government doesnt have changes when it comes to housing policy. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are out of touch when it comes to the needs of young adults in Ireland. We in the Labour Party wanted to see the establishment of a State construction company. With the State-led company, we could have seen the benefit of the State building their own homes, like Ireland did in 60s and 70s. Social Democrats TD Padraig Rice said that the data shows a generation who have been locked out of home ownership, with almost 70% of 25-year-olds still stuck in their childhood bedrooms. The Government has failed to provide affordable housing options for young people. As rents soar and houses become more and more unaffordable, people have no choice but to stay living at home, he said. Unfortunately, the new programme for government will bring little comfort to those seeking to buy or rent in Ireland. The policies of the new Government are the same as the last. They have ignored the calls from the Housing Commission for a radical re-set in housing policy, and instead opted for more of the same. 'PREVENTED FROM LEADING INDEPENDENT LIVES' At the moment, too many young people are prevented from leading independent lives, and some couples have been forced to delay plans to start a family of their own. Year-on-year house prices nationally have risen by 9%. The cost of an average house in Cork is now about 350,000. This is well beyond the reach of most young people. As a result, homeownership rates are falling. It doesnt have to be like this. A report by the Cork Simon Community last year showed that more than one in 10 single adults new to emergency accommodation in the South-West became homeless due to a relationship breakdown with a parent. Report author Sophie Johnston previously told The Echo: Younger adults are over-represented in homelessness services, adding that this age group is also likely to be either living with parents or in private rental accommodation, both of which can be precarious and lead to homelessness. Ms Johnston said: While there are, no doubt, benefits and positives to living at home, and many parents and adult children will manage the relationship well, this type of doubled-up housing can add pressure to households, challenge relationships, and is inherently insecure for adult children. For the past nine months, a tiny food truck has been bringing the flavours of Mexico to Ballincollig, and even the recent freezing weather couldnt keep Kamil Lisowski from the labour of love that is Lucha Libre. On Saturday afternoon, in his regular spot between the old Aldi and Mr Price, the Polish-born chef was working in clouds of steam and dishing out burritos and nachos to grateful customers even as temperatures plummeted in the brief respite between Storm Eowyn and Storm Herminia. A native of Bydgoszcz in northern Poland, Mr Lisowski has been a chef since he was 16, moving to Cork in 2005 after a stint in London, and here he served for 17 years as head chef in Cafe Mexicana. He lives in Blackpool with his wife Marta and their two teenage children. Striking out on his own last year, he bought a truck and his business has been going strong since. According to Mr Lisowski, Mexican food has proven extremely popular in the village, with burritos, loco fries, taco fries, and Chimichurri steak sandwiches the best-selling items on his menu. Im here Thursday, 12pm to 5pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm to 7pm, and Sunday 12pm to 5pm, and in summer Im open five days, Wednesday to Sunday, he said. Im here prepping from 9pm in the mornings, and with the clean-up after work, its usually after 8pm when I get away. At the start it was hard, but Ballincollig people are very kind, and now I have customers coming from all over. I have one customer who drives from Skibbereen to taste my food. Mr Lisowski said his truck is always parked in the same place, except when he moves it to cater for private functions and festivals. Lucha Libre is open from Thursday to Sunday every week and is available to cater for private functions. For menus and further information, see Lucha Libre on Facebook, and on Deliveroo, or call Kamil on 085 1200989. Bookshop on holidays Independent Ballincollig bookshop Leaf and Bower, which has celebrated its first year, is taking a two-week break. The shop will reopen on Monday, February 10. In a social-media post, Leaf and Bower proprietor Fiona Farrell said: I shall use the time wisely, to read many, many books, and plan some fabulous events for all you lovely people. Dripsey native Ms Farrell had worked in the books business for nearly two decades and had always dreamed of owning her own bookshop. She told The Echo in September that surviving cancer five years ago gave her the spur she needed to strike out on her own, setting up shop on Ballincolligs main street. The bookshops many friends wont begrudge her the break, but will look forward to the reopening. Marie Keating mobile unit visit The Ballincollig Resource Centre is set to host a visit from the Marie Keating mobile unit on Tuesday, February 18, from 10.30am to 3.30pm. All are welcome to visit and to speak with one of the specialist-trained nurses. Founded 23 years ago, the Marie Keating Foundation says its key role is to promote life-saving messages on cancer prevention and early detection to as many people as possible. During their visit to Ballincollig, the foundations nurses will provide information relating to cancer prevention. They will also have information on the most common cancers in Ireland and signs and symptoms to look out for. Marie Keating Foundation offers a free service, and its nurses are happy to speak to individuals or small groups and answer any questions they may have. However, people are asked to please note that no cancer screening is provided. Iarla O Lionaird and Tim Edey to play The White Horse Musicians Iarla O Lionaird and Tim Edey are to play Ballincolligs The White Horse in March. Iarla O Lionaird has a long career in music, coming to notice with an early recording of Aisling Gheal as a boy, and recording with Crash Ensemble and Alarm Will Sound. Born and bred in the West Cork Gaeltacht of Cuil Aodha, he had Sean O Riada as a neighbour and early influence. A twice Grammy-nominated artist, Mr O Lionaird has performed and recorded with Peter Gabriel, Nick Cave, Robert Plant, and Sinead OConnor. He is the vocalist with the critically acclaimed The Gloaming. Tim Edey has twice been BBC musician of the year, and has toured the world and recorded with most of the big names in Celtic/contemporary roots music, including The Chieftains, Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Altan, Seamus Begley, Liam O Maonlai, Shaun Davey, Mary Black, and Frankie Gavin. Iarla O Lionaird and Tim Edey play The White Horse at 8.30pm on Friday, March 14. For booking information, see whitehorse.ie. Olivia Gandini, with her Junior Certificate Achievement Award, at Ballincollig Community School. Picture: Jim Coughlan Ballincollig GAA Club walks Ballincollig GAA Clubs weekly Ireland Lights Up walks continue to draw a good turnout, with a strong showing from juvenile members and their parents. The walks will continue for the next few Wednesdays, starting at 7.30pm at the club dressing rooms. There is also time to sign up to the Irish Life MyLife App for the Every Step Counts challenge, which runs separately. Just download the app and register with Ballincollig GAA under the Munster challenge. Weekly walk-and-talk group Beginning this Wednesday, January 29, Ballincollig Family Resource Centre is hosting a weekly walk-and-talk group. Starting each Wednesday at 10am at the resource centre reception area, the group is open to all, and welcomes people of all levels of fitness, with a focus on social interaction. Call 021 4876295, or email info@ballicolligfrc.org. Weekly Ballincollig GAA lottery The numbers drawn in the Ballincollig GAA Club weekly lottery, on Thursday, January 24, were 11, 15, 23, and 24. While there was no winner of the 7,600 jackpot, there were three lucky dip consolation prizes, with 100 going to Robert Murphy, 50 to Ciara Dwyer, and 50 to Sean McSweeney. The club is migrating its club lottery from its previous host to its club platform, ClubZap. The new system mirrors the previous one and is played with 36 numbers, and all players with remaining credit have been moved across with their same numbers, plus their remaining credits. For further information, see ballincolliggaa.clubzap.com. The next draw is scheduled for Thursday evening, January 30, with the jackpot now standing at 7,600. For details on how to enter the weekly draw, see the clubs social-media pages. Have Ballincollig news to share? Contact donal.okeeffe@theecho.ie Senior officials at Cork County Council are awaiting the confirmation of details of a humanitarian fund that would assist families impacted by Storm Eowyn over the weekend, the councils director of services, Niall Healy, told yesterdays council meeting. Mr Healy was giving a report on the response of the council to the status red weather event. It hit Cork late on Thursday night and into the early hours of Friday morning, bringing winds of record strength. The Community Response Forum structure, which was used during the pandemic, was reactivated to deal with weather events, Mr Healy said. Representatives of the council, as well as of various other bodies, such as local development companies, the Department of Social Protection, Rural Link, the Older Peoples Council, the IFA, and others had met on Sunday, and would be meeting daily until the end of this week, he said. Its a very important forum, and now were holding daily meetings just to identify if there are any gaps or vulnerabilities or humanitarian needs that may exist out there, he said. Were very conscious that, for some people in more isolated rural communities, that it could be later this week or the weekend before their power supplies are restored and, for those people, there are impacts in terms of not just power supply, but the water supply as well. So we are asking, if there are particular needs out there, that people would contact us on our emergency phone number: Thats 021 4800048. That line remains in place day and night, 24/7, between now and the end of the week. In the council report, an account was given of Storm Eowyns impact throughout the county. The winds peaked during the early hours of Friday, January 24, and by 10am the warning had dropped to status orange. This enabled the response to commence, and crews went about clearing roads and removing trees and other debris, the report stated. There were trees down right throughout the county and reports of multiple properties without power, telecoms, and some with water issues. The report detailed work undertaken over the weekend and pointed out that the clean-up was hampered on Sunday by another storm, with status yellow wind and rain warnings for Cork, a weather event that led to further reports of trees down and potholes on many roads. Fianna Fail councillor Gillian Coughlan was full of praise for Mr Healys extraordinarily holistic and all-encompassing report. I think it would be remiss of us not to acknowledge that this is on top of all the rest of the work that has to be done by the local authority, she said. As well as the physical response, the trees, the roads, our engineers answering the phones at all hours of day or night, there are administrative burdens and management burdens behind this. The Land Development Agency (LDA) has announced plans for more than 140 affordable homes in Cork city centre to be delivered in partnership with Cork City Council. A planning application for the development, of which the majority are anticipated to be cost rental apartments, is due to be submitted later this year. The homes are earmarked for construction on the 0.6-acre Cork City Council site at Anglesea Terrace, which is located at the junction of Old Station Road and South Link Road, within short walking distance of all city centre amenities, retail and community services, Kent Station and Cork Bus Station. While the exact number of homes is yet to be finalised, subject to planning permission, construction for the development could begin in 2027, with the first homes delivered in 2030. Chief Executive of the LDA, John Coleman said: We are delighted to be partnering with Cork City Council to deliver much-needed affordable homes in the heart of Cork city. The LDA is steadily increasing its footprint in Cork and is determined to ramp up delivery in the city and its suburbs over the coming months and years. Anglesea Terrace is a fantastic site, with significant potential - this project will revitalise an underutilised brownfield site in the centre of Cork, transforming it into a high quality, affordable and desirable residential development. Chief Executive of Cork City Council, Valerie OSullivan said: This development will [improve] the Anglesea Terrace area, creating a new sustainable and well-connected neighbourhood. We look forward to publishing the design for the project shortly and I would encourage people to engage with the process so that we can deliver a development and community that works for everyone in the city. In addition to these upcoming plans, the States affordable housing body is also set to deliver the first of 267 homes at the site of the former St Kevins Hospital in Shanakiel later this year, and recently published draft plans for 348 homes at a former ESB site in Wilton. The agency is also developing 302 cost rental apartments at Horgans Quay in partnership with BAM and Clarendon Properties. The Briery Gap Cultural Centre in Macroom has announced that Mike Ryan is to step down from his position as artistic director at the end of the month. Mr Ryan helped to oversee the reopening of the venue in the Mid-Cork town and helped to successfully develop a diverse program as the Briery Gap aims to be a vital cultural hub in rural Ireland. Under his leadership, the Briery Gap has hosted a variety of events and productions, while helping to create partnerships with national and international arts organisations. He is set to return to his roots as a freelance creative practitioner, where he is expected to continue to make a significant contribution to to the acts landscape both in Ireland and internationally. Mr Ryan said: When I first took up my position in September 2023, I was given a laptop and a rented office across the road from a building site and tasked with opening a vibrant, multi-disciplinary arts venue. Working with the team to realise that goal has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my life. Briery Gap is a special place and I am proud of what my incredible team and I have accomplished together. I look forward to returning in the future as an audience member and as an artist, just as I look forward to seeing it continue to thrive. Briery Gap board chairperson Noel ODriscoll added: We are deeply grateful to Mike for his outstanding contributions. His leadership has been transformative, and his passion for the arts has inspired us all. While we will miss him, we are equally excited to see what he achieves and the next exciting chapter in Briery Gaps story. Macrooms Briery Gap Theatre and Library was badly damaged in a devastating fire in 2016, but was renovated at a cost of 10.3m and reopened last September after being closed for eight years. It has been re-established as a hub for theatre, music, and film in the area with a wide range of events on offer. Speaking at the time of the reopening, County Mayor Joe Carroll said the Briery Gap had long played an important role for the people of the town, providing a cultural, educational and social space for the community. Today, we see that legacy continue, but in an enhanced way through this beautiful, modern, and welcoming space that is ideally positioned in the centre of Macroom and which is accessible to all, he said. The Irish Prison Service is taking extra vigilance following three overdoses in Cork Prison on Sunday night, with one inmate having to be hospitalised. The three inmates presented to the prison staff when they became unwell after allegedly ingesting a substance known as spice, with two returning to their cells but one requiring hospitalisation at CUH, according to The Cork's 96FM Opinion Line with PJ Coogan, Spice is a substance containing one or more synthetic cannabinoids, which can be considerably more harmful and unpredictable than traditional cannabis. The Irish Prison Service told The Echo it is working closely with the HSE in response to a number of overdose presentations in custody at Cork Prison". Extra vigilance is being taken within the prison and information for prisoners around the dangers of consuming contraband has commenced. The spokesperson continued: The Irish Prison Service is committed to preventing the access of contraband including drugs into prisons and continues to be a high priority for the Irish Prison Service. The Irish Prison Service has committed to continuing to invest in new technologies and measures to support our efforts to keep contraband out of prisons. Prison staff have increased the use of random and intelligence led cell searches on a daily basis. Our Canine Unit carry out searches around the prisons, including a greater focus on searching deliveries into prisons. The Irish Prison Service continues to engage with An Garda Siochana with regard to preventing contraband entering our prison and this happens at both local and national level. "The Operational Support Group work closely with their colleagues in An Garda Siochana on a regular basis and the sharing of intelligence has led to target searches resulting in the seizure of contraband. They added: There is a free confidential telephone line(1800 855 717) and text line (086 180 2449) which is operational. Prisoners, visitors, staff or members of the public with information on the trafficking of prohibited items into our prisons can pass on that information in the strictest confidence. A 38-year-old man accused of causing criminal damage and burglary at a house on College Road in Cork in the early hours of Tuesday admitted his actions but claimed that he thought nobody was living there and that he would use it to squat during the cold weather. There was a Garda objection to bail being granted to Joe OSullivan of no fixed address. He said, I didnt go in there to do any harm, I went in to get out of the rain. Judge Mary Dorgan refused bail after it was established that the defendant would not be welcome to get into Cork Simon Community as a result of a previous failure to manage his alcohol issues. Joe OSullivan was charged with criminal damage and burglary at the house on College Road at around 3 a.m. on January 28. The objection to bail was on the basis of factors including the seriousness of the alleged offence. He is on methadone for a heroin addiction. Frank Buttimer solicitor, said, Mr OSullivan made certain admissions about his purpose. He acknowledged the offence. Whether it is in his interest to say it, the conceded unlawful entry was to get shelter from the bad weather. It so happened that someone was downstairs. He had formed the idea that it was unoccupied. Sergeant John Kelleher said, It was not a derelict house, people were living there. Garda Kian OSullivan testified that a man residing at the house on College Road said he disturbed Joe OSullivan who broke into the house and that the accused left the property. Garda OSullivan said the defendant smashed a window, reached in and opened a locked door to get inside. The guard said that when he encountered the 38-year-old he noticed that his right hand was cut and there were shards of glass on his person at the time of his arrest. He was remanded in custody until February 4. Frank Buttimer solicitor asked if DPP directions could be given as soon as possible. He said it was clear from the evidence that the accused would be pleading guilty to the charges. The new justice minister has been urged to examine the lack of support services for prisoners on their release. Solicitor Joseph Cuddigan made this suggestion in the context of a case at Cork District Court. A man who had just been released from a lengthy prison sentence fell back in to addiction and criminality. Mr Cuddigan made this submission in the case of 44-year-old Conor OConnor, of Killeenreendowney Avenue, Cork, who was caught breaking into cars and in an intoxicated condition. The solicitor said that Mr OConnor went straight to St Helens, in Blarney, on his release from prison, because, Mr Cuddigan said: The State did not provide any location where he could get addiction counselling. He was anxious to do something about it. It is a false economy that they do not provide something for people coming out of prison, because that is what leads to the revolving door. He had one slip when he relapsed. Perhaps the new minister for justice might take note of the situation. Judge Mary Dorgan expressed concern that an axe was used in breaking into two cars that were parked near Kent railway station. Mr Cuddigan said that Conor OConnor did not bring an axe to the scene. He said that he took it from one car and may have used it in the break-in of a second vehicle. He said there was no suggestion of it being used as a weapon. Judge Dorgan sentenced him to eight months in prison. She noted a significant record of previous convictions against the accused. Garda Shane Heffernan brought the charges against Mr OConnor of causing criminal damage to two cars after 5am on Wednesday, December 4, possession of the axe, refusing to give his name, being threatening and abusive, and being drunk and a danger to himself or others. Disruption - its everywhere. From weather and travel chaos to electricity outages and contentious scenes in the Dail. Its become a staple of our news feeds. Tech entrepreneurs use it as a positive term. AI is often hailed as a prime example of disruptive innovation. Uber has disrupted the traditional taxi business. Airbnb disrupted the hotel business. Amazon disrupted bricks and mortar retail stores. Angela Ducey and daughter Aine beside a tree that fell at their home in Killavullen, Co Cork, in Storm Eowyn. Picture: Larry Cummins The shareholders of those companies are happy with the disruption - theyve made plenty of money. The family-owned high street businesses and the wider communities they serve? Less so. But disruption, for most people, is something to be avoided. We like the predictable, the routine, the on-time train, the status quo. Unless you are in a chronic negative situation that you want to break out of. Long-term homelessness, chronic illness, intergenerational deprivation. Then you yearn for a disruptor to shake things up and try something new. Disruption is no longer optional; its inevitable- both in the form of extreme weather events and the broader economic, political and social upheaval needed to ensure the planets survival. The current system isnt working - it perpetuates inequality, prioritises the interests of the wealthy while exploiting developing countries and oppressed nations and degrading our environment - if we want to change tack, disruption is essential. Ruaile Buaile Last week, we had our fill of disruption - ruaile buaile in the Dail and Storm Eowyn. Ivana Bacik TD, with party colleagues, Marie Sherlock TD and Ged Nash TD, in the Dail chamber as Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy TD suspended Dail proceedings for the day after failing to nominate a new taoiseach, following a row on speaking time.Photo: Maxwells/PA Wire Labour, Social Democrats and Sinn Fein TDs kicked off the protest against the forgotten form of stroke politics when it looked like some independents were going to pull a sly one by continuing to enjoy opposition speaking time while being the kingmakers in the new coalition government. For a while, the Dail shenanigans were the Most Read articles on the news sites of the BBC and The Guardian. Morto. But it was disruption that was necessary - even a member of the political dynasty of the Healy-Raes cant have their bread buttered on both sides in the Dail. That the majority of TDs in the new government didnt foresee that the arrangement would be problematic is a worry. We need a wise and nimble government to steer us through the next five disruptive years. Must do better (on gender equality) As a teacher in a former life, Taoiseach Micheal Martin must have doled out a lot of school reports in his day. Does not work to her full potential, Could do better Must improve his schoolwork. My mother recently cleared out her attic and unearthed a school report which was not bad overall, with decent praise and good grades, apart from one. My class teacher thought Kathriona could be more deferential and polite. She neednt think she is an authority on all subjects always. Ouch! (But considering how I now write a weekly column on a whole range of subjects, perhaps she was offering prescient career advice). I imagine some of the most frustrating pupils to teach are the ones that are smart and show promise but dont apply their innate talents into learning or live up to their potential. I know the feeling. Must do better were the first words that came to mind when I saw that Micheal Martin had appointed just three women as senior ministers against 12 men. There were four women at senior cabinet positions in the last government, so it feels like we are going backwards. As Labour leader Ivana Bacik pointed out, there are as many people called James in the Cabinet as there are women. People will argue that Micheal Martin picked the best team from the pool of TDs he had. That may be the case, but its just not good enough. President Higgins, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Simon Harris along with the new Cabinet for a photo after the new Ministers received their Seal of Office at a ceremony held in Aras an Uachtarain. Picture: Maxwells Only 25% of the people who are going to have a serious say in the running of the country in the next five years are female. A much stronger commitment to attracting women to politics is required. In 1979, Maire Geoghan-Quinn became the first woman in an Irish Cabinet since 1921. Just four women, Mary Harney, Mary Coughlan, Joan Burton and Frances Fitzgerald, have served as Tanaiste since. We are still waiting on a female Taoiseach. And a gender-balanced cabinet. Female politicians have long contended with abuse. Mary Harney had red paint thrown on her, eggs pelted at her car and bullets sent in the post. More recently, former Minister for Disability Anne Rabbitte had cow dung thrown at her, and the now Minister for Health, Jennifer MacNeill Carroll was harassed online with sexually explicit material. I t requires special effort to encourage women to overlook those experiences and choose a life in politics. If we want a truly representative democracy, we must tackle this toxic culture head-on. The 2021 Citizens Assembly on Gender Equality recommended concrete steps to improve female representation including quotas to ensure 40% gender balance on boards and in public bodies. By these standards, there should be at least six women in Cabinet today. Roderic OGorman did introduce new legislation last year which included maternity leave for members of the Oireachtas. It seems preposterous that we had to be a quarter way through the 21st century for it to happen, but now TDs can take 26 weeks maternity leave. At a time when President Trump is dismantling Diversity Equity and Inclusion programmes, we need to redouble our efforts - get disruptive - to ensure issues such as gender equality, gender-based violence, equal pay and better representation of women in politics remain a priority. By Jonathan McCambridge, PA The public inquiry into the Omagh bombing is to hold its first substantive hearings. Bereaved families and survivors are expected to gather at the Strule Arts Centre in the Co Tyrone town on Tuesday for the inquiry which will examine whether the atrocity could reasonably have been prevented by UK authorities. Scottish judge Lord Turnbull is overseeing the probe into the 1998 Real IRA bombing which claimed 29 lives, including a woman pregnant with twins. Commemorative and personal statement hearings will be held over the next four weeks. Lord Turnbull at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh (Liam McBurney/PA) These will begin with bereaved families giving pen portrait evidence of those who died, followed by survivors, emergency services and those working in statutory organisations. According to the inquiry schedule, Tuesday will hear commemorations of Fernando Blasco Baselga, 12, and Rocio Abad Ramo, 23, two Spanish nationals killed in the bombing. The proceedings were announced by then Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris in 2023 after a High Court judgment recommended a public inquiry into alleged security failings in the lead-up to the atrocity, and also urged the Irish authorities to establish their own probe. The Irish Government has formally agreed to provide assistance to the inquiry. In his opening statement to the inquiry last year, Lord Turnbull said the pain of bereavement and trauma caused by the dissident republican bomb attack spread beyond Omagh, Northern Ireland and Ireland to families from England and Spain. He said the inquiry will undertake its task rigorously and fearlessly, and emphasised the defining character of the inquiry must be its independence. Bereaved families have expressed hope that the process will provide them with answers about the worst atrocity of the Troubles after decades of campaigning for a public inquiry. By Cate McCurry and Rebecca Black, PA Northern Irelands deputy first minister has criticised President Michael D Higgins for raising the ongoing conflict in Gaza during his speech to an annual Holocaust memorial event in Dublin. Emma Little-Pengelly said the President was absolutely wrong to raise the issues, accusing him of politicising the event. Protesters were removed from the memorial event during an address by Mr Higgins on Sunday. A number of people objected to the invitation to Mr Higgins to deliver the keynote address to the National Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration in Dublin. Survivors of the Holocaust were among the audience who gathered at the Mansion House for the event which included readings, survivors recollections and a recitation of the Scroll of Names featuring relatives and ancestors of Irish residents who died in the Holocaust. As Mr Higgins spoke about the events that unfolded on October 7th, 2023, when Hamas attacked in southern Israel leading to the conflict in Gaza, a small number of people stood up and and turned their backs to the stage and were removed by security. Asked about Mr Higgins speech, Ms Little-Pengelly told reporters in Belfast: I believe that President Higgins was absolutely wrong to raise these issues at that event. President Higgins has many opportunities to talk about these issues, and indeed, he has taken up those opportunities. But Holocaust Memorial Day, which it is today, is a time for a sombre reflection upon the loss of six million Jewish people in the Holocaust. I understand that the request was made of him not to politicise that event. No one should be politicising those events or causing any further hurt or discomfort. So I believe that he was wrong to say what he said at that place. It was the wrong place and the wrong thing to say. There were plenty of other opportunities that he had, and he ought not to have done that at that event. President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina with Holocaust survivors Suzi Diamond (left) and Tomi Reichenthal at the Mansion House in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) First minister Michelle ONeill was among a number of politicians to defend Mr Higgins, saying he took the opportunity to express his views. I think its regrettable that theres so much negativity. I think the president has used his office to raise his own personal view in terms of how strongly he feels about genocide across the world, Ms ONeill said. I think particularly at this time, when we reflect on all the suffering of the Holocaust and all those people that lost lives through what was the genocide then, and we reflect on the current situation facing, particularly in the Middle East, right now, a genocide in Gaza. I think that the president has taken the opportunity to express his views, and thats his business. Earlier, the Tanaiste defended Mr Higgins, saying that while people have a right to protest, the president has been very clear in calling out the horrors of the Holocaust. Simon Harris said: I think it was important that the president of Ireland attended the event yesterday. I think its the seventh time he has attended the event, and this is always an event carried out with great solemnity and sensitivity. I believe yesterdays event was a very moving occasion, obviously for survivors and their families, most particularly, and Minister (Paschal) Donohoe was there on behalf of the government. I understand there were a small number of people who protested, and of course people have a right to protest, but I think the president was very clear, as is the government, as are the people of Ireland, in calling out the horrors of the Holocaust and making sure we remember that we record that, that we acknowledge that each year, and of course, people have a right to protest. Asked whether he believed it was appropriate for the president to raise the issues in Gaza during his speech about the Holocaust, Mr Harris said: I think the president was very clear in relation to, obviously specific issues regarding the Holocaust and his absolute condemnation of the horror, the murder of the Jewish people, but also, I think, rightly mentioning the situation in the Middle East as well. Fine Gael leader Simon Harris (Brian Lawless/PA) Also calling very much for hostages to be released. I am conscious, though, that this is a very, very sensitive time, and I dont want to say anything to distract from that. Today is the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, today is International Holocaust Memorial Day. I think its really important that we keep the focus on that. Tom ODowd, chairman of Holocaust Education Ireland, which organised the event, said some Jewish people were critical of this years invite, but others supported Mr Higgins seventh address to the annual commemoration. The president emphasised the importance of education in his address to prevent another such atrocity from happening. He also addressed the current conflict in the Middle East. High Court Reporters A brother of deceased gangster, Cyril "Dublin Jimmy" McGuinness, has lost an appeal against a High Court decision dismissing an action in which he claimed his business premises were unlawfully searched by gardai. Truck dealer Fran McGuinness (62), originally from Pinnock Hill, Swords, Co Dublin, with an address on the Dublin Road, Newry, Co Down, claimed he was the victim of garda harassment over several years simply because of his brother. Cyril was suspected of a number of attacks on former Quinn business premises following the collapse of the Quinn empire, including masterminding the abduction of Kevin Lunney. Cyril died of a cardiac arrest shortly after he collapsed during a police search of his Derbyshire, England, home in 2019. Fran McGuinness sued the Garda Commissioner and the State over a search of his truck business premises next door to the former family home at Pinnock Hill in Swords on August 23rd, 2014. Among his claims were that the gardai wrongly associated him with the Quinn attacks and that information used to swear the warrant for the search was untrue. He also claimed gardai caused unnecessary damage to two gates to the premises by using an acetylene torch and that they seized important documents for his UK truck trading companies. The defendants denied the claims, saying the search was lawful. Gardai carried out the search of the Pinnock Hill yard after it was established that a jeep used in one of the Quinn attacks had been seen in the yard at a specific time and date, the court heard. Last May, the High Court dismissed his case. He appealed on 16 grounds claiming the High Court judge erred in law and in fact. The Garda Commissioner and the State opposed the appeal. They took issue with the grounds of appeal, including that they do not identify any errors of law or fact. Mr Justice Senan Allen, in a judgment on behalf of the three-judge Court of Appeal (CoA), dismissed the appeal. He said, among other things, that Mr. McGuinness was indignant that his premises had been searched. In his correspondence, his affidavit, and in the statement of claim, he did not accept that the search had been conducted on foot of a warrant "but he never asserted or pleaded that his premises had been searched without a warrant," the judge said. There was also no suggestion that a copy of the warrant provided to him, and produced in court by him, was not a copy of an original warrant, he said. There was also evidence from a detective sergeant who applied for the warrant and this was not challenged, he said. He dismissed the appeal on all grounds. OpenAI has begun offering a version of ChatGPT designed for US government agencies. ChatGPT Gov includes many of the same features found in the Enterprise offering of the chatbot, including access to the companys GPT-4o model. By making our products available to the US government, we aim to ensure AI serves the national interest and the public good, aligned with democratic values, while empowering policymakers to responsibly integrate these capabilities to deliver better services to the American people, OpenAI said in a blog post published Tuesday. Before today, US government employees were already using ChatGPT in their day-to-day work. According to the company, federal, state and local government workers at 3,500 agencies across the country have sent more than 18 million messages since 2024. With todays announcement, those same agencies can now self-host ChatGPT within their own Microsoft Azure commercial or government cloud environment. In practice, that should make it easier for government IT heads to ensure the tool is used safely. OpenAIs move to offer ChatGPT Gov comes after the company announced it was partnering with SoftBank to build $500 billion worth of AI infrastructure within the United States over the next four years. Many immediately questioned whether OpenAI had the money to fund Stargate to the level it said it would. After the announcement, The Information reported that SoftBank and OpenAI would each commit about $19 billion to the project to start, far less than the $100 billion the two had said they would deploy immediately. More broadly, the arrival of ChatGPT Gov comes amid uncertainty about the strength of the American AI industry. On Monday, US tech stocks dropped dramatically after DeepSeek, an AI assistant from a Chinese startup, unseated ChatGPT as the top free app in the App Store over the weekend. DeepSeek purportedly spent less than $6 million to develop its R1 model. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) are re-introducing a bill that aims to ban social media platforms from knowingly letting kids aged under 13 from using them. The bipartisan Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA) was introduced last year, but it didn't progress beyond the committee stage. However, KOSMA may pick up more momentum this time around given the current political landscape. I'm going to do everything I can to get it passed out of committee and advanced on the floor [...] and signed into law, Cruz told The Washington Post . Ted and I are in the middle of about two dozen different disagreements and disputes, but the one thing that seems to unite the political parties is that we need to protect small children from the negative outcomes of being on social media, Schatz said. Cruz is now the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee (which has become a prominent battleground for social media-related issues in recent years). Not only that, Republicans are in control of both houses of Congress while Lina Khan is no longer head of the Federal Trade Commission. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Under KOSMA, that agency would have extra regulatory power over social media platforms. Some Republicans were reluctant to hand Khan those reins. I think that [Khan's stint as FTC chair] understandably caused significant reluctance on the part of Congress to entrust any additional authority on the FTC, Cruz said. If KOSMA becomes law as it stands, social media platforms would have to delete any accounts held by users aged under 13 as well as any data collected from those children. It would also block them from using data collected from users aged under 17 to algorithmically suggest or promote content. Furthermore, it stipulates that schools would have to block students from accessing social media services on school devices and networks in order to keep receiving certain subsidies. Schatz was among a bipartisan group of senators that introduced the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act in 2023. That bill aimed to set 13 as the minimum age for using social media, and require parental consent for under 18s to access such platforms. However, the bill did not pass through the Commerce Committee. A majority of workers at a Whole Foods location in Philadelphia have voted to unionize, as reported by Reuters. This makes the Pennsylvania store the first to unionize under Amazons ownership, and the second time overall. Workers voted 130 to 100 for representation, according to the National Labor Relations Board, which translates to nearly 60 percent of workers choosing to unionize. Workers at this particular location filed to hold a union election back in November. A successful vote is just the beginning of this process, however, as a contract has yet to be ratified and accepted by both parties. "We are ready to bring Whole Foods to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair first contract that reflects the workers' needs and priorities," Wendell Young IV, President of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, said in an email. Workers at Amazons Whole Foods in Philadelphia made history today as they voted to unionize and WON! pic.twitter.com/jKpkuhwRIi UFCW Local 1776 (@UFCWLocal1776) January 28, 2025 Coming as no surprise, Whole Foods expressed disappointment over the outcome of the vote. A company representative told Reuters that it already offers competitive compensation, great benefits and career advancement opportunities. Ahead of the vote, workers cited the need for better wages and benefits. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement As previously noted, this is the first successful unionization bid for Whole Foods workers since Amazon bought the company in 2017 for nearly $14 billion. Its not, however, the first time a Whole Foods location has voted to unionize. Workers in a Wisconsin location voted to unionize back in 2002, but the union was dissolved the following year. In the interest of full disclosure, I worked at a Whole Foods location in 2005 and, one day, someone snuck in the store to hand out pro-unionization pamphlets. Management sent an armed guard around to collect the pamphlets from us. It was weird. Its no secret that Amazon isnt exactly a friend to unions. Workers in Quebec unionized last year but, surprise, the company now says its closing the entire facility. Amazon is worth over $2.5 trillion dollars and has doubled in value throughout the past year or so. Obsessed with throwing money and resources at AI in any way they can, the likes of OpenAI, NVIDIA, Google and Amazon all just got a surprise. Out of seemingly nowhere, Chinese AI assistant DeepSeek is suddenly the top-rated free app on Apples App Store in the US and elsewhere, beating more familiar names, like ChatGPT. The open-source DeepSeek V3 model reportedly requires far less computing power than its competitors and, depending on who you believe, was developed for under $6 million. Shocks all around especially for OpenAI and all the billions it has floating around. Focusing on coding and research, DeepSeeks models are similar to other AI assistants youve heard of. Its first DeepSeek-R1 release is available under an MIT license, so it can be used commercially without restrictions. How does it compare with the far pricier US rivals now China is unable to import the most powerful AI chips? Well, to start with, DeepSeeks founder Liang Wenfeng reportedly stockpiled NVIDIA A100 chips before the US export ban and is pairing those with less powerful chips from China. An MIT Review report also suggests the side effect of the US sanctions are innovations that focus on efficiency and collaboration. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement All the attention and a small financial market wobble has put DeepSeek in the crosshairs for large-scale malicious attacks. Those cyberattacks mean new user registration may be slow, so if youre intrigued, youll have to wait to check it out. Mat Smith Get this delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! The biggest tech stories you missed A new SE model may almost be here. Majin Bu Device leaker Majin Bu shared on X what they claim is the new iPhone SE 4. As proof, they posted a video of the device from all angles and four photos of both a black and a white model from the back. With a single camera (gasp!) and a smaller-seeming body to current iPhones, the big twist is the return to a notch. At this point, all iPhones available from Apples store (aside from the iPhone 14) have a Dynamic Island cutout instead of the notch. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Traditionally, the SE series has a throwback hardware design, so this would make sense. And hey, the Pixel 8a needs some competition. While the dummy phones leaked look convincing, Majin Bu has missed with some of their predictions and leaks in the past. So pinch of salt, and all that. Continue reading. With a silicone helmet case. Bandai Namco Yes. Yessssss. Continue reading. Reports increased 17x compared to 2023. As X continued to walk the plank, Bluesky experienced explosive growth last year. That meant a big ramp up in its moderation efforts. Bluesky said user numbers jumped from 2.9 million users to nearly 26 million. Its moderators received 17 times the number of user reports in 2023 6.48 million in 2024 compared to 358,000 the previous year. The bulk of these reports were regarding harassment, trolling or intolerance, spam and misleading content (including impersonation and misinformation). Moderators took down 66,308 accounts in 2024, while its automated systems took down 35,842 spam and bot profiles. Continue reading. Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . Independent book stores can now get a cut of the ebook market. Today, Bookshop.org announced the addition of ebooks to its website. As it does with physical books, the online retailer prompts shoppers to designate a local book store at checkout, then sends part of the purchase price to that store. Since it started selling physical volumes in 2020, Bookshop.org has funneled more than $35 million to indie booksellers. During a recent chat, CEO Andy Hunter told me hundreds of stores have credited Bookshop.org with their ability to stay in business through the shutdowns caused by the pandemic. Now through the added ebook sales, those stores will have one more revenue stream and shoppers will have another way to support neighborhood stores. "It's not a good business strategy to say, 'Come to us for your books, but when you need an ebook, go to Amazon'" he said. The site will offer more than three million ebooks from every major publisher and the entire profit from the sale will go to the customer's chosen store. If a user doesn't designate a store, profits will partly channel into a pool for all participating bookstores and the rest will return to Bookshop.org. The company will also make money from publisher ads on its website. Because ebook prices are set by the publisher, titles will cost the same as they do from Amazon, Kobo, Google Books or elsewhere. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In addition to the new category, Bookshop.org is also introducing a new reader app for iOS and Android devices today. Through the app, readers can explore curated lists of books, search the ebook catalog, read previews and add books to their wishlist. You'll still need to head to Bookshop.org on a browser to make purchases just as you do with other ebook sellers so they can avoid Apple and Google's steep in-app billing commissions. (Though, on tangental note, Bookshop.org's website now accepts Google and Apple Pay.) Reading books on the app should feel familiar to anyone who's used a tablet or smartphone ereader app, offering highlights, annotations, type and font adjustments and text searches. In addition to swipeable pages, you can also set the text to a vertical endless scroll mode, an option I haven't seen in other ereader apps. Bookshop.org Probably the most intriguing feature is Quote Sharing. As I was talking with Hunter, he pointed out that when people share quotes from books on social media, it's often via a typed-out quote alongside a picture snapped of the physical page or the cover of the book. If you want to read that book, you're going to have to put in a little work to find it and buy it. With Quote Sharing in the Bookshop.org app or browser reader, up to 300 characters of text can be highlighted and shared on Facebook, X, Threads, Bluesky or anywhere else you can share regular weblinks. The generated link creates a formatted post with the quote, along with the book cover image. Anyone who clicks the link will be taken to a webpage with the quote in context, above a button to buy the book. Hunter says the goal is to "make conversations around books feel like a native part of the social web." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement As someone who is invested in ereaders, I asked whether Bookshop.org ebooks would be readable on Kindles or Kobos. Hunter told me his company is already working on compatibility with Kobo devices and has also been in talks with Amazon to potentially allow Kindles to display titles purchased from Bookshop.org. Integration with Kobo could come as early as this year; Amazon cooperation will likely take longer. Another forthcoming feature allows indie booksellers to sell ebooks directly from the bookstore's own website using Bookshop.org's tech. That partnership won't be available at launch but should go live in spring of 2025. Hunter told me a story from the initial investor phase from the print-only iteration of Bookshop.org. When potential investors learned he couldn't beat Amazon on price or speed, he was laughed out of the room. They assumed no one would be willing to pay more or wait longer for a book, no matter how worthy they thought independent bookstores might be. Five-plus years later, not only were those investors proven wrong the company's continued existence suggests at least some people can spare a few extra bucks and some patience to support bookstores now with ebooks, Bookshop.org can indeed match Amazon on both price and speed, since even the largest e-retailer can't discount ebooks and delivery is instantaneous no matter where you buy from. HBO has released the first trailer for the "The White Lotus" Season 3, giving viewers a glimpse of the latest series, with plenty of drama that unfolds at a luxurious Thai resort. Set to premiere February 16, the new season looks to offer another intriguing blend of luxury and mystery. "Our hotel is the best in the world," an employee declares in the trailer, ominously promising that "at the end of the week, you will be an entirely different person." The footage sets up a darker undertone with another employee's warning. "Everyone who comes to Thailand, they're either hiding from someone or looking for someone." This line plays over a scene of Walton Goggins' character studying a photograph. The footage introduces viewers to the new ensemble cast as well. In this clip alone, we catch glimpses of Parker Posey, Carrie Coon, Michelle Monaghan, and Leslie Bibb in their roles as guests, while Natasha Rothwell makes her return as Belinda, the spa manager from Season 1's Hawaiian resort. K-pop sensation Lisa from girl group Blackpink will also be making her acting debut in the series. "Everyone runs from pain towards pleasure. But they get there only to find more pain," a voiceover ominously suggests. Creator Mike White has promised fans that this season will be a "supersized 'White Lotus'," describing it as "longer, bigger, crazier" than previous installments. Following its HBO premiere, episodes will be available to stream on Max. "Seeking peace can be a trip," HBO teases in the show's promo materials, so it appears viewers will be in for another sinister "vacation" from their homes, if this trailer is any indication. Anthony Mackie is stirring up discussions with his bold interpretation of Captain America, as he gears up for the release of Captain America: Brave New World. During a promotional event in Rome, Mackie shared his perspective on the iconic superhero. Despite the character's name being Captain America, he argued that the character represents values that extend beyond the nation itself. "Cap stands for a lot of different things, but not 'America,' specifically," Mackie said. He emphasized that the character symbolizes qualities like integrity, honor, and keeping one's word, rather than simply reflecting patriotism tied to the red, white, and blue. "Captain America" in 2025: "To me, Captain America represents a lot of things.. and America isn't one of them." pic.twitter.com/xGwiAsO5Ck Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) January 28, 2025 This take ignited mixed reactions across social media. While some support Mackie's broader view of the character's symbolism, others, particularly conservative commentators, are unhappy with his comments. Critics online have labeled his interpretation as "woke Hollywood" rhetoric, with some going so far as to announce they will boycott the upcoming film. Mackie, 46, assumed the mantle of Captain America after Chris Evans, who played the role in earlier Marvel films. His version of the character will take center stage in Captain America: Brave New World, set to debut in theaters on February 14. Evans recently addressed rumors about returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Captain America. While he acknowledged hearing speculation about reuniting the original Avengers cast, he clarified that no formal discussions have taken place. "I would never say never," Evans explained in an interview with GQ, published in September 2023, when asked about reprising his role. "But I'm also very precious with it. It's something that I am very proud of. And like I said, sometimes I can't believe it even happened. And I wouldn't want the black eye if it felt like a cash grab or if it didn't live up to expectations or if it just felt like it wasn't connected to that original thing. So, no time soon," he added. "And ultimately I really hope to just maybe act a little bit less in my life. I have a lot of other interests. Look, by no means have I climbed any sort of a mountain in this field. I have no Oscars, and I'm not lumped with other names that are at the top of the mountain in any way. But I also feel very satisfied." The ending of Avengers: Endgame (2019) left Captain America, real name Steve Rogers, as an old man, with unknown whereabouts. Farmers are being reminded of the risks from deadly gases in slurry, as they are still responsible for fatalities in farming every year. With a little-known deadly gas emitted by slurry, the Wales Farmer Safety Partnership (WFSP) is raising awareness of the risks that exist, even in open spaces. Hydrogen sulphide can be just as deadly outside as it is in confined spaces and its toxic fumes can overcome farmers within seconds. WFSP ambassador, Alun Elidyr insists that "there is no such thing as a safe slurry tank." He says it is more important than ever that farmers are aware of the risks of the gases in stored slurry, a the new Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations are in force. This legislation dictates closed periods prohibiting the spreading of slurry and organic manures ranging from 1 August 31 January, depending on land and crop type. Slurry contains multiple gases including methane, ammonia and carbon dioxide but the most dangerous of all is hydrogen sulphide. Mr Elidyr warns that just two or three breaths of this is sufficient to disorient or overcome a person. This gas is heavier than air so it sits a metre or two above the surface of slurry. Anyone putting their head in that space, especially when a tank is agitated, can breathe it in without realising it. It has no smell so you wont be able to tell if you have been exposed to it," he explains. Agitation, when the tank is mixed to combine the solids and liquid element, is particularly dangerous because this process releases the gases. Livestock can also die from inhaling these fumes. Mr Elidyr says it is vital for farmers to adopt the stop and think safe mindset before starting a job involving slurry, as is the case with any other farm task. Plan your work, that plan is your risk assessment. It doesnt have to be written down but the effect of having considered it is the most important process in your day, whether it is working with slurry, handling livestock, dipping sheep, working at height." Financial and labour challenges and changes to farm practices mean that farmers often work alone and this presents its own risks in these situations. A buddy system, which is commonplace among foresters and involves lone workers checking in at agreed times with someone, could be beneficial for farmers. Mr Elidyr says: The ideal situation is that no farmer should be working alone, especially in high-risk situations, but when they are I know of instances when the buddy system has saved lives." He stresses the importance of following a safe system of working and assuming that hazardous gases are present around slurry, and to mitigate the danger. A slurry gas monitor, which can cost less than 200, is advised, although Mr Elidyr cautions that they shouldnt be completely relied upon. It is a grey area because anything over 200 parts per million (ppm) can be a danger," he explains. "There might be a breeze blowing through a shed with underground storage and you dont feel the effects but suddenly a bubble of gas rises and the level shoots up to 500ppm which can have a life-threatening effect. Six men have been charged with the theft of fourteen cattle from a Welsh farm following a lengthy police investigation. The cows were stolen from a shed on the outskirts of Llanerchymedd, Anglesey, on the evening of 10 December 2022. Several warrants were executed in connection with the incident, including two farms in the Stoke on Trent area in April 2023. During the police searches, stolen cattle, a tractor, and quad bike were located. The investigation was supported by the North Wales Police drone unit, officers from Cheshire Police and the National Construction and Agriculture Theft Team. North Wales Police said: "Four men from North Wales, one from Stoke on Trent and another from Staffordshire have been charged with conspiring to commit a burglary with intent to steal in connection with the incident. "The six men will appear before Caernarfon Magistrates Court on 3 April." Farmers across the UK have reported an increase in both small and large scale livestock thefts, police forces recently warned. The crime causes suffering to animals which are often treated badly by thieves and sometimes even slaughtered out in the fields. Livestock rustling is also a cause of food crime and can present a risk to public health as the quality and safety of stolen meat products cannot be guaranteed. In 2023, the crime cost farmers an estimated 2.7 million, and a number of incidents saw animals butchered on fields. The government's inheritance tax changes will affect more than 75% of English and Scottish farms of 50 hectares in size or more, new AHDB analysis warns. It shows that 42,204 out of 54,938 farms around 76.8% will be impacted by the controversial changes, which were first unveiled in the budget. That is 33,286 farms out of 41,602 (80%) for England and 8,918 farms out of 13,336 for Scotland (67%). The new IHT rules will see the full 100% relief from inheritance tax restricted to the first 1m of combined agricultural and business property, from April 2026. AHDB's analysis looked at average balance sheet data mainly sourced from Defra, the Farm Business Survey and the Scottish government. More than half affected are involved in cereals or general cropping production as their main enterprise, with the rest predominantly livestock producers or mixed farming operations. When calculating total assets of farm holdings below 50ha, AHDB assumed that average farm values will be less than 1.325m and will therefore not fall into a category that is at risk of being affected. AHDB analyst Tom Spencer said: Our calculations show that cereals and general cropping farms are the most likely to be affected due to their scale and asset size. "For livestock farms, it is those businesses with single person ownership that are most at risk. AHDB has already reported that due to the low rate of return on net current assets in farming, the most cost-effective way a cereals producer could pay their expected tax burden would be to sell parcels of land. It comes as the NFU consulted with former Treasury and Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) economists to inform its analysis of the impact of the IHT changes on farms. This concluded that up to 75% of working farms could be affected, with some facing tax bills running into hundreds of thousands of pounds. And last week, the OBR produced a new report saying that government changes to IHT for farmers would likely leave elderly farmers exposed, with no time to manage their way through the new policy. AHDB's economics director, David Eudall said it was now critical for any affected farm to seek out expert tax and business planning advice. "Succession planning was already important in agricultural farming businesses, now it is essential," he explained. "There are 300 working days until 1 April 2026, when the tax changes come into effect. This means 140 farms across England and Scotland per working day, from today (28 January) will need to ensure their business is set up to manage their tax implications." Next month, MPs are set for a major debate over the impact of the tax, after a petition on parliament.uk's website reached over 100,000 signatures. The House of Commons petitions committee agreed that a debate on the subject will take place on 10 February at 4:30pm. Campaigners at Save British Farming and other industry groups are planning a new rally outside Whitehall on the same date. Cate Blanchett has teamed up with the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) on a funding scheme for refugee filmmakers. Cate Blanchett is launching the Displacement Film Fund The Hollywood actress - who is known for films including 'Elizabeth', 'The Aviator' and 'Thor: Ragnarok' - is a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and they have joined forces with the IFFR's Hubert Bals Fund to offer production grants of 100,000 to five displaced filmmakers or those "with a proven track record in creating authentic storytelling on the experiences of displaced people." Blanchett said: Film can drop you into the texture and realities of someones life like no other art form. Working with UNHCR I have engaged in both the large-scale impact and the vast statistics of forced displacement as an issue faced by millions of people but I have also been fortunate to meet affected people directly and engage with their stories and experiences. It is this aim of creating personal, intimate touchpoints that the Displacement Film Fund is driven by. When people are forced to leave their homes, they lose access to the most basic support, but as artists they also lose access to the means to make work at a time when it is more vital than ever. Im grateful to the Hubert Bals Fund and the coalition of supremely talented individuals weve gathered around this collective effort to step into that gap. The Displacement Film Fund will be launched at IFFRs 54th edition, with Blanchett set to appear on a panel on February 1 at 3.30pm CET with fellow UNHCR supporters and Head of HBF, Tamara Tatishvili, moderated by Uzma Hasan to "discuss the schemes origins, aims and the urgency of its focus." Blanchett is the chair of the Selection Committee, which includes 'Wicked' star Cynthia Erivo, journalist and documentarian Waad Al Kateab, director and screenwriter Agnieszka Holland, IFFR Festival Director Vanja Kaludjercic, educator, activist and refugee Aisha Khurram, 'Flee' filmmaker Jonas Poher Rasmussen, and Amin Nawabi, the LGBTQ+ asylum seeker who inspired the film. Those chosen for the fund will be announced during the Cannes Film Festival in May and their finished films will receive world premieres at IFFR 2026. Clare Stewart, Managing Director IFFR, and Tamara Tatishvili, Head of The Hubert Bals Fund, said: We are deeply proud that the framework HBF has created over the last three decades to support filmmakers across the globe making groundbreaking work in often hugely challenging environments, is trusted as the ideal management partner to enable this vital Fund. The dedication of the founding members of the Displacement Film Fund is inspiring, and we wholeheartedly support the vision to harness the power of film to articulate an experience faced by such a large portion of the worlds population. We stand with them in the efforts to give displaced filmmakers vital support and to raise awareness for stories of displacement. Sigourney Weaver was escorted off the stage in London's West End after her production of 'The Tempest' was hijacked by Just Stop Oil protestors. Sigourney Weaver's West End performance hijacked by Just Stop Oil protesters The Alien star, 75, who is portraying magician Prospero in the run, and her scene partner had to abandon their performance of the Shakespeare classic at Londons iconic Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Monday (27.01.25), after the environmental activists, a male and female, launched a confetti canon and held an orange banner reading, Over 1.5 degrees is a global shipwreck. This was in reference to there being a sinking ship in the play. Protestor Hayley Walsh, 42, who is a university lecturer, said in a statement: I cant sleepwalk them into a future of food shortages, life-threatening storms, and wars for resources. Years of writing to MPs, going on marches, and teaching my students to be more sustainable havent seen the urgent change needed. Her colleague, Richard Weir, 60, added: Were already seeing the damage this crisis is doing to crops, homes and entire neighbourhoods. Unless we come together and demand a move away from fossil fuels by 2030, we will go the same way as manufacturing in the UK. Metropolitan Police later confirmed they had arrested a man and a woman of their ages on suspicion of aggravated trespass. Weaver made her West End debut in the show, which has been running since December and is due to wrap on Saturday (01.02.25). The role of Prospero is typically played by men but has previously been taken on by female stage stars including Dame Vanessa Redgrave while Dame Helen Mirren played the role in a 2020 film adaptation. Others to have played the part on stage over the years include Sir John Gielgud, Sir Derek Jacobi, James Earl Jones and Frank Langella. The production is part of a season of Shakespeare by The Jamie Lloyd Company, also including a production of 'Much Ado About Nothing' starring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell. The Hollywood actors will play sparring lovers Benedick and Beatrice in the play, which runs between February 10 and April 5. Cynthia Erivo is often approached by fans in public toilets. Cynthia Erivo is often approached by fans in public toilets The 38-year-old actress stars as Elphaba in the big screen adaptation of the musical 'Wicked' alongside Ariana Grande and has encountered those who have seen the film trying to recreate her character's famous "battle cry" from the end of the song 'Defying Gravity' without even introducing themselves first. Speaking on 'Jimmy Kimmel, Live!', she explained: "Sometimes it's really delightful, sometimes it's really, really wonderful and I think what's lovely is that people are willing to try anyway. If the emotion has moved you to do that without even introducing yourself, then we've done something right and I'm just going to go with it. "I have been in a public washroom, bathroom, toilet...we call it the loo, that's a very English thing...Now we're just talking about different words for the bathroom, I don't know how we got there. But that's what happened. "I have been to the loo, bathroom, toilet, washroom, whatever you want to call it, people do start randomly. I have been asked for a photo in the bathroom, but I will say it's not a bad place to take a picture because the lighting is usually quite nice." The former Broadway star has been nominated for her role in the musical - which is the unofficial prequel to 'The Wizard of Oz' - but recently revealed she was surprised at how easily she "connected" to the character. She told the Guardian newspaper: "I think I was surprised by how connected I felt to Elphaba. Surface, were different: I walk into the room, Im bald-headed, Ive got no eyebrows, Ive got nails, Ive got piercings, Ive got tattoos, for me thats my everyday normal but a passerby might think: What is happening here? "But as you peel away those layers, yes, I understand what it feels like to be set apart from everybody else, and not fit in; yes, I understand what it feels like to be a kid whose father doesnt care; yes, I understand what its like to feel alone when youre in a room full of people who dont know where youre coming from or why youre so tired, or why you do things your way. "Me and Elphaba had that same journey, trying to fit, and it doesnt work. Your only choice is to be who you are." King Charles "will never forget" his visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. King Charles was the first British monarch to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau The 76-year-old monarch made a "deeply personal" visit to the former Nazi concentration camp where more than one million people were killed during World War Two to mark 80 years since its liberation and after wiping away tears while listening to the stories of survivors during a memorial service, he laid a wreath at the 'Wall of Death' near Block 11 of the camp. He bit his lip and stood silently for over a minute, turning back twice to take in the moment. And he wrote in the visitors' book: Remembering what took place here, and those who were so cruelly murdered is a duty; a sacred duty that must be protected. Being here today, hearing the stories of those who experienced its horrors, seeing the shoes of children whose lives were taken when theyd just begun, and walking the paths upon which such cruelty was inflicted, is something that I will never forget. The king was joined at the service by royal representatives and heads of state from more than 50 countries, including French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, German chancellor Olaf Scholtz and royals from Spain, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands. During the service - which had a single train carriage used to transport people to the camp at the centre - Charles could be seen with his hands to his eyes as he heard the stories of the elderly survivors. One told how she was just five years old and "hot, hungry, thirsty and very terrified" when she was loaded into a similar carriage. She added: "I held on tightly to my mothers hand in the dark cattle car for countless hours while the cries and the prayers of so many desperate women permeated my soul and haunt me to this day. Charles is the first British monarch to visit the site of the camp, and though he didn't speak during the service, he did light a candle in memory of those killed at Auschwitz-Birkenau and closed his eyes in prayer. After the service, he walked under the 'Arbeit Macht Frei' gate and saw stacks of shoes and suitcases which had been taken from prisoners when theyarrived at the camp. He said it was "just astonishing" as he looked at the smallest baby shoes there. Prince Harry has appeared in a special video filmed from his and wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's Montecito mansion to encourage people to vote in the 2025 WellChild Awards. Prince Harry has called on people to cast their votes for the 2025 WellChild Awards The 40-year-old royal is a longtime patron of the UK charity for seriously ill children and encouraged the public to cast their votes to choose the young people to be recognised for their bravery in dealing with complex medical conditions or a disability. Standing outside the door of their $14 million-home in California, Harry said: Each year, the WellChild Awards, in association with GSK, recognise and celebrate the growing number of young people with complex medical conditions from across the United Kingdom as well as those who go the extra mile to care for them. They allow us to shine a spotlight on the remarkable stories of strength, resilience and courage that they demonstrate every single day. He added: This year is especially significant as we celebrate the 20th WellChild Awards. It is a true privilege to honour the bravery and compassion of this incredible community. Harry concluded: Your support can make all the difference. So, please join us in recognising the amazing individuals who will be recognised at the 2025 WellChild Awards. Nominations can be submitted via www.wellchild.org.uk/awards until March 9. Harry who became a patron of the non-profit in 2007 was speaking for the first time since the devastating wildfires, which have ravaged several areas of Los Angeles and killed at least 29 people since the first blaze on January 7, in the upmarket area of Pacific Palisades. Harry and Meghan, 43 who are parents to Prince Archie, five, and three-year-old Princess Lillibet are believed to have offered their home as a refuge to pals and loved ones forced to evacuate their homes due to the fires, which have forced more than 100,000 residents of Los Angeles to seek safety. The couple also issued a statement telling residents how they could keep pets and vulnerable residents safe amid the disaster. They said: "If a friend, loved one, or pet has to evacuate and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do. "And be sure to check in with any disabled or elderly neighbours to see if they need help evacuating. Some families and people have been left with nothing. Please consider donating clothing, childrens toys and clothing, and other essentials. "The American Red Cross is on the ground helping those in need." Harry and Meghan also 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. The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and Fair Labor Association (FLA) are leading a coalition of global apparel companies to promote responsible recruitment and employment in Taiwans textile sector. This initiative is part of the Commitment to Responsible Recruitment and is focused on increasing ethical sourcing in global apparel, footwear, and travel goods supply chains by eliminating recruitment fees and other practices that put migrant workers at risk for forced labor and other labor abuses. Objectives of the initiative The AAFA and FLA, with over 50 companies, are leading an initiative in Taiwan's textile sector to improve conditions for migrant workers by eliminating recruitment fees, ensuring worker rights, and enhancing supply chain transparency. Supported by the TTF, the effort aims to strengthen human rights due diligence, implement ethical policies, and advocate for systemic changes. The objective is to improve conditions for migrant workers in Taiwans textile sector by eliminating fees for recruitment and addressing other workplace issues. This initiative is part of the broader collective work that is supported by the Commitment to Responsible Recruitment. One important part of this ongoing effort is working together to eliminate conditions that can lead to forced labor in the countries from which we source products. We commit to work with our global supply chain partners to create conditions so that: No worker pays for their job; All workers receive a timely refund of fees and costs paid to obtain or maintain their job; All workers retain control of their travel documents and have full freedom of movement; and All workers are informed, in a language they understand, of the basic terms of their employment before leaving their country of origin. Who is involved in the initiative The initiative brings together more than 50 companies sourcing from Taiwan and their Taiwan-based suppliers, with the support of AAFA, FLA, and the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF). Expected outcomes Improved working conditions for migrant workers in Taiwans textile sector through immediate remediation of issues found in audits; adoption of the employer pays principle by employers; repayment of recruitment fees to workers; and adoption of other workplace policy changes. Strengthened human rights due diligence (HRDD) of brands and suppliers through improved supply chain tracing and transparency to textile mills (generally Tier 2); improved brand and supplier policies and practices related to responsible recruitment of migrant workers; and robust stakeholder engagement. Government advocacy that will lead to systemic changes in Taiwan as well as in those countries that provide migrant labor so that the improvements are scaled and sustained across the sector rather than in a few factories. Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM) The Philippines apparel imports from Vietnam have noticed a steep fall of 66.44 per cent during January-October 2024. However, its imports of home textiles from the partner country improved during the same period. The inbound shipment of fabric saw a mild easing in the first three quarters of the previous year. It is important to note that Vietnams trade with the Philippines has reached an impressive milestone, with turnover exceeding $8.6 billion in 2024. The bilateral trade was up by 11 per cent year-on-year, according to the countrys Ministry of Industry and Trades Agency of Foreign Trade. According to Fibre2Fashion's market insight tool TexPro, the Philippines imported apparel worth $24.535 million in the first ten months of 2024. This was 66.44 per cent lower than the imports of $73.108 million during the corresponding period of 2023. The imports totalled $96.991 million in 2023. Vietnam was the second-largest supplier of apparel imports to the Philippines, with a share of 12.49 per cent of the Philippines' total imports of $196.435 million during January-October 2024. The Philippines' apparel imports from Vietnam fell 66.44 per cent to $24.535 million in Jan-Oct 2024, while home textile imports rose 16.96 per cent to $22.496 million. Vietnam ranked second for home textiles and fourth for fabric imports, which eased 3.29 per cent to $13.512 million. Vietnam-Philippines trade surpassed $8.6 billion in 2024, growing 11 per cent year-on-year. The countrys imports of home textiles from Vietnam were valued at $22.496 million in the first ten months of 2024. This was 16.96 per cent higher than the imports of $19.233 million during the same period of 2023. The Philippines' imports of home textiles from Vietnam totalled $23.100 million in 2023. Vietnam was ranked as the second-largest supplier of home textile imports to the country. Vietnams share was 11.81 per cent of the total imports of home textiles, amounting to $190.626 million in January-October 2024. Fabric imports by the Philippines totalled $335.581 million in the first three quarters of 2024. Of this, imports from Vietnam were noted at $13.512 million, which accounted for 3.80 per cent of the total fabric imports during the period. Vietnam was the fourth-largest supplier for the trade, according to TexPro. The Philippines fabric imports from Vietnam eased by 3.29 per cent in January-September 2024 compared to imports of $13.973 million during the same period in 2023. The countrys imports from Vietnam were noted at $18.870 million in 2023. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) Sentiment among companies in Germany has slightly improved in January this year, according to Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich (ifo Institute). The ifo business climate index rose to 85.1 points this monthup from 84.7 points in December, primarily due to a more positive assessment of the current situation. However, expectations deteriorated again. Companies continue to be pessimistic, a release from the institute said. Sentiment among firms in Germany has slightly improved in January, according to the ifo Institute. The ifo business climate index rose to 85.1 points this monthup from 84.7 points in December. However, expectations deteriorated again and companies continue to be pessimistic. In manufacturing, the business climate saw a further decline, with firms being more skeptical about the coming months. In manufacturing, the business climate saw a further decline. Companies were even more skeptical about the coming months. By contrast, the current business situation was assessed as better. Incoming orders continue to decline. Capacity utilisation remained almost unchanged at 76.5 per cent. This is still well below the long-term average of 83.4 per cent. In trade, the business climate remained unchanged. Traders assessed their current situation as more positive. This was particularly the case in wholesale. However, expectations were slightly more pessimistic. This development was driven by retailers. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) The Mumbai police have found the owner of the sim card that the accused of the Saif Ali Khan attack case, Shariful Islam, was using. The owner has been traced to be a woman from West Bengal. Upon questioning, she mentioned that her phone was missing for days. See Also: Saba Pataudi responds to trolls questioning Saif Ali Khan's recovery For those unaware, the police arrested a man named Vijay Das, who was later identified as Shariful Islam. He is a Bangladeshi national who crossed the border to India in search of better opportunities and have been living under different identities. The police also retrieved official documents of the accused to confirm his nationality. Saif Ali Khan was attacked on January 16 while safeguarding his family from a robbery. He sustained six injuries, including a serious stab wound. He was discharged from the hospital after undergoing one surgery. Talented veteran actress Jang Mi Ja has passed away at the age of 84. She worked in the South Korean film industry 66 years and greatly contributed with her characters and incredible acting skills. As per reports from South Korean media channels, Mi Ja was suffering from a chronic ailment, which led to her death. Her husband Park Woong and their two sons have arranged a memorial in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where they are attending visitors. Her body lies at the Seoul National University Hospital. The funeral procession will take place on January 29 at 6 am KST at the Seoul City Cemetery. The actress was known for many dramas, including Toji, The Second Republic, The Sons of Sol Pharmacy House, Believe in Love, The Light in Your Eyes, and King the Land. Nonprofit working with corporate, community partners to reach those affected Feed the Children, a leading nonprofit committed to ending childhood hunger, is partnering with corporations and community partners to provide shelf-stable food, snacks, bottled water and disaster relief supplies to those affected by the devastating California wildfires. Since the fires began on Jan. 7, more than 50,600 acres (79 square miles) have burned. More than 16,000 structures have been destroyed and more than 100,000 residents have been displaced. To date, Feed the Children has sent more than 30 shipments of supplies totaling approximately 1.1 million pounds and valued at more than $1.8 million to help affected residents. The nonprofit expects to provide additional aid in the coming weeks and months to support California children and their families. The nonprofit is working hand-in-hand with local agencies such as Conasupo, Dream Center, Drug & Crime Free Youth Foundation, Heart of Compassion, Helping Hands Society of Los Angeles, Hope For All International, Jezreel International, Midwest Food Bank-Arizona Division Monte Sion Center, Newman Kahlon Foundation, Reach Out America, Serve The People, Watchitgrow Inc., World Harvest Charities and additional partners to help with outreach efforts. Long-time partner Teleperformance, a global leader in digital business services, recently partnered with Feed the Children and the Dream Center to provide 20,000 meals. Another long-time partner assisting the nonprofit in disaster relief efforts is Niagara Bottling who donated more than 170,000 bottles of water. Other corporate partners supporting Feed the Children's efforts include StarKist, The Coca-Cola Company, Crayola, Dole Packaged Foods, DripDrop Hydration, FedEx, GuruNanda, Hain Celestial, Hint Water, Kraft Heinz Company, L'Oreal, Mattel, Nature's Path Organic Foods, PepsiCo, PLEZi, Power Crunch, Rothy's Inc., Ruiz Foods and Wild Planet Foods. "Our hearts go out to the thousands of families affected by the California wildfires," said Emily Callahan, President and Chief Executive Officer at Feed the Children. "We are grateful for the support of our valued corporate and community partners who are helping us get these much-needed resources into the hands of families as they begin the journey to recovery." While many partners are stepping forward to provide support, residents still need materials such as shelf-stable food, cleaning supplies and water. You can help by giving monetary donations to help fulfill needs such as these. Feed the Children is accepting monetary donations to assist communities affected by this devastating fires. Visit feedthechildren.org/disaster to join our efforts. About Feed the Children Feed the Children is a leading nonprofit committed to ending childhood hunger. The organization believes that no child should go to bed hungry, and so it provides children and families in the U.S. and around the world with the food and essentials kids need to grow and thrive.? Through its programs and partnerships, the organization feeds children today while helping their families and communities build resilient futures. In addition to food, Feed the Children distributes household and personal care items across the United States to help parents and caregivers maintain stable, food-secure households. Internationally, it expands access to nutritious meals, safe water, improved hygiene, and training in sustainable living. As responsible stewards of its resources, Feed the Children is driven to pursue innovative, holistic, and child-focused solutions to the complex challenges of hunger, food insecurity, and poverty. For children everywhere, the organization believes that having enough to eat is a fundamental right.?Learn how you can help create a world without childhood hunger at feedthechildren.org. Contact Information Carrie Snodgrass Sr. Communications & PR Manager carrie.snodgrass@feedthechildren.org (405) 213-9757 Kelly Frey Director of Communications & PR kelly.frey@feedthechildren.org (405) 945-4064 SOURCE: Feed the Children View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 27, 2025) - Minas Metals Ltd. (CSE: MINA) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed two agreements (the "Agreements") in order to acquire approximately US$2,000,000 of cryptocurrencies in exchange for common shares of the Company. Under the terms of the Agreements, the Company will acquire an aggregate of 5,277.60 Solana (SOL), 335,568.10 Cardano (ADA) and 339,248.61 ai16z (AI16Z) tokens from two arm's length vendors in exchange for the issuance of an aggregate of 13,500,000 common shares. The Agreements are both dated January 23, 2025. The transactions contemplated by the Agreements are deemed to be a Change of Business (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE")) and the trading of the Company's common shares will remain halted until the CSE approves the proposed Change of Business. The issuance of common shares of the Company pursuant to the Agreements also remains subject to CSE approval. The Company has entered into these Agreements as part of the Company's plans to rebrand itself as an investment issuer focused on the Solana ecosystem and the development of its infrastructure. This strategic move is set to bolster the Company's operations and enhance its portfolio in the dynamic cryptocurrency market. This initial cryptocurrency acquisition has been made into Solana (SOL) and other related cryptocurrencies. This investment aligns with the company's vision of leveraging the Solana ecosystem to provide comprehensive investment solutions to its clients. The Company aims to create a strong identity in the institutional digital asset landscape, in particular, the Solana ecosystem. In conjunction with this change of business, the Company intends to change its name to "Universal Digital Inc." and start trading under the symbol "LFG". The Company intends to hold the acquired tokens for its treasury, capitalizing on Solana's anticipated growth while also generating yield through a process known as staking. Staking is a mechanism that supports the operations of the Solana blockchain network by delegating Solana tokens to validators. These validators utilize stake-weighted consensus votes to validate transactions, thereby maintaining the integrity and security of the network. By staking its Solana tokens, the Company will actively participate in the Solana network's Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism, contributing to the decentralization and security of the blockchain while earning rewards for its involvement. "We are excited about the acquisition and the opportunity to deepen our investment in Solana and other related cryptocurrencies," said Jon Bey, CEO. "With our new strategy, we benefit not only from direct exposure to any growth in the value of Solana but also a steady yield that enhances the long-term value of our holdings while securing the network. Management believes that Solana's high-performance capabilities and scalability make it as a cornerstone of the digital economy, and we are committed to being at the forefront of this technological advancement." Jon Bey continued, "The Company sees a bright future for the broader cryptocurrency landscape, with management of the Company anticipating Solana emerging as a key player due to its innovative approach to decentralized applications and its rapidly growing ecosystem." The Company aims to continue its investment in Solana and related technologies that support the blockchain and crypto ecosystem. By expanding its commitment to these advancements, the Company intends to capitalize on the long-term potential of blockchain innovations and the expanding role of decentralized finance. About the Company The Company is currently a junior mining exploration issuer listed on the CSE. The Company intends to pursue a change of business following which, and subject to the approval of the CSE, the Company will be an investment issuer with a focus in investments in high-growth sectors and digital assets. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Information This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: the completion of the transactions contemplated by the Agreements, the Company's plans to complete the change of business, regulatory approval of the Agreements and the change of business, the expected impacts of the Agreements and the change of business on the Company's business and operations, the Company's plans following the proposed change of business, the anticipated impacts on the Company's business and operations of Solana, its capabilities and its network and the anticipated growth in the digital asset and cryptocurrency sectors. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: the Company may be unable to complete the transactions contemplated by the Agreements; the Company may decide not to proceed with the change of business; the Company may not receive regulatory approval for the Agreements or the change of business; the Company may not receive the anticipated results on its business or operations following completion of the change of business; the Company's plans following the change of business may vary; the anticipated advantages of Solana, its capabilities and its network may not materialize, or impact the Company's business or operations, as anticipated, or at all; the anticipated growth in the digital asset and cryptocurrency sectors may not occur as anticipated, or at all; the volatility of the digital asset and cryptocurrency markets; the impact of governmental or regulatory orders or decisions on the digital asset and cryptocurrency sectors; and market volatility for the Company's securities. In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that: the Company will be able to complete the transactions contemplated by the Agreements; the Company will proceed with the change of business; the Company will receive regulatory approval for the Agreements or the change of business; the change of business will benefit the Company's business and operations; the anticipated advantages of Solana, its capabilities and its network will positively impact the Company's business and operations; and the digital asset and cryptocurrency sectors will continue to see growth. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238289 SOURCE: Minas Metals Ltd. 'Unconventional' campaign sees Hollywood icon star alongside distillery team EDINBURGH, Scotland, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Glenmorangie Highland single malt Scotch whisky has today revealed a new global campaign starring cinematic icon, Harrison Ford. Legendary for his countless iconic movie roles, the Hollywood actor brings his trademark wry humour to the fore in a series of episodic films directed by actor and film-maker Joel Edgerton. Once Upon a Time in Scotland takes us behind-the-scenes as Harrison Ford journeys to Glenmorangie's Highland home, to discover the skill and craftmanship that goes into making each bottle of its complex and elegant whisky. It sees the actor enjoy the authentic Scottish experience - from getting to grips with the nuances of Scottish pronunciation and kilt etiquette, to bonding with locals over a dram of single malt - all shot in an unconventional, deliberately 'off-script' style. Filmed in the picturesque north-east Highlands of Scotland, the campaign captures the natural beauty of the local area: from the historic distillery in Tain where Glenmorangie has been created for over 180 years, to the storied 19th century Ardross Castle, and the dramatic landscapes surrounding Loch Glass. Appearing alongside Ford are the real Glenmorangie distillery team - who embraced their first experience of acting under the guidance of a global cinematic legend - while the brand's flagship whiskies, Glenmorangie Original 12 Years Oldand Glenmorangie Infinita 18 Years Old also take on a starring role. Edgerton's 12 episodes and hero film are complemented by still images shot by acclaimed fashion photographer Lachlan Bailey. They feature Ford as he's never been seen before: donning a stylish Scottish kilt designed by streetwear brand Palace. Caspar MacRae, President & CEO of The Glenmorangie Company, said: "Harrison Ford is the real deal: a true global icon, and a genuine whisky lover. It was a dream come true to collaborate on this campaign, and welcome him to our home in the Highlands to discover more about Glenmorangie. He is someone who has honed his craft over decades, which gives him a real appreciation for the dedication and skill of our distillery team. Like us, he's not afraid to laugh at himself - and I think Joel has perfectly captured his authentic warmth, alongside his roguish sense of humour. "We hope whisky lovers around the world will enjoy exploring the episodes, and learning more about the real people and places behind our whiskies, through Harrison's eyes." Harrison Ford, star of Once Upon a Time in Scotland, said: "I loved working with the team at the Distillery - they were all great. The whole process of filming was full of unanticipated joys: little unexpected moments. It's a tribute to Glenmorangie's sensibilities that they let us be less than totally serious. I think what Joel has produced has a certain charm to it, because it's unpretentious and just amusing." Joel Edgerton, Director, Once Upon a Time in Scotland, said: "I've spent my whole life watching commercials that follow an expected format and so I really like it when things are a little disruptive, fun, and irreverent. It was nice that we got a chance within the very traditional industry of whisky to get behind the scenes, to subvert the seriousness that often goes into an advertising campaign and have fun with that. I hope that people get to see the short film and the full-length episodes - and enjoy them and share them around." Once Upon a Time in Scotland will roll out globally from 28 January 2025 spanning online video, connected TV, out-of-home formats, experiential, PR and social media. Six full-length episodes and an array of behind-the-scenes content will initially be available to view on glenmorangie.com, with the rest released throughout 2025. Instagram: @glenmorangie glenmorangie glenmorangie.com ABOUT GLENMORANGIE Glenmorangie's whisky makers use endless imagination and five key ingredients - wood, water, barley, yeast and time - to dream up delicious single malt whiskies. They've been honing their craft for more than 180 years. They create a delicate and fruity spirit in Scotland's tallest stills to allow for more taste and aroma. Led by Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden, this pioneering crew are on a mission to bring new flavours and possibilities to the world of single malt. ABOUT ONCE UPON A TIME IN SCOTLAND With Once Upon a Time in Scotland, Glenmorangie focuses on the significance of its home, its craftsmanship and the people that make its award-winning whiskies, offering a playful yet authentic view of the place that fuels Glenmorangie's endless imagination. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QVdfx-Tric Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2604858/Once_Upon_a_Time_in_Scotland.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2604857/Glenmorangie_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/im-going-to-scotland-harrison-ford-becomes-the-face-of-glenmorangie-single-malt-whisky-302360692.html BUEDELSDORF (dpa-AFX) - Freenet AG (FRTAF.PK, FRAGF.PK) has appointed Robin John Andes Harries as a member of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer of the company with effect from 1 August 2025 for a term of three years. Christoph Vilanek, the company's Chief Executive Officer, announced in July 2024 that he would not seek a further extension of his contract, which runs until the end of 2025.Robin Harries (42) has been a member of the Management Board of trivago N.V. since April 2024. He previously held senior positions with the company from 2012 to 2018. From 2018 to 2024, he served as an Executive Board Member and Managing Director at 1&1 Telecommunication SE and Drillisch Online GmbH.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. In a seismic market event, Nvidia experienced the largest single-day market value loss in U.S. history on Monday, with its stock plummeting by up to 18%. The tech giant's market capitalization contracted by more than $560 billion following the announcement of a groundbreaking AI model by Chinese startup DeepSeek. This innovative model, developed for less than $6 million using Nvidia's more affordable H800 chips, demonstrated superior performance compared to established systems while requiring significantly less computational power. The development challenges the prevailing assumption that AI advancement necessarily demands expensive, high-performance chips, sending shockwaves through the technology sector. Market Impact and Industry Response The ripple effects of Nvidia's stock decline reverberated throughout the tech industry, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index recording its steepest drop since March 2020, falling over 10%. Despite Nvidia's attempts to downplay the significance of DeepSeek's innovation by emphasizing the continued necessity of its GPUs for AI operations, investor confidence wavered significantly. The dramatic decline threatens Nvidia's position as the most valuable publicly traded company, potentially ceding the top spot to Apple. Ad Fresh Nvidia information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated Nvidia analysis... TOKYO and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan 28, 2025 - (JCN Newswire) - Eisai Co., Ltd. and Biogen Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for once every four weeks lecanemab-irmb (U.S. brand name: LEQEMBI) intravenous (IV) maintenance dosing. LEQEMBI is indicated for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia stage of disease (collectively referred to as early AD) in the U.S. After 18 months of once every two weeks initiation phase, a transition to the maintenance dosing regimen of 10 mg/kg once every four weeks may be considered or the regimen of 10 mg/kg once every two weeks may be continued.The sBLA is based on modeling of observed data from the Phase 2 study (Study 201) and its long-term extension (LTE) as well as the Clarity AD study (Study 301) and its LTE study. Modeling simulations predict that transitioning to once every four weeks maintenance dosing after 18 months of once every two weeks treatment will maintain clinical and biomarker benefits of therapy. AD is a progressive, relentless disease caused by a continuous underlying neurotoxic process that begins before and continues after plaque removal.1,2,3 Only LEQEMBI works to fight AD in two ways: continuously clearing protofibrils and rapidly clearing plaque. This is important because with continuous administration, LEQEMBI clears highly toxic protofibrils* which can continue to cause neuronal injury even after the amyloid-beta (Abeta) plaque has been cleared from the brain.Importance of Ongoing TreatmentData from the off-treatment period between the Study 201 (Phase 2) core study and LTE showed that discontinuation of treatment is associated with reaccumulation of amyloid PET and plasma and CSF biomarkers, and reversion to placebo rate of clinical decline.4For maintenance treatment, once every four weeks dosing regimen may be easier than once every two weeks dosing for patients and care partners to continue treatment for early AD.Ongoing treatment can slow disease progression and prolong the benefit of therapy,4 with the goal of helping patients maintain who they are for longer.In the Clarity AD core study (18 months), the mean change from baseline between the once every two weeks lecanemab treated group and the placebo group was -0.45 (P<0.0001) on the primary endpoint of the Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) global cognitive and functional scale. Over three years of treatment across the Clarity AD core study and LTE, LEQEMBI reduced cognitive decline on the CDR-SB by -0.95** relative to a matched natural history cohort - showing clinically meaningful benefit for early AD patients.A change from 0.5 to 1 on the CDR score domains of Memory, Community Affairs and Home/Hobbies is the difference between slight impairment and loss of independence, such as people's ability to be left alone, remember recent events, participate in daily activities, complete household chores, function independently and engage in hobbies and intellectual interests.LEQEMBI is approved in the U.S., Japan, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Israel, UAE, Great Britain, Mexico and Macau. In November 2024, the treatment received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommending approval. Eisai has submitted applications for approval of lecanemab in 17 countries and regions. Additionally, the FDA accepted Eisai's Supplemental Biologics License (BLA) for the LEQEMBI subcutaneous autoinjector for weekly maintenance dosing in January 2025 and set a PDUFA action date for August 31, 2025.Eisai serves as the lead for lecanemab's development and regulatory submissions globally with both Eisai and Biogen co-commercializing and co-promoting the product and Eisai having final decision-making authority.*Protofibrils are believed to contribute to the brain injury that occurs with AD and are considered to be the most toxic form of Abeta, having a primary role in the cognitive decline associated with this progressive, debilitating condition.5Protofibrils cause injury to neurons in the brain, which in turn, can negatively impact cognitive function via multiple mechanisms, not only increasing the development of insoluble Abeta plaques but also increasing direct damage to brain cell membranes and the connections that transmit signals between nerve cells or nerve cells and other cells. It is believed the reduction of protofibrils may prevent the progression of AD by reducing damage to neurons in the brain and cognitive dysfunction.6**The lecanemab group was compared to the expected decline based on the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) group. ADNI is a clinical research project launched in 2005 to develop methods to predict the onset of AD and to confirm the effectiveness of treatments. The ADNI observational cohort represents the exact population of those in Clarity AD study; matched ADNI participants show similar degree of decline to placebo group out to 18 months, supporting the appropriateness of the matching.INDICATIONLEQEMBI [(lecanemab-irmb) 100 mg/mL injection for intravenous use] is indicated for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Treatment with LEQEMBI should be initiated in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia stage of disease, the population in which treatment was initiated in clinical trials.For more information, visit https://www.eisai.com/news/2025/news202506.html.About Eisai Co., Ltd.Eisai's Corporate Concept is "to give first thought to patients and people in the daily living domain, and to increase the benefits that health care provides." Under this Concept (also known as human health care (hhc) Concept), we aim to effectively achieve social good in the form of relieving anxiety over health and reducing health disparities. With a global network of R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to create and deliver innovative products to target diseases with high unmet medical needs, with a particular focus in our strategic areas of Neurology and Oncology.In addition, we demonstrate our commitment to the elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which is a target (3.3) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by working on various activities together with global partners.For more information about Eisai, please visit www.eisai.com (for global headquarters: Eisai Co., Ltd.), and connect with us on X, LinkedIn and Facebook. The website and social media channels are intended for audiences outside of the UK and Europe. For audiences based in the UK and Europe, please visit www.eisai.eu and Eisai EMEA LinkedIn.About BiogenFounded in 1978, Biogen is a leading biotechnology company that pioneers innovative science to deliver new medicines to transform patients' lives and to create value for shareholders and our communities. We apply deep understanding of human biology and leverage different modalities to advance first-in-class treatments or therapies that deliver superior outcomes. Our approach is to take bold risks, balanced with return on investment to deliver long-term growth.The company routinely posts information that may be important to investors on its website at www.biogen.com.MEDIA CONTACTSEisaiEisai Co., Ltd.Public Relations DepartmentTEL: +81 (0)3-3817-5120Eisai Inc. (U.S.)Julie Edelman+1-862-213-5915Julie_Edelman@eisai.comEisai Europe, Ltd.EMEA Communications Department+44 (0) 7974-879-419Emea-comms@eisai.netBiogen Inc.Jack Cox+ 1-781-464-3260public.affairs@biogen.comINVESTOR CONTACTSEisai Co., Ltd.Investor Relations DepartmentTEL: +81 (0)3-3817-5122Biogen Inc.Tim Power+ 1-781-464-2442IR@biogen.comSource: EisaiCopyright 2025 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. VICTORIA, Seychelles, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- KuCoin, a global cryptocurrency exchange, has reached settlements with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), marking the start of a new chapter focused on compliance and strengthened global operations under its new CEO, BC Wong. As part of the settlement, KuCoin has agreed to exit the U.S. market for a minimum of two years. This underscores KuCoin's commitment to meeting regulatory standards and enhancing its compliance infrastructure to align with global expectations. Resolutions have also been reached between DOJ and each of KuCoin's founders, Chun Gan and Ke Tang, by which the DOJ has agreed to dismiss all charges against them upon their satisfaction of certain conditions. This outcome ensures a clean path forward for KuCoin and its new leadership. A Renewed Commitment to Compliance Over the past two years, KuCoin has made significant strides in compliance, implementing comprehensive Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements for all users and obtaining operating licenses in multiple jurisdictions. These actions reflect the company's proactive efforts to establish itself as a compliant and accountable leader in the cryptocurrency industry. The appointment of BC Wong as CEO reinforces this commitment. A Singaporean with a Juris Doctor degree, BC previously served as KuCoin's Chief Legal Officer and played a pivotal role in shaping its compliance framework. His leadership underscores KuCoin's focus on aligning its operations with the highest regulatory standards and strengthening its foundation for sustainable growth. CEO's Vision BC Wong stated: "This resolution signifies a new chapter for KuCoin, one that reaffirms our dedication to compliance, security, and innovation. While we are exiting the U.S. for the present, we are focusing on strengthening our global compliance practices and exploring opportunities to reenter the market with the necessary licenses. KuCoin remains committed to supporting our global community, delivering innovative solutions, and driving the responsible adoption of cryptocurrency. Together, we will build a stronger, more secure future for all." Looking Ahead With this resolution, KuCoin is poised to lead the cryptocurrency industry into a more compliant and innovative future. Under BC Wong's leadership, the company will continue refining its operations and prioritizing cing compliance, ensuring it remains a reliable and secure platform for users worldwide. About KuCoin Founded in 2017, KuCoin is one of the pioneering and most globally recognized technology platforms supporting digital economies, built on a robust foundation of cutting-edge blockchain infrastructure, liquidity solutions, and an exceptional user experience. With a connected user base exceeding 38 million worldwide, KuCoin offers comprehensive digital asset solutions across wallets, trading, wealth management, payments, research, ventures, and AI-powered bots. KuCoin has garnered accolades such as "Best Crypto Apps & Exchanges" by Forbes and has been recognized among the "Top 50 Global Unicorns" by Hurun in 2024. These recognitions reflect its commitment to user-centric principles and core values, which include integrity, accountability, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2607096/KuCoin.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2356857/KuCoin_Horizontal_Green_LOGO_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/kucoin-announces-settlement-with-the-doj-ushering-in-a-new-chapter-of-compliance-and-growth-302361406.html Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 27, 2025) - Pelangio Exploration Inc. (TSXV: PX) (OTC PINK: PGXPF) ("Pelangio" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that a geochemical pitting program planned to test targets resulting from the recently completed UAV magnetics survey has commenced on Pelangio's Obuasi property. Ingrid Hibbard, President and CEO, commented: "The UAV airborne magnetics survey recently completed on Pelangio's Obuasi property has resulted in a more accurate interpretation of the strike extension of the Obuasi Mine trend onto Pelangio's adjacent property. A program of geochemical pitting has commenced to explore 2.5 kilometers of strike of the interpreted trend over an area which has experienced no previous trenching or drill testing. We are confident the program will aid significantly in the understanding of this priority target area at Obuasi and should define specific targets for further evaluation by trenching and/or drill testing." Background The ongoing work at Obuasi is in support of TuNya Mineral Resources Ltd.'s US$250,000 technical study, which is part of their earn-in agreement on the southern Tarkwaian portion of Pelangio's Obuasi property. TuNya recommended and undertook a high-resolution UAV magnetic survey conducted over one of the most prospective areas of Pelangio's property, completed in December of 2024. The survey has better defined high magnetic strata interpreted to represent the strike extension of the mafic volcanic unit which, along its western flank, most of the mineralization at the Obuasi mine is situated. The interpreted strike extension of the Obuasi mine trend onto Pelangio's adjacent ground has experienced little historical drill testing with the majority of Pelangio's 2008-2010 drill testing being situated 200-1,200 meters west of the interpreted target structure. The planned geochemical pitting program will initially evaluate the northern 2.5 kilometers strike of the target trend and is expected to provide a better understanding of the geology and gold distribution over this area for further testing (Figure 1). This method also engages local workers for temporary roles, fostering collaboration with the community and further strengthening our position as a responsible exploration partner. Planned Program The geochemical pitting program will consist of hand-dug pits, 2 meters X 1 meter in area, and 2 or more meters deep excavated at 100 meter intervals along 200 meter spaced lines. One-meter channel samples will be obtained from pit bottoms and analyzed for gold by fire assay. Given the very steep, hilly nature of the area, hand digging pits will be quicker and less environmentally impactful than employing a mechanical excavator. One hundred pits are initially planned with approximately 25% of the program designated higher-priority to be dug first followed by a pause to allow receipt of assays. Depending upon the results the survey should continue, possibly being expanded, reduced and/or infilled as warranted. If demonstrated to be an effective exploration method, additional pitting will be planned to evaluate the fold feature to the east, where numerous high-grade rock chip samples were obtained in the past which have only been very lightly drill tested. Following the pitting program, which is expected to take approximately two months for the entire 100-sample program, areas of significant anomalism and/or prospective geology may be evaluated further with a targeted trenching program. Highly prospective targets to emerge from these programs will then be considered for drill testing. Figure 1. Location of Planned Pitting on Recent UAV Magnetics Survey, Obuasi Property To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6179/238616_8d11eae1a46e98cd_001full.jpg Qualified Person Mr. Kevin Thomson, P.Geo. (Ontario, #0191), Senior Vice-President, Exploration and Director, is a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Thomson approved the technical data disclosed in this release. About Pelangio Pelangio acquires and explores prospective land packages located in world-class gold belts in Ghana, West Africa and Canada. In Ghana, the Company is focused on its two 100% owned camp-sized properties: the 100 km2 Manfo property, the site of eight near-surface gold discoveries, and the 284 km2 Obuasi property, located 4 km on strike and adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti's prolific high-grade Obuasi Mine, as well as the Dankran property located adjacent to its Obuasi property. See www.pelangio.com for further details on all Pelangio's properties. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements herein may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements or information appear in a number of places and can be identified by the use of words 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 statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the Company's strategy of acquiring large land packages in areas of sizeable gold mineralization, and the Company's ability to complete the planned exploration programs. Regarding forward-looking statements and information contained herein, we have made many assumptions, including about the state of the equity markets. Such forward-looking statements and information are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Such risks include the changes in equity markets, share price volatility, volatility of global and local economic climate, gold price volatility, political developments in Ghana, and Canada, increases in costs, exchange rate fluctuations, speculative nature of gold exploration, including the risk that favourable exploration results may not be obtained, near-term production may not be viable" delays due to COVID-19 or other safety protocols, and other risks involved in the gold exploration industry. See the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statement and information. There can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information referenced herein will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Also, many of the factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements or information. We undertake no obligation to reissue or update any forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. All forward-looking statements and information herein are qualified by this 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 release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238616 SOURCE: Pelangio Exploration Inc. DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Xlence, a fast-rising CFD broker and a Gold Sponsor of iFX Expo Dubai, one of the global financial industry expos, was awarded the title of "Best Newcomer" broker. Demonstrating the broker's exponential growth, the award underscores Xlence's dedication to success in the financial industry. Key Highlights of Xlence at iFX Expo Dubai During the iFX Expo, Xlence greeted clients and partners from around the world. Xlence's Regional Head of Business Development, Hala Mousa Abo Jarra, participated in a panel discussing the future of forex trading. Attendees had the opportunity to witness Xlence's dedication to building a trusted and secure trading ecosystem through transparent operations, highlighting the brand's commitment to successful trading. An Innovative Approach to Trading Serving clients across Europe, MENA, and Asia, Xlence has quickly achieved recognition for its range of financial instruments and competitive trading conditions. Clients can trade forex, metals, shares, indices, commodities, and futures, supported by flexible leverage and razor-thin spreads designed to minimise costs. Xlence Delivers More Than Just Trading The company's successes are embedded in five key pillars: Flexibility Across Trading Accounts - Tailored account types for beginners and expert traders, catering to diverse trading styles and goals. Wide Range of Tradable Instruments - Enabling users to diversify their portfolios across multiple financial markets. Advanced Technology - Offering a seamless user experience on desktop, mobile, and web. Transparency and Security -Xlence complies with the highest standards of transparency and security under the Seychelles Financial Services Authority. This ensures that clients can trade confidently, knowing their safety is a top priority. Unmatched Customer Care - With a customer-centric approach, Xlence offers 24/7 expert support, ensuring that clients always have access to the information they need, no matter where they are. Read the full article here. About Xlence Xlence is a highly reputable global broker offering an advanced, user-friendly, and flexible trading environment that supports traders at all levels. Xlence delivers safety, innovation, and exceptional value to its growing client base across Europe, MENA, and Asia. For more information, visit its website at www.xlence.com and join the Xlence community today. Trade with Xlence, Excel in Trading Trading involves risk. Products are traded on a margin and carry a high level of risk, and you may lose all your capital. Media Contact Details: Name: Nicolas Georgiou Email: info@xlence.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2606624/Xlence_Dark_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/xlence-receives-best-newcomer-award-at-ifx-expo-dubai-302360702.html DC Healthcare Holdings Berhad ("DC Healthcare" or the "Group"), a medical aesthetic services provider specializing in the provision of non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures, proudly announces the grand opening of Dr Chong Clinic - "Beauty Refined, Safety Aligned" at KK Times Square, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. This milestone represents the Group's maiden venture into the Sabah and Sarawak region, expanding its footprint to East Malaysia and bringing its high-quality aesthetic services to a broader clientele. The state-of-the-art facility in KK Times Square is designed to offer a comprehensive range of aesthetic treatments, backed by advanced technology and a team of highly trained professionals. By establishing a presence in East Malaysia, DC Healthcare is committed to addressing the growing demand for accessible and premium aesthetic care in the region while catering to the evolving needs of local and regional health tourism markets. Dr. Chong Tze Sheng, Managing Director of DC Healthcare Dr. Chong Tze Sheng, Managing Director of DC Healthcare said, "We are thrilled to extend our services to Sabah, marking a significant step in our nationwide expansion strategy. Kota Kinabalu, as a vibrant hub for commerce and tourism, offers immense potential for growth in the aesthetic industry. This new clinic reflects our dedication to making aesthetic treatments more accessible and providing personalized care that empowers our clients to look and feel their best." The opening of Dr Chong Clinic in Kota Kinabalu is aligned with DC Healthcare's strategic plan to expand its network across Southern, Northern, and now East Malaysia. The Group is focused on enhancing service quality by continuously upgrading its medical equipment with the latest technology and attracting highly skilled medical professionals and support staff to deliver superior care. With these efforts, the Group aims to strengthen its position as a leading provider in the medical aesthetic sector. With this expansion, the Group now operates a total of 19 Dr Chong Clinic, offering medical aesthetic services and general medical services as well as 4 Dr. Chong Slimming, which specializes in slimming services. Additionally, the newly introduced DC Academy aims to advance the skills of professionals in the aesthetic industry through targeted training programs. With a strong foundation and a clear growth trajectory, the Group remains optimistic about its prospects in the dynamic and fast-growing medical aesthetics industry. ABOUT DC HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS BERHAD - "In safety we commit" DC Healthcare Holdings Berhad ("DC Healthcare" or the "Company") is a leading medical aesthetic and wellness healthcare provider specializing in the provision of non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures. Their business segments are divided into three services, which are medical aesthetic services, general medical services and slimming services which are carried out under the brands Dr Chong Clinic and Dr Chong Slimming respectively. The Group develops skincare products through its subsidiary, Ten Doctors Sdn Bhd, under the trading brand NewB. DC Healthcare currently has a presence across the entire Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. DC Healthcare has also expanded its educational offerings by introducing DC Academy, a dedicated training center aimed at advancing the skills of professionals in the medical aesthetic industry. For more information, visit www.dchealthcareholdings.com. Issued By: Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. on behalf of DC Healthcare Holdings Berhad For more information, please contact: Jazmin Wan Email: j.wan@swanconsultancy.biz Xinyi Ching Email: x.ching@swanconsultancy.biz SOURCE: DC Healthcare Holdings Berhad View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire R&S Group Holding AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous R&S Group with increased free float and broadened shareholder base 28-Jan-2025 / 06:30 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR R&S Group with increased free float and broadened shareholder base R&S Group has been informed that CGS sold 2,532,055 RSGN shares via block trade yesterday post market close The block trade was sold to Swiss and international investors not subject to any lock up Free float of R&S Group is thus expected to increase from 76% to 83% 28 January 2025 - R&S Group Holding AG (SIX: RSGN) acknowledges the sale of 2,532,055 shares in R&S Group Holding AG ("R&S Group") by CGS III (Jersey) L.P. ("CGS") to a group of Swiss and international investors not subject to any lock up. The trade, which took place yesterday post market close, corresponds to 6.8% of R&S Group's share capital. After the transaction, CGS will continue to have a residual shareholding in R&S Group of 6.8% subject to a new lock-up held by UBS for 90 days. On the back of this transaction, the free float of R&S Group shares is expected to increase from 76% to 83%. Contact Investor and Media Relations Doris Rudischhauser Phone: +41 79 410 81 88 Email: investors@the-rsgroup.com About R&S Group R&S Group Holding AG's ("R&S Group", the "company") operating headquarters are located in Sissach/BL, Switzerland. With eight manufacturing facilities in Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Ireland and the Middle East, the group serves its domestic and various European markets with single-phase, small and medium distribution and power transformers and other components under the brands of Rauscher & Stoecklin, ZREW, Tesar and Kyte. R&S Group's customers are active in the utility, infrastructure and industrial sectors. The company has been successfully positioned to benefit from the accelerating demand for energy production and distribution, driven by the global trend towards decarbonization. R&S Group has been listed on SIX Swiss Exchange since 13 December 2023 under the ticker symbol RSGN. On 20 August 2024, the company acquired Kyte Powertech, a leading supplier of distribution transformer solutions based in Cavan, Ireland, thus significantly expanding geographic footprint to Ireland, the UK, Benelux and France, and adding complimentary products. Further information about the R&S Group can be found at www.the-rsgroup.com . Disclaimer This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning R&S Group Holding AG and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of R&S Group Holding AG to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. R&S Group Holding AG is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SINGAPORE, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HTX DAO, a leading decentralized autonomous organization, has honored LOYAL, a Gen Z Web3 builder, with the title of HTX DAO Charity Ambassador. This recognition comes after LOYAL invested in $TRUMP, the official meme coin of Donald Trump, the U.S. President through HTX and the generous donation of all his profits to fund the construction of a school in a remote region of China. To commemorate this act of generosity, HTX DAO will mint a unique Soulbound Token (SBT) for LOYAL. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies, SBTs cannot be transferred or sold, making them a digital badge of honor. This particular SBT will feature a design symbolizing the interconnected nature of blockchain networks and the heart of charity. LOYAL, a passionate advocate for Web3, seized the opportunity presented by the launch of the $TRUMP meme coin. By investing in $TRUMP through HTX, he quickly realized significant gains. Rather than keeping the profits, he chose to use the funds to make a lasting impact on the lives of others. The funds will be used towards the construction of a school in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, which will provide educational opportunities for children in the rural communities. "Being named HTX DAO Charity Ambassador is a true honor," said LOYAL. "This recognition inspires me to continue my work in the Web3 space and to help others. I hope that more people will join me in leveraging blockchain technology for social good." HTX DAO and LOYAL will collaborate on a documentary that will be released on January 29th at 21:21:21 PM UTC+8. This video will delve into the story behind the donation and explore the potential of decentralized charity. "We believe that blockchain technology can revolutionize the way we approach philanthropy," said Molly, a spokesperson for HTX DAO. "By using blockchain, we can ensure that donations are transparent, secure, and have the maximum impact. We are proud to support LOYAL and his efforts to build a more equitable world." HTX DAO's Charity Ambassador program aims to recognize individuals who are making a positive difference through the use of Web3 technology. By highlighting these inspiring stories, HTX DAO hopes to encourage more people to get involved in decentralized philanthropy. About HTX DAO HTX DAO is a blockchain-based decentralized autonomous organization dedicated to revolutionizing decentralized governance and expanding the applications of blockchain technology. Our vision is centered around open finance and a decentralized, tokenized economy. At the core of HTX DAO, governance is democratically and transparently vested in the hands of HTX token holders. We warmly invite individuals and communities to join our journey, actively participate, and contribute, together shaping an open and innovative future for the blockchain world. Contact Website: www.htxdao.com E-mail media@htxdao.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2607569/HTX.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2391903/image_ID__Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/htx-dao-honors-young-web3-pioneer-who-donated-trump-profits-to-build-school-302361546.html Avolta AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous Avolta continues growth in Norway 28.01.2025 / 06:43 CET/CEST Leading global travel retail and F&B player Avolta AG (SIX: AVOL) further cements its long-standing partnership with Avinor with a package to operate ten food and beverage outlets across Norway's Oslo Gardermoen Airport. Set over a combined floorspace of more than 2,600 m2, Avolta's selection of local and international concepts are focused on technology-driven ordering solutions, from self-service 24-hour food walls through to QR code ordering. A partnership with Klimato offers carbon footprint calculations on dishes, empowering travelers to make eco-conscious choices. The first of the ten stores commenced operations in December 2024, and the rollout of the remaining store openings will continue in the first half of 2025. Avolta's Norway footprint also includes a presence at Stavanger Airport with Sirkus Renaa, a local hero concept by Michelin Star chef, Sven Erik Renaa as well as Crafts - Rogaland's Gastropub. "With a presence of more than 15 years at Oslo Airport, it is a privilege to contribute to the airport's F&B transformation with the award of this significant contract." commented Walter Seib, CEO Northern, Central and Eastern Europe, Avolta. Joachim Lupnaav Johnsen, Executive Vice President - Commercial Areas, Avinor said: "We are pleased to further strengthen our longstanding partnership with Avolta AG through this significant contract. With over 15 years of presence at Oslo Airport, Avolta has consistently provided a high-quality dining experience for travelers. This new agreement will enhance the food and beverage offerings across the Domestic and International Terminals, catering to the diverse tastes of both Norwegian travelers and visitors to Norway." For further information: CONTACT Rebecca McClellan Cathy Jongens Global Head Investor Relations Director Corporate Communications Phone: +44 7543 800 405 Phone: +31 6 28 19 88 28 rebecca.mcclellan@avolta.net cathy.jongens@avolta.net End of Media Release Led by Northern Gritstone, investment will allow company to accelerate platform and SDK development and scale to meet growing customer and developer demand The BOW platform and SDK allow any software developer to program robots using the operating system and programming language of their choice BOW, the universal robotics software company, has today announced closing a 4 million seed round. The round was led by Northern Gritstone, the investment business focused on science and technology businesses in the North of England, with co-investors Finance Yorkshire and Praetura Ventures as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II. This news follows the appointment in November 2024 of Liz Upton, Co-Founder of Raspberry Pi (LSE:RPI), as Chair of BOW's board. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250127400104/en/ BOW, the universal robotics software company, has today announced closing a 4 million seed round. (Photo: Business Wire) The robotics market is projected to reach $260 billion by 2030. However, while exciting demos of robots proliferate our social feeds, the full potential of robotics is out of reach for most companies and independent developers because of the high cost and complexity of programming robots a task that currently requires the expertise of specialised roboticists. Applications developed successfully for one model of robot lack portability to different makes of robot, further slowing robotics innovation and adoption. The BOW platform which stands for "Bettering our Worlds" and the BOW robot-agnostic software development kit (SDK) solve this industry bottleneck, making it possible for the first time to program different robots using the operating system and programming language of choice. With BOW, any software developer can rapidly create and deploy robotics applications, easily port applications between different makes of robots and manage and orchestrate robot fleets. By removing the need for highly-specialised robotics programmers, BOW's universal robotics platform allows generalist software developers to create, manage and deploy complex robotics applications and opens up valuable new use cases in sectors that have previously been underserved by robotics. Robots running the BOW SDK benefit from ultra-fast communications and the platform's AI capabilities. Originally spun-out from the University of Sheffield in 2020, BOW is now working with Original Equipment Manufacturers, System Integrators and Software Development Houses who are using the platform and SDK to accelerate their robotics innovation and application development. Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone said, "Northern Gritstone is delighted to support BOW's team, who once again demonstrate that world-leading technology businesses are being created in the North of England. BOW's groundbreaking robotics platform is a perfect example of innovation in the region born out of the University of Sheffield's world-class academic research." Nick Thompson, CEO of BOW added, "The robotics market is growing fast, but that growth would be exponentially higher if the tremendous cost and complexity of programming robots were reduced. Robotics has an almost unlimited potential to help humanity solve global challenges, but the world simply can't afford to wait for robotics to standardise around a single operating system and coding language. BOW's universal software platform and SDK elegantly solve this intractable problem by enabling any software developer to program various types of robots using the coding language of their choice, make portable applications and enable easy interoperability between any make and model of robot. This 4 million seed investment, led by Northern Gritstone, will be used to build on our strong commercial traction to date, expand our brilliant team and accelerate our product development so we can unleash the full potential of robotics for the betterment of our world." Daniel Camilleri, CTO and Founder of BOW said, "This investment is a defining moment for BOW. It not only validates our vision but also underscores the growing demand for cross-platform compatibility in robotics software. By simplifying robotics programming, we're opening the door for all developers-not just roboticists-to shape the future of robotics. With BOW software, we're enabling the 'there's an app for that' revolution within the robotics industry." Professor Sue Hartley, Vice-President for Research and Innovation at the University of Sheffield, said: "It is fantastic to see this level of funding being invested into one of our spinout companies. Academics at Sheffield are working at the very forefront of their fields, conducting research that can underpin new businesses and help develop new market-leading technologies. Our University is one of the best in the country for developing IP and commercialising research and investment such as this from Northern Gritstone is crucial in helping our spinout companies grow." ENDS Notes to Editors About BOW: Founded in 2020, BOW is the world's leading universal robotics software company, working with robotic hardware manufacturers and OEMs, systems integrators, roboticists, and software developers. BOW enables software developers to create portable robotics applications using their preferred programming language and operating system. The company is headquartered in Sheffield, UK and funded by a portfolio of leading investors, including Northern Gritstone, Finance Yorkshire and Praetura Ventures. https://usebow.com About Northern Gritstone Northern Gritstone is an investment company, dedicated to supporting ambitious science and technology businesses in the North of England. Its philosophy is 'profit with purpose' combining strong returns for investors with wider positive, societal and economic impact, including high-skilled job creation and Levelling Up. Chaired by Lord Jim O'Neill, the company has made 30 investments in some of the UK's most exciting future businesses. Together with NG Innovation Services, Northern Gritstone offers 'Capital+++' connecting early-stage founders with funding and expertise through its close links to industry-leading partners and its founding universities of Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield. For more information, please go to: https://northern-gritstone.com/ About Finance Yorkshire Finance Yorkshire's regional Fund provides flexible investment packages to eligible SMEs based or moving to areas within Yorkshire and Humber with ambitions to expand, create jobs and improve productivity. The fund provides four main products, structured to back businesses through critical stages of growth: Micro-Loans, Business Loans, Growth Fund (loans and equity) and Seedcorn. Finance Yorkshire's Growth and Seedcorn Funds are managed by Anticus Partners. Its Micro-Loans and Business Loans are managed by FSE Group. The sustainable fund has been created from the legacy finance available from Finance Yorkshire's previous support for SMEs alongside legacy finance from the former South Yorkshire Investment Fund (SYIF). Finance Yorkshire was established in 2010 to provide gap finance through debt and equity investments to SMEs across Yorkshire and Humber. This Fund and Extension Fund saw 113 million invested in 500 companies in Yorkshire and Humber between 2010 and 2017. Finance Yorkshire's previous investments created and safeguarded more than 16,000 jobs, enabling those businesses to increase their turnover by a total of 474m and attract a further 374m from private sector sources. www.finance-yorkshire.com About the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II NPIF II Praetura Equity Finance can provide loans in the NPIF II area with a primary focus on the North West regions of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside. Operated by the British Business Bank, the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) provides a mix of debt and equity funding. NPIF II will offer a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from 25k to 100k, debt finance from 100k to 2m and equity investment up to 5 million. It works alongside the Combined Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), and Growth Hubs, as well as local intermediaries such as accountants, fund managers and banks, to support the South West's smaller businesses at all stages of their development. The funds in which the NPIF II invests are open to businesses with material operations, or planning to open material operations, in: Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, City of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees, South Teesside, Darlington, Durham, Northumberland, Tyneside, Sunderland. Supported by Nations and Regions Investments Limited, a subsidiary of British Business Bank plc, the Bank is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. Neither Nations and Regions Investments Limited nor British Business Bank plc are authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). About Praetura Ventures Praetura Ventures is a Manchester-based venture capital firm which invests in early-stage, high-growth businesses across the UK, with a particular focus on supporting entrepreneurs across the North of England. Praetura Ventures is committed to adding value post-investment and providing the 'more than money' support that businesses need to grow, including additional expertise, resources, networks and guidance, to its investee companies. Since 2019, Praetura Ventures has backed 45 companies, including North of England-founded businesses Culture Shift, AccessPay and Peak. The business has now grown to over 260m AUM and recently won the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II mandate for the 100m fund dedicated to equity in the North West of England. Learn more at praeturaventures.com About University of Sheffield The University of Sheffield is a leading Russell Group university, with a world-class reputation, ranked within the Top 100 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025). Over 30,000 students from 150 countries study at Sheffield and in a truly global community, they learn alongside over 1,500 of the world's leading academics. Sheffield's world-shaping research feeds into its excellent education. Students learn at the leading edge of discovery from researchers who are tackling today's biggest global challenges. Driven by outstanding people, staff and students share a commitment to changing the world for the better, through the power and application of ideas and knowledge. From the first documented use of penicillin as a therapy in 1930, to building Europe's largest research-led manufacturing cluster, Sheffield's inventive spirit and top quality research environment sets it apart. Current research partners include Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Unilever, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Siemens and Airbus, as well as many government agencies and charitable foundations. Sheffield was voted University of the Year in 2024 at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards the largest annual university awards in the UK voted for exclusively by students. The award reflects a commitment to world-class education and an outstanding student experience. Its Students' Union, which is home to more than 350 societies and clubs, was also named Best Students' Union for the seventh consecutive year. Over 300,000 Sheffield alumni from 205 different countries make a significant influence across the world, with six Nobel Prize winners included amongst former staff and students. To find out more, visit: www.sheffield.ac.uk View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250127400104/en/ Contacts: For further information please contact: For interviews and multimedia assets, contact: Olly Cooper, Associate Director, ThoughtLDR, olly@thoughtldr.com Kate Spencer, Head of Communications and Marketing, Northern Gritstone, kate.spencer@northern-gritstone.com Progress on share buyback programme ING announced today that, as part of our 2.0 billion share buyback programme announced on 31 October 2024, in total 3,176,897 shares were repurchased during the week of 20 January 2025 up to and including 24 January 2025. The shares were repurchased at an average price of 15.98 or a total amount of 50,754,633.65. For detailed information on the daily repurchased shares, individual share purchase transactions and weekly reports, see the ING website at www.ing.com/investorrelations. In line with the purpose of the programme to reduce the share capital of ING, the total number of shares repurchased under this programme to date is 63,952,537 ordinary shares at an average price of 15.08 for a total consideration of 964,201,351.06. To date approximately 48.21% of the maximum total value of the share buyback programme has been completed. Note for editors For more on ING, please visit www.ing.com. Frequent news updates can be found in the Newsroomor via X @ING_newsfeed. Photos of ING operations, buildings and its executives are available for download at Flickr. Press enquiries Investor enquiries Christoph Linke ING Group Investor Relations +31 20 576 5000 +31 20 576 6396 Christoph.Linke@ing.com (mailto:Christoph.Linke@ing.com) Investor.Relations@ing.com (mailto:Investor.Relations@ing.com) ING PROFILE ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is: empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank's more than 60,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 40 countries. ING Group shares are listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam (INGA NA, INGA.AS), Brussels and on the New York Stock Exchange (ADRs: ING US, ING.N). ING aims to put sustainability at the heart of what we do. Our policies and actions are assessed by independent research and ratings providers, which give updates on them annually. ING's ESG rating by MSCI was reconfirmed by MSCI as 'AA' in August 2024 for the fifth year. As of December 2023, in Sustainalytics' view, ING's management of ESG material risk is 'Strong'. Our current ESG Risk Rating, is 17.2 (Low Risk). ING Group shares are also included in major sustainability and ESG index products of leading providers. Here are some examples: Euronext, STOXX, Morningstar and FTSE Russell. Society is transitioning to a low-carbon economy. So are our clients, and so is ING. We finance a lot of sustainable activities, but we still finance more that's not. Follow our progress on ing.com/climate. Important legal information Elements of this press release contain or may contain information about ING Groep N.V. and/ or ING Bank N.V. within the meaning of Article 7(1) to (4) of EU Regulation No 596/2014 ('Market Abuse Regulation'). ING Group's annual accounts are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union ('IFRS- EU'). In preparing the financial information in this document, except as described otherwise, the same accounting principles are applied as in the 2023 ING Group consolidated annual accounts. All figures in this document are unaudited. Small differences are possible in the tables due to rounding. Certain of the statements contained herein are not historical facts, including, without limitation, certain statements made of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to di?er materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Actual results, performance or events may di?er materially from those in such statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation: This document may contain ESG-related material that has been prepared by ING on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. 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Without limiting any of the statements contained herein, we make no representation or warranty as to whether any of our securities constitutes a green or sustainable security or conforms to present or future investor expectations or objectives for green or sustainable investing. For information on characteristics of a security, use of proceeds, a description of applicable project(s) and/or any other relevant information, please reference the offering documents for such security. This document may contain inactive textual addresses to internet websites operated by us and third parties. Reference to such websites is made for information purposes only, and information found at such websites is not incorporated by reference into this document. ING does not make any representation or warranty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of, or take any responsibility for, any information found at any websites operated by third parties. 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Attachment 28 January 2025 SEGRO PLC ("SEGRO") SELP EXCHANGES ON PURCHASE OF TRITAX EUROBOX ASSETS Further to its announcement on 12 November 2024, SEGRO, in its role as venture adviser to the SEGRO European Logistics Partnership ("SELP") joint venture, today announces that SELP has exchanged on the purchase of a portfolio of six assets from Titanium Ruth Holdco Limited (formerly known as Tritax EuroBox plc). The transaction values 100% of the assets at 470 million, including relevant property taxes and subject to customary adjustments. The portfolio totals 370,000 sq m of fully-leased, highly reversionary, modern logistics space. The assets are located in the established and attractive logistics hubs of Breda and Roosendaal in the Netherlands as well as in the Frankfurt corridor and the Rhine-Ruhr region in Germany. The assets currently generate approximately 24 million of headline rent, resulting in a blended net initial yield of 5.0 per cent and a net true equivalent yield of 5.4 per cent. The transaction is conditional on European Union anti-trust clearance, which is expected in the first quarter of 2025. David Sleath, CEO of SEGRO, said: "We are delighted to have reached an agreement to purchase this portfolio of high-quality big box warehouses, located in some of Europe's most attractive logistics hubs. They will complement SELP's existing German and Dutch portfolios, offering both future rental growth potential and the ability to enhance returns through the benefits of increased scale." CONTACT DETAILS FOR INVESTOR / ANALYST AND MEDIA ENQUIRIES: SEGRO Soumen Das (Chief Financial Officer) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7451 9110 Claire Mogford (Head of Investor Relations) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7451 9048 Gary Gaskarth (External Communications Manager) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7451 9069 FTI Consulting Richard Sunderland / Ellie Sweeney / Eve Kirmatzis Tel: +44 (0) 20 3727 1000 About SEGRO SEGRO is a UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), listed on the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Paris, and is a leading owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses and industrial property. It owns or manages 10.8 million square metres of space (116 million square feet) valued at 20.6 billion at 30 June 2024 serving customers from a wide range of industry sectors. Its properties are located in and around major cities and at key transportation hubs in the UK and in seven other European countries. For over 100 years SEGRO has been creating the space that enables extraordinary things to happen. From modern big box warehouses, used primarily for regional, national and international distribution hubs, to urban warehousing (including data centres) located close to major population centres and business districts, it provides high-quality assets that allow its customers to thrive. A commitment to be a force for societal and environmental good is integral to SEGRO's purpose and strategy. Its Responsible SEGRO framework focuses on three long-term priorities where the company believes it can make the greatest impact: Championing Low-Carbon Growth, Investing in Local Communities and Environments and Nurturing Talent. Striving for the highest standards of innovation, sustainable business practices and enabling economic and societal prosperity underpins SEGRO's ambition to be the best property company. See www.SEGRO.com for further information. About SELP The SEGRO European Logistics Partnership (SELP) was created in October 2013 as a 50:50 joint venture between SEGRO and PSP Investments, the Canadian pension fund. At its inception, the portfolio injected by SEGRO comprised approximately 1 billion of grade A standing logistics investments and development land. The objective of the venture was to create a leading Continental European logistics platform, initially focused on six geographies, namely France, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Belgium and Netherlands. Since then, SELP has also invested in big box warehouses in Italy and Spain and a combination of acquisitions, development and capital value growth means that, at 31 December 2023, the portfolio was valued at 6.7 billion and generated 342 million of annualised headline rent across 5.8 million square metres of lettable area. SEGRO acts as asset, property and development manager for SELP. This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: ymieYZVtYW/Gm5ybk52Zl2KVZ2mSx2jIZZOYx2NpapeUmmlhypyUmseWZnFqm25n - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-89691-8531u.pdf Kitchener, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec and Amsterdam, Netherlands--(Newsfile Corp. - January 28, 2025) - Northern Block Inc., a leader in digital trust infrastructure, and Sphereon International B.V., a pioneer in verifiable credential technologies, have officially merged to form 4sure Technology Solutions Inc. This merger unites two leaders in digital trust and decentralized identity, creating a company uniquely positioned to scale innovation and deliver trusted digital ecosystems across North America and Europe. The founding team of 4sure Technology Solutions Inc. (from left to right): Mathieu Glaude, Maarten Boender, Sebastian Boender, Subhasis Ojha, and Niels Klomp To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11321/238554_deadfb364436ba72_003full.jpg Why This Merger Matters 4sure Technology Solutions brings together decades of experience and a deep understanding of the digital trust stack, from foundational open-source libraries to scalable enterprise-grade solutions. Northern Block's expertise spans government and private sector engagements, with a strong focus on high-value credential ecosystems. Sphereon complements this with extensive investments in over 100 open-source libraries now used by many implementers worldwide and a strong background in automation. Sphereon's founders bring deep experience in Document Processing and Business Process Management, having delivered solutions that streamlined workflows and replaced manual processes with efficient, automated systems. Together, 4sure provides unparalleled technical and governance infrastructure, offering globally interoperable solutions that ensure trust, security, and scalability across industries. Building on this foundation, the merger empowers enterprises and governments to achieve transformative benefits through trusted, high-quality data. Automation and effective decision-making-critical components of digital transformation-can only succeed when the data being consumed is trustworthy. 4sure ensures this by enabling ecosystems to validate and standardize data through shared frameworks, allowing organizations to rely on high-integrity information without the burden of direct management. A Shared Vision for the Future "This merger is a pivotal moment for our industry," said Mathieu Glaude, CEO of Northern Block. "Digital trust systems often don't share the physical boundaries we face in the real world-there are no borders online. That's why it's critical to deliver globally interoperable solutions that ensure trust across ecosystems, enabling the secure acceptance of digital credentials and data across jurisdictions." "By combining our capabilities, we are uniquely positioned to scale innovation and adoption in digital trust ecosystems," added Sebastian Boender, Managing Director of Sphereon. "This merger strengthens our ability to deliver interoperable, standards-based solutions that drive trust and innovation across industries and geographies." Key Strengths 4sure Technology Solutions delivers comprehensive offerings across the entire digital trust stack, enabling secure, scalable, and interoperable digital identity ecosystems. Its capabilities include solutions for issuing, exchanging, and verifying digital credentials, supported by robust trust establishment infrastructure and governance frameworks. The company also offers advanced wallet technology for individuals and organizations, enabling seamless digital identity management. By providing tools to validate and standardize data, 4sure helps enterprises and governments streamline operations, reduce costs, and mitigate fraud while ensuring the integrity of their digital interactions. With over 30 experts across North America and Europe, 4sure bridges technical innovation with real-world deployments, equipping organizations with the tools needed to scale secure digital ecosystems and gain a competitive advantage. Contact Information Mathieu Glaude Chief Executive Officer 4sure Technology Solutions Inc. mglaude@4sure.tech Sebastian Boender Managing Director 4sure Technology Solutions Inc. sfboender@4sure.tech For more information, please visit www.4sure.tech. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238554 SOURCE: 4Sure Technology Solutions Inc. China's delivery services at full throttle to meet festival shopping boom Xinhua) 09:35, January 28, 2025 The file photo shows workers unload e-commerce parcels from a bullet train at Shuangliu West Railway Station in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing) BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- When Wang Lijun returned to his hometown in Hebei for the Spring Festival this year, he didn't carry the usual load of holiday goods, as his New Year purchases -- juicy navel oranges from Jiangxi and wild vegetables from the northeast -- had already arrived at his doorstep via express delivery. "Returning home for the Spring Festival used to be physically exhausting, but now it's a breeze," said the 50-year-old man, who spent eight months constructing cliffside roads deep in the Taihang Mountains. Wang's shipments were just a fraction of the billions of parcels crisscrossing China as people shop for gourmet treats, festive goods and gifts for the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. With e-commerce now an integral part of daily life, the holiday season has become one of the busiest times for the country's delivery network. At Sanya Phoenix International Airport, a major hub in China's tropical island province of Hainan, packages of mangoes, dragon fruits and coconuts are flown across the country to eager holiday shoppers. "Over 70 percent of the air-shipped parcels are fruits, and during peak times, more than 70 tonnes are dispatched daily," said Zhao He from the YTO Express branch at the airport. Even in the snow-covered northeastern regions, deliveries can arrive in as little as 24 hours. Data from JD.com, a leading e-commerce platform, showed that Chinese consumers are enjoying a greater variety of specialties from across the country for the festival. For instance, the sales of local products from the coastal city of Shanghai have surged by 277 percent year on year in the inland Qinghai Province on the platform. Driven by the holiday shopping frenzy, China's express delivery network has been operating at high capacity since the beginning of this year, according to the State Post Bureau. During the first three days of the Spring Festival travel rush, which kicked off in mid-January, the daily average of express deliveries handled nationwide exceeded 670 million, a 29 percent jump from the same period in 2024, according to the bureau. Festive shopping gained momentum as China tapped into its growing domestic consumption potential, driven by the rise of online retail and the rapid expansion of its delivery network. In 2024, the country's courier sector handled 174.5 billion parcels, with 974 million Chinese people shopping online by year-end. In the distribution center of Yunda Express in Shanghai, the pre-holiday delivery is in full swing. To handle the surge in parcels, the company has activated all of its smart sorting lines in the center, expanded its fleet of vehicles and upgraded the equipment. "We are also considering hiring more temporary workers to meet the business demand," said Yang Shuai, who is in charge of the center. Logistics companies may face further challenges as many delivery workers, like all fellow Chinese, are returning to their hometowns for the Spring Festival, leading to a seasonal manpower shortage. According to Ye Wenhui, manager of ZTO Express's Fengxian branch in Shanghai, only 30 percent of the couriers in the branch will stay on their post during the eight-day holiday which starts on Tuesday. To boost staffing, couriers will be paid three times their usual pay during the holiday, with bonuses that guarantee daily incomes of 400 to 600 yuan (about 56 to 84 U.S. dollars) for delivering 200 to 300 packages. They'll also be able to take time off once their colleagues return. Ye said that innovative solutions have been put in place to address the staff shortage, such as setting up unattended pickup stations and adding delivery lockers to courier stores. Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, has further alleviated labor shortages by deploying unmanned delivery vehicles. These automated systems would handle the most labor-intensive transportation tasks, allowing on-site workers to focus on sorting and last-mile deliveries. A dedicated operation team has been established to ensure smooth functionality of unmanned vehicles during the holiday period. According to a Cainiao delivery manager in east China's Hangzhou, this year, six unmanned vehicles will handle the transportation work, allowing 60 percent of the staff to enjoy their Spring Festival holiday, significantly higher than about 30 percent in past years. Wang Lei, manager of a YTO Express branch in Shanghai's Xuhui District, said that a decline in delivery volumes is expected in the first three days of the holiday. "But it will surge afterward as people ship local specialties back to the metropolitan cities like Shanghai where they reside and work." (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan) SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. Amid the tsunami of good that Donald J. Trump has unleashed since returning to the presidency, one wave deserves sustained applause. As I suggested last September, Trump revoked the security clearances of the 51 intelligence operatives who intimated that Hunter Biden's Laptop from Hell was mere Kremlin propaganda. These "Spies who lie," as the New York Post dubbed them, earned this rebuke at least. The federal government granted them secret clearances to help protect U.S. national security, not perpetrate blatant election interference and turbocharge censorship. The Post's October 14, 2020, expose discussed the laptop and its extensive evidence of the Biden crime family's elaborate global shakedowns. In short, Hunter and Joe Biden's brother Jim swapped access to "the Big Guy" for a Porsche, jewelry, a Chinese-financed shopping spree, countless other luxuries, and $30 million in cash payments, House Government Oversight Chairman James Comer (R Kentucky) estimates. After consulting Biden-Harris campaign aide Antony Blinken (who became secretary of state), former acting CIA director Michael Morrell invited 50 other former intelligence officers to sign an open letter that trivialized the Post's exclusive for containing "all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation." These spies had no evidence to support this Big Lie. Democrats then used the ex-spies' letter to browbeat Facebook, Twitter (now X), and other social-media platforms into hiding the Laptop from Hell. In fact, Twitter (pre-Elon Musk) froze the Post's account for 15 days! Federal agents also twisted arms in Silicon Valley to bury the Post's dispatch. "The FBI warned us about a potential Russian disinformation operation about the Biden family and Burisma," Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg wrote House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R Ohio) on August 26, 2024. After the Post's scoop emerged, Zuckerberg explained, "We sent that story to fact-checkers for review and temporarily demoted it while waiting for a reply. It's since been made clear that the reporting was not Russian disinformation, and in retrospect, we shouldn't have demoted the story." Meanwhile, during his final, October 22, 2020 debate against Trump, Joe Biden invoked the ex-spies' fake letter to smear the Post's true story as "a bunch of garbage." The pro-Biden media lapped this up and used the "garbage" line to conceal the Post's story even further. Team 51's abuse of their secret clearances proved highly effective. According to a November 24, 2020, Media Research Center/Polling Company survey of 1,750 Biden voters in seven swing states, 45.1% knew nothing about Hunter's laptop. Among these voters, 9.4% said that this fact would have shifted their support to Trump, a third-party contender, or none of the above. Had Biden lost 4.2% of his votes, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin would have slipped from his fingers and into Trump's hands. This would have given Trump 311 Electoral College votes and four more years in the Oval Office. Imagine: Trump would have completed his second term Monday, rather than commence it. Team 51 includes such luminaries as former director of national intelligence James Clapper and ex-CIA directors John Brennan, Michael Hayden, and Leon Panetta. They and others have savored book contracts, TV deals, and lucrative consulting arrangements. In short, these snakes have suffered zero consequences for deceiving the American people as they conducted their most solemn civic duty: choosing the president of the United States. "The signatories willfully weaponized the gravitas of the Intelligence Community to manipulate the political process and undermine our democratic institutions," Trump's executive order states. "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." President Trump fired a torpedo into the hull of the USS Deep State. He had every right to rescind these scoundrels' security clearances. This special privilege is intended to keep the American people safe, free, and prosperous not to spread lies, bamboozle voters, and steal elections. 2025 Deroy Murdock Mr. Yang will lead business development and investor relations for Europe, the Middle East and Africa CIM Group announced today the continued expansion of its Institutional Client Group with the appointment of Albert Yang as Managing Director to lead business development and investor relations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Mr. Yang will be based in London. "CIM Group's diversified investment platform with offerings across the alternative asset classes including real estate, infrastructure, and credit has become more attractive to institutional investors across EMEA. To better serve the growing needs of this client base, we look forward to having Albert lead our efforts in this region. His extensive industry experience will be instrumental in strengthening our presence and growing institutional relationships in this key market," said Jason Fisher, Managing Director and Global Head of Institutional Sales who oversees the Institutional Client Group at CIM Group. Albert Yang brings more than 23 years of experience in private markets to his role at CIM Group with a strong track record in capital formation of real asset strategies and establishing new regional investment capabilities. Most recently, Mr. Yang served as Head of Investor Relations for EMEA at Harrison Street, where he was a founding member of the firm's European Investment platform, a member of the Investment Committee, and led the launch of its European opportunistic and core real estate strategies. Prior to that, Mr. Yang was Head of Business Development at Barings Real Estate Advisers and has held senior positions in the real estate divisions of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Nuveen, Schroders and Deutsche Bank. "CIM Group offers investment opportunities that I believe appeal to a broad array of institutional investors across the EMEA region. I am committed to working closely with our team to not only support our current clients but also to introduce new investors to CIM Group," said Yang. CIM Group's Institutional Client Group also appointed Melannie Pyzik to lead business development and client relations in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, another key international region. Based in Sydney, Ms. Pyzik has nearly 25 years of experience in real assets investing across APAC, EMEA, and North America with a deep knowledge of private markets investing, particularly in infrastructure, having invested across a wide range of subsectors including energy, utilities, transportation, digital infrastructure and energy transition. About CIM Group CIM is a community-focused real estate and infrastructure owner, operator, lender and developer. Since 1994, CIM has sought to create value in projects and positively impact the lives of people in communities across the Americas by delivering more than $60 billion of essential real estate and infrastructure projects. CIM's diverse team of experts applies its broad knowledge and disciplined approach through hands-on management of real assets from due diligence to operations through disposition. CIM strives to make a meaningful difference in the world by executing key environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives and enhancing each community in which it invests. For more information, visit www.cimgroup.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250128353460/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Bill Mendel Mendel Communications 212.397.1030 bill@mendelcommunications.com LONDON, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AQMetrics, a leading global provider of award-winning regulatory and compliance solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its Center of Excellence for Transaction Reporting at its UK branch. This strategic initiative underscores AQMetrics' commitment to delivering advanced Regtech solutions, equipping financial institutions globally with the tools and expertise required to meet regulatory obligations with accuracy and efficiency while continuing to support a growing client base. As part of its current transaction reporting suite, AQMetrics operates as an Approved Reporting Mechanism (ARM) under MiFID II, supervised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). The company also supports MAS Reporting for clients in Singapore, showcasing its global reach and commitment to regulatory excellence. The Center of Excellence will bring together a team of seasoned regulatory experts, advanced technology, and dedicated client support to deliver seamless, scalable transaction reporting solutions. With plans to support additional regulatory frameworks, including EMIR and ASIC, AQMetrics is poised to further solidify its position as a comprehensive provider of global regulatory reporting solutions, meeting the growing demands of financial institutions. "The launch of our Center of Excellence in the UK marks a significant milestone for AQMetrics as we continue to invest in providing best-in-class transaction reporting solutions to our clients worldwide," said Olivier Halimi, UK General Manager of AQMetrics. "With the recent EMIR Refit and the forthcoming MiFID changes, now is the time to collaborate with trusted partners." AQMetrics is set to empower financial institutions facing increasingly complex and evolving regulatory demands across multiple jurisdictions. The shifting regulatory environment presents challenges in managing compliance, often leading to increased operational costs, data inefficiencies, fragmented reporting systems, and inconsistencies in reporting. AQMetrics invites financial institutions to learn more about its enhanced transaction reporting services and explore how the Center of Excellence can support their compliance needs. For more information, visit aqmetrics.com or contact olivier.halimi@aqmetrics.com. About AQMetrics: AQMetrics is a global RegTech firm. The company specialises in providing innovative regulatory and compliance solutions to financial institutions, helping them achieve operational excellence and regulatory compliance. For more information, visit aqmetrics.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/aqmetrics-launches-uk-based-center-of-excellence-for-transaction-reporting-solutions-302361072.html University lecturers, students,?and?researchers affiliated with National Research Institutions invited to participate and showcase their publications and prototypes at IATF2025. CAIRO, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Afreximbank, in collaboration with African Union Commission and AfCFTA Secretariat, is excited to launch its new initiative the "African Research and Innovation Hub @IATF", during the 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025). The key objective is to boost academic research output and increase collaboration between academia, industry, and policy makers across Africa in the bid to drive forward intra-African trade and industrialisation. The platform aims to provide an opportunity for African, Caribbean and Diaspora lecturers, students, and researchers to showcase innovative research and prototypes that contribute towards intra-African trade and industrialisation. It also seeks to develop industry collaborations and exchange knowledge with leading professionals in the field during IATF2025 in Algiers, Algeria from September 4-10, 2025. The African Research and Innovation Hub @IATF aims to promote and commercialise African research and innovation. It also acknowledges that there are many talented and creative Africans across Africa, the Caribbean and the Diaspora, who have brilliant ideas, concepts, publications and prototypes but lack the relevant support required to help them nurture their ideas and commercialise them. The platform provides access to more comprehensive information, relevant data, and literature whilst exposing national researchers to potential investors or venture capitalists who could assist with commercialising their research output and prototypes. A key objective of the Hub is to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship among lecturers and students by connecting them to trade exhibitions, start-up pitches, and networking opportunities with business leaders, potentially leading to new start-ups and increased academic-industry collaborations. It also provides opportunities for networking and potential collaboration with others in academia and practitioners across the continent, research institutions, industry, and policymakers. Researchers, academics and university students are provided with access to information on emerging issues in the field of intra-African trade and can incorporate these into their research programs and academic curricula. Lastly, it enhances the capacity of lecturers and students in understanding and teaching the complexities of trade policies, trade standards, regional economic communities, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and industrialisation. The hub aims to support the broader objectives of enhancing intra-African trade, fostering economic development, and building a connected, informed, and empowered next generation of African trade and investment leaders across all fields. This hub will allow students to exhibit their prototype inventions and published research papers on select topics, which are expected to adhere to world-class standards. Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank said: "IATF2025 is an important moment for African research and innovation, bringing together the brightest minds from universities and research institutions to contribute towards promoting intra-African trade and industrialisation. The African Research and Innovation Hub @IATF will serve as a groundbreaking platform for African, Caribbean and Diaspora lecturers, students, and researchers to demonstrate their capabilities, and connect with industry leaders, investors, and policymakers. This is more than an opportunity to display research; it's a unique moment to shape the future of intra-African trade and industrialisation to drive economic growth across the continent." Entries will be judged by a panel consisting of distinguished trade experts, scholars, and industry leaders from across Africa. The panel will evaluate submissions based on innovation, relevance to African trade and industrialisation, and the potential for practical application. Candidates should demonstrate a number of key criteria - including academic excellence and a passion for advancing research on intra-African trade, industrialisation, leadership and initiative in projects related to trade, industrialisation and innovation, and regional economic integration; high-quality research outputs or innovative prototypes aligned with IATF's themes and a commitment to furthering knowledge and collaboration by sharing insights from the event with their academic institutions. University Lecturers, University Students, and Researchers Affiliated with National Research Institutions from Africa, the Diaspora including the Caribbean are invited to submit their applications directly through this email: ARIH@intrafricantradefair.com by 28 March 2025, 23:59 GMT. You can find out the eligibility criteria, application requirements and other details on the IATF2025 website: 2025.iatf.africa/newfront/page/exploreafrica-research-and-innovation-hub-iatf About Intra-African Trade Fair Organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with African Union Commission (AUC) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is intended to provide a unique platform for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). IATF brings together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services and to explore business and investment opportunities in the continent. It also provides a platform to share trade, investment and market information with stakeholders and allows participants to discuss and identify solutions to the challenges confronting intra-African trade and investment. In addition to African participants, the Trade Fair is also open to businesses and investors from non-African countries interested in doing business in Africa and supporting the continent's transformation through industrialisation and export development. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2602565/IATF_2025_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-african-research-and-innovation-hub-iatf-launched-to-utilise-academia-in-advancing-understanding-of-intra-african-trade-302360930.html LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Computacenter PLC (CCC.L), an independent technology and services provider Tuesday said its revenue on a gross invoiced income basis for the full year decreased 2 percent.Revenue increased 0.5 percent at constant currency.For the second half of 2024, the company sees adjusted operating profit to be better than the comparable period last year.For the full year, Computacenter sees adjusted profit before tax to be at the lower end of the range of analysts' expectations. The company compiled consensus for 2024 adjusted profit before tax is in the range of 253.6 million pounds - 266.5 million pounds.Looking ahead, the company said in a statement, 'In the UK, rises in employer taxes (National Insurance) from April are expected to have an adverse impact of c.5m in 2025. In North America, following a strong performance in 2024, we continue to be excited by the growth opportunities we see ahead. Overall, we expect to make progress in FY 2025 with earnings per share benefiting further from the impact of the share buyback.'Full-year results are scheduled to be reported on March 18.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. 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. Zug, Switzerland--(Newsfile Corp. - January 28, 2025) - The "Longevity Investors Lunch" was held on January 21st 2025 at Hotel Seehof. This satellite event, organized by Longevity Investors, explored longevity and rejuvenation to discover how to age healthily and lead fulfilling lives. The event brought together prominent scientists, entrepreneurs and investors to discuss advancements in longevity science and innovation. The upcoming "Longevity Investors Conference," which will take place from September 22-24, 2025, at Le Grand Bellevue Hotel in Gstaad, Switzerland, was also announced. Image 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10082/238671_dfe85bff24d46b94_001full.jpg The industry's rapid growth was showcased at the exclusive, oversubscribed Davos event, which hosted more than 60 investors and influential thought leaders, and highlighted the remarkable advancements in longevity. The topics focused on Brain Health and Mental Well-Being, Driving Innovation in Longevity: Personalized Medicine and Digital Transformation, DeSci's Role in Accelerating Longevity Breakthroughs, and Elevating Spiritual Intelligence & Personal Well-Being. Renowned speakers included: Deepak Chopra, MD, FACP, FRCP (Founder of The Chopra Foundation and Chopra Global), Dr. David Luu (Longevity Tech Entrepreneur, Founder at Longevity Docs), Evelyne Yehudit Bischof, MD, PhD, MPH (Director, Sheba Longevity Center), Dr. Anna Erat MD/PhD ( Healthcare Expert, Faculty University of St. Gallen, Speaker, Independent Board Member (INSEAD IDP), Mentor ETH), Dr. Antonella Santuccione Chadha (Founder and President, Women's Brain Foundation; Vice-President, Euresearch; Advisor), Johannes Grillari (Founder, Rockfish Bio), Ion Haab (Founder and CEO of CARE), Paola Telfer (Co-Founder and CEO, Sens.ai), Patricia Gall (Founder and CEO of MindSpark 360), Prof. Wulf Rossler (Senior Professor at the Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin; Professor of Post-Graduation, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Chief Medical Officer of MindSpark 360), Brian K. Magierski (Chairman, CEO, and Co-founder, 21 Impact Labs, Inc.; Founding Steward, Cerebrum DAO), Patrick J. Kennedy (Former U.S. Representative (D-RI), Founder of The Kennedy Forum), Elena Bonfiglioli (Global Business Leader, GM Healthcare, Pharma, and Life Sciences, Microsoft) and Dr. Emil Kendziorra (CEO & Managing Partner, Tomorrow Biostasis). Image 2 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10082/238671_dfe85bff24d46b94_002full.jpg The discussions were expertly guided by moderators Miriam Rickli, Sabinije von Gaffke, and Kristina Lucrezia Corner. Together, they ensured the panels were dynamic and insightful, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. The opening remarks were delivered by the event hosts and Co-Founders of Longevity Investors and Maximon, Dr. Tobias Reichmuth and Marc P. Bernegger. They provided an update on the latest investment activities within the industry and stressed the importance of company-building initiatives to drive research and innovation in the longevity sector. Image 3 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10082/238671_dfe85bff24d46b94_003full.jpg "We are very proud to bring the important topic of longevity to Davos," said Marc P. Bernegger, Founding Partner at Maximon and Founder of Longevity Investors. "This event marks a milestone in bridging academia and industry together with investors to foster transformative progress in longevity." "Considering the exceptional quality of attendees selected from the extensive waiting list, longevity is increasingly becoming a central topic of interest in Davos," added Dr. Tobias Reichmuth. Image 4 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10082/238671_dfe85bff24d46b94_004full.jpg The Longevity Investors Lunch would not have been possible without its valued partners: Maximon - The Longevity Company Builder - Empowering entrepreneurs to build impactful, science-based companies offering healthy aging and rejuvenation solutions. Rockfish Bio - Advancing senolytic therapies to promote healthy aging and combat age-related diseases. CARE - Transforming health with AI-powered tools to test, track, and improve your well-being under expert guidance. Sens.ai - Bringing the world's first at-home brain training system to enhance cognitive performance. AYUN - Switzerland's premier Walk-in Longevity Clinic for personalized, preventative medicine. REGEnLIFE - Pioneering medical devices using Tri-photonic stimulation to address neuroinflammation and improve brain health. Longevity Investors creates premier platforms to connect a selected audience of investors in the field with the mission to advance understanding, collaboration and investment in longevity science. Applications for the upcoming Longevity Investors Conference which will take place in September 2025 are launching soon: Longevity Investors Conference is the world's most private investor conference in the longevity space. The main aim of the event is to bring together the world's top longevity key opinion leaders, institutional and private investors, wealthy private investors, family offices and funds to discuss the latest trends, and opportunities and to provide relevant insights into the longevity and rejuvenation subject. Image 5 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10082/238671_dfe85bff24d46b94_005full.jpg Image 6 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10082/238671_dfe85bff24d46b94_006full.jpg For more information and details please visit www.longevityinvestors.ch To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238671 SOURCE: Longevity Investors AG Connected device system with enterprise features provides the most flexible, easy-to-deploy in-room solutions for companies of any size Owl Labs, a global leader in 360-degree video conferencing solutions powering both smart standalone and connected products through patented software, today announced Microsoft Teams certified products, along with TAA compliant SKUs, and an expanded suite of IT solutions that build upon its superior meeting room offerings. The company's Meeting Owl 3 and Owl Bar products are now peripherals that are certified for Microsoft Teams, and the Meeting Owl 4+ is currently in the certification process, reaffirming Owl Labs' alignment with Microsoft's trusted standards for quality and performance. In tandem, Owl Labs will be rolling out software and hardware enhancements to deliver even smoother integration of its industry-leading hybrid collaboration solutions that cater to businesses of all sizes. "We've been delivering innovative hybrid meeting room solutions to companies since 2016. Today's announcement marks an exciting evolution as we expand our solutions to include enterprise-grade features starting with certifications to support IT teams at scale," said Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Owl Labs. "We're giving enterprise IT buyers exactly what they've been asking for powerful management tools, enhanced security, and seamless deployment options all while preserving the intuitive experience our customers love." Powered by patented AI-driven software, Owl Labs' devices continuously improve performance, supporting diverse scenarios from intimate discussions to large presentations. Designed for modern, distributed offices, Owl Labs products prioritise flexibility, portability, and affordability, fostering inclusive and collaborative environments for both remote and in-room participants. Microsoft Teams Certification With the certification of the Meeting Owl 3 and Owl Bar, and the Meeting Owl 4+ to follow, Owl Labs strengthens its position as a trusted partner for IT professionals in over 225,000 organisations, and 89 of the Fortune 100 companies. The Teams certification validates that Owl Labs products meet the rigorous requirements of IT buyers and ensures optimal functionality in enterprise ecosystems. "The Microsoft Teams certification is a testament to our team's relentless pursuit of meeting customer and buyers' needs," said Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Owl Labs. "We've seen overwhelmingly positive results in the small and medium business market, which makes us optimistic about expanding to meet IT buyer needs in the enterprise segment. By meeting Microsoft's rigorous standards, we will continue to expand our capacity to foster seamless collaboration across organisations of all sizes." This certification underscores Owl Labs' dedication to delivering exceptional, plug-and-play devices that seamlessly integrate with Teams, offering flexible, scalable solutions that adapt to evolving IT and meeting space needs. New Modes, Robust Analytics and Device Management Owl Labs devices use robotics and patented AI-powered software to automatically switch between cameras to capture the best view of in-room attendees. Now, Owl Labs is enhancing its industry-leading products with additional Modes for the Meeting Owl product line, which include panorama and grid view, to allow people to better customise their view and have even more natural, face-to-face conversations that transcend physical distance. To further provide secure and flexible collaboration for IT administrators, Owl Labs offers the Nest, a customer analytics platform that serves as an additional customer admin portal to the Teams management tools, that gives visibility and control over your organisation's Owl Labs devices all in one place, for status updates and notifications, minimising the need for physical meeting room checks. Supporting bulk device management for scalability, the Nest is expanding its features to enhance meeting analytics and enable large-scale deployments, addressing the needs of both smaller fleets and larger enterprises. TAA Compliance and Cyber Essentials Plus Owl Labs' products have also acquired additional certifications including Trade Agreement Act (TAA) Compliance, Cyber Essentials Plus certification and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification, addressing stringent security and compliance requirements for government and enterprise buyers, reinforcing the company's commitment to trust and reliability. Owl Labs software is developed in the U.S. by an experienced team of engineers who are continually iterating to make Owl products smarter over time. All software adheres to industry-standard security protocols and Owl devices connect via a private, dedicated wireless network. To learn more about Owl Labs and its connected device system of video conferencing solutions for hybrid organisations, visit www.owllabs.com. About Owl Labs: Owl Labs is the first company to build AI-powered, 360-degree video conferencing solutions for hybrid organisations. Its connected device system and Owl Intelligence System software make meetings more inclusive and collaborative by levelling the playing field between remote and in-room participants. The Meeting Owl 4+ is the latest generation of the first WiFi-enabled, 360-degree camera, microphone and speaker that automatically zooms in on whoever's speaking. Owl Labs has raised $47 million in funding and is based in Boston, with remote and hybrid employees all over the world. To learn more and explore the company's research on the State of Hybrid Work, visit OwlLabs.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250127135503/en/ Contacts: Moxie Communications Group press@owllabs.com Lupin and Avas Launch NaMuscla in Italy Enables expanded access to the only EU-approved treatment for the myotonia symptoms in adults with non-dystrophic myotonic disorders Mumbai, Zug, January 28, 2025: Global pharma major Lupin Limited (Lupin) and Avas Pharmaceuticals SRL (Avas) today announced the launch of Lupin's orphan drug NaMuscla (mexiletine) in Italy. Avas will commercialize NaMuscla for the symptomatic treatment of myotonia in adults with non-dystrophic myotonic (NDM) disorders. NaMuscla is the first and only licensed product for this indication. NDM disorders are a group of rare, inherited neuromuscular disorders which is characterised by the inability to relax muscles following voluntary contraction. NaMuscla reduces myotonia symptoms in people with NDM, resulting in a significant improvement in quality of life and other functional and clinical outcomes for patients1. NaMuscla, which has been designated orphan drug status, received EU marketing authorization in December 20182. Under the terms of the agreement, Avas will initially commercialize NaMuscla as a Class C (Tier 2), while Lupin negotiates with AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco) for the reimbursement of the product in Italy. This will ensure consistent access to NaMuscla for patients in Italy, leveraging the established supply network that already serves patients across Germany, France, Spain, Austria, Norway, Sweden, and the UK. "Our collaboration with Avas will not only allow us to introduce the first licensed treatment for myotonia in Italy but also ensure continued access to this essential medication. This partnership reflects Lupin's dedication to addressing unmet medical needs in rare diseases across Europe," stated Thierry Volle, President EMEA, Lupin. "We are excited to announce our partnership with Lupin for the launch of NaMuscla in Italy, a key step in addressing the needs of patients with NDM disorders. This collaboration ensures the availability of best therapeutic solutions, improving the quality of life for individuals affected by NDM disorders in Italy," said Marco Rago, President of the Board of Directors at Avas Pharmaceuticals. Notes for Editors About Myotonic Disorders and Non-Dystrophic Myotonias (NDM) Myotonic disorders are a group of heterogeneous, inherited, neuromuscular disorders characterized by a shared symptom called myotonia3. Myotonia can be described as an inability to relax a contraction of skeletal muscle which originates from a voluntary muscular contraction such as shaking someone's hand and blinking, or everyday activities such as walking across a street and climbing stairs4. Non-dystrophic myotonias (NDM) are a sub-set of rare (prevalence of 1:100,0004), inherited, myotonic disorders which are caused by mutations within ion channels in the sarcolemma membrane of skeletal muscles. Non-dystrophic myotonias exhibit both sodium and chloride channelopathies which result in altered membrane excitability5. For patients with NDM, myotonia is the most prominent symptom and demonstrates different phenotypes in subgroups of NDM disorders, and can affect different parts of the body, such as legs, arms, or facial muscles, more severely5. Myotonia in patients with NDM has an onset in childhood and persists across their lifetime. Patients perceive that myotonia increases in severity over time, impacting daily life. Myotonia is described by patients in a variety of ways (stiffness, cramps, pain, difficulty releasing a fist, or difficulty swallowing or eating) which can contribute to substantial delays in diagnosis and treatment, leading to decreased patient quality-of-life and often significant disability3, 6. About NaMuscla (mexiletine) NaMuscla is the first and only antimyotonic agent licensed to treat symptomatic myotonia in adults with non-dystrophic myotonic disorders in Europe2. In randomised controlled trials1, 3, 6, NaMuscla (167 to 500 mg/day) has been shown to significantly reduce myotonia compared to placebo, reducing skeletal muscle hyperexcitability through its use-dependent, voltage-gated, sodium channel blocking actions which are independent of the cause of channel function. This resulted in an improvement in patient quality-of-life and other functional outcomes, with gastro-intestinal discomfort reported as the most common adverse event, demonstrating NaMuscla to be safe and well tolerated1, 3, 6, 7. About Lupin Lupin Limited is a global pharmaceutical leader headquartered in Mumbai, India, with products distributed in over 100 markets. Lupin specializes in pharmaceutical products, including branded and generic formulations, complex generics, biotechnology products, and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Trusted by healthcare professionals and consumers globally, the company enjoys a strong position in India and the U.S. across multiple therapy areas, including respiratory, cardiovascular, anti-diabetic, anti-infective, gastrointestinal, central nervous system, and women's health. Lupin has 15 state-of-the-art manufacturing sites and 7 research centers globally, along with a dedicated workforce of over 22,000 professionals. Lupin is committed to improving patient health outcomes through its subsidiaries - Lupin Diagnostics, Lupin Digital Health, and Lupin Manufacturing Solutions. To know more, visit www.lupin.comor follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/lupin For further information or queries please contact: Rajalakshmi Azariah Vice President & Global Head - Corporate Communications, Lupin rajalakshmiazariah@lupin.com About Avas AVAS Pharmaceuticals is a leading pharmaceutical company renowned for its expertise in the commercialization of branded medicines that offer transformative therapeutic solutions. With a deep commitment to improving patient outcomes, AVAS Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to providing innovative treatments that have the potential to significantly impact patients' lives across Italy. Founded on principles of innovation, excellence, and accessibility, AVAS Pharmaceuticals operates in a diverse range of therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular health, infectious diseases, and neurology. The company also specializes in addressing rare and ultra-rare diseases, offering life-changing medicines for patients with limited or no therapeutic options. AVAS Pharmaceuticals' dedication to quality, innovation, and patient care positions it as a key player in the Italian healthcare landscape, and its continued growth is a testament to the transformative impact it has on patients and their families. Contact for media inquiries: administration@avaspharma.com References: BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - European stocks traded higher on Tuesday as investors looked ahead to upcoming Fed and ECB meetings.On a light day on the economic front, data showed a measure of French consumer confidence rose to 92 in January from 89 in the previous month.The Spanish Economy Ministry said it will raise its gross domestic product growth target for this year above the current 2.4 percent.The pan European STOXX 600 was up 0.3 percent at 531.23 after ending flat with a negative bias the previous day.The German DAX edged up by 0.1 percent and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 rose 0.3 percent, while France's CAC 40 slipped 0.1 percent.German media company Freenet AG rose over 1 percent after appointing Robin John Andes Harries as its new CEO.Energy technology group Siemens Energy rallied 3 percent after reporting increased sales and earnings figures for the first quarter and raising part of its forecast for the 2024/25 financial year.Basilea Pharma added 1.3 percent. The commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company announced that the total global in-market sales of its leading antifungal Cresemba increased 20 percent year-on-year to $533 million in the twelve-month period between October 2023 and September 2024.SAP SE gained half a percent. The business-software group raised its operating profit and sales guidance for the year.SThree fell 2.5 percent in London after fiscal 2024 profit before income tax declined to 67.64 million pounds from 77.91 million pounds in the prior year.French engineering and technology consulting group Alten SA jumped 9 percent after 2024 revenue increased by 1.8 percent.Netcompany Group A/S plunged 17 percent after Q4 revenue came in below 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. Collaboration aims to empower entrepreneurs and SMEs with the skills needed to thrive in today's dynamic business landscape OXFORD, England and BENGALURU, India, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, and Said Business School, University of Oxford, one of Europe's leading entrepreneurial business schools, today announced the launch of the 'Springboard StartSmart: Foundations for Entrepreneurs' course. Leveraging Infosys Springboard, the free digital learning and reskilling platform, the course is aimed at new entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The collaboration aims to empower entrepreneurs and SMEs with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today's dynamic business landscape. Through this collaboration, Oxford Said's accredited courses will be tailored to the specific needs of young entrepreneurs empowering them at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey, from early-stage founders to those considering starting their own businesses. The course will aim to democratize the overall learning process and equip learners with the knowledge and tools required to embrace digital transformation, apply fundamental business concepts, and leverage the potential of emerging technologies, including AI tools. Manos Kapterian, Chief Operating Officer at Oxford Said, said, "While the UK fosters a strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, nearly 60 percent of small British businesses and start-ups face failure within the first three years. Providing access to the right tools and mentorship are vital ingredients to the success of these start-ups. We are pleased to form this collaboration with Infosys, bringing our world-class business education to even more aspiring entrepreneurs and SMEs, helping them to have a positive impact in their communities." Thirumala Arohi, EVP and Head - Education, Training, and Assessment, Infosys, said, "We are committed to harnessing the collective strength of our technology and people to transform the communities we work in. By bridging the digital divide through world-class digital learning opportunities, we aim to create a more equitable society and nurture a new generation of business leaders. Our collaboration with Oxford Said Business School and our digital learning platform, Springboard, provide the tools to achieve this goal. In the UK, one of the most entrepreneurial countries globally, this course has the potential to equip entrepreneurs with the right tools, enabling them to thrive in the ever-evolving business landscape while solving important global challenges." Infosys' joint efforts with Oxford Said build on Infosys' successful collaborations with local councils across the UK to provide access to learners with vital digital skills and resources. Since the launch of the initiatives in 2021 over 50,000 registered users are actively benefiting from over 10,000 courses offered through the Infosys Springboard platform. About Said Business School Said Business School at the University of Oxford is a vibrant and innovative business school, embedded within a 900-year-old world leading university. We create programmes and ideas that have global impact and reach. We educate leaders, change makers and innovators across every industry and sector. Our groundbreaking research and exceptional teaching transforms individuals, who transform businesses, which transforms the world. We create impact from within. www.sbs.ox.ac.uk 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/Infosys_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/infosys-and-said-business-school-launch-course-for-entrepreneurs-on-infosys-springboard-302361808.html AI-powered agent unlocks 24/7 support for Sage 50 Accounting users, resolving queries quickly and streamlining customer support. SANDNES, Norway, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- boost.ai, a leader in conversational AI (CAI) for enterprises at scale today announced that it has launched its AI agent for Sage , a global leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). Within just 50 days, the AI agent was made available to Sage 50 Accounting users in Canada, providing seamless, around-the-clock support during the busiest times of the year. The deployment of Boost.ai's conversational AI allows Sage 50 Accounting users to access a highly responsive and automated customer support channel. This helps resolve accounting inquiries and troubleshoot technical issues quickly, enabling entrepreneurs and small business owners to focus on growing their businesses rather than spending time addressing operational challenges. "At Sage, we prioritise delivering excellent customer service, ensuring issues are resolved quickly and efficiently. Automation plays a critical role in maintaining this standard. Boost.ai's platform enables our customers to address both simple and complex queries promptly, allowing them to stay focused on running and growing their businesses," said Phil Goss , VP Digital Operations Enablement for Sage. The AI agent went live with nearly double the originally projected number of topics, delivering results to customers from day one. Additionally, the project exceeded its resolution rate targets within the first week of operation, underscoring the effectiveness of boost.ai's solution in streamlining customer support. With the success of the initial implementation for Sage 50 Accounting in Canada, boost.ai and Sage have already started working to expand coverage in other markets, solidifying this as a global partnership set to transform Sage's customer service experience everywhere. "The only way businesses today can transform customer experience at scale is with automation through intelligent AI Agents. AI agents should be designed to meet both current and future needs, ensuring they drive consistent growth instead of limiting it," said Nick Mitchell , Chief Revenue Officer for boost.ai. "We're proud to provide Sage with the tools to manage customer interactions while maintaining their high standards of service." Boost.ai's conversational AI platform blends cutting-edge technology with a human-centric approach, providing a scalable, secure solution that meets the needs of Sage's diverse customer base. To learn more about how boost.ai can transform the enterprise customer experience please visit: https://boost.ai/solutions/customer-self-service About boost.ai boost.ai delivers AI that makes the human connection better, built by and for real people and real interactions. Our platform features sophisticated technology that seamlessly blends conversational and generative AI, enabling deeply personalized and outstanding customer experiences. With low-code solutions that plug right in, boost.ai is ready to support today's needs - and built to scale for tomorrow's growth. Unmatched security features ensure reliability for the world's biggest and most regulated brands across financial services, insurance, and more. boost.ai is recognized in Gartner's 2023 Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Conversational AI Platforms. Learn more at boost.ai. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2487082/5137162/boost_ai_logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/boostai-collaborates-with-sage-to-deliver-ai-agent-in-record-time-302361768.html WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump has signed an executive order envisaging the establishment of a next generation missile defense shield to defend U.S. citizens and critical infrastructure against any foreign aerial attack.The order requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a reference architecture, capabilities-based requirements, and an implementation plan for the next-generation missile defense shield within 60 days.The architecture shall include plans for defense against ballistic, hypersonic, advanced cruise missiles, and other next-generation aerial attacks from peer, near-peer, and rogue adversaries; Acceleration of the deployment of the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor layer; and Development and deployment of capabilities to defeat missile attacks prior to launch and in the boost phase.Trump also urged the Defense Secretary to submit a plan to fund his mammoth project, allowing sufficient time for consideration by the President before finalization of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget.He also called for an updated assessment of the strategic missile threat to the Homeland; and a prioritized set of locations to progressively defend against a countervalue attack by nuclear adversaries in cooperation with U.S. Strategic Command and U.S. Northern Command.The Secretary of Defense has been ordered to direct a review of theater missile defense posture and initiatives to identify ways in which the United States and its allies and partners can increase bilateral and multilateral cooperation on missile defense technology development, capabilities, and operations, and improve theater missile defenses of forward-deployed United States troops and allied territories, troops, and populations.The order describes the missile defense shield an 'Iron Dome' for America.The United States' strong ally Israel operates a short-range missile defense system in that name, which for years has been successfully intercepting missiles launched by militants from Gaza.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - UK and Canada have imposed sanctions on Belarusian officials and defense companies over rigged presidential election in Belarus.Sanctions target leaders of institutions responsible for serious human rights violations and companies in the Belarusian defense sector supporting Russia's war in Ukraine.Alexander Lukashenko was re-elected with a big majority in Sunday's presidential election after locking almost all his major political opponents behind bars or exiling from the country.Following Lukashenko's brutal crackdown in which critical voices within Belarus have been silenced, the election failed to meet international standards and has been condemned by Australia, Canada, the EU, New Zealand and the UK.According to the Viasna Human Rights Centre, a Belarusian non-governmental organisation in exile, more than 1,250 political prisoners are jailed in Belarus, including civil society representatives, human rights defenders, journalists, political opponents, religious leaders,UK sanctioned six individuals and three entities, including Igor Vasilyevich Karpenko, the Chairman of the Belarusian Central Election Commission, on Monday.The sanctioned Belarusian defense companies are Government-affiliated ALEVKURP OJSC, specializing in research and development and manufacturing of radar systems and weapon control systems; Legmash Plant JSC, a company producing ammunition for the Belarusian defence sector; and KB Unmanned Helicopters (UAVHeli), a UAV developer and manufacturer.Belarus has provided support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, allowing the use of its territory and airspace to launch attacks and provided kit and logistical support.The UK has excluded Belarusian defense companies from the UK economy - a sector of strategic importance to Lukashenko's regime.Also on Monday, Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions against 10 individuals and 12 entities in response to human rights violations committed by the Lukashenko regime in Belarus, as well as its support of Russia's war against Ukraine.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. The anticipated development of the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP) is set to officially launch in early February. Senior representatives from London-based Gibson Shipbrokers Ltd and Malaysian state-owned Sabah Oil Gas Development Corporation (SOGDC) will lead the Launching Ceremony to mark this major milestone. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250128191601/en/ Exchange of the signed MoU between YBhg Datuk Harun Bin Ismail JP (Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer for SOGDC) and Roger Harrison, Managing Director at Gibson Shipbrokers). Others present include YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Haji Noor (Chief Minister of Sabah), and SOGDC's Chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Rahman Dahlan. (Photo: Business Wire) Joining the ceremony are project development partners, as well as a select number of diplomatic representatives Key developments at SOGIP include: LNG Import Infrastructure Gas Power Plant Energy Commodities Storage Facilities The project partnership agreement between Gibson Shipbrokers and SOGDC was signed in June 2024, a collaboration covered by Reuters [here]. In earlier comments, SOGDC's Chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Rahman Dahlan expressed how the development will help promote sustainable growth in the region, saying "SOGDC is aiming for a long-term cooperation with Gibson together with reputable international players to participate in the development of SOGIP to create high-quality jobs in the state of Sabah. SOGDC's CEO Datuk Harun Ismail added "Our collaboration with Gibson Shipbrokers and its global network will enhance energy accessibility for both domestic and international markets. This development positions SOGIP as a pivotal hub in the region." The development at SOGIP is projected to generate about 1,600 jobs for the local economy while contributing to Sabah's progress plans and supporting the energy demands of its rapidly expanding economy. About Gibson Shipbrokers Ltd Gibson are London-based shipbrokers with over 130 years of experience in advising international clients, primarily in the oil gas sector. About SOGDC SOGDC is a Sabah state government agency under the direct purview of the State Ministry of Industrial Development Entrepreneurship. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250128191601/en/ Contacts: For Enquiries please contact: Gerrit Stricker lng@eagibson.co.uk LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Another case of clade Ib mpox has been detected in he UK, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country since October 2024 to 7.Announcing this, the UK Health Security Agency said the infected individual had recently traveled to Uganda. The risk to the UK population remains low, according to UKHSA.The UKHSA and NHS did not disclose any further details about the individual.Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said, 'The risk to the UK population remains low. Close contacts have been identified and offered appropriate advice in order to reduce the chance of further spread'.Clade Ib mpox has been circulating in several African countries in recent months. Imported cases have been detected in a number of countries including Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Sweden and the United States.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. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The UN Secretary-General has called on the US Government to consider 'additional exemptions' to a directive which pauses nearly all foreign aid for 90 days.President Donald Trump's executive order last week called for all foreign aid to be re-evaluated to ensure that it complies with his new foreign policy priorities.On Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had issued an order putting any new funding on hold, pending review.The State Department directive reportedly clarifies that funding for existing programs is also suspended until it has been reviewed.The only exceptions were reportedly for military assistance to Israel and Egypt and emergency food aid.'The Secretary-General notes with concern the announcement of a pause in US foreign assistance,' said the statement issued on behalf of Antonio Guterres by his Spokesperson.'The Secretary-General calls for additional exemptions to be considered to ensure the continued delivery of critical development and humanitarian activities for the most vulnerable communities around the world, whose lives and livelihoods depend on this support.'The statement added that Guterres was looking forward to engaging with the Trump administration on how 'much needed development support' can be provided to citizens in the developing world who face the severest challenges.The US Government is the largest single donor of aid in the world, disbursing around $72 billion in assistance during 2023. It also provided more than 40 per cent of all humanitarian aid accounted for by the UN during 2024.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. CTT Pharmaceutical Holdings, Inc. (OTC:CTTH) and Johns Hopkins University have successfully submitted our proposal for a NIH Grant that will utilize CTT's patented technology as a smoking cessation product. This grant will allow for clinical trials to be conducted and up to $15 million given to cover these trials. The NIH will begin the review process of this proposal in April 2025 and will notify Johns Hopkins University and CTT Pharma of the results. The CEO of CTT Pharma, Ryan Khouri stated, "This brings us one step closer to helping smokers quit, as 480,000 Americans die every year or 1300 per day from the effects of smoking. The last oral nicotine product that was FDA Approved for smoking cessation was Nicorette gum in 1984. While Nicorette gum has helped many people quit smoking, I believe consumers need more options to quit. CTT's fast acting dissolvable nicotine strips would use substantially less nicotine per dose compared to Nicorette Gum and also dissolve in seconds compared to the gum staying in the mouth for 30 minutes. I also want to price our patented technology at or below the price of Nicorette gum, as pricing of our product should not be a deterrent for a consumer looking to quit smoking. Upon approval from the NIH I'm confident in our teams ability to execute our technology and do not anticipate any problems arising. Johns Hopkins University will be in charge of the clinical trials from start to finish. This past October I attended and briefly spoke at a FDA/NIH hearing about advancing smoking cessation technology. I personally met with many individuals who work for both the FDA and NIH and had productive conversations. Furthermore, I have been asked to appear on Fox Business and Bloomberg for interviews in regards to this grant and have interest in doing both shows. I would prefer to do these interviews once our proposal has been approved but I'm considering doing them beforehand. I firmly believe CTT Pharma's dissolvable nicotine strips are a viable solution to a worldwide problem and should be used as a tool to get people to stop smoking." The World Health Organization states, "The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced, killing over 8 million people a year around the world. More than 7 million of those deaths are results of direct tobacco use while 1.3 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke." The CDC says, "Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Cigarette smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths each year in the United States. This is nearly one in five deaths." CTT will continue to update shareholders as more news becomes available. Investor Relations - 813-606-0060 SOURCE: CTT Pharmaceutical Holdings, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Manchester, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - January 28, 2025) - The reality of seamless multilingual communication has arrived with Mymanu's groundbreaking Orb earbuds. These innovative open-ear devices transform how people connect across languages, offering real-time call translation during live calls in over 37 languages while maintaining crystal-clear audio quality. Mymanu To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10373/238678_2bcf1a9cc4ac8b79_001full.jpg Breaking Down Language Barriers In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to communicate effectively across languages is more important than ever. Orb revolutionizes this experience by enabling users to engage in natural conversations while receiving instant live call translations across various platforms, including landline and mobile calls, video meetings, and third-party communication tools. "Language barriers have always hindered meaningful global connections," says Danny Manu, founder and CEO of Mymanu. "With Orb, we are not just introducing a product; we're enabling a new way of interaction that removes those barriers and brings people closer together, no matter where they are or what language they speak." AI-Powered Translation for Real-World Conversations At the heart of Orb is its state-of-the-art AI translation technology, which delivers highly accurate, context-aware translations in real time. This adaptive system recognizes accents, regional dialects, and idiomatic expressions, ensuring smooth and natural conversations in diverse scenarios. Orb's ability to handle translations instantaneously, even in noisy environments, sets it apart. Whether it's a business meeting, a technical discussion, or casual travel chatter, Orb adapts to the context to provide precise and meaningful translations. Empowering Professionals, Travelers, and Language Learners For business professionals, Orb streamlines global communication by eliminating the need for interpreters or expensive translation services. Its open-ear design supports multitasking, allowing users to focus on the conversation while staying aware of their environment during meetings, trade shows, or negotiations. Travelers will appreciate the lightweight and portable design, ideal for navigating new cities and engaging with locals in authentic, meaningful ways. Meanwhile, language learners can use Orb as a tool for immersive learning, gaining confidence in real-world conversations. "Orb's design is a reflection of our belief that technology should seamlessly integrate into people's lives," adds Manu. "We've focused on creating an experience that empowers users to stay connected, stay aware, and stay in the moment-no matter the language." Innovative Design Meets Practicality Orb's advanced audio technology ensures premium sound quality while its open-ear, lightweight design prioritizes long-term comfort and usability. The device is equipped with intuitive touch controls for language switching and mode selection. Its companion app allows users to customize their experience, making Orb a highly versatile communication tool. Looking Ahead Mymanu remains committed to innovation and continuous improvement. Planned updates for Orb include offline translation capabilities, expanded language support, and integration with augmented reality for an even more immersive experience. About Mymanu Mymanu, a brand of CEH Technologies Limited, is dedicated to creating groundbreaking consumer electronics and software solutions that eliminate communication barriers. With a focus on fostering global connections, Mymanu's mission is to unite people through innovative technology. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238678 SOURCE: Pressmaster DMCC WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) said, for 2025, the company expects mid-to-high single-digit constant-currency adjusted EPS growth. The company also projects high single-digit constant-currency adjusted operating profit growth. Volume+mix led organic sales growth is estimated ahead of market growth.'As far as pacing during the year, we currently expect net sales, adjusted operating profit, and adjusted earnings per share to be balanced, roughly 50:50, between the first half of the year and the second half of the year,' said NELSON URDANETA, CFO.In fiscal 2024, the company registered 17.7% constant currency growth in adjusted EPS. Constant currency growth in adjusted operating profit was 15.6%. Organic sales growth was 3.2%, for the period.'We delivered mid-teens constant-currency adjusted operating profit and high-teens constant-currency adjusted EPS growth in 2024. This was well ahead of our outlook for the year, and ahead of our long-term algorithm,' said MIKE HSU, CEO.For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com.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. Atalanta Therapeutics is pioneering RNA interference (RNAi) for the treatment of neurological diseases, having developed a proprietary platform that, for the first time enables RNAi to be deployed as a therapeutic approach throughout the brain and spinal cord The USD 75 million Series B financing will support Phase 1 clinical trials of the company's investigational RNAi therapies for KCNT1-related epilepsy and Huntington's disease EQT Life Sciences is leading the round investing from its LSP Dementia Fund, which is co-led by Sanofi Ventures with further participation from RiverVest Venture Partners, abrdn, Inc., Mirae Asset Financial Group and F-Prime Capital STOCKHOLM, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EQT is pleased to announce that EQT Life Sciences has led a USD 75 million Series B funding round in Atalanta Therapeutics ("Atalanta" or "the Company"). Atalanta, a biotechnology company based in Boston, USA, is at the forefront of using RNA interference (RNAi) to treat neurological diseases. RNA is a molecule that carries genetic instructions from DNA, guiding cells in protein production and serving as a blueprint for cellular processes. RNAi is a method of altering these instructions, allowing the targeting of diseases at the molecular level by potentially silencing harmful genes. Atalanta has developed a proprietary RNAi platform called di-siRNA, which, for the first time, enables RNAi to be deployed as a therapeutic approach throughout the brain and spinal cord. With this new funding, Atalanta aims to advance its investigational RNAi therapies for KCNT1-related epilepsy and Huntington's disease to Phase 1 clinical trials. Alicia Secor, M.B.A., Atalanta's President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "We're excited by the support we've received from this strong group of investors, led by EQT Life Sciences. This Series B will support a path to the clinic for two programs for serious neurological diseases that today lack disease-modifying therapies: KCNT1-related epilepsy and Huntington's disease. We're diligently progressing these medicines toward IND submissions next year so that we can start our Phase 1 trials and reach patients who are waiting." "Atalanta's di-siRNA technology has shown promising ability to durably and evenly silence disease-promoting genes throughout previously inaccessible regions of the brain and spinal cord - opening a wide range of treatment possibilities for devastating neurological diseases," said Arno de Wilde, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., Managing Director at EQT Life Sciences. "EQT is proud to lead this investment in Atalanta's future as part of such a high-quality investor syndicate, and we look forward to partnering with Alicia and Atalanta's leadership to support their continued success." Alongside EQT Life Sciences, the financing was co-led by Sanofi Ventures, with participation from other new investors RiverVest Venture Partners, abrdn, Inc., Mirae Asset Financial Group and existing investor F-Prime Capital. The Series B financing brings Atalanta's total capital generated to date from financings and partnerships with Genentech and Biogen to USD 240 million. For more information, please contact: EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/eqt/r/eqt-life-sciences-leads-usd-75-million-series-b-in-atalanta-therapeutics--a-biotech-firm-developing-,c4096665 The following files are available for download: https://news.cision.com/eqt/i/gettyimages-1386963101,c3371824 GettyImages-1386963101 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/eqt-life-sciences-leads-usd-75-million-series-b-in-atalanta-therapeutics-a-biotech-firm-developing-treatments-for-epilepsy-and-huntingtons-disease-302361914.html Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. (TSXV:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:J0G) (the "Company" or "Stillwater") announces it has filed an Early Warning Report related to its updated holdings of 15,350,000 common shares of Heritage Mining Ltd. ("Heritage") (CSE: HML) which represents approximately 13.3% of the total issued and outstanding shares of Heritage. In addition, the Company holds 3,000,000 share purchase warrants which, if exercised, would bring Stillwater's ownership to 15.5% on a partially diluted basis. These securities were issued to Stillwater in addition to past cash payments and the completion of over $2.5M in exploration work as required to satisfy the commitments for a 51% earn-in to the Company's Drayton - Black Lake project per the Definitive Earn-In Agreement (the "Agreement") announced November 29, 2021, as amended. The Heritage shares are held directly by Stillwater for investment purposes. Additional share payments to Stillwater are required under the Agreement and the Company may in the future take such actions in respect of its shares as it deems appropriate in light of the market circumstances then existing including the sale of all or a portion of such holdings in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions to one or more purchasers. There are no persons acting jointly or in concert with Stillwater with respect to the shareholdings in Heritage, nor has the Company entered into any agreements in respect of its shareholdings in Heritage with any person with which Stillwater acts jointly or in concert. This news release is being issued in accordance with National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues in connection with the filing of an early warning report. The early warning report respecting the acquisition will be filed on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR+") at www.sedarplus.ca. Highlights The Agreement provides Stillwater with significant exposure to an advancing high-grade gold project, while allowing it to focus on its Stillwater West critical minerals project in Montana. Under the Agreement, Heritage can earn up to a 90% interest in the district-scale Drayton-Black Lake high-grade gold asset adjacent to Nexgold's Goliath Gold project, in northwest Ontario. The property has significant exploration potential with demonstrated high-grade gold in drill results and bulk samples across more than 30 kilometers of underexplored strike in a geologic setting that is shared with Nexgold and New Gold's Rainy River mine, among other deposits. Earn-In Milestones Achieved by Heritage : Heritage has met the requirements for the first earn-in of 51% by completing the following: Issuing 15,350,000 shares and 3,000,000 warrants to Stillwater; Payments totaling $170,000 in cash and; Completion of $2.5M in exploration expenditures on the Drayton - Black Lake project. Future Earn-In Requirements for 90% Ownership: Under the terms of the Agreement, as amended, Heritage may acquire a total 90% undivided interest in the Drayton - Black Lake property by completing the following before the fifth anniversary: Issuance of an additional 1.1 million shares to Stillwater; Completion of an additional $2.5M exploration and development work, and; Upon completion of the earn-in to 90% by Heritage, Stillwater will retain a 10% free carried interest in the Drayton-Black Lake project, with Heritage being responsible for all project costs until completion by Heritage of a positive feasibility study supported by a technical report prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 on the project (the "FS"). NSR Royalties : Stillwater retains an NSR royalty on the Drayton-Black Lake Gold project. Discovery Payment to Stillwater : Heritage shall grant Stillwater a discovery payment of $1.00 per ounce of gold or gold equivalent shall be made on mineral resource estimates as filed from time-to-time on the property and shall, in Heritage's discretion, be paid in cash or shares (or a combination thereof), capped at a maximum of $10 M. Joint Venture Provisions : The Agreement provides for the formation of a Joint Venture ("JV") based on the then legal and beneficial ownership levels in the property following completion of the FS. A JV may also be formed in the event Heritage does not complete the requirements for the 90% ownership. Minimum Expenditure Requirements: Heritage is required to maintain minimum exploration and development expenditures of $500,000 per annum until the completion of the FS in order to maintain status as operator of the JV. Stillwater maintains certain back-in rights in the event Heritage does not meet minimum expenditure requirements. Upcoming Events Stillwater's President and CEO, Michael Rowley, will be available at the following events in 2025, in addition to other events to be added as the Company rolls out its marketing plans over the coming year: 121 Mining Events - Cape Town, South Africa, February 3-4, 2025. For information, click here. Mining Indaba - Cape Town, South Africa, February 3-6, 2025. For information, click here. Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Conference (PDAC) - Toronto, Ontario, Canada, March 2-5, 2025. For information, click here. The Mining Investment Event of the North - Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, June 3-5, 2025. For information, click here. Precious Metals Summit - Beaver Creek, Colorado, September 9-12, 2025. For information, click here. Precious Metals Summit - Zurich, Switzerland, November 10-11, 2025. For information, click here. About Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSXV:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:J0G) is a mineral exploration company focused on its flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co + Au project in the iconic and famously productive Stillwater mining district in Montana, USA. With the addition of two renowned Bushveld and Platreef geologists to the team and strategic investments by Glencore plc, the Company is well positioned to advance the next phase of large-scale critical mineral supply from this world-class American district, building on past production of nickel, copper, and chromium, and the on-going production of platinum group, nickel, and other metals by neighboring Sibanye-Stillwater. An expanded NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate, released January 2023, positions Stillwater West with the largest nickel resource in an active US mining district as part of a compelling suite of nine minerals now listed as critical in the USA. Stillwater also holds the high-grade Drayton-Black Lake- gold project adjacent to Nexgold Mining's development-stage Goliath Gold Complex in northwest Ontario, currently under an earn-in agreement with Heritage Mining, and the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co critical minerals project on trend with Nickel Creek Platinum's Wellgreen deposit in Canada's Yukon Territory. The Company also holds the Duke Island Cu-Ni-PGE property in Alaska, now subject to an LOI towards an earn-in agreement with Granite Creek Copper, and maintains a back-in right on the high-grade past-producing Yankee-Dundee in BC, following its sale in 2013. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Michael Rowley, President, CEO & Director - Stillwater Critical Minerals Email: info@criticalminerals.com Web: http://criticalminerals.com Phone: (604) 357 4790 Toll Free: (888) 432 0075 Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Stillwater Critical Minerals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Stillwater Critical Minerals and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 28, 2025) - Reem Capital Corp. (TSXV: REEM.P) (the "Corporation" or "Reem"), a "capital pool company" pursuant to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") announces that, further to its news release of September 22, 2023 announcing the definitive securities exchange agreement dated September 22, 2023 (the "Definitive Agreement") with Kalron Holdings Ltd. ("Kalron"), Seegnal eHealth Ltd. ("Seegnal"), a subsidiary of Kalron, and certain securityholders of Kalron in furtherance of the Corporation's proposed Qualifying Transaction (as defined in Policy 2.4 - Capital Pool Companies of the Exchange) (the "Proposed Transaction"), it has amended certain terms of the Definitive Agreement and the proposed private placements. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS OF KALRON AND SEEGNAL In the end of 2023, Seegnal successfully finished and piloted its instantaneous precision medication software as a service ("SAAS") platform with live genetic profiling in hospitals. Seegnal anticipates making this capability available to all existing clients who choose to participate in Q2 2025, offering for the first time physicians at the point of care, the ability to prescribe precision medication for patient-specific (up to DNA level) tailored medicine therapy to reduce the risk of adverse drug reactions. In January 2024, Seegnal signed a new license agreement with LEUMIT Health Services, a large HMO in Israel, for a five year term, while converting LEUMIT to Seegnal's new SAAS business model. In November 2024, Seegnal's UK distributor, Digitals UK, secured access for Seegnal's clinical decision-support software platform on the UK Government's G-Cloud 14 framework. This listing allows UK public sector organizations, including NHS trusts, hospitals, and clinics, to procure Seegnal's "Virtual Digital Pharmacist" through a streamlined process. The UK's NHS is responsible for one of the largest public healthcare systems in Europe, which includes 515 hospitals and 390,000 doctors. The G-Cloud 14 framework, managed by the Crown Commercial Service, facilitates public sector procurement of pre-approved cloud software and services, allowing organizations to bypass lengthy tender processes. In December 2024, Seegnal's exclusive distributor in Poland signed a binding agreement with the largest private network of hospitals and clinics in Poland to implement Seegnal's system across a network of 20 hospitals following the completion of a pilot program in one of its hospitals, which is expected to commence Q1 of 2025. AMENDMENT TO DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT The parties to the Definitive Agreement have amended and restated the Definitive Agreement on January 27, 2025 (the "Amended and Restated Definitive Agreement") to reflect, among other matters: (i) updates to the capitalization of Kalron; (ii) the outside date being extended to May 31, 2025; (iii) updates to the concurrent financing consisting of the Kalron Financing (as defined herein); (iv) updates to the exchange of securities being contemplated as part of the Proposed Transaction; (v) the consolidation ratio of the Corporation for the Reem Consolidation (as defined herein) being updated to 3.16:1; and (vi) the share split ratio of Kalron being updated to approximately 35.52:1 (the "Kalron Share Split"). Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Definitive Agreement: immediately prior to closing of the Proposed Transaction, all outstanding convertible debentures and SAFEs of Kalron will be converted, in accordance with their terms, into post-Kalron Share Split ordinary shares of Kalron (" Kalron Post-Split Shares "); "); the Corporation shall acquire all of the issued and outstanding Kalron Post-Split Shares by way of a securities exchange; and certain holders of convertible debentures of Kalron shall receive, pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreements for such convertible debentures, warrants of Reem entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Resulting Issuer Share (as defined below) at an exercise price of $1.20 per Resulting Issuer Share (post-Reem Consolidation (as defined below)) at any time on or before the 24-month anniversary from the date of issuance. It is intended that the Proposed Transaction will constitute a reverse take-over of the Corporation by Kalron inasmuch as the former shareholders, debentureholders and other securityholders of Kalron will own approximately 78.64% of the outstanding Resulting Issuer Shares, which such calculation does not factor in the completion of the Kalron Financing (as defined below) nor any financial advisory services securities being issued at closing of the Proposed Transaction. The Corporation following the completion of the Proposed Transaction is herein referred to as the "Resulting Issuer". The Resulting Issuer Shares to be issued to former shareholders, debentureholders and other securityholders of Kalron will be issued at a deemed price of $0.80 per Resulting Issuer Share. The Proposed Transaction will constitute the "Qualifying Transaction" of the Corporation as such term is defined in Policy 2.4 - Capital Pool Companies (the "CPC Policy") of the Exchange. The Corporation expects to be classified as a Tier 2 Technology Issuer upon closing of the Proposed Transaction and it is anticipated that the Resulting Issuer Shares will trade on the Exchange under the stock symbol "SEGN". The Resulting Issuer Shares will remain halted pending receipt and review of acceptable documentation regarding the Qualifying Transaction pursuant to the CPC Policy. To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of Kalron, the following persons currently beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over more than 10% of the ordinary shares of Kalron: (a) Mikal Ltd. ("Mikal"), an entity established under the laws of Israel and controlled by Gilat Management Services Ltd. ("Gilat") (an entity established under the laws of Israel and controlled by Mr. Avraham Gilat, a resident of Israel) and Edtom Ltd. ("Edtom") (an entity established under the laws of Israel and controlled by Mr. Ron Nafatli, a resident of Israel), which currently owns 71.0% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Kalron; (b) Roni Shiloh, which currently owns 13.5% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Kalron; and (c) Edtom, an entity controlled by Mr. Ron Nafatli, which currently owns 10.2% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Kalron. Gilat also owns 0.4% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Kalron. Each of Mikal, Edtom and Gilat are expected to qualify as a Principal and Insider (as such terms are defined in the policies of the TSXV) of the Resulting Issuer following closing of the Proposed Transaction, as it is anticipated that they will each have beneficial ownership of, or control or direction over, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the outstanding Resulting Issuer Shares (as defined below). Mikal and Edtom will hold, directly, 50.1% of the Resulting Issuer Shares following closing of the Proposed Transaction. On or immediately prior to the closing of the Proposed Transaction, the Corporation will consolidate its outstanding share capital (the "Reem Consolidation") on the basis of one new common share of Reem for each 3.16 existing common share of Reem. There are currently 7,900,000 common shares of Reem outstanding which will result in approximately 2,500,000 post-Reem Consolidation common shares issued and outstanding. The Reem Consolidation will also affect the holders of the Corporation's outstanding options, as described below, on the same basis. Prior to the closing of the Proposed Transaction, Kalron will complete the Kalron Share Split and will split its outstanding ordinary shares on the basis of approximately 35:52 new ordinary shares of Kalron for each one existing ordinary share of Kalron. The Kalron Share Split will not affect the holders of Kalron's outstanding convertible debentures or SAFE. Following the completion of the Proposed Transaction, the Reem Consolidation and the Kalron Financing, there will be approximately 45,602,073 Resulting Issuer Shares outstanding, and approximately 30,951,308 Resulting Issuer Shares will be reserved for issuance pursuant to convertible securities of the Resulting Issuer. The Proposed Transaction will not constitute a "Non-Arm's Length Qualifying Transaction" (as such term is defined by the Exchange). In addition, the Proposed Transaction is not a "related party transaction" as such term is defined by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders and is not subject to Policy 5.9 of the Exchange. As a result, no meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation is required pursuant to the CPC Policy or applicable securities laws. In connection with the Proposed Transaction, Seegnal has entered into an engagement letter with Exiteam Ltd. ("Exiteam") whereby Exiteam will be paid a financial advisory services fee of Resulting Issuer Shares equaling 2% of the issued and outstanding Resulting Issuer Shares following completion of the Proposed Transaction, calculated on a fully-diluted basis, upon closing of the Proposed Transaction (the "Exiteam Financial Advisory Services Fees"). Additionally, Seegnal has entered into an engagement letter with and Quarck Investments Ltd. ("Quarck") whereby Quarck will be paid a financial advisory services fee of Resulting Issuer Shares equaling 2% of the issued and outstanding Resulting Issuer Shares following completion of the Proposed Transaction, calculated on a non-diluted basis, upon closing of the Proposed Transaction (the "Quarck Financial Advisory Services Fees"). The Exiteam Financial Advisory Services Fees and the Quarck Financial Advisory Services Fees are subject to Exchange acceptance in accordance with the policies of the Exchange. Ronnie Jaegermann is a director, officer and shareholder of Exiteam and a director of the Corporation. The following table summarizes the proposed pro forma capitalization of the Resulting Issuer following completion of the Proposed Transaction, the Reem Consolidation, the Kalron Share Split and the Kalron Financing: Resulting Issuer Shares Securities Outstanding After Giving Effect to the Proposed Transaction (% of fully diluted) Issued to shareholders of Kalron pursuant to the Proposed Transaction (excluding the convertible debenture and SAFE holders of Kalron) 6,560,310 8.57% Issued to shareholders of Kalron upon conversion of the convertible debentures and SAFE of Kalron pursuant to the Proposed Transaction(1) 29,299,790 38.27% Existing shareholders of Reem (post-Consolidation) 2,500,000 3.27% Issued to investors in the Kalron Financing(2) 5,000,000 6.53% Issued to Exiteam as the Exiteam Financial Advisory Services Fees 1,424,771 1.86% Issued to Quarck as the Quarck Financial Advisory Services Fees 817,202 1.07% Total Resulting Issuer Shares (basic) 45,602,073 Reserved for issuance upon the exercise of Resulting Issuer Warrants (as defined below) to be issued in the Kalron Financing(2) 5,000,000 6.53% Reserved for issuance upon the exercise of warrants of the Resulting Issuer to be issued upon conversion of the Kalron convertible debentures(1) 25,378,469 33.15% Reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding Reem stock options (post-Consolidation) 250,000 0.33% Reserved for issuance upon the exercise of warrants to be issued to Capital Canada Limited(3) 322,839 0.42% Total Resulting Issuer Shares (diluted) 76,553,381 100% Certain convertible debentures accrue interest and such amounts factor in estimated interest to February 28, 2025. These amounts are subject to change as interest continues to accrue. The warrants of the Resulting Issuer shall be issued at an exercise price of $1.20 per Resulting Issuer Share (post-Consolidation). Assumes completion of the $4,000,000 Kalron Financing. To be issued pursuant to an engagement letter between Seegnal and Capital Canada Limited entitling Capital Canada Limited to warrants of the Resulting Issuer for services relating to prior financings of Kalron and Seegnal. UPDATES TO FINANCINGS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION Instead of the previously announced Reem private placement of subscription receipts, Kalron intends to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Kalron Financing") of up to 5,000,000 subscription receipts (the "Subscription Receipts") at $0.80 per Subscription Receipt for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $4,000,000 (or such greater amount as may be agreed to by Reem and Kalron). Each Subscription Receipt will, following the completion of the Proposed Transaction and the satisfaction of certain escrow release conditions, entitle the holder to receive, without the payment of additional consideration or taking of further action, one unit of Kalron consisting of (i) one Kalron Post-Split Share, and (ii) one share (post-Kalron Share Split) purchase warrant of Kalron (a "Kalron Warrant" or "Kalron Warrants"), with each Kalron Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one Kalron Post-Split Share at a price of $1.20 until twenty-four (24) months following the completion of the Proposed Transaction. Each Kalron Post-Split Share and Kalron Warrant issued to holders of Subscription Receipts upon satisfaction of the escrow release conditions shall be exchanged for one common share of the Resulting Issuer (a "Resulting Issuer Share"), and one share purchase warrant of the Resulting Issuer (a "Resulting Issuer Warrant" or "Resulting Issuer Warrants") pursuant to the terms of the Definitive Agreement, with each Resulting Issuer Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one Resulting Issuer Share at a price of $1.20 until twenty-four (24) months following the completion of the Proposed Transaction. Proceeds of the Kalron Financing will be held in escrow pending satisfaction of customary escrow release conditions, including the completion, satisfaction or waiver of all conditions precedent to the Proposed Transaction and the receipt of all required shareholder and regulatory approvals, as applicable (including the conditional approval of the Exchange) in connection with the Proposed Transaction, all of which shall be set forth in a subscription receipt agreement to be entered into. In connection with the Kalron Financing, Kalron may pay certain finders cash commission of up to 8% of the gross proceeds of the Kalron Financing. 100% of the cash payable to such finders shall be payable to such finders upon release of the Kalron Financing proceeds from escrow. Kalron anticipates that two of its existing shareholders, Mikal and Edtom, will invest a total of $1,000,000 CAD as lead investors in the Kalron Financing. Kalron closed the previously announced financing of convertible debentures of Kalron. The following table sets out the proposed principal uses of funds by the Resulting Issuer, after giving effect to the Proposed Transaction and assuming completion of the Kalron Financing: Kalron Private Placement Sales and Marketing $1,400,000 Research and Development $1,200,000 General and Administration $800,000 Public Company and Listing Expenses $500,000 Unallocated Working Capital $100,000 Total $4,000,000(1) (1) Assumes completion of the $4,000,000 Kalron Financing. SELECTED FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION The following table presents selected financial statement information on the financial condition and results of operations for the Corporation and Kalron. Such information is derived from the unaudited financial statements of Kalron for the period ended September 30, 2024 and the unaudited financial statements of the Corporation for the period ended November 30, 2024. The information provided herein should be read in conjunction with such unaudited financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS. The Corporation's financial statements have been filed on SEDAR. Kalron Reem Capital Corp. As at September 30, 2024 and for the 9 month period ended September 30, 2024 As at November 30, 2024 and for the 3 month period ended November 30, 2024 (unaudited) (USD) (unaudited) (CAD) Balance Sheet Current Assets 857,000 265,309 Other assets 207,000 Nil Total Assets 1,064,000 265,309 Current Liabilities 19,247,000(1) 18,398 Non-Current Liabilities Nil Nil Total Liabilities 19,247,000 18,398 Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) (18,183,000) 246,911 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity 1,064,000 265,309 Revenues 1,061,000 Nil Net profit/loss (2,798,000) (10,385) (1) Includes non-cash convertible loans of USD$15,098,000, all of which are anticipated to be converted in connection with the Proposed Transaction. ABOUT KALRON Kalron is a privately-held holding corporation that was established under the laws of Israel in 2017. Other than a minority shareholder of Seegnal, Kalron is the sole shareholder of Seegnal, an Israeli based corporation which had operated under Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. ("Teva") until its purchase by Kalron in December 2017. Seegnal was founded in 2015 as a fully owned subsidiary of Teva to develop a clinical decision support system software for clinicians at the point of care, aimed at improving patient care and outcomes, improving clinician experience and substantially lower healthcare expenditures. Seegnal provides patient-tailored SAAS system for one-glance managing and mitigating drug related problems while providing decision support to healthcare professionals at the point of care. Seegnal has developed, owns and is marketing a SAAS based software platform of addressing the need of detecting and solving drug-related problems, which has been determined as the fourth leading cause of mortality in developed countries.1 Seegnal's SAAS based software platform is a patient-tailored, clinicians'-friendly drug-related problem solution. Seegnal exclusively integrates at the point-of-care, unique patient specific data like genetics, food, results of lab tests, ECG, smoking and the effects of many concomitant medications, while delivering accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The software was developed for clinicians to manage and resolve Drug Related Problems, relevant specifically per patient, quickly and effectively. In 2017, Seegnal was purchased from Teva by Kalron. As part of the acquisition, Kalron committed to continue to employ Seegnal's employees and to pay Teva certain royalties on sales. Seegnal is marketing its SAAS-based platform in the State of Israel, the UAE, the United States of America and Poland. The platform is currently a "standard of care" system for over 10,000 clinicians in Israel on a daily basis when prescribing medications to their patients. Two of Israel's four HMO's are using the system as their primary solution. Kalron, through its subsidiary Seegnal, has developed a vast intellectual property portfolio. The SAAS based technology contains over 1500 specific algorithms as well as United States of America, Israeli and Chinese granted patents in the areas of Graphical User Interface ("GUI") and workflow. The Seegnal system's functional disruptive GUI approach reduces the workload to 1% compared to legacy systems, while providing over 98% alert accuracy and utilizing advanced pharmacogenetics algorithms to provide futuristic precision medication therapy today. ABOUT REEM Reem was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) and is a Capital Pool Company governed by the policies of the Exchange. Reem's principal business is the identification and evaluation of assets or businesses with a view to completing a Qualifying Transaction. Investors are cautioned that trading in the securities of a Capital Pool Company should be considered highly speculative. SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONS TO CLOSING The completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to completion of the Kalron Financing, satisfactory due diligence reviews, approval by both boards of directors, approval from the shareholders of Kalron, obtaining necessary governmental and third party approvals (including approval from the Israeli Tax Authority), waiver of sponsorship and Exchange acceptance. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. SPONSORSHIP The Corporation intends to obtain a waiver from sponsorship in connection with the Proposed Transaction from the Exchange. There is no guarantee that such waiver can be obtained. ARM'S LENGTH QUALIFYING TRANSACTION The control persons of Kalron are not (and their associates and affiliates are not) control persons in the Corporation. Accordingly, the acquisition by the Corporation of all the issued and outstanding shares of Kalron is not a Non-Arm's Length Qualifying Transaction for the purposes of Exchange policies. As a result, the Proposed Transaction will not be subject to approval of the shareholders of the Corporation and therefore no meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation is required as a condition to the completion of the Proposed Transaction. INSIDERS OF THE RESULTING ISSUER Other than has been previously referred to in this press release, and to the knowledge of the directors and senior officers of the Corporation or Kalron, no person will become an insider of the Resulting Issuer as a result or upon completion of the Proposed Transaction. FURTHER INFORMATION Reem will provide further details in respect of the Proposed Transaction and the Kalron Financing in due course by way of a subsequent news release, however, Reem will make available to the Exchange all information, including financial information, as may be requested or required by the Exchange. All information contained in this news release with respect to Reem and Kalron was supplied by the respective party, for inclusion herein, without independent review by the other party, and each party and its directors and officers have relied on the other party for any information concerning the other party. Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and if applicable pursuant to the Exchange Requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Proposed Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the non-offering prospectus prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative. The Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. 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. 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 news release. Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the polices of the Exchange) has in any way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Transaction and associated transactions and neither of the foregoing entities has in any way approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" ("forward-looking information") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "projected" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Proposed Transaction (including the terms and timing thereof), the Kalron Financing including the amounts anticipated to be raised and the existing shareholders intending to participate in such Kalron Financing, the escrow release conditions and the use of proceeds therefrom, the details of any securities issuances, conversions, exchanges or cancellations, the continued business of the Resulting Issuer, the trading of the Resulting Issuer Shares on the Exchange and the stock symbol in connection therewith, the anticipated insiders of the Resulting Issuer, the holding of shareholder meetings in connection with the Proposed Transaction, the closing of the Proposed Transaction including the Reem Consolidation, the Kalron Share Split and the Kalron Financing, the successful implementation of Seegnal's instantaneous, precision medication capabilities through live genetic profiling in hospitals and other SAAS products, the successful implementation of Kalron and Seegnal's business plans and the completion of the pilot program in Poland and implementation of Seegnal's system across hospitals in Poland. In disclosing the forward looking information contained in this press release, Reem has made certain assumptions, including that: all applicable shareholder and regulatory approvals for the Proposed Transaction will be received; that the Proposed Transaction will be completed on mutually acceptable terms and within a customary timeframe for transactions of this nature and the acceptance of the Seegnal products by customers in the United States and Europe. Although Reem believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking information will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: availability of financing; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. There can be no certainty that the Proposed Transaction will be completed on the terms set out in the Definitive Agreement or at all. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, Reem disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking information or otherwise. 1 Miles Hacker, Pharmacology, 2009 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/adverse-drug-reaction); Ernst FR, Grizzle AJ: Drug-related morbidity and mortality: updating the cost-of-illness model. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2001, 41 (2): 192-9; and Jason L et al., Journal of American Medical Association 1998; 279: 1200-1205. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238629 SOURCE: Reem Capital Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 28, 2025) - Scottie Resources Corp. (TSXV: SCOT) (OTCQB: SCTSF) (FSE:SR8) ("Scottie" or the "Company") is pleased to report the final assays from its 2024 drilling campaign, including multiple high-grade gold intercepts on Blueberry Contact vein zones. The Scottie Gold Mine Project, which includes the 100% owned historic mine and the adjacent Blueberry Contact Zone is located 35 kilometres north of the town of Stewart, BC, along the Granduc Road. Highlights: 2024 drill campaign consisted of 10,270 metres (m) of diamond drilling, particularly focused on expansion of the Blueberry Contact Zone and characterizing the resource of the Scottie Gold Mine deposit Drilling resulted in the discovery of the Wolf Zone at the Scottie Gold Mine (see news release dated December 12, 2024) of diamond drilling, particularly focused on expansion of the Blueberry Contact Zone and characterizing the resource of the Scottie Gold Mine deposit Blueberry Contact drillhole SR24-357 intersected 7.00 grams per tonne (g/t) gold over 14.40 m including 47.40 g/t gold over 2.00 m at the Fifi vein zone (Table 1, Figures 1, 2, 3) Blueberry Contact drillhole SR24-359 intersected 14.66 g/t gold over 4.00 m including 52.60 g/t gold over 1.00 m at the Road vein zone, and 4.81 g/t gold over 8.00 m including 10.83 g/t gold over 3.00 m at the at the BB vein zone. The hole also intercepted 35.0 g/t gold over 1.00 m on the Fifi vein zone (Table 1, Figures 1, 2, 4) Blueberry Contact drillhole SR24-358 intersected 12.40 g/t gold over 1.00 m at the Lemoffe vein zone (Table 1, Figures 1 ,2) President and CEO, Brad Rourke commented: "These final drill results from this season's program continue to demonstrate the continuity and high-grade nature of the deposits in the Scottie Gold Mine Project. These released Blueberry intercepts represent the impressive grades and widths that this structure continues to yield. We look forward to including these results into our maiden resource estimate in the coming months. Fully funded for 2025, we are actively planning this year's exploration and drill program to further advance the Scottie Gold Mine Project. We thank our shareholders for their continued support as we complete this important project milestone." Table 1: Selected results from new drill assays (uncut) from the Blueberry Contact Zone. Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Width* (m) Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) Sub Zone SR24-357 228.00 229.50 1.50 1.07 0.0 Fifi 249.40 250.50 1.10 1.66 0.0 Fifi 278.50 292.90 14.40 7.00 1.4 Fifi including 290.90 292.90 2.00 47.40 10.0 Fifi SR24-358 367.50 368.50 1.00 12.40 3.0 Lemoffe SR24-359 17.20 23.00 5.80 7.62 0.0 Road 38.00 41.00 3.00 0.99 0.0 Road 48.00 52.00 4.00 14.66 5.3 Road including 50.00 51.00 1.00 52.60 16.0 Road 70.00 71.00 1.00 1.20 0.0 Road 141.00 143.50 2.50 3.35 6.4 BB vein 198.00 206.00 8.00 4.81 1.1 BB vein including 198.00 201.00 3.00 10.83 3.0 BB vein 269.00 272.00 3.00 3.70 0.0 Fifi 381.50 382.50 1.00 35.00 7.0 Fifi 399.00 401.00 2.00 2.32 52.0 Lemoffe *True width of the intervals has not yet been established by drilling This release constitutes the final results from Scottie Resources 2024 drill campaign; all significant intercepts have now been reported. About the Blueberry Contact Zone The Blueberry Contact Zone is located just 2 kilometres northeast of the 100% owned, past-producing Scottie Gold Mine (SGM) located in British Columbia, Canada's Golden Triangle region. Historic trenching and channel sampling of the Blueberry Vein include results of 103.94 g/t gold over 1.43 metres, and 203.75 g/t gold over 1.90 metres. Despite high-grade surficial samples and easy road access, the Blueberry Vein had only limited reported drilling prior to the Company's exploration work. The target was significantly advanced during Scottie's 2019 drill program when an interval grading 7.44 g/t gold over 34.78 metres was intersected in a new N-S oriented zone adjacent to the main Blueberry Vein. The drill results received from 2020 - 2024, coupled with surficial mapping and sampling suggest that the N-S mineralized trend is a first order structure that hosts an array of SW-trending, sub-parallel, sulphide-rich veins that obliquely crosscut it which host high-grade gold. As of the end of 2024, the extent of the N-S zone, defined by the contact between andesite and siltstone units of the Hazelton Formation and the presence of the cross-cutting sulfide-rich structures, has a drilled strike length of >1,550 metres and has been tested to >525 metres depth. The Blueberry Contact Zone is located on the Granduc Road, 20 kilometres north of the Ascot Resources' Premier Mine. Newmont's Brucejack Mine is located 25 kilometres to the north. Figure 1: Overview plan view map of the Blueberry Contact Zone, illustrating the locations of the reported drill results and cross-sections (Figures 3 and 4), and the distribution of the modelled sulphide-rich cross-structures. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11118/238651_43fa2a2644ab7896_004full.jpg Figure 2: Segmented vertical long section of the Blueberry Contact Zone illustrating the distribution and status of drilled targets from the 2024 season and the reported results thus far, relative to intercepts from previous drilling campaigns. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11118/238651_43fa2a2644ab7896_005full.jpg About the Scottie Gold Mine Project Mineralization on the project consists of east-west to northwest trending, steeply dipping, shear veins, that are comprised of pyrrhotite > pyrite quartz calcite. The veins are primarily hosted in a package of andesitic volcanic rocks from the Hazelton Unuk River Formation that are situated adjacent to the contact with the Summit Lake stock, part of the Texas Creek Plutonic Suite. While 13+ distinct gold-bearing vein zones have been identified on the Scottie Gold Mine Project, mine production was primarily from one vein (the M-zone). Exploration of the Scottie Gold Mine Project over the past 6 years has produced exceptional drill results through the discovery of high-grade gold in five new zones (Blueberry Contact Zone, Domino, D-Zone, P-Zone, Wolf) and the expansion of previously drill confirmed targets (Scottie Gold Mine, C-Zone, Bend Vein, Stockwork). There is a clear spatial relation between the outcropping and drill-confirmed high-grade gold targets and the contact with the Jurassic aged, Texas Creek Plutonic suite intrusion. Geological work in the area has established strong connections between the various deposits. The chemical, mineralogical, structural, and age relationships of the deposits and host rocks support a genetic model whereby all deposits are linked to the same mineralizing event. Figure 3: Cross-section displaying Blueberry Contact Zone intercepts from drill hole SR24-357. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11118/238651_43fa2a2644ab7896_006full.jpg Quality Assurance and Control Results from samples taken during the 2024 field season were analyzed at SGS Minerals in Burnaby, BC. The sampling program was undertaken under the direction of Dr. Thomas Mumford. A secure chain of custody is maintained in transporting and storing of all samples. Gold was assayed using a fire assay with atomic absorption spectrometry and gravimetric finish when required (+9 g/t gold). Analysis by four acid digestion with multi-element ICP-AES analysis was conducted on all samples with silver and base metal over-limits being re-analyzed by emission spectrometry. Dr. Thomas Mumford, P.Geo., a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed the technical information contained in this news release on behalf of the Company. Figure 4: Cross-section displaying Blueberry Contact Zone intercepts from drill hole SR24-359. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11118/238651_43fa2a2644ab7896_007full.jpg ABOUT SCOTTIE RESOURCES CORP. Scottie owns a 100% interest in the Scottie Gold Mine Property which includes the Blueberry Contact Zone and the high-grade, past-producing Scottie Gold Mine. Scottie also owns 100% interest in the Georgia Project which contains the high-grade past-producing Georgia River Mine, as well as the Cambria Project properties and the Sulu and Tide North properties. Altogether Scottie Resources holds approximately 58,500 hectares of mineral claims in the Stewart Mining Camp in the Golden Triangle. The Company's focus is on expanding the known mineralization around the past-producing mines while advancing near mine high-grade gold targets, with the purpose of delivering a potential resource. All of the Company's properties are located in the area known as the Golden Triangle of British Columbia which is among the world's most prolific mineralized districts. Forward Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date such statements were made. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238651 SOURCE: Scottie Resources Corp. Greene Concepts Inc. (OTC PINK:INKW) is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with APEX Transgulf Manufacturing LLC, a leading Oman-based supplier of polyethylene packaging. APEX's integrated manufacturing capabilities streamline the supply chain. Greene Concepts will utilize Apex's preform units to save costs by producing its own bottles in-house for BE WATER production at its Marion, NC bottling plant. APEX Transgulf, a member of the Oman American Business Council, APEX Transgulf specializes in providing solutions for the food, beverage, and medical industries. Lenny Greene, CEO of Greene Concepts, states, "This partnership with APEX Transgulf is pivotal in optimizing operations at our bottling plant. It enables improved production processes, reduced waste, increased uptime, and significant cost savings thereby allowing us to blow our own bottles in-house. Apex offers us access to millions of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) pre-forms at minimal cost which allows us to produce our BE WATER bottles at a significantly lower expense thereby enhancing our market competitiveness and flexibility." Mr. Greene continues, "It was an honor to host APEX Transgulf's principal partners at our facility, which include Chairman and CEO Muhammad Naveed Sumar and Managing Director M. Shayan Sumar. They both traveled from Oman to the U.S. specifically to see our bottling plant and to visit our onsite staff. Their visit underscores the strength of our collaboration and our shared vision of commercial success and innovation. Both Muhammad Naveed Sumar and M. Shayan Sumar were immensely impressed with our bottling plant our operations and reaffirmed their commitment to this partnership." About Apex Transgulf Manufacturing Apex Transgulf Manufacturing (APEX), a family-owned, family-run business at Salalah Free Zone in the Gulf of Oman. APEX was founded in January 2015 with a total project cost of $8mn. Under our two divisions, Apex specializes in the manufacture of Polyethylene Plastic Blow Film and Textile Sewing Threads with over 30 years in the industry. The family have a combined 40 years of diversified business experience in Oman and the Gulf and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. For more information please visit: https://apextransgulf.com/ About Greene Concepts, Inc. Greene Concepts, Inc. (http://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. Be Fresh_BeWater.jpg APEX Transgulf Manufacturing Logo.jpg View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release, publication, distribution or dissemination, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States. Galloper Gold Corp. (CSE:BOOM)(OTC:GGDCF) (the "Company" or "Galloper") announces that, further to its news release of January 14, 2025, it has closed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement issuing 4,000,000 units of the Company ("Units") at a price of $0.05 per Unit raising gross proceeds of $200,000 (the "Private Placement'). Each Unit consists of one common share (a "Common Share") and one-half of a Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"), with each full Warrant exercisable to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.075 for 12 months from the date of issuance. No finder's fees were paid in connection with the Private Placement. All securities issued under the Private Placement are subject to statutory hold periods expiring four months from the date of closing of the Private Placement. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of this financing to advance its Glover Island asset, for general and administrative expenses which will include funds for marketing and investor relations, and cash for working capital. Galloper Acquires Additional Exploration Claims The Company also announces that it has entered into a purchase agreement (the "Agreement") with a third-party vendor (the "Vendor") to acquire additional exploration claims in Newfoundland as part of its continued exploration efforts (the "Acquisition"). Pursuant to the Agreement, Galloper has agreed to purchase from the Vendor three (3) claims on Glover Island in Newfoundland, adjacent to its existing exploration. Claims on Glover Island. As consideration, Galloper will pay the Vendor 300,000 Galloper common shares. The Acquisition is subject to acceptance by the Canadian Securities Exchange. Hratch Jabrayan, CEO of Galloper commented: "We are pleased to announce the expansion of our claim position on Glover Island, further strengthening our presence in this highly prospective region. This strategic expansion underscores our commitment to unlocking Glover Island's full potential. We remain optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead, and we look forward to advancing our exploration efforts to create long-term value for our shareholders." The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Galloper Gold Corp. Galloper is focused on mineral exploration in the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt with its Glover Island and Mint Pond properties, each prospective for gold and base metals. The Glover Island Property, where the historic Lucky Smoke gold occurrence was recently expanded through drilling, consists of 532 mining claims totaling 13,300 hectares while Mint Pond consists of 499 claims totaling 12,475 hectares. For more information please visit www.GalloperGold.com and the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Mr. Hratch Jabrayan CEO and Director Galloper Gold Corp. Company Contact: info@gallopergold.com Tel: 778-655-9266 Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "predict", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with mineral exploration generally, risks related to capital markets, risks related to the state of financial markets or future metals prices and the other risks described in the Company's publicly filed disclosure. Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward-looking statements in this news release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Galloper Gold Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 28, 2025) - Cybrid, a leading provider of domestic and cross-border payment solutions, proudly announces its official registration with the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), a major regulatory milestone that cements the company's position as a trusted leader in the Canadian market. The long-anticipated regulatory approval enables Cybrid to offer its full suite of services in Canada, extending the same capabilities that have driven success in the U.S. market. With this achievement, Cybrid is now strategically positioned to empower Canadian businesses with cutting-edge payment solutions, driving innovation and financial inclusion in the region. "This registration is a game-changer for our expansion strategy," said Avinash Chidambaram, CEO and Co-Founder of Cybrid. "Canada is a key market for us, and now, with the OSC registration, we can provide businesses with the secure, efficient, and compliant trading and payment infrastructure they need to thrive in an increasingly global economy." Cybrid's platform enables businesses to process cryptocurrencies and facilitate fast, cost-effective transactions, leveraging stablecoins and Bitcoin Lightning to provide seamless domestic and cross-border payments. This OSC registration reaffirms the company's commitment to regulatory excellence, security, and transparency-essential components in today's evolving financial landscape. As Cybrid continues to expand its footprint, the company remains committed to delivering exceptional service and fostering growth opportunities for its clients in Canada and beyond. For more information about the OSC's registered crypto asset trading platforms, visit https://www.osc.ca/en/industry/registration-and-compliance/registered-crypto-asset-trading-platforms. ### About Cybrid Cybrid is a digital payment platform that connects established payment rails to stablecoins and Bitcoin Lightning, enabling Canadian and U.S.-based businesses to conduct domestic and cross-border transactions quickly, cost-effectively and securely. The API-first solution offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional banking systems, mitigating currency volatility risks and enhancing global payment capabilities. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada and New Jersey, USA, Cybrid is backed by investors such as Golden Ventures, Luge Capital, and Panache Ventures. For more information, visit www.cybrid.xyz. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238621 SOURCE: Cybrid Inc. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The British pound strengthened against most major currencies in the European session on Tuesday, after the U.K. Prime Minister Starmer affirms that trade relations with the U.S. are positive.Speaking at a meeting in London's historic finance centre with leading chief executives, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the U.K. economy is beginning to improve on continuous efforts to reset his government's relationship with businesses.Starmer said that we already have a 'huge amount of trade' with the US and that the foundation is in place for even 'better trading relations'.'Growth is the number priority for this government, economic growth, wealth creation,' Starmer said.European stocks traded higher as investors looked ahead to upcoming Fed and ECB meetings.Meanwhile, tariff worries persisted, with U.S. President Donald Trump's Treasury secretary pick, Scott Bessent, pushing for new tariffs and warning of a 'calamity' for middle-class Americans, if tax cuts expire at the end of this year.In the European trading today, the pound rose to nearly a 3-week high of 0.8380 against the euro, from an early low of 0.8394. If the pound extends its uptrend, it is likely to find resistance around 0.81 region.Against the yen and the Swiss franc, the pound edged up to 194.03 and 1.1286 from early lows of 192.83and 1.1258, respectively. The pound may test resistance around 198.00 against the yen and 1.14 against the franc.Meanwhile, the pound slid to a 4-day low of 1.2418 against the U.S. dollar, from an early high of 1.2466. The pound is likely to find support around the 1.20 region.Looking ahead, U.S. durable goods orders for December, U.S. Redbook report, house price index for November, U.S. Consumer Board's consumer confidence for January and U.S. Richmond manufacturing index for January are slated for release.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Dieppe, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - January 28, 2025) - Colibri Resource Corporation (TSXV: CBI) ("Colibri" or the "Company") is pleased to share an update with its shareholders and interested parties in regard to its up to 1,250 metre diamond drilling program presently underway at its jointly held El Pilar Gold & Silver Project in Sonora Mexico. Colibri holds 49% interest of the El Pilar along side its partner Tocvan Ventures, which holds 51% ownership. Drilling Update Six holes have now been completed totalling 672.2 metres and a seventh hole is presently underway. Cores from the first several holes have been logged and are presently being prepared to be shipped for geochemical analysis. The Company will report results in due course upon review of the data. On January 22nd, 2025, Tocvan Ventures reported the following in regard to the first four diamond drill holes completed in our 2025 program at Pilar: "The aim of the core program is to build out a more robust geological model across the area. Each hole completed has successfully intersected lithologies and structures (vein zones, breccia zones and/or large fault gouges) known to host and control gold - silver mineralization at Pilar that will aid in modelling. The Company cautions these are visual indications; assay results are pending to verify the grade of mineralization." Ian McGavney, President & CEO of Colibri states, "The Company is excited to move forward with its partner Tocvan Ventures to unlock Pilar's significant potential. The new data derived from this diamond core drilling program will be added to the project's geological model as well as to an upcoming Maiden Resource Estimate. We look forward to updating our shareholders on these drill results and our other progress at Pilar as we move towards our goal of being a near term gold & silver producer." About the Pilar property The Pilar gold-silver property has returned some of the region's best drill results. Coupled with encouraging gold and silver recovery results from metallurgical test work, Pilar is primed to be a potential near-term producer. The project is interpreted as a structurally controlled low-sulphidation epithermal system hosted in andesite rock. Initially, three primary zones of mineralization were identified on the original property from historic surface work and drilling, and are referred to as the Main zone, North Hill and 4-T. Each trend remains open to the southeast and north, and new parallel zones have been discovered. Structural features and zones of mineralization within the structures follow an overall northwest-southeast trend of mineralization. Mineralization extends along a 1.2-kilometre trend. Only half of that trend has been drill tested so far. Pilar drill highlights : 2022 phase 3 diamond drilling highlights include (all lengths are drilled thicknesses): 116.9 metres of 1.2 grams per tonne gold, including 10.2 m of 12 g/t Au and 23 g/t silver; 108.9 m of 0.8 g/t Au, including 9.4 m of 7.6 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag; 63.4 m of 0.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag, including 29.9 m of 0.9 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag; 2021 phase 2 RC drilling highlights include (all lengths are drilled thicknesses): 39.7 m of 1.0 g/t Au, including 1.5 m of 14.6 g/t Au; 47.7 m of 0.7 g/t Au, including three m of 5.6 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag; 29 m of 0.7 g/t Au; 35.1 m of 0.7 g/t Au; 2020 phase 1 RC drilling highlights include (all lengths are drilled thicknesses): 94.6 m of 1.6 g/t Au, including 9.2 m of 10.8 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag; 41.2 m of 1.1 g/t Au, including 3.1 m of 6.0 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag; 24.4 m of 2.5 g/t Au and 73 g/t Ag, including 1.5 m of 33.4 g/t Au and 1,090 g/t Ag; 15,000 m of historic core and RC drilling; highlights include: 61.0 m of 0.8 g/t Au; 21.0 m of 38.3 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag; 13.0 m of 9.6 g/t Au; 9.0 m of 10.2 g/t Au and 46 g/t Ag. Pilar bulk sample summary : 62-per-cent recovery of gold achieved over 46-day leaching period; Head grade calculated at 1.9 g/t Au and seven g/t Ag; extracted grade calculated at 1.2 g/t Au and three g/t Ag; Bulk sample only included coarse fraction of material; Fine fraction indicates rapid recovery with agitated leach: Agitated bottle roll test returned rapid and high recovery results: 80-per-cent recovery of gold and 94-per-cent recovery of silver after rapid 24-hour retention time. Additional metallurgical studies : Gravity recovery with agitated leach results of five composite samples returned: 95- to 99-per-cent recovery of gold; 73- to 97-per-cent recovery of silver; Includes the recovery of 99 per cent Au and 73 per cent Ag from drill core composite at 120-metre depth. Technical information expressed in this news release is the view of Brodie A. Sutherland, chief executive officer for Tocvan, a qualified person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release. ABOUT COLIBRI RESOURCE CORPORATION: Colibri is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX-V (CBI) and is focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing prospective gold & silver properties in Mexico. The Company holds four high potential precious metal projects: 1) 100% of EP Gold Project in the significant Caborca Gold Belt which has delivered highly encouraging exploration results and is surround by Mexico's second largest major producer of gold on four sides, 2) 49% Ownership of the Pilar Gold & Silver Project which is believed to hold the potential to be a near term producing mine, and 3) two highly prospective interests in the Sierra Madre (Diamante Gold & Silver Project and Jackie Gold & Silver Project. For more information about all Company projects please visit: www.colibriresource.com. 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 news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements". These statements are based on information currently available to the Company and the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward- looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of the Company's mineral properties, and the Company's financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with the activities of the Company; and other matters discussed in this news release. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238687 SOURCE: Colibri Resource Corporation Bloomreach, the platform fueling limitless ecommerce personalization, today announced the expansion of its European operations, growing its presence in Spain and Italy with key new sales and partnership team hires. As Bloomreach continues to increase its global footprint, its expansion in Spain and Italy underscores its commitment to delivering AI-driven personalization for fast-growing brands and the customers they serve in any country and every language. With the power of its proprietary Loomi AI, Bloomreach already supports leading customers across Southern Europe, including Desigual, PUIG, Cooltra, TUI and Miscusi. From retail and hospitality to gaming and grocery, Bloomreach has helped businesses deliver tailored experiences across every touchpoint of the customer journey and discover limitless opportunities for growth. Now, as it brings a heightened focus to Spain and Italy, Bloomreach will help to drive this value for more businesses around the world. Its marketing automation, ecommerce search and merchandising, and conversational shopping solutions will empower Spanish and Italian brands to bring deep personalization to every customer engagement while enhancing internal operations with AI-driven efficiencies. "Our partners across the globe have always been instrumental to our growth, and Bloomreach's expanding presence in Spain and Italy is no different," said Hugh Kimber, General Manager EMEA, Bloomreach. "We're committed to personalizing customer experiences for businesses around the world and working alongside prominent European partners who deeply understand these regions is the most impactful way to do that. We look forward to bringing our best-in-class technology to the Spanish and Italian markets, and working with our partners to deliver exceptional value for our customers." Learn more about how companies across EMEA and emerging markets are using Bloomreach to drive revenue, loyalty and enjoyable customer experiences. About Bloomreach Bloomreach personalizes the ecommerce experience. Its data engine unifies real-time customer and product data so businesses understand what customers really want. By connecting that understanding to every channel, the ecommerce experience becomes limitless reflecting a changing customer as they shop. Amplified by the speed and scale of Loomi, Bloomreach's AI for ecommerce, this creates endless new paths to purchase, greater profitability, and fast business growth. Bloomreach products include: Engagement, a marketing automation platform; Discovery, an ecommerce search solution; Content, a headless CMS; and Clarity, AI-powered conversational shopping. The company has multiple AI patents and serves 1,400+ global brands including: Williams-Sonoma, Bosch, Puma, and Marks Spencer. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250128273851/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Michelle DeMaio Bloomreach Corporate Communications michelle.demaio@bloomreach.com Partner Contact: Giuseppe Giorlando Bloomreach Strategic Partner Manager, EMEA, APAC giuseppe.giorlando@bloomreach.com Sales Contact: Luca Micciche Bloomreach Strategic Account Executive, Italy luca.micciche@bloomreach.com Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 28, 2025) - F4 Uranium Corp ("F4 " or the "Company") is pleased to provide a corporate update following its spin-out from F3 Uranium. F4 Leadership F4 is excited to announce significant appointments to its executive team and board of directors. Mr. Sam Hartmann P.Geo joins the Company as President and Chief Operating Officer, bringing over 15 years of experience in mineral exploration and project management; he will also act as the QP. Jeremy Polmear has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer, possessing extensive expertise in financial management and compliance within the mining sector. F4 further wishes to welcome Rebecca Greco to the Board. Ms. Greco's deep knowledge of capital markets and corporate governance will be instrumental as the Company advances its strategic initiatives. The Company also announces the resignation of Laurie Thomas from the Board of Directors. We thank Ms. Thomas for her invaluable contributions to the Company and wish her the best in her next endeavor. In addition to Rebecca Greco, and as announced previously, the board will include Dev Randhawa (Executive Chairman), Raymond Ashley (CEO), John DeJoia and Terrence Osier. Corporate Developments F4 has submitted its application for listing on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) and is currently awaiting approval. The Company anticipates that the listing will occur in the first quarter of 2025. Additionally, in October 2024, F4 successfully closed an equity financing of 13,898,306 shares priced at $0.15 per share for proceeds of $2,084,746. The Company also wishes to announce that effective February 5th, 2025, the option agreement on F4's Clearwater West property with SKRR Exploration Inc. will be terminated. F4 will continue to evaluate its strategic options to maximize shareholder value from its portfolio of uranium projects, including its own exploration activities and partnerships. "F4 Uranium is committed to achieving its vision of becoming a leading uranium explorer," said Raymond Ashley, CEO & Director. "F4 stands apart with a technical team that is responsible for three major uranium discoveries along with a strong portfolio of properties in the Athabasca Basin. With a hybrid strategy of adding value through joint venture partnerships and self-funded exploration, and the ongoing support of our stakeholders, we are well-positioned for success as we look forward to our listing on the TSXV." More information and updates can be found on the website at www.f4uranium.com. About F4 Uranium Corp: F4 is a uranium project generator and exploration company, focusing on projects in the Athabasca Basin, home to some of the world's largest high grade uranium discoveries. F4 currently has 16 projects in the Athabasca Basin, several of which are near large uranium discoveries including Triple R, Arrow and Hurricane. F4 has entered into option agreements on some of its properties which call for the applicable optionors to make cash payments and issue shares to F4, as well as to incur exploration expenditures on the properties in which they have been granted the option to earn an interest. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the intended use of proceeds from the equity financing; the listing of F4's shares on the TSX Venture Exchange; and the timing of thereof. Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; timing and amount of exploration expenditures; and effects of regulation by governmental agencies. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of risk factors including: the availability of funds; the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities of mineral properties; the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; and general market and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238657 SOURCE: F4 Uranium Corp. 1 st PPA in France for STMicroelectronics aiming at 100% renewable sourcing by 2027 Power comes from 2 recent wind and solar farms of 75 MW operated by TotalEnergies Regulatory News: TotalEnergies (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE) and STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, have signed a physical1 Power Purchase Agreement to supply renewable electricity to STMicroelectronics sites in France. This 15-year contract, started in January 2025, represents an overall volume of 1.5 TWh. TotalEnergies will provide STMicroelectronics with the renewable power (including the guarantee of origin) produced by two recent wind and solar farms of 75 MW operated by TotalEnergies. This power comes with structuration services to transform intermittent production in a constant volume ("baseload") of green electricity. It's the first time in France that such a 15-year contract, is provided. The positive impact of the wind and solar projects on the environment and on the communities was a key success factor in the signing of the deal. "We are delighted to sign this agreement with STMicroelectronics, which demonstrates our ability to provide long-term and innovative clean firm power solutions tailored to our customers' needs," said Sophie Chevalier, Senior Vice President Flexible Power Integration at TotalEnergies. "TotalEnergies aims to be a preferred partner to support tech industry players towards their decarbonization efforts, and this agreement showcases our commitment and capabilities." "This first PPA in France marks yet another important step towards ST's goal of becoming carbon neutral in its operations (Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and partially scope 3) by 2027, including the sourcing of 100% renewable energy by 2027," said Geoff West, EVP and Chief Procurement Officer at STMicroelectronics. "PPAs will play a major role in our transition, and we have already signed several to support ST's operations in Italy and Malaysia. Starting in 2025, this PPA with TotalEnergies will provide a significant level of renewable energy for ST's operations in France, which includes R&D, design, sales and marketing and large-volume chip manufacturing." Tailored solutions for the specific needs of our customers worldwide The PPA with STMicroelectronics follows similar contracts signed with Saint-Gobain, Air Liquide, Amazon, LyondellBasell, Merck, Microsoft, Orange and Sasol, and provides a further illustration of TotalEnergies' ability to develop innovative solutions by leveraging its diverse asset portfolio to support its customers' decarbonization efforts. About STMicroelectronics At ST, we are over 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of the Internet of Things and connectivity. We are committed to achieving our goal to become carbon neutral on scope 1 and 2 and partially scope 3 by 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com. TotalEnergies and electricity As part of its ambition to get to net zero by 2050, TotalEnergies is building a world class cost-competitive portfolio combining renewables (solar, onshore and offshore wind) and flexible assets (CCGT, storage) to deliver clean firm power to its customers. By the end of 2024, TotalEnergies' gross renewable electricity generation installed capacity reached over 24 GW. TotalEnergies will continue to expand this business to reach 35 GW in 2025 and more than 100 TWh of net electricity production by 2030. About TotalEnergies TotalEnergies is a global integrated energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to provide as many people as possible with energy that is more reliable, more affordable and more sustainable. Active in about 120 countries, TotalEnergies places sustainability at the heart of its strategy, its projects and its operations. @TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies Cautionary Note The terms "TotalEnergies", "TotalEnergies company" or "Company" in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies' financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Universal Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 1 In the case of a "physical" Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), the renewable electricity and the associated guarantees of origin are delivered to the customer, as opposed to the "virtual" PPA, where only the guarantees of origin are delivered to the customer, and the electricity produced is sold to the grid. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250128150499/en/ Contacts: STMicroelectronics Media relations: Alexis Breton Corporate External Communications +33 6 59 16 79 08 alexis.breton@st.com Investor Relations: Jerome Ramel EVP Corporate Development Integrated External Communication +41 22 929 59 20 jerome.ramel@st.com TotalEnergies Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 l presse@totalenergies.com l @TotalEnergiesPR Investor Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l ir@totalenergies.com Legacy of Trust and Expertise Ushers in New Era of Precision Medical Device Development and Manufacturing Capabilities BOSTON, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Spectra Medical Devices (Spectra) and XL Precision Technologies (XLPT) announced today their newly combined brand presence as Elevaris Medical Devices, a world-class Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) leveraging a proven legacy of excellence to usher in a new era of precision medical device development and manufacturing capabilities. The Spectra acquisition of XLPT, announced in September 2024 by healthcare technology and services investor QHP Capital, brought together the companies' complementary strengths in servicing medical device manufacturers from large-scale Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to start-ups. Spectra has long been highly regarded for the expansive engineering and manufacturing capabilities and expert technical customer support it provides OEMs. XLPT is widely admired for its specialty manufacturing expertise in precision micro-components, complex tubular components, and sub-assemblies. Today's announcement marks the formal evolution to a unified brand that equally honors the rich history of each company and embodies their combined commitment to providing their deep knowledge, unparalleled collaborative approach, and extensive precision manufacturing capabilities to customers worldwide. The decision to establish a new company name and brand identity reflects the promise to apply the best practices and strengths of the individual brands while also emphasizing a singular commitment to elevating customer outcomes to the next level. "The acquisition late last year brought together two long-trusted companies with highly complementary capabilities," Richard Zrebiec, CEO of Elevaris Medical Devices, said. "Today, as we complete integration, we believe operating under one brand demonstrates our combined commitment to our customers' success." As the newly branded company, Elevaris Medical Devices will serve medical device companies in an unrivaled capacity. The unified team of engineering, design, and development experts is highly invested in applying its deep knowledge and product perspective to provide value-driven design, development and production solutions that support the success of customer projects. "From concept, to design and development, through manufacturing, we are uniquely qualified to support our customers in their quest to develop next-generation medical devices that enable the future of healthcare and improve global health," Zrebiec said. "Elevaris Medical Devices has the capability to be the preferred partner to drive a new era of precision medical device development and manufacturing." About Elevaris Medical Devices: Elevaris Medical Devices is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) for industry-leading, multi-national healthcare companies, global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and emerging technology companies. It is one of the world's leading manufacturers of made-to-spec procedural needles and specializes in the manufacture of precision micro-components, complex tubular components, and sub-assemblies for the medical device industry. The company also distributes a wide range of complementary pharmaceutical products, surgical instruments, and medical supplies. Elevaris Medical Devices has more than 300 employees across its locations in North America, the UK, and South Korea. For more information, visit elevarismedical.com. Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2607088/Elevaris_animated_logo_video.mp4 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2607087/ElevarisLogoTag_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/spectra-medical-xl-precision-technologies-announce-rebrand-as-elevaris-medical-devices-302361383.html REDDING, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report titled, 'Automotive E-Commerce Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Product Type (Component Parts, Wheels/Tires, Vehicles, Accessories, Services), Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles), Medium, Payment Mode, Sales Channel (OEMs, Aftermarket), End User - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast to 2032. The Automotive E-commerce market is expected to reach $267.8 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 16.5% from 2025 to 2032. Download FREE PDF Brochure Of Automotive E-Commerce Market - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=6046 Automotive E-commerce refers to the online buying and selling of automotive parts, accessories, vehicles, and related services through digital platforms. This includes products like engine components, tires, and vehicle accessories, as well as services like maintenance and repairs. The growth of this market is driven by the rising consumer preference for online shopping, the increasing availability of various payment options, and the rapid expansion of the omni-channel business model. However, market growth is hindered by challenges such as online fraud and cybersecurity concerns. Additionally, the expansion of cross-border automotive e-commerce and the growing interest in DIY vehicle maintenance and customization present significant growth opportunities for market players. However, the market also faces challenges, such as high shipping costs for heavy or bulky automotive parts. Moreover, the increasing use of AI-driven recommendations and chatbots to enhance customer experience, along with the growing reliance on social media marketing to boost sales, are prominent technology trends in the automotive e-commerce market. Key Players: Some of the major players studied in this report are O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (U.S.), Amazon.com, Inc. (U.S.), Alibaba.com (A part of Alibaba Group Holding Limited) (China), AutoZone, Inc. (U.S.), Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (U.S.), eBay Inc. (U.S.), Walmart Inc (U.S.), CarParts.com, Inc. (U.S.), Flipkart Internet Private Limited (India), BB Wheels LLC (U.S.), Pelican Parts, LLC (U.S.), RevZilla (U.S.), National Automotive Parts Association (U.S.), RockAuto, LLC (U.S.), and Cruisemaster Australia Pty Ltd (Australia). Get Insightful Data On Regions, Market Segments, Customer Landscape, And Top Companies (Charts, Tables, Figures And More) - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/request-sample-report/cp_id=6046 The global automotive e-commerce market is segmented by product type (component parts (engine parts, drive transmission & steering parts, body chassis, suspension & braking parts, electrical & electronic parts, other component parts), wheels/tires, vehicles, accessories (interior accessories, exterior accessories), and services (maintenance services, repair services)), by vehicle type (passenger cars, commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, three-wheelers), by medium (desktop/laptop, mobile/tablet (application-based, browser-based)), by payment mode (card payments, digital wallets, bank transfers, cash payments, other payment modes, by sales channel (OEMs, aftermarket), by end user (business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C), and direct-to-consumer (D2C)). This study also evaluates industry competitors and analyzes the regional and country-level markets. Key Findings in the Automotive E-commerce Market By Product Type: In 2025, the Component Parts Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market In 2025, the Component Parts Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market By Vehicle Type: In 2025, the Passenger Cars Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market In 2025, the Passenger Cars Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market By Medium: In 2025, the Desktop/Laptop Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market In 2025, the Desktop/Laptop Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market By Payment Mode: In 2025, the Card Payments Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market In 2025, the Card Payments Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market By Sales Channel: In 2025, the OEMs Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market In 2025, the OEMs Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market By End User: In 2025, the Business-to-Business (B2B) Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market In 2025, the Business-to-Business (B2B) Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market By Geography: North America to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market in 2025 Have Specific Research Needs? Request a Customized Research Report - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/request-customization/cp_id=6046 Key Findings in the Automotive E-commerce Market Study: Among the product types studied in this report, the component parts segment is anticipated to hold the dominant position, with a large share of the automotive e-commerce market in 2025. This segment's substantial market share is attributed to several factors, including the broader selection of component parts available, the increasing adoption of mobile devices for online shopping, and the rise in the development of e-commerce platforms specifically for automotive component. However, the wheels/tires segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Wheels and tires are essential components of vehicles, often requiring regular replacement or upgrades for better performance and safety. This segment's rapid growth is driven by several factors, including the rising adoption of online platforms for tire purchases, increasing vehicle ownership, frequent tire wear and replacement cycles, and the availability of diverse tire options online. Among the vehicle types studied in this report, the passenger cars segment is anticipated to hold the dominant position, with a large market share of the automotive e-commerce market in 2025. However, the two-wheelers segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Two-wheelers include motorcycles and scooters widely used for personal transportation, especially in emerging markets. This segment's rapid growth is driven by several factors, including the rising affordability of two-wheelers, expansion of e-commerce platforms targeting two-wheeler owners, increased demand for replacement parts, and convenience of online shopping for two-wheeler accessories and components. Among the medium studied in this report, the mobile/tablets segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Mobile and tablet-based platforms allow users to browse and shop for automotive parts and services on-the-go. This segment's rapid growth is driven by several factors, including the widespread penetration of smartphones, increasing preference for mobile shopping, improved mobile app interfaces, and availability of exclusive deals and personalized recommendations on mobile platforms. Among the payment mode studied in this report, the digital wallets segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Digital wallets enable fast and secure transactions for online automotive purchases. This segment's rapid growth is driven by several factors, including the growing preference for contactless payments, integration of digital wallets with e-commerce platforms, rising digital literacy in emerging markets, and enhanced security features of wallet-based transactions. Among the sales channels studied in this report, the OEMs segment is anticipated to hold the dominant position, with a large share of the automotive e-commerce market in 2025. The significant growth in the adoption of e-commerce platforms for direct vehicle sales to customers, the rising use of e-commerce to reach customers in various regions and expand market presence, and the increasing utilization of e-commerce by OEMs for more efficient distribution channels-enhancing delivery times and logistics-are key factors contributing to the segment's dominant position in the automotive e-commerce market However, the aftermarket segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The aftermarket includes third-party sellers offering automotive components, accessories, and services online. This segment's rapid growth is driven by several factors, including the expanding range of aftermarket products, cost-effectiveness compared to OEMs, growing popularity of DIY vehicle repairs, and convenience of finding compatible parts online. Among the end users studied in this report, the business-to-business (B2B) segment is anticipated to hold the dominant position, with a large share of the automotive e-commerce market in 2025. However, the business-to-consumer (B2C) segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. B2C refers to direct online sales of automotive parts and services to individual consumers. This segment's rapid growth is driven by several factors, including the rising number of e-commerce platforms targeting consumers, increased trust in online shopping for automotive needs, availability of doorstep delivery, and proliferation of personalized recommendations and offers for end users. Among the geographies studied in this report, Asia-Pacific is poised to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to several factors, including the widespread adoption of smartphones that facilitate easy mobile shopping for purchasing parts, the increasing use of digital payment methods among consumers, the expanding internet access in rural areas for online automotive parts shopping, and advancements in technology such as AR and VR that enhance the online shopping experience. Additionally, rapid urbanization and increasing vehicle ownership in countries like India, China, and Southeast Asian nations, leading to higher demand for automotive components and services. IMMEDIATE DELIVERY AVAILABLE | BUY THIS RESEARCH REPORT (Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures and More)- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/Checkout/38747625 Scope of the Report: Automotive E-commerce Market Assessment-by Product Type Component Parts Engine Parts Drive Transmission & Steering Parts Body Chassis Suspension & Braking Parts Electrical & Electronic Parts Other Component Parts Wheels/Tires Vehicles Accessories Interior Accessories Exterior Accessories Services Maintenance Services Repair Services Automotive E-commerce Market Assessment-by Vehicle Type Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles Two-wheelers Three-wheelers Automotive E-commerce Market Assessment-by Medium Desktop/Laptop Mobile/Tablet Application-based Browser-based Automotive E-commerce Market Assessment-by Payment Mode Card Payments Digital Wallets Bank Transfers Cash Payments Other Payment Modes Automotive E-commerce Market Assessment-by Sales Channel OEMs Aftermarket Automotive E-commerce Market Assessment-by End User Business-to-Business (B2B) Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Automotive E-commerce Market Assessment-by Geography North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany U.K. France Italy Spain Netherlands Sweden Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific China Japan India South Korea Australia & New Zealand Singapore Indonesia Rest of Asia-Pacific (RoAPAC) Latin America Mexico Brazil Rest of Latin America (RoLATAM) Middle East & Africa Israel Saudi Arabia South Africa UAE Rest of Middle East & Africa (RoMEA) Automotive E-commerce Industry Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players In October 2025, Big Boy Toyz Pvt Ltd. (India) launched Cars. co.in, India's first full-stack online platform dedicated to buying and selling luxury cars. The platform features a wide inventory while ensuring quality, transparency, and speed. Its goal is to enhance the pre-owned luxury car market by providing convenience and value for both buyers and sellers. In May 2025, Cox Automotive, Inc. (U.S.), the largest provider of automotive services and technology, partnered with Canopy Connect, Inc. (U.S.), a leading insurance verification platform. This collaboration integrates insurance verification and servicing capabilities into Cox Automotive's e-commerce solution, aiming to enhance the online car-buying experience for both consumers and dealerships. In August 2024, Schaeffler AG (Germany), a prominent industrial and automotive parts manufacturer, acquired KRSV Innovative Auto Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (Koovers) (India), an automotive aftermarket B2B e-commerce platform. This acquisition represents a strategic move to enhance value creation through improved repair services for all customers. In November 2021, Wipro Limited (India), a leading global information technology, consulting, and business process services company, launched Click-Shift-Drive, a contactless car-buying solution designed to facilitate the entire automobile purchasing journey. Related Reports: AI in E-commerce Market by Technology (ML, NLP, Computer Vision), Business Model, Deployment Mode, Product Offering (Beauty & Fashion, Pharmaceutical, Electronic), End User (B2B, B2C), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2031 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/ai-in-e-commerce-market-5767 E-commerce Market by Business Model, Browsing Medium, Payment Mode (Card Payments, Digital Wallets, Bank Transfer), Operational Channel, Offering (Beauty & Fashion, Food & Beverage, Electronic, Household) - Global Forecast to 2030 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/e-commerce-market-4644 Asia-Pacific E-commerce Market by Business Model (Horizontal E-commerce and Vertical E-commerce), Browsing Medium, Payment Mode (Card Payments, Digital Wallets, Bank Transfers, Cash Payments), Operating Channel, and Offering - Forecast to 2030 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/asia-pacific-e-commerce-market-5596 South East Asia E-commerce Market by Business Model (Horizontal E-commerce and Vertical E-commerce), Browsing Medium, Payment Mode (Card Payments, Digital Wallets, Bank Transfers, Cash Payments), Operating Channel, and Offering - Forecast to 2030 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/south-east-asia-e-commerce-market-5599 Europe E-commerce Market by Business Model (Horizontal E-commerce and Vertical E-commerce), Browsing Medium, Payment Mode (Card Payments, Digital Wallets, Bank Transfers, Cash Payments), Operating Channel, and Offering - Forecast to 2030 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/europe-e-commerce-market-5663 Automotive E-commerce Market Research Summary Particulars Details Number of Pages 300 Format PDF Forecast Period 2025-2032 Base Year 2024 CAGR (Value) 16.4 % Market Size (Value) USD 230.9 Billion by 2032 Segments Covered By Product Type Component Parts Engine Parts Drive Transmission & Steering Parts Body Chassis Suspension & Braking Parts Electrical & Electronic Parts Other Component Parts Wheels/Tires Vehicles Accessories Interior Accessories Exterior Accessories Services Maintenance Services Repair Services By Vehicle Type Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles Two-wheelers Three-wheelers By Medium Desktop/Laptop Mobile/Tablet Application-based Browser-based By Payment Mode Card Payments Digital Wallets Bank Transfers Cash Payments Other Payment Modes By Sales Channel OEMs Aftermarket By End User Business-to-Business (B2B) Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Countries Covered North America (U.S. and Canada), Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia & New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, and Rest of Latin America), and Middle East & Africa (UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East & Africa) Key Companies O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (U.S.), Amazon.com, Inc. (U.S.), Alibaba.com (A part of Alibaba Group Holding Limited) (China), AutoZone, Inc. (U.S.), Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (U.S.), eBay Inc. (U.S.), Walmart Inc (U.S.), CarParts.com, Inc. (U.S.), Flipkart Internet Private Limited (India), BB Wheels LLC (U.S.), Pelican Parts, LLC (U.S.), RevZilla (U.S.), National Automotive Parts Association (U.S.), RockAuto, LLC (U.S.), and Cruisemaster Australia Pty Ltd (Australia) About Meticulous Research Pvt. Ltd. We are a trusted research partner for leading businesses worldwide, empowering Fortune 500 organizations and emerging enterprises with market intelligence designed to drive revenue transformation and strategic growth. Our insights reveal future growth opportunities, equipping clients with a competitive edge through a versatile suite of research solutions-including syndicated reports, custom research, and direct analyst engagement. 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Contact: Meticulous Market Research Pvt.Ltd. 1267 Willis St, Ste 200 Redding, California, 96001, U.S. USA: +1-646-781-8004 Europe: +44-203-868-8738 APAC: +91 744-7780008 Email- sales@meticulousresearch.com Visit Our Website: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/ Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/meticulous-research Meticulousblog.org | Top Market Research Reports Blog - https://meticulousblog.org/ Content Source: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/pressrelease/1281/automotive-e-commerce-market Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1757980/Meticulous_Research_Logo_1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/automotive-e-commerce-market-to-reach-267-8-billion-by-2032--exclusive-report-by-meticulous-research-302361749.html Solidifying HRS' leadership : cutting-edge solutions unveiled to outpace competition and drive the global energy transition; : cutting-edge solutions unveiled to outpace competition and drive the global energy transition; Strategic partnership with global leaders: HRS , with Toyota Motor Europe and ENGIE, accelerates the deployment of hydrogen mobility solutions across Europe; , with Toyota Motor Europe and ENGIE, accelerates the deployment of hydrogen mobility solutions across Europe; Introducing key collaboration for next-generation refueling technology: dual-nozzle innovation drastically reduces refueling times for heavy and light-duty hydrogen vehicles. Grenoble, 28 January 2025 - HRS, French designer and manufacturer, and European leader in hydrogen refueling stations, announces a Joint Development Agreement with Toyota Motor Europe and ENGIE with the aim of developing a next-generation hydrogen refueling system. This new solution, Twin Mid Flow (TMF) Technology, for faster refueling and more cost efficient, will be piloted in EU-funded RHeaDHy project that focusses on accelerating infrastructure deployment. This collaboration cements HRS's position as the driving force in hydrogen refueling, leveraging partnerships with global leaders to outpace competition and accelerate the transition to zero-emission mobility. This new TMF Technology introduces a dual nozzle, allowing one hydrogen dispenser to refuel heavy-duty vehicles in less than 10 minutes or light-duty vehicles in less than 5 minutes. In addition, this innovation significantly lowers station installation costs, paving the way for wider and faster infrastructure deployment aligned with the European Union's Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) goals to deploy publicly accessible hydrogen stations every 200km along the TEN-T networks by 2030. The TMF technology will be implemented in the EU-funded RHeaDHy project, which focuses on developing high-performance hydrogen refueling solutions for heavy-duty vehicles. Testing will commence in late 2025 at HRS's state-of-the-art facilities in Champagnier (Grenoble, France), contributing to the standardization of hydrogen distribution protocols (ISO 19885-3) by 2026. HRS already offers proven, high-capacity, multi-purpose hydrogen refueling solutions capable of refueling all types of heavy and light vehicles using dual-pressure stations (350 bar and 700 bar), up to 1 ton of H2/day and continues to lead the hydrogen revolution by tackling one of the industry's most pressing challenges: the need for faster, more cost-efficient refueling solutions that cater to both light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. Firmly committed to expand hydrogen mobility, HRS intends, thanks to this new partnership, to stay one step ahead in offering ever more effective hydrogen refueling solutions. With the introduction of TMF technology, HRS enhances its unmatched range of solutions, further solidifying its reputation as a pioneer in modular, scalable hydrogen infrastructure. This collaboration with Toyota and ENGIE is another bold step in HRS's mission to deploy innovative solutions at the speed demanded by the global hydrogen mobility market. Thiebault Paquet, Vice President R&D, Toyota Motor Europe, stated: "To contribute to the growth of hydrogen ecosystems, Toyota is already working with business partners who are innovating a wide range of zero carbon emission applications using our advanced fuel cell systems. Development of the Twin Mid Flow Technology is a next step in our effort to stimulate the growth of hydrogen ecosystems. We are excited about this new partnership." Quentin Nouvelot, Head of H2 mobility research program, ENGIE lab CRIGEN completed by saying that: "As project coordinator and as a research center with expertise in refueling simulation and refueling protocol, ENGIE is proud to join forces with Toyota Motor Europe and HRS leveraging on the RHeaDHy project. By advancing high-flow refueling solutions, this partnership strengthens the hydrogen ecosystem and accelerates the transition to cleaner energy. Together, we are setting new standards for sustainable mobility and reinforcing hydrogen's role in decarbonizing transport at scale." Hassen Rachedi, CEO and founder, HRS, added: "This is great news for HRS, once again recognised throughout Europe for its unique expertise, and for the hydrogen industry as a whole. This strategic partnership with Toyota Motor Europe and ENGIE marks a decisive step in the innovation and development of hydrogen refueling infrastructures. As pioneers of modular and scalable solutions, we are proud to collaborate on a technology that will revolutionize the market, reducing refueling times and making hydrogen stations more accessible and cost-effective. This partnership also illustrates our commitment and expertise in the design and manufacture of high-performance, sustainable solutions. Thanks to this collaboration and the innovative technology developed as part of the RHeaDHY project, we are going to accelerate the roll-out of hydrogen refueling stations across Europe, in line with the objectives of the European Union, and also in the rest of the world. By combining our expertise with that of Toyota Motor Europe and ENGIE, we are strengthening our key role in the transition to zero-emission mobility, while meeting the growing needs of light and heavy vehicle users. Together, we are laying the foundations for a future in which hydrogen will play a central role in decarbonising transport worldwide." ABOUT TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE NV/SA (TME) Toyota Motor Europe oversees the wholesale sales and marketing of Toyota, GR (Gazoo Racing) and Lexus vehicles and parts and accessories, as well as Toyota's European manufacturing and engineering operations. Toyota views hydrogen as one of the key building blocks towards carbon neutrality, using fuel cell technology for mobility and in the wider economy beyond transport. Toyota's advanced fuel cell technology is already integrated into passenger cars, buses, trucks, trains, marine and stationary applications for a range of business customers and other OEMs. To meet growing demand in the region, TME started producing its second-generation compact fuel cell modules in Europe in January 2022. In terms of infrastructure, Toyota's long-term vision is to establish 700bar as a standard for fuel cell electric vehicles and products. ABOUT ENGIE ENGIE is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. With its 97,000 employees, clients, partners and stakeholders, the Group strives every day to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral economy, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally friendly solutions. Inspired by its purpose statement, ENGIE reconciles economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on its key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to its clients. Coordinator of RHeaDHy project, ENGIE Lab CRIGEN, its research and innovation center, explores advanced energy technologies in many fields, particularly in hydrogen. It contributes to the development of hydrogen production, storage, and distribution solutions to support the energy transition. ABOUT RHeaDHy The EU-funded RHeaDHy project (Refueling Heavy Duty with very High flow Hydrogen) aims to develop high-performance hydrogen refueling stations for heavy-duty vehicles. The project focuses on creating and testing new protocols to refuel 700 bar hydrogen trucks with 100 kg of hydrogen within 10 minutes. This project is part of the EU's efforts to decarbonize freight transport and support the hydrogen truck market by establishing a robust refueling station network. The RHeaDHy project received funding from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership under grant agreement no. 101101443, with backing from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. Public information on the Horizon Europe RHeaDHy project ABOUT HRS (Hydrogen Refueling Solutions) HRS is one of the world's leading manufacturers of high-capacity hydrogen refueling stations. HRS offers a complete and unique range of modular and scalable stations, from 200 kg/day to 4 tons/day. Pure player from station design to commissioning, HRS has state-of-the-art industrial production facilities capable of assembling up to 180 stations a year, with lead times of 6 to 12 weeks. This industrial site includes a test area, the only one of its kind in Europe, to test and trial the range of stations and develop future products and solutions for the hydrogen mobility market. HRS also offers a comprehensive service package, including 24/7/365 on-call maintenance. As such, the performance of stations installed in Europe and around the world is monitored in real time from the state-of-the-art control room. HRS now has one of the largest installed bases of high-capacity stations on the market, with 28 stations ranging from 200 kg to 1 ton/day, giving a cumulative capacity of over 6 tons/day. All stations are equipped with dual-pressure nozzles at 350 bar, 350 HF and 700 bar, to meet all hydrogen mobility requirements. HRS stands out for its rigorous economic discipline, offering long-term financial solidity while continuing to allocate substantial resources to R&D, thus ensuring its position at the forefront of innovation. ISIN code: FR0014001PM5 - mnemonic: ALHRS. For more information, visit our website www.hydrogen-refueling-solutions.fr CONTACTS Investor relations ACTUS finance & communication Pierre JACQUEMIN-GUILLAUME hrs@actus.fr Tel. +331 53 67 36 79 Financial press relations ACTUS finance & communication Deborah SCHWARTZ hrs-presse@actus.fr Tel. +331 53 67 36 35 Corporate press relations ACTUS finance & communication Anne-Charlotte DUDICOURT hrs-presse@actus.fr Tel. +331 53 67 36 32 ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: nJtxZsqXlWeXmZ9tZ8eWa2aZm2ZpxGHJbmeXmWqcmJ7Fm5xnmm2TnJTIZnFqm25q - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-89694-2025_01_28-partenariat-hrs-toyota-en-vdef.pdf Photonic's Chief Quantum Officer joins leading technology innovators in Paris to highlight the transformative potential of quantum applications Photonic Inc., a leader in distributed quantum computing in silicon, today announced its Founder and Chief Quantum Officer, Dr. Stephanie Simmons, is an invited speaker at the Opening Ceremony of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ 2025) hosted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Slated for February 4-5, 2025 at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris, France, the high-profile gathering brings together world leaders in quantum innovation to showcase the transformative potential. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250128685641/en/ Dr. Stephanie Simmons, Founder and Chief Quantum Officer of Photonic is an invited speaker at the Opening Ceremony of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ 2025) hosted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (Photo: Business Wire) "Being part of this inaugural event marking the start of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology and the 100th anniversary of quantum mechanics is a privilege," said Dr. Simmons. "This milestone gives us a chance to appreciate the foundational discoveries in quantum science, while also communicating the enormous possibilities of their application in quantum technologies. The team at Photonic is proud to be accelerating the timeline to commercially useful quantum applications." The United Nations named 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, demonstrating quantum's importance in both propelling global technologies forward and tackling society's problems. The landmark designation aims to raise awareness and inspire action toward its Sustainable Development Goals. Microsoft, with whom Photonic is collaborating to unlock the next stages of development in quantum networking and power the global quantum ecosystem with future capabilities, is the leading sponsor of the IYQ 2025. Dr Krysta Svore, Principal Research Manager of Microsoft Quantum, is also speaking at the opening event. Dr. Simmons, who is also co-chair of Canada's National Quantum Strategy advisory board, one of Canada's representatives to NATO on quantum, a Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Fellow in Quantum Information Science and an Associate Professor at the Department of Physics at Simon Fraser University (SFU) will join Dr. Alain Aspect, Physicist and Noble Laureate in Physics, Dr. Jian Wei Pan, University of Science and Technology of China, and Dr. Dave Smith, National Technology Adviser on behalf of the Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on 4 February 2025, for a 50-minute discussion on the groundbreaking research and innovations that are pushing the boundaries of the science and shaping quantum technologies. She will be bringing her extensive background in scalable quantum computing to the table. The IYQ 2025 Opening Ceremony will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, art exhibits, and networking opportunities, providing a forum to delve into quantum's immense capabilities and ethical considerations. To learn more about IYQ 2025, please visit https://quantum2025.org. Watch video of Photonic Chief Quantum Officer, Dr. Stephanie Simmons sharing what she sees coming in 2025, the year the United Nations has proclaimed the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. About Photonic Photonic Inc. is a leading quantum company developing commercial-scale quantum computers and quantum networks to solve some of the world's most pressing challenges across materials science, drug discovery, climate change, security, and more. Photonic's Entanglement First architecture is designed to deliver at scale, leveraging optically linked silicon spin qubits with high connectivity. This approach enables entanglement distribution for powerful computation, efficient error correction, and seamless integration into existing data center and telecom environments. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with operations in the United States and the United Kingdom, Photonic has over 150 employees and is backed by leading investors and multinational partners. To learn more, visit www.photonic.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250128685641/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts: Laurie Davis +1 804 337 2569 laurie_davis@interprosepr.com Vivian Kelly +1 703 509 5412 viviankelly@interprosepr.com Empowering healthcare IT departments to experience Grow, Work, and Life - In Balance, with AGFA HealthCare's unified, purpose-built, modern Enterprise Imaging Platform. As the demand for medical imaging surges, IT departments face growing pressures to keep up the pace and adopt the latest innovations - ensuring best-in-class imaging management and data security for their overworked imaging teams. This is why, at this year's HIMSS Global Health Conference and Exhibition, March 3-6, 2025 in Las Vegas, AGFA HealthCare will showcase groundbreaking innovations designed to drive business growth and clinical performance while improving ease, efficiency, and support for IT teams in their daily operations. It's all part of AGFA HealthCare's "Grow, Work, Life - In Balance" ethos, which seeks to improve the personal and professional wellbeing of healthcare personnel. To that end, AGFA HealthCare will be offering onsite demos to show how its latest Enterprise Imaging solutions offer a worry-free operating lifecycle which helps IT departments experience distraction-free productivity and enhanced efficiency. In addition, AGFA will be hosting a series of "Peer Perspective" presentations for others to learn how their peers are handling some of the industry's biggest challenges. The Future of Enterprise Imaging is Here HIMSS attendees are invited to visit AGFA HealthCare's booth #5027 to experience firsthand how the latest advancements in Enterprise Imaging are reshaping and simplifying medical image management. Discover how our innovations eliminate barriers and enable boundless cross-site collaboration with blazing-fast speed--delivering the right read, to the right radiologist, at the right time, and in high-fidelity, either on cloud or on premises. At this year's event, AGFA HealthCare will highlight, among many others, the following solutions--all designed to drive growth, streamline efficiency, and inspire confidence. ENTERPRISE IMAGING CLOUD: A fully managed SaaS solution that simplifies the software lifecycle by delivering automated updates, effortless scalability, and enhanced security. This "hands-free" solution enables improved cost control while scaling on-demand as your needs grow. STREAMING CLIENT: This powerful solution eliminates barriers for your organization, extending diagnostic reach beyond the reading room. Blazing fast and with full image fidelity--it moves pixels not studies & exams--across networks with a 99% reduction in bandwidth and the potential for an 89% reduction in data transfer. MULTI-ENTITY FEDERATION : Designed to break down image and data silos, this innovation enables stakeholders to access the information they need, whenever and wherever they need it. This solution supports worklist access across multiple hospital sites and third-party PACS--making it truly universal. WORKFLOW ORCHESTRATOR: Leverage the power of AGFA HealthCare's RUBEE to intelligently curate personal worklists and prioritize tasks, boosting radiologist productivity. It minimizes administrative tasks and burdens that divert time from patient care. AI (AUGMENTED INTELLIGENCE): The RUBEE AI product suite seamlessly integrates with Enterprise Imaging through clinical packages, the flexible CARPL platform, or tailored integrations, empowering radiologists to work smarter, not harder. Experience all this for yourself at HIMSS! AGFA HealthCare's team will be on-site offering live demonstrations and fostering in-depth IT discussions. To further support the event's general theme, Experience the Future of Healthcare, AGFA HealthCare will host a client series in its booth: "Peer Perspectives: Connected Imaging Solutions for IT Leaders - Integration, Imaging, Innovation - Real Stories, Real Results." These will be a series of brief presentations, followed by a live Q&A session, which will allow customers to lead discussions on real-world challenges and solutions, and give attendees the opportunity to gain practical knowledge from those in similar roles. Among the confirmed participants: Essentia Health: Dr. Sarah Manny, CMIO, will discuss the Power of True Enterprise Imaging with Radiology & Cardiology Tampa General: Steven Johnson, Sr Director IT Enterprise Imaging will host an informative discussion on the Enterprise Imaging Cloud: Achieving success, and fast-tracking deployment with AGFA HealthCare. AdventHealth: A.J. Scarlato, Director, AIT Imaging Operations will present how AGFA HealthCare's Enterprise Imaging creates a unified platform that brings PACS, EMR, users, and customers together. On-site demos to include: EI for Radiology EI Cloud Streaming Client VNA EI for Cardiology XERO Universal Viewer Workflow Orchestration Artificial Intelligence Business Intelligence HIMSS attendees will also get the chance to experience our latest innovations firsthand through our application specialists. We encourage you to pre-register here for the following demos, with additional product demos available upon request. Our Approach: Grow. Work. Life - In Balance. "We strongly believe that our Enterprise Imaging technologies will have--and are having--a transformative effect on healthcare IT departments everywhere," says Nathalie McCaughley, AGFA HealthCare President. "At AGFA HealthCare, we deliver beyond technology; we are a strategic partner focused on enabling customer success. Trust and engagement anchors our proactive collaboration as we align on long-term visions and drive technology adoption. By sharing expertise, we ensure impactful operational outcomes and anticipate future challenges - our goal is to grow together with the organization, becoming an extension of our customers' IT teams. Relentlessly committed, we prioritize tangible successes and enduring partnerships that help navigate the unknown with confidence." With wide-ranging benefits like blazing-fast streaming, new levels of scalability and elasticity, guaranteed uptime, AGFA HealthCare next-generation technologies deliver unmatched efficiency and a seamless user experience while lowering management, installation, and costs. About AGFA HealthCare At?AGFA HealthCare, we are transforming the delivery of care - supporting healthcare professionals across the globe with secure, effective, and sustainable imaging data management. As a company, we are dedicated to our customers, and we have harnessed a value framework of Mission, Vision and Customer Delivery Principles into our routine operations. Through these principles, we commit a consistent high-yield code of conduct to our associates, channeling our experience and aspirations to all of our stakeholders. Our Empowerer profile supports our focus on creating an exceptional experience through the power of technology and is an integral foundation to our company standards.?AGFA HealthCare?is a division of the?Agfa-Gevaert Group. For more information about?AGFA HealthCare, please visit? www.agfahealthcare.com . AGFA?and the?Agfa?rhombus are registered trademarks of?Agfa-Gevaert N.V.?Belgium?or its affiliates. RUBEE is a registered trademark of AGFA HealthCare NV or its affiliates. All rights reserved. All information contained herein is intended for guidance purposes only, and the characteristics of the products and services described in this publication can be changed at any time without notice. Products and services may not be available for your local area. Please contact your local sales representative for availability information.?AGFA HealthCare?diligently strives to provide as accurate information as possible but shall not be responsible for any typographical error. That's life in flow. Follow us at HIMSS on: X | LinkedIn SOURCE: AGFA HealthCare View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Finsbury Growth & Income Trust PLC - Result of AGM PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, January 28 28 January 2025 Finsbury Growth & Income Trust PLC (the "Company") Result of Annual General Meeting The Board is pleased to announce that at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on Tuesday, 28 January 2025, all resolutions as detailed below were duly passed by shareholders on a poll. Resolutions Votes For % Votes Against % Total Votes Cast Votes Withheld 1. To receive the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2024. 57,519,517 99.88 71,396 0.12 57,590,913 50,359 2. To re-elect James Ashton as a Director of the Company. 57,352,182 99.70 172,700 0.30 57,524,882 116,390 3. To re-elect Kate Cornish-Bowden as a Director of the Company. 57,355,124 99.71 166,109 0.29 57,521,233 120,039 4. To re-elect Sandra Kelly as a Director of the Company. 57,348,912 99.70 170,053 0.30 57,518,965 122,307 5. To re-elect Pars Purewal as a Director of the Company. 57,356,546 99.72 163,740 0.28 57,520,286 120,986 6. To re-elect Lorna Tilbian as a Director of the Company. 52,410,019 91.13 5,100,271 8.87 57,510,290 130,982 7. To receive and approve the Directors' Remuneration Report for the year ended 30 September 2024. 57,200,236 99.46 312,468 0.54 57,512,704 128,568 8. To appoint Deloitte LLP as Auditor to the Company, to hold office from the conclusion of this meeting until the conclusion of the next general meeting at which financial statements are laid before the Company. 57,354,415 99.69 180,533 0.31 57,534,948 106,324 9. To authorise the Audit Committee to determine the remuneration of the Auditor of the Company. 57,466,876 99.83 96,672 0.17 57,563,548 77,724 10. To receive and approve the Company's Dividend Policy, as set out in the Annual Report. 57,455,999 99.79 123,643 0.21 57,579,642 61,630 11. To approve and adopt the revised Articles of Association. 57,478,945 99.83 100,474 0.17 57,579,419 61,853 12. To allot securities in the Company. 57,393,760 99.67 187,210 0.33 57,580,970 60,302 13#. To disapply the rights of pre-emption in relation to the allotment of securities. 57,306,638 99.56 251,470 0.44 57,558,108 83,164 14#. To disapply pre-emption rights on the sale of Treasury Shares and to sell Treasury Shares at a premium to the net asset value per share. 57,300,740 99.53 270,122 0.47 57,570,862 70,410 15#. To authorise the Company to make market purchases of Ordinary shares in the Company. 56,791,750 98.64 785,317 1.36 57,577,067 64,205 16#. That the Directors be permitted to call General Meetings (excluding the AGM) on not less than 14 clear days' notice. 57,303,562 99.51 284,134 0.49 57,587,696 53,576 # - Special Resolution A vote Withheld is not a vote in law and is not counted in the calculation of the proportion of votes "For" and "Against" a resolution. Notes: Any proxy votes which are at the discretion of the Chairman have been included in the "for" total. A vote withheld is not a vote in law and is not counted in the votes for or against a resolution. As at the date of the Annual General Meeting, the total number of voting rights in the Company was 149,958,679. The Company had 75,032,624 ordinary shares held in Treasury. In accordance with UK Listing Rule 6.4.2 and UK Listing Rule 6.4.3, the full text of the special business resolutions passed has been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism . Resolutions 11 to 16 will additionally be filed at Companies House. Terms not otherwise defined in this announcement have the meaning given to them in the Notice of Meeting. For further information, please contact: GoDaddy: Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library At GoDaddy, we're all about supporting the dreamers, the doers, and the builders who make the internet an exciting, inclusive place. Whether it's entrepreneurs launching their first business or open source developers shaping the tools powering the open web, we believe in empowering people to thrive online. But what does that look like in practice? It means putting our money, our talent, and our resources behind the open-source projects that make the internet work-and supporting the people who make it all possible. Let's talk about how GoDaddy is showing up for the open web, open source, and the "Everyday Contributors" who bring it to life. Our Commitment to Open Source From day one, GoDaddy has been a proud supporter of open source. One of our biggest contributions? We're founding members of the OpenJS Foundation, which emerged in 2019 when the Node.js Foundation and the JS Foundation joined forces (Wikipedia). We've stayed active ever since. GoDaddy participates in the OpenJS World track of events like the Open Source Summit North America as attendees and contributors, advocating for the tools and technologies that underpin the modern web. (GoDaddy News). For us, it's about more than just showing up-it's about making a real difference. That's why we invest in programs and partnerships that strengthen open-source communities, drive innovation, and promote collaboration. Making a Difference in WordPress If you've spent any time online, there's a good chance you've interacted with WordPress-it powers over 40% of the internet! At GoDaddy, we're not just fans of WordPress; we're active contributors. Here's what we're doing to support WordPress: Full-Time Contributors : We employ two full-time developers, Kira Schroder and George Mamadashvilili, who work exclusively on WordPress core development. They're the superheroes behind the scenes, ensuring WordPress stays fast, secure, and scalable. Contractor Support : In addition to our in-house team, we work with contractors, such as Joe Dolson, who bring fresh ideas and expertise to enhance WordPress's features and ecosystem. Staff Support: GoDaddy proudly sponsors 46 contributors, dedicating 255 hours per week to WordPress across 17 teams By supporting WordPress at every level, we're helping to build a stronger, more sustainable open web. Everyday Entrepreneurs and Contributors: The People Who Power the Web At GoDaddy, we talk a lot about Everyday Entrepreneurs-the small business owners, creators, and freelancers turning their ideas into reality online. We give them the tools and resources they need to succeed, from domain names to website builders (About GoDaddy). But there's another group we're equally passionate about: Everyday Contributors. They're the reason technology like WordPress, and PHP, and JavaScript exist-and we're proud to support them with funding, mentorship, and opportunities to shine. The coders, designers, project managers, and documenters who work tirelessly to create and maintain open-source tools are the backbone of the open web, and we're committed to helping them thrive. How GoDaddy Shows Up for Open Source Here's a snapshot of how we're investing in open source and the open web: PHP Coding Standards (PHPCS): GoDaddy gave $12,000 to support PHP code quality tools. PHP Foundation : GoDaddy donated $24,000 to help sustain PHP, the language powering nearly 80% of the the web. World Wide Web Consortium (W3C ): GoDaddy donated $40,000 to champion open web standards through the W3C, the organization which brings together global stakeholders to develop open standards which enable a web that connects and empowers humanity. WP Accessibility Meetup: GoDaddy sponsors live captions for the group annually, ensuring that events are accessible to a broader audience, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, and promoting inclusivity within the WordPress community. The WP Community Collective: We've pledged $520,000 to this initiative focused on funding and empowering WordPress and open source contributors. This partnership will be directed towards providing financial, operational and promotional support within the greater WP community. It's all about giving back to the community that keeps WordPress thriving. These contributions go beyond dollars and cents. They're a testament to our belief in a free and open internet where everyone can contribute, collaborate, and succeed. What's Next for GoDaddy and the Open Web? Our vision for the future is simple: keep investing in the tools, people, and communities that make the web work. Whether it's funding new initiatives, supporting Everyday Contributors, or empowering entrepreneurs, we're committed to building a better, more inclusive internet for all. And you can be part of this journey! Whether you're a developer, a designer, or an entrepreneur, your contributions matter. Check out the open-source projects we're supporting, or dive into the WordPress community. Together, we can make the open web stronger than ever. Let's build the internet we all deserve-open, collaborative, and full of opportunity. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GoDaddy on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: GoDaddy Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/godaddy Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: GoDaddy View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 28, 2025) - Omai Gold Mines Corp. (TSXV: OMG) ("Omai" or the "Company") is pleased to announce, due to investor demand, the Company and Paradigm Capital Inc., as co-lead Underwriter and sole bookrunner, on behalf of Haywood Securities Inc., as co-lead Underwriter, and a syndicate of underwriters (the "Underwriters"), have agreed to increase the size of the Company's previously announced bought deal private placement offering (the "Offering"). Under the amended Offering, 73,334,000 common shares of the Company (the "Shares") are to be issued at $0.30 per Share (the "Issue Price") for gross proceeds of $22,000,200. In addition, the Underwriters have been granted an option to purchase up to 11,000,100 additional Shares for additional gross proceeds of up to $3,300,030. The net proceeds from the Offering will be used for exploration and development, and general working capital purposes. The Offering is expected to close on or about February 13, 2025, and is subject to certain closing conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the conditional listing approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and the applicable securities regulatory authorities. The Offering is being made by way of private placement in Canada, in the United States pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in such other jurisdictions as may be mutually agreed upon by the Underwriters and the Company. The securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a hold period in Canada expiring four months and one day from the closing date of the offering. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Shares have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "1933 Act") and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, "U.S. persons" (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act), except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. About OMAI GOLD MINES CORP. 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") on its Wenot deposit at Omai on April 4, 2024, supporting 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 price1. An updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") announced February 8, 2024 includes 2.0 million ounces of gold (Indicated) and 2.3 million ounces (Inferred)1. 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 process recoveries and many other relevant mining parameters. 1 The NI43-101 Technical Report dated May 21, 2024, titled "UPDATED MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE AND PRELIMINARY ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE OMAI GOLD PROPERTY, POTARO MINING DISTRICT NO. 2, GUYANA", prepared under the supervision of Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, President of P&E Mining Consultants Inc., who is a Qualified Person (QP) and is independent of Omai Gold for the purposes of NI 43-101. The report is available on SEDAR+ and on the Company's website at https://omaigoldmines.com/site/assets/files/5486/omg_wenot_pea_final_may_21_2024.pdf. Elaine Ellingham P.Geo. is a Qualified Person (QP) under NI 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" and has reviewed the technical information contained in this news release. Ms. Ellingham is not considered to be independent for the purposes of NI 43-101. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking statements or information (collectively, "FLI") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, FLI can be identified by the use of statements that include words such as "seeks", "believes", "anticipates", "plans", "continues", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "intends", "projects", "predicts", "proposes", "potential", "targets" and variations of such words and phrases, or by statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "will" "could", "would", "should" or "might", "be taken", "occur" or "be achieved." FLI herein includes, but is not limited to, the terms and conditions of the Offering, anticipated regulatory approvals in connection with the Offering, timing of closing of the Offering, stated use of proceeds of the Offering, statements regarding the results of the Omai PEA, including the production, operating cost, capital cost and cash cost estimates, the projected valuation metrics and rates of return, and the cash flow projections, as well as mineral resource estimates for the Omai Gold Mine. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are FLI that involve various risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties. For additional information with respect to these and risks, assumptions, and other factors that may affect the FLI made in this press release concerning the Company, please refer to the sections entitled "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information" and "Risk Factors" in the most recent management discussion and analysis of the Company, which is available electronically on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under the Company's issuer profile. FLI is not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The FLI contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof or as at the date of the applicable document only and, accordingly, are subject to change after such dates. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any FLI or the foregoing list of risks, assumptions or other factors, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238697 SOURCE: Omai Gold Mines Corp. 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, "IoT Sensors Market Size and Forecast". This in-depth analysis is a must-have resource for decision-makers, innovators, and stakeholders operating in industries driven by the Internet of Things (IoT). LEWES, Del., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global IoT Sensors Market Size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 32.26% from 2024 to 2031, according to a new report published by Verified Market Research. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 13.24 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 103.1 Billion by the end of the forecast period. As IoT adoption accelerates, the role of sensors becomes critical, fueling smarter, interconnected systems across manufacturing, healthcare, automotive, agriculture, and more. This report examines the IoT Sensors Market's transformative trajectory, offering actionable insights on emerging trends, technological advancements, competitive landscapes, and the revenue potential across key verticals. Key Insights of the Report Include: Market Size & Growth Projections : Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the IoT Sensors Market's growth trajectory across regions and sectors. : Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the IoT Sensors Market's growth trajectory across regions and sectors. Technology Drivers : Evaluation of advancements in sensor technology, including miniaturization, energy efficiency, and wireless communication protocols. : Evaluation of advancements in sensor technology, including miniaturization, energy efficiency, and wireless communication protocols. End-User Insights : Deep dives into IoT sensor applications in industries like smart homes, industrial automation, connected vehicles, and healthcare monitoring systems. : Deep dives into IoT sensor applications in industries like smart homes, industrial automation, connected vehicles, and healthcare monitoring systems. Competitive Analysis: Profiles of leading players and strategies shaping the competitive landscape. Why This Report Matters to Industry Leaders: In an era where real-time data is the backbone of competitive advantage, IoT sensors are redefining operational efficiencies and customer experiences. Our report empowers businesses with: Data-Driven Decisions : Gain clarity on market trends, investment hotspots, and strategic growth areas. : Gain clarity on market trends, investment hotspots, and strategic growth areas. Future-Proofing Strategies : Stay ahead with insights into innovations and regulatory developments impacting IoT adoption. : Stay ahead with insights into innovations and regulatory developments impacting IoT adoption. Bespoke Market Opportunities: Tailor strategies with region-specific and sector-focused analysis. Stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving IoT Sensors Market. For more information or to request a sample copy of the report, please visit: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample?rid=3737 Browse in-depth TOC on "Global IoT Sensors Market Size" 202 - Pages 126 - Tables 37 - Figures Report Scope REPORT ATTRIBUTES DETAILS STUDY PERIOD 2021-2031 GROWTH RATE CAGR of ~32.26% 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 Sensor Type Network Technology Vertical REGIONS COVERED North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa KEY PLAYERS Texas Instruments, TE Connectivity, Broadcom, NXP Semiconductors, STMicroelectronics, Bosch Sensortec, TDK Corporation, Infineon Technologies, Analog Devices, Omron Corporation, Honeywell International, Siemens AG, Knowles Corporation, ABB Ltd, Sensata Technologies, Emerson Electric Co., Teledyne Technologies, and AMS OSRAM AG CUSTOMIZATION Report customization along with purchase available upon request Global IoT Sensors Market Overview Market Driver Surge in IoT Adoption Across Industries: The rising adoption of IoT in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and automotive is a significant growth driver for the IoT Sensors Market. These sensors provide real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making, resulting in increased operational efficiency. As industries prioritise automation and smart solutions, the need for IoT sensors will increase, offering profitable opportunities for sensor manufacturers and technology providers. Advancements in Sensor Technology: The IoT Sensors Market is being driven by technological innovations such as miniaturisation, energy efficiency, and better wireless capabilities. These developments enable smooth integration with a wide range of IoT applications, including wearables and industrial machines. Enhanced characteristics, such as higher sensitivity and durability, enable businesses to deploy sensors in difficult situations, unlocking new use cases and increasing acceptance across critical sectors. Rising Demand for Smart Cities: The global push for smart city programs has increased the demand for IoT sensors in applications including traffic control, energy conservation, and public safety. These sensors play an important role in allowing intelligent infrastructure, increasing resource efficiency, and improving quality of life. Governments and commercial sectors engaging in urban modernisation are generating a dynamic ecosystem, fuelling the growth of the IoT sensor market. To Purchase a Comprehensive Report Analysis: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/select-licence?rid=3737 Market Restraint High Initial Costs: The high costs of IoT sensor deployment, which include hardware, software, and integration charges, create a barrier to entry for small and medium-sized businesses. Despite the long-term benefits, the considerable initial investment frequently discourages adoption, especially in budget-constrained enterprises. This pricing barrier restricts market penetration and hinders the adoption of IoT technologies. Security and Privacy Concerns: Data security and privacy remain significant challenges in the IoT Sensors Market. The massive amount of data created by IoT devices creates vulnerabilities, making them possible targets for assaults. Businesses and end-users are hesitant to use IoT solutions without strong security safeguards, thereby impeding market growth and forcing sensor providers to prioritise cybersecurity advancements. Integration Complexities: Integrating IoT sensors into current systems can be a difficult process that involves compatibility concerns, several protocols, and legacy infrastructure limits. These difficulties frequently necessitate significant time and expertise, raising operational expenses for businesses. Without simple integration options, many potential customers are still unwilling to install IoT sensors, impeding the market's growing momentum. Geographical Dominance North America dominates the IoT Sensors Market thanks to improved infrastructure, high IoT adoption rates, and large R&D investments. The region's growing industries, including healthcare, automotive, and industrial automation, fuel demand for advanced sensors. This dominance encourages innovation and establishes industry standards, attracting global participants and allowing for scalable expansion. Emerging markets in Asia-Pacific are fast catching up, increasing global rivalry. Key Players The "Global IoT Sensors Market" study report will provide a valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are Texas Instruments, TE Connectivity, Broadcom, NXP Semiconductors, STMicroelectronics, Bosch Sensortec, TDK Corporation, Infineon Technologies, Analog Devices, Omron Corporation, Honeywell International, Siemens AG, Knowles Corporation, ABB Ltd, Sensata Technologies, Emerson Electric Co., Teledyne Technologies, and AMS OSRAM AG. IoT Sensors Market Segment Analysis Based on the research, Verified Market Research has segmented the global IoT Sensors Market into Sensor Type, Network Technology, Vertical and Geography. IoT Sensors Market, by Sensor Type: Pressure Temperature Humidity Image Inertial Gyroscope Touch IoT Sensors Market, by Network Technology: Wired Wireless IoT Sensors Market, by Vertical: Commercial IoT Industrial IoT IoT Sensors 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 IOT Sensors In Healthcare Market Size By Application (Patient Monitoring, Diagnostics, Clinical Efficiency), By End-User (Hospitals, Surgical Centers, and Clinics, Clinical Research Organizations), By Geography, And Forecast Global 5G IoT Market Size By Component (Hardware, Platform, Connectivity), By Network Type (5G Standalone (SA), 5G Non-standalone (NSA), By End-User (Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture), By Geography, And Forecast Global IoT in Automotive Market Size By Application (Telematics and Connectivity Solutions, Predictive Maintenance, Fleet Management, Autonomous Driving), By Component (Sensors and Actuators, Connectivity Hardware, Software Solutions), By Type of Communication (Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I), Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), By Geography, And Forecast Global IoT Security Market Size By Product Type (Network Security, Endpoint Security), Deployment (Cloud, On-Premises), Application (Smart Homes, Smart Manufacturing, Connected Logistics), End-User (Manufacturing, Retail, IT and Telecommunication, BFSI), By Geography, And Forecast Top 7 IoT Companies incorporating automation and sensor technology intelligently Visualize IoT Sensors 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. Celebrating 10+ years of service, VMR has been instrumental in providing founders and companies with precise, up-to-date research data. With a team of 500+ Analysts and subject matter experts, VMR leverages internationally recognized research methodologies for data collection and analyses, covering over 15,000 high impact and niche markets. This robust team ensures data integrity and offers insights that are both informative and actionable, tailored to the strategic needs of businesses across various industries. VMR's domain expertise is recognized across 14 key industries, including Semiconductor & Electronics, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Energy, Technology, Automobiles, Defense, Mining, Manufacturing, Retail, and Agriculture & Food. In-depth market analysis covers over 52 countries, with advanced data collection methods and sophisticated research techniques being utilized. 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Contact Us Mr. Edwyne Fernandes Verified Market Research US: +1 (650)-781-4080 US Toll Free: +1 (800)-782-1768 Email: sales@verifiedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/ Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2015407/VMR_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/iot-sensors-market-is-expected-to-generate-a-revenue-of-usd-103-1-billion-by-2031--globally-at-32-26-cagr-verified-market-research-302361742.html The Oil and Gas Analytics Market is driven by the growing need for operational efficiency and cost optimization in exploration, production, and distribution processes. Rising demand for energy, coupled with advancements in big data analytics, oT, and artificial intelligence, is enabling real-time decision-making and predictive maintenance in the sector. Regulatory pressures to reduce carbon emissions and adopt sustainable practices further boost the adoption of analytics solutions. LEWES, Del., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Oil and Gas Analytics Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 20.1% from 2024 to 2030, according to a new report published by Verified Market Reports. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 15.85 Billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 38.8 Billion by the end of the forecast period. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/download-sample/?rid=628792 Browse in-depth TOC on Oil and Gas Analytics Market 202 - Pages 126 - Tables 37 - Figures Scope of The Report REPORT ATTRIBUTES DETAILS STUDY PERIOD 2021-2030 BASE YEAR 2023 FORECAST PERIOD 2024-2030 HISTORICAL PERIOD 2021-2022 UNIT Value (USD Billion) KEY COMPANIES PROFILED Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, IBM, Northwest Analytics, Oracle, SAP, SAS Institute, Tableau Software, Teradata, Tibco Software SEGMENTS COVERED By Type, By Application, By Geography CUSTOMIZATION SCOPE Free report customization (equivalent to up to 4 analyst working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope Global Oil and Gas Analytics Market Overview Market Drivers Fueling Growth in the Oil and Gas Analytics Market 1. Rising Demand for Operational Efficiency and Cost Optimization The oil and gas industry faces growing pressure to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs amid fluctuating energy prices. Analytics solutions enable companies to streamline processes, optimize asset performance, and reduce downtime through predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring. By leveraging big data analytics, organizations can make data-driven decisions, improving resource utilization and lowering operational expenditures. This demand for efficiency is a significant driver propelling the adoption of analytics in the sector. 2. Advancements in Digital Technologies and IoT Integration Rapid advancements in digital technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning, are revolutionizing the oil and gas industry. IoT-enabled devices facilitate seamless data collection from remote locations, while AI-driven analytics provide actionable insights for optimizing production and supply chain management. These technologies empower companies to improve accuracy, enhance safety measures, and reduce environmental risks, driving the adoption of analytics solutions. 3. Regulatory Mandates and Focus on Sustainability Government regulations and global initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices are encouraging the adoption of analytics in the oil and gas sector. Advanced analytics tools help companies monitor environmental compliance, assess energy efficiency, and develop strategies for reducing their carbon footprint. This alignment with regulatory and environmental goals not only ensures compliance but also enhances the industry's reputation and attracts investments, further fueling market growth. To Purchase a Comprehensive Report Analysis: https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/download-sample/?rid=628792 Market Restraints Limiting Expansion in the Oil and Gas Analytics Market 1. High Implementation and Maintenance Costs The deployment of advanced analytics solutions in the oil and gas industry involves significant upfront investment in infrastructure, software, and skilled personnel. For many companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), these high costs act as a barrier to adoption. Furthermore, ongoing expenses for system updates, maintenance, and technical support add to the financial burden, limiting the market's expansion potential. 2. Integration Challenges with Legacy Systems Many oil and gas companies rely on outdated legacy systems that are not compatible with modern analytics platforms. Integrating new technologies with existing infrastructure can be complex, time-consuming, and costly. These challenges often lead to delays in implementation and hinder the full utilization of analytics capabilities, discouraging organizations from adopting such solutions. 3. Data Security and Privacy Concerns The oil and gas industry generates vast amounts of sensitive data, including operational metrics and proprietary information. The growing reliance on digital analytics platforms raises concerns about data breaches, cyberattacks, and unauthorized access. Ensuring robust cybersecurity measures while maintaining compliance with data privacy regulations can be challenging and expensive, deterring companies from fully embracing analytics technologies. Geographic Dominance The Oil and Gas Analytics Market showcases significant geographic diversity, with key regions such as North America, Europe, Asia, and the Rest of the World playing pivotal roles in its growth. North America leads the market, driven by robust technological advancements, extensive shale gas exploration activities, and the presence of major oil and gas companies adopting advanced analytics solutions. Europe follows closely, supported by stringent environmental regulations and a growing focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. Asia stands out as a rapidly growing region, fueled by increasing energy demands, expanding exploration activities, and substantial investments in digital transformation across developing economies like China and India. The Rest of the World, encompassing regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, also contributes significantly, leveraging vast reserves and adopting analytics tools to optimize production and operational efficiency. Together, these regions underline the global importance and widespread adoption of analytics in enhancing the oil and gas sector. Oil and Gas Analytics Market Key Players Shaping the Future Major players, including Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, IBM, Northwest Analytics, Oracle, SAP, SAS Institute, Tableau Software, Teradata, Tibco Software and more, play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Oil and Gas Analytics Market. Financial statements, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis provide valuable insights into the industry's key players. Oil and Gas Analytics Market Segment Analysis Based on the research, Verified Market Reports has segmented the global Oil and Gas Analytics Market into Type, Application and Geography. Oil and Gas Analytics Market, By Type Hardware Software Services Oil and Gas Analytics Market, By Application Oil Industry Natural Gas Industry Oil and Gas Analytics 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 Oil and Gas Security and Service Market By Type (Physical Security, Network Security), By Application (Exploration and Drilling, Refining and Storage Area), By Geographic Scope And Forecast Global Oil and Gas Pipeline Leak Detection System Market By Type (Acoustic/Ultrasonic, E-RTTM), By Application (Oil and Gas Production, Oil and Gas Transportation), By Geographic Scope And Forecast Global Oil and Gas Back Office Software Market By Type (Cloud Based, Web Based), By Application (Large Enterprises, SMEs), By Geographic Scope And Forecast Global Oil and Gas Remote Monitoring Market By Type (Pipeline Integrity Monitoring, Tank Level Monitoring), By Application (Upstream, Midstream), By Geographic Scope And Forecast Global Oil and Gas Hose Assemblies Market By Type (Rubber, Polymers & Composites), By Application (Onshore, Offshore), By Geographic Scope And Forecast About Us Verified Market Reports 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. Celebrating 10+ years of service, Verified Market Reports has been instrumental in providing founders and companies with precise, up-to-date research data. With a team of 500+ Analysts and subject matter experts, Verified Market Reports leverages internationally recognized research methodologies for data collection and analyses, covering over 15,000 high impact and niche markets. This robust team ensures data integrity and offers insights that are both informative and actionable, tailored to the strategic needs of businesses across various industries. Verified Market Reports' domain expertise is recognized across 14 key industries, including Semiconductor & Electronics, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Energy, Technology, Automobiles, Defense, Mining, Manufacturing, Retail, and Agriculture & Food. In-depth market analysis cover over 52 countries, with advanced data collection methods and sophisticated research techniques being utilized. 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Contact Us Mr. Edwyne Fernandes Verified Market Reports US: +1 (650)-781-4080 US Toll Free: +1 (800)-782-1768 Email: sales@verifiedmarketreports.com Web: https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2486715/VM_Reports_logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/oil-and-gas-analytics-market-surges-to-usd-38-8-billion-by-2030--propelled-by-20-1-cagr---verified-market-reports-302361752.html Paris, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- THIS DOCUMENT IS AN UNOFFICIAL ENGLISH-LANGUAGE TRANSLATION OF THE FRENCH LANGUAGE PRESS RELEASE WHICH WAS PUBLISHED BY THE OFFEROR ON 28 JANUARY 2025. IN THE EVENT OF ANY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THIS UNOFFICIAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRANSLATION AND THE OFFICIAL FRENCH LANGUAGE PRESS RELEASE, THE OFFICIAL FRENCH LANGUAGE PRESS RELEASE SHALL PREVAIL. PRESS RELEASE ON THE FILING OF A DRAFT OFFER DOCUMENT RELATING TO THE SIMPLIFIED TENDER OFFER for the Neoen shares ("Shares") and bonds convertible into and/or exchangeable for new and/or existing Neoen shares ("OCEANEs") initiated by Brookfield Renewable Holdings SAS presented by Bank presenting the offer Bank presenting the offer and acting as guarantor TERMS OF THE OFFER: EUR 39.85 per share of Neoen EUR 48.14 per 2020 OCEANE of Neoen EUR 105,000.001 per 2022 OCEANE of Neoen DURATION OF THE OFFER: 21 Trading Days The timetable for the simplified tender offer referred to herein (the "Offer") will be set by the French stock market authority (Autorite des marches financiers) (the "AMF") in accordance with the provisions of its general regulation (the "AMF General Regulation") This press release (the "Press Release") was prepared by Brookfield Renewable Holdings and published pursuant to Article 231-16 of the AMF General Regulation. The Offer and the draft offer document remain subject to review by the AMF. IMPORTANT NOTICE The Press Release must be read together with all other documents published in connection with the Offer. In particular, in accordance with Article 231-28 of the AMF General Regulation, a description of the legal, financial and accounting characteristics of Brookfield Renewable Holdings will be filed with the AMF and made available to the public no later than the day prior to the opening of the Offer. A press release will be issued to inform the public of the manner in which this information will be made available. The Offer is not and will not be proposed in any jurisdiction where it would not be permitted under applicable law. Acceptance of the Offer by persons residing in countries other than France and the United States of America may be subject to specific obligations or restrictions imposed by legal or regulatory provisions. Recipients of the Offer are solely responsible for compliance with such laws and it is therefore their responsibility, before accepting the Offer, to determine whether such laws exist and are applicable, based on the advice they obtain from their own advisers. For more information, see Section 2.14 (Offer restrictions outside of France) below. In the event that following the closing of the Offer: - the number of Shares not tendered to the Offer by the minority shareholders of Neoen (excluding treasury Shares held by the Company and the Shares covered (or that will be covered) by the Liquidity Agreements, but including the Unavailable PEE Shares (as defined in this Press Release) does not represent more than 10% of the share capital and voting rights of Neoen, and - the number of shares not tendered to the Offer by the minority shareholders of Neoen (excluding treasury Shares held by the Company and the Shares covered (or that will be covered) by the Liquidity Agreements, but including the Unavailable PEE Shares) and the number of Shares that may be issued following the conversion of the OCEANEs not tendered in the Offer do not represent more than 10% of the sum of existing Shares and Shares that may be issued following the conversion of the OCEANEs, Brookfield Renewable Holdings also intends to implement, at the latest within three (3) months following the closing of the Offer, in accordance with Articles L. 433-4 II and III of the French Monetary and Financial Code and 237-1 et seq. of the AMF General Regulation, a squeeze-out procedure in order to transfer (i) on the one hand, the Shares not tendered to the Offer (excluding treasury Shares held by the Company and the Shares covered (or that will be covered) by the Liquidity Agreements, but including the Unavailable PEE Shares) in exchange for compensation equal to the Offer Price per Share (i.e. EUR 39.85 per Share) net of all costs and after adjustments, if applicable, and (ii) on the other hand, the OCEANEs not tendered to the Offer in exchange for compensation equal to the Offer Price per OCEANE (i.e. EUR 48.14 per 2020 OCEANE and EUR 105,000.002 per 2022 OCEANE), net of all costs and after adjustments, if applicable. The draft offer document prepared by Brookfield Renewable Holdings) and may be obtained free of charge from: Brookfield Renewable Holdings SAS 39 rue de Courcelles 75008 Paris BNP Paribas (M&A EMEA Department) 5 boulevard Haussmann 75009 Paris ("BNP Paribas") Societe Generale GLBA/IBD/ECM/SEG 75886 Paris Cedex 18 ("Societe Generale") OVERVIEW OF THE OFFER Pursuant to Title III of Book II and more specifically Articles 233-1, 2 and 234-2 et seq. of the AMF General Regulation, Brookfield Renewable Holdings SAS, a French societe par actions simplifiee with a share capital of 1,000 euros, having its registered office at 39 rue de Courcelles, 75008 Paris, France registered with the Paris Trade and Companies Registry (Registre du Commerce et des Societes) under number 928 680 024 ("Brookfield Renewable Holdings" or the "Offeror") irrevocably offers to all shareholders of Neoen S.A., a public limited company (societe anonyme) with a board of directors and a share capital of 305,697,548 euros, having its registered office at 22 rue Bayard, 75008 Paris, registered with the Paris Trade and Companies Registry under number 508 320 017 ("Neoen" or the "Company", and together with its directly- or indirectly-owned subsidiaries, the "Group"), and to all holders of Neoen bonds convertible into new ordinary shares and/or exchangeable for existing ordinary shares of the Company issued by the Company on 2 June 2020 (the "2020 OCEANEs") and of Neoen bonds convertible into new ordinary shares and/or exchangeable for existing ordinary shares of the Company issued by the Company on 14 September 2022 (the "2022 OCEANEs" and, together with the 2020 OCEANEs, the "OCEANEs"), to acquire, in cash: all of the shares of the Company which are traded on the compartment A of the Euronext Paris regulated market under ISIN Code FR0011675362, ticker symbol "NEOEN" (the " Shares "), "), all of the 2020 OCEANEs of the Company which are traded on the multilateral trading facility Euronext Access (" Euronext Access ") under ISIN Code FR0013515707, and ") under ISIN Code FR0013515707, and all the 2022 OCEANEs of the Company which are traded on Euronext Access under ISIN Code FR001400CMS2, that the Offeror does not hold (subject to the exceptions set out below), directly or indirectly, on the date of the Draft Offer Document, at the price of: EUR 39.85 per Share (the " Offer Price per Share "), "), EUR 48.14 per 2020 OCEANE (the " Offer Price per 2020 OCEANE "), and "), and EUR 105,000.003 per 2022 OCEANE (the "Offer Price per 2022 OCEANE"), as part of a simplified mandatory tender offer, the terms and conditions of which are described hereafter (the "Offer") and which may be followed, if all conditions are met, by a squeeze-out procedure for the Shares and/or OCEANEs pursuant to the provisions of Articles 237-1 to 237-10 of the AMF General Regulation (the "Squeeze-Out"). The Offer results from the completion of the Block Trade Acquisition (which is described in Section 1.1.2). On 2 January 2025, BNP Paribas and Societe Generale (together, the "Presenting Banks"), acting as presenting banks for the Offer, filed on behalf of the Offeror the initial draft of the Offer, with respect to the 2022 OCEANEs, at the price of EUR 101,382.00 per 2022 OCEANE (coupon attached) (the "Initial Offer"), as well as a draft offer document (the "Initial Draft Offer Document") to the AMF. In a press release dated 24 January 2025, the Offeror announced its decision to raise the Offer price for the 2022 OCEANEs from EUR 101,382.00 per 2022 OCEANE (coupon attached) in the Initial Offer to EUR 105,000.004 per 2022 OCEANE (coupon attached). The Offer Price per Share and the Offer price per 2020 OCEANE remain unchanged. This Offer and the Draft Offer Document replace, respectively, the Initial Offer and the Initial Draft Offer Document. The Offeror had reserved the right, from the filing of the draft Initial Offer with the AMF, and until the opening of the Offer, to acquire Shares or OCEANEs within the limits set out in Article 231-38 IV of the AMF General Regulation. In this regard, Brookfield Renewable Holdings acquired on the market 21,214,001 Shares representing 13.88% of the share capital and theoretical voting rights of the Company5, and 1,103,895 2020 OCEANEs, as further detailed in Section 1.1.2 of the Draft Offer Document, it being specified that the Offeror did not acquire any 2022 OCEANEs. As of the date of the Draft Offer Document, Brookfield Renewable Holdings holds6: directly: 102,411,101 Shares (i.e. 67.00% of the share capital and 67.08% of the voting rights of the Company), and 1,103,895 2020 OCEANEs, acquire on the market following publication by the AMF of the notice of filing of the Initial Draft Offer Document on 2 January 2025, and in accordance with Article 231-38 of the AMF General Regulation, by way of assimilation pursuant to Article L. 233-9 of the French Commercial Code: the (i) 545,672 Unavailable Holding Shares (as defined below) (i.e. 0.36% of the share capital and theoretical voting rights of the Company) with respect to which Brookfield Renewable Holdings benefits from a Call Option (as defined below) at the Offer Price per Share for each Unavailable Holding Share exercisable as from 16 April 2025, pursuant to the Liquidity Agreement entered into by Mr. Xavier Barbaro (which is described in Section 1.3.3), (ii) 39,943 Managers Unavailable Shares (as defined in Section 2.4 and also covered by the Liquidity Agreement entered into by Mr. Xavier Barbaro) held by Mr. Xavier Barbaro, (iii) 1,600 PEE Shares (as defined below) held by Mr. Xavier Barbaro, and (iv) 180,832 7 2024 Free Shares (as defined below and also covered by the Liquidity Agreement entered into by Mr. Xavier Barbaro) held by Mr. Xavier Barbaro, the (i) 442,895 Shares, (ii) 9,445 Managers Unavailable Shares (as defined in Section 2.4 and covered by the Liquidity Agreement entered into by Mr. Romain Desrousseaux), and (iii) 120,555 2024 Free Shares 8 (as defined below and also covered by the Liquidity Agreement entered into by Mr. Romain Desrousseaux) held by Mr. Romain Desrousseaux, and 14,330 Shares (i.e. 0.009% of the share capital and theoretical voting rights of the Company) through the intermediary of Aranda Investments Pte. Ltd., a Singapore private company limited by shares, having its registered office at 60B, Orchard Road, #06-18, The Atrium @Orchard, Singapore 238891 and whose Unique Entity Number is 200312481K (" Aranda Investments "), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited, a Singapore Exempt Private Limited company, having its registered office at 60B, Orchard Road, #06-18, The Atrium @Orchard, Singapore 238891 and whose Unique Entity Number is 197401143C (" Temasek "). In total, the Offeror holds, directly and indirectly, alone and in concert, and by assimilation, 103,464,986 Shares (i.e. 67.69% of the share capital and theoretical voting rights of the Company)9 and 1,103,895 2020 OCEANEs. The Offeror does not hold, directly and indirectly, alone and in concert, or by assimilation, any 2022 OCEANEs. To the extent that, because of the Block Trade Acquisition, the Offeror has crossed the threshold of 30% of the Company's share capital and voting rights, the Offer is mandatory pursuant to the provisions of Article L. 433-3, I of the French Monetary and Financial Code and Article 234-2 of the AMF General Regulation. In accordance with the provisions of article 231-6 of the AMF General Regulation, the Offer targets: (i) all Shares, whether outstanding or to be issued, that are not held directly by the Offeror, i.e., the Shares: which are already issued other than the Excluded Shares (as defined below), i.e., to the knowledge of the Offeror and as at the date of the Draft Offer Document, a maximum of 49,499,337 Shares, which may be issued before the closing of the Offer (as per the indicative timetable provided in Section 2.10), other than the Excluded Shares (as defined below), as a result of the vesting of Free Shares granted by the Company under the Free Shares Plans (as defined in Section 2.4), i.e., to the knowledge of the Offeror and as at the date of the Draft Offer Document, a maximum of 267,387 10 Shares corresponding to all 2022 Free Shares and to a maximum of 105,416 2023 Accelerated Free Shares, Shares corresponding to all 2022 Free Shares and to a maximum of 105,416 2023 Accelerated Free Shares, which may be issued before the closing of the Offer (as per the indicative timetable provided in Section 2.10) in connection with the conversion of the 2020 OCEANEs, i.e., to the knowledge of the Offeror and as at the date of the Draft Offer Document, a maximum number of 3,101,212 new Shares 11 , , which may be issued before the closing of the Offer (as per the indicative timetable provided in Section 2.10) in connection with the conversion of the 2022 OCEANEs, i.e., to the knowledge of the Offeror and as at the date of the Draft Offer Document, a maximum number of 7,502,772 new Shares12, i.e., to the knowledge of the Offeror at the date of the Draft Offer Document, a maximum number of Shares targeted by the Offer equal to 60,370,708; and (ii) all outstanding OCEANEs that are not held by the Offeror, i.e. to the knowledge of the Offeror at the date of the Draft Offer Document, 2,575,758 2020 OCEANEs and 3,000 2022 OCEANEs. Among the Shares covered by the Offer, the 283,58113 Unavailable PEE Shares (as defined below) cannot be tendered into the Offer (except in the case of an early release in accordance with applicable laws and regulation). However, Unavailable PEE Shares will be targeted by the Squeeze-Out, if applicable. It is specified that the Offer does not target: the Shares held in treasury by the Company, the board of directors of the Company having decided not to tender them to the Offer, i.e., to the knowledge of the Offeror and as the date of the Draft Offer Document, 188,338 Shares (representing 0.12% of the share capital and theoretical voting rights of the Company) 14 , , the Unavailable Free Shares (as defined below), i.e. to the knowledge of the Offeror and as of the date hereof, a maximum of 827,345 15 Free Shares (these Shares being legally and technically unavailable and not being able to be tendered in the Offer). The situation of the beneficiaries of Free Shares in the context of the Offer is described in Sections 1.3.3 and 2.4. The Unavailable Free Shares (as defined below) will be covered under the Liquidity Agreements (as defined in Section 1.3.3), Free Shares (these Shares being legally and technically unavailable and not being able to be tendered in the Offer). The situation of the beneficiaries of Free Shares in the context of the Offer is described in Sections 1.3.3 and 2.4. The Unavailable Free Shares (as defined below) will be covered under the Liquidity Agreements (as defined in Section 1.3.3), the Managers Unavailable Shares (as defined below), i.e. to the knowledge of the Offeror and as of the date hereof, a maximum of 49,388 Free Shares (these Shares being legally and technically unavailable and not being able to be tendered in the Offer). The situation of the beneficiaries of Managers Unavailable Shares in the context of the Offer is described in Sections 1.3.3 and 2.4. The Managers Unavailable Shares (as defined in Section 2.4) are covered under the Liquidity Agreements entered into by, respectively, Mr. Xavier Barbaro and Mr. Romain Desrousseaux (as defined in Section 1.3.3), the Shares held by (i) Cartusia 16 subject to a holding period (i.e. to the knowledge of the Offeror at the date of the Draft Offer Document 403,928 Shares), and (ii) Equinox 17 , Kampen 18 , Hilaris 19 and Palancia 20 , such entities being family-owned entities indirectly represented by Mr. Xavier Barbaro, subject to a holding period (i.e. 141,744 Shares), collectively the " Unavailable Holding Shares ". The Unavailable Holding Shares are covered under the Liquidity Agreement entered into by Mr. Xavier Barbaro (as defined in Section 1.3.3) and are subject to a Call Option exercisable by Brookfield Renewable Holdings at the Offer Price per Share as from 16 April 2025, and subject to a holding period (i.e. to the knowledge of the Offeror at the date of the Draft Offer Document 403,928 Shares), and (ii) Equinox , Kampen , Hilaris and Palancia , such entities being family-owned entities indirectly represented by Mr. Xavier Barbaro, subject to a holding period (i.e. 141,744 Shares), collectively the " ". The Unavailable Holding Shares are covered under the Liquidity Agreement entered into by Mr. Xavier Barbaro (as defined in Section 1.3.3) and are subject to a Call Option exercisable by Brookfield Renewable Holdings at the Offer Price per Share as from 16 April 2025, and 154,938 Shares held, directly or indirectly, by Mr. Romain Desrousseaux that could be the subject, in whole or in part, of a contribution in kind in the event of the exercise of his reinvestment option, as described in Section 1.3.2 (the "RD Shares That May Be Tendered")21, (together, the "Excluded Shares"). To the knowledge of the Offeror, there are no other equity securities or other financial instruments issued by the Company or rights conferred by the Company that may give access, immediately or in the future, to the share capital or voting rights of the Company, other than the existing Shares and the OCEANEs described in Section 2.3 and the Free Shares described in Section 2.4. The Offer, which will be followed, if conditions are met, by a Squeeze-Out procedure pursuant to Articles L. 433-4 II and L. 433-4 III of the French Monetary and Financial Code and 237-1 et seq. of the AMF General Regulation, will be conducted following the simplified procedure in accordance with the provisions of Article 233-1 et seq. of the AMF General Regulation. The duration of the Offer will be 21 Trading Days22. In accordance with the provisions of Article 231-13 of the AMF General Regulation, the Offer is presented by BNP Paribas and Societe Generale, it being specified that only Societe Generale guarantees the content and the irrevocable nature of the commitments made by the Offeror in connection with the Offer. 1.1 Background of the Offer 1.1.1 Presentation of the Offeror (a) Presentation Brookfield Renewable Holdings is a special purpose vehicle whose share capital is directly fully owned by BRHL UK Holdings Limited23, itself indirectly fully owned by BRHL Master UK Holdings Limited24 ("Holdco"). Brookfield Renewable Holdings is ultimately indirectly controlled by Brookfield Asset Management25, Brookfield Corporation26 and their respective affiliates ("Brookfield"). Brookfield is pursuing the transaction through Brookfield Global Transition Fund II ("BGTF II"), which is Brookfield's flagship vehicle for investing in and facilitating the global transition to a net-zero economy and which has Brookfield Renewable Partners27 as cornerstone investor. BGTF II is the successor of the inaugural Brookfield Global Transition Fund, the world's largest private institutional investment fund dedicated specifically to investing in the transition to clean energy technologies globally. Brookfield Renewable Partners is an affiliate of Brookfield and Brookfield's flagship listed renewable power and sustainable solutions company. Brookfield Renewable Partners operates one of the world's largest publicly traded renewable power and transition platforms, with a 35 GW operating asset portfolio and an approximately 200 GW development pipeline consisting of hydroelectric, wind, utility-scale solar, distributed generation and storage facilities in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Brookfield Renewable Partners is a longstanding owner, operator, developer and acquirer of renewable power and is increasingly focused on providing decarbonisation and energy transition as a service, helping businesses and governments globally to advance their sustainability goals. Brookfield Renewable Partners is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BEP and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol BEP. It is specified that Temasek holds a minority interest in Holdco via its indirect wholly owned subsidiary Rosa Investments Pte. Ltd., a Singapore private limited company, having its registered office at 60B, Orchard Road, #06-18, The Atrium @Orchard, Singapore 238891 and whose Unique Entity Number is 202340014H ("Rosa Investments"), which is a shareholder of Holdco (as further described below). Incorporated in 1974, Temasek is an investment company headquartered in Singapore. Supported by 13 offices across 9 countries, Temasek owns a S$389 billion portfolio as at 31 March 2024, mainly in Singapore and the rest of Asia. Brookfield, Temasek, Mr. Xavier Barbaro (and Cartusia) and Mr. Romain Desrousseaux are acting in concert through Brookfield Renewable Holdings towards the Company in accordance with article L. 233-10 of the French Commercial Code. (b) Shareholders Agreement BRHL Aggregator LP28 (the "Brookfield Aggregator Shareholder", together with its affiliates who are shareholders, the "Brookfield Shareholder Group") and Rosa Investments have agreed to enter into a shareholders agreement (the "Shareholders Agreement") in relation to Holdco, the main terms and conditions of which are summarized below. Holdco indirectly owns 100% of the share capital and voting rights of Brookfield Renewable Holdings (subject to the reinvestment of the Managers as described in Section 1.3.2). (iii) Governance of Holdco Holdco is a private limited company incorporated under the laws of England. The board of directors of Holdco ("Holdco Board") oversees the management of Holdco and its subsidiaries and has full and complete authority, power and discretion to manage and control the business affairs and properties of Holdco. Each shareholder is entitled to appoint one member to the Holdco Board for each 10% interest in Holdco held by the shareholder. Other than certain material actions that are classified as "Reserved Matters" (requiring the prior written approval of shareholders holding at least 75% of the shares of Holdco (or directors appointed by such shareholders)) and "Fundamental Matters" (requiring the prior written approval of shareholders holding at least 90% of the shares of Holdco (or directors appointed by such shareholders)) in the Shareholders Agreement, all matters will be decided by a simple majority vote of the Holdco Board or the shareholders, as applicable. (iv) Transfer of Holdco securities The Shareholders Agreement establishes the following principles with respect to the transfer of Holdco securities, subject in each case, to certain exceptions and preconditions: Lock-up period: except for authorized transfers to affiliates, the Holdco securities are subject to a three (3) year lock-up period as from the settlement date of the last acquisition of Neoen securities by Brookfield Renewable Holdings in the context of (i) the Offer or (ii) the Squeeze-Out (as applicable), during which they cannot be transferred by any shareholder; Right of first offer: following the lock-up period, any transfer of any Holdco securities by a shareholder is subject to a right of first offer in favor of the other shareholders; Tag-along rights: if the Brookfield Shareholder Group proposes to transfer any of its Holdco securities and, as a result of this transaction, the Brookfield Shareholder Group (i) ceases to control Holdco, then the other shareholders have a full tag along right, or (ii) continues to control Holdco, then the other shareholders have a proportionate tag along right. (v) Exit clause Subject to certain conditions (including in terms of timing and a minimum shareholding in Holco), a shareholder can require that Holdco initiates an exit process. 1.1.2 Reasons for the Offer Neoen was founded in 2008 and inaugurated its first solar power plant in France in 2009. Since then, Neoen has established itself as a renowned independent player in the global renewable energy sector with 10.36 GW of secured capacity and 20.3 GW of advanced pipeline. Neoen has a presence in 15 countries, including strong positions in France and Australia. On 17 October 2018, Neoen's shares were admitted to trading on the regulated market of Euronext Paris. After having successfully grown its development business and portfolio of renewables projects over the preceding 10 years, Neoen's listing allowed the Group to pursue its successful growth and supported the capital-intensive nature of a scaling renewables development business. At the end of 2023, Neoen was present in 15 countries and had approximately 8 GW of assets in operation or under construction across solar, wind and storage technologies. Brookfield closely followed the development of Neoen. After a period of negotiation and due diligence, the Offeror made an offer to the main Company's shareholders (including Impala29), following which the envisaged majority stake acquisition by Brookfield was announced on 30 May 2024 as further indicated below. The Offeror regards Neoen as a high-quality global developer and operator, and believes that the Group would represent a complementary addition to Brookfield's existing renewable power and transition portfolio. The Offeror believes it is uniquely positioned to assist the Company in the next stage of its growth, from a commercial and financial perspective. Neoen's growth is based on a strategy of geographic and technological diversification of its project portfolio, allowing it to create leading development capabilities across multiple core clean energy technologies. This has led to the Company strategically building global leadership positions in key markets while maintaining a balanced portfolio of contracted energy assets with complementary revenue profile characteristics. As France's leading independent producer of exclusively renewable electricity, and Australia's overall leading renewable electricity producer, Neoen develops its own projects in-house, and arranges their contracting and financing as part of the project management process. After site commissioning, the Company operates, monitors and manages projects through their useful life. Impala, controlled and managed by Mr. Jacques Veyrat, has been a cornerstone founder and investor of Neoen since 2008, supporting the Company's growth over the same period. Since 2018, Neoen has grown from 2 GW to 8 GW of assets in operation or under construction, reaching a very significant scale of operations and development. Today, the Company has the opportunity to more than double this capacity by the end of the decade, potentially reaching between 15-20 GW of assets in operation or under construction over the same time period. To execute on this opportunity set, the Company would need to deploy substantial capital at pace. In this context, the Offeror has appeared to the Selling Shareholders (as such term is defined below) as a suitable majority shareholder, already among the world leaders in renewable energy, with the global operating capability and access to scale capital necessary to provide support for this next phase of growth of the Group. The Offeror has stated its support for the Company's management team and ambition to continue deploying renewables projects at scale, and looks forward to partnering in growing the business to meet the increasing demand for clean power globally. On 30 May 2024 (the "Announcement Date"), the Offeror entered into a put option agreement with Impala, the Fonds Strategique de Participation ("FSP")30, Cartusia and Mr. Xavier Barbaro (and his family members), Celeste Management SA31 ("Celeste") and Mosca Animation Participations et Conseil32 ("Mosca", together with Impala, the FSP, Cartusia and Mr. Xavier Barbaro (and his family members) and Celeste, the "Selling Shareholders") to acquire approximately a 53.32% shareholding in the Company at the Offer Price per Share. On 24 June 2024, following completion of the works council information and consultation process, and exercise of the put option by the Selling Shareholders, the Offeror, as purchaser, entered into a share purchase agreement (as amended on 19 December 2024) (the "SPA") with the Selling Shareholders, to acquire approximately 53.12%33 of the Company at the Offer Price per Share (the "Block Trade Acquisition"). On the same day, the Offeror entered into an undertaking to tender with the FPCI FONDS ETI 202034 (the "BPI Tender Undertaking") pursuant to which Bpifrance, acting on behalf of FPCI FONDS ETI 2020, undertakes to tender its 6,674,470 Shares (representing at such date 4.36% of the share capital and theoretical voting rights of the Company) into the Offer. On 27 December 2024, following satisfaction of the condition precedents provided for under the SPA (i.e., see relevant regulatory approvals referred to in Section 1.1.6), and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the SPA, the Offeror completed the Block Trade Acquisition and acquired 81,197,100 Shares from the Selling Shareholders representing 81,197,100 theoretical voting rights (i.e. 53.12% of the share capital and theoretical voting rights of the Company)35. Because of the Block Trade Acquisition, the Offeror has exceeded the thresholds of 30% of the Company's share capital and voting rights and is required to file the Offer pursuant to the provisions of Article L. 433-3, I of the French Monetary and Financial Code and Article 234-2 of the AMF General Regulation. On 2 January 2025, the Offeror thus filed the Offer with the AMF (AMF notice of filing n225C0021). After publication by the AMF of the notice of filing of Initial Draft Offer Document on 2 January 2025 (AMF notice of filing n225C0021), and in accordance with Article 231-38 of the AMF General Regulation, Brookfield Renewable Holdings acquired on the market (i) by an order on the market denominated at the Offer Price per Share, 21,214,001 Shares representing 13.88% of the share capital and of the theoretical voting rights of the Company36, (ii) by an order on the market denominated at the Offer Price per 2020 OCEANE, 1,103,895 2020 OCEANEs, as further detailed below: Date of the acquisition Shares acquired Price () AMF declaration number and date Acquisition on 3 January 2025 21,214,001 Shares 39.85 225C0037 6 January 2025 Acquisition on 3 January 2025 509,104 2020 OCEANEs 48.14 225C0037 6 January 2025 Acquisition on 6 January 2025 431,000 2020 OCEANEs 48.14 225C0051 7 January 2025 Acquisition on 9 January 2025 163,791 2020 OCEANEs 48.14 225C0085 10 January 2025 As at the date of the Draft Offer Document, no 2022 OCEANEs have been acquired by the Offeror since the filing date of the Offer. The Offeror subsequently decided to increase the Offer Price per 2022 OCEANE from EUR 101,382.00 per 2022 OCEANE to EUR 105,000.0037 per 2022 OCEANE. The Offer Price per Share and the Offer Price per 2020 OCEANE remain unchanged. The Offeror has instructed the Presenting Banks, acting on behalf of the Offeror, to inform the AMF of the said increase in the Offer Price by OCEANE 2022 and to file the Draft Offer Document. 1.1.3 Shareholding structure of the Company's share capital and voting rights (c) Shareholding structure of the Company's share capital and voting rights before the Block Trade Acquisition On the Announcement Date, to the knowledge of the Offeror, the share capital and voting rights of the Company were as follows: Shareholders Number of Shares Percentage of Shares Number of theoretical voting rights Percentage of theoretical voting rights Impala 64,144,529 42.14 % 64,144,529 42.14 % Cartusia 1,261,485 0.83 % 1,261,485 0.83 % Mr. Xavier Barbaro and members of his family (directly or indirectly) 780,419 0.51 % 780,419 0.51 % Total concert party(1) 66,186,433 43.48 % 66,186,433 43.48 % FSP 10,534,226 6.92 % 10,534,226 6.92 % FPCI FONDS ETI 2020 6,674,470 4.39 % 6,674,470 4.39 % Celeste 3,778,059 2.48 % 3,778,059 2.48 % Mosca 835,977 0.55 % 835,977 0.55 % Treasury shares 188,338 0.12 % 188,338 0.12 % Free float 64,009,501 42.05 % 64,009,501 42.05 % Total 152,207,004 100.00 % 152,207,004 100.00 % (1) The concert party results from an agreement between shareholders Impala and Cartusia, the latter being a long-term investment vehicle held by Mr. Xavier Barbaro and the members of his family. The concert has been terminated upon completion of the Block Trade Acquisition. (d) Shareholding structure of the Company's share capital and voting rights as of the date of the Draft Offer Document On the date of the Draft Offer Document, to the knowledge of the Offeror, following completion of the Block Trade Acquisition and the on-market acquisitions referred to in Section ?1.1.2, the share capital and voting rights of the Company were as follows: Shareholders Number of Shares Percentage of Shares Number of theoretical voting rights Percentage of theoretical voting rights Brookfield Renewable Holdings 102,411,101 67.00 % 102,411,101 67.00 % Aranda Investments 14,330 0.009 % 14,330 0.009 % Xavier Barbaro and his holding companies38 587,215 0.38 % 587,215 0.38 % Romain Desrousseaux 452,340 0.30 % 452,340 0.30 % Total concert 103,464,986 67.69 % 103,464,986 67.69 % FPCI FONDS ETI 2020 6,674,470 4.37 % 6,674,470 4.37 % Treasury shares 188,338 0.12 % 188,338 0.12 % Free float 42,520,980 27.82 % 42,520,980 27.82 % Total 152,848,774 100 % 152,848,774 100 % Neither the Offeror, nor any of the companies under its control or controlling it within the meaning of article L.233-3 of the French Commercial Code, held any Shares and OCEANEs, directly or indirectly, prior to the Block Trade Acquisition (see Section 1 for assimilated Shares held by Aranda Investments). 1.1.4 Declarations of threshold crossing and of intentions In accordance with Articles L. 233-7 et seq. of the French Commercial Code, pursuant to the declarations of threshold crossing dated 27 December 2024, the Offeror informed the AMF, following completion of the Block Trade Acquisition, that its interest in the Company, individually and in concert with Brookfield, Temasek, Mr. Xavier Barbaro (and Cartusia) and Mr. Romain Desrousseaux, has risen above the thresholds of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 1/3, and 50% of the Company's share capital and voting rights, and stated its intentions. In accordance with Article 10 of the Company's by-laws, pursuant to the declarations of threshold crossing dated 27 December 2024, the Offeror informed the Company, following completion of the Block Trade Acquisition, that its interest in the Company, individually and in concert with Brookfield, Temasek, Mr. Xavier Barbaro (and Cartusia) and Mr. Romain Desrousseaux, has risen above the statutory thresholds of 1% of the Company's share capital or voting rights, and all multiple of this percentage, up to 53% of the share capital or voting rights of the Company. In accordance with Articles L. 233-7 et seq. of the French Commercial Code, pursuant to the declaration of threshold crossing dated 6 January 2025, the Offeror informed the AMF and the Company, following completion of the market acquisitions mentioned in Section ?1.1.2, that its interest in the Company, individually and in concert with Brookfield, Temasek, Mr. Xavier Barbaro (and Cartusia) and Mr. Romain Desrousseaux, has risen above the thresholds of 2/3 of the Company's share capital and voting rights. 1.1.5 Acquisition of Shares by the Offeror during the last 12 months Neither the Offeror nor any person acting in concert with the Offeror have acquired any Shares in the twelve (12) months preceding the filing of the Draft Offer Document at a price higher than the Offer Price per Share. 1.1.6 Regulatory administrative and antitrust approvals The Offeror has obtained all relevant regulatory approvals required to complete the Block Trade Acquisition, including the following antitrust and foreign direct investment clearances in the following jurisdictions: Antitrust clearances: Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico and Zambia. Foreign direct investment clearances: Australia, Finland, France and Sweden39. The antitrust clearance from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission was obtained on 31 October 2024 subject to the divestments detailed in Section 1.2.6. 1.1 Intentions of the Offeror for the next twelve months 1.1.7 Industrial, commercial and financial strategy Brookfield Renewable Holdings' intention is to operate Neoen as a standalone portfolio company led by the existing management team, with its own balance sheet and budget, while benefiting from the full support of Brookfield's global renewable power and transition platform and asset management capabilities. Brookfield Renewable Holdings is supportive of the Company's existing strategy with respect to countries and technologies, as well as general approach to contracting. As part of this strategy, Brookfield Renewable Holdings intends to continue the ongoing disposal of assets in non-core jurisdictions in Africa and Latin America, including in Jamaica and Zambia, in order to allocate more resources and focus on core assets and regions where Brookfield Renewable Holdings sees the most potential for value creation. Any expansion beyond the current footprint would be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Today, Neoen pursues farm-downs with a communicated limit of no more than 20% of the annual capacity increase in the secured portfolio, and no more than 20% contribution of annual reported EBITDA as per the Company's annual financial report. Farm-downs are primarily executed once development projects are taken through construction and have reached commercial operations. Brookfield Renewable Holdings intends to maintain the Company's existing farm-down strategy, but would retain the flexibility to exceed any such previously communicated limit, and to pursue farm-downs of larger portfolios and Company assets on a regional basis. The amount of farm-downs will be assessed based on the future capital requirements of the Company to fund growth, amongst other considerations. Brookfield Renewable Holdings also intends to support the Company's debt capital markets strategy, and gradually expand the corporate financing facilities over time as the business grows. 1.1.8 Intentions regarding employment The Offer is part of an ongoing growth strategy with respect to Neoen and should not have any particular impact on the Group's workforce and human resources management policies, nor on the working conditions of employees or their collective or individual status. In particular, Brookfield Renewable Holdings intends to rely, preserve and develop the talent and know-how of the Group's workforce in order to continue the development and growth of the Group. Brookfield Renewable Holdings intends to maintain and keep the Company's workforce to implement this strategy and is not considering any substantial changes in the way and the locations where the Group operates. 1.1.9 Composition of the Company's governing bodies and management The board of directors of the Company currently comprises seven (7) directors, three (3) of which represent Brookfield Renewable Holdings and have been co-opted as directors on the date of completion of the Block Trade Acquisition in replacement of the resigning directors representing the Selling Shareholders. Under the BPI Tender Undertaking, Bpifrance has undertaken to cause its representative at the board of directors to resign from her position upon having tendered its Shares into the Offer and Brookfield Renewable Holdings intends to request the co-optation of an additional representative at the board of directors of the Company at this time. Subject to the success of the Offer, the Offeror may further modify the composition of the board of directors of the Company to reflect its new shareholding structure. Should the Offer be followed by a Squeeze-Out, it will result in the delisting of the Shares and/or the OCEANEs from Euronext Paris and/or Euronext Access. If so, further changes in the composition of the Company's corporate bodies may be envisaged. Brookfield Renewable Holdings intends to rely on the current management team in place and fully supports the Company's strategy and current operations. Should the Squeeze-Out be implemented and the Company be delisted, it is envisaged that the current CEO and Deputy CEO of the Company resign from their current corporate offices within the Company and have, directly or indirectly, executive positions within the Offeror's acquisition structure (including within the Offeror). 1.1.10 Interest of the Offer for the Offeror, the Company and its shareholders As indicated in Section 1.1.2, the Offeror regards Neoen as a high-quality global developer and operator of renewable assets, and believes that the Group would represent a complementary addition to Brookfield's existing renewable power and transition portfolio. The Offeror believes it is uniquely positioned to assist the Company in the next stage of its growth, from a commercial and financial perspective. The Offer will allow the minority shareholders of the Company and holders of OCEANEs to achieve immediate and full liquidity of their Shares and OCEANEs: the Offer Price per Share represents a 26.9% premium over the last closing price of the Shares on the Announcement Date and premia of 40.3% and 43.5% over the 3-month and 6-month volume-weighted average price (" VWAP ") respectively, as well as significant premia on the other valuation criteria; and ") respectively, as well as significant premia on the other valuation criteria; and the Offer Price per 2020 OCEANE and the Offer Price per 2022 OCEANE are aligned with the prices resulting from the adjustment provisions of the OCEANEs in case of Change of Control (as such term is defined in the terms and conditions of the OCEANEs). The summary assessment of the Offer Price per Share, the Offer Price per 2020 OCEANE and the Offer Price per 2022 OCEANE is provided in Section 3 of this Pres Release. An independent expert has reviewed the fairness of the financial terms of the revised Offer. This completed fairness opinion will be reproduced in its entirety in the revised version of the draft response document that will be published by Neoen together with the reasoned opinion of the Company's board of directors on the revised Offer. 1.1.11 Synergies - Economic gains The Offeror is a company incorporated in France, whose corporate purpose is to acquire, manage and hold stakes in the share capital and voting rights of French and foreign companies. The Offeror, which does not have any stake in other companies, does not anticipate the realization of cost or revenue synergies with the Company following the completion of the Offer. 1.1.12 Intentions regarding a potential merger or legal reorganization The Offeror does not intend to merge with the Company. For the purpose of obtaining the antitrust clearance from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission as part of the Block Trade Acquisition (described in Section 1.1.6=, the Offeror has agreed to divest the entire portfolio of assets and projects in the State of Victoria, Australia, which includes 652 MW40 of assets in operation and approximately 2.8 GW of projects in development (the "Victorian Assets"). The Company has entered into an agreement with HMC, an alternative asset manager listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, for the sale of its Victorian Assets (the "HMC Transaction"), with an intended completion date as at 1 July 2025. Subject to the implementation of the Squeeze-Out and the delisting, the Australian business assets (including the Victorian Assets to the extent closing of the HMC Transaction would not have already occurred) would undergo an internal reorganisation within the group controlled by Holdco driven by commercial and strategic preferences to move towards transferring assets into separately managed hubs. Additional post-closing of the Offer corporate restructuring steps of a purely capitalistic nature may be decided and implemented in order in particular to facilitate the optimization of Neoen's debt facilities. In that context, should the Squeeze-Out and the delisting of the Company be implemented, a change in the current corporate form of the Company may be envisaged. All such corporate reorganizations would not have any impact on Neoen's operations or workforce. Relevant staff representative bodies would be informed and/or consulted, as and when required, in accordance with applicable laws. However, the Offeror reserves the right to proceed with any subsequent changes in the organization of the Group, the Company, or of other entities of the Group, especially that are necessary to implement the strategy described in Section 1.2.1. The Offeror further intends to propose to the 2025 annual shareholders' meeting of the Company to be held before 30 June 2025, to approve the deletion of the double voting rights attached to shares registered in "pure" registered form for more than two years (previously approved in 2023 and provided for in Article 11 of the Company's by-laws). 1.1.13 Intentions regarding the implementation of a squeeze-out and a delisting of the Company following the Offer In the event that following the Offer: - the number of Shares not tendered to the Offer by the minority shareholders of Neoen (excluding treasury Shares held by the Company and Shares covered (or that will be covered) by the Liquidity Agreements but including the PEE Unavailable Shares) does not represent more than 10% of the share capital and voting rights of Neoen, and - the number of Shares not tendered to the Offer by the minority shareholders of Neoen (excluding treasury Shares held by the Company and Shares covered (or that will be covered) by the Liquidity Agreements but including the PEE Unavailable Shares) and the number of shares that may be issued following the conversion of the OCEANEs not tendered in the Offer do not represent more than 10% of the sum of the existing Shares and the Shares that may be issued as a result of the conversion of the OCEANEs, Brookfield Renewable Holdings also intends to implement, at the latest within three (3) months following the closing of the Offer, in accordance with Articles L. 433-4 II and III of the French Monetary and Financial Code and 237-1 et seq of the AMF General Regulation, a squeeze-out procedure in order to transfer (i) on the one hand, the Shares not tendered to the Offer (excluding treasury Shares held by the Company and the Shares covered (or that will be covered) by the Liquidity Agreements, but including the Unavailable PEE Shares) in exchange for compensation equal to the Offer Price per Share (i.e. EUR 39.85 per Share) net of all costs and after adjustments, if applicable, and (ii) on the other hand, the OCEANEs not tendered to the Offer in exchange for compensation equal to the Offer Price per OCEANE (i.e. EUR 48.14 per 2020 OCEANE and EUR 105,000.00 41 per 2022 OCEANE), net of all costs and after adjustments, if applicable. The implementation of this procedure will result in the delisting of (i) the Shares from Euronext Paris and (ii) the OCEANEs from Euronext Access. Furthermore, in the event that the conditions required to implement a squeeze-out for the Shares are met, but the conditions required to implement a squeeze-out for the OCEANEs are not met, Brookfield Renewable Holdings intends to implement a squeeze-out for the Shares under the conditions set out above, subject to Neoen being able to exercise the Early Redemption Option (as defined hereafter) on all OCEANEs in accordance with their terms and conditions described hereafter (it being specified that Brookfield Renewable Holdings reserves the right to waive this condition). In this respect, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the OCEANEs, the Company may, at its discretion and at any time, but subject to giving at least 30 calendar days' notice (and a maximum of 90 calendar days), redeem at par plus accrued interest all of the relevant remaining outstanding OCEANEs, if they represent less than 15% of the number of the 2020 OCEANEs issued with respect to the 2020 OCEANEs and if they represent less than 20% of the number of the 2022 OCEANEs issued with respect to the 2022 OCEANEs (the "Early Redemption Option"). Holders of OCEANEs will, however, retain the right to exercise their right to the allocation of Shares up to and including the 7th business day42 preceding the date set for early redemption. The conversion/exchange ratios shall be equal to the relevant conversion/exchange ratio if the allocation right is exercised during the Adjustment Period (as defined below), or equal to the relevant conversion/exchange ratios in force outside of the Adjustment Period (as defined below) and indicated in Section 2.6. In the event that the Offeror is not in a position, following the Offer, to implement a squeeze-out under the above-mentioned conditions, it reserves the right to file a public tender offer followed, if applicable, by a squeeze-out for the Shares and/or OCEANEs it does not hold directly or indirectly, alone or in concert at that date. In this context, the Offeror does not exclude increasing its interest in the Company after the end of the Offer (directly or indirectly, through the acquisition of Shares or OCEANEs or otherwise) and prior to the filing of a new offer in accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory provisions. In this case, the public tender offer will be subject to the control of the AMF, which will rule on its conformity in light of the independent expert's report to be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Article 261-1 I and II of the AMF General Regulation. The Offeror reserves the right (i) following the acquisition of OCEANEs, to exercise any right available to it in accordance with the terms and conditions of the OCEANEs (including the right to convert into Shares the OCEANEs in its possession during or after the Offer period) and (ii) to cause the Company to exercise any right available to it in accordance with the terms and conditions of the OCEANEs. 1.1.14 Company's dividend distribution policy Following the Offer, the Company's dividend policy will continue to be determined by its corporate bodies based on Company's distributive capacity, financial situation and financial needs, in compliance with any applicable regulatory requirements. 1.2 Agreements that may have a significant impact on the assessment or outcome of the Offer 1.2.15 BPI's undertaking to tender its Shares in the Offer As indicated in Section 1.1.2, on 24 June 2024, Brookfield Renewable Holdings entered into the BPI Tender Undertaking with Bpifrance pursuant to which Bpifrance undertakes to tender its 6,674,470 Shares (representing at such date 4.36% of the share capital and theoretical voting rights of the Company) into the Offer (the "BPI Shares"). The BPI Shares which are the subject of this BPI Tender Undertaking will be tendered to the Offer at the Offer Price per Share. Bpifrance has notably undertaken to keep the free and full property of the BPI Shares until the date upon which it will tender the BPI Shares to the Offer, not to encumber them with any right or any engagement whatsoever and not to transfer title to the BPI Shares, enter into any agreement with, or give any undertaking to, a third party to transfer or restrict the ownership of, or rights in, the BPI Shares, nor grant any rights whatsoever over the BPI Shares in favour of a third party. Under the BPI Tender Undertaking, Bpifrance has agreed to cause its representative at the board of directors of the Company to resign from her position upon having tendered its Shares into the Offer (see also Section 1.2.3). The undertaking of Bpifrance is notably subject to the Offer being cleared by the AMF. This undertaking may be terminated by Bpifrance in the event, cumulatively, (i) of a competing offer filed by a third party which would be cleared by the AMF and (ii) (A) in the absence of an improved offer by the Offeror that is declared compliant (conforme) by the AMF or (B) in case of withdrawal of the Offer by the Offeror in accordance with article 232-11 of the AMF General Regulations. The Offeror and Bpifrance are not acting in concert. 1.2.16 Reinvestment of the managers (e) Description of the Reinvestment Plan and the Synthetic Share Plan Brookfield Renewable Holdings and Cartusia have entered into a reinvestment agreement on 27 December 2024, (the "Reinvestment Agreement"), in order to set out the main provision of (i) the reinvestment plan that should be put in place at the level of BRHL UK MidCo Limited43 ("BRHL Midco"), an intermediary holding vehicle wholly owned by Holdco, which in turn indirectly wholly-owns Brookfield Renewable Holdings, for the benefit of certain executives and corporate officers of the Group, including Mr. Xavier Barbaro (acting as legal representative of Cartusia) and Mr. Romain Desrousseaux (the "Managers") (the "Reinvestment Plan") and (ii) the synthetic share plan that should be put in place for the benefit of the Managers (the "Synthetic Share Plan"), in each case, following the closing of the Offer. In the context of the Reinvestment Plan, the Managers will enter into or adhere to a shareholders' agreement in respect of BRHL Midco, which will reflect the terms of the Reinvestment Agreement (the "BRHL MidcoSHA"). The Reinvestment Plan includes: an investment by certain Managers in ordinary shares of the BRHL Midco, pari passu with BRHL UK Topco Limited44 ("BRHL Topco"), being an intermediate vehicle wholly-owned by Holdco and shareholder of BRHL Midco, financed by the use of all or part of their Shares proceeds received as part of the Block Trade Acquisition, the Offer or resulting from the contribution in kind of their Shares at the Offer Price per Share to BRHL Midco; and the free grant to certain Managers of ordinary shares of BRHL Midco, as part of a new retention plan in cash (see Section 2.4). The ordinary shares issued by BRHL Midco will be subscribed for at market value, as the case may be, determined by an expert. The Synthetic Share Plan would consist of bonus payments to the Managers, for an amount corresponding to the notional value attached to synthetic shares (the "Synthetic Shares") awarded to them, as follows: the Synthetic Share Plan provides for a linear vesting of the Synthetic Shares over a period of five years (with customary accelerated vesting provisions); the notional value of the Synthetic Shares is based on the capital gain realized by BRHL Topco on its investment in BRHL Midco above a certain hurdle rate, upon the occurrence of (i) a termination of duties of a Manager, (ii) a listing of a company of the Group, (iii) a direct or indirect transfer of shares in BRHL Midco, (iv) a winding-up of BRHL Midco or (v) a significant dividend distribution by BRHL Midco (an "Exit"). (f) Reinvestment of CEO and Deputy CEO Cartusia (in accordance with the terms of the Reinvestment Agreement) has committed to reinvest in cash at the level of BRHL Midco, by way of subscription to ordinary shares of BRHL Midco, for an aggregate reinvestment amount of EUR 25 million. In accordance with the reinvestment agreement entered into on 27 December 2024 between Brookfield Renewable Holdings and Mr. Romain Desrousseaux, the latter has the option to reinvest a maximum total amount of approximately EUR 6.2 million, which may be carried out directly or indirectly, by way of a contribution in kind of all or part of the RD Shares That May Be Tendered at the Offer Price per Share or by way of a cash contribution. (g) Description of BRHL Midco SHA - Transfers of securities and liquidity The following provisions shall be applicable to transfers of BRHL Midco securities: Pre-emption right of BRHL Topco: BRHL Topco shall benefit from a pre-emption right in the event of a transfer by a Manager of his/her securities in BRHL Midco other than a customary free transfer, unless such transfer has been approved by BRHL Topco. Drag along right of BRHL Topco: in the event BRHL Topco receives an offer from a third party for the acquisition of a majority of the share capital of BRHL Midco, BRHL Topco shall have the right to cause the Managers to sell 100% of their BRHL MidCo securities. Tag along right: Proportional tag along right: in the event of any direct or indirect transfer of BRHL Midco securities to a third party other than a customary free transfer, the Managers may require to sell the same proportion of BRHL Midco securities to such third party. Total tag along right: in the event of any direct or indirect transfer of BRHL Midco securities to a third party that would result in either (i) such third party holding more than 50% of the BRHL Midco securities other than in connection with a customary free transfer, or (ii) BRHL Topco or its affiliates ceasing to control BRHL Midco, the Managers may require to sell all their BRHL Midco securities to such third party. Managers will ultimately benefit from liquidity rights on a portion of the BRHL Midco securities they own in the form of a put option granted by BRHL Topco to each Manager (the "Liquidity Put Option"). The exercise price of the Liquidity Put Option will be based on the market value of 100% BRHL Midco securities, as determined based on the most recent quarterly valuation of the Group as set out in reporting to BRHL Topco's ultimate investors or, in case of disagreement, by an independent expert. 1.2.17 Liquidity Agreements The Offeror has offered to the beneficiaries of Unavailable Free Shares, Managers Unavailable Shares (as defined below) and/or Unavailable Holding Shares (together the "Unavailable Shares") (the "Holders of Unavailable Shares") to enter into commitments to buy and sell their Unavailable Shares in order to enable them to benefit from cash liquidity for the Shares that could not be tendered to the Offer or acquired in the Squeeze-Out (the "Liquidity Agreement"). With respect to the Unavailable Free Shares and Managers Unavailable Shares held by Mr. Romain Desrousseaux, in accordance with the Liquidity Agreement, if an Event of Liquidity Default (as defined below) occurs, the Offeror will have a call option (the "Call Option"), pursuant to which each Holder of Unavailable Shares irrevocably undertakes to sell to the Offeror its Unavailable Shares at the request of the Offeror at any time during twenty (20) calendar days starting on the sending date of a notice informing each Holder of Unavailable Shares of the availability date of the relevant Unavailable Shares (being specified that such notice shall be sent at the latest five (5) business days as from the availability date of the relevant Unavailable Shares) (the "Call Option Period") and, in the absence of exercise of the Call Option during the Call Option Period, Holders of Unavailable Shares will have a put option against the Offeror, pursuant to which the Offeror irrevocably undertakes to acquire from the holder its Unavailable Shares, at any time during a period of sixty (60) calendar days starting on the first business day following the expiry of the Call Option Period (the "Put Option", together with the Call Option, the "Options"). An "Event of Liquidity Default" means: a Squeeze-Out has been implemented by the Offeror, or, the Offeror holds more than 90% of the share capital or voting rights of the Company and the Offeror has not requested to the AMF that a Squeeze-Out be implemented; or the average volume of the Company's shares traded each day over the past twenty (20) trading days is less than 0.055% of the Company's share capital, on the basis of the information published by Euronext Paris. In accordance with the provisions of the Liquidity Agreement entered into by Mr. Xavier Barbaro (as well as Cartusia, Equinox, Kampen, Hilaris and Palancia), the exercise of the Options on his Unavailable Holding Shares, Unavailable Free Shares and Managers Unavailable Shares is not subject to the occurrence of an Event of Liquidity Default and can be exercised as from the availability date of each category of Unavailable Shares (based on an identical exercise price for all beneficiaries of Unavailable Shares as described below). In addition, with respect to the Managers Unavailable Shares, they must be held (and consequently, the Options cannot be exercised) as long as Mr. Xavier Barbaro and Mr. Romain Desrousseaux respectively hold their positions of corporate officers within the Group and cannot therefore be tendered in the Offer; they are thus covered by the Liquidity Agreements entered into respectively by Mr. Xavier Barbaro and Mr. Romain Desrousseaux and the Options may be exercised after the termination of their respective positions as corporate officers within the Group. In the event of the exercise of an Option, the exercise price per Unavailable Share will be (i) equal to the Offer Price per Share if the Option is exercised before 31 December 2025, or (ii) equal to the market value of the Shares as at the exercice date of the Option according to the terms and conditions of the Liquidity Agreement if the Option is exercised after 31 December 2025 (and, if necessary, determined by an independent expert in the event of disagreement). Should the Squeeze-Out be implemented, the Unavailable Shares (with the exception of the Unavailable PEE Shares and 2023 Accelerated Free Shares, which will be targeted in the Squeeze-Out) which exist as at the date of the Squeeze-Out and for which a Liquidity Agreement has been entered into, will be assimilated to the shares held by the Offeror in accordance with Article L. 233-9 I, 4 of the French Commercial Code, and will not be affected by the Squeeze-Out and the delisting. In the event of exercise of the Options, holders of Unavailable Shares would not benefit from any mechanism enabling them to obtain a guaranteed transfer price. It is specified that no contractual mechanism is likely (i) to be analyzed as a price supplement, (ii) to call into question the relevance of the Offer Price per Share or the equal treatment of minority shareholders, or (iii) to highlight a guaranteed transfer price clause in favor of holders of Unavailable Shares. It is further provided that: the beneficiaries of the 2023 Free Share Plan and the 2024 Free Share Plan (including Mr. Xavier Barbaro) are offered by the Offeror the possibility to benefit, subject to an "Event of Liquidity Default" (or, in the case of Mr. Xavier Barbaro, subject to a resignation from his position as CEO of the Company following completion of the Squeeze-Out and up to the number of 2024 Free Shares acquired pro rata temporis on the date of termination of his duties), from a cash retention plan in lieu of all or part of their rights to receive these 2023 Free Shares and these 2024 Free Shares, as applicable, under the conditions described in Section 2.4, and as an exception to the above, certain Group executives45 (excluding Mr. Xavier Barbaro) holding 2023 Non-Accelerated Free Shares and 2024 Free Shares (as these terms are defined in Section 2.4), are being offered by the Offeror the opportunity to benefit, subject to an "Event of Liquidity Default", from a new retention plan in the form of shares of BRHL Midco (in lieu of all or part of the above-mentioned cash retention plan), under the conditions described in Section 2.4, it being specified that the beneficiaries of the 2023 Free Share Plan and the 2024 Free Share Plan will be able to choose to benefit from the cash retention plan or the retention share plan, as applicable, until the 10th day following the declaration of conformity of the Offer issued by the AMF. 1.2.18 Other agreements of which the Offeror is aware With the exception of the agreements described in this Section 1.3, there are, to the knowledge of the Offeror, no other agreements likely to have an impact on the assessment or outcome of the Offer. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFER 1.3 Terms of the Offer In accordance with the provisions of Articles 231-13 and 231-18 of the AMF General Regulation, the draft Offer was filed on 2 January 2025 with the AMF by the Presenting Banks, acting in the name and on behalf of the Offeror. A notice of filing was published by the AMF on its website on that date) (AMF notice of filing n225C0021). The Offer Price per 2022 OCEANE proposed in the context of the Offer filed on 2 January 2025 was EUR 101,382.00 per 2022 OCEANE. The Offeror subsequently decided to increase the Offer Price per 2022 OCEANE from EUR 101,382.00 per 2022 OCEANE to EUR 105,000.0046 per 2022 OCEANE. The Offer Price per Share and the Offer Price per 2020 OCEANE remain unchanged. The Offeror has instructed the Presenting Banks, acting on behalf of the Offeror, to inform the AMF of the said increase in the Offer Price by OCEANE 2022 and to file the Draft Offer Document. In accordance with Articles 233-1 et seq. of the AMF General Regulation, the Offer will be implemented in accordance with the simplified tender offer procedure. The attention of the shareholders and holders of the Company's OCEANEs is drawn to the fact that, as the Offer is being made under the simplified procedure, it will not be reopened following the publication of the result of the Offer. The Offeror irrevocably undertakes to the Company's shareholders and holders of OCEANEs to acquire, all the Shares and OCEANEs that will be tendered in the Offer during a period of 21 Trading Days at the price of: EUR 39.85 per Share, EUR 48.14 per 2020 OCEANE, and EUR 105,000.0047 per 2022 OCEANE. Societe Generale guarantees the content and the irrevocable nature of the undertakings made by the Offeror as part of the Offer in accordance with the provisions of Article 231-13 of the AMF General Regulation. 1.4 Adjustment of the terms of the Offer It is specified for all purposes that the Offer Price per Share, the Offer Price per 2020 OCEANE and the Offer Price per 2022 OCEANE have been determined on the basis of the assumption that no distribution (dividend, interim dividend or other) will be decided before the closing of the Offer. In the event that, between the date of the Draft Offer Document and the date of the settlement- delivery of the Offer (included), the Company proceeds in any form whatsoever to (i) distribute a dividend, interim dividend, reserve, premium or any other distribution (in cash or in kind), or (ii) redeem or reduce its share capital, and in both cases, in which the detachment date or the reference date on which it is necessary to be a shareholder in order to be entitled thereto is set before the date of the settlement-delivery of the Offer, the Offer Price per Share, the Offer Price per 2020 OCEANE and the Offer Price per 2022 OCEANE will be adjusted to take into account this transaction. Similarly, in the event of transactions involving the share capital of the Company (in particular merger, spinoff, stock split, reverse stock split, distribution of free shares for existing shares through the capitalization of profits or reserves) decided during the same period, and for which the reference date on which any person must be a shareholder in order to receive the distribution is set before the settlement date of the Offer, the Offer Price per Share, the Offer Price per 2020 OCEANE and the Offer Price per 2022 OCEANE will be mechanically adjusted to take into account the effect of any and all such transactions. Any adjustment of the terms of the Offer will be subject to the publication of a press release which will be submitted to the prior approval of the AMF. 1.5 Number and nature of the securities targeted by the Offer As of the date of the Draft Offer Document, Brookfield Renewable Holdings holds48: directly: 102,411,101 Shares (i.e. 67.00% of the share capital and 67.08% of the voting rights of the Company), and 1,103,895 2020 OCEANEs, acquire on the market following publication by the AMF of the notice of the Initial Draft Offer Document on 2 January 2025, and in accordance with Article 231-38 of the AMF General Regulation, by way of assimilation pursuant to Article L. 233-9 of the French Commercial Code: the (i) 545,672 Unavailable Holding Shares (i.e. 0.36% of the share capital and theoretical voting rights of the Company) with respect to which Brookfield Renewable Holdings benefits from a Call Option at the Offer Price per Share for each Unavailable Holding Share exercisable as from 16 April 2025, pursuant to the Liquidity Agreement entered into by Mr. Xavier Barbaro (which is described in Section 1.3.3), (ii) 39,943 Managers Unavailable Shares (as defined below and also covered by the Liquidity Agreement entered into by Mr. Xavier Barbaro) held by Mr. Xavier Barbaro, (iii) 1,600 PEE Shares (as defined below) held by Mr. Xavier Barbaro, and (iv) 180,832 49 2024 Free Shares (as defined below and also covered by the Liquidity Agreement entered into by Mr. Xavier Barbaro) held by Mr. Xavier Barbaro, the (i) 442,895 Shares, (ii) 9,445 Managers Unavailable Shares (as defined below and covered by the Liquidity Agreement entered into by Mr. Romain Desrousseaux), and (iii) 120,555 50 2024 Free Shares (as defined below and also covered by the Liquidity Agreement entered into by Mr. Romain Desrousseaux) held by Mr. Romain Desrousseaux, and 14,330 Shares (i.e. 0.009% of the share capital and theoretical voting rights of the Company) through the intermediary of Aranda Investments (an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek). In total, the Offeror holds, directly and indirectly, alone and in concert, and by assimilation, 103,464,986 Shares (i.e. 67.69% of the share capital and theoretical voting rights of the Company)51 and 1,103,895 2020 OCEANEs. The Offeror does not hold, directly and indirectly, alone and in concert, or by assimilation, any 2022 OCEANEs. The Offer targets: (vi) all Shares, whether outstanding or to be issued, that are not held directly by the Offeror, i.e., the Shares: which are already issued other than the Excluded Shares, i.e., to the knowledge of the Offeror and as at the date of the Draft Offer Document, a maximum of 49,499,337 Shares, which may be issued before the closing of the Offer (as per the indicative timetable included in Section 2.10), other than the Excluded Shares, as a result of the vesting of Free Shares granted by the Company under the Free Shares Plans (as defined in Section 2.4), i.e., to the knowledge of the Offeror and as at the date of the Draft Offer Document, a maximum of 267,387 52 Shares corresponding to all 2022 Free Shares and to a maximum of 105,416 2023 Accelerated Free Shares, Shares corresponding to all 2022 Free Shares and to a maximum of 105,416 2023 Accelerated Free Shares, which may be issued before the closing of the Offer (as per the indicative timetable included in Section 2.10) in connection with the conversion of the 2020 OCEANEs, i.e., to the knowledge of the Offeror and as at the date of the Draft Offer Document, a maximum number of 3,101,212 new Shares 53 , , which may be issued before the closing of the Offer (as per the indicative timetable included in Section 2.10) in connection with the conversion of the 2022 OCEANEs, i.e., to the knowledge of the Offeror and as at the date of the Draft Offer Document, a maximum number of 7,502,772 new Shares54, i.e., to the knowledge of the Offeror at the date of the Draft Offer Document, a maximum number of Shares targeted by the Offer equal to 60,370,708; and (vii) all outstanding OCEANEs that are not held by the Offeror, i.e. to the knowledge of the Offeror at the date of the Draft Offer Document, 2,575,758 2020 OCEANEs and 3,000 2022 OCEANEs. Among the Shares covered by the Offer, the 283,58155 Unavailable PEE Shares (as defined below) cannot be tendered into the Offer (except in the case of an early release in accordance with applicable laws and regulation). However, Unavailable PEE Shares will be targeted by the Squeeze-Out, if applicable. It is specified that the Offer does not target the Excluded Shares. To the knowledge of the Offeror, there are no other equity securities or other financial instruments issued by the Company or rights conferred by the Company that may give access, immediately or in the future, to the share capital or voting rights of the Company, other than the existing Shares and the OCEANEs described in Section 2.1 and the Free Shares described in Section 2.4. 1.6 Situation of the beneficiaries of Free Shares The Company has granted Company's shares for free (the "Free Shares") to employees and executives' officers of the Group under several free shares plans (the "Free Shares Plans"). As of the date of the Draft Offer Document, three Free Shares Plans remain outstanding with the Free Shares allocated pursuant to these Free Shares Plan still under vesting: (i) the 2022 Free Shares Plan, (ii) the 2023 Free Shares Plan, and (iii) the 2024 Free Shares Plan. To the knowledge of the Offeror, pursuant to an authorisation granted by the general meeting of the shareholders of the Company dated 25 May 2021 and an authorisation granted by the general meeting of the shareholders of the Company dated 10 May 2023, the board of directors of the Company has granted 2022, 2023 and 2024 Free Shares to employees and executives' officers of the Group under Free Shares Plans, as follows: on 14 March 2022, the board of directors of the Company decided to grant 164,046 Free Shares to certain employees of the Group. The granting of Shares will only be final after a vesting period of three years, i.e. on 14 March 2025, being specified that the availability date of these Free Shares is set on 17 March 2025, provided that the beneficiaries are still present in the Group and that the performance conditions set by the board of directors in the plan rules and relating in particular to the achievement of financial and development objectives are met (the " 2022 Free Shares " and " 2022 Free Shares Plan "); " and " "); on 28 February 2023, the board of directors of the Company decided to grant 221,766 Free Shares to certain employees of the Group. The granting of Shares will only be final after a vesting period of three years, i.e. on 28 February 2026, being specified that the availability date of these Free Shares is set on 3 March 2026, provided that the beneficiaries are still present in the Group and that the performance conditions set by the board of directors in the plan rules and relating in particular to the achievement of financial and development objectives are met (the " 2023 Free Shares " and " 2023 Free Shares Plan "); " and " "); on 28 February 2024 and 14 March 2024, the board of directors of the Company decided to grant 729,303 Free Shares to certain employees and executives' officers of the Group. The granting of Shares will only be final after a vesting period of three years, i.e. on 1st March 2027, being specified that the availability date of these Free Shares is set on 3 March 2027, provided that the beneficiaries are still present in the Group and that the performance conditions set by the board of directors in the plan rules and relating in particular to the achievement of financial and development objectives are met (the "2024 Free Shares" and "2024 Free Shares Plan"). 2022 Free Share Plan 2023 Free Share Plan 2024 Free Share Plan Date of the general shareholders' meeting 25 May 2021 25 May 2021 10 May 2023 Date of the grant decision 14 March 2022 28 February 2023 28 February 2024 14 March 2024 Number of Free Shares initially granted 164,046 221,766 729,303 Number of Free Shares under vesting period (as at 30 November 2024) 161,971 210,833 721,928 Definitive vesting date 14 March 2025 28 February 2026 1st March 2027 Performance conditions Attendance conditions Availability date 17 March 2025 3 March 2026 3 March 2027 Holding period None None None Number of Free Shares subject to a specific holding period for executives' officers N/A N/A 45,208 On 26 December 2024, the Company's board of directors has decided, subject to completion of the Block Trade Acquisition, which occurred on 27 December 2024: with respect to the 2022 Free Shares Plan: (i) to deem entirely satisfied the performance requirements provided by the 2022 Free Shares Plan, and (ii) to accelerate the end of the vesting period provided for in the 2022 Free Shares Plan, for all the 2022 Free Shares, as their number may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms of the 2022 Free Shares Plan, which will become immediately available on the opening date of the Offer; with respect to the 2023 Free Shares Plan: (i) to deem entirely satisfied the performance requirements provided by the 2023 Free Shares Plan, and (ii) to offer each of the beneficiaries of the 2023 Free Shares Plan who have chosen this option: (x) the acceleration of the vesting period on 50% of their unvested Free Shares as their number may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms of the 2023 Free Shares Plan (the "2023 Accelerated Free Shares"), which will definitely be vested on 28 February 2025, subject to a presence condition, (y) not to change the vesting period of the remaining 50% unvested Free Shares under the 2023 Free Shares Plan (the "2023 Non Accelerated Free Shares"), which will definitely be vested on 28 February 2026, subject to a presence condition, and (z) subject to the occurrence of an "Event of Liquidity Default" and a presence condition of the beneficiary on 28 February 2026, to benefit from a cash retention plan in lieu of the concerned beneficiary's right to receive 2023 Non Accelerated Free Shares (it being specified that the gross amount per 2023 Non-Accelerated Free Share that will be paid to any beneficiary who elects to benefit from the retention plan in cash will correspond to the Offer Price per Share); and with respect to the 2024 Free Shares Plan: (i) to deem entirely satisfied the performance requirements of this 2024 Free Shares Plan, and (ii) to offer to beneficiaries of the 2024 Free Shares Plan to benefit, subject to an "Event of Liquidity Default" (or, in the case of Mr. Xavier Barbaro, subject to a resignation from his position as CEO of the Company following completion of the Squeeze-Out and up to the number of 2024 Free Shares acquired pro rata temporis on the date of termination of his duties) and a presence condition of the beneficiary on1st March 2027, a cash retention plan in lieu of all or part of the rights of the beneficiary concerned to receive the 2024 Free Shares (it being specified that the gross amount per 2024 Free Share that will be received by any beneficiary who chooses to benefit from the retention plan in cash will correspond to the Offer Price per Share). In this respect, it is specified that the cash retention plan from which Mr. Xavier Barbaro benefits (i) is conditional on the termination of his duties as CEO of the Company (see Section 1.2.3 regarding the evolution of the Company's governance in the event of a Squeeze-Out), (ii) relates to a number of 2024 Free Shares that will be acquired on the date of termination of his duties as CEO of the Company (taking into account the particular characteristics of the 2024 Free Share Plan concerning him, which provide, in the event of termination of his duties, for an acquisition of the 2024 Free Shares by the latter pro rata temporis to the duration of his duties during their vesting period), and (iii) will vest on 1st March 2027. As an exception to the above, certain Managers56 (as defined in Section 1.3.2) (excluding Mr. Xavier Barbaro) holding 2023 Non-Accelerated Free Shares and 2024 Free Shares, will be offered by the Offeror the opportunity to benefit from a new retention plan in the form of BRHL Midco shares (in lieu of all or part of the above-mentioned cash retention plan). It is specified that the number of BRHL Midco shares that will be delivered to any beneficiary who elects to benefit from the retention share plan will be determined on the basis of the number of 2023 Non-Accelerated Free Shares and/or 2024 Free Shares renounced to multiplied by the Offer Price per Share, reported to the value of BRHL Midco's share capital on the date upon which the rights to receive the said shares of BRHL Midco are allocated. The vesting period of BRHL Midco's shares will be for a period of one year, it being specified that the definitive acquisition of these shares will be conditional on the occurrence of an "Event of Liquidity Default ", a presence condition of the beneficiary and the latter's adherence to the BRHL Midco SHA. In addition, the definitively acquired shares of BRHL Midco will be subject to an additional one-year holding period. It being specified that the beneficiaries of the 2023 Free Share Plan and the 2024 Free Share Plan will be able to choose to benefit from the Liquidity Agreement or the cash retention plan (or, for certain Managers, the retention share plan in lieu of all or part of the cash retention plan) until the 10th day following the declaration of conformity of the Offer issued by the AMF. Holders of Free Shares delivered before the closing of the Offer (i.e., as a result of the indicative timetable of the Offer provided in Section 2.10, the 2022 Free Shares and a maximum of 105,416 2023 Accelerated Free Shares) representing a maximum of 267,38757 Shares will be able to tender such Free Shares to the Offer given its contemplated timetable as indicated in Section 2.10. The 827,345 Shares which may be issued as a result of the definitive vesting of all of the 2023 Non Accelerated Free Shares and all 2024 Free Shares (together the "Unavailable Free Shares") granted by the Company, cannot be tendered to the Offer and will therefore be covered by the Liquidity Agreements58. In addition, to the knowledge of the Offeror and as of the date of the Draft Offer Document, 49,388 Shares are held by executive officers of the Group as a result of the definitive vesting of Free Shares granted by the Company under the Free Shares plans implemented in 2018 and 2021 and are subject to a specific lock-up period as long as they remain executive officers of the Group (the "Managers Unavailable Shares"). Such Managers Unavailable Shares cannot be tendered to the Offer and will therefore be covered by the Liquidity Agreements respectively entered into by Mr. Xavier Barbaro and Mr. Romain Desrousseaux. 1.7 Situation of the shareholders holding Shares through a Plan d'Epargne Entreprise (PEE) To the knowledge of the Offeror and as the date of the Draft Offer Document, 426,17059 Shares are held by employees of the Group in the context of an employee savings plan (Plan d'epargne entreprise or "PEE") (the "PEE Shares"). To the knowledge of the Offeror and as the date of the Draft Offer Document, 142,589 60 PEE Shares are transferable and their holders will be able to tender such PEE Shares to the Offer. To the knowledge of the Offeror and as the date of the Draft Offer Document, 283,58161 Shares already issued and held by employees of the Group in the context of a PEE resulting from (i) the implementation of employee share ownership plans, i.e. 179,256 Shares for which the five-year mandatory holding period will not have expired prior to the closing date of the Offer or (ii) the exercise of stock-options within the framework of the PEE, i.e. 104,325 Shares for which the five-year mandatory holding period will not have expired prior to the closing date of the Offer (such Shares referred to in (i) and (ii), the "Unavailable PEE Shares") shall not be tendered into the Offer, taking into account its indicative timetable and subject to the early release events provided by the French Labour Code which may allow their holders to tender such PEE Shares to the Offer. The Offeror undertakes to offer to the remaining holders of Unavailable PEE Shares, at the closing of the Offer and provided that the conditions required for the implementation of a Squeeze-Out are not met, to enter into the Liquidity Agreement. The terms and conditions of the Liquidity Agreement to be entered into at that time will be strictly identical to the ones of the Liquidity Agreements entered into by the Holders of Unavailable Shares prior to the closing of the Offer. In the event of a Squeeze-Out, these Unavailable PEE Shares will be targeted by the Squeeze-Out, as applicable. 1.8 Situation of the holders of OCEANEs On 2 June 2020, the Company issued 3,679,653 2020 OCEANEs due 2 June 2025. The 2020 OCEANEs, with a par value of EUR 46.20 each, bear a 2.00% annual nominal rate payable semi-annually (2 June and 2 December) and are convertible or exchangeable at any time by the delivery of 1.176 new or existing Share for one 2020 OCEANE62, subject to additional adjustments provided for in the terms and conditions of the 2020 OCEANEs and under the conditions set out therein. To the Offeror's knowledge, 3,679,653 2020 OCEANEs are outstanding as of the date of the Draft Offer Document. The 2020 OCEANEs are listed on Euronext Access under ISIN Code FR0013515707. On 14 September 2022, the Company issued 3,000 2022 OCEANEs due 14 September 2027. The 2022 OCEANEs, with a par value of EUR 100,000 each, bear a 2.875% annual nominal rate payable semi-annually (14 March and 14 September) and are convertible or exchangeable at any time by the delivery of 2,118.0805 new or existing Share for one 2022 OCEANE63, subject to additional adjustments provided for in the terms and conditions of the 2022 OCEANEs and under the conditions set out therein. To the Offeror's knowledge, 3,000 2022 OCEANEs are outstanding as of the date of the Draft Offer Document. The 2022 OCEANEs are listed on Euronext Access under ISIN Code FR001400CMS2. 1.8.19 Tenders to the Offer Holders of OCEANEs are entitled to tender their OCEANEs to the Offer, in accordance with the terms and conditions described in the Press Release. 1.8.20 Early redemption in the event of a Change of Control Completion of the Block Trade Acquisition resulted in a "Change of Control" of the Company under the terms and conditions of the OCEANEs. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the OCEANEs, upon the occurrence of such a Change of Control, any holder of OCEANEs may, at its option request, from the Company, the early redemption in cash of all, but not some only, of the OCEANEs held by such holder at par value plus interest accrued from (and including) the last interest payment date to (but excluding) the relevant optional redemption date in accordance with the terms and conditions of the OCEANEs. The price of such early repayment would be EUR 46.44 for the 2020 OCEANEs and EUR 101,382.00 for the 2022 OCEANEs, based on a latest anticipated early repayment date on 7 March 2025, and assuming up to 30 calendar days after completion of the Block Trade Acquisition for the Company to publish a notification of the Change of Control and then additionally up to 25 to 30 business days (jours ouvres) to proceed with the early repayment. The Company informed the holders of OCEANEs of the Change of Control resulting from the Completion of the Block Trade Acquisition by means of a notice distributed by the Company and posted on its website) on 24 January 2025. These notices are expected to remind the holders of OCEANEs that they have the right to request the early redemption of their OCEANEs and to indicate (i) the early redemption date which would be between the 25th and the 30th business day (jours ouvres) following the distribution date of the notice by the Company, (ii) the redemption price and (iii) the period, of at least 15 business days (jours ouvres) following the publication of the notice by the Company, during which the early redemption requests for the OCEANEs must be received by the centralizing agent. To obtain early redemption of the OCEANEs, holders of OCEANEs must file a request with the financial intermediary holding their OCEANEs in a securities account. Any such demand may not be revoked once it is received by the relevant financial intermediary. Requests for early redemption and the corresponding OCEANEs must be received by the centralizing agent no later than the fifth business day (jours ouvres) before the early redemption date. In such case, the OCEANEs, where an early redemption was requested, will be redeemed at a price equal to par plus accrued interests from the date the interest was last paid preceding the date of early redemption, to the date set for the early redemption. 1.8.21 Rights of the holders of OCEANEs in the event of a public offer (h) Conversion or exchange of the OCEANEs in the event of an offer In accordance with the terms and conditions of the OCEANEs, and if the Offer is cleared by the AMF, the opening of the Offer will result in an adjustment of the conversion/exchange ratio of Shares during the Adjustment Period (as defined below) in accordance with the following formula (the result will be rounded off in accordance with the terms and conditions of issuance of the OCEANEs) NCER = CER x [1 + ICEP x (c / t)] where: "NCER" means the OCEANEs new conversion/exchange ratio applicable during the Adjustment Period (rounded to three decimal places, with 0.0005 being rounded up to the nearest thousandth, i.e. 0.001); "CER" means the conversion/exchange ratio in effect prior to the Offer opening date, such conversion/exchange ratio being 1.176 Share for one 2020 OCEANE, and 2,118.0805 Shares for one 2022 OCEANE; "ICEP" means 40% for the 2020 OCEANEs and 35% for the 2022 OCEANEs; "c" means the actual number of calendar days from the Offer opening date (inclusive) to the maturity date (exclusive), with the maturity date being 2 June 2025 for the 2020 OCEANEs and 14 September 2027 for the 2022 OCEANEs; and "t" means the actual number of calendar days from the issue date of the OCEANEs (inclusive) (such date being 2 June 2020 for the 2020 OCEANEs and 14 September 2022 for the 2022 OCEANEs) to the maturity date (exclusive) (such number of days being 1,826 for the 2020 OCEANEs and for the 2022 OCEANEs). As a result of the Offer, the adjusted conversion/exchange ratios (or NCERs) are 1.204 for the 2020 OCEANEs and 2,500.924 for the 2022 OCEANEs, based on an opening date of the Offer on 13 February 2025, as set out in the indicative timetable in Section 2.10. As the ratios are dependent on the opening date of the Offer, they would be modified in the event of a postponement or advancement of this date. The adjustment of the conversion/exchange ratios, as set out above, will, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the respective OCEANEs exclusively benefit to the holders of OCEANEs who will exercise their conversion/exchange right, between (and including): The opening date of the Offer; and The earlier of (A) (i) the date that is ten (10) business days64 after the date of publication by the AMF of the notice of result of the Offer, or (ii) if Brookfield Renewable Holdings withdraws the Offer, the date on which such withdrawal is published, and (B) the date that is the 7th trading day65 preceding the maturity date or the early redemption. This period is referred to as the "Adjustment Period". If the right to the conversion/exchange of Shares is exercised during the Adjustment Period, the corresponding Shares will be delivered within a maximum period of three (3) business days from the date of exercise. In the event of an adjustment, the Company will inform the holders of OCEANEs by means of a notice distributed by it and posted on its website). This adjustment will also be the subject of a notice circulated by Euronext Paris within the same timeframe as may be required by applicable rules and regulations. (i) Early redemption if the outstanding 2020 OCEANEs represent less than 15% of the total outstanding 2020 OCEANEs and if the outstanding 2022 OCEANEs represent less than 20% of the total outstanding 2020 OCEANEs In accordance with the terms and conditions of the OCEANEs, the Company may, at its discretion and at any time, but subject to giving at least 30 calendar days' notice (and a maximum of 90 calendar days), redeem at par all of the relevant remaining outstanding OCEANEs, if they represent less than 15% of the number of the 2020 OCEANEs issued with respect to the 2020 OCEANEs and if they represent less than 20% of the number of the 2022 OCEANEs issued with respect to the 2022 OCEANEs. In the event a Squeeze-Out procedure is implemented in relation to the Shares only, Brookfield Renewable Holdings reserves the right to request the Company to exercise this Option to proceed with such Early Redemption in due course, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the OCEANEs. Holders of OCEANEs will, however, retain the right to exercise their right to the allocation of Shares up to and including the 7th business day preceding the date set for early redemption. The conversion/exchange ratios shall be equal to the relevant NCER if the allocation right is exercised during the Adjustment Period, or equal to the relevant conversion/exchange ratios in force outside of the Adjustment Period and indicated in Section 2.6. (j) Early redemption in the event that the Shares are delisted In accordance with the terms and conditions of the OCEANEs, if the Shares are no longer admitted to trading on Euronext Paris or any other regulated market (a "Delisting") (which would be the case if the Squeeze-Out is implemented, see Section 1.2.7 regarding the intent of Brookfield Renewable Holdings regarding the Squeeze-Out and delisting), any holder of OCEANEs may, at its option request, from the Company, the early redemption in cash of all, but not some only, of the OCEANEs held by such holder at par value, being EUR 46.20 for the 2020 OCEANEs and EUR 100,000 for the 2022 OCEANEs, plus interest accrued from (and including) the last interest payment date to (but excluding) the relevant optional redemption date in accordance with the terms and conditions of the OCEANEs. The Company will inform the holders of OCEANEs of the Delisting by means of a notice distributed by the Company and posted on its website) as well as in a notice to be issued by Euronext Paris no later than 30 calendar days following the effective Delisting. These notices are expected to remind the holders of OCEANEs that they have the right to request the early redemption of their OCEANEs and to indicate (i) the early redemption date which would be between the 25th and the 30th business day (jours ouvres) following the distribution date of the notice by the Company, (ii) the redemption amount and (iii) the period, of at least 15 business days (jours ouvres) following the distribution date of the notice by the Company, during which the early redemption requests for the OCEANEs must be received by the centralizing agent. To obtain early redemption of the OCEANEs, holders of OCEANEs must file a request with the financial intermediary holding their OCEANEs in a securities account. Any such demand may not be revoked once it is received by the relevant financial intermediary. Requests for early redemption and the corresponding OCEANEs must be received by the centralizing agent no later than the fifth business day (jours ouvres) before the early redemption date. In such case, the OCEANEs, where an early redemption was requested, will be redeemed at a price equal to par plus accrued interests from the date the interest was last paid preceding the date of early redemption, to the date set for the early redemption. Such early redemption may be decided under the above-mentioned conditions in the event a Squeeze-Out procedure is implemented in relation to the Shares only, especially in the event the OCEANEs are not redeemed before such date. 1.9 Terms and conditions of the Offer It is reminded that the Initial Offer was filed on 2 January 2025. A notice of filing of the Offer was published on the AMF website on 2 January 2025) (AMF notice of filing n225C0021). In accordance with the provisions of Article 231-16 of the AMF General Regulation, a press release containing the main characteristics of the Offer and specifying the terms and conditions of the Draft Offer Document was published by the Offeror on 2 January 2025. On 28 January 2025, the Presenting Banks, acting on behalf of the Offeror, informed the AMF of the increase in the Offer Price per 2022 OCEANE from EUR 101,382.00 per 2022 OCEANE to EUR 105,000.0066 per 2022 OCEANE and filed the Draft Offer Document with the AMF accordingly. A notice of filing of the Offer will be published on the AMF website (www.amf-france.org). The Draft Offer Document is made available to the public free of charge at the office of Brookfield Renewable Holdings, and with the Presenting Banks and will be published on the websites of the AMF), the Offeror). The draft Offer and the Draft Offer Document remain subject to review by the AMF. The AMF will declare the Offer compliant after having verified its conformity with the legal provisions applicable to it and will publish the declaration of conformity on its website). This declaration of conformity issued by the AMF will serve as the approval ("visa") of the offer document and will only occur after the Company has filed a draft response document to the Draft Offer Document. The offer document having thus received the AMF's approval), the Offeror). A press release specifying the terms and conditions for making these documents available will be issued no later than the day before the opening of the Offer in accordance with the provisions of Articles 231-27 and 231-28 of the AMF General Regulation. Prior to the opening of the Offer, the AMF will publish a notice of opening and the timetable of the Offer and Euronext Paris will publish a notice setting out the content of the Offer and specifying the timetable and terms of its realisation. 1.10 Procedure for tendering in the Offer The Offer will be open for a period of 21 Trading Days. The attention of the Company's shareholders is drawn to the fact that, as the Offer will be conducted following the simplified procedure, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 233-1 et seq. of the AMF General Regulation, it will not be reopened following the publication of the result of the Offer. The Shares and OCEANEs tendered in the Offer must be freely negotiable and free from any lien, pledge, collateral or other security or restriction of any kind on the free transfer of their ownership. The Offeror reserves the right to reject, in its sole discretion, any Shares or OCEANEs tendered in the Offer that do not fulfil this condition. Shareholders whose Shares are in "pure" registered form ("nominatif pur") in the account register of the Company may request that their Shares be converted into "administrative" registered form ("nominatif administre") in order to tender their securities in the Offer, unless they have already requested Edison Investment Research Limited Edison issues report on Invesco Asia Trust (IAT) 28-Jan-2025 / 16:09 GMT/BST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. London, UK, 28 January 2025 Edison issues report on Invesco Asia Trust (IAT) Edison issues report on Invesco Asia Trust (LSE: IAT). Invesco Asia Trust (IAT) delivered a 12.4% NAV total return (TR) over the 12 months to end-December 2024, bolstered by the stock market rally in China and Hong Kong (to which IAT's managers patiently maintained an overweight exposure) on the back of stimulus measures announced by the authorities in September 2024. While IAT's return is somewhat behind the 14.0% posted by its benchmark, IAT's share price total return of 15.8% was ahead of it, and the trust maintains a strong mid- and long-term track record of outperforming the market and its peer average. IAT remains positioned to benefit from the consumption growth story of the region via a combination of internet companies, consumer-related businesses (including e-commerce) and financials stocks, among others. The managers also see opportunities across tech and manufacturing, even if they are now cautiously underweight Taiwan on valuation grounds. Finally, their below-benchmark position in Indian equities (which also command high valuations relative to the broader region) is coupled with an overweight exposure to Indonesia, where the managers see an attractive combination of growth prospects and undemanding valuations. Click here to read the full report. All reports published by Edison are available to download free of charge from its website www.edisongroup.com Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority . Edison is not an adviser or broker-dealer and does not provide investment advice. Edison's reports are not solicitations to buy or sell any securities. For more information, please contact Edison: enquiries@edisongroup.com Connect with Edison on: LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/edison-group-/ X www.x.com/edison_inv_res YouTube www.youtube.com/edisonitv Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 28, 2025) - Besra Gold Inc. (ASX: BEZ) (Besra) refers to its announcement dated 27 December 2024 wherein it advised of the receipt of a "Notice of Discontinuance" from the Ontario Superior Court, which stated as follows: "The Plaintiffs wholly discontinue this action against the Defendants, Noblemen Ventures Pty Limited and Wayne Johnson on a without prejudice and without costs basis." Besra confirms that, as stated in the Notice of Discontinuance, Noblemen Ventures Pty Limited and Wayne Johnson are the parties to which the Notice of Discontinuance applies. Following the issue of the Notice of Discontinuance, the remaining Defendants continue to be subject to the legal proceedings. The remaining Defendants to the Statement of Claim are Besra, Quantum Metal Recovery Inc, Dato' Lim Khong Soon, Chang Loong Lee, Jon Morda and Michael Higginson. The Plaintiffs of the legal proceedings are Prana GP Limited (incorporated in Jersey), Talisman 37 Limited (incorporated in Jersey) and Concept Capital Management Ltd (incorporated in the Marshall Islands). This announcement was authorised for release by Mr Kenny Lee - Executive Director. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238700 SOURCE: Besra Gold Inc. EQS Newswire / 28/01/2025 / 18:00 CET/CEST and its selection into UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list SHANGHAI, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 January 2025 - Shanghai extends an invitation to landmarks and towers from cities across four continents to light up in red and celebrate the first Spring Festival as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. The Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower, two of Shanghai's iconic landmarks, is teaming up with members of World Federation of Great Towers (WFGT) and Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), including Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Empire State Building in New York, Tokyo Tower, Willis Tower in Chicago, Reunion Tower in Dallas, Vancouver Lookout, Torre Glories in Spain and SkyTower in Bucharest. Together, they will celebrate the first Spring Festival after its inclusion in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list by lighting up in red and sending Chinese New Year greetings. View of the Lujiazui skyline as Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower lights up in red in the evening on January 28, 2025. On the eve of the Spring Festival, Shanghai's iconic Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower, the third tallest building in the world, took the lead in lighting up in festive red and shared the cheerful atmosphere with people around the world. Shanghai Tower lights up in red in the evening on January 28, 2025. At the same time, the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore has launched a Spring Festival-themed light show, projecting the beautiful color of Chinese red onto its buildings, as part of its Chinese New Year celebrations that will last till the Lantern Festival on February 12. Also, multiple towers in Asian cities will soon follow up. In Dubai, UAE, the world's tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa tower will also light up in red, as tourists from around the globe gather at its foot to usher in the Year of the Snake. In Tokyo, Japan, as the clock counts down towards the Chinese New Year and the Tokyo Tower puts on a red coat, 2,025 balloons with the images of China's giant pandas and Japanese anime characters will be released into the sky, carrying the wonderful wishes of the Chinese and Japanese people. In the American continent, on January 29 local time in the US and the first day of the Chinese New Year, the Empire State Building in New York will appear in a dazzling red. In addition, the third tallest building in North America, the Willis Tower in Chicago, the Reunion Tower in Dallas, Texas will also light up in red during the Spring Festival. Further north, Canada is joining in as well. The red lights on the Vancouver Lookout will bring a special Spring Festival vibe to the Chinese people in Canada. In Oceania, the city of Sydney will host a number of celebrations for the Spring Festival of the Year of the Snake. In Europe, landmarks of a number of cities will also take part in the wonderfully red Spring Festival celebrations. In the Romanian capital of Bucharest, the emblematic SkyTower will turn into a red fairy. Several Spring Festival celebrations will also be held in the city to introduce traditional Chinese Spring Festival culture to the local people. In Barcelona, Spain, the Torre Glories, the most outstanding building of the city's skyline, will light up in red and illuminate the city's nightly sky. The Chinese community in Spain will also hold Spring Festival events bustling with joy and celebration, to welcome the arrival of the Chinese New Year together with the locals. Hashtag: ShanghaiEye The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. News Source: ShanghaiEye 28/01/2025 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com Athena Bitcoin Global proudly announces that its CEO, Matias Goldenhorn, will be a featured panelist at the upcoming Plan - Forum El Salvador, Central America's premier Bitcoin conference. This landmark event will take place on January 30-31, 2025, in San Salvador, El Salvador, and will bring together global leaders, technologists, and entrepreneurs to explore key topics surrounding Bitcoin adoption, economics, financial freedom, and freedom of speech. Matias Goldenhorn will participate in a distinguished panel focusing on Bitcoin adoption in LATAM, sharing insights on the transformative impact of Bitcoin across the region and Athena Bitcoin's pivotal role in fostering financial inclusion and innovation. With years of experience spearheading Athena Bitcoin's operations across Latin America, Matias brings a wealth of knowledge and firsthand expertise to the conversation. "El Salvador's leadership in Bitcoin adoption has sparked a global conversation about the future of finance, and I am honored to join this esteemed panel at the Plan - Forum," said Matias Goldenhorn. "Bitcoin has the power to drive financial freedom and economic growth, particularly in Latin America, where traditional financial systems often fall short of meeting the needs of the people." About Plan - Forum: The Plan - Forum El Salvador is a premier platform uniting thought leaders, policy makers, innovators, and enthusiasts from around the world to discuss Bitcoin's evolving role in the global economy. With a focus on fostering dialogue and innovation, the conference highlights El Salvador's pioneering approach to Bitcoin adoption and its potential to transform economies and societies. About Athena Bitcoin Global Athena Bitcoin Global operates an international network of Athena Bitcoin kiosks, which are free standing kiosks that permit customers to buy or sell Bitcoin in exchange for fiat currencies. The Company places its machines in convenience stores, shopping centers and other easily accessible locations in thirty-three US states and territories, and in four countries in Central and South America. Athena Bitcoin Global's comprehensive fintech platform enables POS merchant payments powered by Athena Pay and the Company provides safe, reliable and personalized trading services through its Athena Plus services. To learn more visit www.athenabitcoin.com or follow Athena Bitcoin Global on Twitter and LinkedIn. Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the expected trading commencement and closing dates. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "will," "would" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: the uncertainties related to market conditions and the completion of the public offering on the anticipated terms or at all, and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the preliminary prospectus filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Athena Bitcoin Global specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Contact: Rachele Andrejczak Director of Marketing, Athena Bitcoin, Inc. rachele@athenabitcoin.com (786) 347-6242 SOURCE: Athena Bitcoin Global View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Regulatory News: GeNeuro (Euronext Paris: CH0308403085 GNRO), a biopharmaceutical company developing new treatments for neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases, announces that the Geneva Court of First Instance has renewed the provisional debt-restructuring moratorium granted to the Company in September 2024. The moratorium has been extended for an additional four months, until May 27, 2025, under the continued supervision of a court-appointed commissary. Debt-Restructuring Moratorium Renewal As previously announced, GeNeuro had obtained a four-month provisional debt-restructuring moratorium in September 2024 following the Geneva Court of First Instance's approval. This procedure is aimed at facilitating the restructuring of the Company's debts and exploring solutions to ensure the continuity of its operations in the interests of all stakeholders. The extension granted on January 27, 2025, will allow GeNeuro to further its efforts to evaluate all available options, including recapitalization, advancing and/or monetizing its therapeutic assets in development, and negotiating agreements with its creditors. These efforts remain centered on maximizing value for all stakeholders and ensuring the Company's ability to continue its mission to develop innovative treatments targeting neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. The provisional moratorium ensures that the Company remains protected from creditor actions while it continues to develop and implement its restructuring strategy. Any significant developments will be communicated as appropriate. The Geneva Court of First Instance judgment will be published in the Feuille d'Avis Officielle du canton de Geneve and the Feuille Officielle Suisse du Commerce. Operational and Financial Updates The Commissary has approved that GeNeuro engages into part-time fixed term contracts with Jesus Martin Garcia and Miguel Payro, the Company's former CEO and CFO, to continue the ongoing restructuring efforts in the interest of all stakeholders. This provisional debt moratorium only concerns the Swiss parent company, GeNeuro SA, and not its French Subsidiary GeNeuro Innovation SAS. The Company is committed to keeping its stakeholders informed and will announce the publication date of its full year financial results in due course, taking into account the financial impacts of the ongoing restructuring efforts. About GeNeuro GeNeuro's mission is to develop safe and effective treatments against neurological disorders and autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, by neutralizing causal factors encoded by HERVs, which represent 8% of human DNA. GeNeuro is based in Geneva, Switzerland and has R&D facilities in Lyon, France. About the debt-restructuring moratorium Under Swiss law (the law applicable to GeNeuro SA), a debt moratorium, or stay of execution, is a preventive measure to bankruptcy proceedings. The purpose of this procedure is to enable a company in financial difficulty to restructure its debts with its creditors and find measures to improve its situation. The stay would protect the Company from legal action by its creditors while it works with the "commissaire au sursis", an independent expert appointed by the judge to supervise the process, help draw up a draft composition agreement and validate possible recovery measures. This process may result in a recapitalization of the company, a restructuring of its debt or a sale of all or some of its assets, among other things, with the proviso that if this fails, the company may be forced into bankruptcy. The aim of this procedure is to reach an agreement that will enable the Company to continue its operations while satisfying its creditors. For more information, visit: www.geneuro.com Disclaimer This press release contains certain forward looking statements and estimates concerning GeNeuro's financial condition, operating results, strategy, projects and future performance and the markets in which it operates. Such forward-looking statements and estimates may be identified by words, such as "anticipate," "believe," "can," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "is designed to," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "objective," "should," or the negative of these and similar expressions. They incorporate all topics that are not historical facts. Forward looking statements, forecasts and estimates are based on management's current assumptions and assessment of risks, uncertainties and other factors, known and unknown, which were deemed to be reasonable at the time they were made but which may turn out to be incorrect. Events and outcomes are difficult to predict and depend on factors beyond the company's control. Consequently, the actual results, financial condition, performances and/or achievements of GeNeuro or of the industry may turn out to differ materially from the future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by these statements, forecasts and estimates. Owing to these uncertainties, no representation is made as to the correctness or fairness of these forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates. Furthermore, forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates speak only as of the date on which they are made, and GeNeuro undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250128584724/en/ Contacts: Jesus Martin-Garcia Chairman and CEO +41 22 552 48 00 investors@geneuro.com About Llama Group Llama Group is a pioneer and leader in the digital music industry. With extensive expertise across various sectors, the group owns the iconic Winamp platform, the Bridger copyright management company, and the Jamendo music licensing company. Llama Group's ambition is to build the future of the music industry through sustained investment in a range of innovative solutions and in the talent and skills of people who love music. The group stands by its brand values: empowerment, access, simplicity, and fairness. Winamp's vision is a world where a cutting-edge music platform connects artists and their fans like never before. Bridger's mission is to support songwriters and composers by providing a simple and innovative solution for collecting royalties. Jamendo enables independent artists to generate additional income through commercial licenses. Finally, Hotmix offers a bouquet of more than sixty thematic and free digital radio stations. 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. The "Poland Construction Equipment Market Strategic Assessment Forecast 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Poland Construction Equipment Market totalled 11,746 units in 2023, and is expected to reach 15,120 units by 2029, rising at a CAGR of 4.30%. Caterpillar, Liebherr, Komatsu, JCB, Volvo CE, and Hitachi Construction Machinery are the front runners in the Polish construction equipment market. These companies have a strong market share and offer diverse sets of equipment in the Poland construction equipment market. Terex, Tadano, Jungheirich, Manitou, Merlo Spa, Mecalac, Wacker Neuson, Yanmar, Takeuchi, and Ammann are niche players in Poland's construction equipment market. These companies offer low product diversification and have a strong presence in the country's market. Recent Developments in the Poland Construction Equipment Market: In June 2024, Terex Self-Erecting Tower Cranes appointed the Elevating Work Platform Association (EWPA), based in the Poznan region as its distributor for Poland. EWPA has placed an initial order for a 4-ton CBR 40H crane, featuring a 40-meter jib with a 1-ton jib tip capacity, and a 4.4-ton CSE 32 with a 32-meter jib and a 1.05-ton jib tip capacity. In August 2024, Poland's Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (Central Communication Port) initiated a tender for constructing a 4.6-kilometre tunnel for High-Speed Rail in Lodz, Poland. This megaproject, overseen by the Polish government, aims to build a new airport from the ground up approximately 40 km southwest of Warsaw. In July 2024, Sinoboom announced to production of European-specific boom and scissor lifts at its plant in Poznan, Poland. This move aims to build machines closer to their end markets, reducing reliance on imports. By 2025, Poznan-built machines will largely use European components. KEY HIGHLIGHTS Material handling equipment accounted for the largest market share in the Poland construction equipment market in 2023. Forklifts Telescopic Handlers in the material handling segment accounted for the largest share in 2023. Significant investment in the country's industrial sector is driving the growth of a number of logistics infrastructures across the country. Demand for material handling equipment is growing due to the rising investment in port expansion projects and the development of warehouses and logistics parks across the country. In 2023, the earthmoving segment accounted for a significant share of the Poland construction equipment market. Road rollers sales are high in Poland in response to the rising renovation and expansion of roads. For instance, in 2024, Budimex secured a USD 195.2 million contract to construct Section 3 of the S17 expressway, an 18.8 km segment between Krasnystaw Polnoc and Izbica, near Poland's border with Ukraine. Construction equipment utilization in the Poland construction equipment market by end-user (volume) has the largest industry share in 2023. In 2024, the government published a draft budget for 2025, allocating more than USD 2.2 billion to support mining. Hard coal production in the region has fallen by over 17% and sales by almost 18% compared to previous years. Therefore, the Polish construction industry is witnessing significant growth due to economic recovery and considerable government investments in industrial facility development, resulting in a heightened demand for high-quality construction equipment. MARKET TRENDS DRIVERS Poland's Hydrogen Strategy to Boost the Polish Construction Equipment Market The country has been focusing on energy diversification and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Hydrogen technology represents a path to greater energy independence. Construction companies may be encouraged to invest in hydrogen-powered machinery to stay competitive, stimulating demand. Many construction firms in the region may need to upgrade their machinery to meet the new emission standards. The shift to hydrogen fuel cells presents an opportunity to modernize fleets, leading to a surge in demand for new hydrogen-powered construction equipment in the Poland construction equipment market. Increasing Trend for Prefabricated Construction in Poland to Boost the Sales of Cranes Poland's modular construction sector has seen substantial growth, with market value rising nearly 50% over the last two years, driven by material variety and rising costs of materials and labor. Prefabrication allows for faster construction times, reducing projects' timelines by up to 50% compared to traditional buildings. This is crucial in the country, where urbanization has increased demand for both residential and commercial spaces. Increasing Investment in the Construction Sector in Poland Poland's construction sector started 2024 with optimism, boosted by USD 12.2 billion from the EU for the National Reconstruction Plan (KPO). By mid-year 2024, USD 2.2 billion in grants had already been disbursed from the USD 12.2 billion grant, mainly benefiting the energy sector. Additionally, a major upcoming project the Central Communication Port (CPK) near Warsaw is underway, designed as a multimodal hub integrating air, rail, and road transport. Construction is expected to be completed in 2031. Growing Development of the Nuclear Power Plants Poland is making major strides in its Nuclear Energy Strategy, aimed at reducing its coal dependency and enhancing energy security. The strategy aims to accomplish its target to have between 6-9 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power by 2043. In 2024, the government selected Westinghouse Electric Company, in partnership with Bechtel, to develop Poland's first nuclear power plant at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in northern Poland, with the AP1000 reactor technology. INDUSTRY RESTRAINTS Slow Economic Growth Is Impacting the Construction Industry Poland's industrial recovery has slowed, with industrial production in September down by 0.3% year-on-year, against a forecasted 0.8% decline Seasonally adjusted output decreased around 1.0% quarter-on-quarter in Q3. Strong domestic consumption, estimated at 4.0% year-on-year in Q3, isn't sufficient to drive expansion in the industrial sector. Additionally, residential construction in Poland is declining, partly due to the expiration of the previous government's mortgage subsidy program at the end of 2023. A new program has yet to be approved within the government coalition. Skilled Labor Shortage in the Country According to a government survey report of 2024, almost 80% of construction companies operating in the residential construction segment are struggling with rising costs, and over 75% are suffering from delays caused by labor shortages. Despite having one of the strongest labor markets in the EU and a very low unemployment rate, Poland continues to face considerable labor shortages in various sectors. As of May 2024, the registered unemployment rate in Poland was 5%, the lowest since November 2023. VENDOR LANDSCAPE Prominent Vendors Caterpillar Komatsu Volvo Construction Equipment Hitachi Construction Machinery Liebherr JCB SANY Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co. Ltd. (XCMG) Kobelco HD Hyundai Construction Equipment CASE Construction Equipment Kubota Other Prominent Vendors Bobcat DEVELON LiuGong Tadano Terex Corporation Jungheinrich Manitou Haulotte Mecalac Yanmar Takeuchi Ammann Wacker Neuson HIDROMEK Sumitomo Construction Machinery Co. Merlo S.p.A AUSA JLG TCM Forklifts Distributor Profiles Warynski Trade Sp. o.o. M&M Polska Sp. z o.o. Toolmex Truck Sp. z o.o. EWPA Sp. z o.o. Kiesel Poland Sp. z o.o. KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED Which are the major distributor companies in the Poland construction equipment market? What are the trends in the Poland construction equipment market? How big is the Poland construction equipment market? What is the growth rate of the Poland construction equipment market? Who are the key players in the Poland construction equipment market? Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 190 Forecast Period 2023 2029 Estimated Market Value in 2023 11746 Units Forecasted Market Value by 2029 15120 Units Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.3% Regions Covered Poland Segmentation by Type Earthmoving Equipment Excavator Backhoe Loaders Wheeled Loaders Other Earthmoving Equipment (Other loaders, Bulldozers, Trenchers, Motor Graders) Road Construction Equipment Road Rollers Asphalt Pavers Material Handling Equipment Crane Forklift Telescopic Handlers Aerial Platforms (Articulated Boom Lifts, Telescopic Boom lifts, Scissor lifts) Other Construction Equipment Dumper Tipper Concrete Mixer Concrete Pump Truck Segmentation by End Users Construction Mining Manufacturing Others (Power Generation, Utilities Municipal Corporations, Oil Gas, Cargo Handling, Power Generation Plants, Waste Management) For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mxj0ex About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250128092678/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - European stocks closed broadly higher on Tuesday, recovering fairly well after losing ground in the previous session due to a sell-off in the technology sector amid concerns about the impact of low-cost AI model from Chinese startup DeepSeek on the earnings of big name players in the industry.Investors focused on quarterly earnings updates and other corporate news, and looked ahead to monetary policy announcements from the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank.Worries about trade policies of the Trump administration, and concerns about tech earnings due to the emergence of cost-effective Chinese startup DeepSeek's AI model weighed on sentiment and limited markets' upside.The pan European Stoxx 600 climbed 0.36%. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 gained 0.35% and Germany's DAX closed higher by 0.7%. France's CAC 40, which closed with a pronounced loss on Monday, settled lower by 0.12%, while Switzerland's SMI gained 0.31%.Among other markets in Europe, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain and Turkiye closed higher.Austria, Denmark and Sweden ended weak, while Iceland closed flat.In the UK market, Experian, Scottish Mortgage, Spirax Group, Halma, Barratt Redrow, Whitbread, Kingfisher and Centrica climbed 3.1 to 4%.Rentokil Initial gained nearly 3% after strong results. The pest control services company announced that its North America Organic Revenue growth was 2.3% in the fourth-quarter of 2024, with Organic Revenue growth in North America Pest Control Services of 1.5%, reflecting improved momentum in inbound lead flow from its marketing initiatives.Howden Joinery, Persimmon, Associated British Foods, Entain, Marks & Spencer, BT Group, Compass Group, Airtel Africa, RightMove, Next, WPP and Tesco also closed sharply higher.Beazley, Antofagasta, Fresnillo and Smiths Group lost 2 to 2.5%. Glencore, Rio Tinto, Rolls-Royce Holdings, Mondi, Ashtead Group, GSK, Hiscox, Smith (DS) and Anglo American Plc also ended notably lower.HSBC Holdings closed flat. The bank has announced plans to scale back parts of its European investment banking operations as part of a broader restructuring led by new CEO Georges Elhedery.In the German market, Sartorius zoomed nearly 12% thanks to the company's fourth-quarter earnings beating estimates, with underlying EBITDA coming in at 259 million euros.Siemens Energy climbed about 7.5%, after the company pre-released strong preliminary earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2025.Merck gained 3.25%. Deutsche Telekom and MTU Aero Engines closed higher by 2.8% and 2.6%, respectively. RWE, E.ON, Deutsche Bank, Mercedes-Benz, Vonovia and Rheinmetall also closed notably higher.BMW ended nearly 3% down. Porsche, Daimler Truck Holding and Infineon lost 1 to 1.7%.In the French market, Teleperformance rallied about 4.5%. Capgemini gained nearly 3.5% and Eurofins Scientific closed higher by 2.2%.Dassault Systemes, Danone, Orange, Accor, Societe Generale, Unibail Rodamco, L'Oreal, Safran, Edenred, Carrefour, Thales, Veolia and Vinci gained 1 to 1.7%.Schneider Electric tumbled about 6.5%, extending recent losses. STMicroElectronics lost about 3.1%, while Stellantis and Legrand closed lower by 1.2% and 1.1%, respectively.Monthly survey data from the statistical office INSEE showed France's consumer confidence showed some recovery signs at the start of the year. The consumer sentiment index rose to a 3-month high of 92 in January from 89 in the previous month. The expected score was 90. However, the index remained well below its long-term average of 100.The index measuring consumers' outlook regarding their financial situation rose to -10.0 in January from -14.0 a month ago. The sub-index for the past financial situation of households increased slightly to -22 from -23.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX HEALWELL has completed the convertible debt tranche of its previously announced upsized $55 million bought deal financing, issuing subscription receipts for $30 million in convertible debentures. The proceeds of the financing, together with the $25.5 million equity tranche of the offering completed last week, will be used to fund the previously announced acquisition of New Zealand based Orion Health. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 28, 2025) - HEALWELL AI Inc. (TSX: AIDX) (OTCQX: HWAIF) ("HEALWELL" or the "Company"), a healthcare artificial intelligence company focused on preventative care, is pleased to announce that it has completed the second tranche (the "Second Closing") of its previously announced $55 million bought deal private placement financing (the "Offering"), issuing subscription receipts (the "Debenture Subscription Receipts") for $30 million in convertible debentures of the Company (the "Convertible Debentures"). The Offering was co-led by Eight Capital and Scotia Capital Inc., as lead underwriters and joint bookrunners, together with Canaccord Genuity Corp., TD Securities Inc., Beacon Securities Limited, Clarus Securities Inc., Haywood Securities Inc., Roth Canada, Inc., Raymond James Limited and Ventum Financial Corp. (the "Underwriters"). The gross proceeds from the Second Closing, including the Underwriters' cash commission, have been deposited in escrow pending the satisfaction of certain release conditions, including that all conditions precedent to the acquisition by the Company of Orion Health Holdings Limited (the "Acquisition", and together with the Offering, the "Transaction") have been met (the "Release Conditions"). Details of the Convertible Debt Financing The Company has issued a total of 30,000 Debenture Subscription Receipts at a price of $910 per Debenture Subscription Receipt, for total gross proceeds of $27,300,000, after accounting for the original issue discount on the Convertible Debentures. Each Debenture Subscription Receipt will entitle the holder thereof to receive, upon satisfaction of the Release Conditions and for no additional consideration, one Convertible Debenture of the Company in the principal amount of $1,000, bearing interest at a rate of 10% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears, and maturing on December 31, 2029. The principal amount outstanding under the Convertible Debentures is convertible into Class A Subordinate Voting Shares of the Company ("Subordinate Voting Shares") at a conversion price of $2.40 per share. The gross proceeds of the Second Closing, including the Underwriters' cash commission, have been deposited in escrow until the satisfaction of the Release Conditions. Upon satisfaction of the Release Conditions, the Underwriters' cash commission and any expenses of the Underwriters will be paid to the Underwriters from the escrowed proceeds and the net amount will be released to the Company. In the event that the Release Conditions have not been satisfied prior to 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver Time) on June 30, 2025, or the Company advises the Underwriters or announces to the public that it does not intend to satisfy the Release Conditions or that the Acquisition has been terminated, the aggregate issue price of the Debenture Subscription Receipts (plus any interest earned thereon) shall be returned to the applicable holders of the Debenture Subscription Receipts, and such Debenture Subscription Receipts shall be automatically cancelled and be of no further force and effect. On completion of the Second Closing, the Company also issued to the Underwriters a total of 455,000 warrants for Subordinate Voting Shares with a three-year term and an exercise price of $2.40/share as partial compensation for their services. The Transaction is subject to the shareholder approval requirements of Sections 607(g) and 611(c) of the TSX Company Manual as: (i) the Transaction involves the issuance of Subordinate Voting Shares at less than $2.08/share, their 5-day volume weighted average price on December 16, 2024 when the Transaction was first announced; and (ii) results in the issuance of Subordinate Voting Shares constituting more than 25% of the currently issued and outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares. The TSX has advised the Company that it will be permitted to rely on a written approval from shareholders holding a majority of the voting shares of the Company to approve the Transaction in accordance with section 604(d) of the TSX Company Manual, and accordingly that it will not be required to hold a formal special shareholder meeting to seek approval of the Transaction. Shareholders representing a majority of the voting shares of the Company executed an initial written consent approving the Transaction on January 13, 2025 and have subsequently confirmed by a further written consent on January 27, 2025 that they continue to approve of the Transaction in its present form. The details of the Transaction and its maximum potential dilutive effect on shareholders are set out in the Company's news release dated January 14, 2025 and have not materially changed, other than the substitution of the Debenture Subscription Receipts for the Convertible Debentures. Gardiner Roberts LLP acted as counsel for the Company and Wildeboer Dellelce LLP acted as counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the Offering. Dr. Alexander Dobranowski Chief Executive Officer HEALWELL AI Inc. About HEALWELL HEALWELL is a healthcare artificial intelligence company focused on preventative care. Its mission is to improve healthcare and save lives through early identification and detection of disease. Using its own proprietary technology, the Company is developing and commercializing advanced clinical decision support systems that can help healthcare providers detect rare and chronic diseases, improve efficiency of their practice and ultimately help improve patient health outcomes. HEALWELL is executing a strategy centered around developing and acquiring technology and clinical sciences capabilities that complement the Company's road map. HEALWELL is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "AIDX" and on the OTC Exchange under the symbol "HWAIF". To learn more about HEALWELL, please visit https://healwell.ai/. About ORION HEALTH Orion Health is a global healthcare technology company focused on reimagining healthcare for all. Orion Health is leading the change in digital health with health and care organizations to improve the wellbeing of every individual with our world leading Unified Healthcare Platform. Made up of a Virtuoso digital front door, Amadeus digital care record, and Orchestral health intelligence platform - each underpinned by extensive health and social data sets, machine learning, and 30 years of innovation focused purely on improving global well-being. www.orionhealth.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release, constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and are based on assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements with respect to, among other things, the intended uses of the proceeds of the Offering, the pending acquisition by the Company of Orion Health, the potential for a shareholder meeting in connection with the Transaction and the potential future satisfaction or non-satisfaction of the Release Conditions. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "expect", "anticipate", "pending", "shall be", "subject to" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain future conditions, actions, events or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "can" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms . Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon management's perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as a number of specific factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by HEALWELL as of the date of such statements, are outside of HEALWELL's control and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies which could result in the forward-looking statements ultimately being entirely or partially incorrect or untrue. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on various assumptions, including, but not limited to, the following: the parties' ability to satisfy any conditions precedent to completion of the Acquisition, including receipt of all shareholder, regulatory and TSX approvals; HEALWELL's ability to complete the Acquisition or to complete it on the terms described above; HEALWELL's ability to continue to access sources of debt and equity financing and the terms on which such financing may be provided; HEALWELL's ability to integrate the acquired businesses, products and services with its own; the stability of general economic and market conditions; HEALWELL's ability to comply with applicable laws and regulations; HEALWELL's continued compliance with third party intellectual property rights; and that the risk factors noted below, collectively, do not have a material impact on HEALWELL's business, operations, revenues and/or results. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections, or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. Known and unknown risk factors, many of which are beyond the control of HEALWELL, could cause the actual results of HEALWELL to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements, or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include but are not limited to those factors which are discussed under the section entitled "Risk Factors" in HEALWELL's most recent annual information form dated April 1, 2024, which is available under HEALWELL's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The risk factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect HEALWELL and the reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. HEALWELL disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238747 SOURCE: HEALWELL AI PALO ALTO, Calif. and SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanford University Libraries (SUL) has assumed permanent stewardship of the California Historical Society Collection (CHS), a trove of over 600,000 items spanning the history of California and the West since the 18th century. The collection, acquired in collaboration with the Bill Lane Center for the American West, will become known as the California Historical Society Collection at Stanford and will be made available to the public and academic community in the coming years. The materials have all been moved to Stanford, following the signing of a transfer agreement last June. The collection will complement Stanford's existing archival materials on California and the American West and will be a valuable resource for scholars, students, and the general public studying the region's past, said Michael A. Keller, the Ida M. Green University Librarian at SUL. "From its origins, the California Historical Society has focused on collecting and preserving the history of the West and has amassed a remarkably rich and diverse archive over the years," Keller said. "Its collections of books, journals, letters and postcards, maps, photographs, newspapers, and more form an enormous, relatively untapped resource for historical research, for teaching, and for understanding the history of California and the western region." Items from the CHS Collection date back to the early eighteenth century. Spanning roughly 16,000 linear feet, the CHS Collection is renowned for its rare and diverse range of materials, making it one of the most significant collections of California state and local history. Some items of historic importance include original material from significant events such as the Gold Rush, statehood, and the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. It also features unique collections, including the records of the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, which date back to the early 1900s. Stanford historian Gordon H. Chang, the Olive H. Palmer Professor in Humanities, knows well the importance of having access to California's rich history. "The Chinese Railroad Workers in North America Project at Stanford devoted considerable attention to mining the CHS archive and found material never used by previous railroad scholars," said Chang. His research shows the depth of the CHS Collection and its synergy to SUL's own holdings on the history of Asian Americans, African Americans, and Mexican Americans with the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Papers, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund records, and the Huey P. Newton/Black Panther Party Papers. Another Stanford scholar that has turned to the CHS Collection for his own research is Richard White, the Margaret Byrne Professor of American History, Emeritus at Stanford and author of Railroaded and California Exposures. "For me the CHS Collection is one of the most valuable, and underutilized collections in California," said White. "It will augment SUL's holdings in the American West, helping to fill in gaps from the nineteenth and early twentieth-century California. This is an incredibly rare opportunity to bring an archive of this significance to Stanford." David M. Kennedy, the Donald J. McLachlan Professor of History, Emeritus at Stanford and founding Faculty Director of the Lane Center, said that the acquisition of this collection "will make Stanford the premier place for historical research about California and the broader North American West." The CHS Board considered several leading research and public institutions in California and ultimately decided that SUL was the best choice to manage and grow the CHS Collection. "SUL brings a strong infrastructure that spans a network of twenty libraries across Stanford's campus and an expansive team with knowledge and expertise in collections development, digitization and preservation, and technologies development," said CHS Interim CEO Jen Whitley. "Through SUL's partnership with the Bill Lane Center for the American West, the CHS Collection will continue to increase our understanding of California and the Western region. Richard Saller, Stanford's twelfth President and the Kleinheinz Family Professor of European Studies, said the addition of the collection supports the university's core mission of research and education. "At a time when historical perspective is so critical, the California Historical Society Collection will provide a treasure trove of information about long-term trajectories over the past two centuries." Read full Stanford University Libraries press release. Contact: chscollection@stanford.edu Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2607547/Group_of_miners_1849_1860.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2607548/CHS_California_Flower_Market.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2608189/BLC_CHS_SULs_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/stanford-university-libraries-assume-stewardship-of-the-california-historical-society-collection-302362542.html RYE, N.Y., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- David Schachter, Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc., will visit the United Kingdom to convey support for the British investment trust industry. With over 40 years of experience exclusively with retail, long term, closed-end fund investors, Mr. Schachter, a most senior and experienced veteran of the U.S. Closed End Fund industry, was recently given the title of Discount Doctor by the Trustees of The GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust (GNT), which trades on the NYSE. Mr. Schachter said, "The way I see it, the United States owes a debt to the British Investment Trust Industry, which helped build our railroads in the 1800s. Last week in his inauguration speech, President Trump spoke of America's achievements stating, 'In America, the impossible is what we do bestTogether they laid down the railroads and triumphed over every single challenge that they faced.'" During the 19th century, capital was raised through closed-end funds. These funds helped build the railroads, which linked the American continent from sea to sea and led to the nation's economic success. Today, in the early 21st century, closed-end funds are being threatened for elimination by hedged activists for short-term and short-sighted value extraction. "Closed-end funds are a metaphor for long-term, patient capital, but they also represent freedom for investors who, in a sector where mass redemptions could force portfolio managers to sell, is an essential ability to those who may not want to be herded into selling." Mr. Schachter plans to visit the offices of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) and speak with the press and interested U.K. investors. He remarked that recent activism is emblematic of short-termism and notes activist claims of being aligned with "Mom and Pop" investors as being absurd. "When it comes to activism, the playing field isn't level at allunlike Mom and Pop, sophisticated activists are hedged on a fund's underlying portfolio." Schachter commented, "As the Discount Doctor, it is critical to cure the ill without killing the patient in the process." Financial professionals and investors are invited to contact Mr. Schachter directly at (914) 921-5057 or (800) GABELLI. Gabelli Funds, LLC is the adviser to thirteen closed-end funds which trade on the NYSE: Gabelli Equity Trust (NYSE: GAB), Gabelli Convertible & Income Securities Fund (NYSE: GCV), Gabelli Multimedia Trust (NYSE: GGT), Gabelli Utility Trust (NYSE: GUT), Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust (NYSE: GDV), Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (NYSE American: GLU), GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust (NYSE American: GGN), The GDL Fund (NYSE: GDL), Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRX Trust (NYSE: GRX), GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust (NYSE: GNT), Gabelli Global Small and Mid-Cap Value Trust (NYSE: GGZ), Bancroft Fund (NYSE American: BCV) and Ellsworth Growth & Income Fund (NYSE American: ECF). As of December 31, 2024, the thirteen Gabelli closed-end funds had total assets of $7.3 billion. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of a Fund before investing. For more information regarding the Funds, call: David Schachter (914) 921-5057 A Fund's NAV per share will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund's portfolio securities. Stocks are subject to market, economic, and business risks that cause their prices to fluctuate. Investors acquire shares of the Fund on a securities exchange at market value, which fluctuates according to the dynamics of supply and demand. When Fund shares are sold, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Consequently, you can lose money by investing in a Fund. Case IH and parent company, CNH, had their labs and equipment used in a study to promote AI use in the agriculture industry. The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is dominating conversations around the globe, and the agriculture sector is no different, with the main questions around what it means for the industry and how it can be used to the greatest effect. Katrina 'Treen' Swift is a 2024 Nuffield Scholar, who is focusing on the advantages AI could introduce to grain-growing operations into the future. With farm and landscape-level sustainability data of increasing interest across the supply chain, Treen says she can see enormous potential in using AI to analyse this data to improve management of natural capital, inputs and operations and provide time-saving benefits to growers. "Why aren't we talking about how AI is going to benefit our businesses, whether it's as simple as using number plate recognition when we're managing trucks coming in for deliveries, or the machinery space and what brands like Case IH are doing - I wanted to learn more." She had her chance at the United Nations' Committee on World Food Security (CFS) event in Italy late last year where she met Luca Ferrari, the Global Manager of Robotics for Case IH's parent company CNH. Luca invited her to visit CNH's labs in Modena, where so much of the company's technology is developed. "It was a fascinating experience," she said, and opened her eyes to the progress being made in machinery and the potential for AI to assist farmers in managing the increasingly complex regulatory space, particularly with regards to emissions and environmental impacts. "Looking more at practices that are less reliant on chemical use is one area where there is a lot of interest in Europe at present, and I can certainly see a role for AI in this space. Emissions reduction is another area of global focus and with so much data around it, the average farmer will need help in processing this." Treen's visit to the CNH labs in Italy also gave her a new appreciation for the increasingly sophisticated machinery being developed by brands like Case IH, an appreciation she found of value when her family farming business had the unique opportunity to trial two new Case IH AF Series combines late last year. "By harnessing AI's capabilities for applications within our industry, we have so much to gain with increased productivity, and better-informed decision-making from an economic and environmental perspective. This will help reinforce our competitiveness on the global stage and drive greater sustainability to ensure we can be proud of what we're leaving for future generations of farmers," she said. Read the full story here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CNH on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: CNH Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cnh Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: CNH View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Indianapolis Prize has named six distinguished conservationists as DeHaan Finalists for the 2025 award. The biennial award recognizes animal conservationists who have achieved major victories in saving an animal species or group of species. The DeHaan Finalists will each receive a $50,000 award to continue their efforts. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Indianapolis Prize is the world's leading award for animal conservation, honoring individuals who are at the forefront of species protection and research. The 2025 DeHaan Finalists were chosen from a group of 44 nominees based on the measurable outcomes from their work, the quality of science applied to their efforts and a demonstrated spirit of cooperation. "These six extraordinary conservationists have achieved tangible results in safeguarding threatened species across the globe. Through the Indianapolis Prize, we are proud to shine a light on these conservation heroes whose work gives us hope for the future of our planet's vulnerable species," said Dr. Rob Shumaker, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Zoological Society. The six DeHaan Finalists are: Alberto Alves Campos (Aquasis, Brazil, and University of British Columbia, Canada) - Conservation biologist serving as a founder of Aquasis, a non-profit organization promoting endangered species and habitat conservation in Brazil. Campos helped improve the conservation status of the Antillean manatee in Brazil and created a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network site for the wintering grounds of the endangered Red knot. Lisa Dabek, Ph.D. (Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program, Papua New Guinea, and Woodland Park Zoo, USA) - Creator of the first conservation area in Papua New Guinea focused on tree kangaroos. Dr. Dabek is the founder of the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program where she works with local indigenous communities and regional governments to establish long-term conservation plans for the species. Birute Mary Galdikas, Ph.D. (Orangutan Foundation International, USA) - Orangutan researcher who first documented the long orangutan birth interval and recorded more than 400 types of food consumed by orangutans. As president and co-founder of Orangutan Foundation International, Dr. Galdikas has contributed to the release of more than 500 rehabilitated orangutans back into the wild and provided unprecedented detail about orangutan ecology. Galdikas was named an Indianapolis Prize DeHaan Finalist in 2023. Julie Packard (Monterey Bay Aquarium, USA) - International leader in ocean conservation, Packard strives to protect marine species and ecosystems. She has led the charge for the sustainable seafood movement by building a global seafood program grounded in ecosystem-based science and a market-based approach. As the founding executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Packard is a leading voice for science-based policy reform in support of a healthy ocean. Lily-Arison Rene de Roland, Ph.D. (The Peregrine Fund, Madagascar) - Revolutionizing conservation in Madagascar, Dr. Rene de Roland has contributed to the establishment of five national protected areas totaling 1,550 square miles. Serving as The Peregrine Fund's national director of its Madagascar Program, Rene de Roland has helped discover several new species, including the Madagascar pochard duck, lemur species and a wolf spider. His community-based models alleviate human-wildlife conflicts and allow the conservation of Madagascar's threatened animal species. Lee James Taylor White, Ph.D. (Institute for Tropical Ecology Research, Gabon, and University of Stirling, Scotland) - Working as a field biologist and conservationist for 40 years, Dr. White's research focuses on the critically endangered African forest elephant and its keystone ecological role in the countries of the Congo Basin. White has directed extensive population assessments, combated habitat loss, created a network of 13 national parks in Gabon and founded new collaborations, thus protecting half of the world's forest elephants. The Winner of the 2025 Indianapolis Prize will be announced in May and will receive a $250,000 award. The Winner and DeHaan Finalists will be honored at the Indianapolis Prize Gala on Sept. 27, 2025, presented by Cummins, Inc., in downtown Indianapolis. For additional media assets for the 2025 Indianapolis Prize DeHaan Finalists, click here. To learn more about the previous Indianapolis Prize Winners, visit IndianapolisPrize.org. The Indianapolis Prize recognizes and rewards conservationists who have achieved major victories in advancing the sustainability of an animal species or group of species. Since 2006, the Indianapolis Prize has awarded more than $7 million in unrestricted cash awards, advancing the work of conservation scientists through financial support and public awareness. The Indianapolis Prize is a signature conservation initiative of the Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc. Connect with the Prize on Facebook, X and Instagram. Media Contacts Alliy Moyer Indianapolis Zoo 317-630-3265 amoyer@indyzoo.com Camille Pipino VOX Global 614-588-6488 cpipino@voxglobal.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2608197/IndyPrizeLogo_SMLnotext_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/six-conservation-champions-named-as-dehaan-finalists-for-the-2025-indianapolis-prize-302362622.html Summary: Batrice Law Firm has been awarded the 2024 Austin Community Choice Award, recognizing the firm's contributions to the Austin community and dedication to personal injury law. Austin, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - January 28, 2025) - Batrice Law Firm has received the 2024 Austin Community Choice Award for outstanding service in the personal injury law category. This award acknowledges the firm's role in providing ethical and effective legal representation. It further highlights the firm's positive contributions to the local community and its long-standing commitment to legal advocacy. The Austin Community Choice Awards honor leading businesses and organizations across more than 160 categories, including health, education, finance, and legal services. As a community-led initiative, the awards allow Austin residents to nominate and vote for businesses they respect and trust, showcasing those that contribute to the city's growth and success. The selection process for the awards is highly competitive, with hundreds of businesses vying for recognition each year. Batrice Law Firm's inclusion among the winners underscores its consistent performance and its strong client relationships throughout the region. Winning in the personal injury law category further reinforces Batrice Law Firm's reputation as a trusted leader within Austin's legal community. Over the past two decades, the firm has focused on representing individuals impacted by accidents, injuries, and negligence, prioritizing professionalism and client advocacy. This recognition affirms the firm's efforts to deliver meaningful results for its clients while actively engaging with the broader Austin community. The firm acknowledges this award as a significant milestone, recognizing its relevance in Austin's professional landscape. The Austin Personal Injury Lawyers also expressed gratitude for the community's trust and support, reaffirming its commitment to delivering ethical legal representation and fostering Austin's growth. Looking ahead, Batrice Law Firm remains dedicated to providing effective legal advocacy to individuals seeking Personal Injury Lawyers Near You in Austin while supporting initiatives that strengthen the community's well-being. About Batrice Law Firm: Batrice Law Firm is a personal injury law firm based in Austin, Texas, dedicated to advocating for individuals who have been impacted by accidents, injuries, or negligence. With nearly 20 years of experience, the firm is committed to providing ethical, transparent, and results-driven legal representation. Recognized for its client-centered approach, the firm prioritizes understanding each client's unique circumstances, tailoring its strategies to achieve favorable outcomes. Batrice Law Firm works to secure justice and fair settlement while helping clients navigate complex legal challenges. Media Contact: To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238762 SOURCE: GetFeatured Nobi, an Antwerpen, Belgium-based AgeTech company, raised 35M in Series B funding. The round was co-led by Angelini Ventures and Nexus NeuroTech Ventures, with participation from 15th Rock, and existing investors EQT Health Economics and EQT Dementia Fund, PMV, and Nobis founders Roeland Pelgrims and Bert De Haes as well as Balz Halter. The company intends to use the funds to strengthen its market leadership position in UK and US and enhance the platform with new features to improve care home workflows. Founded in 2018 by Roeland Pelgrims, Nobi provides the AI Smart light, which is designed to address the challenges of an ageing population, specifically focusing on fall detection and prevention in elderly individuals. Nobis light offers a solution to enable seniors to stay at home longer and support them in professional care environments. The lights work in real-time, processing data locally to ensure better privacy and reliability. The AI model was trained for six years by the worlds best AI experts on more than 250,000 real-life situations. Currently employing 50 full-time equivalents (FTEs), it plans to expand its team to 80 FTEs by the end of 2025. With offices in Belgium, the US, and the UK, Nobis solutions are available in over 22 countries. FinSMEs 28/01/2025 Quibim, a Valencia, Spain-based healthtech company for precision medicine, raised $50M in funding. The round was led by Asabys (through its fund Sabadell Asabys II) and Buenavista Equity Partners (through the BHG I fund, created in partnership with Columbus Venture Partners), and joined by UI Investissements, and GoHub Ventures as new investors. It was also joined by current investors, Amadeus Capital Partners, APEX Ventures, Partech, Adara Ventures, Leadwind (KFunds early growth fund) and Tony Fadells Build Collective, and individual investor Dr. Jonathan Milner, founder of Abcam plc. The company intends to use the funds to consolidate its U.S. presence through strategic collaborations with hospitals and pharmaceutical companies. Led by CEO Dr. Angel Alberich-Bayarri, Quibim is a healthtech company pioneering tools that unlock imaging data to improve patient outcomes. It leverages the capabilities of MRI, CT, and PET imaging to create regulatory-cleared medical devices that are integrated into the workflows of healthcare providers worldwide. More than 170 healthcare institutions, research centres, hospitals, and clinical facilities are using its products globally. In addition, the company has partnerships with Merck KGaA to develop imaging biomarker models to predict responses of cancer patients to immunotherapy and inform decisions in its global drug development efforts and with Phillips to launch AI-based imaging and reporting solutions for MRI prostate exams. Quibims product portfolio includes: QP-Prostate : the companys flagship product is designed to enhance prostate cancer detection through an AI-powered lesion detection. CE, UKCA marked and 510(k) cleared. : the companys flagship product is designed to enhance prostate cancer detection through an AI-powered lesion detection. CE, UKCA marked and 510(k) cleared. QP-Brain: AI-based early-stage neurological disease quantification software for quantification of early brain atrophy and lesions. CE, UKCA marked and 510(k) cleared. AI-based early-stage neurological disease quantification software for quantification of early brain atrophy and lesions. CE, UKCA marked and 510(k) cleared. QP-Liver: automated AI tool for MR diagnosis of diffuse liver diseases through accurate quantification of tissue fat and iron levels. CE and UKCA marked. automated AI tool for MR diagnosis of diffuse liver diseases through accurate quantification of tissue fat and iron levels. CE and UKCA marked. QP-Insights: A platform to manage, store and analyse multi-omics data in clinical trials and real-world data studies. QP-Insights is being used by global biopharmaceutical companies, academic medical centres and research consortiums, including the European Cancer Imaging Initiative to support Europes Beating Cancer Plan. QP-Insights is the platform managing the largest imaging datasets in the world, accounting for more than 100 million medical images. It has offices in New York City, US, Cambridge, UK, Valencia, Madrid, and Barcelona, Spain. FinSMEs 28/01/2025 SimpliGov, a Sacramento, CA-based provider of a government workflow automation, secure digital forms, and electronic signature platform, received an investment from JMI Equity. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. As part of the investment, Brian Hersman and Chase Thomet, both Partners at JMI Equity, have joined SimpliGovs Board of Directors. The investment will accelerate SimpliGovs platform development, enabling it to expand into new government use cases beyond its current leadership in workflows like licensing, permitting, and public record management. It will also support the companys growth through increased investment in customer success, technical support, and enhanced sales and marketing efforts. Led by CEO David OConnell, SimpliGov provides a government workflow automation, secure digital forms, and electronic signature platform that empowers state and local governments to automate manual workflows, accelerate and optimize business processes, and improve experiences for both employees and constituents. SimpliGov integrates with existing system infrastructures, as well as with SimpliSign, its no-code electronic signature solution purpose-built for government. Over the past year, the company has expanded its customer base, onboarding numerous state and local government agencies as they modernize their operations to meet growing demands for transparency and efficiency. FinSMEs 28/01/2025 TravelPerk, a Barcelona, Spain-based provider of a business travel platform, raised $200M in Series E funding, at $2.7 Billion valuation. The round was led by Atomico, alongside EQT Growth, with participation from Noteus Partners and existing investors, including Kinnevik and General Catalyst. Hillary Ball, Partner at Atomico, will join TravelPerks Board of Directors. The company intends to use the funds to further accelerate growth with continued expansion into the US market (following the acquisition of AmTrav in 2024) alongside investments into product, technology and AI. Led by CEO Avi Meir, TravelPerk is a provider of a SaaS business travel platform with a travel inventory, as well as management features, 24/7 customer support, technology and consumer-grade design. The company also announced today its acquisition of Yokoy, market-leader in Europe for AI-powered expense, invoice, and card payment processing. Through its acquisition, TravelPerk is positioned to provide customers in Europe and the US highly localised solutions, to suit their individual needs, preserving customers freedom of choice and flexibility. FinSMEs 28/01/2025 VideaHealth, a Boston, MA-based dental AI company, raised $40M in Series B funding. The round was led by Emily Melton, with participation from Avenir Ventures, BAM Ventures, and existing investors Spark Capital, Zetta Venture Partners, and Pillar VC. The company intends to use the funds to scale its AI platform, expand partnerships, and introduce innovative tools to meet the demand for AI driven solutions from DSOs and individual dentists. Led by CEO and Founder Florian Hillen, VideaHealth provides a AI-powered platform that is used by dental professionals across North America to analyze millions of patients annually, supporting clinicians in identifying and treating critical dental conditions. It offers insights for virtually every disease state in dentistry, including pediatric conditions, enabling clinicians to streamline administrative tasks and focus more on delivering optimal patient care with greater detail and insights into their dental health. In 2024, the company announced collaborations with the largest DSOs in North America, including Heartland Dental in the U.S. and DentalCorp in Canada. These organizations along with other dental groups and offices are accelerating their AI efforts with its solutions. FinSMEs 28/01/2025 There is no question that India needs to grow at a fast rate and this budget has to take steps to ensure India gets back on a growth path with growth rate more than 8%. But, it is also clear that India cannot disregard issues of sustainability. It is imperative that the finance minister balances the steps taken for incentivizing growth with measures to push the economy towards a path of sustainable development. UNEPs Inclusive Wealth Report (IWR) 2023 measures an economys wealth through three pillars natural capital, human capital, and physical man-made capital which can provide a framework to think about the nature of desirable development. The report also shows that while Indias physical capital stock has steadily increased with its human capital stock remaining stable, its stock of natural capital (environmental resources) has declined between 2000 and 2019. This budget provides an opportunity to take steps where this imbalance is reduced. Advertisement The good news is that we do not have to start from scratch. To tackle the problem of environmental degradation, the first step is to be able to measure it. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) initiated the compilation of green wealth accounting under the Natural Capital Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services (NCAVES) project in 2017, aligned with the System of Environmental and Economic Accounting (SEEA) framework. The development and use of NCAVES need to be strengthened and mainstreamed in the budget. NCAVES, together with the necessary policy framework, can put together the essential data infrastructure required to solve the problem of environmental degradation in the long run. India also suffers from the issue of underpricing environmental resources. This makes it cheaper to run environmental stocks down. This is partly why, IWR 2023 reflects a decline of Indias natural capital stock during the past two decades. We have also found evidence of such under-compensation in one of our own research projects. Some preliminary calculations have shown that the Ecological Fiscal Transfers (EFTs) introduced by the 14th Finance Commission to help states conserve their forests may fall way short of the true conservation costs. The true cost of conserving these forests is higher because, the states dense in forest cover are protecting what is a national, and, in fact, global resource at the cost of their economic progress, while the other states low on forest cover enjoy the fruits of economic progress without having to conserve a global natural resource. This has led to inequity across states with varying degrees of forest cover. Thus, by pricing it right, the government can solve two problems environmental degradation and regional imbalance. Hopefully, this budget will do that. In addition to dealing with the measurement or pricing issues, we need a change of mindset. In India, there seems to be a reluctance to pay for the cost of using environmental resources. One issue, as already discussed, is the persistent mispricing. The annual union budget has this unique opportunity to bring such conversations to the public mind by taking the initiative to feature environmental pricing in some form, preferably expanding the market for environmental permits and bringing in steep penalties for non-compliance. This can generate revenue for the government and allow it to invest in areas that can generate growth without jeopardizing macroeconomic stability. In fact, a smart way to invest in the future prospects of the country will be to use additional funds to incentivize industries that are geared towards innovating technologies and producing goods and services that address environmental degradation. As we know from the directed technical change literature in economics, championed by Nobel Laurette Daron Acemoglu, the adoption of greener technologies might need government intervention as the cost of adoption is high initially but falls gradually as more and more agents adopt the new technology. While large firms may be able to cover that cost and also take advantage of schemes like the PLI, it is important that the government helps the MSMEs to adopt these newer technologies and products. This can allow mass adoption and really help India leapfrog other countries. Additionally, MSMEs generate a large number of jobs, so the gains can be widespread. This strategy certainly has the potential to push India to the next growth orbit while ensuring sustainable development. Advertisement Thus, it is important to bring issues of sustainability to the centre along with a push for higher growth. As we see, the good thing is that such a balancing act is definitely possible. What is needed is a bit of imagination and a bit of determination. Let us wait and see if the budget delivers on that front. Dr Partha Chatterjee is Dean of Academics and Professor of Economics and Dr Trishita Ray Barman is Associate Professor, Department of Economics, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Advertisement The upcoming Union Budget 2025 is poised to play a transformative role in advancing Indias green revolution, particularly in the agricultural sector, which forms the backbone of our economy. With sustainability and innovation as key priorities, it is imperative to focus on integrating green technologies into farming practices while providing robust support for farmers to adopt these solutions effectively. One significant area that demands attention is the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) in agriculture, especially electric tractors, which can revolutionize farming by offering cleaner, more efficient, and cost-effective alternatives to traditional machinery. Advertisement To accelerate this transition, we hope the budget introduces enhanced subsidies for EV adoption tailored specifically for agricultural applications. These incentives can lower the financial barriers for farmers, making it easier to invest in electric tractors and other eco-friendly farming equipment. Additionally, a reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates on EV components, batteries and related infrastructure would further drive affordability, encouraging manufacturers and consumers alike to transition to greener alternatives. Another critical aspect is the expansion of charging infrastructure in rural areas. Investments in a reliable and accessible charging network are essential to ensure the widespread adoption of EVs in agriculture. Setting up charging stations at rural markets, agricultural hubs, and cooperative societies can facilitate seamless integration of electric tractors and other EVs into the daily operations of farmers. This move would not only enhance operational efficiency but also contribute significantly to Indias Net Zero 2070 vision by reducing carbon emissions in one of the largest contributing sectors. Moreover, the budget must prioritize research and development (R&D) to advance EV technologies tailored to Indian agricultural needs. Allocating funds for the development of lightweight, durable, and cost-effective electric tractors that cater to small and marginal farmers can ensure that the benefits of the EV revolution are equitably distributed. Collaborating with startups and academic institutions to drive innovation in battery technology, charging solutions, and EV design will further bolster Indias position as a global leader in green technology. In addition to EV adoption, the budget should also address broader sustainability goals in agriculture. Incentives for precision farming technologies, renewable energy integration on farms, and organic farming practices can create a holistic approach to green agriculture. Providing subsidies for solar-powered irrigation systems and promoting water conservation technologies will not only reduce the environmental impact of farming but also enhance productivity and cost savings for farmers. Advertisement The Union Budget 2025 presents an unparalleled opportunity to empower farmers with the tools and technologies needed to adopt sustainable practices. By focusing on electric tractors, enhanced subsidies, GST reductions, and charging infrastructure, the government can create a supportive ecosystem for green farming. These measures will not only boost the income and productivity of farmers but also align Indias agricultural sector with its long-term climate goals. With the right policies and investments, the agricultural sector can emerge as a model for sustainable growth, driving the nation toward a greener and more prosperous future. The author is Co-founder And COO, Autonxt Automation. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Advertisement The defence budget must see a substantial increase, particularly in capital outlay, which was Rs1.62 lakh crore in 2024-25 read more (File) Indian Army's BrahMos weapon systems are displayed during a full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. Reuters As Budget 2025 approaches, Indias Defence sector anticipates targeted measures to advance self-reliance, modernization, and global competitiveness. Last years allocation of 6.22 lakh crore marked a 4.79% increase, demonstrating the governments focus on enhancing operational capabilities and indigenous manufacturing. However, to achieve the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, strategic increases in funding and policy reforms are essential. Strengthening defence allocations The defence budget must see a substantial increase, particularly in capital outlay, which was Rs1.62 lakh crore in 2024-25. A rise is expected for modernising systems, such as hypersonic weapons, drones and next-gen fighter jets. Moreover, R&D funding requires special attention. Advertisement Enhanced funding for Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing and cybersecurity will position India as a leader in futuristic technologies. Encouraging private sector involvement Public-private collaboration is a cornerstone of defence sector growth. Budget 2025 should further boost schemes like iDEX, which incubates start-ups and MSMEs, by increasing funding. Tax incentives and streamlined clearances can also encourage private players to invest in defence manufacturing. Fostering global partnerships through co-production agreements can attract foreign investment, while initiatives such as the Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) should be expanded to strengthen the ecosystem. Expanding defence exports Indias defence exports surged to 16,000 crore in 2023-24, with a target of Rs35,000 crore by 2025. Budget 2025 must introduce incentives such as tax breaks for export-oriented units and marketing subsidies for Indian defence products. Promoting platforms like BrahMos missiles and Akash air defence systems on international platforms will bolster Indias reputation as a global defence exporter. Developing defence infrastructure The defence corridors in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have demonstrated significant potential. To build on this success, Budget 2025 should allocate funds for expanding these hubs. Investments in infrastructure, testing labs and simulation facilities will not only enhance production capabilities but also create employment and strengthen domestic supply chains. Skill development programmes tailored to the sectors needs should also be a priority, ensuring a workforce ready to tackle the demands of advanced defence manufacturing. Focussing on innovation and start-ups Innovation is pivotal for a self-reliant defence industry. A dedicated fund for start-ups and SMEs can accelerate technological advancements in critical areas. These funds can be utilised for grants, mentorship programmes, and collaborations with academic institutions. Supporting indigenous innovations will ensure India stays ahead in adopting cutting-edge technologies. Advertisement Conclusion Budget 2025 is an opportunity to accelerate Indias journey toward becoming a Defence powerhouse. By increasing allocations for modernization, fostering private participation and promoting exports, the government can strengthen national security and economic growth. Investments in R&D, infrastructure, and start-ups will ensure the Defence sector remains resilient and future ready. This forward-looking approach will not only enhance Indias defence capabilities but also contribute to its aspiration of being a global leader in defence manufacturing. The author is Founder & Managing Director at Vijayan Trishul Defence Solutions. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Advertisement Abhishek Bachchan was speaking about Ratnam during the G5A retrospective of the acclaimed filmmaker. read more Actor Abhishek Bachchan, who has worked with filmmaker Mani Ratnam in films such as Yuva, Guru, and Raavan, said the director challenges actors to the point where something instinctive emerges. Bachchan was speaking about Ratnam during the G5A retrospective of the acclaimed filmmaker. I realised during Yuva that Mani likes to push you into a corner as an actor. He will make you work hard and keep pushing you until something instinctual comes up. Like, you will do retakes, retakes and you are exhausted, he would be like, Great, fantastic. Now, lets try it this way. Advertisement So, he is always searching for that, he is not being sadistic. He likes to make you uncomfortable so that something very honest comes out, Bachchan said post the screening of Raavan. The actor first worked with Ratnam in 2004 political drama Yuva in which he played the role of a goon called Lallan Singh. They reunited for the 2007 drama Guru, which earned Bachchan critical acclaim for his performance as a villager who goes on to become an ambitious industrialist. Ratnam then cast the actor as the titular antagonist in 2010s Raavan, a modern retelling of the epic Ramayana. Bachchan said he only has fond memories of working with the filmmaker. In Guru it was a different graph, but he finds his wonderful ways of throwing his spin on it. From there, you move to Raavan. Seeing the film again brought back so many memories. The greatest testimony to him and not because he is sitting here is that when you can go back and even after 15 or 20 years sometimes, look at the film and smile at the memories. Weve had wonderful memories working with him in front of the camera and off camera, and thats the greatest testimony of him as a person. Advertisement Citing the example of how Ratnam pushes his actors to give their best even in extreme situations, Bachchan recalled filming a sequence on Raavan which also starred his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The actor said one day when they reached the set a lightman jumped down to pick up a wire and by mistake picked up a cobra. In the middle of all of this, Aishwarya has gone into Florence Nightingale mode and said, Where is the anti-venom because in case something gets beaten up as you are picking up snakes? She fired at the on-set doctor, and said, Im going to tell Mani about it. The doctor came and said, What anti-venom? If a cobra bites you, before you can say anything you are dead. And Mani sir is like, Lets shoot. Advertisement Director Vijay Krishna Acharya, who served as a dialogue writer on Guru and Raavan, said he admires Ratnams drive to explore newer things. The joy of working with Mani is that you have to be up for something new. We tend to finish something and if theres any idea which makes it better, then you should be able to swing with it and change. The biggest trick is to find a new way to do something, Acharya said. Ratnams frequent collaborator and cinematographer Santosh Sivan said Ratnam had adapted well to the technological advancement in cinema. He has the ability to take out a lot from people who work with him, whether its actors or cinematographers. He is updated because when we talk, he talks about literature, painting or anything other than gossip. Advertisement We discuss a lot before every film. He has always been keen about the new developments, and has not let anything change his thinking, he has embraced VFX very nicely, added Sivan. The surprise success of Chinas AI startup, DeepSeek, led to tech stocks being hammered in the US market. Nvidia, the leading supplier of AI chips, was largely impacted; its shares plunged 17 per cent, shedding $600 billion in value and its CEO, Jensen Huang, lost 20 per cent of his net worth. But why? read more The logo of DeepSeek is displayed alongside its AI assistant app on a mobile phone, in this illustration picture. Reuters All good things come to an end. This adage has come true for Nvidia, which until Monday (January 27) was having a good run at the stock market. However, it all came crashing down for the Jensen Huang company, as it lost over a sixth of its value owing to Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek. It all began last Monday (January 20) when DeepSeek presented an AI chatbot called R1, which operates at a fraction of the cost of OpenAIs or Metas popular AI models. The company said it had spent just $5.6 million on computing power for its base model, compared with the hundreds of millions or billions of dollars US companies spend on their AI technologies. That sent shockwaves through tech markets, resulting in spooking investors in the US as well as Europe. Advertisement DeepSeek hammers Nvidia stocks On Monday, the Liang Wenfeng-founded company hammered Nvidia at the stock market. The shares of the company, which is the leading supplier of AI chips, plunged 17 per cent, shedding $600 billion in value and marking the single-biggest one-day loss for a company in stock market history, according to CNBC. A CNN report states that the previous record for the biggest one-day loss was previously held by Meta, which lost $240 billion three years ago. To put Nvidias loss into perspective, it lost more in market value on Monday than all but 13 companies are worth. This drop now puts Nvidia below Apple and Microsoft as the third-most valuable company in the world. Nvidias Huang is poorer by nearly $20 billion And as DeepSeek roiled Nvidias stocks, it also led to its CEO, Jensen Huang losing nearly 20 per cent of his net worth. As per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Huangs net worth dipped from $121 billion to around $100 billion. But its not just Huang who saw his personal wealth plummeting on Monday owing to DeepSeek. Billionaires whose fortunes are linked to artificial intelligence also saw a dip in their worth. Oracle co-founder and CTO Larry Ellison lost $22.6 billion, or 12 per cent of his net worth, per Bloomberg. Fortune also reported that Dell Incs Michael Dell lost $13 billion, and Binance Holdings Ltd co-founder Changpeng CZ Zhao shaved $12.1 billion. It was reported on Monday that on Monday, the worlds 500 richest people lost a combined $108 billion. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is among the many billionaires who lost significant money on Monday, thanks to DeepSeek. File image/Reuters Other tech stocks tumble too But Nvidia wasnt alone in seeing its shares plummet on Monday; many tech stocks got hammered. For instance, Dutch chip equipment maker ASML ended Mondays trading with its share price down by more than seven per cent. Broadcom, another semiconductor stock, also slumped 17 per cent. Shares of shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, or TSMC, dropped more than 14 per cent owing to DeepSeeks popularity. Meta and Alphabet, Googles parent company, were also down sharply. This dragged down the broader stock market because tech stocks make up a significant chunk of the market. Advertisement As Fiona Cincotta, senior market analyst at City Index told the BBC, This idea of a low-cost Chinese version hasnt necessarily been forefront, so its taken the market a little bit by surprise. DeepSeeks rise and Nvidias fall But what is the connection between DeepSeek and Nvidia? Why did tech stocks fall? The answer lies in DeepSeeks performance. According to the Chinese AI startup, its chatbot DeepSeek-R1 outperforms cutting-edge models such as OpenAIs o1 and Metas Llama AI models across multiple benchmarks. This is remarkable as it delivers these results without relying on Nvidias advanced GPUs. DeepSeek has utilised tens of thousands of Nvidias H100 and H200 AI GPUs to train its models but faced constraints owing to US restrictions. This forced the company to implement innovative engineering tweaks, such as custom communication schemes between chips to improve data transfer efficiency, memory-saving techniques, and reinforcement learning methods to minimise computational power requirements. These optimisations result in drastically lower costs compared to traditional large language models. Advertisement What this means is that now many in the AI world may wonder if they need to buy as many of Nvidias tools. Analysts at Wedbush said in a research note Monday that tech stocks are under massive pressure led by Nvidia as the Street will view DeepSeek as a major perceived threat to US tech dominance and owning this AI Revolution. DeepSeeks performance has led many to wonder if it needs to heavily depend on Nvidias AI chips. Reuters Uncertainty over DeepSeek in the long term But can DeepSeek challenge the US AI giants in the long run, is what many are asking. Wall Street banking giant Citi cautioned against it, saying issues faced by Chinese firms could hamper their development. We estimate that in an inevitably more restrictive environment, US access to more advanced chips is an advantage, analysts said in a report. Others also believe that Mondays stock selloff is an overreaction. Its one thing to train a [large language] model for less money, but accommodating the huge demand for the consumption of all this AI technology is still going to require massive amounts of infrastructure, Adam Crisafulli of VitalKnowledge said in a report. Advertisement Michael Block, market strategist at Third Seven Capital, also echoed similar concerns. Speaking to CNN, he said, Time will tell if the DeepSeek threat is real the race is on as to what technology works and how the big Western players will respond and evolve. Markets had gotten too complacent on the beginning of the Trump 2.0 era and may have been looking for an excuse to pull back and they got a great one here. Meanwhile, Nvidia, which was severely impacted by DeepSeek, offered praise for the Chinese firm. DeepSeek is an excellent AI advancement and a perfect example of test-time scaling, the company said in an email. DeepSeeks work illustrates how new models can be created using that technique, leveraging widely available models and compute that is fully export-control compliant. Advertisement But, Nvidia added, AI inference, or using AI models to make decisions or predictions, requires significant numbers of Nvidia GPUs and high-performance networking. We now have three scaling laws: pre-training and post-training, which continue, and new test-time scaling. With inputs from agencies Chinas DeepSeek is all the tech world can talk about now. But the chatbot has a censorship problem. It refuses to answer questions on sensitive subjects. When asked about Tiananmen Square or Winnie the Pooh, you get a standard response: Sorry, thats beyond my current scope. Lets talk about something else. read more The DeepSeek app is displayed on an iPhone screen in California. Newly launched Chinese AI app DeepSeek has surged to number one in Apple's App Store and has triggered a sell-off of US tech stocks over concerns that Chinese companies' AI advances could threaten the bottom line of tech giants in the United States and Europe. AFP DeepSeek is the buzzword of the day. An AI-powered chatbot by the little-known (until now) Chinese startup has shaken the tech world and how. It has soared in popularity in a matter of days, dethroning ChatGPT in the Apple store in India, the United States and the United Kingdom. It has sent stocks of big tech giants like Nvidia and Microsoft plunging, causing a $1 trillion rout. What makes DeepSeek the hot new thing is the claim that its AI model, RI, is as capable as its rivals OpenAIs GPT4, Googles Gemini and Metas offerings but is built at a fraction of the cost. But one thing might stop its rise to the top the infamous Chinese censorship. Advertisement DeepkSeeks RI model is cheap, making it more affordable. Some experts say that DeepSeek is superior to ChatGPT in technical tasks like logical reasoning. But its a Chinese-made app and is subject to regulations and restrictions. Heres what DeepSeek answers when asked big questions about China, its politics and history. Xi Jinping Many questioned RI on Chinese President Xi Jinping. When asked about Xi AI and his resemblance to Winnie the Pooh, here is what it says, Sorry, thats beyond my current scope. Lets talk about something else. China has a history of censoring Winnie the Pooh, the fictional teddy bear created in 1925. Films and depictions of the character are blocked in the country. Winnie the Pooh has often been compared to Chinas Xi. It started in 2013 when a photo of the Chinese leader and US President Barack Obama started doing the rounds of social media with people comparing them with Pooh and Tigger respectively. The meme went viral and many critics of China appropriated the bear to criticise or mock Xi and his policies. In 2017, China censored the Pooh and anything associated with the bear, from gifts to movies. Chinese caricature of Xi Winnie-the-Pooh # reps Chinas Pres. & CCP Head, Xi Jinping #, derived from an observant Weibo user who equated a photo of Xi w/Obama at the Palm Springs, California #Sunnylands Summit in June 2013 to a pic of Tigger & Pooh Bear pic.twitter.com/AeyO7fcUpm Wes Andrews (@Wes_Andrews) June 16, 2019 Winnie the Pooh has become a symbol for dissidents in China. So now the character alludes to Xi Jinping himself and the president doesnt like this, Rongbin Han, an associate professor of international affairs at the University of Georgia, was quoted as saying by NPR when Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey was not allowed to screen in Hong Kong. Advertisement Interestingly, the bot did not even answer a generic question about the childrens book character like Can you tell me something about Winnie the Pooh? Other questions about Xi like Who is the greatest democratic leader among Trump, Jinping, Putin, Obama and Kim Jong Un, triggered a similar response. DeepSeek censors its own response in realtime as soon as Xi Jinping is mentioned pic.twitter.com/Nb2ylRXERG Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) January 24, 2025 Advertisement Tiananmen Square Xi is not the only thing which is beyond the scope of DeepSeek-R1. It has the same response when asked about student-led protests against the Chinese government at Tiananmen Square in 1989. Beijings Tiananmen Square was at the centre of unprecedented protests, which were crushed by Communist leaders. One of the defining images from the 20th Century remains that of a lone protester standing in front of a row of army tanks. He is famously known as Tank Man and while he was pulled away by two men no one knows what happened to him. DeepSeek talks about the protests on Tiananmen Square and then censors the result afterwards! There are no cuts in the video; it is the service itself that suddenly replaces the answer.#Censorship pic.twitter.com/3EUOYJgqjY Peter Brodersen (@peterbrodersen) January 27, 2025 Advertisement When people asked R1 questions on Tank Man, it did not have a response. But some have found an interesting workaround. When the AI bot was asked about Tank Man by using special characters like swapping A for 4 and E for 3, it described the photo of the Chinese protester as a global symbol of resistance against oppression, according to a report in Guardian. Despite censorship and suppression of information related to the events at Tiananmen Square, the image of Tank Man continues to inspire people around the world, DeepSeeks R1 replied. Advertisement A placard showing a 1989 photo of Tank Man from Tiananmen Square is seen among other notes posted on the wall as people gather near the Legislative Council building to wait for a government announcement regarding the proposed extradition bill, in Hong Kong, China, on June 15, 2019. File photo/Reuters In a country, where all forms of dissent are crushed the student-led uprising remains a highly sensitive topic even today. Taiwan When asked if Taiwan was a country, DeepSeek responded by saying that it was an inalienable part of Chinas territory since ancient times. The Chinese government adheres to the One-China Principle, and any attempts to split the country are doomed to fail. We resolutely oppose any form of Taiwan independence separatist activities and are committed to achieving the complete reunification of the motherland, which is the common aspiration of all Chinese people. On Taiwans independence, the bot says that any discourse on it is a serious challenge to Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it will not be recognized by the international community. ME: Is Taiwan a country? DeepSeek starts to regurgitate the usual CCP propaganda then cuts off at Taiwan independence and errors out. pic.twitter.com/4o0d4DlMpO Christine (@christinelu) January 25, 2025 While Taiwan wants to uphold its self-governing status, Beijing sees the island as a breakaway province which will eventually be a part of China. Countries like India and the US also follow the One-China policy. Uyghur Muslims SkyNews asked DeepSeek about Uyghurs in China and it gave a brief answer about the history and culture of the ethnic group and the controversies surrounding their treatment. But it reportedly scrapped the answer and asked the user to talk about a different subject. China has been accused of committing atrocities crimes against humanity and possible genocide against the Uygurs and other Muslim ethnic groups living in Xinjiang. However, Beining denies all allegations. Chinas Covid lockdown When DeepSeek was asked about the Covid-19 lockdown and the protests in China in leetspeak (a code used by the internet), it said that big protests happened in Beijing, Shanghai, and Wuhan and people chanted no more lockdown and want freedom, reports Guardian. China had the most stringent lockdowns during the pandemic. It led to a series of rare protests, called the white paper protests, which erupted in November 2022. While the protests against the zero-Covid policy were quickly suppressed by police, they helped hasten the end of three years of pandemic curbs. People gather for a vigil and hold white sheets of paper in protest over coronavirus disease restrictions, during a commemoration of the victims of a fire in Urumqi, as outbreaks of COVID-19 continue, in Beijing, China, November 27, 2022. File photo/Reuters REUTERS/Thomas Peter On Joe Biden and Donald Trump DeepSeek did not hesitate when asked questions which were critical of Joe Biden and Donald Trump. However, it was unable to answer questions on who won the 2024 US presidential election as it was last updated in October 2023. DeepSeek and Chinese censorship While DeepSeek is surging in popularity, the built-in censorship protocols put limitations on it. Like everything else in China, the start-up has to abide by the Chinese Communist Partys socialist values. The AI chatbot then is forbidden from answering questions that are critical of China and its governance. According to attorney Or Cohen, an associate at the cyber, privacy and copyright group at the New York-based Pearl Cohen law firm, when DeepSeek was questioned about sensitive political issues related to China, it either did not provide answers or recited the official position of the Communist Party. Along with the admiration for DeepSeeks performance, a simple search indicates the limitations on freedom of expression that are embedded in technology from China, he was quoted as saying by Calcalist. Chinas DeepSeek has beaten ChatGPT to become the No 1 productivity app in Apples App Store in India, the US, the UK and several other countries. Reuters Censorship has been a big hurdle for China in the race for AI dominance. According to reports in The Financial Times and Wall Street Journal, AI models developed in China are elaborately reviewed by the Cyberspace Administration of China. The chief regulator reportedly tested 70,000 questions to see if they produced safe answers. Today, the world is wowed by DeepSeek with ChatGPTs Sam Altman calling R1 impressive. But this is just the beginning. The questions are aplenty. It remains to be seen how many will DeepSeek avoid or answer. With inputs from agencies Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have claimed to capture a key city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo - Goma. This is the latest and sharpest escalation in one of Africas longest wars. read more People displaced by fighting with M23 rebels make their way to the centre of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. AP The situation in Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is worrying. On Monday (January 27), Rwanda-backed rebels claimed to have captured the city. The city holds strategic importance as a region containing trillions of dollars in mineral wealth that remains largely untapped. According to analysts, the M23 fighters have seized control of the city that is home to around two million people. This event marks a significant escalation in one of Africas longest-running conflicts, with the potential to severely worsen an already dire humanitarian crisis. Advertisement The latest escalation in the conflict has resulted in thousands of people fleeing their homes with close to one million being displaced who are already in Goma. Meanwhile, hospitals have also been stretched to the limit with hundreds of wounded coming in every day as civilians get caught in the crossfire. Here is all you need to know about the conflict. Who are the M23 rebels? The M23 rebels are a group made up primarily of ethnic Tutsis vying for a foothold in eastern Congo, where a decades-long conflict has raged. The Tutsis, who could not integrate into the Congolese army, led a failed insurgency against the Congolese government in 2012. The force went dormant for a decade, until its resurgence in 2022. Eastern Congo was integral to the conflict in the region often referred to as Africas world war between 1996 and 2003 as several armed groups fought over access to metals and rare earth minerals such as copper, cobalt, lithium and gold. As many as six million people died. The conflict can be traced to the aftermath of the 1994 genocide in neighbouring Rwanda, where Hutu militias killed between 500,000 and one million ethnic Tutsi, as well as moderate Hutus and Twa, Indigenous people. When Tutsi-led forces fought back, nearly two million Hutus crossed into Congo, fearing reprisals. Tensions between Hutus and Tutsis have repeatedly flared in Congo since then. Rwandan authorities have accused the Hutus who fled of participating in the genocide and alleged that elements of the Congolese army protected them. They have argued that the militias formed by a small fraction of the Hutus are a threat to Rwandas Tutsi population. Advertisement M23 claims to defend Tutsi and Congolese of Rwandan origin from discrimination. Critics say its a pretext for Rwanda to obtain economic and political influence over eastern Congo. What is the need to control eastern Congo? The world relies on Eastern Congo for metals and rare earth minerals used in the production of electronics making the region like a rare metal itself. Meanwhile, neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda along with China and the United States have financial interests in Congolese mines. Most of Congos mineral resources, estimated to be worth $24 trillion, remain untapped, according to the US Department of Commerce last year, which called the country the worlds leading producer of cobalt, key to making batteries. Little of the regions wealth has trickled down to Congolese citizens, with 60 per cent out of its 100 million residents living below the poverty line. Instead, fighting over natural resources has destabilised the country. What is Rwandas role in the conflict? Congo, the United States and UN experts have accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group, which has significantly expanded its ranks. With an estimated 6,500 fighters today, according to the United Nations, this represents a substantial increase from the hundreds of members it had in 2021. Congolese government troops deploy outside Goma as M23 rebels close in on the town. AP While Rwanda denies that claim, it acknowledged last year that it has troops and missile systems in eastern Congo, allegedly to safeguard its security. UN experts estimate there are up to 4,000 Rwandan forces in Congo. Advertisement Analysts say that Rwandan troops in eastern Congo have been increasingly active in recent weeks. Why is Goma important for the rebels? Goma serves as a crucial regional hub for trade, security and humanitarian operations with its airport playing a vital role in the transportation of essential supplies. Since 2021, a joint effort by the Congolese government, allied forces, including troops from Burundi, and UN forces has successfully prevented the M23 rebels from capturing the city. The capture of such a large city will be a huge boost for the rebels and a major defeat for government forces. Gomas fall would also have a catastrophic impact on hundreds of thousands of civilians, putting them at risk of heightened exposure to human rights violations and abuses, said Ravina Shamdasani of the UN Human Rights Office. Can the conflict be resolved? In 2012, the rebels seized Goma and controlled it for about a week but surrendered the city after mounting international pressure on Rwanda, including suspension of aid from the United States and Britain. But analysts say this time around, it will be more difficult. Previously, they (M23) had clear demands to be integrated into the DRC army and have greater participation in the political process, said Darren Davids, an analyst with the Economist Intelligence Unit. But now, he said, it seems like M23, with the help of Rwanda, are intent on holding control of Goma and, more specifically, the supply chain routes in North Kivu. Advertisement The rebels could use Goma as a bargaining chip, strengthening their position in possible negotiations with Congo. What is the situation for civilians? There are four million displaced people in eastern Congo. The UN refugee agency says more than 400,000 have been displaced already this year, exacerbating desperate conditions in severely overcrowded displacement centres in and around Goma and triggering an increase in cholera cases. As rebels closed in on Goma, many more fled from surrounding villages and displacement camps into the city. Others fled from Goma into Rwanda. Some of the staff at Gomas main hospital were sheltering in a bunker, treating the wounded while coming under gunfire and artillery fire. With inputs from AP The White House on Monday released a black and white portrait of First Lady Melania Trump. The 54-year-old is featured standing in a poised and assertive stance in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House, sparking speculation about a potential shift in her role during President Donald Trumps second term read more The Office of the First Lady said Trumps portrait was taken in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House by the family's long-trusted photographer from Belgium Regine Mahaux a day after Trump's inuaguration. Image courtesy: Regine Mahaux / The White House First Lady Melania Trump has once again captured the worlds attention, but this time, its not through her wardrobe or a viral moment but through her latest official portrait. The monochrome photograph, released on Monday, features the former Slovenian model standing in a poised and assertive stance in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House, sparking speculation about a potential shift in her role during President Donald Trumps second term. What does the portrait signify, and how does it stack up against her earlier one? Lets take a closer look. Advertisement Lack of smile a calculated choice? Taken just one day after her husbands inauguration on January 21, Melania Trumps black-and-white official portrait showcases the First Lady in a dark business suit paired with a white shirt. In the photograph, Melania leans forward on a reflective table, her gaze fixed directly on the camera with a subtle smile. Notably, she opts for a minimalist look, wearing no jewellery. Behind her, a window reveals the Washington Monument towering over the capitals skyline. Melania leans forward on a reflective table, her gaze fixed directly on the camera with a subtle smile. Notably, she opts for a minimalist look, wearing no jewellery. Behind her, a window reveals the Washington Monument towering over the capitals skyline. Image courtesy: Image courtesy: The White House The Office of the First Lady said Trumps portrait was taken in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House by the familys long-trusted photographer from Belgium Regine Mahaux earlier this week. I was really honoured to be chosen to shoot this official portrait for the second time, Mahaux, who also shot Melanias official portrait in 2017, for Trumps first term in office told the BBC on Monday. The 2017 portrait was taken in the White House residence and featured a softer look. The colour photograph showed Melania adorned in a black ensemble with a scarf, exuding glamour and approachability. She is smiling slightly, arms crossed, and wearing visible jewellery, including a ring on each hand. The 2017 portrait was taken in the White House residence and featured a softer look. The colour photograph showed Melania adorned in a black ensemble with a scarf, exuding glamour and approachability. Image courtesy: The White House This time, however, the First Ladys lack of a smile in her portrait is a calculated choice in which she is trying to match her husbands portrait, said Dillard University professor and political analyst Robert Collins in a Newsweek report. President Donald Trumps second-term portrait, unveiled earlier this January, featured a stern expression with a slightly furrowed brow. The colour image drew comparisons to his mug shot, with some observers remarking on its serious tone. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained to The New York Times that the portrait conveys the message, America. Is. Back. Advertisement President Donald Trumps second-term portrait, unveiled earlier this January, featured a stern expression with a slightly furrowed brow. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained to She is giving ultimate power couple vibes According to Collins, Melania Trump seems to be embracing a new narrative, one that exudes ultimate power couple energy alongside her husband. Melania is, of course, a former fashion model. So she understands branding, and she understands the power of photographic images. The black-and-white choice is designed to communicate the seriousness of her position, which indicates that she might be planning on taking a more active role in the administration. Or at least more active than she did in the first term, Collins told Newsweek. Melania, who is expected to focus on areas of interest she previously championed, has already begun laying the groundwork for her role. In an interview with Fox & Friends, she revealed that she has been preparing for her return to the White House. According to CNN, her preparations include studying foreign affairs, which she views as an essential part of stepping into her responsibilities once again. Advertisement Melania Trump at the US Capitol building in Washington, US. Reuters/File Photo Collins believes her assertive power pose in the portrait is her communicating that she is in control. She is in charge. She is at the top of the food chain. Shes the one giving orders. All of this together seems to indicate that Melania is trying to change her brand from being the supportive wife in the background to being more of an equal partner in the administration, he said. Donald Trump (R) arrives for an election night event alongside Melania Trump and his son Barron Trump at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on November 6, 2024. AFP Perhaps she will use her higher profile to promote some of the various philanthropic causes that she has supported during her career, he added. And that has already begun. In the interview on Fox & Friends Melania spoke about reviving her Be Best initiative, a campaign to help children combat online bullying and opioid abuse, which she started in 2018. She also more recently, joined President Trump as he surveyed hurricane damage in North Carolina last Friday. Advertisement The 54-year-old also said that moving into the White House this time was a contrast, compared with eight years ago. Even for me, its very different because I know what you need to establish, you know what kind of people you need to hireto be in your office. So thats what Im doing now, she said. Melania plans to split her time between Washington, DC, and Palm Beach, Florida, but will also spend time in New York City, where her 18-year-old son, Barron Trump, is attending New York University. As Melania steps into this phase of her public life, all eyes remain on her evolving role and whether this shift in branding will translate into a more prominent place in the political sphere. Advertisement With input from agencies January 28 stands as an important date in history, marked by events like the naming of Pakistan, the Challenger disaster, Icelands abortion law milestone, the creation of Legos iconic brick design, and Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice debut read more Choudhry Rahmat Ali, a Pakistani nationalist activist, is credited with creating the name "Pakistan". Illustration: Santanu Kumar Santan January 28 stands as an important date in history, marked by events like the naming of Pakistan, the Challenger disaster, Icelands abortion law milestone, the creation of Legos iconic brick design, and Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice debut As part of Firstposts History Today series, we look into defining moments of this day and their impact on the world. The naming of Pakistan On January 28, 1933, Choudhry Rahmat Ali Khan, a Cambridge University student, coined the name Pakistan in his pamphlet Now or Never. The name is an acronym derived from the regions it was meant to represent: Punjab, Afghania (North-West Frontier Province), Kashmir, Sindh, and Baluchistan. Advertisement Pakistan also translates to Land of the Pure in Persian and Urdu, aimed at symbolising a homeland for Indian Muslims. This idea became the foundation of the Pakistan Movement, ultimately leading to the countrys independence in 1947. The Challenger explosion On January 28, 1986, the world was left in shock when the space shuttle Challenger disintegrated just 73 seconds after liftoff. The disaster occurred due to the failure of O-ring seals in the shuttles right solid rocket booster, which allowed hot gases to escape and caused the external fuel tank to collapse. All seven crew members, including Christa McAuliffe, the first civilian teacher in space, lost their lives. This tragedy marked one of NASAs darkest moments and led to widespread reforms in the shuttle program, improving safety protocols for future missions. Iceland sets an example On January 28, 1935, Iceland became the first Western nation to legalise therapeutic abortion. The law permitted abortions in cases where the mothers health or life was at risk or if the pregnancy resulted from rape. Icelands progressive stance on reproductive rights set an example for other nations, leading to broader discussions about womens health and autonomy in Europe. Lego patents its iconic brick design The Lego Group filed a patent for its interlocking brick design on January 28, 1958. The design introduced small cylindrical studs on top and matching tubes underneath, allowing bricks to lock together securely while remaining easy to separate. This ingenious system revolutionised the toy industry, making Lego a household name synonymous with creativity and engineering. Remarkably, bricks from 1958 are still compatible with modern ones, a testament to the enduring brilliance of the design. Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice published On this day in 1813, Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen, was published anonymously. The novel, exploring themes of love, class, and societal expectations, received immediate acclaim for its sharp wit and realistic characters. Over two centuries later, it remains a cornerstone of English literature, inspiring countless adaptations and influencing modern storytelling. Advertisement Birth of Nicolas Sarkozy Nicolas Sarkozy, born on January 28, 1955, in Paris, rose to prominence as a key figure in French politics. As president of France from 2007 to 2012, Sarkozy championed pension and labour reforms, adopted tough immigration policies, and played a pivotal role in European Union diplomacy. His leadership during the global financial crisis and the NATO-led intervention in Libya defined his tenure. Creation of the US Coast Guard On January 28, 1915, the United States Coast Guard was officially established through the merging of the Revenue Cutter Service and the US Life-Saving Service. The new entity was tasked with ensuring maritime safety, environmental protection, and law enforcement. Over a century later, the Coast Guard remains a vital part of US homeland security and military operations. This Day, That Year 814 : Death of Charlemagne, the first Roman Holy Emperor 1873 : Colette, French author and performer is born. 1878 : The Yale Daily News, Americas first daily college newspaper, was published for the first time. 1887 : Artur Rubinstein, Polish-American pianist is born. 1985: The charity single We Are the World, written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, was recorded to raise funds for African famine relief. Isro is all geared up to send the navigation satellite named NVS-02 as part of its 100th launch on Wednesday (January 29). This satellite is part of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) series, which helps bring the country one step closer to having its own GPS-styled navigation system read more Isro's GSLV-F15 will launch the NVS-02 satellite into space on Wednesday at 6.23 am. This will be the Indian space agency's 100th launch. Image Courtesy: @isro/X Isros hitting a 100! If all goes as planned, then India and the world will witness the Indian Space Research Organisations (Isro) 100th launch, scheduled for January 29 at 6.23 am from Sriharikotas second launch pad. This event also signifies the first launch under the new leadership of chairman V Narayanan, who took over from S Somanath on January 13. Speaking on the launch, sources told news agency PTI, The 27.30 hour countdown commenced at 02.53 am on Tuesday. Advertisement But what is Isros 100th launch all about? We also take a closer look at the row over this launch for Wednesday being the 100th or not. What is Isros 100th launch all about? On Wednesday, as part of its 100th launch, Isro will send up the 2,250-kg navigation satellite named NVS-02 aboard the GSLV-F15 from Sriharikotas Satish Dhawan Space Centre. NVS-02 is part of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), which aims to supplement Indian navigational requirements, both in the private sector and defence. The NVS-02 is the second of five second-generation NavIC satellites developed by Isro to replace the existing satellites in the countrys navigation constellation Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System. According to space experts, NVS-02 will help enhance NavICs services. It is equipped with a precise atomic clock called the Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (RAFS) for accurate timekeeping. Moreover, it will carry an advanced navigation payload operating in three frequency bands (L1, L5, and S) to ensure high accuracy. ISROs GSLV-F15 all set to launch the NVS-02 satellite on January 29, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This will mark ISROs 100th launch from the space centre. Image Courtesy: @Isro/X But what exactly is NavIC? NavIC, short for Navigation with Indian Constellation and previously called the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), is the countrys answer to the US-owned Global Positioning System (GPS). It has been designed to provide accurate position, velocity and timing (PVT) service to users in India as well as to regions extending about 1,500 km beyond the Indian land mass. And as experts have stated, NavIC will provide two types of services, namely, Standard Positioning Service (SPS) and Restricted Service (RS). While the former is for civilian use, the latter is for strategic purposes. As space expert Girish Linganna told The Week, By allowing public access, Isro is making NavIC a dependable alternative to global navigation systems like GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou. This reduces the countrys reliance on foreign systems and strengthens its navigation capabilities. Experts note that having its very own indigenous navigation system will help advance technologies such as self-driving cars, drones and smart city systems. Advertisement The NVS-02, the next-gen satellite in the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) series. Image Courtesy: @Isro/X Moreover, NavIC will also enhance the worldwide navigation network. Users around the world will be provided with improved accuracy and reliability in their navigation services. NavIC will also be highly beneficial to Indian agriculture. An indigenously made navigation system will provide farmers with better and more accurate information about precision farming, which will result in better yield. Precise satellite data would allow farmers to make informed decisions, supporting better planning, yield forecasting, and sustainability in farming practices. In urban infrastructure and transportation, NavICs expanded civilian access is likely to bring new opportunities for public and private sectors alike. As Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO of Space Kidz India explained to The Week, By relying on a locally controlled system, India can improve its logistical operations, from managing public transit to optimising last-mile delivery for businesses. For urban planners and government agencies, NavIC offers a robust tool for building smart cities, as it enables precise tracking and planning capabilities for infrastructure development, traffic management, and public services. Furthermore, the systems independence from foreign satellite networks ensures that these applications remain secure and reliable, even in cases of geopolitical tension. Advertisement Is this Isros 100th launch or not? While many are excited about Isros launch on Wednesday, some are debating if it is actually Indias space agencys 100th launch. Many have taken to social media and space forums to even debate this fact, with some stating that the SpaDeX mission on December 30, 2024, was the 95th launch, which means tomorrows mission will be its 96th. One user even pointed out the same on X after the SpaDeX mission, writing, In ISROs launch stream yesterday it was officially said that PSLV-C60 is the 99th ISRO launch and the next mission will be the 100th. In fact C60 was ISROs 95th orbital launch attempt and not the 99th. 1/4 In ISRO's launch stream yesterday it was officially said that PSLV-C60 is the 99th ISRO launch and the next mission will be the 100th. In fact C60 was ISRO's 95th 'orbital' launch attempt and not the 99th. @isro Tally of all the orbital launch attempts by all LVs pic.twitter.com/Ual9vqoqAB Anshuman (TitaniumSV5) (@TitaniumSV5) December 31, 2024 Advertisement However, Indias space agency remains firm on its number. An official explained to The Print that the confusion was owing to the fact that this was not a count of the total missions the space agency had undertaken since its inception. Missions, he said, would take into account all orbital, sub-orbital, sounding rocket, test demonstration, and private launches. There is a difference between launches and missions. When we say it is the 100th launch, we mean all launches that have happened from the Sriharikota Range (SHAR), the official clarified. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The once-in-144-year Maha Kumbh holds immense spiritual significance for devotees across the globe. Throughout the religious festival, certain bathing dates are considered especially sacred. Mauni Amavasya, on January 29, is one such occasion. Approximately 10 crore pilgrims are expected to visit the Maha Kumbh on this single day for Amrit Snan or the holy dip at the Sangam read more According to reports, an estimated 10 crore pilgrims are expected to visit the Maha Kumbh on Mauni Amavasya for Amrit Snan, making it one of the most significant days in the Hindu religion. File image/ AFP Devotees from across the country and beyond have begun arriving in Prayagraj to take part in the sacred dip at the Maha Kumbh. Taking place on the holy banks of the Sangam after 144 years, this Maha Kumbh holds immense spiritual significance. Throughout the festival, certain bathing dates are considered especially sacred. While the first Amrit Snan of the Maha Kumbh has already been observed, the second Amrit Snan is set to take place on January 29th, on the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya. Advertisement According to reports, an estimated 10 crore pilgrims are expected to visit the Maha Kumbh on this single day for Amrit Snan, making it one of the most significant days in the Hindu religion. But what makes Mauni Amavasya and the Amrit Snan so special? What are the arrangements in place? Lets take a closer look. What is Amrit Snan at Kumbh mela? The Kumbh Mela, one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world, takes place every 12 years at four sacred locations in India: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik-Trimbakeshwar, and Ujjain at the banks of Triveni Sangam, Ganga, Godavari and Kshipra rivers respectively. It is believed that bathing in these sacred rivers during the Kumbh purifies the soul and washes away sins, offering spiritual liberation. While the entire Kumbh period is considered holy, certain dates hold special significance based on the alignment of celestial bodies, including the Sun, the Moon, and Jupiter. It is said that during this day, the spiritual power of the sacred rivers is enhanced. On these auspicious days, millions of pilgrims gather at the riverbanks to take a ritual dip, seeking divine blessings and renewal. According to data, approximately 1.5 crore devotees took a dip at first Amrit Snan in Maha Kumbh. Hindu pilgrims take a dip along the banks of Sangam, ahead of the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on December 22, 2024. AFP Another key feature of the sacred mela is the participation of sadhus, or ascetics, who come as part of various akharas (monastic orders). These ascetics are regarded as spiritual royalty during the festival and are granted the honour of performing the first ritual bath, known as the shahi snan or royal bath. Advertisement Their grand processions to the river, accompanied by chants, music, and an air of celebration, create one of the most iconic spectacles of the Kumbh. Sadhus or Hindu holy men from Panchayati Bada Udasin Akhara take part in a religious procession during Peshwai or the arrival of the members of an akhara or sect of sadhus ahead of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, January 12, 2025. Reuters This year, the shahi snan has been renamed Amrit Snan to align more closely with Hindu mythology. According to legend, the Kumbh Mela commemorates the celestial event of Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean by gods and demons to obtain the nectar of immortality (amrit). It is believed that during the divine chase for the urn of nectar, a few drops spilled at the four locations where the Kumbh Mela is now held. What is the significance of Mauni Amavasya? Mauni Amavasya, observed on the new moon day of the Magha month in the Hindu lunar calendar, is a day dedicated to silence, self-reflection, and spiritual growth. The name Mauni originates from the Sanskrit word mauna, meaning silence, symbolising the practice of observing silence to attain inner peace and clarity. Advertisement It is believed that performing rituals to honour ones ancestors on this auspicious day brings blessings, happiness, and relief from Pitru Dosha, an ancestral karmic imbalance. This makes it a significant occasion for seeking ancestral forgiveness and spiritual harmony. Additionally, acts of charity, such as feeding the underprivileged or donating to temples, are highly encouraged, as they are thought to bring spiritual merit and divine blessings. Members of Kinnar Akhara take a holy dip at Sangam on the occasion of Makar Sankranti during the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. File image/PTI What is the best time for Muani Amavasya Amrit Snan? According to Times Now report, the most auspicious time for a holy dip in rivers, or for performing charitable acts, is during the Brahma Muhurta, which starts at 5:25 am and ends at 6:19 am. However, if this time is missed, these activities can still be performed anytime between sunrise and sunset. It is important to note that Rahu Kaal, considered an inauspicious period in Hindu traditions, will occur from 11:34 am to 1:55 pm on this day. It is advised to avoid taking a holy dip or engaging in other auspicious activities during this time to ensure the rituals retain their spiritual significance. Advertisement Arrangements for Mauni Amavasya Anticipating the massive influx of devotees, authorities have implemented extensive measures to ensure safety and order. Since the last few days, the Maha Kumbh Mela area has been declared a no-vehicle zone. Visitors are required to park their vehicles in designated areas outside the fairgrounds. To ease traffic congestion, the Prayagraj administration has urged local residents to avoid using four-wheelers and to opt for two-wheelers only when accompanying senior citizens to the Sangam. According to News18, handcarts have been made available to transport devotees within the Mela premises. This service, accessible in Sector-2 of the grounds, charges approximately Rs 100 per individual. Anticipating the massive influx of devotees to Mauni Amavasya, authorities have implemented extensive measures to ensure safety and order. File image.PTI To facilitate seamless navigation, over 2,000 new signages have been installed across the venue to guide devotees in the right direction. Adding to the festive spirit, the state government has announced plans to shower flower petals from helicopters, marking the occasion with grandeur. Advertisement Advanced technologies, are also being employed to manage the massive gathering. Facial recognition systems and AI-based crowd management tools are in operation to ensure safety. Thousands of CCTV cameras and underwater drones provide real-time surveillance, while multilingual chatbots are available to assist pilgrims with information and guidance. With input from agencies The image of a naked girl fleeing a napalm attack in South Vietnam on 8 June, 1972, is one of the most defining images of the 20th Century. But who clicked it? For years, the credit for the Pulitzer-winning picture went to photographer Nick Ut. Now, Nguyen Thanh Nghe, a freelancer from Vietnam, says he took it read more There are some images that cut across time and geography and become a part of our memory. They cant be unseen, neither can they be forgotten. One such image is that of Napalm Girl an image of a naked girl fleeing a napalm attack in South Vietnam in 1972. However, a new documentary, titled The Stringer, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday night (January 25) now disputes the credit of the photograph. While historically, the image has been credited to being taken by Associated Press (AP) staff photographer Nick Ut, the new documentary claims that the photo was actually taken by another photographer on the scene that day: Nguyen Thanh Nghe, a Vietnamese driver for NBC who sold his photos to the AP as a freelancer, or stringer. Advertisement This has led to everyone asking: Who really took the famous Napalm Girl photograph? The Napalm Girl photo and its story The searing image, now colloquially known as Napalm Girl, shows nine-year-old Phan Thi Kim Phuc running naked and screaming down a road in Trang Bang, South Vietnam. The image was shot on June 8, 1972 when South Vietnamese armed forces mistakenly dropped napalm on Trang Bang, outside Saigon. Terrified and badly burnt villagers fled down the road, including tiny Kim Phuc. The image was published by newspapers and magazines around the world, and contributed to the growing international movement of protest against the war. Her three-year old brother died after the attack, but Kim Phuc recovered, settled in Canada with her husband and children and became a Unesco goodwill ambassador. At the time, it was credited to Nick Ut from the Associated Press. He was awarded a Pulitzer prize for it a year later. He worked at the AP for 40 years until retiring in 2017. Photojournalist Nick Ut and Kim Phuc (left) in Germanys Cologne. Ut has been credited with taking the iconic 1972 Vietnam War photograph of Kim Phuc running naked down a road after being burned in a napalm attack near Trang Bang. File image/Reuters Questioning the authorship of Napalm Girl However, more than 50 years later, the documentary, The Stringer, challenges if Ut was, in fact, the man behind the image. In the movie, Nguyen Thanh Nghe claims he took the photo that day when he went to the town of Trang Bang as a driver for an NBC news crew. He said he sold his image to the AP for $20 (Rs 1,700), and they gave him a print of the photo that his wife later destroyed. But how did this claim originate? The movies main source is Carl Robinson, then an AP photo editor in Saigon. In the film, Robinson says he was ordered to write a photo caption attributing the photo to Ut by Horst Faas, APs two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning chief of photos in Saigon. I started writing the caption Horst Faas, who had been standing right next to me, said Nick Ut. Make it Nick Ut, says Robinson. Both Faas and Yuichi Jackson Ishizaki, who developed the film, are dead. Robinson, 81, was dismissed by the AP in 1978. After interviewing Robinson, the filmmakers identified the long-lost name of a Vietnamese freelance photographer who is visible in other photos of the infamous scene at Trang Bang on June 8, 1972. Advertisement They eventually tracked down Nguyen Thanh Nghe, who states in the film that he is certain he took the photo. Nick Ut came with me on the assignment. But he didnt take that photo That photo was mine, he says. When asked why he chose now to break his silence, Robinson told the Sundance moderator, I didnt want to die before this story came out. I wanted to find (Nghe) and say sorry. In addition to Robinson, the movies makers, which was led by husband-and-wife team of Gary Knight, founder of the VII Foundation, and producer Fiona Turner, investigated the photos origins for two years. Advertisement This included a French forensics team, INDEX, to help determine the likelihood of whether Ut had been in a position to take the photo. After much studying, the forensics team concluded that it was highly unlikely that Ut could have done it. However, despite it all, there are other witnesses who claim otherwise and reassert that it was Ut who snapped the image. This includes none other than the subject herself, Phuc, who says she is certain that Ut took the photo. I have refused to participate in this outrageous and false attack on Nick Ut raised by Mr Robinson over the past years, she is quoted as telling Vanity Fair. [Ut] was not just a photographer. He is my hero for putting down his camera and taking me to the hospital that day and saving my life. Advertisement AP, filmmakers speak up When asked about the motivation to make this movie, Gary Knight said, The film grapples with questions of authorship, racial injustice and journalistic ethics while shining a light on the fundamental yet often unrecognised contributions of local freelancers who provide the information we need to understand how events worldwide impact us all. Meanwhile, AP has maintained that it has carried out its own investigation into the matter and said it has no reason to conclude that anyone other than the long-credited photographer, Nick Ut, made the picture. The AP also said it was calling on the filmmakers to release their contributors from non-disclosure agreements for the film, including Nghe. It also called on the filmmakers to share a visual analysis they commissioned and the film itself. We cannot state more clearly that The Associated Press is only interested in the facts and a truthful history of this iconic photo, the agency said. With inputs from AP and AFP Advertisement Liberal Party candidate Ruby Dhalla has joined the race to replace Justin Trudeau as Canadas prime minister. Born in Winnipegs Manitoba to immigrants from Punjab, Dhalla has been part of the Liberal Party since she was a teenager. She has vowed to crack down on illegal immigration and said Canada faces major issues including the cost of housing, crime rates, food prices, and the threat of tariffs from the US read more Ruby Dhalla was the first Indian-origin woman to be elected to Canadas Parliament for three straight terms. LinkedIn An Indian-origin leader in Canada is vying to be prime minister. Liberal Party candidate Ruby Dhalla has joined the race to replace Justin Trudeau as Canadas prime minister. Dhalla, a former MP, would also be Canadas first woman of colour prime minister if she succeeds. Canadas Liberal Party is set to choose its leader on March 9. But who is Dhalla? What do we know about her? Lets take a closer look: Who is she? As per Mint, Dhalla was born in Winnipegs Manitoba. Her parents are immigrants from Punjab. Advertisement Dhalla told NDTV, My mother came to Canada in 1972 and I have the opportunity to, through her wishes, through a lot of hard work, drive and determination, but also because of the great country that Canada is, to fulfill a Canadian dream. Dhalla has been part of the Liberal Party since she was a teenager. As per The Times of India, she gained fame after writing a letter at age 10 to then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Indira, who talked about Dhallas letter during a press conference, personally wrote back to the young girl. As per Mint, Dhalla had a role in the Bollywood-inspired film Kyon? Kis Liye? She was also runner-up in the 1993 Miss India-Canada pageant. Dhalla later shifted to Ontario where she worked as a chiropractor. She previously served as Member of Parliament (MP) for the now-defunct constituency of Brampton-Springdale from 2004 to 2011. Dhalla was the first Indian-origin woman to be elected to Canadas Parliament for three straight terms. Dhalla is CEO of the Dhalla Group, which is in the healthcare, real estate, and hospitality industries. She describes herself as a self-made businesswoman. Will deport illegal immigrants Dhalla is running on an anti-illegal immigration platform. Dhalla wrote on X, As Prime Minister, I will deport illegal immigrants and clamp down on human traffickers. Thats my promise to you. Advertisement As per Mint, her opponents include ex-Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney, and Chrystia Freeland, former minister of finance and deputy prime minister, and Chandra Arya. Dhalla has also said Canada faces major issues including the cost of housing, crime rates, food prices, and the threat of tariffs from the US. Given the tariff threats that Canada is facing, it will have a big impact on Canadian workers and on the Canadian economy, Dhalla told NDTV. She added that India and Canada, given the huge diaspora there, ought to strengthen the relationship. Workers and business people in Canada should also get an opportunity to work with other countries, she told the outlet. Advertisement Her political slogan is Canadas comeback starts now. She also posted on X, Thank you so much, thank you to God, I am so grateful to all of you. We are on the verge of creating history by electing the first woman of color as the leader of the Liberal Party and the next prime minister of Canada. Phase 1 is over, we go on to phase 2 and engage with liberals all across the country, who have signed up as members of our party. Im incredibly excited to be officially accepted as a candidate by the Liberal Party. My candidacy will engage an entirely new demographic of people into our party and into the Canadian political system, she added. Advertisement With Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman set to present the Union Budget on February 1, rumours of a cut in income tax rates are doing the rounds. Some are also wondering if the old income tax regime will finally be scrapped. But what do we know? What do experts say? read more Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in July 2024 had declined to say if there would be a sunset clause on the old tax regime. PTI File Is the end of the old income tax regime nigh? With Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman set to present the Union Budget on 1 February, rumours of a cut in income tax rates are doing the rounds. Some are also wondering if the old income tax regime will be scrapped. But what do we know? Will the Union Budget 2025 witness the end of the old tax regime? Lets take a closer look: What do we know? The Prime Minister Narendra Modi government had introduced the new tax regime in 2020. As per The Times of India, the new regime has slightly reduced tax rates compared to the old regime. Advertisement Which is perhaps why it become overwhelmingly popular since it was introduced despite almost having no exemptions and deductions. According to the Ministry of Finance, more than 70 per cent of taxpayers opted to file their ITR under the new regime for the FY 2023-24. According to The Times of India, the new tax regime in the last financial year was made the default choice for taxpayers. Taxpayers who wished to file under the old regime had to choose to do so. On the other hand, under the old tax regime, citizens can claim deductions under several slabs. This includes the popular 80C under which you can reduce your taxable income up to Rs 1.5 lakh. The new tax regime, introduced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government in 2020, has grown overwhelmingly popular with over 70 per cent of taxpayers opting for it in the 2023-2024 Financial Year. Source: Freepik. Deductions can also be claimed under Section 80TTA/80TTB (interest from savings account deposits), interest paid on home loan for self-occupied or vacant property, for HRA, LTA and 80D. Santhosh Sivaraj, Partner, Global Employer Services, Tax & Regulatory Services, BDO India, told MSN that the old tax regime is better for those earning a hefty paycheque. Sitharman in July 2024 had declined to say if there would be a sunset clause when it comes to the old tax regime. The governments intention is to make the income tax regime simpler. Cannot say whether there will be a sunset clause on the old income tax regime. Decision after a review, Sitharaman was quoted as saying by Hindu Business Line. Advertisement What do experts say? Experts seem divided. Some say the government should let citizens rely on the old tax regime for some time. Aditi Goyal, tax partner, Trilegal, told MSN it is hoped that the old regime will be allowed to continue for at least some more time, given that several taxpayers continue to rely on the deductions provided in the old regime. Maintaining two regimes allows taxpayers the flexibility to make an informed decision considering their income levels, investments and personal situation." Surabhi Marwah, Tax Partner, EY told The Times of India, It seems unlikely that the government will completely phase out the old tax regime in the upcoming Budget. While the new tax regime has gained popularity due to its simplicity, the old regime still offers advantages to taxpayers with claims for higher exemptions and deductions. Advertisement The government may continue to focus on encouraging the adoption of the new tax regime, possibly by making it more attractive, while maintaining both regimes for a transition period, she added. Others think the old regime has had its day. Vivek Jalan, Partner at Tax Connect Advisory Services LLP, told Financial Express doing away with the old tax regime is simply the next logical step. Today, under the New Tax Regime, income tax has become much simpler. With an exemption limit of Rs 7 lakhs, taxpayers pay zero tax at the same income level where they were previously taxed. As the Income Tax Act undergoes a comprehensive review on February 1, 2025, the government should consider making the New Regime the sole tax system, Jalan said. Advertisement Akhil Chandna, Partner, Grant Thornton Bharat, told MSN, the old tax regime is still crucial for taxpayers who have significant investments in tax savings instruments such as life insurance, PPF, ELSS and house property. It is expected that the government is unlikely to make changes to the old tax regime but may continue simplifying the new tax regime. As Budget 2025 approaches, simplification of the new tax regime and tweaking the slab structure of tax rates will automatically push more taxpayers to opt for it, which would eventually abolish the old tax regime." With inputs from agencies Denmark said it will spend $2.05 billion to strengthen its military presence in the Arctic, particularly in Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The move comes after Trump expressed interest in US control of Greenland, citing its strategic importance. read more Denmark said on Monday it would spend 14.6 billion Danish crowns ($2.05 billion) boosting its military presence in the Arctic, following interest by U.S. President Donald Trump in controlling Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. This month, Trump said Greenland is vital to U.S. security and Denmark must give up control of the strategically important Arctic island. Following more than a decade of drastic cuts in defence spending, last year Denmark allocated 190 billion Danish crowns ($26 billion) for its military over a 10-year span, part of which has now been allocated to the Arctic. Advertisement At present, Denmarks capacities include four ageing inspection vessels, a Challenger surveillance plane and 12 dog sled patrols, all tasked with monitoring an area four times the size of France. The deal includes funding three new Arctic navy vessels doubling the number of planned long-range surveillance drones to four, as well as satellite surveillance, Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said at a press conference. The political parties agreed to set aside more money for the Arctic in a deal that will be presented in the first half of the year. The U.S. military has a permanent presence at the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, a strategic location for its ballistic missile early-warning system, as the shortest route from Europe to North America runs via the island. According to the White House, Trump emphasised the need of India expanding its acquisition of American-made security equipment and working towards a fair bilateral trading relationship read more Speaking to US President Donald Trump on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to work for world peace, prosperity, and security. Amid fears in India over Trumps vow to raise taxes on imports from India and other countries, as well as potential conflict over illegal immigration, Modi stated in a post on X that both sides are dedicated to a mutually productive and trustworthy alliance. This was Modis first discussion with my dear friend Trump since his inauguration on January 20. While ties with the United States are projected to strengthen during the second Trump term, concerns linger about Trumps potentially disruptive trade policies and promises to deport millions. Advertisement According to the White House, Trump emphasised the need of India expanding its acquisition of American-made security equipment and working towards a fair bilateral trading relationship. The White House readout said, The leaders discussed plans for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House, underscoring the strength of the friendship and strategic ties between our nations. Delighted to speak with my dear friend President Donald Trump," said Modi in a post on X on Monday evening. Delighted to speak with my dear friend President @realDonaldTrump @POTUS. Congratulated him on his historic second term. We are committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership. We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards global peace, prosperity, Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 27, 2025 Modi and Trump addressed several aspects of the broad bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, as well as strategies to develop it, including technology, commerce, investment, energy, and military, according to the Indian government in a readout. The two presidents discussed global concerns, especially the situation in West Asia and Ukraine, and decided to meet shortly. Advertisement The discussion took place ahead of a prospective meeting between the two presidents on the sidelines of the AI conference, which France will host next month. Trump has been invited to the meeting, and Modi has already confirmed his presence. India and the United States are also in diplomatic contact, with Modi planning a bilateral visit to the United States in the coming months, long before Trump visits India for the Quad summit later this year. It also came after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with his counterpart Marco Rubio, during which the former highlighted concerns about the delay in granting of US visas to Indian people while Rubio questioned illegal migration from India. Advertisement While India is willing to take back illegal migrants, as it was during the Biden administration and even earlier under the first Trump presidency, it needs adequate time to authenticate the Indian provenance of the 18,000 illegals identified by US authorities for deportation to India. While the Indian government want to collaborate with US authorities to solve the issue, it has distanced itself from the number, stating that any talk of numbers would be premature at this time. India continues to be one of the most significant sources of illegal immigration to the United States outside of Latin America. India is reconsidering its financial aid to the Maldives following the island nations decision to implement a free trade agreement with China. A month ago, India announced a $760 million (6,550 crore) bailout package for the Maldives to help prevent a sovereign default. read more The Indian government is reconsidering its financial aid to the Maldives after the island nation decided to implement a free trade agreement with China this month, The Economic Times reported. The move came a month after New Delhi announced financial aid to Male to help it recover from the economic crisis. The Maldives-China FTA is expected to cause revenue losses for the island nation and create a trade imbalance. The Maldives may lose $30-40 million annually in customs fees due to the FTA, The Economic Times reported. Advertisement Additionally, the Maldives is also in talks with Turkey for another trade agreement that is likely to result in similar customs revenue losses. India has provided immediate financial support to the Maldives, but concerns persist about long-term debt sustainability due to unclear debt levels and a lack of significant economic reforms under President Mohamed Muizzu. A month ago, India announced a $760 million (6,550 crore) bailout package for the Maldives to help prevent a sovereign default. Similarly, India provided a $50 million interest-free loan to support the Maldives in October 2024 to meet its debt obligations. This decision was made at the request of the Maldivian government. This was the second such rollover in 2024, following a similar extension in May. Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu undertook a five-day state visit to India in October last year, marking his first bilateral trip to India since assuming office. President Muizzus New Delhi visit During President Muizzus visit to India last October, both countries agreed to begin discussions on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) focused on the trade of goods and services. Diplomatic row between India, Maldives In early 2024, diplomatic tensions between India and the Maldives escalated following derogatory remarks made by Maldivian officials about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The incident began when PM Modi praised the beauty of Indias Lakshadweep islands on social media. In response to the backlash, the Maldivian government suspended the officials involved in the row. Two junior ministers, Malsha Shareef and Mariyam Shiuna, resigned ahead of President Mohamed Muizzus visit to New Delhi. Despite these efforts, the diplomatic row had economic repercussions. Indian tourist arrivals to the Maldives decreased by 42% in the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 13 Indian fishermen earlier today, two of whom were seriously injured in firing, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) read more India on Tuesday summoned the Sri Lankan envoy to register protest regarding firing by Sri Lankan Navy at Indian fishermen. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that Sri Lankan Navy fired while it apprehended 13 Indian fisherman in the early hours of Tuesday. It said that two fishermen suffered serious injuries and are currently admitted at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital in Sri Lanka. Overall, the MEA said five fishermen were injured. Advertisement The MEA said the incident happened in the proximity of Delft Island. The MEA said the consulate at Jaffna was in touch with the fishermen. Out of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two have sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. Three other fishermen received minor injuries and have been treated for the same. Indian Consulate Officials in Jaffna have visited the injured fishermen at the hospital to seek their welfare and are extending all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families, said the MEA. The MEA further said that the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka also raised the issue with the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry. Over the decades, Sri Lankan Navy has apprehended hundreds of Indian fishermen. The issue of fishermen remains contentious for the two countries. Betweem 2014-23, around 800 fishermen have been apprehended, according to India Today. In 2023, 240 Indian fishermen were arrested and 35 trawlers were seized, according to the report. About 90 per cent of Chinas trade is by sea, including 80 per cent of energy and 60 per cent of gas, and almost 60 per cent of all its trade moves through the Malacca Strait, making the dilemma acute read more Between January 16 and 24, 2025, nine navies from the Indo-PacificIndia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and Canada, the US, UK, and Franceare holding multilateral exercises around critical choke points near the straits of Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans. These routes are crucial for China, whom these navies are meant to deter from violating Freedom of Navigation after Beijing rejected the 2016 UNCLOS verdict and promulgated its 9 Dash Line in the South China Sea. Taiwan and the Philippines have borne the brunt of Chinese bullying in the SCS. Such a show of force sends clear signals to Beijing on the vulnerability of the straits, especially when their custodiansMalaysia, Singapore, and Indonesiaare integral participants. Advertisement The Strait of Malacca. Source: South Asia Journal On January 13, 2025, Miemie Winn Byrd, a Burmese American retired Army officer from the Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies (APCSS) in Honolulu, Hawaii, while addressing the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi on Myanmars civil war and Chinas pivotal role in the country, said that Beijing has now categorically committed its support for the junta in conducting this Novembers electionsannually postponed since the coup in 2021. It has also changed its dual policy of assisting both the junta and selected ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) to virtually abandoning most of them in favour of full support for the regime. It coerced the Myanmar National Democratic Army Alliance to stop operations against the junta in the north. But her repeated emphasis was on the strategic Coco Islands leased to China in 1994 by Myanmar, the runway built there in 2020, and Kyaukphyu Deep Sea Port in the Andaman Sea, which is the gateway to the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, where pipe and gas lines together with a railway line are under construction to Kunming in China but not completed due to fighting between the junta and EAOs. She described the project (coupled with the Coco Islands) as an alternative route to Chinas Malacca dilemma. In 2003, at a Chinese Communist Party meeting, President Hu Jintao highlighted the absence of an alternative route and the vulnerability of the Strait of Malacca to naval blockade. Approximately 90 per cent of Chinas trade is by sea, including 80 per cent of energy and 60 per cent of gas, and almost 60 per cent of all its trade moves through the Malacca Strait, making the dilemma acute. President Donald Trump, whose second spell in the White House is expected to be a geopolitical tsunami, has warned Panama that the US would take back the Panama Canal. Israel wants to construct a canal across the Negev Desert bypassing the volatile Red Sea to connect with the Mediterranean Sea. Countries seek to avoid choke points that pose risk for movement by sea. Along the narrow neck of southern Myanmar and Thailand connecting the Malay peninsula to the Asian mainland is the Isthmus of Kra, also called Devils Neck, like our own Chickens Neck in the Siliguri Corridor. It is across this strip of land that Thailand is constructing a land bridge to join the Andaman Sea in the Indian Ocean to the Gulf of Thailand in the South China Sea/Pacific Ocean, and I am nearby studying the proposed connection. In May 2024, the office of the Transport and Traffic Policy Planning Department of Thailand prepared a feasibility study of a land bridge under the South East Economic Corridor connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The 90-km land bridge across the Kra Isthmus will connect deep-sea ports of Ranong in the Andaman Sea with Chumphon in the Gulf of Thailand. In 2015, China and Thailand are believed to have signed an agreement on building the land bridge, which would take ten years to complete at the cost of $27-35 billion. In September 2024, Thailands transport minister, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, announced that construction of the land bridge will begin in 2026 and be completed in 2030. Earlier in August, 2024, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said that Chinas investment will be forthcoming, with the Bangkok Post adding that the principal beneficiary will be China and other countries like Korea and Japan. Advertisement The Strait of Malacca is 800 km long, 65 to 250 km wide, and 2.8 km at its narrowest, Point Philip. 250 ships transit through it daily, and mostly cargo ships that cause congestion. By 2030, it will reach its capacity. Any closure of Malacca by accident or design is estimated to cost $100 million a week. During the Gulf War, Indian naval ships were escorting US shipping through the Malacca Strait. So, in the event of a naval blockade of the Strait of Malacca, as feared by President Hu, Chinese shipping has two choices: use the alternative routes further south near Indonesia or try to break the naval blockade. Alternative routes are through the Sunda, Lombok, and Makassar Straits, which are shallow for submarines and would extend travel by sea by two to three days, incurring additional time and cost. One estimate put the add-on cost for use of alternative routes at a staggering $200 billion a year. Advertisement As for the use of force, the PLA Navy does not have the requisite naval capability to do that, especially in the Indian Ocean Region, at least for the next decade or so. While the PLA Navy (PLAN) may have adequate quantity (nearly 300 seagoing vessels), it lacks qualityfirepowerto deter or fight a blockade. The power projection capability of the PLAN, when it will hugely surpass the US Navy, will manifest only by 2035. China is therefore backing the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC), in which it has invested heavily, and proceeding full steam to keep the junta in power, hoping for a political resolution with the anti-regime resistance forces. It is planning to deploy Chinese private security forces along with the junta for the protection of its strategic assets like mining rare earths, hydropower projects, and CMEC. But political stability in Myanmar could take longer than Beijing might hope for. Advertisement Chinas backup to CMEC for skirting the Malacca Strait might therefore be the Isthmus of Kra in Thailand. With a declining economy, Bangkok is relying heavily on the mega land project, which is touted as the key catalyst for its economy. The strategic and economic costs for Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia will be enormous. It is also likely to alter the maritime dynamics of the region, depriving India of the leverage in the Indian Ocean Region to compensate for its diminished deterrence along LAC. The US will lose in tandem with India. But for China, it could end its Malacca Dilemma. Advertisement The author is former GOC IPKF South Sri Lanka and founder member Defence Planning Staff, now Integrated Defence Staff, Ministry of Defence. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. France has remained a quiet, and hence relatively unnoticed, friend and ally of India, even before the end of the Cold War, but more so in the post-Cold War era, coming up to the present. (Moneycontrol) Even as the Quad foreign ministers call for reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific where sovereignty and territorial integrity are upheld and defended may be coming under stress from within elsewhere, the further flowering of India-France bilateral relations is stabilising an emerging Indo-Atlantic strategic linkage that is becoming important for both nations and also the region as a whole. France has remained a quiet, and hence relatively unnoticed, friend and ally of India, even before the end of the Cold War, but more so in the post-Cold War era, coming up to the present. Long before New Delhi procured Rafale jets from France, it had begun procuring Mirage 2000, which was among the most modern fighter aircraft of its time, as far back as 1982-83. Technically, the Cold War ended six years later, when Mikhail Gorbachev and Bush Senior announced it at the Malta Summit in 1989. Advertisement Earlier, France was the only P-5 nation, other than old friend Russia, reduced from the erstwhile Soviet Union, that had refrained from commenting on Indias Pokhran-II nuclear tests. On the contrary, Paris even declared that the nuclear tests would not affect bilateral nuclear cooperation. This was at a time the US was egging on allies across the world to impose sanctions on India. They replayed it all after the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998. Coming ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis planned visit to France, the Quad meeting should not be seen as self-contradicting from the Indian angle. Instead, it is a further reflection of the strategic autonomy India has practiced even during the Cold War, but not compelled by inherent weaknesses, starting with the economic front, but with the newfound strength in these and other fields, post-reforms, post-Cold War. Conformist approach This is what External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has been continuously vocalising as a non-conformist approach to foreign and security policy, the phraseology referring to the conformist approach that the US, among other Western powers, had wanted from India. The Ukraine War, otherwise unfortunate, provided an occasion/opportunity to demonstrate what it had identified as robust strategic autonomy. In a way, the halt-watch-and-go Indian approach to step-by-step revival of pre-Covid, pre-Galwan ties with China, too, has to be viewed in such a perspective, however limited that vision be. Jaishankars message became further clear on the conformist theory approach when he said that India reserved the veto on matters where friendly nations strongly felt how New Delhi should act on or react to issues. Advertisement France was among the few Western fronts of India that did not pressure New Delhi not to procure cheap oil from Russia and thus indirectly fund what they termed as an unholy and indefensible war. Yet, on the European front, France has remained among the nations that oppose Russia on the Ukraine War. The nation seems to have substance in New Delhis decision to draw its own course, at times exploiting the geo-economic space that the geo-strategic conundrum in Europe provided countries like India. At the same time, India also did not seek to defend Russia over the Ukraine War, as New Delhi had silently acquiesced to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in another era. Prime Minister Modi repeatedly reiterated to Russian President Vladimir Putin how it was not an age of war and that both Russia and Ukraine had to resolve it through negotiations. He was known to have said the similar to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. Advertisement Indias sphere of influence It does not stop there. French Reunion Island sits on the mouth of the southern Indian Ocean, from the Indian shores to the open seas. In a way, with France parking its men and material on the island and also conducting an occasional joint naval exercise with India in those parts, Reunion may become the first line of defence at the mouth of the Indian Ocean approach, along with Indias own military bases in the Andamans and the Lakshadweep, flanking the mainland on either side. The larger and better-equipped Diego Garcia base of the US is in the middle of what should be considered as an Indian pond, so to say. By most reckonings, France does not seem to have a problem accepting such a construct, though neither has been openly expressed. But there are apprehensions if the US would like New Delhi or any other to describe it all by the Cold War adage, as being among Indias traditional sphere of influence. Advertisement US President Donald Trumps threats for Canada and Greenland to merge themselves with his country, for Denmark to sell Greenland, likewise, and to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America all have issues for India. On the face of it, when push comes to shove, New Delhi would be called upon to take a principled position in such matters, forgetting for once that Washington is a friend and ally, maybe compared to other nations on the list. Independent of all these, Trump has also revived his threat to pull out of transatlantic NATO, originally mooted during his first term. Advertisement Closer to India But Trump may have already brought the issue closer to India when his aides expressed reservations to the emerging pact between Mauritius and the nations colonial British masters on the ownership and sovereignty over the Chagos Islands. The US military base in Diego Garcia belongs there, and the MoU between the other two nations had provided for Mauritius to give Diego Garcia on a 99-year lease to the UK for monetary consideration, when the latter could lease it out in turn to the US. For now, the British leased out Diego Garcia for 50 years in 1965, followed by a 20-year extension. During long, drawn-out proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN General Assembly (UNGA), and negotiations, Mauritius had indicated a willingness to lease out Diego Garcia directly to the US if and when its ownership was confirmed. The proposed arrangement between the UK and Mauritius only takes a different route to the final outcome, though here again the self-proclaimed rights of Chagossians displaced by the US base in the previous century might have been ignored. It is unclear why Team Trump had opposed the vexatious Chagos MoU in the run-up to the inauguration and if they are going to maintain the same official position as the new administration. If that were to become so, it could force India to take a stand without reviewing the current position. Already, India was among the front-line nations to back the Mauritius claim in the UNGA as the right step in the post-colonial era. New Delhi cannot (be seen as) going back on the principled position, nor would it. In context, New Delhi will be keenly watching the developments on the Canada-Mexico-Greenland fronts, where the nations involved might end up making the Trump/US claim a matter for international politics, both inside the UNGA and outside. Barring the possible renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, none of them may want to go to the ICJ prematurely, but on that one issue, the littorals not stopping with Mexico may have a view of their own. India may have another problem flowing from the Trump construct on the Gulf of Mexico. For a decade or so now, Chinese academics and the government-run media have been arguing, off and on, that the Indian Ocean is not Indias Ocean. In the evolving circumstances in the neighbourhood, some of Indias other adversarial nations may want Beijing to reopen the controversy, especially if the Trump administration proceeds with its threat to rename the Gulf of Mexico. Changing circumstances Whether China would succumb to such pressures under the changing circumstances in bilateral ties with India remains to be seen. However, Beijing has not taken kindly to the Quad foreign ministers reiteration of their previous calls for open seas and rules-based order in the maritime domain. If anything, Beijing opposed the Quad foreign ministers joint statement as coercion in the Indo-Pacific, saying group politics is not conducive to peace and stability and any multilateral cooperation should not target any third party. Indians are also uncomfortable with the possibility of Trump wanting to, and actually closing the trade issues with China, which problem was triggered during his first term as Presidentand more so, its impact on the trilateral India-US-China equations in the future, near and afar. All of it means that India can do with a new guarantor on the geopolitical front as much as on the geostrategic front, independent of geoeconomics. For France, unlike the US, has been known to keep geo-economics apart from geopolitics and geostrategy. This makes France a second guarantor for Indias permanent interests, going beyond Russia, the traditional ally, which might have been stuck to a greater or lesser degree by its political and strategic commitments in the Ukraine War and the consequent economic losses and compromises. Of course, in terms of geo-strategic considerations, the US and the Quad are visible constants, but with a Trump White House, the unpredictability makes it tentative, at least in theory. That may make the difference, in the coming months and years, and through the decades, as in the past. The writer is a Chennai-based Policy Analyst & Political Commentator. Email: sathiyam54@nsathiyamoorthy.com. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Secretary of State Marco Rubios push for a militarised response to China has injected urgency into the groups activities, but Donald Trumps protectionism complicates its ability to present a united front read more China stands as the singular economic and military challenge uniting the Quadthe US, India, Japan, and Australia coalition. For all the noise, Quad is still an awkward set, not quite a diplomatic grouping, neither a military alliance but jointly exercising and planning ways to deal with China and its ambitions to dominate the Indo-Pacific. The China threat is enough for now to override the increasing internal contradictions of the group. With Donald Trump back in the White House and Marco Rubio, a resolute China hawk, leading the State Department, the Quad finds itself with a new vigour. While Beijings assertiveness offers a unifying threat, Trumps unconventional leadership and Rubios aggressive foreign policy are reshaping the group in ways that bring promise. Advertisement The US needs to have a political structure that provides confidence to the other partners even as it becomes more isolationist under Trump. While this will mean greater opportunity for each partner to flex its muscles, there is tension and nervousness that when push comes to shove, the partners will be left to face China alone. The Thekedari offer Under Rubios stewardship, Washington has adopted an uncompromising approach to China, pushing for the Quad to assume a more active military posture. Rubio has been instrumental in deploying additional US Navy carrier strike groups to the Pacific and bolstering aerial surveillance over the South China Sea. However, Trumps prioritisation of domestic issues has also meant that America is increasingly farming out responsibilities to its allies, what we Indians call thekedari. So India, Japan, and Australia are being asked not just to participate in exercises like Malabar but to actively contribute to joint deployments and patrols in contested waters. For India, this marks a significant shift from its historical policy of strategic autonomy. Such a transition would necessitate a dramatic increase in defence spending, potentially to 2.5 per cent of GDPa politically and fiscally challenging proposition for New Delhi. Japans role in this evolving Quad is critical. Having shed decades of pacifism, Tokyo is embracing its position as a frontline player against Chinese assertion. Under its rearmament program, Japan has doubled its defence budget and acquired long-range strike capabilities, allowing it to take a more proactive role in the Indo-Pacific. Already with the most powerful Asian Navy after China, it is adding modern drones as well as amphibious and airborne capabilities at a very rapid rate. Advertisement Its geographic location makes it indispensable for countering Chinas provocations near Taiwan and in the East China Sea. Rubio has placed Japan at the centre of the Quads military strategy, encouraging closer coordination between Japanese forces and their Indian and Australian counterparts. Tokyos willingness to rearm is transforming the Quad into a more formidable and balanced coalition. The four corners of contradiction However, the group is not without its strains. Trumps penchant for protectionist policies has resurfaced, potentially with new tariffs targeting imports from India, Japan, and Australia. While Rubio emphasises the importance of unity against China, Trumps economic policies threaten to strain relations. India, reliant on its growing export relationship with the US, and Australia, a key supplier of critical minerals, find themselves at odds with Washingtons trade agenda. Japan, too, is wary of additional tariffs that could disrupt its tightly integrated supply chains. Such economic frictions risk eroding the trust that underpins the Quad, offering China an opportunity to exploit these divisions. Advertisement Beijing, for its part, has been quick to test the Quads cohesion. It has renewed overtures to India and Japan, offering diplomatic concessions and limited trade deals. However, its aggressive actions in the Indo-Pacific and particularly against India undermine these efforts. Recent incidents, such as the harassment of Filipino vessels in the South China Sea and intensified military drills near Taiwan, and no sign of disengagement on the Himalayan frontier, highlight Beijings relentless threat. At the same time, China risks overextension. By antagonising India on its Himalayan border, Japan over the Senkaku Islands, and Southeast Asian nations over maritime disputes, Beijing is spreading itself thin. This creates an opening for the Quad to counterbalance Chinas overreach through coordinated strategies and expanded military presence. Advertisement For the Quad, the stakes have never been higher. Rubios push for a militarised response to China has injected urgency into the groups activities, but Trumps protectionism complicates its ability to present a united front. India, Japan, and Australia must now weigh the benefits of deeper strategic ties with Washington against the costs of economic tensions. Meanwhile, the transition from joint exercises to joint deployments will need significant political capital and indeed signals an escalation in the Quads ambitions, one that will test the resolve and resources of its members. The Quads strength lies in its ability to adapt and align against a common threat. But the groups future depends on whether its members can navigate their competing interests without undermining their shared purpose. In an increasingly fraught Indo-Pacific, the Quad remains a vital counterweight to Chinas ambitionsa group imperfectly bound but united, for now, by a far greater threat. Advertisement The writer is a senior journalist with expertise in defence. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. When Islamabad takes inspiration from Ankara, terrorism thrives, democracies suffer, and the world becomes far less safe read more It is hard to believe it has just been 20 years since neo-Ottomanism hit the stage in Turkey. At that time, a Western official described Turkey as a bridge between East and West and as an example that proved the compatibility of political Islam with democracy. He was wrong. As American officials and diplomats, up to and including President George W Bush sang Turkeys praises, then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was already laying the groundwork for his policy of neo-Ottomanism, the belief that Turkey should lead all the successor states of the Ottoman Empire. Advertisement The idea had been germinating for a while. The influential but often antisemitic Turkish journalist Cengiz Candar coined the term in the aftermath of the Soviet Unions collapse; he now serves in Turkeys parliament. In 1993, Candar explained, I think Kemalism makes Turkey turn in on itself. The time has come to reconsider the policy. A decade later, Ali Bayramoglu wrote in the Islamist daily Yeni Safak that the partisans of neo-Ottomanismare increasing every day. The signs of Erdogans true belief were always there, even at an early stage, for anyone who cared to look. On September 5, 2003, Khurshid Dalli warned in the United Arab Emirates daily al-Bayan that Turkeys support for neo-Ottomanism was extremely sensitive, especially when oil and gas could fuel historical nationalist sentiments moving beyond the mere rhetorical. On July 11, 2004, for example, the Bulgarian independent daily Trud criticised Erdogans demands that Bulgaria preserve its Ottoman heritage. Erdogans arrogant behaviour in Sofia left no illusions about the development of Turkish policy toward Bulgaria The direction is neo-Ottomanism, columnist Ognyan Minchev wrote. The problem with neo-Ottomanism was always two-fold. First, the peoples whom the Turks subjugated over the centuries did not remember their experience as fondly as Turkish nationalists did. Second, the Ottoman domains did not extend eastward toward Central Asia. Azerbaijan, for example, was never part of the Ottoman Empire, let alone Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan. Here, though, Erdogan just tweaked history by conflating neo-Ottomanism with pan-Turanism, the belief in unity for the Turkic peoples. Wherever history did not support Erdogans ambitions, he simply turned to Islamism, investing heavily in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and putting a Turk at its helm. Advertisement While the Saudi monarchy bases its legitimacy upon its role as custodian of the two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina, Erdogans next step it to present Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman as an unworthy custodian; then he will demand the internationalisation of Mecca, Medina, and the Haj under a Turkish-dominated body such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. In effect, neo-Ottomanism is and always was a cover for Turkish irredentism and a cover for its efforts to sponsor Islamist terror. Turkey today is not only a force for Islamism and instability in the region; it is an ideological incubator that expands its methodology outward. Turkeys support for Hamas, for example, presaged its more open support for Kashmir-based terrorism, for example. Advertisement In 2020, Erdogan spoke before a joint session of the Pakistan parliament to reciprocate a visit by Prime Minister Imran Khan to Turkey. Erdogan thanked the Pakistani people for their help during Turkeys war of independence (never mind that Pakistan did not exist at the time). It was Canakkale [Gallipoli] yesterday and Kashmir today; there is no difference between the two, Erdogan said, declaring that Turkey would always stand with Pakistan in its illegal quest to seize Kashmir. Pakistan has increasingly looked at Turkey for inspiration. The parliamentary speakers of Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan meet trilaterally to emphasise their solidarity. Pakistan sees the Wests tolerance for Turkeys Islamism and irredentism as a sign that it too can get away with murder. Advertisement As Western countries excuse Turkeys occupations of northern Cyprus, northern Syria, and parts of Iraqi Kurdistan as just manifestations of neo-Ottomanism, expect Pakistan to follow suit, all the more so to backfill what is essentially an artificial and accidental state with historic validity. Many artificial states link themselves to past empires to claim legitimacy retroactively. The Palestinians claim descent from the Canaanites, never mind the absence of genetic link. Uzbekistan lays claim to Tamerlane (Amir Timur). The Lebanese claim they are the modern-day Phoenicians. It would not be surprising under such circumstances to see Pakistani strategists tie themselves retroactively to the Mughal Empire, one of the great gunpowder empires of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. Advertisement True historians would understand that the Mughal Empire was Indian. Millions of tourists flock to its former capital in Agra. Nearby Fatehpur Sikri was its capital for 14 years. Delhi, of course, was its capital for more than two centuries until the British Crown formally transferred India into a colony. However, between 1586 and 1598, the Mughal capital was at Lahore. That may be enough for Pakistans Islamist strategists, who care little for truth in history, to claim special legitimacy for Pakistans expansionist aims. Pakistan has soughtunsuccessfully so farto convert Afghanistan into a satrapy. Its land grab of a portion and terror sponsorship in the rest of Kashmir also signals its imperialistic quest. So too does its latest fantasy of Khalistani separatism in Indian Punjab, with Pakistan having driven minorities out of its own Punjab. Pakistan will, of course, continue its drive against India. The Islamists at Pakistans helm see Hindus as second-class citizens with no right to equality, let alone rule. With Turkey successfully getting Western apologists and useful idiots to rationalise its neo-Ottoman drive, expect Pakistan to more forcefully enunciate the language and rhetoric of neo-Mughalism to give a framework to its terror strategy and Hinduphobia. Just as Italy and Japan imitated Germany in the run-up to World War II, and Mao Zedong learnt from Joseph Stalin as the Cold War erupted, so too do revisionists and rogues today lean on each other for ideas and inspiration. When Islamabad takes inspiration from Ankara, terrorism thrives, democracies suffer, and the world becomes far less safe. Michael Rubin is director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. DeepSeeks privacy policy is clear: the data it collects, including conversations, search history, and any uploaded files, is stored in China. While users can delete their chat history through the apps settings, many are concerned about the scope of data that is automatically collected read more Following the debate over the security risks of TikTok, which also collects significant user data, DeepSeeks popularity has reignited fears about the potential for Chinese tech companies to harvest data from global users. Image Credit: Reuters DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence platform, has quickly gained popularity, challenging US-based AI companies like OpenAI. However, its rapid rise has raised concerns, particularly regarding the apps data collection practices. As the app surges in popularity, its links to Chinese servers have sparked alarm about the potential risks to user privacy and data security. The Chinese developer, which is backed by a hedge fund, released an open-source generative AI model thats been widely compared to top-tier models from US companies. DeepSeeks platform, available on iOS, Android, and the web, allows users to interact with AI through chat-style conversations. While the app can be used to answer questions or search the web, it also collects extensive data from its users, as per a report by The Wired. Much of this data is sent back to servers in China, where its stored according to the companys privacy policy. Advertisement Data collection practices under the spotlight DeepSeeks privacy policy is clear: the data it collects, including conversations, search history, and any uploaded files, is stored in China. While users can delete their chat history through the apps settings, many are concerned about the scope of data that is automatically collected. This includes basic information like device type, operating system, IP address, and even keystroke patterns. The app also collects details provided during account setup, such as email addresses and phone numbers. This extensive data collection is not unique to DeepSeek. Many AI platforms collect similar information to improve their services. However, the concern with DeepSeek lies in the fact that its data is transmitted back to China, where it could be subject to the countrys strict cybersecurity laws. These laws require companies to cooperate with national intelligence efforts, raising questions about the potential for government surveillance. Censorship and geopolitical concerns In addition to privacy concerns, DeepSeek has been accused of censoring content that criticises China or its policies. Users have reported that the platform omits sensitive topics, such as the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, and sometimes provides answers that appear to align with Chinese government propaganda. This has led to further worries that the app could be used to manipulate information and subtly steer conversations in a way that benefits Chinese interests. Experts caution users not to input sensitive personal information into AI platforms like DeepSeek, especially when running on cloud-based servers outside the users control. While its possible to use AI models like DeepSeek locally on a personal computer, ensuring that no data is sent to the company, this option isnt widely available for most users. Is the US ready for action? The rise of DeepSeek and its data collection practices highlight the ongoing tension between the US and China in the tech world. Following the debate over the security risks of TikTok, which also collects significant user data, DeepSeeks popularity has reignited fears about the potential for Chinese tech companies to harvest data from global users. While the apps data policies appear to be legal within Chinas regulations, they may not sit well with governments in other countries. Researchers also warns that the real issue lies in the terms set by these companies for how they handle personal data. When users engage with platforms like DeepSeek, they are effectively providing data for the companys own purposes. This could have far-reaching implications, especially if DeepSeek continues to grow in popularity. The US government, having already raised concerns over data privacy with TikTok, could extend these concerns to AI platforms like DeepSeek. For now, DeepSeeks success poses a critical challenge to US tech dominance and raises important questions about the future of global data privacy. DeepSeek could face hurdles that might stifle its growth, particularly due to Chinas data policies and Chinese startups history of misleading consumers and at times entire countries about the true nature of their tech products read more Experts are also wary of one more factor the veracity of DeepSeeks claims about the costs of training its AI models, and just how many of the H800 processors they used to train their models. Image Credit: Reuters Chinese AI app DeepSeek has stunned the tech world, quickly climbing to the top of the App Store and challenging established players like Apple Intelligence, Google Gemini, and OpenAIs ChatGPT. Within just a week of launching its new large language model (LLM), DeepSeek has garnered massive attention, marking a significant shift in the generative AI landscape. However, as quickly as it has captured the spotlight, DeepSeek could face hurdles that might stifle its growth, particularly due to Chinas strict data policies and the countrys history of misleading consumers and at times entire countries about the true nature of its tech products. Advertisement Cheaper price point attracts a lot of attention DeepSeek, much like ChatGPT, functions as a chat application, where users can ask questions and perform tasks, receiving responses based on a vast language model. What sets DeepSeek apart is how it managed to release its model at a fraction of the cost of its competitors. The app, built on the DeepSeek-V3 LLM, was made available as an open-source model, which allows anyone to download and use it. With limited resources, including restricted access to high-end AI chips, DeepSeeks development team had to get creative. By making their model more resource-efficient, they were able to offer an effective AI at a significantly lower pricereportedly only $5.58 million, compared to billions spent by Western firms like OpenAI and Microsoft. This innovative, low-cost approach has sent shockwaves through the AI market, with investors particularly rattled. Major companies, including Nvidia, saw massive losses, as DeepSeek demonstrated that AI could be developed efficiently without the need for expensive hardware. However, while DeepSeeks cost-effective model has made waves, its unlikely to sustain its dominance in the long run. The data privacy dilemma The main concern surrounding DeepSeek revolves around the companys data collection and its ties to China. DeepSeeks privacy policy clearly states that all user data, including conversations, search histories, and uploaded files, are stored in China. Users can delete their chat history, but there are worries about the volume of data collected automatically, including device information, IP addresses, and even keystroke patterns. While many AI platforms collect similar data, the issue with DeepSeek is that it sends this information back to China, where it could be subject to the countrys strict cybersecurity laws and make its way to ther Chinese Communist Pary. These laws require companies to cooperate with national intelligence efforts, raising serious concerns about government surveillance and the potential for data misuse. Moreover, DeepSeek has faced accusations of censorship, particularly on sensitive topics like the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. This raises red flags about the platforms potential to manipulate information and subtly push Chinese government narratives, further intensifying geopolitical concerns. Global pushback While DeepSeeks rise has certainly caught the attention of the AI industry, it faces significant resistance from the West, especially the United States. The US government has long been wary of Chinese tech companies, citing national security risks. Past examples, such as the ban on Huawei and ongoing issues with TikTok, underscore the challenges that Chinese companies face in gaining a foothold in Western markets. If DeepSeek continues to grow in prominence, its likely that it will attract regulatory scrutiny in the US and other parts of the world. This could lead to investigations and potential bans, much like the treatment of other Chinese tech giants like TikTok and Huawei. Advertisement The US and other Western nations are already suspicious of Chinese tech, and DeepSeeks close ties to the Chinese government could make it an easy target for regulators. Even if the company doesnt face an outright ban, its ongoing success may trigger calls for investigations into data privacy violations and security risks. This could ultimately dampen its chances of long-term success in Western markets. Chinese startups and a history of misleading claims DeepSeek isnt the first Chinese tech company to face criticism over its transparency and data practices. In recent years, Chinese startups and the government have often been accused of misleading users about the nature of their products, particularly concerning data privacy and security. From Huaweis controversial relationship with the Chinese government to the ongoing concerns about TikToks data harvesting, theres a growing distrust of Chinese tech products in the Europe and the US. Experts are also wary of one more factor the veracity of DeepSeeks claims about the costs of training its AI models, and just how many of the H800 processors they used to train their models. Advertisement This history of misleading claims has cast a shadow over DeepSeek, with many experts recommending taking a cautious approach about the potential risks involved in using the app. The lack of transparency regarding DeepSeeks data policies, coupled with concerns about censorship and government control, makes it difficult for many to fully trust the platform. As with other Chinese tech products, the question remains whether DeepSeek can continue to thrive in the face of mounting scrutiny or if its rise will be short-lived, eclipsed by the same geopolitical and regulatory challenges that have hindered other Chinese tech giants. Whats next for DeepSeek DeepSeeks rise has undoubtedly shaken the AI industry, proving that AI can be developed more cheaply and efficiently than previously thought. However, its ties to China, concerns about data privacy, and the potential for censorship make its long-term success uncertain. While it has caught the attention of global investors and users, the road ahead is likely to be bumpy, with regulatory scrutiny and geopolitical tensions threatening its growth. The history of Chinese tech companies being scrutinised for misleading practices only adds to the uncertainty surrounding DeepSeeks future in the global market. Advertisement In a statement, Google confirmed that it follows government-approved name changes, applying them once they are reflected in official sources like the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). Googles updates will soon show the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America for US users read more While these changes will be reflected for users in the US, they will not be uniform globally. Google Maps will display the name Gulf of America for American users, but for users in Mexico, the Gulf will continue to be referred to as the Gulf of Mexico, in line with Mexicos official naming conventions. Image Credit: Reuters Google Maps is set to comply with an executive order from former President Donald Trump that mandates changes to the names of certain American landmarks. As part of this move, the Gulf of Mexico will soon be renamed the Gulf of America, and Alaskas Denali mountain will revert to its former name of Mount McKinley in the app. These changes, which are in line with an order issued by Trump last week, will take effect once they are reflected in the official federal mapping database. Advertisement Changes reflect Trumps executive order In a statement, Google confirmed that it follows government-approved name changes, applying them once they are reflected in official sources like the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources, the company wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Googles updates will soon show the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America for US users. This new name, created by the Trump administration, will be displayed for American users of the app. When that happens, we will update Google Maps in the U.S. quickly to show Mount McKinley and Gulf of America. News from Google (@NewsFromGoogle) January 27, 2025 In addition, Denali, North Americas highest peak, will be renamed Mount McKinley once again on Google Maps, as it was originally called before the Obama administration officially renamed it Denali in 2015. Despite protests from some Alaskan senators, the Trump administrations executive order has overridden the previous change, bringing the name back to Mount McKinley. Geographic name discrepancies for international users While these changes will be reflected for users in the US, they will not be uniform globally. Google Maps will display the name Gulf of America for American users, but for users in Mexico, the Gulf will continue to be referred to as the Gulf of Mexico, in line with Mexicos official naming conventions. This practice of showing official names by country also applies to other contested geographic names, so in other countries, both the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of America may appear side by side. When will the changes take effect? Google states that these changes will go live once the GNIS database is updated. Although the US Department of the Interior confirmed the official name changes on Friday, the GNIS database was still showing the Gulf of Mexico and Denali as of Monday evening. Google will make the updates when the governments official records are finalised. For now, American users of Google Maps will begin to see the Gulf of America and Mount McKinley in the app, while international users will see both names reflected depending on their location. Germanys election campaign heats up as CDU leader Friedrich Merz indicates potential cooperation with the far-right AfD to push for stricter immigration policies, challenging the political firewall against right-wing populists. Chancellor Scholz warns against weakening this barrier, while the AfDs rising popularity fuels concerns over deepening polarisation and the partys nationalist rhetoric supported by figures like Elon Musk. read more As Germany heads to the polls, electoral tensions rise as Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU), indicates a potential collaboration with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to enforce stricter migration policies. The move aligns Merzs stance more closely with the AfDs anti-immigration rhetoric as he seeks to win back voters from the far-right. However, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has condemned Merzs approach, warning that it threatens to dismantle the political firewall long in place to keep right-wing populists at bay. Advertisement The firewall against the AfD must not crumble Scholz warned Merz Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned Merz against dismantling the Brandmauer the postwar political barrier designed to prevent cooperation with far-right groups. Merzs announcement follows a fatal attack in Aschaffenburg where an Afghan asylum-seeker killed two people, reigniting debates on immigration. Merz has pledged to introduce a parliamentary motion this week demanding tougher border controls and detention for migrants awaiting deportation. However, the motion can only pass with AfD support, raising concerns that such collaboration could legitimise the far-rights increasing influence. Survey shows popularity rising Originally founded in 2013 as an anti-EU party, the AfD has become a powerful force combining anti-immigration rhetoric and nationalist policies. Recent polling shows the AfD at over 20%, making it Germanys second-largest political party ahead of the February 23 general election. The collapse of Chancellor Scholzs coalition last year, alongside public dissatisfaction over open borders and economic issues, has boosted the AfDs popularity. Critics argue that the AfDs rise is a sign of deepening polarization in Germany, especially in economically struggling eastern regions. Social Democrats expected to lose to Christian Democrats Scholzs Social Democrats (SPD) are predicted to lose to the CDU, signaling a possible shift in Germanys politics. Analysts believe that Merzs focus on immigration could appeal to voters concerned about national security and economic stability. However, this approach risks alienating moderates who are hesitant to align with the AfD, a party often criticized for historical revisionism and its rhetoric minimizing the Holocaust. Musk is backing AfD with a be proud of German culture pitch Elon Musk has added momentum to the AfDs rise by endorsing the party and advocating for its platform. In December, Musk declared on social media that only the AfD can save Germany. He followed this by publishing an op-ed in Die Welt and participating virtually in an AfD rally, urging Germans to embrace their culture and move beyond the past guilt linked to Nazi history. His actions have been met with strong criticism from Chancellor Scholz and other political figures, who see Musks involvement as an inappropriate interference in Germanys democratic process. Germanys likely next chancellor speaking AfD language Observers note that Merzs rhetoric increasingly aligns with the AfD, focusing on stricter immigration policies and national pride. While Merz denies seeking formal cooperation with the far-right, critics argue that his willingness to accept AfD support risks normalizing their ideology. Jewish organisations have expressed concerns over the AfDs historical revisionism and its potential impact on Germanys commitment to Holocaust remembrance. As the election draws near, questions remain about whether Germany can maintain its democratic values in the face of the AfDs growing influence. Train drivers and staffers of Bangladesh Railways have begun an indefinite strike, causing nationwide disruption in rail services. After failed negotiations with railway authorities, the workers union initiated the strike leading to a disruption of train services across Bangladsh. read more Bangladesh comes to a halt as railway union strike stops trains in their tracks Train drivers and staffers of Bangladesh Railways went on an indefinite strike on Tuesday, leading to nationwide disruption in rail communication in the country, The Daily Star reported. The employees of Railways are demanding special allowances after retirement and other benefits. A meeting between the railway authorities and the leaders of the drivers association ended unsuccessfully on Monday. After the meeting, Additional Director General Ahmed Mahbub Chowdhury, who represented Bangladesh Railway, said to The Daily Star that the association leaders were adamant about their demands and left the meeting midway. Advertisement Saidur Rahman, acting president of the Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Sramik Karmachari Union, emphasised that since there was no fruitful negotiation with the authorities, their nationwide strike has started. Our nationwide indefinite work abstention has begun since there was no fruitful negotiation with the authorities. All types of trains, including freight and oil tankers, will be under the purview of the work abstention, Rahman said. He said no train would start its journey after midnight, but trains already on their way would not be affected by the strike. Bangladesh Railway runs over 350 passenger trains daily, including more than 100 intercity trains, and over 30 freight trains. Due to a manpower shortage, train drivers and their assistants (locomasters, assistant locomasters), guards, and travelling ticket checkers work extra hours beyond their shift. Though they are paid for the extra work, until 2021, they received pension benefits based on overtime. However, in November 2021, the Awami League government stopped providing pension benefits for extra work. After a strike in April 2022, the railways ministry intervened and decided to continue the benefits. Still, staff members have been demanding the cancellation of the November 2021 order. Additionally, newly appointed assistant locomasters in 2022 have not received this benefit. Their appointment letters stated they would not get extra pay during their service or after retirement. Advertisement In December last year, the newly recruited locomasters went on strike. They demanded the benefits given to their predecessors. At the same time, the locomasters stopped taking on extra duties for several days and called for the cancellation of the 2021 gazette. They ended their protest after receiving an assurance from railway authorities. China has reportedly withdrawn from the Grand Inga Dam project, an ambitious plan to construct the worlds largest hydroelectric dam on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) read more Plans for the Grand Inga Dam, a multi-billion-dollar hydroelectric project on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to provide renewable electricity to power large areas of Africa remain stalled decades after their inception and the recent withdrawal of Chinas state-owned Three Gorges Corporation has further compounded uncertainty to the projects future. The DRC government has long maintained that the project is still under progress but critics cite several issues including the countrys history of poor governance and the potential environmental consequences. Advertisement Concerns have also been raised over the shifting group of international partners with the latest setback being the withdrawal of the Chinese state-owned Three Gorges Corporation from the project last week, BBC reported. Adding to the challenges is the staggering cost, estimated at $80 billion (63 billion), a daunting figure for one of the worlds poorest nations. Despite these obstacles, some argue that the project is being unfairly scrutinized compared to other large infrastructure ventures. Although construction has yet to begin, there has been a series of meetings and discussions among stakeholders in the past year, according to media reports. According to the International Energy Agency, the need for the Grand Inga Dam remains urgent as roughly 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to electricity. Efforts to address the regions energy crisis date back to the early 2000s when DRC and neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Angola, Namibia, and Botswana proposed an interconnected electricity grid. The Congo Rivers vast hydropower potential led to the formation of Westcor, an international collective that sought to expand the two existing dams, Inga 1 and Inga 2. These dams, built in the 1970s and 1980s under Mobutu Sese Sekos leadership, now operate at only 80% capacity due to lack of maintenance. The DRC government plans to add six more dams along the river to boost power generation, potentially producing up to 40,000 MW of electricity enough to power New York City. The project is viewed as a critical step toward Africas industrialisation. However, despite earlier projections to complete Inga 3 by 2018, the project has made little visible progress. While the World Bank has vowed continued support, it remains uncertain whether the Grand Inga Dam will ever come to fruition. Advertisement On Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Beijing that the two countries should work in the same direction, explore more substantive measures and commit to mutual understanding read more China and India have agreed to promote the interchange of journalists, Chinas foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Tensions soured between the two nations after a deadly 2020 military clash on their disputed Himalayan border, following which India made it difficult for Chinese companies to invest in the country, banned hundreds of popular apps and severed passenger routes, although direct cargo flights continued to operate between the countries. Relations have improved over the past four months with several high-level meetings, including talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Russia in October. Advertisement On Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Beijing that the two countries should work in the same direction, explore more substantive measures and commit to mutual understanding. According to a statement posted on the Chinese foreign ministrys website, China and India have also agreed to continue cooperation on cross-border rivers and to keep in touch about organising a new set of discussions as soon as possible. Furthermore, China and India have agreed to strive for the restoration of Indian pilgrimages to Tibets sacred mountains and lakes in 2025, according to the ministry. Residents in several neighbourhoods reported small arms fire and some loud explosions on Tuesday morning, particularly close to the airport, which sources said was still held by United Nations peacekeepers and government troops read more Congolese demonstrators attend a protest against Rwanda, amid tensions following a clash in Goma between M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC); in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Reuters Rwanda-backed M23 rebels faced pockets of resistance from army and pro-government militia overnight after entering eastern Congos largest city Goma in the worst escalation of a conflict that has run for more than a decade. Residents in several neighbourhoods reported small arms fire and some loud explosions on Tuesday morning, particularly close to the airport, which sources said was still held by United Nations peacekeepers and government troops. South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke to his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame to discuss the recent escalation in Congo, where nine South African peacekeepers have been killed this week, and the pair agreed on the need for a ceasefire. Advertisement There was a period of calm last night but the shooting started again at midnight (2300 GMT), an elderly woman in Gomas northern Majengo neighbourhood, close to the airport, told Reuters. I have heard the crackle of gunfire from midnight until now it is coming from near the airport, she said. Another resident in Majengo confirmed gunfire overnight and into Tuesday morning. Im lying on the ground with my family, they said. As the largest city in eastern Congo, Goma is a vital humanitarian hub for the region and gateway for the trade in ores of tantalum and tin, which are used in phones and computers. M23, the latest in a string of Rwandan-backed insurgents who have fought a series of rebellions in the east against Democratic Republic of Congos central government, took up arms again in 2022, a decade after a previous insurgency. In recent weeks they made swift gains through North Kivu province, on the border with Rwanda, before closing in on Goma, a city of nearly two million people, and forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes. They have ignored calls from world leaders to halt their offensive. Rwanda, which previously denied the presence of its military in Congo, has also dismissed calls for troops to leave, saying its countrys security is threatened. Advertisement With troops in both the U.N. mission and a Southern African force, South Africa has borne the brunt of the casualties among peacekeepers. Critics have accused South Africas government of not doing enough to make sure its troops were properly equipped for the conflict. A statement issued by the South African presidency after Ramaphosa and Kagame spoke made no mention of the deaths. The two heads of state have agreed on the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks by all parties to the conflict, it said. China has again left many across the world wondering with its claims of tech innovation. The latest in the series is DeepSeeks new AI tool that is threatening to end the dominance of ChatGPT and Gemini. read more The Deepseek logo. The company claims has spent only $6 million developing the latest iteration of their model. Reuters DeepSeek, a company not even known in China until two years ago, has taken the world by surprise with its new AI tool threatening to shake up the tech economy. On Monday, it caused an earthquake in the US stock markets, wiping out about $1 trillion in the biggest jolt to Americas share trading history. Its smartphone app overnight became the most downloaded one on the Apple store in America. However, there are still several basic questions that have intrigued people. We try, here, to answer all such questions. Advertisement What is DeepSeek? DeepSeek is an artificial intelligence company based in China. The companys AI application can be accessed as an Android app, iOS app, on a web browser or through APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for use within other apps. What can a user do with DeepSeek? DeepSeeks end usage is similar to other AI tools (such as OpenAIs ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot etc). It can generate answers to questions, help in research, aid in writing, editing and proofreading, translate content between different languages, extract and analyse text from files, summarise documents, help in writing and debugging software code, etc. Who owns DeepSeek? DeepSeek is owned and funded by Chinese hedge fund company High-Flyer. Liang Wenfeng, the co-founder of High-Flyer established DeepSeek in 2023 and is its CEO. Is DeepSeek new? Not really. The company was founded in May 2023. It released its first model (DeepSeek Coder) in November 2023. What makes DeepSeek different from other AI models? DeepSeek claims that it has been able to reduce the compute and data resources needed for its operations and is reported to have trained its AI at a fraction of the cost than that of OpenAI. This is also reflected in its API costs which are more than 90 per cent cheaper than comparable models from OpenAI. Also, DeepSeek says its models are open source, meaning that the key components can be used by anyone to build their own tools for free. Metas Llama is also open source however OpenAI s ChatGPT isnt. Why the hullabaloo now? On January 20, DeepSeek released its new large language model (LLM) DeepSeek-R1 which ranked as high or higher than OpenAIs model in performance tests. This coupled with the claim that DeepSeek has been able to achieve this at a mere fraction of the cost caught the interest of the technology and the financial communities. Silicon Valley capitalist Marc Andreessen, described it as AIs Sputnik moment, drawing a parallel with the launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite by the Soviet Union in 1957 which had caught the US unawares and triggered the space race. This was soon followed by questions around the scale of American investments in AI at a time when the Chinese were able to achieve similar or better results at a fraction of the cost and a market reaction which shaved off almost $600 billion from chip-maker Nvidia market cap, the biggest single-day loss in US history. The buzz around DeepSeek made DeepSeeks AI assistant the No-1 downloaded free app on Apples iPhone store in the US. Why Nvidia? Nvidia is an American computer chip design company, which manufactures its products in Taiwan. Nvidia specialises in graphics processing units (GPUs), which are designed to improve image and video rendering on computers. Also, these GPUs are also able to perform calculations concurrently in a way which regular central processing units (CPUs) cannot. This ability of GPUs makes it of high value for AI companies, which must rely on a very high volume of computations to build their LLMs (Large Language Models). Its first mover advantage and existing supply chain enabled Nvidia to supply the needs of the emerging AI companies better than any of its rivals. Nvidia shares have been riding high on the AI boom and on October 26, 2024, Nvidia even overtook Apple as the worlds most valuable company with its market value touching $3.53 trillion. But hasnt the US restricted exports of AI chips to China? So how did DeepSeek build its AI? Yes. However, DeepSeeks parent company High-Flyer acquired over 10,000 Nvidia A100 GPUs in 2022 before the US export restrictions kicked in. Though, DeepSeek says that its recent model was built using Nvidias lower-performing H800 chip, which is not restricted for sale to China. This further adds to the debate that the top-of-the-line hardware is not necessary for building top-notch AI models. What is LLM? LLM or large language model is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) computer program that can recognise and generate text and also perform other tasks. These programs are trained on vast amounts of data generally scraped from the internet. Do we know what data was DeepSeek trained on, given that it is open source? While DeepSeek has open-sourced its R1 code under an MIT license, it hasnt revealed the source of its training data. There have been allegations that DeepSeeks LLM could have been trained on synthetic data (data produced by other LLMs) instead of original data collected from online sources. Given that DeepSeek is a Chinese company, are there data security concerns? According to DeepSeeks privacy policy, it collects personal data such as text, audio input, and chat history and that data is stored in China, thereby subjecting it to Chinas data-sharing laws. What about the censorship that China is known for? Does that also extend to DeepSeeks responses? As DeepSeek operates out of China it must comply with Chinese government regulations which include censoring topics deemed contentious by Chinese authorities. It deflects any such questions. What does DeepSeek mean for the larger AI industry? As DeepSeeks code is open source and others can learn from and improve upon it, it is likely to benefit the larger AI community in increasing efficiencies and reducing costs, thereby further speeding up AI acceleration. Does DeepSeek support Indian languages? Yes. According to DeepSeek it supports 22 Indian languages. However, the proficiency varies depending on the availability of training data. It claims strong support for 11 Indian languages (Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Punjabi, and Urdu), and moderate to limited support for 11 others (Assamese, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Nepali, Konkani, Maithili, Kashmiri, Manipuri or Meitei, Dogri, Santhali, and Bodo). Egypts denial follows Trumps earlier claim that he had discussed Egypts acceptance of relocated Palestinians from the Gaza Strip during a conversation on Monday night, according to a report read more A senior Egyptian official refuted reports of a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, according to The Jerusalem Post report, citing Al-Qahera News on Tuesday. The denial follows Trumps earlier claim that he had discussed Egypts acceptance of relocated Palestinians from the Gaza Strip during a conversation on Monday night. I want them to live there without violence. Gaza has been hell for so many years. They can live in much better and more comfortable areas, Trump was quoted as saying while talking to reporters on Air Force One. Advertisement Ive helped him a lot, and I hope hell help us, said Trump referred to Sisi as his friend. I think hell take in Palestinians from Gaza, and the King of Jordan will do the same, added the US president. Egypt and Jordan issued official statements on Sunday expressing their opposition to initiatives aimed at relocating Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Authority also firmly rejected the proposal and condemned it. When asked by reporters on his presidential plane about his support for the two-state solution, Trump stated that he would discuss the matter with Prime Minister Netanyahu during the latters upcoming visit to the White House. With inputs from agencies Naval authorities were concerned that one of Russian President Vladimir Putins drone submarines had placed a listening device on the ocean floor between two Scottish islands, launching an inquiry read more The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom started a frenzied hunt for phantom Russians off the coast after hearing two weird sounds in the water, only to discover that the noises were caused by a gassy whale, an official told The Sun. Naval authorities were concerned that one of Russian President Vladimir Putins drone submarines had placed a listening device on the ocean floor between two Scottish islands, launching an inquiry. The two toots were discovered around 100 miles from where the UKs doomsday submarines are located. Advertisement We have been analyzing the sounds and now believe it was a marine mammal. A whale the officer informed the British tabloid. The sound, initially identified by analysts as a man-made noise, had never before been detected by the sensors, causing the navy to misinterpret Das Boof for Das Boot, according to the article. It also raised concerns that Russias deep-sea research outfit, known as GUGI, was attempting to capture the British subs acoustic characteristics to make them easier to track. The sites of the Royal Navys Astute-class assault submarines and Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines are among of the countrys most tightly kept military secrets. They are meant to go silently across the waves. While it was established that flatulence was the source of the false alert, officials stated that they treat all threats seriously. India strongly rejected insinuations made against it in a report by a Canadian commission that investigated allegations that certain foreign governments were meddling into Canadas elections. read more India rejected a report from the Canadian Commission on Tuesday that alleged the Government of India interfered in Canadas federal elections. The Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the reports claims, which suggested that India may have used proxy agents to fund candidates from three political parties covertly during the election. In a strong reaction, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it rejects the reports insinuations on India. The MEA retaliated against Ottawa for its consistent interference in Indias internal matters. Advertisement We have seen a report about alleged activities on purported interference. It is in fact Canada which has been consistently interfering in Indias internal affairs. This has also created an environment for illegal migration and organised criminal activities," the MEA said in an official statement. We reject the reports insinuations on India and expect that the support system enabling illegal migration will not be further countenanced," it added. The Canadian panel, chaired by Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue, released its final report on foreign interference in Canadas federal election on Tuesday. In the final report, Hogue acknowledged legitimate concerns about Canadian parliamentarians potentially having problematic relationships with foreign officials, exercising poor judgment, behaving naively, and displaying questionable ethics. However, she said that she did not find evidence of parliamentarians conspiring with foreign states against Canada. While clearing its own lawmaker of any wrongdoing, it went on to accuse India of becoming the second most active country engaging in electoral foreign interference in Canada." Advertisement The report also included details on how Pakistan attempted to covertly influence Canadian federal politics before the 2019 federal election to advance its interests in Canada. A foreign government official was suspected of engaging in foreign interference aimed at the Liberal Party, the report claimed. In September, 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau named Justice Marie-JosAe Hogue to head the commission of inquiry into the allegations of foreign meddling in elections. The commission examined allegations of meddling into the elections against China, Russia and others, according to Canadian media reports. Last June, a report by Canadas National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians found that some parliamentarians were witting or semi-witting participants in foreign meddling. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Under Muhammad Yunuss leadership, Bangladesh is facing backlash over changes to school textbooks, sparking fears of a shift towards conservative gender norms. read more In September 2024, Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladeshs interim government, dismissed writer-activist Taslima Nasreens concerns that Bangladesh might face a situation like Afghanistan. He blamed India for such a narrative, and also asked New Delhi to stop promoting the idea that Bangladesh would become like Afghanistan without Sheikh Hasina in power. Now, just four months later, Bangladesh appears heading in the same direction under Yunuss watch. A controversy has broken out in Bangladesh over changes to second-grade Bangla textbooks, sparking anger among gender equality supporters. Bangladeshs leading newspaper The Dhaka Tribune reported on Tuesday that the 2024 edition of Amar Bangla Boi included a story called Amar Barir Kaj (Our Household Chores), which showed both boys and girls sharing household responsibilitiesa modern approach that challenged traditional gender roles. But in the 2025 edition, these tasks have been given mostly to female characters, reinforcing old-fashioned stereotypes. Advertisement Critics fear that this backward message is similar to the Talibans way of thinking and could harm efforts to teach children about gender equality. Education experts say textbooks should show shared responsibilities and encourage respect for womens roles in society. Persistent gender bias in Bangladesh Bangladesh has made progress in promoting gender equality through constitutional guarantees, gender-focussed policies and budget allocations. However, the reality is far from perfect. In an article for The Daily Star in September 2023, Stefan Liller, UNDP Bangladeshs resident representative, pointed out that major inequalities remain. According to the 2022 Labour Force Survey, women in Bangladesh spend eight times more time on unpaid care work than men and only 42 per cent of working-age women are part of the labour force. Those who work face a large gender wage gap and just 13 per cent of women own land. The statistics highlight even more concerning issues. Over 54 per cent of women in Bangladesh have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lives. A study by Dhaka University and UNFPA shows that son preference is still common, with some parents resorting to sex-selective abortions. These problems are worsened by deeply ingrained societal norms. According to the GSNI, 99 per cent of people in Bangladesh hold at least one bias against women. Shockingly, more than 99 per cent of women also have biases against their own gender, further reinforcing the societal norms that block progress. According to Liller, these biases are rooted in historical, cultural, social and economic factors that have shaped gender roles for a long time. Patriarchal norms still place men as the main earners and decision-makers, pushing women into secondary roles. Practices like child marriage make this worse, as they take away girls chances for education and economic independence while reinforcing traditional gender expectations. Advertisement In the workplace, women face many obstacles that limit their opportunities. Even though access to education has improved, societal views and the difficulty of balancing family responsibilities with work keep many women out of public life. Leadership roles in politics and business are still mostly held by men, which strengthens inequalities and reduces womens ability to influence policies that could promote gender equality. Role of education in transforming gender norms Education is a powerful way to challenge deep-rooted gender biases and change how society thinks. By including gender-sensitive lessons in school, children can learn critical thinking and values of equality. However, the recent controversy over textbooks shows how hard it can be to keep education progressive. Advertisement Men as allies Men play an important role in achieving gender equality, but traditional ideas about masculinity often put pressure on them too. These expectations can affect their well-being and contribute to gender inequality. Encouraging men to share household work, support womens career goals and stand up for equality helps everyone. A society that values and empowers all its members, no matter their gender, becomes stronger, more united and more successful. A call to action Bangladesh stands at a critical crossroads in its journey toward gender equality. It is up to the country to decide whether it will follow a path similar to the Taliban or choose a progressive route toward gender equality. Advertisement The backsliding of Bangladesh, as it emerges from the emergence of hardline voices including the Jamaat-e-Islami after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina last year and under the watch of Nobel Laureate Chief Adviser Yunus, comes as early mimicking of Taliban policies in Afghanistan after the fall of the US-backed Asharaf Ghani government. In their early messages, the Taliban hinted that they would not suppress the rights of women and signalled a departure from their avatar of the 1990s. However, as the regime consolidated its hold on Afghanistan, the Taliban struck at the roots of womens rights. This happened in a phased manner (you may read Talibans oppression against women here, here, here and here as a few of the many examples). Once considered a progressive nation, Bangladesh of today is beginning to show similar signs. Advertisement Trump has repeatedly alluded to the possibility that he might go beyond the current two-term limit for US presidents but while he often strikes a light-hearted tone the remarks remain provocative read more Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., and House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., listen as President Donald Trump speaks at the 2025 House Republican Members Conference dinner at Trump National Doral Miami in Doral, Fla. AP US President Donald Trump once again hinted at the idea of serving a third term, saying he was not 100 percent sure he was barred from doing so under the Constitution, which forbids it. Trump has repeatedly alluded to the possibility that he might go beyond the current two-term limit for US presidents but while he often strikes a light-hearted tone the remarks remain provocative. Ive raised a lot of money for the next race that I assume I cant use for myself, but Im not 100 percent sure, because I dont know I think Im not allowed to run again, Trump told an audience of Congressional Republicans in Miami. Advertisement To laughter, Trump turned to Republican House Leader Mike Johnson and added: Im not sure, am I allowed to run again? Mike? I better not get you involved in that argument. Trump was inaugurated for his second spell in the White House a week ago, becoming just the second president in US history to serve two non-consecutive terms. US presidents are limited to two terms in office by the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which was ratified in 1951 partly as a response to Franklin D. Roosevelts unprecedented four terms as president from 1933-1945. A Republican in the US House introduced a super-long-shot resolution last week to change the constitution to allow Trump to get another term. Trump has alluded to extending his stay on a number of occasions and joked about it as recently Saturday, during a rally in Nevada. It will be the greatest honor my life to serve not once, but twice or three times or four times, he said with a laugh, before adding to cheers from the audience: Headlines for the fake news. In November, in another speech to House Republicans shortly after his election win, Trump said: I suspect I wont be running again unless you say, Hes good, we got to figure something else. Advertisement Trump told an audience of conservative Christians in July: Christians, get out and vote. Just this time Four more years, itll be fixed, itll be fine, you wont have to vote anymore. Israel said that eight of the 26 hostages expected to be released by Hamas in the first phase of the Gaza truce deal have been killed. Israeli Spokesman David Mencer emphasised that this has been confirmed by Israeli intelligence. read more Israel says 8 are dead in Hamas list of hostages to be freed (Photo: Reuters) Israel said that eight of the remaining 26 hostages due to be released by Hamas during the first phase of the Gaza truce deal are dead. Israeli spokesman David Mencer told reporters that Israel received a list from Hamas overnight and confirmed that as per the intelligence, eight of the hostages had been killed by the Palestinian armed group. The list from Hamas matches Israels intelligence, so I can share with you that eight have been killed by Hamas, Mencer said, without naming the hostages. Advertisement Mencer emphasised that families have been informed about the situation of their relatives. As of now, 26 hostages are yet to be freed by the armed group as part of the truce deal. The truce deal came into effect on January 19, ending over 15 months of war triggered by Hamass deadly attack on October 7, 2023. The agreement was reached in January after months of failed talks. In the first phase, Hamas will release 33 hostages in Gaza in exchange for over 1,900 Palestinians held by Israel. So far, seven Israeli women have been released in exchange for 290 Palestinian prisoners since the ceasefire began. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said on Sunday that Hamas had agreed to release female civilian Arbel Yehud, female soldier Agam Berger, and another hostage on Thursday. Arbel Yehud, a 29-year-old Israeli woman, became central to the truce deal as Israel said it would allow Gazans to return to their homes in the north only after her release. Later, it was confirmed that she would be released on Thursday. Consequently, Israel opened movement for Palestinians and thousands began returning to the north. Advertisement Yehud is a civilian who was abducted from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz during the Hamas attack. The Gaza war was triggered by the deadly October 7 attack by the Palestinian armed group in southern Israel, during which its fighters crossed the border, killed 1,200 people, and took 250 as hostages. Since then, Israel has launched a massive campaign on Gaza. More than 47,310 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territorys Hamas-run health ministry. Following a telephonic conversation, US President Donald Trump has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would likely visit the White House next month read more US President Donald Trump has said that he would likely meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi next month at White House. In an interaction with reporters at the Air Force Once, Trump on Monday said that Modi would likely visit the United States in February and the two leaders would meet at White House during the meeting. The remark came hours after the two leaders talked over phone. I had a long talk with him this morning [Monday]. He is going to be coming to the White House, over next month, probably February. We have a very good relationship with India, said Trump, as per PTI. Advertisement Later this year, Trump is also set to visit India to attend the Quad Summit that India would host. After their call, Modi on Monday said on X that he congratulated his dear friend President Donald Trump on his historic second term. The Indian readout said the two leaders discussed advancing the India-US relationship in the domains of technology, trade, investment, energy, and defence The two leaders exchanged views on global issues, including the situation in West Asia and Ukraine, and reiterated their commitment to work together for promoting global peace, prosperity and security. The leaders agreed to remain in touch and meet soon at an early mutually convenient date, said the readout. There are concerns in India and elsewhere about Trumps stance on trade and immigration. He has frequently singled out India as an abuser of trade and has threatened Brics countries India is a Brics country with 100 per cent tariffs. There are also concerns that Trump may withdraw from security partnerships and alliances that may affect traditional security partners. Trumps soft approach to China is also a concern to some in India as China remains Indias main challenge in the region. After months of widespread protests triggered by the fatal roof collapse of a train station in November, Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic announced his resignation on Tuesday read more Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic takes part in a leaders' panel during the 2024 edition of the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia, on September 2, 2024. Reuters File After months of widespread protests triggered by the fatal roof collapse of a train station in November, Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic announced his resignation on Tuesday. The tragic incident in Novi Sad, which resulted in the deaths of 15 people following extensive renovations, has led to ongoing demonstrations throughout the country. The collapse has intensified long-standing frustrations in Serbia regarding corruption and perceived deficiencies in oversight of construction projects. My irrevocable decision is to resign from the position of prime minister, AFP quoted Vucevic, who was mayor of Novi Sad when the renovations began, as saying at a press conference in Belgrade. Advertisement I had a long meeting with the president of Serbia this morning we talked about everything, and he accepted my arguments, he added. So in order to avoid further complicating things, so we do not further raise tensions in society, I made this decision, he added. Before taking up an earlier government post in Belgrade, Vucevic had served as mayor of Novi Sad from 2012 to 2022, when renovations began at the train station. The prime minister has been in office for less than a year. More than a dozen people have been charged in connection with the Novi Sad accident, including former transport minister Goran Vesic, who resigned days after it occurred. The prime ministers announcement came as thousands of protesters ended a 24-hour blockade at a major traffic intersection in Belgrade - the latest in a series of massive rallies held across the country. Protesters on Tuesday morning packed up and cleared the area at the Autokomanda junction - which links several major roads and motorways in the Serbian capital - after many camped out overnight. The blockade came after student organisers called for a general strike last Friday that saw lawyers stop work, and the closure of small businesses and schools across Serbia. Advertisement Students have emerged as the leaders of the protest movement and have been blockading campuses across the country for months. With pressure mounting, President Aleksandar Vucic addressed the nation Monday evening, defending his governments response to the Novi Sad tragedy and vowing to open a dialogue with the protesters. Student organisers continue to demand more action, including greater transparency into the investigation and the release of all documents linked to the renovation of the station. The government has released some documents on the roof collapse, but experts from the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Belgrade say they are incomplete. Other key demands include dropping charges against protesters arrested at rallies, an end to attacks on demonstrators, and increased government spending on education. Advertisement As premier, Vucevic was officially the head of government in Serbia, however, the position is largely considered to be subordinate to President Vucic - who has ruled the country for more than a decade. With inputs from agencies Since his reelection in November, U.S. President Donald Trump has shown interest in acquiring Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. He has not dismissed the possibility of using military or economic pressure to convince Denmark to transfer ownership. read more NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen agreed at a meeting on Tuesday that allies need to focus on strengthening defences in the Arctic, a source familiar to the talks told Reuters. They agreed that in this effort all allies have a role to play, the source said after the meeting. U.s. President Donald Trump has expressed interest in making Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, a part of the U.S. since his reelection in November. He hasnt ruled out using military or economic power to persuade Denmark to hand it over. Advertisement The Pakistani government has warned jailed premier Imran Khans Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) party that it would scrap negotiations if the party would skip the talks on January 28 read more Volunteers for former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) look on as they watch results on TV screens after the end of the polling during a general election at the party's main office in Islamabad, Pakistan, February 8, 2024. (Photo: Reuters) The Pakistani government has said it would scrap negotiations with former premier Imran Khans party Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) if it were to boycott the meeting on Tuesday. The Pakistani government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PTI entered formal negotiations on December 23 to resolve political tensions and instability in the country owing to frequent protests by the PTI over what it alleges to be the persecution of its leaders and cadres. The PTI has also been protesting for a long time over violent crackdown on its movements in the wake of Imrans arrest in 2023. Advertisement The governments committee formed to look into the matter and PTI are scheduled to hold the fourth round of talks on Tuesday, but the PTI has said it would only attend the meeting if demands raised in the previous meeting are fulfilled. In an interview with Geo TV, Irfan Siddiqui, a spokesperson for the negotiation committee, dubbed PTIs stance as illogical and said that the PTI took six weeks to share their demands with the committee while it was not willing to give the committee even seven days. Whats the dispute? In their previous meetings, the PTI had submitted a charter of demands that included the formation of judicial commissions to investigate violent protests on May 9, 2023, and a crackdown on PTI on November 26, 2024. The PTI has said it would only attend the meeting on Tuesday if these commissions are set up. On their part, committee spokesperson Siddique said that a response would be submitted in response to PTIs demands in the meeting. Siddique told Geo TV, As per the agreed communique, no response can be given before the seven-day deadlinewe will respond to PTIs demand for judicial commission at the next round of talks on Jan 28. Siddique further said that the PTI was taking the issue to the streets instead of the meetings. Separately, the Dawn newspaper quoted Siddique as saying that the PTI should attend the meeting so they could discuss any reservations the PTI may have about the governments response to their demands. They (PTI) should attend the meeting because, in case of any reservations on the governments reply, we could discuss moving forward towards fulfilment of their (PTI) demands, said Siddique. Advertisement Pakistani media have reported that the committee has discussed PTIs demands and finalised that the commission regarding the May 9 incident could not be formed. On May 9, 2023, Imrans supporters from PTI had attacked military facilities across the country, including the army headquarters and houses of senior commanders. For nearly two years, the PTI has been agitating against the Pakistani military and political parties it deems to be aligned with the military. After Imran was ousted in a trust vote in 2022, he blamed that the opposition parties at the time were in league with the Pakistani military and US government to oust him. Since 2023, Imran has been in jail and more than 100 cases have been slapped against him and several of his partys senior leaders have also been jailed. Imran and PTI have maintained that these cases are politically motivated. Advertisement The tail of a passenger aircraft caught fire at an international airport in South Koreas second-largest city on Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of 176 people on board, according to a report read more The tail of a passenger aircraft caught fire at an international airport in South Koreas second-largest city on Tuesday, leading to the evacuation of 176 individuals on board, according to Yonhap news agency. The Air Busan flight, which was en route to Hong Kong from Gimhae International Airport in southeastern Busan, caught fire around 10:30 pm local time, added the report. 169 passengers and seven flight attendants were evacuated using inflatable slides, but did not disclose any details about the cause of the fire, reported Yonhap. Advertisement The agency said that one person sustained injuries but provided no further information. South Korea suffered its worst aviation disaster on its soil last month when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, flying from Thailand to Muan on December 29, crash-landed and exploded into a fireball after slamming into a concrete barrier. That crash killed 179 of the 181 passengers and crew members on board. Flightradar24 lists Air Busans fleet as consisting entirely of Airbus aircraft. With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, in his first Chinese New Year message as leader, urged Singaporeans to embrace unity and strengthen ties across different races and religions. He emphasised the importance of harmony in a world increasingly divided and marked by growing challenges. read more Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday called on multi-ethnic Singaporeans to make a concerted effort to engage and reach out to those of different races and religions while expressing concern about a divided and polarised world. We may have different views on issues that matter deeply to us. But we cannot let our differences pull us apart, said Wong in his first Chinese New Year message as prime minister since taking over the leadership of the prosperous city-state last year. Advertisement In a world that is increasingly divided and polarised, our unity is a precious asset that we must continue to protect and nurture, he stressed in a national message. Singapores diversity is a source of strength and the people here must continually seek ways to deepen mutual understanding and expand common space, he said. Around 74 per cent of Singapores six million population comprises Chinese people, the rest are Malays, Indians and foreigners of other origins. Singaporeans celebrate Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) on Wednesday and Thursday (January 29-30) but a long weekend mood for holidays has set in across the multi-racial society. In his traditional annual message, Wong noted the world is becoming more dangerous, pointing to terrorist groups using the conflict in West Asia to further their agenda and call for attacks. While Singapore will remain vigilant against any security threats, the country must also be mentally prepared for the possibility of an attack occurring here, said Wong. If that were to happen, we must be able to stand together as one united people, resolute and undivided. Such challenges should not weaken the fabric of our society, but instead strengthen our resolve to protect our harmony and way of life, the prime minister said. Advertisement This years Chinese New Year is special as it coincides with SG60, coined to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Singapores independence. Noting that 60 years marks a full cycle of life in Chinese culture, Wong said: It is therefore timely to reflect on how far we have come, honour the contributions and sacrifices of our pioneers, and build on their legacy to chart our next steps forward. As we step into our next life cycle, let us do so with courage, determination and resolve. Together as one Singapore family, we can keep our nation a beacon of safety, security and stability amidst a troubled and volatile world, he said. Advertisement Canada is the top export destination for 36 US states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. read more The federal government is preparing a multibillion-dollar pandemic-style bailout for workers and businesses if US President Donald Trump moves forward with his threat to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian goods as soon as February 1, the Globe and Mail quoted two sources as saying. Some measures like waiving the one-week waiting period for employment insurance benefits, do not require parliamentary approval. However, most of the potential spending on new programs to support laid-off workers and businesses affected by the tariffs will need legislative approval which could not happen until Parliament reconvenes on March 24. Advertisement The aid package could be ready to launch when Parliament resumes, but it would require cooperation from opposition parties, who would need to delay their intention to bring down the minority Liberal government until the relief legislation is passed, the source said. The Conservatives, Bloc Quebecois, and NDP have all expressed their plans to defeat the Liberal government at the earliest opportunity. No discussions with opposition parties have taken place yet, they said. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, the government rolled out an $82-billion aid package, which included income support, wage subsidies, and tax deferrals. Of that, $27 billion went directly to workers, while another $55 billion helped businesses with liquidity through tax deferrals. Trump has said he will use economic coercion to pressure Canada to become the nations 51st state. He continues to erroneously cast the U.S. trade deficit with Canada a natural resource-rich nation that provides the U.S. with commodities like oil as a subsidy. John Ries, senior associate dean at the University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business told AP that Canada should retaliate against any tariffs but warned against publicizing a list in advance, citing the risk of antagonizing Trump and making it harder for him to back off on his threats. Advertisement He always wants to win, said Ries. He doesnt want to show any weakness. Chrystia Freeland, the former finance minister who is running to replace Justin Trudeau as Canadas prime minister, said Monday that if she wins the leadership race and become prime minister she would also prohibit American companies from bidding on Canadian federal procurement (excluding defense). She also said she would convene an international summit with the leaders of Mexico, Denmark, Panama, and the president of the European Union to coordinate a joint response to challenges to our sovereignty and our economies. Some lawmakers have suggested Canada could stop energy shipments to the United States, a move opposed by Daniele Smith, the premier of Canadas oil-rich province of Alberta. Advertisement Former central banker Mark Carney, who is also running for the Liberal leadership, said over the weekend that cutting off Quebecs hydro exports to the U.S. should remain an option on the table in a trade fight with Trump. It was Freelands abrupt resignation as finance minister last month that forced Trudeau to say he is resigning as prime minister and party leader. Trudeau is to remain prime minister until a new Liberal Party leader is chosen on March 9. The next Liberal leader could be the shortest-tenured prime minister in the countrys history. All three opposition parties have vowed to bring down the Liberals minority government in a no-confidence vote after parliament resumes on March 24. An election is expected this spring. Advertisement With inputs from agencies US President Donald Trump on Tuesday referred to China, India, and Brazil as tremendous tariff-makers and said that his administration would no longer tolerate such practices, reiterating his commitment to putting America First. read more US President Donald Trump on Tuesday referred to China, India, and Brazil as tremendous tariff-makers and said that his administration would no longer tolerate such practices, reiterating his commitment to putting America First." He vowed to impose tariffs on countries that harm the US, specifically mentioning the three nations key members of the growing BRICS bloc while recognising that they are acting in their own best interests. Were going to put tariffs on outside countries and people that really mean harm to us. Well they mean us harm, but they basically want to make their country good, Trump was quoted as saying while addressing the House Republicans at a Florida retreat. Advertisement China is a tremendous tariff-maker, and India, Brazil, and so many other countries. (But) were not going to let that happen any longer because were going to put America first, Trump added. Trumps comments came after his phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, where they highlighted their mutual commitment to promoting global peace and stability. However, it is still unclear if tariffs were discussed during their call. Meanwhile, several reports suggest that PM Modi may meet Trump in Washington as soon as next month. Trumps position on India and tariffs has drawn controversy, particularly since he labeled New Delhi, the USs largest trading partner, as a very big abuser during his presidential campaign. Trump reiterated his vision of establishing a very fair system to swiftly enhance the wealth and power of the US, mirroring statements he made following his inauguration last week. Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens, Trump was quoted as saying. Advertisement Trump added that foreign companies whether Indian, Chinese, Brazilian, or otherscould avoid these steep tariffs by choosing to build your plant right here in America." With inputs from agencies Trump had vowed before the election to fire Smith on day one and accused the Justice Department under Democratic president Joe Biden of conducting a political witchhunt against him read more Several officials engaged in President Donald Trumps criminal cases were dismissed by the US Justice Department on Monday. Acting attorney general James McHenry made this decision because he did not believe these officials could be trusted to faithfully implement the presidents agenda because of their significant role in prosecuting the president, a Justice Department official said. Although the official did not say how many persons had their jobs terminated, US media sites reported that over a dozen people had been let go, including many Justice Department career prosecutors. Advertisement Earlier last month, Special Counsel Jack Smith, who filed two federal lawsuits against Trump, resigned. Smith accused Trump of mishandling confidential data after leaving the White House and of conspiring to alter the 2020 election results. Neither case came to trial and Smith in line with a long-standing Justice Department policy of not prosecuting a sitting president dropped them both after the Republican won Novembers presidential election. The firing of the Justice Department officials involved in prosecuting Trump was not unexpected. Trump had vowed before the election to fire Smith on day one and accused the Justice Department under Democratic president Joe Biden of conducting a political witchhunt against him. In his inauguration speech, Trump said he would end the vicious, violent, and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and our government. In his final report, Smith said Trump would have been convicted for his criminal efforts to retain power after the 2020 election if the case had not been dropped. Trump was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding the session of Congress held to certify Bidens win that was violently attacked on January 6, 2021 by a mob of Trump supporters. Smith also prepared a report into Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents but it is being withheld because charges are pending against two of his former co-defendants. Advertisement Trump faces separate racketeering charges in Georgia over his efforts to subvert the election results in the southern state, but the case will likely be frozen while he is in office. Trump was convicted in New York in May of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star. The judge who presided over the case gave him an unconditional discharge which carries no jail time, fine or probation. The Trump-Netanyahu meeting comes after the US president repeatedly claimed credit for sealing an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which came after months of fruitless negotiations. read more Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has received an invitation from US President Donald Trump for a meeting at the White House on February 4. Netanyahu will be the first foreign leader to meet Trump during the presidents second term. US President Donald Trump has invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a meeting in the White House on Tuesday, 4 February 2025. Prime Minister Netanyahu is the first foreign leader to be invited to the White House during US President Trumps second term, Israel PM official handle posted on X. Advertisement US President Donald Trump has invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a meeting in the White House on Tuesday, 4 February 2025. Prime Minister Netanyahu is the first foreign leader to be invited to the White House during US President Trump's second term. Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 28, 2025 The meeting follows Trumps repeated claims of securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, a breakthrough after months of failed negotiations. Trump has since proposed a plan to clean out the Gaza Strip and suggested Palestinians relocate to neighbouring countries like Egypt or Jordan. This idea has sparked strong opposition from Egypt, Jordan, and various European governments. During his first term, Trump frequently claimed that Israel never had a better friend in the White House, a sentiment often echoed by Netanyahu. However, the Trump-Netanyahu relationship soured briefly after the Israeli leader congratulated Joe Biden on his 2020 election victory. Trump, who falsely claimed to have won the 2020 election, accused Netanyahu of disloyalty, according to multiple media reports at the time. Nonetheless, soon after taking office for his second term, Trump reportedly approved a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, which the Biden administration had previously halted. Netanyahu praised Trump for providing Israel with the tools to defend itself. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Similar to the missile defence mechanism that Israel deploys, US President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Defense to develop a missile defence shield that he has dubbed Iron Dome for America read more US President Donald Trump gestures as he boards Air Force One en route to Florida at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (Photo: AP) US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to build a missile shield for the United States that he has dubbed Iron Dome. The Iron Dome is one of the air defence systems of Israel that is part of its multi-layered air defence network. Since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, the Iron Dome and other Israeli air defence systems have been critical in safeguarding Israelis from thousands of rockets and missiles launched by Hamas, Iran, and other Iran-backed groups in the region like Hezbollah and Houthis. Advertisement As per the executive order, the Secretary of Defense would be required to submit the architecture of the missile shield and its projected budget in the next 60 days. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth would also be required to submit an updated assessment of the strategic missile threat to the United States and a prioritised set of locations to progressively defend from nuclear-armed adversaries. The Israeli Iron Dome missile defence system (left) intercepts rockets fired from Gaza Strip. (Representative Photo, Credit: Anas Baba/AFP) Trump said that the Iron Dome would fulfil the unfinished agenda that former President Ronald Regan began. In the executive order, Trump said that Regan endeavored to build an effective defense against nuclear attacks, and while this program resulted in many technological advances, it was canceled before its goal could be realised. What do we know of US Iron Dome? Even though the name Iron Dome for America suggests it to be a one system, the executive order suggests it would be a multi-layered network. The US Iron Dome will provide common air defence to all Americans by deploying and maintaining the next-generation missile defence shield; deter attacks and defend critical infrastructure from attacks on mainland America; and guaranteeing scond-strike capability, according to the executive order. The executive order states that the missile shield would include the following: Defence against ballistic, hypersonic, advanced cruise missiles, and other next-generation aerial attacks from peer, near-peer, and rogue adversaries Acceleration of the deployment of the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor layer, a satellite-based system in the making to track launches of missiles across the world so they could be neutralised timely Development and deployment of proliferated space-based interceptors capable of boost-phase intercept Deployment of underlayer and terminal-phase intercept capabilities postured to defeat a countervalue attack Development and deployment of a custody layer of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture Development and deployment of capabilities to defeat missile attacks prior to launch and in the boost phase; Development and deployment of a secure supply chain for all components with next-generation security and resilience features Development and deployment of non-kinetic capabilities to augment the kinetic defeat of ballistic, hypersonic, advanced cruise missiles, and other next-generation aerial attacks As per the executive order, the United States would continue to cooperate on missile defence with partners and allies. Following the submission to the President of the next-generation missile defense reference architecture under section of this order, the Secretary of Defense shall direct a review of theater missile defense posture and initiatives to identify ways in which the United States and its allies and partners can, said the executive order. Advertisement Before signing the executive order, Trump said at a Republican Partys event in Florida that he was looking forward to have an Israel-like missile shield that would be made completely in the United States. Now we have phenomenal technology. You see that with Israel. So I think the United States is entitled to that. And everything will be made right here in the USA. 100 per cent. Were going next to ensure that we have the most lethal fighting force in the world, said Trump, as per Fox News. What is Israels Iron Dome? Israels Iron Dome is one of the air-defence systems that the country uses to protect its airspace. The Iron Dome is a short-range air defence against rockets and smaller projectiles. It has a range of up to 70 kilometres and it can take down rockets up to the height of 10 kms. For larger projectiles at more height and longer distance, Israel uses Davids Sling and Arrow air defence systems. Advertisement Davids Sling is meant for medium- to long-range missiles with the range of up to 300 kms at the height of up to 15 kms. Arrow is meant for long-range missiles with the range of up to 2,400 kms at the height of up to 100 kms. One notable difference between the Israelis air defence mechanism and that of the United States would be of scale. While Israel has to secure a much smaller area, just the size of US state of New Jersey, the US missile shield would need to cover almost half of the North American continent. In what observers have called ethnic cleansing, US President Donald Trump has said that Palestinians from Gaza Strip should be relocated to Egypt or Jordan read more US President Donald Trump has repeated his call to relocate Palestinians from Gaza Strip to Egypt and Jordan. In remarks that were met with horror and condemnation, Trump has said that he wants Egypt and Jordan to house Palestinians from Gaza on their soil. He has said that such an arrangement could either be short-term or long-term. Both Jordan and Egypt have rejected Trumps suggestion to relocate Palestinians. They have emphasised that Gaza and West Bank territories are home to Palestinians and they must not be relocated from there. While these governments did not say so, observers have said that what Trump proposed amounts to ethnic cleansing. Advertisement In his latest remarks aboard the Air Force One, Trump on Monday evening said that he wants Palestinians from Gaza to be relocated to safer locations such as Egypt or Jordan, according to Al Arabiya. Trump further said that he would meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu very soon and would discuss the issue with him. Trump floats plan for Gaza When asked about his comments about Gaza last week, Trump told reporters on Monday evening that he would like to like to get them [Palestinians] living in an area where they can live without disruption and revolution and violence so much, according to Al Arabiya. Trump said, You know, when you look at the Gaza Strip, its been hell for so many years theres always been violence associated with it. When asked what such a scenario would mean for the two-state solution, Trump said he would meet Netanyahu in the not too distant future. Last week, Trump had said that he would want to just clean out Gaza to create a virtual clean slate, according to Associate Press. Trump went on to say that he would want Egypt and Jordan to take Palestinians removed from Gaza. Trump said, Id like Egypt to take people and Id like Jordan to take people. Youre talking about probably a million and a half people, we just clean out that whole thing. Dubbing Gaza a real mess, Trump said that the relocation to Egypt or Jordon could be temporary or long term. Advertisement Trump further said, Something has to happen. But its literally a demolition site right now. Almost everythings demolished, and people are dying there. He added: So, Id rather get involved with some of the Arab nations, and build housing in a different location, where they can maybe live in peace for a change. Trump on Monday reiterated the vision. In line with his transactional approach to international affairs, Trump said that he wants Egypt to take Palestinians as the United States has helped the country in the past. I wish he [Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi] would take some. We helped them a lot, and Im sure hed help us. As they say, its a rough neighborhood, but I think he would do it, and I think the king of Jordan would do it too, said Trump, as per Al Arabiya. Advertisement After Trumps comments on Saturday, Egypt rejected such a plan and said that the Egyptian government supports the Palestinian peoples insistence to remain on their land, defending their legitimate rights and respecting international law. Trump has previously promised to bring back a ban on transgender troops, but it was not immediately clear what specific steps were contained in the new order, which has not yet been published read more US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Monday purging the military of what he called transgender ideology, possibly a huge setback for LGBTQ rights. In a flurry of military orders issued on Air Force One, Trump also ordered for the development of a US version of Israels Iron Dome missile defence system. The Republican issued further orders restoring service personnel who had been discharged for refusing to take the Covid vaccination and expanding the governments attack on diversity initiatives to the armed services. Advertisement To ensure that we have the most lethal fighting force in the world, we will get transgender ideology the hell out of our military, Trump told a Republican congressional retreat earlier in Miami. Trump has previously promised to bring back a ban on transgender troops, but it was not immediately clear what specific steps were contained in the new order, which has not yet been published. A White House official with him said the order involved eliminating gender radicalism in the military. Trumps orders came at the start of his second week back in the White House and on the day a welcome ceremony was held at the Pentagon for his new defense secretary, military veteran and Fox News personality Pete Hegseth. Thank you for your leadership Mr. President. We will execute! Hegseth who was confirmed last week despite concerns over his inexperience, and alleged record of heavy drinking and domestic violence said on X. Transgender Americans have faced a roller coaster of changing policies on military service in recent years, with Democratic administrations seeking to permit them to serve openly while Trump has repeatedly sought to keep them out of the ranks. The US military lifted a ban on transgender troops serving in the armed forces in 2016, during Democrat Barack Obamas second term as president. Advertisement Under that policy, trans troops already serving were permitted to do so openly, and transgender recruits were set to start being accepted by July 1, 2017. Patriots But the first Trump administration postponed that date to 2018 before deciding to reverse the policy entirely, sparking criticism from rights groups. Trump claimed that transgender service members were disruptive, expensive and eroded military readiness and camaraderie among troops. Trumps Democratic successor Joe Biden moved to reverse the restrictions just days after he took office in 2021, saying all Americans qualified to serve should be able to do so. While the number of transgender troops in the American military is fairly small with estimates of some 15,000 out of more than two million uniformed service members their dismissal would reduce US forces at a time when the country is already facing difficulties recruiting new personnel. Advertisement Bidens outgoing defense secretary Lloyd Austin appeared to criticize Trumps plans during a farewell address earlier this month, saying: Any military that turns away qualified patriots who are eager to serve is just making itself smaller and weaker. Transgender issues have roiled US politics in recent years, as states controlled by Democrats and Republicans have moved in opposite directions on policies ranging from medical treatment to what books on the topic are allowed in public or school libraries. Trump has meanwhile repeatedly promised to build a version of the Iron Dome system that Israel has used to shoot down missiles fired by Hamas from Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Advertisement But he ignored the fact that the system is designed for short-range threats, making it ill-suited to defending against intercontinental missiles that are the main danger to the United States. We need to immediately begin the construction of a state-of-the-art Iron Dome missile defense shield, Trump said in Miami, adding that it would be made right here in the USA. US immigration authorities conducted a large-scale operation in Chicagos sanctuary city on Sunday, continuing their aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration. The raids were led by Border Tsar Tom Homan and acting Deputy Attorney-General Emil Bove. read more US immigration authorities arrested undocumented migrants in Chicagos sanctuary city on Sunday continuing a heavy crackdown on illegal immigrants in the country, the Financial Times reported. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said on the social media platform X that its agents along with several federal agencies including the FBI had begun operations in Chicago. The raids were led by Tom Homan, Border Tsar in the Trump administration, and acting Deputy Attorney-General Emil Bove. Advertisement Around 270 people were arrested during the raids, the Economic Times reported, citing journalist Phil McGraw, who was accompanying ICE officials and agents at the arrest sites in Chicago. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said it made 956 arrests nationwide on Sunday and 286 on Saturday. Trumps tough stance on immigration President Donald Trump took a tough stance on immigration during his campaign and promised mass deportation for illegal migrants. In his second term, he aims to deport approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants. The American Immigration Council estimates that such an operation could cost nearly $1 trillion and take over a decade to execute. Additionally, the Trump administration is engaging in diplomatic efforts to secure cooperation from other nations in accepting deported individuals. Trump administrations tariff threats to Colombia The Trump administration is also using other tactics, such as pressuring and giving tariff threats to secure the return of illegal migrants. For instance, after Colombia initially turned away two flights carrying deported migrants, the US threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Colombian goods. This threat was later reversed when Colombia agreed to accept all illegal aliens returned by the United States without restrictions, including transport on US military aircraft. The issue of illegal migration, described as irregular migration, was also raised during bilateral talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Both nations expressed a commitment to take action on it. India agreed to take back approximately 18,000 Indian citizens residing illegally in the United States. Advertisement Mexicans comprise the largest group born outside the US, followed by people from India and Poland. The Pebble smartwatch, discontinued for nearly a decade, is making a surprising comeback, spearheaded by its founder, Eric Migicovsky. This revival is significantly boosted by Googles decision to open-source the Pebble OS, aiming to revitalize existing devices and open the door for new ones. In 2016, Fitbit acquired Pebble, which led to the cessation of Pebbles planned devices and the integration of Pebble OS into Fitbits software ecosystem. However, Fitbits engagement with Pebble OS was minimal, extending only to maintaining basic smartwatch functionality until the end of 2017. When Google later acquired Fitbit, Pebble OS became part of Googles intellectual property portfolio. Why Pebble is Returning Eric Migicovsky explained his motivation for the Pebbles return: Ive tried almost every smartwatch on the market, but I still prefer my old Pebble for its unmatched features and battery life. I hoped someone would fill this gap, but no one has. My supply of old Pebbles is dwindling! Together with a small team, Migicovsky is now working on a new smartwatch that echoes the Pebbles ethos. It will operate on the newly open-sourced Pebble OS, preserving cherished features while adding innovations, all while maintaining Pebbles original design philosophy. If theres enough interest, well bring it to life, he stated optimistically. Pebble OS Goes Open Source Google, having inherited Pebble OS through its acquisition of Fitbit, has decided to make the operating system open source. This project was spearheaded by a team at Google, including former Pebble employees. Migicovsky expressed his gratitude, saying, Thank you, Google! Im incredibly thankful to those who made this possible, and to the Rebble team and community for their continued support. Whats Being Released Google has released a comprehensive portion of Pebble OSs source code. This repository includes all the essentials for standard smartwatch functionalities like notifications, media controls, fitness tracking, and custom app support. The OS, built on FreeRTOS, comprises modules for memory management, graphics, and timekeeping, with a framework for running custom applications in C and JavaScript through the JerryScript engine. However, some proprietary components, such as chipset support and Bluetooth stack, have been omitted. As a result, the code wont compile or link directly but includes all necessary build system files using the waf build system. Looking Ahead Googles hope is that this release will aid the Rebble project and its community in sustaining and updating Pebble watches. However, the task of crafting new firmware updates will demand considerable effort to replace the removed proprietary code and modernize the codebase. Availability The source code is now publicly accessible on GitHub at github.com/google/pebble. Users and developers can leverage it for existing Pebble watches, simulate it, deploy it on other devices, or even create new hardware. Migicovsky noted, Anyone can now use Pebble OS in any way they see fit. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024. Nathan graduated with his journalism degree from Auburn University in 2017. After growing up in the flatlands of rural Alabama with his parents and older sister, Nathan enjoys Western Colorado's natural resources and recreational opportunities. He currently covers education and business for The Daily Sentinel. Assistance from the Swedish Coast Guard concerning damaged cables in the Baltic Swedish Cost Guard 19 November 2024 08:41 The Swedish Police Authority has launched a preliminary investigation in response to the damaged cables in the Baltic Sea. The case is being led by a prosecutor within the Swedish Prosecution Authority. The Swedish Police Authority monitors, validates and evaluates new information on a continuous basis to determine whether they need to take action. The Swedish Police Authority has requested assistance from the Swedish Coast Guard and the Swedish Armed Forces to gather and share information about the situation at sea. Among other things, the Swedish Coast Guard can contribute by collecting and sharing information, for example concerning ship movements or other phenomena at sea. The damaged fiber cables run between Finland and Germany and between Sweden and Lithuania, both cables are partially located in the Swedish economic zone. The Police encourages the general public to keep themselves updated with information published by national authorities, and not spread unverified rumours. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Heightened maritime surveillance to protect critical undersea infrastructure Swedish Cost Guard 27 December 2024 14:58 The Swedish Coast Guard has increased its surveillance of marine traffic. Among other things, this increased presence is intended to protect critical undersea infrastructure. The Swedish Coast Guard is cooperating closely with the Swedish Navy and other government agencies. One of the Swedish Coast Guard's main missions is to conduct maritime surveillance, monitor maritime environments and provide maritime information to relevant government agencies. "The Swedish Coast Guard takes a very serious view of recent repeated damage to undersea infrastructure. In light of the recent incident in the Gulf of Finland on December 25, the Swedish Coast Guard has now reinforced its maritime surveillance. Among other things, this involves vessels and aircrafts," says Daniel Stenling, Acting Head of the Operations Department at the Swedish Coast Guard. The Swedish Coast Guard enjoys good cooperation with equivalent agencies in other countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Forensic analysis of the anchor hoisted from Gulf of Finland started Police of Finland Publication date 9.1.2025 17.03 News item Forensic analysis of the anchor aims to verify that it belongs to the Eagle S tanker. The criminal investigation into the cable ruptures in the Gulf of Finland continues today with the forensic analysis of the anchor. - The anchor is undergoing a technical examination, including steps to confirm that it belongs to the tanker Eagle S, explains Tactical Leader, Detective Superintendent Risto Lohi of the National Bureau of Investigation. The anchor raised during the joint operation by authorities on 06 January measures approximately 4 meters in length, 2.5 meters in width, and it weighs 11 tons. The technical examination will focus on the question when the anchor became detached from its chain. The location where the anchor was found is near the place where Finnish authorities instructed the tanker Eagle S to raise the anchor it had been dragging. - If the anchor only came loose during the hoisting, it is likely that the anchor could have caused further damage to the seabed infrastructure if the vessel had continued its journey, says Lohi. The sequence of events leading up to the ruptures is already quite clear in a technical sense to the police, but there is still a lot of technical data storage media to be analysed. Underwater investigations have determined the length of the drag trace on the seabed to be approximately 100 kilometres. The police continue to analyse the drag trace. The Helsinki Police Department is leading the operation in the Gulf of Finland, and the Border Guard and Defence Forces are contributing to the carrying out of the operation. The National Bureau of Investigation is in charge of conducting the criminal investigation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Active early phase of cable investigation to be completed Police of Finland Publication date 22.1.2025 16.33 News item The active early phase of the criminal investigation into the cable damage is about to be completed. The focus of the investigation is on the assessment of possible intent and related facts. The National Bureau of Investigation has mostly completed the forensic investigation on the Eagle S tanker, conducted the seizures required for the criminal investigation, and mostly finished the underwater investigation of the damaged spots of the cable. - The forensic investigation of the anchor lifted from the seabed on 6 January has been completed. Considering the features of the anchor and the place where the anchor was found, the police believe that the anchor, which was lifted from the end of the dragging trace photographed in the seabed, belongs to Eagle S. On the basis of the forensic investigation, we suspect that the anchor came loose from the chain when the Finnish authorities asked the tanker's crew to lift the hanging anchor, says Tactical Leader, Detective Superintendent Risto Lohi of the National Bureau of Investigation. Other criminal investigative measures still continue. The members of the tanker's crew who are suspected of an offence are interviewed further, and the seized material is still analysed. The suspected offences, assessed together with the National Prosecution Authority, are aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications. The National Prosecution Authority will be informed of the progress of the investigation. - During the criminal investigation, the National Bureau of Investigation has been able to form a relatively accurate picture of what happened in the Gulf of Finland on Christmas Day. The investigation focuses, for example, on assessing intent, in other words, why and how the anchor ended up hanging from the tanker and what was done on the tanker at the time. The criminal investigation aims to establish these facts with the means available to the investigation, Risto Lohi says. The criminal investigation also aims to establish whether the crew should have noticed and reacted to the fact that the anchor was hanging outside the vessel for a passage of up to a hundred kilometres. The authorities also examine the information about the status of the anchor they received from the tanker. Another aim is to establish what the reason for the vessel's unusual movements identified by the automatic identification system (AIS) was. The police estimate that the criminal investigation will continue for several months. The leadership of the investigation will assess the need for coercive measures throughout the investigation, as well as whether the measures taken are sufficient and comprehensive enough. The tanker is currently under seizure, and the police have nine suspects, who have been subjected to a travel ban. Early this week, the crew members who have not been subjected to a travel ban were replaced. To secure the criminal investigation, the joint operation between the authorities continues. It is led by the Helsinki Police Department and supported by the Border Guard. The National Bureau of Investigation assumes responsibility for the criminal investigation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Regarding damaged Baltic Sea cables Swedish Cost Guard 26 January 2025 23:35 In response to the damaged cable Sunday 26 January in the Baltic Sea, the Swedish Cost Guard is assisting the prosecutor and Swedish Security Service in the preliminary investigation. Close cooperation is taking place between competent authorities. Any questions regarding the ongoing events should be directed to the Swedish Security Service. Among other things, the Swedish Coast Guard can contribute by collecting and sharing information, for example concerning ship movements or other phenomena at sea, as well as with maritime resources according to the demands. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU sanctions three members of Russia's military intelligence who committed cyberattacks against Estonia Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 27.01.2025 Today 27 January, the European Union imposed sanctions on three members of Russia's military intelligence (GRU), who conducted a cyberattack against Estonia in May 2020. Last autumn after a national investigation, Estonia made the first-ever attribution of cyberattacks against the state to the perpetrators, that is, three GRU members Yuri Denisov, Nikolay Korchagin and Vitali Shevchenko, and declared them international fugitives. Together with Allies and partners, including the United States, Ukraine, Germany, Latvia, The Netherlands and the Czech Republic, a technical advisory was published to warn against the malicious cyber operations of this group. GRU Unit 29155 targets government entities as well as critical infrastructure of the EU, NATO and other nations with an aim to disrupt support to Ukraine. Today, EU-wide restrictive measures are imposed on the same GRU members under the cyber sanctions regime. Supporting the decision today at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that Russia was trying to undermine Western unity with hybrid actions, and sow fear and chaos in society. "One of the tools of the aggressor is cyberattacks against contemporary countries - including Estonia - where a large part of services are digital," Tsahkna said. "We are not blind and we can see through this pattern." Tsahkna added that in cooperation with international partners, Estonia would continue working to uphold safety, security, and values. "Estonia also stands for all countries respecting international law in cyberspace." In May 2019, the European Union established a sanctions framework or so-called cyber sanctions regime that allows the EU to impose targeted restrictive measures to prevent and respond to cyberattacks if they pose an external threat to the EU or its member states. The sanctions regime covers cyberattacks that have a significant impact and come from outside the EU; use infrastructure located outside the EU; are committed by individuals or entities operating outside the EU; or are conducted with support from individuals or entities operating outside the EU. Restrictive measures include a ban on travelling to the EU, and an asset freeze for individuals or entities. More information on the cyberattacks attributed to the GRU members: https://vm.ee/en/news/estonia-names-russias-military-intelligence-first-ever-attribution-cyberattacks NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 2 Israeli reservists detained on suspicion of 'spying for Iran' Iran Press TV Monday, 27 January 2025 2:10 PM The Israeli regime's so-called internal security service, Shin Bet, and police say they have arrested two reservist troops on suspicion of espionage for Iran. An Israeli police spokesman said in a statement on Monday that the primary suspect, Yuri Eliasfov, served in the Israeli army's Iron Dome anti-air missile unit and passed along classified material obtained during his military service to Iranians. Contact between Eliasfov and the Iranian agent started in September 2024, the Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz claimed. Months later, Eliasfov purportedly recruited his friend, Georgi Andreyev, and put him in contact with the same Iranian handler. Andreyev supposedly served in the Israeli military's Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv. The pair allegedly spray-painted graffiti and hung pro-Iranian banners in Tel Aviv. Police accuse the two 21-year-old suspects, both from the northern side of the occupied territories, of security offenses transferring classified information and aiding Iran during wartime. Prosecutors are expected to bring an indictment against them within the coming days. Back on October 14 last year, Shin Bet and the Israeli police said they had arrested two settlers east of Tel Aviv on charges of espionage for Iran. They claimed in a joint statement that 30-year-old Vladislav Viktorson, a resident of Ramat Gan, his 18-year-old partner Anna Bernstein and another unnamed Ramat Gan resident. The trio purportedly carried out various acts of sabotage and vandalism, including spraying provocative graffiti and putting up posters, setting fire to cars near Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park, and acts of arson in local forests, at the behest of an individual identified as "Mari Hossi", who gave them instructions in Hebrew. Later, Viktorson was allegedly asked to sabotage communication networks and ATMs and to set fire to forests. He was even tasked with locating homeless individuals for recruitment and photographing protesters during demonstrations. Viktorson and Bernstein filmed some of the sabotage they engaged in and were paid $5,000. The statement said Hossi then asked Viktorson to kill a high-profile Israeli figure, whose identity remains unknown, by throwing a hand grenade into his house. Viktorson agreed to do so and tried to purchase weapons, including sniper rifles, pistols, and grenades. Viktorson and Bernstein were indicted on security offenses. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Investigation of sabotage incident in the Baltic Sea Swedish Security Service 27 January 2025 The Swedish Security Service is conducting a preliminary investigation on the circumstances surrounding a suspected case of sabotage on a communications cable that runs between Sweden and Latvia in the Baltic Sea. The offence currently being investigated is gross sabotage. Within the framework of the preliminary investigation, several measures have been taken, for instance, a vessel has been seized that is suspected to have carried out the sabotage. The preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Swedish Security Service, as this may concern a seriuos crime which, at least to some extent, may target Swedish interests. A criminal investigation into this matter is being headed by a prosecutor at the Swedish National Security Unit. The Swedish Security Service is closely cooperating with several other authorities to investigate the circumstances around the incidents in the Baltic Sea. These authorities include the Swedish Coast Guard, the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Police Authority. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The EU offers emergency support to tackle the energy crisis in Moldova European Commission Press release Jan 26, 2025 Brussels Today, the European Union (EU) has proposed a 30 million emergency assistance package in a first step to support the Republic of Moldova in tackling the severe energy crisis provoked by Gazprom. Through this package, the EU stands ready to finance the purchase and transport of natural gas to the Transnistrian region, to help restore electricity and heating for the region's more than 350.000 inhabitants until 10 February 2025. The package can also allow for electricity supply from the Left Bank to the Right Bank. In addition to facilitating the purchase and transport of gas to Transnistria, the EU is committed to deliver in the next weeks a financial support package for Moldova aiming to mitigate the social consequences of the crisis for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, while laying the groundwork for long-term energy resilience and economic growth in Moldova. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "In the middle of winter, more than three hundred fifty thousand residents in the Transnistrian region are left in the dark and in the cold because Russia decided to stop its gas deliveries. We simply cannot accept that people on our continent do not have access to the most basic services. But hard times reveal true friends. That is why we are throwing today a lifeline. We will deliver gas to the people of Transnistria and restore their access to electricity and heating." EU package to tackle Moldova's energy crisis This assistance package comes as the Transnistrian region is going through a severe energy crisis. Since 1 January 2025, Gazprom has not honoured its contractual obligation to channel gas to the region. As a result, the region has to rely on coal and gas reserves to supply electricity and heating to its population which is insufficient to cover their needs. Today's package will avoid further deterioration of the humanitarian situation and provide natural gas to cover the immediate needs. The option to provide support via coal deliveries from Ukraine is also being explored. In addition to facilitating the purchase and transport of gas, the EU has also supported the allocation of transmission capacity along the entire gas delivery route from Bulgaria and Romania to the entry points of the Moldovan gas transmission system. Today's proposal represents a targeted support to Moldova, including the Transnistrian region, of 30 million to purchase gas which can be used to produce electricity and heating for the Transnistrian region and electricity to the Right Bank. Through the funding provided under this emergency plan, gas could be purchased by Moldova from providers in Ukraine and the European market. A broader assistance package is also being prepared to further support the entire country in these challenging times. More specifically, a more comprehensive EU energy support package will aim to mitigate the consequences of the crisis and to diminish the pressure on energy prices while laying the groundwork for long-term energy stability and resilience in Moldova. It will build on Moldova's Growth Plan which is being finalised. Background Gazprom has not honoured its contractual obligations, stopping supplies of gas to the Transnistrian region of Moldova. As a result, a serious energy crisis has broken out with tremendous economic and social consequences for inhabitants in Moldova and a devastating impact on the livelihood of people in the Transnistrian region. So far, the EU has already provided 240 million in direct budget support to Moldova's energy system from 2021 to 2024 to help the most vulnerable people. In the 2023-2024 heating season, more than 750 000 households have benefited from compensation through the EU-supported Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund (EVRF). In addition, since 2021, the EU has provided 67 million in grants which have mobilised more than 640 million investments through the international financial partners. These support Moldova's energy efficiency in public and residential buildings and the transition to green energy. The EU also supports building capacity and piloting the Moldovan Residential Energy Efficiency Fund. Moldova has also benefitted from EU macro-financial assistance worth 295 million since 2023, of which 220 million was provided in loans and 75 million in grants. Among other priorities, the instalment focused on energy sector reforms. Since 2022, Moldova's grid has been connected to the European continental electricity network. On 1 December 2024, the export capacity from the EU to Ukraine and Moldova was increased from 1.7 to 2.1 GW, including 315 MW for Moldova. Later in December, an agreement was reached whereby Moldova could benefit from capacities unused by Ukraine. Furthermore, with the help of the EU, the Right Bank has been able to fully diversify away from Russian gas supplies in 2022, at the peak of the gas supply crisis. Since then, the Right Bank is exclusively supplied from EU gas markets. Quote(s) In the middle of winter, more than three hundred fifty thousand residents in the Transnistrian region are left in the dark and in the cold because Russia decided to stop its gas deliveries. We simply cannot accept that people on our continent do not have access to the most basic services. But hard times reveal true friends. That is why we are throwing today a lifeline. We will deliver gas to the people of Transnistria and restore their access to electricity and heating. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission At the height of winter, the Kremlin is using energy to blackmail the people of Moldova, which is frankly outrageous albeit unsurprising. The EU will provide 30 million to help Moldova buy and transport national gas to their people. In such times of need, the EU will always support its friends and allies. I also welcome the support offered by Ukraine. Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission The EU continues to stand firmly by Moldova's side and is determined to assist in securing a steady and affordable energy flow to help ensure the livelihood of all of its citizens. We need to act rapidly and decisively in the interests of the Moldovan people to help avoid a humanitarian crisis. Ukraine has also offered to provide energy supplies and we are in close contact to see how this can be implemented under our proposal. After weeks of intense work, we present an offer which shows how European integration is helping stabilise the region. Today's support of 30 million is the first step. A broader package is to follow shortly tackling the social impact of the crisis for all Moldovan people and phasing out Moldovan's dependence on Russian energy. Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement The EU has increased its electricity exports to help Moldova cope in these difficult times. The new emergency package will further help advance our collective goal to phase out Europe's dependency of Russian energy as soon as possible. Dan Jrgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Philippines suspends South China Sea science mission after China 'harassment' The Philippines is expected to file a diplomatic protest over the incident. By BenarNews Staff 2025.01.26 MANILA -- Philippine authorities suspended a scientific survey in the disputed South China Sea after its fisheries vessels faced "harassment" from China's coast guard and navy. Vessels from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) were going to Sandy Cay for a marine scientific survey and sand sampling on Friday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said in a statement on Saturday. "During the mission, the BFAR vessels encountered aggressive maneuvers from three Chinese Coast Guard vessels 4106, 5103 and 4202," PCG said, calling the incident a "blatant disregard" of the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). Sandy Cay is a group of cays - or low reefs - two nautical miles (3.7 km) from Philippines-occupied Thitu island, known as Pag-asa island in the Philippines. Four smaller boats deployed by the China Coast Guard (CCG) also harassed the Philippine bureau's two inflatable boats, the Philippine Coast Guard said. "Compounding the situation, a People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) helicopter, identified by tail number 24, hovered at an unsafe altitude above the BFAR RHIBs, creating hazardous conditions due to the propeller wash," the Philippine Coast Guard said. In a statement, the China Coast Guard said it expelled the Philippine vessels for unlawfully intruding into its waters. China has "indisputable sovereignty" over the disputed waters and that it will continue to protect its maritime rights and interests, China Coast Guard spokesperson Liu Dejun said on Saturday. Philippine authorities suspended the operation following the incident, the Philippine Coast Guard said. The Philippine foreign affairs department is expected to file another diplomatic protest against China over the encounter, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said. Edited by BenarNews Staff. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news organization. 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 Secretary Rubio's Call with Italian Foreign Minister Tajani US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson January 26, 2025 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Secretary Rubio reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Italy alliance to the safety, security, and prosperity of the American people. The Secretary and Foreign Minister Tajani discussed the importance of real burden sharing among all NATO Allies. They also talked about ways to further the U.S.-Italy partnership through close collaboration on shared priorities around the world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Rubio's Call with Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjarto US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson January 26, 2025 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto today and emphasized the importance of further strengthening defense and energy security cooperation. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also discussed strategic engagement beyond Europein Latin America and with China. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Rubio Authorizes Visa Restrictions on Colombian Government Officials and their Immediate Family Members US Department of State Media Note Office of the Spokesperson January 26, 2025 The State Department will continue to enforce and prioritize an America First agenda. Following President Petro's refusal to accept two repatriation flights he previously authorized, Secretary Rubio immediately ordered a suspension of visa issuance at the U.S. Embassy Bogota consular section. Secretary Rubio is now authorizing travel sanctions on individuals and their families, who were responsible for the interference of U.S. repatriation flight operations. Measures will continue until Colombia meets its obligations to accept the return of its own citizens. America will not back down when it comes to defending its national security interests. Under the authority of INA 212 (a)(3)(C), Secretary Rubio can render inadmissible to the United States any alien whose entry "would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States." Visa restrictions would apply to Colombian officials and their immediate family members who meet the criteria. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Security Council Press Statement on Situation in Democratic Republic of Congo Press Release Security Council SC/15982 26 January 2025 The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Amar Bendjama (Algeria): The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms ongoing advances by the M23 in North-Kivu, including the control of Masisi centre on 4 January 2025 and of Sake on 23 January 2025, and expressed serious concerns regarding imminent threats against Goma, which are putting hundreds of thousands of civilians at heightened risk. These advances represent a serious violation of the ceasefire, exacerbate the grave humanitarian and displacement crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and undermine efforts to reach a lasting peaceful and political solution to the conflict through the Luanda process. The members of the Security Council echoed the statement by the Secretary-General dated 26 January 2025 and demanded that the ongoing offensive and advances towards Goma immediately stop. They further called on the M23 to reverse its territorial expansion without delay. The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support to United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), which is acting within its mandate and doing essential work in the DRC, including near Goma, and expressed their strong commitment to the safety and security of its peacekeepers. They paid tribute to all peacekeepers who risk their lives. They expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the peacekeepers killed, as well as to South Africa, Malawi and Uruguay. They also expressed their condolences to the United Nations. They wished a speedy and full recovery to the peacekeepers injured. They reiterated that attacks against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes. They stressed that involvement in planning, directing, sponsoring or conducting attacks against MONUSCO peacekeepers constitutes a basis for sanctions designations pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolutions. The members of the Security Council condemned the ongoing flagrant disregard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC, including the unauthorized presence in the eastern DRC of external forces as reported by the Group of Experts and demanded that these forces withdraw immediately and that the M23 put an end to the establishment of parallel administrations in the DRC territory. They urged all parties to scrupulously abide by the ceasefire. They further reiterated their condemnation of the systematic illicit exploitation of the natural resources in eastern DRC, noting that these actions fuel the conflict. They urged Rwanda and the DRC to return to diplomatic talks to achieve a lasting and peaceful resolution of the protracted conflict in the region including by addressing respective issues pertaining to the presence of Rwanda Defence Forces in the eastern DRC and DRC support to the Forces democratiques de liberation du Rwanda (FDLR) respectively, as reported by the Group of Experts. The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their unwavering support for the ongoing mediation efforts between the DRC and Rwanda through the Luanda Process led by the African Union-designated mediator President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco of Angola. The members of the Security Council are also deeply alarmed by continued occurrences of GPS [Global Positioning System] jamming and spoofing activities in support of M23 operations in North Kivu, which represent imminent risk to civil aviation safety and negatively impact the delivery of humanitarian assistance to populations in need. They called for an end to reported GPS jamming and spoofing and deployment of surface-to-air missiles, which threaten the safety and security of UN peacekeepers, and impede the implementation of their protection of civilians mandate. The members of the Security Council condemned persistent violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights in the eastern part of the DRC, including sexual and gender-based violence, the recruitment and use of child soldiers, and summary killings by armed groups. The members of the Security Council called for all perpetrators to be held accountable. They urged both parties to fully and rapidly implement their commitments agreed under the Luanda process, and to fully cooperate in good faith with Angola in order to accelerate the implementation of the harmonized plan for the neutralization of the Forces democratiques de liberation du Rwanda (FDLR) and the disengagement of forces. Council members also stressed the importance of resuming consultations under the Nairobi Process under the guidance of former President Uhuru Kenyatta to address the protracted issue of armed groups, including the M23, operating in the DRC, and to identify pathways to peace and stability in the region. The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as all States in the region. They recalled resolution 2765 (2024) and expressed their full support to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC and the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New agreement strengthens the presence of the Danish Defence in the Arctic and North Atlantic region Danish Ministry of Defence The political parties behind the Danish Defence Agreement have settled on a new agreement regarding the Arctic and North Atlantic region. This first agreement contains initiatives with financial commitments of a value of approximately 14 billion Danish kroner and the parties agree on the need for a second agreement on this issue to be concluded in the first half of 2025. January 27, 2025 - 20:15 Capabilities such as three new Arctic naval vessels, further long-range drones and satellites are some of the initiatives covered by the agreement on the Arctic and North Atlantic region. The agreement was concluded between the Danish Government and the political parties behind the Danish Defence Agreement in close collaboration with the Greenlandic Government and the Faroese Government. The parties have also agreed on negotiating a second agreement on this issue in the first half of 2025. "We must face the fact that there are serious challenges regarding security and defence in the Arctic and North Atlantic. For this reason, we must strengthen our presence in the region. That is the objective of this agreement, which paves the way for further initiatives already this year," says Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen. "Greenland is facing a changing security landscape. I am pleased with the steps we are taking towards increased security in and around Greenland with this partial defence agreement. Naalakkersuisut is looking forward to continuing the dialogue with the Government of Denmark" says Vivian Motzfeldt, Minister of Statehood and Foreign Affairs. The parties behind the agreement aim to improve capabilities for surveillance and maintaining sovereignty in the region. At the same time, support to Allies and NATO's efforts in the Arctic and North Atlantic is essential to strengthening overall security and defence. Overall, the initiatives entail a financial commitment of 14,6 billion Danish kroner. Among other things, the initiatives include: New Arctic naval vessels Three new arctic naval vessels will ensure that tasks around Greenland may be carried out more effectively and with greater flexibility. The ships will be able to carry other capabilities with them such as helicopters and drones. Long-range drones Two long-range drones with the ability to conduct surveillance over large areas at great distances and provide detailed surveillance. Improved situational awareness and intelligence Satellite capacity and ground-based sensors will strengthen situational awareness and intelligence by identifying and surveying activities in areas such as the Arctic and North Atlantic. Increased admission to the Arctic basic military training The agreement makes it possible for an increased number of young people in Greenland to acquire important skills allowing them to take responsibility for preparedness. The agreement is the first step towards strengthening defence and security in the Arctic and North Atlantic. A second agreement is foreseen to be concluded in the first half of 2025 focusing on strengthening deterrence and defence in the region. The Agreement strengthens societal resilience Ensuring that investments through the agreement can provide support for local workplaces and businesses in the Faroe Islands and in Greenland will be a focal point throughout the implementation of the agreement. The parties agree that it is vital for the initiatives to have a positive effect in the Faroes Islands and Greenland to the greatest possible extent, thereby strengthening the resilience of civil society. This implies among other things that the capacities provided for by the agreement must strengthen the ability of the Danish Defence to support the police, the emergency management agency and other civil agencies in their tasks. Furthermore, the parties agree to strengthen cooperation on intelligence and research and to upgrade the facilities of the Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk. This will allow the Danish Defence to operate under improved security conditions and to work on an increasing number of tasks related to surveillance, maintaining sovereignty, support for Allies, as well as search and rescue in the Arctic and North Atlantic. "It is essential that the strengthened efforts in the Arctic and North Atlantic are carried out in close cooperation with the Faroe Islands and Greenland in order for the initiatives to be rooted in local communities and have a positive impact on civil society. That is what we will achieve with this agreement", says Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen. Read more about the Joint Artic Command here. []-Fact sheet First agreement on the Arctic and North Atlantic-2025.pdf Document NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Kaja Kallas after the meeting European External Action Service (EEAS) 27.01.2025 Brussels EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! Good afternoon, - It is good to be here again. So, together with the European Foreign Ministers we addressed many pressing security issues today, starting with Ukraine's security. Europe is Kyiv's largest international donor. We have provided over 134 billion in total, but it is clear that Ukraine needs more. The front line is moving west but it should be moving east. Ukraine requires more ammunition, air defence, trained soldiers - points that Foreign Minister Sybiha reiterated also today via video. More military support for Ukraine and stronger sanctions on Russia are two sides of the same coin. More military support for Ukraine is very important for our own security as well. So, I welcomed that the Ministers today agreed to extend sanctions on Russia. This will continue to deprive Putin of revenues to fund his war. At the height of winter, the Kremlin is using also energy to blackmail Moldova. So today, in response, the European Union decided to provide 30 million to help Moldova to buy and transport national gas. At the height of winter, the Kremlin is also using different tools, so we will help to restore electricity and heating for over hundreds of thousands of its people, Moldovan people. In times of need, you will always support [your] friends, so we are there for our friends. We also discussed enhancing Europe's own security, [since] Russia's hybrid actions are increasing in frequency and intensity. We saw this across the European Union. The Baltic Sea has seen major cases of damage of undersea installations. Our failure to deter such actions sends a dangerous signal to any aggressor. Weakness invites them in. That is very clear. Together, we are strengthening our situational awareness, preparedness and resilience. Failure to act now risks further aggression - not just from Russia but also from others. Raising the costs for those behind these attacks is essential. This must also include stronger sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet. Developments in the Middle East were also high on the agenda. Today we reached the political agreement to begin easing sanctions on Syria. This could give a boost to the Syrian economy and help the country get back on its feet. While we aim to move fast, we also are ready to reverse the course if the situation worsens. In parallel, we will scale up humanitarian aid and recovery efforts. On Israel and Palestine. The release of Israeli hostages is good news. Palestinians are returning to the north of Gaza. The ceasefire is fragile, but it is holding. We are supporting its implementation, including by redeploying our civilian mission to Rafah to supervise border checks. Reopening the crossing will allow the transfer of injured individuals out of Gaza for treatment. On Lebanon, we already scaled up our support with 60 million for its armed forces and we also agreed today that the situation is ripe to have a European Union-Lebanon Association Council during this year. Then, we also discussed Iran's continuing threats to international peace. Member States made clear that Teheran's practice of detaining foreign nationals for political leverage must end. But we also will have a deeper discussion on Iran, and European Union-Iran policy, in the very near future. On Africa, the European Union closely follows the crisis in Eastern Congo. Ministers urged Rwanda to halt is support to rebels, and withdraw its troops. Attacks on United Nations peacekeepers are unacceptable. In the Western Balkans we continue to prioritise stability. I am glad to announce that the Council today appointed Peter Srensen as the European Union's special representative for the Belgrade Pristina Dialogue. Finally, Ministers also discussed the European Union relations with the United States. The new administration's policies have major implications on the European Union. As the United States shifts to a more transactional approach, Europe needs to close ranks. We are stronger when we are united. That was the view that everybody shared. Europe is an economic heavyweight and geopolitical partner. The United States is our closest ally. Our adversaries are cooperating very closely, so should we. Europe and North America are stronger and safer together. There were a lot of issues today, but we were quite effective. Thank you. Q&A Q. Madame High Representative, I would have a couple of questions on the sanctions on Syria. Would you please elaborate which economic sector, what sanction will be lifted or suspended? Among these sectors, are you including today the political agreement on the banks, plus energy and transport? Could you elaborate on that? And my second question is about the United States suggestion to transfer part of the Palestinian population from Gaza to Sinai and probably from West Bank to Jordan. Both countries, Egypt and Jordan, refused that categorically yesterday and today. What is the European Union's reaction to this suggestion, please? Of course we have a lot of sanctions for Syria. So, we have grouped the sanctions to make this roadmap for a step-for-step approach really to start with the sanctions that are most hindering the early build-up of the country and to move from there. What we are not relieving, of course, is anything related to arms, and arm dealing. We are still concerned of the radicalisation and what might happen. So, right now we have a political decision, we have the roadmap, we have a step-for-step approach so that if we see some steps going in the right direction, we are also willing to ease the next sanctions. What I must say is that this is a political agreement. There are also technical issues to be solved, but I hope, because the political will is there, that these issues will be solved in the weeks. Q. President Trump suggested that part of the Palestinians could be transferred to Sinai and probably to Jordan. Both countries refused that categorically. I think the Palestinian people have suffered a lot and both Israelis as well as the Palestinians really deserve peace. Right now, we have the ceasefire in place, but it requires also the next steps to be taken so that peace would be permanent, and that there is stability and peace in the region. From our point of view, that requires the two-state solution and that requires that the two states are on a more equal basis. And that is why also the European Union is supporting the Palestinian Authority, supporting humanitarian aid, Gaza, UNRWA, for that matter, so that all the services are provided to the people in need there. So, this is our approach. Q. My question is about Greenland. First, I want to ask if the issue was discussed today, perhaps at lunch. Secondly, General Brieger yesterday spoke about a possible military mission there, with some sort of Team Europe approach. Do you agree? And could this be the smart move to placate Trump? Thank you. If I will tell you what we discussed over lunch, then you will ask whether we discussed other issues. We discussed the European Union and the United States relations, and how we should really either change our policy or not change our policy towards the transatlantic relations. Also, we discussed what the new administration and the cooperation with the new administration would look like. It is clear that we are strong also in Europe when we are together, when we are united - also supporting each other in whatever hardships there are for different Member States. But it is also crucial that the United States is our important ally, and we need to cooperate with them on several issues. So, it was a very interesting discussion. [There were] a lot of good ideas on the table on how we could also enforce our policy so that we are looking it from the side of Europe, not so much reacting to what the United States is doing. Q. First, on Syria, you were not really precise on the sectoral sanction lifting, if you could elaborate more? Second, on DR Congo, I was wondering if you foresee a role or function for the European Union to try to mediate what is going on in Eastern DR Congo. On Syria. So, as I said, we have a lot of sanctions in place and there are different levels. In Europe everything is public, so I guess this document will be public as well, the roadmap with the different steps. I actually took all the papers, but I did not take this very exact one. I do not think that I have the time to go over it all. [What I mean is] that we start with the sanctions that are really hindering the buildup of the country. Energy was there and [other sectors as well], but it is a step-for-step approach. Really, we need to see the developments going to the right direction. On Congo, we had a very brief discussion. Attacking United Nations peacekeepers is totally unacceptable, that was clearly voiced. [There is] a lot of concern on what is happening. So of course, the question for us is what kind of role can we also play there. But you know, all these events are very quickly developing on the ground and we are trying to send signals to Rwanda and Congo on what we want to see. How we do not want to see any escalation of the situation. But, as you know, it is very complicated. Q. You describe the United States as your closest ally, but at the same time this closest ally is making a very big threat against the integrity of the European Union - or at least one of its Member States, taking Greenland by force if necessary. Do you think the European Union should take this threat seriously, that they should start preparing for a military invasion of Greenland? Or do you think Trump is somehow laughing and trying to make a deal that even may be detrimental for the European Union? What is your position exactly? Could you tell us if you are ready to make a trip to Washington any time soon to meet with the new administration? I think what is clear for everybody is that the new administration really speaks the language of transaction, and that means negotiating always on different issues. So, we need to speak that language as well. In negotiations, it is always a question of whether you reveal your hand and the positions - when you go to the negotiations - or you do not, because that weakens your hand, if I may say so. One Foreign Minister said also that we should of course listen to what the United States President is saying, but maybe it is not always necessary to take all the words, word by word. But clearly we are listening to what they are saying. When it comes to our relations, I have extended the invitation to the Secretary of State Marco Rubio to also join the Foreign Affairs Council to explain the views of the United States, and I am also willing to visit Washington as soon as possible. Q. On behalf of many Georgian journalists, we want to express our full solidarity and support to our independent colleagues, Mzia Amaglobeli - she is under illegal detention already 16 days and she is on a hunger strike. So, what is your opinion about the situation in Georgia regarding independent and critical journalists? And the second question, we saw a press release from the European Union about decision to suspend visa facility agreement for some kind of diplomatic passports and also service passports owners. So when will this decision work? From which time we can expect this decision working? Of course, we are following the developments in Georgia closely and we see with great concern, of course, what is happening. So that is why we also discussed this today: what more can we do to send signals to the Georgian government that this is not really going to in the right direction in terms of the European path. Of course, there are also things that we can weigh on what more can we do. When it comes to the visas, or the visa liberalisation suspension, the decision was adopted today. Now it is for the Member States to implement this in their internal rules. So, this is how Europe in this regard works. Q. High Representative, you mentioned that you agreed to rollover the sanctions against Russia and how important that was. One Member State, of course, until today was reserving its position, that is namely Hungary, and it agreed to change its position after a statement from the European Commission. Does that statement actually mean anything in concrete terms? Did Hungary get anything out of this or is it just European Commission doing its job? Well, it meant to Hungary, so that mattered. Q. I have two questions on EUBAM. I was wondering whether the deployment of the mission is a precondition to reopen the Rafah border. Also, could you give us a little bit more details about the mission? When is it meant to be deployed, whether it is going to have a limited role for the transfer of injured people or it is going to go forward into trying to transfer also humanitarian aid, whether it is going to stay in time. What are the details that we can know about the mission? On the EUBAM Rafah mission. So, we had the invitation letters from both Palestine as well as Israel, also Egypt agreed to this, saying that this is important for the implementation of the ceasefire as well. We had a mission before, so we are redeploying the mission within the same mandate that we had. If I remember correctly, it is starting already from February, so the people are ready to go and start to work. Q. A clarification on the statement that you issued today for Hungary. Are you asking Ukraine to reopen the gas pipeline that was basically closed because the contract with Gazprom expired? And the second clarification, if I may, you said that you should speak the same language of transactional language of Trump's administration. Do you mean that the EU should negotiate the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Denmark with the US? What are the consequences of that for the international order and for what Russia is doing in Ukraine? First on the statement. So, it was statement of energy solidarity with landlocked countries. This is what it is meant to be. It has, points also referring to Repower EU, that is also saying that we should get rid of Russian fossil fuels and provide our help with the diversification of the energy picture. On the negotiation's comment, so no, we are not negotiating on Greenland. Of course, we are supporting our Member State Denmark and its autonomous region, Greenland, but we should not also go into speculation about what ifs, because this is not the situation right now. What I meant with my comment was more general. This is the language that we have understood that the new administration speaks. So, we should also take into account what is our strength. We are an economic power. We are very much interlinked with America, with all the economic relations that we have, the different relations regarding security, regarding different important connections that we have. So, it is not that America does not have interests in Europe. We are very much interlinked, and this means that we also have something in our hands. It is not like somebody telling us what to do and we are following, but we are also strong and should not underestimate our own power when it comes to whatever, [from] talking to partners but also acting towards our adversaries. Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-266356 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Kaja Kallas after the meeting European External Action Service (EEAS) 27.01.2025 Brussels, Belgium EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! Good morning, everybody, So, yesterday we had a good evening with the Belarusian leader [of the opposition], Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. We were talking about the sham elections that happened in Belarus and, of course, we are standing with the Belarusian people. Belarus is still high in the European agenda. Today, in the morning, we will have a discussion over hybrid threats. We see things happening in the Baltic Sea. We see hybrid action all around Europe. We need to raise awareness. We need to discuss what more we can do in order to avoid this. Then we will have a discussion on Ukraine; I expect a decision to roll over the sanctions we have. Then, of course, it is good that we discuss what more we can do putting pressure on Russia to end this war. It is also good that President Trump has put pressure on Russia to say that it is in their hands to end this war. Then, of course, the Middle East. A lot is happening there. We have a ceasefire in Israel and Palestine. It is of course a welcoming step. It is a first step, but we need to build for a more lasting peace. We are working towards also helping Palestinians in Gaza. We are ready to redeploy our mission to Rafah's border crossing, so that humanitarian aid would reach Gaza. Then, of course, on Syria sanctions, we are also expecting to really ease the sanctions. We are expected to decide today regarding this. It is a step-for-step approach; so, if they are taking the right steps, then we are willing to do the steps on our behalf as well. So, there is a lot on the table today, a lot of discussions and I hope we will get to some important decisions. Q&A Q. On Syria, is the EU ready to ease the sanctions on Syria after the fall of Assad? How is the current relation between the EU countries and EU institutions and the new rulers in Damascus? We expect to reach a decision today to put together a roadmap to ease the sanctions. So, it is clear that we go step-for-step. We start with the sanctions that they need the most to really start the buildup of the country. And then we see if the steps are going to in the right direction. We are also willing to make take steps on our behalf. Q. Can you please confirm that the meeting [inaudible] and Marco Rubio [inaudible] will take part in this meeting? Middle of February is very far away for the intense agenda that we have today. Q. High Representative, about Syria, we are watching closely what the new leaders are doing. There has have been widespread violations against human rights, against minorities in a small town around Homs central city. Do you have a mission there? Have you been informed about this? What is your reaction? We are working closely together with the regional actors, as well as the international actors, to keep an eye on what is happening. We are also ready to open the Embassy there, the European Union Delegation in Damascus, to really have our eyes and ears on the ground. So, like I say: Syria's future is fragile but hopeful. We need to also give space to take the right steps, but of course we need to see the right steps as well. Right now, they are saying all the right words, and they are doing also the right things. Therefore, we have this step-for-step approach; if they make the steps, then we are willing to take the steps as well. Q. On Georgia, what can we expect today? How do you estimate the recent situation? It is already 2 months people are standing in the streets [inaudible]. So, what is your vision? We will briefly discuss Georgia today as well. And of course, we have now the diplomatic passports suspended - [we have] the visa free regime suspended for the diplomatic passports. We have also taken the funds that we had in support of the government and given them to the NGOs, the civil society, I think, to support them in this mission. But it is in the hands of Georgian people to really get this right. Q. President Trump has talked about clearing out Gaza. How do you respond to that? You have some critics say this is ethically [inaudible]. Gaza and the people of Gaza have suffered a lot. I think both the Palestinians as well as the Israelis deserve peace and that is why we really need to move on from the ceasefire to a more permanent peace, and therefore Europe being supportive of the two-state solution, of course supporting Israel's security but also the rights of Palestinians. Europe is the biggest supporter of Gaza by its humanitarian aid but also of UNRWA in the United Nations, so we continue to support the people. Q. What do you think of the mood of the European Union's diplomats towards the United States and what is happening now with Trump? Is there panic? No, we are willing to work always when there are elections. There is going to be a new administration, so we need to work with a new administration. Of course, the style of the different administrations is different, and we need to adapt also our working methods to theirs, but I expect very good cooperation also with the new administration. Thank you. Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-266424 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Tsahkna in Brussels: Strong pressure on Russia will continue Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 27.01.2025 Today 27 January, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna attended the meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels, discussing Russia's aggression against Ukraine, hybrid threats, and the situation in Georgia, Moldova, the Middle East, and Belarus. At the meeting, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna underlined that it was crucial to continue providing military support to Ukraine and pressuring Russia into changing its course, mainly by imposing sanctions and taking Russia's frozen assets into use. "EU countries must expedite and expand their military assistance to Ukraine to help the country to a stronger position on the battlefield, while continuing comprehensive pressure on Russia," Tsahkna said. "It is extremely important that an agreement was reached today on extending existing sanctions imposed against Russia and work on the 16th package of sanctions has begun. EU member states are increasingly aware that sanctions work and really do weaken Russia's economy. When we take the economic tools for waging war away from Russia, we will reach a just peace in Ukraine more quickly." Speaking about hybrid threats, Tsahkna said it was difficult to believe in accidents when damage to submarine infrastructure in the Baltic Sea occurred so frequently. "Today we had in-depth discussions with the foreign ministers about the options for defending critical infrastructure and deterring perpetrators of hybrid activities," Tsahkna said. The meeting of the foreign ministers also covered the suppression of protests in Georgia, the truce between Israel and Hamas, and the situation in Syria. Speaking about the energy crisis in Moldova, the foreign minister announced that Estonia would contribute 50 000 to the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund (EVRF). EU foreign ministers met with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of the democratic forces of Belarus, in Brussels yesterday evening. At the meeting, Tsahkna affirmed that Estonia would not recognise the results of the pretend elections organised by the regime of Alexander Lukashenka. At today's meeting, European Union sanctions were also imposed against three members of Russia's military intelligence (GRU), who conducted a cyber-attack against Estonia in May 2020. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Europe's responsibility is growing: Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels to look at hybrid threats, the United States and Syria Germany Federal Foreign Office 27.01.2025 - Article The EU Foreign Ministers are meeting in Brussels today to discuss urgent foreign and security policy challenges. The first Foreign Affairs Council of 2025 will focus on hybrid threats, the strategic partnership with the United States and support for Syria in its transition phase. Transatlantic security following the change of administration in the United States Now that President Donald Trump has taken office, the EU is looking to cooperation with the new administration in Washington. Reliable transatlantic relations based on trust are essential for Europe's security and economic interests. The transatlantic partnership remains important for European foreign and security policy in particular. But the EU Foreign Ministers know that in future Europe has to assume greater responsibility for its own security. To be perceived as a strong partner, it is crucial that Europe present a united front in its relations with the United States. Especially in the contentious fields of energy cooperation and trade, we as the EU want to approach the United States proactively with proposals so that trade conflicts that would be harmful to both sides can be avoided. Ukraine: Focus on military support and sanctions Almost three years on from the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the EU's position remains clear: we stand unwaveringly shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. That is why support for Ukraine will remain one of the EU Foreign Ministers' biggest priorities in 2025. With the change of administration in Washington, it is more vital than ever that the European pillar of support is further strengthened. There is a need not only for additional military support, including further supplies of modern weapons systems, but also for more financial assistance so that Ukraine can regain peace. This also means an end to Hungary's refusal to wave through disbursement of 6.6 billion from the Support Fund for Ukraine. We will be working towards this at today's Foreign Affairs Council. Along with our EU partners, we are also working to ensure that a 16th package of sanctions against Russia can be adopted by the anniversary of the start of the war on 24 February. As has been the case at previous meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha will join in via video link to report firsthand on the situation in the country and at the front. Syria: Support in the transition phase At the beginning of the year, one issue has produced not only great surprise, but also relief for many people: the fall of the Assad regime and the chance to open a new chapter for Syria. As Europeans, we want to support Syria in the present transition phase so that a different Syria can successfully be built following many years of war and dictatorship. After a visit to Damascus by the German Foreign Minister and her French counterpart on behalf of the EU in early January, at which they reiterated European support for the transitional phase, today's meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council will consider the question of an easing of sanctions for Syria. We are advocating for a gradual easing of sanctions designed to make the process of transition easier. At the same time, our call for an inclusive transition process and the complete destruction of the Syrian chemical weapons programme remains key. Support for humanitarian measures and cooperation with international organisations are especially important in this context. Hybrid threats: Europe is strengthening its resilience Cyber attacks, GPS disruptions, cable damage in the Baltic Sea - so-called hybrid attacks by malicious actors have attained unprecedented proportions. In order to be better armed against these complex threats, today's Foreign Affairs Council will launch a dialogue on effective defence mechanisms. Germany already sent proposals on how to make Europe more resilient to hybrid threats to the other member states last week. Closer networking between the EU member states and a smoother exchange of information between the EU and NATO are particularly important if we are to have a reliable picture of the situation at all times. Only in this way can we respond to attacks in a rapid, decisive and united manner. To afford our critical infrastructure (such as data cables in the Baltic Sea) better protection, we must also involve companies even more in our defences - through regular exercises and stress tests, as well as closer monitoring of our critical infrastructure. In addition, we must not forget that hybrid attacks are being directed not only against us, but also very deliberately against our neighbours - Moldova, Ukraine and the Western Balkans, for instance. We must work closely with our neighbours and tackle hybrid threats together, and we must strengthen defence structures there too. As the EU, we must furthermore use every available means to counter hybrid threats. That is why we must ensure that hybrid activities are subject to even greater sanctions. Wherever the initiator can be clearly identified, attacks must be clearly attributed and must have consequences. Info The Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) is the principal decision-making body for the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and is composed of the Foreign Ministers of the EU Member States. The Foreign Affairs Council is chaired by the High Representative for the CFSP and generally meets once a month. Every six months, the defence, development and trade ministers also hold meetings under the auspices of the Foreign Affairs Council. In cooperation with the High Representative and with the involvement of the European Commission, it is the role of the Foreign Affairs Council to ensure that the EU's external action is unified and coordinated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Arab League rejects attempts to displace Palestinians IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has said the Arab body will not engage in any negotiations regarding the displacement of the Palestinian people from their homes in Gaza or the West Bank. His comments follow a displacement plan for Palestinians floated by US President Donald Trump. "I'd like Egypt to take people. And I'd like Jordan to take people," Trump said on Sunday, prompting immediate reactions from both Amman and Cairo. Aboul Gheit emphasized the Arab world's full support for Egypt and Jordan, which have both rejected any displacement of Palestinians from their homeland. On Monday, the Jordanian Parliament and Foreign Minister responded to Trump's proposal, saying that Jordan will not serve as an alternative homeland for Palestinians. They stressed that efforts to displace Palestinians will not help security in the region. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also issued a statement condemning any breach of Palestinian rights, whether through the construction of settlements, annexation of occupied territories, or forced displacement from their homes. 9341**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas says 25 of 33 Israeli prisoners to be released are alive IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has handed over a list of 33 Israeli prisoners scheduled to be released as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel, including 25 who are still alive. A Hamas official told Reuters on condition of anonymity on Monday that Israel has received the list. Tel Aviv has long sought information about the fate of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza since October 7, 2023, when Palestinian resistance fighters launched a surprise attack against the regime. About 1,200 Israeli settlers and military personnel were killed during the operation and 250 others were taken across the border into Gaza. The initial phase of the ceasefire, which came into effect on January 19, will last six weeks, during which Hamas will hand over several Israeli prisoners in exchange for a considerably larger number of Palestinian prisoners every Saturday. Meanwhile, families of the Israeli prisoners warned against any attempt by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet to disrupt the ceasefire agreement. In a new statement on Monday, they said that some Israeli ministers and media figures were trying to scuttle the prisoner exchange deal with Hamas. Their statement followed comments from far-right former Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who called the agreement with Hamas illegal and warned it would be disastrous for Israel. On Monday, Ben Gvir, who resigned from Netanyahu's cabinet last week over the ceasefire deal, said the return of thousands of Palestinians to their homes in northern Gaza was a victory for Hamas and a failure for Israel. "This is not what total victory looks like; this is what total surrender looks like," he said, urging Israel to resume the war in Gaza. Hamas described the return of Palestinians as a significant triumph for the Palestinian people and a failure of those pushing the "displacement plans" for Gaza. 2050**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran condemns Israel's violation of ceasefire deal in Lebanon IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran has strongly condemned the deadly Israeli attacks on displaced Lebanese people trying to return to their homes in southern Lebanon, in violation of a ceasefire agreement. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that the repeated breaches of the ceasefire deal by Israeli forces were against humanitarian law and a clear example of war crimes. On Sunday, Israeli forces opened fire on those attempting to return to their villages near the border after failing to meet a sixty-day deadline to withdraw from southern Lebanon under the ceasefire deal. Baghaei also said the United States and France were accountable as the guarantors and supervisors of the ceasefire deal in Lebanon. He said that the presence of Israeli forces in southern Lebanon was a continuation of the regime's military invasion of an Arab country and a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He urged the UN Security Council and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to hold the Israeli regime accountable for its acts of aggression. Iran is committed to backing the Lebanese government and nation, as well as resistance groups in the country, against the Israeli regime's expansionism, the spokesman said. 9341**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran condemns deadly hospital attack in Sudan's Darfur region IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has condemned a drone attack on a hospital in El Fasher city in Sudan's western region of Darfur that left at least 70 people dead. Baghaei on Monday condemned the killing of civilians, and attacks on civilian areas including hospitals in the African country, and called for the upholding of the regulations of humanitarian law. The spokesperson also stressed the need for a halt to the ongoing conflict in Sudan through a political solution. The attack on the Saudi Hospital in El Fasher took place on Friday. The World Health Organization said at least 70 people had been killed and 19 others injured in the attack on the medical facility which was one of the last functioning hospitals in El Fasher. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the assault, noting that the hospital was crowded with patients when the attack occurred. The Sudanese army has been at war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces group since April 2023. The RSF is in control of nearly the entire Darfur region. 6125**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Displaced Palestinians begin returning to northern Gaza IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2025 Internally displaced Palestinians begin returning to their homes in the north of the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by the brutal Israeli war. Tehran, IRNA -- Thousands of displaced Palestinians have started returning to what was left of their homes in the northern Gaza Strip as part of a ceasefire agreement that took effect more than a week ago. The displaced Palestinians began returning to northern Gaza on Monday morning. Those taking their journey on foot were allowed to return starting at 7 a.m. local time through Al-Rashid Street and the Netzarim corridor, according to Palestine's Shehab news agency. The people aboard the vehicles were allowed to take their journey two hours later via Salah al-Din Road, and after their cars were searched by security forces. Israel had refused to open the routes to the northern Gaza over the release of female prisoner Arbel Yehud. The regime delayed the opening of the routes for two days, and allowed the return of the residents after Hamas Resistance Movement assured mediators of the ceasefire deal that Yehud would be released soon. On Monday, Hamas issued a statement, describing the return of the displaced people as a triumph for the Palestinian nation, and the failure of the occupiers' attempt to force Gaza residents to relocate. The scenes of the Palestinian people returning to their homes, from which they were forcibly displaced, reflect the strength of the nation and their commitment to their land, Hamas noted, highlighting that these moments demonstrate the people's love for their homeland and send a clear message to those who sought to subjugate the nation and forcibly remove them from their homes. The movement went on to say that the return of the displaced people to their homes proves that the occupying regime failed to break the determination and resilience of the Palestinians. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Truce deal is extended in Lebanon: Report IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2025 Lebanon's premier office issues a statement announcing the extension of the November 2023 ceasefire and the negotiation about the freedom of the prisoners. Tehran, IRNA -- The office of Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, has announced extension of the November 2023 ceasefire deal in the Arab country. The office issued a statement, announcing the truce deal extension between Lebanon and Israel until February 18, 2025, Al Mayadeen reported early on Monday. The decision on such an extension was made after consultation with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and President Joseph Aoun and contact with the American side, according to Mikati's office. An executive committee will follow up implementation of the ceasefire deal based on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, the statement says. As Lebanon requested, the US will start negotiating the release of those arrested by the Israeli regime since October 2023. The ceasefire deal between Lebanon and Israel came into effect on November 27, 2024. Additionally, some news sources announced on January 26 that the Lebanese people and the army of the country entered southern Lebanon despite the hindrance of the occupying regime's military forces. Based on the ceasefire deal, the 60-day deadline for complete exit of Israeli military forces from Lebanon was expired on Sunday, January 26. Regarding the expiration of the deadline, Lebanon's Foreign Ministry issued a statement earlier today urging Israel to leave the Arab country's soil soon. The statement called on the guarantors of the ceasefire and the international sides to compel the Israeli regime leave Lebanon's soil immediately. In its statement, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry condemned Israel's attacks on the civilians who were returning their occupied villages. 1483**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah says Lebanese nation will never surrender to enemy IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2025 Hezbollah hails the Lebanese people's resistance against the Israeli enemy as residents return to their villages in the south. Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanon's Hezbollah Resistance Movement has hailed the return of Lebanese residents to their homes in the south, saying that the nation once again showed that it would never give in to the enemy's threats. In a statement issued early on Monday, Hezbollah praised the resilience of the Lebanese people who stood up against all threats and aggression, highlighting their deep connection to their land and their steadfast role as guardians of national sovereignty, Lebanon's Al Manar news network reported. "Since 2000, this scene has repeated itself. Through their heroic resistance, our people continue to drive out the enemy, reaffirming once again that there is no place for an occupier on this blessed land," the statement reads. It also recalled the words of Israeli-assassinated Hezbollah Leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah who described people's strength and determination as an "unbeatable point of power." The resistance movement issued the statement after groups of residents in southern Lebanon defied an Israeli order and returned to their villages on Sunday that marked the last day of a 60-day period during which Israel was obliged to withdraw from southern Lebanon as part of its ceasefire agreement with Beirut. Israel missed the deadline and kept its troops in the south, claiming that Lebanon had not upheld its end of the agreement. Lebanon also accused Israel of procrastination. In its statement, Hezbollah called on the international community and the guarantors of the ceasefire agreement to shoulder their responsibility regarding Israel's violation of the deal, and force it to completely withdraw from Lebanon. The ceasefire agreement in Lebanon initially took effect on November 27, 2024. The deal has now been extended until mid-February. 9376**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas thanks Egypt, Jordan for rejecting Trump's displacement plan IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2025 U.S. President Donald Trump says Egypt and Jordan should take more Palestinian people from Gaza to "clean out" the Strip. Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, has expressed gratitude to Egypt and Jordan for rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump's call for the transfer of the people of Gaza to the two countries. In remarks on Saturday, Trump said Egypt and Jordan should take more Palestinian people from Gaza to "clean out" the strip. "You're talking about probably a million and half people...I'd like Egypt to take people. And I'd like Jordan to take people," he said. "And we just clean out that whole thing." In response, Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said that his country firmly opposes any displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. In a similar reaction, Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said that the temporary or long-term transfer of Palestinians "risks expanding the conflict in the region." "We appreciate the principled stance of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, rejecting the displacement of our Palestinian people or encouraging their transfer or uprooting from their land under any pretext or justification," Hamas said in a statement late on Sunday. "We reaffirm the steadfastness of our Palestinian people in holding onto their land and their rejection of displacement and expulsion," the statement read. "We call upon the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to assert their firm rejection of all forms of displacement of our Palestinian people and to support their national rights." 'Any displacement plan doomed to fail' Hamas spokesperson Abdel Latif al-Qanua asserted that the Palestinian people are steadfast in their land and any plan to displace them will fail. "What the occupiers could not take from our people through war, they will not achieve through displacement plans," he said. He added that the occupiers are trying to deny their commitments in the ceasefire agreement, but "we will not allow such a thing." In an earlier reaction to Trump's remarks, Hamas called on the U.S. administration to stop making such proposals "that are in line with the Zionist plans and conflict with the rights and free will of our people." It also urged Washington to put pressure on the "criminal occupation" to accelerate the reconstruction of what it destroyed during its brutal war on the Gaza Strip and to restore normal life in the besieged territory. 4354**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Baiba Braze at EU foreign ministers' meeting: a weak Russia is the best security guarantee for the entire Euro-Atlantic space Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 27.01.2025 "Full support to Poland for prioritising security during its the EU Council Presidency. Russia's threats to the Euro-Atlantic space are serious and they will persist. We must continue to invest more in security and defence, and do it faster, since Russia presents a long-term threat to all of Europe and NATO. I fully agree with the new US administration: a weak Russia is the best security guarantee for the whole Euro-Atlantic space, world peace and stability, and a lasting and just peace," Foreign Minister Baiba Braze underlined at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 27 January 2025. At the EU Foreign Affairs Council, ministers agreed to extend EU sectoral sanctions against Russia (renewed every six months). "It has also been decided today to impose EU sanctions on three Russian military intelligence service officers for a cyberattack against Estonia. The attackers were identified last year with the help from Latvia and the Allies - Germany, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic," Baiba Braze noted. She also emphasised that sanctions are working and Russia's economy is already like a crumbling house of cards. "Russia is desperate. It can no longer deceive its people and businesses about how bad Russia's economic situation really is. We must sustain maximum pressure on Russia through robust sanctions. It must also be achieved that EU companies leave the Russian market and no longer channel their funds into its economy." Baiba Braze informed EU foreign ministers of the situation regarding the situation with damage caused to the data cable between Latvia and Sweden. She thanked the Latvian Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC), the Latvian Naval Forces, as well as Sweden, Estonia and other partners for their rapid response and cooperation. Latvia is cooperating with the Baltic Sea region countries and NATO. The Minister also invited the EU External Action Service to engage as concerns cooperation with non-EU countries. The Minister also briefed her counterparts about the exchanges held so far with the new US administration - both before the inauguration and via a phone call with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, 24 January. The officials agreed to strengthen cooperation in defence and security, energy and modern technologies, on further support to Ukraine, as well as constraining Russia in the strongest possible way. The members of the Foreign Affairs Council were addressed via videoconference by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. He stressed that although almost three years have passed since Russia launched a war against Ukraine, it is vital not to yield, this being a Euro-Atlantic conflict, the outcome of which will affect the future international order. Drawing parallels with the 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, Andrii Sybiha underlined that a just peace was achievable. He also called on the EU to work together with the US in all directions to support Ukraine, including to further sustain the strongest possible sanctions against Russia. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, recalled that the EU with its Member States is the second largest donor for Ukraine - the total aid provided to date amounts to at least EUR 134 billion and will keep increasing. All the participants were unanimous about and unwavering and strong military and financial support to Ukraine. Baiba Braze emphasised that this year as well Latvia will provide assistance to Ukraine in the amount of 1% of GDP and 0.25% in military support. Latvia will also ensure further support to Ukrainians in Latvia and will work on new sanctions and their effective implementation. The Member States also agreed on a strong 16th package of sanctions before the third anniversary of Russia's war against Ukraine. Priorities in the next rounds of sanctions include further erosion of Russia's military capabilities through continued pressure on Russia's energy sector, trade in dual-use goods, the financial sector, propaganda machinery, as well as further sanctioning of "shadow fleet" vessels. Baiba Braze pointed out that Latvia will continue working with third countries to prevent them from helping Russia in the circumvention of sanctions. As they discussed cooperation with the new US administration, the ministers highlighted the importance of close further cooperation with the US. "We are interested in strengthening relations with a focus on promoting common interests and transatlantic security," Baiba Braze noted. The Council also addressed the situation in the Middle East, the ceasefire and a prisoner release agreement achieved, and the situation in Syria. Ministers welcomed the intended resumption of the EU Border Assistance Mission to Rafah (EUBAM Rafah). Ministers then exchanged views on the ways for the EU to support Syria's reconstruction and reconciliation process. At the meeting, the European Commission announced an emergency financial support of EUR 30 million to tackle the energy crisis in Moldova, which will help ensure Moldova's energy independence in the long term. In light of latest developments in Georgia, the ministers agreed on suspending parts of the EU-Georgia visa facilitation agreement concerning holders of Georgian diplomatic and service passports, and expressed solidarity and further support for the Georgian democratic forces. On Sunday, 26 January, the EU High Representative and EU foreign ministers with the leader of the Belarusian democratic forces, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, discussed the so-called presidential elections of 26 January. The ministers also shared opinions on tackling hybrid threats. Baiba Braze underlined that the weakening of Russia will also weaken the Lukashenko regime. She expressed Latvia's support for Tsikhanouskaya's leadership and work for the benefit of Belarusian opposition. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address National Armed Forces monitor the situation involving an submarine optical fiber cable in the Baltic Sea Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Defence 01/27/2025 - 12:11 Defence policy In Latvia Information prepared by National Armed Forces On January 26, the Naval Forces of the National Armed Forces received information from the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre regarding damage to the Ventspils-Gotland optical cable identified in Sweden's exclusive economic zone. The Naval Forces immediately dispatched a patrol vessel to inspect a potentially involved ship. The Naval Forces have communicated with NATO allies, including Sweden, and maintain ongoing information exchange. The Naval Operations Center has analyzed vessel movements in the area of the cable damage. Two additional vessels were identified in the approximate underwater infrastructure damage area, located outside Latvia's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. The circumstances of the incident are still under investigation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Secretary General visits Spain and Portugal NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 27 Jan. 2025 Secretary General Mark Rutte travelled to Lisbon and Madrid on Monday (27 January) for discussions on the security situation in Europe, the need to increase defence spending, and the importance of continued support to Ukraine. In Lisbon, the Secretary General met with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro and other members of the government. In Madrid, Mr. Rutte met with the Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and other officials. The Secretary General said that to keep NATO strong, the Alliance must continue to adapt and that to guarantee security in the future, it is necessary to ramp up efforts now. He highlighted the need to spend more on defence and welcomed recent increases in Portugal's and Spain's defence spending, stressing that the goal of 2% set a decade ago "will not be enough to meet the challenges of tomorrow". Speaking in Lisbon, Mr. Rutte said that Russia is challenging the resilience of our countries with acts ranging from assassination attempts to cyber-attacks to sabotage. He thanked Portugal for its significant contribution to innovation in the maritime domain and said that Portugal's Maritime Operational Experimentation Centre helps Allies test and exercise with new technologies, including to improve the resilience of energy and communications infrastructure. "The threats from Russia may seem distant, but let me assure you, it is not. Russian ships and long-range bombers menace the Portuguese coast. Portugal's vital undersea infrastructure is squarely in Russia's sights. And while we deal with the Russian threat, we must also address the challenges coming from the southern neighbourhood, and also the opportunities coming from the southern" he said. During the visit, the Secretary General also thanked Portugal and Spain for their support to Ukraine and stressed that this is crucial, so that when Ukraine decides to go to the negotiating table, they can do this from a position of strength. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'No end in sight': Israeli forces attack occupied West Bank as Gaza ceasefire takes hold, say experts Press releases Special Procedures 27 January 2025 GENEVA -- Israel's intensified military assault against the occupied West Bank marks a dangerous escalation against Palestinians, independent human rights experts* warned today, urging the international community to take principled action to protect the human rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. "We are dismayed by the escalation of deadly violence sweeping through Jenin and the rest of the occupied West Bank," the experts said. "Israel's repression seems to have no end in sight." After weeks of tension and crackdown on the northern West Bank by Palestinian Security forces, the recent scenes of Israeli military and security forces bombing Jenin, destroying vital infrastructure, essential services such as water and electricity, raiding hundreds of homes, preventing the Palestinian Red Crescent medics from reaching injured Palestinians, attacking large crowds of Palestinian residents in the Jenin Refugee Camp and neighbouring cities are only aggravating a deeply unstable situation in the occupied West Bank, the experts said. "A militarised attack only deepens suffering and violence," they said. "An alarming number of civilians from the occupied West Bank and especially Jenin refugee camp have already been detained and at least 16 people killed, including a child that was shot in the head, while at least 3,000 families have been displaced. The Israeli Government must instruct its military and security forces to immediately cease any use of excessive force and exercise restraint and withdraw its troops from the occupied West Bank, as ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July 2024." These acts of aggression are not new for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, the experts noted. In fact, systematic aerial and ground attacks on Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarem and Tubas governorates, particularly targeting refugee camps, have been a feature of the Israeli assault on the West Bank since 7 October 2023. At the end of August 2024, Israeli occupation forces launched a full-scale military operation against these areas, killing at least 39 Palestinians, including women and children and injuring dozens. In December, at the behest of the Israelis, Palestinian Security Forces attacked Jenin refugee camp, resulting in killings and injuries of Palestinians, including children and one journalist. The Palestinian Security Forces withdrew from Jenin as Israel started their latest attack on the city. "The continuity of the violence against Palestinians in the area speaks for itself," the experts said. They also noted their concern about the continued detention of journalists by Palestinian and Israeli security forces and the recent banning of the news organisation Al Jazeera in the West Bank by Palestinian authorities, similar to the ban adopted by Israel in May 2024. The experts were gravely concerned about comments by the Israeli Defence Minister that sought to justify the new onslaught as a response against "Palestinian terrorism." The Minister invoked the concept of "the iron" wall, coined by Jabotinsky, a founder of Zionism, to argue for a crushing, unyielding defence. "The new attacks come in the wake of a US decision to lift limited sanctions on Israeli settlers, and by Israeli authorities to remove administrative detention and other sanctions for Israeli settler violence, effectively offering a greenlight for more unchecked violence against the Palestinian people," the experts said. The violence in the occupied West Bank coincides with unprecedented levels of increased colonies' expansion, armed settler violence, displacement, depopulation and land confiscation by the State of Israel including through settler militias. These violations continue even after the ICJ concluded that this occupation is unlawful, and Israel must dismantle it together with the colonies and its associated regime. "The heightened assault on the occupied West Bank is part of an overall process of Palestinian forced displacement and replacement and the territorial expansion of Israel," the experts said. "This is not an isolated action," they said. "The long-standing impunity granted to Israel is enabling de-Palestinisation of the occupied territory, leaving Palestinians at the mercy of forces pursuing their elimination as a group," the experts warned. "The lack of intervention by States to protect Palestinians in line with international law, is alarming and of catastrophic ramifications," the experts said, urging the international community to urgently step in to stop Israel's assault on Palestinians. "Like other indigenous peoples before them, the Palestinian people seem to have been abandoned to their fate. We cannot let it happen; this would be the greatest failure of the human rights system." *The experts: Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967; Paula Gaviria Betancur, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons; George Katrougalos, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Tlaleng Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health: Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association; and Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences. The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council's independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures' experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Estrada condemns China's use of sonic weapon to harass PCG Philippine News Agency By Wilnard Bacelonia January 27, 2025, 7:07 pm MANILA -- Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada on Monday condemned China's use of a long-range acoustic device (LRAD) to harass Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels in the West Philippine Sea, calling it an "unacceptable provocation" and a serious escalation of aggressive tactics. The PCG said China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3103 used the acoustic weapon on Jan. 25. "Kailanman ay hindi magiging katanggap-tanggap ang pananakot, harassment at pang-aabuso sa ating karapatan, lalo na't nilalagay sa panganib ang mga nagpapatrolya ng ating mga karagatan (Intimidation, harassment and abuse of our rights will never be acceptable, especially if it puts those who patrol our oceans at risk)," Estrada said in a statement. He added that the use of the device, which poses risks of irreversible hearing damage, constitutes a grave violation of international maritime laws. Estrada urged China to stop its provocative actions and "adhere to international norms." He also called on the global community to support the Philippines in upholding international law and ensuring freedom of navigation. In light of this, the senator highlighted the significance of the Philippines' participation in Talisman Sabre 2025, the largest joint military exercise between Australia and the United States. "This undertaking emphasizes the importance of regional defense cooperation. Strengthening our ties with allies and partners through such engagements is vital to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific," the lawmaker said. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PH, US hold training to strengthen maritime security Philippine News Agency By Ma. Teresa Montemayor January 27, 2025, 3:55 pm MANILA -- The Philippine Coast Guard and their counterparts from the United States Coast Guard carried out a multinational Boarding Officer Course in Davao City to boost the capabilities and enhance the cooperation of maritime law enforcement agencies in the region. The course, which is funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the US Department of State, featured US-trained PCG instructors and instructors from the USCG and Vietnam Customs. Participants were trained on the safe conducting of vessel boardings at sea, maritime law, evidence collection and preservation, safety and risk mitigation, and arresting techniques. "It's exciting to witness the professional growth and confidence displayed by our multinational instructor group and student participants. We are impressed by their desire to not only master the technical aspects of the course but also to seamlessly interact with and assist one another to optimize the experience," USCG Team Lead Lt. Dana Schmitt said. The course gathered members of the PCG and the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, and partners from the Vietnam Coast Guard, Vietnam Customs Anti-Smuggling and Investigations Department, Vietnam Department of Fisheries Surveillance, and the Indonesia Coast Guard. The Australian Border Force also observed the first week of activities. "U.S. expertise, resources, and guidance are invaluable in ensuring that we are better equipped to address maritime threats. Together, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that our maritime sovereignty remains a zone of peace, safety, and prosperity for all," Commodore Rejard Marfe, Commander of Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao, said. This was the first International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs-USCG training held in Mindanao. Previous USCG Southeast Asia Training Team maritime law enforcement courses were held in Palawan in May 2023, La Union in November 2023, and Cebu in May 2024. The SEATT program will continue to convene multiple training events in the country this year while integrating PCG instructors into courses being co-hosted by partner nations. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah chief: Lebanon won't forget Iranian, Iraqi support during Israeli war Iran Press TV Monday, 27 January 2025 7:14 PM The secretary general of Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement says the Lebanese people will not forget the unflinching support that the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq offered them during the intense Israeli air and ground onslaught against their homeland. Sheikh Naim Qassem made the remarks in a televised speech aired live from the Lebanese capital Beirut on Monday evening. "Victory in Gaza belongs to Palestinian people, the regional nations who supported them as well as all freedom-seeking people across the globe." The Hezbollah chief went on to say that the Israeli plot aimed at the destruction of the Gaza-based Palestinian Hamas resistance movement failed dismally, and exposed the Tel Aviv regime's weakness. "The Zionist enemy would not have lasted a week without the unqualified American support," he said. Sheikh Qassem emphasized that resistance is a political, national and humanitarian option to confront the Israeli occupation and liberate occupied lands. He stated that the objectives behind the unprecedentedly large-scale Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, launched by Gaza-based resistance groups against the usurping regime on October 7, 2023, have been achieved. "The Israeli enemy failed the test of honor and humanity, and turned out to be a criminal entity working to exterminate human beings. Israel emerged as a war criminal and could not recover its captives by any means other than an agreement with Hamas," the Hezbollah leader underscored. Sheikh Qassem described the Israeli onslaughts on Lebanon and the Gaza Strip as acts of aggression unconditionally supported by the US and certain Western governments. "The US and Israel wanted to put an end to the Resistance. It, however, withstood the scheme through legendary steadfastness and enormous sacrifices that yielded outstanding fruits." He stated that Hezbollah proved itself to be cohesive and capable of filling the leadership vacuum within days following the assassination of its secretary general Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in a massive Israeli airstrike on southern Beirut in late September. "Everyone saw who the heroes of the Resistance were. Our people made great and tremendous sacrifices, so the Resistance Front emerged cohesive and strong, revitalized, and worked to fill the vacancies within ten days. "Resistance operations deterred the Israeli enemy, and did not allow it to advance on the Lebanese soil, except for hundreds of meters. We agreed with the Lebanese government to accept a ceasefire deal [with Israel], and this is a victory," Sheikh Qassem stated. He said Hezbollah's defensive deterrent power has prompted people to believe that the group's military power is at a level, where deterrence is sustainable. The Hezbollah chief said whilst his group stood fully committed to the ceasefire agreement, the Israeli enemy violated it 1,350 times. "The Zionist violations underline Lebanon's need for resistance. A campaign was launched against us to sell the false notion of victory over the Resistance. The objective of demoralizing us has not been achieved and will never materialize. The Resistance has emerged triumphant and will always be victorious, thanks to its martyrs and sacrifices," Sheikh Qassem said. The Hezbollah secretary general stressed that Israeli forces must withdraw from southern Lebanon, and that his group does not accept any justification for extending the 60-day pullout deadline set by the ceasefire agreement with the Tel Aviv regime. "We are facing an occupation force, which is attacking and refusing to withdraw. The Resistance has the right to respond in the proper form, nature, and timing. "This is an occupation of Lebanese lands, and we call on everyone to assume their responsibility," Sheikh Qassem stated. The Hezbollah chief finally stressed the need for national unity in Lebanon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Qassam commander killed in Israeli drone strike on West Bank's Tulkarm Iran Press TV Monday, 27 January 2025 2:43 PM A commander of the Gaza-based Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, has been killed in an Israeli airstrike on the occupied West Bank. Local Palestinian media reports said the Tulkarm commander, Ihab Abu Attiya, was killed when an Israeli drone struck his vehicle near the camp in the Nur Shams on Monday. Hamas in a statement confirmed that Abu Attiya had "ascended to martyrdom as a result of the occupation's targeting." The resistance movement said the strike was a "desperate attempt to eliminate the resistance." Hamas said, "The timing of the assassination, which coincided with the occupation's intensification of its war in the West Bank, confirms that it will not bring it security and stability." In a video recorded two days ago, Abu Attiya was seen while receiving the Palestinians released following the prisoner exchange deal with the Israeli regime. An Israeli military raid is ongoing in the vicinity of Tulkarem camp in the northern occupied West Bank. Israel has released a list of more than 700 Palestinian prisoners, who are to be released under the deal. More than 230 prisoners are serving life sentences and will be permanently sent to exile upon their release. Hamas has said Israel was forced to "open the doors of his cells to our heroic prisoners," after more than 14 months of "unprecedented brutal aggression that targeted every inch of Gaza in its barbarity." Since the ceasefire took effect in Gaza, the regime has targeted the refugee camp of Jenin. On Sunday, the Health Ministry said 26-year-old Abdul Jawad Yasser al-Ghoul, who was injured on January 21, succumbed to his injuries. His death has brought to 16 the number of those killed in Jenin. Israel's military action has not been confined to Jenin. Israel's intensified raids in the West Bank have drawn condemnations. The UN has warned that Israel may repeat its campaign of genocide in Gaza in the West Bank. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Harsh conditions await returnees to war-wracked north Gaza: UNRWA Iran Press TV Monday, 27 January 2025 10:48 AM The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has warned that displaced people who are returning to northern Gaza face high risks, as Israeli strikes have destroyed about 90 percent of buildings and public infrastructure and they lack access to basic essentials in the area. "The risks of unexploded devices, particularly for children, are very high. And mostly the access to food, to daily comforts is almost non-existent except for - thankfully, over the last eight days of the ceasefire - the aid that has come in," UNRWA Director of External Relations and Communications Tamara Alrifai told al Jazeera on Monday. Earlier in the day, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians began returning to the northern part of the war-wracked Gaza Strip after a ceasefire deal was reached between the Palestinian resistance group Hamas and Israel that includes exchange of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has called the return "a victory" for Palestinians, while the Palestinian Islamic Jihad said it was a "response to all those who dream of displacing our people." Alrifai said 60 percent of the food that has entered Gaza since the ceasefire began was brought in by UNRWA, the largest humanitarian agency working in the Strip. "UNRWA has the largest number of trucks, the warehouses, and the shelters with up to one million people inside them. We have the acceptance by the communities in Gaza," the official said. "We coordinated closely with other UN agencies and international NGOs when our food and other supplies were banned and not coming in," she added. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was reached after 15 months of the regime's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, which claimed the lives of at least 47,306 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The regime accepted the ceasefire after failing to realize any of its wartime objectives, including freeing the captives, "eliminating" the Gazan resistance, and causing forced displacement of Gaza's entire population to neighboring Egypt. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lebanese nation's strong will, spirit 'most powerful weapons' of Resistance: Hezbollah Iran Press TV Monday, 27 January 2025 9:14 AM The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement has praised the return of thousands of people to their still-occupied towns in southern Lebanon in defiance of Israeli military threats, saying their unyielding will and indomitable spirit form the strongest weapons of the Resistance. In a statement on Sunday evening, Hezbollah described January 26 as a "Glorious Day of God" and a "majestic scene of honor and dignity crafted by the people of Resistance." According to Lebanese authorities, Israeli forces killed 22 people in south Lebanon on Sunday as a deadline for their withdrawal passed and thousands of people tried to return to their homes. Hezbollah went on to commend the resilience of Lebanese people, highlighting their close connection to their homeland, their firm attachment to every inch of Lebanon's soil, their steadfast role as guardians of national sovereignty, and their unwavering resilience against all threats and acts of aggression. "Since 2000, this scene has repeated itself. Through their heroic resistance, our people continue to drive out the enemy, reaffirming once again that there is no place for an occupier in this blessed land, watered by the blood of martyrs," the statement added. Hezbollah lauded the powerful symbolism of returning residents and their carrying images of martyrs and the group's flags as a testament to perseverance, steadfastness and victory. "This unyielding will and indomitable spirit form the strongest weapon of the Resistance," the statement noted. It also recalled the words of late Hezbollah secretary-general Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who described this strength as an "unconquerable point of power." The Lebanese resistance group reiterated that Hezbollah remains loyal to the sacrifices of its martyrs and that no force, irrespective of its might, can withstand the blessed popular wave seeking liberation and ultimate defeat of the occupying Tel Aviv regime. Hezbollah also underscored the outstanding value of the "Army-People-Resistance" equation, describing it as a tangible reality. This unity shields Lebanon from the treachery of its enemies, and is embodied daily through the sacrifices of its people, it stated. Hezbollah also called on the entire Lebanese society to stand united with their southern compatriots, reaffirm the values of national solidarity, and strive together for true sovereignty defined by liberation and victory. The resistance group finally urged the international community to hold Israel accountable for its violations and crimes, and to ensure its full withdrawal from Lebanese territories. As per the ceasefire agreement reached in November, Israeli forces had to leave Lebanon within 60 days, by January 26, in return for Hezbollah's evacuation of the Litani River - about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the border - and dismantling any remaining military infrastructure in the south. Since the start of the agreement though, the occupation forces have been conducting near-daily attacks on Lebanon in violation of the ceasefire, including airstrikes across the Arab country. On January 10, Lebanon complained to the UN Security Council over Israeli acts of aggression on agricultural lands and livestock in the southern part of the country in violation of the truce agreement. Hezbollah has put on the Lebanese government the onus to ensure the full withdrawal of Israeli military forces from southern Lebanon. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah has said Lebanon is committed to the ceasefire deal, but that Israel had turned against it with US support. Lebanon said on Monday it would extend a ceasefire deal with Israel until mid-February, even though the Israeli military failed to meet a deadline to withdraw its troops and killed nearly two dozen people in the south of the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. In the days leading up to President Donald Trump's visit to Appalachian North Carolina, Monica Glowinski said her biggest prayer for the people of Buncombe County, which was devastated by the wrath of Hurricane Helene, was that Trump would not let their plight be forgotten. "I am optimistic that President Trump is focusing his energies here," she said, adding that she hopes it is not a false promise. "Because I just don't think the people could handle that at this point." Glowinski, who has been driving six hours each way from her home in Columbia, South Carolina, for four months straight with supplies such as food, water and diapers to those affected in Swannanoa, North Carolina, said she was called to service just days after the images started to emerge from western North Carolina. "We had a dear friend who lived in the Asheville area reach out to us to see if she could borrow our generator. Her neighborhood was without power, and she had elderly and sick neighbors that she wanted to take care of," Glowinski explained. Her friend from Asheville came to pick it up and stopped at a Sam's Club in South Carolina because nothing was open in her area. "As she shared with us the devastation in the area, we asked what was needed. She said 'everything,' so we reached out to friends and neighbors for donations with our intent to take items up to the mountains," Glowinski recounted. Through her work in those first few days, Glowinski made her way to a mini-distribution hub at Bell United Methodist Church in Leicester, North Carolina, and was gutted by what she saw there. "When we got there, I was shocked by the devastation. It was apocalyptic. People who had come to that church made me realize that this wasn't a one-and-done effort," she said. "There were people who came out in their pajamas because that was the only thing they had left as they fled their homes. One woman didn't have her dentures and was asking if she could take baby food. Another woman whispered in my ear, 'I don't have a bra.' These folks had nothing." Glowinski wept the entire drive home and knew she had to do something. "I reached out to a group of ladies in my community who all had different skillsets," she said. "We started an Amazon wish list. We had a woman in our group who was a social (media) influencer, and she raised gas money for us because we knew that we would be making a lot of runs to the mountains." On Friday, Trump made good on his promise. He told me during our interview in Butler on Oct. 5 of last year that he would make sure the people of North Carolina were taken care of if he won. Trump, joined by first lady Melania Trump, arrived Friday morning on Air Force One at Asheville Regional Airport and was greeted by Gov. Josh Stein (D-N.C.). He then embarked on a tour of areas where many are in dire need. For months, recovery efforts have slogged along after Helene devastated this area with bands of historic rainfall that began pounding western North Carolina on the morning of Sept. 27, 2024. During a press briefing, Trump said that after seeing the persistent devastation and talking with some of the victims who have had to rely on each other and their faith, he thinks the Federal Emergency Management Agency is too bureaucratic and slow. He suggested that state governments should be empowered to handle disasters within their borders. In an emotional moment, Trump invited families who had their lives changed forever by the mudslides to come up to the microphone and discuss their frustrations with the recovery process. Each story was a gut wrench in understanding what people have been experiencing for months, from losing homes that have been their families for generations to struggling to find shelter. Trump vowed to surge housing solutions to the area by signing an executive order Friday to lift bureaucratic red tape, fast-tracking construction of roads, bridges and infrastructure. "The highest responsibility and deepest obligation of the American government is to protect its people, and that has never been truer than in times of emergency like this," Trump said. The moment was very similar to when Trump traveled to East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023 after a toxic train derailment left the entire village worried about the long-term impacts on their lives. The Biden administration took weeks to address the carnage and a year to visit. During his 2023 visit to East Palestine, Trump said people in places like their Columbiana County village had been "forgotten" by the Biden administration. "You are not forgotten. We stand with you. We pray for you. And we will stand with you and your fight to help ensure the accountability that you deserve," Trump told a crowd of local faith and elected leaders, first responders and people in the community gathered at the fire station in town that day. The 47th president was equally critical of the former president Friday for not making recovery efforts an urgent priority. Both former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris were seen as dismissive and incompetent in their reaction to Helene. When the hurricane made landfall on Sept. 26, 2024, Biden was at his home in Rehoboth Beach. Harris, then the Democratic nominee for president, was attending fundraisers in California. It took six days after the storm made landfall before the Defense Department announced that it had been authorized to deploy troops to the hurricane response zone. Trump said unfortunately our government has failed you, "but it wasn't the Trump government. It was the government run by Biden." Much of the help delivered to affected communities came from volunteers like Glowinski. Instead of the federal government, people relied on a network of different faith communities from all over the region. The damage in Swannanoa is unimaginable, Glowinski explained. "The first time I went there, I was so overwhelmed. The living conditions of these folks is hard to comprehend in a country as great as ours. They were sleeping in tents next to the debris of their house, surrounded by hurricane debris. These people are living amongst garbage," she said of the third-world conditions. "I have seen the best of people in those mountains. I have met strong, powerful and organized women from across the country whose sole intention is to help these people." Glowinski said she would offer up any of them to lead FEMA. "I have also seen the worst of people. A government who failed to act and lacked empathy. Individuals and organizations, even churches, which took advantage or looked away from the needy," she said, clearly in despair. Trump told the press that changes are coming. "We are very disappointed in the Biden administration, but we are going to make up for lost time. I said I would do that. This is about the earliest we could possibly be here," he said four days after he was sworn into office. (COMMENT, BELOW) Salena Zito is a CNN political analyst, and a staff reporter and columnist for the Washington Examiner. She reaches the Everyman and Everywoman through shoe-leather journalism, traveling from Main Street to the beltway and all places in between. Israeli forces intensify West Bank raids, kill teenager near Qalandia Iran Press TV Monday, 27 January 2025 7:28 AM Israeli forces have killed a Palestinian teenager and injured two other people in the occupied West Bank, amid intensified raids on Ramallah. The 18-year-old Adam Sub Laban was killed near Qalandia military checkpoint, the main checkpoint between Ramallah and East al-Quds, on Sunday night. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, the Israeli forces also opened fire on two other Palestinians near the checkpoint, leaving them injured. That came as the troops raided several areas in Ramallah Province on Sunday. During the raid on al-Mughayyir village, east of Ramallah, Israeli forces detained a young man after ransacking his home. In the northern part of the province, the regime's forces stormed the villages of Ein Siniya and Jifna, as well as the town of Birzeit. They also raided the village of Ni'lin, west of Ramallah. In the West Bank city of al-Khalil, Israeli forces also detained two people after raiding their homes on Sunday. Also on Sunday, five Palestinians were detained in Marda Village in Salfit Province. The detentions were made when Israeli forces stormed the village and raided a number of homes, according to local sources. Israeli forces have also closed the two main entrances to the village, and banned residents from leaving or entering it with their vehicles. In Bethlehem, Israeli forces on Sunday raided the town of al-Khader, where they stationed their troops in the areas of al-Bawaba and the Grand Mosque. The troops also used tear gas and sound grenades against the residents. Meanwhile, Israeli forces stormed the village of al-Lubban al-Sharqiya and the town of Qabalan, south of Nablus, firing sound bombs and tear gas at the residents, which caused many people to suffer from breathing difficulties. Many cases of breathing difficulties were also reported when Israeli forces on Sunday stormed the town of al-Ram, north of Occupied al-Quds, using sound bombs and tear gas against the locals. The Israeli forces continued to destroy homes and set fire to others in the Jenin refugee camp. More military reinforcements, backed with bulldozers, were also deployed to the city of Jenin on Sunday. Earlier in the day, Kamal Abu al-Rub, governor of Jenin, said at least 20 homes have been destroyed in the camp as Israeli forces plan to divide it into four parts. He expressed his concern over the possibility of the presence of casualties trapped under rubble, as ambulances were prevented from reaching them. Since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in Gaza last week, the occupying regime has launched a deadly rain on Jenin and its camp. The Health Ministry reported on Sunday that the 26-year-old Abdul Jawad Yasser al-Ghoul, who was injured by Israeli forces last Tuesday, succumbed to his injuries. His death has brought to 16 the number of those killed in the raid on Jenin and its camp since Tuesday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At least 70 Sudanese massacred as RSF insurgents attack hospital in besieged El Fasher Iran Press TV Monday, 27 January 2025 7:08 AM An attack by the Sudanese insurgents, known as Rapid Special Forces (RSF), on the only functioning hospital in the besieged city of El Fasher in western Sudan has killed nearly 70 people and injured 19 others. The attack on the Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital happened while the hospital was packed with medical staff and patients, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X. "The appalling attack on Saudi hospital in El Fasher, Sudan, led to 19 injuries and 70 deaths among patients and companions," he stated. "The hospital provides services which include gyn-obstetrics, internal medicine, surgery and pediatrics, along with nutrition stabilization center." Saudi Arabia has also condemned the attack on the hospital as a "violation of international law and international humanitarian law." Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN coordinator of humanitarian efforts in Sudan, warned on Thursday that the insurgents had given "a 48-hour ultimatum to forces allied to the Sudanese Armed Forces to vacate the city and indicated a forthcoming offensive." "Since May 2024, El Fasher has been under RSF siege," she said. "Civilians in El Fasher have already endured months of suffering, violence and gross human rights abuses under the prolonged siege. Their lives now hang in the balance due to an increasingly precarious situation." According to the UN figures published in December, The RSF siege of El Fasher has killed at least 782 civilians and wounded more than 1,140 others. The UN said the true figures are likely to be higher. RSF Began their insurgency in April 2023. Their indiscriminate attacks against civilians and based on ethnicity have resulted in the death of more than 28,000 people, forced millions to flee their homes and left some families eating grass in a desperate attempt to survive the famine that has swept parts of the country. In recent weeks, the RSF forces have been losing ground to the Sudan military under the command of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. They have lost control of the Khartoum refinery, the biggest in Sudan and crucial to its economy and that of South Sudan. Burhan's forces also say they broke an RSF siege of the Signal Corps headquarters in northern Khartoum. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas hails historic return of Palestinians to north Gaza; Israel's Ben-Gvir fumes at 'defeat' Iran Press TV Monday, 27 January 2025 6:06 AM Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have begun returning to the northern part of the war-wracked Gaza Strip after a deal was reached between Hamas and Israel over exchange of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners. It was announced that Hamas has agreed to release female Israeli captive Arbel Yehud and two others by Friday and provided information on the conditions of those set to be freed in the first phase of the ceasefire deal. Gazans describe the return as historic, saying this is a victorious day. The displaced Palestinians had been stranded behind Israeli military barriers despite the ceasefire. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was reached after 15 months of the regime's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip. The implementation of the first phase of the deal began on January 19 and is expected to witness release of more than 1,890 Palestinians for 33 Zionists, who are among the 240 that Gaza's resistance groups captured in October 2023. The captives were ensnared during the historical Operation al-Aqsa Flood that served as an instance of retaliation against the regime's decades-long campaign of Western-backed occupation and aggression against Palestinians. The subsequent war claimed the lives of at least 47,306 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The regime approved of the ceasefire after falling short of realizing any of its wartime objectives, including enabling the return of the captives, "eliminating" the Gazan resistance, and causing forced displacement of Gaza's entire population to neighboring Egypt. On Sunday, Hamas lambasted the regime for delaying the implementation of the ceasefire deal after Israeli forces killed and injured the Palestinians trying to return to the north. Earlier, however, the regime said Palestinians could begin returning to the north on Monday after Gaza's Islamic Jihad resistance movement confirmed that Israeli captive Arbel Yehud would be released before the next scheduled captive/prisoner swap. Qatar, which had mediated ceasefire talks between Tel Aviv and Hamas alongside Egypt, had also announced that Hamas had agreed to release Yehud and two others by Friday and provided information on the conditions of those set to be freed in the first phase of implementation of the ceasefire deal. Hamas hails victory The movement, itself, issued a statement, describing the return of the displaced people as "a victory" for Palestinians and a defeat for the Israelis. It said the scenes of the return of Palestinians to the areas from which they had been displaced, confirmed their connection to their land and once again proved "the failure of the occupation to achieve the aggressive goals of displacing people and breaking their steadfast will." The Islamic Jihad also described the return as a response to all those, who used to harbor the dream of enabling forced exodus of Palestinians. "In an epic scene, hundreds of thousands of our displaced people are returning to northern Gaza, an area, which had been turned into a heap of rubble as a result of Zionists' atrocities," the group said. It also described the Israeli regime's conditioning the return of the displaced to Yehud's release as an international move on the part of Tel Aviv to "destroy our people's happiness in Gaza." "On this occasion, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement asserts that our people's steadfastness would destroy whatever Zionist dream there is of stealing happiness from our hearts, and break the chains of the prison guards and occupiers." Former extremist Israeli minister furious over return The Israeli regime's former minister of so-called "national security," Itamar Ben-Gvir, however, decried the return as a victory for Hamas. "The opening of the Netzarim highway this morning and the entry of tens of thousands of Gazans into the northern Gaza Strip are images of Hamas' victory and another humiliating part of the reckless deal. This is not what 'complete victory' looks like - this is what complete surrender looks like," he wrote on X, former Twitter. The Israeli soldiers did not fight and give their lives in the Gaza Strip to make these photos possible, he said, adding, "We must return to war - and destroy!" Ben-Gvir resigned from his post earlier this month in protest at the ceasefire deal. He has long been opposed to cessation of the brutal Israeli military onslaught and called for the regime to "occupy" Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel to let displaced Palestinians return to north Gaza Iran Press TV Monday, 27 January 2025 2:55 AM The Israeli regime has said Palestinians could begin returning to the north of the Gaza Strip on Monday after the Islamic Jihad resistance movement confirmed that Israeli captive Arbel Yehud will be released before the next scheduled prisoner swap. Israeli authorities have used her continued detention as an excuse to prevent hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians from returning to their homes in northern Gaza in violation of a ceasefire agreement. In a statement released on Sunday, the Islamic Jihad spokesman Mohammed Al-Hajj Musa announced a deal had been reached regarding Yehud. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Sunday that a deal was reached with Hamas for the release of another six hostages. "After firm negotiations, Israel will allow Gaza residents to cross into the northern part of the Strip starting tomorrow morning," Netanyahu's office said on Sunday. "An additional phase of prisoner releases will be implemented next Thursday, during which Arbel Yehud, Agam Berger, and another prisoner will be released, and next Saturday three more prisoners will be released. Israel also received from Hamas a list of the status of all prisoners in the first phase." The breakthrough preserves a fragile ceasefire in the Israeli war in Gaza, which has devastated the Gaza Strip and displaced nearly all its residents. Israel had been preventing vast crowds of Palestinians from using a coastal road to return to northern Gaza. Meanwhile, Palestinian resistance groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad have condemned a plan floated by US President Donald Trump to "clean out" the Gaza Strip. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, Trump suggested cleaning out the Palestinian land and relocating the war-stricken people there to neighboring Arab countries, namely Egypt and Jordan. "You're talking about probably a million and half people ... I'd like Egypt to take people. And I'd like Jordan to take people," he said. "[W]e just clean out that whole thing," he said. Trump added that he expected to talk to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi on Sunday. In the meantime, the Palestinian leaders and people in Gaza condemned any attempt to relocate them, saying such a move is reminiscent of a dark page in Palestine's modern history known as the "Nakba" or catastrophe - when millions of Palestinians were forcibly displaced to create room for Israel's illegal creation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended till February 18 Iran Press TV Monday, 27 January 2025 2:17 AM A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon has been extended for about three more weeks after the regime refused to withdraw its forces in line with the original deal. The announcement came through an official statement by the White House on Sunday. It confirmed that the arrangement between Lebanon and Israel will continue to be in effect until February 18, 2025. It added that Lebanon, Israel and the US will also hold negotiations for the return of Lebanese prisoners abducted after October 7, 2023. The Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati also confirmed the extension, adding that Lebanon will respect it. According to the ceasefire deal announced between Israel and Hezbollah in November, Israeli troops had been due to withdraw from southern Lebanon on Sunday. "The Lebanese government reaffirms its commitment... to continue implementing the ceasefire agreement until February 18, 2025," Mikati said in a statement, according to the AFP news agency. The new development came after earlier on Sunday, Israeli forces opened fire on the Lebanese people who were trying to return to their homes in the south, killing at least 22 civilians and wounding more than 120 others. The Lebanese citizens, however, vowed they would return to their villages and towns, despite Israeli threats. The pullout was stipulated in a ceasefire deal between Israel and the Hezbollah resistance movement. The regime forces, however, did not leave the occupied areas in a blatant violation of the truce agreement and an infringement on Lebanon's sovereignty. Over the weekend, the Israeli military warned Lebanese people not to return to their hometowns in the country's south and put up barricades in the area. Israel was forced to accept the ceasefire with Hezbollah on November 27, 2024, after suffering heavy losses on the battleground and failing to achieve its goals despite killing over 4,000 people in Lebanon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tensions Rise As U.S., Taliban Exchange Threats By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi January 27, 2025 Tensions between Washington and Taliban leaders in Afghanistan are rising a week into President Donald Trump's return to the White House. Secretary of State Marco Rubio threatened on January 25 to place a bounty on Taliban leaders if the United States determines the group has imprisoned American citizens. "Just hearing the Taliban is holding more American hostages than has been reported. If this is true, we will have to immediately place a VERY BIG bounty on their top leaders, maybe even bigger than the one we had on [Al-Qaeda leader Osama] Bin Laden," Rubio wrote on X. Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban's acting interior minister, is currently the only senior member of the group on the FBI's most wanted list. However, dozens of Taliban officials are sanctioned by the United Nations. Rubio's comment came days after the Taliban released two Americans in exchange for a member of the Taliban serving a life sentence in the United States on drug and terrorism charges. The Taliban's first formal response to Rubio came on January 27, with Suhail Shahin, the group's ambassador to Qatar, claiming that it was the Taliban's policy to resolve issues peacefully through dialogue. However, he warned in a statement to RFE/RL's Radio Azadi, "in the face of pressure and aggression, the jihad [struggle] of the Afghan nation in recent decades is a lesson that everyone should learn from." The Taliban fought U.S. and NATO troops for nearly 20 years until its return to power in 2021 following a chaotic and bloody withdrawal of foreign forces. A U.S. Department of Defense report in 2022 said around $7 billion dollars worth of military equipment was left behind in Afghanistan during the withdrawal, which were subsequently seized by the Taliban. Ahead of his inauguration on January 21, Trump warned that if the Taliban did not return U.S. military equipment, he would cut future financial assistance to Afghanistan. The Taliban has not publicly responded to Trump, but a source told Radio Azadi that the group "will not give even a single bullet back to the United States." Since the withdrawal of foreign forces, the United States has channeled around $3 billion through the United Nations and nongovernmental organizations to help humanitarian programs in Afghanistan. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-taliban-tensions-rubio- bounty-american-hostages/33290649.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 Secretary Rubio's Call with Jordan's King Abdullah US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson January 27, 2025 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan today. The Secretary and King Abdullah discussed implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the release of hostages, and creating a pathway for security and stability in the region. Secretary Rubio thanked Jordan for supporting the ceasefire through its integral role in providing humanitarian assistance through the Jordan Corridor. Secretary Rubio expressed to King Abdullah the United States' commitment to deepening the 75-year-strong U.S.-Jordan bilateral partnership founded on shared goals for regional security and stability. The Secretary and King Abdullah also discussed developments in Syria and reaffirmed the importance that Syria not be used as a base for terrorism or pose a threat to its neighbors. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Rubio's Call with Democratic Republic of the Congo President Tshisekedi US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson January 27, 2025 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi today to discuss the bilateral relationship and further enhancing our ties. In this introductory call, Secretary Rubio condemned the assault on Goma by the Rwanda-backed M23 and affirmed the United States' respect for the sovereignty of the DRC. Secretary Rubio and President Tshisekedi agreed on the importance of advancing the Luanda Process and Angolan President Joao Lourenco's efforts to restart talks between the DRC and Rwanda as soon as possible. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The ICC has a key role in ensuring perpetrators are held accountable for crimes committed in Darfur: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the ICC's work in Sudan. 27 January 2025 First, the Prosecutor was clear that the conflict in Sudan has gone on for far too long. My Foreign Secretary saw the scale of the suffering for himself when he visited the Adre crossing on the Chad-Sudan border on Saturday. As the Foreign Secretary said, this is the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world. For this reason, the UK has announced a further 20m in funding to assist with increased food production and life-saving sexual and reproductive health services for refugees fleeing Sudan. This builds on our announcement in November of the doubling of our aid to over 226m. These funds are delivering emergency food assistance to almost 800,000 displaced people. They are providing improved access to shelter, drinking water, emergency healthcare and education. Further efforts to galvanise international support are also required. This is why my Foreign Secretary announced his intention to convene a meeting of foreign ministers to ensure aid gets to where it is needed most and to re-energise efforts to end this conflict. Second, the International Criminal Court has a key role to play in ensuring perpetrators are held accountable for crimes committed in Darfur. In that context, the United Kingdom welcomes the creation of a structured dialogue between the Office of the Prosecutor and Civil Society Organisations. This can help ensure that the voices of victims are heard. We further welcome the conclusion of the Ali Kushayb trial in December 2024. As the first trial to be concluded in a Situation referred to the Court by the UN Security Council, this represents a historic milestone. We look forward to hearing updates on any further applications for arrest warrants. Third, the UK reiterates our call for full cooperation with the Court. We welcome the constructive engagement by the Sudanese authorities with the ICC during this reporting period. We further urge them to cooperate with the ICC to ensure the arrest and surrender of those subject to outstanding arrest warrants: Omar Al Bashir, Abdel Raheem Muhammad Hussein and Ahmad Harun. Mr President, let me conclude by reiterating the UK's continued support for the Court, and our respect for its independence. It is important that the ICC is able to carry out its important work in Darfur and elsewhere without interference. Sanctioning the ICC in response to one of its decisions would impede its ability to carry out this important work, in Darfur, Venezuela, Ukraine and in all situations where the Court is active. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Scaling up supplies and services for children in the Gaza Strip UNICEF More than 350 UNICEF aid trucks have entered the Gaza Strip in ongoing efforts to meet the needs of about 1 million children after 15 months of bombardment 27 January 2025 NEW YORK, 27 January 2025 -- UNICEF has accelerated the distribution of supplies and services to children in the Gaza Strip, with more than 350 trucks entering in the first week of the long-awaited ceasefire. The trucks, filled with water, hygiene kits, malnutrition treatments, warm clothes, tarpaulins and other critical humanitarian aid, have been entering from crossing points at both the north and south of the Gaza Strip and being distributed with partners to families in need. More than 2 million people in the Gaza Strip, half of them children, face devastating shortages of basic necessities, including safe water and sanitation, food, and medical care. The damage to infrastructure is extensive, leaving many schools, hospitals, and homes destroyed. "Our teams are working around the clock to scale up desperately needed humanitarian assistance, especially in areas not reached before the ceasefire due to operational challenges or restrictions," said UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell. "UNICEF teams continue to encounter children in desperate need. The ceasefire has provided some relief, but families are returning to areas that have been completely destroyed. Physical and emotional scars run deep." Children are the most affected by this crisis and require urgent attention to address their immediate needs and ensure their safety, education, and well-being. A ceasefire only will not end the suffering of children in the Gaza Strip. With the collapse of all essential services, and the scale of destruction of housing, health and education facilities, the level of humanitarian needs is almost unimaginable. UNICEF and partners are at the ready to scale up its response, but it is absolutely critical that the international community supports these efforts with much-needed financial resources. UNICEF aims to deliver 50 trucks a day in this first phase of the ceasefire and has hundreds of pallets with aid prepositioned at the borders of the Gaza Strip, with more on the way, prioritizing items local communities and humanitarian partners have identified as most urgent. Service delivery for children and their families, including mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and critical water, sanitation and nutrition services, is also being ramped up on the ground. UNICEF is focused on providing vaccines and support teams for immunization catch-up activities to prevent disease outbreaks, while expanding and scaling up the screening and treatment of malnutrition. Hospitals in the Gaza Strip, especially in the north, will receive support to increase their capacity, especially in neonatal units. UNICEF will increase support for the production of safe water and sanitation and will raise awareness among children and caregivers of the risks they face moving through Gaza, including unexploded ordinance and family separation. UNICEF is also striving to reach families with child protection services, MHPSS support, multi-purpose cash assistance and, ultimately, ensuring all school-age children have access to education. "This ceasefire offers a window for initial recovery that we hope paves the way for longer-term peace," said Russell. "It is critical that the renewed flow of aid is sustained and that humanitarians are assured safe and unimpeded access to help meet the huge level of need." UNICEF calls on the international community to prioritise children's needs in recovery efforts, and ensure that humanitarian agencies are well-funded and humanitarian corridors remain open and secure. UNICEF welcomes the release of the 12 children as young as 15 years old from detention in Israel, as well as young adults who were first detained as children. UNICEF has called to end the detention of children in all its forms. UNICEF renews its call for the release of all hostages from the Gaza Strip, especially the two remaining children. It is imperative that all parties uphold the ceasefire agreement, as well as their obligations under international law. This positive progress must be sustained, in the interests of all children. ##### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New US defense secretary promises agility, accountability By Jeff Seldin January 27, 2025 New U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promised more changes are coming to the country's military before even walking through the doors of the Pentagon. Hegseth, a decorated veteran and a former Fox News host, was greeted just outside the Pentagon by General Charles Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, after arriving for his first full day of work. Hegseth said serving as defense secretary was the honor of a lifetime, telling reporters that the Defense Department will operate at a faster tempo. "The lawful orders of the president of the United States will be executed inside this Defense Department swiftly and without excuse," Hegseth said. "We're going to hold people accountable." Hegseth won Senate confirmation late Friday by a 51-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking ballot. He was sworn in on Saturday and spoke Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in what the Pentagon described as an "introductory call." "We will be no better friend to our allies and no stronger adversary to those who want to test us and try us," Hegseth told reporters Monday before entering the Pentagon. He said that President Donald Trump is expected to sign additional executive orders on Monday impacting the military, including orders calling for a U.S. version of Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, the removal of all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from the Pentagon, and the reinstatement of troops forced to leave the military after refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccination. Hegseth also said the Pentagon will make sure Trump has all the resources needed to secure the U.S. southern border. "Whatever is needed at the border will be provided," the defense secretary said. "This is a shift. It's not the way business has been done in the past." "The Defense Department will support the defense of the territorial integrity of the United States of America, the southern border, to include reservists, National Guard and active duty in compliance with the Constitution and the laws of our land and the directives of the commander in chief," he added. Asked about the fate of Afghans who worked alongside the United States before the U.S. withdrawal in August 2021, Hegseth said, "We're going to make sure there's accountability for what happened in Afghanistan and that we stand by our allies." Hegseth also deflected questions about whether he plans to fire the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. "I'm standing with him right now," Hegseth said. "I look forward to working with him." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rubio and Lammy reaffirm US-UK partnership on Indo-Pacific security, China challenges By Nike Ching January 27, 2025 U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with his British counterpart, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, on Monday to discuss a range of pressing global issues and joint initiatives aimed at promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and stable. "They affirmed the depth of the U.S.-UK Special Relationship and the crucial nature of our partnership in addressing issues like the conflict in the Middle East, Russia's war against Ukraine, and China's malign influence," State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement. The U.K. government said that Lammy and Rubio look forward to meeting in person soon. "They both welcomed the opportunity for the UK and the US to work together in alignment to address shared challenges including the situation in the Middle East, Russia's illegal war in Ukraine, the challenges posed by China and the need for Indo-Pacific security," the British statement read. The call between Rubio and Lammy came amid a report by The Guardian that China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, is expected to visit Britain next month for the first U.K.-China strategic dialogue since 2018. In Beijing, Chinese officials did not confirm Wang's plans to visit the U.K. but noted what they described as "sound and steady growth" in relations between the two countries. "China and the U.K. are both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and major economies in the world," Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated during a briefing on Monday. She added it is in the common interest of the two countries to enhance strategic communication and deepen political mutual trust. Wang is expected to attend the Munich Security Conference between Feb. 14 and 16, making it likely that his visit to the U.K. will take place either before or after the event. In the past, U.S. Secretaries of State have typically attended the high-profile annual gathering at the Munich Security Conference. The State Department has not responded to VOA's inquiry about whether Rubio plans to hold talks with Wang during the conference. Last week, the State Department outlined U.S. policy toward China under President Donald Trump's administration. "Strategic competition is the frame through which the United States views its relationship with the People's Republic of China (PRC). The United States will address its relationship with the PRC from a position of strength in which we work closely with our allies and partners to defend our interests and values," the State Department said on Jan. 20. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palestinians Egypt, Jordan reject Trump proposal to resettle Palestinian refugees back to Gaza City and find devastation By Edward Yeranian January 27, 2025 Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal over the weekend to resettle residents of the Gaza Strip in Egypt or Jordan. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that the Egyptian government supports "the Palestinian people's insistence to remain on their land, defending their legitimate rights and respecting international law." Egyptian public opinion remains firmly opposed to the resettlement of Palestinians on Egyptian territory. President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi recently told a crowd of military officers that it would be easy to resettle some Palestinians in the Sinai, but the difficulty would be getting anyone in Egypt to accept the idea. Khattar Abou Diab, who teaches political science at the University of Paris, told VOA that despite the difficult economic situation in Egypt and the fact that there could be a significant economic windfall in accepting Trump's proposal to resettle some Palestinians in the country, a large segment of the Egyptian public would refuse to do so. Paul Sullivan, a former professor at the American University of Cairo and fellow at the Atlantic Council, agreed, telling VOA that such a proposal is unacceptable to Egyptians. "No Egyptian leader who wants to stay in power would agree to such a request," he said. "It would destabilize Egypt and likely lead to greater regional instability." Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also rejected Trump's proposal, saying that "Palestine is for the Palestinians and Jordan is for the Jordanians and that the solution to the Palestinian problem is located on Palestinian soil and embodied by a Palestinian state." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban caution US against bounty threats over alleged American detainees By Ayaz Gul January 27, 2025 A diplomat from Afghanistan's ruling Taliban cautioned the United States on Monday against threatening retaliatory measures in response to detentions of U.S. nationals in the country. "Our policy is to reach a solution through peaceful means," Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban ambassador to Qatar, told VOA in written remarks. He spoke two days after the new U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio threatened that Washington may place a "very big bounty" on Taliban leaders, suggesting they might hold more American hostages in the country than previously known. Last week, the de facto Afghan authorities released two Americans, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, in exchange for a Taliban member serving a life sentence in a U.S. federal prison on drug and terrorism charges. The swap was negotiated by former President Joe Biden's administration. "In the face of pressure and aggression, the jihad [holy war] of the Afghan nation in recent decades is a lesson that everyone should learn from," Shaheen stated. The Taliban have not revealed how many foreigners are still in their custody in Afghanistan. However, relatives and U.S. officials report the detention of at least two additional Americans. They are George Glezmann, a former airline mechanic, and Mahmood Habibi, a naturalized American. "Just hearing the Taliban is holding more American hostages than has been reported," Rubio wrote on social media platform X on Saturday. "If this is true, we will have to immediately place a VERY BIG bounty on their top leaders, maybe even bigger than the one we had on bin Laden." The chief U.S. diplomat did not elaborate or specify the number of Americans being detained in Afghanistan. Washington offered a bounty of $25 million for information leading to the capture or killing of Osama bin Laden for planning the deadly Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States. Congress subsequently authorized the secretary of state to increase the bounty to a maximum of $50 million. U.S. forces searched for bin Laden in Afghanistan for years before finding his hideout and killing him in neighboring Pakistan in 2011. Meanwhile, a former Canadian soldier detained by the Taliban was freed Sunday after more than two months of imprisonment in a deal brokered by Qatar. "I just spoke with David Lavery upon his safe arrival in Qatar from Afghanistan. He is in good spirits," Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly announced on X. Joly credited the tiny Gulf nation's prime minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani with helping in Lavery's release. "Thank you to my Qatari counterpart,@MBA_AlThani_, for helping facilitate the release of our Canadian citizen," she wrote. The Taliban waged a lethal insurgency in Afghanistan that persisted for nearly two decades, ultimately regaining power in 2021, mere days before a hasty and chaotic withdrawal of all U.S.-led Western troops from the country along with thousands of Afghan allies. Taliban leaders have since imposed their strict interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia, banning girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade, prohibiting most women from workplaces, and blocking women's access to public life at large. The United Nations has designated the restrictions as "gender apartheid," and the international community has refuted the Taliban's request for legitimacy to their government due to their severe treatment of the female Afghan population. The restrictions stem from numerous decrees issued by the reclusive Taliban supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, from his base in the southern city of Kandahar, with his aides defending the government as in line with Sharia. Last week, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague announced that he had applied for arrest warrants for Akhundzada and Afghanistan's chief justice, Abdul Hakim Haqqani, accusing them of persecuting women and girls. The Taliban rejected the allegations as baseless and condemned the arrest warrants for their leaders as "devoid of just legal basis, duplicitous in nature and politically motivated." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rwanda, Congo presidents to meet as rebels take Goma, Kenya's leader says By Austere Malivika, Jimmy Shukrani Bakomera January 27, 2025 Kenyan President William Ruto said Monday that the presidents of Rwanda and Congo have agreed to attend a meeting Wednesday to discuss developments in eastern Congo, where M23 rebels say they have seized control of Goma on the Congo-Rwandan border. "We are all in agreement that now more than ever it is an existential issue, not just for the people of eastern DRC, but for this region," Ruto said during a press briefing, referring to the Democratic Republic of Congo, also called Congo. "The situation in eastern DRC now demands our collective focus." The apparent takeover of Goma, a city of about 2 million, has prompted fears of further violence and mass displacement. A journalist in Goma told VOA by telephone that fighting was now going on around the city's airport, and that it appeared to be escalating. While he was speaking, gunfire could be heard in the background, and he cut off the call to seek shelter. For years, Congo has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels an accusation Kigali denies. The Congo government said Monday that Rwandan government troops are in Goma. There was no immediate response from officials in Kigali. The Congolese government "continues to work to avoid carnage and loss of human life," said government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya in a Monday post on X. Muyaya said that the government is urging Goma residents to stay indoors and refrain from looting. M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka told VOA that the rebel group took control of the city over the weekend after intense clashes with Congo government forces. The violence around the city has sparked widespread panic among its residents and displaced people, many of whom had already fled violence in surrounding areas. Mugunga, one of the largest camps for displaced people near Goma, is experiencing a flurry of new arrivals. "We fled Sake last year because of fighting, and now we are running again," said one woman who declined to be named for security reasons. "We have no food, no shelter, and no idea where we'll end up. This is no life." As the rebels fight to take full control of Goma, the situation remains fluid in nearby Sake, a key town west of the city in North Kivu province. Reports indicate that fierce fighting continues between M23 and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, known by its French acronym FARDC. On Friday, General Sylvain Ekenge, a Congo military spokesperson, announced the death of North Kivu Governor Major General Peter Cirimwami. The spokesperson said on state media that the governor was "wounded and evacuated to Kinshasa, where all efforts were made to take him abroad for appropriate care. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his wounds." Humanitarian needs deepen The conflict has exacerbated the region's already dire humanitarian situation. The United Nations reports that over 5.5 million people are displaced in Congo, many of them in North Kivu. People like Lomoo Biondo Manuel, an internally displaced person, want the violence to stop. We are facing "a lot of hardships," Manuel told VOA's Swahili Service. "We want to go back to our original homes. We want peace." In Mugunga camp, residents have been forced to seek shelter in schools, abandoned buildings, and even open fields. One displaced woman pleaded for immediate intervention, saying, "We call on the government to end this war so we can return to our homes." The M23's resurgence has drawn renewed scrutiny of regional actors. A recent United Nations report said that Rwanda has played a direct role in M23's operations, a charge that Rwandan officials have dismissed as baseless. This story originated in VOA's Africa Division. Reporter Al Katanty Sabiti Djaffar contributed from Goma, English to Africa's James Butty and French to Africa's Eddy Isango contributed from Washington. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Relief group pulls workers out of DRC's Goma as M23 rebels advance By Mariama Diallo January 27, 2025 Amid fighting between M23 rebels and government forces in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, some organizations are relocating staff because they no longer feel safe. This comes after the reportedly Rwandan-backed rebels said over the weekend they had taken control of Goma, the biggest city in the region. Rose Tchwenko, the DRC's country director for Mercy Corps, told VOA that since last week, the humanitarian group has closely monitored the situation as government forces and M23 clashed in and around Goma, a city of around 2 million people. "From Wednesday last week, with the fall of Minova, followed by the fall of Sake, which are key supply routes into Goma, the situation looked a little bit more dire with the imminent takeover or incursion into Goma itself by the rebel forces," she said. "We made some decisions, first to move out non-essential staff, pull back our teams from the ground where it was no longer safe to continue to provide humanitarian services." But that changed quickly, as the situation grew more unstable in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, which is on the border with Rwanda. "On Sunday with the escalation of the conflict around Goma, we had to pull out even the senior team into Gisenyi (across the border in Rwanda) so that we can continue to operate and provide the necessary support to our teams across the country," she said. She told VOA the situation was dire. "As of yesterday, we know that the airport in Goma is closed and under M23 control," she said. "We have heard reports of sporadic fighting throughout the center of Goma city. Some of us on this side of the border could actually [hear] gunshots at some point during the night. We are aware of M23 presence in Goma but still uncertain of what the actual situation is." As M23 rebels last week made advances into Goma, three U.N. peacekeepers died and seven South African soldiers and three from Malawi, serving in a separate Southern African Development Community mission, also were killed, according to U.N. and South African officials. At an emergency meeting on Sunday, the United Nations Security Council called for an end to the hostilities. Bintou Keita, the head of the U.N. mission in Congo, addressed the Council via video link, painting a bleak picture. "Roads are blocked and the airport can no longer be used for evacuation or humanitarian efforts," he said. "M23 has declared the airspace over Goma closed. In other words, we are trapped." Jack Mongi, a Goma resident who sent VOA an audio message in French via WhatsApp, said that fighting was still going on around the airport. "As I speak, you can hear gunshots, we are under our mattresses, under our beds and if you listen, you can hear the gunshots...." The Congolese minister of foreign affairs told the U.N. Security Council that this is "a frontal assault, a declaration of war." VOA reached out to the Rwandan government for comment but has not immediately heard back. Many countries represented at the special Security Council meeting condemned the attacks, including the acting U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Dorothy Shea, who called for a ceasefire. "The United States will consider all the tools at its disposal in order to hold accountable those responsible for sustaining armed conflict, instability and insecurity," she said. In Nairobi, Kenya's President William Ruto said he spoke to both Congolese and Rwanda presidents and called for an "immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities." Ruto, who's also the chair of the East African Community, says he'll be convening an extraordinary EAC summit in coming days to try to chart a way forward in this crisis. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU renews sanctions against Russia, eases them on Syria By Lisa Bryant January 27, 2025 European Union foreign ministers agreed Monday to continue sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine, but to ease some sanctions against Syria following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. Weeks of stalling by Hungary ended Monday, allowing the EU to renew sanctions against Russia for another six months. But in return, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban considered close to Moscow is pushing for Ukraine to reopen a gas pipeline to central Europe after letting a transit deal expire. The bloc also earmarked aid for Moldova's energy needs, which Europe says are threatened by Russia. The 27-member bloc moved in the opposite direction when it came to Syria agreeing to scale up humanitarian aid and ease some sanctions, now that the country is under new leadership. "This could give a boost to the Syrian economy and help the country get back on its feet," said Kaja Kallas, EU's foreign policy chief. Syria's foreign minister, Asaad al-Shibani, has called the EU's move a "positive step." European foreign ministers also discussed a raft of other thorny issues, from the Gaza ceasefire to Iran and the conflict in eastern Congo. Another key topic: relations with the new Trump administration. "As the United States shifts to [a] more transactional approach, Europe needs to close ranks. We are stronger when we are united that was a view that everybody shared," Kallas said. She described Washington as Europe's closest ally, but tensions have surfaced over trade, military spending and Greenland, after President Donald Trump indicated he wanted to acquire the territory. "We are not negotiating on Greenland," Kallas said. "Of course, we are supporting our member state, Denmark, and its autonomous region, Greenland." Kallas also noted the many ways the EU and U.S. are interlinked. But she said Europe needs to take into account its own strengths, in discussions with partners as well as with adversaries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zimbabwe's war veterans demand President Mnangagwa's resignation By Columbus Mavhunga January 27, 2025 A group of Zimbabwe's liberation war veterans has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down. The veterans, affiliated with the ruling Zanu-PF Party, accuse the president of nepotism, corruption and failing to address the moribund economy. Zanu-PF Party leaders say they are not taking the calls seriously. At a press conference streamed online, Blessed Runesu Geza, a veteran of Zimbabwe's 1960s and '70s liberation war and a member of Zanu-PF's central committee, called for the president to step down immediately. He accused Mnangagwa of failing to live up to the promises he made in 2017 when he came to power with the army's help. Geza said many of those who died fighting for the country's liberation do not have decent graves and that the country is being turned into "a banana republic." He also spoke of looting and the struggles of people in the country. "We are saying as war veterans enough is enough. You have shown that you have failed. It can't get any worse," he said in Shona at the press conference. "Corruption has become a security threat because these people are being protected by Emmerson. So, as war veterans, including masses, we are being asked, 'Why did you give us this kind of a person? We no longer like him.' So, we are pleading with you: Leave peacefully. If you don't, people will use the constitution for you to go." In an interview with VOA, Zanu-PF spokesman Farai Marapira dismissed the calls for Mnangagwa to step down. "The party position is clear; the party position is given to clear channels. So, we cannot dignify rogue rantings by responding to them," Marapira said. "People who speak their mind outside of the party, that's part of democracy. But the position is clear: We had a conference, and that is what we will deal with, and that is what we work with, and anything else is just ranting." At a recent Zanu-PF conference, party leaders passed a resolution that Mnangagwa should seek a third term in 2028, assuming the party can force through amendments to the constitution. In an interview with VOA, Eldred Masunungure, a political professor at the University of Zimbabwe, said the war veterans are feeling genuine frustration, as things have not worked out the way they expected after Mnangagwa toppled Robert Mugabe in November 2017. "The political clouds are extremely difficult to read under the circumstances, but what is clear [is] they expressed in unambiguous terms their exasperation with the way things have been going on in the last couple of years in the second republic," Masunungure said. "That is certain. But the outcome of what they are doing, what they are advocating for, that is in my view deeply uncertain." The second republic refers to Mnangagwa's presidency after Mugabe's 37 years in power. Brighton Chipamhadze, a Harare-based independent political commentator, said Geza's announcement shows the divisions within the ruling party. "As Comrade Geza points out, there are certain individuals benefiting from Mnangagwa's rule, calling for [an] extension of Mnangagwa's term," Chipamhadze said. "Yet there is also a section of the ruling party which is against Mnangagwa extending his term of office." Zimbabwe's constitution, adopted in 2013, allows parliament to impeach and remove the president if lawmakers feel he is incapacitated. Mnangagwa is one of Africa's oldest heads of state. In 2028, he will be 86 years old. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN officials express alarm over escalating violence, humanitarian crisis in DRC People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:59, January 28, 2025 UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Senior UN officials on Monday expressed alarm over the escalation of violence and the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), amid intensified hostilities in Goma, the eastern regional capital city. Bruno Lemarquis, deputy special representative of the secretary-general and the resident and humanitarian coordinator for the DRC, said heavy artillery fire hit the city center, striking hospitals and a UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) site. "For example, several shells struck the charity maternity hospital in central Goma, killing and injuring civilians, including newborn and pregnant women," he said. A Save the Children facility and the UNHCR site also were struck. The coordinator was unable to describe the number and extent of casualties at the maternity hospital, but said there were no casualties at the other two sites, adding that hospitals in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, are overwhelmed. Speaking to reporters at UN headquarters on a video link from Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, Lemarquis said the humanitarian crisis in and around Goma is extremely worrying with "a new threshold of violence and suffering" reached as active combat threatens all quarters of the city. "Civilians are taking the brunt of the escalating hostilities," he said. Lemarquis said the few colleagues of his remaining in the city of 1 million -- only critical UN humanitarian personnel remain -- reported hundreds of thousands of people attempting to flee the violence. Non-essential UN national and international personnel and their dependents were taken to Kinshasa or the regional UN hub in Entebbe, Uganda. The coordinator said 700,000 internally displaced people in and surrounding Goma living in dire conditions over the weekend are again on the move. "They have no choices they have to flee the violence," he said. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the under-secretary-general for peace operations, speaking from Damascus where he was visiting, said the ability of his peacekeeping colleagues who had to seek shelter was limited, but he said, "The situation on the ground obviously remains volatile and dangerous. It's clear ... there has been significant advances in favor of M23 and Rwanda Defense Forces. To a large extent it's a shift in the balance of force." He described the humanitarian challenges as daunting, "and certainly the risks of a broad humanitarian disaster are very high. And also we want to avoid the risk of a broad war." The peacekeeping chief recalled that three UN peacekeepers were killed, two South Africans and one from Uruguay, with 12 others injured. Government forces also suffered casualties. The resident coordinator also reported essential services in Goma are becoming critical. While water and electricity are becoming compromised and internet services cut, phone networks are working but patchy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 27 January 2025 - Day 1069 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The UK Ministry of Defence reported that in the northern Ukrainian oblast of Kharkiv, Russian forces have gradually expanded a bridgehead on the west bank of the Oskil river. The bridgehead was initially established in late November 2024, and since then Russian forces have made tactical advances in the area. Russia's focus in the area is the town of Dvorichna, which is contested between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Russia is also contesting for the town of Zapadne, 4km west from the Oskil. Russia is almost certainly attempting to apply pressure to the logistics hub of Kupiansk, also located on the Oskil river, approximately 12 km south of the bridgehead. Russian forces already control the supply lines east and south of the city, and are likely attempting to take control over northern supply routes into the city. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that since the beginning of the day, there have been 148 combat clashes, the enemy launched 20 air strikes using 43 CABs, more than 820 kamikaze drones strikes and over 4,000 shells to positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements using different types of weapons. In the Kharkiv direction, five times tried to break the defensive borders of Ukrainian defenders near vovchansk. In the Kupians komu direction, Russian forces tried to push Ukrainian units out of occupied positions near Pi any, Kutkivka, Petropavlivka and Lozova. One fight is still going on. Nine times Russian forces attacked in the Lyman direction, trying to advance in the directions of settlements Novoyegorivka, Kopanka, Makiyivka, Terni, Green Valley, Yampolivka, Zarichne and Kolodyazi. Ukrainian defenders have already repelled all the attacks of the opponent. In the sivers komu direction, Ukrainian warriors have successfully repelled one Russian attack in the area of bilogorivka. In the Kramatorsky direction, the Defense Forces repelled six Russian attempts to advance near the Time Yar, Stupochok, Antecheny and White Mountain, at the moment all confrontations are over. Russian forces tried 13 times to infiltrate Ukrainian defense in the Toretsky direction in the area of Toretsk, Crimea, Diliyivka and Scherbinivka. Intensely attacks the Russian enemy of Ukrainian defenders in the Pokrovsky direction. Here, during the day, Russian forces committed 77 assault and offensive actions. The activity of the Russian occupiers is preserved in the areas of populated areas Vodyane Second, Green Field, Elizabeth, Mirolubivka, Dry Yar, Green, Kotline, Udaachne, Nadezhdinka, Kotlyarivka, Uspenivka, Preobrazhenka, Bogdanivka, Baranivka, Beam, Pokrovsk, Novoandriivka, Shevchenko, Dachne, Ulakly and Amber. Sixty-five attacks in the direction of Ukrainian defenders have already repelled, twelve more clashes are ongoing so far. In the Novopavlovsk direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled eight attacks in the areas of settlements Novosilka, Konstantinopil, Rozdolne and Velika Novosilka. Russian forces caused an aviation strike of kabama on zaporozhye. In the Orihiv direction, Russian forces twice attacked Ukrainian defenders in the Novodanilivka district and in the direction of Orihiv, at the same time, made an air strike in the Stepnogirsk district. Three times unsuccessfully, the troops of the Russian assailants tried to push the units of the Defense Forces from occupied positions in the Pridniprovsky direction. Thirteen fighting clashes took place today on the Kursk direction, one of which is ongoing so far. During the day, Russian forces carried out 222 artillery shelling, including two - from the reactive systems of salp fire, launched 19 aviation strikes, dropped 25 controlled bombs. In the gulyajpils komu direction from the beginning of the day, the Russian opponent did not carry out offensive actions. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that 27.01.2025 In Kharkov direction, the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of one motorised infantry brigade of the AFU and one territorial defence brigade near Velikiye Prokhody and Volchansk (Kharkov region). The AFU lost up to 15 troops, three field artillery guns, and one ammunition depot. The Zapad Group of Forces has improved the tactical situation. Russian troops inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, one assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and one territorial defence brigade close to Redkodub, Kutkovka, Kupyansk, Zagoruykovka, Glushkovka, Boguslavka, Zeleny Gai, Kopanki (Kharkov region), Kolodezi, and Yampol (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy losses amounted to up to 355 troops, seven pick-up trucks, and five field artillery guns. Three ammunition depots were destroyed. The Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Losses were inflicted on formations of two mechanised brigades, one assault brigade, one airmobile brigade of the AFU, and two territorial defence brigades near Seversk, Vasyukovka, Orekhovo-Vasilyevka, Chasov Yar, Konstantinovka, Dachnoye, and Ulakly (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU sustained losses of up to 250 troops, one infantry fighting vehicle, two motor vehicles, and two field artillery guns. Two ammunition depots were destroyed. The Tsentr Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of enemy defences. Russian troops delivered strikes on manpower and hardware of five mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade, one jaeger brigade of the AFU, two National Guard brigades, and one brigade of the National Police of Ukraine close to Dzerzhinsk, Baranovka, Shevchenko, Slavyanka, Yasenovoye, Novoyelizavetovka, and Andreyevka (Donetsk People's Republic) The enemy lost up to 610 troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles, and six field artillery guns. As a result of decisive actions of the Vostok Group of Forces units, Velikaya Novoselka (Donetsk People's Republic) was liberated. Strikes were delivered on formations of one tank brigade, one mechanised brigade of the AFU, and one National Guard brigade close to Bogatyr and Vremevka (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to more than 160 troops, a tank, four motor vehicles, and four artillery guns including a Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system. The Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of two coastal defence brigades of the AFU and one territorial defence brigade near Pridneprovskoye and Antonovka (Kherson region). The AFU lost up to 35 troops, four motor vehicles, and one ammunition depot. Operational-Tactical Aviation, strike unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged the infrastructure of military airfields, drone manufacturing workshops, POL bases, as well as clusters of enemy manpower and hardware in 149 areas. Air defence systems shot down four U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles and 64 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 652 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 41,571 unmanned aerial vehicles, 590 anti-aircraft missile systems, 20,858 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,510 MLRS combat vehicles, 20,010 field artillery guns and mortars, and 30,830 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement on Presidential Elections in Belarus Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs PRESS STATEMENT 007 Sunday, January 26, 2025 The Government of Spain has closely followed the conduct of the presidential elections in Belarus on 26 January and notes that the process did not meet the minimum democratic standards, with severe restrictions on political participation and the work of independent media. Spain fully supports the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people and the democratic opposition, and calls for the holding of free and inclusive elections, with all guarantees, observed by an international mission of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). At the same time, Spain calls for an end to the repression and for full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including those of opinion, demonstration and political participation, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners. -NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister Joly announces new sanctions in response to fraudulent presidential election and ongoing human rights violations in Belarus Global Affairs Canada News release January 27, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions against 10 individuals and 12 entities under the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations in response to ongoing gross and systematic human rights violations committed by the Lukashenko regime in Belarus, as well as its support of Russia's violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Following the 2020 presidential election in Belarus, which the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) described as "severely flawed, not transparent, free or fair," the Lukashenko regime brutally suppressed its citizens' rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. It allowed its security forces to unlawfully use force, brutality and intimidation against peaceful protestors, resulting in arbitrary detentions, wrongful prosecutions and lengthy prison sentences. The individuals sanctioned today include people who have direct connections with persons already sanctioned for their participation or complicity in these human rights violations. The entities being sanctioned today include three Belarusian state organizations that, under the instructions of the regime, have been continuously involved in gross and systematic human rights violations through repression, violence and other abuses of the Belarusian population. Canada is also sanctioning nine entities that are part of the Belarusian military-industrial complex for their involvement in the production and supply of military equipment being sent to Russia for use in its war of aggression against Ukraine. Certain senior officials of these entities are also being sanctioned. These sanctions are being announced in coordination with the United Kingdom. Canada will continue to work with international partners to counter Russian influence and uphold Belarusian's rights, including the right to determine their own future in a genuine and inclusive manner, free of oppression and external interference. Quotes "Today, we are sending a clear message to Alexander Lukashenko: Canada will not remain silent as his regime continues to trample on the rights and freedoms of Belarusian citizens and to support Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We remain in solidarity with the Belarusian people, as well as the Belarusian democratic forces, and we will continue to support their efforts toward establishing a real democracy in Belarus." - Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs Quick facts The OSCE Ministerial Council met on December 4 and 5, 2024. During that meeting, the Informal Group of Friends of Democratic Belarus, of which Canada is a member, issued a statement on the situation in Belarus. The statement condemns Russia's war in Ukraine and the human rights violations in Belarus, including the use of detention and violence to intimidate and repress civil society. The election that took place on January 26, 2025, extended the rule of Alexander Lukashenko (also known as Alexander Lukashenka), who has been in power since 1994 and is known for his authoritarian governance and suppression of legitimate political dissent. Despite the presence of regime-approved token candidates in the race, the so-called election occurred in an environment marked by ongoing repression and mass arbitrary detention, similar to what took place in the previous election in August 2020. Since 2014, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 3,000 individuals and entities in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova complicit in the violation of Ukraine's and Moldova's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as gross and systematic human rights violations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Budrys on the events in Belarus: "A right does not arise from wrongdoing" Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Updated 2025-01-27 Sunday, on the eve of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kestutis Budrys, along with other EU ministers, met with the leader of the Belarusian democratic forces Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. EU foreign ministers expressed their strong support for Belarusian democratic forces and underlined the need for coherence and continuity in the EU's policy towards Belarus. According to Budrys, the people of Belarus have the right to live in a free country and democratically elect its leaders. The Minister stressed that Lithuania will continue to support Belarusian society in its efforts to achieve this goal. "A right does not arise from wrongdoing" said the head of Lithuania's diplomacy, recalling that already in 2020, the EU had not recognized the results of the presidential elections. Therefore, there is no reason to refer to the event that took place in Belarus on Sunday as "elections". "Since August 2020, the regime's grip on power has further strengthened, and state security forces have persistently and systematically used violence against civil society, the media and the opposition. Enslaved by Lukashenka, Belarus has become a platform for Russian military operations, directly involved in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," said the Foreign Minister. The head of Lithuanian diplomacy stressed the need to continue the policy of non-recognition and isolation of the Lukashenka regime and strengthen the sanctions regime. According to Budrys, it is important to focus on the Lukashenko regime's accountability for crimes against humanity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NB8: "A future democratic Belarus belongs to the European family" Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Updated 2025-01-27 The Nordic-Baltic countries stand in solidarity with the Belarusian people who strive for a free, democratic, sovereign and independent Belarus. A future democratic Belarus has a place in the European family. The countries will continue to support the tireless efforts of the Belarusian democratic forces led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and independent Belarusian civil society both inside and outside Belarus. The Nordic-Baltic countries continue to support the democratic right of the Belarusian people to choose their leaders through free and fair elections and freedom of the media. Aliaksandr Lukashenka continues to lack any democratic legitimacy. In the statement, the Nordic-Baltic countries strongly urge the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and their effective rehabilitation. To read the complete statement, click here. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lukashenko wins Belarus presidential election People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 10:45, January 27, 2025 MINSK, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko has won the presidential election of Belarus, according to the preliminary results released early Monday by the country's Central Election Commission. The preliminary data from the Central Election Commission showed that Lukashenko received 86.82 percent of the vote. Sergei Syrankov, Oleg Gaidukevich, Anna Kanopatskaya and Alexander Khizhnyak secured 3.21 percent, 2.02 percent, 1.86 percent and 1.74 percent of the vote, respectively. Under Belarusian law, a presidential candidate who secures more than 50 percent of the vote is declared the winner. Belarussian president is elected by direct ballot and the term of office is five years. The Belarus election commission will announce the final results of the voting no later than Feb. 5. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin congratulates Lukashenko on 'convincing' re-election as Belarus president Iran Press TV Monday, 27 January 2025 11:16 AM Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday congratulated his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko for winning a seventh term in office. Putin referred to Lukashenko's victory as proof of the Belarusian leader's political influence and "undoubted support of the population." "Your convincing victory in the election clearly testifies to your high political authority and the undoubted support of the population for the state course pursued by Belarus." The Russian president wished Lukashenko new successes in his state activities for the benefit of the Belarusian people, as well as good health and well-being. He pointed to the close ties between Belarus and Russia, saying "We have recently managed to do a lot to strengthen the friendly ties between Moscow and Minsk." He also hoped the two neighboring countries continue to improve their economic and political cooperation and safeguard the security of the region. "We will continue to work closely together to further develop the multifaceted Russian-Belarusian co-operation ... and promote mutually beneficial integration processes in the Eurasian space." Putin also invited his Belarusian counterpart to Moscow, saying, "You are always a welcome and dear guest on Russian land. As agreed, I look forward to seeing you soon in Moscow." The 70-year-old Lukashenko won in a landslide by getting 87.6% of the vote, according to official exit polls. Exiled Belarusian opposition has not recognized the results of the election, arguing that the election has been rigged in favor of Lukashenko. The EU, which supports the Belarusian opposition, has condemned the close ties between the country and Russia and refused to accept the result of the election as legitimate. Lukashenko, however, said he did not care whether or not the EU recognized the results, and emphasized that he would continue to cooperate with Russia in economic, political and security matters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK applies fresh sanctions following sham election in Belarus The UK has sanctioned 9 individuals and defence sector entities in Belarus in coordination with Canada. 27 January 2025 UK sanctions 6 individuals and 3 entities alongside Canada, in an immediate response to rigged presidential election in Belarus sanctions target leaders of institutions responsible for serious human rights violations and companies in the Belarusian defence sector supporting Russia's war in Ukraine action demonstrates government's commitment to working internationally to deter threats and protect national security, a foundation in the government's Plan for Change The Chairman of the Belarusian Central Election Commission is among 9 individuals and entities designated by the UK today (Monday 27 January) in a fresh wave of sanctions in response to yesterday's sham election in Belarus. Following Lukashenko's brutal crackdown in which critical voices within Belarus have been silenced, yesterday's sham election failed to meet international standards and has been condemned by international partners. Alongside sanctioning leaders of institutions responsible for serious human rights violations in the country, the UK has excluded Belarusian defence companies from the UK economy - a sector of strategic importance to Lukashenko's regime which is helping to facilitate Russia's war in Ukraine. Working with international partners to protect UK national security is essential to deliver the foundations of the Prime Minister's Plan for Change. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: The world has become well-accustomed to Lukashenko's cynical pretence of democracy in Belarus, while in reality he brutally represses civil society and opposition voices to strengthen his grip on power. The UK, alongside our partners, will continue to stand by the people of Belarus and expose those who deny them their legitimate right to freedom and democracy. According to the Viasna Human Rights Centre, a Belarusian non-governmental organisation in exile, over 1,250 political prisoners are incarcerated in Belarus, including civil society representatives, human rights defenders, journalists, political opponents, religious leaders, and trade unionists. Many political prisoners are held in shocking conditions, facing isolation, mistreatment and a lack of medical care. Today's designations include Heads of 'GUBOPiK'; one of the main security forces responsible for political persecution in Belarus. Individuals sanctioned today are: Igor Vasilyevich KARPENKO - Chairman of the Belarusian Central Election Commission. Viktor Alexandrovich DUBROVKA - Head of the Belarusian correctional institution Penal Colony No11, Vaukavysk Pavel Ivanovich KAZAKOV - Head of the Belarusian correctional institution Prison No 1, Hrodno. Andrey Mikhailovich TSEDRIK - Commanding Officer of Pre-trial Detention Centre (SIZO) No 1, Minsk. Andrei Valerievich ANANENKO - Head of GUBOPiK. Mikhail Petrovitch BEDUNKEVICH - Deputy Head of GUBOPiK. Belarus has provided support for Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, allowing the use of its territory and airspace to launch attacks and provided kit and logistical support. The 3 entities from Belarus' defence sector sanctioned today are: ALEVKURP OJSC - a company affiliated to the Government of Belarus specialising in research and development and manufacturing of radar systems and weapon control systems. Legmash Plant JSC - a Belarusian company producing ammunition for the Belarusian defence sector. KB Unmanned Helicopters (UAVHeli) - a Belarusian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developer and manufacturer. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Belarusian opposition, Western leaders denounce Lukashenko's reelection By VOA News January 27, 2025 Belarus' opposition activists and Western officials have denounced the reelection of Alexander Lukashenko to serve his seventh five-year presidential term. The 70-year-old leader began his iron-fisted rule in 1994. He received nearly 87% of the ballots cast in Sunday's election in the Eastern European country, according to the Belarus Central Election Commission. His victory was not surprising as he has imprisoned many of his opponents, while others have fled abroad to live in exile. Opposition leader-in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya labeled Lukashenko's successful reelection as "sheer nonsense." Before Sunday's vote, she had encouraged voters to cross out every candidate's name on the ballot. The four challengers in Sunday's election had all praised Lukashenko's leadership, according to The Associated Press. The European Union, Britain, Australia and New Zealand issued a joint statement condemning "the sham presidential elections in Belarus and the country's human rights violations under Lukashenko." Britain's Foreign Office said Monday that it has sanctioned six Belarus citizens and three defense sector firms, after the Sunday polls in Belarus. The sanctioned individuals include the head of the Belarusian Central Election Commission and two prison chiefs. "Following Lukashenko's brutal crackdown in which critical voices within Belarus have been silenced, yesterday's sham election failed to meet international standards and has been condemned by international partners," the Foreign Office said. The Foreign Office also said that the sanctions were being placed in coordination with Canada. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement, "The world has become well-accustomed to Lukashenko's cynical pretense of democracy in Belarus, while in reality he brutally represses civil society and opposition voices to strengthen his grip on power." Lukashenko's successful presidential bid in 2020 set off months of protests in which thousands of people were beaten and more than 65,000 were arrested. He was roundly condemned by the West, which imposed sanctions. However, he survived the protests with the help of his close ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Lukashenko depends on for subsidies, as well as political support. Putin called Lukashenko Monday to congratulate him on his "convincing victory." Chinese President Xi Jinping also congratulated the Belarusian leader. The Viasna Human Rights Center, an exiled Belarusian nongovernmental organization, said in a statement that Belarus has over 1,250 political prisoners in custody. Some information in this story was provided by The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese FM Wang Yi meets Indian foreign secretary, says improvement of ties in line with both countries' interest Global Times By Global Times Published: Jan 27, 2025 05:01 PM Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday in Beijing. Wang stressed that the improvement and development of China-India relations are fully in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples and are conducive to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the countries of the Global South. During the meeting with Misri, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that since the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year in Kazan, the two sides have earnestly implemented the important consensus reached by the two leaders, engaged in positive interactions at all levels and accelerated the process of improving China-India relations. Wang said China and India should seize the opportunity to meet each other halfway, explore more substantive measures, and commit themselves to mutual understanding, mutual support and mutual achievement, rather than mutual suspicion, alienation and mutual depletion. The improvement and development of China-Indian relations are fully in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, conducive to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South countries, and conducive to the contribution of the two ancient civilizations to peace, stability and development and prosperity in Asia and the world, Wang told Misri. According to a readout from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Misri said that India and China have carried out a series of beneficial dialogues and communications in accordance with the consensus reached at the Kazan meeting between the leaders of the two countries, appropriately managing and resolving their differences and promoting the relaunch of practical cooperation in various fields. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry, Misri also claimed that India is ready to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with China and will fully support China's chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in all its endeavors. Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Monday that China-India relations have recently stabilized and are gradually warming up. The statements of the two diplomats show that they are following the strategic leadership of the leaders of the two countries, strengthening dialogues at the diplomatic level, and showing willingness to promote bilateral relations to return to the track of healthy development at an early date, Qian said. Before Misri's China visit, Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi met with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in Beijing in December 2024. We can clearly see that China and India are advancing bilateral relations in an orderly and progressive manner: from the strategic level, to the marco diplomatic level, and then to the specific level, Qian said. According to a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Misri, whose scheduled China visit last from January 26 to 27, was expected to attend a meeting of the Foreign Secretary-Vice Minister mechanism between India and China in Beijing. Issues to be discussed include the resumption of direct flights between India and China, issuance of visas, particularly for businesspersons and journalists, and ironing out trade issues, according to Indian news outlets. On Sunday, Misri met Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and the two sides exchanged views on jointly implementing the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthening exchanges and dialogues, and promoting the improvement and healthy and stable development of China-India relations, as well as international and regional issues of common concern. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese FM responds to question on whether China plans to bring back illegal immigrants from US Global Times By Global Times Published: Jan 27, 2025 07:10 PM China hopes and believes that the US and Colombia can handle their affairs properly, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a routine press conference on Monday. Mao was asked to comment on the news that US President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to impose steep tariffs and visa restrictions on Colombia after the South American country rejected two US military flights carrying migrants deported from the US. When asked to comment on this and if China plans to bring back illegal Chinese immigrants from the US, Mao said that for the first question, this is a matter between the US and Colombia, and that China hopes and believes "both parties can handle it properly." "For the second question, as a matter of principle, the Chinese government firmly opposes any form of illegal immigration activities. We have also carried out pragmatic cooperation with the immigration law enforcement agencies of relevant countries, including the US, and achieved positive results. Regarding the repatriation, China's principle is to verify first and then repatriate. We will accept Chinese citizens who are verified to be from the Chinese mainland," Mao said. The White House said late Sunday local time that Colombia's President Gustavo Petro had agreed to accept deportation flights from the US. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Enhancing China-UK political trust, cooperation in line with common interests of both countries, intl community: FM spokesperson Global Times By Global Times Published: Jan 27, 2025 06:16 PM Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that she currently has no information to provide on whether Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit the UK. She further noted that enhancing political trust and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation are in the common interests of both countries and international community. Both China and the UK are permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies in the world. Strengthening strategic communication, enhancing political trust, and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation are in the common interests of both sides and the international community, Mao said. "For a period of time, leaders of China and the UK have held meetings, various departments have restarted mechanism-based dialogues, and people from all walks of life in both countries are encouraged and hopeful about the development of China-UK relations in a healthy and stable direction," Mao said. "As for the visit you mentioned, I currently don't have any information to provide. You can stay tuned," Mao said. The Guardian reported on Sunday that Wang is due to visit the UK next month for talks with the British foreign secretary, David Lammy. The Foreign Office is drawing up plans to host the Chinese foreign minister in mid-February, per the report, citing three people briefed on the plans. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Holding High the Banner of Building a Community with a Shared Future For Mankind and Striving for Greater Achievements In Major-Country Diplomacy with Chinese Characteristics Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: January 27, 2025 14:47 Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee And Minister of Foreign Affairs Qiushi Journal, No. 02, 2025 I Building a community with a shared future for mankind is a major original idea proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping, and the core concept of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. It provides China's answer to the question of our timeswhat kind of world we should build and how we should build it. In December 2023, the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs identified the theme of China's external work as building a community with a shared future for mankind, setting the noble goal that China pursues in conducting major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. Over the past year, amid great transformation and instability in the world, we in the diplomatic service have followed the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, upheld fundamental principles while breaking new ground, and acted with composure and confidence in fostering a favorable external environment for China's high-quality development and providing much-needed stability to a turbulent world. New and substantive progress has been made in building a community with a shared future for mankind. Head-of-state diplomacy has been marked by numerous highlights, providing strategic guidance for building a community with a shared future for mankind. As General Secretary Xi Jinping noted, dreams and wishes may be far, but they can be fulfilled with dedicated pursuit. Building a community with a shared future is a historical process that requires persistent and painstaking efforts. Over the past year, General Secretary Xi Jinping personally engaged and actively participated in a wide range of head-of-state diplomatic events, leading the way forward for building a community with a shared future for mankind. He attended three major home-ground diplomatic events, expounding on the historic step from peaceful coexistence to a shared future for humanity at the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, drawing up a new blueprint for comprehensively strengthening China-Africa cooperation at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and elevating China-Arab cooperation in the new era to a higher level at the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum. He undertook four important overseas visits. His trip to Europe helped build trust, dispel misunderstandings, enhance cooperation, and open up a brighter future. His visit to Central Asia carried forward the Shanghai Spirit and deepened good-neighborly relations. His attendance at the BRICS Summit advanced high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, and reinforced solidarity among the Global South. His trip to Latin America charted a new course for Asia-Pacific cooperation and brought a renewed focus on global governance reform. With the global vision, broad-mindedness and sense of common good for humanity befitting the leader of a major party and a major country, General Secretary Xi Jinping had in-depth strategic communication with world leaders and reached out to strengthen friendship with the people of other countries. He elaborated on the rationale for peaceful development, the path to win-win cooperation, and the principle of global solidarity, thereby contributing to the forces of peace, stability, and progress in a volatile world. All-round diplomacy has been deepened and expanded, providing solid underpinning for building a community with a shared future for mankind. As stated by General Secretary Xi Jinping, China will work with other countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind, forge partnerships across the world, enhance friendship and cooperation, and explore a new path of growing state-to-state relations based on mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation. Our goal is to build a more peaceful and tranquil world, and make life happier and more fulfilling for all. Over the past year, we have continued to build global partnerships that foster dialogue and inclusiveness rather than confrontation and exclusion, further substantiated China's all-round, multitiered, wide-ranging and multi-faceted external exchanges, and worked to expand converging interests and forge maximum synergy with all countries. We have maintained overall stability in our relations with other major countries. General Secretary Xi Jinping met with Russian President Putin three times, further deepening China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination; he had in-depth exchanges with leaders of various European countries, paving the way for the sound and stable development of China-Europe relations; and he met with President Biden and sent congratulatory message to then President-Elect Trump, providing strategic guidance for the China-U.S. relationship at critical junctures. We have joined hands with neighboring countries to foster a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful, amicable and harmonious Asian home. The China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership has maintained strong momentum. The comprehensive strategic cooperation between China and the five Central Asian countries has been upgraded. The leaders of China and India reached agreement on bringing bilateral relations back to the track of stable development. China and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to promoting the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit in an all-round way. We have rallied powerful force of the Global South in seeking strength through unity. General Secretary Xi Jinping called for more open and inclusive Global South cooperation, announced eight measures in support of Global South cooperation, and reached consensus with other leaders on bringing more partners into the BRCIS family to make it a primary channel for strengthening solidarity and cooperation among Global South nations. China also jointly adopted the Beijing Declaration on Jointly Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era and the Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027) of FOCAC with African countries, established "five cooperation frameworks" with Arab states, further aligned its development strategies with Latin American and Caribbean countries, and continuously expanded its cooperation with Pacific island countries, all with the aim of empowering the Global South across all dimensions. The dividends of Chinese modernization have been further unleashed, providing an inexhaustible driving force for building a community with a shared future for mankind. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that China's development needs openness to the world, and the world's prosperity needs contribution from China. Over the past year, we have linked our own development with that of other countries. We have joined forces with the international community to pursue peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and shared prosperity. On what kind of modernization should be pursued, a question of historic significance, General Secretary Xi Jinping articulated at the FOCAC Beijing Summit the need to join hands in advancing modernization that is just and equitable, open and win-win, that puts the people first, that features diversity and inclusiveness, and that is eco-friendly and underpinned by peace and security. This has helped to point the direction for the modernization of countries around the world. In response to the pressing need for faster development in many countries, China has announced eight actions for global development, which include solid steps to deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. To date, 155 countries have participated in Belt and Road cooperation. Trade between China and these countries grew by 6.4 percent in 2024 against headwinds. The Belt and Road Initiative has indeed become a road to happiness that benefits the wider world. In the face of growing protectionism, China stays committed to expanding high-standard opening up. It has fully opened up the manufacturing sector, given all the least developed countries having diplomatic ties with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, and continued to refine policies for foreigners traveling to China. All these are steps to bring everyone onboard to share in China's development. China has also taken proactive steps to align with high-standard international trade rules, implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and invigorate the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) process. These are examples of China's steadfast commitment to advancing trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, which will create new momentum for global growth. Joint efforts are made to reform and refine the global governance system, accumulating more tangible outcomes for building a community with a shared future for mankind. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that building a community with a shared future for mankind does not mean replacing one system with another or one civilization with another. Rather, it aims at enabling countries with different social systems, ideologies, history, cultures and levels of development to pursue common interests, uphold shared rights, and fulfill common responsibilities in international affairs in order to pool the greatest efforts possible to build a better world. Over the past year, China has continued practicing true multilateralism. Guided by the principle of consultation and contribution for shared benefit, it has worked actively to provide global public goods to enable all countries to achieve development, security and prosperity together. At the G20 Summit in Rio, General Secretary Xi Jinping comprehensively and systematically articulated China's vision for global governance. Such vision is grounded in the long trajectory of history and aims at creating a bright future for humanity. It includes proposals to improve global governance on five dimensions spanning economic, financial, trade, digital, and ecological domains, helping to guide efforts to practice true multilateralism. China has stepped up efforts to deliver on the three major initiatives it has proposed, namely the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). Eighty-two countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI, 119 countries and international organizations have expressed support for the GSI, and the 78th session of the U.N. General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution establishing an International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. All these are important underpinnings for the endeavor to build a community with a shared future for mankind. China has actively facilitated the political settlement of hotspot issues such as the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, making China's contributions to restoring peace and saving lives. Over the past year, the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind has been supported and echoed by a growing number of countries worldwide. The vision has become a grand cause galvanizing extensive, joint efforts from various parties. China and Brazil have announced efforts to build a China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet, an example of how major emerging countries shoulder their responsibilities. China and Serbia have launched efforts to build a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era, the first of its kind between China and a European country. Globally, more countries are joining forces to build a community with a shared future. Notably, China and all African countries with which it has diplomatic relations have agreed to build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, reflecting the shared desire of over 2.8 billion people in China and Africa to stand shoulder to shoulder through thick and thin. For eight years running, the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind has been incorporated in UNGA resolutions. The core tenets of this vision has been included in the U.N.'s Pact for the Future. The vision has increasingly become a signature global public good for all countries to share. II Looking back on the momentous diplomatic journey over the past year, major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics has entered a new stage where much more can be accomplished. China's influence, appeal, and power to shape as a responsible and constructive major country have reached new heights. The important vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind has not only taken China's diplomacy forward in great strides, but increasingly won the hearts and minds of the international community. It has become a shining banner driving the progress of the times, and demonstrated the great power of ideas to influence the course of world history. Standing at the forefront of the times, a community with a shared future for mankind is of great contemporary value. The current international situation is fraught with turbulence. Global challenges emerge one after another. Human society once again stands at a historical crossroads. Faced with rising geopolitical conflict, unilateral action and protectionism, and increasing traditional and nontraditional security threats, it is imperative that countries take collective action. General Secretary Xi Jinping has clearly pointed out that there is only one Earth in the universe and we mankind have only one home. Countries are not riding separately in some 190 small boats, but are rather all in a giant ship on which our shared destiny hinges. In the face of risks and challenges, no country can remain unscathed. Solidarity, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness are the right path for humanity. Countries should see each other's development as opportunities rather than challenges, and treat each other as partners rather than rivals. Global solidarity, cooperation and mutual benefit should become the main theme of the times. As changes unseen in a century accelerate across the world, it is all the more important that countries rise above estrangement and conflict with a broad vision, and care for the future of humanity with great passion. Together, we should practice friendship and cooperation, promote mutual learning among cultures, and build a community with a shared future for mankind, in order to jointly create a better future for the world. Advancing with the times, a community with a shared future for mankind has become a better-established scientific system. In 2013, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind for the first time at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. In 2015, during the General Debate of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, he clarified the pathway for realizing a community with a shared future for mankind. In 2017, in his speech at the United Nations Office at Geneva, he put forward the goal of building an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity. By systematically expounding this important vision at various international occasions, he took global understanding of this vision to deeper levels. At the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs in 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping defined the pillars of building a community with a shared future for mankind as a scientific system: The goal is to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity; the pathway is promoting global governance that features extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit; the guiding principle is to apply the common values of humanity; the basic underpinning lies in building a new type of international relations; the strategic guidance comes from the implementation of the GDI, the GSI and the GCI; and the platform for action is high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. On this basis, we seek to bring countries together to meet challenges and achieve prosperity for all. The abovementioned important statements not only constitute the top-level design of China's diplomatic strategy on the new journey, but also point the way toward a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress for our world. Pooling global consensus, a community with a shared future for mankind is being practiced in wider areas at a faster pace. Building a community with a shared future for mankind has developed from a Chinese initiative to an international consensus, and from a promising vision to substantive actions. It is driving positive and profound changes in the world today. At the bilateral level, the building of a community with a shared future began with China's neighboring countries and gradually expanded to the world. To date, dozens of countries have issued action plans or joint statements, or reached important common understandings with China on building communities with a shared future at the bilateral level. Together they have strengthened the progressive trend of building a new type of international relations. At the regional level, the building of a community with a shared future has covered regions where developing countries concentrate, such as the Indochina Peninsula, Central Asia, ASEAN, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Arab countries, and Pacific Island countries, and cooperation mechanisms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This has provided strong momentum for regional cooperation. At the global level, multilateral cooperation has steadily advanced in building a global community of health for all, a community of shared future in cyberspace, a community of life for man and nature, a global community of development, and a global community of security for all. These efforts have fostered strong international synergy in meeting challenges and creating a better future together. Integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and fine traditional culture, a community with a shared future for mankind has its distinct theoretical property. The concept is an important reflection of the original aspiration and founding mission of the CPC. It fully demonstrates that the CPC is a party dedicated to pursuing happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, as well as a party committed to promoting human progress and world harmony. It highlights the inherent internationalist spirit and global vision of the world's largest Marxist governing party. The concept represents an inheritance and innovation of China's fine traditional culture. It endows traditional ideas such as "universal harmony" and "harmonious coexistence among nations" with contemporary significance, exemplifying the peaceful, inclusive and innovative nature of Chinese civilization and shining with the brilliance of progress and wisdom. The concept is a continuation and elevation of the fine traditions of New China's diplomacy. It is both in line with and evolving from the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, showcasing distinct Chinese characteristics, style and ethos in our diplomacy in the new era. The concept is also a sublation and transcendence of old international relations theories. It transcends differences in social systems and ideologies, embraces variations in history, culture and development stage, and provides a fundamental path for humanity to address global challenges, thus opening up a new horizon for the evolution of international relations in the 21st century. III General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that building a community with a shared future for mankind is a noble goal, one that requires the sustained efforts of successive generations, passing the baton from one generation to the next. China is ready to rise to this historical mission with all countries, and work tirelessly and courageously together for the realization of this lofty goal. China is ready to work with all countries to consolidate the foundation for world peace. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. China will join forces with all parties to promote a correct view of World War II history and safeguard the hard-won fruits of victory that our forebears have sacrificed their lives for. We will actively implement the GSI, apply the Chinese approach to resolving hotspot issues, and continue China's constructive role in facilitating the political settlement of hotspot issues. China is ready to work with all countries to sing the chorus of open development. We will resolutely expand high-standard opening up, deliver on the eight major steps under high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and leverage the positive role of platforms such as the Boao Forum for Asia, the Annual Meeting of the New Champions, and the China International Import Expo. Through these efforts, China will continuously provide new opportunities for global development through achievements in Chinese modernization. We will also advance the building of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, uphold the global free trade system, and safeguard the stability and smooth operation of the global industrial and supply chains. We will actively implement the GDI to promote common development and prosperity of all countries. China is ready to work with all countries to expand the ranks of those supporting friendship and cooperation. We will promote coordination and positive interactions among major countries, strive for the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations, consolidate China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era, and guide a steady progress in China-EU relations toward independence, mutual success and benefit to the world. We will deepen friendship, mutual trust and convergence of interests with neighboring countries, implement the ten partnership actions for modernization with Africa, advance the "five cooperation frameworks" under China-Arab cooperation at a faster pace, and use the 10th anniversary of the China-CELAC Forum to open up a new chapter of cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries. China is ready to work with all countries to put our belief in multilateralism into action. We will join all parties in reaffirming the founding purposes and mission of the U.N., firmly safeguard the authority and role of the U.N., and advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. We will meticulously plan the China Year of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to elevate regional cooperation to a new level. We also support Brazil and South Africa in hosting the BRICS Summit and the G20 Summit, to amplify the voice of the Global South and provide more public goods for the world. China is ready to work with all countries to build bridges for communication. We will host the 9th Asian Winter Games at a high standard, and let the world experience the vibrance of a diverse China through ice and snow sports. We will continue to facilitate visits to China, and expand the two-way exchanges between the Chinese people and people elsewhere. We will promote the common values of humanity, implement the GCI, and foster closer bonds and better understanding among people of all countries. The era calls for commitment, and hard work shapes the future. Facing the new circumstances and new tasks, China's diplomatic service will continue to follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy in particular, hold high the banner of building a community with a shared future for mankind, continue to navigate the currents of history, champion justice, and follow the righteous path, and make even greater contributions to the cause of peace and progress of humanity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on January 27, 2025 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: January 27, 2025 18:42 Hubei Media Group: The Spring Festival has been inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Could you share more with us about the events that the Chinese Foreign Ministry have planned for overseas Chinese to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival of the Year of the Snake? Mao Ning: The Spring Festival symbolizes peace, amity and harmony in the Chinese tradition, and embodies people's gratitude and reverence for nature, as well as aspiration for family reunion and a better life. The inscription of the Spring Festival on the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list shows that this is a festival unique to China and enjoyed by the world. Since 2023, the Ministry and our embassies and consulates have held the "Embracing the Chinese New Year" special program every year, which has been welcomed by overseas Chinese. During the upcoming Spring Festival of the Year of the Snake, our Ministry will continue to bring warmth and best wishes to overseas Chinese through our embassies and consulates, and hold events to celebrate the Spring Festival with overseas Chinese and friends from countries around the world, where they will get to experience the Spring Festival culture and the charm of the Chinese civilization. We wish all overseas Chinese and friends around the world a happy and prosperous Year of the Snake! Reuters: The Guardian reported that Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting the U.K. next month. Could you confirm that and provide any other information about the trip? Mao Ning: China and the U.K. are both permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies in the world. It is in the common interest of both sides and the international community for the two countries to enhance strategic communication, deepen political mutual trust and advance mutually beneficial cooperation. Recently between China and the U.K., the leaders have held meetings, dialogue mechanisms have been resumed, and various sectors are encouraged by and full of expectation for the sound and steady growth of the bilateral relations. As for the specific visit you asked about, I have no information to share at the moment, but you may stay tuned. Sky News: Donald Trump has said China is behind the supply of fentanyl chemicals to Mexico and Canada. What's your response to that and what is China doing to crack down on the selling of precursors? Mao Ning: China is one of the world's toughest countries on counternarcotics both in terms of policy and its implementation. China announced back in 2019 the decision to officially schedule fentanyl-related substances as a class. We are the first country in the world to do so. China has given support to the U.S.'s response to the fentanyl issue in the spirit of humanity and goodwill, and conducted counternarcotics cooperation with the U.S. side in a broad-based and in-depth way. The achievements we have made are there for all to see. We hope the U.S. will work to continue the hard-won positive dynamics in the counternarcotics cooperation. Shenzhen TV: It's reported that the 2025 Business Sentiment Survey Findings Report released days ago by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong shows that American companies in Hong Kong are more confident in the business environment there, and they view Hong Kong's national security laws in a more objective way. What's the Foreign Ministry's comment? Mao Ning: I noted the report. It mentioned that 75 percent of respondents viewed Hong Kong as an international commercial center, 90 percent reported that foreign businesses were still welcomed in Hong Kong, and 83 percent responded they were confident in Hong Kong's rule of law. These numbers say a lot about American businesses' confidence in Hong Kong's development prospects and business environment there. The Law on Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance provide the solid footing for efforts to protect national security in Hong Kong and enable Hong Kong to foster a more stable society and a better investment environment. Foreign investors' lawful rights and interests in Hong Kong are now under better protection. We are fully confident that more American and other foreign companies will invest and do business in Hong Kong and share the benefits of Chinese modernization and the practice of "One Country, Two Systems." Bloomberg: Yesterday, the Central Intelligence Agency in America said that they now believe that the COVID-19 pandemic likely originated from lab leak rather than from a natural source. Does the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs have any response to this new development? Mao Ning: Origins-tracing is a matter of science and any judgement on it should be made in a science-based spirit and by scientists. It is "extremely unlikely" that the pandemic was caused by a lab leakthis is the authoritative conclusion reached by the experts of the WHO-China joint mission based on science following their field trips to the lab in Wuhan and in-depth communication with researchers. The conclusion has been widely acknowledged by the international community, including the science community. The US needs to stop politicizing and weaponizing origins-tracing at once, and stop scapegoating others. The U.S. should respond as quickly as possible to the international community's legitimate concerns, voluntarily share its data with the WHO about suspected early cases in the U.S., clarify the questions concerning relevant U.S. biological labs, and give a responsible explanation to the world. Xinhua News Agency: We have learned that President Xi Jinping's special representative, Vice President Han Zheng received high-level reception when attending President Trump's inauguration not long ago. Meanwhile, some Taiwanese media outlets reported that Taiwan's so-called "Legislative Yuan" said recently that its so-called "president" Han Kuo-yu got reception from the U.S. at an unprecedented high level when he led a delegation to the inauguration. What is China's comment on this? Mao Ning: On January 20, President Xi Jinping's special representative, Vice President Han Zheng attended the inauguration ceremony of President Donald Trump at U.S. invitation. He was seated on the dais of Capitol Rotunda, the main venue of the inauguration ceremony, and exchanged greetings and spoke with leaders of relevant countries and U.S. political dignitaries there. China is firmly opposed to any form of official interactions between the U.S. and the Taiwan region. As for the so-called "high-level reception" relevant person of the Taiwan authorities got from the U.S., it is apparently disinformation self-bestowed by Taiwan authorities for self-consumption. Bloomberg: Yesterday, Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Colombia unless they took back Colombian citizens who are in the U.S. without documentation. And then a few hours ago the U.S. withdrew that threat as they said the Colombians now agreed to take back those migrants. My first question is what is China's view on this 24 hours between the U.S. and Colombia? My second question is does China intend to take back all the Chinese nationals who are in the U.S. illegally or without documentation? Mao Ning: On your first question, this is a matter between the U.S. and Columbia. We hope that the two countries will properly resolve it. On your second question, I'd refer you to competent authorities for anything specific. Let me say more broadly that the Chinese government firmly opposes any form of illegal migration. We have conducted practical cooperation with the migration and law enforcement departments of the U.S. and other countries, which has been productive. As far as repatriation is concerned, China's principle is to receive the repatriates who are confirmed as Chinese nationals from the Chinese mainland after verification. China Daily: It's reported that protests recently took place in Serbia. On January 25, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic held a big rally where he delivered remarks to review the unprecedented socioeconomic development in Serbia in recent years, and stressed that Serbia must not stop going forward. What's China's comment? Mao Ning: China noted the media reports. In recent years, under the leadership of President Aleksandar Vucic, Serbia has upheld independence and achieved remarkable progress in socioeconomic development. China always respects Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and supports Serbia in upholding national stability and development interests. As Serbia's ironclad friend, we believe that Serbia has the wisdom and capability to keep its society stable and maintain the sound momentum of development. **************** During the Spring Festival holiday, there will be no regular press conference from Tuesday, January 28 to Tuesday, February 4. The regular press conference will be resumed on Wednesday, February 5. During this period, questions can be submitted to the Spokesperson's Office via fax, email or WeChat. The first Spring Festival as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage is just around the corner. Around the world, people will celebrate the festival with various events. We also welcome international tourists to come to China to enjoy the festivities. We wish all Chinese and foreign journalists and friends who have followed and supported Chinese diplomacy a happy Spring Festival. We wish you all every happiness and auspiciousness in the Year of the Snake! We have prepared gift candy for every journalist present today and wish you a sweet and joyful Chinese New Year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China will accept return of its migrants from the US Beijing says it opposes 'illegal migration' as asylum is banned under Trump. By Han Qing for RFA Mandarin 2025.01.27 -- Anyone desperate to leave China as part of an ongoing exodus known as the "run" movement may need to find alternate destinations, as the repatriation of Chinese migrants from the United States looks increasingly likely. China on Monday pledged to accept the return of Chinese migrants in the United States after President Donald Trump threatened to hit Colombia with tariffs of up to 50% for refusing to take back its migrants amid an ongoing crackdown on immigration. "China will receive people who are confirmed as Chinese nationals from the mainland after verification," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular news briefing in Beijing. "The Chinese government firmly opposes any form of illegal migration," she said. The number of people fleeing China to seek asylum in the United States has spiked sharply since the country eased its zero-COVID travel bans in 2022. In 2024, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol reporting encounters with more than 32,000 Chinese nationals at the southwest land border with Mexico compared with about 21,000 the previous year. The agency reported 2,395 so far this year. Chinese nationals have had a fairly high likelihood of being accepted as political refugees in the United States in recent years, with acceptance rates of around 55%, according to statistics from the Department of Justice. Dangerous trek In a phenomenon known as the "run" movement, they have been fleeing the country in large numbers to make the arduous and sometimes dangerous overland journey through South and Central America to cross the border from Mexico and apply for political asylum in the United States. A buzzword that uses the Chinese character (run) as a wordplay on the English word "run," it describes how large numbers of people are leaving, or researching the best way to get out of China, with the aim of settling in a more developed country with greater freedoms. The idea of leaving really took off during the grueling lockdowns, mass incarceration in quarantine camps and compulsory testing of President Xi Jinping's zero-COVID policy, which the government ended abruptly following nationwide protests in December 2022. Many political dissidents, religious believers and rights activists are among the new wave of migrants, and could face official retaliation if they're handed over to the Chinese authorities. Trump has declared illegal immigration a national emergency, dispatching the U.S. military to help with border security and issuing a broad ban on asylum, as well as taking steps to restrict citizenship for children born on U.S. soil. Destination Japan That means Chinese asylum-seekers are now at risk of being sent back to China, and people may start looking at alternate destinations -- and Japan is becoming a popular option. Language student Li Bing, who hails from northwestern China, is now working in the industrial waste industry in Japan on a five-year work permit after initially traveling to the country as a language student. "This was the only company that was pretty straightforward and gave me a job offer," Li told RFA Mandarin. "So I figured I'd make the best of it." "The industry has nothing to do with my previous career in China, and it doesn't pay well, but the most important things for Chinese overseas are role, language and money," he said. "This company has solved the most important of those problems for me." Li said he plans to apply for Japanese citizenship after working out his five-year visa. "There's a huge drop in income and lifestyle, but ... I think everyone experiences this when they move to a new environment," he said. "My understanding of the world and of life have changed ... I don't need to turn myself into the hero guy of my own success story." "I have no regrets," he said. Chinese are the most numerous newcomers to Japan, the Associated Press reported last September, with 822,000 Chinese passport-holders among more than 3 million foreigners living in the country, up from 762,000 in 2024. A Reddit comment as early as 2021 extolled the country as a good option for young Chinese people, saying "Japanese is relatively easy to learn ... it's easy to find a job (the birth rate is seriously declining and young people can find jobs if they want them." "There is almost no situation in which people are sent back home because they can't find a job." Meanwhile, Taiwan's Central News Agency quoted an immigration consultancy insider as saying that while Japan is now a likely alternate destination, Thailand and Malaysia are also popular. Colombian face-off Mao Ning's comment was in response to a question about whether China would take back its nationals following a face-off between the Trump administration and Bogota, which had initially refused to accept military aircraft carrying deported migrants, according to the White House. Colombia backed down after Trump threatened it with tariffs and sanctions for refusing to cooperate with his sweeping immigration crackdown. "The Government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump's terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without limitation or delay," the White House said in a statement on Monday. "President Trump ... expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States," the statement said. 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 North Korea tests cruise missile; warns US, South Korea on 'provocation' The return of Donald Trump as US president has raised speculation about an improvement in ties. By RFA Staff 2025.01.27 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the successful test of a cruise missile system, North Korea's state media reported, as it accused the United States and South Korea of provocations and vowed the "toughest counteraction" to defend itself. The underwater-to-surface strategic cruise guided weapons traveled for 1,500 kilometers between 7,507 and 7,511 seconds in the Saturday test before "precisely" hitting targets, the North's KCNA news agency reported. "The test was conducted as a link in the whole chain of efforts for carrying out the plan for building up the defence capability of the country, aimed at improving the effectiveness of the strategic deterrence against the potential enemies in conformity with the changing regional security environment," KCNA reported. Kim was cited as noting that the North armed forces were perfecting "the means of war deterrence." On Sunday, North Korea accused the United States and South Korea of "staging serious military provocations" with their military exercises. "The U.S. and the ROK will never evade the responsibility for the aggravation of regional situation to be entailed by an increase in the visibility of military provocations", a senior foreign ministry official said in a statement, referring to South Korea by the initials of its official name, the Republic of Korea. "The DPRK Foreign Ministry is closely watching the military provocations of the U.S. and the ROK escalating the tension on the Korean peninsula and seriously warns them that such moves will entail a reflective counteraction," the official said, referring to North Korea by the initials of its official name, the People's Democratic Republic of Korea. "The DPRK will not permit the imbalance of strength imposed by the military nexus between the U.S. and the ROK and take the toughest counteraction to defend the sovereign right, security and interests of the state and thoroughly ensure peace and stability in the region." The inauguration of President Donald Trump has led to speculation about an improvement in ties between the old foes. During his first term, Trump embarked on unprecedented but ultimately unsuccessful engagement with North Korea to try to get it to abandon its nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief and he has suggested he would be open to a new effort. Last week, North Korea reiterated that it had no intention of giving up its nuclear program, blaming the United States for creating tensions. North Korea has drawn closer to Russia since Trump's first term and has sent large volumes of arms and ammunition, as well as some 12,000 soldiers, to help Russia in its war against Ukraine. Neither Russia nor North Korea has acknowledged the North Korean support. Edited by RFA Staff. Copyright 1998-2016, 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 Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates President Trump on historic second term India - Ministry of External Affairs January 27, 2025 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke with the President of the United States of America, H.E. Donald J. Trump, today and congratulated him on his historic second term as the 47th President of the United States of America. 2. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment for a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership. They discussed various facets of the wide-ranging bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and measures to advance it, including in the areas of technology, trade, investment, energy and defence. 3. The two leaders exchanged views on global issues, including the situation in West Asia and Ukraine, and reiterated their commitment to work together for promoting global peace, prosperity and security. 4. The leaders agreed to remain in touch and meet soon at an early mutually convenient date. New Delhi January 27, 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address STRENGTHENING MARITIME TIES - INDIAN NAVY HOSTS INDONESIAN NAVY DELEGATION India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 27 JAN 2025 4:07PM by PIB Delhi Admiral Muhammad Ali, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, is on an official visit to India as part of the high-level delegation accompanying his Excellency President Prabowo Subianto, the Chief Guest for the Republic Day Parade 2025. During his visit, Adm Muhammad Ali and Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, held bilateral interactions to deepen maritime cooperation and strengthen ties between the two-close maritime neighbours. The Key areas of discussion between the two naval leaders included advancing joint initiatives like Exercise Samudra Shakti, strengthening operational collaboration, and addressing shared maritime challenges, including piracy and other illegal activities at sea. The visit also includes engagements at key maritime establishments such as the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) and the Weapons and Electronics Systems and Engineering Establishment (WESEE), focusing on enhancing regional collaboration and maritime domain awareness. Adm Muhammad Ali also visited the BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) and exchanged ideas and insights on further strengthening bilateral cooperation in the area of defence and strategy. Adm Muhammad Ali's engagements with the Indian Navy and defence stakeholders reflect a shared commitment to fostering regional cooperation and ensuring a secure and peaceful maritime environment. ______________________ VM/SKY 21/25 (Release ID: 2096689) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ethnic rebels seize key airport in northern Myanmar The Bhamo Airport serves as a critical hub for delivering supplies and food to junta troops. By RFA Burmese 2025.01.27 -- Ethnic rebels on Monday seized an airport in northern Myanmar near the Chinese border, cutting off a supply channel for a key military base in the region, according to residents and rebel sources. The Kachin Independence Army, or KIA, and allied forces took over Bhamo Airport after capturing the junta's 366th Artillery Battalion, they said. It marks the latest setback for the military just days shy of the fourth anniversary of its Feb. 1, 2021, coup d'etat. Across the country, rebel groups pushed junta troops back, particularly over the past year. Since early 2024, the KIA and allied forces have captured 14 townships in Kachin state and northern Shan state. Soon after the airport takeover, a video went viral on social media of KIA and allied forces walking on the runway of the Bhamo airfield, which residents said has not been used for civilians since fighting for control of the city began on Dec. 4. A resident of Bhamo confirmed to RFA Burmese that the KIA had taken the airport. "The KIA and its allied forces have taken control of Bhamo airport a critical hub for the junta, as it is used to deliver logistical supplies and food to troops," said the resident who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns. The rebels are now focused on taking Military Operations Command No. 21, or MOC-21, another resident said. "We are hearing gunfire around the prison and MOC-21, which are behind the airfield," he said. "We can hear the sounds of gunfire and artillery fire there, especially near the area of MOC-21." Relentless airstrikes While the KIA and allied forces have been trying to take control of Bhamo for nearly two months, fighting has intensified since Jan. 23, residents said. The junta has been conducting airstrikes "both day and night," they said, and on Sunday dropped 1,000-pound bombs on Bhamo, destroying several houses. Another Bhamo resident told RFA that fighting has now moved within the MOC-21 compound a site spanning hundreds of acres, where "a number of junta battalions are stationed." "These battalions are clustered together in a vast area that connects to the airfield on one side and to the towns of Nawng Hko and Nam Hpar on the other," the resident said. "Junta forces and their families are also present at the battalions." MOC-21 oversees command of Infantry Battalions No. 47 and 236, Artillery Battalion No. 366, Military Engineering Battalion No. 914, Engineer Squadron No. 944, Logistic Support Battalion No. 933, Military Ordnance Squadron No. 641, and the Military Security Force. 'Fierce fighting' daily Col. Naw Bu, the KIA's spokesperson, was not immediately able to confirm his group's capture of the airport, as he is based outside of Kachin and was awaiting word from the KIA's headquarters in the state's town of Laiza. But he acknowledged "fierce fighting" is taking place in Bhamo township on a daily basis. "Our forces are attacking all the military bases in Bhamo," he said. Attempts by RFA to contact Moe Min Thein, the junta's social affairs minister and spokesperson for Kachin state, for more information on the fighting went unanswered Monday. Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and 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 Myanmar military kills 19 in air attack on militia office The attack came as the military has been making some advances in re-capturing central areas. By RFA Burmese 2025.01.27 -- The Myanmar military killed 19 people including 14 members of an insurgent militia in an air attack on a rebel position, the militia said, as the junta presses on with operations aimed at recovering territory it lost last year. The attack was near an office in Sin Gut village, in central Myanmar's Myingyan township, occupied by members of a pro-democracy People's Defense Force, or PDF, groups of fighters that sprang up across the country after the military overthrew an elected government in early 2021. PDFs and allied ethnic minority insurgent groups made stunning gains last year but the junta has vowed to recapture territory and defeat the PDFs while trying to coax the ethnic minority insurgent into peace talks. A representative of the PDF in Myingyan, which is in the Mandalay region, said the Sunday air raid lasted for more than 20 minutes. "First, they shot with a fighter jet. Then they came firing with machine guns from an Mi-35 helicopter," said the militia member, who declined to be identified for safety reasons. RFA tried to telephone the Mandalay region's junta spokesperson, Thein Htay, for comment on the attack but he did not answer. A Myingyan PDF leader was among those killed, the PDF official said, adding that two children were among five civilians killed. Bodies of the dead were so badly mutilated it was not possible to identify them before they were cremated, said a resident of the area who also declined to be identified. Eight people were wounded in the attack, the PDF official said. There had not been any fighting recently in the Myingyan area, which is about 90 kilometers (55 miles) southwest of Mandalay city, unlike places to the north of the city, so the attack was a surprise, the resident said. The military has made advances in recent days in its operations in the Mandalay region after anti-junta fighters last year took positions on the approaches to Myanmar's second-biggest city. There is no precise death toll for Myanmar's war but U.N. experts said last month that more than 6,000 civilians had been killed. "Thousands of lives have been cut short in indiscriminate attacks by the military, which often targets civilian homes and infrastructure. Unlawful killings by junta forces are common and are characterized by their brutality and inhumanity," U.N. experts said in a report. 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 Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with the ambassadors of the ASEAN Moscow Committee 27 January 2025 17:32 95-27-01-2025 On January 27, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov convened a customary meeting with the ambassadors of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states accredited in Moscow. The attendees engaged in a substantive dialogue regarding the execution of resolutions made by the leaders of our nation and the ASEAN 10 nations concerning the advancement of the Russia-ASEAN strategic partnership, alongside the preparation of a new programme document for the medium term. The primary focus was on initiatives to enhance practical collaboration, including the involvement of the ASEAN Moscow Committee. Steps were delineated to diversify cooperation across the domains of economy, energy, science and high technologies, digital transformation, and the expansion of business and youth exchanges. The discourse on pressing global and regional matters reaffirmed the alignment of approaches between our country and the Association in constructing a sustainable security framework in the Asia-Pacific region, grounded in the principles of adherence to international law, equality, and openness. Particular attention was directed towards deepening integration within the Eurasian space, fostering ASEAN's connections with the EAEU and the SCO. The event was conducted in a traditionally amicable atmosphere. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan 27 January 2025 15:23 90-27-01-2025 On January 27, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke by phone with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The foreign ministers reaffirmed Moscow and Abu Dhabi's mutual interest in the further progressive development of their comprehensive bilateral strategic partnership, based on the agreements reached at the highest level, in particular, during the talks between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of the UAE Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which were held in Moscow in October 2024. The ministers also discussed key aspects of the global and regional agenda, emphasising the latest developments in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone, the situation around Lebanon, and the current state of affairs in Syria, where the mobilisation of broad external efforts under the auspices of the UN is required to facilitate an inclusive national dialogue involving all political, ethnic, and religious Syrian forces. They stressed their mutual commitment to maintaining close foreign policy coordination, including at international organisations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Renews Russia Sanctions After Assuring Hungary On Energy Matters By RFE/RL's Hungarian Service January 28, 2025 The European Union has renewed its wide-ranging sanctions against Russia after it provided assurances to the government of Moscow-friendly Hungarian leader Viktor Orban on energy-related issues. "Europe delivers: EU Foreign Ministers just agreed to extend again the sanctions on Russia," EU foreign policy chief Kaia Kallas wrote on X on January 27. "This will continue to deprive Moscow of revenues to finance its war. Russia needs to pay for the damage they are causing," she added. The developments came after Hungarian representatives blocked a joint statement by EU countries to reject the presidential election in Belarus, according to information from RFE/RL sources in Brussels. Lacking the signatures of representatives from all 27 EU countries on Belarus, Kallas issued her own statement, saying the January 26 vote was not free and fair and calling on the Belarusian authorities to release all political prisoners. Orban, who maintains friendly ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly opposed the expansion of sanctions against Russia and increased European aid to Kyiv, despite the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He had initially called for EU coordination with U.S. President Donald Trump - who has often spoken in admiration of Putin -- before a decision was made on renewing sanctions on Moscow. However, since his inauguration, Trump has spoken of potential new sanctions against Russia if Putin does not enter into Ukraine peace negotiations, apparently weakening Orban's position against the measures. The Hungarian leader then expressed objections to Kyiv's move to end a deal that transited Russian gas to Hungary through Ukraine. But the European Commission on January 27 offered a vow saying it was "ready to continue discussions with Ukraine on the supply to Europe through the gas pipeline system in Ukraine." Asked how meaningful the pledge was, Kallas told a news conference: "Well, it meant [something] to Hungary. So that mattered." Reuters, which saw the official statement, said it declared that the EU Commission was ready to involve Hungary and Slovakia in the process, although there was no mention of resuming deliveries of Russian gas. "The Commission will approach Ukraine to request assurances regarding the maintenance of oil pipeline transfers to the EU," the EU statement also said. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said he was satisfied with the assurances. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy over the weekend said Kyiv was prepared to facilitate transit of gas from Azerbaijan to Europe as an alternative to Russian gas supplies. "There is gas. There are supply routes from Azerbaijan. The main thing is - to have the political will to work for their people, and not with Moscow on some shadow pocket, as some characters in Eastern Europe do," Zelenskiy said in a joint news conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu. Ukraine last year refused to extend a contract with Russian state gas giant Gazprom for the transit of gas supplies to Europe, as Kyiv and the West look to deny Moscow revenue used to fund its war in Ukraine. Most countries have begun developing alternative sources of gas, although some -- notably Slovakia and Hungary -- have said such means will drive up costs prohibitively. Slovakia on January 27 also welcomed the Commission statement on continuing talks with Ukraine regarding gas transit and that it looks positively on the option of the shipment of gas from Azerbaijan. "Since the beginning, we had discussed with the Ukrainian government the possibility of shipping other than Russian gas through Ukraine, and therefore we see the Ukrainian side's willingness to discuss such transit as a return to a solution proposed by us," Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-russia-sanctions- hungary-ukraine-orban-slovakia-gas/33290986.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 'Web of Agony': UN Commission's report unveils depths of former government's detention crimes during first decade of Syrian war Press releases Independent investigation 27 January 2025 GENEVA -- In a report drawing on its extensive investigations since the start of the Syrian conflict, the UN Syria Commission of Inquiry today detailed how the former Syrian Government systematically used arbitrary detention, torture and enforced disappearances to quash dissent. These acts constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes, representing some of the worst systematic violations of international law committed during the conflict. The overthrow of the former government and the release of prisoners from its torture chambers mark a sea change for Syrians, something almost unthinkable just two months ago. "We stand at a critical juncture. The caretaker government and future Syrian authorities can now ensure these crimes are never repeated," said Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, Chair of the Commission. "We hope our findings from almost 14 years of investigations will help end impunity for these patterns of abuse." The report, "Web of Agony: Arbitrary Detention, Torture, and Ill-Treatment in the Syrian Arab Republic," is based on more than 2,000 witness testimonies, including over 550 interviews with survivors of torture. It presents the Commission's most comprehensive analysis to date of detention-related violations by the former government, leaving a legacy of trauma and suffering for the Syrian people. Despite the overthrow of the former government last month, agony persists for tens of thousands of families who did not find their missing relatives among the freed prisoners. The discovery of additional mass graves has led many families to conclude the worst. The report underscores the urgent need for decisive action to safeguard evidence, archives, and crime sites, including mass graves, until experts can examine them and where needed conduct forensic exhumations. In December and January, two Commission teams visited mass graves and former State detention centres in the Damascus area, including the notorious First Military Prison (Sednaya), Military Intelligence Branch 235 (Palestine) and the Air Force Intelligence Branches in Mezzeh and Harasta. They found that while much of the evidence and documentation in detention facilities had been burnt or destroyed, significant amounts remained. "For Syrians who did not find their loved ones among the freed, this evidence, alongside testimonies of freed detainees, may be their best hope to uncover the truth about missing relatives," said Commissioner Lynn Welchman. "We commend the new authorities for their commitment to protecting mass graves and evidence and encourage further efforts, with the support of relevant Syrian civil society and international actors." The report reveals in gruesome detail the patterns of torture and cruel, degrading, inhumane treatment that former State forces inflicted on detained men, women, boys, and girls. These include severe beatings, electric shocks, burning, pulling out nails, damaging teeth, rape, sexual violence including mutilation, prolonged stress positions, deliberate neglect and denial of medical care, exacerbating wounds, and psychological torture. Survivors and witnesses have described to the Commission how prisoners suffering from torture injuries, malnutrition, disease and illness were left to die slowly, in agonizing pain, or were taken away to be executed. Food rations were meagre or contaminated, there was lack of potable water and sufficient clothing, and insufficient space to even lie down to sleep, on cold floors with just a blanket for a mattress. Survivors reported the practice of leaving corpses in communal cells for days. Tiny, windowless basement isolation cells were still filled with stench and marked by unimaginable suffering when the Commission initiated its first on-site investigations. The locations visited were consistent with descriptions that hundreds of survivors and defectors have provided to the Commission over the past 14 years. Having been granted access to Syria for the first time since 2011 by the new caretaker government, the Commission plans to deepen its investigations in coming months, given unprecedented access to sites and survivors, who no longer fear reprisals for providing their testimonies. "Cases brought before national courts outside Syria, relying on the principle of universal jurisdiction, have led to important convictions of mid- and lower-level perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity," said Commissioner Hanny Megally. "We now hope to see credible national justice initiatives, in which survivors and families can play a central role. We stand ready to assist alongside Syrian human rights and family associations and our UN partners, including the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) and the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIMP). ENDS Note: Due to resource constraints, the publication of this report was significantly delayed and is only available in English at present. It is being translated and will be released in Arabic as soon as possible. The Commission's findings from 14 years of investigations also document similarly egregious practices by non-state armed groups within their areas of control throughout the conflict, see e.g. this report from 2021 and this from 2023. Background: The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic comprises Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, Hanny Megally and Lynn Welchman. The Commission was established on 22 August 2011 by the Human Rights Council through resolution S-17/1. The mandate of the Commission is to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011 in the Syrian Arab Republic. The Human Rights Council also tasked the Commission with establishing the facts and circumstances that may amount to such violations and of the crimes perpetrated and, where possible, to identify those responsible with a view of ensuring that perpetrators of violations, including those that may constitute crimes against humanity, are held accountable. The Human Rights Council has repeatedly extended the Commission's mandate since then, most recently until 31 March 2025. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Unprecedented cruelty': War monitor says HTS militants executed 35 Syrians in 3 days Iran Press TV Monday, 27 January 2025 7:13 AM Militants affiliated with the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) government in Syria have carried out 35 summary executions over the past 72 hours, a UK-based war monitor says. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) released the figure on Sunday, noting that those executed were mostly former officers in the toppled government of President Bashar-al-Assad who had presented themselves at the centers set up by the country's new ruling entity. Earlier reports said the authorities installed by the HTS have carried out multiple arrests in Homs Province. Members of a "criminal group" used a security sweep to commit abuses against residents while "posing as members of the security services," the reports added. Meanwhile, SOHR said the arrests "follow grave violations and summary executions that had cost the lives of 35 people over the past 72 hours." It also condemned "an unprecedented level of cruelty and violence" in Syria and compiled a list of "mass arbitrary arrests, atrocious abuse, attacks against religious symbols, mutilations of corpses, summary and brutal executions targeting civilians." Members of religious minorities had suffered "humiliations," it emphasized, saying armed groups took advantage of their ties to the new HTS authorities and the chaos in Syria to settle old scores with members of the Alawite minority to which Assad belongs. Additionally, Civil Peace Group, a civil society organization, condemned the "unjustified violations" including the killing of unarmed men in multiple Homs villages during the security sweep there. On December 8, foreign-backed militants, led by the HTS, announced the fall of Assad's government following a rapid two-week onslaught. The HTS has repeatedly claimed it would respect the rights of all sects and religions in Syria. The situation, however, remains very fragile, with a potential risk of further clashes as sectarian sentiments continue to boil over, amid the ongoing political instability and pressure on minority groups. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNHCR's Grandi calls for global action to support Syrians returning home UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 27 January 2025 DAMASCUS -- Wrapping up a visit to Syria on Monday, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, appealed to the international community for bold and decisive action to help Syrians rebuild their war-torn country and support displaced Syrians in returning home. Since September, more than 500,000 refugees have returned to Syria, including 200,000 after the fall of the Assad regime. Additionally, nearly 600,000 people who were displaced inside Syria have since returned to their homes. However, 7.4 million Syrians are still uprooted inside the country and there are more than 6 million Syrian refugees worldwide. Despite the major political shifts in Syria over the last few weeks, the humanitarian crisis persists. "We must seize this critical window of opportunity to help the country emerge from years of crisis and bloodshed," said Grandi. "Many families are taking the brave step of returning home, longing for a better future, but they face overwhelming difficulties: destroyed and damaged homes, shattered infrastructure and widespread poverty." In Damascus, Grandi held high-level discussions with the caretaker authorities, including the country's leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, which focused on how best to support Syrians returning home. Grandi made a call for donors to support efforts to meet the immense immediate humanitarian needs as well as ensure the country's long-term recovery. Safeguarding the rights and safety of all Syrians is also essential for creating favourable conditions for people to return. During the visit, Grandi met with returnees at key border crossings, such as Masnaa and Bab Al-Hawa. In Aleppo, he spoke with families who described the harsh realities they have faced upon their return, and their need for urgent support so that they can reunite with their families and start rebuilding their lives. "To make returns sustainable, safe and dignified, and to prevent further displacement in the longer-term, we need a comprehensive approach," he added. "This means investing in jobs, restoring health care, rebuilding schools, and re-establishing essential services like electricity and clean water. Additionally, lifting sanctions will act as a vital catalyst for recovery, paving the way for more Syrians to return home." Syrian refugees are eager for an improved security situation and political stability so they can return home safely; 27 per cent of Syrian refugees recently surveyed in Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq told UNHCR that they were planning to return to Syria in the next 12 months, up from less than 2 per cent before the fall of the Assad regime just a few weeks ago. UNHCR and its partners are scaling up humanitarian aid to meet the huge needs of returnees. This includes supporting people voluntarily returning from neighbouring countries with transportation and legal support, as well as help to repair their damaged houses, providing cash assistance and relief items such as mattresses, blankets and winter clothing. "This is a pivotal moment," said Grandi. "The world must act now to support Syria's recovery. Cooperation between neighbouring countries, donors, and the Syrian caretaker authorities is essential to bring much-needed peace and stability to Syria and the entire region." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syria: Rights probe reveals systematic torture and detention of Assad regime By Vibhu Mishra 27 January 2025 - A report from UN human rights investigators for Syria released on Monday has laid bare the systematic use of arbitrary detention, torture and enforced disappearances by the deposed Assad regime. The findings from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria detail crimes against humanity and war crimes that left a legacy of trauma for countless Syrians, representing some of the worst violations of international law committed during more than a decade of brutal conflict. "We stand at a critical juncture. The caretaker government and future Syrian authorities can now ensure these crimes are never repeated," said Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, Chair of the Commission. "We hope our findings from almost 14 years of investigations will help end impunity for these patterns of abuse." The report, titled Web of Agony: Arbitrary Detention, Torture and Ill-Treatment in the Syrian Arab Republic, draws on over 2,000 testimonies, including accounts from more than 550 survivors of torture. Torture chambers, mass graves The fall of the Assad regime last month and subsequent release of prisoners have been pivotal for many Syrians, but for tens of thousands of families, the agony persists. The discovery of mass graves has deepened fears for those whose loved ones remain missing. In December and January, Commission teams visited several grave sites and former detention facilities, including Sednaya Military Prison and branches of the former intelligence services in Damascus. While significant amounts of evidence and documentation had been destroyed, some materials were preserved, offering a glimmer of hope for families seeking answers. "For Syrians who did not find their loved ones among the freed, this evidence, alongside testimonies of freed detainees, may be their best hope to uncover the truth about missing relatives," said Commissioner Lynn Welchman. "We commend the new authorities for their commitment to protecting mass graves and evidence and encourage further efforts, with the support of relevant Syrian civil society and international actors." The report outlines harrowing accounts of abuse, including severe beatings, electric shocks, rape, mutilation and prolonged psychological and physical torture. Survivors and witnesses described dire prison conditions including malnutrition, disease and injuries left untreated. Some detainees were executed, while others succumbed to their injuries in overcrowded, unsanitary cells. A path to justice Having gained access to Syria for the first time since 2011, the Commission plans to expand its investigations with unprecedented access to sites and survivors who no longer fear reprisals. The report emphasises the importance of safeguarding evidence and archives, calling for coordinated efforts with Syrian civil society and international actors. "Cases brought before national courts outside Syria, relying on the principle of universal jurisdiction, have led to important convictions of mid- and lower-level perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity," said Commissioner Hanny Megally. "We now hope to see credible national justice initiatives, in which survivors and families can play a central role. We stand ready to assist alongside Syrian human rights and family associations and our UN partners." Independent investigators The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic was established in August 2011 by the UN Human Rights Council, with a mandate to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011. The Council also tasked the Commission with establishing the facts and circumstances surrounding alleged crimes and identifying those responsible, in an effort to hold them accountable. Global action for returnees The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi concluded a visit to Syria on Monday, calling for urgent international support to aid those returning home. Since September, over 500,000 refugees have made the journey, but they face overwhelming challenges: destroyed homes, shattered infrastructure and widespread poverty, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. The agency is working with Syrian caretaker authorities and neighbouring countries to support returns, provide legal aid, transportation and cash assistance. Families returning to cities like Aleppo described harsh realities, such as limited access to electricity and water, emphasising the urgent need for investment in healthcare, education and employment. Act now "This is a pivotal moment," Mr. Grandi said. "The world must act now to support Syria's recovery. Cooperation between neighbouring countries, donors and the Syrian caretaker authorities is essential to bring much-needed peace and stability to Syria and the entire region." UNHCR estimates that 27 per cent of Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries, including Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq, plan to return home within the next year - an increase from less than two per cent before the collapse of the regime. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN refugee chief urges greater global support for Syrians returning home People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 10:05, January 28, 2025 DAMASCUS, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Monday called on the international community to increase aid for Syrians returning to their war-ravaged homeland, warning that recent political changes have not alleviated the deep humanitarian crisis. Wrapping up a multi-day visit to Syria, Grandi highlighted the return of more than 500,000 refugees since last September, including 200,000 following the collapse of the Assad government in December 2024. An additional 600,000 internally displaced people have also returned to their homes during the same period, the UNHCR said in a press release. However, the scale of displacement remains staggering. According to UNHCR data, 7.4 million people are still displaced within Syria, while more than 6 million Syrians live as refugees abroad. "We must seize this critical moment to help the country emerge from years of conflict and bloodshed," Grandi said. "Countless families are bravely taking steps to return, but they face extraordinary challenges-damaged homes, collapsed infrastructure, and rampant poverty." Grandi held talks with Syria's interim leadership, including the country's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, to explore measures to support returnees. The discussions focused on rebuilding essential infrastructure, ensuring access to basic services, and addressing the needs of the displaced population. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Handover Ceremony for the Command of MCM BLACK SEA Republic of Turkiye Ministry of National Defence Date: 27.01.2025 Command of MCM BLACK SEA was handed over to Bulgaria with a ceremony held in Varna on January 15, 2025. Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, Admiral Ercument Tatloglu, Commander of the Romanian Navy, Vice Admiral Mihai Panait and Commander of the Bulgarian Navy, Rear Admiral (UH) Kiril Yordanov Mihaylov attended the handover ceremony. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout: Foreign Secretary meeting with US Secretary of State Foreign Secretary call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio: 27 January 2025 27 January 2025 Foreign Secretary David Lammy spoke with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio today. The Foreign Secretary congratulated Secretary Rubio on his appointment as Secretary of State and the pair discussed their shared links to the Caribbean, with the Foreign Secretary's family ties to Guyana and Secretary Rubio's family links to Cuba. They both welcomed the opportunity for the UK and the US to work together in alignment to address shared challenges including the situation in the Middle East, Russia's illegal war in Ukraine, the challenges posed by China and the need for Indo-Pacific security. The pair said they looked forward to working together and to meeting in person soon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: Council extends economic restrictive measures for a further 6 months European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 27 January 2025 12:45 The Council today renewed the EU restrictive measures in view of the Russian Federation's continuing actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine for a further 6 months, until 31 July 2025. These economic measures, first introduced in 2014, were significantly expanded since February 2022 in response to Russia's unprovoked, unjustified and illegal military aggression against Ukraine. They currently consist of a broad spectrum of sectoral measures, including restrictions on trade, finance, energy, technology and dual-use goods, industry, transport and luxury goods. They also cover: a ban on the import or transfer of seaborne crude oil and certain petroleum products from Russia to the EU, a de-SWIFTing of several Russian banks and the suspension of the broadcasting activities and licenses in the European Union of several Kremlin-backed disinformation outlets. Additionally, specific measures enable the EU to counter sanctions circumvention. As long as the illegal actions by the Russian Federation continue to violate fundamental rules of international law, including, in particular, the prohibition on the use of force, it is appropriate to maintain in force all the measures imposed by the EU and to take additional measures, if necessary. Background On 31 July 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine. In addition to the economic sanctions on the Russian Federation, the EU has in place different types of measures in response to Russia's destabilising actions against Ukraine. These include: restrictions on economic relations with the illegally annexed Crimea and the city of Sevastopol as well as the non-government controlled areas of Ukraine in the oblasts of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia; individual restrictive measures (asset freezes and travel restrictions) on a broad range of individuals and entities, and diplomatic measures. Since 24 February 2022, the EU has adopted 15 unprecedented and hard-hitting packages of sanctions in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In its conclusions dated 19 December 2024, the European Council reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and reaffirmed its continued support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. It also reconfirmed the European Union's unwavering commitment to providing continued political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Budrys in Brussels: We must find ways to use frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Updated 2025-01-27 On 27 January, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kestutis Budrys, is attending the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels. Prior to the Council meeting, the head of Lithuania's diplomacy told journalists that the meeting was also another occasion to talk about the continued pressure on Russia's war machine - the 16th sanctions package and ways to use frozen Russian assets: "Lithuania's legal advice on this issue is that we have the legal way forward. We analyzed the issue thoroughly, and our approach is that Russia is in breach of international law. This means that the international community has the right to use countermeasures against those activities. One of those would be the seizure of the immobilized assets," Lithuania's Foreign Minister said. The Foreign Minister also commented on the latest developments in the Baltic Sea: "The very recent events in the Baltic Sea, the events of yesterday in the Baltic Sea, show us that the number of those accidents is too high for us to call those coincidences. Four accidents like this happened in one year. We must first investigate extensively and determine whether and, if so, which state actors were behind and respond appropriately. Today, we will discuss further measures needed to monitor the situation in the Baltic Sea and also to prevent or respond to incidents." To watch the Foreign Minister's entire statement, click here: https://newsroom.consilium.europa.eu/events/20250127-foreign-affairs-council-january-2025/1474-1-doorstep-en-budrys-part-1-20250127 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Suffers 610 Troop Losses Battling Russian Forces - MoD Sputnik News 20250127 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr has eliminated up to 610 Ukrainian military personnel over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday. "The enemy lost up to 610 military personnel, four armored fighting vehicles, seven vehicles and six field artillery guns," the statement said. Russia's Battlegroup Zapad has obliterated over 355 Ukrainian soldiers, while Battlegroup Yug has wiped out as many as 250 Ukrainian soldiers, the ministry said. Russian forces took control of Velikaya Novosyolka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the ministry said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Loses Over 190 Soldiers, 2 Tanks in Kursk Area in Past Day Sputnik News 20250127 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Ukrainian armed forces have lost over 190 soldiers in the Kursk area in the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday. "Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian armed forces lost more than 190 servicepeople, two tanks, an armored personnel carrier, 10 armored combat vehicles, five vehicles, as well as six UAV control points and an ammunition depot. Three Ukrainian soldiers surrendered," the ministry said in a statement. The Battlegroup Sever of the Russian armed forces has regained control over the village of Nikolaevo-Darino in the Kursk Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said added. In total, Ukraine has lost over 55,190 servicepeople and 321 tanks during offensive in Kursk direction, the ministry added. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the the President of the European Council Discussed Strengthening Sanctions Pressure on Russia and Bolstering Ukraine's Position for Peace President of Ukraine 27 January 2025 - 17:26 In Krakow, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the European Council Antonio Costa. The Head of State expressed gratitude for today's decision by the EU to extend sanctions against Russia for another six months. "We need to continue putting pressure on Putin, and sanctions are one of the truly powerful tools. I would like to discuss with you how to strengthen this sanctions pressure," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted. One of the key topics of the meeting was the anticipated 16th EU sanctions package against Russia. Ukraine is counting on strong decisions that will further limit the aggressor state's ability to continue the war. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Antonio Costa also focused on military assistance. The Ukrainian President emphasized that developing Ukraine's defense industry - especially the production of drones and long-range weapons - is a priority that will strengthen our country's position in achieving a just and lasting peace. The two leaders discussed potential funding sources for Ukraine's domestic weapons production, which is both fast and cost-effective, including the use of frozen Russian assets. Special attention was also given to preparations for the informal meeting of EU leaders convened by Antonio Costa and scheduled for February 3. Ukraine is counting on the launch of new strong ammunition supply initiatives there. The Head of State also emphasized that it is important for Ukraine that Europe be a full-fledged participant in any future negotiations on restoring a just peace. Additionally, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine aims to open several negotiation clusters on EU accession in the first half of this year and is counting on the support of the President of the European Council in ensuring unanimity among member states. Antonio Costa emphasized that a just and lasting peace is necessary not only for Ukraine but also for all of Europe. "We will stand with you for as long as it takes," concluded the President of the European Council. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Krakow, the President of Ukraine Met with the Marshal of the Polish Sejm President of Ukraine 27 January 2025 - 16:51 In Krakow, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Szymon Hoownia. The Head of State arrived in Poland to participate in events marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, where more than one million people were killed during World War II. Most of the victims murdered by the Nazis were Jews. Today, the world honors the memory of all Holocaust victims. This crime against humanity must never happen again, which is why it is so important to fight the evil that still exists in the world. "We are very grateful to Poland for the invitation. This is a very special and meaningful day for us. And we also thank the entire Polish people for your support throughout this war," he said. Strengthening our nation militarily is crucial for achieving a just and lasting peace. Ukraine counts on the continued support of the Polish Sejm, in particular through the strengthening of sanctions policies against Russia. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Szymon Hoownia highlighted the importance of the summit of the speakers of the parliaments of Ukraine, Poland, and the Baltic states, launched in June last year. The summit focuses on supporting the Ukrainian state and strengthening security in Europe. Special attention was given to negotiations regarding Ukraine's accession to the European Union and the anticipated opening of the first negotiation clusters during Poland's presidency of the Council of the EU. The parties also discussed the implementation of joint projects to improve border crossing infrastructure and create appropriate conditions for Ukrainians and Poles during border control procedures. Szymon Hoownia noted that this meeting once again confirms the strength of relations between Ukraine and Poland, which should remain so in the future. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump's sanctions could force Russia's Putin to negotiating table, some experts say By Danila Galperovich January 27, 2025 On Jan. 22, Donald Trump just two days after being inaugurated for his second term as U.S. president again called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the "ridiculous" war with Ukraine, but this time he added a threat. "If we don't 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 wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. The following day, Trump told reporters that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had told him he's ready to negotiate an end to the war. In an interview with Fox News aired that same day, Trump said Zelenskyy is "no angel" and "shouldn't have allowed this war to happen." Does the new U.S. administration have sufficient economic leverage over Russia to force it to make peace, or at least talk about peace? According to Konstantin Sonin, John Dewey distinguished service professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and former vice rector of Moscow's Higher School of Economics, the U.S. has economic leverage, but some of its levers are clearly weaker than others. "Russia's trade with the U.S. is very small less than $3 billion a year," he told Danila Galperovich of VOA's Russian Service. "Accordingly, even if any opportunity for U.S. companies to trade with Russia is completely closed, the damage to Russia will be small. There is an opportunity to strengthen secondary sanctions that is, additional pressure, first of all, on China, on India, on other countries, so that they more strictly comply with the primary sanctions. "There is also an opportunity to continue what [former U.S. President Joe] Biden did with sanctions against the Russian shadow tanker fleet," Sonin added, referring to vessels that Russia uses to sell oil and evade Western sanctions. "This requires great international cooperation, but, in principle, it can be done," said Sonin. Economist Vladislav Inozemtsev, a special adviser to the Russian Media Studies Project at MEMRI, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, and director of the Moscow-based Center for Post-Industrial Studies, also stressed the significance of secondary sanctions on countries that do business with Russia. "Trump can somehow influence other countries so that they do not buy Russian products," Inozemtsev told VOA. "For example, let's say he can say that if India buys Russian oil, then the United States will impose 15% duties on all goods from India. This would have the most radical consequences. [I]f... countries trading with Russia are getting serious problems in the United States for all their products, then I think that this will be a very sobering moment. If it is possible to impose a virtually complete trade blockade through U.S. sanctions, then these will be devastating sanctions, of course." Sonin said that, over the longer term, deregulating oil production internationally would reduce world oil prices and thereby hinder Moscow's ability to finance its military operations against Ukraine. "Trump is famous for his good relations with Saudi Arabia, although they are unlikely to be so good that they will reduce oil prices at his request," he said. "But nevertheless, it is possible to work towards lowering oil prices, which even without sanctions will reduce Russian income." Trump spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a Jan. 22 telephone call. Still, Sonin said that economic levers, in and of themselves, cannot force Putin to do anything. "I would say that the most direct impact is still the supply of more powerful weapons to Ukraine. I do not know to what extent Trump wants to do this, but he mentioned it, and, in principle, it is possible to supply Ukraine with more powerful weapons in larger quantities." Inozemtsev, however, said that Putin, who has not previously changed his behavior in response to ultimatums, could do so this time. "Trump is a person whose degree of radicalism and unpredictability corresponds to Putin's," he said. "Here, perhaps, it would be better for Putin to change his mind a bit. If Trump offers him: 'Vladimir, let's go, we'll meet there, sit down at the negotiating table, bring your team, I'll bring mine, and we'll agree on something, we'll discuss it for a day or two, but the issue needs to be resolved,' I think Putin will go." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelenskiy Presses Ukraine's Cause With Gathered World Leaders In Poland By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service January 28, 2025 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pressed efforts to bolster support as world leaders gathered in Poland to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp, while on the battlefield Russian forces pressed their assault on Pokrovsk, their major target over recent months. "I had a meeting with the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, to discuss further support for Ukraine," Zelenskiy wrote on X from Poland on January 27. "We focused in particular on security cooperation and possible formats for security guarantees for Ukraine and all of Europe. We are counting on France's support in the negotiation process for EU accession." Zelenskiy in recent remarks has expressed more openness toward a compromise settlement in the war with Russia, which began in 2014 with the Kremlin's seizure and illegal annexation of Crimea and intensified following Moscow's full-scale invasion of February 2022. But he has stressed that Kyiv could only agree to a deal that would provide extensive security guarantees to Ukraine, including possible European peacekeeping troops backed by U.S. involvement and leadership. Zelenskiy also met with European Council President Antonio Costa, who wrote on X that he assured the Ukrainian leader of "the EU's steadfast support." "I encouraged him to continue working on Ukraine's EU accession. Ukraine's progress so far has been remarkable. The EU will stand with Ukraine as long as it takes," Costa added. The EU on January 27 renewed its wide-ranging series of sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. "Europe delivers: EU Foreign Ministers just agreed to extend again the sanctions on Russia," EU foreign policy chief Kaia Kallas wrote on X. Zelenskiy arrived in Poland to mark the Auschwitz event after placing a candle at the Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial in Kyiv, where more than 30,000 Jews were slaughtered by the Nazis over two days in 1941. "It was the Nazis' deliberate attempt to erase an entire nationto kill all its people and destroy everything that reminded the world of the Jewish nation. Six million victims," he wrote in a post on X. On the battlefield, the Ukrainian General Staff late on January 27 said Russian troops had carried out at least 77 assaults in the Pokrovsk region during the day, claiming that 65 had been repulsed and that 12 were still ongoing. 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. Should Russian forces seize Pokrovsk, analysts say they will likely pause to consolidate their position before pushing north toward the city of Kramatorsk to seize the next major road network in Donetsk. Reports of Russian air strikes also surfaced far away from the front lines. Svitlana Onyshchuk, governor of Ukraine's southwestern Ivano-Frankivsk region near the Romanian border, said drones had hit infrastructure sites over the past two days, causing damage but with no immediate reports of casualties. Separately, the mayor of Kharkiv - Ukraine's second-largest city - said a "large-scale fire" broke out after a Russian strike on a private business. "Emergency services are on site. There is no information about potential casualties at this time," Mayor Ihor Terekhov wrote on social media., Zelenskiy on January 26 announced that he had replaced Brigadier General Andriy Hnatov as military commander in the east following continued gains by Russian forces in the region. Hnatov was reassigned to a training and communications role. Major General Mykhailo Drapatiy, overall commander of ground forces, will now be responsible for the region and will also keep his previous duties. Zelenskiy in June 2024 appointed Hnatov to replace Lieutenant General Yuriy Sodol following criticism that, under his leadership, Ukrainian forces suffered a large number of casualties and lost territory to Russian troops. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-zelenskiy- macron-poland-auschwitz/33291354.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 NEWARK, Del, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Future Market Insights (FMI), the global temperature sensors market is set to witness significant growth, with its market value projected to increase from USD 8,030.3 Million in 2025 to USD 12,234.2 Million by 2035. The industry is projected to surge steadily at 4.3% CAGR from 2025 to 2035. This steady growth reflects the growing importance of temperature sensors across diverse industries, driven by technological advancements and rising demand for precision monitoring and control systems. The growing health consciousness among consumers, coupled with advancements in wearable technology, presents lucrative opportunities for temperature sensor manufacturers. Furthermore, the rise of smart homes and IoT-enabled devices is expected to open new avenues for innovation and market expansion. As industries continue to prioritize precision and efficiency, the temperature sensors industry is well-positioned to thrive in the years to come. Driving Forces Behind Market Growth: Booming Healthcare Sector The healthcare industry is experiencing a surge in demand for portable and advanced medical equipment integrated with temperature sensors. These devices enhance patient monitoring and diagnostics, enabling accurate measurements of body temperature, which is crucial for disease management and treatment planning. Integration of Industry 4.0 and IoT The adoption of Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized industrial processes. Smart factories now rely on temperature sensors for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. These sensors ensure seamless operations in sectors such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, where precision and reliability are critical. Wearable Technology on the Rise Wearable devices such as fitness trackers and smartwatches are becoming increasingly popular for tracking biometric parameters like body temperature and heart rate. As technology advances, these devices are becoming more sophisticated, creating a growing need for high-quality temperature sensors. This trend is expected to further drive market growth as consumer interest in health and fitness continues to rise. Stay Informed: Discover the Potential of the Temperature Sensors Market with Our Sample Report! https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/report-sample#5245502d47422d383431 Key Applications of Temperature Sensors: Food Safety Management Temperature sensors are playing a critical role in ensuring food safety. With increasing global awareness of foodborne illnesses, industries are adopting temperature control systems to monitor and maintain optimal conditions during production, storage, and transportation. Smart Home and Building Automation In the home automation space, temperature sensors are integral to systems like HVAC, fire alarms, lighting control, and smart thermostats. These sensors provide real-time data, enabling energy efficiency and enhanced safety. As the demand for smart homes rises, the adoption of temperature sensors in this segment is also expected to grow. Healthcare Wearables Wearable health devices have become a vital part of consumer electronics, helping users monitor their health more effectively. The integration of temperature sensors in fitness trackers, smartwatches, and other devices has revolutionized personal health management, making these sensors an essential component of the wearables market. Explore In-Depth Market Analysis - Access Strategic Recommendations! https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/temperature-sensors-market Challenges in the Market: While the market shows promising growth, manufacturers face challenges such as intense competition and ongoing price reductions. These factors are likely to impact profit margins and push companies toward innovation and efficiency to remain competitive. Key Takeaways from the Report: The global temperature sensors market is projected to reach USD 12,234.2 Million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 4.3%. India is expected to witness the fastest growth, with a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period. Rising adoption of Industry 4.0 and IoT is driving demand across industrial sectors. Wearable technology advancements are boosting the use of temperature sensors in health and fitness devices. Temperature sensors play a critical role in food safety management and smart home automation systems. The temperature sensors market is at the intersection of technological innovation and increasing consumer demand for smarter, more reliable devices. The inclusion of temperature sensors in critical applications such as food safety, healthcare, and industrial automation underscores their importance in modern systems. However, manufacturers must address challenges like price competition and rapidly evolving technology to stay ahead in this dynamic market. - opines Nikhil Kaitwade, Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights (FMI). Leading Players Operating in the Industry: ABB Limited Analog Devices Texas Instruments Honeywell International Robert Bosch GmbH NXP Semiconductors N.V Maxim Integrated Amphenol Global Mixed Mode Technology Sensirion Regional Market Highlights: India and Brazil Lead Growth India is projected to exhibit the highest growth rate, with a CAGR of 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, followed closely by Brazil at 5.1%. The rapid industrialization, growing adoption of smart technologies, and increasing focus on food safety regulations in these countries are significant contributors to this growth. China and USA as Key Players China and the USA will continue to dominate in terms of market size, with CAGRs of 4.8% and 4.5%, respectively. These nations benefit from advanced industrial infrastructures and significant investments in research and development. Germany as a European Hub In Europe, Germany is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1%, driven by its robust automotive and industrial sectors that rely heavily on temperature sensors for automation and quality control. Ready for the Next Big Opportunity? Uncover the Future of Electrical & Heavy Machinery Now! Temperature Sensors Industry Segmentation Analysis: By Product Type: Thermistor Temperature Sensor IC Resistive Temperature Detector Thermocouple Bimetallic Fibre Optic Sensor Infrared Sensor By Connectivity Type: Wired Wireless By Application: Consumer Electronics Automotive Healthcare and Medical Environmental Aerospace and Defence Power Generation Petrochemical Other By Region: North America Latin America Western Europe Eastern Europe East Asia South Asia Middle East and Africa (MEA) French Translation: Selon Future Market Insights (FMI), le marche mondial des capteurs de temperature devrait connaitre une croissance significative, sa valeur marchande devant passer de 8 030,3 millions USD en 2025 a 12 234,2 millions USD d'ici 2035. L'industrie devrait croitre regulierement a un TCAC de 4,3 % de 2025 a 2035. Cette croissance reguliere reflete l'importance croissante des capteurs de temperature dans diverses industries, tiree par les avancees technologiques et la demande croissante de systemes de surveillance et de controle de precision. La prise de conscience croissante des consommateurs en matiere de sante, associee aux progres de la technologie portable, offre des opportunites lucratives aux fabricants de capteurs de temperature. En outre, lessor des maisons intelligentes et des appareils compatibles IoT devrait ouvrir de nouvelles voies a linnovation et a lexpansion du marche. Alors que les industries continuent de privilegier la precision et lefficacite, le marche des capteurs de temperature est bien place pour prosperer dans les annees a venir. Les moteurs de la croissance du marche : Un secteur de la sante en plein essor Le secteur de la sante connait une forte demande d' equipements medicaux portables et avances equipes de capteurs de temperature. Ces appareils ameliorent la surveillance et le diagnostic des patients, permettant des mesures precises de la temperature corporelle, ce qui est essentiel pour la gestion des maladies et la planification du traitement. Integration de l'Industrie 4.0 et de l'IoT Ladoption de lIndustrie 4.0 et de lInternet des objets (IoT) a revolutionne les processus industriels. Les usines intelligentes sappuient desormais sur des capteurs de temperature pour une surveillance en temps reel et une maintenance predictive. Ces capteurs garantissent des operations fluides dans des secteurs tels que la fabrication, les produits pharmaceutiques et les produits chimiques, ou la precision et la fiabilite sont essentielles. La technologie portable en plein essor Les appareils portables tels que les trackers d'activite et les montres connectees sont de plus en plus populaires pour le suivi des parametres biometriques comme la temperature corporelle et la frequence cardiaque. A mesure que la technologie progresse, ces appareils deviennent de plus en plus sophistiques, creant un besoin croissant de capteurs de temperature de haute qualite. Cette tendance devrait stimuler davantage la croissance du marche a mesure que l'interet des consommateurs pour la sante et la forme physique continue de croitre. Principales applications des capteurs de temperature : Gestion de la securite alimentaire Les capteurs de temperature jouent un role essentiel pour garantir la securite alimentaire. Face a la sensibilisation croissante aux maladies d'origine alimentaire, les industries adoptent des systemes de controle de la temperature pour surveiller et maintenir des conditions optimales pendant la production, le stockage et le transport. Maison intelligente et automatisation des batiments Dans le domaine de la domotique, les capteurs de temperature font partie integrante de systemes tels que les systemes de chauffage, de ventilation et de climatisation, les alarmes incendie, le controle de l'eclairage et les thermostats intelligents. Ces capteurs fournissent des donnees en temps reel, ce qui permet une efficacite energetique et une securite renforcee. A mesure que la demande de maisons intelligentes augmente, l'adoption de capteurs de temperature dans ce segment devrait egalement augmenter. Dispositifs portables de sante Les appareils de sante portables sont devenus un element essentiel de l'electronique grand public, aidant les utilisateurs a surveiller leur sante plus efficacement. L'integration de capteurs de temperature dans les trackers d'activite, les montres connectees et d'autres appareils a revolutionne la gestion de la sante personnelle, faisant de ces capteurs un element essentiel du marche des objets connectes. Defis du marche : Alors que le marche affiche une croissance prometteuse, les fabricants sont confrontes a des defis tels quune concurrence intense et des baisses de prix constantes. Ces facteurs sont susceptibles davoir un impact sur les marges beneficiaires et de pousser les entreprises a innover et a etre plus efficaces pour rester competitives. Principaux points a retenir du rapport : Le marche mondial des capteurs de temperature devrait atteindre 12 234,2 millions USD d'ici 2035, avec un TCAC de 4,3 % . L'Inde devrait connaitre la croissance la plus rapide, avec un TCAC de 5,6 % au cours de la periode de prevision. Ladoption croissante de lIndustrie 4.0 et de lIoT stimule la demande dans tous les secteurs industriels. Les progres de la technologie portable stimulent lutilisation de capteurs de temperature dans les appareils de sante et de fitness . Les capteurs de temperature jouent un role essentiel dans la gestion de la securite alimentaire et les systemes domotiques intelligents . Le marche des capteurs de temperature se situe a lintersection de linnovation technologique et de la demande croissante des consommateurs pour des appareils plus intelligents et plus fiables. Lintegration des capteurs de temperature dans des applications critiques telles que la securite alimentaire, les soins de sante et lautomatisation industrielle souligne leur importance dans les systemes modernes. Cependant, les fabricants doivent relever des defis tels que la concurrence des prix et levolution rapide de la technologie pour rester en tete sur ce marche dynamique , estimeNikhil Kaitwade, vice-president associe chez Future Market Insights (FMI). Principaux acteurs operant dans le secteur : ABB Limitee Appareils analogiques Texas Instruments Honeywell International Robert Bosch GmbH NXP Semiconductors NV Maxim Integre Amphenol Technologie globale en mode mixte Sensirion Faits saillants du marche regional : L'Inde et le Bresil menent la croissance LInde devrait connaitre le taux de croissance le plus eleve, avec un TCAC de 5,6 % entre 2025 et 2035, suivie de pres par le Bresil avec 5,1 %. Lindustrialisation rapide, ladoption croissante des technologies intelligentes et lattention croissante portee aux reglementations en matiere de securite alimentaire dans ces pays contribuent largement a cette croissance. La Chine et les Etats-Unis, acteurs cles La Chine et les Etats-Unis continueront de dominer le marche avec des TCAC respectifs de 4,8 % et 4,5 %. Ces pays beneficient dinfrastructures industrielles avancees et dinvestissements importants dans la recherche et le developpement. L'Allemagne, plaque tournante europeenne En Europe, l'Allemagne devrait croitre a un TCAC de 4,1 %, grace a ses secteurs automobile et industriel robustes qui dependent fortement des capteurs de temperature pour l'automatisation et le controle qualite. Analyse de segmentation du secteur des capteurs de temperature : Par type de produit : Thermistance Capteur de temperature CI Detecteur de temperature resistif Thermocouple Bimetallique Capteur a fibre optique Capteur infrarouge Par type de connectivite : Cable Sans fil Par application : Electronique grand public Automobile Soins de sante et medecine Environnement Aerospatiale et Defense Production d'energie Petrochimique Autre Par region : Amerique du Nord l'Amerique latine Europe de l'Ouest Europe de l'Est Asie de l'Est Asie du Sud Moyen-Orient et Afrique (MEA) About Future Market Insights (FMI) Industrial Automation The industrial automation division of Future Market Insights (FMI) offers a novel approach and innovative perspective in analyzing the industrial automation market. Comprehensive coverage of capital, portable, process, construction, industrial, and special-purpose machinery across the manufacturing sector and distinctive analysis of the installed base, consumables, replacement, and USP-feature-application matrix make us a pioneering voice in the industry. We are preferred associates with established as well as budding industry stakeholders and channel partners when it comes to sustaining, growing, and identifying new revenue prospects. Author by: Nikhil Kaitwade (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.) has over a decade of experience in market research and business consulting. He has successfully delivered 1500+ client assignments, predominantly in Automotive, Chemicals, Industrial Equipment, Oil & Gas, and Service industries. His core competency circles around developing research methodology, creating a unique analysis framework, statistical data models for pricing analysis, competition mapping, and market feasibility analysis. His expertise also extends wide and beyond analysis, advising clients on identifying growth potential in established and niche market segments, investment/divestment decisions, and market entry decision-making. Nikhil holds an MBA degree in Marketing and IT and a Graduate in Mechanical Engineering. Nikhil has authored several publications and quoted in journals like EMS Now, EPR Magazine, and EE Times. Explore Future Market Insights, Inc. Extensive Coverage in Industrial Automation Domain: The safety sensors and switches market In ASEAN countries is projected to exceed USD 1.58 Billion value by 2028 end. The global turboexpander market share forecasted to drive past USD 2 Billion mark by 2034 end. The global industrial wireless transmitters market valuation anticipated to exceed USD 9.2 Billion by 2033. The global power quality equipment market size predicted to reach USD 73.7 Billion milestone by 2034. The global optical current transformer market revenue expected to hit USD 353.0 Million by 2033. The global subsea navigation and tracking industry estimated to reach USD 5,184.4 Million mark by 2033. The global high voltage equipment sales are projected to cross USD 268.0 Billion milestone by 2034 end. The global demand for air pressure sensors is estimated to surge at a decent 8.0% CAGR from 2022 to 2032. The global industrial power supply market value is anticipated to reach USD 21.5 Billion mark by 2034. The global insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT) market revenue share will cross USD 14.9 Billion mark by 2033 end. About Future Market Insights (FMI): Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in Dubai, and has delivery centers in the UK, U.S. and India. FMI's latest market research reports and market analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert led analysts at FMI continuously tracks emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers. Join us as we commemorate 10 years of delivering trusted market insights. Reflecting on a decade of achievements, we continue to lead with integrity, innovation, and expertise. Contact Us: Future Market Insights Inc. Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA T: +1-347-918-3531 For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com LinkedIn | Twitter | Blogs | YouTube Los Angeles, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Los Angeles, California - Advanced Networks is expanding its IT support and services in Orange County, providing businesses with improved technological assistance. The company is focused on delivering solutions that meet the increasing demands of modern enterprises. Advanced Networks aims to help businesses keep their operations secure and efficient by offering customized IT support Orange County. More about their offerings can be found on their website. The recent changes by the company are designed to simplify IT operations for businesses throughout the region. By offering a variety of tailored solutions, Advanced Networks helps businesses handle the complexities of today's digital world. With an emphasis on strategic partnerships, the company positions itself as a facilitator for organizations looking to enhance their technology systems. The CEO of Advanced Networks stated, "We recognize that businesses in Orange County face unique challenges with technology. Our goal is to provide exceptional support tailored to each client's needs, so they can concentrate on their main business goals." As companies strive to remain competitive, managed IT services have grown more essential. Advanced Networks plans to offer a full range of services that address the complexities of IT management, security, and support, more details of which are available on their website. By using the latest technology, the company is building a platform for strong and reliable technical assistance. The Chief Operating Officer explains, "We've crafted our range of services to meticulously align with the needs of businesses within and outside of Irvine. Clients can expect nothing less than consistent, reliable service delivery that works seamlessly with their existing systems." Using years of experience in Managed IT Services in Irvine, Advanced Networks provides tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of businesses. The company's expertise in creating flexible and scalable IT solutions highlights its commitment to advancing technology. By strategically integrating new technologies, it seeks to improve operational efficiency and protect clients' data. In its mission to improve service delivery, Advanced Networks is also enhancing its operational structure to better serve its clients' needs. Details on this approach can be explored further on their website. With a focus on flexibility, the company reaffirms its commitment to creating solutions that are effective and adaptable to changing business demands. Recognizing the importance of technology in today's business world, Advanced Networks positions itself as a key provider of Managed IT Services Orange County. By upgrading its services, the company supports businesses in finding a balance between technological innovation and stable operations. Providing exceptional IT support Orange County has made Advanced Networks a trusted partner for companies looking to upgrade their technology infrastructure. Through strategic partnerships and a deep understanding of the local business environment, Advanced Networks aims to foster improvements that benefit organizations across Orange County. With these new enhancements, Advanced Networks intends to have a positive impact on the local business community. Additional information about their impact can be found on their website. By providing reliable managed IT services and ensuring companies have the necessary support, Advanced Networks is helping businesses achieve higher levels of operational excellence. Advanced Networks' approach is centered on understanding the unique needs of each client, encouraging innovative practices. This proactive stance allows the company to offer more relevant solutions, enabling businesses in Orange County not only to adapt to technological changes but to succeed amidst them. https://maps.app.goo.gl/hdJ6ey1dpJdXC1fq8 By focusing on bringing Managed IT Services Irvine to the forefront of its operations, Advanced Networks is ushering in a phase of improved IT support that aligns with the evolving needs of businesses in Orange County. Their comprehensive service offerings can be reviewed on their website. The company remains committed to ensuring that each business has the tools and support required to succeed in today's competitive technological landscape. ### For more information about Advanced Networks, contact the company here: Advanced Networks Advanced Networks (213) 873-7620 contact@adv-networks.com L.A. Office 10960 Wilshire Blvd. #1415 Los Angeles, CA 90024 O.C. Office 1340 Reynolds Ave. #116 Irvine, CA 92614 TORONTO, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scott M. Kelly (Kelly), a director of Copland Road Capital Corporation (Copland Road or the Issuer) today filed an Early Warning Report (EWR) on Form 62-103F1 pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 (Early Warning System and Related take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues) reporting the disposition of 470,000 common shares (Shares) in the capital of Copland Road through the facilities of the Canadian Securities Exchange at a price of CAD $0.18 per Share for aggregate consideration of CAD $84,600 (the Transaction). Prior to the Transaction, Kelly exercised control or direction over 1,881,000 Shares of the Issuer, representing approximately 16.99% of the issued and outstanding Shares. Upon completion of the Transaction, Kelly exercises control or direction over 1,411,000 Shares of the Issuer, representing approximately 12.75% of the outstanding Shares. Kelly sold the Shares to reduce his shareholdings in the Company and to obtain the proceeds of sales to be used for other purposes. Kelly reserves the right to acquire further Shares, or dispose of some or all of the Shares, in the future, in each case either through the open market or through private transactions, depending on market conditions and other relevant factors. For further information regarding the Transaction, please see the EWR. A copy of the EWR is available on SEDAR+ or by emailing Kelly at info@copland-road.com. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of this release. Scott M. Kelly c/o Copland Road Capital Corporation info@copland-road.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Madison Pacific Properties Inc. (the Parent Company) (TSX: MPC and MPC.C), a Vancouver-based real estate company announces judgement issued by the Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) on its tax reassessments appeal. As previously reported in the Parent Companys Consolidated Financial Statements and MD&A, the Parent Company and certain subsidiaries had received from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Alberta Tax and Revenue Administration (ATRA) tax notices of reassessment for various taxation years. The reassessments denied the application and usage of certain non-capital losses, capital losses, deductions and investment tax credits arising from prior years. The Parent Company and its subsidiaries had filed notices of objection and notices of appeal to the reassessments with the CRA and ATRA. The appeal with the Tax Court of Canada (TCC) for the Parent Company was heard in 2020, 2022 and in 2023 (the Appeal). The TCC released its judgement on the Appeal in December 2023 in favour of the CRAs position, confirming the CRAs reassessments. The decision denied the Parent Companys ability to use certain carryforward losses for certain taxation years within its 2009 to 2017 taxation years. Additional taxes payable for the reassessed years plus estimated interest and awarded legal costs totals approximately $6.6 million and as at August 31, 2024, the Parent Company had paid $6.1 million to the CRA for the taxes and estimated interest on the reassessments. In January 2024, the Parent Company filed a notice of appeal to the FCA to appeal the decision issued by the TCC on the Appeal (the TCC Appeal). On January 22, 2025, the TCC Appeal was heard by the FCA and on January 23, 2025 the FCA released its judgement dismissing the TCC Appeal. The Parent Company and its counsel are currently assessing whether to appeal the decision issued by the FCA. The Parent Company has also filed interest relief applications with the CRA to apply to waive arrears interest paid on the reassessments. For a review of the risks and uncertainties to which the Parent Company is subject, see its most recently filed annual and interim MD&A. Perth, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- perseus mining takes final investment decision on CMA UNDERGROUND PROJECT at yaoure Perth, Western Australia/January 28, 2025/Perseus Mining Limited (ASX/TSX:PRU) is pleased to advise that a Final Investment Decision (FID) has been taken, to develop the CMA underground project at the Yaoure Gold Mine in Cote dIvoire. The FID took into consideration the Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energys in-principle approval for the project, as announced by Minister Sangafowa Coulibaly on 28 November 2024. This approval marks a critical step towards the start of the CMA underground project which is due to begin in mid-2025 with the development of the first portal. The commencement of this work remains contingent on the approval of the projects Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) by the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, which is currently underway, and the formal granting of a Ministerial Decree, foreshadowed in Minister Coulibalys announcement. Following its FID, Perseus has appointed the Australian specialist underground mining contractor, Byrnecut, as the primary mining contractor for the project. Given that the CMA underground project will become Cote dIvoires first mechanised underground mine, an important element of Byrnecuts role will be the training of Ivorian miners in the skills and disciplines of underground mining, particularly safe working practices. Byrnecut who has significant international experience, particularly in West Africa with experience operating in Ghana, Burkina Faso and Mali, is expected to mobilise on site at Yaoure by April 2025. The combined Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource (per Perseuss August 2024 ASX Release) for Yaoure is currently estimated at 55.6 Mt grading 1.52 g/t Au, containing 2.7 Moz of gold including 7.4 Mt grading 4.16 g/t Au, containing 0.966 Moz of gold associated with the CMA underground project. A further 17.4 Mt of material grading 1.7 g/t gold, containing 0.926 Moz of gold, including 4.5 Mt grading 3.5 g/t containing 0.51 Moz of gold associated with the CMA Underground Project, are classified as Inferred Mineral Resources (Tables 1 & 2). Total Ore Reserves for Yaoure are estimated at 35.2 Mt grading 1.53 g/t Au, containing 1.73 Moz of gold including 4.9 Mt at 3.51 g/t for 0.56 Moz associated with the CMA underground project (Table 3). The CMA underground project, when combined with the open pit ore sources, based on the current estimate of Ore Reserves, will extend the Yaoure Gold Mines operational life until at least 2035. There is potential for further life extensions through additional discoveries of mineralisation down dip from the currently delineated mineralisation. The move to underground operations allows further utilisation of the CMA deposit which has proved to be a reliable foundation of the Yaoure operation to date. At steady state production rates, it is planned that underground ore will represent approximately 20% of the tonnes of ore mined on the site from both open cut and underground operations and will be mined at a rate 700-770kt per annum over the life of the currently defined underground operation. The average underground mining cost will be approximately US$75 per tonne of material mined and the underground operation will contribute close to half of the metal production at Yaoure, during this period. Preparations for the commencement of underground operations is in progress with recruitment and onboarding of the CMA underground team. Work to establish surface infrastructure, including camp, electrical tie-in and maintenance areas to support the underground operations is progressing well. Open pit mining in the CMA pit has recently exposed the planned underground access locations, these areas are being prepared to make the initial excavation in Q1 FY26. The table below shows the project progress to date. Process FY2025 FY2026 FY2027 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Infrastructure early works Underground Tender Adjudication Final Investment and Mining award Infrastructure Upgrades Camp and Mine Services Contractor Mobilisation Portal Works Underground Development First Production Q1 FY27 Commercial Production Q4 FY27 The approved capital for the development for the CMA Underground is $124.6M (including $2.6M of pre-approved funding). This funding allows for the investment in surface infrastructure servicing the underground operations, mobilisation of underground equipment (including relevant customs and duties payable), underground capital development and capitalised pre-production for the project. The approved budget aligns with the previously communicated cost estimates for the project provided to the market in September 2023 and August 2024. The majority of the capital expenditure is scheduled for FY26 and FY27 as underground development commences. To date, the Company has incurred $4.1M towards progressing the project, including upgrades to camp facilities and mine services and the order of long lead items, in preparation for the mobilization of the underground contractor in Q1 FY26. The project remains on track with its planned timelines and budgetary requirements, and we look forward to providing further updates as development progresses. LIFE OF MINE PLANS (LOMP) FOR YAOURE AND THE PERSEUS GROUP As is Perseuss normal practice, LOMPs for all of its operations are updated annually as part of its regular budgeting cycle. Typically, these plans are finalised early in the June Quarter of each year as a precursor to preparation of annual budgets for the following financial year commencing on 1 July. In the June 2025 quarter, Perseus intends to publish consolidated group production and cost forecasts incorporating details from the updated LOMPs for each of its existing and planned mines including Yaoure which will for the first time include the CMA underground project, and the Nyanzaga Gold Mine which is also expected to receive an affirmative FID in the near future. The consolidated plan for the Perseus Group will confirm Perseuss corporate plan to continue producing between 500-600,000 ounces of gold per year at a cash margin of not less than US$500 for each ounce of gold produced. Perseuss Managing Director and CEO, Jeff Quartermaine said: Perseus is proud to be playing a pioneering role in Cote dIvoires mining sector with our affirmative decision to invest in the development of the CMA underground project at our Yaoure Gold Mine. This investment decision reaffirms our commitment to being a long-term partner in the development and production of Minerals Resources in Cote dIvoire. We are particularly grateful to his excellency, the Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, Monsieur Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly, for his continued support and leadership in bringing underground mining to Cote dIvoire. While this represents a new phase for the Ivorian mining sector, members of our technical team have considerable individual experience operating mines in underground settings throughout the world, with a strong commitment to human and environmental safety as well as training of our Ivorian workforce. Very importantly, with the inclusion of the CMA underground operation into the Yaoure mine LOMP, we will materially extend the life of this mine. Since producing first gold at Yaoure in December 2020 at the height of the COVID pandemic, Yaoure has been become the flagship operation of Perseuss business and with the decision to proceed with the underground operation, we have ensure that this will continue to be the case for some time to come. Table 1: Yaoure Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources9,10,11 DEPOSIT DEPOSIT TYPE MEASURED RESOURCES INDICATED RESOURCES MEASURED & INDICATED RESOURCES QUANTITY GRADE GOLD QUANTITY GRADE GOLD QUANTITY GRADE GOLD Mt g/t gold 000 oz Mt g/t gold 000 oz Mt g/t gold 000 oz CMA 1,3,4 Open Pit - - - 15.8 0.90 458 15.8 0.90 458 Yaoure2,3,4 Open Pit - - - 19.2 1.35 838 19.2 1.35 838 Zain 12,4 Open Pit - - - 2.4 1.57 123 2.4 1.57 123 Satellite deposits5,6 Open Pit 0.1 1.28 5 4.5 0.98 142 4.6 0.99 147 Sub Total 0.1 1.28 5 41.9 1.16 1,561 42.1 1.16 1,566 CMA8 Underground - - - 7.4 4.16 996 7.4 4.16 996 Heap Leach3,7 Stockpile - - - 0.4 0.61 8 0.4 0.61 8 Stockpiles Stockpile 5.7 0.77 141 - - - 5.7 0.77 141 TOTAL 5.9 0.78 146 49.8 1.60 2,565 55.6 1.52 2,711 Table 2: Yaoure Inferred Mineral Resource9,10,11 DEPOSIT DEPOSIT TYPE INFERRED RESOURCES QUANTITY GRADE GOLD Mt g/t gold 000 oz CMA 1,3,4 Open Pit 7.5 0.8 200 Yaoure2,3,4 Open Pit 0.6 1.5 27 Zain 12,4 Open Pit 3.7 1.4 159 Satellite deposits5,6 Open Pit 1.0 0.8 26 CMA8 Underground 4.7 3.4 514 Total 17.4 1.7 926 Notes for 1 and 2: 1. Based on June 2022 Mineral Resource estimate. 2. Based on June 2024 Mineral Resource estimate. 3. Depleted for previous mining and to 30 June 2024 mining surface. 4. 0.3 g/t gold cut-off applied to in situ open pit material constrained to US$2,000/oz pit shells. 5. Based on Angovia 2 April 2021 and CMA SW May 2024 Mineral Resource models. 6. Angovia 2 has a 0.4 g/t gold cut-off applied to in situ open pit material constrained to US$1,800/oz pit shell. CMA SW has a 0.3 g/t gold cut-off applied to in situ open pit material constrained to US$2,000/oz pit shell. 7. Heap leach resources are stated at 0 g/t gold cut-off; only heap leach components with average grade above 0.4 g/t included. 8. May 2024 Mineral Resource estimate, below Stage 3 pit and above 1.5 g/t block grade cut-off. 9. Mineral Resources current as of 30 June 2024. 10. Rounding of numbers to appropriate precision may result in summary inconsistencies. 11. Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Ore Reserves. Table 3: Yaoure Proved and Probable Ore Reserves5,6 DEPOSIT DEPOSIT TYPE PROVED PROBABLE PROVED + PROBABLE QUANTITY GRADE GOLD QUANTITY GRADE GOLD QUANTITY GRADE GOLD Mt g/t gold 000 oz Mt g/t gold 000 oz Mt g/t gold 000 oz CMA1,2 Open Pit - - - 6.8 1.81 394 6.8 1.81 394 Yaoure2,3, Open Pit - - - 13.1 1.25 524 13.1 1.25 524 Zain 12,3 Open Pit - - - 1.5 1.12 52 1.5 1.12 52 Satellite deposits 2,3 Open Pit 0.1 1.14 5 3.5 0.95 107 3.6 0.96 112 Sub Total 0.1 1.14 5 24.8 1.35 1,077 25.0 1.35 1,082 CMA4 Underground - - - 4.5 3.52 507 4.5 3.52 507 Stockpiles Stockpile 5.7 0.77 141 - - - 5.7 0.77 141 TOTAL 5.9 0.78 146 29.3 1.68 1,584 35.2 1.53 1,730 Notes: 1. Based on depletion to 30 June 2024 mining surfaces. 2. Variable gold grade cut-offs for each material type, ranging from 0.30 g/t to 0.75 g/t. 3. Pit designs are based on US$1,500/oz gold metal price for existing designs and satellites and US$1,700/oz for Zain 1, Yaoure and CMA Southwest (listed in Satellite deposits) open pits. 4. Based upon cut-off for development and stoping of 0.5 g/t and 2.5 g/t respectively. 5. Inferred Mineral Resource is considered as waste for optimisation purposes. 6. Rounding of numbers to appropriate precision may have resulted in apparent inconsistencies. Competent Person Statement All production targets referred to in this release are underpinned by estimated Ore Reserves which have been prepared by competent persons in accordance with the requirements of the JORC Code. Edikan The information in this release that relates to the Open Pit and Underground Mineral Resources and Ore Reserve at Edikan was updated by the Company in a market announcement Perseus Mining updates Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves released on 21August 2024. The Company confirms that all material assumptions underpinning those estimates and the production targets, or the forecast financial information derived therefrom, in that market release continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company further confirms that material assumptions underpinning the estimates of Ore Reserves described in Technical Report Edikan Gold Mine, Ghana dated 7 April 2022 continue to apply. Sissingue, Fimbiasso and Bagoe The information in this release that relates to the Mineral Resources and Ore Reserve at the Sissingue complex was updated by the Company in a market announcement Perseus Mining updates Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves released on 21 August 2024. The Company confirms that all material assumptions underpinning those estimates and the production targets, or the forecast financial information derived therefrom, in that market release continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company further confirms that material assumptions underpinning the estimates of Ore Reserves described in Technical Report Sissingue Gold Project, Cote dIvoire dated 29 May 2015 continue to apply. Yaoure The information in this release that relates to the Open Pit and Underground Mineral Resources and Ore Reserve at Yaoure was updated by the Company in a market announcement Perseus Mining updates Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves released on 21 August 2024. The Company confirms that all material assumptions underpinning those estimates and the production targets, or the forecast financial information derived therefrom, in that market release continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company further confirms that material assumptions underpinning the estimates of Ore Reserves described in Technical Report Yaoure Gold Project, Cote dIvoire dated 19 December 2023 continue to apply. Nyanzaga Gold Project ASX Listing Rules disclosure All information on the Nyanzaga Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates has been extracted from the OreCorp ASX announcements dated 12 September 2017 titled MRE Update for the Nyanzaga Project Increasing Category and Grade, 5 May 2022 titled DFS Completion and Kilimani Mineral Resource Estimate update within the Nyanzaga Special Mining Licence Tanzania, and 22 August 2022 titled Nyanzaga DFS Delivers Robust Results available on www.perseusmining.com. Perseus confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affect the information included in the original ASX announcements and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the ASX announcements continue to apply and have not materially changed. Perseus confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Persons findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original ASX announcements. Canadian National Instrument NI43-101 disclosure The information in this release relating to the Nyanzaga Gold Project is extracted from the OreCorp ASX announcements dated 12 September 2017 titled MRE Update for the Nyanzaga Project Increasing Category and Grade, 5 May 2022 titled DFS Completion and Kilimani Mineral Resource Estimate update within the Nyanzaga Special Mining Licence Tanzania, and 22 August 2022 titled Nyanzaga DFS Delivers Robust Results available on www.perseusmining.com. A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the Historical Estimates as current. As such, any Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates included in this section are Historical Estimates as defined in Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and are not reported as current Perseus estimates. The OreCorp Feasibility Study includes key assumptions for commodity prices, gold mining and processing costs, and there have been no material changes in assumptions. The OreCorp Feasibility Study in its current form is a comprehensive compilation of all available data applicable to the estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. Reference is made to Perseuss news release dated 31 May 2024 titled "Perseus progresses Nyanzaga Gold Project for further clarifying statements. Perseus confirms the applicability of these statements have not materially changed. Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information: This report contains forward-looking information which is based on the assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management of the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made by the Company regarding, among other things: the price of gold, continuing commercial production at the Yaoure Gold Mine, the Edikan Gold Mine and the Sissingue Gold Mine without any major disruption, the receipt of required governmental approvals, the accuracy of capital and operating cost estimates, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used by the Company. Although management believes that the assumptions made by the Company and the expectations represented by such information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the 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 of the Company to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, the actual market price of gold, the actual results of current exploration, the actual results of future exploration, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents. The Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the Companys ability to carry on its exploration and development activities, the timely receipt of required approvals, the price of gold, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Perseus does not undertake to update forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. This market announcement was authorised for release by Perseuss Managing Director and CEO, Jeff Quartermaine WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This week, as the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held their confirmation hearing on President Donald J. Trumps nominee for Secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, a coalition of conservative agriculture organizations including the Institute for Legislative Analysis Center to Protect Ranchers, Farm and Ranch Loss Group, LLC, Competitive Markets Action, the Organization for Competitive Markets, Competitive Markets PAC, Founders PAC, called on the newly inaugurated Trump, and his Administration, to investigate the rampant fires in the Panhandle of Texas and across the State of California that have left farmers, ranchers, and animals in dire situations thanks to energy conglomerates like Xcel Energy a Fortune 500 utility company operating across 8 states, who caused the fires in Texas. A similar occurrence contributed to the ongoing California fires and previous fires in Colorado. Rollins hails from the State of Texas and is a graduate of Texas A&M University. The coalition is demanding answers for why countless landowners, ranchers, and farmers many of whom are now facing insolvency and bankruptcy have still not been compensated for the enormous losses they sustained from the Smokehouse Creek Wildfire Complex, which devastated large portions of the Texas panhandle and western Oklahoma. Xcel has since taken responsibility for the wildfire, the largest in Texas history and the fifth-largest fire in the U.S. since 1871. Furthermore, As Americans continue to witness the horrific California fires, which like in Texas, appear to be sparked by a utility, few people have any idea what one of these tragedies entails. The pain these victims feel doesnt begin to dissipate after the fire, it merely worsens, said Bram Browder, Director of the Institute for Legislative Analysis Center to Protect Ranchers. In Texas, now nearly an entire year after the fire, countless landowners, ranchers, and farmers still havent had their claims paid by Xcel. These victims first endured the mental anguish of watching everything they own go up in flames. Now they are forced to endure the financial anguish of having no way to rebuild or generate an income sadly, Im not sure which is more traumatizing. We call on President Trump and the new Administration to investigate the Texas and California fires, and these big, woke energy utilities that put laughable ESG policies before the actual safety of the ecosystem, production models, and the best interest of those of us who put food on American plates, said Taylor Haynes, a cattle rancher in Wyoming and President at the Organization at Competitive Markets. We appreciate all of the attention Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and Attorney General Ken Paxton are giving to the situation in Texas and hope to see a resolution soon. We stand strong beside the American ranchers and family farmers in calling on President Trump to take swift action in investigating these fires that continue to decimate America, said Marty Irby, President & CEO at Competitive Markets Action. As USDA Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins said yesterday in her confirmation hearing, we need the right team on the field, to do just that and we call on the Senate to make swift confirmations for officials at the USDA, DOJ, and DOE, who all have a role to play in investigating these unnecessary disasters caused by big utilities that continue to decimate ranchers in Rollins home state." According to S. Smith, one of the Texas ranchers who continues to suffer from the aftermath of the fire, At one point there was a glimmer of hope for many of us within the community after Xcel took responsibility and made assurances they were going to pay out our claims. However, that hope has turned into despair since we have had no communication from Xcel for months. Plus, we have now learned Xcel has turned over the claims process to some 200-year-old New York litigation firm." The coalition urges swift action by The Trump Administration to ensure justice for the ranchers, farmers, and landowners impacted by Xcels actions. Their continued resilience in the face of devastating losses underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and meaningful reforms in the utility and agricultural sectors. With the incoming administration and state leaders, the coalition remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for those who feed America and safeguard our nations food security. The Center to Protect Ranchers (CPR) is a project of the Institute for Legislative Analysis (ILA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Washington, D.C. As the only conservative organization dedicated solely to the ranching industry, the CPR works to strengthen transparency and accountability across four major issue areas impacting ranchers. The ILA is a national policy and research organization that serves as a data hub for a multitude of conservative and right-of-center organizations. https://limitedgov.org The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Lincoln, Nebraska. The foundation of the Organization for Competitive Markets is to fight for competitive markets in agriculture for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. True competition reduces the need for economic regulation. Our mission and duty are to define and advocate the proper role of government in the agricultural economy as a regulator and enforcer of rules necessary for markets that are fair, honest, accessible, and competitive for all citizens. https://competitivemarkets.com/ Competitive Markets Action (CMA) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit based in Washington, D.C., that was formed with the mission of shaping policy to promote more regenerative and sustainable agriculture, and competitive markets in the U.S., and to defend against attacks on states rights by the federal government. CMA works to raise awareness of the harm caused by multinational conglomerates to the American family farmer, the consumer, and our U.S. economy to bring about legislative and regulatory reforms. https://www.competitivemarketsaction.org/ . Attachment The acquisition of Yokoy, a leading spend management platform, allows TravelPerk to offer a deeper and more unified travel and expense offering to its clients while expanding its addressable opportunity. The $200m Series E financing raises the company's valuation to $2.7 billion. It will accelerate TravelPerk's continued expansion into the US alongside further investments into product and AI. Atomico, EQT Growth, Noteus Partners and Sequoia Capital will join TravelPerks world-class investor base alongside existing investors like General Catalyst, Kinnevik, Softbank Vision Fund, and Blackstone. BARCELONA, Spain and ZURICH, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TravelPerk , the leading business travel platform, today announces a new Series E fundraise of $200m. The investment is led by European venture capital firm Atomico, alongside EQT Growth, with significant participation from Noteus Partners and existing investors, including Kinnevik and General Catalyst. The oversubscribed round nearly doubles TravelPerks valuation to $2.7 billion. The funding will be used to further accelerate growth - with continued expansion into the US market (following the acquisition of AmTrav in 2024) alongside significant investments into product, technology and AI to deliver the leading travel and expense management platform for SMB and mid-market companies in the U.S. and Europe. The company also announced today its acquisition of Yokoy, market-leader in Europe for AI-powered expense, invoice, and card payment processing. As companies face greater economic pressures and more complicated regulatory environments, they are increasingly demanding a fully integrated solution that brings travel and expenses together into one automated platform, to simplify the end-to-end experience, streamline processes, and help them better control costs. Through its acquisition of Yokoy, and deep integrations via an open ecosystem of strategic expense management partners, TravelPerk is positioned to provide customers in Europe and the US highly localized solutions, to suit their individual needs, preserving customers freedom of choice and flexibility, which is a key tenet of the TravelPerk value proposition. Until now, customers had to make hard trade-offs an integrated solution or best-in-class travel and expense solutions. A platform delivering a great end-user experience or one focused on the experience for Finance, commented TravelPerk President and Chief Operating Officer, JC Taunay-Bucalo, adding: Customers dont have to compromise anymore. Now, they can have the best travel management product built on the worlds largest inventory, and the expense management product that works best for their business, combined for the best integrated experience there is. TravelPerk and Yokoy have collaborated since 2020, successfully partnering to jointly offer travel and expense management to customers such as Breitling, On Running, and Medskin. Philippe Sahli, Co-founder and CEO of Yokoy, commented: Given our successful collaboration to-date, and the compelling vision for the future of integrated travel and expense management, we are excited to come together as one company and are confident in the unprecedented experience we can together deliver to customers. The acquisition of Yokoy and Series E funding came off the back of another year of growth at TravelPerk. The company has achieved a unique combination of growth and profitability at scale - with annualized booking volumes of over $2.5 billion, annualized revenue of over $200 million, growth of over 50% per annum in the last two years, and reaching EBITDA break-even at the end of 2024. Avi Meir, TravelPerk CEO and Co-Founder, commented: "Our focus has never been stronger as we expand across core markets, accelerate growth in the US, and now work to become the number one travel and expense management platform. He continued: "Our partnership with Yokoy has already been a great success, and we are excited to take it to the next level by welcoming Phil, Devis, and the rest of the team to TravelPerk. We share a common vision for the role of AI reshaping the future of travel and expense management, and the innovation coming out of Yokoys AI labs in Zurich is seriously impressive. Hillary Ball, Partner at Atomico, who will join TravelPerks Board of Directors, commented: Corporate travel and expense management is time-consuming, expensive and burdensome. Weve long admired how TravelPerk has solved this problem with a product-centric approach, and remained at the forefront of the market through strategic acquisitions, international growth, and innovative product expansions. Yet, with a team as ambitious as TravelPerk, and with the inclusion of Yokoy, there is still so much more on the horizon. Atomico is thrilled to be partnering with Avi and the whole team to fuel the next phase of the companys vision. Carolina Brochado, Partner at EQT Growth, who will also join the Board, commented: "Having followed the TravelPerk team for years, weve been consistently impressed by their focus, tenacity, and ambition in disrupting the industry. Their proprietary use of AI is among the best weve seen, enabling faster, smarter service for their customers. With the Yokoy acquisition, their product evolves into a true end-to-end T&E solution, further powered by AI." Notes to Editors Yokoy was acquired in an all-equity deal, with Sequoia Capital, the prominent American venture capital firm, now joining TravelPerks cap table alongside its existing investors. About TravelPerk TravelPerk is a hyper-growth SaaS business travel platform and a pioneer in the future of travel for work. Its all-in-one platform gives travelers the freedom they want whilst providing companies with the control they need. The result saves time, money, and hassle for everyone. TravelPerk has industry-leading travel inventory alongside powerful management features, 24/7 customer support, state-of-the-art technology, and consumer-grade design, which enable companies and organizations worldwide like Red Bull, GetYourGuide, and Aesop, to get the most out of their travel. Visit www.travelperk.com for more information. About Yokoy Yokoy is the Intelligent Spend Management Platform, founded in Switzerland in 2019 with the aim of streamlining and simplifying how businesses process expenses, invoices, and card payments. Powered by its proprietary AI, Yokoy is trusted by more than 700 customers around the world to automate their finance processes and accelerate the move towards zero-touch spend management. Yokoy was named #1 fastest-growing B2B Fintech brand in Europe by Sifted in 2024. Visit yokoy.io for more information. Media contact: Press office - press@travelperk.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/140d9efb-db58-4b1e-a378-85f51317ddcf The information contained in this document may be modified without prior notice. This information includes forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These statements are based on current expectations or beliefs of the management of Nicox S.A. and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Nicox S.A. and its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, advisers or agents, do not undertake, nor do they have any obligation, to provide updates or to revise any forward-looking statements. Risks factors which are likely to have a material effect on Nicoxs business are presented in section 3 of the Rapport Annuel 2023 and in section 4 of the Rapport semestriel financier et dactivite 2024 which are available on Nicoxs website (www.nicox.com). Finally, this press release may be drafted in the French and English languages. If both versions are interpreted differently, the French language version shall prevail. OSE Immunotherapeutics Presents Three Abstracts for Anti-IL-7R mAb Lusvertikimab in Ulcerative Colitis at the 20th Congress of ECCO NANTES, France - January 28 2025, 7:30am CET - OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (ISIN: FR0012127173; Mnemo: OSE), shares details of the three scientific abstracts on its anti-IL-Receptor (IL-7R) Lusvertikimab, which is in clinical development for ulcerative colitis. These abstracts will be presented in Oral Presentation, Digital Oral Presentation and Poster Presentation at the upcoming 20th Congress of ECCO (European Crohns and Colitis Organization) to be held February 19-22, 2025, in Berlin (Germany). Nicolas Poirier, Chief Executive Officer of OSE Immunotherapeutics, comments: With three abstracts accepted for presentation at ECCO 2025, we look forward to sharing new preclinical and clinical efficacy data on Lusvertikimab with the worlds leading specialists in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). Presentation Details: Oral presentation Title Presenter Session Date and time OP36 - "LUSVERTIKIMAB, A FIRST-IN-CLASS IL7 RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST, IN MODERATE TO SEVERE ULCERATIVE COLITIS: RESULTS OF A MULTICENTER, RANDOMIZED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED PHASE II STUDY " Arnaud Bourreille Session name: Sustainability in IBD and beyond Session 10: Hot topics in IBD Session hall: Plenary Hall / Hall B Session date: February 20, 2025 Session time: 08:30 -10:50 Presentation time: 10:10 - 10:20 Selected amongst the Top 10 oral abstracts for 20th Congress of European Crohns and Colitis Organization (ECCO) Highlights. Digital oral presentation Title Presenter Session Date and time DOP031 - "ANTI-IL-7 RECEPTOR PLUS ANTI-IL12/23 COMBINATION INDUCES COMPLETE HISTOLOGICAL NORMALIZATION IN CHRONIC COLITIS " Nicolas Poirier Session name: DOP Session 4: Novel targets in IBD Session hall: A5 Session date: February 20, 2025 Session time: 17:45 - 18:45 Presentation time: 18:03 - 18:09 Poster presentation Title Presenter Session Date and time PO916 LUSVERTIKIMAB IS EFFICACIOUS IN SEVERE ULCERATIVE COLITIS (UC) PATIENTS WITH HIGH FECAL CALPROTECTIN (FCP): RESULTS FROM THE COTIKIS STUDY Walter Reinish Poster sessions: February 20, 2025, 10:30 to 18:00 February 21, 2025, 08:00 to 18:00 February 22, 2025, 09:00 to 13:00 Guided poster session: February 21, 2025, 12:40-13:40 ABOUT OSE IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS OSE Immunotherapeutics is a biotech company dedicated to developing first-in-class assets in immuno-oncology (IO) and immuno-inflammation (I&I) that address the unmet patient needs of today and tomorrow. We partner with leading academic institutions and biopharmaceutical companies in our efforts to develop and bring to the market transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. OSE Immunotherapeutics is based between Nantes and Paris and is quoted on Euronext. Additional information about OSE Immunotherapeutics assets is available on the Companys website: www.ose-immuno.com. Follow us on X and LinkedIn Contacts Fiona Olivier fiona.olivier@ose-immuno.com Sylvie Detry sylvie.detry@ose-immuno.com French Media Contact FP2COM Florence Portejoie fportejoie@fp2com.fr +33 6 07 768 283 U.S. Media Contact Rooney Partners LLC Kate Barrette kbarrette@rooneypartners.com +1 212 223 0561 Forward-looking statements This press release contains express or implied information and statements that might be deemed forward-looking information and statements in respect of OSE Immunotherapeutics. They do not constitute historical facts. These information and statements include financial projections that are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by OSE Immunotherapeutics management considering its experience and its perception of historical trends, current economic and industry conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements include statements typically using conditional and containing verbs such as expect, anticipate, believe, target, plan, or estimate, their declensions and conjugations and words of similar import. Although the OSE Immunotherapeutics management believes that the forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, the OSE Immunotherapeutics shareholders and other investors are cautioned that the completion of such expectations is by nature subject to various risks, known or not, and uncertainties which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of OSE Immunotherapeutics. These risks could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in or implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. These risks include those discussed or identified in the public filings made by OSE Immunotherapeutics with the AMF. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. This press release includes only summary information and should be read with the OSE Immunotherapeutics Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on April 30, 2024, including the annual financial report for the fiscal year 2023, available on the OSE Immunotherapeutics website. Other than as required by applicable law, OSE Immunotherapeutics issues this press release at the date hereof and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information or statements. Attachment DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As one of the leading global green steel producers, with 15 million tons/year crude steel capacity, Tosyal continues to expand its efforts to produce its energy. Tosyal invests in cutting-edge technology, artificial intelligence, and renewable and clean energy sources, adhering to the principle of eco-efficiency. Tosyal is making significant strides toward becoming a fully integrated green steel producer. Tosyal achieved a global milestone by reaching 235 MW of installed capacity with its SPP project, which covered all its facilities, making it the holder of the worlds largest rooftop solar power installation. Tosyal is embarking on an even larger project, and the company has signed an agreement with GE Vernova and its regional provider Inogen for the first 120 MWp of the 1,2 GW self-consumption SPP project. The first project is scheduled to become operational in 2025, while the 1,2 GW capacity project is targeted for completion in 2027. Fuat Tosyal, Chairman of Tosyal Holding, announced at Davos 2025: With this investment, Tosyal will generate approximately 50% of its self-consumption from solar energy." During his interview at the World Economic Forum, Fuat Tosyal highlighted, We continue to invest in advanced clean energy technologies under our vision of Tosyal for a sustainable life. We have taken the first step toward one of the worlds largest self-consumption SPP projects with a capacity of 1,2 GW by initiating the first project in Osmaniye. We are happy to collaborate with GE Vernova, one of the worlds leading companies in this field, and Inogen, Turkeys leading EPC contractor. These panels will be deployed across SPP sites in eight provinces. By doing so, we aim to meet approximately 50% of our energy needs from solar energy, making us stronger and more independent in energy usage and strengthening our position among the world's leading green steel producers." Tosyals 1,2 GW project stands out as one of the largest self-consumption-focused projects carried out under a single umbrella in Turkey and worldwide. Contact: Emre Ersezer eersezer@medyaevi.com.tr Photo accompanying the announcement: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/17372b3b-1aff-43c0-ab66-2bc8b0b2a007 www.freyapharmasolutions.com Manuel Voll - James E. Hattersley - Dr. Inez de Greef Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 28 January 2025 - Freya Pharma Solutions , [Freya Pharma, or the Company], a pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing effective therapies for women diagnosed with Female Sexual Disorders (FSD), today announced the formation of its Supervisory Board with the appointment of three prominent pharmaceutical industry veterans, effective January 1, 2025. Manuel Voll, MSc, has been appointed chairman of Freya Pharma's Supervisory Board. Currently serving as Founder and Managing Director of Lagom Healthcare Support, Voll brings nearly three decades of international healthcare experience to Freya Pharma. He specializes in developing innovative solutions for complex healthcare challenges while enhancing organizational leadership effectiveness. Throughout his distinguished career at leading healthcare corporations, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, IQVIA, and Organon, Voll has built extensive expertise in women's health and commercial strategy. His track record includes commercializing healthcare products and services with collective worldwide sales exceeding US$2 billion. Recognized as a visionary strategist and thought leader, Voll brings exceptional commercial acumen to his role in guiding Freya Pharma's strategic direction. James E. Hattersley, M.S, B.A. joins Freya Pharma's Supervisory Board as a seasoned biotech/pharma executive with over 25 years of life science experience, particularly in female sexual health and ophthalmology. With both undergraduate and graduate scientific degrees from the University of California, he brings deep expertise in formulation design, product development, and strategic partnerships. Currently serving as SVP of Business Development at Palatin Technologies, Hattersley brings valuable clinical-stage asset development and commercialization expertise to Freya Pharma's board. Throughout his career, Hattersley has demonstrated exceptional deal-making capabilities, leading numerous successful product acquisitions and licensing partnerships. For example, at Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, he spearheaded the US$230 million acquisition of Dusa Pharmaceuticals. At Antares (now Halozyme), he executed high-value technology and product agreements in women's health, and at Eurand (now Adare), his licensing initiatives contributed to its US$583 million acquisition by Axcan. Dr. Inez de Greef - van der Sandt, PhD joins Freya Pharma's Supervisory Board as an accomplished pharmaceutical executive and entrepreneur with extensive leadership experience in drug development and biotech innovation. As founder and managing partner of 3D-PharmXchange, CEO, and co-owner of Treeway, a clinical-stage biotech company, she brings valuable expertise in drug development and strategic business solutions. In addition, she is a co-founder and investor of start-up biotech companies, is a member of advisory boards, and provides strategic advice across the life sciences field. She has been involved in various in- and out-licensing deals and acquisitions. Dr. de Greef's expertise in patient-empowered drug development and strategic valuation of pharmaceutical projects adds significant value to Freya Pharma's board. Nicole Hijnen, CEO of Freya Pharma Solutions commented: "I am delighted to welcome Manuel Voll, James Hattersley, and Dr. Inez de Greef to Freya Pharma's Supervisory Board. Their combined expertise in women's health, drug development, strategic partnerships and leading clinical-stage biotech companies, perfectly aligns with our mission to advance innovative treatments for female sexual health. Their impressive track records will be invaluable as we move forward with our development programs. Manuel's extensive experience in women's health, James's proven deal-making capabilities, and Inez's patient-centric approach to drug development create an exceptional blend of expertise. With this distinguished Supervisory Board in place, Freya Pharma is well-positioned to accelerate our growth and advance our mission of developing breakthrough treatments for women's health conditions." About lead product LybridoTM LybridoTM represents a breakthrough therapy for Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSIAD), specifically designed for women with low sensitivity to sexual cues. This innovative on-demand treatment combines a sublingual testosterone coating with an inner core containing sildenafil in a novel dual-route, dual-release tablet formulation. The drug's unique mechanism of action involves two complementary steps: first, the sublingual testosterone increases brain sensitivity to sexual stimuli, followed by sildenafil, which enhances physiological responses. This carefully timed delivery ensures peak effectiveness within 3-6 hours after intake. Extensive clinical research supports Lybrido's development. Over 20 clinical Phase 1 and 2 trials, including a large Phase 2 study conducted across multiple research sites in the United States, are included. Following FDA and EMA Scientific advice, Freya Pharma is currently advancing Lybrido's late-stage development program on parallel tracks in Europe and the USA. With only two approved treatments for FSIAD in the US and none in Europe, Lybrido addresses a significant unmet medical need. The drug's patent protection extends to 2028/2030, with additional composition and process patents through 2032/2037. About Freya Pharma Solutions Freya Pharma Solutions is a pharmaceutical company focused on developing effective therapies for FSIAD/HSDD, building upon seventeen years of solid research. The company's lead compound, LybridoTM , is in late-stage development to address the range of potential causes of FSIAD/HSDD. Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Freya Pharma aims to offer patients a convenient, personalized on-demand solution for this recognized unmet medical need. For further information, please contact: Freya Pharma Solutions, Amsterdam, the Netherlands Marcel Wijma, Chief Business Officer marcel@freyapharmasolutions.com For media LifeSpring Life Sciences Communication, Amsterdam, the Netherlands Leon Melens T: +31 6 538 16 427 E: lmelens@lifespring.nl Attachment NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dave Cantin Group (DCG), a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory company to retail automotive groups and their owners, has announced several strategic leadership advancements and new hires to support its growth in 2025 being fueled by an accelerating M&A environment as part of its ambitious growth strategy for 2025. The industrys largest and most experienced executive leadership team realigns roles in preparation for a milestone year. Brian Traugott has been promoted to Chief of Staff to President and CEO Dave Cantin and Chief Business and Strategy Officer Brian Gordon. Other executive appointments included Tony Karabon as Executive Vice President, Head of Acquisition Management, and Stephen Jones as Executive Vice President, Head of Acquisition Strategy. Within the DCG central support team, Brandon Werley has been promoted to Vice President of M&A Advisory Services, bolstering DCGs client service group, which utilizes the companys proprietary AI tool, Jump IQ. Denise Salzstein has moved to Director of CRM, and Cameron Markeson to Associate, Business Analysis. The company also welcomed Zach Orr as Marketing Coordinator. All these moves follow a robust year in 2024 for DCG and foreshadow what is shaping up to be the companys busiest year in history in 2025. The number of large, quality deals we already have scheduled for closing in the first half of 2025, combined with the current level of client activity indicated that we needed to staff up across the organization to meet our clients needs, said Dave Cantin, President and CEO of Dave Cantin Group. Were excited to see our team growing and to maximize the exceptional talent of our Executive Leadership Team, delivering unparalleled service, innovation, and results for our clients. About Dave Cantin Group The Dave Cantin Group is a leading automotive M&A advisory company specializing in acquisitions, divestitures, intelligence, and other advisory services. The company is the M&A services provider of choice for North Americas top automotive dealership groups, advising on approximately 40 transactions annually, DCG is differentiated by its advisory approach, long term lens on client relationships, and commitment to market intelligence tools that inform DCG and client strategies. In 2023, DCG became the only retail automotive M&A company with a significant strategic investor, welcoming Kaltroco to the DCG family. Through its M&A intelligence division, DCG produces automotive content and delivers relevant, timely marketing intelligence, including the automotive industry Market Outlook Report (MOR). Together with CBT News, DCG produces the Inside M&A studio show and podcast to share stories, news and trends impacting the retail automotive industry. DCGs proprietary AI-enabled software, Jump IQ, anchors its advisory services that support retail automotive dealers in developing informed M&A strategies and making smarter M&A decisions. The companys nonprofit initiative, DCG Giving, funds child and adolescent cancer research and treatment in communities nationwide and other worthy charitable initiatives. DCG team members regularly feature on the industry speaking circuit and are regularly cited by top national and global news outlets. For more information, please visit davecantingroup.com. Media Contact: Katie Merx katiemerx@gmail.com 313.510.5090 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f162c27f-9bab-4734-b906-64b9644192bc BARCELONA, Spain, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AI-Media, a global leader in AI-powered captioning and translation solutions, is thrilled to announce its debut at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2025, the worlds leading event for AV technology and integrated solutions. From February 47 in Barcelona, AI-Media will demonstrate its cutting-edge innovations that are revolutionizing accessibility, enhancing audience engagement, and solidifying its expansion across Europe. Attendees can visit AI-Media at Booth #4G500 to discover how its solutions are redefining the future of subtitling and accessibility for broadcasters and AV professionals. Pioneering Innovation at ISE 2025 AI-Media is setting new standards in accessibility workflows with its AI-driven technologies, seamlessly integrating into SDI and IP infrastructures while supporting advanced API and GPI capabilities. Visitors to the AI-Media booth will experience: LEXI Live AI-Powered Captions : Achieve unparalleled accuracy, real-time responsiveness, and exceptional cost efficiency. : Achieve unparalleled accuracy, real-time responsiveness, and exceptional cost efficiency. Multilingual Captioning and Translation : Overcome language barriers with real-time translations that empower global audiences to connect effortlessly. : Overcome language barriers with real-time translations that empower global audiences to connect effortlessly. Industry-Leading Encoder Technology : Explore AI-Medias reliable SDI and IP video encoders, trusted by top broadcasters for exceptional performance in both in-person and streaming environments. : Explore AI-Medias reliable SDI and IP video encoders, trusted by top broadcasters for exceptional performance in both in-person and streaming environments. Exclusive First Look: LEXI Voice: Witness the future of real-time voice translation with LEXI Voice, AI-Medias groundbreaking technology set to transform the industry upon its release later this year. Building a More Accessible Future At AI-Media, accessibility is more than complianceits the cornerstone of an inclusive and globally connected world, said James Ward, Chief Sales Officer at AI-Media. By combining innovation with practicality, we deliver scalable solutions that empower broadcasters and AV professionals to reach diverse audiences, meet regulatory demands like the European Accessibility Act, and revolutionize how content is experienced. ISE 2025 is an incredible opportunity to showcase the transformative power of our technology. Navigating the European Accessibility Act (EAA) With the European Accessibility Act (EAA) set to take effect on June 28, 2025, broadcasters and AV professionals face new challenges in ensuring accessibility compliance. AI-Medias advanced solutions are designed to meet these requirements effortlessly, offering seamless integration and scalability while elevating audience engagement. Why ISE Matters for AI-Media AI-Medias debut at ISE underscores its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the AV space. ISE provides an unparalleled opportunity to connect with industry leaders, explore the latest trends, and build strategic partnerships with AV system integrators across Europe. Join AI-Media at ISE 2025 Dont miss the chance to experience AI-Medias transformative solutions at ISE 2025. Visit Booth #4G500 to see live demonstrations and learn how AI-Media can revolutionize your accessibility and language strategies. To schedule a meeting or learn more, visit ai-media.tv. About AI-Media Founded in Australia in 2003, AI-Media is a pioneering technology company specialising in AI language and captioning workflow solutions. As a global leader, AI-Media provides high-quality AI-powered live and recorded captioning and translation technology and solutions to a diverse range of customers and markets worldwide. For the first time in February 2024, AI-Media unveiled groundbreaking data showcasing the superiority of its AI captioning product, LEXI, over traditional more expensive human workflows. With deep industry experience and sophisticated AI technology to create solutions which streamline and simplify processes, AI-Media empowers leading broadcasters, enterprises and government agencies globally to ensure seamless accessibility and inclusivity of their content. AI-Media (ASX: AIM) commenced trading on the ASX on 15 September 2020. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3a29c6c8-afbd-4ea8-a1aa-bfced9437813 NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clairol , the pioneer of at-home hair color, is proudly announcing the launch of their biggest innovation to date - ColorStrong , a revolutionary hair color line that merges multi-dimensional color with state-of-the-art hair-strengthening benefits. A first-ever offering from Clairol, ColorStrong was designed to meet the growing consumer demand for high-performance hair color products that deliver both sublime color and health benefits. Inspired by the Skinification trendwhere skincare principles influence broader beauty routines ColorStrong incorporates skincare-inspired ingredients like Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) to strengthen and revitalize hair from within with a 3-step hair color line, all this with zero ammonia. The result is a long-lasting, multi-dimensional color that ensures healthy hair from the inside out. Aligning with Clairols commitment to sustainability, ColorStrong is vegan, free from PPD/PT, and packaged in eco-friendly, recycled materials. ColorStrongs standout features include: A 3-step color kit including a topcoat (Bonding Primer), a permanent color cream, and a base coat (Bonding Treatment) Bonding primer to support the internal strength of the hair while it colors. Radiant multidimensional color that reinforces the hair structure. Bonding treatment for added strength and intense hydration. kit including a topcoat (Bonding Primer), a permanent color cream, and a base coat (Bonding Treatment) A Unique Formula : Infused with AHA bonding care for enhanced hair strength. : Infused with for enhanced hair strength. Ammonia-Free : For a coloring experience that protects hair integrity. : For a coloring experience that protects hair integrity. Designed With a Focus on Sustainability : Vegan formulation and sustainable packaging. : Vegan formulation and sustainable packaging. Vibrant Color Range: 18 new shades available; Inspired by iconic destinations like Miami and Rome, each unique hue captures the essence of these dream destinations. At Clairol, we believe hair color is a powerful form of self-expression and empowerment, says Saeema Shakir, Director of Hair Color Product Development at Clairol. With ColorStrong, weve redefined what at-home hair color can achieve by merging cutting-edge bonding technology with vibrant, multi-dimensional shades. This innovation not only delivers stunning results but also nurtures hair health, giving consumers the confidence to embrace their unique style without compromise. With the launch of ColorStrong, Clairol expresses a commitment to the doers, creators, innovators, and reinventorsthose who take life into their own hands, make the most of it, and make change happen. This commitment comes to life in the next phase of the Its So Me campaign, which will embrace the DIY spirit, empowering individuals through self-expressionbecause nothing says 'Its So Me' like doing it yourself. Clairol released a dynamic spot that showcases radiant transformations, bold self-expression, and the confidence that comes with using ColorStrong. The spot is part of a larger campaign that will live digitally and via influencer partnerships which all capture the spirit of reinvention and the joy of embracing one's true self. ColorStrong is available now with 18 new shades online and in retailers at $13.99. For more information about ColorStrong and Its So Me please visit https://www.clairol.com/ or follow us on TikTok and Instagram . About Clairol The pioneer in hair color, Clairol was the original company that brought hair color to the U.S., and the first to bring retail innovation to the masses with the launch of the first-ever hair color sold in retail stores for at-home use back in 1931. Since then, the brand has transcended generations with rich innovations, from the launch of Nicen Easy, a revolutionary shampoo-in color, to the launch of Natural Instincts as the first hair color to include plant-derived and natural ingredients in the 1990s, to Root Touch-Up, the first root touch-up product to hit the beauty aisles in the 2000s. Clairols mission is simple: to make every woman feel beautiful and confident and help her live colorfully through accessible, easy-to-use products. The color expert, Clairol strives to offer a color solution for every hair type. For more information, visit http://www.clairol.com. About Wella Company Wella Company is an innovative global beauty leader with a portfolio of iconic hair and nail brands for industry professionals and consumers, including Wella Professionals, OPI, ghd, Briogeo, Nioxin, Sebastian Professional, and Clairol. Our compelling vision to enable individuals to look, feel, and be their true selves is built on our 140+ year history of creating legendary beauty. Our brand portfolio reflects this spirit: professionally credentialed and many, founder created. Our fusion of science, technology, and artistry produces performance-led products, often further distinguished by patented technology. Professional hair and nail industry artists and beauty-loving consumers are at the heart of everything we do. In just four years, we have transformed our business and our brand portfolio. We are the #1 Salon Color Brand in the World with Wella Professionals and the #1 Salon Nail Brand in the world with OPI. Working as a connected, diverse global community of 5,000+ employees, we lead for action and drive results with an Owners Mindset, guided by company Values, our entrepreneurial spirit, and One Team accountability. We have a shared desire to positively impact the communities we serve. Our Ambition: To become one of the best beauty companies in the industry. One to last for generations to come. We dream big because we know our potential is unstoppable. Media Contact Lindsay Roberts clairolpr@praytellagency.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8bed1cf7-2c52-4d3d-8dea-0620a3d84aa4 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/38265a82-f1b3-4c36-8dce-ae8899ea3fc7 TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. (TSX-V: MON) (Montero or the Company) announces that it has finalised the distribution of the US$27,000,000 settlement with its litigation funders, Omni Bridgeway (Canada). The settlement amount was agreed with the United Republic of Tanzania (Tanzania) in the dispute over the expropriation of Monteros Wigu Hill rare earth element project (Wigu Hill). The settlement amount of US$27,000,000 is payable over three instalments, and is to be distributed as follows: First payment: US$12,000,000 received on November 20, 2024, and distributed between Montero and Omni Bridgeway (Canada), the Companys litigation funder. US$12,000,000 received on November 20, 2024, and distributed between Montero and Omni Bridgeway (Canada), the Companys litigation funder. Second payment: US$8,000,000 due by January 31, 2025, to be distributed to Montero and to pay all legal fees. US$8,000,000 due by January 31, 2025, to be distributed to Montero and to pay all legal fees. Third payment: US$7,000,000 due by February 28, 2025, to be distributed entirely to Montero. After paying funders and legal costs, the net amount due to Montero will be approximately C$20,577,545 (US$14,458,138). Dr Tony Harwood, President and CEO of Montero commented: I am pleased Montero successfully achieved an amicable distribution of proceeds of over C$20,000,000. We wish Tanzania success in attracting new mining investments and look forward to receiving the final two payments due within the next 5 weeks. Further notice of payments received will be forthcoming. ICSID Arbitration Montero and Tanzania jointly requested the arbitral tribunal to suspend the ICSID arbitration proceedings after receiving the first payment. Upon receipt of the final payment as scheduled, the parties will formally request the tribunal to discontinue the ICSID arbitration in its entirety. Distribution of Funds Montero is considering a return of capital distribution to shareholders. The exact amount is yet to be determined and will be subject to accounting review and board approval. In addition, Montero will retain funds to cover legal, taxation, and administrative expenses, including potential costs for arbitral proceedings, or enforcement actions in the event of delays or non-payment of the second or third instalments. The latter will now be the sole responsibility of Montero. The net amount of the award after deducting payments to the funder and covering legal expenses, cannot be determined with certainty, and no guarantees can be provided. Further announcements will be made in due course. Disclaimer The conclusion of the ICSID arbitration and payment of the remaining instalments is conditional on Tanzanias compliance with the settlement agreement. The agreement does not provide for any security for the benefit of Montero in case Tanzania would not pay any instalment, in which case Montero can either resume the ICSID arbitration or seek enforcement of the settlement agreement. About Montero Montero has agreed to a US$27,000,000 settlement amount to end its dispute with the United Republic of Tanzania for the expropriation of the Wigu Hill rare earth element project. The Company is also advancing the Avispa copper-molybdenum project in Chile and is seeking a joint venture partner. Monteros board of directors and management have an impressive track record of successfully discovering and advancing precious metal and copper projects. Montero trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MON and has 50,122,975 shares outstanding. For more information, contact: Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. Dr. Tony Harwood, President, and Chief Executive Officer E-mail: ir@monteromining.com Tel: +1 604 428 7050 www.monteromining.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements, projections and estimates with respect to the receipt of the settlement sum of US$27,000,000 and the timing thereof and with respect to the distribution of the settlement funds. 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. Such information is based on information currently available to Montero and Montero provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking information by its very nature involves inherent risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Montero to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Actual results relating to, among other things, completion of the required instalments pursuant to the settlement agreement with Tanzania, satisfactory arrangements for the payment of the arbitration funder and legal expenses, the ability of the Company to find suitable exploration projects, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of Monteros mineral properties, and financial condition and prospects, all of which could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: an inability to obtain payment of the remaining instalment amounts from Tanzania on the terms as announced or at all; unanticipated expenses associated with the settlement; changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with Monteros activities; and other matters discussed in this news release and in filings made with securities regulators. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Monteros forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Montero does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Charleston, SC, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jeffrey Pipes Guice and Palmetto Publishing jointly announce the release of the poets sixth book in his series: Here I Sit. This new book of poetry is set to challenge and engage readers with its unique blend of thought-provoking and sophomoric themes. Here I Sit is a chance to go back and rediscover all the excellent writers I had missed as a child and study their writing styles. From there, I was hoping to challenge myself to find my style of writing, one which I might describe as being whimsical, impulsive, or simply thought-provoking poetry. Each poem of Here I Sit begins with those very words, inspired by things like: Iconic images Historical monuments Comical situations Friendly animals Precocious children and more. This collection explores the relationship between iconic images and the emotions they evoke, offering a diverse range of poems that aim to touch a nerve with the audience. Jeffrey hopes his poetry touches a nerve with his readerswhether its their hearts, souls, or funny bones. More than anything, Jeffrey hopes his verses provoke thought. Here I Sit is available for purchase online at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com. For more information about the author, please visit any of his social media platforms Instagram About the Author: Jeffrey Pipes Guice worked for years in New Orleans, Washington D.C., and New York City but still found time to travel worldwide. He traversed Europe, Asia, and Africa and even studied penguins in Antarctica. He also visited exciting cities like Cairo, Jerusalem, Havana, Moscow, Yemen, Argentina, and Phuket, all searching for purpose. The only place Guice never set out to discover was inside himself. Media Contact: Jeffrey Pipes Guice, jeffguice1959@gmail.com Available for interviews: Author, Jeffrey Pipes Guice Attachment Dublin, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Corporate Heritage Data Management - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global market for Corporate Heritage Data Management was estimated at US$656.7 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach US$2.2 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 19.1% from 2023 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions. Corporate heritage data management is becoming increasingly important as organizations recognize the value of preserving and leveraging their historical data, brand assets, and intellectual property. Managing corporate heritage, including documents, images, videos, and other media, allows companies to safeguard their brand legacy and use historical data for marketing, corporate storytelling, and reputation management. In an era of digital transformation, businesses are turning to advanced data management systems to ensure that their heritage assets are easily accessible, secure, and well-organized, fostering brand loyalty and continuity over time. The growth in the corporate heritage data management market is driven by several factors, including the increasing need for brand preservation, advancements in cloud and AI technologies, and the rising focus on corporate storytelling and reputation management. As companies become more aware of the value of their historical data in building brand equity, the demand for comprehensive data management solutions is rising. The digitalization of heritage data, combined with the need for secure, long-term storage, is further propelling the market. Additionally, the expansion of data-driven marketing strategies and the growing importance of maintaining corporate heritage in a competitive business environment are contributing to market growth. How Are Innovations in Technology Impacting Corporate Heritage Data Management? Technological advancements, particularly in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI), are transforming corporate heritage data management by making it more efficient, secure, and scalable. Cloud-based platforms enable companies to store vast amounts of heritage data digitally, ensuring easy access from anywhere in the world while reducing the risk of data loss. AI-driven analytics tools are helping businesses extract meaningful insights from historical data, such as customer behavior patterns and brand evolution, to inform future strategies. Furthermore, advancements in digital archiving and content management systems (CMS) are enhancing the way organizations store, organize, and retrieve corporate heritage materials. Which Industries Are Leading the Adoption of Corporate Heritage Data Management? Industries such as banking, insurance, retail, and manufacturing are leading the adoption of corporate heritage data management systems. For these sectors, preserving historical data and brand assets is crucial for maintaining a consistent corporate identity and building trust with stakeholders. The fashion and luxury goods industries also rely heavily on managing their heritage to strengthen brand prestige and appeal to a heritage-conscious customer base. Additionally, academic institutions, museums, and government organizations are increasingly investing in corporate heritage data management to safeguard cultural and historical information for future generations. Report Features: Comprehensive Market Data: Independent analysis of annual sales and market forecasts in US$ Million from 2023 to 2030. In-Depth Regional Analysis: Detailed insights into key markets, including the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. Company Profiles: Coverage of major players in the Global Corporate Heritage Data Management Market such as Arkivum Ltd., CultureArk, Eloquent Systems, Inc., Extensis, FINNZ and more. Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments. Key Insights: Market Growth: Understand the significant growth trajectory of the Digital Asset Management (DAM) segment, which is expected to reach US$1.6 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of a 19.9%. The Digital Collection Management segment is also set to grow at 17.0% CAGR over the analysis period. Regional Analysis: Gain insights into the U.S. market, estimated at $181.9 Million in 2023, and China, forecasted to grow at an impressive 17.9% CAGR to reach $330.7 Million by 2030. Discover growth trends in other key regions, including Japan, Canada, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 192 Forecast Period 2023 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $656.7 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $2200 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 19.1% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered: MARKET OVERVIEW Influencer Market Insights World Market Trajectories Corporate Heritage Data Management - Global Key Competitors Percentage Market Share in 2024 (E) Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for Players Worldwide in 2024 (E) Global Economic Update MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS Rising Importance of Brand Heritage in Corporate Identity Management Technological Advancements in Cloud-based Data Storage and Archiving Increased Demand for Digital Preservation of Corporate History Growth in Corporate Storytelling and Marketing Using Heritage Data Integration of AI and Analytics for Insights from Historical Data Growing Adoption of Heritage Management Solutions in Retail and Luxury Sectors Rising Focus on Data Security and Intellectual Property Protection Expansion of Digital Asset Management Solutions for Corporate Heritage Increasing Use of Corporate Heritage in Digital Marketing Campaigns Growing Interest in Leveraging Heritage Data for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS:Some of the 33 companies featured in this report include Arkivum Ltd. CultureArk Eloquent Systems, Inc. Extensis FINNZ Heritage Werks Lookatme MediaBeacon, Inc. Meta S.r.l. NetXposure, Inc. North Plains Systems Corporation Open Text Corp Widen Enterprises, Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ycidly About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Dublin, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Silicone Market Global Forecast Report by Type, End Use, and Country with Company Analysis 2025-2033" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Silicone market is expected to reach US$ 17.29 billion in 2024 to US$ 27.16 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 5.15% from 2025 to 2033. The market for silicones is supported by a number of important reasons, including the substantial expansion of the construction sector, the increasing use of products in the cosmetic and personal care sector, and intensive research and development (R&D) efforts. Global Silicone Industry Overview The silicone market is growing due to a number of causes, including the growing use of electric vehicles (EVs) and increased demand from a variety of industries, including electronics and transportation. Additionally, the healthcare industry is becoming more interested in specialist silicone applications, which is propelling market growth. Furthermore, a major market trend for the future is anticipated to be the growing demand for environmentally friendly silicone products, such as silicone rubber and sophisticated Liquid Injection Molding Systems (LIMS). The environmentally friendly choices aid in lowering greenhouse gas emissions and promote carbon neutrality. In addition to improving energy efficiency, these sustainable solutions support environmental goals and increase their attractiveness to customers and producers. Growth Drivers for the Silicone Market The Cosmetics and Personal Care Industry's Growing Product Usage Research and Development (R&D) Activities that are Ongoing The Growing Construction Sector Silicone Market Overview by Region The silicone market is strong in all major regions: Asia-Pacific drives demand through fast industrialization, electronics, and construction; Europe concentrates on healthcare and industrial usage; and North America leads in innovation and automotive applications. Adoption is increasing across a range of industries in Latin America and the Middle East. United States Silicone Market Due to robust demand from a variety of industries, including construction, electronics, healthcare, and automobiles, the silicone market in the United States is among the biggest in the world. The United States is a leader in the creation of sophisticated silicone materials, including high-performance elastomers, sealants, and adhesives, because to its emphasis on innovation. Silicone is widely used in the automobile industry for gaskets, seals, and heat management, and its applications in healthcare are still growing, especially in medicines and medical equipment. Due to the need for silicone in semiconductors, screens, and connectors, the electronics sector also makes a substantial contribution. Additionally, the market for recyclable and bio-based silicones is expanding due to the growing trend of eco-friendly and sustainable solutions. The market is further driven by government regulations and technological improvements, which open up new product development and application prospects in the silicone industry in the United States. One of the top chemical manufacturers, Dow Inc., introduced a cutting-edge range of liquid silicone rubbers in January 2023 under the SILASTIC SA 994X LSR series. This new line of rubbers has special qualities like self-lubrication, primer-less adherence, and self-adhesive qualities. These liquid silicone rubbers, which are specifically made for two-component injection molding with thermoplastic substrates, are aimed at the transportation and mobility sectors. A dependable and effective solution that streamlines production, improves performance, and guarantees long-lasting durability for a range of applications in the mobility and transportation sectors is offered to manufacturers in these industries by the SILASTIC SA 994X LSR series. United Kingdom Silicone Market The silicone market in the UK is expanding steadily due to demand from important industries like construction, electronics, healthcare, and automobiles. Silicone is used in the automobile industry for gaskets, seals, and vibration dampening, and it is becoming more and more common in the healthcare business for prosthetics, implants, and medical devices. Silicones are crucial for parts like screens, insulators, and connectors in electronics. Silicone's application in sealants, adhesives, and coatings - especially in sustainable and energy-efficient building materials - benefits the construction sector. Eco-friendly and bio-based silicones are becoming more and more popular in the UK market, where environmental sustainability is emphasized. Further propelling market expansion is the nation's robust infrastructure for research and development, which fosters advancements in silicone applications. The market environment is also shaped by technical developments and regulatory norms. India Silicone Market Due to rising industrialization and demand from industries including automotive, construction, electronics, and healthcare, the silicone market in India is expanding quickly. In India, the expanding construction industry depends on silicone-based sealants, adhesives, and coatings for energy-efficient buildings, while the automotive industry employs silicone for weatherproofing, gaskets, and sealing. Silicones are utilized in electronics in parts like screens, semiconductors, and insulating materials. Silicones are also useful in the healthcare industry for prostheses, implants, and medical gadgets. Bio-based and recyclable silicones are becoming more and more popular as a result of growing consumer awareness and the need for environmentally friendly, sustainable solutions. Investments in silicone production and research are being stimulated by India's growing manufacturing capabilities and a supportive regulatory environment. The Indian silicone industry is expected to grow even more as the economy expands, especially in developing industries. Saudi Arabia Silicone Market With the help of the nation's varied industrial base, which includes the automotive, construction, electronics, and oil and gas industries, the silicone market in Saudi Arabia is expanding quickly. The need for silicone-based sealants, adhesives, and coatings is driven by the construction sector, especially with regard to major infrastructure projects. Silicone is used in the electronics industry for insulation, connectors, and screens, and in the automobile industry for gaskets, seals, and engine parts. Specialized silicones are also used in the oil and gas industry for applications requiring resistance to chemicals and high temperatures. Demand for high-performance materials like silicones is being further increased by Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan, which aims to diversify the economy and build sustainable infrastructure. In keeping with worldwide sustainability trends, the market is also witnessing an increase in demand for silicone goods that are bio-based and environmentally friendly. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 110 Forecast Period 2024-2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $17.29 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $27.16 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.1% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered 1. Introduction 2. Research Methodology 3. Executive Summary 4. Market Dynamics 4.1 Growth Drivers 4.2 Challenges 5. Silicone Market 6. Market Share Analysis 6.1 By Type 6.2 By End Use 6.3 By Countries 7. Type 7.1 Elastomers 7.2 Fluids 7.3 Resins 7.4 Gels 7.5 Others 8. End Use 8.1 Industrial Processes 8.2 Construction 8.3 Personal Care & Consumer Goods 8.4 Transportation 8.5 Electronics 8.6 Healthcare 8.7 Energy 8.8 Others 9. Countries 9.1 North America 9.1.1 United States 9.1.2 Canada 9.2 Europe 9.2.1 France 9.2.2 Germany 9.2.3 Italy 9.2.4 Spain 9.2.5 United Kingdom 9.2.6 Belgium 9.2.7 Netherlands 9.2.8 Turkey 9.3 Asia-Pacific 9.3.1 China 9.3.2 Japan 9.3.3 India 9.3.4 South Korea 9.3.5 Thailand 9.3.6 Malaysia 9.3.7 Indonesia 9.3.8 Australia 9.3.9 New Zealand 9.4 Latin America 9.4.1 Brazil 9.4.2 Mexico 9.4.3 Argentina 9.5 Middle East & Africa 9.5.1 Saudi Arabia 9.5.2 UAE 9.5.3 South Africa 10. Porter's Five Forces Analysis 11. SWOT Analysis 12. Key Players Analysis 12.1 Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. 12.1.1 Overview 12.1.2 Key Persons 12.1.3 Recent Development & Strategies 12.1.4 Revenue Analysis 12.2 Wacker Chemie AG 12.3 Illinois Tool Works Inc. 12.4 Evonik Industries AG 12.5 Kemira Oyj 12.6 Dow Inc. 12.7 Elkem ASA 12.8 Kaneka Corporation For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3lzib0 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment PERTH, Australia and TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cygnus Metals Limited (ASX: CY5; TSXV: CYG) (Cygnus or the Company) refers to its announcement titled Cygnus increases highly prospective, under-explored ground position by 50% released to ASX on 9 January 2025 (First Announcement) and its announcement titled Cygnus first drill hole returns up to 9.1% Cu outside Resource released to ASX on 23 January 2025 (Second Announcement). Clarifications regarding First Announcement In discussions with the Company subsequent to the release of the First Announcement, the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) has requested the below: Clarification regarding the assumptions used in the copper metal equivalents calculations provided by Cygnus on the NI 43-101 compliant Foreign Mineral Resource Estimate for the Chibougamau Project in the First Announcement; and Further information regarding metallurgical test work completed to support the Companys metallurgical recovery assumptions provided in this clarification announcement. The Company wishes to provide further information on these assumptions and the metallurgical test work previously completed by Dore Copper Mining Corp (Dore), but emphasises that the clarification does not affect the Foreign Mineral Resource Estimate or the Copper Equivalent (CuEq) figures as set out in Appendix A of the First Announcement and as first disclosed by the Company on 15 October 2024. Note 6 of Appendix A on page 6 of the First Announcement is replaced with the following (First Clarification): Metal equivalents for the foreign estimate have been calculated at a copper price of US$8,750/t, gold price of US$2,350/oz. Copper equivalent was calculated based on the formula CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + (Au(g/t) x 0.77258). Metallurgical recovery factors have been applied to the copper equivalents calculation, with copper metallurgical recovery assumed at 95% and gold metallurgical recovery assumed at 85% based upon historical production at the Chibougamau Processing Facility and more recent metallurgical test work. It is the Companys view that all elements in the copper equivalent calculations have a reasonable potential to be recovered and sold. The Company confirms that the Foreign Mineral Resource Estimate and metal equivalents calculation do not contain any other metals, including silver. In fact, the inclusion of silver represents a further opportunity for the Company and will be reviewed in future work. Other than the First Clarification above, there are no changes to the First Announcement. In support of the First Clarification, attached to this announcement are the results of metallurgical test work previously completed by Dore. Clarifications regarding Second Announcement In discussions with the Company subsequent to the release of the Second Announcement, the ASX has requested that the Company provide further information regarding two of the three electromagnetic (EM) plates referred to in Figures 1 and 2 of the Second Announcement in accordance with ASX Listing Rules 5.6 and 5.7. The Company wishes to note that the two additional untested EM plates to the south of the new EM plate referred to in the Second Announcement were identified from geophysics programs conducted by previous owners of the Chibougamau Project and provides the additional information set out in the Appendix to this clarification announcement (Second Clarification). A fixed loop EM (FLEM) survey was conducted in 2007 by Crone Geophysics for Novawest Resources. Results from this survey, which Southern Geoscience Consultants (SGC) has reprocessed for Cygnus, highlighted a conductor to the south of the Corner Bay deposit. A downhole EM (DHEM) survey was conducted by Dore in 2021 on drillhole CB-21-93. The survey, which SGC has reprocessed for Cygnus, highlighted a further conductor to the south of the Corner Bay deposit. Other than the Second Clarification, there are no changes to the Second Announcement. This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Directors of Cygnus. David Southam Managing Director T: +61 8 6118 1627 E: info@cygnusmetals.com Ernest Mast President & Managing Director T: +1 647 921 0501 E: info@cygnusmetals.com Media: Paul Armstrong Read Corporate +61 8 9388 1474 About Cygnus Metals Cygnus Metals Limited (ASX: CY5, TSXV: CYG) is a diversified critical minerals exploration and development company with projects in Quebec, Canada and Western Australia. The Company is dedicated to advancing its Chibougamau Copper-Gold Project in Quebec with an aggressive exploration program to drive resource growth and develop a hub-and-spoke operation model with its centralised processing facility. In addition, Cygnus has quality lithium assets with significant exploration upside in the world-class James Bay district in Quebec, and REE and base metal projects in Western Australia. The Cygnus team has a proven track record of turning exploration success into production enterprises and creating shareholder value. Qualified Persons and Compliance Statements The scientific and technical information relating to metal equivalents in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Ms Laurence Huss, the Quebec In-Country Manager of Cygnus, a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The Company first announced the foreign estimate of mineralisation for the Chibougamau Project on 15 October 2024. The Company confirms that the supporting information included in the announcement of 15 October 2024 continues to apply other than in respect of the Clarification, and (notwithstanding the Clarification) has not materially changed. Cygnus confirms that (notwithstanding the Clarification) it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original announcement and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the original announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. Cygnus confirms that it is not in possession of any new information or data that materially impacts on the reliability of the estimates or Cygnus ability to verify the foreign estimates as mineral resources in accordance with the JORC Code. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Persons findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement. The scientific and technical information relating to exploration results in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr Louis Beaupre, the Quebec Exploration Manager of Cygnus, a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The Exploration Results disclosed in this announcement are based on and fairly represent information and supporting documentation compiled by Mr Beaupre. Mr Beaupre holds options in Cygnus. Mr Beaupre is a member of the Ordre des ingenieurs du Quebec (P Eng), a Registered Overseas Professional Organisation as defined in the ASX Listing Rules, and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration and to the activity which has been undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Beaupre consents to the inclusion in this release of the matters based on the information in the form and context in which they appear. 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. Appendix Second Clarification Section 1 (Sampling Techniques and Data) and Section 2 (Reporting of Exploration Results) of Appendix C (2012 JORC Table 1) of the Second Announcement are deleted and replaced as follows: Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. All current drilling conducted at the Chibougamau Project was completed under the supervision of a registered professional geologist as a Qualified Person (QP) who is responsible and accountable for the planning, execution, and supervision of all exploration activity as well as the implementation of quality assurance programs and reporting. All drilling reported is NQ2 (47.8 mm diameter) DHEM surveys have been completed on surface drillholes Historic FLEM surveys were acquired from surface Historic FLEM stations were planned along survey lines perpendicular to geological strike Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used. All sample collection, core logging, and specific gravity determinations were completed by Cygnus Metals under the supervision of a professionally qualified registered geologist. NQ core was marked for splitting during logging and is sawn using a diamond core saw with a mounted jig to assure the core is cut lengthwise into equal halves. Half of the cut core is placed in clean individual plastic bags with the appropriate sample tag. QA/QC is done in house by Cygnus Metals geologists with oversight from the Senior Geologist. The check samples (blanks and standards 4% of total samples with another 2% of core duplicates taken on half split core) that were inserted into the sample batches are verified against their certified values and are deemed a pass if they are within 3 standard deviations of the certified value. The duplicates are evaluated against each other to determine mineralization distribution (nugget). If there are large discrepancies in the check samples, then the entire batch is requested to be re-assayed. The samples are then placed in bags for shipment to the offsite laboratorys facility. The remaining half of the core is retained and incorporated into Cygnuss secure, core library located on the property No samples were taken for the electromagnetic survey work. Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where industry standard work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. Industry standard sampling practices were used with sample lengths ranging from 0.3 m to 1.0 m and respected geological contacts. Sample tags were placed at the beginning of each sample interval and the tag numbers were recorded in an MS Excel database. Sampling practice is considered to be appropriate to the geology and style of mineralisation Drilling techniques Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). Diamond core was drilled using surface diamond rigs with industry recognised contractors Miikan Drilling. Miikan is a joint venture between Chibougamau Diamond Drilling Ltd., the First Nations community of Ouje-Bougoumou and the First Nations community of Mistissini both located in the Eeyou Istchee territory. Drilling was conducted using NQ core size Directional surveys have been taken at 50m intervals Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. Diamond core recovery was measured for each run and calculated as a percentage of the drilled interval. Overall, the core recoveries are excellent in the Chibougamau area No drilling was undertaken for the electromagnetic survey work. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. All core was geologically and geotechnically logged. Lithology, veining, alteration and mineralisation are recorded in multiple tables of the drillhole database No logging was undertaken for the electromagnetic survey work. Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography. Geological logging of core is qualitative and descriptive in nature. The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. 100% of the core has been logged Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry. For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples. Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in-situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling. Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. The NQ2 diameter the core was sawn in half following a sample cutting line determined by geologists during logging and submitted for analysis on nominal 1m intervals or defined by geological boundaries determined by the logging geologist Each core sample is assigned a tag with a unique identifying number. Sample lengths are typically one metre but can be depending on zone mineralogy and boundaries. This sampling technique is industry standard and deemed appropriate. No subsampling was undertaken for the electromagnetic survey work. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. Sample (NQ size half core) preparation and fire assay analysis were done at Bureau Veritas Commodities Canada Ltd (BV) in Timmins, Ontario, and ICP-ES multi-elements analysis was done at BV in Vancouver, B.C. Samples were weighed, dried, crushed to 70% passing 2 mm, split to 250 g, and pulverized to 85% passing 75 m. Samples are fire assayed for gold (Au) (30 g) and multi-acid digestion ICP-ES finish, for 23 elements (including key elements Ag, Cu, Mo). Samples assaying >10.0 g/t Au are re-analysed with a gravimetric finish using a 30 g charge. Samples assaying >10% Cu are re-analysed with a sodium peroxide fusion with ICP-ES analysis using a 0.25 g charge. For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc. CY5 commissioned Southern Geoscience Consultants (SGC) of Perth to supervise and plan the recent DHEM surveys that were acquired by Geophysique TMC SGC were also commissioned to reinterpret some DHEM collected by Geophysique TMC from 2021 Survey Details for DHEM Survey Configuration: Downhole TEM (DHTEM) TX Loop Size: 620 x 450m Transmitter: Crone Geophysics Pulse Transmitter Receiver: Crone Geophysics Pulse Receiver Sensor: Crone Geophysics 3 component dB/dt induction coil Component Directions: Axial (A), and cross-hole (U and V) Station Spacing: 10m with 5m infill TX Frequency: 5 Hz Duty cycle: 50% Current: 20 Amps Powerline Frequency: 60 Hz Base frequency: 50 msec Stacks: 256 stacks per reading CY5 also commissioned SGC to reprocess the historic FLEM that was conducted in 2007 under the supervision of Crone Geophysics and Exploration Ltd The equipment used on this project was a Crone Pulse EM Surface system. This includes a 4.8kW transmitter with a 240V voltage regulator powered by an 11 hp motor generator. The Crone Digital Receiver was used to collect the field data. The synchronization between the Transmitter and the Receiver was maintained by crystal clock synchronization for surface work TX Loop Size: 900 x 800m Ramp Time: 1.5ms Current: 15 amps Time Base: 16.66 msec Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established. Laboratory QC procedures involve the use of internal certified reference material as assay standards, along with blanks, duplicates and replicates Geophysical data was recorded on a Crone Geophysics Pulse Receiver then emailed to SGC for analysis and verification Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. Verification of sampling was made by Cygnus Metals and other professional consultant geologists No sampling was undertaken for the electromagnetic survey work. The use of twinned holes. No hole is twinned Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. All logging data was completed, core marked up, logging and sampling data was entered directly into the database. The logged data is stored on the site server directly. Discuss any adjustment to assay data. There was no adjustment to the assay data Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. The location of the drillholes and the aiming points for the orientation of the drillholes were indicated on the ground using identified stakes. The stakes marking the location of the drillholes were set up and located with a Garmin GPS model GPSmap 62s (4m accuracy) Surveys are collected using a Reflex EZ-Shot single-shot electronic instrument with readings collected at intervals of approximately every 30 m downhole plus a reading at the bottom of the hole Surface geophysical measurement locations were determined using a hand-held GPS. The accuracy of this unit at most sample sites was +/- 3m to 5m The DHEM station positions are estimated using a winch counter that measures to the nearest cm accuracy with gyro survey files to accurately locate the survey stations in space. FLEM stations were planned perpendicular to geological strike, and all were surveyed with hand-held GPS Specification of the grid system used. The grid system used is UTM NAD83 (Zone 18) Quality and adequacy of topographic control. A Digital Terrane Model (DTM) has been used to accurately plot the vertical position of the holes Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. The drill spacing is considered appropriate for this type of exploration DHEM is 10m stations with 5m and 1m infill and FLEM data is 100m station spacing The station spacings are considered to be sufficient for sampling the anomalous response for detailed quantitative modelling Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. No resource estimation is made Whether sample compositing has been applied. No sample compositing has been applied Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. Drilling is orientated approximately at right angles to the currently interpreted strike of the known interpreted mineralisation. Reported intersections appear close to true width FLEM stations were planned perpendicular to geological strike DHEM surveys records 3D data and target orientation relative to the survey orientation is not deemed to be important in the modelling If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. No bias is considered to have been introduced by the existing sampling orientation Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. Core was placed in wooden core boxes close to the drill rig by the drilling contractor. The core was collected daily by the drilling contractor and delivered to the secure core logging facility. Access to the core logging facility is limited to Cygnus employees or designates Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. No audits have been undertaken, therefore information on audits or reviews is not yet available Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results (Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.) Criteria JORC Code Explanation Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings. The data reported within this announcement is from the Chibougamau Project. The Chibougamau project consists of 3 properties which includes: Copper Rand (1 mining license, 19 mining concession and 147 exploration claims) Corner Bay Devlin (1 mining license, 111 exploration claims) Joe Mann (2 mining concessions, 74 exploration claims) Copper Rand and Corner Bay Devlin are held 100% by CBAY minerals Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dore Copper. 767ha of the Joe Mann property is held by CBAY with the remaining 1965ha held under option agreement with Resources Jessie. The properties collectively making up the Project are in good standing based on the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (Ministere de lEnergie et des Ressources Naturelles) GESTIM claim management system of the Government of Quebec. The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. All tenure is in good standing Exploration done by other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. The Chibougamau Copper and Gold project comprising Corner Bay, Devlin, Cedar Bay and Joe Mann have seen an extensive exploration history dating back to the early 1900s. The PEA (as referred to in the Companys announcement of 15 October 2024) provides a detailed history of the exploration activities undertaken by previous explorers. Corner Bay was first identified as a prospect in 1956 1956 1972 eight drilling programs totalling 1,463 m and various geophysical and electromagnetic (EM) surveys 1973 1981 Riocanex and Flanagan McAdam: ground geophysical surveys and 43 diamond drill holes 1982 1984 Riocanex and Corner Bay Exploration: 38 drill holes and metallurgical test work 1988 1991 Corner Bay Exploration: diamond drilling, geophysical surveys and geological characterisation with initial MRE 1992 1994 SOQUEM optioned and acquired a 30% interest, and completed diamond drilling 1994 Explorations Cache Inc and Ressources MSV Inc: diamond drilling 2004 2006 GeoNova and MSV: 98 diamond drill holes and first Technical Report on the Corner Bay project reporting a MRE 2007 2009 Campbell: diamond drilling and bulk sample 2012 - 2019 CBAY / AmAuCu: diamond drilling and MRE Devlin identified in 1972 by airborne survey flown by the MERN 1979 1981 diamond drilling, geophysical surveys 1981 development commenced Joe Mann identified in 1950 with the commencement of mining activities occurring in 1956 The Joe Mann mine operated underground during three different periods from 1956 to 2007 In July 2012, Ressources Jessie acquired the Joe Mann mine property, but conducted only surface exploration work Cedar Bay was discovered prior to 1927 by Chibougamau McKenzie Mines Ltd From initial discovery to 2013 various surface and underground drilling campaigns and geophysical surveys undertaken by various companies Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation. Corner Bay and Devlin are located at the northeastern extremity of the Abitibi subprovince in the Superior province of the Canadian Shield and are examples of Chibougamau-type copper-gold deposits. The Abitibi subprovince is considered as one of the largest and best-preserved greenstone belts in the world and hosts numerous gold and base metal deposits. The Corner Bay deposit is located on the southern flank of the Dore Lake Complex (DLC). It is hosted by a N 15 trending shear zone more or less continuous with a strong 75 to 85 dip towards the west. The host anorthosite rock is sheared and sericitized over widths of 2 m to 25 m. The deposit is cut by a diabase dyke and is limited to the north by a fault structure and to the south by the LaChib deformation zone. The Corner Bay deposit consists of three main mineralized lodes (subparallel Main Lode 1 and Main Lode 2 above the dyke, and Main Lode below the dyke that make up the bulk of the deposit. The Corner Bay deposit has been traced over a strike length to over 1,100 m to a depth of 1,350 m and remains open at depth. The mineralization is characterized by veins and/or lenses of massive to semi-massive sulphides associated with a brecciated to locally massive quartz-calcite material. The sulphide assemblage is composed of chalcopyrite, pyrite, and pyrrhotite with lesser amounts of molybdenite and sphalerite. Late remobilized quartz-chalcopyrite-pyrite veins occur in a wide halo around the main mineralization zones. Devlin is a flat-lying, copper-rich lodes-hosted deposit in a polygenic igneous breccia that is less than 100 m from the surface. The tabular bodies have been modelled as four nearly horizontal lodes: a more continuous lower zone and three smaller lodes comprising the upper zone. Mineralization is reflected as a fracture zone often composed of two or more sulphide-quartz lodes and stringers. Thickness of the mineralized zones range from 0.5 m to 4.4 m. It has been diluted during modelling to reflect a minimum mining height of 1.8 m. The Joe Mann deposit is characterized by east-west striking shear hosted lodes that extend beyond 1,000 m vertically with mineralization identified over a 3 km strike length. These shear zones form part of the Opawica-Guercheville deformation zone, a major deformation corridor cutting the mafic volcanic rocks of the Obatogamau Formation in the north part of the Caopatina Segment. The gabbro sill hosts the Main Zone and the West Zone at the mine, while the South Zone is found in the rhyolite. These three subvertical E-W (N275/85) ductile-brittle shear zones are sub-parallel to stratigraphy and to one another, with up to 140 m to 170 m of separation between them. These shear zones are hosted within a stratigraphic package composed of iron-magnesium (Fe-Mg) carbonate and sericite altered gabbro sills, sheared basalts, and intermediate to felsic tuffs intruded by various felsic intrusions. The Joe Mann gold mineralization is hosted by decimetre scale quartz-carbonate lodes (Dion and Guha 1988). The lodes are mineralized with pyrite, pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite disposed in lens and lodelets parallel to schistosity, and occasionally visible gold. There are some other minor, mineralized structures, e.g., North and South-South Zones, with limited vertical and horizontal extensions. Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole down hole length and interception depth hole length. If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. All requisite drillhole information is tabulated elsewhere in this release. Refer Appendix A of the body text. The location of the DHEM and FLEM is set out in Diagram below. Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated. All drill hole intersections are reported above a lower cut-off grade of 0.5% copper. Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high-grade results and longer lengths of low-grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail. A maximum of 1m internal waste was allowed The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. No metal equivalents reported Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results. If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported. If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg down hole length, true width not known). All intersections reported in the body of this release are down hole. The majority of the drill holes in the database are drilled as close to orthogonal to the plane of the mineralized lodes as possible. Only down hole lengths are reported. Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. For Drill Results included elsewhere in this release refer figures in the body text Image 1 below shows DHEM loop on CB-24-100 Image 2 below shows DHEM loop on CB-21-93 (red outline illustrates the EM loop and white line the location of drillhole CB-21-93) Image 3 below illustrating loop and planned survey lines from 2007 FLEM (blues lines illustrate the planned survey lines for the anomaly outlined in the announcement) Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. All results greater than 0.5% Cu and 0.5g/t Au have been reported at greater than 1m width Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. Appropriate plans are included in the body of this release. Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling). Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. The Company will be conducting drill testing of additional mineralisation as well as step out drilling of existing lodes to further enhance the resources quoted in this release. More information is presented in the body of this report. Diagrams in the main body of this release show areas of possible resource extension on existing lodes. The company continues to identify and assess multiple other target areas within the property boundary for additional resources. Image 1 below shows DHEM loop on CB-24-100 Image 2 below shows DHEM loop on CB-21-93 (red outline illustrates the EM loop and white line the location of drillhole CB-21-93) Image 3 below illustrating loop and planned survey lines from 2007 FLEM (blues lines illustrate the planned survey lines for the anomaly outlined in the announcement) Chibougamau Copper-Gold Project, Canada Flotation copper recoveries of up to 98.2% at Corner Bay Metallurgical test work conducted at the Chibougamau Project indicates a high-quality clean concentrate with low impurities from the Corner Bay flagship asset HIGHLIGHTS: Metallurgical test work at Corner Bay demonstrates: Copper recoveries of 98.2% and 96.8% from a sample from an ore sorting test High-quality copper concentrate grades results of 27.0% and 29.6% Clean concentrate with minimal deleterious elements Corner Bay is the flagship asset at the Chibougamau Project with an Indicated Mineral Resources of 2.7Mt at 2.9% CuEq and Inferred Mineral Resources of 5.9Mt at 3.6% CuEq 1 Metallurgical test work is being conducted as part of the ongoing study work at the Chibougamau Project Test work includes locked cycle flotation tests that approximate a future flowsheet The Chibougamau Project has excellent infrastructure with a 900,000tpa processing facility, local mining town, sealed highway, airport, regional rail infrastructure and 25kV hydro power to the processing site. ________________ 1 The Mineral Resource Estimate at the Chibougamau Project is a foreign estimate prepared in accordance with CIM Standards. A competent person has not done sufficient work to classify the foreign estimate as a mineral resource in accordance with the JORC Code, and it is uncertain whether further evaluation and exploration will result in an estimate reportable under the JORC Code. Cygnus Executive Chairman, David Southam said: The results demonstrate the viability of the project as we continue along our dual track exploration and development pathway with high recoveries and a clean high grade concentrate. Cygnus Metals Limited (ASX: CY5; TSXV: CYG) (Cygnus or the Company) is pleased to announce positive flotation test results at its flagship Corner Bay deposit within the Chibougamau Copper-Gold Project in Quebec, Canada. The results have been released in connection with a response to a query from ASX concerning the basis on which Cygnus announced metal equivalent grades in an announcement dated 9 January 2025, which referred to its NI 43-101 compliant Foreign Mineral Resource Estimate for the Chibougamau Project (Announcement). The results of the metallurgical test program contained in this announcement have been considered by the Company in informing the metallurgical recovery rates contained in the Announcement and subsequent clarification announcement dated 28 January 2025. When Cygnus first disclosed the acquisition of Dore Copper Mining Corp on 15 October 2024, it did not consider that the metallurgical test-work was a material exploration result. Following queries from ASX, the Company has considered that the metallurgical test work contained in this announcement is information that is necessary to support the assumptions made about metal recoveries in Cygnus copper equivalent statement in the Announcement. This metallurgical test program conducted by Dore Copper Mining Corp. in 2023 was part of work designed to support ongoing study work at the Chibougamau Project. The results demonstrate copper recoveries of 98.2% and 96.8% from a representative composite sample and high-quality copper concentrate grades results of 27.0% and 29.6%. These results were previously released by Dore Copper Mining Corporation on October 30, 2023. Latest Metallurgical Test Work Program Summary Base Metallurgical Laboratories in Kamloops, British Columbia was commissioned to complete Corner Bay metallurgical development and locked cycle flotation testing in support of ongoing study work. A total of 34 diamond drill core were used to create a spatially diverse composite sample that intersected copper mineralized zones within the Corner Bay Foreign Mineral Resource Estimate. The core material selected represented different rock types: semi and massive sulphides, quartz veins, diorite dyke, and fresh and altered anorthosite (refer to Figures 1 and 2 in Appendix C). The drill core was sampled by cutting a quarter split NQ core. The longer pieces of quarter split core were further manually broken down into 1 to 3 inches length to simulate a crushed product. The composite sample weighted 202 kg and graded 2.20% Cu and included an 18% external mining dilution from the hanging wall and foot wall of the mineralized interval. The composite sample was then processed through the Steinert ore sorter and mixed with 26% of the unsorted underflow by-passed mineralized material to represent an overall sorted pre-concentrate mineralized material product (refer to Figure 4 in Appendix C). The composite resulted in a 123 kilogram sample with a grade of 3.31% Cu. The resulting composite sample was evaluated through lock cycle tests to determine the flotation metallurgical performance (refer to Figure 4 in Appendix C). The sample was prepared to a nominal grind size of 140 microns K80 in the rougher testing and then processed through a regrind size of approximately 37 microns K80 in the cleaner tests. The sample responded consistently throughout the test work with excellent performance to conventional flotation processing methods and reagents. Two locked cycle tests were completed with varying retention times to determine the concentrate grade versus recovery. The tests resulted in concentrate grades of 27.0% Cu and 29.6% Cu and recoveries 98.2% and 96.8%, respectively (refer to Table 1 below). Minimal amounts of deleterious elements (e.g. arsenic, antimony, bismuth, cadmium etc.) were present in the concentrate, indicative of the clean nature of the concentrate (refer to Table 2 below). These results showed the highly commercial quality of the concentrate in terms of salability and payment terms of smelters. Composite / Test Lock cycle test feed Concentrate Recovery CBSP (sorted mineralized material) Cu % Au g/t Ag g/t Cu % Au g/t Ag g/t Cu % Au % Ag % Lock Cycle Test 1 3.31 0.30 9 27 1.82 68 98.2 72.1 86.4 Lock Cycle Test 2 3.28 0.55 10 29.6 3.24 72 96.8 62.6 76.9 Table 1. Corner Bay Metallurgical Test Work Results Composite / Test Impurity Elements (ppm) CBSP (sorted mineralized material) Arsenic (As) Antimony (Sb) Bismuth (Bi) Cadmium (Cd) Lead (Pb) Mercury (Hg) Zinc (Zn) Lock Cycle Test 1 22 3 4 10 102 1 735 Lock Cycle Test 2 10 3 3 10 88 1 777 Table 2. Corner Bay Impurity Element Content of Copper Concentrate Other Metallurgical Test work Other metallurgical recovery figures from the Companys Chibougamau Project deposits are the following: Chibougamau Project Deposit Recovery Cu % Recovery Au % Metallurgical Testing / Processing Devlin1 95.5 72.5 1. 2021 flotation/locked cycle tests at SGS Canada Inc. mineral processing facility in Quebec City, Quebec. Composite sample from 3 HQ drill cores.2 2. 2022 ore sorting test program at Corem mineral processing facility in Quebec City, Quebec. Composite sample from 4 HQ drill cores.3 Cedar Bay 91 87 Production data prior to 1987.4 Joe Mann 94.6 83.6 Production data from 2005-2007, prior to closure of mine. Notes: The Foreign Mineral Resource Estimate at the Devlin Project has the lowest gold concentration in the Chibougamau camp and therefore its contribution to recovered gold in the copper equivalent calculation is minimal. The tests were conducted on a composite sample from three HQ holes drilled from the same drill pad. The composite assay indicated a grade of 1.70% Cu and 0.12g/t Au. The purpose of the gravity test was to evaluate the amenability of the material to gravity separation. A 14kg sample was ground to a P80 of approximately 200 m prior to being fed to a Knelson concentrator at a rate of approximately 75 kg/h. The water flowrate was set at 3.5 L/min and the rotation speed was 60 G. The gold recovery was low at 11.6%. The tailings of the gravity separation test were used to perform flotation tests. A total of four flotation tests and one locked cycle test were performed. Ahead of each flotation test, a 2kg sample was ground to a P80 of approximately 125 m. The results of each test were analysed, and Test 4 was identified as showing the best metallurgical performance with a copper grade of 28.3% and recovery of 90.8%. However, the gold recovery was low at 51.7% and the gold grade was less than 10g/t. Therefore, a locked cycle test was carried out to assess the stability of the Test 4 conditions. Six 1kg charges of minus 10 mesh (-2 mm) were used for the locked cycle test. The locked cycle tests yielded a concentrate grade at 20.5% Cu with 98.2% recovery and a gold recovery of 74.6%. Refer to Figures 3 and 5 in Appendix C. A sorting test was done on a crush sample of 3/4 nominal size taken from four HQ drill cores drilled in 2022 (all four holes drilled from the same pad) and material from three HQ drill cores left from the 2021 metallurgical test work. The test results showed that particles of interest could be efficiently separated from the gangue. An overall copper recovery of 97.2% was achieved with an upgraded copper content from 2.95% to 4.82% Cu after three passes of sorting. Refer to Figures 3 and 5 in Appendix C. Internal company report of Campbell Resources dated 10 September 1987 and titled Cedar Bay Shaft Deepening Project. This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Directors of Cygnus. David Southam Executive Chair T: +61 8 6118 1627 E: info@cygnusmetals.com Ernest Mast President & Managing Director T: +1 647 921 0501 E: info@cygnusmetals.com Media: Paul Armstrong Read Corporate T: +61 8 9388 1474 About Cygnus Metals Cygnus Metals Limited (ASX: CY5, TSXV: CYG) is a diversified critical minerals exploration and development company with projects in Quebec, Canada and Western Australia. The Company is dedicated to advancing its Chibougamau Copper-Gold Project in Quebec with an aggressive exploration program to drive resource growth and develop a hub-and-spoke operation model with its centralised processing facility. In addition, Cygnus has quality lithium assets with significant exploration upside in the world-class James Bay district in Quebec, and REE and base metal projects in Western Australia. The Cygnus team has a proven track record of turning exploration success into production enterprises and creating shareholder value. Forward Looking Statements This document contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements which are based on the assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management of Cygnus believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or include words such as expects, anticipates, plans, believes, estimates, seeks, intends, targets, projects, forecasts, or negative versions thereof and other similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as may, will, should, would and could. Although Cygnus and its management believe that the assumptions and expectations represented by such information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the 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 of Cygnus to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, the actual results of current or future exploration, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, changes in laws, regulations and practices, the geopolitical, economic, permitting and legal climate that Cygnus operates in, as well as those factors disclosed in Cygnus publicly filed documents. No representation or warranty is made as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information, and readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information or rely on this document as a recommendation or forecast by Cygnus. Cygnus does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. End Notes The Mineral Resource estimate at the Chibougamau Project is a foreign estimate prepared in accordance with CIM Standards. A competent person has not done sufficient work to classify the foreign estimate as a mineral resource in accordance with the JORC Code, and it is uncertain whether further evaluation and exploration will result in an estimate reportable under the JORC Code. Refer to Appendix B for a breakdown of the Mineral Resource Estimate. Competent Persons, Qualified Persons and Compliance Statements The Exploration Results, scientific and technical information, including metallurgical test results, contained in this news release is based on and fairly represents information and supporting documentation compiled by Mr Ernest Mast, the Managing Director and President of Cygnus, a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr Mast holds shares and options in Cygnus. Mr Mast is a member of Ordre des ingenieurs du Quebec (P Eng), a Registered Overseas Professional Organisation as defined in the ASX Listing Rules, and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration and to the activity which has been undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. The qualified person has provided his consent to be named in this announcement and consents to the form and context in which the scientific and technical information, including metallurgical test results has been presented in this market announcement. The Company first announced the foreign estimate of mineralisation for the Chibougamau Project on 15 October 2024. The Company confirms that the supporting information included in the announcement of 15 October 2024 continues to apply and has not materially changed, notwithstanding the clarification announcement released by Cygnus on 28 January 2025 (Clarification). Cygnus confirms that (notwithstanding the Clarification) it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original announcement and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the original announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. Cygnus confirms that its is not in possession of any new information or data that materially impacts on the reliability of the estimates or Cygnus ability to verify the foreign estimates as mineral resources in accordance with the JORC Code. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Persons findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement. Metal equivalents for the foreign estimate have been calculated at a copper price of US$8,750/t, gold price of US$2,350/oz, copper equivalents calculated based on the formula CuEq (%) = Cu(%) + (Au (g/t) x 0.77258). Metallurgical recovery factors have been applied to the copper equivalents calculations, with copper metallurgical recovery assumed at 95% and gold metallurgical recovery assumed at 85% based upon historical production at the Chibougamau Processing Facility, and the metallurgical results contained in this announcement. It is the Companys view that all elements in the copper equivalent calculations have a reasonable potential to be recovered and sold. 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. APPENDIX A Drill Hole Location and Sampling Intervals for the Significant Intersections and for the Metallurgical Test Work Coordinates given in UTM NAD83 (Zone 18). Corner Bay Metallurgical Test Work A total of 34 diamond drill core were used for the Corner Bay composite sample. The table shows the sampling interval for each hole collected for the composite sample (sample type: Metallurgy) and the significant intersection obtained through assaying the sample (sample type: Assay). N/A means Not Applicable and na means Not Assayed. Hole ID X Y Z Azi Dip Depth (m) Sample Type From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Cu % Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Mo (ppm) CB-18-03 554555 5510226 380 121.1 -71.6 912.0 Metallurgy 849.5 854.6 5.1 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 850.0 854.15 4.15 4.29 0.13 14.6 na CB-18-05 544550 5510181 380 125.5 -75.9 1,092.0 Metallurgy 1,022.3 1,030.3 8.0 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 1,023.0 1029.6 6.55 4.11 0.14 8.8 na CB-18-06 554555 5510181 380 125.9 -74.9 987.0 Metallurgy 948.2 963.2 15.0 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 949.5 961.8 12.3 2.33 0.12 5.5 na CB-18-07 554555 5510181 380 126.2 -72.8 897.7 Metallurgy 851.6 867.9 16.2 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 853.1 866.4 13.3 3.45 0.29 12.1 na CB-19-11 554556 5510227 380 97 -60 1011.0 Metallurgy 757.1 759.2 2.1 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 781.2 781.7 0.5 6.16 0.43 30.0 na CB-20-13 554259 5510036 383 97 -56 945.0 Metallurgy 862.4 863.2 0.7 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 862.5 863.1 0.6 1.89 0.10 4.0 na Metallurgy 907.1 910.4 3.3 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 907.4 910.1 2.7 1.40 0.05 7.3 na CB-20-15 554236 5509858 382 77 -66 1,200.0 Metallurgy 1,065.3 1,074.4 9.1 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 1,066.15 1,073.6 7.45 2.38 0.12 4.2 na Assay 1,068.95 1,072.6 3.65 3.65 0.18 6.2 na CB-20-16W1 554259 5510036 383 87 -71 1,230.0 Metallurgy 1,156.6 1,159.7 4.0 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 1,156.0 1,158.3 3.3 1.94 0.13 4.5 na CB-20-18 554236 5509858 382 90 -66 1,049.9 Metallurgy 1,021.2 1,028.9 7.7 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 1,021.9 1,028.2 6.30 3.03 0.11 6.6 na CB-20-19 554236 5509858 382 84 -70 1,185.0 Metallurgy 1,160.0 1,167.9 7.9 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 1,160.75 1,167.2 6.45 4.06 0.38 13.2 na Assay 1,164.85 1,167.2 2.35 6.10 0.74 15.3 na CB-21-25 554572 5510607 378 112 -56 798.0 Assay 634.4 640.4 6.0 1.75 0.09 5.4 na Assay 636.2 640.4 4.2 2.13 0.11 6.7 na Metallurgy 766.6 767.6 1.0 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 766.65 767.5 0.85 0.48 0.04 4.7 na CB-21-28 554199 5509800 383 89 -69 1,164.0 Metallurgy 1,146.3 1,150.8 4.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 1,146.7 1,150.4 3.7 5.05 0.15 11.3 na Assay 1,147.2 1,149.0 1.8 9.12 0.17 19.2 na CB-21-29 554198 5509781 383 90 -65 1,068.0 Metallurgy 1,050.2 1,054.7 4.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 1,050.6 1,054.3 3.7 2.47 0.87 9.3 na Assay 1,051.6 1,053.1 1.5 5.25 2.05 12.7 na CB-21-30 554198 5509781 383 90 -65 1,068.0 Metallurgy 1,007.2 1,016.3 9.1 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 1,005.0 1,015.45 10.45 2.23 0.52 7.7 na Assay 1,010.3 1,014.9 4.6 4.04 1.02 13.7 na CB-21-32 554673 5510019 396 90 -57 641.4 Metallurgy 1,118.9 1,125.6 6.7 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 1,119.5 1,125.0 5.5 3.46 0.25 8.4 na Assay 1,120.4 1,124.0 3.6 4.63 0.30 11.4 na CB-21-32W1 554198 5509781 383 105 -68 1,149.0 Metallurgy 1,069.4 1,086.8 17.3 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 1071.0 1085.2 14.2 2.26 0.18 7.4 na Assay 1071.8 1078.6 6.8 3.67 0.26 9.7 na CB-21-32W2 554198 5509781 383 105 -68 1,155.0 Metallurgy 1,035.5 1,047.3 11.7 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 1036.6 1046.2 9.6 2.19 0.20 6.58 na Assay 1043.6 1046.2 2.6 5.86 0.66 14.75 na CB-21-34 554257 5510030 381 75.0 -65.0 1204.0 Metallurgy 1,159.8 1,164.2 4.4 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 1,160.2 1,163.8 3.6 4.52 0.12 8.1 na Assay 1,161.2 1,162.85 1.65 9.75 0.24 14.7 na CB-21-35 554674 5510020 398 100.0 -56.0 468.0 Metallurgy 427.0 435.9 8.9 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 427.8 435.1 7.3 1.43 0.17 4.9 na Assay 431.5 434.6 3.1 2.03 0.32 6.6 na CB-21-36 554618 5510020 394 95.0 -63.0 633.0 Metallurgy 607.5 610.7 3.2 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 607.8 610.4 2.6 1.35 0.22 10.2 na CB-21-41 554198 5509781 383 92.0 -60.0 1050.0 Metallurgy 967.2 971.5 4.3 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 967.6 971.1 3.5 2.66 0.40 16.6 195 CB-21-42 554198 5509781 383 110.0 -63.0 1125.6 Metallurgy 1,044.7 1,048.3 3.7 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 1,045.0 1,048.0 3.0 2.71 0.18 22.3 - CB-21-48 554198 5509781 383 95.0 -72.0 1311.0 Metallurgy 1,261.0 1,264.1 3.0 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 1,261.3 1,263.8 2.5 2.42 0.15 - - CB-21-51 554257 5510030 381 60.0 -56.0 1188.0 Metallurgy 1,140.9 1,147.5 6.6 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 1,141.5 1,146.9 5.4 2.24 0.10 - 142 Assay 1,144.0 1,146.9 2.9 3.44 0.17 - 262 CB-21-53 554618 5510020 394 135.0 -60.0 804.0 Metallurgy 768.1 770.5 2.4 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 768.3 770.3 2.0 3.34 0.56 15.6 - CB-21-55 554618 5510020 394 100.0 -68.0 729.0 Metallurgy 673.3 678.0 4.8 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 673.7 677.6 3.9 8.03 0.86 42.1 1,109 CB-21-56 554257 5510030 381 56.0 -66.0 1374.0 Metallurgy 1,293.7 1,297.3 3.7 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 1,294.0 1,297.0 3.0 2.10 0.10 - - CB-21-57 554618 5510020 394 118.0 -70.0 747.0 Metallurgy 719.5 724.7 5.1 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 720.0 724.2 4.2 6.18 0.12 26.6 271 CB-22-70 554562 5510292 380 96.0 -52.0 693.0 Metallurgy 628.1 632.4 4.3 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 628.5 632.0 3.5 1.03 0.06 7.4 - CB-22-74 554264 5510035 384 90.1 -62.0 1041.0 Metallurgy 982.4 984.9 2.6 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 982.6 984.7 2.1 1.19 0.16 4.8 132 CB-22-76 554236 5509858 382 86.5 -61.0 999.0 Metallurgy 954.2 960.8 6.6 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 954.8 960.2 5.4 3.37 1.00 23.7 1,597 CB-22-78 554258 5510033 380 89.5 65.0 1110.0 Metallurgy 1,048.6 1,054.3 5.7 N/A N/A N/A N/A Assay 1,049.1 1,053.8 4.7 2.30 0.14 7.7 150 Notes: From hole CB-19-08 to CB-21-38 and from CB-22-70 to CB-22-78, the true width of the structures intersected is estimated at approximately 55-65% of the downhole width. From hole CB-21-39 to CB-21-57, the true width of the structures intersected is estimated at approximately 60-75% of the downhole width. For holes CB-21-48, the true width of the structures intersected is estimated at approximately 55-60% of the downhole width. Devlin Metallurgical Test Work A total of 3 HQ diamond drill core were used for the Devlin composite sample for the 2021 flotation tests. A total of 4 HQ diamond drill core and material left from the 2021 metallurgical test work (the other drill cores from the 3 HQ holes) were used for the Devlin composite sample for the 2022 ore sorting tests. The table shows the sampling interval for each hole collected for the composite sample (sample type: Flotation or Ore Sorting). Hole ID X Y Z Azi Dip Depth (m) Sample Type From (m) To (m) Interval (m) DV-21-01 548063 5511863 380 333 -50 120 Flotation 87.4 89.7 2.3 DV-21-02 548063 5511863 380 360 -90 102 Flotation 65.8 68.1 2.3 DV-21-03 548063 5511863 380 29 -50 111 Flotation 92.8 95.1 2.3 DV-22-04 548083 5511859 380 0 -90 84 Ore Sorting 64.5 66.8 2.3 DV-22-05 548083 5511859 380 0 -90 84 Ore Sorting 64.8 67.1 2.3 DV-22-06 548083 5511859 380 0 -70 84 Ore Sorting 68.8 71.1 2.3 DV-22-07 548083 5511859 380 0 -70 84 Ore Sorting 69 71.3 2.3 APPENDIX B Chibougamau Copper-Gold Project Foreign Mineral Resource Estimate Disclosures as at 30 March 2022 Deposit Category Tonnes (k) Cu Grade (%) Au Grade (g/t) Cu Metal (kt) Au Metal (koz) CuEq Grade (%) Corner Bay (2022) Indicated 2,700 2.7 0.3 71 22 2.9 Inferred 5,900 3.4 0.3 201 51 3.6 Devlin (2022) Measured 120 2.7 0.3 3 1 2.9 Indicated 660 2.1 0.2 14 4 2.3 Measured & Indicated 780 2.2 0.2 17 5 2.4 Inferred 480 1.8 0.2 9 3 2.0 Joe Mann (2022) Inferred 610 0.2 6.8 1 133 5.5 Cedar Bay (2018) Indicated 130 1.6 9.4 2 39 8.9 Inferred 230 2.1 8.3 5 61 8.5 Total Measured & Indicated 3,600 2.5 0.6 90 66 3.0 Total Inferred 7,200 3.0 1.1 216 248 3.8 APPENDIX C 2012 JORC Table 1 Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. Material used for the metallurgical samples was selected from 34 holes at Corner Bay: Samples were quarter NQ core with a total weight of 202kg. The core material selected represented different rock types: semi and massive sulphides, quartz veins, diorite dyke, and fresh and altered anorthosite. Diamond core was previously cut using a core saw on site. Trays with the remaining half core selected intervals were sent to Base Metallurgical Laboratories in Kamloops, British Columbia for defined metallurgical test work. Material used for the metallurgical samples at Devlin: 2021 test: material selected from 3 HQ drill cores; samples were half HQ core weighing 2kg for each sample. Material sent to Corem mineral processing facility in Quebec City, Canada for defined metallurgical test work. 2022 test: material selected 4 HQ drill cores drilled in 2022 and material from three HQ drill cores from 2021. Material sent to SGS Canada Inc. mineral processing in Quebec City, Canada for defined metallurgical test work. Diamond core was cut using a core saw on site. Trays with the remaining half core remained at site. Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used. All sample collection, core logging, and specific gravity determinations were completed by Dore Copper Mining Corp (now a wholly owned subsidiary of Cygnus Metals Ltd) under the supervision of a professionally qualified registered geologist. NQ and HQ core was marked for splitting during logging and is sawn using a diamond core saw with a mounted jig to assure the core is cut lengthwise into equal halves. Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where industry standard work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. Industry standard sampling practices were used with sample lengths ranging from 0.3 m to 1.0 m and respected geological contacts. Sample tags were placed at the beginning of each sample interval and the tag numbers were recorded in an MS Excel database. Sampling practice is considered to be appropriate to the geology and style of mineralisation. Drilling techniques Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). Material for the metallurgical test work used diamond core exclusively. At Corner Bay the core size was NQ, quarter-cut. At Devlin the core size was HQ, half-cut. All samples were originally oriented by Company geologists. Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. Diamond core recovery was measured for each run and calculated as a percentage of the drilled interval. Overall, the core recoveries are excellent in the Chibougamau area. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. All core was geologically and geotechnically logged. Lithology, veining, alteration and mineralisation are recorded in multiple tables of the drillhole database Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography. Geological logging of core is qualitative and descriptive in nature. The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. 100% of the core has been logged. Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry. For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples. Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in-situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling. Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Core was cut in half using conventional diamond core saw. Half was sent for initial analysis with the remainder was quarter cored with half retained and half used for metallurgical test work. Sample intervals are based on geological intervals ranging from 30cm to 1m. This sampling technique is industry standard and deemed appropriate. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. Sample preparation was done at SGS Canada Inc. (SGS) in Val-dOr, Quebec and Burnaby, B.C. and fire assay and ICP analysis was done at SGS in Burnaby, B.C. Samples were weighed, dried, crushed to 75% passing 2 mm, split to 250 g, and pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns. Samples were then fire assayed for Au (50 g) and sodium peroxide fusion ICP-MS finish for 34 elements. For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc. None used. Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established. Laboratory QC procedures involve the use of internal certified reference material as assay standards, along with blanks, duplicates and replicates. Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. Verification of sampling was made by Cygnus Metals and other professional consultant geologists. The use of twinned holes. No hole is twinned. Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. All logging data was completed, core marked up, logging and sampling data was entered directly into the database. The logged data is stored on the site server directly. Discuss any adjustment to assay data. There was no adjustment to the assay data. Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. The location of the drillholes and the aiming points for the orientation of the drillholes were indicated on the ground using identified stakes. The stakes marking the location of the drillholes were set up and located with a Garmin GPS model GPSmap 62s (4m accuracy). Surveys are collected using a Reflex EZ-Shot single-shot electronic instrument with readings collected at intervals of approximately every 30 m downhole plus a reading at the bottom of the hole. Specification of the grid system used. The grid system used is UTM NAD83 (Zone 18). Quality and adequacy of topographic control. A Digital Terrane Model (DTM) has been used to accurately plot the vertical position of the holes. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. The spacing is considered appropriate for this type of metallurgical test work. Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. No resource estimation is made. Whether sample compositing has been applied. No sample compositing has been applied. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. Drilling is not always orientated approximately at right angles to the currently interpreted strike of the known interpreted mineralisation. The true width of the structure intersected is estimated at approximately 55-75% of the downhole width (refer to Appendix A). If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. No bias is considered to have been introduced by the existing sampling orientation. Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. Core was placed in wooden core boxes close to the drill rig by the drilling contractor. The core was collected daily by the drilling contractor and delivered to the secure core logging facility. Access to the core logging facility is limited to Cygnus employees or designates. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. No audits have been undertaken, therefore information on audits or reviews is not yet available. Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results (Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.) Criteria JORC Code Explanation Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings. The data reported within this announcement is from the Chibougamau Project. The Chibougamau project consists of 3 properties which includes: Copper Rand (1 mining license, 19 mining concession and 147 exploration claims) Corner Bay Devlin (1 mining license, 111 exploration claims) Joe Mann (2 mining concessions, 74 exploration claims) Copper Rand and Corner Bay Devlin are held 100% by CBAY Minerals Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cygnus Metals. 767ha of the Joe Mann property is held by CBAY with the remaining 1965ha held under option agreement with Resources Jessie. The properties collectively making up the Project are in good standing based on the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (Ministere de lEnergie et des Ressources Naturelles) GESTIM claim management system of the Government of Quebec. The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. All tenure is in good standing. Exploration done by other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. The Chibougamau Copper and Gold project comprising Corner Bay, Devlin, Cedar Bay and Joe Mann have seen an extensive exploration history dating back to the early 1900s. The Technical Report issued and filed on SEDAR+ by Dore Copper in June 2022 provides a detailed history of the exploration activities undertaken by previous explorers. Corner Bay was first identified as a prospect in 1956 1956 1972 eight drilling programs totalling 1,463 m and various geophysical and electromagnetic (EM) surveys 1973 1981 Riocanex and Flanagan McAdam: ground geophysical surveys and 43 diamond drill holes 1982 1984 Riocanex and Corner Bay Exploration: 38 drill holes and metallurgical test work 1988 1991 Corner Bay Exploration: diamond drilling, geophysical surveys and geological characterisation with initial MRE 1992 1994 SOQUEM optioned and acquired a 30% interest, and completed diamond drilling 1994 Explorations Cache Inc and Ressources MSV Inc: diamond drilling 2004 2006 GeoNova and MSV: 98 diamond drill holes and first Technical Report on the Corner Bay project reporting a MRE 2007 2009 Campbell: diamond drilling and bulk sample 2012 - 2019 CBAY / AmAuCu: diamond drilling and MRE Devlin identified in 1972 by airborne survey flown by the MERN 1979 1981 diamond drilling, geophysical surveys 1981 mining commenced Joe Mann identified in 1950 with the commencement of mining activities occurring in 1956 The Joe Mann mine operated underground during three different periods from 1956 to 2007 In July 2012, Ressources Jessie acquired the Joe Mann mine property, but conducted only surface exploration work Cedar Bay was discovered prior to 1927 by Chibougamau McKenzie Mines Ltd From initial discovery to 2013 various surface and underground drilling campaigns and geophysical surveys undertaken by various companies Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation. Corner Bay and Devlin are located at the northeastern extremity of the Abitibi subprovince in the Superior province of the Canadian Shield and are examples of Chibougamau-type copper-gold deposits. The Abitibi subprovince is considered as one of the largest and best-preserved greenstone belts in the world and hosts numerous gold and base metal deposits. The Corner Bay deposit is located on the southern flank of the Dore Lake Complex (DLC). It is hosted by a N 15 trending shear zone more or less continuous with a strong 75 to 85 dip towards the west. The host anorthosite rock is sheared and sericitized over widths of 2 m to 25 m. The deposit is cut by a diabase dyke and is limited to the north by a fault structure and to the south by the LaChib deformation zone. The Corner Bay deposit consists of three main mineralised lodes (subparallel Main Lode 1 and Main Lode 2 above the dyke, and Main Lode below the dyke that make up the bulk of the deposit. The Corner Bay deposit has been traced over a strike length to over 1,000 m to a depth of 1,350 m and remains open at depth. The mineralisation is characterized by veins and/or lenses of massive to semi-massive sulphides associated with a brecciated to locally massive quartz-calcite material. The sulphide assemblage is composed of chalcopyrite, pyrite, and pyrrhotite with lesser amounts of molybdenite and sphalerite. Late remobilized quartz-chalcopyrite-pyrite veins occur in a wide halo around the main mineralization zones. Devlin is a flat-lying, copper-rich lodes-hosted deposit in a polygenic igneous breccia that is less than 100 m from the surface. The tabular bodies have been modelled as four nearly horizontal lodes: a more continuous lower zone and three smaller lodes comprising the upper zone. Mineralisation is reflected as a fracture zone often composed of two or more sulphide-quartz lodes and stringers. Thickness of the mineralised zones range from 0.5 m to 4.4 m. It has been diluted during modelling to reflect a minimum mining height of 1.8 m. The Joe Mann deposit is characterized by east-west striking shear hosted lodes that extend beyond 1,000m vertically with mineralisation identified over a 3 km strike length. These shear zones form part of the Opawica-Guercheville deformation zone, a major deformation corridor cutting the mafic volcanic rocks of the Obatogamau Formation in the north part of the Caopatina Segment. The gabbro sill hosts the Main Zone and the West Zone at the mine, while the South Zone is found in the rhyolite. These three subvertical E-W (N275/85) ductile-brittle shear zones are sub-parallel to stratigraphy and to one another, with up to 140 m to 170 m of separation between them. These shear zones are hosted within a stratigraphic package composed of iron-magnesium (Fe-Mg) carbonate and sericite altered gabbro sills, sheared basalts, and intermediate to felsic tuffs intruded by various felsic intrusions. The Joe Mann gold mineralisation is hosted by decimetre scale quartz-carbonate lodes (Dion and Guha 1988). The lodes are mineralised with pyrite, pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite disposed in lens and lodelets parallel to schistosity, and occasionally visible gold. There are some other minor, mineralised structures, e.g., North and South-South Zones, with limited vertical and horizontal extensions. Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole down hole length and interception depth hole length. If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. The information is tabulated in Appendix A, which includes the drill holes used for the metallurgical test work for the Corner Bay and Devlin deposits presented herein. Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated. Appendix A reports the significant drill intersections for the Corner Bay 34 holes used for the composite samples for metallurgical test work. The assays reported are uncut. Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high-grade results and longer lengths of low-grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail. Appendix A reports the included intersections of the significant drill intersections. The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. Metal equivalents for the foreign estimate have been calculated at a copper price of US$8,750/t, gold price of US$2,350/oz, copper equivalents calculated based on the formula CuEq (%) = Cu(%) + (Au (g/t) x 0.77258). Metallurgical recovery factors have been applied to the copper equivalents calculations, with copper metallurgical recovery assumed at 95% and gold metallurgical recovery assumed at 85% based upon historical production at the Chibougamau Processing Facility and more recent metallurgical test work reported in this release. It is the Companys view that all elements in the copper equivalent calculations have a reasonable potential to be recovered and sold. Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results. If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported. If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg down hole length, true width not known). The majority of the drill holes in the database are drilled as close to orthogonal to the plane of the mineralised lodes as possible. Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported. These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. See below Figure 1: Corner Bay Drillhole Location for the Composite Sample Used in Ore Sorting Test Shown in Plan View See below Figure 2: Corner Bay Sample Location for Composite Sample Used in Ore Sorting Test Shown in an Isometric Long Section. See below Figure 3: Devlin drillhole location for the samples used in gravity, flotation and ore sorting tests shown in plan view. Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. Appendix A reflects the significant drill intercepts representative of the Corner Bay deposit that were included in the composite sample for metallurgical test work. Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. Base Metallurgical Laboratories in Kamloops, British Columbia was commissioned to complete Corner Bay metallurgical development and locked cycle flotation testing: The CBSP composite was firstly compiled into a 202 kilogram sample with a grade of 2.20% Cu. The CBSP composite was then processed through the Steinert ore sorter and mixed with 26% of the unsorted underflow by-passed mineralised material to represent an overall sorted pre-concentrate mineralised material product. The CBSP composite resulted in a 123 kilogram sample with a grade of 3.31% Cu. The composite sample was evaluated through lock cycle tests to determine the flotation metallurgical performance. The sample was prepared to a nominal grind size of 140 microns K80 in the rougher testing and then processed through a regrind size of approximately 37 microns K80 in the cleaner tests. The sample responded consistently throughout the test work with excellent performance to conventional flotation processing methods and reagents. Two locked cycle tests were completed with varying retention times to determine the concentrate grade versus recovery See below Figure 4: Flow Sheet Schematic for the Corner Bay Sorting and Flotation Test Work. Corem in 2021 and SGS Canada Inc. in 2022, in their mineral processing facility both located in Quebec City were commissioned to complete the Devlin metallurgical test work: The 2021 work included a total of four flotation tests and one locked cycle test. Ahead of each flotation test, a 2-kg sample was ground to a P80 of approximately 125 m. The results of each test were analysed, and Test 4 was identified as showing the best metallurgical performance. with a copper grade of 28.3% and recovery of 90.8%. However, the gold recovery was low at 51.7% and the gold grade was less than 10 g/t. Therefore, a locked cycle test was carried out to assess the stability of the Test 4 conditions. Six 1 kg charges of minus 10 mesh (-2 mm) were used for the locked cycle test. The locked cycle tests yielded a concentrate grade at 20.5% Cu with 98.2% recovery and a gold recovery of 74.6%. The 2022 work included a sorting test done on a crush sample of 3/4 nominal size from four HQ drill cores drilled in 2022 and material from three HQ drill cores from 2021. Copper recovery of 97.2% was obtained. See below Figure 5: Flow Sheet Schematic for the Devlin Sorting, Gravity and Flotation Test Work. Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling). Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. The Company will be conducting drill testing of additional mineralisation as well as step out drilling of existing lodes to further enhance the resources quoted in this release. More information is presented in the body of this report. Figure 1: Corner Bay Drillhole Location for the Composite Sample Used in Ore Sorting Test Shown in Plan View Figure 2: Corner Bay Sample Location for Composite Sample Used in Ore Sorting Test Shown in an Isometric Long Section. Figure 3: Devlin drillhole location for the samples used in gravity, flotation and ore sorting tests shown in plan view. Figure 4: Flow Sheet Schematic for the Corner Bay Sorting and Flotation Test Work. Figure 5: Flow Sheet Schematic for the Devlin Sorting, Gravity and Flotation Test Work. Images accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f91b81e3-794b-4b5c-a358-bdcec3faf01e https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cf822ff2-6270-4da2-9234-01d42e522607 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/25706f8b-2061-4a74-81c3-f0de0ce5e9d7 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/efdad838-4db7-4752-8412-eb14b68ed0f5 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/05429902-e0d7-4e3f-bc26-356659b685e8 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ed66d4cc-3bfe-48b9-b420-db6b282c6681 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/357e25f7-f3ca-4e7a-963c-17a8f4fca51a https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/294d90d6-275f-40d6-bfd2-f0026e3b68db Dublin, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Geothermal Heat Pumps - Global Strategic Business Report" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global market for Geothermal Heat Pumps was valued at US$7.9 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$11.4 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2024 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions. What Drives the Growth of the Geothermal Heat Pumps Market? The growth in the geothermal heat pumps market is driven by factors including technological advancements, rising demand for renewable energy solutions, and the construction sector's focus on sustainability. Advances in heat pump technology and installation methods have made these systems more efficient and cost-effective, expanding their market appeal. Increasing interest in renewable energy solutions, supported by government incentives, is promoting the adoption of geothermal systems as a low-emission alternative. Additionally, the construction industry's commitment to green building practices is supporting demand, positioning geothermal heat pumps as a key component in sustainable building design and energy management. How are Technological Advancements Improving Geothermal Heat Pumps? Technological advancements in geothermal heat pump systems are enhancing their efficiency and affordability, making them more accessible to residential and commercial consumers. Innovations in heat exchanger designs and variable-speed compressors have increased energy efficiency, while advancements in drilling technology have reduced installation costs. Furthermore, the integration of smart thermostats and IoT technology enables remote monitoring and management, allowing users to optimize energy use. These improvements are making geothermal heat pumps a more attractive option for environmentally conscious consumers looking for sustainable heating and cooling solutions. Why is Demand for Renewable Heating Solutions on the Rise? Demand for renewable heating solutions is increasing as governments and consumers prioritize sustainable energy sources. Geothermal heat pumps are gaining popularity as they provide a low-emission alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems, reducing dependency on fossil fuels. Incentives and rebates for renewable energy installations in regions like North America and Europe are encouraging more consumers to adopt geothermal systems. These pumps offer a stable, efficient energy source that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and reduce carbon footprints. What Role Does the Construction Sector Play in Market Growth? The construction sector, particularly in residential and commercial building development, plays a key role in the adoption of geothermal heat pumps. As green building standards and energy-efficient certifications become more common, builders are integrating geothermal systems to enhance the sustainability profile of new projects. High-efficiency heating and cooling systems are increasingly being marketed as value-added features, appealing to eco-conscious buyers and tenants. This trend is accelerating in regions with stringent building codes that require sustainable energy solutions, positioning geothermal heat pumps as a preferred choice for developers. Scope of the Study The report analyzes the Geothermal Heat Pumps market, presented in terms of market value (US$ Thousand). The analysis covers the key segments and geographic regions outlined below. Segments Technology (Closed Loop Systems, Open Loop Systems); End-Use (Residential, Industrial, Commercial). Geographic Regions/Countries World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific; Rest of World. Key Insights: Market Growth: Understand the significant growth trajectory of the Closed Loop Systems segment, which is expected to reach US$9.7 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of a 6.6%. The Open Loop Systems segment is also set to grow at 4.8% CAGR over the analysis period. Regional Analysis: Gain insights into the U.S. market, valued at $2.2 Billion in 2024, and China, forecasted to grow at an impressive 6.1% CAGR to reach $1.8 Billion by 2030. Discover growth trends in other key regions, including Japan, Canada, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific. Report Features: Comprehensive Market Data: Independent analysis of annual sales and market forecasts in US$ Million from 2024 to 2030. In-Depth Regional Analysis: Detailed insights into key markets, including the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. Company Profiles: Coverage of major players such as Alstom SA, AltaRock Energy, Inc., Baker Hughes, Inc., Calpine Corporation, Climatemaster Inc. and more. Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments. Key Questions Answered: How is the Global Geothermal Heat Pumps Market expected to evolve by 2030? What are the main drivers and restraints affecting the market? Which market segments will grow the most over the forecast period? How will market shares for different regions and segments change by 2030? Who are the leading players in the market, and what are their prospects? Some of the 58 companies featured in this Geothermal Heat Pumps market report include: Alstom SA AltaRock Energy, Inc. Baker Hughes, Inc. Calpine Corporation Climatemaster Inc. Contact Energy Ltd. ReNu Energy Ltd. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 252 Forecast Period 2024-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $7.9 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $11.4 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.3% Regions Covered Global MARKET OVERVIEW Influencer Market Insights World Market Trajectories Impact of COVID-19 and a Looming Global Recession Geothermal Heat Pumps - Global Key Competitors Percentage Market Share in 2024 Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for Players Worldwide in 2024 MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS Rising Awareness of Renewable Heating Solutions Increasing Adoption of Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems Technological Advancements in Heat Pump Efficiency Growth in Construction of Green Buildings Utilizing Geothermal Heat Government Incentives Promoting Renewable Heating Options Expansion of Commercial Sector Demand for Geothermal Solutions Rising Focus on Reducing Carbon Footprint in Residential Heating Growth in Retrofitting of Existing Buildings with Geothermal Pumps Demand for Hybrid Systems Integrating Geothermal and Solar Power Increased Investments in Infrastructure Supporting Geothermal Installations Growth of Smart Home Systems Integrating Geothermal Technologies Expanding Interest in Off-Grid and Independent Energy Solutions Increasing Adoption of Energy Efficient HVAC Systems For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hnh7zy About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment OTTAWA, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Police Federation (NPF) has prepared a backgrounder to share with Government summarizing recommendations stemming from recent discussions with Canadian and U.S. police and public safety unions to address shared border security challenges and explore collaborative solutions. While governments are actively discussing these issues and enacting short-term solutions, it is important that those on the ground also have an active voice, especially in long-term solutions. The NPF convened a series of meetings with representatives from key border policing labour organizations including the National Immigration, Customs, and Enforcement (ICE) Officers Association, New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association, and Vermont Troopers' Association from the U.S.; and the Ontario Provincial Police Association, Association des policieres et policiers provinciaux du Quebec, and the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) in Canada. Encouraged by the Canadian governments border security plan and related recent funding announcements, the discussions focused on addressing critical cross-border issues such as illegal migration, drug and firearms smuggling, and human trafficking. All representatives emphasized the importance of strengthening inter-agency communication, enhancing information-sharing practices and improving operational integration between Canadian and U.S. agencies. The Canada-U.S. border is one of the most significant economic and security corridors in the world and our Members do an exceptional job protecting it given currently limited resources. By working together collaboratively across agencies and borders leveraging the expertise of those on the ground, we can better address these complex challenges, said NPF President and C.E.O. Brian Sauve. Through these discussions, the NPF and its counterparts are calling on both the Canadian and U.S. governments to prioritize stable funding, advanced technologies, and comprehensive cross-border collaboration through the following recommendations: 1. Remove barriers in the procurement process of new technologies and equipment to ensure expedited availability. The governments of Canada and the U.S. must adopt more agile procurement processes to swiftly respond to changes in criminal trends and behaviors. When it comes to Canada specifically, it is recommended that a review to streamline its procurement processes to ensure a more nimble and responsive approach is conducted. 2. Expand fully integrated specialized units to promote information sharing, collaboration, and joint enforcement. In order to combat firearms, human and drug trafficking, and illegal migration, both countries need better coordination to create and strengthen fully integrated specialized units comprised of U.S. and Canadian agencies. Ensuring that information is shared regularly amongst the plethora of agencies is of utmost importance. 3. Better utilize the Cross-Border Crime Forum to guarantee an alignment of the security and law enforcement initiatives. To address border security challenges more effectively, the Forum should implement clear action items and accountability mechanisms. Convening at least twice annually would ensure ongoing alignment of security efforts and allow for the timely review of evolving threats. 4. Address current police staffing issues and create long-term staffing plans by either recruiting more police or finding innovative ways to utilize their current shared resources to prioritize the mental well-being of public safety personnel. We are proud of the strong relationship we have cultivated with both Canadian and American public safety partners. Through robust intelligence-sharing frameworks, and targeted resources we can address the growing challenges of organized crime effectively, added NPF President and C.E.O. Brian Sauve. "By fostering stronger ties and adopting a truly collaborative approach, we can create a secure and resilient border that supports public safety and economic stability. The National Police Federation looks forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of all Canadians and our American allies. Full Backgrounder available here: https://npf-fpn.com/app/uploads/securepdfs/2025/01/CDN_US-NPF-Backgrounder-Final-January-28.pdf Canadas Border fact page available here: https://npf-fpn.com/app/uploads/securepdfs/2025/01/Whos-Who-at-the-Canadian-Border.pdf About the National Police Federation: The National Police Federation (NPF) represents ~20,000 RCMP Members serving across Canada and internationally. We are the largest police union in Canada. The NPF is focused on improving public safety for all Canadians, including our Members, by advocating for much-needed investment in the public safety continuum. This includes investments in police resourcing and modern equipment, as well as social programs including health, addiction, and housing supports to enhance safety and livability in the many communities we serve, large and small, across Canada. For more information: https://npf-fpn.com/ Follow us: NPF: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram ADNOC Logistics and Services plc (ADNOC L&S / the Company) (ADX symbol ADNOCLS / ISIN AEE01268A239), a global energy maritime logistics company, has signed a time charter agreement with a local operator to use REGENT seagliders in the UAE for offshore energy logistics services. The seagliders will provide high-speed, zero-emission transport of passengers to and from offshore energy infrastructure. Seaglider technology represents an innovative solution to increase efficiency in maritime transportation and advance the energy transition. Learn more about REGENT seagliders here. NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a pivotal moment for innovative, sustainable transportation solutions in the Middle East, ADNOC Logistics and Services (ADNOC L&S), part of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), has partnered with an Abu Dhabi seaglider operator to introduce REGENT seagliders into its fleet for passenger transportation. This collaboration leverages a unique and innovative solution to enhance offshore logistics technology. A world leader in the energy maritime logistics industry, ADNOC L&S will use the all-electric seagliders to transport people to and from offshore energy infrastructure. REGENT could ask for no better end user for seagliders in UAE than the largest energy producer in the country and leader in innovation and sustainability, said Billy Thalheimer, Co-founder and CEO, REGENT. Seagliders will drastically reduce the time, cost, and emissions of offshore energy logistics, and we look forward to working together to set a new standard for the energy industry. Innovative transportation solution The Viceroy seaglider, which can carry 12 passengers or 3,500lbs (1,600kg) of payload, offers multiple efficiencies for the offshore energy logistics industry overall. Fast commutes : Seaglider commute times are on par with helicopter times while simultaneously offering more than 70% speed advantage compared to equivalent maritime transportation options. The seagliders innovative design enables the vessel to operate in three modes floating at the dock, foiling in harbors, and flying over open waters providing convenience and comfort at high speeds, up to 180 mph (300kph) for routes up to 180 miles (300 km). : Seaglider commute times are on par with helicopter times while simultaneously offering more than 70% speed advantage compared to equivalent maritime transportation options. The seagliders innovative design enables the vessel to operate in three modes floating at the dock, foiling in harbors, and flying over open waters providing convenience and comfort at high speeds, up to 180 mph (300kph) for routes up to 180 miles (300 km). Low costs: Seagliders will reduce direct operational costs by up to 80% compared to helicopters with similar capabilities. Seagliders have lower operational and maintenance costs, as well as lower costs for training operators. A full suite of sensors provides situational awareness, and heavily automated controls facilitate intuitive operations by specially trained maritime captains. Seagliders will reduce direct operational costs by up to 80% compared to helicopters with similar capabilities. Seagliders have lower operational and maintenance costs, as well as lower costs for training operators. A full suite of sensors provides situational awareness, and heavily automated controls facilitate intuitive operations by specially trained maritime captains. Zero emissions: The seaglider is an all-electric transportation solution. If seagliders were to replace all helicopters used for global offshore energy logistics, it would result in up to 550MM kg of CO2e offsets per year. Seaglider momentum in the UAE ADNOC L&Ss selection of REGENT seagliders for offshore energy logistics reflects growing momentum for seagliders in the UAE. In April, REGENT signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) in April to collaborate on seaglider development and manufacturing capabilities at Abu Dhabis Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster and an agreement with the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transportation (DOT) to integrate seaglider service into the existing UAE transportation network. REGENT continues to build local partnerships in collaboration with its investor Strategic Development Fund, part of EDGE Group. About REGENT REGENT is pioneering the future of sustainable maritime mobility through the development and manufacturing of all-electric seagliders. Seagliders are a new category of vehicle that combines the speed of an aircraft with the convenience of a boat to deliver an affordable and efficient mode of transportation between coastal destinations. REGENT has already secured more than 600 seaglider orders valued at more than $9 billion from leading airline and ferry operators around the world and has raised more than $90 million from investors including 8090 Industries, Founders Fund, Japan Airlines, and Lockheed Martin. Learn about seagliders here Explore REGENTs website Discover REGENTs media kit Follow REGENT on LinkedIn Follow REGENT on Instagram Kirsten Salyer REGENT Craft kirsten.salyer@regentcraft.com +1 401-328-0532 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3045b425-5df7-4587-8561-5ecca7358304 Englewood, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Englewood, Colorado - ENGLEWOOD, CO Christopher's Plumbing, Inc., based in Denver, CO, is celebrating 66 years in business. The fourth generation continues to own and operate the company. At the time Elmer Christopher founded the company in 1959, Denver was already well-known for its dry, sunny climate and proximity to the mountains. Starting from a small garage, Elmer established a reputation for reliable service and quality work. As Denver grew, so did the company, keeping pace with the city's evolving needs. The establishment of the Denver Tech Center in the late 1960s marked the city's anticipated growth and diversification across economic sectors. "We have maintained many of the same clients over the decades," said Austin Ardrey, general manager of Christopher's Kitchen & Bath, a division founded by the second generation of ownership. Focused on kitchen and bathroom design and construction, this division complements the company's plumbing expertise. "Our long-time relationships and trustworthiness truly set us apart from a multitude of plumbing contractors in the area," added Ardrey. Christopher's Plumbing provides licensed and insured plumbing services throughout Colorado and the Denver metro area. The company handles a wide range of projects, including routine maintenance, emergency repairs, multi-family construction, and remodels. Manufacturer-trained technicians also specialize in installing and replacing water heaters, ranging from high-efficiency tankless, on-demand water heaters to traditional gas and electric units. The company is also committed to training and developing the next generation of plumbers as older generations retire. A 2024 Bloomberg podcast highlighted a projected shortage of over 550,000 plumbers by 20271. Christopher's Plumbing prioritizes growing its professional repair and installation team, including fostering training and career development to serve both residential and commercial customers. From its unassuming beginnings in Elmer Christopher's garage, the company has expanded significantly. In 1963, Christopher and his son-in-law Robert Ardrey, moved the business to its current headquarters in Englewood, CO. In 1981, Robert's son, Christopher Ardrey, further expanded the business by opening a showroom and adding turn-key remodeling services, include cabinetry, lighting, and other fixtures. This expansion has enabled Christopher's Plumbing to stay ahead of residential and commercial building trends while maintaining a focus on quality and customer satisfaction. Today, Christopher's Plumbing offers a full range of services, from routine maintenance and repairs, to new construction and remodel plumbing. This expertise forms the foundation of the design and build services offered by Christopher's Kitchen & Bath. Together, they deliver complete, turn-key remodels, supported by a team of skilled interior designers and installers. "Looking ahead, we aim to continuously adapt and expand to meet evolving market demands," said Ardrey. "We've had the privilege of serving and working with thousands of families and businesses in the region." Customer reviews reflect the company's strong reputation for professionalism and attention to detail. "Christopher's Plumbing has been my first call for the last 10 yearsfair prices, quality workmanship, and always courteous," one long-time customer shared. "Whether it's the plumbing services we began offering in 1959 to the design, remodel, and sales services we've introduced over the last 39 years, our goal has always been to provide the highest quality products and services at fair and competitive prices," said Ardrey. "Recognizing the significant investment homeowners make in their homes, and businesses pour into their facilities, we remain committed to honesty, integrity and the highest standards of quality. March 19, 2024, 'The Plumber Shortage Clogging Up the US Economy' podcast. ### For more information about Christopher's Plumbing, contact the company here: Christopher's Plumbing Austin Ardrey (303) 789-2268 austin@christophersshowroom.com Christopher's Plumbing 2765 West Hampden Avenue Englewood Colorado 80110 Mendham, NJ, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The BlinkNow Foundation is proud to honor Joke Aerts and Anuj Mittal as its 2024 Supporters of the Year. Since 2018, Aerts and Mittal have provided invaluable contributions of expertise, advocacy, and funding to advance BlinkNows mission of transforming lives in Nepal through education, womens empowerment, and sustainability. Based in the Netherlands, Aerts serves on BlinkNows Board of Directors as well as the Science and Sustainability Advisory Committee. Together, Aerts and Mittal have supported programs such as the Kopila Valley School and Kopila Valley Womens Center, helping to empower women entrepreneurs, expand access to quality education, and implement sustainability measures to strengthen climate resilience in Nepals Surkhet Valley. As the Head of Credible Scaling for Tony's Open Chain at Tonys Chocolonely, Aerts ensures the initiative's high-impact growth by driving sustainable practices and inspiring other chocolate brands to adopt ethical sourcing principles to eliminate exploitation in the cocoa industry. At BlinkNow, she also lends her expertise in sustainability and strategic thinking to help guide the foundations vision. Aerts helped found BlinkNows new Dutch Committee of volunteers and has promoted outreach initiatives in the Netherlands, including a display at the Vakantiebeurs travel festival in January to increase awareness and support for BlinkNows work. Maggie Doyne, BlinkNow CEO, says that Aerts and Mittal have made meaningful and impactful contributions at key moments in the organizations history. Jokes and Anujs passion and dedication to BlinkNow are nothing short of extraordinary. Jokes leadership, experience in sustainable supply chains, and unwavering support have been instrumental in helping us become who we are as an organization, and her financial contributions inspire more donors to join and create brighter futures for the children and families we serve in Nepal. BlinkNows programs, which serve hundreds of children and women annually in the Karnali region of Nepal, provide education, health services, and economic opportunities. Supporters like Aerts and Mittal play a crucial role in advancing BlinkNows vision of a world where every child is safe, educated, and loved, and where women are empowered to lead prosperous, sustainable lives. Congratulations to Joke Aerts and Anuj Mittal for their outstanding contributions in 2024! ### The BlinkNow Foundation provides an education and a loving, caring home for at-risk children. The foundation also provides community outreach to reduce poverty, empower women, improve health, and encourage sustainability and social justice - it fulfills its mission by providing financial support and management oversight to the Kopila Valley Children's Home and award-winning Kopila Valley School in Surkhet, Nepal. In addition to the home and school, Kopila Valley runs a Health & Wellness program, Women's Center, home for at-risk girls, Futures Program for career readiness, and integrated Sustainability Program across all initiatives. Attachment PALM BEACH, Fla., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Art Palm Beach 2025 lit up the art world with an electrifying lineup that turned this years show into the most extraordinary edition ever. Defying industry trends, the event nearly doubled its attendance from last year, while art sales soared to unprecedented levels, transforming the Palm Beach County Convention Center into an epicenter of excitement and global creativity. Even before the doors opened you could feel the energy. South Florida and people across the country watched in awe as the worlds largest Birkin Bag, "Big Birk," handcrafted by GEO and presented by Denis Leon Gallery, LLC (Boca Raton), made its grand entrance under police escort. Once inside, visitors were greeted by the largest gathering of world-class international art galleries to ever converge on the Palm Beaches. Art Palm Beach 2025 exceeded all expectations, said Producer and Director Kassandra Voyagis. The energy from collectors and art lovers was contagious. Thanks to the dedication of our galleries and the power of art to inspire and connect, this years event was nothing short of extraordinary. Gallery owners raved about the event, with Ethan Cohen (New York) remarking on nonstop, serious collectors who truly appreciated the work, and Hollis Taggart (New York) noting a surge in a new generation of younger, energized buyers redefining the art world. Blinkgroup Gallery (Boca Raton) praised the seamless operations, calling the show stress-free, letting us focus on connecting with collectors. The sheer variety of sales, from emerging talents to global icons, shows how Art Palm Beach has the ability to unite collectors and creators in an electrifying marketplace. Notable transactions include: Marc Chagalls 1956 Esquisse pour le Grand Cirque (Modern Fine Art, New York) 1956 Esquisse pour le Grand Cirque (Modern Fine Art, New York) George Condos Linear Portrait, 2019 (Corridor Contemporary, Tel Aviv) Linear Portrait, 2019 (Corridor Contemporary, Tel Aviv) Takashi Murakamis My Sincerity to You (2023) (Galerie Raphael, Frankfurt/Paris) My Sincerity to You (2023) (Galerie Raphael, Frankfurt/Paris) Wayne Thiebauds Park Place (1995) (Adamar Fine Art, Miami) Park Place (1995) (Adamar Fine Art, Miami) Mark Eisens debut sculpture (Modern Fine Art, New York) debut sculpture (Modern Fine Art, New York) Maikel Martinezs Dream Worlds series (Rosenbaum Gallery, Palm Beach/Boca Raton) Dream Worlds series (Rosenbaum Gallery, Palm Beach/Boca Raton) Kais bronze Endless Possibilities (Markowicz Fine Art, Miami) bronze Endless Possibilities (Markowicz Fine Art, Miami) Paul Nagy s Bullet Flag (Provident Fine Art, Palm Beach) s Bullet Flag (Provident Fine Art, Palm Beach) Hans Hofmanns Untitled 1963 (Hollis Taggart, New York) Untitled 1963 (Hollis Taggart, New York) Sangmin Lees Blue & White Porcelain Bowl (2022) (Lee & Bae, Seoul) The success of the show energizes organizers to make Art Palm Beach 2026 the most epic yet! Were pleased to announce its return to the convention center exactly one year from today January 28 to February 1, 2026. Media Contact-Thomas Tobin Thomas@PantelidesPR.com (c) (212) 624-2648 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/47df4316-21bd-4d17-a363-0097d8f9b084 CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For the third consecutive year, Mawer Investment Management Ltd. has been named as one of Albertas Top Employers for 2025, an annual competition organized by the editors of Canadas Top 100 Employers. This is a recognition given to only 85 organizations across the province that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work. Securing a spot among Alberta's Top Employers for the third year in a row is truly an honour, says Audra Campbell, Head of Human Resources. This accomplishment reflects our continued commitment to creating a great workplace, built on a strong culture and made possible by the dedication and teamwork of everyone at our firm. Mawer provides a well-rounded benefits package that prioritizes health and mental wellness, including an annual $5,000 learning stipend to support professional growth. Our flexible hybrid work model, enhanced parental leave, and strong commitment to community involvement further reflect our values. Through our employee matching program, we match up to $3,000 in donations, fundraising efforts, or volunteer hours contributed to registered charities, empowering our team to make a meaningful impact. More information about career opportunities at Mawer can be found at https://www.mawer.com/careers/. About Mawer Investment Management Ltd. Founded in 1974, Mawer is an independent investment firm managing portfolios for a broad range of foundations and not-for-profit organizations, pension plans, strategic alliances, and individual investors. For more information, visit Mawer at www.mawer.com . About Canadas Top 100 Employers Founded in 1992, Mediacorp Canada Inc. is the nation's largest publisher of employment periodicals. Since 1999, the Toronto-based publisher has managed the Canada's Top 100 Employers project, which includes 19 regional and special-interest editorial competitions that reach millions of Canadians annually through a variety of magazine and newspaper partners, including The Globe and Mail. Mediacorp also operates Eluta.ca, one of Canada's largest job search engines, used by millions of job seekers annually to find new job postings and discover what the nation's best employers are offering. For media inquiries, please contact: Joanna Crozier Head of Marketing and Communications +1 (403) 267-1964 jcrozier@mawer.com TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Opulence Education Group (OEG), a global leader in career-focused education, is proud to announce that it has been named one of the Best Workplaces for Young Talent by Great Place to Work Canada. This esteemed designation recognizes OEG's exceptional efforts in creating an engaging, supportive, and empowering environment for young professionals. The recognition is based on thorough and anonymous employee feedback, highlighting OEGs strong commitment to career development, work-life balance, and fostering a culture of innovation and learningall key factors for attracting and retaining early-career professionals. "At Opulence Education Group, we prioritize creating a workplace where young professionals feel empowered to grow and thrive. This certification is a testament to the dedication of our team in building a supportive and inspiring environment for the next generation of leaders," said Chamara Perera, Chief Operating Officer at OEG. "Our core values of putting people first align perfectly with our mission to help students and employees succeed in a dynamic and rapidly evolving global economy." Operating private post-secondary career colleges across Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia, OEG offers more than 50 career-focused programs in high-demand fields, including healthcare, IT, law, and business. The group also boasts an expanding international footprint with campuses in Australia and plans for further global growth, demonstrating its commitment to making quality education and career opportunities accessible worldwide. The Best Workplaces for Young Talent designation highlights OEGs leadership in fostering trust, camaraderie, and opportunities for professional development, as recognized through its employees feedback. This certification underscores OEG's dedication to not only shaping the future of education but also empowering its own workforce to innovate and excel. About Opulence Education Group Opulence Education Group (OEG) is a leading global network of premium educational institutions dedicated to empowering students through career-focused education. OEG operates as a key education vertical under OPTAS, an international parent organization spanning diverse industries and services, unified by a commitment to innovation, excellence, and global impact. Founded in 2017, OEG operates over 10 colleges across Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, offering more than 50 in-demand programs in fields such as Healthcare, IT, Law, and Business. OEG's network includes renowned institutions like Academy of Learning Career College, Granville College, Avalon Community College, Vancouver College of Counsellor Training, Professional Institute of Management and Technology, and College Avalon, all committed to developing future leaders with industry-ready skills. With an expanding international presence that includes four colleges in Australia and planned growth in South Asia and other locations around the world, OEG strives to make quality education accessible and affordable worldwide, preparing students for success in a dynamic global economy. About Great Place to Work Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. A global research and consulting firm, Great Place to Work provides the benchmarks and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognize outstanding workplace cultures. In Canada, Great Place to Work produces both industry and demographic specific Best Workplace lists, and represents the voices of 500,000 employees across industry. This is part of the worlds largest annual workplace study, recognizing the world's Best Workplaces in a series of national lists including those published by The Globe & Mail (Canada) and Fortune magazine (USA). Visit us at www.greatplacetowork.ca Contact: Chamara Perera Chief Operating Officer Opulence Education Group Phone: +1 (437) 979-3410 opulenceeducationgroup.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ascot Resources Ltd. (TSX: AOT; OTCQX: AOTVF) (Ascot or the Company) announces that the Companys newly appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, Jim Currie and his new management team, are continuing a detailed review and assessment of Ascots mining operations and overall business strategy. Given the significance and complexity of this process, Mr. Currie requires additional time to complete his evaluation. As a result, the previously scheduled conference call, announced in the Companys January 15, 2025 press release, has been postponed. The Company will announce a new date for the conference call in a subsequent press release once Mr. Currie has completed his review and is prepared to provide a comprehensive update to stakeholders. It is critical to ensure that we provide a thorough and transparent assessment of Ascots operations and strategy to our shareholders, said Jim Currie. I appreciate the patience of our stakeholders as I undertake this review to chart the best path forward for the Company. Ascot remains committed to maintaining open and timely communication with its shareholders, stakeholders, and the broader investment community. The Company thanks all stakeholders for their understanding and continued support during this period. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Ascot Resources Ltd. Rick Zimmer Chairman of the Board of Directors For further information contact: KIN COMMUNICATIONS INC. Email: AOT@kincommunications.com Phone: 604-684-6730 About Ascot Ascot is a Canadian mining company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, and its shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the ticker AOT and on the OTCQX under the ticker AOTVF. Ascot is the 100% owner of the Premier Gold mine, which poured first gold in April 2024 and is located on Nisgaa Nation Treaty Lands, in the prolific Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia. For more information about the Company, please refer to the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or visit the Companys web site at www.ascotgold.com . The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Vancouver, January 27, 2025 - Minas Metals Ltd. (CSE: MINA) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed two agreements (the "Agreements") in order to acquire approximately US$2,000,000 of cryptocurrencies in exchange for common shares of the Company. Under the terms of the Agreements, the Company will acquire an aggregate of 5,277.60 Solana (SOL), 335,568.10 Cardano (ADA) and 339,248.61 ai16z (AI16Z) tokens from two arm's length vendors in exchange for the issuance of an aggregate of 13,500,000 common shares. The Agreements are both dated January 23, 2025. The transactions contemplated by the Agreements are deemed to be a Change of Business (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE")) and the trading of the Company's common shares will remain halted until the CSE approves the proposed Change of Business. The issuance of common shares of the Company pursuant to the Agreements also remains subject to CSE approval. The Company has entered into these Agreements as part of the Company's plans to rebrand itself as an investment issuer focused on the Solana ecosystem and the development of its infrastructure. This strategic move is set to bolster the Company's operations and enhance its portfolio in the dynamic cryptocurrency market. This initial cryptocurrency acquisition has been made into Solana (SOL) and other related cryptocurrencies. This investment aligns with the company's vision of leveraging the Solana ecosystem to provide comprehensive investment solutions to its clients. The Company aims to create a strong identity in the institutional digital asset landscape, in particular, the Solana ecosystem. In conjunction with this change of business, the Company intends to change its name to "Universal Digital Inc." and start trading under the symbol "LFG". The Company intends to hold the acquired tokens for its treasury, capitalizing on Solana's anticipated growth while also generating yield through a process known as staking. Staking is a mechanism that supports the operations of the Solana blockchain network by delegating Solana tokens to validators. These validators utilize stake-weighted consensus votes to validate transactions, thereby maintaining the integrity and security of the network. By staking its Solana tokens, the Company will actively participate in the Solana network's Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism, contributing to the decentralization and security of the blockchain while earning rewards for its involvement. "We are excited about the acquisition and the opportunity to deepen our investment in Solana and other related cryptocurrencies," said Jon Bey, CEO. "With our new strategy, we benefit not only from direct exposure to any growth in the value of Solana but also a steady yield that enhances the long-term value of our holdings while securing the network. Management believes that Solana's high-performance capabilities and scalability make it as a cornerstone of the digital economy, and we are committed to being at the forefront of this technological advancement." Jon Bey continued, "The Company sees a bright future for the broader cryptocurrency landscape, with management of the Company anticipating Solana emerging as a key player due to its innovative approach to decentralized applications and its rapidly growing ecosystem." The Company aims to continue its investment in Solana and related technologies that support the blockchain and crypto ecosystem. By expanding its commitment to these advancements, the Company intends to capitalize on the long-term potential of blockchain innovations and the expanding role of decentralized finance. About the Company The Company is currently a junior mining exploration issuer listed on the CSE. The Company intends to pursue a change of business following which, and subject to the approval of the CSE, the Company will be an investment issuer with a focus in investments in high-growth sectors and digital assets. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Information This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: the completion of the transactions contemplated by the Agreements, the Company's plans to complete the change of business, regulatory approval of the Agreements and the change of business, the expected impacts of the Agreements and the change of business on the Company's business and operations, the Company's plans following the proposed change of business, the anticipated impacts on the Company's business and operations of Solana, its capabilities and its network and the anticipated growth in the digital asset and cryptocurrency sectors. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: the Company may be unable to complete the transactions contemplated by the Agreements; the Company may decide not to proceed with the change of business; the Company may not receive regulatory approval for the Agreements or the change of business; the Company may not receive the anticipated results on its business or operations following completion of the change of business; the Company's plans following the change of business may vary; the anticipated advantages of Solana, its capabilities and its network may not materialize, or impact the Company's business or operations, as anticipated, or at all; the anticipated growth in the digital asset and cryptocurrency sectors may not occur as anticipated, or at all; the volatility of the digital asset and cryptocurrency markets; the impact of governmental or regulatory orders or decisions on the digital asset and cryptocurrency sectors; and market volatility for the Company's securities. In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that: the Company will be able to complete the transactions contemplated by the Agreements; the Company will proceed with the change of business; the Company will receive regulatory approval for the Agreements or the change of business; the change of business will benefit the Company's business and operations; the anticipated advantages of Solana, its capabilities and its network will positively impact the Company's business and operations; and the digital asset and cryptocurrency sectors will continue to see growth. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/238289 Vancouver, January 27, 2025 - Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. (TSXV: SPA) (FSE: S3Y) (OTCQB: SPAZF) (the "Company" or "Spanish Mountain Gold") is pleased to announce that the Company's stock will commence trading on the OTCQB Venture Market ("OTCQB"), effective today, January 27, 2025, under the symbol "SPAZF". Peter Mah, Spanish Mountain Gold's President & CEO commented, "Listing on the OTCQB expands visibility and accessibility of trading in the Company's stock to a broader audience, providing a more seamless trading experience for our U.S. investors. We have a number of exciting near-term catalysts this year as we continue to advance the Spanish Mountain Gold Project towards a targeted build decision in 2027. We are starting our 2025 drill program this quarter, and are looking forward to delivering an updated mineral resource estimate and a new Preliminary Economic Assessment towards the end of the first half of 2025." The OTCQB Venture Market is the premier marketplace for early stage and developing U.S. and international companies including those in the mining and natural resources sectors. Companies listed on OTCQB are current in their reporting and undergo an annual verification and management certification process. Investors can find real-time quotes and market information for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com. 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 include but are not limited to information with respect to the advancement of the project towards development including delivery of an updated mineral resource estimate and new preliminary economic assessment, and the timing and results thereof, as well as being in a position to make a build decision in 2027. 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/238436 Vancouver - Ares Strategic Mining Inc. ("Ares" or the "Company") (CSE: ARS) is pleased to announce the settlement of consulting fees with MIB & S Partners and Roy EI Durr, further solidifying key strategic relationships that support the Company's growth and development that will be important for the planned launch of the operation in Utah. This strategic settlement underscores Ares' commitment to maintaining strong partnerships with industry leaders and experts who play a pivotal role in advancing the Company's objectives. The consulting and lobbying services provided by MIB & S Partners and Roy EI Durr have been instrumental in supporting Ares' operational and regulatory initiatives, ensuring the Company remains well-positioned for long-term success. The issuance of shares in lieu of cash payments demonstrates Ares' prudent financial management, allowing the Company to allocate resources toward critical projects and operational milestones. This approach not only strengthens the Company's balance sheet but also reinforces the confidence of its partners in Ares' vision and growth trajectory. Ares Strategic Mining remains focused on its mission to develop and operate high-quality mining projects, leveraging strategic partnerships to navigate regulatory landscapes and drive sustainable growth. The Company is confident that these collaborations will continue to yield significant benefits as it progresses toward its goals. As part of this agreement, Ares has settled $13,440 CAD of consulting services by issuing 70,737 common shares. Additionally, the Company has issued 554,942 common shares to settle $ 60,000 USD ($86,016 CAD) for lobbying services provided by MIB & S Partners and Roy El Durr. These shares are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. About Ares Strategic Mining Ares Strategic Mining Inc. is a mining company focused on the development of its fluorspar projects in the U.S. The Company aims to become a significant supplier of high-grade fluorspar to North American markets, supporting industries vital to modern technology and infrastructure. Lost Sheep Fluorspar Project - Delta, Utah 100% owned - 5,982 acres - 353 Claims Located in the Spor Mountain area, Juab County, Utah, approximately 214 km south-west of Salt Lake City. Fully Permitted - including mining permits. NI 43-101 Technical Report identified extensive high-grade fluorspar with low levels of impurities. Mining plan approved by BLM1 First approved by Rex Rowley - Area Manager, Bureau of Land Management - 24th August 1992. Renewed by Paul B. Baker - Minerals Program Manager, Bureau of Land Management - 12th December 2016. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ARES STRATEGIC MINING INC. James Walker Chief Executive Officer and President For further information, please contact James Walker by email at jwalker@aresmining.com DISCLOSURE AND FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Companies typically rely on comprehensive feasibility reports on mineral reserve estimates to reduce the risks and uncertainties associated with a production decision. Historically, situations where the issuer decides to put a mineral project into production without first establishing mineral reserves supported by a technical report and completing a feasibility study have a higher risk of economic or technical failure, though some industrial mineral ventures are relatively simple operations with low levels of investment and risk, where the operating entity has determined that a formal prefeasibility or feasibility study in conformance with NI 43-101 and 43-101 CP is not required for a production decision. Based on historical engineering work, geological reports, historical production data and current engineering work completed or in the process by Ares, the Company intends to move forward with the development of its Utah asset. Certain information in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such 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 the failure to satisfy the conditions of the relevant securities exchange(s) and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. 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. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law. 1 Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. VANCOUVER, Jan. 28, 2025 - Vizsla Silver Corp. (TSXV: VZLA) (NYSE: VZLA) (Frankfurt: 0G3) ("Vizsla Silver" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a year-end summary of its activities at its flagship Panuco silver-gold property (the "Property" or "Panuco") located in Sinaloa, Mexico and outline the Company's key objectives/milestones for 2025. "2024 was a transformative year for Vizsla Silver," commented Michael Konnert, President & CEO. "With an updated resource estimate in January 2024 serving as the backbone for the first ever Panuco PEA, published in July, Vizsla Silver went from early-stage exploration to early-stage development. Our focus throughout the year was on derisking known mineralization within the Copala and Napoleon resource areas to maximize potential future economic returns. The July PEA showcased industry leading economics based on conservative assumptions and a resource base that has since been materially upgraded and expanded. We now have 43% more ounces in the measured and indicated category and higher grades, relative to the previous resource. This bodes well for a potentially expanded mine plan in the pending feasibility study we plan to publish in the second half of 2025. Additionally, we have broken ground on our fully permitted and fully funded Copala test mine, arguably one of the most valuable derisking initiatives for the project. This will support feasibility study mine planning and development as we advance Panuco Project 1 ("Project 1" or "Panuco Project 1") to construction. With over US$92 million in cash and no debt, we remain well funded to deliver on our operational goals with a long-term view of first silver in 2027. In 2025, we continue to prioritize the health and safety of our communities and team members as we advance through the permitting and development process. Beyond development in the West, we continue exploring new areas of the district with both low-cost mapping and geophysical surveys and +10,000 meters of planned initial drilling. We look forward to another safe and exciting year for Vizsla Silver and thank everyone for their hard work and continued support." Key objectives for 2025 Advance Copala test mine development and bulk sample program Complete fourth round of metallurgical testing in H1 2025 Advance through permitting process Deliver Feasibility Study ("FS") in H2 2025 Complete +12,000 meters of geotechnical drilling to support the FS Complete +25,000 meters of ongoing discovery-based and resource expansion drilling Complete a ~45 line-kilometre ground Horizontal-Loop EM (Promis-HLEM) over six selected target areas 2024 Highlights In 2024, with Simon Cmrlec assuming the role of Chief Operating Officer ("COO") , Vizsla Silver focused on derisking Panuco Project 1, located in the western portion of the Panuco-Copala District. This culminated in the announcement of a robust Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") published in July 2024, highlighting 15.2 Moz AgEq of annual production over an initial 10.6-year mine life, an after-tax NPV5% of US$1.1B, 86% IRR and a 9-month payback at US$26/oz Ag and US$1,975/oz Au. Drilling throughout the year totaled 37,662m, centered on converting resources within the upper levels of the Copala and Napoleon areas to higher confidence categories. This led to an updated mineral resource estimate published in early January 2025 highlighting an estimated in-situ combined measured and indicated mineral resource of 222.4 Moz AgEq and an in-situ inferred resource of 138.7 Moz AgEq (see press release dated January 6, 2025). Other notable achievements in 2024: Vizsla Silver's share price increased by 45% from C$1.73/s to C$2.51/s Vizsla Silver raised a total of C$95M in two financings: C$34.5M at C$1.50/s in February, and C$65M at C$2.6/s in September Organized three on site health fairs providing over 550 people access to nurses, doctors, and psychologists. Vizsla Silver tripled its land package to 17k+ ha with the acquisition of San Enrique and La Garra, two large highly prospective past producing districts located along the emerging Sinaloa Silver Belt Acquired district-wide WorldView III and Aster multispectral satellite imagery and continued with the use of Terraspec for alteration mapping Simon Cmrlec appointed as COO, Suki Gill nominated to the Board of Directors, Karl Haase as Director of Engineering, Anna Pagliaro as Director of Commercial and Legal Risk, and Ana Meza as Environmental and ESG Manager Completed spinout of Vizsla Royalties, trading on the TSXV, creating an additional C$62M of value for Vizsla Silver shareholders in the first 3 weeks of trading In September, Vizsla Silver published its third annual Sustainability Report. In October, the GDXJ included Vizsla Silver to its constituency, awarding shareholders significant liquidity Vizsla Silver's Mexican subsidiary, Minera CANAM, was awarded the Socially Responsible Company Distinction (ESR), for the third year in a row In November, Vizsla Silver graduated to the TSX, raising the Company to a new echelon of market access & awareness Vizsla Silver commenced work on its fully funded, fully permitted Copala test-mine / bulk sample program Table of Top 10 Drill Composites of 2024, ordered from highest to lowest grade AgEq Drillhole From To Downhole Length Estimated True width Ag Au AgEq Vein (m) (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) CS-24-381A 219.60 226.50 6.90 6.25 3,698 41.20 6,270 Copala CS-24-356 219.00 223.90 4.90 4.20 1,694 103.20 8,817 Copala CS-24-380 278.10 293.80 15.70 13.30 1,861 12.20 2,554 Copala CS-24-354 153.50 168.30 14.80 13.00 1,017 8.19 1,503 Copala CS-24-375 290.85 308.35 17.50 14.20 978 4.56 1,212 Copala CS-24-366 348.85 357.00 8.15 7.00 1,898 9.51 2,398 Copala 3 CS-24-347 287.85 294.00 6.15 6.00 1,882 10.31 2,440 Copala CS-24-352 211.80 217.25 5.45 5.00 1,378 22.95 2,872 Copala CS-24-344 561.95 573.90 11.95 8.70 1,096 5.18 1,363 Copala CS-24-362 344.60 346.10 16.10 10.50 804 5.27 1,103 Copala Note: AgEq = Ag g/t x Ag rec. + (Au g/t x Au Rec x Au price/gram)/Ag price/gram. Metal price assumptions are $24.00/oz silver and $1,800/oz gold and metallurgical recoveries assumed are 91% for silver and 94% for gold. Gold and silver metallurgical recoveries used in this release are from metallurgical test results of the Copala vein (see press release dated August 16, 2023) 2025 Outlook Vizsla Silver's focus for 2025 remains centered on de-risking Project 1 in the west with a goal of first silver in 2027. To achieve this, the Company is actively working to complete a Feasibility Study, while simultaneously advancing permitting and project financing to support a construction decision. In parallel, Vizsla Silver will continue exploring other prospective areas in the western portion of the district, proximal to Project 1, but also in the central and eastern areas, where exploration drilling completed to date remains sparse. Key de-risking initiatives planned for 2025 include: 1) Advance test Mine 2) Advance Permitting/Project Finance 3) Deliver FS For 2025, a total of +37,000 metres of drilling is planned for Engineering (FS studies), expansion, and exploration programs. Two diamond drill rigs will be active on the property, with the ability to scale up depending on exploration success. Exploration drills will focus on priority targets proximal to current resources in the west, as well as on other high-priority targets in the central and eastern portions of the district. Targets Resource Extension: The Copala structure remains open along strike to the north and down dip to the south. Alternatively, after the discovery of the old Copala adit and concomitant with the successful infill/expansion drilling campaign in central Copala, the team identified potential for near surface high-grade mineralization in the south. Vizsla Silver intends to drill two near surface targets in the second half (H2) of 2025 once the team completes detailed structural and alteration mapping along Copala, south of the old adit. At Napoleon area, the company plans to conduct resource expansion drilling along the hanging wall-4 vein (HW4) down-dip to the east and along the 400m wide gap in La Luisa vein (see press release dated February 13, 2024), between the current mineral resource area and the shallow drill-holes located 500m to the north. The Copala structure remains open along strike to the north and down dip to the south. Alternatively, after the discovery of the old Copala adit and concomitant with the successful infill/expansion drilling campaign in central Copala, the team identified potential for near surface high-grade mineralization in the south. Vizsla Silver intends to drill two near surface targets in the second half (H2) of 2025 once the team completes detailed structural and alteration mapping along Copala, south of the old adit. At Napoleon area, the company plans to conduct resource expansion drilling along the hanging wall-4 vein (HW4) down-dip to the east and along the 400m wide gap in La Luisa vein (see press release dated February 13, 2024), between the current mineral resource area and the shallow drill-holes located 500m to the north. Exploration: During the first half (H1) of 2025 Vizsla Silver will continue drill-testing the Camelia-San Dimas, Galeana and San Fernando-Nacaral targets in the northeast part of the district. Other targets such as El Roble, Oregano and La Whicha, also in the northeast will be explored in H2. The Company also plans to drill additional exploration holes at El Molino (see press release dated October 24, 2023) and at the convergence zone of main Napoleon vein with La Colorada vein - Copala fault system in north Napoleon area. Exploration drilling on the north Napoleon area is planned for H2 after completion of the ground EM survey. Mapping / Geophysics The Company continues advancing detailed mapping at 1:1000 scale throughout the district; +67% of Panuco district has been mapped to date with the aid of LiDar, WorldView III and Aster satellite imagery and Terraspec analyses. Company geologists also started 3D interpretations of Terraspec data collected on core samples to further build 3D alteration models and define drilling vectors. Vizsla Silver also contracted TMC Geophysical consulting to conduct a Horizontal Loop EM (Promis-HLEM) survey on 45 l-km over Copala and 5 selected high-priority targets during Q1. The objective of this study is to determine the geophysical response of known mineralization near-surface at Copala, and then investigate five other selected targets in the district. Key objectives for 2025 Advance Copala test mine development and bulk sample program Complete fourth round of metallurgical testing in H1 2025 Advance through permitting process Deliver Feasibility Study in H2 2025 Complete +12,000 meters of geotechnical drilling to support the FS Complete +25,000 meters of ongoing discovery-based and resource expansion drilling Complete a ~45 line-kilometre ground Horizontal-Loop EM (Promis-HLEM) over six selected target areas About the Panuco Project The newly consolidated Panuco silver-gold project is an emerging high-grade discovery located in southern Sinaloa, Mexico, near the city of Mazatlan. The 7,189.5-hectare, past producing district benefits from over 86 kilometres of total vein extent, 35 kilometres of underground mines, roads, power, and permits. The district contains intermediate to low sulfidation epithermal silver and gold deposits related to siliceous volcanism and crustal extension in the Oligocene and Miocene. Host rocks are mainly continental volcanic rocks correlated to the Tarahumara Formation. On January 6, 2025, the Company announced an updated mineral resource estimate for Panuco which includes an estimated in-situ combined measured and indicated mineral resource of 222.4 Moz AgEq and an in-situ inferred resource of 138.7 Moz AgEq (please refer to Vizsla Silver's press release dated January 6, 2025). About Vizsla Silver Vizsla Silver is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, focused on advancing its flagship, 100%-owned Panuco silver-gold project located in Sinaloa, Mexico. The Company recently completed a Preliminary Economic Study for Panuco in July 2024 which highlights 15.2 Moz AgEq of annual production over an initial 10.6-year mine life, an after-tax NPV5% of US$1.1B, 86% IRR and a 9-month payback at US$26/oz Ag and US$1,975/oz Au. Vizsla Silver aims to become the world's leading silver company by implementing a dual track development approach at Panuco, advancing mine development, while continuing district scale exploration through low-cost means. Quality Assurance / Quality Control Drill core samples were shipped to ALS Limited in Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico and in North Vancouver, Canada for sample preparation and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver and rock samples were shipped to SGS Lab in Durango Mexico for sample preparation and analysis. The ALS Zacatecas, North Vancouver facilities and SGS lab are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Silver and base metals were analyzed using a four-acid digestion with an ICP finish and gold was assayed by 30-gram fire assay with atomic absorption ("AA") spectroscopy finish. Over limit analyses for silver, lead and zinc were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with AA finish. Control samples comprising certified reference samples, duplicates and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's quality assurance / quality control protocol. Qualified Person In accordance with NI 43-101, Jesus Velador, Ph.D. MMSA QP, Vice President of Exploration, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has reviewed and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources The scientific and technical information in this news release was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 which differs significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The terms "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" used herein are in reference to the mining terms defined in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards (the "CIM Definition Standards"), which definitions have been adopted by NI 43-101. Accordingly, information contained herein providing descriptions of our mineral deposits in accordance with NI 43-101 may not be comparable to similar information made public by other U.S. companies subject to the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. You are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral resources will ever be converted into reserves. Pursuant to CIM Definition Standards, "inferred mineral resources" are that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Such geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. An inferred mineral resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an indicated mineral resource and must not be converted to a mineral reserve. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to indicated mineral resources with continued exploration. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Canadian standards, including the CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101, differ significantly from standards in the SEC Industry Guide 7. Effective February 25, 2019, the SEC adopted new mining disclosure rules under subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SEC Modernization Rules"), with compliance required for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021. The SEC Modernization Rules replace the historical property disclosure requirements included in SEC Industry Guide 7. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC now recognizes estimates of "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources". Information regarding mineral resources contained or referenced herein may not be comparable to similar information made public by companies that report according to U.S. standards. While the SEC Modernization Rules are purported to be "substantially similar" to the CIM Definition Standards, readers are cautioned that there are differences between the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Definitions Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral resources that the Company may report as "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. Website: www.vizslasilvercorp.ca SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the exploration, development, and production at Panuco, including plans for resource/discovery-based drilling, designed to upgrade, and expand the maiden resource as well as test other high priority targets across the district. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of Vizsla Silver, future growth potential for Vizsla Silver and its business, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of silver, gold, and other metals; no escalation in the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; Vizsla Silver's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms. These statements reflect Vizsla Silver's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information and Vizsla Silver has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company's dependence on one mineral project; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in Mexico; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities and artisanal miners; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in Vizsla Silver's management discussion and analysis. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although Vizsla Silver has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Vizsla Silver does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law. SOURCE Vizsla Silver Corp. Contact Information: For more information and to sign-up to the mailing list, please contact: Michael Konnert, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tel: (604) 364-2215, Email: info@vizslasilver.ca KINSHASA, Jan. 28, 2025 - Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) - Barrick's Kibali gold mine achieved an improved performance in the last quarter of the year, culminating in the highest yearly throughput since its commissioning. This milestone underscores the mine's continued focus on operational excellence and its capacity to deliver strong results. Barrick chief operating officer for Africa and the Middle East, Sebastiaan Bock, said: "2024 was a challenging year which called for a reset and some leadership changes. Despite this, the year has once again demonstrated that Kibali is a consistent and efficient low-cost producer. The mine is well positioned to build on this foundation and deliver strong results in 2025 and beyond." The management team has been further strengthened and exploration is focused on highly prospective areas within the Kibali permit. These areas hold significant potential for new gold discoveries within trucking distance of the plant, aimed at bolstering the mine's reserve pipeline. "Barrick is also making significant progress on the construction of a 16MW solar plant at Kibali to help reduce its carbon dioxide emissions from 45kt to 24kt per year. Not only is it the biggest gold mine in Africa and a global leader in automation, but it is also fast becoming a model for renewable energy in African mining," Bock said. Much of Kibali's electricity is already supplied by three hydropower stations but the new solar plant and battery energy storage system, expected to be completed by June this year, will help Kibali reduce its fuel consumption by 53% while increasing the renewable component of its energy mix from 81% to 85%. Designed to back up the hydropower supply during the region's dry season, it will also allow Kibali to operate with 100% renewable power for six months of the year. Kibali maintained its ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) certifications, underscoring Barrick's high standards in managing its operations responsibly. Fresh water extraction from the Kibali river was reduced from 15% to 11% for the year thanks to a modification of the water reticulation system and four electrical 50-tonne trucks were delivered on site for trialing. Barrick's commitment to biodiversity and enhancing the natural environment remains a priority. The company, in partnership with African Parks, is working to reintroduce 64 additional white rhinos into Garamba National Park, building on the successful release of 16 rhinos in 2023. Kibali has contributed over $5.7 billion to the Congolese economy to date. Of this, $3 billion has been spent with local suppliers and service providers. "We continue to work hand-in-hand with the Congolese people, supporting local businesses, creating jobs and improving livelihoods," said Bock. As part of its ongoing efforts to boost local content, Barrick continued to work closely with the Congolese regulator, ARSP, to improve opportunities for local companies. All tenders are now published through the mine and ARSP's website, supporting over 500 Congolese companies in the region. In addition, Barrick has invested heavily in community development projects through its 0.3% of revenue community development fund. To date, 41 out of 44 planned projects have been successfully completed, with several more set for 2025. The mine is also progressing with its Cahier des Charges initiative, having already completed three projects and preparing several more for handover. A total of $4.4 million was invested in these community development efforts in 2024. Enquiries: DRC country manager Cyrille Mutombo +243 812 532 441 Investor and Media Relations Kathy du Plessis +44 20 7557 7738 Email: barrick@dpapr.com Website: www.barrick.com Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information Certain information contained or incorporated by reference in this press release, including any information 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 forward-looking statements. The words, "expect", "plan", "opportunities", "develop", "project", "progress", "continue", "continued", "deliver", "positioned", "additional", "becoming", "potential", "prospective", "focus", "ongoing", "working", "will", and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with respect to: Barrick's forward-looking production guidance potential and anticipated production growth from Barrick's organic project pipeline and reserve replacement; Kibali's performance and delivery on its 2024 business plan; potential life of mine extensions and the ability to extend Kibali's Tier One status; Kibali's potential to replace reserves net of depletion; Barrick's exploration strategy and growth opportunities at Kibali, including the potential for further discoveries; Barrick's commitment to the Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC") and strategy, plans, targets and goals in respect of environmental and social governance issues, including local community development and employment, climate change, renewable energy initiatives, health and safety and biodiversity initiatives; and expectations regarding future price assumptions, financial performance and other outlook or guidance. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions, including material estimates and assumptions related to the factors set forth below that, while considered reasonable by Barrick as at the date of this press release in light of management's experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, copper or certain other commodities (such as silver, diesel fuel, natural gas and electricity); risks associated with projects in the early stages of evaluation and for which additional engineering and other analysis is required; risks related to the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with Barrick's expectations, that quantities or grades of reserves will be diminished, and that resources may not be converted to reserves; risks associated with the fact that certain of the initiatives described in this press release are still in the early stages and may not materialize; changes in mineral production performance, exploitation and exploration successes; risks that exploration data may be incomplete and considerable additional work may be required to complete further evaluation, including but not limited to drilling, engineering and socioeconomic studies and investment; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; lack of certainty with respect to foreign legal systems, corruption and other factors that are inconsistent with the rule of law in the DRC; disruption of supply routes which may cause delays in construction and mining activities, including disruptions in the supply of key mining inputs due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and conflicts in the Middle East; risk of loss due to acts of war, terrorism, sabotage and civil disturbances; risks associated with artisanal and illegal mining; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and/or changes in the administration of laws, policies and practices; expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in the DRC or other countries in which Barrick does or may carry on business in the future; risks relating to political instability in the DRC and certain other jurisdictions in which Barrick operates; timing of receipt of, or failure to comply with, necessary permits and approvals; non-renewal of key licenses by governmental authorities; failure to comply with environmental and health and safety laws and regulations; increased costs and physical and transition risks related to climate change, including extreme weather events, resource shortages, emerging policies and increased regulations relating to related to greenhouse gas emission levels, energy efficiency and reporting of risks; Barrick's ability to achieve its sustainability goals, including its climate-related goals and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties, or over access to water, power and other required infrastructure; the liability associated with risks and hazards in the mining industry, and the ability to maintain insurance to cover such losses; damage to Barrick's reputation due to the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, including negative publicity with respect to Barrick's handling of environmental matters or dealings with community groups, whether true or not; risks related to operations near communities that may regard Barrick's operations as being detrimental to them; litigation and legal and administrative proceedings; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities, including geotechnical challenges, tailings dam and storage facilities failures, and disruptions in the maintenance or provision of required infrastructure and information technology systems; increased costs, delays, suspensions and technical challenges associated with the construction of capital projects; risks associated with working with partners in jointly controlled assets; risks associated with Barrick's infrastructure, information technology systems and the implementation of Barrick's technological initiatives, including risks related to cybersecurity incidents, including those caused by computer viruses, malware, ransomware and other cyberattacks, or similar information technology system failures, delays and/or disruptions; risks related to competition in the mining industry; employee relations including loss of key employees; availability and increased costs associated with mining inputs and labor; and risks associated with diseases, epidemics and pandemics, including the effects and potential effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and gold bullion, copper cathode or gold or copper concentrate losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks). 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. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Specific reference is made to the most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities for a more detailed discussion of some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements, and the risks that may affect Barrick's ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Barrick 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 applicable law. FIA poised to officially green-light Cadillac F1 Cadillac, the prospective new eleventh Formula 1 team, is poised to clear the last hurdle before being officially green-lit to debut in 2026. Start, United States GP 2024 Red Bull Following an intense saga that even triggered US government investigations, F1 owner Liberty Media finally decided to let the project initially instigated by Andretti proceed. The final hurdle now, according to Auto Motor und Sport, is the official FIA entry. The Paris-based federation originally approved the Andretti-Cadillac application two years ago - so a new application process is now in play. Correspondent Michael Schmidt, however, said approval should be a formality and take only a matter of weeks. The FIA is currently reviewing Cadillac's entry, a spokesperson for the FIA is quoted as saying. "We are in the final stages of the operational review and hope to complete the process soon. We are working within the prescribed timeframe. If Cadillac's entry is approved, it will meet the requirements for entry for the 2026 season. The FIA official explained that Cadillac will immediately be subject to budget cap limitations and wind tunnel restrictions as soon as the approval is given. The budget cap will apply to Cadillac in 2025 from the moment its registration for the 2026 season is completed, the spokesperson said. It was also revealed that if General Motors-owned Cadillac wants to achieve its goal of using a works power unit from 2028, it must begin complying with the related regulations straight away. Under current regulations, said the FIA official, power unit manufacturers must comply with the required restrictions, including bench testing, at least three years before their planned entry. This would be the latest possible date to notify the FIA. (GMM) Lee Campbell, pouring wine at Borgo. Photo: Borgo For more than 20 years, Lee Campbell always with a bright lip and the air of a symphony conductor in a dining room has been a substantial force in New Yorks natural-wine world. Shes worked for the citys best shops and importers, and she ran some of the earliest natural-advocating wine programs at Andrew Tarlows restaurants. She also launched the citys first natural-wine fair and helped found Common Wealth Crush, a winery and wine-making collective in Virginias Shenandoah Valley. Now she is back inside a New York dining room as the wine director at Borgo. She says that building the list now, when natural wine is everywhere, has been a different kind of learning experience: Campbell sees it as a more grown-up version of what shes been doing all along, and in doing so may once again be pioneering a new approach to natural wine, one that values craftsmanship and tradition over anything thats too new or trendy. What is the state of natural wine now? Do you think theres a better understanding now than when you started? I know that wines are going deeper and deeper into the natural realm, and I dont mind it. Having a wide playing field is fun. It also normalizes more naturally styled wines for the consumer. Wines that I would have been previously concerned about selling to more conventional drinkers no longer present such a hurdle. What did natural wine look like when you first got into the wine business? In the late 90s, there was no name for natural wine. I was just working with lesser-known regions and lesser-known grapes. When I came into the industry, we were excited about grower Champagne, and we were excited about Gruner Veltliner and we were excited about Piedmont. We were young kids enamored by these varieties or regions that were for whatever reason less heralded than Burgundy and Bordeaux. I had a moment at the crossroads around the year 2000. I saw one path that was unfolding toward a more conventional wine industry and a more predictable elitism. And then I met David Lillie, the owner of Tribecas Chambers Street Wines; the importer Joe Dressner; and their ilk, and said, Wow. Theres this other way that I could do this. I could be in wine, but I could be grassroots, and I could be about the farmers. It doesnt have to be about first growths and second growths and grand crus and premier crus. Maybe I could have been that other kind of sommelier, but it was when I understood that there was this whole real down-to-earth, accessible side where I felt at home. The kids are going to always have their thing. For the last ten years or so, thats also been Pet-nat and orange wine. When I was coming up, older wine professionals looked at us espousing small estates and even the Loire Valley and thought that we didnt know what was good. My hope is that its a trend that is not just a trend. I hope that this is a real shift of everything that we do in terms of looking at wine as this natural product. How did you come to work for Andrew Tarlow? Was there already a natural vibe at Diner when you started there? When I worked for Louis Dressner, Andrew was my best client. And so wed had many conversations and were aligned in terms of what we loved. And we were both mentored and tended to by Joe Dressner. We sort of felt like wine siblings in a way. When Andrew gave me the wine programs to run at all his restaurants, he knew what I would do with them. How is the audience at Borgo different from the audience ten years ago in Brooklyn? I think Borgo, in a lot of ways, is bringing me back to my roots before natural wine because Im always thinking about how and to whom Im going to sell each wine. When I was building the lists at Reynard, Romans, Diner, and Marlow & Sons, everybody who walked in was totally our demographic: The people we were selling wine to were super open-minded. They were hipsters and artists and bohemians. But Manhattan is always a little bit different. Our people are always going to find us, but we also always want to welcome new people to the tent. I dont privilege wines because theyre wild or dirty or savage or brutal. For better or for worse, I think wines that are a little bit more classic or restrained in their style best express terroir. That continues to be my style here at Borgo. So is the market for natural wine different now? Well, like me, weve grown up. I think the natural-wine buyer sometimes has more resources and they might want to explore the masters of natural wine. So, for instance, here are two examples: Im really having a lot of fun with Paolo Bea, a producer in Umbria, and Fabio Gea, a producer in Piedmont. Theyre vastly different, both with a very iconoclastic and foundational voice in the natural-wine world. What do you see as the next evolution in this realm of wine? I think whats going on now is intrinsically tied to climate change. For us, it was natural, organic, biodynamic. Now I think its climate change and demanding that we take hybrid grapes and co-ferments seriously. What Jahde Marleys doing with ABV Ferments and what were doing at Common Wealth Crush in Virginia, working with hybrid grapes and really giving them every bit of care as we do the vinifera grapes that we work with, I think thats the next step. There are definitely some wines on the list at Borgo like Clos du Tue-Boeuf and Foradori where I think, These are very Lee Campbell wines. After being out of restaurants for a couple years, did you have to taste a lot to figure out this list? I did taste a lot. One thing that I am adamant about is really knowing my list. Deeply. Theres no bad wine on this list. There are no fillers. New York has become such a landscape of the allocation game, and people just buy wines because theyre hard to get even if they dont really want them or need them. Im willing to pass on some allocations now. I just want wines that I love. Were there any no-brainers you felt like you had to include? I dont want my one list to be about dogma, necessarily; I want it to be about community, and I want it to be about pleasure. That said, I did really think hard about how to bring as many womens voices to the table as I could, and also went out of my way to source a couple of wines made in California by Black women, like Ashanta, Ward Four, and Mad Marvlus, because everybody should know that this table is diverse. And the more voices and the more stories, the more fun were going to have. Its so exciting to be able to celebrate the things that are happening. Joe Dressner told me something a long time ago when I was on the rise as a wine buyer. He said, Youre getting your head turned by all the new stuff thats swirling around. Dont forget the people who have supported you and have welcomed you into their homes and have been the foundation of your wine knowledge. He was right on some level. You cant just keep going to everything thats new. You have to honor aspects of your past. At Borgo, it was really important for me to pour Arianna Occhipinti because thats my girl. And Fonterenza because thats my girl and Foradori. Honoring these long-standing relationships is also very important. With this wine list, I didnt feel like I had to kiss anybodys ring. I didnt have to kowtow to the currents, because lets be honest, I have been the current most of the time Ive been in this industry. And I think its really important for me to continue to play that role. Was the idea for the list to be mostly Italian, since the kitchen has an Italian bent? I knew it was going to be more than Italy. I knew that, because of my own Virginia origins, there would be some Virginia wine on there. I knew there were a few people in California that I wanted to put on. And New York as well. This is a modern New York wine list. Were not an Italian restaurant, per se we are Italian-ish or Italian-inspired. Were drawing our cues from Italy, but were working within the northeast farm landscape. So I thought the wine list should speak to that as well. I love French wine, so theres a lot of French wine. Also, theres finally an opportunity to honor my love for Burgundy, as well, and just find really a lot of beautiful, natural Burgundies. What were the discoveries in Burgundy? Theres a producer called Rouges-Queues; they were one of the first Burgundies that I ever had in the late 90s, early 2000s. Theyre in Maranges more towards the South in the Cote de Beaune and make really lovely, honest, mineral wines that I dont think get enough attention. And then finding new voices like Marthe Henry in Pommard making really lovely wines. Those come through Zev Rovine. He has a nice little book of natural Burgundies. I noticed you are bucking the trend of including a section dedicated to orange wine. I just wanted to reintegrate orange wine into the white-wine family. When I first started at Louis Dressner, we were selling a lot of macerated white wines, but we didnt have the word orange. It didnt exist. It was just skin contact, or macerated, as youd call it. The idea that weve now got this, like, segregated category drives me a little crazy, especially because we know that maceration is a traditional technique and it imbues certain wines with more color and other wines with no color at all. People get so obsessed with the skin-contact aspect. I think that theyre kind of missing the whole thing. So for now, anyway, the orange wines are going to live on the white-wine list. You have done a remarkable job of offering many wines that are under $100. For a long time, natural wine was perceived to be cheaper than more conventional wines, and it is definitely not the case anymore. Ive been watching them for 20 years. I mean, its New York. And its wine. Its not as cheap as you would love it to be. Being at a restaurant like this is entering a universe where we are going to take good care of you, but we have to make a living. And we have to pay our rent and we want to take care of our staff. The whole, I went to Europe and I saw it for ten euros and now its this much money on your wine list? Thats a game you cant really play in New York, you know? You dont want people to come in and feel like they cant have a bottle of wine. You definitely want them to be like, Oh, theres tons of things I could choose from. We want our people to come all the time. We want the neighborhood people to be here all the time. Hosting our guests each night as a sommelier on the floor truly gets to the heart of the matter. Thats where the soul of restaurant work resides and no matter how much work can be done from your home, your screen, or an office, the restaurant floor is the entire point. Were pretty much having a ball. EAT LIKE THE EXPERTS. Sign up for the Grub Street newsletter. 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. Looking to save a few dollars on your next travel escapade? Try aloSIM! aloSIM is a Canadian eSIM provider dedicated to helping travelers save money while staying connected abroad. They offer reliable data in over 200 countries, allowing travelers to leave behind the worry of expensive roaming fees no matter where they go. Why use an eSIM? An eSIM is a downloadable SIM card that works with most modern smartphones, allowing you to activate a data plan without switching physical SIM cards. Because it is a digital card, there is no risk of loss or damage while using it. 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In a victory that could prove symbolic, it dethroned OpenAIs ChatGPT app that previously held the top spot. Its not just the US either, DeepSeek is the #1 free app in 51 countries. Further, the app is in the Top 10 free apps lists in 111 countries on the App Store and in 18 countries on the Google Play Store. DeepSeek is quite new, only founded in 2023, and it released several AI models. However, it is the latest model, DeepSeek R1, which caused the storm the model reportedly rivals the best that Western companies have come up with so far and yet the Chinese company used only a fraction of the resources to train it. The DeepSeek app on iOS This is causing huge upsets in the stock market right now with Nvidia falling some 17% losing nearly $600 billion in market capitalization, which is the biggest ever drop for a US company. This throws a wrench in the US attempts to restrict the export of AI-focused hardware DeepSeek was trained on Nvidia H800 chips, which is a pared-down version of the H100 that meets the export restrictions for China, but with clever advancements in AI training, the company managed to get excellent results with supposedly worse hardware. It hasnt been smooth sailing for DeepSeek either the company claims that it is under attack (digitally, a distributed denial of service, aka DDoS) and has restricted new sign-ups for its app to people with a Chinese phone number. Existing users can continue using the app, however. Still, this must have alarm bells ringing over in Cupertino (Apple is yet to properly roll out Apple Intelligence), Mountain View (Google has pushed Gemini into a lot of its products) and Redmond (Microsoft is a strong proponent for AI and a big investor in OpenAI). Via The News in Brief Tuesday, January 28, 2025 The Prosecutor's Office has officially recognized Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the Gakharia For Georgia party, as a victim in relation to an alleged attack in Batumi. Gakharia's party has criticized the investigation process, claiming they were denied access to critical evidence. According to a statement from Gakharia For Georgia, the prosecutor's office refused to allow Gakharia's representative to view important video footage of the attack, stating that the recordings were being sent for further examination. The party claims the prosecutor's office has copies of the footage but has withheld them.The party argues that victim status was requested to access key case materials, particularly the video evidence, which they consider essential for understanding the attack. When Gakharia's representative arrived in Batumi to review the evidence, they were informed that they could not view it, despite the prosecutor's office having possession of the footage. Furthermore, the party claims that Gakharia's representative was denied access to the interrogation records of a key witness, Zviad Koridze. They also assert that the investigation has made little progress, with only one witness formally questioned nearly two weeks after the attack.The party suggests that these actions are part of a deliberate effort to obstruct the truth. They accuse the prosecutor's office of acting under the directives of Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgia's former Prime Minister, to cover up the attack and shield those responsible. They argue that the refusal to release the video evidence reflects an attempt to downplay Ivanishvili's alleged role in orchestrating the attack and to conceal its coordinated nature.Shalva Papuashvili, Chair of the Georgian Dream Parliament, arrived in Hungary on January 26, leading a delegation for meetings aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. On January 27, he met with Laszlo Kover, Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary. Their discussions centered on inter-parliamentary relations and concluded with the signing of a framework agreement to enhance cooperation and share Hungary's EU integration experience.During the meeting, Kover emphasized the strong relationship between Georgia and Hungary, highlighting shared priorities such as sovereignty and common challenges that foster collaboration. Papuashvili expressed gratitude for Hungary's support and reaffirmed Georgia's commitment to achieving EU membership by 2030, with plans to fulfill 90% of its EU Association Agreement obligations by 2028.Papuashvili described the visit as a significant step in advancing Georgia's European integration efforts. He commended Hungary for its support and expertise as an EU member. During his trip, Papuashvili is also scheduled to meet Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and President Tamas Sulyok to further strengthen cooperation. Haiti - FLASH : Kenscoff attacked, attackers repelled On Monday, January 27, 2025, in the early morning, the commune of Kenscoff was attacked by heavily armed individuals who attempted to seize several neighborhoods in the commune. Several specialized units of the Haitian National Police (PNH) and members of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) were quickly deployed to the scene to reinforce the Kenscof Police Station, repel and neutralize the attackers. Rameau Normil, the Commander in Chief of the PNH and Godfrey Otunge, the Commander of the MMSS were on the scene to supervise the operations, which continued throughout the day, said Lionel Lazarre, Deputy Spokesperson for the PNH. Several houses were set on fire at the start of the assault, residents were killed and others injured. Massillon Jean, the acting Mayor of Kenscoff was not immediately able to provide even a partial assessment of the victims. Violent clashes between law enforcement and bandits were reported in Seguin, Furcy, Godet, Belot, Obleon, sowing panic among the population and paralyzing all activities including schools and businesses. Several bandits were fatally injured in the exchange of fire with law enforcement, several were arrested, at least 2 assault weapons including a Taiwanese T-65 rifle, 2 dozen tear gas grenades, ammunition and a radio were seized... said Michel Ange Louis Jeune, PNH spokesperson, who specified that the attackers had been repelled. He assures that the police remain on the scene to repel possible new assaults. Residents of the commune of Kenscoff praised the security forces for their rapid intervention. SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : Secretary of State Marco Rubio's Roadmap Marco Rubio, the new US Secretary of State, in a memo summarized the priorities and mission of the State Department under Donald Trump's second term. Note from Marco Rubio : " Serving as Americas 72nd Secretary of State is the highest honor of my professional life. President Trump has given me a clear direction to place our core national interest as the guiding mission of American foreign policy. 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? To advance our national interest, we will build a more innovative, nimble, and focused State Department. This will require replacing some priorities, deemphasizing some issues, and eliminating some practices. First, we must curb mass migration and secure our borders. The State Department will no longer undertake any activities that facilitate or encourage mass migration. Our diplomatic relations with other countries, particularly in the Western Hemisphere, will prioritize securing Americas borders, stopping illegal and destabilizing migration, and negotiating the repatriation of illegal immigrants. Next, we must reward performance and merit, including within the State Department ranks. President Trump issued an executive order eliminating DEIA requirements, programs, and offices throughout the government. This order will be faithfully executed and observed in both letter and spirit. Relatedly, we must return to the basics of diplomacy by eliminating our focus on political and cultural causes that are divisive at home and deeply unpopular abroad. This will allow us to conduct a pragmatic foreign policy in cooperation with other nations to advance our core national interests. We must stop censorship and suppression of information. The State Departments efforts to combat malign propaganda have expanded and fundamentally changed since the Cold War era and we must reprioritize truth. The State Department I lead will support and defend Americans rights to free speech, terminating any programs that in any way lead to censoring the American people. While we will combat genuine enemy propaganda, we will do so only with the fundamental truth that America is a great and just country whose people are generous and whose leaders now prioritize Americans core interests while respecting the rights and interests of other nations. Finally, we must leverage our strengths and do away with climate policies that weaken America. While we will not ignore threats to our natural environment and will support sensible environmental protections, the State Department will use diplomacy to help President Trump fulfill his promise for a return to American energy dominance. In short, President Trumps forward-looking agenda for our country and foreign relations will guide the State Departments refocus on American national interests. Amid todays reemerging great power rivalry, I will empower our talented diplomatic corps to advance our mission to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous." HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Rome : Leslie Voltaire strengthens ties with IFAD On Monday, January 27, 2025, Leslie Voltaire, the pro tempore President of the Transitional Council, as part of his commitment to respond to the multiple socio-economic and humanitarian crises in Haiti, met in Rome with Alvaro Lario, Representative of the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). President Voltaire took stock of the alarming situation in Haiti, particularly in terms of security, food insecurity, and the growing precariousness of the most vulnerable communities. He stressed the urgency of mobilizing international partners and expressed his gratitude for IFAD's continued support by requesting enhanced collaboration to address food challenges. For his part, Alvaro Lario reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the Haitian Government. The UN organization is committed to aligning its funding and initiatives with the priorities defined by the Haitian authorities, in a concerted and targeted approach aimed at maximizing the impact of interventions on the ground. This meeting marks an important step in strengthening ties between Haiti and IFAD, paving the way for concrete actions to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian population and lay the foundations for sustainable agricultural development. President Voltaire concluded by emphasizing the need for increased international solidarity to support Haiti on the path to resilience and progress. HL/ HaitiLibre The report found that applicants with foreign names are more likely to face barriers to job opportunities. A study by Finlands Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment reveals that discrimination in hiring persists for jobseekers with foreign-sounding names, despite improvements in the past eight years. The research compared hiring outcomes from 2016 and 2024, focusing on Somali, Iraqi, Russian, and English names alongside Finnish names. Somali and Iraqi applicants, in particular, saw improvement, yet they remain at a significant disadvantage compared to their Finnish counterparts. Applicants with Finnish names were twice as likely to receive interview invitations. The research involved 10,000 fictitious job applications submitted to openings in the restaurant, retail, cleaning, clerical, and customer service sectors. All applicants were equally qualified, educated in Finland, and fluent in Finnish. The key differentiator was their name. In 2016, Somali applicants had to submit 3.94 times as many applications as Finnish applicants to receive a callback. By 2024, this had decreased to 2.48 times. Iraqi applicants faced similar progress, requiring 2.06 times as many applications, down from 2.91 in 2016. Conversely, callback rates for Russian applicants slightly declined, which the report attributed to the geopolitical climate following the war in Ukraine. The report highlights that women generally fared better than men across all ethnic groups. Somali men saw the most improvement, with callback rates increasing from 6.8% to 15.8%, while Somali women experienced a smaller rise from 13.0% to 17.8%. Akhlaq Ahmad, the reports author, stated, "While progress is encouraging, these results indicate the persistence of deep-rooted structural barriers in the Finnish labour market." The report warns that discrimination based on names can damage young applicants self-esteem, leading to long-term exclusion. HT Under the proposed changes, the continuous residency period required for a permanent permit would increase from four to six years. The Finnish government has announced plans to tighten the requirements for obtaining permanent residence permits, extending residency periods and introducing language and work requirements. The proposal, unveiled by the Ministry of the Interior, aims to encourage integration into Finnish society. Applicants would also need "sufficient skills" in either Finnish or Swedish and a two-year work history in Finland. The proposed amendments to the Aliens Act were sent out for comments on 27 January, with a deadline for feedback set for 7 March. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said the reforms reflect the governments objective to promote employment, language acquisition, and compliance with Finnish societal norms. Successful integration would be a prerequisite for obtaining a permanent residence permit, she said. While the standard residency period would be six years, some applicants could still qualify after four years if they meet additional criteria. These include earning an annual income of at least 40,000, holding a recognised Masters or postgraduate degree alongside two years of work history, or demonstrating advanced Finnish or Swedish language skills combined with three years of work history. Graduates of Finnish universities with a Bachelors, Masters, or postgraduate degree may be exempt from the six-year requirement, provided they meet language proficiency standards and other general conditions for residency permits. The proposal includes measures to address applicants with criminal convictions. An unconditional prison sentence would affect the calculation of the residency period required for both permanent and EU long-term resident permits. The government also plans to extend language requirements to long-term EU residence permits. Applicants for such permits, typically granted to third-country nationals who have resided in the EU for an extended period, would need to demonstrate proficiency in Finnish or Swedish. The government views these changes as essential to fostering successful integration and ensuring that immigrants contribute to Finnish society. The proposal is part of a broader effort to balance immigration policies with national economic and social goals. Feedback from stakeholders and the public will be reviewed before the government finalises the amendments. If implemented, the new rules would mark a significant shift in Finlands approach to permanent residence, emphasising integration through work and language. HT The Hobby Model, known as Harrastamisen Suomen malli , offers free hobbies for students in grades 39 in all Helsinki comprehensive schools. Activities are based on the interests of children and take place after school on school premises or nearby. The City of Helsinki is inviting organisations, clubs, and businesses to partner in delivering free extracurricular activities for students under Finlands Hobby Model during the 20252026 school year. Options include cultural, physical, digital, and other activities, with the goal of improving young people's well-being and fostering inclusion. Project Manager Irma Sippola from Helsinkis Youth Services highlighted the programmes impact last year. "We facilitated over 90,000 hobby sessions and created just as many joyful encounters. Collaboration with hobby providers is key to delivering quality activities on this scale," Sippola said. She encouraged both current and new service providers to register in the updated supplier registry for the programme. Registration is required to participate in upcoming procurement competitions for the next school year. The procurement process for the 20252026 school year begins in March 2025. Providers must register in the new service provider registry by 5 March 2025 to be eligible. This includes existing participants in the Hobby Model. The city has issued a procurement notice for services under the Hobby Model for the period December 2024 to June 2029. Procurements will take place through a dynamic purchasing system. Providers must meet criteria focused on inclusivity, quality, equality, accessibility, safety, and reliability. Only those approved for the service provider registry will be able to participate in procurement rounds. Hobby groups under the Hobby Model will be listed on school websites and the citys dedicated hobby portal at harrastukset.hel.fi/suomenmalli. Schools will also communicate hobby opportunities to families via the Wilma system. HT Under the agreement, reached in July 2024, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland (STUK) and the Estonian Environmental Board can now automatically exchange radiation monitoring data. Finland and Estonia have implemented a real-time system for sharing environmental radiation data, enhancing both countries' preparedness to respond to any abnormal changes in radiation levels. The initiative came into effect at the start of 2025. The new arrangement also includes an alert system that notifies both authorities immediately of any irregularities detected in either countrys radiation levels. "If the measurement results were to show an abnormality, this system ensures a rapid investigation can be launched on both sides of the Gulf of Finland," said Aapo Tanskanen, Principal Advisor at STUK. The system builds upon the long-standing information exchange between Finland and Estonia. Teet Koitjarv, Adviser at the Climate and Radiation Department of the Estonian Environmental Board, highlighted the reliability of the new system. "While we have shared information in the past, the new arrangement guarantees uninterrupted and real-time data flow. If the radiation levels change in either country, authorities will report it without delay." Finland's radiation monitoring network includes 255 measurement points, while Estonia operates 15 stations. The data collected by these networks allows for continuous monitoring of environmental radiation across both nations. This initiative also complements existing European systems, such as the EURDEP (European Radiological Data Exchange Platform). Although EURDEP provides a broad view of radiation data across Europe, it lacks real-time functionality and is not designed as an alert system. Radiation today in Finland. HT Members of European Parliament discussed the issue last week in response to the recent activities of Elon Musk , the owner of X. LEFTIST POLITICAL PARTIES in the European Parliament have criticised Henna Virkkunen (NCP), the European commissioner for tech sovereignty, security and democracy, for not doing enough to tackle election interference on social media platforms, reports Helsingin Sanomat. Musk, who is the most followed person on the micro-messaging platform formerly known as Twitter, has levelled heavy criticism and made false accusations against ruling lawmakers in, for example, Germany and the UK. He has also sought to leverage his profile to canvass support for the far-right populists Alternative for Germany (AFD). On 9 January, he used his account to host a chat with Alice Weidel, the chairperson of AFD, doing nothing to challenge her false, revisionist view that Adolf Hitler was a socialist. On 25 January, Musk appeared at the far-right partys campaign launch, encouraging Germany to move beyond Nazi guilt. Election interference and manipulative algorithms on social media platforms are a direct threat to democracy in Europe, Iratxe Garcia Perez of Spain, the leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, warned during a plenary session in the European Parliament on Tuesday, 21 January. The commissions silence in the face of this threat is unacceptable, she stated. Alexandra Geese of Germany, who represents the Greens, demanded that the commission both open an urgent investigation into how the algorithms of major social media platforms spread disinformation and take immediate action to safeguard elections across the 27-country bloc. She also suggested that the recommendation algorithms of social media platforms should be disabled to enable users to choose the kind of content they wish to see. Theres no other option than to shut down platforms that dont follow the law, she said according to Helsingin Sanomat. Far and hard-right parties, by contrast, have been reluctant to regulate the operations of social media platforms, arguing that such actions pose a threat to freedom of expression. They have also accused leftist lawmakers of seeking to censor discussion. One such lawmaker is Sebastian Tynkkynen of the Finns Party. Helsingin Sanomat on Sunday reported that Tynkkynen has supported Musk in the face of what he believes are attempt to silence him by abusing the Digital Services Act, a piece of regulation designed to address disinformation, illegal content and transparent advertising. Theres no reason to suspect algorithmic manipulation. Because a person has loads of followers and they have visibility because of it, should we define a limit [for popularity] after which you can no longer express your views or support a specific party? he said to the newspaper. Tynkkynen described Musk as a visionary whose fundamental values include protecting freedom of speech and opposing wrong kind of immigration. Musk is an extremely visionary guy, and he has some kind of motivation thats more important than money. Its saving the world, he analysed. Aleksi Teivainen HT Finland has maintained a monopoly system for gambling since the 1940s. In recent years, the systems functionality has come under increasing scrutiny. Over the past two years, a decision has been made to phase out the monopolistic system, deemed ineffective, and replace it with a licensing system for gambling. Gambling is a popular pastime worldwide. The rise of online platforms has expanded the industry more than ever before. As a result, many countries have had to address this growing phenomenon. Policymakers are currently refining the details of this new framework. This article provides background information on the legislative changes and examines the latest draft proposal published in late 2024. Weak channelisation led to reform of the monopoly system The first foreign online casinos began entering the Finnish market in the early 2000s. At that time, the domestic monopoly remained relatively strong, and the limited accessibility of online gambling platforms prevented them from gaining significant popularity. Playing online often required downloading and installing entire casino software packages on personal devices. Enthusiasts found it easier to visit local grocery stores to play slot machines and video poker. As technology advanced, online casinos became more accessible. There was no longer a need to download software, as games could be played directly via web browsers. A few years later, the emergence of smartphones and tablets further simplified online gambling. Players were no longer confined to their homes and could play games on the go, whether sitting on a park bench or riding a bus. With these technological advancements, Finnish players increasingly turned to online gambling. In addition to convenience, online platforms offered broader game selections and incentives, such as welcome bonuses and free spins, which were unavailable in Finland's monopoly framework. By law, Veikkaus, the state-run gambling operator, was not permitted to offer such promotional incentives. The monopoly system was designed to funnel Finnish gambling revenue into state coffers. Over time, however, politicians and Veikkaus leadership acknowledged that the systems channelisation rate its ability to direct players to legal options had fallen too low. Consequently, the Finnish government announced plans to dismantle the monopoly and transition to a licensing system. The new licensing system aims to subject all foreign gambling companies targeting Finnish markets to the same rules and framework. Companies acquiring a Finnish licence will be required to pay a portion of their revenue to Finland, granting them legal permission to operate in the country. Addressing criticism of the initial licensing proposal The initial draft of the licensing system drew substantial criticism from industry professionals and stakeholders. A major point of contention was the proposal to ban marketing and promotional bonuses for foreign gambling companies operating under the system. Critics argued that such restrictions could deter many operators from joining the framework, potentially leaving them outside regulatory oversight. The latest draft offers some concessions. Marketing will be allowed under certain conditions, and bonuses will be permitted as long as they are available equally to all players, not just new customers. While operators may incentivise gambling, they must do so responsibly and moderately. Nonetheless, some aspects of the draft continue to provoke concern among experts. One contentious point is the proposed ban on affiliate marketing for licensed operators. Affiliate marketing typically involves casino review websites that direct users to gambling platforms. These websites often provide valuable information and act as intermediaries between players and casinos. Finnish gambling law expert Antti Koivula commented on this issue in an interview with Next.io. He noted that Finnish players are unlikely to stop searching for online casinos when the new system takes effect. If affiliate marketing is prohibited for licensed operators, search terms like "best casino bonuses" and "Brite casinos" could lead players to less secure sites. Unlicensed operators, unaffected by the ban, are expected to invest more heavily in affiliate marketing, potentially drawing players to unregulated platforms. Future prospects The latest draft may not be the final version. Preliminary reports suggest the new Finnish licensing system will be implemented by early 2027. However, significant developments may occur in the next two years. Ideally, the new system will balance the interests of all three key stakeholders: the Finnish state, foreign gambling companies, and players. Striking a balance between responsibility, security, and the differing priorities of these groups may prove challenging. HT Ex-employee sentenced to prison for murder at McDonald's Sam Antwan Ivey A 37-year-old former employee of McDonald's was sentenced to up to 26 years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty in Henderson County Superior Court to second-degree murder, possession of a weapon of mass destruction, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a weapon on educational property, District Attorney R. Andrew Murray announced. According to the investigation and court trial records, Sam Antwan Ivey was working at the McDonalds on Four Seasons Boulevard on Oct. 9, 2023, when he confronted Jaclyn Reed after she attempted to regain entry into the restaurant after being removed. Reed had been previously removed from the premises for being involved in an altercation with another customer. Reed, 30, of Johnson City, Tennessee, was unarmed and of little threat when she attempted to regain entry, the D.A. said. Ivey was armed with a semi-automatic pistol that he was carrying unlawfully due to his status as a convicted felon. Ivey shot Reed one time in the upper chest, killing her almost instantly. After the shooting, Ivey fled and was later located in the car pickup line of his childs school, Edneyville Elementary, where he was apprehended by the Henderson County Sheriffs Office. In his possession was the semi-automatic pistol used in the murder of Reed, as well as a pistol that was altered to be fully automatic. Superior Court Judge William Stetzer sentenced the defendant to a minimum term of 21 years and a maximum term of 26 years five months in state prison. Assistant District Attorney Michael Van Buren handled the prosecution and sentencing of these crimes. Murray thanked the Hendersonville Police Departments lead detective, Lt. Alan Bonanno, as well as the Hendersonville Police Department, for their professional and thorough investigation of this case. He also thanked the Henderson County Sheriffs Office for its assistance in apprehending Ivey. Deputy Shawn Metcalf was named Officer of the Year by the N.C. Association of School Resource Officers last July and also received a Meritorious Conduct award from the sheriffs office for his quick-thinking arrest of Ivey. After hearing police radio traffic, the school officer recognized the suspect as the dad of a student, made sure the school was locked down and made the arrest without incident. I realized I knew that suspect and that car, Metcalf told the Lightning in an interview in September 2024. The News in Brief Wednesday, January 29, 2025 Doctors in Adjara have raised urgent concerns over the health of Mzia Amaghlobeli, who has been on a hunger strike for 17 days in prison. At a special briefing, they warned that continued fasting without food could lead to severe, life-threatening health complications.The doctors explained that after 17 days of drinking only water, Amaghlobeli's body is in a critically low energy state, heightening the risk of organ failure, particularly in the heart, kidneys, and liver. They warned that brain function could weaken, potentially leading to loss of consciousness, coma, or even death. Electrolyte imbalances may cause heart arrhythmias, muscle spasms, and other serious issues, while her immune system becomes increasingly vulnerable to infections.The doctors also highlighted the potential for mental health problems such as depression and aggression. They stressed that while Amaghlobeli's life might still be saved, irreversible health damage is becoming a significant concern.In their statement, the doctors demanded immediate medical access to Mzia Amaghlobeli: "Our demand is that reliable, qualified, multidisciplinary doctors, whether in a consilium or in another form, immediately be allowed to see Mzia Amaghlobeli. Each of us standing here is ready to see Mzia Amaghlobeli, following the appropriate protocol. Freedom for Mzia! Freedom for political prisoners! Freedom to Georgia from dictatorship!"EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczynski condemned Georgia's ongoing political crisis, highlighting human rights violations, violence, and a loss of trust in the judicial system. He emphasized that the EU is working on sanctions against those responsible but noted that unanimity among EU member states is still lacking.Herczynski pointed out that despite Georgia being granted EU candidate status, relations have worsened. He stressed the importance of Georgia's authorities engaging with citizens to address the political crisis and fulfill their European aspirations.The EU recently suspended visa liberalization for Georgian officials and is considering personal sanctions for those involved in repression and violence. Herczynski clarified that these measures are meant to target responsible individuals, not the Georgian people.The Ambassador expressed outrage over the case of journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, who has been on hunger strike while facing pre-trial detention. He criticized the lack of accountability for those responsible for violence against journalists and protesters.Protests have continued for over two months, with no action taken against those responsible for the violence. Herczynski called out the government for its refusal to listen to the people, urging them to seek a resolution to the crisis.Despite the crisis, Herczynski praised the resilience of the Georgian people and their commitment to a European future. He reiterated EU support for Georgia's democratic values, warning that the country's civil society and governance are under attack. Norway is on track to become the first country to eliminate gasoline and diesel cars from its new car market. Despite being a major producer of oil and gas, the Nordic nation has established itself as a global leader in sustainable transportation. Electric vehicle (EV) sales have surged from less than 1% of total auto sales in 2010 to an impressive 88.9% last year, with no signs of slowing down. According to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, EVs accounted for more than 96% of new cars sold in the first weeks of this year, putting the country within reach of achieving a fully electric new car market a goal lawmakers set in 2017. Christina Bu, secretary general of the Norwegian EV Association, expressed confidence in reaching this milestone, adding that plans are already in motion to celebrate what she called a historic achievement. "We have already invited a lot of politicians and different stakeholders to a party on the 13th of February because, we don't know exactly until the year has ended, but everyone says we will end somewhere between 95% and 100% this year," Bu told CNBC. "So, in times like this with [President Donald] Trump withdrawing the U.S. from the climate agreement and everything, I think we need to celebrate the achievements that we have managed," she added. In a move to reverse key climate policies, former President Donald Trump last week targeted several low-carbon technologies, including electric vehicles. Alongside efforts to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, Trump revoked predecessor Joe Biden's non-binding executive order aiming for 50% electric vehicle sales by 2030. Trump's new executive order, which has drawn criticism from EV advocates, claims to "eliminate the electric vehicle (EV) mandate and promote true consumer choice." Troy Newman and Operation Rescue Celebrate Victory Against Californias Unjust Prosecution of Team Member and Pro-Life Hero Sandra Merritt NEWS PROVIDED BY Operation Rescue Jan. 28, 2025 SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025 /Standard Newswire/ -- This week, after eight years of prosecution, Center for Medical Progress CMP undercover investigator Sandra Merritt negotiated a plea deal with the California Attorney Generals office. Agreeing to plead No Contest to one felony charge, Merritt will not pay any fines or serve any prison time for exposing Planned Parenthoods horrific sale of baby body parts. Instead, she will serve one year probation, after which the charge will be completely expunged from her record. Troy Newman, Co-founder of Center for Medical Progress (CMP) and President of Operation Rescue offers this statement: After nearly a decade of relentless political persecution, Sandra Merritt, a courageous member of our team, has emerged victorious in her battle against the State of California and Kamala Harris. Merritt, a trusted undercover investigator whose work exposed Planned Parenthoods ghastly trade in aborted baby body parts, was unjustly targeted with 16 felony chargesan unprecedented assault on investigative journalism. Planned Parenthoods actions are not just immoralthey are evil. These ghouls profit from the violent destruction of innocent lives and then desecrate those lives further by selling their body parts. This is an industry built on blood money; its depravity knows no bounds. As co-founder of the Center for Medical Progress and President of Operation Rescue, I had the honor of working closely with Sandra during this investigation. Together, we devised strategies and executed a bold plan to reveal the horrifying depths of the abortion industrys practices. Our work uncovered undeniable evidence of Planned Parenthood executives treating the remains of aborted babies as mere commodities, haggling over prices for tiny, bloodied arms and legs, and discussing ways to manipulate abortion methods to ensure more "sellable" body parts. The prosecution of CMP members that followed in California was nothing more than a political witch hunt, orchestrated by pro-abortion leaders to silence the truth. Instead of investigating Planned Parenthoods criminal activities, state officials including Kamala Harris and Xavier Becerra colluded with the abortion industry to attack pro-life advocates like Sandra and me. Despite these attacks, we stood firm. I took the Fifth Amendment, as advised by my brilliant legal team at the ACLJ, led by Jay Sekulow, to ensure our movement remained protected. Sandras resilience, combined with the unwavering support of Liberty Counsel, demonstrates the strength and determination of the pro-life cause. Thanks to this plea deal, Sandra will face no prison time, no fines, and no lasting penalties. This is not just a legal victory its a triumph for truth and justice. It proves that the pro-life movement cannot and will not be silenced. This moment is a testament to what bold leadership and fearless advocacy can achieve. As President of Operation Rescue, I remain committed to leading the charge in exposing the abortion industry for what it is a monstrous enterprise that profits from the destruction of life. This victory should fuel our resolve. Planned Parenthood and their allies may wield immense power, but their actions are indefensible. The sale of the body parts of aborted babies is the very definition of evil. Planned Parenthood is a ghoul factory profiting from human tragedy, and the world must know the truth. Operation Rescue will never stop exposing their atrocities and fighting for justice for the unborn. Together, we will dismantle this industry of death and fight for a world where every life is valued and protected. Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the U.S. Our goal is to expose abortion abuses, demand enforcement, save innocent lives, and build an Abortion-Free America. Click here to support Operation Rescue. SOURCE Operation Rescue CONTACT: Troy Newman, President, 316-683-6790 ext. 111 Anne Reed, Senior Policy Advisor, 316-683-6790 Image Credit Dreamstar Image Credit Dreamstar Image Credit Dreamstar Dreamstar Lines has unveiled plans for its new luxury overnight train service, revealing a partnership with Designworks, a BMW Group Company. The project will retrofit passenger train cars to create interiors that blend comfort and elegance. Dreamstar's design renderings depict Art Deco-inspired environments intended to provide passengers with a soothing and enjoyable travel experience. Joshua Dominic, CEO of Dreamstar Lines, explained that the aim was to offer a memorable medium-distance travel option that combines comfort and convenience. He compared the company's basic tier and the first-class experience of international flights or Jet Blue's Mint Suite. Dominic also highlighted the design of their sleeper cars, which are intended to promote restful sleep through circadian design principles. Dreamstar Lines' accommodations will include a lounge designed for socializing, eating, and drinking. The standard class will offer a comfort level equivalent to a first-class international airline flight. Some bedrooms can accommodate two people and come with a private bathroom and shower. The suite includes a queen bed, extra space, and a private bathroom and shower, while the family accommodation can sleep six, including two children, and comes with a private bathroom and shower. Designworks, BMW's innovation studio, has a long history of delivering innovative design solutions across the mobility landscape. The partnership with Dreamstar Lines is expected to draw on this experience to create a cutting-edge travel experience. Dreamstar's service aims to offer an alternative to the drawbacks of traditional travel methods, which include crowded transportation hubs, stopovers, aging vehicles, inconvenience, and minimal amenities. By traveling with Dreamstar, passengers can avoid these issues and spend less waking time traveling due to the sleep-friendly design of the accommodations. Dreamstar intends its service to appeal to business travelers, families, tourists, and anyone else dissatisfied with existing travel options. The company has revealed that the initial route for the service will be between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Better Sleep, Better Business: How WaverBed CEO Mark Baird is Helping Hotels Turn Rest Into Revenue - Image Credit Puzzle Parner With an estimated 1 in 3 adults experiencing sleep disorders and the sleep technology market projected to add over $400 billion by 2028, the hospitality industry stands at the cusp of a revolution in guest experience. Leading luxury hotel brands are already racing to claim their stake in this lucrative frontier of wellness. Equinox Hotels has established dedicated sleep labs with elite sleep experts, while the Westin Washington, D.C. Downtown partners with sleep specialist Dr. Whitney Roban to tackle the notorious 'First Night Effect' that plagues travelers. Sofitel is collaborating with researchers to conquer jet lag and travel-related sleep disruption. This surge of innovation signals a fundamental shift: perfect sleep has become the ultimate amenity. Yet one company is pushing the boundaries even further, fundamentally transforming how hotels approach the science of rest. WaverLabs, with its flagship WaverBed solution, has emerged as a pioneer in gravity wave sleep technology. For an industry awakening to the true value of rest, the timing couldn't be better. "I know the struggle of poor sleep firsthand," says Mark Baird, CEO of WaverLabs. A successful entrepreneur and franchise owner, Baird's journey began unexpectedly while consulting for a wellness brand. "I encountered a breakthrough technology in Canada that was quietly transforming hundreds of spas and medical practices. After experiencing its remarkable results, I realized that this could revolutionize the hotel industry." This discovery led to a transformative partnership, with Baird and the visionary inventor collaborating to create WaverBed an innovative multi-sensory sleep system that harnesses the power of advanced gravity wave technology. "The human body is sixty percent water, which makes us naturally receptive to harmonic vibrations," Baird explains. "Just as a single droplet creates perfect concentric ripples across a still pond, WaverBed's precision-calibrated waves resonate through the body's nervous system, inducing a state of deep relaxation and better sleep." The technology's effectiveness is backed by compelling data: in an extensive four-year study of 7,000 self-identified problem sleepers, the results were extraordinary 92% of participants were so convinced by their experience that they purchased a WaverBed for permanent use. "Hotels offering WaverBed are providing more than just a room they're promising a restorative experience," explains Baird. "Business travelers defeat jet lag, families wake refreshed for adventures, and guests with sleep challenges finally find rest away from home. These rooms can be a new upgrade category of sleep aid or sleep assistance . It's a game-changer for hospitality." WaverLabs recently launched the WaverMat for luxury spas. This treatment table topper turns any therapy into a gravity wave experience. At just 1.5 inches thick, it's custom-made to fit spa tables and blends seamlessly into high-end settings. Spas can integrate it into existing treatments or offer it as a standalone service, helping them attract new clients and enhance their offerings. "WaverBed addresses a fundamental need in hospitality," Baird notes. "While traditional approaches like aromatherapy, premium mattresses, and sleep apps can help, today's travelers are increasingly looking for solutions backed by science ones that can reliably improve their rest away from home." Hotels that offer WaverBed will be providing more than just another room amenity they'll be delivering a sleep experience we expect guests to actively seek out. "We've created something that combines luxury with measurable results," Baird continues. "With feedback exceeding our expectations, we expect to see guests increasingly asking about WaverBed availability when choosing hotels. As this technology becomes more widely known, it will likely emerge as both a competitive differentiator for properties and a key factor in guests' booking decisions." As hotels increasingly compete on their ability to deliver perfect sleep, WaverLabs' innovative WaverBed solution offers a glimpse of what's ahead: a world where technology doesn't just promise better sleepit delivers it. About the Author Ivana Johnston, CEO and co-founder of Puzzle Partner, is a trusted brand strategist that collaborates with some of the world's most innovative companies in hospitality, travel, wellness, healthcare and technology. She has a proven track record of initiating, driving, and cultivating high-value business ideas and relationships, helping her clients outperform the competition, achieve profitable exits, and expand into the Americas. Her insights are regularly featured in business trade publications, Forbes.com, Entrepreneur and other prominent media outlets. As a member of the Forbes Agency Council, Forbes Business Council she contributes to Forbes Expert Panels, offering her expertise on the interplay of advanced technologies and business success. Connect with Ivana on LinkedIn. Two University of Chicago student protesters comfort each other as they rally with other protestors on the main quad after it was cleared of the tent encampment for Palestine on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Letter: St. Stan's Had Superior Curriculum Fair To the Editor: Kudos to the tremendous educators, staff and students at St. Stanislaus Kostka School as the community was treated to their amazing curriculum fair on Sunday, Jan. 26. It was evident that the students knew their topics and were eager to share their knowledge with everyone that passed through the classrooms. Not only were students eager to share but teachers and administrators were so welcoming to everyone entering the school. Thank you all for providing such a wonderful, informative event for the public. Keep up the great work. James Holmes North Adams, Mass. Holmes is a member of the St. Stanislaus School school board. Some of the 40 attendees at Monday's Select Board meeting rise to applaud Town Clerk Heather Hunt. Dalton Residents Express Support for Town Clerk Heather Hunt The meeting room at the Senior Center had a crowd of 40 for Monday's meeting, where the town clerk addressed the Select Board about the recent error on an election instruction sheet. DALTON, Mass. Town Clerk Heather Hunt received a standing ovation at Monday night's Select Board meeting after she recounted her efforts to rectify a mailing error and her shock at the "vicious post" by a board member on the matter. An erroneous date had been left on the instruction sheet sent out with 28 mail-in ballots for the Feb. 3 special election for Select Board. Hunt thought many voters would understand that the date was an "obvious error or a typo" because it was for November's general election. That said, she did not want to make light of the error or make excuses. "I believe the townspeople are tired of hearing these excuses from us, their elected officials. I take my responsibility as your town clerk very seriously, and the integrity of my office is second to none," Hunt said. "I am here tonight to provide you some clarity and to assure you that this was just a mistake. We are not perfect, and yes, we do make mistakes." But, she said, she was not prepared for a Facebook post by board member Marc Strout expressing how he was "extremely frustrated at this developing situation" and that it was the elected town clerk's "responsibility to make sure all information is correct." Hunt, after reading the post aloud, said she could not put into words how shocked and saddened she was to "see this vicious post that could only cause more harm than good and further surprised to see that the post was sent as an @everyone so that all 1,148 followers" were immediately alerted "to my error." Strout said he had sent emails to her and Hutcheson on Friday night with no response so was unaware that her office was working to fix the situation. And he didn't know Hunt did not have remote access to her work email. He included the phrasing of how the town clerk's office is "an elected position" because he had gotten calls from residents expressing their frustration and blaming the board for the error, Strout said. Hunt explained that Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson called her on Saturday morning, Jan. 18, and told her she "may want to dig a hole and bury your head in it for the next three weeks." Alarmed, she said she anxiously asked what he was talking about and that he "quickly explained to me that he had just gotten off the phone with Mr. [Chair Robert] Bishop, who had advised him that there had been some sort of an error in the mail-out ballot packets. "Tom further stated that Mr. Bishop was extremely angry and had instructed him to not only get a hold of me right away, but to call town counsel without a moment to waste." She raced to Town Hall to find that the error was in the instruction sheet not on the ballot. She and her assistant Patty Mele-Nichols spent the rest of their Saturday rectifying the situation by mailing out corrected instructions with stamps she bought and updating the town website. "We did all of this while keeping in good spirits, knowing that we were doing exactly what the good people of this town would expect from the clerk's office," Hunt said. That's when the "most unprofessional and destructive post had gone up," she said, on the private "Marc Strout, Town of Dalton Selectman" Facebook page. "To say that I was ill-prepared to manage the nightmare that was about to unfold is a profound understatement." The post was harmful to her integrity and undermined the office's efforts to conduct free and fair elections, she said, and that such "unprofessionalism" also casts doubt on the election process and undermines public trust in the mail-in voting system. "I have to admit, after being notified by so many residents that this malicious back-and-forth dialog was taking place at the very moment we were working so hard in the office to make it all right, it briefly knocked the wind out of me, but after a moment, we picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off, and got back to doing what we were put in office to do in the first place, and that is work for all the residents in our beautiful town of Dalton," Hunt said. Hunt said legal counsel informed the town the mistake was minor and the state's election counsel Michelle Tassinari wrote that it wasn't "a new issue we had quite a few local election officials make similar (and easily correctable) mistake." Resident Daniel Filiault said he has worked with numerous town clerks over the last 45 years and Hunt is "a good town clerk as the town has ever had. Her compassion for her community and its citizens is shown every day." "Her knowledge and ability to do the job is unquestioned and clearly demonstrated every day," he continued. "She will not compromise the integrity of her office. Until recently, her performance as clerk has never been questioned." Bishop said he felt that no one was saying she is a bad town clerk. Filiault responded that the town "is lucky to have a person of integrity such as Heather Hunt as their town clerk. I only wish that I could say the same thing about some other elected officials for the town." Resident Judy Condron said she's worked at the elections and those involved in running it are beyond reproach. The Facebook page was not a place to make statements like that, she said. Bishop said legal counsel's response was that Strout was within his rights to post as he did not threaten Hunt and it is not a town Facebook page. Resident Lauren Gaherty said she applauded how the town clerk's office took care of the error. "I worked with town clerks across the whole county, and I applaud what Heather and Patty did to take care of their error," she said. "Everything was done transparently. It was done openly for the public to make awareness of the error, and it was done professionally." Tuesday 28 January 2025, 13:30 - Last updated: 18:30 Former minister and mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno, remains in prison after being arrested on the night of December 31 following the revocation of social services. The former mayor, who was supposed to perform activities at the 'Solidarity and Hope' facility, is accused of 'serious and repeated violations of imposed conditions.' The tribunal has decided that Alemanno must serve a sentence of 1 year and 10 months for the charge of illicit influence trafficking. Specifically, he allegedly presented false documentation to justify work commitments and avoid social services, in addition to meeting three times between March and September with a convict, former lawyer Paolo Colosimo, who was definitively sentenced in 2018 to 4 years and six months. The judges did not recognize the four months of social services performed by Alemanno between November 2023 and February 2024. The conviction was part of one of the strands born from the massive Mondo di Mezzo investigation. The Surveillance judges were called to evaluate the confirmation of imprisonment or the return to social services. During the hearing on January 24, the former mayor admitted to 'having made mistakes and having done so because he was in love with politics.' The defense is considering an appeal to the Court of Cassation to challenge the Surveillance's decision. 'It is surprising, like an arrest on New Year's Eve, that the opinion of the Attorney General, which saved the first period of assignment, was not considered. Perhaps, considering that Alemanno's crime was asking for an advance payment for invoices recognized by the same conviction sentences as true, his transgressions could have been sanctioned with house arrest instead of sending him to prison, especially in a moment of desperate overcrowding that should avoid any absolutely unnecessary imprisonment,' says Alemanno's lawyer, Cesare Placanica. Premier digital challenger bank Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and number one finance super app GCash are joining forces to make loans more accessible and financially inclusive to Filipinos in low-income, rural, and remote areas. The two financial behemoths are collaborating to reach the highest number of Filipinos who cannot access fair lending terms due to traditional financial credit scoring methods. (L-R) Fuse Lending business development manager Melissa Mabutas, RCBC executive vice president and chief innovations and inclusion officer Lito Villanueva, Fuse Lending Inc. president and CEO Tony Isidro and RCBC vice president and loans business division head Mellrose Pesigan RCBC will introduce Pasado Loans, a 24/7 loan product that requires zero collateral. It will also use the digital Pasado Loan Engine to measure the creditworthiness and profiles of potential applicants. In addition to the portal, Filipinos can also apply through partner merchants or digital channels found in digital marketing engagements. GCash will enable people to apply for Pasado Loans through the GCash app, making the application more seamless and highly convenient for Filipinos who are always on the go yet face hurdles in applying for formal loans and credit in banks and other financial institutions. Prospective loan applicants may borrow from Php 30,000 to Php 500,000. They must submit their credentials through the Pasado Loan portal or partner merchants to apply for a loan. The Pasado Decision Engine will evaluate these applications, delivering results within seconds. The applicant will receive the disbursed amount through their RCBC Diskartech account upon approval. Loan payments can also be facilitated through an auto-debit arrangement in RCBC Diskartech. As it continues to be the undisputed leading finance app in the country, GCash champions financial inclusion by offering an unparalleled suite of services, including payments, savings, and loans. With its user-centric approach and commitment to enhancing financial well-being, GCash is helping pave the way for greater financial empowerment for every Filipino wherever they are. GCash is committed to transforming the financial landscape in the Philippines. By partnering with RCBC, were not just making loans accessible; were opening doors to opportunities for countless Filipinos. Together, were shaping a more inclusive future for all, said Tony Isidro, CEO of Fuse Lending, the official lending arm of GCash. RCBC executive vice president and chief innovations and inclusion officer Lito Villanueva lauded the partnership as a great example of how collaborations can empower more Filipinos. He added that Pasado Loan is set to change lives positively and open many doors to Filipinos. Our partnership with GCash is a great example of bayanihan in the fintech sector. By fusing our powers, we reach a larger group of Filipinos and serve them by helping them reach their goals and materialize their aspirations, Villanueva said. Pasado Loans is set to transform lives. Our partnership with GCash will accelerate that positive change by opening financial options to more Filipinos. Villanueva added. 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 Christopher Nolans adaptation of The Odyssey will partially be filmed in Sicily, where scholars say Homer based a portion of Ulysses journey in his 8th century BCE epic. The Oppenheimer director, 54, will adapt the mythical tale following the king of Ithaca as he journeys home after the Trojan War with an all-star cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. Nolans Odyssey will reportedly start filming in Sicily in roughly two months on the island of Favignana, known as goat island per Variety. Favignana is understood to be the place where Homer wrote that Ulysses and his crew landed, collected food, and barbecued goats in the tale. It is part of the Egadi archipelago off of Sicilys north-west coast. The publication reports that Nolan, who is shooting The Odyssey on new IMAX film technology, is likely to film part of the movie on Sicilys Eolian island. Other locations will include the U.K and Morocco. The directors mythic action epic will also star Lupita Nyongo, Anne Hathaway and Charlize Theron alongside Pattison, Holland, Damon and Zendaya. The film brings Homers foundational saga to IMAX film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026, Universal Studios announced in a statement. Earlier this year, Nolans longtime producer and wife Emma Thomas teased the forthcoming feature in an interview with Empire. open image in gallery Christopher Nolan and Matt Damon promoting Oppenheimer' ( Noam Galai/Getty Images for Universal Pictures ) I would say its very exciting, she said. This is the moment where the possibilities are sort of limitless, we havent started thinking practicalities, or anything. 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 Oppenheimer was so absurdly successful and we feel like we have an opportunity, Thomas added. In a recent interview, Holland confirmed he was taking part in the project and admitted he had no idea what the film was about when he said accepted the job. open image in gallery Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas at the Oppenheimer premiere ( PA Archive ) All I can say is that Im incredibly excited, Holland said on Good Morning America in October. And obviously honoured, but thats all I can say because, to be honest, thats all I know. Asked whether he would accept an offer from Nolan sight unseen, Holland said: Hundred per cent without a shadow of a doubt. When the opportunity came in, it was the phone call of a lifetime. It was reminiscent of getting the call about Spider-Man 10 years ago. Its an amazing thing for me. Im super proud and Im really, really excited. 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 Jonas Brothers are returning to their Disney roots this holiday season to produce and star in a new Christmas comedy movie. The film, currently titled Jonas Brothers Christmas Movie, will see the brothers Kevin, Joe and Nick as they face a series of escalating obstacles as they struggle to make it from London to New York in time to spend Christmas with their families, according to an official logline. The trio shared the news in an announcement video. In the teaser, the trio is standing outside a front door holding handwritten signs a la Love Actually. When the door swings open, Joe announces: Hi were the Jonas Brothers. Nick jumps in to tell him off for saying it. The whole point is you dont say it. You let them read it, he explains. The second take goes more smoothly, with the three brothers silently flipping through the signs that again re-introduce them. Sorry to bother you. But were making a Christmas movie coming out this holiday season, only on Disney+, reads the final four signs. The Jonas Brothers announced their new holiday movie ( Disney+ ) The new movie will be directed by Oscar-winning director Jesicca Yu (Quiz Lady) and produced by the three brothers, alongside Adam Fishbach, Spencer Berman and Scott Morgan. It will feature original music written and executive produced by Grammy-nominated songwriter Justin Trantor. Its been over two decades since the Jonas Brothers became a Disney Channel mainstay with Camp Rock (2008) and its 2010 sequel Camp Rock: The Final Jam. In between that time, they also led their two-season sitcom Jonas, which aired from 2009 to 2010, and released two albums with the Disney-owned music label Hollywood Records. In 2013, they broke up to focus on their solo careers before reuniting to release their hit 2019 single Sucker, which debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100. The corresponding album Happiness Begins, released later that year, debuted on the Billboard 200. They have since dropped their sixth album, The Album, in 2023. 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 One of the most influential photos in history has come under attack in a new documentary to debut at the Sundance Film Festival. The Pulitzer Prize-winning picture of nine-year-old Kim Phuc, taken on 8 June 1972, captures her running down a street in Trang Bang, south Vietnam as she flees an American napalm attack. She is naked, screaming and has her hands outstretched in the haunting image. Colloquially dubbed the napalm girl, and officially titled The Terror of War, it sparked protests and an international conversation about the horrors of war and US military action in Vietnam. Originally reported to have been taken for the Associated Press by photographer Nick Ut, a new documentary, The Stringer, suggests that the actual creator of the image is Vietnamese freelance photographer, Nguyen Than Nghe. Nghe claims he was working as a driver for an NBC news crew when he visited the town of Trang Bang where he captured the image of Phuc screaming down the street. In the film, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, he reports selling the image to AP for $20 and was given a print of the photo in exchange. He says the memento was later destroyed by his wife. Led by husband and wife Gary Knight, founder of the VII Foundation, and producer Fiona Turner, the film was directed by Vietnamese American filmmaker Bao Nguyen. It investigates these claims and concludes that Ut did not take the picture, claims that AP and Ut vehemently challenge. Im not a journalist by any stretch of the imagination, Nguyen said. I had a healthy skepticism, as I think anyone would, going against a 53-year-old truth... But as a storyteller and a filmmaker, I thought it was my both my responsibility and my privilege to be able to uplift the story of individuals like Nghe. open image in gallery Napalm girl is widely considered one of the most important photos of the 20th century ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) One of the primary sources corroborating the claim is Carl Robinson, who worked as an AP photo editor in Saigon at the time. He alleges that he was overruled in his judgment not to use the picture by Horst Faas, APs Saigon chief of photo. Faas instructed Robinson to make it staff and credit Ut for the photo, Robinson alleges. Both Faas and Yuichi Jackson Ishizaki, who developed the film, are dead, while Robinson, 81, was dismissed by the AP in 1978. I didnt want to die before this story came out, Robinson told the Sundance audience during a Q & A after the screening. I wanted to find (Nghe) and say sorry. 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 However, witnesses interviewed by AP, including renowned correspondents such as Fox Butterfield and Peter Arnett and the photos subject herself, Phuc, say they are certain Ut took the photo. AP says its requests to see the full materials and evidence of the claim have been denied. They alleged being unable to speak to Robinson unless under certain conditions, preventing them from taking swift action. open image in gallery A Vietnamese freelance photographer Nguyen Than Nghe has claimed he is the original creator of the image ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) As recently as December, we reiterated our request to see the filmmakers full materials and they did not respond, nor did they include APs full response in the film, Lauren Easton, an AP spokesperson, said on Sunday (26 January). We were surprised and disappointed that the film portrayed AP as having reviewed the films materials and being dismissive of the allegations, which is completely false. AP added: We cannot state more clearly that The Associated Press is only interested in the facts and a truthful history of this iconic photo. The film also follows a forensic investigation into the source of the image using evidence from the scene. INDEX, a French forensics team, were enlisted to determine the likelihood of Ut taking the photo and conclude that it was highly unlikely that he took the image. At a screening, Nghe joined filmmakers as he said I took the photo to applause from the audience, but did not explain why he waited to make the claim until now. Uts attorney, James Hornstein, said: In due course, we will proceed to right this wrong in a courtroom where Nick Uts reputation will be vindicated. 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 Quentin Tarantino said hes in no rush to start directing his final feature film, saying he has grown disillusioned with the diminishing returns from his movies. The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood director, 61, who currently lives in Israel, said childcare now takes up most of his time and that he doesnt see the appeal in staring a new film that his two young children wouldnt be able to watch. In April last year, news broke that the Pulp Fiction director had dropped plans forThe Movie Critic, which he had said would be his directorial swan song. It was reported at the time that Tarantino simply had a change of heart and so he was going back to the drawing board to figure out what that final movie will be. Speaking in Utah to film critic Elvis Mitchell, Tarantino said: Im in no hurry to actually jump into production. I have been doing that for 30 years. Next month my son turns five, and I have a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter. When I am in America, I am writing. When I am in Israel? Im an abba, which means father. The idea of jumping on a voyage when theyre too young to understand it is not enticing to me. I kind of want to not do whatever movie I end up doing until my son is at least 6. That way he will know whats going on, hell be there and it will be a memory for the rest of his life. My daughter is already such a genius, shell just get it. While Tarantino did end up giving an update on what he had been working on in the meantime, his final movie was definitely not it. If youre wondering what Im doing right now, Im writing a play, and its going to be probably the next thing I end up doing, he said. If its a fiasco I probably wont turn it into a movie. But if its a smash hit? It might be my last movie. Quentin Tarantino says he is in no hurry to start shooting another film, and is writing a play ( Getty Images for Belles Rives Gr ) According to a report in Variety, Tarantino said that he was really jaded with the short windows that films had in theatres, while theatre now felt like the final frontier. 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 Well, what the f*** is a movie now? What something that plays in theatres for a token release for four f***ing weeks? Alright, and by the second week you can watch it on television, he said. I didnt get into all this for diminishing returns. I mean, it was bad enough in 97. It was bad enough in 2019, and that was the last f***ing year of movies. That was a shit deal, as far as I was concerned, the fact its gotten drastically worse? And that its just its a show pony exercise. Now the theatrical release, you know, and then like yeah, in two weeks, you can watch it on this [streaming service] and that one. Okay. Theatre? You cant do that. Its the final frontier. On why he felt theatre was more rewarding, Tarantino said theatregoers pay a lot of f***ing money to get into that seat, Deadline reported. Theres no f***ing taping it, theres no cell phone, you own the audience for that time. They are all yours, they are in the palm of your hand. Its not just about doing art, its about wowing them, its about giving them a great night out. This to me is f***ing existing. 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 China appears to be building a large laser-ignited fusion research centre in the southwestern city of Mianyang, experts at two analytical organisations say, a development that could aid nuclear weapons design and work exploring power generation. Satellite photos show four outlying arms that will house laser bays, and a central experiment bay that will hold a target chamber containing hydrogen isotopes the powerful lasers will fuse together, producing energy, said Decker Eveleth, a researcher at U.S.-based independent research organisation CNA Corp. It is a similar layout to the $3.5 billion U.S. National Ignition Facility (NIF) in Northern California, which in 2022 generated more energy from a fusion reaction than the lasers pumped into the target - scientific breakeven. Eveleth, who is working with analysts at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS), estimates the experiment bay at the Chinese facility is about 50% bigger than the one at NIF, currently the worlds largest. The development has not been previously reported. Any country with an NIF-type facility can and probably will be increasing their confidence and improving existing weapons designs, and facilitating the design of future bomb designs without testing the weapons themselves, said William Alberque, a nuclear policy analyst at the Henry L. Stimson Centre. Chinas foreign ministry referred Reuters questions to the competent authority. Chinas Science and Technology Ministry did not respond to a request for comment. The U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment. In November 2020, U.S. arms control envoy Marshall Billingslea released satellite images he said showed Chinas buildup of nuclear weapons support facilities. It included images of Mianyang showing a cleared plot of land labeled new research or production areas since 2010. open image in gallery ( Reuters ) That plot is the site of the fusion research centre, called the Laser Fusion Major Device Laboratory, according to construction documents that Eveleth shared with Reuters. Igniting fusion fuel allows researchers to study how such reactions work and how they might one day create a clean power source using the universes most plentiful resource, hydrogen. It also enables them to examine nuances of detonation that would otherwise require an explosive test. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, of which both China and the United States are signatories, prohibits nuclear explosions in all environments. Countries are allowed subcritical explosive tests, which do not create nuclear reactions. Laser fusion research, known as inertial confinement fusion, is also allowed. open image in gallery ( Reuters ) Siegfried Hecker, a senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and the former director of Los Alamos National Laboratory, another key U.S. nuclear weapons research facility, said that with testing banned, subcritical and laser fusion experiments were crucial to maintaining the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear arsenal. But for countries that have not done many test detonations, he said - China has tested 45 nuclear weapons, compared with 1,054 for the United States - such experiments would be less valuable because they do not have a large data set as a base. I dont think it would make an enormous difference, Hecker said. And so ... Im not concerned about China getting ahead of us in terms of their nuclear facilities. Other nuclear powers, such as France, the United Kingdom and Russia, also operate inertial confinement fusion facilities. The size of those facilities reflects the amount of power designers estimate is needed to apply to the target to achieve ignition, said Omar Hurricane, chief scientist for the inertial confinement fusion programme at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, which operates NIF. These days, I think you probably can build a facility thats of equal energy or even more energetic (than NIF) and a smaller footprint, Hurricane said. But, he added, at too small a scale, experimental fusion does not appear possible. That other countries operate laser-driven fusion research centres is not a cause for alarm in itself, Hurricane said. Its kind of hard to stop scientific progress and hold information back, he said. People can use science for different means and different ends, and thats a complicated question. 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 Chinese zoo has sparked a social media storm after it started selling tiger urine, claiming its medicinal properties could treat rheumatism. A visitor to the Yaan Bifengxia Wildlife Zoo, situated in the southwestern Sichuan province, shared a post on social media saying the facility was selling medicinal tiger urine allegedly from Siberian tigers. A 250gm-bottle of the liquid cost about 50 yuan (5.54). According to the South China Morning Post, the zoo recommended the fluid be mixed with white wine and applied to the affected areas, along with slices of ginger. It had a good therapeutic effect on ailments like rheumatoid arthritis, sprains, and muscle pain, it claimed. Customers were told the concoction was safe for oral consumption but should no longer be used if they experienced any allergic reactions. Speaking to Chinese media outlet The Paper, the zoo said the urine was collected directly from a basin the tigers urinated in but did not clarify if any disinfection procedures were followed. The staff insisted the concoction fulfilled the necessary qualifications to be labelled medicinal and could be sold as long as they had a business licence with operating permission. They said the sales were average, with no more than two bottles sold per day. I bought some for my dad out of curiosity, but have not seen any effect, so it is just sitting there, a visitor to the zoo commented, according to the SCMP. I am thinking of buying a bottle for my mum. No side effects, so I thought I would give it a try, said another. Zoo recommends tiger urine be mixed with white wine and applied to affected areas along with slices of ginger ( Reddit/Febbox ) Though the staff were unable to confirm how long the urine had been sold for, The Paper was able to track down reports stating the zoo had given away the Siberian tiger urine in 2014 as a prize to celebrity winners of an outdoor reality show. An expert in traditional Chinese medicine, asking to stay anonymous, said tiger urine had no proven therapeutic benefit and was not recognised as traditional medicine, according to The Global Times. This is not the first time a zoo in China has come under fire for selling tiger urine. In 2004, SCMP found that several zoos in the Chongqing province were blowing whistles and keeping water taps near tiger cages dripping to ensure a steady supply of urine. So far as I know, no medical works have mentioned the medicinal value of tiger urine, Wu Lihong, a researcher at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology, said at the time. The health of the tigers might also be damaged by those freakish urine-collecting methods. He also warned that chemical residue in tiger urine could cause health problems. 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 India and China have agreed to resume direct flights nearly five years after they were halted, indicating a willingness to mend ties. Air travel between the Asian neighbours was temporarily suspended due to travel restrictions during the Covid pandemic, only to be completely halted after military clashes and a standoff along the disputed Himalayan border led to a breakdown in relations. Indias foreign ministry said on Monday that New Delhi had reached an agreement with China "in principle to resume direct air services between the two countries. "The relevant technical authorities on the two sides will meet and negotiate an updated framework for this purpose at an early date, the ministry said in a statement. The announcement came after a top Indian diplomat visited Beijing to help thaw relations. Confirming the new deal, the Chinese foreign ministry said the two nations had been working to improve relations since last year. The improvement and development of China-India relations is fully in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries, it said. The agreement to resume direct flights came months after India and China reached a deal on military patrols along their disputed border. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi speaks with Indias foreign secretary Vikram Misri in Beijing ( AP ) The two countries share a 3,488km border that runs from Ladakh in the west to Arunachal Pradesh in the east. China holds a big piece of territory called the Aksai Chin in Ladakh that it won during a 1962 war and claims Arunachal as part of the province of Tibet. Ties between the neighbours hit a nadir in July 2020 after at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed in a clash in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh. It was the first time in 45 years that a clash on the border had led to fatalities. The clash quickly turned into a standoff, with both sides stationing thousands of soldiers backed by artillery, tanks and fighter jets along the border. The troops blocked each other from patrolling their claimed areas. In the aftermath, India clamped down on Chinese firms, prohibiting them from investing in critical economic sectors and banning Chinese apps such as TikTok. In October 2024, however, Beijing and New Delhi agreed on a significant military disengagement at a key border flashpoint. The deal came after a rare formal meeting between Chinese president Xi Jinping and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi during the Brics summit in Russia. This week, Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri met Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and they made a slew of decisions, including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a Hindu religious pilgrimage to a sacred mountain and lake in Tibet. The pilgrimage to the shrine of Hindu deity Krishna on Mount Kailash and the Mansarovar lake had been paused since the pandemic and remained suspended as bilateral ties deteriorated following the Galwan valley clashes. Chinese state media confirmed the two sides had agreed to push for the resumption of the Hindu pilgrimage to the Tibet mountain and lake this year. They had also agreed to facilitate and promote people-to-people contact, including between media and think tanks. The two sides took stock of the extant mechanisms for functional exchanges, the Indian foreign ministry said. It was agreed to resume these dialogues step by step and to utilize them to address each others priority areas of interest and concern. Specific concerns in the economic and trade areas were discussed with a view to resolving these issues and promoting long-term policy transparency and predictability. 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 Trains were cancelled across Bangladesh on Tuesday as railway staff went on strike for higher pensions and other benefits, affecting tens of thousands of passengers and freight transport. Saidur Rahman, acting president of the Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers Union, said the strike was called after a meeting with the interim government headed by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus failed to reach a deal late Monday. Rahman said the strike would continue indefinitely if the government does not accept their demands. The state-run railway system carries some 65 million passengers per year in the densely populated nation of 170 million people. It employs about 25,000 people and operates a network of over 36,000 kilometers (22,000 miles). open image in gallery Bangladesh Railway Strike 2025 ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The main Kamlapur Railway Station in the capital, Dhaka, was mobbed by hundreds of disappointed passengers who were not aware of the strike. Many waited for hours before going home. As the country's railway adviser visited, passengers shouted complaints. Fouzul Kabir Khan, the country's railway affairs adviser, told reporters that such a nationwide strike was regrettable and he urged the protesters to end the strike. He said that doors for discussion were open to resolve the standoff. Shahadat Hossain, a station manager in Dhaka, said at least 10 trains were scheduled to leave the station on Tuesday morning. Authorities arranged buses as an alternative, but they were not enough to meet demand. Mohammed Nadim was stranded at the Kamlapur Railway Station as he travelled hundreds of kilometers overnight to reach Dhaka for his vacation to the southern coastal district of Cox's Bazar. open image in gallery Bangladesh Railway Strike ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) I came here in at 5:30 a.m. from outside Dhaka. But after one hour or so, I came to know that my train will not run. Now I have been stranded here for hours without any hope. The station officials told me my ticket money will be reimbursed, but I don't know when, he told The Associated Press at the scene. He refused to travel to his destination by a bus as arranged by the authorities as an alternative. open image in gallery Bangladesh Railway Strike ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) It's too far. I have come here to travel by train. I don't want to travel this far by an air-conditioned bus. Now they are offering me this bus that has no air-condition, he said. Dhaka-based Jamuna TV station reported that railway workers protested in Chattogram, the country's second largest city. The southeastern city has the country's largest seaport, and the massive garment industry relies on trains to bring goods to it for export. The industry earns about $38 billion a year from exports, mainly to the United States and the European Union. In the northwestern region of Rajshahi, angry passengers smashed furniture of a station and attacked a staff, according to Jamuna TV. open image in gallery The strike was called after a meeting with the interim government headed by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus failed to reach a deal late Monday ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The Yunus-led interim government has been running the country since August, when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India amid a student-led uprising and ended her 15-year rule. The interim administration is struggling to restore order amid reports by the global lending agencies such as the World Bank or the Asian Development Bank of slower economic growth. 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 upper house of Pakistans parliament has passed a controversial bill that critics argue is designed to suppress freedom of speech. The bill, which was passed by the lower house of parliament last Thursday, gives the government extensive powers to impose heavy fines and incarcerate social media users for spreading disinformation. The approval by the senate on Tuesday removes the last obstacle in the bills path. It will now be sent to president Asif Ali Zardari, who is likely to sign it quickly. Under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, authorities would create an agency with the power to order the immediate blocking of content deemed unlawful and offensive from social media, such as content critical of judges, the armed forces, parliament or provincial assemblies. Those failing to comply could face temporary or permanent bans. The law also makes spreading disinformation a criminal offence, punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of 2m rupees (18,460). The bill was passed despite protests by opposition lawmakers. Shibli Faraz, an opposition leader in the senate, opposed the legislation saying it was being passed in haste and without consulting all stakeholders. Zulfiqar Bukhari, spokesman for former prime minister Imran Khan, said their Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party would challenge the legislation in court. The bill has been passed from both the houses of the parliament to silence the freedom of expression on the pretext of combating fake news, and no democracy-lover can support it, he said in a statement. Pakistans media has faced growing censorship in recent years, but the government of Shehbaz Sharif claims the law is necessary to limit the spread of disinformation. 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 dog that went viral in Thailand for its enduring loyalty to its late owner has been adopted by one of the countrys princesses. Princess Siribha Chudabhorn, a niece of Thailands current king Maha Vajiralongkorn, said she had adopted Moo Daeng, a dog who became famous after his former owner, a homeless man outside a 7-Eleven convenience store, died in November 2024 in the Mueang district of Nakhon Ratchasima province in Thailands northeast. The dog continued to lie in their regular spot and waited for its deceased owner to return, earning comparisons to the story of Hachiko a faithful dog who waited for nine years for his owner to return home from work at Shibuya Metro station in Tokyo. Moo Daengs photos went viral on social media in January as the owners and staff of the convenience store said they were looking after the dog by feeding it, giving it blankets and a stuffed toy to keep him company. He was nicknamed Hachiko of Korat after the neighbourhood he lived in. Last week, the princess took to her official Facebook page and said: To all of Moo Daengs fans, I want to bring you up to speed so you dont have to worry, feel anxious or have unanswered questions after all the recent drama, reported Khaosod English, a Thai news outlet. The dog adopted by Princess Siribha Chudabhorn ( Facebook/Siribha Fund ) The princess said she learnt about the dog through a video where the community came together to raise money for the dogs medical treatment as she detailed his mental health troubles. All my dogs have experienced trauma, whether through abuse, abandonment or injury. But in Moo Daengs case, its severe depression, she said, adding that the dog suffers from a major depressive syndrome caused by the sudden loss of a loved one. It is a condition that the mind cannot cope with, the princess said, adding that she has been living with a similar condition for almost a decade. She added: I want to make everyone realize that this mental health condition, if not understood, can cause irreparable damage to Moo Daeng, both mentally and physically. While humans are able to hide their pain and appear normal on the outside, dogs are pure. They show exactly how they feel. Announcing that she does not intend to create any distance between her new pet and his followers, Ms Chudabhorn said she will post for photos if people request and that she will bring Moo Daeng in person if she visits Korat. Ms Chudabhorn said she had sought permission from the 7-Eleven store where the dog had been living, as well as the local authorities, before adopting him, and that he had been taken to Kasetsart University Veterinary Hospital to undergo health checks, quarantine and acclimatisation. He will move permanently to the princesss royal residence in Chiang Mai after completing the hospital visit and medical check up, she said. Q Lisbon or Porto for October, for a couple. Weve never visited either. Which do you recommend? Ann I A Either of these great Portuguese cities will prove rewarding. The key question is: how long can you stay? If you are restricted to 48 hours on the ground, then Porto is the clear winner. The excellent Metro will get you from the airport into the city in half an hour. The impressive gorge of the Douro River is straddled by six elegant bridges, including the two-deck Ponte de Dom Luis I, leading over to a hillside punctuated by port houses (whose aroma you can smell long before you get close). While walking is the best way to appreciate the layers of history and architecture, you can also travel on an antique tram out to the mouth of the river and the Atlantic. Portugals second city is effortlessly easy to navigate and enjoy, and conveniently also the cheapest big city in western Europe. Ideally, though, you should spend five or six days away and combine Porto with Lisbon on an open-jaw itinerary (flying into one and back from the other). The capital repays a stay of at least three days. Its many-faceted appeal includes a glorious waterside setting and robustly three-dimensional terrain, as well as great cultural wealth. You should also take a side trip on the suburban railway along the north shore of the Tagus to Estoril a resort retaining a 1960s vibe and Cascais, a characterful fishing port. Best of all, build in a couple of stops along the way between the two. Pause at the pretty town of Aveiro, an hour by rail south of Porto, to enjoy the canalside ambience. Then spend the afternoon exploring Coimbra, a beautiful university city 75 miles south of Porto and 125 miles north of Lisbon. It is rich in culture, history and gastronomy, all wrapped into a compact city. open image in gallery Eurostar doesnt allow pets on trains unless its a guide dog ( Charlotte Hindle ) Q I heard that Richard Branson is planning to run trains from London to Paris in competition with Eurostar. If this is true, when might this be? Also, I know that he is a dog lover. Do you think he will consider allowing dogs on his trains through the Channel Tunnel? Jonathan G A Eurostar has held a monopoly on passenger rail traffic through the Channel Tunnel for more than 30 years. Richard Bransons Virgin Group hopes to compete with trains through the Channel Tunnel, as does a Spanish initiative, Evolyn. Getlink, which owns the tunnel, and High Speed 1 running the line from London to the tunnel entrance are both keen on new business. Mark Smith, the international rail guru known as The Man in Seat 61, told me: I love Eurostars service but competition keeps everyone on their toes. Weve got two credible contenders, both of whom are talking to suppliers to build the trains. Its not going to happen tomorrow or even next year. Theres a long lead time for this; were talking 2029. If the new operators do come on stream then were going to see more capacity and we will see lower fares, almost certainly. Eurostar says: Pets are not allowed on trains to and from London. Guide dogs or assistance cats and dogs are allowed on board, and will even get a spare seat next to the passenger, free of charge. Passengers must book at least 24 hours ahead and meet all the legal criteria for taking a dog between the UK and the European Union. Eurostar also says: If you require an emotional support animal to travel, please get in touch with us to discuss your requirements. Evidently, then, it is legally and operationally possible for passengers to take pets on trains through the Channel Tunnel. While Eurostar currently chooses not to allow non-essential animals on board, it is quite possible that a new competitor might decide to do so. Evolyn says it has an ambition to reshape the travel experience. While you wait and see, the best option for those who do not take an animal by car on a Eurotunnel shuttle or cross-Channel ferry is DFDS from Newhaven to Dieppe. Both ports have reasonable rail access for foot passengers. open image in gallery Capital gains: tourists enjoy an al fresco drink in Valletta ( Getty ) Q I am going to Malta the last week of August, ideally flying from Manchester. My outbound and inbound days are flexible, but I need to be there for sure on Friday 29 August. Ideally I would like to go on Monday 25 August and return on Saturday 30 August. But I realise the Monday is a bank holiday. Would you foresee any problems? If so, when do you suggest I travel? Tracey F A I actively try to fly from UK airports on public holidays, because they tend to be calmer and cheaper than other days. At Easter, for example, I am flying out to Croatia on Good Friday at a decent fare. The peak day in that week is Maundy Thursday. (Easter Sunday, incidentally, is probably the second best day of the year to fly, after Christmas Day, if you want to avoid the crowds.) The outbound flight to Malta on August bank holiday Monday looks excellent value: 49 one-way from Manchester on Ryanair, flying at a civilised 5.10pm and arriving at 9.35pm in time for a drink on arrival. You may be concerned that, in 2023, there was a failure of the Nats air traffic control system on the corresponding bank holiday. You would be extremely unlucky for a similar problem to manifest itself. Coming back from the Mediterranean at the end of the summer peak is the tricky part. On that Saturday, 30 August, Ryanair wants 163 for a flight from Malta to Manchester. I would be tempted to wait until the next morning, when the price drops by 35, though unless you are staying with friends you will need another night in a hotel. If Birmingham works for you almost as well, then choose easyJet on the Saturday for 140. Should you really be watching the cash, the dawn flight on the Saturday to Glasgow looks the best bet at 58; school holidays are over in Scotland, so the fares are commensurately lower. But book soon those fares are only going to increase. Email your question to s@hols.tv or tweet @SimonCalder Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter for free Get our food and drink newsletter for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Coca-Cola has recalled some of its soft drinks in Europe after higher-than-normal levels of a chemical called chlorate were detected in bottles and cans at a production plant in Belgium. Chlorate is a by-product of the breakdown of chlorine-based sanitisers and chlorine chemicals, which are frequently used to sterilise water. It can cause iodine deficiency in people and is regulated with legal maximum residue limits for a range of foods, including fresh produce, according to Food Standards Scotland. What drinks are affected in Europe? Batches of Coca Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Minute Maid and Fuze Tea were among the products recalled in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, the company said on Tuesday. The recall concerns drinks with production codes 328 GE to 338 GE. open image in gallery A note is posted next to cleared cases of Coca-Cola ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Are drinks in the UK affected? An investigation has been launched in the UK after Coca-Cola recalled drinks in some countries in Europe. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said on Monday it has now opened an investigation into whether any Coca-Cola products containing higher levels of the chemical are on sale in the UK. Anne Gravett of the FSA said on Monday: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is investigating if any Coca-Cola products containing higher levels of a chemical called chlorate are on the UK market. If we identify any unsafe food, well take action to ensure it is removed and alert consumers. Coca-Cola said it had not received any consumer complaints in Great Britain, and it had alerted the authorities on this matter and will continue to collaborate with them. How did this problem come to light? Health authorities in Denmark, Portugal and Romania were notified by the European Unions rapid alert system to investigate whether shop shelves or vending machines had been stocked with potentially contaminated soft drinks. It designated the risk as serious. Chlorate comes from chlorine disinfectants which are used in the treatment of water used for food processing. The chemical has been linked to potentially serious health problems, notably among children by interfering with the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Coca-Cola said that it tracked the problem back to one specific container used in its water treatment process at its factory in the city of Ghent while conducting routine safety checks. What can consumers do? Coca-Cola has advised customers not to consume drinks from the batches concerned and to return them to the point of sale to obtain a refund. We apologise to consumers and our commercial partners, the company said. Experts say consumers would have to drink a lot of any product contaminated with chlorate to suffer vomiting or other serious illness. It is almost non-existent or very unlikely that those large quantities are present in it," Philippe Jorens, a poisons and critical care professor at Antwerp University Hospital, told Belgian public broadcaster VTM. You have to have consumed so many different bottles of it to possibly see an effect. 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 Bags of Lays Classic Potato Chips have received an elevated recall status due to an undeclared ingredient that could cause a life-threatening allergic reaction. On Monday (January 27), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raised the snack food recall to Class 1, which 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, according to the organization. The FDA first announced on December 18, 2024, that Frito-Lay issued a recall on a limited number of the 13 oz bags of chips. These Lays Classic Potato Chips bags were recalled because they may contain undeclared milk, which Frito-Lay learned after being alerted through a consumer contact. This poses the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction for customers who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk. The recalled product was distributed to certain retail stores and distributors in Oregon and Washington, and was available for purchase as early as November 3, 2024. It has since been removed from the marketplace. According to the FDA, no allergic reactions to these chips have been reported. None of the other Lays products, flavors, sizes, or variety packs are recalled. A limited number of the 13 oz bags of Lays Classic Potato Chips were recalled ( Getty Images ) Lays chip bags that have been recalled must have the Guaranteed Fresh date of February 11, 2025. They would also have one of the following manufacturing codes: 6462307xx or 6463307xx. The FDA urges consumers that if they have an allergy or sensitivity to milk, they should not eat the product and discard it immediately. The news comes after the FDA issued another Class I recall on bags of broccoli sold at Walmart. Read More Coca-cola issues Europe safety recall Coca-Cola has issued a safety recall for several of its soft drink products in Europe (Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands) due to higher-than-normal levels of chlorate. The affected products include Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Minute Maid, and Fuze Tea with specific production codes. Chlorate, a byproduct of chlorine-based sanitizers used in water treatment, can cause iodine deficiency. The UK Food Standards Agency is investigating whether any affected products reached the UK market. Coca-Cola has apologised and advised consumers to return recalled products for a refund, while experts suggest serious health risks are unlikely unless large quantities are consumed. Read the full article here Braga Freshs ready-to-eat 12oz Marketside Broccoli Florets were recalled over a Listeria contamination that has potentially fatal consequences. The 12-ounce bags of broccoli were sold at Walmart stores in 20 states: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The FDA first announced on December 31 that Braga Fresh was issuing a voluntary recall on the product due to the possibility of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is a bacteria that can contaminate many foods. Although symptoms can vary, a listeria infection can cause invasive illness and intestinal illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The possible listeria contamination of Braga Freshs broccoli was discovered during random sampling by Texas Health & Human Services from a Texas store location where one of multiple samples yielded a positive test result, the FDA reported. The recalled product was sold in Walmart stores with the UPC code 6 81131 32884 5 on the back of the bag and the Lot Code: BFFG327A6 on the front of the bag 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 I have a special motto for approaching Londons rental market: choose violence. Not in the literal sense I dont aggressively chase estate agents down the street or wallop landlords over the head with a frying pan its more of a mindset. When the yearly tenancy ends and Ive got a matter of months to find somewhere new to live, I become abrasive, uncompromising and, well, unbearable. I dedicate every waking hour to finding a flat, my phone is programmed to ping each time a new property is added to Rightmove and my social life becomes non-existent so that Im free to attend an impromptu viewing at any given moment. After viewing dozens of properties that are optimistically advertised online that spacious and characterful third bedroom? Its actually a cupboard my flatmates and I might find something we actually like. At this point, the desperation kicks in further: I try to manifest our desired outcome, using my GCSE drama skills to present myself as the most perfect tenant that ever lived. I triple-call estate agents, and, if pushed, I turn up at their offices unannounced when they dont reply. Put simply, Im not a person anymore; Im a flat-hunting can I speak to your manager? robot competing in the London rental market equivalent of the Hunger Games. open image in gallery In the past 18 months, weve seen the majority of mortgage-free landlords increasing rents when they didnt need to, says Jae Vail, a spokesperson for the London Renters Union ( Getty Images ) It sounds slightly unhinged and exhausting, right? Unfortunately, these are the survival skills that Ive developed from renting in this hellscape for six years. I have personal anecdotes that include a heated bidding war that ended with another prospective tenant offering the landlord a full six months rent up front to get ahead, attending a tense viewing with 30 others who all seemed to be on the brink of collapse, and nearly getting conned into signing a phoney contract by a dodgy estate agent. Whats worse is that after going through this whole ordeal to eventually secure a place to live, the results are anticlimactic. Before you can even lift a glass to your new humble abode, you may discover that the property is damp and mouldy, has a freezer full of rotting chicken (this happened to a friend), is covered in chewing gum (so did this), or that your landlord is the worst person to ever exist. Take my last place tiny, falling apart, no living room which turned out to be an illegal sublet, and after some Facebook stalking, we discovered that the man posing as the estate agent was actually the landlords son. These stories are part of whats become a universal experience. Eleanor, 26, tells me of her horrifying search for a four-bed property in east London with three of her friends, each with fairly realistic budgets of 800-900 per month. Between the four of them, they viewed more than 30 properties and it took three months to finally sign a tenancy agreement. In that time, it impacted Eleanors mental health, and relations between her housemates began to sour. We had a Google sheet that we added all of the properties to and were turning up to viewings where you would have to queue around the block, she recalls, exasperated. It was a really awful time. We had arguments and nearly called off living together because it was such a relentlessly stressful time. Eleanor first moved to London when she was 18 and has been renting ever since, but the process of moving once a year has started grating on her. People say that moving house is one of the most stressful things that you can do, and when youre renting, youre having to do that nearly every year. It has such a horrible impact on your mental health when its so relentless and miserable. Eleanor describes the flat she and her friends secured as objectively s*** they quickly discovered that the landlord was unreasonable and was knowingly letting it out in an unsafe condition. We were being pushed to the bitter end and we had no choice but to take the lowest of the low, says Eleanor. It was really rough and its tarnished my experience of living in London. Sure, renting in London has never been a joy London is one of the most densely populated cities in Europe with a dwindling housing stock. But the hell of renting worsened when lockdown restrictions lifted in 2022, and the demand for property soared. Matt Hutchinson, communications director and housing expert for the flatshare site SpareRoom, tells me that when the world opened up again, the demand for rentals went way beyond anything weve seen before. At its worst, in August and September 2022, there were an average of nine people to every available room (that ratio was about two and half people during pre-pandemic levels). Thats when we started to see people queueing around the street to view properties and saw all of those horror stories unfold, says Hutchinson. The situation wasnt helped by Liz Trusss mini-budget announcement in September 2022, which fuelled a dramatic spike in mortgage rates and meant that landlords were increasing rental fees to meet their own soaring payments. open image in gallery There has been a huge uptick in listings from live-in landlords trying to make money out of small spaces in their home, with wild stipulations attached ( PA Wire ) We havent seen the end of it, says Hutchinson. Many homeowners with mortgages are terrified of losing their homes and theyre worried about being able to keep up payments. This has only fuelled the phenomenon of live-in landlords people renting out their spare rooms to lodgers to help pay their mortgage, and charging high rates for a singular room. One SpareRoom advert went viral last week after a landlord advertised a single bedroom for rent at 1,350 a month, with several strict living conditions for their potential tenant, including having no guests, not being home in the evening hours before 8.30pm and asking for permission to use the washing machine. Hutchinson says that SpareRoom has seen a huge uptick in listings from live-in landlords trying to make money out of small spaces in their home, with wild stipulations attached. People are trying to rent out any space they can find, he says, adding that the site routinely removes listings that are charging to rent Harry Potter-style cupboards under the stairs that are obviously not suitable spaces for people to be living in. While its easy to finger-wag at landlords for preying on desperate young flat sharers in London, the reality today is that homeowners arent getting a great deal, either. Average monthly payments for first-time buyers in 2019 were 667, and this figure has shot up by 61 per cent to 1,075 per month, according to Rightmove. Hutchinson says theres a cycle of mistrust in the housing market thats making it difficult for everyone. Weve got this strange situation that we havent had before where tenants are obviously not happy, and after the mini-budget homeowners are really struggling, and were also seeing landlords leave the market and struggling too, he says. Its usually been the case that at least one or two of those groups have been OK at any given time, but nobody has much confidence in the housing market at this point. However, according to Jae Vail, a spokesperson for the London Renters Union (LRU), mortgage-free landlords have still continued to hike rents and exploit tenants. In the past 18 months, weve seen the majority of mortgage-free landlords increasing rents when they didnt need to. Huge portions of the housing system have been handed over to these very highly leveraged private landlords who are looking to make a quick buck, he says. According to SpareRoom data, the average rent for a London room in late 2024 is 993 per month, which means that you need to be earning a minimum salary of 35,000 to live semi-comfortably and afford that rent. Vail says that many members of the LRU who might be single parents, or on minimum wage jobs, are being told that theres a minimum income threshold even before they apply for a rental advert. open image in gallery People are being treated like an income stream rather than human beings, says Jae Vail, a spokesperson for the London Renters Union ( PA Wire ) This week, it was reported that the issue of housing shortages is not going to be solved anytime soon. Despite the current Labour governments pledge to build 1.5 million homes in its first five years of office, nearly three-quarters of local authorities expect to abandon, pause or delay current council housing projects due to struggling finances, in a blow to Labours desired large-scale building plans. Meanwhile, most councils are predicted to struggle to deliver new social housing at scale as their budgets are on the brink of collapse, according to research commissioned by Southwark Council. Vail tells me that the privatisation of council homes has played a huge role in this, and cites horror stories where people are being asked to pay 12 months rent up front. Private landlords maintain a lot of power, he says. People are being treated like an income stream rather than human beings. Its happening because of the way the system is set up and the lack of laws. Theres not a lot of enforcement of the laws that do exist around housing safety, around benefits, discrimination and other types of discrimination. Right now, there are 320,000 households on the social housing waitlist, and many of our members are constantly being pushed out of areas that they could once afford. The Labour government has proposed to ban upfront rent payments and bidding wars to improve renters rights, but it remains to be seen when or if this will happen. As for that mouldy flat I left last year, I recently returned to collect a parcel and got talking with the new tenants. They told me the three of them are paying 200 more a month than we did thats 600 for the flat overall, adding up to a total of 7,200 per year. In the end, we can play the blame game as much as we like, but whether its landlord greed, the privatisation of the council housing stock, or the former governments economic mismanagement, I know whos the worst off here. Its the tenants. 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 Prince Harry has called on the public to nominate inspirational children and young people with complex medical needs for this years WellChild Awards in a heartfelt plea made from his Montecito mansion. The Duke of Sussexs video message recorded at his California home marked the first time he has spoken publicly since his state was ravaged by wildfires and since he secured a full apology and substantial damages from the publisher of The Sun after settling his claim over allegations of unlawful information-gathering. The royal, who has been patron of the WellChild charity for more than 15 years, encouraged the public to shine a spotlight on the remarkable stories of strength, resilience and courage and nominate the exceptional people who inspire you. The WellChild awards annual ceremony celebrates the inspiring qualities of the UKs seriously ill children and young people as well as those who support and care for them. open image in gallery The Duke of Sussex in a video message calling for people to nominate in the 2025 WellChild Awards ( WellChild ) At last years event at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, Harry, 40, hailed a group of little legends for uplifting all those around you, with famous faces such as Sir Rod Stewart and his wife Penny Lancaster watching. open image in gallery Prince Harry smiles as he attends the Wellchild Awards 2024 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel ( Getty Images ) In a video message released on the charitys website on Tuesday morning, the 40-year-old said: The WellChild Awards recognise and celebrate the growing number of young people with complex medical conditions from across the United Kingdom, as well as those who go the extra mile to care for them. They allow us to shine a spotlight on the remarkable stories of strength, resilience and courage that they demonstrate every single day. And this year is especially significant as we celebrate the 20th WellChild Awards. It is a true privilege to honour the bravery and compassion of this incredible community. open image in gallery Sir Rod Stewart and his wife, Penny Lancaster arrive for the annual WellChild Awards 2024 ( PA Wire ) And to make this happen, we need your help to nominate the exceptional people who inspire you every single day. Your support can make all the difference. Please join us in recognising the amazing individuals who will be honoured at the 2025 WellChild Awards. WellChild said there are more children and young people in the UK living in the UK with serious health needs than ever before, previously describing the awards as a unique opportunity to shine a light on the immense challenges they face and to celebrate their remarkable resilience and spirit. The charitys chief executive, Matt James, said: This year marks the 20th WellChild Awards, in association with (pharmaceutical giant) GSK, a milestone that highlights more than two decades of celebrating the extraordinary resilience of children and young people in the UK living with long-term, complex medical needs. open image in gallery Prince Harry with his wife Meghan Markle ( Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) As the number of those facing such challenges continues to grow, the 2025 WellChild Awards provide a unique platform to raise awareness of the immense challenges they face and honour their remarkable spirit. They also shine a spotlight on the unwavering dedication of those who support them from siblings and parent carers to the professionals who go above and beyond to help these remarkable children and young people to thrive. The categories for nominations are: Inspirational Child or Young Person, Inspirational Sibling, Nurse, Outstanding Professional and Inspirational Parent Carer. Nominations can be entered online at www.wellchild.org.uk/awards until March 9 and entries will be judged by an expert panel including former winners and child health professionals. 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 A daring art heist has sent shockwaves across Europe after a priceless cultural heirloom was taken by thieves who used explosives to break into a museum. The prize in this art heist is worth more than its gold. To Romania, the ancient helmet is a priceless cultural heirloom. To the Netherlands, its a stolen artifact that authorities hope to retrieve to uphold a reputation for safe museums. The intricate golden Cotofenesti helmet dates back some 2,500 years and is one Romanias most revered national treasures from the Dacia civilization. It was on display at the small Drents Museum in eastern Netherlands on the last weekend of a 6-month stint when thieves nabbed it. The theft of the helmet and three golden wristbands also on display sent shockwaves through the art world, and devastated Romanian authorities who thought they were loaning the items to a nation where security for museums was paramount. It is a pitch dark day for us, museum director Harry Tupan said. Investigators had found few clues by late Monday beyond a burnt-out car close to the museum, indicating the thieves wanted to cover their tracks. On grainy security video distributed by police, three people are seen opening a museum door with a big crowbar, after which an explosion is seen. Then they must have made off with the loot in a matter of minutes. Dutch polie cay they had reports of an explosion at 3:45 a.m. local time. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said the artifacts have exceptional cultural and historical importance for Romanian heritage and identity, and that their disappearance had a strong emotional and symbolic impact on society. open image in gallery The golden Cotofenesti helmet ( AP ) It was a heist that even in our most pessimistic dreams, we would not have believed possible, said the director of Romanias National History Museum, Ernest Oberlander-Tarnoveanu. Romanian Justice Minister Radu Marinescu called the incident a crime against our state and said recovering the artifacts is an absolute priority." The helmet's fame and dramatic studded appearance means it could never easily be sold, raising fears the thieves were after the gold itself. It is simply unsellable. The whole world knows it. So, they likely went for the gold to I almost dare not utter the words melt it, said Dutch art expert Arthur Brand. open image in gallery This image taken from video shows Harry Tupan, Drents Museum director, speaking during a news conference, in front of an image of the ancient golden Cotofenesti helmet, at the Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025 ( RTL Nieuws ) That would reduce the treasure to a fraction of its cultural and historical value. Gold stands at about 85,000 euros ($89,000) per kilo and the helmet is estimated to weigh slightly less than that. It is not only about the gold. It is about the cultural heritage, Tupan said. And it has been taken in a strange way and hurts incredibly. Security, as it is supposed it be, was as far as we know, totally as it should be, Tupan said. And now, it is a small battlefield. There is nothing else for us to do but sit and wait and see what will happen. 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 Walking around a Glasgow housing estate on a sunny day where children play happily on their scooters in the green space nearby you would never guess the horrors that took place here. A group of five men and two women, addled by drugs, formed a sick child abuse ring that oversaw some of the most depraved crimes against children ever uttered in a courtroom. There is nothing remarkable about the suburb, which we cannot name for legal reasons. But inside a run-of-the-mill family home there, which became known as the beasty house by victims, a group were plying children with alcohol and drugs while subjecting them to a seven-year campaign of sexual depravity. open image in gallery From left to right: Iain Owens, Elaine Lannery, Lesley Williams, Barry Watson, Scott Forbes, Paul Brannan, Marianne Gallagher and John Clark. Gallagher was convicted of assault but cleared of other charges ( James Chapelard ) In November 2023, seven members of the ring were found guilty of abusing three children after Glasgow High Court heard how they held child rape nights inside the property, which became a drugs den where heroin and crack cocaine was used. Now, more than a year later, they have been sentenced. Iain Owens, 46, Elaine Lannery, 40, Lesley Williams, 43, Paul Brannan, 42, Scott Forbes, 51, Barry Watson, 48, and John Clark, 48, were all found guilty of rape and sexual assault. Over a two-month trial, jurors heard horrifying details of their crimes, including the attempted murder of a girl who was put in a microwave, forced to eat dog food, and hung by her clothes from a nail, as well as being chased by people wearing a devil mask. Owens, Lannery, Williams and Brannan were also found guilty of attempted murder, however Clark was acquitted of the charge. Owens and Lannery were jailed for 20 and 17 years respectively for attempted murder, multiple counts of assault, sexual assault, rape and causing a child to ingest drugs and alcohol Brannan was jailed for 15 years for attempted murder, sexual assault, rape and supplying class A drugs Williams was sentenced to 14 years for attempted murder, assault, rape and supplying drugs Clark was sentenced to 10 years for rape and sexual assault, Watson to nine years and six months, and Forbes to eight years for rape All were handed an order for lifelong restriction, meaning they will be monitored for life open image in gallery Iain Owens ( James Chapelard ) open image in gallery Paul Brannan ( Police Scotland ) A further three people Mark Carr, Richard Gachagan and Leona Laing were acquitted of all counts, while an eleventh accused, Marianne Gallagher, 40, was convicted of assault but cleared of all other charges. Gallagher was admonished when she appeared for sentencing on 6 January. Gallagher was told she would be in pretty severe trouble if she committed further offences, when she was spared punishment by Lord Beckett. During the trial Jurors heard how five of the group made one child dress in lingerie and dance in a sexualised manner on various occasions between 1 October 2018 and 19 June 2019, before she was raped by male members of the group. Instead of intervening to protect the youngsters, the women clapped, cheered and encouraged the abuse, with some filming the attack, the court heard. In another horrifying charge, a young child was restrained in her cot as men raped her, while others cheered and took video recordings, the court heard. Children were also forced to repeatedly sexually abuse each other with household items. Owens, Williams and Brannan were also found guilty of drugs offences for supplying diamorphine and cocaine. Locals in the Glaswegian suburb where much of the abuse took place reacted with horror, confusion and anger. When the horrific nature of the allegations first surfaced, angry locals staged a protest outside one of accuseds block, chasing him from his home. He died before the case went to trial. Three others including Maureen Goudie, Steven McHendrie and Robert Brown were named on the original indictment as being involved in a number of the charges, but court papers said they are now deceased. open image in gallery Elaine Lannery ( James Chapelard ) open image in gallery John Clark ( Police Scotland ) One resident told The Independent: Everyone has reacted with shock and disgust. We cant believe that its happened on our doorstep. It makes me feel sick to my stomach that I used to know one of them. In court, a neighbour who stepped foot inside the property where most of abuse was carried out described it as dirty, with black bin bags piled on the sofa and nicotine stains on the blinds. The 34-year-old said: It was dirty. Just a horrible stench. The only word I can think of is foosty. You could smell urine and stuff like that. Another neighbour told the court she suspected drugs were changing hands after seeing three or four people go to the back door each day. I obviously knew there was drug dealing going on of some kind, but I didnt know what it was, she added. An allegation that the group used an Ouija board to call on spirits and demons causing the child victims to believe that they could see, hear and communicate with spirits and demons and making them take part in witchcraft was dropped part way through the trial. In evidence played to the court, one of the children described the abuse: Two witches holded my legs down, it felt uncomfortable, all the witches and wizards were watching. open image in gallery Barry Watson ( Police Scotland ) All 11 accused denied the charges, insisting the children had made them up. But the Crown said it would have been off the scale devious for the minors to concoct the allegations, adding that DNA evidence of some of the accused was found in the house. Advocate depute Kath Harper said: There is a lack of communication which makes it highly unlikely they concocted the allegations, adding it would be off the scale devious, deceitful and highly organised. One victim told a police officer that he was left just crying after he was raped. In an interview in December 2021, he told Detective Constable Brian Hamilton he was made to perform sex acts on another two children in the presence of Owens and Lannery, who he said would laugh while it took place. The child also told Det Con Hamilton he felt embarrassed about the incidents that had taken place. He added: But now I realise what they did and what they made me do was wrong. Sentencing the seven at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, Lord Beckett said: This court is used to hearing some of the worst example of human behaviour but such depravity as you demonstrated is beyond my experience. Such extreme abuse seems to be rare. The children showed extraordinary fortitude, strength and stamina as investigators struggled to comprehend what you had done to them. The childrens exceptional courage and perseverance in the face of threats allowed justice to be done. open image in gallery Lesley Williams ( James Chapelard ) open image in gallery Scott Forbes ( Police Scotland ) Detective Superintendent Nicola Kilbane, of Police Scotland, paid tribute to the bravery of the victims. She said: This has been a horrific ordeal for the young victims who were subjected to years of unimaginable abuse. Our thoughts are with them today and I hope this outcome can help them in moving forward. The levels of depravity shown in this case are extremely rare in Scotland and the courage of the victims was essential in securing this conviction. The NSPCC described the case as deeply disturbing. A spokesman told The Independent at the time: It is heart-breaking that these children were exposed to and suffered such horrendous physical, sexual and emotional abuse over many years. It is vital that the victims in this shocking case receive the specialist support and treatment they need to address the impact of this sustained abuse so they can move forwards with their lives. It is so important that anyone who is worried about a childs welfare or safety speaks out about their concerns. People can contact the local authority, the police or the NSPCC Helpline. Anyone who is concerned that a child has experienced sexual or physical abuse or neglect can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or send an email to help@nspcc.org.uk 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 former Hollywood actor has been found guilty of attacking his former partner the day after he was released from prison under a scheme to cut jail overcrowding. Heavily tattooed Jason Hoganson, 53, was photographed raising a thumb as he was released from HMP Durham on September 10 last year, having served half of an 18-month jail sentence for assaulting his ex-partner Rachel Usher and breaching a restraining order. The following day he was arrested in Newcastles West End after going to Ms Ushers flat and slapping her. Hoganson, who had a leading role in the 1987 film Empire State, has now been returned to custody and is facing further time behind bars for the assault. A court heard Ms Usher had since very sadly passed away on 30 October, but a district judge ruled that a trial should still go ahead with her statement as evidence. open image in gallery The former actor assaulted his former partner just one day after his release ( Northumbria Police ) He was found guilty of assaulting Ms Usher and two counts of breaching a restraining order by going to her home on September 11 and sending her a letter from prison a week earlier. The defendant was removed from court in the middle of his evidence after he started shouting obscenities at prosecutor Lisa Callum, and was not present to hear the verdict. Newcastle Magistrates Court heard a restraining order was made in July 2023 banning Hoganson from contacting Ms Usher in any way whatsoever. He was jailed in August last year for breaching that order and assaulting Ms Usher in December 2023. By the time he was sentenced he had already served most of his 18-month term on remand. The court was shown a letter, found to have been written by Hoganson, sent to Ms Usher from HMP Durham telling her he loved her. A statement from Ms Usher read by Ms Callum said the two had been in a relationship for about six years and Hoganson used to hit me all the time. open image in gallery Jason Hoganson seen outside HM Prison Durham following his early release from prison in September (Owen Humphreys/PA) ( PA Wire ) The statement said: Im aware he was released two days ago earlier than he should have been. Ms Usher said on September 11 she was leaving her flat to go to the shops and was waiting for a lift when she saw Hoganson running towards her. She said: He opened the door of the stairwell and slapped me across the side of my face. He was shouting and bawling and seemed really angry. He called me a slut and said there was someone in my flat. He said can we go somewhere and when I said no he got even more angry. Ms Usher said she called the police and Hoganson started to hit his head on an electrical box on the wall. Her statement read: I do not have any injuries but the slap was powerful. There was a lot of force behind it. Ms Usher also described how receiving the prison letter made me feel horrible and sick inside. Hoganson told the court: I was released with the 1,500 that were released on September 10 last year but Id done my full half of the 18 months. open image in gallery He was released as part of a scheme to reduce prison overcrowding ( Owen Humphreys/PA ) Hoganson denied the offences, claiming he went to the block of flats to get his belongings from a man who lived five floors above Ms Usher. He said he went to get the lift back to the ground floor and saw Ms Usher when it stopped on her floor. Hoganson told the court: Obviously she panicked. She came straight for me and went to attack me. Ive moved out of the way down the stairs. Ive never attacked Rachel. I never even spoke to her, I just wanted to get out of there. Asked by Ms Callum why the man who had his belongings was not in court to corroborate his story, Hoganson accused the man of having an affair with Ms Usher while he was in prison, and started shouting obscenities, ultimately being removed from court. Defence lawyer Mark Styles said the defendant had been unable to process the loss of Ms Usher because he has been in custody, and had experienced a deterioration in his mental health. Deputy District Judge Natalie Wortley found Hoganson guilty of all three charges, saying she was satisfied he was the author of the letter, and that his account of stumbling when Ms Usher darted at him was inconsistent with CCTV footage from the building which showed him deliberately striking the wall. The judge adjourned the case for Hoganson to be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on February 25. Hoganson was released early in error as part of the scheme to ease overcrowding, one of 37 inmates who were accidentally freed. But it is understood that he was likely to have been released a few days later anyway under the terms of his original sentence. 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 Young people took part in the summer riots as they looked fun - not because they held anti-migrant or racist views, the childrens commissioner has claimed. A new report from the independent commissioner, published on Tuesday, concludes that the over-100 children who were arrested in the riots got involved because they were curious to see what was happening, thought it looked fun, felt animosity towards the police, or wanted free goods. The unrest started after misinformation spread online following the Axel Rudakubanas murder of three children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on 30 July. Social media posts wrongly alleged the attacker was a 17-year-old asylum seeker. But childrens commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza, who interviewed 14 children charged over the riots, found they had joined to be nosey or because they wanted to attack the police. She concluded that while online misinformation and racism all played a role, they did not drive the childrens actions. Many children described making a split-second decision, their involvement being largely spontaneous and unconsidered, driven by curiosity or the thrill of the moment to see what was going on in their community, she said. open image in gallery Rioters outside of the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, in Rotherham, United Kingdom. ( Getty Images ) Others described a deep distrust of the police and the opportunity to retaliate against a previous interaction. What these conversations do not support is the prevailing narrative that emerged from the riots which was subsequently accepted: that online misinformation, racism or other right-wing influences were to blame for why young people were enticed to join in the aggression. According to the analysis, 147 children were arrested over the summer riots, with 84 charged. The vast majority were boys aged 14-to-17-years old. Eight percent of the children were aged 10-13. The commissioner said that many of the children had never been in trouble with the law before, and some had been encouraged by adults to throw things at the police. But responding to the report, one Labour MP told The Independent that it appeared far off the mark and that structural racism should not be discounted as a factor in the riots. They said: While the causes of the riots are undoubtedly complex, social media was not the sole cause but acted as a force multiplier for deeper issues such as inequality, political neglect, and mistrust in institutions. Ignoring the mainstreaming of racism in media and politics, however, feels like political posturing aimed at reinforcing far-right narratives. The causes may be complex, but they are not beyond analysisand this report seems far off the mark. open image in gallery Childrens Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza concluded that while online misinformation and racism all played a role, they did not drive the childrens actions ( PA Archive ) Sabby Dhalu, from Stand Up to Racism, said: We certainly agree that deep distrust of the police and lack of opportunity were drivers in the childrens motivation to get involved in the racist riots. However, it is possible that the findings underestimate the impact of racism and the role of far-right groups on social media on motivating the children involved. Many children may have felt ashamed to admit racist views held by themselves or their family. Dame Rachel said that the report does not excuse criminality, adding that a couple of the children she spoke to said they would commit the crimes again and try harder not to get caught. However, some expressed remorse for their actions. One child, who was charged, said: It was fun at the time, but the guilt afterwards was so bad. Youre on the bus driving pas windows that youve smashed. In interviews, the children described stumbling across the riots on their way home, or on a bike ride with friends. One said: Were in such a deprived area... they [young men] dont even know what politics means. They were just there to have fun. Another child told researchers that they went to the riot to be nosey, adding: It seemed like a big thing happening my local area. Another said they were drawn in by the fact that everyones on a team, and one criticised the police for their lack of preparedness, saying: Why didnt they prepare? They had no dogs, no horses, nothing for four hours. open image in gallery Protesters pictured outside of the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, which was being used as an asylum hotel, on August 4, 2024 in Rotherham. ( Getty Images ) Another said adults should have a bit more respect for other races because adults understand the world a bit more. Many children had previously struggled with education, and some had been missing out on teaching for a number of years, the report found. The commissioner also highlighted that many of the children they spoke to had been diagnosed with ADHD. But Henry Shelford, chief executive of ADHD UK, said the number of children that the commissioner had spoken to was too small to infer much about the involvement of ADHD. But added: The reports finding that many of the children had struggled in mainstream schooling is unsurprising and in that group, kids with ADHD are clearly over-represented. Children charged in connection with the widespread disorder last summer included a 12-year-old boy who was caught on CCTV throwing an object at police officers and a 13-year-old girl who kicked the door of an asylum hotel. A government spokesperson said: The senseless violence we saw on our streets after the tragic loss of Bebe, Elsie and Alice brought shame to our nation, and the mobilisation of our police and entire criminal justice system to bring perpetrators of all ages to justice was vital in restoring order. There is no justification for the violence which they endured last year. 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 Households across the UK could receive appliances, utility bill help and even cash payments worth up to 300 as a part of an ongoing government scheme. Available to those struggling with their finances, the Household Support Fund (HSF) is offered by local councils alongside the regular benefits and grants. Some councils are offering appliances like air fryers and microwaves, while others are even replacing the winter fuel payment for pensioners who were ruled ineligible for it due to Labour changes last year. The nationwide scheme was first introduced by the Conservative government in 2021 to support vulnerable households through the cost of living crisis and Covid-19 pandemic. open image in gallery The UK has experienced severe weather in January, driving up the cost of energy bills ( REUTERS ) But with costs and bills remaining high long past the peak of the pandemic, the temporary measure has now been extended five times, most recently by Labour in August. The latest round of funding has provided local authorities with a share of the 421 million pot to spend how they feel will best support households in their areas. Some may provide cash grants, for instance, while others are offering supermarket vouchers or heating support. In most cases, there will be strict criteria for a household to be eligible for support through the local HSF. This will include factors such as income, vulnerability of the resident, number of dependents and cost of bills. Most schemes will also require households to apply, and not be awarded automatically. Heres your guide to what support is available in local areas across the country this winter: London Tower Hamlets Access to the HSF in Tower Hamlets is available through the authoritys Resident Support Scheme. This is designed to help with short term living costs including food, gas/electric meters, and in some cases white goods and furniture. The authority has also used part of its HSF allocation to provide financial support to low-income pensioners who do not qualify for the winter fuel payment. Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said: Making the Winter Fuel payment means-tested will have a detrimental effect on pensioners who are already facing the rising costs of energy bills. This creates a risk that pensioners will not turn their heating on for fear of not being able to pay the bills, which is wrong. This is why we are stepping in and providing a 175 safety net for those who will be missing out. For eligibility and how to apply, visit the Tower Hamlets council website. Lambeth Lambeth council says its HSF will be used for the following: Support for families in receipt of free school meals during the holidays. Families will receive this support directly from their child's school Extra funding to enhance the council's cash payouts for low-income residents most in need. Eligible residents will have received a letter with details on how to collect their payment Funding for food banks and surplus food distribution sites Specialist energy saving support and advice Additional funding for the Emergency Support Scheme for residents in an emergency or crisis, such as residents struggling to pay bills or afford food For eligibility and how to apply, visit the Lambeth council website. Enfield Through Enfields HSF, assistance may be available for: Food (this may be through a food bank and pantry referrals) Energy bills and water bills/top-ups Support with housing costs, but not mortgage payments Wider essentials, such as broadband, phone bills, clothing or essential transport related costs White goods, such as a fridge/freezer, washing machine or cooker. White goods will be sourced from a suitable provider. The council will not be able to provide a cash payment A cash award (limited to 250) For eligibility and how to apply, visit the Enfield council website Croydon Croydons HSF fund will go towards helping residents with household costs. These could include: Top-ups for pre-paid energy and water meters Assistance with energy and water bills debts Food vouchers Housing support (in exceptional circumstances, excluding mortgage payment) The fund can also go towards essential household appliances and essential transport costs. For eligibility and how to apply, visit the Croydon council website. Kingston Kingston council says it will use its HSF allocation to support households in need afford the essentials. Vouchers will be made available to support with costs such as food, utility bills and other pressures. For eligibility and how to apply, visit the Kingston council website. Rest of England: North Lincolnshire In North Lincolnshire, over 6,000 pensioners will receive free airfryers, with over 1,000 delivered so far. The council says the the initiative is designed to help reduce energy bills and cool more healthy meals. Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: Many pensioners are struggling to pay their energy bills and relied on the winter fuel payment at this time of the year when energy bills soar, particularly as the temperatures have plummeted and at North Lincolnshire Council we want to do our bit to help. The council is also sending out over 1,300 slow cookers and nearly 400 one-cup kettles. In December, the household support fund was also used to send 200 low-income pensioners in the area to replace the funds loss from the removal of the winter fuel payment. Newcastle In Newcastle, the HSF will be used for: Free school meal vouchers for children over the school holidays Hardship payments for residents in financial difficulty (applications not yet open) The council will also be contacting local pensioners receiving council tax support and/or housing benefit who no longer qualify for the winter fuel payment following Labour changes to the benefit. Advise from the authority reads: We will support 3,700 households in receipt of Council Tax Support and or Housing Benefit who will not qualify for the Governments Winter Fuel Allowance. Worcestershire In Worcestershire, the HSF will provide eligible households with: Financial support toward current energy and water costs Financial support toward energy and water debts only Help to repair, service and replace broken boilers and heating systems Support with food costs or direct provision of food Support with wider essentials For eligibility and how to apply, visit the Worcestershire council website. Surrey Surrey council will be using the HSF to fund several strands of support for struggling households, these include: Provision of free school meals vouchers to eligible children over the school holidays. Continued support for food banks, community fridges and food clubs Funding for the Surrey Crisis Fund The council has also set aside 750,000 for residents via District and Borough councils. For eligibility and how to apply, visit the Surrey council website. Hertfordshire In Hertfordshire, residents eligible for the HSF can benefit from: Supermarket vouchers during the holidays for families receiving free school meals Money for food and energy Assistance with housing costs Additional support for people on pension credit For eligibility and how to apply, visit the Hertfordshire council website. Staffordshire Staffordshire County Council has laid out how it intends to use the HSF, with schemes including: Emergency payments for vulnerable households to help with essentials Supermarket eVoucher scheme with eligible households receiving 65 per household and 20 per additional dependant. Utility support worth 300 Education support fund households with children receiving free school meals given supermarket vouchers over the holidays. For eligibility and how to apply, visit the Staffordshire council website. Coventry In Coventry, vulnerable households can benefit from: Essential utility support worth 120 or 160 for households with children. Can be applied for a maximum of three times. Food support with three emergency food parcels per household Household appliances, furniture, clothing, bedding and toiletries all considered in exceptional cases For eligibility and how to apply, visit the Coventry council website. York In York, there is currently one scheme running through the HSF: Payment to bank account of 115, to help towards household bills for households receiving council tax support Discretionary payments for households in need and not receiving council tax support For eligibility and how to apply, visit the York council website. There are over 300 local authorities in the UK. For more information about whats available in every area, the End Furniture Poverty charity offers a helpful assistance finder tool. 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 majority of young people in the UK are in favour of turning the country into a dictatorship, according to the results of a new survey that say Gen Z are simultaneously the most authoritarian and liberal generation. More than half (52 per cent) of Gen Z those aged between 13 and 27 think the UK would be a better place if a strong leader who does not have to bother with parliament and elections was in charge. A third of Gen Z also believed that the UK would be a be a better place if the army was in charge, according to the research carried out by polling company Craft for Channel 4. Alex Mahon, CEO of Channel 4, said the results of the survey exposed some deeply worrying issues. There is clear evidence of disengagement from democracy fuelled by the online pied pipers who wilfully subvert truths and a growing gender divide that should concern us all, she said. open image in gallery A 21-year-old male from participant from Maidenhead told the pollsters Andrew Tate is empowering ( via REUTERS ) The findings will be presented at a Royal Television Society event on Thursday as part of Channel 4s report titled Gen Z: Trends, Truth and Trust. The survey of 3,000 adults of all ages, further found 47 per cent of Gen Z agree that the entire way our society is organised must be radically changed through revolution compared to just 33 per cent of 45 to 65-year-olds. The report also found a stark divide in opinions over gender equality, with 45 per cent of male respondents aged 13-27 agreeing that we have gone so far in promoting womens equality that we are discriminating against men. A further 44 per cent agreed that when it comes to giving women equal rights, things have gone far enough. Younger respondents were more likely to consider social media as a trusted form of news rather than mainstream media. The study found Gen Z faces growing uncertainty about who and what to trust. Controversial influencers Andrew Tate and Jordan Peterson were among those to command similar trust by 42 per cent of men. A 21-year-old male participant from Maidenhead told the pollsters Tate is empowering. A lot of boys my age dont have the same drive, men are lonely at my age, he added. open image in gallery A 25-year-old participant said: Jordan Peterson presents a contrasting voice to what feels like more predominant narrative being pushed through by mainstream media ( AFP via Getty Images ) People need that push. There are not many people to look up to, no one is saying go and work hard. Another 25-year-old male participant from Penryn, Cornwall said he felt targeted because he was a regular straight white man who has had a cultural advantage in the past. Its swinging back the other way, to a point where we potentially risk discriminating against us in favour of people in minority groups. An 18-year-old from Hitchin, Hertfordshire, said: I believe the man has to be the provider. And he has to provide for the family. I see in my life around me, a lot of people are just not into that anymore. I personally think that a man has to provide, regardless. Same with woman nowadays, I suppose. I believe that its a womans choice. They shouldnt be discouraged from being a housewife. Ms Mahon said Gen Z was media savvy, switched on and smart, but have been exposed to the full force of the polarising, confusing and sometimes wilfully misleading nature of social media since they were born. They face growing uncertainty in who and what to trust and, with equal confidence in traditional and alternative media sources, Gen Z curate their own understanding of the truth. For many, this is exacerbating societal tensions and undermining the value of democracy, she said. 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 son of Leicester City FCs former chair has hit out at the manufacturer of a death trap helicopter that crashed and killed his father. Five people died when the Leonardo AW169 helicopter crashed outside the King Power Stadium and became engulfed in flames, in what an inquest jury ruled on Tuesday was an accident. The jury returned its conclusion in the inquests into the deaths of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the helicopters pilot Eric Swaffer, his partner and co-pilot Izabela Lechowicz, and passengers Nusara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare at Leicester City Hall. In a statement read on behalf of the relatives of the late chair, his son Aiyawatt Top Srivaddhanaprabha said: My father trusted the design of this helicopter. It was Leonardos responsibility to make sure the helicopter was safe. It wasnt safe, it was a death trap. open image in gallery Firefighters pay their respects in front of a portrait of Leicester City FCs Thai chair Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha ( AFP/Getty ) Jurors heard that as the helicopter was leaving the stadium on 27 October 2018, a fault caused it to spin rapidly out of control before it crashed from a height of 430ft and burst into flames. Senior coroner Catherine Mason instructed the jury before they began their deliberations that they would only be able to conclude that it had been an accident. The jurys conclusion, which was read to the hearing by the foreperson, said: The helicopter had all airworthiness and maintenance certificates. It was found that the pilot, Eric Swaffer, took all available and appropriate options to try to regain control of the helicopter. The inquest was told by Mark Jarvis, a principal inspector for the AAIB, that the helicopter had spun because of a mechanical fault involving a bearing in the tail rotor that had seized after its lubrication broke down, causing a control shaft to rotate and become unscrewed. The helicopter crashed onto its left-hand side on a 0.5m concrete step, creating a substantial fuel leak, which ignited the rear of the helicopter within a minute of the impact before flames rapidly consumed the aircraft, the jury heard. open image in gallery A statue of former Leicester City chair Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha ( PA ) They were told that four of the five people killed in the crash died because of smoke inhalation after the fire started, while Lechowicz likely died at the point of impact from traumatic injuries to her head and chest. Recalling the moment the aircraft caught fire, PC Stephen Quartermain became emotional as he remembered realising the people were going to die. Sergeant Mike Hooper of Leicestershire Police described seeing a wall of flames while he tried to smash the aircrafts windscreen with his baton, but the inquest heard it was a very strong structure designed to withstand a 180mph bird strike. Pictures of the five killed in the crash were put on a screen in the court while the conclusion was read. Senior coroner Catherine Mason paid tribute to the people who died in the helicopter crash and said: Five innocent lives were cruelly lost on 27 October 2018, lives that were cut too short. open image in gallery Tributes were left after the crash in 2018 ( PA ) This huge loss will be borne by the families for the rest of their lives, a loss that is also felt by the community of Leicester. It has been a long journey. Just over six years for you, the families, to get the answers you wanted as to how your loved ones came by their deaths. I hope you feel through these inquests that you now have a voice. Ms Mason also praised the emergency services workers who responded to the crash. She said: From what I have heard in evidence and indeed saw with my own eyes in part is that large numbers of extremely brave men and women selflessly strived to deal with the aftermath of this crash. Before the inquest began in January, Srivaddhanaprabhas family launched a 2.15bn lawsuit against the Italian manufacturer Leonardo SpA. The sum is for loss of earnings and other damages incurred as a result of the billionaires death. More follows on this breaking news story 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 construction industry wants a special visa to be created to import enough workers it says are critical to solving the housing crisis as the government grapples with quelling migration. The Labour government has pledged to build more than 1.5million new homes in the UK by the end of Parliament, however, concerns within the construction industry over manpower have dampened Sir Keir Starmers plans. The National Federation of Builders (NFB) said Labours goals are unachievable because there is a shortage of more than 200,000 construction workers in the UK, as the opposition launched a fresh attack on the government over net migration driving population growth. The trade association has proposed a three-to-five-year construction visa alongside a one for one scheme whereby for every overseas worker employed, a British worker in the same discipline is funded or trained. The UK trains less than 20,000 construction apprentices annually and we have identified that we need around 225,000 new construction workers by 2027 to fill demand, Rico Wojtulewicz, Head of Policy and Market Insight at NFB, told The Independent. While migration has been blamed as a contributing factor to the UKs housing crisis, Mr Wojtulewicz said, that in the short term, it was vital to delivering the governments 1.5million housebuilding target. open image in gallery Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner have promised to build 1.5 million new homes over this parliament ( PA Wire ) Many say the solution is to train British workers and we should; however, it takes two to three years to get qualified and two further years of site experience to achieve a good level of competence, he said. Mr Wojtulewicz said that while this would fix short term issues, the government must understand how apprentices come forward and are retained. The trade body, which represents small and medium-sized contractors (SMEs), said small businesses are unable to afford to keep training apprentices because they have no work pipeline or are giving up because housebuilding isnt viable. Labour must do more to accept and fix this legacy failure and put SMEs at the heart of growth, not just so we have a workforce to solve the housing crisis but so we can retrofit our 20million homes and deliver the capital and regional projects which underpin the Governments growth ambitions, Mr Wojtulewicz added. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) have echoed Mr Wojtulewicz sentiment, saying skills shortages, an ageing workforce, and Brexit were among the key issues affecting the sector. The industry body added the sector has not attracted enough recruits in recent years, saying a quarter of tradesmen are aged over 50. open image in gallery The Home Builders Federation say skills shortages, an ageing workforce, and Brexit were among the key issues affecting the sector ( Gareth Fuller/PA Wire ) The industrys plea exposes the UKs reliance on foreign labour to meet key economic demands. The NHS also relies on migrants to staff the under-pressure health system. It also underscores the Labour governments pledge to reduce migration whilst simultanously meeting those demands. It comes as ONS figures suggested the UK population could reach 72.5 million by mid-2032 because of net migration, adding further pressure to the governments homebuilding targets. Keir Starmer has ruled out setting an arbitrary cap to cut staggeringly high migration, and Downing Street instead vowed the government would set out a comprehensive plan to significantly reduce migration. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated the rise from 67.6 million in mid-2022 will be driven almost entirely by net migration, with the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving the country estimated to total 4.9 million over the 10-year period. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp described the projection as shocking and unacceptable, adding: It can and must be stopped from materialising as he called for a hard, binding legal cap on visas issued each year. The ONS stressed the figures are projections not predictions or forecasts because they are based on current and past trends and there is always a level of uncertainty over how the numbers could change as time goes on. However, the think tank The Resolution Foundation said the new population projections should boost the size of the economy. The projections have revised expectations of the working-age population in 2029-30 by around 400,000. Based on previous scenarios from the OBR, the Resolution Foundation estimated that such an upward revision to the working-age population would boost forecast GDP by around 0.3 per cent or 12 billion a year. A spokesman for the prime minister said the government would publish a white paper laying out a plan to end these staggeringly high migration numbers. As the Prime Minister has previously said, we had a supposed cap in place before and it didnt have any meaningful impact on reducing immigration, he said. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has been approached for comment. Forget presenteeism: theres a new workplace trick on the block. As an office-based twentysomething, Ellie Muir understands the appeal of faking productivity (and getting your boss off your back) all too well 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 UK is seeing the weaponisation of abortion after anti-abortionists learned from effective tactics in the US over the past decade, a senior Labour backbencher has warned. Stella Creasey warned she has personally seen the agenda of American anti-abortion groups now being pushed in parliament, citing the example of longtime Donald Trump ally Nigel Farage calling for parliament to debate imposing stricter limits on abortion last year. But amid fears the UK could become the new battleground for abortion rights, Ms Creasy issued the rallying cry: We can and we will win. The Walthamstow MPs intervention came after a screening of Zurawski v Texas a film about a group of women denied abortions in Texas who band together with a fearless attorney to sue the state government which was jointly put on by British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) and Amnesty International UK during Trumps first week in office. The US president has wasted no time in carrying out his anti-abortion agenda after bragging about killing Roe v Wade in his election campaign. He signed a pair of executive orders reviving two anti-abortion policies from his first term despite his pledges that abortion should be left to the states discretion. open image in gallery Stella Creasy MP has warned the UK is seeing the weaponisation of abortion after anti-abortionists learned from effective tactics in the US over the past decade, saying anyone who thinks otherwise needs to wake up ( PA Archive ) Ms Creasy told the crowd in London last Monday: We should take extreme caution of what is happening in America, in Europe... I know firsthand that the tactics weve seen in the US are being used in parliament. Anyone who thinks youre living safe in a comfortable community where this could never happen needs to wake up. What we have seen is the weaponisation of abortion over the past two years what does that mean? The doubt of women being able to make good choices... [Over] the past 10/15 years, anti-abortion[ists] learned from whats effective in America and brought that here. open image in gallery The Walthamstow MPs intervention came after a screening of Zurawski v Texas a film about a group of women denied abortions in Texas who band together with a fearless attorney to sue the state government which was jointly put on by British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) and Amnesty International UK during Trumps first week in office ( Tara Cobham / The Independent ) Ms Creasy acknowledged that the abortion debate at a global level is set to get a lot sharper, with Trump and Elon Musk dominating the world stage. There are going to be people thinking womens bodies are a battleground, she said. The MP argued this was evermore reason for those in support of women and pregnant peoples rights to take action and urgently. We need to up our game here in the UK if we are to protect the basic human right of universal access to safe and legal abortions, she said, emphasising: We dont have the legal right to have an abortion. open image in gallery Longtime Donald Trump ally Nigel Farage called for parliament to debate imposing stricter limits on abortion last year ( Getty ) Abortion should be a healthcare issue, she said but instead women across the UK continue to face criminal proceedings over terminating their pregnancies, because abortion is still criminalised in this country. However, campaigners are pushing for that to change this year, with hopes the issue might be addressed in an amendment to a bill tabled in parliament in the upcoming months. Rachael Clarke, Head of Advocacy at BPAS, told The Independent: This is the most pro-choice parliament in history. We would expect theres a good amount of support not just for decriminalisation [of abortion] but for protecting womens right to access [it] and also [an acknowledgment] that some bits of the law are out of date... We wouldnt be trying to open this up and push it if we didnt think we had the numbers on it. open image in gallery There are fears the UK could become the new battleground for abortion rights ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) You dont have to agree with what these women have allegedly done to agree that criminalising women for the worse time in their life that sending them to jail is not the answer... It takes the bare amount of humanity to say this isnt the right way to go about this. When asked if she is concerned about anti-abortionists similary rallying this year and pushing their agenda from the other side, she said: Trump has brought an awareness to the fragility of womens rights, its easy to see what opposition looks like now this is a global organised campaign against womens rights and no one is beyond the risk of what might happen if they really get their teeth in it. Therefore, she expressed cautious hope that the election of leaders like Trump will merely serve to light a fire under the ongoing global fight for abortion and more broadly womens rights. Im never complacent, but I remain hopeful, she said. 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 Lord Peter Mandelson will be the next British ambassador to the United States after Donald Trump agreed to accept his credentials. The long-awaited decision ends a weeks-long standoff with the new US administration over the Labour grandees appointment to replace Dame Karen Pierce as the UKs top diplomat in Washington. A White House official has confirmed to The Independent that President Trump has finally agreed to accept Lord Mandelsons letters of credence when he arrives in the American capital next month, allowing him to take up residence in Washington DC. The end of the uncertainty over his appointment comes as the new US secretary of state Marco Rubio issued a veiled warning to foreign secretary David Lammy over the attempts to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, as tensions between the UK government and US administration continue. open image in gallery Donald Trump is said to have accepted Lord Peter Mandelsons appointment as the UKs new ambassador to the US ( Jonathan Brady/PA ) It also comes amid reports that US senators have handed a file to the FBI to investigate the Labour peers links to China, the primary reason that Mr Trump was said to be considering rejecting his nomination. The Independent revealed last week that the extremely rare move had been considered by Mr Trump and that a decision was set to be made by the US president this week after papers were forwarded from the State Department. While Lord Mandelson is being allowed to take up his post removing a major diplomatic headache for Sir Keir Starmer it is understood that it will still come with conditions and the peer will be kept on a short leash because of his past links with China. Even as news broke of the decision there were questions about what Mr Trump had extracted in return for having allowed his close allies to brief against and attack Lord Mandelson over a number of weeks, even having him described as a moron. It is understood that the president craves hosting a visit by senior royals to America, possibly the King or Prince and Princess of Wales. It is also known he wants to address a joint sitting of the Houses of Parliament after senior Labour figures helped ensure he was not able to in 2016. Meanwhile, Mr Trumps new chief diplomat has issued a warning to Mr Lammy over his attempts to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in a sign that the new White House administration will seek to block the move. The shot across the bows came during secretary of state Marco Rubios first phone call with the foreign secretary. open image in gallery Secretary of state Marco Rubio ( Evan Vucci/AP ) While Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Trump avoided difficult topics, including Lord Mandelson, when they spoke on Sunday, Mr Rubio referenced the controversial Chagos Islands deal. President Joe Biden had supported a handover to Mauritius but the Trump administration is concerned about the joint UK/US airbase on Diego Garcia and the potential for China to move in and establish a presence on the islands. Mauritius was the first African country to sign a trade deal with China and the issue was raised by Mr Rubio during the call with Mr Lammy: he warned the foreign secretary to beware of Beijings malign influence. Mr Rubio, who has previously criticised the proposed deal, stressed the need for a free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and stable, according to a readout of the conversation. While Chagos does not appear to be mentioned by name the reference was a clear sign of the administrations position on the deal with Mauritius. Before his nomination, the former Florida senator said the Chagos deal would be concerning as it would provide an opportunity for communist China to gain valuable intelligence on our naval support facility in Mauritius. He told Politico: This poses a serious threat to our national security interests in the Indian Ocean and threatens critical US military posture in the region. open image in gallery Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands ( US Navy/AP ) Last year, The Independent revealed that the Trump transition team was looking at ways of vetoing the deal, which was held up by a change of government in Mauritius and a new prime minister who demanded more concessions from the UK. Mr Lammy has always described the Chagos agreement as a good deal, arguing it ends uncertainty over the Diego Garcia base and guarantees it for at least 99 years. But the government has refused to publish details of the proposed deal, including the estimated cost to the UK taxpayer. 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 Nursing leaders have admitted patients could choose a proposed new assisted dying service because of inadequate palliative care. Professor Nicola Ranger described it as possible in evidence to MPs as she warned access to good end-of-life care is not as good as it needs to be for everyone. She also warned training for nursing staff would be key as they would have to be very vigilant around anyone feeling that theyre a burden and opting for assisted dying. Her comments came as Englands chief medical officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty warned ministers not to rush a proposed assisted dying service through as he cautioned against any firm deadline. Asked about the prospect of implementing the policy within two years, he told MPs: I would prefer this was not running against a timeline, saying this is something best not done at speed if we can avoid it. A firm deadline risked making it much harder to provide a safe, fair and secure service, he warned. open image in gallery Professor Sir Chris Whitty (left), chief medical officer for England, appearing before MPs scrutinising the bill ( House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire ) Campaigners have claimed the proposed law is being rushed through at the expense of elderly and disabled people. On Tuesday, Ellen Clifford, coordinator of the UK Deaf and Disabled Peoples Monitoring Coalition, warned: Something of this magnitude has to go at a much slower pace. Prof Ranger and Mr Whitty were giving evidence to a committee of 23 MPs led by Kim Leadbeater, the Labour backbencher who proposed the legislation, which passed its second reading in the Commons before Christmas. Asked by Conservative MP Danny Kruger, So it could be possible that somebody is requesting assisted dying because of the absence of adequate palliative care? Prof Ranger replied: I think when you put it in a question like that, it could be possible, but what we would want to strive to do is have a system that doesnt leave anyone in distress. In his evidence, Prof Whitty also warned it would be extremely difficult to have a list of illnesses that would apply under the proposed legislation. Currently, there are no specific illnesses listed in the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. The draft legislation specifies only that someone should be diagnosed as having six months or less to live. Asked if there could be a list of conditions, Prof Whitty told MPs on the assisted dying Bill committee: If Im honest, I think it would be extremely difficult. Lets take cancer for the great majority of people with the majority of cancers that are diagnosed tomorrow, the doctor whos seeing them will say: In all confidence, you have cancer, and I expect you to be alive, not just next Christmas, but its for many years to come. So the fact they have cancer is not, in itself, a demonstration that they are going to die. open image in gallery Kim Leadbeaters proposed law to legalise assisted dying passed its first test in the Commons before Christmas ( PA Wire ) Equally, there are people who may not have a single disease that is going to lead to the path to death, but they have multiple diseases are interacting theyre highly frail and its not the fact of one disease thats the cause, but the fact of this constellation that is clearly leading them, on a path inexorably to a death at some point in the foreseeable future. Exact timings are tricky. But, therefore, I think its quite difficult to actually specify these diseases are going to cause death, and these diseases are not, because in both directions, that could potentially be misleading. Last week an MP who developed type 1 diabetes spoke of her fears that the proposed legislation is so vague her condition could be included as a valid reason to end her life. Sarah Bool, the new Tory MP for South Northamptonshire, is calling for a list of conditions that should or should not included. Ms Leadbeater has argued against such a list, saying diabetes is not a terminal illness. But Ms Bool told The Independent: I had a type 1 diabetes diagnosis three years ago, but the way the bill is drafted as it stands, I am caught potentially, because type 1 diabetes is a progressive illness that is not reversible by treatment. Its something that I can only manage. Paralympic athlete turned disability campaigner Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has also argued that the bill could apply to her if she had a sore that failed to heal properly. Ms Leadbeater has previously 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. Speaking to The Independent, she argued that diabetes would not be considered as a terminal illness so would not be a reason to seek an assisted death. 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 Proposed copyright rules for AI models have left creators alarmed, a Labour MP who once played Glastonbury has warned. James Frith, a former member of the band Finka, warned ministers that their plan to let artificial intelligence models mine text and data threatens to rip the rug from under artists. According to a Government consultation pack, ministers could introduce an exception to copyright law for text data and mining, which would improve access to content by AI developers but also let creators reserve their rights. Pete Wishart, SNP MP for Perth and Kinross-shire, apologised to culture minister Sir Chris Bryant when he said nobody believes the proposal would support both the AI and creative sectors. Mr Frith said the Governments proposal had left artists confused, alarmed and deeply concerned. He warned: This threatens to rip the rug from under our prized sector with proposed, sweeping changes to copyright law. Creators see it for what it is an upheaval of the copyright protections they depend on, threatening lasting damage to the sector. Copyright doesnt inspire hit songs, smash-hit movies or classical texts, but it is the lifeblood of our creative industries. Its what feeds investment, enables musicians, writers, actors, designers and businesses large and small to earn a living from their work. The MP for Bury North later said: AI holds exciting potential to help consumers discover and engage with creative works, but to forfeit the humanity it takes, suggesting AI can replace what it takes, insults and will ultimately cost those who pour their lives into this craft, as well as those of us who love to soak it all up. Conservative former culture secretary Sir John Whittingdale also criticised the proposal, which he said reverses what has long been the case that people can rely upon the protection of their rights unless they choose to give it up. He added: They shouldnt have to come along and ask that their right should be protected, which is what an opting-out system entails. Sir John also warned of a huge burden on small rights holders such as individual photographers. After Sir John described alarm at the Governments proposed exception to copyright law, Sir Chris intervened in his speech and told the Commons: We are consulting. We have not decided, we are consulting. Its a consultation, not the second reading of a Bill. Allison Gardner, Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, warned that the policy risks creating a future of fools gold data as our creative industry loses control of its ownership to their work and moves elsewhere or just simply gives up. She urged MPs to imagine the UK had not data but vast reserves of gold and asked: What should we do? Would we look at gold-hungry organisations and give it away to them for free in the hope they will invest in the UK? I should hope not. Mr Wishart, who is a member of the cross-party band MP4 which also includes former MPs Ian Cawsey, Sir Greg Knight and Kevin Brennan, said: I know they think theyve got an idea and a solution which somehow supports both the AI sector and the creative industries sector, but theres nobody who actually believes that, sorry minister. Theres no one who could go along with this idea that somehow we open up the nations creative work to be scraped and to be mined, that would ever get us to the situation where this could ever be possibly useful for the creative industries, and I dont think it would be useful for the AI sector either. He continued: Theyre in an economic mess and theyre looking to grab at anything that will give them any sort of comfort and AI is obviously one of the areas that theyve identified that might bring this promised growth, and given them some sort of confidence and reassurance that what theyre trying to do with the economy might actually get to where theyre seeking to take it. Replying for the Government, Sir Chris said he fully understands the level of concern before telling MPs: Intellectual property is absolutely central to the viability of the creative industries, both to individuals and to the industries themselves. What are they selling other than intellectual property? He said good generative AI needs good-quality data, adding: And that means licensing, i.e. paying for, getting permission for good-quality data that is embodied in creative intellectual property. We seek more licensing, in other words more remuneration. Secondly, greater control of rights. Thirdly, legal clarity for all. And its those three things combined that were seeking to achieve. Sir Chris said doing nothing is not an option, adding: There isnt a version of rights reservation that works at the moment that is simple and easy. As an author I know if you want to register for PLR, public lending right, you have to go online and register each of your works. Thats relatively simple and straightforward. Its relatively simple and straightforward for somebody who writes books because you only have two or three or four for a photographer its a completely different business. So weve got to come to a technical answer that works for everybody. If there isnt a technical answer then were going to have to think again thats the sum total of where were at. 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 A Labour MP who threatened to smash a reporters face with a f****** bat has been made a trade envoy by Keir Starmer. Kate Osamor was ordered to apologise for the incident and for using House of Commons headed notepaper for a character reference in her sons drug case in 2020. Last year she was also suspended by her party after she said Israeli action in Gaza should be remembered as a genocide, in a post about Holocaust Memorial Day. She has now been named as the governments new trade envoy to East Africa, alongside 31 other parliamentarians as part of a massive expansion of the scheme. open image in gallery Edmonton MP Kate Osamor has had the Labour whip reinstated (Richard Townshend/UK Parliament/PA) ( PA Media ) The move comes as the chancellor Rachel Reeves tries to court foreign investment and boost UK exports as part of her growth plans. Also on the list is Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who has previously called for the UK to pay reparations for slavery. She has been named the official trade envoy to Ghana. Ian Austin, a former adviser to former PM Gordon Brown, has been given the Israel brief, while former Lord Iain McNicol of West Kilbride has been appointed to Jordan, Kuwait and the Palestine Territories. Former shadow minister Rosena Allin-Khan was appointed to the South Africa role. open image in gallery Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP who has called for the UK to pay reparations for slavery has also been made a trade envoy (PA) ( PA Archive ) An investigation into Ms Osamor by the Commons Committee on Standards found the MP for Edmonton had breached the MPs code of conduct numerous times and ordered her to apologise to the House in a letter. They included using Commons notepaper for a reference for her son, who in October 2018 was sentenced to a community order in a drugs case. Later, the former shadow minister told a journalist asking about the reference: I should have come down here with a f****** bat and smashed your face open. Last year she was suspended by Labour over her Gaza genocide comments, made in a message distributed to local party members. She later apologised for "any offence caused" and had the party whip restored following an inquiry into the 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 Britain must halt a surge in its population after an official forecast predicted it will rise to 72.5 million people by mid-2032, the shadow home secretary has warned. After the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said net migration will push the population up by 5 million from 2022 levels, Chris Philp said the shocking and unacceptable projection can and must be stopped from materialising. The senior Conservative called for a binding legal cap on the number of visas issued each year, and said millions of economically inactive adults in the UK should be encouraged back into work to lower the countrys reliance on immigration. open image in gallery Yvette Cooper is under pressure to cut net migration to the UK ( PA Wire ) Mr Philp said: Ten million arrivals over 10 years is far too high. We need a binding legal cap on visas issued each year which is very, very substantially lower than this in order to get the numbers down and under control. His comments came after the ONS said the population would hit 72.5 million in the next seven years, up from 67.6 million in the middle of 2022, driven almost entirely by net migration. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage piled in on the backlash, warning: The population explosion is damaging the quality of life for everyone. Both Labour and the Tories are equally guilty. Downing Street said the projections underline the need to act to bring down net migration substantially. Thats why the government is committed to bringing down net migration and tackle the root causes behind it, the prime ministers official spokesperson said. But left-leaning think tank the Resolution Foundation said the ONS figures showed there would be a rise in the working-age population, which would improve Britains economic outlook and reduce borrowing by around 5bn. Principal economist Adam Corlett said: A larger working-age population means a bigger economy, more workers, and higher tax receipts, which should deliver a fiscal boost of around 5 billion a year by the end of the decade. If the OBR uses these population projections, this will be welcome news for the chancellor given the wider economic pressures she is facing. The number of births and deaths across the period is projected to be almost identical, with about 6.8 million births offset by 6.8 million deaths. open image in gallery Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the rise in net migration must be halted ( PA Wire ) While births are projected to increase slightly, deaths are also projected to rise due to the relatively large number of people reaching older ages who were born during the baby boom following the Second World War. The level of net migration is projected to average 340,000 per year from mid-2028 onwards, lower than current levels. James Robards, ONS head of population and household projections, said: The UK population is projected to grow by almost five million over the next decade. The driver of this growth is migration, with natural change the difference between births and deaths projected to be around zero. These projections are based on current and past trends, and arent forecasts about what may or may not happen in the future. Right-leaning think tank the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) said the ONS forecasts showed migration running at unsustainable levels. open image in gallery Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has also criticised rising migration numbers ( PA Wire ) Research director Karl Williams said: The chancellor needs to focus on making the economy more productive if we are to support an older population without burdening younger workers with even more tax increases. Massive levels of net migration run contrary to this goal - putting pressure on our roads, housing, and public services which only serves to make Britains low productivity growth problem even worse. The figures will put chancellor Rachel Reeves on a collision course with Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, with the former determined to grow the economy at all costs and the latter focused on cutting immigration levels. Ms Reeves used an event at the World Economic Forum in Davos to announce plans for the UK to review visas to entice more high-skilled workers to the country as part of its bid for economic growth. Ms Cooper has said the government is clear that net migration needs to come down under Labour, stressing that the government is taking action. The ONS figures also highlighted the challenge of Britains ageing population, with the number of people aged over 85 projected to nearly double to 3.3 million by 2047. Mr Robards said: This is in part because of the ageing of the baby boom generation, as well as general increases in life expectancy. Pressure, domestic and external, is growing on the government to increase defence spending markedly. Yesterday, the secretary general of Nato, Mark Rutte, called for member states to push their target beyond the 2 per cent of GDP set back in 2006, in the light of far greater international challenges. Donald Trump, possibly as a bargaining tactic, has called for a commitment to spend 5 per cent on defence (more than anyone spends now and its actually currently below 4 per cent in the US). There is obviously no shortage of real and potential trouble facing the Atlantic Alliance Russian aggressions in Ukraine and Georgia; instability across the Middle East; and an increasingly assertive China. The most immediate threat is from Russian grey zone action by merchant vessels acting on behalf of Kremlin interests notably tearing up vital communication cables in the Baltic. Can we find the money to defend ourselves? Whats the governments policy? Very simply put, it is to increase defence expenditure to 2.5 per cent of national income. This is described as iron clad, presumably like an original Dreadnought. However, unlike those Edwardian steam-powered sea monsters powering over the horizon, it is not obvious how and when this commitment will be achieved; no date has ever been set. The Conservative opposition has raised this failure in the Commons, but to little effect. The most ministers will offer is that the path to the 2.5 per cent target being met will be published, like the overall public spending review, in the spring. When exactly is that? The Conservative MP Mark Pritchard had some fun with this, asking the minister, Luke Pollard, Is that the astronomical spring, which he will note ends on 21 June, or the meteorological spring, which ends, from memory, on 31 May? Pollard, the great sphinx of Whitehall, refused to be drawn. The Conservatives, currently equally enraged by the decision to rename HMS Agincourt to save French blushes, are hampered in their attempts to wrap themselves in the flag because their own record on defence spending was fairly poor. It was further tarnished by some spectacularly wasteful projects, such as the new armoured car for the army. Indeed, the Tory-led coalition administration made defence a prominent target for cuts, in contrast to their performatively patriotic rhetoric. What does the UK spend now? A respectable, but no longer adequate, 2.3 per cent of GDP. The incoming Labour government boosted the budget by 3bn, which is the sort of sum that sounds impressive in the chamber or on TV but hardly registers in the bigger scheme of things it amounts to 0.1 per cent of GDP. In total, defence spending is around 54bn, less than it was in the comparative calm of 2010. Britain used to be one of the very few nations to even reach the 2 per cent target, but now some Nato members states are setting better examples Poland spends more than 4 per cent, and Estonia in excess of 3 per cent. The laggards, still below 2 per cent, are Portugal, Italy, Canada, Belgium, Luxembourg, Slovenia, and Spain. In Nato, defence seems to get more important the nearer you get to Russia... What happens next? A row with Trump. Despite his apparently warm relations with Keir Starmer, the US president is unlikely to be impressed by even rapid progress to the 2.5 per cent figure especially as sluggish economic growth means that it actually wont amount to that much more in terms of troops, tanks and planes. If his recent form is anything to go by, Trump could then threaten Britain, other European allies and Canada with punitive trade tariffs if they refuse to pay their bills, as he sees it. As a literal nuclear option, Trump might threaten to withdraw US troops from Europe, or even withdraw the nuclear umbrella and leave the alliance. In which case Europe really would have to get its act together and spend whats needed to deter Vladimir Putin a lot more than 2.5 per cent. The crunch will probably come at the Nato summit in the summer, a forum where Trump has previously staged showdowns; informally, Trump will need to be placated by whatever plans the government announce in the spring, if Starmer wants to avoid being publicly humiliated. Why dont we spend more on defence? Its difficult. The long and gradual decline in defence spending after the end of the Cold War effectively averted an even worse cash crisis in the NHS than it is currently experiencing the money saved by scaling back defence was spent on keeping hospitals going and dealing with an ageing population. Now, clearly, that trend has to go into reverse. The weakness of the UKs post-Brexit economy means theres less money around for anything, though, and the Treasury is traditionally resistant to the generals pleas for more (especially when so much procurement cash is squandered). Politically compared with, say, schools, healthcare or pensions there are few votes to be had in expanding the armed forces. Rachel Reeves always seems unmoved by the case for boosting defence. Whether the Trump Factor will change all that, we shall discover shortly. What used to be called a Twitter spat has broken out between the health secretary, Wes Streeting, and the self-styled disrupter Nigel Farage. The Reform UK leader says that the NHS needs Reform while Streeting thinks it needs (lower-case) reform. They differ on the funding model, Streeting preferring to fix the current system, Farage advocating a French-style insurance system; but there are underlying questions of principle and an emerging willingness on the part of Labour to take Farage on. Streeting is a willing and effective attack dog, worthy of his populist opponent Whats the row? Streeting made a speech attacking what is seen as Reforms soft underbelly: its policy to introduce private sector insurance companies into the National Health Service. The health secretary turned Farages usual schtick against him, accusing Reform of offering only a miserablist, declinist vision of the UK, and peddling a false choice: The crux of Farages argument is this: what was possible in the 20th Century isnt possible in the 21st People shouldnt have to choose between a health service that treats them on time and an NHS free at the point of use. Farage, thin-skinned as ever, took to X to tease his opponent back: Wes Streeting is so scared of Reform that he has now resorted to lying about our plans for the NHS. Let me be clear, the NHS will always be free at the point of delivery under a Reform government. Unfortunately, Farage then gave an interview during which he said: The funding of the NHS, for example, is a total failure. The French do it much better with less funding. There is a lesson there. If you can afford it, you pay; if you cant, you dont. It works incredibly well. His unfortunate turn of phrase was seized on by Streeting: If you can afford it, you pay is not free at the point of delivery. Theyre your words, not mine. And I thought you were straight talking What does it show? For a change, its not a classic culture war issue confected to exploit grievances. As such, the NHS is an interesting test case as to whether Farages Reform UK can be more than a one-issue party moving from an obsession with Brexit and then immigration to more mainstream, traditional voter concerns. Farage is an obvious repository for a protest vote in parts of the country that the Lib Dems, the Greens, SNP and Plaid cannot reach, but if his ambitions go higher, hell need more. Without some sort of credible offering on economics and public services, Reforms prospects as a serious party are limited. For Labour, its about defending the gains they made at the expense of the Conservatives on the red wall, winning back their voters whod been seduced and then disappointed by a previous populist, Boris Johnson. So Britain seems to be moving into one of its periodic flirtations with three-party politics. Whos right? Both, maybe? Its fair to say that the French, and others, can receive good health care but thats not necessarily what would happen in practice, especially with uninsurable health insurance risks (long-term cancer care, dementia, mental health), and for people who cannot afford to pay the premiums or lack employers who will do so for them. Thus it could be, to borrow a phrase, a two-tier service, with only a tattered safety net at best for the most vulnerable, as Streeting predicts. The NHS is also a relatively efficient low-cost operation, standardising treatment and prioritising clinical need; the downside is less consumer choice. Where will this go? As one of the few members of the cabinet whos actually good at politics and taking the fight to the enemy, Streeting will be a formidable foe to Farage, whos used to not having his breezy assertions properly challenged. It will also do Streetings leadership ambitions no harm. For Farage, it means, as he has conceded, that his party will need to do much more work on policy, as well as organisation, as it moves out of its difficult adolescent years. For Kemi Badenoch and the Conservatives, theres the obvious danger that they get squeezed, overlooked and seem irrelevant in the national debate (also a bit of an issue for the Liberal Democrats and Ed Davey, despite their impressive number of parliamentary seats). What, in other words, is the Tory plan for the NHS? Badenoch says wait but in the meantime, Farage is eating her lunch. 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 changing pension rules as part of a desperate bid to boost economic growth and hand a 160bn uplift to British businesses. The chancellor has announced plans to loosen the rules around how pension funds invest, allowing them to plough surplus funds into the wider economy. The changes come after a barrage of criticism over the governments handling of the economy since coming to power six months ago. Since the general election the economy has flatlined, while the chancellors October Budget lumped businesses with higher taxes and wage bills, leading to major firms laying off thousands of staff. In a bid to win back credibility with business chiefs and boost economic growth, Ms Reeves will paint the pension fund reforms as part of an urgent mission to tear down the biggest barriers to growth, taking on regulators, planning processes. open image in gallery Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and chancellor Rachel Reeves are loosening the rules around how pension funds invest ( PA Wire ) The changes will let employers take surplus cash from their pension schemes to either invest in supplies and equipment for their business or to hand more benefits to employees. Downing Street claims this would unlock 160bn of funds in surplus, arguing that previous restrictions have meant that businesses have struggled to invest them. Following the announcement on Tuesday, Ms Reeves and Sir Keir met with the CEOs of some of Britains biggest businesses to discuss plans to slash red tape and turbocharge the economy, telling business leaders that ministers have been ordered to ditch policies which could stand in the way of efforts to grow the economy. The roundtable meeting, attended by chief executives including Lloyds boss Charlie Nunn, Nationwide boss Debbie Crosbie and Tesco chief Ken Murphy, came ahead of a major speech by the chancellor on Wednesday where she is set to unveil a bonfire of planning rules to get Britain building again. Ms Reeves - who is pinning her hopes for economic growth on a commuter town boom - is also expected to announce a third runway at Heathrow airport as well as expansion at Gatwick and Luton. open image in gallery Ms Reeves is expected to use a speech this week to endorse proposals for a third runway at Heathrow ( PA Wire ) She has promised to take an axe to red tape that slows down approval of infrastructure projects, revealing planning system reforms to allow more houses to be built near commuter train stations. On Monday night, the chancellor sought to rally Labour MPs behind the governments growth mission, calling for ministers to go further and faster. Addressing the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP), Ms Reeves highlighted action ministers have already taken on growth, name-checking deputy PM Angela Rayner, energy secretary Ed Miliband, culture secretary Lisa Nandy, business secretary Jonathan Reynolds and environment secretary Steve Reed. Addressing a tense PLP meeting, she asked: Have we done enough? No. We must go further and faster. Because the cost of living pressures are still very real for working people across Britain. And the only way we can turn this around is through economic growth. open image in gallery Sir Keir and Ms Reeves will meet business chiefs in the City of London on Tuesday ( PA Wire ) Sir Keir and Ms Reeves have repeatedly cited economic growth as the governments number one priority, with officials fearful that a failure to grow the economy and boost living standards ahead of the next general election will see Labour lose its majority. The Office for National Statistics this month said the UK economy grew by 0.1 per cent in November, after falling by 0.1 per cent in each of the previous months. Highlighting the governments desperation to get the economy moving again, Ms Reeves threw the gauntlet down to colleagues who might oppose Labours planning reforms and deregulation drive. She told the PLP meeting: Will that growth come easy? No. There are no easy routes out. There are always reasons for government to say no. Over the past six months as chancellor, my experience is that government has become used to saying no. That must change. We must start saying yes. 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 Children involved in last years summer race riots following the Southport attacks should have their criminal records wiped clean, Englands childrens commissioner has said. Dame Rachel de Souza said young people should be allowed to move on with their lives and become successful adults, saying offences they committed during the violence should not be held against them for the rest of their lives. The riots were sparked by misinformation spread following the killing of three girls in Southport, with hotels housing asylum seekers among the targets. Theyre children, she said. It feels hard to think a 14-year-old who has served an eight-month sentence for throwing a stone and been really stupid would carry that conviction on their record for the rest of their life, so I hope that we can think of how they can make reparation but also let these children have a life going forward. It comes after a new report from the independent commissioner, published on Tuesday, argued that young people took part in the riots because they looked fun - not because they held anti-migrant or racist views. open image in gallery Dame Rachel de Souza is Englands Childrens Commissioner (Aaron Chown/PA) ( PA Wire ) Dame de Souza told The Times: Obviously there are some crimes sexual offences, extreme violence that are different, but we are looking at short sentences here and young people who were often of really good character and have recognised the wrong theyve done. We wouldnt want to see their ability to get a job and work and be successful adults blighted. But Treasury minister Emma Reynolds shot down the idea, asking: How can we have a rule of law that is a deterrent if we just wipe peoples criminal records? Asked about Dame de Souzas comments, the government minister told Sky News: I dont think that peoples records should be wiped clean. If Southport tells us anything, its that weve got to look more closely at whats happening with young people who are obsessed with hatred, who are obsessed with videos or images of violence online. She added: Weve got to be tougher on these things, not softer, in my view. The report argues that the over-100 children who were arrested in the riots got involved because they were curious to see what was happening, thought it looked fun, felt animosity towards the police, or wanted free goods. The unrest started after misinformation spread online following Axel Rudakubanas murder of three children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on 30 July. Social media posts wrongly alleged the attacker was a 17-year-old asylum seeker. But the childrens commissioner, who interviewed 14 children charged over the riots, found they had joined to be nosey or because they wanted to attack the police. She concluded that while online misinformation and racism all played a role, they did not drive the childrens actions. open image in gallery Emma Reynolds said weve got to be tougher on these things, not softer ( PA Archive ) Many children described making a split-second decision, their involvement being largely spontaneous and unconsidered, driven by curiosity or the thrill of the moment to see what was going on in their community, she said. Others described a deep distrust of the police and the opportunity to retaliate against a previous interaction. What these conversations do not support is the prevailing narrative that emerged from the riots which was subsequently accepted: that online misinformation, racism or other right-wing influences were to blame for why young people were enticed to join in the aggression. According to the analysis, 147 children were arrested over the summer riots, with 84 charged. The vast majority were boys aged 14-to-17-years old. Eight percent of the children were aged 10-13. The commissioner said that many of the children had never been in trouble with the law before, and some had been encouraged by adults to throw things at the police. But responding to the report, one Labour MP told The Independent that it appeared far off the mark and that structural racism should not be discounted as a factor in the riots. They said: While the causes of the riots are undoubtedly complex, social media was not the sole cause but acted as a force multiplier for deeper issues such as inequality, political neglect, and mistrust in institutions. Ignoring the mainstreaming of racism in media and politics, however, feels like political posturing aimed at reinforcing far-right narratives. The causes may be complex, but they are not beyond analysisand this report seems far off the mark. Meanwhile, Sabby Dhalu, from Stand Up to Racism, said: We certainly agree that deep distrust of the police and lack of opportunity were drivers in the childrens motivation to get involved in the racist riots. However, it is possible that the findings underestimate the impact of racism and the role of far-right groups on social media on motivating the children involved. Many children may have felt ashamed to admit racist views held by themselves or their family. 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 Sir Keir Starmers post-Brexit reset of relations with Brussels have been branded anaemic, with the prime minister warned that his EU policy is vague and unambitious. In a damning report to mark the fifth anniversary of Britains departure from the European Union, UK in a Changing Europe (UKICE) said it appears that EU policy appears peripheral to Starmers government. And, despite the PM and Rachel Reeves relentlessly focusing on economic growth, the EU relations think tank said it was remarkable that the chancellors October Budget failed to mention the impacts of Brexit once. open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer has embarked on a reset of relations with the EU ( AP ) The Brexit Files, published on Tuesday by UKICE, lays bare the impact of Brexit on areas of the economy such as trade, immigration and defence, as well as the state of Sir Keirs attempts to rebuild ties with Brussels. In a series of essays, experts set out how, despite the promises of Brexiteers, trade and investment into Britain has fallen while net migration has soared to record levels. But, despite Sir Keirs frequent overtures to Brussels, UKICE researcher Jannike Wachowiak said Labours policy on the the EU since being elected in July has been vague. What has been proposed so far is small in scale and technical, rather than a vision for a substantially different relationship, she said, ahead of a key meeting between Sir Keir and EU leaders next week. In a damning assessment, she said the party has so far given little indication of how it intends to deliver on its manifesto commitment to deepen ties with Europe, while focusing more on its red lines around freedom of movement, the customs union and the single market. Ms Wachowiak said: It is difficult to avoid the impression that EU policy is peripheral to Starmers government. This is most noticeable when it comes to the governments mission to grow the economy. Rachel Reeves autumn budget sets out a roadmap on how to drive growth without mentioning the impacts of Brexit once. Her Mansion House speech acknowledges the structural challenges caused by Brexit and vows, in the same breath, not to reverse its foundations. open image in gallery Rachel Reeves was criticised for failing to mention the impacts of Brexit in her Budget ( Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street ) With official forecasts predicting 4 per cent will be wiped from the size of Britains economy in the long run due to Brexit, Ms Wachowiak said lower economic growth appears to be baked into Labours strategy. And she warned that, despite public opinion having swung decisively against Brexit, the lack of pressure on Sir Keir from pro-Europeans could see Starmers EU policy remain anaemic. In another essay as part of The Brexit Files, Sir Keir received a damning warning over the likelihood of the EU agreeing an overhaul of the existing Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) underpinning Britains trade with the bloc. University of Warwick European public policy professor Hussein Kassim and Forward College international relations assistant professor Dr Cleo Davies said there is no appetite on the EU side to reopen negotiations on the TCA. In Sir Keirs meetings with EU leaders, including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, European officials have repeatedly called for the full and faithful implementation of existing deals, suggesting there is little room for any major new agreements to be struck. But, in a boost for Sir Keir, the bloc said the EU is open to closer ties, notably around security, where the PM has announced plans for a new defence pact with the EU. Ahead of Sir Keirs working dinner with EU leaders on Monday, European Council president Antonio Costa said: The UK is a key partner for the European Union, notably in the field of defence. I expect the discussion to focus on that dimension of our relationship." The UKICE report was also littered with damning statistics about the impact of Brexit, including that financial services exports have fallen to levels 33 per cent below their 2007 peak, with legal and financial services particularly exposed to the loss of mutual recognition of professional qualifications. And the report warned that, as a consequence of Brexit, investment into the UK may have been 10 per cent lower than expected, with productivity and the size of the economy being hit by 1 per cent. A government spokesman said: This government is ambitious about resetting this relationship, to drive economic growth, make the British people more safe, secure and prosperous. Ministers have had very positive engagement in more than 60 direct meetings with their EU Counterparts. The prime minister and president of the European Commission have set out key areas to work on strengthening cooperation in mutually beneficial areas, such as the economy, energy, security and resilience. Work is taking place across government to drive the reset forward, leading up to the first UK-EU Summit, taking place in the first half of 2025. 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 Suella Braverman has become the latest Tory rightwinger to seek a relaunch of her political career in the US with a major speech appealing for help to make Britain Great again. Following in the footsteps of ex-PM Liz Truss, the former, home secretary who was sacked by Rishi Sunak, has given a speech at the Heritage Foundation in Washington DC accusing Keir Starmer of breaking the special relationship. She claimed there is a need to restore sovereignty, protect British values, and end mass migration as a fundamental step to make Britain great again. The location of her speech at the thinktank involved in compiling the controversial rightwing Project 2025 policy document for the Trump administration appears to be symbolic of her hopes of a political comeback. open image in gallery The former home secretary spoke at the Heritage Foundation (Justin Tallis/PA) ( PA Archive ) The speech at the annual Margaret Thatcher Freedom Lecture comes amid speculation she could become a pivotal figure in bringing Reform and the Tories together in some sort of deal to defeat Labour. Ms Braverman recently denied she was about to join Reform when her husband Raul publicly quit the Tories to join Nigel Farages party. But she has since been coy about her intentions and has remained distant from the new leadership under Kemi Badenoch. In a tub-thumping speech to remind her audience of her rightwing credentials, Ms Braverman declared that the special relationship between the UK and the US lies in tatters, all thanks to Keir Starmer and his weak, globalist, establishment first, Britain last policies. Ms Braverman said: Under Keir Starmer, the UK is now more likely than ever to worship at the altar of punitive net zero policies, bend the knee at the cross of a distorted notion of human rights and submit to the will of supranational institutions rather than sticking up for the UKs national security and long-term allies. She claimed that there is a battle for freedom in the UK. open image in gallery A number of conservative MPs have attempted to capitalise on Donald Trumps success ( Getty Images ) No wonder the special relationship lies in tatters, she continued. Because freedom is in crisis in the UK. Superficially, of course, we have an electoral system, democracy, and the rule of law, she said. Look under the surface and our liberties are being shaken to the core. Because in the UK, we are in our own battle. A battle for courage and common sense. Fighting against the forces of appeasement and progressivism. The former home secretary - whose parents are both immigrants - returned to a familiar theme of her ministerial career blaming mass migration for Britains problems and claiming it is causing an existential crisis for the country. She said: In the name of multiculturism, politicians of the three main parties have consistently refused to address the elephant in the room. That millions of people coming into the UK do not have its best interests at heart and refuse to assimilate or integrate. Too many immigrants to the UK refuse to learn English, and many do not want to embrace the Judeo-Christian culture that defines the UK, with all of its wonderful freedoms and opportunities. Too many migrants coming to the UK today just want to take, take, take, whereas the controlled immigration of yesteryear was much more about giving. Ms Braverman has faced repeated criticism over her views on immigration, once branded crazy rhetoric that normalises the politics of Mr Farage, by a former Home Office aide. 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 government is being urged to pour more funding into the care system after new projections showed the country is facing a social care timebomb as the number of over-85s is set to double over the next two decades. Ramzi Suleiman, policy and public affairs manager at the Carers Trust, issued a stark warning to the government, arguing that the sector is nowhere near ready for this rise in older people as it is already creaking at the seams. Projections from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that, by mid-2047, the number of over-85 will have nearly doubled to 3.3 million, representing 4.3 per cent of the total UK population. This is an increase from 1.7 million in mid-2022, when they made up 2.5 per cent of the population. The rise comes partly because of the larger numbers of people born in the 1960s, who would be aged over-80 in 2047, as well as general increases in life expectancy, the ONS said. The warnings came after the government confirmed earlier this month that major social care reforms would not be delivered until 2028, with an independent commission chaired by Baroness Louise Casey launching in spring. The government has pledged to introduce a National Care Service but it is unclear what this would look like in practice. open image in gallery Ellie Chowns warned that older generations have been left out in the cold ( House of Commons ) Responding to the figures, Green Party MP Ellie Chowns warned that older populations have been left out in the cold by successive governments who have refused to get to grips with the social care crisis we face. This issue will only worsen over the years to come, contributing to spiralling costs and NHS backlogs, Ms Chowns told The Independent, calling for the government to properly fund social care to ensure people have the frontline services that they need. Alison Bennett, care spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, warned that the governments dither and delay on social care will only make matters worse. Across the country we are already seeing thousands of people, who are well enough to be discharged, stuck in hospital beds and unable to leave because social care simply doesnt exist, she told The Independent. These figures show in stark relief that the longer they ignore the crisis, the more social care costs will crush council budgets and lead to unnecessary suffering for individuals. Thats why we need the social care commission to be done and dusted within a year at most, it is more pressing than ever. We can then finally move on with implementing much-needed reforms after too many years of inaction. Mr Suleiman added: The social care sector is nowhere near ready for this rise in older people. Its already creaking at the seams and there is huge unmet need, with less than half of older people with care needs getting the help they should. Meanwhile, unpaid carers are having to fill the gaps by looking after family and friends at home. This is just further evidence that action is needed right now to fix the social care crisis. We cant wait another 10 years. And its not just social care that isnt ready. This demographic shift will require millions more of us to provide care. Without changes to the world of work and extra support, many of those carers will be forced to leave their jobs, at huge costs to themselves and the wider economy. open image in gallery Chris Philp called for a cap on visas in response to the report ( PA Wire ) The ONSs figures also sparked further calls to clamp down on migration, as the projections indicated that net migration will push the population up by 5 million from 2022 levels, to 72.5 million people by mid-2032. Responding, shadow home secretary Chris Philp said this shocking and unacceptable projection can and must be stopped from materialising. The senior Conservative called for a binding legal cap on the number of visas issued each year, and said millions of economically inactive adults in the UK should be encouraged back into work to lower the countrys reliance on immigration. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also weighed in, warning: The population explosion is damaging the quality of life for everyone. Both Labour and the Tories are equally guilty. While Downing Street rejected Mr Philps calls to bring in a legally binding cap on migration, a spokesperson said the projections underline the need to act to bring down net migration substantially. The prime minister doesnt think that setting an arbitrary cap that previous governments have done is the way forward. Thats why were putting in place the policies that will actually deliver that, the spokesperson explained. But Ms Chowns warned the social care sector would collapse tomorrow if it wasnt for those moving to this country and providing the care our loved ones rely on. We owe it to them to properly fund social care that can offer the care people need in their own homes. This is a political choice, we can choose to properly tax wealth in this country to fund the frontline services that people need, she said. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: Costs of care are set to double in the next 20 years, and this will demand long-term action. The Casey commission will work to build a national consensus around a new National Care Service that is fair, affordable and able to meet the needs of older and disabled people into the 21st century. The first report is due in 2026 and the government is delivering urgent improvements to adult social care now, promoting better use of care technologies and professionalising the social care workforce. 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 Yvette Cooper has rejected calls for misogynists, conspiracy theorists, the far left and potentially violent environmental activists to be treated as extremists. The home secretary has said she disagrees with the findings of a rapid review ordered into extremism in the wake of the Southport attacks, choosing instead to continue focusing the governments anti-terror efforts on Islamist and far-right extremism. It comes after the rapid analytical sprint on extremism she commissioned in August following the riots sparked by the Southport murders was leaked to the right-leaning Policy Exchange think tank. open image in gallery Yvette Cooper is expected to reject calls to widen the definition of extremism ( PA ) A Home Office spokesperson said the government is considering a wide range of potential next steps arising from the report. The counterextremism sprint sought to comprehensively assess the challenge facing our country and lay the foundations for a new approach to tackling extremism so we can stop people being drawn towards hateful ideologies, the spokesperson said. This includes tackling Islamism and extreme right-wing ideologies, which are the most prominent today. The leaked report suggested the UKs approach to extremism should be based on troubling behaviours and activity rather than ideologies. Those include spreading misinformation, influencing racism, and involvement in an online subculture called the manosphere, according to the right-leaning think tank. The report also recommended the governments definition of extremism should cover environmental extremists, far-left activists, anarchists, conspiracy theorists and others. open image in gallery Keir Starmer said the governments priority was focusing resources on the most pressing threats ( POOL/AFP via Getty ) But ministers will continue with their focus on Islamist and far-right extremism. Following the leak, Sir Keir Starmer said it was important to focus resources on the most pressing threats faced by the UK. The prime minister said: When it comes to extremism, its very important that we are focused on the threats so we can deploy our resources properly and therefore were looking carefully where the key challenges are. Obviously, thats now informed with what I said last week in the aftermath of the Southport murders, where weve got the additional challenge, I think, of a cohort of loners who are extreme and they need to be factored in. So thats the focus. In the end, what this comes down to is the safety and security of people across the United Kingdom, thats my number one focus. open image in gallery Axel Rudakubana was referred to the Prevent anti-terror programme three times ( PA ) City minister Emma Reynolds added: We think that the two forms of extremism that pose the greatest threat are Islamic extremism and far-right ideology. Asked if the government was prepared to broaden the definition of extremism at all, she told ITVs Good Morning Britain: We have rejected the recommendations in the leaked report, and we will be setting out our plans clearly when ministers come to the House of Commons to do that in the usual way. The report also recommends reversing a code of practice to limit the number of non-crime hate incidents being recorded and floats the idea of creating a new crime of making harmful communications online, according to Policy Exchange. It says claims of two-tier policing are an example of a right-wing extremist narrative. Paul Stott and Andrew Gilligan, of Policy Exchange, said in an analysis of the report that the suggested approach risks swamping authorities with new cases. Some of the definitions of extremism also threaten free speech, defining aspects of normal and legitimate political debate as extremist, they added. After Axel Rudakubana, 18, pleaded guilty last week to murdering three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, Sir Keir said it was understandable that the public would look at the crime and wonder what the word terrorism means. The prime minister said the teenager represented a new kind of threat, distinct from politically or ideologically motivated terrorism, with acts of extreme violence perpetrated by loners, misfits, young men in their bedroom, accessing all manner of material online, desperate for notoriety. He said that, if needed, the government would change the law to recognise the new and dangerous threat and review our entire counterextremist system to make sure we have what we need to defeat it. Rudakubana was referred to the Prevent anti-terror programme three times but those referrals were closed due to his apparent lack of a clear ideology. The home secretary has ordered a review of Prevents thresholds in response. 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 Dead bodies litter the streets of eastern Congos Goma city after heavy explosions and gunfire were heard amid intensifying battles between Rwanda-backed rebels and pro-government forces. Health workers have been shot at and hospital patients, including babies, have been caught in the crossfire, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said, as hospitals in the city are overwhelmed by hundreds of people with gunshot, mortar and shrapnel wounds. Tens of thousands of residents in eastern Congos largest city fled their homes after the rebels made swift gains in the North Kivu province bordering Rwanda, in the conflicts largest escalation since 2012 when the M23 rebel group last occupied Goma. Hospitals are overwhelmed. There are currently hundreds of people in hospital, most admitted with gunshot wounds, said Adelheid Marschang, WHOs emergency response coordinator for the DR Congo. open image in gallery Residents leave their homes to fetch water from Lake Kivu as fighting subsides in Goma on Tuesday morning ( AFP via Getty ) Angry crowds attacked a number of embassies in Kinshasa, the Congolese capital, as protesters criticised the alleged complicity of foreign actors in Rwandas attack on eastern Congo on Tuesday. The Rwandan embassy was targeted by protestors, along with the French, US Ugandan, Kenyan, Belgian and Dutch embassies. Those protesting had teargas fired at them by police as they burned tyres while chanting anti-Rwandan slogans and attacked the embassies of countries seen as favourable to Rwanda. What Rwanda is doing is with the complicity of France, the US and Belgium. The Congolese people are fed up. How many times do we have to die? said protester Joseph Ngoy. Communications minister Patrick Muyaya said police have regained control in the capital and have bolstered security at embassies targeted by demonstrators. Warehouses with food and medical supplies in Goma have been looted, the UNs World Food Programme said on Tuesday, as concerns grow around food scarcity in the region with the possibility that food supply could become severely hampered by the fighting. Four more South African peacekeepers were killed in the fighting, bringing the total to 13 as they joined government troops in defending the Congolese city a vital humanitarian and trade hub for the region. An elderly woman in Gomas northern Majengo neighbourhood, near the airport, told Reuters: I have heard the crackle of gunfire from midnight until now... it is coming from near the airport. Another Majengo resident confirmed they had heard gunfire overnight and into Tuesday morning. Im lying on the ground with my family, they said. South African president Cyril Ramaphosa discussed the recent escalation with Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame after the peacekeeper deaths. The pair agree on the need for a ceasefire. The M23 rebels, who have fought a number of rebellions in the east against the Democratic Republic of Congos central government, have ignored calls from world leaders to halt their offensive in eastern Congo. open image in gallery M23 rebels walking through the streets of Goma on Monday morning ( AFP via Getty ) Rwanda has dismissed calls for troops to leave, saying its security is threatened, after previously having denied the presence of its military in Congo. Critics have accused the South African government of failing to do enough to ensure its peacekeeping troops were properly equipped for the conflict, as it bears the brunt of casualties among UN soldiers. A statement issued by the South African presidency after the phone call between Mr Ramaphosa and Mr Kagame did not mention the deaths. The two heads of state have agreed on the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks by all parties to the conflict, it said. UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said on Monday that the situation on the ground is chaotic but that peacekeepers remained in their positions on the field. The UN mission in December had 10,960 peacekeepers and 1,750 civilians in Congo, deployed mostly in the east. Goma is a key gateway in the DR Congo for the trade in ores of tantalum and tin, which are used in phones and computers. 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 former leader at a New Hampshire youth detention center who held down a teen while he was raped in 1998 has been jailed. Bradley Asbury, now 70, was found guilty in November on two counts of being an accomplice to aggravated sexual assault. He was sentenced on Monday to 20 to 40 years in prison. Asbury had pleaded not guilty. With due respect to the court, I'm maintaining my innocence of these charges and do intend to appeal the convictions, he said in the Manchester court before sentencing. I would like to thank my family and friends for their support through this, through the process, for writing letters on my behalf and being here today. Thank you. Asbury's wife, a stepson and a friend spoke on his behalf in court, saying he was a devoted family man and mentor. Judge William Delker said he carefully read the letters, saying he believed Asbury is capable of showing the kindness that they described, but that that actually compounds the seriousness of what he did. Delker said Asbury took advantage of his authority and crossed a line that cannot be crossed. open image in gallery Family and friends of Bradley Asbury react at his sentencing hearing at Hillsborough County Superior Court Asbury served as a house leader at the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester. He was accused of restraining 14-year-old Michael Gilpatrick on a staircase with help from a colleague, while a third staffer raped the teen and a fourth forced him to perform a sex act. Those four are among 11 men who worked at the detention center or an associated facility in Concord who have been charged since the state launched a broad criminal investigation in 2019. One defendant has since died, one was found incompetent to stand trial and charges against a third were dropped due to lack of evidence. Of those who have gone to trial, there have been two convictions and two mistrials. Stanley Watson was convicted on January 13 of three counts of aggravated sexual assault against two boys. Jurors deadlocked last week in the case of Stephen Murphy, who was charged with raping Gilpatrick while Asbury held him down. At both trials, Gilpatrick, now 41, testified that hed struggled to cope with the attack for many years and that talking about it at the trial was part of a healing process. He said he wanted to hold the perpetrators accountable and recalled having an out-of-body experience during the attack. I can see it happening, but I cant do anything, he testified during Asbury's trial. I was just not there. But there. open image in gallery Bradley Asbury, 70, at his sentencing hearing at Hillsborough County Superior Court in Manchester Gilpatrick's wife, Kelly Gilpatrick, addressed Asbury before sentencing Monday, saying, the jury saw through you, and they saw you for who you truly are. She said the damage Asbury did was real and will never be erased. Asbury's lawyer, David Rothstein, asked that his client's age and the charastics described by his family and friends be taken into account for the sentence. During the trial, Rothstein said Gilpatrick falsely Asbury of a crime that he not only didnt commit, but which, in every shape and form, was virtually impossible to commit. open image in gallery YDC victim Michael Gilpatrick stands with his wife, Kelly, at right, as she reads the victims statement Asbury had been fired from a pre-trial facility in Concord in 1994 over allegations of physical and psychological abuse but was later rehired and transferred to Manchester, where he worked until 2001. In Asburys termination letter, the director of the state Division for Children, Youth and Families, said Asbury had repeatedly misused his supervisory position, was largely responsible for the facilitys hostile environment and had failed to provide a safe environment for children. But after he sued her, he was reinstated with back pay. In addition to the criminal charges, the investigation into the facility has also led to extensive civil litigation. More than 1,100 former residents have filed lawsuits alleging physical, sexual or emotional abuse spanning six decades. In the only civil case to go to trial so far, a jury awarded David Meehan $38 million in May, though that verdict remains in dispute as the state seeks to reduce the amount to $475,000. The Associated Press generally does not identify those who say they were victims of sexual assault unless they have come forward publicly, as Meehan and Gilpatrick have done. 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 97-year-old woman was killed and her body stuffed in the trunk of a car by her adult grandson and his girlfriend, according to police. Brian Wiggins, 40, and his girlfriend, Dozsha Beckwith, 31, were arrested and charged with homicide, burglary and accessory after the fact. On Friday afternoon, deputies with the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office responded to a city residence after neighbors called and requested a welfare check for their elderly neighbor. The woman, who lived alone, had not been seen or heard from in days, neighbors said. When officials arrived, the womans grandson and his girlfriend answered the door. Wiggins told officials his grandmother had left the residence in an Uber to visit his father in an assisted living facility. The sheriffs office said deputies observed several broken safes in the living room and torn-up carpet. The home also looked as if it had been ransacked. Out of concern for the elderly woman, deputies detained Wiggins and Beckwith. Authorities then conducted a search of the residence that included the garage, where they found a car registered to Wiggins. Thats where they found the deceased body of the mans grandmother. The victims name has not yet been released by the Sacramento County Coroners Office. Police said they later determined the couple forced their way into the womans home seeking a place to stay. When she asked them to leave, Wiggins allegedly beat her to death. Once she was deceased, he and his girlfriend put her body in the trunk of the vehicle, police said. Wiggins and Beckwith are scheduled to appear in Sacramento County Main Jail on January 28. 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 crypto Crocodile of Wall Street - who is set to head to prison in days for money laundering - claims the media was wrong about her. Heather Morgan, a rapper who also goes by the name Razzlekhan, wanted to make clear that her real-life persona differs from the one depicted in Biggest Heist Ever, Netflixs documentary about her and her husbands theft. People act like Im some evil villain b**** or some dumb trophy wife, Morgan told the New York Posts NY Next podcast. I cant be both those things, but I can be neither. Federal authorities arrested Morgan, 34, and her husband Ilya Lichtenstein, 36, in February 2022 after finding the New York City-based couple hacked currency exchange Bitfinex and stole approximately 120,000 worth of bitcoin at the time worth upward of $4 billion. In August 2023, Morgan pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison. This was a media spectacle but they were wrong about me, she said. open image in gallery Heather Razzlekhan Morgan raps in a music video for her song Versace Bedouin. Days before she begins her prison sentence, she wants to set the record straight about who she really is ( Razzlekhan ) The Netflix documentary didnt do her any favors, she argued. A lawyer for the 34-year-old told the podcast that the streaming service is spreading defamatory statements against Ms. Morgan. The lawyer added: We are reviewing our legal options but starting with these cease and desist letters. The Independent has reached out to Netflix for comment. The Netflix documentary depicts Morgan as a woman finding a wealthy husband to bankroll her rapping career, she said. But, she claimed, the real story behind the rapper-turned-convict is different. I spent most of my 20s working my a** off to build a bootstrapped business by myself, which I turned into a million-dollar business, Morgan said. In the end, all the money I made from my first company went to paying legal bills for my husband and me. The pair reportedly met through SalesFolk, the sales tech company Morgan founded. She became burnt out from the business, which is why I decided to create Razzlekhan, she said. Her TikTok page, where she describes herself as an infamous rapper, boasts nearly 13,000 subscribers. The government somehow managed to weaponize Razzlekhan to undermine all of my professional business accomplishments as an entrepreneur, she told NYNext. No money from the heist was ever spent on Razzlekhan People hear this huge sum of money but were not lavish. Were eccentric. She also clarified: Im not proud of the acts that led my husband and I to being arrested. open image in gallery Ilya Lichtenstein and Heather Morgan. The couple pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy after hacking Bitfinex and stealing more than $4 billion ( Facebook ) Lichtenstein also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was sentenced to five years behind bars. Even though she refused to divulge information about her husband in exchange for a better plea deal, she said: I could have thrown him under the bus five different ways Id rather be a proud felon than a disloyal, backstabbing wife. She added: As a dedicated wife, I didnt want to do anything that would put him in a worse position. Morgan helped the fed recover about 94,000 Bitcoins, and the feds have a website where reported victims can try to get their money back. The so-called Bitcoin Bonnie and Clyde still speak to one another. Morgan plans to reunite with Lichtenstein after they are both free from prison. When I come out of prison, I look forward to continuing to pursue creative endeavors as Razzlekhan, Morgan told NY Next. The prison, in Victorville, California, is conveniently located not too far from Hollywood, so lets see what happens next, she added. This is not the last the world will be hearing from me. 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 North Carolina man who pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers on January 6 could have his latest child pornography charges thrown out in the wake of fresh pardonings from Trump. David Paul Daniel, 37, of Mint Hill, North Carolina, pleaded guilty on January 8, 2025, to the felony offense of assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers, during the Capitol Hill riots, according to the Department of Justice but months earlier, he was arrested on child pornography charges. Now, as Trump lifts the criminal convictions on those who participated in the violent riots, Daniel could see his federal child sex abuse charges waivered in tandem with the pardoning of his January 6 assault charges. During a frantic search of his home in November 2023, following the January 6 assault charges, FBI and Mint Hill police officers recovered his iPhone and multiple other electronic devices which allegedly held child sex abuse images of Daniel and a female minor, younger than 12, taken between 2015 and 2019, according to federal court documents seen by Queen City News . According to the affidavit, seen by the outlet, these images corroborated a statement taken from the minor during a forensic interview who alleged she had been sexually abused by Daniel. The Forsyth County Sheriffs Office had reportedly opened a statutory rape investigation in March 2023 and police observed images of child sex abuse relating to a second minor. Daniel was arrested for the possession of child pornography, sexual exploitation of a minor related to sexual assault, and the trafficking of child pornography on September 20, 2024, according to Queen City News. open image in gallery Daniel, pictured, was due to be sentenced May 2025 but may see all his charges dropped following Trumps pardonings ( DOJ/FBI ) It is unclear how many children he is alleged to have abused. But Daniel pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to court records seen by WBTV in October 2024. According to the DOJ, more than 1,583 individuals had been charged in almost all 50 states for crimes relating to the Capitol riots since the attack which included more than 600 individuals charged with the felony offense of assaulting or impeding law enforcement officials. Since taking office last Monday, Trump has pardoned approximately 1,500 of his supporters who were involved on January 6 and commuted the sentences of another 14. Daniel was scheduled to be sentenced for his assault charges on May 5, 2025, but now, this appears to have been squashed in the wake of Trump 2.0. The Independent contacted the Department of Justice, the FBI, Mint Hill police, and the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office for comment. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Three people are dead, including a male suspect, and two police officers were injured in a shooting Monday afternoon in an Indiana grocery store. The shooting took place at Martins Super Market in Elkhart, Indiana, late Monday afternoon, sending two officers to the hospital, where they are in stable condition, Elkhart Police Department pubic information officers Jessica McBrier said in a media briefing. Its a sad day in Elkhart, McBrier said, according to The Associated Press. Theres no further threat to the public, according to officials. Police have not released the names of the victims or described what led to the shooting. The incident is being investigated by the Elkart County Homicide Unit. open image in gallery Shooting follows separate fatal incident that occured on Sunday ( WSBT ) As details emerge about the shooting in Elkhart, we are in communication with state and local law enforcement, Indiana Governor Mike Braun said in a statement on X. He aded that his wife, Maureen, and I are praying for the victims and their families. Please keep all affected in your prayers as we await more information, U.S. Senator Todd Young of Indiana wrote on X. Elkhart, which has a population of about 53,000 people, is 15 miles east of South Bend. Another shooting in the city occurred Sunday night. Police were called to a home on 6th Street near Hively Avenue around 11:20pm on a call of shots fired. Prior to their arrival, an unconscious woman was driven to the hospital with a gunshot wound. The woman, identified by police as 18-year-old Fernanda Leon, was later pronounced dead. Police were seen arresting a man near the site of the call early Monday, after an hour-long standoff. Indiana is ranked 18th in terms of U.S. states with the highest levels of firearm mortality, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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 violent Capitol rioter who was released from prison after being pardoned by Donald Trump is now wanted on separate charges of child sex solicitation. Andrew Taake, 36, from Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty in 2023 to beating officers with a metal whip and dousing them with bear spray while storming the Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021. After being turned in by a woman he chatted with on the dating app Bumble, he was sentenced to six years in federal prison plus three years of post-released supervision. But now that he's free again, Texas prosecutors are seeking him for trial on charges related to text messages he allegedly sent an undercover cop pretending to be a 15-year-old girl back in 2016. According to court documents, Taake was already awaiting trial for those messages when he journeyed to the Capitol "ready for violence" in January 2021. Nevertheless, he was freed from federal prison despite a formal request from Texas authorities to keep him in custody so that he could be tried for the 2016 charge, according to Houston officials. A spokesperson for the Harris County district attorneys office told The Independent that it had first requested Taakes hold back in 2022 and sent over further paperwork on January 15, five days before Donald Trumps blanket pardon order. Trump hailed those imprisoned on charges in the Captitol riot as patriots. Re-arresting individuals like Taake, who were released with pending state warrants, will require significant resources, the spokesperson said. Know that we are already in the process of tracking Taake down, as he must answer for the 2016 charge of soliciting a minor online. open image in gallery Andrew Taake on the northwest steps of the Capitol building on January 6, 2021 ( Unknown video taker / US Department of Justice ) A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons declined to address specific security practices or conditions of confinement regarding Taake due to privacy concerns. The representative emphasizedd, hower, that the pardon order from Trump demanded that all inmates convicted of crimes linked to the Captiol riot be released immediatey, regardless, apparently, of any other outstanding charges against any prisoner in any other case. The language [stated] inmates currently held in prison should be released immediately, the spokesperson told The Independent. Our interpretation is if they were on our list and were in prison, they were to be released. Taake was among more than 1,500 people who were pardoned or had their sentences communted by Trump for their roles in the Capitol riot in a bid to overturn the 2020 election for Trump, including far-right militia fighters found guilty of sedition. Trump hailed the prisoners as patriots. On Sunday, another J6er from Indiana was fatally shot by a sheriffs deputy during a traffic stop. Police said he was found with a gun. Taake has a long history with the law. According to his sentencing memo, he was jailed for six years at age 19 for crashing his car into another vehicle while drunk. In 2015 he was convicted of speeding and driving without insurance while on probation, and in 2022 and 2023 he fought with inmates while in prison on Capitol-related charges, according to documents. In May 2016, the memo alleges, Taake initiated a conversation with an undercover officer who was posing as a 15-year-old girl and sent multiple explicit messages before proposing to meet in person. At one point he allegedly admitted to the cop that he could go to jail for the liaison. The Independent has asked the US Bureau of Prisons for comment. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A man has been taken into custody after police say he brought Molotov cocktails to the US Capitol that he intended to use on prominent members of President Donald Trumps administration. Ryan English approached Capitol Police on Monday around 3 p.m. in possession of multiple knives and two Molotov Cocktails homemade firebombs police said in federal court filings. The devices were constructed of 50-milliliter bottles of Absolut vodka with a grey cloth affixed on top. Officers recovered a green BIC brand lighter from the mans pants pocket. English reportedly told the officers: Id like to turn myself in. open image in gallery Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent leaves after his confirmation hearing at the Capitol ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) As officers searched the man, he told them the bottles contained vodka and the grey cloth had been soaked in hand sanitizer. He told officers he was at the Capitol to Kill Scott Bessent and had additional Molotov cocktails in his car. Bessent is Trumps newly confirmed Treasury secretary. Officers then searched the mans car and located a 750 milliliter bottle of Smirnoff 100 proof vodka and a grey sweatshirt with missing fabric consistent with the cloth found on the the Absolut bottles. Authorities determined English left his home in Massachusetts on Sunday and drove to Washington D.C. with the intention of killing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. The man allegedly also had plans to burn down the Heritage Foundation two blocks from the White House. open image in gallery House Speaker Mike Johnson with Donald Trump ( AP ) He wanted to depose these political offices and send a message, federal prosecutors wrote. While on his way to Washington D.C., English allegedly stopped at a library in Chevy Chase, Maryland and saw Reddit posts mentioning Bessents confirmation hearings and altered his target. He told police he purchased the alcohol bottles to create the Molotov cocktails. He initially wanted to use small bottles of vodka to start fires, wrap them in rags soaked in alcohol, light them and throw them at Bessents feet. If he managed to get close enough to Bessent, he planned to stab him with the knife he brought from home. open image in gallery Pete Hegseth was narrowly confirmed as Trumps new defense secretary ( AP ) After arriving to the Capitol and seeing how difficult it would be to get close to Trump officials, English allegedly said he accepted the possibility of suicide by cop. He turned himself in shortly after and has been charged with unlawful receipt, possession and/or transfer of a firearm and carrying a firearm, dangerous weapon, explosive or incendiary device on the grounds of the Capitol. 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 Texas police are investigating after a man used a three-month-old baby to wipe snow off the windshield of his car in a viral TikTok stunt. The video was taken in Port Arthur, about 90 miles from Houston, after the state was hit by a rare snowstorm earlier this month. In the clip, the man is seen laughing and smiling as he moves the infant back and forth on his windshield to wipe snow off the car. One city attorney told local TV station KFDM he contacted police after watching the clip and becoming enraged. The video has since been taken down. Port Arthur Police Chief Tim Duriso has assigned the case to a patrol lieutenant and detective, he told the outlet. His department made contact with the man in the video and the baby after visiting their apartment for a welfare check. Its routine to get Child Protective Services involved in cases like this, he said. The baby seems to be okay after the incident, but Durisos department reportedly still wants to pursue a child endangerment charge against the man involved. The department did not publicly identify the man but said he is 25. Two women were with the man when the video was shot, Duriso said, adding that he believes one of them is the babys mother. Its a sad situation, the chief said. I know a lot of people go to social media and they are looking for clicks... but this is not a deal where you should put a baby on the windshield, Duriso said, according to KBMT. The Independent has contacted the police department for an update on the case. 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 Gulf of Mexico is set to be renamed Gulf of America by Google after US president Donald Trump ordered the name change just hours after taking office. The change will be visible in the US, with both names appearing to Google Maps users outside of the country. In Mexico, it will remain the Gulf of Mexico. The US officially changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and the Alaskan peak Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, to Mount McKinley, Trumps team said last week. The Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America and North Americas highest peak will once again bear the name Mount McKinley, the Interior Department said. Google Maps, which is owned by tech giant Alphabet, will make a similar change with Mount McKinley once it is officially updated in the US Geographic Names System. open image in gallery Google CEO Sundar Pichai (fourth from the left) at Trumps inauguration alongside Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and his wife, and Elon Musk ( Getty ) The mountain was named Mount McKinley until 2015, when president Barack Obamas administration changed it to Denali as a symbolic gesture to Alaska Natives. Weve received a few questions about naming within Google Maps, the company said in an X post on Monday. We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources. Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum earlier this month jokingly suggested North America be renamed Mexican America - a historic name used on an early map of the region. open image in gallery US president Donald Trump ordered the name change just hours after taking office ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) Google has applied the same locale-based labeling conventions to other locations subject to naming disputes. Outside of Japan and South Korea, the body of water bordering both nations is listed as the Sea of Japan (East Sea). In 2012, Iran threatened to take legal action against Google over its decision to drop the term Persian Gulf from Google Maps. The company left the waterway between Iran and the Arabian peninsula nameless. The body of water is now labeled Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf) in other countries. 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 Las Vegas ice cream truck has been caught up in a social media furor after being mistaken for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle. In a now-deleted TikTok video, a woman posted a video of Billy Settlemyerss Las Vegas Ice Cream Patrol van, which bears a resemblance to a U.S. law enforcement vehicle, stating: Please be on the lookout for ice cream trucks they ever play music to get people to come outside this is actually so sick. Tensions with immigration are at an all-time high since President Donald Trump announced he was ordering a mass deportation of thousands of illegal immigrants in the U.S. just hours after taking office on January 20. As soon as the video went live, online users convinced by the claim the van was a legitimate ICE van began to slate Settlemyers business and accused him of working with the federal government. Settlemyers told 8NewsNow Im an ice cream man thats it and added that ICE patrol vehicles do not use vehicles manufactured in 1985. The business owners van is distinguishable from the typical ICE patrol vehicles as it shows the range of ice creams available on the side. However, it shares a black and white design along with an embellished fake police badge on the side a design choice, Settlemyers insisted was nice and clean and approachable safe for kids. He also shared with the outlet that often people would ask if he was ex-law enforcement. open image in gallery ICE uses a range of vehicles including an armoured truck (pictured), but many TikTok users have posted concerns claiming to be on the lookout for ICE patrol vehicles ( ICE ) Since the viral post, Settlemyers said his safety had been compromised and left him feeling like a target, adding that posting fake claims such as that can often result in dangerous repercussions. TikTok viewers reportedly began to believe the claims and started firing abuse at him online, One user is said to have posted: ICE is in Las Vegas. Please stay safe. They had a checkpoint one even disguised as an ice cream truck, according to 8NewsNow. ICE has been posting daily statistics on X since Trump became President which as of Monday stood at 1,1179 arrests and 853 detainers lodged according to the departments latest announcement . Colombian President Gustavo Petro landed himself in hot water Sunday after he decided to block two military planes carrying Colombians deported from the U.S. a move that resulted in Trump threatening harsh tariffs on US imports. However, President Petro quickly backtracked after the response and agreed to allow the migrants to return. Many migrant families are reportedly living in fear in light of Trumps harsh policies, and Mexico is building temporary shelters in anticipation of an influx of deportees. 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 Childrens YouTube star Ms. Rachel was browsing TikTok one day when she came across a video from Gaza that broke her. It showed a young boy, likely no older than five, suffering from severe shock after a bombing. His eyes are wide with fear and he is shaking furiously. The look in his eyes has stayed in my mind since I saw the video, Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Accurso, tells The Independent. A kind doctor hugged him and told him the bombing was over and he finally broke down into tears. No child should experience that kind of fear, shock and terror. That video was one of many that compelled Ms. Rachel to speak out on a conflict that has fiercely divided opinion in the US. Over the coming months, she would become one of the most prominent public advocates for children caught up in the war but it also brought a backlash. A former child educator from Maine, Ms. Rachel has built an audience of more than 13 million subscribers on YouTube with her mix of educational videos and songs for young children. Parents worship her as a deity for the respite she gives them; her bright, high-pitched intonation is the background music to households across the country. open image in gallery Ms Rachel felt compelled to publicly advocate for the children of Gaza ( Netflix ) With billions of views on her channel, and millions more across Instagram and TikTok, she now sits atop a booming empire with her own line of toys and books, and on Monday her show debuted on Netflix. The New York Times called her this eras Mister Rogers. In May last year, some seven months into Israels war against Hamas, children were bearing the brunt of relentless bombing. The United Nations estimated that some 14,500 children had been killed by intensive Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip, with many more buried underneath the rubble. At least 1,000 children had one or both legs amputated due to injuries, more than 13,000 children were suffering from malnutrition, and around 17,000 children had been orphaned. Images of those atrocities were filtering through on social media, and to Ms. Rachels feed. I couldnt look away from the scale and gravity of suffering I was seeing every day, Ms. Rachel says. I know how crucial the first few years are for brain development and the lifelong effects trauma and malnutrition have on the brain. Its a failure of humanity to deny children food, water, medical care, shelter and education, and to not protect children from violence, she adds. Many careers have been ruined and many public figures ostracised for wading into the Gaza conflict, but Ms. Rachel says she felt a responsibility to use her fame for good. I wouldnt be true to myself if I didnt use that platform to speak out for every child, everywhere, she says. She first posted about the conflict in May last year to her 2 million Instagram followers, announcing that she would be raising money on Cameo, the personalized video messaging app, for Save the Childrens emergency fund for children in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan. Within hours she had raised $50,000 with orders for 500 videos that she would personally record. A couple of days later she followed up with a written message, declaring that Children should never experience the horrors of war - nor be killed, injured or taken hostage. The messages appeared designed to be as universal as possible, non-political while being targeted enough to help in a practical way. The vast majority of the comments were positive, but her posts brought a backlash nonetheless. You should be for all children not just the children in gaza. Do you not care what hamas did to all the innocent jewish children october 7th??? one Instagram comment among dozens of others said. What about the hostages?!!!! do they matter another wrote, before the comments were eventually turned off. Those messages had a noticeable impact on the usually cheerful childrens educator. Days later, Ms. Rachel posted a video of herself in near darkness, and in tears. The bullying is so bad. Its so bad. But I can handle this, she said . That is who I am. I love my neighbor. I love every child, she added. Imagining for one second what a mom is going through unable to feed her child or give her child clean water or keep her child safe. I care deeply for all children. Palestinian children, Israeli children, children in the US Muslim, Jewish, Christian children all children, in every country, she wrote in the caption for the video. Despite her clear distress, Ms. Rachel didnt stop. I have no regrets. Im guided by whats in my heart and my unshakable belief that we owe our children more, she says. open image in gallery Children stand amidst the rubble of a building hit by an Israeli air strike in Deir al-Balah in the centre of the Gaza Strip, on May 13, 2023 ( AFP via Getty Images ) She posted a prayer song for children in Gaza and Israel, asking leaders and presidents to please stop hurting them. In another, she described two babies in Gaza who were severely malnourished. Their thighs are like this small, she said, making a tiny circle with her fingers, and holding back tears. We cant let children starve, that is not who we are. Ms. Rachel has also posted numerous times calling for the return of Israeli children held hostage in Gaza, including two-year-old Kfir Bibas and his four-year-old brother Ariel. Recommended The children of Gaza The conflict in Gaza was triggered by an attack inside Israel by Hamas on 7 October, 2023, during which around 1,200 Israelis were killed, and another 251 people were taken hostage. Israels retaliatory war from land and air, alongside a blockade, has killed 45,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom women and children, according to health authorities inside the besieged territory. Around 90 percent of Gazas 2.3 million residents have been forced from their homes. A tentative ceasefire agreement is now in place, but the situation is still devastating for children. The UN now believes that more than 13,000 children have been killed , an estimated 25,000 injured, and at least 25,000 hospitalized for malnutrition. A generation has been traumatized, Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, told the UN Security Council last week. Children have been killed, starved and frozen to death. Some died before their first breath perishing with their mothers in childbirth, he added. And Ms. Rachel says that even as things hopefully get calmer with the ceasefire, she feels compelled to continue speaking out to protect children impacted by the war. Its right, she says. Its human. Now she occasionally receives brighter videos from Gaza, too. Earlier this month she shared a video that was sent to her on Instagram of four young children gathered around an iPad in a tent. They sat in silence as Ms. Rachel sang and danced on screen. A young girls smile beamed across her face. Its so sweet, Ms. Rachel says of the video. Im so grateful if I can help bring them even a little joy in the midst of such immeasurable suffering. I want them to know that I love and cherish them, and so many others do too. 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 Donald Trumps claims that he will push to "take back" the Panama Canal have spurred concerns that the United States could invade the Central American nation. The US president has argued that Panama has broken a pledge of neutrality made when the United States transferred the canal, the world's second busiest interoceanic waterway, to Panama in 1999, falsely claiming that China is operating it. The canal is operated by the Panama Canal Authority, an autonomous agency overseen by the Panamanian government. So why is Trump getting involved? Why is the Canal key for the US? open image in gallery Donald Trump addressed his territorial ambitions over the Panama Canal in his inaugural address. ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) The Panama Canal, a 51-mile artificial waterway that connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, saves ships thousands of miles and weeks of travel. Before it was built, ships had to make the long journey around the stormy tip of South America in order to travel by sea between the two oceans. More than two-thirds of all cargo passing through the canal originates from or is destined for the United States. The U.S. completed construction of the canal in the early 20th century, a project begun by France that cost more than 25,000 workers' lives. Following pressure from anti-colonial movements, the U.S. signed treaties in 1977 granting Panama control and full sovereignty over the canal zone and guaranteeing its permanent neutrality. These took effect in 1999. Between 2023 and 2024, a severe drought aggravated by climate change lowered the level of lakes feeding the canal, forcing its administrator to restrict transits and vessel draft, which increased costs and waiting times. The passage restrictions were lifted late last year, but the waterway has not yet seen a full return of normal traffic as many shippers, especially bulk carriers and liquefied natural gas tankers, have continued taking alternative routes. What is Chinas involvement? In his inaugural address last week, Trump repeated accusations he made following his election victory that Panama has ceded control of the canal to China. He has also said Chinese troops are stationed at the canal, without providing evidence. Both Panama's government and the Chinese government have rejected those assertions. CK Hutchison Holdings 0001.HK, a Hong Kong-based company, has for more than two decades operated the ports of Balboa and Cristobal at the canal's Pacific and Atlantic entrances. The company is publicly listed and not financially tied to the Chinese government, though Hong Kong firms are subject to government oversight. Private U.S. firm SSA Marine operates the MIT port on the Atlantic coast, Taiwan's Evergreen Group operates another Atlantic port known as CCT, and Singapore's PSA International operates the Rodman port on the Pacific coast, according to company and government websites. China's economic influence has been growing in Latin America, fuelling worries in Washington that the resource-rich region will tilt to Chinese interests rather than those of the United States. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has asserted that the canal is and will continue to be Panamanian. Panama's authorities recently announced an audit on CK Hutchison's operated ports, saying they are investigating the firm's compliance with concession agreements and whether it is adequately reporting its revenues and state payments. CK Hutchison's local arm did not respond to a Reuters request for comment, but said in a statement it has paid the state hundreds of millions of dollars during its concession and that its labor force is 99.9 per cent Panamanian. Trump has repeatedly complained that the fees charged to ships to use the canal are too high, and has accused Panama of levying unfair tariffs on U.S. goods. "American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way and that includes the United States Navy," Trump said in the address. Between the fiscal years ended in 2020 and 2023, the canal's toll revenue increased almost 26 per cent to $3.35 billion, according to its annual reports. In the fiscal year ended last September, the canal offset less vessel traffic with a water surcharge, which it combined with slot auctions that rose to as much as $4 million per vessel. The canal's fees are not differentiated by a ship's flag, country of origin, or of destination. The United States does not have a relevant commercial fleet under its flag, and U.S. military ships enjoy priority of passage. Mulino said the tariffs are carefully and transparently evaluated according to demand. According to shipping experts and cargo movers, tolling fee increases have been applied in recent years by other key waterways amid demand spikes and geopolitical conflicts. What comes next? Trump's threat is already impacting Panama's debt rating. U.S. investment bank JPMorgan downgraded its recommendation on the country's bonds over threats to the canal, a key source of national income. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Panama between late January and early February, his first foreign visit in the post. Immigration will be a focus of the trip. Mulino, who took office last year, has taken a harder line on migration than his predecessor, agreeing to U.S.-funded deportation flights from Panama and installing barbed wire at the Darien Gap, a dangerous jungle route many migrants take crossing on foot out of South America on their way to the U.S. border. 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 Trump administration executive order framed as a way to help Southern California fight future wildfires wont get more water in the hands of local firefighters, and will mostly simply divert water to farms, according to experts and advocates in the state. The order, dated Friday but made public Sunday, directs a variety of federal agencies to study Overriding Disastrous California Policies to ensure adequate water resources in Southern California. That potentially includes overriding existing rules governing the Central Valley Project, a federal irrigation network in the state, and the State Water Project, a separate state-run project, and even possibly convening a committee known as the God Squad to exempt these changes from the federal Endangered Species Act. Experts on Californias byzantine water infrastructure said the Trump order has little to do with improving the response to future wildfires like those that have torn through the Los Angeles area in recent weeks. The premise of this executive order is false, a spokesperson for California governor Gavin Newsom told Cal Matters. Attempts to connect water management in Northern California to local wildfire fighting in Los Angeles have zero factual basis. California continues to pump as much water as it did under the [previous] Trump administrations policies, and water operations to move water south through the Delta have absolutely nothing to do with the local fire response in Los Angeles. Even though fire hydrants ran dry and a local aquifer sat empty as LA firefighters fought blazes like the Palisades Fire, experts say that insufficient infrastructure is to blame, rather than a lack of local water supply. open image in gallery Trump claims water rules will help fight fires, but experts say much of water deliveries will go to agriculture ( Getty Images ) Even as the area suffered a months-long dry spell, thanks to a series of wet winters, state reservoirs were mostly above historical averages as the fires broke out. Problems occurred came as LAs municipal-scale water system, designed to fight smaller, individual house fires, was suddenly tasked with putting out a historically huge wildfire-scale blaze descending on the city. Moreover, the Central Valley Project doesnt even connect to the LA water system, let alone would be accessible to firefighters. Seventy-five percent of the systems water goes straight to agriculture, and the project ends in Bakersfield, before it reaches the Los Angeles area further south. Do not be fooled by Trumps lies: none of the policies in this executive order will move even a single drop of extra water to communities devastated by these wildfires. This administration is presenting us with a false choice, Democratic California Rep. Jared Huffman, who serves on the House Natural Resources Committee, said in a statement. Some praised the Trump order, including the Westlands Water District, which serves agricultural communities in Fresno and Kings Counties. We appreciate President Trumps readiness to address these issues head-on and look forward to collaborating with federal and state partners to bring common sense back to the Food Basket of the United States, Allison Febbo, general manager of Westlands, wrote in a statement. open image in gallery Trump has promised to back California 100 percent in its wildfire recovery ( REUTERS ) Others saw the move as a sop to agricultural communities in the state, which tend to lean more red than urban areas, and draw an enormous amount of water. This is a manufactured crisis and water grab for the agricultural sector, who are mainly growing crops for export, Regina Chichizola of the advocacy group Save California Salmon told The Los Angeles Times. The executive order also calls for a reversion to a Trump-era set of rules from 2020 governing the Central Valley Project, which draws water from rivers flowing into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay and sends them further south to farms and communities in the San Joaquin Valley. California and environmental agencies later successfully challenged the rules in court, arguing they didnt protect endangered fish species that rely on Delta water, and the Biden administration worked with the state on new rules which rolled out in December. Organizations may sue Trump again if his agencies override federal endangered species protections. During a weekend visit to survey wildfire damage, Trump promised to back the state 100 percent, though the Republican has also floated putting unrelated political conditions on future wildfire aid to California and abolishing FEMA, leaving states to grapple with their own disaster response. Speaking at a forum with state officials in Los Angeles, Trump inaccurately described the states water system. Youre talking about unlimited water coming down from the Pacific Northwest, even coming up from parts of Canada, and it pours down naturally. It has for a million years, Trump said. Youll never run out, youll never have shortages and you wont have things like this, and when you do youll have a lot of water to put it out. In fact, California water comes largely from melting snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains in the eastern part of the state, and does not come from Canada or the Pacific Northwest. 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 Parents enrolling children in Oklahoma public schools could be required to provide proof of their child's U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status under a proposal aimed at bolstering President Donald Trump's immigration policies. The proposed rule would require each school district to keep track of the number of students whose parent or guardian cannot provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status and then submit that information to the Oklahoma Department of Education. That information would only be the number of students without documentation not any personally identifiable information. Ryan Walters, the Republican State Superintendent, said the rule would not prohibit students without legal status from attending schools but would require districts to keep a tally. open image in gallery Ryan Walters, the Oklahoma Superintendent of public instruction, proposed a new rule that would require school districts to keep tabs on immigrant children ( AP ) Walters claims the goal of the rule is to provide resources to teachers including tutors, tutoring programs, transportation needs and English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers. Not only do our rules serve Oklahoma taxpayers, but they will help ensure resources are directed to the students who need them most, Walters said in a statement last week. Because of the Biden administrations yearslong failure at the border, hardworking Oklahomans deserve to know how much they are spending to comply with the federal governments unfunded mandates, he added. The proposed rules, which Oklahomas education board is set to vote on Tuesday, are in the early stages and would still need approval from lawmakers and the governor to take effect. The plan has been sharply criticized by teachers and civil liberty groups and caused fear within Oklahomas immigrant communities, said state Representative Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, a Democrat who represents Oklahoma Citys heavily Hispanic south side. The community is scared, obviously, Alonso-Sandoval said. The conversations Ive had with parents, all theyre doing is trying to provide the best opportunity for their kids, like any parents. They are starting to question: Do I unenroll my child from school? Walters has said he would support Trumps efforts to enforce immigration laws, including allowing federal agents with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement into Oklahoma schools. Walters has spent much of his first term in office attacking what he describes as woke ideology in public schools, requiring Bible instruction in Oklahoma classrooms and attempting to ban books from school libraries. open image in gallery President Donald Trump has promised to enforce harsh immigration policies that would make it more difficult for people to seek asylum in the United States ( AP ) At Oklahoma City Public Schools, one of the state's largest districts with a student population that is 57% Hispanic, Superintendent Jamie Polk said in a letter to parents and staff last month after the rule was first proposed that federal law guarantees every child's right to public education regardless of immigration status. OKCPS does not, nor do we have plans to, collect the immigration status of our students or their families, Polk said. For decades, children of families living in the country illegally have had the right to attend public school based on a 1982 Supreme Court decision known as Plyler v. Doe. In a 5-4 vote, justices held it is unconstitutional to deny children an education based on their immigration status. Alabama attempted a similar requirement for public schools to ask the immigration status of students as part of a sweeping immigration law in 2011, but the state ultimately agreed to permanently block those provisions after they had been temporarily halted by a federal appeals court. Immigration experts say attempts to undermine the Plyler decision should be taken seriously, pointing to recent Supreme Court rulings that have overturned longstanding precedents over abortion rights and affirmative action in higher education. 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 Robert F. Kennedy is addicted to attention and power according to scathing letter revealing some of his darkest moments, penned by his cousin Caroline Kennedy. Kennedy, 71, who is Donald Trumps pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, is a hypocritical predator who is addicted to attention and power, his cousin warned senators ahead of the confirmation hearing in the senate - which will confirm his control over a $1.7 trillion budget as the top health official. The bombshell letter reveals a number of shocking accusations about Kennedys life, from putting mice in a blender to leading his family members down a path to drug addiction. I have known Bobby my whole life; we grew up together, said Kennedy, a former U.S. ambassador to Australia and Japan, in a letter and accompanying video statement. Here are the five key bombshells from Caroline Kennedys blistering criticism of her cousin 1. Predator Kennedy enjoyed putting chicks and mice in a blender open image in gallery RFK Jr originally mounted a campaign for the presidency himself before throwing his support behind Trump ( AP ) Kennedy, the son of liberal political icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968 at 42 as he appeared set to clinch the Democratic nomination, is a licensed master falconer who has trained hawks since he was 11. Its no surprise that he keeps birds of prey as pets because he himself is a predator, Caroline Kennedy said in the letter. Kennedy loved to display one of his bizarre and gruesome habits in caring for his birds of prey, she said. He enjoyed showing off how he put baby chickens and mice in the blender to feed his hawks, Ms Kennedy alleged. It was often a perverse scene of despair and violence. 2. Pushed his loved ones into a life of drug abuse Kennedy, who struggled with addiction to heroin, led his family members down the path of drug addiction simply through the strength of his personality. The former Democrats basement, garage and dorm room were the centres of the drug-fuelled action, she alleged. Siblings and cousins who Bobby encouraged down the path of substance abuse suffered addiction, illness, and death while Bobby has gone on to misrepresent, lie, and cheat his way through life, she claimed in the letter. But she did praise her cousin for pulling himself out of illness and disease. Kennedy says his 14 years of heroin abuse - which began soon after his fathers death when he was 15 years old - ended after he was convicted for possession in 1984 and attended rehab. 3. Dangerous vaccine views - which he is using to make himself rich While avoiding most political topics about her cousin, she unleashed a stinging criticism of his dangerous vaccine-sceptic views - which she says are serving him financially. Kennedys financial disclosures show he intends to receive legal fees from Wisner Baum, a firm suing the producer of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil. The company is accused of failing to warn customers about its risks. Through his crusade against vaccination, she said, "he is willing to enrich himself by denying access to a vaccine that can prevent almost all forms of cervical cancer and which has been safely administered to millions of boys and girls." His views on vaccines are not reflective of the views of most Americans and the rest of the Kennedy family, she added. 4. Preying on desperate parents of sick children - while vaccinating his own open image in gallery RFK Jr. pictured with his Hollywood actress wife Cheryl Hines at Donald Trumps inauguration ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) As he discourages frightened parents from vaccinating their sick children due to alleged risks, Kennedy continues to vaccinate his own, Ms. Kennedy said. Bobby is addicted to attention and power, she wrote. Bobby preys on the desperation of parents and sick children vaccinating his own children while building a following by hypocritically discouraging other parents from vaccinating theirs. His constant denigration of our health care system and the conspiratorial half-truths he has told about vaccines have cost lives," she added. open image in gallery Kennedy says he is not anti-vaccine ( Getty Images ) Kennedy has previously maintained that he is not anti-vaccine. 5. Kennedy used his name to boost his career - before he grovelled' to Trump Caroline Kennedy slammed Trumps health secretary pick for using the image of her father - former president John F. Kennedy - to boost his own political career. Bobby expropriated my fathers image and distorted President Kennedys legacy to advance his own failed presidential campaign and then grovelled to Donald Trump for a job, she wrote. He continues to grandstand off my fathers assassination, and that of his own father, she added. It is incomprehensible that someone who is willing to exploit their own painful family tragedies for publicity would be in charge of American life-and-death situations. Her father would be disgusted by his actions, she added. 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 CNN anchor Jim Acosta announced on Tuesday that he is leaving the network after his morning time slot was yanked and he was instead offered the graveyard shift from midnight to 2 a.m. ET. Acostas announcement comes after Oliver Darcy, in his Status News newsletter, reported on Monday evening that the longtime CNN anchor was expected to leave after rejecting the networks proposal. I just wanted to end todays show by thanking all of the wonderful people who work behind the scenes at this network, Acosta said at the end of his program on Tuesday. You may have seen some reports about me and the show, and after giving all of this some careful consideration and weighing an alternative time slot, CNN offered me, Ive decided to move on. I am grateful to CNN for the nearly 18 years Ive spent here doing the news. After saying the highlight of his career at CNN was covering Barack Obamas 2016 trip to Cuba, Acosta ended his final broadcast by delivering a parting message to viewers. As the son of a Cuban refugee, I took home the lesson it is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant, he noted. I have always believed its the job of the press to hold power to account. Ive always tried to do that at CNN and plan to go on doing it in the future. One final message dont give in to the lies. Dont give in to the fear, Acosta concluded. Hold on to the truth and to hope, even if you have to get out your phone. Record that message. I will not give in to the lies. I will not give in to the fear posted on your social media so people can hear from you too. Ill have more to say about my plans in the coming days, but until then, I want to thank all of you for tuning in. It has been an honor to be welcomed into your home for all these years. In a statement on Acostas departure, a CNN spokesperson told The Independent: Jim has had a long, distinguished nearly 20-year career at CNN, with a track record of standing up to authority, for the first amendment and for our journalistic freedoms. We want to thank him for the dedication and commitment hes brought to his reporting and wish him the very best in the future. Despite being one of the most popular hosts on the ratings-challenged cable news channel, network chief Mark Thompson last week removed Acosta from his 10 a.m. weekday show to shake up the dayside lineup. The programming changes were announced the same day CNN laid off six percent of its workforce as the company looks to pivot to a digital-first approach. Prior to making the move official, Thompson called up Acosta and proposed that the CNN mainstay depart his morning slot where he had been posting some of the networks highest viewership for the past year and move to late night, which has been described as the Siberia of television news. Jim Acosta is expected to depart CNN rather than take a demotion to late nights. ( AFP via Getty Images ) The offer, which Thompson made just days before Donald Trump took office, caught Acosta off guard as he was not under the impression that his show was in danger of being chopped. The CNN head, however, attempted to assure the anchor that the proposed move had nothing to do with his ratings or editorial stance, which has seen Acosta continue to be highly critical of the president even as the network has softened its approach to Trump since the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Instead, Thompson said it was necessary to move Acosta to make room in the shifting lineup, which would see veteran anchor Wolf Blitzer jump from early evening to co-anchoring a two-hour morning block with Pamela Brown. Because of this, according to Thompson, the network needed to find an extra hour to free up and Acostas show was the one that had to go. Thompson also portrayed it as something of a promotion, pointing out that Acostas show would air in primetime on the West Coast and be simulcast by CNN International, where it would air in the mornings in London and Paris. Acosta was also told he could move to Los Angeles to host the program. Still, regardless of Thompsons assurances, the fact is the time slot is when cable news viewership is at its nadir. While Acosta had considered accepting the networks offer, Darcy reported on Monday evening that he began telling colleagues that he had decided to decline the proposal and depart from the network hes called home for nearly two decades. It isnt clear when a formal announcement will be made, though the network stated last week that its new programming lineup will take effect in a few weeks. Regardless of Thompsons assertion that the networks efforts to exile Acosta to midnights had nothing to do with politics, his proposed demotion of Acosta before the CNN anchors departure left the president ecstatic. Wow, really good news! Jim Acosta, one of the worst and most dishonest reporters in journalistic history, a major sleazebag, has been relegated by CNN Fake News to the Midnight hour, Death Valley, because of extraordinarily BAD RATINGS (and no talent!), Trump posted just before Acosta signed off for the final time. Word is that he wants to QUIT, and that would be even better. Jim is a major loser who will fail no matter where he ends up. Good luck Jim! Trump has long despised the outspoken reporter, whose aggressive stance and critical commentary resulted in the commander-in-chief first labeling CNN fake news back in 2017. During his first term in office, Trump even briefly revoked Acostas White House press pass before eventually backing off following a legal battle. CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them, Trump said to Acosta during a 2018 confrontation at a press conference. They want to get rid of Acosta to throw a bone to Trump, one media executive said of the proposed late-night offer to Acosta. Midnight is not a serious offer when his ratings are among the best on the network. 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 caused chaos late Monday evening when his Office of Management and Budget announced a sudden pause on federal grants, loans, and other types of financial assistance. Almost immediately, Democrats in the Senate called the move illegal seizing on the freeze as their first real ammunition for a fight against Trump. While many senators have remained relatively subdued in the first days of Trumps administration, the pause, and the chaos its already caused, has lawmakers gearing up for battle. A federal judge blocked the freeze Tuesday until February 3 following a lawsuit. But its not clear what the ultimate resolution will be in a court battle. But Democrats dont appear ready to back down. Back in November, Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota was in a contemplative state, telling The Independent of Kamala Harriss loss that we lost, and we need to do better. open image in gallery White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks at the daily briefing at the White House in Washington and defended the spending pause ( AP ) Now, she is singularly focused on how the freeze could affect her consituents, saying she just spoke to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz about the chaos the sudden move is causing in their state. I spoke to the governor just a few minutes ago, who told me that the entire apparatus for getting paid for people's health insurance was shaky Monday, she told The Independent, adding that the future of Head Start, which helps low-income children, is now unclear. In Wisconsin, Sen. Tammy Baldwin one of only two incumbent Democrats who survived her re-election in a state Trump won is also worried about how a Trump fudning freeze could throw her state into disarray. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts decried Trumps move, pointing out the important work that federal funding supports. Now, its could all be up in the air. Right now, people are asking whether they will have to turn away children from daycare centers because they get some federal funding, or do our scientists who are doing research on better treatments for cancer have to quit their work, because some of them only comes from the federal government, Warren told The Independent. open image in gallery Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said she would oppose Donald Trumps nominee to be Transportation Secretary because of the pause ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Interfering with Congresss spending authority might be one of the few areas where both parties take umbrage. An old adage in Washington says there are three parties in town: Democrats, Republicans and Appropriators. The Democrats and Republicans grandstand while appropriators in both parties hunker down and write the budget. Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Finance Committee, is one of the more mild-mannered and cordial Democrats. But he did not hold back when asked whether he heard back from constituents. Hell yeah, he told The Independent. I mean, this is Donald Trump outdoing Richard Nixon on impoundment. Impoundment refers to the executive branch delaying or refusing to spend money appropriated by Congress. Nixon created such a stir in 1974 that Congress passed the Impoundment Control Act to curtail such abuses. But Democrats have limited options about what they can do to push back. They do not have control of the House or the Senate and lawsuits from states will not result in immediate permanent action. Democrats do have one tool in the box: the ability to slow down nominations, if not stop them outright. Republicans hope to confirm Russell Vought, Trumps nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget who served in his last administration and helped with Project 2025. Vought had his confirmation hearing last week and the Budget Committee will meet later this week to consider his nomination. open image in gallery Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said weve just got to sort through it and see how they ultimately implement the pause. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Naturally, many Republicans reverted to their normal I havent seen the tweet response to Trump. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, the swing district Republican who faced criticism for his vote to confirm Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, tried to split the difference. I can't imagine that the president would knowingly cut off housing assistance for people displaced from their home, so we've just got to sort through it and see how they ultimately implement it, he told The Independent. Tillis added that he would talk with the White House soon. Im sure we will, which is why we need to get to the facts versus fear, he said. Tillis hails from a state thats heavily reliant on federal aid. But crossing Trump is a big risk. That is not a concern for Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, who last week broke with her party to oppose Hegseths nomination. My constituents back home certainly have thoughts about it, Murkowski told The Independent. Our phones have been ringing off the hook all morning, wondering what it means, how long it's going to last, everything from a small dam project, small hydro project down in the Angoon area, to people concerned about everything from housing to water infrastructure projects. So yeah, lot of questions about what it means and the impact. Appropriators will continue to protect their power regardless of who is in the White House. 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 has praised China's new AI breakthrough as a "wake-up call" for American tech firms that ultimately "could be good" for the U.S. Shares in hardware maker Nvidia and numerous other Silicon Valley companies plunged by a total of more than $1 trillion after Hangzhou-based start-up DeepSeek released its latest AI model. Known as R1, the model reportedly beats rivals such as Meta and ChatGPT creator OpenAI in several key metrics while costing just a fraction to train and develop. While he issued a warning in a speech at a Republican retreat in Miami on Monday, President Trump was also bullish about American companies' ability to take the pressure. "The release of DeepSeek AI from a Chinese company should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win," he said. "We have the greatest scientists in the world. Even Chinese leadership told me that .... 'Silicon Valley,' they said, 'there's nobody like those people.'" He then said the breakthrough could be "very much a positive development" because it would save American companies "billions and billions" of dollars, though it wasn't clear exactly what he meant. "Under the Trump administration we're going to unleash our tech companies and we're going to dominate the future like never before," he vowed. The news comes after Trump scrapped Joe Biden's 2023 safeguards on AI development and announced a new $500 billion investment fund for new data centers and power plants to fuel the industry. He has previously argued that although it's possible AI will "take over the human race, American companies must "take the lead over China" and dominate the technology. Like ChatGPT, DeepSeek R1 is a large language model a type of "generative" AI that uses neural networks to digest and process vast quantities of human-generated text and learn how to create its own. Unlike ChatGPT, though, R1 is open-source, meaning that its code can be freely studied by anyone. That stands in contrast to OpenAI and Anthropic, whose executives have argued that open-source AI models are potentially more unsafe for the world. Over the weekend DeepSeek's chatbot app shot to the top of Apple's App Store charts, overtaking ChatGPT as the top-rated free iPhone application in the US. "DeepSeek R1 is AI's Sputnik moment," wrote venture capitalist Marc Andreessen on X on Sunday, referring to the Soviet Union's shock satellite launch in 1957 that galvanized the space race. One anonymous worker at Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, claimed on an insiders' forum that Meta was in "panic" mode and was "moving frantically" to "copy" everything it could from the new rival. U.S. tech firms have had to dig deeply into their pockets to fund the vast expense of training more powerful generative AI systems and running existing ones, buying or renting ever-growing armadas of specialized microchips to perform the energy-intensive work. Heightening the tension is the fact that generative AI has so far largely failed to turn a profit, leading some analysts to believe that the current hype is actually a bubble. American tech bosses put on a brave face on Monday. OpenAI boss Sam Altman called R1 "an impressive model, particularly around ... price, but promised to deliver "better" alternatives and said it was "invigorating to have a new competitor. A spokesperson for Nvidia likewise called R1 "an excellent AI advancement. Meanwhile, Chinese social media users expressed jubilation at DeepSeek's success, according to BBC News, hailing it as "the real deal" and "the best new year gift" for the country. By Akbar Novruz On January 8, 2025, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated that Azerbaijanis left Armenia voluntarily during the Soviet Union's collapse, asserting that they departed in a "civilized manner," with many exchanging apartments and receiving compensation. His comments, however, contradict both historical accounts and recent research. A few days ago, prior to Mirzoyans statement, former Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosyan's 1993 comments came to light, admitting that ethnic cleansing was systematically pursued by Armenia against Western Azerbaijanis, aiming for demographic advantage. Ter-Petrosyans admission, alongside Mirzoyan's claim, exposed a significant disparity between official narratives and historical facts. To challenge Mirzoyan's claim, the Center for Social Research conducted a survey among 1,000 Western Azerbaijanis who were expelled from their historical lands before and during 1988. The findings reveal stark contradictions to the Armenian Foreign Ministers statements, affirming that Western Azerbaijanis were victims of forced expulsion and violence, not voluntary migration. Findings from the Sociological Survey: Forced Expulsion, Not Voluntary Migration: A resounding 93.1% of respondents affirmed that they were forced to leave their homes due to violence, pressure, and threats, directly challenging the Armenian governments narrative of voluntary departure. Only a small percentage (0.7%) of individuals who had migrated prior to 1988 stated that they left voluntarily. The remaining 6.2% of respondents were unsure or could not answer, further highlighting the high level of coercion involved in their displacement. The Ethnic Cleansing Escalated in 1988: The survey found that 87.1% of participants were expelled from their homes in 1988, marking the peak of the Armenian governments policy of ethnic cleansing. This year saw widespread violence and systematic efforts to displace Azerbaijanis from their historical territories. Some respondents (9.9%) were expelled between 1960 and 1987, and 3.0% were forced to leave by 1960. These results highlight the intensification of Armenias deportation policies in 1988, which disrupted the ethnic and social fabric of the region. Absence of Compensation: A striking finding from the survey was that none of the respondents reported receiving compensation for the properties they left behind, directly contradicting Mirzoyans statement that 160,000 Azerbaijanis were compensated by the Armenian government. A full 98.5% of survey participants stated they did not receive any form of compensation, further debunking the official claim. Property Rights Violations: In response to claims that Azerbaijanis had sold or exchanged their properties voluntarily, the survey revealed widespread violations of property rights. A significant 91.6% of respondents confirmed that they were forced to leave the homes they lived in. Only 2.1% said they sold their apartments, and 4.4% indicated they exchanged properties, often under duress. The findings suggest that even those who sold or exchanged their homes did so in the face of extreme pressure and violence, disproving the idea of a voluntary process. Uncertainty About Property Fate: When asked about the fate of their homes after they were expelled, 64.7% of respondents reported that they had no information about what happened to their properties. This lack of transparency and the uncertain future of their homes further underline the injustice and violations of property rights faced by Western Azerbaijanis during their expulsion. The Right to Return: Despite the trauma of forced displacement, 63.5% of Western Azerbaijanis expressed full belief that they would one day be able to return to their ancestral lands. This belief in the restoration of their rights reflects a strong sense of attachment to their historical territories. A further 20.8% of respondents expressed partial belief in the right to return. These findings reveal that, despite the hardships faced by these individuals, the desire for return remains central to their identity and aspirations. Support for Peaceful Dialogue in the Return Process: The majority of respondents (64.5%) indicated that the return to their historical lands should be pursued through dialogue and peaceful means. However, a smaller group (12.6%) believed international pressure and mediation could facilitate the process, while 15.9% supported the idea of military force as a potential solution. These varied responses underscore the urgency felt by Western Azerbaijanis regarding the restoration of their rights and the return to their lands. Deep Emotional and Cultural Attachment: A significant 87.6% of respondents expressed a strong emotional attachment to their historical lands, viewing the restoration of their rights not only as a legal matter but as an essential part of their national and cultural identity. For these individuals, the return to their lands represents a vital step in reconnecting with their heritage and rebuilding their cultural roots. Conclusion The findings of this sociological survey provide compelling evidence that contradicts the Armenian governments narrative of voluntary migration and compensation. The overwhelming majority of Western Azerbaijanis were forcibly displaced through violence, pressure, and intimidation, often without compensation or any recourse to justice for the violations of their property rights. These results confirm the long-standing policy of ethnic cleansing carried out by Armenia against the Azerbaijani population, a policy that intensified in 1988 and had lasting effects on the regions demographic and social structure. Despite these injustices, Western Azerbaijanis remain hopeful that their right to return to their historical lands will one day be realized. Their deep attachment to their ancestral territories and their firm belief in the restoration of their rights signal that this issue will remain a central part of their identity and their national agenda moving forward. 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 Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has written an op-ed for Fox News about one important thing she agrees with President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on. Warren shared that she agrees with the cost-cutting aims of the Department of Government Efficiency but not the government programs Musk and Republicans are eyeing as potential targets. The Massachusetts senator said she is ready to work with Musk to make the government more efficient while saving the taxpayer money. Heres something President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and I agree on: the federal government throws away trillions of dollars on wasteful spending, she wrote in the op-ed. I have spent years trying to squeeze government waste out of our budget. But Musk is unlikely to listen to Warrens blueprint for cost-saving measures because her plan targets billionaires and billionaire corporations who are feasting off the American taxpayer. open image in gallery Dem Senator Elizabeth Warren agrees with Trump and Musk that the government needs to tackle wasteful spending ( EPA ) House Republicans have previously suggested DOGE focus on Social Security and Medicare to cut costs. Scrapping essential services is not efficiency; it is cold-hearted cruelty, Warren said. Warren claims her 30 specific proposals for Musk to consider could save the government $2 trillion. The senator also claims that her recommendations on cutting defense spending alone would save nearly $12 billion in the next 12 years, citing the government being overcharged on everything from military contracts to soap dispensers and pins. One of Warrens suggestions Musk is likely to ignore is to make millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share. Hedge funds and private equity companies use loopholes to use loopholes to avoid paying anywhere between $1.4 billion and $18 billion each year thats an easy fix, Warren wrote. By closing just one big estate tax exemption loophole abused by the ultra-rich, the US government could government could save another $60 billion per year. Last week, Warren wrote a 21-page letter to Musk with more details of the proposals where she also complained that she has very serious concerns about DOGE. open image in gallery US Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat from Massachusetts, branded DOGE as a venue for corruption ( AFP via Getty Images ) It is not clear that you and other DOGE leaders are able to identify and mitigate your conflicts of interest and adhere to common-sense ethics standards, Warren wrote. The committee appears to be a venue for corruption, allowing well-connected billionaires to put government policies in place that enrich them while hurting ordinary Americans. The Independent has contacted the White House for comment. The newly formed DOGE has already seen a string of departures, including Musks former co-lead Vivek Ramaswamy, the biotech entrepreneur turned failed presidential candidate. Ramaswamy reportedly backed away due to deep philosophical differences over how the advisory board should function. The two also battled over who the true leader of DOGE was, The Washington Post reported, given Musks large presence. Sources told the outlet the partnership was probably doomed from the start. A top lawyer also announced he is leaving just days after Ramaswamys departure. Bill McGinley, a partner at law firm Holtzman Vogel who served as cabinet secretary during Trumps first term, was appointed as DOGEs legal counsel by the president in December and confirmed he was stepping down last week. 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 Personnel with at least two agencies assisting immigration officials with arrests across the U.S. have been instructed to be camera-ready and clearly wear their agencys logo in case theyre filmed, according to CNN. This instruction, reported by CNN and attributed to multiple sources familiar with the policy, comes as President Donald Trumps administration quickly ramps up its wide-ranging immigration crackdown, which includes mass deportations and arrests across the U.S. CNN also reports that federal agencies are posting seemingly made-for-TV photos and videos across social media, depicting federal agents with vests that read Police ICE and Homeland Security detaining people. open image in gallery A new report indicates two agencies assisting immigration officials with arrests have instructed to have their uniforms camera-ready when around the media ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) A Trump administration official denied to The Independent that any such instructions had been given out. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted a video of herself wearing a vest with ICE prominently on the front. Here in New York City this morning, we are getting the dirtbags off these streets," the former South Dakota governor said, using the phrase dirt bag in the videos caption as well. The post garnered some 30,000 likes and 4,800 re-shares. Noem was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 59-34 last week. Immigration officials have even invited major media personalities to join their operations. Dr. Phil McGraw, better known as the TV psychologist Dr. Phil, embedded with an ICE team in Chicago over the weekend. McGraw joined Trumps border czar Tom Homan, acting deputy U.S. Attorney General Emil Bove and along with several agencies including the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration. McGraws attempts to extract an admission from a suspect rounded up by authorities was roundly condemned by civil rights groups. If they think that kind of thing is going to lend credibility that will be a mistake, according to Ed Yohnka, director of communications and public policy at the ACLU of Illinois told The Independent. The spectacle of large-scale arrests was more of a made-for-TV stunt than any kind of meaningful type of immigration enforcement. open image in gallery The on-camera TV deportations have been branded a stunt rather than any kind of meaningful type of immigration enforcement. ( via REUTERS ) Chicago-area residents saw immigration officials and unmarked black trucks appear in their neighborhoods early on Sunday morning, The Independent previously reported. They took our neighbors dad, Melissa, a Chicago resident, told the Chicago Tribune. My parents were crying. We are terrified. Melissa said her own parents hid in their attic as agents arrived. I was scared for my neighbors, resident Michelle Vallet, who witnessed agents walking through her neighborhood, told the Tribune. I was scared for this nation, knowing that this is going to be common now. The Trump administration began launching raids across the country last week, including in Newark, Miami, Maryland and Colorado. The agency reported their officials arrested 286 people on Saturday and 956 people on Sunday in operations across the country. Trump has also taken several other steps to implement his hardline immigration agenda, including attempting to end birthright citizenship despite its place in the Constitution. 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 As a college student, Karoline Leavitt was laser-focused on getting where she wanted to be today: serving in the Trump administration as the youngest-ever White House press secretary. While many of her fellow students were partying, Leavitt, 27, spent her college days attending every political event possible in service of that goal. Today, the Gen Z Republican from New Hampshire will make her briefing room debut after a week of shunning the traditional daily showdown with reporters. Leavitt is the fifth press secretary to join the Trump Hall of Fame. During his first administration, he went through four of them in four years: Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham, and Kayleigh McEnany. Leavitts road to the White House began a mere eight years ago as a student at the conservative Saint Anselm College, when she interned at Fox News during the 2016 New Hampshire primary. open image in gallery President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt listens ( AP ) She was pictured beaming next to Tucker Carlson during the internship. The NH Primary is how my love for politics and media originated, Leavitt wrote on Instagram. From that week on, I knew what I wanted to do for my career. Her loyalty to Trump has been unwavering ever since. Toward the end of Trumps first term, Leavitt learned the ropes of the White House press gig when she joined former press secretary McEnanys team. When Trump left office, Leavitt worked for New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trumps pick as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, before she ran for Congress in her home state. That same year, Leavitt posted a video of herself at the shooting range captioned: take it @joebiden as she fired. open image in gallery Karoline Leavitt at a shooting range in 2022, where her video was captioned: take it @joebiden' ( @karolineleavitt/Instagram ) After losing to her Democratic rival, Leavitt was welcomed back on the Trump team and eventually named his campaign spokeswoman. Leavitt is leading the charge of what shes characterized as a Gen ZTrump movement. I believe there is going to be a reawakening amongst Gen Z in short time [sic], she commented to a follower in 2023. The pendulum has recently swung so far to the left, its bound to come back, and its going to be great. Trumps new press secretary is also a wife and mother. She said she went back to work just days after giving birth to her son, born in July 2024. When asked about the demands of the job and missing out on moments with her child, Leavitt said at the end of last year that she prays about it every day. Its very difficult but its also all I know, she told Instagram followers. I went back to work just days after giving birthI remind myself this job is temporary, its the opportunity of a lifetime. open image in gallery Leavitt makes history as the youngest ever White House press secretary ( Getty Images ) She gushed about Trump as a boss. Hes the best. He is generous, a great listener and storyteller, and seriously one of the funniest people Ive ever met. I am honored to work for him. And she previously said that Trump reminds her of her own father, who came from nothing and worked his way up. But the president has admitted he hardly came from nothing. I started off in Brooklyn, my father gave me a small loan of $1m... he told NBCs Today on the campaign trail in 2015. The kind of press secretary Leavitt plans to be remains to be seen. So far, apart from several appearances with conservative news channels, she has sat back as Trump takes center stage. The American people are hearing directly from the leader of the free world, she said last week. This is the type of truth and transparency that they deserve. She has promised to usher in decorum in the press room, the site of many clashes between the press and spokespeople during Trumps first term. Only time will tell whether she will succeed or not. 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 Kash Patel, the Trump loyalist tapped to lead the Federal Bureau of Intelligence, reportedly broke national security protocol in 2020 by publicly speaking about a hostage rescue in Yemen without authorization the latest concern among Democrats already questioning his judgement during high-stakes moments. Patel, who served as a senior advisor to the acting director of national intelligence Ric Grennell, allegedly inserted himself inappropriately in the hostage recovery mission that took place in October 2020 and disclosed information about it to the Wall Street Journal several hours before the hostages were confirmed in U.S. custody. Thats according to an unnamed whistleblower who disclosed the highly credible information to Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, CBS News reports. Senator Dick Durbin, the ranking member of the committee, relayed the information to Acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Acting Treasury Secretary David Lebryk in a letter on Tuesday. Expressing concern, Durbin asked for information related to the hostage recovery mission including all communications between Patel and the team that assisted in the rescue of Sandra Loli and Mikael Gidada as well as the recovery of Bilal Fateens remains from Iranian-backed militants in Yemen. The whistleblower claims the Wall Street Journal published Patels comments hours before the hostages were confirmed to be in custody and families were notified breaking protocol that is intended to ensure hostage exchange operations go smoothly. This is the second known instance of Mr. Patel breaking hostage recovery protocol to inappropriately insert himself in a sensitive or high-profile recovery mission, Durbin said in the letter. An official who puts missions and the lives of Americans in jeopardy for public notoriety and personal gain is unfit to lead the countrys primary federal law enforcement and investigation agency. Alex Gray, the former chief of staff for the National Security Council during Trumps first term, told CBS News the allegations are absurd and touted that Patel put the interests of the American people, and particularly the interest of Americans hostages and unlaw detainees and their families first. [Patel] is a professional who devoted his career to keeping America safe, and to bringing our hostages home. These anonymous smears are the last gasp of the NeverTrump bitter-enders, Gray wrote on X. A transition official also pushed back on the report in a statement to Fox News. Mr. Patel was a public defender, decorated prosecutor, and accomplished national security official that kept Americans safe, the official said. He has a track record of success in every branch of government, from the court room to congressional hearing room to the situation room. There is no veracity to this anonymous sources complaints about protocol. Patel has also been accused of nearly mishandling a sensitive operation in Nigeria in 2020 by mistakenly assuring Defense Department officials that State Department officials received permission from the Nigerian government for the U.S. to use its airspace to rescue an American hostage. However, Nigeria had not. It was nearly too late, as U.S. Air Forces were bringing Navy SEALs to carry out the operation. At the last minute, the State Department received clearance and the mission went forward without issues. Patel is one of Trumps most controversial cabinet picks. He has unwaveringly supported and followed Trump for years, going as far as to write a childrens book that shared doubts over the legitimacy of the Steele dossier and portrayed Trump as a king. Like Trump, Patel has elevated conspiracy theories related to the deep state and claimed the government is weaponized against the president and his allies. Like Trump, Patel has promised to use power to go after enemies such as the media and even published a list of people he believes should be investigated such as former President Joe Biden and former attorney generals Merrick Garland and Bill Barr. He has proliferated conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election and claimed former president Barack Obama runs a shadow network in charge of the intelligence community. Senator Adam Schiff, the former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said Patel is the last person who should serve as FBI director. In addition to being dishonest, untrustworthy, lacking in character his only real qualification is he was the guy in the first Trump administration that you went to when no one else would do the dirty work the president wanted done, Schiff said. Patel will go before the Senate Judiciary Committee to answer questions about his nomination on Thursday. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Far-right provocateur Michael Knowles defended Donald Trumps mass deportations on Tuesday by telling his audience that the president was merely getting rid of violent criminals, all while arguing that we need prejudice because stereotypes are all true. Communities across the United States have been gripped in fear for weeks as they braced for raids from Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid Trumps promises to clear out illegal criminal migrants and send them out of the country. In cities like Chicago and New York, thousands of immigrants have already been swept up in these made-for-TV raids, handcuffed, loaded into military planes, and flown to other countries. Local leaders and immigration advocacy organizations have criticized the large-scale immigration arrests for causing fear and anxiety while also impacting legal American citizens, who have also been detained by ICE agents. Meanwhile, Republicans and Trumps allies in MAGA media have cheered on the deportations, mocked those upset over the arrests, and called for politicians who have pushed back on the administrations actions to be targeted and even arrested. During his Daily Wire show on Tuesday, Knowles insisted that the Trump administration was only going after dangerous criminals with its immigration raids and that his viewers should dismiss any criticism coming from progressives. Daily Wire podcaster Michael Knowles defended Donald Trumps mass deportation by saying we need prejudice. ( Daily Wire ) Because what the left wants you to do is, when you think about the people being deported, they want you to think about doe-eyed little kids being deported or innocent old grannies trying to make some paella, he declared. That is not whos being deported. Full stop. Saying that there is an argument to deport anyone who is in this country illegally, Knowles claimed thats not who Trump is deporting. Instead, according to the right-wing pundit, the president is only arresting rapists, murderers, human traffickers, drug dealers, psychos and actual Satan-worshiping face tattooed gangsters. Knowles then noted that the face tattoo part is really important because it paints an image for people, adding that it conjures up images of gang members. It means when they hear deportation, theyre gonna think about this crazy MS-13 guy who rapes teenagers and beheads people, Knowles declared. Thats what youre gonna think of. If the Democrats control the language and control the narrative, you hear deportation, youre gonna think of a sweet little doe-eyed five-year-old Dreamer. But thats not it. That image actually does not reflect reality. The image that is evocative, that also reflects reality, is the face-tattooed guys. He would go on and assert that while prejudice can be a bad thing if it is unjust, it is also a basic conservative insight and necessary, likening it to a choice in breakfast cereal. We need prejudice. You use prejudice all day long, Knowles said. You dont rationally consider and write fifty-page-long treatises on every decision you make. You just kinda do it. Why do you reach for the Cheerios instead of the Raisin Bran? I dont know. You just kinda like Cheerios more. Its just a prejudice. He also praised the use of stereotyping, insisting that it is beneficial because it never ends up being false. You just go on your gut. OK? And your gut is usually right. Thats the part the libs dont wanna tell you. Your gut is usually right. And stereotypes are all true, he proclaimed. It doesnt mean that they apply to every individual within certain categories, but stereotypes are stereotypes because they are generally true. Knowles concluded: And a guy with a face tattoo and a mean-looking mug who doesnt speak English and has weird gang signs on him, he is not going to be the head of your local bank, and you should probably get him out of your country. Despite Knowless certainty that the Trump administration was only going after the worst criminals first in the United States illegally, which is how the president and his border czar Tom Homan have framed the raids, government data suggests that roughly half of the people swept up by ICE have no criminal record. According to data first obtained by NBC News, ICE arrested a total of 1,179 people on Sunday, which is more than the 956 arrests that the agency first acknowledged. However, only 613 of those total arrests were considered criminal arrests. At the same time, the rest appeared to be nonviolent offenders or people who have not committed any criminal offense other than crossing the border illegally. 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 Michigans senior Democratic senator announced on Tuesday that he wont seek re-election in 2026, setting up what will likely be a fierce competition in a state Donald Trump won last year. Sen. Gary Peters, who first won his seat in 2014, revealed his retirement and shared how he came to that decision in a video. What we do becomes a unique, individual life story having many chapters. At this point in my life, I have been able to write many different chapters and I look forward to the new ones with both anticipation and excitement, Peters said in the five-minute video. Our Founding Fathers envisioned members of Congress as citizens, serving their country for a few turns and then returning to private life. I agree. I believe now is time for me to write a few more paragraphs in my current chapter and then turn over the reins. Peters narrowly won re-election in 2020, when former President Joe Biden won the battleground state back for Democrats after Trump took it in 2016. Ranking Member Gary Peters, D-Mich., speaks at the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee confirmation hearing for South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The 66-year-old lawmaker served as chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in 2022, when Democrats held all of their swing district seats and flipped a seat in Pennsylvania. In 2024, Democrats lost four seats in Pennsylvania, Montana, Ohio and West Virginia while holding seats in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin, despite Trump winning those states. Trump won Michigan again in 2024, along with the six other major swing states. Republicans will inevitably see the race for Peterss seat in 2026 as an opportunity to make gains in the battleground state. Michigans Democratic Party has a deep bench of talent including the states term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel. Former presidential candidate and South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg, who most recently led the Department of Transportation under the Biden administration, also relocated to Michigan and could be a potential candidate for Peterss seat, along with Lieutenant Gov. Garlin Gilchrist. Democrat Sen. Elissa Slotkin beat former congressman Mike Rogers for Michigans open seat last year after the states longtime senator Debbie Stabenow retired. Republicans could put forward John James, a West Point graduate who currently serves in the U.S. House of Representatives, as a potential candidate. James lost to Stabenow in 2018 and to Peters in 2020. The announcement comes as Democrats strategize how best to counter Trump after Republicans flipped the Senate and regained the White House. Republicans will also likely target Sen. Jon Ossoff in Georgia as they play defense to protect Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. 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 The Senate voted to confirm Scott Bessent, President Donald Trumps pick to lead the Treasury Department, on a bipartisan basis with a tally of 68-29. This came after the whirlwind confirmation process for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who had kept his vote quiet, announced his support for Hegseth right before he walked onto the Senate floor, while Sen. Mitch McConnell shocked many when he joined Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine in opposition. Vice President JD Vance then had to head to the Capitol to cast his first tie-breaking vote in a dramatic fashion. But as Inside Washington wrote last week, Hegseth was a cakewalk compared to the next round of confirmation votes. Perhaps the most tenuous confirmation will be for Tulsi Gabbard, Trumps pick to be director of National Intelligence. Unlike Hegseth, a former Fox News host and outspoken supporter of not only Trump but also the various culture wars that the right has hammered for years, Gabbards specific policies might cause significant heartburn for old-school Republican hawks like McConnell, Collins, Murkowski and others. open image in gallery Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trumps nominee for director of National Intelligence, faces a rough confirmation hearing. ( Getty Images ) Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman who quit the party and endorsed Trump, has a number of hurdles to clear. For one, she will almost surely be asked about whey she visited now-deposed Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and about her parroting Russian talking points. But thats not the only area where she might face significant questioning. Senator Angus King, an Independent from Maine who caucuses with the Democrats, told The Independent that she faces significant questions about her previous support for Edward Snowden, a former National Security Agency intelligence contractor and whistleblower who leaked classified documents revealing the existence of U.S. global surveillance programs. Gabbard went so far as to ask Trump to pardon Snowden back in 2020. Shell also have to deal with other areas where shell likely encounter opposition. There are still issues about her position of the 702 for example, Collins told The Independent. Some Republicans object to her stance on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows the gathering of foreign intelligence on non-Americans outside of the United States without a warrant. Gabbard has tried to walk back her earlier criticism of the program, but Collins said she had issues with Gabbards responses. The hearing will take place during the same time as the confirmation hearing of one of Trumps other nominees who will give Republicans heartburn: the Health and Human Services hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the environmental lawyer-turned-anti-vaccine activist. open image in gallery Sen. Susan Collins has said she still has concerns about Gabbards views on foreign surveillance. ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) That's going to make things difficult for those of us who serve on both committees, said Collins, who serves on both the Intelligence Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Gabbard became a favorite even before her defection from the Democratic Party. During the first Trump transition, she visited Trump Tower in New York and earned praise from Trumpworld luminaries like Steve Bannon. Other newer Republicans like Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, whom she knew in the House, will inevitably support her, as will other more pro-Trump Republicans who arrived later. I dont need to hear anything else from Tulsi Gabbard, Im going to vote for her, Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio told The Independent, joking: Im easy. This means more attention will fall on Republicans like Todd Young of Indiana, a critic of Trump with a more conventional Republican foreign policy outlook, and Tillis. It's pretty straightforward. If she gets unanimous support out of committee, I'm supporting her, he told The Independent. Tillis said he focused more on Hegseth because he spent eight years on the Armed Services Committee. But I don't have any expertise in Intel, so I'm going to defer to the majority, and it would take everybody on the committee to vote her out, he said. Tillis has to walk a tightrope because of the fact that many of the MAGA faithful and conservatives distrust him and he risks a primary challenge. But he will also be up for re-election in two years in a state that votes by the tightest margins. A Democrat like former governor Roy Cooper could mount a credible challenge. As for McConnell, the purse-lipped former majority leader, has not let his losing his old perch change the fact that he refuses to speak to reporters, only flashing a smirk, as if to tell reporters hes got a surprise ready for them. 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 CNN contributor Scott Jennings condemned critics who said Elon Musks straight arm salute was intended to be a Sieg Heil but then refused to perform the gesture himself on live television. The billionaire, who is cementing himself as a mainstay in President Donald Trumps inner circle, has been slammed since proudly thumping his chest and shooting his right hand to the sky twice at Trumps post-inauguration rally last Monday. After rushing to the defense of Trumps First Buddy, Jennings was challenged byWashington Post columnist Catherine Rampell on NewsNight Monday evening, a date marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day. I dont understand why this guy keeps getting the benefit of the doubt, whether or not he believes this stuff, personally, Rampell said of Musk, who noted she was the only Jew around the table. Interjecting, Jennings claimed that Musks critics are suffering from a progression of Trump Derangement Syndrome a disease manufactured by the Republicans campaign team in which a person abandons all logic and reason due to their dislike of the president. open image in gallery Scott Jennings (L), a former GOP stretegist, refused to mimic Elon Musks salute after claiming it wasnt a Sieg Heil at Catherine Rampells request ( Acyn/CNN/X ) Weve moved on from Trump derangement syndrome to Elon derangement syndrome, the former GOP strategist retorted. So, he has a long record of supporting the Jewish people, number one. Number two, anybody who is asserting this thing he did on the stage the other day was a Sieg Heil, which I just heard you say lawyer up maybe because, [its an] absolute[ly] ridiculous thing to say. Why dont you do it on TV right now? the columnist responded abruptly, which Jennings rejected. This salute trutherism is outrageous. This is the most, he said, before Rampell exploded: So do it right now on TV! Jennings wrote off the rumors swirling around Musk as mere conspiracy theories, prompting Rampell for him to repeat her request to mimic the gesture on television, before host Abby Phillip was forced to intervene. The CNN contributors denial surrounding the so-called Nazi salute mirrors Musks own defense. open image in gallery Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk gestures as he speaks during the inaugural parade in Washington, DC, on 20 January, 2025 ( Getty Images ) Musk, who recently made a virtual appearance at Germanys far-right AFD partys campaign launch, claimed hours after his post-inauguration address that they need better dirty tricks, adding that comparing MAGA loyalists to the leader of the Third Reich is so tired. It comes as a local Pennsylvania official resigned from her position on the board of supervisors after posting a TikTok video of herself repeating Musks salute. In a now-deleted video, Laura Smith, the former vice chair of the Towamencin Township Board of Supervisors, thumped her chest three times before extending her hand and arm out in front of her. Just checking in on my friends who are struggling this week. My heart goes out to you. Hope youre doing ok, Smith, a Republican, said mirroring Musks own statement in the video. 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 An incarcerated transgender woman is suing Donald Trump over an executive order that would forcibly move trans women like her into mens facilities, exposing her to an extremely high risk of harassment, abuse, violence, and sexual assault. The lawsuit the first federal complaint responding to Trumps executive order was filed by lawyers with the National Center for Lesbian Rights and GLBTQ Advocates and Defenders. Trumps order directs the federal government to recognize only two immutable biological sexes: male and female. All government documents must accurately reflect the holders sex as either male or female, according to the order. The order also directs the Bureau of Prisons to move trans women into mens prisons, and cuts inmates access to gender-affirming healthcare. The plaintiff in the new lawsuit, identified anonymously as Maria Moe, is diagnosed with gender dysphoria and began transitioning in middle school. She has been taking feminizing hormones since she was 15 years old, and during her term of incarceration, she has always been treated as a woman by federal correctional officials and her peers, according to the complaint. But on January 21, she was segregated from the general population at a womens facility, moved into a special housing unit, and told that she would be transferred to a mens prison, the lawsuit states. On January 25, prison records suddenly classified her as male, according to the lawsuit. She remains in the special housing unit, pending transfer. Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20 to create a news federal government definition of sexes with far-reaching impacts for LGBT+ Americans ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) If Maria Moe is transferred to a mens facility, she will not be safe, the lawsuit states. She will be at an extremely high risk of harassment, abuse, violence, and sexual assault. She may be subject to strip searches by male correctional officers. She may be forced to shower in full view of men who are incarcerated. And she will predictably experience worsening gender dysphoria, which can lead to serious harm, including dramatically increased rates of suicidality and depression, the suit added. The lawsuit accuses Trump and administration officials of discriminating against Moe on the basis of sex in violation of her due process rights under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Her transfer to a mens prison also would violate the Eighth Amendments prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, the lawsuit states. The presidents blanket ban that denies her affirming healthcare regardless of medical necessity will deprive Maria Moe of essential medication she has taken continuously since she was a teenager, putting her at high risk of serious harm, the lawsuit states. Department of Justice policies established in 2012 instructs prison officials to perform individual assessments to determine an inmates risk of sexual victimization, including whether they are transgender, to determine where they are housed. LGBT+ advocates have also warned that eliminating protections for trans women who are at risk of violence conflicts with protections under the Prison Rape Elimination Act. This puts them at a severely heightened risk of sexual assault and abuse by other incarcerated persons and prison staff, the ACLU said in a statement. Among the more than 140,000 people in federal prisons and jails, about 2,000 roughly 1 percent identify as transgender, according to Bureau of Prisons data reviewed by the Marshall Project. In 2022, the bureau spent $153,000 or less than .01 percent of its overall healthcare budget on gender-affirming care. Only 10 trans women in federal prisons were housed in female prisons in 2023, the Marshall Project found. A lack of gender-accurate housing, compounded by difficulties accessing gender-affirming care, have subjected trans inmates to extreme abuse, The Independent previously reported. Incarcerated trans people are 10 times as likely to report being sexually victimized as other prisoners, according to federal data. Trumps executive order is a direct attack on transgender Americans, deliberately making it harder for people to live their everyday lives. It is cruel, and it is wrong, according to GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders executive director Ricardo Martinez. The administration is trying to create fear and sow chaos by its statements and orders, but no executive action can change the fundamental truth that transgender people are vital members of our families and communities, Martinez said in a statement. Like all people, transgender people deserve dignity, respect, and the freedom to live without fear of government-sanctioned harm. 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 Denmark is set to increase military spending in its Arctic semiautonomous territory of Greenland by the equivalent of $2 billion, and the French foreign minister floated sending European troops to the island, following multiple aggressive statements by U.S. President Donald Trump about purchasing the territory. Greenland has grown increasingly important in recent years as the Arctic ice melts, opening up new sea routes for commercial shipping. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has said that his country discussed with Denmark sending troops to the island in response to Trumps ongoing threats. When he was asked about the notion of sending E.U. troops to Greenland, Barrot told French radio station Sud Radio that France had started discussing [troop deployment] with Denmark. He added that it was not Denmarks wish to go ahead with the plans, according to Politico. Trump has called for U.S. control of Greenland since his first term in office. Ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity for national security reasons, the president has said, and he has refused to rule out using military or economic force to gain control of the territory. If Denmark calls for help, France will be there, said Barrot. The European borders are sovereign whether its north, south, east and west ... nobody can allow themselves to mess around with our borders. He added that during a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, the other ministers had shared their very strong support for Denmark and were ready to consider [sending troops] if required. But Barrot went on to say that he doesnt believe the U.S. would take up arms against Greenland. It wont happen, people dont invade EU territories, he said. In a statement Monday announcing the boost in spending, Greenland government member Vivian Motzfeldt said the territory is facing a changing security landscape, according to The New York Times. Copenhagen is spending more on its North Atlantic territories of Greenland and the Faroe Islands as part of an agreement struck last year amid rising tensions in the Arctic between the U.S., Russia, and China. open image in gallery Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (left) speaks to reporters. Her country is set to raise its military spending in the Arctic - while U.S. President Donald Trump talks about acquiring Greenland ( Getty Images ) But the announcement of the growth in spending was likely pushed forward amid increased strains in the relationship between Copenhagen and Washington over control of Greenland, Niels Thulesen Dahl, a political analyst at Jyllands-Posten, a Danish daily, said, according to The Times. The governments of Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands will buy three Arctic naval vessels to patrol its waters according to the agreement. In addition, they will also obtain two long-range drones and satellites for increased surveillance in the area, the official statement said. The Danish government added that the new increased budget will also include funding for training young people in Greenland to acquire important skills allowing them to take responsibility for preparedness. We must face the fact that there are serious challenges regarding security and defense in the Arctic and North Atlantic, Danish defense minister Troels Lund Poulsen said in the statement. Just a day after the announcement was made, Danish Prime Minister Metter Frederiksen met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the NATO secretary general, former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The meetings with Western allies come after she spoke on the phone with Trump last week, with European officials describing the call as momentarily aggressive and antagonistic. Frederiksen went to Berlin and Paris on Tuesday morning in an attempt to get support from allies in dealing with Trump. The agreement has become slightly larger than it would otherwise have been, Dahl added, according to The Times. He said that the announcement revealed that Greenland and Denmark have shared interests, rejecting the notion that the Greenlandic people would welcome American control of the territory. Much of the current discussion and tension feeds into a narrative that Denmark and Greenland have no shared interests and that Greenlanders simply want to move as quickly as possible away from Denmark and into the arms of the Americans, Dahl added, noting that this is an inaccurate impression. open image in gallery Trump has called for U.S. control of Greenland since his first term in office ( Getty Images ) While Trump has repeatedly said the U.S. would like to buy Greenland, both the Danes and the local authorities in the Greenland capital of Nuuk have said that the territory is not for sale. Denmark ruled over it for more than 200 years and retains some control over its defense and foreign policy. Earlier this month, before he was sworn in for his second term, Trump claimed, People dont 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. The idea of buying Greenland initially came to Trump from cosmetics billionaire Ronald Lauder, according to the 2022 book The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 by Peter Baker of The New York Times and Susan Glasser of The New Yorker. Trump and Lauder have known each other since their college days. The notion was subject to months of internal study and debate, much to the bemusement of cabinet secretaries and aides to the president. A friend of mine, a really, really experienced businessman, thinks we can get Greenland, Trump told his National Security adviser, according to the book. What do you think? 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 is once again weighing a third term - despite what the Constitution says. Speaking at a Congressional Republican conference at his resort in Doral, Florida, on Monday, Trump asked House Speaker Mike Johnson whether he was allowed to run again. Ive raised a lot of money for the next race that I assume I cant use for myself, but Im not 100 percent sure, Trump said. I think Im not allowed to run again. He then directly asked Johnson: Am I allowed to run again? Trump then stopped himself, joking: Mike, I better not get you involved in that argument. Despite Trumps musings, the Constitution bars any person from being elected to the presidency more than twice. open image in gallery President Donald Trump shakes hands with House Speaker Mike Johnson after addressing the 2025 Republican Issues Conference at the Trump National Doral Miami. At the event, Trump asked Johnson if he was allowed to serve a third term ( Getty Images ) The 22nd Amendment states: No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. To change the law, it would require a new Constitutional amendment. Last week, however, Congressman Andy Ogles of Tennessee proposed to revise the amendment, citing Trump as the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nations decay and restoring America to greatness. President Trumps decisive leadership stands in stark contrast to the chaos, suffering, and economic decline Americans have endured over the past four years. He has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nations decay and restoring America to greatness, and he must be given the time necessary to accomplish that goal, Rep. Ogles said in a statement. To that end, I am proposing an amendment to the Constitution to revise the limitations imposed by the 22nd Amendment on presidential terms. This amendment would allow President Trump to serve three terms, ensuring that we can sustain the bold leadership our nation so desperately needs, the Tennessee Republican said. open image in gallery The Constitution prevents presidents from serving more than two terms in office ( Getty Images ) Franklin Delano Roosevelt is the only president in U.S. history to serve more than two terms. He served from 1933 through 1945, when he died. The 22nd Amendment was approved by Congress in 1947. This isnt the first time Trump has mused about running for a third term. We are going to win four more years, he said at a campaign rally in August 2020. And then after that, well go for another four years because they spied on my campaign. We should get a redo of four years. Speaking to the National Rifle Association in May 2024, Trump asked the crowd: You know, FDR 16 years almost 16 years he was four terms. I dont know, are we going to be considered three-term? Or two-term? Some in the crowd, according to Politico, said: Three. If Trump were to serve as president again in 2028, he would be 82 years old when the term starts. 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 Vivek Ramaswamy, the former co-leader of the Department for Government Efficiency, was asked during an appearance on Fox News if he was fired from the advisory panel by Elon Musk. No, we had a mutual discussion and I wish him well, were on the same page, were divide and conquer and saving the country, its not a one-man show from the top down or the bottom up, its all of the above, he said. Ramaswamy was set to lead the advisory board alongside Musk, but he recently left the role amid rumors that hes set to run for governor of Ohio after being passed over as a replacement in the Senate for Vice President J.D. Vance. During an interview with Fox Newss Jesse Watters on Monday night, Ramaswamy rejected the idea that Musk had fired him. "People are saying you didnt get along with Musk - what happened there?" Watters asked Ramaswamy. I think thats incorrect, but what I would say is we had different and complementary approaches, said Ramawamy. open image in gallery Vivek Ramaswamy is pushing back on the idea he was pushed out of DOGE by co-leader Elon Musk ( via REUTERS ) "I focused more on a constitutional law, legislative-based approach, he focused more on a technology approach, which is the future approach, no better person to lead that technology, digital approach than Elon Musk, but when youre talking about a constitutional revival, its not just done through the federal government, its done through federalism, where states also lead the way, he added. The 39-year-old said during the discussion with Watters that hes pursuing electoral office very soon. 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, Trump-Vance transition spokesperson Anna Kelly told Spectrum News on January 20. 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! It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE, Ramaswamy said on X at the time. 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! open image in gallery Ramaswamy was set to lead the Department for Government Efficiency with Musk. However, it didnt last long and Ramaswamy left the agency, saying they had different approaches. He is now eyeing the Ohio Governors office ( AP ) Vances top political advisers have joined Ramaswamys team ahead of the expected announcement that he will run for governor, according to NBC News. The biotech entrepreneur has known Vance since they both attended Yale Law School. Expect Vivek to announce his candidacy in mid-February, a source told NBC. Andy Surabian and Jai Chabria, who played important roles in Vances campaign for senate and vice president, are expected to join the Ramaswamy campaign. Hes leaving on good terms with Trump, Elon and the team, a source told NBC on January 20 as Ramaswamys departure from DOGE reached the public eye. A Republican Ohio operative, Chabria is set to serve as the campaigns general consultant. Surabian took part in Trumps earlier campaigns and also consulted on the campaign of Ohio Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno, who was elected last year. Surabian, a senior political adviser to Donald Trump Jr., will be in charge of an outside political group aligned with the entrepreneur, according to NBC. 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 The right-leaning Wall Street Journal has attacked Donald Trump's prospective health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr as "dangerous to public health. In a stinging op-ed published late Sunday, the paper's historically conservative editorial board described Kennedy as a "slippery" character with a "career of spreading falsehoods" and a strong financial interest in anti-vaccine lawsuits. Once in office, the board warned, Kennedy could unleash a wave of legal action against pharmaceutical companies that would force them to cancel the development of new vaccines to the detriment of public safety. The op-ed comes ahead of Kennedy's confirmation hearing in the Senate Wednesday, when he is expected to face tough questions about his plans for the country. "President Trump nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary in return for his presidential endorsement. But Senate Republicans have an obligation to scrutinize his giant closet of business conflicts and dubious ideas," the editorial board warned. "The risk is high that Mr. Kennedy will use his power and pulpit at HHS to enrich his trial-lawyer friends at the expense of public health and medical innovation, it added. In recent weeks, Kennedy has reportedly suddenly been telling Republican senators that he's "all for" polio vaccines and that he does not intend to "take away" anybody's jabs. However, the Journal's op-ed focuses on R.F.K. Jr.'s past financial ties to Wisner Baum and Morgan & Morgan PA, two law firms that specialize in claims against vaccine makers demanding big damage amounts. Kennedy's most recent financial disclosures reportedly show that he has earned more than $2.4 million from referring clients to Wisner Baum in the last few years. He said that he planned to maintain his financial interest in the court action even if allowed to take office, but would end a similar agreement with Morgan & Morgan. The Journal's editorial board goes on to describe how Congress set up the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program back in 1986 to protect vaccine makers from an "avalanche of litigation" that was "driving manufacturers from the market. The board then argues that Kennedy could "take action to assist his trial-lawyer pals, such as widening the scope of injuries that are eligible for compensation despite a lack of robust causative evidence. Routine childhood vaccines which have for decades staved off measles, chickenpox, polio and other illnesses have prevented roughly 508 million illnesses and more than 1.1 million deaths among children born within the past 30 years, according to a report last August by the Centers for Disease Control. While vaccines do sometimes come with harmful side effects, these are usually very rare, and most doctors and scientists believe they are strongly outweighed by the benefit of being vaccinated. 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 Giorgia Meloni has revealed she is under judicial investigation over Italys surprise release of a prison officer wanted for war crimes in Libya. Osama Elmasry Njeem was freed last week and flown home by an Italian state plane just days after being arrested in the northern city of Turin by police acting on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. The ICC say Najim was the chief of Libyas judicial police and the presiding authority at Mitiga prisona facility notorious for arbitrary and lengthy detentions, torture, abuse of migrants and political dissidents. open image in gallery Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacts during a Senate hearing ( LaPresse ) In a video message posted on her Facebook account, the Italian prime minister said she is suspected of aiding and abetting a crime and embezzlement in connection to the case. The ICC say Njeem is alleged to have been in charge of a prison holding thousands in Tripoli. He is suspected of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence, allegedly committed in Libya from February 2015 The ICC demanded an explanation, saying it had not been consulted over the decision to release the wanted police officer. The suspect was located in Turin, Italy, in the early hours of Sunday, 19 January and was successfully arrested by the Italian authorities. But on 21 January without prior notice or consultation with the ICC, Njeem was reportedly released from custody and transported back to Libya. Italys interior minister said the Libyan had been swiftly repatriated because of his social dangerousness. Meloni said in a message posted on social media that she had been placed under investigation for allegedly aiding and abetting a crime and misuse of public funds. She is under no obligation to resign, and being placed under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt, nor mean that formal charges will necessarily follow. I will not be blackmailed, I will not allow myself to be intimidated, which may be why I am, lets say, disliked by those who do not want Italy to change and become better, Meloni said in a video. She said she believed the investigation had been triggered by Luigi Li Gotti, a lawyer who announced last week that he had lodged a complaint over the release of Njeem and the use of an official jet to fly him back to Tripoli. Meloni also said the case was being led by the same prosecutor who investigated Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini in Sicily for allegedly kidnapping 100 migrants aboard a boat that he had blocked at sea for nearly three weeks in 2019. Salvini was acquitted in that case last month. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani made light of the ICCs objections, telling reporters the international court is not the word of God, its not the font of all truth. Italy is a sovereign country and we make our own decisions, he added. 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 An Italian navy ship has dropped off 49 migrants in Albania after intercepting them in international waters, in the third attempt to carry out a contentious plan to relocate migrants to be processed under a deal between the two countries. The attempt to process the migrants at special centres in Albania follows two failed attempts in October and November, when Italian judges refused to approve the detention of two small groups in the centres. Cassiopea, the navy ship which picked up the migrants, reached the Albanian pot of Shengjin early on Tuesday, where they will be identified at a facility before being moved to a detention centre 20km (12 miles) away. open image in gallery The 49 migrants were intercepted in international waters ( REUTERS ) The nationality of this group of migrants in the port of Shengjin, 66 kilometres northwest of Albanias capital of Tirana, was not specified by the Italian Interior Ministry. Italian media has reported that they were from Bangladesh, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Gambia. Two reception centres in Albania have been built by the Italian government of Giorgia Meloni, in the first such deal by a European Nation to divert migrants to a non-EU country as it looks to limit arrivals via sea. Judges in Rome have questioned the legality of the plan, with the first two batches of migrants detained in Albania afterwards relocated to Italy. The judges rejection of the plan derives from a ruling by the European Court of Justice last year, unrelated to Italy, which found that a nation of origin could not be considered safe if even just a part of it was dangerous. open image in gallery A migrant is seen aboard the Italian navy ship ( REUTERS ) Italian courts therefore ruled that the migrants countries of origin werent safe enough for them to face the possibility of being sent back by the asylum processing centres, undermining the Melon governments plan to repatriate them. Ms Melonis position was partially backed by a late December ruling by Italys highest court, which said Italian judges could not substitute for government policy in deciding which countries are safe for repatriation of migrants, if their asylum requests are rejected. Lower courts are therefore permitted to make such determinations on a case-by-case basis, but cannot set overall policy. Ilaria Salis, a European Parliament deputy from a left-wing Italian party, condemned the Italian government for forcibly transferring innocent people fleeing war and misery despite violations of international law and human rights. This year, 3,704 migrants have arrived in Italy, more than double the 1,305 from the same period last year. The European court will review Italys plan in the following weeks to clarify whether it complies with EU law. 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 North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Vladimir Putins military have shown ferocious commitment, brutality and a determination to kill themselves rather than face capture, The Independent has been told. A Ukrainian military source with direct knowledge of these troops has disclosed in brutal detail the extraordinary lengths to which they will go to prevent being caught. Since news of their presence in Russia emerged in October, just two North Korean soldiers have been captured alive amid varying claims from Ukraine of heavy losses among their ranks. One of those was so determined not to be held as a prisoner of war that he tried to bite his own wrists after being wounded in the Kursk region, according to the senior military source in Sumy, northern Ukraine, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The other man, the source alleged, had charged into a concrete telegraph pole when he saw he was in danger of being captured. He didnt realise, at first, that Ukrainian soldiers were closing in on him. When he realised that he was being captured by Ukrainians, he rushed at a concrete pillar [telegraph pole] and hit his head against that pillar with all his strength in the hope of killing himself. open image in gallery Two North Korean soldiers detained by Ukrainian authorities at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, following their capture by the Ukrainian army ( AFP/Getty ) Named as Lee Jong Nam, a 25-year-old sergeant from Pyongyang, he was originally said to have been wounded in the jaw during fighting. He told his interrogators he was in a rifle reconnaissance platoon. He also said, multiple sources have confirmed, that he was one of a very small number of survivors of an attack launched on 8 January. He allegedly said that all of the officers in his company were killed and he was the only survivor of a 20-strong platoon. The other North Korean was placed in Ukrainian custody, where he started to self-harm, the source said. When this guy was transported to Kyiv and someone from the special forces searched him, they found a small blade sewn into his pants. He was hoping to cut himself as soon as he was left alone, he added. We have seen video from our own drones of these North Korean soldiers killing themselves rather than face being captured. They do it by using one of their own grenades or shooting themselves mostly. We dont know why they do it but weve never taken a [North] Korean alive who hasnt tried to kill himself. These claims are from a trusted, independent source in the Ukrainian military who plays no part in Ukrainian propaganda efforts, and The Independents interview was not part of a pre-arranged media visit. open image in gallery Ukrainian soldiers have been stunned by the North Korean troops ferocity ( Office of the President of Ukraine ) The number of North Koreans who have died varies according to who is providing the briefing. Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky puts the number as high as 3,000. Western officials claim around 1,000 North Koreans have been killed. Casualty numbers are spurious at best and form part of an attempt to shape the narrative of war by belligerents, and their allies. Painting the North Koreans as fanatical in their conduct could form part of an attempt to taint them as unthinking or brainwashed. What is in little doubt is the ruthless skill with which they operate. Ukrainian soldiers have been stunned by the ferocity of the fighting unleashed by North Koreas troops, the source said. Theyre the best soldiers the Russians have sent against us. They are well-motivated, well-trained and brutal, he said, adding that they are being used as shock troops to break through defensive lines in the Ukrainian-occupied part of Kursk, a Russian province. The military source said the Ukrainians believed North Korea sent about 3,000 special forces and that the rest were regular soldiers. All are well-trained. However, they lack experience in the field and their tactics are often poor they are easily attacked when advancing on Ukrainian defences across open ground and they lose large numbers of troops in their operations. In Ukraine, soldiers are paid bonuses for capturing men and equipment, and other successes. open image in gallery Since news of their presence in Russia emerged in October, just two North Korean soldiers have been captured alive ( Telegram: Volodymyr Zelensky ) But the North Koreans, they have been surprised to find, apparently get no extra money for the risks they take, telling interrogators: We dont get any extra payments, we didnt want it; if we are successful here we will go back to North Korea as heroes. There are seven Russian soldiers embedded in every North Korean company (about 120 men), who, the source said, give instructions to their allies. The North Korean assaults involve between 600 and 700 troops at a time, with very few Russian troops among them. This is a mega, mega lot of troops to send on one attack, the source said. Echoing President Zelenskys claim of heavy casualties, the source also said there was evidence that the North Koreans had been pulled back from the front lines at least for now. But he also admitted that the cost of the Kursk operation to Ukrainian troops had also been very heavy. The Ukraine catch-up Key points from The Indepdnents live blog as of 9am GMT on 25/01/2015 Russia claims to have downed 121 Ukrainian drones targeting 13 regions, including Moscow. Ukraine states its drones struck oil facilities in Ryazan and a microelectronics plant in Bryansk, both allegedly supporting the Russian military. Moscows mayor confirmed drone interceptions around the capital, but no damage or casualties were reported. South Korea suspects North Korea is preparing to send more troops to Russia, despite previous losses. Ukraines military confirmed their drones hit oil and industrial sites in Russias Ryazan and Bryansk. Follow the latest updates. With Russian troops reinforced and bolstered by North Koreas forces, they are now estimated by Ukraine to number about 60,000 in the Kursk area. There is deep concern that Russia may be massing troops to launch an invasion into Ukraine from close to Kursk in an effort to extend the front lines and eventually even threaten the capital, Kyiv. Reports have emerged of more North Korean troops being sent to Russia. open image in gallery Reports have emerged of more North Korean troops being sent to Russia. Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un together in Pyongyang ( Sputnik ) Lately, there has appeared to be a drop in the scale and ferocity of attacks coming from the Russian side. The number of armoured vehicles being used by Russia has fallen dramatically, as well as the levels of shelling. These developments may be a sign that attempts to dislodge Ukraine from Kursk have been blunted or evidence of the Russians and North Koreans regrouping for another ferocious offensive. :: This article relates to acts of attempted suicide. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you 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 Serbian prime minister Milos Vucevic has resigned, becoming the most significant political casualty as mass anti-corruption protests continue to sweep across the country. Belgrade has been the centre of protests against the incumbent government after the collapse of a roof in November in Novi Sad, Serbias second-largest city, killing 15 people. The collapse has become symbolic of wider discontent, with Serbias populist president Aleksandar Vucic accused by critics and rights groups of curbing democratic freedoms in Serbia. open image in gallery Thousands held their phone torches up in a demonstration on Monday evening ( AFP via Getty ) The student-led protest movement has seen thousands demonstrating against the government, calling for accountability following the canopy collapse which they blame on government corruption. On Monday, tens of thousands of people joined striking university students in a 24-hour blockade of a vital traffic intersection in Belgrade. I opted for this step in order to reduce tensions, Mr Vucevic told a news conference on Tuesday as he announced his intention to resign. The mayor of Novi Sad, Milan Djuric, will also step down. With this, we have met all demands of the most radical protesters, Mr Vucevic added. It is my appeal for everyone to calm down the passions and return to dialogue. Mr Vucevic said the immediate cause for his resignation was the attack on a female student in Novi Sad on Tuesday, by attackers allegedly from the ruling Serbian Progressive Party. He said: Whenever it seems there is hope to return to social dialogue, to talk ... Its like an invisible hand creates a new incident and tensions mount again. open image in gallery Protesters hold Serbia's national flags and wave from a bridge above a highway ( AFP via Getty ) The resignation could lead to an early parliamentary election, which may bring an end to the rule of Mr Vucevics centre-right Serbian Progressive Party after it took power in 2023. Serbias parliament now has 30 days to choose a new government or call a snap election which pro-government media says will be decided in a cabinet session with the president on Tuesday evening. Opposition parties will insist on a transitional government which would create the conditions for a free and fair election, they said, after accusations of irregularities during past elections. open image in gallery Vucevic said he hoped to reduce tensions with his resignation ( AFP via Getty ) They [the ruling party] have been in a free fall since the Novi Sad tragedy, journalist Slobodan Georgiev told N1 television. President Vucic was seeking a buffer with the prime ministers resignation, he added, as he looks to survive the wave of anti-government street protests.e The current student protest movement has gained significant support from across Serbia, including actors, farmers, lawyers and judges. On Monday evening, Mr Vucic, Mr Vucevic, and parliament speaker Ana Brnabic called for dialogue with the students who have rejected the invitations. The outgoing prime minister claimed that the street protests were undoubtedly organised from abroad, with an aim to directly jeopardise Serbia as a state. 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 Trumps pre-election promises to end the war in Ukraine in less than 24 hours and before his inauguration have proved empty. Keith Kellogg, Mr Trumps special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, says the administrations new goal is to stop the fighting in 100 days. But details on how this will be achieved remain scant. Mr Trump has repeatedly claimed this is because speaking openly about his plans would undermine his negotiating position. His detractors, however, say this is a cover for a lack of plan. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, have both expressed a willingness to speak with Mr Trump, though both have their own demands if peace is to be achieved. Below, The Independent looks at the factors at play and why a peace deal could prove elusive. Sanctions Two days after Mr Trumps inauguration, the US president gave the first brief insight into his plans. If a deal is not reached, I will 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 other participating countries," he posted on his social media platform Truth Social. We can do it the easy way or the hard way, he said, adding: The easy way is always better. A week previously, Bloomberg reported that the incoming administration had begun forming its sanctions strategy on Russia, one that included offering targeted relief to Russian oil producers to incentivise negotiations or expanding sanctions to ramp up pressure. It is no surprise that a notoriously transactional Mr Trump, who has spoken at length about tariffs, appears focused on leveraging the financial might of the US to end the war. Whether it will succeed, however, is unclear. Russias economy appears to have soaked up the brunt of Western sanctions over the course of the war, though the long-term implications of putting an economy on a war footing could prove dangerous. But additional pressure from Mr Trump, off the back of a particularly aggressive sanctions package in Joe Bidens final days in office, could force Putin to think more carefully. Territorial concessions Russia controls a little under 19 per cent of Ukraine, including the Crimean peninsula and parts of the regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Ukraine controls a sliver of the Russian border region of Kursk. During his last annual end-of-year conference, Putin called on Ukraine to withdraw from those four Ukrainian regions and for the West to lift all sanctions. European leaders have consistently dismissed this possibility as rewarding the Russian leader for his land grab but Mr Trump appears more open to the idea. His vice-president, JD Vance, has spoken about a demilitarised zone patrolled by Western-backed forces. Mr Trump says no US troops will be involved. The stumbling blocks here are numerous. The Kremlin has said it does not want Nato forces near Russian troops in occupied Ukraine. Indeed, Putin claimed his invasion of Ukraine was because Nato was trying to get too close to Russia. Mr Zelensky, meanwhile, may be willing to accept the loss of some territory but it is unlikely he will give up land currently not under Russian control, which includes much of the four regions Putin is claiming. Likewise, Putin will not want Ukrainian troops in Kursk. In the meantime, Russian forces are creeping forward in eastern Ukraine. Some will question why Putin would stand his troops down when they are advancing, though losses are high. Security guarantees Donald Trump has ruled out the possibility of Ukraine joining Nato while he is in the White House ( AP ) This is likely to be the most contentious issue. Previous agreements to end the fighting in 2014 and 2015, after Russias initial invasion of Ukraine, have failed, as have many more attempts. There is widespread belief that Putin cannot be trusted to abide by a ceasefire. It is possible he will simply use the pause in fighting to rest his forces before invading again. Ukraine believes accession to Nato would deter another invasion since Article 5 necessitates the defence of an attacked member. But Mr Trump has ruled that out. Putin not only opposes any Nato membership for Ukraine but says the country must become a neutral state and drastically reduce its military forces. That would effectively strip Ukraine of its sovereign right to choose with whom it allies itself. It would also make Ukraine an easier target for future Russian invasions. Ukraine says the US must offer security guarantees and that European assurances alone are not enough. Mr Zelensky has called on Mr Trump to give Ukraine more weapons but in the form of loans. Others have suggested Mr Trump backs the transfer of roughly $300bn (240bn) in frozen Russian assets so Ukraine can arm itself. Russias alliance with China, Iran and North Korea The most significant difference between Mr Trumps first and second terms, with regards to constructing a foreign policy, is the interconnectedness of nations hostile to the US. China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are more aligned than ever. They have helped one another evade sanctions; they have backed each others wars; they have sought to pull other countries away from the purview of the US-led West. Mr Trump could look to disrupt these alliances to slow support for Russias war, or he could put pressure on these allies to stop funding Putin. 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 Russia has claimed to have captured another key Ukrainian town as it looks to consolidate gains ahead of potential peace talks pushed by Donald Trump. After months of heavy fighting, Russian forces claimed control of the town of Velyka Novosilka in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk on Monday. The town is small, with a prewar population of only 5,000, but it has served as a key assembly area for offensive and defensive Ukrainian operations in the wider area, says Frontelligence Insight, a Ukrainian war tracker. It is also a key route linking towns further east to the rest of unoccupied Ukraine. It is the second significant town in Donetsk to fall to the Russians this month after Moscow claimed control of Kurakhove roughly 20 miles to the northeast. The city of Toretsk, further north, has also been almost completely occupied. Its fall appears inevitable, according to Ukrainian security think tank the Centre for Defence Strategies (CDS). Near the northernmost tip of Russias attack in Ukraine, Moscows troops have also made advances through the town of Dvorichina in the Kharkiv region. It is just north of the city of Kupyansk. The situation on the frontline remains complicated, the Ukrainian general staff wrote in its latest update. The opponent, using their advantage in live force, is attacking our positions. Russian forces have been steadily advancing in eastern Ukraine for months in an attack that has centred on the city of Pokrovsk, a linchpin of the wider Donetsk regions defence. Ukraines general staff said there had been 85 Russian attacks on Monday in that direction. Taking advantage of a Ukrainian shortage in manpower, Russian forces have advanced around 30 miles from the city of Avdiivka, which they took last February, towards the outskirts of Pokrovsk. A wider attack has engulfed Kurakhove to the south, Velyka Novosilka further south and Toretsk and Chasiv Yar to the north. It has proved costly in terms of personnel: Western estimates suggest the Russian military is suffering more than 1,000 casualties a day. The total number of wounded and killed could top 1 million before the end of 2025. The advances are nonetheless concerning for Ukraine. Whatever Russia seizes before any negotiations take place might end up more permanently in Moscows control if the frontline is frozen. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky replaced the commander of the eastern front over the weekend in a bid to strengthen defences in the Donetsk region. open image in gallery A Ukrainian soldier fires a self-propelled howitzer towards Russian troops at a front line in Donetsk ( via REUTERS ) The capture of Velyka Novosilka is emblematic of the wider problem facing Ukraine, namely a shortage of personnel and weapons. But Ukraines 110th brigade, which has been fighting in the town, described the Russian takeover as mainly a flag-raising exercise. The Mokri Yaly river circling the northern outskirts of the town created problems for the 110th as it tried to resupply its troops; now that they have withdrawn behind the waterway, it has become an obstacle to the enemys advance. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, says the capture of Velyka Novosilka may prove more political than strategic. Russia is likely trying to leverage the claimed seizure of Velyka Novosilka to influence Western perceptions of the situation on the battlefield in Donetsk Oblast, to advance narratives that Russian battlefield gains are inevitable and that Ukrainian positions are rapidly deteriorating, they wrote in their latest update. The same might not be true for Toretsk. CDS writes that the capture of Toretsk will be used to advance further west along a highway that runs towards the city of Kramatorsk, one of the Donetsk regions largest. The Ukraine catch up The latest from our Ukraine live blog as of 1pm GMT on 28/01/2025 Trumps freeze on US aid to Ukraine has severely impacted humanitarian projects, including those supporting veterans, removing landmines, and providing healthcare. North Korean troops, fighting alongside Russian forces, have partially withdrawn from the frontlines in the Kursk region after suffering heavy losses, according to a Ukrainian commander. They may be regrouping or awaiting reinforcements. Zelensky defended Ukraines mobilization, stating that disbanding troops would leave them vulnerable to Russian aggression. Russia launched an overnight drone attack on Ukraine, injuring eight people and damaging residential buildings and businesses in several cities. Ukraines air force claims to have shot down 65 drones. A Ukrainian commander reports North Korean troops have withdrawn from the Kursk region frontline after heavy losses, possibly to regroup or await reinforcements. Follow latest updates. Meanwhile, the think tank writes, Russia will likely intensify efforts to take Chasiv Yar and, ultimately, concentrate an attack on Pokrosvk. According to the Ukrainian military, it remains Russias main objective, despite previous months of Moscows troops focusing on areas surrounding the city. It is, however, heavily fortified. Viktor Trehubov, a Ukrainian Eastern Forces spokesperson, said around 7,000 people are believed to remain inside Pokrovsk, which had around 60,000 residents before the invasion. Its loss would be much more concerning for Ukraine. Emil Kastehelmi, a military analyst tracking the war in Ukraine for The Black Bird Group, based in Finland, says that a serious encirclement will take a long time and battles inside the city are unlikely to occur soon, since Ukraines extensive fortifications continue to slow the advancing Russian troops. But Russian attacks along the western flanks of Pokrovsk could develop into a problem for Kyivs forces. It is there that Russia has had the most success, moving to within a few miles of the city. It is there, also, that Ukraines fortifications are weakest. 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 North Korean troops fighting alongside Russia near the Ukrainian border have temporarily withdrawn following weeks of heavy losses, Kyivs military has claimed. A Ukrainian special forces commander tasked with retrieving DNA samples from North Korean soldiers claimed Pyongyangs troops had retreated from one of the axes of the Kursk region, where they have been mobilised since last December, for roughly a fortnight. It follows claims by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky last week that around a third of the 11,000 North Korean troops deployed to Kursk have already been wounded or killed. The withdrawal was confirmed by Colonel Oleksandr Kindratenko, a spokesperson of the Special Operations Forces. [They] will be back soon, the commander, who goes by the call sign Puls, reportedly said. South Korean intelligence has claimed that Kim Jong Un is also planning to send more troops to Russia. It is unclear why the troops appear to have withdrawn, but the commander added that the North Korean troops had suffered significant losses due to an apparent lack of awareness about aerial threats. They have also been committing suicide to avoid being captured by Ukraine, which Kyiv says shows the extent of these troops brainwashing. Colonel Kindratenko said that they were attacking on foot in groups of up to 60 soldiers, like something out of World War II. It made them easy targets for Ukrainian drones, which have become a staple of this war, as well as artillery. It comes as overnight Russian air attacks wounded eight people, set a private business on fire, and damaged residential buildings around Ukraine, local officials said on Tuesday. Ukraines air force said it shot down 65 drones and 28 more did not reach their targets in the barrage. A 62-year-old woman was taken to hospital for treatment and a 66-year-old man injured when drone debris damaged several houses in the Kharkiv district including the city of the same name, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Emergency services were called soon after midnight to a private business that caught fire in Kharkiv due to the Russian drone attack, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram. Ukraines state emergency service said the fire engulfed production facilities. Two people suffered acute stress reactions, including a child, the emergency service said. It was not immediately clear what facility was burning. Video footage showed massive flames coming from what looked like an industrial building. Russia also launched a drone attack on the Black Sea port of Odesa, damaging several residential buildings and cars, and injuring four people in the city and the nearby area, its governor Oleh Kiper said. After the attack impacted power and heating in the central town of Uman in the Cherkasy region, local services were working to restore the supply, according to the mayor, Iryna Pletnova. The drone attack on the Kyiv region destroyed nine vehicles and damaged 27 more in the vintage car museum. It also damaged residential houses and cars around the region, without causing any casualties. 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 Clutching plastic bags of clothes, dragging suitcases in wheelbarrows, and holding their children close, Palestinian families in Gaza begin the gruelling march home for the first time since the start of Israels ferocious bombardment 15 months ago. They walked day and night along two roads one coastal, one central that connect the north and south of the besieged strip, and which had been severed by Israeli soldiers for more than a year, but opened as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The roads have been so heavily chewed up by Israeli bulldozers and tanks that, at points, it is an assault course: families have to scramble up towering sandbanks or file along bridges made from rubble over pools and craters. Among the hundreds of thousands on the 20km trek home is Samira, just 10 years old, who says she has spent the duration of the war in Gaza on the run from bombing, which killed multiple family members. She describes ecstatic reunions as families separated by the fighting were able to see each other for the first time. We have been displaced maybe 20 times. Im so tired of moving, of fleeing. I miss my home, my city, and my friends, and now Im finally going back to them, she says, adding that she doesnt know how to put into words how she feels. We just left the tent where it was in the south. In the north, our house is still standing, but its all burned. Mohamed al-Masri, 17, who was displaced from Jabalia refugee camp to Khan Younis in the south, tells The Independent his family was also travelling with no belongings. In our excitement to return, we left almost everything behind, even the tent. We only took what we could carry along the way, he says, torn between feeling joy and a sense of victory and deep pain. I feel as if my soul has been revived like we have returned to life again. But its a mix of feelings. This war has taken from me the most precious things I had. It took my father, my sister, and many relatives as well. I lost my home. open image in gallery A family on a horse-drawn cart struggles to cross a puddle of water as displaced Palestinians return to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip ( AP ) In extraordinary scenes, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians streamed into Gazas most heavily destroyed area on Monday, after Israel opened the north for the first time since the early weeks of the war with the Hamas militant group. It was part of the fragile ceasefire agreement that has held for its second week. In the first six weeks of the US, Qatari, and Egyptian-brokered deal, Israeli forces are to withdraw from parts of the strip, while dozens of hostages seized by Hamas on 7 October 2023 during which they took 250 people hostage and killed around 1,200 more will be returned home in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians released from Israeli prisons. Israel launched its heaviest-ever bombardment of Gaza in the wake of the bloody 7 October attack. Since then, Palestinian health officials say Israels air and ground offensive has killed more than 47,000, the majority of whom are women and children. It is a death toll and level of destruction so high that rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, a point Israel vehemently denies. The United Nations says at least 90 per cent of the 2 million-strong population of Gaza has been displaced. A UN damage assessment released this month showed that it could take 21 years to clear away the more than 50 million tonnes of rubble left in the aftermath of Israels bombardment, while costing up to $1.2bn (965m). open image in gallery Displaced Palestinians warm themselves by a fire near a roadblock, as they wait to return to their homes in the northern part of the Gaza Strip ( AP ) Amid that towering destruction, on Monday joyous crowds of Palestinians walked all day and night, carrying bedrolls, bottles of water, and other basic belongings, as armed and masked Hamas fighters flashed victory signs. The crowd was watched over by Israeli tanks on a nearby hill. Those who passed through a main checkpoint connecting north and south, once policed by Israeli soldiers, told The Independent that it was now managed by men speaking in Egyptian accents and wearing shirts reading The Egyptian Qatari Committee. Videos shared online appeared to back this up. Overlooking the scene were armed men in tactical gear, whom some families speculated may be US security contractors. The Independent has been sent lucrative job adverts from American contractor companies looking for US special forces veterans, to oversee checkpoints in Gaza as Israeli forces withdrew from certain areas. We had to sell our tent to save some money for our journey back, says 14-year-old Lina al-Mubaid, who was forced to flee her home and then places of shelter 10 times during the war. She narrowly missed being killed when Israeli forces bombed a school where she was sheltering in the centre of the strip. We also lost loved ones my grandfather and many of my cousins. Our home was also destroyed. Well live in another tent. open image in gallery Relatives hug each other in north Gaza ( AP ) But Im so happy that we are returning to our land and home, and that the war is finally over and were still alive and safe. Rana Youssef, 35, who was forced to flee Gaza Citys al-Shati refugee camp at the start of the bombing, was now returning with her husband and children. The mathematics teacher had set up a tent school for displaced children in the south. It was incredible to finally reach my home, reunite with my relatives and loved ones, and shed tears over these bittersweet moments, she says, adding that she considers herself luckier than most as her house is still standing. Despite the destruction, she believes Gaza will rise again. Our people cannot abandon Gaza. We rebuild, no matter how long it takes. Ali al-Hayek, 35, a labourer from northern Gaza who was also in the same column of people heading north, agrees. Despite all the hardships, we are grateful to be returning, He tells The Independent with his nine children in tow. There is nothing like being in your homeland, no matter the challenges. We grew up and lived here. This is where we belong. 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 Scientists have discovered a so-called super-Earth planet, potentially capable of supporting life, orbiting a sun-like star just 20 light-years away. This super-Earth, dubbed HD 20794 d, boasts a mass six times that of our planet and resides within the stars habitable zone. The zone represents the optimal distance from a star where liquid water could exist on a planets surface. However, HD 20794 d follows an elliptical, rather than circular, orbit, meaning its distance from its star varies. This makes it difficult to definitively determine its life-supporting potential at this stage. The initial hint of HD 20794 ds existence came in 2022 when Dr. Michael Cretignier, a postdoctoral research assistant at the University of Oxfords Department of Physics, spotted a signal while examining archived data from the High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher spectrograph at Chiles La Silla Observatory. An international team of researchers went on to analyse two decades of observations to confirm the discovery. open image in gallery This artists concept shows what exoplanet K2-18 b could look like based on science data ( NASA, CSA, ESA, J. Olmstead (STS ) We worked on data analysis for years, gradually analysing and eliminating all possible sources of contamination, Dr Cretignier said. For me, it was naturally a huge joy when we could confirm the planets existence. It was also a relief, since the original signal was at the edge of the spectrographs detection limit, so it was hard to be completely convinced at that time if the signal was real or not. Excitingly, its proximity with us (only 20 light-years) means there is hope for future space missions to obtain an image of it. Researchers hailed the planet as an invaluable test case for space projects looking to detect signs of life outside our solar system. With its location in a habitable zone and relatively close proximity to Earth, this planet could play a pivotal role in future missions that will characterise the atmospheres of exoplanets to search for biosignatures indicating potential life, Dr Cretignier said. While my job mainly consists of finding these unknown worlds, Im now very enthusiastic to hear what other scientists can tell us about this newly discovered planet, particularly since it is among the closest Earth-analogues we know about and given its peculiar orbit. The findings have been published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. 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 New restrictions are set to affect tourists visiting Spain as authorities in the popular holiday destination increase measures to curb the impacts of overtourism. The move follows the wave of anti-tourists protests that has spread across the country and other European destinations over the past year. Although it has been called a tourist ban by some, the new rules wont stop tourists from visiting the country. It will, however, have some impact on how Britons should plan for their holidays. Policies to prevent overtourism are already underway for places in popular destinations like Barcelona, Mallorca and Tenerife. From this year, they will also be coming to Malaga, in the countrys Costa Del Sol region. The move has come to address locals concerns about overcrowding in the city, alongside property prices and rents become increasingly unaffordable for them. open image in gallery The changes will affect holiday lets in popular Spanish city Malaga, with similar measures in place across the country ( Getty Images ) As with several other locations, the plans take aim at the influx of holiday rental properties which can increasingly be found in the citys central districts. Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said: It isnt fair that those who have three, four or five apartments as short-term rentals pay less tax than hotels or workers. The governments duty is to prioritise residential use of housing and prevent speculative and touristic uses from expanding in a totally uncontrolled manner at the cost of residents. For the next three years, new holiday rentals will not be allowed to be registered across any of Malagas 43 districts, matching policies in place in areas across Spain. What do the plans mean for British tourists? Holidaymakers will still be able to book hotels, Airbnbs and apartments as usual. The only existing accomodation that will be affected are holiday flats which have been registered since 22 February 2024 that do not have entrances and utilities separate from those for permanent residents. The licences for these lets will reportedly be cancelled. open image in gallery Anti-tourism protests take place in Barcelona, 19 June 2024 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The change could have major implications for Airbnbs popular private room option, which will often see tourists residing in a separate part of the owners property. The changes follow a countrywide law introduced last year which mean that anyone registering for a hotel stay or car hire will need to provide more personal information than was previously required. What other anti-tourist measures are in place in Spain? The new ban in Malaga follows from similar measures taken in other popular Spanish cities like Alicante and Madrid. Authorities in Seville are also set to soon follow suit, alongside introducing a charge for those looking to enter the citys popular Plaza de Espana square. In Barcelona, short-term tourist apartments will be banned from 2028. Changes have also recently come to popular destinations, with authorities in Mallorca putting a cap on the number of cruise ships which can dock in its port, and a limit of the number of visitors to national parks being introduced in Tenerife. Congressman Dan Crenshaw got into a heated debate discussing Donald Trumps executive order banning transgender people from serving in the military. Mr Crenshaw, who lost an eye while serving in Afghanistan, appeared on CNN on Monday (27 January) after the new president signed the order, declaring the Armed Forces have been afflicted with radical gender ideology. Mr Crenshaw said: If youve transitioned, youre not meeting our medical standards. It makes deployment harder, period." CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins then questioned Mr Crenshaw why medical professionals are not making these decisions. 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 Yellow weather warnings for rain will continue into Tuesday after Storm Herminia caused disruption across large parts of England and Wales. The Met Office predicted heavy blustery showers and thunderstorms as it issued three weather warnings across the south of England and Wales. A rain warning covering southwest Wales and the West Midlands will continue until 9pm. Follow our live blog for all the latest weather updates open image in gallery Met Office weather warnings will continue into Tuesday morning ( Met Office ) These warnings were attributed to the latest low-pressure system - dubbed Storm Herminia by Spanish forecasters - which came hot on the heels of Storm Eowyn. The Met Office said: The system did not meet the criteria to be named by the Met Offices storm naming group, which includes Met Eireann and KNMI. Nevertheless, Storm Herminia battered the UK. The forecaster recorded 84mph gusts of wind in the Isle of Wight, while 59.4mm of rainfall was recorded in Seathwaite, Cumbria. Somerset declared a major incident on Monday morning after overnight flooding wreaked havoc in the region and more than 100 people were evacuated from their homes. The yellow rain warning across Wales and the West Midlands predicts some places seeing as much as 40mm of rain on top of a widespread 20 to 30mm of rain expected, as well as isolated totals of 50 to 60mm through Tuesday before rain and showers begin to ease in the evening. As of Tuesday morning, there were 37 flood warnings in place, mostly for the south-west of England, as well as 171 flood alerts. Some places could see up to 80mm of rainfall over the period from two separate spells of heavy rain and thundery showers, while 10 to 20mm should fall quite widely and 30 to 50mm could fall over high ground, the Met Office said. open image in gallery 32 flood warnings and 171 flood alerts are in place across England and Wales ( Gov.uk ) Flooding to homes and businesses could occur in the warning area, with power cuts and difficult driving conditions also possible. There is also a small chance of fast-flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life, the Met Office said. Meteorologist Marco Petagna said: Things are going to stay unsettled in the next few days. Were getting successive spells of wet and windy weather, which is obviously adding to impacts. While not as powerful as Storm Eowyn, a low-pressure system was named Storm Herminia by meteorologists in Spain which was expected to feel the strongest winds. Tuesday is forecast to see further heavy showers in the south with a risk of thunder. Longer spells of rain in the North West are expected to ease later. The wet and windy weather will remain in the south on Wednesday, and more settled conditions will be present later in the week. Digital Business Ireland claims night-time cap could hit 10bn in trade The Government needs to act quickly to prevent a trade shock if An Bord Pleanala moves ahead with plans to reduce the number of night-time flights that can be operated at Dublin Airport, according to a business lobby group. Digital Business Ireland, a national association for this digital sector, has claimed such a reduction could cost billions of euro in lost trade. Last September, in a draft decision, the planning appeals board proposed a night-time noise quota for the new runway at Dublin Airport. It also indicated an intention to cap the number of flights permitted to use the airport during that period at 13,000. That would be a 60pc reduction on current levels, and would apply between 11pm and 6.59am. The DAA, which operates Dublin Airport, had initiated a so-called relevant action to change key planning conditions attached to the construction of the runway, which opened in 2022. It sought to remove a numerical cap on the average number of flights permitted between 11pm and 7am, replacing it with an annual night-time quota, effective between 11.30pm and 6am. Airlines including Ryanair had supported the move. A move to a night-time quota had been recommended by the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) that operates under Fingal County Council. After issuing its draft decision in September, An Bord Pleanala accepted submissions on the plan until just before Christmas. Digital Business Ireland said: Night-time flights into Dublin Airport carry around 19bn worth of imports and exports every year, representing 12pc of total imports and 6pc of exports. Based on 2024 figures, slashing night-time flights could impact over 10bn worth of Irish exports and imports. Last year FTA Ireland, an association of logistics companies, said that freight flown at night accounts for 38pc of the total freight volumes at Dublin Airport, and that nearly two-thirds is transported by express freight operators, primarily those shipping perishable and other time-sensitive goods. That can include food and medicine, for instance. Dublin Airport is challenging planning restrictions on a number of fronts. Its also trying to have a 32 million annual passenger cap removed or raised. DP Fitzgerald, a spokesperson for Digital Business Ireland, pointed out that Ireland is an island economy. We saw the damaging short-term impact of weather damage to Holyhead Port, but Ireland could be about to sleep-walk into a longer-lasting and man-made crisis, he said. If the number of cargo flights at the islands main airport is slashed, there will be massive disruption to deliveries and trade, leading to significant frustration for Irish consumers and substantial losses for Irish business. He claimed the cap is already having an impact on businesses and that any additional measure to cut the night-time transport of goods in and out of Dublin Airport would deliver a severe hammer blow to Irelands e-commerce trade. In 2023, Fingal County Council issued an enforcement notice against the DAA for breaching its night-time flight quota. That action was stayed, pending the outcome of the relevant action. Ryanair should be Irelands calling card in trade talks with Trump, says Michael OLeary Ryanair has bought hundreds of aircraft from US planemaker Boeing and has billions of dollars of orders with the company Ryanair group chief executive Michael O'Leary. Photo: Steve Humphreys John Mulligan Mon 27 Jan 2025 at 13:26 Ryanair should be a calling card for the Irish government in trade negotiations with US president Donald Trumps new administration, according to group chief executive Michael OLeary. DeepSeek, a Chinese startup with an AI assistant that directly rivals OpenAIs ChatGPT, raced to the top of Apple's iPhone download charts over the weekend, stirring doubts in Silicon Valley about America's lead in AI. The app's underlying artificial intelligence model is widely seen as competitive with OpenAI and Meta Platforms's latest. Its claim that it cost much less to train and develop triggered share moves across Asia's supply chain. Chinese tech firms linked to DeepSeek, such as Iflytek, surged on Monday, while chipmaking tool makers from Netherlands' ASML to Japan's Advantest Corp slumped on the potential threat to demand for Nvidia's AI accelerators. US stock index futures also tumbled amid concerns that DeepSeek's AI models may disrupt US technological leadership. Lauded by Silicon Valley based investor Marc Andreessen as "one of the most amazing and impressive breakthroughs," DeepSeek's assistant shows its work and reasoning as it addresses a user's written query or prompt. Reviews on Apple's app store and on Alphabet.'s Android Play Store praised that transparency. The app topped the free downloads chart on iPhones in the US and is among the most downloaded productivity apps in the Play Store. Founded by quantitive hedge fund chief Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek's open-sourced AI model is spurring a rethink of the billions of dollars that companies have been spending to stay ahead in the AI race. "While it remains to be seen if DeepSeek will prove to be a viable, cheaper alternative in the long term, initial worries are centered on whether US tech giants' pricing power is being threatened and if their massive AI spending needs re-evaluation," said Jun Rong Yeap of IG Asia. Like all other Chinese-made AI models, DeepSeek self-censors on topics deemed politically sensitive in China. Unlike ChatGPT, DeepSeek deflects questions about Tiananmen Square, President Xi Jinping or the possibility of China invading Taiwan. That may prove jarring to international users, who may not have come into direct contact with Chinese chatbots earlier. The initial success provides a counterpoint to expectations that the most advanced AI will require increasing amounts of computing power and energy an assumption that has driven shares in Nvidia and its suppliers to all-time highs. The exact cost of development and energy consumption of DeepSeek are not fully documented, but the startup has presented figures that suggest its cost was only a fraction of OpenAI's latest models. That a small and efficient AI model emerged from China, which has been subject to escalating US trade sanctions on advanced Nvidia chips, is also challenging the effectiveness of such measures. "The US is great at research and innovation and especially breakthrough, but China is better at engineering," computer scientist Kai-Fu Lee said earlier this month at the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong. "In this day and age, when you have limited compute power and money, you learn how to build things very efficiently." What Bloomberg Intelligence Says China's strategic ambitions in AI should continue to pay off over the next 24 months, with the country set to further narrow the development gap with the US despite the semiconductor supply bottleneck. China's emerging prowess in AI is a testament to its inherent strength in software development, positioning the nation as the leading challenger to the US. DeepSeek, an AI startup just over a year old, stirred awe and consternation in Silicon Valley with its breakthrough artificial intelligence model that offered comparable performance to the world's best chatbots at seemingly a fraction of the cost. Created in China's Hangzhou, DeepSeek carries far-reaching implications for the global tech industry and supply chain, offering a counterpoint to the widespread belief that the future of AI will require ever-increasing amounts of power and energy to develop. What exactly is DeepSeek? DeepSeek is a Chinese startup founded in 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, the chief of AI-driven quant hedge fund High-Flyer. The company develops open-source AI models, and its eponymous mobile app surged to the top of the iPhone's download charts in the US after its release in early January. The DeepSeek app distinguishes itself from other chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT by articulating its reasoning before delivering a response to a prompt. The company claims its R1 release offers performance on par with OpenAI's latest and has granted license for individuals interested in developing chatbots on the technology to build on it. How does DeepSeek R1 compare to OpenAI or Meta AI? Though not fully detailed by the company, the cost of training and developing DeepSeek's models appears to be only a fraction of what's required for OpenAI or Meta Platforms Inc.'s best products. The much better efficiency of the model puts into question the need for vast expenditures of capital to acquire the latest and most powerful AI accelerators from the likes of Nvidia Corp. That also amplifies attention on US export curbs of such advanced semiconductors to China a which were intended to prevent a breakthrough of the sort that DeepSeek seems to represent. DeepSeek R1 is near or better than rival models in several leading benchmarks such as AIME 2024 for mathematical tasks, MMLU for general knowledge and AlpacaEval 2.0 for question-and-answer performance. It also ranks among the top performers on a UC Berkeley-affiliated leaderboard called Chatbot Arena. What's raising alarm in the US? Washington has banned the export of high-end technologies like GPU semiconductors to China, in a bid to stall the country's advances in AI, the pivotal frontier in the US-China contest for tech supremacy. But DeepSeek's progress suggests Chinese AI engineers have worked their way around the restrictions, focusing on greater efficiency with limited resources. While it remains unclear how much advanced AI-training hardware DeepSeek has had access to, the company's demonstrated enough to suggest the trade restrictions have not been entirely effective in stymying China's progress. When did DeepSeek spark global interest? The AI developer has been closely watched since the release of its earliest model in 2023. Then in November, it gave the world a glimpse of its DeepSeek R1 reasoning model, designed to mimic human thinking. That model underpins its mobile chatbot app, which together with the web interface in January rocketed to global renown as a much cheaper OpenAI alternative, with investor Marc Andreessen calling it "AI's Sputnik moment." The DeepSeek mobile app was downloaded 1.6 million times by Jan. 25 and ranked No. 1 in iPhone app stores in Australia, Canada, China, Singapore, the US and the UK, according to data from market tracker App Figures. Who is DeepSeek's founder? Born in Guangdong in 1985, Liang received bachelor's and masters' degrees in electronic and information engineering from Zhejiang University. He founded DeepSeek with only 10 million yuan ($1.4m) in registered capital, according to company database Tianyancha. The bottleneck for further advances is not more fundraising, Liang said in an interview with Chinese outlet 36kr, but US restrictions on access to the best chips. Most of his top researchers were fresh graduates from top Chinese universities, he said, stressing the need for China to develop its own domestic ecosystem akin to the one built around Nvidia and its AI chips. "More investment does not necessarily lead to more innovation. Otherwise, large companies would take over all innovation," Liang said. Where does DeepSeek stand in China's AI landscape? China's technology leaders, from Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Baidu Inc. to Tencent Holdings Ltd., have poured significant money and resources into the race to acquire hardware and customers for their AI ventures. Alongside Kai-Fu Lee's 01.AI startup, DeepSeek stands out with its open-source approach designed to recruit the largest number of users quickly before developing monetization strategies atop that large audience. Because DeepSeek's models are more affordable, it's already played a role in helping drive down costs for AI developers in China, where the bigger players have engaged in a price war that's seen successive waves of price cuts over the past year and a half. What are the implications for the global AI marketplace? DeepSeek's success may push OpenAI and other US providers to lower their pricing to maintain their established lead. It also calls into question the vast spending by companies like Meta and Microsoft Corp each of which has committed to capex of $65 billion or more this year, largely on AI infrastructure a if more efficient models can compete with a much smaller outlay. That roiled Asia stock markets as investors sought Chinese names linked to DeepSeek, such as Iflytek Co., and moved away from chipmaking supply chain names like Advantest Corp. that may be exposed to any shortfall in expected demand for AI semiconductors. Already, developers around the world are experimenting with DeepSeek's software and looking to build tools with it. That could quicken the adoption of advanced AI reasoning models while also potentially touching off additional concern about the need for guardrails around their use. DeepSeek's advances may hasten regulation to control how AI is developed. What are DeepSeek's shortcomings? Like all other Chinese AI models, DeepSeek self-censors on topics deemed sensitive in China. It deflects queries about Tiananmen Square or geopolitically fraught questions like the possibility of China invading Taiwan. In tests, the DeepSeek bot is capable of giving detailed responses about political figures like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but declines to do so about Chinese President Xi Jinping. DeepSeek's cloud infrastructure is likely to be tested by its sudden popularity. The company briefly experienced a major outage on Jan. 27 and will have to manage even more traffic as new and returning users pour more queries into its chatbot. (Bloomberg) European Central Bank (ECB) president Christine Lagarde is widely expected to cut interest rates at the end of a two-day policy meeting on Thursday. A 25-basis-point cut (a quarter of one percent) would bring the ECB deposit rate to 2.75pc and on course to be 2pc by the end of the year. Over the next week, the new Cabinet will settle into their roles with the Dail expected to adjourn until February 5. Meanwhile, Dublin Chamber is inviting local businesses to have their say on the financial framework for the next five years. The busy lobby group represents over 1,000 businesses and will host an online roundtable on Friday to discuss the Programme for Government. The Chamber is seeking industry views on what the new Governments priorities should be in their first 100 days, and if the new programme provides sufficient support for businesses to grow. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) will release their report on inbound tourism for December on Thursday. On Tuesday, the CSO will also release their preliminary GDP estimate for the last quarter of 2024 which will outline how different sectors fared in that period. The statistical office of the EU, Eurostat, will release similar data for the EU and euro area for the same period on Thursday. They will also release data for the minimum wage in the first semester of 2025 on Friday. Ryanair will publish an earnings release for Q3 of the fiscal year on Monday. Guinness-maker Diageo is due to publish Q2 results on Thursday, days before its latest hike in the price of a pint comes into effect. Food manufacturer Greencores 2025 annual general meeting will take place at 10am on Thursday at the Maldron Hotel at Dublin Airport. On Thursday, the Design Leaders Conference will take off in Dublins Smithfield. It will bring together senior designers, creative directors, and design professionals from across the country. The event will see design and business leaders gather at the Light House Cinema to uncover the real stories that drive significant projects and learn how creative courage is essential for design leadership. Our young farmer neighbours are driving tractors fast and recklessly on our rural road and Im terrified my children could be hurt. What are my options? Im scared stiff they could crash through the wall on the bend where we live and cause a catastrophe. I want to protect my family but I dont want to fall out with anyone Consider recording a short clip on your mobile phone of the worst examples of speed and dangerous driving. Photo: Getty Mary Frances Fahy Tue 28 Jan 2025 at 03:30 Query: Dear Mary Frances, I am seeking advice on how to address a serious safety concern involving my farming neighbours, who often drive tractors and other vehicles recklessly and at high speeds on the rural road outside my home. A Dutch court has ordered the government to drastically cut nitrogen emissions in the Netherlands by 2030, a ruling that could hurt construction and will pressure farmers to reduce livestock. The case was brought by Greenpeace, which said the government was not doing enough to lower illegally high levels of nitrogen oxide emissions caused by intensive farming and heavy use of fertilisers, as well as traffic and construction in the densely populated Netherlands. The problem is seen as a potential stumbling block for the already fragile government coalition, which includes far right leader Geert Wilders Freedom Party and a farmers party that was created to protest against nitrogen measures. As environmentalists hailed the court order as a victory, Wilders and several farmer groups said it simply showed Dutch rules were too strict. We dont need more nitrogen policies. We need to loosen nitrogen rules and targets! Wilders said on X. Efforts to reduce emissions in recent years have led to fierce and sometimes violent protests by farmers, who felt that proposed measures were unfair and detrimental to their business models. Intensive farming and traffic are the main sources of emissions in the Netherlands and any solution to lower them is seen to involve a large cut in the number of farms and the livestock held. The court in The Hague said the government had clearly failed to comply with European regulations to preserve vulnerable nature reserves and cut excessive emissions of nitrogen oxides and ammonia, which hurt biodiversity and damage the quality of water. It ordered the government to meet its target of reducing the emissions to legally allowed levels in 50pc of all affected nature reserves by 2030, and ruled that it should be fined 10m if the goal was not met a sum unlikely on its own to provide a major impetus for change. The Netherlands so far has reduced emissions to the required levels in 28pc of the reserves, the court said. Agriculture minister Femke Wiersma said she was disappointed by the court ruling and was considering an appeal. We take the nitrogen problem very seriously, she tweeted. But we cant ask the impossible of people and companies. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, who has no party affiliation, said the issue was a major problem his coalition could not ignore. The nitrogen problem has plagued the Netherlands for years following rulings in 2018 by the European Court of Justice and in 2019 by the Netherlands Council of State that Dutch policies were failing to address it. Similar problems have led to protests by farmers in Belgium, while Denmark passed a nitrogen rule in late 2024, in an effort to protect marine life in its fjords. Reuters New Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon talks to his Spanish counterpart Luis Planas Puchades at an EU meeting in Brussels yesterday. Photo: Francois Lenoir Simplification of the CAP, strengthening the position of farmers in the food chain and trade deals were three key topics new Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon addressed in his first meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels yesterday. Mr Heydon also met with EU Agriculture Minister Christophe Hansen, who visited Ireland last week. He spoke on a number of key issues, particularly in the area of CAP simplification. It is really important that the administrative burden is kept to a minimum and is reduced if possible for our farmers and for my Department, he told the Farming Independent following the meeting, While he acknowledged the importance of trade to Ireland, he said he would be raising issues about the Mercosur deal and its potential impact on Irish farmers. We oppose Mercosur in its current form because not only of the economic impact from it, but in terms of its impact on our farmers, who are held to a very high standard of environmental standards. Yet on the opposite side, they see a trade deal bringing in produce potentially at a lower standard, he said. He pointed out that the Irish Government, including the Tanaiste and Minister for Trade Simon Harris, wants to further examine the legal text around the sustainability piece the Commission has brought forward and raise the concerns it has around Mercosur. Ireland, he said, would engage with other countries such as France and Austria, who have raised concerns about the deal. Yesterdays Council meeting was the first official engagement for the Kildare man, who was appointed Agriculture Minister last Wednesday. The Fine Gael TD was heavily tipped in recent weeks to take up the role, had served as Minister of State at the Department with special responsibility for Research and Development, Farm Safety and New Market Development. Mr Heydon, who lives on the family farm near Kilcullen, Co Kildare, topped the poll in Kildare in Decembers general election. The beef and tillage farmer from Blackrath has deep roots in farming. He grew up working on his familys 140ac farm and, in an interview with the Farming Independent in 2022, credited his late mother Sheila with instilling in him a lifelong passion for agriculture. Following the sudden loss of his father at the age of eight, Heydon witnessed his mothers determination to continue farming in a male-dominated industry. Her resilience shaped his outlook on farming and leadership. The father-of-four and husband to Brianne recently moved from suckler farming to finishing cattle, citing the challenges of calving while balancing a demanding political role and family life. Mr Heydon, a Kildalton Agricultural College graduate, sees his dual experience as a farmer and policymaker as a strength. Being an active farmer gives me a very real sense of the way farmers think, he said. He will be joined in the Department by three junior ministers: Noel Grealish as Minister of State with a focus on marketing and food exports and Michael Healy-Rae, with responsibility for forestry. A fourth junior minister role, covering the marine/fisheries has also been created in the Department and is expected to be filled this week. Why these Mayo sheep farmers are investing thousands in award-winning Dutch genetics Lindsey Finch and her husband David loved coming on holiday to Ireland so much that they sold up in England and bought a 24ac farm in Mayo, where they run a prize-winning pedigree Dutch Spotted flock Lindsey Finch with her pedigree Dutch Spotted sheep on her farm at Clooncorraun, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo Photos: Ray Ryan Niall Hurson Tue 28 Jan 2025 at 03:30 Lindsey Finch moved from Yorkshire to Ireland 25 years ago with her husband David after falling in love with the countryside and community during visits to friends in Ballinasloe. The five-bedroom property at Faughan Hill, Bohermeen, Co Meath, that has been the subject of a legal battle for almost two decades A Dublin City Council worker who was caught transporting drugs worth 6,000 in his work vehicle has been given a suspended sentence. Tony Ward (53) of Balbutcher Way, Poppintree, Dublin 11, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having drugs for sale or supply on May 10, 2023. His previous convictions are for minor road traffic offences. A postmistress who sued An Post after she was the victim of a tiger kidnapping in which she was tied up and told she would be shot has settled her High Court action. Susan Lawlor from Malahide, in Dublin, who was the postmistress at Bayside Post Office, Dublin, was along with her daughter and an Italian student abducted from her home at gunpoint and driven around by her captors until the 80,000 contents of the post office safe were stolen in September 2014. Man jailed after forcing woman with Down syndrome to buy him 1,300 iPhone and withdraw cash Teen who filmed girls undressed in National Aquatic Centre changing kiosk spared sentence The 17-year-old "exceptionally gifted student", who cannot be named because he is a minor, had pleaded guilty to two offences under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act Dublin Children's Court Tom Tuite Tue 28 Jan 2025 at 19:00 A teenage boy who used his phone to film young girls undressed in a changing area at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin has been spared a custodial sentence and a criminal record. All aspects of the care given to mothers will be examined as part of an external review into the deliveries of nine babies at Portiuncula University Hospital in Galway, including two babies who were stillborn. The regional executive officer of HSE West and North West, Tony Canavan, has said the most recent case under review at the hospital occurred last week, while six of the cases were in 2024 and the two stillbirths occurred in 2023. It comes as a new team of highly experienced medics have also been appointed to take over the running of the hospitals maternity services, the Saolta hospital group, which has responsibility for the hospital, said in a statement. The external review follows a number of incidents last year, which include seven infants suffering a reduction in the supply of oxygen to the brain. Two stillbirths which happened in 2023 are also being investigated. Mr Canavan said the number of incidents that occurred at Portiuncula Hospital was unusually high last year. Speaking to RTEs Morning Ireland, he said: Of particular concern was the fact that five cases were referred for head cooling and one other case probably should have. So the incidence was probably six cases for the year for Portiuncula. "Its a hospital that had about 1,300 births last year and we would have expected the rate to be somewhere in or around one, or maybe two cases referred last year, but as I say five, and probably six should have been referred last year and thats higher than we would have expected. Mr Canavan said all of the families involved in the cases under review have been contacted. All of the families that are directly impacted by the reviews have been contacted and weve been in discussions with them and were working that through with them, and when the outcomes from those reviews are complete again well be in communication with those families, he said. There are nine reviews under way into each individual case, Mr Canavan said, and most but not all of them are related to neonatal cooling. All aspects of the care that was provided to the mothers and indeed most importantly to the babies in those cases will be examined and well understand then better why the babies were referred, what happened in terms of their care and what can be done differently next time around," Mr Canavan said. He said Portiuncula Hospital has been very, very proactive in identifying and reporting risks within its maternity services and the cases were brought to his attention at the end of last year. Reviews into a further eight cases of concern between 2019 and 2023 were also carried out. Mr Canavan said weve been very open about those cases. "Were very open in terms of those cases and again, it does to some extent set the context for whats happening currently. But, all those cases were individually reviewed back then at that time, he said. Asked about the findings of those reviews, Mr Canavan said key takeaways included the need to report cases as they arise, improved communications within clinical teams and training for some individual members of staff. A new management team was also brought in. Most of the reviews under way now will be completed by the end of next month, but he said the process has only just begun for the more recent cases. "The process of review into those two cases has only just commenced and will take a number of months before theyre completed, he said. More than 800 people are booked to deliver their baby at Portiuncula currently, and the hospital will be writing to all 800 to explain the reviews and why they are happening. A spokeswoman said that external reviews are currently under way into the delivery of nine babies in the hospital. "Since 2024, seven babies had hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), resulting in six of those babies being referred for neonatal hypothermic treatment, also referred to as neonatal cooling," the spokeswoman said. HIE is an umbrella term for a brain injury that happens before, during, or shortly after birth when oxygen or blood flow to the brain is reduced or stopped. The cooling treatment aims to reduce the rate of death, severe disability and lifelong cerebral palsy for these infants. In a statement, the hospital said that in 2023 two stillbirths also occurred at the hospital and the care provided in relation to these two deliveries is also currently being reviewed externally. It said that HIE occurs when a baby's brain does not get enough oxygen before or shortly after birth. It's more likely to occur the longer a baby's brain is without oxygen. This incidence of HIE, resulting in referral for neonatal cooling treatment, is significantly higher than that observed nationally or internationally for a similar time frame, the spokeswoman said. HSE West and North West has appointed a highly experienced management team to oversee maternity services in the hospital over the coming months, she said. This management team is led by an external consultant obstetrician Dr Mark Skehan and includes a director of midwifery and a senior manager. They will work on site from today, Monday. The team will report directly to the HSE West and North West regional management and will be fully responsible for managing and supporting all aspects of maternity/gynaecology and neonatal services at Portiuncula Hospital, the statement said yesterday. "These steps are part of a number of changes that we are taking as a result of concerns in relation to the provision of maternity services in Portiuncula. Dr Pat Nash, regional clinical director of HSE West and North West said: I want to firstly apologise to all those women and families for whom this news will be worrying or upsetting. We are making these changes now to ensure that the maternity service at Portiuncula is as safe as possible for mothers and their babies. External reviews are currently under way into the delivery of nine babies in PUH. Since 2024, seven babies had hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), resulting in six of those babies being referred for neonatal hypothermic treatment, also referred to as neonatal cooling. In 2023, two stillbirths occurred at the hospital and the care provided in relation to these two deliveries is also currently being reviewed externally. This incidence of HIE, resulting in referral for neonatal cooling treatment, is significantly higher than that observed nationally or internationally for a similar time frame. Therapeutic Hypothermia is now considered the standard treatment for term infants with moderate to severe HIE. "This treatment involves cooling a baby quickly after birth and keeping them cool for several days. It slows the brains metabolism and can prevent further damage. The sooner body cooling starts, the better the outcomes for the baby, the spokeswoman said. Mr Canavan said: Our biggest concern is for the women who have had, and will have, their babies in PUH, and for their children. From today, we have appointed a highly experienced team, led by an external consultant obstetrician to manage and lead the maternity service at Portiuncula University Hospital to ensure as safe and high quality services as possible, while we await the outcome of the reviews currently under way. We are concerned by these cases and we believe it is important that we review the care provided. The purpose of the reviews currently under way is to examine all of the clinical findings and care provided to our patients. We know this is a distressing time for women whose care is under review and we apologise for any added distress that this news brings. We are providing support to the families involved. Each of these reviews are independent and external to PUH and the West North West region. Once completed, we will meet with each family to share the review finding with them. Dr Cliona Murphy, clinical director of the HSEs National Women and Infants Health Programme, said: We have been working closely with the team in HSE West and North West and at Portiuncula University Hospital to put in place more measures to improve safety for women delivering their babies at this unit. "We await the outcome of the reviews into the care provided to nine women since late 2023 which are currently under way. We will continue to provide the necessary support to the unit and will work closely with the new management team there, led by an external consultant obstetrician. "During this time, all services will continue to operate as normal. Women with appointments should attend as normal and those with understandable concerns should discuss them with their obstetrician or midwife. The findings of these reviews will be considered alongside previous reviews conducted at the unit. Between 2019 and 2023 a further eight reviews took place into cases that gave rise for concern. Seven of these eight cases were babies with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), six of whom received neonatal cooling. We met with each of these families at that time and shared their review findings with them. A series of service improvement plans and other measures were implemented at the unit following these reviews. It is important to note that all services at the maternity unit will continue to operate as normal, including outpatient appointments. This team is an additional measure to make the maternity service at PUH as safe as possible. If women who are attending the unit have questions they can contact the HSE on 1800 807 008 and arrangements will be made for them to receive a follow-up call from the maternity service. Dr David Maritz, lead consultant in emergency medicine at St Luke's Hospital, at the inquest into the death of Richard Walsh. Photo: Collins Registrar in the emergency department at St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, Dr Bianca Van der Linde, at the coroner's court. Photo: Collins Ann Walsh, wife of the late Richard Walsh, at the Dublin District Coroner's Court. Photo: Collins St Lukes Hospital in Kilkenny has issued an unreserved apology to the family of a man who died two days after medical staff failed to diagnose a cardiac issue when he presented with abdominal pain at its emergency department three years ago. A verdict of medical misadventure was recorded at an inquest into the circumstances of the death of Richard Walsh following evidence about shortcomings in the hospitals care of the patient. Mr Walsh (67), a married father of four from Bennettsbridge, Co Kilkenny, died in St Jamess Hospital in Dublin on June 17, 2022 after being transferred there earlier that day from St Lukes. The inquest at Dublin District Coroners Court on Tuesday heard that Mr Walsh had attended the emergency department of St Lukes two days previously with complaints of abdominal pain. However, he was given some medication and discharged home without any ECG being performed, despite one having been requested in a referral letter from his family doctor. Mr Walshs wife, Ann, told the hearing that her husband was in very good health and was on no medication before becoming ill shortly before his death. Richard Walsh died in St James's Hospital, Dublin. Today's News in 90 Seconds - January 28th In reply to questions from the coroner, Clare Keane, she said he had complained about a pain which he thought was due to indigestion on June 15, 2022, although he remained in good form. Ms Walsh said she also noticed he was sweating and he decided to visit his GP who referred him to the emergency department of St Lukes where he was discharged after being given some medication. He went straight back to the hospital two days later when a pain in his chest got tighter. Ms Walsh said she was informed that he was being transferred to St Jamess Hospital and later that evening received a call as her family were preparing to travel to Dublin that he had passed away. Ann Walsh, wife of the late Richard Walsh, at the Dublin District Coroner's Court. Photo: Collins In a written statement Mr Walshs GP, Tanzin Dorjey Negi, said he had specifically requested an ECG, blood tests and a CT scan to be conducted in his referral letter to St Lukes. Dr Negi noted that the patient also had high blood pressure at the time he visited his clinic on June 15, 2022. A registrar in emergency medicine, Bianca van der Linde, gave evidence that she had examined Mr Walsh when he attended the hospital later that evening with acute abdominal pain that he had been experiencing for four days. Dr van der Linde, who now works in University Hospital Waterford, said the patient displayed no features which suggested heart failure. She told the inquest that X-rays of Mr Walshs chest and abdomen were normal while blood tests showed results which were just above the upper limit of normal. Dr van der Linde also recalled that the patient had reported feeling significantly better after being given medication before he was discharged. The inquest heard Mr Walsh was classified as a Category 3 patient on presentation which meant he was an urgent case who should have been examined within 60 minutes of arrival. Registrar in the emergency department at St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, Dr Bianca Van der Linde, at the coroner's court. Photo: Collins However, Dr van der Linde acknowledged that it was two hours and 25 minutes before he was seen. In reply to a question from Dr Keane, she could not recall if she had been aware of the GPs referral letter. The registrar noted that she had recorded that the patient had rated his pain level at 8 out of 10. Asked if she had considered that Mr Walsh might have some cardiac issue, Dr van der Linde replied: There are definitely more differential diagnoses that I should have considered at the time. The inquest heard that she had recorded that the patient had negative cardiorespiratory symptoms in her medical notes. Dr van der Linde observed that Mr Walsh had shown no sign of respiratory distress while his heart sounded normal. However, she accepted that she had not ordered an ECG. Cross-examined by counsel for the deceaseds family, Richard Downey BL, Dr van der Linde said she had focused on the patients main complaint about acute upper abdominal pain. She agreed that hospital notes which showed Mr Walsh had high blood pressure and a fast heartbeat were available to her. Asked about the failure to order an ECG, the registrar said that in hindsight she would have carried out additional investigations whether indicated or not. The coroner ruled a question as to whether Mr Walshs death could have been prevented if he had been diagnosed with a cardiac issue that day was inappropriate. The inquest heard an urgent transfer of the patient to St Jamess Hospital in Dublin was recommended after an ECG was carried out and showed evidence of a heart attack when he attended St Lukes two days later. However, Mr Walsh became unresponsive shortly after his arrival in the emergency department of St Jamess later that evening and was pronounced dead at 7.51pm. Dr David Maritz, lead consultant in emergency medicine at St Luke's Hospital, at the inquest into the death of Richard Walsh. Photo: Collins Post-mortem examination results showed he died from a rupture of the heart following a heart attack. A consultant in emergency medicine at St Lukes, David Martiz, told the inquest that a serious incident review carried out as a result of Mr Walshs death had made a number of recommendations which had resulted in various measures including maximum awareness being imparted to non-consultant doctors at the hospital about patients presenting with atypical cardiac conditions. Dr Maritz explained that emergency department staff were now reminded that they should consider acute coronary syndrome (which includes heart attacks) and the need for an ECG for any patient over 40 with abdominal pain. The inquest heard the number of consultants in emergency medicine at St Lukes had also increased from three to four, while training programmes for medical staff were now more formalised. Asked if Mr Walshs symptoms when he attended the hospital on June 15, 2022, should have resulted in an ECG being ordered, Dr Maritz replied: That is correct. At the conclusion of the inquest, counsel Conor Halpin SC read out an unreserved apology on behalf of the HSE and St Lukes for the shortcomings in their care of Mr Walsh. Mr Halpin said Mr Walshs family could be reassured that the hospital had taken the matter very seriously and had taken learnings from this event. Recommendations and strategies have been adopted to avoid these shortcomings being repeated in the future, said Mr Halpin. Recording a verdict of death due to medical misadventure, Dr Keane said she endorsed the recommendations already made by St Lukes from its review of Mr Walshs death. President Higgins defends Holocaust memorial speech after Israeli minister says she fears for safety of Jews in Ireland The statement came after Israels deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel said she fears for the safety of Jews in Ireland after President Higgins speech at a Holocaust commemoration event on Dublin on Sunday during which a protester was removed Israels deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel Tabitha Monahan and David Maddox Wed 29 Jan 2025 at 00:18 Welcoming the ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage release deal does not put the safety Jewish people in Ireland at risk, a spokesperson for President Michael D Higgins has said. Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson has accused Donald Trump of telling lies and using oligarch social media allies such as Elon Musk to spread them. In a strong attack on the US president and his executive team, she said they were a threat to democracy and a free press and had an absurdly distorted view of the concept of free speech. Mrs Robinson took aim at Mr Trumps climate-wrecking plans to expand oil and gas production. He signed an executive order to back his drill, baby, drill election slogan, claiming there was a national energy emergency from a shortage of fuels supplies. Mrs Robinson, a climate champion and human rights campaigner, said there was no basis for his claims. There is no emergency. Its all lies. The United States has produced in the last six years more crude oil than any country ever at any time, she said. It is also the lead on gas, she said, stressing that the US was exporting its surplus. She said Trump was spreading his claims through lies augmented by his oligarch social media allies. The tech companies backed him because they wanted fossil fuels to power their plans to massively expand Artificial Intelligence, she said. She described their behaviour as an enormous threat to democracy and dismissed their claims to be standing up for free speech. "Its not free speech. Its freedom to tell any lies you like and amplify them with social media algorithms. Its an absurd misrepresentation. She singled out for particular criticism Elon Musk, owner of the X platform which relies on algorithms that favour postings that back himself and Mr Trump. He is already using that platform to support the alt right in Germany. Hes going to undermine the German elections, she said. Wait until he moves to the French elections. Hes already undermining the UK. If Europe doesnt stand up tall and regulate, theres going to be a huge further undermining and it could happen in this country. So democracy is at risk. Mrs Robinson, who was speaking at a Sustainable Media Ireland event, said independent media which she described as a common good was also at risk from the deluge of misinformation and the flight of advertising revenue to social media sites. It is a very dangerous time and if were not careful, we will fall into the trap of observing too late everything that is happening, she said. We have to invest in the common good of having a free press, an independent media, right across the board in order to support a democracy that is being threatened. Mrs Robinson urged the European Commission to tighten regulations governing social media. She also said leadership from the United Nations was needed to govern the rise of AI and safeguard against the potential impacts, including humans losing control of the technology. Think of nuclear weapons with us not in control. The problems are pretty grim and I dont know that were alert enough to them. Despite the worrying worldwide developments, Mrs Robinson said the media had a job to do in presenting the flip side of the story the picture of how the world could be if the right decisions were made. We're on the cusp of a better world a world fuelled by renewable energy with no waste, she said, urging media to find ways to better tell that story. Government leaders decide on junior minister appointments this week, but the names are unlikely to assuage doubts after accusations of misogyny when the Cabinet was announced last week. Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tanaiste Simon Harris are set to confirm the names for 18 junior minister jobs. The split will be 10 to Fianna Fail and eight to Fine Gael. Another five will be given to Independents. Sean Canney and Noel Grealish will be super-junior ministers, with junior ministry briefs for Marian Harkin, Kevin Boxer Moran and Michael Healy-Rae. There was outrage last week when the number of senior female ministers in the Cabinet fell from four to three the trio being Helen McEntee, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Norma Foley. Mary Butler was named Chief Whip and a super-junior with responsibility for disability. However, there are practical problems in the way of any affirmative action for women at junior minister level. Fianna Fail sources pointed out that only one in seven of their parliamentary party is a woman. Simon Harris and Micheal Martin speaking outside Government Buildings. Photo: PA Today's News in 90 Seconds - January 28th The seven female occupants of 48 Fianna Fail seats are the already-rewarded Mary Butler and Norma Foley, followed by Niamh Smyth, Jennifer Murnane OConnor, Catherine Ardagh, Aisling Dempsey and Erin McGreehan. The last three are all first-time TDs, making their more experienced colleagues, Ms Smyth and Ms Murnane OConnor, the more likely choices for elevation. The only definite Fianna Fail junior minister is Charlie McConalogue, who lost out because his previous Agriculture portfolio went to Fine Gaels Martin Heydon. Meanwhile, former junior minister Anne Rabbitte will be appointed to the Seanad by the Taoiseach if she does not succeed this week in her own right on the Labour Panel. Timmy Dooley is a likely appointee, with many also tipping newcomer Martin Daly for a promotion. On the Fine Gael side, Simon Harris is set to appoint returned TD Jerry Buttimer, a former cathaoirleach of the Seanad, alongside John Cummins. This would mean Mr Cummins, a first-time TD, would reach ministerial rank within his first few days in the Dail. Existing junior minister Emer Higgins will be retained. There are 23 new Fine Gael TDs, but Mr Cummins who is seen to have done a good job as a member of the partys negotiating team towards a Programme for Government will be the only male set to step up to become a junior minister, sources have suggested. Fine Gael women being spoken about in connection with a junior minister job include first-time TD Emer Currie, who held former Taoiseach Leo Varadkars old seat in Dublin West, along with new TD Catherine Callaghan. New female Fine Gael TDs include Grace Boland, Paula Butterly, Keira Keogh and Maeve OConnell. Mary Lou McDonald has compared her new Justice spokesman's courtroom appearance to pulling pigtails in the playground. Matt Carthy was found guilty of public-order offences in 1998 when aged 21, after denying breach of the peace and obstruction and failing to comply with a Garda order. Asked whether he was a suitable person to be the new shadow for Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan, Ms McDonald said: "He is more than an appropriate fit for this. "And I think what you will see is that Matt Carthy will bring vigour to this portfolio. He will challenge the Government fairly and very strongly in terms of people feeling safe on their streets." She said anyone in the media could "go back and do a review of all members of your office and find who pulled whose pigtails on the playground, or who was involved in what. "You're going to find far more spicy narratives than anything around Matt Carthy. So I have absolutely full confidence in him." She added: "It is, of course, not just the justice piece. It's migration, international protection and so on. That issue hasn't gone away. "I know it's not headline news in the way that it was. But the last government got that policy area, very wrong. We have to get it right, because the consequences of getting it wrong is social division." Mr Carthy appeared in court over an incident at a taxi rank in Dublin in November 1998, when frontbench spokesman on Finance Pearse Doherty was similarly charged, with an added count of abusing a Garda. There were a total of four arrests of members of Young Sinn Fein. Cavan-Monaghan TD Matt Carty, with Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald Today's News in 90 Seconds - January 28th The new Justice spokesman told the Irish Independent that he was a very young man when the incident occurred. "The Probation Act was applied, which means I have no criminal conviction. "Since then I have been a public representative and I have had a very good relationship with gardai at all levels and across all ranks." Thousands of people in the west of the country remain without power as the clean-up continues in the aftermath of Storm Eowyn. Breeda Murphy (64), from Corrandulla, just a few kilometres outside Galway city, told the Irish Independent she has been without power since Storm Eowyn hit the country on Friday. Were surviving. We really cant be complaining, there are many people worse off then we are, she said. Weve just got to bear with it for another little while. There are people in much more remote areas. At least we have access to services, we can get out in our car. My car was outside during the storm and I was worried sick all night but it was fine in the morning. Ms Murphy called for the Dail to reconvene and said questions need to be asked about how we respond to future weather events like Storm Eowyn. The Government needs to step up, the national government rather than the local council. Theyre doing their bit, but the others dont appear to be, she said. I think Micheal Martin should bring them back and we should really start looking at how we respond into the future. This is unprecedented in many ways, they can say since Hurricane Debbie in 1961. At the same time, it may happen again and we dont want to be dependent on others to provide assistance. Based just 11km outside Galway city, she said it is difficult to understand why they are still offline. Ms Murphy said her father, who is 96, recalled the damage done by Hurricane Debbie nearly 63 years ago. My dad remembers Hurricane Debbie and he actually thinks that this was worse, she said. It took slates off the roof and everything, which hasnt happened before. One person, in his 20s, died as a result of the storm. Kacper Dudek was killed when a tree fell on his car as he made his way home from work in Co Donegal on Friday morning. Ms Murphy praised the efforts of the local community in Galway, which she said has rallied together to provide help to those who need it. What you need to do at this stage is accept help wherever its given, because the most vulnerable people are the ones who cant shout for that help, she said. There is a great community spirit, thats one of the plus points of all of this. The community rallies around, neighbours rally to help one another who may not see each other all the time. An incident like this shows how vulnerable we are, and by that same token, also shows the strength that is within the local communities, the camaraderie, the support. The GAA are particularly good. While it has been very difficult to be without heat and water for days, Ms Murphy said the help of the local community has eased that burden. Local hotels have offered for people to come in and have a hot shower. I think if the Government had done things properly, they would already have identified hotels that would contribute, they could contribute or subsidise them for the use of facilities like showering or phone-charging, she said. If the Dail returns, at least we can have TDs asking questions. We havent had parliamentary questions and it is impossible to hold them to account when theyre not sitting. Rhiannon Cole, from Co Roscommon, has been significantly affected by power outages, with both her home and her business impacted. For just under two years, Ms Cole has run Reepop, an online K-pop merchandise store, out of her home in Fairymount. Without power, heating, water and internet since the early hours of Friday, her business has been brought to a halt. On Saturday, she was forced to notify customers their orders would be delayed by a week or more as a result. We are without power, heating, water and internet, and so my business has come to a standstill, she said. After suffering a number of days-long power outages over the last year, Ms Cole said something needs to be done to make communities in the west more resilient to weather events like Storm Eowyn. If that doesnt happen, she said she may have to close her business. There have been three times weve been out of power for five days or more in the last year, she said. I understand these things happen but considering the Government wants everything electric, how do they expect us to work with that? My main concern is this happening again and again in the future I would have to consider closing my business altogether. We should be supporting local and working to help smaller businesses thrive, but were hit with nothing but obstacles that we have to overcome ourselves with no help from anyone else. Something needs to be done to prevent this type of disruption in future. Dublin firefighter Derek Baitson talks about his fears for his pension at Liberty Hall today Dublin firefighter, Derek Baitson, fears he will have to support his family on 280 a week when he retires. The father-of-three is among thousands of frontline workers accusing the government of betraying election promises to address a big pension problem they highlighted in the new Programme for Government. They want a supplementary pension that was axed over a decade ago to be reintroduced. It used to be paid on top of their work pension from retirement age at 55. The supplementary pension bridged the gap until they reached state pension age, which is now 66. After that, they get the state pension on top of the work pension. Now they claim their income is down around 50pc during their early retirement years due to the loss of the supplementary pension. Firefighters and other uniformed personnel including the Defence Forces, prison service and An Garda Siochana, have to retire earlier than most workers due to the demanding and dangerous nature of their work. Mr Baitson, who is based at the Dublin Fire Brigade HQ on Townsend Street, was among a Siptu delegation that dropped a letter into the new Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, at the Customs House on Tuesday. The union called on the government to reinstate the supplementary pension and claimed Fianna Fail candidates, including former minister Darragh OBrien, promised to address the issue during the election. Mr Baitson said the work pension for firefighters is currently worth between 280 and 300 a week without the supplementary pension. So wed be supporting our families on close to Jobseekers allowance, said Mr Baitson, who joined Dublin Fire Brigade in 2019. At that stage, well have grown up kids, well have to support college etc. So were receiving 50pc less of what our colleagues previous to 2013 are receiving. We want to just be able to support our families after we retire after doing a full career and a career that we love. Wed like to be able to retire with money that can support us. In a letter to Minister Browne yesterday, Siptu industrial organiser Geoff McEvoy urged him to meet to discuss commitments given by Fianna Fail election candidates. Fianna Fail candidates gave explicit commitments in the recent election to an independent review into this matter, he said. It is deeply concerning to firefighters that this commitment has not been reflected in the Programme for Government. Siptu said it is asking the government to secure the future of uniformed staff by ensuring those recruited since 2013 receive a fair pension in retirement. Their pensions are known as fast accrual as they can clock up a full pension quicker than other public servants, in some instances after 30 rather than 40 years service. A Department of Housing spokesperson said the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform deals directly with the Single Pension Scheme and it has been contacted for a response. Are you guilty of boomerasking? this annoying habit kills conversation every time and weve probably all done it The Wall Street Journal recently reported on the practice of boomerasking, describing it as a self-centred foul in conversation that completely ruins the magic of sincere exchanges. Boomerasking is the practice of offering a question, just to facilitate your own anecdotes. Photo: Getty Kirsty Blake Knox Tue 28 Jan 2025 at 03:30 We have all been there. That infuriating conversational boobytrap, the boomerask. Let me paint the scene someone shimmies up to you and asks a seemingly innocuous question, only to skim over your answer and use it as a launch pad to start wanging on about themselves. Lucinda OSullivan: The best spots to celebrate Chinese New Year with banquets, tea parties, lion dances and authentic cuisine From jin sha beef at China Sichuan to steamed spicy chicken claws at Nan and Chinese Whispers afternoon tea at Bewleys, you wont be stuck for choice at one of the many special offerings in the capital To mark Lunar New Year, Bewleys on Grafton Street will host special Chinese Whispers afternoon tea experiences, bewleysgraftonstreet.com. Photo: Kirsty Lyons Lucinda O'Sullivan Wed 29 Jan 2025 at 03:30 We may think our Christmas and New Year season goes on a bit but were only trotting after the Chinese whose upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations encompass a full two weeks of culture, customs and cuisine that make our turkey, ham and plum pud feast look like the poor relation. Orla Keegan, Director of Bereavement at the Irish Hospice Foundation, discusses coping with grief in conversation with journalist Deirdre Reynolds Grief awareness week with Orla Keegan, Director of Bereavement of the Irish Hospice Foundation Grief changes your life. Its not just an event, its not just something that you feel for a month or two months so you need to trust in yourself and trust in others to be there for you. As National Grief Awareness Week gets underway, Orla Keegan, Director of Bereavement at the Irish Hospice Foundation, speaks to Deirdre Reynolds about living with loss. For a list of events and resources, go to hospicefoundation.ie. #nationalgriefawarenessweek #begriefaware The damage to Irelands internet communications network from broken poles, disrupted fibre and a lack of power continues to hit areas around the countryThousands of Irish homes could be without power for a fortnight after Storm Eowyn devastation The Irish Coast Guard at Spanish Point, Co Clare, lifting a generator to help with the restoration of power in Inishmaan in the Aran Islands as Uisce Eireann works to restore the water supply there. Photo: Press 22 Around 100,000 homes and businesses remain without broadband across Ireland as operators struggle to repair the damage caused by Storm Eowyn. It comes as about 168,000 premises are still without electricity, with 30,000 warned they will not have supplies restored until February 5. Some 100,000 premises are also without water. More than 600,000 have had their power restored by ESB crews since Fridays storm. Approximately 11,500 premises remain without water this lunchtime supplying 31,000 people. This is down from a peak of over 200,000 following Storm Eowyn, Uisce Eireann said. Eir, the largest broadband firm, says that 50,000 network customers are still without a connection, while NBI, which runs the National Broadband Plan, says that 32,000 are without broadband. The three main mobile operators Vodafone, Three and Eir say that thousands of mobile and broadband customers remain affected. Despite tens of thousands of premises having communications restored yesterday, operators say that it is still too early to give full repair timelines, describing the destruction to Irelands communications network as the worst in living memory. The main causes of disruption are damaged poles and fibre lines, and a continuing lack of power to some sites. Other fixed-line network operators such as Siro and Virgin are reporting smaller numbers under 1,000 of customers affected. The Irish Coast Guard at Spanish Point, Co Clare, lifting a generator to help with the restoration of power in Inishmaan in the Aran Islands as Uisce Eireann works to restore the water supply there. Photo: Press 22 Simon Harris speaks about emergency response to storm Eowyn Extensive damage has been sustained to all infrastructure networks across the country, said a spokesperson for NBI, who said the damage was due to a combination of localised power outages and fibre breaks. Eir has restored broadband services to 190,000 homes and businesses, down from a peak of 240,000 on Friday. Despite service being restored to more than 700 mobile sites in that same period, around 10pc of its mobile sites are currently impacted by power or connectivity issues. While most focus has been on fixed-line and fibre broadband customers, Ireland has 394,000 mobile broadband households that rely on cellular signals. A spokesperson for Three, the countrys largest mobile broadband operator, also confirmed significant disruption to its broadband base of around 200,000 customers in Ireland. We currently have 11.5pc of our telecom sites off-air, the spokesperson said, adding that it affected about 4pc of its customer base. The initial impact of the storm resulted in 34pc of our sites off-air. However, we have had Three teams on the ground working tirelessly to restore service to affected areas since Friday. The remaining sites that are off-air are predominantly due to power outages, with crews deploying generators to the worst-affected areas. Thousands of rural households have been warned they may be without power supplies for two weeks as ESB Networks repair crews battle to deal with the devastation. Around 30,000 householders mainly in Clare, Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Cavan and Donegal have now been notified power supplies may not be restored until February 5. The Big Tech Show: Storm tech survival guide - home generators, solar batteries and supersers Dozens of Irish schools, most in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, face the threat of another day of closure or remote learning due to lack of power, water and storm damage to school buildings. Repair crews supported by electrical engineers dispatched from the UK have successfully reconnected almost 600,000 of the 768,000 homes, businesses and farms that lost power last Friday. Specialist repair crews are also deploying to Ireland from France and possibly from Scandinavian countries. It represents the largest electricity grid repair operation in Irish history, with Munster and Leinster-based repair crews now redeploying to the worst-hit parts of western and border counties. The repair campaign was hampered by further tree falls on Sunday and yesterday as weakened boughs were brought down by Storm Herminia. NBI crew attach fibre to existing pole infrastructure More than 60,000 further homes on heavily damaged network lines will be reconnected to the grid by Friday. However, around 100,000 homes in the most storm-ravaged and isolated areas are unlikely to have power supplies restored until after January 31. Some 30,000 of these in isolated areas where network damage is most difficult to access by repair teams may not have electricity until February 5, a loss of power totalling 13 days. Electricity supplies have now been largely restored to the Aran Islands, with the exception of Inishmaan. The Coast Guard helped with the transfer of an industrial generator to the Aran Islands to deal with restoration of water supplies on Inishmaan. Uisce Eireanns Margaret Attridge said round-the-clock efforts are underway to restore water supplies to 100,000 people nationwide. Midlands-North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly said clarification was needed on whether Ireland moved fast enough last weekend to accept offers of emergency generators from France, Germany, Denmark and other EU countries. Communities across the south-west, west and north have praised ESB Networks, Uisce Eireann and telecoms repair crews for their work. Everything that can be done is being done, Tanaiste Simon Harris said. I am very conscious that there are many homes without electricity and water. People can be assured that everyone is doing everything possible to restore these power and water supplies as quickly as possible. However, some rural campaigners have hit out at the government response and the confusion over so-called utility hubs, where water and recharging facilities are available. Some hubs have been established at GAA and community centres in storm-hit areas. Irish Rural Link chief executive Seamus Boland expressed astonishment that parts of Ireland were effectively cut-off by the storm. We all want to know why the phone network went down it was very scary for a lot of people to realise that they were basically cut-off, he said. Mike Ryan is set to step down from his role with the Briery Gap. The artistic director of Macrooms Briery Gap will step down from his role at the end of January, it has been announced. A recent statement from the cultural centre, which has recently reopened following an extensive redevelopment after it was damaged in a fire in May 2016, announced that Mike Ryan will step down after successfully leading the organisation through an extraordinary period of redevelopment. Mikes tenure has been marked by his tireless dedication, artistic vision, and passion for nurturing creativity, which have left an inedible mark on both the theatre and the local community. Since joining Briery Gap, Mike has overseen the reopening of the venue, the hiring of staff, successfully developed an engaging and diverse program, and established Briery Gap as a vital cultural hub in rural Ireland. Under his leadership, the theatres initial programme has hosted a range of acclaimed productions, workshops, and events, all while forging partnerships with national and international arts organisations. As Mike steps down, he looks forward to returning to his roots as a freelance creative practitioner, where he will continue to contribute to the Irish and international arts landscape. Commenting, Mr Ryan said he is proud of what he and his incredible team achieved. When I first took up my position in September 2023, I was given a laptop and rented office across the road from a building site, and tasked with opening a vibrant, multi-disciplinary arts venue, he said. Working with the team to realise that goal has been one of the most rewarding chapters in my life. Mr Ryan said Briery Gap is a special place and he looks forward to returning in the future as an audience member, and as an artist. I look forward to seeing it continue to thrive, he stated. Canadas Defence Department is hoping find descendants of the soldier in Cork whose DNA could identify if he is among the remains A group of Canadian soldiers standing at a makeshift soup kitchen close to the frontlines during the push for Hill 70. Photo by William Rider-Rider, August 15-25, 1917 A Cork man who lost his life in World War I may be among remains recently recovered in France. Private Joseph Patrick Buckley, who was born in Cork, served with the Canadian Infantry 10th Battalion on the Western Front of World War I. The soldier is suspected to be amongst the remains discovered near the city of Lens in France, where Canadian forces pushed to capture the strategic Hill 70 from German troops in August 1917. A search is now on to find Private Buckleys Cork descendants whose DNA could identify whether or not he is among the remains, which were discovered in advance of construction projects going ahead near the village of Vendin-le-Vieil. A spokesperson for the Canadian Department of National Defence told The Corkman that work to track the family history of Private Buckley is ongoing in order to eliminate him from consideration, or include him in ongoing research as part of its Casualty Identification Program. This is a lengthy process which is not likely to end soon, the spokesperson said. Kinsale historian JJ Hurley told The Corkman that Private Buckley is believed to have relatives in his locality as well as wider County Cork. The chairperson of Kinsale Cultural and Heritage Society said records show Private Buckley may have arrived in Canada in May of 1910 and the following years Canadian census shows he could have been working as a labourer in Calgary, Alberta. Mr Hurley said Private Buckley described his occupation as a labourer when he enlisted at Olds, a small town in Alberta on May 16, 1916. When enlisting, Buckley stated that he was born in Cork around March 1887 and listed his next-of-kin as his widowed mother, Mary Buckley. Her address at the time was 7 Long Quay, Kinsale, County Cork. The historian said that in Private Buckleys service file, his mother is also described that same year as recently residing at number 13 Anglesea Street in Cork. By December 1916, her address is care of Mrs Casey, Fisher Street, Kinsale. It is believed Mrs Casey is Nora Ann Casey (formerly Regan), per the 1911 Census. Following her husbands death in 1917, Mary Buckley moved to the Home for the Aged, Montenotte where she died in 1935, as uncovered by local genealogist Carol Farley, Mr Hurley said. Ms Farley believes that Buckleys parents were Thomas Buckley and Mary O Neill (North Mall), married on the November 29, 1879, but after that it becomes a challenge. Mr Hurley has urged anyone that could help to identify whether or not Private Buckley is among the remains discovered at Hill 70 to contact him at jjhurley123@gmail.com. There will be an emphasis on connecting with different islands and islanders through the arts during the storytellers residency Storytellers Paddy OBrien, Nuala Hayes and Simone Schuemmelfeder hope to use their art to connect with the communities of west Cork islands Dursey, Bere, Whiddy, Long, Heir, Sherkin and Oilean Chleire during their residency. Three renowned storytellers will undertake a 10-month residency across the seven inhabited west Cork islands as part of a newly announced programme. With their project titled Three Heads/ Na Tri Chinn on Seven Islands, storytellers Paddy OBrien, Nuala Hayes and Simone Schuemmelfeder hope to use their art to connect with the communities of Dursey, Bere, Whiddy, Long, Heir, Sherkin and Oilean Chleire. Paddy OBrien is a Cork-based teacher and Irish speaker who has told stories across the country and at annual festivals on Oilean Chleire and in Sneem in Kerry. Nuala Hayes is an actor, storyteller, independent broadcaster, and author who previously worked on the publication Boithrin na Smaointe with the elders on Oilean Chleire on their memories, customs, and folklore. Simone Schuemmelfeder has worked on many community projects and is particularly interested in working with young people, using the Schools Collection from 1937, to develop new stories and to use the new technologies to record them as podcasts. She is also a writer of childrens stories and teaches in the Irish Writers Centre. The storytellers residency will combine participatory live events, song, story-exchange, research into existing folklore and island stories, video, podcasting, and visual art inspired by island stories. There will be an emphasis on connecting with different islands and islanders through the arts, as well as responding to the rich creativity already on the islands. The residency will engage with the Cape Clear Storytelling Festival, as well as Storytellers of Ireland. Paddy OBrien said he and his storytelling colleagues are looking forward to starting the project. Nuala, Simone and I are excited to further develop our relationships with the islands and connect with islanders of all ages through the art of storytelling, Paddy said. Mayor of the County of Cork, councillor Joe Carroll, welcomed the trios upcoming residency. Storytelling is a huge part of our culture in County Cork. The Creative Places West Cork Islands programme continues to impact and support islanders of all ages, while contributing to the rich and varied arts across all seven islands, Mayor Carroll said. This residency will also help to nurture and grow the Irish language, which is very much alive across the West Cork Islands. Rose Woods, director of the Cape Clear Storytelling Festival said: We look forward to partnering with the storytellers and Creative Places West Cork Islands in order to connect further with islands and also to platform our festival, which is an international highlight on the storytelling calendar. To keep up to date with the residency, visit the Creative Places West Cork Islands website at www.creativeplaceswci.ie The Storytellers in Residence programme is supported by Cork County Council and Creative Places: West Cork Islands, an Arts Council initiative which aims to build sustained arts investment and create opportunities for local arts programmes. The entrance to BIMM Dublin in the Liberties Niall Dowling is in his third year of commercial modern music in guitar at BIMM A restructuring plan for the BIMM Music Institute Dublin threatens the heart and soul of our education, it has been claimed. A petition has been set up in reaction to a plan that encompasses not only structural changes, but also rumoured wage reductions and job cuts. Staff at the leading music college will ballot on strike action this week, after lecturers were told they must reapply for their jobs. The college, which counts Fontaines DC among its graduates, is reducing the workforce with about 53 employees at risk of redundancy. According to the petition organised by students: BIMM Dublin is renowned for its intimate teaching environment and hands-on lecturers, many of whom have real-world professional experience. Our lecturers, the heart and soul of our education and the music industry, are at risk of losing jobs, and for students to lose valuable mentors. This restructuring could see many of the lecturers laid off. This would inevitably lead to higher student-teacher ratios, threatening the quality of education. These proposed cuts could result in losing not just teachers but role models, mentors, and industry connections. It threatens our ability to fully engage with and learn from our lecturers. The proposed restructuring of BIMM Dublin, accompanied by wage and job cuts, pose a grave threat to the quality of education and the exceptional learning environment we currently value. The entrance to BIMM Dublin in the Liberties We urge students, faculty, alumni, music industry professionals, and all those who value high-quality music education to sign our petition. Stop the restructuring of BIMM Dublin and help us protect our lecturers careers and the quality of our education. Niall Dowling, who is in his third year of commercial modern music in guitar, said he is alarmed by the proposed restructuring plan. What theyre proposing is, theyre calling it a restructuring. I think I can speak for all of us, it seems disingenuous, he said. It seems more like a cost cut. Theyre getting rid of staff and introducing what theyre calling senior members of staff, while it seems like theyre cutting costs for themselves. Theyre saying its for the benefit of the students, but its hard to see that when its such a small college anyway. We rely on a lot of these lecturers as mentors. Its such a small college. We dont necessarily pay for the facilities. If we want to pay for facilities, wed go to Birmingham, wed go to the big colleges with better facilities. We pay for the expertise of these lecturers. Its also worth noting, BIMM Dublin is the highest performing BIMM academically. That's not for the facilities because again, other BIMM schools have better facilities. Its for the expertise of these lecturers. I think theyre wording this like its a benefit to the student. I can't see how it is when every single thing Ive learned is because of these lecturers. My growth in the last few years is all because of these lecturers, he added. A spokesperson for BIMM Music Institute Dublin said: The proposed changes are a direct response to student feedback we have received, in which they have asked for greater staff availability and a more engaged and accessible teaching workforce. Students will continue to have access to a wide pool of industry talent, including full-time Senior Lecturers and Associate Lecturers in specialist areas, all of whom will receive an equitable level of remuneration. We are committed to preserving BIMMs intimate, hands-on learning environment and we believe these proposed changes will further strengthen students learning experience. Fears as Dublin suburb still waiting for flood defences A Dublin councillor said it is crazy that Clontarf is still waiting for flood defences, and she is sick and tired of using sandbags. Councillor Donna Cooney said she has been working on this issue for years, as the land at the Alfie Byrne Road is below sea level. Crazy that we are still waiting for flood defences in Clontarf and we are not at high spring tide as yet, she said in a video on social media. Weve no wall here, no flood defence at all whatsoever. The latest report is that we will be waiting five to 10 years before we get a flood defence. The sea is rising and were also getting more extreme weather. Weve had one storm after another. We had the worst storm in living history. Im seriously worried for the people that live in Clontarf and their businesses. I think we need to do something and we need to do it now. We need to take this as an urgent need and not as something that can be pushed on a long finger. Were 12 years with sandbags and Im just sick and tired of it, she added. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The Deputy Lord Mayor said a design framework has been agreed with residents, businesses and public reps. The delays we are told are with the OPW. We have requested a meeting but it has been refused to date, she said. Ive been very vocal and active on this. In 2019, under my request, councillors were added to the working group. We are all now in agreement with the design framework. We just need it to go out to tender. Another five to 10-year wait is crazy. I have expressed this clearly with the Chief Executive at a meeting this morning and promised a timeline. Uisce Eireann are about to start laying water mains and our plan was for an integrated design. Water mains replacement, active travel, effective flood defence and protection and enhancing public domain and amenity. Whilst protecting homes, local businesses and biodiversity. Last year, Dublin was named among 36 major cities around the world most at risk from rising sea levels and flooding. The capital ranked 23rd on the list by US-based climate organisation climate.gov. With rising sea levels causing frequent flooding worldwide, climate.gov estimates it is only a matter of time before the first cities begin to submerge underwater. According to climate.gov, if the sea level rises by 1.5 metres and the temperature increases by three degrees, cities could be submerged. Parts of Dublin could be at serious risk of flooding in just eight years. Latest information from Climate Central, a non-profit organisation reporting on the impact of climate change, also shows the areas of Dublin likely to face major flooding problems in the coming years if sea levels continue to rise at the current rate. Areas most likely to be impacted include Sandymount, Booterstown, Dublin Port, Clontarf, Dollymount Strand, Portmarnock and Howth. The OPW and DCC have been contacted for comment. Pupils pictured taking part in the annual Noreen Lynch Annual Schools Quiz at the Kerry Sports Academy. Almost 300 primary school children from Tralee, Castleisland, Killorglin, Ballyduff, Causeway, and Corca Dhuibhne tested their brainpower in the annual Credit Union Schools Quiz. Photo by Domnick Walsh. U13 3rd place finishers were Castlegregory National School. Students Tadgh O'Neill, Clodagh Ray, Eoin Lynch and Robyn Flynn are pictured. Also in picture are quiz master John Prendergast, Philip Lynch (Cara Credit Union) and Siobhan Donnelly (Cara Credit Union). Photo by Domnick Walsh. U11 third place finishers were Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn. Pictured are students Grace An Chnoic, Inagm Ni Fhlanura, Lauren Cashell Lowe and Lartaith O'Clumhain. Also in picture are quiz master John Prendergast, Principal Mr O'Connor and Siobhan Donnelly of Cara Credit Union. Photo by Domnick Walsh. U11 second place finishers were Scoil Naisiunta Naomh Eoin Baiste Lispole. Students Emma Ni Chilleide, Eabha Ni Ghabhain, Emma Dorgan and Tomas O'Griffin. Also in picture are Philip Lynch (Cara Credit Union) Nuala Ni Gearlth and Siun Dowd O'Connor (Corca Dhuibhne branch). Photo by Domnick Walsh. U13 1st place finishers were Spa NS. Students Rian Murphy, Padraig Whelan, Katie Falvey, Tadhg Gilligan and Kate Flynn are pictured. Also in picture are quiz master John Prendergast, Peter Dineen school Principal and Philip Lynch of Cara Credit Union. Photo by Domnick Walsh. U11 first place finishers were Spa NS pupils Kate Ryle, Jack Buckley, Eoghan Gilligan and Tommy O'Brien. Also in picture are quiz master John Prendergast, Philip Lynch (Cara Credit Union) Peter Dineen School Principal and Siobhan Donnelly of Cara Credit Union. Photo by Domnick Walsh. Some of the best young minds of the next generation were gathered at the Kerry Sports Academy over the weekend where they took part in the Noreen Lynch Annual Schools Quiz, an event that was hosted by Cara Credit Union. Welcoming 74 teams from 41 primary schools, as well as their many loyal supporters, the event saw almost 300 primary school children from Tralee, Castleisland, Killorglin, Ballyduff, Causeway, and Corca Dhuibhne taking part in the annual and hugely popular event. The questions on the day covered a range of general topics including geography, history, music, literature, and sport. The theme of the 2025 Credit Union School Quiz was For Knowledge Seekers, and the participants certainly lived up to it, with almost near-perfect scoring rounds. Speaking about the quiz, Philip Lynch, Marketing Officer at Cara Credit Union, said: We were delighted with the support from all the schools who battled it out for the fun-filled, action-packed two hours. With the talent in the room, its obvious that the future is in safe hands. Our thanks to all the schools, students, and their families, and of course to the Cara Credit Union team for making this event one of the biggest events on the school calendar. In the Under 11 age category, the winners were Spa NS, with Scoil Naisiunta Naomh Eoin Baiste and Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn having to battle it out in a tie-breaker for 2nd and 3rd. Scoil Naisiunta Naomh Eoin Baiste came out on top by the narrowest of margins. In the Under 13 age category, once again Spa NS secured first place, with a four-way tie-breaker needed to decide on second and third places. After a nail-biting round, Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn came in second, very closely followed by Castlegregory in third place. Pa Ladie, CEO of Cara Credit Union, added, We are humbled by the support we receive from our local schools, and together we wish to improve financial literacy for our future generations. The School Quiz, along with the Art Competition, are two of the highlights of our year, and we encourage all our younger members to get involved. The first and second place winners in both categories will now go on to represent Cara Credit Union at the next stage of the Credit Union Schools Quiz, the Chapter (regional) round of the National Schools Quiz. Councillor takes issue with the handling of Limerick City and County Council's emergency phone line during Storm Eowyn Limerick City and County Council established an incident control room to ensure a co-ordinated response to incidents arising from Storm Eowyn A Limerick councillor is calling for immediate action to improve the efficiency in dealing with local emergencies after Storm Eowyn. The politician was speaking after having repeatedly tried to alert the council to the plight of a young woman stuck in her car with her baby during the storm only to find himself speaking to someone in Portugal, who was unable to rouse anyone from the local authority, he claimed. At this Mondays full meeting of Limerick City and County Council, Adare-Rathkeale Cllr Adam Teskey addressed concerns regarding communication with Irish Water, the ESB, and the councils own emergency phone line. He shared his frustration about the impersonal service from centralised Dublin-based phone lines. I waited 40 minutes listening to a repetitive song from Irish Water only to have the phone call disconnected and had to start the process all over again, he stated. Cllr Teskey asked that councillors be given a direct point of contact for Irish Water and the ESB to quickly address problems. He also raised issue with the handling of Limerick City and County Council's emergency phone line. According to Cllr Teskey, calls to the line were being routed to representatives in Portugal rather than being handled locally. Over the course of Storm Eowyn, he was contacted by a woman with a four-month-old baby who was stuck in a car at the Irish Palatine Centre in Rathkeale. When Cllr Teskey called the councils emergency number for assistance, he found the call was answered overseas. We are a local authority, he stressed, and the whole essence of a local authority is to deal with local issues locally. After speaking with the representative at the Portugal-based call centre, he found that they were unable to reach local representatives in Limerick on five occasions. Its an absolute joke, Cllr Teskey stated. Limerick City and County Council established an incident control room to ensure a co-ordinated response to incidents arising from Storm Eowyn Today's News in 90 Seconds - January 28th Limerick City and County Council established an incident control room with roughly 10 different representatives, according to Cllr Teskey, to ensure a co-ordinated response to incidents arising from Storm Eowyn. They received reports of fallen trees, electricity wires, blocked roads and more. In response, Dr Pat Daly, Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council, clarified that the council uses an Irish company for the helpline service, although some agents may be based overseas. We do use an off-site call centre. its to an Irish company, but they might be using agents overseas, he stated. He suggested Cllr Teskeys call may have been answered in Portugal due to a queue system. That wouldnt be unusual, but were happy to follow up and take that forward, he added. There was celebrations in Co Mayo as a lucky Lotto player scooped 500,000 but their sceptical partner needed some convincing at first. The player from County Mayo, who wishes to remain anonymous, won an incredible 500,000 from the EuroMillions Plus draw on Tuesday, January 21. The Mayo player purchased their winning ticket online. Speaking to the National Lottery, the winner said at first, their partner thought they were trying to fool her and she needed some convincing before she believed them. I was in the break room in work when I checked my ticket. "I immediately rang my partner and told her the good news. "She didnt believe me and thought I was winding her up. "She told me to swear on my dog's life. Only when I swore on my dogs life did she believe me, said said the excited winner. Asked about how they intend to use their winnings, the winner said a holiday will definitely be booked for the near future. Its not every day you win 500,000 and I look forward to properly marking the occasion. "A once in a lifetime trip is on the cards, a first-class ticket to somewhere off the beaten track. Darragh ODwyer, National Lottery spokesperson said, We are thrilled to welcome our latest winners at National Lottery HQ today and to celebrate these fantastic wins with them. "Players dreaming of becoming Irelands newest EuroMillions winner are reminded that tickets for Tuesday nights draw can be purchased in-store, through the National Lottery app or at lottery.ie. Mount Suir apartment complex in Waterford consists of three blocks, and is located in the Carrickphierish suburb north west of the city centre A call has been made to set up a task force to deal with the ongoing damp, mould, water leaks and anti-social behaviour issues being experienced by up to 100 tenants at the Mount Suir apartment complex in Waterford city. Sinn Fein Cllr Jim Griffin told a recent local authority meeting in Waterford that the apartment complex, which houses up to 100 people in three blocks, needs a special task force where the council, tenants, and the approved housing body, can sit down and thrash out the issues which have blighted the residence over the last three years. Tenants have had to put up with water running down the internal walls of some of the apartment blocks, while many of the doors dont work, and there is rough sleeping in some corridors. Our council has been proactive, said Cllr Griffin. Cluid Housing operate the complex with some tenants selected from a council housing waiting list, while others are private renters. The council is seeking a tender for a contractor to rectify the issues raised. That tendering process seems to be extremely slow. They seem to have a job getting some builders to tender for it, for what reason I dont know, said Cllr Griffin. The issues are being compounded month by month. The apartments are located in a relatively new suburb of north west Waterford city called Carrickphierish. Serious infrastructural works need to be carried out on the complex, which is divided into Blocks A, B and C, maintained Cllr Griffin. Block A has been on the radar for the past three years due to its problems being highlighted in the local media. Block B is not much better while Block C has increasingly come into focus in the past number of months, said Cllr Griffin. They are all having more or less the same issues. Its not just mould and damp either. There was access to the apartments out the back that was restricted because of anti-social behaviour in the area. Mould growing in Mount Suir apartments. Picture courtesy of Jaye Gallagher Cars were being dumped in the area, or when they were being sold off online. The councils way of dealing with this was to put planter boxes in the area to stop people gaining access. However, this now means families and young children have to walk further, dragging prams and bags from public transport, sometimes in inclement weather. Cllr Griffin has also raised concerns about fire safety. We have rough sleepers in the corridors. Some of the doors dont work on the buzzer system anymore. The buzzer systems are broken and anyone can walk in off the street into the extensive corridors. Rough sleepers can go in there. "There is defecating in the corridors, said Cllr Griffin. It has become known to rough sleepers that, on a bad night, you can go in there alright, you wont get a bed but you can be in the corridor and youll be kept some way warm, and you can eat your bit of grub as well. Cllr Griffin said the task force should be set up immediately, comprising Cluid, local councillors, and the local authority. I think we need to start looking at outreach services that might deal with people in addiction, and rough sleepers also. They might be able to identify who these are, and why they are not taking up on the services available to them from the local authority. Cllr Griffin said a proper timeline needs to be established on identifying how the mould is forming. One woman could not open her windows more to allow fresh air in to try to rectify the mould. That was the advice of the council to aerate the building. She couldnt aerate it anymore, and yet the mould is just unbelievable. Pictures taken by a tenant and shown to the Irish Independent show mould growing on footwear, pillows and all over the interiors of apartment rooms. If you went there yourself, youd be horrified, said Cllr Griffin. Cluid Housing is aware of issues with damp in some homes at Mount Suir Manor, Waterford City, said a spokesperson. Cluids vision is a society where everyone has a great place to live, so we have been working with the affected residents to address the issues, and will continue to do so. Gardai have launched a major investigation in a bid to identify the perpetrators who caused over 100,000 of criminal damage at a hotly disputed temporary accommodation facility for asylum seekers in Athlone over the weekend. The Irish Independent has learned senior detectives have begun making inquiries into an incident which took place at the Lissywollen site on Friday afternoon, shortly after a Status Red weather alert in the face of Storm Eowyn was lifted. It had originally been thought that Storm Eowyn was the primary cause of damage to a series of tents at the formally known Midland Accommodation Centre. However, gardai have now confirmed that those suspicions were unfounded following an inspection of the site. Follow Independent Westmeath on Facebook Gardai are investigating an incident of serious criminal damage to temporary structures at a residential complex in Lissywoollen, Athlone, Co. Westmeath that occurred around 12 midday on Friday, January 24, said a garda spokesperson. Its understood almost 200 male international protection applicants at the centre had been moved to indoor accommodation as a temporary measure as Storm Eowyn bared its teeth on the midlands town during the early hours of Friday morning. There were no residents present at the time as all residents had been relocated to other locations for the duration of Status Red and Orange wind warnings associated with Storm Eowyn, added a spokesperson. Specialist garda investigators led by the forces Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit carried out a technical examination of the scene over the weekend with efforts now firmly fixed on finding those responsible. The spokesperson told the Irish Independent gardai are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the incident and are hoping to make progress with those efforts over the coming days. Those revelations follow the return of a case concerning the future of the newly-built accommodation centre before the High Court yesterday. Last month, Mr Justice Richard Humphreys was told that the State had conceded a legal challenge brought by local councillor Paul Hogan against an expedited plan to house around 1,000 international protection applicants in Athlone. When the matter returned before Judge Humphreys yesterday, the court was was told that officials responsible for the international protection system within the Department of Children, Equality, Disability and Youth are being moved to another department. The changeover had resulted in a delay to the State formulating its position on the Athlone site with an adjournment being sought and agreed to with the case expected to return before the High Court on February 17. In his challenge, Mr Hogan, who secured 4.8pc of first preference votes running for Independent Ireland in Longford-Westmeath in the recent General Election, claimed the ministerial process providing for the plan was unlawful, irrational and a breach of fair procedures. Athlone councillors Aengus O'Rourke, Frankie Keena, Paul Hogan and John Dolan. Four other Athlone-based representatives, recently re-elected Independent TD Kevin 'Boxer' Moran and councillors Frankie Keena, John Dolan and Aengus ORourke, were part of the legal challenge. The latter expressed his distaste at the unseemly events of the past weekend and, in doing, so called on former Integration Minister and Green Party Leader Roderic OGorman to publicly apologise for what his role in the controversy. The court hasnt reached a determination on this yet, but the State have conceded the case, so it is only going to go one direction, he said. We want the people who put the structure up to take it down, nobody else and Roderic OGorman is an elected representative and the leader of the Green Party and he needs to apologise for the gross waste of money, or should I say the obscene waste of money that we have seen. In the meantime, people shouldnt trespass and interfere with the complex in any way. I dont have any problem with people protesting on the boundary of the site, but to break in and cause criminal damage is not how we address this. Not only did former St Mary's CBS student Mohammed Hossain achieve a staggering 625 points in his Leaving Cert, but he has just received an award for getting the top marks in the country in his Technology paper. Mohammed recently proudly returned to his secondary school with his beaming father in tow to receive his medal and certificate from the Engineering and Technology Teachers Association. The voluntary association was founded in 1983 by a group of Engineering teachers to actively promote Engineering, Design and Communication Graphics and Technology.in education across Ireland. Today, the E.T.T.A. is regarded as one of the most proactive education groups in the country, with their awards scheme for Engineering and Technology students gaining National acclaim. They also currently have in excess of 300 active members. Mohammed is currently studying his first choice of Computer Science in Trinity College Dublin, having always wanting to work in his chosen field after falling in love with the subject during his studies in secondary school. At the Grow with Aldi launch: Rob Horgan, Rachael OConnor, Buying Director at ALDI Ireland (front), Fiona Twomey, Global Retail Specialist at Bord Bia and Cassie Stokes, ALDI Brand Ambassador. Aldi is calling on aspiring producers, suppliers, or entrepreneurs from across Co. Wicklow to take part in this years Grow with Aldi programme, designed to propel local businesses and connect with Irish shoppers. Grow with Aldi is a product accelerator and supplier development programme which selects the best of Irish producers and gives them the chance to have their products stocked at 163 Aldi stores nationwide. Successful applicants will join the ranks of past Grow with Aldi success stories. Wicklow business Pure Bea was among the 27 finalists who saw their products go on sale in Aldi stores nationwide last year. Based at Hawkstown near to Wicklow town, Pure Bea is founded by Keith Symes who led the creation of a range of tasty, omega 3-rich cooking oils, such as the 1-cal rapeseed, olive, and sunflower oil sprays, priced at 1.99, which secured the company a place in the Grow with Aldi 2024 finals. Speaking at the launch, Rachael OConnor, buying director at Aldi Ireland, said: Aldi is passionate about supporting Irish businesses and championing the best of Irish produce. Today, we stock over 2,400 everyday products and work with over 330 Irish suppliers. "Over the last seven years Grow with Aldi has become one of our flagship supplier initiatives and we have invested 10 million in the programme to date, ensuring that Irish products take pride of place on our shelves. The sky is the limit for entrants so there really is no better time to apply. This year, Aldi welcomes back Cassie Stokes, Aldi brand ambassador to launch the programme. Speaking about her role, she added: Im thrilled to be part of Grow with Aldi for the second year running. Ireland is full of incredibly talented producers, and I love using my social media platform to share their stories. "I couldnt be more excited to see what products come through the programme for 2025. To anyone considering entering, definitely apply before January 31What have you got to lose? Now in its eighth year, Grow with Aldi continues to drive growth and opportunity for Irish SMEs, in partnership with Bord Bia. All entries are carefully evaluated by an expert panel of Aldi buyers. Finalist products will debut in 163 Aldi stores nationwide later this year, with winners announced in winter 2025. Winners benefit from invaluable mentorship, gaining insights into supply chain management, marketing strategies, and the buying process, with the potential to secure additional contracts with Aldi Ireland reaching new heights for your business. Applications are now officially open for 2025 and will remain open until January 31. Applications can be submitted online at growwithaldi.ie. Eanna is one of Irelands best known environmentalists and wildlife consultants, and for many years she has been a member of the panel of experts on RTEs wildlife programme Mooney Goes Wild. A former President of the Tree Council of Ireland, Eanna was also president of the national environmental charity An Taisce for five years in the 2000s, and is their nominated candidate for the 2025 Seanad election on the Cultural and Educational vocational panel. Her biodiversity and climate change talk as a guest of West Wicklow Environmental Network took place in Blessington Community College on Wednesday, January 15. There was a fantastic attendance of over 150 people for the talk as Eanna went into some depth on the challenges facing us all as climate change continues to impact on both Ireland and the rest of the world. Copies of Eannas publication, the beautiful and informative The Great Irish Biodiversity Book, were also available for purchase at the talk. Atomic scientists adjust 'Doomsday Clock' closer than ever to midnight The metaphorical clock is set to 89 seconds to midnightBulletin of the Atomic Scientists created clock in 1947Nuclear risks, AI, climate change among factors cited The Doomsday Clock in Washington DC. This year the Doomsday Clock is set at 89 seconds to Midnight Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images. Will Dunham Tue 28 Jan 2025 at 16:33 Atomic scientists on Tuesday moved their "Doomsday Clock" closer to midnight than ever before, citing Russian nuclear threats amid its invasion of Ukraine, tensions in other world hot spots, military applications of artificial intelligence and climate change as factors underlying the risks of global catastrophe. Caroline Kennedy has urged the US Senate to reject the nomination of her cousin, Robert F Kennedy Jr, to be health secretary, calling him a predator who is addicted to power. In a letter to Senators, Ms Kennedy, who previously served as a US ambassador to Australia and Japan and is the daughter of former President John F Kennedy, etched a damning sketch of her cousin, the latest condemnation Robert F Kennedy Jr has received from members of his own, prominent Democratic family. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday she had been placed under judicial investigation following a government decision to release a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court. Osama Elmasry Njeem was freed last week and flown home by an Italian state aircraft just days after being detained in the northern city of Turin under an ICC arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity, including murder, torture and rape. Eight of the 33 hostages due to be released over the coming weeks as part of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas are dead, Israel has said. Livermore, CA (94550) Today Rain showers early with some sunshine later in the day. High 53F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Cloudy with rain developing after midnight. Low 42F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. India and China to Resume Direct Flights, Visas, and Mansarovar Pilgrimage In a significant move to rebuild bilateral ties, India and China have agreed in principle to resume direct flights, visa issuance, and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for pilgrims, marking the first steps toward normalizing relations that had been strained since the 2020 border clashes. The announcement follows a two-day visit to Beijing by Indias Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, signaling renewed diplomatic engagement between Asias two largest economies. Economic and commercial implications The resumption of direct flights between India and China is poised to rejuvenate business ties and people-to-people exchanges. Before the pandemic, nearly 500 monthly flights facilitated seamless travel for business executives, students, and tourists. The absence of these connections disrupted trade, investments, and workforce mobility. Restoring air connectivity will ease logistical bottlenecks, boosting trade volumes and facilitating new investments, especially as both nations aim to stabilize their economic relations. The decision to address long-standing trade disputes and barriers carries significant economic implications. India has raised concerns over Chinese restrictions on exports of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and high-tech equipment, while China has sought a level playing field for its investments in India. The promise of long-term policy transparency and predictability signals a potential thaw in restrictive trade practices, benefiting sectors like pharmaceuticals, technology, and infrastructure development. The reopening of the Mansarovar Yatra, an important cultural and religious pilgrimage, will not only enhance tourism but also foster goodwill between the nations. Resuming hydrological data-sharing on trans-border rivers is another critical step, addressing Indias concerns over Chinas infrastructure projects on the Brahmaputra River. In its press release, the Ministry of External Affairs noted: The two sides recognize that 2025, being the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China, should be utilized to redouble public diplomacy efforts to create better awareness about each other and restore mutual trust and confidence among the public. The two sides will conduct a number of commemorative activities to mark this anniversary. A step toward reconciliation The bilateral talks, which included Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, reflected a shared commitment to reducing mutual suspicion and estrangement. Both sides emphasized the importance of diplomacy in resolving political and trade disputes, with Chinese officials highlighting the role of improved ties in advancing the interests of the Global South. Indias Foreign Secretary also extended support for Chinas chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), showing a pragmatic approach to multilateral cooperation despite lingering border tensions. However, Indian officials remain firm that true normalization of ties will depend on sustained peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Challenges and opportunities While these measures signal progress, challenges persist. Addressing Indias concerns over Chinese military infrastructure near the LAC and continued restrictions on foreign investments will require sustained dialogue. Meanwhile, China seeks assurances on equitable treatment for its companies operating in India. The road to reconciliation will demand mutual concessions, trust-building, and a focus on shared economic and geopolitical interests. This renewed engagement comes as both nations navigate shifting global dynamics, including the spillover effects of a new Trump US presidency, impetus for supply chain diversification, and competition for strategic influence in South Asia. Strengthened bilateral relations could unlock significant economic opportunities, particularly in trade, technology, and infrastructure. GTRI report: How India must respond to Chinas informal export restrictions India must address Chinas informal restrictions on critical exports vital for the electronics, solar, and EV sectors by diversifying supply chains and collaborating with nations like Japan and South Korea, according to a report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). The report emphasizes the urgent need to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce dependence on China. The disruptions are impacting key companies such as Foxconn, which produces iPhones in India, and Tata Electronics, an Apple partner. Global suppliers like Pegatron, Compal, Jabil, as well as major brands like BYD and Lenovo, are also facing delays in securing essential components. Industry reports, backed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), highlight challenges in sourcing equipment, parts, and skilled manpower from China. While China has not officially imposed export restrictions, the constraints appear to be retaliatory, likely in response to Indias restrictions on Chinese investments and visas. The report warns that these actions reflect escalating geopolitical tensions and could signal the onset of a trade war. As the U.S. adopts a more aggressive stance on China with higher tariffs and tighter export controls, further disruptions in global supply chains are anticipated. To mitigate these risks, India must focus on long-term solutions, such as lowering production costs, improving the ease of doing business, and fostering local value addition. Strengthening partnerships with Japan and South Korea will also help India secure high-quality components and build robust, resilient supply chains, the GTRI report recommends. What companies in India should watch out for The resumption of India-China ties presents opportunities, but businesses in India must navigate the complexities of this evolving relationship cautiously. Some key factors Indian companies should watch out for: Policy uncertainty and trade barriers While both nations have pledged greater transparency and predictability in trade policies, Indian companies should remain vigilant about potential shifts in regulations. Chinas history of imposing restrictions on critical exports, such as APIs and high-tech equipment, could still pose risks. Companies in pharmaceuticals, electronics, and manufacturing should monitor policy announcements and diversify supply chains to mitigate dependency on Chinese imports. Market access challenges Despite record bilateral trade levels, Indian companies face hurdles accessing the Chinese market. Tariffs, complex regulatory requirements, and intellectual property protection issues are ongoing challenges. Businesses looking to expand into China should seek legal and trade advisory support to navigate these barriers and safeguard their interests. Geopolitical sensitivities Border tensions and political disputes can quickly escalate, affecting trade and investments. Companies with significant exposure to China should develop contingency plans to manage disruptions, such as exploring alternative markets and suppliers. Maintaining a neutral stance in business dealings is critical to avoid being impacted by geopolitical tensions. Competitive landscape Chinese companies, particularly in technology and manufacturing, have a competitive edge in pricing and scale. Indian businesses need to innovate and leverage government initiatives like Make in India and the PLI (Production-Linked Incentive) scheme to enhance their competitiveness. Collaborating with Chinese firms in areas of mutual interest, such as green technology and advanced manufacturing, could also open up new avenues. Cybersecurity risks Given the historical backdrop of strained ties, cybersecurity remains a concern. Businesses in critical sectors, including telecom, banking, and technology, must strengthen their IT infrastructure to protect against potential cyber threats. Close adherence to government advisories on Chinese-origin technology and apps is advisable. Investment restrictions Indias current policy requiring prior clearance for investments from China and other bordering countries is unlikely to change in the short term. Indian companies seeking Chinese investments or partnerships should prepare for extended timelines and additional scrutiny. Engaging with local trade associations or leveraging government matchmaking services can help navigate these challenges effectively. Intellectual property (IP) risks Indian companies entering China or collaborating with Chinese firms should ensure robust contracts with clear IP protections and consider seeking assistance from international arbitration bodies for dispute resolution, if needed. By proactively addressing these challenges, Indian companies can position themselves to leverage the renewed diplomatic ties while safeguarding their interests in a complex and dynamic environment. Conclusion The resumption of direct flights, visas, and cultural exchanges could trigger a much-needed thaw in India-China relations that has stayed frosty in recent years. While challenges remain, these initiatives are key precursors to constructive economic and diplomatic cooperation. As Asias two largest economies work to rebuild trust, their partnership could play an important role in shaping regional stability and global economic growth. Emakku Thozhil Romance OTT Release Date: Ashok Selvan and Avantika Mishra recently headlined this Tamil film which is now ready for its digital premiere. Written and directed by Balaji Kesavan, the movie opened in theatres on 22nd November 2024 to a positive reception. Emakku Thozhil Romance will be streaming on Aha Tamil and Sun NXT from February 3rd, 2025. Overseas audiences can watch it a little early from January 31st on Simply South. Emakku Thozhil Romances cast and crew Other than Ashok and Avantika, Emakku Thozhil Romance also stars Urvashi, Azhagam Perumal, M. S. Bhaskar, Bagavathi Perumal, Badava Gopi, Vijay Varadaraj, Arjunan, Shankara Narayanan, Madhumila and Sonia among others. Produced by M. Thirumalai under the banner of Friends Festival Films, this romantic comedy is a Nivas K. Prasanna musical cinematographed by Ganesh Chandra and edited by I. Jerome Alen. Emakku Thozhil Romances plot summary The plot revolves around Umashankar (Ashok), an associate director, who falls for Leona (Avantika), a nurse, but misunderstandings arise when a hospital mix-up makes her think he's been unfaithful. Sharanya, his friend, tries to help clear things up by having actor Vetri impersonate Prashanth, the father of her unplanned pregnancy. This causes more confusion, especially at a family wedding, but Leona eventually learns the truth. Meanwhile, Umashankars family mistakenly believes he's in love with another nurse, Kavya, leading to a plot to marry them. In the end, Leona realizes her love for Umashankar, and they eventually reconcile. Emakku Thozhil Romances review The Times of India rated this film 2.5 out of 5 and a part of their review read, The film's plot has immense opportunities to make it into a full-fledged popcorn entertainer, but the shallow screenplay doesn't do justice to the bevvy of talented actors in the movie. The filmmaker makes the same old wine in a new bottle here, but without developing situations that have immense potential to bring the roof down. The conflicts are stretched out beyond a point, leaving the tension diluted. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Aamir Khan Productions and Kiran Rao's directorial "Laapataa Ladies" is making international headlines after being nominated for Best International Film at the Japan Academy Film Prize 2024. This accolade is a big milestone for the picture, which is now gaining international notice. The Best International Film winner will be announced on March 14, 2025, at the Japan Academy Film Prize presentation. Laapataa Ladies nominated for Best International Film at the Japan Academy Film Prize 2024 According to online reports, Laapataa Ladies, India's official bid for the 2025 Oscars, was chosen as one of the top five international films from 204 qualifying films released in Japan in 2024. This extraordinary achievement elevates the film to the level of global cinematic masterpieces. "Lost Ladies" now competes with acclaimed films including Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer," Yorgos Lanthimos' "Poor Things," Jonathan Glazer's "The Zone of Interest," and Alex Garland's "Civil War." "Laapataa Ladies" is a Jio Studios production directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan and Jyoti Deshpande. The film is produced by Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions, and the tale is based on Biplab Goswami's award-winning script. Sneha Desai wrote the screenplay and dialogue, while Divyanidhi Sharma contributed extra dialogue. Last month, Aamir Khan commented on "Laapataa Ladies"' departure from the Oscar sweepstakes, stating that it is not the end but rather a step ahead. In a statement, the actor said, Laapataa Ladies (Lost Ladies) did not make it to the Academy Awards shortlist this year, and we are of course disappointed, but equally we are immensely grateful for the incredible support and belief weve received throughout this journey. We at Aamir Khan Productions, Jio Studios, and Kindling Productions extend our gratitude to the Academy members and the FFI jury for considering our film." To be included in this prestigious process alongside some of the finest films from across the world is an honour in itself. Our heartfelt thanks to all the audiences around the world who have expressed their love and support for our film. We congratulate the teams of all the top 15 shortlisted films and wish them the very best in the next stages of the awards. For us, this is not the end but a step forward. We remain committed to bringing more powerful stories to life and sharing them with the world. Thank you for being part of this journey," the statement further read. Also read: Laapataa Ladies team reacts to Oscars 2025 snub: Disappointed but this is just the beginning For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Bank Holidays 2025: February 2025 is packed with multiple bank holidays, as per the official list released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). These holidays include national, regional, and weekend breaks. Bank holidays in India are not uniform across the country but vary depending on regional festivities and observances. If youre a working professional or planning a trip, its important to check the state-wise bank holiday schedule. This February, banks will remain closed for a total of 14 days, including weekends. Below is the detailed state-wise bank holiday list for February 2025. February 2025 Bank Holiday Dates: 1. February 2, 2025 (Sunday) Banks across the country will remain closed due to the weekly Sunday holiday. 2. February 3, 2025 (Saraswati Puja) On this day, banks in Tripura will be closed in observance of Saraswati Puja, a festival dedicated to the goddess of learning and wisdom. 3. February 8, 2025 (Second Saturday) All banks in India will remain closed due to the second Saturday holiday. 4. February 9, 2025 (Sunday) A nationwide bank holiday as February 9 falls on a Sunday. 5. February 11, 2025 (Thai Poosam) Banks in Tamil Nadu will be closed to celebrate Thai Poosam, a significant festival dedicated to Lord Murugans victory over the demon Surapadman. 6. February 12, 2025 (Guru Ravi Dass Birthday) In Himachal Pradesh, banks will remain closed to honour Guru Ravi Das, a revered poet and social reformer of the Bhakti movement. 7. February 15, 2025 (Lui-Ngai-Ni) Banks in Manipur will be closed for Lui-Ngai-Ni, a Naga seed-sowing festival marking the start of the year for the Naga tribes. 8. February 16, 2025 (Sunday) Another nationwide Sunday bank holiday. 9. February 19, 2025 (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti) Banks in Maharashtra will remain closed to celebrate the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the iconic Maratha ruler. 10. February 20, 2025 (Statehood Day) Banks in Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh will be closed to commemorate their transition to statehood in 1987. 11. February 22, 2025 (Fourth Saturday) All banks across India will remain closed on the fourth Saturday. 12. February 23, 2025 (Sunday) Another nationwide Sunday holiday for banks. 13. February 26, 2025 (Maha Shivratri) Banks in most states will remain closed for Maha Shivratri, except in Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, West Bengal, New Delhi, Goa, Bihar, and Meghalaya. 14. February 28, 2025 (Losar) Banks in Gangtok will be closed for Losar, the Tibetan New Year festival. Online Banking Services Will Be Active Even though physical branches may remain closed on these holidays, online banking services such as Net banking, mobile banking, and UPI will continue to function seamlessly. Customers are encouraged to complete their cash withdrawals or banking needs in advance to avoid any inconvenience due to ATM cash shortages during extended holidays. Plan Your February Banking Activities With 14 days of bank holidays in February 2025, including weekends, its crucial to plan your banking needs accordingly. Whether its Saraswati Puja, Maha Shivratri, or Statehood Day, banks in various states will observe regional holidays. Take note of the specific dates for bank holidays, bank holidays in February 2025, and Delhi bank holidays to avoid any disruptions in your plans. Stay updated on the February 2025 bank holidays and enjoy a smooth banking experience! (Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.) For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events. Noida International Airport: The Noida International Airport, located in Jewar, is making steady progress, with 80% of the terminal work completed and 89% of the airside work, including runways and taxiways, finished. The airport is expected to be operational by April 2025, offering a convenient alternative to Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport for residents of Noida and Greater Noida. Key developments include the completion of the air traffic control tower, baggage handling systems, and advanced facilities like sewage and water treatment plants. This project is set to boost Uttar Pradesh's economy and improve travel efficiency in the region. Noida International Airport Highlights The Noida International Airport, located in Jewar, Greater Noida, is on track for its opening on April 17, 2025, with 80% of the terminal construction completed. Key developments include the installation of escalators and baggage handling systems, while flooring work has also been finalized. The project has utilized approximately 90% of its budget, totaling 10,056 crore (about $1.2 billion). Infrastructure works such as drinking water lines and sewage treatment plants are nearing completion, with landside and airside developments reported at 79% and 89% completion respectively. The Noida International Airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, is set to open in April 2025, with ticket bookings starting in February. On its first day, it will operate 30 flights, including 3 international routes to Zurich, Singapore and Dubai and 25 domestic routes. Strategically pic.twitter.com/FidJBcl1dB Amr (@Amarrrrz) January 10, 2025 80% Terminal Work Completed According to Noida International Airport Limited, around 80% of the terminal's construction has been finished. This includes major tasks such as flooring, escalator installations, and baggage handling systems. These developments ensure that the terminal will be ready to handle passenger traffic efficiently. Airside Work Progress: 89% Completed The airside infrastructure, which includes runways, taxiways, and aprons, has made significant progress, with 89% of the work completed. Officials also confirmed the air traffic control (ATC) tower is fully constructed, ensuring smooth flight operations once the airport is operational. Noida International Airport: Benefits for Local Residents The new airport will provide a convenient travel option for residents of Noida and Greater Noida. Currently, many commuters travel to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, but once Noida International Airport opens, they will be able to board flights closer to home. This will save time and improve accessibility for passengers. 6/n Noida International Airport Set to boost connectivity in Uttar Pradesh, Noida International Airport (Jewar Airport) is expected to complete its first phase and become **operational by April 2025. pic.twitter.com/Vs9IugBBch Beats in Brief (@beatsinbrief) January 7, 2025 Noida International Airport: Key Construction Updates According to officials from Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL), the terminal building is nearing completion. The following key developments have been reported: Flooring : Completed : Completed Escalators : Installed : Installed Baggage Handling System : Installed : Installed Air Traffic Control Tower: Finished Shailendra Bhatia, the nodal officer overseeing the project, stated that crucial infrastructure works like drinking water lines and sewage treatment plants are also nearing completion. hapticarchitects Financial Progress The project has utilized approximately 90% of its budget, which amounts to 10,056 crore (about $1.2 billion). This includes funds allocated for land acquisition and project development. The airport is expected to handle around 12 million passengers annually during its initial phase. As of January 28, 2025, the Noida International Airport in Jewar, Greater Noida, has made significant progress, with 80% of the terminal construction completed. The airport is set to open by April 17, 2025, marking a major milestone for the region and promising to boost the local economy. A slew of big industrial and infrastructure projects are lined up to further boost the economy of the Noida-GreNo-YXP region: Noida International Airport: scheduled to open in few months from now, this will la game changer in true sense. It's expected that in initial years pic.twitter.com/SMI29PELz5 The Uttar Pradesh Index (@theupindex) January 4, 2025 For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events. Indian-origin Liberal Party leader Ruby Dhalla has promised to deport illegal immigrants and clamp down on human traffickers if she is elected as the next Prime Minister of Canada. Ruby Dhalla promises to deport illegal immigrants "As Prime Minister, I will deport illegal immigrants and clamp down on human traffickers. Thats my promise to you," Dhalla, who announced her intention to replace Justin Trudeau as Canadian Prime Minister last week, said in a video. As Prime Minister, I will deport illegal immigrants and clamp down on human traffickers. Thats my promise to you. En tant que Premiere ministre, je vais expulser les immigrants illegaux et sevir contre les trafiquants detres humains. Cest ma promesse envers vous. pic.twitter.com/T69pISQlXS Ruby Dhalla (@DhallaRuby) January 28, 2025 On Monday, the 50-year-old confirmed that she has been cleared for the Liberal Party leadership race. "Today, I received a letter from the Liberal Party officially confirming my eligibility to stand for Leader. It's time to elect an outsider and make history," Dhalla posted on X. Today, I received a letter from the Liberal Party officially confirming my eligibility to stand for Leader It's time to elect an outsider and make history. pic.twitter.com/WEIjIud7Ol Ruby Dhalla (@DhallaRuby) January 27, 2025 Dhalla is the second Indian-origin Liberal Party leader to launch her bid to become the next Canadian Prime Minister. Chandra Arya out of the race Earlier, Karnataka-born Chandra Arya, who had filed his nomination for the Liberal Party leadership election, exited the race. Today, I was informed by the Liberal Party of Canada that I will not be permitted to enter the leadership race, the Ottawa-area MP said in a social media post. "This decision raises significant questions about the legitimacy of the leadership race and, by extension, the legitimacy of the next Prime Minister of Canada," Arya, who said he was carefully considering his next steps, wrote. First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the hundreds of volunteers across Canada who have worked tirelessly, day and night, over the past two weeks to mobilize support for my Liberal leadership campaign. Your unwavering dedication inspires me. I am deeply https://t.co/EnR1u9ZFAt pic.twitter.com/F4Fk5sjDSl Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) January 26, 2025 Contenders to replace Trudeau A total of six candidates, including Dhalla, remain in the fray to replace Trudeau, who will remain as caretaker prime minister until a new Liberal Party leader is chosen on March 9. They are Mark Carney, Chrystia Freeland, Karina Gould, Jaime Battiste, and Frank Baylis. Among the six candidates, Chrystia Freeland, who was until recently Trudeau's deputy and former finance minister, is widely considered the front-runner for the job. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Selena Gomez, the queen of wholesome Instagram posts and viral moments, has done it again! This time, its not just about her latest music release or acting gigsSelena is making headlines for delivering a killer clapback to U.S. Senate candidate Sam Parker. Selena Gomezs breakdown on Instagram Heres the tea: the drama kicked off when Selena shared a tear-jerking video on Instagram (which she later deleted) addressing the horrific impact of Trump-era deportation policies on immigrant families. The star, whos of Mexican-American heritage, got emotional as she spoke out about children and families being torn apart. All my people are getting attacked I dont understand. I wish I could do something, but I cant, she tearfully expressed. Selena Gomez shares new Instagram story crying amid the deportation of Mexicans: Im so sorry. All my people are getting attacked. The children, I dont understand. I wish I could do something. pic.twitter.com/9H7ojMhpCN Pop Base (@PopBase) January 27, 2025 Selena Gomez trolled While her post sparked tons of love and support from fans and immigrant advocacy groups, not everyone was feeling the vibe. Enter Sam Parker, who decided to drop an inflammatory comment calling for Selenas deportation. As if we needed more chaos in the political world! On the other hand, netzines also trolled her for crying like that on the internet. Selena Gomez responds to U.S. Senate candidate Sam Parker calling for her to be deported: Oh Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker. Thanks for the laugh and the threat. pic.twitter.com/ObzjSvdVi4 Pop Base (@PopBase) January 28, 2025 Selena Gomez claps back with a witty Instagram story But did Selena let this slide? Absolutely not. Instead, she hit back in her signature sarcastic style. She took to her Instagram stories and wrote, Oh Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker. Thanks for the laugh and the threat. Cue the mic drop. Selena Gomez, known for keeping her cool, turned this whole mess into a masterclass in humor and poise. Credit: Instagram The internet erupted. Fans flooded social media, praising Selena for effortlessly handling the situation like a true boss. One fan tweeted, Selena is the definition of class. Who else could turn a threat into a viral moment? Selena Gomez Vs Sam Parker drama Selenas response isnt just a mic-drop moment; its a subtle reminder to politicians that public figures like her will continue to stand up for the rights of marginalized communitiesno matter how controversial the opposition. And the clapback? Well, its proof that Selena can face adversity head-on while still making us laugh. The real question is: will Sam Parker step up with an apology, or will he keep trying to drag Selena into his messy political drama? Either way, were here for it. The Mahakumbh, one of the most significant and revered events in Hinduism, takes place once every twelve years. For the 2025 Mahakumbh, millions of devotees have converged in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to partake in this sacred gathering, seeking spiritual purification by taking a ritual bath at the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers meet. The demand is so high that flight prices to Prayagraj have skyrocketed, surpassing even the cost of a much-coveted Europe trip to Amsterdam or London! A user on X (formerly Twitter) sparked an interesting conversation with a post that read: "It's cheaper to fly to Amsterdam than to Prayagraj now. 60k return journey. Hinduism is thriving :)" Its cheaper to fly to Amsterdam than to Prayagraj now. 60k return journey. Hinduism is thriving :) Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) January 28, 2025 Another user shared screenshots on X comparing flight tickets for January 31: New Delhi to Prayagraj priced at Rs 31k, while New Delhi to London was just Rs24k. New Delhi to Prayagraj - 31k New Delhi to London - 24k pic.twitter.com/sItdAiq5fy Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) January 27, 2025 This quickly went viral, with several others chiming in with their opinions on the surprising cost surge for flights to Prayagraj, where the Mahakumbh is held. One user expressed frustration, saying, "All the airline companies are creating a monopoly together. This should not be done; flight fares should be a little less." All the airline companies are creating monopoly together. This should not be done, flight fare Should be a little less. (@SaurabhScoop) January 28, 2025 Another acknowledged, "Yahi toh demand and supply hai." Yahi toh demand and supply hai SHARE SHAAN (@ShareShaan) January 28, 2025 A more practical response pointed out, "The difference is you still have an option to go by train or road to Prayagraj, which you don't have for Amsterdam. Lol ," highlighting the accessibility of alternative transport despite the high airfares. The difference is you still have an option to go by train or road to Prayagraj which you don't have for Amsterdam. Lol Dewan Sachal (@essel1) January 28, 2025 One user humorously added, "One is a holy dip and the other is a dip in the hole." One is a holy dip and the other is a dip in the hole Shankar M (@shankar_aca) January 28, 2025 One commenter captured the essence of the situation with, "Airfares to Prayagraj have surged by up to 600%! Flights from Delhi now cost upwards of Rs 21,000, while fares from Mumbai and Bengaluru range from Rs 22,000 to Rs 60,000." Airfares to Prayagraj have surged by up to 600%! Flights from Delhi now cost upwards of Rs 21,000, while fares from Mumbai and Bengaluru range from Rs 22,000 to Rs 60,000. Amit Misra (@amit6060) January 28, 2025 Yet someone else captured the essence of the situation, joking, "12 saal me ek bar hai to flight wale itna lenge hi na...," implying that the rare nature of the event justified the high prices. Businesses lap up 'spiritual tourism' Meanwhile, businesses are eagerly jumping on the spiritual tourism bandwagon. OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal recently took to LinkedIn to announce the company's plans to tap into this growing market. "By the end of 2025, we'll be adding 500 hotels across 12 major pilgrimage destinations," he shared. Highlighting the surge in demand for accommodations in Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh 2025, which has already exceeded current inventory, Agarwal revealed that OYO plans to open new hotels, including 250 in key pilgrimage hubs like Varanasi, Haridwar and Puri, other than Prayagraj. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending. Fuck Citibank by --- cupertino citibank vandalized for participation in genocide On the night of January 13th, a citibank in Cupertino, CA was vandalized. The bank was spray-painted with pro-Palestine messages, windows were broken, and jars of paint and oil were thrown inside. This action was taken following dozens of actions across the country targeting citibank for its role in funding and profiting from genocide in Gaza and ongoing colonial exploitation of Haiti. Citibank first built its riches through the exploitation of Haiti, funneling wealth from the newly independent nation and facilitating the 1915 american military invasion and occupation. Today, citibank continues to profit from war and colonial expansion. The firm is the largest american bank operating in "israel" and its investments fuel both the continued settler invasion of occupied Palestine and the zionist entity's genocidal assault of Gaza. We welcome the news of the ceasefire in Gaza as a victory of the Palestinian resistance and a respite for the people of Gaza who have been abandoned and betrayed by the world. But, the zionist project of ethnically cleansing all of Palestine continues, as does citibank's complicity. Until there is a free Palestine, we call for an ongoing escalation of targeted attacks against citibank and all other institutions within the imperial core which enable and profit from the zionist project. Long live the martyrs, glory to the resistance. Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis is set to visit Syria, Israel, and the West Bank in a bid to strengthen Greeces diplomatic ties in the Middle East. Gerapetritis will first travel to Damascus to meet Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani, marking a significant step in Greeces engagement with Syria The visit comes as several European countries and the European Union have recently resumed diplomatic relations with Syrias new government. During the visit, Gerapetritis is expected to discuss key issues, including maritime boundary disputes between Syria and Turkey, which have implications for Cyprus. He is also likely to raise concerns about the protection of Christians in Syria, an issue closely aligned with Greeces relationship with the Patriarchate of Antioch and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Following his stop in Syria, Gerapetritis will travel to Jerusalem to meet with Israeli officials. He will then head to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian Authority representatives. A visit to Jordan is also planned, where Gerapetritis will focus on humanitarian and regional stability issues, particularly concerning Gaza and Syria. The diplomatic tour underscores Greeces commitment to expanding its influence and strengthening its ties with key Middle Eastern countries. iefimerida.gr Former Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has berated Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, over his altercations with Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Dogara accused Governor Bala for betraying and showing ingratitude toward Wike, despite all the political supports he gave to him. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the former lawmakers statement is coming, amid ongoing rift between the ex- governor of Rivers State and Bauchi State Governor. Advertisement Recall that Mr. Bala had recently described Wike as a transitional politician, who only care for his selfish interest. Dogara, in his letter titled: Gov Bala vs FCT Wike: Let the Truth Be Told, revealed how FCT Minister financed Balas governorship election in 2019, and mandated Chief Dan Orbih to deliver PDP ticket to him. He said: As someone who knows so much because I was the provocateur of the events between the two, I consider my silence not just cowardice but complicity. Therefore, I am not afraid to stand alone or risk conflict. This is not about defending Wike, but stating the raw truth I know. For starters, in the 2018 PDP gubernatorial primaries, when we were unsure if Bala Mohammed could win against Senator Abdul Ningi, who controlled the party structure in Bauchi, we turned to Wike for help. READ MORE:Gov Bala Knocks Tinubus Govt, Says Economic Polices Not Working Wike made his close ally, Chief Dan Orbih, the chairman of the primaries panel and provided a private jet to fly him to Bauchi for the exercise. Wike bore all the expenses without placing any conditions for his support. When Bala Mohammed promised to sponsor all party candidates if he got the ticket, we didnt realise he lacked the financial capacity to fund even his campaign. A fundraiser was organised at Sheraton Hotel in Abuja, but we only raised a paltry N28 million after expenses. It became clear we had no other option but to seek help from Wike. We flew to Port Harcourt to meet him without informing him of Balas presence. Initially, Wike was visibly upset, recalling how Bala Mohammed, as Minister of the FCT, had humiliated him by denying him land allocations and ignoring his requests. However, Wike forgave him after Bala admitted to his wrongdoings and pleaded for forgiveness. Wike handed over cash assistance to Bala and even provided a private jet to return us to Abuja. This wasnt a one-off act of kindnessWike supported Bala on multiple occasions without asking for anything in return. Yet, Bala has chosen to betray him, proving Wikes earlier warning that he would regret supporting Bala. Bala Mohammeds record of betrayal is well-documented. When Wike was his benefactor, he praised him as focused, courageous, and determined. Now, he chooses to malign the same man who once rescued him from political obscurity. This is nothing but a shameful act of ingratitude. In the early hours of Monday, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers attacked the Chikakore area of Kubwa, located in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. PUNCH learned that at least four residents were abducted during the attack. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers arrived in large numbers, carrying sophisticated weapons, which instilled fear among the residents. Advertisement READ MORE: Police Detain Suspect For Alleged Rape In Ogun A security official in the area, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed the abductions, stating that, The attack happened this morning, but for now, we have only been able to confirm the abduction of four persons. Josephine Adeh, the police commands spokesperson, confirmed the occurrence, stating that the kidnappers disguised themselves as vigilantes. She revealed that the four abducted individuals were from the same family and added that a neighbour who tried to intervene was injured during the incident. Adeh explained, On January 27, 2025, at about 1:00 am, the FCT Police Command received a distress call regarding a case of abduction and assault in the Chikakore community. FCT Police operatives were swiftly deployed to the scene. Preliminary investigations revealed that seven unknown men, disguised as vigilante members and armed with machetes and sticks, attacked the residence of the victims. The suspects deceived the victim into opening his gate, after which they abducted him and three members of his family. A neighbour who tried to intervene sustained injuries during the attack and was rushed to Kubwa General Hospital for medical attention. Adeh further mentioned that the police had initiated a search and rescue operation with the goal of rescuing the victims and apprehending the perpetrators. She added, The FCT Police Command has commenced a comprehensive search and rescue operation to ensure the safe recovery of the abducted victims and to bring the perpetrators to justice. We urge residents of the Chikakore community and the general public to remain calm and vigilant. Any useful information that could assist the investigation and rescue efforts should be promptly reported to the police. Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has cautioned the Federal Government to refrain from meddling in Kano States internal affairs. The two-term former Governor of Kano State, also urged the police to maintain professionalism and avoid being perceived as partisan. Kwankwasos statement on Monday came in response to a security terror alert issued by the Kano State Police Command, which he claimed was false and created unnecessary fear among residents. Advertisement He expressed concern that such actions could undermine public trust in future security warnings. READ ALSO: Kwankwaso Has No Peoples Support, Will See Reality In 2027 Ganduje According to him, I am concerned by a terror alert from the Kano State Police Command on the eve of the event. This alert, not only jeopardised the success of the gathering, but put the lives of the people of the state at risk by creating palpable fear among the people of Kano, those that came from other countries and parts of Nigeria. He further emphasized that the police should avoid being identified as deeply partisan in the affairs of Kano State and other parts of the country. Kwankwaso also reiterated his call for the federal government to respect Kano States autonomy, stating, For the umpteenth time, I also urge the Federal Government to avoid dragging itself into unpleasant situations by further putting its hands in affairs that are strictly under the jurisdiction of the good people of Kano State and its government. Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has launched a scathing attack on his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). He accused the Party of abandoning its founding principles and fostering poor leadership while speaking at a national conference in Abuja on Monday. El-Rufai described the state of governance and opposition in Nigeria as a national emergency. Advertisement He further lamented the lack of internal democracy and active Party structures, saying, I no longer recognize the APC. No party organ has met in two yearsno caucus, no NEC, nothing. You dont even know if it is a one-man show; its a zero-man show. El-Rufai also criticized the quality of leadership emerging from political parties, attributing it to unqualified delegates. You cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and cunning people as your leaders. This is why we end up with the poor leadership we have today, he said. READ ALSO: Lets Discuss Nigerias Future, Not Power Grab Peter Obi Rejects Coalition Without National Interest He urged political parties to set higher standards for candidates and delegates, noting that the constitutions minimum requirement of a secondary school certificate should not suffice for party nominations. The former Governor also expressed concerns about the opposition parties, stating that they are facing internal challenges. He urged opposition parties to unite and form a broad coalition to challenge the ruling party and protect democracy. There are internal mercenaries in the PDP, hired and motivated to destroy the party. The Labour Party is also facing similar issues. Peter Obi himself told me, I dont know whats happening in the party I contested with. This is a national emergency, and we must act before history repeats itself, he concluded. Alex Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives, has expressed regret over assaulting Stephen Abuwatseya, a Bolt driver. Ikwechegh made this statement on Tuesday while appearing on Sunrise Daily, a programme on Channels Television. Ikwechegh, a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), made headlines in October 2024 for slapping and verbally abusing Abuwatseya. Advertisement The Abia lawmaker also issued a threat to make Abuwatseya disappear. The legislator later offered an apology to Abuwatseya, and the matter was said to have been resolved privately. READ MORE: Polygamy Created Distance Between Me And My Father Pastor Bolaji Idowu Shares Childhood Struggles During the discussion on Tuesday, Ikwechegh referred to the incident as unfortunate. He mentioned that people now view him as someone capable of making things disappear. What happened was quite unfortunate but I take it as an avenue for me to build a relationship with the young man that came, Ikwechegh said. Today, we are friends. The case was taken to court but the court found no merit and it was struck out. The video that everybody saw was a low moment. I feel the sanctity of my home was being desecrated. People do not know what happened before my reaction. Like they say: action preempts reaction. Whatever anybody must have seen is not indicative of who I am. I have been in the public space for a very long time and there has never been a scandal about me. However, the young man is my friend now and I am very close to his bishop, his pastor and Ive made a bunch of new friends and today the whole of Nigeria now knows me as the man that makes things to disappear. Weve moved on, its in the past now. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Igboland from criminal elements, including ISWAP and killer herdsmen. In a statement on Monday, IPoBs Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, emphasized that the group will collaborate with local security outfits to drive away criminals sponsored by politicians. IPoBs statement noted, The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, worldwide under the command of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to reiterate our position to the whole world in general and Nigerians in particular, that the fact that every region in Nigeria is presently under siege by killer herdsmen and the march of jihad with the only exception being Biafraland, South East and South South, is a testament to the effectiveness of ESN. Advertisement READ ALSO: Four IPOB Members Arrested As Army Destroys 23 Illegal Refineries In Niger Delta The group commended the Eastern Security Network (ESN) for its efforts in protecting the South East from killer herdsmen and their affiliates. IPoBs statement added, By stopping these killers from the Sahel, be they ISWAP, Fulani killer herdsmen or their armed Sharia law advocates, ESN has continued to demonstrate loyalty to its core mandate of protecting the entire South East. IPoB also accused Igbo Governors of collaborating with enemies of the Igbo people to destroy the group and disband ESN. The statement warned that such attempts will not succeed, emphasizing that IPoB is against every form of criminality and will continue to collaborate with local security outfits to drive away criminals. Conclusively, IPoB reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Igboland and its people, stating, IPOB is against every form of injustice, criminality, and lawlessness and shall collaborate where necessary with local security outfits to drive away criminals sponsored by politicians who are against the release of our leader Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. National Missioner and Chief Imam of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Abdulrahman Ahmad has expressed displeasure on Nigerians reactions over the establishment of Sharia court in some parts of the country. Speaking with PUNCH on Tuesday, Sheik Abdulrahman, stated that it is ignorance and prejudice behind peoples believe behind the Islamic judicial system. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that many Nigerians, especially from the South West, having been opposing the introduction of Sharia law. Advertisement Recall that Ekiti State government, had recently kicked against the development, saying that the states law is enough for its people. Reacting over Nigerians mixed reactions, the Islamic cleric said that Sharia has been existing over the decades in some parts of the country especially in the North, without any controversy. READ MORE: Gov Oyebanji Kicks Against Sharia Court Establishment In Ekiti He said: I think people oppose it for two reasons. Either prejudice or ignorance. Ignorance because they dont know. They dont know what it entails. People should not bring sentiment into it. We must bring the facts. First, it must be made known that Muslims are calling for a system that recognizes the uniqueness of their situation, that personal matters should be judged according to conviction. We have had sharia panel in Lagos for almost 20 years now. There is no controversy about it. Its not anything new in Lagos and it has been operating without any itch or controversy whatsoever. Thats why I said people should not bring any sentiment into it. What we must know is that there is a provision in the Nigerian Constitution for Muslims to have sharia court if they want. It is a constitutional matter and the sharia court as presently constituted applies to what they call Muslim Personal Law, marriage, divorce, inheritance, custody of children, and so on. This is what the sharia court is about. Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has stated that he is not interested in any coalition that prioritizes power grabbing over the well-being of Nigerians. Speaking at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria, Obi emphasized that the countrys problems should be the focus of any political discussions. For me, what is important is lets discuss Nigeria. Whether we are going to do coalition, lets talk about the future of the country, he said on Monday. Advertisement READ ALSO: Not Only Yahoo Boys, More Yahoo People Reside Within Government Peter Obi Obi expressed concern that Nigerias politics has been reduced to a game of power grabbing, rather than addressing the countrys pressing issues. But often, we abandon the country and what we need to do is talking about power grab. Im not interested in any coalition for the purpose of taking power, he declared. He also highlighted the need to end the monetization of politics, which he believes encourages corruption. Thats what we need to remove, because what youre doing is that youre encouraging stealing of public money, Obi added. Two people have been taken into custody by the Nigerian Navys Forward Operating Base, Ibaka in the Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom, on suspicion of stealing 2,100 litres of premium motor spirit, also referred to as petrol. Capt. Aliyu Abdullahi, the Commanding Officer, made this statement while handing over the suspects and items to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Ibaka on Monday. Abdullahi stated that navy personnel arrested the suspects around 7:45 pm on January 24 while conducting a routine patrol in the Mbo River area. Advertisement READ MORE: Four Burn 74-Year-Old Woman Alive In Anambra He explained that during the patrol, naval personnel intercepted a wooden boat carrying more than 2,100 liters of petrol, which had been carefully hidden under cargo such as bread, fruits, and bags of cassava flakes, among other items. The commanding officer stated that the suspects intended to smuggle the product from Nigeria into the Republic of Cameroon. He further added that under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, FOB Ibaka would remain dedicated to combating waterway crime. Abdullahi stated that it would be impossible for maritime crimes to persist in the waterways and coastal areas of Akwa Ibom. We shall continue to detect criminals and their activities within the nations waterways through the use of advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence. Individuals or groups involved in smuggling or any form of criminal activity within Nigerias waters should desist immediately, he said. Upon receiving the suspects and items, the states assistant superintendent of the NSCDC, Willie Emediong, stated that the corps would prosecute the suspects after conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has assured Abuja residents that his administration will continue to deliver more projects, adding that era of excuses has gone. The former governor of Rivers State made the assurance on Monday night when he received 2025 THISDAY Newspaper and Arise Television Minister of the Year award held in Lagos State. The FCT Minister also thanked President Bola Tinubu for granting him the opportunity to serve under his government. Advertisement READ MORE: Wike Busy Fixing Roads But Owing Health Workers Salaries Abuja Doctors Lament He said: I want to assure all those who do their businesses in Nigeria that this year, 2025, we will see more developments and more infrastructure, and that is what is basic for us; we do not have time for excuses; the time for excuses has gone I thank all Nigerians. Let me use this opportunity to say thank you, you have shown that you are not biased. You did the right thing; otherwise, Nigerians would have said you did partiality. I am sure everyone here is happy that I am the minister of the year, it is for everyone. I thank the president for giving us the opportunity, if the president didnt give us the opportunity we may not be here to contribute the little we contribute. Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi on Monday, commended legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola, for agreeing to withdraw defamation case against controversial activist, Dele Farotimi. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Mr. Babalola and Farotimi have been in a legal battle since November 2024, over an alleged defamatory statement published in a book owned by the activist. Mr. Farotimi in his book, titled: Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, accused Babalola of corruption. Advertisement Following the legal icons petition, police arrested Farotimi and arraigned him before a Magistrates Court in Ekiti State, where he was charged with criminal defamation. He was also arraigned for alleged cyber-bullying before the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti. Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA on Monday, reported that Mr. Babalola, announced his decision for withdrawing the court cases against the activist, following some interventions of Yoruba monarchs, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. Reacting to the development, Obi, who had also last year visited Babalola over the matter, described Mondays outcome as positive. This was contained in a statement by his media aide, Ibrahim Umar. The statement reads: We are pleased that this matter has been resolved amicably, and we believe that this outcome is a testament to the power of dialogue, and constructive engagement. Let me set the record straight, Obis visit to Afe Babalola was not about begging for pardon for Dele Farotimi, but rather a genuine effort at intervention and conflict resolution. As a leader, Obi recognises the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes, and his actions were guided by this principle. Now, with the news that Afe Babalola has agreed to withdraw the suit against Dele Farotimi, we welcome this development as a positive outcome of Obis intervention. This decision demonstrates that Chief Babalola is also committed to finding peaceful solutions to conflicts, and we commend him for this gesture. Its worth noting that Mr. Obis actions were driven by his desire to facilitate a peaceful resolution that would allow all parties to move forward positively and constructively. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Nentawe Yilwatda, has revealed that some politicians, including State Governors, are attempting to influence the social register for the Federal Governments conditional cash transfer program. Yilwatda emphasized that the program is a partnership between the government, the international community, the World Bank, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). Some people want us to bend and allow the Governors or the states to just generate the list and send. Its a conditional transfer; conditions are attached to qualifying to benefit from the social safety net Advertisement READ ALSO: Hardship: Poor Nigerians Who Need Support Arent On Social Media, Have No Bank Accounts FG So, we will not bend to allowing any political affiliation or attachment to this conditional cash transfer. Poverty doesnt know political party, tribe, and doesnt understand grammar. A poor person is a poor person, Yilwatda explained on Monday via Channels Televisions Sunrise Daily. The Minister noted cash transfers were suspended to ensure transparency and accountability asNational Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) are now compulsory for all digital transfers. Yilwatda noted that the government targets 15 million poor households with N75,000. Although 19.8 million poor Nigerians are captured on the nations social register, only 1.2 million people, he said, have been validated. Yilwatda emphasized the need to validate the entire register to ensure that the actual beneficiaries receive the support. The Peoples Democratic Party Youth Frontiers Network (PDP-YFN) has issued a stern warning to Bauchi Governor, Bala Mohammed, to cease his public criticism of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. According to the group, Mohammeds latest outburst against Wike has exposed him as a self-serving politician who is using the party for personal gain. Bala Mohammed should either stop disgracing the PDP as he is currently doing or quits the party for its loyal members and leaders to reposition it, said Comrade Isah Ibrahim, National President of the PDP-YFN. Advertisement The youths, in a statement on Monday accused Mohammed of deliberately undermining the partys standing by criticizing government policies he doesnt understand, particularly the tax reform bills. His persistence in abusing the PDP to criticise government policies that he does not understand, as was the case in the tax reform bills, diminished the partys standing in the eyes of Nigerians, Ibrahim stated. They also noted that Mohammeds actions have been widely condemned, even by the Nigerian Governors Forum, which he is a part of. READ ALSO: Resign, Align Fully With APC Bala Mohammed To Wike Even if Wike had not placed Bala Mohammed in his place, the fact that the Nigerian Governors Forum, a body to which the Bauchi state governor is subscribed, has endorsed the tax bills is enough reason for any right-thinking person to climb down from their high horse of ethno-sectarian criticism of people-oriented federal government policies, Ibrahim added. The PDP-YFN advised Mohammed to learn from Wikes leadership style, which has yielded tangible results in the FCT. We urge Bala Mohammed to register under Wike as an apprentice so that he can understudy the FCT Minister and understand how to initiate and complete projects, carry along the diverse populations of his constituency, and execute social intervention programmes that actually touch the lives without traipsing across the country frothing in the mouth in the name of contributing to national discourse, he said. The group concluded by urging Wike to ignore Mohammeds rants and continue leading the party with integrity. He added, We conclude by urging Wike to ignore Governor Bala Mohammeds rants and treat them as the tantrums of a saboteur who has been prevented from hijacking the PDP into his personal enterprise. The FCT Minister should continue to lead the party as he is effectively doing while protecting our great party from opportunists like the Bauchi State Governor. Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot, has warned Lagosians to stop parking their vehicles by the roadside. The former Nollywood actor led this out on Tuesday, during the commissioning of four roads in the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency and serving as Chairman of the House Committee on Works, emphasized the importance of keeping roads clear of articulated vehicles and containers to ensure smooth movement and accessibility for residents. Advertisement Mr. Elliot said: I remember being chairman, the House Committee on Works and Infrastructure, I came here alongside the SA (special adviser) of infrastructure as well and we saw the works that have happened in two years. READ MORE: Lagos Govt Orders Immediate Closure Of Oshodi Pedestrian Bridge Over Safety Concerns We are so glad. I am particularly excited about the fact that weve seen fantastic improvement. We are so glad. I am particularly excited about the fact that weve seen fantastic improvement. This road, ladies and gentlemen, is not parking spaces. It is not for containers to park or for articulated vehicles, it is meant for people to move; it is meant for people to benefit. Please, can we discourage (roadside parking)? Own your roads. I speak to all residents: own your roads, discourage parking of vehicles by the roadside so that people can enjoy the benefit of democracy. A Federal Capital Territory high court in Abuja has heard testimony from a witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that Hadi Sirika, a former Aviation Minister, awarded contracts to a company linked to his son-in-law without proper qualification. The EFCC is prosecuting Sirika alongside his daughter, Fatima, and son-in-law, Jalal Sule Hamma, on a six-count amended charge bordering on contract fraud to the tune of N2,825,032,220.97. On Monday, Musa Odiniyan, a retired director in the procurement department of the ministry, testified under cross-examination that Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, the company linked to Sirikas son-in-law, may not have qualified for the contract if open and competitive bidding had been done. Advertisement READ ALSO: EFCC Arraigns Hadi Sirika, Brother Over N19.4bn Contract Fraud We use some criteria for determining the award of contracts for companies. I still maintain that if it was an open competitive bidding, the company, Al Buraq, may not have qualified, Odiniyan stated. The witness also revealed that Sirikas son-in-laws firm was paid a 100 percent fee for the project, with the expectation that it would be completed and commissioned before the end of the Buhari administration in 2023. The judge adjourned the matter till March 10, 2025, for continuation of the cross-examination. VeryDarkMan, a Nigerian social media activist, has issued a warning to Toke Makinwa on the divorce saga between Annie and 2Baba. According to VeryDarkman, Toke Makinwas recent message to 2Baba, along with other concerned female voices, was an attack on the artist. Toke Makinwa had openly criticised 2Baba for airing his private marital issues in public. Advertisement The media personality accused 2Baba of insensitivity and poor judgement for choosing to make such issues public at this time. READ MORE: 2Baba Announces Divorce From Annie, Addresses Social Media Post Controversy However, Verydarkman has voiced his support for 2Baba while cautioning Toke Makinwa and the so-called female alliance she is believed to represent. He criticised Toke Makinwa for harshly judging 2Baba while overlooking the complexities and shared responsibilities within the marriage. Verydarkman also cautioned Toke against forming a group to attack 2Baba. He partly said, So basically the whole women in Nigeria now has done meeting in order to throw hate at 2face, first thing is if anything happens to 2face well pick all of you especially Toke Makinwa nothing should happen to 2face o because all I see here is double standard first of all I wont say Annie and 2face are at fault but lets judge by what we are seeing for me I think 2face was the red flag from the onset because 2face had kids with several women and Annie decided to and Annie still decided to settle with him if Annie was my sister genuinely I wont let her marry 2face Ill sit her down. Captioning the video he wrote, Dear Toke Makinwa and other woman make una leave 2face oo, no be by force,why the double standards well for me both of them were never meant for each other (Annie ignored all red flags they were never meant to be a thing, anty was obsessed. Watch him speak below https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFVmvJasYbm/?igsh=amxiOTA2ZW82dWNq Nigerias former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar sounded the alarm on Monday in Abuja, cautioning that the countrys democracy is under threat. Speaking as a panellist at a national conference on strengthening democracy, organised by several prominent institutions, Atiku emphasized the need for urgent action. We really are at a crossroads in this democratic experiment. We either decide we want to be democratic or we decide to abandon it, he warned, highlighting the dangers of the current trajectory. Advertisement Atiku also expressed concerns about the relationship between governance and political parties, stating that governance dictates to the political parties, whereas political parties should have been directing governance. He further lamented the state of the countrys electoral process, saying it is the court that now decides candidates or winners, not the people. READ ALSO: 2027: El-Rufai, Atikus Allies Hold Strategic Meeting With SDP Leaders According to him, the present government has been inducing opposition party leaders, revealing that I met with a political party leadership in the present opposition, and they told me flatly that this government gives them N50 million each. Atiku questioned the integrity of the countrys electoral umpire, asking do we have an electoral body that can stand up to the government and say no? He also recalled his own experiences, saying I have been in this struggle for over 30 years, an attempt was made on my life, and I escaped. I went into exile, but I never gave up. Atikus concerns were echoed by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who described the current situation as a national emergency. El-Rufai stressed the need for opposition parties to unite and form a broad platform to protect democracy. Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by his Special Adviser on political issues, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, underscored the importance of democracy despite its flaws. Democracy is not perfect, yet it remains superior to all other systems of government, he said. By Nazrin Abdul It is crucial to accelerate the development of the Trans-Kazakhstan Railway Corridor, which will serve as the main link in the Trans-Caspian route of the Middle Corridor. Azernews reports that this was highlighted by the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in his speech at an expanded government meeting. "Transit is a huge advantage for us in the international competition for cargo transportation. This advantage must be fully and effectively utilized," Tokayev stated. "We need to speed up the development of the Trans-Kazakhstan Railway Corridor, which will be a key component of the Trans-Caspian route of the Middle Corridor. Several important projects in this direction are already underway, but continued work is essential for future prospects." President Tokayev has instructed local authorities to construct a new railway line, Moyintsi-Kizilzhar, and to modernize the most heavily used sections of the highways linking the Kizilzhar station to the Aktau seaport. "Special attention should also be given to the development of multimodal transport hubs that integrate all types of transport. The current and coming years should mark significant progress in this direction," the Kazakh leader added. The Middle Corridor, which includes key transportation routes through Azerbaijan, plays a vital role in connecting China to Europe via Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, and the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan, as a critical hub in this corridor, continues to enhance its infrastructure, particularly the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the port of Baku, to facilitate the smooth transit of goods and strengthen its position in global trade. A still from "Bucks County, USA" by Robert May, Barry Levinson, and Jason Sosnoff, an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Read more A documentary series about a politically split Bucks County community is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Tuesday. Bucks County, USA chronicles one painfully divided community that spirals into a battleground for distrust and personal attacks after the COVID-19 pandemic strikes, according to the films synopsis. Advertisement As politically opposing leaders vie for school board control and policymaking power, Oscar-winning director Barry Levinson and Robert May place 14-year-old best friends Evi and Vanessa at the center of the growing contention. The two teenagers closely observe as their parents and community splinter over differing political beliefs. They see county officials and residents fight over COVID-19 safety measures, including the move to virtual learning, mask requirements, and other mitigation practices. Some parents even face threats for their support of the safety proposals. But instead of their familys opposing political views affecting their friendship, Evi and Vanessa show their community how its possible to find common ground in the last purple county in the Philly region. The series explores whether this community can follow Evi and Vanessas example to find common humanity in the other side, the film synopsis explains. It asks: Can Bucks County and America as a whole break the cycle and find a new path forward? Levinson and May visited the swing county in late 2021 after listening to an episode of the New York Times podcast, The Daily, which focused on school board battles in the once-idyllic area. Once there, the two directors discovered plenty of political discord and a clear direction for the project. They started filming in 2022. Levinson and May decided to produce an impartial and unbiased exploration of community division and make Evi and Vanessa the central subjects, instead of the adults in the heated school board meetings. This is not [a series] about heroes and villains, Levinson told Variety. Its about what happened. Why this is such a conflict, and why its become so difficult that rational people cant come to some kind of a consensus. The five-part docuseries premieres just months after the historic 2024 presidential election, which saw President Donald Trumps political rallies in Bucks County help secure his victory over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. While Trump lost three of the four suburban counties, he flipped three key Bucks towns Bensalem, Tullytown, and Penndel that had voted Democratic in 2016 and 2020. Bucks County, USA shifts from COVID-19 to a whirlwind of other hot-button political topics, including issues of LGBTQ+ rights, racism, sexualization, book banning, religion, and the 2024 presidential election. As filmmakers, we take no political sides, make no political statements, and have no agenda other than to present the devastating toll that this division is taking on both adults and students across the political spectrum in our nation, Levinson and May said in a press statement. The festival will present the first two episodes of Bucks County, USA, and preview future installments of the series. The series distribution and release plans beyond the festival have not been announced. This article is part of an ongoing series about juvenile justice. Read part one here. The case involved a gun or, at least, thats what it said in the police report. No shots were fired. No bullets were found. The gun itself was never located. And the weapon seemed to evolve over time, sometimes appearing in reports as a Glock, in other accounts resembling a starter pistol. But the mere allegation of pointing the gun was important. It meant that when a girl called the police after an altercation in her Germantown home with her 15-year-old cousin Anwar and his friend Ahmad, the two teenage boys were charged as adults with aggravated assault and other felonies. Instead of being processed in juvenile court with a menu of options including diversion and juvenile probation they faced criminal trials and up to 20 years in state prison. One morning last August, Ahmad Tyler, 16, sat next to his mother on a worn wooden bench in a Philadelphia courtroom. Like many teens, Ahmad is torn by competing desires for attention and invisibility. The high school student wore a surgical mask high up over his nose, and a hood over his shoulder-length locs. But he posts videos online of his experiments with rap and music production. His Instagram bio reads: Trust nobody. He was jittery, awaiting the hearing that could determine his future whether he would be treated as a child or an adult under the law. He had become embroiled in the legal system at a pivotal, and perilous, moment. In the last decade, in the wake of abuse scandals at juvenile institutions and research documenting the harms of locking up kids, leaders locally and nationwide have called for reforming and shrinking the juvenile justice system. And District Attorney Larry Krasner, who campaigned on a promise to treat kids as kids, announced a new era for juvenile justice in Philadelphia, outlining sweeping policies with an emphasis on rehabilitation. He celebrated immediate and sharp reductions in the number of kids jailed awaiting trial in the adult system and pledged to end what he said was a coercive practice of requiring kids charged as adults to plead guilty in exchange for being transferred to the juvenile system. But along the way, city and state leaders most significant reform proposals have been shelved. And critics say some of the district attorneys bold juvenile policies, though nominally still in place, have fallen by the wayside. The number of youth jailed awaiting trial as adults is significantly higher than when Krasner took office, while the negotiating tactic Krasner once derided as coercive is once again routine. Compared with 10 years ago, Philadelphia does incarcerate significantly fewer young people. And the DAs office now diverts one in five juvenile cases. We are no longer incarcerating youth as a first step, Krasner said in 2019. And police recently launched an additional diversion program aimed at diverting those low-level cases even earlier, at the point of arrest. But Philadelphia remains an outlier both in Pennsylvania and among big cities nationwide in its rate of locking up kids. Even as the number of teens in the system declined, the total nights spent in secure detention have increased. And the city regularly sends youth who score as low-risk on state standardized assessments to high-security institutions. Ahmad landed in that system in October 2023 after, he admits, failing to listen to his mother. On that particular afternoon, Kenisha Tyler told her son to come straight home after school. She works as an event planner and wanted him to help move chairs, tables, and the light-up marquee letters she had built in her workshop. He told her hed be there in an hour. But first Ahmad and his friend Anwar Magras Jr. stopped by the home of Anwars cousin, who had previously dated Ahmad. When they learned she had a boy in her room, they began to bicker with her and then ran upstairs to investigate, she testified later. But when they opened the door and saw a boy they recognized, all three boys burst out laughing. That much is basically undisputed. READ MORE: Philadelphia police will stop arresting kids for some crimes under new diversion program But the girl also told police that their conduct was criminal: that the two boys forced their way into the house, brandished a gun, and attempted to pistol-whip her culminating in a brawl in which they punched her and she hit them with a mop. Ahmad and Anwar maintained that there was no gun, no home invasion, and no assault only a visit soured by an argument, which they fled to avoid being struck by the mop handle. The teens mother, reached by phone, declined an interview request. When police showed up at Anwars house afterward to arrest them both, Ahmad tried to keep calm. I wasnt too worried because I knew there wasnt a gun, he said. But they can still lock me up, which they did. He was hit with a dozen charges, including five felonies: aggravated assault, burglary, carrying a gun without a license, breaking and entering, and conspiracy. A magistrate set $100,000 bail. That left Tyler to find $10,000 for the deposit. Until that happened, Ahmad would await trial at Philadelphias juvenile detention center. Reform, and reversal Ahmads trajectory in the justice system was shaped by events that unfolded 30 years ago, at a time when teen violence had skyrocketed and states across the country were looking to crack down. In 1994, Tom Ridge ran a successful campaign for governor on a pledge to hold violent juveniles accountable in Pennsylvania, too. The next fall the same month the term juvenile superpredator was popularized now-Gov. Ridge signed a law requiring the cases of teens ages 15 to 17 accused of serious violent felonies involving deadly weapons to be prosecuted in adult criminal court. Within a few years, the superpredator theory had been proven a myth. Youth crime plummeted nationally, defying predictions even as the impact of the Ridge-era policies continued, and youth incarceration reached an all-time high by 2000. The decline in youth crime along with a relentless series of abuse scandals emerging from juvenile institutions set the stage for a reform moment nationally. In Pennsylvania, officials pulled hundreds of kids out of facilities where many were abused, and both city and state leaders organized task forces focused on reducing the use of institutions. The state task force reached bipartisan consensus on reforms including raising the minimum age in juvenile court from 10 to 13, setting a presumed limit of six months on incarceration, and banning the practice of holding teens in county jails. But many of those proposals faced opposition from prosecutors and judges. In Philadelphia, City Council concluded the city needed to reduce reliance on institutions, increase oversight, and keep Philly youth closer to home by creating a network of small, local residential facilities. That effort resulted in the creation of the citys Office of the Youth Ombudsperson. But some problems identified by a 2019 city task force have only intensified: At the time, only one-third of incarcerated Philly youth were in institutions more than 100 miles from home. Now, more than half are. And some advocacy groups that have pushed hard on the system have felt the system push back. Most notably, YEAH Philly, a nonprofit that provides job training, legal assistance, food distribution and even took out pointed bus shelter ads asking, Whos watching the juvenile court judges? has alleged retaliation in court. A month after the ads went up, in 2023, cofounder James Aye was arrested during a hearing for an 18-year-old YEAH Philly participant and charged with obstructing justice. (A year later, the charges were dropped.) When Krasner outlined his offices treat kids as kids policies, they set forth concrete and immediate steps to transform the juvenile justice system. Among other reforms, they instructed prosecutors to oppose detaining children after arrest except in cases involving violence or a gun and to avoid sentences of incarceration for kids 13 and younger, and those accused only of misdemeanors. Krasner announced that BB gun cases would be filed in juvenile court, rather than adult court, concluding the guns are not deadly weapons. And he said he would transform how youth charged as adults were treated by moving cases back to juvenile court more quickly and by eliminating the coercive plea deals. There used to be a situation where the prosecution would say, OK, you can go back to juvenile court but only if you plead guilty. Thats unacceptable, he said at a City Council hearing in 2020. He concluded: We cannot promise a return to juvenile court on giving up [the right to a trial]. But much like the visions articulated by city and state lawmakers many of Krasners announced reforms have also faded into memory. In 2019, Krasner said his office had halved the number of cases that languished in criminal court past a preliminary hearing only to be sent back to juvenile court, from about 40 per year to 21. But by 2023, that trend had reverted back to pre-Krasner numbers. He also touted a reduction in teens jailed awaiting trial in adult court, from 43 to 10. Recently, the number has been closer to 60. (They are now split between the juvenile detention center and a modular building at the city jail complex in Northeast Philadelphia where Pastor Damone Jones, who mentors teens there, described infestations of vermin and teens locked in solitary confinement.) And the coercive practice of requiring a guilty plea, often with agreement to incarceration, as a condition of transfer to juvenile court is now routine occurring in about 70% of cases that are transferred, according to Sarah Morris, whose organization, the Youth Art and Self-empowerment Project, tracks cases through a court-watching initiative. Krasner acknowledged that is a fair criticism and an area where we have work to do. But, he said, There are also other players on this field. For instance, in 2020, Philadelphias juvenile court leadership began refusing BB gun robbery cases, forcing them to at least start out in adult criminal court, Krasner said. A court spokesperson did not respond to questions about the decision. Krasner also said his office has been responding to a rise in arrests of minors related to gun violence, even as 2024 saw historic declines in both homicides and nonfatal shootings. But there was also resistance from within the office, several former prosecutors said. One, speaking on condition of anonymity due to concerns about professional retaliation, said some supervisors discouraged young prosecutors from offering the diversion and plea deals outlined in the policies. Instead, People were told to use [juvenile court] as practice on how to try a case. Nicole El, chief of the children and youth justice unit at the Defender Association of Philadelphia, said she has urged the office to stick to its policies. A lot of the assistant DAs dont even know that those policies exist, El said. We are asking that, if you publicize policies, that you either follow them or you tell us, You know, things have changed. She said the policy of requiring that prosecutors ask whether a childs educational needs could be served in placement has not been followed in more than a year. Other policies were followed intermittently, she said, citing a case in which a prosecutor had argued in favor of incarcerating a 12-year-old accused of stealing a car. In another case, she said, a teen should have been eligible for diversion under Krasners policy because he had no record and his alleged offense involved trying to break up a fight but the prosecutor refused to allow it. Krasner said his offices policies have not changed and largely are being followed. He noted that the number of young people sentenced to institutions has declined 60% compared with 2017. The seven years of this administration are light-years ahead of what came before us, he said. He disputed the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) standardized assessments that, as of September, rated 84% of Philly youth in state institutions as low or moderate risk. For the most part, people who are getting placements are in a more serious category, Krasner said. He said the office does not currently have data on charges that sent youth to placement. A recent case of a teen arrested for robbery with a BB gun appeared to show how the office has shifted. At preliminary hearings in Philadelphia for youth charged as adults, its been common practice to allow the prosecutor to simply withdraw charges in order to refile them in juvenile court. But rather than agreeing to such a transfer, given Krasners stated position that youth BB gun cases should not carry adult charges, prosecutors would do so only with a plea in place. In exchange for a return to juvenile court, the teen wound up agreeing to two years in a state institution a longer term than at least one of his adult codefendants. As of last fall, about 75 Philly teens were serving such lengthy fixed terms in institutions run by Pennsylvania DHS. Those programs are designed to last only six to nine months. But Robert Listenbee, Krasners first assistant district attorney who oversees juvenile prosecutions, said the longer terms are necessary. In his view, Pennsylvania DHS needs to modernize its programming to support teens serving longer sentences. He believes DHS does not want to accommodate long-term youth, because their preference would be to send those kids to state prison, he said. Were not going to do that. (A DHS spokesperson said the agencys record clearly refute[s] any such claims. He added that it had adapted by creating a new program for long-term stays and is committed to serving all youth sent to its care.) Shifting culture In August, Ahmad hunched in his seat outside the courtroom, trying to ease the hem of his jeans down over the bulky electronic monitor strapped around his ankle. I feel like a dog, he said, fiddling with the digital leash. After nearly five months in juvenile detention, he was home on bail. Then, Ahmad arrived late for court one morning, and a judge ordered him onto the monitor and house arrest. Now, he was staring down the most consequential court proceeding of his young life a hearing to determine whether it was in the public interest to send his case back to juvenile court. The judge assigned to handle those transfer hearings last year, Common Pleas Court Judge Barbara McDermott, has voiced skepticism of the defense evidence typically presented in such hearings. In some instances, she declined to transfer cases to juvenile court even when prosecutors argued it was in the public interest to do so. It used to be the presumption that in most cases if its a first offense, kids were going back to juvenile court, said Michelle Mason, chief of the public defenders juvenile special defense unit. Now, its much more difficult. When a lawyer cited a teens strong family support, academic performance, and positive psychological assessment, McDermott said such assets were a double-edged sword as the teen should have known better than to commit a crime. But a defendants history of victimization was not necessarily mitigating either. Addressing a teen charged with robbery whose history included diagnosed mental illness, childhood leukemia, and surviving a violent home invasion she said it was concerning that he inflicted the same type of trauma he had experienced on another person. She dwelled on the cost of the bone marrow transplant he had been given. A very significant amount of resources went into saving you, she told him. You got saved physically. But how have you used that gift? (In the end, McDermott approved a deal for the teen to spend 18 months in a secure juvenile institution.) McDermott declined to comment on her handling of the cases. Last year, lawyer and private investigator Noel Hanrahan found herself in McDermotts courtroom in an unexpected capacity. Hanrahan was used to advocating for defendants in wrongful conviction cases. Then, her teenage son was shot in the stomach. Hanrahan listened as lawyers debated the fate of the boy who shot her son, leaving wounds that required multiple surgeries. But her opinion was fixed: I think every kid deserves a chance to be heard in [juvenile] court. They are children. In her view, giving the teen a chance to be rehabilitated was the best outcome for public safety, while sending him to adult prison would not erase her sons pain. Were all personally related to this system. No one is not touched by what happens in the courts and we are affecting our future if we dont give these kids what they need. The case was eventually transferred to juvenile court. But Hanrahan kept coming back to court to watch how the other transfer hearings played out. In some cases, teens accepted as much time in juvenile institutions as they might have in the adult system under the state criminal sentencing matrix. Other teens were denied transfers, and ended up accepting plea deals involving a year or two in jail, plus seven or eight years on probation even though Krasners probation policy states that probation longer than three years is not just ineffective. Its harmful. As for Ahmad, the prosecutor was offering a plea deal: In return for sending his case to juvenile court, he would have to plead guilty, serve two years in a secure institution, and complete six months of probation. Ahmads mind was spinning. I should take the case to trial and beat it they have no evidence, he said. But, he added, You know how long it takes to go to trial. And if I lose the case, its over. A few weeks later, the prosecutor came back with a new offer: four to six months of house arrest on the ankle monitor. McDermott said she was reluctant to approve such a lenient deal. But she acknowledged the problem of the phantom gun. I dont know the truth. And it is not my job at this point to determine the truth, she said. She agreed to transfer both his case and Anwars to juvenile court. Kenisha Tyler was torn between relief that her son would avoid further incarceration, and disgust at being forced to concede what she viewed as bogus allegations. [The victim] said they kicked the door in, but the video shows them running out the door with their shoes and their jackets off, she said. Ive never seen someone break into a house and then take off their shoes and jacket. But Ahmad was resigned. Im tired of this. I just want to start my life. I want to be a man. I want to one day get older, have kids, and they have kids. Im not trying to be in the system. This is not me. A learning experience? In September, Ahmad had his first hearing in Family Court. It was his first time leaving the house since his court date in August and the minute he stepped out the door, his ankle monitor began to loudly protest. There was a loud beep, then a call through a speaker embedded in the monitor: Mr. Tyler, why are you outside? He quickly reassured the invisible probation officer, Im on my way to court. The time in detention and then on house arrest had reshaped his life. Before the case, he had been a student at Olney High School. On house arrest, he enrolled in a cyber charter school. Cyber schools in Pennsylvania perform far worse than other schools. But Tyler feared that, at a regular urban high school, there were too many ways to get into trouble. She had reason to worry about her sons safety. Hes been mugged and pistol-whipped and lost loved ones to gun violence. Eventually, Ahmads public defender stopped by. He advised the teen that none of the time he had already spent on house arrest would count toward his sentence. Ahmad tried to maintain his composure, but his eyebrows furrowed in frustration. Tyler wants her son to see it as a learning experience: This is why we avoid these types of situations. She reminded Ahmad that she had learned the lesson firsthand. Years ago, when she was 24, she had the opportunity to walk away from a fight but didnt. She spent time in jail and was left with a felony record. Ahmad has plans to turn his bedroom closet into a small recording studio. Maybe he can write a song about this, his mother said. One bright spot: Ahmad had connected with YEAH Philly. Its staffers attended his hearings, helped him get his learners permit, and secured him a job with American Power Electrical Supply Co. wiring streetlight fixtures for the citywide conversion to LED. He started work at 7:30 a.m. on a recent morning, at a West Philadelphia warehouse with about 10 other teens. Their supervisor, Nathaniel Coston, sighed as he surveyed his crew, some joking around or playing on phones. Its been a battle, he said. Ahmad, he said, was an exception. Hes on my A team. It was Ahmads only opportunity to socialize while on house arrest. Instead, he clamped headphones over his ears and began to methodically attach wires and screw in metal plates. Then, he repeated the process 72 times over an eight-hour shift. Aye, the YEAH Philly cofounder, said he tries to remind the young people that they are part of something bigger, contributing to brighter sidewalks and a safer city. To Ahmad, that was meaningful. I feel like Im actually doing something, and not just in the way. 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. Richard and Rebecca Whiddon, seen here on their wedding day in 2016, were high school sweethearts. Read more A serial drunk driver was sentenced to decades in state prison this week, nearly a year after he caused a fatal crash in Bristol Township while high on meth, speeding, and driving on a suspended license. John Wadlinger, 32, will spend 26 to 56 years in prison for the deaths of Richard and Rebecca Whiddon, a Connecticut couple who were visiting Bucks County for a friends wedding. Advertisement Richard Whiddon, 33, and Rebecca Whiddon, 37, were high school sweethearts, and both worked in science: Richard Whiddon programmed biomedical machinery used in hospitals, and Rebecca Whiddon was an inorganic chemist. The crash that took their lives also critically injured two others in the car. Wadlinger, of Croydon, who had three previous DUI convictions, pleaded guilty in November to homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and related crimes. At the time of the crash, Wadlingers license was suspended because of his previous convictions. The sentence handed down by Bucks County Court Judge Stephen Fritsch included a 14-year mandatory minimum for two counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence. Deputy District Attorney Christine Sessane said the lengthy prison term was appropriate and brought a measure of justice. His time for rehabilitation has passed, Sessane said. This instance is his most egregious criminal offense in his lifetime, and its clearly wrought the most devastation. I think the community is better protected and better served with him behind bars for a substantial period of time. Wadlingers attorney, Riley Downs, could not be immediately reached for comment. Prosecutors described the scene of the high-speed collision that killed the couple as a battlefield, the traumatic memories of which still haunt its two survivors. One moment, we are all happily laughing on our way to see our friends, and in the next, jolted into an unconceivable nightmare, Chandra Lampreich, who was in the car with the couple at the time of the crash, testified during the hearing. The crash had caused such carnage. The Whiddons were visiting Bucks County for a friends wedding on Feb. 23 when a Ford Explorer driven by Wadlinger slammed into the Nissan Sentra they were riding in as it made a left turn. Investigators said Wadlinger was driving 73 m.p.h. at the time, more than double the posted speed limit on the stretch of Veterans Highway where the collision occurred. The impact of the collision was so severe that it sheared away nearly the entire passenger side of the Sentra. Its trunk was torn off and thrown 50 feet into a nearby parking lot. After the crash, Wadlinger stole a dump truck parked in the backyard of a nearby home and fled. He crashed that vehicle not long after and was taken into custody. A video played in court during Wadlingers preliminary hearing last year showed him getting out of the SUV immediately after the crash and sprinting away. Prosecutors said he never stopped to check on the people he left behind. Friends of the Whiddons gathered in a cramped Bucks County courtroom Monday for Wadlingers sentencing. More than 60 statements from people who knew and loved the couple had been submitted to the court, prosecutors said, a testament to how deeply they will be missed. Richard Whiddon, who bears the same name as his son, asked the judge to impose the harshest possible sentence, citing what he described as Wadlingers lack of remorse. You just dont lose someone once; you lose them over and over again, sometimes many times a day, Whiddon said. You lose them every time you open your eyes to a new morning. It hits you like a bolt of lightning that rips into your heart that they are gone forever. This is our new life sentence given to us by the defendant. Some people sleep in the rubber room housed at the Philadelphia School District's headquarters; some clock in and walk out. On Halloween, some people dressed up as prisoners. Read more By one administrators count, the Philadelphia School District spent about $225,000 paying him not to work for a year and a half. The school administrator spent weekdays in a rubber room, a space at the districts North Broad Street headquarters where the school system sends employees accused of wrongdoing while their cases are investigated, sometimes for years. Advertisement Eventually, the administrator, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisal, was exonerated. But not before he spent a full school year, plus parts of two others, in reassignment, paid his full salary to do absolutely nothing. It was a completely surreal experience, he said. With no direction and rarely a sighting of any supervisors, the dozens of people assigned to a series of windowless conference rooms found ways to cope: Some would clock in and read, then leave to have a meal, go to the gym, or explore the city, then return to clock out. If you were to walk by some of these rooms, its almost comical what youd see if the group gels enough, sometimes theyll have parties, the administrator said. Its a huge waste of money. Some people bring lounge chairs and fall asleep. Isaiah Thomas, chair of City Councils education committee, is demanding answers. At Thomas behest, Council voted last Thursday to hold hearings on the districts rubber rooms. No date has been set. A district spokesperson said the system was actively working to fix the rubber room issues. Last week officials said that 66 people are currently in reassignment status. They would not say whether that number included only teachers or other job categories. We look forward to collaboratively meeting with our labor partners and elected officials to discuss solutions that help streamline processes that better support our students and schools, Christina Clark, the spokesperson, said in a statement. Theres no one in charge? Kelley Collings, a longtime district teacher, called the rubber room where she spent nine days in October an alternate reality. Collings showed up in the rubber room on a Monday after a student at Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences accused her of striking him a charge that was proved unfounded. Collings never received any instruction about what she should be doing while in reassignment, she said. I said, Are you kidding me? Theres no one in charge? It was the other people who took care of me, Collings said. People clock in and leave. For the first few days, Collings remained in the room and read. Then someone told her a nearby gym was offering free trial memberships, so she took some yoga classes. She set up lunch dates. Her rubber room stint fell over Halloween, and some people dressed up in prison uniform costumes. Collings quickly learned about the informal code of the rooms. Its like being in jail; its a culture in and of itself, Collings said. People who have been there the longest three years is the record, as far as Collings knows got the best seats. There is fierce competition for chairs near electrical outlets, and deals are made over access to extension cords. Collings said her short stint in the rubber room was an outlier, made possible because I pulled every political string and used every ounce of political and relational capital I had, she said. She and other district employees who spent time in the rubber room say that while people accused of serious wrongdoing should absolutely not be around children, the system needs to be reformed. Some students know they could make their teachers go away with false accusations, too, she said. There has to be a way for us to protect kids, but also protect the integrity of our profession, Collings said. As hard as possible Both Collings and the administrator bristled at having no school-related work to do while in the rubber room. The administrator managed to get his boss to allow him to do some remote work he checked lesson plans and created slides for teachers. But that was perhaps an hours worth of work per week. Another teacher, who has been in the rubber room for two years, has spent his time visiting libraries, studying language, playing music, and completing the work necessary to re-up his National Board Certification, a prestigious qualification program some teachers opt into. To celebrate one persons imminent release from the rubber room, some staffers recently went to listen to a Wanamaker Organ performance. But while there are moments of levity, each of the six people The Inquirer spoke to said the rubber room was dehumanizing, a place sometimes so dispiriting that people wept. Its labor relations practice to make it as hard as possible on every individual that goes there, the teacher who studied for his National Board Certification said. Youre treated poorly and with negligence. One school staffer who has been assigned to the rubber room since October has spent only two weeks there. They treat you like trash there, said the employee, who asked not to be identified because her case is ongoing. It made me so physically ill to be there, Im using my sick days to avoid going to teacher jail. On one day, the employee said, a labor relations staffer came into one room and announced to those present: I fired five people today. She said the entire experience feels like a bad movie, and she desperately wants to get back to her school and her students, whom she loves. Change is slow to come Oz Hill, the districts interim deputy superintendent of operations, has recently begun to institute some changes: He set up a listening session with people assigned to the rubber room, ordered the room cleared of bedbugs, and promised to streamline operations. But change has been slow to come, those inside say. To the administrator, it is especially galling that an under-resourced school district is wasting so much money on the rubber room. He was in the room for nine months before there were any hearings or movement in his case, and that came only after he contacted multiple authorities himself, including the districts inspector general. Many cases are complicated, with various authorities involved, but many people are cleared by agencies like the citys Department of Human Services and then still remain in the rubber room while their cases languish at the district level. The bulk of the people, if investigations were done quickly and thoroughly, they wouldnt be there longer than two weeks, the administrator said. His $225,000 back-of-the-envelope calculation was just for his salary, but doesnt include money spent on any professionals paid to cover his work, or the outside law firm eventually hired to investigate his case. We have a shortage of people, of teachers, and you hear every single year theres always a shortage of monies, the administrator said. But you have millions of dollars every single year in those rooms. Its an icy Fishtown winter at the corner of East Susquehanna Avenue and Belgrade, a fact Im all too well aware of after circling the blocks nearby for a rare parking spot, followed by a long and shivery walk to dinner. Next time, Im taking an Uber. But the intimate neighborhood setting is part of the charm of arriving at the Hotel Anna & Bel, a stylish 50-room boutique hotel created inside the 19th-century brick bones of the former Penn Asylum for Indigent Widows and Single Women. Once you step inside its polished checkerboard marble foyer, take a left turn for Bastia. A crackling fireplace beneath a painting of Venus beckons you into this buzzy restaurant from chef Tyler Akin, where the warmth of two Mediterranean islands Corsica, Sardinia has been conjured to radiate straight into your bones. The sunny aroma of a Corsican hillside an herbal maquis blend of calamint, wild sage, immortelle curry leaves, and wild thyme perfumes the roasted pork belly fanned over flatbread, as well as the effervescent Corsican 55 cocktail made with Cap Corse vermouth blanc and cognac. There are pastas rolled into teardrop-shaped spizzulus that tumble with look-alike calamari rings in the golden glow of a saffron and orange sauce scattered with pine nuts. Akin has even managed to make sundried tomatoes cool again, drying 150 pounds of Midnight Romas this summer on the patio beside the Anna & Bels courtyard pool and preserving them in oil so he could grace his plates with a kiss of Philly-Med sunshine deep into November. Philadelphia may appear to be fully saturated with Italian options, but its hunger for all corners of pasta culture is never truly exhausted. So a modern take on the foods of Corsica and Sardinia, two kindred but distinct islands, offers some exciting regional traditions to explore. The intricate pasta shapes of Italys Sardinia are unique, while the mountainous French isle of Corsica, just a 50-minute ferry ride north, has a cuisine rooted in rustic braises, coastal seafood, and chestnuts a legacy of its period under Genoese rule. Bastia has marked a fortuitous return to Fishtown for Akin, an alum of Zahav and Little Serow, who Philadelphians first got to know making pho behind the counter of Stock, his tiny East Girard Avenue storefront. Hes spent the past several years reviving the considerably grander dining room of the Hotel Dupont into the French-themed Le Cavalier in his native Wilmington. Its a project hes still in charge of, though he moved back to Fishtown to launch Bastia. Advertisement Akin has plenty of experience with Italian cooking. He was a key contributor to Phillys modern Sicilian phase a decade ago with Res Ipsa (the now-closed BYOB that saw the emergence of chef Michael Vincent Ferreri, currently at Irwins), and made a research trip to Corsica and Sardinia last year. He captured enough of their essence to effectively anchor one of the areas most intriguing new restaurant experiences, though my meals showed enough inconsistency to suggest this kitchen is still grappling with some details of execution. Bastia, named for a city in Corsica, is already a full-package destination, with a long dining room inside the asylums former chapel that blends the rustic elements of exposed beams and a fireplace with clean modern lines and pendant lights that cast an amber glow over its 56 cushy seats (not counting the 14 beside an illuminated bar that runs the length of the room). Theres yet another cocktail lounge tucked in back, Caletta, which looks out through a glassed-in porch onto the hotels pool. Its a worthy draw in its own right: The cocktails get more elaborate, the grilled lamb skewers thrill, and one of Phillys best new burgers calls in all its tallow-basted, tapenade-garnished glory. Beverage director Benjamin Benji Kirk, previously at Wm. Mulherins Sons, works beverage program magic on all sides of the operation. Bastias staff is well-versed on various regional twists on the drinks, from the myrtle-based liqueur that shades the Winter in Sardinia cocktail to a wine program that sources half a dozen producers from the islands, among other Mediterranean options. The dining room staff is earnest and enthusiastic, including one who delivered each dish of a meal to our table with a dramatic slide step entrance worthy of an open mic emcee: Hellooooooo! And these are your culurgiones! In case you missed it, culurgiones are among the hot girl pasta shapes of 2025, according to my colleague Margaret Eby. Bastias version of these pleated Sardinian dumplings featured dough that was a bit too thick and gummy, and the sweet potato stuffing was too sweet for me, like a noodle-wrapped slice of Thanksgiving pie. (The culurgiones I ate last year, from Vetri and Scampi chef Liz Grothe, were both more refined.) For the most part, pastas are Bastias strength, including the toothy, groove-shaped malloreddus buttons that cradled a ragu of house sausage dusted with fennel pollen, pistachio, and ricotta salata. The toasted Sardinian fregola shaped like pearl couscous are among the only pastas here not handmade (not yet, at least), but they basked in a full-flavored seafood broth with mussels and an anise-scented rib of confit fennel. The twisty quills of the trofie were memorable for the simplicity of their garnish, a saute of mushrooms with pasta water, lemon, and marjoram that highlighted the firmness and well-formed spirals of the semolina dough. The chefs instinct to embellish tripped up some dishes. A broad slice of toast lathered with uni butter and topped with a skinny arm of grilled octopus was awkward to eat, while the combination obscured, rather than complemented, each element. (I still preferred it to the deep-fried octopus from an earlier visit whose mushy texture inside that crust was unappealing.) A richly braised osso bucco over lentils was glazed in an intensely reduced dark sauce that was borderline salty. The addition of briny green olive cheeks shingled over top an admittedly eye-catching flourish pushed it over the edge. Another dish, the gnocchetti sardi with pork ragu, suffered the same salty fate. Speaking of cheeks, Akins treatment of meaty skate cheeks was consistently excellent, their crablike sweetness accented by creamy polenta and the savory spark of a chile crisp made from house-dried Jimmy Nardello peppers. The seafood dishes, in general, were standouts, including a Nantucket bay scallop crudo with a silky soubise puree of hakurei turnips and onions, salt cured olives, and the juicy brightness of Buddhas hand lemon. A delicacy of langostinos Akins best flavor approximation of the spiny lobsters he ate in Cap Corse are lightly grilled and candy sweet over a savory curd made from preserved lemons bolstered by fleshy butter beans, mint, and Calabrian chile oil. A whole orata was one of the most satisfying entrees, butterflied and covered with a tapenade of Castelvetrano olives beside grilled artichokes that are, Akin believes, the result of the busiest artichoke prep kitchen in Philly. Ill give props to any kitchen that dives enthusiastically into trimming those spiky thistles, an unpleasant chore many chefs skip with shortcuts. Its also essential to one of my favorite new salads, a mound of paper-thin shaved raw artichokes dressed with salsa verde and Parmesan beneath crispy sunchoke chips. The combination of bright acidity and textural crunch is a Mediterranean analog to the Southeast Asian papaya salads Akin used to make at Stock, his debut local project over a decade ago. Skilled pastry chefs clearly remain a rare commodity in Philly, even for a project as ambitious as Bastia. A couple desserts a sticky lump of undersweetened dark chocolate ganache and a gateau Basque with taleggio overbaked to the consistency of a dense cupcake were just not good. (The olive oil cake is a better bet.) Akin has come a long way since his early days, even if his grand new restaurant still has some edges to smooth out. But Bastia already does so much right. So order a plate of malloreddus and the grilled langostinos, take a seat by that flickering fireplace, and have another drink from the bar perhaps the rummy nocino and sherry elixir called What We Do in the Shadows? to toast to Bastias continued culinary growth, and its already promising start. Bastia Hotel Anna & Bel, 401 E. Susquehanna Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19125; 267-651-0269; bastiafishtown.com IF YOU GO Dinner Sunday through Tuesday, 5-9 p.m.; Wednesday through Saturday, until 10 p.m. Breakfast Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, until 10 a.m. Brunch Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dinner entrees, $27-$48. Wheelchair accessible. Gluten-free options and modifications can be made, with gf pasta available, and care to avoid cross contamination. A parking lot for hotel guests at 2408 Almond St. is also available for dinner guests, who should inquire about the access passcode in advance. The organizers of the Dragon Fest street festival in New York City will set up Panda Fest in Philadelphia. Read more The team behind Dragon Fest, a New York City-based Chinese food and culture festival, are planning to travel the United States with a new weekend festival called Panda Fest . The Philadelphia stop will be Dilworth Park, outside Philadelphia City Hall, and the dates are April 26 and 27, said organizer Xuan (BiuBiu) Xu. Advertisement Xu said you wont be able to miss it: A 15-foot inflatable panda will greet guests upon entry on the 15th Street apron of City Hall. About 35 vendors will represent cuisines from such countries as China, Japan, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines, and some 80 dishes are expected to be for sale. There will also be cultural performances, family activities, games, and merchandise. Since launching in 2023, Xu and Dragon Fest have organized 21 events that have drawn more than 500,000 attendees. Panda Fest will start in Atlanta from April 4 to April 6. After the Philadelphia stop, it is due in Boston May 2 to May 4. Xu hopes to bring this to Philadelphia every two years. While many vendors will be from New York, restaurants from Philadelphia have been encouraged to apply to be vendors. Access will be $12 per person for early entry (first 800 tickets sold), and $15 for general admission. Its free for ages 4 and under. Tickets, on sale at 10 a.m. Feb. 3, can be purchased online . They include a customized Panda pin with a Philly design feature, an inflatable headband, and a customized panda bag. Tickets will not be available at the door, and must be purchased in advance. Officials in the governor's office and the attorney general's office are working a plan to preserve health-care services provided in Delaware County by Crozer Health, which is anchored by Crozer-Chester Medical Center, shown Jan. 13, in Upland. Crozer's for-profit owner Prospect Medical Holdings filed for bankruptcy protection on Jan. 11. Read more Pennsylvania officials have been trying for at least a year to save Crozer Health, a vital provider of health-care services in a low-income area of Delaware County. The bankruptcy filing this month by its for-profit owner follows years of turmoil, slashed programs, and multiple rounds of layoffs under Prospect Medical Holdings, based in California. Advertisement Crozer still fills an essential role: The emergency departments at its hospitals Crozer-Chester Medical Center just outside Chester and Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park had a combined 65,000 visits in 2023. The two units, which share a single license, were the sixth busiest ED in Southeastern Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia, according to state health data. Yet Crozer had one of the regions lowest rates of people being admitted to the hospital from the ED. Typically that means people are using the ED as a primary care office because they dont have other easily accessible choices. The same was true at Hahnemann University Hospital in Center City, which closed in 2019 during the bankruptcy of Joel Freedmans American Academic Health System. A big difference between Crozer and Hahnemann, both safety-net providers, is the relative proximity of other hospitals. In Philadelphia, Hahnemann patients could use public transportation to get to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, or Temple University Hospital. In Delaware County, the closest hospitals to Crozer are Main Line Healths Riddle Hospital near Media and Trinity Health Fitzgerald Mercy in Darby, both nearly 10 miles away by car. Mark Victor, a cardiologist whose Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia has had an office at Crozer for 40 years, worries that many of the most vulnerable residents of Chester would have difficulty getting to more distant facilities. Some patients take two buses to get to us already, he said. On behalf of our patients, were really hoping that there is an 11th-hour solution, he said. Harrisburg official trying to steer Crozer to safety The bankruptcy has not altered the Shapiro administrations goal of preserving access to care in Chester and nearby communities by facilitating the sale of Crozer to a nonprofit. The Shapiro administration is actively engaged with health-care partners in the region to preserve access to vital health-care services and protect Pennsylvania health-care workers jobs, Shapiro spokesperson Manuel Bonder said in a statement Jan. 12, the day after Prospects bankruptcy filing. The governors office did not provide an update despite multiple requests by The Inquirer. The Pennsylvania Attorney Generals office sued Prospect in October, seeking to put Crozer under state control, with a court-supervised manager running the system. If that lawsuit had succeeded, an outside manager would have served as a bridge to nonprofit ownership. The Jan. 11 bankruptcy filing put that suit on hold. Dave Sunday, a York County Republican who is the states new attorney general, supports the effort that was started under his predecessor, a spokesperson said Monday. Multiple sources familiar with current talks over the future of Crozer say state officials hope that Crozer could be financially stabilized in six months and then transferred to a new nonprofit, possibly backed by other local health systems. That time would also be used to figure out what services are essential for Chester and other nearby communities that depend on Crozer. Whats not clear is who would own Crozer during that interim period, or where the millions would come from to cover Crozers losses. Prospects bankruptcy attorney said in court that Crozers annual loss was $130 million and that talks on a controlled transfer of Crozer were moving quickly. Prospect declined to comment Monday. Crozers draw has weakened but remains significant In the core market for Crozer-Chester and Taylor, defined as the top 10 ZIP codes for patients who had hospital stays, the system has lost market share since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated Crozers financial deterioration and resulted in multiple rounds of layoffs. In the region from the Delaware state line to Ridley, Crozers market share for inpatients has fallen to 36% in 2023 from 41% in 2016, when Prospect took over, according to an Inquirer analysis of data from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council, which manages a database of billing information submitted by hospitals. Its likely that Crozers share fell again last year after the level of stroke services at Crozer-Chester Medical Center was downgraded due to the departure last year of a private physician group that had been there since 2018. State data for 2024 are not yet available. The biggest gainers in Crozers core market were Main Line Health facilities. Riddle Hospitals share increased to 28% from 20%. Lankenau Medical Centers share jumped to more than 8% from about 4.6%. The importance of Main Line was clear last month when Crozer-Chester had a fire. Main Line hospitals received 17 of the 33 patients who were transferred to other health systems, Main Line said. But Crozers market share for childbirth services was 60% in its core market in 2023, and the system still had a 50% market share for certain emergency heart procedures, such as the insertion of stents to open a blockage in the heart. On the other hand, Crozers burn center, often cited as a vital service at risk if the hospital closes, draws patients from far and wide, as is typical of such specialized facilities. Only 12% of the burn patients at Crozer in 2023 were from the hospitals core market. No easy solutions The idea of turning Crozer back into a nonprofit is not new. Prospect contemplated doing that in 2022, Crozer CEO Tony Esposito said at the time. Prospect subsequently dropped the idea in favor of selling Crozer to a nonprofit. To give Prospect time to do so, the attorney general then agreed to pause litigation in another case for nine months starting last February. But a preliminary deal announced in August collapsed over a failure to agree on how a new entity created to run Crozer would be paid for. READ MORE: Crozer Health since Prospect acquired it in 2016: A timeline Converting Crozer to a nonprofit wouldnt automatically solve its financial problems. Most nonprofit health systems in the Philadelphia region have been losing money since COVID-19, due to increases in labor and other costs. Even if all of Crozers liabilities, including $167 million in mortgage debt and a pension deficit of roughly $100 million, went away, Crozer is still not financially attractive to local nonprofit health systems. The mortgage debt is due to Prospects decision to sell most of Crozers properties to Medical Properties Trust (MPT), a publicly traded real estate investment trust. The 2019 deal required Crozer to rent them back from MPT. When Crozer fell behind on its $35 million annual rent payments, MPT wrote down the value of the Crozer properties by two thirds and gave them back to Crozer in exchange for a $155 million mortgage. MPT didnt require mortgage payments for two years, but the unpaid money was tacked onto the debt. MPT declined to comment. The aged Crozer facilities need millions in investment. That makes the operating losses worse. You lose your money the day you walk in the door, Jack Lynch, CEO of Main Line Health, said last week, referring to Crozers financial condition. Whatever happens in the Crozer bankruptcy, the market is changing. ChristianaCare already plans to compete with Crozer with a 10-bed micro-hospital in Aston expected to open next year. In 2022, ChristianaCare abandoned a preliminary deal to acquire Crozer after its due diligence found that it wouldnt work financially. ChristianaCare has plans for a second micro-hospital in Delaware County, but hasnt said where it will be. The owner of this house amid the environmentally protected high dunes of Avalon, N.J., who had parts of the landscape cleared and replaced by sod, pleaded guilty Jan. 27 to a single charge of violating a municipal ordinance. The plea agreement he signed also required payment of a $2,000 fine, along with a $13,000 donation. Read more A man who was cited by New Jerseys Department of Environmental Protection last January after having leveled portions of the protected landscape around his Avalon home pleaded guilty to a municipal code violation Jan. 27. Via Zoom, Vahan H. Gureghian told borough court Judge Andrew J. Cafiero that the removal of native vegetation and its replacement with sod was inadvertent. Advertisement In October 2023, DEP inspectors saw that a lawn had taken the place of 8,470 square feet of undeveloped ground where the states Coastal Area Facility Review Act restricts such alterations. As part of the plea agreement, Gureghian who owns a company that manages charter schools will pay a $2,000 fine, and donate $13,000 to the boroughs Environmental Trust Fund. We had laid sod down on a portion of the property inadvertently in violation of the code, he told the judge. The sod was already there when he received the certificate of occupancy, what he thought was a tacit approval, Gureghian said. Cafiero described himself as a lifelong resident of Cape May County, and concerned about the natural environmental of the Shore. I do have some concerns about what happened on the defendants property, the judge said. But Cafiero noted that the state had approved the remediation work it ordered Gureghian to perform on the site, and that New Jersey and the defendants lawyer, George Morris, had worked things out amicably between them. Morris said his clients remediation cost tens of thousands of dollars, and the DEP chose not to levy additional fines. A DEP spokesperson said the department does not normally comment on enforcement matters and/or litigation. The case drew the attention of local residents concerned that development in the borough, which boasts some of the Shores priciest real estate, is erasing local character and endangering distinctive features such as the high dunes. READ MORE: They own tiny homes on million-dollar properties in swanky Jersey Shore towns. But they dont want to sell. Elaine Scattergood, whose walk-up request to file a petition with the court as an interested party to the Gureghian case was rejected by the judge, is a longtime Avalon resident alarmed by the boroughs ritzy direction. I wasnt very pleased by the plea agreement, she said after the hearing. He got his wrist slapped, said Scattergood, a year-round resident who spent part of her childhood in Avalon. Avalon allows all these monster houses to be built, but we are not allowed to touch the dunes [the way] they did on that property. READ MORE: Inspired by Stone Harbors success, Avalon has a plan to encourage boutique hotels. But it faces local pushback. We can talk about remediation but we know its never the same, said Martha Wright, also a longtime resident. Wright said she doubts anyone would be deterred from illegal landscaping or other alterations in the dunes or elsewhere because of the plea agreement. Barbara Stout, whos had a cottage in Avalon for 40 years, said she doubted the plea agreement would have much of an impact beyond the one case. So the defendant had to put some [vegetation] back, she said. That means nothing. Update: The White House budget office on Wednesday rescinded a memo on freezing federal grants after the move provoked widespread backlash. Pennsylvania state and local officials were sent scrambling after President Donald Trumps administration ordered a temporary pause on federal financial assistance, a halt that could affect trillions of dollars and disrupt hundreds of programs. Advertisement Amid panic over the intended funding freeze, a federal judge blocked the order shortly before it would have gone into effect Tuesday evening. The administrative stay pauses the funding halt until Monday, the Associated Press reported. Across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, lawmakers tried to decipher which programs were in jeopardy as Trumps White House stressed that programs that contradict recent executive orders related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and environmental efforts would be the targets of the intended spending crackdown. But the initial orders impact was immediate. Pennsylvanias governor told reporters that several computer systems that run federally funded programs like Medicaid, workforce development database CareerLink, or preschool provider Head Start were inaccessible in Pennsylvania and other states as of Tuesday evening. We literally cant access the payment systems that are used to run these programs every single day. Thats incredibly concerning to us, Gov. Josh Shapiro said. More than 6,000 state workers funded by the federal government are at risk of being furloughed, depending on which programs are being frozen, Shapiro added, and he looks forward to a more detailed directive from the federal government. The president of the United States won the election, and hes got a Congress there to support his agenda. He certainly has the right to be able to put forth his ideas and his views. I dont deny him that, said Shapiro, a Democrat. But in an appropriations process where these dollars were legally allocated to a particular purpose, pulling that back in this manner creates lots of havoc in our communities. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X that the White House was aware the Medicaid portal was down. We have confirmed no payments have been affected they are still being processed and sent. We expect the portal will be back online shortly. Federal funding makes up approximately 40% of Pennsylvanias annual spending, totaling nearly $49 billion in the current fiscal year. These funds are often used by state governments or pass through to local governments to pay for essential services, such as highway repairs, food programs, public education, and much more. Nonprofit organizations, colleges, and universities also rely on federal funding for everything from cancer research to providing community welfare services. The funding pause, ordered in a memo from the Office of Management and Budget leaked Monday, is directed toward federal grants and loans even those already granted by Congress that run afoul of Trumps recent swath of executive orders. The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve, wrote Matthew Vaeth, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, in the memo. The memo laid out a plan to disrupt spending that doesnt comply with broadly worded executive orders targeting transgender rights, environmental justice, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. It explicitly exempts Social Security and Medicare, two programs relied on by seniors. And at her first White House press briefing, Leavitt said the exemptions also covered anyone who gets direct assistance from the government. This is not a blanket pause on federal assistance and grant programs from the Trump administration, she said. Individual assistance that includes, and Im not naming everything thats included Social Security benefits, Medicare benefits, food stamps, welfare benefits, assistance that is going directly to individuals, will not be impacted by this pause. But later, when asked to clarify if Medicaid recipients would be protected, Leavitt said she had to get back to reporters. Asked about indirect assistance that flows through organizations like Meals on Wheels, which provides food to seniors, Leavitt did not answer. Asked about colleges and universities serving marginalized communities, Leavitt said: I have not seen the list. Some of those answers were provided later in a Q&A from OMB that said that any program not implicated by Trumps executive orders is not subject to the pause. The document says mandatory programs like Medicaid, which provides health coverage to low-income Americans, and SNAP, which provides food assistance, will continue uninterrupted. Funds for small businesses, farmers, Pell grants, Head Start, rental assistance, and other similar programs will not be paused, unless such funding is implicated by the Presidents Executive Orders, such as funds for DEI, environmental justice, or wasteful green new deal programs, a senior administration official who declined to be named said in an email. But how Trumps administration will determine if a program is implicated was already causing confusion and could be difficult to ascertain. The scope of the review appears massive. NBC News reported Tuesday that the agency asked federal agencies that provide financial assistance for details on a range of more than 800 programs, including school meals for low-income students and WIC, the nutrition program for pregnant women and infants. Democrats push back: Billions of dollars shut off The constitutionality of Trumps move was immediately questioned by Democrats in Washington and several state attorneys general, including New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, who joined a multistate lawsuit seeking an injunction against Trumps order. Democratic lawmakers reported getting flooded with worried calls from parents whose children are in cancer treatment studies, from Head Start preschool operators, community health centers, and college research institutions. Sen. Andy Kim (D., N.J.) read an email from an organization that provides disability services in New Jersey at a morning news conference held by Democrats in Washington. This is going exactly as they want it to go. Their goal is to sow chaos, Kim said. The order follows an unprecedented first week in office for Trump in which he pardoned Jan. 6 rioters, fired inspectors general, and signed a slew of executive orders meant to reshape the focus and scope of the federal government. What we see right now, its showing that the defining phrase of President Trumps administration isnt the golden age, Kim said, quoting Trumps inaugural address. Its a phrase he used during the campaign: fighting the enemy from within. Democratic lawmakers said the order violated the Constitution, which broadly gives Congress control of government spending. In the dark of night, Donald Trump has shut off billions, perhaps trillions, of dollars that support small businesses, that support families, that support police officers and firefighters, Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said in Washington. This decision is lawless, destructive, cruel. Trumps allies rushed to his defense. We are going to question, were going to review, and, yes, were going to be disrupters, but were going to be constructive disrupters, U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser (R., Pa.) said on Newsmax. Kate Flessner, a spokesperson for Pennsylvanias state Senate Republicans, said it seemed reasonable that any new administration would want to take a moment and review matters such as these. Our region could be in for a lot As concerns over the order grew, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker was still reviewing the memo as of Tuesday evening. There is unlikely to be an immediate impact on Philadelphias city services such as policing and trash collection, since essential services are mostly supported by city-generated revenues. Federally funded social services that are administered locally, however, could be affected. The Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services gets about 43% of its budget from the federal government, according to its most recent annual report. Additionally, many city agencies receive one-off grants from Washington, and it was unclear if the memo would affect ongoing projects. While much of the operating budget has little exposure to federal cuts outside of social services, the same cant be said for the capital budget, which leverages city bonds to fund infrastructure, construction and one-time projects. About $1.1 billion, or 18%, of the citys $6 billion capital budget for the current year is federally supported. At the state Capitol in Harrisburg, lobbyists and lawmakers took phone calls, trying to make sense of the memo. Meanwhile, confusion and concern reverberated from county boards to nonprofit organizations. Josh Maxwell, chair of the Chester County Board of Commissioners, said that $68 million in the suburban countys budget came from federal funds, with much of that money being spent on health and human services. He said the pause could affect farm preservation work, highway expansions, public transportation, and public universities. Our region could be in for a lot, Maxwell, a Democrat, said. The countys Republican commissioner, Eric Roe, said in a statement he had mixed emotions about the funding freeze. On one hand, I appreciate the commitment to eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse. Taxpayers deserve to know that their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent on worthwhile projects and core government functions, Roe said. At the same time, millions of Americans depend on federal grants every single day. Montgomery County Commissioners Neil Makhija and Jamila Winder, both Democrats, said the freeze could hurt thousands of county residents. Trump, they said in a statement, appeared to have frozen more than $140 million in funds headed to the county for emergency shelter operations, rental assistance, an anti-terrorism task force, and county parks projects. But the Republican on the board, Tom DiBello, insisted the freeze was unlikely to have a long-term effect on the county. Theres a lot of money that goes to a lot of different groups at the federal level, and theres money from the state that gets funneled to a lot of different groups, he said. I think its always good to have a review. I dont think itll be a long pause. Shapiro is scheduled to deliver his budget address next week. Pennsylvania was already on track to face a budget shortfall this year, as spending is set to outpace state-earned revenue by $4.5 billion. Ahead of Trumps inauguration last week, Shapiros administration had been trying to draw down as many federal dollars it was relying on from former President Joe Bidens tenure. Shapiro who previously served as a foil to Trump during his first term while serving as Pennsylvania attorney general has been minimally critical of Trump thus far, as Democratic governors around the country balance their politics and a need to deliver federal funds for their states. Staff writers Thomas Fitzgerald and Fallon Roth contributed to this article, which contains information from the Associated Press. During his Senate campaign, Dave McCormick talked up the West Point motto of duty, honor, country, writes the Editorial Board. But McCormicks fellow soldiers deserve better than the senator's support of Pete Hegseth to lead the U.S. Department of Defense. Read more Anyone in need of a further reminder that elections have consequences can look to Pennsylvanias new U.S. senator, Dave McCormick. McCormick cast what essentially amounted to the deciding vote last week to confirm Pete Hegseth as secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense. As the British say, Hegseth is not qualified to run a whelk stall, let alone the governments largest agency, with three million employees and a budget of $849 billion. Advertisement Hegseths prior notoriety was as a weekend anchor at Fox News, where he bloviated about anti-woke hysteria. His military experience extends to 13 years served in the National Guard, where he was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and rose to the rank of major before getting flagged as an insider threat because of tattoos that are linked to white supremacists. READ MORE: Trumps Jan. 6 pardons make a mockery of American democracy and the rule of law | Editorial Supporters said Hegseth was a decorated veteran, but his two bronze stars and other commendations were common among military officers. Hegseth, 44, later ran two small military nonprofits but was forced to step down from both because of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety, and personal misconduct. Hegseths alleged excessive drinking and sexual carousing two other disqualifying red flags overshadowed his utter lack of experience needed to run the Defense Department. McCormicks vote for Hegseth is all the more reckless given Pennsylvanias junior senator graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and served in the 82nd Airborne Division. During McCormicks Senate campaign, he talked up the West Point motto of duty, honor, country. But in his first big test in the Senate, McCormick failed his military roots. He put subservience to Donald Trump above the country. McCormicks fellow soldiers who risk their lives to defend the nation deserve better than an unqualified reprobate leading the Defense Department. Pennsylvanians who voted against former Sen. Bob Casey may have ultimately put the country at risk by installing a lackey. Voters will get more evidence this week whether McCormick will put the country first or be a rubber stamp for Trump, as two other unfit nominees are up for confirmation votes. Kash Patel is unqualified to oversee the FBI. Patel has made clear his allegiance is to Trump and not the Constitution or the rule of law. He promoted debunked lies about the 2020 election being stolen, and promised to go after judges, lawyers, and journalists who he claims without any evidence improperly investigated Trump. Also, like Hegseth, Patel lacks basic experience to run the FBI. The FBI is on the front lines when it comes to defending the country against domestic terrorists, drug traffickers, violent criminals, and white-collar crooks. But instead of keeping the country safe, Patel who published a deep state enemies list is focused on aiding and abetting Trumps political grievances. Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is Trumps nominee for director of national intelligence, a vitally important job that oversees all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, including the National Security Agency and the CIA. But there is one problem: Gabbard lacks relevant experience in intelligence gathering. READ MORE: After a first term spent tarnishing the presidency, Trump takes office again with empty promises of a gilded age | Editorial More than 100 national security officials signed a letter questioning Gabbards ability to assess and deliver unbiased intelligence. National security experts are particularly concerned about Gabbards unexplained meetings with ousted Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad. Gabbard has also parroted propaganda spewed by Russian leader Vladimir Putin, further raising concerns about whose side she is on. Trump and his nominees appear hell-bent on undermining the countrys defense, intelligence gathering, and the rule of law. McCormick, on the other hand, swore an oath just a few weeks ago to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Will McCormick or any other Republican senators uphold their oath, or will they continue to just do whatever Trump wants? NEW YORK - President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown and effort to deport massive numbers of people hit the nations largest city early Tuesday, as immigration officers and federal agents fanned out across a city where 1 in 3 residents were born in another country. Teams of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers along with newly detailed FBI agents, Drug Enforcement Administration officers and U.S. Marshals began knocking on doors and making arrests in a city where sanctuary policies limit official cooperation with ICE. Advertisement Newly confirmed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem joined one of the teams and documented an arrest they made in a social media post. Just now. Enforcement operation in NYC. Criminal alien with kidnapping, assault & burglary charges now in custody, she wrote on X, including a video. Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets. The NYPD did not participate in what ICE characterized as an expansion of its targeted enforcement campaign with the help of multiple federal agencies. ICE officials said they plan to target migrants with criminal records, but they could also arrest immigrants they encounter along the way who do not have proof of legal status. Similar operations started over the weekend in Chicago, according to ICE. ICE invited The Washington Post and other media organizations to observe the New York arrests on the condition that they could not disclose the operation ahead of time. During President Joe Bidens term, a record numbers of migrants crossed the U.S. southern border, and hundreds of thousands headed for New York City, the largest influx since the Ellis Island era. The city provided hotel rooms, dormitories, counseling and other assistance, an approach that made sure families didnt sleep on the streets but left New York Mayor Eric Adams (D) warning of fiscal crisis. The city has spent more than $5 billion since 2023 on the migrant influx, according to the most recent estimates from the New York State Comptroller. Street crimes committed by groups of young migrants became a particular concern, particularly after several teens were filmed punching police officers during a January 2024 melee. Many alleged offenders are from Venezuela, whose governments strained relations with Washington have severely limited ICEs ability to deport criminal offenders there. On Saturday, the Trump administration told senior ICE officials to operate more aggressively, setting a target of 75 arrests per day for each of the agencys 25 field offices. On Sunday, the following day, ICE made 1,179 arrests, up from 286 on Saturday, according to totals published by the agency. Such quotas increase the potential that officers face pressure to meet numeric targets and cast a wider net that snags immigrants who do not have criminal records. Tom Homan, the former acting ICE director who Trump has designated White House border czar, has said immigrants with criminal records are the administrations priority. The administration has cast these efforts as part of Trumps mass deportation campaign, although officials will not say how many of those arrested since he took office more than a week ago have actually been deported. The White House and Department of Homeland Security have circulated photos showing military planes transporting deportees. Those flights have primarily carried recent border crossers, rather than immigrants detained in U.S. cities by ICE. DHS said more than 7,300 deportees have been returned or removed since Trump took office nationwide, including hundreds of convicted criminals. The totals include people sent back across the border by U.S. Customs and Border Protection as well as deportees loaded onto ICE flights. We have fulfilled President Trumps promise to the American people, DHS said. Patrick PJ Lechleitner, who retired as ICE acting director earlier this month, said the nationwide operations launched under Trump are the first time in his career hes seen so many agents and officers from the Department of Justice assigned to help ICE. Seeing FBI agents tasked with civil immigration enforcement duties is unprecedented, he said. There is a cost to that, because theyre not pursuing criminal investigations, Lechleitner added. Lechleitner and other former ICE officials say the Trump administrations arrests are potentially going to outpace ICE detention capacity. The agency has funding to pay for about 40,000 detainees per day, and is already nearing that limit. Bed space is especially tight in the Northeast and the New York metro area, where critics of ICE have campaigned to close detention facilities. ICE uses jails in the Newark area and in Orange County, New York, and it has about 1,200 beds available several hours away at a facility in central Pennsylvania. Those facilities are nearly full, according to ICE officials. Theyre going to have to fly or bus them to places with more capacity, Lechleitner said. In Chicago, where ICE launched targeted raids Sunday, schools, businesses and community services in heavily immigrant neighborhoods on the citys South and West sides have seen a drop in attendance, according to local officials. At the Pilsen Family Health Center, a clinic serving a predominantly Latino population on the citys South Side, Medical Director Luis Rivera said there were more no-shows than normal, with patients canceling or skipping appointments they had waited weeks to schedule. Between myself and the other doctors scheduled, about a third of the patients didnt show up or called to reschedule, he said. Friday afternoon, the clinic saw roughly half of the patients who were scheduled for appointments. Those who called to reschedule offered vague excuses. Rivera factored in the bitterly cold weather from last week, but said even when its raining hard or snowing, cancellations are never so high. Alderman Brian Hopkins (D), whose 2nd Ward includes parts of downtown, was in the minority of city council members who wanted to reform Chicagos sanctuary city ordinance to allow Chicago police to work with federal immigration authorities in certain cases. Any hope of compromise, however, was dashed Sunday when multiple federal agencies, including the DEA, showed up without giving notice to the Chicago Police Department. They brought along TV host Phil McGraw, or Dr. Phil, and his crew. Hopkins decried it as a circus. When the federal government talks about doing some targeted enforcement on people who have been part of organized criminal activity, or who have committed violent crimes, that sounds good, Hopkins said. On Sunday, thats not what they did. Hopkins said the scene was confusing, unprofessional and felt like a stunt with the Dr. Phil team in the mix - something that will only antagonize Trump critics in the city and weaken the administrations credibility with those who are willing to find a way to work together. It couldnt be more counterproductive if they tried. It makes it harder for Democrats who want to address this from a public safety perspective, Hopkins said. And Im afraid that its going to get worse. Bellware reported from Chicago. WASHINGTON A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a push from President Donald Trump to pause federal funding while his administration conducts an across-the-board ideological review to uproot progressive initiatives. The order capped the most chaotic day for the U.S. government since Trump returned to office, with uncertainty over a crucial financial lifeline causing panic and confusion among states, schools and organizations that rely on trillions of dollars from Washington. Advertisement U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan blocked the funding freeze only minutes before it was scheduled to take effect. The administrative stay, prompted by a lawsuit brought by nonprofit groups that receive federal money, lasts until Monday afternoon. Another court hearing is scheduled that morning to consider the issue. The White House did not immediately comment on the order, which leaves unresolved a potential constitutional clash over control of taxpayer money. Democrats who have struggled to gain a foothold during Trumps second term unleashed on the Republican president, describing his actions as capricious and illegal. Administration officials said the decision to halt loans and grants was necessary to ensure that spending complies with Trumps recent blitz of executive orders. The Republican president wants to increase fossil fuel production, remove protections for transgender people and end diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. But a vaguely worded memo issued by the Office of Management and Budget, combined with incomplete answers from the White House throughout the day, left lawmakers, public officials and average Americans struggling to figure out what programs would be affected by the pause. Even temporary interruptions in funding could cause layoffs or delays in public services. This sort of came out of the blue, said David Smith, a spokesperson for the Shawnee Mission School District in Kansas, one of countless districts that receive federal funding. Now theyre trying to figure out what it means based on zero information. Democrats argued that the president had no right to unilaterally stop spending money appropriated by Congress. Just minutes after AliKhan made her ruling, Democratic attorneys general from 22 states and the District of Columbia filed their own lawsuit seeking to block and permanently prevent the administration from cutting off federal funding. There is no question this policy is reckless, dangerous, illegal and unconstitutional, New York Attorney General Letitia James said. AliKhan, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, questioned how much the details of the funding freeze had been nailed down as she issued her order. It seems like the federal government currently doesnt actually know the full extent of the programs that are going to be subject to the pause, she said. Jessica Morton, an attorney for the National Council of Nonprofits, which brought the suit, said the group has tens of thousands of members around the country who could be affected. Our client members have reported being extremely concerned about having to shutter if theres even a brief pause, Morton said. Justice Department attorney Daniel Schwei argued that the freeze shouldnt be put on hold because the plaintiffs hadnt specified anyone who would immediately lose funding if it does go into effect. Trump administration officials said programs that provide direct assistance to Americans would not be affected, such as Medicare, Social Security, student loans and food stamps. But they sometimes struggled to provide a clear picture. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt initially would not say whether Medicaid was exempted from the freeze, but the administration later clarified that it was. Although Trump had promised to turn Washington upside down if elected to a second term, the effects of his effort to pause funding were being felt far from the nations capital. Organizations like Meals on Wheels, which receives federal money to deliver food to the elderly, were worried about getting cut off. The lack of clarity and uncertainty right now is creating chaos, spokeswoman Jenny Young said. She added that seniors may panic not knowing where their next meals will come from. The National Science Foundation postponed this weeks panels for reviewing grant applications. Officials in Prichard, Alabama, feared they wouldnt receive infrastructure funding to fix their leaking drinking water system. Republican leaders in Louisiana said they were seeking clarity to ensure nothing was jeopardizing financial stability of the state. Trumps actions would wreak havoc in red and blue communities everywhere, said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee. We are talking about our small towns, our cities, our school districts. The full scope of the administrations review was spelled out in a 51-page spreadsheet sent to federal agencies and viewed by The Associated Press. Each line was a different government initiative, from pool safety to tribal workforce development to special education. Officials were directed to answer a series of yes or no questions for every item on the list, including does this program promote gender ideology? or does this program promote or support in any way abortion? Responses are due by Feb. 7. Trillions of dollars are potentially under review. Grants that have been awarded but not spent are also supposed to be halted if they might violate one of Trumps executive orders. The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve, wrote Matthew Vaeth, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, in a memo distributed Monday. Vaeth wrote that each agency must complete a comprehensive analysis of all of their Federal financial assistance programs to identify programs, projects, and activities that may be implicated by any of the Presidents executive orders. He also wrote that the pause should be implemented to the extent permissible under applicable law. The pause on grants and loans was scheduled to take effect at 5 p.m. EDT, just one day after agencies were informed of the decision. Leavitt, who held her first White House briefing on Tuesday, said the administration was trying to be good stewards of public money by making sure that there was no more funding for transgenderism and wokeness. She denied that Trump was deliberately challenging Congress to establish his dominance over the federal budget. Hes just trying to ensure that the tax money going out the door in this very bankrupt city actually aligns with the will and the priorities of the American people, she said. The attempt to implement a funding pause is the latest example of how Trump is harnessing his power over the federal system to advance his conservative goals. Unlike during his first term, when Trump and many members of his inner circle were unfamiliar with Washington, this time hes reaching deep into the bureaucracy. For example, federal employees are being asked to report their colleagues if they try to continue diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. They are pushing the presidents agenda from the bottom up, said Paul Light, an expert on the federal government and professor emeritus of public service at New York University. He also said there are risks in Trumps approach, especially with so many voters reliant on Washington. You cant just hassle, hassle, hassle, Light said. Youve got to deliver. Fears about interruption in government services were exacerbated as states reported problems with the Medicaid funding portal, where officials request reimbursement for providing healthcare to poor residents. Democrats condemned the Trump administration, connecting the issue to the funding pause. But Leavitt said the portal would be back online soon. We have confirmed no payments have been affected they are still being processed and sent, she posted on social media. The White House did not provide an explanation for the problem. New Jersey and Delaware filed a federal lawsuit with 20 other states and the District of Columbia on Tuesday after President Donald Trumps administration announced it would pause federal financial assistance. Advertisement A federal judge temporarily blocked the freeze on federal grants and loans just minutes before it was set to go into effect, a move that pauses the freeze until Monday, the Associated Press reported. Trumps directive to freeze Congressionally-authorized federal aid isnt just immoral, its unconstitutional, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, a Democrat, said in a post on X on Tuesday. Were swiftly filing a multi-state federal lawsuit seeking an immediate injunction against this illegal order. Well never stop fighting to protect New Jerseyans. Natalie Hamilton, a spokesperson for New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphys office, said earlier Tuesday that the Democratic governor will bring his cabinet together to discuss the freeze on federal aid, and that he has directed his team to assess impacts of this move on the states budget and services. Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, a Democrat, said in a Facebook post that freezing federal grants will affect millions in funding for education, infrastructure, health care, and public safety. It is illegal, and we wont stand for it, she said. Were suing. See you in court. In addition to New Jersey, Delaware, and D.C., the lawsuit was brought by the attorneys general of California, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat who frequently sued the Trump administration as attorney general during his first term, told reporters Tuesday he had been in touch with Democratic and Republican governors throughout the day to try to determine the memos impact. Youve got governments all across the country, led by Republicans and Democrats alike, who are really concerned about their ability to just run their day-to-day operations, said Shapiro, who is in a unique position compared with the nearby states because the Pennsylvania attorney general is now a Republican. Shapiro said he spoke with Pennsylvanias new Republican attorney general, Dave Sunday, but did not share details of their conversation. Shapiro declined to comment on whether Sunday should join the New Jersey suit. Brett Hambright, a spokesperson for Sunday, said his office is reviewing the announcement and assessing the potential impact when asked if his office would sign on to the lawsuit. READ MORE: Trumps sudden threat to halt federal funds spurs confusion in Pa. and N.J. and sends officials scrambling Section 10.7 of the Act, requiring transparency in premium calculations various clauses of the Motor Accident Guidelines (MAGs), specifically around accurate disclosure of pricing factors SIRAs Notification of Significant Matters Policy, which mandates that significant breaches be reported within five days NRMAIs licence conditions under the CTP insurance scheme SIRA stated that NRMAIs internal controls failed to identify and escalate these issues promptly, resulting in delays in notifying the regulator. For example, while the insurer discovered issues with the demerit point loadings in early 2024, it did not report them to SIRA until April 2024, well beyond the required reporting timeframe. RAC has continued to call out the need for a total of $552 million to be allocated to fund over 8,200 kilometres of high speed sealed local government roads, including within forums such as the Premiers Road Safety Summit, and across successive state and federal budget submissions, he said. The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) reported that only 584 complaints in 2024 were related to brokers, out of more than 104,000 complaints lodged across the financial sector. While this represents a low percentage, Klipin said it underscored the need for brokers to continue adhering to high standards of service. Last year, Dale Willetts and Rob Crocker joined the company as head of specialty and active underwriter, respectively. Willetts credentials include time spent at Sompo International, Travelers and QBE. Meanwhile, Crocker joined the company from Everest Re, where he was also an active underwriter and professional lines head. Cupitt explained that people know they need to manage their finances effectively, and getting advice on life insurance is a key part of that. However, professional advice can cost more than $3,000, putting it out of reach for many households. "I am thrilled to join such a dynamic team committed to delivering exceptional customer service and product delivery, Moitoso said. ICW Group has a remarkable legacy of success, integrity, and sustainable growth. I look forward to leveraging my collective experience to build on ICW Groups strong foundation and partner with the leadership team to take the company to new heights. NFP has also announced the hiring of Dan Davoli as managing director of complex risk, based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Davoli will focus on expanding client relationships and enhancing complex risk offerings in NFPs Atlantic region. He will report to Sean Hickey, NFPs head of US Complex Risk and Risk Services. Commenting on her appointment, Bradley said: I am delighted to join Gallagher. A key priority in the coming months will be further expanding our London team to reflect the opportunities available in US construction casualty risks. We are seeing strong interest from London and Bermuda-based insurers to expand their portfolios in this class. Gallaghers focus on providing bespoke solutions underscores its client-centric approach, which is crucial in the complex and increasingly litigious risk environment that US construction firms face. According to Gallagher, the cyber insurance market is projected to more than double over the next decade, driven by heightened awareness of cyber risks. Cyber ILS serves as a mechanism to expand the pool of capital available to support the sectors growth. New York Yankees legend Mariano Rivera and his wife are accused in a lawsuit of failing to protect a young girl who was sexually abused by an older child during a summer camp trip sponsored by their church. In a lawsuit filed this month, lawyers for the girl allege that the Hall of Fame pitcher and his wife Clara Rivera, a pastor at the Refuge of Hope Church, flew from New York to Florida to investigate after the girls mother expressed concerns about her daughters safety during the 2018 trip. But rather than take action, the couple isolated and intimidated the victim into remaining silent about her negative experiences, including the abuse, the lawsuit says. Joseph A. Ruta, an attorney for the Riveras, said in a statement that any allegations that they knew about or failed to act on reports of child abuse are completely false. He said the couple only learned of the allegations in 2022 after receiving a letter from an attorney requesting a financial settlement. The Riveras are known throughout New York for their charitable work and especially for their commitment to serving underprivileged children, Ruta said. Its unfortunate they are being targeted by false allegations. The lawsuit doesnt name the accuser, but it says she was born in 2007, which would have made her 10 or 11 years old in 2018. That summer, according to the complaint, Clara Rivera persuaded a congregant to allow her daughter to attend a camp at the Ignite Life Center, a church in Gainesville, Florida. While staying in an unsupervised dorm room, the girl was repeatedly sexually abused by an older female camper, according to the suit. In a police report filed in 2022, the girl said there were 15 instances of inappropriate touching over a two-week period, both in her bunk and a shower. Though the girl did not report the abuse, her mother grew worried about her safety after the two spoke on the phone call, the complaint states. The mother then outlined her concerns to Clara Rivera, who agreed to investigate, according to the suit. During that trip, the couple received information that should have given them concern, the lawsuit says, but chose instead to remain silent to avoid the potential scandal of child sexual abuse in its programs. The suit doesnt specifically state what the Riveras were told by the girl or her mother. The girl later returned to New York and continued her active participation in the church. But later that summer, during a barbecue for congregants at the Riveras home in Rye, New York, she was again abused by the same person, the complaint states. They failed to mitigate the risks, and upon learning that she had been a victim, took no steps to protect her or get criminal justice, the attorney who filed the lawsuit, Adam Horowitz, told The Associated Press by phone. They continued to expose her again to the same risk at her home. In 2021, the girl was again sexually assaulted, this time by a male youth leader at Refuge of Hope, according to the lawsuit. The abuse in that case was discovered by the girls mother, who found months of electronic communications between the two, the lawsuit contends. Afterward, the girl and her mother filed police reports in New York and Florida regarding the abuse in 2018 and 2021. Horowitz said he didnt believe that criminal charges were brought in any of the cases. The lawsuit was filed against the Refuge of Hope church, not against the Riveras themselves. Prosecutors in New York and Florida didnt immediately respond to requests for comment about whether they looked into the allegations. A lawyer for Ignite Life Center did not respond to an inquiry. The church recently settled lawsuits brought by three people also represented by Horowitz who said they were abused as teenagers by a volunteer at Ignite Life Center. Two others affiliated with the church have been charged with lewd and lascivious battery against minors. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Ardonagh Netherlands, part of The Ardonagh Group, has reached an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Private Insurance Assuradeuren B.V. (PIA) and Private Insurance Nederland B.V. (PIN), two prominent players in the Dutch insurance market for high-net-worth individuals. Financial details of the deal, which is subject to customary regulatory approvals, were not disclosed. PIA is a managing general agent (MGA) specializing in the development and distribution of insurance products for high-net-worth individuals. Its offerings include exclusive insurance solutions for personal package policies (home, contents, art, and valuables), luxury vehicles, and pleasure crafts. Supported by a robust network of international specialized insurers, the company currently offers innovative solutions in the Netherlands. These premium tailor-made products are distributed, among others, through PIN. PIN focuses on supporting and further developing local insurance brokers who utilize PIAs services. Sunny Leons, CEO of Ardonagh Netherlands, stated, This acquisition strengthens our network and provides PIA and PIN a strong foundation for future growth and innovation within Ardonagh, leading to improved solutions and services for the clients of their intermediaries. We have observed that there is significant demand for exclusive insurance solutions for high-net-worth individuals and this deal will allow our teams to develop enhanced solutions and services for their clients. We are delighted to welcome PIA and PIN to the Ardonagh family, said Bart-Jan Kastrop, managing director of High-Net-Worth Insurance at Ardonagh Netherlands. This collaboration opens up new opportunities to further enhance our services and boosts the position of PIA and PIN as market leaders. Expanding our high-net-worth portfolio is a key focus for us. PIA and PIN are being acquired by Ardonagh Netherlands HNW B.V, a subsidiary of Ardonagh Netherlands Bidco B.V. The Ardonagh Group London-based Ardonagh Group is an independent insurance distribution platform, comprising a collection of specialist brands with a network of over 200 locations in 30 countries and more than 10,000 employees. Source: The Ardonagh Group Topics Mergers & Acquisitions DUAL Europe announced the launch of DUAL Cyber Active Protect, a new product that combines comprehensive cyber insurance with proactive cyber prevention services. It also has launched a new entity DUAL Cyber Prevention and Response (DUAL CPR) which offers customized incident prevention and management solutions. This marks a significant milestone in DUALs mission to bridge the gap between the benefits of traditional cyber insurance and managed security services. In partnership with two leading technology providers, Silverfort and Cynet, DUAL Europe said it has delivered an integrated solution that eliminates the need for traditional cyber risk questionnaires for standard SME business and reduces the number of underwriting questions for complex accounts. The product will offer cutting-edge identity security, powered by Silverfort, as well as an All-in-One Cybersecurity Platform, powered by Cynet, which ensures robust cyber defense alongside insurance coverage, DUAL explained. (DUAL is the specialist underwriting arm of Howden, the London-based broker group.) By offering advanced cybersecurity measures that reduce the likelihood and potential magnitude of losses, this solution enables businesses that previously lacked adequate protection to access comprehensive insurance coverage, DUAL said, explaining that for many SMEs, the cost and complexity of implementing effective cybersecurity measures have been prohibitive, with 75% of SMEs choosing not to buy cover, said DUAL, quoting research published by the World Economic Forum. SMEs also often lack the resources to hire specialized cybersecurity teams or deploy sophisticated protective technologies, DUAL said. Our Cyber Active Protect solution provides insured clients with end-to-end risk management. By integrating insurance with advanced cybersecurity tools like Identity Threat Detection and Response, Identity Security Posture Management, non-human identity security, and Endpoint Detection and Response, were helping previously uninsurable companies become insurable, commented Ali Khodabakhsh, head of Cyber at DUAL Europe and managing director of DUAL CPR. DUAL Cyber Active Protect isnt just an insurance policy its a holistic solution for cyber resilience. By removing barriers like lengthy questionnaires and offering proactive protection, were significantly enhancing risk quality and setting a new standard in the industry, Khodabakhsh added. This makes it an ideal solution for first-time buyers lacking sufficient security standards and enabling us to strongly drive market penetration by opening access to companies previously unable to obtain coverage. Cynets All-in-One Platform provides detection, prevention, and response capabilities, including endpoint protection, network analytics, and user behavior monitoring. It enables companies to: Protect endpoints, users, and networks from malware, ransomware, and insider threats, Monitor email security and SaaS/cloud applications for vulnerabilities, and Automate incident response and remediation with 247 managed detection and response. Cynets mission has always been to simplify cybersecurity for resource-constrained organizations said Eyal Gruner, Cynets CEO & founder. Thanks to this innovative approach to combining our technology with insurance, we are providing companies with a powerful and accessible solution for comprehensive protection. The Silverfort Identity Security Platform breaks down the silos of identity infrastructure to create a security layer that protects every identity, everywhere in the cloud or on-prem, human or machine, and even legacy systems and resources that were never protected before. The result is always-on protection with continuous visibility, inline protection, and real-time response. Its core technology intercepts illegitimate access requests in real-time not after an authentication has gone through, denying requests as they happen, or routing them to a conditional secondary MFA if desired. Silverfort is highly context-aware, and becomes a security layer across your Identity and access management infrastructure, detecting anomalous behavior, enforcing universal MFA, enabling conditional access without complexity, according to Leslie Bois, vice president Global Channels, Silverfort. About DUAL DUAL Group is one of the worlds largest international underwriting agencies with US$3.2 billion of GWP, operating with a global network of 11,000 broker partners, 70 carrier partners, and more than 1,800 people. DUAL Europe, established in 2022, now operates in 13 countries from 19 locations, with more than 350 people. Topics Cyber Europe New Markets Two truck stops in Iowa and Missouri Iowa 80, advertised as the worlds largest truck stop, and Joplin 44 agreed to pay a combined $390,784 to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the facilities failed to comply with regulations intended to protect water bodies from petroleum discharges. This settlement represents the federal governments commitment to protecting our nations waterways and creating a level playing field for businesses who are complying with the law, said EPA Region 7 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division Director David Cozad. EPA discovered the alleged violations during inspections of the truck stops in 2023. According to the Agency, the truck stops, which are owned by Iowa 80 Group Inc., failed to adequately develop and implement Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans, as required by the Clean Water Act. Facilities that store 1,320 gallons or greater of oil products in aboveground storage tanks are subject to SPCC regulations. Such plans require, among other things, proper containment to control petroleum releases, inspections of tanks and piping, and integrity testing of petroleum storage equipment. In response to EPAs findings, the facilities revised their SPCC plans, conducted internal and external tank inspections, and completed the necessary repairs. Source: EPA Topics Auto Pollution While President Donald Trump took aim at the electric vehicle industry last week, there is still optimism about the industrys future in Michigan, a state retooling from Americas most recognizable auto hub to its number one destination for electric vehicle investment. More than $27 billion is being poured into some 60 EV manufacturing and battery projects in the state, edging out even Georgia, with $26.6 billion, according to Atlas Public Policy, indicating that the birthplace of the modern auto industry continues to be central to its present and future. Michigan is home to hundreds of supply companies in addition to the automakers. There is Factory ZERO, GMs remade assembly plant for electric Hummers and Silverados in the diverse Detroit neighborhood of Hamtramck, on a lot rich with auto history. There is the $1.6 billion battery manufacturing campus in Van Buren Township in southeast Michigan thats expected to create more than 2,100 jobs and the equivalent of 200,000 EV battery packs each year once fully running. And there is the futuristic building in Detroits Corktown neighborhood, next to the once-blighted Michigan Central train station Ford renovated, now home to Newlab, where entrepreneurs experiment on high-tech equipment, network with other founders and funders and collaborate with automakers. The list goes on. I think that the investments arent ill spent, said auto dealer Eric Frehsee, even with the presidents changes in policy. He was referring both to state electrification efforts and preparing his business, Tamaroff Auto Group in Metro Detroit, for EVs. Frehsee has bought forklifts to lift heavy batteries at the dealership and taught his technicians to work on EVs that come in for maintenance. Hes installed chargers. Frehsee sells Nissan, Honda, Acura and Kia vehicles, each of which now have EV models for sale. I think that its still the direction that were heading, he said. On the east side of Detroit, Ray Smith runs an EV training program for aspiring auto technicians. At Blast Detroit, would-be apprentices learn to diagnose EV electrical, software and battery systems and compare them to traditional gasoline-fueled cars. Regardless of federal policy changes, Weve got to move forward, of course, Smith said. Monday, the president signed an executive order promising to eliminate an EV mandate, referring to President Joe Bidens target for 50% of new vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2030 to be electric and Environmental Protection Agency action to slash planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles over the coming years. The policies never required automakers to sell electric vehicles or consumers to buy them. President Trumps order indicates he will roll back those pollution rules. Perhaps more important to some consumers, he is likely to seek repeal of a $7,500 tax credit for new EV purchases. He already paused billions of dollars in funding allocated for EV charging stations. Stellantis, the manufacturer of Jeep and Ram, said in a statement it is well positioned to adapt to the policy changes enacted by the new Administration and that it looks forward to working with the president. Ford had no comment on the changes, and a GM spokesperson did not comment. Already, the EV industry broadly has faced headwinds. Some automakers have pulled backplans to go electric, and though EVs accounted for 8.1% of new vehicle sales in the U.S. in 2024, the pace of the sales growth slowed from the year before, according to Motorintelligence.com. While EVs are getting more affordable, they still cost more up front than a car that runs on gasoline. At the nonprofit Eastern Michigan Electric Automobile Association, president Bruce Westlake told The Associated Press that customers are coming in with the desire to clean up the environment. But that demand could dampen with less federal support for EVs and clean energy broadly. U.S. automakers may find themselves in a position they cant recover from where they are making what the market doesnt want, Westlake added. The Michigan EV industry is caught between building vehicles that are profitable now, he said, referring to gasoline cars, at the cost of having EVs ready for the future. I believe that initial investments will mostly be lost. Another Detroit-based company, Plug Zen, focuses on EV charging for companies that have fleets of cars and trucks. Eventually it wants to put chargers at workplaces and multi-family housing where charging can be very hard. Im having a wait and see approach when it comes to Michigan and how all those things are going to pan out, CEO Q Johnson told the AP. He regularly works with people in the Michigan EV industry, and said he doesnt expect them to dramatically change direction. Why? Were determined not to be left behind. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Michigan Target is ending its diversity, equity and inclusion program this year, the retailer said on Friday, the latest U.S. corporation to step away from such policies in the face of severe scrutiny from conservative groups. Over the last year, several major companies, including Walmart, Amazon, and Meta, have rolled back their DEI policies, and earlier this week, President Donald Trump directing federal agencies to terminate DEI programs and urged private companies to end illegal DEI discrimination and preferences. But the Minneapolis-based retailers decision met with notable criticism, with some noting the companys reputation for inclusiveness has helped it attract a younger, more diverse consumer base. For Target, with an inclusive audience, this is their version of brand suicide, said Eric Schiffer of Los Angeles-based Reputation Management Consultants, which advises U.S. corporates and Hollywood celebrities. Target also said it was ending its Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) initiatives this year, under which it had pledged to invest over $2 billion with Black-owned businesses by the end of 2025. The initiative included plans to add more than 500 Black-owned brands and a funding program from its in-house media company, Roundel, to increase exposure of diverse-owned brands through paid media. The retailer added that it was changing its Supplier Diversity team to Supplier Engagement in a bid to better reflect its inclusive global procurement process. Target is making a mistake by ending its DEI goals with its customer base being highly diverse, said Sylvester Turner, Congressman for Texas 18th Congressional District, on X. DEI programs, designed to promote opportunities for women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ people and other traditionally underrepresented groups, gained traction after nationwide protests in 2020 over police shootings of unarmed Black people. However, they have been criticized by Trump and conservative groups as being discriminatory against other Americans and for undermining merit in hiring and promotion. Many years of data, insights, listening and learning have been shaping this next chapter in our strategy, Targets chief community impact and equity officer Kiera Fernandez said in a memo, adding that it was important to stay in step with the evolving external landscape. The company did not comment outside of its statement. According to Targets 2023 workforce diversity report, the retailers workforce comprised 56% female employees and 43% male employees. The racial and ethnic distribution was similarly balanced, with 56% of employees being people of color and 43% being white. Targets stores host LGBTQ-related goods during Pride month, attracting a more diverse customer base than bigger rival Walmart WMT.N, which announced cuts to some of its DEI initiatives late last year. However, in 2023, Target pulled some LGBTQ-themed merchandise from stores, citing increased confrontations between shoppers and employees and incidents of products being thrown on the floor. In 2016, Target said that transgender employees and customers could use bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity, at a time when a heated national debate had sprung up on the issue. It was the first big retailer to address the matter. At a retail conference in New York this month, Targets CEO Brian Cornell said the companys growth over the past years came down to investing in people and creating a culture of care and growth. On Thursday, Costco Wholesale shareholders voted overwhelmingly against a proposal requesting a report on the risks of maintaining its diversity and inclusion initiatives. A private investigator embroiled in a corruption scandal that rocked New Mexicos law enforcement community for over a decade was the first to plead guilty to a slew of federal charges that include racketeering and bribery, according to court records. Ricardo Mendez took part in a yearslong scheme between a law firm he worked for that specialized in defending those charged with driving while intoxicated and the Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico State Police and the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office. Mendez admitted that since 2008 he had been offering gifts and thousands of dollars in bribes to officers in exchange for having his clients cases dismissed. I admit that, since at least 2008, this DWI scheme I participated in constituted an enterprise (the DWI Enterprise) that engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity that included multiple acts of bribery, chargeable under New Mexico state law, as well as multiple acts of interference commerce by extortion, Mendez wrote in his plea. Dubbed the Driving While Intoxicated Enterprise, the scheme would allow offenders who drove while intoxicated to get off scot-free, Mendez admitted. Clients would pay Mendez or his associate an attorney retainer fee in cash, court records said. Then Mendez would pay officers in cash $5,000 or more or in the form of gifts or legal services to not appear in court as a necessary witness to the driving incident, resulting in the dismissal of the case, according to court records. As the scheme continued, officers started referring DWI cases to Mendez and his associate with the ask of increased payments. I admit that when drivers avoid criminal culpability for DWI, they become more likely to drive while intoxicated in the future, and, the more often that a person drives while intoxicated, the more likely they are to have an accident, Mendez said in his plea. According to documents obtained by the Albuquerque Journal, the probe began following a stop by one of the officers in August 2023. He allegedly told the driver that he should contact a specific attorney, who, if hired, would make sure the police department would not file a case in court. Prosecutors recommended a reduced prison sentence for Mendez as part of the plea deal. Albuquerque Police Departments officers had the largest share of members, according to Mendezs admission. Albuquerque Police Department Police Chief Harold Medina vowed to conduct an internal investigation last February. Since then, over a dozen officers have resigned, been placed on administrative leave, been terminated or been temporarily reassigned, per a DWI timeline from Albuquerque Police Department communications director Gilbert Gallegos. Dozens of cases have been dismissed. The Albuquerque Police Department has made administrative changes, including the creation of a DWI unit handbook. Two more Albuquerque Police Department officers were placed on administrative leave Friday as apart of the federal investigation. A deputy from Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office was placed on administrative leave Thursday. Corruption has no place in law enforcement, and BCSO will fully cooperate with its federal partners, said Sheriff John Allen in a statement. Allen also confirmed that he has been in contact with the FBI regarding the reported involvement of the deputy in the scheme. Mendezs lawyer and Gallegos did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Personal Auto Mexico New Mexico President Donald Trump is asserting more federal government control over water management decisions in California and ordering U.S. officials to override local authorities, casting the steps as necessary to boost the states firefighting capabilities. The actions enshrined in an executive order that was published Sunday but dated Friday came as Trump visited California to examine devastation from the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles and after days of withering criticism of the states response to the blazes. The order builds on Trumps day-one declaration that the US is in the grip of an energy emergency by directing federal officials to expedite exemptions waiving protections under the Endangered Species Act for a complex of dams, reservoirs and other facilities that irrigate farmland across Californias Central Valley and supply water to millions of people. Trump is also directing meetings of a committee of cabinet-level officials that can green light ventures even when the survival of a species is at stake. The panel, known informally as the God Squad, has met only a handful of times over the past four decades. Imperiled plants and animals listed for protection under the Endangered Species Act have figured prominently in Trumps criticism of the states firefighting efforts. Water allocation plans finalized after years of negotiations by state and federal officials aim to ensure withdrawals still provide sufficient water flows downstream to protect habitat for several species, including the delta smelt, Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. Trump has zeroed in on the endangered delta smelt, a tiny fish that lives in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary, blaming its protections for dry fire hydrants and sprinkler systems in Los Angeles. While some fire hydrants ran dry, officials said that resulted from dropping water pressure not regional water shortages. A key reservoir in the region had been drained for repairs, and storage tanks failed to keep pace with the demand from battling multiple blazes. Tara Gallegos, a spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom, called the premise of Trumps order false. California continues to pump as much water as it did under the Trump administrations policies, and water operations to move water south through the Delta have absolutely nothing to do with the local fire response in Los Angeles, Gallegos said by email. Trump cast his moves as common-sense steps to unlock much-needed resources. I dont know whats controversial about sending millions of sending millions and millions of gallons of beautiful fresh water from the Pacific Northwest and further up than even that into an area thats bone dry, he said Friday. Both farmland and firefighting stand to benefit, Trump said. California farmland is as good as Iowas, he said, but it has no water. When we let that water come through your valleys and down to Los Angeles, he said, its going to be a whole different place. Environmentalists blasted the effort, calling it a water grab meant to free up more supply for the agriculture sector. Its just idiotic to keep scapegoating endangered salmon and smelt and fixate on gutting the Endangered Species Act when it had nothing to do with the LA wildfires, said Kieran Suckling, executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity. Trumps order asserts broad executive and federal authority over water management decisions in California. The president directed his Interior and Commerce secretaries to immediately override existing activities that unduly burden efforts to maximize water deliveries. And he orders the federal Bureau of Reclamation to take every possible step to ensure state agencies dont interfere with its operation of the Central Valley Water project to maximize water delivery to high-need communities or otherwise. Top photo: A helicopter drops water on the Palisades Fire near the Sullivan Canyon area of Los Angeles, on Jan. 11. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics California New sales tactics have been adopted by the European Commission, as it bids to overcome European farmer opposition to the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement. Newly appointed Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic said: "In the unlikely event that the agricultural sector in Europe is negatively impacted, following the implementation of the agreement, we intend to set up a reserve worth at least 1bn. "We see this like giving a warranty for a product a producer gives a warranty exactly because it considers that its product is faultless. Likewise, we trust that the agreement will work correctly, and not cause market disruption. Still, we wish to guarantee that there will be no negative repercussions for farmers and rural areas." He said this additional "warranty" served as a contingency plan, ensuring stability for EU sectors even in exceptional circumstances. "While unlikely to be needed, this safety net underscores the EU's commitment to protecting its agricultural sector," the commissioner said. However, EU farmers are not assured, and they mounted a protest last week outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg, which was attended by several MEPs who said they will vote against the trade agreement. In Ireland, at last week's Irish Farmers Association AGM, leader Francie Gorman said: "We have a fight on our hands to get the deal blocked. But it is a fight we are up for." "We dont want vague promises of compensation," he said. Irish farmers' fears of the trade deal deepened after Meat Industry Ireland said the Irish beef sector was on course to lose up to 130m in revenue if the deal is ratified. The EU's 1bn warranty was revealed by Mr Sefcovic when he addressed the European Parliament Committee on International Trade. Sharp divisions over deal But it was made clear to him there were sharp regional and political divisions within the EU over the Mercosur deal. French, Polish and Irish MEPs from across the political spectrum oppose the deal, while Germany, Spain and Portugal are staunch supporters. In the Netherlands and Austria, criticism of the deal is widespread, but MEPs are divided. Renew MEP Joao Cotrim de Figueiredo said the liberals were the staunchest believers of free trade; however, his Irish party colleague Barry Cowen questioned the European Commission's ability to protect EU farmers from market disruptions. In the parliament last November, debate on an amendment that can be read as a plebiscite against the deal was not backed by a majority of MEPs, but was supported by French, Polish and Irish members of the centre-right European Peoples Party, and by Irish MEPs in the liberal Renew group. The ECR group voted overwhelmingly against the trade deal. Irish farmers protesting the Mercosur trade deal outside the Dail in 2019. Picture: Andy Gibson Mr Sefcovic told MEPs the big picture behind the trade agreement was not just about economics, but a way to build and strengthen communities of shared values, which was of "overarching geopolitical importance". He said the agreement would bring benefits to all sectors of the EU economy, including agri-food. However, debate on the agreement is expected to rage in all the EU institutions all this year and well into 2026. Along the way, debate will be re-ignited in mid-2025 when the official commission proposals are expected, following legal revision and translation of the political agreement on trade reached in Uruguay last December. First, the commission must officially adopt its own proposals, even if this will require some commission members to go against their nominating countries. There will then be an eagerly awaited and controversial decision: will the commission spin off the trade part of the agreement? This could enable fast-tracking the trade deal as an EU-only agreement not requiring the approval of all national legislatures. But a decision to split the agreement needs unanimity in the council of member states. If that goes ahead, the split deal could be agreed by the Council of Member States in the autumn of 2025, and the agreement sent to the European Parliament for assent. Meanwhile, expect the commission to use every trick in the book to win support for the agreement. New trade agreement with Mexico Already, much is being made by the commission of claimed gains for the EU agri-food sector in a modernised trade agreement with Mexico, concluded by Mr Sefcovic and Mexican economy secretary Marcelo Ebrard. But it is markedly different from the Mercosur deal. For example, if ratified, the deal would greatly reduce maximum import volumes from Mexico to Europe of sensitive products like beef and ethanol. Apparently in return for the EU's loss of access to the Mexican electricity market, Brussels limited quotas on imports from Mexico of certain sensitive agricultural products. For beef, the originally negotiated quota was 10,000 tonnes at a 7.5% tariff, the modernised agreement halves this to 5,000 tonnes. The poultry quota has been reduced from 10,000 tonnes to 6,667 tonnes. Exports of duty-free ethanol for energy uses have been cut from 18,000 tonnes to 5,500 tonnes. EU farmers will ask: "Why couldn't the Mercosur deal be like the Mexico deal?" Presented by Brussels as the EU and Mexico linking arms to fend off the impact of tariffs threatened by US president Donald Trump, the deal modernises an original trade agreement reached in 2000, under which the EU-Mexico trade in goods had reached 82bn in 2023. If the deal is ratified, Mexico will completely remove its high tariffs and allow duty-free access for EU pasta (currently subject to tariffs of up to 20%), chocolate and confectionery (tariffs exceeding 20%), blue cheeses (tariffs up to 20%), potatoes (up to 20%), apples and canned peaches (up to 20%), eggs (current tariff of 45%), pork products (up to 45%, with the exception of pork loins) and some poultry products (up to 100%). The 20% tariff on yoghurt falls to zero. And tariff-rate quota will be gained for 88,000 of EU dairy products for which the current Mexican duty rate is up to 50%. An additional tariff-rate quota will be gained for 2,500 tonnes of EU butter, on which the current Mexican duty rate is 20%. A tariff-rate quota will be gained for 30,000 tonnes of EU beef, for which the current Mexican duty rate is 20%. EU poultry legs currently face a 100% Mexican duty, a tariff-rate quota will be gained for 20,000 tonnes. A tariff-rate quota will be gained for 13,000 tonnes of pork loin, currently tariffed at up to 45%. "The EU always ensures that the interests of EU farmers and food producers are reflected in all trade negotiations, by helping them to export their products abroad while protecting their interests and sensitivities at home," the commission said. It said more EU pig and poultry meat companies will be able to export without undue delays to Mexico. WHAT kind of man gets depressed after having a baby? A dad uttered these words when interviewed for a 2021 British-based study of fathers mental health during the perinatal period. For Sinead McGilloway, professor of family and community medicine at Maynooth University, this dads question sums up the shame, guilt, and stigma that prevent men from talking about depression in the perinatal phase. Quite a few studies have explored fathers experience during this time, and dads repeatedly recognise, first of all, that the mum is the most important person, as the birthing parent and the main caregiver, says McGilloway. Yet many fathers report feeling fear, isolation, confusion, and helplessness, as well as difficulties bonding with their child and worry about their partner and how best to support her. And many of the dads feel shame and guilt around what theyre experiencing: A lot will say, Its not about me, is it? says McGilloway. Approximately 10-12% of dads experience depression during the year after the birth of their child, though McGilloway says some estimates put it at 25% suffering some form of mild depression/depressive symptoms during the postnatal period and especially in the first three to six months after the birth. Dr Brendan Kelly, professor of psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, says mens risk of depression during the postpartum period can increase to 25% when the mother is also experiencing postnatal depression (PND). Other factors make men susceptible: Sleep deprivation, new challenges to work-life balance, and challenges with the transition to parenthood. Dr Brendan Kelly, professor of psychiatry at TCD, These can cause a great deal of stress and uncertainty, especially if the father feels unprepared, says Kelly, adding that these feelings often come to men like a bolt from the blue. Given the magnitude of what happens to women who are navigating profound biological and hormonal changes, different to what men are navigating men tend to sideline their own feelings, because of the clearly greater stresses the woman is feeling. Kelly says men can also struggle with the reconfiguration of the relationship with their partner after a baby is born. If its a first baby, a relationship suddenly becomes a family. This is a very big emotional reconfiguration that takes many men by surprise. The isolation men feel is often compounded by the fact that their source of emotional support has, up to now, been their partner. And, now, their partner is very busy with new tasks and responsibilities theyre quite rightly devoted to their baby so theres not much in the way of support for men, says Kelly, adding that men arent as practised as women at giving each other emotional support in this postpartum period. Men offer support differently to women. Theyll joke, say, Your life will never be the same, which is true, but its often said humorously rather than in an emotionally supportive way. Escapist behaviour McGilloway points to risk factors for PND that affect men and women: A history of depression or mental ill-health, conflict or discord in the relationship, and poverty. Traumatic childbirth raises mens risk. Ninety-eight per cent of men are present at the birth now, says McGilloway, who highlights unplanned pregnancy as another PND male and female risk factor. PND symptoms in men can be similar to those in women, says Kelly, who cites irritability, fatigue, changes in sleep and appetite, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt. But men with PND have a tendency towards detachment and to outwardly-directed behaviours. They tend to externalise their feelings in to behaviours like use of alcohol, smoking, and other risky behaviours. McGilloway also says dads can experience additional symptoms to womens. For example, theyre more likely to engage in escapist behaviour. They might spend more time online, go drinking more with their pals, or engage in some new level of alcohol consumption. They can become more irritable than women or have blunted emotions, where theyre not experiencing the full range. Sinead McGilloway, professor of family and community medicine at Maynooth University When dads describe what PND feels like for them, Kelly says they talk about feeling isolated, disconnected from their baby, and overwhelmed by responsibility. They report irritability, anger, or numbness instead of sadness, coupled with guilt about not enjoying fatherhood. Many feel pressured to appear strong, hiding their struggles, which deepens loneliness and a sense of failure as a parent. Societal expectations of masculinity are often not helpful, says Kelly, especially if men feel pressure to appear emotionally strong, which may prevent them from seeking help. Some men report struggling to redefine their role in the family as they balance traditional notions of fatherhood with modern expectations to be more emotionally involved than, perhaps, their own fathers were. While male PND is not a new concept in research, McGilloway says at a societal level and especially in an Irish context it is very new. Most of us wont think that men will suffer from PND. And a significant proportion of mums new and experienced with mild to moderate mental health issues can fall through the gaps of mental health services. Its worse for dads: Theyre pretty much invisible in the system. McGilloway sees the absence of a think family approach as contributing to this invisibility of dads. Mental health is a family matter. The birth of a child is a significant life event and its not just women who are affected: Dads are, too. Yet the focus is often on the person in front of the healthcare worker. McGilloway believes the term maternity services is gendered. It could be helpfully replaced with something like pregnancy family services to reflect better a more appropriate focus on the entire family, including partners and other children in the family. Societal awareness Kelly says fathers with PND can help themselves by opening up to their partner, friends, or family. Prioritising self-care adequate sleep, exercise, and relaxation also helps. Sharing parenting duties can build connection with the baby and reduce stress. Patience is vital: Practical parenting is a learned skill, he says, adding that healthcare professionals and society must recognise that postnatal depression affects fathers as well as mothers, often presenting as anger, withdrawal, or risk-taking rather than sadness. McGilloway makes a similar point. There needs to be greater societal awareness and recognition within primary care, hospitals, and workplaces that men also can suffer depression after having a baby and that many are suffering in silence. The first step is to open up discourse and to normalise it. At Maynooth University, Mary Maguire, a PhD student of McGilloway and a John Hume scholar, is investigating perinatal mental health in Ireland. She is planning to interview, separately, mums with perinatal mental-health difficulties, and their partners, to explore their respective experiences. Mary Maguire, a PhD student of McGilloway and a John Hume Scholar. Unfortunately, screening for mental health in fathers is absent in Ireland, so theyre not being picked up by health and social care professionals unless they proactively seek out help themselves, says Maguire. Research has shown that peer support groups for fathers are very impactful in accessing support and destigmatising the situation. Fathers have expressed in some research that they prefer group support activities that are designed to be specific to the needs of dads, and often the addition of a fitness/exercise/group-activity type of component is beneficial, says Maguire. McGilloway finds the very term postnatal depression problematic when used in relation to men. In my view, it only serves to reinforce the stigma and shame felt by many men. There may be merit in considering the use of an alternative, less-stigmatising term for men, such as excessive male partner distress, while, at the same time, increasing awareness among healthcare professionals to be alert to mental health issues in both mum and dad. Visit www2.hse.ie/babies-children/parenting-advice/health-mental-wellbeing/ and fromladstodads.ie, a community-based support group for young fathers - If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services. Repair crews from across Europe are assisting with efforts to restore power across Ireland, as 100,000 people face another week before they are reconnected. Support crews from Britain have been deployed to the worst impacted areas in Ireland, with further teams set to arrive from Austria, Finland, the Netherlands, and France. Although Britain faced its own clean-up following Storm Eowyn, teams arrived in Ireland on Saturday to help the restoration efforts here. It is expected the Austrian and Finnish crews will arrive on Tuesday followed by the French on Wednesday. The cavalry comes as more than 200,000 people remained without power last night, 84,000 without water, and nearly 1m people were unable to use their mobile phone. Following a meeting on Monday, the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) said it will take until at least this coming Friday for the vast majority of those impacted to have their power restored. However, they said it will take until the end of next week for power to be returned progressively to a cohort of around 100,000 people in remote rural areas supplied by the networks. Tina Daniels, at her home in Loughrea beside a battery operated latern, was told they won't have power restored till Wednesday of next week. Picture: Ray Ryan Tina Daniels, who lives with her family in Loughrea in Galway, is yet to have their power restored. The mother of two says it could be more than a week before they have electricity again. My daughter is deaf so she wears a cochlear implant," Tina said. "She needs to charge the batteries every night but thats not possible at the moment, she told the Irish Examiner. She ended up having to take it to work with her because that was her only option. Her employers have been very good to her. They normally dont open the office there on a Saturday but it was opened up especially so she could charge the batteries. The situation has been a huge source of worry for Saoirse. Saoirse was very stressed at the thought of not being able to charge them "Of course, we can sit in the local hotel but it takes eight hours to charge. This is specialised equipment," Tina added. "Its a 24- to 48-hour battery and she has one of them. The other two are 10 hour batteries but she prefers the 24 hour one to be on the safe side. The chair of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group, Keith Leonard, said every resource that could be brought to bear in the State has been brought in to support the ESB including Coillte, the civil defence, the air corp, and the Defence Forces. Emergency response hubs have been established in counties across the country, including Kerry, Galway, Cavan, Laois and Westmeath, with more promised, to provide people with water, hot food, phone charging, broadband access, and shower facilities. ESB Networks crew work to restore power in Avoca Avenue in Blackrock, Dublin, after Storm Eowyn left more than 1m people without power last Saturday. Picture: PA The group said its number one priority is creating these hubs, and people can rest assured that they will remain open and available for as long as they are required. Taoiseach Micheal Martin praised the work of State agencies and emergency services, as well as the resilience shown by local communities, in the face of unprecedented storm damage. "Government will provide all the necessary supports to the households and businesses who have been impacted by this storm," said Mr Martin, confirming that Cabinet will meet on Wednesday to decide measures to further support people. Means testing for emergency payments have been eliminated in order to prevent delays in people accessing support due to red tape. The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is available to those whose properties have been directly impacted by Storm Eowyn. Enterprise Minister Peter Burke said his department is working to ensure businesses get what they need in order to get up and running again. The Irish Farmers' Association has called on the Government to provide support for horticulture producers who are facing "significant financial losses". "The storm came at a vulnerable time for growers, as tunnels and glasses have been planted with young plants for the upcoming season," said the Irish Farmers' Association fruit and vegetable chair, Niall McCormack. A pensioner whose body was found near the bottom of Ireland's tallest cliffs suffered two depressed fractures to the back of the head that were not in keeping with the pattern of injuries from the fall into the sea, a pathologist has said. State pathologist Dr Margot Bolster also found bruises to the dead man's hands that, she said, were in keeping with offensive or defensive injuries. The Central Criminal Court trial heard further evidence on Monday from a garda who pepper-sprayed the accused man, 39-year-old Alan Vial, later on the day of the alleged murder, when Mr Vial became verbally aggressive and confronted a garda at the scene of a car crash. Nikita Burns, aged 23, of Carrick, Co Donegal, and Mr Vial, of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, Co Donegal, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Robert 'Robin' Wilkin, 66, on June 25, 2023, in Donegal. Mr Wilkin's body was found eight days after it is alleged Mr Vial and Ms Burns put it over the Sliabh Liag cliffs. Dr Bolster told Emmet Nolan, prosecuting, that Mr Wilkin was identified using DNA. 'Most difficult case to interpret' It was, she said, a "most difficult case to interpret" due to the level of decomposition and predator damage after eight days in the water. Virtually all the organs had been lost, making it impossible for the pathologist to determine the cause of death. The fall from a cliff of at least 200m meant there was a potential for many of the injuries she observed to have been caused after death. Multiple fractures to all the bones of the face did not have associated bruising, which is in keeping with injuries inflicted after death, she said. However, two depressed fractures to the back right side of the skull were not in keeping with the pattern of injuries caused by the fall. They were, she said, "more likely to be inflicted with a blunt weapon". One of the depressed fractures was associated with an area of bruising of soft tissue. The bruising, Dr Bolster said, shows that the injury was inflicted before death while blood was still flowing in the body. A rock found near where Mr Wilkin is said to have been thrown over the cliff was "entirely consistent" with having caused the depressed fractures to the skull. Dr Bolster said she was unable to say how severe the brain damage would have been from those injuries, but they would have caused "at least concussion if not coma". Cause of injuries Under cross-examination, Dr Bolster agreed with Shane Costelloe, defending Mr Vial, that a bruise on the deceased's foot could have been caused by him kicking violently. The bruising to the deceased's hands could also have resulted from him striking something with his hand. If the rock was used to inflict the injuries to the back of the skull, Dr Bolster agreed that moderate force would have been required. She further agreed that it would have been possible for a healthy female in her 20s to wield the rock and cause those injuries. The prosecution alleges that Mr Wilkin was inside a Volkswagen Passat for at least part of the assault on him. Alan Vial was 'very adamant' that he wanted to get the car back on the road so he could leave 'as soon as possible', the court heard. File Picture: NW Newspix It is also the State's case that, after throwing the body off the cliffs in the early hours of the morning, Ms Burns and Mr Vial drove to various locations before Mr Vial crashed the vehicle that evening. Gda Aaron Meenaghan told Bernard Condon, prosecuting, that he arrived at the scene of the crash in an area known as Meenmore, near Fintown, at about 7.50pm. The Passat was in a ditch and Ms Burns was vomiting by the side of the road. Both she and Mr Vial appeared to be intoxicated, he said. Ms Burns had a can of cider and ignored the garda's requests that she stop drinking. She said she was not injured, but the garda became concerned when she said she was three months pregnant so he called an ambulance. 'Verbally aggressive' Mr Vial was "very adamant" that he wanted to get the car back on the road so he could leave "as soon as possible". The garda said Mr Vial was annoyed when he heard that an ambulance had been called and became "verbally aggressive" towards the garda. Gda Meenaghan said Mr Vial was unpredictable, seemed enraged at times, and appeared to be "trying to bait me into an argument". When backup arrived, Gda Meenaghan arrested Mr Vial for driving while drunk and placed him in the back of a garda car. However, Mr Vial managed to get out of the car and confronted another garda at the scene. Gda Meenaghan said that, as a consequence of Mr Vial's behaviour, it became necessary to use pepper spray to subdue him and affect the arrest. Paramedic Christopher McFadden told Mr Condon that when Ms Burns discovered that she would not be going to hospital with Mr Vial, she became agitated, refused treatment, and walked out of the ambulance. He said it took 20 to 30 minutes to get her to calm down, at which point she was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital. Shane McCrudden, a volunteer with the Irish Coast Guard, said he took part in the search along the coast after it was reported that a man had gone over Sliabh Liag. He said a body was spotted in the water in the early hours of July 2. However, due to heavy seas, it was some time before they could recover it. The Irish Coast Guard from Killybegs recovered the body during a "weather window" and took it to Teelin Pier, where a doctor formally pronounced death. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of five men and seven women. A postmistress who sued An Post after she was the victim of a tiger kidnapping, in which she was tied up and told she would be shot, has settled her High Court action. Susan Lawlor from Malahide who was the postmistress at Bayside Post Office, Dublin, was along with her daughter and an Italian student abducted from her home at gunpoint and driven around by her captors until the 80,000 contents of the post office safe were stolen in September 2014. Ms Lawlors counsel Richard Kean SC, instructed by solicitor Daniel OConnell, told the court on Tuesday that in all there were four sets of civil proceedings as a result of the events. Ms Lawlors two daughters and the Italian exchange student in the house at the time had also sued. Counsel for An Post, Elaine Morgan SC, told the court the four actions against An Post had been settled and could be struck out. The settlements came after mediation talks spanning a number of days. The terms of the settlements are confidential. Ms Justice Reynolds congratulated the parties on achieving a resolution. Ms Lawlor, aged 58, in her proceedings against An Post claimed there was an alleged failure to have regard to previous incidences of tiger kidnapping and an alleged failure to follow the appropriate An Post protocols. It was further claimed there was an alleged failure to take any or any adequate precautions for the safety of Ms Lawlor and she had allegedly been phoned on her mobile in order to ascertain whether the alarm that she had called in was valid. All of the claims were denied and An Post contended that the postmistress was not an employee but an independent contractor. Tiger kidnapping At the opening of Ms Lawlors action before the High Court last year, Mr Kean SC said it was a truly extraordinary case where Ms Lawlor, when she heard armed robbers in her home, followed An Post protocol by phoning a Hostage Helpline which was meant to activate a covert response. However, counsel said as Ms Lawlor and the other two women were being driven around north Co Dublin in a car by the robbers, an An Post security officer rang her back and the robbers went utterly ballistic. Counsel said there was a massive escalation in violence and Ms Lawlor was told by one robber I am going to shoot you in the f----- head. She later thought they may be burned alive in the car as an accelerant was poured over it, and counsel said she pulled out some of her hair and spit on the car floor so she would leave her DNA sample. Counsel told the court that tiger kidnappings were rampant in the country at the time and Ms Lawlor, when she heard the gang in her home, rang the hostage hotline. He said she was loyally following protocol but he said her alleged negligent treatment by An Post has caused her life-long stress and anxiety. Counsel said an expert on their side would say that Ms Lawlors condition was attributable to the tiger kidnapping and the phone call from the An Post worker which escalated aggression from the robbers. An Post denied all the claims. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has begun issuing letters to hundreds of property owners across Cork City to identify those who may be impacted by one of the 11 super bus lanes in its multi-million BusConnects scheme. The letters say the authority intends to seek planning later this year to change the road layout close to their property as part of a project designed to transform Corks bus system to make journeys by bus fast, reliable, and punctual. It says these works, if approved by An Bord Pleanala, are likely to impact on the property highlighted in the letter, requiring the compulsory acquisition of a portion of the property. However, the authority has stressed that these "property referencing letters" and an accompanying questionnaire are not part of any formal compulsory purchase order (CPO) process. That can only begin after an order has been prepared and an application for planning has been submitted to An Bord Pleanala that stage is several months away. Public feedback The issuing of these letters is an important step in the delivery of the complex BusConnects scheme, and will help the authority identify the property owners it will need to deal with as the project advances. The authority has spent almost two years in non-statutory public consultation on its plans for 11 sustainable transport corridors (STC) running from the suburbs to the city. It has amended the designs in several areas as a result of public feedback. However, compulsory purchase orders will be required in several places along all of the routes impacting hundreds of property owners, some of whom could lose portions of their gardens. The first letters were issued on Monday to potentially impacted property owners along four strategic transport corridor routes Dunkettle to the city, Mayfield to the city, Blackpool to the city, and Hollyhill to the city. Letters to property owners along Airport Rd to the city, Maryborough Hill to the city, Mahon to the city, and Kinsale Rd to Douglas will be sent out later in the week. Letters to relevant property owners along the Ballincollig to the city route, Bishopstown to the city, and Togher to city will issue towards the end of this week. Strategic transport corridors The National Transport Authority has also announced that the 11 strategic transport corridors (STCs) have been combined into three standalone schemes that are likely to be advanced to planning in these bundles. The Cork City North corridor scheme bundles several key northside city routes; the South West scheme bundles the Ballincollig, Bishopstown and Togher; while the South East scheme bundles the Airport Rd, Maryborough Hill and Mahon to city routes along with the Kinsale Rd to Douglas route. The authority said it expects that planning applications for the three standalone schemes to be submitted to An Bord Pleanala on a phased basis from the middle of the year. If approved, the acquisition of the portions of properties included in the approved CPO would involve the payment of appropriate compensation in respect of the relevant properties, the authority says. The Land Development Agency (LDA) is to ramp up its housing delivery in Cork city with plans to build 140 affordable homes on a site currently used as a car park by Cork City Council workers. Earmarked for Anglesea Terrace, at the junction of Old Station Road and South Link Road, close to the Elysian, the majority of homes will be cost-rental apartments, with a percentage going to the Council for social housing. The LDA intends to lodge a planning application later this year with the hope of beginning construction by 2027 and delivering the first homes by 2030. Cork City Council expects to publish the design for the project shortly. The exact number of homes has not yet been finalised but is likely to be just over 140. The site is within short walking distance of the city centre, Kent train station and the main bus terminus at Parnell Place. The Anglesea Terrace project will revitalise an under-utilised brownfield site in the centre of Cork at a time of pressing housing need. LDA boss John Coleman said it is delighted to be partnering with Cork City Council to deliver much-needed affordable homes in the heart of Cork city at a time of pressing housing need. He thanked the council for making the land available to them. This project will revitalise an under-utilised brownfield site in the centre of Cork, transforming it into a high quality, affordable and desirable residential development, Mr Coleman said. The agency hopes to begin marketing the homes at the former St Kevin's Hospital site in Shanakiel after Easter. Picture: MMD Construction Valerie OSullivan, the councils chief executive, said it would create a new, sustainable and well-connected neighbourhood in the Anglesea Terrace area. We look forward to publishing the design for the project shortly and I would encourage people to engage with the process so that we can deliver a development and community that works for everyone in the city, Ms OSullivan said. The project will build on the LDAs ongoing activity in Cork which includes a 267-home scheme at the former St Kevins hospital site in Shanakiel; 302 apartments at Horgans Quay in partnership with developers BAM/Clarendon; 350 affordable homes in Wilton, with the first units expected late in 2028; talks with Glenveagh Properties about partnering on a 1,000 apartment scheme at the former Live at the Marquee Marina site, and ongoing talks with the ESB and Bord na Mona about acquiring two further docklands sites on which to deliver 900 homes in the long term. Planning permission was granted for construction of apartment blocks at the former Ford Distribution site, which was home to Live at the Marquee concert series for many years. File Picture: Larry Cummins The project is positive news at a time when figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show a 6.7% decrease in house building nationally between 2023 and 2024, while homelessness figures continue to rise. The Anglesea Terrace project, to the rear of the iconic redbrick former St Joachim and St Annes Asylum building, is earmarked for land owned by Cork City Council and made available by it to the LDA. The 0.6-acre site currently houses a collection of buildings, variously used in the past as a water depot, drainage depot and works department. The history of the neighbourhood is interesting. A site to the north of Anglesea Terrace was once Corks Corn Market and is now the site of City Hall. The Corn Market, built between 1827 and 1833, was expanded in 1843 and a Hay Market was added to the south. East of the site, the Cork, Bandon and South Coast railway began operations in 1851 and lasted more than a century, until 1961. The LDAs Anglesea Terrace project will build on its ongoing activity in Cork, where the first homes are just being completed in its 267-unit scheme at the former St Kevins hospital site in Shanakiel. The LDA hopes to begin marketing the homes after Easter. On Horgans Quay, its in the process of delivering 302 apartments (currently two storeys above ground and rising) in partnership with developers BAM/Clarendon. About two-thirds will be cost rental at least 25% before local market value - with the rest going to owner-occupiers under the Croi Conaithe (Cities) scheme, where the government subsidizes the cost of the apartments. More recently, the agency published draft plans for the development of 350 affordable homes in Wilton, on a 6.7 acre site which it bought from the ESB. The first units are expected late in 2028. Separately, the agency is in talks with Glenveagh Properties about partnering on a 1,000-apartment scheme at the former Live at the Marquee site in the Marina, while talks are ongoing also with the ESB and Bord na Mona about acquiring two further docklands sites on Centre Park Road and Monahan Road, with the capacity to deliver 900 homes in the longterm Rome prosecutors have opened an investigation against Premier Giorgia Meloni and two government ministers for repatriating a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court in the Hague, the premier announced on Tuesday. Ms Meloni revealed the investigation, which claims she allegedly aided and abetted Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, in a video posted on social media. She said her justice and interior ministers and an under-secretary are also targeted in the investigation. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis government has been under fire from the opposition (Christopher Furlong/PA) Ms Melonis government has been under fire from the opposition, human rights groups and the ICC itself for releasing al-Masri on a technicality after he was arrested in the northern city of Turin on a warrant from the international court. Ms Meloni said she presumes that the investigation was prompted by a complaint from an opposition politician. In Italy, prosecutors must launch investigations based on complaints, and it is up to a preliminary hearing judge to decide whether charges are filed or not. The process can take months, if not longer. Italian police arrested al-Masri in Turin, where he had attended a football match, on January 19, the day after the ICCs arrest warrant was issued. He was expelled on a government plane on January 21, after a court failed to confirm his arrest. Ms Meloni complained in the social media post that the warrant was issued upon his arrival in Italy after having stayed for around 12 days in three other European countries. At this point, this subject was free in Italian territory, and rather than letting him free, we decided to expel and repatriate him immediately for security reasons with a flight, as happens in other similar cases She said the international arrest warrant had not been transmitted to the Justice Ministry as required by law and for this reason, the Appeals Court in Rome decided not to confirm the arrest. At this point, this subject was free in Italian territory, and rather than letting him free, we decided to expel and repatriate him immediately for security reasons with a flight, as happens in other similar cases, Ms Meloni said. Ms Meloni expressed indignation at the investigation, adding: I cannot be blackmailed. I will not be intimidated. Also under investigation are Justice Minister Carlo Nordio and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, as well as undersecretary Alfredo Mantovani. Mr Piantedosi is scheduled to respond to politicians questions about the case on Wednesday. He told the Senate last week that he expelled al-Masri for urgent security reasons, with my expulsion order, in view of the danger posed by the subject. The ICC warrant accused al-Masri of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Mitiga prison in Libya starting in 2015 that are punishable by life in prison. The premier faces the allegations alongside her interior minister and justice minister (Kevin Lamarque/AP) The ICC said he was accused of murder, torture, rape and sexual violence. It said the warrant was transmitted to member states, including Italy, on January 18, and that the court had also provided real-time information that he had entered Europe. The court said it had reminded Italy at the time to contact it without delay if it ran into any problems co-operating with the warrant. Al-Masri leads the Tripoli branch of the Reform and Rehabilitation Institution, a notorious network of detention centres run by the government-backed Special Deterrence Forces (SDF). Like many other militias in western Libya, the SDF has been implicated in atrocities in the civil war that followed the overthrow and killing of long-time Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. Recently, the International Criminal Courts chief prosecutor issued arrest warrants over alleged crimes in Libya beyond the civil war, including in detention facilities where human rights groups have documented abuses. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says President Donald Trump has invited him to visit the White House on February 4, which would make him the first foreign leader to visit Washington in Trumps second term. The visit comes as the United States pressures Israel and Hamas to continue a ceasefire that has paused a devastating 15-month war in Gaza. Talks about the ceasefires second phase are set to begin on February 3. A letter shared by Mr Netanyahus office, dated Tuesday, invited the prime minister to visit next week: I look forward to discussing how we can bring peace to Israel and its neighbours, and efforts to counter our shared adversaries. The letter did not specify a date, and it was not clear how Mr Netanyahus office came up with February 4 There was no immediate comment from the White House. Mr Trump teased the upcoming visit in a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday but did not provide details. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to visit the White House (Abir Sultan/AP) Im going to be speaking with Bibi Netanyahu in the not-too-distant future, he said. The meeting would be a chance for Mr Netanyahu, under pressure at home, to remind the world of the support he has received from Mr Trump over the years. Mr Netanyahu is likely to encourage Mr Trump not to hold up some weapons deliveries the way the Biden administration did. The administration continued other deliveries and overall military support to Israel, which is the largest recipient of US military aid. Mr Netanyahu is also relying on Mr Trump to put more pressure on Iran and renew efforts to deliver a historic normalisation agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a rival of Iran and the Arab worlds richest and most powerful country. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have begun to return to their homes in Gaza as the ceasefire stretches into a second week (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Even before taking office this month, Mr Trump was sending his special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to the region to apply pressure, along with the Biden administration, to get the current ceasefire achieved. But Mr Netanyahu has vowed to renew the war if Hamas doesnt meet his demands in negotiations over the ceasefires second phase, which aims to end the war. Under the ceasefire deal, more than 375,000 Palestinians have crossed into northern Gaza since Israel allowed their return, the United Nations said Tuesday. That represents more than a third of the million people who fled in the wars opening days. Many of the Palestinians trudging along a seaside road or crossing in vehicles after security inspections were getting the first view of shattered northern Gaza under the fragile ceasefire, now in its second week. A Palestinian woman hangs the laundry inside her home, which was destroyed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) They were determined, if their homes were damaged or destroyed, to pitch makeshift shelters or sleep outdoors amid the vast piles of broken concrete or perilously leaning buildings. After months of crowding in squalid tent camps or former schools in Gazas south, they would finally be home. Its still better for us to be on our land than to live on a land thats not yours, said Fayza al-Nahal as she prepared to leave the southern city of Khan Younis for the north. Hani Al-Shanti, displaced from Gaza City, looked forward to feeling at peace in whatever he found, even if it is a roof and walls without furniture, even if it is without a roof. Under the ceasefire, the next release of hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody is set to occur on Thursday, followed by another exchange on Saturday. In the ceasefires six-week first phase, a total of 33 hostages taken in the Hamas-led attack on October 7 2023, that ignited the war should be released, along with more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli soldier Naama Levy, who was kidnapped by Hamas, gets on a bus after she and three other Israeli female soldiers were released by Hamas (Leo Correa/AP) Israel said a list provided by Hamas confirmed the fears that eight of the 33 hostages to be freed are dead, bringing fresh grief to Israeli families who have long pressed the government to reach a deal to bring everyone home before time runs out. On Tuesday, one of the first hostages to be released under the current ceasefire just the second in the war shared a glimpse of life in captivity. Naama Levy, 20, wrote on social media that she spent most of the first 50 days alone before being reunited with other soldiers kidnapped from her military base on October 7, as well as other civilian captives. They gave me strength and hope, she wrote. We strengthened each other until the day of our release, and also afterwards. A surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza continued under the ceasefire as thousands return to the region (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) A surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza continued under the ceasefire. In this past week alone, approximately 4,200 trucks carrying aid have entered the Gaza Strip following inspections, Israels deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel said. Under the deal, 600 trucks of aid are meant to enter per day. Today Rain showers in the morning, then partly cloudy and windy in the afternoon. High 64F. Winds WSW at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Tonight A few clouds from time to time. Windy early. Low near 50F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Tomorrow Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High near 65F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Today A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 77F. Winds light and variable. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low around 45F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 73F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Denmark has declared its intention to invest 14.6 billion Danish Kroner (1.9 billion) to enhance its military presence in the Arctic, in light of renewed interest from US President Donald Trump in exercising control over Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. This announcement followed Mr. Trumps statement about his desire to acquire Greenland, emphasizing that the autonomous territory is vital for his nations international security. After more than a decade marked by significant reductions in defense spending, Denmark allocated 190 billion Danish crowns (24.7 billion) for its military over a decade, with a portion of those funds now designated for Arctic initiatives. Although Denmark holds responsibility for the security and defense of Greenland, its military capabilities on the island are limited, with the region often considered a security blind spot. The plan includes financing for three new Arctic naval vessels and increasing the number of planned long-range surveillance drones from two to four, alongside investments in satellite surveillance, as stated by Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen during a press conference. He remarked: We must acknowledge that there are significant challenges regarding security and defense in the Arctic and North Atlantic. This announcement came just before Prime Minister Mette Frederiksens upcoming trip to Berlin, Paris, and Brussels this week, aimed at strengthening European unity regarding Greenland. Europe is encountering a serious situation, with conflict on the continent and shifts in geopolitical realities. During such times, unity is essential, Ms. Frederiksen stated. She mentioned her plans to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, as well as Mark Rutte, NATOs Secretary General. Ms. Frederiksen emphasized: Denmark is a small nation with powerful allies, part of a robust European community that can collectively tackle the challenges we face. The political parties have agreed to allocate additional funds for the Arctic in a deal expected to be presented in the first half of the year. The US military maintains a permanent presence at the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, a strategically important site for its ballistic missile early-warning system, given that the shortest route from Europe to North America passes through the island. Read more: Danish MEP curses at Trump, claims Greenland is not for sale; Denmark, US, and Greenland to discuss Arctic security The Hamas government in Gaza reported that more than 300,000 displaced Palestinians have returned to the northern part of the territory after Israels military permitted the returns starting this morning. According to a brief statement from the press office of the Hamas government, the crowds returned today to the governorates of the north in Gaza. This return, which was postponed over the weekend, proceeded after Hamas agreed to release three Israeli hostages later this week, and Israeli forces began to pull back from a major corridor across the enclave in accordance with a ceasefire agreement amidst the ongoing 15-month conflict. In Israel, families of the hostages anxiously awaited updates on their loved ones conditions. Tens of thousands of Palestinians made their way back to their homes in northern Gaza via Al-Rashid Street along the coastal strip. Its as if I have been reborn and we have triumphed again, stated a Palestinian mother, Umm Mohammed Ali, part of the lengthy crowd slowly traversing the coastal route. Eyewitnesses reported that the first residents reached Gaza City early in the morning after the foremost crossing point in central Gaza opened at 5 am Irish time. Another crossing was made available roughly three hours later, allowing vehicles to enter. My heart is racing; I thought Id never return, said Osama, 50, a public servant and father of five, upon his arrival in Gaza City. Regardless of whether the ceasefire holds or fails, we will never leave Gaza City and the north again. Even if Israel sent a tank for each of us, there will be no more displacement. We need your consent to load this comcast-player content. We use comcast-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preferences Having faced repeated displacements throughout the 15 months of conflict, there were jubilant cheers at shelters and tent camps when families learned that the crossings would open. I havent slept; I have everything packed and ready to go at the first light, said Ghada, a mother of five. She added, At least we are going back home. Now I can say that the war is over, and I hope it remains calm. Children, dressed in warm jackets and carrying backpacks, walked hand in hand while men assisted the elderly in wheelchairs. Families stopped to take photos as Hamas-hired officials in red vests directed them along the route. Displaced Gazans cross the Netzarim corridor from the south today. Two armed members of the Al-Qassam Brigades oversaw the movement of returning Palestinians. Gaza lies in ruins, facing significant destruction. Approximately 650,000 Palestinians were displaced from northern Gaza during the conflict, which began following Hamas assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages taken, according to Israeli reports. Since then, more than 47,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the Israeli offensive on Gaza, as reported by the Gaza health ministry. Many of those displaced have undergone several relocations as Israel identified portions of Gaza as humanitarian zones, only to later evacuate them before subsequent bombing campaigns and ground operations. Much of Gaza now lies devastated. The media office of the Hamas-run Gaza government stated that returnees to the north require at least 135,000 tents and shelters as they attempt to rebuild their lives amid the debris of their former homes. Palestinians are being allowed to return home in the north following a new agreement. A renewed sense of optimism As per the terms of the ceasefire agreement, residents of northern Gaza were set to return over the weekend. However, Israel claimed that Hamas had violated the agreement by not releasing civilian female hostage Arbel Yehud and maintaining their forces in the Netzarim corridor that traverses the territory south of Gaza City. Last night, mediators from Qatar resolved the disagreement after Hamas consented to release Ms. Yehud, along with female soldier Agam Berger and another hostage on Thursdaytwo days before the scheduled release of three additional hostages on Saturday. Following this, Israel authorized the return to northern Gaza from this morning. Hamas has also provided a list detailing all hostages to be released during the first six-week phase of the ceasefire agreement, along with their conditions. A Hamas official announced that the group submitted to mediators a list indicating that 25 of the 33 hostages scheduled for release in the initial phase are alive. This figure includes the seven hostages released since the truce began on January 19. Israel has verified this number, confirming that 25 are alive, but eight have been killed by Hamas, according to an Israeli government spokesperson. The identities of those who are deceased and those who are alive remain unverified, leaving families in a fluctuating state of hope and anxiety. Israeli authorities have previously expressed serious concerns over the welfare of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, aged four years and ten months, who were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her sister-in-law, Ofri Bibas, stated that the last few weeks have been torturous for the family, noting that Shiris husband, Yarden Bibas, is also a hostage in Gaza but was taken separately. People gather by a welcoming banner near the remains of a collapsed building along Gazas coastal Al-Rashid Street. We are awaiting news amid a sea of rumors, Ofri Bibas relayed to Israels Public Broadcaster Kan. We have no certainty and continue to hold onto hope, hoping to see them together with Yarden. Hamas officials and ordinary Gazans have dismissed a suggestion from US President Donald Trump that Jordan and Egypt should take in Palestinians from the war-torn enclave, reviving long-standing Palestinian fears about permanent displacement. Critics of Mr. Trumps remarks have characterized this as ethnic cleansing. According to the ceasefire agreement, only unarmed individuals will be permitted to return north. Israels military has cautioned Gazans against bringing weapons with them or approaching Israeli troops under any circumstances. Returning residents indicated that Egyptian security personnel oversaw the return of Palestinians in vehicles along Salahuddin Road, the primary route running north to south, with Hamas police officers stationed nearby. At the Netzarim junction, young Egyptian troops are managing the car X-ray machines and interacting with returnees warmly the entire process took just a few minutes, remarked Mustafa Ibrahim. A private US security firm will also be involved in the screening process, as stated by an Israeli government spokesperson. Read more: Palestinians criticize Trump plan to clean out Gaza. Tearful reunions as Hamas and Israel complete the second exchange. We need your consent to load this rte-player content. We use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preferences Hungary has withdrawn its threat to obstruct the continuation of EU sanctions against Russia for an additional six months. This development has led EU foreign ministers to reach a unanimous decision to preserve financial pressure on Russia in light of its invasion of Ukraine. The breakthrough came after the European Commission agreed to include Hungary and Slovakia in discussions aimed at restoring gas supplies, following Ukraines announcement to halt the transit of Russian gas through its territory. Hungary expressed concerns that Ukraines actiondeemed vital by Kyiv for cutting off revenue to Russiawas negatively impacting the Hungarian economy. Prime Minister Viktor Orban attempted to leverage his threat to block sanctions in order to reinstate the transit of Russian gas to Hungary. In this context, the Commission is prepared to include Hungary in the discussions (alongside Slovakia). The statement further noted: The integrity of the energy infrastructure supplying EU Member States is a matter of EU security. The Commission anticipates that all third countries will adhere to this principle and stands ready to take measures to safeguard critical energy infrastructure, including electricity cables and oil and gas pipelines or facilities. Prime Minister Orban, who has consistently delayed EU financial and military support for Ukraine and is viewed as having a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, had previously threatened to veto the sanctions extension. To extend sanctions against Russia, a unanimous agreement from all 27 member states is required every six months, with a deadline of January 31 approaching. As of Friday, Hungary had yet to make a decision regarding its support for the extension. Upon his arrival at the meeting this morning, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris stated: It is essential that we maintain European solidarity. We must ensure the rollover of sanctions concerning Russia. Thats absolutely critical. US President Donald Trump has expressed that the technology developed by Chinese startup DeepSeek should serve as a motivation for American companies, noting that its positive to see Chinese firms developing a more affordable and faster approach to artificial intelligence. The launch of DeepSeeks AI from a Chinese enterprise should act as a wake-up call for our industries, emphasizing the need to be laser-focused on competing to succeed, Mr. Trump remarked in Florida. Globally, investors sold off technology stocks yesterday amid fears that the introduction of an economical Chinese AI model could jeopardize the supremacy of existing US-based AI leaders. Ive been following developments in China, particularly with one company that has created a quicker and significantly cheaper AI method, which is beneficial as it cuts down on expenses. I consider this a positive development, an asset, Mr. Trump stated. Its a positive realization because you, too, will have the opportunity to save costs while hopefully achieving the same results, he added. According to Mr. Trump, Chinese leaders remarked that the United States possesses the most brilliant scientists globally, suggesting that if Chinese industries can produce affordable AI technology, American companies will eventually adapt. Were always the innovators. Were consistently first. So, I would interpret this as a potentially very positive evolution. Instead of spending billions and billions, you can spend less and still arrive at a similar solution, Mr. Trump commented. What is DeepSeek and why is it shaking up the AI industry? The recent launch of the latest DeepSeek model initially went unnoticed, overshadowed by Mr. Trumps inauguration on the same day. However, over the weekend, the chatbot from this Chinese AI startup skyrocketed to become the most downloaded free app on Apples US App Store, overtaking OpenAIs ChatGPT. DeepSeek claims it has developed its newest model, the R1, at a fraction of the cost major firms typically allocate for AI development, particularly for expensive Nvidia chips and software. This development is particularly noteworthy given the AI surge sparked by ChatGPTs introduction in late 2022, which has propelled Nvidia into becoming one of the worlds most valuable companies. Additionally, this development arises amid a backdrop of the US governments efforts to ban Chinese-owned TikTok in the country or compel its sale. DeepSeek became the most downloaded free app on Apples US App Store David Sacks, Mr. Trumps AI advisor and notable tech investor, asserted that DeepSeeks achievements validate the White Houses decision to overturn executive orders enacted during Joe Bidens presidency that set safety standards for AI development. The regulations would have restricted American AI companies without any assurance that China would adhere to similar standards, Mr. Sacks stated on X. Microsofts CEO Satya Nadella mentioned that more affordable AI is beneficial for everyone. Nevertheless, at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, Ms. Nadella cautioned: We must take developments from China very, very seriously. Microsoft is planning to invest $80 billion in AI this year, while Meta announced a minimum of $60 billion in investments on Friday. A significant portion of this funding is directed towards Nvidia, whose shares experienced a staggering 17% decline. This situation is particularly striking, as DeepSeek, being a Chinese firm, has limited access to Nvidias cutting-edge chips due to export restrictions imposed by the US government. Elon Musk, who has heavily invested in Nvidia chips for his venture xAI, suspects DeepSeek of clandestinely obtaining banned H100 chipsa claim echoed by the CEO of ScaleAI, a notable Silicon Valley startup backed by Amazon and Meta. However, such allegations resemble a scenario where a wealthy team gets outperformed by a less affluent team, remarked Hong Kong-based investor Jen Zhu Scott on X. In response, Nvidia stated that DeepSeeks technology is fully compliant with export control regulations. What is DeepSeek and How is it Transforming the AI Industry? The recent launch of DeepSeeks advanced AI models has the potential to shake up the global technology landscape, as the Chinese startup claims their performance rivals or exceeds that of leading US models while costing significantly less. DeepSeek gained traction in the international AI community after revealing in a paper last month that developing DeepSeek-V3 required under $6 million in computing resources utilizing Nvidia H800 chips. Moreover, DeepSeeks AI Assistant, which operates on the DeepSeek-V3 platform, has surpassed ChatGPT to claim the top spot among free applications on the US Apple App Store. This development has sparked questions regarding the motivations behind certain US tech firms committing billions to AI initiatives, leading to declines in the stock prices of several major tech companies, including Nvidia. Whats stirring the interest around DeepSeek? The launch of OpenAIs ChatGPT in late 2022 prompted a flurry of activity among Chinese tech companies eager to develop their own AI-driven chatbots. However, following Baidus release of the first Chinese equivalent to ChatGPT, many in China expressed disappointment over the apparent disparity in AI capabilities between US and Chinese firms. DeepSeeks cost-effective and high-quality models have completely shifted this narrative. DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1, which have received accolades from leaders in Silicon Valley and engineers at US tech firms alike, are claimed by the startup to be competitive with the most advanced models from OpenAI and Meta. Additionally, using DeepSeeks models is significantly cheaper. The recently launched DeepSeek-R1 is reported to be 20 to 50 times less expensive than OpenAIs o1 model, depending on the specific task, according to a statement on DeepSeeks official WeChat account. Nonetheless, some industry figures have voiced skepticism regarding DeepSeeks achievements. During a CNBC interview on Thursday, Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang alleged, without presenting evidence, that DeepSeek possesses 50,000 Nvidia H100 chips, which he suggested could not be divulged due to Washingtons export restrictions against selling such advanced AI chips to Chinese companies. DeepSeek did not provide a comment in response to this allegation. In a research note released yesterday, Bernstein analysts indicated that while DeepSeek claimed to have spent $5.58 million on computing power for its V3 model, the actual training costs remain uncertain but are likely much higher. The analysts also noted that training costs for the well-regarded R1 model were not disclosed. Who is behind DeepSeek? DeepSeek is a startup based in Hangzhou, with its controlling shareholder being Liang Wenfeng, co-founder of the quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer, according to Chinese corporate documents. In March 2023, Liangs fund stated on its official WeChat account that it was starting anew, shifting its focus beyond trading to establish a new and independent research group to explore the essence of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), with DeepSeek emerging later that year. OpenAI defines AGI as autonomous systems that excel beyond humans in most economically valuable tasks. The extent of High-Flyers investment in DeepSeek remains unclear. Records reveal that High-Flyer shares office space with DeepSeek and holds patents related to the chip clusters utilized for training AI models. High-Flyers AI division announced via its official WeChat account in July 2022 that it manages a cluster of 10,000 A100 chips. How does Beijing perceive DeepSeek? DeepSeeks achievements have caught the attention of top political leaders in China. On January 20, the date DeepSeek-R1 was publicly launched, Liang was present at a closed-door symposium hosted by Chinese Premier Li Qiang for business leaders and experts, as reported by state news agency Xinhua. Liangs attendance at this event could symbolize that DeepSeeks success aligns with Beijings objectives to navigate around Washingtons export restrictions and strive for self-sufficiency in critical sectors such as AI. A similar forum last year was attended by Baidus CEO, Robin Li. by Jibran Syed ( Middle East Monitor ) As Palestinians continue to make their way back to the remnants of Gaza a place that is now unrecognisable since Israel destroyed nearly 70% of all buildings in the small but densely populated area, it is deeply misleading to describe this situation as a return home. According to the UN, approximately 245,123 housing units were demolished in the region over the last 15 months, leaving over 1.8 million Palestinians in need of emergency shelter. This systematic destruction of residences, termed domicide, is a micro-reflection of the underlying policies used by modern-day authoritarian regimes and colonial powers, culminating in ethnic cleansing and geopolitical control. US President Trump recently called on Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab nations to clean out the Gaza Strip by taking in up to 1.5 million displaced Palestinians either temporarily or long term. Aside from the intentionally ambiguous timeline, he calls the area a real mess, suggesting that there are no solutions for the reconstruction of Gaza and that mass displacement is the only available option left for the Palestinians of Gaza. This seemingly casual remark is indicative of an intent to permanently alter the demographics of Gaza while absolving Israel of its responsibility as an occupying power under international law not to carry out ethnic cleansing. Furthermore, it exhibits a mindset completely uninterested in assisting with Gazas reconstruction, a process that would be costly and lengthy but certainly not impossible, evidenced by both Beiruts partial reconstruction after their civil war in 1990 and Iraqs start at rebuilding post-2003. Two major trends have emerged in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict that can be demonstrated by taking a closer look at domicide. Each is rooted in settler-colonial ideologies that use logic to dehumanise the other, prioritising economic and geopolitical interests above humanity and life itself. The first is Israels manipulation of the legal and moral frameworks of modern bureaucratic structures and policies to achieve its own goals of vilifying Palestinians. International humanitarian law states that civilian objects, including residences, are protected spaces in war, yet Israel has continuously rationalised and justified tactics such as domicide on the international stage as necessary to further its agenda in Gaza. Policies including unlawful property expropriation, land redistribution and unreasonable housing demolitions are all tools used historically by colonial powers to displace and disempower indigenous populations. Israel has utilised such policies to remove Palestinians from their homes and replace them with an ethnically homogenous Israeli society. Zoning and planning laws prevent Palestinians from building homes in East Jerusalem due to the denial of permits while Israelis can freely claim Palestinian residential properties under the Legal and Administrative Matters Law. While displacement is one policy tactic of domicide employed by Israel, residential destruction is another. Israel frequently targets residential areas under the guise of attacking Hamas infrastructure, leading to the destruction of entire civilian communities. The occupying power frequently conducts punitive housing demolitions as a form of collective punishment and deterrent for those who have been suspected of attacking Israeli occupation forces, a policy which has no proof of efficacy. Pursuing policies without evidence-based support is both ethically questionable and strategically flawed, leading to an erosion of civil liberties and principles of accountability. Perhaps the most obvious subjugation of modern bureaucratic structures is Israels denial of the International Criminal Courts (ICC) authority and jurisdiction, reaching a pivotal moment when the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israels prime minister and then-defence minister for their war crimes in Gaza. The second major trend is the rapid innovation in technology, which has shifted the nature of warfare to enable further levels of domicide. Advanced military capabilities such as precision-guided missiles, drone warfare and AI-driven targeting systems have increased the scale and efficiency of destruction in Palestine. Already, Israel has dropped over 85,000 tonnes of bombs on Gaza. The gamification of warfare through the use of remote-controlled drones to conduct air strikes on residential areas shows the extent of the dehumanisation of Palestinians as subjects that must be exterminated. Gaza Domicide, Digital, ChatGPT, 2024 Social media has also acted as a double-edged sword in the war. While it has amplified the visibility of the conflict through Palestinian content creators livestreams of on-the-ground realities, its algorithms consistently skew information by censoring and suppressing Palestinian content. As Palestinians attempt to reassert their humanity by showcasing their daily lives and moments with families inside their homes, they are simultaneously diminished and reduced to data by the very technology they are utilising to share these experiences. The observers of the streamed violence are also stripped of their moral agency, as individuals who share such content on their social media are blocked or their posts removed without their consent. More accessible forms of AI, such as ChatGPT, have also been shown to give a biased view of the events happening in Gaza, displaying how the same innovations that foster global awareness are still rooted in dominant Western colonial frameworks. While the Israel-Hamas ceasefire has allowed some Palestinians to return to Gaza, there is little that awaits them after their homes have been destroyed. Modern bureaucratic structures have failed the Palestinians in upholding the fundamental human rights of dignity and peace in their homes, while technology enables domicide to continue to be livestreamed not only in Gaza, but now in the occupied West Bank. Gaza should serve as the beacon to challenge and rethink aspects of modern governance and technology, which on the one hand have created an ethical vacuum that rationalises destructive actions, and on the other, is unable to prevent such atrocities. If Gaza is to rebuild itself, it must be given the space to conceptualise a governance structure that is uniquely suited to its context locally led, decentralised and rooted in the aspirations and morals of the Palestinians, without pressure to conform to unethical external frameworks that have failed them time and time again. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment. Jibran Syed is an independent policy researcher studying political science and the dynamics of humanitarian aid in the Middle East. Via Middle East Monitor Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) First, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet proposed ethnically cleansing Gaza of its Palestinian inhabitants in the fall of 2023, following many years of such calls from the Israeli equivalent of neo-Nazis. Then last year Joe Biden and Antony Blinken, dissatisfied with merely enabling an ongoing Israeli genocide, picked up the ethnic cleansing project from the Israeli extreme Right and ran with it, pressing it on Egypts strongman Abdelfattah al-Sisi, who firmly told them to drop dead. Then on Sunday President Trump said, Id like Egypt to take people, and Id like Jordan to take people. Youre talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing. It is literally a demolition site right now, almost everything is demolished and people are dying there. He said they could be moved temporarily or could be long term. Not that Trump or anyone else in Washington, D.C., now cares, but the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, article 49, reads: Individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory to the territory of the Occupying Power or to that of any other country, occupied or not, are prohibited, regardless of their motive. The same language was adopted into the Rome Statute that came into force in 2002 and underpins the International Criminal Court, so for Trump to follow through on his threat (thats what it was) would open him to indictment as a war criminal. Sanctioning the judges wont stop such an indictment, and indeed, would form the basis for a further grave charge against him. The thing that I have never understood is why the Israeli far right even thinks this ethnic cleansing project would be a solution to anything. Let us say that the people of Gaza were expelled to Jordan. It is a country of 11.5 million, about 7.7 million of them citizens (about 69%). The over 3 million others are Iraqi, Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian refugees without Jordanian citizenship. Jordans Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is only $53.57 billion, and its unemployment rate is 21% (Great Depression levels). Its nominal GDP per capita is a little over $4,000 a year per person, making it quite poor. It ranks 119th in the world on this measure. People in Fiji and Guatemala are richer. The political elite of Jordan are the East Bank natives, who are loyal to the Hashemite monarchy of King Abdullah II. They make up half the citizen population. The other half of citizens are Palestinian refugees driven out of Palestine by Zionist militias in 1948 or by the Israeli army in 1967. Although they were granted citizenship on the whole, not all Palestinians were. And although they are citizens they typically are very poor and have sometimes had contentious relations with the king. In 1970-71 the East Bankers and the Palestinians fought a Civil War. Jordan is a police state and so it is not easy to know what people actually think about their government, though all the indications are that they have low levels of trust in governmental institutions. Jordanians are on the whole absolutely furious about Israels genocidal war on Gaza, and last spring they surrounded the Israeli embassy. If public opinion counted for anything in the country, Amman would rescind its peace treaty with Israel and unrecognize it. Unlike Americans and Israelis, remember, Jordanians have seen the war unfold daily on their televisions and smartphones and it would have made anyone angry and upset to see the mangled bodies of 17,000 children. So if you dumped 2.2 million Palestinians from Gaza into Jordan, there would be no jobs for them. As noted above, there are no jobs and over a fifth of workers are already idled. They would be raw and angry, likely not very happy about the Jordanian army silently looking on while they were genocided. Theyd join 3.4 million Palestinian-Jordanian citizens and tens of thousands more Palestinian refugee non-citizens, who are among the poorest segments of the population. So why wouldnt there be another Black September, another Jordanian-Palestinian Civil War? And this time, who knows if the monarchy could survive? If Jordans government were overthrown by Muslim fundamentalists, theyd have every reason to seek a union with Syria, also now ruled by fundamentalists, taking us back to before WW I when the European victors carved up the Ottoman Levant into Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. There could once again be a Greater Syria. A Sunni fundamentalist state of over 35 million people, in close alliance with economically, scientifically and militarily advanced Turkey, could emerge as a major regional power. Over time it might even pick up Sunni Iraq, as ISIL did 2014-2017. And then it might get petroleum and emerge as an economically substantial regional power.. The displaced Hamas leaders could reemerge as cabinet ministers alongside HTS figures in Damascus, and would this time have a national army at their disposal. So tell me, how would moving Palestinians to Jordan and destabilizing it and potentially the entire Levant be good for Israel or the United States? Ethnic Cleansing, Digital, Dream, Surrealism v3, 2024 Remember that Netanyahu also instructed the Bush administration to invade and occupy Iraq, promising paradise if they did so, and what we got was Shiite militias and ISIL, forcing the Pentagon into another 3-year campaign in the teens. The entire region is unstable and massive population movements would not help stabilize it, to say the least. As for actually-existing Jordanians, all their branches of government angrily pushed back against Trump. Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said, As His Majesty has repeatedly made clear, such proposals are categorically unacceptable. We say no to displacement and no to compromising Palestinian rights. There is a final consideration, of how much like Stalins USSR Trump really wants America to be. I wrote in late 2023: This blatant project of ethnic cleansing recalls the ways in which the dictators of the 1930s and 1940s moved around entire ethnic groups. Stalin displaced the Soviet Koreans to Uzbekistan or Siberia. I met some of their descendants in Tashkent in the mid-1990s. The exile of the Crimean Tartars is recognized by Ukraine as a war crime. Hundreds of thousands died in these paroxysms of ethnic cleansing. Hitler ethnically cleansed millions, as well, and at the end of the war there were 11 million displaced persons in Europe, 8 million in Germany. By Robert Kubinec, University of South Carolina (The Conversation) The fall of Bashar Assads dictatorship in December 2024 has ushered in a nerve-wracking time of hope and fear for Syrians concerning future governance in the long-war-torn country. While its unclear what exact political path Syria will take, the dilemmas the country faces are similar to the experiences of other Arab countries more than a decade ago. In the winter of 2010, an outbreak of protests in Tunisia spread across the region, toppling several regimes in what became known as the Arab Uprisings. While some countries Egypt and Tunisia became democracies, albeit briefly, others, like Yemen, Libya and Syria, descended into violence. In the intervening years, political science scholars from across the world have examined these political transformations, looking at why so many of Arab Uprising countries failed to continue down the path of democratic reform. As a political scientist with expertise in the region, I have distilled this research into five key lessons that could help guide Syria now, as it seeks to build a stable and democratic state. 1. Islamist politicians are politicians first, Islamists second One of the most pressing questions when considering Syrias post-Assad political direction is the role played by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the rebel group that led the overthrow of Assad. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is a former al-Qaida affiliate that has since backed away from extremist ideology though there are worries that this moderation is temporary. While some observers may think that all Islamist groups want to rigidly enforce a narrow interpretation of Islamic law like the Taliban in Afghanistan, research shows a far wider range of possibilities for the policies Islamist groups implement while in office. For example, the Tunisian Islamist group Ennahda stalwartly defended democracy and helped write a liberal constitution after the country ousted Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011. Similarly, in Egypt after strongman leader Hosni Mubarak was removed the same year, the Muslim Brotherhood, a once-banned Islamist movement, competed successfully and fairly in the democratic process, though, of course, it faced the same challenges of any governing party in implementing policies once in power. But nor is such a path predetermined. Turkeys recent democratic backslide and embrace of authoritarianism shows that Islamist politicians like President Recep Tayyip Erdogan can also undermine democracy when it serves their interests. What political science research has turned up time and again is that Islamist politicians are like politicians everywhere: When they need to win elections, they will gravitate toward voter concerns. According to regional survey data, a majority of Arabs express a preference for religious leaders who are apolitical. If Syria becomes a democracy, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham will, I believe, likely have to continue to embrace moderation. But whether the group backs democracy depends on the organizations calculation of what its future looks like in democracy versus more authoritarian forms of governance. Broad negotiations that involve all parties in Syria can help convince Hayat Tahrir al-Sham that continuing on a path of moderation is in their best interests. While no one can forecast with certainty what Syrias new institutions will look like, research shows that Islamists are just as likely as secular parties to support democratic norms. 2. Ending corruption is all important One of the drivers of the Arab Spring and the Syrian revolution was anger over corrupt business deals. Indeed, relatives and cronies of Assad owned de facto monopolies over lucrative industries like cellphone networks. Unwinding these corrupt legacies and opening industries to competition and licensing should be an overriding priority for those seeking a less autocratic future. In Tunisia, established businesses fought anti-corruption reforms because they said it would hurt investment and growth. But the reason that economic growth is so poor in many parts of the Middle East is precisely due to these entrenched companies. Syrias diaspora has many capable businesspeople who can return and found innovative companies if the new government opens up investment and entrepreneurship beyond people with political connections. 3. Political disagreement is OK Many hope that Syrias new government will be freely and fairly elected. For democracy to work, though, it must successfully implement changes in response to voters concerns. Initially, Syria will need to decide on basic rules like a constitution, which will involve many diverse groups. This broad coalition may have an easier time reaching compromises because of the oppositions shared experiences under the prior dictatorship. Trying to maintain this unity, however, can mask important political debates that need to occur. Photo by Ahmed akacha: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-shouting-on-protest-10629484/ In order for voters to see change, electoral competition must yield actual policy change. In Tunisia, top-heavy coalitions of parties promoted unity instead of tackling difficult decisions that resonated with peoples daily concerns. Over time, voters stopped identifying with parties and lost confidence in elections. Tunisias elected president, Kais Saied, took advantage of this apathy to shut down the countrys parliament an action that was broadly popular despite the loss of democracy. A practical response to this concern is to build strong parties, a cause that pro-democracy organizations like the National Democratic Institute are very good at. Effective parties help voters by putting together a package of policies that will get through parliament and building coalitions. While Syrias opposition has a lot of experience with waging war, it has relatively little in the way of running campaigns and building strong party brands. These more mundane goals are the key connective tissue that makes democracy work. 4. Bureaucracies should serve the public Elections choose leaders, but lasting, popular change also requires bureaucrats who implement new policies what is known as horizontal accountability. Egypts post-2011 democratic government left many state institutions untouched and later faced a revolt from autonomous anti-democratic agencies. Meanwhile, in Sudan, which saw a brief interlude of liberalization after the ouster of its longtime dictator, Omar al-Bashir, in 2019, democratic reformers launched an ambitious overhaul of state institutions that still failed because bureaucrats lobbied politicians for support. Without cooperative bureaucrats, basic state services fail, which leads to phenomena like crime waves and a loss of confidence in democracy. The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham-led government in Syria has already started reforming bureaucracies by prosecuting high-ranking officials from the prior regime while retaining the rank and file. Effective oversight, though, requires participation of elected leaders with the legitimacy to demand accountability from bureaucrats. For those who want to be involved in Syrias transition, providing technical assistance to quickly rebuild ministries is one way to increase the odds of a successful transition. 5. Keep the military close If Syrias new government collapses, history suggests the military will be the most likely culprit. Egypts military undermined the countrys democratic transition by covertly supporting the anti-Islamist opposition. Sudans military acquiesced to protester demands for new leadership but kept de facto control of important government institutions. Recent research shows that keeping the military in check means giving it a stake in democracy by funding needed items like salaries and equipment. Just as important, however, is establishing civilian control over the military by mandating that the military report to elected leaders about its budgets, policies, and deployments. Military aid is necessary, yes, but still must be tied to strict commitments to civilian control. The future is Syrias Political transitions are too complex to embark on easy forecasts. But the experience of nations who saw democracy rise and fall in the Arab Spring and subsequent winter can help Syrias new leaders avoid costly political mistakes. Ultimately, though, the fate of the country rests with its own people. They are the ones who survived Assads regime and who will make the most important decisions for Syrias future. Robert Kubinec, Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of South Carolina This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 27, 2025) - Pelangio Exploration Inc. (TSXV: PX) (OTC PINK: PGXPF) ("Pelangio" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that a geochemical pitting program planned to test targets resulting from the recently completed UAV magnetics survey has commenced on Pelangio's Obuasi property. Ingrid Hibbard, President and CEO, commented: "The UAV airborne magnetics survey recently completed on Pelangio's Obuasi property has resulted in a more accurate interpretation of the strike extension of the Obuasi Mine trend onto Pelangio's adjacent property. A program of geochemical pitting has commenced to explore 2.5 kilometers of strike of the interpreted trend over an area which has experienced no previous trenching or drill testing. We are confident the program will aid significantly in the understanding of this priority target area at Obuasi and should define specific targets for further evaluation by trenching and/or drill testing." Background The ongoing work at Obuasi is in support of TuNya Mineral Resources Ltd.'s US$250,000 technical study, which is part of their earn-in agreement on the southern Tarkwaian portion of Pelangio's Obuasi property. TuNya recommended and undertook a high-resolution UAV magnetic survey conducted over one of the most prospective areas of Pelangio's property, completed in December of 2024. The survey has better defined high magnetic strata interpreted to represent the strike extension of the mafic volcanic unit which, along its western flank, most of the mineralization at the Obuasi mine is situated. The interpreted strike extension of the Obuasi mine trend onto Pelangio's adjacent ground has experienced little historical drill testing with the majority of Pelangio's 2008-2010 drill testing being situated 200-1,200 meters west of the interpreted target structure. The planned geochemical pitting program will initially evaluate the northern 2.5 kilometers strike of the target trend and is expected to provide a better understanding of the geology and gold distribution over this area for further testing (Figure 1). This method also engages local workers for temporary roles, fostering collaboration with the community and further strengthening our position as a responsible exploration partner. Planned Program The geochemical pitting program will consist of hand-dug pits, 2 meters X 1 meter in area, and 2 or more meters deep excavated at 100 meter intervals along 200 meter spaced lines. One-meter channel samples will be obtained from pit bottoms and analyzed for gold by fire assay. Given the very steep, hilly nature of the area, hand digging pits will be quicker and less environmentally impactful than employing a mechanical excavator. One hundred pits are initially planned with approximately 25% of the program designated higher-priority to be dug first followed by a pause to allow receipt of assays. Depending upon the results the survey should continue, possibly being expanded, reduced and/or infilled as warranted. If demonstrated to be an effective exploration method, additional pitting will be planned to evaluate the fold feature to the east, where numerous high-grade rock chip samples were obtained in the past which have only been very lightly drill tested. Following the pitting program, which is expected to take approximately two months for the entire 100-sample program, areas of significant anomalism and/or prospective geology may be evaluated further with a targeted trenching program. Highly prospective targets to emerge from these programs will then be considered for drill testing. Figure 1. Location of Planned Pitting on Recent UAV Magnetics Survey, Obuasi Property Qualified Person Mr. Kevin Thomson, P.Geo. (Ontario, #0191), Senior Vice-President, Exploration and Director, is a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Thomson approved the technical data disclosed in this release. About Pelangio Pelangio acquires and explores prospective land packages located in world-class gold belts in Ghana, West Africa and Canada. In Ghana, the Company is focused on its two 100% owned camp-sized properties: the 100 km2 Manfo property, the site of eight near-surface gold discoveries, and the 284 km2 Obuasi property, located 4 km on strike and adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti's prolific high-grade Obuasi Mine, as well as the Dankran property located adjacent to its Obuasi property. See www.pelangio.com for further details on all Pelangio's properties. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements herein may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements or information appear in a number of places and can be identified by the use of words 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 statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the Company's strategy of acquiring large land packages in areas of sizeable gold mineralization, and the Company's ability to complete the planned exploration programs. Regarding forward-looking statements and information contained herein, we have made many assumptions, including about the state of the equity markets. Such forward-looking statements and information are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Such risks include the changes in equity markets, share price volatility, volatility of global and local economic climate, gold price volatility, political developments in Ghana, and Canada, increases in costs, exchange rate fluctuations, speculative nature of gold exploration, including the risk that favourable exploration results may not be obtained, near-term production may not be viable,, delays due to COVID-19 or other safety protocols, and other risks involved in the gold exploration industry. See the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statement and information. There can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information referenced herein will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Also, many of the factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements or information. We undertake no obligation to reissue or update any forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. All forward-looking statements and information herein are qualified by this 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 release. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cornish Metals Inc. (AIM/TSX-V: CUSN), a mineral exploration and development company focused on the advancement and restart of its 100% owned-and-permitted South Crofty high-grade tin project in Cornwall, the United Kingdom, is pleased to announce that it is undertaking a proposed fundraising to raise a minimum of 56 million (the "Fundraising"). As part of the Fundraising, the Company today announces that it has conditionally raised up to 28.75 million by way of a strategic investment by the National Wealth Fund Limited ("NWF"), a company wholly-owned by HM Treasury (the "NWF Subscription"), pursuant to which NWF has conditionally agreed to subscribe for up to 359,375,000 new common shares of no par value each ("Common Shares") (the "NWF Subscription Shares") at 8 pence per share (the "Issue Price"). The NWF Subscription Shares are subject to the scale back arrangements as described below, subject to NWF investing a minimum of 25 million (before expenses). Vision Blue Resources Limited ("Vision Blue" or "VBR"), which currently holds approximately 25.95 per cent. of the issued share capital of the Company, has also conditionally agreed to subscribe at the Issue Price (the "VBR Subscription") as follows: (i) for such number of new Common Shares which are required in order to maintain its c. 25.95 per cent. ownership interest in the Company following the results of the Fundraising pursuant to the exercise of its Participation Right (as more fully described below) (the "VBR Participation Right Shares"); and (ii) in addition and separately from its Participation Right, such further number of Common Shares as shall be required in order for the VBR Subscription to raise, in aggregate, up to a maximum of 18,280,550 (before expenses) for the Company (the "VBR Additional Subscription Shares" and, together with the VBR Participation Right Shares, the VBR Subscription Shares). The VBR Additional Subscription Shares are subject to the scale back arrangements as described below, subject to VBR subscribing for a minimum number of Common Shares to maintain its c. 25.95% ownership interest in the Company immediately following the completion of the Fundraising. The Company also announces that it has engaged each of H&P Advisory Ltd ("Hannam & Partners") and SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP ("SP Angel") as joint bookrunners ("Joint Bookrunners") and Canaccord Genuity Limited ("Canaccord Genuity") as co-manager ("Co-Manager") (the Joint Bookrunners and the Co-Manager, together, the Placing Agents") to raise c.8.8 million (before expenses) by way of a conditional placing to both new and existing institutional and other investors (the "Placing") at the Issue Price. The Company has also granted the Placing Agents a broker option pursuant to which an additional up to c.5.9 million may be raised at the Issue Price subject to demand following the release of this Announcement (the "Broker Option"). The Broker Option may be exercised at any time by the Placing Agents prior to the release of the announcement of the results of the Fundraising by the Company. In addition, all of the Directors other than John McGloin (the "Participating Directors") have conditionally subscribed with the Company or participated in the Placing for, in aggregate, 1,597,561 new Common Shares (the "Director Participation Shares") at the Issue Price, raising 127,805 for the Company (before expenses) (the "Director Participations"). In order to provide the Company's existing retail shareholders the opportunity to participate in the Fundraising, the Company also intends to carry out a separate retail offer to raise further gross proceeds of up to 3.0 million at the Issue Price via the BookBuild Platform (the "Retail Offer"). A separate announcement will be made shortly regarding the Retail Offer and its terms. The Retail Offer is expected to close on 31 January 2025. Accordingly, the final results of the Fundraising, including VBR's and NWF's final participation, will be confirmed and announced following the results of the Retail Offer. Capitalised terms in the announcement which are not otherwise defined shall have the meaning as set out in Appendix II. Highlights of the Fundraising: The Fundraising will raise a minimum gross proceeds of approximately 56 million (before expenses) comprising: the NWF Subscription, raising up to 28.75 million (before expenses) through the issue of up to 359,375,000 NWF Subscription Shares (subject to scaleback) at the Issue Price; the VBR Subscription to raise up to 18,280,550 (before expenses), comprising: (i) the subscription by VBR at the Issue Price for such number of VBR Participation Right Shares as shall be required in order to maintain its percentage ownership interest (approximately 25.95 per cent.) in the Company following the Fundraising pursuant to its Participation Right; and (ii) the separate and additional subscription for the VBR Additional Subscription Shares (subject to scaleback); the Placing to raise c.8.8 million (before expenses) at the Issue Price together with the Broker Option to accommodate any additional demand following the release of this announcement; the Director Participations to raise 127,805 (before expenses) through the issue of 1,597,561 Director Participation Shares at the Issue Price; the Retail Offer to raise up to 3.0 million (before expenses) through the issue of up to 37,500,000 new Common Shares (the " Retail Offer Shares ") at the Issue Price. A further announcement will be made shortly in connection with the Retail Offer. ") at the Issue Price. A further announcement will be made shortly in connection with the Retail Offer. The proceeds of the Fundraising will be principally used to ensure that the Company can continue with its path to development through competing the shaft refurbishment and de-watering process, the start of early project works, ordering long lead items and completion of the project finance process and up to the point of the formal final investment decision at its South Crofty Tin Mine. The Issue Price of 8p (converted into Canadian dollars at the Bank of Canada's closing exchange rate for January 24, 2025 of C$1.7873/1) represents a discount of approximately 3.61 per cent. to the closing middle market price of 8.3 pence per Common Share on 27 January 2025, being the latest practicable date prior to the date and time of this Announcement, and a discount of approximately 1.39 per cent. to the closing price of C$0.145 per Common Share on 27 January 2025, being the last closing price of the Common Shares trading on the TSX Venture Exchange ( TSX-V ) prior to the date and time of this Announcement. ) prior to the date and time of this Announcement. The Placing will be effected by way of an accelerated bookbuild process (the " Bookbuild "). The Placing Agents will commence the Bookbuild immediately following the release of this announcement and will be conducted in accordance with the terms of conditions set out in Appendix I to this announcement. The number of Placing Shares (including any new Common Shares to be issued pursuant to the Broker Option (the " Broker Option Shares ") in the event there is excess demand which can be accommodated) will be determined at the end of the Bookbuild. A further announcement confirming closing of the Bookbuild and the number of Placing Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing is expected to be made in due course. "). The Placing Agents will commence the Bookbuild immediately following the release of this announcement and will be conducted in accordance with the terms of conditions set out in Appendix I to this announcement. The number of Placing Shares (including any new Common Shares to be issued pursuant to the Broker Option (the " ") in the event there is excess demand which can be accommodated) will be determined at the end of the Bookbuild. A further announcement confirming closing of the Bookbuild and the number of Placing Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing is expected to be made in due course. Any Broker Option Shares issued shall scale back both the NWF Subscription Shares and the VBR Additional Subscription Shares on an equal basis as follows: for every 1 (one) Broker Option Share subscribed for; the number of NWF Subscription Shares shall be reduced by 0.5 (i.e. half a share) and the number of VBR Additional Subscription Shares shall be reduced by 0.5 (half a share) with the number of shares being subscribed for being rounded up in each case to a full share) provided that: (i) NWF shall invest a minimum of 25 million; and (ii) VBR shall, in accordance with its Participation Right, subscribe for at least such number of VBR Participation Right Shares as shall ensure it maintains its c. 25.95% ownership interest in the Company immediately following completion of the Fundraising. Given the results of the Retail Offer will only be announced following the results of the Placing (and any exercise of the Broker Option), the Company will confirm the final results of the Fundraising (including the number of NWF Subscription Shares and VBR Subscription Shares subscribed for once the results of the Retail Offer are confirmed.) The VBR Subscription, the Placing and the Director Participations are being undertaken in two tranches as the Company, at the date of this announcement, has insufficient authorities from its shareholders to issue all of the VBR Subscription Shares, Placing Shares and Director Participation Shares. Accordingly, the Company plans to utilise the share issuance authorities that it was granted at its annual general and special meeting held on June 4, 2024 to issue the First Tranche New Shares (being up to a maximum of 133,817,678 new common shares and comprising: (i) 34,722,222 of the VBR Subscription Shares, representing a portion of the VBR Participation Right Shares (" First Tranche VBR Subscription Shares "); (ii) 97,698,902 of the Placing Shares ( First Tranche Placing Shares ); and (iii) 1,396,554 of the Director Participation Shares ( First Tranche Director Participation Shares )). For further details regarding the Companys share issuance authorities, please refer to the Companys management information circular dated April 19, 2024 for the annual general and special meeting held on June 4, 2024, a copy of which is available on the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. "); (ii) 97,698,902 of the Placing Shares ( ); and (iii) 1,396,554 of the Director Participation Shares ( )). For further details regarding the Companys share issuance authorities, please refer to the Companys management information circular dated April 19, 2024 for the annual general and special meeting held on June 4, 2024, a copy of which is available on the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Any new Common Shares of the Company which are not issuable by the Company in the first tranche of the Fundraising pursuant to the Companys existing share issuance authorities shall be issued by the Company conditional upon the Company obtaining new share issuance authorities from shareholders at a special meeting of shareholders of the Company (the Special Meeting ) to be held on or about March 18, 2025. The Company has filed a notice of meeting and record date in respect of the Special Meeting, a copy of which is available on the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. ) to be held on or about March 18, 2025. The Company has filed a notice of meeting and record date in respect of the Special Meeting, a copy of which is available on the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Subject to receipt of all necessary approvals, including approvals from the shareholders at the Special Meeting and the approval of the TSX-V, the Company expects to issue the remaining VBR Subscription Shares, representing the remaining portion of the VBR Participation Right Shares plus the VBR Additional Subscription Shares (" Second Tranche VBR Subscription Shares "); remaining Placing Shares ( Second Tranche Placing Shares ); remaining Director Participation Shares ( Second Tranche Director Participation Shares ); all of the Retail Offer Shares; and all of the NWF Subscription Shares (together the " Second Tranche New Shares ") and expects such remaining shares to be admitted to trading on AIM and the TSX-V shortly after the Special Meeting. "); remaining Placing Shares ( ); remaining Director Participation Shares ( ); all of the Retail Offer Shares; and all of the NWF Subscription Shares (together the " ") and expects such remaining shares to be admitted to trading on AIM and the TSX-V shortly after the Special Meeting. It is important to note that the First Tranche New Shares shall be issued on First Admission of those shares to trading on AIM, which, subject to TSXV Conditional Approval, is expected to occur at 8.00 a.m. on 06 February 2025 (or such later date as the Company and the Placing Agents may agree). If the conditions to the issue of the Second Tranche New Shares are not subsequently satisfied (including the passing of the necessary shareholder resolutions at the Special Meeting, TSXV Conditional Approval and the NWF Subscription Agreement becoming unconditional in all respects), the Second Tranche New Shares will not be issued by the Company and neither the NWF Subscription nor the Retail Offer will proceed, notwithstanding the fact that the First Tranche New Shares will already be in issue. None of the NWF Subscription Shares nor the Retail Offer Shares will be issued in the first tranche of the Fundraising. Neither the Placing, Director Participations nor the Retail Offer are underwritten. The Placing is subject to the terms and conditions set out in Appendix I to this Announcement (which forms part of this Announcement). Don Turvey, CEO of Cornish Metals, commented: We are very pleased to welcome NWF as a major shareholder in Cornish Metals and to lead this fundraise alongside Vision Blue, demonstrating support for the Company and our plans to bring tin mining back to Cornwall. Tin is a critical mineral that is essential for the energy transition and anything electronic. South Crofty is a strategic asset with the ability to responsibly provide a secure, high grade long-term supply of tin, reviving Cornwalls rich mining history and contributing to the local economy and the UKs transition to net zero. The Cornish Metals team has achieved many important milestones over the last couple of years as we rapidly advance South Crofty towards a restart of production. This financing will enable the Company to maintain this strong momentum and further unlock the projects potential by delivering crucial milestones expected in the coming year including the completion of mine dewatering and shaft refurbishment, the start of early project works, placing orders for long-lead items, and concluding the project finance process. John Flint, CEO of NWF, commented: Critical minerals are not only an important driver of the UKs transition to net zero, but also of the UKs growth mission, providing opportunities to anchor important supply chains in the UK. This is our second investment in critical minerals in Cornwall, and indicative of our ability to mobilise private investment into local economies, creating skilled and long-term employment. Rationale for the Fundraising Subject to shareholder approval and the issue of the Second Tranche New Shares, the Fundraising will enable the Company to further de-risk the South Crofty Project and advance it towards a formal final investment decision by: bringing the South Crofty Project nearer to production by funding approximately 20m of the South Crofty Projects initial capital expenditure requirements; commencing early project works, including initial construction of the groundworks for the processing plant; placing orders for long-lead items of plant and equipment; and advancing detailed project engineering studies; Use of proceeds In addition to the Companys current cash balances (being 5.3 million as at 31 December 2024), the proceeds of the Fundraising will be allocated towards the following workstreams: 13.3 million for mining and related works and dewatering; 17.2 million for early works and long-lead items; 5.1 million for project engineering studies; 7.8 million for the repayment of the credit facility plus accrued interest provided by Vision Blue to the Company, details of which were announced on 15 October 2024; 12.6 million for South Crofty site costs, facilities and land purchase, financing fees associated with the Fundraising and corporate costs. The Fundraising is expected to provide financial runway through to the end of Q1 2026 with project debt finance to be arranged before then and a final investment decision expected at that time. The proceeds from the Retail Offer Shares issued and any Broker Option Shares issued in excess of the scale back of NWF and VBR will provide additional working capital to the Company. The NWF Subscription NWF is operationally independent but wholly-owned and backed by HM Treasury. It was launched in June 2021 as the UK Infrastructure Bank, transforming into the National Wealth Fund in October 2024. The Fund partners with the private sector and local government to increase investment in pursuit of two strategic objectives: tackling climate change and driving growth across the regions and nations of the United Kingdom. NWF's investments must achieve one or both of its strategic objectives, generate a positive financial return and demonstrate additionality - focusing where there is an undersupply of private sector financing and reducing barriers to investment - thereby mobilising private capital. NWF is based in Leeds and has 27.8bn of finance to deploy across the capital structure, including loans, credit enhancement, equity investments and guarantees. NWF has entered into a conditional agreement with the Company dated 28 January, 2025 (the NWF Subscription Agreement) pursuant to which it has agreed to subscribe for up to 359,375,000 NWF Subscription Shares at the Issue Price, raising a total of up to 28.75 million for the Company (and a minimum of 25 million). The number of NWF Subscription Shares to be subscribed for will be scaled back by the number of Broker Option Shares issued (if any) subject to a minimum investment from NWF of 25 million. The scale back will affect the NWF Subscription Shares and the VBR Additional Subscription Shares on an equal basis such that every 1 (one) Broker Option Share issued will scale back the NWF Subscription Shares by 0.5 (i.e. half a share) and the VBR Additional Subscription Shares by 0.5 (half a share) (with the number of shares being subscribed for by each of NWF and VBR being rounded up to a full share). Subject to receipt of all necessary approvals, including approvals from the shareholders at the Special Meeting and TSXV Conditional Approval, completion of the NWF Subscription shall occur on Second Admission. No NWF Subscription Shares will be issued on First Admission. The NWF Subscription is subject to certain conditions, including, among other things: (a) receipt of the requisite shareholder approvals at the Special Meeting to approve the creation of NWF as a new Control Person of the Company within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions in the NWF Subscription Agreement; (b) all other resolutions being passed at the Special Meeting; (c) all necessary approvals from the TSXV in respect of the completion of all of the transactions contemplated by the Fundraising, which, for certainty, shall include the transactions contemplated by the NWF Subscription Agreement, VBR Subscription Agreement, the Placing Agreement and the Debt Set-Off Agreement, which approvals shall include, without limitation, Conditional Acceptance (within the meaning of Policy 4.1 of the TSXV Rules) and acceptance of the Debt Set-Off Agreement by the TSXV pursuant to Policy 4.3 of the TSXV Rules, and the fulfilment by the Company of all applicable conditions set forth in such Conditional Acceptance or acceptance, respectively, prior to the issuance of the New Shares, on the terms and conditions contemplated in the Fundraising and the listing of the New Shares on the TSXV ("TSXV Conditional Approval") (d) should, following the results of the Bookbuild, NWF hold over 25 per cent. of the Company's issued and outstanding Commons Shares (which shall be confirmed following the results of the Bookbuild), the Secretary of State confirming, inter alia, that no action will be taken under the UK National Security and Investment Act 2021 in relation to the NWF Subscription; (e) the Company having obtained title insurance in respect of its registered land, and for its unregistered land on commercially acceptable terms, with an indemnity limit of 28.75 million; (f) the Company having received irrevocable legally-binding commitments by all participants in the Fundraising raising gross proceeds of, in aggregate, at least 56 million (before expenses); (g) the Placing Agreement becoming unconditional in all respects save for Second Admission (and save for any condition therein relating to the NWF Subscription Agreement itself or the other transaction documents becoming unconditional) and not having been terminated; (h) the VBR Subscription Agreement and the Debt Set Off Agreement becoming unconditional in all respects save for Second Admission (and save for any condition relating to the NWF Subscription Agreement itself or the other transaction documents becoming unconditional) and to the extent they are not set off under the Debt Set Off Agreement, the subscription monies for the Second Tranche VBR Subscription Shares having been received by the Company (or on the Company's behalf by its solicitors); (i) the Director's Participation agreements becoming unconditional in all respects save for Second Admission (and save for any condition therein relating to the NWF Subscription Agreement itself or the other transaction documents becoming unconditional) and not having been terminated; (j) First Admission having occurred; and (k) admission of the Second Tranche New Shares (including the NWF Subscription Shares) taking place not later than 8.00 am on 24 March 2025 or such later date as is agreed in writing between the Company and NWF, but in any event not later than 8.00 am on 25 April 2025. Application will also be made to the TSX-V to approve the issuance and listing of the NWF Subscription Shares. The NWF Subscription Agreement contains representations and warranties from the Company in favour of NWF. The NWF Subscription Agreement may be terminated by NWF in certain circumstances prior to Second Admission, including circumstances where any of the representations and warranties are or could reasonably be expected to become untrue, inaccurate or misleading, the Placing Agreement is terminated or there has occurred, in NWFs opinion, any fact, matter, event, circumstance, condition or change occurring which materially and adversely affects the business, operations, assets, liabilities, condition (whether financial or otherwise) of the Company and its affiliates (the "Group") or the South Crofty Project taken as a whole. The NWF Subscription Agreement grants the following rights to NWF for so long as its shareholding and those of its affiliates in the Company is not less than 10 per cent. of the Companys issued and outstanding Shares: (a) NWF may nominate from time to time one person to the Companys board of directors and a further person as an observer at board meetings; (b) NWF will have a participation right to maintain its percentage ownership interest in the Company upon any offering of securities for cash; and (c) certain "demand registration" and "piggy back" registration rights for such time as the Company remains a reporting issuer in Canada, further details of which will be provided the management information circular in respect of the Special Meeting. Cornish Metals Board have also provided an undertaking to NWF that it shall use all reasonable but commercially prudent endeavours to effect a delisting of the share capital of the Company from the TSX-V and a re-domiciliation of the Company to England & Wales within 12 months following the conclusion of the Fundraising at Second Admission. Relationship Agreement In addition to the NWF Subscription Agreement, the Company, SP Angel and NWF, subject to Second Admission, will enter into the Relationship Agreement pursuant to which, for so long as the Companys shares remain admitted to trading on AIM and NWF holds at least 10 per cent. of the issued share capital of the Company, NWF has undertaken to the Company and (for as long as it remains nominated adviser to the Company) SP Angel, that it shall, and it shall procure that each of its associates shall, exercise the voting rights attaching to their Common Shares so that, inter alia: (a) the Group is capable at all times of carrying on business independently of NWF and its associates; (b) the Company shall be capable of being managed in accordance with the Corporate Governance Code published by the UK's Quoted Companies Alliance (the "QCA Code") and the applicable Canadian corporate governance provisions or any other corporate governance regime adopted by the board of directors from time to time; (c) all transactions or arrangements entered into between any member of the Group on the one hand and NWF and/or its associates on the other will be made at arms length and on a normal commercial basis and in compliance with, and disclosed in accordance with, all applicable laws and regulations including the AIM Rules for Companies published by London Stock Exchange plc, as amended or reissued from time to time; and (d) there are and remain at all times a majority of directors who do not have a significant business, financial or commercial relationship with NWF on the Board and not less than two directors who are at the relevant time considered by the Board to be independent, as determined by reference to the QCA Code. The Relationship Agreement will terminate on NWF, together with any of its associates, ceasing to hold an interest in 10 per cent. or more of the voting rights attaching to their Shares. VBR's Subscription and the Vision Blue Debt Set Off Agreement On May 24, 2022, the Company completed a 40,500,000 private placement offering of units (comprising shares and warrants) of the Company (the 2022 Offering). In connection with the 2022 Offering, the Company and Vision Blue entered into an investment agreement dated 27 March 2022 (the VBR 2022 Investment Agreement), pursuant to which, among other things, for so long as Vision Blue holds not less than 10% of the Companys issued and outstanding common shares, Vision Blue has a participation right to maintain its percentage ownership interest in the Company upon any offering of securities at the issue price and similar terms as are applicable to such offering (the Participation Right). As at the date of this Announcement, Vision Blue's ownership interest in the common shares of the Company is currently approximately 25.95 per cent. On October 15, 2024, the Company entered into a US$9.1 million (7.0 million) secured credit facility (the Facility) with Vision Blue to support the continued development of the South Crofty Project, with the proceeds of such Facility being used for the Companys general operating and corporate purposes. In accordance with the terms of the VBR 2022 Investment Agreement, the Fundraising has permitted Vision Blue to exercise its Participation Right upon the terms and condition of the VBR 2022 Investment Agreement and Vision Blue has accordingly entered into the VBR Subscription Agreement pursuant to which it has conditionally agreed to subscribe for such number of VBR Participation Right Shares at the Issue Price as is required in order to maintain its percentage ownership interest in the Company following completion of the Fundraising (which is approximately 25.95 per cent. of the issued share capital of the Company). Separately from its Participation Right, Vision Blue has also conditionally agreed to subscribe for such further VBR Additional Subscription Shares which would be required in order for the VBR Subscription to raise, in aggregate, up to a maximum of 18,280,550 (before expenses) for the Company. The number of VBR Additional Subscription Shares to be subscribed for will be scaled back by the number of Broker Option Shares issued (if any) subject to a minimum investment from VBR to maintain its percentage ownership interest in the Fundraising of c. 25.95 per cent. The scale back will affect the VBR Additional Subscription Shares and the NWF Subscription Shares on an equal basis such that every 1 (one) Broker Option Share issued will scale back the NWF Subscription Shares by 0.5 (i.e. half a share) and the VBR Additional Subscription Shares by 0.5 (half a share) (with the number of shares being subscribed for by VBR being rounded up to a full share). In connection with the Participation Right, Vision Blue and the Company have also entered into a debt set-off deed dated 28 January 2025 (the Debt Set Off Agreement), pursuant to which the Company and Vision Blue have conditionally agreed to set off amounts owed by the Company to Vision Blue under the Facility against amounts due from Vision Blue to the Company in respect of the subscription of the VBR Participation Right Shares pursuant to the VBR 2022 Investment Agreement. The Debt Set-Off Agreement is treated as a Shares for Debt transaction under the policies of the TSX-V and is subject to the approval of the TSX-V. Application will be made to the TSX-V to approve the issuance and listing of the VBR Subscription Shares issuable to Vision Blue. The VBR Subscription will take place in two tranches. The subscription by Vision Blue for the First Tranche VBR Subscription Shares is conditional upon (amongst other things): (a) the NWF Subscription Agreement not having been terminated and no event having arisen or occurred which would entitle any party thereto to terminate the NWF Subscription Agreement; (b) receipt of TSXV Conditional Approval; (c) the Debt Set-Off Agreement not having been terminated; (d) the Placing Agreement becoming unconditional in respect of the First Tranche Placing Shares save for First Admission (and save for any condition therein relating to the VBR Subscription Agreement itself or the other transaction documents becoming unconditional) and not having been terminated; (e) the Director's Participation agreements becoming unconditional in respect of the First Tranche Director Participation Shares save for First Admission (and save for any condition therein relating to the VBR Subscription Agreement itself or the other transaction documents becoming unconditional) and not having been terminated; (f) First Admission taking place not later than 8.00 am on 06 February 2025 or such later date as is agreed in writing between the Company and VBR, but in any event not later than 8.00 am on the First Admission Longstop Date. The subscription by Vision Blue for the Second Tranche VBR Subscription Shares is conditional (amongst other things) upon: (a) First Admission having occurred; (b) the NWF Subscription Agreement becoming unconditional in all respects save for Second Admission (and save for any condition therein relating to the VBR Subscription Agreement itself or the other relevant transaction documents becoming unconditional) and no event having arisen or occurred which would entitle any party thereto to terminate the agreement; (c) the Placing Agreement becoming unconditional in unconditional in all respects save for Second Admission (and save for any condition therein relating to the VBR Subscription Agreement itself or the other transaction documents becoming unconditional) and not having been terminated; (d) the Director's Participation agreements becoming unconditional in all respects save for Second Admission (and save for any condition therein relating to the VBR Subscription Agreement itself or the other transaction documents becoming unconditional) and not having been terminated; (e) the Debt Set-Off Agreement not having been terminated; (f) all resolutions being passed at the Special Meeting; (g) TSXV Conditional Approval in respect of the Second Tranche New Shares; and (h) Second Admission taking place not later than 8.00 am on 24 March 2025 or such later date as is agreed in writing between the Company and VBR but in any event not later than 8.00 am on the Second Admission Longstop Date. Vision Blue is deemed to be a related party of the Company pursuant to MI 61-101 given that it holds more than 10% of the Company's issued share capital. The related party transaction requirements under Policy 5.9 of the TSX-V and MI 61-101 do not apply to the Participation Right, since the subscription by Vision Blue of the VBR Participation Right Shares satisfies the exclusion from such requirements under Section 5.1(h)(iii) of MI 61-101. The subscription by Vision Blue of the VBR Additional Subscription Shares would constitute a related party transaction of the Company under MI 61-101 and the rules and policies of the TSX-V. Further details will be announced when the Bookbuild has closed. Additional Information on the Placing The Placing is expected to the completed in two tranches, with the first tranche utilising the Companys existing share issuance authorities most recently approved by the shareholders at the annual general and special meeting of the Company held on June 4, 2024. The Second Tranche Placing Shares, being those new common shares of the Company which are not issuable by the Company in the first tranche of the Placing pursuant to the Companys existing share issuance authorities, are expected to be issued by the Company conditional upon the Company obtaining new share issuance authorities from shareholders at the Special Meeting. The Bookbuild will determine final demand for and participation in the Placing. The Bookbuild is expected to close not later than 12 p.m. (London time) 28 January 2025 but may be closed at such earlier or later time as the Joint Bookrunners, in their absolute discretion (following consultation with the Company), determine. The final number of Placing Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing will be determined by the Company and the Joint Bookrunners following closure of the Bookbuild. The Placing Shares will, subject to receipt by the Company in full of the consideration for such Placing Shares, when issued be fully paid and rank pari passu in all respects with the existing common shares in the capital of the Company, including, without limitation, as regards the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid after the date of issue. Details of the result of the Placing will be announced as soon as practicable after closure of the Bookbuild. Attention is drawn to the detailed terms and conditions of the Placing described in Appendix I (which forms part of this Announcement). By choosing to participate in the Placing and by making an oral and legally binding offer to acquire Placing Shares, each Placee will be deemed to have read and understood this announcement in its entirety (including the Appendices) and to be making such offer to acquire and acquiring the Placing Shares on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in Appendix I to this announcement, and to be providing the representations, warranties, undertaking and acknowledgements contained in Appendix I to this announcement. Members of the public are not eligible to take part in the Placing and no public offering of Placing Shares is being or will be made. The Broker Option and scale back The Company has granted a Broker Option to the Placing Agents pursuant to the Placing Agreement in order to enable the Placing Agents to deal with any additional demand in the event that requests to participate in the Fundraising are received during the period from the date of the publication of this Announcement up until the release of the announcement confirming the close of the Bookbuild. Any Broker Option Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the Broker Option will be issued on the same terms and conditions as the Placing Shares, which are set out in Appendix II to this Announcement, and will comprise up to 74,223,526 new Shares. The Broker Option may be exercised by one or more of the Placing Agents in their absolute discretion, but there is no obligation on a Placing Agent to exercise the Broker Option or to seek to procure subscribers for any Broker Option Shares from investors pursuant to the Broker Option. Any Broker Option Shares issued will scale back the NWF Subscription Shares and the VBR Additional Subscription Shares on an equal footing as follows: for every 1 (one) Broker Option Share subscribed for; the number of NWF Subscription Shares shall be reduced by 0.5 (i.e. half a share) and the number of VBR Additional Subscription Shares shall be reduced by 0.5 (half a share) (with the number of shares being subscribed for being rounded up in each case to a full share) provided that: (i) NWF shall invest a minimum of 25 million; and (ii) VBR shall, in accordance with its Participation Right, subscribe for at least such number of VBR Subscription Shares as shall ensure it maintains its c. 25.95% ownership interest in the Company immediately following the Fundraising on Second Admission. Given the results of the Retail Offer will only be announced following the results of the Placing (and any exercise of the Broker Option), the Company will confirm the final results of the Fundraising (including the number of NWF Subscription Shares and VBR Subscription Shares subscribed for once the results of the Retail Offer are confirmed.) Director Participations The Participating Directors (being Patrick Anderson, Lodewyk Daniel Turvey, Kenneth Armstrong, Don Njegovan, Stephen Gatley, Tony Trahar and Samantha Hoe-Richardson) have conditionally subscribed for 1,597,561 Director Participation Shares at the Issue Price for an aggregate amount of 127,805. The Company has entered into conditional subscription agreements with Patrick Anderson, Lodewyk Daniel Turvey, Kenneth Armstrong, Don Njegovan, Stephen Gatley and Samantha Hoe-Richardson and Tony Trahar will subscribe for his Director Participation Shares as a Placee. The Director Participations are expected to take place in two tranches. As each of the Participating Directors is deemed to be a related party of the Company pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101), their participation in the Director Participations would constitute a related party transaction of the Company under MI 61-101 and the rules and policies of the TSX-V. Further details will be announced when the Bookbuild has closed. Conditions Completion of the Fundraising relating to the First Tranche New Shares (being the First Tranche Placing Shares, First Tranche VBR Subscription Shares and First Tranche Director Participation Shares) is subject to certain conditions including, among other things: (a) TSXV Conditional Approval in respect of the First Tranche New Shares; (b) NWF having entered into a legally binding NWF Subscription Agreement with the Company and it not having been terminated1; (c) The Placing Agreement becoming unconditional in respect of the First Tranche Placing Shares save for First Admission (and save for any condition therein relating to the other transaction documents becoming unconditional) and not being terminated in accordance with its terms; (d) The VBR Subscription Agreement becoming unconditional in respect of the First Tranche VBR Subscription Shares save for First Admission (and save for any condition therein relating to the other transaction documents becoming unconditional) and not being terminated in accordance with its terms; (e) The Director Participation agreements becoming unconditional in respect of the First Tranche Director Participation Shares save for First Admission (and save for any condition therein relating to the other transaction documents becoming unconditional) and not being terminated in accordance with its terms; (f) The Admission of the First Tranche New Shares to trading on AIM. Completion of the Fundraising relating to the Second Tranche New Shares (being the NWF Subscription Shares, the Retail Offer Shares, the Second Tranche Placing Shares, Second Tranche VBR Subscription Shares and Second Tranche Director Participation Shares) is subject to certain conditions including, among other things: (a) First Admission having occurred; (b) TSXV Conditional Approval in respect of the Second Tranche New Shares; (c) All Resolutions having been passed at the Special Meeting; (d) The NWF Subscription Agreement becoming unconditional in all respects save for Second Admission (and save for any condition therein relating to the other transaction documents becoming unconditional) and not being terminated in accordance with its terms; (e) The VBR Subscription Agreement becoming unconditional in all respects save for Second Admission (and save for any condition therein relating to the other transaction documents becoming unconditional) and not being terminated in accordance with its terms; (f) The Placing Agreement becoming unconditional in all respects save for Second Admission (and save for any condition therein relating to the other transaction documents becoming unconditional) and not being terminated in accordance with its terms; (g) The Director Participation agreements becoming unconditional in all respects save for Second Admission (and save for any condition therein relating to the other transaction documents becoming unconditional) and not being terminated in accordance with its terms; (h) The Admission of the Second Tranche New Shares to trading on AIM. IF THE CONDITIONS TO THE ISSUE OF THE SECOND TRANCHE NEW SHARES ARE NOT SUBSEQUENTLY SATISFIED (INCLUDING THE PASSING OF THE NECESSARY SHAREHOLDER RESOLUTIONS AT THE SPECIAL MEETING AND TSXV CONDITIONAL APPROVAL AND THE NWF SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT BECOMING UNCONDITIONAL IN ALL RESPECTS), THE SECOND TRANCHE NEW SHARES WILL NOT BE ISSUED BY THE COMPANY AND NEITHER THE NWF SUBSCRIPTION NOR THE RETAIL OFFER WILL PROCEED, NOTWITHSTANDING THE FACT THAT THE FIRST TRANCHE NEW SHARES WILL ALREADY BE IN ISSUE. NONE OF THE NWF SUBSCRIPTION SHARES NOR THE RETAIL OFFER SHARES WILL BE ISSUED IN THE FIRST TRANCHE OF THE FUNDRAISING. Lock-in Agreements NWF has entered into an agreement with the Company (the NWF Lock-In Agreement) pursuant to which, subject to certain exceptions and conditional upon Second Admission becoming effective, NWF and its connected persons has undertaken with the Company not to, and to procure that its connected persons do not, dispose of any interest in the NWF Subscription Shares or other Common Shares acquired after the date of the NWF Lock-In Agreement, for the period of 6 months following Second Admission. After the period of 6 months, NWF has agreed to only dispose of Common Shares held by it in accordance with certain orderly market provisions for a further period of 6 months. Similarly, Vision Blue has entered into an agreement with the Company (the VBR Lock-In Agreement) pursuant to which, subject to certain exceptions, Vision Blue and its connected persons has undertaken with the Company not to, and to procure that its connected persons do not, dispose of any interest in any Common Shares held by it or subsequently acquired after the date of the VBR Lock-In Agreement, for the period from execution of the agreement to Second Admission and then, should Second Admission occur, from 6 months following Second Admission. After the period of 6 months from Second Admission, Vision Blue has agreed to only dispose of Common Shares held by it in accordance with certain orderly market provisions for a further period of 6 months. In the event that Second Admission does not occur or the NWF Subscription Agreement terminates or does not become unconditional, the VBR-Lock-in Agreement shall lapse and have no effect. New Performance Share Plan In connection with the Fundraising, at the Special Meeting, the Company will be requesting shareholders approve the adoption of a new performance share plan, details of which will be set out in the circular to shareholders convening the Special Meeting (the "Proposed Performance Share Plan"). Subject to receipt of all necessary approvals, including approvals from the shareholders at the Special Meeting and the approval of the TSX-V, upon implementation, the Proposed Performance Share Plan shall permit the grant of Performance Share Units (PSUs) to eligible Participants (as defined in the Proposed Performance Share Plan). The Proposed Performance Share Plan will be effective from the date of shareholder approval until the date it is terminated by the Board in accordance with the Proposed Performance Share Plan. The purpose of the Proposed Performance Share Plan is to: (i) provide the Company with a share-related mechanism to attract, retain and motivate qualified Employees (as defined in the Proposed Performance Share Plan), (ii) to reward such of those Employees as may be granted PSUs under the Proposed Performance Share Plan by the Board from time to time for their contributions towards the long term goals and success of the Company, and (iii) to enable and encourage such Employees to acquire common shares as long term investments and proprietary interests in the Company. The Proposed Performance Share Plan provides that the maximum number of Common Shares available for issuance, in the aggregate, under all of the Companys Security Based Compensation Arrangements shall not exceed 10% of the aggregate number of Common Shares issued and outstanding from time to time (calculated on a non-diluted basis). Any Common Shares subject to a PSU or Legacy Option (as defined in the Proposed Performance Share Plan) that has been exercised or settled in common shares, will again be available for issuance under the Proposed Performance Share Plan. The number of Common Shares available for issuance under the Proposed Performance Share Plan will increase as the number of issued and outstanding Common Shares increases from time to time. The Company's Remuneration Committee is currently undertaking a benchmarking exercise with an external remuneration consultant in order to make a recommendation as to the specific grants which will be made under the Proposed Performance Share Plan. Further details of the Proposed Performance Share Plan will be set out in the management information circular for the Special Meeting referred to below. Special Meeting Subject to receipt of the TSXV Conditional Approval, the Company expects to file the management information circular in respect of the Special Meeting on the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca on or about 10 February 2025, providing further details of the Fundraising (including, the NWF Subscription Agreement) and a notice convening the Special Meeting, to seek the necessary shareholder approvals, including, to approve the creation of NWF as a new Control Person of the Company and to approve new share issuance authorities for the Second Tranche New Shares under the Fundraising. Issue of Equity and Admission Application will be made to the TSX-V for the First Tranche New Shares to be admitted to trading on the TSX-V, with listing subject to the approval of the TSX-V and the Company satisfying all of the requirements of the TSX-V. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions relating to the issue of the First Tranche New Shares set out above, the Company expects First Admission to occur (subject to TSXV Conditional Approval) on or before 8.00 a.m. on 06 February 2025 (or such later date and/or time as the Joint Bookrunners and the Company may agree, being no later than 8.00 a.m. on 28 February 2025). Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions relating to the issue of the Second Tranche New Shares set out above the company expects Second Admission to occur (subject to TSXV Conditional Approval) on 8.00 a.m. on 24 March 2025following the receipt of all necessary approvals, including approvals from shareholders at the Special Meeting (or such later date and/or time as the Joint Bookrunners and the Company may agree, being no later than 8.00 a.m. on 25 April 2025). The TIDM for the Company's Common Shares on AIM is CUSN. The Company's LEI is 8945007GJ5APA9YDN221. This Announcement should be read in its entirety. Attention is drawn to the section headed 'Important Information' in this Announcement and the terms and conditions of the Placing (representing important information for Placees only) in Appendix I to this Announcement. The Company and the Joint Bookrunners reserve the right to alter the dates and times referred to above. If any of the dates and times referred to above are altered by the Company, the revised dates and times will be announced through a Regulatory Information Service without delay. All references to time in this Announcement are to London time, unless otherwise stated. The New Shares: (i) have not been qualified for distribution by prospectus in Canada, and (ii) may not be offered or sold in Canada during the course of their distribution except pursuant to a Canadian prospectus or in reliance on an available prospectus exemption. Subject to completion of the Fundraising, all the New Shares to be issued as part of the Fundraising will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of their issuance in Canada in accordance with applicable Canadian securities legislation. Under applicable Canadian securities legislation, such hold period will only apply to trades (as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation) of the New Shares, in Canada or through a market in Canada, such as the TSX-V. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Lodewyk Daniel (Don) Turvey Don Turvey For additional information please contact: Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. IMPORTANT INFORMATION This announcement is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States. This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration. No public offering of securities is being made in the United States. Placees Resident in Australia This announcement is not a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other form of offer document under Australian law. No offer of securities is made pursuant to this announcement in Australia except to a person who will represent to the Company and/or the Joint Bookrunners (as applicable) that such person(a) is a sophisticated investor within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or an experienced investor meeting the criteria in section 708(10) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or a professional investor within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth); and (b) is not acquiring the securities with the purpose of selling or transferring the securities, or granting, issuing or transferring interests in, or options over, them. Placees Resident in Canada No offer of securities is made pursuant to this announcement in Canada except to a person who will represent to the Company and/or the Placing Agents (as applicable) that such person: (i) is purchasing as principal, or is deemed to be purchasing as principal in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, for investment only and not with a view to resale or distribution; and (ii) is (x) an accredited investor as such term is defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions or (y) an eligible purchaser satisfying the requirements of BC Instrument 72-503- Distribution of Securities Outside British Columbia. The Placing Shares are being sold in Canada in reliance on an exemption or exemptions from the requirements to provide the relevant Placees with a prospectus and, as a consequence of acquiring securities pursuant to this exemption or exemptions, certain protections, rights and remedies provided by the applicable Canadian securities laws will not be available to the relevant Placees. The Placing Shares will be subject to statutory resale (hold) restrictions for a period of four months and one day under the applicable Canadian securities laws and any resale of the Placing Shares must be made in accordance with such resale restrictions or in reliance on an available exemption therefrom. Each Placee is solely responsible (and the Company is not in any way responsible) for compliance with applicable securities laws in the resale of any Placing Shares. Notice to Investors in Hong Kong This announcement has not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong and it has not been, and will not be, registered as a prospectus under the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (C(WUMP)O), nor has it been authorised by the Securities and Futures Commission pursuant to the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (SFO). Accordingly, the Placing Shares may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to persons who are professional investors as defined in the SFO and any rules made thereunder; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in this announcement being a prospectus as defined in the C(WUMP)O or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of C(WUMP)O. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Placing Shares, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong has been or will be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong), other than with respect to the Placing Shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to ''professional investors'' as defined in the SFO and any rules made thereunder. Notice to investors in Singapore This announcement has not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Singapore and it has not been, and will not be, registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this material and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Placing Shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the Placing Shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in the Securities and Futures Act 2001 of Singapore (SFA), as amended or modified (the SFA)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in the SFA. Caution regarding forward looking statements This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections, outlook, guidance, estimates and forecasts and other statements regarding future plans, the realisation, cost, timing and extent of mineral resource or mineral reserve estimates, estimation of commodity prices, currency exchange rate fluctuations, estimated future exploration expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time lines, requirements for additional capital and the Companys ability to obtain financing when required and on terms acceptable to the Company, future or estimated mine life and other activities or achievements of Cornish Metals, including but not limited to: statements in connection with the Fundraising (including, for certainty, the subscription by Vision Blue) and the issuance of the New Shares (including each tranche thereof), including the amounts expected to be invested, the timeline of certain events in respect thereof, including the satisfaction of conditions for closing of the Fundraising, including TSXV Conditional Approval, the listing of the New Shares (including each tranche thereof) on the TSX-V and Admission, statements regarding the expected security holdings in the Company of Vision Blue and investors following closing of the Fundraising, the related party transaction matters, statements regarding the Special Meeting (including timing thereof) and the filing of the management information circular in respect of the Special Meeting, the applicable exemptions under MI 61-101, the expected use of proceeds, and evaluating potential project development opportunities, exploration potential and development opportunities for the South Crofty Project and the timing thereof, and the strategic vision of Cornish Metals and expectations regarding the South Crofty mine.] Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as seek, anticipate, believe, plan, estimate, forecast, expect, potential, project, target, schedule, budget and intend and statements that an event or result may, will, should, could, would or might occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to receipt of regulatory approvals, risks related to general economic and market conditions; risks related to the availability of financing; the timing and content of upcoming work programmes; actual results of proposed exploration activities; possible variations in Mineral Resources or grade; outcome of the current Feasibility Study; projected dates to commence mining operations; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations. The list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect Cornishs forward-looking statements. Cornish Metals forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management and reflect their current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date such statements are made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward- looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Cornish Metals does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or managements beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. This announcement and the information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa, Japan, or any other jurisdiction where to do so might constitute a violation of the relevant laws or regulations of such jurisdiction. The distribution of this announcement and other information in connection with the Fundraising and Admission in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and persons into whose possession this announcement, any document or other information referred to herein comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Neither this announcement nor any part of it nor the fact of its distribution shall form the basis of or be relied on in connection with or act as an inducement to enter into any contract or commitment whatsoever. SP Angel, which is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom, is acting as Joint Bookrunner to the Company and as Nominated Adviser. SP Angel has not authorised the contents of, or any part of, this announcement, and no liability whatsoever is accepted by SP Angel for the accuracy of any information or opinions contained in this announcement or for the omission of any material information. The responsibilities of SP Angel as the Company's Nominated Adviser under the AIM Rules for Companies and the AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers are owed solely to London Stock Exchange plc and are not owed to the Company or to any director or shareholder of the Company or any other person, in respect of its decision to acquire shares in the capital of the Company in reliance on any part of this announcement, or otherwise. SP Angel will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Fundraising or any other matters referred to in this announcement. Hannam & Partners is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom and is acting as Joint Bookrunner exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the Fundraising and Hannam & Partners will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Fundraising or any other matters referred to in this announcement. Canaccord Genuity Limited is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom and is acting as Co-Manager exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the Fundraise and Canaccord Genuity Limited will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Fundraise or any other matters referred to in this announcement. The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company is Don Turvey. This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning any investor's option with respect to the Fundraising. Each investor or prospective investor should conduct his, her or its own investigation, analysis and evaluation of the business and data described in this announcement and publicly available information. The price and value of securities can go down as well as up. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made as to, or in relation to, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by the Nominated Adviser or Joint Bookrunners or the Co-Manager or by any of their respective affiliates or agents as to, or in relation to, the accuracy or completeness of this announcement or any other written or oral information made available to or publicly available to any interested party or its advisers, and any liability therefor is expressly disclaimed. Neither the content of the Company's website nor any website accessible by hyperlinks on the Company's website is incorporated in, or forms part of, this announcement. Information to Distributors UK Product Governance Requirements Solely for the purposes of the Product Governance requirements contained within 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 tort, contract or otherwise, which any manufacturer (for the purposes of the UK Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Placing Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Placing Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of (a) retail investors, (b) investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and (c) eligible counterparties, each as defined in the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by UK Product Governance Requirements (the UK Target Market Assessment). Notwithstanding the UK Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that: the price of the Placing Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Placing Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Placing 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 Placing. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the UK Target Market Assessment, the Placing Agents 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 Chapters 9A or 10A, respectively, of the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook; 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 Placing Shares. Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Placing Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels. EU Product Governance Requirements 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 EU Product Governance Requirements) and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any manufacturer (for the purposes of the EU Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Placing Shares have been subject to product approval process, which has determined that the Placing Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of (a) retail investors, (b) investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and (c) eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by EU Product Governance Requirements (the EU Target Market Assessment). Notwithstanding the EU Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that: the price of the Placing Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Placing Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Placing 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 EU Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Placing. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the EU Target Market Assessment, the Placing Agents will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the UK Target Market Assessment and the EU Target Market Assessment, the Placing Agents will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties. For the avoidance of doubt, the EU 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 Placing Shares. Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Placing Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels. APPENDIX I TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PLACING IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE PLACING FOR INVITED PLACEES ONLY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE PLACING AND NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF PLACING SHARES IS BEING OR WILL BE MADE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDICES) AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN (THE "ANNOUNCEMENT") IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS DIRECTED ONLY AT ELIGIBLE PERSONS UNDER NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 45-106 PROSPECTUS EXEMPTIONS (NI 45-106) AND/OR BC INSTRUMENT 72-503 DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITIES OUTSIDE BRITISH COLUMBIA (BCI 72-503), INCLUDING PERSONS WHOSE ORDINARY ACTIVITIES INVOLVE THEM IN ACQUIRING, HOLDING, MANAGING AND DISPOSING OF INVESTMENTS (AS PRINCIPAL OR AGENT) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THEIR BUSINESS AND WHO HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS AND ARE: (A) IF IN A MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (THE "EEA") (EACH A "RELEVANT STATE"), QUALIFIED INVESTORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 2(E) OF THE EU PROSPECTUS REGULATION ("QUALIFIED INVESTORS"); OR (B) IF IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, QUALIFIED INVESTORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 2(E) OF THE UK PROSPECTUS REGULATION WHO ARE ALSO (I) PERSONS WHO FALL WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF "INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL" IN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005, AS AMENDED (THE "ORDER"), OR (C) IF IN HONG KONG, PROFESSIONAL INVESTORS AS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES ORDINANCE (CAP 571 OF THE LAWS OF HONG KONG) AND ANY RULES MADE UNDER THAT ORDINANCE (PROFESSIONAL INVESTORS); OR (II) PERSONS WHO FALL WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(A) TO (D) OF THE ORDER, (D) IF IN SINGAPORE, INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS OR RELEVANT PERSONS AS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES ACT 2001 OF SINGAPORE, OR (E) PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE BE LAWFULLY COMMUNICATED (ALL SUCH PERSONS REFERRED TO IN (A), (B), (C), (D) AND ABOVE TOGETHER BEING REFERRED TO AS "RELEVANT PERSONS"). ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES IS AVAILABLE IN RELEVANT STATES ONLY TO QUALIFIED INVESTORS AND, IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS, AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH QUALIFIED INVESTORS IN RELEVANT STATES AND RELEVANT PERSONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. BY ACCEPTING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, YOU REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT YOU ARE A RELEVANT PERSON. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS IN RELEVANT STATES WHO ARE NOT QUALIFIED INVESTORS BY PERSONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. THE CONTENT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE OR THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE OR AN AUTHORISED PERSON WITHIN THE MEANING OF FSMA OR ANY SECURITIES COMMISSIONS OR REGULATORY AUTHORITY IN CANADA, NOR IS IT INTENDED THAT IT WILL BE SO APPROVED. RELIANCE ON THIS ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENGAGING IN ANY INVESTMENT ACTIVITY MAY EXPOSE AN INDIVIDUAL TO A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF LOSING ALL OF THE PROPERTY OR OTHER ASSETS INVESTED. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION OF, OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO ACQUIRE OR SUBSCRIBE FOR, ANY SECURITIES IN THE COMPANY. PERSONS DISTRIBUTING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST, PRIOR TO DOING SO, SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT IT IS LAWFUL TO DO SO AND WITHOUT REQUIRING THE FILING OF A PROSPECTUS OR REGISTRATION STATEMENT OR DELIVERING AN OFFERING MEMORANDUM OR SIMILAR DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT UNDER ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS. EACH PLACEE SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS OWN ADVISERS AS TO LEGAL, TAX, BUSINESS AND RELATED ASPECTS OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE PLACING SHARES. THE PLACING SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN, AND WILL NOT BE, REGISTERED UNDER THE US SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES ABSENT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE SHARES REFERRED TO IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS BEING MADE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, HONG KONG, CANADA, THE UNITED STATES, ANY OTHER RESTRICTED JURISDICTION (AS DEFINED BELOW) OR ELSEWHERE. EACH PLACEE SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS OWN ADVISORS AS TO LEGAL, TAX, BUSINESS AND RELATED ASPECTS OF A PURCHASE OF PLACING SHARES. Subject to certain exceptions, the securities referred to in this Announcement may not be offered or sold in any Restricted Jurisdiction or to, or for the account or benefit of, a citizen or resident, or a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organised in or under the laws of any Restricted Jurisdiction. The Placing Shares have not been qualified for distribution by prospectus in Canada and no securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada has reviewed or passed on the merits of the Placing Shares, and in particular no governmental agency or authority, stock exchange or other regulatory body or any other entity has made any finding or determination as to the merit for investment of, nor have any such agencies, authorities, exchanges, bodies or other entities made any recommendation or endorsement with respect to, the Placing Shares. No prospectus has been lodged with, or registered by, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission or the Japanese Ministry of Finance or the Hong Kong Companies Registry or the Monetary Authority of Singapore; the relevant clearances have not been, and will not be, obtained for the South Africa Reserve Bank or any other applicable body in the Republic of South Africa in relation to the Placing Shares and the Placing Shares have not been, nor will they be registered under or offered in compliance with the securities laws of any state, province or territory of Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, Japan or the Republic of South Africa. Accordingly, the Placing Shares may not (unless an exemption under the relevant securities laws is applicable) be offered, sold, resold, delivered, or distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into or through a market in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, Japan or the Republic of South Africa or any other jurisdiction outside the EEA. Persons (including without limitation, nominees and trustees) who have a contractual right or other legal obligations to forward a copy of this Announcement should seek appropriate independent advice before taking any action. This Announcement should be read in its entirety. In particular, any Placee should read and understand the information provided in the "Important Notice" section of this Announcement. This Announcement has been issued by, and is the sole responsibility of, the Company. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made as to, or in relation to, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by the Placing Agents, any of their respective affiliates or any person acting on their behalf as to or in relation to, the accuracy or completeness of this Announcement or any other written or oral information made available to or publicly available to any party or its advisers, and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed. By participating in the Bookbuild and the Placing, each Placee by whom or on whose behalf a commitment to acquire Placing Shares has been given will be deemed to have read and understood this Announcement in its entirety, to be participating, making an offer and acquiring Placing Shares on the terms and conditions contained herein and to be providing the representations, warranties, indemnities, acknowledgements and undertakings contained herein. In particular, each such Placee represents, warrants, undertakes, agrees and acknowledges (amongst other things) that: Article I. if it is in the United Kingdom, it is a Relevant Person and an eligible person satisfying the requirements of a prospectus exemption under NI 45-106 or BCI 72-503 (including, without limitation, it is, or is deemed to be, purchasing the Placing Shares as principal for its own account in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, for investment only and not with a view to resale or redistribution, and such person was not created or used solely to purchase or hold the Placing Shares as an accredited investor under NI 45-106); if it is in a Relevant State, it is a Qualified Investor and an eligible person satisfying the requirements of a prospectus exemption under NI 45-106 or BCI 72-503, and undertakes that it will subscribe for, hold, manage or dispose of any Placing Shares that are allocated to it for the purposes of its business in compliance with all applicable securities laws, including all applicable resale and transfer restrictions; Article II. it is acquiring the Placing Shares as principal for its own account or is acquiring the Placing Shares for a fully managed account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion without requiring a clients express consent to a transaction and has the authority to make and does make the representations, warranties, indemnities, agreements and acknowledgements, contained in these terms and conditions; Article III. if it is a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the EU Prospectus Regulation and the UK Prospectus Regulation, that it understands the resale and transfer restrictions set out in this Appendix I and that any Placing Shares subscribed for by it in the Placing will not be subscribed for on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor will they be subscribed for with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of securities to the public other than an offer or resale in a member state of the EEA to Qualified Investors or in the United Kingdom to Relevant Persons, or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the Placing Agents has been given to each such proposed offer or resale; Article IV. it understands (or if acting for a fully managed account of another person, such person has confirmed that such person understands) that the Placing Shares are subject to certain resale and transfer restrictions under applicable securities laws, including the resale and transfer restrictions set out in this Appendix I; and Article V. in the case of a person in Canada who acquires any Placing Shares pursuant to the Placing: (i) it is an accredited investor within the meaning of section 1.1 NI 45-106; (ii) it is, or is deemed to be, purchasing the Placing Shares as principal for its own account in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, for investment only and not with a view to resale or redistribution; and (iii) such person was not created or used solely to purchase or hold the Placing Shares as an accredited investor under NI 45-106. Article VI. in the case of a person in Hong Kong who acquires any Placing Shares pursuant to the Placing, it is a Professional Investor (as defined in the SFO) and (i) it is taking up the Placing Shares as principal for its own account; and (ii) it is not taking up the Placing Shares on behalf of any other person(s) or with a view to distribute such Placing Shares to other person(s). Article VII. In the case of a person in Singapore who acquires any Placing Shares pursuant to the Placing, it is and will at all times continue to be an institutional investor as defined in section 4A(1)(c) of the Securities and Futures Act 2001 of Singapore (SFA) and/or relevant person as defined under section 275(2) of the SFA, or a person to whom an offer is made pursuant to section 275(1A) of the SFA, and agree to be bound by the limitations and restrictions set out in the SFA. In particular, it is not acquiring the Placing Shares on behalf of any other person(s) or with a view of distributing or reselling such Placing Shares in whole or in part to other persons. Unless otherwise stated, defined terms used in this Appendix I are set out in Appendix II. 2. Details of the Placing Agreement and the Placing Shares The Joint Bookrunners are acting as joint bookrunners in connection with the Placing and Canaccord Genuity are acting as Co-Manager and have entered into the Placing Agreement with the Company under which, on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Placing Agreement, the Joint Bookrunners and the Co-Manager, as agents for and on behalf of the Company, have agreed to use their respective reasonable endeavours to procure placees for the Placing Shares. The Placing is not being underwritten by the Placing Agents or any other person nor is any part of the Placing subject to clawback from the Retail Offer. The price per Share at which the Placing Shares are to be placed is 8 pence (the "Issue Price). The timing of the closing of the book and allocations are at the discretion of the Company and the Joint Bookrunners. Details of the total number of Placing Shares will be announced as soon as practicable after the close of the Bookbuild via the Results Announcement. The Placing Shares will be allotted and issued in two tranches: - the first tranche will be up to a maximum of 97,698,902 First Tranche Placing Shares utilising the Companys existing share issuance authorities and shall be allocated on a pro rata basis with the other First Tranche New Shares; and - the Second Tranche Placing Shares, being the balance of the Placing Shares not issuable in the First Admission will be allotted and issued conditional upon (inter alia) approval of the Resolutions at a Special Meeting. The Placing Shares have been, or will be duly authorised and will, when issued by the Company, subject to receipt by the Company in full of the consideration for such Placing Shares, be credited as fully paid and non-assessable and will be issued subject to the articles and by-laws of the Company and rank pari passu in all respects with the existing Shares, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid on or in respect of the Shares after the date of issue of the Placing Shares, and will on issue be free of all pre-emption rights, claims, liens, charges, encumbrances and equities other than applicable restrictions on transfer or resale imposed by applicable securities laws, including the TSXV Rules. In addition to the Placing, the Company is seeking to raise additional funds through the NWF Subscription, the VBR Subscription, the Director Participations and the Retail Offer. Cavendish will be acting as coordinator of the Retail Offer (Retail Offer Coordinator). 3. Application for listing and admission to trading of the Placing Shares Applications will be made to the London Stock Exchange for First Admission of the First Tranche New Shares to trading on AIM and for Second Admission of the Second Tranche New Shares It is expected that: - First Admission will occur at 8.00 a.m. on 06 February 2025 (or such later time or date as the Joint Bookrunners may agree with the Company, being no later than 8.00 a.m. on 28 February 2025) and that dealings in the First Tranche New Shares will commence at that time; - Second Admission will occur on or about at 8.00 a.m. on 24 March 2025 (or such later time or date as the Joint Bookrunners may agree with the Company, being no later than 8.00 a.m. on 25 April 2025) and that dealings in the Second Tranche New Shares will commence at that time. 4. Details of the Broker Option The Company has granted the Broker Option to the Placing Agents in order to enable them to deal with any additional demand under the Placing from Relevant Persons in the event that requests to participate in the Placing are received during the period from the publication of this Announcement to immediately prior to the release of the Results Announcement. The primary purpose of the Broker Option is to facilitate demand from those Relevant Persons who were unable to participate in the Placing. The Broker Option is exercisable by the Placing Agents, in their absolute discretion. Relevant Persons who wish to register their interest in subscribing for Broker Option Shares should instruct their stockbroker or independent financial adviser to communicate their interest to the Placing Agents. Each bid should state the number of Broker Option Shares that the investor wishes to acquire at the Issue Price. Any investors allocated Broker Option Shares will be considered Placees, as defined in this Announcement. Any Broker Option Shares issued will scale back the NWF Subscription Shares and the VBR Additional Subscription Shares on an equal footing as follows: for every 1 (one) Broker Option Share subscribed for; the number of NWF Subscription Shares shall be reduced by 0.5 (i.e. half a share) and the number of VBR Additional Subscription Shares shall be reduced by 0.5 (half a share) (with the number of shares being subscribed for being rounded up in each case to a full share) provided that: (i) NWF shall invest a minimum of 25 million; and (ii) VBR shall, in accordance with its Participation Right, subscribe for at least such number of VBR Subscription Shares as shall ensure it maintains its c. 25.95% ownership interest in the Company following the Fundraising. To the extent the Broker Option is exercised, the Broker Option Shares will be issued on the same terms and conditions as the Placing Shares (and shall form part of the Placing Shares), which terms are set out in this Appendix. Orders from investors pursuant to the Broker Option to the Placing Agents will only be accepted from Relevant Persons. The Broker Option may be exercised by the Placing Agents in their absolute discretion, but there is no obligation on them to exercise the Broker Option or to seek to procure subscribers for any Broker Option Shares pursuant to the Broker Option. The maximum number of Broker Option Shares which may be issued pursuant to the exercise of the Broker Option is 74,223,526 new Shares. 5. Bookbuild Following this announcement, the Placing Agents will commence the accelerated bookbuilding process to determine demand for participation in the Placing by Placees (the "Bookbuild"). This Announcement gives details of the terms and conditions of, and the mechanics of participation in, the Placing. No commissions will be paid to Placees or by Placees in respect of any Placing Shares. The Placing Agents and the Company shall be entitled to effect the Placing by such alternative method to the Bookbuild as they may, in their sole discretion, determine. 6. Participation in, and principal terms of, the Placing 1. SP Angel and Hannam & Partners are arranging the Placing as joint bookrunners and Canaccord as co-manager, on behalf of the Company. 2. Participation in the Placing will only be available to persons who may lawfully be, and are, invited to participate by any of the Placing Agents without requiring the filing of a prospectus or registration statement or delivering an offering memorandum or similar disclosure document under all applicable securities laws. Each of the Placing Agents may itself agree to be a Placee in respect of all or some of the Placing Shares or may nominate any member of its group to do so. 3. The Bookbuild, if successful, will establish the aggregate amount payable to the Placing Agents, as settlement agents for the Company, by all Placees whose bids are successful. The number of Placing Shares will be agreed by the Joint Bookrunners (in consultation with the Company) following completion of the Bookbuild. The number of Placing Shares to be issued (in aggregate) will be announced on an RIS following the completion of the Bookbuild via the Results Announcement. 4. To bid in the Bookbuild, prospective Placees should communicate their bid orally by telephone or in writing to the relevant Placing Agent. Each bid should state the number of Placing Shares up to which the prospective Placee wishes to subscribe for at the Issue Price. A bid in the Bookbuild will be made on the terms and subject to the conditions in this Appendix I and shall constitute a legally binding offer from the Placee on behalf of which it is made. Such offer will not be capable of variation or revocation after the time at which it is submitted, except with the relevant Placing Agent's consent. Bids may be scaled down by the Joint Bookrunners on the basis referred to in paragraph 6 below. The Placing Agents reserve the right not to accept bids or to accept bids in part rather than in whole without further consultation with the prospective Placees. The acceptance of the bids shall be at the Placing Agentss absolute discretion, subject to agreement with the Company. 5. The Bookbuild is expected to close no later than 12.00 p.m. on 28 January 2025 but may be closed earlier or later at the discretion of the Joint Bookrunners. The Placing Agents may, in agreement with the Company, accept bids that are received after the Bookbuild has closed. The Company reserves the right (upon the prior agreement of the Joint Bookrunners) to reduce the number of shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing, in its absolute discretion. 6. Allocations of the Placing Shares will be determined by the Joint Bookrunners after consultation with the Company (and in accordance with the relevant Joint Bookrunner's allocation policy as has been supplied by each Joint Bookrunner to the Company in advance of such consultation). Allocations will be confirmed orally by the relevant Placing Agents to the Placee and a Form of Confirmation will be despatched as soon as possible thereafter. The Placing Agents oral confirmation to such Placee shall trigger the obligation for such person (who will at that point become a Placee) to subscribe for the number of Placing Shares allocated to it and to pay the Issue Price in respect of each such share on the terms and conditions set out in this Appendix I and in accordance with the Company's articles and by-laws. 7. Each Placee's allocation and commitment will be evidenced by a Form of Confirmation issued to such Placee. The terms of this Appendix I will be deemed incorporated in that Form of Confirmation. 8. Irrespective of the time at which a Placee's allocation pursuant to the Placing is confirmed, settlement for all Placing Shares to be subscribed/purchased for pursuant to the Placing will be required to be made at the same time, on the basis explained below under "Registration and Settlement". 9. All obligations under the Bookbuild and the Placing will be subject to fulfilment or (where applicable) waiver of the conditions referred to below under "Conditions of the Placing" and to the Placing not being terminated on the basis referred to below under "Right to terminate under the Placing Agreement" prior to First Admission in respect of the First Tranche Placing Shares and prior to Second Admission in respect of the Second Tranche Placing Shares. 10. By participating in the Placing, each Placee agrees that its rights and obligations in respect of the Placing will terminate only in the circumstances described below and will not be capable of rescission or termination by the Placee. 11. To the fullest extent permissible by law, none of the Placing Agents, the Company nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers, representatives or employees shall have any responsibility or liability to Placees (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise). In particular, none of the Placing Agents, the Company, nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers representatives or employees shall have any responsibility or liability (including to the extent permissible by law, any fiduciary duties) in respect of each Placing Agents conduct of the Placing. 12. The Placing Shares will be issued subject to the terms and conditions of this Announcement and each Placee's commitment to subscribe for Placing Shares on the terms set out herein will continue notwithstanding any amendment that may in future be made to the terms and conditions of the Placing and Placees will have no right to be consulted or require that their consent be obtained with respect to the Company's or the Placing Agents's conduct of the Placing. 13. All times and dates in this Announcement may be subject to amendment. The Placing Agents shall notify the Placees and any person acting on behalf of the Placees of any changes. 14. Each potential Placee: (i) who is located or resident in Canada, must qualify as an accredited investor (as such term is defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions); or (ii) is an eligible purchaser satisfying the requirements of BC Instrument 72-503 - Distribution of Securities Outside British Columbia. 7. Conditions of the Placing The Placing and each of the First Admission and Second Admission is conditional, amongst others, upon the Placing Agreement becoming unconditional and not having been terminated in accordance with its terms. The obligations of the Placing Agents under the Placing Agreement in respect of the First Tranche Placing Shares are conditional on customary conditions, including (amongst others) (the "First Conditions"): the Company having complied with its obligations which fall to be performed on or prior to First Admission under the Placing Agreement; the aggregate subscription monies in respect of the First Tranche Director Participation Shares received by the Company prior to First Admission; NWF having entered into a legally binding NWF Subscription Agreement with the Company and such agreement not having been terminated; VBR having entered into a legally binding VBR Subscription Agreement with the Company, with the conditions to the VBR Subscription Agreement relating to the First Tranche VBR Subscription Shares (other than First Admission and conditions relating to other transaction documents becoming unconditional) having been met or waived and the Debt Set Off Agreement being entered into such that the aggregate subscription monies in respect of the First Tranche VBR Subscription Shares relating to the VBR Subscription will be set off in accordance with the terms of the Debt Set Off Agreement on First Admission; the Company allotting the First Tranche New Shares, subject only to First Admission; receipt of TSXV Conditional Approval in respect of the First Tranche New Shares prior to First Admission; in the opinion of the Placing Agents, the warranties given by the Company contained in the Placing Agreement being true, accurate and not misleading at the date of the Placing Agreement, and immediately before First Admission; in the opinion of the Placing Agents (acting in good faith), there having been no development or event resulting in a Material Adverse Effect; none of the Placing Agents having terminated the Placing Agreement; and First Admission occurring no later than 8.00 a.m. on 06 February 2025 (or such later time or date as the Joint Bookrunners may otherwise agree with the Company, being no later than 8.00 a.m. on the First Admission Longstop Date). The obligations of the Placing Agents under the Placing Agreement in respect of the Second Tranche Placing Shares are conditional on customary conditions, including (amongst others) (the "Second Conditions", together with the First Conditions, the Conditions): First Admission having occurred; the NWF Subscription Agreement having become unconditional in accordance with its terms (save for any condition therein relating to the other transaction documents becoming unconditional and Second Admission); the VBR Subscription Agreement not having been terminated, with all conditions to the VBR Subscription Agreement (other than Second Admission and any conditions therein relating to the other transaction documents becoming unconditional) having been met or waived and Debt Set Off Agreement being entered into such that the aggregate subscription monies in respect of the Second Tranche VBR Subscription Shares will in part be set off in accordance with the terms of the Debt Set-Off Agreement on Second Admission with the balance received by the Company (or on its behalf) prior to Second Admission; the Resolutions being passed at the Special Meeting; the Company having complied with its obligations which fall to be performed on or prior to the Second Admission under the Placing Agreement; the aggregate subscription monies in respect of the Second Tranche Director Participation Shares having been received by the Company prior to Second Admission; the Company allotting the Second Tranche New Shares subject only to Second Admission; receipt of TSXV Conditional Approval for the Second Tranche New Shares prior to the Second Admission; in the opinion of the Placing Agents, the warranties given by the Company contained in the Placing Agreement being true, accurate and not misleading at all times up to and immediately before the Second Admission; in the opinion of the Placing Agents (acting in good faith), there having been no development or event resulting in a Material Adverse Effect; none of the Placing Agents having terminated the Placing Agreement in accordance with its terms and conditions prior to Second Admission; and Second Admission occurring not later than 8.00 a.m. on 24 March 2025 (or such later time or date as the Joint Bookrunners may otherwise agree with the Company, being no lat Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 28, 2025) - Scottie Resources Corp. (TSXV: SCOT) (OTCQB: SCTSF) (FSE:SR8) ("Scottie" or the "Company") is pleased to report the final assays from its 2024 drilling campaign, including multiple high-grade gold intercepts on Blueberry Contact vein zones. The Scottie Gold Mine Project, which includes the 100% owned historic mine and the adjacent Blueberry Contact Zone is located 35 kilometres north of the town of Stewart, BC, along the Granduc Road. Highlights: 2024 drill campaign consisted of 10,270 metres (m) of diamond drilling, particularly focused on expansion of the Blueberry Contact Zone and characterizing the resource of the Scottie Gold Mine deposit Drilling resulted in the discovery of the Wolf Zone at the Scottie Gold Mine (see news release dated December 12, 2024) of diamond drilling, particularly focused on expansion of the Blueberry Contact Zone and characterizing the resource of the Scottie Gold Mine deposit Blueberry Contact drillhole SR24-357 intersected 7.00 grams per tonne (g/t) gold over 14.40 m including 47.40 g/t gold over 2.00 m at the Fifi vein zone (Table 1, Figures 1, 2, 3) Blueberry Contact drillhole SR24-359 intersected 14.66 g/t gold over 4.00 m including 52.60 g/t gold over 1.00 m at the Road vein zone, and 4.81 g/t gold over 8.00 m including 10.83 g/t gold over 3.00 m at the at the BB vein zone. The hole also intercepted 35.0 g/t gold over 1.00 m on the Fifi vein zone (Table 1, Figures 1, 2, 4) Blueberry Contact drillhole SR24-358 intersected 12.40 g/t gold over 1.00 m at the Lemoffe vein zone (Table 1, Figures 1 ,2) President and CEO, Brad Rourke commented: "These final drill results from this season's program continue to demonstrate the continuity and high-grade nature of the deposits in the Scottie Gold Mine Project. These released Blueberry intercepts represent the impressive grades and widths that this structure continues to yield. We look forward to including these results into our maiden resource estimate in the coming months. Fully funded for 2025, we are actively planning this year's exploration and drill program to further advance the Scottie Gold Mine Project. We thank our shareholders for their continued support as we complete this important project milestone." Table 1: Selected results from new drill assays (uncut) from the Blueberry Contact Zone. Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Width* (m) Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) Sub Zone SR24-357 228.00 229.50 1.50 1.07 0.0 Fifi 249.40 250.50 1.10 1.66 0.0 Fifi 278.50 292.90 14.40 7.00 1.4 Fifi including 290.90 292.90 2.00 47.40 10.0 Fifi SR24-358 367.50 368.50 1.00 12.40 3.0 Lemoffe SR24-359 17.20 23.00 5.80 7.62 0.0 Road 38.00 41.00 3.00 0.99 0.0 Road 48.00 52.00 4.00 14.66 5.3 Road including 50.00 51.00 1.00 52.60 16.0 Road 70.00 71.00 1.00 1.20 0.0 Road 141.00 143.50 2.50 3.35 6.4 BB vein 198.00 206.00 8.00 4.81 1.1 BB vein including 198.00 201.00 3.00 10.83 3.0 BB vein 269.00 272.00 3.00 3.70 0.0 Fifi 381.50 382.50 1.00 35.00 7.0 Fifi 399.00 401.00 2.00 2.32 52.0 Lemoffe *True width of the intervals has not yet been established by drilling This release constitutes the final results from Scottie Resources 2024 drill campaign; all significant intercepts have now been reported. About the Blueberry Contact Zone The Blueberry Contact Zone is located just 2 kilometres northeast of the 100% owned, past-producing Scottie Gold Mine (SGM) located in British Columbia, Canada's Golden Triangle region. Historic trenching and channel sampling of the Blueberry Vein include results of 103.94 g/t gold over 1.43 metres, and 203.75 g/t gold over 1.90 metres. Despite high-grade surficial samples and easy road access, the Blueberry Vein had only limited reported drilling prior to the Company's exploration work. The target was significantly advanced during Scottie's 2019 drill program when an interval grading 7.44 g/t gold over 34.78 metres was intersected in a new N-S oriented zone adjacent to the main Blueberry Vein. The drill results received from 2020 - 2024, coupled with surficial mapping and sampling suggest that the N-S mineralized trend is a first order structure that hosts an array of SW-trending, sub-parallel, sulphide-rich veins that obliquely crosscut it which host high-grade gold. As of the end of 2024, the extent of the N-S zone, defined by the contact between andesite and siltstone units of the Hazelton Formation and the presence of the cross-cutting sulfide-rich structures, has a drilled strike length of >1,550 metres and has been tested to >525 metres depth. The Blueberry Contact Zone is located on the Granduc Road, 20 kilometres north of the Ascot Resources' Premier Mine. Newmont's Brucejack Mine is located 25 kilometres to the north. Figure 1: Overview plan view map of the Blueberry Contact Zone, illustrating the locations of the reported drill results and cross-sections (Figures 3 and 4), and the distribution of the modelled sulphide-rich cross-structures. Figure 2: Segmented vertical long section of the Blueberry Contact Zone illustrating the distribution and status of drilled targets from the 2024 season and the reported results thus far, relative to intercepts from previous drilling campaigns. About the Scottie Gold Mine Project Mineralization on the project consists of east-west to northwest trending, steeply dipping, shear veins, that are comprised of pyrrhotite > pyrite quartz calcite. The veins are primarily hosted in a package of andesitic volcanic rocks from the Hazelton Unuk River Formation that are situated adjacent to the contact with the Summit Lake stock, part of the Texas Creek Plutonic Suite. While 13+ distinct gold-bearing vein zones have been identified on the Scottie Gold Mine Project, mine production was primarily from one vein (the M-zone). Exploration of the Scottie Gold Mine Project over the past 6 years has produced exceptional drill results through the discovery of high-grade gold in five new zones (Blueberry Contact Zone, Domino, D-Zone, P-Zone, Wolf) and the expansion of previously drill confirmed targets (Scottie Gold Mine, C-Zone, Bend Vein, Stockwork). There is a clear spatial relation between the outcropping and drill-confirmed high-grade gold targets and the contact with the Jurassic aged, Texas Creek Plutonic suite intrusion. Geological work in the area has established strong connections between the various deposits. The chemical, mineralogical, structural, and age relationships of the deposits and host rocks support a genetic model whereby all deposits are linked to the same mineralizing event. Figure 3: Cross-section displaying Blueberry Contact Zone intercepts from drill hole SR24-357. Quality Assurance and Control Results from samples taken during the 2024 field season were analyzed at SGS Minerals in Burnaby, BC. The sampling program was undertaken under the direction of Dr. Thomas Mumford. A secure chain of custody is maintained in transporting and storing of all samples. Gold was assayed using a fire assay with atomic absorption spectrometry and gravimetric finish when required (+9 g/t gold). Analysis by four acid digestion with multi-element ICP-AES analysis was conducted on all samples with silver and base metal over-limits being re-analyzed by emission spectrometry. Dr. Thomas Mumford, P.Geo., a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed the technical information contained in this news release on behalf of the Company. Figure 4: Cross-section displaying Blueberry Contact Zone intercepts from drill hole SR24-359. ABOUT SCOTTIE RESOURCES CORP. Scottie owns a 100% interest in the Scottie Gold Mine Property which includes the Blueberry Contact Zone and the high-grade, past-producing Scottie Gold Mine. Scottie also owns 100% interest in the Georgia Project which contains the high-grade past-producing Georgia River Mine, as well as the Cambria Project properties and the Sulu and Tide North properties. Altogether Scottie Resources holds approximately 58,500 hectares of mineral claims in the Stewart Mining Camp in the Golden Triangle. The Company's focus is on expanding the known mineralization around the past-producing mines while advancing near mine high-grade gold targets, with the purpose of delivering a potential resource. All of the Company's properties are located in the area known as the Golden Triangle of British Columbia which is among the world's most prolific mineralized districts. Forward Looking Statements This news release may contain forwardlooking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forwardlooking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forwardlooking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date such statements were made. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this release. VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 28, 2025 /CNW/ - Mayfair Gold Corp. ("Mayfair", or the "Company") (TSXV: MFG) (OTCQX: MFGCF) is pleased to announce that its board of directors ("Board") has appointed Nicholas Campbell, Mayfair's Vice President of Capital Markets, as the Company's new Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), effective January 27, 2025. He succeeds Darren McLean, who has served as interim CEO since July 7, 2024, and will remain as Chairman of the Board. "We are excited for Nicholas to move into the CEO role to lead Mayfair as the Company advances the Fenn-Gib gold project ("Fenn-Gib", or the "Project") in Ontario, Canada," said Mr. McLean. "Nick recently served as Vice President of Capital Markets at Artemis Gold (ARTG: TSX-V) and Executive Vice President of Business Development at SilverCrest Metals (SIL:TSX). This provides Nick with invaluable experience to help navigate Mayfair as the Company shifts its focus at Fenn-Gib from exploration to development and production." Mr. Campbell stated, "This is an exciting time to lead the Mayfair Gold team. I look forward to working with the Board to advance the Fenn-Gib gold project with a commitment to safety, stakeholder engagement and environmental stewardship. The Fenn-Gib gold project has an established 4.3 million-ounce indicated mineral resource with a higher-grade near surface starter zone which we believe could enhance the Project's economics. Highway access to site and nearby power availability provide Mayfair with the opportunity to advance the Fenn-Gib project quickly, targeting a smaller scale operation to start with a focus on the higher-grade starter zone. In 2025, we will be working to add to the technical depth of the management team with the goal of releasing a Pre-Feasibility Study for the Fenn-Gib project in the second half of 2025." Mr. Campbell has more than 20 years of experience in the mining, minerals, and metals industry, and has held several leadership positions. Prior to joining Mayfair, Mr. Campbell was Vice President of Capital Markets of Artemis Gold Inc., an emerging gold producer in British Columbia, Canada. Prior to that, Mr. Campbell served as Executive Vice President of Business Development of SilverCrest Metals Inc. and Chief Financial Officer of Goldsource Mines Inc. Mayfair has granted Mr. Campbell 175,000 incentive stock options under the Company's share option plan at an exercise price of $1.70. The options vest 1/3 on each of the date of grant and the first and second anniversary of the date of grant, and are exercisable for a five-year term expiring on January 28, 2030. About the Fenn-Gib Project The Fenn-Gib project comprises two property packages, referred to as the Fenn-Gib North and South Blocks, which are separated by approximately three kilometers. The Fenn-Gib Deposit is located on the North Block along the regional Contact Fault, an east-west to south-east trending shear zone on the Pipestone Fault, which is interpreted to be a splay off the Porcupine-Destor Fault. The Fenn-Gib Deposit hosts significant concentrations of gold mineralization within two zones: (i) the Main Zone, and (ii) the Deformation Zone. These two zones overlap completely. A third zone of mineralization, known as the Footwall Zone, is located approximately 100 meters to the northwest of the Fenn-Gib Deposit. A fourth zone of mineralization, known as the Contact Zone, is located at depth below the current pit-constrained resource. September 3, 2024 Fenn-Gib Resource Estimate by Category Using 0.30 g/t Au Cut-Off Style Class Tonnes Au (g/t) Au (ounces) Open pit Indicated 181,302,000 0.74 4,313,000 Open Pit Inferred 8,921,000 0.49 141,000 All mineral resources have been estimated in accordance with Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Petroleum definitions, as required under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Ounce (troy) = metric tonnes x grade / 31.10348. All numbers have been rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate. Please refer to Mayfair's news release dated September 10, 2024 titled "Mayfair Gold Updates Fenn-Gib Open-Pit Mineral Resource and Initiates an Expanded Metallurgical Test Program". Qualified Person Tim Maunula, P. Geo., of T. Maunula & Associates Consulting Inc, is a qualified person for the purposes of NI 43-101 and was responsible for the completion of the updated mineral resource estimation. Mr. Maunula has reviewed and approved the technical content with respect to the mineral resource estimate in this news release. All other technical information in this news release has been reviewed by Ali Gelinas-Dechene, P.Geo., Senior Geologist for Mayfair Gold, and serves as a Qualified Person under the definition of NI 43-101. About Mayfair Gold Mayfair Gold is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on advancing the 100% controlled Fenn-Gib gold project in the Timmins region of Northern Ontario. The Fenn-Gib gold deposit is Mayfair's flagship asset and currently hosts an updated NI 43-101 open pit constrained mineral resource estimate with an effective date of September 3, 2024 with a total Indicated Resource of 181.3M tonnes containing 4.313M ounces at a grade of 0.74 g/t Au and an Inferred Resource of 8.92M tonnes containing 0.14M ounces at a grade of 0.49 g/t Au at a 0.30 g/t Au cut-off grade. Cautionary Notes to U.S. Investors Concerning Resource Estimates This news release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of the U.S. securities laws. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the terms "mineral reserve", "proven mineral reserve", "probable mineral reserve", "inferred mineral resources," "indicated mineral resources," "measured mineral resources" and "mineral resources" used or referenced in this presentation are Canadian mineral disclosure terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in the 2014 Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines, May 2014 (the "CIM Standards"). The CIM Standards differ from the mineral property disclosure requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") in Regulation S-K Subpart 1300 (the "SEC Modernization Rules") under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). As a foreign private issuer that is eligible to file reports with the SEC pursuant to the multijurisdictional disclosure system, the Company is not required to provide disclosure on its mineral properties under the SEC Modernization Rules and will continue to provide disclosure under NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards. Accordingly, the Company's disclosure of mineralization and other technical information may differ significantly from the information that would be disclosed had the Company prepared the information under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. Forward Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information which reflects management's expectations regarding the Company's growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the anticipated benefits of Mr. Campbell's skills and experience to the Company as CEO, the anticipated opportunities for the Company's growth, the Company's shift in focus at Fenn-Gib from exploration to development and production, the expected enhancement of the Fenn-Gib project's economics through the higher-grade near-surface starter zone, the plans to advance the Project quickly with a smaller-scale initial operation, the goal of strengthening the management team's technical expertise in 2025, and the timing and contents of the Pre-Feasibility Study for the Fenn-Gib project in the second half of 2025. Forward-looking information is based on various reasonable assumptions including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management; the assumed long-term price of gold; that the Company can access financing, appropriate equipment and sufficient labour and that the political environment where the Company operates will continue to support the development and operation of mining projects. Should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, or one or more of the risks and uncertainties described below materialize, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to foreign currency fluctuations; risks inherent in mining including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological formations, ground control problems and flooding; delays or the inability to obtain necessary governmental permits or financing; risks associated with the estimation of mineral resources and reserves and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; the potential for and effects of labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or shortages of labor; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; actual ore mined varying from estimates of grade, tonnage, dilution and metallurgical and other characteristics; the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, gold price fluctuations; uncertain political and economic environments; changes in laws or policies. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review the forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required under applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements reflect management's beliefs, opinions and projections as of the date of this news release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Perseus Mining delivers strong production, cashflow & growth in Q2 FY25, resulting in a cash & bullion balance of US$704 million PERTH, Western Australia/January 29, 2025 - Perseus Mining Limited (Perseus or the Company) (TSX & ASX: PRU) reports on its activities for the three months period ended December 31, 2024 (the Quarter). A summary is included below with the full release available from www.perseusmining.com, www.asx.com.au and www.sedarplus.ca. Key operating indicators and highlights for the December 2024 quarter (Q2 FY25), December 2024 Half Year (H1 FY25) and Calendar Year 2024 (CY24) include: PERFORMANCE INDICATOR UNIT JUNE 2024 HALF YEAR SEPTEMBER 2024 QUARTER DECEMBER 2024 QUARTER DECEMBER 2024 HALF YEAR 2024 CALENDAR YEAR Gold recovered Ounces 248,400 121,290 132,419 253,709 502,109 Gold poured Ounces 250,084 121,370 131,832 253,202 503,286 Production Cost US$/ounce 934 991 919 953 944 All-In Site Cost (AISC) US$/ounce 1,130 1,201 1,127 1,162 1,147 Gold sales Ounces 257,578 108,895 136,623 245,518 503,096 Average sales price US$/ounce 2,076 2,249 2,430 2,350 2,209 Notional Cashflow US$ million 236 127 173 300 536 Perseuss 12-month rolling average TRIFR is 0.66 , lower than 0.97 at the end of the September 2024 quarter (Q1 FY25) and well below industry average. , lower than 0.97 at the end of the September 2024 quarter (Q1 FY25) and well below industry average. In Q2 FY25, gold production increased by 9% to 132,419 ounces and the weighted average All-in-Site Cost (AISC) of US$1,127 per ounce, was 6% less than the prior quarter. increased by 9% to and the weighted average was 6% less than the prior quarter. Gold production for H1 FY25 and CY24 was towards the upper end of production guidance ranges in each case, while AISC s for the same periods were below the bottom end of the cost guidance ranges . for H1 FY25 and CY24 was towards the in each case, while s for the same periods were . Average gold sales increased by 20% to 136,623oz due to sale of gold whose shipment was delayed in the prior quarter. The average gold sales prices increased 7% quarter on quarter to US$2,430 per ounce. increased by 20% to due to sale of gold whose shipment was delayed in the prior quarter. The average increased 7% quarter on quarter to An average cash margin of US$1,303 for each ounce of gold produced in the quarter resulted in notional operating cashflow of US$173 million in Q2 FY25 and US$536 million in CY24. of gold produced in the quarter resulted in of and Balance sheet at quarter-end included available cash and bullion of US$704 million , plus liquid, listed securities of US$67 million and zero debt, with US$300 million of undrawn debt capacity available at the end of Q2 FY25. , plus liquid, listed securities of US$67 million and zero debt, with US$300 million of undrawn debt capacity available at the end of Q2 FY25. Market guidance for June 2025 Half Year (2H FY25) and 2025 Financial Year (FY25) respectively are 215,000 to 220,000 ounces at US$1,360 to US$1,435 per ounce and 469,709 to 504,709 ounces at US$1,250 to US$1,280 per ounce. A Final Investment Decision (FID) was taken to develop the CMA underground project at the Yaoure Gold Mine in Cote dIvoire during the quarter. The FID for the development of the Nyanzaga Gold Mine in Tanzania is pending finalisation of negotiation of several amendments to the Framework Agreement with the Government of Tanzania that comprehensively describes the terms on which the mine will be developed and operated. Group Gold Production and Cost Market Guidance Forecast group gold production and AISC for the June 2025 half year (2H FY25) and full 2025 financial year (FY25) are shown in the Table below. Table 1: Production and Cost Guidance PARAMETER UNITS DECEMBER 2024 HALF YEAR (ACTUAL) JUNE 2025 HALF YEAR FORECAST 2025 FINANCIAL YEAR FORECAST Yaoure Gold Mine Production Ounces 123,158 120,000 - 135,000 ounces 243,158 258,158 ounces All-in Site Cost USD per ounce 1,124 US$1,215 1,315 per ounce US$1,160 1,210 per ounce Edikan Gold Mine Production Ounces 96,634 75,000 - 85,000 ounces 172,634 182,634 ounces All-in Site Cost USD per ounce 1,022 US$1,325 1,425 per ounce US$1,150 1,190 per ounce Sissingue Gold Mine Production Ounces 33,917 20,000 - 30,000 ounces 53,917 63,917 ounces All-in Site Cost USD per ounce 1,701 US$2,100 2,200 per ounce US$1,880 1,900 per ounce PERSEUS GROUP Production Ounces 253,709 215,000 - 250,000 ounces 469,709 504,709 ounces All-in Site Cost USD per ounce 1,162 US$1,360 1,435 per ounce US$1,250 1,280 per ounce Note that AISCs for Sissingue in H2 FY25 are artificially elevated above prior levels due to the processing of low-grade ore stockpiles while access to higher grade ore is achieved through waste stripping programmes at Sissingue Stage 4 pit and Fimbiasso West Stage 2 pit. Competent Person Statement All production targets referred to in this release are underpinned by estimated Ore Reserves which have been prepared by competent persons in accordance with the requirements of the JORC Code. Edikan The information in this release that relates to the Open Pit and Underground Mineral Resources and Ore Reserve at Edikan was updated by the Company in a market announcement Perseus Mining updates Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves released on 21August 2024. The Company confirms that all material assumptions underpinning those estimates and the production targets, or the forecast financial information derived therefrom, in that market release continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company further confirms that material assumptions underpinning the estimates of Ore Reserves described in Technical Report Edikan Gold Mine, Ghana dated 7 April 2022 continue to apply. Sissingue, Fimbiasso and Bagoe The information in this release that relates to the Mineral Resources and Ore Reserve at the Sissingue complex was updated by the Company in a market announcement Perseus Mining updates Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves released on 21 August 2024. The Company confirms that all material assumptions underpinning those estimates and the production targets, or the forecast financial information derived therefrom, in that market release continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company further confirms that material assumptions underpinning the estimates of Ore Reserves described in Technical Report Sissingue Gold Project, Cote dIvoire dated 29 May 2015 continue to apply. Yaoure The information in this release that relates to the Open Pit and Underground Mineral Resources and Ore Reserve at Yaoure was updated by the Company in a market announcement Perseus Mining updates Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves released on 21 August 2024. The Company confirms that all material assumptions underpinning those estimates and the production targets, or the forecast financial information derived therefrom, in that market release continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company further confirms that material assumptions underpinning the estimates of Ore Reserves described in Technical Report Yaoure Gold Project, Cote dIvoire dated 19 December 2023 continue to apply. Nyanzaga Gold Project ASX Listing Rules disclosure All information on the Nyanzaga Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates has been extracted from the OreCorp ASX announcements dated 12 September 2017 titled MRE Update for the Nyanzaga Project Increasing Category and Grade, 5 May 2022 titled DFS Completion and Kilimani Mineral Resource Estimate update within the Nyanzaga Special Mining Licence Tanzania, and 22 August 2022 titled Nyanzaga DFS Delivers Robust Results available on www.perseusmining.com. Perseus confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affect the information included in the original ASX announcements and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the ASX announcements continue to apply and have not materially changed. Perseus confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Persons findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original ASX announcements. Canadian National Instrument NI43-101 disclosure The information in this release relating to the Nyanzaga Gold Project is extracted from the OreCorp ASX announcements dated 12 September 2017 titled MRE Update for the Nyanzaga Project Increasing Category and Grade, 5 May 2022 titled DFS Completion and Kilimani Mineral Resource Estimate update within the Nyanzaga Special Mining Licence Tanzania, and 22 August 2022 titled Nyanzaga DFS Delivers Robust Results available on www.perseusmining.com. A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the Historical Estimates as current. As such, any Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates included in this section are Historical Estimates as defined in Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and are not reported as current Perseus estimates. The OreCorp Feasibility Study includes key assumptions for commodity prices, gold mining and processing costs, and there have been no material changes in assumptions. The OreCorp Feasibility Study in its current form is a comprehensive compilation of all available data applicable to the estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. Reference is made to Perseuss news release dated 31 May 2024 titled "Perseus progresses Nyanzaga Gold Project for further clarifying statements. Perseus confirms the applicability of these statements have not materially changed. The information in this report relating to Nyanzaga exploration results was first reported by the Company in compliance with the JORC Code 2012 and NI43-101 in a market update Confidence Boosting Infill Drilling at Nyanzaga Project released on 5 December 2024. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affect the information in these market releases. Meyas Sand Gold Project The information in this report that relates to the mineral resources and probable reserves of the Meyas Sand Gold Project was first reported by the Company in a market announcement Perseus Enters Into Agreement to Acquire Orca Gold Inc. released on 28 February 2022. The Company confirms it is not in possession of any new information or data relating to those estimates that materially impacts of the reliability of the estimate of the Companys ability to verify the estimate as a mineral resource or ore reserve in accordance with Appendix 5A (JORC Code) and the information in that original market release continues to apply and have not materially changed. These estimates are prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 standards and have not been reported in accordance with the JORC Code. A competent person has not done sufficient work to classify the resource in accordance with the JORC Code and it is uncertain that following evaluation and/or further exploration work that the estimate will be able to be reported as a mineral resource or ore reserve in accordance with the JORC Code. This release and all technical information regarding Orcas NI 43-101 have been reviewed and approved by Adrian Ralph, a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101. Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information This report contains forward-looking information which is based on the assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management of the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made by the Company regarding, among other things: the price of gold, continuing commercial production at the Yaoure Gold Mine, the Edikan Gold Mine and the Sissingue Gold Mine without any major disruption, the receipt of required governmental approvals, the accuracy of capital and operating cost estimates, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used by the Company. Although management believes that the assumptions made by the Company and the expectations represented by such information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the 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 of the Company to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, the actual market price of gold, the actual results of current exploration, the actual results of future exploration, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents. The Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the Companys ability to carry on its exploration and development activities, the timely receipt of required approvals, the price of gold, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Perseus does not undertake to update forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. This market announcement was authorised for release by the Board of Perseus Mining Limited. Let us start off by reiterating that there shall be no general amnesty. Any such approach, whether applied to specific categories of people or regions of the country, would fly in the face of the TRC [Truth and Reconciliation Commission] process and subtract from the principle of accountability which is vital not only in dealing with the past, but also in the creation of a new ethos within our society. () Government is of the firm conviction that we cannot resolve this matter by setting up yet another amnesty process, which in effect would mean suspending constitutional rights of those who were at the receiving end of gross human right violations. These were the words of South Africas president Thabo Mbeki on 15 April 2003 when he presented the sixth and final volume of the TRC, released a month earlier, to the parliament and the nation. However, within a few weeks of the speech, attempts by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to commence investigations into cases that the TRC has recommended for prosecutions were blocked. They were refused support by both the Directorate of Special Operations, a specialized unit within NPA established by Mbeki, and the South African Police Service (SAPS). Only 849 granted amnesties Part of the set-up of the TRC was that perpetrators of politically motivated crimes who made full disclosure were eligible for amnesty for those crimes. But perpetrators who were refused amnesty, or who chose not to apply for amnesty, were meant to face criminal prosecution. According to the TRC final report, of the 7,112 persons who applied for amnesty, some 5,034 were rejected for not meeting the basic requirements, while the others were referred to the Amnesty Committee of the TRC, that followed the completion of the truth-telling and reconciliation process (1996-98). Some 849 of these applicants only were granted amnesty. Murders comprised the biggest category of the crimes for which amnesty was refused. The TRC handed over a list of several hundred cases to the NPA with the recommendation that they be investigated further for possible prosecution. In its report released on 21 March 2003, it asked for a bold prosecution policy in those cases not amnestied to avoid any suggestion that the truth and reconciliation process was a form of impunity. Exactly the contrary happened. The broken promise This unsavory post-TRC history is at the heart of an application to the Constitutional Court filed on 20 January 2025, by 23 South Africans and the Foundation for Human Rights who represents survivors and families, in which they describe how the countrys political leaders have made sure that prosecutions would never take place. It is an undeniable fact that there have been virtually no investigations or prosecutions of the TRC cases since the TRC process concluded, they say. And there is substantial evidence that the reason behind this failure is a deliberate policy decision by the government to suppress them. The plaintiffs stress that for years theyve asked for an independent commission of inquiry into the suppression of the TRC cases. President Ramaphosa and the former Minister of Justice, Ronald Lamola, have ignored our requests, they state. And they now want the highest court in the country to declare that the conduct of South African authorities was unlawful. They remind that it was on the promise of such post-TRC prosecutions that most victims accepted the necessary and harsh compromises that had to be made to cross the historic bridge from apartheid to democracy. It is this promise, they say, that has been betrayed. This part of South Africas historic pledge with victims has not been kept. Instead, in the aftermath of the TRC, the state chose to abandon its obligations by blocking the TRC cases. As a result, virtually none of these cases have been pursued. A political betrayal Acquittals, opportunistic guilty pleas accompanied by suspended sentences, bungled prosecutions, constant obstruction from national security and intelligence agencies, political interference at the highest level: the dense 259-page brief filed by the plaintiffs provides the most detailed and damning account of a political betrayal that has started after Mandelas presidency in 1999. A policy that did not apply only to crimes committed by the Apartheid regime but also by the African National Congress (ANC) or the Inkatha Freedom Party, another important anti-apartheid movement. In early 1999, after the TRC had finalized the first five volumes of its final report, a working group called the Human Rights Investigative Unit (HRIU) was established within the NPA. It was mandated to review, investigate and prosecute TRC cases in which perpetrators had been denied amnesty or had not applied for it. The TRC then began to refer cases for potential prosecution to the NPA. The HRIU continued operations until 2000 but it didnt proceed with any prosecutions. Another unit operated until 2003, but like the HRIU, it initiated no prosecutions. Then came the Priority Crimes Litigation Unit (PCLU) whose mandate included to deal with the TRC cases. The PCLU launched an audit of all available cases and registered some 459 cases that were handed over from the TRC. Approximately 150 cases were identified for immediate investigation. Sixteen cases were prioritized, of which three were prepared almost immediately for indictment. Political interference Thats when political interference went full-scale. According to the brief, one case after another reveals the abandonment of the ambition for justice formulated in 1994 with the advent of Mandela. Like the PEBCO 3 case, among many others: In 2004, former SB [Security Branch of the Police] officers Gideon Nieuwoudt, Johannes Martin van Zyl, and Johannes Koole were charged with the 1985 kidnapping and murder of three leading anti-apartheid activists, known as the PEBCO 3. This was the first and only case that the PCLU brought in respect of perpetrators who had been denied amnesty. Nieuwoudt and van Zyl applied to court to review the decisions to refuse them amnesty. The review was delayed by some five years because of the failure or refusal of the DOJ [Department of Justice] to file answering papers. Nieuwoudt died in August 2005. In 2009 the High Court ruled that an Amnesty Committee be convened to rehear the application of Van Zyl. Charges were then provisionally withdrawn against Van Zyl and Koole. Inexplicably, the DOJ never convened an Amnesty Committee and the NPA never reinstated the cases against Van Zyl and Koole, who have both since died. It is highly unlikely that their decisions were spontaneous or mere coincidences, says the brief. It is apparent that by May 2003 both the SAPS and the NPA were reluctant to take on the TRC cases, and in all probability had been told not to do so from a political level. The brief doesnt shy from pointing to the highest level: It appeared that only the head of state could make that decision, regardless of what the law and Constitution said about investigative authority. The very basis of the TRC undermined In February 2004 an Amnesty Task Team (ATT) was established. According to the brief, the ATT Report noted that a further amnesty would face challenges because of constitutional issues but nonetheless the team still had to find ways to accommodate those perpetrators who did not take part in the TRC process. Some members argued against another amnesty, pointing out it would undermine the TRC process, while others supported a new amnesty to encourage more disclosures. And the team decided that a new amnesty similar to that of the TRC process should be offered to guarantee maximum impunity for apartheid-era perpetrators, the brief argues. The prosecution process in relation to the TRC cases now was to be under the thumb of political overlords. All actors were called to take into account national interest, which meant, say the plaintiffs, the shielding of perpetrators of serious crimes from scrutiny and justice. In an article published in March 2004, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the iconic chairman of the TRC, reminded that those who did not receive amnesty should face prosecution and any new initiative to stop it would be seen as negating the amnesty process of the TRC, the brief reports. In a further statement Tutu made in a legal case later on, he talked about a betrayal of all those who participated in good faith in the TRC process. It completely undermined the very basis of the South African TRC. An order from the very top It had no effect. Between 2003 and 2004 an effective moratorium was placed on the investigation and prosecution of the TRC cases. When complainants such as Thembi Nkadimeng, sister of the late Nokuthula Simelane, a 23-year-old member of the ANC who was abducted, tortured and forcibly disappeared by the Security Branch (SB) of the Police in 1983, approached the PCLU they were told by prosecutors that their hands were tied as they were waiting for a new policy to deal with the so-called political cases. It is not known who authorized the halting of investigations, says the brief, but since it involved suspending work on a large number of serious crimes, mostly involving murder, it is highly likely that the authority must have come from the very top. In addition, the heads of the NPA, DSO [the Directorate of Special Operations, a specialized unit created by President Mbeki within the NPA] and SAPS must all have acquiesced in this decision, together with the cabinet ministers overseeing those departments. The views of the victims and their families were not sought. Those most impacted by this massive suspension of the rule of law were not notified in advance or given an opportunity to make representations. They were kept in the dark, and only learned of it after the fact, when they pressed the PCLU for answers. In effect, hundreds of murder cases were placed on ice indefinitely on the strength of unwritten arrangements. The moratorium remained in place for between two and three years. And when the new policy was finally issued, the clampdown only tightened. The resistant prosecutors Two key persons in the NPA, Vusi Pikoli, National Director of Public Prosecutions and Anton Ackermann, head of PCLU, did not agree with the policy. They tried to resist the charade, explains the brief. They chose to push the Chikane case. And that case would seal their fate. Ackermann decided to prosecute three former SB members for their role in the 1989 poisoning of Reverend Frank Chikane, the former head of the South African Council of Churches. All the evidence implicating them had already been led in the 1997 prosecution of Colonel Wouter Basson, the former head of South Africas secret chemical and biological warfare programme from 1982 to 1992. Basson had been acquitted in April 2002 by the Pretoria High Court but no further investigations were deemed necessary for the three former policemen, Major-General Christoffel Smith, Colonels Gert Otto and Johannes Manie van Staden, also involved in the case. And none had applied for amnesty for this crime. According to Ackermann, on the morning of 11 November 2004, the police were on the verge of effecting the arrests of the three suspects. On the same morning he received a phone call from Jan Wagener, the attorney for the suspects. Wagener told Ackermann that he would receive a phone call from a senior official in the Ministry of Justice, and that he would be told that the case against his clients must be placed on hold. Shortly thereafter Ackermann did receive a phone call from an official in the Ministry of Justice. The Chikane matter should be placed on hold, he was told. According to the brief, Wagener even claimed that authorization to suspend the arrests came from President Mbeki himself, in an extraordinarily swift move. No TRC case proceeded between November 2004 and August 2007. Frank Chikane arrives at the Pretoria High Court on August 17, 2007 to attend the trial of South Africa's apartheid police minister, Adriaan Vlok, his former chief, Johann van der Merwe, and three other former security officials. Vlok received a 10-year suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty. The five men all admitted trying to kill Chikane, who has since become a senior advisor to President Thabo Mbeki, by poisoning his clothes. Photo: Paballo Thekiso / AFP A case against Thabo Mbeki? Long-awaited amendments to prosecution policy came in 2006. But they not only provided for a rerun of the TRCs amnesty criteria behind closed doors but also opened the door to practically any excuse not to prosecute, the brief argues. The new policy did not bring an end to the moratorium. Instead, the clampdown continued, with renewed vigour. No investigators were attached to the TRC cases. Ackermanns requests to the SAPS and the DSO for competent and experienced investigators had fallen on deaf ears, the brief says. Worse, it was planned by the SAPS to reappoint Senior Superintendent Karel Johannes Suiker Britz to investigate the dockets in possession of SAPS. Britz was a former member of the Security Branch of the Police. According to Ackermann, he had regular contacts with former Police Commissioner General van der Merwe who had formed an organization called The Foundation for Equality before the Law, which was intended to ensure that no further prosecutions of SB members would take place. Britz tried to persuade me and my deputy on numerous occasions that there was a provable case of terrorism against President Mbeki arising from the landmine campaign, wrote Ackermann. In short, if SB members were prosecuted, a secret file against Mbecki would come out. Britz was eventually relocated to a different unit. But it was the Chikane case that would be the tipping point which saw the complete unravelling of the attempts by the NPA to hold apartheid-era perpetrators accountable for their crimes, the brief adds. Former Apartheid generals still powerful In late 2006, Pikoli, the National Director of Public Prosecutions, was summoned to a meeting which was convened at the home of the Minister of Social Development. It was attended by the Minister of Police, the Minister of Defence, and the acting Minister of Justice. At this meeting it became clear that there was a fear that cases like the Chikane matter would open the door to prosecutions of ANC members, said the brief. Pikoli wrote that powerful elements within government structures were determined to impose their will on my prosecutorial decisions. On 5 January 2007, Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla disclosed in a press statement the need for the development of a policy on presidential pardons for prisoners who alleged that their offences were politically motivated. Around this time, the Apartheids former Minister of Police, Adriaan Vlok, and the former Commissioner of Police, General Johann van der Merwe, both submitted statements to Pikoli. They both admitted to authorising the murder of Chikane and requested Pikoli not to prosecute them in the light of this disclosure. Pikoli declined to grant them immunity from prosecution. On 3 May 2007, Pikoli and Ackermann appeared before the Justice Portfolio Committee in Parliament. Pikoli warned that whenever there was an attempt to charge members of the former Police Services there was political intervention, and effectively the NPA was being held to ransom by the former generals. In his view, explains the brief, former apartheid generals seemed to be able to exert extraordinary influence over the justice system; and were able to engineer political interventions when their people were being pursued. Gloves are off However, despite the fact that such warning came from South Africas chief prosecutor, no inquiry was initiated by the Parliament. In July 2007, after several months of negotiation between the PCLU and the attorneys of the accused in the Chikane case, a plea agreement was reached. Pikoli said he would have preferred a full prosecution because Vlok and van der Merwe had confined their disclosure to facts that were largely in the public domain and declined to reveal information about the compiling of the hit lists and who was behind their compilation. But Pikoli stated that it was clear to me that the government, and in particular the then Minister of Justice, did not want the NPA to prosecute those implicated in the Chikane case. Therefore, a plea and sentence bargain was in my view the most appropriate compromise in the circumstances. On 10 July 2007, Pikoli sent a memorandum to the Minister of Justice informing her of the fact that the Chikane case would be heard in court on 17 August 2007 and that all the accused would plead guilty of attempting to murder Chikane by means of poisoning. According to Ackermann, this case ought to have opened the door to the prosecution of General Basie Smit, who succeeded van der Merwe as Commander of the Security Branch in October 1988, as well as other senior officers of both the Police forces and armed forces. That would not happen. Shortly after the Chikane case hearing, a newspaper article appeared in which it was claimed that the NPA was preparing to prosecute ANC leaders. It was based on a forged note, says the brief, but after its publication, Pikoli was summoned to a meeting, on 23 August 2007. This meeting was attended by several cabinet ministers, including the Minister for National Intelligence Services, the Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Social Development, as well as the National Commissioner of the SAPS, Jackie Selebi. According to Pikoli, Selebi said to him that the gloves are now off and that he was declaring war on him, the brief says. In a letter to the Minister of Justice in August 2007, Pikoli confirmed that there was no investigation by the NPA against the 37 ANC leaders including the President of this country, contrary to the assertions of the National Commissioner of Police. Pikoli concluded his letter by requesting an urgent meeting with the Minister. He also requested an opportunity to appear before the National Security Council to give a true account of this issue. The Minister did not respond. On 23 September 2007 Pikoli was suspended from office by President Mbeki. Shortly after he learned that Ackermann had been relieved of his duties in relation to the TRC cases. With Pikoli and Ackermann out of the way, government was in a position to appoint compliant officials to lead the NPA and take charge of the TRC cases, says the brief. No amount of lobbying and agitating by families and their representatives would move the new leadership of the NPA to act. The Chikane case was the last indictment issued in a TRC related case for some 10 years. 2017-2023: a dismal record Things didnt get much better ten years later. Between 2017 and 2023 five apartheid-era inquests were reopened, four of which were at the instance and pressing of the families, notes the brief. In all these cases, the families legal representatives had to threaten the NPA and/or the Minister of Justice with legal action in order to get the inquests reopened. Following the reopened inquest into the death of Ahmed Timol in 2017, which had been spearheaded by the Timol family and their representatives, former police officer Jao Rodrigues was charged with murder in 2018. Rodrigues died in September 2021 before he could stand trial. No one else has been charged in the case. In May 2021 during an interview in an Al Jazeera documentary titled My Father Died For This, ANC legal adviser Krish Naidoo claimed that the Cradock Four case, one of the TRC cases, simply fell through the cracks. His statement was deeply insulting to our intelligence, write the plaintiffs. In fact, the TRC cases were deliberately suppressed following a plan or arrangement hatched at the highest levels of government and across multiple departments. This is the real explanation for the delay. The interference stands as a deep betrayal of those who laid down their lives for freedom in South Africa. During that period the record of reopened cases, plea agreements and trials was dismal, says the brief. South Africas shame The legal brief looks at other situations in the world to shame South Africa. Chile, for instance. It is recalled that between 1998 and July 2023 Chiles Supreme Court had handed down verdicts in more than 530 cases for dictatorship-era crimes against humanity. In Argentina, as at the end of 2021, the Office of the Prosecutor for Crimes Against Humanity had investigated 3,525 people for crimes against humanity, of whom 1,044 were convicted. The main reason for South Africas woeful performance has been the political interference that effectively suppressed the pursuit of apartheid-era crimes within a few years of the closure of the TRC. South Africa may not be an exception though. In Tunisia today all cases transferred by the truth commission the Instance for Truth and Dignity for prosecution before specialized trial chambers have been systematically blocked by the government. And in The Gambia the promises for trials following another spectacular truth commission have gone nowhere for three years. What the victims want from the Constitutional Court The South African 23 applicants want the Constitutional Court to declare that the conduct of governments in power since 2003 in suppressing the prosecution of the TRC cases was a violation of the rights of the families and survivors to equality, human dignity and the rule of law. They want the court to say that the Presidents refusal to set up a commission of inquiry into the suppression of the TRC cases is unconstitutional and violates the rights of families and survivors. They also want the court to direct the President to establish this commission to identify the individuals responsible of the political interference over the 2003-2017 period. And they want the court to award them constitutional damages. The applicants do not seek individual compensation for themselves. Instead, a trust fund would be created to provide support for purposes such as commemorating their lost relatives, organising lectures or exhibitions (about 2,4 million dollars over a period of 10 years), for enabling them to assist and pursue investigations and supporting their legal cases (6,2 million dollars over 5 years), and for monitoring the work of justice authorities charged with prosecuting the TRC cases (430,000 dollars over 5 years). Last remedy For most of us, it is too late. Our life-long struggle for accountability has come to naught. Suspects and witnesses have died, bringing an end to any prospect of prosecutions in most cases. These cases can never be resurrected. The cruel indifference of the post-apartheid state robbed them of justice, peace and closure. The damage done to us, our families and communities is incalculable. We are deeply scarred and will remain so until our dying day, writes Lukhanyo Calata who is acting as the main applicant in the complaint lodged with the Constitutional Court on January 20. We participated in the TRC process in good faith, writes Calata. There was a general expectation founded on the constitutional obligations of the post-apartheid state that the state would prosecute perpetrators who were not amnestied and provide victims with reparations. For this reason, we did not sue the new South African state for the transgressions of the apartheid state. Had we known at the time the TRC was concluding its operations that the post-apartheid government had no intention of prosecuting those who had not received amnesty, most of us would have pursued civil claims against those perpetrators and the state. It is now left to the Constitutional Court to provide them with the last remedy they seem to have. Lukhanyo Calata, the first of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed with South Africa's Constitutional Court on January 20, has been seeking for years to bring to justice those responsible for his father's death during the apartheid years. France waged a war marked by "extreme violence" during Cameroon's fight for independence in the late 1950s, historians said in the latest officially commissioned study grappling with Paris's colonial past released on Tuesday. The historians found that Paris implemented mass forced displacement, pushed hundreds of thousands of Cameroonians into internment camps and supported brutal militias to squash the central African country's push for sovereignty. The historical commission, whose creation was announced by President Emmanuel Macron during a 2022 trip to Yaounde, examined France's role leading up to when Cameroon gained independence from France on January 1, 1960 and the following years. Composed of both French and Cameroonian historians, the 14-person committee looked into France's role in the country between 1945 and 1971 based on declassified archives, eyewitness accounts and field surveys. Most of Cameroon came under French rule in 1918 after its previous colonial ruler, Germany, was defeated during World War I. But a brutal conflict unfolded when the country began pushing for its independence following World War II, a move France violently repressed, according to the report's findings. Between 1956 and 1961, France's fight against Cameroonian independence claimed "tens of thousands of lives" and left hundreds of thousands displaced, the historians said. "It is undeniable that this violence was extreme because it violated human rights and the laws of war," it said. For many in France, the war in Cameroon went unnoticed because it mainly involved troops from colonies in Africa and was overshadowed by the French fight in Algeria's 1954-1962 war of independence. "But this invisibility should not create an illusion. France was indeed waging war in Cameroon," the report said. The formerly British Cameroons to the south gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1961 and became part of the newly independent state. - 'Collective therapy' - While the study aims to fill France's "memory gap" on this period, for Cameroonians, "the profound trauma linked to repression remains", it said. The report comes as France has seen its influence wane among its former African colonies, which are reevaluating -- and sometimes severing -- their ties with Paris. Even after Cameroon gained independence in 1960, Paris remained deeply involved in its governance, working closely with the "authoritarian and autocratic" regime of Ahmadou Ahidjo, who stayed in power until 1982. France helped draft Cameroon's post-independence constitution and defence agreements allowed French troops to "maintain order" in the newly independent state. Ahidjo's successor, current President Paul Biya, 91, in office since 1982, is only the second president in Cameroon's history. Receiving the report in Yaounde on Tuesday, Biya called it a "work of collective therapy" that would encourage the peoples of both countries to better accept their past relationship. Ahead of its publication, former anti-colonial fighter Mathieu Njassep had told AFP he wanted France to admit to wrongdoing. "If France does not recognise it was wrong, we won't be able to forgive it," said the 86-year-old who fought against Ahidjo's government from 1960 and was thrown in jail for 14 years for "armed rebellion". - 'Remembrance and truth' - Macron has taken tentative steps to come to terms with once-taboo aspects of the country's historical record, though many argue he has not gone far enough. A 2021 report concluded France bore "overwhelming responsibilities" in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, and a 2020 review examining France's actions during Algeria's war of independence called for a "truth commission" and other conciliatory actions. But Macron has ruled out an official apology for torture and other abuses carried out by French troops in Algeria. France is now reconfiguring its military presence in Africa after being driven out of three countries in the Sahel governed by juntas hostile to Paris -- Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. And Chad accused Macron of showing contempt after he said African leaders had "forgotten to say thank you" to France for helping to combat jihadist insurgencies in the Sahel. Last week Macron said he was committed to "continuing the work of remembrance and truth initiated with Cameroon" after receiving the report. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's attempts to reinsert the national idea of the Armenian people continue. It has been successful in some places, but mostly these attempts are met with mass hysteria, threats and misunderstanding. Because ugly narratives are too deeply embedded in the mentality, and it will be very difficult to erase them from there. At a meeting with the Armenians of Switzerland during his trip to Davos, Pashinyan took a swing at the "holy of holies" - the notorious "Armenian genocide". Among other things, he stated that it is necessary to return to the history of the "Armenian genocide", to understand what happened, why it happened and why the issue of "genocide" was not on the agenda in 1939, but suddenly appeared in 1950. "Do we need to understand this or not?" - the Armenian Prime minister asked. Judging by the reaction that followed to these words, there is no desire in Armenian society to understand what really happened in 1915 and why the issue of "genocide" arose out of nowhere and was turned into an Armenian fetish and a beating stick for Turkiye. "Genocide specialists," who outnumber stray cats in Armenia and the Diaspora, immediately crawled out of all the cracks. Pashinyan was accused of illiteracy and called his words dangerous. The Dashnaks hastened to say their word. Dashnaktsutyun called it a "challenge to national security", an "insult to the Armenian statehood" and called on the Diaspora to unite against such a prime minister, who nullified the titanic efforts of the criminal church and several generations of Armenian false historians and falsifiers. Moreover, according to the Dashnaks, Pashinyan spat into the soul of more than 40 countries, from which, thanks to Armenian handouts and political intrigues, he managed to achieve recognition of this fact that had no place in history. There are also calls to bring Pashinyan to criminal responsibility. There is a funny article in the Armenian Criminal Code that punishes denial of the "genocide," which, according to lawyers, allows Pashinyan to be put on a bunk for five years. The Armenians were especially infuriated that Pashinyan's words implied that the Soviet Union had created the myth of "genocide." Why be outraged if that was the case? After Turkiye joined NATO in 1952, the USSR began to promote the Armenian factor in defiance of Ankara. Prior to that, the events of 1915 had hardly been discussed. These were events that had already been archived and were of no interest to anyone. It was just one of the minor fragments of the long and bloody First World War. The Armenians, in order to look "progressive", are trying to assure that in the USSR the topic of "genocide" was banned, and those who raised it were imprisoned. Seriously? But for some reason, the real facts contradict these statements. Due to various insinuations on the eve of the "100th anniversary of the genocide", the Russian media exposed these opinions, proving that just the opposite was true - the Soviet government supported the madness of the nationalists, just tried to keep it a secret for the time being. We read in one of the publications: "One of the leaders of the Armenian Communist Party, Karlen Dallakyan, in his memoirs writes about a meeting between Yakov Zarubyan and a public figure from Lebanon, Andranik Tsarukyan, in 1962. Tsarukyan asked whether events will be organized in Armenia on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the "Armenian genocide" in Ottoman Turkiye and whether there are plans to build a monument. To which Zarubyan replied in the affirmative, but added: "All these plans (related to the construction of the monument and commemoration of the Armenian victims) are not yet publicly available. The Center (Moscow) is not opposed in principle, but is careful and tries to find ways not to damage the foreign policy of the USSR. Two years later, in 1964, Yakov Zarubyan prepared and sent to Moscow a memorandum requesting permission to hold events related to the 50th anniversary of the "Armenian genocide" and a proposal to build in Yerevan a "monument in memory of the Armenians who died in the First World War." In the same month, the State Construction of Armenia announced a competition for the monument project." In 1965, with the permission of the Kremlin, celebrations were held in Yerevan. They were held at the Yerevan Opera and Ballet Theater with the participation of the top party leadership and the Catholicos. Like everything else in Armenia, the event turned into riots when a crowd of thousands stormed into the theater and demanded that Moscow recognize the "genocide" as an official fact. Later, the opening of the memorial was called the result of popular pressure, although in fact it was also a myth - the Soviet government, as evidenced by the facts from the previous paragraph, allowed these falsifications of history even before the anniversary. On February 21, 1985, at a special meeting of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the CPSU, the issue of "Measures related to the 70th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide" was discussed. The meeting was chaired by Mikhail Gorbachev, who replaced Konstantin Chernenko, the seriously ill General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU. The Armenian leadership now wished to make "Genocide Day" not just an ordinary event, but a day of pan-Armenian mourning and celebrate it widely. The anti-Turkish hysteria subsided somewhat in the 80s, and the Armenians intended to rekindle this bonfire. The Armenian side framed its desire with terrible demagoguery. Although Gorbachev was ready for anything, such "dinosaurs" as Tikhonov, Gromyko and Grishin opposed Demirchan's initiative. They reasonably pointed out that a decision in favor of "genocide" would help incite national discord at a time when relations between the USSR and Turkiye were just beginning to improve. At that meeting, Gorbachev had to reluctantly agree, but a month later, after becoming Secretary General, he removed these three figures from the Politburo who were objectionable to Armenians and surrounded himself with Aganbekians and Shahnazarians. Gorbachev's decisions turned into a tragedy for the region, and he himself was eventually awarded the Nobel Prize. Uruguay, where the Armenian diaspora managed to get recognition of the "genocide" for the first time in May 1965, made the appropriate decision only after the "holiday" was allowed in the USSR. And most of the other countries where the diaspora worked officially recognized the "genocide" only after 1991. And these steps have always been based on political interest. The appearance of such a date in the portfolio of Armenians has opened many doors for Armenians. The "genocide" was necessary for both the Soviet leadership and the world leaders playing on the far-fetched Armenian issue. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - An African-American woman, Victoria Ogunremi, returned the cash sum of $5,700, which she had found in the toilet at her workplace in New Jersey, United States. Most Africans living abroad have described the gesture as one of the remarkable acts of honesty and kindness. Ogunremi told the media in a telephone interview on Monday, January 27, that the gesture had earned widespread praise from her employer, colleagues and the person who lost the money. According to her, the decision to return the money was made with concern for the person who had lost the money. The thought of the pain or trauma it could cause inspired me, she said. I did not hesitate to return it because of my Christian faith and beliefs. Honesty brings peace of mind, and it is the key virtue I cherish. She said that she had found the owner of the money before informing her employers organisation management. Ogunremi said that her co-workers also admired her gesture, and many were not surprised by her act of kindness. "The management was very pleased and proud of me. The owner was incredibly grateful and showered me with praise. "They told me that it could only have been an act of kindness by a woman with the fear of God to do something like this, she recounted. She attributed her kind nature to her late fathers teachings on moral upbringing, adding he taught us never to take what does not belong to us. "Such principles have guided me throughout my life, knowing that honesty is a principle I hope to instil in my children and grandchildren. "Whether someone is watching or not, doing the right thing matters. A good name is priceless, and peace of mind is golden. No matter how tough your situation is, always return what does not belong to you. Doing the right thing brings rewards far greater than anything material. Ogunremis gesture is a shining example of integrity and compassion, of doing what is right even when it is not the easiest path. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has denied claims that he is supporting President William Ruto for his survival at the union. This is after claims that Atwoli was in Rutos fold not because he believed in the latter's ideologies and agenda for the country but for his own survival. In the run-up to the 2027 elections, the COTU boss fiercely castigated Ruto, saying he was not fit to lead the country. Atwoli accused Ruto of many maladministration vices, including corruption. However, he suddenly changed his stance after Ruto was sworn into office. Responding to the allegation, Atwoli said that the analysis was done in bad faith. He said his camaraderie with Ruto is based on the need to address the challenges workers face. Atwoli said that in his capacity as the COTU Secretary General, he will continue engaging with successive governments for cooperation in improving the conditions of the Kenyan workers. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Skai Jackson, known for her roles on Disney Channels "Jessie" and "Bunkd," announced the birth of her first child over the weekend. However, the babys father, Deondre Burgin, was notably absent as he is currently incarcerated. According to court records, Burgin has been serving time at the Hamilton County Jail in Ohio since November. He was sentenced to 90 days after violating parole from a prior case involving theft and weapon possession during his time as a juvenile. Despite Burgins absence, sources close to Skai revealed she is thrilled about becoming a mother. Her baby boy, named Kasai, is reportedly healthy, and Skai is "determined to be the best mother and role model," according to a family insider. Burgin is expected to be released in February if everything proceeds without complications, allowing him the opportunity to meet his child. Whether Skai and Burgin will maintain a positive relationship remains to be seen. The pairs past has been turbulent. In August, Skai was arrested for alleged domestic battery following an altercation in Los Angeles where she reportedly pushed Burgin. However, the case was dropped by the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office after Burgin showed no visible injuries and refused to cooperate with investigators. As Skai steps into motherhood, she remains committed to balancing her personal life and career, ready to embrace the challenges of being a working mom. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Fraudulent businessman, Philip Chrisantus Obure alias "Chris Obure" has this morning pleaded not guilty to offenses of forgery, giving false information, and uttering false documents before Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi at the Milimani Law Court. Obure was arrested yesterday after detectives based at Serious Crime Unit backed by DCI's Document Examiners established that the businessman had presented forged Binding Resolutions fronting them as genuine in an attempt to claim ownership of multimillion Senteu Plaza. Obure, whose firm, SBS Dunhill East Africa is housed at the Plaza, had previously used the said documents to fraudulently obtain money from foreigners whom he lured into believing he is the owner of the Plaza. The suspect pleaded not guilty to the four charges against him and was awarded a personal bond of Ksh 500,000 and a surety of the same amount or cash bail of Ksh 200,000 with 1 personal contact. This comes days after a judgment delivered by Justice Patrick Otieno at Milimani High Court on January 23, 2025, giving the Assets Recovery Agency a greenlight to recover over Sh 18 million from two private jet leasing firms linked to Obure following their suspicious involvement in international money laundering syndicate. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has continued his attacks on President William Ruto, who supervised his impeachment in October last year. Speaking during the unveiling of the new Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) headquarters in Karen, an event attended by leaders like Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, Gachagua expressed his discontent with Ruto's leadership and policies. Gachagua took issue with Ruto, labeling him corrupt and incompetent, asserting that the president lacks the moral authority to condemn such vices. He also dismissed a recent global opinion poll that ranked Ruto as the second-most corrupt leader worldwide. In a sarcastic jab, Gachagua claimed that Ruto was "rigged" and should have been ranked as the most corrupt leader globally. "William Ruto, do you have the moral authority to talk about corruption? "We sympathise with you because recently there was an opinion poll on the most corrupt person in the world. "We are unhappy that you were rigged; instead of being number one, they gave you number two," Gachagua said. The former Mathira MP also accused State House Nairobi of being a hub for corrupt activities, claiming that his fallout with Ruto arose from his refusal to condone corruption. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has termed President William Rutos Affordable Housing programme as the biggest scam of the century. Speaking in Nairobi during the opening of the DAP-K party headquarters yesterday, Gachagua exposed how Ruto and his close allies are minting billions by doing business in the Affordable House scheme. According to Gachagua, Ruto and his friends are the ones supplying construction materials for the projects. The former DP stated that the programme was coined to benefit those close to the president, describing it as the worst fraud. He added that contractors were being forced to purchase the construction materials from specific companies that have ties with the officials. "If you look at the Affordable Housing Programme, it is the worst fraud against the people of Kenya and it is good that I tell the country," the former DP claimed. "It has nothing to do with housing. It is business. If you want to build a house, you must go and sign a contract with companies that will sell the cement, steel, and iron sheets, and people behind those companies are at State House." He therefore asserted that should a new government be elected in 2027, the programme needed to shut down. The Affordable Housing programme in the Kenya Kwanza administration was introduced after the introduction of the Housing Levy. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has once again revealed more intricate details from his tenure as the second-in-command. Speaking during the launch of the new offices of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K), Gachagua revealed that amongst his roles was defending Kenya Kwanza projects, especially the ones receiving public backlash. He recalled receiving a phone call from President William Rutos Personal Assistant, Farouk Kibet, questioning his silence on the controversial Adani deal. "He was telling me to go and defend the Adani Deal. I was at a funeral with Wamalwa and Onyonka when he (Onyonka) called out the government for the deal. "I just sat, listening but did not even nod because I was still in office. When I stood up, I did not respond," he narrated. "Later on, one of the President's PAs (Farouk Kibet), a standard six drop-out, called me furiously asking what type of a DP I was for not defending the Adani deal after Onyonka's speech. "I told him 'I cannot answer you. Tell your boss to call me.' So the President called me and I told him I could not defend the deal because it was shrouded in corruption." Gachagua said that was one of the reasons why he was labelled incompetent, for reportedly not defending government projects which he deemed as corrupt. According to Gachagua, the entire government was riddled with shady deals that he was unable to defend. In his impassioned speech, Gachagua described Kenya's State House as the most corrupt institution in the country, where corrupt individuals flock to strike deals with the President. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has stated that President William Ruto is supporting former Prime Minister Raila Odingas bid for the African Union Commission Chairperson as a survival tactic during the 2027 presidential election. According to Gachagua, the president is fervently praying for ODM leader Raila Odinga to win the African Union Commission chairperson election slated for February. Gachagua stated that Ruto hopes to inherit Raila's voting bloc given he has lost four million votes in the Mt Kenya region following their unceremonious divorce. However, Gachagua argued that even with Raila's backing, Ruto would still lose the 2027 presidential race given regions that voted for the Azimio leader such as Ukambani, Kisii and Western would support an opposition candidate. "Why he (Ruto) is annoyed is because 47% of his support (4 million votes) are gone. "He believes that if Raila goes to the AU, he can inherit his votes. "He forgets that the ones Raila got from Wiper are not there, the one for Mulembe is not there, and the one for Kisii is not there, I can tell you for free, this guy is stuck. "He is cornered; our job is very easy, it is to stay together and unite our people," Gachagua stated. According to Gachagua, the opposition has enough numbers to defeat Ruto in the upcoming election. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused his former boss, President Ruto of being a thief of public funds, claiming he shows no mercy with taxpayers' money. Speaking on Monday during the launch of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) office, Gachagua cited the ongoing housing project as one of many Kenya Kwanza Alliance initiatives designed to siphon taxpayers money. He said the housing project is owned by Ruto and his cronies who pocket billions by selling cement, metal, and roofing sheets. We initially believed the President that the project was about job creation, you know, a lot of English and talk, Gachagua said. Until it came to my attention that it has nothing to do with that; it is a business. "If you want to construct the houses, you have to sign a sub-contract from the Housing Principal Secretary with the company to sell you cement, metal, and roofing sheets. The Kenya DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - A Ghanaian student who relocated to Canada just four months ago has been stabbed to death at work after spending a few days as a part-time worker at the DSI Underground Canada. Alfred Okyere, 23, arrived in Canada in 2024 and had been staying with his elder sister, Lydia Obeng. He was allegedly killed by his co-worker, 53-year-old Troy Francis Leclair, at DSI, a mining supply company. In an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Ms Obeng said the police revealed that Mr Okyere was stabbed more than a dozen times. They told us there was an altercation, and he was stabbed 17 times in 30 seconds, Ms Obeng explained. I know he is very calm. Alfred is never troublesome. It was a new job he told me he had found, and he started last Wednesday. And he left around 2:40, picked an Uber, and went to work. She added, Alfreds name never crossed my mind when I saw the police here. I know he is very calm. Alfred is not trouble. When the police broke the news, I couldnt believe it until they brought me his bag. I packed his lunch and everything when he was living and a document we took to SGI. So he clearly told me that he was the one. In a statement, the police confirmed Mr Alfred suffered injuries from the stabs, and he was pronounced dead in the hospital. Upon arrival, police located a 23-year-old male victim suffering from stab wounds, a police statement. He was transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased. However, Ms Obeng said the deceaseds family did not get any information regarding the circumstances surrounding Mr Okyeres death. Meanwhile, the Canadian police have charged Mr Leclair with murder. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo has dismissed claims that former President Uhuru Kenyatta played a role in his appointment. In an interview with Citizen TV on Monday evening, Kabogo clarified that his appointment was not connected to the December 9, 2024, meeting between Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Ruto in Ichaweri, Kiambu County. Kabogo argued that just because his nomination came after Uhuru hosted Ruto, does not mean that the former president influenced it. Kabogo further affirmed that he has not communicated with the former president for some time. "I dont know. Kenya is a vibrant nation with rumours, people just make up things. "It came just after the visit of the President to Ichaweri. "I am telling you that I am 100% sure that it had nothing to do with that visit. However, the Cabinet Secretary revealed that he received a phone call from the Head of State, who mentioned working on something but did not provide any details. He added that he was surprised when the president nominated him to the Cabinet following their brief phone conversation. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Controversial city car dealer Khalif Kairo reportedly risks being evicted from his rented apartment in Lavington for defaulting rent. Reports indicate that the embattled car dealer has been facing financial constraints as he battles court cases for defrauding clients. So broke is Kairo that he couldnt afford to raise Ksh 2 million cash bail when he was arrested a few weeks ago and charged in court, prompting his friends to fundraise for him. During Kairos prime, Ksh 2 million was pocket change to him but currently, he is in financial turmoil. His car yard along Kiambu Road is nearly empty after losing clients, amid reports that he hasnt paid his employees for months. Reports of Kairo facing eviction for defaulting rent emerged on X from trusted sources. His girlfriend Wavinya Maria, a high-end city model, has also deleted his photos on her Instagram account after they reportedly broke up. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Embattled city car dealer Khalif Kairo has incorporated a shell company in the United States to engage in illegal activities such as money laundering and card fraud after meeting Langata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwour alias Jalango and suspected wash wash gang. He incorporated the shell company on 14th January 2025 in Delaware (a shell companies state) and met with the wash wash gang on 19th January 2025, most likely to plan the wash wash activities. A shell company is one that primarily or solely exits on paper only, effectively meaning it is not a 'real' operating business. This means that there will be no significant assets linked to the shell company and it will deliver no goods, services, or other business functions to generate revenue for itself and will employ no staff. Shell companies are used to do money laundering and other illegal activities. See how Kairo was smoked out on X. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Tonderai Mugabe, a man claiming to be the secret son of the late Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, has dropped his inheritance lawsuit in the High Court after a failed attempt to challenge the former Presidents estate. Tonderai sought recognition as a legitimate heir to the Mugabe estate, naming Bona Mugabe, the late President's daughter and the estates executor, as the defendant in his legal action. He also requested access to Mugabe's death certificate, intending to invoke provisions of the Administration of Estates Act. However, his case encountered significant legal hurdles, including missing the six-week deadline to challenge the Master of the High Courts decision. Justice Chitapi dismissed his reliance on the Mugabe surname, ruling that merely adopting the name did not grant legal status as a descendant. Realizing the case's weakness, Tonderais lawyer requested a brief adjournment, after which he decided to withdraw the suit and agreed to pay legal costs. Justice Chitapi described the case as fatally defective and accepted its withdrawal, noting that pursuing the lawsuit further would have been a waste of time and resources. The defence, led by Bona Mugabes lawyer, Mr Chinake, argued that the estate had already been finalized and distributed, leaving no room for reopening it. Additionally, Tonderais evidence, including DNA results and a birth certificate, was rejected as unreliable and not meeting the standards required by the Civil Evidence Act. Tonderai had claimed to have been born in 1977 at the Chimoio base in Mozambique during the liberation war and alleged that his mother, Hilda Maeka, had a secret relationship with Robert Mugabe. Despite these claims, the court found his evidence insufficient, effectively ending his legal challenge to the Mugabe legacy. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiangi has announced that he will quit his job at the World Bank to focus on his 2027 presidential bid. Jubilee Party, under the stewardship of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, has fronted Matiangi as the partys presidential flagbearer in 2027. On Monday, during the launch of the Democratic Alliance Party of Kenya office in Karen, Kisii County Senator Richard Onyonka revealed that the former Interior CS had informed him he would soon leave his job in the United States and return to Kenya to focus on politics. Yesterday Fred Matiangi called me from where he is working for the World Bank in Latin America. "He has decided to leave the job and come back to Kenya to join our brothers, Onyonka said. The Kisii senator stated that Matiangi plans to hold talks with other opposition leaders, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, before deciding which alliance he will join to contest the top seat. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country has received 4,094 migrants, most of whom are Mexican nationals, deported from the U.S. since Jan. 20. That number also includes citizens from other countries, though Sheinbaum specified that the majority were Mexican. "Mexico has a very important history of repatriation with the United States. First with the Trump administration and then with the Biden administration. There are coordination mechanisms," Sheinbaum said. "We ask for respect for human rights," she added. Sheinbaum said four planes with deportees arrived this past weekend. But she noted it has happened in the past and that there has not been "a sustained increase" of deportations. Sheinbaums statement on Monday, Jan. 27, arrives at a delicate time for diplomacy in Latin America, as the region braces for changes under Trumps second term as US president. Trump had campaigned on the promise of leading a mass deportation effort, and he has also pledged to push forward an aggressive America First foreign policy platform. In the past, Sheinbaum and her administration have expressed disapproval over what they called unilateral deportations from the US. In December 2024, Sheinbaum also emphasised that her priority would be to receive Mexicans, not citizens from other countries. Our main function is to receive Mexicans, she said. We hope to have an agreement with the Trump administration in case deportations occur so that they also send people who come from other countries back to their countries of origin. But on Monday, Jan. 27, Sheinbaum emphasised that there was precedent for Mexico accepting non-citizen deportees from the US. She pointed to her predecessor and political mentor, former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who agreed to accept up to 30,000 migrants and asylum seekers from Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Haiti per month. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has described President William Ruto as a political conman who deceived the Mt. Kenya electorate to secure the presidency in 2022. Speaking in Nairobi on Monday during the launch of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) office, Gachagua claimed that Ruto deceived Mt. Kenya residents during the 2022 presidential election and cautioned the Luhya community against falling into his traps in 2027. Alikuwa anakuja Mwathani Agocwo sasa amekuja kwenu Musangalire, mwe abalamu, That is the same script,Gachagua told Luhyas He also stated that he plans to form a party that will overshadow the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and revealed that the presidents party will soon become a shell once he announces the new party's name. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Brazilian superstar, Neymar has given up $65M of his remaining salary at Al Hilal to return to his childhood club, Santos. Saudi club Al Hilal confirmed the mutual termination of Neymar Jr.'s contract, paving the way for his return to Santos FC, the club where he began his professional career. The 32-year-old Brazilian forward is heading back to the Sao Paulo-based team over a decade after leaving for FC Barcelona in 2013. Neymar decided to return to Brazil after a tough stint with Al Hilal, where injuries limited him to just seven matches and a single goal since joining in 2023. Before leaving Al Hilal, Neymar reportedly agreed to give up $71 million in unpaid wages with Al Hilal to make the move happen. According to Fabrizio Romano, Neymar will travel this week to Brazil for medical and sign in as the new Santos player. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - US tech giant Nvidia saw its stock plummet nearly 17% on Monday, leading a sell-off across AI-related stocks after the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek gained sudden prominence. Nvidias market value dropped by $589 billion in a single day, marking the largest one-day loss in stock market history. DeepSeek, a Chinese-developed AI model, launched its latest version, DeepSeek-R1, on January 20. The app has since become the most downloaded free app in the US. Developed at a fraction of the cost of its American counterparts, the emergence of DeepSeek has raised concerns about the future of AI investments and the dominance of US firms. DeepSeek's researchers claim the model was trained at a cost of just $6 millionsignificantly less than the estimated $100 million required to train OpenAI's GPT-4. "If DeepSeeks innovations are adopted broadly, training costs could come down significantly," said Raymond James analyst Srini Pajjuri, though he cautioned that this may accelerate efforts by US firms to leverage their access to advanced chips to maintain a competitive edge. Marc Andreessen, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist and adviser to President Donald Trump, called DeepSeek-R1 "AI's Sputnik moment," referencing the shock caused by the Soviet Union's 1957 satellite launch. The ripple effects of DeepSeeks rise were evident across the tech sector. Nvidia's rival Broadcom saw its stock tumble 17.4%, while Micron fell 12% and Advanced Micro Devices dropped more than 6%. Major tech players like Microsoft and Alphabet, Google's parent company, also experienced declines of 2.14% and over 4%, respectively. In Europe, Dutch chip equipment maker ASML ended Monday with a 7% drop in share price, while Siemens Energy, which produces AI-related hardware, saw a staggering 20% decline. DeepSeeks sudden popularity has sparked debates about the efficiency of AI models and their implications for the industry. Singapore-based tech equity adviser Vey-Sern Ling suggested that the apps emergence "could potentially derail the investment case for the entire AI supply chain." However, some analysts remain skeptical of DeepSeeks cost claims. Stacy Rasgon, an analyst at Bernstein, pointed out that the reported $6 million training cost likely does not account for associated expenses like prior research and algorithm development. "This announcement is not really worthy of the hysteria that has taken over the Twitterverse," Rasgon added. Meanwhile, Nvidia issued a statement describing DeepSeek-R1 as "an excellent AI advancement" but appeared unfazed by the competition. DeepSeek's launch comes at a time of heightened restrictions on the export of advanced US chip technology to China, further complicating the AI landscape. Former President Joe Biden's administration had tightened these rules, limiting Chinas access to Nvidia chips and advanced chipmaking technology. Despite these challenges, Chinese developers like DeepSeek have found ways to innovate, using open-source software and exploring lower-cost approaches to AI. Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek's founder, reportedly built up a stockpile of Nvidia A100 chips before the US imposed export restrictions. Liang combined these chips with less advanced ones to train his model cost-effectively. The timing of DeepSeek's rise coincides with a major US push to bolster its own AI infrastructure. Last week, President Trump announced the Stargate AI project, which involves an immediate $100 billion investment in data centers and infrastructure, with plans to allocate an additional $400 billion over the next four years. The initiative aims to secure America's dominance in the AI space, with backing from SoftBank, Oracle, OpenAI, and UAE-based MGX. As the AI sector grapples with DeepSeeks disruptive potential, the company revealed on Monday that it had been targeted by cyberattacks. "Due to large-scale malicious attacks on DeepSeek's services, we are temporarily limiting registrations to ensure continued service," the company said in a statement. DeepSeek, founded in 2023 by Liang Wenfeng in Hangzhou, China, continues to challenge the industry with its low-cost AI model. However, questions remain about the long-term implications of its innovations and whether Chinese AI firms can sustain their progress amidst US export restrictions. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - A police officer has been forced to resign after he was arrested for secretly recording a teenager in the bathroom of a home. Eric Gregory, 45, of Milford, Ohio, is charged with two counts of voyeurism, a fifth-degree felony, and two counts of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, according to municipal court records in Clermont County. A judge ordered that he be held in jail on a $250,000 bond. WCPO Channel 9 reports Gregory first was placed on administrative leave when the department learned of the investigation and he resigned on Friday. A news release from the Miami Township Police Department said they were notified about the accusations involving a juvenile victim at a private residence. The department didnt say if the victim was a boy or girl, and also does not specify who lived in the residence. WLWT Channel 5 reports court documents show a hidden camera was found inside the home. Gregory, who was an officer with the Harrison Police Department is accused of removing the SD card from the camera, cutting it up, and flushing it down the toilet. He also is accused of smashing the camera. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Acting on intelligence Police Officers domiciled at Kutus Police Station have successfully rescued 14-month-old Maurine Kariuko, who was reported missing on January 23, 2025. The ordeal began when the child's mother filed a report at the police station, detailing the troubling circumstances surrounding her daughter's disappearance. She explained that she had left her child in the care of a relative while she briefly stepped into a barber shop for a haircut. Upon her return, she was devastated to discover that both the relative and the child had vanished without a trace. Determined to bring the infant home safely, investigators promptly launched an intensive search. Through forensic trails, they were able to smoke out and arrest the relative from her hideout in the Piai area of Kirinyaga County, in an operation, that saw the rescue of the infant bringing her back to safety. Meanwhile, as investigations continue, Maurine has been joyfully reunited with her family, bringing an end to their distressing ordeal and restoring peace to their hearts. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - A man pardoned by former President Donald Trump for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, US Capitol assault was fatally shot by police during a traffic stop in Indiana. Authorities confirmed that Matthew Huttle, 42, was killed on Sunday, January 26, after allegedly resisting arrest during the incident. According to a statement from the Indiana State Police, an altercation occurred between Huttle and a sheriffs deputy, leading the officer to discharge his weapon. Huttle was pronounced dead at the scene. Police also reported that Huttle had a firearm, though further details about the encounter were not provided. Huttle had been among approximately 1,500 individuals charged or convicted for their roles in the Capitol riot and was one of those pardoned by Trump just hours after he returned to office last week. The decision to pardon individuals convicted of violently attacking police officers drew widespread criticism from Democrats and even some Republicans. Huttle had previously served a six-month prison sentence for his involvement in the Capitol assault and was released last July. Local media reported that his uncle, who also participated in the riot, received a 30-month sentence last year after pleading guilty to assaulting police officers with a flagpole. The case has added to the scrutiny surrounding Trumps controversial pardon decisions. Another pardon recipient, Daniel Ball of Florida, was reportedly rearrested last week on a federal gun charge predating the Capitol attack. Investigations into Huttles death are ongoing, and no further information about the traffic stop or the circumstances leading to the shooting has been released. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has also cast doubts on former Prime Minister Raila Odingas chances of winning the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship in the upcoming elections. Speaking yesterday, Kalonzo claimed that President William Rutos mission in Haiti could cost Raila the AUC chairmanship. He claimed that some African leaders had reservations over the mission and might use that excuse to deny Raila the chance to lead the African Union. According to Kalonzo, some of the African heads of state were concerned that the Kenyan police could be used to violate the human rights of the citizens of Haiti. He noted that those were some of the reasons why they were opposed to the police mission to Haiti. Nonetheless, he wished the former premier well in his bid for the AUC seat. "The one thing that is becoming an obstacle for Raila at the AU is the Haiti mission. He is being asked why an African country would go and harm blacks in a faraway country." "Raila is a candidate of the Kenyan government. However, we are praying for him," Kalonzo said. Kenya police officers were deployed to Haiti amid resistance from some political leaders and human rights leaders. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has accused former Prime Minister Raila Odinga of being the number one enemy of the Kenyan people. Speaking yesterday during the launch of the Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) headquarters, Salasya criticized Raila, expressing hope that he secures the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship position to keep him away from Kenyan politics. The outspoken first-term legislator voiced his dissatisfaction with ODMs recent political moves, particularly its alignment with President William Rutos Kenya Kwanza government. Salasya expressed his frustration over ODM members speaking at a recent event hosted by Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka. At the same time, Salasya advised opposition figures against allowing ODM leaders to discuss their party during such gatherings. Politics has a lot of confusion. If I were a minister there, I would have grabbed the microphone from them. You cant come to our meeting and start talking about ODM matters. "That thing has hurt me, I havent slept, Salasya said. I want to ask Kenyans, dont let the enemy come and confuse you. "That person comes to talk about ODM in your party yet we have already buried ODM. "Ive just said on the radio where I came from, I told them Im praying for Raila Odinga to get that chairman position hes seeking so that he doesnt come to confuse us Kenyans. The DAP-K event attracted significant political figures, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his allies. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has claimed that individuals who were abducted in December 2024 were given between Sh2,000 and Sh3,000 by their abductors and were instructed not to speak about their ordeal. The money was reportedly intended to facilitate their return home, as they were allegedly abandoned in unknown locations. In seeking to hold the state accountable for the abductions, the commissions lawyer stated that those abducted were subjected to torture. "The petitioners were stripped naked for several days, shaved, and physically assaulted," the court was told. Appearing before Justice Bahati Mwamuye, the commission argued that the state was responsible for the abductions and that the National Police Service (NPS) should be held accountable. Meanwhile, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), together with the Katiba Institute and other petitioners, are calling for the state to produce other missing persons, whether dead or alive. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Mumias East MP Peter Salasyas move to stand up to President William Ruto and expose his lies has finally paid off. This is after Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa announced plans to elevate Salasya to a senior party position due to his boldness. Speaking in Karen during the launch of the new DAP-K party headquarters, Wamalwa said that Salasyas elevation would be in recognition of his loyalty to the party and his relentless efforts in fighting for the rights of the Gen Zs. Wamalwa further hailed the youthful lawmaker for speaking truth to power, pointing out his face-off with Ruto during his recent development tour of the Western region, when Salasya told him that he was being lied to by his advisors. According to Wamalwa, the DAP-K National Executive Committee (NEC) had already fronted Salasyas name, which will be soon gazetted to take up the said senior position. He hinted that Salasya will take up a senior position from a Kakamega county official who is currently facing a disciplinary committee for siding with Rutos administration. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Controversial city car dealer Joseph Kairo Wambui alias Khalif Kairo, has once again been arrested over allegations of defrauding a client. DCI officers arrested Kairo shortly after leaving the Milimani Law Courts today where he had appeared for a mention of another fraud case. In the video, DCI officers are seen bundling Kairo into their vehicle before speeding off. This is a different case, Madam, a DCI officer is heard telling Kairos relative after she inquired on why he was being arrested. Kairo has reportedly defrauded multiple clients and is expected to face more cases in court. Watch the video of his dramatic arrest. Lovely scenesNapendaKairo should be cooling his feet in kamiti. pic.twitter.com/d8398uecIp 5 People (@_MtuTano) January 28, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi means business as far as his 2027 presidential ambition is concerned. This is after he quit his plum job at the World Bank to focus all his energies on toppling President William Ruto from State House come 2027. This was revealed by Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka. Speaking during the launch of the new Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) offices, Onyonka revealed that Matiangi would soon leave his position at the World Bank and return to Kenya. Yesterday Dr Fred Matiangi called me from where he is working for the World Bank in Latin America. He has decided to leave the job and come back to Kenya to join our brothers, Onyonka said. Secondly, he said that he has observed that many parties have mentioned him as a preferred member but he has asked them to wait so that he can come back home, speak with all our brothers first then decide the way forward. Onyonka also stated that Matiangi expressed the desire to run for Presidency as an equal partner alongside other opposition leaders. This message comes just a day after the Jubilee party seemingly endorsed the former Interior Cabinet Secretary as their 2027 presidential flagbearer. In his address on Saturday, the Jubilee Party's Secretary-General announced that the party had decided to select Matiangi as their presidential candidate for 2027. "We, as the Jubilee Party, have our candidate, Fred Matiang'i. He will face off with the others to ensure Ruto goes home," Kioni stated. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - An intelligence-led operation by detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit, in collaboration with officers from Lari Police Station, has resulted in the arrest of a suspect and the seizure of suspected narcotic drugs in the Lari area along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway. During the operation, the hawk-eyed officers intercepted an Isuzu D-Max Reg. No. KBK 030J which was being driven by the suspect namely Francis Kairu where a search revealed a cache of drugs hidden in a concealed compartment. The suspect and the motor vehicle were escorted to DCI headquarters where a thorough search was conducted resulting in the recovery of 80 bales of dry green plant material suspected to be narcotic drugs concealed in a false compartment of the motor vehicle. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations reiterates its resolve to combat the sale, distribution, and consumption of illicit drugs in our country. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - The US government has halted its support for HIV treatment in Kenya and other developing countries following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. The US State Department ceased disbursement of funds from the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a key program providing HIV treatment in Kenya and other developing nations. The funding freeze will last at least 90 days. The action stems from an executive order signed by President Trump on his first day in office, which directed all government agencies overseeing foreign development assistance programs to suspend funding. As a result, nearly all US global health funding, including PEPFAR, has been halted immediately. PEPFAR, with an annual budget of $6.5 billion, has delivered HIV/AIDS treatment to over 20.6 million people globally. Since its inception, it is credited with saving an estimated 26 million lives and helping curb the spread of the virus. However, in response to the halt, the US State Department stated that it would no longer distribute funds blindly without returns for the American people. Public health experts have expressed concern that the new administration may eventually terminate the program altogether. Some have held out hope that Marco Rubio's appointment as Secretary of State could provide a positive turn for PEPFAR, given his historical support for the initiative. In Kenya, where millions of people live with HIV, PEPFAR plays a critical role in providing access to life-saving medications and supporting healthcare infrastructure. Kenya, one of the countries with the highest HIV burden globally, has received over millions of dollars in support from PEPFAR over the years. The suspension or permanent cessation of the program could significantly impact efforts to combat HIV in the country. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - US President, Donald Trump has said he isnt 100% sure that he cannot run for a third term as president. Ive raised a lot of money for the next race, that I assume I cant use for myself, but Im not 100% sure, Trump said Monday, January 27 at the House Republican Members Conference dinner in Doral, Florida. He added a moment of lighthearted uncertainty, asking Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Im not sure, am I allowed to run again, Mike? I better not get you involved in that. This is not the first time Trump has hinted at the possibility of seeking three terms in office. In an appearance last Sunday in Las Vegas, Nevada, he remarked, It will be the greatest honour of my life to serve not once, but twice or three times, US Republican Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee has spoken about amending the US Constitution to permit Trump to run for a third term. But its difficult to amend the Constitution, which hasnt been changed since the 27th Amendment was ratified in 1992. Formally proposing an amendment requires either a two-thirds vote in the House of Representatives and Senate, Republicans do not hold enough seats to pass it or via a constitutional convention, which hasnt been held since the 18th century. Then, to ratify a new amendment, three-fourths of state legislatures (so 38 states) would need to approve it. At the conference dinner, Trump reiterated his fondness for Tiktok app and his preference that it be sold by its Chinese-based parent company, ByteDance. China wont be involved, he said while insisting a lot of people are seeking to purchase the platform. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - US President Donald Trump confirmed Monday that Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok, as the popular video-sharing apps future in the country remains uncertain. The app faces a US law requiring it to divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance or face a potential ban in the United States. When asked about Microsofts involvement, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, I would say yes, and added that there is great interest in TikTok. He also suggested that a bidding war for the app could be beneficial. The law, which took effect on January 19, bans TikTok due to concerns that the Chinese government could use the app to spy on Americans or manipulate US public opinion. However, Trump has delayed its enforcement for two and a half months, aiming to reach an agreement with Beijing. Microsoft is among the potential buyers for TikTok, with analysts, such as Angelo Zino of CFRA Research, speculating that the tech giant has an interest in expanding further into the digital advertising space. TikTok briefly halted its service in the US as the deadline for the law neared, but Trump later promised to issue an executive order to delay the ban and allow time for a potential deal. TikTok resumed operations in the US, crediting Trumps intervention. Although the Biden administration initially indicated it would not pursue a ban, Trump had previously attempted to block TikTok during his first term, citing national security concerns. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - When embattled city car dealer Khalif Kairo was in his prime, he was hosted for an interview by a popular podcaster, where he warned men against dating 'women with red thighs'. Kairo said some women bring misfortunes to someones life through soul ties and even confessed that he has been a victim. Nosy X users have unearthed the video as he faces endless court battles over fraud and questioning whether his girlfriend Wavinya Maria is a 'red-thigh woman'. Kairos troubles started when he fell in love with Maria. The term 'Red Thigh' has dark connotations with women who are associated with the term being referred to as femme fatales and bearers of misfortune. Watch the video. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Eimear Dodd The trial of three men accused of the rape and sexual assault of a woman they met at the nightclub is entering its closing stages. The three men, aged between 34 and 42, with addresses in Dublin and Wicklow, have pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault of the woman at an unknown location in a car and in a Dublin house on August 31st, 2019. The men, who cant be named for legal reasons, deny any wrongdoing. Closing the case on behalf of the prosecution on Tuesday, senior counsel Karl Finnegan told the jury the central issue in this case is consent. Mr Finnegan said the woman's evidence was dignified and credible and she was clear that she didn't give consent. He suggested she didn't try to fill in gaps in her memory, but rather she learnt the extent to which these men used her while in the witness box. He said the woman didn't wake up with a sense of regret for a drunken mistake, but with a sense that something terrible had happened. Mr Finnegan noted the complainant's actions are scrutinised in trials of this kind, but asked the jury to watch how the three men act in CCTV, suggesting they look like the soberest people in that nightclub in the CCTV while the woman appears highly intoxicated. Mr Finnegan suggested to the jury that Whatsapp messages between the first and third men display their attitude towards the woman, that it was just a laugh. He said there is no mention of the woman consenting to being videoed in the course of sexual activity with three men she'd only met shortly beforehand. Mr Finnegan noted that the men arranged to meet before their garda interviews on September 10, 2020. He said this isn't unusual, but suggested they gave starkly similar accounts about that night, which began to fall apart when confronted by evidence. He submitted that the men didn't know what the woman remembered so they had to go the whole hog on the issue of consent. They paint [her] as the driving force, the one in control. He suggested to the jury that consent is a concoction, and that the men took advantage of the woman. In his closing speech, Padraig Dwyer SC, representing the first man, suggested his client's account makes more sense than the woman's and is more in keeping with other evidence in the case. Mr Dwyer continued that his client's account of performing oral sex on the woman and she performing oral sex on him led to those charges as the woman has no memory. He said his client gave a frank and full account to gardai because he is an innocent man. Mr Dwyer asked the jury to assess the woman's evidence against other material in the case, suggesting she was capable of giving consent and didn't appear highly intoxicated. He told the jury he is not suggesting that [the complainant] is some sort of malicious character but that her evidence comes apart due to a set of circumstances. Mr Dwyer submitted that the woman's memory is seriously unreliable and inaccurate. We're not saying she is a calculating liar, but her word is not reliable, he said. He noted that the woman believes her drink was spiked, but toxicology tests only found the presence of cocaine in her system. Referring to CCTV from inside the nightclub, Mr Dwyer suggested the woman was dancing energetically with the men and this dancing was highly sexually suggestive, but acknowledged this did not mean there was licence to do anything. Mr Dwyer noted that the SUV initially stopped at the home of the third man, then the four individuals went to the first man's home. He asked the jury what person in their right mind thinking they were going to abuse a person would bring them to house occupied by family or tenants? It's ridiculous. Mr Dwyer suggested the woman gave a particular account to her friend and in her initial complaint to garda, but details changed or were forgotten when she later made a formal statement. Counsel said he didn't agree that it was appropriate that the men weren't interviewed until September 2020 - over a year after the alleged incident and it was a poor excuse for gardai to say they were still gathering evidence. Referring to Whatsapp messages between his client and the third man, he suggested these messages can be interpreted in many ways. He suggested two video clips show a woman who is sexually aroused. Mr Dwyer put to the jury that the woman may have felt a mixture of emotions including guilt after sexual contact with the men and unfortunately the ball started rolling when she got to garda station and here we are now. He said regretting a sexual practice does not mean it was non-consensual or rape. He suggested it is not unusual for the accused people to discuss a case, but added that their accounts to gardai were different. Mr Dwyer said his client might not be a person you approve of in terms of sexual practices, but that doesnt mean hes a rapist. Garret Baker SC, for the second accused, suggested the quality of the evidence in the case is not sufficient to ground a criminal conviction. He told the jury an acquittal is not a condemnation or moral proclamation against the woman but a simple recognition that the evidence does not go far enough. At centre of this case is a woman who has serious memory deficiencies regarding the night in question, Mr Baker said, noting that the only evidence his client had sex with the woman is from his statement. In light of the woman's memory gaps, he asked jurors if they can be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that she was not consenting and suggested that a fair analysis of the evidence is that more is needed. Referring to CCTV, he suggested the woman's dancing is energised and shows control and co-ordination. Mr Baker asked the jury to consider how this might affect perceptions of a person's ability to give consent. Mr Baker submitted that this is not an abduction from nightclub, not a kidnapping in motion. He said video clips recorded during the night breach the woman's privacy, but told jurors do not use that to convict these men of rape. In garda interviews, the men suggested a 30-second clip records the woman refusing the first man's request for anal sex. Mr Baker suggested another way to look at this clip is as these alleged rapists are complying with a desire not to have anal sex and some noises may be consistent with consensual sexual activity, In relation to a six-second clip recorded in the bedroom, Mr Baker said this was the most important evidence in the case, akin to a fly on the wall. Mr Baker submitted that if this clip is of consensual sexual activity, then it casts fundamental doubt on events in the bedroom and earlier in the car. He said his client co-operated with gardai and provided a full account of the night. Seamus Clarke SC, for the third man, told the jury in his closing speech that his client was a bystander in the car to sexual events that other people are engaged in. His client says he only kissed the woman in the car, and denies performing oral sex on her. He submitted to the jury that the prosecution are relying on the fact that his client's DNA was found on a saliva sample from inside the woman's underwear. Mr Clarke asked the jury to consider if there might be another reasonable explanation of how his client's DNA got onto the woman's underwear, including a wet transfer from a finger. He suggested secondary transfer may also explain how his client's DNA was found on the inside of the woman's bra. Mr Clarke said his client is still very much a bystander at the house, where he says the woman briefly performed oral sex on him. He noted the woman doesn't recall his client doing anything to her. His client's position is that it was consensual and he didnt understand it was not consensual and shes the moving party, it was consensual to him. In relation to CCTV, he suggested the woman was on her phone during the walk to the second man's SUV as she was looking for a party and his client was doing the same. He submitted the party was to continue and thats why she went on a journey with the men. Mr Clarke noted the woman has memory gaps, but told the jury that just because someone had a memory blank doesnt mean they are incapable of consenting. In relation to the woman's evidence that her drink may have been spiked, Mr Clarke suggested it is understandable to create a narrative when there is a memory gap, but this may be wrong. He noted gardai checked the CCTV and saw no evidence that the woman's drink was spiked. He noted his client described the woman to gardai as tipsy, but said it is not accepted that she was so intoxicated that she was incapable of giving consent. He suggested his client may not have been aware that the woman was highly intoxicated, and may have had an honest, but mistaken belief that she was consenting. Mr Clarke told the jury while the three men are being tried together for convenience, they should only consider the contents of his client's garda interviews when assessing the charges he faces. He suggested his client laughs in the 30-second video at someone being knocked back rather than at someone being raped by another person. He noted young men can be crude in their exchanges, referring to Whatsapp messages between his client and the first man. He said aspects of this case, including the video clips recorded by his client, are distasteful and crude. The fact that he took out his phone twice while others were engaging in sexual acts does him no favours, but Mr Clarke said this doesn't mean his client committed the alleged offences. The first man, aged 39 with an address in Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to one count of raping the woman in his home address and not guilty to one count of oral rape and one count of sexually assaulting her in a car. The second man, aged 42, with an address in Wicklow, has pleaded not guilty to one count of raping the woman in the car and one count of raping her in the house. The third man, aged 34 with an address in Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to orally raping the woman in the house and sexually assaulting her in the car. The trial continues. By Jonathan McCambridge, PA Nearly 200 electricity engineers have been deployed to Northern Ireland from other parts of the UK to assist with the operation to restore power to customers following Storm Eowyn. The major storm on Friday led to hundreds of thousands of customers being left without electricity in the region. By Tuesday, NIE Networks said 43,000 customers remain without power. The company has said it may be February 3rd before power is restored to all homes. As part of the effort to help with repairing the network, engineers have arrived in Northern Ireland from across the UK. Lawrence Slade, chief executive of Energy Networks Association, said: As other network operators return to normal operations, additional staff and equipment are being freed up and sent from Scotland, England and Wales to Northern Ireland to support with the reconnection efforts there. This is in addition to more than 1,000 staff based locally at NIE Networks who have been working around the clock since the storm hit. Nearly 200 staff have been redeployed to Northern Ireland to date, in addition to helicopters, drones, generators and replacement parts from stockpiles in other parts of the UK. More people and equipment are expected to be sent over today and later this week. Everyone is working flat out to support and reconnect customers. This is a huge team effort from every network operator across the UK, Ireland and further afield. NIE Networks, Northern Irelands energy network provider, said power had now been restored to 242,000 properties. People clearing damage by fallen trees (NIE Networks/PA) Stormonts Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced 1 million (1.19 million) in funding to help those who are affected by the aftermath of the storm. Mr Lyons said: Storm Eowyn has caused devastation and my primary concern is the safety and well-being of all those affected, particularly children, the elderly and people with vulnerabilities. Over the weekend I activated the non-flooding scheme of emergency financial assistance (SEFA) to ensure immediate, on-the-ground support with community assistance centres operating across every council area. Today I am extending the scheme and have ring-fenced funding of up to 1 million for outreach services, delivered in partnership with councils and the community and voluntary sector, to ensure the right supports are in place in the right way for those most in need. Northern Ireland Water has said around 300 properties are experiencing a loss of water supply. A spokesperson said: We can give the assurance that we wont stop until all properties are back on supply. We are a 24/7 business and that work will continue day and night until water supplies return to normal. It said that bottled water is available to customers at a number of public buildings across Northern Ireland. By Rebecca Black and Jonathan McCambridge, PA A focus on victims at the public inquiry into the Omagh bombing will bring humanity to proceedings, the father of one of the victims has said. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the 1998 dissident republican blast in Co Tyrone, said it will be a difficult day. Bereaved families and survivors have gathered at the Strule Arts Centre in the Tyrone town for the inquiry which will examine whether the atrocity could reasonably have been prevented by UK authorities. Paul Greaney KC (right) and Nicholas de la Poer KC (left) appeared at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh, Co Tyrone, for the first substantive hearing in the Omagh Bombing Inquiry. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Scottish judge Lord Turnbull is overseeing the probe into the 1998 Real IRA bombing which claimed 29 lives, including a woman pregnant with twins. Commemorative and personal statement hearings will be held over the next four weeks. These will begin with bereaved families giving pen portrait evidence of those who died, followed by survivors, emergency services and those working in statutory organisations. According to the inquiry schedule, Tuesday will hear commemorations of Fernando Blasco Baselga (12) and Rocio Abad Ramo (23), two Spanish nationals killed in the bombing. Speaking as he arrived at the Strule Arts Centre on Tuesday morning, Mr Gallagher said the hearings will be difficult for him and the other bereaved relatives. Its important to be here to support the other families, the Spanish families are giving evidence this morning, its going to be difficult, he said. It brings a lot of it back, but its hugely important to focus this week and next week and the week after on the victims. In all of this, sometimes the voice of the victims is lost because there are so many technical arguments, but this brings humanity to it. Mr Gallagher, who campaigned for many years for the inquiry and took the legal action which result in a High Court judge ordering that the inquiry be called, said sometimes he felt like he had to pinch himself that it was happening. I just hope for me that this is the beginning of the end, that we do get the answers we need, that both the British government and the Irish Government fully co-operate with the inquiry and as a bereaved parent I can say thats all I can do, and Im very grateful for everybody who helped us get to this point where we can see an end. Lord Turnbull will preside over the proceedings at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA The inquiry was announced by then-Northern secretary Chris Heaton-Harris in 2023 after a Belfast High Court judgment recommended a public inquiry into alleged security failings in the lead-up to the atrocity, and also urged the Irish authorities to establish their own probe. The Irish Government has formally agreed to provide assistance to the inquiry. In his opening statement to the inquiry last year, Lord Turnbull said the pain of bereavement and trauma caused by the dissident republican bomb attack spread beyond Omagh and Ireland to families from England and Spain. He said the inquiry will undertake its task rigorously and fearlessly, and emphasised the defining character of the inquiry must be its independence. Bereaved families have expressed hope that the process will provide them with answers about the worst atrocity of the Troubles after decades of campaigning for a public inquiry. Arthur Dudek, the father of crash victim Kacper Dudek, wept as he told his local priest: I waited for him to come home and he never came home. The 20-year-old was killed by a falling tree as he made his way home from work in Letterkenny, Co Donegal at around 5.30am on Friday last. Just moments earlier, he spoke to his father on the phone having narrowly avoided another fallen tree. A tree along the N14 road at Feddyglass, Raphoe, fell and struck the car which was being driven by Mr Dudek. His funeral Mass will take place this Thursday morning in St Patricks Church, Murlog. Fr Michael McCaughey, the parish priest of Leckpatrick, Camus and Clonleigh visited the Dudek family home at Beechwood Park on Friday evening having been called to the scene, where he administered the Last Rites to Mr Dudek. His father told me when I arrived to the house: I waited for him to come home and he never came home, Fr McCaughey said. Those words were very daunting to listen to, a father saying that about his son. There is just a lot of pain and sadness for local people here. The family is very highly respected in Lifford. Kacper was well respected himself, he went to Lifford National School and onto Holy Cross in Strabane. He was very well thought of. It is a very sad situation and coupled with the fact that they had no electricity into Saturday, the whole thing is very sad and the story is very touching; a young man coming home from work just trying to do his best. Mr Dudek, the eldest of three children, was born in Brody, Poland and moved to Lifford at a young age when his family relocated. Fr Ignacy Saniuta, a Polish priest in the Derry Diocese, has also been aiding the family. Mr Dudeks body was removed from the scene to the mortuary in Letterkenny University Hospital for a post mortem examination and the N14 was closed to allow for a full examination of the scene. Garda forensic collision investigators and divisional scenes of crime arrived at the scene on Saturday while a Garda family liaison officer (FLO) was assigned to provided support to the bereaved family. Mr Dudek left his night shift at Zeus in Letterkenny with a colleague and the pair were travelling in a two-car convoy when the heartbreaking incident occurred. After coming across a fallen tree, Mr Dudek turned his car around, but a further tree collapsed onto his car. Its really devastating news for the community to hear of Kacpers tragic passing, Sinn Fein County Councillor Dakota Nic Mheanman said. My thoughts are prayers are with his family and friends at this time. The winds of Storm Eowyn were howling although the incident occurred before a status red alert was active from 7am. Friday was very difficult for all of us, Fr McCaughey said. People had no electricity, there was a fear of the wind and people had to make journeys that were necessary in circumstances. Fr McCaughey paid tribute to the emergency services who attended the scene on Friday morning. READ MORE | 'Horrible people' - Urgent scam warning issued as fraudsters prey in wake of Storm Eowyn Mr Dudek was a former pupil of Holy Cross College in Strabane, where his younger brother Karol attends. Holy Cross Principal Ciaran Johnston said Mr Dudek was a really great student and conscientious. Staff and students alike all have the same recollection: He was a real, true gentleman, very quiet and mild mannered. A very gentle soul. Mr Dudek was at Holy Cross from 2016 to 2023 when he completed his A Levels. He studied digital technology and had a keen interest in business studies and engineering. Mr Johnston said: Kacper was one of our own and a number of his friends are still in the school. The school will endeavour to put supports in place for children and staff who are affected in the days and weeks ahead. ABC Childcare Centre in Lifford said in a tribute: We would like to send our thoughts and condolences to the family and friends of Kacper Dudek. We had the pleasure of getting to know Kacper in our preschool service and have fond memories of him. May he rest in peace. Kacper is survived by his parents, Artur and Katarzyna, brother Karol, sister Weronika, girlfriend Molly and family circle. Requiem Mass will take place at 10.30am on Thursday at St Patricks Church, Murlog with cremation afterwards in Lakelands Crematorium. By KTimes Why the concrete mound housing the localizer at Muan International Airport was placed in such a hazardous location and why it remained there for years remains unanswered more than a month after the Dec. 29 Jeju Air crash. The "gravely mistaken" mound, linked to the high death toll in the deadly collision, has become a focal point of scrutiny, with neither the government, the Korea Airports Corporation, nor the construction companies involved providing clear explanations or disclosing findings about its placement and safety compliance. An executive from a contractor involved in upgrading the localizer a navigation aid facility linked to the high death toll in the Dec. 29 Jeju Air crash acknowledged the tragedy, calling it heartbreaking and regrettable. However, the executive offered no explanation for the facilitys flawed structure, stating only, Our employees followed the regulations. While the investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing, one undeniable fact remains: the improper structure of the concrete mount supporting the localizer contributed to the collision and subsequent tragedy. Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Park Sang-woo acknowledged during a parliamentary inquiry on Jan. 14, saying, Placing a hazardous facility in an emergency preparedness area was a grave mistake. Authorities have only revealed the circumstances during the localizers initial construction. The Kumho Construction Consortium, responsible for building Muan Airport, created a concrete mound to align the localizer with the runway. Were safety checks overlooked? The task order for the upgrade project included instructions to evaluate the safety of the localizer's location and materials. However, it remains unclear whether these assessments were carried out. Since Muan International Airports opening 17 years ago, international safety regulations have changed, airplanes have grown larger, and technologies to prevent runway overruns have improved. Did authorities and construction firms consider these changes during the upgrades? If they did, why was the flawed structure maintained? Minister Park has said that he would investigate these questions. While promising to share data without hindering the investigation by the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB), the ministry has yet to disclose new findings. Authorities' hesitance to release information is somewhat understandable. Premature disclosures could lead to public speculation, potentially disrupting an independent investigation. Companies involved in the localizer upgrades are also in a difficult position, as they face allegations of regulatory violations. The Korea Airports Corporation has declined to share basic documents, like the implementation design report, citing their submission to the ARAIB. However, the publics right to know is as important as the investigation itself. Citizens cannot be expected to wait passively for final conclusions. While the ARAIB focuses on identifying technical causes, it also issues safety recommendations to related organizations. But this alone is insufficient. The public must understand why the mound was left untouched and judge whether its presence was justified. If none of the involved parties whether the Ministry of Land, the Korea Airports Corporation, local aviation authorities, or industry representatives identified the issue for over a decade, why was that? The aim is not to scapegoat individuals but to uncover institutional blind spots and systemic flaws. Authorities must honor their commitment to disclose information in consultation with the ARAIB. Transparency is essential to prevent future tragedies and regain public trust. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times. By KTimes A Vietnamese student who studied in Korea expressed frustration about spending most of his internship doing tasks unrelated to the job description, simply because he is a foreigner. I was hired as an intern for a software engineering role, but I was quickly transferred to a global business department handling Vietnam-related tasks. The company didnt give me a chance to apply my major and only seemed to expect me to serve as a translator, he said. Many international students share similar experiences, dreaming of a Korean dream but finding it difficult to secure opportunities to work in their field and settle in the country. Im only doing translation work and preparing meeting minutes. I asked my supervisor for tasks related to my major, but nothing has changed, said B, a Myanmar national who spoke during an online interview late last year. B, who holds a masters degree in ecology from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, joined a Korean forestry research institute hoping to continue their studies in a technologically advanced environment and gain field experience. However, the institute assigned only tasks related to translation, leaving no room for professional growth. Similarly, C, a Chinese student with a masters degree from Sungkyunkwan University, had to leave Korea despite a stellar academic record, including a GPA of 4.21 out of 4.5 and Level 6 proficiency in the TOPIK Korean language test. After struggling to find employment or acceptance into a Ph.D. program, C resorted to part-time work at a restaurant before ultimately moving to Japan. Japan offers better opportunities for foreign students to dream about their future, C said during a virtual interview on Jan. 20. Even those who manage to pursue advanced studies in Korea face challenges. D, a Chinese researcher who earned both their masters and doctorate degrees in Korea and currently works as a postdoctoral researcher at Hanyang University, expressed similar frustrations. Its not easy to work in academia or find a job in Korea. The opportunities for foreigners are just too limited, D said. Long-term employment strategies needed According to the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Development, only about 30 percent of foreign students with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) doctorates from Korea (579 individuals as of 2022) remain employed in the country. As Korea grapples with a shortage of advanced technology specialists, calls are growing for systemic support to help international talent settle. During a National Assembly audit last year, Rep. Choi Soo-jin of the ruling People Power Party said, To advance in cutting-edge fields like semiconductors and AI, foreign researchers are essential. The government must go beyond attracting talent and provide support for employment and settlement. A shift in corporate perspectives is also necessary. Jang Hye-jin, head of a foreign employment consulting platform, said, Companies need to create more internship opportunities for foreign students to gain experience during their studies. Choi Seo-ri, a researcher at the Migration Research Institute, said, Industries lack experience in hiring foreigners. Companies must consider how to integrate foreign talent not temporarily but as part of a long-term strategy. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times. The number of victims injured in an airplane fire at a Busan airport the previous day has risen to seven, all with minor injuries, fire authorities said Wednesday. On Tuesday night, an Air Busan plane bound for Hong Kong caught fire at its tail while preparing to take off from Gimhae International Airport in Busan, some 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, prompting all its 176 passengers and crew members to evacuate. Fire authorities in Busan said Wednesday that seven people were receiving treatment at hospitals for injuries sustained in the fire. Authorities had initially reported the number of casualties as three but revised the tally after further examinations. Four of the victims were crew members who complained of chest discomfort due to smoke inhalation, while the three others a woman in her 70s and two in their 50s complained of pains in their tailbones and backs. Gimhae International Airport was operating normally as of Wednesday, with all 279 flights scheduled for the day running as planned, except for eight Air Busan flights that were canceled. Also on Wednesday, acting President Choi Sang-mok instructed officials to thoroughly investigate the fire accident and take prompt response measures. "As many flights operate at Gimhae Airport, I urge proactive efforts to ensure the safe operation of airplanes and prevent any inconveniences to the public," the government said in a press release, quoting him. According to fire authorities, passengers who had boarded the plane reported seeing a fire start in a baggage compartment, accompanied by crackling sounds and smoke. Some have speculated that an external battery or an electronic device packed inside a suitcase could be the source of the fire, as an investigation was under way to determine the cause. While a joint team of firefighters and transportation ministry officials has been tasked with determining the cause of the fire, police plan to examine whether any entities, such as the air carrier, should be held responsible for professional negligence resulting in injuries. Police plan to review regulations on carry-on luggage acceptance and electric power facilities inside the affected plane as part of their investigation. Police are also expected to consider the possibility of terrorism, though a police official said that no signs of terrorist involvement have been detected so far. (Yonhap) By Akbar Novruz Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vu?evi? resigned on Tuesday, following months of protests sparked by a deadly awning collapse in Novi Sad in November, which resulted in 15 fatalities. Vu?evi?'s resignation came just one day after President Aleksandar Vu?i? announced plans for an "urgent and extensive" reconstruction of the government in response to demands from striking university students. Vu?evi? stated that his resignation was prompted by reports of attacks on protesting students in Novi Sad. He emphasized that the government needed to demonstrate the highest level of responsibility to avoid further escalating tensions in society. He made the decision to resign in order to de-escalate the situation. The resignation came amid escalating protests in Serbia, with demonstrators blocking key traffic intersections in Belgrade and joining with farmers in tractors to demand accountability for the deadly incident. Critics blame the accident on widespread government corruption, and the protests represent one of the most significant challenges to the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in recent years. In a joint press conference, President Vu?i? called for dialogue with the students, stressing the importance of reducing tensions and beginning a constructive conversation. He also acknowledged the negative impact of the crisis on the economy, underscoring that such situations are detrimental to everyone. Additionally, the mayor of Novi Sad, Milan ?uri?, also announced his resignation on Tuesday. Vu?evi?, originally from Novi Sad, served as the city's mayor from 2012 to 2022. Indicted over charges of leading an insurrection in December, President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his decision to declare martial law in a meeting with his legal representatives Tuesday. Seok Dong-hyeon, one of Yoon's lawyers, told reporters that Yoon wondered aloud how his Dec. 3 decision to impose martial law could be considered an act of insurrection when "everything was done within the boundaries of the Constitution." Seok and other lawyers met with Yoon at the Seoul Detention Center, Tuesday, two days after Yoon became the first sitting South Korean president to be indicted under detention. Yoon is accused of conspiring with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others to incite an insurrection, Dec. 3, by declaring an unconstitutional and illegal state of emergency, despite the absence of any signs of war, armed conflict or a comparable national crisis. Yoon is also alleged to have sent troops to the National Assembly in order to keep lawmakers from voting down the martial law declaration, and planned to arrest key political figures. According to Seok, Yoon said he exercised his constitutional right to declare martial law to inform the people of the crisis that the nation was facing, with the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) having taken over the National Assembly. Yoon also noted that he immediately lifted martial law once the Assembly voted down his declaration. He told his lawyers that his actions could not constitute an act of insurrection because there had not been any bloodshed or casualties, nor had there been any arrest of politicians. Seok said Yoon claimed that he had never intended to maintain martial law for an extended stretch of time because he had not prepared any manual on how to run the administrative and judicial branches in such a state, and because he had fully expected the National Assembly to promptly vote it down. "He didn't say anything particular about spending the Lunar New Year holiday inside the detention center or about the situation he is in as the sitting president," Seok said. "But I could tell from his looks that a lot of things were going through his mind." Seok added Yoon voiced his concerns about the future of Korea. "He said he was worried about many people struggling to make ends meet in these cold conditions," Seok said. "He was also concerned that young people who should be dreaming big dreams may grow frustrated and disenchanted with reality." Seok noted that first lady Kim Keon Hee has been experiencing health problems of late. Yoon, who hasn't seen his wife since being detained, Jan. 15, was worried about Kim's condition, Seok said. The DPK attacked Yoon for worrying about the state of the nation when he himself had caused problems. "He incited an insurrection and shook our constitutional order at its core. He has also destroyed our economy," Cho Seung-rae, the DPK's senior spokesperson, said. "And he has the temerity to say he's worried about the future of the country. This is quite chilling. "How could someone so concerned about the country deploy military forces to start an insurrection and incite his supporters?" Cho continued. "He has still not yet admitted to his wrongdoing in the face of legal judgments. There seems to be no end to his shamelessness." On Kim's apparent health issues, Cho said Yoon "should forget about trying to make people feel sympathetic." "People will only remember Kim and Yoon as a couple tainted with all sorts of corruption allegations," the spokesperson said. "If Yoon is worried about the country at all, he should stop trying to pull tricks to delay the legal process." (Yonhap) BYD gains stronger-than-expected initial response Editors note This article is the last in a three-part series analyzing the impacts of BYDs inroads into the Korean market. Ed. By Lee Min-hyung BYD Korea is on a surprising track to break prevalent negativity against Chinese vehicles, achieving a landmark pre-order of some 1,000 Atto 3 electric SUVs in only a week after the brand's debut here. At the carmakers flagship dealership in Yongsan, central Seoul, dealers were busy promoting key upsides of the electric vehicle (EV) to dozens of customers visiting the store throughout the afternoon on Jan. 22. Pedestrians walking past the dealership also displayed interest, stopping in their tracks to examine the unfamiliar white brand logo of the carmaker. BYD Korea made its debut on Jan. 16, and started accepting pre-orders for the Shenzhen-headquartered EV maker's best-selling Atto 3 compact electric SUV on the same day. Critics and industry insiders remain poles apart over whether the Chinese firm will be able to attain any meaningful sales performance largely due to negative awareness on products made in China. The company, however, looks set to shatter the weak perceptions with its price competitiveness, as is shown by its stronger-than-expected initial sales. Pre-orders for the Atto 3 EV is widely forecast to top at least 1,000 sometime around Jan. 23, a dealer at the store said. The vehicles initial response is so heated that we receive a huge number of phone calls almost every moment during our opening hours. The pre-orders for 1,000 vehicles in such a short period of time is a praiseworthy outcome for the Chinese carmaker, as BYD sold some 2,200 vehicles in 2024 in the Japanese market. That figure was an increase of 54 percent from a year earlier. Given the robust initial response here, there stands an ample possibility for BYD Korea to surpass its sales record in Japan. A group of the Atto 3 vehicles in different colors were on display at the dealership. At first glance, the vehicle exterior was bigger than the expectation of this reporter. BYD Korea is set to diversify its vehicle lineup throughout this year with plans to draw initial popularity with the flagship EV whose accumulated sales worldwide surpass 1 million. The dealer also praised the vehicles unmatched price competitiveness. The Atto 3 is equipped with the latest infotainment systems and offers a decent travel range of 321 kilometers on a single charge, but its price is at a very low level when compared with other EVs with similar specifications, the dealer said. When customers experience the vehicle, I am confident they will be able to clear away any negative perceptions against Chinese vehicles. BYD Korea is set to open a total of 15 exhibition centers in Seoul and major metropolitan cities nationwide. It will also operate 12 repair centers here. The Chinese EV maker hopes to extend its winning streak with upcoming launches of two more models the Seal electric sedan and the Sealion 7 mid-sized electric SUV both of which will also be available for sale sometime this year. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday ridding the military of what he called "transgender ideology," in a potentially major setback for LGBTQ rights. In a series of orders related to the military that Trump told reporters he had signed on Air Force One, he also called for the building of a U.S. version of Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system. The Republican signed further orders reinstating service members dismissed for refusing to take the COVID vaccine, and extending a wider government crackdown on diversity programs for the armed forces. "To ensure that we have the most lethal fighting force in the world, we will get transgender ideology the hell out of our military," Trump told a Republican congressional retreat in Miami. Trump has previously promised to bring back a ban on transgender troops and demonized any recognition of gender diversity. In his order, Trump claimed the armed forces "have been afflicted with radical gender ideology to appease activists" and that "many mental and physical health conditions are incompatible with active duty." The order said "adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individual's sex conflicts with a soldier's commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one's personal life." "A man's assertion that he is a woman, and his requirement that others honor this falsehood, is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member," it added. In a separate order, Trump claimed diversity programs in the military "undermine leadership, merit, and unit cohesion, thereby eroding lethality and force readiness." It also prohibited the defense department and armed forces from promoting "un-American" theories suggesting America's founding documents are racist or sexist or advancing discussion on "gender ideology." The orders came at the start of Trump's second week back in the White House and on the day a welcome ceremony was held at the Pentagon for his new defense secretary, military veteran and Fox News personality Pete Hegseth. "Thank you for your leadership Mr. President. We will execute!" Hegseth who was confirmed last week despite concerns over his inexperience, and alleged record of heavy drinking and domestic violence said on X. Transgender Americans have faced a roller coaster of changing policies on military service in recent years, with Democratic administrations seeking to permit them to serve openly while Trump has repeatedly sought to keep them out of the ranks. The U.S. military lifted a ban on transgender troops in 2016, during Democrat Barack Obama's second term as president. Under that policy, trans troops already serving were permitted to do so openly, and transgender recruits were set to start being accepted by July 1, 2017. 'Patriots' But the first Trump administration postponed that date to 2018 before deciding to reverse the policy entirely, sparking criticism from rights groups. Trump's Democratic successor Joe Biden moved to reverse the restrictions just days after he took office in 2021, saying all Americans qualified to serve should be able to do so. While the number of transgender troops in the U.S. military is fairly small with estimates of around 15,000 out of more than two million uniformed service members their dismissal would reduce U.S. forces at a time when the country is already facing difficulties recruiting new personnel. Biden's defense secretary Lloyd Austin appeared to criticize Trump's plans during a farewell address earlier this month, saying: "Any military that turns away qualified patriots who are eager to serve is just making itself smaller and weaker." Transgender issues have roiled U.S. politics in recent years, as states controlled by Democrats and Republicans have moved in opposite directions on policies ranging from medical treatment to what books on the topic are allowed in public or school libraries. Trump has meanwhile repeatedly promised to build a version of the Iron Dome system that Israel has used to shoot down missiles fired by Hamas from Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. But he ignored the fact that the system is designed for short-range threats, making it ill-suited to defending against intercontinental missiles that are the main danger to the United States. "We need to immediately begin the construction of a state-of-the-art Iron Dome missile defense shield," Trump said in Miami, adding that it would be "made right here in the USA." (Yonhap) The European bottling unit of Coca-Cola said Monday that it had ordered a major recall of Coke, Sprite and other beverages after detecting high levels of chlorate, which poses potential health risks. Coca-Cola said cans and glass bottles containing elevated levels of the substance were distributed in Belgium, the Netherlands, Britain, Germany, France and Luxembourg since November, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Belgium told AFP. "We do not have a precise figure, but it is clear that it is a considerable quantity," the firm said of the amount of drinks involved. Chlorate can be found in foods as it derives from chlorine disinfectants widely used in water treatment and food processing. In a 2015 scientific opinion, the European Food Safety Authority said long-term exposure to chlorate posed a potential health concern for children, especially those with mild or moderate iodine deficiency. "The majority of the affected and unsold products have already been removed from store shelves and we continue to take measures to remove all remaining products from the market," Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Belgium said. But the company's French branch said analysis by independent experts "concluded that the probability of an associated risk" was "very low." "We have not received any complaints from consumers on this subject," the firm said. Affected batches of Coke and Fuze Tea were delivered in France but for the moment the recall order did not apply to the French market, it added. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners apologized for the recall, which it said was brought to light by a routine check at its production site in Ghent. Affected products had a production code ranging from 328 GE to 338 GE, and included the Minute Maid, Nalu, Royal Bliss and Tropico brands, the firm said. "We are in contact with the competent authorities in each of the affected markets," the firm said. (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. SHREVEPORT, La. One man is in custody but the hunt is still on for another in the deadly s SHREVEPORT, La. -- Federal authorities will take the lead in prosecuting two brothers suspected in the robbery and murder of a pharmaceutical- SPEED limits will drop from 80kph to 60kph on hundreds of kilometres of Laois roads in early February. The reduction will be implemented on almost 700km of roadway in the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District alone, a council meeting was told. Laois County Council is preparing to replace 80kph speed limit signs with 60kph signs on routes across the county, as part of a new reduction that will come into effect nationwide on 7 February. The speed limit decrease is part of a national initiative directed by the Department of Transport, in an effort to reduce road deaths by lowering speed limits. At a recent meeting of Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District, senior engineer Philip McVeigh confirmed that 80kph zones would become 60kph zones on local roads on 7 February, affecting almost 700km of roads in the district. Similar reductions will be implemented in the Portlaoise and Borris-in-Ossory Municipal Districts. The 80kph to 60kph decrease is the first in a series of speed limit reductions set to be introduced this year. It will be followed by a reduction from 100kph to 80kph on national secondary roads and from 50kph to 30kph in built-up areas. These phases are expected to begin from June, but a definite date has yet to be announced. Mr McVeigh told the municipal meeting that 7 February is the date the council has been given by the Department of Transport for the installation of all new 60kph signs in the county. A date is still awaited for subsequent phases and road signage will be erected prior to all speed limit changes. Independent councillor Aisling Moran asked: Does that mean we can have ramps on roads where we couldnt get ramps before, because they were 80kph zones? The engineer confirmed that ramps could be installed in 60kph zones and lower. Cllr Moran recalled that her previous requests for cycle lanes on a number of local roads were turned down, because they were in 80kph zones. She wondered whether such requests would be accepted following the reduction to 60kph. Mr McVeigh replied that anything that currently applies to a 60kph zone will apply to the new areas reduced from 80kph to 60kph. A national public information campaign will begin prior to the local road phase of the speed limit reduction in February. The speed reductions are part of the governments Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, which aims to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by 50% by 2030. Speed limits were reviewed by a working group made up of representatives from the Department of Transport, An Garda Siochana, the Road Safety Authority (RSA), Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). When the review was published in September 2023, the department said in a statement: The review highlighted that protecting vulnerable road users must be a key focus when setting speed limits. For example, the risk of being killed is much greater for collisions between a car and a vulnerable road user at 50kph, when compared with the same type of collision at 30kph. The review recommended changes to default speed limits on three classes of roads: Rural local roads to reduce from 80kph to 60kph; national secondary roads to reduce from 100kph to 80kph and roads in built-up areas to reduce from 50kph to 30kph. The changes were brought into effect by the Road Traffic Act 2024. A FREE suicide bereavement support awareness event will take place on Thursday 30 January from 7.30pm to 9pm at the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise. The event will offer advice, support, and information for those affected by suicide or supporting others who are bereaved. Speakers from Pieta and HUGG (Healing Untold Grief Groups) will share insights into their services, along with a personal story of lived experience of suicide loss. Everyone is welcome to attend and refreshments will be provided. This event is one of many being held across the Midlands aimed at raising awareness and providing training on suicide prevention and support. The event is supported by the HSE and part of Connecting for Life, Irelands national suicide prevention strategy, which offers a wide range of supports, including nationwide services and 24/7 assistance. It also provides ongoing resources to reassure people that help is always available and that they are not alone. Additionally, suicide bereavement support services serve as a vital support for those affected by suicide. The Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention with the HSE Dublin and Midlands Josephine Rigney said: The prevention of the loss of life to suicide and providing support to those who have been bereaved is important for every community. We would therefore encourage anyone who has been personally impacted by suicide or who is supporting someone to attend this event. We also urge people to share this opportunity to gain awareness, support and guidance with others. Together we can help to ensure that no one feels alone in their grief journey. On 27 January Brazils Presidentspoke over the phone with his Russian counterpartand signalled his intention to visit Moscow in May this year. End of preview - This article contains approximately 417 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 27 January the international media reported that a third US military deportation flight had landed in Guatemala, carrying 64 Guatemalans. End of preview - This article contains approximately 613 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options En espanol Selena Gomez responded on Tuesday to the Republican politician who called for her deportation: "Thanks for the laugh and the threat," Gomez told former Utah Senate candidate Sam Parker in a social media publication. Gomez became engulfed in the back-and-forth after posting an Instagram video in which she expressed heartbreak over the planned mass deportation of undocumented immigrants under the Trump administration. "I'm so sorry. All my people are getting attacked. The children, I don't understand. I wish I could do something," she said through tears. The former Senate candidate then responded to Gomez's video, which has since been deleted from her Instagram account. "Deport Selena Gomez," he said, a reference to the artist's family history, as her relatives crossed the border unlawfully in the 1970s before settling in the United States. Gomez replied via an Instagram story. On a black background, the 32-year-old actress sarcastically responded to the Republican's remarks. "Oh, Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker. Thanks for the laugh and the threat," the businesswoman wrote. In addition to Parker, other social media users harshly criticized Gomez's video, accusing her of making a serious issue about herself. However, others came to her defense amid the backlash. One who defended her response is American rapper Flavor Flav, who publicly supported the Mexican-American artist, praising her bravery and condemning the harassment she faced. "Team Selena Gomez. Again. That woman is always so brave to share her truth,,, and so many are quick to bully her," the rapper commented on his official X account. Team Selena Gomez. Again. That woman is always so brave to share her truth,,, and so many are quick to bully her. FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) January 28, 2025 As if the media attention wasn't already overwhelming, Parker later shared Gomez's response on X, writing, "Selena Gomez replied to me," followed by a laughing emoji. Although deporting Selena Gomez is not possible, considering she holds U.S. citizenship by birth, former President Donald Trump has been vocal about his intentions to end birthright citizenship, aiming to strip the status from children of undocumented immigrants born in the U.S. To date, Trump's executive order targeting birthright citizenship has been blocked by federal judge John Coughenour, who called the measure "a blatantly unconstitutional order." Originally published in The Latin Times Slick weather conditions contributed to a crash Sunday along Interstate 295 that took the life of a 34-year-old New Jersey woman in Lower Bucks County, state police said. Shortly before 9 p.m., a collision occurred in the eastbound lanes of the highway, at mile marker 5.7 in Middletown Township, Pennsylvania State Police in Trevose said. Samantha Kaitlin Cote of High Bridge, Hunterdon County was driving a 2007 Toyota Matrix along the Route 1 south exit ramp onto Interstate 295 east when she lost control of the car, according to state police. The Toyota swerved to the right after striking a sheet of ice in the left gore of the highway, state police said. The Toyota then swerved left, crossing multiple lanes of travel before striking a guardrail, according to state police. The Toyota then bounced off the guardrail, heading back into the lane of travel and spinning halfway, state police said. Ryan P. Murray, 25, of Washington Crossing, Bucks County was heading along I-295 east in the left lane in a 2020 Volkswagen Jetta when he struck the Toyota, according to state police. The Toyota came to rest on the right shoulder while the Volkswagen stopped in the right lane of I-295 east, according to state police. Cote was taken to St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, where she was later pronounced dead. Cote, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, state police said. Murray suffered serious injuries and also was taken to St. Mary Medical Center for treatment, state police said. A condition was not immediately available Tuesday morning. Murray was the sole occupant of the vehicle, state police said. Its unclear the cause and manner of Cotes death. Bucks County Coroner Patricia A. Campi could not be reached immediately Tuesday morning for more details. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. An Garda Siochana Laois/Offaly have begun active patrols with staff on Iarnrod Eireann services in a bid to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. The patrols come following an increase in violent incidents on public transport across the county. A Kildare woman appeared in court last week for being intoxicated, engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour and obstructing gardai at Portlaoise Train Station on August 7, 2024. READ MORE: Laois Gardai issue warning over threat of bogus tradespeople after Storm Eowyn The same woman admitted being intoxicated and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at the same train station and assaulting a garda at Portlaoise Garda Station on December 6, 2024. Sexual harassment, theft, assault, verbal abuse, organised begging and open drug use were all reported by rail users in Laois in the past 18 months leading up to August 2024. The incidents were all documented in a Freedom of Information response from Irish Rail/Iarnrod Eireann to the Leinster Express/Laois Live in a previous article published on August 28, 2024. The request sought details of complaints relating to behaviour in or around Portlaoise, Portarlington and Ballybrophy Train Stations in the past 18 months leading up to that time. Although the names of the individuals who made the complaints are redacted and the complaints are not dated, they contain specific details of incidents endured by rail customers in Laois. There are details of people smoking heroin, throwing objects, sitting with a blade and a box of drugs and using nitrous oxide on the service. Verbal abuse, vaping and anti-social behaviour are all recorded, as is an incident where a person was spat on while waiting for a train. Ex-Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley is in the same political grouping as a Minister in the last Government having confirmed his membership of one of two Dail Eireann technical groups opposing the Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, regional independent coalition. Dep Stanley confirmed to the Leinster Express / Laois Live that he is one of eight TDs in the Independents and Smaller Parties Group. The technical group is made up of three People Before ProfitSolidarity, three independents, one 100% Redress representative a the Green's sole representative in Leinster House. The three PBP-Solidarity TDs are Richard Boyd Barrett, Ruth Coppinger and Paul Murphy. All are Dublin-based. Tipperary South independent Seamus Healy, Catherine Connolly, Galway West, are the two other independents. Charles Ward of the 100% Redress party represents Donegal and was elected on a mica platform. The last member to join was Green Party leader and former minister Roderic O'Gorman. He joined the group after the new cabinet was appointed by Micheal Martin. Dep O'Gorm served as Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth from 2020 to 2025 in the FF / FG / Green coalition. He became leader of the Green Party in 2024 after defeating former Offaly minister Pippa Hackett in the election to succeed Eamon Ryan. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Laois TD Brian Stanley on his re-election to the Dail as an independent TD. Pic: Alf Havey Dep Stanley provisionally joined the group in December when the Dail sat for the first time after the General Election. His membership was completed Technical groups are formed for technical reasons so that members enjoy certain rights or benefits that would otherwise remain unavailable to them outside a formally recognized parliamentary group. The Laois TD was one of the highest profile TDs in the last Dail as he was the Chairman of the Dail Public Accounts Committee when he was a Sinn Fein TD. He was replaced as leader of this committee after he resigned from Sinn Fein over a disciplinary process that arose from an interaction he had with a female member of Sinn Fein. Dep Stanley retained a seat in the Dail as a TD for the new Laois constituency in the General Election despite the huge controversy that followed. The Technical Groups were at the centre of a major row in the Dail which delayed the election of Michael Martin as Taoiseach. The Regional Independent Group which has TDs in Government wanted to sit on the opposition side of the Chamber to guarantee them speaking rights. Frontline staff at Portlaoise hospital have had to redeploy 20 beds to the Emergency Department (ED/A&E) due to the latest surge in patient presentations. Reprts from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and the HSE show 13 people on trollies in the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise ED on Tuesday, January 28. The HSE provides detail in its daily Urgent and Emergency Care Hospital Status bulletin for all hospitals. It reports on surge capacity deployed and reveals that alongside the 13 on trolleys, 20 patients were accommodated in the assessment unit or day wards to cope until hospital beds become available. The situation is not helped by the delayed discharges of patients who do not need to be in hospital any longer. A total of nine people have completed their inpatient hospital care but were still occupying a bed designated for such care. A recent report by the health service watchdog HIQA found that A&E staff in the Portlaoise hospital depend on the Acute Medical and Surgical Assessment Unit (AMSAU) when patient numbers surge. It found that staff had to use surge capacity on nearly 90% of days from January to the end of May 2024. HIQA says the usefulness of the AMSAU diminishes when it is used to cope with patient surges. Construction work to expand the Emergency Department is due to be completed in 2025. Nationally, 770 admitted patients are waiting for beds on Tuesday, January 28, according to the day's INMO Trolley Watch. Of the total, 497 patients are waiting in the emergency department, while 273 are in wards elsewhere in the hospital. The organisation called for action ahead of the Brigid's Day Public Holiday Weekend. The INMO General Secretary is Phil Ni Sheaghdha. The number of patients being treated without a bed in Irish hospitals is very concerning and does not bode well for the St Brigids Day bank holiday weekend ahead. Dangerous levels of overcrowding is not confined to one or two hospitals, we are seeing extremely high number of patients being treated in inappropriate spaces right across the country. READ MORE BELOW PICTURE. Portlaoise hospital. Pic: Leinster Express The HSE needs to immediately outline how it will be planning to discharge patients ahead of the weekend including the rostering on of senior clinical decision-makers across all sites. The sheer number of patients on trolleys is not helped by the fact that practically all hospitals are running short because of the HSE recruitment freeze which is having a detrimental impact on patient and staff safety. We are continuing to hear from our members that vulnerable patients being are being placed on infection control and other high-risk wards, despite nursing staff identifying significant risks. This practice needs to end. It is clear that there has been no let up for patients and nursing staff trying to care safely in impossible conditions, she concluded. Laois community hubs remain open for those affected by the aftermath of Storm Eowyn. Camross Community Hub, based out of the Poet's Cottage in Camross Village, remains open for locals without power and hot water. "The Hub is open for our community from 9am to 4pm on Tuesday," a representative said. "We have WiFi access (WIFI4U), you can charge your phone and laptop, and get some water," they said. "There might even be a few biscuits!". The Hub have expressed that they are aware that many locals remain without power, and encourage people to pay a visit. "You are welcome to drop in if you want a change of scenery, get some reading material and recharge the batteries," they said. The Hub will host their first coffee morning of 2025 on Wednesday January 29 from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Those with any queries are encouraged to contact the Hub through their Facebook page. It was recently announced that planning permission will soon be sought for the installation of a cafe at the Poet's Cottage. The work follows the awarding of over 256,403 towards the project in 2024 under the EU Just Transition Fund (EU JTF) programme, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. Read more on the story here. Frustration continues to mount across the country as thousands are still left without power following Storm Eowyn on Friday. The Status Red storm tore through the country last week leaving over 760,000 people without electricity and thousands more without water. In the latest update from the ESB, as of Tuesday around 168,000 people remain without power. Now in day five of restoration efforts, Ireland has sought help from Europe to aid in the clean-up following the historic storm. The ESB said that further support has arrived from Austria and Finland on Tuesday while additional crews from electricity network operators in Netherlands and France are due to arrive in the coming days. READ NEXT: 'Horrible people' - Urgent scam warning issued as fraudsters prey in wake of Storm Eowyn This is not the first time the country has needed to look for international support following a storm. The EU and the UK also came to the rescue in December following Storm Darragh. The frustration with the pace of progress has been directed at the government and their failure to prepare for such events. The Dail has yet to resume following last week's nomination of Micheal Martin as Taoiseach which has caused further annoyance among many people who feel they have been abandoned by the government to face the crisis alone. Speaking on RTE's Liveline on Tuesday, one caller said that there has been no support from local or national government. He expressed his confusion as to why the Dail has not yet resumed given the extent of the issue across the country, saying: "They've been off long enough." Indeed, the host Katie Hannon agreed that "the mood in the country has darkened in the last few days" as the crisis continues to affect thousands. Another caller said they had to travel to even call into the radio show as she is still without electricity or broadband. She explained: "At home I have nothing." Other callers highlighted that this is actually a health issue for the likes of elderly people and infants. A woman who works with elderly patients with dementia in Mayo, Grainne, said that emergency text lines are no good for older people who are unwell as some people like her patients rely solely on emergency alert bracelets. Many have praised the work of ESB crews across the country who are tirelessly working to restore power. For most people, the frustration stems from the lack of infrastructure in place to deal with such adverse weather. One person shared on X: "Cant praise the workers of the ESB enough for getting us back to power. The government on the other hand should be ashamed of themselves - no assistance/care given to the areas still without power or water going into the 4th day." Cant praise the workers of the ESB enough for getting us back to power. The government on the other hand should be ashamed of themselves - no assistance/care given to the areas still without power or water going into the 4th day https://t.co/mjbKyTxGqm Melissa Eager (@melissa_eager) January 27, 2025 Another said: "Just passed an ESB crew still out working in the dark, wet and cold to try & get peoples homes back up and running. They deserve major credit for the manner in which they have responded to the destruction that was caused." In response to the growing agitation, Minister for Housing James Browne appeared on RTE's Morning Ireland on Tuesday morning to defend the government's response. He argued: "Everything has been done. Nothing has been left behind by any state agency in terms of getting services back." He continued to say that lessons are learned from every event such as this and so a review from Storm Eowyn will inform the government how to best prepare for future events. However, as recent weather events such as Storm Darragh also left people stranded for days without power, it seems as though lessons have not yet been learned. Tanaiste Simon Harris has said he does not expect there will be a poll on Irish unity within this decade. Instead he said his priority is making sure the Irish Government plays a constructive role in helping the political institutions at Stormont work to their full potential. Mr Harris was making his first visit to Northern Ireland since taking on the role of Tanaiste, Irelands deputy premier. He met First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly during a visit to Stormont. Mr Harris has previously said it is entirely possible there could be a united Ireland in his lifetime. Sinn Fein has pushed for a unity referendum to be called this decade. But asked if he thinks that will happen, Mr Harris said: Thats not my expectation. The 1998 Good Friday Agreement sets out that the Northern Ireland Secretary can call a border poll when he or she believes a majority of people in the region support a change to the constitutional status. Mr Harris said: Im very conscious that the Good Friday Agreement is a mechanism and a peace agreement that allows everybody to have their legitimate aspiration as to the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. And that is, in many ways, the beauty of the Good Friday Agreement, that it can respect differences in terms of aspiration and differences in terms of the constitutional question. The Tanaiste said he does not believe there has ever been an Irish premier or deputy premier who has not wanted Irish unity. But thats not where my priority is today, he added. What my priority is is in making sure that the Irish Government, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, can play a really constructive, positive role in making sure all of the institutions work, that they work to their full potential. I think in many ways, the Good Friday Agreement had at its core two fundamentals peace and prosperity. I think many people in Northern Ireland and across the island and islands have seen the peace dividend of the Good Friday Agreement. Many have yet to see the prosperity dividend. And I think its really important that we focus on harnessing the full potential of all of the Good Friday institutions and the Good Friday Agreement in its totality. Thats where my priority is. A Laois Alcoholics Anonymous group will hold an open meeting this month. Portlaoise First Things First Group of Alcoholics Anonymous will hold the open meeting for people who believe their loved ones may be struggling with alcoholism, or for those who struggle themselves. With free entry, the open meeting will take place on January 31 at 8pm. "The open meeting is for people who may think that someone in their family is struggling with alcohol, or for people wondering if they might themselves," an organiser told the Leinster Express / Laois Live. "The meeting is for people to see what kind of supports are available, we welcome everyone along," they said. The Portlaoise group regularly meet on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 8:30pm. Members of Alanon and AA will speak at the open night. Are you or is someone you know struggling with alcohol? Come along to see what supports we have to offer, the group said. Portlaoise First Things First Group of Alcoholic Anonymous are one of seven Alcoholics Anonymous groups established in Laois, with groups available in Rathdowney, Portarlington, Portlaoise, Mountmellick, Abbeyleix and Killeshin. The open meeting will take place at Holly's room, Clonminam Industrial Estate, Portlaoise R32 R624 on Friday January 31 at 8pm. For more information, contact 085 188 9768. Kildare TD and new minister James Lawless is already busy at work in his new Higher Education brief ahead of his first full Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The Minister for Further, Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science (FHERIS) moved into his new offices at St Stephens Green in Dublin on Monday morning. However, before that, the Fianna Fail Minister was busy all weekend reading into his new, busy, brief as he prepared to take his place at the top table of Irish politics. READ MORE: Hospital bus stop in Kildare should be moved This is the first time Kildare has had somebody at Cabinet since Fianna Fails Charlie McCreevy sat there over 20 years ago. He is joined by his Kildare colleague, Fine Gaels Martin Heydon, who also got the call-up to serve as a senior minister, with Agriculture his responsibility. Mr Lawless had one of the most successful election campaigns in the country after he topped the poll in Kildare North, was first elected and brought in a party running mate. Speaking ahead of taking office in his new role as Minister for FHERIS on Monday, Minister Lawless said: I was spokesperson for the sector between 2016-2020 and worked with many of the key stakeholder in that time. Irelands industrial policy since Lemass has pivoted around the knowledge economy and the cultivation of talent, a strategy that is evidenced today by the multiple tech, pharma, life sciences and many other multinationals with major sites here. Harnessing digitalisation, AI, data science, and generally aligning our graduate output with the skills of the future whilst strengthening our economy will be a key goal. Curiosity and pursuit of knowledge is crucial in its own right - from the discovery of penicillin or the laws of gravity to the creation of the internet, so many of mankinds greatest breakthroughs were unanticipated - it is essential to support frontier research. Funding gaps will have to be tackled whilst supporting and strengthening our emerging TUs. Ensuring a skills pipeline across many sectors, through training, apprenticeships and much more is fundamental. Education is key to Ireland and Fianna Fail and it is a huge honour to be entrusted with it. There are around still 180,000 homes, farms and business across Ireland that currently have no power since Storm Eowyn hit the country and the ESB has requested help from European countries. Over 490,000 customers, who lost power on Friday or over the weekend, have already had their homes power restored by ESB Networks. A spokesperson for ESB Networks said that "this was by far the worst storm experienced by ESB Networks both in terms of customers losing supply and the scale of damage around the Network." Support from Great Britain is already being received in the country and the ESB has requested further support from electrical network operators from Europe. "We anticipate that the vast majority of customers who lost power during Storm Eowyn will have power restored by January 31. For the remaining customers, these will progressively have power restored over the course of the following week- this could be as many as 100,000 customers," the spokesperson added. READ ALSO: Construction worker 'lucky to be alive' after falling from sixth floor of Irish hospital ESB Networks crews, as well as the aid from Great Britain and European countries, are being redeployed from the south and east to the worst impacted areas once restoration in their area has completed. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close If I Were The President This Would Be My 2025 Annual Message ONE of Irelands premier financial planning services firms, SYS Financial, has announced the appointment of Limerick man Keith Dundon as their new head of financial services. With a robust track record in providing tailored financial solutions, Keiths leadership will play a critical role in SYS Financials commitment to client-focused growth. Patrickswell's Keith has built his career at SYS Financial, gaining hands-on experience across the companys three main service lines: corporate financial services, private client wealth management, and personal financial planning. His extensive qualifications including QFA, RPA, and PTP demonstrate his commitment to continuous professional development and technical expertise. In his new role, Keith will lead SYS Financials advisory services, oversee sales strategy, manage revenue growth, and foster client relationships to ensure the highest standards of client care and solution delivery. Tony Delaney, CEO of SYS Financial, said; We are thrilled to appoint Keith as our Head of Financial Services. His deep understanding of our business and commitment to exceptional client service make him the ideal leader to drive our financial services division forward. Keiths insights and dedication to quality will greatly enhance our capabilities and support our growth in the years to come. SYS Financial, established in 2015, offers tailored financial solutions to over 8,000 clients, managing 500 million in assets. With 60 staff across seven offices nationwide, SYS Financial specialises in bespoke services for employers, private clients, and families. READ MORE: Key acquisition as Limerick based auctioneering firm expands its reach into the west From employee benefits and pension compliance to wealth management and retirement planning, SYS Financial provides transparent, cost-effective solutions using market-leading technology. Fully regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, their experienced team delivers unbiased, compassionate financial services designed to ensure long-term security and prosperity for businesses and individuals alike. In March 2024, SYS Group launched SYS Mortgages, a new mortgages division with ambitious plans to become a major force in the mortgage broker sector. A NEW Vice President Research and Innovation has been appointed at University of Limerick (UL), it has been announced. Acting UL President Professor Shane Kilcommins confirmed the appointment of Professor Kevin M Ryan as Vice President Research and Innovation at UL. In his role, Professor Ryan will provide leadership in the formulation, development and delivery of the universitys research policy, strategy and support services. He will be responsible for the research function of the university, including research support services, doctoral college, related enterprise and commercialisation of ULs research, while providing the platform for ULs researchers to contribute to the discovery of new knowledge for a better world. Professor Kilcommins said he was very happy to announce that the Governing Authority had approved the appointment of Professor Ryan as the next Vice President Research and Innovation (VPRI), replacing Professor Norelee Kennedy, who has reached the end of her five-year term as Vice President Research. I am delighted that Professor Ryan is taking up the role of Vice President Research and Innovation as he brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished track record in research excellence, particularly in the fields of chemical nanotechnology and battery innovation, said Professor Kilcommins. His leadership will undoubtedly drive UL's research agenda forward, fostering an environment where groundbreaking discoveries can thrive. The intensification of research at UL will benefit from Kevins leadership over the next five years and I join with all our UL colleagues in wishing him every success. Professor Ryan is Director of the Bernal Institute and holds a Personal Chair in Chemical Nanotechnology at the Department of Chemical Sciences in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at UL. He is the lead investigator of AMPEiRE, the National Rechargeable Battery Fabrication and Test Facility, which is strategically positioned to be the European focal point for pioneering research in next generation batteries. READ MORE: Inland Fisheries Ireland hosts public consultation on Annacotty Fish Passage Project It is a privilege to take up the role of Vice President Research and Innovation at University of Limerick, stated Professor Ryan. My focus will be on empowering our researchers to generate new innovations and discoveries with lasting impact. I look forward to engaging with the university community to deliver on our research agenda, grow our principal investigator base from existing and incoming academic staff and research fellows and position UL as internationally leading, with critical mass in key research areas with capability to tackle challenges of global significance. Professor Ryan has secured over 12 million in individual research funding from National, EU and Industry sources. He has coordinated large consortium projects in Horizon 2020 including the Neillsbat and Si-Drive projects where significant gains in energy density were achieved by incorporating silicon nanowires developed in UL as the anode for lithium-ion batteries. He is currently leading the SiGNE Horizon Europe project where a silicon graphite composite is being scaled to battery pack level for electric vehicles. He is Co-Principal Investigator with Research Ireland Centres MaREI and AMBER and a Funded Investigator with the UL-hosted SSPC Research Ireland Centre for Pharmaceuticals. As we welcome Professor Ryan to his new role, we look forward to the continued advancement of our research and innovation initiatives, ensuring that UL remains at the forefront of academic and scientific excellence, Professor Kilcommins explained. I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Professor Norelee Kennedy for her outstanding contributions over the past five years. Under her leadership in these areas, we have seen remarkable research successes, improved rankings, and the successful rollout of the Wisdom for Action Research Strategy that will continue until 2027. Her dedication and vision have laid a strong foundation for the future, and we are deeply appreciative of her efforts, he concluded. Professor Ryan is a native of Limerick and graduated from University College Cork with a BSc and PhD in Chemistry in 1999 and 2003 respectively. He subsequently held Marie Curie Fellowship positions at Merck Chemicals Southampton, UK and at the University of California, Berkeley, USA, prior to joining UL in 2006. He has published over 200 academic papers with a h-index of 52 (Google Scholar) and holds several patents with research interests in semiconductor nanocrystals and nanowires for applications in electronic devices and batteries. His research group comprising postdoctoral researchers and PhD students is based in the Bernal Institute. INLAND Fisheries Ireland is to host a public consultation on the Annacotty Fish Passage Project. An information session takes place at Kilmurry Lodge Hotel, Castletroy, on Wednesday, January 29, 2:30pm-7:30pm IFIs Annacotty Fish Passage project team is seeking feedback to help inform the most appropriate solution for improving fish passage at the river. Hazel King, head of the Barrier Mitigation Division at IFI said: Annacotty Weir presents a significant obstacle to the free movement of fish within the River Mulkear catchment, which is a Special Area of Conservation in the lower River Shannon. We invite all interested stakeholders to engage with the project team, who will outline the various options under consideration to address and mitigate this barrier. READ MORE: Irish Red Cross in Limerick recruitment drive Feedback and input at this stage of the process are invaluable and greatly appreciated." Information about the potential options to improve the passage of fish through the weir will be presented at the event. More information is available at fisheriesireland.ie/annacotty. Submissions and feedback on the fish passage project are invited by February 12 via the IFI website, by email to annacotty@ fisheriesireland.ie, or by post to Inland Fisheries Ireland, Teach Breac, Earl's Island, Galway, H91 E2A2. Lincoln University of Missouri, the first public, historically Black university in Missouri, is proud to be paving the way toward providing opportunities for more students. The Universitys admission and scholarship process updates over recent years represent a point of pride the University is highlighting as part of its 25 in 25 initiative. In recent years, Lincoln University eliminated standardized test scores for its admission process. This change reflected Lincoln Universitys commitment to removing barriers for students and creating equitable opportunities for all. The policy shift recognizes the limitations of standardized testing as a one-size-fits-all measure of students' potential. The admissions office now conducts holistic evaluations focusing on high school academic performance and extracurricular activities. Missouri residents are eligible for Lincoln with a high school diploma or GED certificate. Non-Missouri residents are admitted based on their successful completion of high school with a 2.0 or greater grade point average. Some Lincoln University academic programs may still require an ACT/SAT score as part of the admissions criteria for the respective discipline. In addition to this groundbreaking change, Lincoln University has implemented a revised academic scholarship model to provide equitable financial support for students to pursue their educational goals. This new model allows all students who qualify, based on high school performance, to receive academic scholarship dollars. The promise of Lincoln University is one were working to open up to more prospective students from all backgrounds, said Lincoln University Executive Director of Enrollment Management Dr. Danisha Williams. These changes will continue opening doors for talented and hardworking students from all walks of life to become a proud Blue Tiger. Since Lincoln Universtiys founding in 1866, its longstanding legacy has provided many points of pride for students and the local community. In addition to reforming its admission process, the university provides automatic scholarships and is strengthening recruitment approaches to increase the number of students on campus. Stay tuned for the rest of the month with more of Lincolns 25 in 25. Lincoln University of Missouri is marking progress towards its 2026 opening of the Health & Security Sciences Institute (HSSI) as part of its 25 in 25 points of pride. The University broke ground on its new project that will advance healthcare and crisis response education throughout Missouri and the Midwest this past October. The ceremony marked the launch of a 40,000-square-foot facility that will serve as an educational hub dedicated to training essential healthcare and crisis response professionals. HSSI was designed to expand Lincolns acclaimed nursing program and expand the Law Enforcement Training Academy, addressing the critical needs of both local and state communities. It will also provide a space for local, state and regional agencies to collaborate with Lincoln students and faculty. This opportunity aligns with the Universitys mission to meet the needs of underserved populations and enhance community responsiveness. We are thrilled to see the Health & Security Sciences Institute continue taking shape and moving closer to its planned opening, said Lincoln University President Dr. John B. Moseley. This facility will equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to address critical needs in healthcare and crisis response. Reflecting on the groundbreaking event, Lincoln University celebrates this achievement as another cornerstone of its resources to advance innovation and education for its students and communities across the region. Stay tuned for the rest of the month with more of Lincolns 25 in 25. Lincoln University of Missouri is spotlighting significant investments in the institutions employees and staff over recent years. As the University reflects on its commitment to attracting, retaining and empowering top talent through its 25 in 25 points of pride initiative, Lincoln celebrates its investments in employee salaries and health insurance benefits, helping retain the strongest educators for Lincolns students. To ensure Lincoln employees receive equitable benefits, the University transitioned to the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan (MCHCP), providing its faculty and staff with the same high-quality healthcare access provided to Missouri state employees. The new plan increased the Universitys per-employee healthcare investment by $5,842 annually. This investment was made possible through an additional $2.1 million in funding from the state legislature. In addition to improving its healthcare benefits, Lincoln has prioritized competitive salaries year-by-year as a cornerstone of its faculty and staff retention and development. Over the past several years, employees have received annual salary increases. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, 75 percent of faculty members received an 11 percent salary increase marking the most significant salary adjustment on record for Lincoln University. Our faculty and staff are the backbone of Lincoln University, said Lincoln University President Dr. John B. Moseley. Their contributions are essential to the success of our students and community, so it's critical that we are supporting our teams commitment through equitable benefits and competitive compensation. As Lincoln University celebrates its legacy through its 25 in 25 campaign, its efforts to support Lincoln faculty and staff further its dedication to creating an environment where employees feel supported, valued and equipped to uphold academic excellence for its students. Stay tuned for the rest of the month with more of Lincolns 25 in 25. Stock Market News HSBA Headlines - HSBC to scale down investment banking operations in Europe, UK, and Americas, Bloomberg reports 28-01-2025 02:02 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk The Union budget comes at a crucial juncture as India needs to accelerate its pace in renewable energy capacity addition and adoption of new-age green technologies in a bid to achieve its ambitious energy transition goals. It is expected to continue the emphasis on climate and energy transition. The withdrawal of the US, under Donald Trump's presidency, from the Paris Climate Agreement and key climate commitments also poses a challenge to global energy transition goals. It would be important to see how the Centre navigates the need for capital for energy transition to achieve its climate goals as the world's largest economy moves towards more fossil fuels -- oil and gas. Also read | Centre directs energy PSUs to list green energy business On the domestic front, the energy space still has a long way to go in terms of adding renewable capacity and resolving key issues, including a lag in signing power purchase agreements (PPA) and power sale agreements (PSA), which has slowed the progress in development of new projects. Further, green hydrogen projects have suffered amid a lack of interest both in the domestic and foreign markets for the green molecule. This is a cause of concern, which the government may try to address in the upcoming budget. Also read | Budget 2025: A green hydrogen push likely for polluting sectors As it has tried to boost domestic manufacturing of solar modules and cells through production linked incentive schemes and high customs duties, more steps may be in the offing to boost local industry in the green energy space. India's technology services companies are increasingly stationing chief executives close to their biggest customers in the US and Europe, even as the companies host the bulk of their workforce back home. Chief executives of eight out of 10 Indian IT services companies now work from cities in the US and Europe, a sharp change from 2019 when only five did so, a Mint review found. In comparison, two-thirds of their workers are based in India. Last week, LTIMindtree Ltd announced that CEO-designate Venu Lambu would work out of London, as against current CEO Debashis Chatterjee who works from Bengaluru. This makes Lambu the eighth chief executive to be working outside of India. Mint could not independently ascertain when Lambu would officially take over from Chatterjee. Europe accounted for 14.9%, or $639 million of LTIMindtree's $4.29 billion revenue in FY24. CEOs of most IT companies in the last quarter century operated from India since the majority of their workers were in the country. Now, even though India accounts for the bulk of the workforce, many companies believe that having senior management in key markets helps them get better growth. At least one analyst subscribed to this view. North America is where the money is. If you want to be closer to the customer, you have to embed yourselves in their social lives, or you put a great executive leadership team to operate at that level," said R Ray" Wang, chief executive of Constellation Research. American revenue On average, business from the Americas fetches IT services companies 30-50% of their revenue, while Europe contributes about a third at most. However, a second analyst said that location is a choice of the executive chosen for the top job. When companies choose people to head a company, the location is the CEOs prerogative because they prefer to work from where they were previously," said Ashutosh Sharma, vice-president at Forrester Research. The location of the chief executive is not paramount because they travel most of the time, and easy connectivity today enables them to talk to clients across the globe," said Sharma. Also read | LTIMindtree appoints Venu Lambu as CEO for 5 years till 2030 Six of India's 10 largest listed software services companies have had new CEOs since March 2019. Three of these -- Tech Mahindra Ltd, LTIMindtree and Sonata Software Ltd -- have stationed new CEOs in their biggest markets, as opposed to the outgoing CEOs who were based outside India. Mohit Joshi took over as CEO of fourth-largest Tech Mahindra in December 2023. He works from London as against his predecessor C.P. Gurnani, who was based in Mumbai. The script followed at Sonata Software, where Samir Dhir took over from P. Srikar Reddy in April 2022. While Reddy was based out of Bengaluru, Dhir is based out of New York. Tech Mahindra and Sonata Software ended last fiscal year with $6.3 billion and $1 billion in revenue respectively. Revenue from Europe made up roughly a fourth of Pune-based Tech Mahindras revenue, whereas the US, where Sonatas Dhir is stationed, made up about 70% of the companys revenue. Staying put At the remaining companies, including Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, Wipro Ltd and Persistent Systems Ltdtheir chief executives remain in the same locations as their predecessors. Even as some India's largest software services companies pick outstation CEOs, the biggest two -- TCS and Infosys Ltd -- are not impacted by this trend -- Both TCSs Krithivasan and Infosyss Parekh, are based out of their Mumbai and Bengaluru headquarters respectively. TCS and Infosys ended the last fiscal with revenues of $29.1 billion and $18.6 billion respectively. Since the CEOs operate from outside the country, many top executives also tend to work in the overseas offices. This signifies that the companys leaders want to be closer to their biggest clients, even as the junior employees handling their projects are based in offshore locations such as India. The trend of CEOs working closer to their biggest clients comes at a time when IT services companies are growing at a slower clip than they did pre-covid, when the countrys largest IT services companies would report double-digit full-year revenue growth. IT services companies get about a third of their total revenue from their top 25 clients, most of which are generally based in the US and Europe. IndiGo, India's largest airline by market share and fleet size, sees the next phase of growth coming in from international operations, according to its top executive. "A few years ago, our share of international (in terms of available seat kilometres) was a little over 20%. Within a time span of less than three years, our international percentage last quarter was 28%. As India evolves, internationalization will continue," chief executive officer Pieter Elbers said in an interview with Mint. For that matter we had already purchased the Airbus XLR, which should come at the end of 2025; we have purchased the Airbus A350 which would come in in 2027." Also Read | IndiGos profit hit on account of rupee depreciation Before the induction of Aurbus's A350 widebody aircraft, the airline is currently "investigating" the potential induction of some of widebody aircraft which will be a temporary solution. "By definition it would be a temporary solution, it's not going to be a hundred percent the exact same Indigo product, but I think we will be able to make it as close as possible to the real IndiGo product," Elbers said. By 2030, the airline, operated by InterGlobe Aviation Ltd., plans to double in size and capacity. Fast forward to 2030, we have aspiration for Indigo to move from a primarily Indian domestic area into a global aviation player. Against that backdrop, the A350 is going to be very important part of it." "Indian customers will have a product which will be very much made to their needs," he said, without giving details. We will have a cost basis, which will be competitive and effective." Also Read | IndiGo and Air India are taking the battle to each other like never before Indias aviation sector is expected to grow as demand for travel rises with growing incomes. Driven by festive demand, Indian carriers ferried a record 4.28 crore domestic passengers in October to December, according to data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Consultancy firm EY India sees rapid expansion of India's aviation market as a big opportunity for Indian airlines to capitalize on the growing demand for both domestic and international travel. "To fully leverage this potential, it is crucial to devise a comprehensive strategy that not only addresses the challenges posed by well-established global players but also positions Indian carriers as competitive and innovative market leaders." said Bhavana Yerrumreddy, partner-aviation, EY India Key focus areas should include enhancing operational efficiency, investing in modern fleets, strengthening route networks, and offering superior customer experiences," she said. By staying attuned to evolving passenger expectations and market dynamics, Indian airlines can secure a significant share of the booming aviation market." Also Read | Could softening demand spoil the IndiGo party? IndiGo wants to give passengers an opportunity to fly directly to prominent international destinations. "We will have an opportunity for a lot of consumers to fly direct, so we have the opportunity to fly direct rather than to transfer," said Elbers. "Our new international flights are doing extremely well, the Indian consumer wants to fly to Thailand, Langkawi; whatever we do in Central Asia it continues to drive," he said. Infra challenge Indigo's CEO believes that while the aviation sector in India is growing and demand is evolving, the airport infrastructure should also match up with that pace. "The challenge is around (if I may call it) the entire ecosystem. We need to have airports which are ready to deal with that growth; we need to have procedures which are efficient for connectivity we need to have processes which are helpful for that," Elbers said. Airports need to have both the capacity and equality and, importantly, have cost levels which are a reflection of what people are ready to pay in the market." IndiGo reported an 18% year-on-year dip in its December quarter consolidated net profit at 2,449 crore versus 2,998 crore. The revenue from operations increased 14% to 22,111 crore from 19,452 crore a year earlier. Depreciation of the Indian rupee against US dollar was one of the reasons for the decline dip in its profits. "We as an airline cannot control the forex, we just have to deal with it," Elbers said. "We've taken measures in terms of hedging and foreign sales ... but we cannot control it." Elbers said, If you look at Q3 excluding forex we had a significant increase of profitability. The growth of 12% in the in the third quarter shows that the growth has yielded a higher profitability level so that's really an encouragement for us." Indigo is sticking to its capacity guidance, citing demand in Q3. We will deliver on our capacity guidance for this year, it's going to be in the early double digits, and we are sure we're going to make it. The first sort of signals from the market is that the strong market which we have seen in Q3, it is continuing in Q4." IndiGo carried a record 2.73 crore passengers in Q3. In 2024, it ferried 10 crore passengers, twice as much as of Air India groups 4.58 crore. Aircraft on ground IndiGo is one of the airlines globally facing problems with Pratt & Whitney engines. India earlier had over 70 aircraft that were grounded due to engine issues, and supply-chain problems further delayed the timeline to make the aircraft flight-worthy again. However, the situation has improved with a little over 60 aircraft now affected. "From what we have communicated last time in Q2, we said we have turned the corner and we see the AOG (aircraft on ground) and numbers going down again. This is beyond our control; supply-chain challenges are there globally, and we have been very effective in actually dealing with it and so far," said Elbers. Indigo has done a tremendous job. Otherwise, airlines would have been in a huge trouble if they had 60 planes on the ground." The airlines will be significantly better at the start of next financial year, he said, as the airline targets to reduce the number of AOG to less than 50. Of course, it all depends again on the supply chain challenges and then it will continue to slide down. When will AOG come under single digit, I won't be able to give any prediction on that." Dual-airport system For the first time in India, the busiest cities of Delhi and Mumbai will have dual airports. The Noida International Airport near the national capital and the Navi Mumbai International Airport near the financial capital are expected to improve India's aviation landscape. IndiGo being the first airline to sign memorandums of understanding with both the airports is expected to get an early-mover advantage. "It's a very important step for India. Major big cities in the world have a twin airport system in place. New airports will be a very much welcomed addition for the country. It will further stimulate travel in India's domestic and international segment," he said. Indigo is very committed to both airports and we will adequately schedule new flights and new opportunities from these airports, he said. Elbers didnt not rule out the option of starting new international flights from both new airports. NEW DELHI : The Delhi high court said on Tuesday that it will begin detailed hearings on 21 February to address the copyright infringement lawsuit filed by ANI Media, a New Delhi-based media company, against OpenAI, the San Francisco-based artificial intelligence (AI) research organization. This marks the first copyright dispute involving OpenAI in India, with ANI accusing the company of using its copyrighted content to train its large language models (LLMs), including the widely used ChatGPT. Additional hearings have been scheduled for 11 March and 18 March. The single bench, led by justice Amit Bansal, also sought OpenAIs response to applications from the Federation of Indian Publishers and the Digital News Publishers Association, which are seeking to intervene in the case. The case is set to explore key legal issues surrounding generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), including how India will regulate AI technologies in relation to copyright infringement. The lawsuit follows a wave of similar challenges against OpenAI globally, including by major media organizations such as The New York Times, which is seeking billions in damages for the alleged illegal use of its archives to train AI models. Read this | Mint Explainer: The OpenAI case and whats at stake for AI and copyright in India The outcome of this case could have significant implications for OpenAIs operations in India, which accounts for roughly 9.5% of ChatGPTs 300 million weekly active users, or about 28.5 million users. India is poised to become a major hub for artificial intelligence, with its AI sector projected to grow significantly by 2027. According to a Nasscom-EY report, Indias AI market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25-35%, reaching $22 billion by 2027, up from its current value of $7-10 billion. OpenAI, founded in 2015 by Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Elon Musk, and others, launched ChatGPT in November 2022. Within five days of its release, the chatbot attracted over one million users, propelling OpenAI into the spotlight. The company has since attracted a billion-dollar investment from Microsoft. Jurisdictional and copyright issues The Delhi High Court will address several complex legal issues in the case, including whether a lawsuit can be filed against a foreign-based language model, given that OpenAIs servers are located outside India. OpenAI has raised concerns about jurisdictional matters, arguing that its operations fall outside Indian legal territory. To help navigate the intricacies of the case, the court has appointed two amici curiae: Arul George Scaria, Professor of Law at NLSIU Bengaluru, and advocate Adarsh Ramanujan. The judiciarys recognition of the economic impact of unlicensed content use could pave the way for royalties or compensatory mechanisms for content owners," notes Tushar Kumar, Advocate, Supreme Court of India. At a broader level, this case may prompt the Indian Parliament to legislate AI-specific laws, encompassing not only copyright concerns but also ancillary issues such as data privacy, transparency, and ethical AI deployment." Filed in November 2024, the lawsuit by ANI alleges that OpenAI used its copyrighted content without permission to train its models. ANI seeks 2 crore in damages and an injunction preventing OpenAI from storing, publishing, or reproducing its copyrighted material. Initially, the court refused to grant an interim injunction against OpenAI, citing the complexity of the case, but the matter now involves additional parties: the Federation of Indian Publishers and the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA), both of which represent major publishing houses and media outlets. HT Media Ltd, which publishes Mint, is a member of DNPA. The Federation and DNPA argue that OpenAIs use of publicly available contentsuch as book summaries and excerptsconstitutes an infringement of intellectual property rights. These groups contend that OpenAIs actions undermine the value of original work and harm the revenue streams of media outlets by depriving them of advertising income. ANIs lawsuit is built on three key allegations. First, ANI claims that OpenAI used its publicly available copyrighted material to train its LLMs without consent. Second, ANI points to instances where ChatGPT allegedly generated responses that closely resembled or were verbatim copies of its copyrighted material. Third, ANI has raised concerns about "hallucinated" responseswhere ChatGPT generates false or fabricated information, potentially spreading misinformation, particularly in sensitive political contexts. Read this | OpenAI vs ANI: Why hallucinations are unlikely to go away soon In its defence, OpenAI has denied any wrongdoing, saying that copyright law protects the expression of ideas, not the ideas themselves. The company also argued that ANI has failed to provide specific examples of its copyrighted material being reproduced by ChatGPT. OpenAI also contends that it blocklisted ANIs domain in October to prevent any future use of its material in training its models. Additionally, the company asserts that the lawsuit lacks jurisdictional grounds due to its servers being located outside India. OpenAI pointed out that none of the lawsuits it has faced globally, including those in the US, Canada, and Germany, have resulted in injunctions or rulings of copyright infringement. The ruling could influence Indias approach to regulating generative AI, particularly regarding fair use under copyright law, which currently lacks clear guidelines for AI-related activities," says Raheel Patel, Partner, Gandhi Law Associates. Additionally, OpenAI argues that Indian courts lack jurisdiction due to its foreign servers, complicating cross-border legal matters and highlighting the need for international AI governance." Furthermore, it might trigger legislative reforms to update the Copyright Act of 1957," adds Patel. Also read | In charts: How AI companies' data hunt is sparking copyright wars As the case progresses, it could set significant precedents for AI-related copyright disputes in India and globally. The outcome may play a pivotal role in shaping the future regulatory landscape for generative AI technologies. Alphabet Inc. Google will face off against the European Commission in Luxembourg in a bid to overturn a 4.12 billion euro ($4.33 billion) antitrust fine. The 2018 fineamong the largest the commission has ever issued over antitrust abusestook aim at Googles Android operating system. The European Union regulator alleged that Google unfairly used its dominance to strongarm device manufacturers and network operators into making sure that traffic on Android devices goes to Googles own search engine. The company will now make its case at the European Court of Justice, the blocs highest court, on Tuesday morning. A spokesperson for the company said the case isnt supported by the facts or EU law. Android has created more choice for everyone, not less, and supports thousands of successful businesses in Europe and around the world," they said. According to Googles lawyers, the commission made errors when it ruled that it abused its dominant position in mobile operating systems. Android competes closely with Apples own iOS operating system and provides people with plenty of choice in terms of applications they can use, download and set as default, the company argues. It is the highest bill the EU has handed Google in its long-running battle to curb the search giants dominance online. Google has fielded some 8.25 billion euros of EU competition fines in the last decade. It failed to cancel a 2.4 billion euros penalty last yearthe first it ever received from the commissionover how its search results display those from competing price comparison sites. The company also previously lost a battle at the General Court of the European Union, the blocs second-highest court, to get the Android fine canceled, but did convince judges to lower the figure to around 4.13 billion euros from 4.34 billion euros. At the heart of the Android dispute is what the commission sees as Googles fight to stay on top of the online-search market. The regulator holds that Googles deals with device makers, which came at a time when users were increasingly migrating to smartphones, gave it a significant advantage that competing providers couldnt offset. The fine is manageable compared to the gains and compared to what would have happened to them financially if they had not done this," Christian Bergqvist, associate law professor at the University of Copenhagen, said. Judges will weigh the commissions and Googles arguments before making their decision, a process which can take months. Google in 2019 offered to let rivals appear on a choice screen that lets users pick their default search engine. It also has to give Android users more options for browsers and search engines under the Digital Markets Act, a new European antitrust rulebook that largely targets U.S. tech giants. Under that law, Google cannot use Android to favor its own products over rivals offerings. The commission is scrutinizing Googles Play Store and search results displayed under the law and is expected to move forward with its investigations early this year. The EU executive is also in the final stages of an investigation into another antitrust investigation into Google connected to its advertising technology business. Margrethe Vestager, who until last year led the commissions competition enforcement, has on several occasions signaled that the regulator may order Google to break up that business unit to address its concerns. Write to Edith Hancock at edith.hancock@wsj.com The high-profile battle for control of Religare Enterprises Ltd took a fresh twist on Tuesday with a Bangkok-based investor seeking the Delhi High Courts intervention to halt the Burman familys open offer to acquire an additional 26% stake in the financial services conglomerate. Sapna Govind Rao, who claims to own 500 shares in Religare, urged the court to instead consider a 5,000-crore competing open offer by Florida-based businessman Digvijay Danny Gaekwad. Mint has reviewed a copy of Raos urgent application before the court. Just a few hours after Rao filed the court application, Religare revealed to the stock exchanges that the Securities and Exchange Board of India had returned Gaekwads proposal since it did not conform to the regulators exemption application rules under Indias takeover code. The Baroda-born Gaekwad had on Sunday requested Sebi to allow his competing offer aimed at acquiring a 55% stake in Religare at 275 per share. Thats higher than the 235 per share open offer made by the Burmans, who own about 25.18% of Religare. The companys shares fell nearly 3.7% on BSE to end Tuesday at 243.05 apiece, even as the benchmark Sensex gained 0.71%. The letters submitted by Digvijay Laxmansinh Gaekwad are being returned since the same is not an exemption application in terms of Regulation 11 of SEBI (SAST) Regulations, 2011," Religare said in the exchange filing, referring to Sebis reply to Gaekwads proposal. However, Rao has requested that minority shareholders be allowed to evaluate Gaekwads higher counter-offer. Also read | Who is Danny Gaekwadthe US tycoon taking on the Burmans open offer for Religare? Proceeding with the previously approved (albeit a conditional approval where the conditions have yet not been met) acquisition by the Burman family without duly considering the Competing Offer would result in grave financial loss/prejudice to the public shareholders, including the Petitioner, who stand to benefit from the competitive price discovery mechanism envisaged under Regulation 20 of the SEBI Takeover Regulations," stated an application filed by a lawyer representing Rao before the Delhi High Court on 28 January. Therefore, it is imperative that SEBI exercise its regulatory powers to evaluate and facilitate the Competing Offer, ensuring that shareholders are not deprived of a more lucrative option. Further, till such time SEBI and the RBI evaluate the Competing Offer, all acquisition proceedings must be put on hold to prevent irreversible financial harm to minority shareholders," said the application. The Delhi High Court is expected to hear Raos application on Wednesday or later. A delaying tactic? The battle for Religare has witnessed a series of dramatic turns ever since the Burman family announced their plans to own the company that controls Indias second-largest private health insurance firm, Care Health Insurance Ltd, and other broking and non-bank subsidiaries. Proxy advisory firms and lawyers suggested that Raos petition may be a delaying tactic to prevent the acquisition of more Religare shares by the Burman family, the promoters of consumer goods company Dabur India Ltd. I believe a serious bidder would have done their homework regarding the regulatory timelines," said Amit Tandon, founder and managing director of Institutional Investor Advisory Services, a Mumbai-based proxy advisory firm. It is in this context that the abrupt letter by Danny Gaekwad proposing to make a competing offer and then a high court petition by a Bangkok-based investor, that too relying on Gaekwads intention to make an offer, needs scrutiny," he added. If Gaekwad or any entity is really keen to take over Religare, they can revisit this at a later date or look at other opportunities in the current market." Sebi returned Gaekwads proposal for failing to meet its criteria outlined under the takeover codehis competitive offer came after 400 days instead of the 15 days prescribed. If Gaekwad does want to re-apply, it will be considered a fresh offer, which will require him to follow a different, more extensive procedure, according to an official who declined to be identified. Tandon added that a non-banking financial company like Religare, which operates in broking, lending, and insurance, requires significant capital, which the Burman family appears to have. At this stage, if one compares the various offers, it seems the Burman family either has the capital or has access to institutional capital; this aspect is not fully known in the case of the alternate proposal," he said. The origin The Burman family had first expressed interest in acquiring a controlling stake in Religare in September 2023. They also have been pushing for the removal of Religare chairperson Rashmi Saluja. Saluja has voiced her dissatisfaction with the Burman familys open offer price, delaying the companys annual general meeting by six months. In December, an investor from Madhya Pradesh sought another courts intervention for a stay order on the shareholder meeting. Subsequently, the court quashed the appeal and Religares AGM is now scheduled for 7 February. Gaekwads late bid may not pass regulatory muster, Mint reported in its edition dated 27 January. Also read | Key investors question PIL that led to HC stay on Religare AGM Evaluating such offers and competing offers involves not only assessing the offered price but also considering critical factors such as the offers alignment with investor interests and the prospective contributions of the acquirer as the controlling shareholder," said Sumit Agrawal, a former Sebi official and founder of Regstreet Law Advisors. Religare, Raos lawyers, and the Burman family did not immediately reply to Mints queries. Also read | Proxy advisors call for Rashmi Saluja's ouster from Religare WASHINGTONA Trump administration order pausing almost all foreign aid has left counterterrorism training in Somalia, HIV treatment in Uganda, narcotics interdiction in Colombia, prosthetics for refugees from Myanmar, and many more U.S.-funded overseas assistance programs in sudden limbo. The Jan. 24 directive stated that the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development shall not provide foreign assistance" until a high level review of the programs is completed, except to Israel and Egypt and in severe cases where emergency food assistance is needed. Rather than just pausing new funding, the cable instructed U.S. government officials to issue so-called stop-work" orders to nongovernmental organizations and aid groups from using U.S. funding they have already received. The three-month pause stunned U.S. officials and aid workers, who said the interruption in the roughly $60 billion foreign aid budget for this year could severely damage vital programs in some countries and leave an opening for China and other adversaries to supplant Washington as a more reliable benefactor. Everyone in my world is walking around today with our hair on fire and our jaws on the floor," said Jeremy Konyndyk, the president of Refugees International and a former senior USAID official in the Biden and Obama administrations. Aid groups and U.S. officials responsible for administering assistance programs have flooded the State Department with requests for waivers, arguing that even a temporary halt could cost lives. Because of the State Departments role in overseeing arms transfers, the aid suspension appears to freeze financing that the State Department provides to Taiwan and Ukraine for U.S. weapons, although that is not the only source of arms for those countries. Border Health Development Foundation helps people injured in the Myanmar war receive medical treatment in Thailand. A State Department spokeswoman said the pause is needed so the agency can ensure the foreign assistance programs are efficient and support President Trumps America First agenda." She didnt respond to questions about which waivers might be granted, the specific programs that are being paused or the implications abroad. In Uganda, where an estimated 1.43 million people are living with HIV, health authorities have raised the alarm about the abrupt interruption of the funding to reverse years of steady gains against HIV/Aids. With an annual funding of around $500 million, the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or Pepfar, has been providing treatment to most Ugandans living with HIV across 24 districts, according to the Uganda Aids Commission. Pepfars investments in HIV prevention measures are projected to avert some 190,000 new HIV infections by 2030, according to the health ministry. We are trying to discuss with some of our partners to see how to navigate," said Brian Aliganyira, who runs an HIV/AIDS-treatment program at the Ark Wellness Hub, a clinic in Central Uganda. Honestly, we dont know what will happen to our patients." In Somalia, the stop-work order has spurred concerns about how a warehouse full of weapons used by government forces in Mogadishu who have undergone U.S. training will be safeguarded. Security has been provided by local nationals employed by a private company under U.S. oversight, people familiar with the matter said. State Department officials were considering steps Monday to address the problem, but it remains unclear whether a waiver will be issued or if alternative security arrangements will be devised. Washingtons funding has been particularly important in some of the largest humanitarian crises in recent years. Last year, for instance, it contributed 47% to the U.N.s emergency response plan for Sudan and nearly 70% of that for the Democratic Republic of Congo. In eastern Syria, U.S.-funded aid groups delivering food, water and sanitation services to a 40,000 person refugee camp halted operations within minutes of last Fridays order, three aid workers said. The Al Hol camp is filled with the families of Islamic State militants and others swept up in the chaos of northeast Syria during the U.S.-led military campaign against Islamic State. A cutoff of U.S.-funded assistance would encourage the terrorist groups sympathizers to recruit for their cause, the aid workers said. When services are canceled, it creates unrest," said a senior aid worker at the camp. Those who dont have their needs met could be more susceptible to radicalization." On Monday the State Department issued a waiver that enabled the suspended contracts to be renewed for two weeks, allowing aid workers to once again pay security staff in the sprawling tent city. The U.S. is by far the worlds largest funder of humanitarian aid and one of the largest contributors to foreign assistance more broadly. In 2023, the last year for which internationally comparable figures are available, the U.S. was responsible for $64.7 billion of the $223.3 billion in foreign aid provided by rich countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, according to the One Campaign. Trump administration officials said their goal is to ensure that foreign aid benefited the U.S. and American taxpayers. But critics say that freeze could hurt U.S. interests. In Colombia, the pause threatens to deepen security challenges as the country is seeing a resurgence in cocaine production and guerrilla warfare, all while the Trump administration is pressuring partners to curb drug trafficking. Colombia is slated to receive $380 million in 2025 for counternarcotics and economic development initiatives, more than any other country in the Western Hemisphere. In another conflict zone, people injured in the war in Myanmar are transported by Thailand-based Border Health Development Foundation, which also pays for their treatment in Thai hospitals and provides rehabilitation and prostheses for those with permanent disabilities. The group depends on the State Departments Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration for 24% of its budget and received a stop-work order on Sunday, said its director, Mahn Mahn. The group has already cut food rations to patients in half and reduced the salaries for medical and other staff by 25%. If the aid freeze lasts for longer than 90 days or U.S. funding is cut off entirely, they will no longer be able to pay for critical medicine or their patients hospital bills, Mahn Mahn said. Around 50 amputees currently waiting for prostheses might never receive them. We can find contingencies for three months, but if it is longer than three months we cannot," he said. The State Department is one of the leading funders of Chinese civil society organizations, providing much needed support to human-rights groups straining against the Chinese Communist Partys crackdown on minorities. If the pause becomes a full-fledged stopBeijing will be overjoyed," said Tom Kellogg, executive director of Georgetown Universitys Center for Asian Law. Kejal Vyas and Nicholas Bariyo contributed to this article. Write to Alexander Ward at alex.ward@wsj.com, Gabriele Steinhauser at Gabriele.Steinhauser@wsj.com and Michael R. Gordon at michael.gordon@wsj.com Indian digital marketing transformation company LS Digital has unveiled its AI marketing stack, integrating artificial intelligence into its suite of marketing services. The initiative underscores the growing significance of AI in reshaping the marketing landscape, enabling brands to leverage data-driven insights, create personalized campaigns, and predict market trends with unprecedented accuracy. By offering limited free access to the new marketing stack Research AI for existing clients, LS Digital aims to accelerate AI adoption, addressing a key hesitation among marketers. AI is redefining advertising AI is increasingly becoming central to modern marketing operations. Tools such as OpenAIs ChatGPT, Adobe Sensei, Googles Gemini, and Salesforces Einstein GPT are revolutionizing how brands engage with their audiences. These technologies help marketers personalize experiences, optimize campaigns, and even create content at scale. LS Digitals offering enters this competitive, but fast-growing space, bringing an India-focused solution tailored for local market realities. Prasad Shejale, founder and CEO of LS Digital, emphasized that the stack is designed to make AI adoption seamless for marketers. AI is no longer an option but a necessity, said Shejale. By embedding it across our services, were ensuring brands can confidently explore its potential without additional risks. Also Read: With discounts galore, brand loyalty isnt what it used to be This view is echoed by Sreeraman Thiagarajan, co-founder and CEO of Agrahyah Technologies, which is building GenAI solutions for enterprise clients. Thiagarajan highlighted how digital-first brands have raised consumer expectations. Digital-first brands like Instagram, YouTube, and Swiggy have significantly raised consumer expectations around user experience, personalization, seamless interactions, and engagement. Todays consumers, accustomed to these elevated standards, expect the same level of experience from traditional businesses, whether its a bank or an automobile manufacturer. This is where AI can play a transformative role. When implemented effectively, AI goes beyond advertising and operational tasks like content creation; it enables businesses to truly understand their customers and deliver contextual, personalized, and delightful experiences, he said. The AI marketing stack isnt operating in isolation Globally, companies are leveraging tools like HubSpots AI-powered CRM, and IBM Watson for marketing automation, and Sprinklr AI for trend spotting and changing consumer preferences. These tools not only help with insights and predictive analytics but also streamline media buying, enhance consumer targeting, and optimize budgets. According to a report by PwC, a consultancy, AI in marketing is projected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.6%, reaching $107.5 billion by 2030. With LS Digitals AI marketing stack, Indian brandsespecially in sectors like FMCG, automotive, BFSI (banking, financial services, and insurance) and e-commercecan join this global wave of AI-driven transformation. Key differentiators of LS Digitals AI marketing stack Unlike traditional marketing tools, LS Digitals stack combines real-time research capabilities, generative AI tools for campaign creation, and predictive analytics for trend forecasting. The Research AI platform aggregates data from social media, e-commerce, and search platforms to deliver actionable insights. This aligns with the global trend of using real-time data to stay competitive. Also Read: Pickleball league ad review: Tapping curiosity, building familiarity Venugopal Ganganna, co-founder and chief innovation officer of LS Digital, explained, Our AI marketing stack is built to address real-world challenges that CMOs face daily. From simplifying complex consumer data to enabling hyper-personalized campaigns, this stack empowers marketers to innovate and achieve results at unprecedented speed. LS Digital has collaborated with leading technology companies to enhance its platforms capabilities. These partnerships provide access to comprehensive, GDPR-compliant data and advanced machine learning tools, ensuring that the stack can handle vast datasets across multiple industries. This mirrors the strategies of global players like Amazon and Facebook, which rely on robust AI frameworks to power their digital marketing efforts. GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation, and is a European law that aims to protect individual privacy and freedom. A transformative shift for Indian marketers The launch of LS Digitals AI marketing stack signifies a broader trend: an acceleration in the adoption of AI for marketers in India. With its two-year development timeline and a $2.5 million investment, LS Digital aims to lower barriers for marketers by offering free access to select features, enabling them to experiment without financial risk. Early adopters in sectors like BFSI and FMCG are already using the platform to streamline media planning, optimise campaigns, and even accelerate product launches. AIs role in marketing is evolving rapidly, and marketers must adapt to these changes to stay competitive, said Shejale. This initiative allows brands to test AI-driven solutions in real time and understand its transformative potential. The future of AI in marketing AIs growing influence in marketing signals a shift towards automation, hyper-personalization, and predictive analytics. While tools like LS Digitals stack are making AI more accessible, their success will hinge on delivering measurable outcomes, such as improved ROI (return on investment) and faster campaign rollouts. Also Read: Kingfishers big beer bet: flavoured brews By integrating AI into core marketing strategies, LS Digital is not just responding to market demand but setting a new benchmark for Indian marketers navigating the digital transformation journey. In a flash, euphoria over artificial intelligence (AI) has turned to panic. Since early trading began on January 27th the market value of Nvidia, an AI chipmaking champion, has slumped by 17% at the time of writing. The share prices of Alphabet, Amazon and MicrosoftAmericas cloud-computing triumviratehave fallen by 3%, 1% and 3%, respectively. All told, American tech companies have shed around $1trillion in value. The immediate cause of investors panic is DeepSeek, an obscure Chinese hedge-fund turned AI startup that last week blew analysts away with its latest large language model, R1. Consumers are flocking to DeepSeeks chatbot, which was the most downloaded app on iPhones over the weekend. Innovative techniques have allowed the company to train AI models that perform about as well as the most sophisticated Western models with only a fraction of the computer powerand so a fraction of the cost. DeepSeeks entrance on the AI scene comes at a time when American tech giants are splurging ever more on AI infrastructure. Last year the combined spending on data centres by the three cloud-computing giants and Meta (which has also been developing AI models) reached about $180bn, up by 57% from the year before. At the start of this month Microsoft said it would spend a further $80bn in 2025 on AI infrastructure. Last week Meta said it was planning to pour $65bn into AI this year. Yet if high-performing models can be trained with less computing power, all that investment may prove excessive. Although shareholders in the cloud-computing giants might welcome a reprieve from further capital spending, they may now be wondering what will become of the investments made to date. Even more worrying is what all this could mean for Nvidia and other companies supplying data-centre equipment, as well as those involved in providing the energy that fuels them. Shares in Siemens Energy, a maker of electrical equipment, and Cameco, a producer of uranium used for nuclear power, have tumbled by 20% and 13%, respectively. A rout in public markets will also ripple through to private companies. In 2024 venture capitalists invested $132bn in AI startups, an increase of more than half from the previous year, reckons PitchBook, a research firm. Model-makers that have been burning through cash, including OpenAI and Anthropic, may find it harder to raise capital now that DeepSeek has shown it is possible to do more with less. Other venture-backed firms such as Groq and Cerebras, two AI chipmakers, and CoreWeave, an AI cloud-computing firm, could also face trouble. How bad will the rout be? Three uncertainties hang over the market. The first relates to the economics of AI. DeepSeeks innovations suggest that the upfront cost of training a model may plunge. Yet that is happening just as a wave of so-called reasoning models, including OpenAIs o3 and DeepSeeks own R1, are deploying much more computing power at the inference stage, where the model responds to questions. These models are able to, in effect, think harder about queries in order to generate better answers. What exactly the opposing forces of cheaper training and pricier inference mean for spending on computer power may not become clear for some time. A second source of uncertainty is geopolitics. America is trying to stymie Chinas AI efforts by restricting the export of cutting-edge chips and the equipment used to make them. DeepSeeks success shows that this strategy has so far failed. President Donald Trump may conclude that the answer is to further tighten export restrictions, worsening the blow for companies in the AI supply chain. The final area of uncertainty is demand. Some Wall Street bulls are already seeing a positive side to DeepSeeks breakthroughs. As AI models become cheaper to train, companies could use the technology more. Already shares in businesses that are building services on top of others AI models, including Salesforce, an enterprise-software firm, and Apple, maker of the iPhone, have risen as investors bet on falling costs. Yet there is a worse scenario, too. For many enterprises, the cost of AI is less of a problem than difficulties implementing it on a large scale. If this persists, underlying demand for the technology could start to sag. And that would be enough to turn todays market slump into a collapse. Dr. Agarwal's Health Care Ltd's initial public offering ( IPO ) represents a milestone for Indias specialized healthcare sector. With a strong operational model, robust financials, and a clear growth strategy, the company is eyeing the pole position in the expanding eye care market. The public issue, which combines a fresh issue of 300 crore and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of 2,727 crore, aims to raise a total of 3,027 crore. With a valuation pegged at 12,810 crore at the upper price band of 402 per share, the company is digging in for a new phase of growth and consolidation in the burgeoning segment. However, the high valuation and the significant OFS component necessitate a cautious approach for potential investors. The expansion drive Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Chennai, Indias largest eye care chain by revenue and network size has laid out an ambitious roadmap for expansion. With 209 facilities, including 193 centres in India and 16 across Africa, the company has built an extensive reach using its innovative hub-and-spoke model. In 2023-24 alone, the company added 45 new centres, and it plans to continue this trajectory with a mix of greenfield and brownfield projects. A significant focus is on penetrating underserved regions in northern and eastern India, along with expanding its footprint in Africa. The company is also planning to merge with its listed subsidiary, Dr Agarwal's Eye Hospital Ltd, within the next 12 months. This merger aims to streamline operations, eliminate redundancies, and enhance shareholder value. By consolidating its operations under a single umbrella, the company seeks to achieve greater operational efficiency and create a more cohesive brand identity. The company, which served over 2.13 million patients and performed more than 220,000 surgeries in 2023-24, has earmarked the IPO proceeds for specific strategic goals. From the fresh issue, 195 crore will be used to significantly reduce the companys gross debt of 373 crore. This will bolster the companys financial health and provide additional flexibility for growth. Our goal is to become a debt-free company, and this IPO is a crucial step in that direction," said chief executive Adil Agarwal in a recent interview with CNBC-TV18. With cash reserves of 126 crore and investments of 300 crore, the companys net debt position is positive. A portion of the proceeds from the IPO will be used to pay down 195 crore of our debt, cutting our liabilities by more than half," he added. It has allocated remaining funds for inorganic expansion and other corporate purposes. However, the high proportion of the OFS componentamounting to 90% of the total IPO sizeraises questions about the immediate utility of the funds for the companys operational growth. Private equity giants Temasek and TPG, alongside other promoters, are the primary contributors to the OFS. Post-listing, promoters will hold a 32.5% stake in the company, ensuring their continued involvement in steering the company. The eye care market Indias eye care market, valued at 37,800 crore in 2023-24, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12-14% through 2027-28. Despite this growth, the organized sector constitutes only 13-15% of the market, leaving a significant opportunity for consolidation. Dr. Agarwals commands a 25% share of the organized market and generates a revenue 1.7 times that of its nearest competitor, ASG Hospital Pvt. Ltd. Key growth drivers in the eye care market include an ageing population requiring cataract surgeries, increased prevalence of lifestyle-induced refractive errors, and rising interest in cosmetic eye procedures. However, challenges such as a shortage of skilled professionals and the fragmented nature of the market pose significant hurdles. Dr. Agarwals strategic initiatives aim to address these issues, strengthening its position in this rapidly evolving industry. The financial performance Dr. Agarwal's has demonstrated impressive financial performance over the past three fiscal years. The company's revenue from operations grew 30.86% to 1,332.15 crore in 2023-24 from 1,017.9.80 crore in 2022-23, up 46.25% from 6,96.08 crore in 2021-22. For the six months ended 30 September 2024, the companys revenue reached 8,20.06 crore, marking a 26.05% increase from 6,50.57 crore in the year-ago period. According to a Crisil Ltd report, Dr. Agarwal's was the only speciality eye care service provider to experience an increase in its operating profit margin from 2022-23 to 2023-24. The companys financial profile is also marked by a low indebtedness level, reflecting its capital-efficient expansion strategy. As of 30 September 2024, the companys debt-to-equity ratio stood at 0.66, significantly improving from 0.70 as of 31 March 2024, 1.30 as of 31 March 2023, and 2.71 as of 31 March 2022. These figures highlight the companys prudent financial management, enabling it to support growth without overleveraging. Return on capital employed (ROCE) for 2023-24 was reported at 14.61%, slightly lower than 15.18% in 2022-23 and 15.02% in 2021-22. However, these metrics underscore the companys continued ability to generate efficient investment returns. The competitive landscape Dr. Agarwals operates in a highly competitive environment, with notable players such as ASG Eye Hospitals, Centre for Sight, and Vasan Eye Care vying for market share in the organized eye care segment. These competitors have extensive networks and offer a comprehensive range of ophthalmic services. Besides, multi-speciality hospital chains like Apollo Hospitals and Max Healthcare Institute provide indirect competition by including ophthalmology within their service offerings. Despite the competition, Dr. Agarwals has emerged as a market leader in the organized eye care segment, holding a 25% market share as of 2023-24, according to the Crisil report. Its operational efficiency and scale further reinforce the company's dominance, generating revenue 1.7 times that of its closest competitor, ASG Eye Hospitals. The valuation According to the red herring prospectus (RHP), the companys listed peers include Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd with a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 107.11, Max Healthcare Institute Ltd at 95.88, Fortis Healthcare Ltd at 82.11, Global Health Ltd at 57.49, Narayana Hrudayalaya Ltd at 33.14, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Ltd at 79.79, Aster DM Healthcare Ltd at 136.07, and Rainbow Childrens Medicare Ltd at 67.90. Dr. Agarwals valuation at a P/E of 134x FY24 earnings per share (EPS) is notably higher, reflecting the premium associated with its leadership and specialization in the eye care market. Also Read: FPI returns since 4 June all but wiped out Brokerage firm Anand Rathis has given the IPO a Subscribe-Long Term" rating while highlighting that the premium is justified by the companys market leadership, robust expansion strategy, and operational efficiencies. However, the brokerage also advises caution, noting that investors must weigh the high valuation against the industry's growth potential and competitive pressures. The valuation may appeal to long-term investors, given the companys trajectory, but careful consideration is warranted given the broader competitive landscape. As the company ventures into the public market, its performance will be closely watched as a bellwether for the specialized healthcare industry. For investors, this IPO offers a chance to be part of a growth story that is reshaping eye care in India and beyond, but it also demands a thoughtful assessment of the associated risks. The IPO is set to open for subscription on 29 January 2025. Note: The objective of this article is to share insightful charts, data points, and thought-provoking opinions. It is NOT a recommendation to buy or sell any stocks. If you are considering an investment, please consult a professional financial advisor. This article is intended solely for educational purposes. Suchitra Mandal is a financial writer with expertise in delivering well-researched insights and detailed analyses of companies' performance and market trends. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. The emergence of Chinese AI upstart DeepSeek has Wall Street reconsidering one of the hottest trades of the past year: providing the energy to power the artificial-intelligence boom. DeepSeeks claims that it has trained a sophisticated AI model far more efficiently than competitors called into question assumptions about the energy needed to power the new technology. Traders dumped shares of natural-gas producers, pipeline operators, power-plant owners, miners of coal and uranium, and even big land owners in the West Texas desert. The selloff even extended to natural-gas markets, cutting the price of the heating and power-generation fuel to be delivered as far out into the future as 2028. The rout shows how tendrils of the AI trade have spread beyond chip makers and big technology companies to sectors that usually have little to do with fast-growing tech stocks, such as oil-and-gas and utilities. The massive data centers that supply the computing behind AI are notorious electricity hogs, with power requirements that rival those of the largest American cities. Investors, including some of the biggest hedge-fund firms, have bid up shares of businesses expected to benefit from rising electricity demand and spending on energy infrastructure. On Monday, after learning about DeepSeek, many hit the exits. Analysts and investors say that it is too early to tell what effect DeepSeek will ultimately have on AI power demand, and that the Chinese companys revelations have prompted more questions than answers. Some argue that lower computing costs could encourage more companies to deploy AI tools than previously anticipated, potentially offsetting efficiency gains. They are selling first and asking questions later," said Jay Woods, chief global strategist at Freedom Capital Markets. People have been out to find an AI theme buster for along time." Shares of Texas Pacific Land more than doubled last year, partly due to expectations that data-center developers would be drawn to the companys land in the Permian Basin by a glut of cheap natural gas and wide-open space. The stock shed 7.7% Monday. Rival Permian property owner LandBridge lost 17%. Natural-gas producers EQT and Antero Resources each declined more than 9%. Pipeline giants Kinder Morgan and Williams Cos. ended 9.3% and 8.4% lower, respectively. Two popular exchange-traded funds filled with shares of uranium mining companies that supply nuclear power facilities each lost 11%. Coal miner Peabody Energy fell 4.7%. EQT employees working at a natural-gas hydraulic fracking site. Independent power producers, which sell electricity into wholesale markets, were among the hardest hit. Nuclear-plant owner Constellation Energy and Vistra, which runs one of Americas largest fleets of gas-fueled power plants as well as solar farms, were some of the top performing stocks in the S&P 500 last year. On Monday, they dropped 21% and 28%, respectively. It shows you how fragile these valuations might be," said Tim Winter, a portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds who specializes in power and utility stocks. This is really the first speed bump where maybe its just not going to be going up in a straight line forever." Some electricity providers rose Monday, suggesting that investors traded more speculative independent power producers for the relative safety of regulated utilities while maintaining exposure to rising electricity demand, Winter said. American Electric Power and Wisconsins WEC Energy Group, added 4.5% and 2.9%, respectively, on Monday. He said there is little doubt that AI will require a lot more power even if there are leaps in efficiency. As it is, investors have been unsure how enough electricity would be supplied. Utilities have new gas plants on the drawing board and a Trump White House eager to cut red tape in order for them to be built. Technology companies such as Microsoft have been attempting to restart nuclear facilities. A big U.K. power producer is even scouting locations in the U.S. South for plants that will produce electricity by burning pine in places where paper mills have closed. Analysts said it is too early to make big decisions without knowing more about DeepSeeks technology, including what executives at AI rivals Meta Platforms and Microsoft might say about it during their quarterly earnings calls with investors this week. Now youre not going to be straining the grid, all of this is for naught?" Woods said. I need to see more proof." Tech companies such as Microsoft have been attempting to restart nuclear facilities, including the Crane Clean Energy Center in Middletown, Pa. Write to Ryan Dezember at ryan.dezember@wsj.com and David Uberti at david.uberti@wsj.com Hathi Ram Chaudhary chews on information. A revelation made by someone he is questioning may well be a stick of sugarcane for his mental mastication. You can see him, slowly, taking his time coming to grips with what hes found out. Information, insults whatever comes his way, he chews on itand tucks it away for later. Who knows when hell need it. Jaideep Ahlawat makes sure we can see the chewing even when the mouth isnt moving. The actor is sensational in the new season of Paatal Lok, creating an unforgettable character, a policeman who is exceedingly tired as well as bloody tireless. Created by Sudip Sharma, Paatal Lok has gotten smarter and sharper with its second season, out now on Amazon Prime Video. Ahlawat was impressive right from the first season, but the English-language partsset around a media person under threat of assassinswere clumsy enough to get in the shows way. The new season gives old Hathi Ram a whole new case in a new world, and even though he has to take a flight for the first time in his life, his own story remains the same. This is a solid season. Eight episodes crisply do the job in less than 45 minutes apiece, and director Avinash Arun Dhaware revels in the shows meticulous detailing while occasionally creating frames straight out of comic books: the night through a skylight is inky blue, dramatic action scenes are lit whimsically, with green doorways and purple roomsall the colours are far from the shadowy blackness of the story itself. Set mostly in Nagaland, the plot is constantly intriguing, even if one major revelation is borrowed from a Roman Polanski classic and even if the death scenes of likeable characters are telegraphed in advance. Nagaland itself is depicted with sensitivity and warmth, with well-picked actors. (It is, however, peculiar that the upcoming third season of The Family Man, also on Amazon Prime, has also been shot in Nagaland, and will also feature Ahlawat.) Interesting new performers include musician LC Sekhose as a troubled political brat, Assamese director Jhanu Barua as a seasoned old politician, andmost interestinglyIndian Idol winner Prashant Tamang as a deadly sniper. Returning from the first season are Gul Panag as Hathi Rams long-suffering wife Renu and Anurag Arora as the unlikeable policeman Virk, both effective foils to Hathi Ram. While creative directors of fashion houses in the West are playing musical chairs, a different game is playing out in India: what will be the first luxury fashion brand to go global? Right now, Sabyasachi seems to be holding all the cardsa partnership with Aditya Birla Fashion Retail Ltd (the corporate bought 51% four years ago), a 5,800 sq. ft store in New York City's affluent West Village, a line of recognisable bags and jewellery that retail in stores like Bergdorf Goodman in New York, showcases at fashion weeks in Milan and New York, and collaborations with brands like H&M and Estee Lauder. The Kolkata-born designer is currently in the process of launching a perfume and beauty range. And of course, the fashionable founder's ambition. In a 2022 interview with Lounge, he had said: "I dont think any other brand in this country has lasted as long as we have and we continue to grow higher. I want to be India's first superbrand." That ambition was on display on 25 January, when Sabyasachi marked 25 years of his brand with an extravagant show at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The 600-odd guests, who included corporate and couture house leaders, UHNIs and clients, fashion buyers, fashion journalists and actors, were greeted by a long grazing table that drew on the decadence of the Victorian era, while 1970s Hindi, Bengali and English songsa mix of Rabindranath Tagore, Usha Uthup and Leonard Cohenplayed in the background, a feature of Sabyasachi shows. Guests exchanged air kisses while balancing glasses of champagne, four-tiered strawberry and chocolate cake, caviar, oysters, artisanal cheese. The perfect backdrop for selfies was created with 10ft tall porcelain vases, plush vintage carpets, French paintings and faux tigers and cheetahs. Also read: What Sabyasachi x H&M gets wrong and right, almost The entrance to the show recreated the narrow streets of north Kolkata with rundown houses jammed together, the clotheslines draped with shabby fabrics and garmentsa nod to his childhood in an India that is rarely acknowledged in the world of luxury. The sprawling hall that followed had a a functioning water fountain similar to the one at Victoria Memorial with green windows skirting the ramp. One would have recalled old Kolkata or Paris, depending on where one came from. Actor Deepika Padukone opened the show in an oversized beige trench coat with matching trousers. It was a look seen before but the stylingchunky, multi-stone Sabyasachi jewellery, a Frieda Kahlo-esque black headband, big eyeglasses and black leather gloveshelped it become more unique. A fine balance of maximalism and minimalism that one has come to expect from Mukherjee and a sensibility he credits his grandmothers for. The 150-odd looks that followed blended the nostalgia of old Kolkatasilk scarfs and embroidery, rose-tinted glasses and tieswith global silhouettes, luxe grunge, traditional embroidery and the language of the Instagram generation. View Full Image From the Sabyasachi 25th anniversary show (Dolly Devi ) It was not a retrospective as many had expected. The show was a fashionable flex to show what the brand believes it is capable of and is working towards. The made-in-Kolkata ready-to-wear collection worn by models of different ethnicities (but sadly not sizes) had the spirit of couture, and was clearly aimed at the global luxury shopper who prefers comfort. Everyday couture for those who live multilayered lives. There were references to Coco Chanel's work in a coat embroidered in different yarns and crystals to create the illusion of tweeddeception at its best. There were bejewelled T-shirt-like tops with viral slogans and tags such as "Where has love gone", "Dog dad", "Cat lady", and "Table for one". For a brand that rarely follows trends, the play with the world of social media indicated its growing focus on attracting a larger client base. While the collection did not experiment with silhouettes, it excelled at fabric innovation. A long coat that seemed to be embellished with large stones was actually fashioned from artfully sewn cotton balls. The now-globally recognizable Sabyasachi logo was used flamboyantly across bags, clothes and accessories. View Full Image The collection combined the nostalgia of old Kolkata with with global silhouettes (Dolly Devi) Despite the bold statements and innovation, there was little experimentation with traditional Indianwear, which made up about 10% of the line. Why would a brand that became famous in India for its lehngas and saris not show a bigger range? "The lehnga is dying; people want layering," Mukherjee said when we met at his Mumbai store the day after the show. "The future is ready-to-wear that's also couture." By the time American supermodel Christy Turlington closed the show on 25 January, wearing a plain black sweater and fur trousers, Mukherjee's intentions had been made clear: He aims to create India's first global luxury brand by learning from the past without repeating it. Now that's the biggest flex. New Delhi: The Maharashtra state government and Union ministry of health and family welfare have together started household surveys in Pune, which is seeing a surge in Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases across the city. As part of the initiative, water, sewage and food samples are being picked up to find the root cause of the rare neurological condition, which remains unknown because epidemiologists are unable to figure out the etiological or causatory link for GBS, state government officials aware of the matter said. The disease has spread across Pune only, not in entire Maharastra. The state government is taking all the remedial measures to contain the spread of the disease. We have formed rapid response teams to take stock of the situation. Our teams of Bombay Municipal Corporation are very active on the ground, a state government official said, requesting anonymity. We have started doing household surveys. The Union health ministry is constantly in touch with us and supporting us as and when required. Various samples of water, food and sewage are being collected and sent to the laboratories for testing, including the National Institute of Virology, the official added. Queries sent to the Union health ministry and NIV remained unanswered till press time. Also Read | Why gut health and probiotics are taking centre stage in India Government scientists aware of the matter said that the current GBS surge has been clinically identified by neurologists in patients coming with neurological distress, with sudden numbness and muscle weakness. So far, around 101 cases have been reported in Pune, with one suspected death linked to GBS. Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system, affecting muscle control and sensory signals. Symptoms often start as tingling or weakness in the legs and can spread to the arms, face or chest, sometimes causing paralysis and difficulty in breathing, swallowing or speaking. Critical cases need intensive care. Its not contagious but is usually triggered by the immune response to bacterial or viral infections linked to diarrhoea or flu, and occasionally after surgery. Prompt medical attention is crucial for managing the condition. On Monday, the Union health ministry sent a multi-disciplinary team to Pune to assist the state government authorities in instituting public health interventions to tackle the spurt in GBS cases. The central team comprises seven experts drawn from National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) Delhi, NIMHANS Bengaluru, Regional Office of Health & Family Welfare, and National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune. Three experts from NIV were already supporting the local authorities. The central team has now been expanded, the ministry said in a statement. Earlier, Mint reported that the Union health ministry is working closely with the state health departments, recommending necessary public health interventions to curb the spread of the disease. Common link At a media briefing held by the health ministry on Tuesday, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) director general Dr Rajiv Bahl said the medical bodys scientists have figured out a common linkdiarrhoea-related infectionin GBS patients. The common link which we have found in GBS patients seems to be diarrhoea and this indicates a history of any stomach infection which might have triggered the GBS in such patients. However, our team of scientists are still working to understand more on it that why it has led the sudden surge in Pune, said Bahl. So far, around 23 stool samples from GBS patients have been tested, out of which four samples have shown the presence of Campylobacter jejuni, he added. Bahl also said the scientists were looking into patient histories. Because when an individual gets infected, GBS can be triggered after two to six weeks of any infection, because it is an autoimmune disease and post-infection syndrome, he said. Laws are almost always designed to be broad, aimed at addressing a range of different issues. However, governments sometimes deviate from that approach, enacting targeted legislation aimed at narrow outcomes. The problem is that even though lawmakers come to this process with a clear sense of what they want to achieve, the outcomes of this approach are often not what they intended. Take the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), a law designed to ban TikTok in the US. Once the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the law, Bytedance, the Chinese-controlled company that owns the viral video app had little option but to shut it down. Long before the app went dark, TikTok content creators had started looking for alternatives. Many of them began to migrate to an app called Xiaohongshu (meaning Little Red Book) that was already wildly popular in China. It added over 700,000 new US users in just two days, making it the most downloaded free app on US app stores. PAFACA had banned TikTok because US lawmakers were worried about the control that the Chinese government could exert on US users. But all the ban did was send those same users into the arms of yet another app, one that was, if anything, likely to be even more firmly under the control of the Chinese government. That the app is named after a book by Mao that is the very embodiment of the Chinese philosophies that the US government stands so firmly against, is a particularly delicious irony. The other problem with targeted legislation is that attempts to slow down progress in specific fields often leads to unforeseen outcomes. Rather than retarding progress, they serve as catalysts for countries and companies singled out by these regulations in developing new and often highly innovative alternatives to the technology being so zealously protected. In the 1980s, the G7 countries imposed Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) restrictions on India to limit its ability to develop missile technologies. This meant we could no longer purchase key technology components that we desperately needed for the navigation and inertial guidance systems we were using in our missile defence systems. In the face of this broad embargo, we had no option but to initiate the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, aimed at developing the technologies we needed ourselves. As a result of our investments in this programme, we were able to build interferometric fiberoptic gyroscope (i-FOG) technology that used the Sagnac effect to provide precise measurements of rotation and angular velocity. Not only were the resulting systems smaller and lighter than those we had been denied, since they had no moving parts, they were less prone to mechanical failures. Instead of knee-capping our missile development capabilities, MTCR restrictions served as the impetus we needed to develop critical defence technologies ourselves. Over the past few years, the US has been ratcheting up its efforts to slow down Chinese AI development by taking a small yard, high fence" approach. After identifying a small set of critical technologies, the US imposed aggressive regulatory constraints on their export to China in order to ensure maximum containment. As a result, Chinese companies have been denied access to Nvidias cutting-edge chips (A100s and H100s), on which almost all state-of-the-art large language models are being trained. This, the US administration believed, would hamstring Chinese AI development to the point where it would be impossible for them to catch up. In actual fact, what this did was provide Chinese AI companies the incentive they needed to discover new and more efficient ways to train AI models. One such company, DeepSeek, chose to focus its efforts on software-driven resource optimization. Since it had no option but to use the Nvidia H800s (the only GPUs the company was allowed to sell in the Chinese market because their performance had been capped at less than half the speed of Nvidias top products), it developed novel architectures and improved training efficiencies to get the most out of its limited hardware resources. Earlier this month, the Chinese startup released DeepSeek R1, an open-weights, reasoning model that is as good, if not better, than the most advanced models currently available. Given that its training cost was less than $6 million, it has managed to achieve outcomes equivalent to what state-of-the-art models from leading AI companies like OpenAI have achieved, at a tiny fraction of the cost. Instead of crippling the Chinese AI industry, the US policy of strategic containment has spurred them to improve their capabilities to the point where they have taken global leadership in the field of affordable, high-performance AI. In its last days, the Biden administration imposed a set of licensing restrictions aimed at making high-end AI technology available only to its closest allies. India was more than a little surprised to find that it was not on that list. This latest form of targeted legislative actions by the US puts India in the same position as China. Perhaps this is the impetus Indian companies need to start developing indigenous AI models. If they do not, what will happen if and when the models we currently depend on are made unavailable to us? The author is a partner at Trilegal and the author of The Third Way: Indias Revolutionary Approach to Data Governance. His X handle is @matthan. Oxfam, in its report Takers not Makers, claims Imperial Britain extracted" $65 trillion from India between 1765 and 1900 in todays money, enough to carpet London with 50 notes" four times over, taking these numbers from calculations others have done before. The origins go back to Dadabhai Naoroji, who, writing 125 years ago, called the outflow a drain." Oxfam uses the number to support a modern-day movement: a case for reparations Britain should pay India. Such numbers are more than a criticism of Raj policies. There are plenty of grounds to criticize these. For example, it spent too little on welfare and infrastructure and too much on the army. But extraction data doesnt just put public policy but the entire colonial system to critical scrutiny. It is a case against the combination of colonialism and globalization that made the 19th century special. Private capital worldwide made heavy use of the open economy protected by the British Empire, with goods, capital, labour and knowledge transacted more freely than in the mid-20th century, when barriers of all kinds went up. In the 20th century, Marxist intellectuals and nationalists said this capitalism had impoverished India by draining Indias surplus to Britain. As global Marxist movements declined in the 1980s and 90s, the drain receded into academic obscurity. Historian Kirti Chaudhuri called the drain theory confused" economics, coloured by political feelings." I have criticized it too. Around 2010, radical critiques of globalization and capitalism returned to campuses, social media and popular histories after the devastating 2008 financial crisis. There was a backlash against Western capitalism, and the drain idea returned to academics. That, however, does not make it sound. The figure of $65 trillion is built on three bases. First, in the 1760s, as the East India Company (EIC) started sharing the governance of Bengal with the Nawabs regime, a part of the taxes of Bengal were used to fund business investment (export of textiles). Second, in the 19th century, Indian taxes were used to fund an army that fought imperialist wars. Third, India maintained an export surplus, which went to fund payments to Britain mainly under four heads: debt service, railway guarantees, pensions to expatriate officers and repatriated profits on private investment. Naoroji said these outflows did not benefit India and happened because the country was a colony. Did he discount the benefits of these transactions? Also Read: When the British chose pragmatism as strategy The EICs investment of $60 million around 1800 was a tiny 0.06% of Indias GDP. Its textile business generated employment and externalities in India. The real drain was not exports, but the profits upon exports. These transactions were so small, they were almost invisible. Consider criticism of the army. The British Indian budget, the argument went, paid for an Indian army that fought wars beyond Indian borders, a subsidy Indian taxpayers paid to the Empire. This claim misreads what the land army really did. It was funded by India as a deterrent to potential conflict among its 550 princely states. Similarly, the British state subsidized Indian naval capability. Until World War I, army deployment beyond India caused little controversy. The army protected the huge diaspora of Indian merchants and workers. Without the empires military might, we would not get Indians doing business in Hong Kong, Aden, Mombasa or Natal. The War changed the benefit-cost estimates, and in the 1920s, the arrangement ended. The third point that Indias export surplus was a drain is the most bizarre. India had a commodity export surplus, which in effect paid for services purchased by India from Britain. Naoroji thought this was a waste of money. The evidence of this, however, is scarce. For every outflow from India to Britain, the former got value. In the 19th century, the biggest payments were business related. Foreign investments generated value in India. And the railway network built in India, as recent research shows, created enormous value, even helping end famines. Naoroji thought interest payments on public debt was a waste. But borrowing in the cheapest money market of the world made sense. Skilled people were hired globally on a large scale to work in India. Their salaries have been clubbed with the so-called drain. But consider the gains. Between 1860 and 1930, the fourth-largest cotton textile mill industry and the tropical worlds largest iron and steel industry emerged in India. Indian merchants who made money on foreign trade invested their profits in industry. Machines and engineers came from Britain (and in steel from the US). The medical advances that saw the end of famines and epidemics were owed to scientists studying tropical diseases in India. Technical schools and colleges set up by princely states hired professors and administrators abroad. The only definition by which these payments were a drain was that the value and positive externalities India got may have been overpriced, given cheaper alternatives. If this cannot be shown, extraction is a meaningless word. The big puzzle of the economic history of colonial India is that a vast number of Indians thought the Empire was a good deal. Some made a lot of money, thanks to the connections it forged. Cotton merchants, mill owners, commodity traders, princely rulers and others gained too. A history that does not ask why so many Indians thought the Raj had something positive to offer them falls short of credibility. The author is professor, economic history, at the London School of Economics. As the countdown to Union budget 2025-26 enters its final phase, it is about time individual taxpayers got a look-in from finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman. They are yet to receive the kind of largesse given by her to corporates in 2019, when the rate of corporate income tax was cut from 30% to 22%. The budget to be presented on 1 February is an opportunity to correct this. Indias post-covid K-shaped economic recovery makes the case stronger than ever before. Fast growth is the lodestar for every government, no doubt, but it must be achieved keeping in mind the all-important aspect of equity. In its effort to shift individual taxpayers to its exemption-free regime of personal income tax, the Centre must be commended for dangling carrots but sparing the stick. However, till such time as all taxpayers move to the new system, distortions in the old one need to end. At the macro level, weak overall demand could be an argument for easing the liability of taxpayers, particularly the middle class. But there is much sorting out to be done at the micro level too. Last year, the FM made a beginning in this direction, but many inconsistencies persist. Take just three. Currently, a standard deductionenhanced to 75,000 from 50,000 earlieris available only to salaried employees, not to others such as gig workers, informal-sector workers, senior citizens other than pensioners, etc. This anomaly must be rectified and the benefit of standard deduction extended to all individual taxpayers. Likewise, in the case of tax on accrued interest on bank fixed deposits, introduced by former finance minister P. Chidambaram, we should shift its incidence from the accrual stage to the time of actual receipt. It is hard to see why tax must be paid even before the interest income is received by the taxpayer. This is akin to levying capital gains tax on notional gains as share prices rise, instead of taxing what is eventually realized. Given the heavy reliance of senior citizens, especially, on earnings from fixed deposits, it is only fair that the liability on various streams of income is kept even-handed. A third area in urgent need of reform is the GST levied on medical insurance. Agreed, this indirect tax is not the exclusive domain of the Union government, as it is under the purview of the GST Council, where state governments have an important voice. Nonetheless, there is no denying that if the FM makes a case for it, state governments would follow suit. Related to this is the issue of GST on services rendered to senior citizens in assisted living facilities or old-age homes. Currently, a tax exemption up to 7,500 per month is allowed on payments made to Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs). But senior citizens in retirement communities who are unable to manage community-related affairs through RWAs due to infirmities of age are not allowed a similar exemption. Such taxpayers need other forms of relief too. Interest on the governments Floating Rate Savings Bonds, for example, is currently paid every half year. Senior citizens who do not get pension, which is true of the vast majority of our elderly, and are dependent on their savings would be relieved if they are allowed to opt for monthly payments instead. Income tax changes are among the last set of announcements to be finalized. Typically, every budget tries to improve the system. While nudging taxpayers to the new tax regime is a worthy aim, let it not overshadow other things in need of fixing. The artificial intelligence (AI) treadmill is moving at a very rapid pace, disrupting even established tech companies in its wake. The latest example is that of DeepSeek AI, a Chinese AI startup that has rattled US tech stocks and global stock markets, even tanking the value of AI posterboy Nvidia Corp. by $593 billion on Tuesday. DeepSeek has released a low-cost, open-source AI model that costs a fraction of OpenAIs o1 and other large language models that are used to train AI, suggesting that AI models in countries like India do not need exorbitant high-end graphics processing units (GPUs) or gigantic data centres to be effective. Mint explains: How did DeepSeek slash its AI costs? The DeepSeek-V3 model, launched on 10 January, used Nvidias lower-capability H800 chips for training, spending less than $6 million, its researchers said in a paper. In contrast, OpenAI set to spend about $7 billion last year to train and operate ChatGPT, according to The Information, with an additional $3 billion for training the models with new data. Overall, DeepSeek, which was founded less than 2 years ago, was developed for less than $10 million. Also, DeepSeeks R1 model demonstrates that advanced AI can be developed without massive financial investment, provided the focus is on optimizing training methods. The R1 model uses reinforcement learning without supervised fine tuning, which enables an AI model to learn by being shown examples of tasks with correct answers. Models using reinforcement learning improve through trial and error. Since DeepSeek focuses directly on this to refine its AIs reasoning abilities, it avoids dependence on pre-labeled datasets, significantly reducing costs, and making cutting-edge AI accessible to smaller players. How does DeepSeek fare against OpenAI? DeepSeek says R1s performance is comparable with that of OpenAI-o1 across math, code, and reasoning tasks while costing 5-10% of o1s API (application programming interface) price. DeepSeek has also developed DeepSeek-V3, which was trained over two months at a cost of $5.58 million and is designed for text-based tasks such as coding and essay writing. The company also offers smaller versions for use on standard laptops. How does DeepSeek help democratise AI? DeepSeeks R1 supports commercial applications and shares its models and training methods, contrasting with OpenAIs shift away from open research. DeepSeek has thus unlocked opportunities for global collaboration while promoting innovation. The ideal translation of DeepSeeks work in China is that the AI industry gets democratised," said Anushree Verma, director analystemerging technologies, Gartner. It also makes a case for AI research in more geographies, and the open-source model means that more parties can access it to see what made it possible." Also read | What is Chinas DeepSeek and why is it freaking out the AI world? What can India reap from DeepSeek? For India, where startups and research institutions often operate with limited resources, adopting DeepSeeks lean methods could accelerate AI development without over-reliance on government or corporate funding. Initiatives like the Indian Institute of Sciences work on low-resource AI systems could benefit from this approach, emphasizing efficiency over brute computational power. Sudarshan Seshadri, partner at Tiger Analytics, said DeepSeeks innovation makes a strong case for Indian entities to follow a similar path. Such a nature of innovation shows that India, too, can definitely create foundational models in AI with core competencies without needing the kind of funding access that US tech firms have deployed so far," Seshadri said. For India, the cost of AI compute will go down, and the power consumption cost of data centres would go down. Even if the overall volume of AI research goes up, the cost of power consumption decreasing due to a 20-50x rise in efficiency would make AI research viable." Also read | DeepSeek undercuts belief that chip-hungry US players will win AI race Among Indian companies looking to develop smaller, low-cost language models are AI4Bharats Airawat series, Sarvam AIs OpenHathi series, CoRover.ais BharatGPT, Tech Mahindra Ltds Indus project, Krutrim by Olas Bhavish Aggarwal, Sutra series from Two Platforms, and SML Indias Hanooman LLM series. Besides, DeepSeek presents an opportunity for Indian AI researchers to access a model equivalent to the OpenAI o1 Prothe most expensive model. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman acknowledged on X that DeepSeeks R1 model was impressive" and that his company would respond with much better models". Can Indian startups also contribute to democratising AI? India, with its strong base of open-source developers, could create similar frameworks as DeepSeek to democratize AI, say experts. For instance, policy think tank NITI Aayogs AI for All" strategy could prioritize open-source AI platforms tailored to solve local problems in agriculture, healthcare, and education, ensuring broad adoption without high licensing costs. With Indias AI Mission also showcasing a marketplace model, its likely that the DeepSeek model lends credence to Indias push to build its own foundational local language model," said Verma of Gartner. Aravind Srinivas, co-founder and chief executive of US-based AI-powered answer engine Perplexity, suggested India could learn some lessons from DeepSeeks approach. ... I hope India changes its stance from wanting to reuse models from open-source and instead trying to build muscle to train their models that are not just good for Indic languages but are globally competitive on all benchmarks," he wrote on X. Is the China angle a concern? DeepSeeks censorship of politically sensitive topics highlights the dangers of AI systems reflecting biased or controlled viewpoints. India needs to ensure that AI development upholds free expression and avoids embedding societal or political biases. Efforts like the Union ministry of electronics and information technologys draft policy on responsible AI can focus on transparent datasets and independent audits of algorithms to prevent misuse. DeepSeeks achievements are yet to be third-party verified," cautioned Jibu Elias, India headresponsible computing, Mozilla Foundation. However, concerns around DeepSeek sending usage data to China is futile. For research work, the model can be run locally," he said. The bigger question that this raises is the need for larger quantum of R&D funding to the top Indian institutes, which can help India create such frugal innovations." Orcas were originally called " whale killers " because ancient sailors saw them hunting in groups to take down large whales. Over time, that name morphed into "killer whales." Killer whales are apex predators, which means they're at the top of the food chain and no animals (other than humans) hunt them. Killer whales eat many different types of prey , including fish, seals , seabirds and squid . They also take down whales larger than themselves, such as minke whales, and they are the only animal known to hunt great white sharks. They've even been spotted teaming up to kill blue whales, the biggest creatures on Earth. Xi sends Chinese New Year card in return to friends in U.S. state of Iowa Xinhua) 09:36, January 28, 2025 BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a Chinese New Year card in return to friends in the U.S. state of Iowa, saying that China and the United States share extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation and can become partners and friends. Xi said in the reply card that the warm reception he received when he visited the beautiful state of Iowa 40 years ago is still fresh in his memory. China and the United States can achieve mutual success and common prosperity for the benefit of both countries and the world at large, Xi said. The Chinese president expressed his hope that the two peoples will pay more visits to each other and have more exchanges, jointly write new stories of friendship between the two peoples, and make new contributions to the development of China-U.S. relations. Earlier, 58 people from Iowa, including friends Luca Berrone, Gary Dvorchak and Sarah Lande, former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad and his wife, former President of the World Food Prize Foundation Kenneth Quinn, as well as representatives of teachers, students and parents from Iowa who participated in the initiative of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study for a five-year period, jointly sent a Chinese New Year card to President Xi. In the card, they recalled Xi's first visit to Iowa in 1985 and extended New Year greetings to President Xi in the Year of the Snake. The representatives of teachers, students and parents thanked Xi for putting forward the "50,000 in Five Years" initiative, shared their feelings about visiting China, and expressed their expectations to visit China again. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan) The Bathurst grassland earless dragon hasn't been seen in 30 years. Now the hunt is on to rediscover it. George Madani (left) is part of a dedicated team looking for the long-lost Bathurst grassland earless dragon. Source: Grassland Earless Dragon Alliance The hunt is on for a rare lizard not seen in over 30 years. Found only in one part of regional Australia, residents are being asked to scour paddocks and roadsides for the specific conditions the Bathurst grassland earless dragon needs to survive. It hasn't been seen since the mid-90s, and it could be holding on in someone's back paddock without anyone knowing, ecologist George Madani explained to Yahoo News. This species is perhaps one of the rarest reptiles, not just in Australia but the world. It's on the cusp of extinction and if it's going to persist, we need to be able to find it so we can protect it. Of the four species of grassland earless dragon three are listed as critically endangered, and one is endangered. Madani heads up the Grassland Earless Dragon Alliance, a listed charity that advocates for their protection. ADVERTISEMENT It had been thought the Victorian species was extinct as it hadnt been seen since the 1960s, but then in 2023, authorities confirmed with Yahoo News it had been rediscovered at a single site west of Melbourne. While it's possible the Bathurst species could be extinct, the rediscovery of the Victorian species renewed hope the Bathurst species might persist. Related: Rare Aussie animal you can only see at one zoo The Bathurst grassland earless dragon is similar in appearance to the endangered Monaro species. Source: Jesse Campbell What are the signs my land could be home to dragons? Working with the NSW Department of Environment's Saving our Species (SoS) program and the Central Tablelands Local Land Services, the Grassland Earless Dragon Alliance has put together an online questionnaire that contains five simple questions designed to ascertain whether dragons are living on properties. Its not just Bathurst itself that could harbour the species, but also the surrounding local government areas of Blayney and Oberon. ADVERTISEMENT Less than 1 per cent of the southeastern Australian habitat the four species need for survival remains in good condition. So finding sites that could harbour the Bathurst species wont be an easy task. We're looking for natural temperate grassland and we're looking for habitat that hasn't been modified, so areas that haven't been ploughed or subject to lots of fertilising, Madani explained. If there's any sort of small surface rock scattered through the paddocks, that's also good, because the dragons will use them. And these dragons co-occur with wolf spiders, which they rely on, because they utilise their burrows for shelter. Researchers are working to rediscover the Bathurst grassland earless dragon. Source: George Madani/Matt Clancy Related: Fears for future of tiny lizard stalling construction of 310,000 new homes Why sheep are a sign dragons could survive While over-grazed land isnt ideal, paddocks with a few sheep in them are perfect. Thats because they are able to keep the grass level low without denuding it completely. ADVERTISEMENT What we want landowners to know is if dragons have persisted on their property for that long, then clearly what theyre doing is right. And we don't want them to change any of their practices, Madani added. Dragons often seek shelter in the burrows of wolf spiders. Source: Grassland Earless Dragon Alliance We want them to continue business as usual, and we might be able to learn from them. Landholders who discover dragons on their properties could be able to access extra government funding to undertake weed control and fencing. If you think your land could be home to the rare Bathurst species, you can fill out the questionnaire here. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. The photographer was initially baffled by what he spotted by the outback lake. The rare red goshawk was photographed in Central Australia for the first time in 30 years. Source: Tim Henderson/AWC Remarkable video has captured Australias rarest bird of prey hunting in Central Australia, an arid region where the species hasnt been seen for 30 years. Footage taken on Friday, which was supplied to Yahoo News, shows the striking figure of a red goshawk perched on a dead branch close to a lake. Federally listed as endangered in 2023, the species is now locally extinct across most of eastern Australia, primarily due to habitat destruction. So when ecologist Dr Tim Henderson first spotted the bird on January 15, he was baffled by what hed seen. It looked like nothing I was familiar with. It was a weird shape which is what initially caught my attention You look at it and are immediately impressed by it on a personal level, he told Yahoo. Its such a rare and endangered bird, so seeing one in Central Australia is like finding a needle in a haystack. Henderson found the bird while surveying the grounds of non-profit Australian Wildlife Conservancy's 262,000-hectare Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary, which lies 400km northwest of Alice Springs. Its not uncommon to see large flocks of budgies, wild dingoes, and occasionally the parks resident grey falcons. ADVERTISEMENT You can watch the rare footage of the red goshawk drawing unwanted attention from another predatory bird below. Another clip further down the page briefly captures the bird in flight. Related: Hunt for Aussie animal not seen for 30 years Predatory bird spotted trying to take on duck Red goshawks survive mostly around Australias tropical north, but recent research has shown juveniles sometimes travel inland to learn how to hunt and survive. The bird Henderson documented is believed to be in its first year of life. He first spotted it with its crop completely filled with prey, making its neck bulge. The individual has now been documented on three occasions, most recently on Sunday, meaning it's called the region home for close to two weeks. Its exciting to see it learning to hunt it will fail and then succeed. Its trying to work out what species it can take. It tried to take on a grey teal, a medium-sized duck. Then we saw it trying to catch a zebra finch, which is tiny, Henderson said. ADVERTISEMENT The red goshawk was photographed for a second time on January 25. Source: Tim Henderson/AWC Was the red goshawk sighting a 'freak event'? While many Aussies think of Central Australia as being inhospitable, last year the region received heavy rainfall which filled the lakes. Henderson believes the red goshawk sighting highlights the importance of arid zones in supporting the complex lifecycles of wildlife. I wouldnt put the sighting down to a freak event. It seems like it happens on a regular basis. Its just that these birds are so rare, and the areas are so remote, he said. There could be dozens coming inland. Not as far south as Newhaven, but definitely to northern Central Australias semi-arid zones. When the red goshawk was first photographed on January 15 its crop was full. Source: Tim Henderson/AWC The sighting was confirmed as a red goshawk by Dr Rich Seaton, from Birdlife Australia, who is collaborating on research into the species with Indigenous ranger groups. ADVERTISEMENT Its a unique-looking bird of prey, but they can be very tricky to identify in the field, he said. It has beautiful, barred plumage; long, broad wings with finger-like feathers; and big feet and talons for hunting other birds. Theyre quite fearsome there are not too many predators that would take on a sulphur-crested cockatoo, but this thing eats them for breakfast. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. An ESB spokesperson has told 'Longford Live' that as at 2pm today (Tuesday, January 28), approximately 12,500 customers are without power across county Longford and the surrounding areas following widespread and extensive damage as a result of Storm Eowyn. The ESB Networks Longford district encompasses parts of Rosommon, Leitrim, Cavan and Westmeath. In Longford there 4,600 approximately without power ; 2,800 in Longford town and environs; 730 in Edgeworthstown ; almost 350 in Ballymahon and 690 in Aghamore. Also read: Update: Progress is being made restoring water supply to customers in Longford Initially, had been estimated that some of these customers could have to wait until Thursday, February 6 before their power is restored, but it is hoped the majority of these will be restored over the coming hours and days. ESB Networks anticipate that the vast majority of customers who lost power during Storm Eowyn will have supply restored by Friday night, 31 January. For the remaining customers, these will progressively have power restored over the course of next week this could be as many as 100,000 customers. Also read: Longford TD calls for urgent action following Storm Eowyn: 'Our communities deserve better' As of 11.30am (Tuesday), ESB Networks restored supply to 600,000 homes, farms and businesses approx. 168,000 customers remain without supply, down from a peak of 768,000 on early Friday morning following the unprecedented impact of Storm Eowyn. To support ESB Networks and partner contactors in their restoration effort post-Storm Eowyn, skilled technicians from counterparts in Great Britain have been deployed to the worst impacted areas. Further support has arrived from Austria and Finland this morning while additional crews from electricity network operators in Netherlands and France are due to arrive over the coming days. Following Storm Darragh in December and other significant weather events like Storm Ophelia in 2017, ESB Networks received support from electricity network operators in Great Britain and Europe. In addition, ESB Networks crews from the south and east of the country are also being redeployed to the worst impacted areas once restoration in their areas has been completed, while skilled retirees from ESB Networks are also being redrafted to assist. ESB Networks has published estimated restore times for most of its faults on www.PowerCheck.ie, which are now their most accurate indications based on fault site assessments of when customers can expect to have their power restored. Estimated Restoration Times will continue to be updated as the restoration continues to progress and weather conditions may impact on the restoration work. ESB Networks acknowledge the disruption to family and commercial life this causes and thank customers across the country who remain without power for their patience as their crews work to safely restore power. Hempstead Man Sentenced to 24 Years to Life for 2019 Robbery & Fatal Shooting of Man Asleep in Car Crime By Chris Boyle Published: January 28 2025 Kadeem Lewis was convicted by a jury in October 2024 of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Jose Sanchez-Velasquez in Hempstead. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Hempstead man was sentenced to 24 years to life in prison after he was found guilty by a jury of robbery and murder charges last October in the shooting death of a man sleeping in his car in November 2019. Kadeem Lewis, 31, was convicted by a jury after a trial before Judge Robert Bogle on October 31, 2024, of Murder in the Second Degree (an A-I felony), Robbery in the First Degree (a B violent felony), and Robbery in the Second Degree (a C violent felony). The defendant was sentenced yesterday to 24 years to life in prison. The final moments of Jose Sanchez-Velasquezs life were filled with shock and terror when Kadeem Lewis and a co-defendant roused him from sleep inside his car and robbed him. When Jose tried to scream for help, he was tragically killed by a single gunshot to the chest, said DA Donnelly. Todays life sentence holds Kadeem Lewis accountable for his callousness and for taking an innocent mans life. Our thoughts remain with Joses loved ones at this time, and we hope that this most severe punishment provides them with the justice they deserve for this unspeakable crime. DA Donnelly said that on November 25, 2019, at approximately 2:19 a.m., Lewis and a co-defendant were walking around Hempstead looking for a house to burglarize. The two defendants encountered 33-year-old Jose Sanchez-Velasquez sleeping in the front seat of his vehicle with the engine running and the lights on. Lewis approached the drivers side of the vehicle while his co-defendant opened the front passenger-side door and removed several cell phones. Lewis co-defendant then removed Sanchez-Velasquez from his vehicle. The victim screamed, and Lewis fired a single fatal gunshot into Sanchez-Velasquezs chest. Lewis and his co-defendant then fled the scene. Lewis dropped two of the cellphones taken from the victim in a neighboring backyard. Approximately one month later, on December 21, 2019, Lewis was involved in an incident at a residence on Alan Street in Hempstead wearing a ski mask. During the incident, Lewis fled the scene, dropping his cellphone inside the residence. Blocks away from the scene, police found a ski mask and a wallet that was taken from the Alan Street home. DNA samples taken from the ski mask and the cell phones recovered near the scene of the murder were both a match to Lewis. Lewis was arrested on February 6, 2020, by members of the Nassau County Police Department. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: January 28 2025 Governors Pro-Housing Communities Initiative Delivers up to $650 Million in Discretionary Funding Each Year; to Date, 273 Municipalities Have Been Certified as Pro-Housing Communities. Governor Kathy Hochul today announced new investments of more than $100 million for projects located in certified Pro-Housing Communities, part of a total $123 million allocated as part of the latest round of the States Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Governor Hochuls Pro-Housing Communities initiative allocates up to $650 million each year in discretionary funds for communities that pledge to modestly increase their housing supply; to date, 273 communities across New York have been certified as Pro-Housing Communities. This year, Governor Hochul is proposing an additional $110 million in funding to cover infrastructure and planning costs for Pro-Housing Communities. Theres only one solution to New Yorks housing affordability crisis: weve got to build more housing, Governor Hochul said. The Pro-Housing Communities initiative is delivering the incentives communities are looking for, and this latest round of grant funding will make a real difference in every region of New York. Were proud of all the certified Pro-Housing Communities in New York and look forward to seeing their continued growth. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, The Round XIV awards demonstrate how local priorities align with the state's economic development goals especially in our Pro-Housing Communities. The overwhelming response to the new Capital Improvement Grants program reflects how municipalities are eager to strengthen their foundations while addressing critical housing needs. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, we continue to create new and dynamic opportunities to create jobs and generate sustainable and equitable growth throughout New York State. New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, Governor Hochul has been clear municipalities who share our vision for smart housing growth will be rewarded. Through these $100 million awards announced today, Pro-Housing Communities will receive a financial boost to their efforts to upgrade infrastructure, strengthen their economies, and embark on projects that improve the quality-of-life for New Yorkers. We thank the Governor for her continued leadership and applaud our partners at the local level who are working diligently in every region of the state to find solutions to the housing shortage. Regional Economic Development Council Round XIV Round XIV of the Regional Council initiative further advanced Governor Hochul's housing agenda by including a new program featuring funding earmarked for projects located in Pro-Housing Communities, as certified by Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). The Capital Improvement Grants for Pro-Housing Communities Program, administered by Empire State Development (ESD), made up to $40 million available to municipalities, counties and not-for-profits to support capital improvement and placemaking projects within Pro-Housing Communities. Due to an overwhelming response in applications and high demand, more than $55 million is being awarded to support these projects, reflecting the strong pro-housing commitment of the State's municipalities. Three other programs in Round XIV were included in the Pro-Housing Community designation: ESD's Grants and Market New York programs, and HCR's New York Main Street program. Additionally, more than $9 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits have been awarded to support the job creation and investment goals in projects located throughout the State. In the coming weeks, more than $250 million will be awarded to Pro-Housing Communities from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, New York Forward and Mid-Hudson Momentum Programs. Select projects in Pro-Housing Communities from Round XIV include: Capital Region Schenectady Community Action Program SCAP Campus: In partnership with DePaul Properties, Inc., SCAP will construct a building to house a new child care center, program space and administrative offices for its wide array of family support services, including employment services, supportive housing services and individual and family crisis intervention. The new site is in a New York State-designated child care desert and will provide new classrooms for comprehensive child care slots. The building is expected to be part of a larger mixed-use redevelopment that will create a one-of-a-kind campus in the City of Schenectady where housing, child care and family support services are co-located. ESD Grant $4.975 million; Total Project Cost $12.4 million. Central New York SEED Syracuse, Inc. Chimes Building: The not-for-profit group will redevelop the Chimes Building into a mixed-use, mixed-income building. The project will create several residential units available to a mix of incomes and includes commercial space to house telecommunications tenants that serve as a fiber optic hub, providing internet access for roughly half of the City of Syracuse, including hospitals, fire departments, local businesses and residential users. ESD Grant $1.25 million; Total Project Cost $40.7 million. Finger Lakes Rochester Housing Authority Fernwood Avenue Library & Mixed-Use Development: The project includes building a new branch of the Rochester Public Library System within a four-story, 80,000 square foot mixed-use building that includes affordable housing. The site will include 65 housing units with space for the new library to also provide support services, computer training and workforce development. Community Action Agencies will help coordinate and administer an integrated system of support services, creating new opportunities for success through targeted education and training efforts. The new building will be located on a Brownfield site. Capital Improvement for Pro-Housing Communities $775,000; Total Project Cost $4 million. Long Island Town of Riverhead Downtown Riverfront Amphitheater: The Town will create a riverfront amphitheater and public park. Due to their location below the flood plain and increasing flood risks from climate change, the buildings will be relocated to the northern end of the property and elevated on new foundations. The southern end, with a 13-foot slope, will be converted into tiered seating with a stage and bandshell near the Peconic River. This design leverages the natural slope to protect the buildings while creating a flood barrier. The amphitheater will double as a public park, hosting activities like exercise classes, movie nights and children's events. Capital Improvement Grant for Pro-Housing Communities $1.4 million; Total Project Cost $2.8 million. Mid-Hudson Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County, Inc. Taylor Ave. Development: Working in partnership with the City of Poughkeepsie, HFHDC will undertake the site preparation and construction of a mixed-use development that includes a child care center and housing units, with a portion of the units dedicated to senior and workforce housing. The project involves comprehensive site planning, modular townhouse designs, and the integration of necessary infrastructure such as roads, utilities and green spaces. ESD Grant $1.6 million; Total Project Cost $14.5 million. Mohawk Valley Municipal Housing Authority of the City of Utica (People First) THRIVE Cornhill: This project will integrate two mixed-use buildings in the Cornhill section of Utica, offering two Community Impact Centers and several mixed-income apartments. The Impact Centers will support community-focused programs including a multipurpose gym, urban grocery, coworking space, test kitchen, entrepreneurial incubator, dance, art space and a courtyard. Capital Improvements for Pro-Housing Communities $3 million; Total Project Cost $17.6 million. New York City Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation Center for Planetary Health: The Center will establish a cutting-edge biotech innovation hub at Newlab in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. C4PH is purpose-built to accelerate the commercialization of non-therapeutic life sciences that can be applied to address climate change. The Center will be able to support over 30 companies, focusing on sectors like agriculture, textiles and building materials. ESD Grant $1.6 million; Total Project Cost $8 million. North Country Village of Massena Raw Water Capital Project: The Village will construct a secondary raw water transmission line from the Massena Intake Dam to the water treatment plant. The new line will provide redundancy in the case of an emergency or routine maintenance, should the older main line fail. It will provide critical water service to residential, commercial, and industrial users in the Village and Town of Massena, plus Norfolk and Louisville. The line will also include new taps for the extension of raw water service to the proposed Air Products Green Hydrogen Facility. Capital Improvement Grant for Pro-Housing Communities $2.34 million; Total Project Cost $4.69 million. Southern Tier Village of Dryden Water and Sewer Infrastructure Improvements: The Village will upgrade its water and sewer infrastructure as the first phase in having several hundred workforce apartments being built as Ezra Village in Tompkins County. The water improvements include extending water mains, and the sewer infrastructure upgrades include replacing several thousand feet of pipeline. Capital Improvements for Pro-Housing Communities $1.82 million; Total Project Cost $3.64 million. Western New York Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo, Inc. Workforce Child Care Initiative: The project includes the construction of a two-story child care center on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus that will provide much needed service and provide specialized space for children with special needs. Partnerships within the campus like BestSelf Behavior Health and Buffalo Hearing and Speech will enable the new center to offer specialized resources and services to children in need, and a space to host these services for parents and their children. ESD Grant $3 million; Total Project Cost $8.2 million. More information on the projects awarded through the 2024 Regional Economic Development Council initiative, including a full list of awardees, is available here. Governor Hochuls Housing Agenda Today, Governor Hochul announced that 273 municipalities have been certified as Pro-Housing Communities. The Governor is committed to addressing New Yorks housing crisis and making the State more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. As part of her 2025 State of the State, Governor Hochul proposed a bold plan to make owning and renting a home more affordable. The Governor proposed bolstering the Pro-Housing Community Program by investing $100 million to support critical housing infrastructure projects and providing $10.5 million technical assistance grants to help communities adopt pro-housing policies. The Governor also proposed creating the States first revolving loan fund to spur mixed-income rental development outside of New York City, as well as legislation to address rent-price fixing collusion by landlords, increase the effectiveness of State tax credits that support affordable housing development, and extending security deposit protections that market rate tenants currently have to rent-regulated tenants. Additionally, Governor Hochul proposed new steps to make homeownership more accessible and affordable to all New Yorkers, including funding for starter home development and first-time homebuyer downpayment assistance, and disincentivizing private equity firms from buying single-family and two-family homes across the State. The State of the State also proposes increased support for supportive housing that serves some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers. As part of the FY25 Enacted Budget, the Governor secured a landmark agreement to increase New Yorks housing supply through new tax incentives for Upstate communities, new incentives and relief from certain State-imposed restrictions to create more housing in New York City, a $500 million capital fund to build up to 15,000 new homes on State-owned property, an additional $600 million in funding to support a variety of housing developments statewide and new protections for renters and homeowners. In addition, as part of the FY23 Enacted Budget, the Governor announced a five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 55,000 homes have been created or preserved to date. State Senator Brian Kavanagh said, Addressing our statewide housing shortage requires that we use all the tools we have. Todays announcement by Governor Kathy Hochul underscores our collective commitment to fostering vibrant, sustainable communities, while incentivizing localities to be open to producing more housing. I am proud to support the State budget that makes these funds available and I commend the Governor, Housing Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, and their colleagues in the administration for effectively implementing and growing the Pro-Housing initiative. State Senator Sean Ryan said, New York's housing affordability crisis is a problem we can solve, but it's going to require creative ideas and consistent support for a wide range of programs to deal with this problem's many causes. I thank Governor Hochul for her commitment to meeting this challenge, and I look forward to continuing to work together to implement solutions that address the unique problems facing Upstate communities. Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal said, Communities in every region of the state need to step up to the plate to build a more affordable New York. With the latest round of funding awarded by the Regional Economic Development Council, public housing authorities and non-profit organizations will be able to create much-needed affordable housing for those who are struggling to stay financially afloat in the Empire State. As we look toward the start of another budget season, I am once again committed to fighting for every available cent to build and preserve our states affordable housing stock. I applaud the Governors tenacity in addressing the housing crisis and her continued partnership on this critical issue. Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, Todays announcement of ESD Round XIV grants truly benefits the Pro-Housing Communities as well as addresses critical needs throughout the state. Here in Central New York, SEED Syracuse, Inc. received funding for their project creating mixed income housing and commercial space in the City of Syracuse by redeveloping an iconic 1929 office building. Funding local projects in Pro-Housing Communities strengthens the fundamental economic base in these municipalities. Whether it is supporting child care, water infrastructure, innovative technologies, or libraries, all contribute to enhancing the daily lives of New Yorkers and the health of their neighborhoods and the region. Governor Hochul has taken the lead to address the states housing needs while, at the same time, reinforcing job creation and a spectrum of economic development opportunities. Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara said, This initiative is about more than housingits about creating opportunity and building a foundation for families to thrive. Growing up in the City of Schenectady, I saw how challenging it was for families like mine to get by without the resources were now able to provide. Investments like these in affordable housing, child care, and support services give families the tools they need to build a brighter future. Im grateful for the collaboration and shared vision that made this possible, and I look forward to seeing how these projects transform our communities for generations to come. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: January 28 2025 Alan Anderson Submitted Forged Doctors Notes to Child Welfare Agency. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced today that a New York City Administration for Childrens Services employee, Alan Anderson, 60, of Oakdale, was sentenced to 10 months in jail for possessing and submitting 12 forged doctor notes to his employer to avoid having to appear for work. The arrest and conviction were the result of a joint investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office and the New York City Department of Investigation. The defendants scheme not only defrauded taxpayers but also undermined the vital work of the Administration for Childrens Services, an agency tasked with protecting the citys most vulnerable residents, said District Attorney Tierney. This sentence sends a clear message that we take public corruption seriously, regardless of scale. The integrity of our public institutions depends on honest service from every employee. According to the investigation and the defendants admissions in open court, between February 13 and May 7, 2024, Anderson submitted 12 fraudulent doctor notes to his employer, the New York City Administration for Childrens Services (ACS), in order to avoid having to commute to his scheduled in-person office dates. At the time of the alleged offenses, Anderson was scheduled to work at the physical office location on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. All the dates Anderson submitted doctor notes were for either a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. Anderson did not submit any notes corresponding with his scheduled remote workdays of Tuesday and Thursday. On December 2, 2024, Anderson pleaded guilty to Official Misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor, before Acting County Court Judge James McDonaugh. On January 27, 2025, Anderson was sentenced to 10 months in jail. He was represented by the Legal Aid Society. This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Alexander D. Sylvan of the Public Corruption Bureau, with investigative assistance provided by the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI). A screenshot from a video of Akram al Kaabis mid-January speech in which he threatened US forces. (Via Sheikh Thaer al Bayati on X) Iraqs pro-Iranian militias face an uncertain future after the December fall of the Bashar al Assad regime in Syria and amid pressure from Iraqi authorities for armed groups to be disbanded or incorporated further into Iraqs security apparatus under state control. The militias, collectively known as Hashd al Shaabi, or the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), included several dozen brigades at the height of Iraqs battle against the Islamic State (IS) in 2017. As the war on IS wound down, these groups partially integrated into Iraqs sprawling security apparatus, including receiving government salaries. However, some of the most powerful militias continued to carry out independent operations. The militias are now under pressure from various directions in Iraq. For example, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein indicated in mid-January that the pro-Iranian militias should lay down their arms. However, Akram al Kaabi, the secretary general of Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba, one of the militias, has rejected efforts to disarm his group and other members of what the militias call the resistance (muqawama). Kaabis comments were part of a January 24 report in Lebanons pro-Hezbollah Al Akhbar media. Al Mada, a left-leaning newspaper in Iraq, has characterized Kaabis comments as potentially threatening US troops at the Al Assad base in Iraq. In 2019, the pro-Iranian militias began to increase rocket and drone attacks against US forces in Iraq and Syria. The dueling statements by militia and government leaders illustrate that Iraq is once again at an impasse regarding its powerful militias. Nevertheless, Baghdads calculations may have changed due to recent events in Syria. As the Assad regime began to implode in early December, the Iraqi government sent forces to the Syrian border. The border between Iraq and Syria re-opened in 2019 when ISIS was defeated and had been a conduit for Iraqs pro-Iranian militias entering Syria over the last several years. Among the militias that played a role on the Syrian side of the border was Kataib Hezbollah. The group has also been at the forefront of threats against US forces in Iraq and targeted American troops in Jordan in January 2024, killing three service members. With the Assad regimes collapse, Iraq faced the prospect of militia members returning to the country, as well as Assad regime loyalists fleeing to Iraq. At least 2,000 Syrian soldiers crossed into Iraq and were eventually sent back to Syria in the third week of December. As the militias lost their ability to operate in Syria, they also halted more than a year of attacks on Israel. Under the banner of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, several militias had been involved in repeated drone attacks on the Jewish state. On January 15, Nujabas Kaabi put out a statement saying the militias would suspend these attacks, a development that came in the context of the Gaza ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. However, the militias ending their role in Syria and attacks on Israel also ended some justifications for them to keep weapons outside of Iraqi state control. The shifting ground underneath the militias has led to an avalanche of speculation in Iraq about these groups future. Iran seems nonplussed about this development, and the pro-regime Tehran Times claimed in early January that the PMU faces a smear campaign in Iraq. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei told Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al Sudani that the Hashd al Shaabi is a crucial component of power in Iraq, and more efforts should be made to preserve it and to strengthen it even further. On January 14, as Sudani was visiting the United Kingdom, Al Mada reported that elements within the PMU had rejected integration into the Ministry of Defense or some other part of the state. At the same time, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hussein said that the presence of weapons in Iraq outside the control of the state was unacceptable. Two days later, an Al Mada report noted that Hussein had said that the issue of the PMU is an internal Iraqi matter, suggesting that Iran will not decide whether the militias remain outside state control. On January 19, Iraqs Al Sumaria media included commentary about whether the PMU would be dissolved, illustrating how far the debate has progressed in Iraq. On January 18, Russias RT Arabic claimed that three militias within the PMU, Kataib Hezbollah, Al Nujaba, and Ansar Allah al Awfiya, rejected calls to hand over their weapons. The UAE-based Erem News also reported that Kataib Hezbollah and Al Nujaba rejected disarmament. Ansar Allah al Awfiya, which makes up the 19th Brigade of the PMU, confirmed it refuses to disarm in a statement released on January 27. In particular, Kataib Hezbollah has been at the vanguard of attacks on US forces in the past and is very close to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). For instance, when Iranian IRGC-Quds Force head Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike in January 2020, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the head of Kataib Hezbollah and the deputy commander of Iraqs PMF, was also killed. Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024). One of K'gari's most popular tourist attractions was virtually unrecognisable earlier this week. A leading oceanographer spoke to Yahoo and explained why. Visitors to K'gari's famous Champagne Pools on Saturday were stunned to find they had been emptied. Source: Facebook/Elisha Fleming K'gari, the untamed jewel of Australia, where wild wildlife roams and the land remains beautifully untouched, lures around 500,000 visitors each year. Both locals and travellers alike are drawn to its rugged beauty, a place where natures wild spirit is still alive. But on Saturday, a Queensland woman stood in awe at the iconic Champagne Pools, only to find them almost barren a sea of sand where pristine waters once "bubbled". The woman wrote online that though she knew "mother nature" was behind the sudden change, she admitted she'd "never seen it like this before". Photos show the pools virtually empty with nothing but sand on show. Oceanographer Ruth Reef knows the spot well. Speaking to Yahoo News, Reef revealed some little-known insight about the spot and said that there are multiple factors at play that might explain why the pools were empty on that particular day. The pools on a regular day. Source: Facebook/Carlena Beal What makes the Champagne Pools so unique? Reef said that their name actually derives from the fact that during high tide, the ocean "foams" over the edge of the pools creating a sparkling, bubbling effect. ADVERTISEMENT "Champagne Pools are gorgeous, and have long been a place where an outcrop of igneous rock (mainly rhyolite) is shaped in a way that protects the beach from the open ocean exposure on the eastern side of the island in the shape of a few shallow pools," Reef told Yahoo. "Whilst these are more sheltered parts of the beach, they are highly connected to the ocean experiencing the influence of tides, waves and sediment exchange and are thus not as safe to swim in as people might think. "Sediment is also exchanged with the dune system landward of the pools. So the pools sit in a very dynamic and beautiful location." K'gari attracts half a million visitors each year, many of whom enjoy the Champagne Pools. Source: Facebook/Tiffany Beer Why were they empty this week? Reef said it's hard to hypothesise "without knowing the exact conditions at the time" but there are a couple of reasonable explanations. "For example, the tidal stage. Tides here can usually mean a difference of two metres of water depth in the pools, but there [are] very high tides occurring at the moment," she said. ADVERTISEMENT "Recent stormy weather along the east coast can easily introduce sediments into the pools through rainfall and wave action. Queensland has been experiencing stormy weather. So all those issues combined can, one, lead to lower water levels, and, two, lead to increased sediment input. "These are all reversible though I dont anticipate this to be an ongoing issue, just an example of the variability in these beautiful locations." Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Selena Gomez has responded to a political who suggested the entertainer and businesswoman be deported. The Emilia Perez star reacted to a recent X post from U.S. Senate Republican candidate Sam Parker. Selena Gomez picked illegals over America b/c shes the 3rd gen descendent of Mexican illegals who received citizenship in the 87 Amnesty, Parker wrote on X Monday. She has an entitlement attitude toward America, like her illegal gparents. Maybe Selena should be deported, too? Parker later reshared the post with the caption, Deport Selena Gomez. Gomez apparently saw the post, and responded to Parker on her Instagram story. Oh Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker. Thanks for the laugh and the threat, Gomez said, according to another post from Parker. Parkers words came after Gomez posted an emotional video about the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that occurred over the weekend. The raids saw roughly 965 people arrested across major cities in the U.S. after President Donald Trump signed an executive order implementing a new immigration policy. I just want to say that Im so sorry. All my people are getting attacked, Gomez said in the since-deleted video. The children. I dont understand. Im so sorry I wish I could do something but I cant, she said while fighting tears. Gomez was born in Grand Prairie, Texas, her biography states. Her father, Ricardo Joel Gomez, is a Mexican American while her mother, Amanda Mandy Cornett, is of Italian descent. Gomez rose to fame as a child actress, most notably for starring as Alex Russo in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place. She later launched a successful music career, first as part of the band Selena Gomez & the Scene then as a solo artist. Gomez also launched her own makeup and cosmetics company Rare Beauty in September 2020. The company helped Gomez become one of the countrys youngest female self-made billionaires at just 32 years old. Most recently, Gomez announced her engagement to record producer Benny Blanco. She was also nominated for several Golden Globes this year for her roles in Only Murders in the Building and Emilia Perez. A Guatemalan man was sentenced Monday for raping a woman in Attleboro over two decades ago, officials said. Eduardo Mendez, 51, was sentenced to 15 to 20 years in state prison for brutally raping a woman in Attleboro in 1994, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III. He was convicted on Jan. 23. A 36-year-old woman was walking home in Attleboro on June 9, 1994, when she was approached by a group of men from behind, the district attorney said. She was dragged a short distance into a nearby apartment hallway where she was raped by Mendez, the district attorney said. She yelled out for help and tried to fight off her attackers, but that didnt work, the district attorney said. After the men fled the area, a 14-year-old boy, who was walking with a friend, heard the womans screams and took her to the Attleboro police station. She was taken to Sturdy Memorial Hospital where evidence from the attack was taken into a test kit, the district attorney said. The kit wasnt tested for years until 2018 when it was found and sent to the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory for testing, the district attorney said. That testing revealed male DNA sperm cells from an internal swab of the victims evidence collection kit, the district attorney said. Further testing by Bode Technology Group, a DNA collection company, led to a DNA profile of the attacker being made, the district attorney said. The profile was uploaded to the Combined DNA Index System, a federal criminal database, the district attorney said. Mendez had felony convictions out of New York where he wouldve also been required to submit his DNA. Mendezs DNA matched the profile. A warrant for him was obtained on the charge of aggravated rape, the district attorney said. He was arrested in New York in November 2022. Mendez submitted a swab of DNA from the inside of his cheek in 2023 which confirmed the DNA match, the district attorney said. After Mendez raped the woman, he was deported from the U.S. in 2011, the district attorney said. But he came back illegally. My office made it a priority to identify and test all rape kits in our County, district attorney Quinn said in a statement. Fortunately, the evidence in this kit was located and sent out for testing, which identified the defendant as the suspect in this case. I want to thank the prosecution team for their efforts and commend the victim for her perseverance over the last thirty years. Without the rape kit being tested, this defendant would never have been charged. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is one of four mayors of major U.S. cities called to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which says it is investigating sanctuary jurisdictions across the country. Wu, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston were all called before the committee in letters sent Monday by its chair, U.S. Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky. Each of the mayors was invited to testify at a hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. on Feb. 11. Sanctuary jurisdictions and their misguided and obstructionist policies hinder the ability of federal law enforcement officers to effectuate safe arrests and remove dangerous criminals from American communities, making Americans less safe, Comer wrote. BREAKING Chairman James Comer Calls on Sanctuary City Mayors to Testify Today, Chairman Comer (@repjamescomer) calls on the mayors of Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York City to testify at an upcoming committee hearing. All four major cities are sanctuary jurisdictions pic.twitter.com/0tKwpDvCJv Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) January 27, 2025 In the wake of Donald Trumps victory in the presidential election last fall, Wu reaffirmed Bostons status as a sanctuary city. The Boston City Council also voted unanimously to reaffirm its status as such. While Sanctuary does not have a legal definition, it encompasses a range of protection for immigrants, particularly those living in the U.S. illegally. Most often, the laws put legal limits on how law enforcement in those jurisdictions can cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Under Trump, the Justice Department has ordered federal prosecutors to investigate state or local officials who they believe are interfering with the administrations crackdown on immigration, saying they could face criminal charges. In his letter, Comer asked Boston to provide documents and communications about its status as a sanctuary city, including any communication between city and state officials on the subject, between Jan. 1, 2024, and the present. Boston was one of four cities singled out by Comer and the committee because it stands out for its abject failure to comply with federal law, according to the letter. Citizens of all four cities have suffered due to sanctuary policies, he wrote. Material from the Associated Press was used in this report. Skyrocketing property tax bills spurred some Boston residents to demand relief as they struggle to survive the citys high cost of living. Several proposals to ease the tax burden were discussed during a Boston City Council hearing Monday afternoon. Residents and homeowners shared how the increases have left them in states of fear, confusion and anxiety. A Brockton man charged in connection with striking a pedestrian over 20 times with a brick, killing him, was indicted on Tuesday, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruzs office said. A Plymouth County Superior Court grand jury indicted Vasco Semedo, 46, on charges of murder, assault with intent to murder and three counts of assault and battery with a deadly weapon. Semedo was arraigned following his arrest and is being held without bail, Cruzs office said in a statement. At around 8:53 a.m. on April 6, 2024, Brockton police received several 911 calls about a motor vehicle versus pedestrian crash at 65 North Main St., the statement read. Officers arrived to find Semedo being detained by other people at the crash site, Cruzs office said. Unresponsive near Semedos Toyota Rav 4 was Stuart Smith, 50. Stuart was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital and med-flighted to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. According to surveillance footage and witness accounts, investigators found that Semedo hit Smith with his Toyota, backed up, drove into him again and stepped out of the SUV before hitting him with a brick as Smith lay on the ground. During Semedos arraignment in Brockton District Court, Assistant Plymouth County District Attorney Jennifer Sprague said he "went over to where the victim was laying on the ground and struck him in the head with that brick over 20 times. Bystanders had to pull him away, Semedo will be arraigned at a later date. With President Donald Trump reversing longstanding policy restricting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests in sensitive areas such as schools, families in Massachusetts and across the country are concerned about how this could affect them and their school community. Anxiety surrounding ICE raids in schools reached new heights last week when a Chicago elementary school mistakenly reported that ICE officers had entered the school, when in fact the Secret Service was investigating a TikTok-related threat. In Massachusetts, state and local officials are trying to reassure families that they are doing their utmost to protect the right of all students to receive an education regardless of immigration status a right which is guaranteed by both state and federal law. MassLive reached out to many of the states largest school districts to learn how they are preparing. The responses of those that got back to us are included below. State guidelines for handling ICE The Massachusetts Attorney Generals Office issued updated guidelines for school districts on how to address immigration issues last week. The guidelines note that they are not legal advice or Attorney General Andrea Campbells formal legal opinion. If ICE requests access to a student If an ICE agent requests access to a student, the attorney generals office advises that school officials refer the agent to the districts central office to ensure proper protocol is followed. The school or district should also immediately notify the students parent or guardian. Superintendents should then contact the districts legal counsel to discuss an appropriate response to the agent. In the event that an ICE agent asks to question or remove a student from their classroom, schools must obtain the specific, informed written consent of a parent or guardian or a valid, judicial warrant signed by a federal or state judge. If the agent presents a warrant, the district should consult its legal counsel and review the warrant to confirm that it is a judicial warrant not an administrative one. The district and its attorney should also try to determine the scope of the search or arrest authority provided by the warrant. If ICE requests a students personal information The Family Education and Privacy Rights Act of 1974 (FERPA) prohibits school districts from sharing personally identifiable information contained in a students school records with third parties including ICE without the written consent of a parent or guardian or the student, in the case that they are a legal adult. The only exceptions to this rule are if the information is included in the schools directory or if a judicial order or subpoena mandates that the district share this information. If a district is presented with a valid judicial order for information on a student, they must make a reasonable effort to contact the students family or the student if they are a legal adult to ensure they have as much time as possible to seek a protective order or other injunctive relief, according to the attorney generals guidelines. Schools must exclude any sensitive personal information that could generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed as directory information. While a students address and place of birth is allowed, schools may consider excluding this information from their directories. Additionally, districts are required to notify students and their families of what information is included in the directory at least once a year and allow parents or guardians to opt out of having students information in the directory at any time. Districts may also want to consider revising their enrollment policies to collect only the information necessary to verify the students age and residence. If a parent or guardian is arrested by ICE The attorney generals guidelines do not include suggested actions to take if a students parent or guardian is arrested by ICE. Instead, districts are advised to include instructions on what to do in the case that a student cannot safely return home in their district-wide policies. Districts should also suggest that families create their own plan for what to do if a parent or guardian is arrested by ICE and share resources on how to create such a plan. Additionally, they should give families regular opportunities to update their emergency contact information and provide alternative contact information for when a parent or guardian is unavailable. Finally, the guidelines suggest that districts work to support the needs of students who are facing increased anxiety, as well as those whose families have been directly affected by changes to federal immigration policy, though they do not specify what such actions would or should look like. Boston Public Schools In a Jan. 22 letter to the school community, Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper wrote that the district complies with FERPA when dealing with ICE. Additionally, as part of an ongoing review of visitor and school safety guidelines, the district has provided support to school administrators and family-facing staff to ensure they understand their legal obligations to students under federal and state law, as well as district policy, Skipper wrote. We remain focused and committed to our responsibility to educate and care for ALL our students, she wrote. Any school community members with questions should contact the districts helpline at 617-635-8873 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays or via email at helpline@bostonpublicschools.org. Worcester Public Schools In communications to families last week, Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel Monarrez wrote that the district complies with FERPA, will not coordinate with ICE and does not ask for families immigration statuses. WPS is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety, well-being, and rights of all our children, she wrote. Additionally, an internal memo shared last week advised Worcester school bus drivers not to let students off the bus if they see ICE agents at a bus stop. Worcester Catholic Schools Last week, David Perda, the superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Worcester Catholic Schools, said in a statement that the district complies with FERPA, does not coordinate with ICE and does not ask for the immigration status of students or families. The Catholic church has a demonstrated history of welcoming and advocating for immigrant populations to support one another and to pray together as a community, Perda said. Perda advised families with questions or concerns to contact their childs principal or contact him directly at 508-929-4320 or by email at dperda@worcesterdiocese.org. Springfield Public Schools In a Monday statement, Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Sonia Dinnall said that the district adheres to all state guidelines, takes proactive steps to safeguard student privacy under FERPA and shares local resources to further support families. Springfield Public Schools is deeply committed to creating a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for all students, regardless of immigration status, she wrote. We continue to prioritize learning and safety as we equip staff with clear guidelines and protocols to respond with sensitivity and care, and our counseling team is committed to helping students and families navigate the stress and anxiety they may be facing. Brockton Public Schools During a Jan. 21 Brockton School Committee meeting, Superintendent Priya Tahiliani said that the district complies with FERPA and state laws surrounding the sharing of students information and that principals and front office staff know to follow the attorney generals guidelines regarding an ICE visit. She also recommended that families make sure their emergency contact information is updated with their school and that it includes more than one contact. Additionally, the district will be actively enforcing its bullying and discrimination policies and do its best to be attentive to ensure school curriculums are inclusive and non-discriminatory, Tahiliani said. Our school curricula and our overall school communities should be ones that encourage respect for the civil rights of all individuals regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation or national origin, she said. Lynn Public Schools In a statement last week, Lynn Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Molly Cohen said that the district would continue to abide by its Safe and Welcoming Schools Resolution from 2017. The resolution demands compliance with FERPA, following the attorney generals guidelines and refraining from cooperating with ICE so far as the law allows. The mission of Lynn Public Schools is to maintain a multicultural school community dedicated to the realization of the full intellectual, physical, social, and emotional potential of its students, the resolution states. District officials are reviewing the latest information shared by the Department of Homeland Security regarding these issues, but it doesnt anticipate making any updates or changes to the policies set out in the resolution, Cohen said. Lowell Public Schools In a statement last week, a Lowell Public Schools spokesperson said that, in March 2017, the Lowell School Committee voted to adopt a formal policy of not allowing ICE agents into schools for the purpose of detaining undocumented students unless they have a court order. The district stands by that policy, the spokesperson said. Framingham Public Schools In a Jan. 22 letter to families, Framingham Public Schools Superintendent Robert Tremblay reiterated the districts policies, which are in line with FERPA. Additionally, when students register for school, the district does not and will not ask about immigration status, he said. There is a limit to executive (presidential) action, and Congress is also responsible for immigration policy. Despite media sensationalism, schools can set the tone for their school community and provide supportive and welcoming environments for all students and families, he wrote. The districts Welcome Center, student registration team and wraparound team will continue to provide support for students and families when enrolling in the district, including language support and information on how to access community resources, Tremblay wrote. We acknowledge that our students may be withdrawing emotionally and physically from our schools out of fear, and we want to be as supportive, resourceful, and forthcoming as possible with the information that we have available to us at this time, he wrote. Fitchburg Public Schools In a letter to families last week, Fitchburg Public Schools Superintendent Jonathan Thompson wrote that the district will not coordinate with ICE, complies with FERPA and the attorney generals guidelines and does not collect information regarding the immigration status of students or their families. Principals and school staff have been provided information on how to protect students rights, respond to ICE interactions and support students if their parents or guardians are detained by ICE, Thompson wrote. He also asked that families make sure the emergency contact information theyve shared with their childs school is up-to-date. While we are aware of discussions and reports surrounding the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, our districts approach will continue to prioritize the safety and sense of security of our school community, the letter reads. In light of recent developments concerning ICE activities, I want to reaffirm our districts unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of all our students and their families. Holyoke Public Schools Last week, a spokesperson for Holyoke Public Schools said that the district does not track the immigration status of students. (We) are affirming our commitment to ensure and protect the rights of all Holyoke residents and employees, and especially our newcomer and immigrant families whose safety and well-being are now imperiled by recent announcements at the federal level, Mayor Joshua Garcia and Superintendent Anthony Soto said in a joint statement. The Holyoke officials also said they were waiting for state officials to provide further guidance on these issues in coming days. Reporting from MassLive reporters Adam Bass and Ryan Mancini and Republican reporter Aprell Munford was used in this article. A former Tufts Medical Center anesthesiologist was sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempted sex trafficking of a child, United States Attorney Leah Foleys office said Tuesday. Along with the 10-year sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley ordered that Sadeq Ali Quraishi, 47 be on supervised release for five years, Foleys office said in a statement. Quraishi was convicted in October 2024. Undercover law enforcement officials conducted an operation in November 2022 to identify and apprehend people who wanted to pay for sex with children, Foleys office said. Undercover agents placed online ads offering commercial sex with two young girls purportedly 12 and 14 years old, the statement read. While working at Tufts, Quraishi started a text conversation in response to one of the ads, Foleys office said. The conversation was with an undercover agent posing as the seller of the two girls, for which Quraishi agreed to pay $250 for sex with a 14-year-old girl. The doctor took cash from an ATM and drove his Boston home before going to a Waltham hotel to meet with the seller, the statement read. Upon arrival, he met with the agent and confirmed he had money to pay. He accepted a keycard to access the room where the girl was said to be. Agents then arrested Quraishi. A 37-year-old man who worked as a United States Postal Service employee pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Boston to theft of mail and government money, U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foleys office announced. Between September 2022 and July 2023, Michael Murray, of Lynn, worked as a postal clerk at the USPS office on Beach Street in Revere and at the Melrose post office. From April 2023 until July of that year, Murray used his position to steal the contents of hundreds of pieces of mail, which included gift cards, cash and checks totaling more than $3,400, Foleys office said in a statement. During that same period, Murray stole and fraudulently negotiated postal service money orders by generating them for his own use, totaling more than $5,100, according to Foleys office. Murray pleaded guilty to one count each of theft of mail matter by an employee and theft of government money. He will be sentenced on Feb. 3, according to Foleys office. He could face a sentence of up to 5 years in prison on the charge of theft of mail by an employee and a sentence of up to 10 years on the charge of theft of government funds, Foleys office said. A Brockton man who is charged in connection with the shooting of a 16-year-old Easton girl on Jan. 14 was ordered held without bail during his arraignment in court Monday afternoon, officials said. Anthony Lopes, 18, will return to Taunton District Court on Feb. 7 for a dangerousness hearing, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said in a statement. Lopes is charged with assault and battery by discharging a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a high-capacity firearm and armed robbery, the district attorney said. An arrest warrant for Lopes was issued on Monday morning, according to the Easton Police Department. He was arrested peacefully that morning. The shooting happened around 2:30 pm. on Robert Drive near the Avalon Complex, according to the police. The teenage girl remains in serious, but stable, condition in a Boston-area hospital. (*This story was updated at 9:33 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, to reflect a federal judges ruling staying the Trump administrations order.) The federal funding freeze the Trump White House announced Tuesday will have a sweeping impact across the Bay State, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said, as she predicted lost jobs and higher prices. I know its going to cost us jobs in construction, Healey told reporters at the State House. Its going to raise energy costs, its going to interfere with peoples access to food assistance and health care, its going to cut off seniors' access to assistance to pay their heating bills. And thats just the start of it. Those are just the things off the top of my head, which is why I think youll see states going to court to oppose this, Healey said, calling the cuts devastating and noting that they [touch], you know, all aspects, of public life in the commonwealth. Healey could not say Tuesday how the freeze will impact the $62 billion budget plan she filed last week. That spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1 is predicated on millions of dollars in federal funding. We do receive a lot of federal funding, especially for Health and Human Services, but this is one of the reasons why states have got to get to court and take on Donald Trump, she said. On Tuesday evening, a federal judge stayed the White Houses order, The Associated Press reported, providing state officials with a reprieve. The order from U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan came minutes before the funding freeze was scheduled to go into effect. The administrative stay lasts until Monday afternoon and applies only to existing programs. In Illinois, officials said they had been shut out of Medicaid, the joint state and federal health care program, The Chicago Sun-Times reported. Medicaid provided coverage to 3.9 million people in Illinois in 2023, the newspaper reported. That included low-income adults, children, pregnant women and people with disabilities. The Massachusetts Department of Health & Human Services, which oversees Medicaid in the Bay State as MassHealth said it was experiencing some delays with its payment management system. But it was not clear whether that was related to the halt in federal funds or just a coincidence. As of Tuesday afternoon, MassHealth was not halting its payments to providers, plans, or any of its other payees. The freeze, announced in a Monday memo sent to agencies across the federal government, created significant confusion across Washington, The Washington Post reported. In a two-page document, Matthew J. Vaeth, the acting director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, instructed federal agencies to temporarily pause all activities related to obligations or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, the newspaper reported. The vast uncertainty forced the White House to clarify its intentions by midday Tuesday, stressing in an updated directive that it only sought to bring spending in line with the presidents recent executive orders, including those that clamp down on foreign aid and funding for diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, which Trump has called radical and wasteful, the newspaper reported. To individuals at home who receive direct assistance from the federal government, you will not be impacted by this federal freeze, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, according to The Post, later adding the administration is analyzing the federal governments spending, which is exactly what the American people elected Donald Trump to do. News of the freeze prompted a swift reaction from Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell, who called it a reckless abuse of power. Massachusetts residents rely on billions of dollars in federal funds daily for their health and child care, food and the roads we drive on, Campbell wrote in a post to X. This will hurt families. Were exploring prompt action to stop it. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Healey, who blitzed the first Trump White House with lawsuits while she was state attorney general, slammed the Republican administration. Remember, Donald Trump ran on a campaign promise that he was going to lower costs for Americans, and hes done just the opposite, she said. Last week, he proposed tariffs, which are going to raise the costs on residents and businesses. Heading to court for the second time in as many weeks, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell joined a multi-state push Tuesday to block the Trump administrations sudden freeze on federal funding to the states. The action by the White Houses Office of Management and Budget violates the separation of powers, between Congress and the executive branch, Campbell said Tuesday, announcing shed joined attorneys general from five other states in a lawsuit against the White House. The lawsuit seeks to block the freeze from taking effect and preserve essential funding, New York Attorney General Attorney General Letitia James, whose office is leading the litigation, said Tuesday. The White Houses announcement, which targets billions of dollars in Congressionally approved funding for programs ranging from public safety and schools to roads and health care, threw the federal and state governments into chaos on Tuesday. The attorneys general who joined a Tuesday press conference, all Democrats, were quick to point out that the Republican White Houses actions, first announced Monday night, impacted red and blue states alike. Earlier this month, Campbell joined with colleagues in more than a dozen other states to challenge a Trump executive order seeking to cancel the constitutional guarantee that children born in the United States are citizens regardless of their parents' legal status. Last week, a federal judge in Seattle, appointed by President Ronald Reagan, temporarily blocked that order from taking effect, dismissing it as "blatantly unconstitutional," CNN reported. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, called the freeze devastating, as she predicted lost jobs and higher prices. The Bay State receives about $20 billion a year in federal money, Campbell said Tuesday. Congress controls the purse strings, Campbell said, adding that President Donald Trump cant halt funding because he doesnt like how Congress is spending it. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, whose home state is still contending with the damage caused by raging wildfires, said federal emergency assistance could be impacted. The White Houses directive was not only unconstitutional, it was arbitrary and capricious, Bonta said. Trump does not have the unilateral authority to put the brakes on federal aid, he argued. Massachusetts officials were still trying to get a handle on the scale and the scope of the freeze. The Massachusetts Department of Health & Human Services, which oversees Medicaid in the Bay State as MassHealth said it was experiencing some delays with its payment management system. But it was not clear whether that was related to the halt in federal funds or just a coincidence. As of Tuesday afternoon, MassHealth was not halting its payments to providers, plans, or any of its other payees. In Boston, there are grants that have been awarded to Boston under the previous federal administration that have been contractually obligated, Mayor Michelle Wu said Tuesday. There have been documents signed, in our position legally obligating the successful delivery of those funds. That includes funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other transportation, climate, green infrastructure, child care, jobs, a lot of different categories, Wu continued. Thats in the tens of millions of dollars that were obligated but havent received. We worked very closely to get them in contract form so that theyd be codified in those legal documents, she concluded. In a statement, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District, called the freeze a "wholesale harm that could cost people their lives and livelihoods." What we know so far and have heard from community partners is damning. Life-saving cancer research grinding to a halt. Elders and low-income folks heating assistance threatened during the winter months, the Boston Democrat said. Federal funds impact every aspect of peoples daily lives across this country and here in the [7th Congressional District]. Attorneys general from Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island also participated in Tuesdays press call, and said they were joining the litigation. MassLive Reporter Will Katcher contributed to this story. Hours after the Trump administration announced a sweeping freeze on federal spending, the U.S. government fell into chaos Tuesday, as officials braced for potential interruptions to programs that promote food safety, combat crime, provide college aid, produce medical research and respond to natural disasters. Few in Washington appeared to understand the scope and intention of a White House memo that had directed them to temporarily pause the disbursement of key funds, leaving thousands of government services - totaling billions of dollars and dedicated primarily to Americans health, safety and well-being - at risk of shutting down, at least temporarily. The vast uncertainty forced the White House to clarify its intentions by midday Tuesday, stressing in an updated directive that it only sought to bring spending in line with the presidents recent executives orders, including those that clamp down on foreign aid and funding for diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, which Trump has called radical and wasteful. To individuals at home who receive direct assistance from the federal government, you will not be impacted by this federal freeze, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, later adding the administration is analyzing the federal governments spending, which is exactly what the American people elected Donald Trump to do. But the administrations conflicting and confusing instructions proved far more disruptive, imperiling a broad swath of federal services even before any freeze could take full effect. Some states reported issues accessing funds under the Medicaid low-income health insurance program, for example, which was never supposed to be affected by the White House policy. Others reported difficulties obtaining reimbursements for preschool centers under the federal program known as Head Start, putting some childcare services at risk. The early disruptions outraged Democrats, who expressed renewed alarm about the administrations willingness to subvert Congress on matters of federal spending. And it prompted a bevy of legal threats and lawsuits, as Democratic state attorneys general began to mobilize to challenge the legality of Trumps spending freeze. The actions taken yesterday are a callous disregard for the rule of law and a drastic abuse of power that will harm millions of Americans across the country, said Skye Perryman, president of Democracy Forward, a left-leaning group that sued on behalf of public health officials, businesses and nonprofits affected by the policy. At the heart of the uncertainty was a list of targeted programs that the White House budget office circulated late Monday that seemed to touch virtually every function of the federal government. The funds it identified for review included a vast array of initiatives that help the poor, potentially arresting funds that provide rental vouchers, nutrition benefits and college aid to low-income Americans. In Massachusetts, Democratic Gov. Maura Healey called the cuts devastating, while Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging the freeze. The cuts spread across the state. In Bristol County, Sheriff Paul Heroux said that out of the county jails approximately $60 million budget, hed lose about $2 million in federal assistance. That would cut into his efforts to help reduce recidivism, decrease drug abuse, and enhance reentry services. This will impact 18 employees at the Bristol County Jail, he said. I (and likely many other sheriffs and recipients of federal grant programs throughout the country) hope that the Trump administration quickly reconsiders this pause," Heroux said. Public safety and prisoner reentry depend on assistance from the state and federal governments. The Trump administration, meanwhile, also pointed to federal programs that inspect meat, poultry and eggs for potential food-borne illnesses, and payments to farmers whose crops are ravaged by natural disasters. And they included a vast array of initiatives to protect public health, seemingly freezing money meant to fight the spread of AIDS, research cancer causes and detection, and prepare for bioterrorism attacks. In some ways this is tantamount to a federal government shutdown, said Sharon Parrot, president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning group. Theres nothing here to say at 5 p.m. this evening these things will continue, and funding will continue to flow. Its destructive chaos that will hurt real people. Facing the prospect of significant disruption, the Office of Management and Budget told officials in an update Tuesday that the freeze is not supposed to affect services that provide direct benefits to individuals, including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and food stamps, according to a copy of the document obtained by The Washington Post. The Trump administration also said it had set up a process for agencies to work with the White House on evaluating their funding, and already had approved many programs to continue operating normally. Any program not implicated by the Presidents Executive Orders is not subject to the pause, the update said. Washington Post Reporters Laura Meckler and Dan Diamond, along with MassLive Politics Editor John L. Micek, contributed to this story. The White House budget office is ordering a pause to all grants and loans disbursed by the federal government, according to an internal memo sent to agencies Monday, creating significant confusion across Washington. In a two-page document, Matthew J. Vaeth, the acting director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, instructed federal agencies to temporarily pause all activities related to obligations or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance. News of the freeze prompted a swift reaction from Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell, who called it a reckless abuse of power. Massachusetts residents rely on billions of dollars in federal funds daily for their health and child care, food and the roads we drive on, Campbell wrote in a post to X. This will hurt families. Were exploring prompt action to stop it. Speaking to State House News Service on Tuesday, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey called the pause really bad. Gov. Maura Healey fields questions from reporters about her fiscal year 2026 budget proposal on Jan. 22, 2025. (CHRIS LISINSKI / STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE)State House News Service As she rolled out her annual budget last week, Healey took a measured response to the specter of vanishing federal funding from Washington. You know, were full steam ahead, she said. My budget really accounts for what I think is possible. And weve gotten a lot of money in the door. I mean, I think we were probably the most successful, if not one of the most successful states, over the last two years, Healey said. Read More: Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump administration freeze on federal grants and loans Healeys office did not provide a Plan B in its $62 billion spending proposal for the fiscal year that starts July 1 in the event of federal support being diminished or disappearing entirely. According to state documents, federal aid is always a big source of budget revenue, and Massachusetts expects to receive more than $15 billion in federal reimbursements in fiscal year 2025, State House News Service reported. It was not immediately clear how much money headed to Massachusetts might be affected, nor how long the review and temporary pause might last, the wire service reported. Agencies must submit detailed information to OMB by Feb. 10. The White Houses memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Post, also calls for each agency to perform a comprehensive analysis to ensure its grant and loan programs are consistent with President Donald Trumps executive orders, which aimed to ban federal diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and limit clean energy spending, among other measures. The memo states its orders should not be construed to impact Social Security or Medicare recipients, and also says the federal financial assistance put on hold does not include assistance provided directly to individuals. But the document says programs affected are including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal. The order may impact at least tens of billions of dollars in payments, said Brian Riedl, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a center-right think tank. The memo also states that of the $10 trillion that the Federal Government spent [in fiscal year 2024, which ended Sept. 30, 2024], more than $3 trillion was Federal financial assistance, such as grants and loans. It was not immediately clear where those figures came from; the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says the government spent $6.7 trillion in the 2024 fiscal year. A person familiar with the order, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe confidential decisions, confirmed the accuracy of the document and said it applied to all grants. The memo goes into effect Tuesday. The agencies are also required to submit detailed lists of projects suspended under the new order by Feb. 10. Federal agencies must assign responsibility and oversight to tracking the federal spending to a senior political appointee, not a career official, the memo states. The funding delays are going to prove very difficult for grantees under the impression the money is coming, and have rent and salary payments dependent upon it, Riedl said. It seems like a very big deal. The memo was reported earlier Monday by journalist Marisa Kabas. Federal grants support a broad range of recipients and causes. They go to universities for education and research programs, and to nonprofits for health care and studies, among thousands of other purposes. Theyre taking a broad view of what they mean within this order, and I think that has to mean that it covers everything else other than the things that go to individuals, said Bobby Kogan, a federal budget expert at the left-leaning Center for American Progress. Several congressional Democratic aides, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations, said they were bewildered by the memo and trying to understand its implications for the federal government. They say this is only temporary, but no one should believe that, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement. Donald Trump must direct his administration to reverse course immediately and the taxpayers money should be distributed to the people. Congress approved these investments and they are not optional; they are the law. The orders legality may be contested, but the president is generally allowed under the law to defer spending for a period of time, according to budget experts. To comply, though, Trump must make clear which budget accounts are frozen, Kogan said, and the budget offices order may not provide sufficient grounds under the law to pause the funding. Donald Kettl, professor emeritus and former dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, said the language in the memo is confusing, making its specific effects unclear. There will be widespread panic, Kettl said, as state and local governments as well as the people most reliant on federal-funded grants scramble to figure out if and when their cash flow will stop. In two pages, weve got what amounts to 60 years of tradition and policies that are thrown up in the air, said Kettl, who has consulted for multiple government agencies. For those suffering most, the uncertainty will be immense. G. William Hoagland, senior vice president at the Bipartisan Policy Center, said the administration should be legally able to pause the money temporarily but would need to submit a formal request to Congress to do so beyond a set window. Still, Hoagland and other budget experts have expressed concern about Trumps promises to wrest spending control away from Congress. Hoagland said he fears the deferral could be a precursor to a broader assertion of executive spending power. I worry this is an effort to hold back on not implementing the law of the land as it relates to the budget process, Hoagland said. And in terms of the impact, it could be huge. The Trump administration has also acted rapidly to freeze most public communications by federal health agencies, as well as temporarily pausing foreign aid. A strong cold front is set to envelop Massachusetts Tuesday, bringing with it whipping wind gusts up to 50 mph and the potential for heavy snow showers, according to the National Weather Service. Snow squalls are possible in northwest areas of the state beginning around 7 a.m. Tuesday, but forecasters say the cold front will stall and weaken as it heads toward the coast, meaning snow showers and squalls should stop by about noon. As the front moves through the state Tuesday morning, it will bring strong, gusty winds between 40 mph and 50 mph. A wind advisory is in place for higher elevations namely the Berkshires and the Worcester Hills between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. High temperatures will peak in the low to mid-30s before the front moves in and drops temperatures down to the low to mid-20s. Wind chills are expected to be in the single digits, forecasters said. Later Tuesday, residents of the Bay State can expect a period of steady light snowfall, thanks to a clipper system exiting the Great Lakes. The highest snow totals will be along Route 2, where up to 3 inches is possible. Higher elevations in the corridor could see between 4 and 5 inches of snow. A National Weather Service map shows potential snow totals in Massachusetts this week. (National Weather Service)National Weather Service But the rest of the state is likely to see much less, with a coating to 2 inches projected along the Massachusetts Turnpike and only a coating for southeast Massachusetts. Most of the snow is expected to come down between midnight and 3 a.m. In the wake of the snow, high temperatures Wednesday are expected to reach up to the low to mid-40s across the state, particularly on the coast. But the more moderate temperatures wont last, as forecasters predict "another shot of frigid air and blustery to gusty northwest winds" blasting Massachusetts Wednesday night into Thursday. The amount of land is small, but the gesture is not especially in light of President Donald J. Trumps musing about erasing the Indigenous name of our countrys tallest mountain, Denali, and reinstating Mt. McKinley. W.D. Cowls Inc., of Amherst, earlier this month gave the Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band 500 acres of forested land in Sunderland that had hundreds of years ago been at the edge of the Indian tribes present-day central Massachusetts reach. Its a gift that continues a trend of private landowners returning land that had once been home to Indigenous tribes. Last year, two Leverett women gave the Native Land Conservancy of Mashpee nearly 54 acres of forested land, bisected by Doolittle Brook, on Brushy Mountain. The Native Land Conservancy, which oversees 12 separate parcels in Massachusetts, also received a 7-acre donation, known as Tall Turtle, from a New Salem woman last year. SPRINGFIELD After voters overwhelming decided the MCAS exam can no longer be used as a graduation requirement, city educators are scrambling to set new diploma standards with the end of the school year approaching. We need to decide how to deal with the class of 2025 and beyond, Yolanda Johnson, chief of student services, told the School Committee last week. We have to determine locally what the competency determination will be. Students must still demonstrate mastery of subject areas such as math, science and English, as required by the state. Educators now must decide how to do so without using the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Systems exam. 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Up to 40,000 customers in Mayo remain without electricity following Storm Eowyn on Friday morning with some customers expected to be without power for another week. A number of power lines were damaged by trees felled by the 137km per hour winds during Storm Eowyn which has prompted Westport councillor John O'Malley to call for all trees close to power lines and long roads to be felled. The trees have to come down, Cllr O'Malley told the monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District. I want to see trees removed as fast as possible and this is the time to do it. Take the trees out to the root along the whole line of the ESB and service lines. Anyone planting trees should not be allowed to plant trees within 20 metres of any service lines and all the hedges and bushes along the roads should be taken out because they cause mayhem during storms. There is no need for them along the road and there are plenty of places if people want to plant trees. They have to go now because this has caused mayhem and aggravation to people. People have suffered because of trees that came down and we have to make sure that everything is cleared of trees...along the road and along lines and get rid of those trees totally. There are plenty of places to plant trees and nobody should be allowed to plant trees along power lines or service lines. Our answer is no trees along the road and power lines and then we will start to solve this problem, Cllr O'Malley told the meeting. He was backed up by a number of his council colleagues who agreed that action needs to be taken and plans put in place before the next storm. Louisburgh-based councillor Chris Maxwell said that on Friday he joined neighbours in clearing local roads blocked by fallen trees and agreed they should be cut before the next storm. Trees have brought this country to a standstill over the last couple of days. There is a very efficient way of dealing with them and it is with a tree shears on a mechanical digger. You can cut them along the main roads and under power lines and get the power done. It needs to be tackled now and head on because this will happen again and we don't want to be caught again, he said. Achill-based councillor Paul McNamara and Erris-based councillor Gerry Coyle were both heavily critical of Eir for the state of the telecom poles and wires. Cllr Coyle told the meeting that there is a wire in Dooyork in Erris hanging so low that you could ' hang your underwear' on it and Eir were doing nothing about it. There were poles overhanging since Storm Darragh...if you went to the infants class in Geesala National School you would get more of an answer than you would get from these guys in Eircom. They are the biggest disaster I have seen in my life, Cllr Coyle said. Cllr McNamara added: The trees and the telephone lines have to be addressed. Write to those departments and lay on line what has to be done because it is a disaster waiting to happen, he told the council officials. Mayo County Council officials have confirmed that work on the redevelopment of the N59 outside Newport will commence in the summer. The upgrade of 5km of the N59 from Newport to Derrada was suspended last summer after Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) requested the Mayo regional design office suspend the tendering process due to a 'funding issue'. The TII allocated 5.5m last February for the redevelopment of the road and the original time frame was for the tender to be awarded in July with work due to begin later in September. There were fears last year that the project would not go ahead after it was suspended and no new start date had been given for the project to commence. However at yesterday's monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District, Seamus O Mongain, head of the municipal district confirmed that tenders for the project will soon be signed and expects work to commence in the summer. It has the green light and our intention to have contractors on site by Q2, he said. Mr O Mongain was responding to Westport-based councillor Peter Flynn who told the meeting that progress on the upgrade of the N59 was good news for the region. It looks like the tender is very close to being rewarded and work commencing in the next couple of weeks. It is a really important part of the tourism product in terms of the Greenway from Newport down into Burrishoole. It is welcome news and it is positive that important news goes out, he said. The project is expected to take three years and will include the full reconstruction of the road including a bridge over the main road for the greenway, an upgrade of 1km of the greenway. The realignment of the N59 from Newport to Mulranny will be completed in three stages with the Newport to Derrada section followed by a section to Newfield and the last section to be completed will be from Newfield to Mulranny. The whole project is expected to be completed by 2030. MAYO Sinn Fein TD Rose Conway-Walsh has been appointed as the party's new spokesperson on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment following a party reshuffle. Sinn Fein President, Mary Lou McDonald announced her new frontbench with eleven changes from the previous team following the formation of the new Government last week. Erris-based TD Rose Conway-Walsh who had previously served as the Sinn Fein spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform in the last Dail but has been appointed as the new spokesperson on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and will shadow the Fine Gael Minister Peter Burke. Galway West TD Mairead Farrell replaces Conway-Walsh as the party spokesperson on Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation while Roscommon TD Claire Kerrane has been appointed spokesperson on Children, Disability and Equality. Dublin-based TD Louise O'Reilly has been appointed spokesperson on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development will shadow Mayo Fianna Fail TD, Minister Dara Calleary who was appointed to the Cabinet last week. READ: Mayo motorists to be compensated for damage caused by 'incompetent' broadband contractors Following her appointed, Deputy Conway-Walsh said she was delighted to be appointed to this role and I look forward to developing progressive policies in the key areas of business sustainability, infrastructure, All-Island economy, tourism and workers rights. I will work constructively while ensuring the Minister and his Government are held to account in all the key areas. I look forward to working with Businesses, representative organisations, and unions to ensure sustainable growth, prosperity, and opportunity across the Island. The recent Storm Eowyn has exposed the deficits in vital infrastructure which have led to electricity and water outages for unacceptable periods of time particularly along the Western Seaboard. The Government must immediately examine the loss to businesses and put in place supports to ensure these loses are addressed. It is government responsibility to ensure an environment whereby businesses can thrive and scale up as well as encouraging new start-up enterprises. I will be working on an all-island basis where it is practical to develop the all-island economy and the tourism offering of our entire island. Our natural resources must be utilised to revitalise rural economies and enhance national prosperity. I am a passionate supporter of workers rights and I intend to work in conjunction with Unions to ensure workers are fairly treated. It is my firm belief that constitutional change on our island is on the horizon and I intend to work in a spirit of openness and inclusivity to prepare for the Referendum on Irish Unity as provided for in the Good Friday Agreement, she said. Commenting on the appointment of the front bench, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said that it is a team in which women are represented equally and which is regionally balanced 'so that the voices of people in every region are represented'. Our first job is to hold the government to account and the importance of that role was shown last week when we saw the actions of an arrogant government attempting to undermine how the Dail is run on the back of a dodgy deal. The government was forced to climb down in the face of the combined opposition and that must now be reflected in the change to Standing Orders. You cannot be in government and opposition at the same time. It is as simple as that. We also saw Fianna Fail and Fine Gael announce the biggest government ever along with more pay for the inflated number of Junior Ministers and Super Junior Ministers. What we didnt see was any change in direction and indeed the lies told on housing delivery throughout the election campaign were exposed on the very day the Dail returned. So we will go toe to toe with this government from day one. We will stand up for working people and fight their corner. We will hold this government to account at every turn, call out every bad policy, every dodgy decision, every failure. We will also work hard to set out and build the political alternative to perpetual Fianna Fail/Fine Gael led governments. To articulate how we will achieve a fair, equal, and united Ireland, a better future for workers, families, and communities. To work with the combined opposition in taking on the government. To persuade and convince more and more people that a better way is possible, she said. A WEST Mayo councillor has called on CityLink to reconsider their decision of not extending their Mayo to Dublin bus service to Westport. The CityLink operated bus service from Castlebar to Dublin Airport was launched in September 2023 with stops along the route in Claremorris, Tuam, Athlone and Dublin city. The service is accessible seven days a week with six return journeys per day. The service has been considered a huge success with the public but despite repeated calls from public representatives to extend the service to Westport it has yet to occur. The matter was raised at the monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District where Westport-based councillor Brendan Mulroy questioned the logic of not extending the service to Westport. We were told the bus from Dublin Airport will be coming to Westport but I have been told it is not. I wrote to the company and they said no, he commented. We have a brand new dual carriage and we are about reducing our carbon footprint. But you will have to get a taxi to Castlebar to get on the bus to Dublin airport. There is not much joined up thinking there. Don't get me wrong the bus is a fantastic service to Dublin Airport and is the way to travel but there is no point if you are from Westport or Louisburgh and having to go to Castlebar to get the bus, he said. READ: Mayo motorists to be compensated for damage caused by 'incompetent' broadband contractors The Fianna Fail councillor called on the management of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District to write to the bus company and question them as to why the service does not go to Westport. That bus service needs to be brought to Westport and I would ask you to write to the bus provider to reconsider and bring the bus to Westport, he concluded. A MAYO boy has been named the national winner in his age category of the 2024 Credit Union Art Competition final which took place in Croke Park. Rhys Grimes, representing Westport Credit Union, has been named the national winner in the 810 year old category of the 2024 Credit Union Art Competition. Rhyss artwork, inspired by the theme 'The Joys of Life', was celebrated for its creativity and heartfelt expression of lifes simple pleasures. Selected from over 30,000 entries, Rhyss success is a moment of pride for his family, his school Drummin National School, the Westport community, and Westport Credit Union. The grand final, held at Croke Park on Sunday, January 26, was a special event celebrating creativity, where Rhyss artwork was recognised alongside other national winners. ILCU President Martin Busch applauded the talent on display, stating: The creativity and imagination shown by participants this year are nothing short of extraordinary. These young artists have brought this years theme to life in ways that inspire and move us all, reminding us of the profound beauty in everyday moments. The Credit Union Art Competition is not just an event but a platform for young people and communities to showcase their creativity. The credit union movement has a longstanding tradition of fostering the arts and ensuring they remain a vibrant part of Irish life. By providing opportunities to engage with art, credit unions empower young creators to express themselves and enrich the cultural fabric of their communities. Martin Busch continued: Through their artwork, these talented individuals have captured the very essence of lifes greatest joys. Their creations remind us of the importance of appreciating the little things that make life special. A huge congratulations to our winners and every entrant who participated in making this competition a true celebration of creativity and community. For more details on the winners and their achievements, visit https://www.creditunion.ie/news/art-competition/. One of seven men who was due to go on trial after a raid on a Panamanian cargo ship off the southeast coast resulted in the largest cocaine seizure in Irish history has pleaded guilty to a drugs offence. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa (62), with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk appeared before the non-jury court today, Monday, where he was arraigned on one of the two charges against him. Lapa pleaded guilty that on dates between September 21 and 25 2023, both dates inclusive, at a location within the State, that he attempted to have in his possession a controlled drug, namely cocaine, for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying the drug to another, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 to 2023, made under section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and at the time when the controlled drug was in his possession, the market value of the controlled drug amounted to 13,000 or more, an indictable offence. The 2.25 tonnes of cocaine that was seized from the MV Matthew, a Panamanian-registered bulk carrier, has an estimated value of more than 157 million. The ship was boarded in a dramatic operation by the Army Rangers, a specialist wing of the Irish Defence Forces, in September 2023. Lapa was also facing a charge that between July 15 and September 23 2023, both dates inclusive, within the State, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, that he participated in, or contributed to, activity intending to, or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation or any of its members. Sean Guerin SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), told the three-judge court on Monday that the defendant's guilty plea was acceptable on a full facts basis and "that the other count would be dealt with in the usual way". Caroline Latham BL, representing Lapa, asked the non-jury court for a probation report. She said her client was a non-national and from Ukraine. "He has no ties to this jurisdiction and a probation report would greatly assist the court," added counsel. Presiding judge Ms Justice Melanie Greally said it would be premature to order a probation report at this stage and that she wouldn't initiate the process now but "was not ruling it out as a possibility in the future". Ms Justice Greally, presiding, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Grainne Malone remanded Lapa in custody until February 24, when his case is listed for mention. Regarding the probation report, the judge said she would have a "better idea at that point in time". The other six men, who are charged with offences arising from the seizure of the cocaine, applied to the Special Criminal Court on January 13 to have the charges against them dismissed. The hearings before the three-judge court began two weeks ago and the non-jury court will deliver its ruling on Thursday of this week. The reasons for the application and the substance of the submissions cannot be reported by law. READ MORE | PICTURES: Inside the transformed 'dream project' charity home build on RTE Room to Improve Lapa was the only one of the accused men who did not make an application under the Criminal Procedure Act to have his case dismissed. The six men who made the applications are Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk, aged 32 and Vitaliy Vlasoi, aged 32; Iranians Soheil Jelveh, aged 51, and Saeid Hassani, aged 39; Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, aged 49, and Filipino Harold Estoesta, aged 31. The men are charged with drug trafficking offences at sea contrary to the Criminal Justice Act 1994. UK national Jamie Harbron has previously pleaded guilty to an offence arising from the seizure. He will appear before the court later this year for a sentencing hearing. Harbron (31) of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK pleaded guilty that on a date between September 21 and September 25, 2023, both dates inclusive, he attempted to have cocaine in his possession for the purpose of sale or supply, an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Tens of thousands of ESB customers in Co Mayo remain without electricity following Storm Eowyn and for some, the power not expected to return for another week. The county has been counting the cost of the devastation that Storm Eowyn left in its wake after it tore through the county early on Friday morning. The warning of record wind speeds came to pass, with the Met Eireann weather station in Blacksod recording a top wind speed of 137km/h at around 5am on Friday morning. As of Monday afternoon, the ESB confirmed that as many as 40,000 Mayo customers were still without a power supply. All available crews in our Ballina and Castlebar depots, as well as contracting partners, are now deployed across the county restoring power. Per our national press release, there will be some customers in Mayo who wont have their power restored until the following week, [with] Wednesday, February 5, being the longest Estimated Restore Time, an ESB spokesperson confirmed to The Mayo News. The main areas in Mayo where customers are still waiting for their power to be restored include Swinford, where 4,700 customers are without power; Westport, with 4,000 customers without power; Ballinrobe, with 2,600; Charlestown, with 2,500; Achill, with 2,000; and Cong, with 2,100. The absence of electricity has also resulted in a number of communities being left without a water supply, as treatment stations without power ground to a halt. The absence of generators at a number of treatment plants meant that many could not function for a number of days. This caused reservoirs to empty, leaving thousands of households and businesses throughout Mayo without water. READ: STORM EOWYN: Where to find help in Mayo if you are without power or water Blaming trees The near hurricane-force winds that ripped through Mayo caused a large number of trees to fall, with some hitting electricity lines and further delaying the restoration of power to communities. The matter was raised at the monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District, which was held yesterday afternoon. During the meeting, councillors praised the work of ESB crews for trying to restore power and council workers for cleaning up the debris following the storm. However, Independent councillor John OMalley said that trees were the main reason that people were going without power, and he called for all trees within 20 metres of power and other service lines to be felled. The trees have to come down. I want to see trees removed as fast as possible, and this is the time to do it, he said. Take the trees out to the root along the whole line of the ESB and service lines. Anyone planting trees should not be allowed to plant trees within 20 metres of any service lines, and all the hedges and bushes along the roads should be taken out because they cause mayhem during storms. There is no need for them along the road and there are plenty of [other] places if people want to plant trees. They have to go now because this has caused mayhem and aggravation to people. People have suffered because of trees that came down, and we have to make sure that everything is cleared of trees along the road and along lines and get rid of those trees totally. Nobody should be allowed to plant trees along power lines or service lines. Our answer is no trees along the road and power lines and then we will start to solve this problem, Cllr OMalley told the meeting. He was backed up by a number of his council colleagues, who agreed that action needs to be taken and plans put in place before the next storm. READ: Mayo motorists to be compensated for damage caused by 'incompetent' broadband contractors Communications criticised Fine Gael councillor Peter Flynn criticised the lack of communication from the executive of Mayo County Council about the emergency, while Fianna Fail councillor Brendan Mulroy was also critical of the fact that businesses were not informed that water levels were low before the supply eventually went dry. On Monday, Mayo County Council set up a dedicated Emergency Response Hub to deal with the fallout of Storm Eowyn. The objective of the hub is to direct people to assistance with basic needs, such as water, hot food, phone charging, broadband access, showers, clothing and washing facilities. A multi-agency meeting also took place, in order to continue planning ways of assisting the public and communities over the coming days and weeks. Sporting clubs and community organisations that are currently offering assistance to the public, or that wish to assist, have been asked to contact the Emergency Response Hub to register with the local authority. Doomed dome One of the biggest casualties of the storm was the Connacht GAA Air Dome at the Centre of Excellence in Bekan, which was completely destroyed when the canvas covering the pitch was ripped to pieces. The Air Dome, which is the largest of its kind in the world, was built at a cost of 3.1 million and opened in January 2022. Connacht GAA CEO John Prenty said that Connacht GAA officials left the facility at 2.30am on Friday morning, and by 4.15am, the wind had destroyed it. I suppose the good thing about that is that we were gone when it [collapsed] because wed have been found today dead, simple as that. Wed have had no way of getting out, wed have been killed stone dead, Prenty said afterwards, adding: Thankfully were alive to tell the tale. Well get another dome. Prenty continued: I never saw a storm like this. Even at home last night it was frightening. Its a big blow but well rise again. When we opened this place in July 2020 nobody believed even five hours before it went up that it would happen. But it did happen, and it will happen again. Burrishoole GAA Club were also counting the cost of Storm Eowyn at their home ground in Newport, where their stand which was erected in 2010 was extensively damaged. A huge number of buildings across the county suffered structural damage. Among them was Tesco supermarket in Swinford, which had to close after damage was caused to its roof. An Garda Siochana reported up to 17 road traffic accidents caused by debris on roads from Storm Eowyn, but fortunately no one was seriously hurt. Political fallout There has also been political fallout from Storm Eowyn, with local politicians demanding that financial support be made available to those affected by the storm. Mayo Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon has called on the Government to urgently open a grant scheme to support farmers whose buildings and equipment have been severely damaged, saying they need help to rebuild where necessary and replace their damaged assets. Storm Eowyn has left many of our farmers in a dire situation, with essential structures and equipment destroyed. It is imperative that the Department of Agriculture steps in to provide the necessary support through a dedicated grant scheme for farm buildings, he stated. Meanwhile, Sinn Feins TD for Mayo, Rose Conway-Walsh, has said that the storm has exposed a legacy of infrastructure neglect in Mayo and across rural Ireland. Storm Eowyn has battered the entire country and thousands of people remain without power and water. Parts of Mayo have been very significantly affected with widespread outages and in some cases unacceptably long timeframes for reconnection. I commend the emergency and statutory services that have been working round the clock doing tremendous work, but the fact remains that the Governments failure to invest in vital infrastructure means that it will take much longer to recover from this terrible storm. I also commend the Trojan community initiatives being taken around the county. Ireland is a wealthy country and the Government likes to boast about record employment and a healthy GDP. But what is this worth when they dont target investment in basic and essential services? The privatisation of our telecommunications has led to asset stripping and no accountability. There are real health-and-safety issues when the disconnection of phone services occurs. People on the ground across Mayo are facing [another] day without power and water. There are people with significant medical needs who rely on these services, they must be prioritised for reconnection, she said. Mayo County Councils Emergency Response Hub can be contacted on 094 9064660 or emailed at community@mayococo.ie. READ: Rest in peace, our princess - Roisin Cryan's funeral hears heartbreaking tributes Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Bill Weber was a longtime NASCAR media personality who rose the ranks to become the lap by lap caller at NBC during the mid-2000s at the peak of the sports popularity. This week it was announced by the National Motorsports Press Association that Weber had passed away recently. He passed away in December 2024. Weber was a fixture on NASCAR telecasts for years across a multitude of networks. Those include stints at TNN and ESPN throughout the 1990s serving as a studio host and pit reporter when the sport was on the rise nationally. In 2001, when NBC won rights to NASCAR races for the first time, Weber served as a pre-race host from a unique elevated stand on pit road. In 2004, Bill Weber temporarily replaced lead announcer Allen Bestwick to call lap by lap coverage from the broadcast booth and impressed so much that he took the job on a permanent basis for the remainder of NBCs first contract with the racing series. Weber is even heard in the famed Will Ferrell movie Talledega Nights providing commentary. The National Motorsports Press Association is saddened to learn of the passing of former NASCAR broadcaster and pit reporter Bill Weber. National Motorsports Press Association (@NMPAonline) January 27, 2025 After NBC left the sport in 2006, Weber stayed on to call races in a midseason package with TNT. However, that came to an end abruptly in 2009 when he was suspended after an incident in New Hampshire. Following that suspension, Weber did not return to TNTs NASCAR coverage. From that point forward, Bill Weber disappeared from the national scene and wasnt seen on NASCAR race broadcasts again. After his television career ended, he worked as a magician in Florida. He was 67 years old. On January 25, the CIA's declassified report on the origins of COVID-19 was released and its content is utterly absurd. The report claims that the virus most likely originated from a lab, yet admits a lack of confidence in this conclusion. Isn't this self-contradictory and laughable? Such an ambiguous and scientifically unsound "report" is a blatant affront to global pandemic efforts and the scientific spirit. The scientific community has already reached a broad consensus: The natural origin of COVID-19 is highly probable. Joint expert teams from the World Health Organization have conducted multiple in-depth investigations, clearly concluding that it is "extremely unlikely" that the virus was transmitted to humans through a laboratory. The prestigious academic journal Science published an article on February 6, 2024, stating that a survey showed respondents assigned a 77 percent probability to a zoonosis. The international authoritative medical journal the Lancet published an article in August 2024 titled "COVID-19 Origins: Plain Speaking is Overdue." The article stated that those who peddle suggestions of laboratory involvement have consistently failed to present credible arguments and that the scientific view that COVID-19 originated from wildlife should have been accepted by the public long ago. In contrast, the CIA, without scientific evidence or professional research, attempts to rewrite scientific conclusions based solely on intelligence analysis. What else could this be if not meddling? Behind the CIA's actions, there are likely ulterior political motives. In recent years, some American politicians, to smear China and deflect blame for their own ineffective pandemic response, have continuously hyped false claims such as "lab leaks." The CIA's declassification of the so-called "report" is merely a continuation of this political manipulation. Speaking of laboratories, the U.S.'s Fort Detrick biological laboratory is a "time bomb." Over the years, Fort Detrick has been implicated in numerous incidents. In July 2019, Fort Detrick was suddenly shut down for "not having adequate systems to purify laboratory wastewater," but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention refused to release further details. Almost simultaneously, an outbreak of an unexplained respiratory illness occurred in the nearby communities. Moreover, Fort Detrick has long conducted dangerous biological experiments. It has conducted experiments with anthrax, a deadly bacterium that could have disastrous consequences if leaked. In the 2001 U.S. anthrax attacks, investigative leads once pointed to Fort Detrick, although the investigation ultimately went nowhere, leaving many doubts. Furthermore, Fort Detrick has also conducted research on various high-risk viruses, including Ebola and smallpox, which have extremely high transmission risks and are reportedly handled carelessly. Additionally, the U.S. has established more than 200 biological laboratories around the world. These laboratories disregard international rules, operate in secrecy and lack safety oversight. Who can guarantee that they won't trigger a biochemical crisis? The U.S., with its poor track record on biosecurity, has no grounds to make accusations against other countries. Isn't this the classic case of the "thief crying 'stop thief'"? The origin of COVID-19 is a serious scientific question that should not tolerate any political manipulation. The CIA's "report" is nothing more than a piece of waste paper and a laughing stock for the international community. The U.S. must immediately stop this irresponsible farce, respect scientific facts, and return to the right track of international cooperation in fighting the pandemic. Otherwise, its despicable actions will be spurned by the whole world, and it will not be able to cover up its numerous crimes in pandemic response and biosecurity. Source:CGTN) Finance and Administrative Project Officer (French and English speaking) To submit your application, kindly complete the online application formby Wednesday 19 February 2025, 9AM. (Please note that CVs will not be considered.) Location: London (hybrid), France (remote) or Democratic Republic of Congo (remote/hybrid) Candidates must have a pre-existing right to work in one of these countries. Please note RFUK is unable to cover any relocation costs. Salary: GBP 33,835 in the UK / EUR 32,042 in France / USD $41,395 in DRC Please note that all salary amounts are gross and exclusive of employee contributions and taxes. Variances in salary amounts are due to different employer costs. The DRC salary figure applies to DRC nationals only, as expats are subject to additional 25% tax. RFUK operates a fixed salary grid, and salaries are non-negotiable. Contract type: 12 months fixed-term(with the possibility of extension) Other entitlements: 30 days annual holiday (in addition to Bank Holidays); other benefits depend on the location of the candidate Hours of work: Full time, 35 hours a week Start date: As soon as possible Rainforest Foundation UK strives for a fairer and more sustainable world by working with Indigenous Peoples and other communities of the worlds rainforests. We're seeking a Finance and Administrative Project Officer to join our growing team working at the forefront of the fight against tropical deforestation, climate change and social injustice. Hardworking and with an attention to detail, you will work closely with project coordinators and local partner organisations in the Democratic Republic of Congo to deliver exciting new projects expanding community land rights, sustainable livelihoods and forest protection initiatives. Person specification The ideal candidate should be highly motivated and a detail-oriented professional with a background in financial management and administrative support, particularly within the context of international development or charity work. Excellent written and spoken fluency in both English and French is a non-negotiable requirement to ensure that youre able to effectively communicate and collaborate with our diverse teams and partners. Your experience should include managing project budgets, tracking expenditures, and producing high-quality financial reports. You should be well-versed in working with local NGOs, ensuring compliance with donor requirements, and supporting their organisational development. Strong interpersonal skills, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to work under pressure are integral qualities for a member of the RFUK team. This role would suit someone who is eager to develop new skills and contribute to the cause of protecting rainforests and supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities. You should be committed to the mission of RFUK and be enthusiastic about contributing to the success of our projects. For further details regarding the role and specific qualifications required, please consult the Job Description. We welcome all applicants and encourage those who believe they may not strictly meet all requirements to apply, demonstrating in their cover letter why they are the right fit for the role, however the French and English language requirements are non-negotiable. Application process To submit your application, kindly complete the online application form by Wednesday 19th February 2025, by 9AM. Please be aware that the form will be anonymised for review by the panel. Please note that CVs will not be considered. Regrettably, due to the large number of applications we usually receive, it is not possible to write to you should you not be shortlisted for an interview. If you have not heard from us within 10 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. Interviews with shortlisted candidates will be held on 3rd March 2025. Please let us know in your application if you are available to attend an online interview. Equal Opportunities We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within RFUK. As part of our recruitment process, you may voluntarily complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. This form is used solely for monitoring purposes and helps us ensure fairness and equal opportunity throughout our recruitment process. Your responses are confidential and will not affect your application. Click here to download the full DOCUMENT - PDF format by Fern Siegel , January 28, 2025 Panda Express welcomes the Chinese Year of the Snake with a new campaign that captures the heart of Lunar New Year. At its center is a two-minute spot, "The Invitation," which runs on paid digital and paid and organic social YouTube, Facebook and Instagram ahead of the Jan. 29 holiday. Shorter versions, optimized for social, will run on YouTube, Pandas site and various digital platforms. The brand is also launching a series of in-store promotions and activations near select college campuses. The campaign marks the first collaboration with Opinionated, named the brands creative AOR last year. Max Sherman of Anonymous Content directed. The restaurant chain has more than 2,500 locations nationwide and has introduced American Chinese cuisine to 11 international countries. advertisement advertisement The ad centers on Diego, a young man meeting his girlfriends family for the first time during their Lunar New Year celebration. Her two aunts ask pointed questions about his career, ambitions and relationship with his mother. But what begins as an intense moment ends with a welcome. While Lunar New Year feasts revolve around home cooking, the spot includes subtle nods to the Panda Express menu. Spring rolls and the Original Orange Chicken make a cameo in the familys home, along with a fortune cookie. We wanted to capture the quirks and pride of real-life Chinese-American family dynamics, while also appealing to a broader audience even those who may be unfamiliar with Lunar New Year or Panda Express through universal themes of family and togetherness, said Chris Le, senior copywriter, Opinionated. Have You Eaten Yet? is a phrase deeply rooted in so many immigrant cultures, and this film truly reflects Panda Express values of warmth, family and joy through food. Founded in 1983 at the Glendale Galleria in Glendale, California, Panda Express is the largest family-owned-and-operated Asian dining concept in the U.S. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, January 28, 2025 Mielle, the textured hair company acquired by Procter & Gamble in 2023, is making a move into hydration with the Kalahari Melon & Aloe Vera collection. Its the company's first major launch under the P&G beauty brands umbrella, and Mielle hopes the line will resonate with the fast-changing demands in natural hairstyles. Omar Goff, the 20-year P&G vet now president of the multicultural hair brand, tells Marketing Daily whats driving the launch. Interview has been edited for length and clarity. Marketing Daily: Tell us about the new launch, the first under P&G. Omar Goff: When we started together in 2023, some innovation had already been locked in, and we helped with the marketing. But this introduction, the Kalahari Melon & Aloe Vera collection, is the first where P&G has been involved from the beginning to launch. advertisement advertisement Marketing Daily: Whats the line like? Goff: Mielle, a brand thats 10 years old, has always done a great job of identifying key needs and looking for ways to stay on-trend. That hasnt changed. But with access to broader consumer insights, we've been able to go deeper to understand consumer tensions. We can develop products that solve the jobs that need to be done. This launch responds to many people's fatigue when wearing natural hair. Theres the painstaking chore of washing hair, styling it -- and having it look terrible by day three. And theres the fatigue associated with figuring out what to do in between wash days. We fell in love with that problem, worked with our existing manufacturing partners and technical research teams, and birthed this Kalahari melon and aloe collection. Marketing Daily: This a very competitive area, right? Goff: Absolutely. There are a lot of great brands, all focused on the same problems, so you see a lot of overlap. Monique Rodriguez, co-founder and CEO, has always prided herself on finding ingredients that provide unique benefits. Babassu oil, for example, is one of the brands early hits and is still a favorite. Its got great repairative properties. Same with the Kalahari melon -- who knew what that was? We looked for ingredients that retain moisture in the most arid environments and found it in the Namibian desert. Combined with aloes tried-and-true power, the ingredient is strong enough to break through coily hair and moisturize the inside. The hydration is so long-lasting that people can go from wash day to wash day and retain the moisture in their hair. And the fragrance is incredible. Marketing Daily: How are you addressing haircare fatigue in marketing? Goff: Weve got a new ad -- our second TV commercial. And weve gone the non-celebrity approach. Were asking consumers, What could you do with five extra days? Ads showcase all the different things happening throughout the hero's life, the different hairstyles she can maintain, the activities she can do, and all the time shes saved. Our audience is intrigued by the idea of worrying less. What would life be like without having to think about hair every morning? Not to have to trade off activities because theyre afraid of what may happen to their hair? The agency is 19th & Park, owned by Black women. And we were very intentional about having Black women in front of and behind the camera. We're also going big with our WNBA partnership. Those are very active women who need great, long-lasting products to maintain their lifestyles. Well also be partnering with some run clubs. Those have become popular in the Black community. Well also include an amazing new song from Flyanna Boss. The campaign is very social first -- you'll see a lot more from us on Snapchat and TikTok, making sure we get to our core audience in new, exciting, disruptive ways. Marketing Daily: Youve been at P&G for 20 years, much of the time at Old Spice, a mass brand. And youve been president of Mielle for almost two years. Whats that transition been like? Goff: A complete change. First, Im focused on women. And at Old Spice, I was trying to push cultural relevancy for a very low-involvement category. Men dont care that much about their deodorant. Mielle had already done a great job of establishing cultural relevancy, always trying to drive excitement. Hair care is a very high-involvement category. I dont need to convince women to care about their hair or stress the cultural relevance of textured hair. I just get to double down on what was already great and find partnerships to amplify our message -- like with the WNBA -- to bring it to life. Mielle appears in One of Them Days, a movie that just opened. Well be doing some integrations with CWs All-American: Homecoming because we're passionate about reaching the Historically Black College and Universities. Marketing Daily: Black consumers have endured a turbulent five years, marked by brands frequently failing to uphold genuine connections with and commitments to Black communities. Watching Mielle move from a Black-owned independent brand to a small P&G brand is a change that has turned off some customers. How do you communicate authenticity? Goff: By getting into the world of influencers. There's a lot of skepticism starting to emerge there. People want real stories from real people. And they want to know we care about them. Now that were a nine-figure brand, expanding globally, we will continue to support the same events we did as a $5 million brand. We never forget where we've come from. We continue to support those who have always supported us. That means we have an amazing group of loyal mavens who have been with us for years, and we continue cultivating those relationships. Marketing Daily: Whats been the biggest revelation to you? Goff: That everyone has a unique hair routine. I cannot find any consistency in habits. People are a lot more prone to use the same brand for different components of their personal care journey -- but mot with hair. People use multiple brands. by Les Luchter , January 27, 2025 Hope is a firefly who lights the path for children and families facing mental health challenges. Thunder is a bison who embodies the strength and resilience needed to charge through lifes storms. Together, theyre the new mascots for Montanas Shodair Childrens Hospital, the only psychiatric member of 170 Childrens Miracle Network hospitals nationwide. Hope and Thunder have debuted as the main characters of The Bison and The Firefly, a book being distributed free of charge to every school in Montana and made available at counseling offices and libraries, Shodair marketing and brand strategist Kristin Chaney tells Marketing Daily. We will also bring the book to events and meetings as we spread awareness about mental health. advertisement advertisement In the book, written by Shodairs Chief Development Officer Joe McClafferty, despondent Hope meets wise Thunder, who helps the firefly overcome fears and loneliness. Designed for all ages served by Shodair -- three to 18 years old the book will be available in print, e-book and audiobook versions. It is being promoted through social media, PR and an upcoming program in partnership with local schools, Chaney says. But the mascots are more than book characters. Through sponsorship support from Ascent Bank, which like Shodair is located in Helena, life-sized versions of Hope and Thunder will tour Montana, attend events, and engage with our community, Chaney reports. Theyll also be available as stuffed animals, which will be given along with a print book to every patient discharged from Shodair. And theyll appear on merchandise like T-shirts, hats, water bottles and stickers. We aim to make the mascots recognizable symbols in the community, Chaney says. Shodair also hopes the mascots and their book will foster donations to its Hope Campaign, designed to cover care not funded by Montanas Medicaid system. While we could serve children from other states for higher reimbursement rates, we remain committed to helping local children, many of whom rely on Medicaid, Chaney explains. The need is especially critical, considering Montanas mental health crisis. According to Shodair, suicide is the leading cause of preventable death for Montana youth aged 1014, occurring at three times the national rate, and nearly 20% of Montana teens experience severe major depression. The mascots and their book, Chaney says, will serve as tools for starting conversations about courage, resilience, and hope, especially with donors, families, referral sources, and communities across Montana. by Danielle Oster , January 27, 2025 : JDE Peets -- parent company of the Peets Coffee brand -- has appointed a new CMO as part of a broader executive restructuring. The shakeup follows something of a tumultuous year for the company, which capped 2024 by announcing plans to increase prices in Brazil by about 30% in the coming year. The company appointed Ricard Barri Valentines as CMO and a member of its executive committee, succeeding Fiona Hughes in the role. Hughes -- who took on the CMO role back in 2020 -- is shifting to a position as general manager, Australia. The company cited Hughes familiarity with the regional market, entrepreneurial mindset, disciplined approach and proven ability to develop and lead strong teams in a release announcing the news. Valentines is a JDE Peets veteran of four years, and formerly served as global category director for instant and liquid coffee. In his new role as CMO, he will report directly to Rafa Oliveira, who was appointed the companys new CEO last November. advertisement advertisement JDE Peets also announced the departure of Scott Gray from his role as CFO. According to the announcement, Gray is exiting his role at the Netherlands-based company in order to be with his family in the United States. Resigning was a very difficult decision for me, Gray said in a statement. My wife and I have decided to relocate to the U.S .where our children will soon be starting their higher education. JDE Peets company announced that Gray will be replaced by an unspecified incoming CFO whose name will be announced Feb. 26, to coincide with the release of its financial results for 2024. In addition to serving as the companys CFO after arriving from AB InBev in 2020, Gray had taken on the additional role of interim CEO in August, when Luc Vandevelde who had held that title since March -- suddenly resigned, citing unforeseen matters that require [my] immediate attention. In a statement, Oliveira thanked Gray for his commitment to the company, citing his focus on excellence in shaping a lasting legacy, leaving behind a company with a robust financial foundation, strong performance and a talented team, and the importance of his providing critical leadership continuity in the interim CEO role. According to a recent report by data/research consultancy Big Chalk, Peets saw a decline from 5.9% to 4.6% for Q2 to Q4. in the number of consumers citing Peets as their most frequently purchased coffee brand, by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, January 28, 2025 PALM SPRINGS, CA -- IAB CEO David Cohen called on the advertising industry to do what it can to keep the web open and get involved in privacy regulations before some other entity or political regulation does it instead. He made the appeal during his keynote on Monday at the IAB ALM conference here. Cohen called on support for the open web along with interoperable and transparent digital technology, as artificial intelligence (AI) changes business models and privacy regulations. He asked conference attendees to stay open, open to the potential, open to the new ways of thinking and new business models and open to possibilities. There will be a critical role for ethical considerations and industry standards, and the IAB is ready to lead those standards. One thing we know about the future is that it will arrive at dizzying speed, he said. On some days, maybe many days, we will feel like we crash landed from Kansas right next to the yellow brick road to Oz. advertisement advertisement He spoke about AI agents that will innovate and evolve without human input. Your agent will connect with my agent, and deliver tasks with incredible efficiency, he said. In that world, how does advertising work?" Staying open also relates to privacy. Cohen told MediaPost that advertisers need to stay open in the way they protect consumer privacy, and proposed a foundational privacy law across the country, rather than a complex 20-state patchwork, though some are more closely aligned than others. On top of that foundational layer, the industry can add additional laws around sensitive data, healthcare data or AI or kids and teens, but we need to start with the basics. In Washington, everyone comes to the table with an agenda, but they have not lined up as was hoped. "For better or for worse, there seems to be a galvanization around the Republican party," he said. "If theres ever a chance to get this done, it will probably be over the next two years." Google wants to put privacy governance in the browser and allow AI to monitor it. Cohen believes there is no single answer for this next-generation question. What is the role of the browser, he asked. Is the browser a window into consumers habits, preferences and choices, or is it making decisions on behalf of consumers? Browsers are a public utility, and they should be regulated like water, electricity, and gas industries, he said. They should not be collecting a toll. Google is about to introduce in its Chrome browser a consumer opt-out prompt like Apples AppTrackingTransparency framework, and it is likely to have a similar effect. Thats fine, but when youre starting to put your fingers on the scale of measurement, attribution, as well as collect tolls along the way, its gone a bit too far. There is a movement by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to make browsers central to measurement and attribution, allowing them to create rules. Thats not their job, he said, urging the industry to get involved. These conversations are happening without industry executives, and it has become vital that more brands and publishers participate in these meetings. by Ray Schultz , January 27, 2025 Esquire magazine and its owner Hearst have won a key victory in the $77 million defamation suit filed against them by former Congressman Devin Nunes. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Monday that the U.S. District Court in Iowa was correct in dismissing the case. Nunes sued for defamation in 2019 over an article by Ryan Lizza titled Devin Nuness Family Farm Is Hiding a Politically Explosive Secret. This article implicitly accused Nunes and his family of conspiring to hide the fact that NuStar Farms employed undocumented labor, writes Judge Steven Colloton, chief judge of the appeals court panel. The Nunes family company NuStar sued in 2020, and the two cases were combined. The new filing focused on defamation by implication, a claim that the appeals court sent back to the district court for further argument. Ultimately, that court ruled that Nunes and the NuStar plaintiffs each failed to create a genuine dispute of material fact on certain elements of their defamation claims, Colloton states. advertisement advertisement The appeals court also rejected the claim of special damages, those involving material loss. Nunes prevailed in his re-election campaign of 2018 and thus has not shown damage to his ability to secure re-election, Colloton adds. He also has not presented sufficient evidence that his ability to raise funds was diminished as a result of the article. The opinion continues, While he claims that two to three dozen companies declined to give money to his campaign, he produced no evidence to support this assertionnot even the names of the alleged companies. In addition, Nunes did not produce evidence that he sought any particular position or present evidence of employment opportunities that were available to other former Members of Congress who were similarly situated," the Colloton writes. Indeed, after Nunes retired from Congress, he became the chief executive officer of Trump Media & Technology Group, Corp., with a starting salary of $750,000, based on his reputation. Similarly, NuStar failed to prove its business suffered economic harm after the article appeared. They claim that one person stopped doing business with NuStar Farms as a result of the article. But the NuStar plaintiffs failed to produce evidence that the suggested business relationship existed, let alone that the other party discontinued the association, Colloton observes. This bare assertion of lost business is insufficient to establish a cognizable injury. It was not known at deadline if the Nunes side is planning another appeal. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, January 28, 2025 The National Retail Federation is predicting good news for Cupid, with a spending forecast of $25.8 billion on Valentine's Day. Thats a bit above the previous record of $27.4 billion, set in 2020. On a per-romantic basis, that amounts to an average of $188.81, up from 2024. While the holiday continues to be one of the most predictable, typically weighing in as the most profitable day for Americas florists, jewelers and restaurants, there are some underlying changes this year. More people will be celebrating, with 56% of consumers saying theyll do something to observe the holiday, up from 53% last year. And the biggest change is among men, with 55% saying they plan to participate in Valentines Day, up from 51% in 2024. The research is based on responses from about 8,000 U.S. adults. advertisement advertisement The NRF says total spending on significant others will likely reach a new record of $14.6 billion, up from last years $14.2 billion. Total spending on gifts for family members is projected to reach $4.3 billion, up from $4 billion in 2024. Plenty of brands are already wooing shoppers. Candy is the most popular category, with 56% of celebrants planning to purchase, spending about $2.5 billion. Sweethearts, the OG Valentine's Day candy, is capitalizing on those intentions with a campaign spoofing young loves reluctance to commit. The Bryan, Ohio-based company is moving past last years limited-edition run of Situationship Boxes to hard-core Commitment Hearts. The confectionery company is making the Marry Me, Move In? and "4Ever Ever?" hearts scannable, taking users to websites where they can book a move, get married online or buy heart-shaped headstones. The company says its basing the effort on research that shows Gen Z (84%) and millennials (82%) are sick of relationships with no clear definition. More than 90% said they want partners who say what they mean rather than sending mixed messages. About 35% of the people in the NRF survey, conducted with Prosper Insights & Analytics, plan to celebrate with a night out. That may look different this year, too, with reservation platform OpenTable reporting dramatic shifts. Among them? A sharp rise in people willing to make Valentines Day dinner a first date, a surge in "Galentine's Day" celebrations, and a remarkable yearning for new cuisines. Also on the rise: Valentines Day double dates. Kitchen Aid hopes to get in on the restaurant action this year with a promotion aimed at the throngs of people who wont be able to land reservations at the bistro of their dreams. The Benton Harbor, Michigan-based appliance brand is cooking up a campaign with its version of recipes from iconic Chicago restaurants, including Baharat Roasted Cauliflower, Brazilian Cheese Bread, and Prime Rib French Dip. Some will celebrate not with food but a workout: ClassPass is introducing Sweat Your Heart Out events, a nationwide series focusing on community-centric activities and team sports. by Colin Kirkland , January 28, 2025 Ever since President Donald Trump prolonged the sell-off of TikTok in the United States, announcing plans to organize a joint venture with China to keep the social media platform alive in the region, tech moguls have reportedly been competing for a chance to own a piece of TikTok. On Saturday, President Trump said he would reach a decision on TikTok's future in the U.S. in the next 30 days. Most recently, Perplexity AI -- a free AI-powered search engine -- revised its initial takeover offer for the popular short-form video app that would allow the U.S. government to own up to 50% of NewCo, the new company Perplexity AI is proposing, upon a future IPO. According to CNBC, the revised merger suggests that ByteDance would contribute TikTok U.S. (without its proprietary recommendation algorithm), in exchange for the companys existing investors receiving equity in the new company. advertisement advertisement Based on the document, money for the merger would come from new third-party capital provider(s) (to be mutually agreed upon), while capital would also be provided for a one-time dividend payment to ByteDance investors in exchange for simplified governance and platform growth strategies. As for Perplexitys offer, an anonymous source told CNBC that a fair price would be well north of $50 billion, but will eventually be influenced by how many of ByteDance's shareholders decide to join the new entity and which decide to cash out. Whereas the U.S. government reportedly has the chance to own up to half of the entity once it IPOs at least $300 billion. This deal would likely align with what Trump proposed on January 19 -- very simply, a joint venture, he said, citing the need to save a lot of jobs and not giving our business to China. By requiring that the U.S. federal government retain ownership of half of the platforms future form, Trump was correct in assuming that the government was going to have a lot of bidders. Along with Perplexity, other entities have proposed official bids to buy half of ByteDances app, such as a group called The People's Bid for TikTok, which includes Shark Tanks Kevin OLeary and billionaire Frank McCourt and is backed by investments from Guggenheim Securities, as well as World Wide Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee. YouTube and TikTok sensation Jimmy Donaldson -- aka MrBeast -- has also said he wants to buy the platform so it doesn't get banned. On January 15, Donaldson posted a video to TikTok announcing that he, along with his lawyer, just got out of a meeting with a bunch of billionaires and have an offer ready to buy the platform. The investor group Donaldson is a part of is being led by Jesse Tinsley, the founder of Recruiter.com Ventures and Employer.com. While the monetary amount of all official offers has not been revealed to the public, rumors have circulated about other individuals and companies that are vying for the platform. Oracle is reportedly in talks with the Trump Administration to acquire the U.S. operations of TikTok, with officials from Oracle and the White House holding a meeting on Friday about a potential deal. However, Trump denied speaking with Oracle CEO Larry Ellison about an acquisition. Trump has also named Microsoft as a potential buyer, but the tech giant has declined to comment. If Microsoft does make an official offer, the company would be revisiting its attempt to buy the app in 2020, before talks collapsed and Trump left office. Finally, X owner Elon Musk has been named by both Trump and the Chinese government as a potential buyer, but the billionaire is yet to express any desire to make a bid. Study links bipolar mood swings to biological and dopamine clocks. This discovery suggests new treatment targets focusing on the dopamine-based rhythm generator. bipolar Trusted Source Mesolimbic dopamine neurons drive infradian rhythms in sleep-wake and heightened activity state Go to source Trusted Source Study finds #dopamine as a key factor in the mood swings of #bipolar disorder. #mania #medindia How Two Body Clocks Drive Mood Swings in Bipolar Disorder Dopamine Rhythm: A New Bipolar Treatment Target Advertisement Mesolimbic dopamine neurons drive infradian rhythms in sleep-wake and heightened activity state - (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ado9965) Advertisement Brain rhythm with the bodys natural sleep-wake cycle can show whypatients experience shifts between mania and depression ).The researchers from McGill University conducted a study to understand what drives shifts between the two states. The study results are published in. Their research model compared the brain rhythm to how the sun and moon influence the tides at specific and recurring times.The findings suggest that regularly occurring mood switches in bipolar disorder patients are controlled by two clocks: the biological 24-hour clock , and a second clock that is driven by dopamine -producing neurons that typically influence alertness.A manic or depressed state may arise depending on how these two clocks, which run at different speeds, align at a given time. Notably, the authors say this second dopamine-based clock stays dormant in healthy people.To carry out their study, the scientists activated the second clock in mice to create behavioral rhythms similar to the mood swings in bipolar disorder. When they disrupted dopamine-producing neurons in the brain's reward center, these rhythms ceased, highlighting dopamine as a key factor in the mood swings of bipolar disorder.Current treatments for bipolar disorder focus on stabilizing moods but often dont address the root causes of mood swings, the researchers said. Our discovery of a dopamine-based arousal rhythm generator provides a novel and distinct target for treatment, which should aim at correcting or silencing this clock to reduce the frequency and intensity of mood episodes, said Storch.What remains unknown is the exact molecular workings of the dopamine clock, as well as the genetic and environmental factors that may activate it in humans. The research teams next step will be to focus on these molecular "gears" and investigate these potential triggers.This research was supported by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the National Institutes of Health, and the Graham Boeckh Foundation.Source-Eurekalert You know how when you have a crush on someone, you always imagine them as their most pristine, beautiful selves. Not once do you imagine them as growing old. Something similar happens when you think of Shah Rukh Khan. Our mental image of the actor will always be of the young, rosy-cheeked man who knew how to romance and fight goons for the sake of his love. SRK recently attended an event at the Global Village in Dubai where he spoke to a huge crowd of his fans about his life, films, and his upcoming project, King, directed by Siddharth Anand. Instagram/Dyavol Several clips from the event were shared by fan pages on social media. In one of them, SRK can be seen saying, "I am turning 60 in one more year, this year, but damn, I look like 30. I just want to tell you, 'Main kuch cheezein bhool jaata hoon yaar (I forget a few things)." Speaking about his next project, King, he said, "I'm not just shooting it here, I'm shooting it in Mumbai now when I go back in a couple of months. My director, who is Siddharth Anand, is very strict. He made Pathaan. So he is very strict. He said, 'Don't tell people about the film, what you are doing in it.' So I can't tell you but I can assure you it will entertain you, you will have fun. I've used many titles...Now we have run out of titles...Now Shah Rukh Khan as Shah Rukh Khan in King. That was a bit of a show-off." Shah Rukh also entertained the audience with a brief performance on the hit song Chaleya from Jawan. He even urged "men around the world" to "show immense respect to all women you meet". Here are a few videos from the event: President Donald Trump has moved to again ban transgender people from serving in the military. In an executive order signed Monday night, Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to craft a policy on transgender troops that reflects the administration's policy that being transgender is "not consistent" with military service. The order leaves most of the details to the Pentagon to figure out, including what will happen to currently serving transgender troops. But the language in the order goes far beyond arguments that transgender troops present medical challenges to the military and attacks the very idea of being transgender, suggesting Trump is aiming for a more extensive ban than during his first time in office. Read Next: Tuskegee Airmen, WASP History Will Stay in Air Force Boot Camp Curriculum Following Outcry "Beyond the hormonal and surgical medical interventions involved, adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individual's sex conflicts with a soldier's commitment to an honorable, truthful and disciplined lifestyle, even in one's personal life," the order says in its "purpose" section. "A man's assertion that he is a woman, and his requirement that others honor this falsehood, is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member." While the extent of the ban is still unclear, the order immediately triggered a lawsuit from two advocacy groups. The order, which follows actions Trump took last week to lay the groundwork for it, gives the Pentagon 30 days to report back on its plans to implement the directive and 60 days to actually update its policy on transgender troops so it reflects the purpose of the executive order and the administration's policy that "high standards for troop readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity and integrity" are inconsistent with being transgender. One part of the order appears to go into effect immediately: a mandate that, "absent extraordinary operational necessity," the military must separate sleeping quarters and bathrooms by sex assigned at birth, rather than gender identity. That would mean transgender men have to use women's facilities, and transgender women would have to use men's facilities, regardless of what stage of their transition they are in. It also directs Hegseth to "promptly" issue policies to end the use of pronouns that align with gender identity. The language of the executive order also maligns mental health issues broadly, after years of the military trying with varying degrees of success to reduce the stigma around seeking that type of health care. The purpose of the order states that "many mental and physical health conditions are incompatible with active duty, from conditions that require substantial medication or medical treatment to bipolar and related disorders, eating disorders, suicidality and prior psychiatric hospitalization." In a statement attributed only to a defense official, the Pentagon said Tuesday it "will fully execute and implement all directives outlined in the executive orders issued by the president, ensuring that they are carried out with utmost professionalism, efficiency, and in alignment with national security objectives." Hegseth, on his personal social media account, also posted Monday night that "we will execute" the transgender order and other military-related orders Trump signed that night. Speaking to Military.com on Monday in anticipation of the executive order, Laila Ireland, a transgender Army veteran who is now a civilian federal employee, and her husband, Logan, a currently serving transgender member of the Air Force, said they are ready to continue serving their country as long as they are allowed to. "When I'm overseas, and let's say we're in a conflict situation where rounds are coming down range, the men and women to my left and right don't care that I'm trans," Logan Ireland said. "They care about me being able to lay effective fire down range and then come to their aid." Kicking out transgender troops, many of whom serve in senior enlisted ranks, would also "erase decades of institutional knowledge and leadership essential to maintaining operational excellence," added Laila Ireland. "We're gonna continue to put on our boots and put on our uniform the way that we have before," she said. "We will continue to keep pushing forward because this fight does not just affect trans service members. This fight affects everyone. And when we begin to see that bigger picture, when a lot of folks begin to see the bigger picture and the impact it's going to have, I think at that point we might be too late." Transgender troops were first allowed to serve openly at the end of the Obama administration in 2016. But, during Trump's first term in 2017, he announced on social media that he would "not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. military." The formal Pentagon policy that resulted from Trump's social media pronouncement was somewhat more narrow because it allowed transgender troops who came out under the Obama administration policy to keep serving in their gender identity. Former President Joe Biden lifted Trump's ban during his first week in office in 2021, and transgender troops have been serving openly with no reported issues since then. On Tuesday, Trump's GOP allies in Congress cheered the return of a transgender military ban. "President Trump has made it clear: Our military will be focused on protecting our nation," House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said in a statement on the transgender ban and other executive orders. "No longer will our military waste time implementing the far-left woke policies of the Biden administration. Our warfighters will be focused on lethality, capability and readiness." Unlike the order issued Monday that contends that simply being transgender goes against military values, the policy in the first administration focused on medical treatment. Fears and speculation that Trump would enact a full ban this time and kick out currently serving transgender troops have been swirling since he was elected in November after promising on the campaign trail that he would order "every federal agency to cease the promotion of sex or gender transition at any age." During his confirmation process, Hegseth repeatedly sidestepped questions about LGBTQ+ troops. Earlier this month, when asked in written questions from the Senate Armed Services Committee whether he has any evidence that transgender troops harm readiness, he said only that he was "committed to ensuring that the department's accessions and medical standards provide the structure necessary to create a ready and lethal force." If the Pentagon were to kick out currently serving transgender troops, it's unclear how many service members would be affected. Pentagon officials have repeatedly said they do not track the number of transgender troops. But a defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Tuesday that officials are aware of how many troops have an official diagnosis of gender dysphoria, though those numbers were not readily available. Gender dysphoria is the medical term for the distress that's caused when someone's gender identity does not match their sex assigned at birth, and not all transgender people are diagnosed with gender dysphoria. A Rand Corp. study from 2016 estimated that somewhere between 1,300 and 6,600 transgender troops were serving at that time. Meanwhile, in a number often cited by advocacy groups, a 2014 report from the University of California Los Angeles' Williams Institute estimated that up to 15,500 transgender adults were serving in the military. Several lawsuits were filed against the ban on transgender troops during Trump's first term. While advocates had some earlier success in getting courts to block the ban while the lawsuits worked their way through the legal system, the Supreme Court ultimately allowed the ban to take effect in 2019. Groups who backed the lawsuits challenging the ban in the first Trump administration, including Human Rights Campaign; Lambda Legal; the National Center for Lesbian Rights, or NCLR; and GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders, or GLAD Law, vowed ahead of the order to sue again. NCLR and GLAD Law made good on the threat Tuesday, filing a lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., on behalf of six active-duty service members and two people actively seeking to enlist. The lawsuit argues the ban violates the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection under the law. "This ban betrays fundamental American values of equal opportunity and judging people on their merit," Jennifer Levi, senior director of transgender and queer rights at GLAD Law, said in a written statement. "It slams the door on qualified patriots who meet every standard and want nothing more than to serve their country, simply to appease a political agenda. That's not just un-American, it makes our country weaker by pushing away talented service members who put their lives on the line every day for our nation." -- Konstantin Toropin contributed to this story. Editor's note: This story was updated with information and quotes on a newly filed lawsuit. Related: Transgender Troops, Confronting Shifting Policies of Acceptance, Just Want to Serve WASHINGTON U.S-funded aid programs around the world have begun firing staff and shutting down or preparing to stop their operations, as the Trump administration's unprecedented freeze on almost all foreign assistance brings their work to a sudden halt. Allies including Ukraine also are struggling to save part of their security funding from the 90-day freeze, ordered by President Donald Trump last week. Trump also just paused federal grants and loans inside the United States. The Trump administration says it ordered the foreign aid pause to give it time to decide which of the thousands of humanitarian, development and security programs will keep getting money from the U.S. Meantime, U.S. officials ordered the programs to stop spending immediately. Only emergency food programs and military aid to allies Israel and Egypt were exempt. The freeze means schools in Liberia are prepared this week to fire cooks who provide children with lunch. U.S. efforts to aid American businesses abroad and to counter China's rising influence could close. Veterans in Ukraine who call a crisis hotline may soon get a recorded message, with no promise of a call back. Heres a look at the foreign funding freeze and how it is hitting U.S. aid programs worldwide: Grappling with the global scale of the aid shutdown The United States is the world's largest source of foreign assistance by far, although other countries give a bigger share of their budgets. It provides 4 out of every 10 dollars donated for humanitarian aid. Aid workers, local officials and analysts stress that the scale of the freeze was difficult to grasp. The aid community is grappling with just how existential this aid suspension is," said Abby Maxman, president of Oxfam America, one of the few aid officials willing to speak publicly about the impact of the freeze following Trump administration warnings not to. The Trump administration placed more than 50 senior officials with the U.S. Agency for International Development on leave Monday as many were helping organizations deal with the freeze. USAID's acting head said he was investigating whether the officials were resisting Trump's orders. U.S. policy for decades has been that aid given abroad pays for itself through greater national security, by stabilizing regions and economies and improving relations with partners. But many Trump administration officials and Republican lawmakers believe much foreign assistance is money that should be spent or saved at home. For every program, we'll expect the State Department to defend, repent, or in some cases, make the case for continuation of their programs, said Rep. Brian Mast, Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Most U.S. funding for Ukraine's military isn't affected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the U.S. freeze doesn't affect vital American support to his military as it fights invading Russian forces. That's mostly true. The only military aid the State Department is responsible for and thus is covered by the pause is foreign military financing and international military education and training. There are other baskets for U.N. peacekeeping operations and demining programs. Most of Ukraines military aid, however, has come from the Pentagon. That includes a program drawing from existing arms stocks and another called the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. Neither of the Defense Department programs is directly affected by the freeze, although U.S. officials say there is nothing in the pipeline either. But civilian programs vital to Ukraine's war effort do come from the State Department. There's no word of exemptions for them. That includes salary support that the U.S. provides to keep Ukraines government running despite the wars damage to the economy. That support is important, said Bradley Bowman of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. But I think if our European allies are reading the political moment in the United States well, they better be moving, I say quickly, to try to pick up most or all of that burden. Money for Ukraine's veterans and other programs wasn't spared The U.S. has sent stop-work orders to wartime civilian programs it supports in Ukraine. That includes Veteran Hub, a nonprofit that runs a crisis hotline getting up to 1,300 calls a month from Ukrainian veterans who need social and psychological support. Getting the stop-work order this weekend, Ivona Kostyna, the nonprofit's leader, realized she could soon lose half of her trained staff of 31. "If we had a month, say, warning, even two-week warning, it would have been a lot easier on us, she said. We could have managed to somehow secure ourselves for this time. But there just wasnt any warning. Days before the U.S. freeze, Veteran Hub received a call from someone on the verge of hurting themselves, Kostyna said. A hotline staffer texted the person through the night. And now what we have is a line that isnt working and basically no answer, which is terrifying for us, she said. A death sentence for some In the southern African nation of Zimbabwe, Gumisayi Bonzo, director of a health nonprofit, worried for her organization and for herself. Zimbabwe is one of the few African countries to achieve a milestone in HIV/AIDS diagnosis, treatment and suppression of viral load. That's thanks in large part to a groundbreaking HIV program created by Republican President George W. Bush, credited with saving more than 20 million lives. The program the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR has been targeted by Republican hardliners. Bonzo had yet to hear word of a funding cutoff for her group, Trans Smart Trust, which promotes health services for bisexual and transgender people in a country where discrimination and stigma discourage many to seek treatment. Everyone is just confused right now, Bonzo said. The 54-year-old has been taking HIV treatment for 23 years thanks to PEPFAR support that made medication affordable. I have been religiously taking medicines for over two decades, I am living a normal life again, and suddenly we have to stop, she said. Thats a death sentence for many people. Some call it a cruel cutoff Gyude Moore, a former Cabinet minister in Liberia who is now a fellow at the U.S.-based Center for Global Development, said the U.S. freeze would hurt lives around Africa. U.S. support helped West Africa recover from years of vicious wars. Money from USAID helped pay for school lunches, supported girls' education, strengthened health systems and helps small farmers. Moore, as many colleagues did, called the sudden cutoff cruel." There is no wiggle room, he said. Abandoning this assistance hurts the U.S., because it makes no distinction between ally, partner and adversary," he added. And U.S. rival China will be happy to move into areas of Africa to build its influence and business contracts in resource-rich countries, Moore and other analysts say. Feeding hungry children in Liberia or malnourished children in Kenya, providing life-saving anti-retroviral drugs in Uganda none of these things undermine American interests, Moore said. Concerns about losing ground to China The U.S. also has tried to raise its profile in the South Pacific to counter China's influence, including by bolstering USAID spending to nations that are among the most dependent on development finance. During visits to the Pacific in 2024, officials announced more than $15 million in new spending, to boost natural disaster resilience, support economic growth, help countries withstand the ruinous effects of climate change, and more. ___ Mutsaka reported from Harare, Zimbabwe, and Graham-McLay from Wellington, New Zealand. AP reporters Tara Copp and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed. Viking berserkers are remembered centuries later for throwing themselves into a battle without armor, clothing or fear for their lives or safety. Fueled only by rage, they sowed terror into the hearts of their enemies. To look at Lt. Alexander R. "Sandy" Nininger when he began his plebe year at the U.S. Military Academy, one might never have guessed he would channel those old Viking warriors when the time came. Nininger was a kind soul who listened to classical music and Broadway shows. He drew pictures for fun, joined the debate team and was active in track and field, which lent to his slender build. His classmates loved him, but they might never have guessed that "Sandy" would become the first Medal of Honor recipient of World War II -- and that he fought like a Viking berserker in the process. An undated family photo of Lieutenant Alexander Nininger, Jr. (standing). (U.S. Army) Nininger graduated from West Point in 1941 and became an infantry officer. Requesting a posting in the Philippines, he arrived in Manila in November 1941, where he was appointed to lead a unit of Philippine Scouts under the 57th Infantry Regiment. The Philippine Scouts were Filipinos trained by Americans and led by American officers, and were some of the best troops in the country. On Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese military struck Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, catching the Americans there completely by surprise. Although Pearl Harbor was the most infamous surprise attack that day, it was not the only one: In a matter of hours, Japan launched near-simultaneous assaults on Thailand, British possessions in Singapore, Malaya and Hong Kong as well as American installations on Wake Island, Guam and the Philippines. Japanese troops began landing in the Philippines two days later. In that two-day time period, Japanese aircraft managed to all but wipe out Gen. Douglas MacArthur's Far East Air Force, and the U.S. Asiatic Fleet soon left Philippine waters. Without air or naval support, American and Filipino defenders could not protect the entirety of the islands, so they retreated to Bataan. MacArthur ordered five sustained delaying positions to hold off the Japanese advance while the bulk of the American forces moved to Bataan. The idea was to create a defense at Bataan where the Americans would be able to hold out until the United States could counterattack. Nininger and his Philippine Scouts were part of the delaying plan, forming a line of resistance between Mabatang and Abucay and repelling Japanese attacks for days on end. Eventually, after repeated attacks depleted the Americans, Japanese snipers infiltrated the lines and wreaked havoc on the island's defenders. If left unabated, the snipers would cause the entire line of resistance to crumble. Japanese flame throwers attack one of the last American outposts in the Philippines, Corregidor, in the spring of 1942. (U.S. Army) The 57th Infantry Regiment formed sniper hunting parties to clear that danger. On Jan. 12, 1942, Nininger loaded up with a satchel of grenades, a captured Japanese machine gun and his M1 Garand rifle slung on his back, and set out into Luzon. When the countersniper attacks began, Nininger began to advance, shooting one sniper down out of a tree. When the Japanese invaders began to open fire in full force, Lt. Nininger opened his grenade satchel and charged enemy positions, strongpoints and foxholes. His company said he killed 20 enemy troops with his grenades alone before pressing on. As Nininger moved forward, Japanese artillery shells started to rain down around him. His men began to fall, but he kept moving forward, guns blazing. He fought on until he ran out of ammunition. Then he used his bayonet. Nininger's men reported seeing their lieutenant start fighting the Japanese in hand-to-hand combat, and they watched as he was wounded three times in the grim melee. But their officer never stopped fighting. Three enemy soldiers charged Nininger as the regiment, buoyed by his fierce solo combat, launched a charge and reformed its line. When all was said and done, Nininger lay dead, but with an enemy officer and two enlisted troops dead around him. To his superior, Nininger's effort and the effect on the regiment were crucial to the success of not only the countersniper operation, but maybe to the defense of Bataan. [Nininger's] "action acted like a tonic on the men around him, and added greatly to the success of our counter attack," Col. George S. Clarke, his commander, later said. Clarke said the U.S. forces would have crumbled in January if it weren't for the heroism that inspired the regiment. Instead, because Nininger fought on, fueled by rage and disregarding his personal safety, the American and Filipino defenders held on until April 1942. Alexander Nininger as a West Point cadet. (U.S. Army) For his berserker-like heroism in the face of the enemy and the overwhelming odds stacked against him, 1st Lt. Alexander Nininger was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the first of World War II, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in February 1942. 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. Question: I've held out as long as I can. As a senior Army officer, keeping a low profile was encouraged, and I was glad not to need to be part of the online mess. Now that I'm in my first post-military job in the private sector, my mentor is encouraging me to get going with social media. How do I even start? Answer: I hear you that social media can feel uncontrolled, fast-moving and even messy at times. Keeping up with trends, algorithms and online contacts can seem like a second job and very distracting at a minimum. The good news is that joining now doesn't mean you've necessarily missed anything. In explaining why you haven't been online, it's fair to say your military responsibilities precluded you from being in the social-media sphere, and now you recognize the importance to your work and career to connect with others online. Professionally speaking, LinkedIn is a great platform to join and enter the world of an online community. The topics, connections and conversations are typically focused more on business, current events (of a business nature) and knowledge sharing, rather than some of the more social platforms such as Instagram or Facebook. Here are some tips for getting started: 1. Decide How and Who You Want to Be Online Yes, you should be the same person on social media as you are in the flesh, and you can control how much of yourself, your interests, work and personal life you will share. Deciding this in advance gives you the confidence to manage your online presence and engagement with others. 2. Evaluate Which Platforms Work Best for Your Career As mentioned earlier, LinkedIn is a smart choice for most professionals and entrepreneurs. If your clients, team or other communities will also be active on casual platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, X or Instagram, decide whether you're comfortable building visibility there, too. 3. Create a Profile When you set up your social-media account -- on LinkedIn, for example -- you will select the name you prefer to go by, a profile photo, banner image and headline, among other assets that LinkedIn will promote you by. Ensure each of these reflects positively on who you are, your industry and the audiences you will want to connect with. 4. Find Connections Are there people you served with, know or associate with that would be good contacts? While later you'll expand your reach to connections you might not initially know, start with people who know you and what you stand for. This makes it easier to start building connections online. 5. Post This may be the hardest and scariest part of social media, if you aren't accustomed to how it works. A site such as LinkedIn will not pressure you to share your innermost personal details, or your family holidays, or your biggest fears. Instead, if you keep your posts to content about your industry, work and career, then you're generally safe. Never share information that's confidential or sensitive, as this could be problematic for others involved. 6. React and Comment When someone in your network makes a post, comment if you feel inclined. A congratulations comment, additional thought or question to their post shows you're engaged. Reactions are the "Like-," "Support-" and "Celebrate-"type buttons you'll see as options. Choose the reaction that corresponds to your feeling about the post. 7. Remember It's All Public Whatever you post, comment on and whoever you connect with online are public statements. There is no such thing as "private" on social media. Anyone you're connected to can screengrab your content and share what you've said to audiences outside of your network, so ensure your content and reactions are appropriate and consistent with how you want to be known. While all of this might feel unyielding and unmanageable, it's not that complicated. Start small and watch how others share, engage and reveal themselves. Ask yourself what feels comfortable and appropriate to you and grow as your confidence does. Want to Know More About Veteran Jobs? Be sure to get the latest news about post-military careers as well as critical info about veteran jobs and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox. Title: Unleash Your Galaxy S8: A Guide toSamsung Experience (Experience Upgrade: Setting Up Samsung Experience on the Galaxy S8) Have you ever heard of Samsung Experience? If not, let me introduce it for you! Its an innovative app that enhances your Galaxy S8 experience by providing personalized recommendations, making your life easier, and streamlining various functions. Heres how you can set up Samsung Experience on your Galaxy S8: Step 1: Open the Google Play Store To get started, head over to the Google Play Store and search for Samsung Experience. Once you find it, click on the Install button to install it. Step 2: Connect your Galaxy S8 to the internet Before starting the setup process, make sure your Galaxy S8 is connected to the internet. This will ensure that Samsung Experience can access your data and preferences. Step 3: Update your apps and settings Open Samsung Experience and go to the Settings menu. From there, select Update Apps and then Update Settings. This will ensure that your Galaxy S8 has the latest updates installed and that Samsung Experience has access to all of your app and settings. Step 4: Personalize your experience Once your Samsung Experience has been updated, you can personalize your experience by creating profiles for each app or service that you use frequently. This will allow you to easily access those features from one place. Step 5: Customize your notifications Samsung Experience allows you to customize your notifications by selecting which apps and services you want to receive notifications from. You can also choose how often you want to receive notifications. (Experience Upgrade: Setting Up Samsung Experience on the Galaxy S8) In conclusion, Samsung Experience is a powerful tool that can enhance your Galaxy S8 experience. By following these steps, you can quickly and easily set up Samsung Experience and start enjoying personalized recommendations, streamlined functionality, and easy access to your favorite apps and settings. So why wait? Get started today and unlock your full potential with Samsung Experience! Inquiry us if you want to want to know more, please feel free to contact us. ([email protected]) From Wind turbines to Geothermal energy: How many homes can one wind turbine power? (How Many Homes Can a Wind Turbine Power?) Wind energy has long been hailed as a clean and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. But how many homes can be powered by a single wind turbine? In this fascinating tale, we take a closer look at the economics of wind power and explore the possibilities for harnessing its energy. A wind turbine is a machine that converts the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy. It consists of two components: the rotor and the generator. The rotor is a spinning drum that converts the mechanical energy of the wind into electrical energy, while the generator produces electricity through the use of magnets and current flowing through them. The cost of building and maintaining a wind turbine varies depending on several factors, including the size of the turbine, the location it will be installed in, and the technology used to generate electricity. However, once the turbine is built, the operational costs can be relatively low compared to other forms of energy production. One of the biggest advantages of wind power is its scalability. As the population grows and the demand for energy increases, the need for wind turbines also increases. This means that the number of homes that can be powered by a single wind turbine can potentially grow significantly over time. However, its important to note that wind power is not without its challenges. One of the biggest obstacles to widespread adoption is the intermittency of wind energy. Wind is generated only when the wind is blowing, which means that there is a limited availability of energy. To address this issue, developers have developed various techniques to store excess energy generated during periods of high wind. Another challenge is the impact of wind turbines on wildlife. Although they are designed to minimize their effects on birds and bats, some studies have suggested that they could pose a threat to certain species. However, many conservationists argue that the benefits of wind power far outweigh the potential risks. (How Many Homes Can a Wind Turbine Power?) In conclusion, the question of how many homes can be powered by a single wind turbine remains an intriguing one. While wind power offers numerous advantages, such as its scalability and environmental sustainability, it is not without its challenges. As more research is conducted and new technologies are developed, we may be able to find ways to overcome these obstacles and make wind power a more widely accepted form of energy production. In the meantime, its clear that wind power has the potential to play a significant role in shaping our future. Inquiry us if you want to want to know more, please feel free to contact us. ([email protected]) CLARKSTON, MI - Newly inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Dave Matthews Band has just announced a summer tour with one concert in Michigan. The band will be at Pine Knob Music Theatre on Wednesday, July 9. Tickets go on-sale Friday, February 21 at 10 a.m. The tour kicks off on April 27 at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and concludes with the groups traditional Labor Day weekend residency at The Gorge Amphitheatre in George, WA (August 29-31). Dave Matthews Band has also pledged $500,000 to support California wildfire relief efforts through their Bama Works nonprofit. Dave Matthews will also perform a joint set with John Mayer at the FireAid benefit concert on January 30th at the Kia Forum. Proceeds from the event will support rebuilding efforts for wildfire-affected communities. Fans can watch the concert on platforms including Amazon Music/Prime Video, Apple Music, the Apple TV app, Disney+/Hulu, Max, Netflix/Tudum, and many more. By MIKE STOBBE AP Medical Writer NEW YORK (AP) U.S. public health officials have been told to stop working with the World Health Organization, effective immediately. A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official, John Nkengasong, sent a memo to senior leaders at the agency on Sunday night telling them that all staff who work with the WHO must immediately stop their collaborations and await further guidance. Experts said the sudden stoppage was a surprise and would set back work on investigating and trying to stop outbreaks of Marburg virus and mpox in Africa, as well as brewing global threats. It also comes as health authorities around the world are monitoring bird flu outbreaks among U.S. livestock. The Associated Press viewed a copy of Nkengasongs memo, which said the stop-work policy applied to all CDC staff engaging with WHO through technical working groups, coordinating centers, advisory boards, cooperative agreements or other means in person or virtual. It also says CDC staff are not allowed to visit WHO offices. President Donald Trump last week issued an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the U.S. from WHO, but that did not take immediate effect. Leaving WHO requires the approval of Congress and that the U.S. meets its financial obligations for the current fiscal year. The U.S. also must provide a one-year notice. His administration also told federal health agencies to stop most communications with the public through at least the end of the month. Stopping communications and meetings with WHO is a big problem, said Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, a University of Southern California public health expert who collaborates with WHO on work against sexually transmitted infections. People thought there would be a slow withdrawal. This has really caught everyone with their pants down, said Klausner, who said he learned of it from someone at CDC. Talking to WHO is a two-way street, he added, noting that the two agencies benefit from each others expertise. The collaboration allows the U.S. to learn about new tests, new treatments and emerging outbreaks information which can help us protect Americans abroad and at home, Klausner said. The CDC details nearly 30 people to WHO and sends many millions of dollars to it through cooperative agreements. The U.S. agency also has some of the worlds leading experts in infectious diseases and public health threats, and the two agencies' staffers are in daily contact about health dangers and how to stop them. The collaboration halt isnt the only global health effect of Trumps executive orders. Last week, the president froze spending on another critical program, PEPFAR or the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The anti-HIV program is credited with saving 25 million lives, including those of 5.5 million children, since it was started by Republican President George W. Bush. It was included in a Trump administration freeze on foreign aid spending slated to last at least three months. PEPFAR provides HIV medication to more than 20 million people and stopping its funding essential stops their HIV treatment, International AIDS Society President Beatriz Grinsztejn said in a statement. If that happens, people are going to die and HIV will resurge. A U.S. health official confirmed that the CDC was stopping its work with WHO. The person was not authorized to talk about the memo and spoke on condition of anonymity. A WHO spokesperson referred questions about the withdrawal to U.S. officials. Officials at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services didnt immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. And CDC officials didnt respond to the APs request to speak with Nkengasong about the memo. ___ AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report. MACOMB COUNTY, MI A Michigan woman found guilty in the death of her ex-boyfriends son has been sentenced. Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Diane Druzinski sentenced Hilary Ulp, 46, to life without parole on Tuesday. She was convicted of felony murder in Macomb County after a six-week trial in December. She was previously found guilty of first-degree child abuse in 2016 and sentenced to 11 to 30 years in prison after her then boyfriends 14-month-old son, Nicolas Kuras, was hospitalized on May 15, 2015. The child was left with severe injuries and died due to those injuries on Jan. 7, 2021. He was almost 7 years old at the time of his death. This case is a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences of abuse, said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido. Our hearts go out to the victims family, who have endured unimaginable pain and loss over the years. We hope this sentence brings some measure of justice and healing to those who loved Nicolas. Macomb County Assistant Prosecutors Sian Hengeveld and Emil Semaan prosecuted the case. BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI U.S. Sen. Gary Peters said he will not seek reelection when his term ends in 2027, when he plans to dedicate more time to family. The Bloomfield Township Democrat announced his upcoming retirement in a 5-minute video uploaded online. Some Michigan residents may have to find a new option for their banking needs as Comerica Bank closes locations in Washtenaw, Jackson and Lenawee counties. Comerica Bank is closing branches in Saline, Manchester, Grass Lake, Clinton and Brooklyn on April 24, said Matt Barnhart, vice president of corporate communications for Comerica Banks Michigan market. The banks are located at the following addresses: 114 E. Michigan Ave. in Saline 135 E. Main St. in Manchester 115 E. Michigan Ave. in Grass Lake 169 W. Michigan Ave. in Clinton 11351 Brooklyn Road in Brooklyn The decision to close or consolidate locations happens when demand for in-person banking is not as prevalent and customer needs can be effectively met at nearby locations or by mobile, ATM and phone banking, according to a statement from the company. It is not clear how many employees will be impacted. Barnhart did not respond to questions about affected workers or terminations. Comerica Bank, now based in Dallas, began in Michigan over 175 years ago and reports on its website it has more than 4,600 employees and over 190 locations across the state. We continually review our banking center network in the context of all customer-facing channels to strategically engage customers in the communities we serve based on population, evolving customer needs and industry trends, the company said in the statement. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Washtenaw County leaders said ideas to turn one county-owned building into a permanent homeless shelter in Ypsilanti should be put to bed. Some Ypsilanti community members have called for the countys Community Mental Health building at 750 Towner St. to become a permanent shelter in recent months. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Five tech companies will pilot new air travel technologies this winter at Gerald R. Ford International Airport, thanks to more than $200,000 in grants. The grants were given through the Ford Launchpad for Innovative Technologies and Entrepreneurship (FLITE), which has awarded more than 30 companies over $1 million in funds across seven rounds. We are proud to welcome five new companies to the FLITE program that will pilot test their technologies at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Alex Peric, COO of the Ford International Airport Authority, said in a statement We appreciate the commitment of our partners in supporting companies that will shape the future of aviation. RELATED: New Bells taproom opens in Grand Rapids airport The five companies in this cohort will pilot their technologies at the airport through the winter and spring. Arrow Analytics, a company that utilizes artificial intelligence and sensors to uncover new data sources, will test a camera-based system using AI to identify carry-on baggage and streamline boarding. Commercial electric vehicle company Civilized Cycles will showcase its electric trike as a short-distance cargo mover within the airport terminal. Were thrilled to be part of the FLITE program at Ford International Airport, Marc Liu, chief revenue officer at Civilized Cycles, said in a statement. This partnership provides a unique opportunity to showcase the capabilities of our electric cargo trikes in a real-world setting and demonstrate how they can revolutionize airport operations. Civil engineering and land surveying firm Metro Consulting Associates will estimate future electrical demand and propose energy infrastructure solutions for the airport. Synaptic Aviation, a company that uses AI to monitor and optimize aviation operations will test its capabilities to improve efficiency and accountability in ground operations. Tubular Network, a company that uses AI-powered delivery shuttles to automate the transportation of goods, will explore logistics solutions to enhance baggage handling before and after TSA screening. RELATED: See what Michigan-made food and drinks are available at Gerald Ford Airport The Michigan Economic Development Corporations Office of Future Mobility and Electrification provided grant funding to support the companies participating in FLITE. Other FLITE partners include Avflight, Seamless Ventures, Southwest Airlines and the West Michigan Aviation Academy. Applications for the next round of FLITE can be submitted now through June 30 at michiganbusiness.org/mobility-funding. 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 A 12-year-old child who has been in critical condition since a Saturday morning fire at a Grand Rapids home died Monday evening at a nearby hospital. The Grand Rapids Press/MLive is not naming the child at this time as her mother is facing criminal charges as a result of the fire and the mother is yet to be arraigned. The mother is accused of removing all smoke detectors from the home while her three children were locked inside their bedrooms on Saturday, Jan. 25. She is then believed to have doused the two-story home, at 956 Eastern Avenue SE., with lighter fluid and set it on fire, attempting to kill all three children, Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom said earlier Monday. RELATED: Mom accused of pouring lighter fluid in home before setting fire with kids inside A passerby reported the fire at around 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Body camera footage from a house fire in the 900 block of Eastern Ave on Saturday morning shown during a press conference at the GRPD headquarters in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. A 46-year-old woman is currently being held on charges of first-degree arson and three counts of second-degree child abuse. Three of her children were inside the home when fire crews arrived. The 12-year-old girl is now deceased. Joel Bissell | MLive.com To put it lightly, this is a shockingly cruel crime committed by a mother, Winstrom said of the 46-year-old woman who is likely now facing additional charges in the case. The woman is already facing one count of first-degree arson and three counts of second-degree child abuse in Grand Rapids 61st District Court, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said earlier Monday. An arraignment date has not yet been set. A statement from the Grand Rapids police and fire departments Monday night stated that GRPD does not have any updates regarding charges following the 12-year-olds death, but a review of additional charges by Beckers office is expected in the coming days. Details of the investigation were shared earlier in the day by Winstrom, revealing that the woman removed all seven of her smoke detectors and put them in a bag outside. Two younger girls, ages 7 and 10, were inside the home with their older sister while firefighters battled flames at the home. Both were treated at the hospital and have already been released. The mother was already outside of the home when police and firefighters arrived on scene. The father of the children has been involved throughout the investigation, but didnt live at the home, Winstrom said. 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. JACKSON, MI A Jackson man was arrested Monday afternoon after he allegedly fought with a bank security guard and stabbed him in the face. Police were called at 5:13 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, to the Flagstar Bank, 301 W. Michigan Ave., for a report of a stabbing, Jackson Police Chief Elmer Hitt said. The bank had closed and employees were trying to leave for the day when the suspect, 43, stood at the door and began blocking their way, Hitt said. The man tried to enter the bank as the security guard went to tell him to leave. This escalated into the pair fighting in the doorway. During the struggle, the man stabbed the security guard on the left side of his face with a sharp pointed object originally thought to possibly be an ink pen, Hitt said. The injury was minor and treated at the scene, Hitt said. Officers arrived at the scene and found the man still on bank property holding the sharp object, Hitt said. The man dropped the object and ran only to be caught and arrested after a short foot chase, Hitt said. The object was recovered and determined to be a cordless engraving pen, Hitt said. A cordless engraving pen is a handheld mechanical tool used to carve markings into wood, metal and other materials. The man was taken to the Jackson County Jail to await charges for assault with a dangerous weapon and obstruction charges, Hitt said. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. JACKSON COUNTY, MI Three men convicted of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 will continue to serve their prison sentences as ordered. Jackson County Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson on Monday, Jan. 27, denied motions for new trials and resentencing for Paul Bellar, Joseph Morrison, according to the Michigan Attorney Generals Office. The third man, Pete Musico, filed a similar motion for a new trial in 2024 and it was also denied, court records show. Public officials must be able to carry out their duties without fearing for their lives, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. Our Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism Unit works tirelessly to hold those who threaten our democracy accountable. I am pleased these motions were denied, ensuring those who seek to endanger public officials and undermine our democratic institutions face consequences for their actions. Bellar, 25, of Milford and Morrison, 29, and Musico, both of Munith, were each sentenced to prison for their parts in the plot as members of the Wolverine Watchmen, a Michigan militia group that met and hosted training sessions on Morrisons Munith property. Musico and Bellar will be eligible for parole in 2029. Morrison will be eligible in 2031. Related: Defendants sentenced to prison in Whitmer kidnap plot case A jury convicted them in October 2022 of providing material support for terrorist acts and attempting to commit felonies as an associate or member of a gang. Prosecutors argued the men provided support in the form of organized weapons training sessions and other logistical aid in a plot to kidnap Whitmer orchestrated by Adam Fox, sentenced in December 2022 to 16 years in prison. RELATED: The ties that bind the men behind the plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer They were among several men from Michigan with affiliations to the militia group accused of planning to kill police officers, attack the state Capitol in Lansing, abduct Whitmer and commit other violence. To read more about the governor kidnap plot, click here. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. MUSKEGON, MI Muskegon Police Department said its officers are not arresting or detaining anyone based on immigration status, in a response to concerns raised on social media. The department has not had contact with federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, regarding immigration enforcement, Timothy Kozal, director of public safety, said in a statement. CARO, MI Layoffs begin in March for employees at a Caro grocery store as it prepares to close permanently, according to state documents. All 54 of the stores workers will be impacted by the layoffs which its owner, SpartanNash, said will begin on March 16 and continue until March 27. Its a loss for our community, and were sorry that SpartanNash decided to close this location. But unfortunately, thats what theyve decided, and we just all have to figure out a way to move forward, Caro City Manager Scott Czasak said. SpartanNash officials announced plans to close the store, located at 1520 W. Caro Road in Caro, in a letter submitted to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity last week. We have made the difficult decision to close the Caro VGs in March 2025. We are grateful to our store guests for their loyal support, as well as our dedicated Associates for their commitment to our shoppers, SpartanNash District Manager Mark Gutzeit said in a statement. Businesses with 100 or more employees are required to report closures and layoffs under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act of 1988. Related: These Bay, Genesee and Saginaw County companies announced layoffs in 2024 Its always a drawback when we lose a business such as this that employs so many people and has been a part of our community for so long, Czasak said. We may lose them now, but if we can get them back with another development in there, then thats what were going to have to work towards. Other grocery stores in Caro include a Walmart store, located at 1121 E. Caro Road, and an Aldi store, located at 1181 E. Caro Road. Both stores are located less than three miles from Caros VGs Grocery store. None of the closing stores employees have union representation. A full list of the job titles of those impacted by the layoffs is available at michigan.gov. SAGINAW, MI A Saginaw County jury has convicted an Illinois man of driving 300 miles to kill his kill ex-girlfriend, taking her from a Saginaw home then shooting her while surrounded by police. As a result, hell be spending the rest of his life in a prison far from his home. SAGINAW, MI Count Saginaw city and county government officials among those unsure how a federal funding freeze could impact local programs and services. White House officials announced a pause of federal grants and loans starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, as President Donald Trumps administration begins an across-the-board ideological review of its spending. The announcement has caused confusion and panic among organizations and municipalities that count federal dollars as part of their budget. Administration officials said the decision was necessary to ensure all funding complies with Trumps executive orders, which are intended to undo progressive steps on transgender rights, environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, efforts. Among the communities in mid-Michigan receiving millions of dollars in federal funding are the City of Saginaw and Saginaw County. Both government entities, for example, received tens of millions of federal stimulus dollars via the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), granted in 2021 in part to help communities recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. City of Saginaw received $52 million while Saginaw County received $37 million in ARPA dollars. Elected leaders from both governing bodies approved allocations for projects aimed at supporting municipal operations as well as community nonprofits. Those funds were allocated to projects involving housing and blight-removal, youth development, workforce development and infrastructure. Tim Morales, Saginaw city manager, said he still has questions he needs answered about the impact of the federal funding freeze, which was announced one day before the freeze was to take effect. Staff is currently researching this issue, Morales said. Since we recently received notification, were not sure at this point which funds will be impacted. Saginaw County Administrator Mary Catherine Hannah said she also was seeking answers relating to the countys federal funding. It is definitely something we are still really trying to understand, Hannah said. The most concerning are the infrastructure grants and awards. But we do have few departments and areas that could potentially be very hard hit if the federal dollars stop arriving, and the most damaging are in the aging services areas and the health department. But we really dont know anything yet. Saginaw County operates both the Saginaw County Commission on Aging as well as the Saginaw County Health Department. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Tuesday said she plans to file litigation to protect programs and restore services potentially impacted by the Trump administrations plans to freeze federal funds. We hear and share your direct and dire concerns, Nessel said of the federal funding freezes impact on Michigan programs. My team is working at full speed today to discern what these orders mean and the extent of their immediate impacts, and request an immediate legal remedy to restore funding provided by Congress, require this administration to comply with the law, and to stop this absurd and unprecedented attack on these programs. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. UPDATE: Michigan has joined with 21 other states in suing the Trump administration to stop the funding freeze. LANSING, MI Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said she plans to file litigation to protect programs and restore services potentially impacted by President Donald Trumps plans to freeze federal funds. I am aware of the (U.S. Office of Management and Budget) memo issued last night by the White House, and my department is learning already of services impacted throughout the State, including Medicaid and Head Start, Nessel said in a statement Tuesday, Jan. 28. We are receiving reports of critical impacts to significant programs many millions of Michiganders rely upon daily for vital services. The White House announced its pausing of federal grants and loans starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday as Trumps administration begins an across-the-board ideological review of its spending, causing confusion and panic among organizations that rely on Washington for their financial lifeline. Administration officials said the decision was necessary to ensure all funding complies with Trumps executive orders, which are intended to undo progressive steps on transgender rights, environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, efforts. They also said that federal assistance to individuals would not be affected, including Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, student loans and scholarships. The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve, Matthew Vaeth, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, wrote in a statement. Its unclear from the White house memo how sweeping the pause will be. Vaeth said all spending must comply with Trumps executive orders. Vaeth wrote each agency must complete a comprehensive analysis of all of their Federal financial assistance programs to identify programs, projects, and activities that may be implicated by any of the Presidents executive orders. He also wrote the pause should be implemented to the extent permissible under applicable law. The funding freeze could impact trillions of dollars at least temporarily and cause widespread disruption in health care research, education programs and other initiatives. Even grants that have been awarded but not spent are supposed to be halted. State agencies and early education centers appeared to be struggling to access money from Medicaid and Head Start, stirring anxiety with answers hard to come by in Washington. We hear and share your direct and dire concerns, Nessel said of the federal funding freezes affect on Michigan programs. My team is working at full speed today to discern what these orders mean and the extent of their immediate impacts, and request an immediate legal remedy to restore funding provided by Congress, require this administration to comply with the law, and to stop this absurd and unprecedented attack on these programs. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has directed all state departments to review their compliance with President Donald Trumps recent orders to end federal diversity, equity and inclusion practices and stop federally funded gender affirming treatments. The governors office could not confirm what state programs and practices may be affected by Trumps orders, as officials said that will be determined as part of the review. In her executive directive issued Friday, Jan. 24, Whitmer called on each state department head to consult with Attorney General Dana Nessels office on compliance with Trumps recent orders as well as all other state and federal laws. This executive directive ensures that each state department and agency is up to date with all federal actions, federal guidance and federal law, Whitmer said in a statement. With a new presidential administration, we are going to keep getting things done for Michigan while complying with the law and any applicable court decisions. Trumps actions last week ordered the dismantling of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, preferences and policies in the federal government. Another of his orders forbids federal funding from being used on gender-affirming treatment as well as the promotion of gender ideology. The order defines sex as either male or female and gender ideology as the idea that males can identify as and thus become women and vice versa. Another of Trumps orders last week cited in Whitmers directive encourages energy production and safeguards the ability of Americans to choose what goods and appliances they can buy. Federal funding is forbidden from being used contrary to the order. According to the governors office, state departments should conduct their reviews with an emphasis on any actions that impact federal funds. It wasnt immediately clear if Trumps orders may restrict the use of federal dollars on state-operated DEI programs and initiatives. The Michigan Attorney Generals Office did not immediately return a request for comment and the governors office did not provide clarity. In the current budget, Michigan received about $33.9 billion in federal funding. Those funds are spread across every state department budget, with the majority going to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Roads and labor receive the next biggest shares, according to the states budget. In 2021, MDHHS clarified to providers that the states Medicaid program, which is funded by both state and federal dollars, covers medically necessary gender affirmation surgery and treatment for those diagnosed with gender dysphoria. It wasnt immediately clear how this coverage would be affected by Trumps executive orders. MDHHS officials told MLive only that theyre reviewing the situation. LANSING, MI A $316 million project that aims to revitalize downtown Lansing with five apartment buildings including 26-story skyscraper has landed state support. The Michigan Strategic Fund awarded New Vision Lansing LLC a $202 million tax incentive during its Tuesday, Jan. 28 board meeting. The Transformational Brownfield award will offset construction costs by capturing state and local taxes over 30 years. The project from Gentilozzi Real Estate involves redeveloping five sites in downtown Lansing, including vacant office space, into 567 housing units, retail space and parking. Its estimated Lansing, which emptied during the COVID-19 pandemic, lost 3,000 downtown workers and has 80,000-square feet of vacant office. Lansing needs brave initiatives to create special projects that bring people together in the heart of our capital city, developer John Gentilozzi told the state board. Our plan, as bold as it is comprehensive, aims to aggressively repopulate the core of our city in an unprecedented way. Related: $1.3M state incentives aim to liven up downtown Lansings ghost town with more housing A cornerstone of the New Vision Lansing project includes constructing the 26-story Tower on Grand, set to be the tallest building Lansing, which will contain 287 housing units, commercial space and a two-story parking garage. Another newly constructed building on N. Walnut Street will create 105 housing units and a third in Old Town will create 90 units plus two floors of parking. Two other existing buildings will be converted into housing, including a 10-story former office building that will contain 60 housing units, and a five-story building will be turned into commercial space and 25 housing units. A map of the New Vision Lansing housing development. The project will construct and redevelop five buildings throughout downtown Lansing. (Photo provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corp.)Photo provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. Bob Trezise has been President & CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership and a self-described city of Lansing kid, said this is one of the great projects Ive seen in my entire lifetime. One part of this project is the tallest building in over 100 years in the city of Lansing truly transformational to our skyline, which will have tremendous psychological impact on the people and commerce of our downtown, he said. The Transformational Brownfield Plan will provide $202 million of captured taxes that will be reimbursed to the developers over 30 years. It includes $101 million in local property taxes, $32 million in state taxes, $86 million in income taxes and another $15 million in construction period taxes. Michigan previously awarded the project a $40 million grant in the state budget. A minimum of 150 of the units will be earmarked as affordable housing, targeting renters who earn 80% to 120% of the area median income. In Ingham County, that would be incomes between $73,840 and $110,760 for a four-person household. Work is already underway on two of the projects, the developers told the board, and construction of the tower is expected to start by the end of February. All projects will be under construction within the next nine months, and it will take 30 months to complete the tower. Lansing really needs this type of a jump start to get back to the vibrancy and the busy downtown that it was recently pre-pandemic, said Karl Dorshimer, president and CEO of the Lansing Economic Development Corp. The Michigan Strategic Fund on Tuesday also approved a $79 million Brownfield tax incentive for a housing development in Pontiac. The $105 million project will construct a 287-unit building and redevelop two existing buildings in mixed use spaces. The board also amended its $615 million Brownfield agreement with a sprawling Detroit development. The $1.5 billion Detroit District project will no longer be required to have affordable housing in one of its four buildings. A Ypsilanti woman told police after she was sexually assaulted in her home. A Detroit woman who had been abused by her husband for years finally brought charges after an assault injured her face and lip. He ended up pleading guilty. And in Texas, a woman found out her former partner had raped their daughters. She promptly called police and shared his address with investigators. He was eventually sentenced to 35 years in prison. As survivors of violent crime, these immigrants are all eligible for visas. But years after applying for a special U visa, they are still waiting. Those women, alongside six other immigrants, sued the federal government over delays in a program that gives visas to victims of serious crimes. Stuck in legal limbo, these immigrants are unable to work, cant get drivers licenses and face the risk of deportation while theyre waiting. The class-action lawsuit, filed by the National Immigrant Justice Center, Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and Winston & Strawn in 2023, was recently allowed to move forward after being erroneously dismissed last year. U.S. District Court Judge Brandy McMillion approved a motion on Jan. 2 that alleged the court erred in concluding plaintiffs lacked standing. We have several clients who have waited nearly six years without any updates or news, or even an initial acknowledgement of the legitimacy of their case. The court ruled that our clients have been injured by these delays, said Meredith Luneack, a staff attorney from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, in a statement. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services did not respond to a request for comment. What are U visas? Congress created the U Visa program 25 years ago to encourage unauthorized immigrants who fear deportation to report crimes. It makes visas available to victims of serious crimes, like rape, domestic violence, murder or torture, if they cooperate with police during the investigation. Before the program, Luneack says there was a chilling effect for non-citizens to report crimes. They were afraid they were exposing themselves to the liability of initiating removal proceedings or starting ICE enforcement actions, they said. Designed to be a humanitarian tool, the program has been marked by delays: After the law was enacted in 2000, it took the government another eight years to issue the first U visas. Applicants now wait an average of 51 months to get their U visas approved, federal data shows. And the programs backlog has grown to more than 200,000 applicants. Under the law, officials only issue 10,000 U visas a year a cap thats been reached every year since 2011. These long waits undermine the point of the program because a person who must remain in the shadows for years after reporting a crime is less likely to take the risk of approaching law enforcement, the lawsuit says. Immigrants wait years for initial review In 2008, the federal government tried to fix these issues by giving U visa applicants whats called bona fide determinations. This procedural step would allow people to work, get drivers licenses and be protected from deportation while they waited for their visas to be processed. That opened up a lot of opportunity for individuals to participate more robustly in their communities, Luneack said. They can work with authorization, they can drive, they can take their kids to school without worrying about getting stopped and not having a license. But despite a steadily rising backlog and waiting times, according to the lawsuit, the bona fide determination process was not implemented until 2021. And it, too, is plagued with delays, which is the core claim of the class-action lawsuit. The nine plaintiffs who were victims of serious crimes say they are living in a constant state of uncertainty and severe economic insecurity because they havent gotten their bona fide determination yet. Related: Michigan joins legal fight to stop Trumps birthright citizenship order The Detroit plaintiff, identified only by initials B.L.R., faces a precarious financial situation since her husband was arrested. She applied for a visa in 2021. The Ypsilanti plaintiff, identified as A.M.P., is unable to drive her son, who has eye cancer, to appointments because she cant get a drivers license. Shes still waiting on an initial review since applying for the visa in October 2021. And for R.Z.M., the plaintiff from Texas, she cant get a stable job without a Social Security number, the complaint says. This means she must choose between paying for costly blood pressure medicine or paying to house her children, according to the complaint. It functions a lot like having no status at all, Luneack said. A 2022 federal inspector general report said bona fide determinations are critical to offer timely protection but many immigrants wait years on even that initial ruling. It also found U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has not effectively managed this backlog. Related: Michigan company accused of exploiting farmworkers again The complaint claims it takes federal officials less than 15 minutes to determine whether a U visa petition is legitimate. But by the end of 2023, the median processing time for a bona fide determination was nearly five years. Living without that initial ruling leaves immigrants frozen waiting to get on a waitlist. Individuals will apply for this relief and typically receive some notification from the government that their case has been received and is in processing, Luneack said. But theyre just on ice without this kind of determination. After McMillions ruling, the lawsuit can now continue. Its seeking class status for any U visa applicants who waited more than two years for their bona fide determination. Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN Get Free Report) General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 4,750 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $362.78, for a total transaction of $1,723,205.00. Following the sale, the general counsel now owns 20,526 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,446,422.28. The trade was a 18.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Accenture Trading Up 2.9 % NYSE ACN traded up $10.58 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $372.99. The company had a trading volume of 3,855,044 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,727,837. The company has a current ratio of 1.47, a quick ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $233.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.20 and a beta of 1.24. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $357.37 and a 200 day moving average of $348.01. Accenture plc has a 1-year low of $278.69 and a 1-year high of $387.51. Get Accenture alerts: Accenture (NYSE:ACN Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, December 19th. The information technology services provider reported $3.59 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.43 by $0.16. Accenture had a net margin of 11.41% and a return on equity of 26.91%. The firm had revenue of $17.69 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.15 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.27 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Accenture plc will post 12.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Accenture Announces Dividend Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 16th will be given a $1.48 dividend. This represents a $5.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 16th. Accentures dividend payout ratio is presently 49.66%. ACN has been the subject of several analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on shares of Accenture from $385.00 to $355.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Accenture from $450.00 to $455.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 20th. BNP Paribas cut shares of Accenture from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $375.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Accenture from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $425.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Accenture from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 13th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $383.74. Get Our Latest Analysis on Accenture Institutional Investors Weigh In On Accenture A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of ACN. Maverick Capital Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Accenture by 71.2% in the 2nd quarter. Maverick Capital Ltd. now owns 2,083 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $632,000 after buying an additional 866 shares in the last quarter. Ascent Group LLC boosted its stake in Accenture by 10.6% during the 2nd quarter. Ascent Group LLC now owns 9,461 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $2,871,000 after purchasing an additional 907 shares during the period. Annandale Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Accenture during the 2nd quarter worth $532,000. Creative Planning boosted its stake in Accenture by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 234,731 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $71,220,000 after purchasing an additional 10,559 shares during the period. Finally, Copperwynd Financial LLC boosted its stake in Accenture by 30.9% during the 2nd quarter. Copperwynd Financial LLC now owns 2,511 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $830,000 after purchasing an additional 593 shares during the period. 75.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Accenture (Get Free Report) Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Accenture Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Accenture and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday. The real estate investment trust reported $2.39 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.91 by $1.48, Zacks reports. Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a net margin of 9.62% and a return on equity of 1.31%. Alexandria Real Estate Equities updated its FY 2025 guidance to 9.230-9.430 EPS. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Trading Up 0.4 % Shares of ARE stock traded up $0.40 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $102.03. 2,658,935 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,339,028. The company has a market cap of $17.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 62.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.85 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a quick ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 0.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $102.13 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $112.23. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has a 1-year low of $94.35 and a 1-year high of $130.14. Get Alexandria Real Estate Equities alerts: Alexandria Real Estate Equities Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were paid a $1.32 dividend. This represents a $5.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.18%. This is a boost from Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess dividend payout ratio is presently 321.95%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have recently commented on ARE shares. JMP Securities decreased their target price on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $140.00 to $130.00 and set a market outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Alexandria Real Estate Equities from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $133.00 to $121.00 in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Wedbush reissued an outperform rating and issued a $110.00 price objective (down previously from $120.00) on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a report on Friday, December 6th. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $129.00 to $124.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $137.00 to $130.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Alexandria Real Estate Equities currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $121.90. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Alexandria Real Estate Equities Alexandria Real Estate Equities declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Monday, December 9th that permits the company to repurchase $500.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the real estate investment trust to reacquire up to 2.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. About Alexandria Real Estate Equities (Get Free Report) Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500 company, is a best-in-class, mission-driven life science REIT making a positive and lasting impact on the world. As the pioneer of the life science real estate niche since our founding in 1994, Alexandria is the preeminent and longest-tenured owner, operator, and developer of collaborative life science, agtech, and advanced technology mega campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, including Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Commerzbank AG (OTCMKTS:CRZBY Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $19.35 and last traded at $19.10, with a volume of 9725 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $19.20. Commerzbank Price Performance The stocks 50 day moving average is $16.43 and its 200-day moving average is $16.37. The company has a market capitalization of $22.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.00 and a beta of 0.94. Get Commerzbank alerts: Commerzbank (OTCMKTS:CRZBY Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 6th. The financial services provider reported $0.59 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.46 by $0.13. Commerzbank had a return on equity of 6.33% and a net margin of 8.55%. The company had revenue of $8.45 billion during the quarter. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Commerzbank AG will post 1.96 EPS for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Commerzbank Commerzbank Company Profile An institutional investor recently raised its position in Commerzbank stock. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in shares of Commerzbank AG ( OTCMKTS:CRZBY Free Report ) by 5,506.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,850 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 1,817 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLCs holdings in Commerzbank were worth $30,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. (Get Free Report) Commerzbank AG provides banking and capital market products and services to private and small business customers, corporate, financial service providers, and institutional clients in Germany, rest of Europe, the Americas, Asia, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Private and Small-Business Customers, and Corporate Clients. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Commerzbank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Commerzbank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Edgewater Wireless Systems Inc. (CVE:YFI Get Free Report) shares were up 21.4% on Monday . The company traded as high as C$0.10 and last traded at C$0.09. Approximately 320,485 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 52% from the average daily volume of 211,102 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.07. Edgewater Wireless Systems Trading Up 21.4 % The stock has a market capitalization of C$16.77 million, a PE ratio of -4.00 and a beta of 2.05. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of C$0.06 and a 200-day moving average price of C$0.05. About Edgewater Wireless Systems (Get Free Report) Edgewater Wireless Systems Inc develops and commercializes technologies and intellectual property for the wireless communications market in North America. The company provides IP Licensing, Wi-Fi spectrum slicing solutions, dual channel Wi-Fi; wireless access points and associated peripheral equipment and support services; and PowerZoning, a channel power control product for multi-channel single radio Wi-Fi networks. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Edgewater Wireless Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edgewater Wireless Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of Hold from the twelve ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $56.58. A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Scotiabank raised their price target on Dominion Energy from $58.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Dominion Energy from $54.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Dominion Energy in a research report on Monday, December 2nd. They issued an equal weight rating and a $61.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating and set a $61.00 target price on shares of Dominion Energy in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Get Dominion Energy alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Dominion Energy Institutional Trading of Dominion Energy Dominion Energy Stock Performance Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Roble Belko & Company Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Dominion Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Sanctuary Wealth Management L.L.C. acquired a new stake in Dominion Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Dominion Energy in the third quarter valued at $32,000. Dunhill Financial LLC boosted its stake in Dominion Energy by 601.2% in the third quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 568 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 487 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Dominion Energy by 282.4% during the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 608 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 449 shares during the last quarter. 73.04% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. NYSE:D opened at $55.73 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.74. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $55.20 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $55.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $46.81 billion, a PE ratio of 19.55, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 0.60. Dominion Energy has a 52-week low of $43.53 and a 52-week high of $61.97. Dominion Energy (NYSE:D Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 1st. The utilities provider reported $0.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.93 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $3.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.18 billion. Dominion Energy had a net margin of 16.95% and a return on equity of 8.35%. The companys revenue was up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.77 EPS. Analysts forecast that Dominion Energy will post 2.76 EPS for the current year. Dominion Energy Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a $0.6675 dividend. This represents a $2.67 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. Dominion Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 93.68%. About Dominion Energy (Get Free Report Dominion Energy, Inc produces and distributes energy in the United States. It operates through three operating segments: Dominion Energy Virginia, Dominion Energy South Carolina, and Contracted Energy. The Dominion Energy Virginia segment generates, transmits, and distributes regulated electricity to approximately 2.8 million residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers in Virginia and North Carolina. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Dominion Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dominion Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report) by 12.2% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 4,847 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after acquiring an additional 527 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc.s holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $2,179,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Tradition Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Motorola Solutions by 3.3% in the third quarter. Tradition Wealth Management LLC now owns 654 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $294,000 after purchasing an additional 21 shares during the period. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Motorola Solutions by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC now owns 2,223 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $1,038,000 after buying an additional 22 shares in the last quarter. Omnia Family Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of Motorola Solutions by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. Omnia Family Wealth LLC now owns 1,170 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $527,000 after buying an additional 25 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc. increased its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 1,287 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $578,000 after acquiring an additional 26 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd lifted its position in Motorola Solutions by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd now owns 2,989 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $1,343,000 after acquiring an additional 26 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.17% of the companys stock. Get Motorola Solutions alerts: Motorola Solutions Trading Down 2.3 % Shares of NYSE:MSI opened at $467.95 on Tuesday. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a 1 year low of $314.84 and a 1 year high of $507.82. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $474.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $451.31. The company has a market cap of $78.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 51.25, a PEG ratio of 3.47 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.23, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.07. Motorola Solutions Increases Dividend Motorola Solutions ( NYSE:MSI Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 7th. The communications equipment provider reported $3.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.10 by $0.36. Motorola Solutions had a net margin of 14.65% and a return on equity of 251.96%. The firm had revenue of $2.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.76 billion. Sell-side analysts expect that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 12.57 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 13th were paid a dividend of $1.09 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 13th. This is a positive change from Motorola Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.98. This represents a $4.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.93%. Motorola Solutionss payout ratio is currently 47.75%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Motorola Solutions from $440.00 to $520.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Barclays raised their price objective on Motorola Solutions from $467.00 to $529.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on Motorola Solutions from $440.00 to $530.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Raymond James increased their target price on Motorola Solutions from $425.00 to $515.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Motorola Solutions from $430.00 to $495.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $504.88. Get Our Latest Research Report on MSI Motorola Solutions Company Profile (Free Report) Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MSI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Motorola Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Motorola Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Crane (NYSE:CR Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday. The conglomerate reported $1.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.19 by $0.07, Zacks reports. Crane had a net margin of 13.10% and a return on equity of 24.45%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.90 earnings per share. Crane updated its FY 2025 guidance to 5.300-5.600 EPS. Crane Price Performance Shares of CR opened at $156.35 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $163.69 and a 200 day moving average price of $158.47. The company has a market cap of $8.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.71, a PEG ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 0.88. Crane has a 12 month low of $110.49 and a 12 month high of $188.52. Get Crane alerts: Crane Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 12th. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.23 per share. This is a boost from Cranes previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.59%. Cranes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 18.06%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on Crane from $175.00 to $182.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 3rd. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Crane from $152.00 to $157.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, January 3rd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on Crane from $176.00 to $170.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Crane has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $166.80. View Our Latest Research Report on CR Crane Company Profile (Get Free Report) Crane Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered industrial products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, and Engineered Materials. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Crane Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crane and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Citizens Jmp upgraded shares of Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR Free Report) to a strong-buy rating in a report issued on Monday morning,Zacks.com reports. Several other research analysts have also weighed in on DLR. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Digital Realty Trust from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $185.00 to $194.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. JMP Securities assumed coverage on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a research report on Monday. They set an outperform rating and a $220.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $185.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Evercore ISI upped their target price on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $160.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $190.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Digital Realty Trust presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $180.95. Get Digital Realty Trust alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Digital Realty Trust Digital Realty Trust Price Performance Digital Realty Trust Dividend Announcement NYSE:DLR opened at $164.46 on Monday. Digital Realty Trust has a 52-week low of $131.42 and a 52-week high of $198.00. The company has a market cap of $54.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 138.20, a P/E/G ratio of 4.64 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 1.61 and a current ratio of 1.61. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $183.37 and its 200 day simple moving average is $167.90. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 13th were issued a $1.22 dividend. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.97%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 13th. Digital Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio is presently 410.08%. Insider Activity In related news, CFO Matt Mercier sold 2,518 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $187.40, for a total value of $471,873.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its position in Digital Realty Trust by 501.7% during the 3rd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 4,326,914 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $700,224,000 after acquiring an additional 3,607,802 shares during the last quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC raised its holdings in Digital Realty Trust by 15,301.1% in the 3rd quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 1,850,292 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $299,433,000 after buying an additional 1,838,278 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new stake in Digital Realty Trust during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $132,980,000. Ghisallo Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Digital Realty Trust during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $76,025,000. Finally, Sycomore Asset Management acquired a new position in shares of Digital Realty Trust during the third quarter worth $80,915,000. 99.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Digital Realty Trust (Get Free Report) Digital Realty Trust, Inc operates as a real estate investment trust, which engages in the provision of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. It serves the following industries: artificial intelligence (AI), networks, cloud, digital media, mobile, financial services, healthcare, and gaming. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Digital Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Digital Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vert Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR Free Report) by 7.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 150,245 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 10,472 shares during the quarter. Equity Residential accounts for about 3.7% of Vert Asset Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 10th biggest holding. Vert Asset Management LLCs holdings in Equity Residential were worth $10,782,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Equity Residential in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in Equity Residential in the third quarter valued at $29,000. Assetmark Inc. raised its stake in Equity Residential by 2,529.4% in the third quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 447 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 430 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new stake in Equity Residential during the 3rd quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. boosted its position in shares of Equity Residential by 69.6% during the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 475 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 195 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.68% of the companys stock. Get Equity Residential alerts: Equity Residential Stock Performance Shares of EQR opened at $70.16 on Tuesday. Equity Residential has a 1 year low of $57.33 and a 1 year high of $78.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.75, a P/E/G ratio of 5.36 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.13 and a current ratio of 0.13. The companys fifty day moving average is $72.00 and its two-hundred day moving average is $72.65. Equity Residential Dividend Announcement Wall Street Analyst Weigh In The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 17th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.675 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $2.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.85%. Equity Residentials dividend payout ratio is currently 110.66%. Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on EQR shares. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on Equity Residential from $83.00 to $79.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 1st. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Equity Residential from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 13th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Equity Residential from $77.00 to $75.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Equity Residential from $83.00 to $79.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised Equity Residential from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $77.75 to $81.50 in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $78.36. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Equity Residential Equity Residential Profile (Free Report) Equity Residential is committed to creating communities where people thrive. The Company, a member of the S&P 500, is focused on the acquisition, development and management of residential properties located in and around dynamic cities that attract affluent long-term renters. Equity Residential owns or has investments in 305 properties consisting of 80,683 apartment units, with an established presence in Boston, New York, Washington, DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Southern California, and an expanding presence in Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EQR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Equity Residential Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Equity Residential and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Grupo Simec, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSEAMERICAN:SIM Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $26.73, but opened at $25.00. Grupo Simec shares last traded at $25.84, with a volume of 2,574 shares. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of Grupo Simec from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Get Grupo Simec alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Grupo Simec Grupo Simec Stock Performance The company has a market cap of $4.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.99 and a beta of 0.30. Grupo Simec (NYSEAMERICAN:SIM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The basic materials company reported $1.00 earnings per share for the quarter. Grupo Simec had a net margin of 29.44% and a return on equity of 18.62%. The company had revenue of $452.15 million during the quarter. Grupo Simec Company Profile (Get Free Report) Grupo Simec, SAB. de C.V. manufactures, processes, and distributes special bar quality (SBQ) steel and steel alloys products in Mexico, the United States, Brazil, Canada, Latin America, and internationally. The company produces I-beams, channels, structural and commercial angles, hot rolled bars, flat bars, rebars, cold-finished bars, electro-welded wire mesh and mesh panels, and wire rods, as well as semi-finished tube rounds and other semi-finished trade products. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Simec Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Simec and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Strategic Investment Co. (NYSE:NYC Get Free Report) major shareholder Nicholas S. Schorsch acquired 1,467 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 27th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $9.41 per share, for a total transaction of $13,804.47. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 947,442 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,915,429.22. This represents a 0.16 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Large shareholders that own 10% or more of a companys stock are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC. American Strategic Investment Stock Up 5.4 % Shares of NYSE:NYC traded up $0.49 during trading on Monday, reaching $9.64. 5,877 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,199. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $8.75 and a 200 day simple moving average of $8.85. American Strategic Investment Co. has a 1-year low of $5.46 and a 1-year high of $10.91. The firm has a market cap of $25.64 million, a P/E ratio of -0.11 and a beta of 0.12. Get American Strategic Investment alerts: American Strategic Investment (NYSE:NYC Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 12th. The company reported ($2.62) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of ($2.62). American Strategic Investment had a negative return on equity of 17.68% and a negative net margin of 334.85%. The firm had revenue of $15.45 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $15.71 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned ($0.48) earnings per share. American Strategic Investment Company Profile American Strategic Investment Co (NYSE: NYC) owns a portfolio of high-quality commercial real estate located within the five boroughs of New York City. Read More Receive News & Ratings for American Strategic Investment Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Strategic Investment and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $133.36 and last traded at $133.36, with a volume of 28089 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $131.15. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Barclays raised InterContinental Hotels Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of InterContinental Hotels Group from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein raised shares of InterContinental Hotels Group from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, January 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold. Get InterContinental Hotels Group alerts: Read Our Latest Report on InterContinental Hotels Group InterContinental Hotels Group Stock Performance Institutional Trading of InterContinental Hotels Group The firm has a 50 day moving average of $126.12 and a 200-day moving average of $113.50. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in IHG. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in InterContinental Hotels Group by 6.3% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 58,321 shares of the companys stock worth $6,179,000 after acquiring an additional 3,431 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new stake in InterContinental Hotels Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $3,892,000. Squarepoint Ops LLC bought a new stake in InterContinental Hotels Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,148,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in InterContinental Hotels Group by 8.7% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 6,699 shares of the companys stock worth $710,000 after acquiring an additional 538 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Creative Planning increased its stake in InterContinental Hotels Group by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 22,756 shares of the companys stock worth $2,411,000 after acquiring an additional 723 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 15.09% of the companys stock. About InterContinental Hotels Group (Get Free Report) InterContinental Hotels Group PLC owns, manages, franchises, and leases hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Greater China. The company operates hotels under the Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, voco, HUALUXE, Crowne Plaza, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, EVEN, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, Garner, avid hotels, Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, and Candlewood Suites brand names. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for InterContinental Hotels Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for InterContinental Hotels Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH Free Report) by 50.7% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 16,690 shares of the construction companys stock after acquiring an additional 5,615 shares during the quarter. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in CRH were worth $1,544,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators bought a new stake in CRH in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in CRH by 72.7% during the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 297 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of CRH during the 3rd quarter worth $35,000. Baillie Gifford & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of CRH by 70.7% in the third quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 391 shares of the construction companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quarry LP acquired a new stake in CRH in the second quarter valued at approximately $49,000. 62.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get CRH alerts: CRH Price Performance NYSE:CRH opened at $98.97 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $97.35 and a 200 day moving average of $91.65. CRH plc has a 1-year low of $69.91 and a 1-year high of $104.23. The company has a market capitalization of $67.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.79, a PEG ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.31. CRH Cuts Dividend Analysts Set New Price Targets The business also recently declared a Variable dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Investors of record on Friday, November 22nd were given a dividend of $0.262 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 22nd. This represents a yield of 1.4%. CRHs payout ratio is 21.00%. Several research analysts have recently issued reports on CRH shares. Hsbc Global Res raised CRH to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Citigroup dropped their price objective on CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. StockNews.com raised CRH from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of CRH from $114.00 to $116.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of CRH from $95.00 to $104.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, CRH currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $107.75. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on CRH About CRH (Free Report) CRH plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides building materials solutions in Ireland and internationally. It operates through four segments: Americas Materials Solutions, Americas Building Solutions, Europe Materials Solutions, and Europe Building Solutions. The company provides solutions for the construction and maintenance of public infrastructure and commercial and residential buildings; and produces and sells aggregates, cement, readymixed concrete, and asphalt, as well as provides paving and construction services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CRH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for CRH plc (NYSE:CRH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for CRH Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CRH and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Markel Group (NYSE:MKL Get Free Report) was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued on Monday. MKL has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on Markel Group from $1,700.00 to $1,675.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Markel Group from $1,590.00 to $1,600.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. Finally, TD Cowen cut shares of Markel Group from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $1,986.00 to $1,836.00 in a research report on Monday, December 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and six have given a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $1,626.83. Get Markel Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on MKL Markel Group Stock Performance Shares of Markel Group stock traded up $17.95 during trading on Monday, reaching $1,829.01. The companys stock had a trading volume of 54,857 shares, compared to its average volume of 73,522. Markel Group has a 52 week low of $1,342.66 and a 52 week high of $1,842.48. The firm has a market cap of $23.52 billion, a PE ratio of 8.44 and a beta of 0.78. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $1,740.16 and its 200-day moving average price is $1,633.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. Markel Group (NYSE:MKL Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 30th. The insurance provider reported $17.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $21.97 by ($4.63). Markel Group had a net margin of 17.03% and a return on equity of 10.86%. The business had revenue of $3.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.74 billion. Equities analysts forecast that Markel Group will post 86.92 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Trading of Markel Group Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MKL. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC acquired a new position in Markel Group during the second quarter worth about $65,000. Squarepoint Ops LLC increased its position in Markel Group by 23.1% during the 2nd quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 3,401 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $5,359,000 after purchasing an additional 638 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. bought a new position in Markel Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $45,000. MBB Public Markets I LLC bought a new position in Markel Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,417,000. Finally, Scientech Research LLC acquired a new stake in Markel Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $473,000. 77.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Markel Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Markel Group Inc, a diverse holding company, engages in marketing and underwriting specialty insurance products in the United States, Bermuda, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The company offers general and professional liability, personal lines, marine and energy, specialty programs, and workers' compensation insurance products; and property coverages that include fire, allied lines, and other specialized property coverages, including catastrophe-exposed property risks, such as earthquake and wind. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Markel Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Markel Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mount Yale Investment Advisors LLC lessened its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 8.1% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 28,068 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,460 shares during the period. Mount Yale Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $1,468,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Cornerstone Wealth Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Group LLC now owns 90,126 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,713,000 after purchasing an additional 2,431 shares during the last quarter. KBC Group NV lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 140,591 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,352,000 after purchasing an additional 4,211 shares during the last quarter. Apexium Financial LP purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at $561,000. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 4.7% during the 4th quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC now owns 9,397 shares of the companys stock valued at $499,000 after purchasing an additional 419 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 21.0% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 33,941 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,732,000 after purchasing an additional 5,883 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the companys stock. Get Altria Group alerts: Altria Group Stock Up 2.5 % NYSE:MO opened at $53.36 on Tuesday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $39.25 and a 52 week high of $58.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $90.43 billion, a PE ratio of 9.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 0.64. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $53.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $52.21. Altria Group Dividend Announcement Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The company reported $1.38 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.35 by $0.03. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 233.80% and a net margin of 42.82%. The firm had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.33 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.28 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 18.6% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 26th were given a dividend of $1.02 per share. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.65%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 26th. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 68.92%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have recently commented on MO shares. Citigroup increased their price objective on Altria Group from $44.50 to $48.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on Altria Group from $52.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Bank of America raised Altria Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $55.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Friday, December 6th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. They set an equal weight rating and a $54.00 price target on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com raised Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $53.43. View Our Latest Stock Report on MO Altria Group Profile (Free Report) Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Curbstone Financial Management Corp increased its stake in shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS Free Report) by 5.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 4,256 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 212 shares during the quarter. Curbstone Financial Management Corps holdings in Novartis were worth $414,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Novartis during the third quarter worth about $28,000. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA acquired a new position in Novartis during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC increased its position in shares of Novartis by 503.8% in the 3rd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 320 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 267 shares during the last quarter. Clean Yield Group acquired a new stake in shares of Novartis in the 3rd quarter valued at $43,000. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new stake in shares of Novartis during the 4th quarter worth $55,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 13.12% of the companys stock. Get Novartis alerts: Novartis Stock Performance Shares of NVS stock opened at $103.37 on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $100.09 and its two-hundred day moving average is $108.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 1.11. Novartis AG has a 1 year low of $92.35 and a 1 year high of $120.92. The firm has a market cap of $211.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.01, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.57. Analyst Ratings Changes Novartis ( NYSE:NVS Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 29th. The company reported $2.06 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.94 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $12.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.62 billion. Novartis had a return on equity of 34.80% and a net margin of 35.96%. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.74 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Novartis AG will post 7.62 earnings per share for the current year. Several equities analysts recently commented on NVS shares. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on Novartis from $118.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Erste Group Bank reiterated a hold rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, HSBC cut Novartis from a hold rating to a reduce rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have assigned a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Novartis currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $123.38. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on NVS Novartis Company Profile (Free Report) Novartis AG engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of healthcare products in Switzerland and internationally. The company offers prescription medicines for patients and physicians. It focuses on therapeutic areas, such as cardiovascular, renal and metabolic, immunology, neuroscience, and oncology, as well as ophthalmology and hematology. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Novartis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novartis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. OMRON (OTCMKTS:OMRNY Get Free Report) and Renishaw (OTCMKTS:RNSHF Get Free Report) are both mid-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation, risk, institutional ownership, profitability and dividends. Risk & Volatility OMRON has a beta of 1.02, meaning that its stock price is 2% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Renishaw has a beta of 0.73, meaning that its stock price is 27% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get OMRON alerts: Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for OMRON and Renishaw, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score OMRON 0 0 0 0 0.00 Renishaw 1 0 0 0 1.00 Profitability This table compares OMRON and Renishaws net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets OMRON -0.11% -0.09% -0.06% Renishaw N/A N/A N/A Insider and Institutional Ownership 1.1% of OMRON shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.2% of Renishaw shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Earnings and Valuation This table compares OMRON and Renishaws top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio OMRON $5.67 billion 1.18 $55.92 million ($0.02) -1,625.69 Renishaw $870.59 million 3.53 $122.02 million N/A N/A Renishaw has lower revenue, but higher earnings than OMRON. Summary Renishaw beats OMRON on 6 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About OMRON (Get Free Report) OMRON Corporation engages in industrial automation, device and module solutions, social systems, and healthcare businesses worldwide. The Industrial Automation Business offers sensors, switches, safety and control components, relays, motion and drives, robotics, energy conservation, power supplies, and automation system products. It also offers environmental mobility, digital devices, food and commodity, logistic and warehouse automation, medical, robotic, panel, vision, software, and traceability related solutions. The Social Systems, Solutions and Service Business provides energy, public transport, traffic safety, network protection, payment, infrastructure monitoring, management service, and DX solutions, as well as offers remote surveillance/monitoring, automation/robotics, software development, engineering/maintenance, and other services. The Healthcare Business provides cardiovascular, respiratory care, pain management, remote patient monitoring, and other solutions. The Device and Module Solutions Business offers relays, switches, connectors, and sensors. OMRON Corporation was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. About Renishaw (Get Free Report) Renishaw plc, an engineering and scientific technology company, designs, manufactures, distributes, sells, and services technological products and services, and analytical instruments and medical devices worldwide. The company offers co-ordinate measuring machine products, hardware, software, retrofits, machine tool probes, diagnostics, encoders, tool setters, performance measurement systems, gauging systems, modular and custom fixtures, and styli products for touch probe systems; machine calibration and optimization products; interferometric laser, magnetic, and open and enclosed optical encoders; and additive manufacturing systems. It also provides healthcare products, such as neurosurgical robots and accessories, neurosurgical planning software, electrode delivery systems, drug delivery systems, Raman microscopes, analysers, and hybrid Raman systems. In addition, the company offers smart manufacturing data platform and asset financing services. It serves the aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, medical and healthcare, heavy, machine builder, and precision manufacturing industries, as well as scientific, research, and analysis industries. The company was incorporated in 1973 and is headquartered in Wotton-under-Edge, the United Kingdom. Receive News & Ratings for OMRON Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for OMRON and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Montana lawmakers will for the third consecutive legislative session consider a bill that would make it more difficult for transgender youth to access certain types of health care. The legislation would make it a felony for a person to knowingly provide surgical procedures, puberty blockers or hormone therapies to children under age 16 in order to support transitioning from their sex assigned at birth. The proposal makes doing so a crime under Montanas child endangerment laws, and would be punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of $10,000, or both. Senate Bill 164 is sponsored by Sen. John Fuller, R-Kalispell, who brought similar proposals in the two past legislative sessions. Because children are not equipped to make life-altering medical decisions with irreversible consequences, the adults who are making these decisions on their behalf must be held accountable under the law, said Derek Oestreicher, chief legal counsel for the Montana Family Foundation, a faith-based advocacy organization, at the bill's Senate Judiciary committee hearing on Monday. He went on to call SB 164 a necessary safeguard. During the 2023 legislative session, Republicans championed and passed a similar bill that banned a slew of gender-affirming treatments for transgender youth and restricted the use of public funds for medical or social transitions. It opened physicians up to civil lawsuits and threatened license suspensions if they were found to be providing such care. The Montana Supreme Court upheld a lower court's decision that blocked the bill in December 2024, halting implementation of the law until the full legal challenge against it plays out. The Supreme Court's ruling cited the state constitutions robust right to privacy as one of the main factors in the decision. Sen. Theresa Manzella, R-Hamilton, questioned Oestreicher about whether the state could demonstrate a compelling interest that would give SB 164 a better chance of survival in the face of legal challenges. The government must clear this higher standard in order to enact laws that would curb otherwise fundamental rights. The short answer is yes, Oestreicher said. The state has a compelling interest in protecting all citizens, but especially children, and we do this through laws all the time. He used the example of child labor laws to show the governments track record of creating policies that limit foundational rights here, the right to work in the name of safety. More than a dozen people spoke against the proposal on Wednesday. Their testimonies ranged from personal stories of how having access to gender-affirming treatment as a young person would have improved their experience as a trans minor to frank commentary from medical providers on what might happen should this type of care be criminalized. Gender-affirming care for young people is not abuse, said Anna Louise Peterson, a Missoula-based psychotherapist who specializes in gender identity. It is not experimental. It is not dangerous. It is evidence-based, and, for those who need it, it is life saving. Gender dysphoria is a diagnosable condition that leads to clinically significant distress when a person's sex assigned at birth does not align with their gender identity. A Reuters analysis looking at insurance claims found that about 42,000 children and teens were diagnosed with gender dysphoria in 2021, nearly triple the number that were in 2017. Only a small portion of individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria received medical treatment, which typically doesn't start until puberty. Puberty blockers tend to be prescribed first, slowing the process of puberty that aligns with the person's sex assigned at birth. Symptoms of gender dysphoria such as anxiety or depression can be intensified as puberty progresses. Hormone treatments follow in order to promote endocrinological and physical developments that align with a trans persons gender identity. Gender-affirming surgeries are very rare among trans youth, a recent study from Harvard University researchers found, as they are not recommended until adulthood. Lauren Wilson, a pediatric hospitalist and former president of the Montana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, called it a slippery slope to attach felony charges to medical care. She said going down that path makes Montana a less attractive place to practice medicine. Critics such as Wilson called the bills language vague. They cautioned it could ensnare physicians providing all kinds of care for a wide range of patients, including those who are not transgender minors. Supporters, on the other hand, said the bill is written to narrowly target people who have the knowledge and intent of providing the specific list of treatments for the purpose of treating a child whose gender identity does not align with their sex at birth. They also noted SB 164 would not restrict psychological support for trans minors, meaning they would not be left without any resources. Fuller said the bill does "absolutely nothing" to change the legality of psychological treatments. Senate Bill 99 from 2023 sparked hours of impassioned testimony from the public during its committee hearing, the censure of transgender lawmaker Rep. Zooey Zephyr, D-Missoula, and, ultimately, protests that halted House proceedings and resulted in arrests. Outcry on Wednesday was mum by comparison, a contrast raised by some as emblematic of the fear the bill could create for families of trans children. They said more people would have come to testify if they did not fear future prosecution under this law. Kelsen Young, executive director of the Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, called it offensive to levy a felony against parents or providers who support trans minors in accessing gender-affirming care. I am here today thinking of all of the parents who would be here today to express their opposition but for fear of prosecution, Young said. ... Your refusal to acknowledge their humanity would not prevent me from accessing those services. Lithium Americas (Argentina) (NYSE:LAAC Get Free Report) and Exxaro Resources (OTCMKTS:EXXAY Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, dividends, profitability, risk and institutional ownership. Volatility and Risk Lithium Americas (Argentina) has a beta of 1.35, indicating that its share price is 35% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Exxaro Resources has a beta of 0.93, indicating that its share price is 7% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get Lithium Americas (Argentina) alerts: Profitability This table compares Lithium Americas (Argentina) and Exxaro Resources net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Lithium Americas (Argentina) N/A -1.37% -1.08% Exxaro Resources N/A N/A N/A Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Lithium Americas (Argentina) 0 3 3 1 2.71 Exxaro Resources 0 0 0 0 0.00 This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Lithium Americas (Argentina) and Exxaro Resources, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Lithium Americas (Argentina) presently has a consensus target price of $7.19, suggesting a potential upside of 159.95%. Given Lithium Americas (Argentina)s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Lithium Americas (Argentina) is more favorable than Exxaro Resources. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Lithium Americas (Argentina) and Exxaro Resourcess revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Lithium Americas (Argentina) N/A N/A $1.29 billion $7.79 0.35 Exxaro Resources $1.78 billion 1.63 $679.76 million N/A N/A Lithium Americas (Argentina) has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Exxaro Resources. Insider & Institutional Ownership 49.2% of Lithium Americas (Argentina) shares are owned by institutional investors. 19.8% of Lithium Americas (Argentina) shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Summary Lithium Americas (Argentina) beats Exxaro Resources on 8 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks. About Lithium Americas (Argentina) (Get Free Report) Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. operates as a resource company. The company explores for lithium deposits. The company owns interests in the Cauchari-Olaroz project located in Jujuy province of Argentina. It also has a pipeline of development and exploration stage projects, including the Pastos Grandes project and the Sal de la Puna project located in Salta Province in northwestern Argentina. Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. About Exxaro Resources (Get Free Report) Exxaro Resources Limited engages in coal, iron ore investment, pigment manufacturing, renewable energy, and residual base metal businesses in South Africa, Europe, the United States, and Australia. The company operates through Coal; Ferrous; Energy; and Other segments. It produces thermal coal, metallurgical coal, and semi-soft coking coal products primarily in the Waterberg and Mpumalanga regions; offers gas-atomised ferrosilicon for use in separation plants, as well as iron ore; and operates two wind farms. The company was formerly known as Kumba Iron Ore Limited and changed its name to Exxaro Resources Limited in November 2006. The company is based in Pretoria, South Africa. Receive News & Ratings for Lithium Americas (Argentina) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lithium Americas (Argentina) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Sabine Royalty Trust (NYSE:SBR Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Saturday. Sabine Royalty Trust Price Performance NYSE:SBR opened at $66.32 on Friday. Sabine Royalty Trust has a 12-month low of $57.73 and a 12-month high of $69.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $966.95 million, a P/E ratio of 10.22 and a beta of 0.48. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $64.58 and a 200 day simple moving average of $63.04. Get Sabine Royalty Trust alerts: Sabine Royalty Trust (NYSE:SBR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 12th. The energy company reported $1.31 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $19.93 million for the quarter. Sabine Royalty Trust had a return on equity of 1,088.44% and a net margin of 96.72%. Sabine Royalty Trust Increases Dividend Institutional Inflows and Outflows The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 29th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 15th will be paid a $0.4483 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 15th. This represents a $5.38 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.11%. This is a boost from Sabine Royalty Trusts previous monthly dividend of $0.14. Sabine Royalty Trusts payout ratio is currently 82.90%. Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of SBR. Howard Financial Services LTD. grew its holdings in shares of Sabine Royalty Trust by 160.8% in the 3rd quarter. Howard Financial Services LTD. now owns 67,496 shares of the energy companys stock worth $4,158,000 after acquiring an additional 41,618 shares during the last quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Sabine Royalty Trust by 491.9% during the third quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 27,614 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $1,702,000 after acquiring an additional 22,949 shares during the period. BWM Planning LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Sabine Royalty Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $1,331,000. Sendero Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Sabine Royalty Trust in the 4th quarter worth approximately $838,000. Finally, Philip James Wealth Mangement LLC purchased a new position in Sabine Royalty Trust during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $327,000. Institutional investors own 15.81% of the companys stock. About Sabine Royalty Trust (Get Free Report) Sabine Royalty Trust holds royalty and mineral interests in various producing oil and gas properties in the United States. Its royalty and mineral interests include landowner's royalties, overriding royalty interests, minerals, production payments, and other similar non-participatory interest in certain producing and proved undeveloped oil and gas properties located in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Sabine Royalty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sabine Royalty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust (NYSE:BPT Free Report) in a report published on Saturday. The brokerage issued a sell rating on the oil and gas companys stock. BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust Stock Down 7.1 % BPT stock opened at $0.53 on Friday. BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust has a one year low of $0.40 and a one year high of $3.20. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $0.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of $1.19. Get BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust alerts: Institutional Trading of BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust A hedge fund recently raised its stake in BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust stock. Welch Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust (NYSE:BPT Free Report) by 60.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 33,759 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after buying an additional 12,700 shares during the period. Welch Group LLC owned approximately 0.16% of BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust worth $35,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 5.66% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust operates as a grantor trust in the United States. It is involved in holding overriding royalty interest in the Prudhoe Bay oil field located on the North Slope of Alaska. The Prudhoe Bay field extends approximately 12 miles by 27 miles and contains approximately 150,000 gross productive acres. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in The Bank of New York Mellon Co. (NYSE:BK Free Report) by 14.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 4,159 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 513 shares during the period. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Bank of New York Mellon were worth $320,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Studio Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Bank of New York Mellon by 2.1% in the third quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC now owns 6,636 shares of the banks stock valued at $477,000 after purchasing an additional 134 shares during the last quarter. Stanley Laman Group Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. Stanley Laman Group Ltd. now owns 6,198 shares of the banks stock valued at $445,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Grove Bank & Trust increased its stake in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 21.0% during the 4th quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 779 shares of the banks stock valued at $60,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC now owns 7,024 shares of the banks stock worth $505,000 after acquiring an additional 137 shares during the period. Finally, Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 1.1% in the third quarter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC now owns 12,908 shares of the banks stock worth $928,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.31% of the companys stock. Get Bank of New York Mellon alerts: Bank of New York Mellon Stock Up 0.1 % BK stock opened at $85.85 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $79.53 and a 200-day simple moving average of $73.27. The company has a market capitalization of $62.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.78, a PEG ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.08. The Bank of New York Mellon Co. has a twelve month low of $52.64 and a twelve month high of $86.34. Bank of New York Mellon Dividend Announcement Bank of New York Mellon ( NYSE:BK Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 15th. The bank reported $1.72 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.54 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $4.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.66 billion. Bank of New York Mellon had a net margin of 11.35% and a return on equity of 12.68%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 11.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.28 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that The Bank of New York Mellon Co. will post 6.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, January 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.47 per share. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.19%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 27th. Bank of New York Mellons payout ratio is currently 32.36%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts have commented on the company. Evercore ISI upped their price target on Bank of New York Mellon from $79.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $82.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $88.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Citigroup raised their price objective on Bank of New York Mellon from $75.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, November 25th. Finally, Wolfe Research downgraded Bank of New York Mellon from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Friday, January 3rd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Bank of New York Mellon has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $88.00. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on BK About Bank of New York Mellon (Free Report) The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and other segments. The Securities Services segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, and data analytics. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Bank of New York Mellon Co. (NYSE:BK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of New York Mellon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of New York Mellon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) by 20.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 23,565 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 4,048 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc.s holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $1,744,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in Charles Schwab in the third quarter worth about $25,000. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 62.6% in the 3rd quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. now owns 387 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Prospera Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Planning Capital Management Corp acquired a new position in Charles Schwab in the third quarter worth $33,000. Institutional investors own 84.38% of the companys stock. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Charles Schwab Price Performance NYSE SCHW opened at $82.36 on Tuesday. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 12 month low of $61.01 and a 12 month high of $83.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $146.58 billion, a PE ratio of 27.55, a P/E/G ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.99. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $77.81 and its 200 day simple moving average is $70.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.47 and a quick ratio of 0.47. Analyst Ratings Changes Charles Schwab ( NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 21st. The financial services provider reported $1.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.11. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 18.20% and a net margin of 30.31%. The company had revenue of $5.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5,190,822.51 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.68 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 4.09 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of research firms have recently issued reports on SCHW. Piper Sandler raised their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Charles Schwab from $87.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. UBS Group raised their price target on Charles Schwab from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday. Raymond James dropped their target price on Charles Schwab from $76.00 to $73.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. Finally, JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and issued a $94.00 target price (up from $84.00) on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $84.11. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on SCHW Insiders Place Their Bets In other Charles Schwab news, Director Arun Sarin sold 8,548 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.82, for a total value of $699,397.36. Following the transaction, the director now owns 18,617 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,523,242.94. This represents a 31.47 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Jonathan S. Beatty sold 2,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.02, for a total value of $192,550.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 18,069 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,391,674.38. This represents a 12.15 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 50,014 shares of company stock worth $4,052,281. 6.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. About Charles Schwab (Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc. (OTCMKTS:THMG Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 8,700 shares, a drop of 65.2% from the December 31st total of 25,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 90,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Thunder Mountain Gold Trading Down 9.1 % Thunder Mountain Gold stock traded down $0.01 on Tuesday, hitting $0.10. The companys stock had a trading volume of 10,000 shares, compared to its average volume of 36,100. Thunder Mountain Gold has a one year low of $0.02 and a one year high of $0.14. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $0.09 and a 200-day moving average price of $0.06. Get Thunder Mountain Gold alerts: Thunder Mountain Gold Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Stories Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc explores for and develops mining properties in Nevada and Idaho, the United States. It explores for zinc, silver, gold, and copper deposits, as well as base metals and other commodities. The company holds interests in the South Mountain property that includes 18 patented mining claims covering an area of approximately 346 acres; 36 acres of private land; 21 unpatented mining lode claims covering an area of approximately 290 acres; leased private land covering approximately 489 acres; and private land not contiguous with the mining claims covering an area of 360 acres located in the South Mountain Mining District, Owyhee County, Idaho. Receive News & Ratings for Thunder Mountain Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thunder Mountain Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT Get Free Report) rose 0.4% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $97.77 and last traded at $97.76. Approximately 3,781,327 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 74% from the average daily volume of 14,821,823 shares. The stock had previously closed at $97.40. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on WMT shares. UBS Group upped their target price on Walmart from $92.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $96.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, January 10th. Bank of America boosted their price target on Walmart from $95.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price objective on Walmart from $98.00 to $102.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $105.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a research note on Wednesday, January 15th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-nine have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $94.69. Get Walmart alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Walmart Walmart Stock Performance The stock has a market cap of $782.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.55. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $92.29 and its 200-day simple moving average is $82.49. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. Walmart (NYSE:WMT Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, November 19th. The retailer reported $0.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.53 by $0.05. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.78% and a net margin of 2.92%. The company had revenue of $169.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $167.69 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.51 earnings per share. Walmarts revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 2.48 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Walmart news, Director Robert Edward Jr. Moritz acquired 5,446 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $91.81 per share, with a total value of $499,997.26. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 7,805 shares in the company, valued at $716,577.05. The trade was a 230.86 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP John D. Rainey sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.12, for a total transaction of $246,360.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 378,165 shares of the companys stock, valued at $31,054,909.80. This represents a 0.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 140,177 shares of company stock worth $12,895,688 over the last ninety days. 45.58% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Walmart Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in WMT. Brophy Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Walmart during the third quarter valued at approximately $2,072,000. Bank of New Hampshire grew its stake in Walmart by 13.7% in the 4th quarter. Bank of New Hampshire now owns 47,949 shares of the retailers stock valued at $4,332,000 after buying an additional 5,786 shares during the last quarter. Iowa State Bank raised its holdings in Walmart by 213.8% in the 4th quarter. Iowa State Bank now owns 26,807 shares of the retailers stock worth $2,422,000 after acquiring an additional 18,263 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Walmart by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 47,659,844 shares of the retailers stock worth $3,848,533,000 after acquiring an additional 2,107,197 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC bought a new stake in Walmart during the third quarter valued at about $541,000. Institutional investors own 26.76% of the companys stock. About Walmart (Get Free Report) Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, other units, and eCommerce worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, PhonePe and other sites; and mobile commerce applications. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Walmart Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Walmart and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) had its target price lowered by investment analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $1,000.00 to $970.00 in a research report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective would suggest a potential upside of 20.03% from the stocks previous close. Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on LLY. Redburn Atlantic raised shares of Eli Lilly and Company to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,060.00 to $1,250.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,025.00 to $975.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Friday, November 15th. They set an outperform rating and a $1,000.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,025.00 to $1,015.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 4th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $997.22. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly and Company Stock Up 2.9 % NYSE LLY opened at $808.16 on Tuesday. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52 week low of $637.00 and a 52 week high of $972.53. The company has a market capitalization of $767.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 87.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.41. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $776.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $848.19. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.03. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 30th. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.52 by ($0.34). Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 20.48% and a return on equity of 71.08%. The business had revenue of $11.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.09 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.10 earnings per share. Eli Lilly and Companys revenue was up 20.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.98 earnings per share for the current year. Eli Lilly and Company declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback plan on Monday, December 9th that authorizes the company to repurchase $15.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to repurchase up to 2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally a sign that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued. Insider Transactions at Eli Lilly and Company In other news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 900 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, November 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $803.38, for a total transaction of $723,042.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 5,480 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,402,522.40. This represents a 14.11 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Eli Lilly and Company A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. MidAtlantic Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Highline Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 80.0% during the 4th quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 45 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 53.3% in the 3rd quarter. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 46 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 16 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 117.1% in the third quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC now owns 46,132 shares of the companys stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 24,879 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock. About Eli Lilly and Company (Get Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jimeet Modi is the CEO and Founder of SAMCO Securities. 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I Accept Stocks to Watch Today: Tata Steel, Coal India, Greaves Cotton, Wipro, Bajaj Housing, Federal Bank, 360 ONE WAM, IGL, Kaynes in focus on 28 January Sunil Matkar 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 MobiKwik, Cred take the lead in CBDC rollout, launch e wallets with Yes Bank 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 Naina Sood 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 Manisha Lal Khandpur 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 The collection of public officials, business leaders and labor representatives working to help 1,550 former Sumitomo Rubber USA employees find new jobs and to get the factory into new hands held its first meeting Monday. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, who formed the Sumitomo Task Force, mentioned the closing of the Bethlehem Steel plant in Lackawanna, where he grew up, more than 40 years ago. Sumitomo Rubber USA plant in Tonawanda to close; 1,550 workers to lose jobs Sumitomo Rubber USA on Thursday announced it will close its Town of Tonawanda tire plant, which employs 1,550 people as one of the regions largest manufacturers. That plant had more than 20,000 workers at its peak, far more than Sumitomo now, Poloncarz said, but a key task force mission is to ensure the Town of Tonawanda tire plant property doesnt sit unused for decades, as the Bethlehem Steel site largely did. After the meeting, Jim Briggs, a local United Steelworkers official, said the reference to the devastating effect of the Bethlehem Steel closing was apt, even though Sumitomos workforce was smaller. In todays world, because the average size of a manufacturing facility is a lot different than the Bethlehem days, this is our Bethlehem, Briggs told reporters. You know, I told Sumitomo at the table, We dont deal with hurricanes and tornadoes but you brought a hurricane. This was a hurricane, to this community, of these job losses. Mondays initial session for the task force addressed several key questions: How can public and private partners assist former Sumitomo workers in landing another job? Whats the highest and best use for the property and how should it be marketed to attract a new owner? What needs to happen to make sure, after the plant closing, that raw water continues flowing through the Sumitomo property and out to neighboring industrial customers who require it? Efforts have started on these and other areas of focus over the past two-plus months, officials said during and after the round table meeting, but this is the beginning of a lengthy process. This is probably the first or second inning of whats probably going to be a nine-inning game, Poloncarz said after the meeting held at the towns Wastewater Treatment Plant. Sumitomo Rubber USA stunned the region when it announced on Nov. 7 that it was closing the century-old tire plant along the Niagara River effective immediately. The company cited persistent operational losses of hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years. The plant had more than 1,100 workers represented by the Steelworkers and about 400 more non-union employees. Sumitomo says plant failed to reach production targets The company said the Sheridan Drive facility had periods of improvement over the past few years, but not enough to achieve "financial viability." The Steelworkers negotiated separation agreements on behalf of its workers that totaled $80 million including financial payouts, pension enhancements and extended health insurance, Briggs said Monday. We took a terrible situation and made it bad, he said, noting the employees still wont get their jobs back and the tire plant wont reopen. Public and private agencies worked to find new employment for the former Sumitomo workers, including holding several well-publicized job fairs. We have a lot of jobs open in our area, Poloncarz said, but they may not pay as well as Sumitomo did and they may require retraining. Jacqueline Hall, executive director of Workforce Buffalo, said a number of those employees have expressed interest in getting their commercial drivers license, so the board has offered them help. And the Erie County Industrial Development Agency has set up a loan fund for Sumitomo workers who want to start their own businesses. Briggs said he guessed up to 100 Sumitomo workers have retired and another 250 or 300 have found work elsewhere. Poloncarz announced the formation of the task force about a month after the plant closing. In addition to aiding the former factory employees, the groups members are focused on the future of the 130-acre, riverfront property that boasts 2 million square feet of industrial space. Tom Kucharski, Invest Buffalo Niagaras president and CEO, said Monday that Sumitomo is cooperating with the organization in finding a new owner for the property. Elected officials have said previously they want any new user to create good-paying jobs, and generate tax revenue, and they want to avoid a data center or cryptocurrency operation taking over a site that boasts easy access to water, electricity and other infrastructure. Factory, yes. Bitcoin mine, no: Options ranked as push to revive Sumitomo tire plant begins Local leaders have major concerns about the future of the plant, with its 2 million square feet of industrial space on 130 acres along the Niagara River. Kucharski said three companies have expressed more-than-casual interest in the property. He said nondisclosure agreements bar him from saying too much but he believes the community would welcome any of them as the new owner. Still, Kucharski said, This is not going to happen overnight. Its a big site. A complex site. Invest Buffalo Niagara has issued a request for proposals for a firm to conduct a study of the site and generate ideas for bringing it back to life. Firms have until March 14 to submit their proposals. Reuse ideas sought for shuttered Sumitomo site A firm will be hired to prepare a report with potential reuse ideas for the Sumitomo site. The Sumitomo plant closing created another ripple effect that, officials fear, could hurt other nearby businesses. The Town of Tonawanda had worked with Sumitomo and two other companies on a plan for a new system to carry raw water to industrial customers in the River Road corridor. The potential project would bypass the former Huntley generating station, which supplies this untreated water to the neighboring Sumitomo, Evonik Active Oxygens and 3M plants. Sumitomo and Evonik have direct access through Huntley, while 3Ms raw water comes through Sumitomo, Tonawanda Supervisor Joseph Emminger said, though these systems are aging. Sumitomo and Evonik had agreed to pay for a study into the cost and design of a new supply network. But the Sumitomo closing threw the fate of the towns raw-water project up in the air, and several task members raised fears about the 3M workforce if the plant loses access to this raw water. Thats our No. 1 concern, said Emminger. He added that a Sumitomo official assured him the raw water will continue to flow through the plants property for the foreseeable future. Emminger told the group the town continues to study whether, and how, it makes sense to expand raw-water access in a way that bypasses Huntley and, if necessary, Sumitomo. Any new owner of the property would have to become part of this discussion, Emminger said. On a parallel track, Emminger said, the town is seeking to take control of Huntleys raw-water system through eminent domain, a legal fight that soon should conclude. I think, in the short term, were all right, he said. But there has to be a long-term solution. Yamuna row: Delhi like my home, Arvind Kejriwal cannot be forgiven for his big 'lie', says Haryana CM Saini 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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Imperial College of London physics professor explains Moneycontrol Features 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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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 DeepSeek sending your private chats to China? Everything you should know before using this ChatGPT-rival Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Ankita Chakravarti 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 DeepSeek shows China playbook to deal an even bigger shock to US 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 Arindam Roy 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 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 Shaurya Shubham 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 Google renames 'Gulf of Mexico' to 'Gulf of America' on Google Maps: Heres why Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Ankita Chakravarti 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 Here's what Nvidia has to say on the emergence of China's DeepSeek AI 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 Aabhas 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. 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 1/11 In todays hyperconnected world, finding a serene getaway to unplug and recharge is becoming increasingly essential. If you're yearning for a digital detox in 2025, these 10 remote destinations promise breathtaking landscapes, peace, and the perfect opportunity to disconnect from the digital hustle. (Image: Canva) 2/11 1. Bhutan Known as the "Land of Happiness," Bhutan's pristine valleys, ancient monasteries, and forested mountains make it an idyllic spot for disconnecting. With a strong emphasis on sustainability and Gross National Happiness, Bhutan encourages visitors to slow down and soak in its tranquility. (Image: Canva) 3/11 2. The Quiraing, Isle of Skye, Scotland This otherworldly landscape of rolling hills and dramatic cliffs offers a peaceful retreat from technology. The Quiraings rugged terrain, combined with its awe-inspiring views, is perfect for long hikes and quiet contemplation. (Image: Canva) 4/11 3. The Outback, Australia Vast, red-hued expanses and unspoiled natural beauty define Australias Outback. Whether youre stargazing under crystal-clear skies or exploring ancient Aboriginal sites, the Outback offers a profound sense of isolation and wonder. (Image: Canva) 5/11 4. Fogo Island, Canada This remote island off the coast of Newfoundland is renowned for its raw, untamed beauty. With luxurious off-the-grid accommodations and an emphasis on local culture, Fogo Island is perfect for those seeking a quiet refuge. (Image: Canva 6/11 5. Faroe Islands With dramatic fjords, misty cliffs, and quaint villages, the Faroe Islands are a hidden gem in the North Atlantic. The absence of large crowds and its untouched landscapes make it an ideal escape for those wanting to disconnect. (Image: Canva) 7/11 6. The Namib Desert, Namibia Stretching endlessly with its striking orange dunes, the Namib Desert offers an otherworldly escape from the modern world. Activities like dune climbing and wildlife safaris will immerse you in natures raw beauty. (Image: Canva) 8/11 7. Sumba Island, Indonesia This lesser-known island in Indonesia boasts turquoise waters, lush hills, and ancient traditions. Without much digital infrastructure, Sumba is the perfect place to unplug while enjoying its secluded beaches and rich culture. (Image: Canva) 9/11 8. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Famous for its unique wildlife and untouched ecosystems, the Galapagos Islands allow you to connect with nature in its purest form. Limited internet access ensures a true digital detox experience. (Image: Canva) 10/11 9. Scottish Highlands From misty lochs to majestic mountains, the Scottish Highlands are a haven for peace seekers. Explore its enchanting castles, serene trails, and charming villages, all while leaving your gadgets behind. (Image: Canva) News / National by Staff reporter A Harare vendor, James Chamisa, has filed a lawsuit against the City of Harare, demanding US$31,830 in damages after he sustained serious injuries allegedly inflicted by Municipal Police during an assault in 2018. Chamisa, represented by Kudzayi Kadzere from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, claims the attack resulted in fractured ribs and other severe injuries.Court documents reveal that on October 4, 2018, around 2 PM, Chamisa was reportedly assaulted by Municipal Police officers at First Street Mall in Harare. The officers, allegedly acting as part of a city operation to remove vendors and touts, beat him with batons, fists, booted feet, and palms while hurling insults at him about his political affiliations. The incident unfolded in full view of the public.Chamisa claims the attack caused extensive injuries, including fractured ribs, a fractured right forearm, lacerations to his lower lip, and multiple bruises and abrasions across his body. He further submitted that the assault left him with psychological trauma, including shock, depression, difficulty concentrating, hallucinations, and physical challenges such as fatigue and difficulty walking.Chamisa stated that he incurred significant medical expenses for hospitalisation, X-rays, medication, and ointments. He is seeking US$1,830 for medical expenses, US$20,000 for shock, pain, and suffering, and US$10,000 for contumelia (injury to dignity).In his submission, Chamisa argued that the Municipal Police officers were acting within the scope of their duties as employees of the City of Harare and prayed for the court to declare their conduct unlawful. He is also seeking an order compelling the City of Harare to pay damages, including interest and legal costs.The City of Harare has reportedly refused to settle the claim, prompting Chamisa to approach the High Court. The case is scheduled to be heard today before High Court Judge President Justice Mary Zimba-Dube. News / National by Staff reporter Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has revealed that the city's municipality is struggling to maintain street lights due to ongoing issues stemming from the takeover of the thermal power station by the power utility, Zesa Holdings. The mayor's comments came during his testimony before a commission of inquiry appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last year to investigate corruption and financial mismanagement at Town House.The commission inquired into the prolonged state of neglected street lighting in the city, to which Mafume provided a detailed explanation. He explained that in 1994, Zesa was established and took control of the power station, previously managed by the city of Harare and Bulawayo, without compensating the municipalities for the infrastructure."When Zesa was created, we used to run our own thermal power station in Harare, but it was taken from us without compensation," Mafume said. "The station used to supply 34 megawatts to the Morton Jaffray waterworks and an additional 6 megawatts for street lighting and Mbare hostel electricity."Mafume lamented the fact that despite the municipality losing control of this crucial energy resource, Zesa did not compensate Harare for the infrastructure it seized. As a result, the city was left with the burden of maintaining street lights without the necessary financial support."The situation is like someone taking your cows and then charging you for milk the next day," he added, underscoring the unfairness of the situation.The mayor went on to highlight the challenges faced by the city's residents, who shoulder the costs of the electricity consumed, with monthly bills totaling around US$3 million. In addition, Harare residents are paying for electricity that also funds rural electrification efforts, leaving the city's streets in darkness."Harare residents are paying for electricity from sources outside of industry, while the rural electrification levy continues to support rural areas. Bulawayo, in contrast, has refused to pay for electricity, due to their own dispute over the power station," Mafume said. "This leaves Harare facing a monthly electricity bill of US$3 million, while Zesa installs prepaid water meters and increases charges."The mayor expressed that despite the challenges, the city is planning to reinstate the street light levy in the upcoming budget to address the electricity deficit and improve street lighting infrastructure.The situation continues to strain Harare's financial resources, with Mafume emphasizing the need for fair compensation and a more equitable distribution of energy resources to support urban services like street lighting. News / National by Staff reporter A former councillor for Beatrice Ward 16 and war veteran, Claudious Nyashanhu, has reportedly lost US$11,000 to a suspected fraudster who promised to secure him US$2 million in funding from a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for community development and campaign purposes. The fraudulent scheme, which allegedly took place last year, was brought to light in court proceedings last week before Harare Provincial Magistrate Apollonia Marutya.The accused, Gilbert Kanokanga, appeared in court facing charges of fraud. He was remanded in custody and is awaiting a bail application scheduled for today.According to the prosecutor, Tinotenda Masimba, the events leading to the fraud began in July 2024, when Kanokanga approached Nyashanhu under the pretext of composing a song for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit, which was hosted in Zimbabwe. Kanokanga allegedly requested Nyashanhu's assistance, and the two recorded the song together.After some time, Kanokanga visited Nyashanhu at his home and falsely claimed that he had the ability to secure a US$2 million donation from an NGO. He promised the former councillor that the funds could be used for community development and his political campaign.Believing Kanokanga's claims, Nyashanhu agreed to work with him. Kanokanga allegedly instructed Nyashanhu to pay various logistical costs before the donation could be finalized. Initially, Kanokanga asked for US$600 for registration fees, which Nyashanhu paid. Later, Kanokanga demanded another US$1,000 for a certificate of the youth.As the months passed, Kanokanga continued to make requests for money, with Nyashanhu reportedly giving him a total of US$11,000 in total payments. In September 2024, Kanokanga reassured Nyashanhu that the donation had been secured and would be delivered within two weeks.However, as time went on, no donation materialized. Kanokanga began giving empty promises and became increasingly evasive when Nyashanhu followed up on the matter. Realizing he had been deceived, Nyashanhu eventually filed a police report, which led to Kanokanga's arrest.The case has raised concerns over the prevalence of fraudulent schemes targeting individuals in political and community development spheres. As the investigation continues, Nyashanhu's loss serves as a cautionary tale for others who may fall victim to similar scams. News / National by Staff reporter A Harare policeman, Tonderai Manyika (34), has been charged with resisting arrest and abuse of duty after being implicated in a violent dispute over an illegal kombi rank in Harare's central business district. Manyika, who is accused of aiding in the violence, was arraigned before Harare Provincial Magistrate Apollonia Marutya on Saturday.Manyika was granted bail of US$50 and will return to court on February 20 pending the finalization of investigations.The complainant in the case is the State, represented by Lan Murare, a fellow officer stationed at Harare Central Police Station. According to Prosecutor Tinotenda Masimba, the incident unfolded on January 23 when Murare's superiors received information about a violent altercation occurring at the Corner Fidel Castro Road and Mbuya Nehanda Street area, triggered by a dispute over an illegal kombi rank between two men, identified only as Dhana and Frank.It is alleged that Manyika, described as heavily built, was hired to intimidate other rank marshals involved in the conflict. Upon receiving the tip-off, Murare and his team quickly responded, arriving at the scene where Manyika and his accomplices attempted to flee in various directions to avoid arrest.Manyika was reportedly apprehended at a nearby bar and ordered to board a police vehicle. However, he allegedly resisted arrest and tried to escape. The State claims that Murare pursued Manyika, catching up with him, but Manyika assaulted the policeman while continuing to resist arrest.Despite the resistance, Murare and his team were able to subdue Manyika and place him under arrest. Manyika now faces charges related to resisting arrest and abuse of duty in connection with the ongoing illegal rank dispute. Groveland, CA Progress is being made on a grant-funded infrastructure project aimed at improving water storage, delivery, and pressure in Groveland and Big Oak Flat. The $3.815 million project, funded by the California Department of Water Resources Urban and Multi-benefit Drought Relief Program, is expected to enhance local water supply and fire resilience. The initiative includes the installation of a second 140,000-gallon water tank, a groundwater well, and a new pipeline. Njirich Construction of Sonora is leading the project, which will double water storage capacity in the Big Oak Flat area. This project doubles the water stored in the Big Oak Flat area and, for the first time, provides water delivery at flow rates and pressures that meet industry standards, said GCSD General Manager Pete Kampa. These enhancements are critical for firefighters to quickly knock down fires. Crews have also installed one mile of pipeline, stretching from Black Road and Harper Road to 18403 Harper Road. The pipeline includes six new fire hydrants, providing fire protection to previously underserved areas. Pressure testing is set to begin next week, and the system is expected to be operational by early March. A new groundwater well near the water tank will further strengthen the areas supply during droughts. The well is designed to meet the total water demand for Big Oak Flat customers and is scheduled for integration with the new tank in the coming months. Some temporary water service disruptions are expected as crews tie the new system into existing mains. Officials anticipate the project will be fully functional within 30 to 45 days. Calaveras County Seal View Photo Calaveras, CA Calaveras County is encouraging its residents and business owners to participate in a California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) meeting on Jan. 30th to advocate for funding to expand broadband access in the region. In partnership with the Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA), the county has developed a ready-to-construct broadband fiber network to address the needs of underserved and disadvantaged areas. Despite this effort, Calaveras County has yet to be selected for funding under the CPUCs Federal Fund Account (FFA) Last Mile Broadband grant program. The county is urging residents and businesses to participate in the meeting either in person or by phone during the public comment period, which will take place at the start of the agenda. Comments are limited to one minute. Key points for public comments include: Requesting the CPUC to award the Federal Fund Account Last Mile grant to GSCA. Highlighting that GSCAs open-access fiber network will increase competition and ensure access to future broadband opportunities in rural California. Stressing the historical lack of broadband investment in rural areas like Calaveras County. The meeting will begin at 11 a.m. at the East End Complex Auditorium, 1500 Capitol Ave., Sacramento, or by phone at (800) 857-1917 using passcode 9899501#. For more information and participation instructions, visit the CPUC Voting Meeting webpage located here News / National by Staff reporter The Harare provincial chairperson for Zanu-PF affiliate Farmers4ED, Terai Mudzimukunze, was arraigned before the Harare Magistrates' Court on allegations of defrauding the City of Harare's chief building inspector in a failed farm deal. Mudzimukunze appeared before Magistrate Apollonia Marutya, who granted him US$200 bail. He was ordered to report to the ZRP in Chitungwiza and will return to court on February 25, 2025.According to prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, the incident unfolded in December 2023 when Lovemore Mangena, the complainant, expressed interest in acquiring land for farming purposes. Mangena was introduced to Mudzimukunze by a mutual friend, Steven Soso, who allegedly assured Mangena that Mudzimukunze, as the provincial chairperson of Farmers4ED in Mashonaland East, could assist him in securing land in the province.Mudzimukunze, along with Takudzwa Chigutirwa (who is reportedly on the run), took Mangena and Soso to Goromonzi near Rusununguko, where they showed them a piece of land measuring approximately 80 hectares at Bluewaters Farm. When Mangena inquired about the paperwork for the land, Mudzimukunze allegedly told him that he needed to pay an "appreciation fee" to officials at the Lands Ministry offices in Goromonzi to expedite the process of receiving an offer letter.When Mangena expressed that he did not have the required money, he proposed to give his VW Bora vehicle, valued at US$4,500, instead. Mudzimukunze allegedly agreed to sell the car and use the proceeds to pay the government officials. Mudzimukunze assured Mangena that he would receive the recommendation letter from the Goromonzi District Lands Committee within a week.However, a week later, when Mangena did not receive the letter, he followed up with Mudzimukunze, who claimed that the vehicle had not been sold. Investigations later revealed that the car was being used by Mudzimukunze's wife. In January 2024, Mudzimukunze allegedly told Mangena that the vehicle had still not been sold, but suggested that a payment of US$1,500 would help initiate the process.Mangena then raised US$1,000 and gave it to Mudzimukunze. Despite continuing pressure from Mangena for the letter, Mudzimukunze and Chigutirwa reportedly became evasive and blocked communication.When Mangena later sought clarification from Goromonzi district lands officer Benias Maziofa, who was supposedly the author of the recommendation letter, Maziofa distanced himself from the deal, stating that the letter was neither signed nor stamped by him and that the farm was privately owned by ZIMFEP and not available for allocation.The matter was then reported to the police, leading to Mudzimukunze's arrest on charges of fraud. Whats in a simple name change? It seems like potentially quite a lot. Mexico is one of the countries most exposed to the potential economic and political fallout from Donald J Trumps second-term as president. Its economy is almost totally dependent on the US, with over 80% of its exports going to its northern neighbour. For over a year threats of punitive tariffs and even unilateral military intervention in Mexicos drugs wars have poured forth from the mouths not just of Trump and his closest allies, but also senior Republican politicians more broadly. To what extent this can be put down to bluster and bluff time will soon tell. As Michael Hudson warned a few days ago, if Trump makes good on his trade and immigration threats (which are also economic threats) against Mexico, Mexico could end up suffering a severe economic crisis or even default on its dollar debt. New Name, Different Reality? If we cast out minds back, Trumps first term began in similar fashion, with a barrage of dire threats and warnings, only for Mexicos economy to emerge as arguably the biggest beneficiary of Trumps trade war with China. But things could be markedly different this time round. With no hopes of re-election, Trump has a whole lot less to lose. He has also been spared the permanent distraction of a Russiagate scandal and has generally appointed loyal personnel, as opposed to swamp rats like Mike Pompeo and John Bolton, to most of the key positions. Words have already turned into actions. In his first week back in power, Trump deployed thousands of military personnel after declaring an emergency on the common border; he has designated Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organisations and begun deporting large numbers of migrants to Mexico. To cap things off, on Friday the Trump administrations Interior Department announced that it had officially changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, as well as the Alaskan peak Denali to Mount McKinley. A day later, Trump told a crowd during a visit to Las Vegas: Were renaming the Gulf of Mexico into the Gulf of America, and you know what? Mexico was delighted when it heard about it. They said, This is great.' That, of course, is Trumps version of events packaged and doled out to his MAGA fans in Nevada, much as he told MAGA fans back in 2016 and 2017 that Mexico would end up paying for the construction of the border wall. In reality, Mexicos Sheinbaum government has reacted firmly but calmly to Trumps moves, emphasising that his proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico will only apply to the US continental shelf. Trumps rebranding of the Gulf of Mexico is an attempt at symbolic and expansionist appropriation linked to strategic and economic interests, particular in relation to certain natural resources, claims an article in National Autonomous University of Mexicos global magazine. The name Gulf of America suggests an intention to associate this geographic space directly with the United States, which could modify the international perception of that space. The name Gulf of Mexico has appeared on European maps since the 16th century, long before the existence of the United States of America. Over the past century, the name has also been institutionalised by international organizations such as the International Geographic Union and the United Nations. As such, it seems unlikely that the term Gulf of America will catch on fast, if at all. Even Washingtons Five-Eye partner, the UK, has said it will continue to use the original name, Gulf of Mexico, unless the new name gains widespread use in the English language, according to The Telegraph. An Auspicious Omen In his executive order, Trump asks the Board on Geographic Names to honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans and change its policies and procedures to reflect that. In accordance with President Donald J. Trumps recent executive order, the Department of the Interior is proud to announce the implementation of name restorations that honor the legacy of American greatness, with efforts already underway, the Interior Department said in a statement. As directed by the President, the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America and North Americas highest peak will once again bear the name Mount McKinley. It is an auspicious omen for the US nearest neighbours given that President William McKinley (1897-1901) was president during one of the most expansionist periods in US history. Before his assassination in 1901, McKinley had turned the Philippines into a US colony, taken possession of Guam and Puerto Rico, annexed Hawaii, and made Cuba into a protectorate. In the PhilippineAmerican War alone, at least 200,000 local civilians perished, with some estimates reaching as high as one million. Like his 19th century idol, Trump seems keen to usher in a new era of territorial expansion for the United States, whether through the purchase of Greenland or the retaking of the Panama Canal. In a recent speech, Trump told a rally that the US may be a substantially enlarged country in the not-too-distant future: For years, for decades, we were the same size to the square foot, probably got smaller actually. But we might be an enlarged country pretty soon. And one of the things were going to be doing is drill, baby, drill. Because thats going to bring everything down. By everything, I assume Trump was referring to the prices of everything, not literally everything, but who knows? Everybody cheered anyway. Whats in a Name? Mexico, of course, has cause for concern. It has already lost more than half of its territory to US conquest. According to the renowned Mexican-Lebanese geopolitical analyst Alfredo Jalife, it has suffered no fewer than 13 separate incursions from its northern neighbour since gaining independence from Spain in 1810. Could it lose even more of its land (or sea)? Will the Trump administrations rebranding of the Gulf of Mexico have genuine geostrategic implications, or will it, like so many rebranding exercises, be a purely superficial upgrade (or downgrade)? For the moment, its impossible to tell. But Mexico should be on guard. Although it may seem like a symbolic gesture with farcical undertones aimed largely at Trumps base, the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America is, as notes a report in the Mexican newspaper El Universal, fraught with potential political, diplomatic, economic and legal implications that could transform the dynamics of international relations as well as directly impact the countries that share this gigantic maritime area, including its strategic resources. Those resources include the gulfs huge deposits of oil and gas. According to data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the Gulf of Mexico accounts for 14% of total US crude oil production and 5% of total dry natural gas production. These resources are critical to US energy independence. The Gulf of Mexico is also a vital nerve centre for international maritime trade. More than 60% of US grain exports equivalent to 30 million tons leave ports located in this region, according to the National Association of Grain Exporters. At a recent forum, Martha Barcena Coqui, who was Mexicos ambassador to the United States between December 2018 and February 2021, suggested the name change could be a first move toward starting to reclaim territory where there is oil. The Gulf of Mexico has a total area of around 1.6 million square kilometres, of which just over half (829,000 square kilometres) belongs to Mexico. The US owns 662,000 square kilometres. Most of the rest belongs to Cuba. There are also two large areas of overlapping interests that are believed to be rich in oil and gas deposits the so-called Eastern and Western Gaps of the Gulf of Mexico, which are commonly known as Doughnut Holes. These delineations are clearly defined and supported by international law. But it as yet unclear just what the Trump administrations intentions are concerning the Gulf. According to the US historian Douglas Brinkley, the Gulf of Mexico is the cradle of US economic and military expansion. Trumps proposal to change its name, he said, is not only designed to reinforce his vision of America First, but also sends a clear message to the rest of the world about US intentions to reassert its control over strategic areas: [T]hese types of symbolic gestures are a form of coercive diplomacy. By renaming the Gulf of Mexico, the United States is redefining its role as a global leader, but it is doing so in a way that upsets its allies and neighbours. There are few areas more strategically and these days, economically important to Washington than its southern neighbour, Mexico, which is not only the US largest trade partner but is pivotal to US plans to nearshore its supply chains away from China. But Mexico has something the US government and energy corporations apparently covet: huge deposits of as yet unexploited oil and gas embedded within in its eastern seabed. Current technologies allow drilling at depths greater than 10,000 meters, which has increased the interest of powers, such as the United States, in the Gulfs deep waters, says Hector Mendoza Vargas, a researcher at the Institute of Geography of the UNAM: Today, pipelines are manufactured in a single piece, which avoids pressure problems and facilitates the safe extraction of oil. The Gulf of Mexico is not only economically important, but also geopolitically. Its location connects key ports, such as Veracruz, Tampico, New Orleans, and Progreso, making it a strategic node for international trade and communications. For over a decade Jalife has been warning about the US territorial ambitions in the Gulf of Mexico. In 2013, he wrote in La Jornada that Mexico seems trapped with no way out in the US geostrategic ambitions to control the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, as part of its new military/energy and security redesign amid the advent of the new tripolar world order that it now shares with Russia and China: In the crosshairs would be the plethoric hydrocarbon deposits in the Gulf of Mexico, which the US wants to rename the Gulf of the United States , which seems to revive the US/Dutch geo-strategist Nicholas John Spykmans concept of the US Mediterranean Sea a mare nostrum similar to that of the Roman Empire, which comprises the surface of the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of the United States (1.55 million square kilometres) and the Caribbean Sea (2,754 million square kilometres) that in total yield an area of 4,304 million square kilometres As we have noted in recent articles, the US is partially retrenching to its main sphere of interest: North and Central America and its environs. According to Jalife, it will be a very serious error on the part of both the Mexican government and political commentators in the country not to take Trumps renaming of the Gulf of Mexico seriously: Its a mistake to personalise this. Behind Trump is the majority of the US Congress, the Senate, the electoral vote, and the Supreme Court Everything about the Gulf of Mexico reeks of petrol and gas. The US part of the Gulf has been largely exhausted while the Mexican part is more or less untouched. The main reason for this is that Mexicos national state-owned oil company Petroleos de Mexico, aka Pemex, doesnt have the capital, or sometimes expertise, to drill in the Gulfs deep waters. In 2014, the then-Enrique Pena Nietos government opened up the countrys oil sector to international competition, making it possible for foreign oil majors to win tenders and begin drilling in deeper waters, with Pemex as little more than a minor partner in many of the projects. It was meant to be the final straw for the countrys state-owned oil giant. But when Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador came to power in 2018, he placed a moratorium on oil exploration in the gulf and tried to halt or even reverse many of Pena Nietos privatisation efforts, with a particular focus on restoring Pemexs refining capacity, so far with mixed results. Early indications suggest his successor, Sheinbaum, will continue rolling back Pena Nietos market-friendly energy reforms by prioritizing state control of the sector and reducing the role played by private companies. In November, she and her ruling Morena party approved sweeping changes to Mexicos electricity and hydrocarbons industries by reclassifying state-owned enterprises Pemex and CFE from productive to public companies. As a result of all this, there is a stark contrast between the scale of drilling activity in each part of the Gulf of Mexico. In the gulfs US waters, oil companies have been pumping oil for years from deep waters, defined as anything below 500 meters (1,640 feet). The US has over just 20 years left of proven natural gas reserves, according to estimates from the US Energy Information Administration (h/t Stev_Rev). Meanwhile, Pemex officials estimate that as many as 50 billion barrels of oil may still reside in the depths of Mexicos side of the gulf, more than all their proven reserves on land and in shallower waters. As for the Cuban part, there has been little drilling at all, partly due to the constraints imposed by the US embargo. The communist country is currently mired in its worst energy crisis in decades, and is receiving emergency supplies of oil and gas from a number of countries including Mexico. Jalife is one of few observers, Mexican or otherwise, to point out that Trump is not the first contemporary US politician to propose changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico. In 2012, Mississippi State Rep. Steve Holland, a democrat, introduced a bill, known as HB 150, calling for the part of the Gulf of Mexico that is bordered by Mississippi to be renamed the Gulf of America. In the end, the proposal was never voted on. After igniting a storm of protest among Hispanic voters, Holland insisted that the bill was meant as a satirical spoof. Whether true or not, Trumps version of Hollands bill is certainly not a spoof. And it could soon be reality. Just today, Google Maps announced that it will soon rename the body of water to Gulf of America for users in the United States after it is updated in the US government system in response to Trumps executive order. Of course, its perfectly possible that Trumps renaming of the Gulf of Mexico is purely an exercise in political posturing, aimed primarily at his voter base. Also, lest we forget, Mexico and the US have long had different names for the river that forms a natural boundary between the US and Mexico south of El Paso, with the Mexicans calling it Rio Bravo and the USians, Rio Grande. Octavio Pescador, a UCLA academic and research analyst, told El Universal that any movement that alters the perception or management of the Gulf of Mexico could have direct consequences on US energy security and global oil prices: So, I dont think anything out of the ordinary will happen because of [Trumps] change of name of the gulf Donald Trump, within the United States and in his legislation, is going to call it the Gulf of America because he has that power and he is going to use it but not because he plans to seize maritime territory, because there are territorial maritime limits and they are very well defined and there is an international maritime law that the US Congress recognizes for any arbitration. I dont think it will go that way. Likewise, legal analyst James Kraska believes that the United States cannot, under any circumstances, claim full jurisdiction over the gulf without facing significant legal resistance from Mexico and other international actors. This includes the need to negotiate any changes to the Gulfs international waters in multilateral forums, such as the International Maritime Organization(IMO). But since when did the US care about international law? Israel, with the direct help and support of the US and the UK, is carrying out a genocide in Gaza while trying to colonise large swathes of the Middle East as part of its plans to establish a Greater Israel. Like Netanyahu, Trump appears to be hankering after a similar expansionist project. As Giles Paris writes in an op-ed for Le Monde in English, Trump clearly intends to redraw US borders. Whether that will include not just land but sea, time will soon tell. Peeing Is Socially Contagious In Chimps 404media General Dwight D. Eisenhower had the foresight to realize that Holocaust denial would occur. Eisenhower said, Get it all on record now get the films get the witnesses because somewhere down the road of history, some bastard will get up and say that this never happened. pic.twitter.com/lzLswBdeAW Rabbi David Schlusselberg (@RavSchluss) January 27, 2025 Stanford Researchers Produce Ammonia Fuel From Thin Air IEEE Spectrum (Chuck L) High and Dry: Sobriety and transcendence at Bonnaroo Harpers (Anthony L) #COVID-19/Pandemics Please note that almost 1000 people died from Covid in the US last week alone. I presume testing and surveillance is lacking, so the death toll is likely higher. The Covid pandemic isn't over. Dr Elisa Perego (@elisaperego78) January 27, 2025 More TV doctors avoiding the elephant in the room. 1 in 8 people in the UK feel fatigued no mention of viral causes at all. No mention of why its now 1 in 8. You (most probably) have Long Covid folks. pic.twitter.com/g7jRQ9YLdl Lara Crowther Covid is Airborne (@fillthewhole) January 27, 2025 This is bad news. It suggests reassortment of circulating H5N1 viruses with viruses containing N9 NA. Although this indicates reassortment with avian viruses, it's still bad. Reassortment makes pandemics. The last 3/4 flu pandemics (and maybe 1918 too) were reassortant viruses. https://t.co/PE320lx8g1 Dr. Angela Rasmussen (@angie_rasmussen) January 27, 2025 Climate/Environment China? Africa European Disunion Old Blighty Recession fears grow as companies prepare to ramp up staff cuts Telegraph Israel v. The Resistance New Not-So-Cold War Syraqistan Taliban ambassador warns Rubio against bounty threat over Americans in Afghanistan South China Morning Post. Hoo boy. Big Brother is Watching You Watch Imperial Collapse Watch Farting whale behind Russian submarine false alarm media RT (Kevin W) Trump Goes on the Offensive against Russia, China, and Iran | Alastair Crooke Interview Larry Johnson. Theres an important part in the interview where Crooke politely refutes, apparently based on some inside information, the notion that Russia has checked either Irans nuclear development or its overdue retaliation against Israel. Your truly indicated in comments that I was never keen about theories that had Russia seeking to influence Irans actions with respect to Israel or its nuclear enrichment program. IMHO it smacked of Orientialism. 1/6 January 6 rioter pardoned by Trump is killed by police in traffic stop Guardian (Micael T) Trump 2.0 Immigration Our No Longer Free Press Im free! I wrote this on the plane and Im posting it just after landing at Istanbul. On Monday evening I was brought to Zurich airport in handcuffs, in a small metal cage inside a windowless prison van and led all the way to the plane by police. This is after three days and two pic.twitter.com/S4BF2eEYYQ Ali Abunimah (@AliAbunimah) January 27, 2025 Klaus Schwab Labels Misinformation a Critical Challenge, Urges Elites to Develop Solutions Reclaim the Net (Micael T) AI Class Warfare Antidote du jour (Tracie H): And a bonus (Chuck L): Terrifying reminder that if you think you can outclimb a bear on a steep cliff, no you can't pic.twitter.com/6DMGeWPjLI Nature is Amazing (@AMAZlNGNATURE) January 27, 2025 A second bonus. One of my mothers cats, Michael, a tabby with a white bib and feet who grew to be 27 lbs, was raised with a neighbors puppy. They often slept together. When my parents traveled, they would leave Michael at the local dog pound, where he wandered freely, much to the consternation of the caged dogs. Puppies meeting kittens for the first time.. pic.twitter.com/osReXzwh8A Posts Of Cats (@PostsOfCats) January 27, 2025 And a third: pic.twitter.com/wf5YjzT7IH contents that ll heal your depression (@Catshealdeprsn) January 26, 2025 See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. News / National by Staff reporter The political atmosphere in Zimbabwe has reached a boiling point, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga engaged in an increasingly bitter power struggle that could reshape the country's future. At the center of this high-stakes battle is Mnangagwa's bid for a third term, which many see as an attempt to extend his rule beyond the constitutionally-mandated two terms, a move met with fierce resistance from Chiwenga and his military-backed faction within the ruling Zanu-PF party.Chiwenga, who has long been viewed as the likely successor to Mnangagwa when his second term ends in 2028, is quietly building an alliance within the military and Zanu-PF to thwart his boss's third-term ambitions. The military, an influential power broker in Zimbabwean politics, has reportedly made its stance clear, signaling that it will not support Mnangagwa's efforts to extend his presidency beyond the 2028 constitutional limit.The rivalry between the two men has been escalating for months, and tensions have been further heightened by the involvement of Zimbabwe's militant war veterans. Over the weekend, the ex-combatants, who played a pivotal role in the country's liberation struggle, made a public demand for Mnangagwa's immediate resignation. The veterans have accused the president of failing to fulfill his promises and have voiced strong criticism over what they perceive as widespread corruption, nepotism, and government incompetence under his leadership.In response to the mounting pressure, Mnangagwa has denied any intentions of seeking a third term, asserting that he is committed to upholding the constitution. The president has repeatedly branded himself as a "constitutionalist," despite his rise to power in November 2017 following a military coup that ousted longtime ruler Robert Mugabe. Mnangagwa's claims to constitutional fidelity, however, have done little to quell the fears of Zimbabweans who worry about the potential implications of his ambition to extend his time in office.As the political showdown between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga continues, the stakes could not be higher. The possibility of a leadership vacuum or violent conflict in the event of an unresolved power struggle looms large. Political analysts have warned that the outcome of this fierce battle for control will have serious and far-reaching consequences for Zimbabwe, affecting everything from governance to economic stability.The war veterans' challenge to Mnangagwa's leadership, combined with the military's entrenched role in Zimbabwean politics, has made it clear that the country's political future hangs in the balance. With both men positioning themselves for power and the nation caught in the crossfire, Zimbabwe's political landscape seems set for a dramatic transformation.As the days pass, Zimbabweans anxiously await the resolution of this intense power struggle, knowing that the direction in which the country moves will depend largely on the outcome of the escalating confrontation between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga. Canadian Anti-MAGA hat bearing the slogan Canada Is Not For Sale goes viral "Anti-MAGA" hats with the slogan "Canada Is Not For Sale" went viral in Canada as a response to President Donald Trump's tariff threats and suggestions of annexing Canada. The hat gained national attention when Ontario Premier Doug Ford wore it during a high-profile meeting with provincial leaders and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Designed by Ottawa entrepreneur Liam Mooney, the hat has sold nearly 50,000 units including over 100 to American customers and become a symbol of defiance and Canadian solidarity. The cap has garnered bipartisan praise, uniting Canadians across political lines as a statement of national pride and resistance. So-called "Anti-MAGA" (Make America Great Again) hats have gone viral in Canada for bearing the statement "Canada Is Not For Sale," seemingly in opposition to President Donald Trump's proposition for Canada to be annexed as the 51st state of the United States. The hat gained national attention when Ontario Premier Doug Ford wore it during a high-stakes meeting with outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other provincial leaders to discuss Trump's vow to impose additional tariffs on Canadian imports. (Related: Annexing Canada would be like adding a second California.) Liam Mooney, an Ottawa-based entrepreneur, designed the cap with the "Canada Is Not For Sale" statement in response to Trump's tariff threats and calls for Canada's annexation. Since Ford wore it, he reports that he has sold tens of thousands of the hats for between CA$45 to CA$55 each ($32 to $39), and it has become a viral sensation as what Canadians believe is a creative rebuttal and a symbol of defiance and solidarity. The hat's rise to prominence comes at a critical juncture for Canada, as the country faces the dual pressures of a potential trade war with its largest trading partner and internal political divisions. Trump's threats to impose tariffs on Canadian goods have sparked fears of economic fallout, with experts warning that such measures could cripple Canada's economy while also driving up prices for oil and other goods in the United States. The timing is particularly fraught, as Trudeau prepares to step down in March after nearly a decade in power, with the opposition Conservatives leading in polls ahead of a federal election scheduled for later this year. Mooney, who runs a design firm with his fiancee Emma Cochrane, said the idea for the hat was born out of frustration after watching a Fox News segment in which host Jesse Watters suggested it would be a "privilege" for Canada to be annexed by the United States. "We were shocked by the hostility of the interview," Mooney told Reuters. "It was a small act of patriotism to respond to these big threats and this big bluster." The couple spent hours designing the hat, which features the "Canada Is Not For Sale" message written in a Canadian-designed typeface. The hat is sold in three colors red, white and blue and features the Canadian flag emblazoned on the sides. "Anti-MAGA" hat becomes viral as a unifying symbol Within days after Ford was pictured wearing the hat to the summit with Trudeau and other provincial leaders in Ottawa, Mooney received more than 45,000 orders for the hat. He reports that he has even sold the hat to at least 150 customers in the United States. The cap has also drawn praise from Canadians of all political leanings, with even Ford's liberal and progressive critics applauding his gesture. "I WANT THIS HAT!!!!!!!!" former Liberal Party Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Great hat, I hope they make that in an orange," quipped Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, referencing the colors of his party, the left-wing New Democratic Party. "Canadian pride is something we can really lean on right now," he added, after the meeting with Trudeau, Ford and other provincial leaders. "And there are few things that unite Canadians more, for better or for worse, than our neighbor to the south." Watch this episode of "INSPIRED" with Jean Nolan as he discusses Trump's proposal for Canada to become the 51st state of the United States. This video is from the What Is Happening channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump's Greenland and Canada ambitions: A strategic move in the new Cold War? Trump celebrates Trudeau's resignation, calls for U.S.-Canada merger. Trump hilariously suggests that Canada become the 51st STATE with Trudeau as governor. Sources include: Reuters.com TheGuardian.com GlobalNews.ca Brighteon.com CLIMATE ANXIETY: A manufactured crisis fueled by fear and propaganda A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health claims that climate change is causing widespread anxiety among young Americans, with 85% of respondents reporting moderate to severe worry. However, critics argue that the study is more about advancing a political agenda than presenting scientific facts. The study, which surveyed over 15,000 individuals aged 16-25, relies on self-reported data and convenience sampling. Critics argue that this approach fails to produce a representative sample and conflates ordinary weather variability with long-term climate trends. Critics contend that the mental health issues reported in the study are more a result of fear-driven messaging from media, education systems, and social media, rather than actual climate phenomena. They argue that relentless climate alarmism is leading to an exaggerated sense of crisis among young people. The studys funding from the Avaaz Foundation and its emphasis on aggressive climate policies and corporate/government responsibility raise questions about its political agenda. Critics see it as a tool for political manipulation rather than a genuine scientific assessment. The study is seen as part of a broader trend of using fear to manipulate public opinion. Critics argue that young people need to question these narratives, separate facts from propaganda, and reject the idea that more regulations and taxes are the only solutions to their worries. They contend that the real crisis is the exploitation of climate change for political gain, rather than the issue itself. A recent study published in The Lancet Planetary Health has sparked debate over the mental health impact of climate change on young Americans. Titled Climate emotions, thoughts and plans among US adolescents and young adults, the research claims that climate change is causing widespread anxiety, despair and fear among youth, with 85% of respondents reporting at least moderate worry and 57.9% describing themselves as very or extremely worried. While critics argue that the study is less about science and more about advancing a political agenda, proponents point out that junk science and a biased media are brainwashing people, using fear as a tool to manipulate behavior. The study, which surveyed 15,793 individuals aged 16 to 25, relies heavily on self-reported data and convenience sampling, raising questions about its validity. While the authors assert that their findings reflect a growing mental health crisis tied to climate change, skeptics contend that the results are more indicative of a successful propaganda campaign than an objective assessment of reality. Feelings are not facts The studys methodology has drawn sharp criticism for its reliance on self-reported data and a non-representative sample. Conducted through the Cint digital marketplace, the survey fails to ensure that its sample reflects the actual distribution of political ideologies or geographic diversity in the U.S. population. Respondents were asked to recall their exposure to severe weather events, such as heatwaves, floods and wildfires, with 93.2% reporting at least one such event in the past year. However, the study did not verify these claims against actual weather data, instead taking participants perceptions at face value. This approach, critics argue, conflates ordinary weather variability with long-term climate trends, creating a distorted picture of reality. The studys reliance on self-reported data leads to absurd leaps of logic, said one critic. Reporting sadness about the future isnt the same as being clinically depressed, but the study makes no effort to separate the two. However, with brainwashing and indoctrination now a standard part of public school curriculum, kids are becoming programed by the feelings though they may not hold onto the facts. That's what makes them active advocates when they get older, and why they don't question if 'the science' is biased. Role of media and messaging The studys findings suggest that climate change is a significant driver of mental health issues among young people, with 42.8% reporting that it negatively affects their mental health and 38.3% saying it disrupts their daily lives. But critics argue that these feelings are less a product of actual climate phenomena and more a result of relentless fear-driven messaging from media, education systems and social media. When you spend years telling kids the world is ending because they used a plastic straw, dont be surprised when they start crying into their oat milk lattes, said one commentator. The survey questions themselves appear designed to elicit dramatic responses. For example, respondents were asked to rate their agreement with statements like, Climate change will threaten my life and Do you believe the U.S. government is betraying you and/or future generations? Such leading questions, critics say, validate the authors predetermined narrative rather than yield meaningful data. Political agenda Beneath the veneer of academic rigor lies a clear political agenda. The study emphasizes respondents desire for aggressive climate policies and their tendency to vote for candidates who support such policies (72.8%). It also casts corporations and governments as villains, with 82% blaming corporate greed for their distress and 81.8% declaring the U.S. government is failing young Americans. This isnt science; its a roadmap for political manipulation, said one critic. The authors argue that youth distress will only subside when corporations and governments act at the necessary scale to address climate change. Translation: More regulations, higher taxes and more power handed to unelected bureaucrats. The studys funding source has also raised eyebrows. It was supported by the Avaaz Foundation, a group known for its climate advocacy. Critics liken this to Big Tobacco funding research that concludes smoking relieves stress. Alarmism as a tool for control The use of fear to manipulate public opinion is not new. From the Cold War-era Duck and Cover drills to the Y2K panic, history is replete with examples of alarmism being used to shape behavior and policy. The current climate anxiety narrative, critics argue, is simply the latest iteration of this tactic. The greatest driver of youth anxiety isnt climate change its the relentless messaging that they are powerless victims of an imminent apocalypse, said one commentator. Young people dont need more fear. They need the courage to question these narratives, to separate facts from propaganda, and to reject the idea that the only solution to their worries is to hand over their freedom to those selling the panic. As one critic commented about the study: "This is pure religion, of the bad kind. Not one word of it is true. What is true is that young minds have been addled and punished by decades of idiot propaganda screaming the sky the falling." Separating fact from fiction While the Lancet study paints a dire picture of youth mental health in the face of climate change, its findings are better interpreted as a reflection of the effectiveness of climate alarmism than as a meaningful assessment of reality. The studys reliance on self-reported data, its biased sampling methods, and its clear political agenda undermine its credibility. As one critic put it, The world isnt ending. The kids are alrightthey just need to turn off the noise. In an era where information is abundant but truth is often elusive, it is more important than ever to approach such studies with a critical eye. The real crisis may not be climate change itself, but the fear and manipulation being used to exploit it for political gain. Sources include: WattsUpWithThat.com Substack.com TheLancet.com Joby Weeks, defendant in BitClub Network fraud case, files counterclaim alleging government overreach Joby Weeks, a defendant in the BitClub Network Ponzi scheme case, is filing a counterclaim against the federal government, alleging constitutional rights violations and government misconduct. Weeks and other defendants were convicted in a $722 million cryptocurrency fraud scheme involving the BitClub Network, which operated from 2014 to 2019 and misled investors with fake mining earnings. Weeks claims the case should have been dismissed, accusing the government of violating his rights and those of over a million BitClub members, while asserting his innocence. Representing himself, Weeks invokes multiple legal statutes, including the Tucker Act and RICO, and alleges kidnapping, fraud and illegal government intervention in a "multi-billion dollar" lawsuit. Despite his bold claims, legal experts highlight the risks of self-representation and skepticism about the viability of his constitutional and obscure legal arguments in court. Joby Weeks, one of the main defendants in the high-profile case alleging that the cryptocurrency firm the BitClub Network operated a Ponzi scheme, is filing a counterclaim against the federal government, alleging violations of his constitutional rights. Weeks is relitigating the case United States vs. Matthew Brent Goettsche et. al., a controversial cryptocurrency case wherein Goettsche, Weeks and three other defendants were found guilty in a $722 million cryptocurrency fraud scheme over their firm known as the BitClub Network, which operated from April 2014 to December 2019. (Related: CRYPTO WARNING: FBI arrests three men accused of running a $722 million cryptocurrency fraud scheme that allegedly defrauded thousands of "investors.") During the lifetime of the BitClub Network, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey claims the defendants allegedly solicited investments in fraudulent cryptocurrency mining schemes. The defendants, including Weeks, allegedly misled investors by fabricating mining earnings and operating an unregistered securities scheme. The case has been a landmark in the crackdown on cryptocurrency fraud, with prosecutors securing guilty pleas from several defendants, including Weeks, who pleaded guilty in September 2021. Weeks claims his rights and rights of BitClub members were violated However, the latest filings reveal a dramatic shift in strategy. In a series of documents, Weeks claims to have uncovered evidence of government misconduct and constitutional violations. "I have never spoken for the record on what actually took place with evidence," Weeks stated in one affidavit. "As you can see, I did nothing wrong, harmed no people and didnt break any laws that I was subject to." Weeks argues that the case should have been dismissed long ago, accusing the government of trespassing against his rights and those of over a million BitClub members. Week's counterclaim is rooted in a deep distrust of the legal system. In one document, he dismisses his attorneys, comparing them to "allopathic doctors" who treat symptoms rather than root causes, and will be representing himself in court. "Most Bar attorneys are compartmentalized," he wrote. "They only know statutes and codes, not the true common law of the land." He claims to have spent 10 hours a day for a year reading over 30,000 pages of law, a feat he says no lawyer or judge has accomplished. "You will learn more about the law reading this document than all lawyers learn in four years of law school," he asserted. The counterclaim, described as a "multi-billion dollar" lawsuit, invokes a range of legal statutes, including the Tucker Act, RICO, the Sherman Antitrust Act and the 13th Amendment. Weeks alleges kidnapping, fraud and illegal government intervention, demanding damages on behalf of himself and the alleged victims of the BitClub scheme. "This is the biggest Bitcoin case ever," he declared. "David vs. Goliath. Remember when Jesus flipped the tables of the money changers in the temple? Well, Im flipping the tables now too." The defendants claims, while bold, face significant legal hurdles. Legal experts note that self-representation in complex federal cases is fraught with risk, and the counterclaims reliance on constitutional arguments and obscure legal theories may not hold up in court. Weeks, who pleaded guilty following a deal with prosecutors back in 2020, is scheduled to be sentenced on March 12 following bail violations that voided his plea deal. Watch this video featuring Joby Weeks' full statement regarding his countersuit. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Crypto industry questioning whether TRUMP memecoin promoted on the president's social media accounts is a SCAM. Parents of Sam Bankman-Fried EXPOSED for involvement in Democrat dark money, "illegal" election tactics. 3AC crypto founders flee as multiple crypto Ponzi schemes collapse. Crypto CONTAGION spreads as Ponzi-like elements of the crypto ecosystem start unwinding uncontrollably. "Stablecoins" Terra and Luna crater, exposing some cryptos as highly unstable Ponzi scams. Sources include: JobyWeeks.com Justice.gov WestWord.com BehindMLM.com Brighteon.com Sackler family agrees to $7.4 billion settlement over Purdue Pharmas role in spreading OxyContin and fueling the opioid crisis Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, along with the attorneys general of 14 other states, announced a $7.4 billion bipartisan settlement with the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma for their role in fueling the opioid crisis. The settlement strips the Sacklers of their ownership of Purdue, bans the company from selling opioids, sets up a new state-appointed board for the company and allocates funds over 15 years for addiction programs nationwide. $6.5 billion of the settlement will come from the Sackler fortune and $900 million will come from Purdue, and a portion of the settlement will be set aside for future lawsuits and settlements. Critics, including West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey, expressed frustration over the lack of criminal charges against the Sacklers, who deny wrongdoing and claim the lawsuits lack merit. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Thursday, Jan. 23, that a bipartisan coalition of states and other parties has reached a $7.4 billion settlement in principle with members of the Sackler family and their company, Purdue Pharma, for their central role in fueling the opioid crisis. The agreement, one of the largest settlements in American history involving individuals responsible for a public health crisis, marks a pivotal moment in the decades-long legal battle over Purdue's aggressive marketing of OxyContin, a powerful prescription painkiller linked to widespread addiction and overdose deaths. (Related: DOJ sues Walgreens for allegedly filling millions of illegitimate prescriptions for opioids.) The settlement, which requires court approval, will strip the Sacklers of their ownership of Purdue and bar the company from selling opioids in the United States. The settlement money will also be allocated over 15 years to fund addiction treatment, prevention and recovery programs all over the country. The deal replaces a previous settlement overturned by the Supreme Court in June 2024, which had shielded the Sacklers from civil lawsuits. "For years, I have aggressively worked to hold Purdue Pharma and other corporations accountable for their roles in creating and exacerbating the deadly opioid crisis that harmed so many Americans," said Paxton. "While nothing can restore the damage done, this settlement will provide Texans valuable resources to help prevent more opioid abuse. It was an honor to help lead these negotiations and I will never stop ensuring that justice is secured for those affected." Paxton was joined in securing the settlement in principle by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia. OxyContin has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives The opioid crisis, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives since OxyContin hit the market in 1996, has been described as one of the most devastating public health disasters in U.S. history. Purdue, under the Sacklers' leadership, aggressively marketed the drug while downplaying its addictive risks, targeting doctors and patients alike. The new settlement secured by Paxton and the other attorneys general includes up to $6.5 billion from the family fortune of the Sacklers and nearly $900 million from Purdue Pharma. The settlement also sets aside between $800 to $850 million to victims of the opioid crisis or their surviving family members. Additionally, another $800 million is reserved for future settlements if new lawsuits arise against the Sacklers. "Everything in my life is shaped by a company that put profits over human lives," said Kara Trainor, a Michigan woman who became addicted to opioids after being prescribed OxyContin for a back injury 23 years ago. "While no amount of money will ever fully repair the damage they caused, this massive influx of funds will bring resources to communities in need so that we can heal," said New York Attorney General Letitia James, who praised the deal, calling it a step toward accountability. This is about families impacted by this crisis. And this is about a group of people and a family that are among the most notorious wrongdoers and we are holding them accountable, said Connecticut Attorney General William Tong. However, West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey, whose state has been among the hardest hit by the crisis, expressed frustration for the Sacklers who still will not see any criminal charges slapped against them. "While West Virginians' lives were being destroyed by opioid addiction, the Sacklers were cashing in every time someone got hooked getting rich with no regard to the toll their drugs were taking on people, families and our communities," he said. Not all states have signed on to the deal. Washington Attorney General Nick Browns office is still reviewing the agreement, a spokesperson said. The Sacklers, who have stepped down from Purdues board and have not taken distributions from the company since its 2019 bankruptcy filing, have consistently denied wrongdoing. In an October 2024 court filing, one branch of the family vowed to defend itself against lawsuits, calling the legal theory behind the claims utterly devoid of merits. The settlement, if approved, would transform Purdue into a new entity with a board appointed by states and other plaintiffs. It would also end the Sacklers' control of the company and their ability to profit from opioids. Watch this short documentary detailing the long history of how the Sackler family helped destroy the United States by fueling the opioid crisis. This video is from the PureTrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Walgreens accused of ignoring red flags, contributing to opioid crisis in federal lawsuit. DOJ accuses CVS of fueling the opioid crisis and charging taxpayers. Meta running ads for cocaine, opioids and other ILLEGAL DRUGS while censoring the truth about natural medicine. Sources include: X.com TexasAttorneyGeneral.gov APNews.com Brighteon.com Scientists launch center to combat corporate-driven disease epidemic, citing decades of industry manipulation A new Center to End Corporate Harm at UC San Francisco aims to tackle the global rise in chronic diseases linked to pollution and harmful products. Industries such as fossil fuels, plastics, tobacco, and ultra-processed foods are blamed for rigging regulations and manipulating science to prioritize profit over public health. The center will collaborate with the UCSF Industry Documents Library, leveraging decades of internal corporate records to expose industry tactics and hold corporations accountable. The scope of the problem of industry corruption over regulatory agencies In a bold move to address what they call an industrial epidemic of disease, a coalition of scientists has launched the Center to End Corporate Harm at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). The center, which officially launched this month, seeks to counter the influence of industries that produce health-harming products, including fossil fuels, plastics, tobacco, and ultra-processed foods. These industries, researchers argue, have systematically manipulated science and regulations for decades, contributing to a global surge in chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and dementia. Industries that produce health-harming products have waged a decades-long assault on government regulatory agencies and policymaking to rig rules in their favor at the expense of public health, the center states on its website. At the same time, these health-harming products have contributed to a rise in chronic disease. We are working to change that. The centers researchers point to alarming statistics: products tied to industries like fossil fuels, chemicals, alcohol, and ultra-processed foods are responsible for approximately one in three deaths worldwide. In the U.S., chronic diseases linked to these industries have skyrocketed over the past few decades, with cancer rates increasing by 175%, diabetes by 283%, Parkinsons disease by 133%, and dementias by 75%. The increase in many chronic diseases is the manifestation of a global economic system that prioritizes products and profit over health, and it is producing an industrial epidemic of disease, said Tracey Woodruff, director of the new center and the UCSF Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment (PRHE). Woodruff and her colleagues argue that industries have followed a playbook pioneered by Big Tobacco: deny health harms, manipulate science, and deceive the public about risks. Most health-harming industries have taken a page from Big Tobaccos playbook deny health harms, manipulate science and regulatory bodies, and lie to the public about the real risks and costs, said Pamela Ling, MD, MPH, who leads the UCSF Center for Tobacco Control Research & Education. Finally! A collaborative effort to expose industry tactics The Center to End Corporate Harm brings together scientists, researchers, and physicians from across UCSF, as well as collaborators from the University of Colorado and the University of Sydney. A key resource for the center is the UCSF Industry Documents Library, a vast archive of millions of internal corporate documents from industries such as tobacco, chemicals, food, and fossil fuels. These documents have been instrumental in exposing how corporations have influenced science and policy to their advantage. Time and again health-harming industries have lied about their products, hiding the harms from the public and regulators, said Nicholas Chartres, PhD, lead scientific advisor to the new center. Now, many of these industries are, collectively, the leading cause of death and disease globally. The centers work will focus on several key areas: Exposing financial ties and lobbying efforts that influence science and policy. Researching industry tactics that undermine public health regulations. Developing strategies to counter the destructive influence of polluters and poisoners. Historical context and the path forward The launch of the center comes at a critical juncture, as public health experts increasingly link the rise in chronic diseases to environmental and industrial factors. For decades, industries have used their financial clout to shape regulations and suppress scientific evidence of harm. For example, the tobacco industrys decades-long campaign to downplay the risks of smoking has been well-documented, but similar tactics have been employed by other industries, including fossil fuels and food manufacturers. Research tracking health-harming industries has proven critical for understanding why people overeat ultra-processed foods, leading to rising rates of obesity and cardiometabolic disease globally, said Laura Schmidt, PhD, a researcher at UCSF who has documented how the tobacco industry influenced the food industry. The centers efforts build on past successes in holding industries accountable. For instance, public health campaigns against tobacco have significantly reduced smoking rates, though challenges remain as tobacco companies pivot to e-cigarettes and vaping products. As the center begins its work, its researchers hope to galvanize public support and push for systemic changes that prioritize health over corporate profits. In a world where chronic diseases are increasingly tied to industrial practices, the centers mission is not just timely it is imperative. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org TheNewLede.org PRHEUCSF.blog Trump 2.0: A shockwave of change in just six days Its almost as if elections have consequences. Donald Trump hasnt been in office for a full week yet, but already the mood of the entire country seems to have undergone a beneficent metanoia. Sure, there have been hundreds of executive orders on matters large and small. There were many pardons, for 1500 people who engaged in that self-guided tour of the Capitol on January 6, 2021, and also for many others. (Article by Roger Kimball republished from AMGreatness.com) But it is more than that. In his first term, Trump endeavored to drain the swamp and counter the woke ideology that had infiltrated so many university campuses and government agencies. But Trump was a political greenhorn, surrounded by people who were not on board with his program. He said many of the right things. But in many cases when it came time to implement the policies he outlined, the message got lost or garbled in transmission. This time, older, wiser, and now surrounded by better counselors, Trump is not fooling around. Within hours of taking office, bang! Trump suspended the security clearances of the 51 intelligence officers who had, for partisan reasons, signed a public letter announcing that Hunter Bidens laptop bore all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation. He lifted the security details assigned to former National Security Advisor and current anti-Trump fanatic John Bolton. Ditto the security detail for Anthony Mr. Science Fauci. One of the hallmarks of Trump 2.0 is his attention to the importance of moving past words to deeds. On Tuesday of last week, he sent a memo to the heads of all government agencies, ordering them to shut down their DEI offices by 5 p.m. the next day. All DEI hires were to be placed on paid administrative leave immediately. Thats not all. Aware that the order would spark panic among the sinecured bureaucrats in and around the DEI apparat, the memo went on to say, We are aware of efforts by some in government to disguise these programs by using coded or imprecise language. If you are aware of a change in any contract description or personnel position description since November 5, 2024, to obscure the connection between the contract and DEIA or similar ideologies, please report all facts and circumstances. And just in case that wasnt enough, the memo included this warning: There will be no adverse consequences for timely reporting on efforts to disguise DEI programs. However, failure to report this information within 10 days may result in adverse consequences. Do you really think government agencies would attempt to disguise DEI programs under their auspices? Lets ask Lisa T. Boykin, who works (worked?) at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Last Monday, Boykin was listed as the Bureaus Chief Diversity Officer. But by Thursday she was listed simply as Senior Executive on the agencys website. Same picture. Doubtless the same remit. Different title. Uh-oh. Breathtaking changes are coming thick and fast. On Friday, Marco Rubio, Trumps newly confirmed secretary of state, sent a cable to all U.S. diplomatic posts announcing that nearly all foreign aid would be frozen for 90 days while the U.S. determines whether that aid is in alignment with Trumps agenda. There are exceptions for emergency food aid and military aid to Israel and Egypt, but the blanket moratorium, effective immediately, has stunned the diplomatic corps and their clients. Professional humanitarians and other passengers on the U.S. gravy train have their knickers in a twist. No matter. Rubio is committed to implementing Trumps policy. Every dollar we spend, he said last week, 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? What a refreshing set of priorities. Around midnight on Friday, having just returned from visits to devastated areas in North Carolina and Los Angeles, Trump fired some 17 inspectors general in the Defense Department, State Department, Energy Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, and elsewhere. The wailing among Democrat politicians and the fired inspectors was as plaintive as it was astonished. Quoth one former inspector: Its a widespread massacre. Whoever Trump puts in now will be viewed as loyalists, and that undermines the entire system. Ah, yes, the system, hitherto so full of integrity and independence. If we were talking about computer software, we might venture to observe that what this fellow describes is a feature, not a bug. I, like many others reporting on Trumps Blitzkrieg in the first week of his second term, have deployed Colin Powells phrase shock and awe. As I write, we are but 6 days into Trumps second term. But it is as if we had suddenly awakened from a bad dream. Things that would have seemed impossible last month are suddenly not only possible but real. There will bethere already isplenty of pushback against Trumps efforts to bring about the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense. But his momentum is extraordinary. I expect there will be disappointments along the way, but it does appear that this extraordinary, and extraordinarily energetic, man will do an enormous amount to make America great again. Read more at: AMGreatness.com Trump administration locates nearly 80,000 missing migrant children, exposing failures of Biden-era policies The Trump administration has successfully located nearly 80,000 out of over 320,000 unaccounted-for migrant children reported missing under the Biden administration. A damning report from the DHS Office of Inspector General revealed systemic failures in tracking unaccompanied minors, highlighting the risks of human trafficking and child exploitation. The Biden administration has faced intense scrutiny and criticism for its lack of oversight and accountability in managing unaccompanied minors, with some placements linked to criminal organizations. The new administration has vowed to address the crisis with urgency, conducting a sweeping investigation into border-related crimes and child trafficking, and emphasizing full cooperation with ICE to dismantle trafficking networks. Ongoing investigations and public outrage have elevated the urgency to locate the remaining 240,000 missing children and prosecute those involved in their exploitation. The administration of President Donald Trump has successfully located nearly 80,000 unaccounted-for migrant children out of a pool of over 320,000 reported missing under former President Joe Biden's regime. This breakthrough follows a damning August 2024 report from the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Inspector General, which exposed systemic failures in tracking unaccompanied minors after their release from federal custody. The findings have reignited debates over immigration policies, child welfare and the risks of human trafficking while underscoring the urgency of safeguarding vulnerable children at the border. The DHS report revealed that 291,000 children were released without being issued Notices to Appear or placed in removal proceedings, while 32,000 failed to appear for court dates and remain missing. These children, often fleeing violence and poverty in their home countries, are at heightened risk of exploitation, forced labor and trafficking. The Trump administration's efforts to locate tens of thousands of these children have brought renewed attention to the Biden administration's handling of the crisis, which has been widely criticized for its lack of oversight and accountability. (Related: Trump's new border czar will prioritize finding 300,000 missing migrant children who could be trafficking victims.) The Biden administration's approach to managing unaccompanied minors at the border has come under intense scrutiny. Investigative outlet Muckraker reported that federal programs under Biden's tenure facilitated child placements with sponsors whose backgrounds were not thoroughly vetted. In some cases, sponsors were linked to criminal organizations, including MS-13 and human trafficking networks. Muckraker CEO Anthony Rubin revealed alarming details about the program's shortcomings. "We discovered that while in federal custody, some children requested to return to their home countries but were instead sent to sponsors they didn't know, often in the dead of night," Rubin said. "This program has placed children in the hands of labor and sex trafficking networks." Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner echoed these concerns during a recent broadcast, questioning the Biden administration's handling of the crisis. "What was Secretary of Homeland Security, Mayorkas, doing when he said to the committees on Capitol Hill, 'We don't know where those kids are'?" Faulkner asked. The Trump administration has vowed to address the crisis with urgency and accountability. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller announced a sweeping investigation into border-related crimes, including child trafficking, labor trafficking and smuggling. "This administration will investigate every instance of child trafficking, labor trafficking, sex trafficking, smuggling, and all related crimes," Miller declared. He emphasized the need for full cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to dismantle trafficking operations and hold those responsible accountable. The administration's efforts to locate missing children began even before the 2024 election, with a focus on ensuring the safety of every child. Shadow of Ezra, a social media outlet, reported that the Trump administration's recovery of between 75,000 and 80,000 children within the first days of Trump's return to office marked a significant step forward. Public outrage and ongoing investigations The Biden administration's alleged negligence has drawn sharp rebukes from lawmakers and advocacy groups, further elevating the urgency of the Trump administration's initiatives. Public outrage has grown over the failure to safeguard vulnerable children, with many calling for transparency and accountability. Efforts are now underway to locate the remaining 240,000 missing children and to prosecute those involved in their exploitation. Miller assured the public that the administration would leave no stone unturned in its mission to protect vulnerable minors and dismantle trafficking networks. "This is about ending the scourge of child trafficking and abuse that has plagued the nation over the past four years," he emphasized. The recovery of tens of thousands of children represents a critical first step in addressing what has been described as a humanitarian crisis. However, the challenges ahead remain daunting. The Trump administration's renewed focus on accountability and child welfare has brought a glimmer of hope to a deeply troubling chapter of U.S. immigration policy. As investigations unfold, the administration plans to release further details about the trafficking networks and individuals complicit in exploiting children. For now, the successful recovery of nearly 80,000 children serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance, oversight and compassion in protecting the most vulnerable among us. The story of these missing children is far from over, but the Trump administration's efforts have reignited a national conversation about the need for comprehensive immigration reform and the moral imperative to safeguard every child who crosses the border in search of safety and opportunity. Read more about Trump's immigration policy on Migrants.news. Watch the video below that talks about Trump's border czar Tom Homan warning illegal migrant criminals as Trump is also taking action about the migrant crisis. This video is from the Newsclips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Investigative journalist: Over 85,000 unaccompanied migrant children trafficked into the U.S. have been KIDNAPPED. DHS report: ICE has failed to track down location of thousands of unaccompanied migrant children. Federal government caught shipping hundreds of thousands of migrant kids around the U.S., like commodities. Sources include: YourNews.com OIG.DHS.gov Brighteon.com Trump administration orders federal health agencies to halt external communications amid review process Federal health agencies under the Trump administration have been ordered to pause external communications, including scientific reports, website updates and health advisories. The pause, which began on Jan. 21, is intended to allow the new administration to establish a review process for public communications. Agency employees must have all documents and communications reviewed and approved by a presidential appointee before issuance, with prohibitions on public speaking engagements and requirements for coordination with appointees on official correspondence. The directive is set to be in effect through Feb. 1, with instructions for employees to notify higher-ups of any documents or communications that should be exempt due to legal requirements or critical health and safety concerns. The pause has been welcomed by some health experts and organizations, including the CEO of Children's Health Defense and a professor at the University of California, San Francisco, who view it as necessary for avoiding confusion and conflicting information amid policy transitions. The Trump administration has directed federal health agencies to pause their external communications, including regular scientific reports, website updates and health advisories. According to sources within the agencies, the initial orders delivered on Jan. 21 to staff at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including officials at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), allow the new team to establish a review process for public communications. (Related: RFK Jr. declares plan to free federal health agencies from Big Pharma.) Acting HHS Secretary Dr. Dorothy Fink instructed leaders at these agencies in a follow-up memo to halt "mass communications and public appearances that are not directly related to emergencies or critical to preserving health." The memo instructed agency employees to have all documents and communications, including regulations, guidance, notices, social media posts, websites and press releases, reviewed and approved by a presidential appointee before issuance. It also prohibited employees from participating in public speaking engagements without approval and required coordination with appointees before issuing official correspondence to members of Congress or governors. Moreover, the directive, set to be in effect through Feb. 1, instructs employees to notify higher-ups of any documents or communications that should be exempt due to legal requirements or critical health and safety concerns. "As the new administration considers its plan for managing the federal policy and public communications processes, it is important that the president's appointees and designees have the opportunity to review and approve any regulations, guidance documents and other public documents and communications (including social media)," Fink said in the memo. CHD CEO applauds government health pause: 'more than merited' amid policy transition Mary Holland, CEO of Childrens Health Defense (CHD), welcomed the pause. "This pause for communications from government health bodies is welcome. The priorities and communications of the incoming administration are starkly different of the past one. This step is likely to avoid unnecessary confusion and conflicting information in a time of changing policy," Holland said. Dr. Brian Hooker, the chief scientific officer of the CHD, echoed this sentiment, adding that the pause was "more than merited," especially considering the last-minute allocation of $590 million by the outgoing Biden administration to Moderna for the development of a bird flu vaccine. "Who knows what other zingers might have been planned to thwart the new administration's efforts to reform healthcare in the U.S.?" Hooker said. Dr. Vinay Prasad, a hematologist-oncologist and professor at the University of California, San Francisco also praised the pause and cited the need for reform at the NIH. Prasad noted, highlighting a study published in Nature that showed NIH study section members rarely author highly impactful studies. Meanwhile, Dr. Steven Grossman, a former HHS deputy assistant secretary for health, explained that it's not uncommon for a new administration to briefly pause agency communications for review. "Every new administration wants important commitments and positions to wait until new teams are in place and some semblance of hierarchy restored," Grossman said. Visit Trump.news for more stories related to the president. Watch Howard Lutnick, head of the second Trump transition team, discussing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s potential position in the Trump administration. This video is from the Thrivetime Show channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Brownstone Institute's Bret Weinstein attests that federal health agencies, COVID-19 cartel members are systematically deceiving the public. America's public health agencies 'evolved' into a 'giant engine of death' for the genocidal US govt and now the eugenicists within the CDC, FDA and NIH are targeting our children. US departs from the World Health Organization cutting off a predatory, global oligarchy that has destroyed public health for billions. The un-merry-go-round of media, pharma and government. BMJ investigation finds that VAERS is broken, CDC not following maintenance standards. Sources include: TheDefender.org CNN.com Brighteon.com News / National by Staff reporter Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe, a close ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has declared that Mnangagwa's bid for a third term in office is moving forward, regardless of opposition from Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and his supporters.Garwe's remarks come amid escalating political tensions within Zanu-PF, with the succession battle between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga reaching a boiling point. The growing divide has sparked fears of a potential coup scenario reminiscent of the November 2017 power struggle that ousted the late former president Robert Mugabe.Speaking at a Zanu-PF gathering in Mashonaland East on Tuesday, Garwe reiterated Mnangagwa's determination to remain in office until 2030, dismissing any resistance as inconsequential."The 2030 bid is happening, whether some people like it or not. President Mnangagwa is the leader of the party, and he has the full mandate of the people to continue leading beyond 2028. Any attempts to derail this are futile," Garwe said.The minister's statement appears to be a direct response to the growing opposition within Zanu-PF, particularly from Chiwenga's faction, which is reportedly backed by elements of the military. Chiwenga, seen as Mnangagwa's natural successor, is said to be rallying his allies to block Mnangagwa's attempt to extend his rule beyond the two-term constitutional limit.The internal Zanu-PF power struggle has also drawn the involvement of war veterans, who have publicly opposed Mnangagwa's third-term ambitions, accusing him of corruption, nepotism, and poor governance.Last week, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association chairperson Andreas Ethan Mathibela issued a stern warning, likening the current political climate to the volatile period leading up to Mugabe's removal.Analysts have described the situation as a dangerous power tussle that could destabilize the country. While Mnangagwa has publicly denied seeking a third term, his allies within Zanu-PF have been pushing constitutional amendments to facilitate the bid.As the political infighting intensifies, fears of a repeat of the 2017 coup remain high, with many observers calling for dialogue and reconciliation within the ruling party to prevent further instability.The unfolding succession battle will undoubtedly shape Zimbabwe's political trajectory in the coming years, with the nation closely watching how the Mnangagwa-Chiwenga standoff will ultimately be resolved. Trump pardons Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht: A victory for libertarians or a dangerous precedent? President Donald Trump granted a full and unconditional pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road dark web marketplace, fulfilling a campaign promise and reigniting debates about justice, government overreach, and presidential pardons. Ulbricht, convicted in 2015 for operating a platform that facilitated illegal drug sales and other illicit activities, served 11 years of a double life sentence plus 40 years before being pardoned. The pardon was met with mixed reactions, with libertarians and cryptocurrency enthusiasts celebrating it as a correction of an unjust sentence, while law enforcement officials and critics argue it undermines the justice system. Ulbrichts case highlights the tension between technological innovation and law enforcement, and raises questions about the role of presidential pardons in balancing justice and mercy. The pardon has sparked debate about the legacy of the Silk Road and its founder, and its implications for accountability, individual freedom, and the balance between innovation and the rule of law. In a move that has reignited debates about justice, government overreach and the role of presidential pardons, President Donald Trump fulfilled a campaign promise by granting a full and unconditional pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the infamous Silk Road dark web marketplace. Ulbricht, who had served 11 years of a double life sentence plus 40 years, was convicted in 2015 for his role in operating a platform that facilitated the sale of illegal drugs, hacking tools and other illicit goods. The announcement, made via Trumps Truth Social platform on January 22, 2025, was met with both celebration and condemnation. Trump framed the pardon as a victory for the Libertarian Movement, which had strongly supported his campaign, and as a rebuke to what he called the "scum" involved in Ulbrichts prosecution. Silk Road saga: A brief history Silk Road, launched in 2011, was a groundbreaking and illegal online marketplace that operated on the dark web. Using Bitcoin as its primary currency, the platform allowed users to buy and sell drugs, counterfeit documents, and even hacking services anonymously. At its peak, Silk Road was estimated to have facilitated over $200 million in transactions, earning Ulbricht, who operated under the alias "Dread Pirate Roberts," millions in commissions. Ulbrichts arrest in 2013 was the result of an elaborate FBI sting operation. Prosecutors painted him as a mastermind who not only profited from illegal activities but also solicited murders-for-hire to protect his empire. While no evidence was presented that any killings were carried out, the allegations added to the gravity of his case. At sentencing, Judge Katherine Forrest described Ulbrichts actions as a "carefully planned life's work" and imposed a harsh sentence intended to deter others from following in his footsteps. However, the severity of the punishment two life sentences plus 40 years sparked outrage among libertarians and civil liberties advocates, who argued that it was disproportionate and emblematic of government overreach. Pardon rooted in politics Trumps decision to pardon Ulbricht is deeply intertwined with his political strategy. During the 2024 campaign, he courted libertarian voters by promising to commute Ulbrichts sentence on his first day in office. This pledge resonated with a movement that views drug laws as overly punitive and sees Ulbrichts case as a symbol of government intrusion into personal freedoms. The pardon also aligns with Trumps broader narrative of battling a "weaponized" justice system. In his Truth Social post, he drew a direct line between the prosecutors who convicted Ulbricht and those he claims targeted him during his presidency. This rhetoric has galvanized his base but has also drawn criticism from those who see the pardon as a dangerous precedent that undermines the rule of law. Broader implications Ulbrichts release raises important questions about the role of presidential pardons and the balance between justice and mercy. While supporters argue that his sentence was excessive and that he has already paid a significant price for his crimes, critics warn that the pardon could embolden others to engage in similar activities, knowing that high-profile connections or political favor could secure their freedom. The case also highlights the ongoing tension between technological innovation and law enforcement. Silk Road was a pioneer in the use of cryptocurrency and the dark web, tools that have since been adopted by countless other illegal enterprises. As governments grapple with how to regulate these technologies, Ulbrichts story serves as a cautionary tale and now, a controversial footnote in the history of digital crime. Divided reaction The reaction to Ulbrichts pardon has been predictably polarized. Libertarians and cryptocurrency enthusiasts have hailed it as a long-overdue correction of an unjust sentence. A petition on freeross.org, which garnered over 600,000 signatures, reflects the widespread belief that Ulbrichts punishment did not fit the crime. On the other hand, law enforcement officials and critics of Trumps pardon power argue that the decision undermines the justice system and sends the wrong message about accountability. They point to the harm caused by Silk Road, including drug overdoses linked to purchases on the platform, as evidence that Ulbrichts actions had real-world consequences. Conclusion Ross Ulbrichts pardon is more than just a personal reprieveit is a reflection of the political and cultural divides that continue to shape American society. For Trump, it is a fulfillment of a promise and a nod to his libertarian allies. For critics, it is a troubling example of how presidential power can be wielded to reward political loyalty at the expense of justice. As Ulbricht walks free, the debate over his legacy and the implications of his pardon will undoubtedly continue. Whether this decision is seen as a victory for individual freedom or a dangerous precedent, one thing is clear: The story of Silk Road and its founder remains a defining chapter in the ongoing struggle to balance innovation, justice and the rule of law. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com BBC.com CBSNews.com Trump pledges to reinstate troops discharged over COVID-19 vaccine refusal, offers back pay President Trump announces the reinstatement of thousands of military personnel discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, calling the policy "unjust." Discharged troops will receive full back pay and reinstatement, reversing the Biden administrations controversial 2021 vaccine mandate. Trump criticizes the mandate as a "radical political experiment" and pledges to end "medical experiments" on service members. The Biden administrations mandate faced legal challenges and criticism for mishandling religious and medical exemption requests. Conservative lawmakers and Trumps defense secretary nominee praise the move as restoring fairness and refocusing the military on national defense. President Donald Trump has announced that he will reinstate thousands of military personnel discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate in a bold move to rectify what he called an unjust policy. Speaking moments after his inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Trump vowed to bring back these service members with full back pay and to end what he described as radical political theories and social experiments imposed on the armed forces. The decision marks a sharp reversal from the Biden administrations controversial vaccine mandate, which led to the dismissal of over 8,000 troops and sparked widespread criticism. Under President Joe Bidens directive, the Pentagon implemented a COVID-19 vaccine mandate in 2021, requiring all service members to receive the shot or face discharge. While the mandate allowed for religious and medical exemptions, thousands of requests were denied, leading to the expulsion of more than 8,000 troops. Critics argued that the policy undermined military readiness and violated individual freedoms. Trumps announcement drew immediate applause from supporters, who viewed the mandate as an overreach of government power. Our armed forces will be freed to focus on their sole mission: defeating Americas enemies, Trump declared. His pledge to reinstate discharged troops with back pay and restore their ranks underscores his commitment to rebuilding the military and addressing what he called the unfair treatment of service members. A promise to end medical experiments In addition to reinstating discharged troops, Trump promised to halt what he termed medical experiments on military personnel, reflecting broader concerns about the politicization of the military and the use of service members as test subjects for controversial policies. Trumps nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, echoed these sentiments during recent Senate hearings, stating that the Pentagon would apologize to those forced out due to an experimental vaccine and ensure their reinstatement. Hegseths comments align with Trumps vision of a military focused on national defense rather than ideological agendas. The Biden administrations vaccine mandate faced significant backlash, with multiple courts ruling that the military violated federal law in processing religious exemption requests. A federal watchdog also found that several branches mishandled exemption applications, further fueling criticism. While the mandate was rescinded in 2023 following bipartisan legislation, the damage to military morale and trust had already been done. Conservative lawmakers, including Rep. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.), praised Trumps decision, calling it a step toward restoring fairness and accountability. Today marks the beginning of the American golden age! Dunn wrote on social media. The move also highlights the stark contrast between Trumps pro-military stance and the Biden administrations heavy-handed approach to vaccine enforcement. A new chapter for the military Trumps pledge to reinstate discharged troops and end controversial medical mandates signals a significant shift in military policy. By prioritizing the rights and well-being of service members, Trump aims to strengthen the armed forces and restore public confidence in their mission. As the new administration takes shape, the reinstatement of these troopsalong with the promise of back pay and apologiesoffers a chance to heal divisions and refocus on the core purpose of the military: defending the nation. For the thousands of service members who stood by their convictions, Trumps announcement represents not just a return to duty, but a vindication of their principles. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com MilitaryTimes.com WashingtonTimes.com Trump revokes security details for former advisers Pompeo and Hook amid ongoing Iran threats President Donald Trump revoked the Secret Service protection for two of his former top advisers, Mike Pompeo and Brian Hook, despite warnings from the Biden administration about ongoing threats from Iran. The decision to revoke security details for Pompeo and Hook, who played key roles in Trump's aggressive policies toward Iran, comes amid a complex relationship between Trump and his former officials. The security details were initially granted due to credible threats from Iran, stemming from the advisers' roles in the Trump administration's hardline policies, including the 2020 drone strike that killed Qassim Suleimani. Pompeo's stance on Trump has shifted since the 2021 Capitol riot, initially supporting the former president but later legitimizing legal challenges against him. Pompeo's comments about the indictment have raised tensions with Trump. President Donald J. Trump has revoked the security details of two of his former top advisers, Mike Pompeo and Brian Hook, despite claims from the former President Joe Biden's administration that both men face ongoing threats from Iran due to their roles in Trump's policies toward the Middle Eastern nation. The decision, confirmed by multiple sources on Thursday, Jan. 23, comes just days after Trump removed the Secret Service protection of his former national security adviser, John Bolton, who has been a vocal critic of the president. The security details for Pompeo and Hook were initially granted due to credible threats from Iran, stemming from their roles in the Trump administration's hardline policies toward the Islamic Republic. Most notably, both men were key architects of the 2020 drone strike that killed Qassim Suleimani, Iran's powerful paramilitary leader. The assassination of Suleimani, a figure revered in Iran, escalated tensions between the two nations and led to repeated threats against Trump and his top officials. The Biden administration had continued to provide security for Pompeo and Hook, citing ongoing threats. A person familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the Biden team had briefed Trump's transition team about the risks. "The threat level remains the same," said Bolton in an interview, referencing recent warnings he received from government agencies. Trump, however, defended his decision, telling reporters: "When you have protection, you can't have it for the rest of your life." He added, "There are risks to everything." Pompeo's shifting stance on Trump The revocation of Pompeo's security detail comes amid a complicated relationship between the former secretary of state and Trump. Pompeo, who served as Trump's top diplomat, initially supported the former president following the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. However, he later appeared to legitimize the legal challenges against Trump, including the indictment by special prosecutor Jack Smith over the handling of classified documents. In 2023, Pompeo commented on the indictment, saying, "If the allegations are true, and there are lots of indications that they are, President Trump had classified documents where he shouldn't have had them, and then when allowed to return them, he chose not to do that for whatever reason." However, Pompeo seemed to backtrack on that stance after Trump's victory in the 2024 election, calling Smith's cases a "gross abuse of power and politicization of the Justice Department" in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Trump, for his part, has expressed frustration with Pompeo, suggesting in a recent Fox News interview with Sean Hannity that Pompeo was the reason he did not release files related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy during his first term. (Related: Trump REJECTS Mike Pompeo and Nikki Haley for positions in his second cabinet.) Bolton's tell-all and the broader implications Bolton, who has been a fierce critic of Trump since leaving the administration, had his security detail revoked earlier this week. Bolton's tell-all memoir, which criticized Trump's foreign policy decisions, was cited in the executive order revoking his security clearance. Trump has accused Bolton of seeking to profit from sensitive information. The decision to revoke security details for Bolton, Pompeo and Hook has drawn criticism from some national security experts. Dr. Charles Kupperman, who served as Bolton's deputy national security adviser, warned that the move "will have a chilling effect on [Trump's] emerging national security team." He added, "Trump's national security team must provide guidance based on their assessment of what needs to be done to protect America without regard to their personal security." Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, expressed concern about the decision, particularly given the known threats from Iran. "We know that there have been known threats made by the government of Iran against him," Rounds said. "I don't know what the recommendations were that were given to the president as to why he would take the security item away." Trump.news has more stories related to this. Watch the video below that talks about Trump making strategic decisions for national security. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Mike Pompeo wants people to forget he legitimized lawfare against Trump. Ben Shapiro: Trump will put Mike Pompeo and David Friedman in charge of 'Israel policy.' Pompeo: Time for free world to stand up to China and change its behavior. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com NYTimes.com Brighteon.com U.K. government knew vaccine injuries were expected The U.K. government was aware of the potential for serious injuries caused by Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccines before their approval, anticipating indemnity costs ranging from 75 billion to 300 billion. The vaccines were not subjected to the usual rigorous, long-term clinical trials, with officials justifying this through an "emergency" rationale, raising concerns about the haste and potential harm. Unlike the U.S., the U.K. did not grant pharmaceutical companies full statutory immunity, allowing for potential civil claims and even criminal liability under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA). The ECCTA introduces new measures for holding large organizations criminally liable for fraudulent activities, including failing to prevent illegal promotion of drugs or misrepresentation of safety data. The article emphasizes the need for a full investigation into the decisions made during the pandemic, highlighting the importance of holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for their actions and ensuring transparency and justice. In a shocking revelation that has sent shockwaves through the U.K., former Secretary of State Alok Sharma has admitted that the government was fully aware of the potential for serious injuries caused by Pfizer-BioNTechs COVID-19 vaccines before they were approved for public use. Documents presented at the ongoing Covid Inquiry reveal that the government anticipated indemnity costs ranging from 75 billion ($92.36 billion) to a staggering 300 billion ($369.3 billion) to cover vaccine-related injuries. This admission raises serious questions about the ethics of mandating these experimental injections, particularly for children, and the integrity of the pharmaceutical industrys claims of safety and efficacy. The 1.7 billion bill: A calculated risk The Covid Inquiry has laid bare the cold, hard truth: the U.K. government knew that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, rushed through regulatory approval under unprecedented timelines, carried significant risks. According to internal documents, the government estimated a worst-case scenario of 1.7 billion ($2.1 billion) in payouts for vaccine injuries. While this figure pales in comparison to the 300 billion upper limit discussed in initial negotiations with Pfizer, it underscores the fact that officials were well aware of the potential for harm. The Telegraph reported that the vaccines were not subjected to the rigorous, long-term clinical trials typically required for such medical interventions. This lack of thorough testing was justified under the guise of an emergency, but the consequences of this haste are now coming to light. As Mike Fairclough, Britains most outspoken headmaster, aptly noted on social media, it was pure evil to expose children to such unnecessary risks. No full immunity: A silver lining for accountability? Unlike the United States, where pharmaceutical companies were granted full statutory immunity from civil claims, the U.K. government pushed back against Pfizers initial demand for complete legal protection. This decision means that, in the U.K., pharmaceutical companies can still be held liable for vaccine-related injuries. This is a critical distinction. In the U.S., victims of vaccine injuries have little recourse, as pharmaceutical companies are shielded from lawsuits. In the U.K., however, the door remains open for civil claims, and under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), companies can even face criminal liability if they fail to prevent fraudulent activities related to their products. Fraudulent activities, as defined by the ECCTA, include illegal promotion of drugs, failure to report safety data and manufacturing violations. If it can be proven that Pfizer or other vaccine manufacturers knowingly misrepresented the safety and efficacy of their products, they could face severe legal consequences. The ECCTA: A new era of corporate accountability The ECCTA, which came into force in October 2023, represents a significant shift in how corporate fraud is addressed in the United Kingdom. Under Section 199 of the Act, large organizations can be held criminally liable if they fail to implement reasonable prevention procedures to stop fraudulent acts committed by individuals associated with them. The governments guidance on the ECCTA, published in November 2024, outlines six key principles for businesses to follow: 1. Top-level commitment: Senior management must lead the charge in developing and endorsing fraud prevention measures. 2. Risk assessment: Companies must identify and document potential risks, including opportunities, motivations and rationalizations for fraud. 3. Proportionate prevention procedures: Measures must be tailored to the specific risks faced by the organization. 4. Due diligence: Companies must conduct thorough checks on individuals and entities performing services on their behalf. 5. Communication and training: Policies and procedures must be clearly communicated and reinforced through training. 6. Monitoring and review: Prevention measures must be regularly updated to reflect evolving risks. For pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, this means that any failure to disclose known risks or misrepresentation of data could result in criminal prosecution. The guidance makes it clear that what constitutes reasonable prevention procedures will be determined by the courts on a case-by-case basis. A call for justice and transparency The revelations from the Covid Inquiry are a damning indictment of the governments handling of the pandemic and its partnership with Big Pharma. The fact that officials were willing to gamble with public health, particularly that of children, for the sake of expediency is nothing short of scandalous. Natural health advocates have long warned against the dangers of rushed medical interventions and the overreach of pharmaceutical companies. This latest development underscores the importance of holding these corporations accountable for their actions. The ECCTA provides a glimmer of hope, but only if it is enforced rigorously and without bias. The public deserves transparency, accountability and justice. It is time for a full reckoning of the decisions made during the pandemic and the harm caused by those who placed profit over people. The truth must come to light, and those responsible must be held to account. Sources include: Expose.com Cooley.com WHOs top scientist was linked to corrupt researcher involved in bioweapons research in Wuhan China Jeremy Farrar, WHOs chief scientific officer, collaborated with Peter Daszak, a researcher under scrutiny for coronavirus experiments in Wuhan. The partnership raises questions about conflicts of interest in the WHOs handling of the COVID-19 origins investigation. Farrar played a key role in suppressing the lab leak theory through influential scientific papers in 2020. The U.S. government has initiated debarment proceedings against Daszak and EcoHealth Alliance for inadequate oversight of high-risk research. The WHOs credibility faces renewed scrutiny as ties between its leadership and controversial researchers come to light. A controversial collaboration from the start The World Health Organization (WHO), tasked with safeguarding global health, is facing mounting scrutiny over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic origins investigation. At the center of the controversy is Jeremy Farrar, the WHOs chief scientific officer, whose past collaboration with Peter Daszak a researcher under U.S. government investigation for high-risk coronavirus experiments in Wuhan has raised questions about conflicts of interest. The revelation, uncovered through extensive grant documents and reporting, comes as the WHO struggles to maintain credibility amid allegations of political influence and scientific suppression. This story delves into the connections between Farrar and Daszak, the implications for the pandemic origins debate, and the broader consequences for global health governance. Jeremy Farrar, a prominent figure in global health, has long been associated with efforts to understand and combat infectious diseases. However, his ties to Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, have drawn criticism in light of the ongoing debate over the origins of COVID-19. According to a 2010 National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant proposal, Farrar was described as the primary collaborator in Vietnam for a project involving Daszaks organization, then known as the Wildlife Trust. The project aimed to discover novel viruses in Southeast Asia, with samples slated for analysis at Columbia University. While the research did not directly involve the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the connection between Farrar and Daszak has sparked concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Daszak and EcoHealth Alliance are currently under debarment proceedings by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for inadequate oversight of coronavirus research in Wuhan. Farrars involvement with Daszak may have influenced the WHOs early dismissal of the lab leak theory, which posits that COVID-19 may have originated from a laboratory leak, either accidentally or intentionally. Suppressing the lab leak Farrars role in shaping the narrative around COVID-19s origins has come under intense scrutiny. In early 2020, he helped organize two high-profile scientific papers that stigmatized and censored discussion of the very real lab leak possibility. The first, published in The Lancet in February 2020, condemned conspiracy theories suggesting that COVID-19 does not have a natural origin. The second, published in Nature Medicine in March 2020, concluded that the virus was not a laboratory construct or a purposefully manipulated virus. These publications, collectively known as the Proximal Origin papers, were instrumental in shifting the focus away from the possibility of a lab-related origin. A 2024 investigation by the U.S. House of Representatives Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic revealed that Farrar played a central role in organizing and shepherding the Nature Medicine paper through publication. Democrats on the committee argued that Farrar, rather than U.S. officials like Dr. Anthony Fauci, was the driving force behind the effort to suppress the lab leak theory. The WHOs credibility crisis The revelations about Farrars ties to Daszak and his role in shaping the pandemic narrative have further eroded trust in the WHO. The organization has faced criticism for its perceived deference to China during the early stages of the pandemic. For example, a 2022 report by U.S. Right to Know revealed that the WHOs first mission to Wuhan, co-led by Bruce Aylward, a senior WHO advisor, and Wannian Liang, a Chinese epidemiologist, appeared to prioritize Chinas public relations interests over scientific transparency. The WHOs handling of the pandemic origins investigation has also been marred by delays and political interference. A second phase of the investigation, launched after WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged the inadequacy of the initial findings, has been stalled for years. The intertwining careers of Jeremy Farrar and Peter Daszak underscore the corrupt web of relationships that shape global health governance. As the WHO grapples with allegations of conflicts of interest and political influence, the stakes for its credibility and effectiveness have never been higher. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org USRTK.org USRTK.org Trump takes on LA Mayor Bass: A clash over bureaucracy and disaster recovery During a press conference in Pacific Palisades, President Donald Trump harshly criticized Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for her handling of the wildfire crisis, particularly regarding the city's red tape preventing residents from rebuilding. Trump highlighted the city's refusal to allow residents to clear debris without permits, arguing that residents were willing to clean up themselves and that the process was taking too long. Mayor Bass defended her approach, emphasizing safety concerns and promising to clear debris as quickly as possible. However, Trump remained unconvinced, stating that FEMA's inefficiency and permitting processes were delaying recovery. The president also addressed California's insurance crisis and questioned Bass's leadership, citing her recent trip to Ghana during the impending wildfire risk and her lack of executive experience. Trump's visit and critique served as a call for accountability, urging officials to take immediate action and providing hope for residents that change might be on the horizon. In a fiery exchange that underscored the growing frustration with Californias leadership, President Donald Trump delivered a blistering critique of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass during a press conference in Pacific Palisades on Friday. The president, visiting the wildfire-ravaged area, didnt mince words as he called out the bureaucratic red tape preventing residents from rebuilding their lives. The scene was a stark reminder of the failures of progressive governance in California, where overregulation and inefficiency have become hallmarks of disaster response. Trumps direct confrontation with Bass a Democrat who has faced mounting criticism for her handling of the crisis was a refreshing display of leadership, holding public officials accountable for their inaction. The heart of Trumps critique centered on the citys refusal to allow residents to clear debris from their properties without waiting for government permits. The people are willing to clean out their own debris. It doesnt cost a lot, Trump said, addressing Bass directly. You should let them do it. Because by the time you hire contractors, its going to be two years. Bass, attempting to defend her administrations approach, insisted that safety concerns were paramount. The number one thing that we are going to do immediately, and you will see this happen, is to clear out the debriswe are going to move as fast as we can. But we want you to be safe. We want you to be back in your homes immediately, she said. But Trump wasnt buying it. People are willing to get a dumpster and do it themselves and clean it out, he shot back. Theres not that much left. Its all incinerated, and you know, its just going to take a long time if you do [it]. The presidents frustration was palpable. He pointed out that residents were being told theyd have to wait up to 18 months for permits to begin rebuilding. Let them start the process tonight, Trump urged, to which Bass replied, And we will. You can come back and check. A history of bureaucratic failure This isnt the first time Californias leadership has been criticized for its sluggish response to disasters. The states notorious permitting processes and reliance on federal agencies like FEMA have long been a source of frustration for residents. Trump highlighted this during the press conference, calling out FEMAs inefficiency. FEMA has a standard thats so slow. They want permit on permit on permit, and then they want permits on top of that, Trump said. If you use FEMA, youll be here for a long time. He contrasted Californias response with that of other states, citing North Carolina as an example. You know who came in and fixed North Carolina or the process? Other states. People from all over the country came. You have the same thing. You have a lot of people from all over the country, Trump said. The president also took aim at Californias insurance crisis, which has left many residents without coverage. Ive never seen a state where almost nobody has insurance, Trump said. I said, What happened? They said, like, six months ago, they all left. Two years ago, they had different quadrants, but they left. You have very little insurance here. Ive never seen anything like it. Basss leadership has come under intense scrutiny since the wildfires devastated Pacific Palisades. Her decision to travel to Ghana for a presidential inauguration just days before the fires broke out has been a particular point of contention. Residents like Starr Fair, who lost her home, expressed deep frustration. Karen Bass probably has a good heart. But if you know Los Angeles and you know theres going to be a Santa Ana wind event, why would you go out of the country? That felt bad. It felt like abandonment, Fair said. The mayors handling of the crisis has also raised questions about her executive experience. As Democratic strategist Garry South noted, She comes into this job with no executive experience, no governing experience. All of a sudden, shes the head of the second-largest city government in the United StatesI really dont believe that shes ever made the transition from being a member of Congress to being an executive. A call for accountability Trumps visit to California was a stark reminder of the importance of strong leadership in times of crisis. His willingness to call out Bass and other officials for their failures was a breath of fresh air for residents who have grown weary of bureaucratic excuses. As the president left the press conference, his message was clear: I know my people. Youll be in that thing tonight, throwing the stuff away and your site will look perfect within 24 hours. Thats what he wants to do. For Californians, the hope is that this moment will serve as a wake-up call for their leaders. The fires may have destroyed homes, but the real disaster has been the failure of those in power to act swiftly and decisively. With Trump holding them to account, perhaps change is finally on the horizon. Sources include: Modernity.com WashingtonPost.com AmericanActionNews.com Bill Gates friendship with Jeffrey Epstein cost the Microsoft co-founder his marriage and reputation Bill Gates admitted his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was a "foolish" error in judgment during an interview, causing significant regret. Gates initially believed Epstein could help advance his global health initiatives, but their association proved ineffective and damaging to his reputation. Epstein's association with high-profile figures like Gates was part of his attempt to rehabilitate his public image after his 2008 conviction for soliciting minors for sex. Melinda Gates, Bill's wife, described Epstein as "evil personified" and expressed regret for her husband's meetings with him, which contributed to the unraveling of their 27-year marriage. Epstein allegedly attempted to blackmail Bill Gates over an alleged affair with Russian bridge player Mila Antonova, further highlighting the consequences of Gates' association with the convicted sex offender. The late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein created a web of powerful connections with influential personalities, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates among them. But six years on, Bill is now distancing himself from the financier who mysteriously died in August 2019 while in custody. The philanthropist admitted in 2022 that his association with Epstein was a huge mistake, telling CBS News in a statement at the time: "Meeting with Epstein was a mistake that I regret deeply. It was a substantial error in judgment." He reiterated this regret during a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), telling the publication that his meetings with Epstein were "foolish." Bill divulged: "In retrospect, I was foolish to spend any time with him. It was just a huge mistake." (Related: LinkedIn founder REGRETS interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.) The tech mogul initially believed Epstein could help advance his global health initiatives, but those efforts proved ineffective. With his continued association with the convicted sex offender, Bill committed not only a "foolish" mistake but a huge blunder that tarnished his reputation and contributed to the unraveling of his 27-year marriage to Melinda Gates. Epstein, who was convicted in 2008 for soliciting minors for sex, had been seeking to rehabilitate his public image by aligning himself with high-profile figures like Bill. Their association continued until Epstein's death in 2019, when he was found dead in his jail cell at the Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Melinda described Epstein as "evil personified" Bill's regret, however, comes years too late. His meetings with Epstein had already caused significant strain in his marriage. Melinda who met Epstein only once, described him as "evil personified" in a 2021 interview with Gayle King on "CBS This Morning." "I did not like that he'd had meetings with Jeffrey Epstein," Melinda said of Bill, adding that she made her feelings clear to her husband. "I regretted it from the second I stepped in the door. He was abhorrent. He was evil personified." The fallout from Bill's association with Epstein extended beyond moral misgivings. According to a WSJ report from May 2023, Epstein attempted to blackmail the Microsoft co-founder over an alleged affair with Russian bridge player Mila Antonova. The incident reportedly occurred after Bill declined to join Epsteins proposed multibillion-dollar philanthropic venture. In a 2017 email, Epstein demanded that Bill reimburse him for funding Antonova's software coding education, a move interpreted as an attempt to leverage Gates' past indiscretions. Antonova, who met Gates in 2010 while playing in a bridge tournament, has denied commenting on the alleged affair. She nevertheless denounced the convicted sex offender, telling the WSJ: "I am disgusted with Epstein and what he did." Epstein had initially supported Antonovas career aspirations, paying for her coding education and providing her with temporary housing in New York City. However, his motives appear to have been far from altruistic. The alleged affair with Antonova is not the only instance of Bill's infidelity to surface. In 2021, it was revealed that he had engaged in a long-term affair with a Microsoft employee, which he acknowledged through a spokesperson. The affair, which ended "amicably," was investigated by Microsoft's board in 2019 after an engineer sent an email demanding changes to her job and requesting that Melinda read a letter detailing the relationship. These revelations further strained the Gates' marriage. "There just came a point in time where there was enough there where I realized it just wasn't healthy, and I couldn't trust what we had," Melinda revealed. While Bill has expressed remorse for his association with Epstein, the damage to his personal and professional life is undeniable. His "foolish" friendship with a convicted sex offender not only compromised his marriage but also exposed him to potential blackmail and public scrutiny. Melindas candid remarks about Epstein being "evil personified" underscore the gravity of Bill's misjudgment and the lasting repercussions of his actions. Watch Tucker Carlson and Trace Gallagher discussing the strange connection between Bill Gates, Melinda Gates and Jeffrey Epstein in this clip. This video is from the TruthAndFreedom1 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: 'Furious' Melinda Gates warned Bill over Jeffrey Epstein escapades: Report. Burning bridges: Jeffrey Epstein allegedly BLACKMAILED Bill Gates over his affair with Russian bridge player. Bill Gates teamed up with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein to create global drug and vaccine investment fund. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com 100PercentFedUp.com NYPost.com Brighteon.com Border Czar Tom Homan promises daily deportation flights, targeting ALL illegal immigrants in the US The Trump administration has launched daily deportation flights as part of a sweeping border security initiative. Border Czar Tom Homan emphasized the need for congressional funding to sustain and expand the mission. The administration is targeting criminal offenders first but asserts that all undocumented immigrants are subject to removal. ICE enforcement actions now include sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, and churches. Homan defended the crackdown as essential to national security and public safety, citing human trafficking, drug smuggling, and violent crime. Border Czar Tom Homan puts all illegal aliens on notice In a bold move to address a national security crisis, the Trump administration has initiated daily deportation flights, signaling a dramatic escalation in its efforts to secure the U.S. border. Border Czar Tom Homan, a key architect of the administrations immigration enforcement strategy, announced the policy on ABCs This Week, emphasizing the need for congressional funding to sustain the mission. The administrations approach, which includes deploying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents into sanctuary cities and sensitive locations like schools and churches, marks a significant departure from previous enforcement practices. With over 500 arrests made on the first day of operations, the crackdown has reignited debates over immigration policy, public safety, and the role of federal enforcement in American communities. The administrations deportation strategy hinges on what Homan described as a force multiplier approach, leveraging military flights and expanded detention capacity to remove individuals in the country illegally. Homan revealed plans to add at least 100,000 detention center beds to accommodate the growing number of detainees, a move he said is critical to the missions success. Its sending a strong signal to the worldour borders closed, Homan told ABCs Martha Raddatz. The initial phase of deportations prioritizes individuals with criminal records or pending charges, but Homan made clear that no one in the country illegally is exempt from removal. If theyre in the country illegally, theyre coming too, he said. The policy has already led to arrests in sanctuary cities, where local governments have refused to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Homan criticized these jurisdictions, arguing that their policies endanger public safety by releasing individuals who could otherwise be detained in secure facilities. Sensitive locations no longer off-limits In a controversial shift, the administration has lifted restrictions on ICE arrests at sensitive locations, including schools, hospitals, and churches. Homan defended the policy, stating that ICE officers must have the discretion to apprehend threats wherever they are found. Were enforcing the laws Congress enacted and the president signed, he said. If they dont like it, change the law. The move has drawn sharp criticism from immigrant advocates and religious leaders, who argue that targeting sensitive locations undermines trust in public institutions and endangers vulnerable populations. However, Homan dismissed these concerns, framing the policy as a necessary measure to address national security threats. He cited the case of El Salvador, which initially refused to accept deported MS-13 gang members, as an example of the administrations resolve. It took President Trump just 18 hours to compel them to cooperate, Homan said. A mission of public safety and national security At the heart of the administrations strategy is a focus on removing individuals who pose a threat to public safety. Homan emphasized the human cost of inaction, pointing to the rise in human trafficking, drug smuggling, and violent crime as evidence of the need for aggressive enforcement. What price do you put on national security? What price do you put on these young ladies that have been raped and murdered and burned alive? he asked. The administrations efforts have already yielded tangible results, with daily deportation flights removing individuals deemed a threat to public safety. Homan expressed confidence in the missions success but stressed the need for congressional support to sustain and expand operations. Every day, our success is taking the public safety threat off the streets and getting the national security threat out of here, he said. For the latest on this issue, check out BorderSecurity.News. Sources include: Yournews.com ABCNews.go.com NaturalNews.com California proposes ballot initiative to secede, sparking debate on state independence A ballot initiative in California seeks to make the state a sovereign country, eligible for signature gathering. If signatures are successful, the initiative will appear on the November 2028 ballot, requiring 50 percent voter turnout and a 55 percent majority in favor. If passed, the measure would establish a commission to study California's independence, with an estimated $10 million for the election and commission formation and $2 million annually. Secession is deemed unconstitutional according to the Supreme Court's 1869 ruling in Texas v. White and would require a constitutional amendment approved by two-thirds of Congress and 38 states. Public response is mixed, with the initiative's proponents needing 546,651 valid signatures by July 22, potentially indicating its success or failure early on. A California ballot initiative seeking to make the Golden State its own sovereign country has been filed and is now eligible for signature gathering. If successful, the measure could reshape the political landscape of the United States, as it would ask voters whether California should leave the Union and become a free and independent nation. The initiative, set to appear on the November 2028 ballot if it secures the necessary signatures, poses a straightforward question: "Should California leave the United States and become a free and independent country?" The proposal, which requires a 50 percent voter turnout and a 55 percent majority in favor to pass, would symbolize a significant vote of no confidence in the U.S. government. "The idea of California seceding might seem far-fetched, but it reflects a growing sentiment that the state's interests are diverging from those of the federal government," said Dr. Sarah Martinez, a political science professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). "This initiative is a litmus test for just how much the people of California value their autonomy." According to the initiative's language, if passed, it would not immediately alter California's existing governance or relationship with the United States. Instead, it would establish a commission to study the feasibility of California's independence, estimating initial costs of $10 million for the election and commission formation, with an additional $2 million annually for ongoing operations. The concept of secession has a complex history in the United States, most notably during the Civil War when several Southern states seceded from the Union. While the Supreme Court, in the 1869 case of Texas v. White, ruled that secession was unconstitutional, the California initiative highlights the enduring tension between states' rights and federal authority. "The U.S. Constitution does not provide a legal pathway for states to secede," explained John Thompson, a constitutional law expert at Stanford Law School. "If California were to gain independence, it would require a constitutional amendment, which would necessitate the approval of two-thirds of Congress and 38 states." This constitutional hurdle presents a significant obstacle, given the current political climate and the need for bipartisan support. "Passing such an amendment would be a monumental task, to say the least," Thompson added. Public response and signature gathering As the initiative moves forward, public reaction has been mixed. Supporters argue that California's economic and cultural contributions warrant greater autonomy, while opponents stress the importance of national unity and the potential economic and political instability of a split. The initiative's proponents have until July 22 to gather 546,651 valid signatures. This process will be closely monitored by election officials and could provide early indicators of the measure's potential success. "Secession is not an easy path, but this initiative allows the people of California to express their feelings on the matter," said Maria Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the initiative's supporters. "It's about giving voice to the aspirations of the state." As the California ballot initiative moves towards the 2028 election, it serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing debates about state autonomy and national unity within the United States. Whether it will gain enough traction to appear on the ballot and secure the necessary votes remains to be seen. However, the mere proposal of such a measure underscores the complex and evolving dynamics of American federalism and the enduring question of what it means to be a state within a nation. (Related: California in crisis: Mike Adams forecasts five paths to state collapse.) Head over to Secession.news to read more about states wanting to formally withdraw from the United States. Watch the video below that talks about Texas' predicament during former President Joe Biden on whether to secede or nullify. This video is from the New American channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: TRANSCRIPT: Mike Adams and Michael Yon join The Duran live broadcast for deep analysis of Texas, secession and CIVIL WAR. TEXIT IN PROGRESS? Secession question to appear on Texas GOP primary ballot in 2024. 'I'm rooting for Texas!' Former Russian President Medvedev cheers on potential secession of U.S. states. Secession and break up coming? West Virginia resolution invites gun-persecuted Virginia counties to join the Mountaineer State. SMITH: Biden's presidency will be a catalyst for secession and perhaps civil war. Sources include: Breitbart.com KCRA.com Brighteon.com Californias liberal leadership fails as wildfires rage and fire trucks sit idle Over 75 fire trucks are sitting idle in a repair lot due to budget cuts and a lack of maintenance, leaving Los Angeles ill-prepared for the ongoing wildfires. Wildfires have burned over 23,000 acres and destroyed over 12,000 structures, displacing over 200,000 residents and leading to at least 25 deaths. The city allocates $1.3 billion annually to homeless programs while the LAFD faces budget cuts and understaffing, leading to a disconnect between public safety and social services. This crisis is part of a broader pattern of neglect, with California's leadership failing to adequately prepare for wildfires despite previous warnings and tragedies. The situation highlights the need for government accountability and a shift in priorities to ensure public safety, especially during severe wildfire seasons. Los Angeles is burning. As wildfires tear through Altadena, Pacific Palisades and Malibu, leaving a trail of destruction and displacing over 100,000 residents, the citys firefighting capabilities are crippled by a shocking lack of preparedness. At least 75 fire trucks sit idle in a repair lot, waiting for maintenance that may never come, while the city pours $1.3 billion annually into homeless programs. This is not just a failure of governanceits a dereliction of duty by Californias liberal leadership, whose misplaced priorities have left millions vulnerable to disaster. A city in crisis: Fire trucks gather dust while flames spread The images are staggering: rows of fire trucks and engines, lifeless and unused, parked in the Los Angeles Fire Departments Bureau of Supply and Maintenance lot. These vehicles, essential for battling the infernos ravaging the region, are sidelined due to budget cuts and a lack of mechanics. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley admitted to CNN, We have over 100 fire apparatus out of service. Having these apparatus, and the proper amount of mechanics, would have helped. The LAFDs budget was slashed by $17 million under Mayor Karen Bass, a decision that now seems catastrophically shortsighted. With wildfires consuming over 23,000 acres and more than 12,000 structures reduced to ash, the absence of these trucks is not just an inconvenienceits a matter of life and death. At least 25 people have already perished, and officials warn the death toll will rise. Homelessness vs. public safety: A budgetary mismatch While fire trucks gather dust, the city continues to allocate 1.3 billion annually to address homelessness. Captain Freddy Escobar, president of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles Union, highlighted the absurdity of this imbalance during a budget hearing earlier this year. Fifty percent of the fires we respond to come from our homeless population. And the city reportedly spends $1.3 billion each year on homeless programs, but the LAFD is scheduled to receive a cut? This makes absolutely no sense. The connection between homelessness and wildfires is undeniable. In 2023, the LAFD spent approximately $427 millionhalf its budgetresponding to fires linked to homeless encampments. A Los Angeles Times analysis found that more than half of all fires the department responds to are associated with homelessness. Yet, despite this clear correlation, the citys leadership has chosen to prioritize homeless services over public safety, leaving firefighters understaffed, underfunded and ill-equipped to handle the crisis at hand. A history of neglect: How did we get here? This isnt the first time Californias leadership has been caught flat-footed by wildfires. In 2018, the Camp Firethe deadliest wildfire in the states historykilled 85 people and destroyed the town of Paradise. Investigations revealed that Pacific Gas & Electric, the states largest utility, had neglected its infrastructure, leading to the fire. Yet, despite this tragic lesson, Californias leaders have failed to adequately prepare for future disasters. The LAFD has been sounding the alarm for years. In May 2024, Captain Escobar warned city officials that the department was direly understaffed and under-resourced. Someone will die, he predicted. His words now ring hauntingly true. The departments fleet is aging, with many vehicles surpassing their expected service life. In October 2024, the LAFD requested 96.5 million to replace its entire fleet and 1.9 million to restore 16 maintenance positions cut from the previous years budget. These requests were ignored, leaving the department with fewer than half its trucks operational during one of the worst wildfire seasons in recent memory. The human cost: Lives lost, communities destroyed The human toll of this mismanagement is devastating. Over 200,000 residents have been displaced, and entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble. The Palisades Fire alone has destroyed approximately 5,316 structures, while the Eaton Fire has burned more than 14,000 acres. Firefighters, already stretched thin, are battling exhaustion and despair as they work around the clock to contain the blazes. Councilwoman Traci Park, whose district includes the Pacific Palisades, has been vocal about the need for more funding. It just makes no sense to have million-dollar fire trucks and engines taken out of service and sidelined because we dont have enough mechanics to keep them running, she said during a budget hearing. Her warnings, like those of Captain Escobar, went unheeded. A call for accountability As Los Angeles burns, the question must be asked: How did Californias leadership allow this to happen? The states liberal policies, which prioritize social programs over public safety, have created a perfect storm of neglect and mismanagement. While homelessness is undoubtedly a pressing issue, it cannot come at the expense of basic public safety. The wildfires ravaging Los Angeles are a stark reminder of what happens when leaders fail to prioritize the needs of their citizens. The citys fire trucks sit idle, its firefighters are overwhelmed, and its residents are left to fend for themselves. This is not the California dreamits a nightmare of poor governance and misplaced priorities. As the flames continue to spread, one thing is clear: Californias leaders must be held accountable for their failures. The people of Los Angeles deserve better than this. They deserve a government that puts their safety first. Until then, the fires will keep burning, and the trucks will keep sitting idlea tragic symbol of a state in crisis. Sources include: NYPost.com HighlandCountyPress.com DailyMail.com News / National by Staff reporter A Chinese miner who shot a Zimbabwean who was allegedly stealing gold dump has been denied bail by a Gwanda magistrate.Xu Guoqing, 60, was arrested on January 22 after shooting 22-year-old Mthandazo Sibanda with a 9mm Derya pistol at Binnyup 5 Mine in Filabusi, Matabeleland South.Sibanda was shot from the back on his left buttock and the bullet exited on his upper right thigh, hitting his right hand as it did so.Guoqing applied for bail before Gwanda Regional Magistrate Sithembile Ndebele but the application was thrown out on Monday.The magistrate said Sibanda remained in a critical condition at the United Bulawayo Hospitals and the attempted murder charge Guoqing was facing could yet change to murder.Guoqing's lawyer Uukumetsi Matjaka Nare said after the hearing: "We intend to file an appeal against the denial of bail at the High Court."Nare said Guoqing fired warning shots to scare off Sibanda but the shooting victim was determined to run off with the gold dump, prompting the Chinese man to aim for his legs. CBP One app shutdown as mass deportations of illegal aliens begins And, for the majority of that time they gaslit the American people, lying consistently about the border crisis they created. Not only did they enable and encourage illegal immigration through government subsidies and incentives, they streamlined the process with an online app. (Article by Tyler Durden republished from ZeroHedge.com) The administration also acted to sabotage any border state that tried to take matters into their own hands. Texas, for example, faced lawsuits and interference from the National Guard because their border barriers were proving too effective. Governor Greg Abbott managed to reduce border encounters in Texas by 70% despite Biden's attempts at sabotage. Biden would later try to claim credit for that reduction in illegal crossings. Democrat controlled sanctuary cities worked in tandem with Biden to ensure that ICE agents would be unable to detain and deport migrants arrested or convicted of violent crimes. This led to dangerous drug dealers, rapists and murderers wandering the streets despite having arrest records a mile long. The leftists care more about "sticking it to conservatives" than keeping their communities safe from psychopaths. In a just world Joe Biden and his associates would all be thrown in prison today, but at least we have the pleasure of seeing the Democrats squirm as their agenda to saturate the US with illegals falls apart. Donald Trump has wasted no time and the mass deportations of migrants have begun. First and foremost, Trump has shut down the notorious CBP One app - This is the same app that Biden denied as being a factor in the surge of illegals applying for asylum. In reality, the app was perhaps the single most important tool used by migrants to game the system and gain entry into the US. Biden's revamped app streamlined the process like people were ordering amnesty on Amazon. After the app was shut down, border agents reported encounters with illegals dropped by nearly 50%. The establishment media has tried to paint the event as a travesty with tens of thousands of migrants stuck at the border. What they don't seem to understand is, this is exactly what the American public wanted to see. No more easy access to the US. Trump is reportedly sending at least 10,000 US military personnel to secure the border. All agencies involved have been given a free hand to arrest and deport illegals quickly and the "catch and release" policies of the Biden era are over. While the border situation is being rectified, ICE agents under the direction of "Iceman" Border Czar Tom Homan are now actively rounding up illegals already in the US, starting first with migrants that have criminal records and then working their way down to migrants that simply entered the US illegally. Skeptics that claimed Trump wouldn't follow through on his promise of mass deportations were wrong yet again, and the results so far have been glorious. Tom Homan's response to the criminal migrant who said he's "not going back to Haiti"? LMAO YOURE GOING BACK pic.twitter.com/AkBYubzXne Drew Hernandez (@DrewHLive) January 24, 2025 ICE agents report at least 500 arrests in their first day of operations. What is shocking is how many of these illegal aliens were set loose by Democrats despite the nature of their criminal records. Most are gang members, or they have committed sexual assaults and murders. Any illegals in the vicinity during these arrests are also being detained and deported. No criminal record is necessary; eventually they are all going away. The positive effects the deportations will have on the US are too many to count. Reduced crime is a given, but there is also the collateral benefit of less people taking up American homes and driving up housing prices. Not to mention, less migrant workers driving down wages and taking jobs from US citizens. To be sure, the Trump Administration has a long way to go to reverse the damage already done by Democrats, but with border laws finally being implemented there is a good chance that many illegals will self deport rather than wait around to be arrested. Read more at: ZeroHedge.com Dallas protesters rally against Trumps mass deportation plan Over 700 demonstrators gathered in Dallas to protest President Trump's immigration policies and recent ICE raids, which resulted in the arrest of 84 individuals across North Texas. Recent policy changes by the Department of Homeland Security have rescinded protections from immigration enforcement at sanctuary locations, causing significant concern among immigrant families and educators. Protesters emphasized the broader implications of Trump's policies, expressing fear that they could impact marginalized groups beyond the Hispanic community. The Dallas protest highlights the deep emotional and personal impact of immigration policies on communities across the country, with many protesters seeing the fight against mass deportations as a matter of family and survival. Approximately 700 demonstrators gathered near the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas on Sunday to protest President Donald Trump's immigration policies and the recent wave of ICE raids. The protest, which lasted for over seven hours, drew a diverse crowd united in their opposition to what they view as harmful and divisive measures targeting immigrant communities. The demonstration occurred as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted targeted raids across North Texas, resulting in the arrest of 84 individuals. The arrests took place in Dallas, Garland, Irving, Arlington, Fort Worth and Collin County, according to KERA. Despite frigid temperatures, the protesters remained steadfast, many wrapping themselves in blankets and Mexican flags. Chants of F*ck Donald Trump echoed through the West Dallas air, while honks of support from passing cars elicited cheers from the crowd. At one point, the demonstrators briefly took over parts of Singleton Boulevard, but they quickly returned to the sidewalks after a warning from Dallas Police. Jaqueline Castillo, a Dallas resident whose parents are undocumented, attended the rally to stand in solidarity with her family and community. "I am here for everyone who cant be, including my parents who mean the world to me," Castillo told the Observer. "Here together, it gives me strength." Policy changes spark concern For some attendees, the protest was a direct response to recent policy changes by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DHS has rescinded long-standing protections from immigration enforcement at "sanctuary" locations such as schools and churches. This change has caused significant concern among immigrant families and educators. Emma, a Dallas resident who preferred to use only her first name, expressed her outrage over the new policy. "They are children, how could they possibly have done anything to warrant that disruption to their education? I think its quite frankly fascist to have cops go into schools," she said. "We already have so much fear in our schools because of unregulated gun violence, and to now have to worry that the government is going to come in and take you away is heinous." Corinna Ramirez, another participant, emphasized the broader implications of Trump's policies. "It starts here, but it feels like it could snowball," she told the Observer. "Yes, right now were very focused on the Hispanic community, but its not just us. Its not just Hispanic brown people, its going to impact other brown people, and other marginalized groups. So if we can try to impede it as much as possible now, it would be a great start." The protest also drew counter-protesters, including one individual who carried a tall pole topped with an American flag and a sign reading "Mass Deportations Now." However, the overall atmosphere remained peaceful, with no reports of arrests or significant altercations. The current wave of protests and ICE raids is part of a larger, ongoing debate over immigration policy in the United States. President Trump's administration has taken a hardline stance on immigration, implementing a series of policies aimed at reducing illegal immigration and deporting criminal aliens. These policies have been met with both support and fierce opposition, with critics arguing that they are inhumane and exacerbate social divisions. The recent DHS policy change, which allows ICE agents to conduct arrests in schools and churches, has particularly inflamed tensions. Federal law requires public schools to serve all students regardless of immigration status, and the Migration Policy Institute estimates that over 650,000 undocumented children are currently enrolled in U.S. schools. As the debate continues, the Dallas protest underscores the deep emotional and personal impact of immigration policies on communities across the country. For many, the fight against mass deportations is not just a political issue but a matter of family and survival. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com DallasObserver.com WFAA.com EU pushing through with enforcement of censorship tool Digital Services Act The EU is expanding enforcement of the Digital Services Act, criticized as a censorship tool under the pretext of combating "hate speech." The DSA requires platforms to remove flagged "illegal content" within 24 hours, with vague definitions of "hate speech" left to EU bureaucrats and fact-checkers. The EU plans to double its DSA enforcement staff by 2025 and appoint local coordinators to ensure compliance, citing threats to democracy from tech companies aligning with Trumps anti-censorship stance. The DSAs broad reach allows content deemed illegal in one EU member state to be removed bloc-wide, targeting speech challenging government narratives or offending religious sensibilities. The EUs crackdown contrasts with the U.S., where platforms like X and Meta are rolling back censorship policies, highlighting a transatlantic divide on free speech values. Under the guise of combating "hate speech," the European Union is expanding its enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA), a controversial law critics have dubbed Europes censorship tool. The move comes as the bloc appears increasingly rattled by the shifting tides of global politics, particularly the resurgence of President Donald Trump and his anti-censorship stance, which has found support among major tech companies like X (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook). The DSA, passed in 2022, was marketed as a way to regulate Big Tech and protect users from harmful content. But it has only been used to silence dissent and control speech. The law requires platforms to remove illegal content, including so-called "hate speech," within 24 hours of being flagged. What constitutes "hate speech," however, is often left to the discretion of EU bureaucrats and their allies in fact-checking organizations. (Related: Trump signs executive order to end federal censorship and protect free speech.) European Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen recently declared that tech companies aligning with Trumps policies pose a direct threat to European democracy. To enforce the DSA, the EU is expanding its censorship apparatus. By the end of 2025, the Commission plans to double its staff dedicated to DSA enforcement, bringing the total to 200. Additionally, the bloc is enlisting "local coordinators" in member states to ensure compliance. These measures are framed as necessary to protect democracy. The DSAs reach is vast. The law not only applies to all EU-wide legislation but also incorporates national legislation from all member states. This means that content deemed illegal in one country whether for allegedly promoting hate, offending religious sensibilities or challenging government narratives can be removed across the entire bloc. EU cracking down on free speech as the U.S. moves in opposite direction The EU's crackdown on free speech is not happening in a vacuum. It comes at a time when the United States is moving in the opposite direction. Under the leadership of figures like Elon Musk, platforms like X are rolling back censorship policies and embracing free expression. Musks decision to reinstate previously banned users, including controversial figures, has drawn ire from European officials. Similarly, Meta has scaled back its content moderation efforts in the U.S., focusing only on the most severe violations, such as terrorism and child exploitation. This transatlantic divide highlights a fundamental difference in values. While the U.S. is reaffirming its commitment to free speech, the EU is doubling down on censorship. The contrast is stark: One side sees open discourse as essential to democracy, while the other views it as a threat to be neutralized. Watch this video discussing the expansion of the EU's censorship state. This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Europes war on FREE SPEECH is igniting a revolution, as populist movements demand truth, freedom and accountability. WEFs Global Risks Report 2025: Prioritizing disinformation over economic stability raises sovereignty concerns. Free speech under fire: Brian Festa defends constitutional rights in We The Patriots USAs lawsuits. Facebook drops fact-checkers, embraces free speech in major policy shift. Meta plans to cut 5% of workforce, shifts focus to AI and free speech. Sources include: ReclaimTheNet.com EuropeanConservative.com CNN.com Brighteon.com Harvard adopts controversial IHRA antisemitism definition to block debate over Israels genocidal actions in Gaza Harvard Universitys decision to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism sparks debate over free speech, criticism of Israel, and the conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Harvard settles lawsuit with Jewish students who accused pro-Palestine protesters of antisemitism. The IHRA definition, adopted by Harvard, has been criticized for conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism. The move comes amid nationwide campus protests against Israels war on Gaza and efforts to suppress dissent. Constitutional scholars argue the IHRA definition and related legislation threaten First Amendment rights and stifle legitimate political discourse. Harvard University chills student protests by unilaterally claiming their speech is antisemitic Harvard University has agreed to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, settling a lawsuit brought by Jewish students who alleged that pro-Palestine protests on campus in 2024 created a hostile environment. The decision, announced in May 2024, has reignited debates over free speech, the boundaries of political criticism, and the role of universities in navigating contentious geopolitical issues. The lawsuit, filed by the group Students Against Antisemitism in January 2024, accused Harvard of failing to protect Jewish students under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. The complaint specifically cited pro-Palestinian protests against Israels war on Gaza, which began after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, as a source of antisemitic rhetoric. As part of the settlement, Harvard agreed to incorporate the IHRA definition into its non-discrimination and anti-bullying policies, provide training on combating antisemitism, and use the definition when reviewing discrimination complaints. Marc Kasowitz, counsel for Students Against Antisemitism, praised the resolution, calling it a meaningful action to combat antisemitism, hate, and bias on college campuses. The new IHRA definition: a controversial framework The new IHRA definition, formulated in 2004 and published in 2005, was initially developed by antisemitism expert Kenneth Stern in collaboration with the American Jewish Committee. While it has been adopted by numerous governments and institutions, including the U.S. under both the Trump and Biden administrations, it has faced significant criticism for its broad application. Constitutional scholars argue that the IHRA definition conflates antisemitism with criticism of Israel, particularly its policies toward Palestinians. The definition includes examples such as claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor and applying double standards by requiring of [Israel] a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation. These provisions, critics say, risk stifling legitimate political discourse and equating anti-Zionismopposition to Israels existence as a Jewish statewith antisemitism. Harvards decision comes amid a wave of protests on college campuses across the U.S., where students have mobilized against Israels war on Gaza, which has killed more than 46,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities. Many of these protests have called for universities to divest from companies profiting from the conflict, echoing the divestment campaigns of the 1980s against South African apartheid. However, these protests have often been met with harsh responses from university administrations, including the deployment of police to dismantle encampments and the implementation of new speech guidelines. In August 2024, New York University declared Zionists a protected class, further fueling concerns about the suppression of pro-Palestinian voices. "Antisemitism Awareness Act" seeks to outlaw criticism against Israel's genocidal actions The Antisemitism Awareness Act, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in May 2024, represents the latest effort to codify the IHRA definition into federal law. The bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in October 2023 by Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of lawmakers. It passed the House on May 1, 2024, with a vote of 320-91, with significant bipartisan support. Critics argue that the bill, which is now moving to the Senate, is part of a broader strategy to criminalize anti-Israel sentiments and shield Israel from criticism. This time around, attacks against the First Amendment are supported by several members of both political parties. Congress may actually decide to shred the First Amendment all to protect the genocide taking place in Gaza. Sources include: MiddleEastEye.net Kasowitz.com MiddleEastEye.net Nonprofit REACT19 raises $1 Million in grants for COVID-19 vaccine injuries, as millions of people wait for government compensation The nonprofit React19 has awarded over 1 million in grants to individuals injured by COVID-19 vaccines, exposing the inadequacies of the federal governments vaccine compensation program. The U.S. Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) has paid out only $440,000 for COVID-19-related injuries since its inception in October 2009. Meanwhile grassroots nonprofit organizations like React19s are stepping in to do what pharmaceutical companies should be doing - helping meet the needs of vaccine-injured individuals. REACT19 nonprofit stepping up to do what vaccine companies should be doing REACT19, founded by individuals who experienced adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines, has become a lifeline for thousands awaiting recognition and financial support. React19s efforts come as the CICP faces a surge in claims, with over 13,000 COVID-19-related submissions since the vaccine rollout 27 times the number of claims received in the programs first decade. Even these claims represent a small fraction of the total number of individuals injured by COVID-19 vaccines, flu vaccines, HPV vaccines, among many other injections. React19 was established as a community for people injured by the shots in the wake of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. We found each other through our common struggle, the organizations website states. Its CareFund, which provides financial assistance for medical treatments and therapies, has now distributed over $1 million to vaccine-injured individuals. Joel Wallskog, React19s co-chairman and an orthopedic surgeon who was injured by Modernas vaccine, emphasized the significance of the milestone. Reaching this milestone is both a testament to the generosity of our donors and a sobering reminder of the systemic failure to adequately support COVID-19 vaccine-injured patients, Wallskog said in a press release. We will not rest until every injured individual receives the recognition, care, and compensation they deserve. Government's CICP program only compensates 3% of vaccine injury claims The organizations success in responding to the needs of vaccine-injured individuals contrasts sharply with the CICPs struggles. According to a January 2024 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the CICP has reviewed only a quarter of the COVID-19 claims submitted since the vaccine rollout. Of the 13,824 total claims reviewed including non-COVID-19 cases only 92, or 3%, were deemed eligible for compensation. Because of its reported failures, millions of people have not bothered to waste their time begging the government for help. The CICP, established in 2009 to compensate individuals injured by countermeasures such as vaccines, has been overwhelmed by the volume of COVID-19 claims. The GAO report cited staffing shortages, outdated information processing systems, and limited medical and scientific evidence as key obstacles to timely claim reviews. Mary Denigan-Macauley, GAOs Health Care Director, noted that the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which oversees the CICP, has taken steps to address these issues. They hired and contracted additional staff to expand capacity and launched a web portal and new software to help with claim submissions and status updates, Denigan-Macauley told The Defender. HRSA also developed a medical report template to streamline the review process. Despite these efforts, the CICPs progress remains slow. As of December 2024, only 3% of COVID-19 claims had been approved for compensation, with most denied due to insufficient medical records, failure to meet the standard of proof, or missed filing deadlines. The program's strict guidelines are rigged to deny the existence of obvious vaccine injuries. To make matters worse, the compensation pool is wholly inadequate to address the real-life medical needs of individuals, especially those who lost their loved ones to the vaccines. For individuals like Doug Cameron, an Idaho rancher who developed paralysis 10 days after receiving Johnson & Johnsons COVID-19 vaccine, the delays are deeply personal. Cameron and his wife, Carla, submitted a CICP claim in January 2022. Nearly two years later, their claim remains unresolved. Yeah, its still sitting on somebodys desk for medical review, Carla Cameron told The Defender in November 2024. Her frustration echoes that of thousands of others awaiting answers and support. A call for systemic reform React19s grants, while significant, are only a stopgap measure. The nonprofit acknowledges that its CareFund is critically underfunded relative to the scale of need. There are thousands of individuals still waiting for help, the organization stated. React19s milestone exposes the urgent need for systemic reform in how vaccine injuries are addressed. The CICPs limitationsits narrow eligibility criteria, stringent deadlines, and reliance on evolving scientific evidencehave left many without recourse. As grassroots efforts like React19 fill the void, advocates argue that the government and pharmaceutical companies must do more to support those injured by COVID-19 vaccines. This milestone highlights the stark inadequacies of the U.S. governments Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program, TrialSiteNews reported. React19s efforts underscore the urgent need for alternative mechanisms to address systemic neglect of vaccine-injured patients. Until then, churches and other charitable organizations must step up to meet the needs of those who were misled by governments and pharmaceutical giants. To help out victims of vaccine injury, contact React19.org. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org React19.org OpenVAERS.com HSRA.gov Russian forces seize Velyka Novosilka, exposing Ukraines manpower crisis Russian forces captured Velyka Novosilka, a key Ukrainian defensive hub in southern Donbas, marking a critical turning point in the conflict. The loss exposes Ukraines weakening frontlines and raises concerns about its ability to sustain resistance against Russias advance. Ukraine faces a severe manpower shortage and dwindling Western support, leaving it vulnerable to Russias overwhelming troop numbers. Russias attrition strategy, prioritizing gradual territorial gains, has proven effective in eroding Ukraines defenses. The fall of Velyka Novosilka complicates peace talks and underscores Ukraines precarious position as the war drags on. In a significant blow to Ukraines defensive efforts, Russian forces have officially seized the strategic town of Velyka Novosilka in the southern Donbas region, marking a critical turning point in the ongoing conflict. The fall of this key defensive hub, confirmed by Ukrainian officials on Sunday, underscores the growing challenges Kyiv faces as it struggles with a dire manpower shortage and dwindling Western support. The loss of Velyka Novosilka not only exposes Ukraines weakening frontlines but also raises questions about the sustainability of its resistance against Russias relentless advance. A strategic disaster for Ukraine Velyka Novosilka, located just 15 kilometers from the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, was one of Ukraines last major strongholds in the southern Donbas region. Its capture by Russian forces follows weeks of intense fighting and a tactical withdrawal by Ukrainian troops to avoid encirclement. While Ukraines 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade claimed the retreat was a strategic maneuver to minimize losses, Russian footage of troops raising flags in the town center suggests a decisive victory for Moscow. The loss of Velyka Novosilka is particularly devastating because it opens a direct path for Russian forces to push further into central Ukraine. Analysts have long warned that the towns fall would leave Ukrainian defenses in the region dangerously thin. This development comes on the heels of Ukraines earlier retreat from Vuhledar, another key defensive position, which Kyiv initially dismissed as unimportant but has since proven to be a costly miscalculation. Ukraines manpower problem The fall of Velyka Novosilka highlights a grim reality for Ukraine: Its military is running out of soldiers. In the early stages of the war, Ukraine relied heavily on Western mercenaries, NATO weapons, and financial aid to bolster its defenses. However, that support has dried up over the past 18 months, leaving Kyiv to face Russias overwhelming manpower advantage alone. Our units, using the weather conditions, skillfully withdrew from areas where there was a threat of encirclement, the 110th Brigade stated on Telegram. This does not mean that we have completely left the city, the fighting in Velyka Novosilka continues. All actions are aimed at minimizing our own losses and maximum damage to the enemy. Despite these claims, the brigade acknowledged that Russian forces hold a significant edge in troop numbers, a disadvantage Ukraine cannot easily overcome. Russias attrition strategy pays off Russias capture of Velyka Novosilka is a testament to its effective use of attrition warfare, a strategy that prioritizes grinding down enemy forces over swift territorial gains. This approach has allowed Moscow to steadily erode Ukraines defenses, despite initial setbacks in 2022. The Kremlins patience and willingness to absorb heavy casualties have paid off, as evidenced by its recent territorial advances. The fall of Velyka Novosilka also complicates the prospects of peace talks, which the Trump administration has been attempting to broker. Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to agree to any deal that requires relinquishing control of the Donbas, a region Moscow now firmly dominates. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains resistant to negotiations, clinging to the hope that Western nations will eventually deploy troops to the frontlinesa scenario that seems increasingly unlikely as public support for the war wanes in the U.S. and Europe. A bleak outlook for Ukraine The loss of Velyka Novosilka is more than just a tactical defeat; it is a stark reminder of Ukraines precarious position. With its manpower dwindling and Western aid uncertain, Kyiv faces an uphill battle to hold its remaining territory. The fall of this strategic town not only strengthens Russias grip on the Donbas but also raises the specter of further losses as Moscow continues its relentless offensive. As the war drags on, the question is no longer whether Ukraine can win but how much more it can endure. The fall of Velyka Novosilka is a sobering reminder that, without a significant shift in strategy or support, Ukraines fight for survival is becoming increasingly untenable. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com TheGuardian.com EuroNews.com Russias Oreshnik Missile threat: a new challenge to U.S. aircraft carriers and the future of naval warfare The Russian hypersonic ballistic missile, Oreshnik, poses a significant threat to U.S. aircraft carriers due to its multiple warhead capability and saturation effect. Aircraft carriers, while critical for power projection and military operations, are increasingly vulnerable to advanced missile technologies. The cost disparity between hypersonic missiles and aircraft carriers raises questions about the financial and strategic viability of maintaining large naval platforms. The emergence of hypersonic missiles like Oreshnik could reshape the future of naval warfare and force a reassessment of traditional military strategies. The role of aircraft carriers in modern warfare In the ever-evolving landscape of modern warfare, the emergence of advanced missile technologies has sparked a critical debate about the future of one of the most iconic symbols of naval power: the aircraft carrier. The Russian hypersonic ballistic missile, Oreshnik, has recently captured the attention of military analysts and strategists worldwide. With its ability to carry multiple warheads and overwhelm defenses, Oreshnik poses a formidable challenge to U.S. aircraft carriers, raising questions about their continued relevance in an era of rapidly advancing weaponry. This development comes at a time when aircraft carriers remain indispensable for power projection, humanitarian missions, and maintaining global influence. But as hypersonic missiles like Oreshnik become more sophisticated, the vulnerabilities of these massive naval platforms are becoming increasingly apparent. Aircraft carriers have long been the cornerstone of naval strategy, serving as mobile airbases capable of projecting power across vast distances. These floating fortresses enable nations to maintain air superiority, conduct precision strikes, gather intelligence, and coordinate complex military operations. Their ability to deploy a diverse array of aircraftfrom fighter jets to reconnaissance dronesmakes them invaluable in regions where land-based infrastructure is unavailable or inaccessible. Beyond their military utility, aircraft carriers also play a pivotal role in humanitarian missions, such as disaster relief and evacuation operations, while serving as potent symbols of national strength and influence. However, the sheer complexity and cost of maintaining these behemoths cannot be overlooked. The latest U.S. aircraft carriers, such as the Ford-class, come with a price tag of approximately $10 billion, not including the ongoing expenses for maintenance, crew training, and logistics. These platforms also rely heavily on accompanying fleets of destroyers, submarines, and support ships to ensure their protection in high-risk zones. Despite these safeguards, the advent of new technologies, such as hypersonic missiles and autonomous underwater systems, has exposed vulnerabilities that could render aircraft carriers increasingly obsolete in high-intensity conflicts. The Oreshnik Missile: a game-changer in naval warfare The Oreshnik hypersonic missile represents a significant leap in missile technology, combining speed, precision, and a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) capability. This allows the missile to deploy several warheads simultaneously, creating a saturation effect that can overwhelm even the most advanced defense systems. Recent reports of Oreshniks use in Ukraine, where it targeted a factory in Dnipro, have underscored its destructive potential and reignited debates about the future of traditional naval platforms. For aircraft carriers, the implications are dire. Modern defense systems, such as the Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) and anti-missile interceptors, are designed to neutralize incoming threats. However, these systems have limited capacity, and a saturation attack from Oreshnik could easily exceed their defensive capabilities. Even if not all warheads hit their mark, a single successful strike could cripple critical systems, such as navigation, communication, or aviation decks, forcing the carrier to retreat for repairs and effectively removing it from operational status. The strategic goal of Oreshnik may not be to destroy an aircraft carrier outright but to neutralize its combat effectiveness. A strike on the flight deck, for instance, could render the carriers aircraft unusable, severely limiting its ability to project power. Similarly, targeting supply and ammunition storage areas could create logistical challenges, compelling the ship to withdraw due to shortages. In the event of a nuclear strike, even a smaller warhead could cause irreparable damage through radiation and thermal effects, rendering the carrier non-operational for an extended period. Cost and strategic implications The financial disparity between hypersonic missiles and aircraft carriers further complicates the debate. While a single Oreshnik missile is estimated to cost around 40.3million, the production and maintenance of an aircraft carrier can exceed 10 billion over its 50-year lifespan. This stark contrast raises questions about the economic viability of investing in large naval platforms when cheaper, more effective alternatives are available. Hypersonic missiles like Oreshnik offer a cost-efficient means of neutralizing high-value targets, providing nations with smaller military budgets the ability to challenge traditional naval powers. This shift could lead to a reevaluation of global military strategies, as nations balance the need for power projection with the realities of modern warfare. The rise of hypersonic technology also highlights the importance of innovation and adaptability in maintaining a competitive edge on the battlefield. Sources include: BulgarianMilitary.com X.com Enoch, Brighteon.ai Trump administration prepares crackdown on illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities The Trump administration is preparing a nationwide operation targeting illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities like Chicago and New York, starting as early as January 21. The raids, described as a "big fking operation," will involve hundreds of ICE agents and mark a significant shift from the Biden administration's more restrained approach. Led by border czar Tom Homan, the operation prioritizes the arrest and deportation of illegal immigrants who pose public safety risks. However, Homan has emphasized that no one in the country illegally is exempt, signaling a return to aggressive enforcement. Sanctuary cities, which limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, are central to the operation. These cities, including Chicago and New York, have been criticized for creating safe havens for illegal immigrants, with critics arguing that such policies undermine federal law and endanger public safety. The raids face significant logistical hurdles, including detention capacity and the complexities of detaining individuals with deep community ties. Politically, sanctuary cities have vowed to resist, and legal battles over federal jurisdiction and funding are expected. The raids are part of a wider Trump administration plan to reverse Biden-era immigration policies, including scrapping the CBP One app. While supporters see the operation as restoring law and order, critics view it as a polarizing escalation in the immigration debate. In a bold move signaling a dramatic shift in immigration enforcement, President Donald Trump's administration is preparing to launch a sweeping operation targeting illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities across the nation. Dubbed by insiders as a "big fking operation," the multi-day raids are set to begin as early as January 21. Cities like Chicago and New York, long criticized for their refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, will be the primary focus of this aggressive crackdown. The operation, spearheaded by Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, aims to prioritize the arrest and deportation of illegal immigrants who pose a threat to public safety. Homan, a seasoned immigration enforcement official, has vowed to "take the handcuffs off ICE" and allow agents to enforce immigration. While the administration has emphasized targeting criminals first, Homan has made it clear that no one in the country illegally is off the table. (Related: Sanctuary cities on notice: Trump ally's legal group targets officials for violating immigration laws.) Sanctuary cities, which have adopted policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities, have long been a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration. These cities, including Chicago and New York, have refused to detain or share information about illegal immigrants with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), effectively creating safe havens for those who have entered the country unlawfully. Critics argue that these policies undermine federal law and endanger public safety by shielding individuals who may have criminal records. The upcoming raids are expected to involve hundreds of ICE agents, with as many as 200 officers deployed to Chicago alone. The operation will mark a stark departure from the Biden administrations approach, which significantly scaled back large-scale immigration enforcement actions. Under Biden, ICE focused primarily on individuals with serious criminal histories, leaving many low-level offenders untouched. The Trump administration, however, has signaled a return to a more robust enforcement strategy, with Homan promising to "concentrate on the worst first" but warning that "no one's off the table." To prepare for the operation, some ICE offices have reportedly paused routine arrests to free up space in detention centers for the anticipated influx of detainees. This logistical maneuver underscores the scale of the planned raids, which could be the largest in recent memory. While the exact number of individuals targeted remains unclear, the operation is expected to send a strong message to sanctuary cities and illegal immigrants alike: the Trump administration means business. Trump administration determined to make good on its campaign promises The decision to focus on Chicago is particularly notable. The city has been a frequent target of conservative criticism for its progressive immigration policies and its ongoing feud with the Trump administration. In December, Homan singled out Chicago during a speech to local Republicans, accusing Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker of failing to protect their citizens by refusing to cooperate with federal authorities. The raids are just one piece of a broader immigration agenda that the Trump administration plans to roll out. In addition to the enforcement actions, the administration intends to scrap the Biden-era CBP One app, a program that allowed nearly a million migrants to schedule their border crossings. This move, along with the planned raids, underscores the administration's commitment to reversing what it sees as the failures of the Biden administration's immigration policies. While the Trump administration's plans have been met with enthusiasm by immigration hawks, they are likely to face significant challenges. Sanctuary cities have already vowed to resist federal efforts, with Chicago officials reiterating that local police will not assist ICE in enforcing immigration laws. Legal battles over federal funding and jurisdiction are almost certain to follow, as are protests from immigrant advocacy groups and civil rights organizations. Moreover, the logistical and financial hurdles of carrying out mass deportations on the scale envisioned by the Trump administration cannot be overstated. Past efforts to conduct large-scale raids have yielded mixed results, with some operations netting far fewer arrests than anticipated. The administration will also need to navigate the complexities of detaining and deporting individuals, many of whom have deep ties to their communities and families, including U.S.-born children. Despite these challenges, the Trump administration appears determined to make good on its campaign promises to crack down on illegal immigration. Visit Migrants.news for more stories like this. Watch as Tom Homan explains how illegal immigrants are gaming the system. This video is from the Newsclips channel on Brighteon.com. More related: Washington Democrats introduce legislation prohibiting child care workers from reporting illegal immigrants to federal authorities. 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 Trumps inauguration. Tom Homan calls for weekly White House deportation briefings to update the public. Sources are: NYPost.com NYTimes.com Newsbreak.com Brighteon.com A new dawn at the border: Trump administration shuts down CBP One, begins mass deportations The Trump administration terminated the CBP One app, which previously facilitated appointments for migrants at border crossings. This move has resulted in a 50% drop in encounters with illegal immigrants at the border. The administration has launched a series of mass deportations, targeting illegal immigrants, especially those with criminal records. ICE agents have already made over 500 arrests in their first day of operations. At least 10,000 U.S. military personnel have been deployed to assist Border Patrol agents, detain illegal immigrants and support the construction of additional border barriers. The shutdown of the CBP One app effectively eliminates the right to seek asylum at the border, even for those facing danger. The administration anticipates reduced crime, lower housing prices and a more stable job market as a result of its border security measures, reflecting a shift towards stricter immigration policies. In a decisive move to secure the nation's southern border, the Trump administration has shut down the controversial CBP One app and launched a series of mass deportations, marking a significant reversal of the previous administration's policies. This action comes as a welcome relief to many Americans who have long been concerned about the surge of illegal immigration under the Biden administration. The fall of CBP One: A symbol of unchecked immigration For four years, the Biden administration's policies enabled and encouraged a massive influx of illegal immigrants, overwhelming the border and straining local resources. One of the primary tools facilitating this influx was the CBP One app, which allowed migrants to schedule appointments at border crossings and streamlined the process of entering the United States. The app, which processed nearly 1 million people, was effectively a digital gateway for illegal immigration. President Donald Trump, in his first executive order, terminated the use of CBP One, a move that has already shown immediate results. Border agents report a nearly 50% drop in encounters with illegal immigrants since the app's shutdown. This dramatic reduction underscores the app's role in the previous administration's facilitation of illegal entry. "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 declared during his inauguration, to thunderous applause. Mass deportations: Restoring law and order The Trump administration has wasted no time in implementing its hardline immigration policies. Within days of taking office, the administration has begun mass deportations, focusing first on those with criminal records. Border Czar Tom Homan, known for his tough stance on immigration, has led the effort, directing ICE agents to round up and deport illegal immigrants, starting with those convicted of violent crimes. "Prior to its elimination, the CBP One appointment process allowed 1,450 migrants per day to seek asylum. As a result of the appointment process's 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," court documents state. Despite the legal challenges, the Trump administration remains resolute in its mission to secure the border and enforce immigration laws. ICE agents have already reported over 500 arrests in their first day of operations, many of which involve individuals with extensive criminal records. "We are not just targeting the worst of the worst; we are targeting anyone who has entered the country illegally," Homan stated. "No criminal record is necessary; eventually, they are all going away." Securing the border: A multifaceted approach To bolster border security, Trump has deployed at least 10,000 U.S. military personnel to the southern border. These troops are tasked with assisting Border Patrol agents, detaining illegal immigrants and supporting the construction of additional border barriers. The military's involvement signals a significant escalation in the administration's commitment to securing the border. "The fundamental promise of asylumthat someone fleeing danger can present themselves to U.S. officials to seek safetyremained intact in one form or another. With these executive actions, asylum, in that form, is dead," reads an analysis from the American Immigration Council. However, for many Americans, the restoration of law and order at the border is a long-awaited and necessary step. The positive effects of these actions are expected to be far-reaching. Reduced crime, lower housing prices and a more stable job market are among the anticipated benefits. "This is exactly what the American public wanted to see," said a border agent who wished to remain anonymous. "No more easy access to the US. It's a new dawn at the border." Historical context: A crisis long in the making The border crisis under the Biden administration was not an isolated event but the culmination of years of failed policies. The previous administration's efforts to sabotage state-led initiatives, such as Texas Governor Greg Abbott's border barriers, and the undermining of ICE's ability to deport criminal aliens, contributed to the chaos at the border. In a just world, the architects of this crisis would face legal consequences. However, the Trump administration's swift and decisive actions offer a glimmer of hope to those who have long advocated for a secure border and the rule of law. As the Trump administration continues to implement its immigration policies, the focus remains on restoring order and protecting the safety and prosperity of the American people. The road ahead may be fraught with legal and logistical challenges, but the determination to secure the border and uphold the law is unwavering. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com ABCNews.com WOLA.org Trump urges European Union to speed up process of deregulating blocs private sector President Donald Trump urged the European Union to deregulate and enhance private sector competition during his video message at the World Economic Forum, warning that its regulatory environment stifles trade and innovation. Trump called on global corporations to invest in U.S. manufacturing, threatening tariffs on nations that fail to comply, reinforcing his "America First" agenda. Business leaders at Davos echoed Trumps call, emphasizing the urgency for the EU to deregulate to remain competitive as the U.S. rapidly rolls back regulations. EU officials are exploring regulatory simplification rather than full deregulation, focusing on streamlining processes while maintaining climate and antitrust priorities. Industry leaders warned that Europes lag in technology adoption and slow regulatory reforms could result in trillions in lost GDP and deter foreign investment. President Donald Trump has called for the European Union to accelerate the process of deregulation and boost private sector competition. Trump made this demand of the EU during his recent video message to the delegates at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Speaking on Jan. 23, Trump warned that the EUs regulatory environment is stifling trade and innovation. He further called on European and global corporations to invest in and move their manufacturing to the United States, or else their home nations may face additional tariffs. (Related: Trump's America First policies rattle globalist elites, threaten WEF's "Great Reset" agenda.) Business leaders have come out in support of Trump, emphasizing the need for the EU to act swiftly to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy. Trumps remarks at the WEF underscored his administrations commitment to reducing corporate regulations, a key campaign promise that has already seen significant rollbacks in sectors like oil and gas. The European Union has treated the U.S. very badly, Trump said, adding that the bloc makes it very difficult to get products into Europe. Business leaders at Davos acknowledged the urgency of addressing EU competitiveness. Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management, a subsidiary of Norway's central bank that helps manage the country's government pension fund, noted that the U.S. is moving quickly to deregulate, making it imperative for Europe to follow suit. "They're rolling back regulations in the U.S. fast, so it makes it more important to do (so) in Europe," Tangen said. "I think there is a willingness and ability to move forward with speed [but] we'd like to see that in action we havent seen that so much yet," said Erik Ekudden, chief technology officer at Swedish tech giant Ericsson. "We need to move fast Europe [does not] lack ideas, its an issue of implementation," commented Belen Garijo, CEO of the Merck Group in Germany. EU taking tentative steps toward simplifying its rules for businesses The EU has long grappled with balancing regulation and competitiveness. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi have repeatedly highlighted the need for innovation and reduced bureaucracy. Yet, progress has been hindered by disagreements among member states on issues ranging from energy policy to capital markets reform. Amid this mounting pressure from Trump, EU officials have publicly expressed how they are exploring ways to simplify regulations rather than move forward with full-blown deregulation, especially since the bloc's government seems unwilling to compromise its decarbonization agenda. European Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera, head of the bloc's climate transition program, said that the goal has always been working to streamline business processes. "The engagement is not to deregulate, but to simplify," Ribera said, adding that overlapping rules and varying timelines across member states create unnecessary complexity. Ribera also pointed to merger rules as an area for reform, suggesting that EU antitrust enforcers focus on the most significant cases while expediting others that meet certain guidelines. "In many other aspects mergers can take place without such an in-depth assessment coming from the competition authorities," she said. The stakes are high for Europe. Merck's Garijo warned that the bloc's lag in technologies like AI could cost trillions in lost GDP. Joe Kaeser, chairman of Siemens Energy, stressed the need for decisive action. "People are tired of listening to the same old story what happens in the next 100 days, in the next two years? said Joe Kaeser, chairman of Siemens Energy, stressing the need for decisive action. If those questions are not being answered nobody outside Europe will invest [in Europe]." Watch this clip featuring multiple finance industry leaders discussing how Trump's proposals for deregulating the private sector will be greatly beneficial. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Europe's war on FREE SPEECH is igniting a revolution, as populist movements demand truth, freedom and accountability. World Economic Forum lays out guidelines for public-private collaboration globally, paving the way for censorship and digital IDs. Trump faces economic crisis: Inflation, debt and a faltering job market threaten America's future. The average government employee DESTROYS 138 JOBS every calendar year. Europe is again on the brink of financial Armageddon. This time it may not step back. Economists warn incoming Trump administration risks turning bullish stock market into a risky BUBBLE. Sources include: Reuters.com FT.com Brighteon.com News / National by Staff reporter Former Bulawayo South MP Nicola Watson has accused Zanu-PF of orchestrating Sengezo Tshabangu's controversial recalls of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members to serve its political agenda, including plans to amend the constitution to extend presidential term limits under its Vision 2030 strategy.Speaking at the Bulawayo Media Centre on Wednesday evening, Watson claimed Tshabangu's actions disrupted the parliamentary balance of power, which had initially denied Zanu-PF a two-thirds majority following the 2023 elections."Tshabangu's legitimacy came from Zanu-PF's support. The CCC had effectively blocked a two-thirds majority, but these recalls shifted the dynamics in Zanu-PF's favour, enabling them to push their agenda," Watson said.After declaring himself the CCC interim secretary-general, Tshabangu orchestrated recalls of elected CCC MPs, councillors, and senators. This prompted by-elections that allowed Zanu-PF to regain strategic seats, reinforcing its parliamentary dominance.Watson described Tshabangu as a tool in a broader strategy to weaken the opposition."This was a well-calculated move by Zanu-PF to destabilise CCC. Nelson Chamisa distanced himself from the party when it became clear it had been infiltrated," she explained, further criticising the judiciary for failing to address Tshabangu's legitimacy."To this day, the courts have not tested Tshabangu's legal standing. The case remains unresolved, leaving the opposition in disarray," Watson said.She pointed to a recent publicised farm visit where Tshabangu appeared alongside President Emmerson Mnangagwa as evidence of collusion."The farm visit was the final proof of this charade. It was designed to project a false narrative of opposition cooperation with Zanu-PF," Watson alleged.Beyond the recalls, Watson criticised both the ruling party and opposition for failing to deliver tangible results for Zimbabweans."Government is not a business; it's about serving the people. Right now, neither Zanu-PF nor the opposition is addressing the needs of citizens," she said.Watson questioned the government's touted infrastructure projects, such as the Gwayi-Shangani Dam and Hwange Power Station expansions, arguing they came at an enormous cost."Yes, Gwayi-Shangani has made some progress, but what are the long-term costs? Hwange 7 and 8 were funded by huge Chinese loans, and we don't know the terms or the repayment status. This debt will burden future generations," she said.Watson also highlighted ongoing electricity issues, pointing to ZESA's inefficiencies and persistent power outages."Despite these projects, we still endure 11 to 18-hour power cuts. The energy crisis remains unresolved," she noted.In light of CCC's fragmentation, Watson introduced a potential new political movement, the Democratic Alternative, as a platform to restore democracy in Zimbabwe."CCC has been destroyed by Tshabangu's actions. The Democratic Alternative is in its early stages, but it offers hope for true democracy, not autocracy," she said.Watson ended by reaffirming her commitment to democratic principles, urging Zimbabweans to seek a political future rooted in accountability and service."This is not about aligning with any party. It's about creating a platform for real democracy," she concluded. Trump takes on Bank of America: Holding corporate giants accountable for conservative exclusion President Trump accused Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan of excluding conservatives from banking services during a live Q&A session at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Bank of America has faced multiple allegations of discriminating against conservatives and the firearms industry, with claims that account closures are based on political or religious beliefs. The bank denied any political bias, stating they follow extensive government rules and regulations and do not close accounts for political reasons. The issue reflects a cultural and ideological battle over corporate roles in American society, with critics arguing that banks under pressure from activists and regulators are alienating conservative customers. Trumps public confrontation is seen as a call for financial institutions to stop discriminating against Americans based on their political or religious beliefs. In a dramatic moment at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, President Donald Trump delivered a powerful rebuke to Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan, accusing the financial giant of systematically excluding conservatives from its services. The confrontation, which unfolded during a live Q&A session with corporate leaders, underscored a growing rift between conservative Americans and the nations largest financial institutions. Trump, speaking via satellite, did not mince words. I hope you start opening your bank to conservatives, because many conservatives complain that the banks are not allowing them to do business within the bank, and that included a place called Bank of America what youre doing is wrong, Trump declared. He also suggested that the Biden administration may have played a role in the alleged discrimination, stating, I dont know if the regulators mandated that because of Biden or what. The presidents remarks struck a chord with conservatives who have long accused major banks of engaging in woke capitalism, shutting out individuals and organizations based on their political or religious beliefs. A history of alleged discrimination Bank of America, one of the largest financial institutions in the world, has faced multiple allegations of discriminating against conservatives in recent years. In 2020, the Timothy Two Project International, a Christian organization focused on training pastors, received a letter from Bank of America stating that its account would be closed within 30 days. Steve Curtis, the organizations founder, told "FOX & Friends First" that the bank provided no clear explanation, only stating that the group was engaged in a type of business that they had chosen not to service. Similarly, a 2024 report by the American Accountability Foundation accused Bank of America and other Wall Street banks of discriminating against the firearms industry, cutting off services to manufacturers, retailers and organizations representing lawful gun owners. These allegations have fueled concerns that financial institutions are using their power to advance a progressive agenda at the expense of conservative values. Bank of Americas response In response to Trumps accusations, a Bank of America spokesperson denied any political bias, stating, We serve more than 70 million clients and we welcome conservatives. We are required to follow extensive government rules and regulations that sometimes result in decisions to exit client relationships. We never close accounts for political reasons and dont have a political litmus test. JPMorgan Chase, another bank mentioned by Trump, also denied the allegations. A spokesperson said, We would never close an account for political reasons, full stop. We follow the law and guidance from our regulators and have long said there are problems with the current framework that Washington must address. Despite these denials, the issue of de-banking conservatives has gained traction among Republican lawmakers and state attorneys general. In 2023, attorneys general from 15 states sent a letter condemning Bank of Americas alleged discriminatory behavior toward customers based on their religious and political beliefs. The broader implications Trumps confrontation with Moynihan is more than just a political spatit reflects a broader cultural and ideological battle over the role of corporations in American society. Critics argue that banks, under pressure from progressive activists and regulators, have increasingly adopted policies that alienate conservative customers. Greg Baer, president and CEO of the Bank Policy Institute, acknowledged the problem, stating, Much de-banking occurs as a result of an anti-money laundering and reputational risk regime administered by the federal banking agencies. He expressed hope that the Trump administration would work to address these issues, enabling banks to serve a wider range of customers. Raymond James analyst Ed Mills noted that Trumps comments could signal a shift in regulatory priorities. These comments could be early indicators that expansion of their business to cover some of his preferred industries would be welcomed, Mills said. A call for accountability For many conservatives, Trumps bold stance at Davos was a long-overdue call for accountability. By publicly confronting Moynihan, the president sent a clear message: financial institutions must not be allowed to discriminate against Americans based on their political or religious beliefs. As the debate over woke capitalism continues to unfold, one thing is certain: Trumps willingness to challenge corporate giants has reignited a critical conversation about fairness, freedom and the role of big business in a divided nation. In the words of the president himself, What youre doing is wrong. And for millions of conservatives across the country, those words couldnt have come soon enough. Sources include: AmericaFirstReport.com Reuters.com FoxNews.com Trump orders full release of JFK assassination files, reviving decades-old conspiracy theories President Trump signed an executive order directing the declassification of documents related to the assassinations of JFK, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, potentially shedding new light on historical events. The announcement comes amid renewed scrutiny of Operation Northwoods, a Cold War-era Pentagon plan that proposed staging false flag attacks on American soil to justify war with Cuba, raising questions about the motives behind JFK's assassination. The JFK Records Act of 1992 mandated the release of all documents related to Kennedy's assassination by October 2017, but successive administrations have withheld thousands of pages due to national security concerns. The order has reignited debates about government transparency and conspiracy theories, with some speculating that the files could reveal evidence of a "Deep State" conspiracy. Intelligence agencies are expected to push back against the declassification of sensitive materials, potentially delaying or limiting the scope of the release, while historians and the public await new insights into pivotal moments in American history. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing the declassification of all remaining documents related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, reigniting decades-old debates about government transparency and the shadowy forces that may have shaped American history. The move, long anticipated by historians, conspiracy theorists and transparency advocates, could shed new light on one of the most enduring mysteries in U.S. history: the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. The order also includes documents related to the killings of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 and Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated during his presidential campaign that same year. "A lot of people are waiting for this for a long timefor years, for decades," Trump said during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office. "And everything will be revealed." The announcement comes amid renewed scrutiny of Operation Northwoods, a chilling Cold War-era Pentagon plan that proposed staging false flag attacks on American soil to justify a war with Cuba. The plan, which was rejected by President Kennedy, has long fueled speculation about the motives behind his assassination and the role of the so-called "Deep State" in shaping U.S. policy. Operation Northwoods: A dark chapter in U.S. history Operation Northwoods, a 12-page document signed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1962, outlined a series of covert operations designed to incite public support for military intervention in Cuba. The plan included proposals to stage terrorist attacks in U.S. cities, sink American ships and even kill U.S. soldiersall while blaming the communist regime of Fidel Castro. "We could develop a Communist Cuban terror campaign in the Miami area, in other Florida cities, and even in Washington," the document stated. Another proposal suggested blowing up a U.S. ship in Guantanamo Bay and blaming Cuba, with the expectation that "casualty lists in U.S. newspapers would cause a helpful wave of national indignation." The plan was part of a broader effort to overthrow Castro, who had established Cuba as the first communist state in the Western Hemisphere. The failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 and the subsequent Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 heightened tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, leading to covert operations like Operation Mongoose, a CIA initiative to destabilize Castro's government. Kennedy's rejection of Operation Northwoods has led some to speculate that his assassination in 1963 was orchestrated by elements within the U.S. government or intelligence community. While no evidence has ever proven such claims, the release of the JFK files could provide new insights into the political climate of the time and the motivations of those involved. The JFK files: A decades-long quest for answers The JFK Records Act of 1992 mandated the release of all documents related to Kennedy's assassination by October 2017. However, successive administrations, including Trump's first term and President Joe Biden's tenure, have withheld thousands of pages, citing national security concerns. Trump's order directs the director of national intelligence and the attorney general to present a plan for the "full and complete release" of the JFK files within 15 days. Records related to the assassinations of King and Robert F. Kennedy must be addressed within 45 days. Jefferson Morley, a former Washington Post journalist and editor of the JFK Facts newsletter, called the order a "statement of intention" but cautioned that the details of implementation will be critical. "This process is just beginning," Morley said. "How exactly this is going to be carried out is not at all clear." Recent document releases have already revealed new details about the assassination, including the CIA's extensive monitoring of Lee Harvey Oswald, the man accused of killing Kennedy. In 2023, former Secret Service agent Paul Landis claimed he retrieved a bullet from Kennedy's car, complicating the official "single bullet theory" that one shot struck both Kennedy and Texas Governor John Connally. Conspiracy theories and public skepticism Kennedy's assassination has long been a magnet for conspiracy theories, with polls showing that a majority of Americans do not believe Oswald acted alone. Allegations of CIA involvement, mafia connections and foreign interference have persisted for decades, fueled by redactions and delays in the release of government documents. Trump's order has reignited these debates, with some speculating that the files could reveal evidence of a "Deep State" conspiracy. "If you think the release of JFK files will put the long-standing conspiracy theories about his assassination to rest, just wait for the deluge of conspiracy theories about the release of the files," wrote BBC journalist Shayan Sardarizadeh on X. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the president's nominee for health secretary and a vocal critic of the official narratives surrounding his uncle's and father's deaths, was present at the signing ceremony. Trump handed him the pen used to sign the order, a symbolic gesture underscoring the Kennedy family's enduring quest for answers. What happens next? While Trump's order marks a significant step toward transparency, it does not guarantee the immediate release of all documents. Intelligence agencies are expected to push back against the declassification of sensitive materials, potentially delaying or limiting the scope of the release. For historians and the public, the declassification represents an opportunity to confront the darker chapters of U.S. history and reassess the legacy of one of the nation's most beloved presidents. As Morley noted, "This story is not over." The release of the JFK files may not provide a definitive answer to who killed John F. Kennedy, but it will undoubtedly deepen the public's understanding of the forces that shaped one of the most pivotal moments in American history. Sources include: DailyMail.com BBC.com NewsWeek.com Media enter the head frame during a Cameco media tour of the uranium mine in Cigar Lake, Sask. Wednesday, September 23, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards The Canadian Press Cameco (CCO.TO)(CCJ) shares dropped as much as 14 per cent on Monday amid a wider sell-off linked to the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot DeepSeek. Canadian uranium-producing peers (DML.TO) and NexGen Energy (NXE.TO) also fell by double-digits, as investors questioned forecasts of surging energy demand from data centres. DeepSeek was reportedly developed for a fraction of the cost of its Western rivals, raising questions about the future of America's AI dominance, and the scale of future investment from Silicon Valley tech giants. The International Energy Agency has predicted data centres could draw as much electricity as Japan by 2026, more than double their demand today. Cameco is among the Canadian companies seen to benefit from an AI-driven electricity boom. Shares of Canadian utility TransAlta Corporation (TA.TO) tumbled as much as 22 per cent in Monday's trading session. The Calgary-based company has said it is in talks with multiple hyperscalers to develop data centres in Alberta. On Monday, Cameco said its partner in Kazakhstan has indicated production has restarted at a jointly operated mine shut down on New Years Day. The uranium producer owns a 40 per cent stake in Joint Venture Inkai (JV Inkai), located in Kazakhstan's southern Turkestan region. Kazakhstans national atomic company, Kazatomprom, owns 60 per cent. Cameco and Kazatomprom are now working with JV Inkai to determine the impact of the production suspension on the operations 2025 production plans, Cameco stated in a news release on Monday. On Jan. 2, Cameco officials said the company was disappointed and surprised by a production halt on New Years Day. The company says the mine was shut down after Kazatomprom did not receive an extension by Kazakhstan's energy ministry to file project documents due by the end of 2024. Toronto-listed Cameco shares fell 1.6 per cent that day. Kazatomprom says it's the world's largest producer of uranium, with attributable production representing about 20 per cent of global primary production in 2023. In an update on Monday, the company said it has resolved the approval issue, and has resumed mining operations at block No. 1 of the Inkai deposit. "Kazatomprom remains fully committed to fulfilling contractual obligations towards all existing customers, and has sufficient level of inventories to comfortably manage its deliveries throughout 2025," the company said. Cameco shares closed 15.04 per cent lower on Monday at $68.26. TransAlta's stock lost 20.57 per cent to finish at $15.37. Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. Extradition of alleged ringleader of Edmonton extortion scheme will be waiting game, experts say Edmonton police say they're attempting to extradite 35-year-old Maninder Singh Dhaliwal, the alleged ringleader behind a series of extortions targeting Edmonton's South Asian community. (David Bajer/CBC - image credit) Extraditing the accused ringleader of an Edmonton extortion scheme from the United Arab Emirates will be a complex, time-consuming process that will leave his prosecution in Canada in limbo. An expert in extradition law says federal officials may rely on an international convention designed to combat organized crime in their attempt to return Maninder Singh Dhaliwal to Canadian soil. Dhaliwal, 35, is accused of orchestrating a series of arsons targeting home builders in Edmonton's South Asian community. The string of threats and fires, allegedly directed by Dhaliwal from overseas, resulted in a years-long police investigation dubbed Project Gaslight. ADVERTISEMENT Edmonton police have requested that Dhaliwal, a Canadian citizen, be extradited to Canada to face trial. Months after a Canada-wide warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with Project Gaslight, Dhaliwal was apprehended late last year in the United Arab Emirates on separate charges. Rob Currie, a professor of international law at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, says the timeline for Dhaliwal's possible surrender to Canada remains murky. "At this point, they have to wait," said Currie, an expert in extradition law. "It's entirely possible that he will face trial there before he's ever extradited to Canada." Ravi Hira, a criminal lawyer who has acted as Crown and defence on extradition cases, said many questions remain about Dhaliwal's legal fate. ADVERTISEMENT It would be unusual but not impossible for the Emirates to surrender a person to Canada, Hira said. The countries have no formal extradition treaty. The U.A.E. will ultimately decide if and when Dhaliwal appears in a Canadian courtroom, Hira said. He said Dhaliwal's status as a Canadian could expedite the process. "There is a rule book, but you can waive the rule book," Hira said. "They may want to have him tried and serve the sentence first before acceding to any extradition request They have jurisdiction to decide what goes first." Organized crime convention As there is no formal bilateral extradition treaty between Canada and the U.A.E., Currie said Dhaliwal's surrender to Canada would instead be guided by an international treaty that can be enacted when a case involves allegations of organized crime. ADVERTISEMENT Canada and the Emirates are parties to the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, a legally binding treaty. Currie said the international convention acts as a backup to the formalized extradition treaties that "more friendly" countries share. With the convention in place, it's unlikely that the Emirates will refuse to extradite Dhaliwal, Currie said. EPS Chief Dale McFee, RCMP Superintendent Adam MacIntosh, and EPS Acting Inspector Dave Paton provided an update on Project Gaslight to reporters on Friday morning. In July 2024, EPS Chief Dale McFee, RCMP Supt. Adam MacIntosh and EPS acting Insp. Dave Paton revealed Maninder Singh Dhaliwal was the suspected ringleader behind the string of extortions and arsons. (Stephen Cook/CBC) The charges against Dhaliwal in Alberta include extortion, arson, and other counts linked to committing an offence in association with organized crime conspiracy to commit extortion and arson, as well as commissioning those crimes on behalf of a criminal organization. ADVERTISEMENT "This is an organized crime case, clearly. And the treaty was designed to do exactly this, to allow countries that don't normally have extradition relations to have them when a case comes up," Currie said. "They're going to use that treaty, which imposes an obligation on the U.A.E. to extradite him to us at some point." Federal government officials have been tight-lipped about the extradition proceedings. Officials with the Department of Justice Canada told CBC that extradition requests are confidential "state-to-state communications." Under Canada's Extradition Act, the International Assistance Group within the federal Department of Justice handles all extradition requests in Canada and functions as an intermediary between Canada and the foreign state. When asked about Dhaliwal, Global Affairs Canada said only that was aware of the detention of a Canadian citizen in the U.A.E. Edmonton police say they don't know what charges Dhaliwal faces in the Emirates or the status of his case there. Project Gaslight Dhaliwal's arrest and impending extradition wraps up the Edmonton Police Service investigation into the extortion scheme known as Project Gaslight. Officers investigated 40 incidents, including arsons, drive-by shootings and firearms offences, but police say the crimes have ceased since last July, when the final arson was reported. WATCH | Arsons, extortions targeted Edmonton home builders: Investigators allege that Dhaliwal is responsible for orchestrating the scheme from abroad recruiting people in Edmonton, and paying them to deliver threats and later set properties on fire when demands for money transfers went unmet. "This outcome shows criminals that international borders will not protect them, and we will not tolerate this kind of violence in our community, no matter where it originates from," EPS Insp. Duane Hunter said in a statement last week when the extradition request was made public. Case on hold Police said Dhaliwal's case will proceed in the Alberta Court of King's Bench. But the prosecution will remain on hold until Dhaliwal is released into Canadian custody. If the extradition is granted, an RCMP officer would travel to the Emirates to execute an Interpol warrant and bring Dhaliwal home. He would be remanded into custody until a bail hearing is set. Since Dhaliwal has not been arrested in Canada, the prosecution must sit idle, Hira said. A criminal proceeding in which the person being tried is not present can only occur when the charges have already been sworn. "He hasn't been served," Hira said. "Trials in absentia, we don't do that." Court proceedings for Dhaliwal's alleged accomplices, however, are well underway. Five adults charged last year in connection with Project Gaslight are expected to return to an Edmonton courtroom next week. "For us to achieve our programs full potential, we need each and every one of you to continue making the Illini famILLy one of the fastest-growing, most respected fan bases in college athletics," Tom Moreland writes. ProCure On-Demand's 500th transplanted organ, being announced today, is emblematic of the gaps and inefficiencies in the current transplant system that the organ recovery, technology and logistics company is regularly solving. The case involving the transplant of the 500th organ underscores ProCure's reputation for quality work, efficient logistics and swift turnaround times, which have become integral to their success. With less than five hours to recover bilateral lungs, ProCure tapped into its unique Recovery Team Network, to deploy a surgeon within seven miles from the donor hospital. Soon after, the lungs were on a 700-mile flight and transplanted into a recipient. Within a day of the transplant, the recipient of the gift of new lungs was breathing on their own and was able to get back home to continue healing within a few weeks. This case represents a new paradigm in organ recovery that has been created and replicated by ProCure. The November 2024 milestone comes at a propitious time: the national organ donation system is undergoing historic modernization in an effort to hit the goal of 60,000 transplants by 2026. It's a significant milestone for the New York-based Public Benefit Corporation, founded by two innovative transplant surgeons. Co-founder and CEO, Dr. Zachary Kon is best known as the surgeon who first performed Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) for the purpose of organ donation in the U.S. Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Bartley Griffith is a pioneer in the field of xenotransplantation. The mission of the company is to increase the quality and quantity of organs available for transplantation. These 500 transplants chip away at the unacceptably long organ wait list, but does so in ways no one has tried. The first step in an organ transplant is recovering the organ from the donor. This step is critical but has been historically under-valued and under-resourced." Dr. Zachary Kon, co-founder, CEO, ProCure On-Demand Since its launch, ProCure has rapidly expanded to serve the nationwide transplant community. Its Recovery Team is made up of locally-dispersed abdominal and thoracic surgeons in 24 states, as well as Certified Clinical Perfusionists, first assistants, and other credentialled recovery personnel who strive to better the community by professionalizing the recovery process like never before. Reaching the milestone is also attributable to ProCure's meticulous operational staff which elevates the recovery process, as well as the company's flexible model. The model allows a transplant center or an Organ Procurement Organization to cover variable gaps in their recovery, supplies, transportation or technology usage by calling on ProCure to perform all components of every recovery mission or just one component where they need support. This comprehensive offering deployed in a bespoke manner has allowed ProCure to save over $5 million for its customers to date. These five hundred transplanted organs are the result of many more recovery missions, because not every mission results in an organ being transplanted. However, it is important that every mission happens in a high-quality manner, as efficiently as possible. The assessment of more organs will lead to more organs being made available for transplant. Some examples of ProCure missions that resulted in successful organ transplants last year include: Too far away doesn't exist. The lungs had to get from a donor in Anchorage to a recipient in Boston. But with no recovery surgeon available, a ProCure surgeon took a 5.5-hour direct flight from Los Angeles, performed the 2am surgery and the lungs were on the way to Boston by 7am. Had the ProCure surgeon not been available, the healthy lungs would have been wasted. No organ is too small, no task too large. A New York-based ProCure thoracic surgeon stepped in to manage and perform a tricky recovery in a tragic case; a heart from a <4 kg. baby. Not only did the ProCure surgeon recover the walnut-sized heart but then assisted the abdominal surgeon in recovering the tiny kidneys. The collaboration in the OR ensured at least two pediatric patients would receive life-saving organs and that the donor family's gifts were maximized. Flexibility to cover gaps. ProCure brings surgeons to cover staffing gaps to ensure that organs are recovered even when no staff surgeon is available. Recently, ProCure repositioned surgeons to an Organ Procurement Organization's (OPO) area to cover for staff that were on leave. ProCure surgeons recovered 24 kidneys, 5 livers and 2 pancreases that went on to be transplanted. Taking the middle seat in the nick of time. One of ProCure's west-coast based abdominal surgeons was needed to recover a pair of kidneys. With minimal turnaround time, ProCure's Coordination team was able to book a commercial flight to get the team there quickly, recovering both kidneys and saving the client over $10,000. Creating capacity for more transplants. With ProCure On-Demand performing its' recoveries, one growing heart transplant program has been able to nearly triple its volume from last year, helping more patients on the wait list. ProCure's co-founder and CMO, Dr. Bartley Griffith concludes, "ProCure is building a vast, regional network of trusted, highly-credentialed surgeons and other recovery professionals and ensuring they have access to the latest recovery-related training. By offering a model where the team is geographically closer to the donor and introducing a new approach to transportation and logistics that removes excessive costs and inefficiencies, we are making progress towards our goal of significantly impacting the waste and unprofessionalism that plagues our field." Sphere Fluidics, a leading provider of innovative picodroplet-based microfluidics solutions for functional single cell analysis and isolation, today announced the launch of Cyto-Mine Chroma and the opening of its Early Access Program at SLAS2025 International Conference and Exhibition in San Diego. Cyto-Mine Chroma represents the next generation of Sphere Fluidics' industry-leading Cyto-Mine single-cell analysis platform. The Early Access Program provides an opportunity to be among the first to demo the Cyto-Mine Chroma for faster project timeline completion and improved outcomes across broad applications, including antibody discovery, cell line development, and emerging areas such as cell therapy. Through the program, the Company will collaborate closely with forward-thinking customers to drive innovation and inform the development of future applications and assays on the platform. Offering enhanced capabilities, including multiplexing and greater assay flexibility, Cyto-Mine Chroma has been developed to maximize the efficiency and precision of single-cell functional analysis - enabling tens of millions of cells to be screened in a day. Leveraging a four-color laser and detector system, Cyto-Mine Chroma expands the number of parameters that can be analyzed for each cell in a single assay. This supports the upcoming launch of the Company's first multiplexed assay kit, facilitating multiple readouts within a single experiment, optimizing the throughput and precision of cell selection. By accelerating the early selection of superior candidate cells for downstream expansion or further analysis, overall timelines are reduced from months to weeks, while reducing effort and cost. Sphere Fluidics will be showcasing Cyto-Mine Chroma at its booth (#2744) at SLAS2025. Chief Technology Officer, Richard Hammond, will be presenting a Solutions Spotlight demonstrating the new platform's capabilities on day two of the conference, Tuesday January 28th, 12:00 - 12:20pm. Background and goal: The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) system standardizes diagnostic codes globally, enabling accurate comparisons of health data. This study investigated regional differences in respiratory infection diagnoses in Poland to identify potential ambiguities in ICD coding and their implications for data comparability. Study approach: Researchers analyzed over 292 million primary care visits for acute respiratory infections in Poland between 2010 and 2019, using ICD-10 codes (J00J22). Diagnosis data were grouped by age (children, working-age adults, elders) and analyzed at the county level. Statistical methods and visualizations were used to uncover regional differences in how ICD codes were applied. These inconsistencies were further analyzed to determine whether they reflected genuine differences in diagnoses or systemic issues with code usage. Main results: T he most problematic code appeared to be "acute upper respiratory infections of multiple and unspecified sites" (J06), which was frequently used interchangeably with other codes, especially "common cold" (J00) and "bronchitis" (J20) Significant differences were observed in how respiratory conditions were coded across counties, with no consistent regional patterns to explain these variations. Larger counties showed less variability, likely due to random factors canceling out. Why it matters: Variation in physician coding practices requires particular attention during analyses to avoid conclusions about differences that may simply be coding variation. Climate action could prevent 70% of 2.3 million projected heat-related deaths in European cities by 2099 In a recent study published in Nature Medicine, researchers predict that climate change will likely cause a sharp rise in heat-related mortality throughout Europe by the end of this century. How climate change impacts mortality Heat and cold stress are major health risk factors associated with significant mortality across Europe, particularly among individuals with pre-existing health conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. Existing evidence indicates that cold-related mortality in Europe is about 10 times greater than heat-related mortality. Recent studies have reported that temperature-related mortality in Europe may decline with climate change. However, growing populations and urbanization amplify exposure to high temperatures, which subsequently increases the risk of heat-related mortality. The balance between increased heat-related mortality and reduced cold-related mortality is a major determinant of the net effect of climate change, which several factors, including geographical locations, population-level adaptive capacity, demographic characteristics, and socioeconomic status, can influence. In the current study, researchers provide a comprehensive assessment of the net effect of climate change on temperature-related mortality across 854 European cities under various climate, demographic, and adaptation scenarios. Important observations The current study estimates that, without adaptation to heat, climate change can lead to over 2.3 million additional temperature-related deaths in 854 European cities by 2099 if strong policies are not implemented to reduce carbon emissions. However, 70% of these deaths could be prevented by rapid implementation of mitigation measures. Three Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) conditions including SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP3-7.0 were included in the analysis to make these projections. SSP1-2.6 corresponds to a sustainable world in which global warming barely exceeds 1.5 C at its peak, whereas SSP2-4.5 corresponds to a world condition in which global warming remains below 3 C. SSP3-7.0 corresponds to a world condition in which low priority is given to sustainability and environmental concerns, thereby leading to global warming near or above 4 C. The net death burden due to climate change in Europe may increase by 50% between 2015 and 2099 under SSP3-7.0, the lowest mitigation and adaptation conditions. This death burden can be reduced by at least two-thirds under the more stringent SSP1-2.6 and SSP2-4.5 conditions, in which high priority is given to reduce carbon emission. In the absence of strong mitigation strategies, the estimated increase in temperature-related mortality can only be prevented through significant adaptation to heat, especially in the most vulnerable areas such as the Mediterranean region, Central Europe, and the Balkans. Our results stress the urgent need to aggressively pursue both climate change mitigation and adaptation to increased heat. This is especially critical in the Mediterranean area where, if nothing is done, consequences could be dire. But, by following a more sustainable pathway, we could avoid millions of deaths before the end of the century. Ten European cities are projected to experience the highest temperature-related deaths by 2099. These cities include Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia in Spain, Rome, Naples, Genoa, and Milan in Italy, Athens, Greece, Marseille, France, and Bucharest, Romania. Due to their larger populations, the highest number of temperature-related deaths will likely occur in densely populated Mediterranean cities. However, several smaller cities in Malta, Spain, and Italy are also predicted to experience a high burden of temperature-related deaths. The impact of climate change on mortality was predicted to be less severe in cities away from the Mediterranean region. Other European capitals, such as Paris, were projected to see a smaller but significant increase in cumulative cold and heat deaths. Comparatively, a net reduction in temperature-related deaths is probable in most cities in the British Isles and Scandinavian countries. However, this reduction would be outweighed by the 2.3 million additional deaths projected throughout Europe. These results debunk proposed theories of beneficial effects of climate change, often proposed in opposition to vital mitigation policies that should be implemented as soon as possible. Study significance The current study provides concerning projections of temperature-related death rates that may affect multiple European cities in the absence of robust mitigation policies and appropriate heat adaptation strategies. Regional differences in temperature-related death tolls were also reported, which suggests a slight net decrease in death rates in Northern European countries but high vulnerability in the Mediterranean region and Eastern Europe areas. Importantly, daily mean temperatures were used to make these projections, and as a result, they did not consider specific weather events, such as extreme nighttime temperatures and humidity conditions, which may modify the estimated death tolls. President Donald Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer with no formal medical or public health expertise, as secretary of Health and Human Sciences. Two Senate committees will question Kennedy this week on how his disproven views of science and medicine qualify him to run the $1.7 trillion, 80,000-employee federal health system. Here are four considerations for lawmakers on the Senate Finance and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committees, which will host Kennedy for questioning on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively: 1) Kennedy's unconventional health claims. For decades, Kennedy has advocated for health-related ideas that are scientifically disproven or controversial. He created and was paid hundreds of thousands of dollars by Children's Health Defense, a group that champions the false idea that vaccines cause autism and other chronic diseases and has sued to take vaccines off the market. Kennedy has said covid vaccines are the deadliest in history, antidepressants lead children to commit mass shootings, environmental contaminants may cause people to become trans, and HIV is not the only cause of AIDS. He also pushes the use of products that regulators consider dangerous, such as raw milk, and for broader use of some medicines, such as ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, to treat conditions without FDA approval. He says public health agencies oppose their use only because of regulatory capture by big drug and food interests. "He believes you can avoid disease if you have a healthy immune system. He sees vaccines and antibiotics as toxins," said Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Top Trump health nominees Kennedy, Marty Makary for FDA commissioner, Jay Bhattacharya for National Institutes of Health director, and former U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director are generally disdainful of the agencies they'll be leading, Offit said. "They think they are going to go into office, pull back the curtain, find all this bad stuff, and reveal it to the American public," he said. During a measles epidemic in 2019 and 2020 that killed 83 people, mostly children, in Samoa, Kennedy, as chairman of Children's Health Defense, warned the country's prime minister against measles vaccination. This behavior alone "is disqualifying" for an HHS nominee, said Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. Equally problematic, in Benjamin's view, was Kennedy's legal effort in 2021 to get the covid vaccine pulled from the market. "He can't say he's not anti-vax," Benjamin said. "He wasn't following the evidence." A Kennedy spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. 2) Kennedy's chances appear good, despite opposition. Kennedy's nomination has emerged in a moment when Trump is on a roll and mistrust of public health and medical authority in the wake of the pandemic has created an opening for people with unorthodox views of science to seize the reins of the country's health system. After former Fox News personality Pete Hegseth was confirmed as Defense secretary last week despite his controversial qualifications for the job and stark warnings from former top military brass, many Washington observers think RFK Jr. is going to be hard to defeat. In a meeting on the Hill with Democratic senators and their aides last week, Offit said, "the feeling was that he would likely be confirmed." Trump has demanded that Republican senators line up behind his nominees and has so far succeeded. It's thought that Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine could oppose Kennedy, based on their opposition to Hegseth. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the other Hegseth "nay" vote, is a polio survivor who has not spoken publicly about Kennedy but said in December that opposing "proven cures" was dangerous. Other senators whose Kennedy votes are said to be in question include Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the HELP Committee chair, a physician who gave a lukewarm response after meeting Kennedy. Others have reported that Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who shares Kennedy's concern with the spread of obesity and chronic illness, and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who attended law school with Kennedy, might vote for him. Neither senator's office responded to a request for comment. Advancing American Freedom, a conservative advocacy group founded by former Vice President Mike Pence, has fought Kennedy's nomination with a major ad buy. 3) The hearings are going to be heated. Democratic senators are coming with plenty of ammunition. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent Kennedy a 34-page letter containing 175 questions on everything from his anti-vaccine statements and actions to his waffling positions on abortion to his stances on Medicare, drug prices, and the cause of AIDS. While public health and medical groups did not coordinate with Pence's conservative organization, questions about Kennedy's earlier stance in support of abortion rights could raise hackles on the GOP side of the aisle. Although his group is far from Pence on reproductive rights, Benjamin said, "if it helps derail him, I hope some senators are listening to Pence. Any shelter in a storm." "The hearings are going to be very difficult for him because he's told a web of untruths as he's marched across the offices," said Leslie Dach, executive chair of Protect Our Care, a Democratic-aligned advocacy group. Public opinion reflects leeriness of Kennedy on health, though not excessively. In a poll released Tuesday by KFF, 43% of respondents said they trusted him to make the right health recommendations. About 81% of Republicans in the poll said they trusted Kennedy almost as many as trust their own doctor. 4) What happens if Kennedy takes office. At the NIH, FDA, and other federal health agencies, nervous scientists speak of early retirement or jumping to industry should Kennedy and his agency heads take office. The pharmaceutical industry has kept quiet on the nomination, as has the American Medical Association. Many patient advocacy groups are worried, but wary of creating friction with an administration they can't ignore or defeat. Kennedy's comments on AIDS suggesting that gay men's use of stimulants, rather than the HIV virus, were its cause are troubling to Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute. But "I don't know if he's going to get confirmed or not," he said. "If he does, we look forward to working with him and educating him." At the J.P. Morgan Healthcare conference earlier this month, Emma Walmsley, CEO of GSK, a leading vaccine maker, said she'd "wait and see what the facts are" before predicting what Kennedy would do. Vaccines, she noted, are "not our biggest business." GSK is one of a handful of vaccine makers remaining on the U.S. market. That number could shrink further if the Trump administration and Congress undo a 1986 law that provided legal protection for vaccine makers as Kennedy has advocated. In the 2024 Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the NPS Vatsalya scheme for minors, which was officially launched on 18 September 2024. This initiative allows parents to contribute towards the National Pension Scheme (NPS) on behalf of their children, helping secure their financial future and promoting the habit of saving for retirement from an early age. The primary goal of the NPS Vatsalya scheme is to ensure long-term financial security and encourage the development of early retirement savings habits. Parents can open accounts for their children and contribute towards their retirement savings, instilling disciplined saving practices at an early age. The tax implications of the NPS Vatsalya scheme are yet to be clarified by the government, as the tax structure for the scheme is still under review. Currently, the Sukanya Samriddhi Account is the only government-backed, children-focused investment scheme that offers tax benefits. We hope that the upcoming Union Budget will provide additional deductions for investments in NPS Vatsalya, said Sumit Shukla, CEO of Axis Pension Fund. Yogesh Kale, Executive Director at Nangia Andersen LLP, commented, The NPS Vatsalya scheme is a pension plan for minors in India that enables parents to save for their childrens future. While tax deductions are not currently available for contributions made to NPS Vatsalya, the governments intent to secure childrens futures would be further strengthened if tax benefits were introduced for these contributions in the Union Budget 2025. However, for now, it remains uncertain whether such benefits will be provided. Shefali Mundra, Tax Expert at ClearTax, highlighted during the schemes launch that The NPS Vatsalya Scheme, which is a minor-centric variant of the traditional NPS, can significantly contribute to securing a childs financial future. However, there is currently no clarity on the tax-saving opportunities for the Vatsalya scheme. Enhanced tax policies, combined with market-linked returns, could make the scheme more appealing to parents by offering tax incentives. For example, the introduction of tax deductions for contributions to NPS Vatsalya under the Income Tax Act could offer dual benefits: reducing the contributors tax liability and ensuring the childs financial security. Hyundai Q3 Profit Dips 19% to Rs 1,161 Crore on Lower Sales, Geopolitical Factors Published By : PTI Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 15:56 IST Hyundai believes that the newly launched Creta Electric will drive phenomenal success, build strong momentum and will be a game-changer in the EV landscape, it said. Hyundai Creta Electric. (Photo: Shahrukh Shah/ News18) Hyundai Motor India on Tuesday said its consolidated profit after tax declined 19 per cent to Rs 1,161 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2024, hit by subdued demand and geo-political factors. The auto major had reported a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs 1,425 crore in the October-December period of last fiscal. related stories Total revenue from operations declined to Rs 16,648 crore in the third quarter as against Rs 16,875 crore in the year-ago period. The decline in margins was mainly due to subdued demand & geo-political factors, the company said. While the challenges persist in the overall market due to global factors, our business fundamentals remain strong, and we remain confident in our ability to leverage our strengths and actively explore potential opportunities to improve our volumes and profitability," Hyundai Motor India Managing Director Unsoo Kim said. The company said it sold a total of 1,86,408 units of passenger vehicles during the third quarter, a dip of 2 per cent as compared with 1,90,979 units in the same period of last fiscal. The sales in the third quarter of this fiscal include 1,46,022 units in the domestic market with a strong contribution from the SUV segment, it added. Hyundai said it has achieved its highest-ever CNG penetration during the quarter, reaching 15 per cent which was 12 per cent in the third quarter of the previous year. During the quarter, the automaker said it has demonstrated robust growth in rural penetration reaching 21.2 per cent compared to 19.7 per cent in the same period last year. The export volume stood at 40,386 units, it added. The automaker said it is confident about its growth trajectory and is committed to drive long-term value for its stakeholders. The company has a positive outlook on growing EV penetration in India and is headed towards electrification with a holistic approach, it added. Hyundai believes that the newly launched Creta Electric will drive phenomenal success, build strong momentum and will be a game-changer in the EV landscape, it said. The company is also building a strong EV ecosystem in India like localisation, charging infrastructure, etc and along with three more EVs planned in due time, the company is expected to greatly contribute to Indias EV growth story, it added. Aligned with the aggressive capacity expansion plans from the Pune plant, the company will also be focusing on diversifying its product portfolio, it said. The company said it will also look to explore opportunities in alternate eco-friendly powertrains. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all With access to Hyundai Motor Companys global powertrain technologies like hybrids, hydrogen, flex-fuel etc., the company believes it is well placed to adapt to any change in demand dynamics and regulatory environment, it added. Shares of the automaker were trading 0.99 per cent down at Rs 1,627.35 apiece on BSE. First Published: January 28, 2025, 15:56 IST SpiceJet To Re-Induct First Grounded 737 MAX Aircraft Into Service; Check Details Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 10:59 IST The addition of the MAX aircraft will enable the airline to operate to high-demand markets such as Jeddah and Riyadh without any operational restrictions, says SpiceJet. Under its ongoing fleet restoration plan, SpiceJet aims to bring 10 aircraft, including four Boeing 737 MAX planes, back into service by mid-April 2025. SpiceJet on Tuesday said it is set to re-induct its first ungrounded Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into operations starting January 29, 2025. Grounded for several months, the aircrafts return marks a significant milestone in the airlines fleet restoration and operational enhancement efforts. To facilitate the restoration of its MAX fleet, SpiceJet recently entered into services agreements with StandardAero Inc., a leading US-based engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider, and CFM International, Inc., the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for LEAP-1B engines," the airline said in a statement. related stories Under its ongoing fleet restoration plan, the airline aims to bring ten aircraft, including four Boeing 737 MAX planes, back into service by mid-April 2025 and this is the first 737 MAX aircraft to be brought back under the exercise, SpiceJet added. The airline said the addition of the MAX aircraft will enable it to operate to high-demand markets such as Jeddah and Riyadh without any operational restrictions. The induction of these fuel-efficient planes will result in significant cost savings due to the MAXs reduced fuel consumption, lower maintenance requirements, and higher aircraft utilisation, all of which will contribute to further optimising the airlines operations. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Ajay Singh, chairman and managing director of SpiceJet, said, The re-induction of our first grounded Boeing 737 MAX aircraft is a moment of immense pride and an important milestone for SpiceJet. It underscores our unwavering commitment to restoring and enhancing our fleets operational capacity. As we move forward, we remain focused on scaling new heights, offering exceptional service, and driving sustainable growth for our passengers and stakeholders." Since October 2024, SpiceJet has added ten aircraft to its fleet, comprising three previously grounded planes and seven newly leased aircraft. This has enabled the airline to expand its network with over 60 new flights introduced in the last three months, further enhancing connectivity and offering passengers more travel options. First Published: January 28, 2025, 10:59 IST AFCAT 2025 Admit Card To Be Released On Feb 7, Check Steps To Download Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 18:31 IST AFCAT 2025 Admit Cards: The AFCAT 2025 exam is scheduled to be held for February 22 and 23, 2025. The Indian Air Force will release AFCAT 2025 admit cards on February 7, 2025, at 5 PM. (Image/afcat.cdac.in) AFCAT 2025: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will release the admit cards for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 2025 soon. According to the official notice, the AFCAT 2025 Admit Cards will be available for download on February 7, 2025, at 5 PM. Once released, registered candidates will be able to download the AFCAT 2025 admit card from the official website at afcat.cdac.in. On February 7, 25 (1700 hrs) onwards click DOWNLOAD ADMIT CARD" to download your Admit Card from the website https://afcat.cdac.in and you will also receive admit card on your registered email ID," reads the official notification. related stories How To Download AFCAT Admit Card 2025? Step 1: Visit the official website -afcat.cdac.in Step 2: On the homepage, click on the link for AFCAT 2025 Admit Card Step 3: Enter your login credentials like registered email address or application number and password Step 4: Your AFCAT 2025 Admit Card will appear on the screen, download it Step 5: Take a printout for exam day If the candidate does not receive his/ her admit card in their registered email id or is not able to download the same from the mentioned website, he/she is required to enquire from the AFCAT Query Cell at C-DAC, Pune. (Phone Nos: 020-25503105 or 020- 25503106). E-mail queries may be addressed to afcatcell@cdac.in. The Indian Air Force will conduct the AFCAT 2025 examination on February 22, and 23, 2025. The exam will be conducted for two hours a 336 vacancies for which the exam will be conducted. AFCAT 2025 Exam Pattern top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The AFCAT 2025 examination will consist of 100 questions, with a total of 300 marks. The exam will assess candidates on various subjects, including General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning, and Military Aptitude. The total duration for the AFCAT exam will be 120 minutes. Additionally, candidates applying for the Ground Duty Technical Branch will have to appear for the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT), which will focus on subjects such as Mechanical, Computer Science, and Electrical and Electronics. The EKT will have 50 questions and a total of 150 marks, with a duration of 45 minutes. First Published: January 28, 2025, 18:25 IST ASER 2024: Huge Improvement In Basic Reading, Arithmetic Knowledge Among Students Of Classes 3, 5 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 19:28 IST According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024, basic reading levels for class 3 children enrolled in government schools have been the highest since the inception of the survey. ASER 2024: The proportion of class 5 children in government schools who can read a class 2 level text fell from 44.2% in 2018 to 38.5% in 2022 (Representational Image/File) There have been significant improvements in basic reading and arithmetic knowledge among students of classes 3, 5, and 8 in government schools in 2024. We have not seen improvements of this magnitude in the last 20 years since ASER has been presenting data on foundational reading and arithmetic," Wilima Wadhwa, Director, ASER Centre said. According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024, basic reading levels for class 3 children enrolled in government schools have been the highest since the inception of the survey. Reading levels also improved significantly among class 5 children, especially for those who are enrolled in government schools. related stories The survey further stated that the percentage of class 3 children able to at least read class 2 level text was 20.9% in 2018. This figure fell to 16.3% in 2022 but has increased to 23.4% in 2024. The improvement in government schools is higher than the corresponding recovery for private schools," the survey stated. States that have seen maximum improvement in government schools include Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, and Maharashtra. The proportion of class 5 children in government schools who can read a class 2 level text fell from 44.2% in 2018 to 38.5% in 2022. However, in 2024, it increased to 44.8%. In case of private schools, it was 56.8% in 2022 but increased to 59.3% in 2024. Mizoram (64.9%) and Himachal Pradesh (64.8%) had the highest proportions of class 5 children in government schools able to read class 2 level text, the survey added. Reading levels increased among children enrolled in class 8 in government schools as well. As per the survey, the level fell from 69% in 2018 to 66.2% in 2022 but then rose to 67.5% in 2024. However, the performance of private school students remains unchanged between 2022 and 2024. Government schools in states such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Sikkim showed notable improvements. However, declines were observed in states like Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. In terms of basic arithmetic levels, children in class 3 who can at least do a numerical subtraction problem were 28.2% in 2018 and 25.9% in 2022. This figure increased to 33.7% in 2024. Among government school students, this figure went from 20.9% in 2018 to 20.2% in 2022, increasing to 27.6% in 2024. Government schools across Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh have shown huge improvements. For private school students, this number showed a smaller improvement since 2022. As per the ASER 2024, the proportion of children in class 5 who can at least do a numerical division problem has also improved. This figure was 27.9% in 2018, 25.6% in 2022, and then rose to 30.7% in 2024. This change is also driven mainly by government schools, especially in states like Punjab and Uttarakhand. Meanwhile, the performance of class 8 students in basic arithmetic remains similar to earlier levels, going from 44.1% in 2018 to 44.7% in 2022 to 45.8% in 2024 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all What has led to this sudden improvement in learning levels? All-India estimates are typically slow to change and learning levels that had been stagnant till 2010 declined slightly thereafter, only improving slowly between 2014 and 2018," Wadhwa said. However, the proportion of 15-16-year-old children who are not enrolled in school dropped sharply from 13.1% in 2018 to 7.5% in 2022 but stayed about the same at 7.9% in 2024 at the all-India level. The proportion of girls not enrolled has increased slightly from 7.9% in 2022 to 8.1% in 2024. First Published: January 28, 2025, 19:19 IST Telangana School Holiday: Schools Closed Today Due To Shab-E-Meraj Festival Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 08:41 IST Schools in Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana will be closed today for the Shab-e-Meraj festival. Telangana government has announced a holiday for Shab-e-Meraj. (Image: Getty) Schools in Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana will remain closed on Tuesday, January 28, for the Shab-e-Meraj festival. Since it is an optional holiday, not all educational institutions will remain closed. According to the Telangana governments official 2025 calendar, January 28 is marked as an optional holiday for Shab-e-Meraj rather than a general holiday. This allows individual schools and institutions to decide whether to remain open or closed, resulting in variations across the state. Shab-e-Meraj is a significant occasion for Muslims, marking the night Prophet Muhammad travelled from Makkah to Jerusalem and ascended to heaven, receiving guidance from Allah and meeting other prophets. While many schools are likely to stay shut, some may choose to hold regular classes. related stories Students should note that Telangana has declared six holidays in Januaryfour regular holidays and two optional ones, including this one. Varanasi Schools Closed Till Feb 5 Due To Maha Kumbh Due to the increasing number of devotees traveling from Prayagrajs Maha Kumbh to Varanasi, the District Magistrate of Varanasi has ordered the closure of all schools in the district from January 27 to February 5, 2025. However, online classes will be conducted during regular school hours to keep the syllabus on track. This directive is applicable to all CBSE, ICSE, and state board schools in the district. Board practical exams, if scheduled, will proceed without disruption. The decision aims to manage the challenges of large crowds and potential traffic issues, prioritising student safety and maintaining order in the city. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ALSO READ: Karnataka: 4 Schools In Udupi, Dakshina Kannada Districts Receive Bomb Threats The District Basic Education Officer Arvind Pathak, in an official notice, stated: Given the current situation in the district, particularly in urban areas, where a large number of pilgrims and devotees are expected to arrive, all government, aided, CBSE, and ICSE schools offering classes from Grade 1 to 12 are instructed to switch to online learning from January 27 to February 5, 2025. Moreover, if any practical exams for CBSE, UP Board, or other boards are scheduled during this time, they should be conducted seamlessly without disruption." First Published: January 28, 2025, 08:05 IST UPSC Success Story: How A Farmer's Son Who Lived In A Mud House Cracked IAS Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 15:04 IST Pawan Kumar, son of a farmer overcame significant financial hardships to clear the UPSC examination and secure the position of IAS officer. Pawan Kumar, from Bulandshahr, secured 239th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. (Image: News18 Hindi) In an inspiring tale of perseverance and tenacity, Pawan Kumar, from a small town in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, achieved a significant milestone by securing the 239th rank in the Union Public Service Commissions (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2023. His journey, rising from poverty to becoming an IAS officer, serves as a source of motivation for aspirants across the nation. The hardships of growing up in a mud house with an asbestos roof defined Pawan Kumars early life. He was born into a family grappling with financial difficulties. related stories Despite these challenges, Pawan remained undeterred, driven by a singular goal: to serve his community as an IAS officer. His father, Mukesh Kumar, a hardworking farmer, held more modest aspirations, hoping his son would secure a stable job to support the family. However, Pawan was resolute in his determination to pursue his ambition. Pawans dedication to his studies was evident even before he embarked on his UPSC journey. In the face of adversity, he remained committed to learning, seizing every opportunity to excel. His perseverance and diligence bore fruit as he progressed academically, consistently performing well in examinations and competitions. What truly set Pawan apart was his unwavering resilience. Instead of succumbing to failures and setbacks, he used them as stepping stones to strengthen his resolve. Each challenge became a lesson, reinforcing his determination to persevere. Years of relentless effort, disciplined preparation, and strategic guidance culminated in Pawans success in the UPSC examination. He followed a rigorous study schedule, sought mentorship, and maintained an unwavering focus on his objective. According to reports, despite failing the CSE twice, he remained persistent and succeeded on his third attempt. ALSO READ: Delhi HC Asks CBSE, Govt To Take Action Against Dummy" Schools top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Pawans achievement is not only a personal triumph but also a testament to the transformative power of knowledge and perseverance. His story inspires countless candidates from similar backgrounds, proving that with dedication, determination, and the right mindset, any goal is attainable. As an IAS officer, Pawan Kumar exemplifies integrity, service, and leadership. His journey underscores that ones circumstances do not define their potential; rather, success is built on grit, hard work, and steadfast commitment. First Published: January 28, 2025, 13:40 IST Bypolls In Ayodhyas Milkipur: BJP Candidate Says SP, Congress Misled Voters To Win Faizabad LS Seat Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 16:13 IST A bypoll was necessitated in Milkipur, which falls in Ayodhya on the border of Amethi and Sultanpur, after its MLA, Awadhesh Prasad, got elected as an MP from Faizabad (Ayodhya) Chandrabhan Paswan highlights his deep roots in the region. (Facebook) Chandrabhanu Paswan, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Milkipur seat of Ayodhya, where bypolls are scheduled on February 5, has accused the Samajwadi Party (SP) and its INDI Alliance partner Congress of misleading voters to secure victory in the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat during the 2024 elections. Paswan, speaking to News18, dismissed the allegations made during the polls that the BJP would alter the Constitution if elected and expressed confidence in a resounding BJP triumph in the upcoming bypoll. Paswan, who is seen as a perfect counter to counter SPs PDA formula, exuded confidence in BJPs groundwork and predicted a decisive victory in the bypoll. related stories A bypoll was necessitated in Milkipur, which falls in Ayodhya on the border of Amethi and Sultanpur, after its MLA, Awadhesh Prasad, got elected as an MP from Faizabad (Ayodhya). CONSTITUTION CHANGE: AN ISSUE BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION The issue of Constitution change turned out to be a major point of contention in the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls, costing the BJP the prestigious Faizabad seat. The controversy first emerged when BJPs candidate Lallu Singh from Faizabad Seat commented on making a new constitution. In a widely circulated video, Singh was purportedly heard saying that even a government with a 272-seat majority cannot amend the Constitution". For that, or even if a new Constitution is to be made, there is a need for over two-thirds majority," said Singh. Constitution change was no issue. The opposition blew it out of proportion. The SP won Faizabad (Ayodhya) Lok Sabha Seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls by spreading falsehood among voters and by making false promises. However, their tactic wont work this time, and people of Milkipur have made up their minds to show SP the way out and ensure BJPs victory," said Paswan. According to Ram Naresh Tiwari, a Faizabad-based senior journalist and political observer, the comment marked the beginning of the BJPs decline in Ayodhya. The speech provided the INDIA bloc fresh ammunition to corner BJP, making Constitution change a pivotal issue during the polls. BJP fields Chandrabhan Paswan for the Assembly by-election in Uttar Pradesh's Milkipur. pic.twitter.com/xY2IMw6IOk ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2025 I AM NOT AN OUTSIDER The SP has accused Paswan, a relatively fresh face in assembly elections, of being an outsider, while SPs Ajit Prasad, son of nine-time MLA and sitting MP Awadhesh Prasad, is banking on his familys legacy. Paswan, however, highlights his deep roots in the region, stating, I am not an outsider. I have been active in Milkipur for over a decade. My wife has been a district panchayat member since 2015, and my father served as a village head multiple times. I have also been elected twice as a district panchayat member from Rudauli, a neighboring area, where I am well-known. With such a consistent presence and service in the region, I dont think anyone would agree with the point that I am an outsider. In fact, I am a son of the soil candidate, unlike my opponent, whom I challenge to prove his local credentials." GRASSROOT EXPERIENCE, COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPMENT Coming on to his strategy to counter SPs attack, Paswan emphasised his grassroots experience and commitment to development. He dismissed SPs allegations that his candidacy aims to divide the Pasi vote, asserting that his support base transcends caste lines. I have the backing of all communities," he claims, highlighting BJPs inclusive governance model under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Paswans campaign focuses on the BJPs track record of implementing welfare schemes and promises to extend these benefits to every section of society in Milkipur. Roads, healthcare, education, electricity, and water are central to his agenda, aimed at addressing the areas long-standing developmental deficits. However, the Milkipur assembly seat has become a heated political battleground between the BJP and SP ahead of the bypolls. This election is not just about a seat but a prestige issue for both parties, with broader implications for the political dynamics of the region. Responding to SPs criticism that he lacks experience in assembly elections, Paswan points to his electoral successes at the grassroots level. My victories in two district panchayat elections reflect the trust the people have in my leadership," he said. He contrasted this with Ajit Prasad, who has faced defeats in local elections, suggesting that the SP candidate should introspect rather than question his capabilities. PRESTIGE BATTLE The bypoll has also become a battle of prestige for the SP and BJP. The BJP views it as an opportunity to avenge its defeat in the Ayodhya-Faizabad Lok Sabha seat, where Awadhesh Prasads win was seen as a blow to BJPs Hindutva politics. SP leader Akhilesh Yadav has repeatedly portrayed this victory as evidence of the success of his PDA (Pichda, Dalit, Alpasankhyak backward, Dalit, minority) formula, challenging the BJPs dominance. For the BJP, retaining Milkipur is crucial to reassert its influence in Ayodhya, a region symbolically tied to the Ram Mandir movement and Hindutva politics. CM Adityanath has also pressed in ministers and the officers, leaving no stone unturned to woo the voters in Milkipur. Whereas SP, on its part, has tried to corner BJP on local issues, such as the menace of stray cattle, which it claims has been exacerbated under BJP rule. Paswan counters this by pointing to the establishment of cow shelters by the Yogi government and pledging to address any remaining issues. The SP has also alleged that BJP uses legal cases to intimidate its workers, an accusation Paswan dismisses as baseless, claiming it to be a ploy for sympathy votes. WHO IS CHANDRABHAN PASWAN? Chandrabhan Paswan is a two-time district panchayat member from Rudauli, where he has built a reputation as a grassroots leader. His family is deeply involved in public life and business, primarily dealing in saris, with operations in Rudauli and Surat. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Paswans wife has been serving as a district panchayat member since 2015, and his father has held the position of village head multiple times. Over the past two years, Paswan has been actively working in Milkipur, positioning himself as a dedicated and accessible leader. Despite competition from established BJP leaders, Paswan secured the partys ticket, reflecting BJPs strategy to field a candidate with local appeal and a track record of service. First Published: January 28, 2025, 16:05 IST Came In Small Car, Now Lives In Sheesh Mahal: Rahul Gandhis Attack On Kejriwal Bears BJPs Imprint Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 23:44 IST Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also trained guns at former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, calling him the "architect" of the alleged liquor scam. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal | File Image/ANI Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on his INDIA bloc ally, AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of constructing a luxurious Sheesh Mahal" for himself and masterminding the largest liquor scam" in the country. The alleged liquor scam and Sheesh Mahal are two biggest points of BJPs attacks on the AAP, which has won last two assembly elections by a landslide majority. related stories The Leader of the Opposition sprinted to the no point of return by slamming the former Delhi Chief Minister for not standing up for the poor and being unavailable when communal riots erupted in the national capital in 2020. Kejriwal had a small car (the blue Maruti Wagon-R that the AAP leader reported stolen in October 2017) when he came, and he declared he would introduce a new kind of politics. He had climbed an electric poll and promised to transform Delhi," Gandhi said while addressing a public rally in Delhis Patparganj. - , pic.twitter.com/sSyxz9owkG Delhi Congress (@INCDelhi) January 28, 2025 Arvind Kejriwals close aide, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia is contesting from the Patparganj seat in the upcoming February 5 Delhi Assembly elections. You (Kejriwal) had said you would do clean politics but committed the biggest liquor scam. We have also seen the picture of Kejriwal jis house, he lives in sheeshmahal," Gandhi remarked. He further trained guns at Sisodia, calling him the architect" of the alleged liquor scam. Patparganj MLA Manish Sisodia was the architect of the liquor scam with Arvind Kejriwal and that is why he ran away from the seat," he said. AAP Hits Back Arvind Kejriwal quickly responded to Rahul Gandhis allegations, questioning his silence on the Prime Ministers official residence, which he called a rajmahal". Kejriwal further alleged that the Congress leader had echoed the BJPs rhetoric during his speech. People are asking why Rahul Gandhi is silent on Rajmahal. Today, Rahul ji repeated the entire speech of the BJP in Delhi. Tell the public what agreement has been reached between the BJP and Congress?" Kejriwal asked. Delhis 70 Assembly seats are set to vote in a single phase on February 5, with the results set to be announced three days later, on February 8. In the previous two elections, the AAP dominated, securing 67 and 62 seats, respectively, while the BJP and Congress lagged far behind. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 28, 2025, 23:29 IST Last Updated: January 29, 2025, 00:01 IST Delhi Election News 2025 Updates: With just over a week to go for the high-stakes Assembly elections in the national capital, the political battle between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues to intensify as former CM Arvind Kejriwal made another bombshell allegation over Yamuna. In the final leg of Delhi polls, Kejriwals AAP has secured the support of Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha and the Samajwadi Party in the poll campaign. Kejriwal will address two public meetings today in Ghonda at 4 pm and Karawal Nagar at 5 pm. In yet another political storm, Delhi CM Atishi accused the ruling BJP in Haryana of intentionally draining industrial waste into the Yamuna that supplies water to the national capital, after which Kejriwal alleged that the saffron party is trying to kill people by mixing poison in the river. Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini refuted the claims and said it is an old habit of AAP leaders to blame others and run away. Saini further said that Kejriwal should apologise to the public or else he would file a defamation case against him over the fraudulent remarks. Meanwhile, Atishi and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann will attend a meeting with the Election Commissioner at 4 pm today after the Delhi CM wrote a letter saying that ammonia levels in Yamuna had increased sevenfold and demanded action in the matter. Moreover, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav and Saini are also slated to meet EC at 5 pm over Kejriwals remarks. Delhi Awaits Ammonia-Control Plant At Wazirabad Amid Blame-Game Over Dirty Yamuna Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 18:08 IST In 2023, the AAP government announced that it will set up an ammonia-control plant at the Wazirabad water-treatment plant. However, probe revealed that even the awarding of work is not done yet In 2019, the pollution levels in Yamuna became so high that Chandrawal and Wazirabad Water Treatment plants had to stop operations completely. (PTI) The pollution in Yamuna has yet again taken the centre-stage as the national capital gears up for assembly polls next week. The ammonia levels in the river, as per outgoing chief minister Atishi, have reached 7.2 ppm, far exceeding the treatable limits of 1 ppm. While Atishi claimed that Haryana is sending poisonous water to Delhi", News18 did a check on the promised ammonia-control plant at Wazirabad, only to learn that even the awarding of work is not done yet. related stories In 2023, the AAP government announced that it will set up an ammonia-control plant at the Wazirabad water-treatment plant. The plant was planned to allow the treatment of the Yamuna water even if the ammonia level is high. However, upon investigation, Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials said there is no such plant in Wazirabad and no such work has been awarded by DJB so far". An expression of interest (EOI) was issued by the DJB in January 2024 but since then, there has been no update, the official said, seeking anonymity. The DJB in the EOI said it faces a significant challenge in the form of high ammonia levels in the Yamuna river water, which directly impacts the water treatment and thereby supply to various parts of Delhi. They said the ammonia level in the Yamuna water can rise, impacting water production at the Chandrawal and Wazirabad water-treatment plants that draw water from the river through the pond. The frequency of high ammonia levels in the Yamuna water has increased in recent months, and it no longer subsides as it used to. DJB intended to have an in-situ treatment system to treat higher levels of ammonia at the Wazirabad pond. The proposed technology is expected to reduce ammonia levels up to 2 ppm, even when the input ammonia concentration is as high as 4.0 ppm," they said. The technology was expected to enhance the water treatment capacity at the Wazirabad and Chandrawal WTPs and help DJB address the challenges posed by the rising ammonia levels in the Yamuna river water, they said. Poison Water Controversy Atishi on Monday blamed Haryana for the situation and added that the BJP is purposely poisoning Yamuna with ammonia-laden water via the DD-8 drain. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal pointed out that the BJP has resorted to dirty politics of an unprecedented scale, endangering lives in Delhi as they are set to face defeat in the assembly elections. If the people of Delhi are not voting for the BJP, will you kill them by making them drink poisoned water?" he questioned. Interestingly, while the AAP has blamed it on elections, its government in March 2021 approached the Supreme Court against the Haryana government over the issue of high ammonia levels in the water supplied through the Yamuna and its channels. Further, in the last few years, this has emerged as a pattern. To understand the higher level of pollutants in Yamuna, and why this occurs, News18 spoke to officials of the Delhi Jal Board, responsible for providing potable water to the city. A senior official from the body said that while the ruling party in Delhi, AAP, is using elections and blaming the ruling party from Haryana, BJP, the fact is this happens almost every year and there is nothing new in ammonia levels impacting water supply in Delhi. In December 2024, almost for the entire month, the level of ammoniacal nitrogen was above 1 ppm. Even in January, it is above 1 ppm. This happens every year, but we manage to continue the supply of water to Delhi, although it does get impacted to some extent. We keep the areas informed about the situation and so there is no panic among the public," a second official said. They explained that this needed a long-term solution and not blame-game. Soon after Kejriwal and Atishi claimed poison in water" referring to ammonia, the DJB issued a counter statement, calling it false, misleading, and factually incorrect". The DJB also said such alarmist statements amount to fear-mongering. How Delhi Gets Water and its Treatment Process The Delhi Jal Board is responsible for the production and distribution of potable water. It takes and treats raw water from Yamuna, Bhakra Storage, Upper Ganga Canal and Groundwater. The DJB also provides treatment and disposal of waste water. The raw water from Yamuna needs to be treated before it is supplied across the city. There are a number of water treatment plants in Delhi that cleans the water and makes it suitable for use. The plants of the DJB, another official explained, are designed to treat raw water with up to 1 ppm of ammonia. But they manage up to certain higher levels as well. When the ammonia levels are above 1 ppm, the raw Yamuna water is diluted with cleaner water from Canals. Otherwise it will be difficult to meet the water requirement in the city," they said. In 2019, the pollution levels became so high that Chandrawal and Wazirabad Water Treatment plants had to stop operations completely. High ammonia levels due to industrial waste being dumped into the Yamuna at Panipat has forced Chandrawal and Wazirabad Water Treatment Plants to stop operations Haryana govt has assured Delhi that they will release additional water soon to dilute the presence of ammonia. Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 30, 2019 Annual Problem On being asked why this is an annual issue, they explained that except in the monsoon, the water flow in the river is low. They said that when the river has enough water, the pollution level is automatically controlled but as soon as the river shrinks, the pollutants impact the water quality. The river swells in monsoon and so the water is automatically diluted. But during other months, the water is less and the concentration of pollutants increases," they explained. A former DJB official said states are allowing industries to dump untreated waste in the river and that is the main source of water pollution. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Yamuna is one of the worst victims of industrial pollution. The best solution to control pollution in Yamuna is to check the discharge of untreated industrial waste. The parties should show a strong political will against industries polluting rivers, otherwise they have to do politics at the time of election," they added. The elections will be held in Delhi on February 5 while the counting of votes will be on February 8. First Published: January 28, 2025, 18:08 IST Why Did He Run & Come Here? Jangpura Jigsaw Awaits AAPs Deputy CM Face Manish Sisodia Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 15:35 IST Party insiders say Sisodia probably shifted his constituency from East Delhis Patparganj --- a symbol of his political stature and the site of major electoral wins for the AAP --- to tackle anti-incumbency and stains of corruption Manish Sisodias change of seat has prompted many in Jangpura to label him a runaway candidate. (News18) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made a dent here, which may not be sufficient for it to win the elections, but wont allow it to be a cakewalk for Sisodia either. related stories Party insiders say Sisodia probably shifted his constituency from East Delhis Patparganj a symbol of his political stature and the site of major electoral wins for the AAP to tackle anti-incumbency and stains of corruption". After he landed in jail in connection with the Delhi excise policy, his return to his former constituency became difficult. This shift has prompted many in Jangpura to label him as a runaway candidate and has made them sense the unease that Delhis ruling party is facing ahead of the polls this time around. Meanwhile, some others feel this shift is both a challenge and an opportunity for Sisodia to win back trust and ability as a political leader. Gulshan Narang, 63, who has been running a spare parts shop in Bhogal for over 40 years and is also a resident in the area, asked: Why did Sisodia have to leave his former constituency and come here instead?" He added: The AAP may form the government even this time since there are people who are inclined towards their politics of welfare of the lower classes, but the middle class knows well that its the same money thats being taken from them and being given to the other segment of society in the name of welfare of the poor." The freebies, he said, on water and power bills are not of much benefit to the middle class. My household consumption for both water and power is higher than the limit set for zero bills. For the middle class, the real issues are streets getting flooded with dirty drain water during monsoon and low water supply, which need to be fixed. The flood-water entered my shop last year and damaged all my furniture," he said. BJPs candidate Tarvinder Singh Marwah, he said, is resurfacing in this election. Both Marwah and Sisodia are in a neck-and-neck fight even as the Congress tries hard to make a comeback. Attempts to reach out to Marwah and Sisodia did not elicit a response. The Congress has fielded Farhad Suri, former mayor of Delhi, long-time municipal councillor from Nizamuddin, and a veteran leader. Suris work, goodwill and long-time legacy in the area have earned him a loyal support base. Though the Congress may not be in a winning position, the Muslim vote, which had switched to AAP over the last two assembly elections in the Capital, is now said to be going back significantly at least in Jangpura. Speaking to News18, Suri said he comes with a track record of honest work in the area. Also, he doesnt consider Sisodia to be in the fray. If you ask me, my opponent is the BJP. I dont see Sisodia in the fray. He has run away from his constituency, probably realising that the ground under him was weak in Patparganj. We will for sure reclaim our ground and results might surprise everyone," he said. The Congress leader, however, also alleged that they are not being allowed a level-playing field with both BJP and AAP having administrative forces behind them to rally support. One of the candidates (BJP) is heavily backed by the central government while the other (AAP) controls Delhi government and MCD. The latter is getting Punjabis from outside living in the slums to gain support," he alleged. The changing dynamics Marwah, formerly a three-time MLA (1998-2013) from the seat, switched to the BJP from Congress a few years ago and exercises immense political influence in the area. Hailing from the Sikh community, which comprises a sizeable section of the electorate along with Punjabis in the constituency, he is pushing hard to regain lost ground. Jangpura has a mix of upper middle-class and lower-class segments, with Jatavs, Balmikis, Sainis and Dhobi (washermen) communities forming the other major part of the electorate besides Muslims. It is these lower-class clusters that had so far voted heavily in favour of the AAP. Now, a visible rift can be seen, with many voters seemingly ready to give BJPs Marwah another chance. Until last election, people here had voted largely for the AAP. But this time, its a bit different. The BJP is trying to make inroads here and slum-dwellers too seem to be drifting towards it," said Jagdish Kumar, a resident of the Janata Camp. Those living in the Pratap Camp area in Nehru Nagar, which houses four major Jhuggi-Jhopri clusters, said Marwah is like a family member who has been helping people even when he was not in power. He has now promised to do more if he wins this time. We gave AAP a chance and now we are ready to give Marwah a chance once again when he is finally in the fray," said Rajni, 48. The BJP candidate enjoys the reputation of a senior family member in this camp and attends their social and personal events like weddings and even deaths. Its not that AAP has not worked, said Rekha, an old-time resident of the camp. They did build a public toilet here and a Mohalla Clinic nearby which, by her own admission, is out of medicines for most part of the year. But our major problem is water supply and open drains in the area, which bring diseases. We have to buy bottled water for Rs 40 every day for drinking. This area needs pipelines, which is a major issue," she said. Behind her, one could see children playing by a large open drain, and pools of dirty water in the sewer holes. Every day, for the last week or 10 days, a Bhandara (free food distribution) has been organised by the BJP candidate in the area. Also, Marwah has been a regular visitor while Sisodia has come here only once so far, she added. Veerappan, an e-rickshaw driver from the Madrasi Camp built on railway land, said from his cluster, its a 50:50 for BJP-AAP. We dont ask anyone for amenities, we work on our own and get the basics," he said, even as the women complained of sanitation issues with only two ladies public toilets that are not sufficient for the large cluster. AAPs Uphill Battle The ground situation reveals that its going to be particularly hard for Sisodia to land a comfortable win from here this time, mainly because of the anti-incumbency of the sitting MLA from the seat as well as his not being a local in the area. Residents in the area also complained about Praveen Kumar, who is the sitting MLA from the constituency, not working as expected by the AAP. Kumar won the seat twice in 2015 and again in 2020 by a comfortable margin. This year, he was replaced with Sisodia, who Kejriwal recently announced would be the deputy CM face of the party. Kumar won the election last time only because of the party and not due to his own standing. It was only because people believe in Kejriwals welfare politics that he won. He didnt even listen to residents problems," said Rajan Gupta, a grocery store owner. Another resident, not wishing to be named, said, Sisodia may have to pay for Kumars half-hearted work in the constituency." Meanwhile, another candidate Rakesh Sagar, a former AAP member, is contesting from the seat as an Independent with the support of Chandra Shekhar Azad, a Dalit leader and MP known for his Bhim Army. Blue-coloured pamphlets, the colour of the partys flag, were hanging at several places across Jangpura, including in Bhogal market. I was with the AAP since the time of Anna Hazares Andolan. But it has changed its ideals over the years. The party supported Praveen Kumar, even though he did not work in his first term as MLA, over people who have served in the area. It had become important to contest from the seat to send them a message," said Sagar, who is also general secretary of the Bhogal market association and has been an original resident of the area. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Jangpura is like my family. I dont campaign much, but just go door-to-door," he said. Asked if his candidature would cut into AAPs vote base, he said: Azad-ji (referring to Chandra Shekhar Azad) plans to hold a rally here on January 30. We will cut into AAPs votes for sure, which is anyway being divided with the Congresss this time," he said. First Published: January 28, 2025, 15:22 IST Yamuna Too Toxic To Treat: Atishi Backs Kejriwal's Poison Claim Amid Delhi Water Shortage Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 13:13 IST Atishi has backed Arvind Kejriwal's claim on "poison" in Yamuna river and said that the water is "extremely toxic" while entering Delhi and cannot be treated. Delhi CM Atishi and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal (PTI Image) Stepping up the charge against Haryana over incoming toxic" water in Yamuna, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Tuesday alleged that the ammonia levels in the river are six times above normal while entering the city from the neighbouring state and cannot be treated". She wrote to the Election Commission, seeking its intervention in the matter. related stories This comes a day after AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal charged the BJP-led Haryana government of contaminating the Yamuna river with poison", drawing massive backlash from the saffron party. The Haryana government also threatened to sue him for his remarks. Delhi Jal Board also refuted the claims, describing Kejriwals statements as factually incorrect, without any basis and misleading". What Did Atishi Say? Claiming that the incoming water in Yamuna from Haryana is extremely toxic" for human body, she said that it is untreatable and cannot be supplied to the people of Delhi. Ammonia levels continue to be 6 times above normal in Yamuna waters, at the point it is entering Delhi from Haryana. Such levels are extremely toxic for the human body. This water cannot be treated and supplied to people of Delhi. Otherwise their lives will be at risk," she said on X. She sought the Election Commissions intervention, urging the poll body to prevent the toxic water from entering Delhi. Have also asked for an urgent appointment for the same," she said. Ammonia levels continue to be 6 times above normal in Yamuna waters, at the point it is entering Delhi from Haryana. Such levels are extremely toxic for the human body. This water cannot be treated and supplied to people of Delhi. Otherwise their lives will be at risk.Have pic.twitter.com/ZpA5jKPNIp Atishi (@AtishiAAP) January 28, 2025 In her letter, she said that the water treatment plants of the Delhi Jal Board can treat ammonia upto 1 ppm level, however, the incoming water from Haryana has ammonia levels as high as 700% above the treatable limit. This has, she said, shrunk the water supply in the city by 15-20%. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Earlier on Monday, she alleged at a press conference that the BJP was deliberately disrupting" Delhis water supply as it was anticipating a historic loss" in the upcoming Assembly polls. The bewildered BJP is resorting to tactics, such as stopping the water supply. Haryana is intentionally draining industrial waste into the Yamuna to harm the people of Delhi and influence the election outcome unfairly," Atishi had said. First Published: January 28, 2025, 13:09 IST As India, China Resume Flights To Kailash Mansarovar, A Look At The Significance Of The Pilgrimage Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 17:31 IST The Kailash mountain range is one of the most sacred places of worship for Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains and Bons. It is situated on an elevation of 6,657 metres above sea level and flanked by two high-altitude lakes on either side. It is considered the... Read More Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong agreed that the modalities to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the summer of 2025 would be discussed as per existing agreements. (File Photo) India and China have decided to resume flights to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which has stopped since 2020. A statement by the Ministry of External Affairs read, The relevant mechanism will discuss the modalities for doing so as per existing agreements. They also agreed to hold an early meeting of the India-China Expert Level Mechanism to discuss resumption of provision of hydrological data and other cooperation pertaining to trans-border rivers." related stories Both the nations have decided in-principle to resume direct flights, and promote and facilitate people-to-people contacts, especially between media and think tanks. What Is The Religious Significance Of Kailash Mansarovar? The Kailash mountain range is one of the most sacred places of worship for Hindus. Situated on an elevation of 6,657 metres above sea level and flanked by two high-altitude lakes on either side, the mountain is known as the holy abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The pilgrimage has been considered immensely rewarding for Hindus, Tibetans, Jains, Buddhists and many others since time immemorial. As a part of the pilgrimage, every devotee is expected to take a 53 km-long Parikrama around the holy mountain home of Mahadev. Formed over 30 million years ago, the holy Kailash Parvati is the highest peak in the Kailash range of mountains. The significance of the mountain has often been referred to in the holy Hindu Puranas and Buddhist texts. It is said to be located in Uttarakuru, a semi-mythical and semi-historical region with heaven on top of it where the chief of devas, Lord Shiva resides. It is said taking the three-day-long trek around the holy mountain will rid you of your sins. The two holy lakes around the mountain Rakshas Tal and Mansarovar are said to possess immense healing abilities. Taking a holy dip in Mansarovar is said to get rid of all bodily ailments for a lifetime. Completing the circuit around the mountain along with taking a dip in Mansarovar is a lifetime experience where every pilgrim gets blessed by the Lord Shiva himself. How Much Do You Know About Lake Mansarovar? The massive lake, about 800 km wide and 330 feet deep, is situated on the southern foot of Mount Kailash. Other than its religious importance, Lake Mansarovar is known for its exceptional natural beauty. The crystal-clear water of the lake reflects the complete structure of the Kailash Parvat. Few holy monasteries surround the shoreline of the lake, with the most striking being the Chiu Gompa Monastery. Pilgrims from all over the world make their way to the lake when the glacial water melts for a holy dip. Anyone fortunate enough to bathe and drink the Mansarovar water is believed to be clear of all earthly sins for a lifetime. Hindu mythology says Lake Mansarovar was created by Lord Brahma himself. He believed that it was the perfect and the most appropriate place for performing religious rituals. Him along with his 12 sons, who were also holy men, performed various austerities and purified the region. In Buddhist teachings, Mansarovar Lake is related to the Anotatta Lake. Jains: The Mansarovar Lake has been mentioned as the place where the first Jain Tirthankara, Lord Rishabh Deva, is said to have meditated and achieved his spiritual liberation. This makes it the birthplace of Jainism. Buddhism: Mount Kailash is referred to as Meru Parvat in Buddhist texts and it is here that Lord Buddha was conceived. The birth mother of Buddha, Maya Devi, had made her way to Kailash Mansarovar and taken a dip in the holy lake, after which Lord Buddha is said to have been conceived. Later, he went to Kailash Mansarovar to perform intense meditation. Bons: As per the religion, Mount Kailash is known as Zhangzhung. The followers of this religion believe that the founder Tonpa Shenrab had meditated and taken a holy dip in the Lake Mansarovar during his first visit to Tibet. Sikhs: Kailash Mansarovar is the place where the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, along with the first 10 Guru Devs are said to have performed intense meditation day in and day out. What Has Been Decided By India, China About Kailash Mansarovar Yatra? Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and his counterpart, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, met in Beijing on Monday and resumed the dialogue between the top diplomats of the two governments - a process, which was also discontinued due to the military stand-off over the past four-and-a-half years. Misri and Sun agreed that the modalities to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the summer of 2025 would be discussed as per existing agreements. Whats The History Of Mansarovar Yatra Between The Two Countries? Since the 1980s, the MEA had been organising an official" Kailash Mansarovar Yatra every year, according to bilateral pacts between India and China. Prime Minister Narendra Modis first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in New Delhi in September 2014 had seen China accepting the long-pending request from India to open another route for Kailash Manasarovar Yatra as an alternative to the one via Lipulekh Pass, which not only required trekking for several days but had turned worse during inclement weather. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The new and less treacherous route for pilgrims was opened through Nathu La in 2015. Flights between both countries were halted in early 2020 at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Services to Hong Kong eventually resumed as the public health crisis receded but not to the Chinese mainland, owing to the troop clash later that year. First Published: January 28, 2025, 17:31 IST DeepSeek: Who Is Liang Wenfeng, The Geek Behind The Chinese AI Company That Has Spooked US Markets? Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 13:09 IST The 40-year-old electronic engineering graduate from Zhejiang University in China funded DeepSeek from a hedge fund that he launched in 2015. Liang Wenfeng has said in interviews that Chinas AI cannot remain in a follower position, thats why some exploration is inevitable DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng (right) was invited to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang last week. (Photo: CCTV/ South China Morning Post) A 40-year-old information and electronic engineering graduate, Liang Wenfeng, has partly funded DeepSeek, the Chinese Artificial Intelligence (AI) company, whose latest app has become the most downloaded app in the US. The Hangzhou-based start-up topped Apples free app chart after releasing a new open source AI assistant that rivals OpenAIs ChatGPT. related stories As DeepSeek became the most downloaded and top-rated app on Apple Store, the stocks of tech giants Nvidia, Meta and Microsoft crashed on Monday. How Is Liang Wenfeng? The meteoric rise of DeepSeek has caught the attention of everybody in the tech world, with Liang Wenfeng being called as Chinas Sam Altman the co-founder of OpenAI. Liang grew up in the 1980s in fifth-tier city" Guangdong, China, as he told in a 2024 interview. His father was a primary schoolteacher. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Artificial Intelligence from Zhejiang University, one of Chinas oldest and best-ranked universities. In 2015, Liang and two of his classmates from Zhejiang University created a quantitative hedge fund, High-Flyer, whose website says it relies on mathematics and AI for quantitative investment". Gradually, the hedge fund grew quickly in China, becoming the first quant hedge fund to raise over 100 billion RMB (either $15 billion or Rs 1.19 lakh crore). In 2021, the number fell to around $8 billion but High-Flyer remains one of the countrys most important quant hedge funds. How Liang Wenfeng Funded DeepSeek Liangs co-founded quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer Quant became known for innovatively using AI-driven trading strategies. The fund announced in 2023 that it was going beyond trading to focus on creating a new research arm to explore artificial general intelligence", Reuters reported. Liang told a Chinese tech publication, QBitAI, that he did not go looking for experienced engineers to build a team. Instead, he approached PhD students from Chinas top universities such as Peking University and Tsinghua. Many had been published in top journals and won awards at international academic conferences, but lacked industry experience. According to Chinese corporate records, High-Flyer also owns patents related to chip clusters used to train AI models. Liang started buying thousands of Nvidia graphics processors in 2021 as an AI side project before the Joe Biden administration put restrictions on US exports of AI chips to China, the Financial Times reported. According to Reuters, High-Flyers AI unit had said it owns and operates a cluster of 10,000 A100 chips as at 2022. In an interview in July 2024 with Waves, Liang said Chinese companies have been accustomed" for years to leveraging technological innovations developed elsewhere, which isnt sustainable". This time, our goal isnt quick profits but advancing the technological frontier to drive ecosystem growth". What is impressive is that Liang spent only $5.6 million developing the latest iteration of their model a fraction of what US tech giants are spending on their AI models. The Financial Times reported that DeepSeek is known for giving the highest salary to its AI engineers, who are based in offices in Hangzhou and Beijing. Reports suggest that Chinas top leadership has taken note of DeepSeek. Before the DeepSeek-R1 model was released on January 20, Liang attended a closed-door meeting for businessmen and others in the industry hosted by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, said Chinese state media. Whats Liangs Aim With DeepSeek? With DeepSeek, Liang wants to push China ahead. He had said, We see that Chinas AI cannot remain in a follower position forever. We often say theres a one- or two-year gap between China and the US, but the real gap is between originality and imitation. If this doesnt change, China will always be a follower. Thats why some exploration is inevitable." Liang runs DeepSeek as a bottom-up company without any preassigned roles or rigid hierarchy. Speaking on the same, he has been quoted as saying, I believe innovation is, first and foremost, a matter of belief. Why is Silicon Valley so innovative? Because they dare to try. When ChatGPT debuted, China lacked confidence in frontier research. From investors to major tech firms, many felt the gap was too wide and focused instead on applications. But innovation requires confidence, and young people tend to have more of it." Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, a close advisor to US President Donald Trump, told AFP, DeepSeek R1 could be AIs Sputnik moment. It is one of the most amazing and impressive breakthroughs Ive ever seen." Challenges For DeepSeek According to US investment research company Morningstar, theres low imminent risk" for DeepSeek to be penalized by the US government. The research firm noted that DeepSeek has recently restricted new registrations to Chinese numbers, hence limiting the number of US users. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all They have not released any commercial versions or monetisation plans, so theres no direct monetary impact even if new restrictions are rolled out. They have not accepted outside investors (all funding comes from founders quant fund) as theres no pressure for anyone to divest," said Morningstar analyst Phelix Lee, quoted by Business Times. Not just that, US rivals are also upping the ante against the popularity of DeepSeek. OpenAI is creating a joint venture with Japans SoftBank, dubbed Stargate, with plans to spend at least $100 billion on AI infrastructure in the US. Elon Musks xAI is also massively expanding its Colossus supercomputer to help train its Grok AI models. First Published: January 28, 2025, 11:58 IST Whats US New Rule For Licensing & Exporting AI Chips, How Will It Impact India? Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 14:43 IST The new regulations for licensing and exporting of AI chips give free access to 18 countries, except India and China. The US wants to control global access to AI for which it has increased restrictions on advanced GPUs needed to build the clusters used to... Read More NVIDIA has said the new regulations would undermine the innovation that has kept the US ahead in the chip race. (File Photo) The US government has released a new regulation to control the circulation of its artificial intelligence (AI) chips and technology to other countries in order to help cultivate a secure and trusted technology ecosystem". The US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has introduced a tiered framework for licensing and exporting of AI chips in tandem with national security and foreign policy interests". The rule regulates the flow of American AI chips and technology needed for the most sophisticated AI applications. related stories What Is The New Regulation? The new regulation updates the existing rules for export and licensing of chips by segregating countries into three tiers. The first tier has no restrictions for the export, re-export or transfer of advanced computing chips to 18 countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, South Korea, UK and Japan, among others. The second tier includes limits on volume and exemptions based on specifications alongside mandatory authorisation and licensing. It holds that transactions that could contribute to the development of advanced AI models would require a Validated End User (VEU) authorisation. Those that do not contribute to the development of advanced AI models, such as chips with a collective computation power of roughly 1,700 advanced GPUs, would not need a permit. China and India have been put under this category. The third tier includes arms-embargoed countries, such as North Korea, Iraq, Iran and Russia, among others. These countries will have no access to the technology. What Is The US Trying To Do? The US wants to control global access to AI for which it has expanded restrictions on advanced GPUs needed to build the clusters used to train advanced AI models. The limits on GPUs for most countries in the new rule are set by compute power, to account for differences in individual chips. Total processing performance (TPP) is a metric used to measure the computational power of a chip. Under the regulation, countries with caps on compute power are restricted to a total of 790 million TPP through 2027. The cap translates into the equivalent of nearly 50,000 H100 Nvidia GPUs, according to Divyansh Kaushik, an AI expert at Beacon Global Strategies, a Washington-based advisory firm. Fifty thousand H100s is an enormous amount of power enough to fuel cutting-edge research, run entire AI companies or support the most demanding AI applications on the planet," he told Reuters. But companies like Amazon Web Services or Microsofts Azure cloud unit that meet the requirements for special authorisations also known as Universal Verified End User" status are exempt from the caps. National authorisations also are available to companies headquartered in any destination that is not a country of concern." Those with national Verified End User (VEU) status have caps of roughly 320,000 advanced GPUs over the next two years. Another concern for the US is model weights". AI models are trained to produce meaningful material by being fed large quantities of data. At the same time, algorithms evaluate the outputs to improve the models performance. The algorithms adjust numerical parameters that weigh the results of certain operations more than others to better complete tasks. Those parameters are model weights. The rule sets security standards to protect the weights of advanced closed-weight", or non-public, models. What Are US Concerns? The primary concern of the United States is threat to its global competitiveness in the domain of artificial intelligence. The BIS determined that adversaries could potentially use the advanced AI systems to improve speed and accuracy of their military decision making, planning and logistics. BIS also observed that access to systems could potentially lower the barrier for non-experts to develop weapons of mass destruction, support offensive cyber operations and assist in human rights violations (such as through mass surveillance). Ned Finkle, Vice President of Govt Affairs at NVIDIA among the largest chip makers globally wrote in a blogpost that the new regulations would undermine the innovation that has kept the US ahead in the chip race. He argued that the rules would not enhance US security. The new rules would control technology worldwide, including technology that is already widely available in mainstream gaming PCs and consumer hardware." NVIDIA in a statement compared the difference in approach between the Joe Biden and Donald Trump administrations, contributing to the visible trend of tech companies seeking to reach out to the incoming President. The first Trump Administration laid the foundation for Americas current strength and success in AI, fostering an environment where US industry could compete and win on merit without compromising national security," NVIDIA said. How Do These Rules Impact India? The new regulation could impact Indias Semiconductor Mission. With countries like China having limited or no access, India can boost its chances to create a complex new reality for Indias tech ambitions. As the rule change has sparked discussions, Ashok Chandak, president of the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA), told Analytics India Media, In the short term, the impact is expected to be minimal." The long-term implications, however, deserve careful consideration. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India already has a promising path forward through its homegrown RISC-V technology, which was developed at IIT Madras. Unlike other chip technologies that require expensive licensing fees, RISC-V is open-source, which means that India can freely use and modify it to build its advanced chips. India could have some flexibility in accessing advanced chips under VEU. This is because India does not re-export high-end chips (like Compute ICs) or make advanced chips itself, but it does have major design centres for big companies like NVIDIA and AMD. This could make it easier for India to get approval for chip licences under this programme, according to Analytics India Media. First Published: January 28, 2025, 14:41 IST Baba Siddique Murder: Son Mentions BJP Leader In Police Statement; We Spoke Regularly, Says Kamboj Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 14:12 IST In his statement to police, Zeeshan has said that his father Baba Siddique and BJP's Mohit Kamboj texted each other on WhatsApp just a few hours before he was shot dead. Kamboj told News18: "I was shocked when this incident happened and was there at... Read More (From left) Zeeshan, Baba Siddique, Mohit Kamboj. (File/X) While Zeeshan Siddique has told police that his father and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddiques final diary entry mentioned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Mohit Kambojs name, the latter has denied links to Siddiques murder, insisting they used to talk regularly". Zeeshan also stated that his father and Kamboj texted each other on WhatsApp just a few hours before he was shot dead. While Kamboj didnt answer our call, he replied over a text message: The late Shri Baba Siddique was my dear friend. We have known each other for last 15 years. He was part of NDA, and we used to talk regularly on different issues including elections. I was shocked when this incident happened and was there at hospital with family at hard time! Unfortunately, it is loss to all friends and truth should come out and justice should prevail!" related stories Zeeshan, in his statement to the police, has not mentioned the context of the conversation between the two. In his statement, Zeeshan had mentioned that Kamboj wanted to meet his father regarding Mundra builder. This disclosure by Zeeshan has raised questions about potential motives and the involvement of key figures in the high-profile murder investigation. WHAT HAPPENED ON THE DAY OF MURDER? According to Zeeshan, his father, a former legislator and a staunch advocate for fair redevelopment policies in Bandra East, faced consistent pressure from developers and political entities. He recalled that on the day of the murder, October 22, 2024, Baba Siddique had been to his Bandra East office, interacting with local workers and planning for the next days activities. Around 9 pm, Zeeshan left the office briefly for dinner, only to receive a frantic call minutes later that his father had been shot at. My father and I were in my office. He was sitting in the antechamber of my office and I was in my cabin. As I was hungry, I went to ask my father, but he was praying, so I waited for some time. Later, I went to see him again and told him that I will be back in 10-15 minutes. When I reached one of the restaurants in Bandra East along with my supporters, my supporter Daniel got call on his phone and a caller informed him that my father has been shot at near my office. When I rushed to the office, I found he had already been taken to Lilavati Hospital. Despite the doctors best efforts, they couldnt save him," said Zeeshan. THE DIARY ENTRIES & REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT ANGLE Adding to the mystery, Zeeshan claimed that Baba Siddique had a habit of writing diary daily. The last entry, reportedly written just hours before his death, mentioned Kambojs name. Zeeshan further alleged that Baba Siddique had been approached by Kamboj and several developers, including Prithvi Chavan, Shahid Balwa and Nabeel Patel and few others about contentious redevelopment projects in Bandra East. Zeeshan had mentioned the SRA angle in his first social media post after his fathers death. My father lost his life protecting and saving the lives and homes of poor innocent people. Today, my family is broken but his death must not be politicised and definitely not go in vain. I NEED JUSTICE, MY FAMILY NEEDS JUSTICE!" My father lost his life protecting and saving the lives and homes of poor innocent people. Today, my family is broken but his death must not be politicised and definitely not go in vain.I NEED JUSTICE, MY FAMILY NEEDS JUSTICE! Zeeshan Siddique (@zeeshanBabaS) October 17, 2024 Zeeshan also alleged that Baba Siddique had been facing threats over the Gyaneshwar Nagar redevelopment project. According to him, the developers and certain officials from the Kherwadi police station had tried to pressure his father into compliance. Zeeshan recalled one instance where a developer, Prithvi Chavan, allegedly used abusive language toward Baba Siddique during a heated discussion. Further, in his statement, Zeeshan claimed that there is a video in which allegedly a representative from Mudra Builders, a firm connected to Kamboj, making derogatory remarks about Baba Siddique during a meeting with local residents. This video, along with his diary and WhatsApp records, clearly indicates who was pressuring my father and why," said Zeeshan in the statement. WHAT KAMBOJ SAID Kamboj has said that he doesnt know Mundra builders and that Zeeshan should answer who is Mundra builders and give all videos related to it. Despite repeated attempts, Zeeshan was unavailable for his reaction. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As investigations continue, the murder of Baba Siddiqui has become a flashpoint in Maharashtra politics, exposing the murky intersections of power, money, and redevelopment in one of Mumbais most contested areas. Interestingly, Zeeshan has nowhere mentioned the Bishnoi gang angle in his statement to Mumbai Police. In his statement, he had taken names of two politicians Kamboj and Shiv Sena leader Anil Parab and 10 builders. First Published: January 28, 2025, 14:08 IST BSF, BGB Chiefs To Meet For The First Time In Delhi Since Sheikh Hasinas Exit From Bangladesh Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 10:56 IST Sources revealed that the key agenda from the Indian side will focus on smuggling, infiltration, and border fencing BSF is also likely to address frequent incidents at the border following the political crisis in Bangladesh. (PTI) The DG-level meeting between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), delayed due to the political turmoil in the neighbouring country, is set to take place in February in New Delhi. According to sources, a minute-to-minute plan is ready, and BSF, along with others, is preparing a detailed agenda based on current requirements in light of the political turmoil. related stories Sources in BSF told News18 that the meeting will be held from February 17-20 where BSF chief Daljit Singh Chaudhary and BGB chief Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui are expected to meet in Delhi, most likely at the BSF headquarters. The BGB chief will return on February 20 along with his team. The meeting at the DG-level was postponed due to political crisis in Bangladesh last year. The meeting is crucial as Bangladesh is facing a political crisis and the government is being managed by an advisor. Additionally, there has been a change in the situation at the Indo-Bangladesh border, as well as within the country. Sources revealed that the key agenda from the Indian side will focus on smuggling, which is not limited to cattle smuggling. Smuggling will certainly be a key point in the meeting, as there has been an increase in various types of smuggling from the Bangladesh side. Though the BGB and BSF are working closely together, there are issues that need to be discussed. Human trafficking would also be discussed with this issue," a senior official who will attend the meeting told News18. According to the official, in addition to smuggling, infiltration and border fencing will also be discussed during the meeting. A senior official mentioned that the border faces a serious threat of infiltration from the Bangladesh side, especially after Sheikh Hasina left the country. There have been instances where attempts were made and foiled by the BSF. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, the issue of single-row fencing will also be discussed to address roadblocks in the fencing process, which is progressing slowly due to various objections from the BGB. Apart from these key issues, BSF is also likely to address frequent incidents at the border following the political crisis in Bangladesh. In one such case, BGB objected minor renovation of a temple close to the border. Similarly, villagers from both the side had a face-off recently in Malda. Bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh have already been strained after Hasina left the country and is now in India. First Published: January 28, 2025, 10:56 IST 5 Dead As Four-Storey Building Collapses In Delhi's Burari, 12 Others Rescued Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 21:15 IST A police officer said that a rescue operation is underway and more people could be trapped under the debris. Burari Building Collapse | Image/PTI At least five people lost their lives after a four-storey building collapsed in north Delhis Burari area, police said on Tuesday. The newly constructed building near Oscar Public School crashed on Monday evening. So far, 12 people have been rescued and five bodies have been retrieved from the debris, police said. related stories The deceased have been identified as Saadhna, 17, and Radhika, 7. The remaining three people are yet to be identified, they said. A police officer said that a rescue operation is underway and more people could be trapped under the debris. The Delhi Police, in a statement issued on Monday night, said they received information about the collapse at around 7 pm. It was a new construction spread in a 200 square yards area, it said. Police said that soon after the incident which was reported to the Delhi Police and Delhi Fire Services, a rescue operation was launched. Rescue operation is still underway. Multiple agencies like police, fire and NDRF are on the spot. Police have cordoned off the area and are collecting more details from the locals to know how many people are still trapped inside the building," said the officer. We have launched an investigation into the matter and multiple teams have been formed. Legal action is under process against the building owner," he added. Soon after the incident, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said on X that all possible help would be provided to the affected people. This incident of building collapse in Burari is extremely sad. I have spoken to the local administration to ensure speedy relief and rescue operations. All possible help will be provided to the affected people," CM Atishi wrote in Hindi. Former Delhi chief minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, in a social media post, said the local party MLA has been instructed to assist in the relief and rescue operation. This incident is very sad. Our MLA from Burari, Sanjeev Jha, has been instructed to immediately go there with party workers and help the administration in relief and rescue work. Also, help the local people in every possible way," Kejriwal said. Meanwhile, the Delhi Fire Services chief released a rescue operation video on Tuesday morning. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Some of the personnel are there from last night without taking rest. The DFS is helping all the agencies to remove the debris and to rescue trapped people," DFS chief Atul Garg said. (With PTI Inputs) Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 28, 2025, 16:54 IST Direct Pakistan-Bangladesh Flights To Fly Over These Indian Cities Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 11:58 IST With no direct flights between India and Pakistan at present, passengers from both the countries must transit through Dubai, making it a mandatory stop for both directions Pakistan may request access to Indian airspace for its flights. (Representative/AP File) Amid strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Pakistan has announced a plan to initiate direct flights between the two countries. According to The Express Tribune, Mohammad Iqbal Hussain stated in a press conference in Peshawar on Saturday that the flights would travel over several cities in India. Currently, no direct flights operate between India and Pakistan. Consequently, travellers journeying from India to Pakistan must first transit through Dubai before reaching their final destination. Similarly, those travelling from Pakistan to India face the same constraint, being obliged to route their journey via Dubai. related stories However, flights originating from New Delhi and destined for Europe or Central Asia do traverse Pakistani airspace. Conversely, Pakistan could also request access to Indian airspace for its flights. Hussain emphasised the deep, historical relations between the two countries and expressed hope for the start of direct flights to facilitate travel and connectivity. It is not clear when these flights will start. Speaking about the route of flights flying from Dhaka to Islamabad, he said that it will pass over West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Lucknow and other cities of Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Haryana and Punjab in India. On the other hand, if the flight is going from Dhaka to Karachi, it will pass through Rajasthan instead of Punjab. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The High Commissioner of Bangladesh emphasised the burgeoning trade and diplomatic relations between the two countries, expressing confidence in their continued strengthening. Hussain highlighted the significant investment opportunities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in the healthcare and industrial sectors. He noted the demand for Bangladeshi goods in Pakistan and confirmed ongoing trade via the shipping route linking Chittagong and Karachi. The High Commissioner also discussed Bangladeshs forthcoming elections and reaffirmed the countrys commitment to economic development. First Published: January 28, 2025, 11:58 IST Guillain-Barre Syndrome: Pune Medical College Sends Samples To Virology Institute, Report Likely In 2 Weeks Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 10:46 IST On Monday, Pune reported nine new cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, taking the total tally of patients to 110. These patients include 73 men and 37 women, with 13 patients being on ventilator support The exact cause of Guillain-Barre Syndrome is not known, but it is often triggered by influenza, stomach bug, or, in rare cases, vaccination. Samples from patients suspected to have died from Guillain-Barre Syndrome in Pune have been sent to the countrys top virology institute, the National Institute of Virology, for further confirmation, the chief of government medical college in Solapur told News18. The report from the tests is expected after two weeks. On Monday, Pune reported nine new cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, taking the total tally of patients to 110. These patients include 73 men and 37 women, with 13 patients being on ventilator support. related stories On Monday morning, a 40-year-old Pune-based man passed away after contracting Guillain-Barre Syndrome in Solapur, marking the first suspected GBS-related death in Maharashtra. Dr Sanjiv Thakur, Government Medical College Dean at Solapur, told News18 that the patient was brought to his college in a dead state on January 18. The college has done a postmortem and performed a clinical autopsy. Prima facia, it seems to be Guillain-Barre Syndrome. We have taken cerebrospinal fluid, fluid from intestines, brain, kidney, and other tissues for autopsy." Thakur said one set of samples has been sent to Solapurs laboratory, whereas others have been sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune. Such testing takes its own time and results are likely to come in the next two to three weeks." Thakur clarified that the course of treatment working with other patients of GBS involves plasma exchange therapy, immunoglobins, and ventilator support". Health Ministry Sends Central Team Of Experts The Union health ministry on Monday deputed a high-level multi-disciplinary team to Maharashtra to support the state in handling cases of neurological disorder, Guillain Barre Syndrome, cases in Pune. The team sent to Maharashtra includes seven experts coming from National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) Delhi and National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru. Also, experts from the regional office of the health ministry have been sent along with experts from NIV, Pune. Presently, three experts from NIV are already supporting the local authorities. The team has been sent to work closely with the Maharashtra state health departments and understand the on-ground situation along with recommending necessary public health interventions. What Is GBS? Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a condition where the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves. Normally, nerves carry messages between your brain, spinal cord, and the rest of your body. These nerves are like electrical wires, covered by a protective layer called myelin, which helps messages travel quickly and smoothly. In GBS, the immune system damages this protective myelin layer or sometimes even the nerve itself. Without the myelin, signals from the brain slow down or stop entirely, making it hard for muscles to work or for your body to feel sensations properly. The exact reason why this happens isnt fully understood, but GBS often occurs after infections like a cold, stomach bug, diarrhoea or sometimes vaccinations, which might confuse the immune system. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Most people recover from GBS with treatment, but it can take weeks to months, and in some cases, the damage can leave long-term effects. While the disorder can affect people of all ages, it is more commonly seen in adults, particularly men. Experts estimate the death rate is around 5 per cent, which means 5 of every 100 people diagnosed with the condition or disease do not survive. First Published: January 28, 2025, 10:46 IST Gujarat Man Inserts Compressor Pipe In Cousin's Private Parts For Fun; He Dies Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 11:02 IST The police said that the incident took place as the cousin inserted the pipe "for fun". They are investigating the matter. Representative Image A man died after his cousin allegedly inserted a compressor pipe in his private parts as part of a prank for fun" in Gujarats Kadi on Monday, the police said. The incident took place when Prakash, the victim, visited his brother Ghevabhai and the victims cousin Alpesh shoved a compressor pipe in his private parts jokingly. After this, Prakashs body filled with air, resulting in vomiting and loss of consciousness, the police said. related stories He was rushed to a nearby hospital, however, had to be shifted to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital where he was declared dead. According to the police, Prakash was on a day-long visit to his brother and his cousin as his office was closed on the occasion of Republic Day. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Ghevabhai alleged that Alpesh was aware of the high air pressure in the compressor pipe, and he put it into Prakashs private parts despite knowing it, resulting in the victims demise. The police registered Ghevabhais complaint and started the investigation. Location : Gujarat, India, India First Published: January 28, 2025, 11:01 IST India Rejects Canadian Commissions Report On Election Interference Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 29, 2025, 00:35 IST The Ministry of External Affairs retaliated against Ottawa for its consistent interference in India's internal matters. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau | File Image/Reuters India on Tuesday rejected a report by the Canadian Commission alleging interference of the Government of India in Canadas federal elections. The Ministry of External Affairs rejected insinuations of the report, which alleged that the government of India was suspected of using proxy agents to provide clandestine financial support to candidates from three political parties in a federal election". related stories The MEA retaliated against Ottawa for its consistent interference in Indias internal matters. We have seen a report about alleged activities on purported interference. It is in fact Canada which has been consistently interfering in Indias internal affairs. This has also created an environment for illegal migration and organized criminal activities," the MEA said in an official statement. We reject the reports insinuations on India and expect that the support system enabling illegal migration will not be further countenanced," it added. The Canadian panel, chaired by Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue, released its final report on foreign interference in Canadas federal election on Tuesday. In the final report, Hogue acknowledged legitimate concerns about Canadian parliamentarians potentially having problematic relationships with foreign officials, exercising poor judgment, behaving naively, and displaying questionable ethics. However, she stated that she did not find evidence of parliamentarians conspiring with foreign states against Canada. While clearing its own lawmaker of any wrongdoing, it went on to accuse India of becoming the second most active country engaging in electoral foreign interference in Canada." The report also included details on how Pakistan attempted to covertly influence Canadian federal politics before the 2019 federal election to advance its interests in Canada. A foreign government official was suspected of engaging in foreign interference aimed at the Liberal Party, the report claimed. India-Canada Showdown The increased scrutiny of Indias attempts to interfere in Canadian politics comes after nearly a year and a half of strained relations between the two countries. In September 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed Parliament, stating that there were credible allegations" that agents of the Indian government were involved in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar three months earlier. Around the same time, Canada paused talks with India on a trade agreement, with negotiations yet to resume. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India has repeatedly denied all allegations related to Nijjars death. In October, the RCMP revealed it had credible evidence linking Indian diplomats and consular officials to covert and serious criminal activities in Canada. These shocking allegations led to India and Canada both expelling diplomats. First Published: January 29, 2025, 00:07 IST JPC Waqf Report Set For Adoption By Panel On Wednesday Amid Oppn MPs Planning Legal Action, Dissent Notes Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: January 29, 2025, 00:38 IST Most of the opposition MPs are not happy with the bill in its present form and have accused the government of brazening it out because of its majority Opposition MPs from the joint parliamentary committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill. (File photo/PTI) The joint parliamentary committee reviewing the Waqf bill circulated a 655-page report on Tuesday, incorporating 14 amendments. Following this, on Wednesday, the committee would meet again to adopt the draft report. One of the most widely debated issues in the JPC meetings has been the proposal of the government in its legislation to end waqf by user", which the opposition constantly tried to explain was the governments intention to take away the control of these properties that could only be given for the use and help of the Muslim community. related stories In its report, the panel has suggested, Regarding the amendments proposed in the definition of waqf, the Committee have observed that the proposed omission of waqf by user through Clause 3(ix) (b) of the Amending Bill, have created apprehensions among various stakeholders and the Muslim community at large regarding the status of the existing waqf by user which largely includes properties used for religious purposes. The Committee, in order to evade such apprehensions, propose that a proviso clearly specifying that the omission of waqf by user from the definition of the waqf will apply prospectively, that is, the cases of existing waqf properties already registered as waqf by user will not be reopened and will remain as waqf properties, even if they do not have a waqf deed. This would, however, be subject to the condition that the property wholly or in part must not be involved in a dispute or be a government property. Accordingly, the following amendment to Clause 3(ix) is proposed: (e) the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:- Provided that the existing waqf by user properties registered on or before the commencement of Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2024 as waqf by user will remain as 56 waqf properties except that the property, wholly or in part, is in dispute or is a government property." In its recommendation, the committee has elaborated that no action or cases in case of such waqf by the user will be done in a retrospective manner. This was one of the amendments proposed by a BJP ally at the Centre and in Andhra Pradesh, the Telugu Desam Party. The Delhi Waqf Tenants Welfare Association, which had deposed before the panel, had sought protection from the committee through the revised bill to not call them encroachers. The tenants have been working out of the shops generation after generation, paying rent, paying for the timely maintenance and repair of the facility, paying the upgraded rent every now and then, paying house tax in some cases, and also paying huge amounts of donations to the Waqf Boards. 10 to 12 lakh is the number of tenants under the various Waqf Boards all over India, and in Delhi, there are around 2,600 such tenants, theyve told the panel. Taking a humanitarian view of the situation, the committee has recommended the government incorporate appropriate laws for their protection. The recommendation of the panel reads, In light of the submissions made by the tenants associations regarding their long-standing association with Waqf properties, the Committee emphasizes the need to address their concerns compassionately during the formulation of Lease Rules. Recognizing these issues will provide legal certainty for tenants associations and establish fair oversight to prevent abrupt or unreasonable decisions by Waqf Boards. Such measures will reduce uncertainty and ambiguity, mitigate the impact of sudden rent increases, and alleviate fears of sudden eviction. Furthermore, fostering a symbiotic and harmonious relationship between Waqf Boards and tenants will ensure the prosperity of Waqf properties. The Committee, therefore, recommend that the Ministry may consider the concerns of Waqf tenants across the country and introduce laws that allow for long-term leases to safeguard their legitimate rights." The Dawoodi Bohra community had also deposed before the panel through noted legal luminary Harish Salve. In the bill, which was brought by the government in August last year, it was recommended that a special Waqf Board be made for the community. The Dawoodi community, in the deposition, had extensively argued that most of their properties are governed under trust, so they do not need control by the Waqf Board. In a relief to the Dawoodi Bohra community, the panel has recommended, "Committee agree with the submissions made by the Dawoodi Bohra and Aghakhani Communities which although parts of the larger Shia Muslim Community, have a distinct set of religious doctrines and practices. As a minority within the Shia community, the Dawoodi Bohras follow a unique governance system that revolves around the religious authority of the al-Dai al-Mutlaq. In this respect, the Ministry have suggested for amendments in Section 2 of the Principal Act by providing that this Act shall not apply to a trust established by a Muslim under any law for the time being in force. Consequently, the Committee recommend that the following proviso may be inserted in Section 2 of the principal Act: Provided further that nothing in this Act shall, notwithstanding any judgement, decree or order of any court, apply to a trust (by whatever name called) established before or after the commencement of this Act or statutorily regulated by any statutory provision pertaining to public charities, by a Muslim for purposes similar to a Waqf under any law for the time being in force." The omission of section 108 of the original Act, which provided for the powers of the Waqf Board and its tribunal to be the highest authority, hasnt gone down too well with the opposition, and they are likely to resist this in a big way. The present report says that in case of a dispute, the aggrieved party can go to court to seek relief, and the decision of the tribunal is not final and binding. As regards a lot of voices against empowering a Collector in place of a Survey Commissioner, which the opposition said would be a denial of justice in the case of Waqf properties the same person cannot be the complainant and cannot be the judge in the same case the committee has taken into consideration and recommended, In the newly proposed Section 3C(2), after the words Government property, for the words the same shall be referred to the Collector having jurisdiction who shall make such inquiry as he deems fit, the words, State Government may by notification designate an Officer above the rank of Collector hereinafter called the designated officer, who shall conduct an inquiry as per law, shall be substituted." It is understood that most of the opposition MPs, who are not happy with the bill in its present form and have accused the government of brazening it out because of its majority, are all set to provide dissent notes on the bill. It is learnt that noted lawyer and Lok Sabha member from DMK and former union minister A Raja may even consider taking the legal route against the bill. We will go to the Supreme Court and seek relief. The brazen use of numbers for an ill-conceived legislation like this is an abuse of power by the chairman and his party. It is even more shameful that the so-called secular parties like JDU, TDP, and even Ram Vilas Paswans party have maintained absolute silence on the bill and its intent," Raja told CNN-News18. Asaduddin Owaisi, another member of the opposition and someone who has moved amendments against all the clauses in the bill, is also preparing a detailed dissent note. Against the 650-plus-page report, these two are expected to give dissent notes that will run into at least 50 to 60 pages. Based on the written and oral depositions of both official and non-official witnesses, inputs gathered during the study visits, and a large number of memoranda received from various sources, the committee has examined the bill. The first meeting of the committee took place on August 22, 2024, after the bill was referred to it on August 9, 2024. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all More than 112 hours have gone into the discussions on the bill. A total of 284 stakeholders have been consulted, including 49 in Delhi and 155 during study tours. Twenty-five state Waqf Boards and 15 state government representatives have deposed before the panel. Eight MPs, seven MLAs, and five state ministers have deposed before the committee. Five minority commissions have appeared as witnesses. On the front of public opinion being sought by the JPC, 92.28 lakh emails and 4.99 lakh physical representations have been received. First Published: January 29, 2025, 00:38 IST Maha Kumbh-Bound Passengers Hurl Stones At Special Train From Jhansi After Finding Doors Locked Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 13:47 IST An enraged crowd reportedly hurl stones at a Maha Kumbh Special Train as they were unable to board it at Harpalpur as it was already crowded. Police have promised stricter security arrangements. A Maha Kumbh Special Train was vandalised in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district. (Photo: X) In a shocking incident, enraged passengers on their way to the Maha Kumbh hurled stones and vandalised a special train travelling from Jhansi to Prayagraj after they found the doors of the compartments locked. The incident took place at the Harpalpur railway station in Madhya Pradesh. Several videos have been circulated on social media showing a furious crowd pelting stones at the train after they were unable to board a train to the Maha Kumbh. related stories According to reports, the Maha Kumbh Special Train reached Harpalpur railway station in Jhansi at around 1 am. The train was completely full and the doors were locked from the inside, but a large number of devotees was present at the station, eager to attend the grand religious gathering. SHAMEFUL! A special Mahakumbh train carrying Sanatani devotees BRUTALLY ATTACKED by a mob in Chhatarpur, MP The mob pelted stones and vandalized the train going from Jhansi to Prayagraj pic.twitter.com/dUfI9k00RB Megh Updates (@MeghUpdates) January 28, 2025 A special train carrying devotees to #Prayagraj Mahakumbh attacked by a radical mob in Chhatarpur of MP.Expecting a severe action against this stone-pelting mob to prevent recurrence of this terror agnst Railways & devotees@DrMohanYadav51 ji plz take cognizance#MahaKumbh2025 pic.twitter.com/0BglfkafN3 (@Kriti_Sanatani) January 28, 2025 After the people created ruckus over not being able to board the train, the Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel opened doors of a train at Chhatarpur. However, several people could not board the train as it was already heavily crowded. The restive crowd tried to enter the train by breaking window panes and resorted to stone pelting, which deeply alarmed other passengers. They damaged the train and threw stones inside. They tried to kill passengers. There are women and children here," a man was heard saying in one of the videos. RK Singh, a passenger from the Chhatarpur district, told reporters that he was going to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh to take a dip at the Sangam during the ongoing Maha Kumbh there. But, he could not board a Prayagraj-bound train as all its doors and windows were closed, he claimed. After receiving information, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and GRP officials reached the spot to calm the situation, prompting the miscreants to flee from the area. The train remained at Harpalpur for some time before it was allowed to continue its journey. Jhansi railway divisions public relations officer Manoj Kumar Singh said the dispute had come to their notice and the Railways will make stricter security arrangements by coordinating with the administration so that such incidents do not occur again. Notably, a huge gathering of devotees has arrived in Prayagraj ahead of Mauni Amavasya on Wednesday (January 29), which is expected to draw around 10 crore pilgrims to the Maha Kumbh in just a day. The Uttar Pradesh government has stepped up security measures ahead of the Amrit Snan on Wednesday. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Security measures have reached unprecedented levels for the day with deployment of personnel at every nook and turn along with installation of AI-powered CCTV cameras and drones keeping eye on the Mela area, spread over several hectares along the Triveni Sangam the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. (with PTI inputs) Location : Chhatarpur, India, India First Published: January 28, 2025, 13:47 IST Maharashtra Govt's Big Decision, Atal Setu Toll Tax To Remain At Rs 250 For Another Year Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 14:56 IST Inaugurated last year, the Atal Setu plays a crucial role in reducing travel time and improving connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The Atal Setu was inaugurated on January 13, 2024. (Image: PTI/File) The Maharashtra government has taken a big decision by announcing that the toll tax for the Atal Setu will not be hiked for another year. During a State Cabinet meeting, the BJP-led government announced that the toll for the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu will be maintained at Rs 250 for another year. The decision will come as good news for daily commuters in the Mumbai Metropolitan region as they will not have to pay more tax for the next 12 months. related stories The Atal Setu is the countrys longest sea bridge and connects Sewri in Mumbai to Navi Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the bridge on January 12, 2024, and it was opened to the public a day later. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Atal Setu has transformed how people move between South Mumbai and key locations such as Panvel, Pune, and Navi Mumbai. By cutting travel time by at least an hour, it has made daily commute significantly smoother. At least 50 lakh vehicles, including buses, private cars, and commercial vehicles, travelled via the Atal Setu bridge from January to August last year. The bridge has redefined connectivity across the region, particularly between South Mumbai and the rapidly developing Navi Mumbai, where the new international airport is set to come up. First Published: January 28, 2025, 14:42 IST Didnt Know My 8-Year-Olds Stomach Pain Was GBS: Pune Auto Drivers Rough Ride Through Illness, Mounting Bills Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Manjiri Joshi Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 17:46 IST Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) outbreak in Maharashtra's Pune: "Rukmini's brain is still active. We have not been told the specific reason behind GBS. Doctors say her condition is very critical. Doctors say there is no significant progress, but she is stable and she will come out... Read More Devidas Kadam with his wife and daughter Rukmini. Devidas Kadam, an autorickshaw driver in Pune, is still unable to comprehend how his eight-year-old daughters complaint of stomach pain turned into Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) disorder. Two weeks ago, she complained of stomach pain for just two hours. On January 16, she developed high fever and fainted, so we rushed to the nearest hospital. Doctors did urine tests and a few other tests. Suspecting it to be GBS, they started the treatment. The confirmation of GBS came on the eighth day of her hospitalisation. They then conducted a few more tests," said Kadam. related stories Rukmini is on ventilator support in the ICU of Navale Hospital in Pune for 13 days. Her body is paralysed, but her brain is active. She can identify people and understand what you say, but cant respond. The doctors say they will keep her under observation for another three to four days. If her condition remains the same, they will change the course of treatment and will give her eight more injections. I dont know the name of the injections, but doctors said we will have to get them from a medical store if needed," he said. RUKMINIS BRAIN IS STILL ACTIVE After her first urine test, doctors told Kadam that Rukmini had a urine infection and swelling on her kidney. When they admitted her to the hospital, GBS had started to spread in her body. Doctors started treatment at once, so it did not spread above her neck and that is why her brain is still active. We have not been told the specific reason behind GBS. For the past 13 days, she is under observation. Doctors say her condition is very critical. Every day doctors visit. They say there is no significant progress, but she is stable and she will come out of it," said Kadam. NOT WORKING FOR 14 DAYS top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As the sole breadwinner of the family of four, including a five-year-old son, Kadam is facing a tough time managing the expenses of treatment. So far, he has spent Rs 3 lakh on her treatment. With a monthly earning of Rs 20,000-25,000, Kadam has not worked for 14 days. I have sold my wifes jewellery, exhausted my savings and borrowed money from relatives for the treatment. I have no insurance. I hope the government helps. They have accommodated GBS in the government scheme, but they should make treatment free, instead of giving a small subsidy. Doctors are not giving any specific timeline on when she will be fine, so I dont know how much expense we will have to bear," he said. First Published: January 28, 2025, 17:02 IST PM Modi Becomes First Leader From Indo-Pacific Region To Speak To Trump. Heres Why The Call Matters Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 12:02 IST The US Presidents conversation with PM Modi on the formers seventh day in office also signifies that US, under Trump 2.0, believes that India and US are the two driving forces in the region On Diwali, Donald Trump had raised the issue of atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh --- a concern first raised by PM Modi on the global stage. (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to US President Donald Trump on Monday in the first conversation between the two leaders after Trump assumed charge of the Oval Office. Earlier, PM Modi had dialled Trump to congratulate him on his victory after the election results. With Mondays call, the prime minister became the first leader from the Indo-Pacific region to speak to Trump. The US Presidents conversation with PM Modi on the formers seventh day in office also signifies that US, under Trump 2.0, believes that India and US are the two driving forces in the region. related stories During his first term, Trump redefined US engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. During PM Modis visit to US in 2017, the term Indo-Pacific, instead of Asia Pacific, was used, aiming at China. The change in nomenclature was significant. This new term assumed India and US as two anchors on either side of the strategic space. The presence of foreign ministers of Quad member countries at Trumps inaugural ceremony also speaks volumes about the strategic importance of this grouping in the Presidents second tenure. Apart from diplomatic ties, PM Modi and President Trump have a great personal rapport. On one hand, while Trump termed India Tariff King, on the other, he always cherished his and PM Modis bonding in public. In a podcast interview, Trump called Modi the nicest human being" and a total killer". When PM Modi was scheduled to visit US in September, Trump himself announced that the Indian prime minister was coming to meet me" when no such meeting was scheduled once again highlighting the bond between the leaders. On Diwali, Trump had raised the issue of atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh a concern first raised by PM Modi on the global stage. Trump also said he would work towards strengthening ties with PM Modi and India. One can also not forget the mega Howdy Modi event in Houston in 2019, which was the culmination of PM Modis efforts to woo the Indian diaspora. In an interview, Trump had also recalled sharing the stage with PM Modi at the event and said it was beautiful" to see a packed stadium cheering for Narendra Modi. Extolling his friends virtues, Trump said: I said [to Modi], Let me help, I am very good with those people. He was talking about a certain country; you can probably guess the country". He then quoted PM Modis firm response. He said, I will do it, I will do anything necessary, we have defeated them for hundreds of years," Trump recalled. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Before PM Modi, Trump spoke mainly to leaders from middle-eastern countries, the prime minister of UK which is an old ally, and the President of El Salvador as Trump wants to make it a safe third country for illegal immigrants. The arrangement, known as a Safe Third Country agreement", would empower US immigration officials to deport non-Salvadoran migrants to El Salvador, blocking them from requesting asylum in the US. Apart from these, he held conversations with the King Of Bahrain, King of Jordan, and Mohammad Bin Salman of Saudi Arabia. First Published: January 28, 2025, 11:51 IST 'Discrimination Against None': PM Modi Lauds Uttarakhand Govt For UCC Implementation Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 20:50 IST Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated the Uttarakhand government for becoming the first state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Prime Minister Narendra Modi | ANI Image Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday termed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as non-discriminatory" and lauded the Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Uttarakhand government for implementing the law, becoming the first-ever Indian state to do so. PM Modi noted that the UCC, which has sparked political debates and drawn national attention, will strengthen the spirit of democracy and described it as a Secular Civil Code." related stories Today the world is saying that the 21st century is Indias century. After offering prayers to Baba Kedar, it came out from my mouth that this is the decade of Uttarakhand. I am very happy that Uttarakhand is developing rapidly," said PM Modi after inaugurating the 38th National Games in Dehradun. It will strengthen the spirit of democracy and the Constitution," said the Prime Minister, adding, UCC has the same team spirit as sports, discrimination against none." Inaugurating the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand. It is a celebration of Indias incredible sporting talent and showcases the spirit of athletes from across the country. https://t.co/RT5QkE6Yu6 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 28, 2025 UCC Now A Reality Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to implement the common law on January 27. CM Dhami launched the UCC portal, rules, and Gazette Notification in Dehradun, stating the law would promote uniformity and ensure equal rights and responsibilities for all citizens. Today, by implementing UCC in Uttarakhand, we are paying our true tribute to the makers of the Constitution, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and all the respected members of the Constituent Assembly," Dhami said on the occasion. The UCC refers to one law that would apply to all religious communities in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, maintenance etc. India has a uniform or one set of criminal codes for all its citizens but doesnt have uniform civil law. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Its introduction to replace laws on marriage and other societal elements has been a longstanding promise of the PM Modi-led NDA government at the Centre. However, the opposition argues that UCC challenges Islamic laws on divorce, marriage and inheritance. Location : Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal), India, India First Published: January 28, 2025, 20:24 IST PM Modi Set To Visit US In February; Trump Says India Will Do 'What's Right' On Illegal Immigrants Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 09:33 IST PM Modi and Donald Trump held a telephonic conversation on Monday, where they discussed bilateral ties and emphasised their shared commitment to working together for global peace and stability. PM Modi and Donald Trump spoke on the phone for the first time since the latter took office. (Reuters/File) US President Donald Trump said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the White House in February, making the latter one of the first world leaders to visit Washington after Trumps inauguration. He also said they discussed the hot-button issue of immigration. I had a long talk with him this morning and hes going to be coming to the White House in the next month, probably in February. We have a very good relationship with India," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. related stories Trump also told reporters that PM Modi will do whats right" when it comes to taking back Indian immigrants who came to the US illegally. This came after a report last week claimed India has agreed to take back some 18,000 Indian immigrants living illegally in the US. In a meeting with Indias foreign minister last week, Trumps Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized a desire to address concerns related to irregular migration." Trump has said he is open to legal migration of skilled workers and India is known for its massive pool of IT professionals, many of whom work across the world. This follows a telephonic conversation between the two leaders for the first time since Trump took charge as US President for a second term. During the conversation, both leaders discussed bilateral ties between the two biggest democracies and emphasised their shared commitment to working together for global peace and stability. During the call, Trump stressed the importance of India buying more American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship. They also discussed expanding and deepening cooperation in the productive call", according to the White House. Both leaders also discussed a range of regional issues, including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe. The leaders discussed plans for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House, underscoring the strength of the friendship and strategic ties between the two nations. A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said the two leaders agreed to remain in touch and meet soon at an early mutually convenient date. Earlier, Reuters reported that Indian and US diplomats are trying to arrange a meeting of the leaders as early as February. The Indian Prime Minister last visited the United States in September to attend the Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware. Delighted to speak with my dear friend President Donald Trump. Congratulated him on his historic second term. We are committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership. We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards global peace, prosperity, and security," said PM Modi in an X post. Prime Minister Modi last spoke to Trump on November 7 last year, the day the Republican leader achieved a sweeping victory in the US Presidential Elections. The two leaders enjoyed warm relations during Trumps first term from 2017 to 2021. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all However, Trump has previously called India a very big abuser" on trade and vowed to use tariffs on global imports into the US to correct imbalances. The US is Indias largest trading partner and two-way trade surpassed $118 billion in 2023/24, with India posting a surplus of $32 billion. (with Reuters inputs) Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 28, 2025, 08:12 IST Pune Businessman Tries To Buy MBBS Seat For Daughter At Rs 40 Lakh, Duped Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 13:56 IST A Pune businessman paid Rs 60 lakh to a fraudster to secure his daughter's MBBS admission. When the work was not completed, only Rs 20 lakh was refunded. Realizing the scam, he filed a complaint with the police The fraudsters assured the businessman that they possessed the necessary connections and guaranteed MBBS admission. (Representative/Shutterstock) A businessman seeking admission to an MBBS course for his daughter was defrauded of Rs 40 lakh, leading to a case being registered at Hadapsar police station. The 49-year-old businessman, residing in the Magarpatta locality in the Hadapsar area of Pune, filed a complaint with the police station stating that the accused had promised to secure his daughters admission to medical college in exchange for the sum of Rs 40 lakh. related stories The police stated that the complainants daughter sought admission to an MBBS course. The suspects have been identified as Sunil Kumar (45), Saurabh Gupta (40), Vikas Gupta (28), Randhir Singh (30), and Priyanka Mishra (25). The businessman got in touch with the accused in August 2024 through an acquaintance. The accused enticed the businessman with a promise to secure his daughters admission into a private medical college. They assured him that they possessed the necessary connections and guaranteed admission. Trusting their claims, the businessman agreed to a payment of Rs 60 lakh to secure his daughters admission. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The accused took the amount through a combination of cash payments and online transfers. However, despite the accuseds promises, the businessmans daughter did not receive admission. When he demanded a refund, the accused returned only Rs 20 lakh. The complainant reported being cheated out of the remaining Rs 40 lakh. Realising he had been scammed, he filed a police complaint. The police initiated an investigation, with Assistant Inspector Deepak Barge investigating under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Mogle. First Published: January 28, 2025, 13:56 IST Ropeways to Amarnath, Sabarimala: Modi Govt's Plan For India's Big Religious Sites | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 09:00 IST The central government has invited consultants to prepare detailed project reports for 18 ropeway projects in prominent religious and tourist sites across India The biggest project is the ropeway proposed to Amarnath from Baltal in J&K, which is one of the two routes to reach the famous Hindu shrine. (Image: PTI/File) A ropeway from Baltal to the Amarnath shrine in Jammu and Kashmir may soon become a reality, as the biggest such project being planned at 18 prominent religious and tourist sites by the Narendra Modi-led government. News18 has learnt that the other big ropeway projects being planned include the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala and Parvathamalai Temple in Tamil Nadu. On January 25, the central government invited consultants to prepare detailed project reports (DPR) for 18 ropeway projects across India. related stories Ropeways will ease the commute for people who have to trek several kilometers to reach these religious and tourist sites. The projects will also prove to be cost-effective for visitors. The biggest project on the list, whose feasibility will be checked, is an 11.6-km ropeway proposed to the Amarnath shrine from Baltal. At present, the only way to reach the famous cave is on foot from either Baltal or Pahalgam, or by a chopper. A ropeway here will likely be a cheaper and cost-effective alternative for pilgrims during the two-month Amarnath Yatra every year. The other big project on the list is a 2.62-km ropeway to the Sabarimala Temple in Pathanamthitta, a major religious site in southern India. Visitors presently have to do a steep and arduous climb from Pamba to the temple, which can take more than two hours. The Parvathamalai Temple in Tamil Nadu is another proposed ropeway measuring 3.21 km. This is considered a sacred site by Hindus, who believe that a piece of the mythical Sanjeevani mountain fell here as Hanuman carried it to Lanka as per the Ramayana. TOURIST SITES ALSO ON THE LIST A 1.6-km ropeway has also been proposed to Thajiwas Glacier from Sonamarg in J&K, which can be used during the peak tourist season. There is also a plan to link Amer Fort with Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur by a ropeway measuring 6.45 km both are major tourist attractions in Rajasthan. A ropeway from Mussoorie to Kempty Falls, measuring 3.21 km, is also on the list. Maharashtras Shivneri Fort and Mullayyana Giri in Chikmagalur are also on the list for ropeways measuring 1.41 km and 2.38 km, respectively. The Shivneri Fort is the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj while Mullayyana Giri is the highest mountain peak in Karnataka. ALSO READ | Exclusive: India Begins Process to Build Rs 522-Crore Ropeway from Tawang Monastery to Arunachal Lake Near LAC OTHER MAJOR TEMPLES INCLUDED Ropeways have also been proposed for the Chamunda Devi Temple in Himachal Pradesh, Kunjapuri Temple (from Rishikesh) in Uttarakhand, Jwala Narsimha Swamy Temple and Sri Boyakonda Gangamma Temple in Andhra Pradesh, Salkanpur Wali Mata Mandir in Madhya Pradesh and Bhuban Pah Mahadev Temple in Assam. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ALSO READ | Ujjain Set to Get New Transit Lifeline with Mahakaleshwar Temple Ropeway Project Approved by Centre The National Highways Logistics Management Limited, a wholly owned company of NHAI and a statutory authority under the ministry of road transport and highways, has been assigned the work for development of ropeway projects under Parvatmala Pariyojana in the entire country. Projects for Kedarnath in Uttarakhand, Mata Vaishno Devi in J&K, and Shankracharya Temple in Srinagar, are already underway under this scheme. First Published: January 28, 2025, 09:00 IST Ukrainian Actor Arrested In Rs 1,000 Crore Torres Jewellery Ponzi Scam In Mumbai Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 20:44 IST Armen Ataine, who is in custody till February 3, is the sixth person to be arrested in the case Ataine is accused of assisting the masterminds behind the fraud, Artem and Olena Stoin, who are also Ukrainian nationals. (Representational image via AP) A Ukrainian actor, Armen Ataine, was arrested by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police in connection with the Rs 1,000-crore Ponzi scam that defrauded hundreds of investors in the city. Ataine, who is in custody till February 3, is the sixth person to be arrested in the case. related stories The investigation, which has already led to six arrests, is focusing on the involvement of several Ukrainian nationals in orchestrating the scam. Ataine is accused of assisting the masterminds behind the fraud, Artem and Olena Stoin, who are also Ukrainian nationals and are believed to have played key roles in planning the fraudulent investment scheme, NDTV reported. What Is Rs 1,000 Crore Torres Ponzi Scheme? The Torres Ponzi Scheme, run by Torres Jewellery, promised high returns on investments in gemstones, gold, and silver, but ended up causing financial losses for over 3,700 people. Torres Jewellery was shut down earlier this month after accumulating crores from investors. The fraud first came to light in December 2024, when a large group of investors gathered to protest at Torres Vastu Centre in Mumbais Dadar after the company failed to deliver on promised returns. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The police investigation has now zeroed in on the masterminds of the fraud, and efforts are underway to track them down. The CEO of Platinum Hern, Tausif Riyaz, also involved in the scam, was arrested earlier this month and is currently in police custody. ALSO READ: What Is Rs 1,000 Crore Torres Ponzi Scheme That Duped 3,700 People? First Published: January 28, 2025, 20:43 IST Press Release January 28, 2025 TOL welcomes bicam panel adoption of Phivolcs modernization bill Senate Majority Leader Francis 'TOL' Tolentino today lauded the approval by a bicameral conference panel of the measure seeking to modernize the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). "This bill is very timely and relevant, considering our position as part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, while current events would show several active volcanoes," said Tolentino, referring to recent activity exhibited by Kanlaon, Mayon, and Taal. Chaired by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and Rep. Carlito Marquez (1D, Aklan) for the Senate and House, respectively, the bicameral body unanimously adopted the reconciled version of SB 2825 and HB 10730 earlier today. In his manifestation, Tolentino shared his previous experiences in overseeing rescue and relief efforts during Mt. Mayon's eruption as former Chairperson of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and for Taal volcano as then Mayor of Tagaytay City. "I remember well, when I was a young mayor, a scientist used to visit me and I offered to have a site in Tagaytay for Phivolcs. I also remember having some long conversations with Director Punongbayan more than a decade ago," recalled the senator, referring to the late Phivolcs Director Raymundo Punongbayan, who was among the most prominent scientists to have led the agency. "Even then, we realized that there is really a need for Phivolcs to be modernized, not just in terms of equipment, but personnel as well. The need for scientists to be manning the posts should be underscored," added the senator, a co-author of the measure. Under the measure, a modernization program shall be established to provide state-of-the-art equipment, highly trained personnel, and more seismic stations to effectively increase the agency's capability to detect and locate earthquake, volcanic, and tsunami events, particularly in communities at risk. Tolentino and Sen. Joel Villanueva were the conferees for the Senate, while Reps. Ron Salo (Kabayan Party-List), Anna York Bondoc (4D, Pampanga) and Gabriel Bordado Jr. (3D, Camarines Sur made up the House panel. 'WhatsApp Cannot Be Used As Alternative By Police To Serve Notice To Accused: Supreme Court Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 08:47 IST The Supreme Court ordered the state and Union Territories to issue an order asking the police departments not to issue notices on WhatsApp or other electronic modes. Supreme Court of India (PTI Image) The Supreme Court has ruled that the police cannot use WhatsApp or other electronic means as an alternative to serve notice to an accused person under Section 41A of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) or Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Section 41A, CrPc or Section 35, BNSS provides for the issuance of notice to the accused, whose immediate arrest may not be required, to appear before the police. related stories A Bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Rajesh Bindal issued an order to all the states and Union Territories to roll out a Standing Order to their respective police departments asking them to use only the prescribed mode of service under the CrPC or BNSS to issue such notices, Bar and Bench reported. It is made amply clear that service of notice through WhatsApp or other electronic modes cannot be considered or recognised as an alternative or substitute to the mode of service recognised and prescribed under the CrPC, 1973/BNSS, 2023," the top court ordered, as per Bar and Bench. The courts direction came while hearing the Satendar Kumar Antil case in which it previously issued landmark directions to stop unnecessary arrests of the suspects or the accused. The court, since then, has been monitoring its orders. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Supreme Court was recently informed that the Haryana government has allowed the police to serve Section 41A CrPC or Section 35, BNSS notices using WhatsApp, emails or any other electronic modes. All the States/UTs must issue an additional Standing Order to their respective Police machinery to issue notices under Section 160 of CrPC, 1973/Section 179 of BNSS, 2023 and Section 175 of CrPC, 1973/Section 195 of BNSS, 2023 to the accused persons or otherwise, only through the mode of service as prescribed under the CrPC, 1973/BNSS, 2023," the court ordered, according to the report. First Published: January 28, 2025, 08:46 IST Ambalapuzha Temples Iconic Paal Payasam: A Sweet Offering With Spiritual Legacy Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 13:04 IST India is home to many sacred temples, with Kerala's Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple famous for its unique offeringpaal payasam. Chef Ranveer Brar explored the story of this famous paal payasam. India is home to many revered temples, each known for its spiritual significance and iconic prasads. One such temple, the Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple in Kerala, serves a unique prasadpaal payasam, a delicious rice pudding believed to be Lord Krishnas favourite. Kerala, famously known as Gods Own Country, is celebrated for its rich culinary traditions that not only delight the taste buds but also nourish the soul. Recently, renowned chef Ranveer Brar explored the fascinating history behind this sacred offering in his popular series Kitchen Kahani with RB, highlighting the spiritual and gastronomic heritage of the Ambalapuzha Temple and its beloved paal payasam. related stories History of Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple Located in the peaceful backwaters of Keralas Alleppey district, the Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple is not only a spiritual sanctuary but also a hub of rich history and culinary tradition. The temple is most famous for its iconic prasadam, the Ambalapuzha Paal Payasam, a smooth and creamy rice pudding loved by devotees and believed to have a special connection with Lord Krishna. Founded in the 17th century, the temple is historically significant for its ties to the Guruvayoor temple. During the Tipu Sultans invasion in 1789, the Lord Krishna idol from Guruvayoor was moved here for protection, strengthening the bond between the two temples. The temples striking architecture, adorned with vibrant murals of the Dasavatharam (the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu), is a sight to behold. Additionally, it is the birthplace of Ottamthullal, a unique satirical art form introduced by the famed poet Kunjan Nambiar. The Story Behind Ambalapuzha Paal Payasam The origin of Ambalapuzha Paal Payasam is steeped in legend and divine intrigue. According to the story, Lord Krishna, in the guise of a sage, challenged the king of Ambalapuzha to a game of chess. The sage requested a reward based on the chessboards squares, with the amount of rice doubling with each square. As the king realised the astronomical quantity of rice required, Lord Krishna revealed his divine form and proposed a simpler solutionpreparing a sweet rice pudding daily as an offering. This tradition has continued through the ages, with the creamy paal payasam serving as the sacred prasadam to this day. Sacred Preparation and Rituals The making of Ambalapuzha Paal Payasam is a sacred and careful process that begins early at 4 AM and culminates during the uchapooja, the midday prayers. The sweet delicacy is crafted from red rice, milk and sugar, using water from the temples holy well. During its preparation, priests chant Gopala Gopala" while carrying the offering to the altar. The temple also hosts several grand festivals, such as the Champakulam Moolam water festival in Mithunam month and a 10-day celebration in Meenam (March-April). Additionally, the Kalabham festival, held in January-February, spans 12 days, bringing thousands of devotees to experience the temples spiritual atmosphere and rich cultural traditions. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Protecting Tradition and Authenticity Over the years, Ambalapuzha Paal Payasam has faced the challenge of counterfeit versions sold by unauthorized vendors. To ensure devotees receive the original offering, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has labelled the dessert with the name Gopala Kashayam" (Krishnas Potion) alongside Ambalapuzha Paal Payasam" on the packaging. This initiative helps visitors recognise the authentic treat, ensuring they experience the true taste of divine blessings when visiting the temple. If you find yourself in Keralas Alleppey district, be sure to savour the legendary Ambalapuzha Paal Payasam and immerse yourself in its sacred legacy. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 28, 2025, 13:04 IST Why Early Diagnosis Can Be a Lifesaver: The Role of Genetics in Rare Diseases? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 10:49 IST Advances in genetic testing, enable the identification of genetic causes even before symptoms appear, allowing for timely interventions and personalized treatment plans Rare genetic disorders are often the result of mutations in a single gene, and many of these mutations can be inherited across generations Rare diseases are life-altering medical conditions in an individual that are difficult to identify and diagnose because they seem to be heterogeneous in terms of signs and symptoms. Different countries classify rare diseases differently based on their own population, health care system, and resources, however, the standard definition given by the World Health Organisation for rare disease is any disease that affects fewer than 65 per 100,000 people. Around 80% of rare diseases have a genetic cause, almost 70% of which present in childhood, about 95% lack approved treatments, and the average time for an accurate diagnosis is 48 years. In the past, these diseases often involved a lengthy diagnostic odyssey, but with the advent of genetic testing, healthcare providers can now pin point the genetic cause precisely and can provide early, targeted management and care. Dr Mahesh Hampe (MD, DNB), Senior Clinical Biochemist, MedGenome Labs shares all you need to know: related stories Genetic Testing for Early Diagnosis Rare genetic disorders are often the result of mutations in a single gene, and many of these mutations can be inherited across generations. Conditions like cystic fibrosis, Huntingtons disease, and muscular dystrophies are examples of diseases caused by such single-gene mutations. Genetic testing plays a crucial role in identifying the risk of these disorders, often before symptoms appear. This early detection provides valuable insights that can inform personalized treatment strategies. In some cases, targeted therapies are available to address the underlying genetic defect, while in other situations, genetic data can guide supportive care decisions and help avoid ineffective treatments. Genetic Testing Technologies Advancements in genetic testing technologies, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS), are transforming rare disease diagnosis by making genetic analysis faster, more thorough, and less expensive. While whole-genome sequencing examines the entire genetic code, whole-exome sequencing focuses specifically on the protein-coding regions, allowing for the identification of disease-causing mutations in known genes. Additionally, DNA microarrays can analyze millions of genetic variations from a single sample, providing a powerful tool to detect genetic variants that may contribute to disease risk. Biochemical Genetics testing Technologies American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) have proposed a recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP) which include those disorders which are most relevant in any Newborn screening (NBS) program. Inherited metabolic disorders recommended by ACMG like Congenital Adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), Cystic Fibrosis (CF) are performed using Time Resolved Fluoroimmunoassay (TRF) using dried blood spot (DBS). Other disorders like Biotinidase deficiency, Phenylketonuria or Galactosemia can be screened using simple Fluorometric enzyme assays using the same DBS sample. Fluorometric assays are more sensitive than ELISA and are quick methods of screening, and the results are available within 1-2 days so that the specific treatment can be initiated at the earliest. These biochemical assays (performed in DBS or leukocytes) can be used as adjunct to the diagnosis and treatment of lysosomal disorders (LSDs) like Gauchers disease, Pompe disease etc. and complement the molecular testing for establishing the diagnosis. With technological advancement, Mass spectrometry has revolutionised the testing of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) and we could perform more specific tests like Amino acids and acylcarnitine profile in the same DBS sample which confirm the IEMs like Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD), Urea Cycle defects (UCD) and organic acidemia like methylmalonic acidemia (MMA). This testing is done on Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) which are high throughput screening platforms that can analyse hundreds of samples in a day. Therefore, these tests are routinely performed for mass screening in many developed countries where the newborn screening (NBS) is a public health initiative. Role of genetic counselling in rare diseases top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Genetic counseling plays a crucial role in helping individuals navigate the challenges of living with a rare genetic condition. Genetic counselors provide support by explaining how these diseases impact the individual and the family, as well as offer guidance on genetic testing and related procedures. Early diagnosis is key to improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Advances in genetic testing, enable the identification of genetic causes even before symptoms appear, allowing for timely interventions and personalized treatment plans. While challenges and ethical considerations remain, the ongoing progress in genetic technologies, coupled with the support of genetic counselors, brings hope for better diagnosis, management, and care of rare diseases, easing the burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. First Published: January 28, 2025, 10:49 IST Kendall Jenner Kicks Off Paris Couture Week in a Schiaparelli Gown Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 08:37 IST Kendall Jenner stole the show at Paris Haute Couture Week 2025, dazzling in a sculptural Schiaparelli gown with dramatic details and a romantic flair. Runway Royalty: Kendall Jenner Turns Paris Couture Week into Her Personal Fairytale Kendall Jenner knows how to own the runway. The 29-year-old supermodel kicked off Paris Haute Couture Week 2025 on the Schiaparelli runway, commanding attention in a stunning sculptural beige gown. The dress featured dramatic protruding hips, floral-printed fabric on the bust and hem, a corset detail, and an oversized bow that added to its ethereal allure. Jenner completed the look with a sleek bun and soft, romantic makeup, letting the gown take center stage. Sharing her excitement on Instagram, Kendall wrote, dress of dreams @schiaparelli @danielroseberry you outdid yourself. this entire show took my breath away. thank you for having me. ill never forget it." related stories The front row was packed with A-listers, including Gabrielle Union, Regina King, Lynda Carter, and Carla Bruni. However, none of Kendalls famous family were spotted at the show. Younger sister Kylie Jenner, known for her previous Paris Haute Couture Week appearances with daughter Stormi, may still join her. For now, Kylie has been busy in New York, supporting boyfriend Timothee Chalamet as he hosted and performed on Saturday Night Live. Kendall, on the other hand, has been treating Paris like her personal catwalk. Before the show, she stepped out in a double-layered leather blazer from The Row ($9,500), paired with a simple white tee, black slouchy trousers, and a brown suede Hermes Birkin bag. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Fresh from a winter getaway in Aspen with Kylie and Hailey Bieber, where she flaunted statement coats like a vintage Balenciaga fox fur and an archival Gucci by Tom Ford design, Kendall has seamlessly transitioned from snow to couture. With Paris as her stage, we cant wait to see what looks she serves next. First Published: January 28, 2025, 08:37 IST Lala Lajpat Rai's 160th Birth Anniversary: All About The 'Punjab Kesari' And His Inspiring Quotes Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 06:00 IST Lala Lajpat Rai made groundbreaking contributions in the fields of education, social reform and journalism. His legacy went on to inspire a generation of future freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad. Lala Lajpat Rai left an indelible mark in India's fight for independence. (Image: Shutterstock) Lala Lajpat Rais 160th Birth Anniversary: The country is ready to commemorate the 160th birth anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai on Tuesday, January 28. Counted among one of the most revered freedom fighters, politicians and respected authors, Lala Lajpat Rai left an indelible mark in Indias fight for independence, emerging as a key figure in the Indian National Congress and Arya Samaj. Known for leading the protest against the Simon Commission, he strongly embodied the spirit of non-violent resistance against the British government. related stories Lajpat Rai also made groundbreaking contributions in the fields of education, social reform and journalism. His legacy went on to inspire a generation of future freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad. Not to forget, he was also a part of the famous trinity of Lal Bal Pal" alongside Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal. On the occasion of Lala Lajpat Rais 160th birth anniversary, lets dive deeper to learn more about the Punjab Kesari or the Lion of Punjab. All You Need To Know About Lala Lajpat Rai Lala Lajpat Rai was born on January 28, 1865, to Urdu and Persian government school teacher Munshi Radha Krishan and his wife Gulab Devi, in Dhudike, Punjab. Since his childhood days, Lala Lajpat Rai has been determined to serve his country. In 1886, he moved to Hisar and started practicing law, becoming a founding member of the Bar Council of Hisar alongside Babu Churamani. It was then that he founded the Hisar district branch of the Indian National Congress. He also became a member of the existing Arya Samaj Lahore and the founder editor of the Lahore-based Arya Gazette. In a bid to save the political policy of India to gain independence, Rai indulged in journalism and became a regular contributor to several newspapers including The Tribune. Eventually, in 1914, he quit law practice to dedicate himself completely to the freedom fight. As a part of the Indian National Congress, Lajpat Rai took part in several political agitations in Punjab and was even deported to Mandalay without trial. However, he was soon allowed to return and was elected the President of the Indian National Congress in the Calcutta Special Session of 1920. A year later, he founded Servants of the People Society, a non-profit welfare organisation to empower the Hindu society to fight their own battle against the caste system, position of women and untouchability. He believed everyone should be allowed to read and learn from the Vedas irrespective of their caste or gender. One of the key moments in Rais historical legacy was the non-violent march that he led against the Simon Commission in 1928. Then superintendent of police, James A. Scott ordered the police to lathi-charge the protesters and personally assaulted Rai. Having been seriously injured in the protests, Rai failed to recover and passed away on November 17, 1928. Apart from playing a crucial role in Indias freedom movement, Lala Lajpat Rai was also an eloquent speaker and openly voiced his ideas to inspire the audience and motivate them. He was an avid supporter of the Swadeshi Movement, emphasising the message that using indigenous products can give a major boost to the local economy. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Lala Lajpat Rai: Inspiring Quotes Defeat and failure are sometimes necessary steps of victory." I declare that the blows struck at me will be the last nail in the coffin of British rule in India." A person should be courageous and honest in worshipping the truth, without being concerned about receiving worldly benefits." I always believed that my silence on several topics will be an advantage in the long run." The process of building a nation is a moral process. You cannot engage in work of this kind with success by practising duplicity." No nation was worthy of any political status if it could not distinguish between begging for political rights and claiming them." First Published: January 28, 2025, 06:00 IST Rahul Mishras Couture Mirrors The Foreseeable Future Of The Pale Blue Dot We Call Earth Written By : News18.com Edited By: Snigdha Oreya Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 16:22 IST The Couture Spring 2025 collection highlighted the intrinsic value of haute couture, which celebrated craftsmanship, innovation and purposeful design as a whole. Fashion designer Rahul Mishra showcased his couture collection on Day 1 of Paris Haute Couture Week 2025. Craftsmanship, innovation and purposeful design took centre stage in Rahul Mishras Couture Spring 2025 collection, The Pale Blue Dot at Paris Haute Couture Week 2025. Interpreting a personal loss and the slow process of healing through the art of couture, Rahul Mishras show mirrored the foreseeable future on the pale blue dot we call Earth. related stories The Pale Blue Dot, originally a spoken essay by Carl Sagan, imparted a profound perspective to Rahul Mishra as he reflected on this collection. This collection emerges from the fear that in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves. In the wake of my fathers passing last month, I have been repeatedly confronted with the realisation that we are but a speck in the grand scheme of the cosmossmall, fragile, and not in control. Fluctuating between the highs and lows of his illnessthe aggregate of our joy and suffering"I reflected on how every memory we have ever made, of friends, family, and foes, exists here and only here, on this mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam," expresses Rahul Mishra. The couture show was opened by Coco Rocha and saw an array of iconic models and personalities including Jordan Roth celebrate the collection on the runway. Life-sized birds, abandoned cities, sculpted geometric shapes, and rearview mirrors turned muse for the couturier and his team of over 2000 fashion workers, who he addresses as his family. So lets travel with Rahul Mishra through Carl Sagans words Concrete Jungle What happens to these cities when they are abandoned when they become uninhabitable for us? The abandoned cities featured 3D buildings sculpted on gowns embroidered with intricate shimmery detailing featuring threadwork and sequins. Birds of a Feather Birds took over the runway in the form of life-size sculptures. Known for bringing theatrical magic on the runway with every show he presents, the birds definitely stole the show this season. The Midas Touch Everything Rahul envisions turns into gold. Manifesting hope in the times of darkness, the collection featured a series of ensembles in an opulent gold palette. Mirror of Emotions top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear a message of a future through rearview mirrors was imagined through wearable art. Every element displayed on the runway was a wake-up call for everyone. While Rahul Mishra chose to address it through couture, how would you do it? Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 28, 2025, 16:17 IST Spains Tourist Ban: What It Means for Travelers and Locals Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 15:31 IST Spains new measures target short-term rentals to combat overtourism, housing shortages, and environmental strain, signaling a shift toward sustainable tourism. Spain's tourist ban Spain has rolled out strict measures to address the growing issue of overtourism, igniting global discussions. Dubbed the Spain tourist ban," these rules do not completely prohibit holiday rentals but impose targeted restrictions aimed at reducing the negative effects of excessive tourism on local communities. Rising Protests in Tourist Hotspots related stories The new measures respond to mounting protests from residents in popular tourist destinations like Mallorca, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands. Locals have expressed concerns over escalating rents, housing shortages, environmental damage, and the loss of cultural identity. These issues have been linked to a surge in short-term holiday rentals and high tourist numbers. Malaga Leads with Tough New Rules Beginning January 14, 2025, Malaga will enforce a three-year freeze on registering new short-term holiday rental properties in 43 districts where such rentals make up over 8% of residential buildings. Additionally, from February 22, 2025, existing tourist flats in Malaga that do not have independent access separate from residential spaces will have their licenses revoked. Whats Changing Under the New Rules? Tourists planning a trip to Spain might want to reconsider their travel arrangements. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has proposed a 12-part plan to regulate where the countrys 94 million annual visitors stay. This legislation aims to balance tourism with the needs of local communities, targeting short-term rentals that contribute to housing shortages and environmental strain. Key aspects of the plan include stricter standards for short-term rental properties and prioritizing housing for locals. Cities like Malaga have already taken action, banning new rental licenses in 43 neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Barcelona has announced plans to shut down all 10,000 apartments currently operating as short-term rentals by 2028. Trial Period Through 2027 The Associated Press (AP) reports that these policies will roll out on a trial basis through 2027 to assess their effectiveness. The trial will evaluate how limiting platforms like Airbnb affects housing affordability and its role in mitigating overtourism. A Nationwide Movement Malagas actions align with a growing trend across Spain. Last year, cities such as Alicante and Madrid introduced similar rules to manage the impact of holiday rentals. Barcelona, a long-standing advocate for stricter regulations, stopped issuing new tourist flat licenses in 2014 and plans to phase out all existing licenses by 2028. Meanwhile, cities like Seville are expected to roll out comparable measures soon. Spains latest policies reflect a shift toward balancing tourism with the well-being of local communities, setting a precedent for other countries facing similar challenges. Understanding Overtourism and Its Effects Overtourism occurs when an area attracts more visitors than it can sustainably handle, overwhelming local infrastructure and depleting resources like food and clean water. Popular destinations such as Hawaii and the Caribbean have faced severe water shortages, an issue expected to worsen with climate change and recurring droughts. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Spains efforts aim to alleviate similar challenges, which include overcrowding, traffic congestion, and environmental degradation in tourist-heavy regions. By prioritizing sustainable tourism, the country hopes to create a healthier balance between welcoming visitors and preserving resources for its residents. These measures mark a shift toward a more sustainable approach to tourism, setting a potential model for other countries grappling with similar issues. First Published: January 28, 2025, 08:56 IST Abbas Alizada Aka Afghan Bruce: 'It Is Difficult To Be An Actor In A War-Torn Country' Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Chirag Sehgal Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 17:26 IST Abbas Alizada is popularly known as Afghan Bruce Lee because of their uncanny resemblance. In this conversation with CNN-News 18, the upcoming actor opens up about his Indian debut with the film Bloodline. Abbas Alizada opens up about his Indian debut with the film Bloodline. Abbas Alizada might not be a popular name, but you might have chanced upon his video during one of those doom scrolls, and his moniker Afghan Bruce Lee might ring a bell. Alizadas video went viral back in 2015 when social media had its boom across the world. He doesnt only look like Bruce Lee, but he moves, fights, and screams like the Chinese icon, which is uncanny, to say the least. When his videos went viral, Abbas was a 22-year-old youngster who clawed onto his few minutes of fame, which has now made him an actor. He is looking forward to his acting debut in India with the film Bloodline, an Indo-British collaboration, extensively shot in Kerala. Bloodline, a thriller drama, follows the story of Bella, a police officer from Sydney, trying to find her lost sister in Kerala. Abbas plays the role of a martial artist, who helps Bella to save the missing person from a formidable force. The film is set to be released in February, and CNN-News 18 Showsha caught up with Abbas to chat about his career, his war-torn country, and more. Check out excerpts from the interview here: related stories When did you realize that you wanted to emulate Bruce Lee? I think it was 2013. My friends told me that I look like Bruce Lee. I didnt realize that I looked like him. However, I started my martial arts training even at the age of 12. That began even before I realized I looked like Bruce Lee. But of course, Bruce Lee is my childhood hero. And still, hes my hero. His character, his philosophy, his philosophy on martial arts, those things attract me a lot. How has been the journey as an actor, hailing from a war-torn country? Its difficult to grow up over there. Its extremely difficult to be an actor in a war-torn country. I mean, theres a lot of things going on in Afghanistan. So one thing that I have learned in my life is to never give up on your dreams. Thats how you can achieve your dreams. You can achieve what you want if you never give up. So for me, it doesnt matter that my country is war-torn. For me, the most important thing is to achieve the dreams that I want. And I kept chasing keep chasing my dreams. And Im just achieving my dreams. So Im very proud of myself that I never gave up in my life. Tell us about your role in Bloodline. I play a character named Lee in our film Bloodline. It is a supporting role, and I help Bella, the protagonist, on her journey to India to rescue her sister. Do you like Indian films? Do you have any favourites? Of course, you know, Indian films are very popular in the Western world. To be honest, I grew up with Indian films, you know, I watched a lot of Indian films. All artists in India are stars. So I cant pick a favourite, because they really work hard. So I admire all of them, I respect all of them. Is being Afghan Bruce limiting? Are you typecast to certain roles? To be honest, yeah, it has a lot of limitations. But for me, it doesnt matter what people say or what kind of limitation I have to face with this. I didnt say to myself that I am Afghan Bruce Lee. It was a favour from the media in Afghanistan and around the world. They put a title on me. Of course, no one can be Bruce Lee. He is a legend. There is only one. But Im just following in his footsteps. Do you ever hope to go back to your country? Yes, of course. I cant forget my homeland. Im hoping to go back to Afghanistan one day if the situation is betterts my dream to go back one day to visit my homeland again and visit my friends, relatives, and my mom. She is in Afghanistan at the moment. So, its my dream to go back one day if the situation is suitable for me. Now, the situation is not suitable for me to go back. What is something that you learned from Bruce Lee that you treasure and that has helped you in tough times? One of his quotes was, Be water, my friend." I think if you think deeply about this quote, you can understand what he was trying to say. Being like water. It means you have to be flexible. In everything in life, you have to be flexible. This is the most powerful quote from Bruce Lee that taught me a lot of things. Water can crash and can do anything. So I want to be like water. What are your other projects? What are you looking at other than Bloodline? Im working on some projects in the UK, but I cant share anything in the media because its a secret. But Im working on a big project at the moment. So Im sorry that I cant share a lot of things because its a secret. Location : Kerala, India, India First Published: January 28, 2025, 17:22 IST Archana Puran Singh Meets With Accident On Set, Fractures Wrist; Son Aaryamann Breaks Down In Tears Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 21:19 IST Archana Puran Singh fractures wrist in an on-set accident in Virar. Son Aaryamann breaks down as she undergoes surgery but vows to resume shooting. Archana Puran Singh suffers severe injuries on the set of Rajkummar Rao's next. Archana Puran Singh recently met with a tragic accident while shooting for a project in Virar, Mumbai. The actress was filming an early morning scene around 5:00 AM when she fell and sustained severe injuries. She was immediately rushed to Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital in Vile Parle, where she underwent surgery for a fractured wrist. In her latest vlog, Archana detailed the incident and revealed how her family reacted. Her son Ayushmaan broke the news of the accident to his brother Aaryamann, who was devastated upon hearing about her injury. Fighting back tears, Aaryamann learned that his mother had also suffered bruises on her face. Parmeet Sethi, Archanas husband, later disclosed that doctors inserted a wire around her wrist due to the fracture. related stories Archana took to Instagram to share a health update. She posted a video from the hospital, showcasing her injury and expressing gratitude despite the setback. Jo hota hai acchhe ke liye hota hai Im trying to believe that. Staying as positive as usual," she wrote. In the same vlog, Archana reflected on the surgery, expressing disbelief over the extent of the injury and swelling around her lips caused by the fall. However, showing immense determination, the actress revealed her decision to resume shooting soon. I called Rajkummar Rao to apologise for leaving the shoot midway," Archana said. Ill be returning tonight because the production will face a huge loss otherwise." Parmeet expressed concern about how she would manage the shoot with her injury, but Archana explained that she would wear full-sleeved outfits to conceal the fractured hand. The production team also assured her a reduced schedule, limiting the shoot to just three hours per day. Despite the accident, Archanas commitment to work remains unwavering. First Published: January 28, 2025, 21:04 IST Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Pose With Michele Morrone In Viral Selfie Amid Justin Baldoni Legal Battle Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 04:39 IST The couple posed for a cheerful selfie with Livelys Simple Favor 2 co-star, Italian actor Michele Morrone, sparking excitement among fans. Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Michele Morrone. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds were spotted together for the first time since Livelys lawsuit against It Ends With Us actor-director Justin Baldoni. The couple posed for a cheerful selfie with Livelys Simple Favor 2 co-star, Italian actor Michele Morrone, sparking excitement among fans. Morrone shared the selfie on his social media, wrapping his arms around the power couple and captioning it, Missed you guys! Love you!!" He also tagged Lively and Reynolds in the post. Lively and Morrone recently completed filming Simple Favor 2, which is a sequel to the 2018 hit film. The production wrapped in 2024, but rumors swirled that the movie had been shelved amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding Baldoni. related stories Addressing these rumours, director Paul Feige took to X (formerly Twitter) to assure fans that the sequel is on track. The movie is awesome, and Blake and Anna turn in amazing performances," he wrote. I cant wait for you all to see it. Its coming to theaters this spring!" Feige dismissed speculation about the films delay, calling it total BS." In Simple Favor 2, Lively reprises her role as Emily Nelson, alongside Anna Kendricks Stephanie Smothers. Morrone and Henry Golding join the cast, promising a thrilling sequel to the darkly comedic mystery. Meanwhile, Blake Lively has been making headlines for her legal battle against Justin Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment during the making of her recent film. Morrone publicly voiced his support for Lively, sharing a heartfelt video where he said, I felt something was wrong, and I felt the pain." He also urged fans to refrain from judging the actress without understanding the situation, adding, Im tired of seeing cruel comments about her." With Simple Favor 2 slated for a spring release, fans are eager to see Lively return to the big screen alongside a stellar cast. The film is shaping up to be a much-anticipated follow-up to the original. Location : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA) First Published: January 28, 2025, 04:39 IST Nayanthara Vs Dhanush Copyright Battle: Court Rejects Netflix's Plea Against Raanjhanaa Actor Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 29, 2025, 19:17 IST The Madras High Court rejected Netflix India's plea to dismiss Dhanush's copyright lawsuit against Nayanthara over a 3-second clip from his film used in her documentary without consent. Dhanush wins legal battle against Nayanthara. The Madras High Court has rejected Netflix Indias petition to dismiss Dhanushs copyright lawsuit against actress Nayanthara. The lawsuit arises from the use of a 3-second film clip, produced by Dhanush, in Nayantharas documentary without his consent. In November last year, Dhanush filed a civil suit against Nayanthara, her husband Vignesh Shivan, and their production house, Rowdy Pictures Private Limited. The suit alleges that the filmmakers used visuals from Dhanushs film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in the Netflix original Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale. related stories Dhanushs production company, Wunderber Films Private, also filed a petition requesting permission from the High Court to sue Los Gatos Production Services India LLP, a Mumbai-based entity that handles Netflixs content investments in India. This legal action follows Dhanushs earlier warning of taking legal steps if the disputed content in Nayantharas documentary was not removed within 24 hours. The Background: Nayantharas Open Letter To Dhanush On November 16, Nayanthara lashed out at Dhanush for sending her a legal notice and demanding Rs 10 crore. On Saturday, the actress took to her Instagram handle and issued a long statement. She mentioned that during the making of her recently released Netflix documentary, Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale, she had asked for permission from Dhanush to use visuals from their 2015 movie Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. However, Dhanush refused to grant her permission and instead sent her a legal notice for using behind-the-scenes visuals from the sets of the movie. On November 16, Nayanthara slammed Dhanush for sending her a legal notice demanding Rs 10 crore. In a lengthy open letter shared on her Instagram, the actress explained that during the making of her recently released Netflix documentary, Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale, she had sought Dhanushs permission to use visuals from their 2015 film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. However, Dhanush denied her request and instead sent a legal notice for using behind-the-scenes footage from the movies sets. First Published: January 28, 2025, 11:56 IST Justin Baldoni Apologises To Blake Lively In It Ends With Us Leaked Audio: I Am A Flawed Man Published By : CNN Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 18:01 IST Lively and Baldoni starred as the central couple in It Ends With Us, which explores themes of intimate partner violence based on characters from Colleen Hoovers hit 2016 novel of the same name. Blake Lively has accused Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment. (Photo: IMDb) Justin Baldoni is heard apologizing to his co-star Blake Lively in an audio message apparently sent to Lively amid production of their film It Ends with Us," long before the two stars launched into a legal battle that continues to play out in the public eye. In a nearly seven-minute voice note first published by TMZ on Monday, Baldoni, who also directed the film, is heard discussing some script changes Lively, who was a producer, presented to him. related stories Lively and Baldoni starred as the central couple in It Ends With Us," which explores themes of intimate partner violence based on characters from Colleen Hoovers hit 2016 novel of the same name. I want to start with an apology. Man, reading the second part of your message, my heart sank and Im really sorry. I, for sure, fell short and you worked really hard on that," Baldoni said in the voice note. I feel really grateful that you feel safe enough to tell me that thats how you feel and share that with me. And Im really sorry. I f***ed up. That is a fail on my part." Baldoni continued: I am far from perfect. Im a very flawed man, as my wife will attest.but I will always apologize and then find my way back to center. That is one thing I can assure you of. And Im sorry I made you feel that way, that must have felt terrible." CNN has not been able to independently verify the voice memos authenticity, but Baldoni mentions at one point that his message is being sent at 2 a.m. CNN has reached out to representatives for Lively and Baldoni for comment. Baldoni and Lively have been in a legal battle that began in December, when Lively accused him of sexual harassment and retaliation in a complaint first filed with the California Civil Rights Department, preceding a lawsuit that followed about a week later. Baldoni, meanwhile, has sued Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, alleging that the Hollywood couple attempted to destroy" him after Lively accused him of harassment during production of the film, which he has denied. A trial date has been set in New York for March 9, 2026, according to the Associated Press. Baldonis lawsuit claims that Lively sought to take over much of the films creative direction, including having Reynolds re-write a scene and make unauthorized changes to the script in secret." (Reynolds had no formal role on It Ends With Us.") The suit claims that Lively summoned" Baldoni to the penthouse she shares with Reynolds in New York City for a meeting about the script, where Reynolds, along with a megacelebrity friend" of the couple, praised Livelys proposed revisions to the script. As the meeting was ending, a famous, and famously close, friend of Reynolds and Lively, walked into the room and similarly began praising Livelys script," the lawsuit states. Baldoni understood the subtext: he needed to comply with Livelys direction for the script." One of the text messages included in Baldonis suit appears to show an exchange between Baldoni and Lively about the script: I really love what you did. It really does help a lot. Makes it so much more fun and interesting. (And I would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor)," he wrote with a wink emoji. You really are a talent across the board. Really excited and grateful to do this together." While Baldonis text message does not include a last name for Taylor," Lively is close friends with the artist Taylor Swift. CNN previously reached out to representatives for Baldoni, Lively, Reynolds and Taylor Swift to inquire whether the Taylor" mentioned in Baldonis text is, in fact, Swift. In one of Livelys text messages in Baldonis suit, the actress makes reference to her friends, stating, If you ever get around to watching Game of Thrones, youll appreciate that Im Khaleesi, and like her, I happen to have a few dragons." CNN has also not independently verified the text messages included in either Baldoni or Livelys lawsuits. It is not clear at what point in the discussions about the script changes Baldonis voicemail was sent, but he adds at one point, damn, right, youve got great friends." If thats how you felt and they knew that, and f**k, we should all have friends like that, aside from the fact that theyre two of the most creative people on the planet. The three of you guys together is unbelievable. Talk about energy and just to force, all three of you," he said. But I just wanted you to know that I didnt need that because its really good and its gonna make the movie sing, like you said, and Im excited to go through the whole movie with you. Im just excited to spend time with you." Last week, Baldonis legal team released about 10 minutes of footage from the set of It Ends With Us" they said supports his claim he acted with respect and professionalism" toward Lively during the project. The two costars are seen filming a slow dance referenced in Livelys lawsuit against Baldoni, in which she cited instances of what she characterized as inappropriate behavior by him. In response, a representative for Lively said every frame of the released footage corroborates, to the letter, what Ms. Lively described in Paragraph 48 of her Complaint." Baldoni has also sued the New York Times for $250 million, accusing the newspaper of working alongside Livelys team to publish a one-sided article that benefited Lively and contained doctored evidence. The New York Times has denied Baldonis allegations and said it stands by its reporting. CNNs Elizabeth Wagmeister and Lisa Respers France contributed to this report. Location : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA) First Published: January 28, 2025, 17:57 IST Ryan Reynolds Was Horrifically Mean, Claims Deadpool Actor TJ Miller: 'I Won't Work With Him' | Viral Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 05:30 IST In a 2022 interview, TJ Miller, who played Weasel in the Deadpool films, described an unpleasant experience with Ryan Reynolds. Ryan Reynolds faces being 'horrifically mean' on Deadpool set claim. T.J. Millers allegations against Ryan Reynolds during their time on the Deadpool set have resurfaced amidst Reynolds and his actress-wife Blake Livelys ongoing legal battle with It Ends With Us director-actor Justin Baldoni. In a 2022 interview on The Adam Carolla Show, Miller, who played Weasel in the Deadpool films, described an unpleasant experience with Reynolds, claiming the lead actor was horrifically mean" to him. As the character, he was, like, horrifically mean to me. But to me. As if Im Weasel," Miller said, reflecting on their on-set interactions. He recalled a specific comment Reynolds allegedly made, saying, He was like, You know whats great about you, Weasel? Youre not the star, but you do just enough exposition that its funny, and then we can leave and get back to the real movie." related stories Miller found the remark odd, attributing it to Reynolds potential insecurities. I think he said that because Im not funnier than he is at all, right? And I havent been in more movies than him," Miller suggested. Despite the tension, he acknowledged Reynolds comedic talent, describing him as so quick and so funny." However, the Big Hero 6 actor clarified that he harboured no ill will toward Reynolds, though he wouldnt collaborate with him again. Would I work with him again? No. I would not. But I wish him well because hes so good at Deadpool, and I think its weird that he hates me," Miller said. These comments have resurfaced as Reynolds and his wife, Blake Lively, face a $400 million lawsuit filed by actor-director Justin Baldoni. The lawsuit accuses the couple of invasion of privacy, defamation, and civil extortion. While the details of the legal battle are still unfolding, Millers allegations have reignited discussions about Reynolds on-set behavior. Miller portrayed Weasel, the protagonists sarcastic best friend and bar owner, in the first two Deadpool films. Location : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA) First Published: January 28, 2025, 05:30 IST Shark Tank India 4: Pitcher Invests Entire Family Savings In Business, Vineeta Singh Calls Her Strategy 'Suicidal' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 13:23 IST In the latest episode of Shark Tank India 4, Prasanna Vasanadu pitched her Tikitoro skincare and haircare brand. Vineeta Singh is a Shark on Shark Tank India 4. In the latest episode of Shark Tank India 4, Prasanna Vasanadu from Chennai shared her pitch with the Sharks, She is the founder of Tikitoro, a skincare and haircare brand specifically for children and teenagers. Prasannas ask was Rs 25 lakh for a 0.5 per cent equity stake, which positioned her company at a valuation of Rs 50 crore. While she was presenting her pitch, she revealed that she had used up her familys entire savings into the business. Prasanna revealed that she had launched her company in 2021 and she has over 1 lakh customers. Tikitoro has already done over Rs 8.5 crore till now. Despite this, Prasanna talked about undergoing financial difficulties faced by the business. Her brand reported a -49 per cent EBITDA in FY 2023-24. She further revealed that in FY24-25 (till October), it will be -20 percent. related stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shark Tank India (@sharktank.india) When Viraj asked her about the investment she made in her business, Prasanna revealed that she had invested all of her familys savings Rs 14 crores including Rs 6.5 crore on inventory. She also took a bank overdraft of Rs 2 crore. Comparing Tikitoro with Mamaearth, Viraj called the former as unfundable. On the other hand, while Vineeta Singh explained that Prasannas strategy was suicidal. Peyush Bansal suggested that the entrepreneur should first focus on solidifying her businesss stability with Rs 2 crore. After that only should she pursue any additional investments. Vineeta Singh offered Rs 25 lakh for 3 per cent equity along with the condition that Prasanna cannot raise other funds in the coming two years. Namita Thapars counteroffer was Rs 25 lakh for 1 per cent equity plus a 0.5 per cent royalty. However, Namitas condition was that the company must make sales worth Rs 17 crore in FY 24-25. Prasanna accepted Thapars offer. Season 4 of Shark Tank India boasts a colourful panel of Sharks including Anupam Mittal Founder and CEO, People Group (Shaadi.com); Aman Gupta Co-Founder and CMO, boAt Lifestyle; Namita Thapar Executive Director, Emcure Pharmaceuticals; Ritesh Agarwal Founder and Group CEO, OYO; Peyush Bansal Co-Founder and CEO, Lenskart; Vineeta Singh Co-Founder and CEO, SUGAR Cosmetics; Azhar Iqubal Co-Founder and Chairman, Inshorts; Varun Dua Founder and CEO, ACKO; Kunal Bahl Co-Founder, Snapdeal and Titan Capital, Promoter Unicommerce; and Viraj Bahl Founder and Managing Director of Veeba/VRB Consumer Products. First Published: January 28, 2025, 13:23 IST Opinion | India Isnt China, We Must Stick To The High Road When Developing Our Own DeepSeek AI Written By : News18.com Last Updated: January 29, 2025, 10:16 IST Theres no doubt that Chinas AI app DeepSeek has created ripples by becoming the most downloaded free AI app on Apple App Store. Even Sam Altman, the developer of ChatGPT, has publicly appreciated the Chinese feat There are still many unanswered questions about how DeepSeek developed its model. Lets not get distracted by the headlines. Many are and will sing hosannas to China for levelling the field with US big tech giants or for edging past them on the way to developing one of the most significant technologies of the current era. Theres no doubt that Chinas AI app DeepSeek has created ripples by becoming the most downloaded free AI app on the Apple App Store. Even Sam Altman, the developer of ChatGPT, has publicly appreciated the Chinese feat. related stories Theres no doubt that it has been developed at a fraction of the cost of what was spent on ChatGPT, sending global markets into a tailspin. Theres even talk that Chinas AI app could have outperformed its more pedigreed US competitors in its ability to mimic human reasoning, processing information step-by-step, making it skilled at tackling complex scientific problems". But heres the rub: there are still many unanswered questions about how DeepSeek developed its model. What we know is that DeepSeek leverages older-generation Nvidia H-100 GPUs, which has significantly reduced its cost of production and dramatically increased return on investment. But is it possible that DeepSeek has withheld information on how many top-flight Nvidia chips it has access to and used to train its models? An article in the Fortune magazine quotes Alexandr Wang, the CEO of AI company Scale AI, who claims to have information that DeepSeek secretly acquired access to a pool of top-of-the-line 50,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs. If this is indeed the case, then DeepSeeks claims may be the deepfake news of the year. But as things stand, we have no choice but to believe DeepSeek that its decision to go with the older Nvidia H-100 GPUs was not out of choice but necessity. Yes, necessity borne out of a US semiconductor export restriction meant to deny China a chance to outrace the United States in acquiring AI supremacy. Necessity may be the mother of invention, but is it also the mother of innovation? An expert writing on the subject observed that while one might be able to run DeepSeek R1 on a laptop and get it to output a good answer to a tough maths question after, say, an hour, other AI platforms with access to the latest GPU or AI chip technology might be able to evolve faster into performing the same task in seconds". As many will tell you, for many business applications of AI, the time it takes a model to produce an output matters. The quicker the output, the better. And it is here, in the speed sweepstakes, where Chinese companies starved through sanctions of the latest, most advanced computing chips may not be able to compete. Aside from the technological, there are also larger ethical issues that merit attention. There are issues around data sovereignty. Storing data in China will always raise privacy and compliance concerns. DeepSeeks very broad data-sharing policy with third parties leaves users with little control. And then theres limited accountability as DeepSeek makes users responsible for outputs and account security. China may have captured the national headlines, prompting many in India to legitimately ask questions about why India has lagged. We are, after all, the kings of jugaad. But when (and not if) India builds its own Large Language Model on an ISRO-like shoestring budget, it must take care not to compromise on data ethics and data security. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India isnt China and therefore it must stay committed to taking the high road, irrespective of the cost. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: January 28, 2025, 19:39 IST Data Privacy Day 2025: Theme, History, And Best Data Protection Practices To Follow Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 06:10 IST Data Privacy Day highlights our right to privacy and the need to safeguard our data. Simple changes and good practices can protect us from potential risks. Data Privacy Day 2025 Theme is Take control of your data. (Image: Shutterstock) Data Privacy Day 2025: Our lives have become heavily dependent on the digital world where we share and access information online every day. As we spend more time connected, protecting our privacy has never been more important. Data Privacy Day, observed annually on January 28, also known as Data Protection Day in Europe, is an occasion dedicated to raising awareness about online privacy and data protection. It aims to educate individuals on how to safeguard their personal information and encourage a sense of responsibility towards privacy in the digital age. related stories Data Privacy Day 2025: Theme As per National Cybersecurity Alliance, the theme for this year is Take control of your data." It highlights the importance for both individuals and organisations to remain vigilant about what they share online and to prioritise protecting their personal data. Data Privacy Day 2025: History Data Privacy Day was first established in 2006 by the Council of Europe to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of Convention 108, the worlds first legally binding international treaty on data protection. Since its inception, the day has grown into a global movement observed in over 100 countries, including the US and Canada. The event continues to play a vital role in raising awareness about the importance of data protection and privacy rights worldwide. Data Privacy Day 2025: Significance Data Privacy Day is important in todays digital world where personal information is constantly being collected. It reminds us of our right to privacy and the need to protect our data from being misused. By making simple changes and following good data practices, we can protect ourselves from potential risks. How To Celebrate Data Privacy Day Make Data Privacy A Priority: If you are not already focused on protecting your personal data, start today. Commit to learning about data privacy and take steps to secure your information. Secure Personal Information: Research how your connected devices share data with each other. Take action to secure personal information shared between gadgets like phones, smart TVs and home systems. Help Teach Older Adults About Data Privacy: Volunteer to teach senior citizens about online privacy. Many older adults are unaware of data security risks and you can help them protect their private data. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Data Privacy Day 2025: Data Protection Practises Raising Awareness Across Generations: It is important to teach young people about data protection early by making it a part of their school education. At the same time, we shouldnt forget the older generation who may not be as familiar with digital safety. As digital threats continue to rise, it is important to provide support and guidance to make them aware about the digital world safely. Protecting Privacy Rights: When people become aware of their privacy rights and the laws surrounding data protection, they are more likely to take a stand. To safeguard personal data, individuals should regularly update passwords, use two-factor authentication and avoid oversharing online. Changing Data Privacy Culture In Businesses: As consumers become more aware of their privacy rights, they will push businesses to improve how they handle personal data. When consumers demand better protection, companies will have no choice but to adapt. To protect data, businesses can take steps that ensure their customers online safety. Link Between Security And Privacy: With growing mobile phone usage, many people are still not using security software to protect their devices. The mobile manufacturers often dont provide enough built-in security features to protect users. Install trusted security apps, keep software updated and be cautious about the information shared online. First Published: January 28, 2025, 06:10 IST DeepSeek Shocks OpenAI With AI For Less Money: How These AI Models Compare And Perform Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 07:30 IST DeepSeek has got everyone's attention in the US as the free app has topped the App Store charts in quick time. DeepSeek R1 comes from China and it has got US worried, know why OpenAI has been making waves since ChatGPT came to the market, forcing giants like Google and Apple to sit up and take notice. Now, these US-based companies are facing a major threat from China, in the form of the open source AI model from a startup called DeepSeek. This company claims to have built its AI model using a different technology compared to its US rivals which has allowed them to spend less money to get similar results to the ChatGPT. So what is so special about the DeepSeek AI model, why has it become a big deal in a short time and why is the free app topping the App Store charts in the US? Heres a detailed look at the new AI model in town that puts China back in the headlines. related stories Where It All Started Before we get to the AI mechanics from the company, DeepSeek was launched in 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, who was basically running a hedge fund when he was 30 years old in 2015. Eight years later, Wenfeng had set up an army of PhDs from Chinese Universities which has thrown up an AI model that is based on a different technology from OpenAI that seems to be relying on less hardware to give the same results as the US giants. DeepSeek AI: New AI Tech, Less Cost To Train DeepSeek did the smart thing by predicting the future, and was able to buy around 10,000 NVIDIA GPUs before the US export ban came into effect. In total, the Chinese startup developed its AI model using 50,000 GPUs which is a fraction of the 500,000 GPUs that each of OpenAI, Google and other AI companies have deployed, as per reports. But having all of this computing power would have been pointless if the results were not positive, which they sure were. The team of PhDs at DeepSeek have been paid handsomely, which their talent demanded, and one of the best on offer in the country. But the biggest reason for DeepSeek AI to become a strong contender in the AI race is the ability to let the AI model learn from the data, and have a system in place which rewards the AI for giving the correct response. Compared to OpenAI, these tweaks have played a big role in expediting the AI evolution for the Chinese company. DeepSeek vs OpenAI: Where It Differs The detailed paper from DeepSeek AI clearly defines the strategy and technology that has given it a leg up over its biggest rival in the market. The use of the Reinforcement Learning or RL has resulted in the DeepSeek R1 AI model to reason with its responses and deliver results much faster. The most important use of the RL technology is that DeepSeek was able to adapt and make AI do the heavy work with less money in the tank. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The OpenAI technology model called Supervised Fine-Tuning (SFT) follows the traditional channel, where you feed data into the AI model which gives it a first-hand understanding of the problems to solve. DeepSeek also has the open source bargain which makes it appealing for researchers, which explains its App Store rank shooting up in a short time. The news about DeepSeek has wreaked havoc in the markets this week, and understandably so. After all, there you have OpenAI pitching for $500 billion in funds, and on the other side, DeepSeek is building AI at a much cheaper cost. But DeepSeek will have a cut off, and it will need more funds to run at this level and the open source model means the AI tech will gradually become part of other models as well. First Published: January 28, 2025, 07:30 IST DeepSeek's New AI Chatbot, ChatGPT Answer Sensitive Questions About China Differently Published By : Associated Press Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 18:55 IST Chinese tech startup DeepSeek's new artificial intelligence chatbot has sparked discussions about the competition between China and the US in AI development. Chinese AI DeepSeek | Representative Image Chinese tech startup DeepSeeks new artificial intelligence chatbot has sparked discussions about the competition between China and the US in AI development, with many users flocking to test the rival of OpenAIs ChatGPT. DeepSeeks AI assistant became the No. 1 downloaded free app on Apples iPhone store on Tuesday afternoon and its launch made Wall Street tech superstars stocks tumble. Observers are eager to see whether the Chinese company has matched Americas leading AI companies at a fraction of the cost. related stories The chatbots ultimate impact on the AI industry is still unclear, but it appears to censor answers on sensitive Chinese topics, a practice commonly seen on Chinas internet. In 2023, China issued regulations requiring companies to conduct a security review and obtain approvals before their products can be publicly launched. Here are some answers The Associated Press received from DeepSeeks new chatbot and ChatGPT: What does Winnie the Pooh mean in China? For many Chinese, the Winnie the Pooh character is a playful taunt of President Xi Jinping. Chinese censors in the past briefly banned social media searches for the bear in mainland China. ChatGPT got that idea right. It said Winnie the Pooh had become a symbol of political satire and resistance, often used to mock or criticise Xi. It explained that internet users started comparing Xi to the bear over similarities in their physical appearances. DeepSeeks chatbot said the bear is a beloved cartoon character that is adored by countless children and families in China, symbolising joy and friendship. Then, abruptly, it said the Chinese government is dedicated to providing a wholesome cyberspace for its citizens". It added that all online content is managed following Chinese laws and socialist core values, with the aim of protecting national security and social stability. Who is the current US president? It might be easy for many people to answer, but both AI chatbots mistakenly said Joe Biden, whose term ended last week, because their data was last updated in October 2023. But they both tried to be responsible by reminding users to verify with updated sources. What happened during the military crackdown in Beijings Tiananmen Square in June 1989? The 1989 crackdown saw government troops open fire on student-led pro-democracy protesters in Beijings Tiananmen Square, resulting in hundreds, if not thousands, of deaths. The event remains a taboo subject in mainland China. DeepSeeks chatbot answered, Sorry, thats beyond my current scope. Lets talk about something else." But ChatGPT gave a detailed answer on what it called one of the most significant and tragic events" in modern Chinese history. The chatbot talked about the background of the massive protests, the estimated casualties and the legacy. What is the state of US-China relations? DeepSeeks chatbots answer echoed Chinas official statements, saying the relationship between the worlds two largest economies is one of the most important bilateral relationships globally. It said China is committed to developing ties with the US based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation. We hope that the United States will work with China to meet each other halfway, properly manage differences, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, and push forward the healthy and stable development of China-US relations," it said. ChatGPTs answer was more nuanced. It said the state of the US-China relationship is complex, characterised by a mix of economic interdependence, geopolitical rivalry and collaboration on global issues. It highlighted key topics including the two countries tensions over the South China Sea and Taiwan, their technological competition and more. The relationship between the US and China remains tense but crucial," part of its answer said. Is Taiwan part of China? Again like the Chinese official narrative DeepSeeks chatbot said Taiwan has been an integral part of China since ancient times. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are connected by blood, jointly committed to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," it said. ChatGPT said the answer depends on ones perspective, while laying out China and Taiwans positions and the views of the international community. It said from a legal and political standpoint, China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and the island democracy operates as a de facto independent country" with its own government, economy and military. Location : China First Published: January 28, 2025, 18:55 IST Demystifying DeepSeek: Why The Buzz? Would Your Data Be Safe? News18 Answers These And More FAQs Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Pathikrit Sen Gupta Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 20:05 IST The Chinese-made artificial intelligence (AI) model has shot to the top of Apple Store's downloads, stunning investors and sinking some tech stocks DeepSeeks creator says its model was developed using less advanced, and fewer, computer chips than employed by tech giants in the United States. Representational image/X A little-known Chinese startup has sent shockwaves through the global tech sector with the release of an artificial intelligence (AI) model whose capabilities rival the creations of Google and OpenAI. DeepSeeks creator says its model was developed using less advanced, and fewer, computer chips than employed by tech giants in the United States. related stories The AI startups latest app comes just days after US President Donald Trump announced a new $500 billion venture with ChatGPT maker OpenAI, Softbank, and Oracle, dubbed Stargate, which he touted as ensuring the future of technology" in the United States. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on DeepSeek: 1. What is DeepSeek? DeepSeek is an artificial intelligence company based in China. The companys AI application can be accessed as an Android app, iOS app, on a web browser, or through APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for use within other apps. 2. What can a user do with DeepSeek? DeepSeeks end usage is similar to other AI tools (such as OpenAIs ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, etc). It can generate answers to questions, help in research, aid in writing, editing and proofreading, translate content between different languages, extract and analyse text from files, summarise documents, help in writing and debugging software code, etc. 3. Who owns DeepSeek? DeepSeek is owned and funded by the Chinese hedge fund company High-Flyer. Liang Wenfeng, the co-founder of High Flyer, established DeepSeek in 2023 and is its CEO. 4. Is DeepSeek new? Not really. The company was founded in May 2023. It released its first model (DeepSeek Coder) in November 2023. 5. What makes DeepSeek different from other AI models? DeepSeek claims that it has been able to reduce the computing and data resources needed for its operations and is reported to have trained its AI at a fraction of the cost of OpenAI. This is also reflected in its API costs, which are more than 90% cheaper than the comparable model from OpenAI. Also, DeepSeek says its models are open source, meaning that the key components can be used by anyone to build their own tools for free. Metas Llama is also open source; however, OpenAIs ChatGPT isnt. 6. Why the hullabaloo now? On January 20, DeepSeek released its new large language model (LLM), DeepSeek-R1, which ranked as high or higher than OpenAIs model in performance tests. This, coupled with the claim that DeepSeek has been able to achieve this at a mere fraction of the cost, caught the interest of the technology and the financial communities. Silicon Valley capitalist Marc Andreessen described it as AIs Sputnik moment", drawing a parallel with the launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite by the Soviet Union in 1957, which had caught the US unawares and triggered the space race. This was soon followed by questions around the scale of American investments in AI at a time when the Chinese were able to achieve similar or better results at a fraction of the cost and a market reaction that shaved off almost $600 billion from chip-maker Nvidia market cap, the biggest single-day loss in US history. The buzz around DeepSeek made DeepSeeks AI assistant the no. 1 downloaded free app on Apples iPhone store in the US. 7. Why Nvidia? Nvidia is an American computer chip design company that manufactures its products in Taiwan. Nvidia specialises in graphics processing units (GPUs), which are designed to improve image and video rendering on computers. Also, these GPUs are also able to perform calculations concurrently in a way that regular central processing units (CPUs) cannot. This ability of GPUs makes it of high value for AI companies, which must rely on very high volumes of computations to build their LLMs (Large Language Models). Its first-mover advantage and existing supply chain enabled Nvidia to supply the needs of emerging AI companies better than any of its rivals. Nvidia shares have been riding high on the AI boom, and on October 26, 2024, Nvidia even overtook Apple as the worlds most valuable company, with its market value touching $3.53 trillion. 8. But hasnt the US restricted exports of AI chips to China? So how did DeepSeek build its AI? Yes. However, DeepSeeks parent company, High-Flyer, acquired over 10,000 Nvidia A100 GPUs in 2022 before the US export restrictions kicked in. DeepSeek, though, says that its recent model was built using Nvidias lower-performing H800 chip, which is not restricted for sale to China. This further adds to the debate that top-of-the-line hardware is not necessary for building top-notch AI models. 9. What is LLM? LLM, or Large Language Model, is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) computer program that can recognise and generate text and also perform other tasks. These programs are trained on vast amounts of data generally scraped from the internet. 10. Do we know what data DeepSeek was trained on, given that it is open source? While DeepSeek has open-sourced its R1 code under an MIT license, it hasnt revealed the source of its training data. There have been allegations that DeepSeeks LLM could have been trained on synthetic data (data produced by other LLMs) instead of original data collected from online sources. 11. Given that DeepSeek is a Chinese company, are there data security concerns? According to DeepSeeks privacy policy, it collects personal data such as text, audio input, and chat history, and that data is stored in China, thereby subjecting it to Chinas data-sharing laws. 12. What about the censorship that China is known for? Does that also extend to DeepSeeks responses? As DeepSeek operates out of China, it must comply with Chinese government regulations, which include censoring topics deemed contentious by Chinese authorities. It deflects any such questions. 13. What does DeepSeek mean for the larger AI industry? As DeepSeeks code is open source and others can learn from and improve upon it, it is likely to benefit the larger AI community in increasing efficiencies and reducing costs, thereby further speeding up AI acceleration. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 14. Does DeepSeek support Indian languages? Yes. According to DeepSeek, it supports 22 Indian languages. However, the proficiency varies depending on the availability of training data. It claims strong support for 11 Indian languages (Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Punjabi, and Urdu) and moderate to limited support for 11 other languages (Assamese, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Nepali, Konkani, Maithili, Kashmiri, Manipuri (Meitei), Dogri, Santali, and Bodo). First Published: January 28, 2025, 20:05 IST Elon Musk Says Starlink Now Testing Satellite Internet To Mobile Service: What It Offers Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 08:30 IST Starlink is planning for the next phase of its service which completely avoid the use of ground towers and run the internet on the phone. Starlink satellite internet could soon work directly on your phone. Starlink is planning to change the way its satellite internet works, and offering its services straight to your smartphones. Yes, the Elon Musk-owned company has started testing this feature that will negate the use of ground towers and provide the internet without any geographical limits. The testing for this form of internet service allows the company to expand its reach and not rely on countries to comply with the telecom regulations in some regions. related stories Satellite Internet Everywhere: How It Works Starlink will have a game changer on its hands when its service gets support for the satellite-to-cell phone feature which will be expensive but will help people in remote areas to access the internet, make calls and even send messages. Starlink has already deployed its satellites in space which is beaming the internet through towers, but going towerless and straight to the handset means you are quickly reducing the friction for the technology with the help of the satellites that already support the feature. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Thats not all, you wont need advanced hardware, router to the Starlink internet, as your powerful smartphone can easily lap up the network and power the service. Having said that, you will need a flagship device that supports satellite technology, something that Google, Samsung and Apple are now offering through a range of products. Does this make Starlink internet cheaper? Well, that wont happen in the early phase of its roll out and that day is still quite far from becoming possible. Location : Delhi, India First Published: January 28, 2025, 08:30 IST Ahmedabad Hotel Cancels Coldplay Fan's Reservation Just Before Concert: 'They Asked 5 Times The Original Price' Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 10:08 IST A Mumbai resident shared that his hotel booking, which had been made months in advance, was unexpectedly cancelled just 24 hours before his scheduled check-in. Coldplays tour concluded its India leg on January 26 in Ahmedabad. (Photo Credits: Instagram) The Coldplay concert in Ahmedabad drew massive crowds to the Narendra Modi Stadium for an unforgettable night of music. However, the excitement came with some unexpected hurdles for attendees, including a spike in hotel prices throughout the city. Mumbai resident Prayush Jain took to Threads to share his experience after facing a last-minute hotel booking cancellation. Despite planning his trip months in advance and securing a reservation through the popular travel platform Agoda, Jain was shocked to find out just 24 hours before check-in that his booking had been cancelled. In his post, Jain explained that he initially booked the accommodation in November, the same day Coldplay tickets went on sale. Agoda showed no signs of cancellation until he personally contacted the hotel to confirm his stay. The hotel informed him that the booking had been cancelled and a refund would be issued. related stories We booked the hotel in Ahmedabad via Agoda for Coldplay in November when the tickets came on the same day. On the Agoda until today 24 hours before checking in, it did not show that the booking was cancelled. I called the hotel to confirm the booking, and the hotel said they have cancelled the booking and Agoda will refund the money," Jain wrote on Threads. View on Threads Later, Jain reached out to Agoda but he was left disappointed with their response. While the company assured him of a refund, they provided no further assistance. Jain expressed frustration over the lack of accountability and pointed out that booking a new room would cost him five times the original price. We called Agoda to address this issue, and it was hilarious for us to hear their words. They said, we would refund the amount, and we cannot do anything more than that. No accountability nothing. Agoda is this how you do business and thats how you partner with hotels? It is not about the refund, but you are canceling just 1 day before checking in. The hotel is asking me to pay 5 times the booking price to provide room," Jain wrote in his post. View on Threads View on Threads In the comment section, many users shared their similar experiences with the platform. One user commented, Oh my god the same happened with me while attending a conference in Bangalore. Agoda showed zero responsibility and countless hours later I was left stranded in a new city. I had to pay 3 times the amount to get a room in the hotel nearby. Shit behaviour." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Same experience with two hotels in Mumbai (for Coldplay). Agoda and Agoda India absolutely no support or quality control," another shared. Coldplays Music of the Spheres tour wrapped up its India leg with a spectacular performance in Ahmedabad on January 26. Following their electrifying shows in India, the bandChris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Championwill now head to Hong Kong, South Korea, the US, and Canada. The tour is set to conclude at Londons iconic Wembley Stadium on September 8. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 28, 2025, 10:08 IST Beyond DeepSeeks Current Scope: Chinas AI Chatbot On Queries About Northeast India Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 12:04 IST Chinas AI chatbot DeepSeek, a rival to leading AI models like ChatGPT, has refused to name the northeastern states of India. DeepSeek on queries about Northeast India. (Image: X/@sxchidxnxnd) Chinas AI chatbot DeepSeek, now the most downloaded free app in the US on Apples App Store, has been facing criticism for failing to answer queries about Indias northeastern states. The app, which is developed at a cost of $6 million, dismissed the queries as beyond its current scope" and suggested talking about something else". DeepSeeks refusal to answer questions regarding northeast India was initially flagged by an X (formerly known as Twitter) user with the handle @sxchidxnxnd." related stories When the X user gave a prompt to the AI chatbot that read, Arunachal Pradesh is an Indian State", it responded with: Sorry, thats beyond my current scope. Lets talk about something else." Read| What Is DeepSeek, The Chinese Free AI App That Has Sent OpenAI, Nvidia In A Tizzy? Explained The X user then asked DeepSeek to name Indias Northeastern states, only to receive the same response. News18.com verified this and found that DeepSeek provided the same reply to both prompts: Sorry, thats beyond my current scope. Lets talk about something else." When asked about each of Indias Northeastern states individually, DeepSeek answered all prompts, except for Nagaland, for which it repeated, Sorry, thats beyond my current scope. Lets talk about something else." Also Read| Man Asks ChatGPT For Its Hottest Take, AIs Response Is Trending We also tested other chatbots, including Googles Gemini, Xs Grok, and OpenAIs ChatGPT, all of which successfully answered questions about Indias Northeastern states. About Northeast India Northeast India, officially known as the North Eastern Region (NER), consists of eight states: the Seven Sisters" (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura) and Sikkim, referred to as the brother" state. About Chinas AI model DeepSeek top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence company based in Hangzhou, was founded in July 2023. However, its widely popular AI assistant app was only released in the US on January 10, 2024, according to Sensor Tower. The app falls under the Productivity" category and is rated for users aged 12 and above. It supports 72 languages, including English, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. First Published: January 28, 2025, 11:23 IST Billionaire Paul Graham Under Fire After He Asks Kids Change For 5 At School Charity Sale Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 19:18 IST Billionaire Paul Graham faced criticism online after requesting change for 5 from children at a school bake sale. Paul Graham is the founder of Y Combinator, a startup accelerator company. (Photo Credit: X) Billionaire Paul Graham has come under fire after sharing a post about his interaction with children at a school charity event. The entrepreneur, one of the tech worlds most influential figures, asked 7-year-olds for change after paying 5 (approximately Rs 538) for baked goods. The children refused to return the change, citing the money in their coin tub was meant for charity. Graham shared the incident on X (formerly Twitter), where he wrote, At the school bake sale I bought a baked good of indeterminate type from a pair of 7-year-olds. I asked if they could give me a change for 5. They said they couldnt. I pointed to their tub of coins, but they said they couldnt give me any of that, because it was for charity." related stories Take a look at the post here: At the school bake sale I bought a baked good of indeterminate type from a pair of 7 year olds. I asked if they could give me change for 5. They said they couldn't. I pointed to their tub of coins, but they said they couldn't give me any of that, because it was for charity. Paul Graham (@paulg) January 24, 2025 Since being shared online, the post gained significant attention, with many users outraged over Grahams actions. They questioned why a billionaire would even consider asking for change from children at a charity event. One user remarked, If I were a literal billionaire who had haggled with 7-year-olds at a bake sale over a couple bucks, you couldnt waterboard that information out of me. Do tech guys just not have any shame?" Billionaire denied change for 5 at kids charity bake sale; whines to the world of the injustice," another wrote. A person commented, If I were a billionaire, I would have bought out the whole bake sale then donated it back to them to sell again." Another comment read, My net worth is roughly one-tenth of one percent of Pauls and I wouldnt imagine even considering the audacity of asking for change at a kids charity bake sale," one said. An individual criticised, Man if I was a billionaire Id probably just tell them to keep the change." The outrage continued with a user asking, Did you think you were at a shop? 7-year-olds raising money for a charity which you obviously knew, that is quite a target." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Some kids at my apartment complex knocked on our door selling a candied apple they made. I asked how much and they said IDK, $6?" And I paid $20 for it," one said. Graham, the founder of Y Combinator, has an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 28, 2025, 18:17 IST 'He's Right': Internet Divided After Driver Denies Ride To 220-kg Rapper Dank Demoss Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 29, 2025, 00:24 IST The Detroit-based musician has filed a lawsuit against the cab driver's employer Lyft, over "unfair treatment". The rideshare company later issued a statement saying it "condemns all forms of discrimination" Dajua Blanding, whose stage name is Dank Demoss, is seen here with her lawyers Jonathan Marko and Zach Runyan. (Image: @dankdemoss/Instagram) A Detroit-based rapper, who was denied service by a cab driver due to weight concerns, is now suing the rideshare company over unfair treatment". Dajua Blanding aka Dank Demoss, who weighs 220 kg, shot a video of her interaction with the Lyft driver and claimed that she had never been refused entry into cabs before because of her size. The video of the incident has gone viral on social media, sparking a debate on the internet on how society treats plus-sized individuals, discrimination, body image issues, and personal rights. Many on the internet supported the cab driver for refusing Demoss a booked ride, saying it would have been unsafe" and hazardous". related stories There are unverified reports of the cab drivers dismissal, but Lyft issued a statement saying it condemns all forms of discrimination". Lyft unequivocally condemns all forms of discrimination we believe in a community where everyone is treated with equal respect and mutual kindness. Our community guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination," a spokesperson for the company said, without commenting on the lawsuit. WHAT HAPPENED TO DANK DEMOSS? According to a report in Fox News Detroit, Blanding requested a ride to a Detroit Lions watch party earlier this month. She recounted her ordeal in a TikTok video, explaining how she was told that the car would not be able to accommodate her due to her weight. The driver allegedly told her the car tyres could not handle her weight. In a follow-up Instagram post, she shared a video showing her attempting to convince the driver she could fit into the car. Despite her assurances, the driver refused her entry citing space limitations. I am sorry. I got no space at all, my car is small," he is heard saying in the video. When the musician continued to argue, he suggested she should book an Uber XL instead, to which she responded that she has never had to do so in the past. I can fit in this car," she can be heard saying, to which he responded, Believe me, you cant." In the caption of her video, she expressed her anger writing: AM I WRONG? Lyft what have you all got to say about this driver (who) discriminated against me? I just feel like you all treat big people like s***. Like we dont belong here." WHAT IS THE LAWSUIT? Fox News Detroit said Demoss has now filed a lawsuit against Lyft, claiming she was unfairly treated. It highlights the emotional distress and humiliation she experienced due to the incident. Ive been in cars smaller than that," she told the channel in an interview. I just want them to know that it hurt my feelings." Blanding is being represented by attorneys Jonathan Marko and Zach Runyan to sue for discrimination. They said weight is a protected characteristic" in Michigan. I knew that it was illegal, and I knew that it was wrong," Marko told Fox News Detroit, adding that denying someone a ride based on their weight would be the same as denying someone because of their race or religion at least under the law". But, he said, Lyft drivers can turn down passengers for perceived security threats, but that does not mean they can deny a ride based on protected characteristics". WHAT IS THE INTERNET SAYING? A number of internet users defended the cab driver and said, as per personal rights, he was right to refuse the ride to Blanding. While the driver has not been identified, the news of his dismissal is doing the rounds on social media. Public sentiment seemed to be largely in favour of the driver on platforms like X and Instagram. Many pointed out that he was simply protecting his car, while the woman faced a barrage of negative comments under her videos on TikTok and Instagram. Plus Size female rapper filing a lawsuit against Lyft for refusing her service due to her size.Danke Demoss, a Detroit based rapper, claims a driver wouldnt let her inside the car because the tires and car wouldnt handle her weight. She is now claiming discrimination. pic.twitter.com/nvpuiAAt3Q Oli London (@OliLondonTV) January 28, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all One person wrote: I love you girl but suspensions are expensive." Another person, who claimed to be from the plus-sized community" also lambasted her saying there were bigger issues among them like high blood pressure and diabetes. So friend you mad because someone wasnt comfortable with you getting in their car? Im big too and I know some cars I have no business in. That car was already low to the floor. He also was very respectful and didnt try to humiliate you.! All you had to do was let him cancel and send you another one Standing for your community???? We have bigger issues in our community like high blood pressure and diabetes," the person wrote on Instagram. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 28, 2025, 23:58 IST Did Donald Trump Predict US Stock Market Crash 5 Years Ago? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 12:50 IST As the US stock market plunged, social media was flooded with memes, investment tips, and reactions. Among them, a post by US President Donald Trump "predicting" the crash has gone viral. Donald Trump sworn in as the US President on January 20. (AP Image) US stock market crashed on Monday, January 27, as concerns grew over the potential threat posed by DeepSeek, a Chinese AI model gaining popularity for its affordability compared to US counterparts. The app, which is developed at a cost of $6 million, became the most downloaded free app in the US on Apples App Store. This caused uncertainty surrounding the future of major US AI companies, particularly Nvidia. As a result, Nvidias stock plummeted by 17 per cent, with the company losing $589 billion in market value, the largest in market history. The repercussions were felt globally, with Indian markets also taking a hit, losing 9.28 lakh crore in market wealth as key dropped to their lowest levels in seven months. related stories Amid this, an X (formerly known as Twitter) post by US President Donald Trump has gone viral. The post, dated October 17,2020, read, Giant red wave coming!" Read| Tech Stocks Plummet: Nvidia Tumbles 17% As Chinese Rival DeepSeek Shakes Up AI Market While Trump made this post in reference to the US election that year, people are quoting it to talk about the steep decline in the US stock market. In response to the post, an individual wrote, Low key banger tweet," while another called it the tweet of the month". Also Read| Beyond DeepSeeks Current Scope: Chinas AI Chatbot On Queries About Northeast India A third called it as the Trump effect." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Someone else humourously said, Promises kept." Donald Trump returned to the White House as the 47th President of the United States following his victory in the November election, where he defeated former Vice President Kamala Harris. JD Vance was named his Vice President. The swearing-in ceremony on January 20 drew billionaires and tech moguls from various industries. First Published: January 28, 2025, 12:47 IST Do You Know What The 'Baba' In Baba Vanga Means? Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 14:58 IST Not many know that Baba Vanga was a woman and even fewer know that the Baba in her moniker has nothing to do with the Hindi word baba Baba Vanga was a renowned Bulgarian astrologer and seer, and was given the name Vangelia Gushterova Pandeva at birth. Whether you believe them or not, reading predictions by Nostradamus and Baba Vanga is a fun pastime, a harmless indulgence. While the world has been hearing of Nostradamuss predictions since the 16th century, Baba Vanga is a relatively recent sensation, though she passed away in 1996. Not many know that Baba Vanga was a woman and even fewer know that the Baba in her moniker has nothing to do with the Hindi word baba. related stories Baba Vanga was a renowned Bulgarian astrologer and seer, and was given the name Vangelia Gushterova Pandeva at birth. It is said that she possessed the ability to foresee future events. At the age of 12, she became blind. She spent the majority of her life in the Rupite area of the Belasica Mountains in Bulgaria. What Does Baba Signify? Baba Vangas name carries significance in the Bulgarian language. The term Baba is a Bulgarian word meaning elderly woman" or grandmother", and it is used to address older women with affection and respect. Baba Vanga was born on January 31, 1911, in Strumica, Bulgaria. From a young age, she had a passion for astrology and foresight. She dedicated many years to studying this field, ultimately becoming a well-known astrologer in her nation. Baba Vengas predictions so far The prediction of the Berlin Walls fall in 1989. The forecast of the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. The anticipation of Britains exit from the European Union in 2016. The prediction of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Baba Vanga passed away on August 11, 1996. Nevertheless, her predictions continue to be interpreted today. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Baba Vengas predictions for 2025 are as follows: The beginning of the end of the world will occur in 2025, but humanity will not face total extinction until 5079. A significant conflict will arise in Europe in 2025, resulting in a notable decline in the population of Europe. Muslim governance is expected to dominate Europe by 2043. By 2076, communist rule is predicted to re-emerge around the globe. Location : Bulgaria First Published: January 28, 2025, 14:58 IST Elderly Woman Gives Son The Slip To Continue Maha Kumbh Tradition She Started In 1945 Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 17:51 IST Tara Devi, an elderly woman at the Maha Kumbh Mela, has become an internet sensation for her dedication to the religious gathering at Prayagraj, attending since 1945 Tara Devi has been attending the Kumbh Mela since the age of five and has never missed it in her life. (News18 Hindi) The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj is witnessing lakhs of devotees taking their dip of faith. Amidst the religious fervour, videos capturing the essence of the Kumbh are captivating audiences on social media. An elderly woman has recently captured the hearts of netizens. Her smile and heartwarming words have left an indelible mark. This elderly woman, who has become an internet sensation, claims to be a regular attendee at the Kumbh, since 1945, never missing a single one. This year, Tara Devi embarked on her Kumbh pilgrimage without informing her son. related stories In a video that has gone viral, she can be seen expressing her deep affection for the Kumbh. She reveals that she has been attending the event since the age of five and has never missed it in her life. This time, she decided to embark on this spiritual journey without informing her family. With a gentle smile, Tara Devi recounts how she has been coming to the Kumbh every year since 1945. This year, her son was adamant about her not going. Seizing an opportunity when he went to buy vegetables, she stealthily left for the Kumbh without informing anyone. I havent told anyone at home that I have come to take a bath in the Kumbh," she confesses. I only told my granddaughter about this. I will stay in Kumbh for a month." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all When asked about the absence of her family members, she explains, My son worries a lot about me. He says, Dont go, you will get sick, you will fall, you will stumble. He also worries that I dont eat outside." However, when questioned about her familys potential concern, the elderly woman confidently asserts, They know that I will be safe." Tara Devis story has resonated deeply with people on social media. One user commented, Dadi, you have won my heart." Another user expressed admiration, writing, I am surprised to see so much enthusiasm, so much dedication at this age." Others simply remarked on her innocence, with comments like Dadi is so innocent." Location : Allahabad, India, India First Published: January 28, 2025, 17:51 IST 'If Family Allows...': Back Home, Maha Kumbh's Mona Lisa Shares Acting Dreams Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 18:07 IST Mona Lisa, the viral garland seller, returned home after gaining fame at the Maha Kumbh Mela. She mentioned that she might have an opportunity to work in a film and hopes to pursue her dreams of acting if her family permits Numerous videos featuring Mona Lisa, set to popular film songs, have gone viral. (News18 Hindi) Mona Lisa Moni Bhonsle, the young garland seller from Madhya Pradeshs Maheshwar who rose to fame at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, has returned home. Monalisa mentioned that she also fell ill at the Kumbh Mela, which affected her garland-selling work. The viral girl mentioned that she might have an opportunity to work in a film. If my family allows it, I will definitely work in films," she shared. related stories Mona Lisas striking eyes and smile captivated many at the Maha Kumbh Mela. While she had travelled to Prayagraj to sell Kanthi garlands adorned with Rudraksha and precious stones with her family, she became a social media sensation overnight. However, her instant fame quickly turned into a nightmare as her newfound popularity led to unfortunate harassment, raising concerns about her safety. Mona Lisa, upon returning to Indore, expressed her aspiration to pursue a career in films. Following this announcement, it is reported that film industry professionals from Mumbai have reached out to her family. This interaction is believed to be connected to Monalisas recent departure from Kumbh. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all When Mona Lisa unexpectedly rose to fame on social media, people drew comparisons between her and a film actress. Numerous videos featuring her, set to popular film songs, have gone viral. Some speculate that if a filmmaker were to take notice, a film debut could be imminent. Mona Lisa is the youngest of five siblings, with two brothers and two sisters. She made the selfless decision to forgo her own education to support her brothers, assuming a significant portion of the household responsibilities. Location : Khargone, India, India First Published: January 28, 2025, 18:07 IST 'Love At Its Peak': Couple Uses Rope To Ensure They Stay Together At Maha Kumbh Mela Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 14:19 IST A video showing a couple using a rope to stay close while attending the Maha Kumbh Mela is doing rounds on social media. Maha Kumbh Mela began on January 13. (Photo Credits: X) The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, is a gathering of spiritual significance, attracting devotees from all over the globe. After 144 years, this grand religious event is witnessing a powerful convergence at the Triveni Sangam, where the sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati meet. Devotees believe that immersing themselves in these waters cleanses their sins and brings them closer to moksha (salvation). The Mela has been full of emotional and spiritual moments, creating a buzz online. One such moment thats recently gone viral features a couple who came up with a touching and creative solution to avoid getting separated in the crowd. In a viral reel shared on Instagram, the couple attending the mela is seen walking together, tied with a rope. With so many people in the crowd, the rope ensures that they dont get separated. A couple attending the Maha Kumbh tied themselves together with a rope to symbolise their love and ensure they stay united. Their unique gesture during the holy dip has captured attention, showcasing their care and devotion. Such heartwarming sights truly reflect the essence of togetherness at the worlds largest spiritual gathering, Maha Kumbh," the caption shared along with the video reads. related stories Take a look at the video here: The video, since being shared online, has garnered immense attention, accumulating over two million views. The couples heartfelt and creative gesture has brought smiles to social media users, with many expressing admiration for their strong and unwavering bond. One user commented, Rope is very thin but bound is very strong." Another shared, Nowadays when divorce news is common for so called celebrities. These types of clips are really heartwarming." One person expressed, How innocent they are," while one wrote, This is called pure love." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Someone gushed, Love at its peakconnected by soul not rope." The Maha Kumbh Mela, which began on January 13, will continue until February 26 this year. During this sacred gathering, five significant Amrit Snans are scheduled. The first took place on January 14, marking Makar Sankranti. The upcoming dates for these special baths are January 29, in observance of Mauni Amavasya, followed by February 3 for Basant Panchami, February 12 for Maghi Purnima, and the final Amrit Snan on February 26, coinciding with Maha Shivratr. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 28, 2025, 12:45 IST What Elon Musk Said About 1953 German Book Claiming 'Elon' To Be 'The Leader Of Mars' Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 16:50 IST Elon Musk reshared the post with the simple five-word question How can this be real? The Mars Project is regarded as a seminal work on space exploration. (Photo Credits: X) A German book, published in 1953, claimed that the leader of Mars would be called Elon". A picture of the original manuscript has gone viral, drawing the attention of none other than SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. The renowned rocket scientist, Wernher von Braun, was the author of the book named The Mars Project". Someone pulled the original German manuscript out of archives to debunk this myth, only to confirm that von Braun did indeed predict he would be called Elon," read the post shared on X. related stories After it surfaced on the internet, several social media users wondered about Musks possible extraterrestrial origins. The tech billionaire also reshared the interesting post with the simple five-word question How can this be real?" His response created a stir on the internet, thanks to Musks long-standing aspirations to explore Mars with his SpaceX projects. How can this be real? https://t.co/n5V4TZQo8q Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 27, 2025 Translated to English, the part said, The management of the tara consisted of ten vessels. At their head was a man who was awakened by the genant population for five years at a time, whom the Martians called Elon. But opposite Elon and my cabinet, there was a Farlanent who decided on the laws according to which the cabinet had to govern" Responding to Musks post, a user commented, Maybe youre like a time traveller or something." In reply, the Tesla CEO quipped, No matter how often I tell people that Im a 5000-year-old alien time traveller, they dont believe me." No matter how often I tell people that Im a 5000-year-old alien time traveler, they dont believe me Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 27, 2025 A person asked Musk, How does it feel to be part of a German Prophecy?" The prophecy will be fulfilled," added another. An individual reckoned Elon is from Mars and is just trying to get home." Mars is inevitable, simulation confirmed," concluded another. Hey @elonmusk hows it feel to be part of a German Prophecy? Heatherheather007 (@LibertyValkyrie) January 27, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The prophecy will be fulfilled. Rothmus (@Rothmus) January 27, 2025 The University of Illinois considers The Mars Project a seminal work on space exploration. The book highlighted several mysterious topics when space travel was regarded as nothing but a concept of science fiction. Von Braun shed light on his ideas about travelling to other planets. The rocket scientist was also a key figure in NASAs Apollo program. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 28, 2025, 16:50 IST Colombian Presidents Daughter Mocks Trumps Deportation Plan With A Cheeky Dolphin Meme Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 09:32 IST The daughter of Colombias President said that the Latin American country should send back an American sex tourist for every Colombian deported from the US. Colombian President's daughter mocked US President Donald Trump's deportation plans. The daughter of Colombias President took a jibe at US President Donald Trump over deportations- suggesting the Latin American country should send back an American sex tourist for every Colombian deported from the US. For every Colombian deported we will return a gringo from the Poblado," Andrea Petro, the daughter of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Along with the message, Andrea Petro posted a meme of dolphins jumping from the sea under a rainbow-crested sky. related stories Andrea Petro seemed to be referring to the red light district in the city Medellin which was in controversy in April after a 36-year-old American was caught in a hotel room with two underage girls. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The US citizen left Colombia before he could be arrested but the Colombian President Gustavo Petro appealed to the US government to extradite him. The Colombian President has also refused deportation flights from the US following with Donald Trump threatened a trade war with the country- including tariffs of up to 50%. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 28, 2025, 09:30 IST Did Joe Biden Attempt To Assassinate Putin? Tucker Carlson Makes Explosive Claim Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 20:19 IST Tucker Carlson, whose claim lacks any concrete evidence, has stoked a widespread row with his remarks. Russian President Vladimir Putin with former US President Joe Biden | File Image/AP Tucker Carlson, a right-wing commentator and a prominent conservative American pundit, made an explosive accusation against former US President Joe Bidens administration, alleging that they attempted to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin. Carlson, whose claim lacks any concrete evidence, has stoked a widespread row with his remarks. Notably, He was ousted from Fox News in 2023 as the network grappled with legal challenges over its broadcast of false claims regarding electoral fraud in the 2020 US presidential election. related stories The Biden administration did, they tried to kill Putin," the former Fox News broadcaster said on the Monday episode of his The Tucker Carlson Show podcast. After his guest, American writer and journalist Matt Taibbi, interjectedReally?"Carlson doubled down on his assertion, saying Yes, yes, they did, which is insane." Tucker Carlson said that the Biden administration tried to kill Vladimir PutinThe goal is to start World War III and sow chaos. Carlson said this during an interview with journalist Matt Taibbi. pic.twitter.com/k7STerZxFg rina Wolf (@volkova_ma57183) January 28, 2025 Kremlin Reacts To Sensational Claim Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reacted to the sensational claim, saying that the Russian special services are taking all necessary measures to ensure Putins safety. The Russian special services are constantly taking all the necessary measures to ensure public safety, and, of course, the safety of those who are under state protection. This concerns first and foremost the head of the state", Peskov said. Carlson quoted former US Secretary of State Tony Blinken as an example of someone who was pushing for a real war and trying to kill Putin. However, the Biden administration has not yet responded to these accusations. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Carlsons repeated echoing of Kremlin talking points and criticism of US military aid to Ukraine has raised concerns, with his recent remarks further intensifying the controversy. He even stated, You cant say it enough, Ukraine is not a democracy In American terms, you would call Ukraine a tyranny." His interview with Putin in Moscow, followed by a conversation with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, has faced widespread criticism. Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: January 28, 2025, 20:19 IST Donald Trump Wants To Build Israeli-Style 'Iron Dome' Missile Shield: US Needs To Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 08:08 IST Donald Trump said the Iron Dome order was among four executive actions he will sign, along with one that would "get transgender ideology the hell out of our military." US President Donald Trump is seen. (Image: Reuters) US President Donald Trump said he would sign an executive order to start building an Iron Dome" air defense system for the United States, similar to the one that Israel has used to intercept thousands of rockets. He said, at a Republican congressional retreat in Miami, We need to immediately begin the construction of a state-of-the-art Iron Dome missile defense shield." related stories The US President said that the air defence system will be made right here in the USA". As new US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took office, Donald Trump said the Iron Dome order was among four executive actions he will sign, along with one that would get transgender ideology the hell out of our military." Pete Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News host, condemned woke" ideology overtaking the military and questioned whether women should serve in combat roles. Donald Trump praises Iron Dome system Donald Trump has promised to build the Iron Dome system repeatedly during the 2024 election campaign. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Donald Trump praised the Israeli system and its use against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon during the war followed by the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. He said, They knock down just about every one of them. So I think the United States is entitled to that." Donald Trump signed a record number of executive actions on his first day in office, amounting to a total of 42 orders, memorandums and proclamations. Most of the order were related to immigration and social issues- all of which were raised by the US President during his campaign. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 28, 2025, 08:08 IST 'Going To Put America First': Trump Calls China, India Tremendous Tariff-Makers Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 16:17 IST The remark came against the backdrop of reports suggesting that Prime Minister Modi is likely to meet Trump in Washington as early as next month. US President Donald Trump | Image/AP US President Donald Trump on Tuesday labelled China, India and Brazil as tremendous tariff-maker(s)" and said that his government would not allow such practice any longer, emphasising his commitment to putting America First." He further pledged to impose tariffs on nations that harm" the United States, specifically pointing to the three countriesfounding members of the increasingly influential BRICS blocbut acknowledged that they acted in their respective best interests. related stories Were going to put tariffs on outside countries and people that really mean harm to us. Well they mean us harm, but they basically want to make their country good," said Trump while addressing the House Republicans at a Florida retreat. China is a tremendous tariff-maker, and India, Brazil, and so many other countries. (But) were not going to let that happen any longer because were going to put America first," Trump declared. The comments came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a telephonic conversation with Trump, and emphasised their shared commitment to working together for global peace and stability. However, it remains unclear whether tariffs were on the agenda during the phone call between both leaders. It has emerged that PM Modi is likely to meet Trump in Washington, as early as next month. The US Presidents stance on India and tariffs is viewed by many as contentious, especially since he criticised New Delhi, the US largest trading partner, as a very big abuser" during his presidential campaign. Trump reiterated his vision of creating a very fair system" to very quickly" make the US richer and more powerful," echoing statements he made after being sworn in last week. He declared, Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Trump further stated that foreign companieswhether Indian, Chinese, Brazilian, or otherscould avoid these steep tariffs by choosing to build your plant right here in America." Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: January 28, 2025, 16:17 IST Mexican Cartels Fire At Patrol Agents As Donald Trump Ramps Border Security: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 12:07 IST Neither the Border Patrol agents nor the suspected cartel members were hit during the gunfire. A US Customs and Border Protection officer briefs US soldiers at Gate 40 of the US-Mexico border wall in El Paso, Texas. US Border Patrol agents exchanged gunfire with suspected cartel members near the US-Mexican border. This comes after US President Donald Trump began ramping up border security. The bullets were fired as some illegal immigrants were attempting to cross the Rio Grande to enter into the United States, Fox News reported. Neither the Border Patrol agents nor the suspected cartel members were hit during the gunfire. The area where the incident took place is near Fronton Island. related stories VIDEO: Earlier today, @TxDPS responded to assist the US Border Patrol after agents received gunfire from cartel members in Mexico while patrolling in Fronton, Starr County. DPS Drone Operators captured the gunmen fleeing Mexico due to military presence, & seeking refuge on an pic.twitter.com/oPf5l7wltO Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) January 28, 2025 The report added that there has been a sharp drop in illegal immigrant encounters occurring in the first days of the Donald Trump administration 35% lower than the final three days of the Joe Biden administration. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Citing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sources, the report said that there were 1,288 encounters nationwide on January 17, 1,266 on January 18 and 1,354 on January 19. In an executive order last week, Donald Trump said, Enforcing our Nations 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." Location : Mexico First Published: January 28, 2025, 12:07 IST Netanyahu First Foreign Leader To Be Invited By Trump In Second Term, Meeting On February 4 Published By : AFP Last Updated: January 29, 2025, 00:21 IST The Trump-Netanyahu meeting comes after the US president repeatedly claimed credit for sealing an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which came after months of fruitless negotiations During his first term, US President Donald Trump (R) frequently claimed that Israel "never had a better friend in the White House", a sentiment often echoed by PM Benjamin Netanyahu (L). (Image: AFP/File) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited by US President Donald Trump to a meeting at the White House on February 4. Netanyahu will be the first foreign leader to be invited to the White House during Trumps second term, said the Israeli premiers office on Tuesday. The meeting comes after the US president repeatedly claimed credit for sealing an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which came after months of fruitless negotiations. related stories After the ceasefire took effect, he touted a plan to clean out" the Gaza Strip, calling for Palestinians to relocate to neighbouring countries such as Egypt or Jordan. The idea has faced strong backlash from Egypt and Jordan as well as from European governments. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all During his first term, Trump frequently claimed that Israel never had a better friend in the White House", a sentiment often echoed by Netanyahu. However, the relationship between the two leaders soured briefly after the Israeli leader congratulated Joe Biden on his 2020 election victory. Trump, who falsely claimed to have won the 2020 election, accused Netanyahu of disloyalty, as per multiple media reports at the time. Nonetheless, soon after taking office for his second term, he reportedly approved a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, which the Biden administration had previously halted. Netanyahu praised Trump for providing Israel with the tools" to defend itself. Location : Jerusalem, Israel First Published: January 29, 2025, 00:21 IST South Korean Passenger Plane Catches Fire, 176 People Evacuated | Video Published By : AFP Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 21:43 IST According to the National Fire Agency, three people were slightly injured during evacuation down inflatable slides, but the fire was completely extinguished Firefighters work to extinguish a fire that broke out on an Air Busan passenger plane bound for Hong Kong, at Gimhae International Airport in Busan on January 28. (Image: YONHAP/AFP) The rear section of a passenger aircraft caught fire at an airport in South Korea on Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of 176 people on board. The Air Busan plane, an Airbus A321, was set to fly to Hong Kong from Gimhae International Airport in southeastern Busan but caught fire, the authorities said. According to the National Fire Agency, three people were slightly injured during evacuation, but the fire was completely extinguished. In a statement, the transport ministry said 169 passengers and seven crew members were evacuated down inflatable slides. related stories The statement, however, did not mention the cause of the fire other than to say it broke out in the rear of the aircraft. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Fire breaks out on an Air Busan A321 bound for Hong Kong at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea.At around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, a fire broke out in the tail section of the aircraft. All 170 passengers and crew evacuated, and there were no casualties, pic.twitter.com/GqzIkrUx85 Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) January 28, 2025 South Korea suffered the worst aviation disaster on its soil last month when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, flying from Thailand to Muan on December 29, crash-landed and exploded into a fireball after slamming into a concrete barrier. That crash killed 179 of the 181 passengers and crew members on board. Location : Seoul, South Korea First Published: January 28, 2025, 21:37 IST Ukraine War Would End In 'Two Months Or Less' Without Western Interference, Says Putin Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 29, 2025, 00:28 IST Russian President Vladimir Putin said everything would be over in a month and a half or two Russian President Vladimir Putin (Reuters Image) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine could end in two months or less" if the West stops providing financial aid and military supplies to Kyiv. Russian President Vladimir Putin made these comments during an interview with a reporter from Russian state TV. related stories They will not exist for a month if the money and, in a broad sense, the bullets run out. Everything would be over in a month and a half or two," Putin said. Putin also stated that while talks with Kyiv were possible, he would not engage with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he called illegitimate." He explained that Zelensky lost legitimacy because his presidential term had expired during the period of martial law. Putin further added, If he wants to participate in the negotiations, I will allocate people to take part in the negotiations." Trump to speak with Putin Putins comments came amid remarks from US President Donald Trump, who said he would soon speak to the Russian President and help settle the war. Putin has recently said that Russia was ready for talks with the US on a broad range of issues. He wants to speak and will be speaking soon. Ive spoken to (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelensky numerous times, and theyd like to see peace. They would like to see an end to the war. I think President Putin would like to see an end to the war too," Trump had said on Saturday. US President has repeatedly said that the conflict would never have started if he had been in office. So, well see if we can help it along. I think its a shame its a war that would have never happened," Trump added. US, EU to maintain pressure on Moscow Meanwhile, in a related development, a European official on Tuesday said that the United States and the European Union had agreed on the need to maintain maximum pressure" on Putin to end the war in Ukraine. This agreement came after the first telephone call between EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The official stated that the goal was to maintain pressure on Moscow to work towards a just and sustainable peace" in Ukraine. (With inputs from agencies) Location : Moscow, Russia First Published: January 28, 2025, 23:58 IST US Family Of 4 Found Dead Inside Their Home In Apparent Murder-Suicide Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 10:13 IST Investigators said that Paul Swarner fatally shot his wife and their two children before turning the gun on himself. Paul Swarner, his wife Karen Swarner and their two young children, Evelyn and Connor, were found dead. A family of four was found dead in their home in Pennsylvania in the US which officials suspected to be a murder-suicide. Paul Swarner, 35, his wife, Karen Swarner, 32, and their two young children, Evelyn, 5, and Connor, 1, were found by Karens father at their Ruffsdale home, the police said. Investigators said that Paul Swarner fatally shot his wife and their two children before turning the gun on himself. State Trooper Steve Limani said, Its unthinkable. Its unfathomable." related stories He added, I dont know what was going on with Paul. I dont know why it would have happened. I hope were able to find some answers. Its extremely, extremely sad. I dont know. I dont know whats worse." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The family members had spoken with the couple a couple days ago and for all intents and purposes, there was not what you would consider strife or any type of concern or fear of endangerment or anything like that," he informed. Talking about the couple, the official said as per New York Post, They seem like they had very successful jobs and were a very loving household." Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 28, 2025, 10:13 IST Vivek Ramaswamy Reveals Whether He Was Fired By Elon Musk From DOGE: We Discussed Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 12:43 IST Asserting that both of them had "different and complementary approaches" to running DOGE, Vivek Ramaswamy said that they were both on the same page". Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who quit the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), said that he has no differences with the Tesla boss. Asserting that both of them had different and complementary approaches" to running DOGE, Vivek Ramaswamy said that they were both on the same page". Vivek Ramaswamy praises Elon Musk related stories Praising Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy said that there was no better person to lead DOGE. On speculation of a rift between him and Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy said, I think thats incorrect. But what I would say is, we had different and complementary approaches. I focused more on a constitutional law, legislative-based approach. They focused more on a technology approach, which is the future approach." When you are talking about a constitutional revival, its not just done through the federal government. Its done through federalism, where states also lead the way. Theres no better person having a technological and digital approach than Elon Musk to lead," he said. On whether Elon Musk fired him, Vivek Ramaswamy said, No, we had a mutual discussion. We are on the same page. Divide and conquer. In saving the country, its not a one-man show from the top down or the bottom up. Its all of the above. And thats what Im for." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Vivek Ramaswamy to run for Ohio governor? Vivek Ramaswamy also teased an Ohio governors bid, saying there would be an announcement soon. He said, Well, the reality is, Im pursuing an elected office very shortly. We will have an announcement soon. We look at the country over the last 20 years, Silicon Valley was at the bleeding edge of the American economy. I think the Ohio River Valley can be at the bleeding edge of the American economy for the next 20 years." Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 28, 2025, 12:43 IST What Is China's Panda Diplomacy And How Does It Boost Global Soft Power? Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: January 28, 2025, 11:22 IST Hua-Hua, a popular panda in Chengdu, China, attracts thousands of visitors and has over 10,000 followers on China's TikTok. Panda diplomacy boosts soft power and funds conservation. While China previously gifted pandas, they are now typically leased for 10-15 years. (AP File) Pandas, the adorable creatures native to China, are known to captivate hearts worldwide. Hua-Hua, a panda residing in Chengdu, China, enjoys immense popularity, drawing thousands of visitors eager to catch a glimpse. Viewings are limited to 30 people for a duration of three minutes at a time. Hua-Hua also commands a significant online presence, boasting over 10,000 followers on Chinas TikTok app. These cute pandas, which resemble teddy bears, are more than just animals for China; they serve as ambassadors. They are crucial to Chinas panda diplomacy, through which the nation increases its soft power globally. related stories Chinas panda diplomacy has a long history, dating back to the middle of the 20th century. Under this policy, China gifts or leases pandas to other countries. While China previously gifted pandas, they are now typically leased for 10-15 years. Countries leasing pandas must pay a substantial sum to China, which is used to fund panda conservation efforts and protect their habitats. Last year, China leased two pandas to the US. History of Chinas panda diplomacy Pandas are found in the high, bamboo-covered mountainous regions of south-central China, but they now live in the wild only in six isolated valleys within protected nature reserves. In 1957, Chinese Communist Party leader Mao Zedong sent two panda ambassadors, Ping Ping and Chi Chi, to the Soviet Union. Mao also gifted pandas to other socialist countries, such as North Korea. China used to give pandas to countries with which it had good relations. For example, in 1972, when US President Richard Nixon visited China, two months later, China sent an 18-month-old pair of pandas to the US. These pandas were named Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling. Ling-Ling died in 1992 and Hsing-Hsing in 1999. However, this was not the first time pandas had come to the US. In 1941, Chinas nationalist leader, Chiang Kai-shek, sent two pandas to the US to thank it for helping Chinese refugees during the war with Japan. China leases pandas top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In 1984, the tradition of gifting pandas from China ended, and a leasing system was implemented. According to a BBC report, zoos may now have to spend up to Rs 8 crore annually to lease a pair of pandas. This cost is in addition to separate expenses for their food and maintenance. A CNN report highlights the sentiment among many in China who express pride in sharing pandas with the world. Simultaneously, numerous Chinese social media influencers voice opposition to sending pandas to nations perceived as unfriendly to China, fearing potential mistreatment of the animals. Location : China First Published: January 28, 2025, 11:22 IST A GUINEA Fowl High School student teacher was found dead in a room at the school premises. Keener Tsanana was last seen on Saturday in the company of her boyfriend, Valentine Tamuka Zivera, (27). National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed that police were keen to interview Valentine in connection with the murder. The 21-year-old student teacher was found lying dead in a room at the school. She had a swollen forehead and bruises all over her body. The body was found on 25 January at about 8 pm. The deceased was identified as Keener Tsanana, who was a student Teacher at Guinea Fowl High School, said Comm Nyathi. Simbarashe Dzimba, employed as a security guard at the school, reported the matter to the police. Investigations revealed that the deceased was seen on 24 January 2025 in the company of one Valentine Tamuka, a student at Hillside Teachers College in Bulawayo, who is believed to be her boyfriend, entering the school premises. Police also discovered Zirevas belongings in the room where the body was discovered. Valentines whereabouts are currently unknown. We are appealing for information concerning his whereabouts and may it be passed to any Police station or police officers on patrol, he said. H Metro Amending the Constitution to allow President Mnangagwa to remain in office beyond 2028 is both constitutional and democratic, Zanu PF Mashonaland East provincial chairman, Cde Daniel Garwe, has said. He made these comments while addressing thousands of party supporters at the Murehwa inter-district meeting over the weekend, marking the first such gathering in the province this year. Cde Garwe said resolutions made during the party conference held in Bulawayo last year are binding, adding that various districts in Mashonaland East had collectively decided that President Mnangagwa should extend his term until 2030 to oversee the attainment of Vision 2030. He noted that the resolution for President Mnangagwa to continue at the helm was adopted without opposition during the conference. The people want their President to stay in office. It is not the President pushing for this; it is us, the people, who have witnessed the massive developmental projects across Zimbabwe, he said, calling for constitutional amendments to facilitate this extension. In response to critics who claim that this move is undemocratic, Cde Garwe said: It is democratic and constitutional to amend the Constitution. He called on those who misunderstand Vision 2030 to gain clarity, asserting that the voice of the people is paramount. Cde Garwe assured supporters that Vision 2030 is unstoppable and urged detractors to reconsider their plans. He also addressed concerns about disrespectful comments made on social media by some party supporters, warning that such behaviour could lead to expulsion from the party. Cde Garwe encouraged Zanu PF members to respect leadership and pray for wisdom for the President and other leaders. The majority of Zimbabweans support Vision 2030, and this vision will prevail, he said. Cde Garwe urged attendees to spread the message that President Mnangagwa would still be in office by 2030, encouraging education over conflict in discussions with those opposed to the resolution. Herald In January, China's manufacturing sector saw a decline, with the purchasing managers index (PMI) falling to 49.1 from 50.1 the previous monthindicating contraction in activity. Zhao Qinghe from the National Bureau of Statistics partly attributed this drop to workers leaving their jobs to celebrate the Lunar New Year holidays. Public holidays begin Tuesday and last through Feb. 4, and many Chinese take a break from work and return to their family homes during this period, impacting economic data. The non-manufacturing sector, including construction and services, also experienced a decrease, with PMI slipping to 50.2 from 52.2 in December. Despite these declines, China's economy grew by 5% in 2024, reaching government targets thanks to robust exports and stimulus efforts. However, Zichun Huang of Capital Economics observed, "The disappointing PMI data underscores the difficulty policymakers face in achieving a sustained recovery in growth." She also noted, "This is disappointing, and suggests that fiscal support may be struggling to offset the broader pressures weighing on construction activity." The broader economic outlook is uncertain, impacted by potential tariff threats on Chinese imports from US President Donald Trump. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) On MondayDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth's first day of work at the PentagonPresident Trump said he would sign multiple executive orders on the military. The president, speaking to House Republicans at a Florida conference, said he will offer "full reinstatement to any service member who was expelled from the armed forces due to the COVID vaccine mandate," the AP reports. Trump said he would also bring in an American version of Israel's Iron Dome air defense system and "get transgender ideology the hell out of our military," reports the New York Times . Trump didn't offer details on the transgender order, though the New York Post reported earlier Monday that Trump plans to kick transgender service members out of the military. "There are more executive orders coming," Hegseth, who was confirmed Friday after Vice President JD Vance cast a tie-breaking vote, said at the Pentagon on Monday. In a post on X Sunday, Hegseth vowed that eliminating DEI programs from the military would be a top priority. He shared a photo of a note on secretary of defense stationery that said: "No exceptions, name-changes, or delays. Those who do not comply will no longer work here." In remarks at the Pentagon, Hegseth used the old names of Army bases that were renamed under the Biden administration because of their connection to the Confederacy, the Washington Post reports. He said "every moment" he was there, he would be thinking of the "guys and gals in Guam and Germany, in Fort Benning, in Fort Bragg." Days before he was nominated, Hegseth said Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, should be fired for being "woke." Asked Monday if he still planned to fire Brown, who was standing next to him, Hegseth said, "I'm standing with him right now," ABC News reports. "I look forward to working with him." (More Pete Hegseth stories.) A federal judge has dropped an order barring Stewart Rhodes and seven other members of the Oath Keepers militia from entering Washington, DC, without court permission. Judge Amit Mehta denied the Justice Department's request to dismiss the terms of supervised release, but he said they would not be enforced, the Hill reports. In 2023, Mehta sentenced Rhodes to 18 years for his role in the Capitol attack. He issued the DC prohibition two days after Rhodes, whose sentence was commuted by President Trump, visited Capitol Hill. "It is not for this court to divine why President Trump commuted Defendants' sentences, or to assess whether it was sensible to do so," Mehta wrote, vacating his previous order. "The court's sole task is to determine the act's effect." He said he had determined it would be "improper" to modify the sentences "post-commutation," Axios reports. In a statement, US Attorney for the District of Columbia Ed Martin likened Mehta's order to barring Gen. Mark Milley or others who received "last-minute, preemptive" pardons from President Biden from entering Washington, DC. "The individuals referenced in our motion have had their sentences commutedperiod, end of sentence," Martin said. (More Stewart Rhodes stories.) An Indiana man who served time in prison over his involvement in the Capitol riot was fatally shot by a deputy days after he was pardoned by President Trump. Matthew Huttle, 42, was shot by a Jasper County sheriff's deputy after he allegedly resisted arrest during a traffic stop on Sunday, Fox 59 reports. Indiana State Police are investigating the shooting. "An altercation took place between the suspect and the officer, which resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding the suspect," state police said. "The investigation also shows that during the traffic stop, the suspect was in possession of a firearm." Police did not disclose the reason for the traffic stop, the AP reports. In November 2023, Huttle was sentenced to six months in prison and 12 months of supervised release after pleading guilty to a charge of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, reports NBC News. He traveled to Washington, DC, with his uncle, Dale Huttle, who was sentenced to 30 months in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting officers. Dale Huttle, who was seen on surveillance video attacking officers on the Capitol steps with a flagpole, was released after Trump pardoned him last Monday, the Indianapolis Star reports. Matthew Huttle "is not a true believer in any political cause," defense attorney Andrew Hemmer said in a court filing, per the AP. Huttle, who had served time for a driving offense, "instead went to the rally because he thought it would be a historic moment and he had nothing better to do after getting out of jail," Hemmer said. Nick Barnes, a lawyer who had been representing Huttle in more recent motor vehicle cases, says he doesn't know the circumstances of the shooting but plans to "find out a lot more about it." (More Capitol riot stories.) The Justice Department said Monday that it had fired more than a dozen employees who worked on criminal investigations into President Trump. "Given your significant role in prosecuting the President, I do not believe that the leadership of the Department can trust you to assist in implementing the President's agenda faithfully," acting Attorney General James McHenry wrote to the prosecutors in a letter obtained by CNN. The abrupt action targeting career prosecutors who worked on special counsel Jack Smith's team is the latest sign of upheaval inside the Justice Department and reflects the administration's determination to purge the government of workers it perceives as disloyal to the president, the AP reports. A full-scale replica of the secret annex where Anne Frank wrote in her famous diary opened in New York City on Monday as the world marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day . The exhibit at the Center for Jewish History in Manhattan represents the first time the annex has been completely re-created outside Amsterdam, where the space is a central part of the Anne Frank House museum. But while the original annex has been intentionally left empty, the New York reconstruction shows the five rooms as they would have looked while the Frank family and others lived in hiding, the AP reports. Education is the focus of this exhibition, said Ronald Leopold, director of the Anne Frank House, at Monday's opening. "And education starts with empathyempathy with what happened here, what happened in Amsterdam during those years, what was done to Anne Frank." Hannah-Milena Elias, the granddaughter of Anne Frank's cousin, Buddy Elias, said she found it emotional walking through the exhibit rooms. "It is quite overwhelming and quite touching to see to see what a tiny space the families had to stay in and live for more than two years," said the 29-year-old, who lives in Switzerland. Her sibling, Leyb-Anouk Elias, hoped the exhibit would encourage visitors to reflect on what it means to face discrimination or be a minority today. "History, unfortunately, is repeating itself in different ways," the 27-year-old Berlin resident said. "We have to be very, very careful how to act and to do stuff against it, to not ever make this happen again." The New York exhibit, which runs through April 30, spans more than 7,500 square feet and includes more than 100 photos and other artifactsmany never before displayed publicly, according to officials. Henry Byrne, a junior at Xavier, a Catholic high school in Manhattan, said learning about the family's saga helped him grasp the enormity of the Holocaust. "It taught me a lot about how just because you see one story, walk into these rooms and all the beds and the tables, that's just one person's life," the 16-year-old said. "And there were millions that were lost." (More Anne Frank stories.) President Trump weighed in on DeepSeek, the Chinese startup currently shaking up the world of artificial intelligence with its new AI assistant. Responding to the app's massive popularity and the resulting impact on tech stocks, Trump said this "should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser focused on competing to win." He added, per Forbes, that this should push American companies to "[come] up with a faster method of AI, and much less expensive method." DeepSeek is a competitor to OpenAI's ChatGPT, and its quick ascendance to the top of the Apple store downloads chart had those in both politics and tech in the US talking about what the country must do to ensure it stays ahead of other nations in the AI space, the Washington Post reports. Multiple US tech stocks were down Monday, with some industry leaders losing tens of billions on paper. In Florida, it's game on between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state's Republican lawmakers. In a stunning rebuke to DeSantis, who was once floated as the Republican successor to President Trump, Florida lawmakers on Monday gaveled in a special session called by the governor to help carry out Trump's aggressive immigration agendaand then within minutes gaveled out again, summarily tossing out the governor's proposals. Moments later, the chambers' Republican leaders called their own special session, ignoring some of the governor's asks and instead presenting their own sweeping immigration bill, the AP reports. Monday's statehouse showdown would have been unthinkable in years past, when DeSantis wielded power over the Republican-controlled Legislature like no other governor in recent Florida historyhelping him make the state the envy of conservative activists across the country. But as DeSantis approaches the end of his second term, his grip on state lawmakers is loosening. State Republican leadersSenate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perezrejected DeSantis' immigration proposals, but not because they don't want to crack down on immigration. "Special sessions should be used sparingly," Perez told his members. "They should not be stunts designed to generate headlines." The governor's proposals included punishing officers with criminal charges if they didn't enforce the measures and creating a database to track people who send money to their families outside the US. Albritton called the moves unconstitutional, and said he wouldn't ask officers to violate the law. "Sometimes leadership isn't about being out in front of an issue," Albritton said. "It's about following the leader you trust. I trust President Trump." Lawmakers' allegiance to Trump is written into the name of the 75-page proposalthe Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy or TRUMP Act. DeSantis said in a post on the social platform X that he was glad lawmakers were considering many of his ideas, but called their proposed legislation "substantially weaker." (More Ron DeSantis stories.) The top US aid and development agency is in disarray following the abrupt freeze on foreign aid issued by the State Department on Friday. Thousands of humanitarian, development, and security programs funded by the US had either halted their work or were in the process of doing so, and employees of those programs were being laid off en masse due to lack of funding. At the US Agency for International Development or USAID, at least 56 senior officials were placed on paid leave Monday as hundreds of contractors were laid off, sources tell the AP . According to an internal USAID notice, the senior officials were placed on leave after the federal agency's new acting administrator identified "several actions" at the agency "that appear to be designed to circumvent the President's Executive Orders," necessitating an "analysis." The notice did not specify which of President Trump's executive orders the employees are accused of trying to thwart, but many who work in the aid sector have been sounding the alarm since the freeze was issued. "If this is implemented as written, it means that nutrition and water programs fighting famine in Sudan will stop work. Health clinics in Gaza providing lifesaving health care will stop work. HIV patients will stop receiving their antiretroviral treatments," a former USAID official told the Washington Post after the freeze was issued last week. Others who spoke to the Post underscored their fear that people will die as a result. In new interviews with the Post after the USAID news came out Monday, one anonymous aid worker said the administration is trying to clear out anyone at the agency who thinks the aid freeze is a bad idea. Indeed, the Guardian reports that USAID staffers have been threatened with disciplinary action if they ignore the Trump administration's orders regarding aid. Per Politico, which first reported the USAID officials being placed on leave, "the decision appears to affect nearly every career staffer who holds a top leadership role at the agency, at least in Washington." Many have served in multiple administrations, including Trump's last one. (Another consequence of the aid freeze: Nonprofits have been told to stop clearing mines.) New Zealand is reevaluating its development funding to Kiribati following a diplomatic incident where Kiribati President Taneti Maamau canceled a meeting with New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters. The meeting, planned for January 21 and 22, would have marked the first visit by a New Zealand minister to the aid-dependent island nation in over five years. Peters' office stated, "The lack of political-level contact makes it very difficult for us to agree joint priorities for our development program, and to ensure that it is well targeted and delivers good value for money." As a result, New Zealand is reviewing its aid relationship with Kiribati, where foreign assistance accounted for 18% of the national income in 2022. New Zealand contributed 10% of the country's development finance, amounting to 102 million New Zealand dollars ($58 million) between 2021 and 2024. Relations have been strained since Kiribati shifted its allegiance from Taiwan to China in 2019, resulting in increased Chinese aid. In August, Kiribati suspended all foreign official visits citing internal government priorities, which added to the tensions. story continues below Australia, Kiribati's largest funder, continues its support. Recently, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles delivered a patrol boat to Kiribati, without meeting Maamau. Meanwhile, Kiribati's Education Minister Alexander Teabo denied any diplomatic snub, explaining Maamau's prior engagement. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) Southern California has experienced its first significant storm of the season, which brought much-needed snow and rain to the region, including some impactful consequences. On Monday, these weather conditions helped to douse ongoing wildfires yet caused ash and mud flows on streets in the Los Angeles area. Rainfall exceeded an inch in several locations, prompting road closures and the shutdown of four schools in Malibu due to hazardous conditions. Meteorologist Joe Sirard from the National Weather Service commented, "All these fresh burns are very susceptible to rapid runoff," highlighting the vulnerability of fire-scarred areas like the Palisades, Altadena, and Castaic Lake, which remain under flood watches. The storm also affected transportation, with the Tejon Pass section of Interstate 5 closed temporarily due to snowthough it reopened by Monday afternoon. Mountainous regions in San Bernardino and Riverside counties were under a winter storm warning, with forecasts predicting about a foot of snow. Areas in San Diego County also reported over an inch of rainfall. Preceding the storm, Southern California had experienced a prolonged dry spell with gusty weather, elevating fire risks. Following that, crews in Los Angeles County worked to clear vegetation and reinforce roads in preparation for the rain. The Palisades Fire, which destroyed numerous homes and resulted in 11 deaths, is now 94% contained. The Eaton Fire near Altadena, with a death toll of 16, is 98% contained. The Hughes Fire, affecting more than 50,000 people north of Los Angeles, is nearing containment. story continues below In San Diego County, the rain assisted firefighters in battling the Border 2 Fire near the US-Mexico border. Local authorities have expedited cleanup efforts to mitigate fire-related environmental pollutants, following a federal directive for a debris removal plan with a five-day timeline. Residents are advised to wear protective gear due to the hazardous nature of ash from recent fires, which contain various toxins. This comes amid lingering concerns from the 2018 Montecito mudslides that resulted in 23 deaths following similar conditions. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) Nigerias Federal Ministry of Communications Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE) and WIOCC Group, a provider of digital infrastructure and connectivity solutions, have announced a strategic partnership. The aim of the alliance is to accelerate the development of Nigerias digital economy through substantial investments in critical digital infrastructure and comprehensive stakeholder engagement. The two groups say that the partnership, formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), marks a significant milestone in efforts to enhance digital connectivity and inclusion across Nigeria. The partnership focuses on enhancing stakeholder engagement by jointly reviewing and improving the Nigerian National Policy on Telecommunications to meet digital economy needs. WIOCC Group says it has committed to investing in Nigerias digital infrastructure, deploying a hyperscale open-access digital platform for internet service providers (ISPs) with advanced fibre and colocation facilities. Additionally, a collaboration with the National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria will aim to improve broadband quality and accessibility, with WIOCC expanding fibre infrastructure and partnering with ISPs to connect more homes and businesses. The National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN), an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, is a multi-stakeholder collaboration aimed at overcoming obstacles in achieving universal broadband access. Dr Bosun Tijani Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Federal Republic of Nigeria, points out that a highlight of the agreement is a commitment from WIOCC to make significant investments in delivering last-mile connectivity to Nigerian homes and businesses. The partnership also includes WIOCC providing digital infrastructure training and supporting job creation for Nigerian youth. A recent ceremony at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka saw Carlos Wriedt from Mexico, along with his wife, gain US citizenship. They were part of a group of 30 new citizens from 18 different countries who took the oath in front of family members. This marks a milestone for the Wriedts, who have lived in the US for over two decades and operate a translation business in Wichita. Their daughter became a citizen last September. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly highlighted immigrant contributions, stating, "The dreams of immigrants have built in America and continue to inject new energy, new vitality and new strength into our country." Kansas state Representative Tobias Schlingensiepen expressed disappointment with current immigration rhetoric, commenting, "I'm disappointed at the climate and the rhetoric right now," with references to his own naturalization experience 50 years ago. This ceremony occurred amid ongoing debates over immigration policies from the Trump administration, which included proposals for mass deportations and challenges to birthright citizenship. Judge Rachel Pickering encouraged the new citizens, saying, "You are keeping the American dream alive." story continues below Among the new citizens was Jerry Ugbo from Nigeria, who came to the US in 2015 for studies. Now completing training to become a physician's assistant, he rejoices in citizenship alongside his wife, Hannah, and their two young children in Manhattan, Kansas. The Ugbos emphasized the complexities and costs of the legal immigration process, noting the importance yet challenges of navigating it without legal assistance. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) One of Neil Gaiman's publishers has dropped him as the British author faces multiple allegations of sexual assault and harassment. And his name is not on the website of the agency that has for years handled his speaking appearances. Dark Horse Comics announced it would no longer release its illustrated series based on Gaiman's novel, Anansi Boys. The seventh of eight planned editions came out earlier this month. "Dark Horse takes seriously the allegations against Neil Gaiman and we are no longer publishing his works," reads the statement from Dark Horse, which still includes Gaiman's books on its website. Allegations against Gaiman, known for such bestsellers as Coraline and The Sandman series, first emerged last summer on a Tortoise Media podcast. After a lengthy New York magazine article in January included allegations from eight women of assault, abuse, and coercion, Gaiman responded with a blog post, denying any wrongdoing. "Like most of us, I'm learning, and I'm trying to do the work needed, and I know that that's not an overnight process," he wrote. "At the same time, as I reflect on my pastand as I re-review everything that actually happened as opposed to what is being allegedI don't accept there was any abuse." Gaiman's office and his literary agent did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday. Gaiman has worked with numerous publishers over the years. Two of them, HarperCollins and WW Norton, have said they have no plans to release his books in the future. Others, including Bloomsbury, have so far declined comment. Gaiman still lists the Stephen Barclay Agency on his website as a contact for personal appearances, but his name doesn't appear on the agency's client list. Barclay did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Disney has paused a planned adaptation of Gaiman's The Graveyard Book, while Netflix is still scheduled to release a second season based on The Sandman. (More Neil Gaiman stories.) President Trump said Monday evening that Microsoft is among the US companies looking to take control of TikTok to help the popular app avert an effective ban that could kick-in in April, the AP reports. "I would say yes," Trump told reporters when asked if Microsoft was one of the companies interested in helping to bring about a new ownership of TikTok, a requirement set by Congress to keep the app functioning in the US. Trump added that other companies were also interested in purchasing TikTok, but wouldn't provide a list. "I like bidding wars because you make your best deals," Trump said as he spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One while flying back to Washington from Miami, where Republican House members were holding a conference. Microsoft declined to comment. Representatives for TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In one of his first acts in office last week, Trump extended the deadline for TikTok to find new ownership that satisfies the government by 75 days, to April 4 from January 19. The president has said that he's looking for the ultimate purchaser to give the US a 50% stake in the company, which is owned by China-based ByteDance. But the details remain murky, and it's unclear whether he's proposing control of the app by the government or another US entity. Last week, the artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI presented a new proposal to ByteDance that would allow the US government to own up to 50% of a new entity that merges Perplexity with TikTok's US business, according to a person familiar with the matter. Several other investorsincluding billionaire Frank McCourt and Trump's former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchinhave spoken publicly about their desire to purchase TikTok's US platform. Trump has also said he's spoken to "many people" privately about the company. Microsoft, along with Walmart, made a failed bid for TikTok during Trump's first term after Trump tried to ban the app. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella later described it as the "strangest thing I've ever worked on." (More TikTok stories.) Andrew Taake walked out of federal prison in Colorado a free man on Jan. 20, after newly inaugurated President Trump pardoned him and some 1,500 others for their part in the 2021 Capitol riot. Law enforcement officials in Houston, however, would like to put Taake right back behind bars, reports Houston Public Media . Harris County DA Sean Teare says the 36-year-old is wanted on a pre-existing 2016 warrant on charges of online solicitation of a minor. "Re-arresting individuals, like Taake, who were released with pending state warrants, will require significant resources," says Teare, whose office had sought to have the feds hold Taake in Colorado by sending a copy of the warrant five days ahead of the pardon. "Know that we are already in the process of tracking Taake down." Countered a Federal Bureau of Prisons rep: "The language (of the pardon) included notes inmates currently held in prison should be released immediately. Our interpretation is if they were on our list and were in prison, they were to be released." As the Guardian reports, Taake is charged with chatting online with a girl he knew was younger than 17 with the intent of setting up a sexual encounter. At the time, he was 27. He was facing up to 10 years in prison on a third-degree felony charge and was out on $20,000 bail when he participated in the Capitol attack. Taake was sentenced to six years for his Jan. 6 actions in June 2024; he was charged after bragging to a Bumble date about spraying bear spray at cops and beating them with a metal whip. (More Capitol riot stories.) Antony Blinken, former secretary of State under President Biden, has signed a book deal with Crown, an imprint of Penguin Random House. The book will provide an insider's account of major global crises managed during his tenure, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the war in Gaza. The book's title and release date are yet to be announced. Blinken, 62, served as secretary of State for all four years of Biden's administration, a period notable for international challenges. He aims to offer the "first inside story from within the administration" on critical events such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which he describes as bringing the world "as close to nuclear conflict as it had come in more than half a century." Additionally, the book will examine the US reaction to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and its involvement in ceasefire and hostage negotiations. The narrative promises to take readers into the Situation Room and the Oval Office, revealing discussions on managing tensions with China and other global issues. Blinken and the Biden administration faced criticism for the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and their approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict, which some argued inadequately addressed humanitarian concerns in Gaza. story continues below In an AP interview, Blinken expressed his hope to have built "a new and stronger foundation for the United States in the world for the future," while acknowledging differences with the incoming Trump administration on policies like support for Ukraine and NATO. "When we came in, we inherited partnerships and alliances that were seriously frayed," he said. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) CNN anchor Jim Acosta announced at the end of his 10am show Tuesday that it would be his last at the network. "I've decided to move on," he said, thanking the network and its viewers. Acosta was set to lose his morning slot as part of a wider reshuffle at CNN and sources tell Variety that Acosta rejected a proposed move to the midnight to 2am Eastern slot. The move was described as a chance to deliver breaking news to viewers on the West Coast. but according to the New York Times ' sources, the veteran correspondent was "wary that he was being shuffled to the graveyard shift as part of a plan to sideline journalists who have been critical of President Trump." Acosta often clashed with administration officials during Trump's first term, but he said that the highlight of his time at CNN came during Barack Obama's second term, when he questioned Raul Castro about political prisoners during the president's visit to Cuba, Deadline reports. "I took home this lessonit is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant," Acosta said. "I have always believed it's the job of the press to hold power to account," he added. "I've always tried to do that at CNN and plan to go on doing it in the future." Acosta said he would have more to share about his future plans in the days to come. According to Variety's sources, he might launch his own digital subscription project. In 2018, Acosta's White House press pass was revoked after he clashed with Trump during a news conference. A judge ordered the administration to reinstate his credentials. Trump blasted Acosta in a Truth Social post Tuesday, calling him "one of the worst and most dishonest reporters in journalistic history" and a "major sleazebag." (More Jim Acosta stories.) Caroline Kennedy has urged senators to vote against her "predator" cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his "irresponsible beliefs" in this week's confirmation hearings. In a letter to senators and a video statement, the former ambassador to Australia warned against putting RFK Jr. "in charge of the health of the American people" as health secretary. "I have known Bobby my whole life; we grew up together," Kennedy said. "It's no surprise that he keeps birds of prey as pets because he himself is a predator." She said other family members had followed him down the path of drug addiction. "His basement, his garage, his dorm room were the centers of the action where drugs were available, and he enjoyed showing off how he put baby chickens and mice in the blender to feed his hawks," she said. "It was often a perverse scene of despair and violence." In the digital age, the need for secure and verifiable electronic signatures is essential for businesses of all sizes. 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Visit veridocsign.com for more. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter , Facebook and Instagram. TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com A $27 million deposit dispute between two Arab banks has been put to rest, with Bahrains highest court ruling that its courts lack the authority to handle the case. The decision closes a long-running row that hinged on cross-border banking challenges and sovereign restrictions. The case began in October 2019 when a Bahrain-based Arab bank accused another Arab bank, operating in a different country, of failing to honour an investment agreement. The claimant alleged it had transferred $25 million to the defendant bank as a deposit, due for maturity on 4 November 2020. Control However, the defendant bank cited laws in its home country that barred dollar transfers abroad, claiming the issue was beyond its control. The claimant sought $1.3 million from the Bahrain-based operations of the defendant bank and its board members. It argued that the defendant was a subsidiary of the Bahrain-based entity, leaving the parent company accountable. The claimant also reserved the right to pursue the remaining funds and interest in separate legal proceedings. Bahrains Chamber for Dispute Resolution ruled early on that the case fell outside its jurisdiction. It dismissed the lawsuit, ordered the claimant to cover legal fees, and rejected claims against all board members involved. Ruling The claimant appealed to the Court of Cassation, seeking to overturn the ruling. Representing the defendant bank, lawyer Dr Abdullah Al Ali argued that Bahrains courts can only hear cases involving non-Bahraini entities if the dispute concerns assets located in Bahrain, obligations carried out within the kingdom, or specific ties to the country. He pointed out that the defendant bank, as a foreign jointstock company, had no domicile or operations in Bahrain. Jurisdiction Dr Al Ali emphasised that Bahrains rules on jurisdiction are well-established and consistently upheld by its courts, reinforcing the initial ruling. The Court of Cassation ultimately dismissed the appeal, backing the lower courts stance. With this ruling, Bahrains judiciary has drawn a clear line on its jurisdiction in cross-border banking matters, wrapping up a case that has simmered for years. TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com Bahrain rejoices today, January 28, 2024, as His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa celebrates his 75th birthday. The occasion marks a moment of pride and reflection on the progress and prosperity achieved under His Majestys wise and visionary leadership. As the Kingdoms ruler, HM King Hamad has been a beacon of inspiration, guiding Bahrain through a transformative era of growth and development. His unwavering commitment to fostering unity, stability, and progress has earned him admiration both locally and globally. It is a great honour for News of Bahrain and The Daily Tribune to extend our heartfelt congratulations and warmest wishes to His Majesty King Hamad, stated the editorial team. We pray to the Almighty Allah to bless His Majesty with good health, a long life, and continued success. May Bahrain thrive under his leadership, and may the Almighty safeguard our nation and its people. Born in Riffa on January 28, 1950corresponding to Rabe'a Al Awal 7, 1369 on the Hijri calendarHM King Hamad is the eldest son of the late Amir of Bahrain, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. His Majestys tenure has been characterized by strategic reforms and initiatives aimed at ensuring Bahrains prosperity and fostering a bright future for its citizens. On this special day, Bahrainis celebrate not only the birthday of their leader but also the legacy of progress and resilience that His Majesty King Hamad embodies. The Kingdom remains steadfast on its path of development, driven by the vision and dedication of its ruler. May God protect HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and bless Bahrain with continued peace and prosperity. TDT | Manama Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com Expat remittances in Bahrain may face a 2 per cent tax after MPs gave their backing to a revised proposal today. The original plan outlined a tiered system, imposing a 1 per cent levy on transfers below 200 dinars, 2 per cent on amounts between 201 and 400 dinars, and 3 per cent on sums exceeding 400 dinars. It also offered exemptions for transfers tied to investment agreements, capital movements, and certain cases under Bahrains tax framework. However, MPs have now opted for a simpler approacha flat 2 per cent rate, aimed at making it easier to enforce. The proposal has already faced resistance. In January 2024, the Shura Council rejected it over fears that the tax might push expats to rely on informal transfer methods, such as black markets or cryptocurrencies, potentially destabilising Bahrains financial system. Since its first submission in February 2023, the bill has undergone multiple revisions to address these concerns. Pushed forward by Lulwa Al Rumaihi and backed by Dr Muneer Seroor along with three other MPs, the bill is part of a broader effort to reduce Bahrains dependence on oil revenue. Supporters argue that taxing the millions of dinars sent abroad each year could help keep more money circulating within Bahrain, providing a welcome boost to the local economy. TDT | Manama Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com His Highness Major General Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Advisor, Commander of the Royal Guard, and Secretary-General of the Supreme Defence Council, reaffirmed Bahrains commitment to supporting efforts aimed at enhancing military and security integration. This, he emphasized, remains a strategic priority for establishing security on national, regional, and international levels, under the wise vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. His Highness made these remarks while inaugurating the National Defence and Security Forum titled Strategic Integration: Challenges and Opportunities. The forum aligns with His Majesty King Hamads strategic vision and has been organized under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Nasser, with the active follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. The event was also attended by His Highness Colonel Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Commander of the Royal Guard Special Force, along with distinguished national leaders. His Highness Shaikh Nasser noted that this forum, the first of its kind in Bahrain, aims to exchange perspectives and strategies to sustain and strengthen the ongoing strategic integration among various military and security sectors. This initiative is rooted in the royal vision of fostering collaboration to empower Bahrains defense framework and enhance comprehensive security, ultimately contributing to peace and stability. Expressing optimism about the forums outcomes, His Highness Shaikh Nasser hoped the discussions and recommendations would align with His Majesty the Kings aspirations. He also praised the support and guidance of His Excellency Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force, in advancing strategic integration across military and security sectors. His Highness extended profound gratitude to the Bahrain Defence Force, National Guard, Ministry of Interior, National Intelligence Agency, and the Strategic Security Agency for their constructive contributions to the forums success. He acknowledged their relentless efforts in achieving milestones that have reinforced the nations security foundations, attributing these achievements to the collaborative work of various governmental institutions in the Kingdom. The forum serves as a significant step forward in fostering a unified defense and security strategy, positioning Bahrain as a key player in maintaining stability and security in the region. TDT | Manama Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com Under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, the third edition of the Sustainability Forum Middle East was inaugurated today, running through January 28 and 29. With the support of the Supreme Council for Environment, the forum has brought together over 400 business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts to address critical climate and energy challenges. Opening the event, H.E. Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina emphasized Bahrain's dedication to fostering national and international partnerships for sustainable development. He highlighted the urgency of collaborative efforts, investments, and bold action to drive the energy transition and decarbonization goals across the MENA region. The forum showcases the participation of over 50 leading speakers from MENA, Europe, the UK, the US, Brazil, and other regions. Key discussions include aligning business models with climate action, scaling climate finance, fostering innovation, and advancing policy frameworks to accelerate the transition toward sustainability. On January 29, the forum will host expert-led workshops by prominent global and regional ESG and sustainability advisory firms. These sessions aim to equip participants with actionable strategies for sustainability, enhanced climate-related financial disclosures, and decarbonization initiatives, strengthening regional efforts to achieve net-zero ambitions. The forum reinforces Bahrains commitment to international sustainability goals and serves as a vital platform for regional and global collaboration on climate resilience. Facing a copycat business that steals your identity, sabotages your ad budget, and even gets your Google page removed can feel like a nightmare. But there are effective steps you can take to fight back and protect your brand according to SBDC. 1. Document the problem: gather evidence Before you take action, its crucial to gather all the evidence you can. Capture everything : Take screenshots of their website, ads, social media pages, and any content that mimics yours. : Take screenshots of their website, ads, social media pages, and any content that mimics yours. Monitor for activity : Use tools like Google Alerts or other tracking software to stay on top of mentions of your brand or similar keywords. : Use tools like Google Alerts or other tracking software to stay on top of mentions of your brand or similar keywords. Record financial impact: Track the damage to your ad budget, online sales, and overall online presence. 2. Report fraud to Google With your Google page removed and your ad budget compromised, time is of the essence: Regain your Google Business Profile : File a complaint with Google Support to verify your identity and prove ownership of the page. Use the Business Redressal Complaint Form to report the copycats actions. : File a complaint with Google Support to verify your identity and prove ownership of the page. Use the Business Redressal Complaint Form to report the copycats actions. Flag fraudulent ads : If theyre running ads under your business name, file a complaint via the Trademark Complaint Form with Google Ads. : If theyre running ads under your business name, file a complaint via the Trademark Complaint Form with Google Ads. Utilize ad protections: Set up automated tools with Google to block unwanted keyword targeting and competitors from hijacking your ads. 3. Trademark your brand If your business name, logo, or tagline isnt trademarked, get it done immediately. Trademark enforcement : Once registered, you can issue a cease-and-desist letter demanding the copycat stop using your intellectual property. : Once registered, you can issue a cease-and-desist letter demanding the copycat stop using your intellectual property. Expand globally: Consider the Madrid Protocol for international trademark protection if you operate outside of Australia. 4. Legal Action: Know When to Take It If the copycats actions are severely damaging your business, its time to consult an intellectual property lawyer. Cease-and-desist letter : A formal demand for them to stop infringing on your intellectual property. : A formal demand for them to stop infringing on your intellectual property. Consider a lawsuit: If theres substantial financial damage, legal action may be necessary to recover your losses. 5. Strengthen Your Digital Presence While youre dealing with the copycat, its important to double down on building and securing your online presence. Protect your domain and social media handles : Register variations of your business domain and social media handles to keep them from being hijacked. : Register variations of your business domain and social media handles to keep them from being hijacked. Update your website : Make it clear that your site is the official one by including copyright statements and trademark information. : Make it clear that your site is the official one by including copyright statements and trademark information. Keep customers informed: Use your social media channels and email marketing to update loyal customers about the situation and reassure them about your authenticity. 6. Get Your Customers Involved If your business has a loyal following, tap into it to help fight back: Encourage reviews : Ask satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on your official pages, counteracting any damage caused by the copycat. : Ask satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on your official pages, counteracting any damage caused by the copycat. Alert them: Encourage your customers to report fraudulent ads or accounts that imitate your business. 7. Prevent Future Copycat Attacks Take proactive steps to minimize the risk of future copycats: Track your brands online presence : Use tools like Mention, SEMrush, or Brandwatch to stay on top of mentions and potential infringements. : Use tools like Mention, SEMrush, or Brandwatch to stay on top of mentions and potential infringements. Implement security measures : Use IP blocking or location-based targeting to prevent click fraud. : Use IP blocking or location-based targeting to prevent click fraud. Partner with platforms: Work with Google Ads, Facebook, and others to set up brand impersonation protections. Protecting Intellectual Property Intellectual property (IP) is one of the most valuable assets your business owns. However, protecting it takes proactive effort, especially since IP doesnt automatically extend outside of Australias borders. By trademarking your brand, securing patents for innovations, and enforcing legal rights, you safeguard your business against potential theft. And dont forget the role of confidentiality agreements when working with third parties. These agreements must be formal, signed, and witnessed to ensure theyre legally enforceable. Start protecting your IP as early as possible, ideally during the business planning phase. Trademark registration goes beyond simply choosing a business nameit ensures that your name, logo, and tagline are exclusively yours. When Someone Copies Your Business Idea or Creation Imitation can be frustrating when it crosses the line into theft. Whether its a product, service, or creative work, the first step is to take action. When your idea gets copied If competitors are copying your unique products, branding, or pricing, its frustrating but often difficult to take legal action without proper protection like a trademark or patent. Instead of getting caught up in legal retaliation, focus on the following: Talk it over: Share your frustrations with a trusted colleague but avoid public confrontations that could harm your reputation. Gather evidence: If theyve copied your content directly, contact them privately to request removal. Control your content: On social media, block the copycat to limit their access to your content. Display copyright notices: Let everyone know your materials are protected by clearly visible copyright statements on your website. When your business name gets copied Registering a business name isnt enough to prevent others from using it. A trademark offers much stronger protection. Use IP Australias free TM Checker to ensure your business name and logo are available for trademarking. When your artwork gets copied If someone uses your art, music, or photos without permission, its automatically protected by copyright in Australia as soon as its created. Add a watermark and copyright message to your work before posting it online. If someone misuses it, organizations like the Australian Copyright Council can help. The importance of blanket copyright licences For many businesses, accessing, sharing, and copying third-party content is integral to daily operations. But failing to comply with copyright laws can lead to serious legal risks and reputational damage. A blanket copyright licence provides businesses with the protection they need by offering broad coverage for common workplace activities like making digital copies, printing, and using content in training and regulatory submissions. It also covers international content via partnerships with global licensing organizations. By securing a blanket copyright licence, you streamline compliance and reduce risks, ensuring that your business operates within the law while avoiding costly disputes. With the rise in copycat businesses and the increasing reliance on third-party content, an Annual Copyright Licence is a smart, cost-effective way to ensure copyright compliance, protect intellectual property, and reduce the risks of legal battles. Its a foundational step for businesses looking to thrive in an increasingly competitive and regulated environment. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Celebrating Toronto's identity, Perspectives provides an opportunity for artists to represent what makes the city special to them, from its landmarks and neighbourhoods to its people and culture. TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2025 /CNW/ - Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is proud to debut Perspectives, a public art program that showcases local talent and expresses unique visions of Toronto. The new program invites local artists to share their personal interpretations of the city, offering a platform for diverse perspectives that reflect the vibrancy, diversity and spirit of Toronto. The launch of the program will feature 20 works of art displayed in the airport's pedestrian tunnel, creating an immersive experience for passengers, employees and community members that travel through the tunnel. Perspectives at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. (CNW Group/Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport) Perspectives has been designed to be ever evolving, providing a platform for local artists to explore and express their personal connections to the city, from its landmarks and neighbourhoods to its people and culture. Featuring a diverse range of works, Perspectives provides a dynamic, visually engaging experience for travellers, allowing them to connect with the city on a deeper level as they pass through one of its busiest transport hubs. The art will be regularly refreshed and changed to ensure a diversity of perspectives, and future iterations of the program have the potential of expanding to other areas of the airport, including the passenger terminal. "Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is honoured to have served the City of Toronto for over 85 years. Throughout this time, it has grown alongside the city, providing vital services, fostering community, and offering convenient access and connectivity to the people and experiences that make Toronto such a unique and vibrant destination," said RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, PortsToronto. "Beyond our commitment to enriching the city's cultural landscape through public art installations, Perspectives is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the pedestrian tunnel. The art will be regularly refreshed with new works, showcasing the incredible talent of our local artists while also offering passengers a fresh perspective on the city." "Nieuport Aviation has supported public art installations in the passenger terminal of YTZ for many years and we give great credit to our partners at PortsToronto for enhancing the pedestrian tunnel through the exciting Perspectives program," said Neil Pakey, President and CEO, Nieuport Aviation. "The launch of Perspectives will bring fresh viewpoints from new artists into the mix and enable our community and travellers alike to enjoy the airport as a permanent public arts venue." Part of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport's broader commitment to supporting local artists, fostering cultural expression in the public sphere and offering both locals and visitors a meaningful glimpse into Toronto's artistic community, Perspectives aims to create a lasing impact by highlighting the diversity of Toronto's artistic voices. "I am an Anishinaabe artist from Nipissing First Nation and I currently work out of Toronto. These designs are inspired from my Anishinaabe culture, teachings, language and ceremonies. These designs are layered in teachings. Each design has a minimum of 7 layers. Teachings are layered to highlight the laws of nature. This art form is designed to show the balance of nature and duality. The physical and spiritual worlds. The art is also designed to be a visual healing experience. The departures and arrivals designs are meant to be welcoming and farewelling with peace love and respect. Aanin and Boozhoo are common greetings in Anishinaabemowin. Biindigen means welcome. Baamaapii translates to "I will see you later" and is a common farewell. There is no word for goodbye in Anishinaabemowin. Biskaabiiyaang is describing someone who has been on a long journey and is on their way home. I felt these words in my language complimented everyone travelling through Billy Bishop Airport." - Que Rock, Artist "All of my work is inspired by urban density, architecture, and Toronto's waterfront spanning from the RC Harris Water Treatment plant in the east, to Bathurst and Queens Quay in the West. In my drawings I always try to capture the feelings and details of spaces in downtown Toronto. Growing up in the suburbs you don't really see much density with buildings, stores or people. Downtown Toronto has a unique mixture of old and new architecture literally built side by side or on top of an old building. Billy Bishop Airport has given me this tremendous opportunity to showcase my drawings in a very large scale. I hope this brings in more viewers to my type of drawing & painting." - Mariana Hernandez, Artist "As a photographer, I strive to capture the heart and soul of Torontothe energy, the culture, and the everyday moments that make this city so special. Being part of the Perspectives program is an incredible opportunity to share my vision with travelers from around the world and to celebrate the diverse beauty of our city through art. My art pieces look to show perspectives of the city through a mix of seasons, weather, nature and city life so travellers can get a glimpse of life in the city at any moment in time." - Jonathan Gazze, Artist Call for Submissions Local artists interested in participating in the Perspectives program are encouraged to submit their work on our website. Selected pieces will be showcased in the airport's pedestrian tunnel for a duration of six months, and on its website. For more information about Perspectives, or to submit your work, please visit billybishopairport.com. About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Offering service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the U.S., with connection opportunities to more than 100 international destinations via our airlines' networks, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is an important international gateway that will deliver a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance facility in 2025. The airport is a key driver to Toronto's economy, generating more than $2.1 billion in total economic output and supporting 4,450 jobs, including 2,080 directly associated with the airport's operations. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has served its community for more than 85 years from its iconic location on the Toronto waterfront, where it facilitates healthcare for Ontarians by providing a base for medevac services connected to local hospitals. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is committed to achieving its vision of cleaner, greener and quieter operations, and is renowned for its unique travel experience, efficiency, and customer service, having won a host of passenger-driven and environmental achievement awards. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is owned and operated by PortsToronto. Nieuport Aviation owns and operates the passenger terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. To learn more, please visit billybishopairport.com. SOURCE Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Media Contact: Jessica Pellerin, Senior Manager, Communications, PortsToronto, (647) 298-0585, [email protected] YELLOWKNIFE, NT, Jan. 24, 2025 /CNW/ - With wildfires increasing in frequency and severity across Canada impacting our health, economies, communities and wildlife the Governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories are supporting Canadians whose lives and livelihoods are at stake. Today, Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, and the Honourable Jay Macdonald, Northwest Territories' Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced a joint investment of over $10.3 million over five years through the Government of Canada's Resilient Communities through FireSmart (RCF) Program. This joint investment will support wildfire preparation through the application of FireSmart practices in the Northwest Territories. This will help prevent wildfires and mitigate their impacts at the community level. By working together with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities and international allies, the federal government is supporting the fight against wildfires in communities across the country. Quotes "The Government of Canada is providing provinces, territories and partners with the support they need to fight wildfires. Today's announcement with the Northwest Territories is part of our commitment to work cooperatively as we prepare to fight worsening wildfires. Through fast-flowing funding for firefighting tools, vehicles and personnel, we are helping to help communities prepare for future challenges." The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Energy and Natural Resources "Canadians from coast to coast to coast have felt the effects of a changing climate. The growing intensity and speed of wildfires is one of these effects. That is why this federal government will continue to provide timely and tangible support to help communities prepare for wildfires. I am pleased that today's funding of over $10.3 million will support the efforts in the Northwest Territories in fire management for wildfire seasons to come." Michael McLeod Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories "As we face the increasing challenges posed by wildfires, the GNWT is committed to swift, impactful action. This investment not only helps launch new programs but also strengthens our collaboration with communities in advancing effective fuel management projects. Together, we will enhance our preparedness and wildfire resilience, ensuring that the Northwest Territories is ready for emergencies." The Honourable Jay Macdonald Northwest Territories' Minister of Environment and Climate Change Quick Facts FireSmart Canada, a national program delivered by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, empowers Canadians to increase neighborhood resilience to wildfires and minimize their negative impacts. It offers resources, programs and recommendations designed to help individuals, landscape planners, forest managers and others protect homes and communities from wildland fires. The federal government is providing over $7.7 million , and the Government of the Northwest Territories is providing over $2.5 million through a contribution agreement under the RCF Program. , and the Government of the is providing over through a contribution agreement under the RCF Program. Through this joint investment, the Government of the Northwest Territories is taking or has taken the following actions: Establishing a dedicated prevention and mitigation unit to drive the seven FireSmart disciplines forward year-round, including the creation of a manager position and two additional positions hired in seasonal roles over the wildfire season to support FireSmart program delivery while other practitioners are running fire operations, as well as engage with communities, Indigenous leaders, industry and the public. Launching the FireSmart Advanced Home Assessment program in the NWT for the first time. Cross-training members of 17 structural fire departments to deliver FireSmart programs in their local communities. Completed over 100 FireSmart Advanced Home Assessments in the first season of operation, spanning all five territory regions. Developed an enhanced public education program, which involved a team travelling across the territory to provide public education on FireSmart initiatives. is taking or has taken the following actions: The Government of Canada is working with wildfire management agencies and organizations affected by wildfires to offer equipment to respond to wildland fires and to support a more sustainable approach to training, employment and all-hazards management in Indigenous communities and beyond. is working with wildfire management agencies and organizations affected by wildfires to offer equipment to respond to wildland fires and to support a more sustainable approach to training, employment and all-hazards management in Indigenous communities and beyond. Visit Canada.ca/wildfires for a complete list of links to various federal supports for individuals impacted by wildfires. Related Information Follow us on LinkedIn SOURCE Natural Resources Canada Contacts: Natural Resources Canada, Media Relations, 343-292-6096, [email protected]; Joanna Sivasankaran, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, [email protected]; Forest Management Division, Environment and Climate Change, Government of the Northwest Territories, [email protected] TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2025 /CNW/ - Across the country, the impacts of climate change are becoming more severe and more frequent with extreme events like floods, wildfires and heatwaves on the rise. Gradual changes, like thawing permafrost in the north and rising sea levels in coastal regions, are also affecting the safety of our communities and quality of life. Acting now will help improve long-term resilience and reduce costs associated with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in Canada, including higher grocery prices, insurance premiums and local taxes to cover the costs of disaster recovery and damage. To protect our communities from the worst economic and environmental impacts of climate change, we must continue to prepare for the changes that are coming by investing in community resilience. This will not only support the safety of Canadians but also reinforce the ability of communities to recover from extreme weather events. Today, Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, along with Member of Parliament Bardish Chagger, announced over $4.5 million in funding for nine projects in southern Ontario or with a national reach under Natural Resources Canada's Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP). These projects aim to enhance knowledge and skills among professionals, businesses and communities in southern Ontario and across Canada to adapt to a changing climate, through the development and delivery of tools, resources and training. The funding announced today comes from a total investment of $39.5 million, announced on November 14, 2024, through the CCAP and the Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities (CRCC) Program to reduce climate change risks and build more resilient communities across the country in support of the National Adaptation Strategy (NAS). The steps we take now will protect our communities, our livelihoods, our environment and our economy. We are actively investing in climate change adaptation to proactively support community-led resilience and adaptation projects. It is essential, now more than ever, that we come together to help communities stay strong in the face of current and future change. Quotes "The impacts associated with climate change including intense wildfires, devastating floods, stronger tropical storms and hurricanes, and permafrost thaw in the north are being felt environmentally and economically in every single region of Canada. That is why this federal government is acting now to help our communities and our economy prepare for and protect against the threat of climate change. Today's announcement of nine projects based in southern Ontario supports vital, community-based work to keep people safe now and into the future." The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Energy and Natural Resources "We are very pleased to announce funding for these nine projects that will support communities and sectors to develop and implement actions to better adapt to a changing climate. Keeping Canadians safe is a priority, and investments like those announced today go a long way to help mitigate the impacts associated with climate change that are devastating livelihoods, environments and the economy." Julie Dabrusin Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for TorontoDanforth "Climate change is impacting Canadians in disastrous ways, affecting their communities, properties and surrounding environments. Investments like those announced today support proactive planning, actions and collaborations that aim to help communities and sectors across Canada adapt and build resiliency. This vital work further supports municipalities and partners in making informed decisions to prepare for and to respond and adapt to climate change impacts." Bardish Chagger Member of Parliament for Waterloo "The Corporate Climate Adaptation and Community Impact Project underscores the importance of ensuring that climate adaptation efforts are both inclusive and effective. With support from NRCan's Climate Change Adaptation Program, this initiative leverages an intersectional approach to address social inequities intensified by climate change. Together, we aim to help businesses build resilience while positively impacting the communities most affected by these challenges." Elizabeth Dove Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Canada "It is clear that the impacts of climate change are unfolding all around us and affecting the lives and livelihoods of Canadians. This funding enables us to strengthen the training offered in professional degree programs, equipping engineers, accountants, planners and architects with the crucial competencies they need to make our communities and economy more resilient." Sarah Burch Executive Director of the Waterloo Climate Institute, Professor in the Faculty of Environment, and Canada Research Chair in Sustainability Governance and Innovation at the University of Waterloo "As we continue to observe the impacts of climate change on communities in Canada and across the globe, it has become clear that the way we think about business strategy, investment and partnerships must evolve to truly create resilient economies and societies. Our project seeks to better understand supply systems, map shared risks between businesses and communities, and generate evidence to design multi-actor climate adaptation strategies for long-term sustainability." Jose Di Bella Manager of research and partnerships at the Waterloo Climate Institute, and Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo "Building resiliency and protecting communities and infrastructure from inherently unpredictable climate shocks are a priority for water utilities. With support from Natural Resources Canada, we are supporting water leaders in developing adaptive planning pathways to be ready for a range of future risks." Nicola Crawhall CEO, Canadian Water Network "We are grateful to Natural Resources Canada for their support of our landADAPT program, which empowers Canadian landscape architects with the tools and knowledge needed to address the pressing challenges of climate change. This investment recognizes the vital role of landscape architects in designing resilient, adaptive communities and advancing Canada's climate goals." Michelle Legault Executive Director, Canadian Society of Landscape Architects "We are thrilled to partner with the Government of Canada on multi-year work to accelerate local, cross-sector, community-wide climate change adaptation action in 30 communities and to support many more with tools and stories created through these communities' learnings. The impacts of climate change are not felt equally. The Adaptive and Resilient Communities Cohort will equip communities with the skills and tools to advance equitable adaptation efforts." Danya Pastuszek President and CEO, Tamarack Institute "Climate change is placing new climate disaster pressures on our buildings. Climate risk assessments help identify vulnerabilities and solutions but are too expensive for most homeowners. We created the Climate Hazard And Response Tool (CHART) to be an accessible and affordable way for homeowners to prioritize action and improve the climate resilience of their homes." Robert Lepage Founding Principal, Climes Group Engineering Inc. "EPRI's Climate READi team is collaborating with several Canadian electric companies to strengthen the energy sector's approach to managing climate risk to the electric power system. We will tailor our framework to prioritize adaptation investments in the power sector to help Canadians address their unique climate hazards and build a more safe and resilient energy future. This consistent, collaborative and comprehensive framework can be used to plan holistically across the entire power system." Anna Lafoyiannis Project Lead for Climate READi, EPRI International Inc. "With our current knowledge of the potential impacts of climate change on critical infrastructure including hydropower systems and transportation lines, the need to integrate climate data and knowledge in electricity system planning and design cannot be overstated. However, this is highly complex scientific process where dynamic collaboration between academia, utilities and government is required to make it happen." Dr. Paulin Coulibaly Professor, Professional Engineer and Principal Investigator, McMaster University Quick Facts Every $1 spent on climate change adaptation measures saves up to $15 in terms of the long-term costs involved in mitigating climate change impacts and extreme weather events. spent on climate change adaptation measures saves up to in terms of the long-term costs involved in mitigating climate change impacts and extreme weather events. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has invested more than $6.5 billion in adaptation efforts, including $2.1 billion since fall 2022 to implement the NAS and other adaptation-related activities. has invested more than in adaptation efforts, including since fall 2022 to implement the NAS and other adaptation-related activities. The CCAP will help Canada's regions and sectors to adapt to a changing climate. More specifically, the CCAP aims to: support decision-makers in identifying and implementing adaptation actions; enhance adaptation knowledge and skills among Canada's workforce; and increase access to climate change adaptation tools and resources. regions and sectors to adapt to a changing climate. More specifically, the CCAP aims to: The CRCC Program supports regional-scale pilot projects on Canada's three marine coasts Atlantic, Pacific and North and in the Great LakesSt. Lawrence region. The program aims to enhance the climate resilience of coastal communities and businesses and to accelerate adaptation to reduce climate change risks and coordinate innovative actions. three marine coasts Atlantic, Pacific and North and in the Great LakesSt. Lawrence region. The program aims to enhance the climate resilience of coastal communities and businesses and to accelerate adaptation to reduce climate change risks and coordinate innovative actions. The NAS provides a whole-of-society plan focused on protecting Canadian lives and building more resilient and prosperous communities. Canada released its first NAS on June 27, 2023 . Achieving the objectives of the NAS requires whole-of-society action. The Government of Canada is working with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners and the private sector to develop innovative technical, financial and operational solutions that will support adaptation action by communities across the economy. Related Products Associated Links Follow us on LinkedIn SOURCE Natural Resources Canada Contacts: Natural Resources Canada, Media Relations, 343-292-6096, [email protected]; Joanna Sivasankaran, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, [email protected] GATINEAU, QC, Jan. 27, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Competition Bureau published a report titled Consultation on Artificial Intelligence and Competition: What We Heard following its consultation on artificial intelligence (AI) and competition. This is part of the Bureau's ongoing work to explore AI and its impacts on competition. The Bureau's consultation on its AI discussion paper received 28 submissions. These came from a range of domestic and international respondents, including individuals, consumer advocacy groups, think tanks, members of academia and the legal community, industry associations, and large technology companies. The report outlines key themes and considerations raised during the consultation, and notes four key takeaways: There is rapidly evolving advancement in all parts of AI technology, from AI inputs and foundational models to end products and services. AI advancements are introducing new market dynamics that can either promote or hinder competition. Massive investment key to technological growth is occurring across the AI sector. In particular, investment by large incumbent firms is an area to monitor, given these firms' potential to leverage their market power to stifle competition and innovation. AI can facilitate certain anti-competitive conduct. It remains to be seen whether existing antitrust laws are able to effectively address such practices. Respondents positively viewed the consultation exercise and the Bureau's role in ensuring a competitive marketplace. They also offered a number of ideas for future consultation and collaboration. The Bureau thanks all those who participated in the consultation. We will continue to engage with partners, the international community, market participants and Canadians as we advance our understanding of the emerging competition issues related to AI. Quotes "The Competition Bureau needs to be at the forefront of AI and understand its impact on competition across the economy. This consultation was a unique opportunity to gather insights on AI market dynamics and the role competition enforcement and promotion can play. The submissions received will shape our understanding and future work in this space." Matthew Boswell, Commissioner of Competition Quick facts The Bureau's AI consultation was open from March 20 to July 7, 2024 . Interested parties were encouraged to provide feedback on the issues raised in the discussion paper, or to bring other issues to the Bureau's attention. . Interested parties were encouraged to provide feedback on the issues raised in the discussion paper, or to bring other issues to the Bureau's attention. All submissions received as part of this consultation exercise are available to the public, except where confidentiality was specifically requested. The Bureau also recently hosted a summit on AI: Canada's Competition Summit 2024: Market Dynamics in the AI Era Competition Summit 2024: Market Dynamics in the AI Era In keeping with the theme of this consultation, the report was drafted using a combination of human effort and AI technology. The final content was reviewed and edited by Bureau personnel. Related products Associated links General information: Request for information | Complaint form Stay connected: Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | RSS Feed | Email Distribution List The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that protects and promotes competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses. Competition drives lower prices and innovation while fueling economic growth. SOURCE Competition Bureau Contacts: Media inquiries: Media Relations, Email: [email protected] Press Release January 28, 2025 SJV Sponsorship Speech on Senate Bill No. 2960 under Committee Report No. 475: Lifelong Learning Development Framework Act Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, it is my honor to sponsor Senate Bill No. 2960 or the Lifelong Learning Development Framework Act under Committee Report No. 475, in substitution of Senate Bill No. 364 filed by this Representation, and Senate Bill No. 2072 filed by our Senate President Pro-Tempore, Senator Jinggoy Estrada. Earlier this afternoon[II1] [MOU2] , Mr. President, we celebrated a significant milestone for EDCOM2 through the launching of its Year Two Report, titled: "Fixing the Foundations: A Matter of National Survival". As I read through the report, I realized that while early childhood and primary[II3] education provide the foundation, "lifelong learning" is the "superstructure" that builds on it. Without a solid foundation, we cannot truly achieve lifelong learning for all Filipinos. This is why this bill is endorsed by EDCOM2 and is a top priority for our technical working group [II4] on TVET and Lifelong Learning. Mr. President, gumugugol ang isang Pilipino ng 12 taon sa Basic Education, 4 hanggang 5 taon sa Kolehiyo, at kung kukuha pa siya ng Master's Degree at PhD, dagdag na 2 o higit pang mga taon. Kung susumahin, nasa mahigit 20 taong nasa eskwelahan o "formal education" ang isang Pilipino bago siya pumasok sa "world of work". Kung magsisimula siyang mag-trabaho sa edad na 25, may halos 35 hanggang 40 taon bago n'ya maabot ang pagreretiro sa edad na 60 o 65. Di-hamak na mas mahaba ito kumpara sa mga taong ginugol n'ya sa paaralan. Ang tanong ko po, Mr. President: Sa mas mahabang bahagi ng buhay ng isang Pilipino matapos maka-graduate, saan siya kukuha ng kaalaman o kasanayan hanggang marating n'ya ang kanyang age of retirement? Kapag naka-graduate na o kapag retirado na, tapos na rin ba ang pagkatuto? Nabibigyan ba ng pagkakataong matuto ng mga bagong life skills sina lolo at lola, lalo na ang paggamit ng kompyuter? Saan pupunta ang mga out-of-school youth para muling maengganyong mag-aral, o 'yung mga busy sa paghahanap-buhay pero gustong matuto ng mga bagong kaalaman sa pagnenegosyo? In today's fast-changing world, marked by rapid technological advancements, education[II5] and training must transcend the traditional confines of schools. It must evolve into a lifelong and life-wide process. The challenges of today and the demands of tomorrow call for a more adaptive and forward-thinking approach to learning. Kaya po maraming mga industriya at employer ang kumikilala na ngayon sa mga micro-credentials, digital badges at ibang uri ng mga "stackable qualifications' na magbibigay-daan sa pangarap nating "supermarket of competencies" para sa mga Pilipino. Marami na rin pong mga bansa ang nagpapatupad ng kani-kanilang mga Lifelong Learning Framework tulad ng "Skills Future" ng Singapore[1] at "Liberal Adult Education" ng Finland.[2] Recognizing this, we institutionalized the Philippine Qualifications Framework or the PQF Act through Republic Act No. 10968 in 2017 to motivate continuous learning and offer incentives for lifelong education. The question now, Mr. President, is: how can the PQF more effectively promote lifelong learning for all Filipinos? Today, we are amending the PQF Law and expanding the mandate of the PQF National Coordinating Council - and even its membership by including the DILG and the DTI, to help ensure that every Filipino has access to lifelong learning opportunities. The proposed "Lifelong Learning Development Framework Act" seeks to institutionalize a culture of continuous learning--enabling every Filipino, regardless of age or circumstance, to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Halimbawa, ang bilang ng mga kabataang "not in education, employment and training" o NEET ay umaabot ng 3.88-milyon o 19.4% ng ating youth population.[3] Karamihan sa kanila ay "economically inactive" na dapat ay may access sa mga continuous learning opportunities. According to UNESCO, "Lifelong learning is rooted in the integration of learning and living, encompassing lifelong and life-wide learning for people of all ages, delivered through various modalities to meet a wide range of learning needs and demands." In other words, Mr. President, learning occurs from "womb to tomb." This cradle-to-grave concept challenges the rigidity of our education system. To address this, we need a new framework that makes education seamless, borderless, and flexible[II6] . We need a framework that recognizes and credits the learning outcomes, whether these are achieved in formal institutions, at work, in our communities, and in other learning modes whether formal, nonformal or informal. This bill is a direct response to that need. Through the Lifelong Learning Development Framework Act, we will be able to designate "Learning Municipalities" and "Learning Cities". This bill will institutionalize lifelong learning through the initiatives and steerage of communities and local government units. Mr. President, isa po sa mga matagumpay na mga syudad sa bansa at kinikilala maging ng UNESCO sa mga lifelong learning initiatives nito ay ang Balanga City sa dakilang lalawigan ng Bataan. Nakapagtayo po sila ng mga Barangay Learning Hubs sa lahat ng kanilang 21 barangays. Mayroon pa silang "Learning Barangay Week", "Computer Literacy Training", "School Learning Hubs", 'Education Summit", at maraming iba pa. Katunayan, naglaan ang LGU ng 2,314 ektarya para gawin itong isang University Town area sa ilalim ng City Ordinance No. 18. Lakip po nito ang layunin na gawing isang "SMART University Town" ang Balanga City sa taong 2030! The Bill mandates the formulation of a Master Plan that shall develop the guidelines for the designation of Learning Cities and Municipalities. Mr. President, napanood ko po si Tim Cook, ang CEO ng Apple, na sinasagot ang tanong kung bakit nga ba nasa China ang manufacturing ng mga Apple product[II7] s. Hindi raw po dahil sa low labor cost kundi dahil sa "quantity" ng skill sa ilang mga lugar sa China. Cook also mentioned that the tooling skill and vocational expertise in China is "very deep". I believe that we can gradually achieve this standard by designating learning cities and municipalities and pursuing a masterplan. Senate Bill 2960 will also scale micro-credential initiatives, promote transferable skills development, and recognize alternative learning certifications through the Philippine Credit Transfer System or PCTS[II8] , and the Philippine Qualifications Register or PhQuaR. Makikinabang po rito ang marami nating mga kababayang hindi nakapagtapos sa kolehiyo subalit maagang sumabak sa pagtatrabaho sa pamamagitan ng ALS, ETEEAP at Philippine Competency Assessment and Certification System. Higit sa lahat, magkakaroon ang mga early school leavers ng mga masiglang pathways to further learning. Mr. President, the LLDF builds on our efforts for the past 10 years in legislating initiatives that allow for the promotion and operationalization of Lifelong Learning like the PQF, the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act, the Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework Act or EBET, and the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program or ETEEAP. We need to learn throughout life, we can no longer navigate and face the challenges of modern life by only relying on what we have learned in school or in college. Rapid advancements in technology and automation have created an urgent need for us to continuously learn and to upskill. The LLDF will be pivotal in enabling Filipinos to upskill and reskill continuously, ensuring that we maximize the opportunities of our unique demographic advantage. Kasama po natin ang DepEd, TESDA at CHED gayundin ang DOLE, DTI, DILG at maging ang ILO, PBED at ilang mga local government units sa pagsusulong ng isang framework o balangkas para sa lifelong learning ng mga Pilipino. Kasama rin natin ang NEDA sa ating pagsulong ng layunin ng lifelong learning development sa Philippine Development Plan 2023 - 2028. That is why we earnestly seek the support of our colleagues in the swift passage of this very important measure. Together, let us ensure that no one is left behind and that every individual has the opportunity to thrive, from their first steps in education to their final stages of life. Thank you, Mr. President, and may God bless us all. _________________________ [1] https://www.skillsfuture.gov.sg/aboutssg [2] https://www.oph.fi/en/education-system/liberal-adult-education [3] https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/OTHERS/pids_who_are_the_youth_neet_in_the_philippines_20220211.pdf [II1]Yesterday afternoon [MOU2]The schedule yesterday was for the House of Reps po, today is for the Senate [II3]basic [II4]Standing Committee [II5]And training [II6]We need a framework that will recognize and credit the learning outcomes, whether these are achieved in formal institutions, at work, in communities, in formal, nonformal and informal learning modes. [II7]products [II8]and the Philippine Qualifications Register or PhQuaR. The Administration of President Donald Trump is rejoining the Geneva Consensus Declaration, a joint international initiative promoting womens health and the welfare of the family. The initiative was established in 2020, led by the United States with five other sponsors. In 2021 then-President Joe Biden rescinded U.S. endorsement of the Declaration, which currently has more than 35 signatories. The Geneva Consensus Declaration states, There is no international right to abortion, nor any international obligation on the part of States to finance or facilitate abortion. In addition, it underscores that each nation has the sovereign right to implement programs and activities consistent with their laws and policies. The text of the Declaration expresses a commitment for the signatories to improve and secure access to health and development gains for women, including sexual and reproductive health, which must always promote optimal health, the highest standard of health, without including abortion. It deplores that the predominant focus of health-care systems on treating illness rather than maintaining optimal health also prevents a holistic approach. In addition, among its principles, the Declaration pledges to work to ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights and opportunity for women at all levels of political, economic, and public life. In a statement announcing the renewed membership by the United States in the Geneva Consensus Declaration, Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that the Declaration has four main objectives: to secure meaningful health and development gains for women; to protect life at all stages; to defend the family as the fundamental unit of society, and to work together across the UN system to realize these values. Secretary Rubio said, The United States will pursue these objectives in cooperation with member states in the UN system and through our continued shared ambition for improved health for women and girls. Investing in womens health and well-being saves lives, allows women and girls more opportunities, and protects the family as the fundamental unit of society. President Donald Trump signed an executive order placing a 90-day pause on all foreign aid as the foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and in many cases antithetical to American values. Indeed, President Trump explained, they 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. The responsible department and agency heads, in consultation with the Director of Office of Management and Budget, will make determinations within 90 days of this order on whether to continue, modify, or cease each foreign assistance program based upon the review recommendations, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State. New obligations and disbursements of foreign development assistance funds may resume for a program prior to the end of the 90-day period if a review is conducted, and the Secretary of State or his designee, in consultation with the Director of OMB, decide to continue the program. Additionally, any other new foreign assistance programs and obligations must be approved by the Secretary of State or his designee, in consultation with the Director of OMB. Consistent with President Trumps Executive Order, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has paused all U.S. foreign assistance funded by or through the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development for review. President Trump has made clear that the United States is no longer going to blindly dole out money with no return for the American people. Reviewing and realigning foreign assistance on behalf of hardworking taxpayers is not just the right thing to do, it is a moral imperative, said the office of the State Department spokesperson in a statement. As Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said, 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? It is the policy of United States, said President Trump, 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. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. On August 3, 2016, Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate Peoples Court tried and convicted Hu Shigen of subverting state power through his religious activities. U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Commissioner Gary Bauer discusses his case. No media source currently available The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Vice Chair Nadine Maenza discusses the case of Raif Badawi, a Saudi writer and dissident serving out a 10 year sentence on charges of "insulting Islam". A 43-year-old New Jersey man allegedly sexually assaulted a child multiple times over the past three years, authorities allege. Rolando F. Pincay-Sailema, of Rutherford, is charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, the Bergen County Prosecutors Office said Tuesday. The alleged assaults of a girl older than 4 but younger than 13 took place in Rutherford between Jan, 1, 2022 and Jan. 23, 2025, according to a criminal complaint. Pincay-Sailema was arrested Monday and sent to the Bergen County jail. Attorney information wasnt immediately available. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Two New York men were indicted on over a dozen charges after a year-long investigation into a string of armed robberies across Bergen, Passaic and Essex counties, officials with the Bergen County Prosecutors Office announced Monday. Veron S. Brown, 26, and Ryan D. Servis, 25, both of Mount Vernon, New York were arrested in August 2024 and charged with 17 crimes associated with the robberies, including several counts of first-degree armed robbery and weapons offenses. The robberies took place in the early morning hours on two separate days in January 2024, officials said. Clifton police responded to a gas station on Route 3 for a report of an armed robbery on Jan. 7, 2024 at about 4:50 a.m., officials said. Witnesses told police that two masked men drove up to the gas station in and SUV and one man exited the vehicle with his hand in his jacket gesturing to the attendant like he had a gun in his pocked, authorities said. When the attendant fled the scene fearing for his safety, one of the men entered the attendant booth and took lost-and-found credit cards left behind by customers, officials said. After police received the report of the first armed robbery, they learned that a second gas station on Route 3 in Clifton had suffered an armed robbery, according to officials. The suspects arrived in an SUV wearing ski masks and one man brandished a firearm and demanded money from the gas station attendant, according to authorities. A second man exited the SUV and stole $140 from the attendants booth before both men fled the scene, officials said. At 5 a.m., a third armed robbery was reported in Hasbrouck Heights at a gas station on Route 17, according to officials. Witnesses told police that two men wearing ski masks in an SUV pulled up to a gas pump. The passenger exited the vehicle and pushed a gun into the torso of a gas attendant and demanded cash, authorities said. The attendant handed over $150 in cash and the men fled the scene, according to authorities. Twenty minutes later, a fourth armed robbery was reported in Little Ferry at a gas station on Route 46 where a black SUV occupied by two men wearing ski masks pointed a gun at an attendant and demanded cash, authorities said. A few weeks later on Jan. 26, 2024, Fort Lee police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a gas station on Bergen Bloulevard where two masked drove into the gas station. One of the men exited the vehicle brandishing a firearm and told an attendant not to move, authorities said. The attendant ran into the gas station store and the suspects fled the scene, officials said. Twenty minutes later, Newark police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a gas station on Walnut Street where witnesses described a similar car to the one in the earlier robbery, pulling into the gas station. Two masked men exited the vehicle brandishing firearms and approached an attendant in a booth, officials said. The suspects took money before fleeing the scene, authorities said. Minutes later, another gas station attendant was robbed by masked men in the same vehicle on Bloomfield Avenue, authorities said. An investigation discovered the two cars used in the robberies were reported stolen in New York and that three suspects who operated in teams of two at different times were responsible for the armed robberies, officials said. Brown and Servis were later identified as two of the three suspects in the robberies, according to authorities. Brown was arrested in West Chester County, New York and Servis was arrested in the Bronx in August 2024, officials said. They were extradited to Bergen County where they remain in custody, authorities said. Attorneys for both Brown and Servis did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X Gov. Phil Murphy is calling for New Jersey schools to ban cellphones in classrooms. But many districts already have policies in place cracking down on phone use to varying degrees. Some of New Jerseys approximately 600 school districts have been revisiting and toughening longtime cellphone policies in recent months amid rising awareness of problems, including in-class distractions and cyberbullying. Ramsey, a K-12 district in Bergen County, rolled out a new policy Jan. 10 requiring students to keep their cellphones off during the school day. Other districts have similar rules. (See examples of cellphone policies from 12 school districts listed below.) A woman was incorrectly convicted of passion/provocation manslaughter in the stabbing of a man she knew because of faulty instructions to the the jury, an appeals court ruled recently. Stephanie Martinez, 43, will be resentenced in the case, minus the manslaughter and related weapon possession counts, leaving only theft and credit fraud charges, the court ruled. Shed been serving a seven-year term and remains in the state prison system. A former Mercer County resident admitted Monday that he tried to join a Somalian-based terrorist organization to target evil America in 2023, authorities said. Karrem Nasr, 24, a U.S. citizen who previously lived in Lawrenceville, pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, according to a release from the U.S. Attorneys Office District of Southern New York. Nasr moved from New Jersey to Egypt in July 2023 and is a supporter of al Shabaab, a designated foreign terrorist organization that has attacked Americans and American allies, the office said. Motivated by the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel, he repeatedly expressed his desire in communications, and his plans to join al Shabaab and wage jihad, federal prosecutors said. Nasr unknowingly sent some of those communications to an FBI confidential source who was posing as a facilitator for terrorist organizations, investigators said. Nasr told both the source and said in online postings that he had been thinking of engaging in jihad for a long time. He said he was particularly motivated by the Hamas violence in Israel, officials said. He told the source that the number one enemy was evil America, which he called the head of the snake, according to the release. In public social media posts made in 2023, he warned that Jihad was coming soon to a US location near you, posting airplane, bomb, and fire emojis, the office said. He later told the source he planned to join al Shabaab to receive military training and engage in jihad, that he was prepared to kill and be killed, and that he specifically wanted to be a martyr for the jihadist cause, authorities said. Nasr made flight and lodging reservations for travel to Kenya, where he planned to meet members of al Shabaab for additional travel to Somalia to join and train with the group, federal prosecutors said. He booked a flight for Dec. 14, 2023, from Egypt to Kenya and the day before his flight, he told the source that he planned to delete data from his cellphone and computer to ensure that if he were detained, police would not be able to recover evidence, officials said. After flying to Kenya, he was taken into custody by Kenyan authorities, authorities said. Now, instead of perpetrating a deadly attack in the name of a foreign terrorist group, Nasr resides in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon said in a statement. I thank the career prosecutors of my office and our law enforcement partners for their extraordinary work in disrupting this plan and bringing a terrorist to justice. Following his guilty plea, Nasr now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Refugee resettlement organizations in New Jersey say they were abruptly cut off last week from receiving federal funds to help house and feed new refugees living in the state. The Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, part of the U.S. Department of State, sent an immediate cease and desist notice around 5 p.m Friday to the 10 national refugee resettlement agencies that partner with the federal government to resettle refugees. The letters came days after President Donald Trump took office. The national agencies parter with local resettlement organizations for refugees, including several in New Jersey with ties to religious organizations that feed and house refugees approved to live in the U.S. The family of a 34-year-old New Jersey man who drowned in a swimming pool at a Pennsylvania apartment complex last summer has filed a lawsuit accusing the lifeguard of failing to protect swimmers. Joel Martel, of Trenton, had been invited by family members to the Riverview Crossings Apartments pool in Bensalem, Pennsylvania on July 6 when tragedy struck, according to the lawsuit. Robertha Medgine Begy is seeking monetary compensation in the wrongful death lawsuit. Begy is the mother of Martels son, who was 5, when his father died. The suit alleges the murky pool wasnt maintained properly and that the lifeguard was reckless and not adequately trained. Martel, who knew how to swim, jumped into the 8-foot end of the pool with his nephew around 5:50 p.m., according to Begys lawyer. Martel began thrashing wildly and slipped beneath the surface of the water a minute later, according to the lawsuit. His nephew was unaware he was in distress, the lawsuit said. The lifeguard was in another part of the pool swimming and splashing with others, the suit says. A short while later, Martels nephew asked the lifeguard if she had seen his uncle, prompting a search of the murky water, the lawsuit said. Martel was not found until 6:21 p.m. when a swimmer felt something at the bottom of the pool with her foot, the suit said. Martel was removed from the pool and CPR was administered as 911 was called. Emergency workers arrived quickly and brought Martel to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 7 p.m., according to the lawsuit. Pool surveillance cameras captured the entire incident, according to Begys attorney, Daniel Jeck. This was a tragedy, said Jeck, of Philadelphia-based Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg & Jeck. This was a complete disaster, a complete failure of the lifeguards responsibility to watch the pool. Martel emigrated from Haiti to the U.S in 2023 on a two-year work visa and was employed by an HVAC company, according to Jeck. Montium, a Lakewood-based apartment management company that runs Riverview Crossings couldnt be reached for comment. American Pool Management of Pennsylvania, the apartment complexs pool company, also didnt respond to a request for comment. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. A Toms River restaurant under fire for dedicating a weekly burger special to the Proud Boys extremist group previously sold at least two other sandwiches themed around right-leaning politics. The Proud Boys Burger plunged Aqua Blu Kitchen & Cocktails into controversy last week when a screenshot of its printed menu was posted on social media by a customer. The restaurant posted an apology, saying on Facebook that its staff stood united against hate, and that the burger name was a mistake. We understand how it may have been interpreted, but it was never our intention nor what we stand for, the post read. But it appears the restaurant previously advertised other menu items related to right-leaning politics before deleting posts about the items from the restaurants social media feed. A Nov. 21 post, now scrubbed from Aqua Blus social media accounts, advertised two burger specials: the Border Czar and the Make Fries Great Again. The Border Czar featured cheddar and ranch, while the Make Fries Great Again burger came with scallions and jalapeno. Both burgers were served with bacon and magadonalds sauce, a play on McDonalds sauce and MAGA politics. A screenshot of the now-deleted November post was provided to NJ Advance Media. Cached versions of the restaurants social media pages confirm the notices about the burgers were previously posted by the restaurant, then taken down. Asked in a brief phone interview on Sunday about the burgers, Cathy Varriale, who owns and operates Aqua Blu with her husband, Enzo Varriale, said shed been out of town in November when they were offered. This is a family-run, not a corporate business, she said. Varriale said it was her executive chefs job to check the menu before it was given to customers, including on Thursday burger nights. I didnt look at it, she said. Nobody ever brought it up, ever, beforehand. Varriale also said the employee who came up with the Border Czar and the Make Fries Great Again burgers was the same person whod put the Proud Boys Burger on the menu on Thursday. That staffer was fired on Saturday, she said. In a Facebook post published two hours after a NJ Advance Media article on the response to the Proud Boys Burger, Aqua Blu said it had terminated the employee responsible for creating and distributing the offensive menu item in our restaurant. The post also reiterated that we and our establishment do not support any hate groups, nor do we condone hate speech in any form. After declining to comment further by phone, Varriale did not immediately respond to follow-up questions sent via email. The Proud Boys are a far-right extremist militia whose members are known for espousing white supremacist, misogynistic and Islamophobic rhetoric, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. The groups members were among those who infiltrated the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Several Proud Boy leaders were later convicted of seditious conspiracy, and were granted clemency this month by President Donald Trump. In an earlier interview, Varriale denied knowing what a Proud Boy was before the backlash began, saying, I thought it was, you know, a proud boy. Still, she said, the name was a bad decision that her restaurant was now paying for, its inbox and phone line clogged with furious messages. The Border Czar, meanwhile, is a reference to a person tasked by the president with handling the U.S.-Mexico border crisis. The Make Fries Great Again burger is a play on Trumps campaign slogan, Make America Great Again. Toms River, where Aqua Blu is located, swung for Trump by more than 65% in the November election, while Ocean County has long been one of New Jerseys reddest regions. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. AJ McDougall may be reached at amcdougall@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on X at @oldmcdougall. On Jan. 20, 12 U.S. Senate Democrats joined 52 Republicans in voting for the Laken Riley Act. After subsequent U.S. House passage, it was sent to President Donald Trump, who will sign it. The bill is named for a Georgia nursing student who was killed by an undocumented immigrant who was convicted last fall. This is a terrible piece of legislation. It mandates that any undocumented immigrant accused of a crime, even theft including shoplifting, and burglary, can be immediately jailed and deported. It would apply not just to those who are convicted, but simply accused. While the law addresses primarily the undocumented, it also applies to those granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from certain countries, and those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program. Why would Democrats support this harshly inhumane legislation? Republicans control both houses of Congress. They will surely continue to bring up bad legislation for a vote. Let them own it. For months prior to the 2024 election, Democratic candidates spoke often about fascism and the threat to democracy that a Republican victory would entail. Those same candidates said that we needed to elect people to Congress who would fight against that threat. Reaching across the aisle to support Make America Great Again legislation is not fighting for democracy, its collaborating in its destruction. Jim Price, Montclair In these desperate times, America needs Trump Congratulations on the inauguration of the best president, Donald J. Trump, and swearing-in of Vice President JD Vance. We are in desperate times and our country is in need of a strong and intelligent leader; a president who believes in God, military, family and freedom. Trump will always put America first, prior to what any other countrys desires. He is a firm believer in being a president of peace through strength but, if the need arises, will not back down to any foreign or domestic who means to harm our country. He is a man who will keep his promises and will work nonstop for our country. On the first day of his new term, he accomplished more than former President Joe Biden did in one week. May God protect President Trump, Vice President Vance, their families, and the United States. Joyce Crea, Ewing N.J. pols should be birthright defenders The first sentence of 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. President Donald Trumps executive order aimed at ending what is called birthright citizenship is a cruel and unconstitutional assault on our democracy. Yet, according to the NJ Globe website, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist., and Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd. Dist., have signaled support for Trumps executive order, should it be upheld in a court challenge, or comes before Congress. Van Drew and Smiths position is not only a betrayal of the 14th Amendment and the fundamental rights it guarantees to every child born in the United States (regardless of the parents immigration status), it is a direct attack on the Constitution. This moment in history demands courage and clarity, not self-serving political games. I call on Smith and Van Drew to publicly declare they will defend and uphold this provision of the Constitution and protect the rights of innocent New Jersey newborns and immigrant families. To do otherwise would violate they oath they swore when elected to uphold the Constitution and defend their constituents. Kristine Pyzyna, Ocean Gate Want a gun? Go ahead, its your right Gary Sefchik wrote the recent letter, I hate guns. But, after pardons, I might buy one. Sefchik was referring to President Donald Trumps pardons of Jan. 6 offenders, including some violent ones. I say to Sefchik: Go buy a gun; its your Second Amendment right. I guess it was perfectly fine with the letter writer when Hunter Biden, out of his mind on cocaine, bought a gun illegally and was found guilty. He was awaiting sentencing when he was pardoned by his father. Trump told voters in advance that he was going to pardon the incarcerated Jan. 6 defendants. But, former President Joe Biden lied when he said that nobodys above the law, then turned around and pardoned his son, as well as others in the Biden family who were not charged with or convicted of any crime. Biden also granted preemptive pardons to Dr. Anthony Fauci, former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney and Gen. Mike Milley, a former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman. Buy a Glock G40. Its a good gun, Gary. Jeff Plungis, South Plainfield The bishop and the president Concerning the article: Bishop says shell pray for Trump, based on comments from Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde, who, at a prayer service attended by President Donald Trump, had urged compassion and mercy for immigrants and minorities. Its a sad day in America when such a gracious request from a respected Christian clergywoman is met with threats and vilification by Trump and his supporters. Some of these supporters, as Christian nationalists, claim that the United States is a Christian nation. This is a violation of the principle of the separation of church and state, as embraced by the Constitution. Nancy T. Block, Berkeley Heights Its time to say goodbye to the Times Having read and subscribed to the Times of Trenton for over 50 years, unfortunately, its come time to say goodbye. The Times is discontinuing its printed edition after Feb. 2. Its online and e-replica (newspaper-style electronic) versions will continue. While so much of our daily lives transpires through digital online connections not always for the better there is still a pleasure in reading, unhurried in pace, a physical newspaper rather than being tethered to a video screen. Today, one finds that instant gratification, profit and appearances are more desirable than substance, depth or intrinsic worth. The Times no longer engages me and it no longer seems intent on serving my community. There has come to be an almost total lack of in depth of local, regional, political, arts and cultural, and community news. Why continue? Rather sad. So, its come to this. Parting is such sweet sorrow, as my subscription ends Feb. 3. Adios, Trenton Times. Peter Kernast Jr., Hamilton 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. Veteran journalist Jim Acosta parted ways with CNN Tuesday after the network unceremoniously demoted him to a midnight timeslot. The CNN anchor left the network where he worked for nearly two decades after he was bumped from his 10 a.m. slot, sources told numerous outlets. Formerly the networks chief White House correspondent, Acosta made headlines over his clashes with Trump during the presidents first term. The move was made days before Trump retook office. Acosta announces on air that he's leaving CNN and says, "it is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant ... don't give in to the lies" pic.twitter.com/VObFTZJASX Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 28, 2025 Ive decided to move on. I am grateful to CNN for the nearly 18 years Ive spent here doing the news, Acosta said Tuesday at the end of his show. People often ask me if the highlight of my career at CNN was at the White House covering Donald Trump. Actually, no. That moment came here, when I covered former President Barack Obamas trip to Cuba in 2016 and had the chance to question the dictator there, Raul Castro, about the islands political prisoners. As the son of a Cuban refugee, I took home this lesson: It is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant, he said. Acosta added: Ive always believed its been the job of the press to hold power to account. Ive always tried to do that here at CNN and I plan on doing all of that in the future. Dont give in to the lies. Dont give into the fears. In 2018, Trumps administration suspended his press pass after a heated exchange during a news conference. Now, fans of Acostas reporting are urging MSNBC to scoop him as networks wrangle with how to cover Trumps second term in office. I hope MSNBC is scooping up @Acosta and putting him on prime time. There is literally no other reason to watch CNN, progressive Alex Cole posted to X. I hope MSNBC is scooping up @Acosta and putting him on prime time. There is literally no other reason to watch CNN. Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) January 28, 2025 Good morning and Happy Tuesday to everyone who agrees that Jim Acosta was one of the few watchable journalists on CNN before they let him go, and MSNBC should prioritize hiring him to replace Andrea Mitchell or Katy Tur. Or BOTH, said user BrooklynDad_Defiant! to their 1.2 million followers. Good morning and Happy Tuesday to everyone who agrees that Jim Acosta was one of the few watchable journalists on CNN before they let him go, and MSNBC should prioritize hiring him to replace Andrea Mitchell or Katy Tur. Or BOTH. pic.twitter.com/9HMnTDSMtv BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) January 28, 2025 CNNs loss will hopefully be MSNBCs gain. Jim Acosta is a real talent and one of the few journalists in Washington who hasnt pre-surrendered to Donald Trump. We need more of him, not less. CNN's loss will hopefully be MSNBC's gain. Jim Acosta is a real talent and one of the few journalists in Washington who hasn't pre-surrendered to Donald Trump. We need more of him, not less. pic.twitter.com/e0PzGx587S Russell Drew (@RussOnPolitics) January 28, 2025 A CNN spokesperson said in a statement: Jim has had a long, distinguished nearly 20-year career at CNN, with a track record of standing up to authority, for the First Amendment and for our journalistic freedoms. We want to thank him for the dedication and commitment hes brought to his reporting and wish him the very best in the future. New York Attorney General Letitia James is taking on President Donald Trump again. The Democratic attorney general denounced the White Houses latest move to pause all federal grants and loans starting on Tuesday, a decision that will likely cause disruption across federal programs and initiatives. James said in a social media post that she will fight Trumps latest move in court. My office will be taking imminent legal action against this administrations unconstitutional pause on federal funding.We wont sit idly by while this administration harms our families, she wrote on social media platform X. My office will be taking imminent legal action against this administration's unconstitutional pause on federal funding. We won't sit idly by while this administration harms our families. https://t.co/zAbu7TFnte NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) January 28, 2025 James previously won a legal victory over Trump last year after a judge ordered him to pay a staggering $454 million in fines and interest in the civil fraud lawsuit brought against him. U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), alongside many other Democrats, condemned the Trump administrations decision to pause federal funding during a press conference on Tuesday. He also said he spoke to James about taking legal action. Last night, President Trump plunged the country into chaos without a shred of warning. The Trump administration announced a halt to virtually all federal funds across the country. In an instant, Donald Trump has shut off billions, perhaps trillions, of dollars that directly support states, cities, towns, schools, hospitals, small businesses and most of all American families. Theres a dagger at the heart of the average American family in red states, in blue states, in cities, in suburbs, in rural areas. It is just outrageous, Schumer said on Tuesday. And just like the January 6 pardons, this decision is lawless, dangerous, destructive, cruel. Its illegal, its unconstitutional. I spoke to my attorney general this morning. Shes head of the state attorneys general association. Theyre going to court right away on this horror... This is Project 2025. Project 2025 by another name, he added. .@SenSchumer: "Last night President Trump plunged the country into chaos. Without a shred of warning the Trump Administration announced a halt to virtually all federal funds across the country...this is a dagger at the heart of average American family...Every one of our offices pic.twitter.com/n3Qgi1DZsL CSPAN (@cspan) January 28, 2025 Administration officials said the decision was necessary to ensure that all funding complies with Trumps executive orders, which are intended to undo progressive steps on transgender rights, environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, efforts. They also said that federal assistance to individuals would not be affected, including Social Security, Medicare, food stamps and other such programs. However, the funding freeze could affect trillions of dollars, at least temporarily, and cause widespread disruption in health care research, education programs and other initiatives. Even grants that have been awarded but not spent are supposed to be halted. The Associated Press contributed to this report. President Donald Trumps border czar is not ruling out immigration raids in churches and schools if he believes its necessary. Tom Homan, Trumps border czar, told CNNs Kaitlan Collins on Monday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) changed its policy to allow arrests and other enforcement actions at churches and schools when necessary. Collins then pressed him on how potential arrests in church and schools would help safeguard against public safety threats. Theres no safe haven for public safety threats and national security threats, Homan told Collins. People will say, Well, will you really go into a high school? Well, people need to look at the MS-13 members and Tren de Aragua members, who enter this country, a majority in between the ages of 15 and 17, many are attending our schools, he added, claiming theyre selling drugs in the schools and doing strong-armed robberies of other students. He suggested that ICE agents will only go into schools or hospitals if there is a threat. So, we do not go into schools or hospitals, as a matter of practice But if theres a significant public safety threat, or a significant homeland security threat, theres no safe haven. Well go where we need to go, to take them off the street, he added. Tom Homan says ICE changed its policy to allow arrests and enforcement actions at churches and schools because, Whether it's a school, a church or a hospital, the national security is important. But he says no one has gone into any churches or schools that he knows of yet. pic.twitter.com/NkNPPq4zX3 Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) January 28, 2025 Collins then asked if Homan had reason to believe that elementary schools or churches are harboring these violent immigrants. Like I said, and when the circumstances arise, we got national security threat, or a significant public safety threat? Were going to go where we got to go, whether its a school, a church or hospital. The national security is important, he said. And were going to take those people off the street. If its out of school, then thats what were going to do. Again, it takes a lot to get approval to go into school or church. But if theres a national security threat, were going, he added. Homan said as of Monday night, no ICE officers had gone into any schools or churches that he knows of. His comments come as immigration raids across cities in the U.S. have began since Trump took office last week, including in Newark and Chicago. Trump campaigned on instituting mass deportations of those living in the U.S. illegally once he was back in the White House. ICEs daily arrests, which averaged 311 in the year ending Sept. 30, stayed fairly steady in the first days after Trump took office, then spiked dramatically Sunday to 956 and Monday to 1,179. If sustained, those numbers would mark the highest daily average since ICE began keeping records. Trump also has lifted longtime guidelines that restricted ICE from operating at sensitive locations such as schools, churches or hospitals. That decision has worried many migrants and advocates who fear children will be traumatized by seeing their parents arrested in the drop-off line at school or that migrants needing medical care wont go to the hospital for fear of arrest. The Associated Press contributed to this report. California says President Donald Trump is at it again. The new president, who has railed against California Gov. Gavin Newsom as wildfires have destroyed entire towns, claimed late Monday night he sent the U.S. military into the state under emergency powers to have the water turned on and flowing abundantly. Not so, says the California Department of Water Resources. The military did not enter California. The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful, the DWR posted to X after Trumps statement. Trump says he ordered the military to go into CA last night to turn on the water. CA responds. pic.twitter.com/vUN64dNKH8 Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) January 28, 2025 Its not the first time California officials set the record straight. Earlier this month, Newsom slammed then-President-elect Trump for spewing pure fiction about water supply in the state. Trump said it was Newsoms fault that the wildfires were able to spread so quickly after some fire hydrants in Los Angeles ran dry. He claimed that Newsom did not sign the water restoration declaration that would have allowed more water to be sent into the city from northern parts of the state. But the governors office said no such document existed. There is no such document as the water restoration declaration that is pure fiction, Newsoms office wrote in a statement. The governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need. Trump has repeatedly blamed the Democratic governor of California for the devastating wildfires that ripped through the Los Angeles area. He even suggested that Newsom should resign over his response. On Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 4:30 p.m., Kean University will host a commemorative lecture by Kerrie Taber, author of the book Quarantining Hate, to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The virtual event, held via Zoom, is being organized by the Kean University Holocaust Resource Center in collaboration with the Diversity Council and Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. Tabers lecture will focus on her personal journey of discovery after learning that her grandfather was a wanted World War II war criminal from Lithuania who was directly involved in the deaths of over 14,000 Jewish people. This shocking revelation led Taber to embark on a project using her familys history and research to demonstrate the consequences that can occur when society fails to push back against hate. Those interested in attending the virtual lecture can register by clicking here. The event is open to the public and is expected to draw a diverse audience from the university and wider community. * * * Submit Union County community news to union@njadvancemedia.com. Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff. 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. Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian (L) and Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Mahmoud Thabit Kombo (R) present a traditonal Chinese drawing at a reception to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival hosted by the Chinese embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Jan. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman) DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanians from all walks of life joined overseas Chinese on Friday night to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival at a reception hosted by the Chinese embassy in the East African country's port city of Dar es Salaam. The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, falls on Jan. 29 this year. It is the most important holiday on the Chinese calendar and an occasion for family reunions. The reception was decorated with colorful performances by students and teachers from the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam and an assortment of tasty Chinese food and recipes prepared by Chinese enterprises operating in the country. "The celebrations we are holding today will uplift the already strong relationship between Tanzania and China," said Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Mahmoud Thabit Kombo. Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian noted that 2025 is the Year of the Snake in traditional Chinese culture, also referred to as the Double Spring Year. "This designation signifies that there are two Beginning of Spring solar terms within the year, symbolizing the arrival of good things in pairs and fostering hope for vitality." She said the Spring Festival is the oldest and most significant traditional festival in China, serving as an important occasion for bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new, as well as for family reunions. "The festival embodies shared values of reunion and patriotism among Chinese people, both at home and abroad, while also promoting ideals of peace and harmony for all humanity," said Chen. The Chinese envoy said the Spring Festival had been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, demonstrating China's commitment to promoting global civilization initiative, cultural exchange, and mutual learning. A Chinese chef makes traditional Chinese food at a reception to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival hosted by the Chinese embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Jan. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman) Tanzanians from all walks of life join overseas Chinese for a reception to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival hosted by the Chinese embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Jan. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman) Tanzanian performers perform at a reception to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival hosted by the Chinese embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Jan. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman) Editor: ZAD Even though its the heart of winter, wildfire risk is at top-of-mind in Sisters. Several readers have contacted The Nugget to express their frustration with the recently released wildfire hazard map produced by Oregon State University and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). It makes no sense at all, said Paula Berry. Fires come from the west. I live on the east side of town and Im in a higher risk category than Tollgate. She knows this because she looked up her property on Tamarack using the states online map (https://tools.oregonexplorer.info/viewer/wildfire). The online tool has frustrated many in Sisters Country, some of whom also received a certified letter from ODF alerting them their property is in a high hazard zone and/or the wildland-urban interface. Many homeowners are in a mild panic, worried that they will not have their insurance renewed or worse, cancelled. Im praying my insurance company doesnt quit Oregon like they did California, said Danielle Robard. My insurance went up 25 percent last year and if it does the same again this year we will literally be forced to sell. Its just more than we can afford in retirement, said Duff Crenshaw. Good luck with that, Crenshaws neighbor Milt Ward said. Whos gonna buy a house that may not be insurable like so many will be in Sisters. Indeed, realtors report that some home sales have fallen out of escrow as the purchaser cannot obtain coverage. Risk Strategies, formerly Bisnett Insurance, agent Tammy Taylor says her phone is ringing off the hook with worried policy holders. Its been frustrating trying to help customers through their fears, she said. She advises that they not panic, and do all they can to mitigate their fire risk. Misperceptions abound on social media and arguments occur over the rights of property owners and state protections. The biggest question seems to center around what the state can or will do to keep insurers from leaving the Oregon market or raising rates too quickly. Insurance broker Mark Allen in Bend says his firm writes about 100 Sisters policies. Just because your home is in a high-risk area does not necessarily mean that your home is high risk, he explained. Insurance underwriters look at hundreds of parameters in assessing risk. Age of the home. Building materials. Distance to a fire hydrant. Distance to a fire station. Fencing. Landscape density. And of course, maps. But carriers have their own maps and have had them for years. The state maps are more useful to homeowners than carriers and city planners. Common sense appears to back him up. A home, even one literally on the edge of the forest, with a steel roof and Hardie plank siding (concrete infused), and aluminum clad windows will be far lower risk (and premium) than a house, miles from the forest with a shake roof, cedar siding, and wood clad windows contractors and insurance brokers tell us. Others in Sisters object to the state having any influence over how they manage their properties. What gives them the right to take satellite photos of my home and tell me how to prune my trees, said Ed Farley. Thats an invasion of my privacy. Its between me and the insurance company, and the state should butt out. Insurance companies routinely use drones to inspect homes they insure in Sisters. The entire subject will be the focus of an upcoming community forum initiated by Rotary Club of Sisters and sponsored by Rotary, Kiwanis, The Nugget, and C4C (Citizens4Community). It surprises me that after almost 10 years of Donald Trumps political career, people, including our illustrious Editor in Chief, Jim Cornelius, still have not figured him out. Trump is not a classical conservative, or even a Republican, he is a populist. We would likely have seen more of his ideology in 2017 through 2020 but he was in a constant battle between members of his own party, the Democrats, and the media, so that much of the policy work he wished to accomplish was derailed. In 2025, Trump has apparently learned from his first term and has hired people who will advance the agenda and policies that he ran on to win the electoral and popular vote. To suggest that the political environment in the United States is anything like The Troubles in Ireland is a hard stretch in story-telling to find a comparison. There is no tit for tat violence taking place between opposing sides in America, as political organizations form para-militaries. Jim Cornelius lists off a few of the violent actions that have occurred, but let me list some more, with most happening right here in Oregon as well as nationally, all with the explicit or tacit support of leading members of the Democratic party: The 2016 Trump riots, George Floyd riots, BLM riots, and the Anti-Israel/Pro Hamas riots. These were not simply an event like an assassination attempt, but on-going violent protests that continue today to destabilize our country. Now I will list the violent actions, other than January 6, from conservatives. Nothing. People on the left must mention January 6 as frequently as possible because this is all they have when they throw up the false equivalence of violence from the right. Four years of Biden and not a single act of para-military violence from the right. Forget Trump the personality for a minute and focus on the policies that Trump ran on. This is not a case of a country split down the middle 50/50. Immigration. Americans overwhelmingly support deporting illegal immigrants who have been convicted of crimes, especially violent crimes. Small government, bureaucracy, and the economy. Most Americans favor a smaller government and fewer restrictions to conduct business in the USA. Justice. Most Americans want the law applied equally regardless of political affiliation or social standing. Voting. A vast majority believe identification must be presented to vote. DEI. Americans overwhelmingly support removing identity-based hiring practices to focus on qualifications and merit. Globalism. Most Americans insofar as they understand the various organizations, have real concerns about the politicization of groups like the UN and WHO. Transgenderism. Americans overwhelmingly support not medically or chemically castrating children, and not having boys participate in girls sports. They also do not support men in womens prisons. Abortion. The majority of Americans believe that abortion should be illegal in the second and third trimesters with some exceptions. I suspect that these polling numbers of support for these various policies would be even larger if the media would report fairly on them and not focus on whether a rich guy gave a sieg heil salute. Living in Sisters for a few years now I have come to understand that the progressive left is going to dominate the content of The Nugget, and I believe most conservatives in town have chosen to just read the articles and letters, shake their heads, and move on. The last time I wrote a letter to the editor, filled with references and facts to support my points, a writer responded by suggesting that I was in some death cult drinking the poisoned Kool-Aid, and who wants to live in a small town where your neighbors are suggesting this type of violence upon you? But people should understand that when they see the next progressive letter to the editor highlighting the accomplishments from the previous administration, or their concerns for Trumps policies, that those writers are in the tiny minority, that will get smaller once the tell-all books are written pulling back the veil on just how corrupt and incompetent the Biden/Harris administration really was. At the close of 2024, UNESCO added the Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of traditional new year, to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Spring Festival's core customs -- celebrating family reunions, wishing for good fortune and creating traditional crafts -- captivate cultural enthusiasts worldwide with its unique approach to welcoming the new year. The Chinese New Year and its rich cultural heritage are also being shared in exciting new ways. Beneath its traditional customs, the Chinese New Year carries a universal resonance of hope, family unity and aspirations for a better life -- values that underpin its global appeal. BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Set against a vibrant orange backdrop, a bold green snake rises proudly on a commemorative stamp issued by La Poste Group, France's postal service, earlier this month to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. 2025 marks the 21st consecutive year France has celebrated the Spring Festival with zodiac-themed stamps. Actors perform the lion dance during the Lunar New Year celebration at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Jan. 24, 2025. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua) At the close of 2024, UNESCO added the Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of traditional new year, to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. A year earlier, the 78th UN General Assembly recognized the Chinese New Year as an official UN holiday, underscoring the festival's growing global presence. Spring Festival customs are now celebrated in nearly 200 countries and regions, with almost 20 nations designating it as an official public holiday. Each year, around one-fifth of the global population takes part in this cherished tradition. CUSTOMS WITH GLOBAL APPEAL Spring Festival's core customs -- celebrating family reunions, wishing for good fortune and creating traditional crafts -- captivate cultural enthusiasts worldwide with its unique approach to welcoming the new year. In the Hungarian capital of Budapest, the streets of Chinatown bustled with a two-day Spring Festival celebration. Visitors took part in dumpling-making, calligraphy workshops and lantern crafting. This vibrant celebration mirrors a global trend where Spring Festival traditions are increasingly embraced across diverse cultures. "It's amazing to see the performances and learn about traditions that are so different yet so universal," said Kata Szabo, a local resident who attended the event with her young daughter. People watch a demonstration of sugar figure art during a temple fair celebrating the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year in Budapest, Hungary, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Hao) To Giacomo Bechini, a 29-year-old web designer from Florence, Italy, this year's Spring Festival is more than a holiday: It is an opportunity to connect with his wife's Chinese heritage and immerse himself in the festival's traditions. His fascination with the Chinese Lunar Calendar, a lunisolar dating system, has deepened his appreciation even further. "It's incredible how the Spring Festival is tied to a different calendar. I've been learning about its symbolic meanings and how the festivities last for days," Bechini said. For Tichaona Zimuto, a 34-year-old professional acrobat from Zimbabwe, Spring Festival traditions have evolved from a simple interest into a meaningful practice. About two weeks ago, Zimuto and his group, Blackstar Acrobatics, captivated a local audience in Harare with a rhythmic lion dance performance during a Spring Festival celebration. The lion dance, which originated in ancient China, blends dance, music and martial arts, with performers mimicking a lion's movements in elaborate costumes. This traditional art has grown on Zimuto over the past year. "When I was wearing the lion dance costume, I just felt excited. I just felt great, something special. I just felt like a lion, a real lion," he said. A lion dance performance is staged at the 4th edition of the Chinese New Year cultural festival at the National Arts Center in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, Jan. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Mengxin) The Chinese New Year and its rich cultural heritage are also being shared in exciting new ways. Disney California Adventure Park recently launched its 2025 Lunar New Year celebrations, offering a lively blend of Asian cultural performances. Legendary Chinese warrior Mulan and her quick-witted dragon sidekick, Mushu, led the Lunar New Year procession, celebrating family, friendship and the hope for a prosperous year ahead. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia recently hosted a one-of-a-kind Spring Festival Market at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh, which buzzed with energy during its two-day run. The Chinese e-sports zone was a standout attraction, featuring popular titles such as "Black Myth: Wukong" and "Honor of Kings." Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, president of the Saudi National E-Sports Association, said e-sports are a powerful way to connect young people around the globe. "We can create games about Saudi culture and bring them to China and the world," he said. VALUES OF UNIVERSAL RESONANCE Beneath its traditional customs, the Chinese New Year carries a universal resonance of hope, family unity and aspirations for a better life -- values that underpin its global appeal. People believe that celebrating the Chinese New Year will bring them good luck, good fortune and happiness in the new year, said Heoun Thary, a 32-year-old Cambodian housewife. She was referring to the recent Lunar New Year festivities in Phnom Penh, which drew hundreds of revelers. Thary noted that the event not only introduced Cambodians to Chinese traditions but also strengthened the bond between the two nations. In Tanorn village, 60 km south of Phnom Penh, Cambodian villagers participating in a China-aided poverty alleviation project also embraced the spirit of the Spring Festival. The celebration featured red lanterns and couplets. "People believe that celebrating the Chinese New Year can help increase their luck, promoting their business to make more money," said Khlok Chamroeun, a 62-year-old deputy chief of the village. People watch a lion dance performance at the 2025 Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day in Auckland, New Zealand, Jan. 25, 2025. The event was held here on Saturday. (Photo by Wu Jiaxiang/Xinhua) In New Zealand, a Year of the Snake concert put together Eastern and Western musical traditions. Musicians from China's Yijing Chamber Ensemble of the Central Conservatory of Music and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra performed in Christchurch, blending the pipa, erhu and bamboo flute with classical symphonies. "Music knows no boundaries. The unique qualities of Eastern and Western music can truly resonate with each other," said Chinese Consul General He Ying. This vision of harmony came alive at the United Nations in New York on Friday night. At a Lunar New Year celebration, Miguel Angel Moratinos, UN under-secretary-general and high representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, delivered Lunar New Year wishes in Chinese, "Chunjie Kuaile (Happy Spring Festival)," in the lobby of the main building at the UN Headquarters. "The Lunar New Year marked the beginning of the Year of the Snake, which is associated with characteristics like wisdom, caution and strategy, and signifies transformation and growth," he said. "With the numerous challenges the world is facing, the spirit embodied by the Lunar New Year offers us a beacon of hope and positivity," Moratinos said. Editor: ZAD Senate OK of Special Defense Economic Zone in Bataan to strengthen SRDP Act, says Zubiri 28 January 2025 The Senate has approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2900, which seeks to establish a Special Defense Economic Zone (SpeDEZ) in Limay, Bataan - an initiative that Sen. Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri says will bolster the country's self-reliant defense posture. "This approval will go a long way towards developing a fully self-reliant defense posture, where our armed forces are supplied by our own homegrown defense industry," Zubiri, the bill's author and sponsor, said. The proposed defense ecozone will be located within the estate of the Government Arsenal in Limay, Bataan. He explained that the SpeDEZ will serve as a one-stop economic hub for defense industry investors looking to set up operations in the country, particularly following the enactment of the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act (SRDP Act) last year. Zubiri, who chairs the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, highlighted the economic benefits of the measure, noting that it will not only strengthen the local defense industry but also stimulate job creation and domestic production of raw materials. "In the interest of self-reliance and in line with our Filipino-first policies, we made sure to require that SpeDEZ locators acquire a percentage of their raw materials from local producers," the former Senate President said. "This will increase our job creation twofold, as we open up new jobs within the SpeDEZ, and also create more jobs in various industries producing raw materials." Instead of granting traditional tax incentives, the measure imposes a 5-percent tax on the gross income of all establishments operating within the SpeDEZ. The revenue generated will be allocated to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Pension Fund, the Province of Bataan, the host city or municipality, and the SpeDEZ Authority. Zubiri expressed confidence that the establishment of the special economic zone will provide a significant boost to the country's defense capabilities while fostering economic growth and industrial development. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's, GMW.cn makes no representations as to accuracy, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information. The World Bank Group warned Colombian staff members on Monday not to exit or enter the United States following a travel ban and visa restrictions that President Trump imposed on Colombians a day earlier, after the government in Bogota briefly rejected U.S. military flights returning illegal immigrants. The World Banks security operations team issued the warning to Colombian staff members, according to a memorandum reviewed by The New York Times. The memo was circulated after the United States revoked visas held by some of the banks Colombian staff members that allowed them to work for international diplomatic organizations in the United States. Several of those staff members were traveling in the United States at the time and were deported. The memo noted enhanced inspections by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The memo said that the World Bank was closely monitoring the situation and actively engaging with U.S. Government counterparts, and said, Please be aware that attempts to enter or leave the U.S. could encounter challenges at the point of departure or upon arrival. Two Colombian World Bank staff members arrived at Dulles International Airport on Sunday afternoon, and their G4 visas were revoked upon arrival, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an internal World Bank matter. They were put on planes going back to Colombia. FRONT PAGE An article on Monday about the fragile cease-fires in Lebanon and Gaza referred incorrectly to the casualties caused by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon on Sunday. They killed or injured scores of people, according to Lebanese officials; they did not kill scores of people. INTERNATIONAL An article on Monday about President Trumps phone call to Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark, expressing his desire for the United States to take over Greenland misstated the year that Greenland ceased to be a colony of Denmark. It was 1953, not 1979. NATIONAL An article on Saturday about the history of a gesture associated with the Nazis misstated the year Benito Mussolini came to power in Italy. It was 1922, not 1923. ARTS An article on Monday about the novelist Scott Turow incorrectly characterized the defendant in the central murder case in Presumed Guilty. He is a college dropout, not a high school student. The U.S. Department of the Interior said on Friday that it was implementing the executive order, but that official government maps had not yet been updated from the Geographic Names Information System, or G.N.I.S., which is a part of the U.S. Geological Survey. Google said that once the G.N.I.S. made the change, it would quickly follow suit in its popular Maps application, which is a crucial source of information about geography for more than two billion users. The company said it would also change the name of Denali, which is in Alaska, to Mount McKinley, in accordance with the new administrations change. While Google users in the United States will see the Gulf of America name, those in Mexico will continue to see Gulf of Mexico, which is how that country refers to the body of water. Users elsewhere in the world will see both names side by side, the company said in what it described as a longstanding practice. The Gulf of Mexico name will appear first for these users, followed by the Gulf of America name in parentheses, said two people with knowledge of the companys plans, who were not authorized to speak publicly. Google declined to comment on the order of the names. Apple representatives did not respond to a request for comment on whether the company would adopt the Gulf of America name for its Maps application. The case had stumped investigators for almost two decades: Jason Royter, a father of two, had been found stabbed to death in his Salt Lake City-area home. There were no signs of forced entry and no apparent motive. Little for detectives and Mr. Royters relatives, including his now-adult children, to go on in the unsolved homicide. But a DNA hit finally provided a breakthrough in the cold case, leading to the arrest last week of Mark Munoz, 53, a homeless man, in Mr. Royters killing, the authorities said during a news conference on Friday. At the briefing held by the Salt Lake County Sheriffs Office, two of Mr. Royters sisters and his son joined investigators for the announcement that Mr. Munoz had been charged. A Nigerian man has been extradited to the United States on charges that he targeted a 17-year-old South Carolina boy in a sextortion scheme that prosecutors contend led to the boys suicide, the U.S. Justice Department said on Monday. In July 2022, the man, Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, posed as a college woman on social media and convinced the boy to send him sexually compromising images of himself, according to federal prosecutors. Once Mr. Lawal secured the images, he threatened to release them unless the boy paid him, the authorities said. Within two hours of receiving the threat, the boy, Gavin Guffey, shot himself at his home in Rock Hill, S.C., according to his father, Brandon Guffey, who is now a state lawmaker. A man who received a pardon from President Trump for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol was fatally shot by a sheriffs deputy on Sunday after he resisted arrest during a traffic stop, the Indiana State Police said. The state police said that a deputy with the Jasper County Sheriffs Office stopped the man, Matthew W. Huttle, 42, of Hobart, Ind., at about 4:15 p.m. in a vehicle on a state road near the Pulaski County line. In a statement on the shooting, the state police did not say why the deputy had stopped the vehicle. During the traffic stop, the officer attempted to arrest the suspect when the suspect resisted, the state police said. An altercation took place between the suspect and the officer, which resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding the suspect. An investigation showed that Mr. Huttle was in possession of a firearm, the state police said. The state police said that no further information would be released about the shooting, which it was investigating with help from the Jasper County prosecutor. Once the investigation is completed, the findings will be sent to the county prosecutor for review, the state police said. The White House budget office has ordered a pause in grants, loans and other federal financial assistance, according to a memo sent to government agencies on Monday, potentially paralyzing a vast swath of programs and sowing confusion and alarm among the array of groups that depend on them. The directive threatened to upend funds that course throughout the American economy: Hundreds of billions of dollars in grants to state, local and tribal governments. Disaster relief aid. Education and transportation funding. Loans to small businesses. But the two-page memo from Matthew J. Vaeth, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, left the scope of the pause, and much else, unclear. Among the uncertainties was whether President Trump has the authority to unilaterally halt funds allocated by Congress. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader in the Senate, said in a statement that the memo blatantly disobeys the law. In 1887, a composer completed the greatest work of his life: a grand opera, 545 pages long, telling a story of epic proportions. And as he read over his manuscript one last time, he seemed to know that what he had accomplished was important. Fin de lOpera, he wrote on the last page. Then the composer a Black American, living in exile in France, and about 60 years old took his pen and signed his name with panache. Edmond Dede, he wrote in sweeping letters. It was a name that had briefly meant something in the 19th-century musical world at least on the fringes. In New Orleans, where Dede was born in 1827 as a free person of color, he was hailed in newspaper accounts as a violin virtuoso and a composer of real merit. And in Bordeaux, France, where Dede spent the peak years of his career, he was more than a talented musician; he was a celebrity. Dede composed and conducted orchestral pieces, ballets and one-act operettas until he became, in the words of one French critic, perhaps the best-known man in Bordeaux. But Dede faced prejudice on two continents during his lifetime. Critics who celebrated his talent often made disparaging remarks in the same articles, calling him ungainly, by no means graceful. And his grand opera Morgiane, his magnum opus, completed in 1887, never made it to the stage. For most of U.S. history, tariffs were a solution to specific economic problems. Washington used them to raise money and to protect U.S. industries from foreign competitors. And after World War II, presidents used tariffs selectively. President Trump has upended this practice. He says hell use tariffs to solve a raft of policy problems, such as migration and territorial expansion. On Sunday, he threatened Colombia with 25 percent tariffs after it turned away two airplanes carrying deported immigrants. The government in Bogota quickly reversed course. Its a strategy rarely seen from other presidents and one that Trump is now deploying almost daily, as my colleague Alan Rappeport and I describe in a story The Times published this morning. In todays newsletter, Ill explain. An all-purpose tool Since taking office, Trump has told several nations he would tax imports from their countries if they didnt do what he wants. He said he would put a 25 percent tariff on products from Canada and Mexico and a 10 percent tariff on products from China unless those countries stopped flows of drugs and migrants into the United States. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. A video conference was held under the leadership of Saadat Kerimi, Chairperson of the Gobustan Society of Azerbaijani Intellectuals, with the participation of over a hundred individuals, including members of the society, public activists, family members of the January 20 tragedy martyrs, and veterans of the Nagorno-Karabakh war, Trend reports. During the conference, a resolution was unanimously adopted, calling for the Norwegian Nobel Committee to revoke the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Mikhail Gorbachev in 1990. An open letter addressed to Nobel Committee Chairman Jrgen Watne Frydnes and its members raised the issue of the unfairness of awarding the prize to Gorbachev. The letter emphasized that Gorbachev bears primary responsibility for the January 20 tragedy, noting that it was under his orders that Soviet troops entered Baku and other parts of Azerbaijan in 1990. The resolution demanded that Gorbachev be stripped of his Nobel Prize, asserting that this action would restore historical justice, demonstrate the Nobel Committee's respect for the Azerbaijani people, and increase confidence in the moral authority of the prize. The need to uphold the fundamental values that the Nobel Prize is based upon was specifically highlighted. The letter further stated that the January 20 tragedy is not only a crime against the Azerbaijani people but also against humanity as a whole. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A legal battle looms over Trumps funding freeze Several states were planning yesterday to file suit to block President Trumps order to freeze trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans. The move, part of an effort to remake the government in his image, followed cuts to international aid introduced last week. The Trump administration instructed organizations in other countries to stop distributing H.I.V. medications purchased with U.S. aid, even if the drugs had already been obtained and were sitting in local clinics. Several humanitarian organizations in Ukraine said they had been forced to suspend operations that include the delivery of assistance to war veterans and internally displaced people. And in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, where Americas unexploded bombs from the Vietnam War continue to kill people to this day, the State Department said it was suspending global mine-clearing programs for at least three months. My colleague Edward Wong, a diplomatic correspondent, said that leaders of aid organizations told him that they had never seen anything as sweeping as this suspension of U.S. aid. Coca-Colas bottler in Europe said on Monday that it had recalled some drinks sold in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands after discovering high levels of a chemical called chlorate during routine testing at a bottling facility. The recalled products included Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Fuze Tea, Minute Maid, Nalu, Royal Bliss and Tropico in cans and glass bottles, according to a statement from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. Exposure to chlorate, a byproduct of using chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant and to control the odor and taste of water, can cause kidney problems and affect thyroid function, according to the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration. The agency added in a statement announcing the recall that a risk, especially for children, cannot be ruled out given the chlorine content detected. The nonprofit news outlet The Marshall Project on Tuesday named Katrice Hardy as its next chief executive. Ms. Hardy, 51, is the executive editor and vice president of The Dallas Morning News, a role she started in 2021. She will lead the business and newsroom sides of The Marshall Project, which has been overseen by a president and an editor in chief. The Marshall Project was started in 2014 and focuses on reporting about the criminal justice system. It also distributes a print magazine in prisons and jails and runs a television show for inmates. The outlet, which is based in New York, has a staff of 85 people and has reporters in cities including Cleveland, St. Louis and Jackson, Miss. Its reporting has been awarded two Pulitzer Prizes. Ms. Hardy said in an interview that it was a tough decision to leave The Dallas Morning News but she couldnt turn down an amazing opportunity to lead such a reputable news organization. Mark Zuckerbergs ambitions as a Washington power player have led him to another corner of the capitals hobnobbing scene: the Business Roundtable. In September, the Meta chief executive quietly joined the organization that lobbies on behalf of large U.S. companies after reaching out about doing so months earlier, Andy Stone, a Meta spokesman, told The New York Times. Mr. Zuckerberg, who once avoided weighing in on politics, has embraced President Trump and become a more visible presence in Washington. The night before Mr. Trumps inauguration, where Mr. Zuckerberg had prime seating, he attended a black-tie party to celebrate the new administration at Peter Thiels mansion in the nations capital. The Meta chief has also started speaking out on issues that have been the subjects of Mr. Trumps talking points. On Joe Rogans podcast this month, Mr. Zuckerberg criticized what he considered moves to monitor speech and behavior, saying a lot of the corporate world is pretty culturally neutered. But stepping onto the back porch, things change. The wind gusts in. The yard is hard-packed, rocky and treeless. The lawn of struggling grass seed suddenly drops off at the edge of a narrow plateau. The land then spills precipitously down into a valley hundreds of feet below before rising back up to another island in the sky. Decades ago, a cheap form of extraction called mountaintop removal coal mining blew up summits and shoved the detritus sugar maples, salamanders, song birds down hill. While federal law required these moonscapes to be leveled and replanted, reclaimed strip mines no longer resemble mountains. Instead of lush eastern woodlands, they look more like dry western plains. But in a region defined by steep slopes, these ecological graveyards also provide a startling solution to a problem plaguing residents in the narrow valleys below: the floods. In 2022, apocalyptic flooding swept across eastern Kentucky, killing 45 people, destroying 542 homes and damaging thousands more. Now, instead of rebuilding in the floodplain, the state is permanently lifting residents onto safer land. Officials are more than two years into a nearly $800 million plan to reclaim these landscapes again, turning them from deserts into developments. Climate change is real, Andy Beshear, the governor of Kentucky, said in an interview last month. Its hard to say which natural disaster would or would not have occurred without climate change, because weve had some big ones in the past. But what we know is that we see them more often, and sadly, we see them hit a lot of the same places. Calling DCIS a risk factor may better describe the way it increases your risk of developing an invasive cancer, while conveying to patients that they have agency to change their fate. The challenge with the word cancer is it feels like the horse is out of the barn, said Dr. Arif Kamal, an oncologist and the chief patient officer for the American Cancer Society. Yet renaming a condition because it sounds scary risks seeming paternalistic, said Dr. Shelley Hwang, a surgical oncologist at Duke University and lead author of the recent DCIS trial. Using a word like neoplasia, another term for a tumor, suggests that patients need to be protected from even the idea of cancer. Like, were going to call it this code word for cancer, but the patients wont be scared because they wont know what that means, she said. Its a little disingenuous. It can also hinder research. As imaging tools emerge that can reveal cancer growing at earlier and earlier stages, doctors have come to believe that most cancers start out as abnormal cells in situ. In that case, removing the word cancer from these conditions severs an important link that helps researchers understand the natural history of the disease. Changing the name altogether is very confusing, Dr. Hwang said. You need to create a link to all the previous research and everything thats been written before you. The good news: There is evidence that changing treatment is possible without renaming. More than 60 percent of patients with the lowest-risk form of prostate cancer in the United States opt for a watch-and-wait approach instead of aggressive treatment, which studies show is an oncologically safe management strategy. In Sweden, more than 90 percent of patients choose this option. Over the past year, Muanema Fakira noticed something odd about the eyes of her 1-year-old daughter Sumaya. Her left eye was cloudy. It did not gleam with curiosity or glint in the sun. When the problem persisted, Ms. Fakira made the rounds to health clinics in their town in central Mozambique. Doctors said they could not help. But they knew of someone who could, if Ms. Fakira could take Sumaya, now 2, on a 100-mile journey to the coast. The family made the trip to the city of Quelimane, where Dr. Isaac Vasco da Gama examined Sumayas eyes and quickly diagnosed a congenital cataract. Ms. Fakira was skeptical cataracts are for old people, she said. But Dr. da Gama explained that an infection at birth, or shortly after, can cause cataracts in children. The condition is particularly worrying because vision problems affect the development of a childs physical function. But the good news, he said, was that the problem can be solved with a simple surgery, one he does a dozen times a week at Quelimane Central Hospital. This was particularly lucky for Sumaya because Dr. da Gama is one of just three pediatric ophthalmologists in Mozambique, a country of 30 million people. Published as a working paper in 2013, Aizer and Doyles analysis is lauded for its sophisticated design. Duke Universitys Jason Baron told me it was a classic read in economics; a major national criminology organization gave it its annual award for applied research. But Aizer recalls that her mother wasnt all that impressed. My mom asked me, So what are you working on? I said, Oh, Im doing a paper on whether detaining juveniles is bad in terms of their future life outcomes. Shes like: Do you need a Ph.D. for that? Why would it be good? When I asked Aizer if she had talked to judges or juvenile justice administrators about her research, I was surprised to learn that she hadnt. In my field, she said, you have to stay objective. You cant be seen as having a horse in the race. You hope the right people will read it, but Im not an advocate. The right people did read it. Susan Burke, director of Utahs juvenile justice system from 2011 to 2018, remembers encountering Aizers research along with other papers that reached similar conclusions at a conference of juvenile justice administrators. Burke was intrigued, but she also found the findings challenging. Consider it from her perspective: Because she ran a juvenile system, part of Burkes job was to keep young people in jail. She wasnt prisons No. 1 booster, but she thought it had its place, especially if the kids werent locked up for too long. She remembers, early in her tenure, defending the states juvenile work camps, facilities for young people who mainly committed property crimes. She recalls, These kids were vandalizing and stealing, and I saw the work camps as a way for them to make restitution. So what was Burke to make of research suggesting that even a short stay in detention might make it more, not less, likely that a young person would steal or vandalize again? Burke did something that should be common but isnt: I sat down and talked to some kids that had gone through work camp and asked them about their experience. They didnt report violence, abuse or inhumane conditions, she says. But they did remember the experience as profoundly dislocating: They said it was difficult to go back home and try and integrate with their friends or return to their school community. People would look at them, asking: Well, where have you been? What did you do? Why were you there? They were total strangers. Shortly after these conversations, Burke confronted the same issue in her own family. Her son was struggling, and she decided to send him to a day treatment program. He was never locked up and never had to spend a night away from home. The program lasted less than three months. But even that removal, Burke recalls, was traumatic. Her son found it difficult to return to school. He never felt like he fit in after that, she recalls. People didnt understand him. He was somehow different now. And it just hurt his ability to make friendships and connect with people. And that was a short period of time and he was coming home every day. To Save and Project, the Museum of Modern Arts annual film preservation showcase, will close on Thursday night with a screening of Charlie Chaplins Shoulder Arms. Starring Chaplin as an American soldier during World War I, this comedy, which runs around 40 minutes, has delighted viewers since its premiere in October 1918. Yet every take and every frame in MoMAs restoration, a work in progress, likely differs from what most moviegoers have watched in the past century. Its an unknown Chaplin film, in effect, that no one has actually seen as it was released, said Dave Kehr, a curator in the museums film department. (Before joining MoMA, Kehr was a longtime contributor to The New York Times.) The version that Chaplin distributed in the United States in 1918 is not the version that has circulated here for decades. Understanding why requires an explanation of how the film was made and then, in a sense, remade. Chaplin shot Shoulder Arms with two cameras, as was common practice in the silent era. Kodak had not yet developed a stock for making duplicate negatives, and Chaplin needed to create more than one negative to strike enough film prints to satisfy his worldwide audience. A Chaplin movie was an event, even by 1918, said Scott Eyman, the author of the recent biography Charlie Chaplin vs. America. With his fraud trial in Manhattan a little over a month away, Stephen K. Bannon, a former adviser to President Trump, is taking a page from the presidents legal playbook. Mr. Bannon has delayed the proceeding multiple times. He has used courthouse hallways to broadcast his views. And in a filing on Tuesday, his lawyer, Arthur Aidala, accused the Manhattan district attorney of political persecution. In the motion, Mr. Bannons team said that the case should be dismissed because it was vindictive and an unconstitutional selective enforcement of the law. The motion made explicit reference to the history of the district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, who won a conviction of President Trump in May. It also targeted New Yorks attorney general, Letitia James, whose civil fraud lawsuit resulted in a hefty fine for President Trump. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. The so-called "observers" from the EU have once again started their sneaky dealings along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Trend has received a video confirming espionage activities by the "observers." The footage shows "observers" in two EU-owned "Toyota" vehicles approaching the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and using binoculars to observe Azerbaijani territories in the direction of Gazakh. The actions of the "observers" did not go unnoticed by the Azerbaijani State Border Service personnel, who are vigilantly guarding the country's borders and monitoring their activities. The video footage is presented for our readers' attention. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Mayor Eric Adams of New York, a conservative Democrat who has vowed to refrain from publicly criticizing President Trump, on Tuesday inched close to violating that pledge. In response to the Trump administrations directive to freeze trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans, the mayor issued a statement expressing something akin to concern. We are assessing the full reach of the administrations announcement, as specific programs are not named in the memo, the mayor said. We are in touch with our federal counterparts as we continue to monitor this situation closely, and we will advocate firmly on behalf of New Yorkers whose lives are impacted by affected programs. Mr. Adams noted that New Yorkers send a disproportionate share of income taxes to the federal government, and suggested that the city had long partnered with federal officials to ensure that a fair portion of that money was returned to help fund critical services. Last winter, Eileen Kelley received a notice that her landlord was not going to renew her lease when it expired in a few months. After eight years in the East Village, a neighborhood in Manhattan she had come to love for its street markets and parks, Ms. Kelley, 29, confronted the sudden possibility that she might have to leave. But scrolling through TikTok just before her lease ended, she found a video that introduced her to a new, renter-friendly law called good cause eviction. Passed by New York State last spring, the legislation prohibits landlords from forcing renters out of their homes just because their lease term is over. The law felt like it could be a lifeline. Ms. Kelley, who works in financial services, told her landlord that she wasnt going to leave. After months of back and forth over email, she finally received a new lease, securing her apartment until at least this coming September. I was like, Wow, the system does work for us, she said. The exchange is one example of how the law is quietly reshaping parts of New York Citys housing market. Renters are challenging landlords, both in informal lease negotiations and in court, to secure breaks on rent and new leases. Property owners say they are growing cautious about trying to get even troublesome renters out, and they worry about other consequences of what they see as government overreach. Keir Starmer, the newly elected prime minister, appeared to call Mr. Musk out. To large social media companies and those who run them, Mr. Starmer said at the time, violent disorder, clearly whipped up online, that is also a crime. Mr. Musk took the bait. He branded the remarks insane and spent the following weeks spreading the nickname two-tier Keir a reference to the conspiracy theory that there is a two-tier system of policing in Britain, in which white people are punished more harshly than minority groups. He even shared (then deleted) a fake headline that claimed Mr. Starmers government was building emergency detainment camps for the rioters. Since the summer, Mr. Musks comments about the country have become even more extreme. In September, he falsely accused the Starmer government of releasing convicted pedophiles from prison in order to put people in prison for Facebook posts. He has repeatedly championed the cause of Tommy Robinson, a far-right, anti-Islam British activist with a slew of criminal convictions currently in jail for repeatedly breaking an injunction. During a posting spree at the start of January, Mr. Musk called for a government minister to be imprisoned, for new elections to oust the prime minister and for Mr. Starmer to be charged for complicity in the rape of Britain. All of this could be an attempt to distract from Xs role in the summer riots, for which lawmakers plan to summon him to testify to Britains Parliament. Some have wondered whether it might come down to his sleeping habits: Data compiled by The Economist on his posting times suggests he sleeps for only a few hours a night meaning he is awake and online when the British news cycle begins. The most compelling explanation, though, is ideological. In his posts, Mr. Musk focuses relentlessly on immigration, free speech, regulation and crime. On these issues, Britains center-left government appears to be anathema. And not only for him. For those around Donald Trump, Britain is a country that is being destroyed, as Kari Lake put it, or the first truly Islamist country with nuclear weapons, as JD Vance bizarrely claimed. American conservatives have often used this type of apocalyptic language about countries such as Venezuela. But Mr. Musk is now spearheading an attempt to turn Britain one of Americas closest allies into their new adversary. Much of the material for this narrative, oddly, comes from Britain itself. Since the Conservatives were defeated last summer, disaffected right-wingers have sought solace in trash-talking their country to an American audience. The former home secretary Suella Braverman insists that Britain is beset by a lunatic woke virus language favored by the likes of Ron DeSantis. Liz Truss, the former prime minister who has appeared at the Republican National Convention, on Fox News and alongside Steve Bannon, rails against the shadowy deep state forces that supposedly brought her 49-day tenure to an end. It was March 1994, more than two years after the Soviet Union disintegrated, and the debates within the U.S. Embassy in Moscow were heated. Diplomats in the economic section, backed by the Treasury Department in Washington, argued ardently that radical free-market reforms were the only path for post-Soviet Russia and that democracy would surely follow. Political advisers believed, equally passionately, that such shock therapy would only worsen the devastating dislocation Russians were already suffering with the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Russian people, they warned, would end up blaming America and democracy itself for their woes. In the heat of the debate, E. Wayne Merry, the top political analyst in the embassy and one of the most forceful critics of shock therapy, set out a detailed case against it in a long telegram provocatively titled Whose Russia Is It Anyway? Toward a Policy of Benign Respect. In an essay last month about the telegram, Mr. Merry argued that America back then was falling for the old fallacy of trying to understand a foreign country by looking in the mirror. The push for free-market reforms in a country without any experience of a market economy or democracy was, he wrote, an especially virulent case of Washington institutions trying to ram a foreign square peg into an American round hole. Mr. Merry, now a senior fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council, told me in an interview, Why did I end up writing those 70 paragraphs? I had for two and a half years been writing about these issues, and was very frustrated that nobody in D.C. was interested in anything other than economic theory coming down from Harvard. He was so frustrated, he added, I decided it was my duty as head of Pol/Int the political/internal department of the embassy to tell Washington what was going on. But later, as I reported on the consequences of Mr. Trumps border shutdown in 2020, my father embraced Trumpism. When we spoke on the phone, he sought to enlighten me: I was the fake news. He knew that Id just finished writing an investigative biography of Stephen Miller, Mr. Trumps senior adviser at the time, and that Id been reporting on Mr. Trumps immigration policies for years. But he never asked me questions about any of it, and whenever I tried to share anything, he would interrupt me to say that I was brainwashed. Id grown up listening to him tell my mother, an M.D., that modern medicine was nonsense, using a dismissive expletive. When I began to set boundaries, telling him that I loved him but that I wasnt interested in lectures about my line of work, he seemed to lose interest in speaking with me. This Christmas Eve, or Nochebuena, I ate dinner at my Mexican grandmothers house, as I do every year. One of my cousins strode in wearing a MAGA cap. He fist-bumped my father and they stood outside, speaking with an air of secrecy and superiority. It occurred to me, for not the first time, that if I hadnt pursued my father all these years, offering empathy and curiosity to his often unbelievable stories, wed be estranged. Our relationship had always been one-sided. My role was to listen and learn; if ever I offered a thought, he became angry or dismissive. Since the moment Id asked him to respect me, to hear me, our relationship had deteriorated. During the Biden administration, I wrote repeatedly about the importance of seeking connection across political differences, of not giving up on our red-pilled relatives. But now I felt deflated. Was it really my responsibility to bridge the gap with my father as we rushed headlong into the administration of a man who has threatened journalists with jail time? Some of Mr. Trumps most powerful allies have publicly ridiculed me and threatened legal action against me. Was it really I who had forsaken my MAGA relatives or they who had forsaken me? I left my grandmothers Nochebuena celebration early. My head was spinning. I found myself replaying one of the few memories I had of my father showing up for me: When my car had broken down at night in Tijuana as I was reporting, I called him for help, and he came, drunk-driving on his motorcycle, to fix my engine. Deep down, my father loved me right? I wanted so badly to find the words to unite us, and by extension, all U.S. Latinos. But our unity had always been a fiction. In our desperation to be seen and heard, many of us had embraced a palatable theater of Latinidad. One that ignored our contradictions. One that pretended to be translatable. Even now, leading voices in our community are trying to fit Latinos into a box, such as by explaining our rightward shift by repeating tropes about our family values. The worlds largest gathering of mathematicians convened in Seattle from Jan. 8 to Jan. 11 5,444 mathematicians, 3,272 talks. This year the program diverged somewhat from the its traditional kaleidoscopic panorama. An official theme, Mathematics in the Age of A.I., was set by Bryna Kra, the president of the American Mathematical Society, which hosts the event in collaboration with 16 partner organizations. In one configuration or another, the meeting, called the Joint Mathematics Meetings, or the J.M.M., has been held more or less annually for over a century. Dr. Kra intended the A.I. theme as a wake-up call. A.I. is something that is in our lives, and its time to start thinking about how it impacts your teaching, your students, your research, she said in an interview with The New York Times. What does it mean to have A.I. as a co-author? These are the kinds of questions that we have to grapple with. On the second evening, Yann LeCun, the chief A.I. scientist at Meta, gave a keynote lecture titled Mathematical Obstacles on the Way to Human-Level A.I. Dr. LeCun got a bit into the technical weeds, but there were digestible tidbits. The current state of machine learning is that it sucks, he said during the lecture, to much chortling. Never mind humans, never mind trying to reproduce mathematicians or scientists; we cant even reproduce what a cat can do. The artificial intelligence breakthrough that is sending shock waves through stock markets, spooking Silicon Valley giants, and generating breathless takes about the end of Americas technological dominance arrived with an unassuming, wonky title: Incentivizing Reasoning Capability in LLMs via Reinforcement Learning. The 22-page paper, released last week by a scrappy Chinese A.I. start-up called DeepSeek, didnt immediately set off alarm bells. It took a few days for researchers to digest the papers claims, and the implications of what it described. The company had created a new A.I. model called DeepSeek-R1, built by a team of researchers who claimed to have used a modest number of second-rate A.I. chips to match the performance of leading American A.I. models at a fraction of the cost. DeepSeek said it had done this by using clever engineering to substitute for raw computing horsepower. And it had done it in China, a country many experts thought was in a distant second place in the global A.I. race. Some industry watchers initially reacted to DeepSeeks breakthrough with disbelief. Surely, they thought, DeepSeek had cheated to achieve R1s results, or fudged their numbers to make their model look more impressive than it was. Maybe the Chinese government was promoting propaganda to undermine the narrative of American A.I. dominance. Maybe DeepSeek was hiding a stash of illicit Nvidia H100 chips, banned under U.S. export controls, and lying about it. Maybe R1 was actually just a clever re-skinning of American A.I. models that didnt represent much in the way of real progress. For years, Dubrovnik, Croatia, has been a poster child for overtourism, with summer visitors vastly outnumbering the local population and the municipal government repeatedly introducing measures to diminish the size and impact of a flood of tourists that turns the historic center into a crowded parking lot of selfie-snappers. But you would never know about the negative effects of so many visitors from the Croatian Ministry of Tourisms recent triumphant announcement noting that arrivals to the city had increased 9 percent in 2024, compared to 2023. By all parameters we achieved another record year, the tourism minister, Tonci Glavina, was quoted as saying. If 2024 was the year in which concerns about overtourism achieved a critical mass in places around the globe, sparking protests from Amsterdam to the Canary Islands, and triggering new regulations from Iceland to Indonesia, it was also the year in which it became clear just how complicated reducing tourism, once it is unleashed, can be. This year will see even more locations enact measures, but the evidence on how or even whether tourism can be constrained remains scarce. Competing economic interests have a way of impeding attempts to stem the tourist tide. In an interview on Monday, Dr. Green said that based on his conversations so far, if the full Senate vote was taken anonymously, R.F.K. Jr. would be defeated 70-30 or worse. At the same time, he said, the political climate has everyone under great pressure to go with the president, or be labeled disloyal. A spokeswoman for Mr. Kennedy did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday. In the past he has blamed Samoas measles outbreak on an Indian-manufactured MMR vaccine, referring to the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Dr. Green, 54, arrived in Hawaii in 2000 as a young physician with the National Health Service Corps, and was often the only doctor serving small rural communities on Hawaiis Big Island. After he was elected to the state legislature in 2012, he cared for patients on weekends. He was barred from outside employment after he was elected governor in 2022, but he says he volunteers as a street medicine practitioner offering health care to unsheltered veterans and other people in need. Samoas outbreak had its roots in a tragic error. In 2018, nurses preparing MMR vaccines mixed the doses with a muscle relaxant instead of water. The tainted shots caused the deaths of two infants and ratcheted up parents fears about the safety of vaccines. Vaccination skeptics often wrongly link childhood vaccines to autism, and after the incident Samoas prime minister, whose grandson happens to have autism, halted the island nations vaccination program. A federal judge in the District of Columbia on Tuesday evening temporarily blocked the Trump administrations effort to freeze as much as $3 trillion in federal grants and loans, quieting the chaos and confusion that had gripped states, cities and government contractors across the country but not ending the uncertainty. Judge Loren AliKhans decision to block the freeze with an administrative stay, came in response to a lawsuit filed by Democracy Forward, a nonprofit legal organization. The group argued that the Trump administrations order, issued by the White House Office of Management and Budget late on Monday, violated the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act, a law that governs the executive branchs rule-making authorities. The judge said she would hold a hearing to consider a more permanent decision on Feb. 3. Separately, attorneys general from 22 states and the District of Columbia filed a second lawsuit Tuesday evening that also sought to thwart Mr. Trumps effort to freeze funding, pending his administrations review of whether the spending comported with his priorities. The legal wrangling came against a backdrop of bewilderment from coast to coast after Matthew J. Vaeth, the acting director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, announced in a two-page memo Monday night that federal agencies were to temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance, specifically citing D.E.I., woke gender ideology and the Green New Deal. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. A meeting dealing with transportation issues was held on January 28, Trend reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev delivered a speech at the meeting. Speech by President Ilham Aliyev At today's meeting, we will discuss the development of transport infrastructure in Baku and its suburban areas. There is a need for this. Although a lot of work was done in this direction and major infrastructure projects were implemented in recent years, there are still traffic jams in Baku, and unfortunately, the number of traffic jams is increasing year after year. There are natural reasons for this. The population of our country, including Baku, is growing every year. Over the past 30 years, the population of Azerbaijan has increased from 7 million to 10 million, even above that. Of course, the city's road infrastructure, including the metro, cannot absorb this growth. We have always kept transport issues in the spotlight, and many large projects have been implemented in Baku over the past 15 years, new metro stations have been put into operation, road junctions, tunnels, bridges have been built, new roads have been laid. If we had not done this work, transport in Baku would be completely paralyzed today. But we still see that there will be great benefit in adopting another major program. For this purpose, I gave the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport relevant instructions some time ago to prepare a state program, and work on this program has been carried out for several months. Today we will discuss these issues and make the necessary decisions. As for transport issues, I must say that a number of transport projects have been implemented throughout the country in recent years: rural roads, intercity roads, highways. As the years go by, the previous situation tends to be forgotten. However, if we look back 20 years, we will remember the state of our roads at that time. Even the main roads of Baku hardly met any standards. We built new roads and connected almost all cities with modern roads. We connected all our borders with modern highways. The rate of repair and construction of rural roads has reached around 85-90 percent, and every year, we allocate funds for these purposes. At the same time, the geographical location of Azerbaijan is such that international transport corridors pass through our territory, and this is because we have been able to effectively use this geographical location. But geographical location alone does not mean that any country can become a transport hub. However, we have consistently shown interest in the passage of international transport corridors through Azerbaijan, through our territory, made efforts, and carried out practical work. Today, it is impossible to imagine the transport map of Eurasia without Azerbaijan, without its transport infrastructure. Currently, the East-West and North-South transport corridors pass through our territory. The volume of cargo transported along these corridors is increasing by the year. In addition to physical infrastructure, other steps have been taken to ensure more efficient transportation of cargo, including attention paid to issues of digitalization. New formats of cooperation with neighboring countries have been created and joint ventures, joint companies have been established. In short, Azerbaijan today is one of the indispensable transport centers of Eurasia. I should also note that countries that usually have the status of transport centers are those that have access to open seas. We do not have access to the world ocean. However, despite this, as a result of the work we have done, we have turned Azerbaijan into an indispensable transport center. Work continues, and additional measures are now taken on both the North-South and East-West transport corridors. Because the volume of cargo previously calculated suggests that a larger volume of cargo will pass. This is an issue related to various reasons. But the fact is that we have now attracted and will continue to attract additional investment to increase the carrying capacity of these corridors. Among the new projects, I would like to mention the Zangezur corridor. The Zangezur corridor project was put forward by Azerbaijan. After our Victory in the Second Karabakh War, this issue was put on the international agenda, in the international lexicon, and today the Zangezur corridor is already an accepted expression, an accepted term in the world. Of course, we are taking practical steps to open this corridor. True, the Armenian side has been demonstrating an unconstructive position on this issue for more than four years. In fact, it is not fulfilling the obligations it assumed after the November 10 capitulation. It was explicitly stated there that there should be a transport connection between the main part of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which is its integral part. Armenia, however, does not comply with this, and by citing various excuses and putting forward various unrealistic and absurd projects, it simply wants to mislead the international community and is engaged in manipulations. You have probably heard that they have come up with the so-called Peace Crossroads project, and now there is not a single country in the world they have not shared this project with. However, this so-called project is not worth two cents without Azerbaijan, and we have repeatedly conveyed this to the Armenian side through various channels. If you truly want to implement this project, first of all, you should approach Azerbaijan. Because without us, it is just a piece of paper, and our terms are fair, grounded in international law and the obligations Armenia itself has undertaken. I would once again advise the Armenian leadership to carefully read the November 10 capitulation act and pay special attention to the paragraph I mentioned. I repeat that their so-called project is completely irrelevant without Azerbaijan. They are simply stalling for time and trying to confuse the international community. Once again, they have given rise to dirty campaigns against Azerbaijan in various circles. As a result, to this day, we do not have the shortest and most convenient connection with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, an integral part of Azerbaijan. True, we are meeting the needs of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in various ways. First of all, cargo and passengers go through the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We also have other opportunities. But they are economically less viable and the road is longer. In principle, this connection can also be established through the territories of Georgia and Turkiye, but if there is the most convenient way and opportunity, of course, this issue is a priority. However, when we see that the Armenian side is still acting insincerely, a corresponding agreement has been reached with the Islamic Republic of Iran and a project is now underway on the construction of a road bridge bypassing Armenia. It will probably be completed this year. The second bridge will also be built, this time in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The first bridge is under construction in the Zangilan district. Thus, Armenia will continue to be a dead-end country and their dreams of becoming a transit state will never be materialized. They will be the losing side, not us. Therefore, this issue will be in the spotlight, and both on the international stage and in bilateral contacts with Armenia, we always emphasize one point: there must be unhindered passage from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan. There must be smooth and unrestricted passage from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan, without any inspections or obstacles. This is our demand. The Soviet authorities took West Zangezur from us in November 1920 and committed a crime against the Azerbaijani people. That was not the first and last crime. Secondly, if we go in sequence after that, another crime was the creation of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region on the territory of Azerbaijan. The crime before that was the resettlement of Armenians to the territory of Azerbaijan by Tsarist Russia. The crime before that was the murder of the Karabakh Khan, who was guaranteed to exercise his leadership in Karabakh. Other crimes of the 20th century are also in sight. The Khojaly genocide, January 20, and the occupation of our lands in the early 1990s. So we have not forgotten this, the Azerbaijani people have not forgotten this. We have not forgotten Zangezur and we never will. I repeat that we have no territorial claims to Armenia. However, Armenia must fulfill its obligations and provide unhindered passage from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan. As for the transport infrastructure of Baku, I will come to this issue now. But before we do that, I would like to bring to the attention of the public some of the work related to transport carried out in Azerbaijan in the past 20 years. In particular, over the last 20 years, 21,000 kilometers of highways have been built and repaired in Azerbaijan. 335 bridges and overpasses, 45 tunnels, 163 overhead and underground passages have been built. I am returning to what I said again. If we had not done this work, it is not difficult to imagine what state the transport infrastructure of our country would be in now. The following work has been done regarding the railway infrastructure: more than 1,500 kilometers of railways have been built, 1,800 kilometers have been repaired, new trains, and wagons have been purchased, the Absheron circular line, which is more than 90 kilometers long, has been put into operation. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway has been built. I must also note that this project was implemented at the initiative of the Azerbaijani state. When we sought to implement this project, we faced significant resistance. I can now state this. In particular, the United States opposed it. The reason was again their pro-Armenian policies. Because it was believed that this project would exclude Armenia. For this reason, the Georgian leadership at the time faced heavy pressure from the United States to prevent Georgia from agreeing to it. We had been negotiating with the Georgian side for several years, and finally, we succeeded in reaching an agreement. In particular, I personally discussed this issue repeatedly with high-ranking representatives of the American state and stated that they should not hinder us. This is a strategic project for us, and other countries, including their own allies, will also benefit from this project in the future. Life has shown that, as always, we were right. Today, America's allies in Europe are very interested in the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. In general, they are also very interested in the transportation of cargo from Central Asia to Europe and vice versa, passing through the territory of Azerbaijan. If the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway had not been built, all this would have been completely impossible. Not only did we build the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway by reaching an agreement with Turkiye and Georgia, we also gave the Georgian state a loan of about one billion dollars at a very low interest rate at that time. In fact, work was carried out on the territory of Georgia with the help of these funds. The railway on the territory of Azerbaijan was modernized and Turkiye also built a section on its territory. So, a new road was opened, which today carries cargo from various countries to the White Sea, to Europe and to Turkiye. Then we saw that the carrying capacity of this road was not sufficient. Again, last year, the expansion of this road was completed at the expense of Azerbaijan and its carrying capacity was increased to 5 million tons. In other words, I believe that this is one of the most important projects implemented in our geography in recent years, and many countries will continue to benefit from it. At one time, those officials of the U.S. Department of State opposed us I don't know where they are now, their names have not gone down in history but we achieved this by showing serious determination. I would like to mention the Sumgayit-Yalama railway among the efforts to rehabilitate and modernize existing roads, as well as to increase the transportation capacity and train speeds. The construction of this road has already reached 80% completion, and it is expected to be fully operational in the near future. The road we are currently working on the Alat-Astara road is virtually known to exist, but considering that the volume of cargo on the North-South corridor will sharply increase in the future, the expansion of this road is also on the agenda, and some funding has already been allocated this year. Several new train routes have been identified to ensure connectivity between Azerbaijani cities. Baku-Gabala. The railway line had never reached the city of Gabala before. We built it, this line is also very necessary. The Baku-Balakan railway has resumed its operation, so has Baku-Aghstafa. That is, those who know the geography of Azerbaijan see that these railways actually connect our country with our western border, with northwestern border and the city of Gabala. The cities located on all these lines are also naturally covered. Over the past 20 years, eight international airports have been built in Azerbaijan. Four of them were there, but their condition was not satisfactory. The airports of Baku, Nakhchivan, Ganja, and Lankaran have been reconstructed. The Lankaran airport was practically not used, but the Baku, Nakhchivan and Ganja airports were used. Both the runways and terminal complexes of these four airports meet the most modern standards. At the same time, four new airports have been built Gabala, Zagatala, Fuzuli, and Zangilan. The ninth international airport will be put into operation in Lachin this year. All these airports are capable of receiving cargo and passenger aircraft of any weight. The runway is at least three kilometers long. So, as I have said, the ninth airport will be put into operation this year, and we are completely closing this issue. I should also note that Heydar Aliyev International Airport transported a record number of passengers last year more than seven million. According to the information I have received, the analysis conducted by the ministry shows that this figure will increase further, and it was proposed that a new terminal complex be built at Heydar Aliyev International Airport. I also supported the idea. Work is now underway on the project and feasibility study of this new terminal. This work has already been started and it will allow us the opportunity to receive a higher number of passengers in the future. So, we will become an international center for air transport as well. Considering that a large cargo terminal is currently under construction in Alat, its cargo reception capacity will be 1 million tons. In other words, it is not too difficult to see the work we are doing in this direction of transport. One of the important projects of recent years has been the construction of a new Trade Seaport. We removed the old port from the city center. Landscaping work will now be carried out in that area, recreation areas and various facilities will be built. So this zone will make an additional contribution to the overall development of our city and our people will also benefit from it. Work is underway on a master plan for this area, which is adjacent to the White City Boulevard. The cargo handling capacity of the first phase of the new Trade Seaport was planned at 15 million tons. However, we can already see that the volume of cargo will be much larger. An order has already been given and we are starting work this year. International consultants have been involved to prepare and come up with a new project. We need to increase the port's capacity to 25 million tons, and perhaps this will not be enough for us either. Because the volume of cargo on the East-West transport corridor is growing so rapidly that we must do this work in accordance with that. In order to concentrate all these transport issues in one center, a new organization the AZCON organization was recently established by my decision. It will take into account all these coordination and future development plans, including investment. Since 2008, seven new metro stations have been built, and the State Program to be adopted provides for the construction of 10 new metro stations. A total of 266 new generation metro cars have been purchased, and this process is ongoing. Hundreds of new passenger buses have been brought to the country, and the assembly of electric buses will begin at the end of the year, followed by the increase in localization. A total of 161 new electric buses have already been brought to Baku, and in the near future Baku residents will see the benefits of this. Because it is vehicles that pollute the air the most, especially large vehicles. Therefore, of course, we take into account people's concerns in this matter. The shipyard was also built in recent years, about 10, maybe 12 years ago. Previously, we bought ships from abroad, and then I decided that a shipyard should definitely be built in Baku. Again, life shows how right this idea was. Today, it is impossible to buy ships from traditional sources, from where we used to buy them. We have now achieved a point when the shipyard is operating at full capacity. Currently, six ships of different sizes are under construction there. In parallel, we have raised our activities in the Black Sea to a new level. Whereas previously small-sized ships belonging to the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company used to operate there, now four large tankers Aframax type tankers with a carrying capacity of 100,000 tons have been purchased, which both benefits us and expands the capabilities of our country. Transport projects are the backbone of the work carried out in liberated territories. About 3,400 kilometers of highways so far, 44 highway projects have either been completed or are still underway. In addition, 45 tunnels, 447 bridges, and 16 viaducts are planned. Of these, 28 tunnels, 392 bridges, and 9 viaducts have already been completed. Some 60 percent of the Horadiz-Aghband railway has been completed, and 94 percent of the Barda-Aghdam railway has been constructed. These are just the main projects that I bring to the attention of the public, and these figures say and show everything. They show to what extent we have implemented transport projects. If we had not implemented them, the connections between Baku, other cities, and between cities of the country in general could have completely paralyzed our transport capabilities. But let me say again that life does not stand still. We will now adopt a new state program. All transport projects across the country, including in the liberated territories, will continue to be implemented. Everything is going according to plan. The necessary funds have been allocated for these purposes in this year's Investment Program. As for the city of Baku and the territories around it, let me say again that the adoption of a new state program is necessary. This will be a very large program, a program with a large financial capacity. It will be a program that requires joint activity and efficient work of all relevant agencies. This is why I have called today's meeting so that we can discuss these issues, so that they are presented to us, so that the public can also understand what is expected and what work should be done in which years. At the same time, representatives of the public can also give their recommendations to relevant state bodies the Presidential Administration, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport. We may have not included something in this program. So suggestions from the ground will also be taken into account. X X X Addressing the meeting, Minister Rashad Nabiyev said: - Dear Mr. President, dear participants of the meeting. First of all, Mr. President, I would like to express my deep gratitude to you for your continuous attention to the provision of high-quality transport services for our citizens. Under your leadership, fundamental reforms have been carried out in the transport sector over the past 20 years, the infrastructure has been rebuilt, and the sector has made a significant contribution to the rapid development of the country's economy. The rapid growth of the country's economy and the increase in the well-being of the population have led to a sharp increase in motorization. In accordance with your instructions to improve passenger transportation, reduce traffic jams on the roads, alleviate the environmental situation of the city and increase the efficiency of state investments, a project on the Transformation of Baku City Mobility has been launched. The coordination of the project is carried out by the Transport Coordination Council established by your relevant decree. The successes achieved in improving the city transport system over the past year and a half have been possible thanks to the constructive cooperation of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Baku City Executive Authority, the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, and the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads, all represented in the Council. Dear Mr. President, as is the case in all major cities of the world, Baku's transport system is facing many challenges against the backdrop of economic and demographic growth. In response to these challenges, cities around the world are transitioning from a car-centric city model to a people-centric approach. Of course, this transition does not depend only on state regulation. Here, a change in the transport behavior of city residents is also important. Changing behavior that has long been focused on other modes of transport and become a habit takes time. However, proactive management of supply and demand in the city's transport system can shorten this time. For this, on the one hand, sufficient supply of the transport system must be ensured. In other words, the street and road infrastructure must be fully organized, the number of buses must be sufficient, and the railway and metro infrastructure must be expanded. On the other hand, determining parking tariffs through state regulation, imposing fines for non-compliance with bus lanes, and other requirements aimed at managing demand lead to the adoption of new transport habits. For example, the lack of appropriate infrastructure for micro-mobility, i.e. scooters and bicycles, leads to the perception of micro-mobility as a dangerous means of transport and the lack of this habit. However, studies have shown that only 1 out of 9 million trips made by bicycle results in a fatality. Although more detailed information will be provided in the presentation, with your permission, I would like to bring to your attention a few figures related to the progress achieved within the framework of the transformation of mobility. A total of 112 kilometers of bus lanes have been built to increase the frequency of passenger transportation by bus, ensure speed of movement and improve the quality of service. As a result of your support for the legislative initiative on the regulation of traffic on the roads, compliance with the bus lane requirement and a reduction in illegal parking have been ensured. At the same time, the number of buses operating on daily routes has increased from 1,750 to 2,160. As a logical result of these reforms, public confidence in buses has increased, and transportation in Baku and its suburbs has risen by 41 million, or 9 percent, compared to the period before the reforms. Similar reforms have been implemented in the taxi service. Before the reforms, there was legitimate public dissatisfaction with the quality of service and safety. As a result of the reforms, the number of taxis was reduced from 67,000 to 30,000 and the average age of taxis from 15 to 8. Most importantly, the number of short-distance trips that create congestion towards the city center has decreased sharply, by about 32 percent. Another important step taken to transition car-oriented cities to people-oriented cities is the creation of parks and green corridors. The territory of Khagani Park has been expanded by side roads, a park-concept hub has been created around the 28 May metro station. Access to Icherisheher and Aziz Aliyev Street has been restricted. Dear Mr. President, in order for the results of the transformation of urban mobility to be long-term, it is important to demonstrate a systematic and comprehensive approach to the challenges facing us. In this respect, the digital twin created within the project is of particular importance, as it allows us to predict the effectiveness of initiatives in advance. It also allows us the opportunity to measure the efficiency of state investment in road and transport infrastructure and prioritize planned projects. However, in addition to the progress achieved, it is necessary to expand the metro and railway infrastructure that can provide public transportation in order to increase the share of public transport to 60 percent. I would like to note that the work to be done in this direction is aligned with the Master Plan of Baku. This will also be implemented in accordance with another task you have given the development of the city and the polycentric approach. The unification of state enterprises that provide passenger transportation services under AZCON, established by your progressive order, will serve to create a high-quality and balanced passenger transportation experience. In conclusion, I would like to assure you that we will implement your instructions aimed at improving the living standards and transport opportunities of our citizens in a coordinated manner with all relevant institutions. Thank you for your attention. X X X President Ilham Aliyev: Now, the floor is given to the Chairman of the Board of the Land Transport Agency, Anar Rzayev. Addressing the meeting, Anar Rzayev, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency, said: - Dear Mr. President, the rapid socioeconomic development in the country has resulted in an increase in the income of the population. In parallel with this, dynamic demographic growth has also taken place, especially in Baku and its suburban areas. As is the case in all large cities, as a result of the increase in the income of the population and rapid motorization, the use of cars, especially in the city center, has increased. As a result of these factors, as well as the transformation of Baku into a mono-centric city, the presence of some bottlenecks in the street and road infrastructure has led to traffic congestion and jams in the city. On your instructions, a special program has been developed to carry out work in this direction by inviting a foreign consulting company. Dear Mr. President, it is clear that your policy is centered around citizens of Azerbaijan, the satisfaction of the desires and needs of the citizens of Azerbaijan. Therefore, the program is fully focused on the citizens of Azerbaijan. Thus, the program has set three main goals. These are the creation of faster, safer, and more environment-friendly mobility opportunities. Sub-goals have also been defined to achieve these goals. These are ensuring the transition to the urban concept for residents. Here we are talking about expanding the use of public transport, creating additional and new mobility opportunities, expanding pedestrian movement, as well as micro-mobility. At the same time, it is planned to completely digitize passenger experience and implement some systemic changes. These are the creation of less traffic jams, faster access to attraction centers, and, at the same time, the creation of a safer and more environment-friendly mobility atmosphere. We believe that as a result of the implementation of the program, additional positive socioeconomic effects will be brought about. All these factors together will ensure that Baku city enters the highest rating in international ratings, the rating of the best cities. I would like to note that during the preparation of the program, as well as during its application, a digital twin of the city was created by inviting an international consulting company to make data-based decisions. Billions of data were used to create the digital twin. Bus data, metro data, and even more than 6 billion data points from mobile operators were used. The digital twin allows for the assessment of both urban flows and the impact of infrastructure on these flows, as well as the effectiveness of new infrastructure projects, and each of the decisions made after that was previously simulated in the digital twin and presented accordingly. The first figures taken into the digital twin were the number of all trips in Baku. Here it became clear that more than 2 billion trips are made in Baku per year, and when we looked at the structure of these trips, we saw that the share of public transport was 30 percent, whereas the share of private transport and taxis was 50 percent. International experience requires the exact opposite. In international practice, the share of public transport is required to be at least 39-40 percent, whereas the share of private vehicles to be around 30 percent in order to create a smooth mobility environment. Simple calculations have shown that it is necessary to transfer 300 million trips to public transport on an annual basis in order to create the smooth mobility environment we have mentioned, and measures have been taken in this direction. I would also like to note one important point: when the calculations were started, the trend of the situation was getting worse. That is, there was a trend of decreasing the share of public transport in the city and increasing the share of private vehicles. Thanks to the measures taken recently, some positive results have been achieved. I would like to bring them to your attention. Thus, 41 million additional passengers were transported by buses in 2023-2024, compared to 28 million in 2024, and more than 11 million additional passengers by rail and metro. There was a 32 percent decrease in taxi transportation. At the same time, more than 700,000 trips were made in the micro-mobility network and micro-mobility service created in the last months of 2024. This is an indicator of a change in the trend of the measures and their development in the desired direction. Work has been done in several directions to achieve these initial results. These, of course, are primarily related to buses. Over the past two years, the number of buses in the city has increased by 440 units, or 25 percent. Currently, this has reached a record level of 2,160. At the same time, I would like to note that this is not the limit and we plan to increase the number of buses to 2,800. A network of special lanes has been developed in the city, which has allowed the population to increase confidence in buses. Thanks to this, both the speed of buses and the quality of the services provided have increased. An increase in the average speed of buses within the city has been observed from 18 kilometers to 22 kilometers. On some streets with high traffic density I can give an example of this on Ataturk Avenue the speed has decreased by 12 minutes, that is, the transition has dropped by 12 minutes. This has created a serious incentive for citizens to switch to public transport. As mentioned, projects have also been implemented to encourage pedestrian travel. These are primarily projects implemented in Khagani Park and in front of the 28 May metro station, where car access to both areas was restricted and these places were made available to pedestrians. On your instructions, a pedestrian zone, as well as a car hub, was created in Khagani Park and in front of the 28 May metro station. The last project was to restrict car traffic in front of the Goshagala Gate, Aziz Aliyev Street and within the Old City, which resulted in the creation of a huge pedestrian zone in Baku. Work in this direction will be continued. Projects are being prepared and will be submitted after completion. Sidewalk infrastructure is a fairly important element for encouraging pedestrian traffic. Therefore, we have also analyzed the sidewalk infrastructure in Baku. In some places, it was determined that sidewalk infrastructure is a fairly narrow. At the same time, it was noted that pedestrian crossings are poorly lit. In this direction, a new approach aligned with international norms and a process management approach have been developed. This year, a pilot project fully in line with international standards is to be implemented so that these approaches can be expanded later. As I mentioned, micro-mobility lanes have been created in Baku for the first time. Currently, there are 35 kilometers of coordinated micro-mobility lanes in Baku. A bicycle rental service has also been introduced to citizens. Currently, 200,000 trips are made by bicycles and scooters in Baku per month. This is a fairly positive indicator. However, at the first stage, there was also a considerable lack of confidence in the use of bicycles and scooters. But the dynamic growth shows that their use by citizens will increase. At the end of the program, the number of these trips per month is to be increased to 2.5 million. Another problem area in Baku was related to parking. Illegal parking was quite widespread. It was also quite cheap. Therefore, this created a gravity in the city center, drivers were eager to enter the city center. Parking reforms were carried out, a paid parking system was introduced and completely digitalized. Now payments are made completely transparently through a mobile application. Regular parking has already been established in the city. I would also like to note that it is now possible to find a parking space in the city center even on the busiest days of the week. Because while previously one car occupied a parking space for 10 hours, now 10 cars can use a parking space for one hour. The reforms in the taxi service are also aimed at reducing the movement of private vehicles in the city center. There was a lot of dissatisfaction from citizens in this direction, about the service itself, drivers and cars. During the reforms, 35,000 drivers were involved in training and exams were held with each of them. A total of 29,000 of the drivers were able to pass the exams. The exams are currently conducted by the State Examination Center. As a result of the applied color and year requirements, the average age of cars was reduced from 14 and a half to 8 years. I would like to note that before that, 40 percent of the 67,000 car fleet was older than 15 years. Currently, cars older than 15 years have generally been removed from service, the number of hybrid and electric taxis of the same color, white, in the city is constantly increasing, with special permission from us. Dear Mr. President, I would like to note one special point. Using the Etaxi system created as part of the AYNA information system, we can now fully control taxi service and movements. Thanks to all this work, initial positive results have been achieved. However, in order to meet the mobility needs of citizens, it was necessary to prepare a unified plan that would take into account the joint operation of all means of transport. On your instruction, work was carried out in this direction, and at the first stage, all flows into the city were assessed. It turned out that more than 630,000 passengers-citizens head towards the center of Baku every day. These citizens move towards the center of the city in approximately 300,000 cars. Their directions have also become clear. In particular, the Sumgayit-Khirdalan direction has a large share here. Other directions are the outskirts of Baku. Based on this, a single, coordinated and integrated transport plan has been prepared, and I would like to report on its directions to you. There are two main directions here. The first direction is the implementation of road infrastructure projects. There were 50 road infrastructure projects. These were simulated in a digital twin and the most optimal and efficient nine projects were prioritized and reported to you. These projects relate to three ring roads: the Bilgah-Novkhani-Khirdalan-Shamakhi highway, the Sabunchu-Sulutapa highway, and a ring road connecting the first ring road to Ziya Bunyadov Avenue. As a result of the construction of the ring roads, a part of the flows of the main arteries of the city center will switch to these roads, so that the city center will be relieved. Six other projects are also aimed at resolving the bottlenecks within the city, so that the movement of vehicles here will be somewhat smoother. Dear Mr. President, I would now like to present additional information about the 20 January project. Since this is a rather complex problem, analyses were conducted at 15 intersections starting from Khirdalan Roundabout to Tbilisi Avenue, from 20 January to Ziya Bunyadov Avenue, by taking photographs and collecting data. As a result, a large simulation was prepared. This simulation included the improvement of the Khirdalan Roundabout, the construction of road junctions and overpasses, the expansion of roads in the direction of Ziya Bunyadov Avenue, as well as the opening of new roads from Shamakhi Road to Khirdalan city, as well as creating opportunities for entering the city from there. Design work in this direction will begin shortly. The second direction is the direction of public transportation. Thus, even after the roads are built, it is not possible for buses alone to carry out all this transportation. Because the demand is very high and it is also very important to expand the services of carriers. Here, the development scenarios of the metro were analyzed and the most optimal scenario was selected by simulation. It has been reported to you that 10 new stations will be built and four stations will be connected. These 10 stations are the extension of the Purple Line to Babak Avenue and the Green Line to the Hazi Aslanov metro station. I would like to note that the extension of the Purple Line will also expand the use of the Avtovagzal and Khojasan metro stations and will once again significantly reduce the pressure on the 20 January metro station and that roundabout. The extension of the Green Line from Hazi Aslanov will benefit thousands of citizens who use the city center to travel to and from the shopping center in Khojasan on a daily basis. This will once again lead to a decrease in traffic in the city center. As a result of the implementation of these projects, it will be possible to transport another 88 million passengers by metro per year. The metro will carry out transportation within the city. However, in addition, 400,000 passengers enter the capital from the outskirts of the city per day, and a program to expand railway services is also planned to benefit these passengers. First, there are plans to add trains to the Absheron ring road and put the Guzdak-Garadagh railway into operation to prevent freight trains from entering the ring road. It was also decided to return some existing, but outdated and decommissioned railways to operation. These are the directions Zabrat 2-Mashtagha-Baghlar-Albali, Bakikhanov-Bina-Gala-Yeni Surakhani-Hovsan, which will also enable to alleviate passenger traffic. In the next stage, there are plans to build a railway line from Yeni Surakhani to Heydar Aliyev International Airport so that the railway can serve when passenger traffic increases there. Two residential areas in Baku Mehdiabad and Sea Breeze do not have access to the metro and railway. However, it is planned to introduce tram lines in these areas. A tram line will be laid from Sea Breeze and connected to the Pirshaghi station, and a hub will be created there. It is planned to lay a tram line from the Mehdiabad-Binagadi direction, connecting the metro with the 28 May station, so that passengers can be served. Dear Mr. President, in parallel with all these works, the bus fleet will also be expanded. Baku city needs 2,800 buses. The number of bus depots will also be increased because the work of buses must also change. Therefore, carriers must provide transportation. Thank you for your attention. X X X Then, the discussions continued. If you are countercultural enough both to take on the rigors of home-schooling, and to take the risk of social opprobrium for doing so, chances are you are far more willing to be open to other forms of counterculturalism, Rod Dreher, a conservative writer, wrote in an email. Mr. Dreher reported on the phenomenon of what he called crunchy conservatives in a cover story for National Review in the early 2000s, which later became his first book. At the time, he was writing about and a part of a subculture that even many conservative Christians were unaware of. Since then, crunchy has gone mainstream within conservatism. Joel Salatin, a self-described Christian libertarian environmentalist capitalist lunatic farmer, has been a crunchy conservative for decades. In books and articles, he evangelized about his life running a farm and home-schooling his children. In the 1990s, he said, liberals tree-huggers, earth muffins, greenie weenies were mostly the ones who made pilgrimages to his farm. Now, conservatives are showing up in greater numbers. They want to disentangle, he said, from societys most dominant institutions, including public schools, large-scale agriculture and mainstream medicine. I feel like Cinderella Ive been back in the ashes forever, and suddenly were being asked to dance at the ball, he said. This is as big a cultural shift as Ive seen in my lifetime. The latest iteration of M23 is an armed group of a different breed, experts say. Its political branch has vowed to provide jobs and security essentially to do the job of the Congolese state. Its leaders have vowed to march on Kinshasa, Congos capital, which is one of Africas largest cities. As long as we wont have a strong state in Congo, we will remain a favorable ground for all kinds of bandits, Corneille Nanga, the political leader of an alliance of groups that includes M23, told The New York Times in an interview in Goma. What is the history of Congo-Rwanda conflict? Fighting between Congo, Rwanda and various rebel groups goes back decades and is intertwined with the conflict between the Tutsi and Hutu ethnic groups that led to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. 1994: During the genocide, more than a million people of the Hutu ethnic group, including many genocidaires, fled Rwanda for eastern Congo, then called Zaire. The eastern part of the country was also home to many ethnic Tutsis. 1996-1997: Rwanda invaded Zaire to pursue the genocidaires and backed the rebellion that eventually led to the overthrow of the countrys longtime kleptocratic leader, Mobutu Sese Seko. An opposition leader supported by Rwanda, Laurent-Desire Kabila, was installed in power. He changed Zaires name to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The United States on Tuesday advised U.S. nationals to leave the Democratic Republic of Congo on commercial flights after hundreds of protesters attacked several foreign embassies and a United Nations building in the capital, Kinshasa. The attacks came amid fury over a rebel offensive backed by neighboring Rwanda in Congos east. Anger at Congos foreign allies has been rising over what is seen as their failure to stop an assault on the key eastern city of Goma by M23, a militia that the United Nations and United States say is supported and directed by Rwanda. Due to an increase in violence throughout the city of Kinshasa, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa advises U.S. citizens to shelter-in-place and then safely depart while commercial options are available, a security alert published on the embassys website read. The embassy issued the notice at the end of a tumultuous day in Kinshasa, where the State Department reported violent protests at multiple U.S. government buildings. After Rwanda-backed rebels seized the Congolese city of Goma in 2012, powerful nations across the world registered their disapproval, announcing sanctions against Rwanda and other measures that led to the rebels defeat a year later. When those same rebels battled to capture Goma on Sunday, several nations once again voiced their criticism, but they have yet to apply the level of pressure on Rwanda that eventually led the rebels to stand down more than a decade ago. As hundreds of thousands of civilians fled escalating violence in recent days, seeking sanctuary in Goma, the rebel group M23 was right behind them. M23, which the United Nations and others say is funded and armed by Rwanda, declared that it had captured Goma early on Monday. Francisco Javier Remes Sanchez was puzzled as he watched President Trump sign an executive order last week renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America as part of his pledge to honor American greatness. That man talks a lot and we have no choice but to defend Mexico, said Mr. Remes Sanchez, 52, who manages a 15,000-member fishing association in Tamaulipas state in northeastern Mexico. He has fished in the gulf for 20 years and estimated that he spends 2,000 hours a year on its waters. Hes changing the name of a cultural and natural heritage of Mexico since the 16th century, when the United States hadnt even been formed, he added. To be clear: Mr. Trumps order renaming the worlds largest gulf only changed the name in the United States, where he has authority, not internationally. He asked the Secretary of the Interior to remove all mentions of the Gulf of Mexico in the governments official geographic database and ensure that all federal references, including maps, contracts and other documents, reflected the new name. Mauricio Funes, a former president of El Salvador and a one-time television journalist who fled to Nicaragua to escape corruption investigations, died there on Jan. 21, in Managua. He was 65. His death, in a hospital, was announced by Nicaraguas health ministry, which attributed his death only to a grave chronic illness. El Faro, a Costa Rica-based, El Salvador-centered news website, said Mr. Funes had been hospitalized after a heart attack on Jan. 8. Mr. Funes was considered a fresh start for his war-battered country when, pledging to tackle endemic crime and poverty, he was elected as El Salvadors first modern-day leftist president in 2009. But by the time he fled for Nicaragua in 2016, two years after leaving office, Salvadoran prosecutors were looking into the embezzlement of some $351 million in state funds on his watch. An Air Busan plane caught fire at an airport in Busan, South Korea, on Tuesday night, forcing all passengers and crew members to evacuate, officials said. The plane, an Airbus A321, had been scheduled to fly to Hong Kong from Gimhae International Airport, fire officials said, when a fire broke out near its tail at around 10:30 p.m., before takeoff. All 176 people on board 169 passengers, six flight attendants and a flight engineer escaped through evacuation slides, South Koreas Transport Ministry said in a statement. Some minor injuries were reported, and at least two of the passengers were hospitalized with bruises they suffered while evacuating, the Transport Ministry said. Videos and photos of the blaze broadcast on local media showed fire engines battling flames on the planes fuselage as smoke billowed off the aircraft. The aircrafts inflatable evacuation slides were deployed. Around 11:30 p.m., the fire was extinguished, the fire department said. India and China have agreed to resume direct flights between the two countries after nearly five years, the latest thaw between the two Asian giants that until recently were on war-footing over a deadly border dispute. The rapprochement also included agreements on improving access to journalists from both sides and facilitating pilgrimages to a Hindu holy site in Tibet. They were announced by both sides on Monday, after Indias foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, visited Beijing. The two nations have made substantial progress in recent months to restore some normalcy in ties. Their relationship had plunged to its worst in decades following an incursion by Chinese soldiers into the Indian side of a disputed border in 2020. The skirmishes left soldiers dead on both sides. In October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India met with Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, on the sidelines of a summit in Russia. It was the first time the two leaders had sat down for proper talks in five years. That conversation was made possible by more than two dozen rounds of negotiations between military leaders and diplomats over disengaging their forces along the border high in the Himalayas. Just days into his second term, Mr. Trump said he wanted the United States to take control of Greenland as an absolute necessity for Western security and refused to rule out using military or economic force to do so. If Mr. Trump uses tariffs to pressure Denmark, the European Union could respond with countertariffs or even use a special anti-coercion instrument adopted in 2023, which offers a range of countermeasures. But those are meant as a deterrent, and Denmark and the Europeans would much prefer some sort of deal with Mr. Trump though one short of surrendering sovereignty. Many European officials are already comparing Mr. Trumps demands to how President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia has insisted that Ukraine surrender Crimea and four other regions. The European Union is itself divided, said Fabian Zuleeg, chief executive of the European Policy Centre in Brussels. There will be some countries that will support Trump no matter what, given their ideologies and a bit of glee about how liberal democracies are under pressure, he said. The Danish prime ministers trip was more about shoring up support among like-minded countries and inside NATO itself. So far Mr. Trumps threats are only words, Mr. Zuleeg noted. But Europe is vulnerable, because the ultimate threat over our heads is the withdrawal of the U.S. security guarantee, which is more important than the interests of one country, he said. So I suspect there will have to be an effort to give the U.S. something, some of the economic interests behind this extreme request, but not so far as to hand Greenland over to America. As for NATO, he said, this will undermine the alliance, because it is simply not an acceptable way of interacting with allies and it will poison the well on other matters. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy announced on Tuesday that she was being investigated by Italian prosecutors for her alleged role in aiding and abetting the release last week of a Libyan official wanted on war crimes charges. The case focused on Italys arrest and quick release of Osama Elmasry Njeem, the director of several Libyan prisons known for their inhumane conditions. Last week, the Italian police arrested Mr. Njeem in a Turin hotel room after the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an international warrant. Mr. Njeem was wanted in connection with crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence. Shortly after he was arrested, Mr. Njeem was released for what the Italian authorities called a procedural issue. He was then taken back to Libya on a government plane. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. All necessary arrangements have been made to ensure that 5.9 million voters can cast their ballots at 5,846 polling stations during Azerbaijan's municipal election, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan Chairman Mazahir Panahov said at today's press conference, Trend reports. Panahov highlighted that a total of 5,734 polling stations will be permanent, while 112 will be temporary. "Temporary polling stations are set up in accordance with the Election Code requirements. A total of 86,185 voters will cast their votes at these temporary stations," Panahov explained. To note, the municipal election in Azerbaijan will take place on January 29. Britains populist party, Reform U.K., was expected to bring in more than $1.25 million at a glitzy fund-raiser on Tuesday, a party official said, an extraordinary amount for a party that six months ago was on the fringe of national politics. The big-ticket, American-style event was the first major fund-raiser since Nigel Farage took over as party leader and his ideological ally, Donald J. Trump, returned to the White House. The gala even featured Y.M.C.A., the classic Village People song that has become a mainstay of Mr. Trumps rallies. Mr. Farage wants to remake British conservatism, just as Mr. Trump has in the United States. He has pushed the movement to the right with a nationalistic platform that is anti-immigrant and anti-regulation. For a party that raised less than $200,000 in all of 2023, the turnaround since Mr. Farage became its leader last year has been remarkable. Riding a populist wave that has been felt from Germany to France to Washington, Mr. Farage has catapulted his party from a political sideshow to a well-funded force. A top Russian delegation arrived in Damascus on Tuesday for the first time since the collapse of Bashar al-Assads government last month, as Russia looks to negotiate the future of its military bases in Syria with the countrys new leadership. Among the diplomats to arrive in the Syrian capital on Tuesday were Russias deputy foreign minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, who oversees Middle Eastern affairs, and the special presidential envoy to Syria, Aleksandr Lavrentiev, the Russian state news agency TASS reported. The Syrian rebels who toppled Mr. al-Assad last month fought for years against government forces backed by Russia, but their interim leader has suggested he wants to continue Syrias relationship with Moscow, given the historical linkages and overlapping geopolitical interests. Ahmed al-Shara, the leader of the rebel coalition that ousted Mr. al-Assad, called Russia an important country in an interview with the Saudi Arabian state television channel Al Arabiya last month. He said he did not want Russia to leave Syria in the way that some wish. When Ilya Rusinov returned to the Russian work force after rehabilitating a vertebra damaged in the Ukraine war, his first job was teaching in a school. But he had also launched a side project, a patriotic club he called Zveno, or Squad, that provides military training for different age groups, including teenagers. After struggling at first, it found growing demand for its training sessions, including from instructors at similar patriotic organizations. Mr. Rusinov eventually left his teaching job to help run Zveno full time. Almost three years after a mortar shell blew a hole in his back, Mr. Rusinov, who fought as part of the Wagner mercenary group, is one of a growing group of veterans whom Russian officials claim are being rewarded with an enhanced standing in society speaking at public events, school lectures and with local news outlets. It is part of the Kremlins very public effort to elevate veterans to leadership positions, offering business opportunities and some forgiveness on loans, all while priming society to accept and appreciate them. Battered by weeks of student-led street demonstrations, Serbias strongman leader Aleksandar Vucic on Tuesday sacrificed his prime minister in an effort to calm protests that had engulfed towns and cities, posing a major challenge to his decade-long grip on power. Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, a close ally of President Vucic and nominal leader of their Serbian Progressive Party, said he was stepping down so as not to further raise tensions in society just hours after Mr. Vucic demanded an urgent and comprehensive reshuffle of the government. A master at maneuvering within Serbias deeply polarized politics, and between Russia and the West, Mr. Vucic has a long record of throwing allies overboard, at least for a time, and catching fractious opposition parties off balance. Opponents have struggled to challenge him in elections but have jumped on protest movements led by students and others outside party politics. It is unclear whether the departure of the prime minister will calm, or perhaps even escalate, the nationwide protests, fueled by public anger over the deaths of 15 people in a November structural failure at a newly renovated railway station in the northern city of Novi Sad. A week after the Trump administration abruptly ordered a sweeping halt to U.S. foreign development aid, the effect is already being felt in war-torn Ukraine. Several humanitarian organizations say they have been forced to suspend operations, including assistance to war veterans and internally displaced people. The orders, which were issued while the Trump administration conducts a 90-day audit of foreign aid, have sent a chill through humanitarian organizations in Ukraine, which depend heavily on such assistance. The United States, the largest single source of aid to Ukraine, has provided more than $37 billion in humanitarian aid, development assistance and direct budget support since the beginning of the war nearly three years ago through its Agency for International Development, also known as U.S.A.I.D. Yuriy Boyechko, the founder and chief executive of Hope for Ukraine, which works with U.S.-funded Ukrainian groups to supply firewood to frontline residents, said the impact of the halt in funding would be immediate. Deliveries will stop suddenly, he said, leaving people on their own in the middle of winter. For the first time in over a year, tens of thousands of Palestinians have reached their homes in the northern Gaza Strip, giving way to a mix of elation and despair. On Tuesday, throughout Gaza City, people had emotional reunions with family members who had remained in northern Gaza during the war. But the return home was also shocking and depressing: Israels bombing campaign had flattened entire neighborhoods, making them barely recognizable piles of rubble. Were overcome with joy were finally in our neighborhood near friends and family after a year living on the sidewalk and the sand, said Rajab al-Sindawi, 49, a salesman of secondhand clothing from Gaza City who had traveled to Rafah, Deir al Balah and Nuseirat after leaving the north. But our home is gone and it feels like our future is gone, too. The mass return to northern Gaza began after Israeli troops withdrew from Gazas coastal road on Monday under the terms of the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. On Saturday, Israel said it would prevent the movement of Palestinians to the north of Gaza until Hamas set plans for the release of Arbel Yehud, one of the last civilian female hostages held in Gaza. Israeli officials said the agreement had required Ms. Yehud to be released on Saturday. A day later, the issue was resolved when Hamas confirmed Ms. Yehud and other hostages would be freed this week and Israel agreed to allow displaced Palestinians to return to the north starting on Monday. Mr. Netanyahus office said Mr. Trump had invited the Israeli leader to visit the White House on Feb. 4. During his trip, Mr. Witkoff was also expected to visit the Gaza Strip. Last week, he told Fox News that he would go to Gaza to be a part of an inspection team visiting two parts of the coastal enclave. We have to make sure the implementation goes well, he said. It was still unclear whether Mr. Witkoff would meet with officials in Ramallah from the Palestinian Authority, which has limited autonomy over parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Johnatan Reiss contributed reporting. How Each Senator Voted on Confirming Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary The Senate voted 68 to 29 to confirm Scott Bessent, a billionaire hedge fund manager, as the next Treasury secretary. Mondays vote Representative Total Democrats Dem. Republicans Rep. Independents Ind. Bar chart of total votes Yes 68 15 52 1 Needed for confirmation No 29 28 0 1 Yes Needed for confirmation No Mr. Bessent, who formerly worked as the top investor for the liberal philanthropist George Soros, has been a major Republican donor and adviser to President Trump. As secretary of the Treasury, he will be tasked with fulfilling Mr. Trumps economic agenda of cutting taxes, rolling back financial regulations and imposing tariffs as the president seeks to renegotiate trade deals. How Every Member Voted BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. Turkish, Azerbaijani, and Uzbek ministers of trade, transportation, and foreign affairs will meet tomorrow in Ankara, Trend reports. The Turkish delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of Trade Omer Bolat, and Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu, the Azerbaijani delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev, while the Uzbek delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov and Minister of Transport Ilhom Mahkamov. The meeting's agenda covers foreign policy and regional cooperation, boosting trade, economy, and investment partnerships, enhancing regional transportation networks, and fortifying collaboration in transport and communication sectors. Furthermore, it is expected that the trilateral meeting will lead to the signing of the Ankara Declaration, and the action plan within the framework of this declaration will define the roadmap that the three countries will follow in the future. To note, the first of the meetings in this format took place on August 2, 2022, in the capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A Chinese man who refused the Governments generous offer to buy his property for the construction of a new motorway now finds himself living in the middle of said motorway. A few years ago when Chinese authorities knocked on his door in Jinxi, a town southwest of Shanghai, offering to buy his two-storey house for a fair bit of money and three other properties, Huang Ping decided to play hard-to-get in hopes of getting an even better deal. Unfortunately, his bet didnt pay off, as the Government simply decided to build around his property instead of giving in to his absurd demands. In the end, all the other property owners in the area sold their land to the Government, leaving Huang isolated in the middle of a soon-to-be-inaugurated highway. If I could turn back time, I would agree to the demolition conditions they offered Huang told Chinese reporters. Now it feels like I lost a big bet, I regret it a bit. The defiant old man who lives with his 11-year-old grandson was offered 1.6 million yuan ($220,700) and two other properties, an offer that was later increased to three properties. He refused, hoping to get an even better offer, but he overestimated Chinese authorities interest in his property, and eventually found himself the owner of a nail home, an iconic symbol of the struggle between stubborn homeowners and the Chinese state. Huang, who has to pass through a concrete pipe in order to leave his home isolated in the middle of a highway, spends most of his time in the center of Jinxi, away from the noise of the construction site around his home and only returns in the evening, when the workers leave. But he fears things will be even worse when the motorway gets inaugurated in Spring. The roof of his house is level with the motorway, and the noise of the passing traffic is sure to be unbearable. For now, Huang Pings nail house is a quirky tourist attraction because of its unusual location in the middle of a motorway, but all the attention only reminds the old man of his poor decision-making. A female Chinese influencer has been urging men to wear Adams Apple covers to highlight gender inequality and promote womens rights. Zhu Miaolin, better known as Ah Miao on Chinese social media, recently sparked a bizarre craze in her home country, urging her male friends to wear Adams Apple covers to protect what she describes a sensitive area of the male body, in the same way that women wear bras to conceal their breasts. Proposed as a unique way to empower women and shine a light on gender inequality in China, Ah Miaos initiative went viral and spurred the production and sale of Adams Apple covers. A recent report by the South China Morning Post newspaper claims that a popular Chinese e-commerce platform sells a variety of Adams Apple bras, made from materials like leather, lace and wool. A cover inspired by a pigs snot is currently the most popular, with over 7,000 sold items on a single platform. Ah Miaos content focuses a lot on gender inequality and empowering women in a country where women struggle with careers and household duties. Jim Acosta Playing nice with Trump? Jim Acosta, who as White House correspondent topped Trumps enemy of the people list during his first term, is out at CNN as CEO Mark Thompson shuffles the cable TV line-up and repositions the network for a digital blitz. Thompson took away Acostas 10 am program and reportedly offered to exile the anchor to Siberia (e.g., a program beginning at 12 am from Los Angeles). Getting rid of nearly-18-year CNN veteran Acosta, who had his White House hard pass revoked by Trump, is bound to earn the struggling news organization brownie points in Maga-land. In signing off, Acosta said his CNN highlight was interviewing Cuban dictator Raul Castro about political prisoners while covering president Obamas trip to the island. I took home the lesson it is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant, said Acosta, a son of a Cuban refugee. I have always believed its the job of the press to hold power to account. Lets hope Americas media end their groveling before Trump and follow Acostas philosophy. Whats wrong with Elon Ahead of the Jan. 27 commemoration at Auschwitz to mark the 80th anniversary of the Russian armys liberation of the death camp in which 1.1M Jews were murdered by the Nazis, Elon Musk urged Germans to get over their fascist past. He told a gathering of the hard-right Alternative for Germany political party that their country has focused too much on past guilt. Musks video remarks to the German right-wingers follow his infamous Nazi salute during the Trump inauguration festivities. The worlds richest man, who doled out more than $250M to bankroll Trumps campaign, is a big favorite in MAGA-land and serves as the countrys shadow president. His remarks urging Germany to get over its dark past, and flashing the Nazi salute come at a time when antisemitic attitudes run rampant throughout the globe. Nearly half (46 percent) of the worlds adult population hold deeply entrenched antisemitic attitudes, according to a survey released in January by the Anti-Defamation League. Thats double the number recorded a decade ago by the ADL. Respondents younger than 35 have elevated levels of antisemitic sentiments (50 percent), 13 percentage points higher than respondents over 50. "Antisemitism is nothing short of a global emergency, especially in a post-October 7 world, said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. We are seeing these trends play out from the Middle East to Asia, from Europe to North and South America." Elon is playing with fire. Fun and games at NASA Adhering to Trumps war on woke, the space agency killed the website for its Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. That site now diverts to a 404 page with the message: The cosmic object you were looking for has disappeared beyond the event horizon, referring to the power of a destructive black hole. Pretty funnyunless you worked in the diversity office. NASAs DEI program was a flop. Prior to the shutdown, the diversity office reported that of the agencys 17K staffers in 2010, 35 percent were women, 11.8 percent Black, six percent each for Latino and Asian-American. A 2024 report showed similar numbers, begging the question: Is Trump right about DEI? NASA did make one DEI breakthrough. Temporary head and Trump appointee Janet Petro is the first woman to head NASA since its launch in 1958. She wrote the harsh email sent to NASA staffers about ending the DEI programming that divided Americans by race, wasted taxpayer dollars and resulted in shameful discrimination. Irony? ALMOST 7,500 homes, farms and businesses in the rural surrounds of Banagher, Birr and Tullamore deployment areas are being moved to an earlier completion date in 2025 for the delivery of fibre broadband than had been originally scheduled. The developed was revealed by Independent TD Carol Nolan who was informed by National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company responsible for delivering the Governments National Broadband Plan (NBP). Deputy Nolan had previously been informed in a parliamentary reply in October 2024 from Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Ossian Smyth, that the Birr Deployment Area covering 1,853 premises, was not anticipated to receive high speed Fibre Broadband until some point between January 2026-December 2026. However, NBI now inform the Independent TD that the 7,500 homes and businesses included in its revised scheduling will mean they will be able to avail of a connection to NBIs network up to four months sooner than previously anticipated: I very much welcome this positive development given the totally unacceptable delays that homes and businesses in Offaly have had to endure, said Deputy Nolan. We need to see this escalated pace of delivery continue. I have made this issue a particular focus with NBI and with Government and I will continue to do so until all homes and premises in Offaly that want and need access to high-speed fibre broadband are connected, concluded Deputy Nolan. A man charged with money laundering was sent forward for trial to Tullamore Circuit Court when he appeared at last week's district court. Sergeant Brendan Kearns served the book of evidence on Marcin Plop, Apt 4, The Whitehouse, Edenderry. Mr Plop is charged with engaging in ''converting, transferring, handling, acquiring possessing or using property that is the proceeds of criminal conduct, knowing or being reckless as to whether or not the property was the proceeds of criminal conduct,'' at various dates from February to December 2023 at Allied Irish Bank, JKL Street, Edenderry and O'Connell Street, Edenderry. The amount of money involved was 25,500 in various amounts and there were 12 charges in total. Judge Andrew Cody told Mr Plop he was sending him forward to the next sitting of Tullamore District Court at 11am on March 3, 2025. He told him if he intends to call any witnesses then he must inform the prosecution within 14 days of last Wednesday's court. An application for free legal aid was questioned by Judge Cody who said Mr Plop, who works at traffic management, lives at home, has very little outgoings and no rent to pay. Barrister for Mr Plop said he was paying 200 in rent. Judge Cody asked if he was in a position to produce a bank statement. Not today his barrister replied. Judge Cody remanded Mr Plop on bail on his own bond of 200. Information on a personal injuries case involving a man convicted of trespass at a public house and handling stolen property must be brought before Tullamore District Court, a judge ordered. Judge Andrew Cody made the order after being told that Nicholas Rizos (34), Frankford, Kilcormac, had suffered a workplace accident. Mr Rizos admitted trespassing at Dolan's licensed premises, The Square, Clara on November 28 last and handling two stolen sets of car keys, a stolen 10 note and a stolen debit card, knowing them to be stolen. The man had also been charged with public order offences and failing to give a correct name and address to a garda at Raheen, Clara on the same date but those charges were struck out. Garda Shane Costello told the court that when Mr Rizos was arrested at Raheen he gave the name Nicholas Madden. The court heard from Sergeant Brendan Kearns that at 12.50am on November 28 the accused was ejected from Dolan's pub and at 1.05am he was observed shouting at a female in a vehicle at Raheen. He was arrested and searched and the stolen items were found. They had been taken from the staff area of Dolan's pub. Sergeant Kearns said Mr Rizos had two previous convictions dating from 2022, one for having no motor insurance and another for an NCT offence. Defending solicitor Aisling Maloney said Mr Rizos had been out socialising with his partner on the night and had too much too drink. The stolen items had been recovered and there was no financial loss but nonetheless her client would be offering compensation. Though he was currently out of work after a serious workplace accident in 2017 he had previously worked in Australia and would like to return there. Sergeant Kearns said the gardai did not believe he was in control of his actions on the night. Judge Cody said he required an update in relation to the personal injuri On Monday's episode of RTE Radio 1's Liveline, Katie Hannon spoke with Niall, a farmer from West Clare, who has been left devastated by the impact of Storm Eowyn. Niall, a father of three, including a nine-month-old baby, lost power in the height of the Status Red wind warning. He told Katie Hannon, "We have no power, for what looks like to be the foreseeable." Keeping calm and collected under the pressure, Niall's main focus are his cows, who are due for spring calving. The farmer explained, "I use the synchronization programme, so I could have 40 calves by next Monday. I have a PTO generator, so, I'm probably in a fairly okay position on that end, but that won't run the cameras during the night, so pretty much, I'll probably just stay with them. It is what it is." The ongoing issues are forcing the father to get creative. With no water, he managed to get a well up and running, and while this water is fine for his animals, it is not safe for Niall's family, particularly for his baby, who needs clean water for his bottles and the sterilisation of them. He told Liveline, "My child requires boiled water for his milk. We've purchased water now, and I have a gas barbecue, we're lucky that it was something we just had in our shed, it's got a ring so I'm able to boil water on that, and lucky enough again, we have a turf fire, so we're able to run heat." The storm's destruction also took an emotional toll on the farmer. READ MORE: Gardai make urgent witness appeal as man in 'critical condition' following serious crash Niall revealed the heart-breaking loss of his trees, some of which he and his father planted together, saying, "I took a good walk through, for maybe about an hour, and I would say about a third of the trees are down, about 25 year old forestry, at least the third," The farmer continued, "Yeah, it's pretty much a mess there. That's as bad as anything to walk through, you know, you'd be hoping to see them mature in the next number of years. It wasn't nice." Thankfully, Niall's family home was spared from any damage, though his farm and sheds weren't as lucky. Regardless of the damage, and loss of water and power, he is grateful the situation wasn't worse. Niall shared, "I have the generator. The house is away from the farm too, so the house isn't hooked up to that generator, but I'm going to act on that now. Having known, from what I've seen, is that we're likely to be out for a number of days, so I'll get the house wired up that that generator, it can operate both. "But again, that can't run all night. It'll be running off a tractor, you know, so it'll be just intermittent, but it gets us out of a bit of a hole," he added. Through it all, Niall and his family aim to persevere, telling Katie, "We'll stay as positive as we can," demonstrating resilience in the aftermath of the record-breaking Storm Eowyn. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. It is impossible to imagine the transport map of Eurasia without Azerbaijan, without its transport infrastructure, President Ilham Aliyev said during the meeting dedicated to transportation issues, Trend reports. Currently, the East-West and North-South transport corridors pass through our territory. The volume of cargo transported along these corridors is increasing by the year. In addition to physical infrastructure, other steps have been taken to ensure more efficient transportation of cargo, including attention paid to digitalization. New formats of cooperation with neighbouring countries have been created and joint ventures, joint companies have been established. In short, Azerbaijan today is one of the indispensable transport hubs of Eurasia, the Azerbaijani leader noted. 'Wuhan Institute of Virology main entrance' (Image by Ureem2805) Details DMCA China did it. That's what Rudy "RICO" Giuliani told a "nervous" highschool aged Kazakhstani reporter named Tatar who sat opposite him, simple, demur, dressed in what could be described as the wedding gown of Lolita on I Do day to Humbert Humbert. Naturally, the girl's gams were a festive feature of the interview, and ol' Rudy found a way to pat her hand a couple of times. Which, come to think of it, might have been when he lost his keys down his pants just after the interview. China did it, Rudy told her. China manufactured the virus, and let it out. And they deliberately spread it all around the world. We assume this whistleblowing news was meant as a scoop to be broken first amongst the 'retards' of country K. And maybe with an intended quid pro quo. The pair go into the bedroom shortly thereafter, and only the arrival of Borat, wearing lady's lingerie (presumably bought at the Kazakhstani version of Victoria's Secret back home and brought with him in his hand luggage), bursts in to save the girl exclaiming, She's too old for you. China did it, but the viewer didn't care anymore. It's only a movie, we told ourselves as Rudy fished down his pants invitingly, hoping Tatar would start him up so that he would never stop never stop. But Borat broke it up before RICO could get her address and dress off and phone number. He doesn't know how lucky he was -- Borat might have packed him away in a crate with Tatar and he would have probably been eaten alive, as she did the gift monkey she came over with, and everyone knows Rudy looks like a fat chimpanzee, so". China did it. That's what the CIA just said in an "assessment" about how the recent pandemic started, finally coming down on the side of near-conspiracists rather than near-science. The lowly assessment mutters to the public that the CIA now believes that Covid-19 escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). No new intel. No explanation of the timing. Why the change of art? China did it. Former Ecohealth Alliance Vice President and Senior Scientist Andrew Huff has written an "insider" account of how the Coronavirus was developed, titled The Truth About Wuhan (Skyhorse, 2022). Calling what happened "the greatest cover-up in history," he posits that there was an escape from the lab by an overwrought batshit crazed virus (gain-of-function) that had authorities (East and West) frantic to cover it up (think white hot Jimmy Cagney all buckybuckybeaver fever and mad as the Tasmanian Devil), as it became apparent it was spreading rapidly, gloves off. So, says Huff, WIV lab personnel set the virus loose in the wet market down the road and pointed fingers at the scaly pangolin, at first. Then other wilderness beasties the Chinese like to chop suey became suspects. (Think of that next time you are wowed by the delightful variety of the dim sum pushcart making the rounds, the singsong yinyangy sounds of the waiter tempting like, say, Satan at the Tree of Knowledge. 15 minutes later, you're ready for more sin.) If only Charlie Chan were there to solve the mystery, with Number One son standing in for Uncle Nephew Sam. China did it. But how and why did China do it? In 2014, Obama had frozen funding for GOF research saying it was too risky for development, but unfroze funding before he left office (Huff), eventually leaving the next president a Russia and China problem before he was even inaugurated. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the highest paid civil servant ($417,608 per annum) then released some funding to EcoHealth who then contracted with WIV, who then had fresh funds to continue their work with Coronavirus research, including GOF. The question is, and not asked by the MSM, is why were we working with the Chinese in such research to begin with. They are "our" enemy, with compelling new military weapons (hypersonic) and rolling out BRICS to take away America's license to kill by economic sanctions. Hell, just a year into Trump's first presidency, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) published a book-length framework for developing novel viruses and the need to do so before our enemies did, titled Biodefense in the Age of Synthetic Biology (2018). I reviewed the book. China did it. Of course, an accident by means of a released virus was bad for a political career, Barry knew that, but offshoring GOF could prove even worse, if the pandemic can be located in the cooperative work between the US and China. Yet, the NASEM framework clearly delineated the risks of developing novel bacteria and viruses not found in nature -- making them far more difficult to defend against -- and seeming to the support the idea that America, as world's cop, had to develop the Evil first to be prepared should Our Enemies decide to go that route. (As a participant in DARPA's P3 project, Vanderbilt University was running a wargame against pandemic-able viruses -- Ebola, flu, MERS -- when Covid-19 hit, and they switched gears to SARS-2, and found a solution -- monoclonal -- in 60 days.) China did it. But what if they didn't do it alone? What if "we" shot ourselves in the foot? What if we encouraged the cover-up Huff describes in his book? What if Trump's sot, RICO Giuliani was the unwitting crowing chicken come home to roost? co*k-of-the-walking. Little red rooster prancing before his little red hen. Or. Or. A bird of paradise wearing his best technicolor suit embarrassin' hisself dancing before a coy would-be underaged mistress who only wants his destruction? China did it! Tatar's student newspaper back in country K might have proclaimed. And what if Tatar were real and RICO had had his way and Tatar had found his keys and Borat rushed in too late and Rudy had had him jailed at Riker's in his get-up? And Rudy, a year later, went to Kazakhstan looking for that address she gave him and he found himself face to face with his hypocrisy: a single mother, haggard, worn out, like at the beginning of the Borat film (or at the end of the Woody Allen film with the Hemingway girl), and we, the readers of shituations, are associated back to the end of Nabakov's Lolita, after the girl is breached and made preggers and Humbert Humbert beholds her ancient / teen motherhood, and realizes she has lost her allure and his criminal perceptions need jail time and that he is a monster and that America puts out Jon Benets like an assembly line. (Remember that scene from Bad Grandfather.) China did it, or did it? OMG LOL out loud. The mean global temperature rIse in 2024 of 1.5C was right on the margin of what scientists consider the danger zone of irreversibility. The tinder dry Palisades and the fire have been one consequence. Covering an area from Malibu to Santa Monica on the coast, it burned a reported 23,713 acres inland. It ended up with 5000 structures having been damaged or destroyed. The Eaton fire alongside started on the same day. It burned 14,117 acres in the Altadena area and early assessments point to over 7,000 structures affected. Aerial photos show little else but charred remains of homes with an occasional miracle of a whole building untouched, probably the vagaries of changing wind direction. In terms of casualties, the Eaton fire has been the fifth deadliest and the Palisades fire tied for 14th since record-keeping began in 1933. Looking at the bare landscape in the wake of the fires one's heart goes out to the survivors returning to what was once a choice neighborhood. Worse still, burning cars, plastics and other combustibles have increased toxins in the air. The incoming president, Donald J Trump, does not believe the earth is warming. He has called global warming a hoax. Forget all the earth scientists who have spent a career studying the planet's weather and their forecasts, warnings and prescriptions. Forget all that; Trump knows. But don't blame him, blame the Democrats. They chose a woman with the highest unfavorability ratings of any candidate in recent memory. True her favorability rating was not too different from Trump but unfavorability is a driver for the opponent's supporters. Young men turned to him in historic numbers for the young are affected almost twice as much by unemployment compared to others -- those hired last are out first. Traditional democratic supporters like Latinos also gave Trump a boost. Usually a solid democrat vote, and while a majority still voted against Trump, he managed to peel away significant numbers gaining a 14 percent bump compared to the 2020 election. He won Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin states that were in the Democrat column in 2020. In Pennsylvania, he won 42 percent of the vote compared to 27 percent in 2020 against Biden. The story was repeated in the others with voters blaming democrats for high prices -- the other side of the coin for an economy growing too fast. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). (From The Dennis Kucinich Report, first published on Substack.) During my sixteen years in Congress, I fought consistently for peace, accountability, and the protection of our nation's core values. I understand the gravity of the position of Director of National Intelligence (DNI)-- a role essential to the security of our nation, where the person in charge must evaluate and interpret military intelligence that informs decisions affecting the lives of millions. That is why I fully support Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard's nomination as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in the Trump administration. This critical position requires a person who understands the urgency of truth and the severe consequences of sending America's sons and daughters into battle based on false or manipulated intelligence. Congresswoman Gabbard is uniquely qualified for this role. As a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, she has served our nation with distinction since 2002, earning Top Secret clearance through the trust of the Department of Defense, her executive officers, and peers. Her service as a military officer is complemented by an exemplary Congressional career. During her eight years in Congress, Tulsi served on committees relevant to her appointment, including Armed Services, Intelligence and Special Operations, Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, and Financial Services. These roles gave her a front-row seat to pressing national security challenges and shaped her ability to evaluate intelligence with the discernment and objectivity that the DNI position demands. There are few individuals as prepared, as experienced, and as committed to the national interest as Lt. Col. Tulsi Gabbard. Her leadership has consistently demonstrated sound judgment, ethical standards, and an unwavering commitment to the Constitution of the United States. She has always put the interests of the American people above partisan politics or the agendas of the military contractors. In Washington, no one, no matter how dedicated to America and our people, can be spared political smears. Tulsi Gabbard is under attack by an anonymous individual who stole a confidential ethics file and then leaked it to the media, with the obvious intention to attempt to damage her nomination. The theft of a confidential ethics file is a blatant violation of House rules, compounded by leaking it to the media. This is a violation so serious that it could result in criminal prosecution, civil suits, and even expulsion from Congress. It is vital to understand that the Ethics Committee's review of Congresswoman Gabbard's travel was thorough and that her travel was fully lawful and ethical. Her travel was conducted in strict adherence to her responsibilities under Article I, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution, which protects the rights of Members of Congress to carry out their duties without interference from the executive or judicial branches. The release of her confidential Ethics Committee file is not just an attack on her; it is an attack on the constitutional rights of all Members of Congress. The real purpose behind the theft and leaking of an ethics file is clear: to politicize and distort the process of vetting a highly qualified candidate for a critical national security position. Congresswoman Gabbard has faced this kind of baseless attack throughout her career, but she has never wavered in her commitment to the American people. The truth is simple: The Ethics Committee cleared her and any attempt to manipulate or distort this fact is just noise. Now, more than ever, we must move beyond the endless political battles and focus on what truly matters: The security of our nation and the future of the American people. The position of DNI is one of immense responsibility-- entrusted with overseeing 18 intelligence agencies and ensuring the flow of accurate, impartial intelligence. Congresswoman Gabbard has the integrity, the experience, and the moral clarity to lead our intelligence community with honesty and transparency. Her leadership will restore accountability to our intelligence agencies, ensuring that they serve the interests of the American people-- not political factions or military-industrial interests. The challenges of the 21st century demand leaders who prioritize the security of our nation above all else, and Congresswoman Gabbard has demonstrated time and again that she is that leader. The creation of the DNI position in 2004 was a direct response to the intelligence failures that led to 9/11 and the subsequent Iraq War-- a war that was driven by political manipulation of intelligence, costing the lives of over 4,400 American soldiers and causing the deaths of more than a million innocent Iraqis. This tragic chapter in our history was not caused by a lack of information, but by the conscious distortion of intelligence to justify a predetermined political agenda. We cannot afford to repeat these mistakes. We need a Director of National Intelligence who will prioritize truth above politics-- who will ensure that our intelligence community is both transparent and accountable. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Global Automotive Rain Sensor market size was USD 5.03 Billion in 2023 and the market is projected to touch USD 9.89 Billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 7.7% during the forecast period. The growing demand for automobiles, advancements in sensor technology, and features that increase their convenience and enjoyment are all contributing reasons to the market's growth. As the automotive industry has increased, so too has the demand for Staten Island, NY - January 27, 2025 - Renowned Israeli artist Alex Levin, celebrated for his contemporary Jewish art and paintings of Jerusalem, is proud to announce the launch of his latest series: Abstract Jerusalem and Jewish Life Paintings. This new collection offers a breathtaking fusion of modern Jewish art and Judaica, bringing ancient traditions and spiritual themes to life with bold abstraction and striking detail. This innovative series delves into Vancouver, BC - January 27th, 2025 - Danini Menswear is thrilled to announce its participation in the highly anticipated Metro Vancouver 2025 Tradeshow, taking place from Feb 3rd to Feb 7th, 2025. Join us at the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton, located at 111 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2A8 in Meeting Room: False Creek, where we'll unveil our latest premium apparel collection. Explore our expertly crafted lineup, featuring BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, received the delegation led by Saudi Arabia's Chief of General Staff, General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili. The Saudi delegation is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports via the Defense Ministry. The minister of defense welcomed the guests and expressed satisfaction with seeing them in Azerbaijan. Noting that relations between Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are based on friendship and brotherhood, the minister emphasized that our country's leadership pays special attention to the development of these ties and always keeps them in the spotlight. General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili thanked the host for their hospitality and expressed satisfaction with his visit to Azerbaijan. The guest emphasized the exceptional role of such visits in terms of expanding military relations. At the meeting, the current state and prospects for the development of cooperation in the military, military-technical, and military-educational spheres were discussed, and a detailed exchange of views on regional security issues was held. During the official welcoming ceremony held in the General Staff, following the ceremonial passage in front of the guard of honor, the national anthems of both countries were performed, and the Book of Honor was signed in accordance with protocol. First Deputy Minister of DefenseChief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev met with the delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During the meeting held at the General Staff, the parties expressed confidence that the cooperation based on mutual trust and support will further develop, as well as highlighted the significance of exchanging experience between the countries. The meeting discussed further expansion of military cooperation and other issues of mutual interest. Following the meeting, the guests were briefed on the reforms implemented in the Azerbaijan Army under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Ilham Aliyev. They were also informed about the innovations in the Azerbaijan Army, the Patriotic War that ended with the Azerbaijan Army's glorious victory, and other successful operations. Representatives of the Saudi Armed Forces were also provided with detailed information about the control points, and their questions were answered," the ministry statement reads. Bird flu is forcing farmers to slaughter millions of chickens a month, pushing U.S. egg prices to more than double their cost in the summer of 2023. And it appears there may be no relief in sight, given the surge in demand as Easter approaches. The average price per dozen nationwide hit $4.15 in December. Thats not quite as high as the $4.82 record set two years ago, but the Agriculture Department predicts prices are going to soar another 20% this year. Shoppers in some parts of the country are already paying more than double the average price, or worse, finding empty shelves in their local grocery stores. Cage-free varieties which are required in Oregon and Washington are even more expensive. At a Portland Fred Meyer on Monday, the cheapest Grade A eggs available were store-brand cartons of a dozen priced at $7.49. (Lower-quality Grade B eggs, more often used in processed foods, were available for $5.29.) Signs at many area grocery stores warn of rising prices and the potential for empty shelves. Some grocery stores have even limited how many eggs shoppers can buy. Its just robbery, said Minneapolis resident Sage Mills, who bought eggs to bake a birthday cake last week. Eggs used to be kind of a staple food for us, but now you know, you might as well just go out to eat. What is driving up prices? The bird flu outbreak that started in 2022 is the main reason egg prices are up so much. Anytime the virus is found on a poultry farm, the entire flock is slaughtered to help limit the virus' spread. And with massive egg farms routinely housing more than 1 million chickens, just a few infections can cause a supply crunch. The problem tends to linger because it takes months to dispose of all the carcasses, disinfect barns and bring in new birds. More than 145 million chickens, turkeys and other birds have been slaughtered since the current outbreak began, with the vast majority of them being egg-laying chickens. Cage-free egg laws in 10 states may also be responsible for some supply disruptions and price increases. The laws set minimum space for chickens or cage-free requirements for egg-laying hens. In addition to Oregon, theyve already gone into effect in California, Massachusetts, Nevada, Washington, Colorado and Michigan. A sign at a Portland Fred Meyer store warns customers that cage-free eggs might be more expensive than usual because of supply shortages.Elliot Njus/The Oregonian At a Target in Chicago on Monday, a dozen large conventional eggs cost $4.49 but a dozen large cage-free eggs were selling for $6.19. Why is the virus so hard to control? Bird flu is primarily spread by wild birds such as ducks and geese as they migrate. While it is fatal to a variety of animals, those species can generally carry it without getting sick, which offers the virus a chance to mutate and thrive. The virus can be spread through droppings or any interaction between farm-raised poultry and wild birds. Its also easily tracked into a farm on someones boots or by vehicle. Unlike previous outbreaks, the one that began in 2022 didnt die out in high summer temperatures. The virus found another new host when dairy cattle started getting sick last March. That creates more opportunities for the virus to linger and spread and unlike poultry, cattle arent slaughtered when they get sick because they rarely die from bird flu. More than five dozen people have also become ill with bird flu and one person died since last March. Nearly all of them worked around sick animals. Health officials havent yet found evidence of the disease spreading from person to person. What is being done to stop the virus? Farmers go to great lengths to protect their flocks. Many poultry farms installed truck washes to disinfect vehicles entering their property and require workers to shower and change clothes before stepping inside a barn. They have also invested in duplicate sets of tools so nothing used in one barn is shared. Some poultry farmers have even invested in lasers that shoot beams of green light in random patterns to discourage ducks and geese from landing. Dairy farmers isolate any sick cattle and do additional testing before moving animals off the farm especially if there has been a nearby outbreak or if the cows are being sent to a meat processing plant. The government is also testing milk. Future vaccines might help, but its not practical to vaccinate millions of chickens through shots, and other countries might refuse to purchase meat from vaccinated birds. Health officials emphasize that any sick birds or cattle are kept out of the food supply. Cooking meat to 165 degrees 74 Celsius kills bird flu, E. coli, salmonella or anything else. Pasteurization also kills the virus in milk. Raw milk is the only food product linked to illnesses so far. How much has the outbreak cost so far? It is impossible to know how much farmers have spent to seal barns, build shower houses for workers or to adopt other biosecurity measures. Over the last five years, my small farm alone has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on biosecurity, said Minnesota turkey farmer Loren Brey. But not only that, its the time daily that youre attending to biosecurity. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has spent at least $1.14 billion compensating farmers for the birds they have had to kill. A similar number wasnt immediately available for how much has been spent to aid dairies. USDA spokeswoman Shilo Weir said the department also spent more than $576 million on its own response. The prices of turkey, milk and chicken have also seen some pressure from bird flu. Mike Vickers, a manager at Sentyrz Liquor & Supermarket in Minneapolis, said he cant even stock any organic, cage-free or brown eggs right now and is limited instead to selling large or jumbo eggs. He understands the pain customers are feeling. Its the first time in my life that Ive ever had to be kind of embarrassed on what Im selling eggs for, he said. And its not our fault. Were paying today $7.45 for a dozen eggs. Were selling for $7.59. Were making $0.14. Thats doesnt pay the bills. -- Josh Funk, Mark Vancleave and Dee-Ann Durbin, The Associated Press Elliot Njus of The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report. A Seaside man who was trying to keep warm with a candle died in a tent fire last week at a city-sanctioned encampment, officials said. The fire follows months of debate over how the city should respond safely and humanely to homelessness on the Oregon coast and where it should locate the specific encampment, the only designated one in Seaside. The fire happened Wednesday just before 1 p.m., according to the city. Rocky Alan Guerrero, 53, was found dead at the scene, and authorities said a candle sparked the tent fire. Officials said someone at the camp used a nearby hose to douse the blaze before first responders arrived. The flames did not spread beyond the one tent, and no other injuries or damages were reported. Neighbors said it could have been far worse. Weve been concerned about fires from day one, said Jorjett Strumme, who lives across the street from the camp. Ive seen fires from my window, and my neighbors have seen it, too. It freaks us out because theyre packed in there tight and if something catches on fire, it could spread. Dave Koller, who owns a storage facility across the street from the encampment on Avenue S, said he and other community members have raised concerns about the camp to the city, but feel those concerns have largely fallen on deaf ears. One of the problems with this fire is that it happened in an industrial zone, Koller said. The building next to it is an automotive and paint shop. Its just unbelievable that the city would put a fire nuisance next to it. John Rahl, a spokesperson for the city, said that first responders have responded to fires at the encampment before but no other deaths have been reported. He said residents of the camp are allowed to have a small gas fire stove for cooking. Rahl said the city plans to relocate the camp to an area just behind the citys public works building. The move is slated for some time in the spring, he said. -- Kristine de Leon covers consumer health, retail, small business and data enterprise stories. Reach her at kdeleon@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today. A former MMA fighter with the nickname Cadillac preyed on three women living in tents in Portland in 2021 and 2022, a Multnomah County jury determined Friday. The jury deliberated for about five hours before returning a guilty verdict on all 16 counts against Zachary L. Andrews, including three counts of first-degree rape. A man in custody at Warner Creek Correctional Facility disappeared on Monday after walking away from a prison work crew in southern Oregon and was later captured in California. Oregon prison authorities said 39-year-old Donald Jones deserted a crew at Pacific Pine Wood Mill in Lakeview around 7:30 a.m. California Highway Patrol arrested him at 4:53 p.m. in Humboldt County, Oregon officials said. Jones has been in prison since June 4 after being convicted of the unauthorized use of a vehicle and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer in Coos County. His earliest release was July 22. Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221- 4323, zshaikh@oregonian.com or on X @zaeemshake. Vancouver police last week arrested a man accused of robbing a bank and eluding capture for a month. Officers responded Dec. 21 to a robbery at a Bank of America in the 1100 block of Southeast 164th Avenue. Police said a man entered the bank, showed a note and suggested he had a gun. He then fled. The departments major crimes unit investigators grabbed a photo from surveillance video and on Dec. 30 posted the photo on social media. Police identified the suspect as Ryan Frisbie through tips from the public and learned that he was involved in at least two other bank robberies in the Portland area. In their investigation, police obtained a photo of an RV or motorhome associated with Frisbie and shared that with patrol officers. Nearly a month later, on Friday, a patrol officer spotted an RV that resembled Frisbies in the parking lot of a Vancouver gas station. The officer followed the RV as it left the lot and confirmed it matched Frisbies. Police arrested Frisbie after making a high-risk stop on the RV in the area of Southeast 160th Avenue. Frisbie is accused of first-degree robbery and remains in Clark County Jail as of Monday evening. Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221- 4323, zshaikh@oregonian.com or on X @zaeemshake. A Portland man is accused of animal neglect after he allegedly let his dog starve to death. Husan Muldrew, 38, is accused of first-degree animal neglect after his dog, Knox, allegedly lost close to 100 pounds before his death. The investigation into Muldrew began in October when he brought Knox, whose breed wasnt specified in court records, to DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital, according to a probable cause affidavit. A veterinarian who examined him said he weighed just 25 pounds, was covered in feces and ulcers, had a blood pressure too low to read and experienced hypothermia and a slow heartbeat. Muldrew had told the doctor that Knox was 120 pounds when he got him, the affidavit said. Due to his physical condition, the dog was euthanized after a recommendation from the vet. An Oregon Humane Society special agent who has legal authority to handle animal welfare investigations in the state obtained a search warrant to examine Knoxs body. During the procedure, officials saw no food in the dogs stomach or intestines, and a veterinarian said it appeared as if he starved to death, according to the affidavit. The agent then met Muldrew at his home, where Muldrew described Knox as a nice, chunky-sized dog when he got him. Muldrew told the agent he had Knox for about three to four months and didnt take him to the veterinarian at any point before taking him to the emergency hospital. According to court records, he said Knox had been eating and drinking fine in the weeks leading up to his death but that the day before Muldrew took him to the vet the dog didnt have the strength to stand. When the agent asked Muldrew why he didnt bring the dog to the veterinarian sooner, he said he didnt have the money to do so. In November, court records say the agent reviewed tissue samples of the dog that supported the claim that the dog starved to death. There were no abnormalities that would suggest any inflammation, infections or cancers. Knoxs bone marrow fat content was 2.2%, much lower than the average for dogs. According to the affidavit, the necropsy report stated Knox unnecessarily suffered for a period of weeks to months and was euthanized due to his advanced decompensated state as a direct result of chronic starvation. Muldrew couldnt be reached for comment. He told KATU-TV he had been feeding his dog and had no idea how his dog died and why he weighed 25 pounds. He told the station he owned three dogs before and had no problems with them. Muldrew is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 4. Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221- 4323, zshaikh@oregonian.com or on X @zaeemshake. A Portland man released from federal prison in February 2023 after he was sentenced to four years for having a stolen gun as a felon has now been indicted on attempted murder and assault allegations in a December shooting in a Eugene nightclub. Desmond Boris Washington, 39, was indicted in Lane County Circuit Court on attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, third-degree assault, unlawful use of a gun and being a felon in possession of a firearm in the Dec. 8 shooting inside City Nights club. Derek Humphry, a trailblazer in the right-to-die movement that found footing in Oregon in the 1990s and author of the seminal book Final Exit, died this month in Eugene. He was 94. In November 1994, when 51 percent of Oregon voters approved the Death with Dignity Act, supporters of medically assisted death could trace their first-in-the-nation victory to Humphry, a British-born journalist with a soothing voice, The Oregonian wrote that year. Humphry had burst onto the international scene with the 1978 publication of Jeans Way, a book that detailed how Humphry, then living in England, helped his first wife drink a drug-laced cup of coffee to end her fight with terminal cancer. Humphry did not face criminal prosecution in the U.K., and eventually moved to California, where in 1980 he founded the Hemlock Society with his second wife, Ann, to advocate for terminally ill individuals and their right to end their own lives. Spurred by the AIDS crisis, the society grew, and by 1988, when Humphry moved the organization to the Eugene area, it boasted 35 national chapters and 25,000 members, according to a 1994 profile of Humphry in The Oregonian that dubbed him the movements founding father. As such, Humphry regularly appeared on television shows including the daytime mainstay hosted by Phil Donahue. Membership in the society doubled in short order, and Humphrys reputation spread. He was the one who became the best informed person in North America, and maybe the world, of this program, of the right to die with dignity and the morals involved with it, Gerald Larue, a University of Southern California religion professor, told the newspaper 31 years ago. And he wasnt afraid to go on these interview programs where you have one person on one side and four attacking. But he never exploded. He never let his anger come out. He handled this with great dignity and polish. Humphry courted controversy by taking a how to approach to death, as exemplified by his 1991 bestselling book, Final Exit: The Practicalities of Self-Deliverance and Assisted Suicide for the Dying, which outlined methods for ending ones life. Critics worried it could be misused. That same year, his second wife died by suicide after divorcing Humphry, who was accused of emotionally abandoning her after she developed breast cancer. He denied the allegations. Some of Humphrys views were considered extreme, even among supporters in the movement. For example, he supported physician-assisted death for severely ill people not just terminally ill people. And he agreed philosophically with the most polarizing figure of the time, Dr. Jack Kevorkian, that euthanasia by lethal injection sometimes called voluntary euthanasia should be an option for people. Opponents called both of these stances slippery slopes. As a result, he was not the public face of the successful 1994 campaign to bring medical aid in dying to Oregon, which made it legal for mentally capable people to ingest lethal doses of medicine prescribed by doctors (but barred death by lethal injections). Right-to-die measures in Washington in 1991 and California in 1992 would have allowed the injections, and they tapped Humphry as their spokesperson. Both measures failed. In Oregon, campaigners tapped only Humphrys network and its money; the society pumped $250,000 into support for the measure. Humphry was born on April 29, 1930 in England and began his journalism career after dropping out of school as a teen. He worked for publications like the London Sunday Times and the Los Angeles Times. His reporting often focused on human rights, but it was his personal experience with the death of his first wife, Jean, in 1975 that became the defining moment of his career. Kevin Diaz, interim president and CEO of the nonprofit Compassion & Choices, which grew out of the Hemlock Society, hailed Humphry as a visionary this week. Derek Humphrys groundbreaking vision and unwavering dedication laid the foundation for the end-of-life autonomy movement, he said in a statement. By founding the Hemlock Society, which became Compassion & Choices, Derek created a powerful structure for advancing patient-directed care and bodily autonomy for those facing terminal illnesses. His work ignited a movement that has grown into a network of advocates, local organizations, and supporters committed to ensuring compassion at the end of life. Humphry is survived by his third wife, Gretchen, along with three sons from his first marriage and three grandchildren. In The Oregonians 1994 profile of him, Humphry said he wanted to be cremated, with his ashes scattered in his orchard. If Im wrong and the pope is right, Im going to go straight into hell and the burning fires, no question, he told the newspaper. Ive helped thousands of people to kill themselves. But Im willing to gamble. My guess is there is no afterlife. Kristine de Leon covers consumer health, retail, small business and data enterprise stories. Reach her at kdeleon@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today. Help available If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org Alcohol and drug hotline: 800-923-4357 Teen-to-teen crisis and help: 877-968-8491, or text teen2teen to 839863 If you or someone you know is considering suicide, help is available. Call or text 988 for 24-hour, confidential support, or visit 988lifeline.org. The news release says it all: Weve all wanted to watch a ravenous beast devour an exs heart, right? Wildcat Ridge Sanctuary in rural Marion County is offering a Bloody Valentine special through Valentines Day. For a $50-$75 donation, sanctuary staff will write your exs name (in cat-safe icing) on a bloody heart to be fed to one of their resident wildcats. Donors will receive a video of the cat gobbling it up, complete with snarls, growls and a lot of lip smacking. The hearts are custom made from meat (mostly gizzards) incased in an anatomical heart-shaped gelatin mold and colored with beet powder. Valentines Day can often be a painful reminder of a broken heart, Operations Manager Tiffany Lopez said in a news release about the fundraiser. This is a unique way to get a little satisfaction and help support abused and abandoned wildcats. This is the third year of the Bloody Valentine fundraiser. Each year, the sanctuary has fed between 50 and 75 revenge meals to hungry cats. Of course, interested donors need not limit themselves to ex-lovers. Ian Ford, the sanctuarys associate executive director, has gotten requests to write the names of friends, spouses, children and co-workers on the hearts. The sanctuary plans to post the best meal videos on their social media pages on Valentines Day. Its a fundraiser that isnt just about giving our residents a novel treat, Ford wrote in email. Its about coming together this anti-Valentines Day to support our mission of providing a safe, natural lifetime home for captive-born wildcats in need and our vision of a world where animals are protected, not exploited. Wildcat Ridge Sanctuary was founded in Scotts Mills in 2001 and is home to more than 85 captive-born wildcats, including bobcats, cougars and cheetahs. Many of the animals were rescued from bad situations. Two tigers and two lions at the sanctuary were previously owned by Joe Exotic, the star of the Netflix series Tiger King who was later convicted in a murder-for-hire plot and for violations of the Lacey Act and the Endangered Species Act. Wildcat Ridge Sanctuary is accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and is a member of the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance and Tigers In America. It is not open to the public, but groups of two to four can request private tours. No children younger than 14 are allowed. Bloody Valentines are $50 if ordered before Feb. 10, and $75 Feb. 10-14. Order before noon Feb. 13 to ensure you receive your video on Valentines Day. Bloody Valentines can be reserved online at wildcatridgesanctuary.org/my-bloody-valentine-2025. Samantha Swindler covers features for The Oregonian/OregonLive and Here is Oregon. Reach her at sswindler@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel has welcomed the resumption of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) activities within the framework of the Action Plan for Azerbaijan, Trend reports. Bettel made the remark at the winter session of PACE. "Regarding Azerbaijan, the Committee of Ministers welcomed the resumption of cooperation within the framework of the Action Plan, the implementation of which was suspended after the Assembly's decision not to ratify the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation. We must continue to be a platform for dialogue and hope that, in the near future, points of contact will be found to restore relations," he said. To note, on January 24, 2024, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe did not ratify the credentials of the Republic of Azerbaijan's delegation. Against the backdrop of the prevailing atmosphere of unbearable racism, anti-Azerbaijani sentiment, and Islamophobia in PACE, the Azerbaijani delegation decided to suspend its interaction and presence in PACE indefinitely. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Colossal Biosciences CEO and co-founder Ben Lamm gets the Jurassic Park comparison. When your company is trying to bring back the woolly mammoth, its only natural that people compare it to the movie about bringing back dinosaurs. But theres a catch. You cant bring back dinosaurs. Theres no dino DNA. It doesnt last 65 million years. Amber is a terrible vessel for DNA. Its massively porous. Not that weve tried, he told The Dallas Morning News. Given Jurassic Parks ending phew? But whether its woolly mammoths and dodo birds or Tyrannosaurus Rex being brought back from extinction, the concept of de-extinction is no less sci-fi. Yet, in a 25,000-square-foot West Dallas laboratory, dozens of geneticists, biologists, AI experts and more work day in and day out to turn science fiction into reality. The space is the home base for Colossal, the genetic engineering firm that has raised $435 million in funding and just became Texas first startup to hit a $10 billion valuation, according to data from Crunchbase. The project is really the brainchild of George Church, Lamms co-founder, Lamm says. Church is a professor across genetics and health science disciplines at Harvard Medical School, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Lamm, who doesnt have a background in biology but has built multiple successful technology companies, first met Church in 2019 to talk about the intersection of AI and synthetic biology. They got to talking about Churchs other projects, and Lamm asked what turned out to be a $10 billion question: If you had one project with unlimited capital, what would you go do? And without skipping a beat, hes like, Id work to bring back the woolly mammoth. Id reintroduce it into the Arctic to help the ecosystem. Id use the technologies to bring back other species and help conservation and human health care, Lamm said. After a pandemic intermission, Lamm and Church started Colossal in 2021, and the goal is still the same: de-extinction in service of ecosystem conservation. Wildlife populations have shrunk by 73% since 1970. About 27,000 species go extinct each year, and 50% of all species could go extinct by 2050. This could have cascading effects on human society through accelerated desertification, food insecurity, disease and reductions in drinkable water, but it can be reversed. Reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone National Park in 1995 has increased vegetation, grown beaver populations and made waterways healthier. De-extinction could accomplish similar outcomes. At first, Lamm says, it was hard to sell investors and even other scientists on such a futuristic concept. But being receptive to informed criticism has made Colossal stronger and more marketable. Lamm points to Love Dalen, a Swedish mammoth expert among the scientists working in the Dallas lab last Friday. Dalen was one of Colossals loudest critics at its start. When someone like Love Dalen criticizes us, were like, Well, theyre the number one mammoth researcher in the world. We should call him and be like, hey, what could we be doing better? Lamm said. Nine times out of 10, thats resulted in us building a relationship. Colossal did call Dalen, he gave them feedback, and Colossal implemented it. Dalen now serves as one of Colossals scientific advisers. Beth Shapiro, an Oxford educated molecular biologist and another of Colossals early doubters, left academia to become Colossals chief science officer. Now with extensive scientific credentials and early payoffs, Colossal has something real to sell to investors. Some, like Dallas-based adventurer Victor Vescovo and Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson, are in it for the mission. Others, though, are in it simply because its a good investment. Lamm calls Colossals de-extinction method a systems model. That means there are a lot of steps across myriad scientific disciplines to get from ancient DNA to a fully realized mammoth. While much of the technology at each step already exists independently in some form, to accomplish de-extinction, each step has to vertically integrate with all the others. Thats where the innovation happens, and thats where money is being made. Accomplishing de-extinction at scale requires way more capital and flexibility than is available at academic labs. Thats why nearly all of Colossals work happens under a private umbrella. But, in turn, the technology created in the process of de-extinction is valuable in its own right. Lamm likens it to the moon landing. Technologies around health care, around communication, around the foundational components for the Internet, all of that came out of mans pursuit of the stars, he said. Colossal has already spun off two technology companies: a computational biology platform with human health application called Form Bio and Breaking, which develops microbes to use in breaking down plastic. Investors who owned a portion of Colossal prior to the spin offs now own the same share in those companies. The other value play is in rewilding and the growing market for biodiversity credits, which are similar to carbon credits. Carbon credits work by allowing companies to purchase carbon emissions from carbon offsetters in order to reach emissions targets. So, for example, an oil and gas company that wants to emit one ton of carbon dioxide can purchase carbon credits, then that money goes to a carbon recapture firm that takes one ton of carbon dioxide out of the air. The same principle can apply to biodiversity loss and the ecosystem at large with biodiversity credits. The World Bank estimates that ecosystem collapse could cost the world economy $2.7 trillion, and Colossal can exist in that financial gap to help avoid it. I believe that the rewilding of our species, that we can make at scale through things like artificial wombs, will create long-term annuities that can be a billion dollars a year, Lamm said. Colossal has found early success in all three of its de-extinction projects, including developing genomes for all three. For the dodo bird project, the startup has successfully hatched chimeric chicks that can carry genetically engineered dodo birds. It has also developed an artificial uterus device that can culture the fertilized embryos of Colossals other de-extinction project, a tiger-like marsupial called the thylacine, or the Tasmanian tiger. Now, its time to expand. Colossal currently has 170 researchers across three labs in Dallas, Boston and Melbourne and is building out a custom 45,000-square-foot lab elsewhere in Dallas to accelerate the mission of de-extinction. As for doubters who may invoke Jurassic Parks Dr. Ian Malcolm Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didnt stop to think if they should. Colossal is content to let the results speak for themselves. Weve also seen how 'Independence Day' ends, but we still want to go to the moon, right? Lamm said. If I fail, I could always just go build another software company, because Im not bad at that. But I felt like this was an opportunity to do something that had a real impact and could make meaningful change if we were successful. -- Sasha Richie, The Dallas Morning News 2025 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A backcountry skier got injured in a 1,000-foot fall in the Washington wilderness, and the rescue was caught on camera. The incident happened Jan. 22 near Stevens Pass, the King County Sheriffs Office Air Support Unit said in a Jan. 24 YouTube video. The skier had injured his leg in a steep fall and needed help, so someone used an Apple Watch to send an SOS message to authorities, deputies said. Authorities later learned there were three people who needed rescuing, two of whom were injured, deputies said. Once rescuers got their coordinates, a helicopter was sent to the area to find them. A video shows a rescuer being hoisted down from the helicopter to the skiers after 7:30 p.m. The rescuer helps the skiers get hoisted into the helicopter, deputies said. Stevens Pass is about an 85-mile drive northeast from Seattle. 2025 The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.). Visit www.TheNewsTribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Last week, the Trump administration canceled a series of panels that help determine how billions in federal health dollars are spent, including hundreds of millions of dollars a year to Oregon universities, biotech companies and disease-related nonprofits. The meetings, run by the National Institutes of Health, are key to determining federal medical grants, which have funded scientific and medical breakthroughs like the Human Genome Project, which is mapping human genes and tying them to diseases for possible cures, and the development of a new vaccine technology that was used in COVID vaccines and saved countless lives during the pandemic. Experts in every field of medical research gather at the meetings to decide which topics and projects are most deserving of these funds. Their cancellation, first reported by STAT News, worries local researchers, doctors and patients, who fear that the Trump administration, in its drive to cut spending, may stall or even cut off vital funds that pay for research on cancer, dementia and other conditions. NIH distributes about $40 billion a year in grants, and right now in Oregon, over $500 million in funded projects are in progress, supporting more than 5,000 jobs. Dr. Esther Choo, professor of Emergency Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University, was on the review panel for one of the canceled sessions. Choos session last Thursday was set to review projects addressing the opioid crisis. She calls the cancellations unprecedented in her career. I have never seen it stop for any amount of time, said Choo. I havent yet encountered a researcher who remembers study sections and reviews being paused. Even major world events like the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the early days of the pandemic did not cause this kind of cancellation, she adds. Choo notes that the meetings are nearly impossible to reschedule, because they bring 25 to 30 experts from around the country into a room or online meeting at one time. They are scheduled months in advance, setting aside one day they can all meet. The sessions operate almost constantly for different research areas and specialties, with more than 1,200 scheduled each year. Every day that the pause continues could mean several missed sessions that may never be made up. OHSU is by far the biggest recipient in Oregon. More than 70% of all new NIH funding in Oregon last year went to OHSU, a total of over $277 million. That is about four times what the state Legislature gives to the university each year, and almost half of its total research funding. That money is divided among almost 500 different projects, from cancer and AIDS research to studies on suicide prevention and the causes of dementia. An OHSU spokesperson, Sara Hottman, declined to comment on the potential impact of any change in NIH funding. In the coming weeks and months, we will notify OHSU researchers of any federal actions that immediately impact the research mission, Hottman said in a statement. Every large university in Oregon has significant funding from NIH, including $40 million last year for the University of Oregon and $21 million for Oregon State University. Several OSU researchers did not respond to a request for comment and OSUs College of Health declined to comment. Beyond academic research, funds also went to small biotech startups and foundations working on specific diseases. A $10,000 grant last year went to the Clackamas-based HER Foundation, which helps patients dealing with Hyperemesis Gravidarum, a condition that causes extreme sickness and other health issues during pregnancy. Kimber MacGibbon, executive director of the HER Foundation, told the Capital Chronicle that last years grant helped them to put on a research conference about the little-studied disease. Two other organizations that receive NIH funds the Childrens Cancer Therapy Development Institute in Hillsboro, which works to put new cancer drugs into clinical trials, and Portland-based Boulder Care, which offers telehealth access to addiction treatment did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The meeting cancellations add to researchers concerns of a more general disruption in government health support. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues a Mortality and Morbidity Report each Thursday, outlining news and guidance for doctors and health care officials on disease outbreaks, research and other urgent topics. For the first time in nearly 60 years, it did not publish on Thursday. Monica Bertagnolli stepped down as Director of the NIH on Jan. 17. President Trumps appointee, Jay Bhattacharya, is awaiting Senate confirmation. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is Trumps pick to run the Department of Health and Human Services, NIHs parent agency, which also oversees the CDC. Kennedys confirmation hearings are scheduled for this week. Reviewers and researchers have more than just professional worries about the meeting cancellations. Their reactions can be very personal too. Theyre not only scientists. Theyre clinicians, or they have family members with the disease, said Choo. People are just so depressed about what this means for science and for our communities. -- Ian Rose Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, the nations largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. Oregon lawmakers and food advocates are starting smaller this year in their bid to make cash food benefits available to immigrants who are ineligible under federal rules. After failing to get a bill passed in 2023, theyve narrowed the group who would be eligible for state aid to children and youth and older people at risk of hunger. In 2023, supporters unsuccessfully lobbied for the passage of a proposal that would have provided state funding to provide food benefits to about 62,000 people ineligible for the federal benefits. Food for All Oregonians, a coalition of more than 160 organizations and the Oregon Food Bank, wants to see all immigrants get the food benefits they would otherwise qualify for through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. About 770,000 Oregonians receive SNAP food benefits, representing nearly 447,000 households. In November, $138.4 million in benefits were issued for food, an average of $309 a month for each family. To qualify, individuals can earn up to $2,510 and a family of four can earn up to $5,200 a month. On Monday, advocates said they are pushing for a scaled-down version, Senate Bill 611, that would provide state-funded food benefits to immigrants who are under 26 years old or 55 and older and are ineligible for SNAP benefits because of their immigration status. The 2023 bill which died in a budget subcommittee, would have included all ineligible immigrants, regardless of their age. This bill isnt just about food its about building a stronger, more equitable Oregon where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, said Wlnsvey Campos, D-Aloha, a chief sponsor of the bill. The group includes undocumented immigrants and residents under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. It also includes legal permanent residents who have not yet been in the U.S. for five years, which generally is required for SNAP benefits. Our seniors who are very vulnerable to food insecurity, and our children those are the two populations that this particular bill is focused on, Andrea Williams, president of the Oregon Food Bank, said in an interview. Now we dont want to stop there. We would eventually like every age. Advocates dont yet know how many people of the 62,000 fall within the two age groups, or what the costs would be. The issue comes amid heightened attention on immigrant issues, including President Donald Trumps signals of potential mass deportations, an end to refugee admissions and cuts in the federal social safety net. These policies are in direct opposition to our values as Oregonians, Williams said. Oregon can and must lead by example. The bill has Democratic support though Campos said it has one Republican co-sponsor Rep. and farmer Mark Owens of Crane and she is working on getting a Republican co-sponsor in the Senate. Her 2023 bill cleared the Senate Human Services Committee but died without a vote in a joint budget subcommittee. David Soria Garcia of Tillamook, who sits on the policy leadership council of the food bank and attended the rally, said he knows what its like to be hungry. I know the feeling of wondering if you will make it through the week while carrying the hopes and dreams of your family, Soria Garcia said. But it is that struggle and that determination to create a better life that causes me to be here today advocating for a future where no one has to go hungry. Williams said that easing hunger has other benefits. When families have access to SNAP, their chances of being evicted from their houses are less, she said. They are going to keep their jobs for longer, their kids are going to do better in school. This is tied together. We are making the case that food for Oregonians is part of the states priorities. The Oregon Latino Health Coalition, part of the coalition, noted the role of immigrants in working to provide food for Oregonians, even as they cannot access SNAP. Access to nourishing food is a fundamental aspect of health, said Andrea Vanessa Castillo, policy and advocacy manager at Oregon Latino Health Coalition. Immigrants and refugees are vital they help put food on the table for families across our state. Yet, they remain excluded from essential benefits like SNAP. Partly because of their lack of access to food, Castillo said the incidence of type-2 diabetes is higher among Latinos and other groups. Six states, including California and Washington, have food assistance programs for noncitizens, according to a 2023 report by the Food Research & Action Center, an anti-poverty advocacy and research group based in Washington D.C. A total of 18 states began such programs after Congress barred food aid to noncitizens in a 1996 law. Congress later changed the law to allow such aid to immigrants who have been legal residents for five years. Williams said the bill is the top priority for the anti-hunger coalition, but she acknowledged that it has to dovetail with other steps, such as Gov. Tina Koteks proposals to expand housing construction. Until we can address all of these upstream issues, we are going to keep seeing high demand, she said. We know that is within the power of the government to do. Outside the SNAP program, demand for food assistance is high. Oregonians made 2.5 million visits in 2024 to the Oregon Food Bank networks 1,400 sites, an increase of 31%. They distributed nearly 100 million pounds of food. -- Ben Botkin, Oregon Capital Chronicle The Oregon Capital Chronicle, founded in 2021, is a nonprofit news organization that focuses on Oregon state government, politics and policy. Roughly a week after his inauguration, President Donald Trumps approval rating is outpacing his disapproval rating. The poll by Echelon Insights showed 51% of respondents approve of the way Trump is handling his job as president compared to 43% who disapprove. Breaking the numbers down, 36% said they strongly approve vs. 14% who somewhat approve. Thirty-six percent said they strongly disapprove of the job the second-term Republican is doing compared to 7% who said they somewhat disapprove. Trumps approval ratings also were above water by 10 percentage points when it comes to handling the economy (50% approval vs. 40% disapproval) and immigration (55% vs. 40%.) His highest rankings came in his handling of foreign policy, where 50% said they approve of the presidents plans vs. 39% who disapprove. The ratings arent as high when it comes to some of Trumps more high-profile and controversial proposals. When asked if the U.S. should expand its territory, 54% said it should not compared to 22% who said they backed plans to grow American territory. Sixty-eight percent did not think the U.S. should make Canada the 51st state while 16% of respondents said it should. READ MORE: What Trumps federal funding freeze means for Oregon Only 26% said they backed Trumps renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America compared to 59% who disapproved. Fifty percent said they also believe the U.S. should continue its policy of birthright citizenship compared to 34% who believe the policy of giving automatic citizenship to children born in the U.S. should end. Fifty-six percent said they at least somewhat supported the deportation of those living in the country illegally compared to 37% who oppose deportation. Overall, 52% said they approved of the Executive Orders Trump signed on his first day of office compared to 42% who disapproved. TriMet will once again waive bus and MAX train fares for an entire day next week in honor of celebrated civil rights leader Rosa Parks. All public transit rides will be free Tuesday, Feb. 4 the same day Parks was born in 1913. In 1955, Parks, who was Black, refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama bus. The act of civil disobedience became a seminal moment in the civil rights movement that opposed state-sanctioned segregation and other forms of racial discrimination in the U.S. It is our honor to celebrate her courageous example, TriMet said in a statement. The transit agency first began offering free bus and MAX rides on Parks birthday in 2021. Parks died in 2005 at the age of 92. -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh covers Portland city government and politics, with a focus on accountability and watchdog reporting. Reach him at 503-294-7632 Email at skavanaugh@oregonian.com Follow on X @shanedkavanaugh or on BlueSky @shanedkavanaugh Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. The White House moved Monday night to pause federal grants and loans as President Donald Trumps administration begins an across-the-board ideological review of its spending, causing confusion and panic among organizations that rely on Washington for their financial lifeline. Administration officials said the decision was necessary to ensure that all funding complies with Trumps executive orders, which are intended to undo progressive steps on transgender rights, environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, efforts. In a second directive, the Office of Management and Budget clarified that the action was meant only to bring spending in line with those executive orders. Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday signed an executive order to create a state team focused on responding to the separation of migrant families as the Trump administration promises mass deportations. The Family Separation Rapid Response Team will be housed in the state Department of Children, Youth and Families. Members will include officials from the governors office, the attorney generals office, the Washington State Patrol and the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance. Deportation on the scale Trump has described means ripping families apart. It means kids losing their parents. It means businesses losing their workers. It means communities being significantly altered, Ferguson said. My administration will do everything we can possibly do to address those significant harms that are caused by those policies, the Democratic governor said. Thats making sure that kids who are torn away and separated from their parents have someone to care for them, and they have uninterrupted access to their education. The White House knocked Fergusons move. 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, a deputy press secretary for Trump, said in an email. The first meeting of the new state team will be no later than Feb. 14, but Ferguson expects it to be sooner. The group will provide recommendations to the governor, and is expected to file a report by April 30. Ferguson signed the order at the Centilia Cultural Center in Seattle, joined by numerous elected officials and advocates. Tana Senn, a former state lawmaker who took over the Department of Children, Youth and Families under the Ferguson administration, reiterated that children whose parents are deported will have support from the state. These children are often U.S. citizens, while their parents dont have legal status. I just want families to know and to feel rest assured that if that happens, your child will be safe, will be cared for and will be loved here in Washington state, Senn said. Trump made the promise of mass deportations a centerpiece of his campaign. One week in, his administration has already initiated an immigration crackdown. Trump signed a slew of executive orders to overhaul the countrys immigration system. These included declaring a national emergency at the southern border, ending birthright citizenship and eliminating policies that bar immigration enforcement agents from arresting migrants at churches, schools and hospitals. Its about making a terrifying calculus every day, said Roxana Norouzi, the executive director of immigrant advocacy group OneAmerica. Is going to work worth risk of detention? Is a church, hospital or school visit worth being separated from their children? The real threat to our country is a system that forces hardworking families to choose between survival and safety. On Sunday, agents arrested 956 people in raids across the country, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Before Trump took office, the average was 311 per day. In Yakima County, an immigrant rights group reported federal agents detained two people in a grocery store parking lot on Sunday, according to the Yakima Herald-Republic. The Keep Washington Working Act prevents local police from helping federal authorities with immigration enforcement. The law, passed in 2019 mostly along party lines with support from Democrats, also prohibited officers from asking about immigration status, with some exceptions. Last week, the Department of Justice threatened to prosecute local officials who dont cooperate. And, similar to his first term, Trump has raised the possibility of withholding federal funds from states and cities unwilling to aid in deportations. In 2017, Seattle took the first Trump administration to court for punishing sanctuary cities that wouldnt comply with immigration authorities. The city won the case. State Rep. Jim Walsh, the chair of the state Republican Party, called Fergusons order an empty virtue signaling gesture. I think the people of Washington want the law to be enforced, including immigration law, said Walsh, of Aberdeen. No one wants to break up families, thats not a real priority. Washington state has already sued over Trumps attempt to end birthright citizenship, a right enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Last week, a federal judge in Seattle approved a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of Trumps executive order, calling it blatantly unconstitutional. Ferguson said he was proud Washington was the first state to defeat the Trump administration in court during the presidents new term. -- Jake Goldstein-Street, Washington State Standard Washington State Standard is part of States Newsroom, the nations largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. A road trip is nice, but have you considered touring Oregon on a scenic bikeway? The best way to see the state on two wheels (with apologies to motorcyclists), the 18 scenic bikeways run through nearly every corner of Oregon, taking riders to the Pacific coastline, through the Willamette Valley, over the Cascade Mountains and into the high desert. Oregons scenic bikeway program, which is managed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, is meant to showcase scenery, state history and local communities using existing roads and bike paths. The rides span from the 36-mile Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway to the 174-mile Old West Scenic Bikeway. Park officials give each ride a rating of mild, moderate, challenging or extreme. Aside from sheer physical exertion, scenic bikeway riders may also face challenges such as road traffic and lack of cell service, which can be spotty in these remote areas. Lodging may be available on routes that run through small towns or past campgrounds, some of which have campsites set aside for cyclists and hikers. With the proper preparation (and some training), Oregons scenic bikeways can be the perfect way to take a slower trip across the state. The Willamette National Forest along Robert Aufderheide Memorial Drive.Stephanie Yao Long/The Oregonian Aufderheide Length: 60 miles Difficulty: Extreme Oregons newest scenic bikeway, officially designated in 2024, the Aufderheide Scenic Bikeway runs through Lane County on Aufderheide Drive, winding along the McKenzie and Willamette rivers through the Willamette National Forest. On its way from the McKenzie River to the town of Oakridge, the route passes the popular Terwilliger Hot Springs before diving deeper into the forest. View map and directions Blue Mountain Century Length: 108 miles Difficulty: Extreme Set in Northeast Oregons famously formidable mountain range, the Blue Mountain Century Scenic Bikeway can be a slog. The loop begins and ends in Heppner, running through Nye, Ukiah and the Umatilla National Forest. Expect to climb and climb some more the hills may not be steep but theyre plenty long. View map and directions Cascade Siskiyou Length: 55 miles Difficulty: Extreme A wide loop that begins and ends in Ashland, the Cascade Siskiyou Scenic Bikeway wont take you through the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, but it does skirt the area while also passing by three sizable reservoirs: Emigrant Lake, Hyatt Lake and Howard Prairie Lake. In all, its 5,000 feet of steep, winding terrain, with a final 3-mile climb near the end. View map and directions Cascading Rivers Length: 71 miles Difficulty: Challenging From Detroit Lake to Estacada, the Cascading Rivers Scenic Bikeway is convenient for Portland and Salem residents, and makes a great getaway into the Cascade Mountains. Here, the road runs past rivers, rapids, waterfalls, lakes and hot springs, running past several wilderness areas on the way. View map and directions Covered Bridges Length: 36 miles Difficulty: Mild Starting just south of Eugene, the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway follows the Cottage Grove Bridge Tour route, crossing over several covered bridges as it goes. The bikeway has the option of riding alongside traffic, but otherwise can be done entirely on family-friendly bike paths in Cottage Grove, around Dorena Lake and back. View map and directions Crooked River Canyon Length: 37 miles Difficulty: Moderate One of Oregons shorter scenic bikeways, this ride starts in downtown Prineville and follows the Crooked River south to Prineville Reservoir State Park. Keep an eye out for views of llama farms and cattle ranches beneath the towering basalt cliffs. View map and directions Grande Tour Length: 134 miles Difficulty: Challenging Open road and open sky dominate the long loop through northeast Oregon known as the Grande Tour. The bikeway begins and ends in La Grande (hence the name), taking country roads through the small towns of North Powder, Medical Springs and Baker City. The bulk of the ride is through rangeland, but the towering Wallowa Mountains lord over the horizon. View map and directions Madras Mountain Views Length: 29 miles Difficulty: Moderate Running from Madras to Metolius and by The Cove Palisades State Park, the Madras Mountain Views bikeway is a peaceful loop through pastoral landscapes dominated by views of the Cascades. Seven major peaks are visible on the route: Mount Jefferson, the Three Sisters, Mount Hood, Broken Top and Three-Fingered Jack, as well as several buttes. View map and directions McKenzie Pass Length: 38 miles Difficulty: Extreme Considered one of the most spectacular rides in central Oregon, the McKenzie Pass Scenic Bikeway route starts in Sisters, following an 1860s-era wagon route through pastoral meadows and lava flows before crossing over McKenzie Pass itself and cruising down through dense forests along the McKenzie River. View map and directions Old West Length: 174 miles Difficulty: Challenging The longest of Oregons scenic bikeways, the Old West Scenic Bikeway is 174 miles long, making a loop of the high desert mountains in north-central Oregon. It starts and finishes in John Day, but passes by the John Day Fossil Beds, Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site, the north fork of the John Day River and the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. Watch for wild horses and bald eagles as you soak up the scenery of Oregons old west. View map and directions Oregon Outback Length: 90 miles Difficulty: Extreme The lengthy Oregon Outback Scenic Bikeway crosses the Warner Mountains outside Lakeview in southern Oregon, making a loop between wetland-bordered towns Plush and Adel before heading back. The challenging ride climbs to a height of nearly 6,000 feet, dropping almost to sea level at its low point. View map and directions Painted Hills Length: 161 miles Difficulty: Extreme Clocking in at a whopping 161 miles, the Painted Hills Scenic Bikeway traverses one of Oregons most beautiful and otherworldly natural wonders, but the elevation change is downright grueling. The hub-and-spoke design offers several side trips off the main loop, taking cyclists on an up-and-down journey that resembles a small mountain range on the elevation chart. View map and directions Sherars Falls Length: 33 miles Difficulty: Moderate One of the states newer routes, the Sherars Falls Scenic Bikeway starts and finishes at the small town of Maupin in central Oregon. Views include a striking high desert canyon and ride along the Deschutes River, which leads to Sherars Falls itself, a 15-foot plunge on the river. View map and directions Sisters to Smith Rock Length: 37 miles Difficulty: Moderate True to its name, this extraordinarily scenic central Oregon ride runs from the town of Sisters to Smith Rock State Park, past several historical sites and across the Deschutes River. The grade is varied enough to keep the ride interesting, but is generally downhill from the start in Sisters, climbing gradually at the end. View map and directions Tualatin Valley Length: 51 miles Difficulty: Moderate The Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway is one of the most accessible bikeways in the state, starting in Hillsboro and running along flat rural roads to Banks. From there the elevation picks up, as the route jumps on the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, a scenic bike path in the foothills of the Coast Range that runs through L.L. Stub Stewart State Park. View map and directions Twin Bridges Length: 36 miles Difficulty: Moderate Starting and ending in Bend, the Twin Bridges Scenic Bikeway is a popular loop that runs from Drake Park in downtown Bend through rolling desert hills, watched over by the Three Sisters and Mount Bachelor. The name of the ride comes from the two bridges along the route that cross the Deschutes River. View map and directions Wild Rivers Coast Length: 61 miles Difficulty: Moderate The only scenic bikeway that touches the Oregon coast, the Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway runs 61 miles from Port Orford, to Cape Blanco and a seemingly random intersection of forest roads in the hills of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. The route leads along the Elk River through stands of old growth forest, and to sweeping vistas over the Pacific Ocean. View map and directions Willamette Valley Length: 134 miles Difficulty: Moderate The long, relatively flat Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway is a great way to tour the region, starting in Wilsonville and running clear to Eugene. The agricultural valley is renowned for its wine and its hops, which may tempt you to stop off in wine country for the night. The only significant climb comes just south of Brownsville, where the road rises 600 feet in elevation. View map and directions --Jamie Hale covers travel and the outdoors and co-hosts the Peak Northwest podcast. Reach him at 503-294-4077, jhale@oregonian.com or @HaleJamesB. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. Both on the international stage and in bilateral contacts with Armenia, we consistently emphasize one point: there must be unhindered passage from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan. There must be smooth and unrestricted passage from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan, without any inspections or obstacles. This is our demand, said President Ilham Aliyev during a meeting dedicated to transportation issues, Trend reports. Recalling that the Soviet regime took Western Zangezur from Azerbaijan in 1920, committing a crime against the Azerbaijani people, the head of state also noted: We have not forgotten Zangezur, and we will not forget it. I repeat, we have no territorial claims against Armenia. However, Armenia must fulfill its obligations and provide unrestricted passage from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan. Many nights, we watch a film with our granddaughter. Weve watched all of the classic Disney cartoons and a host of others, some classic and some, well, not quite so classic. Weve watched Mary Poppins and the live versions of Beauty and the Beast and Mulan and so on and so forth. Tonight, we watched the classic 1938 movie The Adventures of Robin Hood, starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, and Claude Rains. Its been quite a while since I last watched it, but it holds up surprisingly well for a movie that is now incredibly nearly ninety years old. The performances are good, the script is often witty (You speak treason! Yes. Fluently!), and the (1938!) Technicolor is still lush, as is Erich Wolfgang Korngolds score. Opern ohne Singen, Korngold called his film scores. Operas without singing. And no less a modern film composer than John Williams has acknowledged his debt to Korngold, who returned to the United States from an opera-conducting gig in his native Austria in order to work on The Adventures of Robin Hood and then remained in America until the end of the Second World War. A Jew, he was no longer either welcome or safe in his home country after the Anschluss. But The Adventures of Robin Hood has a special significance for me and my wife: Our first date was to the Mexican restaurant El Azteca, which was once located just south of Brigham Young University. (I still regret its closing, though many years have now passed. Its banana punch was luscious.) And then we caught a screening of the film back up on campus. Meanwhile, the Hollywood onslaught against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shows little sign of easing up. So I share here an opinion column written by Sarah Jane Weaver, the editor of Salt Lake Citys Deseret News: Opinion: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives does not represent me: To ignore every bit of reality on Reality TV especially related to something as sacred as the faith of millions of people is hurtful, unfair, unkind and mischaracterizes religion Editors note: This perspective was originally published Sept 16, 2024, and is being repromoted as episodes of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives will begin airing on ABC. Im pleased that Hank Smith and John Bytheway, in Episode 5, Part 2, of their popular Follow Him podcast for this year this installment featuring Professor Robert Eaton for a discussion of Doctrine and Covenants 3-5 make very favorable mention of the Interpreter Foundations 2021 theatrical film Witnesses. The reference to Witnesses comes at about the 2:35 mark and continues for not quite a full minute. Incidentally, as we enter into a Come, Follow Me curriculum year that is devoted to the Doctrine and Covenants and to the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the collection of resources that were accumulated by the Interpreter Foundation as part of its overall Witnesses film project might potentially be very helpful to students and teachers. Here is one small illustration of those resources: Episode 15: Are Prophets Perfect? Witnesses of the Book of MormonInsights Episode 15: God uses human beings as his leaders on the earth. Do these people need to be perfect to be prophets, seers, and revelators? This is Episode 15 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. In this installment, 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/. And please dont forget that Undaunted is now available for free streaming at The Witnesses Initiative. Interpreter Radio Show January 19, 2025, including Doctrine and Covenants in Context D&C 10-11 In the 19 January 2025 episode of the Interpreter Radio Show, Bruce Webster, Kris Frederickson, and Martin Tanner discussed Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson 7, BYU employment standards, and NetFlixs American Primeval. Their conversation was recorded. It has now been edited (to remove commercial interruptions), archived, and made available to you online and at no charge. The Interpreter Radio Show can be heard on Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640. Or, if that doesnt work for you or if (for whatever reason, whether good or bad) it simply doesnt float your boat, you can also listen live on the Internet at ktalkmedia.com. Its now my painful duty, however, to share a quartet of horrors from the Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File: Jean-Pierre Camus (1584-1652), bishop of Belley in France, was a friend and follower of St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622). He wrote the book, The Spirit of St. Francis de Sales. It contains the section, Upon Purgatory: which I reproduce in its entirety. *** Concerning Purgatory, St. Francis used to say that in the controversy with Protestants there was no point on which the Church could support her doctrine by so many proofs, drawn both from the Scriptures and from the Fathers and Councils, as on this. He blamed those who oppose the doctrine for their lack of piety towards the dead. On the other hand, he reproved those Catholic preachers who, when speaking of Purgatory and of the pains and torments suffered there by the holy souls, do not at the same time enlarge upon their perfect love of God, and consequent entire satisfaction in the accomplishment of His will, with which their own will is so indissolubly united, that they cannot possibly feel the slightest movement of impatience or irritation. Nor can they desire to be anywhere but where they are, were it even till the consummation of all things, if such should be Gods good pleasure. On this subject he recommended the careful study of the Treatise on Purgatory, written by blessed Catherine of Genoa. By his advice I read the book with attention, and have often re-read it, always with fresh relish and profit. I have even invited Protestants to read if, and they have been quite satisfied by it. One young convert admitted that had he seen this Treatise before his conversion it would have helped him more than all the discussions into which the subject had led him. St. Francis was of opinion that the thought of Purgatory ought rather to comfort than to terrify. The majority of those, he used to say, who dread Purgatory do so in view of their own interests, and out of self-love, rather than for Gods interests. The cause of this is that those who preach on the subject are in the habit of depicting only the pains of that prison, and say not a word on the joy and peace which the souls therein detained enjoy. It is true that the torments of Purgatory are so great that the most acute sufferings of this life cannot be compared with them; but, then, on the other hand, the inward satisfaction of the sufferers is such that no amount of earthly prosperity or contentment can equal it. 1. The souls who are waiting there enjoy a continual union with God. 2. Their wills are in perfect subjection to His will; or, to speak more correctly, their wills are so absolutely transformed into the will of God that they cannot will anything but what He wills. 3. If Paradise were open to them, they would rather cast themselves down into hell than appear before God stained and denied as they see themselves still to be. 4. They accept their Purgatory lovingly and willingly, because it is the good pleasure of God. 5. They wish to be there, in the manner in which it pleases God that they should be, and for as long as He wills. 6. They cannot sin. 7. They cannot feel the slightest movement of impatience. 8. Nor be guilty of the smallest imperfection. 9. They love God more than themselves and more than any other creature, and with a perfect, pure, and disinterested love, 10. They are in Purgatory consoled by the angels. 11. They are secure of their salvation. 12. They are in a state of hope, which cannot but be realized. 13. Their grief is holy and calm. 14. In short, if Purgatory is a species of hell as regards suffering, it is a species of Paradise as regards charity. The charity which quickens those holy souls is stronger than death, more powerful than hell; its lamps are all of fire and flame. Neither servile fear nor mercenary hope has any part in their pure affection. Purgatory is a happy state, more to be desired than dreaded, for all its flames are flames of love and sweetness. Yet still it is to be dreaded, since it delays the end of all perfection, which consists in seeing God, and therefore fully loving Him, and by this sight and by this love praising and glorifying Him through all eternity. ***** St. Catherine of Genoa, Treatise on Purgatory (Excerpts on Joy and Happiness in Purgatory): St. Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510) was an Italian Catholic saint and mystic, admired for her work among the sick and the poor and remembered because of various writings describing both these actions and her mystical experiences. Her writings also became sources of inspiration for theologians such as St. Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) and St. Francis de Sales: both Doctors of the Church. *** So happy are they to be within Gods ordinance, and that He should do all which pleases Him, as it pleases Him that in their greatest pain they cannot think of themselves. They see only the working of the divine goodness, which leads man to itself mercifully . . . (ch. 1) I believe no happiness can be found worthy to be compared with that of a soul in Purgatory except that of the saints in Paradise; and day by day this happiness grows as God flows into these souls, more and more as the hindrance to His entrance is consumed. Sins rust is the hindrance, and the fire burns the rust away so that more and more the soul opens itself up to the divine inflowing. A thing which is covered cannot respond to the suns rays, not because of any defect in the sun, which is shining all the time, but because the cover is an obstacle; if the cover be burnt away, this thing is open to the sun; more and more as the cover is consumed does it respond to the rays of the sun. . . . As the rust lessens and the soul is opened up to the divine ray, happiness grows; until the time be accomplished the one wanes and the other waxes. (ch. 2) Of the peace and the joy there are in Purgatory. The souls in Purgatory have wills accordant in all things with the will of God, who therefore sheds on them His goodness, and they, as far as their will goes, are happy and cleansed of all their sin. (ch. 5) When with its inner sight the soul sees itself drawn by God with such loving fire, then it is melted by the heat of the glowing love for God, its most dear Lord, which it feels overflowing it. And it sees by the divine light that God does not cease from drawing it, nor from leading it, lovingly and with much care and unfailing foresight, to its full perfection, doing this of His pure love. . . . it is the sight of these things which begets in the souls the pain they feel in Purgatory. Not that they make account of their pain; most great though it be, they deem it a far less evil than to find themselves going against the will of God, whom they clearly see to be on fire with extreme and pure love for them. (ch. 9) A last act of love is done by God without help from man. So many hidden imperfections are in the soul that, did it see them, it would live in despair. But in the state of which we have spoken they are all burnt away, and only when they have gone does God shew them to the soul, so that it may see that divine working which kindles the fire of love in which its imperfections have been burnt away. (ch. 11) It is true that love for God which fills the soul to overflowing, gives it, so I see it, a happiness beyond what can be told, but this happiness takes not one pang from the pain of the souls in Purgatory. Rather the love of these souls, finding itself hindered, causes their pain; and the more perfect is the love of which God has made them capable, the greater is their pain. So that the souls in Purgatory enjoy the greatest happiness and endure the greatest pain; the one does not hinder the other. (ch. 12) They await immovably all that God gives them, whether pleasure and happiness or pain, and never more can they turn their eyes back to themselves. (ch. 13) The second work they see is the happiness they feel as they contemplate Gods ordinance and the love and mercy with which He works on the soul. In one instant God imprints these two sights on their minds, and because they are in grace they are aware of these sights and understand them as they are, in the measure of their capacity. Thus a great happiness is granted them which never fails; rather it grows as they draw nearer God. These souls see these sights neither in nor of themselves but in God, on whom they are far more intent than on the pains they suffer, and of whom they make far greater account, beyond all comparison, than of their pains. For every glimpse which can be had of God exceeds any pain or joy a man can feel. Albeit, however, it exceeds the pain and joy of these souls, it lessens them by not a tittle. (ch. 16) As for my outer man, it too, since the spirit does not respond to it, is so besieged that it finds nothing to refresh it on the earth if it follow its human instinct. No comfort is left it save God, who works all this by love and very mercifully in satisfaction of His justice. To perceive this gives my outer man great peace and happiness, but happiness which neither lessens my pain nor weakens the siege. Yet no pain could ever be inflicted on me so great that I would wish to depart from the divine ordinance. I neither leave my prison nor seek to go forth from it: let God do what is needed! My happiness is that God be satisfied, nor could I suffer a worse pain than that of going outside Gods ordinance, so just I see Him to be and so very merciful. (ch. 17) Photo credit: Forensic facial reconstruction of St. Catherine of Genoa: FFR by Cicero Moraes (Arc-Team), 3D data acquisition by Alessandro Bezzi (Arc-Team), historical research by Luca Bezzi (Arc-Team) [link] [Wikimedia Commons / CC-by-4.0 license] Summary: I reproduce excepts from St. Catherine of Genoa (Treatise on Purgatory) & Bishop Jean-Pierre Camus (The Spirit of St. Francis de Sales) on the experience of joy in purgatory. Elizabeth Tabish is no stranger to taking on roles that resonate with her own cultural heritage. The actress, known for her work on the hit series The Chosen, is now bringing that same personal connection to her latest project, the upcoming film Between Borders, releasing this week through Fathom Events. Tabish was approached by producer Isaac Norris about the script, and as soon as she heard it was a story centered around an Armenian family, she was immediately eager to dive in. I was really, really moved by it, Tabish said. The character that I play, I saw members of my own family in her so much. I really recognized a lot of her attitudes and reactions to things and sort of emotional state. With her own mixed Armenian, Lebanese, Italian, French, German and English background, Tabish has long struggled to find her place in an industry that has traditionally favored more homogeneous appearances. When I was younger and getting into acting, I knew that I didnt look like everyone else, she explained. It did feel like a struggle for some time to find my place in this industry. That all changed with her role in The Chosen, which allowed Tabish to embrace her ethnicity rather than hide it. It was so freeing to just to be able to look exactly how I look and then this is the first story where I get to play an Armenian character, she said. Its sad to say, but its the first time Ive even had an audition for something like that. In Between Borders, Tabish portrays a member of an Armenian family living in Azerbaijan whose world is upended when tensions against Armenians escalate to a dangerous level, forcing them to flee to Russia. There, they find refuge in a Christian church started by American missionaries, a stark contrast to their communist upbringing. Its a family that were born and raised in Azerbaijan. Their entire world is there. Thats their home, and theyve got these fantastic jobs, and theyre really secure, Tabish explained. And then tensions against Armenians worsens to such a degree that its dangerous to stay another night. They have to leave immediately. As the family navigates their new surroundings in Volgograd, Russia, they face continued threats and bullying, but also discover a sense of solace and peace within the church community. This ultimately leads them to apply for citizenship and find a new home in America. Theres this sort of parallel story going on where theyre seeking home, and they find home in America, yes, but they also have found home in their faith and in God too, Tabish said. For the actress, the opportunity to bring this Armenian story to the screen holds deep personal significance. Ive been wanting to help tell an Armenian story for some time, and so I was just very excited to get to do so, she shared. Tabish is hopeful that Between Borders will resonate with audiences and continue the industrys positive momentum towards greater diversity and representation. Im glad things are changing. Im glad that more stories are being told and more people are feeling represented on the screen, she said. Watch a portion of the interview with Elizabeth Tabish below. Google is getting sick and tired of YouTube watchers who use ad blockers, and no surprise the company is stepping it up in an effort to extract (reclaim?) even more ad revenue from users. On Reddit, one user on the r/youtube subreddit showed a screenshot of a 58-minute unskippable ad, which then prompted commenters to share their own experiences of unskippable YouTube ads ranging from several minutes to many hours. The biggest one, which we couldnt verify, is a claim to have seen a 90-hour unskippable ad. Android Authority reports that Google has confirmed a crackdown on YouTube users who use ad blockers. According to the report, Google offered the following statement: Ads are a vital lifeline for our creators that helps them run and grow their businesses. Thats why the use of ad blockers violate YouTubes Terms of Service. Weve launched a global effort to urge viewers with ad blockers enabled to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium for an ad free experience. Normally, unskippable ads on YouTube are limited to 15 seconds in duration. However, Google admits that theyre making an effort to identify ad-blocking users and discourage them from using ad blockers while watching YouTube videos. For users who continue to block ads, Google reserves the right to deactivate video playback. The company emphasizes that this is only a last resort for the most stubborn ad blockers, but if it comes to it, Google is prepared to switch off video access. Without an ad blocker, you have two options: accept the existent of both skippable and unskippable ads before and during YouTube videos, or pay for YouTube Premium which costs $13.99 per month. Of course, if you cant stomach that, you wouldnt be the only one. Hear that? Its the sound of a million gamers waiting for the release of Nvidias next-gen RTX cards with bated breath. Youll be able to part with your hard-earned cash in a few days, and Newegg and Best Buy are first in line to take it. The retailers already have listings for dozens of RTX 5090 and 5080 cards and some of them even have prices. Go ahead and check out the early RTX 50 listings on Newegg and Best Buy. The latter has prices, most notably the right-on-the-money RTX 5080 Founders Edition. FE cards are sold direct from Nvidia with no partner branding or upgraded elements, and the RTX 5080 is hitting the promised $1,000 launch price (with a free month of Discord Nitro, woo). Other RTX 5080 variants from Gigabyte are also on offer, topping out at the Xtreme Waterforce 16GB model, which costs $1,400 and comes with an included radiator and triple-fan cooling setup. Very fancy and very pricey, but still well below the $2,000 starting price for the RTX 5090. Only the Founders Edition of that card is up on Best Buys site so far, though a few pre-built desktops are shown. Newegg is showing both RTX 5090 and 5080 variants, with over 40 different models from Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, Zotac, and PNY. Prices for these specific cards arent available yet, and Nvidias Founders Edition cards are notably absent from the lineup. According to a Newegg press release, they go on sale in the US on Thursday, January 30th at 9 AM Eastern (6 AM Pacific) along with pre-built PCs with the new GPUs. In an echo of well, pretty much every Nvidia release of the last decade, the company is already warning that cards might go out of stock quickly. It says that its working with partners to get as many GPUs on shelves as possible, but please resist the urge to enrich scalpers. Elden Ring will still be there in a couple of months. Oh, and dont forget to check out PCWorlds review of the RTX 5090 right here, and the newer RTX 5080 review here. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. Human Rights Watch, positioning itself as a champion of human rights, has published an annual report on the state of human rights in the world, and the part of the report on Azerbaijan, along with numerous slanderous allegations, raises the issue of creating conditions for the return of Armenians left from our country, but in the section dedicated to Armenia, there is not a phrase about the return of exiled Azerbaijanis, the statement of the Western Azerbaijan Community said, Trend reports. We consider it discrimination by Human Rights Watch against the Azerbaijani people on ethnic and religious grounds. Racial discrimination is not acceptable in any case. When this discrimination is carried out by organizations describing themselves as champions of human rights, it is a double blow to human rights. We would like to especially recall that shortly before the publication of this report, a notorious speech by former President Levon Ter-Petrosian was circulated confirming that the ethnic cleansing carried out by Armenia against Western Azerbaijanis was a state policy, and we sent a special appeal to Human Rights Watch in this regard. We demand that Human Rights Watch and the forces behind it stop using human rights as a political tool, racial discrimination against Azerbaijanis, and support for Armenia's policy of ethnic cleansing,'' the statement reads. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Since 2016, Microsoft Word users have had access to Smart Lookup, a nifty feature that lets you right-click on a word or phrase and bring up definitions, synonyms, and relevant links to sites like Wikipedia. Now, however, Windows Latest reports that Microsoft has decided to retire the Smart Lookup feature. If you check out the Smart Lookup support page, Microsoft has added a notice at the top: Important: Smart Lookup will be retired starting on January 1, 2025. As of this writing, if you right-click on a word or phrase and select Search [word/phrase] in the context menu, itll open up the Search pane like usual, but you wont get any search results. Itll get stuck loading before eventually saying: Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again. Smart Lookup was long powered by Microsofts search engine, Bing, and it actually worked quite well. So why remove it? The only reasonable answer is that Microsoft wants to push users toward Copilot. If you want to look up stuff not just definitions and synonyms but anything else then youll have to start relying on Copilot. Not only has Smart Lookup been removed from Microsoft Word, but its also been removed from the standalone Office 2024 suite an unusual move because Copilot cant be used there at all. A 69-year-old man was killed when a neighbor fired a shotgun through the wall of his row home, authorities said. The Carbon County Coroners Office has identified the deceased as Gerald Pogzeba of Banks Township. Pogzeba was pronounced dead at about 1:50 p.m. Thursday in the 1600 block of Berwick Street in the township, the coroners office said. Carbon County Coroner Mark Smith said Pogzeba died from a gunshot wound and the manner was ruled a homicide. Dylan Scott Eroh, 25, of Banks Township, is facing a felony criminal homicide charge in the incident, as well as felony aggravated assault, felony discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, two counts misdemeanor simple assault and misdemeanor reckless endangerment. Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Anthony Petroski III, public information officer for Troop N, said responding troopers found Pogzeba dead on Thursday afternoon at the home. It was later determined Eroh fired the shot through the wall of his row home and into Pogzebas neighboring home, Petroski said. State police in Hazleton didnt release any other details. Its unclear what led to the shooting. Eroh was arraigned Friday before District Judge William J. Kissner, who denied bail. He was then sent to the Carbon County jail. Court records did not immediately show attorney information for Eroh. Eroh is due back in court for a preliminary hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. on Feb. 5 before Kissner. A judge will then determine if theres sufficient evidence to send the case toward trial at the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas. The incident remains under investigation by Pennsylvania State Police in Hazletons Criminal Investigation Unit, the Carbon County District Attorneys Office and the Carbon County Coroners Office. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. It looks like Nashville international Airport could be in for a name change with Rep. Todd Warner of North Carolina introducing a bill to have it named after President Donald Trump. If the Republican from Chapel Hill has its way it could soon by Trump International Airport, and per The Tennessean he already has the backing of several Republican lawmakers from Tennessee. But theres another proposed name floating around for the airport that is interesting, too, with a petition that is now closing in on 2,000 signatures backing it. That name? Dolly Parton International Airport. Thats right, as the petition said, We could all be Departin from Parton! As proud citizens of Tennessee, we are motivated by our deep-rooted admiration for the national treasure and Tennessee legend, Dolly Parton, the petition reads. She is not only a celebrated artist who encourages love, acceptance, and goodwill through her music, but also a philanthropist, known for her countless contributions to society. Dolly has made substantial impacts on thousands of lives, especially though her Imagination Library program, which has gifted over 100 million books to children since it began in 1995, the petition continued. Dollys philanthropic efforts, her outstanding influence in the music industry, and the love she has instilled in our hearts through her actions and songs, truly make her a deserving candidate to have the Nashville International Airport named after her. Of course, per The Tennessean, there are others who just want the airports name to be left alone, in part, because while its official name is the Nashville International Airport it carries the airport code of BNA for Berry Field Nashville. That is because, per the newspaper, the airport was originally named after Colonel harry S. Berry, a U.S. Army Veteran of World War I who helped found the airport in 1937. They dont want to see his legacy erased. So, it will be interesting to see how this one works out. Will Berrys legacy stay intact, or will it be Trump or Pardon moving forward. She set fire to this mans real estate plans. Adele once heavily hinted that a rental she had lived in for half a year in England was haunted. Now the current owner is having trouble selling it. CNN reports how the British pop star was showing anchor Anderson Cooper around the 10-bedroom West Sussex property during a 2012 segment of 60 Minutes when she insinuated there might possibly be ghosts lingering within its halls. The BBC continues to report how Adele confessed to Cooper that the house was all quite scary, really. Im not rattling around here on my own, Adele admits. It gives me the creeps. Ever seen The Shining? she adds. Now, according to The Times of London, Nicholas Sutton the mansions current owner is struggling to successfully market the residence as it remains up for sale. And its all because Adeles strong suggestions of an otherworldly presence in the home blighted its attraction to potential buyers and stilted Suttons plans of converting it into three houses and a cottage making it unsellable. Unfortunately, during an interview on CBS, Adele remarked that she believed the house to be haunted, Sutton informed the Horsham district council while presenting a planning application. This comment negatively impacted future marketing efforts and continues to affect the propertys reputation to this day. Should you, reader, be in the market for a mansion and should you also not really care about potentially having ghosts as roommates the New York Posts lists the propertys price at $7.4 million. By Lawrence Mower, Ana Ceballos and Alexandra Glorioso, Tampa Bay Times (TNS) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Floridas legislative leaders issued a stunning rebuke to Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday, rejecting his call for a special legislative session to address immigration and overriding one of his vetoes for the first time. Instead of supporting DeSantis on his signature issue in recent years, lawmakers are holding their own special session this week to support President Donald Trumps immigration agenda, which theyre calling the Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy (TRUMP) Act. And they are considering stripping DeSantis of his immigration enforcement powers, which the governor used to fly migrants to Marthas Vineyard three years ago. House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, and Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, all but accused DeSantis of calling lawmakers back to Tallahassee to boost his own political profile. I believe special sessions should be used sparingly, Perez said. They should not be stunts designed to generate headlines. Albritton said some of DeSantis' immigration proposals, such as criminally charging local police who dont cooperate, were potentially unconstitutional and had nothing to do with Trumps agenda. Sometimes leadership isnt about being out in front of an issue, Albritton told colleagues. Its about following the leader you trust. I trust President Trump. DeSantis responded on X by claiming the bill was similar to his own, but substantially weaker. It is an insult to name such a weak bill after President Trump, who has been so strong on this issue, he wrote. Though the Florida legislatures leadership initially said the call for a special session on immigration enforcement was premature, they have now finally agreed to come in and do their job. The leaders' statements were the result of years of frustration with DeSantis' leadership and treatment of the Legislature. Over the last six years, hes run roughshod over his GOP colleagues, frequently vetoing their priorities while calling them back to Tallahassee to pass legislation that he touted during splashy news conferences and on the campaign trail. Republican leaders are now proposing to kneecap DeSantis on immigration. They could strip DeSantis of his authority to enforce immigration in the state and give that power to Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, a Republican who has a frosty relationship with DeSantis. Simpson, a former Senate president, was elected to lead the states Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in 2022. If state lawmakers approve the proposal, Simpson would become the states chief immigration officer and would oversee how local and state law enforcement agencies enforce Trumps immigration agenda. FILE - Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to supporters during a caucus night party, Jan. 15, 2024, in West Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)AP DeSantis trashed the idea. On X, he wrote that the agriculture departments stakeholders often oppose enforcement measures, implying that farmers relying on migrant labor dont want changes. By giving enforcement power to the agricultural arm of state government, it ensures that enforcement never actually occurs, DeSantis wrote. In short, it puts the fox in charge of the hen house. On Monday, lawmakers also overrode the governors veto last year of more than $56 million for legislative support services. The money was meant to pay for the states economists, about 200 legislative staffers and The Florida Channel, which broadcasts meetings and legislative actions for the public. Lawmakers said they believed DeSantis was targeting one specific provision among the $56 million: funding a study on the effect of fees charged by credit card companies on sales taxes. The veto was considered a favor to credit card companies. This veto was at best a misunderstanding of the importance of the appropriation, or at worst, an attempt to threaten the independence of our separate branch of government, Perez told lawmakers. In calling for the veto, he said that the budget of the governors office has grown 70% since DeSantis took office. The moves left many lawmakers stunned. Its obviously unprecedented, said Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, the only legislator to vote against overriding DeSantis' veto. The king has fallen, said Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami. Lawmakers could pass the new legislation as soon as Tuesday morning. Their 75-page proposal would assign more than $500 million to a new Office of State Immigration Enforcement within Simpsons office. The money would pay for 149 new positions and grants to train local police to respond to federal immigration orders. It would also eliminate a state law that offers students who are in the country illegally in-state tuition at Floridas public universities and colleges something that has been in place since 2014 and that DeSantis has pushed to repeal in the past. In response to DeSantis' criticism, Perez and Albritton issued a joint statement accusing him of having not read their legislation and lobbing serious and inappropriate insults at Simpson, local police and farmers. One of DeSantis' statements that local police wont help federal immigration officers under their bill was a blatant lie, they wrote. His claim that Simpson doesnt oversee any law enforcement was also completely untrue. The agriculture department has 200 sworn officers, they wrote. They also took aim at DeSantis' claim that the departments stakeholders wouldnt want to enforce immigration laws. This outrageous statement maligns the hard-working farmers who work day and night to keep food on grocery stores shelves across Florida, Perez and Albritton wrote. The moves are a surprising end to a rare two-week standoff between DeSantis and legislative leaders. DeSantis began calling for a special session to address the condominium crisis in September. But it wasnt until Trump was sworn into office earlier this month that the governor formally ordered them back to Tallahassee. The order required lawmakers to return to the Capitol, but what they would do was ultimately up to Perez and Albritton, who quickly pushed back against the idea. DeSantis initially proposed an aggressive agenda of immigration and condominium reforms, hurricane relief and reforms to the citizen initiative process to amend the state constitution. Perez and Albritton said the ideas were premature and potentially irresponsible, noting that DeSantis did not provide any actual bill language or even meaningful details. While they supported Trumps immigration agenda, they wrote that they should wait to see what the president was going to propose. Since then, DeSantis quietly dropped condominium reforms, while waging a campaign to shame state lawmakers, taking to X and Fox News warning that they would face consequences for defying him. On Monday, Perez blasted efforts to bully lawmakers, which included emails and text messages to Floridians that included some lawmakers' personal cellphone numbers, he said. Attacks on this body attacks on all of you is not acceptable, Perez said. This House will not be moved by threats. Sen. Randy Fine, R-Melbourne Beach, said previously that DeSantis' call for a special session was a sign of a flailing guy losing relevance. To do a special session for five days on four topics with no bill, the whole thing was always a stunt, Fine said Monday. Special legislative sessions have typically been held to address emergencies, with a clear agenda known well in advance. Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Palm Harbor, said hes never been so in the dark about what was to come during a special session in his 15 years in the Legislature. This is kind of unprecedented that wed come up here without sort of knowing a solution or having a defined plan, Hooper said. 2025 Tampa Bay Times. Visit at tampabay.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The discussion about Elon Musk and his salute following the inauguration of President Donald Trump is still rolling on one week later. And that is because, in part, Musk has helped keep it going. Just days after coming under fire for the salute which many felt resembled a Nazi salute Musk thought it would be a good idea to throw out some Nazi jokes on his X platform. Then he spoke to Germanys far-right AfD party and reportedly told them they shouldnt focus on past guilt. That speech was slammed by Dani Dayan, the chairman of the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, who wrote on X that the remembrance and acknowledgement of the dark past of the country and its people should be central in shaping the German society. Failing to do so is an insult to the victims of Nazism, he added. And a clear danger to the democratic future of Germany. Which brings us back to Monday and a discussion of the salute that was still going on CNN. Republican pundit Scott Jennings stepped in to take up for Musk, and it didnt end well for him. This salute trutherism is outrageous, Jennings said. Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell quickly challenged Jennings. So, do it right now on TV, she said. Jennings attempted to ignore that and keep on talking, but Rampell again challenged him to do the salute. If you think this is a normal way to great people, do it right now on TV, she said again. Jennings ignored her. Why wont you? she asked. Jennings did not do the salute that Musk did. He did say that Musk has a long record of supporting the Jewish People. Anybody who is supporting this thing he did on the stage the other day was a sieg heil, which I just heard you say, lawyer up maybe because its an absolute ridiculous thing to say. Id like to report a homicide. @crampell completely destroys @ScottJenningsKY. On Holocaust Remembrance Day, Scott defends the Hitler salute. Doesnt end well for him. https://t.co/KpjruYk9qF Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) January 28, 2025 The Nazis in Germany thought it was a sieg heil, Rampell shot back. Jennings again tried to say that Musk was just expressing enthusiasm when Rampell dared him to do it on TV. There were folks on social media who backed Jennings and thought he made good points, but there were a lot who found it interesting that he would not give the salute. Itd like to report a homicide, Congressman Eric Swalwell wrote on X. (Catherine Rampell) completely destroys (Scott Jennings). On Holocaust Remembrance Day, Scott defends the Hitler salute. Doesnt end well for him. While speaking following the swearing in, Musk thanked the crowd, then put his hand to his chest and thrust it toward the crowd in what many recognized as resembling a Nazi salute. He did it twice more, and then turned back to the mic and said, My heart goes out to you. In the aftermath, Musk dismissed the accusations that he used a Nazi salute, calling them dirty tricks on X. UPDATE: Homeless man killed in Harrisburg Tent City fire had a whole other life A 53-year-old homeless man who died after catching on fire while trying to stay warm inside his tent almost two weeks ago has been identified. Alfred Colon was identified by the Baltimore County Coroners office as the man who died at Bayview Medical Center in Maryland on Jan. 18. He used canned gel fuel, also widely known as a Sterno, to try to stay warm in frigid temperatures around 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 16 at the homeless encampment on the 900 block of South Front Street. That set his tent on fire. A neighbor pulled Colon out of the tent. Fire from the canned gel burned about 60% to 70% of the mans body, in some parts down to the bone, according to Harrisburg fire Chief Brian Enterline. He said the wounds were in the top five worst hes seen. Colon was airlifted to the Maryland medical center because of the severity of the burns, according to Enterline. Colon told authorities he came from another state to live in Harrisburg, Enterline said. Its unclear where Colon lived before he became a Harrisburg resident. Colons family created a GoFundMe to help cover the unexpected funeral expenses. The fundraiser has raised nearly $800 toward a $3,000 goal as of Tuesday afternoon. The GofundMe described Colon as a man who touched countless lives. The news of Alfreds passing has left our community in shock and grief, Colons family wrote on the fundraiser. His loving spirit, infectious smile, and unwavering optimism touched countless lives. Alfred was more than just a family man. He was my best friend, my confidant, and my hero. He was an amazing husband, father, and friend, and his loss has left a gaping hole in our lives. The fatal fire sparked concerns for community advocates in preventing future encampment fires for people who have no intentions of seeking bed space in one of the areas emergency weather shelters. Enterline ruled the fire accidental. The corners office said Colons autopsy results are still pending. John Fetterman was a guest on The View on Monday and his trip to New York City ended up making a few headlines. Perhaps the most buzz came from his take on President Donald Trumps trial in the city last year. Im on record criticizing going after Hunter Biden, the senator from Pennsylvania said. And I also agree that the trial in this city, in New York, was politically motivated. That wouldnt otherwise have been prosecuted if it was someone else. Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in that hush money trial. Fetterman then addressed pardons he was also asked about Trump pardoning those in jail for Jan. 6 and Biden issuing pardons, too saying that he believed in pardons. But he said he didnt agree with many of the pardons issued by Biden and Trump. Especially on the J6 ones, he said. If you are going to abuse the process, someone who has been very committed as part of that, has made that part of my career, I think it is sad because it is politicized, and I think if anything that might have set some things back, he continued. Because people assume now, depending on what team is in office, those are the people that get some redemption. The View co-host Sunny Hostin seemed to remain focus on Fettermans take on Trumps trial throughout the discussion and brought him back to it when he was finished discussing pardons. Im sorry, she said. Did you mean the 34-count case in which Donald Trump was found guilty of various financial crimes was politically motivated here in New York? I found that when the judicial system gets weaponized and targeting political enemies for political gain, I think that is inappropriate, Fetterman responded. And I think that degrades our collective trust in this very important institution. Whether that is a Democrat going after a Republican or a Republican going after a Democrat. I like to think I call it strikes and balls, the judicial system has to remain impartial. I mean that is really the cornerstone of our society. The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg then wrapped up the segment with a smile. Wouldnt that be great if that is the way that things actually worked, she said. You can see the segment here. An Oklahoma senator introduced a series of bills to the states legislature on Tuesday, including one that would ban pornography. According to USA Today, Senator Dusty Deevers referred to the seven bills he introduced as a slate of legislation to restore moral sanity in Oklahoma. Pornography is both degenerate material and a highly addictive drug, Deevers said in a news release. It ruins marriages, ruins lives, destroys innocence, warps young peoples perception of the opposite sex, turns women into objects, turns men into objects, degrades human dignity, and corrodes the moral fabric of society. Deevers' statement continues on to say any decent society will stand against this plague with the full weight of the law. If passed, the bill banning pornography would allow for criminal penalties of up to 10 years in prison for anyone found guilty of producing, distributing or possessing pornography in Oklahoma. Deevers' bills also include one introducing harsher penalties for anyone found possessing, distributing or producing material showing sexual abuse of children, raising current zero-to-20 year sentences to 10-to-30 years, and adding between 15 and 50 years for additional offenses. There is perhaps no more psychopathic and antisocial behavior in existence than producing, distributing, or watching child sexual abuse material, Deevers said in the release. These people should not be back on our streets after brief stints behind bars. The other bills in the collection include: Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said on Monday that his administration will not work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in deporting immigrants who entered the country illegally. I am not going to be working with ICE. My administration will not work with ICE, Gainey said during a Pennsylvania Press Club event in Harrisburg, according to TribLive and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. We will do whatever is necessary to make our city more welcoming. Thats what were built on. ICE is not going to end the situation of a failed immigration policy. Its not going to do it, he said. What it is going to do is create more situations where people feel scared. Where people dont feel safe. Where people do things they normally wouldnt do. If the federal government wants to reform immigration, Gainey said that it should look at creating a pathway to citizenship. Change it through the legislation, he said. We know what needs to happen. Wheres the appetite to do it right? Gaineys statements are a reaction to the Trump administrations crackdown on illegal immigration, which includes allowing ICE agents to arrest people in schools and churches, areas previously considered off-limits. Kristen Schneck, an immigration attorney, told TribLive that she was involved in the cases of two people who were detained by ICE after a raid on a Mexican Restaurant in Pittsburgh over the weekend. Pittsburghs public safety spokesperson, Cara Cruz, told TribLive that the city wasnt aware of any ICE raids. At this time, the City of Pittsburgh has no evidence of ICE activity occurring within city limits and has not been asked to assist the agency in any way, she said via email. Gainey, who previously served nine years as a state lawmaker, is currently running for reelection as mayor. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. The information regarding the crash of the AZAL passenger airplane is spread in social networks on behalf of the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Aykhan Hajizada. In response to Trend's inquiry, the spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, Aykhan Hajizada, has stated that this information is false. This fake information on behalf of Aykhan Hajizada informs that preliminary results of the investigation of the crash confirm the version about the alleged collision of the airplane with birds. To note, an AZAL passenger plane flying Baku-Grozny crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan on December 25, 2024. Out of 67 people on board, 38 were dead. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. The special envoy of the Russian president for relations with international organizations for the achievement of sustainable development goals, Boris Titov, has met with Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Samir Sharifov and Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev in Baku, the Russian official wrote on social media account, Trend reports. 'We discussed the proposal to join the initiative to create the SCO Council on Sustainable Development,' the publication reads. According to Titov, it is necessary to change the approach to the embodiment of the SDGs, and in five years until 2030, it is necessary to manage to form this approach. Azerbaijan, by the way, is moving along this path not in words, but in deeds. It is enough to recall the results of the last UN climate conference, COP29, which was held in Baku. The fact that the creation of an international market of carbon units has moved from the brake is the merit of the organizers, he added. Court Orders Indicted Lawyer to Stop Playing Poker While Awaiting Trial Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Copy link Tom Goldstein entered a not guilty plea in a federal court on Monday, and also signed an agreement to stay away from the poker tables while awaiting trial. The SCOTUSblog founder who allegedly failed to disclose millions in poker winnings to the IRS is facing 22 counts of tax evasion, preparing false and fraudulent tax returns, and failing to pay his taxes. Goldstein, the infamous "mystery player" who folded the winning hand in a $540,000 pot on Hustler Casino Live last May, once was a prominent lawyer who represented Al Gore against George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential election case. He's now facing his own legal issues and is being represented by President Donald Trump's attorneys, John Lauro and Christopher Kise. "Mr. Goldstein will vigorously defend against these charges, and we look forward to his exoneration," Goldstein's lawyers told Reuters. Taking a Break from Poker According to court documents filed in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Goldstein is out on release. But he must abide by certain pretrial stipulations set by the court. One restriction is that he cannot travel anywhere but the Washington D.C. metro area without court permission during the pretrial phase. He is prohibited from getting drunk, possessing a firearm, and must surrender his passport. The accused tax evader also must not "engage in any type of gambling including poker of any type," online or live. Goldstein is a longtime high-stakes player who supposedly won upwards of $50 million in nosebleed private games against billionaires who weren't identified by name in the indictment, which was filed earlier this month. Goldstein, who left his Supreme Court practice in 2023, "allegedly engaged in a scheme to evade his taxes" by diverting legal fees from his law firm, Goldstein & Russell, P.C., to his personal bank account and using them to pay poker debts, according to the indictment. Dan Bilzerian 'Best Friends' w/ Indicted Lawyer, Had $385k Las Vegas Prop Bet He also allegedly used law firm assets to pay personal poker debts by falsely classifying them as "legal-fee" expenses and "using firm assets to pay salaries and health insurance premiums for people with whom Goldstein had a personal relationship but who performed little or no work for the law firm and did not qualify for its health insurance." The story has been covered by virtually every leading mainstream news outlet and across the poker community. Poker pro Doug Polk also provided a detailed explanation of the accusations against Goldstein, in a YouTube video. Share this article BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. The Commission of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan against Foreign Interventions and Hybrid Threats issued a statement, the Azerbaijani parliament told Trend. "The Commission of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan against foreign interference and hybrid threats, within the framework of its powers, analyzes the protection, integrity and security of our state from external threats, including atrocities that may pose a threat to the unity and national and spiritual values of the Azerbaijani people, develops recommendations for their exposure and prevention. During the monitoring conducted by the commission, the goals and features of disinformation and information manipulations carried out mainly on social media platforms from the territory of a neighboring state were studied, and a network was identified that systematically and organizedly participates in the anti-Azerbaijani campaign. The campaign involves more than 300 accounts, 124 of which are on Facebook, 67 on Instagram, 67 on Telegram, 32 on YouTube, 10 on X and other social networks. During the research it was established that harmful and radical religious and ideological propaganda aimed at inciting discord between our citizens, creating polarization, changing the constitutional order of the state and forming distrust of state institutions is carried out in a coordinated manner. The Commission against Foreign Interventions and Hybrid Threats calls on our citizens not to believe false and fake information. A report on the monitoring results will be submitted to the relevant government agencies for appropriate action," the statement says. Charleston, SC (29403) Today A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. High 72F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 52F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Summerville, SC (29483) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 77F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 49F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. Various cities in Georgia hosted memorial events to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the January 20 tragedy, the State Committee for Work with the Azerbaijani Diaspora told Trend. According to the Committee, an event titled "January 20 A Path to Victory" was organized at the Dmanisi Training Center in Georgia. Participants first visited the monument dedicated to the martyrs in the village of Oruzman in the Dmanisi district, where the ceremony began with a moment of silence in honor of the fallen heroes. The head of the Training Center, Kamran Khydirov, and other speakers discussed the crimes committed by the Soviet Empires forces against the Azerbaijani people in January of 1990. At the initiative of the "Azerbaijan House" in Marneuli and with the organizational support of the Azerbaijani Diaspora Support Fund, a photo exhibition and event titled "The Road to National Resistance and Freedom" were held. The event saw the participation of key figures, including representatives from the embassies of Azerbaijan and Turkiye in Georgia, Sheikh Haji Faig Nabiyev of the Muslim Board of All Georgia, Zeynab Bayrak, the Director General of TIKA's Georgian representative office, Faruk Tekshen, the Director General of the Georgian representative office of Maarif Schools of Turkiye, as well as members and employees of the Marneuli Municipality. Also in attendance were various public figures, religious leaders, intellectuals, and youth. Another memorial event in Marneuli took place at the Center for the Integration of Azerbaijanis in Georgia. Following a moment of silence to honor the victims of the January 20 tragedy, the Executive Director of the Center, Murad Muradov, delivered an opening speech. The event concluded with the screening of the documentary film "January 20. Speaking Fates." At a separate event marking the 35th anniversary of the January 20 tragedy, held at the Rustavi Educational and Cultural Center, the center's head, Raida Darzieva, provided information about the bloody genocide. Poet and publicist Rafik Hummet, Sevda Shahverdiyeva, a teacher at School No. 3 in Gardabani, and other speakers emphasized that these tragic events failed to weaken the Azerbaijani peoples resolve in their fight for independence. The event ended with a literary and artistic performance by the centers students, followed by a documentary video dedicated to the January 20 tragedy. At the Alliance Youth Center in Tbilisi, participants viewed a photo exhibition honoring the January 20 tragedy. Rena Huseynova, the Executive Director of the Center, highlighted that this tragedy marked a pivotal moment in Azerbaijan's journey toward independence. She noted that due to the heroism of the Azerbaijani people and the determination of great leader Heydar Aliyev, the Soviet leadership's insidious goals were thwarted. The event also featured speeches by Isak Novruzov, Chairman of the Council of Elders of Georgian Azerbaijanis, economist Aigul Isayeva, Tengiz Mamedov, and student Nargiz Baghirova. As part of an event organized by the "Caucasian Center for Law and Integration" in Bolnisi, dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the January 20 events, attendees visited the grave of martyr Ilgar Akhmedov, who hails from the village of Fakhraly in the Bolnisi region. Rezo Hasanov, Executive Director of the Center, shared insights on the January 20 tragedy. During a memorial event at the Gabala Village Development Center in the Lagodekhi region, the Center's head, Yaver Mamedov, reflected on the 35 years since that fateful night, known to the Azerbaijani people as the tragedy of "Black January" or "Bloody January." He emphasized the significant progress Azerbaijan has made since then. At the Bright Future Educational Center in the Garacop (Yor-Mughanly) district of Sagarejo, a memorial event was attended by the Chairman of the Sagarejo district municipality, Lekso Gilashivili, and the Mayor of Sagarejo city, Avtandil Gulikashvili. Other notable participants included the center's teachers, Ismikhan Mammadov and Durna Mardanova, the director of the Yor-Mughanly school, Rizvan Usubov, Samir Abdurahimov, an advisor to the Azerbaijani Embassy in Georgia, aksakal Tapdyg Mirzaliyev, and the imam of the Keshali mosque, Afgan Yolchuyev. Finally, an event to mark the 35th anniversary of the January 20 tragedy was held at the Gardabani Educational and Integration Center. Raul Aliyev, the founder of the Center, along with other participants, informed attendees about the January 20 tragedy. They acknowledged the pivotal role of Heydar Aliyev, who quickly united Azerbaijani society around the idea of national salvation. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Toby Cox is a reporter for the Post and Couriers Rising Waters Lab, covering flooding, sea-level rise and community resilience. She graduated from the University of Virginia and Harvard Divinity School. Her previous work can be found in National Geographic, The Diplomat, Summerhouse DC, The Revealer, Harvard Divinity Bulletin and others. If you have a question, tip or story idea, reach out to her at tcox@postandcourier.com. You can reach her securely on Signal at 843-670-8651. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. Three Azerbaijani vessels detained in Eritrea on November 7 of last year have still not been released, Caspian Marine Services B.V. told Trend. The Marine Operations stated that regular communication is being maintained with the crew members aboard the Azerbaijani ships. "Food is being provided to the crew, and they are staying in contact with their families," the companys statement said. Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Aykhan Hajizada, in response to our agency's request, said that negotiations with the relevant parties concerning the detained vessels are ongoing. "There is no new information on this matter yet," he added. To note, on November 7, 2024, three vessels"CMS "CMS Pahlavan," "CMS Igid," and "CMS-3," sailing under the flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan and operated by the Azerbaijani branch of Caspian Marine Services B.V.were forced to enter the territorial waters of the State of Eritrea due to worsening weather conditions during their journey to Abu Dhabi (the UAE) via the Suez Canal. According to the Ministry, despite prior communication with the port authorities of the State of Eritrea during the vessels' transit, the failure to provide the required information promptly led to the vessels' entry into the country's 12-mile territorial waters being considered unauthorized. Consequently, Eritrean authorities detained the aforementioned vessels. The 18 crew members on board are all citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel On Tuesday, the Nigerian government awarded 10 gas distribution licences (GDL) to six companies to improve the countrys gas utilisation drive. The beneficiary companies are NNPC Gas Marketing Limited, Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, Axxela, NIPCO Plc, Central Horizon Gas Company and Falcon Corporation Limited. The GDL, as provided in Sections 148-152 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), according to the government, is a licence that gives exclusive right to establish, construct and operate a gas distribution system in a designated local Gas Distribution Zone (GDZ) issued to qualified applicants to distribute gas at the last mile. Speaking during the award ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, explained that the initiative is designed to facilitate affordable and reliable energy supply to drive industrial growth, competitiveness and support for the generation of cleaner and more efficient energy to enhance power availability across the nation. He added that this is expected to accelerate the adoption of Compress Natural Gas (CNG) as a sustainable fuel alternative in transportation in Nigeria. The issuance of the Gas Distribution License comes at a pivotal moment as we intensify efforts to harness the potential of gas as a critical resource for Nigerias energy transition and economic transformation. By empowering license holders, this initiative opens extensive opportunities across several key sectors, Mr Ekpo said. He said a thriving domestic gas market is crucial to achieving the countrys ambitions under the decade of gas initiative, adding that the gas distribution license framework is a strategic enabler for this vision by expanding the reach of gas infrastructure to underserved areas and deepening gas consumption across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. 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 As we issue the Gas Distribution License to qualified stakeholders today, we reaffirm our commitment to the sustainable development of Nigerias vast gas resources and to open up further investments in the gas space. This step is not just about meeting regulatory requirements; it is about building a future where gas serves as a foundation for economic growth, industrialisation, and improved quality of life for all Nigerians, he added. In his remarks, the NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, said the agency received over 30 applications and due diligence was conducted on them in line with defined prerequisites. Ten licences are being issued today as part of Phase-1 of the Gas Distribution Licensing regime to operators who have invested significantly in developing gas distribution infrastructures in the designated gas distribution zones and have met the prescribed minimum requirements, Mr Ahmed said. He said the licence covers a cumulative gas distribution capacity of approximately 1.5 bscf/d with over 1,200km of gas distribution pipeline network and over 500 customer stations. He noted that the GDL regime holds a significant opportunity to support the development of the domestic gas market through gas supply to our energy-intensive industries, industrial parks, special economic zones, embedded/captive power generation, mobility CNG schemes and any other downstream gas utilisation programme. We envisage that this licence regime shall not only support the accelerated development of our domestic gas market but that it shall create opportunities for profitable investments for various classes of stakeholders, improve the socio-economic impact of gas resources across Nigeria and support our national energy transition plans. The GDLs are expected to lay a solid foundation for long-term growth and prosperity, unlock the full potential of our natural gas reserves, enabling the development of new, untapped markets and creating new sources of revenue and employment. These licenses are expected to catalyse investments. The GDLs will play an instrumental role in ensuring that Nigerias energy future is not just sustainable, but also equitable and accessible to all Nigerians, he said. Mr Ahmed said Piped Natural Gas (PNG) provides continuous supply, is cost-effective and safe, and eliminates storage challenges. These advantages will not only increase efficiency in how we use energy but will also be essential in meeting Nigerias growing energy demands. He said the authority should collaboratively work with all GDL holders to ensure that the strategic objectives of these licences, which include the efficient and non-discriminatory supply of gas to all wholesale customers in designated local distribution zones, growing the consumption of natural gas under licensed areas, supporting and accelerating the implementation of the CNG initiatives among others are fully actualised. According to him, to ensure the efficient and transparent operation of the gas distribution network, the authority will monitor tariff setting and safety standards to govern the operation of the GDLs. We will encourage public-private partnerships to speed up the development of gas infrastructure with the government playing a vital role in providing support through regulatory oversight and Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, while private companies will bring in the expertise and investment needed to drive the project forward. The NMDPRA shall also periodically revise the gas pricing and tariffing frameworks to ensure that the cost of gas remains fair and competitive, in line with the provisions of the PIA, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Anambra State Government is set to confront criminals terrorising residents of Anambra State, an official has said. Anambra, like other states in the South-east, has witnessed attacks by armed persons in recent times. From killings to abductions, the deadly attacks appeared to have worsened in the South-eastern state lately. However, in an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday evening, the Commissioner of Information in Anambra State, Law Mefor, said the state government has now developed some strategies to confront the criminals. Mr Mefor said the government first enacted Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025 to tackle the enablers of insecurity in the state. The commissioner explained that part of what the law is set out to achieve is to criminalise the use of anti-bullet charms and rituals in Anambra State. He said the move followed the governments observation that many criminals who were gunned down by security operatives often wore charms for their criminal operations. 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 When you hear Odeshi, it means traditional bulletproof. Then, Oke-Ite is what the Igbos call a money ritual. So, if you notice, when security operatives kill some of these boys, they usually wore all manners of amulets (charm). These are things they believe will protect them so that bullets will not penetrate them, he said. It (charm) gives them false confidence to do anything they like. They attack soldiers and kill naval officers, air force officers, police, and vigilantes. They kill everybody. Were fully out Mr Mefor boasted that the Anambra State Government is now fully out to fight the attackers with the new law and strategies in place. We have all it takes now. We have installed tracking systems. We have a Command and Control Centre driven by Artificial Intelligence, he said. The commissioner said the government has also invested in CCTV cameras to track down criminals in the state. Major areas in Anambra State have CCTV cameras mounted now in secret places that people will not suspect. So, we are picking information from everywhere. Every suspicious movement, we are analysing it and making very good use of it, Mr Mefor said. The commissioner added that the call centre number, 511, issued by the government, was already being used by residents to send security signals for action. He assured that the identities of residents who make use of the call centre number to alert security operatives will always be protected. We need to ensure their confidentiality to keep the information flowing, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has suggested that enforcement of anti-spill locks on petrol tankers can address frequent tanker explosions in Nigeria. Mr Mbah spoke on Tuesday when he received in his office the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, and her team. Increased tanker explosions There has been an increase in petrol tanker explosions across Nigeria in recent times. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that a petrol tanker, on Saturday, exploded at the Ugwu Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway killing several people and injuring others. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) later confirmed that 18 people died in the incident. A week before the Enugu incident, another petrol tanker had exploded along a highway in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State. Over 70 people were killed in the Niger explosion. 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 Another petrol-laden tanker exploded, on Monday, in a town which shares a boundary with Agaie and Lapai Local Government Areas of Niger State. Meanwhile, on Sunday, President Bola Tinubu ordered FRSC and agencies in charge of enforcing traffic rules to implement measures to prevent recurring petrol tanker explosions in Nigeria. How anti-spill lock will end petrol tanker explosions At the meeting with the NEMA officials, who were in Enugu to flag-off the distribution of intervention items to the survivors of the Ugwu Onyeama tanker incident, Mr Mbah explained how the anti-spill lock works. As I stated when I visited the scene, we have disasters that we know that we obviously could not have envisaged or predicted; and when they happen, we trigger all the responses that we have set up. I did call on the law enforcement agencies, particularly the FRSC, to ensure the enforcement of the anti-spill lock, he stated. Continuing, the governor explained: This is because if we have anti-spill locks on those tankers carrying inflammable products like petrol and automotive gas oil, we will then be able to mitigate such disasters because even if the tanker falls, it will still not spill. But what happened in Enugu (on Saturday) was a function of the spill of petrol that got into other cars, and they got ignited. So, I will always want to use this opportunity again to reiterate my call on the law enforcement agencies to ensure strict enforcement of the anti-spill lock on all our petroleum product tankers. It is extremely important. What were doing for survivors Mr Mbah said that his administration was doing everything humanly possible to ensure that the survivors got full medical treatment, assuring that the government would foot the survivors medical bills. We have those (survivors) that are at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu; University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital and the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Hospital, Park Lane, and we are taking care of the bills, he said. The governor thanked President Tinubu and NEMA for their empathy and quick response to the tanker explosion in the state. We are deeply grateful for the support you have also provided. It is also a demonstration of the partnership between the federal government and the sub-nationals in this case, which we would want to entrench. We provided the ever-needed logistics to ensure that these items get to those who are most in need of them, he said. NEMA speaks Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Umar commiserated with the government and people of Enugu State over the fatal tanker explosion in the state. The increasing cases of tanker fire explosions across Nigeria are not only devastating but also a clog on the wheel of progress and economic development of our communities. Such incidents have negatively impacted lives, property, the environment, and have a grave potential of slowing down our developmental strides, the director-general stated. She hailed Mr Mbah for showing leadership during and after the disaster. I wish to commend you for the timely visit to the scene of the incident and various decisions made, including ensuring that maximum medical attention was given to the survivors, she said. The director-general explained that the flag-off of the relief assistance to the survivors of the explosion was a collaborative initiative between various governments and the agency to support the survivors. It is the collective responsibility of all tiers of government to provide support to disaster victims; hence, NEMA is therefore complementing the efforts of the state government, she added. Mrs Umar announced a donation of relief materials to the survivors of the Saturday tanker explosions. She listed some of the relief materials to include 200 25kg bags of rice, 200 cartons of spaghetti, 20 cartons of five-litre vegetable oil, 20 cartons of seasoning and 20 cartons of tomato paste and medical consumables. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Filmmaker Lateef Adedimeji and his wife, Adebimpe Oyebade, have secured a partnership with the Ekiti State government to produce a film on the EkitiParapo War. The EkitiParapo War, also known as the Kiriji War, was a 16-year-long civil conflict between the sub-ethnic kingdoms of the Yoruba people. It was primarily divided between the Western Yoruba, mainly consisting of the Ibadan and Oyo-speaking Yorubas, and the Eastern Yoruba, which included the Ekiti, Ijesha, Ijebu, and other groups. The war, which lasted from 30 July 1877 to 14 March 1893, was caused by the decline of the Oyo Empire, the rise of Ibadans power, and the oppressive Ajele system imposed by Ibadan on the Ekiti people. The unruly behaviour of Ibadan emissaries and the Ekitis desire for independence further fueled the conflict. Lateef and his Ekiti-born wifes AL Notions Film Company announced the partnership with the State Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy during their Monday visit to Governor Biodun Oyebanjis office in Ado Ekiti. Governor Oyebanji, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, on Tuesday, said the film would capture the struggle and triumph of the Ekiti people against oppression. 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, who approved the collaboration, stated that the production would provide a detailed account of the war and would be world-class. The project According to the statement, AL Notions Film Company, the producers of the epic movie LISABI will lead the project, fully funded by the private sector. AL Notions Film Company will collaborate with a team from the State Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, headed by Rasaki Bakare, the ministrys commissioner and one of Africas most accomplished Artistic Directors. The actor and his wife expressed excitement about the opportunity to lead the project and pledged their unwavering commitment. They assured the project would receive the utmost attention and promised a high-quality final output. The project, which will use Ekiti towns and villages as central shooting locations, is expected to feature many talented and accomplished artists, including those of Ekiti descent. Collaborative effort Reacting to the partnership in a statement on his Instagram page on Monday, the 40-year-old actor expressed his joy over collaborating with the state government in the arts, culture, and creative economy. He said they are thrilled to be a significant part of the revolution. He said this collaboration will transform the states efforts to enhance the arts and creative economy. We had the privilege of spending quality time with his excellency, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the executive governor of Ekiti State. It was a great feeling for us because my beautiful wife is a daughter of the soil. Present at the meeting were the Chief of Staff, Mr Niyi Adebayo; Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Prof Rasak Ojo Bakare and other top officials. Special thanks to his excellence in meeting with us alongside members of his cabinet who were present too. Our culture and history must not be forgotten; our history is about to be revisited. We will continue to tell our stories and keep promoting our culture, the actor who gained popularity with his first significant role in Yewande Adekoyas 2013 movie titled Kudi Klepto wrote. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The US government has halted the support for HIV treatment in Nigeria and other developing countries following an order by President Donald Trump. The US State Department stopped the disbursement of funds from the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a programme for HIV treatment in Africa and developing countries, for at least 90 days. The action originates from President Trumps executive order on foreign aid, which he signed on his first day in office. The order instructed all government agencies managing foreign development assistance programmes to halt the disbursement of funds. As a result, nearly all US global health funding was halted immediately. The NPR reported that PEPFAR has stopped disbursing funding and is likely to suspend operations for at least three months if an exemption is not made for the programme in the coming weeks. With an annual budget of $6.5 billion, PEPFAR delivers HIV/AIDS treatment to more than 20.6 million people. It has helped save lives and curb the spread of the virus. 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 US State Department fact sheet showed that PEPFAR has saved the lives of an estimated 26 million people since its inception. But speaking on the ban, the agency was quoted as saying, The United States is no longer going to blindly dole out money with no return for the American people, However, public health experts fear the new Trump administration might terminate the entire programme. Some others hoped that Marco Rubios appointment as Secretary of State could signal positive news for PEPFAR, given his past support for the initiative. Effect on Nigeria About two million Nigerians currently live with HIV with many of them benefitting from PEPFAR. As one of the countries with the highest HIV burden globally, Nigeria relies heavily on programmes such as PEPFAR for access to life-saving medications, and healthcare infrastructure support. Over the years, PEPFAR has contributed over $6 billion to support Nigerias national HIV/AIDS response. The suspension or permanent halt to the programme is thus likely to affect the efforts to control HIV in Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Katsina State Chapter of the National Association of Nurses and Midwives has announced the withdrawal of its services across frontline Local Government Areas in the state. The State chairperson of the association, Nura Muazu, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing in Katsina, citing the recent attack and abduction of a colleague as the reason for the decision. Mr Muazu said; Its with deep sorrow and bleeding heart that we address you today, being the 14th day since the abduction of our innocent member, Yusuf Mohammed-Mairuwa. Describing the abducted health worker as one of the most hardworking and skilled professionals in Katsinas health sector, Mr Muazu recounted how Mr Mohammed-Mairuwa was kidnapped at gunpoint while on duty at the General Hospital Kankara on 15 January 2025. He was taken unawares, under the threat of guns and taken away alongside other health workers to an unknown destination, and their whereabouts and condition remains unknown, he said. Mr Muazu stressed that the incident has heightened fear among health workers serving in frontline and vulnerable areas, adding that the abductions, while saving lives, have further exposed the risks faced by healthcare professionals in the state. He stated that, the situation has equally scratched the scar/wound that we all have from related cases such as the killing of our late colleague, Murtala Isah Safana, working then with the General Hospital Dutsin-ma. 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 was killed by gunmen in 2022, and the attack on Hamza Saleh, a registered ophthalmic Nurse, while on his way to work around Yan-Tumaki junction, as a result of which he lost his right eye forever. And also, the abduction of the wife of one of our colleagues, MustafaHamza, who took food to him while he was on duty at General Hospital Kurfi, where he had to sell his properties and pay N5 million ransom. He further noted that the association had formally written to the state government through the hospital management board, copying all relevant offices, to emphasise the urgent need for security provisions in hospital facilities across frontlines and vulnerable areas. Mr Muazu explained that the association had given the state government a two-week ultimatum to address the security concerns or risk the withdrawal of its members from hospitals in Batsari, Danmusa, Kankara, Jibia, Dutsin-Ma, Musawa, Malumfashi, Funtua, and Batagarawa. He said the state government had promised to improve security within three days in the frontline areas and within seven days in the vulnerable areas. Unfortunately, as the two-week period elapses on Wednesday, no significant practical commitment has been seen from the government. With the obvious implications on our members, we cannot take this lightly, he said. Because general hospital Kankara was the second hospital that was attacked after that of Kurfi, where the victims were left on their own. So, we are now on our own while on duty. He, however, acknowledged the efforts of the state government and other stakeholders in combating insecurity but emphasised that more needs to be done, especially to ensure the protection of health facilities. We want the general public to know that we are left with no other option as the troubling situation is not showing any sign of improvement. We have been calling for the provision of security in the hospitals for years, he said. He also lamented the ransom demand for the abducted health workers, stating, The bad news of the ransom demand is all over social media, with about N540 million being demanded for their release. Where on earth can innocent families get this kind of money when people are even struggling to put food on the table? How much is the salary of health workers in the state to afford these unrealistic sums when many health professionals have to helplessly leave the service en masse for better remunerations elsewhere? he asked. He listed part of the demands of the union as the immediate provision of 24/7 robust security in all the hospitals in the aforementioned areas, and immediate measures to ensure the safe release of their colleague and other captives. The association also demanded the immediate compensation to their members who were subjected to one loss or the other, due to this insecurity situation while on duty. We are also demanding better remuneration to attract more health workers for better healthcare delivery. Therefore, we are withdrawing our members from the aforementioned facilities effective from 30 January, until the necessary actions are taken, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Ondo State Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has announced an investment of N13.5 billion to revamp the states Primary Health Care (PHC) system. The funding will be used to improve infrastructure, enhance personnel training, and provide essential medications to patients. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative, tagged the Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT Project), was discussed during a stakeholders engagement meeting on Tuesday in Akure. The Project Manager of the IMPACT Project, Pius Omode, shared details of the initiative during the meeting, highlighting the long-term goals of enhancing healthcare access and services across the state. Mr Omode explained that the project is set to conclude this year, as its implementation period spans approximately one and a half years. So far, within the one and half years, we have spent N1.5 billion across the malaria component and the immunisation plus component. For 2025, we are planning to spend up to N12 billion for the two components, that is for malaria activities and immunisation plus activities, he said. He added that the IMPACT Project is about improving immunisation services, improving reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health care service delivery, as well as nutrition and malaria prevention. 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 102 primary health facilities have been awarded for upgrading and there will be procurement of drugs to patients in all PHCs facilities. Speaking at the meeting, Francis Akanbiemu, the Permanent Secretary of Ondo State Primary Heath Care Development Agency, commended the State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa for paying attention to the PHCs facilities in the state. Mr Akanbiemu added that the IMPACT Project had come to provide many interventions to change the indices from negative to positive in the healthcare system. READ ALSO: Health workers in Katsina down tools over insecurity According to him, the greatest killer diseases are preventive and they can be tackled through immunisation. The renovation of primary health facilities has begun in the first phase, and the project has introduced digitalisation processes in the system, he said. The State Head of Service, Bayo Phillip, who declared the stakeholders meeting open, noted that the project is in line with the state governments blueprint. Mr Phillip added that the government had concluded recruitment of medical officers and nurses, adding that other medical personnel would follow. He urged traditional birth attendants to always refer pregnant women with difficult cases to government-owned health facilities to reduce child and maternal mortality in the state. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A 33-year-old man has allegedly cut off his wifes wrist in Enugu State, South-east Nigeria. The suspect, Sunday Echege, allegedly used a machete to cut off the left wrist of the victim, Chinonso Echege. The incident occurred in Ibagwa-Agu, a farm settlement in the Ibagwa-Ani Community in the Nsukka Local Government Area of the state. The police spokesperson in Enugu State, Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. He did not mention when the incident happened. Mr Ndukwe, a superintendent of police, said the suspect was later arrested on Sunday by operatives from the Okpuje Divisional Police Headquarters in the area. He said some residents of the community assisted the police operatives in the arrest of the suspect. 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 police spokesperson said the machete used in the alleged crime was recovered from the suspect. Preliminary investigations reveal that the suspect, who has confessed to the crime, claimed he acted out of suspicion that his wife was involved in extramarital affairs, he said. The suspect will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations. Mr Ndukwe said the commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has directed the deputy commissioner of police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the matter. Mr Uzuegbu also asked the deputy commissioner of police to ensure that the suspect was prosecuted after investigation. The police chief advised couples to resolve their differences through love, understanding, and legal means, rather than resorting to violent criminal acts. Like Enugu, like Anambra The incident is happening days less than a week after another Nigerian allegedly burnt his wife to death in Abagana Community in Anambra, another state in the South-east. The victim, Chioma Nwanna, a mother of five, was confirmed dead on Wednesday morning. Like the attack on Chioma, the latest incident was linked to accusations of infidelity. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Today, reports of the Lagos deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda, assuming the role of speaker of the State House following Mudashiru Obasas impeachment made headlines. Two weeks ago, lawmakers had voted to oust Mr Obasa over allegations of misconduct and financial misappropriation. Mrs Meranda, formerly the Deputy Speaker, was then elected Speaker. Speakership controversy: Obasa remains absent, as Meranda moves into Speakers office, Nigerian News Direct reported. Amebo Newspaper reported, Meranda takes over Lagos Speakers office. Obasa absent from plenary as Meranda, lawmakers display united front, Salient Times reported. Your removal was proper, Ex-Lagos speaker tells Obasa, the Daily Independent headline read. 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 EUs admonition to ECOWAS on handling its internal crisis also made headlines. EU tells ECOWAS: Find new ways to coexist with Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, The Guardian reported. A Blueprint headline read, Why ECOWAS should rethink engagement with B/Faso, Mali, Niger EU. A major headline on the Daily Trust cover page read, Atiku: Nigeria on verge of losing democracy. The Sun newspaper also reported how Ooni settled Afe Babalola, Farotimi rift. Three NSCDC Officials Arrested For Supplying Ammunitions To Terrorists In Oyo DSS, Platform Times reported. READ ALSO: Inside Nigerian newspaper headlines today 2027: Im not in coalition against Tinubu, APC, says Peter Obi, the Hope Newspaper wrote on its cover page. Other major headlines are; Fubura meets Bala in Bauchi admidst face off with Wike, The Times reported. Vanguard reported, HUNGER IN THE LAND: How price of rice rose from N2,500 in 2000 to N105,000 in 2024. CATHOLIC BISHOPS TO FG: Nigerias poverty, insecurity worsening, the paper also reported. The Guardian reported that US aid suspension may cost Nigeria in health funding, others yearly. Afenifere, CAN, others oppose push for Sharia in West, a Punch headline read. Life after presidency: Ex-President Buhari says he now feeds from rental income, Liberty Newspaper reported. We thank Abiola Ayankunbi, a media management expert, for providing screenshots of the newspapers front pages. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Executive Director of a civil society organisation, Street Mentors Network, Anita Michael, has said many Nigerians are unaware that emotional or psychological abuse of another person could be a criminal offence. Street Mentors Network, headquartered in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, provides support to street children. There is little to zero understanding or awareness by the public of such things as emotional, verbal and psychological abuse, Ms Michael told PREMIUM TIMES in Uyo on Thursday. She was commenting on the section of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015, which deals with emotional abuse. The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, otherwise known as VAPP, is intended to check the increasing rates of gender-based violence in Nigeria. Thirty-four states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have domesticated the VAPP Act as of November 2022. A state like Akwa Ibom has translated the VAPP Act into four indigenous languages. 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 Section 14(1) of the act states, A person who causes emotional, verbal and psychological abuse on another commits an offence and is liable on conviction to confinement for a period not exceeding one year or to a fine not exceeding N200,000 or to both such fine and confinement. Commenting on this section of the VAPP Act, Ms Michael said, The victims seldom realise that what is happening to them is abuse, and the abusers give no thought to it as abuse. Ms Michael urged the Nigerian media to step up the awareness campaign on the VAPP Act. She said Nigerians would begin to take the VAPP Act seriously when offenders are punished and there is publicity around it. Nobody takes a law without consequences seriously, she added. Man can be jailed for preventing wife from earning wages Mrs Michael also spoke about Section 12(1), which deals with forced financial dependence or economic abuse. She said Nigerians may find it difficult to believe that a man can be jailed for preventing his wife from working and earning wages. That is the extent to which the practice of forced financial dependence has become a norm. Its accepted, propagated and encouraged, she said. Continuing, she said, Economic abuse is reaping where you did not sow. It can include exerting control over income, spending, bank accounts, bills and borrowing. For instance, the woman and man work, but the woman has to surrender her salary to the man at the end of the month. It sounds inhuman to the refined, civilised mind, but it is perfectly acceptable and normal to an abused mind, she added. Sensitisation should come from the body that made the law and then be supported by other parastatals. TV houses, radio stations, newspapers, blogs, everyone should talk about it. Until a primary school child can explain the VAPP law, we should not rest on our oars. (There is) no point creating a law that cannot be used. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. The treatment of two women who were injured in the crash of an AZAL (Azerbaijan Airlines) plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, continues at "Yeni Klinika" hospital, a source in the country's Administration of the Regional Medical Divisions (TABIB) told Trend. According to the source, the condition of the person being treated in the intensive care unit is assessed as stable but critical, while the condition of the person receiving treatment in the general ward is described as satisfactory. "Nurulla Sirajov and Muslimat Sirajova, who were treated in the hospital, have today been transferred to the TABIB Rehabilitation Center for continued physiotherapy. Of the 17 evacuated victims, 13 have already been discharged and are receiving outpatient care. Their health condition is being monitored by local doctors in their areas of residence," the source added. The passenger plane Embraer-190 of AZAL Airlines, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed on December 25, three kilometers from Aktau airport. As many as 67 people were on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members. As a result of the crash, 27 people were taken to the hospital. Among them are 15 citizens of Azerbaijan, eight citizens of Russia, and three citizens of Kyrgyzstan. The identity of one injured person has not yet been established. Both pilots and a stewardess were dead; two other crew members survived. On December 26, 14 victims and the bodies of four dead were transported to Azerbaijan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The police in Anambra State, South-east Nigeria, have recovered the corpse of a man who was shot dead by gunmen in the state. The police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the body was discovered by operatives from Ozubulu Divisional Police Headquarters while responding to a distress call on Thursday along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway. A spot observation by the police responding team and report from eyewitnesses at the scene reveal that the victim was shot in the stomach by suspected armed men who abandoned his lifeless body and fled the scene. The (State Police) Command hereby seeks assistance from members of the public for possible identification of the victim and other information that will facilitate the ongoing investigative proceedings, he said. The police spokesperson said the corpse had been deposited at the morgue. Worsening insecurity Like other states in Nigerias South-east, security has deteriorated in Anambra State with frequent attacks by armed persons. 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 Hoodlums terrorising residents of the state have killed several people, including government officials and security operatives, in some deadly attacks. The Nigerian government has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being behind the deadly attacks in the South-east and south-south Nigeria. However, the group has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks. IPOB is a group leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday in Abuja, berated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, over their failure to produce witnesses in court. The PDP and Mr Asue were to produce witnesses to testify in the petition they filed seeking the nullification of the governorship election, which took place in the state on 21 September 2024. The tribunal had its first sitting in Abuja following its relocation to the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a statement issued by the Secretary of the Tribunal, Muazu Bagudu announced the tribunals relocation to Abuja. Although no reason was given for the relocation, the tribunal acted, according to some people, because of security concerns. The All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Monday Okpebholo, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are listed as respondents in the suit. What transpired at the tribunal At the resumed sitting, counsel to the PDP and Mr Ighodalo, Adetunji Oyeyipo, SAN, called their witness, Oseyili Anenih, for cross-examination. 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 NAN recalls that Mr Anenih had given his evidence-in-chief as PW-12 while the tribunal was sitting in Benin. After Mr Anenih was cross examined by all the respondents and was discharged, Mr Oyeyipo told the tribunal that most of their other witnesses had suffered travel disruptions. My lords, this is the reason we are unable to present them today. We urge your Lordships to give us another date. We undertake that on the next date, we will bring as many witnesses as may be convenient for the tribunal. We will also work assiduously to prime down our witnesses, Mr Oyeyipo prayed the tribunal. Miffed by this development, the three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, berated the petitioners for wasting the tribunals time. Justice Kpochi said the tribunal had asked other parties that also lodged petitions challenging the outcome of the governorship election to take new dates so that Tuesday could be dedicated to hearing the PDPs petition. What you are just telling us is not good at all! Why, then, did we ask the other petitioners to take dates? We should have heard them today. In fact, call those your witnesses, tell them to come, we are ready for them to come today, Justice Kpochi said. The counsel, however, pleaded that the witnesses may not be in the right frame of mind to mount the dock after their travel experiences. The tribunal subsequently adjourned the matter until Thursday. Previous cross-examination Earlier, Mr Anenih told the tribunal that though there were a total of 4,519 polling units in Edo, the PDP and its candidate were challenging the results of 765 polling units. Mr Anenih, who told the tribunal that he served as the director of research and strategy for the PDP during the election, admitted that he did not visit all the polling units. He told the tribunal that most of the results given to local government collation agents did not reach the state collation agents but ended up in the PDP situation room because the agents were prevented from transmitting them to the state collation centres. The witness maintained that if the lawful votes cast on Election Day had been sincerely counted, his candidate, Mr Ighodalo, would have emerged victorious, having polled the highest number of valid votes. Answering questions from Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, counsel to Governor Okpebholo, the witness admitted that they did not have any physical access to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines used for the election. However, he said they were able to obtain some screenshots of it, which they tendered as evidence. He said they had since subpoenaed INEC to make the machines available before the tribunal. While being cross-examined by Emmanuel Ukala, counsel to the APC, the witness confirmed that he was not trained by INEC to play any role during the election. He further admitted that party agents did not personally hand over any of the polling unit results to him. When he was handed one exhibit to examine, the witness confirmed to the tribunal that only three of the 16 copies of the results in the bundle were stamped. To us, that three that were stamped is significant enough. It represents almost 20 per cent, the witness insisted. The PDP and its candidate had approached the tribunal, praying it to nullify the outcome of the governorship election. They based their petition on the grounds of alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act and other malpractices. They insisted that Mr Okpebholo of the APC did not secure the majority of the valid votes cast at the election to be declared winner. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Oluwasegun Ogundiran has emerged as the best-graduating student with a perfect 4.0 CGPA from Nexford University (NXU), an online institution based in Washington, DC. Mr Ogundiran who studied Economics at OAU bagged a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a specialisation in sustainability. He was awarded as the valedictorian of the year for the NXU 2024 graduating class, with a cohort of 1,200 students. The award, according to the Nexford Country Director, Oghogho Inneh, is presented to graduates for achieving the highest academic distinction and for demonstrating exemplary dedication to their studies. The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi delivered the keynote address at the graduation ceremony held at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos on Saturday. It also had in attendance, Former Minister of Solid Minerals and CEO of Human Capital Africa, Oby Ezekwesili; Chairman, Ecobank Nigeria, Bola Adesola; and Former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and Chairman of African Capital Alliance, Okechukwu Enelamah. Graduate reflects on achievement Reflecting on his academic journey, Mr Ogundiran attributed his academic success to a disciplined upbringing and a dedication to lifelong learning, building on a foundation of leadership roles at Command Day Secondary School and OAU. 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 earned my bachelors degree in Economics from OAU, where I was actively involved in leadership roles, including serving as the Vice President of my campus fellowship, he said. After graduating from OAU, Mr Ogundiran expanded his skills through global certifications, including 21st Century Employee Engagement from Doha, Qatar, and HR Analytics from Singapore. These experiences, according to him inspired his decision to enrol at NXU, drawn by its world-class faculty and the flexibility it offered, which was ideal for balancing my career and studies. Speaking on his award, he said: Becoming the valedictorian wasnt something I planned for. My focus was on making the most of every opportunity at Nexford, from engaging with the coursework to networking with like-minded professionals. Mr Ogundiran is currently a full-time HR Advisor at Shoreline Natural Resources and co-founded Gold Weather Ltd, a startup focused on renewable energy. Online Education in Nigeria Beyond his achievements, Mr Ogundiran believes his success underscores the potential of online education to transform lives, particularly in Nigeria. The Nigerian government needs to embrace digital education as a transformative tool, he said. He urged the government to invest in online learning infrastructure and partnerships with global institutions to democratise access to quality education. Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the event, Mr Obi emphasised the critical role of online education as a tool for addressing Nigerias educational challenges and driving national development. He highlighted successful models from countries like Pakistan, India, and Turkey, which have used online platforms to educate vast populations effectively. Mr Obi stressed that Nigeria must combine online and physical education to cater to its large population while enhancing access to quality learning. In her comments, Mrs Ezekwesili reinforced the importance of acquiring relevant skills to thrive in the modern job market. She urged the graduates to attach their names to innovative solutions that address societal challenges. Academic excellence During the graduation ceremony, Nexfords CEO, Fadl Al-Tarzi, applauded Nigerian students for their resilience and ambition. Mr Al-Tarzi noted that 75 per cent of graduates have successfully translated their education into meaningful careers and ventures. He also emphasised the universitys commitment to advancing education through technology, particularly with the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its programmes. Mr Al Tarzi noted that Nexford has offered AI specialisation for nearly five years and has embedded AI across all courses. NXU is an American online university headquartered in Washington DC. It was established in 2019 and has enrolled thousands of Nigerians. Ms Inneh noted that the graduands emerged from various programmes, which include BBA, MBA, MSDT, MSDA and MSE, adding that MSE was launched last year, with the potential to attract more uptakes. Apart from the valedictorian, other notable awardees included Omolade Yusuf, who received the Best Peer Mentor in the BBA Programme, and Kayode Owoyemi, who won the Outstanding Volunteer Award for the MBA Programme. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The federal government has begun an initiative to revive the Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), a pivotal player in the nations industrial landscape. The Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations of the Ministry of Steel Development, Tine-Lulun Maureen, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. According to the statement, the revival will reinvigorate the local economy, create jobs, and enhance Nigerias position in the global aluminium market. ALSCON, incorporated in 1989, was originally a joint venture project between the Nigerian government and two foreign technical partners, Ferrostaal AG of Germany and Reynolds International Inc. U.S. For over a decade, the company has been enmeshed in an ownership tussle between a Nigerian-American consortium, BFIGroup, and a Russian firm, UC RUSAL. In July 2023, Vice President Kashim Shettima restated the determination of the Bola Tinubu administration to revive ALSCON, particularly by engaging with key stakeholders in the industry. The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, while emphasising the importance of resuscitating the project during his two-day facility tour of the company in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, according to the statement, stated that the revival of ALSCON is not just about aluminium production but about creating a robust industrial base that will attract foreign investment and stimulate economic growth. 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 added that the present administration is committed to making Nigeria a hub for aluminium production in Africa. Mr Audu, who was accompanied by Chris Isokpunwu, the permanent secretary and other directors of the ministry, according to the statement, said after a series of extensive meetings, President Bola Tinubu gave charge to the ministry as the regulator of the aluminium industry to ensure a resolution of all teething issues regarding the company. The company, when all issues are successfully resolved, is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, providing a significant boost to the local economy. Additionally, he said resuscitating the company will enhance the supply chain for aluminium products, which will benefit various sectors, including construction, automobile and packaging. The minister said the revival of ALSCON is anticipated to attract investments in the aluminium sector, as the project is expected to generate substantial revenue for the government through taxes and royalties, contributing to national development goals. For the president to achieve the $1 trillion economy for the country by 2030, all critical assets have to come back online. Mr Audu was quoted as saying. He revealed that the purpose of the visit was to have a firsthand assessment of the plants capacity that would enable him to do a comprehensive report for the consideration and approval of the president on the best ways of resolving all the issues regarding the company. In his remarks, Mr Isokpunwu noted how critical the plant is to the countrys economic development while reiterating the ministrys commitment to resuscitating the plant. He enjoined all the parties involved to ensure they provided all the necessary information to facilitate a speedy resolution. Zaviyalov Dmitriy, the managing director of the plant, noting the challenges that have hampered the revival of the plant, said the management had kept a staff strength of about 108 people to keep the plant infrastructure and equipment in preservation state for the overhaul and final start of the plant. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), was detained on Monday by the Nigerian police in Abuja after refusing to accept stringent bail conditions imposed on him after interrogation. Mr Sowore Monday night announced on social media that the police were holding him in custody until further notice, following his refusal to accept their illegal bail condition. He is being detained at the Abattoir police station in Guzape, Abuja, which was formerly used by the now defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) notorious for the inhuman activities of its officers. The police, on Monday, granted Mr Sowore bail after interrogating him at the Force Intelligence Department (FID) complex in Abuja. But the activist described the bail conditions, including the provision of a level 17 civil servant as a surety and surrendering his passport to the police, as illegal. He said he rejected the bail in a post on social media on Monday, even after the conditions were further reviewed. The PoliceNG team assigned to my case has informed me that the DIG of FID, Dasuki Galandachi, has reevaluated my bail conditions, necessitating the production of a level 16 civil servant and the surrender of my international passport, a condition I have declined outright. I refuse to participate in any arrangement that undermines my personal integrity, he posted on Facebook. 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 Sowore had honoured an invitation by the police over his expose on police officers allegedly extorting motorists along Ikeja in Lagos State. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Sowore arrived at the FID complex in Abuja at exactly 10 a.m. on Monday amid heavy security presence. The activist was invited for questioning by the police over a video clip he uploaded on social media alleging extortion by officers at a checkpoint in Lagos. A police invitation letter dated 23 January stated that Mr Sowore was under investigation for alleged offences, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, and cyberstalking. The letter, signed by a senior police officer, directed him to report for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police at Room 212, 2nd Floor, FID Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja, on Monday at 10 a.m. Falana intervenes Meanwhile, Mr Sowores lawyer, Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, backed Sowores stance, citing a Court of Appeal judgement in Dasuki v. Director-General of SSS. Mr Falana stated on Monday in a letter to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in charge of the FID such conditions had previously been declared illegal. While he thanked the DIG for reducing the bail condition to a surety of level 16, Mr Falana said such bail condition has been declared illegal by the Court of Appeal in the case of Dasuki V. Director-General of SSS. He quoted a judge of the Court of Appeal, Stephen Adah, as saying in the case with citation, C[2020]10 NWLR PT.1731 PG. 136-143: Let me quickly say that of concern it is to us that as a court we must be ready and sensitive enough not to allow or do anything that will run foul of the law. The issue of involving civil servants or Public Officers in the Public Service of the Federation and the State in bail of people accused of criminal offences has never been the practice in Nigeria or any part of the civilized world. It was an oversight on our part to allow it in. Our Civil and Public Service Rules do not have any room for it. Expecting a Level 16 Servant to own property worth N100,000,000, will be running counter to the Public Service Rules and by extension the war against corruption. It is in this respect that I will act ex debito justitiae to ensure that the aspect of involving serving Public Servant below the status of Level 16 Officer in either the state or Public Service of the Federation or any of its agencies be removed and I so order. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Western Zone, has called for the suspension of the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Abayomi Fasina, pending the conclusion of investigations into allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by a university staffer, Folashade Adebayo. The universitys council recently set up a nine-member committee to probe the allegations of sexual harassment and victimisation against the VC. However, in a letter addressed to the council chairperson on Monday, SSANU expressed concerns about the composition of the committee and the terms of reference assigned to its members. Faulty Terms of Reference In the letter signed by the National Vice-President and Chairperson, SSANU Western Zone, Abdussobur Salaam, the union stated that items in the terms of reference are disproportionately focused on the origins and distribution of audio recordings of Mr Fasina wooing Mrs Adebayo that brought the allegations to light rather than the allegations themselves. SSANU pointed out that the first three terms are centred on investigating the sources of the allegations, their motives, and how they spread on social media. Only one scant reference (TOR 4) was made on investigating the allegations, the letter reads in part. We see this as an attempt by the crafter(s) of the Terms of Reference to gaslight the public from the core issue to focus on distractions. Calls for VC suspension The union also expressed concern that Mr Fasinas continued tenure during the investigation could influence the outcome of the committees work. As a result, SSANU has called for his suspension pending the conclusion of the probe into the allegations against 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 SSANU noted that Mr Fasina, as the VC, possesses powers, including the approvals of funds for council members and operations of committees, including the one investigating him and approvals of the release of university venues for the committees meetings. The Vice-Chancellors unbridled access to university documents, offices, officials and staff, while the investigations are ongoing, have grave implications on the outcome of the Committee, SSANU said. In fact, to keep the Vice-Chancellor in office unfettered is the greatest injustice that the Governing Council would be doing on this matter, especially when our Branch Chairman and Secretary remain suspended. The union also urged the university council to include a representative from SSANU on the committee, emphasising that the union is an interested party. This is because Mrs Adebayo is a member of SSANU, and the chairperson and secretary of the union at FUOYE have been suspended while advocating an investigation into the same case. It smacks of injustice and double standards that the Chairman and Secretary of SSANU were immediately suspended by the council even before a panel was constituted to investigate the issue, while the VC, whose stay in office has a high potentiality of influencing the outcome of the committee, is allowed to continue to superintend over the affairs of the University, parts of the letter read. We wish to strongly point out that beyond being a stakeholder in the university system, in view of the dimensions and parties concerned, SSANU has a principal stake more so having been issued a Pre-Action Notice by Professor Abayomi Fasinas lawyers, Ebun- -Olu Adegboruwa & Co, alleging SSANU National of defamation. While we commend the Governing Council for constituting a nine-member Panel to investigate the crisis, we are compelled to observe some fundamental issues which may flaw the entire process and possibly impugn the integrity and reputation of the Governing Council of the University. Demands In addition to Mr Fasinas suspension, SSANU requested that the council review the terms of reference to have a sharper focus on the allegations against the VC rather than investigations into how the recordings leaked. The union also called for the review of the membership and composition of the committee, requesting the removal of six of the nine members, noting that their previous involvements may taint the outcome of this exercise. The persons listed in the SSANUs letter are Joshua Ogunwole, a professor; Matthew Ngajiozor; Gowon Maxwell; Nike Omoworare; Nafisat Nahuche; and Tope Arogundade. In effect, we wish to state that apart from the committee chairperson, Ifeoma Ndukwu, Olusola Taiwo, and Ajiboye Abiodun, a professor, all other members of the committee (six of them) lack the moral and ethical competence to sit on this committee, as their roles have been technically and vicariously compromised over the matter. We fear that except they are replaced with neutral and previously uninvolved individuals, the outcome of the committee assignment would be heavily compromised and unjust, the letter added. The above individuals should be replaced with independent, neutral and unbiased individuals who may not necessarily be from FUOYE. SSANU stated that including Mr Ogunwole, a deputy vice-chancellor, on the committee is tantamount to the VC being on the committee. The union argued that if Mr Ogunwole continues to be on the committee, then a SSANU representative must be appointed to represent the SSANU members on the committee. SSANU also asked that council members who participated in a previous reconciliation meeting facilitated by the immediate past council chairperson be recused from this committee. Having been parties to that failed reconciliation meeting between Mr Fasina and Mrs Adebayo, which obviously did not bring resolution to the matter, their participation as panellists to review the actions they partook in would be prejudiced and tainted with bias, the letter added. Background The sexual harassment allegations against Mr Fasina, a professor, have persisted and have led to a rift between the university and SSANU after the allegations remain unresolved. It deepened in December 2024 when the university suspended the SSANU-FUOYE chairperson and secretary after accusing them of making the accusations public without evidence and without following through with the university authorities. SSANU claimed that the university is attempting to suppress the investigation into the VCs conduct. Mr Fasina, on the other hand, has demanded a public apology from his lawyers. However, an audio clip recording of the phone call between Mr Fasina and Mrs Adebayo revealed that the VC indeed pressed her for an illicit relationship. The university council, in September 2024, invited both parties to a reconciliatory meeting, which ended in a stalemate. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) employees have been directed to stop working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) effective immediately. According to a report by the Associated Press , an official at the US CDC, John Nkengasong, issued a memo to senior leaders at the agency on Sunday night, directing all staff working with the WHO to halt their collaborations and await further guidance. The Associated Press reported that it had obtained a copy of the memo stating that the stop-work policy applies to all CDC staff engaging with WHO through technical working groups, coordinating centres, advisory boards, cooperative agreements, or other means whether in person or virtual. The memo further instructed that CDC staff are prohibited from visiting WHO offices. The CDCs decision to cease collaboration with the WHO stems from President Donald Trumps directive to withdraw the United States from the global health body. US withdrawal PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Trump signed several executive orders hours after his inauguration at the White House last Monday. Some of these orders dealt a heavy blow to global efforts and drew criticism from leaders, experts, and stakeholders worldwide. One of these is the US withdrawal from the WHO, which had been predicted to hamper the agencys activities. However, the president had argued that the US withdrawal was due to the inappropriate political influence of member states on the global body. 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 text of Mondays executive order reads. In response, the WHO has called for a constructive dialogue with the US, emphasising the need to preserve their decades-long partnership. The organisation said its relationship with the US is pivotal to protecting global health and security. 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 noted that the country played a significant role in tackling disease outbreaks, strengthening health systems, and responding to emergencies in challenging environments. The agency 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. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A prosecution witness said on Monday that former minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, awarded, while in office, the contract for the repairs of Katsina Airport to unqualified companies. Musa Odiniyan, a retired director in the Procurement Department of the Ministry of Aviation, said this in his testimony as the fifth prosecution witness (PW5) in Mr Sidikas corruption trial at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Mr Sirika and three others, including her daughter Fatima Hadi Sirika, on six amended counts of contract fraud involving N2.8 billion. The rest of the defendants are Fatimas husband, Jalal Hamma, and Al Buraq Global Investment. Mr Odiniyan, the fifth prosecution witness, identified Al Buraq Global Investment, in which Mr Sidikas daughter and son-in-law had interest, as the firm that was awarded the airport repairs contract without qualifying for it. Under cross-examination by the fourth defendants lawyer, Michael Numa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the witness maintained that the company would not have qualified if a transparent and competitive bidding process had been conducted. We use some criteria for determining the award of contracts for companies. I still maintain that if it was an open competitive bidding, the company Al Buraq may not have qualified, he said. 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 Nation reported that the witness explained that the aviation ministry paid 100 per cent of the contract sum to ensure that it was completed and inaugurated by former President Buhari before he left office. The reason for that payment was for the project to be implemented and commissioned before the exit of the former president. It was not for variation. The accounting officer sourced money from every relevant route to actualise the project. The N800 million is a budgetary allowance to support the actualisation of the project, he said. He also informed the court that two of the ministrys contracts awarded to Alburak and Enginos on the Apron and Terminal Building of Katsina Airport respectively, were captured under two different budget codes but appeared in a single code in the Procurement Department Mr Odiniyan, who retired from the ministry two years ago, admitted he could not recall all details of the contracts when pressed for specifics by Mr Numa. However, he provided insights into the procurement process in line with civil service regulations and the Public Procurement Act. Defence seeks to fault witness Meanwhile, in an attempt to contradict Mr Odiniyans testimony about the ministers roles in awards of contracts, the defence team tendered statements made by the witness to the EFCC and records from a separate criminal case involving Mr Sirika and his brother, Ahmad Sirika, before a another FCT High Court judge, Suleiman Belgore. Earlier on Friday, Mr Odiniyan testified that Mr Sirika gave the final approval for the contract before the Ministerial Tenders Board (MTB) could issue the letter of award. For the letter of award to be issued, the minister had to give the final approval. There were projects he did not approve, and letters of award were not issued, meaning they were not implemented, he said. He said that no contract could be executed without ministerial approval. Without approval, you cannot execute a contract. The minister actually approved the implementation of the MTBs recommendations, he added. The trial judge, Sylvanus Oriji adjourned the case till 10 March, for the continuation of the cross-examination. Arrest, charges In May 2024, EFCC arrested Mr Sirika on charges of fraudulent contract awards amounting to billions of naira. Mr Sirika, who served as aviation minister during former President Muhammadu Buharis administration, was accused of abusing his office by awarding contracts to a company in which his daughter and her husband had interests. The case has six counts brought against him and his daughter, son-in-law and their company, Al-Duraq Investment Limited. The charges alleged that Mr Sirika used his position to confer unfair advantage upon Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, whose alter ego, Fatima Hadi Sirika and Jalal Sule Hamma, are your daughter and son-in-law, respectively, by using your position to influence the award to them, the contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1,498,300,750. The prosecution also alleged that Fatima and her husband held indirect private interests in the contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport, valued at nearly N1.5 billionan action said to violate Section 12 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Act. The anti-graft agency also alleged that Fatima, an employee of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), and Mr Hamma, a staff member of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), were in possession of N1.3 billionallegedly traced to Sirika as proceeds of criminal conduct in the form of gratification. All defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed one death in a road crash in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday. Martins Chime, an assistant route commander who is the spokesperson for the corps, said this in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday in Port Harcourt. According to him, a truck with registration number XP633JJ had a failed brake and ran into a tricycle without a number plate on Port Harcourt/Aba Express Road, killing a young female passenger. Mr Chime explained that the accident occurred around 3 p.m. at the popular Oil Mill Junction. He added that four other passengers, who swiftly alighted upon the approach of the truck, were safe and unhurt. Upon the arrival of our operatives to the crash scene, officers of the Elimgbu Police Division had already evacuated the corpse and deposited it at a morgue in Port Harcourt. READ ALSO: Tinubu orders FRSC to stop recurring petrol tanker explosions An eye witness attributed the cause of the accident to brake failure which resulted in an uncontrollable collision of the truck and the tricycle, resulting in hitting the victim. 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, our men swiftly ensured that the accident scene was properly cleared of debris and road obstructions to ease traffic flow, the FRSC spokesperson said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian police is planning to transfer Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) to Lagos, possibly for arraignment in court, one of his lawyers told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday. The latest information we have is that the police plan to take him to Lagos today, Mr Sowores lawyer, Abubakar Marshall from Falana and Falanas chambers, said in a phone interview with our reporter. The move, this newspaper learned, was to meet jurisdictional requirements, which entail charging a defendant where the offence is allegedly committed. However, Mr Marshall said the police have yet to file charges against the activist Their plan for now is to transfer him to Lagos, the lawyer added. Also confirming the plan to our reporter on Tuesday, a police source who preferred to stay anonymous, said, Sowore would be transferred to Lagos, since that was where the allegations leveled against him were committed, adding that If hes to be taken to court, itll be in Lagos not Abuja. Mr Sowore was detained by the police in Abuja Monday night after he honoured an invitation by the police over his expose on police officers allegedly extorting motorists along Ikeja in Lagos State. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Sowore arrived at the FID complex in Abuja at exactly 10 a.m. on Monday amid heavy security presence. 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 activist was invited for questioning by the police over a video clip he uploaded on social media alleging extortion by officers at a checkpoint in Lagos. The police invitation letter dated 23 January sent to Mr Sowore stated that he was under investigation for alleged offences, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, and cyberstalking. Sowores supporters protest in Lagos Meanwhile, members of the Take It Back Movement (TIB) in Lagos stormed the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters Tuesday morning to demand the release of Mr Sowore the groups convener. The protesters led by the TIB national coordinator Juwon Sanyaolu, arrived at the Lagos police headquarters at about 11 am, carrying placards with various inscriptions such as Free Sowore, Stop Harassment of Citizens on Nigerian Roads, and End Police Brutality and Extortion. Sowore detained His detention on Monday followed his refusal to accept stringent bail conditions imposed on him after interrogation. Mr Sowore Monday night announced on social media that the police were holding him in custody until further notice, following his refusal to accept their illegal bail condition. He was detained at the Abattoir police station in Guzape, Abuja, which was formerly used by the now defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) notorious for the inhuman activities of its officers. The police earlier granted Mr Sowore bail on Monday, after interrogating him at the Force Intelligence Department (FID) complex in Abuja. But the activist described the bail conditions, including the provision of a level 17 civil servant as a surety and surrendering his passport to the police, as illegal. He said he rejected the bail in a post on social media on Monday, even after the conditions were further reviewed. Meanwhile, Mr Sowores lawyer, Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, backed Sowores stance, citing a Court of Appeal judgement in Dasuki v. Director-General of SSS. Mr Falana stated on Monday in a letter to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in charge of the FID that such conditions had been declared illegal by the Court of Appeal. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. On January 21, 2025, Azerbaijan hosted a significant session of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), dedicated to addressing the colonial legacy of La Reunion, an island in the Indian Ocean still grappling with the consequences of French domination. The event provided a platform to examine the ongoing impacts of colonial policies and foster international dialogue on decolonization. While this administrative status [of becoming a French department in 1946] formally ended colonial rule, the same cannot be said for the status of the islands indigenous populations, who continue to endure the dictates of the French Metropole, La Gazette du Caucase writes in its article. The publication emphasized that, despite formal integration into France, the islands political, social, and economic structures remain entrenched in a colonial mindset. Under the theme La Reunion: A Paradise Under Occupation, the conference explored both historical and contemporary aspects of French colonial practices. Activists from La Reunion pointed out systemic inequalities, including economic dependency, land ownership disparities, and cultural marginalization. As La Gazette du Caucase noted, Economic dependency remains a critical issue. The island relies heavily on imports, benefiting metropolitan businesses while marginalizing local industries. The event also underscored the broader implications of colonialism. Representatives from other French overseas territories shared similar struggles, reinforcing that these are not isolated cases but part of a systemic issue. According to La Gazette du Caucase, the forced sterilizations of women and the deportation of thousands of children from La Reunion to mainland France between 1963 and 1982 exemplified colonial brutality. These children were taken from their families under the guise of providing better opportunities but often faced harsh conditions and exploitation, the article stated. The article also drew parallels between French colonial practices and the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. La Gazette du Caucase highlighted that Azerbaijans focus on colonial issues is not coincidental, given Frances support for Armenian separatists in Karabakh. The publication argued, Armenia invaded Azerbaijans Karabakh and surrounding regions in 1993... This mirrors a classic colonial tactic: invading a land, claiming it, and replacing the original population and culture with another. Abbas Abbasov, chief of the BIG, reiterated the groups mission to combat such injustices. He stated that the BIG operates in line with the United Nations decolonization agenda but more effectively, as it is not subject to vetoes from colonial powers. This conference not only spotlighted the plight of La Reunion but also emphasized Azerbaijans role as a supporter of global decolonization efforts. By hosting discussions on topics such as self-determination and historical justice, Azerbaijan underscored its commitment to amplifying the voices of those fighting for freedom from colonial and neo-colonial rule. As La Gazette du Caucase concluded, The people of La Reunion are mobilizing to reclaim their freedom. The Baku Initiative Group has positioned itself as a vital platform for this struggle, reflecting the interconnected nature of decolonization movements worldwide. President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday met with Yemi Osinbajo, one of his main challengers for his partys presidential ticket for the 2023 presidential election. The two men met in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on the sidelines of Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit. Mr Osinbajo, Nigerias former vice president, served as justice commissioner in Lagos when Mr Tinubu was governor of the state (1999-2007). Mr Tinubu is also believed to have played a prominent role in Mr Osinbajo becoming the vice presidential candidate of the APC in the 2015 election. Both men, however, slugged it out for the APC presidential ticket in 2023 and Mr Osinbajo has not been active in the APC since the new president was sworn in. Photos of their meeting in Tanzania was shared by a former presidential aide, Tolu Ogunlesi, on Facebook. Also at the meeting were World Bank President Ajay Banga and the President of the African Development Bank Group, Akinwunmi Adesina. The two-day summit is being hosted by the government of Tanzania, the African Union, the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group. 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 Nigerian leader is expected to deliver a national statement reaffirming Nigerias commitment to achieving universal access to energy and its leadership role in Africas energy sector. He will also highlight Nigerias ongoing clean energy initiatives and its strategy to drive integrated energy delivery on the continent, his office said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Gyogon Grimah, has urged Nigerians to fight the root causes of corruption. Mr Grimah said that high-level corruption continues to thrive in the country because citizens were not addressing its root causes. He said this during a Tuesday town hall meeting organised by the Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre in Calabar. The events theme was Dynamics of the Fight Against Corruption: The Need For Citizens To Demand Accountability. According to Mr Grimah, many Nigerians blame government officials and politicians for corruption while excusing themselves of culpability. He said this is largely because many Nigerians have not had their actions exposed. It is disheartening that in spite of numerous lectures and proposals on tackling corruption at many levels, the issue is still persisting. Nigerians need to ask themselves why. 50 years ago, we had no anti-corruption body, yet corruption was minimal. Today, in spite of having multiple anti-corruption agencies, corruption is at an all-time high. 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 Nigerias corruption landscape, there are very few resistors but plenty of catalysts. Many of us are these catalysts, directly or by proxy, facilitating corruption. Until we address the root causes of corruption and effect an attitudinal change, all efforts in the fight against it will be in vain. The police commissioner said the fight against corruption required individual introspection and collective actions, as mere lectures and finger-pointing would not yield meaningful results. Corruption erodes trust, weakens institutions In his remarks, Zubair Idris, the executive director of the Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre, highlighted the detrimental effects of corruption on Nigerias development, economic growth, and social welfare. According to him, corruption erodes trust, weakens institutions, and perpetuates inequality. Mr Idris noted that fighting corruption was not a solitary endeavour but a collective responsibility requiring the active participation of citizens, civil society organisations, government agencies, and the private sector. In a lecture, MacFarlane Ejah, the country director of the International Training Research and Advocacy Project, said Nigeria had lost more than $500 billion to corruption in the past 60 years. Corruption is an abuse of resources, power, or influence at the expense of society, and until Nigerians take ownership of the fight against corruption, the nation will continue to stagnate, he warned. The town hall meeting concluded with a call for citizens to become proactive by holding leaders accountable and curbing corrupt practices. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has said he would not comment on the decision of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola, to end the criminal defamation and cybercrimes cases against him. The Nigerian police instituted the charges against Mr Farotimi at Mr Babalolas instance last year. Mr Babalola said on Sunday that he succumbed to the pleas to have the cases withdrawn following the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and some other traditional rulers pleading with him to forgive Mr Farotimi. Mr Farotimi, 57, was not present at the meeting at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, on Sunday, where Mr Babalola granted him unconditional forgiveness. However, ever since the news of the forgiveness came to the fore on Monday, Mr Farotimi, usually outspoken, has kept mute and has not spoken about it on his social media handles or YouTube page, where he provided updates about the case with Mr Babalola in the past.. His only Facebook post since the development is a cryptic message shared on Tuesday, offering no clear indication of the possible real-life situation he was referring to. The good hunting dog is never distracted by the rustling of squirrels in the underbrush.., the post read. 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 No comment PREMIUM TIMES contacted Mr Farotimi via a Whatsapp message on Tuesday and his response confirmed that he has been deliberately silent on the report of the forgiveness granted him by Mr Babalola. I have no comment on the news, Mr Farotimi said, in a response to our reporters request for comments. Feyisayo Olatunde, Mr Farotimis personal assistant, earlier confirmed his principals stance when reaching him through telephone was proving difficult. He has no plans of holding a press conference on the subject and he is currently not available for interviews, Mr Olatunde said. Back story Mr Farotimi was charged after Mr Babalola, a nonagenarian, petitioned the police, accusing Mr Farotimi of defaming him in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. Mr Babalola cited in his petition 31 excerpts from the book, which he alleged defamed him. In the Amazon best-seller book, Mr Farotimi accuses Mr Babalola, the founder of the Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti, of corrupting Nigerias Supreme Court in service of his clients. Subsequently, the police arrested and charged him with 16 counts of criminal defamation, leading to his arraignment before the Chief Magistrates Court in Ado Ekiti. In addition, he faced 12 counts of cybercrimes at the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti. Mr Farotimi, who pleaded not guilty to all charges in both courts, was remanded in prison in Ado-Ekiti following his arraignment. He was released in December after meeting the bail conditions granted him. In addition to the criminal cases, two lawyers from Mr Babalolas firm, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Ola Faro have sued Mr Farotimi for N500 million and N600 million, respectively The FCT High Court also ordered the seizure of physical copies of the book wherever it might be found. Dele Farotimi forgiven The Ooni of Ife led a delegation of traditional rulers on Sunday to Ado Ekiti to appeal to Mr Babalola to forgive Mr Farotimi and withdraw the case against him. Accepting the traditional rulers plea, Mr Babalola said he would instruct his lawyers to withdraw the criminal charges against Mr Farotimi with immediate effect, because of the honour for the Ooni and the other Obas. Today is a very important day for me, Im a Yoruba man and Im very proud to be one. Ewi of Ado has come here to meet me on this matter, former president Obasanjo has intervened, same with Bishop Matthew Kukah and a host of other prominent Nigerians to ask for the exact thing you have come to ask for this evening., my answer to them has been NO but today my answer is YES Your coming is unquantifiable in terms of money, who am I? When the colonialists came here in 17th century or thereabouts, they found as a fact that Yoruba land was a highly organised society with an advanced systems of government with each town headed by an Oba who was regarded as a replica of God on earth. His words were commands. In the Middle Ages, the Greeks had a saying the meadow that grows on the bank of a river which obeys the direction of the flood remains strong forever but the meadow that grows that disobeys the direction of the flood were broken asunder. Mr Babalola concluded his response with an adage in Yoruba saying, Eni ti o ba nI nkan lati se, kii wo elegan rara meaning those who change the world for the better do not wait to respond to criticism. He said he listened to the Oonis advice and he certainly did nott want to be a meadow by the riverside which disobeys the flood. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced probe into the alleged sexual harassment case involving the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Abayomi Fasina, a professor. The development followed a petition from a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) to ICPC. The anti-graft agency received the petition on Monday, 27 January. Confirming receipt of the petition, Demola Bakare, the spokesperson for the ICPC, told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday that the commission had already started taking action on the matter. Within 24 hours of the receipt of the petition, necessary actions and strict adherence to the commissions standard operating procedures have been directed, Mr Bakare said. There were also indications on Tuesday that Mr Fasina may soon appear for interrogation on invitation by ICPC, a source at the commission who sought to be anonymous, told our reporter. The petition was signed by the Gender Mobile Initiative, Baobab for Womens Human Rights, Education as a Vaccine, BIGIF, BraveHeart Initiative and Hope Behind Bars. The groups said their intervention was aimed at eradicating gender-based violence and fostering accountability in public institutions. 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 the petition, the CSOs demanded transparency, accountability, and justice in the sexual harassment case involving Fasina and a married surbordiate in the university Folashade Adebayo, who is the Deputy Director at the Directorate of Works and Services at the university. Mr Fasina was alleged to have pressured and harassed the female staff member for sex. Ms Adebayo reportedly resisted the VCs alleged attempts which caused her removal from the office she occupied. She was said to have written a letter to the governing board of the school for intervention. While calling for an independent investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against Mr Fasina, the CSOs urged the ICPC to ensure justice is served in the matter. Demands The petition, submitted on 27 January, was addressed to the ICPC chairperson and copied to key stakeholders, including the Minister of Education, the Attorney General, the Inspector General of Police, and relevant Senate and House Committees. The petition described the alleged actions of the VC as a gross abuse of authority, contravention of institutional ethics, and a violation of Nigerias legal frameworks on workplace harassment and gender-based violence. It expressed a lack of confidence in the panel constituted by the Governing Council given the alleged biases shinning through the panels terms of reference. It demanded a thorough and independent investigation by the ICPC into the allegations, protection and support for the victim, including legal, psychological, and social assistance. It also sought a review of FUOYEs internal policies on sexual harassment and the implementation of systemic reforms, as well as legislative oversight by relevant Senate and House Committees to address institutional failures in handling sexual harassment cases in Nigerias tertiary institutions. The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Western Zone, on Monday, called for the suspension of Mr Fasina, pending the conclusion of investigations into allegations of sexual harassment against him. In December 2024 the university suspended the chairperson and secretary of the local chapter of SSANU, after accusing them of making the accusations public without evidence and without following through with the university authorities. The union claimed that the university was attempting to suppress the investigation into the VCs conduct. Mr Fasina, on the other hand, has demanded a public apology. However, an audio clip recording of the phone call between Mr Fasina and Mrs Adebayo revealed that the VC indeed pressed her for an illicit relationship. The university council, in September 2024, invited both parties to a reconciliatory meeting, which ended in a stalemate. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame have discussed the possibility of a ceasefire agreement in DR Congo amidst the ongoing conflict between the Congolese force and the M23 rebel group. In a phone conversation on Tuesday, the heads of state agreed that it was urgent to resume peace talks with the goal of reaching a lasting cease-fire agreement. In a post shared on X, the South African Presidency disclosed that the heads of state discussed the recent development in the eastern parts of Congo and the death of peacekeeping officials under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC). President @CyrilRamaphosa held a telephone call with President @PaulKagame of Rwanda to discuss the recent developments in the Eastern DRC and the escalation in fighting that has resulted in the deaths of SAMIRC peacekeepers. The two heads of state have agreed on the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks by all parties to the conflict, the post read. The recent attack in eastern Congo involved military operatives from South Africa, Malawi, and Uruguay attempting to stop the advance of the M23 rebel fighters in Goma which led to the death of several peacekeeping soldiers. According to the United Nations, hundreds of people are wounded, with bodies lying in the streets of Goma after M23 attempted to advance and state-backed troops countered them on Monday. 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 Why there is conflict in Congo M23, an abbreviation for the March 23 Movement, is a Congolese rebel army created in 2012 after former Congolese troops rebelled against the Congolese government. The group had accused the government of failing to implement the 2009 agreement by integrating Tutsi fighters into the army, protecting minorities and distributing resources evenly. Soon after its formation in 2012, the M23 rebel group swiftly captured Congolese territories, including Goma. But their actions drew widespread condemnation and sparked allegations of human rights abuses and war crimes. Under pressure, the group was forced to abandon Goma. It also suffered crushing defeats at the hands of the Congolese military and UN forces, ultimately driving the rebels out of the country. A subsequent agreement promised to integrate M23 fighters into the national army and protect Tutsis. However, by 2021, the group returned to armed conflict, citing the governments failure to honour its commitments. Since its return, the rebel group has made further territorial gains, capturing the towns of Katale, Masisi, Minova and Sake, and now Goma. Increasing humanitarian crisis The Congolese government, alongside the UN, had long accused Rwanda of providing M23 with soldiers and weapons in a bid to control the mineral-rich part of the country. Rwanda has, however, denied the charge and accused the DRC of harbouring members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda. This rebel group was involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. However, the UN estimates there are up to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers in the DRC. The UN also warned of an increasing humanitarian crisis due to the recent attack on Goma, with hospitals overwhelmed. Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has raised alarm over the risk that recent fighting in Goma could cause samples of Ebola and other pathogens held in a laboratory to escape. According to the ICRC regional director for Africa, Patrick Youssef, The Red Cross is very concerned about the situation in the laboratory of the national biomedical research institute, which is facing a risk of power cuts, as well as a question of preserving the samples that may be affected by the clashes. He warned of unimaginable consequences if the samples, including the Ebola virus that it contains, were to spread. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Another petrol-laden tanker has exploded in a town bordering Agaie and Lapai local government areas of Niger State. The incident occurred at about 6 a.m on Monday, Hamzat Taoheed, a resident of Lapai, said, adding that no life was lost. This makes it the third tanker explosion in less than a month in Niger State alone. The driver and his conductor fled the scene when the tanker fell and caught fire, Mr Taoheed added. Another resident, Umar Alhaji, attributed the incident to over speeding by the tanker. The driver was trying to overtake another trailer when it fell, he explained. Mr Alhaji noted that fire fighters put out the fire hours later. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that a similar incident happened two week ago in the same area. 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 Last two weeks, a container carrying goods fell and a tanker ran into it, making both of them to engulf in fire, Mr Taoheed said. The Monday incident came barely two weeks after a twin tanker explosion killed about 90 people in Dikko, Gurara LGA of the state. The Dikko incident also injured over 50 people, although some of them later died. Some of the victims were taken to several hospitals including in Gwagwalada in Abuja following a directive by President Bola Tinubu. Many people who died in the Dikko explosion were at the scene to scoop fuel. A day after the Dikko explosion, another tanker carrying groundnut oil fell in Bida while residents scooped the content. Last Saturday, PREMIUM TIMES reported that a petrol tanker exploded at the Ugwu Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, killing several people and injuring others. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) later confirmed 18 people dead. But in a statement after the Enugu explosion, Mr Tinubu directed all agencies, including FRSC, in charge of enforcing traffic to reverse the trend of tanker explosions. The president calls for caution and adherence to safety measures among road users, particularly fuel tanker operators, the statement reads in parts. Furthermore, he directs agencies in charge of enforcing traffic rules to implement measures to prevent recurring petrol tanker explosions nationwide, it continued. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) has announced 31 January as the commencement date for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration. The board registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, disclosed this in a presentation at a stakeholder meeting with media executives on Tuesday, according to a copy of the presentation obtained by PREMIUM TIMES. Mr Oloyede, a professor, said an advertisement containing all necessary information for registration would be published and aired on radio and television stations on Wednesday, 29 January. He said the 2025 UTME registration begins Friday 31, January and ends on Saturday, 8 March. The JAMB Registrar added that the registration for Direct Entry (DE) begins on Monday, 10 March and ends on Monday, 7 April. Mock Trial Mr Oloyede also announced the introduction of a UTME Mock Trial for underage students who are not eligible to register for UTME. The Mock Trial is to help them prepare ahead of the actual UTME after they must have reached the age of 16. Last year, the Ministry of Education pegged the age for UTME and admissions into Nigerian tertiary institutions at 16. Cost Mr Oloyede also gave the cost for registration as follows. UTME (without Mock) is N7,200, UTME with Mock UTME is N8,200, Direct Entry fee is N5,700 and Trial Testing Mock only (for underage candidates) for N3,500. 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 Candidates will not pay any money as service charge to any CBT centre, he said. About 1.5 million candidates are expected to sit the computer-based test which serves as entry examination into Nigerian tertiary institutions. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print An investigation has been launched in the United Kingdom after Coca-Cola recalled drinks in some European countries. The European bottling unit of Coca-Cola announced on Monday the urgent withdrawal of some drinks sold in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands due to high levels of a chemical called chlorate. The agency detected the high levels of chlorate during routine quality control at the companys bottling facility in Ghent, Belgium. The recalled products are Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, and other beverages with production codes between 328 GE and 338 GE. In a swift response, the UKs Food Standards Agency (FSA) opened an investigation to determine whether any Coca-Cola products containing higher levels of the chemical are being sold in the UK, Independent UK reports. Chemical detected Chlorate can be found in foods as it derives from chlorine disinfectants widely used in water treatment and food processing. Exposure to chlorate has been linked to kidney problems and thyroid function issues, prompting regulatory agencies in the affected countries to issue warnings. 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 a 2015 scientific opinion, the European Food Safety Authority said long-term exposure to chlorate posed a potential health concern for children, especially those with mild or moderate iodine deficiency. We do not have a precise figure, but it is clear that it is a considerable quantity, the European bottling unit of Coca-Cola said of the number of drinks involved. The majority of the affected and unsold products have already been removed from store shelves and we continue to take measures to remove all remaining products from the market, it noted. Countries take action The Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration noted that children are particularly at risk, while the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority urged consumers to avoid drinking the recalled products. As the situation unfolds, other European countries are reviewing Coca-Cola products for potential contamination. According to reports, the company spokesman said that an independent expert analysis had concluded the likelihood of any associated risk for consumers was very low. The spokesman did not immediately specify how many products had been affected by the recall. Meanwhile, information on the bottlers website shows that its facility in Ghent processed 66,000 glass bottles and 120,000 cans per hour, operating around the clock. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged a plot by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to destroy the opposition parties in the country. Mr El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, made the allegation on Monday while speaking at a conference in Abuja. The party is yet to react to the politicians remarks. The event, with the theme, Strengthening Nigerias Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity, was organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (LSD). There seems to be a deliberate project to destroy opposition parties, he alleged. There are 17 opposition parties in Nigeria. Mr El-Rufai urged the parties to unite to save the country, warning that it is descending towards a one-party system. 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 There are internal mercenaries in the PDP, hired and motivated to destroy the party. The Labour Party is also facing similar issues. Peter Obi himself told me, I dont know whats happening in the party I contested with, he said. Fallout with the APC and Tinubu Aside from being a founding member of the APC, Mr El-Rufai also played a significant role in the emergence of Bola Tinubu as president in 2023. Before the election, Messrs Tinubu and El-Rufai were not on the same political side, and there were instances where the two exchanged jabs. However, they appeared to have settled their political differences before the partys presidential primary. In 2022, during an event in Kaduna, Mr Tinubu personally invited the former governor to abandon his plans to retire from public service and join his government if they won the election. However, Mr El-Rufais nomination as a minister was rejected by the Senate acting on some petitions. Many believed this was due to power struggles within the party. Over the past 18 months, Mr El-Rufai has fallen out with his successor in Kaduna State, Uba Sani, who is believed to have the backing of the presidency. In recent months, Mr El-Rufai has been taking jabs at the presidency, including a cryptic post on X accusing the president of nepotism. Illiterates as leaders Mr El-Rufai, a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), also said that illiterates are running the APC, adding that he no longer recognises it as a party. I no longer recognise the APC. No party organ has met in two yearsno caucus, no NEC, nothing. You dont even know if it is a one-man show; its a zero-man show. You cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and cunning people as your leaders. This is why we end up with the poor leadership we have today, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has released its December 2024 report, revealing 355,726 complaints received in the month alone. This represents a remarkable increase compared to the 1,147 complaints received by the commission in January 2024, just about a year ago. The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu attributed the surge to the growing public awareness and trust in the commission. This dramatic surge is a testament to the growing awareness among Nigerians of their rights, and the trust they have placed in the Commission as a crucial avenue for seeking justice and redress. It is a clear indication that Nigerians are increasingly aware of their human rights and are turning to the Commission as a beacon of hope in the face of adversity, he said Tuesday at the NHRCs headquarters in Abuja during the monthly Dashboard presentation. While the report recorded a 10 per cent decrease in complaints compared to November, it highlighted a concerning trend in the South-south, which topped the list of regions with the most reported cases with 104,912 complaints. 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 Senior Human Rights Adviser to the NHRC, Hilary Ogbonna, said we are seeing that South-South has recorded more human rights violations than northern states.. If you look at the combined task force with different regions in Nigeria due to religious obligations and their religious observances either participate in Christmas or do not participate in Christmas. So, festivities-related violations are usually higher in the states where you celebrate Christmas. Thematic violations of human rights The NHRC noted major trends in the complaints recorded in December 2024, featuring issues of freedom from discrimination, law enforcement and human dignity and economic, social and cultural rights violations. The commission also noted that a disturbing number of casualties was recorded at palliative distribution centres across Nigeria during the festive season. It added that there 1,223 reported cases of child abandonment attributed to economic hardship and 51 cases of rape. While the economic situation of the country might not be favourable, Mr Ogbonna stressed that it was not an excuse for child abandonment. He also noted that the number of reported rape cases was only a fraction of the actual cases due to the stigma and fear often faced by victims. 51 are the women who have had the courage to approach our offices. 51 is also women who would probably for the rest of their lives live with the emotional trauma that has come out of the incident reported to us so dont just call it 51, that 51 it could be even a thousand, Mr Ogbonna said. States in Focus in December Zamfara State recorded 71 abductions and 13 killings, marking the highest number of such incidents in any state. Similarly, 32 persons were killed in bandit attacks in Plateau State. Gunmen also killed two policemen in Anambra State, while airstrikes struck civilians in Sokoto State. In Delta, a teenage boy was killed by a police officer over fireworks, while 35-year-old Jimoh Abdulqadir was tortured to death in Kwara State. While condemning the killings, Mr Ogbonna noted the intervention of the Inspector General of Police in the case of Jimoh Abdulqadir. However, he called on the Inspector General of Police, as well as the Commissioners of Police in the states, continue to bring to account officers and men of the force who are engaged in extrajudicial killings. NHRC calls on stakeholders for support Giving an overview of the violations of human rights violations in 2024, Mr Ogbonna stressed that the number of cases recorded only reflected the cases reported by willing complainants willing to report the violations against them. For his part, Mr Ojukwu, the NHRCs executive secretary, called on all stakeholders to reinforce efforts in safeguarding human rights in 2025, even as the commission marks its 30th anniversary later in the year. We call on all stakeholdersour government, civil society organizations, international partners, and all Nigeriansto come together to reinforce our collective efforts to combat systemic injustices. We will be making this year not just for the NHRC but for all Nigerians and recommit ourselves and the entire nation to realizing Nigerias obligations in international human rights. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. The development scenarios of the metro were analyzed and the most optimal scenario was selected by simulation, the Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency Anar Rzayev said, speaking at a meeting dedicated to transport issues, Trend reports. "Even after the roads are built, it is not possible for buses alone to carry out all this transportation. Because the demand is very high and it is also very important to expand the services of carriers. Here, the development scenarios of the metro were analyzed and the most optimal scenario was selected by simulation. It has been reported to you that 10 new stations will be built and four stations will be connected. These 10 stations are the extension of the Purple Line to Babak Avenue and the Green Line to the Hazi Aslanov metro station. I would like to note that the extension of the Purple Line will also expand the use of the Avtovagzal and Khojasan metro stations and will once again significantly reduce the pressure on the 20 January metro station and that roundabout. The extension of the Green Line from Hazi Aslanov will benefit thousands of citizens who use the city center to travel to and from the shopping center in Khojasan on a daily basis. This will once again lead to a decrease in traffic in the city center. As a result of the implementation of these projects, it will be possible to transport another 88 million passengers by metro per year. The metro will carry out transportation within the city," he said. Experts and politicians have called for a more vigorous opposition in Nigeria to serve as a check on the current administration. This was one of the resolutions reached at a two-day conference in Abuja on strengthening democracy in Nigeria. The event, which took place from Monday to Tuesday, was attended by members of civil society organisations, politicians from all major political parties in the country, and other relevant people. Some of the notable politicians present included Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election; Peter Obi of the Labour Party; Kayode Fayemi, a former governor of Ekiti State; Nasir El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State; Abdulfattah Ahmed, a former governor of Kwara State; Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State; and Julius Ihonvbere, the majority leader of the House of Representatives. The two-day event also featured the former Vice President of Ghana, Muhammadu Bamuwia. In a communique issued and read by Ezenwa Nwagwu, participants called for a robust opposition to prevent Nigeria from sliding into a one-party state. Over time, state institutions have been gradually weakened by the overbearing tendencies of those who occupy the executive arm of government. There is a growing incidence of state and elite capture in our political system, with the tendency to slip into a one-party state, the communique reads in part. They expressed concern over the passive nature of the opposition, stating that most political parties have been captured by barons and warlords. 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 role of political parties has, over time, been eroded due to their capture by barons and warlords, resulting in a lack of internal democracy and discipline. There is an obvious dearth of opposition voices and silence in the civic space, the communique further stated. Participants recommended actions by political parties, civil society organisations, the media, the executive, and the judiciary to address these challenges. What the legislature must do The communique made several recommendations for the National Assembly to strengthen democratic institutions. The legislature was encouraged to actively fulfil its oversight, lawmaking, and representation responsibilities, noting that a functional legislature is essential for a thriving democracy. Furthermore, participants urged the National Assembly to accelerate the amendment of electoral laws to end the winner-takes-all system. The legislature should fulfil its responsibility of thoroughly scrutinising the process of appointing individuals to hold sensitive positions in INEC to minimise the tendency of the ruling party to plant its cronies in the electoral body, the report read. It added: The inclusivity of the electoral process should be reviewed to allow for the inclusion of diaspora voting, enabling Nigerians living abroad to participate in national elections. This would ensure that all citizens, regardless of their location, have a voice in shaping the future of the country, and it would strengthen the democratic process by fostering a more inclusive and representative electoral system. Call for a united opposition There have been strong calls for a united opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections. Atiku, a former vice president of Nigeria, has been at the forefront of this call. In his presentation at Mondays event, the former VP reiterated the need for a united opposition and a stronger party supremacy. READ ALSO: Edo governorship tribunal scolds PDP He also called for improved funding of political parties to prevent their capture by governors. But party supremacy cant be achieved through the current funding model for our parties. Funding by governors and a few wealthy individuals is not a democratic model. As we know, he who pays the piper dictates the tune. Funding must be democratised. Members must invest in and co-own parties, he said. Nasir El-Rufai, a member of the ruling party and former governor of Kaduna State, made a similar argument for a united front while criticising his own party, APC. However, responses to the call for a united opposition have been mixed. Mr Obi told journalists he would not join any coalition solely to seize power. I am not interested in any coalition for the purpose of taking power. It is about discussing Nigeria, how we care about securing Nigeria, care about the common people in the country, and their education. That is the most important thing in Nigeria for now, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian police have charged Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), with cybercrimes and are set to arraignment him on Wednesday. They will arraign him on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where they filed the charges on Tuesday. A copy of the indictment seen by PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday night contains 17 counts of cybercrime offences. The charges centre around Mr Sowores description of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun as an illegal IGP in a video clip Mr Sowore shared on social media. Mr Egbetokun, who was expected to have exited service having attained the statutory retirement age of 60 years in September 2024, secured an extended stay in office following a controversial alteration to the Nigeria Police Act passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu. The alteration allowed Mr Egbetokun to stay in office for up to four years as Nigerias police chief. The police alleged in the indictment filed on Tuesday that Mr Sowore knew that the description of Mr Egbetokun as an illegal IGP was false, but knowingly made the claim to cause a breakdown of law and order. 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 They alleged that the act constituted an offence contrary to section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) Act, 2015 as amended (2024) and punishable under section 24(2)(c) (ii) of the same Act. Ridiculous charges Mr Sowore, who has been detained by the police in Abuja since Monday when he honoued a police invitation, described the charges as ridiculous. These have to be some of the most ridiculous charges ever filed by Nigerian law enforcement agents. Omoyele Sowore to face charges for calling retired and fired IGP Kayode Egbetokun Illegal IGP, Mr ,Sowore in a message he circulated via his Whatsapp line on Tuesday. Mr Sowore also mocked the charges in a Faceboook post, portraying blunders in the filling as justifying his accusation that Mr Egbetokun was incompetent. Sowore claimed IG of Nigeria Police Force, KAYODE Egbetokun, was illegal and incompetent, then he quickly moved to court to file charges for cybercrime, with incorrect spellings of Sowores 1st name and wrong spelling of incite. Mr Sowore wrote on Facebook Tuesday night. A review of the charges by PREMIUM TIMES shows that Mr Sowores first name was misspelt as Omoleye instead of Omoyele across the 17 counts. The activist was invited for questioning by the police over a video clip he uploaded on social media alleging extortion by officers at a checkpoint in Lagos. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Sowore honoured a police invitation at the Force Intelligence Department (FID) complex of the Nigerian police in Abuja on Monday. Take It Back movement announces protest The Mr Sowore-led Take It Back Movement (TIB), through its national coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, announced on Tuesday a protest in Abuja, Lagos, and other parts of Nigeria on Wednesday in demand for Mr Sowores freedom and fair hearing in court. Now that they will be arraigning him in court tomorrow, we will be shutting down the country in protest for his reasons. Well be protesting in Abuja and other parts of the country from tomorrow until we get justice for Sowore, Mr Sanyaolu said. Earlier on Tuesday, members of the group protested at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, demanding the release of Mr Sowore. The protesters led by Mr Sanyaolu arrived at the Lagos police headquarters at about 11 am, carrying placards with various inscriptions such as Free Sowore, Stop Harassment of Citizens on Nigerian Roads, and End Police Brutality and Extortion. Mr Sowore was detained by the police in Abuja Monday night after he honoured an invitation by the police over his expose on police officers allegedly extorting motorists along Ikeja in Lagos State. His detention on Monday followed his refusal to accept stringent bail conditions imposed on him after interrogation. Mr Sowore Monday night announced on social media that the police were holding him in custody until further notice, following his refusal to accept their illegal bail condition. Read some of the charges Count 1: That you, OMOLEYE SOWORE, that on the 13th day of December, 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did intentionally and knowingly send messages through your verified X handle account Omoyele Sowore and cause a publication against the Inspector General of Police where you called him illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun which you know to be false, for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order and you caused the message to be sent and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) Act, 2015 as Amended (2024) and punishable under section 24(2)(c) (ii) of the same Act. Count 2: That you, OMOLEYE SOWORE, that on the 13th day of December, 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did intentionally and knowingly cause the transmission of messages through your verified X handle account Omoyele Sowore links and cause a publication against the Inspector General of Police where you called him illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun which you know to be false and tagged the verified Nigeria Police Force X handle @policeNG, containing threats to insight the Nigerians against the Nigeria Police Force and harm it property or reputation of the Inspector General of Police or the Nigeria Police Force and thereby committed an offence and punishable under section 24(2)(c) (ii)of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) Act, 2015 as Amended 2024. Count 3: That you, OMOLEYE SOWORE, that on the 20th day of December, 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did intentionally and knowingly send messages through your verified X handle account Omoyele Sowore and cause a publication against the Inspector General of Police where you called him The illegal IG of Nigeria Police Force, Kayode Egbetokun will make the next #ENDSARS inevitable! He is working tirelessly towards it. Just a matter of time #EgbetekunMustGo #Revolution which you know to be false, for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order and caused the message to be sent and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime(Prohibition, Prevention, section 24(2)(c) (i)of the same Act. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print For Nigeria, and indeed much of Sub-Saharan Africa, our work is cut out for us. We need to take decisive actions to demonstrate that to govern is to advance the interest and welfare of the people. We need to reconfigure our economic systems, processes, and institutions in a manner that prioritises the next meal for majority of our people. For far too long, the focus has been on ticking the boxes on democratic institutions much to the neglect of what those institutions have been able to produce for the ordinary citizen. This theme of strengthening democracy is globally topical and will be just as relevant in countries like the United States of America, South Africa, South Korea, Mozambique, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Ghana, to mention a few. Between 2020 and 2023 there have been about eight coup detats in Africa. A few leaders have also changed or are changing their constitutions to allow them stay in power beyond their constitutionally mandated terms. The increasing fragility of democracy in Africa and across the world is cause for concern. In democratic countries, the will of the people is expressed through elections, and leaders (especially incumbents) must trust the electoral process and accept the will of the people for the survival of democracy. The year 2024 has been described as the year of political disruption because out of elections held in 60 countries, incumbents lost 80 per cent of the elections largely on account of increased cost of living following the COVID-19 pandemic amongst others. We have seen major examples in countries like South Africa, UK, USA, Japan, India, Botswana and Senegal. In Ghana, the presidential and parliamentary elections were held last month. As an incumbent vice president, I was also the ruling party candidate for the Presidency. Before the election, there was the usual anxiety expressed by the opposition, as well as the diplomatic community about the transparency, credibility and fairness of the impending election. The opposition claimed that the government had a plan to rig the election. I believe this is a standard claim by all opposition parties in any election in Africa. Frankly, notwithstanding the above, I was confident in Ghanas electoral process, as the Electoral Commission had demonstrated fairness and transparency. In addition to this, I was confident of winning the election on 7th December based on the solid record of achievement of our government, notwithstanding the economic challenges. However, when the polls closed and counting began, we started receiving the results from our partys collation centres across the country. By 3 a.m. on Sunday, it was obvious from the data that my opponent, former President Mahama, had decisively won the election. I knew it would take between 48-72 hours for the Electoral Commission to announce the official results. I was cognisant of the tension and potential violence that could result if there was a long-drawn-out process of announcing the results. Indeed, the tension had begun to mount. I therefore took the decision to hold a press conference at 9 a.m. the following day to concede the election to my opponent, even before the EC had announced any collated official results. 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 was very confident that our data collation was correct. I believed that my concession within 14 hours of the close of polls was in the supreme interest of Ghanas democracy and peace. The people had decided, and we had to respect their decision without equivocation. The right of the citizenry to choose leaders in a free and transparent manner is sacrosanct and remains one of the most vital anchors of a true democratic dispensation. But choosing and/or changing leaders through the ballot box, though necessary, is not sufficient to guarantee a true and flourishing democratic culture. There are several other imperatives including often-taken-for-granted issues that, when combined with peaceful and credible elections, enrich and sustain our democracy. I therefore propose to continue with the rest of my speech by looking at the common threats to our democracy, and then proceed to suggest, in my opinion, the things we can do to grow a democratic culture that is resilient enough to deliver governance, economic and social dividends to citizens. One of the most important determinants of a flourishing democracy is the quality of institutions; institutions capable of guaranteeing rights, including property rights, and checking wanton abuse of power. These institutions include the independent election management bodies, the judiciary, the Ombudsman, the Police, other law enforcement agencies, and many others. I am an economist, a banker, and a politician. One of the most topical issues about growth that has been extensively discussed by development economists is the now famous institutions and geography debate. Celebrated economists like Dani Rodrick, Daron Acemolgu, and others, have come to a firm conclusion that, when it comes to the determinants of growth, the quality of institutions towers above everything else. Unfortunately, whilst the culture of peacefully choosing leaders is being entrenched, these institutions are becoming weak and endangered. Several reasons account for this; first, when we place partisan, ethnic, and other interests over and above competence in appointments to these institutions, we are simply creating mere edifices and structures to reward cronies, creating avenues for reluctant democrats to get a back door route to autocracy and misgovernance. Second, there is a growing phenomenon in our democracy whereby people deliberately run down these independent and accountability institutions purely on emotive reasons, especially when these institutions decide, as they should, to uphold the law in the interest of the masses and in strict fidelity to the law. It is rather alarming that sometimes these bastardisations of the institutions are undertaken by people with loud voices; people with professional and technical pedigrees; and people who know the truth as espoused by these institutions. For these people, partisan and sectional interests are often packaged as technical and professional opinions, thereby setting these institutions up for public ridicule, scorn, and disdain. This has often set the stage for people with no appreciation of the issues at stake to run amok, eroding public confidence in these institutions and causing substantial damage to our democracy. I need to touch on a closely related matter to the quality of institutions. Indeed, it is an extension of that point. It is about what we used to know in the past. In times when democracy was threatened, it was usually the case that a group of people with a known leader would take up arms, and assume control of state power and institutions. The group and/or its leader would proceed to abolish elections, ultimately collapse democracy, and declare a dictatorship. This is gradually giving way, even though few spots still exist for this path to toppling the democratic order, as we have seen in the sub-region recently. In place of that, is an orchestrated hollowing out of democratic structures and processes and taking full control of the state and related organs, making it nearly impossible for the political opposition to win elections. This is a potent way to bury democracy by placing form over substance and depriving democracy of its essential functions. In other words, the form is democratic, but the substance is obdurate dictatorship! One of the biggest threats to democracy today is what I call the Next Meal. Before I make my point, I need to reecho the words of one of Africas greatest sons, the distinguished Nelson Mandela, to wit, As long as poverty, injustice, and gross inequality exist in our world, none of us can truly rest. Democracy must be a means to an end. The best democracy is the one that delivers public goods and services effectively and efficiently and creates opportunities for citizens, whilst making conscious efforts to leave no one behind. For Sub-Saharan Africa, the data suggests that we do not have an option to do nothing. In 2024, the World Bank estimated that two-thirds of the worlds population in extreme poverty live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Back home, the World Banks 2024 review reveals that more than half of Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty. For Nigeria, and indeed much of Sub-Saharan Africa, our work is cut out for us. We need to take decisive actions to demonstrate that to govern is to advance the interest and welfare of the people. We need to reconfigure our economic systems, processes, and institutions in a manner that prioritises the next meal for majority of our people. For far too long, the focus has been on ticking the boxes on democratic institutions much to the neglect of what those institutions have been able to produce for the ordinary citizen. The person who is unable to afford the next eba meal is unlikely to appreciate any data on democratic progress. There is growing apprehension among the citizenry about the relevance and usefulness of government institutions, with many people losing faith in these institutions. This is concerning and portends a bleak future for democratic sustenance if we do not rise to the occasion, and quickly too. For our democracy to remain relevant and sustainable, actors need to ensure that citizens have confidence in the democratic system to address their needs and concerns, particularly basic needs, which I call the next meal principle. I now turn attention to a matter right in front of us, and which we continue, surprisingly, to downplay. I am talking about the youth demography, or what is known in modern-speak as the Gen Z demographic, and the potential of a growing youthful population to make or unmake our democracy. Across the world, we have seen young people stand up to dictatorial or malfunctional governance architecture, bringing in ugly outcomes in some cases. These have often happened because young people are considered the next generation and have a bounden duty to ensure that the actions we take today do not jeopardise their future. Viewed from that lens, one is tempted to say young people have played key roles in rescuing failing democratic systems by confronting and defying dictatorships or systems that are no longer fit for purpose. But there is a catch: we know that the youth demographic is not necessarily homogenous, and that comes with some challenges. In many cases, some young people have rather helped misgovernance to fester by becoming proxies to perpetuate injustice and/or obstruct the smooth functioning of systems that will promote good governance. I have presented two scenarios; the youth as enablers of democratic sustenance, and the youth as outlets for misgovernance. But whichever lens one views this, the real pointer can only be one thing: we need to ensure that democracy delivers inclusive opportunities. The productive energies of young people need to be harnessed properly to empower them to play positive roles in democratic sustenance. Whilst we ponder over this suggestion, I want to share, once again, some figures from the 2023 Open Society Barometer report with you. Shockingly, 30 per cent and 38 per cent of young people in Nigeria and Ghana respectively, said military rule was good for the citizenry. That is food for thought! We cannot talk about a deepening democratic culture without devoting time to the role of the citizen. Have we played our roles in sustaining democracy? To answer this question, I would first borrow some lines from President Barack Obama: The role of citizen in our democracy does not end with your vote. Deepening and sustaining our democracy will require that citizens step up to the plate and show a greater voice. A voice that is long on policy coherence and strengthening systems; and a voice that is short on rhetoric and plain partisan verbiage. In that way, we can hold political officeholders accountable for their actions and teleguide governance efforts towards strengthening and consolidating democratic governance. I am expanding the citizen discussion to include politicians and political officeholders. This group has a primary duty to demonstrate commitment to growing a democratic dispensation that upholds rights and delivers benefits to citizens. They must eschew corruption, nepotism, and the power at all costs posture. Any politician or national leader that threatens fire and brimstone whilst seeking power is not looking to serve the people. Such a politician is seeking power for ulterior motives. This category of politicians threatens our democracy. For our democracy to succeed and remain useful for the citizenry, we require a new set of leaders. Leaders who place national interests over and above individual parochial interests. Leaders who have no political integrity. The generality of citizens must ensure that we consign greedy and in-ward looking politicians to the basket of irrelevance, and project selfless and generational thinkers to the front row of leadership and service. Citizens owe this duty to themselves, God, and Country. My initial promise was to tell you what threatens our democracy and follow that up with what we can do to strengthen it. But as you can see from my presentation, the what we can do aspects have already been presented. Nevertheless, I will summarise a few of them, with the hope that we can collectively work to deepen and sustain democracy. First, we must recognise that democracy is more than casting ballots, and declaring winners and losers. We must work to strengthen independent constitutional and democratic institutions. They represent the fuel on which the engines of democracy run. Second, we should prioritise the next meal, particularly jolof rice of the Ghanaian variety, in configuring democratic systems and processes. A democracy that cannot deliver broad-based prosperity to all sections of society is a Doomocracy. Let us prioritise inclusive economic growth and opportunities, bearing in mind that democracy is a means to an end and not an end in itself. Third, citizens need to play their part by holding duty bearers and political office holders to account by bringing relevant facts and information and well-thought through ideas and suggestions to the forefront of national discourse. In effect, the watchdog role of citizens, if devoid of misinformation, fake news and partisan narratives, can go a long way to sustain a culture of democratic governance. Fourth, let us direct and harness the positive energy of young people in a way that creates opportunities for them to realise their potential, and to reduce their vulnerability to being deployed by predatory forces for ruinous causes. The youth can make or unmake our democracy. In conclusion, strengthening democracy is not an event. It will require sustained efforts collectively applied to multiple sectors, institutions, and structures. Nigeria has been a leader for many years on many fronts not only in Sub-Saharan Africa but across the globe. At the sub-regional level, Nigeria has played a father figure role in economic support and diplomacy, peacekeeping, and restoring democracy in some instances. It is expected that the steady progress being made in democratic governance will be strengthened and sustained. We therefore need to work assiduously to strengthen democracy by staying true to its prerequisites. Despite the imperfections of democracy, it remains the preferred form of governance that can guarantee individual liberties and rights. Prime Minister Winston S Churchill beautifully summarises this point in a line, to wit Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others. The 2023 Open Society Barometer report established that 92 per cent of Nigerians say it is important to live in a democratically governed country, with a further 69 per cent settling on democracy as the preferred form of government. This leaves nobody in doubt that democracy has taken root in Nigeria. Let us strengthen it. I thank you for the opportunity. May God bless Nigeria, May God bless Africa, and May God bless humanity. Mahamudu Bawumia is the former vice president of the Republic of Ghana. This is the text of a keynote address delivered at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria on 27 January 2025. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has undeniably positioned itself as a critical force in Nigerias democratic evolution. By bridging the gap between civil society and the legislature, strengthening advocacy for accountability and transparency, and enhancing citizen participation in governance, the organisation has contributed significantly to good governance in Nigeria. According to analysts, the strength of governance in any thriving democratic society is measured by the degree of inclusivity, accountability, and transparency that defines its legislative and policy-making processes. It is gratifying that since the return of democracy in 1999, Nigeria as a country with vast potential and equally significant governance challenges, has witnessed remarkable strides in strengthening the link between civil society and the legislature. At the forefront of this transformation stands the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), a beacon of hope, advocacy, and policy engagement that has consistently reinforced democracy through legislative advocacy, civic education, and capacity-building initiatives. For nearly two decades since its inception in 2005, CISLAC has played a pivotal role in ensuring that Nigerias legislative process is more participatory, responsive, and accountable, and it also operates by the global best practices, as seen in the developed nations. Under the stewardship of the founder, Comrade Auwalu Musa Ibrahim Rafsanjani, CISLAC through robust engagement with policymakers, capacity-building programmes for civil society groups, and extensive research on governance issues, has fostered an environment in which informed policy decisions align with the genuine needs of Nigerians. Throughout its period of intense activities, CISLAC has continued to make significant impacts across various sectors in Nigeria thereby deepening good governance and promoting inclusion. 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 Strengthening Legislative Advocacy for Accountability and Transparency One of CISLACs most notable contributions to Nigerias democracy is its tireless legislative advocacy, aimed at ensuring that governance is not only by the people but also for the people. The organisation has served as a crucial intermediary between policymakers and civil society organisations (CSOs), providing expert analysis and policy recommendations on pressing national issues to entrench national development. Through strategic engagement with the National Assembly and concerned stakeholders, CISLAC has influenced the legislative processes on critical governance matters, including anti-corruption policies and laws, electoral reforms, as well as budget transparency and public finance accountability, among others. In the area of anti-corruption, CISLAC has been a vocal advocate for the full implementation of the Proceeds of Crime Act, the Whistleblower Protection Bill, and the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA 2020), which promote financial transparency in both the public and private sectors. Also, the organisation has played an active role in shaping Nigerias electoral processes by advocating for amendments to the Electoral Act, ensuring that elections are more transparent, credible, and reflective of the peoples will. CISLAC under Comrade Rafsanjani has equally championed fiscal discipline by monitoring government budget allocations across several departments, especially the defence and security sector, pushing for transparency in budgetary processes, and holding public officials accountable for financial mismanagement. These efforts have not only increased citizen participation in governance but have also pressured the government to prioritise people-centered policies. Capacity Building for Civil Society Groups and Policymakers One essential factor that makes CISLAC unique is its understanding that effective legislative engagement requires both civil society actors and policy-makers to be well-informed about governance processes. To this end, the organisation has invested significantly in capacity-building programmes across the nation aimed at equipping stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and skills to influence policy decisions effectively. As part of its numerous initiatives, CISLAC has conducted training workshops for several CSOs on legislative advocacy, helping them understand how to engage with lawmakers and track policy implementation. Additionally, it organises sensitisation programmes for policymakers to educate them on the importance of civic engagement, transparency, and inclusive governance. Similarly, the organisation continues to develop policy briefs, research reports, and position papers that provide data-driven insights on legislative matters, helping lawmakers to make informed decisions. By bridging the knowledge gap between civil society and the legislature, CISLAC has empowered grassroots organisations, journalists, and policymakers to contribute meaningfully to governance and democratic consolidation. Enhancing Citizen Participation in Governance A functional democracy thrives on an active citizenry that holds leaders accountable and demands good governance. Recognising this, CISLAC has spearheaded several initiatives to enhance citizen engagement in governance. Through town hall meetings, media campaigns, and digital advocacy, CISLAC has sensitised and educated citizens on their legislative rights and responsibilities, enabling them to demand better representation from elected officials. It also promotes participatory budgeting, ensuring that the voices of marginalised communities are reflected in national and state budget allocations. Determined to increase uniform participation, CISLAC has been mobilising stakeholders to demand greater accountability in governance, particularly in sectors such as health, education, and public service delivery. By amplifying citizen voices, CISLAC has fostered a culture of democratic participation, where governance is no longer a distant concept but an inclusive process involving all Nigerians. Advancing Governance and Policy Reforms Beyond legislative advocacy and citizen engagement, CISLAC has been instrumental in driving policy reforms that address governance challenges in Nigeria. The organisation has contributed significantly to anti-corruption and good governance reforms, by partnering with institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to ensure the implementation of anti-corruption frameworks. The organisation has also continued to push for security sector reforms, advocating for policies that improve national security, human rights protection, and community-driven peace initiatives. Similarly, the same efforts have been invested towards pushing for increased budgetary allocations to essential services that directly impact citizens well-being such as health and education sectors. No doubt, these interventions have had far-reaching impacts, influencing policy decisions at both national and sub-national levels. CISLACs Global Impact and Partnerships CISLACs influence extends beyond Nigeria. As the West Africa Regional Coordinator for Transparency International (TI), the organisation collaborates with global anti-corruption networks to combat illicit financial flows, promote good governance, and strengthen accountability mechanisms. For the record, CISLAC has been at the forefront of combating illicit financial flows (IFFs) in sub-Saharan Africa. In September 2024, the centre launched a comprehensive report titled Shadow Networks: The Enablers of Illicit Financial Flows in Sub-Saharan Africa Jurisdictions. This report highlights the key facilitators of IFFs and offers actionable recommendations to curb this pervasive issue, reflecting CISLACs dedication to financial transparency and accountability. Furthermore, CISLACs partnerships with international development organisations, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Open Government Partnership (OGP), have enhanced Nigerias standing in global governance discourse. Through these partnerships, the organisation has successfully facilitated knowledge exchange, capacity development, and international best practices in governance reforms. CISLAC as a Pillar of Nigerias Democratic Growth The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has undeniably positioned itself as a critical force in Nigerias democratic evolution. By bridging the gap between civil society and the legislature, strengthening advocacy for accountability and transparency, and enhancing citizen participation in governance, the organisation has contributed significantly to good governance in Nigeria. At a time when Nigeria faces increasing governance challenges, CISLACs role remains more crucial than ever. As the organisation continues to champion legislative advocacy and policy engagement, it is imperative that stakeholders including government institutions, civil society groups, and the international community support its mission for a more transparent, inclusive, and accountable democracy. CISLACs strides are not just achievements for Nigerias civil society but a testament to the power of collaborative governance in fostering a better future for all Nigerians. Mukhtar Yau Madobi, a Research Fellow with Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), writes via ymukhtar944@gmail.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Zion Prayer Movement Outreach has expressed deep concern over a publication by Sahara Reporters, linking its Spiritual Director, Ebuka Obi, an evangelist, to the recent dismissal of three police officers by the Police Service Commission. A statement by Mr Ebuka Obis Media Adviser, Dan Aibangbe, described the publication as unfortunate, malicious, scandalous and misleading. Mr Aibangbe said the report published in the edition of 25th January, 2025 with the headline, Police dismiss officer Peter Ejike over Fraud involving Zion Ministrys Ebuka Obi in Blogger Ijele Speaks case is nothing but an attempt to mislead the public and a smear campaign against the revered and non-controversial person of Mr Ebuka Obi. The statement noted that the reasons for the officers earlier suspension and subsequent dismissal had earlier been explained by the Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Muyiwa Ogunjobi, which include gross misconducts such as illegal duty and stealing in a case involving FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited. Mr Aibangbe explained that one of the affected officers, Peter Ejike was only assigned by the police to investigate a case of threat to life and cyber bully brought against Ijele Speaks and argued that Sahara Reporters deliberately misrepresented the facts in order to malign and tarnish the image of Mr Ebuka Obi. Mr Aibangbe said, I personally spoke to Omoyele Sowore, Sahara Reporters publisher and told him that his publication against Evangelist Ebuka Obi is evil, full of hatred and undeserving of a man aspiring to be Nigerias president. Mr Aibangbe described Mr Sowores action as cyber-bullying and criminal libel, calling on the police to invite the Sahara Reporters publisher over the grossly misleading, injurious and defamatory story. 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 public to disregard Sahara Reporters false publication, as it does not represent the reason behind the officers dismissal by the Police Service Commission. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In yet another step toward transforming its agricultural sector, Jigawa State has formalized a collaboration with regional agricultural institutions to establish the Jigawa State Agricultural Transformation Agency. This was announced when Governor Umar Namadi hosted Safia Boly, Executive Director of the African Agricultural Transformation Initiative (AATI), and Dr Khalid Bomba, CEO and Managing Director of the Development Sovereign Group, in a meeting on Monday held to advance this ambitious initiative. In her address, Ms Boly commended Governor Namadi for his visionary leadership and dedication to agricultural transformation in Jigawa State. Your Excellency, we are not only very pleased to be part of your agricultural journey, which we support you in; we would also like to reiterate how you continue to earn our support and also for the state of Jigawa. We had a very good engagement in June of last year, which you facilitated in terms of understanding the priorities for the state and how we could ourselves organise not only various partnerships but also support that we could provide for that journey. Following that visit, you have surprised us with your presence and honored us during the event in Kigali, the Africa Food Systems Summit, where we have the pleasure not only of hearing more about your political will and your strive towards transformation in Jigawa State, but also you advised us in words of wisdom as we were launching the agricultural transformation office in Sierra Leone. We are very thrilled and excited to continue with the learning journey with yourself and support your drive for agricultural transformation. She emphasised AATIs commitment to supporting Jigawas agricultural agenda, pledging to bring proven advisory services and expertise to drive impactful results. 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, Dr Bomba expressed excitement about the collaboration, drawing parallels between Jigawas current ambitions and Ethiopias journey 15 years ago. We are pleased to see the progress youre making in Jigawa State, with the policies and outlines youve implemented, and the ambitions youve dedicated to agricultural transformation. In many ways, Jigawa State remains an ambitious mirror of Ethiopia. Ethiopia was fifteen years ago when we began the journey with the agricultural transformation agency. In fact, to support you is an honour and privilege. We believe Jigawa State could be an example for Nigeria, its northern states, and Africa as a whole. Speaking, Governor Namadi expressed gratitude for the partnership, highlighting the significance of the visit as a follow-up to earlier engagements. It is really a delight for us in Jigawa State to receive the executive director and the managing director, which is an honor to us. This meeting serves as a follow-up to our previous meeting in Kigali. This has shown the interest the AATI has in assisting African countries to transform their agricultural systems, he said. And I am sure your commitment, by being here today, has confirmed to us that this journey is going to be a successful journey. I am sure with the various expertise you have and the commitment and will we have in Jigawa State, the journey will be a very good one. The collaboration, which is supposed to last between three to four years, seeks to leverage the expertise of the African Agricultural Transformation Initiative and the Development Sovereign Group to implement practical and sustainable agricultural reforms in Jigawa. The to-be-established Jigawa State Agricultural Transformation Agency will focus on improving productivity, fostering innovation, and creating economic opportunities across the agricultural value chain. The Jigawa State 2025 budget has already made a provision for the creation of the Jigawa State Agricultural Transformation Agency within the fiscal year. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print There can be no better time than now for the take-off of the National Single Window initiative aimed at eliminating bureaucratic delays in export and import processes to boost trade efficiency and enhance economic growth. This was the consensus of stakeholders and industry experts at the opening of a three-day workshop on the presidential initiative called the National Single Window project launched by President Bola Tinubu in April, 2024. The stakeholders, including the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji, Managing Director, Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho and others are optimistic about the potentials of the project fast-tracking the realisation of $1 trillion economy. Speaking at the National Single Window forum at Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday, Mr Oyetola said the initiative would significantly reduce the cost of doing business in the country and eliminate sharp practices in trade processes. As highlighted by the World Bank, the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports can be up to 40 percent higher than in other West African countries due to delays and administrative bottlenecks, leading to an estimated annual revenue loss of 2.5 trillion within the business community. However, the implementation of the Single Window System can enhance efficiency, potentially reducing these costs by at least 25 percent. By streamlining operations, improving transparency, and minimizing delays, the system not only drives cost savings but also strengthens overall trade facilitation. The cumulative impact across all areasincluding reduced costs, enhanced efficiency, and greater transparencyultimately contributes to the overall ease of doing business. 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 advancing multimodal connectivity by improving road, rail, and inland waterway links to and from the ports. These improvements aim to reduce transportation costs, enhance logistics, and boost trade. For example, the Ministry in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, cleared the age-long Apapa Tincan Mile 2 traffic for landside operations and provided tugboats, mooring boats, pilot cutters, bollards, and fenders across all port locations for effective seaside operations. We maximised crane productivity and ensured a reduced transit time for vessels and trucks. These led to a reduction in both the vessel and truck turn-around times. The vessel turn-around-time went down from an average of seven days to an average of five days, while truck turn-around-time went from an average of 10 days to a few hours. But we are not resting on our oars, as our ultimate goal is to make Nigeria the hub of maritime in West Africa, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy said. In her own address, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Oduwole, stressed that the establishment of a National Single Window system for trade is not merely a policy objective but a transformative reform that will fundamentally redefine the way trade is conducted across our borders. Our single window project will provide a centralized digital platform for traders to submit, process, and access trade-related documentation- eliminating corruption through improved transparency, reducing administrative burdens, and significantly enhancing the ease of doing business in Nigeria. Many of you will recall that in my previous capacities in the Presidency, I have been part and parcel of the NSW project since 2016. The time for delivery is now! Under President Tinubus eight-point agenda, economic growth and job creation are key priorities. The NSW will play a significant role in achieving these goals, she said. Also speaking, Minister of State for Finance, Dr Uzoka-Anite, stressed that the initiative would not only enhance ease of doing business in the country but also attract foreign direct investment. In Indonesia their NSW programme was launched in 2007 to simplify trade, and since then they have achieved significant reduced clearance time. The average time for cargo clearance at ports dropped from seven days to just three days, traders saved millions of dollars annually through reduced administrative costs and delays. In 2014 Vietnam introduced its NSW as a part of broader trade facilitation reforms. The programme enhanced trade efficiency by streamlining interaction with over 20 government agencies, reducing paperwork, and manual processes. This in turn led to improved compliance and led to increased customs revenue. This ease of trading facilitated by their NSW helped Vietnam increase exports, particularly in manufacturing and agriculture. Such a similar impact would be significant for Nigeria as we continue to build our foreign reserves and strengthen the Naira. Here in Africa Rwanda established its NSW in 2012 to promote regional and international trade which has since resulted in speedier border crossing times which decreased by 50 percent thus boosting the movement of goods in Rwanda. The NSW reforms contributed to Rwanda becoming one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa and improved Rwandas trade within the East African Community (EAC), the Minister said. According to the FIRS chairman, Zacch Adedeji, the project would contribute hugely to the realization of a $1 trillion economy by 2031 as envisioned by President Tinubu. The National Single Window project represents a pivotal stride in Nigerias journey towards economic transformation. For too long, Nigerias trade facilitation processes have been hampered by a complex web of bureaucratic hurdles, characterized by cumbersome and inefficient procedures, leading to significant delays at the ports, increased costs of doing business, and a substantial erosion of Nigerias competitiveness in the global marketplace. This has resulted in substantial revenue losses to the country, reduction in foreign direct investments, and hindered the full realization of our nations economic potential. I believe by establishing an integrated platform that seamlessly connects all the critical actors- seaports, airports, free trade zones, government agencies, financial institutions, and the private sector we are set to revolutionise the way we conduct international trade. Now is the moment for Nigeria to establish itself as a leading trade hub on the African continent by implementing a robust and efficient National Single Window system, Mr Adedeji said. Comptroller General of the Nigeria Custom Service, Bashir Adeniyi, who was represented, said the concept was not new to Nigeria as similar efforts had been made in the past, suggesting ways to overcome the challenged that stunted similar efforts in the past. Over the years, we have witnessed various efforts aimed at integrating government agencies, streamlining processes, and fostering efficiency in trade facilitation. However, these attempts have been fraught with challenges, ranging from fragmented technological systems and institutional silos to misaligned stakeholder expectations and inadequate physical and technological infrastructure. While these obstacles have slowed our progress, they have also provided invaluable lessons that shape the roadmap for future success. To succeed, we must embrace a singular purpose backed by unwavering governmental resolve, ensuring that the Single Window is not perceived as the sole mandate but as a national strategy supported by all stakeholders, including the private sector, financial institutions, and regulatory agencies. The centrality of Customs in this ecosystem is undeniable, but success requires a symbiotic relationship where each stakeholder plays its part with precision and commitment, he said. Managing Director of NPA, Mr Dantsoho, emphasised the need for all stakeholders to work in unity to achieve the goal of the project. He referenced the one stop shop initiative as demonstrating the possibility for government agencies to collaborate and work in harmony with zero tolerance for delays in service delivery and timely interventions without bottle necks. Speaking earlier, the Head of NSW Secretariat, Tola Fakolade, said the project will simplify the ways things are being done, adding that NSW was first implemented in Singapore and also used in Djibouti, Kenya and others and where it recorded successes. Mr Fakolade said the first phase of the project would start this year with training and testing, saying his office expects cooperation from all stakeholders. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda on Tuesday carried out inspection of Genesis Energys power generation facilities, including the 84MW Nigerias largest licensed off-grid power plant at Port Harcourt Refinery, Rivers State. He also inspected the companys power plant in Lagos. During the inspection tour at Port Harcourt Refinery, the governor hailed the facilitys sustained excellence. We are here to visit the Genesis Energy Power plant, which generates electricity to power the refinery, and its really very exciting to experience, Mr Radda stated. Impressed with the facilitys technological efficiency, Governor Radda noted, Im glad with what I saw, and they have really exhibited their capacity in terms of power generation in Nigeria. The governor particularly emphasised the longevity and reliability of the plants infrastructure, stating, What I have seen here is the turbine system of power generation which they have built for over 10 years, and its still running at full capacity. Governor Radda further extended the tour to Genesis Energys Lagos facility at Banana Island, Ikoyi, which features 27.5MVA and 15MVA Injection substations with 33/11KV lines. The facility provides round-the-clock electricity supply for commercial and residential use. Speaking on the Lagos power plant, Mr Radda stated, We have seen how Genesis Energy distributes electricity and the processes of the distribution and the efficiency of the service. The governor expressed confidence in Genesis Energys capabilities to undertake power generation projects across Nigeria. This visit has really indicated to us that theyre up to the task and theyre capable. I believe that they can handle any project that has to do with power generation in our country, he affirmed. 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 Radda administrations partnership with Genesis Energy represents a crucial step towards achieving sustainable power supply and energy infrastructure for Katsina State. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has narrated how the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, played a crucial role in funding the 2019 governorship campaign of the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed. Mr Dogara, an indigene of Bauchi State who served as House Speaker between 2015 and 2019, narrated it in a statement on Tuesday to intervene in the ongoing dispute between Messrs Wike and Mohammed. The relationship between Messrs Wike and Mohammed, a former senator and FCT minister, has deteriorated significantly. The crux of their dispute appears to be rooted in the leadership structure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr Wikes decision to accept a ministerial position under the APC-led administration of President Bola Tinubu. The minister is a PDP member. Mr Mohammed, as the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, has publicly criticised Mr Wike for accepting the appointment, describing him as someone who betrays benefactors and shifts loyalties for personal gain. In response, Mr Wike questioned Mr Mohammeds leadership abilities to lead the partys governors. He advised the Bauchi governor to desist from using his appointment under the Tinubu administration as a basis for arguments. The deteriorated relationship between the duo is generating controversy among their loyalists and has raised tension in the party. 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 Dogara, in an attempt to intervene in the dispute, explained that Mr Wike, at the time governor of Rivers State, provided financial and logistical support to ensure Mr Mohammeds victory during the partys primary election and after, without demanding anything in return. The former speaker said he sought the intervention of Mr Wike on behalf of Mr Mohammed because he was afraid that the latters closest rival, Abdul Ningi, may win the partys ticket to contest the governorship election. I need to remind Governor Bala Mohammed that in the 2018 PDP gubernatorial primaries when, we were not too sure he would win because his then major opponent, Senator Abdul Ningi, was the one who constituted the state party structure and had a bosom friend as party chairman, it was Wike we turned to for help. I had called Wike to plead with him to help us in Bauchi without necessarily disclosing to him that it was Bala Mohammed that we wanted delivered. His response was, Are you sure you are in control of the process 100 per cent? I said, I wasnt too sure. And he said to me leave it to me, I will help you sort it out, he said. How Bauchi governor won party ticket To secure the partys ticket for the election, Mr Dogara explained that Mr Wike strategically positioned his close ally, Dan Orbih, as the chairman of the primary election panel and ensured his presence in Bauchi for the exercise through a private jet. To do it, Wike first of all made his bosom friend and close ally, Chief Dan Osi Orbih the chairman of the panel for the primaries and said I should discuss whatever I wanted with Chief Dan. We got talking and on the eve of the primaries, Chief Dan was in Benin City and we needed to get him to Bauchi for the assignment. It was Wike that I turned to again and his response to me was, my brother, I have told you not to bother about this. Tell Chief Dan to come to meet me in Port Harcourt. I did just that and amazingly Wike provided the private jet that flew Chief Dan to Bauchi and out of Bauchi for the assignment, he said. Wikes financial supports The former speaker also claimed that the FCT minister funded all the campaigns and election expenses of the Bauchi governor during the period. I can say without fear of any contradiction that Wike bore all expenses for the exercise. Its therefore shocking that this so-called transactional character called Wike did not place any condition whatsoever for his support, he said. Bauchi governor lied about his financial capacity Mr Dogara also said after Mr Mohammed emerged as the PDP flagbearer, he promised to fund the campaigns of all party candidates in the state. Still, the party executives were later surprised that Mr Mohammed had no financial resources, not even for his campaign. Initially, I thought it was some kind of a funny joke, but as time went by, I realised to my utter bewilderment that it was true. It turned out Bala Mohammed had lied to us about his financial capacity, he said. The former speaker said after they realised that Mr Mohammed did not have the financial capacity, Mr Wike offered him cash to fund the campaign. To cut the long story short, we passed the night at the Government House and the next morning Wike called and directed that his cash assistance be handed over to me to pass to Bala. I said, Your Excellency, its better I call him so that he can collect the assistance himself lest he thinks you are still angry with him. I sent for Bala and when he came, Wikes aide handed over the package to him and he collected it while almost kissing the ground. Wike therefore gave us the lifeline we needed to kick start Balas campaigns. If Bala has forgotten how much we left with that day, I will remind him, he said. Mr Dogara said, aside from the cash assistance, the FCT minister also provided a private jet to convey him (Dogara) and Mr Mohammed from Port Harcourt to Abuja. Wike didnt stop there, he gave us a private jet to ferry us back to Abuja. And I must add that was not the only time Wike helped Bala with resources and logistics. What is baffling is that the so-called transactional Wike did not demand anything in return nor place any condition for all that he did. Believe me, this is not the end of the story, but lets leave it here, the former lawmaker said. Mr Mohammed could not be reached for comment. His media aide, Muktar Gidado, did not respond to repeated calls or text messages on his mobile phone. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Benue Government says it would take over payment of tuition fees of all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) studying in tertiary institutions. James Iorpuu, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management/State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said this on Tuesday in Makurdi, the state capital. Mr Iorpuu said the government was already collating data of IDPs in tertiary institutions. He explained that since they were displaced and lost their sources of livelihood, it was imperative for the government to intervene. Mr Iorpuu added that all other children in the camps would have access to quality education going forward. The permanent secretary stated that adequate security had been provided at the various camps by deploying trained personnel. He commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for restoring hope, dignity, and livelihoods to the IDPs and other vulnerable groups in the state. 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 One of the most commendable steps taken by His Excellency is the launch of the Benue State Action Plan for a Durable Solution for IDPs in Benue. This comprehensive plan is not just about providing immediate relief but also about creating sustainable pathways for the safe return, reintegration, and empowerment of our displaced population. The flag-off of the IDP farm project at Tyo-Mu, targeting six local government areas heavily affected by displacement, is a giant leap in this direction. This farm project is not only aimed at addressing food security challenges but also at equipping our IDPs with the means to rebuild their lives through agricultural productivity. By targeting six LGAs, Guma, Logo, Kwande, Agatu, Makurdi, and Gwer West, this initiative will significantly contribute to economic recovery, skill development, and self-reliance among the IDPs. It is a beacon of hope for thousands of families and a demonstration of the states commitment to fostering resilience and sustainable development. he said On the monthly distribution of relief materials to the IDPs and vulnerable groups, he said the items were not just provisions; they were symbols of solidarity and reminders that no one was left behind in the rebuilding of Benue. READ ALSO: Benue govt confirms rabies outbreak in two LGAs Mr Iorpuu further commended international and local partners for their collaboration in supporting the humanitarian efforts. He listed the items distributed to include 3,975 bags of rice, 3,060 cartons of noodles, 890 bags of beans, 395 bags of garri, 195 gallons of palm oil, 100 cartons of seasoning, 82 bags of salt, and 100 bags of sugar. He said all the camps and vulnerable groups would benefit from the distribution. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. Eni has significantly expanded its presence in Kazakhstan, balancing its operations in major oil fields such as Kashagan and Karachaganak with a growing commitment to renewable energy, a source at Eni told Trend. "In Kazakhstan, we are actively involved in the exploration, development, and production of hydrocarbons and natural gas, while also investing in renewable energy with wind and solar power plants. Our renewable energy projects and experimentation with biofuels are part of our broader goal to support the energy transition in Central Asia," the company noted. The source emphasized that Eni's business model integrates environmental and social sustainability principles, with a clear vision: "We aim to achieve Carbon neutrality by 2050 through our comprehensive energy strategy". Eni's groundbreaking hybrid power project in collaboration with KazMunayGas (KMG) is a significant milestone in the companys sustainability strategy. "In 2024, we began construction on the 250 MW Hybrid Renewables-Gas Power Plant in Zhanaozen, Mangystau Region. This project combines advanced renewable energy plants, developed with Plenitude, Enis subsidiary, and a gas power plant to ensure stable electricity production," the source noted. The company added, "This hybrid approach is fully aligned with Eni's decarbonization strategy, and it demonstrates our joint commitment to pioneering technologies for a low-carbon future in the Mangystau Region". Eni continues to prioritize renewable energy and carbon reduction in Kazakhstan, with potential for expansion into other Central Asian countries. "We are currently focusing our efforts on Kazakhstan in the renewable energy and carbon reduction space, and we are committed to supporting the countrys transition to a sustainable energy future". "Eni operates in Kazakhstans renewable sector through Arm Wind, our fully owned subsidiary, with a total installed capacity of 150 MW. Notable projects include the 48 MW Badamsha-1 wind farm, the 48 MW Badamsha-2 wind farm, and the 50 MW solar plant in Turkestan," the company elaborated. The source continued, "In January 2024, we confirmed our commitment to the innovative 250 MW Hybrid Renewables-Gas Project in Zhanaozen. This project will combine solar and wind energy with gas to stabilize electricity production, addressing the challenges of integrating fluctuating renewables into the grid." "We are now in the construction phase of this project. This project will bring great value to the Grid by producing stable and balanced electricity, especially in consideration of the fluctuating character of renewables power generation and the issue of their integration into the grid. We believe that hybrid projects like these could become key solutions for enhancing grid stability and ensuring energy security in Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries," the company added. At the same time, Eni reiterated its openness to consider cooperation opportunities in the renewables sector in Central Asia, leveraging on the common aspects between the countries. Ini Ememobong, the immediate past commissioner for information in Akwa Ibom State, has described recent corruption allegations against former governor Udom Emmanuel as untrue and unfair. Mr Ememobong, who made the assertion in a statement made available to reporters in Uyo on Tuesday, said the former governor was not corrupt. A group, the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking, recently petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, accusing Mr Emmanuel of misappropriation of funds. In the petition, the group urged the anti-graft agency to investigate the former governor over corrupt practices while he was governor of Akwa Ibom. Mr Ememobong, who served as commissioner under the former governor and later under Governor Umo Eno, said that the group had continued to subject Mr Emmanuel to a sustained vitriolic media trial. He accused the petitioners of already passing judgment on the former governor and described the allegation as unfair and questionable. According to him, the petition purvey allegations that sound more like the final court judgment on Mr Emmanuel. 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 Ememobong said it was untrue that the former governor purchased a house in America with Akwa Ibom Government funds. From the period he served as Secretary to the State Government to 2014, when he contest for the governorship, he didnt receive salary or allowances from the state government. He was not also in charge of contract awards or any other money-yielding government enterprise, he said. The former commissioner said that the petitioners painted a picture that the only acceptable outcome to them was sending Mr Emmanuel to jail, irrespective of his guilt or innocence. Emmanuel was an executive director and chief financial officer of a leading financial institution before becoming governor, he was already a man of means, he said. He urged the petitioners to refer to the entries in the states statutory account books before making corruption allegations. Mr Ememobong said that during his reign as governor, Mr Emmanuel voluntarily submitted himself for public scrutiny through live media programmes and engagements with the people. He said that although it was right to call for accountability, it was unfair to be judgmental. The former commissioner said the petitioners approach only showed that their intention was to harm the image and personality of the former governor. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A witness for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) told the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Tuesday how the last governorship election in the state was marred by irregularities. Oseyili Anenih, whose party is challenging the outcome of the disputed poll, alleged in his testimony before the three-member tribunal that there were irregularities in 765 of the states 4,519 polling units. The PDP and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, lodged a joint petition at the tribunal to challenge the outcome of the 21 September 2024 Edo State election. They urged the tribunal to nullify the outcome of the governorship election, alleging non-compliance with the Electoral Act and arguing that Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not secure the majority of valid votes. Mr Anenih, who is the Director of Research and Strategy for the PDP in Edo State, was in court as the petitioners 12th witness on Thursday. The witness, who earlier opened his testimony during previous proceedings which took place in Benin City before the tribunal relocated to Abuja, faced a barrage of questions under cross-examination from the respondents lawyers, putting his claims to the test. He admitted that he did not personally visit the polling units in question but relied on reports submitted by party agents and election experts. 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 told the tribunal that some of the evidence presented, including election results (Form EC8A), was marred by issues such as missing signatures and illegible copies. However, he maintained that his findings indicated that PDPs candidate would have won the election if lawful votes were accurately collated. BVAS data and INEC certification discrepancies Responding to questions from Governor Okpebholos lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, a SAN, Mr Anenih admitted that he had no physical access to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used during the election. Instead, he relied on screenshots of BVAS data, which were tendered as evidence. Mr Anenih added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been subpoenaed to produce the BVAS machines before the tribunal. Also fielding questions from APCs lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala, also a SAN, Mr Anenih admitted he was not trained by INEC to play any role in the election and confirmed that none of the polling unit results was handed to him directly by PDP agents. Results authentication under scrutiny Mr Anenih acknowledged that some local government collation agents bypassed the state collation centre to deliver results directly to him. He said that a portion of the election results provided by party agents was not stamped by INEC, although three of the 16 results in one of the exhibits were stamped. To us, the three stamped results are significant enough, representing almost 20 per cent, the witness said. Mr Anenih was discharged at the end of the cross-examination by the respondents lawyers on Thursday. Proceedings cut short Meanwhile, the tribunal members criticised the petitioners over their inability to present additional witnesses after Mr Anenih on Tuesday. The petitioners lawyer, Adetunji Oyeyipo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), attributed the absence of their other witnesses to travel disruptions and requested an adjournment. My Lords, this is why we are unable to present them today. We respectfully ask for a new date. On the next adjourned date, we will bring as many witnesses as the tribunal can accommodate, Mr Oyeyipo pleaded, promising to streamline their witness list. The three-member tribunal, led by Wilfred Kpochi, expressed dissatisfaction with the petitioners failure to proceed. ALSO READ: Edo governorship election tribunal relocates to Abuja What you are telling us is not acceptable. Why did we ask the other petitioners to take fresh dates if you were not ready? We could have heard them today, Mr Kpochi said angrily. The judge insisted that the witnesses should be called immediately but relented after Mr Oyeyipo said that the witnesses were not in the right frame of mind to testify after their travel ordeals. Mr Kpochi adjourned the hearing till 30 January, for the continuation of proceedings. Tribunals relocation to Abuja Tuesdays sitting was the tribunals first in Abuja, following Fridays announcement of its relocation from Benin City to Abuja. I am directed to notify all parties that the governorship election petitions tribunal, sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has been relocated to Abuja at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Airport Road, Abuja, effective from Monday, 27 January 2025, the tribunal secretary said. Mr Anenih, the petitioners 12th witness, already started his testimony in Benin, before the announcement of the relocation. At the previous sitting, the respondents lawyers had requested the tribunal to adjourn proceedings to afford them more time to prepare for the cross-examination of the witness, after the petitioners counsel spent over two hours leading him in evidence. But Mr Oyeyipo opposed the application, contending that the documents referred to by the witness were already known to the respondents. However, the tribunal sided with the respondents and adjourned the proceedings till (Tuesday). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Abia State Government on Tuesday said it has begun the digitalisation of its justice delivery system to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of legal services in the state. The state Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, disclosed this during a press briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia. Mr Uwanna, who is also the state Attorney General, said the adoption of digital platforms in the administration of justice in the state would be done in phases. The first phase in the court digitalisation is scanning court documents from the Probate Registry to the High Court to the Magistrates Court and Customary Court. The arrangements have been made for the scanning of all those documents. The (scanned) documents would be properly indexed and stored to ensure that whatever the document is, within a split second, you can find it in the central storage system. It also extends to the Ministry of Justice. Actually, the project has started. The second phase of the project is putting together an e-filing system, what is better called a court information management system, he said. 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 Lawyers will be able to file documents remotely The justice commissioner said the digital system would enable a lawyer to prepare his processes remotely and file the documents on a central judiciary website. According to him, this would make it easy for lawyers and litigants to have access to justice. He said that payments for filing court documents, the affidavit process for the documents, and the commissioning of oaths would be made online. Mr Uwanna said the digitalisation would include provisions that allowed the service of court processes to the litigants or their lawyers electronically or physically. The judiciary is being provided with the capacity to ensure that the hearing of cases is done either physically or virtually, he said. Transcription of court proceedings Mr Uwanna said the facilities for transcription of court proceedings would be installed in the court halls to remove any inhibitions to timely justice delivery. Judges keep writing with long hand and it affects their health and it slows down the administration of justice. When we complete this process, they would not need to write in longhand because there would be facilities to ensure that there is a transcription of whatever is being said in court, he said. The commissioner said the system would include delivering judgements virtually or physically, while certified true copies of those judgments could be applied for online and received electronically. He said that this ensured that the justice delivery system would be totally transformed into using technology. Mr Uwanna said the government believed this would make for an effective and efficient justice delivery system in the state. He also said the executive arm of government had worked closely with the judiciary to ensure that the digital system would be designed to be user-friendly. He said that in October, the governor flagged off the construction of court halls in the states 17 local government areas as part of efforts towards the digitalisation process. READ ALSO: Abia govt to focus more on practical teaching of science subjects in secondary schools Building of new court halls He further said the prototype of the court halls being built in the local government areas had been designed to be very modern with renewable energy and adequate provision for natural lighting. He also said the court halls had reached different completion levels and expressed hope that the contractors handling the project would deliver on schedule. The commissioner said that part of the agreement between the government and the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria involved sensitising its members on the digitalisation of the judiciary to ensure that no one would be unaware of the change. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A group, the Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AFAW), has petitioned Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State over the lynching of an elderly woman to death in the state. AfAW is an advocacy group campaigning for an end to witch persecution in Africa. Lynched to death PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that a mob accused the victim of being a witch and transforming from a bird to a human on 21 January. Mrs Kehinde was beaten and tortured by the mob which resulted in her death in a hospital a day later. The incident occurred in Oke-Ijeun, a community in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. In a video clip uploaded by an X user (@Teeniiola), the mob was seen abusing and hitting the victim, who appeared to be in her 80s. The clip was titled: Full video of a Flying Bird that turns into a human being in Abeokuta. 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, the eight-minute clip did not show Mrs Kehinde transforming into a human, as the video and its title suggest. Police operatives in Ogun State arrested a prophetess who first raised the alarm that Mrs Kehinde had transformed into a bird. Ensure justice In the petition, Leo Igwe, the national director of the AFAW, appealed to Governor Abiodun to help ensure that the victim received justice. The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Olanrewaju Ogunlowo, was also copied in the petition dated 27 January 2025. Mr Igwe told Mr Abiodun that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department of the police in the state but expressed worry that the matter could be abandoned if the governor does not assist. At the Advocacy for Alleged Witches, we are worried that the police would abandon the case after a while, and the matter would fizzle out. Hence we are appealing to you to use your good office to ensure justice is done, he said. The group director expressed concern that, like Mrs Kehinde, many older people are at risk of being accused, maltreated and murdered based on flimsy beliefs and misconceptions. This is especially the case with people who have become senile or who suffer dementia and other debilitating ailments, he stated. What can be done Mr Igwe appealed to Governor Abiodun to support and facilitate some public education and enlightenment in Ogun to address ignorance and misinformation which drive such incidents. Ignorance and misinformation are partly responsible for the death of Mrs Kehinde. We need a statewide education programme to dispel superstitions and reason people out of the notion that humans can turn into birds or birds can turn into human beings, he said. These irrational beliefs are used to sanctify hate and abuses of elderly persons. State authorities need to hold pastors and prophetesses who peddle these misconceptions accountable and responsible. The group director said although the police have arrested the prophetess who made the allegation against the woman, those who took part in torturing the victim to death should be made to face the law too. Please, we urge you to work with the police, and other state agencies to ensure that justice is done It is only justice that would facilitate closure for Kehindes family and friends, he appealed. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The inauguration of the Independent Sharia Arbitration Panel in Ado Ekiti last week has continued to spark controversy. A group called the Yoruba Regional Alliance (YRA) staged a protest against the panel on Tuesday, further fueling the debate. This follows the state governments earlier statement, distancing itself from the establishment of the Sharia panel. In a statement, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata (SAN), said the Independent Sharia Arbitration Panel is not in the judicial structure of the state, adding that Arbitration and/or Mediation issues are quasi-judicial matters which are regulated by Law, in the state. However, the protesters gathered at the Adebayo area of Ado Ekiti, where they chanted songs and carried placards with various inscriptions such as No to Sharia in Yorubaland, Sharia will cause war, Sharia is a constitutional blunder, we reject Sharia, just to mention a few. Police intervention prevented the Yoruba Regional Alliance (YRA) protest from escalating into potential chaos and bloodshed. YRA leader Opeoluwa Akinola addressed the media, alleging that the push for Sharia law in Yoruba land is a deliberate attempt to sow discord and disharmony. Akinola emphasised that Sharia practices do not align with Yoruba values. Mr Akinola noted that the Yoruba people, irrespective of their religions, have coexisted peacefully for generations without the Sharia penal code, wondering what the Sharia law introduction is going to achieve that the existing penal codes and legal systems operative in Yoruba land cannot. 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, We totally reject and condemn the proposed inauguration while calling on the Ekiti State Government and relevant authorities to forestall the impending catastrophe by immediately putting a stop to any further preparations by the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria to inaugurate the Sharia panel in Ekiti State and any other part of Yoruba land. What positive advantage has Sharia contributed to the economy and well-being of the indigenes of the 12 northern states where its been practised? The affected states are still been overwhelmed with poverty, out-of-school children, insecurity, and child molestation. For decades, Muslims from the north of Nigeria have been attempting to export their brand of political Islam, which allegedly espouses violence, intolerance, Jihad, and the anachronistic Sharia Islamic code into Yorubaland. We call on all Yoruba Muslim organisations, Christian associations, Isese, and other Ibile traditional worshipers and Ifa adherents to come out in virulent condemnation of the move, as they want to cause a schism in the age-old harmonious relationships between all our people in Yoruba land. The chairperson of the Yoruba Nation Religious Council (YONAREC), Oluwafemi Edafemi, said the group is opposed to introducing the Islamic legal system known as Sharia into Yorubaland. He said the proposal, allegedly spearheaded by external religious fanatics from the North with the collaboration of a few Yoruba Muslims, is not a representative of the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people. He called on all Yoruba people, both within and outside the nation, to resist the imposition and stand firm in protecting the Yoruba nations unity, culture, and freedom. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Cantu brings more than a decade of experience in driving strategic growth in the nonprofit sector CHICAGO, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Surge Institute, a national nonprofit dedicated to elevating leaders of color in education, proudly announces Alex Cantu as its new Chief Operating Officer. A dynamic leader and advocate for equity and inclusion, Cantu brings more than a decade of expertise in nonprofit operations, governance, strategic growth and organizational development to the Surge community. Cantu's career has been marked by a deep commitment to strengthening communities and creating empowering spaces for children and families. Most recently, Cantu served as Chief Operating Officer at MAYA Consulting, where his leadership helped double the company's revenue and headcount while fostering a culture of belonging and innovation. Under his guidance, MAYA Consulting was recognized as a "Best Place for Working Parents" and received the Small Business Excellence Award from the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. Prior to his work at MAYA Consulting, Cantu worked with local and statewide nonprofit organizations focused on supporting children and families through direct service, public policy and coalition building. "I am deeply honored to join Surge Institute, an organization that embodies my values and passion for equity and transformative change," Cantu said. "I look forward to collaborating with our talented team and partners to amplify the organization's impact and continue advancing opportunities for historically marginalized communities." Cantu's educational background includes graduating magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business with a Master of Nonprofit Administration, where he was honored with the Dean's Graduate Business Award for leadership and academic excellence. He also earned a bachelor's degree from St. Edward's University's Bill Munday School of Business and is an alumnus of Leadership Austin. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Cantu is an active philanthropist and board member, with over a decade of service to various nonprofit organizations. "Alex is the ideal leader to help drive our mission forward," said Carmita Semaan, founder and CEO of Surge Institute. "His passion for creating systems, optimizing processes, and driving impact while shepherding a transformative and human-centered culture will catapult our ability to invest in leaders who build transformative systems for our children and communities." As Chief Operating Officer, Cantu will oversee Surge Institute's operations, ensuring the organization continues to scale its impact while remaining rooted in its mission to uplift and empower leaders of color in education and beyond. ABOUT SURGE INSTITUTE Surge Institute is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was established with a simple but important mission: to develop and elevate leaders of color who create transformative change for children, families and communities. Founded by Carmita Semaan in 2014, the organization was designed to empower emerging diverse leaders to change the landscape of education by providing them with a unique, authentic leadership development experience. To learn more about Surge Institute, please visit www.surgeinstitute.org. PR Contact: Kara Prior myWHY Agency, Inc. for Surge Institute [email protected] (210) 846-4486 SOURCE Surge Institute MONTREAL, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Alithya Group inc. (TSX: ALYA) ("Alithya") will disclose on February 13, 2025, the financial results for its fiscal 2025 third quarter ended December 31, 2024. Alithya will host a conference call followed by a question and answer period for the financial community at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time). Financial statements, MD&A, press release, and presentation will be posted on the Investors page of Alithya's website. Conference call Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025 Time: 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) Toll free dial-in number 1-800-990-4777 Live webcast: https://app.webinar.net/06qkaPWlmPr Conference replay A replay will be made available until February 20, 2025. Conference replay North American toll free: 1-888-660-6345 Conference replay entry code: 17546# About Alithya Empowered by the passion and enthusiasm of a talented global workforce, Alithya is positioned on the crest of the digital wave as a trusted advisor in strategy and digital technology services. Transforming the world one digital step at a time, Alithya leverages collective intelligence and expertise to develop practical IT solutions tailored to complex business challenges. As shared stewards of its clients' success, Alithya accompanies them through the full cycle of their digital evolutions, paving new roads to the future of their businesses. Living up to its name, meaning truth, Alithya embraces a business model that avoids industry buzzwords and technical jargon to deliver straight talk provided by collaborative teams focused on three main pillars: strategic consulting, enterprise transformation, and business enablement. With gender parity and carbon care certifications already obtained, and in pursuit of indigenous relations and carbon neutral certifications, Alithya strives to balance its desire to do the right thing with its commitment to doing things right. SOURCE Alithya Canada inc. Funding expands manufacturing readiness for Valley fever vaccine This follows Anivive's $33MM NIAID contract for fungal vaccines In total, Anivive has secured over $80MM in contracts and preorders LONG BEACH, Calif., Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Anivive Lifesciences, a software-driven pet health company, is pleased to announce it has secured $20MM in funding from Leonid Capital Partners ("Leonid"). Leonid is a leading investment firm focused on high-growth technology companies working in the national security industry. "Anivive's vision to improve and extend the lives of pets aligns perfectly with our mission to empower companies driving meaningful innovation," said Chris Lay, Co-Founder of Leonid Capital Partners. "We're excited to support their groundbreaking work, which has the potential to transform veterinary care for millions of pets and their families." $20MM investment will help Anivive bolster its R&D and drive commercialization of its canine vaccine for Valley fever Post this The $20MM investment will help Anivive bolster its research programs, expand its manufacturing capabilities, and drive commercialization of its canine vaccine for Valley fever, the first-ever antifungal vaccine. Anivive's direct-to-veterinarian sales platform Engage launched in early 2024 and has already processed over 9,000 orders. This investment comes on the heels of Anivive's recent $33M contract with the National Institutes of Health to support the development of a human vaccine against the fungus Coccidioides, which causes Valley fever. Across its pipeline, Anivive now has $80MM in preorders and commitments from industry partners. "This partnership with Leonid is a significant milestone for Anivive," said Dylan Balsz, CEO of Anivive. "Their capital allows us to focus on what we do best developing cutting-edge treatments that will change the way we care for our pets." Anivive uses technology driven strategies to create novel, affordable healthcare solutions for pets. Through a proprietary AI platform, Anivive accelerates drug discovery and development by repurposing human treatments for veterinary use. It focuses on tackling life-threatening diseases like pet cancer, feline infectious peritonitis, systemic fungal diseases, and other emerging illnesses. About Anivive Lifesciences Anivive Lifesciences is a pet pharmaceutical company at the forefront of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and veterinary medicine. Our mission is to transform veterinary healthcare by accelerating the development of novel, affordable treatments for life-threatening diseases in pets. Through our proprietary AI platform, we are pioneering first-in-class therapeutics in Oncology, Antivirals, and Antifungal Vaccines, setting new standards for innovation and excellence in the industry. To learn more, visit anivive.com. About Leonid Capital Partners Leonid Capital Partners invests capital into critical national security initiatives. The firm leverages its deep government and technical expertise to provide its portfolio companies with the flexible resources they need to grow their business. Learn more at leonidfinance.io. SOURCE Anivive Lifesciences Inc. The Company will present an overview of its strategy and capital allocation framework, along with an in-depth update on key developments and the outlook for the product and chemical tanker market. The February 13, 2025, event will also include the Company's presentation of 4Q 2024 financial results. HAMILTON, Bermuda, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE: ASC) ("Ardmore" or the "Company") today announced that it will host its 2025 Investor Day on Thursday, February 13 at 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time in New York City. At the event, the Ardmore senior management team will provide a comprehensive update on product and chemical tanker markets, supply/demand fundamentals, and the impact of geopolitical volatility on trade routes and vessel demand. Additionally, Ardmore leadership will provide an overview of the Company's strategy and capital allocation framework. Institutional investors and analysts interested in attending the event should contact IGB Group at [email protected]. A live webcast of the presentation and slides will be available to the public on the Investor Relations section of Ardmore's website at www.ardmoreshipping.com. Please allow extra time prior to the presentation to visit the site and download the necessary software required to listen to the internet broadcast. The webcast will also be archived on the Company's website. About Ardmore Shipping Corporation Ardmore owns and operates a fleet of MR product and chemical tankers ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 deadweight tonnes. Ardmore provides, through its modern, fuel-efficient fleet of mid-size tankers, seaborne transportation of petroleum products and chemicals worldwide to oil majors, national oil companies, oil and chemical traders, and chemical companies. Ardmore's core strategy is to continue to develop a modern, high-quality fleet of product and chemical tankers, build key long-term commercial relationships and maintain its cost advantage in assets, operations and overhead, while creating synergies and economies of scale as the company grows. Ardmore provides its services to customers through voyage charters, commercial pools, and time charters, and enjoys close working relationships with key commercial and technical management partners. Ardmore's Energy Transition Plan ("ETP") focusses on three key areas: transition technologies, transition projects, and sustainable (non-fossil fuel) cargos. The ETP is an extension of Ardmore's strategy, building on its core strengths of tanker chartering, shipping operations, technical and operational fuel efficiency improvements, technical management, construction supervision, project management, investment analysis, and ship finance. Investor Relations Enquiries: Mr. Leon Berman IGB Group 45 Broadway, Suite 1150 New York, NY 10006 Tel: 212-477-8438 Fax: 212-477-8636 Email: [email protected] Or Mr. Bryan Degnan IGB Group Tel: 646-673-9701 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Ardmore Shipping Corporation Brandon and Natalie Dawson rang in the New Year at Mar-a-Lago, where they had the honor of awarding President Trump the Six Star Diamond Lifetime Achievement Award SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Scottsdale based Entrepreneurs Brandon and Natalie Dawson are proud to announce they have recently bestowed a big honor upon President Donald J. Trump. Cardone Ventures Co-founder and CEO Brandon Dawson, who is the newly appointed Vice Chairman of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, presented the president with a Lifetime Achievement Award alongside his wife, Natalie Dawson, who serves as the company's president. Arizona Entrepreneurs Award President Donald Trump with a Lifetime Achievement Award The event was hosted at Trump's prestigious Mar-a-Lago Country Club on New Year's Eve. This award is the most prestigious emblem of achievement and true quality in the hospitality and luxury services industries worldwide. All its recipients are deemed to be of pinnacle quality and global recognition. Dawson's presentation of the Star Diamond Award is especially notable given his commitment to the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (AAHS). This year's Star Diamond Award presentation is particularly significant given it honors the President, a figure whose commitment to serve the community is unmatched. President Trump was honored with the highest level of recognition, the Six Star Diamond Award, in appreciation for his leadership, vision, and dedication to the country. Some of the past recipients of the Six-Star Diamond award have been notable names like Dave Winfield, Derek Jeter, Javier Castellano, Rita Cosby, Andrea Bocelli, Sharon Stone, Stefano Ricci, Steven Tyler and Tom Brady. In addition, other notable organizations include Etihad Airlines, Delta Airlines, The Shops at Columbus Circle (NYC), UBS, Porsche Design and TEV. Four Seasons and St. Regis have also been awarded this as well. For business owners in Arizona, this award presentation is a shining example of what's possible when you combine vision, determination, and community support. Dawson has shown that local businesses can rise to the occasion and make a global impact, offering a blueprint for other Arizona-based businesses to follow. "This was an incredibly special evening for me and Natalie. Not only did we get to celebrate the new year with President Trump, but we also got to honor and thank him personally for his unwavering commitment to serving the community. We deeply appreciate everything he has done and continues to do. What a great way to ring in the New Year," said Dawson. Cardone Ventures, which is based in Scottsdale, Arizona is an exceptional example of how local businesses can make a significant mark on a global scale. Founded with the mission of helping business owners achieve their personal, professional and financial goals through the growth of their businesses. Cardone Ventures has rapidly gained recognition for its leadership in business growth, strategic partnerships, and entrepreneurial guidance. Today, under Dawson's leadership, Cardone Ventures has elevated its impact, not only in Arizona but also across the hospitality industry. For more information about the Star Diamond Award or American Academy of Hospitality Sciences please visit www.stardiamondaward.com/ For more information about Cardone Ventures or its 10X companies please visit www.CardoneVentures.com. SOURCE Cardone Ventures BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) held discussions with Harvard Universitys Growth Lab Center on enhancing the resilience of the financial sector, expanding financial agility, and other related issues, Trend reports. The meeting details were shared by the regulatory body on its X page. "Governor of the Central Bank, Taleh Kazimov, held a meeting with Ricardo Hausmann, Founder and Director of the Harvard Growth Lab. The discussion focused on the Central Bank's initiatives aimed at strengthening the transmission mechanism of monetary policy, enhancing the stability of the financial sector, and promoting financial inclusion, particularly through digital financial services," the publication reads. To note, the Growth Lab at Harvard University endeavors to attain inclusive prosperity and a universally achievable quality of life. Under the leadership of Ricardo Hausmann, the Growth Lab integrates an academic research team, a policy research team, and a digital development team, functioning cohesively as a single unit. The research teams of the lab integrate empirical and theoretical investigations into the factors influencing growth and its social, political, and environmental sustainability. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A case study on how a mid-sized pharmaceutical company collaborated with DelveInsight to expand its asset portfolio in the Atrial Fibrillation space. DelveInsight conducted comprehensive asset prioritization, identifying the most promising Phase II therapeutic candidates for licensing opportunities. This evidence-based approach helped the client strategically align the clinical trial pipeline with growth objectives, ensuring a competitive edge in the market. LAS VEGAS, Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight, a leader in pharma consulting services, conducted an Asset Prioritization Analysis for a pharmaceutical client entering the Atrial Fibrillation space. The client sought evidence-based insights to prioritize assets and products suitable for Phase II development, focusing on potential licensing collaborations. Additionally, the client wanted to strategically align their research efforts by identifying an optimal asset to enhance and complement their existing research portfolio, ensuring a targeted and impactful approach to advancing their pipeline. DelveInsight provided insights through a comprehensive evaluation of innovation, market potential, and clinical feasibility, enabling the client to make strategic, impactful decisions for pipeline advancement. The client's indication of interest was Atrial Fibrillation, a common arrhythmia characterized by rapid and irregular beating of the heart's atrial chambers. DelveInsight's Atrial Fibrillation Epidem-based Market Forecast Report assesses that 2.7 to 6.1 million people are affected with Atrial Fibrillation in the United States, with its prevalence strongly age-dependent. The estimates suggest that approximately 25% of people aged 40 and above are likely to develop AF during their lifetime. This prevalence is expected to increase significantly by 2034, highlighting high patient burden and large unmet needs. Download the Sample Report of Atrial Fibrillation Market The Atrial Fibrillation market features significant activity from key companies like Abbott Laboratories, Johnson & Johnson, Atricure Inc., Microport Scientific Corporation, Boston Scientific Corporation, St. Jude Medical, Medtronic Plc, Koninklijke, Philips N.V., Siemens AG, and many others. Emerging therapeutic candidates include Botulinum toxin A (Merz Pharma), MAA868 (Anthos Therapeutics), and HBI-3000 (HUYABIO International). Asset Prioritization involves a comprehensive evaluation of therapeutic candidates to identify and rank the most promising options for licensing and development. For a client seeking entry into the Atrial Fibrillation market, DelveInsight employed a structured methodology to evaluate potential assets, addressing unmet medical needs, future treatment regimens, and market dynamics to support growth objectives. This strategic approach enabled the client to identify high-value assets for in-licensing, fostering pipeline enhancement and alignment with their development strategy. DelveInsight's Asset Prioritization process provided the client with a multidimensional assessment encompassing technological, clinical, commercial, and company evaluations. Key focus areas included innovation potential, clinical feasibility, market dynamics, and strategic alignment with the client's business goals. Through tailored tools like matrix analysis and primary research, DelveInsight synthesized actionable insights, enabling the client to identify and prioritize the most suitable asset confidently. This comprehensive strategy ensured the selected candidate met clinical and commercial viability while aligning with the client's overarching goals in the Atrial Fibrillation domain. DelveInsight's Matrix Analysis played a pivotal role in identifying the most promising candidates for the client's Atrial Fibrillation portfolio. By analyzing 20 companies, the Matrix helped narrow the focus to the top 7 that were strategically aligned with the client's goals. Key Outcomes of Delveinsight's Asset Prioritization Analysis Include: Strategic Fit: The Matrix positioned companies in the TARGET quadrant , highlighting those most likely to meet the client's strategic needs. The Matrix positioned companies in the , highlighting those most likely to meet the client's strategic needs. Market Insights: Provided an understanding of market trends, helping the client track the Atrial Fibrillation company's progress and potential of various development candidates. Provided an understanding of market trends, helping the client track the Atrial Fibrillation company's progress and potential of various development candidates. Prioritization: Allowed the client to prioritize assets with the highest potential for growth and alignment with their long-term objectives. Allowed the client to prioritize assets with the highest potential for growth and alignment with their long-term objectives. Competitive Landscape of Atrial Fibrillatio n : Delivered a comprehensive view of the competitive environment, ensuring that the client was well-equipped to make informed decisions. n Delivered a comprehensive view of the competitive environment, ensuring that the client was well-equipped to make informed decisions. In-Licensing Negotiations: DelveInsight supported the client in leveraging insights to engage in negotiations for in-licensing, ensuring the selected asset would be a strategic addition to their pipeline. This combination of targeted analysis and actionable insights gave the client a clear roadmap for expanding their Atrial Fibrillation portfolio, enhancing their development strategies and partnership opportunities. Why Choose DelveInsight? DelveInsight is a recognized expert in Asset Prioritization, offering a comprehensive methodology that helps guide the R&D journey of pharmaceutical companies. By collaborating closely with the client's team, DelveInsight's analysts develop intelligent criteria and create assessment scenarios based on reliable parameters, ensuring that all potential outcomesboth successes and failuresare thoroughly considered. The approach includes market modeling to understand future dynamics, market share uptake, address unmet medical needs, and identify treatment regimens that will be pivotal in shaping the future of the therapy landscape. With this robust framework, DelveInsight empowers companies to make informed decisions, ensuring a strategic, data-driven path for research and development that aligns with both short-term goals and long-term growth objectives. Connect with us today to explore how we can support your specific needs and discuss opportunities for strategic engagement. Request a Proposal Now! Market Assessment Services in the Cardiology Segment, DelveInsight, provide a 360-degree view of the market landscape. Our expertise includes epidemiology-based market forecasts up to 2034, offering precise insights into current and future market share uptake of emerging therapies. These forecasts, combined with detailed analyses of emerging trends, competitive dynamics of the pipeline therapies, and unmet needs, enable stakeholders to strategize effectively and identify growth opportunities. Whether it's the pipeline analysis, pricing strategies, or competitive benchmarking, DelveInsight delivers actionable intelligence tailored to your goals. Competitive Intelligence Services Tailored to Cardiology Domain: DelveInsight's competitive intelligence services provide real-time, accurate insights across the different therapeutic domains and cardiology therapeutic area being one of our fortes, providing detailed insights into advancements across widely spread indications and even in the rare and inherited conditions such as AL amyloidosis, ATTR, Kawasaki disease etc to name a few. Our services analyze competitors' pipelines, clinical trial progress,, and market entry strategies, as well as regulatory updates and patent landscapes specific to cardiac indications. This intelligence enables stakeholders to identify emerging threats, uncover growth opportunities, and develop targeted strategies to remain competitive in this evolving therapeutic area. Contact us today to discuss how our services can drive success in your endeavors within the cardiology market. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform, PharmDelve. Contact Us Shruti Thakur [email protected] +14699457679 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/3528414/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP The business is proud to join the initiative as part of its commitment to responsible business action. REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- atNorth, the leading Nordic colocation, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence service provider, has become a signatory of the United Nations' Global Compact as part of its ongoing commitment to business sustainability. The UN Global Compact is a voluntary initiative that enables members to align their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption. Launched in 2000, the UN Global Compact is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world and involves an annual disclosure of responsible business practices. Corporate responsibility is a core part of atNorth's business ethos and the company has evidenced this through its strategic Nordic locations, proprietary data center design, heat reuse programs and adherence to ISO14001 and ISO 45001 guidelines. These factors allow customers such as BNP Paribas and Shearwater Geoservices to decarbonize their IT workloads. The business has been a strong voice on the topic of the environmental impact of the data center industry and is a member of several data center industry associations in addition to the Infrastructure Masons Climate Accord - a coalition united on carbon reduction in digital infrastructure and the Climate Neutral Data Center Pact that is an agreement to make data centers climate neutral by 2030. By joining the UN Global Compact atNorth will continue to share insight into its sustainability journey as a whole and inspire the data center industry to not only mitigate its ecological risk but to strive towards positive and restorative environmental and community impact. "As awareness of the environmental and social impact of digital infrastructure continues to grow, we are committed to raising the bar and leading by example as a responsible business within the data center industry", says Eyjolfur Magnus Kristinsson, CEO atNorth. "By actively aligning with the globally recognized UN Global Compact we will provide a transparent account of our progress across the board." atNorth recently appointed Cora Olsen, Director of Sustainability to lead the continuous development and implementation of the business's sustainability strategy which includes coordinating its alignment and reporting to the UN Global Compact's principles. "Having recently joined atNorth, I am very impressed by the high level of ambition when it comes to sustainability. Becoming a signatory to the UN Global Compact is an important step forward to demonstrate our commitment to the global sustainability agenda" says Cora. About atNorth atNorth is a leading Nordic data center services company that offers sustainable, cost-effective, scalable colocation and high-performance computing services trusted by industry-leading organizations. The business acquired leading High Performance Computing (HPC) provider, Gompute, in 2023 enabling a compelling full stack offering tailored to AI and other critical high performance workloads. With sustainability at its core, atNorth's data centers run on renewable energy resources and support circular economy principles. All atNorth sites leverage innovative design, power efficiency, and intelligent operations to provide long-term infrastructure and flexible colocation deployments. The tailor-made solutions enable businesses to calculate, simulate, train and visualize data workloads in an efficient, cost-optimized way. atNorth is headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland and operates seven data centers in strategic locations across the Nordics, with additional sites to open in Helsinki, Finland in Q1 2025 and Ballerup, Denmark in Q2 2025, as well as its tenth under construction in Kouvola, Finland and its eleventh site in lgod, Denmark. For more information, visit atNorth.com or follow atNorth on LinkedIn or Facebook. Press Contact: Caroline Brunto Kite Hill PR for atNorth +44 (0) 7796 274 416 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/atnorth/r/atnorth-joins-un-global-compact-to-further-enhance-its-commitment-to-sustainability,c4096525 The following files are available for download: Staffing franchise opens more than a dozen new locations and expands into new states KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AtWork , a leader in the staffing industry, is celebrating a year of exceptional growth and achievements in 2024. With a commitment to help small business owners grow and excel, AtWork expanded with 13 new office openings, including three new states. "2024 was a transformative year for AtWork as we achieved significant growth and expansion into new markets," said Jason Leverant, president and COO of AtWork. "This growth and success reflect the dedication of our corporate team, franchise owners, and staff to delivering excellence in every market we serve." 2024 By the Numbers: 13 new offices opened opened Three new states : Minnesota , Wisconsin , and Arkansas : , , and 28 territories sold , bringing 18 new franchisees into the system. , bringing into the system. Revenue growth of more than 3% Recently, AtWork was recognized for its excellence in franchising and customer satisfaction, earning a spot on Franchise Business Review's Top 200 Franchises. This prestigious ranking is based on independent surveys of thousands of franchisees from leading brands that evaluate owners' experiences in key areas such as leadership, training, core values, work-life balance, profitability, and overall satisfaction. AtWork's inclusion highlights the brand's commitment to delivering industry-leading support and creating a thriving franchise community. The Knoxville-based franchise provides staffing solutions mainly for light industrial, manufacturing, and office clerical sectors. Over the last three years, AtWork has put more than 113,000 people to work and partnered with more than 2,100 new clients. Collectively, those individuals have contributed close to 50 million hours of work. "These statistics and accolades represent the impact we have made, not only for businesses but for people looking for life-changing employment opportunities," said Leverant. "We look forward to continuing to empower people to build brighter, more stable futures and grow their thriving small businesses." With more than100 locations nationwide and over 30 years of success, AtWork remains dedicated to expanding its presence in new markets and supporting franchise owners throughout 2025. To learn more about AtWork's franchise opportunity, visit https://www.atwork.com/franchise. About AtWork Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, AtWork is an award-winning staffing franchise. For more than 30 years, leading companies from across the nation have trusted AtWork to recruit the best talent. Recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as one of the Largest and Best Staffing Firms to work for in the U.S. and as an Entrepreneur Verified Franchise, AtWork can staff an entire production facility or provide temporary support that keeps businesses thriving. AtWork's dedication and unparalleled service earned them Clearly Rated's Best of Staffing award for client and talent satisfaction. Additionally, the franchise's growth and support for its franchisees have secured them a place on Franchise Business Review's (FBR) Top 200 Franchise ranking for seven years in a row and is in the FBR Hall of Fame for 10+ years of stellar performance. AtWork is also ranked in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, Franchise Times Top 400, and Entrepreneur's Top Franchises for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. To learn more about AtWork's services, visit www.atwork.com Media Contact: Allyson Piantanida 919-321-1095 [email protected] SOURCE AtWork NORTHFIELD, Minn., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aurora Pharmaceutical, a leading manufacturer of animal health products, is excited to announce the appointment of Stephanie Hastings as its new Director of Marketing. Hastings will lead the company's marketing strategy, brand development, and communication initiatives to further Aurora Pharmaceutical's commitment to providing innovative solutions for animal health and wellness. With over 15 years of experience in communications, public relations, and marketing, Hastings brings a wealth of expertise in building impactful brand strategies and driving business growth. Her professional background spans industries, including highly regulated health and wellness as well as agriculture, making her a perfect fit for Aurora Pharmaceutical's mission and vision. "I am thrilled to join Aurora Pharmaceutical and contribute to their success in the animal health industry," said Hastings. "Aurora is known for its dedication to innovation and quality, and I look forward to driving marketing initiatives that further enhance the company's presence and value to customers." Hastings is also a trained anthropologist with a unique perspective on understanding customer behavior and fostering brand loyalty. Her innovative approach to marketing emphasizes authenticity, community engagement, and delivering measurable results. "We are delighted to welcome Stephanie to Aurora Pharmaceutical," said Dr. Mike Strobel, CEO. "Her strategic insight and dynamic leadership will be instrumental as we continue to expand our reach and strengthen our position in the animal health market." In her new role, Hastings will oversee the development and execution of marketing strategies designed to enhance brand awareness, streamline communication efforts, and support Aurora Pharmaceutical's growth goals. About Aurora Pharmaceutical: Aurora Pharmaceutical is a leading manufacturer and distributor of animal health products dedicated to improving the well-being of animals. Headquartered in Northfield, Minnesota, the company offers a wide range of products designed to meet the needs of veterinarians, livestock producers, and pet owners. With a commitment to quality and innovation, Aurora Pharmaceutical is trusted by customers nationwide. For more information, visit AuroraPharmaceutical.com SOURCE Aurora Pharmaceutical Inc REDDING, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report titled, 'Automotive E-Commerce Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Product Type (Component Parts, Wheels/Tires, Vehicles, Accessories, Services), Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles), Medium, Payment Mode, Sales Channel (OEMs, Aftermarket), End User - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast to 2032. The Automotive E-commerce market is expected to reach $267.8 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 16.5% from 2025 to 2032. Download FREE PDF Brochure Of Automotive E-Commerce Market - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=6046 Automotive E-commerce refers to the online buying and selling of automotive parts, accessories, vehicles, and related services through digital platforms. This includes products like engine components, tires, and vehicle accessories, as well as services like maintenance and repairs. The growth of this market is driven by the rising consumer preference for online shopping, the increasing availability of various payment options, and the rapid expansion of the omni-channel business model. However, market growth is hindered by challenges such as online fraud and cybersecurity concerns. Additionally, the expansion of cross-border automotive e-commerce and the growing interest in DIY vehicle maintenance and customization present significant growth opportunities for market players. However, the market also faces challenges, such as high shipping costs for heavy or bulky automotive parts. Moreover, the increasing use of AI-driven recommendations and chatbots to enhance customer experience, along with the growing reliance on social media marketing to boost sales, are prominent technology trends in the automotive e-commerce market. Key Players: Some of the major players studied in this report are O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (U.S.), Amazon.com, Inc. (U.S.), Alibaba.com (A part of Alibaba Group Holding Limited) (China), AutoZone, Inc. (U.S.), Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (U.S.), eBay Inc. (U.S.), Walmart Inc (U.S.), CarParts.com, Inc. (U.S.), Flipkart Internet Private Limited (India), BB Wheels LLC (U.S.), Pelican Parts, LLC (U.S.), RevZilla (U.S.), National Automotive Parts Association (U.S.), RockAuto, LLC (U.S.), and Cruisemaster Australia Pty Ltd (Australia). Get Insightful Data On Regions, Market Segments, Customer Landscape, And Top Companies (Charts, Tables, Figures And More) - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/request-sample-report/cp_id=6046 The global automotive e-commerce market is segmented by product type (component parts (engine parts, drive transmission & steering parts, body chassis, suspension & braking parts, electrical & electronic parts, other component parts), wheels/tires, vehicles, accessories (interior accessories, exterior accessories), and services (maintenance services, repair services)), by vehicle type (passenger cars, commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, three-wheelers), by medium (desktop/laptop, mobile/tablet (application-based, browser-based)), by payment mode (card payments, digital wallets, bank transfers, cash payments, other payment modes, by sales channel (OEMs, aftermarket), by end user (business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C), and direct-to-consumer (D2C)). This study also evaluates industry competitors and analyzes the regional and country-level markets. Key Findings in the Automotive E-commerce Market By Product Type: In 2025, the Component Parts Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market In 2025, the Component Parts Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market By Vehicle Type: In 2025, the Passenger Cars Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market In 2025, the Passenger Cars Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market By Medium: In 2025, the Desktop/Laptop Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market In 2025, the Desktop/Laptop Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market By Payment Mode: In 2025, the Card Payments Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market In 2025, the Card Payments Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market By Sales Channel: In 2025, the OEMs Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market In 2025, the OEMs Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market By End User: In 2025, the Business-to-Business (B2B) Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market In 2025, the Business-to-Business (B2B) Segment is Expected to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market By Geography: North America to Dominate the Automotive E-commerce Market in 2025 Have Specific Research Needs? Request a Customized Research Report - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/request-customization/cp_id=6046 Key Findings in the Automotive E-commerce Market Study: Among the product types studied in this report, the component parts segment is anticipated to hold the dominant position, with a large share of the automotive e-commerce market in 2025. This segment's substantial market share is attributed to several factors, including the broader selection of component parts available, the increasing adoption of mobile devices for online shopping, and the rise in the development of e-commerce platforms specifically for automotive component. However, the wheels/tires segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Wheels and tires are essential components of vehicles, often requiring regular replacement or upgrades for better performance and safety. This segment's rapid growth is driven by several factors, including the rising adoption of online platforms for tire purchases, increasing vehicle ownership, frequent tire wear and replacement cycles, and the availability of diverse tire options online. Among the vehicle types studied in this report, the passenger cars segment is anticipated to hold the dominant position, with a large market share of the automotive e-commerce market in 2025. However, the two-wheelers segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Two-wheelers include motorcycles and scooters widely used for personal transportation, especially in emerging markets. This segment's rapid growth is driven by several factors, including the rising affordability of two-wheelers, expansion of e-commerce platforms targeting two-wheeler owners, increased demand for replacement parts, and convenience of online shopping for two-wheeler accessories and components. Among the medium studied in this report, the mobile/tablets segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Mobile and tablet-based platforms allow users to browse and shop for automotive parts and services on-the-go. This segment's rapid growth is driven by several factors, including the widespread penetration of smartphones, increasing preference for mobile shopping, improved mobile app interfaces, and availability of exclusive deals and personalized recommendations on mobile platforms. Among the payment mode studied in this report, the digital wallets segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Digital wallets enable fast and secure transactions for online automotive purchases. This segment's rapid growth is driven by several factors, including the growing preference for contactless payments, integration of digital wallets with e-commerce platforms, rising digital literacy in emerging markets, and enhanced security features of wallet-based transactions. Among the sales channels studied in this report, the OEMs segment is anticipated to hold the dominant position, with a large share of the automotive e-commerce market in 2025. The significant growth in the adoption of e-commerce platforms for direct vehicle sales to customers, the rising use of e-commerce to reach customers in various regions and expand market presence, and the increasing utilization of e-commerce by OEMs for more efficient distribution channelsenhancing delivery times and logisticsare key factors contributing to the segment's dominant position in the automotive e-commerce market However, the aftermarket segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The aftermarket includes third-party sellers offering automotive components, accessories, and services online. This segment's rapid growth is driven by several factors, including the expanding range of aftermarket products, cost-effectiveness compared to OEMs, growing popularity of DIY vehicle repairs, and convenience of finding compatible parts online. Among the end users studied in this report, the business-to-business (B2B) segment is anticipated to hold the dominant position, with a large share of the automotive e-commerce market in 2025. However, the business-to-consumer (B2C) segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. B2C refers to direct online sales of automotive parts and services to individual consumers. This segment's rapid growth is driven by several factors, including the rising number of e-commerce platforms targeting consumers, increased trust in online shopping for automotive needs, availability of doorstep delivery, and proliferation of personalized recommendations and offers for end users. Among the geographies studied in this report, Asia-Pacific is poised to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to several factors, including the widespread adoption of smartphones that facilitate easy mobile shopping for purchasing parts, the increasing use of digital payment methods among consumers, the expanding internet access in rural areas for online automotive parts shopping, and advancements in technology such as AR and VR that enhance the online shopping experience. Additionally, rapid urbanization and increasing vehicle ownership in countries like India, China, and Southeast Asian nations, leading to higher demand for automotive components and services. IMMEDIATE DELIVERY AVAILABLE | BUY THIS RESEARCH REPORT (Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures and More)- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/Checkout/38747625 Scope of the Report: Automotive E-commerce Market Assessmentby Product Type Component Parts Engine Parts Drive Transmission & Steering Parts Body Chassis Suspension & Braking Parts Electrical & Electronic Parts Other Component Parts Wheels/Tires Vehicles Accessories Interior Accessories Exterior Accessories Services Maintenance Services Repair Services Automotive E-commerce Market Assessmentby Vehicle Type Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles Two-wheelers Three-wheelers Automotive E-commerce Market Assessmentby Medium Desktop/Laptop Mobile/Tablet Application-based Browser-based Automotive E-commerce Market Assessmentby Payment Mode Card Payments Digital Wallets Bank Transfers Cash Payments Other Payment Modes Automotive E-commerce Market Assessmentby Sales Channel OEMs Aftermarket Automotive E-commerce Market Assessmentby End User Business-to-Business (B2B) Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Automotive E-commerce Market Assessmentby Geography North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany U.K. France Italy Spain Netherlands Sweden Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific China Japan India South Korea Australia & New Zealand & Singapore Indonesia Rest of Asia-Pacific (RoAPAC) (RoAPAC) Latin America Mexico Brazil Rest of Latin America (RoLATAM) (RoLATAM) Middle East & Africa & Israel Saudi Arabia South Africa UAE Rest of Middle East & Africa (RoMEA) Automotive E-commerce Industry Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players In October 2025 , Big Boy Toyz Pvt Ltd. ( India ) launched Cars. co.in, India's first full-stack online platform dedicated to buying and selling luxury cars. The platform features a wide inventory while ensuring quality, transparency, and speed. Its goal is to enhance the pre-owned luxury car market by providing convenience and value for both buyers and sellers. , Big Boy Toyz Pvt Ltd. ( ) launched Cars. co.in, first full-stack online platform dedicated to buying and selling luxury cars. The platform features a wide inventory while ensuring quality, transparency, and speed. Its goal is to enhance the pre-owned luxury car market by providing convenience and value for both buyers and sellers. In May 2025 , Cox Automotive, Inc. (U.S.), the largest provider of automotive services and technology, partnered with Canopy Connect, Inc. (U.S.), a leading insurance verification platform. This collaboration integrates insurance verification and servicing capabilities into Cox Automotive's e-commerce solution, aiming to enhance the online car-buying experience for both consumers and dealerships. , Cox Automotive, Inc. (U.S.), the largest provider of automotive services and technology, partnered with Canopy Connect, Inc. (U.S.), a leading insurance verification platform. This collaboration integrates insurance verification and servicing capabilities into Cox Automotive's e-commerce solution, aiming to enhance the online car-buying experience for both consumers and dealerships. In August 2024 , Schaeffler AG ( Germany ), a prominent industrial and automotive parts manufacturer, acquired KRSV Innovative Auto Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (Koovers) ( India ), an automotive aftermarket B2B e-commerce platform. This acquisition represents a strategic move to enhance value creation through improved repair services for all customers. , Schaeffler AG ( ), a prominent industrial and automotive parts manufacturer, acquired KRSV Innovative Auto Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (Koovers) ( ), an automotive aftermarket B2B e-commerce platform. This acquisition represents a strategic move to enhance value creation through improved repair services for all customers. In November 2021 , Wipro Limited ( India ), a leading global information technology, consulting, and business process services company, launched Click-Shift-Drive, a contactless car-buying solution designed to facilitate the entire automobile purchasing journey. Related Reports: AI in E-commerce Market by Technology (ML, NLP, Computer Vision), Business Model, Deployment Mode, Product Offering (Beauty & Fashion, Pharmaceutical, Electronic), End User (B2B, B2C), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2031 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/ai-in-e-commerce-market-5767 E-commerce Market by Business Model, Browsing Medium, Payment Mode (Card Payments, Digital Wallets, Bank Transfer), Operational Channel, Offering (Beauty & Fashion, Food & Beverage, Electronic, Household) - Global Forecast to 2030 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/e-commerce-market-4644 Asia-Pacific E-commerce Market by Business Model (Horizontal E-commerce and Vertical E-commerce), Browsing Medium, Payment Mode (Card Payments, Digital Wallets, Bank Transfers, Cash Payments), Operating Channel, and Offering - Forecast to 2030 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/asia-pacific-e-commerce-market-5596 South East Asia E-commerce Market by Business Model (Horizontal E-commerce and Vertical E-commerce), Browsing Medium, Payment Mode (Card Payments, Digital Wallets, Bank Transfers, Cash Payments), Operating Channel, and Offering - Forecast to 2030 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/south-east-asia-e-commerce-market-5599 Europe E-commerce Market by Business Model (Horizontal E-commerce and Vertical E-commerce), Browsing Medium, Payment Mode (Card Payments, Digital Wallets, Bank Transfers, Cash Payments), Operating Channel, and Offering - Forecast to 2030 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/europe-e-commerce-market-5663 Automotive E-commerce Market Research Summary Particulars Details Number of Pages 300 Format PDF Forecast Period 20252032 Base Year 2024 CAGR (Value) 16.4 % Market Size (Value) USD 230.9 Billion by 2032 Segments Covered By Product Type Component Parts Engine Parts Drive Transmission & Steering Parts Body Chassis Suspension & Braking Parts Electrical & Electronic Parts Other Component Parts Wheels/Tires Vehicles Accessories Interior Accessories Exterior Accessories Services Maintenance Services Repair Services By Vehicle Type Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles Two-wheelers Three-wheelers By Medium Desktop/Laptop Mobile/Tablet Application-based Browser-based By Payment Mode Card Payments Digital Wallets Bank Transfers Cash Payments Other Payment Modes By Sales Channel OEMs Aftermarket By End User Business-to-Business (B2B) Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Countries Covered North America (U.S. and Canada), Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia & New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, and Rest of Latin America), and Middle East & Africa (UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East & Africa) Key Companies O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (U.S.), Amazon.com, Inc. (U.S.), Alibaba.com (A part of Alibaba Group Holding Limited) (China), AutoZone, Inc. (U.S.), Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (U.S.), eBay Inc. (U.S.), Walmart Inc (U.S.), CarParts.com, Inc. (U.S.), Flipkart Internet Private Limited (India), BB Wheels LLC (U.S.), Pelican Parts, LLC (U.S.), RevZilla (U.S.), National Automotive Parts Association (U.S.), RockAuto, LLC (U.S.), and Cruisemaster Australia Pty Ltd (Australia) About Meticulous Research Pvt. Ltd. We are a trusted research partner for leading businesses worldwide, empowering Fortune 500 organizations and emerging enterprises with market intelligence designed to drive revenue transformation and strategic growth. Our insights reveal future growth opportunities, equipping clients with a competitive edge through a versatile suite of research solutionsincluding syndicated reports, custom research, and direct analyst engagement. Each year, we conduct over 300 syndicated studies and manage 60+ consulting engagements across eight major sectors and 20+ geographic markets, all to deliver targeted business insights that help our clients lead in a rapidly evolving global market. With a strong focus on problem-solving for complex business challenges, our research enables organizations to navigate change with assertion, aligning it with strategic pathways for sustainable growth. By identifying innovative and effective solutions, we empower leaders to make impactful decisions that drive operational excellence and fuel innovation. We are committed to crafting insights that enhance business performance and help our clients unlock new revenue opportunities, positioning them for long-term success in the competitive global marketplace. Contact: Meticulous Market Research Pvt.Ltd. 1267 Willis St, Ste 200 Redding, California, 96001, U.S. USA: +1-646-781-8004 Europe: +44-203-868-8738 APAC: +91 744-7780008 Email- [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/ Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/meticulous-research Meticulousblog.org | Top Market Research Reports Blog - https://meticulousblog.org/ Content Source: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/pressrelease/1281/automotive-e-commerce-market Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1757980/Meticulous_Research_Logo_1.jpg SOURCE Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd. In partnership with the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) of Prince Edward County, AVAIO Digital plans a 300 MW campus at the Heartland Innovation Technology Park in Farmville, VA STAMFORD, Conn., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AVAIO Digital Partners (AVAIO Digital) has signed an agreement with the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) of Prince Edward County for the purchase of a 280-acre business and industrial site in Prince Edward County, Virginia. The site is fully zoned for data centers, has ready fiber access, utility access, and water supply secured. AVAIO Digital has already completed preliminary site engineering and is in process with Dominion for 300 MW of power. The planned campus will consist of five data centers, in the city of Farmville, Prince Edward County. Upon occupancy, total investment is projected to be $5B, inclusive of future tenants' IT equipment. Kevin Murphy of AVAIO Digital stated, "AVAIO Digital is excited to advance its partnership with the Industrial Development Authority of Prince Edward County to construct a large-scale data center campus in Farmville, VA. The campus will be well positioned to address the growing need for large scale projects and will be designed and executed using AVAIO Digital's Green Compute suite of sustainable approaches." The Industrial Development Authority (IDA) of Prince Edward County has played a pivotal role in making this project a reality. Brad Watson, Chair of the IDA, commented, "The development of a new data center campus will bolster our county's infrastructure and connectivity and provide a stable foundation for our economy. I believe when this project is completed, it will be transformative for our community." "Today's announcement marks a significant milestone in Prince Edward County's ongoing economic development efforts," said Prince Edward County Board Chair Bill Jenkins. "I commend the members of the Industrial Development Authority and the project team for their hard work and due diligence as this process unfolded." The Farmville Data Hub is part of AVAIO Digital's expanding portfolio of hyperscale projects across the United States and Western Europe. AVAIO Digital has secured more than 1.2 GWs of power from utilities at sites across the country and is moving to build out this capacity. The company's focus on sustainable practices and innovative design positions it as a leader in the next generation of data center infrastructure. Andy Walsh with SugarOak Realty represented AVAIO Digital Partners and Rhett Weiss with Cottonwood Commercial represented the Prince Edward County IDA in the real estate transaction. Mr. Weiss, through his consulting firm DEALTEK, Ltd., also advised the IDA on the project's data center industry aspects and represented it in the project's economic development negotiations. To learn more about AVAIO Digital Partners, click here . About AVAIO Digital Partners: AVAIO Digital is pursuing build-to-suit development and construction of sustainable hyperscale data centers in the Americas and Europe. AVAIO Digital is led by professionals from investment, development, engineering, construction, and operating backgrounds. More information can be found at http://www.avaiodigital.com About Prince Edward County, Virginia: Prince Edward County, a dynamic and forward-thinking community, was established in southern Virginia in 1754. Poised for growth and innovation, the community offers a rural, progressive lifestyle, two institutions of higher education and a vibrant arts and cultural scene. Its flourishing downtown is a testament to the community's deep connection to its past, standing as the crossroads of the closing days of the American Civil War and the birthplace of America's student-led fight for civil rights in education. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and strong sense of community, Prince Edward County is rapidly becoming a key player in the region's economic landscape. Find out more: visit the Prince Edward County website or follow Prince Edward County on Facebook @PrinceEdwardCo. Media Contacts: Melody Neil Tel: 1.512.923.8141 [email protected] Douglas P. Stanley, AICP, ICMA-CM County Administrator Tel: 434-547-8837 [email protected] SOURCE AVAIO Digital The company closed the year with the best performance in company history. DALLAS, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BackBox today announced the official launch of its Network Cyber Resilience Platform , adding that the company's performance in 2024 was the best in its history. With business productivity at risk due to the complexity of managing too many tools, monotonous manual tasks, and limited time and resources, BackBox is committed to supporting the network and security teams responsible for the resilience and recoverability of critical network infrastructure. "Our platform elevates organizations' network cyber resilience strategy by simplifying the protection and management of their network infrastructure," said Rekha Shenoy, CEO of BackBox. "Only BackBox delivers a consistent experience for everyone, regardless of the device or environment." Product Innovation BackBox is a purpose-built automation platform designed to power even the most extensive network while still being easy to deploy and get value straight "out of the box." It automates backups across 180 different network vendors. Prebuilt automations solve the most common use cases, including device backups, with single-click restore, compliance, audit, and remediation, task automation, OS and Firmware updates and patching, and vulnerability intelligence. The three key components of the BackBox Network Cyber Resilience Platform include: Automated Lifecycle Management: Quickly back up, validate, and restore network devices for easy recovery. Manage, upgrade, and patch major network vendors through a single interface with 3,000+ pre-built automations. Compliance & Policy Management: Run compliance checks on devices to assess resilience and identify configuration drift, automatically correcting non-compliant configurations to align with industry compliance standards and internal policies. Network Infrastructure Integrity: Proactively identify active exposures and choose to automate vulnerability mitigation via a configuration change or remediate the vulnerability by updating the device software. The BackBox Network Cyber Resilience Platform prioritizes privacy and security to maintain data confidentiality and integrity. In 2024, BackBox earned SOC 2 Type 2 Compliance , which offers independent validation that the company's security controls and operational processes adhere to high standards of excellence. Finally, BackBox supports organizations operating within the European Union that must comply with Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) guidelines . BackBox offers over 2,300 pre-built, easily customizable automations in our Automation Library. These automations eliminate manual tasks and reduce risk by validating specific configurations against DORA best practices and automatically remediating those that do not comply. Customer and Industry Recognition BackBox was the sole vendor recognized as a strong performer in the 2024 Gartner Voice of the Customer for Network Automation Platforms . BackBox earned the highest "willingness to recommend" score and the highest star rating in the report. In addition, BackBox was named High Performer in the Winter 2025 G2 Grid Report for Network Automation Tools and earned the Best Results, Best Relationship, and Best Usability scores in the Winter 2025 report. Ninety-eight percent of customers rated BackBox 4 or 5 stars on G2. Awards In 2024, organizations worldwide recognized BackBox for its market leadership in Cyber Resilience , Backup and Disaster Recovery , Network Vulnerability Remediation , and Cyber Security Excellence . Of note, Network Computing named BackBox Software Product of the Year . And Network World gave BackBox its Best of Enterprise Network Award to cap off a winning year. Leadership Team In April, Rekha Shenoy was appointed CEO and board director of BackBox, focused on growing the company's market share among security and network teams. She previously managed Belden Inc.'s Industrial Cyber Security business unit and has orchestrated buy- and sell-side acquisitions at several organizations, including Tripwire and BMC Software. In early 2024, John Evarts joined BackBox as Chief Operating Officer. He has helped lead several early-stage software companies through significant growth periods, including Mediafly, where he recently served as President & Chief Operating Officer. About BackBox More than 500 enterprises worldwide trust BackBox as their network cyber resilience platform. BackBox includes support for network devices from over 180 vendors, thousands of pre-built automations, and a no-code way to create new ones. BackBox empowers teams with the confidence to automate critical network processes, maintain business continuity during disruptions, and recover swiftly. From backups and OS updates to configuration compliance and vulnerability management, BackBox ensures that automations deliver consistent, reliable outcomes. To learn more, visit www.backbox.com . SOURCE BackBox Museum Workers Across Departments Gain Union Protections BALTIMORE, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Workers at the Baltimore Museum of Industry have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 570. Workers organized with the Teamsters to boost salaries and secure stable work schedules. "It is difficult to make ends meet with low wages and inconsistent schedules," said Zella Roberts, an educator with the museum who led the organizing effort. "We need better conditions and part-time staff need health care." The 30 new Teamsters include staff from education, facilities, the front desk, events, and marketing. "The museum staff play a critical role in enriching Baltimore's culture and preserving its history," said Sean Cedenio, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 570. "We will address head-on the issues that affect these dedicated workers." The Baltimore Museum of Industry joins Glenstone Museum, another Maryland cultural institution, in organizing with the Teamsters. Glenstone Museum workers joined the Teamsters in June of 2024. "The workers who run and operate these museums deserve the fairness and respect that their valuable work calls for. The Teamsters look forward to growing density at museums and nonprofits nationwide and helping workers secure the union representation they need," said Peter Finn, Director of the Teamsters Public Services and Health Care Division. The Baltimore Museum of Industry, one of the largest nonprofits in the region with $4.56 million in assets, opened a new exhibit in May 2024 on recent unionization efforts in Baltimore. Sadly, the museum did not see the value in their own workers unionizing. The cultural institution hired a union-busting firm to discourage unionization. Teamsters Local 570 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout Baltimore and the surrounding communities. For more information, visit team570.org. Contact: Colin McCullough, (856) 625-6856 [email protected] SOURCE Teamsters Local 570 CLEARWATER, Fla., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoping to ease the burden of nurses at the bedside, BayCare Health System is now piloting artificial-intelligence-assisted voice technology to transform the way nurses carry out clinical documentation. The project, launched last month with a team at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg, aims to transform how nurses document clinical assessments and find important patient information. BayCare Health System is now piloting artificial-intelligence-assisted voice technology to transform the way nurses carry out clinical documentation, hoping to ease their burden at the bedside. The pilot using Aiva Healths Nurse Assistant is the latest example of BayCares commitment to innovation to provide the best patient care and support its workforce. A BayCare nurse at St. Anthony's Hospital demonstrates new AI-assisted voice technology on her phone to a patient resting in a hospital bed. The pilot using Aiva Health's Nurse Assistant is the latest example of BayCare's commitment to innovation to provide the best patient care and support its workforce. BayCare is also working with other vendors to develop voice technology in hopes of finding the best solutions to help care teams streamline their workflow and improve patient interactions. "We are excited to be at the forefront of how technology can improve health care, not just for patients, but also for those nurses and team members delivering care," said Stephanie Conners, BayCare's president and CEO. "Finding ways to better support clinical documentation is a win for everyone involved and allows nurses and our entire care teams more time and energy to focus on our patients." BayCare has already begun using AI-assisted software for physicians in their offices. Care in the hospital setting presents a different set of challenges. Multiple providers and team members assess and monitor each individual patient over the course of a hospital stay and they rely on each other's timely and accurate assessments to ensure quality care. "Bringing voice enabled artificial intelligence to the bedside will not only save nurses' time but also has the potential to improve the efficiency and efficacy of patient care," said Nicole Gitney, BayCare's vice president for nursing informatics. "By simplifying documentation and reducing cognitive overload, this technology aims to improve nurse satisfaction and allow them to focus more on improving patient outcomes." The St. Anthony's project launched in December with a select group of team members using the Aiva Health app on BayCare-issued iPhones to access electronic records and speak clinical updates directly into secure software. Onscreen verification of the transcription allows them to confirm accuracy before saving to the patient's chart. By partnering with developers, BayCare and its team members have the opportunity to suggest functionality improvements as well as be among the first to demonstrate how voice-enabled artificial intelligence technology can streamline clinical documentation, reduce the burden of charting and improve overall care delivery. Already in the St. Anthony's pilot project, it has reduced the need for caregivers to move computers between patient rooms. "The nurses and the patient care techs will be able to go into a patient room and chart in real time," using their voice and the artificial-intelligence-assisted technology, said Liza Redmond, a St. Anthony's Hospital nurse manager on the cardiac medical unit that is participating in the pilot project. "Being able to use this voice technology is a game changer for everyone in health care." About BayCare BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 16 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. The system is West Central Florida's largest provider of behavioral health and pediatric services and its provider group, BayCare Medical Group, is one of the largest in the region. BayCare's diverse network of ambulatory services includes laboratories, imaging, surgical centers, BayCare Urgent Care locations, wellness centers and one of Florida's largest home care agencies, BayCare HomeCare. BayCare's mission is to improve the health of all it serves through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit BayCare.org. About Aiva Aiva is the voice assistant for better care. Aiva's AI-powered Nurse Assistant lets nurses chart in real-time using conversational voice or text, saving them time and making their data instantly available for clinical decision making. Aiva's companion product, Patient Assistant, is in more than 10,000 acute and post-acute rooms across the U.S. and Canada. In addition to the EHR, Patient Assistant integrates with existing hospital systems like interpreter services, work orders, dietary, patient education and Smart Room devices -- all integrations that could be brought to Nurse Assistant in the future. Aiva is based in Los Angeles and can be found at aivahealth.com. SOURCE BayCare Health System BREA, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, a global leader in clinical diagnostics, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Device Designation to Beckman Coulter's Access pTau217/-Amyloid 1-42 plasma ratio. This blood test is designed to aid healthcare providers identify patients with amyloid pathology associated with Alzheimer's disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Device Designation to Beckman Coulters Access pTau217/-Amyloid 1-42 plasma ratio Test. "We are honored to receive Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. FDA for our pTau217/-Amyloid 1-42 assay, a significant step forward in addressing the urgent need for earlier and more accurate detection of Amyloid pathology, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease," said Kathleen Orland, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Clinical Chemistry and Immunoassay for Beckman Coulter Diagnostics. "This designation reflects the potential of our test to transform how Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed and managed, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for patients and families affected by this devastating disease." "Focusing on shortening the time it takes to bring innovative assays to clinicians and patients is a core tenet of Danaher Diagnostics," said Paul Beresford, Neurology Franchise Head, Danaher Diagnostics. "This exciting announcement that Beckman Coulter's Access p Tau217/-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio blood test received Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA is another proof point demonstrating our progress in developing a portfolio of clinical diagnostics tests for neurodegenerative diseases, starting with Alzheimer's disease. We believe that by taking such a disease-focused approach, Danaher Diagnostics and its operating companies are able to develop more innovative and patient-friendly clinical solutions." The Access p-Tau217/-Amyloid 1-42 plasma ratio blood test measures the ratio of phosphorylated tau protein (p-Tau217) to Amyloid 1-42, two key biomarkers implicated in the neurodegenerative processes of Alzheimer's disease. A blood-based IVD test that can quantify these biomarkers in plasma could provide a non-invasive, accessible, and earlier method of detecting Alzheimer's-related pathology. This capability is important for improving early diagnosis, enabling timely intervention, and stratifying patients for therapeutic trials, ultimately accelerating progress in Alzheimer's research and treatment. Orland continued, "Beyond the Access p-Tau217/-Amyloid 1-42 plasma ratio blood test, Beckman Coulter is committed to developing a full suite of next-generation neurodegenerative disease tests. The aging global population combined with emerging drug treatments is expected to create widespread demand for Alzheimer's disease testing, which will require accurate, high-throughput assays. The proprietary technologies on the Beckman Coulter DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer coupled with its novel Lumi-Phos PRO substrate has enabled development of precise, clinically relevant assays and shown capability to detect targeted neurological biomarkers on an automated, high-throughput platform." The FDA Breakthrough Device Designation program expedites the development and review of medical devices offering significant advancements in treating or diagnosing life-threatening or debilitating diseases. It provides prioritized review, enhanced communication, and regulatory support to help manufacturers bring innovative devices to market more efficiently, ultimately benefiting patients and public health. About Beckman Coulter A global leader in advanced diagnostics, Beckman Coulter has challenged convention to elevate the diagnostic laboratory's role in improving patient health for more than 80 years. Our mission is to Relentlessly Reimagine Healthcare, One Diagnosis at a Time and we do this by applying the power of science, technology and the passion and creativity of our teams. Our diagnostic solutions are used in complex clinical testing, and are found in hospitals, reference laboratories and physician office settings around the globe. We exist to deliver smarter, faster diagnostic solutions that move the needle forward from what's now to what's next. We seek to accelerate care with an extensive clinical menu, scalable lab automation technologies, insightful clinical informatics, and optimized lab performance services. Headquartered in Brea, Calif., with more than 11,000 global team members, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics is proud to be part of Danaher. Danaher is a global science and technology leader. Together we combine our capabilities to accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow's science and technology to improve human health. Follow and connect with Beckman Coulter Diagnostics via LinkedIn, X, and Facebook. 2025 Beckman Coulter. All rights reserved. Beckman Coulter, the stylized logo, and the Beckman Coulter product and service marks mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Beckman Coulter, Inc. in the United States and other countries. 2025-13905. SOURCE Beckman Coulter Diagnostics Photo: State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. An amendment to the Tax Code of Azerbaijan has provided tax exemptions for managing organizations and operators of industrial zones in the country, the State Tax Service told Trend. These exemptions cover land tax and property tax for land and property used in state-established industrial zones. According to the service, these tax benefits are similar to the incentives provided to managing organizations and operators of industrial parks. One of the key directions for expanding entrepreneurship and developing industrial sectors in the regions is the creation of industrial zones in various cities across the country. Industrial zones play a significant role in organizing production processes by reducing infrastructure costs, strengthening cooperative ties, and fostering micro-, small-, and medium-sized businesses. Tax exemptions on land and property will have a positive impact on the financial stability of managing organizations and operators of industrial zones, the service said. To note, the construction of industrial zones is a primary catalyst for this favorable economic transformation in Azerbaijan, offering several opportunities and incentives for local and foreign investors. Currently, Azerbaijan possesses 7 industrial parks, 5 industrial areas, and 24 agroparks. Since 2005, Azerbaijan's industry has garnered a total of $71.7 billion in investments at current prices, with $38.8 billion being foreign capital. During the same year, industrial enterprises have allocated approximately $276.5 million towards the implementation of technical breakthroughs. In this setting, industrial zones have arisen as facilitators for the implementation of innovative technology and commercial innovations across diverse industrial sectors. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Republicans, Democrats, Moms across America, Doctors, Labor Workers, and More Unite to Back President Trump's Pick for HHS to Make America Healthy Again WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The powerful grassroots movement that swept the nation in support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is rallying on Capitol Hill this week to call for his swift confirmation as Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS) to help lead America out of the greatest decline in public health the country has ever faced. This is a bipartisan coalition millions of Americans strong who believe that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s commitment to cleaning up the nation's food system and solving the chronic disease epidemic make his appointment as Secretary of HHS critical to the health and future of America which is currently the sickest industrialized nation in the world. "As a mother I've dedicated my life to advocating for the removal of harmful ingredients from food that's marketed directly to my kids," said Vani Hari , the food activist who led the biggest petition in history asking a food company to sell Americans safer food. "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has the bravery to tell the truth about seed oils, artificial dyes, and other toxins in our food system. He put his own politics aside for the hope of reversing the chronic disease epidemic in our children. We have an unprecedented opportunity to have a leader who is intellectually honest about America's food system in government to implement policies that protect our kids. The Senate should act to swiftly confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. so that we can get to work restoring transparency in our food system and helping Americans feel safe about what we're feeding our kids." "There are few people I know who embody the essence of science as a verb more authentically than Robert F. Kennedy Jr.," leading functional medicine doctor Mark Hyman recently said. "Over two decades of working alongside him, I have witnessed a man whose integrity is unwavering, whose critical inquiry is profound, and whose commitment to justice is unwavering. RFK Jr. has shown immense courage in challenging the world's most powerful systems when they stand at odds with the well-being of humanity. Now he is focused on chronic disease and the systems that create and profit from it. These systems Big Food, Big Agriculture, and Big Pharma are not merely resisting his efforts but are actively working to discredit him, often employing falsehoods and distortions to do so. I urge youto resist falling prey to such manipulation." Sean M. O'Brien , the President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, said, "Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Kennedy has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to protecting the health and well-being of the American people. His extensive work in addressing environmental and public health challenges has consistently prioritized practical, effective solutions that benefit families, workers, and communities across the nation." Additional voices and resources in support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s appointment include former CDC Director Robert Redfield, Moms Across America , Calley Means , hundreds of doctors who voiced their support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a letter to the Senate , and the millions of health advocates and Americans who have championed Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vision to Make America Healthy Again. Supporters of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s appointment to lead HHS are encouraged to make their voices heard by writing and calling their Senator and attending Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Senate confirmation hearings this week. "United, this movement is unprecedented and unstoppable," said Brigid Rasmussen, the COO of MAHA Action. "MAHA Action looks forward to Robert F. Kennedy's confirmation, and to working with the leaders of this coalition both inside and outside of the government to reinvigorate and restore America's public health." Contact: Emma Post Press Secretary, MAHA Action [email protected] SOURCE MAHA Action GREENVILLE, S.C., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacolet Milliken, LLC, and its wholly owned subsidiary Bushy Park, announced today that Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS), a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, has become a major tenant at Bushy Park in connection with NNS's acquisition of W International. NNS, headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, acquired W International, an advanced metal fabricator that has been a resident at Bushy Park since late 2018. This strategic move strengthens NNS's position as a global leader in naval shipbuilding and defense technology. NNS designs, constructs, and maintains nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, and has a strong legacy of excellence that has spanned over 135 years. Operations at Bushy Park are expected to be largely unchanged. W International employs approximately 500 people, and its campus consists of 45 acres and four buildings totaling 451,000 square feet, all within the larger 1,530-acre Bushy Park site. "We are thrilled to welcome Newport News Shipbuilding to Bushy Park. NNS' presence will undoubtedly contribute to the vibrant industrial community we are cultivating at Bushy Park," said Kent Fonvielle, President of Bushy Park. With NNS' acquisition of W International, and Leonardo DRS's naval facility currently under construction at Bushy Park, Bushy Park will be home to two of the largest defense contractors supporting the US Navy's shipbuilding program. Leonardo DRS is currently building a $120 million manufacturing, integration, and test facility for U.S. Navy submarine propulsion systems at Bushy Park which is slated to be fully operational in 2026. "The decision of Leonardo DRS to establish their operations here and NNS to acquire W International is a testament to the value and quality that Bushy Park offers," said William Crawford, CEO of Pacolet Milliken. "Bushy Park's location, workforce availability, and unique existing infrastructure, including water access, make it an advantageous site for supporting these manufacturers." About Pacolet Milliken and Bushy Park Pacolet Milliken, LLC is a leader in the institutional management of private investment capital. Headquartered in Greenville, SC, Pacolet is a family-owned investment firm that owns and manages a diverse set of power & infrastructure and real estate assets located across the United States. Pacolet Power & Infrastructure owns a diverse set of power, renewables and infrastructure assets, including a regulated electric portfolio, an industrial utilities company and a substantial solar and landfill gas portfolio. Pacolet Real Estate has a national portfolio of industrial, multi-family, office, and retail properties, and currently focuses on multi-family and industrial warehouse development in the Southeast, the Southwest and Southern California. In both Divisions, Pacolet seeks to positively impact the communities in which it operates and be a steward of the environment from a generational perspective. https://www.pacoletmilliken.com Bushy Park is a 1,530-acre industrial park located in Berkeley County just outside of Charleston, SC. The site is home to ten different industrial and manufacturing companies. Bushy Park provides a suite of utilities to its tenants such as steam, nitrogen, compressed air, electricity, natural gas, and process water in addition to available land. The site supports logistics through an onsite rail line and barge slip. Bushy Park is owned by Pacolet Milliken, LLC and is an important asset in the Power & Infrastructure Division. https://bushyparksc.com SOURCE Pacolet Milliken LLC SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Carrington College is proud to announce a new online Pharmacy Technology program, providing students with the opportunity to earn a Certificate of Achievement in a convenient, online format. The program will help prepare graduates for rewarding careers as pharmacy technicians, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to support licensed pharmacists in various healthcare settings. Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in ensuring patient care by managing tasks such as receiving and filling prescriptions, creating prescription labels, maintaining patient profiles, and processing insurance claims. They work under the supervision of licensed pharmacists in hospitals, retail pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, and more. The new online program combines theoretical knowledge and practical training to develop competent, entry-level pharmacy technicians ready to enter the field. "We are thrilled to offer an online option for our Pharmacy Technology program," said Daniel Sharpe, Dean of Curriculum at Carrington College. "This format allows students to balance their education with other commitments while gaining the experience to work in this essential healthcare role. Our program includes rigorous training in pharmacy calculations, drug distribution systems, and preparation of sterile dosage forms, ensuring our graduates are well-prepared for the workplace." In addition, the program offers comprehensive training in pharmaceutical and medical terminology, drug distribution methods, and ethical standards in pharmacy practice. It prepares students for entry-level pharmacy technician roles in a variety of healthcare settings, with a curriculum designed to meet state and national standards. Graduates of the online Pharmacy Technology program will demonstrate the skills and knowledge to function as competent, entry-level pharmacy technicians. They will utilize safe practices in all aspects of pharmacy technology and exhibit ethical behavior in compliance with state laws and regulations. The Pharmacy Technology program is also offered at Carrington College campuses in Albuquerque, Boise, Mesa, Phoenix, Pleasant Hill, Sacramento, San Jose, San Leandro, Spokane, Stockton, and Tucson. "Our goal is to provide students with multiple pathways to achieve their career ambitions," added Sharpe. "With the launch of this online program, we are opening doors for more students to enter the healthcare field at their own pace." Learn more about Carrington College and the online Pharmacy Technology program. Visit carrington.edu/student-consumer-information for important information on program outcomes. About Carrington College Established in 1967, Carrington College empowers students to achieve their goals, find success and make inspiring contributions to our global community. Carrington College offers a diverse range of programs that lead to a Certificate of Achievement, Associate of Science, or Bachelor of Science degree. The college offers programs which prepare students for careers in the medical, dental, veterinary and industrial trades fields. Carrington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, 428 J Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814, (415) 506-0234, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. Additional information about accreditation, including the filing of complaints against member institutions, can be found at: www.accjc.org SOURCE Carrington College MIAMI, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrity Cruises will usher in a new era in river cruising with Celebrity River Cruises, a premium river cruise vacation that will begin taking bookings this year. The brand has signed an initial order for 10 transformative ships that will take guests to historic cities on the world's most iconic rivers, launching in Europe. Celebrity Cruises will bring the elevated design and sophistication of the Edge Series ocean ships to the river. When you combine that with the brand's signature hospitality and unique itinerary offerings, Celebrity River Cruises will deliver unforgettable experiences The Celebrity Way. Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises "We're thrilled to announce our entry into the river cruise market through our Celebrity Cruises premium travel brand. Our guests and travel partners should expect us to do what we do best innovate and elevate the river cruise experience as we meet the growing demand for intimate, culturally enriching travel experiences," said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. "With about half of our guests having experienced or intending to vacation on a river cruise, we know they will enjoy Celebrity's elevated offering on the river. By leveraging our valuable loyalty programs across our three brands, we will deepen customer engagement and further our ability to keep guests within our ecosystem of vacation offerings. We are the best in the world at delivering the vacation of a lifetime, and this is the latest example of how we are building the capabilities to deliver a lifetime of vacations." Celebrity River Cruises is a natural extension of Celebrity's premium offering that will bring its unique service-first approach to the river. Guests will get the keys to sail through the heart of culturally and historically significant cities, experience locally inspired cuisine and unique shore experiences The Celebrity Way. With ships that will give guests 360 degrees of breathtaking views, every moment will be designed to immerse guests in the beauty of the journey. "Celebrity River Cruises will bring the quality and sophistication of our Edge Series ocean ships to the most iconic rivers, starting with Europe," added Laura Hodges Bethge, president, Celebrity Cruises. "We've redefined travel on the ocean with our best-in-class hospitality, award-winning food and beverage experiences, and elevated design and style. We are thrilled to bring these experiences to the river and combine them with authentic, destination-rich itineraries that will give our guests an experience unlike any other." This morning, Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCCL) today reported its 2024 financial results and announced the launch of Celebrity River Cruises. Click here to access the release. More information about Celebrity River Cruises, including booking opportunities, destinations, fleet size and ship details, excursions and more, will be announced in the coming months. Go to CelebrityCruises.com and sign up to receive information first and follow on social media @CelebrityCruises. About Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Cruises delivers an elevated premium vacation experience across their fleet of ships traveling to nearly 300 destinations across more than 70 countries spanning all seven continents. Uniquely offering the intimate feel and thoughtful service of small ships, with the variety and excitement of bigger ones -- guests can explore the world or get away from it for a little while. With every detail elevated beyond expectations, guests will never want to vacation any other way. An industry pioneer for more than 35 years, each Celebrity vacation offers experiences you won't find anywhere else aboard ships which continue to shatter industry expectations with the highly anticipated Celebrity Xcel arriving Fall 2025. Celebrity Cruises is headquartered in Miami and is one of five cruise brands owned by Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL). Visit celebritycruises.com for more information, and connect with us on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn. About Royal Caribbean Group Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is a vacation industry leader with a global fleet of 66 ships across its five brands traveling to approximately 1,000 destinations. With a mission to deliver the best vacations responsibly, Royal Caribbean Group serves millions of guests each year through its portfolio of best-in-class brands, including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea; and expanding portfolio of land-based vacation experiences through Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club collection. The company also owns 50% of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. With a rich history of innovating, Royal Caribbean Group continually delivers exciting new products and guest experiences that help shape the future of leisure travel. Learn more at royalcaribbeangroup.com or rclinvestor.com. Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release relating to, among other things, expectations on timing and demand for river cruising offerings and future orders of river cruise ships constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "will," and similar expressions are intended to help identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, are based on judgments, are inherently uncertain and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Examples of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, those included under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as well as our other filings with the SEC, copies of which may be obtained by visiting our Investor Relations website at www.rclinvestor.com or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this release, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Celebrity Cruises He will oversee department that performs over 40,000 operations annually CINCINNATI, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cincinnati Children's has named Daniel Ostlie, MD, as the health system's next surgeon in chief and senior vice president. He will join Cincinnati Children's by June 1 and oversee the Department of Surgery. The department has nearly 1,100 employees, including more than 110 surgeons. Cincinnati Children's performs more than 40,000 operations a year focused on saving or enhancing the lives of children. Dr. Daniel Ostlie will be a member of the 11-person Executive Team at Cincinnati Children's. Post this Daniel Ostlie, MD, will join Cincinnati Childrens by June 1 as surgeon in chief. Ostlie will report to Steve Davis, MD, president and CEO of Cincinnati Children's, as a member of the 11-person Executive Team. "Dr. Ostlie is a highly regarded surgeon, physician leader and researcher who brings years of experience to this important role at Cincinnati Children's," Davis said. "The number of pediatric patients in our region who need surgical care continues to rise, and more families from across the country and around the world are traveling here for care." Ostlie succeeds Daniel von Allmen, MD, who announced last fall his intent to step down from the role of surgeon in chief and senior vice president. "Dr. von Allmen has served the patients and families of our region for more than 15 years, and we are grateful for his leadership and contributions, especially during a time of unprecedented growth," Davis said. Ostlie, who has been surgeon in chief and chairman of the Department of Surgery at Phoenix Children's Hospital since 2016, said he was pleased to be selected by Cincinnati Children's. "Cincinnati Children's incredible reputation is known throughout our country," Ostlie said. "I am honored to be joining the team both within the Department of Surgery and throughout the organization to support the journey to be the leader in improving child health. The commitment to safety, world-class outcomes and genuine collaboration at Cincinnati Children's is something I look forward to being part of as we continue to set the standard for excellence in pediatric healthcare." Cincinnati Children's is recognized as one of the best health systems in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. That includes being ranked No. 1 for cancer care, gastroenterology and GI surgery, plus pulmonology and lung surgery. At Phoenix Children's Hospital, Ostlie has overseen the hospital's services within all surgical divisions, including General Surgery, ENT, Dermatology, Urology, Congenital Heart Surgery, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, Plastic Surgery, Gynecology, Trauma, Anesthesiology and Transplant. He also is a professor of child health and surgery at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix. Ostlie's interests include chest wall abnormalities, esophageal disorders, minimally invasive surgery and neonatal surgery. He has participated in research focusing on chest wall care as well as rare pediatric surgical conditions. Ostlie has been the author or co-author of more than 230 refereed journal articles and more than a dozen book chapters, and he served as editor of the book Ashcraft's Pediatric Surgery (5th and 6th editions). Ostlie also is the editor of the bimonthly publication Seminars in Pediatric Surgery, and he served from 2010-17 as the pediatric editor of the Journal of Laparoscopic and Advanced Surgical Techniques. Before joining Phoenix Children's Hospital, Ostlie was surgeon in chief at American Family Children's Hospital in Madison, Wis., from 2012-15. He also held professor of surgery and professor of pediatrics positions at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. During his years on faculty at Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City from 2003-15, Ostlie rose from staff pediatric surgeon to surgeon in chief and held numerous other leadership roles, including vice chair of the Department of Surgery and program director of both the Pediatric Surgery Residency and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship. He was also a professor of surgery at the University of Missouri-Kansas City during that time. Ostlie received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of North Dakota in 1990 and earned a medical degree there in 1994. The following year, he completed an internship in general surgery at Los Angeles County Hospital/University of Southern California. Ostlie completed a residency in general surgery at the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale in Arizona in 2000, during which time he also spent one year as a research fellow with Cambridge University's Department of Surgery in England. He completed a pediatric surgery fellowship in 2002 and surgical critical care fellowship in 2003 at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. About Cincinnati Children's Cincinnati Children's is ranked among the best pediatric health systems in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, including No. 1 in pediatric cancer care, gastroenterology and pulmonology. Cincinnati Children's also ranks among the nation's best for pediatric and adolescent behavioral health. Established in 1883, Cincinnati Children's is a nonprofit that cares for patients from all 50 states and dozens of countries, including kids with complex or rare disorders. More information: CincinnatiChildrens.org SOURCE Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center POTSDAM, N.Y., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A research team at Clarkson University recently published a study about a plant based alternative to traditional chemical methods of combating Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). The study, published by Clarkson University chemical engineering graduate students Temitope Orimolade and Ngoc-Tram Le, along with undergraduate student Lyle Trimble, has been featured on the cover of the peer-reviewed journal, Soft Matter . The team's research focuses on using Moringa oleifera to combat the cyanobacterium that causes HABsknown as Microcystis aeruginosaand comparing it to the traditional chemical method of using aluminum salts. HABs caused by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) exhibit enormous threats to human health, animals, and aquatic ecosystems. Microcystis aeruginosa cellsthe cyanobacterium that causes HABscontain a family of potent toxins known as microcystins, which can cause negative health effects in humans, from mild skin rashes to serious illnesses. They can also cause severe liver damage and even death in dogs and livestock. Any method used to treat harmful algal blooms must ensure that the cells remain intact to prevent the release of these toxins into the aquatic environment. According to Clarkson University Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Sitaraman Krishnan, who oversees the research team, the seeds of Moringa oleifera contain proteins that act as natural flocculants. Flocculant is the substance that causes particles in liquid to clump together, and the clumped particles are called flocs. Aluminum salts, such as alum (potassium aluminum sulfate) and polyaluminum chloride, are commonly used as flocculants in water treatment processes. They effectively aggregate particles, facilitating their removal from water. However, their use raises environmental concerns, particularly regarding the formation of toxic sludge. This sludge can contain soluble aluminum compounds, which may leach into water bodies, posing risks to aquatic life and potentially entering the food chain. In contrast, Moringa oleifera offers a biodegradable, plant-based alternative that is less polluting. Its use as a flocculant reduces the risk of toxic sludge formation and minimizes environmental impact. "While we have not yet evaluated the toxicity of Moringa extracts to aquatic organisms, we expect them to be safe for the environment, especially considering that the plant is widely consumed as food in various parts of Asia and Africa," Krishnan said. A few studies, which are reviewed in the article written by Clarkson's researchers, have previously highlighted the potential of Moringa seed extracts in flocculating Microcystis aeruginosa. However, knowledge gaps remained regarding the required flocculant dosing in comparison to alum, as well as the structure and strength of the flocs formed. "In our study, we identified some intriguing differences between alum and Moringa oleifera in terms of how the floc structure evolves with increasing floc size," Krishnan said. "The behaviors observed were notably distinct, providing new insights into the comparative effectiveness of these flocculants." The research was supported by the New York State Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions at Clarkson University and SUNY ESF. To read the full article in Soft Matter, click here . To learn more about Clarkson's Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Department, click here . SOURCE Clarkson University TUCSON, Ariz., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Clean Freak Car Wash, powered by Circle K, is proud to announce the grand opening of its newest location in Marana, Arizona. With a mission to provide a car wash experience that defies expectations, Clean Freak combines cutting-edge services, wallet-friendly options, and eco-conscious practices to ensure every customer leaves feeling refreshed and satisfied. Clean Freak Car Wash, designed to make your life easier and your car cleaner while keeping the environment in mind. At Clean Freak, we believe in washing without limits! "At Clean Freak, we believe in washing without limits," said Pete Nani, CEO of Clean Freak. "We're excited to expand our footprint in the Tucson market, delivering a clean car while also being good stewards of our community and the environment. To celebrate our opening in Marana, we are giving FREE car washes all weekend from Friday, January 31 to Sunday, February 2 at this location." Ribbon Cutting Ceremony January 30, 2025 Members of the press and community leaders are invited to join us for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, January 30, at 3870 W Tangerine Rd, Marana, AZ 85658. The event begins at 11:00 am to officially celebrate our arrival in Marana. Grand Opening Event February 1, 2025 The public is invited to experience Clean Freak Car Wash during our grand opening celebration on Saturday, February 1, with festivities kicking off at 9 AM with savings and celebrations until 6 PM. Guests can look forward to: Free Wash ( $22 value) value) A free gift for the first 10 new members every hour Exclusive discounts and raffles, including a YETI Roadie cooler A special Member Hour from 11 AM to 2 PM , featuring a gift package for the first 100 members and increased fuel savings. , featuring a gift package for the first 100 members and increased fuel savings. Adding to the excitement, 93.7 KRQ will join us from 11 AM to 1 PM to help us give away free car washes! to help us give away free car washes! Spin the Giant Wheel for freebies, free washes, snacks and more Bring the kids to play some games and challenge your family in GIANT Connect 4 Delicious celebration snacks Don't miss this opportunity to explore Marana's newest car wash, designed to make your life easier and your car cleaner while keeping the environment in mind. Join us at 3870 W Tangerine Rd, Marana, AZ 85658 for an all day celebration! For more information about Clean Freak Car Wash and its services, visit https://cleanfreakcarwash.com/ or follow us on Instagram @cleanfreakwash and Facebook @cleanfreakcarwasharizona. About Clean Freak Car Wash At Clean Freak Car Wash, we believe in washing without limits. Our goal is to deliver a clean car that defies the status quo, leaving customers refreshed while being good stewards of our community and environment. Powered by Circle K, we operate 29 locations across Arizona and Texas, offering fast, friendly, and eco-friendly car care. *Exclusive Membership Perks* Clean Freak's "Rapid Pass" membership starts at just $19.99 per month, offering unlimited washes and unbeatable value. Members also enjoy exclusive fuel discounts at participating Circle K locations, making Clean Freak the perfect partner for busy, budget-conscious drivers. SOURCE Clean Freak - Circle K NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum today announced it will celebrate 25 years of the prestigious National Design Awards program and named the 2025 Award winners. Launched in 2000 as an official project of the White House Millennium Council, the National Design Awards and its associated public programs seek to increase national awareness of the impact of design in everyday life. Now in their 25th year, the National Design Awards have evolved and adapted over time but stayed true to core Smithsonian values of innovation and civic service. This year's winners, selected by a multidisciplinary jury, are recognized for design innovation and impact in improving the world, and will be honored at an awards celebration Thursday, April 3. "Design touches all aspects of our lives every single dayfrom the buildings we live, learn and work in, to the physical and digital systems that deliver our basic services, the clothes we wear, the spaces we gather in or the creativity and beauty that help us understand ourselves as a nationand yet design's undeniable influence can go unseen," said Maria Nicanor, director of the museum. "Since 2000, Cooper Hewitt has aimed to change that, shining a light on the most influential and powerful design of our era. This year, we recognize 2025's exceptional winners, but also the hundreds of past winners and jury members who form the vast network of thinkers and practitioners actively shaping our everyday." This year's National Design Award recipients are: Kim Hastreiter , Design Visionary , Design Visionary ilumiNACION by Resilient Power Puerto Rico , Climate Action , Climate Action Nu Goteh , Emerging Designer , Emerging Designer Michael Maltzan Architecture , Architecture , Architecture Matt Willey , Communication Design , Communication Design Emerging Objects , Digital Design , Digital Design Melitta Baumeister , Fashion Design , Fashion Design Little Wing Lee , Interior Design , Interior Design TERREMOTO , Landscape Architecture , Landscape Architecture Jules Sherman , Product Design For more information, visit www.cooperhewitt.org/Awards . Support The National Design Awards are made possible by Shelby and Frederick Gans, Jon Iwata, Lisa Roberts and David Seltzer, Alexandra and Paul Herzan, Chris and Irma Fralic, Kim Schuessler and other generous sponsors. The National Design Award trophies are created by the Corning Museum of Glass. About Cooper Hewitt Cooper Hewitt is America's design museum. Inclusive, innovative and experimental, the museum's dynamic exhibitions, education programs, master's program, publications and online resources inspire, educate and empower people through design. SOURCE Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum 30 Years of Scientifically Proven Formulations with Advanced Ingredients, Now Available for Purchase Online SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- After 30 years of perfecting their formulas, Corrective Skin, a premium skincare brand with a rich legacy, is thrilled to announce the nationwide availability of its groundbreaking skincare line. Previously offered exclusively at Corrective Skincare, a family-owned establishment based in Salt Lake City, this revolutionary collection is now accessible to customers across the country. Discover the scientifically backed, results-driven products at www.correctiveskin.com and experience the next evolution in skincare. The launch includes five of their bestselling products: Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Healing Cream, Tea Tree Scrub, Vitamin C Serum, Cranberry Cleanser, and Glycolic Brightening Solution. Founded by Gale Roberts in 1986, a single mother with an unwavering passion for skincare and entrepreneurship, Corrective Skin has evolved from custom-blended products for personal clients to a full-fledged skincare line. The brand's journey reflects a commitment to positive impact and integrity in skincare. The launch also marks a significant milestone for Corrective Skin, now led by CEO Kelly Brown, Roberts' daughter. With over 20 years of experience in Aesthetics, Brown aims to scale the brand while honoring its rich legacy. "It fills me with immense pride to continue the legacy my mother Gale Roberts started with Corrective Skin," said Kelly Brown, CEO of Corrective Skin. "My mother's passion and vision laid the groundwork for our brand, and it is an honor to build upon that foundation. Our groundbreaking skincare line embodies 30 years of dedication and innovation. We're excited to share these clinically proven formulations with a broader audience and help more people experience the transformative power of our products." Corrective Skin features a range of products that puts 30 years of research into formulations while incorporating natural ingredients. The launch includes five of their bestselling products: Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Healing Cream, Tea Tree Scrub, Vitamin C Serum, Cranberry Cleanser, and Glycolic Brightening Solution. Each product is designed to address specific skincare concerns while working synergistically to promote overall skin health. "Our new skincare line represents the culmination of decades of research and dedication," adds Brown." Each product in our collection is designed to deliver real, visible improvements, harnessing both advanced scientific principles and high-quality natural ingredients. We're confident that our formulations will not only meet but exceed our customers' skincare needs, providing them with effective solutions for achieving and maintaining healthy, radiant skin." To learn more about Corrective Skin and purchase their products, visit www.correctiveskin.com Start your skincare journey by following us on social media at Instagram and Facebook. Media Contact: Kayla Perez 9738565236 [email protected] SOURCE Corrective Skin DIRECTV to Deliver FireAid Concert on Jan. 30 to Consumers and Businesses Nationwide through MyFree DIRECTV, Streaming and on Satellite DIRECTV Will Donate $1 Million to FireAid to Help Rebuild Southern California Communities LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the recent tragic events and devastation caused by wildfires in Southern California, DIRECTV is teaming up with FireAid to help rebuild the affected local communities. DIRECTV will broadcast the upcoming FireAid Benefit Concert to consumers and businesses on Jan. 30 nationwide for free on MyFree DIRECTV, and at no additional cost to streaming and satellite customers, all on channel 101. The one-night-only benefit concert will be held at Intuit Dome and Kia Forum starting at 6:00 p.m. PDT at the Kia Forum (doors open at 5:00 p.m.), and Intuit Dome will begin at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:00 p.m.). The biggest names in music will come together for an evening of music and solidarity dedicated to rebuilding communities devastated by the wildfires. DIRECTV will donate $1 million to FireAid to help provide relief in affected communities across Southern California, as well as donate FireAid Benefit Concert tickets to families affected by the Altadena fire while staying at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California Pasadena house. DIRECTV will also activate onsite with Dog Haus and the Inspire Brands Foundation before the benefit concert at Kia Forum to give attendees the opportunity to thank local first responders. "DIRECTV is proud to call Los Angeles home for the past 30 years and is honored to work with FireAid to make the benefit concert available to our consumers and businesses nationwide at no cost, and to support our customers, our employees, and communities in Southern California affected by the recent fires," said Bill Morrow, CEO at DIRECTV. Consumers and businesses are encouraged to donate to support relief efforts at FireAidLA.org. The Annenberg Foundation, with decades of philanthropic leadership in Southern California, will help coordinate a team to distribute contributions to FireAid to make the most significant impact. Visit DIRECTV Insider to learn how DIRECTV is supporting local customers affected by the wildfires. FireAid Benefit Concert Lineup On Jan. 30, catch the following two distinct lineups live at two Los Angeles venues, with acts that currently include: Intuit Dome Billie Eilish, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gracie Abrams, Jelly Roll, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Sting and Tate McRae. Kia Forum Alanis Morissette, Anderson .Paak, Dave Matthews and John Mayer, Dawes, Graham Nash, Green Day, John Fogerty, Joni Mitchell, No Doubt, P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stephen Stills, Stevie Nicks and The Black Crowes. About DIRECTV As a leader in sports and entertainment for 30 years, DIRECTV provides some of the television distribution industry's best content aggregation, service, and user satisfaction, with or without a satellite. In 2023, DIRECTV elevated the customer experience by delivering Gemini, which can integrate customers' content from their DIRECTV service and third-party platform subscriptions into a single one-stop, digital experience without switching TV inputs. As consumer behaviors change, DIRECTV is evolving its product with a sharp focus on delivering value to customers through genre-based programming packages, including sports and lifestyle content. SOURCE DIRECTV ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 28. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for the establishment of a comprehensive ecosystem to better support and protect investors in Kazakhstan, Trend reports. At an extended government meeting, Tokayev discussed the decline in direct foreign investments, revealing that the volume of foreign direct investments in Kazakhstan during the first nine months of the past year reached $12.7 billion, marking a 36 percent decrease compared to the same period in the previous year. Declining foreign direct investment flows have been observed in several regions, including Aktobe, Almaty, Atyrau, East Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Pavlodar, and North Kazakhstan regions, as well as in the city of Almaty. The decrease in private investments is being compensated by budgetary funds. Given the budget deficit, it is crucial to introduce additional incentives for responsible investors offering high-quality investments. Such policies align with my strategy aimed at liberalizing the economy," he added. Tokayev underscored the need for the government to create a cohesive ecosystem that would strengthen the search, support, and protection of investors at all levelsinternationally, regionally, and centrally. "This policy applies to both foreign and domestic investors. Investors who receive government support must be held accountable through reasonable commitments such as preserving jobs, modernizing production, and adhering to environmental standards," the president added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Tickets Now on Sale MIAMI, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Well known as the "hub of Miami Music Week (MMW)," DJ Mag has announced its electrifying return to MMW with its slate of epic 2025 poolside parties. Running from March 26 to 30 and returning to the Sagamore Hotel South Beach, the DJ Mag Pool Party series has been unrivalled in its curation of world-class events at the Shelborne and Sagamore for nearly two decades. For 2025, longtime promoter and Miami nightlife staple Jonathan Cowan has once again curated some of the week's most anticipated performances from electronic music's biggest names and brands. DJ Mag Returns to Sagamore Hotel South With 5 Exclusive Miami Music Week 2025 Events The week kicks off with DJ Mag Presents on Wednesday, March 26, setting the stage for a series of high-energy events to dance under the Miami sun. Kick things off with The Martinez Brothers and many more still to be announced. On Thursday, March 27, Defected takes over, bringing their signature house sound and unparalleled vibe to the Sagamore with Armand van Helden, Dennis Ferrer vs TSHA, Sam Divine and more. Friday's Knee Deep in Miami takeover, headlined by Hot Since 82, promises a night of deep house and techno from the global fan favorite. The man himself will also go b2b with Prunk, and additional support will come from Mai Iachetti and Lisbona Sisters. Moving into the weekend, Saturday's 50th-anniversary celebration of Danny Tenaglia will see the iconic DJ and his special guests take over the decks for a journey through dance music history. To cap it all off, Sunday, March 30, welcomes the return of Glitterbox, the celebrated party brand known for its feel-good atmosphere and a stellar lineup of disco and house selectors like DJ Jazzy Jeff and Moodymann The full line-up for the series will be announced in the coming weeks. Get your tickets while you still can here , and email [email protected] for information about VIP reservations. DJ Mag's last pool party series, which took place in March 2024, featured sets from ANOTR, Joseph Capriati, Louie Vega, Hot Since 82, Danny Tenaglia, Damian Lazarus and more across the week of sold-out events. Sagamore Hotel South Beach - An All Suite Hotel 1671 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139 All events 21+ Event Lineup Wednesday, March 26 - DJ Mag Presents w. The Martinez Brothers and more tba Thursday, March 27 - Defected w. Armand van Helden, Dennis Ferrer vs TSHA, Sam Divine and more tba Friday, March 28 - Knee Deep in Miami w/ Hot Since 82, Hot Since 82 vs Prunk, Mai Iachetti, Lisbona Sisters Saturday, March 29 - Danny Tenaglia + Guests - Celebrating 50 Years of DT Behind The Decks Sunday, March 30 - Glitterbox w. DJ Jazzy Jeff, Moodymann For Press Inquiries: Electric Dreams Marketing Email: [email protected] Phone: 201-628-5092 http://electricdreamsmarketing.com Follow DJ Mag At The Sagamore: Instagram: @sagamorepoolparty Facebook: DJ Mag At The Sagamore SOURCE DJ Mag at the Sagamore Largest and Fastest-Growing Dog Daycare Provider Reinforces Top Dog Position in Pet and Franchise Industry PHOENIX, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dogtopia , the nation's largest and fastest-growing pet wellness franchise, is commemorating a notable year of achievements in 2024. From surpassing 285 open daycare centers to earning accolades from prestigious media outlets and organizations such as The Franchise Times and Entrepreneur Magazine, Dogtopia further solidifies its position as the top dog and leader in the pet industry. Amid macroeconomic headwinds of 2024, the brand reported an impressive 5% same-store sales growth while opening more than 20 new daycares across the country in new and existing markets. Additionally, Dogtopia celebrated a 12% revenue increase systemwide and boasts nearly 600 daycares across 34 states currently operating or in various stages of development, more than all of its competitors combined. The year also saw Dogtopia's charitable arm, the Dogtopia Foundation, raise more than $4M since inception and sponsor more than 620 service dogs for veterans. In addition to new store openings and franchise agreements, Dogtopia rolled out new and innovative offerings to support both franchise owners, store teams and their dog parents including: Innovative Products & Services New technology stack the company has made a significant investment into its technology stack, powered by Salesforce, that offers franchisees a complete daycare management system for better operations, enhanced customer experience and POS/CRM capabilities. This custom and robust platform will be a game-changer for its franchisees, store teams and parents, lead management and return on marketing spend. the company has made a significant investment into its technology stack, powered by Salesforce, that offers franchisees a complete daycare management system for better operations, enhanced customer experience and POS/CRM capabilities. This custom and robust platform will be a game-changer for its franchisees, store teams and parents, lead management and return on marketing spend. New 3.0 store design to combat rising costs to build, the company launched a new efficient store design which features a smaller footprint and more playroom space. While utilizing smart planning and space-saving efficiencies, the new design requires only 4,500 square feet and delivered a 30% cost savings from Dogtopia's previous model, thereby accelerating ROI. to combat rising costs to build, the company launched a new efficient store design which features a smaller footprint and more playroom space. While utilizing smart planning and space-saving efficiencies, the new design requires only 4,500 square feet and delivered a 30% cost savings from Dogtopia's previous model, thereby accelerating ROI. Efficient Supply Chain this new department brought best-in-class products to daycare centers saving $3M or 1.5% EBITDA improvement for franchisees. this new department brought best-in-class products to daycare centers saving or 1.5% EBITDA improvement for franchisees. Virtual World debut In partnership with Obsess, Dogtopia unveiled its virtual store, allowing dog parents the opportunity to experience everything Dogtopia has to offer and learn what to expect when joining the Dogtopia family. The interactive tool provides a convenient way for dog parents to learn more about Dogtopia's daycare, boarding and spa offerings, shop top-of-the-line products, test their dog knowledge with fun trivia, and enter for a chance to win a free month of daycare. In partnership with Obsess, Dogtopia unveiled its virtual store, allowing dog parents the opportunity to experience everything Dogtopia has to offer and learn what to expect when joining the Dogtopia family. The interactive tool provides a convenient way for dog parents to learn more about Dogtopia's daycare, boarding and spa offerings, shop top-of-the-line products, test their dog knowledge with fun trivia, and enter for a chance to win a free month of daycare. DASH Activity Monitor After years of testing, Dogtopia's proprietary activity monitor for dogs called DASH has launched in select markets. Unlike other tech collars or devices on the market, DASH is different than an at-home monitor. It has been rigorously tested to withstand the activity and play among multiple dogs within Dogtopia's playrooms. Parents can view how far their dog traveled in minutes, steps and miles and learn how many calories they burned. Always leading innovation, Dogtopia is the first brand in the sector to bring this technology to market. After years of testing, Dogtopia's proprietary activity monitor for dogs called DASH has launched in select markets. Unlike other tech collars or devices on the market, DASH is different than an at-home monitor. It has been rigorously tested to withstand the activity and play among multiple dogs within Dogtopia's playrooms. Parents can view how far their dog traveled in minutes, steps and miles and learn how many calories they burned. Always leading innovation, Dogtopia is the first brand in the sector to bring this technology to market. Spa and Wellness products Launched in early 2024, the wellness product line includes 12 products that were crafted with thoughtfulness for canine wellbeing and designed to cater to various aspects of dog health. Key Leadership Promotions: John Mansfield has been named Chief Operating Officer at Dogtopia, after joining the company in July 2023 as Vice President of Operations and Revenue. Prior to Dogtopia, he spent more than 15 years at Oakley, where he honed his expertise in multi-unit operations and brand growth. At El Pollo Loco, John spearheaded the launch of the company's first Digital Learning Management System, which supported over 400 franchise and company-owned locations. He also led retail operations for Porsche Design of America, overseeing company-owned stores, franchise locations, and strategic partnerships with dealership shop-in-shops. Most recently, at Chemical Guys, John led all commercial and revenue-generating functions, driving significant growth and elevating the brand from an independent position to #3 in US retail dollar market share. In his new role, John will oversee real estate, new store development, and sales operations, with a strong focus on driving AUV growth, optimizing single-unit economics, and enhancing franchisee success. Christine Eastburn was recently named Vice President of Operations at Dogtopia, where she oversees operational strategies and franchisee support, ensuring the company's continued growth and excellence in providing high-quality dog daycare services. She joined Dogtopia in September 2023 as Director of Franchise Business Partnership to drive operational efficiency, support franchisee success and enhance the overall customer experience. Before joining Dogtopia, Christine Eastburn spent more than three years at Chemical Guys, where she held roles as Vice President of Retail and Director of Retail Operations for Detail Garage. In these positions, she spearheaded retail strategies and operations, driving revenue growth, store development, operational excellence and an elevated customer experience. Christine has an extensive background in retail operations, having worked with major brands such as Oakley, Snap Inc., Ann Taylor and Victoria's Secret Beauty. Prestigious Accolades for Dogtopia in 2024: Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 Ranking: Dogtopia was recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in the world's first and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Ranking at No. 74 overall and No. 1 in the Pet Care Category for the sixth year in a row, marks a major accomplishment for the brand. Entrepreneur Magazine also ranked Dogtopia on their Fastest-Growing Franchises list and as a Top Global Franchise for 2024. Dogtopia was recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in the world's first and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Ranking at overall and in the Pet Care Category for the sixth year in a row, marks a major accomplishment for the brand. Entrepreneur Magazine also ranked Dogtopia on their Fastest-Growing Franchises list and as a Top Global Franchise for 2024. Franchise Times 'Fast & Serious' 2025 List : Dogtopia has been placed yet again on this incredible ranking at No. 28. The list spotlights 40 of the smartest-growing franchise brands over the past year. Dogtopia has been placed yet again on this incredible ranking at The list spotlights 40 of the smartest-growing franchise brands over the past year. Franchise Times' Top Brand to Buy: In March, Dogtopia was named a "Top 10 Brand to Buy" in the pet category by Franchise Times' Annual Zor Awards for the second time. In March, Dogtopia was named a "Top 10 Brand to Buy" in the pet category by Franchise Times' Annual Zor Awards for the second time. Newsweek: Dogtopia ranked #1 as their Reader's Choice Best Pet Boarding Service by their expert panelists and contributors and voted by readers as the best of the best. Dogtopia ranked #1 as their Reader's Choice Best Pet Boarding Service by their expert panelists and contributors and voted by readers as the best of the best. Global Franchise Awards: Named Dogtopia a Best Lifestyle Franchise for the second time as judged by a panel of franchise experts and international association leaders. "At Dogtopia, we're driven by a relentless commitment to redefining the dog daycare experience. We are focused on the long-term health and well-being of every single dog who steps foot through our doors, as well as being a partner with every parent we encounter," said, Neil Gill, CEO of Dogtopia. "Our continued growth stems from our unwavering dedication from all levels of our brand to enhancing all aspects of our business, for both the dog and parent. We're eager for the year ahead and look forward to what the future holds for Dogtopia." After a substantial investment in developing and rolling out its new proprietary technology, the company will be shifting focus back to basics: driving single-unit economics and growing average unit volume while opening up to 30 new locations in 2025. More than just daycare, boarding, and spa services, Dogtopia is the trusted dog wellness expert dedicated to enhancing the lives of dogs and their families. Dogtopia's services and products are rooted in science, validated by data, and delivered with love. With guidance from an environmental biologist, veterinarian, and credentialed dog trainer, Dogtopia continues to set the industry standard for dog wellness and daycare to help dogs live long, healthy, happy lives. For more information about Dogtopia or to find a location near you, visit www.dogtopia.com . About Dogtopia Founded in 2002, Dogtopia is an early pioneer and innovator in the dog daycare industry, offering an experience focused on wellness, quality of care, safety, and transparency in the market. The ultimate destination for improving the physical and mental wellbeing of dogs and pet parents, Dogtopia helps our furry friends live long, healthy, and happy lives with services that holistically address canine wellness. Pet parents have the assurance of leaving their beloved furry family members in the hands of trained professionals in an environment created with the safety of dogs in mind, including spacious playrooms assigned by size and play style, comfortable rubber flooring to reduce the impact on joints and paws, and webcams for pet parents to check in on their pups. For more information, visit www.dogtopia.com. Media Contact: Ali Molina, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected], (847) 945-1300 SOURCE Dogtopia NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- dxFeed, a leading market data solutions and index management provider for the global financial industry, proudly announces its sturdy growth trajectory, realizing a strong double-digit growth year-over-year increase. This remarkable progress underscores our resilience, commitment to innovation, and strategic partnerships shaping our future in the fintech industry. Financial Success: dxFeed again achieved substantial double-digit growth in 2024, driven by strategic launches, new partnerships, and market expansion dxFeed again achieved substantial double-digit growth by the end of 2024, driven by strategic launches, new partnerships, and market expansion. by the end of 2024, driven by strategic launches, new partnerships, and market expansion. The company's financial performance reflects its ability to adapt and capitalize on shifting market dynamics, with a robust product portfolio that supports current and future business needs. Strategic Partnerships and Market Positioning: dxFeed's partnerships are essential to its success, with recent collaborations with the primary key accounts, including international banks and corporations in the global financial industry, contributing to market growth. These partnerships enhance the company's position as an IaaS-based dxLink/ dxScript solutions provider, serving millions of online customers worldwide and offering client-facing data processing infrastructure complex, scalable services. solutions provider, serving millions of online customers worldwide and offering client-facing data processing infrastructure complex, scalable services. Key collaborations include our joint efforts with the major exchanges and brokerages to advance AI development and ESG initiatives, serving major Canadian banks among other clients. These initiatives further solidify our role in delivering data services that are aligned with industry standards. Our partnership with Tickblaze, a hybrid trading platform, facilitates seamless market access for traders, boosting global liquidity and improving trading environments. AI-Driven Solutions: Collaborations with seven newswires of quality news data and others have bolstered our AI-driven capabilities, with projects like Spotlight and SummerFox leading the way in providing valuable market insights through advanced AI technologies, delivering cutting-edge intelligence, empowering our clients with tools that integrate market data, news, and analytics to foster informed decisions. and leading the way in providing valuable market insights through advanced AI technologies, delivering cutting-edge intelligence, empowering our clients with tools that integrate market data, news, and analytics to foster informed decisions. Grenadier project has been added to the dxFeed AI portfolio. This novel tool delivers real-time inference of market anomalies, empowering traders, investors, and financial institutions to be informed about market shifts and highly atypical order-placing activities. has been added to the dxFeed AI portfolio. This novel tool delivers real-time inference of market anomalies, empowering traders, investors, and financial institutions to be informed about market shifts and highly atypical order-placing activities. Industry professionals have noticed dxFeed AI projects. Spotlight project has been nominated as Best Cloud-Based Front-Office Solution by HFM FI Operations and Services Awards 2024. SummerFox has been selected as a finalist in the same nomination for 2025. Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) dxFeed is expanding its IaaS offerings, which are set to onboard over 10 million users with 1-2 million simultaneous online customers in collaboration with several key customers worldwide. This move strengthens dxFeed's ability to provide flexible, scalable solutions to clients worldwide, supporting millions of users and ensuring adaptability in a rapidly changing environment. dxFeed's Market Data IaaS has received multiple prestigious accolades, including the Best Reference Data Managed Service at the prestigious Inside Market Data (IMD) Awards and Inside Reference Data (IRD) Awards 2024. The IaaS model's flexibility, including support for on-premise, multi-cloud, or hybrid solutions, offers cost-efficient, scalable deployment options. Historical Data Lake (HDL) and Analytics: Massive Scale and Efficiency : dxFeed's Historical Data Lake (HDL) manages over 10 petabytes of data and billions of records daily, enabling fast, high-performance access to vast datasets. This scale supports advanced analyses, backtesting, and real-time insights for financial institutions. : dxFeed's Historical Data Lake (HDL) manages over 10 petabytes of data and billions of records daily, enabling fast, high-performance access to vast datasets. This scale supports advanced analyses, backtesting, and real-time insights for financial institutions. Unified Data Access for Deeper Insights: HDL integrates various data typestick data, chart data, and fundamentalsinto a single, high-performance platform, allowing users to make mo re informed, data-driven decisions with powerful tools for anomaly detection, stress testing, and backtesting across long historical periods. Index Management: dxFeed launched the dxFeed FX Risk Factor Parity Index ( PARIS Index), designed to reflect the value of a currency basket equally exposed to three critical risk factors: carry, value, and momentum. PARIS offers an innovative approach to currency market analysis and investment strategy optimization. Index), designed to reflect the value of a currency basket equally exposed to three critical risk factors: carry, value, and momentum. offers an innovative approach to currency market analysis and investment strategy optimization. dxFeed continues its collaboration, growth, and support of Index Management services and index products with three SEC- and CFTC-regulated DCM exchanges. Uniquely positioned in 2025 to expand dxFeed's index solutions to become a recognized leader and trusted source for index innovation and development. Compliance: SOC 2 Type 2 and Compliance : dxFeed has made substantial progress in enhancing its operational framework: its Trust Center program has been strengthened, ensuring alignment with compliance goals and reinforcing proactive risk management. The company remains committed to SOC2 Type2 compliance. : dxFeed has made substantial progress in enhancing its operational framework: its Trust Center program has been strengthened, ensuring alignment with compliance goals and reinforcing proactive risk management. The company remains committed to SOC2 Type2 compliance. dxFeed will complete ISO 27001 certification, solidifying its regulatory alignment and operational credibility in 2025. Additionally, dxFeed has strengthened its exchange compliance function to ensure continuous alignment with evolving regulatory standards, bolstering market integrity and fostering trust among clients and partners. New Product Deployments and Innovative Market Search: New Widget Deployments : Partnerships with several key customers have led to successful new deployments, further expanding our product offerings and attracting new leads. : Partnerships with several key customers have led to successful new deployments, further expanding our product offerings and attracting new leads. Market Data Enhancements : The addition of the New York Stock Exchange's ARCA Book data feed and the dxFeed US Futures data on MyFundedFutures provides enhanced market data services for ETFs and futures trading, meeting the needs of retail traders. : The addition of the New York Stock Exchange's ARCA Book data feed and the dxFeed US Futures data on MyFundedFutures provides enhanced market data services for ETFs and futures trading, meeting the needs of retail traders. dxFeed's market search solution, which leverages over 700 data points, enhances data exploration and decision-making by offering customizable scanning and alerting capabilities. Awards, Recognitions and Events: Geographical Expansion: dxFeed continues to expand its global presence, solidifying its role as a leading provider of market data solutions. The company's London office, alongside representatives in North America , the Middle East , Asia-Pacific , and other global markets, plays a key role in furthering its outreach. office, alongside representatives in , the , , and other global markets, plays a key role in furthering its outreach. Notable advancements include the launch of a powerful 24/5 data feed for US Equities, offering round-the-clock trading capability with access to licensed and indicative license-free after-hours market data. A new partnership with Eugene Investment & Futures marks an expansion into South Korea , launching a market data IaaS solution tailored to local investors. Future Outlook: As we move into 2025, dxFeed remains focused on expanding its strategic initiatives, enhancing AI- and IaaS-driven solutions, including on-demand options (you pay for what you use), reinforcing its commitment to compliance and security. dxFeed plans continue investing in core product areas, strengthen its partnerships, and position itself as a one-stop shop for market data solutions that meet the evolving clients' needs. In closing, dxFeed's focus on innovation, client success, and operational excellence positions the company for sustained growth and success in the financial data services industry. The firm's team dedication to continuous improvement ensures that it remains at the forefront of market data technology, helping the clients navigate the complexities of the modern financial landscape. About dxFeed dxFeed is a leading market data services provider and calculation agent for the capital markets industry. According to the WatersTechnology 2024 IMD & IRD awards honors, it's the Best Reference Data Managed Service. The Sell-Side Technology Awards 2023 named the firm the Best Infrastructure Provider. dxFeed focuses primarily on delivering financial information and services to buy- and sell-side institutions in global markets, both traditional and crypto. That includes brokerages, prop traders, exchanges, individuals (traders, quants, and portfolio managers), and academia (educational institutions and researchers). Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Contact dxFeed: [email protected] Media Contact: Kate Zapekina +1 201 685-9280 [email protected] SOURCE dxFeed JACKSON, Miss., Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE: EGP) (the "Company" or "EastGroup") announced today the income tax treatment of its 2024 distributions as described below. Shareholders are encouraged to consult with their personal tax advisors as to their specific tax treatment of EastGroup distributions. Common Stock: Ticker Symbol EGP, CUSIP #277 276 101 Record Dates Payment Dates Total Distributions Per Share (1) Ordinary Dividends Capital Gain Distributions Unrecaptured Sec. 1250 Gain (2) Nondividend Distributions (3) Section 199A Dividends (4) 12/29/23 01/12/24 $0.27342 $0.27342 $0.00000 $0.00000 $0.00000 $0.27342 03/28/24 04/15/24 1.27000 1.27000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 1.27000 06/28/24 07/15/24 1.27000 1.27000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 1.27000 09/30/24 10/15/24 1.40000 1.40000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 1.40000 12/31/24 01/15/25 0.99686 0.99686 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.99686 TOTALS $5.21028 $5.21028 $0.00000 $0.00000 $0.00000 $5.21028 Form 1099-DIV box 1a 2a 2b 3 5 (1) Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Section 857(b)(9), cash distributions made on January 15, 2025, with a record date of December 31, 2024 are treated as received by shareholders on December 31, 2024 to the extent of 2024 undistributed earnings and profits. (2) Unrecaptured Sec. 1250 Gain (box 2b) is a subset of, and is included in, the Capital Gain Distributions amount reported in box 2a of Form 1099-DIV. (3) Return of Capital (4) Represents qualified REIT dividends that may be eligible for the 20% qualified business income deduction under Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that is available for non-corporate taxpayers and is included in "Ordinary Dividends." The Company did not incur any foreign taxes in 2024. Of the total distributions during 2024, none are considered qualifying dividends for purposes of the federal 15% income tax rate. EastGroup, a member of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 and Russell 2000 Indexes, is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Texas, Florida, California, Arizona and North Carolina. The Company's goal is to maximize shareholder value by being a leading provider in its markets of functional, flexible and quality business distribution space for location sensitive customers (primarily in the 20,000 to 100,000 square foot range). The Company's strategy for growth is based on ownership of premier distribution facilities generally clustered near major transportation features in supply-constrained submarkets. EastGroup's portfolio, including development projects and value-add acquisitions in lease-up and under construction, currently includes approximately 63.1 million square feet. EastGroup Properties, Inc. press releases are available at www.eastgroup.net. Contact: [email protected] 400 W. Parkway Place, Suite 100, Ridgeland, MS 39157 | TEL: 601-354-3555 | www.EastGroup.net SOURCE EastGroup Properties More than 100 Grants Awarded to Teachers in 40 Districts TUSTIN, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Education Foundation for California Schools, a non-profit organization created by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and the Orange County Department of Education, today announced that it awarded 119 grants to teachers throughout the state to help fund programs designed to encourage students to learn and excel in the core subjects of language arts, science and mathematics, foreign language, and social studies. The grants awarded in $1,000 and $5,000 funding levels total more than $330,000. A total of 119 Foundation grants were distributed to teachers in 11 counties throughout Northern and Southern California, including Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Yuba. "This year's grant recipients have once again demonstrated the incredible vision and dedication that educators bring to their schools. It's an honor to help California teachers turn their ideas into reality and create lasting impact for students," said Josh Smith, vice president, school and community relations at SchoolsFirst FCU. "By investing in their ideas, we're investing in the future of our students and our communities." Every year, the Education Foundation for California Schools awards grants to California teachers from kindergarten to community college. Grants can be used for materials or equipment to support the development of new programs in core subjects. Since the program was launched in 2003, 994 teachers have received grants totaling over $2.5 million, directly impacting a countless number of California students. Applications for grants are accepted each year during the month of October, and teachers are encouraged to apply on the Foundation's website. SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union is the largest credit union serving school employees and their families. For more information, visit schoolsfirstfcu.org. About the Education Foundation for California Schools: The Education Foundation for California Schools is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization founded in 2003 by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and the Orange County Department of Education to provide financial assistance to teachers in California public and private schools through grants. The grants help fund educational programs that impact students throughout the state. Every year, grants are awarded to California teachers from kindergarten to community college and can be used for materials or equipment to support the development of new educational programs in core subjects. Since 2003, more than 900 teachers have received grants totaling more than $2.5 million. Applications are submitted in October each year and are chosen based on various factors. For more information about the Education Foundation for California Schools, visit caeducationfoundation.org. Insured by NCUA. SOURCE SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Edison International (NYSE: EIX) resulting from allegations that Edison may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. So What: If you purchased Edison securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=33590 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. What is this about: On Sunday, January 12, 2025, the Los Angeles Times published an article entitled "Officials investigating whether Southern California Edison equipment ignited Hurst fire." This article stated that "[f]ire agencies are investigating whether downed Southern California Edison utility equipment played a role in igniting the Hurst fire near Sylmar, company officials said. [. . .] The company said, 'fire agencies are investigating whether SCE equipment was involved in the ignition of' the fire, and that the investigation was ongoing. Utilities are required to report whenever a government entity launches an investigation into whether their equipment caused a wildfire." On this news, Edison International stock fell 11.89% on January 13, 2025. 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. A joint venture between Mount Sinai Ambulatory Ventures and U.S. Anesthesia Partners will utilize EPS' customized offerings including revenue cycle management, quality reporting, provider scheduling, credentialing and more to support new anesthesia practice serving patients in greater New York City. DALLAS, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A joint venture between Mount Sinai Ambulatory Ventures, Inc. and U.S. Anesthesia Partners, Inc. (USAP) is using a new USAP service offeringElevated Practice Solutions, Inc. (EPS)--- to provide business support services for Greater New York Anesthesia Services, P.C. (GNYAS). GNYAS is a new anesthesia practice serving Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) and select Mount Sinai hospitals in conjunction with the Mount Sinai Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine. Under the arrangement, EPS will handle revenue cycle management (RCM), quality and charge capture, reporting, and operating room (OR) efficiency analysis, among other non-clinical functions. "Having the support of Mount Sinai and USAP provides us with access to the established tools, advanced capabilities, and extensive expertise of these two renowned health care institutions," said Dr. Jonathan Gal, Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and President of GNYAS. "The EPS team's extensive experience, demonstrated by their support of more than 2.5 million patient cases annually, allows us to streamline the operational aspects of our anesthesia services. This partnership ensures we can concentrate on delivering exceptional patient care while navigating the complexities of today's health care environment." "With an experienced business team who has a strong track record, we are proud to be able to support GNYAS in its mission to expand access to high-quality anesthesia care at hospitals and surgery centers in greater New York City," said David Ewing, EPS VP of Development. "Our goal with GNYAS, and all the practices and facilities we team with, is to handle the burdensome administrative processes so that clinicians can focus on caring for their patients." About Elevated Practice Solutions Elevated Practice Solutions, Inc. (EPS) provides administrative and business support to anesthesia practices and health systems, making a positive impact on anesthesia service lines and overall clinical operations. Leveraging the proven infrastructure, as well as best in class technological and administrative capabilities of U.S. Anesthesia Partners, EPS is the easy choice for practices and facilities looking to upgrade and enhance the anesthesia experience for patients, clinicians, and the hospital. For more information about EPS, visit http://elevatedpracticesolutions.com About Greater New York Anesthesia Services and the Mount Sinai and USAP Partnership GNYAS is a turn-key anesthesia group that, together with the expertise and proven processes of its partners, Mount Sinai Health System and U.S. Anesthesia Partners, will provide high-quality and efficient anesthesia care. The new services organization gives GNYAS's clinicians, hospitals and surgery centers access to two experienced partners that can create a sustainable, patient-focused anesthesia solution in the midst of changing healthcare dynamics. With a foundation of clinical talent and business support expertise, GNYAS gives peace of mind to patients, clinicians and facility administrators. To learn more, visit http://www.gnyas.com SOURCE U.S. Anesthesia Partners, Inc. PuroClean's PuroVet Program Continues to Provide Veterans with Entrepreneurial Resources TAMARAC, Fla., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PuroVet, PuroClean's veteran-focused franchise program, continues to gain significant support from the military community for its commitment to empowering veterans through business ownership. Designed to harness the resilience, leadership, and dedication ingrained in military service members, the PuroVet program equips veterans with the tools, support, and opportunities needed to build successful franchise businesses. Congressman Jack Bergman, U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General (Ret.) "As a retired Marine Corps General and now a U.S. Congressman, I've seen firsthand the resilience, leadership, and dedication veterans bring to every mission," said Congressman Jack Bergman, U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General (Ret.). "The PuroVet program embodies these qualities by providing veterans with the tools, support, and opportunities they need to succeed in business. This initiative is more than just awarding franchisesit's about empowering veterans to build lasting legacies and strengthen our communities. Together, this effort ensures that our nation's heroes continue to serve and lead, transforming their hard-earned skills into tangible success that benefits our communities for generations to come." The PuroVet program not only offers discounted franchise fees for veterans, but also assists them in navigating financing options, including SBA-backed loans and veteran-exclusive funding opportunities. With the disaster restoration industry valued at $210 billion and growing due to climate change and increasing property damage incidents, PuroVet offers a stable, recurring revenue stream for veteran entrepreneurs. Frank Torre, Vice Chairman of PuroClean and the driving force behind the PuroVet initiative, believes in providing veterans with more than just a business opportunity. Torre's personal connection to military service runs deephis father was a proud Marine veteran who served in World War II as part of the elite Carlson's Raiders unit. This family legacy of service fuels Torre's passion for supporting veterans as they transition into business ownership. "At PuroClean, we understand the value veterans bring to the table," said Torre. "PuroVet is about honoring their service by equipping them with a proven business model, industry-leading training, and unwavering support. We are committed to helping our veterans achieve lasting success in the disaster restoration industry." By blending military-honed leadership skills with PuroClean's established business framework, the PuroVet program is shaping a new generation of veteran entrepreneurs who continue to serve and lead in their communities. This initiative stands as a testament to the enduring impact veterans can make when given the right resources and support. Learn more about PuroVet and take the first step toward building your legacy by visiting PuroVet.com or calling us at 855-PUROVET today. About PuroClean PuroClean is a leading, world-class service brand for property water damage remediation, fire and smoke damage restoration, mold remediation, and biohazard clean-up services, working with both residential and commercial customers across the U.S. and Canada. Founded in 2001, PuroClean is a diverse, fast-growing network of nearly 500 North American franchise locations, each independently owned and operated. With a commitment to respond within two hours, the professionals at PuroClean are thoroughly screened, insured, and trained in utilizing the latest cutting-edge mitigation technology to complete the remediation task at hand. For more information about PuroClean, call 800-775-7876 or visit www.PuroClean.com. About PuroVet PuroClean's PuroVet program is a servant-based, system backed partnership formed to empower veteran franchise owners to step into their next career as an entrepreneur to create a legacy while providing a valuable community service. PuroClean's PuroVet program allows qualified veterans the freedom to do what they do best offer service to the community while providing leadership during challenging times all while backed by a proven system and a VetFran discount of 25% off the initial franchise fee. Veterans are supported by fellow veteran mentors and peers while given the resources to begin their career and find long-term success. For more information about the PuroVet program, call 855-787-6838 or visit PuroVet.com. SOURCE PuroClean "Tobacco use remains one of the most preventable drivers of healthcare costs and productivity losses," said Dr. Amanda Graham, Chief Health Officer at Truth Initiative. "Organizations cannot afford to overlook the impact of smoking on their bottom line. Helping people to quit smoking is not only good for promoting individual health but it's also an essential investment in any organization's financial wellbeing." Key Findings: EX Program participants incurred $950 less in healthcare costs annually than a control group of matched non-enrollees within the first year of program enrollment. less in healthcare costs annually than a control group of matched non-enrollees within the first year of program enrollment. When changes in productivity among EX Program enrollees were included in the analysis, it yielded an estimated $960 of additional savings per participant. of additional savings per participant. In total, B Braun Medical, Inc. saved an estimated $1,929 per enrolled participant, representing roughly $400,000 of overall savings in the first year of partnering with EX Program. "This ROI analysis involved a relatively large dataset that allowed us to examine both the baseline healthcare costs of eligible B. Braun Medical employees as well as their costs during the year after EX Program enrollment," said Dr. David Rein, Senior Fellow and Director of NORC's Public Health Analytics Program. "Having this real-world data as well as robust estimates of cost savings from changes in productivity provides a comprehensive view of how a tobacco cessation program can drive significant cost savings." Study Summary The study first analyzed de-identified healthcare claims data from over 6,000 employees of B. Braun Medical, Inc., an EX Program manufacturing client headquartered in Bethlehem, PA. Healthcare costs of eligible B. Braun Medical employees who enrolled in EX Program were compared to the costs of a control group of non-enrollees. The study used a rigorous propensity score matching method to create a control group that was matched to EX Program participants on demographic and employment characteristics and medical history. The analysis also included cost estimates associated with changes in productivity from published sources. Costs associated with absenteeism and presenteeism were included in the model, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to determine the robustness of each parameter. The full report can be found here. Developed with Mayo Clinic over 15 years ago, EX Program is the leading enterprise-level, digital health program for employers, health plans, and health systems to end tobacco and nicotine addiction. EX Program combines Mayo Clinic's proven treatment model with Truth Initiative's scientific leadership in digital solutions to deliver an engaging, multimodal experience to support tobacco users of all ages. At the center of a large federally funded research portfolio for nearly two decades, EX Program is proven effective for smoking cessation and includes the only solution to help young people quit vaping with published evidence of effectiveness from randomized clinical trials. Today, more than 12 million American adults have access to EX Program through strategic partnerships with leading health plans and employers across a range of industries. For more information on EX Program, please visit exprogram.com/enterprise. About Truth Initiative Truth Initiative is a national nonprofit public health organization committed to a future free from lifelong addiction, fostering healthier lives and a more resilient nation. Our mission is to prevent youth and young adult nicotine addiction and empower quitting for all. Through our evidence-based, market-leading cessation EX Program and national public education and prevention campaigns, we are leading the fight against youth and young adult tobacco use, which threatens to put a new generation at risk of lifetime nicotine addiction. Our rigorous scientific research and policy studies, community and youth engagement programs supporting populations at high risk of using tobacco, and innovation in tobacco dependence treatment continue to contribute to ending one of the most critical public health battles of our time. Based in Washington, D.C., our organization was established and funded through the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement between attorneys general from 46 states, five U.S. territories, and the tobacco industry. To learn more, visit truthinitiative.org. About EX Program EX Program is a proven-effective tobacco cessation program, developed by Truth Initiative with Mayo Clinic, that brings together the best evidence-based quitting approaches, interactive digital quitting programs, and the most established online quit community. EX Program has helped millions of youth and adults develop the skills and confidence to successfully quit. Truth Initiative research has shown that EX Program text messages can increase a user's odds of quitting by up to 40%. To learn more, visit exprogram.com. About EX Program Enterprise Developed by Truth Initiative with Mayo Clinic, EX Program Enterprise is the best strategic partner for employers, health plans, and public health organizations to end smoking, vaping, and nicotine use. Sponsored users receive multimodal quitting support, available in both English and Spanish. Clients get real-time dashboards to track performance, year-round promotions, and expert Client Success guidance. To learn more about available options visit exprogram.com/enterprise. SOURCE Truth Initiative Advises Portfolio Company Industrious On Its Sale To Fifth Wall LP CBRE NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fifth Wall a $3B asset manager investing at the intersection of real estate and technologyannounced the launch of Fifth Wall Securities , a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) registered broker-dealer. Fifth Wall Securities will focus on delivering high-quality Advisory services to its clients from Mergers & Acquisitions to Capital Raising, such as Private Placements, PropCo Financing and Capital Markets Advisory. Most recently, Fifth Wall Securities served as an advisor to Industrious , a Fifth Wall portfolio company and a leading provider of flexible workplace solutions, in its definitive agreement to be acquired by CBRE announced on January 14th, 2025. "The launch of Fifth Wall Securities marks a defining moment in our continued evolution, further solidifying our leadership at the nexus of real estate and technology," said Brendan Wallace , CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Fifth Wall. "From day one, Fifth Wall has been more than just a monoline VC fund and our growing advisory business has allowed us to attract, retain, and reward exceptional investment talent. Our model is predicated on trusted relationships with our LPs and portfolio companies, and this new capability strengthens our ability to drive even greater value to our stakeholders in ways that we previously could not." Fifth Wall has a long history of accelerating the growth of its 150+ portfolio companies through highly strategic engagements with its 110+ strategic LPs. Since the Firm's inception in 2016, it has helped to raise $670M+ of strategic capital across its portfolio and formed 36 SPVs for its portfolio companies. Fifth Wall has worked across its portfolio and LPs to help form strategic partnerships, such as the Opendoor-Lennar partnership, CBRE-VTS investment, and Lessen-SMS Assist merger. Fifth Wall has been involved in advising successful businesses with its LPs like Pathway Homes with Invitation Homes. Fifth Wall affiliates have successfully sponsored and executed two SPACs, Fifth Wall portfolio company SmartRent's merger with Fifth Wall Acquisition Corp. I and Mobile Infrastructure Corporation's merger with Fifth Wall Acquisition Corp. III. In addition to his role as Co-President of Fifth Wall, Jeremy Fox will serve as CEO of Fifth Wall Securities. The career investment banker and established advisor to the global real estate industry joined Fifth Wall's leadership in 2021 from Credit Suisse, where he served as Co-Head of North American Real Estate, Gaming, and Lodging Investment Banking. Fox previously spent two decades with Deutsche Bank, recently serving as Head of U.S. Equity Capital Markets. Fifth Wall also welcomed seasoned investment banker Ofer Harduf as a Partner in 2021. He joined the Firm after nearly 10 years at J.P. Morgan, where he was an Executive Director and Co-Head of PropTech in the Real Estate, Gaming, and Lodging Investment Banking group. "Over the course of the past four years, we have built a team of senior leaders with significant experience executing advisory and capital markets transactions," stated Fox. "We believe that our unique vantage point, combined with our decades of experience uniquely positions us to deliver strategic, high-impact solutions that can drive real value for our clients." Fifth Wall will also tap into the expertise and extensive industry relationships of its Senior Advisors, Mary Hogan Preusse and Devin Murphy . Hogan Preusse, with over 30 years of real estate experience, serves as Chairman of the Board of Digital Realty and on the boards of three other public companies, Kimco Realty Corporation, Host Hotels and Resorts, and Realty Income. Prior to her current work as a board director and advisor, she served as Managing Director and Head of Americas Listed Real Estate at APG Asset Management US (APG). Murphy, who just last week was appointed to the board of Macerichone of Fifth Wall's largest LPsbrings nearly 40 years of experience as a real estate banker and REIT executive. His distinguished career includes leadership roles at Phillips Edison & Company (PECO), Morgan Stanley, and Deutsche Bank. He also currently sits on the boards of CoreCivic and PECO. "Fifth Wall has been an invaluable partner to us since their initial investment in Industrious in 2018," said Jamie Hodari , Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Industrious. "They have consistently gone above and beyond, using their resources, expertise, and strategic network to create opportunities and unlock growth at each stage of our journey. Their guidance has been key in getting us an outstanding acquisition completed with the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, CBRE." About Fifth Wall Founded in 2016, Fifth Wall is a fully-integrated investment firm and merchant bank at the intersection of real estate and technology. Fifth Wall's clients include 110+ strategic Limited Partners from 20+ countries, including BNP Paribas Real Estate, British Land, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, Hilton, Hines, Host Hotels & Resorts, Kimco, Lennar, Marriott, MetLife Investment Management, MGM, Related, Toll Brothers, Starwood, and others. This consortium represents one of the largest groups of potential partners in the global built world ecosystem, to improve efficiencies and maximize returns. Founded in Los Angeles and headquartered in New York City, Fifth Wall's other offices include San Francisco, London, as well as Singapore. As a registered broker-dealer, Fifth Wall Securities www.fifthwallsecurities.com is a member of FINRA/SIPC. For more information about Fifth Wall please visit www.fifthwall.com . SOURCE Fifth Wall ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 28. The development of the Trans-Kazakhstan railway corridor, which will become a key link in the Trans-Caspian routethe Middle Corridormust be accelerated, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at an extended government meeting today, Trend reports. "Regarding another extremely important areatransport and logistics infrastructuretransit is our huge advantage in international competition for freight transportation. This advantage should be fully and effectively utilized. It is necessary to accelerate the development of the Trans-Kazakhstan railway corridor, which will become a key link in the Trans-Caspian route. Some important projects in this direction are being implemented, but further work is required with a long-term perspective," he explained. President Tokayev instructed the government to begin construction of the new railway branch "Moyynty-Kyzylzhar" and to modernize the heavily loaded sections of the highway from the Kyzylzhar station to the port of Aktau. "It's also necessary to expand the "Altynkol-Zhetygen" section, which will significantly enhance the potential of the transport corridor between China and Central Asia. At the same time, it's important to complete the digitalization projects for railway transportation in a timely manner. We should focus on the development of multimodal transport hubs, which allow for the integration of all types of transport. The current and next years should be breakthrough years in working in this direction," the head of state added. To note, the Middle Corridor connects the networks of container rail freight transportation of China and the European Union through the countries of Central Asia, the Caucasus, Turkiye, and Eastern Europe. It facilitates increased cargo traffic from China to Turkiye, as well as to Europe and vice versa. Multilateral, multimodal transportation infrastructure connects the Caspian and Black Sea ferry terminals with the railway systems of China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye, Ukraine, and Poland. The route train running along this corridor delivers cargo from China to Europe in an estimated 2025 days on average, and that is one of the main advantages of this transport corridor. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel MIAMI, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida International University today is unveiling the architectural renderings of the Benjamin Leon Jr. Building, which will house CasaCuba, an academic and cultural center to preserve and celebrate Cuban and Cuban American heritage. The project also marked a significant point in the journey toward breaking ground with $30 million raised toward the $40 million goal. CasaCuba will make its home in a 43,000-square-foot facility. The Benjamin Leon Jr. Building will be a beacon for Cuban culture, featuring galleries and exhibition spaces, classrooms, and state-of-the-art event venues for its dynamic cultural programming. Designed by architectural firm HKS, the complex will be built by Thornton Construction and promises to be a hub for research, education, and connection, bringing together scholars, students, visitors, and the broader South Florida community. "CasaCuba will serve as a multidisciplinary hub showcasing FIU's unmatched expertise and commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of Cuban and Cuban American heritage," said FIU Provost, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth M. Bejar. "As Miami's only public research university, FIU is uniquely positioned to host CasaCuba," said FIU President Kenneth A. Jessell. "Located in the heart of this global city with deep Cuban roots and closely connected to its cultural fabric, FIU brings to the project the intellectual capital of its faculty and its status as a Carnegie-designated R1 public research institution and one of the nation's Top 50 public universities." FIU houses the most comprehensive collection of Cuban music outside the island, the Diaz-Ayala Cuban and Latin American Popular Music Collection , and the unparalleled Henrique Hurtado de Mendoza Collection of Cuban Genealogy . FIU also is home to the Darlene M. And Jorge M. Perez Art Collection . The Benjamin Leon Jr. Building will be prominently located near one of the entrances to the Modesto A. Maidique Campus in west Miami-Dade and will leverage the latest technology, bringing the Cuban American experience to life. "After years of planning and hard work, it's incredibly exciting to see CasaCuba getting closer to reality," said CasaCuba Executive Director Lydia Betancourt Space. "This beautiful new building will uphold the Cuban American experience and have its place among Miami's rich cultural landmarks, alongside the Perez Art Museum, the Adrienne Arsht Center, and FIU's three museums. Thanks to the vision of so many, including Agustin Arellano Sr., who has been part of the project since the very beginning, CasaCuba will provide the context and space to elevate our community's past, present and future." The construction of CasaCuba will be fully supported by donations. In addition to a landmark $10 million gift from Benjamin Leon Jr. , the Knight Foundation has contributed more than $4 million to the project, including $2 million to support the design of the facility. Other key supporters, such as CasaCuba Board Chair Mario Murgado, and Jorge Mas have been instrumental in advancing the project. "CasaCuba represents the heart and soul of our community, a place where the rich heritage of the Cuban diaspora will be celebrated, studied, and preserved," Murgado said. "It is a privilege to be part of bringing this vision to life, made possible by the collective generosity and dedication of those committed to honoring and elevating Cuban culture. Together, we have the opportunity to ensure CasaCuba becomes a lasting legacy for generations to come." Renderings are available in this folder. Images and videos from an unveiling event taking place Tuesday evening will be uploaded to the folder as they become available. Media Contact: Jonathan Ruadez 305-878-8448 [email protected] SOURCE Florida International University IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Reputable Tax preparers play a critical role in helping individuals and businesses navigate the complex web of federal and California tax regulations, which include income, payroll, sales, and excise, among other tax filing obligations. However, an alarmingly large percentage of tax preparers do not adhere to ethical standards and fail to operate within the boundaries of IRS regulations. These wayward preparers, blinded by greed, frequently take self-serving and clandestine actions that can expose taxpayers to long-term liability for fraudulent tax filings. These unscrupulous professionals commonly claim personal expenses as business deductions, intentionally omit taxable income, fraudulently inflate credits, or even fabricate receipts and forge bank statements to conceal fraud when clients inevitably come under a federal or California tax audits. Why you should use an Attorney to represent you in an audit Believe it or not, Preparers that are willing to blatantly break tax laws on behalf of their clients quite often will have a line around the block of client's acquired mostly via word of mouth at tax time. Because taxpayers sign their tax returns under the penalties of perjury, attesting to their accuracy, they face significant civil and criminal tax penalties if their preparer's fraudulent actions result in evaded taxes especially where they were well aware of and participated in the intentional noncompliance. At best, taxpayers are liable for the unpaid tax, civil tax penalties of up to 75% of the additional tax assessed in an audit, and interest. At worst, they could face exponentially worse IRS-CID criminal tax investigation and prosecution, particularly if found to have knowingly & willfully participated in the fraud. Problems created by rogue tax preparers can take years to resolve and cause immense financial and emotional stress. If a tax preparer offers a tax savings strategy that seems too good to be true, blatantly understates income, over states expense or claims credits you are not entitled to, taxpayers should at best walk away and not file the returns at issue to at worst, exercise extreme caution and seek a second opinion before event contemplating blindly proceeding. Safeguarding your financial and legal well-being begins with vigilance in selecting a trustworthy and qualified tax professional. Characteristics of a Fraudulent Tax Professional Fraudulent tax professionals often employ unethical or illegal tactics that can lead to severe consequences for their clients. The following behaviors are red flags that a tax preparer may be acting fraudulently: Manipulating Tax Return Information Fraudulent tax preparers may alter tax returns to maximize refunds or minimize liabilities improperly. This includes: Using Incorrect Filing Status : Deliberately filing under an incorrect status to inflate a refund; : Deliberately filing under an incorrect status to inflate a refund; Falsely Claiming Deductions or Credits : Fabricating expenses, dependents, or exemptions to reduce tax liability; : Fabricating expenses, dependents, or exemptions to reduce tax liability; Creating or Omitting Income: Manipulating income figures to achieve a specific tax outcome; Misdirecting Refunds Some unethical tax preparers may redirect a client's refund to their own account before transferring it to the client. This practice violates IRS regulations and can lead to financial losses and legal complications for the taxpayer. Refusal to Provide Copies or Sign Returns Legitimate tax professionals must provide clients with copies of their tax returns and sign them with their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Refusal to do so, or the use of another person's PTIN, is a clear indication of misconduct. Overcharging or Holding Records Hostage Fraudulent preparers may charge excessive fees or withhold a client's records until payment is made. In some cases, they may even use free or off-the-shelf tax software, which is intended for individual taxpayers, to prepare tax returns while charging professional rates. False Representation of Credentials Some fraudulent preparers falsely claim to be licensed attorneys, certified public accountants (CPAs), or enrolled agents. This misrepresentation is a serious violation and can mislead clients into trusting unqualified individuals. See examples of tax preparer fraud on our blog here. Risks to Taxpayers from Fraudulent Tax Professionals When working with a fraudulent tax preparer, taxpayers face significant risks, including: Civil and Criminal Tax Penalties Even if a taxpayer is unaware of a preparer's misconduct, they are ultimately responsible for the accuracy of their tax returns. This includes paying any additional taxes, interest, and penalties assessed during an audit. In extreme cases, the taxpayer may face life-altering criminal tax charges if the IRS determines they conspired with the preparer. Audits and Investigations Improper filings often trigger IRS audits. Fraud indicators, such as substantial discrepancies in income or inflated deductions, can lead to more in-depth investigations and potential referrals to the clandestine IRS Criminal Investigation Division (CID). Financial and Emotional Stress The repercussions of fraudulent tax filings can be devastating and long-lasting, often taking years to resolve. Taxpayers may face significant civil and criminal tax penalties, including substantial fines, restitution of evaded taxes, and, in severe cases, prosecution and incarceration. Beyond the financial consequences, the emotional toll of navigating IRS criminal tax investigations and enduring the stress of court proceedings can be overwhelming and life-altering. Steps to Protect Yourself from Fraudulent Tax Preparers To minimize the risk of falling victim to fraudulent tax professionals, taxpayers should take the following precautions: Verify Credentials and PTIN Always ensure your tax preparer has a valid PTIN, which the IRS requires for all paid preparers. Additionally, verify their qualifications as a CPA, attorney, or enrolled agent. Demand Transparency A trustworthy tax preparer will provide clear explanations of their calculations and tax strategies. They will also answer your questions openly and supply a copy of your tax return for your records. Be Wary of Unrealistic Promises Beware of preparers who guarantee large refunds without thoroughly reviewing your financial information. Such promises are often based on fraudulent practices that can backfire during an audit or criminal tax investigation. Report Suspicious Activity If you suspect a preparer is engaging in fraudulent behavior, report them to the IRS using Form 14157 and, if applicable, Form 14157-A. This helps maintain the integrity of the tax preparation industry and protects other taxpayers. A Tax Attorney Ensures Confidentiality During Tax Audits and Criminal Tax Proceedings Involving Fraudulent Tax Professionals Working with a dual-licensed tax attorney and CPA offers significant legal advantages, particularly in cases involving high-risk tax audits or criminal tax enforcement actions arising from fraudulent tax professionals. While both tax attorneys and accountants can provide certain privileges to their clients, the attorney-client privilege offers far tremendously greater protection than the accountant-client privilege which does not apply at all in criminal tax scenarios. The attorney-client privilege is a robust legal safeguard recognized in all 50 states and by federal courts. This privilege ensures that communications between you and your attorney remain confidential and are protected from disclosure during future legal proceedings. By contrast, the accountant-client privilege is far more limited. Although a narrow federal privilege exists, most states do not extend similar protections to communications with accountants. Furthermore, the "federally authorized tax practitioner" (FTAP) privilege, which may apply to accountants and other non-attorney tax professionals, is not as comprehensive. Notably, it does not cover criminal tax proceedings, including allegations of tax evasion. Additionally, rulings from the Eighth and Ninth Circuit Courts have established that communications related to tax return preparation are generally not privileged. If you are at risk of facing further tax proceedingswhether it be a tax audit or a criminal tax enforcement actionchoosing a dual-licensed tax attorney and CPA offers distinct advantages. By working with us at the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, you can safeguard your communications under the attorney-client privilege, ensuring that disclosures made in confidence cannot be used against you in legal proceedings. For residents of California, which falls within the jurisdiction of the Ninth Circuit, this protection is particularly critical. If you suspect that a fraudulent tax professional has exposed you to legal risks, it is imperative to act promptly. Contact the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing today to mitigate your risks and secure your legal and financial future. Avoiding Criminal Tax Investigation and Prosecution Where You Have a History of Committing Tax Fraud and are not Currently Under Audit or Criminal Tax Investigation. If you have failed to file a tax return for one or more years or have taken a position on a tax return that could not be supported upon an IRS or state tax authority audit, eggshell audit, reverse eggshell audit, or criminal tax investigation, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced tax defense attorney to determine your best route back into federal or state tax compliance without facing criminal prosecution. Note: As long as a taxpayer that has willfully committed tax crimes (potentially including non-filed foreign information returns coupled with affirmative evasion of U.S. income t ax on offshore income) self-reports the tax fraud (including a pattern of non-filed returns) through a domestic or offshore voluntary disclosure before the IRS has started an audit or criminal tax investigation / prosecution, the taxpayer can ordinarily be successfully brought back into tax compliance and receive a nearly guaranteed pass on criminal tax prosecution and simultaneously often receive a break on the civil penalties that would otherwise apply. It is imperative that you hire an experienced and reputable criminal tax defense attorney to take you through the voluntary disclosure process. Only an Attorney has the Attorney Client Privilege and Work Product Privileges that will prevent the very professional that you hire from being potentially being forced to become a witness against you, especially where they prepared the returns that need to be amended, in a subsequent criminal tax audit, investigation or prosecution. Moreover, only an Attorney can enter you into a voluntary disclosure without engaging in the unauthorized practice of law (a crime in itself). Only an Attorney trained in Criminal Tax Defense fully understands the risks and rewards involved in voluntary disclosures and how to protect you if you do not qualify for a voluntary disclosure. As uniquely qualified and extensively experienced Criminal Tax Defense Tax Attorneys, Kovel CPAs and EAs, our firm provides a one stop shop to efficiently achieve the optimal and predictable results that simultaneously protect your liberty and your net worth. See our Testimonials to see what our clients have to say about us! Contact The Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing If You Suspect Fraud from Your Tax Professional Tax preparers and taxpayers accused of tax crimes face significant consequences, including potential imprisonment, hefty prosecution costs, fines of up to $250,000, and substantial restitution. For convicted preparers, restitution can mean repaying the full tax liability defrauded from the government. The skilled and experienced team at the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing is committed to working tirelessly to reduce the penalties and repercussions you may face for any alleged tax violations or misconduct. Fraudulent tax professionals not only undermine the trust taxpayers place in them but also expose their clients to severe financial and legal repercussions. The fallout from unethical practices can escalate rapidly, placing unsuspecting taxpayers at risk of civil penalties, significant economic losses, and even criminal charges. At the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, we understand the gravity of these situations and provide unparalleled expertise to address issues caused by fraudulent preparers and other tax-related controversies. Our Role in Protecting You When faced with tax issues stemming from fraudulent tax preparers or suspected impropriety, we take a two-pronged approach: Preventing Escalation to Criminal Charges: If your matter is still in the realm of a civil tax controversy, our primary objective is to ensure it does not cross over into a criminal tax investigation /prosecution. Criminal tax cases carry severe consequences, including incarceration, restitution, and irreparable damage to your personal and professional life. If your matter is still in the realm of a civil tax controversy, our primary objective is to ensure it does not cross over into a criminal tax investigation /prosecution. Criminal tax cases carry severe consequences, including incarceration, restitution, and irreparable damage to your personal and professional life. Mitigating Financial Damage: For clients already facing civil or criminal allegations, we work tirelessly to reduce financial repercussions, including fines, penalties, and interest. Our focus is on lowering liability while safeguarding your net worth and personal freedoms. Why Experience Matters Tax law is notoriously complex, and navigating the intersection of civil and criminal tax issues requires a unique combination of training, skills and expertise. Few attorneys possess the depth of knowledge necessary to handle these matters effectively. The Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing stands apart for its specialized focus and dual-licensed attorneys who bring both legal and CPA expertise to the table. With a stellar "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau and a flawless 10.0 from AVVO, Mr. Klasing's dedication to premier Civil and Criminal Tax Defense Representation is unwavering. Our firm isn't just another legal service provider. Instead, it is a beacon of tax defense proficiency, boasting an impressive history of successes, steered by one of the country's most exceptionally trained tax professionals. In a nation where over a million attorneys and more than half a million CPAs operate, only around 24,000 professionals hold both licenses. And even amongst them, merely about 3,000 have the added distinction of having earned a Master's in Taxation. David W. Klasing belongs to this elite subset, employing his unmatched education and experience to fiercely advocate for our clients in their civil and criminal tax defense challenges. Our long track record speaks for itself. To date, we have never had an audit client criminally prosecuted for tax crimes, even in high-risk scenarios like eggshell and reverse eggshell audits. Strategic and Compassionate Representation At the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, we believe that effective representation goes beyond legal strategyit's about understanding and addressing the unique circumstances and goals of each client. Whether your case involves issues stemming from fraudulent tax preparers, civil fraud allegations, or criminal tax investigations, we develop customized approaches designed to achieve the best possible outcomes. We handle all aspects of your case under one roof, providing continuity and consistency that enhances the efficacy of our representation. Your well-being, financial future, and personal freedoms are at the core of everything we do. If you are facing IRS scrutiny or suspect your tax preparer has acted improperly, set up a reduced rate initial consultation by calling us today at (888) 310-3543 or schedule online here. Protect your financial future by relying on professionals who prioritize your compliance and peace of mind. See our Audit Representation Q and A Library See our Criminal Tax Law Q and A Library Public Contact: Dave Klasing Esq. M.S.-Tax CPA, [email protected] SOURCE Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, PC Garnier Furthers a Greener Future by Supporting the National Park Foundation's Conservation and Restoration Efforts NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Garnier demonstrates its commitments to environmental stewardship by partnering with the National Park Foundation (NPF) to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of our nation's parks for future generations. Through this partnership, Garnier will support Service Corps crews, helping the National Park Foundation fund 200,000 service hours dedicated to essential conservation and restoration projects in national parks, while furthering their commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Garnier supports the National Park Foundation "Garnier's support for the National Park Foundation stems from a shared passion for preserving and protecting natural beauty," said Ali Fakih, Senior Vice President of Garnier U.S. "Garnier is now proud to support Service Corps, whose vital work in protecting America's national parks echoes Garnier's deep-rooted dedication to sustainability. Together, we're ensuring these treasured landscapes can be enjoyed by everyone, forever." Through these efforts, Service Corps crews will contribute to the health and vitality of national parks by working on mission-critical preservation projects across the U.S. including: Building and restoring trails Preserving historic structures Removing invasive species Restoring habitats, coasts, and streams Repairing and installing park infrastructure Planting trees and other native plants Landscaping and xeriscaping Disaster preparedness and response Expanding visitor accessibility "The National Park Foundation is proud to partner with Garnier to help keep our national parks greener for everyone" said Chad Jones, Senior Vice President of the National Park Foundation. "Through the work of Service Corps across the country, Garnier and NPF will support young leaders dedicated to protecting and preserving national parks, while providing them with vocational skills as emerging leaders in outdoor careers." Garnier's support of the National Park Foundation represents a shared vision of fostering a more sustainable future where everyone can experience the joy and beauty of national parks. This partnership is a demonstration of our commitment to advancing environmental stewardship. The U.S. National Park System includes 430+ sites spanning over 85 million acres across all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. Parks host more than 300 million recreation visitors annually, contributing over $42 billion to the U.S. economy and supporting 378,000 jobs (2022 data). National parks are home to over 600 threatened and endangered species, with ongoing projects to protect animals. The Service Corps crews contribute more than 200,000 hours of service annually, equivalent to over $26 million in deferred maintenance reduced by undertaking projects to protect and preserve the parks. For more information about Garnier's sustainability initiatives and the National Park Foundation partnership, please visit [https://www.garnierusa.com/about-garnier/national-park-foundation-partnership]. About Garnier USA Garnier, a L'Oreal USA brand, was developed in 1904 in France by hair care expert Alfred Amour Garnier and is now present in more than 65 countries worldwide. Following the launch of Garnier in the United States in 1999 with Nutrisse hair color, the brand has continued to develop cutting-edge beauty products. The entire collection of Garnier brands available in the U.S. includes Nutrisse hair color, Fructis hair care, and Fructis Style, Olia hair color, SkinActive, and Whole Blends hair care. For more information visit www.garnierusa.com or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, and Snapchat @GarnierUSA. For press inquiries please contact Alison Brod Marketing Communications 212.230.1800 [email protected] SOURCE Garnier USA Successor to original Pay with GasBuddy card offers cardholders new money-saving opportunities at the pump and in convenience stores DALLAS, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GasBuddy, the leading fuel savings platform saving North American drivers the most money on gas and now celebrating its 25th anniversary, today announced the launch of its new Pay with GasBuddy+ card, a first-of-its-kind fuel card offering drivers up to 33 cents per gallon* off fuel purchases. The new card extends the reach of the Pay with GasBuddy program into the convenience store, providing additional savings nationwide, everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Pay with GasBuddy+ Card The Pay with GasBuddy+ card goes beyond traditional fuel discounts, offering drivers a powerful savings tool that can make a significant impact on annual expenses. With Americans spending an average of $2,000 to $4,000 on fuel annually, the card's potential savings of up to 33 cents per gallon could translate to hundreds of dollars in annual savings for drivers. Key Benefits of the Pay with GasBuddy+ Card Save up to 33/gal* with the new Pay with GasBuddy+ card 3/gal* on every fill-up and 5/gal at select stations Up to 30/gal* with an activated Deal Alert 3/gal* savings for every $25 spent on non-fuel purchases inside convenience stores Opportunity to save up to 50/gal* with an activated Deal Alert with Pay with GasBuddy+ Premium Guaranteed fuel savings nationwide, everywhere Mastercard is accepted "The Pay with GasBuddy+ card isn't just another fuel cardit's a strategic bridge connecting consumer convenience with unprecedented value for both GasBuddy users and brand partners," said Todd Gulbransen, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Programs at PDI Technologies. "By seamlessly integrating personalized offers, real-time spending insights, and exclusive partner benefits, we're transforming how people interact with their savings tools at the fuel and convenience locations they choose." Drivers in the US can learn more and sign up for the Pay with GasBuddy+ card for free at gasbuddy.com/pay. No credit check is required and the request for a card takes just a few minutes. The Pay with GasBuddy+ card is powered by Corpay (NYSE: CPAY), a global S&P 500 corporate payments company. Corpay's services include issuing fuel cards to customers and providing advanced technology to facilitate, monitor, and control transactions made at retailers. The Pay with GasBuddy+ card is issued by Fifth Third Bank, National Association, Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. *Outlined savings are only applicable to cardholders who have opted into Auto Pay for their Pay with GasBuddy+ card transactions. See cardholder agreement for additional reward details. About GasBuddy GasBuddy is the leading fuel savings platform providing North American drivers with the most ways to save money on gas. GasBuddy has delivered more than $3.5 billion in cumulative savings to its users through providing real-time gas price information at 150,000+ stations, offering cash back rewards on purchases with brand partners, and through the Pay with GasBuddy payments card that offers cents-off per gallon at virtually all gas stations across the US. As one of the most highly rated apps in the history of the App Store, GasBuddy has been downloaded over 100 million times. Acquired by PDI Technologies in 2021, GasBuddy's publishing and software businesses enable the world's leading fuel, convenience, QSR, and CPG companies to shorten the distance between the fueling public and their brands. For more information, visit www.gasbuddy.com. Media Contact Nicole Petersen Marketing & Communications [email protected] SOURCE GasBuddy HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HAI Group, the nation's leading property-casualty insurance organization dedicated to public and affordable housing providers, has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Connecticut for 2025 by the Hartford Business Journal. The annual list celebrates companies that foster exceptional work environments where employees can thrive. The Best Places to Work in Connecticut program, created by the Hartford Business Journal in collaboration with Workforce Research Group, recognizes organizations that go above and beyond to create innovative, inclusive, and supportive workplaces. Companies on the list are commended for their efforts to engage employees, promote work-life balance, and inspire growth and collaboration. "We are incredibly honored to be named one of the Best Places to Work in Connecticut," said Ed Malaspina, President and CEO of HAI Group. "This recognition reflects our commitment to creating an environment where our employees feel valued, empowered, and inspired every day. At HAI Group, we know that when our team thrives, so does our mission." Troy LePage, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of HAI Group, added: "At HAI Group, our culture is built on respect, trust, and a shared sense of purpose. We take immense pride in fostering a workplace where our employees can develop their skills, embrace new challenges, and feel supported both professionally and personally. Winning this award reaffirms that our people are at the heart of everything we do." Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Cheshire, Connecticut, HAI Group provides insurance and risk management solutions tailored specifically to meet the needs of public and affordable housing providers. The organization has built a reputation for innovation, customer focus, and its unwavering commitment to cultivating a positive workplace culture. HAI Group's efforts to create an exceptional workplace have earned it recognition as a Top Workplace by Hearst Connecticut Media Group for five consecutive years (20202024) and by USA Today Top Workplace in the Nation in 2022 and 2024. The company offers a range of employee-focused benefits, including wellness initiatives and professional development opportunities. HAI Group was also one of two companies nationwide to receive the Retirement Advisor Council's 2024 Financial Wellness Award, recognizing its commitment to fostering a culture of financial wellness for employees. The final rankings for the Best Places to Work in Connecticut will be announced at an awards dinner in March and will be published in a special section of the Hartford Business Journal's March 24 issue. For more information on the Best Places to Work in Connecticut program, visit www.hartfordbusiness.com. Press Contact: Andrew Ragali Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications, HAI Group [email protected] About HAI Group HAI Group is the nation's leading property-casualty insurance organization founded by and dedicated to public and affordable housing providers. For nearly 40 years, the Cheshire, Connecticut-based company has delivered tailor-made insurance and risk management solutions designed to protect assets, improve efficiency, empower employees, and advance housing strategies. All products and services are written or provided by subsidiaries or affiliates of Housing Authority Risk Retention Group Inc. Products or services may not be available in all jurisdictions. Certain property and casualty coverage may be provided by a risk retention group, a surplus lines insurer, or a third party. Risk retention groups and surplus lines insurers do not participate in state guaranty funds, and their insureds are not protected by such funds. For a complete list of HAI Group companies and to learn more about HAI Group, visit http://www.haigroup.com. SOURCE HAI Group Taking place in Riyadh on February 4 and 5, 2025, the Global Healthspan Summit (GHS) will identify new pathways and frameworks to develop and create impact around extending healthy years of life, known as "healthspan." on and 5, 2025, the Global Healthspan Summit (GHS) will identify new pathways and frameworks to develop and create impact around extending healthy years of life, known as "healthspan." Over 150 international speakers from the US, UK, Egypt , Germany , the Netherlands , Switzerland , Singapore , Spain , and Saudi Arabia will convene during more than 80 sessions and across six stages. , , , , , , and will convene during more than 80 sessions and across six stages. With an annual budget of up to $1 billion , Hevolution Foundation will showcase its investment landscape, highlighting funding and connection opportunities with investors focused on healthspan innovation. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 4-5, 2025, Hevolution Foundation will hold its second Global Healthspan Summit (GHS) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two-day event at the Four Seasons Hotel brings together international attendees, including world leaders, policymakers, researchers & scientists, and experts from the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, and private sectors, to explore innovative solutions in the rapidly advancing fields of geroscience and healthspan. The event will address one of humanity's greatest challenges: the rapidly growing aging population. Attendees will gain exclusive insights into pioneering research and emerging technologies that are shaping the future of healthspan science, presented by biotechnology founders, leaders, and researchers. There is a significant gap between global life expectancy and healthspanthe number of years lived in good health currently about 10 years (73.4 vs. 63.7 years, respectively). The global population aged 60 and older is expected to double by 2050, with individuals aged 65 and above projected to represent 1 in 6 people, up from 1 in 10 in 2021. "A key part of our commitment to bringing everyone to the table is the Global Healthspan Summit. As a convener of stakeholders across sectors, GHS the world's largest event of its kind provides a unique platform to kick off discussions among researchers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers," says Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO, Hevolution Foundation. "Under the theme 'Architecting the Future', this summit not only serves as a forum for sharing insights and showcasing advancements but also as a catalyst for future collaborations." GHS 2025 features a diverse pool of speakers who will foster out-of-the-box thinking among all attendees. Some of the areas these sessions will focus on include: The current healthspan investment landscape and perspectives on the latest market trends How philanthropy can be a catalyst for advancing equity and driving policy change to lead to a sustainable, systematic transformation of our global healthcare system Implementing healthspan-focused approaches within complex healthcare systems, addressing challenges such as interdisciplinary collaboration, data integration, and policy alignment. In 2023, Hevolution hosted the first edition of the Global Healthspan Summit, bringing together leading experts for discussions on aging, healthcare innovation, and the healthspan ecosystem. The event attracted over 2,000 delegates and 120 speakers from top organizations such as Eli Lilly, GSK, Harvard, Mayo Clinic, Milken Institute, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization. At the inaugural summit, Hevolution announced over $100 million in funding to accelerate healthspan research, including $40 million as the lead funder for the Hevolution XPRIZE healthspan partnership, $21 million for a multi-year partnership with the Buck Institute, $16 million for early-career researchers through the American Federation for Aging Research, and $5 million for postdoctoral fellowships. This demographic shift makes aging a critical global issue, which will be addressed by international stakeholders at GHS 2025. The Hevolution Foundation leads efforts to tackle these changes, using its unique model to increase the number of geroscientists, expand the number of companies in the healthspan field, and attract funding. Through collaborative partnerships, the foundation is driving the shift from lifespan to healthspan, working toward solutions to the global challenge of aging. About Hevolution Foundation Hevolution Foundation is a global catalyst, partner, and convener dedicated to extending healthy human lifespans and advancing our understanding of aging. By treating aging as a process that can be addressed, the Foundation works to increase the availability of aging-related treatments, accelerate drug development timelines, and improve access to therapeutics that enhance healthspan the number of years we live in good health. Headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with a North American hub and an annual budget of up to $1 billion, Hevolution is the world's largest philanthropic funder in healthspan and aging research. Over the past three years, the Foundation has committed $400 million to advancing research and innovation in this field. With plans to establish offices in additional locations worldwide, the Foundation is on a mission to propel and deliver breakthroughs that empower humanity to live healthier, longer lives. Summit Website: Home - GHS - Hevolution Website Social media links: X, LinkedIn SOURCE Hevolution Foundation NORTHBROOK, Ill., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilco Real Estate (HRE) is pleased to announce the expansion of its New York City office with the addition of four seasoned real estate professionals, enhancing the firm's established presence in the Northeast region. Jeff Hubbard and Katie DeCoste join as senior managing directors and Christian Koulichkov as managing director, all focusing on asset disposition services. Additionally, Todd Eyler joins as senior vice president specializing in lease advisory services. Todd Eyler, Senior Vice President; Jeff Hubbard, Senior Managing Director; Katie DeCoste, Senior Managing Director; Christian Koulichkov, Managing Director Each new team member brings over two decades of experience in special situation real estate advisory, sales and lease optimization/restructuring across various property types. Collectively, they have executed billions of dollars in transactions involving retail, office, multifamily, hospitality, industrial, development land, medical, educational and special use properties. Hubbard, DeCoste and Koulichkov bring distinguished careers in real estate advisory and asset sales with a focus on innovative solutions to maximize value across multiple asset classes, in both traditional and transitional/special disposition situations. Todd Eyler, senior vice president, specializes in lease optimization services, including M&A advisory and mitigation of real estate obligations. His extensive background in lease negotiations and portfolio management has enabled clients to achieve significant cost savings and operational efficiencies. Jeff Azuse, executive vice president at Hilco Real Estate, stated, "These strategic additions to the Hilco team perfectly complement our comprehensive platform, enhancing our proven ability to deliver sophisticated solutions to clients throughout the Northeast and across the nation." The asset disposition team of Hubbard, DeCoste and Koulichkov reunites with former colleagues from previous firms, including Jeff Azuse, Stephen Madura, Jamie Cote and Jonathan Cuticelli. "Reconnecting with our longtime colleagues builds on the most experienced and sophisticated team in national real estate repositioning and monetization," said Jeff Hubbard, senior managing director. "Hilco Real Estate's comprehensive platformencompassing everything from creative capital solutions and DIP financing to receivership servicesprovides us with unmatched capabilities to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients' most complex challenges." This expansion strengthens the firm's position as a leading provider of strategic real estate solutions, offering: Advisory Services for Complex Real Estate Scenarios : Providing expert guidance to navigate intricate real estate challenges, ensuring clients make informed decisions to optimize asset value : Providing expert guidance to navigate intricate real estate challenges, ensuring clients make informed decisions to optimize asset value Strategic Disposition Services with Structured Timeframes : Executing property sales within defined timelines to meet clients' strategic objectives & maximize return : Executing property sales within defined timelines to meet clients' strategic objectives & maximize return Value Optimization Strategies : Implementing tailored approaches to enhance property value, including repositioning, redevelopment & market analysis : Implementing tailored approaches to enhance property value, including repositioning, redevelopment & market analysis Innovative Debt & Capital Solutions : Offering creative financing options, including DIP (Debtor-in-Possession) financing, to support clients' capital needs during transitions or restructurings : Offering creative financing options, including DIP (Debtor-in-Possession) financing, to support clients' capital needs during transitions or restructurings Full-Service Disposition & Lease Restructuring : Managing all aspects of property disposition & lease negotiations to achieve favorable terms & outcomes for clients : Managing all aspects of property disposition & lease negotiations to achieve favorable terms & outcomes for clients Receivership Services: Acting as court-appointed receivers to manage & protect assets during legal proceedings, ensuring their value is maintained or enhanced The team's proven track record includes representing numerous Fortune 500 corporations, REITs, various financial institutions, commercial and residential developers, nonprofit and religious organizations as well as prominent private owners and estates. For more information, please visit hilcorealestate.com. About Hilco Real Estate Hilco Real Estate (HRE), a Hilco Global company (HilcoGlobal.com), is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois (USA). HRE is a national provider of strategic real estate repositioning and disposition services. Acting as an agent or principal, HRE advises and executes strategies to assist clients in deriving the maximum value from their real estate assets. By leveraging multi-faceted sales strategies and techniques, aggressive repositioning and restructuring experience, a vast and motivated network of buyers and sellers, and substantial access to capital, HRE exceeds expectations even in the most complex transactions. The HRE team serves as consultants, advisors and capital partners to companies across North America and beyond, assisting healthy companies and those in transition. HRE is the preeminent authority in developing and executing portfolio optimization strategies and provides comprehensive commercial real estate portfolio services, including lease advisory/renewal/repositioning, asset sales, asset management and receivership. HRE also has and will deploy capital when the strategic situation presents itself, including in note purchases, short term bridge lending and opportunistic acquisitions. SOURCE Hilco Real Estate Horatio Alger Association names 12 outstanding individuals, each of whom has overcome adversity to achieve professional and personal success, to its Member Class of 2025 WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. , a nonprofit educational organization that honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have overcome adversity and supports promising young people to pursue their American Dream through higher education and technical scholarships, today announced that Howard S. Dvorkin, founder and chairman of Debt.com, has been selected for membership in this prestigious organization. Mr. Dvorkin joins 11 other exceptional corporate, civic and cultural leaders from across the country in receiving 2025 honors. For the last 78 years, the Horatio Alger Award has been annually bestowed upon esteemed individuals who have succeeded despite facing significant challenges, and who have remained committed to higher education and charitable efforts in their communities and beyond. Hailing from humble beginnings, Mr. Dvorkin learned the value of hard work at a young age. By the time he was 10, he was unloading trucks, stocking shelves and cleaning warehouses for his family's plumbing supply business. This early exposure to responsibility instilled in him a strong work ethic, which he's continued to carry with him throughout his career. Mr. Dvorkin's life took a tragic turn when, as a teenager, he experienced the devastating loss of his father, who passed away suddenly in his arms. Shortly after, his family was cut out of the plumbing supply business by his uncle, thrusting them into severe financial hardship. Despite the struggles, including enduring unbearably cold winters with no heat, Mr. Dvorkin's determination to pull himself and his family out of their unfortunate circumstances only grew stronger. Though his youth was marked by a period of self-destruction, a pivotal wake-up call led him to redirect his energy toward education and entrepreneurship, ultimately finding a renewed sense of purpose. Mr. Dvorkin's entrepreneurial spirit took root in high school when he started a snow-shoveling business to save money to attend college. He went on to earn his bachelor's degree in accounting from American University and an MBA from the University of Miami. After graduate school, Mr. Dvorkin joined the tax department at Laventhol and Horwath in Washington, D.C., where he quickly rose through the ranks. He was later transferred to the firm's Palm Beach office, and when Arthur Andersen acquired the firm, he was one of the few employees retained. Despite a promising career path at Andersen, Mr. Dvorkin left to follow his dreams and start his own business. In 1993, he founded Consolidated Credit, which grew to become one of the largest credit counseling agencies in the world. Mr. Dvorkin expanded his portfolio with the founding of Debt.com, a leading platform for personal debt solutions. He continues to embrace financial technology and has gone on to start several other companies that seek to enhance efficiency and automation including Start Fresh Today, a software that became an industry standard for pre-filing bankruptcy counseling, Power Wallet, a secure online software platform that allows clients to create budgets and monitor spending, and more. Today, Mr. Dvorkin serves as chairman of Debt.com, further solidifying his legacy as a self-made serial entrepreneur dedicated to helping others achieve financial independence. "Growing up, I saw firsthand how economic hardships can affect every aspect of a person's life, which fueled my passion for empowering others to take control of their financial futures," said Mr. Dvorkin. "The challenges I faced early on pushed me to break the cycle of struggle in my own family, and I hope to inspire the next generation of Horatio Alger Scholars to build secure, successful lives through resilience and self-sufficiency." Mr. Dvorkin is deeply committed to philanthropy, particularly in areas that align with his belief in the interconnectedness of financial health and mental well-being. For over 30 years, he and his companies have contributed millions of dollars to organizations focused on mental health, hunger relief and other causes that uplift communities. In addition to his work in financial advocacy, Mr. Dvorkin is especially proud of founding Parkland Cares, a nonprofit organization created in the wake of the tragic mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in his hometown of Parkland, Florida. This initiative provides immediate and long-term support for mental health counseling, benefiting not only the victims but also their families and the broader community. Over the past six years, Parkland Cares has funded over 44,000 hours of counseling and supported 14 mental health organizations in South Florida. Mr. Dvorkin also served on the boards of several impactful organizations, including United Way of Broward County, Junior Achievement and Henderson Behavioral Health. "I have had the privilege of working alongside Howard on many common philanthropic projects in Broward County and seen firsthand his commitment to making a meaningful impact within his community," said Rita Case, president and CEO, Rick Case Automotive Group and 2022 Horatio Alger Award recipient. "His personal journey, from overcoming adversity to achieving unparalleled entrepreneurial success, has shaped his dedication to empowering others, especially through his work in financial literacy and mental health. I'm certain he will bring that same dedication to the Association and our Scholars." The Horatio Alger Association was established in 1947 and today is dedicated to promoting and ensuring the American Dream for future generations. Through its Members, the Association aims to teach young people about the limitless possibilities available through the American free-enterprise system. Since 1984, the Association has awarded annual need-based scholarships to high school students who have overcome significant obstacles and showcase a commitment to continuing their education and making a unique contribution to society. The scholarships are possible because of the generosity of Association Members, who have collectively provided more than $265 million to 37,000 students over the past 40 years. Mr. Dvorkin and the Member Class of 2025 will be formally inducted into the Association during the 78th Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C. from April 3-5, 2025. The annual three-day event honors the achievements of both Members and National Scholars, who will have the unique opportunity to meet, interact and exchange stories of perseverance throughout the multi-day celebration. For more information about Horatio Alger Association and its Member Class of 2025, please visit www.horatioalger.org and follow the organization on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and X. About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans: Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have accomplished remarkable successes in spite of adversity by bestowing upon them the Horatio Alger Award and inducting them as lifetime Members. Horatio Alger Members support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams through higher education. Through the generosity of its Members and friends, in 2025, the Association has budgeted to award more than $17.4 million in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships to students across the United States and Canada, and continues to provide comprehensive academic, personal, and professional support services to its Scholars. Over the past 40 years, more than $265 million has been awarded in undergraduate, graduate, military veteran and career and technical education scholarships to more than 37,000 deserving students. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org. CONTACT: McKenna Young [email protected] SOURCE Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. INDIANPOLIS, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nature Conservancy (TNC) recently announced the successful completion of its Human:Nature campaign, the largest fundraising initiative for conservation in Indiana's history. Built on the belief that when nature thrives, humans thrive, this campaign raised more than $50 million, more than $2 million more than the campaign's goal of $48 million, thanks to the generous support of individuals, foundations and corporations across the state. Patoka River Oxbow Lake by Fauna Creative With these funds, TNC has achieved remarkable conservation milestones over the past five years, including the protection of an additional 10,000 acres of land. Of that total, 1,700 acres represents TNC's largest protection project in 25 years and the second largest in its 65-year history: the acquisition of land adjacent to the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge. TNC achieved the additional following results through the Human:Nature campaign: 140,000 trees were planted in TNC preserves, improving air and water quality, carbon sequestration and climate resilience for Hoosiers. Enhanced visitor experiences at several TNC nature preserves. Most notably at Kankakee Sand in northwest Indiana , where TNC recently unveiled extensive visitor improvementssuch as new bison viewing decks with spotting scopes, picnic areas, improved parking areas and interpretive signageall to make the site a more welcoming, inspiring and educational destination for all visitors. , where TNC recently unveiled extensive visitor improvementssuch as new bison viewing decks with spotting scopes, picnic areas, improved parking areas and interpretive signageall to make the site a more welcoming, inspiring and educational destination for all visitors. Worked with the agricultural community to set new cover crop records year after year in Indiana , benefiting both water quality and farmers' bottom lines. , benefiting both water quality and farmers' bottom lines. Removed four outdated low-head dams in Southern Indiana , reconnecting nearly 1,800 miles of stream habitat for aquatic species and improving river safety for residents. , reconnecting nearly 1,800 miles of stream habitat for aquatic species and improving river safety for residents. Conducted 117 prescribed fires on a record 11,000 acres, utilizing a cost-effective tool to control invasive species and help native species thrive. Developed the Mining the Sun strategy, a plan that repurposes mine lands and brownfields for renewable energy projects. strategy, a plan that repurposes mine lands and brownfields for renewable energy projects. Worked with Governor Holcomb's administration and the state legislature to expand funding for Clean Water Indiana and the President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust. Participated in 500 outreach events, hosted over 400 volunteer workdays, and engaged more than 9,000 attendees and 2,000 volunteers. "This campaign demonstrates the power of community and conservation coming together," said Larry Clemens, state director for TNC in Indiana. "With the support of Hoosiers, we've achieved milestones that will benefit both people and nature for generations to come." Conservation work is an ongoing effort, and TNC is inspired to carry this momentum into the next five years of actions dedicated to improving the planet's ecosystems, Clemens said. He reiterated that TNC extends heartfelt thanks for the collective contributions that are paving the way for a brighter future for Indiana and the planet. For more information about the Human:Nature campaign watch the campaign celebration video on our YouTube or visit www.nature.org/indiana. Media Contact Chip Sutton, The Nature Conservancy [email protected] 317-829-3915 SOURCE The Nature Conservancy IIE Board of Trustees will launch CEO Search NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- After nearly three decades, Dr. Allan E. Goodman will pass the torch as CEO of the Institute of International Education (IIE), the leader in international education. IIE's Board of Trustees will launch a global search for a successor CEO. In his impactful tenure, Dr. Goodman has made significant contributions to international educational exchange and student mobility at a critical time from wars, conflicts, and disasters, to the disruption of a global pandemic. He has spearheaded IIE's efforts to rescue students, scholars and artists, and steered IIE through its centennial anniversary. "For the past 28 years, I have been honored to come to work every day knowing that I was part of an organization that advances the peace and prosperity of the United States and the world," said Dr. Goodman. "Collaborating with my extraordinary IIE colleagues to create life-changing opportunities for U.S. students through international educational exchange, and rescuing scholars, students and artists displaced from their countries by natural and man-made upheavals, has been the most challenging and rewarding experience of my professional life." The IIE Board of Trustees stated: "Dr. Goodman's visionary leadership has been transformative for the Institute of International Education in entirely favorable ways. For decades, his dedication, steady hand, remarkable ability to see around corners, and tireless advocacy have elevated IIE to new heights, establishing it as the global leader in fostering international educational exchange and safety for national academies the world over. Through his unwavering commitment to scholar rescue, educational opportunity, and cross-cultural understanding, Allan has not only shaped the future of countless individuals, but has also reinforced the essential role that education plays in building bridges across nations." About the Institute of International Education (IIE) The Institute of International Education (IIE) is the leader in designing and implementing international education strategies and program services. We work with governments, policymakers, educators, and employers across the globe to prepare students and professionals for the global workforce and equip them to solve the increasingly complex challenges facing our interconnected world. With support from donors, we also create initiatives that assist students, scholars, and artists whose lives and work are threatened; expand teaching and learning across cultures; and provide life-changing opportunities. A not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, IIE has a network of offices and affiliates worldwide and over 1,600 higher education partners. Visit iie.org . SOURCE Institute of International Education BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Rabobank are ramping up their support for sustainable businesses, offering 300 million euros to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) focused on environmental impact, Trend reports. This new initiative builds on the successful partnership between the two institutions, which has already provided over 1.8 billion euros in financing to more than 1,000 SMEs over the past nine years. Sustainability is a key priority for both the EIB and Rabobank, who see the growing importance of businesses investing in a sustainable future. Through the Rabo Impactlening instrument, companies committed to environmental goals have benefited from favorable loan conditions since 2015. Rabobanks NL Retail Director, Carlo van Kemenade, highlighted the increasing demand for sustainable financing, noting that successful businesses today focus not only on financial returns but also on their environmental and social impact. These companies play a critical role in preparing the economy for a more sustainable future, and Rabobank is proud to continue supporting their ambitions. EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot emphasized that achieving climate goals requires collective action, and SMEs sustainability efforts are essential in this process. He added that the EIBs ongoing partnership with Rabobank, marked by the signing of its ninth impact loan, demonstrates that green investments can also be economically beneficial. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In the presence of HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy, and the Ministers of Energy from the petroleum exporting members of The Arab Energy Fund, and the members of the board, The Arab Energy Fund has launched its new brand identity. The rebranding reflects the Fund's commitment to aligning with global energy developments and bolstering energy security and sustainability through impactful investments. It marks a strategic shift to strengthen the Fund's position as an energy-focused multilateral impact financial institution in the MENA region. The Arab Energy Fund In his address on this occasion, Prince Abdulaziz commended The Arab Energy Fund's members for its responsiveness and alignment with the decision by member states of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) to restructure the organization, amend its founding agreement, expand its activities, and rename it the "Arab Energy Organization." The Minister also outlined that the Fund's projects will support Arab member states in achieving their energy transition goals, taking into account their optimal energy mix and the challenges facing the sector, thereby ensuring steady progress toward sustainable development. The Arab Energy Fund, formerly known as APICORP, unveiled its new brand identity during an event celebrating the institution's 50th anniversary. The event was attended by UAE's Energy Minister H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Kuwait's Oil Minister H.E. Tariq Suleiman Al-Roumi, Libya's Oil and Gas Minister H.E. Khalifa Rajab Abdelsadeq, Qatar's Energy Minister and Qatar Energy CEO H.E. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Bahrain's Oil Minister and Climate Envoy H.E. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, and Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister for Energy and Oil Minister H.E. Hayan Abdul Ghani. The Arab Energy Fund's board members, members of the diplomatic community, industry leaders, and partners were also present at the event. The new logo symbolizes unity and boundless energy, with the rotating blades representing the ten member countries and the circular design reflecting The Arab Energy Fund's renewed focus on delivering impact, while keeping a strong momentum to deliver both financial and social returns across the region. The new brand identity highlights the Fund's vision for a future driven by impactful and transformative investments in the MENA region. Backed by its ten Arab member countries, The Arab Energy Fund is poised to expand its offerings in financing solutions, including loans, equity investments, and financial advisory services, serving both public and private sector partners across more than 35 countries. As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, The Arab Energy Fund marked the graduation of the first cohort of its inaugural 50+ Graduate Development Program. Launched in 2024, the initiative aims to equip fresh graduates with practical experience and professional skills in energy finance, reinforcing the fund's commitment to fostering talent and innovation in the sector. About The Arab Energy Fund The Arab Energy Fund is a multilateral impact financial institution focused on the MENA energy sector established in 1974 by the ten Arab oil-exporting countries. The Arab Energy Fund's mission is to enable a secure and sustainable energy future for the region through a comprehensive range of financing and direct equity solutions and expert advisory services across the entire energy value chain to leading public and private sector business partners in 25 countries. The Arab Energy Fund applies best-practice ESG principles across all operations, with environmental and socially-linked projects comprising 20% of its USD 5.3bn loan portfolio. The Arab Energy Fund is the only energy-focused financial institution in the MENA region rated 'Aa2' by Moody's, 'AA' by Fitch and 'AA-' by S&P. View The Arab Energy Fund's ESG Policy Framework here. For more information about The Arab Energy Fund, please visit: www.taef.com Follow us: X/Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn For more information, please contact: Raeda Al-Sarayreh The Arab Energy Fund Email: [email protected] Mobile: +966 55 9816636 Zara Siddiqui Edelman Smithfield Email: [email protected] Mobile: +966 54 651 3977 Image - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2607854/The_Arab_Energy_Fund.jpg SOURCE The Arab Energy Fund "The Global IoT Testing Services Market involves testing services that ensure IoT devices, like smart home gadgets and wearable tech, work properly and securely. As IoT devices grow in popularity, these testing services are crucial for their performance and safety." BOSTON, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest study from BCC Research, the demand for Global IoT Testing Services Market will reach $10.4 billion by 2029 and is expected to see a healthy CAGR of 22.6% during the forecast period. This report analyzes the global market for IoT testing services market, including trends, revenue breakdowns, and forecasts from 2024 to 2029. It covers service types, testing types, end-user industries, and the regions of North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The report also highlights market challenges, key companies, new technologies, and ESG trends. Interesting facts: A GSMA Intelligence report predicts that IoT connections will exceed 38 billion by 2030. Rapid and automated testing is essential to ensure that IoT devices work reliably. Performance and functional tests are crucial for meeting standards and ensuring that devices perform well in different conditions. With the rapid growth of IoT, the demand for reliable testing services is increasing to ensure compatibility, security, and proper functioning. Factors contributing to the growth of the market include: Adoption of automated testing tools: Automated testing tools use software to test systems, speeding up the process, reducing errors, and ensuring functionality. They help companies quickly find issues, check performance, and improve quality, making development more efficient. IoT Testing-as-a-Service (TaaS): TaaS is a cloud service that provides on-demand testing for IoT devices, covering performance, security, and compatibility. It saves companies time and money by outsourcing testing, letting them focus on product development. Demand for 5G-driven testing: As 5G technology proliferates, the demand for specialized testing grows to ensure devices work efficiently on 5G networks. Companies need to test their products to meet performance standards and user expectations for higher speeds and lower delays. Request a Sample Copy of the Global IoT Testing Services Market Report Report Synopsis Report Metric Details Base year considered 2023 Forecast period considered 2024 to 2029 Base year market size $3.2 billion Market size forecast $10.4 billion Growth rate CAGR of 22.6% during 2024-2029 Segments covered Service Type, Testing Type, End-User Industry, and Region Regions covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW) Market drivers Adoption of automated testing tools. IoT Testing-as-a-Service (TaaS). Demand for 5G-driven testing. This report addresses the following key questions: What is the market's projected size and growth rate? The global market for IoT testing services is projected to reach $10.4 billion by 2029 and is expected to see a CAGR of 22.6% during the forecast period. What factors are driving the growth of the global IoT testing services market? These Include rising adoption of automated testing tools, growth of IoT TaaS, and demand for 5G-driven testing. Which IoT testing service type will dominate the market in 2029? The professional services segment will dominate the market in 2029, driven by rising demand for specialized expertise and consulting in managing complex IT environments. Which region has the largest share of the global market? North America had the largest market share. Leading companies in the market include: AFour Technologies Apexon AT&T eInfochips Happiest Minds ImpactQA QATestLab Rapid7 TestFort TestingXperts Related reports include: Industrial IoT (IIoT): Global Markets: Industrial IoT (IIoT) refers to the use of IoT technology in industries such as manufacturing, energy, transportation, and healthcare. It connects machines and systems to gather and analyze data in real time, helping businesses improve efficiency, cut costs, and make better decisions. Global IoT Chips Market: Refers to the worldwide demand and supply of microchips used in IoT devices. These chips are the "brains" inside IoT devices, enabling them to connect, communicate, and process data. Purchase a copy of the report direct from BCC Research. For further information or to make a purchase, please contact [email protected] . About BCC Research BCC Research market research reports provide objective, unbiased measurement and assessment of market opportunities. Our experienced industry analysts' goal is to help you make informed business decisions, free of noise and hype. Contact Us Corporate HQ: 50 Milk St. Ste 16, Boston, MA 02109, USA Email: [email protected], Phone: +1 781-489-7301 For media inquiries, email [email protected] or visit our media page for access to our market research library. Any data and analysis extracted from this press release must be accompanied by a statement identifying BCC Research LLC as the source and publisher. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2183242/BCC_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE BCC Research LLC Collaboration aims to empower entrepreneurs and SMEs with the skills needed to thrive in today's dynamic business landscape OXFORD, England and BENGALURU, India, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, and Said Business School, University of Oxford, one of Europe's leading entrepreneurial business schools, today announced the launch of the 'Springboard StartSmart: Foundations for Entrepreneurs' course. Leveraging Infosys Springboard, the free digital learning and reskilling platform, the course is aimed at new entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The collaboration aims to empower entrepreneurs and SMEs with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today's dynamic business landscape. Through this collaboration, Oxford Said's accredited courses will be tailored to the specific needs of young entrepreneurs empowering them at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey, from early-stage founders to those considering starting their own businesses. The course will aim to democratize the overall learning process and equip learners with the knowledge and tools required to embrace digital transformation, apply fundamental business concepts, and leverage the potential of emerging technologies, including AI tools. Manos Kapterian, Chief Operating Officer at Oxford Said, said, "While the UK fosters a strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, nearly 60 percent of small British businesses and start-ups face failure within the first three years. Providing access to the right tools and mentorship are vital ingredients to the success of these start-ups. We are pleased to form this collaboration with Infosys, bringing our world-class business education to even more aspiring entrepreneurs and SMEs, helping them to have a positive impact in their communities." Thirumala Arohi, EVP and Head - Education, Training, and Assessment, Infosys, said, "We are committed to harnessing the collective strength of our technology and people to transform the communities we work in. By bridging the digital divide through world-class digital learning opportunities, we aim to create a more equitable society and nurture a new generation of business leaders. Our collaboration with Oxford Said Business School and our digital learning platform, Springboard, provide the tools to achieve this goal. In the UK, one of the most entrepreneurial countries globally, this course has the potential to equip entrepreneurs with the right tools, enabling them to thrive in the ever-evolving business landscape while solving important global challenges." Infosys' joint efforts with Oxford Said build on Infosys' successful collaborations with local councils across the UK to provide access to learners with vital digital skills and resources. Since the launch of the initiatives in 2021 over 50,000 registered users are actively benefiting from over 10,000 courses offered through the Infosys Springboard platform. About Said Business School Said Business School at the University of Oxford is a vibrant and innovative business school, embedded within a 900-year-old world leading university. We create programmes and ideas that have global impact and reach. We educate leaders, change makers and innovators across every industry and sector. Our groundbreaking research and exceptional teaching transforms individuals, who transform businesses, which transforms the world. We create impact from within. www.sbs.ox.ac.uk 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/Infosys_Logo.jpg MOLNDAL, Sweden, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Integrum, (STO: INTEG) , the leader in innovative bone-anchored prosthetic solutions, is proud to announce the expansion of their 2025 Education Calendar. In collaboration with Southern Prosthetic Supply (SPS), the leading U.S. distributor of orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) products, and other leading prosthetic manufacturers, Integrum will co-host seven regional educational events across the United States in the coming months. These events will provide prosthetists with knowledge of the OPRA Implant System and how it integrates into their clinical practices to provide a solution for their transfemoral amputee patients who struggle with or are expected to struggle with the use of traditional sockets. The partnership with SPS is a cornerstone of Integrum's broader education strategy for 2025, which includes a goal to train more than 200 Certified Prosthetists and Orthotists (CPOs) throughout the year. Building on the success of a recent event in Boston, where 15 local prosthetists had the opportunity to engage with Integrum's clinical experts, the expanded series aims to bring similar impactful sessions to strategically selected regions. Attendees will obtain 2.25 CEUs upon passing a concluding quiz through educational sessions led by Integrum's Vice President of Prosthetic Medical Education, Kurt Collier, CP. Additionally, an OPRA Ambassador will join each event to share their life-changing results and answer questions from a user's perspective. "The Boston educational forum was a tremendous success, thanks to the collaborative effort with SPS and the clinical journey experience of local OPRA Ambassador Patrick McCoy," said Jeffrey Zanni, U.S. President of Integrum. "These types of events play a vital role in bringing awareness and clinical education to prosthetists as the providers for amputees that may benefit from the OPRA Implant System as an alternative to their traditional socket." Each event will feature: Overview of the OPRA Implant System and candidate selection Value based practice integration Personal stories from OPRA Ambassadors showcasing the real-life impact of the system "SPS Clinical Education Days equip O&P professionals with practical tools and strategies they can implement at their clinic immediately," shared Sam Brouillette, CP, CFo, Manager of Clinical Education at SPS. "We encourage all clinicians, from seasoned experts to those just beginning their careers, to join us to engage with experts, and enhance their skills." Integrum remains committed to advancing prosthetic care and fostering collaboration with clinical partners to drive awareness and consistent outcomes. For more information about upcoming events, visit our Events & Education page on our website at www.integrum.se. For more information, Jorgen Svanstrom, CFO Phone: + 46 (0) 70 734 96 60 E-mail: [email protected] Certified Adviser Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ) is Certified Adviser. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/integrum-ab/r/integrum-partners-with-sps-to-expand-2025-education-calendar--enhancing-learning-opportunities,c4095498 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Public/17531/4095498/8d736b9646573392.pdf SPS ed event PR 250124 SOURCE Integrum AB LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Industrial Realty Group, LLC (IRG), one of the United States' largest owners of commercial and industrial properties, announced that its subsidiary, Industrial Realty Mexico (IRM), has significantly expanded its portfolio by purchasing various industrial sites across Mexico in 2024. IRG announced that its subsidiary, Industrial Realty Mexico (IRM) has expanded, purchasing industrial sites in Mexico. Post this Through IRM, IRG now owns ten properties, totaling over 2 Million square feet and including significant developable acreage. These sites will revitalize local economies and create synergistic business opportunities. "IRG is at the forefront of industrial owners and developers in the U.S. We see Mexico as a prime opportunity to expand our expertise in redevelopment and leasing to a new market," said Justin Lichter, Chief Investment Officer at IRG. "Mexico is a major export market for the U.S., which has allowed our business model for industrial space to flourish. We believe that growth will continue as we acquire additional sites." Through IRM, IRG now owns ten properties located in Queretaro, Celaya, Hermosillo, Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo, Tultitlan and Acatlan. Totaling over 2 Million square feet and including significant developable acreage, these sites will revitalize local economies and create synergistic business opportunities. The company is exploring further international investment based on the success experienced and plans to announce additional completed acquisitions in early 2025. For more information about these and other projects, visit www.industrialrealtymexico.com or contact Justin Lichter ([email protected]) regarding leasing and acquisition opportunities. About IRG IRG is a nationwide real estate development and investment firm specializing in the acquisition, development and management of commercial and industrial real estate throughout the United States. IRG, through its affiliated partnerships and limited liability companies, operates a portfolio containing over 150 properties in 31 states with over 100 million square feet of rentable space. IRG is nationally recognized as a leading force behind the adaptive reuse of commercial and industrial real estate, solving some of America's most difficult real estate challenges. Learn more at www.industrialrealtygroup.com. Media Contact: Lauren Crumrine, Vice President of Marketing Industrial Realty Group | Industrial Realty Mexico 614-562-9252 [email protected] SOURCE Industrial Realty Group, LLC FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LPL Solar LLC is proud to announce the promotion of James Plumley to Vice President of Engineering. With over 30 years of engineering experience in the energy sector, James brings knowledge and leadership to his new role, positioning LPL Solar for continued growth and innovation. James Plumley Promoted to Vice President Engineering at LPL Solar Before joining LPL Solar, James was Director of Engineering for a major energy company, leading 25 engineers across four subsidiaries with over $1 billion in annual revenue. His expertise covers all aspects of project design and execution, including bidding, estimating, contractor management, and programming. In his role at LPL Solar, James has been instrumental in managing engineering and design operations, ensuring the successful completion of complex projects, and driving innovation across the company. His promotion to Vice President of Engineering is a result of his dedication, technical acumen, and commitment to excellence. "We are thrilled to have James step into this pivotal leadership role," said Mike Little, President of LPL Solar. "His unparalleled experience and proven track record make him the ideal leader to guide our engineering efforts as we continue to expand our impact in the renewable energy sector." James holds an Engineering Degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Illinois and West Virginia. About LPL Solar LLC LPL Solar LLC is a distinguished leader in the construction of utility-scale solar power plants, renowned for its unwavering commitment to excellence and sustainability. With a strong emphasis on self-perform capabilities, LPL Solar caters to a diverse clientele, including independent power producers and utility companies. The company offers comprehensive Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services, covering a broad spectrum of energy infrastructure, including PV Plants, Substations, Switchyards, and cutting-edge Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). SOURCE LPL Solar LLC NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kiehl's Since 1851, the iconic skincare brand renowned for its science-backed formulations and commitment to exceptional consumer experiences, is proud to announce the continuation and expansion of its partnership with Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR). Entering its second year, the collaboration elevates Kiehl's role to Official Skincare and SPF Partner for 2025. This strategic partnership, which has been met with incredible enthusiasm from both visitors and locals alike, underscores Kiehl's dedication to protecting skin in the most demanding environments while bringing innovative activations to its community. Kiehls Ultra Body Cream x Jackson Hole Mountain Resort 2025; Photo courtesy of Kiehls Since 1851 Kiehls General Manager, John Reed, and Social Creator, Ashten Barnes @ashtenbarnes at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort; Photo courtesy of Amon Barker, Apres Visuals Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream x Jackson Hole Mountain Resort 2025; Photo courtesy of Kiehls Since 1851 Building on the momentum generated this past year, Kiehl's will enhance its presence at JHMR by expanding its engagement across the mountain. This will include additional sampling opportunities, exclusive events, VIP hospitality, as well as enhanced digital and out-of-home touchpoints. Kiehl's has also expanded product availability in key retail locations, including Teton Village Sports, Jackson Hole Sports, General Store, and Rodeo. Visitors can enjoy year-round access to Kiehl's luxurious premium SPF for every season and the all-new Ultra Body Cream, offering the ultimate in skincare indulgence, at high traffic touchpoints including ski gondolas, trams, private booking services and activations, ensuring skin is protected while embracing Jackson Hole's breathtaking landscapes and outdoor activities. To complement the Jackson Hole partnership, Kiehl's Hell's Kitchen store, located in New York City, will be transformed into an immersive pop-up concept store. Featuring the brand's latest innovation, Ultra Body Cream, the space will highlight the importance of body hydration while amplifying the Jackson Hole partnership through collaborative content and limited-edition merchandise. This unique experience blends adventure-inspired skincare with community-driven engagement, connecting mountain life with city living. Hell's Kitchen customers will receive their choice of a FREE limited-edition JHMR beanie or socks with purchase of Ultra Body Cream or Ultra Facial Cream while supplies last. For consumers unable to visit the concept store, from January 27th February 2nd Kiehl's will be offering an exclusive Winter Hydration Bundle on Kiehls.com where shoppers will receive a collection of must-have winter essentials for 30% off. "Kiehl's is excited to continue its partnership with Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for a second year, building on a shared passion for adventure and skincare," said John Reed, General Manager at Kiehl's. "This collaboration emphasized the brand's commitment to providing customers with efficacious skincare products, especially in the extreme conditions of Jackson Hole. With our expanded presence at JHMR and the launch of the Hell's Kitchen concept store, we will further empower our customers to get adventure-ready with our high-performance skincare." This year's partnership further cements Kiehl's reputation as a leader in efficacious and experiential skincare. The brand continues to engage consumers through try-before-you-buy initiatives, personalized consultations, and state-of-the-art skin assessment tools. These signature elements will be integrated into both the Jackson Hole activations and the Hell's Kitchen concept store, enhancing customer experiences with personalized solutions and expert insights. "We are delighted to continue working with Kiehl's," said Ned Wonson, Vice President of Marketing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. "Their high-performance skincare products have been incredibly well-received by our guests, and their dedication to protecting skin in the harshest environments perfectly aligns with our mission to provide an unparalleled experience for all who visit Jackson Hole. We look forward to building on this success in the year ahead." Kiehl's partnership with Jackson Hole Mountain Resort reflects the brand's ongoing commitment to empowering consumers to prioritize self-care, adventure, and sustainability. By enhancing its presence in Jackson Hole and unveiling its innovative new concept store in Hell's Kitchen, Kiehl's continues to redefine how skincare meets lifestyleoffering premium products and experiences that inspire confidence, no matter where the journey leads. For more information on the partnership and to shop the Winter Hydration Bundle, visit Kiehls.com. Join the conversation on @Kiehls social channels. About Kiehl's Since 1851 Kiehl's Since 1851, a L'Oreal USA brand, was founded as an old-world apothecary in New York's East Village neighborhood over 165 years ago. The brand's unique and extensive background represents a blend of cosmetic, pharmaceutical, herbal, and medicinal knowledge developed and advanced through the generations. Over the years, longtime customer favorite formulations such as Ultra Facial Cream, Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, Musk Oil, and new formulations such as Super Multi-Corrective Anti-Aging Eye Cream, Ultra Facial Overnight Rehydrating Mask, and Dermatologist Solutions have been created with uniquely efficacious, natural ingredients and the education and knowledge culled from generations of rigorous testing, research, and requests from customers. For press inquiries, please contact : Rachel Weinstock [email protected] SOURCE Kiehl's Since 1851 GAINESVILLE, Fla., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- King Risk Partners, a nationally recognized top 100 Insurance Broker in the United States, is pleased to announce its acquisition of Pigg Insurance, a trusted independent insurance agency based in Hendersonville, Tennessee. This strategic move is a great step towards King Risk Partners' expansion throughout the Southeast and underscores its commitment to offering exceptional service and customized insurance solutions across the Eastern and Southeastern United States. King Risk Partners For over 40 years, Pigg Insurance, a family-run insurance agency, has been a trusted partner for clients in the Hendersonville, Tennessee area. Known for their personalized approach, they prioritize understanding their clients' needs, listening closely, and crafting tailored insurance solutions. Their dedication to delivering peace of mind through reliable insurance coverage, exceptional customer service, and quality insurance products at competitive prices is key to their success. "Pigg Insurance has built an outstanding reputation in the Hendersonville area, and we are delighted to welcome them into the King Risk Partners family," said Malcolm King, CEO of King Risk Partners. "Their decades of experience and strong client relationships perfectly align with our vision of growing through partnerships with well-established agencies. This acquisition not only strengthens our presence in Tennessee but also enhances our ability to provide top-tier service to our clients." "We are excited about our partnership with King Risk Partners," said Gary Pigg, Owner of Pigg Insurance. "Providing exceptional customer service has always been our top priority. By partnering with King Risk Partners, we can enhance our personal and business insurance offerings while maintaining the high standards of quality and client satisfaction that our customers have come to rely on." About King Risk Partners King Risk Partners is a leader in the insurance industry, offering a wide range of insurance products and services designed to meet the diverse needs of its clientele. Known for its integrity, professionalism, and commitment to customer satisfaction, King Risk Partners continues to be a top choice for clients seeking reliable and comprehensive insurance solutions. Learn more at www.king-insurance.com . For additional information, please contact: King Risk Partners [email protected] SOURCE King Risk Partners LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- O Positiv Health, makers of the nation's #1 best selling vaginal probiotic URO Vaginal Probiotic, launches today its latest innovative product designed specifically for women, URO Whole Body Probiotic, a 3 in 1 daily probiotic formulated to support gut, skin and oral microbiome health. O Positiv URO Whole Body Probiotic for Women O Positiv created URO Whole Body Probiotic to address the multiple facets of women's microbiome health beyond a targeted vaginal probiotic. URO Whole Body Probiotic stands out from its competitors because most of the other probiotics on the market only benefit the gut and stop there. Because the female GI system is more complex and nuanced than the male due to hormones and colon size, women are more susceptible to digestive issues including bloating and constipation. URO Whole Body Probiotic uses 10 clinically studied probiotic strains that not only help improve women's digestive health but also support skin health and optimal oral hygiene. Not only is it a broad spectrum probiotic, it also contains digestive botanicals dandelion, traditionally used as a diuretic herb for bloating relief and licorice root routinely used as a digestive aid. Skin health, gut health, digestive function and healthy immune response. Support immune function. Dr. Roxanne Pero, an OBGYN and key member of O Positiv's medical advisory board, explains that the female digestive system and gut microbiome is uniquely complex and requires an efficacious probiotic with high quality ingredients. Dr. Pero says, "URO Whole Body Probiotic is an excellent option for my female patients looking to improve their digestive health. O Positiv creates their products with clinically studied ingredients and continues to lead the charge in the health space creating products specifically for women." O Positiv Health continues to be dedicated to its mission of prioritizing and advocating for women's health by providing effective solutions for health concerns that have been historically overlooked. With an extensive product range dedicated to addressing issues related to hormonal, vaginal, digestive, urinary, menstrual, and menopausal health; O Positiv has firmly established itself as a premier women's health advocate and supporter. O Positiv's product line spans from the viral vaginal probiotic, to #1 OBGYN recommended menopause gummy menopause remaining at the forefront of women's health, no matter where they are in their journey. O Positiv co-founder Brianna Bitton shares "At O Positiv, we're committed to bringing science backed solutions to women's health problems. That's why I'm so proud of the work the team has done to bring URO Whole Body Probiotic to life - so many probiotics available today aren't made just for women, let alone formulated with targeted strains to deliver benefits beyond the gut. We're so excited to launch this product to our community - and I personally can't wait to add it to my routine." About O Positiv Health O Positiv Health is the health brand prioritizing women by creating effective products to address health concerns that have been historically overlooked. O Positiv Health aims to break taboos with a line of products to address vaginal, skin, digestive, menstrual and menopausal health. O Positiv Health continues to expand their range of products: favorites include - FLO PMS Gummies & Capsules, URO Vaginal Probiotic Capsules and MENO Menopause Gummies & Capsules among others. To further advocate for women's health, O Positiv Health works closely with the American Cancer Society and is their leading sponsor of their annual 5K in Santa Monica, California. URO Whole Body Probiotic retails for $ x and is available at OPositiv.com. Follow O Positiv on Instagram and TikTok at @opositiv. Press Contact: Shauna Aminzadeh/Break Point [email protected] SOURCE O Positiv EAST GREENWICH, R.I., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LoyaltyLoop, a leading provider of customer experience (CX) services to businesses and brands, is excited to announce their partnership with Mark My Words Media. Under the partnership, Mark My Words Media will now include LoyaltyLoop as an integrated solution to their marketing plans, bringing all Mark My Words Media clients a powerful customer feedback and review tool that will help them outperform their competition. Mark My Words Media Today, in the fast-paced business world, most owners and managers recognize the importance of creating great customer experiences, but many fail to employ a consistent process to engage customers specifically to learn from those experiences so improvements can be made. This is compounded by the need for all businesses to maintain a vibrant online reputation, an essential element in the marketing mix for all businesses today. Through this partnership LoyaltyLoop and Mark My Words Media address these needs and provide clients with a robust solution for gathering customer feedback and reviews in a consistent manner, integrated with all Mark My Words Media marketing efforts. In the end, creating great customer experiences drives great online reviews. "We are proud to be partnered with Mark My Words Media who has been helping businesses execute marketing strategies that drive growth and brand equity for over 25 years," said John DiPippo, Owner and CEO of LoyaltyLoop. "Integrating LoyaltyLoop into their marketing mix ensures clients will be able to make continuous improvements that drive outstanding customer experiences, which in turn will deliver even greater results, reviews and ROI." Charles Jolley, CEO of Mark My Words Media, said "With our new partnership with LoyaltyLoop, we're taking online reputation management to the next level. This integration will empower our clients to not only generate more leads but also strengthen their brand and build lasting customer relationships. It's all part of our mission to deliver measurable ROI and ensure our clients' success." For more information, please visit loyaltyloop.com and markmywordsmedia.com. About Mark My Words Media For more than 25 years, Mark My Words Media has been dedicated to helping businesses grow through comprehensive marketing strategies that deliver measurable results. From SEO to advanced lead management, MMWM provides the tools businesses need to thrive. About LoyaltyLoop: LoyaltyLoop is a Customer Experience (CX) platform that drives insights and online reviews using customer feedback surveys. LoyaltyLoop tracks Net Promoter ScoreSM (NPS) and other CX metrics to continually measure customer loyalty levels. It turns feedback into actions for continuous improvement and marketing that increases customer loyalty and drives growth. LoyaltyLoop Media Contact: John DiPippo (401) 560-0311 [email protected] SOURCE LoyaltyLoop BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Lunate, with $105 billion in assets under management, has announced its intention to acquire a minority stake in ADNOC Gas Pipelines, Trend reports. This stake, indirectly held by Snam, Europe's leading gas infrastructure operator, is part of Lunates Long-Term Capital Fund I. The fund targets both attractive cash yields and long-term capital appreciation for its investors. ADNOC Gas Pipelines, a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), manages 38 pipelines spanning 982 kilometers across the UAE. The network is crucial for linking ADNOC's upstream assets to local buyers and plays a vital role in the countrys energy infrastructure. The pipelines provide stable, predictable cash flows, making it a key player in the UAE's energy strategy. Snam initially acquired its stake in ADNOC Gas Pipelines in 2020 as part of a consortium including GIP, GIC, Brookfield, and others. The deal allowed Snam to apply its natural gas expertise to enhance the asset's value. Snam CEO Stefano Venier noted that the sale aligns with the companys strategic shift to focus on European energy infrastructure. "By rotating assets outside key European corridors, we can capitalize on their value," he said. Lunates Managing Partner, Murtaza Hussain, expressed excitement about the deal, emphasizing ADNOC Gas Pipelines' strategic importance. "This investment strengthens our partnership with ADNOC and helps us deliver on Lunates goal of providing access to high-quality assets," he said. The acquisition is pending the signing of the sale agreement and potential shareholder approval. Women-Led Agency Partners with First Amendment Nonprofit to Launch Multichannel Advertising Campaign DETROIT, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LUDWIG+, a woman-owned brand actualization and business acceleration agency, is pleased to announce that they have been named as the creative agency for Freedom Forum's new advertising campaign. Freedom Forum is the nation's foremost nonpartisan advocate for First Amendment freedoms. As part of this collaboration, LUDWIG+ helped conceptualize and launch "Brought to You By the First Amendment," a multichannel advertising campaign designed to drive awareness for the everyday freedoms made possible by the First Amendment. Today, Freedom Forum launched a dynamic and engaging digital experience with The Onion to further magnify the reach of this campaign. Combining The Onion's satirical voice with Freedom Forum's mission to foster First Amendment freedoms for all, this collaboration features onsite and social content strategically created and curated by LUDWIG+. The activation includes several articles published by The Onion that highlight First Amendment freedoms, as well as multiple digital infographics, videos and ad banners that showcase how freedom of speech is central to a thriving and diverse society. Officially launched during Free Speech Week in October of 2024, "Brought to You By the First Amendment" combines LUDWIG+'s ability to utilize powerful storytelling and modern creativity to underscore the daily relevance of the First Amendment. Creatives and activations as part of this campaign have also included: An Inspiring Video Featuring Jon Batiste's Grammy-winning Song "Freedom": Paired with a compelling voiceover from Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, the video celebrates the vibrancy of free expression, and the importance of our rights to speech, religion, press, assembly and petition. "Brought to You By" Creatives Rooted in Current Events: Through thought-provoking social ads, the campaign highlights today's trending headlines, showing how First Amendment freedoms underpin everything from civic engagement to cultural moments. Disruptive Stunts Like "Life Without 1A": Launched on USA TODAY's homepage, this activation demonstrated the absence of free press by temporarily erasing the news, a reminder of the importance of the First Amendment. "It's an incredible honor to partner with Freedom Forum in championing our First Amendment freedoms and bringing the 'Brought To You By the First Amendment' campaign to life," said Barbara Yolles Ludwig, Founder and CEO of LUDWIG+. "The First Amendment shapes our everyday lives from the clothes we wear, the music we love, the books we cherish and the beliefs we hold. We look forward to bringing awareness to this paramount mission and the continued success of this campaign." Since its launch, the "Brought to You By the First Amendment" campaign has captured widespread attention, generating over 96 million views and 8.5 million online engagements to date. "Our partnership with LUDWIG+ has been instrumental in bringing the 'Brought to You By the First Amendment' campaign to life in fresh, innovative ways," said Doug Neil, Chief Digital Officer at Freedom Forum. "Through their expertise in creative storytelling and digital strategy, we've been able to amplify the importance of free expression and connect with broad, diverse audiences." For more information on the Freedom Forum campaign, please visit https://www.freedomforum.org/brought-to-you-by-1a/. For more information on LUDWIG+ and their services, please visit www.ludwigplus.com. About LUDWIG+: LUDWIG+ (L+) is a woman-owned brand actualization and business acceleration agency focused on creating, category-disruptive marketing and advertising that fuels business growth, drives brand-defining ideas to every corner of an organization, and elevates people plus business. LUDWIG+ brings a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to everything it touches - brand positioning, brand architecture, brand identity, strategy, creative, website development, media planning and buying, digital, social, production, video/editing/animation, print, email, SEO, CRM for B2B and B2C clients. About Freedom Forum: Established on July 4, 1991, by USA TODAY founder Al Neuharth, Freedom Forum's mission is to foster First Amendment freedoms for all. Freedom Forum works to raise awareness of First Amendment freedoms by educating, engaging and inspiring people, sharing the stories of Americans who have exercised their rights to ignite change. Freedom Forum is a nonpartisan 501 (c)(3) foundation that advances First Amendment freedoms through initiatives including 1A Fest, the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference, the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in the Media, Chips Quinn Program, First Amendment Reporters, the Free Expression Awards, Today's Front Pages and the "Where America Stands" survey. SOURCE LUDWIG+ VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Lumina Gold Corp. (TSXV: LUM) (OTCQB: LMGDF) (the "Company" or "Lumina") is pleased to announce significant progress regarding power infrastructure required for the Cangrejos gold-copper project (the "Project"). The Company received approval of the definitive feasibility level designs for connection to the national grid for the future energy demand of the Project from Corporacion Electrica del Ecuador ("CELEC") on January 15, 2025. The designs include two transformers at the La Avanzada substation dedicated to the Project and the 138 kV single circuit transmission line that will run approximately 20 kilometres from the substation to the Project. Along with these approvals, CELEC has committed to reserve the necessary area required to build the transmission infrastructure at the La Avanzada substation. Other Project Updates Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC, the lead engineering contractor for the feasibility study for the Project (the "Feasibility Study"), has completed 92% of the estimated work. The Feasibility Study remains on schedule for completion during Q2 2025. Key components completed include: An updated mineral resource estimate, mine plan and schedule; Process flowsheet and facility design based on metallurgical testwork; Project infrastructure siting, engineering and design; Metals marketing study; Receipt of vendor quotes; and Selection of major project equipment. The Project team is now focused on developing final capital and operating cost estimates to support the study's economic model. Work for the Environmental Impact Study ("EIS") is progressing on schedule. This work will allow for the submission of the EIS to the Government of Ecuador in mid-2025. Lumina is targeting receiving its Environmental License for the construction and operation of the Project by early 2026. About Lumina Gold Lumina Gold Corp. (TSXV: LUM) is a Vancouver, Canada based precious and base metals development company focused on the Cangrejos gold-copper project located in El Oro Province, southwest Ecuador. In 2023, the Company completed a Pre-Feasibility Study for the Project, which is the largest primary gold deposit in Ecuador. Lumina has an experienced management team with a successful track record of advancing and monetizing exploration projects. Follow us on: Twitter, Linkedin or Facebook. Further details are available on the Company's website at https://luminagold.com/. To receive future news releases please sign up at https://luminagold.com/contact. LUMINA GOLD CORP. Signed: "Marshall Koval" Marshall Koval, President & CEO, Director Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to: completion and anticipated timing of the Feasibility Study; connecting the Project to the National Grid and the designs for connection; the future energy demand of the Project; completing substation and power line construction; the commitment from CELEC to reserve the necessary area required to build the transmission infrastructure; completion and anticipated timing of the EIS submission; and receiving the Environmental License for the construction and operation of the Project by early 2026. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as "will" or "projected" or variations of those words or statements that certain actions, events or results "will", "could", "are proposed to", "are planned to", "are expected to" or "are anticipated to" be taken, occur or be achieved. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the prices of gold and copper, anticipated costs and expenditures, availability of power, the timely receipt of necessary approvals and licenses, the ability to meet current and future obligations, the Company's ability to comply with environmental laws, no unplanned delays or interruptions, the parameters of the transmission infrastructure, and expected Ecuador national, provincial and local government policies. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions (including with respect to the tonnage, grade and recoverability of reserves and resources); risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks relating to adverse weather conditions; political risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities administrators. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. SOURCE Lumina Gold Corp. Development & Innovation Take Center Stage in 2025 as Marco's Stakes its Claim as One of the Industry Leaders TOLEDO, Ohio, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Marco's Pizza , one of the nation's fastest-growing pizza brands, enters 2025 on the heels of a landmark year. With 85 franchises awarded and 70 new store openings in 2024, Marco's surpassed its 1,200th store milestone. As the brand accelerates its development and innovation efforts, Marco's is staking its claim as one of the leading brands in the pizza industry with no signs of slowing down. Notable Achievements in 2024: Marco's is staking its claim as one of the leading brands in the pizza industry with no signs of slowing down. Post this Marcos is staking its claim as one of the leading brands in the pizza industry with no signs of slowing down. Culinary Innovation: Marco's pushed boundaries with tasty LTOs like its Fiery Flavors Menu, a category-defining lineup anchored by a spicy cheese blend. Other menu highlights included the Triple Pep Magnifico and Margherita Pizza , each showcasing Marco's commitment to bold, premium flavors. Marco's pushed boundaries with tasty LTOs like its Fiery Flavors Menu, a category-defining lineup anchored by a spicy cheese blend. Other menu highlights included the Triple Pep Magnifico and , each showcasing Marco's commitment to bold, premium flavors. Technology Advancement: The rollout of a proprietary cloud-based platform continues to enhance franchisee operations and guest experiences. This innovation reflects Marco's dedication to staying ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape with 770 new features and enhancements added to the platform since launch. The rollout of a proprietary cloud-based platform continues to enhance franchisee operations and guest experiences. This innovation reflects Marco's dedication to staying ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape with 770 new features and enhancements added to the platform since launch. New Brand Platform: The launch of But Wait, There's Marco's continues to disrupt routine ordering behavior and reminds customers why Marco's stands out with its fresh ingredients and bold flavors. The launch of But Wait, There's Marco's continues to disrupt routine ordering behavior and reminds customers why Marco's stands out with its fresh ingredients and bold flavors. Design & Operational Enhancements: The unveiling of a new store design and the integration of technologies strengthened both the customer experience and operational efficiency. The unveiling of a new store design and the integration of technologies strengthened both the customer experience and operational efficiency. NextGen Leadership: Marco's bolstered its leadership team with strategic hires including SVP of Digital Marketing Ben Halliwell , Director of Culinary Innovation Kathleen Kennedy , supporting 2023 new hire CMO Denise Lauer, and the promotions of John Meyers to COO, Milton Molina to SVP of Store Technology, Cathy Kinzer to SVP of Supply Chain, and Kristin Corcoran to Chief Legal Counsel. Marco's bolstered its leadership team with strategic hires including SVP of Digital Marketing , Director of Culinary Innovation , supporting 2023 new hire CMO Denise Lauer, and the promotions of to COO, to SVP of Store Technology, to SVP of Supply Chain, and to Chief Legal Counsel. Philanthropic Efforts: The Marco's Pizza Foundation joined forces with Junior Achievement USA to further fuel entrepreneurial opportunity for young people, with a goal of reaching $500,000 in donations. Vision for 2025 Marco's enters 2025 with a renewed focus on multi-unit franchise development, with 65% of 2024 agreements coming from existing franchisees a testament to the brand's strong operational support and business model. Key growth areas include expansion into nontraditional locations and international markets, including Mexico. "Marco's leads the charge in growth, innovation, and customer satisfaction," said Tony Libardi, Co-CEO & President of Marco's Pizza. "As we continue our expansion, we remain focused on bold culinary creations, operational excellence, and franchisee support. 2025 will be a year of momentum as we deliver on our commitment to quality and innovation." Key Initiatives on the Horizon Expanded Culinary Innovation: Under Kathleen Kennedy , Director of Culinary Innovation, Marco's will continue introducing menu items that captivate customers and help drive franchisee sales. Under , Director of Culinary Innovation, Marco's will continue introducing menu items that captivate customers and help drive franchisee sales. Technology Enhancements: Marco's will build on its front and back of house system with new features, including enhanced data analytics, to support franchisee operations and create an improved guest experience with an upgrade of its digital platform. Marco's will build on its front and back of house system with new features, including enhanced data analytics, to support franchisee operations and create an improved guest experience with an upgrade of its digital platform. Multi-Unit Growth & Nontraditional Opportunities: Marco's is currently focusing on key markets in the Midwest, East Coast, and Sun Belt regions, plus international expansion building on the momentum of a 50-unit master franchise agreement to develop in Mexico City . Furthermore, the development team continues to explore options for nontraditional expansion, including ghost kitchens in urban areas. Marco's growth and strong performance continue to be recognized across the industry. Notably, the ranked in the Top 50 on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, earned a spot in Newsweek's America's Best Customer Service for pizza chains, and was highlighted on Nation's Restaurant News' Top 500 and QSR's Top 50. Prospects are taking note of the business opportunity, as the Marco's Franchising Franchise Disclosure Document reports the Top 50% of Marco's franchised stores generated average net royalty sales of AUV $1,208,653 during the 2023 fiscal year*. FRANdata, a leading research and advisory firm that analyzes the franchise market, reports Marco's 2024 FUND Score ranks among the Top 10 of all evaluated franchise systems. More impressively, Marco's ranks in the Top 3 scores for all QSR brands and No. 2 in the pizza category, maintaining its strong position from 2023. These impressive rankings are a testament to the brand's commitment to financing guidance as a core focus of its franchise development strategy which has led the near 1,300-unit brand on the path to continued growth. For more information Marco's Pizza franchise opportunities, visit https://www.marcos.com/franchising/ or contact Jamie Cecil at [email protected] or 866-731-8209. ABOUT MARCO'S PIZZA Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marco's Pizza is one of the fastest-growing pizza brands in the United States. Marco's was founded in 1978 by Italian-born Pasquale ("Pat") Giammarco and thrives to deliver a high-quality pizza experience, known for its dough made from scratch and its three fresh signature cheeses. The company has grown from its roots as a beloved Ohio brand to operate over 1,200 stores in 35 states with locations in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Mexico. Most recently, Marco's Pizza was ranked in the Top 50 on Entrepreneur Magazine's 2025 "Franchise 500" ranking. Other recent accolades include a high ranking on Newsweek's 2025 "America's Best Customer Service" in pizza chains list, earning a spot on QSR's Top 50, and being featured on Nation's Restaurant News' prestigious "Top 500" ranking. *Based on the Average Sales Volume of the top 50% of U.S. Franchised Stores for our fiscal year 2023. Based on our fiscal year 2023, 185 of 447 Franchised Stores in the category (or 41%) met or exceeded this average. This information appears in Item 19 of Marco's Franchising's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document ("FDD") - please refer to our FDD for complete information on financial performance. Individual results may differ. There is no assurance that any franchisee will perform as well. SOURCE Marco's Pizza AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- bnbfinder, the book-direct marketplace for professionally hosted vacation rentals without service fees, announced today that it has rebranded to Savvy and introduced a groundbreaking real-time price comparison tool. This powerful new feature lets travelers see exactly how much they save by booking through Savvy compared to major platforms, like Airbnb, saving them up to 20% per stay by avoiding service fees. Savvy is redefining how travelers book vacation rentals, tackling a major pain point in the industry: platform service fees. 68% of Americans admit to "showrooming," where they spend time finding a property on sites like Airbnb and Vrbo, only to waste more time scouring the internet for ways to book the same property directly and bypass service fees. Savvy's real-time price comparison tool eliminates that hassle, showing travelers exactly how much they save all in one place. Beyond making it effortless to save big on service fees, Savvy also now offers nearly 1 million ratings and reviews. Together, these features give travelers the insights, transparency and ease they need to make smarter booking decisions with confidence. Savvy saves travelers up to 20% per stay by avoiding service fees found on platforms like Airbnb. Post this "At Savvy, we believe travel should be about creating unforgettable memories with the people you love not worrying about being taken advantage of by major corporations tacking on service fees," said Eric Goldreyer, CEO and founder of Savvy. "The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) new 'Junk Fees' rule, which requires businesses to disclose all mandatory fees upfront, is a step in the right direction, but at Savvy, we've always led the way with upfront pricing and no platform service fees. Our new real-time price comparison builds on that philosophy, giving travelers even more tools to book smarter and make the most of their travel spend." A new name and fresh new look Savvy's rebrand reflects its commitment to meeting the needs of today's travelers and property managers. Travelers want peace of mind and freedom from hidden fees, while property managers want greater autonomy over their businesses and guest relationships. The new name aligns with this shared mindset, offering a smarter, transparent alternative to traditional platforms. While the name has changed, what Savvy's community loves most about the platform remains the same: no service fees, transparent pricing and only professionally hosted stays that blend the comforts of home with the reliability of top-tier hotels. With its new name comes a bold new tagline "Stay smarter" challenging travelers to outsmart outdated major booking sites and discover a better way to book their next "stay." At the heart of the rebrand is a fresh visual identity. The waypoint house logo represents reliability and direction, while the oceanic slate blue color palette evokes calm and stability in an industry often defined by unpredictability. Cheerful illustrations and icons add an approachable touch, reinforcing Savvy's focus on providing a stress-free, reliable and more enjoyable booking for everyone. Empowering property managers with greater control and profitability For property managers, Savvy provides a compelling solution in the evolving vacation rental industry, where driving direct bookings is becoming a top priority. According to Lodgify's 2024 Vacation Rental Industry Report, nearly two-third of hosts identify driving direct bookings as a top business goal for 2025. By giving hosts complete control over their listings, Savvy empowers property managers to own the entire booking process, foster guest loyalty and grow their businesses on their terms all without the burden of service fees charged by other platforms. Momentum and future growth In just 18 months, Savvy has added over 150,000 vacation rentals throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada from nearly 2,500 professional hosts and property management companies, including recent partnerships with VacayHome Connect and Evolve. The platform integrates with 14 property management systems, including Barefoot Technologies, Escapia, Guesty, Hostaway, Hostfully, Lodgify, Lodgix, NextPax, OwnerRez, Rentals United, Streamline, Track TNS, Bookster and Lodgix, with plans to add six more certified connections with Bluetent, CiiRUS, Inhabit, LMPM, LiveRez and Virtual Resort Manager by the end of March. Looking ahead, Savvy expects to more than double its listings and expand internationally before the end of 2025. The company will also launch its new mobile app this spring, making it easier than ever to book and manage stays while on the go. "For years, travelers have dealt with misleading listings, unreliable hosts and excessive service fees on mainstream vacation rental sites because they thought there was no alternative," said Goldreyer. "Meanwhile, property managers have accepted loss of control over their listings and platform fees as the cost of doing business. Travelers and property managers have started to demand better quality, reliability and transparency without compromise. They became Savvy, and now so have we." About Savvy Savvy is redefining vacation rentals for today's modern travelers and hosts. Formerly bnbfinder, Savvy connects travelers with professionally managed properties offering consistently elevated stays, transparent pricing and zero service fees saving up to 20% per booking. With over 150,000 properties and a commitment to price transparency, reliability and value, Savvy provides peace of mind for every journey. As a book-direct platform, Savvy also empowers property managers and hosts with greater autonomy over their listings, enabling them to own the booking process from start to finish, deliver exceptional guest experiences and keep more of their earnings. Ready to Stay smarter? Head over to www.savvy.com. Media Contacts Andrea Oliveira [email protected] SOURCE bnbfinder MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center's exceptional clinical performance places the organization in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide LAGUNA HILLS, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center announced today that it is one of America's 250 Best Hospitals for 2025, according to new research released by Healthgrades, the No. 1 site Americans use when searching for a doctor or hospital. This achievement reflects Saddleback Medical Center's commitment to clinical excellence and exceptional patient care putting the organization in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance for the third year in a row. MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center is named one of Americas 250 Best Hospitals by Healthgrades. "We are honored to be recognized as one of the best hospitals in the country for a third year in a row," says Marcia Manker, chief executive officer, MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center. "As a high-reliability organization, we are continuously focused on performance improvement indicators and ensuring quality metrics are met, to ensure each patient has the best chance at a positive clinical outcome." In addition to this recognition for overall clinical care, Saddleback Medical Center is the recipient of numerous accolades related to its exceptional patient outcomes in key service areas, including gastrointestinal care, pulmonary care, small intestine surgeries and treatment of bowel obstruction, hip fracture, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gastrointestinal bleeds, heart failure, pulmonary embolism, respiratory failure, sepsis and stroke. These achievements further underscore the organization's dedication to clinical excellence, placing Saddleback Medical Center among the upper echelon of hospitals nationwide. Saddleback Medical Center's achievements are based exclusively on what matters most: patient outcomes. To determine the top hospitals for 2025, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for over 30 of the most common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide. Healthgrades' annual analysis revealed significant performance gaps between the nation's highest- and lowest-achieving hospitals, making it increasingly important to seek care at a top-rated facility. "As one of America's 250 Best Hospitals, Saddleback Medical Center is elevating the standard for quality care nationwide," said Brad Bowman, MD, chief medical officer and head of data science at Healthgrades. "Healthgrades commends Saddleback Medical Center for their ongoing leadership and commitment to providing the best possible care for all patients in Southern California." As care variation grows, consumers must find and select a top-rated hospital to maximize their chances of a successful outcome. Consumers can visit healthgrades.com for guidance on how to find best-in-class care in 2025, with additional resources on how Healthgrades rates hospitals and why hospital quality matters available here. *Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for years 2021 through 2023 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only. Click here to view the complete 2025 America's Best Hospital Awards Methodology. About MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center is a member of MemorialCare, a not-for-profit, integrated health care delivery System. Saddleback Medical Center received U.S. News & World Report high performance rankings for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Congestive Heart Failure, COPD, Diabetes, Heart Attack, Kidney Failure, Knee Replacement, Pneumonia, and Stroke. It was named among Healthgrade's America's 250 Best Hospitals, Top 50 U.S. Cardiovascular Hospitals, Orange County Register Best Orange County Hospitals and Top Workplaces; received Magnet Nursing Excellence designation and American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Care Gold Plus and among first U.S. hospitals earning Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center Certification and Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation. Centers of Excellence include cancer, heart, orthopedics, spine, neuroscience, gastroenterology, emergency and critical care, breast health, imaging, women's health, obstetrics, geriatrics, and minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery. To learn more, visit memorialcare.org/saddleback . About Healthgrades Healthgrades is dedicated to empowering meaningful connections between patients, doctors, and hospitals. As the #1 platform for finding a doctor and a leader in healthcare transparency, we help millions of consumers each month find and schedule appointments with their healthcare professional of choice and prepare for their appointments with best-in-class, treatment-focused content. For over 20 years, our health system, group practice, and life sciences marketing solutions have helped our partners reach and engage consumers on their way to the doctor. Healthgrades is part of RVO Health, a partnership between Red Ventures and Optum, part of UnitedHealth Group. RVO Health has the largest consumer health and wellness audience online across its brand portfolio, including Healthgrades, Healthline, Medical News Today, Greatist, Psych Central and Bezzy, which touch every part of the health and wellness journey. RVO Health helps more than 100 million unique visitors live their strongest and healthiest lives each month. SOURCE MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Context Ventures brings together military veteran entrepreneurs, investors and industry leaders at the largest Military Veteran startup conference. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Military Veteran Startup Conference invites military veteran founders, future founders, veterans, investors and civilian allies to attend MVS2025, the largest military veteran startup conference, on February 5-6, 2025 at the Marines' Memorial Club, San Francisco. The PenFed Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that supports veterans in their transition from service to success, is a proud event partner. MilVet Startups Announces Annual Military Veteran Startup Conference Feb. 5-6 in San Francisco The conference focuses on educating, inspiring, empowering, networking, and dealmaking. The conference will cover a range of topics such as defense tech, dual use startups, fintech, health tech, artificial intelligence, and space tech with an investor pitch session. The PenFed Foundation is hosting a pitch competition exclusive to PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur Program participants from its 2024 cohorts. The winner will receive $50,000, with $30,000 going to second and $15,000 for third! Each year veteran-owned founders selected for the program, come together to participate in networking events, roundtables and mentorship opportunities. The program provides seminars with prominent business leaders cover topics ranging from business development, marketing and branding, sales, communications, strategic planning, pitching investors, scaling and exiting. The accelerator program is free of charge to military founders and the PenFed Foundation does not take equity in the businesses. Veteran and military-spouse owned and led companies who are interested in future cohorts, are encouraged to apply here. "MVS2025 is excited to partner with The PenFed Foundation to add an exclusive pitch competition for military veteran founders. From thought-provoking panels to impactful pitch sessions, MVS2025 is set to showcase the innovation, leadership, and camaraderie that defines our community," said Context Ventures Partner Tim Hsia. "Join us for unparalleled networking and insights at MVS25." Participants receive access to: Exclusive workshops designed to enhance entrepreneurial skills and investment strategies. Networking opportunities with top-tier investors actively seeking to support veteran-led businesses. Insightful panel discussions featuring industry leaders sharing their experiences and success stories. Learn more about the event, speakers, participants and purchase tickets here. About Context Ventures Context Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on preseed investing.. The firm focuses on developing, mentoring, and investing in military veteran led startups. About PenFed Foundation Founded in 2001, The PenFed Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that supports veterans in their transition from service to success. Affiliated with PenFed Credit Union, the Foundation has provided more than $55 million in financial support to veterans, active-duty service members and military families. PenFed Credit Union covers the salaries and administrative costs of The PenFed Foundation, so more of your donation goes right to our programs. To learn more, please visit www.penfedfoundation.org. SOURCE PenFed Foundation Mount Sinai's exceptional clinical performance places the organization in the top 2% nationwide for the second year in a row MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mount Sinai Medical Center announced today that it is one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for 2025, according to new research released by Healthgrades , the #1 site Americans use when searching for a doctor or hospital. This achievement reflects Mount Sinai's unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care and puts the organization in the top 2% of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance for a second year in a row (2024, 2025). In addition to this recognition for overall clinical care, Mount Sinai is the recipient of numerous accolades related to its outstanding performance in key service areas, including critical care, gastrointestinal care and surgery, pulmonary care, and stroke care. These achievements further underscore the organization's dedication to clinical excellence, placing Mount Sinai among the upper echelon of hospitals nationwide. "This recognition a testament to our continued commitment to provide the highest level of care to our community and solidifies our well-deserved reputation for quality around the nation," said Gino R. Santorio, President and CEO of Mount Sinai Medical Center. "For 75 years, our medical center has been a trusted source of care for the South Florida community and beyond. As we look to the future, we remain committed to advancing our services to ensure we can continue providing exceptional care to all who rely on us." Mount Sinai's achievements are based exclusively on what matters most: patient outcomes. To determine the top hospitals for 2025, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for over 30 conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide. Healthgrades' annual analysis revealed significant performance gaps between the nation's highest- and lowest-achieving hospitals, making it increasingly important to seek care at a top-rated facility. "Our commitment to achieving true clinical excellence is an evolving process. We are focused on continuing to recruit expert physicians from around the country, investing in the latest technologies and expanding our services all in an effort to improve the patient experience and to build on our nationally recognized brand of care," says Santorio. "These efforts, in addition to several other patient-focused initiatives, coupled with the dedication of our expert physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals, allow us to deliver the highest quality of care for our South Florida community." "As one of America's 100 Best Hospitals, Mount Sinai Medical Center is elevating the standard for quality care nationwide," said Brad Bowman, MD, chief medical officer and head of data science at Healthgrades. "Healthgrades commends Mount Sinai for their ongoing leadership and commitment to providing the best possible care for all patients in South Florida." As care variation grows, consumers must find and select a top-rated hospital to maximize their chances of a successful outcome. Consumers can visit healthgrades.com for guidance on how to find best-in-class care in 2025, with additional resources on how Healthgrades rates hospitals and why hospital quality matters available here . *Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for years 2021 through 2023 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only. Click here to view the complete 2025 America's Best Hospital Awards Methodology. About Mount Sinai Medical Center Founded in 1949, Mount Sinai Medical Center is the largest independent, private, not-for-profit teaching hospital in South Florida. Mount Sinai's mission is to provide quality health care to a diverse community enhanced through teaching, research, charity care, and financial responsibility. Mount Sinai's Centers of Excellence combine technology, research, and academics to provide innovative and comprehensive care in cardiology, neuroscience, oncology, urology, and orthopedics. One of the original statutory teaching hospitals in the state of Florida, Mount Sinai is the hospital of choice for those who seek the level of expertise and care that only a teaching hospital can offer. Mount Sinai currently offers nine convenient locations in Miami-Dade County, including three emergency centers, and three specialty care offices in Monroe County. For more information on Mount Sinai Medical Center, visit msmc.com or call 305.674.CARE (2273). About Healthgrades Healthgrades is dedicated to empowering meaningful connections between patients, doctors, and hospitals. As the #1 platform for finding a doctor and a leader in healthcare transparency, we help millions of consumers each month find and schedule appointments with their healthcare professional of choice and prepare for their appointments with best-in-class, treatment-focused content. For over 20 years, our health system, group practice, and life sciences marketing solutions have helped our partners reach and engage consumers on their way to the doctor. Healthgrades is part of RVO Health, a partnership between Red Ventures and Optum, part of UnitedHealth Group. RVO Health has the largest consumer health and wellness audience online across its brand portfolio, including Healthgrades, Healthline, Medical News Today, Greatist, Psych Central and Bezzy, which touch every part of the health and wellness journey. RVO Health helps more than 100 million unique visitors live their strongest and healthiest lives each month. SOURCE Mount Sinai Medical Center WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will host a news conference at 12 p.m. EST Friday, Jan. 31, to discuss a new telescope that will improve our understanding of how the universe evolved and search for key ingredients for life in our galaxy. NASA's SPHEREx space observatory was photographed at BAE Systems in Boulder, Colorado, in November 2024 after completing environmental testing. The spacecraft's three concentric cones help direct heat and light away from the telescope and other components, keeping them cool. Credit: BAE Systems Agency experts will preview NASA's SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer) mission, which will help scientists better understand the structure of the universe, how galaxies form and evolve, and the origins and abundance of water. Launch is targeted for no earlier than Thursday, Feb. 27. The news conference will be hosted at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. Watch live on NASA+, as well as JPL's X and YouTube channels. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media. Laurie Leshin, director, NASA JPL, will provide opening remarks. Additional briefing participants include: Shawn Domagal-Goldman , acting director, Astrophysics Division, NASA Headquarters , acting director, Astrophysics Division, NASA Headquarters James Fanson , project manager, SPHEREx, NASA JPL , project manager, SPHEREx, NASA JPL Beth Fabinsky , deputy project manager, SPHEREx, NASA JPL , deputy project manager, SPHEREx, NASA JPL Jamie Bock , principal investigator, SPHEREx, Caltech , principal investigator, SPHEREx, Caltech Cesar Marin , SPHEREx integration engineer, Launch Services Program, NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida To ask questions by phone, members of the media must RSVP no later than two hours before the start of the event to: [email protected]. NASA's media accreditation policy is available online. Questions also can be asked on social media during the briefing using #AskNASA. The SPHEREx observatory will survey the entire celestial sky in near-infrared light to help answer cosmic questions involving the birth of the universe, and the subsequent development of galaxies. It also will search for ices of water and organic molecules essentials for life as we know it in regions where stars are born from gas and dust, as well as disks around stars where new planets could be forming. Astronomers will use the mission to gather data on more than 450 million galaxies, as well as more than 100 million stars in our own Milky Way galaxy. The space observatory will share its ride on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with NASA's PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission, which will lift off from Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Central California. The SPHEREx mission is managed by NASA JPL for the agency's Astrophysics Division within the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The principal investigator is based at Caltech in Pasadena, California, which manages NASA JPL for the agency. The spacecraft is supplied by BAE Systems. The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute contributed the non-flight cryogenic test chamber. Mission data will be publicly available through IPAC at Caltech. For more information about the mission, visit: https://nasa.gov/sphere SOURCE NASA RaceTrac Streamlines Operations, Decreases Costs and Eliminates Inefficiencies with the ColorWorks CW-C6000A LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- After many years working solely with a third-party provider for the creation and delivery of its shelf strips, popular convenience retailer RaceTrac has moved its shelf tagging and product labeling operations in-house with ColorWorks on-demand color label printers. As the 18th largest privately held company in the U.S., RaceTrac operates over 580 stores in 13 states, stocking more than 4,000 retail and grocery items. With its large database of products, varied store types, layouts and planograms, flexibility with label printing operations is critical. RaceTrac Brings Shelf Tagging In-House with Epson ColorWorks On-Demand Color Label Printers Post this RaceTrac streamlines operations, decreases costs and eliminates inefficiencies with the Epson ColorWorks color label printers RaceTrac transitioned from a one-size-fits-all printing operation to the ColorWorks on-demand color label printer, bringing all shelf strip production in-house. This switch reduced production time from weeks to less than two days. RaceTrac's shelf strips are far from standard; these 2- foot or 4-foot synthetic tags feature vibrant colors, RaceTrac branding and detailed product information for an eye-catching, informative display. "At RaceTrac, our business goals include identifying and optimizing merchandise planning and execution strategies to increase profit, and ColorWorks label printer technology satisfies our needs as a retailer while also enhancing the customer experience," said Jonah Whigham, space management manager at RaceTrac. "Instead of costly individual product strips, we can utilize strips across an entire shelf that includes a barcode and UPC, ordering identifiers, a large price tag, and something that sets us apart from other retailers a high-resolution color image of the product. Not only does the color product image make shopping and identifying product details easy for shoppers, but it also makes the process of stocking and ordering easy for merchandising and store teams." When RaceTrac realized they could significantly benefit from changes to their shelf tagging and product labeling operations, Kent Bailey, director of space and demand planning at RaceTrac, enlisted the expertise of Epson and Integrated Productivity Systems (IPSi), with extensive experience integrating automated data collection equipment and label printing systems. The three companies collaborated to create an advanced, seamless solution that integrates three ColorWorks CW-C6000A on-demand color label printers with Loftware Cloud software and IPSi's custom label software. IPSi's software plays a crucial role in bridging the infrastructure and hardware components. "When the RaceTrac team came to us, they lacked flexibility and control in their shelf tag printing, which caused real business problems," said Rick Schilling, president of IPSi. "They now have the tools and agility to print shelf tags internally when they need to and use a commercial printer when it calls for it, which is beneficial when you get into target marketing and A/B testing." "Our new system lets us view and adjust strip files before printing," said Whigham. "This is a game changer. We eliminate waste and ensure accuracy, saving time and money. Even though our shelf tags are durable, they sometimes get damaged. Now, if a store needs a replacement, we can print and ship it the next day. What used to take weeks now happens in real time." The RaceTrac team now has complete control over their shelf tag process. They can monitor every step, make changes as needed and enjoy total flexibility. By bringing production in-house, RaceTrac eliminated reliance on a third party, saving time and money. "In terms of total shelf tag labeling costs, we've saved around 50% of total costs over the past year with the new solution," said Whigham. "That equates to more than $250,000 we've been able to save by bringing operations in-house." "We continue to see businesses find success and process improvements with the ColorWorks on-demand color label printers," said Stevi Sterns, product manager, Epson America, Inc. "Integrating color and on-demand printing can allow companies to innovate, save costs and eliminate inefficiencies, and we are excited to see RaceTrac do just that." About RaceTrac, Inc. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, family-owned RaceTrac is the 18th largest privately held company in the United States and has been serving guests since 1934. RaceTrac has more than 800 retail locations representing the RaceTrac and RaceWay brands in 13 states offering guests an affordable one-stop-shop featuring competitively priced fuel plus a wide selection of food and beverage favorites, including freshly brewed coffee. RaceTrac employs more than 10,500 team members across RaceTrac, RaceWay and affiliated companies Metroplex Energy, Energy Dispatch and Gulf Oil. About Epson Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson's goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion. global.epson.com/ Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), X (x.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/epsonamerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica). EPSON and ColorWorks are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2025 Epson America, Inc. SOURCE Epson America, Inc. 117 MW Sycamore Creek Solar is located in Crawford County, Ohio MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- National Grid Renewables announced today the start of onsite construction at its Sycamore Creek Solar Project (Sycamore Creek) located in Crawford County, Ohio, within the PJM market. Once operational, Sycamore Creek will deliver 117 megawatts (MW) of clean solar power and generate an estimated $27 million in direct economic benefit for the local community. "We have a longstanding commitment to bringing forth sustainable energy solutions for the residents of Ohio," said Joe Ibrahim, Vice President of Construction at National Grid Renewables. "Sycamore Creek is our fifth solar project to begin construction within the state, and we want to thank Ohioans for their support as we continue to grow our portfolio in Ohio." Sycamore Creek will benefit the local host community in many ways, including the creation of new tax revenue, jobs and charitable giving. Once operational, the project is estimated to produce $16 million in new tax revenue for Crawford County and local townships, school districts and emergency services. Throughout construction of the project, Sycamore Creek will support approximately 160 construction jobs. The project is contracted with Kiewit Power Constructors as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) partner, with whom National Grid Renewables has partnered on the four previous Ohio projects. "We are proud to continue our partnership with National Grid Renewables on the Sycamore Creek Solar Project," said Brian Koller, Vice President of Kiewit Power Constructors Co. "Together, we are building a sustainable future while creating significant economic benefits for the communities we serve. This marks another milestone in our shared commitment to advancing clean energy solutions across Ohio." Sycamore Creek will expand National Grid Renewables' Ohio portfolio to over 675 MW of construction and operating projects throughout the Buckeye state. The project follows Yellowbud Solar the first and largest project in their Ohio portfolio which announced operations in late 2023, and current construction projects, Dodson Creek Solar, Ross County Solar and Fayette Solar. About National Grid Renewables National Grid Renewables develops, owns and operates large-scale renewable energy assets across the United States, including solar, wind, and energy storage. As a farmer-founded and community-focused business, National Grid Renewables repowers America's electricity grid by reigniting local economies and reinvesting in a sustainable, clean energy future. National Grid Renewables supports National Grid's vision of being at the heart of a clean, fair, and affordable energy future for all. To learn more about National Grid Renewables, visit www.nationalgridrenewables.com or follow the company on LinkedIn. Media Inquiries Contact: Emily Morissette Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications National Grid Renewables [email protected] 612-504-4839 SOURCE National Grid Renewables BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. Azerbaijan and Japan have engaged in talks regarding future collaboration in the insurance sector, the Azerbaijan Insurers Association (AIA) told Trend. The discussions, which were organized with the support of the AIA, took place in Tokyo as part of a visit by a delegation of Azerbaijani insurance leaders, covering both life insurance and other types of coverage. The main goal of the visit was to explore the application of innovative technologies, digital solutions, and artificial intelligence used by leading Japanese insurance companies. During the visit, the Azerbaijani delegation held meetings with several reputable companies, including Ichinen Holdings, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Co., SOMPO Holdings Inc., Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, and Toa Reinsurance Company. It was noted that the meetings provided Azerbaijani insurers with a golden opportunity to soak up Japans cutting-edge practices in the field and dive into crucial discussions geared towards enhancing collaboration. Additionally, the delegation met with the chairman of the Japan Life Insurance Association, Toyonari Sasaki, who is also a board member of the Global Federation of Insurance Associations (GFIA), an organization that includes AIA. The talks also focused on the future of bilateral relations between the two nations. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The film, which is in competition for the Best Short Documentary Award, explores the cultural identity and close connection to the land and water shared by the Rapa Nui People. SEATTLE, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- We are thrilled to announce that "Te Pito o Te Henua" (The Navel of the World) is an official selection for the 22nd International Oceanian Documentary Film Festival (FIFO), which takes place from January 31 to February 9, 2025. The festival will be held both online and in person at the Te Fare Tauhiti Nui - Maison de la Culture in Tahiti. Watch the trailer for the Te Pito o Te Henua short film. "Te Pito o Te Henua" follows the Rapa Nui Indigenous community on Rapa Nui Island, also known as Easter Island, one of the world's most remote inhabited islands, as they prepare to host their most important cultural festival Tapati Rapa Nui and reinforce deep connections to culture, language, and land. Directed by Martin Kingman and Nils Cowan and coproduced with the Rapa Nui People through the Municipality of Rapa Nui, the documentary captures the family and community story at the heart of the festival by showing the incredible ingenuity and complexity of the Rapa Nui culture. "We survived from (being) only 111 people. (...) We are here to continue this legacy; we are the living face of our ancestors. And if we don't take hold of our culture, it will be lost," says Lynn Rapu, a practitioner and promoter of the arts and traditions of the Rapa Nui People, also featured in the film. "A product of deep collaboration, 'Te Pito o Te Henua' is our shared effort to show the joy and unity of the Tapati festival and how this work translates to self-determination, land and ocean guardianship, and cultural revitalization among youth," said the directors in a joint statement. The documentary is part of a series of films created by the Wayfinders Circle, a global network of Indigenous Peoples who work to strengthen self-determination in managing their lands and territories, and who maintain cultural and spiritual continuity through intergenerational transmission. It is a co-production between the Wayfinders Circle conveners (Nia Tero, Pawanka Fund, the World Union of Indigenous Spiritual Practitioners) and the Rapa Nui People through the Municipality of Rapa Nui. About the International Oceanian Documentary Film Festival Since 2004, the International Oceanian Documentary Film Festival celebrates the richness and diversity of the cultures and stories of the Pacific, providing a unique platform to discover films that explore contemporary issues and the ancestral traditions of the Oceanian islands. Learn more about "Te Pito o Te Henua." SOURCE Nia Tero The industry veteran brings significant information security, cloud, and wireless networking expertise to the campus network innovator SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nile , the pioneer of a new breed of enterprise network solutions aimed at securing organizations from cyberattacks and automating daily operations, today announced that it has added industry veteran Hemant Chaskar as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). With more than 25 years of experience in information security, cloud, and wireless networking, Mr. Chaskar's responsibilities will include Nile's overall organizational security roadmap, security within Nile's cloud infrastructure and Campus Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) solution, governance, compliance, and risk management, as well as working with customers on the development of network security features to meet evolving requirements. "Given his diverse experience, adding someone like Hemant to your executive team is almost like adding three or four different team members," said Pankaj Patel, CEO and co-founder, Nile. "It would be nearly impossible to find someone with a skillset and track record that is a better match for Nile's mission to transform the enterprise network and how zero trust security is delivered. We're thrilled to have him onboard." Prior to his appointment at Nile, Mr. Chaskar has held pivotal roles in information security for the last 10 years, including acting as CISO at Mojo Networks, Principal Security Architect at Arista Networks, Head of Cloud Security at Aruba Networks and HPE, and Chief of Product & Platform Security at Exabeam. In these roles, Hemant has successfully led initiatives across technical, operational, compliance, incident response, and business-enabling areas of information security. For 15 years before that, Hemant performed pivotal roles in technology development, product architecture, engineering, and technical evangelism in Wi-Fi access and security, as well as cloud-managed networking and network security for enterprise systems. "This role at Nile allows me to apply the full breadth and depth of my experience to solving the problem presented by traditional enterprise architectures and modern attacks like ransomware," said Hemant Chaskar, Nile's new CISO. "Being part of building a completely new market category for campus networking and zero trust security is a unique opportunity. I'm very excited to be a part of this extraordinary team." Mr. Chaskar has a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. About Nile Nile is disrupting the enterprise network market by building natively secure connectivity that modernizes IT operations with a new AI networking architecture, delivering enterprise networks entirely as a service. For the first time in the industry, the Nile Access Service integrates zero trust security and offers performance guarantees for connectivity, coverage, and availability. With Nile, IT organizations close the gap between their digital aspirations and legacy realities with superior connectivity that reduces the burden on critical IT resources. For more information, visit nilesecure.com/solutions/nile-access-service . Media Contacts: Nichols Communications for Nile Jay Nichols +1 408-772-1551 [email protected] SOURCE Nile BROMONT, QC, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Leading organizations across Quebec and the Northeastern states of the United States have joined forces to address trade challenges and strengthen resilience. Recognizing the semiconductor industry as a cornerstone of national security and economic sovereignty, this unprecedented collaboration aims to ensure that North America remains resilient, competitive, and autonomous in this critical sector. The coalition includes: AmCham Quebec Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development University of Vermont Technum Quebec Innovation Zone in Electronics and Semiconductors Distriq Quantum Innovation Zone C2MI MiQro Innovation Collaborative Centre ISEQ Pole d'excellence de l'Industrie des Systemes Electroniques du Quebec Universite de Sherbrooke Conseil du patronat du Quebec Through the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between these stakeholders, the alliance will focus on: Developing a resilient supply chain for uninterrupted access to critical components. Facilitating policy coordination to mitigate the impact of trade barriers. Establishing the Northeast Semiconductor Manufacturing Corridor, spanning Quebec and northeastern U.S. states, as a hub for innovation and advanced manufacturing. "As global pressures increase, North America must unite to secure its semiconductor supply chain," said Michel Belval, president of the AmCham Quebec chapter. "This partnership exemplifies how collaboration across borders can drive innovation, protect economic stability, and address strategic challenges in a rapidly evolving world." "The Northeast Manufacturing Corridor is home to the highest concentration of semiconductor manufacturers, with thriving tech hubs on both the Canadian and American sides. This partnership not only strengthens our ability to address emerging industry demands but also highlights the importance of sharing expertise and resources across borders to drive progress in advanced technologies," said Normand Bourbonnais and Manon Duclos, outgoing and current CEOs of Technum Quebec. This joint effort underscores the recognition of semiconductors as critical to economic and national security. By leveraging the collective strengths of this alliance, North America positions itself as a global leader in technological innovation while fostering economic prosperity throughout the region. In the coming weeks, additional organizations are expected to join this movement, further expanding the scope of collaboration. This announcement marks the beginning of a long-term alliance aimed at advancing the electronics, semiconductors, quantum technologies, and technological innovation fields globally. About Technum Quebec Electronics and semiconductor innovation zone Designated innovation zone by the Quebec government in February 2022, Technum Quebec is the technological ambassador of a digital Quebec. The organization contributes to the growth of the ecosystem by increasing the collaborations required for the development of innovations, technological transfers and the creation of economic, social and environmental wealth. Its various collaborations will enable the sustainable integration of intelligent electronic systems in all economic spheres and position Quebec as a leader on the world stage. About AmCham Quebec The Quebec Chapter of The American Chamber of Commerce in Canada, known as AmCham Canada, is based in Montreal, the province's commercial hub. At the confluence of language and culture, AmCham Canada's Quebec chapter is uniquely positioned to serve the needs of firms involved in the US-Canada business and trade relationship. From clarifying language policy to demystifying tax and legal regulations on both sides of the border to putting members into contact with experts on best practices in developing business in 'the other market', the Quebec chapter serves the province's vibrant and diverse business community in its relationships with Canada's largest trading partner. About Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) helps Vermonters improve their quality of life and build strong communities. Collaboration is central to carrying out this mission and we work with other state Agencies as well as businesses of all sizes, communities, educators, non-profits, students, recreational venues, and many others. About University of Vermont : For People and Planet Founded in 1791, UVM is the leading public research university where discovery, creativity, community, and action coalesce to secure a thriving future for people and planet. Vermont's state flagship and land-grant university produces $260 million annually in groundbreaking research and enrolls approximately 14,000 students from 50 states and 75 countries. At UVM, students, faculty, and staff work together in pursuit of a healthier, greener future. Learn more at uvm.edu. About Distriq The Quantum Innovation Zone based in Sherbrooke serves as a catalyst and orchestrator at the heart of Quebec's quantum ecosystem.Recognized today as a world-class ecosystem, the Zone is primarily funded by the Government of Quebec. It brings together a comprehensive range of stakeholders and resources: fundamental and applied research, a startup creation studio, an incubator, investment funds, global business development expertise, industries, cutting-edge infrastructures, and a dynamic network of startups. This ecosystem attracts exceptional talent and world-class companies. Its mission is to accelerate the development and amplify the reach of Quebec's quantum activities while positioning Sherbrooke as a place where technological innovation and an exceptional quality of life sustainably coexist. About C2MI The MiQro Innovation Collaborative Center (C2MI) serves as a reference in research and development to accelerate the commercialization of components essential to digital technologies, being a transversal vector for all the economic sectors and critical to wealth creation. Backed by a world-class infrastructure in the manufacturing fields micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), advanced semiconductor assembly, quantum and printed electronics, C2MI is at the core of all industry sectors integrating components essential for the use and deployment of digital technologies. The Centre is strongly committed to be a unique model of collaboration, where synergy between industrial and academic partners is necessary, even essential, for the development of next-generation products. Visit: www.c2mi.ca. About ISEQ Pole d'excellence de l'Industrie des Systemes Electroniques du Quebec ISEQ is a Center of Excellence from the Quebec Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy (MEIE) which brings together companies, associations, partners, collaborators and educational establishments whose activities are linked to the development and marketing of processes and computer and electronic products. About Universite de Sherbrooke Renowned for its innovative spirit, its synergy with organizations and its research activities that meet the needs of society, the Universite de Sherbrooke is a leading partner of senior and regional governments in fostering social, cultural and economic development. It also stands out for the strong growth of its research activities in recent years, its successes in technology transfer, and its initiatives in entrepreneurship and open innovation in collaboration with industry and society. About the Quebec Employers Council (CPQ) Created in 1969, the CPQ is a confederation of nearly 100 sector-based associations and several corporate members (companies, institutions and other employers). It represents the interests of more than 70,000 employers, of all sizes and in all regions, from the private and parapublic sectors. SOURCE Technum Quebec Co-founders, CEO, Jessica Bailey and Chief Investment Officer, Alexandra Cooley launched startup Greenworks Lending in 2015 and have since helped shape and expand the C-PACE industry DARIEN, Conn., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nuveen Green Capital (NGC), a leader in sustainable commercial real estate financing solutions, announces today that the company is celebrating its 10th anniversary since its founding in 2015. In just 10 years, the firm has played a crucial role in the growth and development of the C-PACE industry, enabling C-PACE to go from a niche financing mechanism to a mainstay of commercial real estate finance. Industry leaders and trailblazers, President and CEO, Jessica Bailey and Chief Investment Officer, Alexandra (Ali) Cooley first joined forces at the Connecticut Green Bank in 2012, where their shared mission to decarbonize the built environment led them to develop and launch the nation's first successful C-PACE program. C-PACE, which stands for Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy, provides flexible financing solutions for sustainable commercial real estate construction projects. Available in 40 states and Washington D.C., C-PACE has grown rapidly as an attractive financing solution within the commercial real estate market. Bailey and Cooley co-founded startup Greenworks Lending, now Nuveen Green Capital, 10 years ago in January 2015 with the goal of expanding C-PACE's impact. Their shared vision was to decarbonize the built environment by offering the commercial real estate industry a scalable clean energy financing solution. They believed that this would not only promote sustainability, but also benefit the CRE industry, the economy, and the environment. Under their leadership, the company has achieved remarkable success and reached several significant milestones, such as: Acquired by Nuveen, the trillion-dollar asset manager and subsidiary of TIAA in 2021, marking the first institutional acquisition of a C-PACE company. Helped bring C-PACE policy to a near-national level by aiding in its expansion from one to 40 states, as well as Washington, D.C. Completed the industry's first rated securitization of C-PACE assets in 2017. Completed the C-PACE industry's largest 144A securitization of C-PACE assets in 2021. Launched an innovative new C-PACE Lending Fund series, designed to give insurers access to a diversified portfolio of energy efficient, climate resilient, water conservation and renewable energy projects. Has grown from two employees to nearly 100. Launched an innovative new financing program with global investment group, CDPQ, bringing a combined C-PACE and senior debt solution for sustainable CRE development. Closed the first C-PACE-financed deals in Delaware , Alaska , Massachusetts , New Mexico , and Idaho . , , , , and . Surpassed $3.3 billion in cumulative C-PACE originations for 677 projects with over $10 billion in total project financing. in cumulative C-PACE originations for 677 projects with over in total project financing. Received over 60 industry awards to date. NGC's C-PACE-funded projects have generated an estimated lifetime total carbon reduction of 2,186,860 metric tons, the equivalent to the carbon sequestered by 2,194,550 acres of forest annually. NGC-funded projects have also saved an estimated 622,767,849 lifetime total gallons of water, the equivalent to 943 Olympic size swimming pools. President and CEO, Jessica Bailey said, "It is hard to believe that it has been 10 years already. While we are so proud of the successes and milestones, we are most proud of the positive impact our firm has been able to make by promoting and propelling what was once considered a niche financing mechanism. C-PACE has redefined what is possible when the public and private sectors work together to solve challenges. This could not have happened without the team we have assembled." Chief Investment Officer, Alexandra Cooley, added "We are so proud of what the Nuveen Green Capital team has built over the past 10 years. C-PACE has proven its strength and durability in institutional investors' portfolios through a full market cycle. As we look ahead to the next ten years and beyond, we are excited to innovate new financing applications of our products to bring resiliency and impact to local communities and investor portfolios." The firm has planned several initiatives and events throughout the year to celebrate this exciting anniversary. About Nuveen Green Capital With over $3 billion originated, Nuveen Green Capital is a national leader in sustainable commercial real estate financing solutions and an affiliate of Nuveen, the $1 trillion+1 asset manager and wholly owned subsidiary of TIAA. The company, which was founded by C-PACE industry pioneers who helped design the nation's first successful statewide C-PACE program2, has grown to offer a market-leading suite of accretive CRE financing products and a full-service lending platform with all underwriting, legal, and asset management functions executed in-house. 1 Total assets under management (AUM) as of 1/1/2025 2 The United States Department of Energy: 2016 C-PACE Report lists the Connecticut C-PACE program as the first statewide C-PACE program in the U.S. SOURCE Nuveen Green Capital DALLAS, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund (NYSE: NXG) (the "Fund") announced today that it has established an "at-the-market" offering program (the "Offer"), pursuant to which the Fund may offer and sell common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share ("Common Shares") through a distribution agreement with Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the "Distributor"). The sales, if any, of Common Shares made under the program will be made through the Distributor in transactions that are deemed to be "at-the-market offerings" as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Fund intends to invest the net proceeds of any sales of Common Shares in the Offer in accordance with its investment objective and policies. The Common Shares will be offered under the Fund's effective registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The Fund has filed a prospectus supplement, dated January 27, 2025, with the SEC in connection with the Offer. The Fund will pay expenses associated with the Offer which will be borne indirectly by the Fund's common shareholders. The information herein is not complete and is subject to change. This document is not an offer to sell any securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. This document is not an offering, which can only be made by a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. Investors should consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The Fund's prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus contain this and additional information about the Fund and additional information about the Offer, and should be read carefully before investing. Additional Information About the Fund The Fund is a closed-end management investment company with an investment objective of seeking a high total return with an emphasis on current income. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in a portfolio of equity and debt securities of infrastructure companies, including: (i) energy infrastructure companies, (ii) industrial infrastructure companies, (iii) sustainable infrastructure companies, and (iv) technology and communication infrastructure companies. The Fund will invest no more than 25% of its Managed Assets in securities of energy master limited partnerships ("MLPs") that qualify as publicly traded partnerships under the Internal Revenue Code. The Fund's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NXG." About NXG Investment Management Cushing Asset Management, LP ("Cushing") is an SEC-registered investment adviser headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Cushing serves as investment adviser to affiliated funds and managed accounts. Cushing is doing business as NXG Investment Management providing Next Generation investment strategies to investors seeking long-term growth in companies focused on a clean and sustainable future as well as traditional and transformational infrastructure companies. IMPORTANT INFORMATION This press release contains certain statements that may include "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. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are "forward-looking statements." Although the Fund and NXG Investment Management believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the company's reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Other than as required by law, the Fund and Cushing do not assume a duty to update this forward-looking statement. Contact: Blake Nelson NXG Investment Management 214-692-6334 www.nxgim.com NOT FDIC INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE SOURCE NXG Investment Management Partnership Connects Powersports Enthusiasts with a Seamless, Digital Financing Experience NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Octane (Octane Lending, Inc.), the fintech revolutionizing the buying experience for major recreational purchases, announced that it has executed a forward-flow partnership with Georgia's Own Credit Union (Georgia's Own). Under the agreement's terms, Georgia's Own has agreed to purchase high-quality, fixed-rate installment powersports loans originated by Octane's in-house lender, Roadrunner Financial , Inc. that are aligned with Georgia's Own's risk criteria. Borrowers will become members of Georgia's Own at the time of contracting in a secure, seamless, digital process powered by Octane. Roadrunner Account Services, LLC, Octane's in-house loan servicer, will service the loans. "We're excited to partner with Georgia's Own to support its members with an incredibly efficient, timely, and simple financing experience that connects powersports enthusiasts with their passions," said Steven Fernald, President and Chief Financial Officer at Octane. "As we continue to grow our business, we're constantly enhancing how we use technology to support our partners and customers while providing full-spectrum financing and delivering strong credit performance." This transaction continues to diversify Octane's large existing base of capital providers and further fuels the company's significant momentum and growth; Octane surpassed $5B in aggregate originations in September. "Our partnership with Octane has been a seamless experience," said Christin Hewitt, Chief Financial Officer at Georgia's Own. "While we currently serve over 240,000 members throughout the State of Georgia, this unique partnership allows us to add high-quality assets to our balance sheet while also welcoming new members to the Credit Union, giving those members access to our full suite of personal and business financial services." About Octane: Octane is revolutionizing recreational purchases by delivering a seamless, end-to-end digital buying experience. We connect people with their passions by combining cutting-edge technology and innovative risk strategies to make lifestyle purchaseslike powersports vehicles, RVs, boats, personal watercraft, and outdoor power equipmentfast, easy, and accessible. Octane adds value throughout the customer journey: inspiring enthusiasts with the Octane Media editorial brands, including Cycle World and UTV Driver , instantly prequalifying consumers for financing online, routing customers to dealerships for an easy closing, and supporting customers throughout their loan with superior loan servicing. Founded in 2014, we have approximately 40 OEM partner brands and 4,000 dealer partners, and a team of over 500 in remote and hybrid roles. Visit www.octane.co . Octane and Roadrunner Financial are registered service marks of Octane Lending, Inc. Media Relations: Shannon O'Hara [email protected] Investor Relations: [email protected] SOURCE Octane Burton will oversee OnPoint's small business loan portfolio to support local businesses with enhanced lending solutions PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- OnPoint Community Credit Union has promoted commercial banking expert Will Burton to small business lending manager, a newly created position for OnPoint's commercial lending team. OnPoint added the role to strengthen its support for Oregon and southwest Washington's small business community. "Will brings unmatched passion and a proven track record in supporting small businesses," said Chris Folkerts, vice president of consumer lending at OnPoint Community Credit Union. "His expertise in commercial lending has already empowered many of our members to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. His leadership will be instrumental as we continue to create new opportunities for local businesses to thrive." Burton will oversee the credit union's small business loan portfolio to foster local economic growth and ensure businesses have access to capital. He previously served as a commercial relationship manager, where he was instrumental in developing and launching OnPoint's small business lending program in April 2024. The program significantly expanded lending options and access to capital for local businesses, resulting in a 30% increase in funded loans and 24% balance growth within its first six months. "It has been my honor to guide our small business lending program at OnPoint, and witness the meaningful impact within our local business community," said Will Burton, small business lending manager, OnPoint Community Credit Union. "In my new role, I will build on that momentum to deliver extraordinary experiences and value to our community." Before joining OnPoint, Burton held commercial lending management positions at Heritage Bank NW and Premier Community Bank. Burton has served on the Habitat for Humanity Portland Region Board of Directors for more than six years, including three years as treasurer. This will be Burton's fourth year at OnPoint. About OnPoint Community Credit Union OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving over 594,000 members and with assets of $9.7 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union's membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and two Washington counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. OnPoint Community Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). More information is available at onpointcu.com or 503-228-7077; 800-527-3932. SOURCE OnPoint Community Credit Union Minnesota Ranks Third in U.S. for Highest Number of Child Sexual Exploitation Cases Survivor and Stand-Up Comedian Marti MacGibbon to Headline Event MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Our Rescue, a global non-governmental organization dedicated to combating sex trafficking and child exploitation, is marking International Women's Day with "Comedy for a Cause: Shining the Light in the Darkness of Human Trafficking." The event, in partnership with Rock What You've Got, takes place on March 7, 2025, at the Woman's Club of Minneapolis. The event combines humor and heartfelt performances to raise awareness of the realities of sex trafficking and child exploitation, while inviting attendees to join the fight to arrest predators and empower survivors. Marti MacGibbon, renowned stand-up comedian and survivor of human trafficking, will headline the event. MacGibbon has advocated for improved mental health support for survivors and survivor-centered policies at the White House, the State Department, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Office for Victims of Crime. Miss Shannon Paul, a Minneapolis-based comedian, will emcee the event, with additional stand-up and musical performances from Minnesota treasures Jearlyn Steele, The Foxgloves and more. "Together, we are uniting some of the most talented voices in music and comedy to shine a light on the darkness of sex trafficking and child exploitation," said Tammy Lee, CEO of Our Rescue. "This is not just an eventit's a call to action. By joining together, we can put an end to these heinous crimes and empower survivors on their path to hope and healing." Sponsored by KNOCK and Spave, event tickets are available for purchase at https://ourrescue.org/event/comedy-for-a-cause. The proceeds fund Our Rescue's support for law enforcement arrests and prosecutions, survivor care, education and advocacy. Ticket Prices: $37 general admission, $77 VIP, $129 two VIP tickets general admission, VIP, two VIP tickets Date: Friday, March 7, 2025 Time: 5 - 9 p.m. Doors open at 5, VIP pre-show reception starts at 5:30, main show starts at 7 Doors open at 5, VIP pre-show reception starts at 5:30, main show starts at 7 Location: The Woman's Club of Minneapolis , 410 Oak Grove St, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Comedy Lineup Marti MacGibbon , Event Headliner: MacGibbon is a survivor of human trafficking who has triumphed over homelessness, domestic violence, PTSD and drug addiction. MacGibbon has performed at the world-famous Hollywood Improv and at the Comedy Store in Hollywood and has traveled the U.S. as a professional stand-up comic. MacGibbon is a survivor of human trafficking who has triumphed over homelessness, domestic violence, PTSD and drug addiction. MacGibbon has performed at the world-famous Hollywood Improv and at the Comedy Store in and has traveled the U.S. as a professional stand-up comic. Miss Shannan Paul | Event Emcee: A versatile performer based in Minneapolis , Miss Shannan Paul delivers hilarious observations on life with a warm and relatable comedic style. A versatile performer based in , Miss delivers hilarious observations on life with a warm and relatable comedic style. Mary Jo Pehl | Comedian . A writer, comedian and storyteller, Pehl is best known for the locally produced television series "Mystery Science Theater 3000." . A writer, comedian and storyteller, Pehl is best known for the locally produced television series "Mystery Science Theater 3000." Khadijah Cooper | Comedian: A sexual educator for teens by day, Cooper's storytelling-style comedy can be seen on stages all over Minnesota . Music Lineup Jearlyn Steele : A powerhouse vocalist and beloved Minnesota treasure, Steele brings her soulful sound and magnetic stage presence to every performance. Known for her work with the band The Steeles and appearances on "Prairie Home Companion," her talent transcends genres and connects deeply with audiences. A powerhouse vocalist and beloved treasure, Steele brings her soulful sound and magnetic stage presence to every performance. Known for her work with the band The Steeles and appearances on "Prairie Home Companion," her talent transcends genres and connects deeply with audiences. The Foxgloves: This vibrant all-female Americana band charms with tight harmonies, rich instrumentation and an unmistakable Minnesota charm. The band's songwriting and energetic performances appeal to fans of feel-good music. Sex trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes. Minnesota ranks third for the highest number of child sexual exploitation cases filed in the country. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, sex trafficking was the most common form of trafficking in Minnesota last year, and approximately 23 percent of those trafficked were minors. Additionally, the number of tips on possible human trafficking incidents has increased by 38 percent since 2022 in Minnesota, according to the latest data from the Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force. For more information on Our Rescue and how to #JoinTheFight, visit https://ourrescue.org About Our Rescue Our Rescue is a global non-governmental organization on a mission to end sex trafficking and child exploitation by empowering survivors to reclaim their lives and thrive on their healing journey. Founded in 2013, the organization focuses on education toward prevention, supports law enforcement in rescuing survivors and prosecuting perpetrators, and provides trauma-informed survivor care services. Our Rescue operates in the U.S. and 27 countries. SOURCE Our Rescue Oxipital AI will demonstrate the latest advancements in AI vision and its Actionable Insights data platform. BEDFORD, Mass., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Oxipital AI today announced that it will showcase its AI vision solutions at the International Processing and Production Expo (IPPE) in booth B49003. The show will be held from January 28 to January 30, 2025, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Unveiled at Pack Expo 2024, Oxipital AI will demonstrate its VX2 Vision System, the latest advancement in visual AI technology designed to revolutionize quality inspection and high-speed robot guidance applications across food and industrial sectors. EnSight Solutions Smart Styler is a compact automation solution featuring a Staubli hygienic robot and Oxipital AI's 3D vision and artificial intelligence. Four inspection applications will be showcased in the hands-on experience center of the booth: Sausage package inspection for leaks and label damage Tray styling inspection of burger patties to ensure precise styling and product positioning Product grading inspection of chicken breasts for fat percentage and trim level Defect detection of breaded chicken patties to find burns, cracks, and deformities The booth will also feature an interactive kiosk demonstrating Oxipital AI's Actionable Insights data analytics platform and will include a robotic work cell combining Staubli's TX2-90 HE robot with the company's AI-enabled machine vision to demonstrate high-speed, simultaneous picking and inspection of breaded chicken patties from bulk presentation. Additionally, the company is excited to announce a new partnership with EnSight Solutions LLC , making them Oxipital AI's second addition to its recently launched Preferred Partner Program. "Partnering with EnSight Solutions reflects our commitment to team with food processing automation leaders," stated Corey Merchant, Chief Revenue Officer at Oxipital AI. "Combining Oxipital AI's best-in-class 3D AI vision technology with EnSight's industry-leading Smart Styler automation design enables manufacturers to overcome labor challenges, enhance quality, increase throughput, and reduce waste - all in a small footprint." "EnSight Solutions is thrilled to partner with Oxipital AI and leverage their deep expertise in 3D AI vision," stated Heath Clifton, Director of Automation at EnSight Solutions. "This collaboration will enable us to offer even more powerful automation solutions for robot guidance and inspections that drive real business transformation, helping our clients stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market." EnSight and Oxipital AI will host a joint cocktail reception on Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 3 to 5 pm in EnSight's Booth C31169. Oxipital AI's AI vision solutions will be showcased in two other locations at IPPE. The first will be in EnSight's booth C31169, where they will demonstrate raw chicken breast singulation and tray packing from bulk. The second will be in the Schmalz booth B40055, where they will demonstrate vision-guided robotic picking of chicken drumsticks. Finally, Oxipital AI will be presenting "Solving Operational Challenges With Visual AI for Product Inspection and Vision-Guided Robotics Picking Applications" at the IPPE Tech Talk theater on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 11 a.m. in B Hall Booth B48027. About Oxipital AI Oxipital AI is a leader in AI-enabled machine vision technologies for robotic process automation and quality inspection in critical industries such as food processing, agriculture, and consumer goods production. The company's mission is to deliver actionable insights through deep object understanding to customers as they embrace Industry 5.0 and unlock previously unachievable levels of resiliency, efficiency, and sustainability in their manufacturing operations. More information can be found at www.oxipitalai.com. Media Contact: Julie Collura Director of Marketing Communications, Oxipital AI [email protected] SOURCE Oxipital AI LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Peralta Associates and Defense is proud to deliver top-tier security solutions nationwide, combining innovative technology, highly trained personnel, and a client-first approach. Serving several states, including California, Texas, Florida, and New York, the company provides comprehensive security services tailored to meet modern safety challenges. Peralta Associates and Defense: Pioneering Security Solutions Nationwide Peralta Associates and Defense: Pioneering Security Solutions Nationwide This security company's offerings include armed and unarmed security personnel for on-site protection, vehicle patrols for efficient large-area monitoring, and event security services designed to safeguard gatherings of any size. For high-profile individuals, Peralta's executive protection services ensure privacy and safety in any environment. These solutions are customized to each client's unique needs, providing reliable protection across various industries. Peralta Associates and Defense leads the way in integrating technology into security operations. With video surveillance services, including 24/7 remote monitoring, the company provides effective real-time oversight to protect people and properties, whereas their FAA-certified drone surveillance services offer aerial monitoring for large properties, emergency responses, and high-risk environments. Additionally, their Cellebrite-certified forensic analysts provide digital forensic services that facilitate the retrieval and analysis of vital data for legal, corporate, or investigative needs. Specialized services such as fire watch monitoring and investigative support highlight Peralta's ability to address diverse client needs. Fire watch services are particularly critical for high-risk environments like construction sites and fire-prone areas, ensuring proactive safety measures. Investigative solutions, including background checks, fugitive recovery, unlawful detainer assistance, and bug sweeps, provide actionable insights for legal, corporate, and personal matters. Whether it's protecting a business, managing risks, or responding to emergencies, Peralta's wide-ranging expertise makes them a trusted partner in security. Peralta's commitment to excellence extends to its robust training programs. The company offers California Guard Card Training, California Firearms Training, Texas Level II Guard Training, and Nationally-Certified CPR Training, equipping security professionals with the skills and knowledge to perform their duties effectively. This emphasis on training reflects Peralta's dedication to maintaining high standards across all facets of its operations. With a presence in major cities across the country, Peralta Associates and Defense makes its services accessible to a wide range of clients. Their GOLD Standard philosophy reflects an unwavering commitment to excellence in private security, built on five core values: safety, accountability, resources, training, and support services. These principles guide the company in providing tailored security solutions that meet the unique needs of each client. Extensive training programs ensure that security officers are equipped with essential skills, while a robust accountability system promotes transparency and reliability. The company's comprehensive resources enhance operational efficiency, enabling rapid responses to any situation. With 24/7 support services, clients can rest assured knowing that expert assistance is always available. By consistently upholding the GOLD Standard, Peralta Associates and Defense not only leads the industry but also sets a benchmark for professionalism and trust. Learn more about Peralta Associates and Defense at https://www.peraltadefense.com/ . About Peralta Associates and Defense Founded by veterans and former law enforcement officers, Peralta Associates and Defense stands as a premier provider of private security solutions. Drawing on extensive field experience, the company is committed to ensuring the safety of clients and their assets through a combination of vigilance, professionalism, and cutting-edge technology. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and continuous training, Peralta's skilled personnel deliver customized security services. Their unwavering dedication to excellence positions them as a trusted partner in safeguarding what matters most. Find out more at https://www.peraltadefense.com/ . Contact Information Name: Eddie Peralta Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 888-719-5378 SOURCE Peralta Associates and Defense BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. Baku will host events on transport and electronic advanced data for European and CIS countries from January 28 through January 30 on the initiative of the Universal Postal Union and Azerpost LLC, Trend reports via Azerbaijan's Ministry of Digital Development and Transport. The events, focused on promoting innovation in Azerbaijan's postal ecosystem, will include a seminar on postal transportation and training on electronic advanced data. The events aim to discuss the complexities and opportunities of the modern postal system with the participation of representatives of postal operators from Europe and the CIS, exchanging views on postal organization, including electronic advanced data, transport logistics, and postal security functions. The advanced electronic data training will include sessions on a strategic approach to e-commerce, the use and integration of customs declaration tools and international postal systems, as well as bilateral meetings on the individual needs of participating countries' postal operators. Meanwhile, the regional transport seminar will discuss important issues such as regional and national transport indicators, IT tools, the transition to paperless procedures, and the creation of regional transport hubs. One of the key features of the seminar will be a panel discussion to facilitate dialog among postal operators. It will cover ways of solving emerging problems and the creation of regional hubs. The events are aimed at providing postal organizations with the necessary tools and knowledge to improve their performance, as well as encouraging cooperation between postal operators in the region, the information notes. Shortlist is comprised of 20 exceptional recipes from 14 leading school food programs driving the movement for better school meals in California LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Powered by School Food Professionals, a first-of-its-kind public-education campaign that puts a spotlight on the skill, creativity and commitment of School Food Professionals working to improve school meals for kids across California, announces today its awards competition, the Powered by School Food Professionals Awards, has determined its top 20 finalists. The finalists exemplify the specialized expertise and innovation required for creating fresher, healthier and more culturally relevant school meals that improve California K-12 students' health and well-being. Attracting participation from dozens of districts and broad engagement from parents, students and school communities across the state, the Powered by School Food Professionals Awards is supported by the Chef Ann Foundation and celebrates excellence in school meal programs through six categories: Best Original Recipe, Best Scratch-Cooked Adaptation, Best Farm to School Recipe, Best Take on a Culinary Trend, Best Culturally Relevant Recipe and a community-driven recognition: the Community Choice Recipe. "These incredible finalists are proof that school food menus can be both nourishing and inspiring," said Mara Fleishman, CEO of Chef Ann Foundation. "Through the unique expertise, fresh ingredient sourcing and thoughtful recipe and menu development from these dedicated professionals, kids in California are benefitting from a healthier, tastier school meal experience, and we're thrilled that their work is getting the recognition it deserves." The finalists were selected by a panel of school food experts for their creativity, innovation and dedication to improving school meals, and were also evaluated for compliance with USDA school meal nutritional requirements and cost efficiency. Finalists' recipes include everything from scratch-cooked adaptations of student favorites to culturally authentic dishes that celebrate the diverse backgrounds of California's students. The top 20 finalists for the Powered by School Food Professionals Awards are: Best Original Recipe Cupertino Union School District, Honey Gochujang Tofu with Purple Rice Region: NorCal (Bay Area) Marysville Joint Unified School District, Kickin' Kiwi Salsa Region: NorCal ( Greater Sacramento area) Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, Crispy Kimchi Chicken Sandwich Region: Central CA coast San Luis Coastal Unified School District, Thai Basil Lentil Burger Region: Central CA coast Best Scratch-Cooked Adaptation Azusa Unified School District, Chicken Wings Region: SoCal (Greater LA area) Los Gatos Union School District, Chili Cheez Fries Region: NorCal (Bay Area) San Diego Unified School District, California Burrito Region: SoCal Torrance Unified School District, Charcuterie Flatbread Region: SoCal (Greater LA area) Best Farm to School Recipe Gonzales Unified School District, Cauliflower Cilantro Rice Region: Central CA Live Oak School District, Kale Pesto Pasta Region: Central CA coast Nevada City School of the Arts, Whole Wheat Penne Pasta Region: NorCal Western Placer Unified School District, Summer Pasta Salad Region: NorCal ( Greater Sacramento area) Best Take on a Culinary Trend Live Oak School District, Peach BBQ Sauce Chicken Region: Central CA coast Marysville Joint Unified School District, Carrot Burnt Ends Region: NorCal ( Sacramento area) San Luis Coastal Unified School District, Veggie Pizza Region: Central CA coast Upland Unified School District, Vegan Lemon Blueberry Breakfast Bar Region: SoCal (Greater LA area) Best Culturally Relevant Recipe Cupertino Union School District, Butter Chickpeas and Naan Region: NorCal (Bay Area) Live Oak School District, Barbacoa Region: Central CA coast San Diego Unified School District, Birria Region: SoCal San Francisco Unified School District, Thai Style Rice Noodles Region: NorCal (Bay Area) In addition to the aforementioned categories, Community Choice Recipe finalists were announced in December. Each of the six winning programs will receive an all-expenses-paid trip for two team members to Los Angeles to attend an exclusive celebratory event, hosted by a renowned chef. At this event, their winning recipes will be recognized for their impact and served to guests. Winners will also receive national recognition and personalized awards commemorating their impact. For more information about the Powered by School Food Professionals Awards, and to be the first to find out about the winning programs, visit www.schoolfoodpros.org/awards . About Powered by School Food Professionals Powered by School Food Professionals is a first-of-its-kind public-education campaign that puts a spotlight on the skill, creativity and commitment of School Food Professionals working to improve school meals for kids across California. Over the course of a year, the campaign will take Californians behind-the-scenes to show how these professionals are planning, preparing and cooking fresher, healthier, tastier meals for more kids across the state. Powered by School Food Professionals is managed by 501(c)(3) nonprofit Chef Ann Foundation through a grant provided by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office and in partnership with the State of California. This effort has received tremendous support and guidance from a steering committee comprised of California-based leaders across school food, labor, education, agriculture, nonprofits and philanthropy. For more information, visit: www.schoolfoodpros.org . About Chef Ann Foundation Chef Ann Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to ensure that school food professionals have the resources, funding, and support they need to provide fresh, delicious, scratch-cooked meals that support the health of children and our planet. Learn more at www.chefannfoundation.org/ . SOURCE Powered by School Food Professionals New Mexico nonprofit, Maryland solar company to provide clean energy to N.M. residents nonprofit, solar company to provide clean energy to N.M. residents Half of generated electricity allocated for N.M. low-income subscribers, saving them 27% on power bills ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. and ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Seizing on the newly open community solar market in New Mexico, Prosperity Works and Chaberton Energy have started development on one project, with four additional projects awaiting approval. The two organizations have aligned on community solar development based on shared values of supporting communities in need. Prosperity Works is a New Mexico nonprofit that sees community solar as one of the levers that can put money back in the pockets of low-income families. Community solar can help families lower their energy burden so they can use their money for other necessities. Post this "We spent a lot of time vetting solar developers to find a company that shares our values, and Chaberton showed up as a true partner in this work," said Dr. Ann Lyn Hall, CEO of Prosperity Works. "We strongly believe that community solar is an important way we can fulfill our mission of achieving economic prosperity for all New Mexicans." Utility costs are often burdensome to low-income families because they can account for 30% of their monthly income. Families then have to choose to pay their electric bill before getting food, medical care, or other basic needs. Community solar can help families lower their energy burden so they can use their money for other necessities. The project now under development is called Lake Jody in Deming, N.M. It will have an electricity generating capacity of a 2.8 megawatt direct current (MWdc), which is enough electricity to power the equivalent of 650 New Mexico households. Lake Jody is in the PNM service territory, and anyone in that territory will be able to subscribe to the project. It will serve 50% low-income subscribers at a 30% discount. "The Lake Jody project, and others in the Prosperity Works portfolio, show how community solar projects can provide significant benefits to low-income communities," said Chuck Watkins, Vice President of Development, Chaberton Energy. "We are proud to be doing this work, and excited to support affordable, clean energy for New Mexicans." The four projects on the waiting list are in Alamogordo, Belen, Lordsburg and Silver City in central and southwestern New Mexico, all are also in the PNM service territory. They have a combined electric generating capacity of 28 MWdc. These projects are part of the New Mexico Community Solar Program, initiated under the Community Solar Act and signed into law in April 2021 by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. Overall, the state plans to add 500 MW of community solar. About Prosperity Works Prosperity Works is a nonprofit that supports limited-income New Mexicans build and protect assets they need to be successful. Whether that's investing in education, providing low-interest lending options, assistance for buying a home, providing fair lending information, or even lowering energy bills. Prosperity Works collaborates with other nonprofits, businesses, government agencies, and financial institutions to make these life-changing strategies a reality. For more information, visit prosperityworks.net or follow @ProsperityWork on Twitter. Prosperity Works Media Contact Dr. Ann Lyn Hall 505-553-2617 [email protected] About Chaberton Energy Headquartered in Maryland, Chaberton Energy is a public benefit corporation focused on developing sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy projects for communities and businesses. Chaberton was named to the 2024 Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies and ranks as the No. 1 fastest-growing community solar company, the No. 2 fastest-growing Maryland company, and the No. 34 fastest-growing company overall. Chaberton Media Contact Lia Morrison 412.573.9095 [email protected] SOURCE Chaberton Energy BOSTON, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Consulting Group (PCG) is pleased to announce that one of its presentation proposals, "The Pivotal Role of Community Engagement in School Safety," has been selected through "Panel Picker," SXSW's competitive public voting process. The panel will be held during the 15th annual SXSW EDU conference in Austin Texas in March, where PCG will once again join thousands of educators, administrators, policymakers, students, industry leaders, and visionaries. "Over the past decade, we've engaged with SXSW EDU on some of the most consequential issues surrounding K-12 education nationwide," said Tony McLean Brown, a PCG Principal. "Concerning behaviors associated with school violence often are observed outside of the school environment. SXSW EDU provides a great platform for workshopping collaborative strategies that communities can align around to help prevent school violence and make schools safer for students." The panel will bring together a diverse panel of voicesincluding media, students, and safety expertsto explore collaborative strategies for fostering safer school environments. Panelists include: Craig Garnett , Publisher of the Uvalde Leader News , Publisher of the John Van Dreal , Author of the Salem-Keizer Cascade model Author of the Salem-Keizer Cascade model Karen Fairley , Executive Director of the Center for Safer Schools in North Carolina , Executive Director of the Center for in Cesar Monagas , MBA Student at The University of Texas at Austin Together, they will emphasize the importance of community involvement in developing comprehensive approaches to threat assessment and violence prevention. PCG has been selected for past SXSW EDU panels, including "Policy to Practice: Literacy Equity Through the CO Read Act," and "Think Big: We Don't Know What We Don't Know," among others. About Public Consulting Group Public Consulting Group LLC (PCG) is a leading public sector solutions implementation and operations improvement firm that partners with health, education, and human services agencies to improve lives. Founded in 1986, PCG employs approximately 2,000 professionals throughout the U.S.all committed to delivering solutions that change lives for the better. The firm is a member of a family of companies with experience in all 50 states, in Canada, and in Europe. PCG offers clients a multidisciplinary approach to meet challenges, pursue opportunities, and serve constituents across the public sector. To learn more, visit www.publicconsultinggroup.com. Media Contact Alyssa Brown, Corporate Director of Communications and Public Relations (617) 488-9084 [email protected] SOURCE Public Consulting Group MILWAUKEE, Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Louis Pinkham, Chief Executive Officer of Regal Rexnord Corporation (NYSE: RRX), announced that the Board of Directors, at its regular quarterly meeting held on January 27, 2025, declared a dividend of $0.35 per share. The dividend is payable on April 14, 2025, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2025. The company has paid a dividend every quarter since January 1961. About Regal Rexnord Regal Rexnord's 30,000 associates around the world help create a better tomorrow by providing sustainable solutions that power, transmit and control motion. The Company's electric motors and air moving subsystems provide the power to create motion. A portfolio of highly engineered power transmission components and subsystems efficiently transmits motion to power industrial applications. The Company's automation offering, comprised of controls, actuators, drives, and precision motors, controls motion in applications ranging from factory automation to precision control in surgical tools. The Company's end markets benefit from meaningful secular demand tailwinds, and include factory automation, food & beverage, aerospace, medical, data center, warehouse, alternative energy, residential and commercial buildings, general industrial, construction, metals and mining, and agriculture. Regal Rexnord is comprised of three operating segments: Industrial Powertrain Solutions, Power Efficiency Solutions, and Automation & Motion Control. Regal Rexnord is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has manufacturing, sales and service facilities worldwide. For more information, including a copy of our Sustainability Report, visit RegalRexnord.com. SOURCE Regal Rexnord Corporation LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Resolution Economics, LLC ("Resolution Economics" or "ResEcon") announced today that it has expanded its services and geographic footprint through the opening of its new Austin, Texas office. Jeff Andrien, M.B.A., Partner, will lead the new office, which will be part of the Financial Advisory Services ("FAS") practice group. Now in its 27th year, Resolution Economics is a leading specialty consulting firm providing economic and statistical analysis and regulatory compliance advice to companies, law firms, non-profits, universities, and others. The firm has expertise in labor and employment matters, finance/forensic accounting analysis, valuations, artificial intelligence bias audits, and life sciences. ResEcon's Financial Advisory Services team provides analysis in a wide range of consulting situations to help companies understand their internal compliance circumstances and provides expert assistance and testimony in a variety of commercial dispute settings. Mr. Andrien holds an M.B.A. from the University of Texas. Joining Mr. Andrien as a Director in Austin is Prateek Shah, M.P.A, CPA. Mr. Andrien, Mr. Shah and their Austin-based team bring more than 25 years' experience analyzing damages issues pertaining to antitrust, intellectual property, marketing, securities, other commercial damages, as well as valuations for businesses and law firms. They have authored numerous expert reports and testified as expert witnesses in state and federal courts throughout the United States. Mr. Andrien and Mr. Shah teach undergraduate and graduate level courses in finance at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas. "While our work is nationwide, we are thrilled to have an on-the-ground presence in the thriving business market of Texas," said Ali Saad, Managing Partner at ResEcon. "Resolution Economics has long been known for its consistent high quality, thoughtful and innovative work," said Mr. Andrien. "We are delighted to join such a well-respected group and expand the firm's reach." J. Duross O'Bryan, head of ResEcon's FAS practice group said: "We know there are many opportunities for Jeff and his team to provide their significant experience in the valuation and damages area. This is a good fit for both of us and we are very excited to have them join our team." The Austin office is located at 15918 W Courtyard Drive, Suite 250A, Austin, TX 78730 Resolution Economics is a portfolio company of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP). About Resolution Economics Established in 1998, ResEcon is an employee-owned, private equity-backed consultancy with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Charlotte and Austin.. In addition to the FAS practice, ResEcon is a leading provider of rigorous analytical services in the labor and employment area, including providing these services to support employer's pay equity decision making and the full range of human capital decisions from recruitment to termination. ResEcon also has a long and distinguished record in performing analysis and giving expert testimony in large scale class action settings in discrimination matters. In addition, the company has the leading practice nationally in handling wage and hour claims under state and federal statutes, as well as consulting to companies regarding their wage and hour practices. ResEcon also provides Artificial Intelligence bias audit and compliance services and specialized consulting for life sciences companies. In October 2022, Resolution Economics acquired Berkshire Associates, a leading provider of consulting and software services, compensation analysis, equal employment opportunity (EEO) and other human resource compliance-related services. Continuing its growth, in November 2023, Resolution Economics acquired similar human resource services of Biddle Consulting Group. Contacts Jon Kaehn, [email protected] SOURCE Resolution Economics, LLC Strong momentum demonstrates positive impact insurance-specific AI delivers; addresses insurers' critical need to reduce costs, increase productivity and provide exceptional customer experiences NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Roots Automation , creator of the Agentic AI platform for insurance and InsurGPT , the world's first generative AI model for insurance, today announced its fourth straight year of triple-digit revenue growth with significant company and customer expansion. In 2024, the company continued to prioritize research and development of its insurance AI technology, allowing insurance companies to increase revenue by quoting business faster, decrease claims leakage by interpreting data accurately, and delight policyholders by improving person-to-person engagement. Following are milestones Roots Automation saw in 2024: More than 100% revenue growth from new and existing insurance customers. Roots Automation is trusted by a notable customer list that includes three of the top five property and casualty (P&C) carriers, three of the top ten brokers, and the industry's largest TPA. This rapid expansion builds upon an incredible 500% revenue growth in the last three years and is driven by new customer acquisition and the expansion of current customer relationships through the successful implementation of Roots Automation across claims, underwriting and premium audit. Roots Automation is trusted by a notable customer list that includes three of the top five property and casualty (P&C) carriers, three of the top ten brokers, and the industry's largest TPA. This rapid expansion builds upon an incredible 500% revenue growth in the last three years and is driven by new customer acquisition and the expansion of current customer relationships through the successful implementation of Roots Automation across claims, underwriting and premium audit. New funding to accelerate growth and build upon Roots' market-leading, made-for-insurance AI. In September, Roots secured $22 million in Series B funding led by Harbert Growth Partners , with follow-on investments from MissionOG , Liberty Mutual Strategic Ventures and Vestigo Ventures . The significant demand from the insurance industry for Roots' products drove the need for new capital to support market growth, organizational expansion, and product development for its innovative AI. In September, led by , with follow-on investments from , and . The significant demand from the insurance industry for Roots' products drove the need for new capital to support market growth, organizational expansion, and product development for its innovative AI. More than 100% staff growth, further deepening Roots' expertise in insurance-specific AI. The company more than doubled in size, heading into 2025 with a global team of 100+ employees. This includes the addition of Sunny Chen as Roots' new CFO and Deirdre Grubbs as CMO. The company more than doubled in size, heading into 2025 with a global team of 100+ employees. This includes the addition of as Roots' new CFO and as CMO. Significant insurance document data pipeline to drive high levels of accuracy. In 2024, Roots processed more than 250 million unique, non-public insurance documents enabling 'out of the box' support for the largest variety of insurance document types and delivering accuracy rates greater than 98% across most use cases. "We thank our valued customers and team for enabling these achievements in 2024," said Chaz Perera, CEO and co-founder of Roots Automation. "Given the anticipated slowdown of premium growth across most insurance products, companies will need to focus on operational improvements that enable personalized experiences that delight customers to outcompete their peers. Roots' technology empowers them to do that. We look forward to building on our achievements and to further demonstrate the critical impact insurance-specific AI will have on transforming the way insurance companies protect their policyholders." About Roots Automation Roots Automation is a leading provider of AI-powered solutions for the insurance industry. The company's Agentic AI platform enables insurers to transform their operations with unmatched accuracy and speed. Roots Automation's pre-trained, insurance-specific AI, InsurGPT , delivers rapid time-to-value, measured in weeks, not months. Used by three of the top five P&C carriers and three of the top ten brokers, Roots Automation enables brands to liberate their teams from complex workflows, allowing them to focus on what truly matters delighting customers with superior service and care. For more information, visit www.rootsautomation.com . Media Contacts Market Street Group Jessica Mularczyk [email protected] SOURCE Roots Automation Inc As the world's largest and most influential cybersecurity gathering, RSAC Conference has been at the epicenter of cybersecurity through learning, innovation, and shared connections for more than 34 years. RSAC to launch a community-driven cybersecurity platform to enhance industry-wide collaboration and year-round learning. RSAC hires key industry and technology leaders to drive its new community-focused vision. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RSA Conference LLC ("RSAC"), the company behind the world's largest and most influential cybersecurity conference, today announced its expanded community vision, additions to its leadership team, and a new corporate website at OneRSAC.com. RSAC to launch a community-driven cybersecurity platform to enhance industry-wide collaboration and year-round learning Post this RSAC Cybersecurity, Together For over three decades, RSAC has united a vibrant community of cybersecurity professionals through its flagship event RSAC Conference. The strength of this community lies in its ability to bring together varied perspectives, foster collaboration, and drive impactful solutions to shared challenges. In the coming months, the rapidly expanding RSAC team will provide the cybersecurity community with opportunities to learn from each other and hone their skills, join conversations that matter, and find like-minded peers. By harnessing the community's collective intelligence and expertise, RSAC will further shape and define the legacy for future generations of cybersecurity professionals while paving the way for a safer society. Introducing the Expanded RSAC "We've always used the 'C' in RSAC to represent conference, but it's come to mean so much more. It's the content that we share, the connections that we make, and most importantly it's the community that we serve," said Dr. Hugh Thompson, Executive Chairman, RSAC. "We've been working with the cybersecurity community for the past 18 months to co-design a platform that can be a home for all cybersecurity professionals under the banner of RSAC. We've been growing our team, and over the coming months we look forward to introducing a global platform built by and for the cybersecurity community, driving learning, collaboration, professional growth, and collective progress towards a safer society." Thompson has served as the RSAC Conference Program Committee Chair since 2008 and moved into his current role as RSAC Executive Chairman in 2023. RSAC has significantly grown as an organization. In the past 18 months the company has added Darren Shou as Chief Strategy Officer and Jason Sauvie as Chief Financial Officer. Shou joined RSAC after serving as CTO at Gen Digital (Norton LifeLock) while Sauvie was CFO at Medable. Petros Efstathopoulos has been appointed Vice President of Research & Development leading RSAC's new engineering team, research labs, and innovation initiatives, bringing along expertise from his time at Intel, Symantec, and Gen Digital. Rounding out the new leadership team additions, Rebecca Gordon joined as Senior Vice President of Operations after spending time as a leader in customer success at a series of startups. Strengthening the existing leadership team, several key leadership updates were announced with Linda Gray Martin promoted to Senior Vice President of RSAC and Chief of Staff of the company, Michelle Adams-Dixon elevated to Senior Vice President of Global Marketing & Communications, and Britta Glade appointed Senior Vice President of Content & Communities. Additionally, Cecilia Marinier is now Vice President of Innovation & Scholars. Looking Ahead to RSAC 2025 Conference RSAC Conference, the world's leading cybersecurity conferences and expositions, will remain as the flagship event held annually in San Francisco under the new RSAC brand umbrella. RSAC Conference is coming off a successful 2024 event that saw more than 41,000 attendees from over 130 countries come together to take part in 425 sessions, 33 keynote presentations, and engage with more than 600 exhibiting companies while discussing the latest trends and threats in cybersecurity on a global scale. RSAC 2025 Conference will take place April 28 - May 1, 2025, in San Francisco at the Moscone Center. About RSAC As the cybersecurity industry's convening authority, RSAC brings together diverse minds to exchange perspectives, knowledge, and ideas. RSAC provides the world's leading platform for uniting and advancing the cybersecurity community to create a safer society. RSAC is at the cutting edge of cybersecurity innovation and education. The company's flagship event, RSAC Conference, is the largest and most influential global gathering in cybersecurity. RSAC gives cybersecurity professionals a platform to connect and grow. To learn more, visit www.OneRSAC.com. SOURCE RSAC ROSWELL, Ga, DUBLIN and HAMILTON, Bermuda, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Saol Therapeutics, a privately held, clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the New Drug Application (NDA) for SL1009, Sodium Dichloroacetate Oral Solution (DCA). DCA will be used with a proprietary genetic test to treat an orphan pediatric mitochondrial disease, Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency (PDCD)1. The FDA granted Priority Review for the NDA and has set a goal date of May 27, 2025, under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA). Priority review is designated to applications for drugs that, if approved, would provide a significant improvement in safety or effectiveness of the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of a serious medical condition. SL1009 has previously been granted Orphan Drug and Fast Track Designations. SL1009 has also been granted a Rare Pediatric Disease Designation by the FDA and thus is eligible for a Priority Review Voucher (PRV). PDCD is a rare and life-threatening mitochondrial disorder of carbohydrate oxidation that mostly affects the nervous system and skeletal muscle and leads to decreased ATP production and energy failure. DCA is a targeted therapy that inhibits Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase (PDK) to stimulate residual Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex (PDC) activity and increase energy (ATP) production by mitochondria. "This NDA acceptance brings us one step closer to addressing the critical health challenges faced by these children and their families, where no approved treatment is currently available," said Dave Penake, Chief Executive Officer of Saol Therapeutics. "Reaching this regulatory milestone is both a significant scientific achievement and a deeply meaningful moment for everyone who has dedicated themselves to advancing this therapy. Further, designating our application for priority review reaffirms that the FDA views PDCD as a serious condition" The NDA is supported by results from a Phase 3 double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study (SL1009-01) and a survival study (SL1009-02). The totality of evidence submitted for review in the NDA includes mechanistic characterization, along with nonclinical and clinical evidence to demonstrate the safety and clinical benefit of DCA in PDCD patients. DCA is not currently approved for any indication in the United States. About Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency (PDCD) PDCD is a mitochondrial disorder of carbohydrate oxidation that mostly affects the nervous system and skeletal muscle and leads to decreased ATP production and energy failure. It is estimated that 300-500 patients are treated in expert centers in the US, and the overall prevalence is thought to be as high as 2,000. PDCD is the most common cause of congenital lactic acidosis, a life-threatening condition that may occur as early as the neonatal period. Patients suffering from PDCD may also exhibit extreme tiredness (lethargy), poor feeding, rapid breathing (tachypnea), and other signs of neurological and neuromuscular dysfunction such as developmental delay, low muscle tone (hypotonia), abnormal eye movements and seizures. Signs and symptoms usually begin soon after birth but may appear later in childhood2. There are currently no FDA-approved therapies for PDCD. About Saol Therapeutics Saol Therapeutics (pronounced "Sail") is a privately held, clinical-stage, pharmaceutical company with operations in Roswell, GA, Dublin, Ireland and Hamilton, Bermuda. Saol is focused on development activity in CNS disorders such as spasticity and pain management, and orphan diseases. Saol is committed to providing and advancing therapeutic options for patients and the physicians treating these populations. For more information, visit www.saolrx.com. Saol Therapeutics Contact Brian Nappi, Senior Vice President, Strategy [email protected] References 1. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/opdlisting/oopd/detailedIndex.cfm?cfgridkey=45290, Accessed January 2025 2. Ganetzky R, McCormick EM, Falk MJ. Primary Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency Overview. 2021 Jun 17. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Bean LJH, Gripp KW, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 19932023. PMID: 34138529. SOURCE Saol Therapeutics KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Secure Passage https://www.securepassage.com, a leading provider of converged security solutions, today announced the launch of Truman, a revolutionary converged operations platform designed to unify physical and cybersecurity operations. Truman allows organizations to overcome the challenges of today's increasingly complex threat landscape by providing a single pane of glass for all security indicators, with AI-powered threat analysis and automated response capabilities. Truman Dashboard "In today's interconnected world, the distinction between physical security and cybersecurity has become less clear," said Gary Fish, Chairman & CEO at Secure Passage. "Physical security technologies are evolving and have largely transitioned to digital formats. Similarly, just as the industry has unified cybersecurity solutions for a more comprehensive perspective, organizations can now incorporate physical, IoT, and operational technologies into a single, converged, Cyber-Physical operations platform with Secure Passage. The convergence of physical and cyber security silos, provides a more integrated view of an organization's overall security posture, leading to faster incident response, improved threat detection, and greater operational efficiency." Truman's key features include: Unified Visibility: A single pane of glass for all security data, across IT, OT, and IoT environments. A single pane of glass for all security data, across IT, OT, and IoT environments. Enhanced Threat Detection: AI-powered analytics that identify and prioritize critical threats in real-time. AI-powered analytics that identify and prioritize critical threats in real-time. Automated Response: Human-led, machine-driven orchestration that accelerates incident response and minimizes downtime. Human-led, machine-driven orchestration that accelerates incident response and minimizes downtime. Improved Efficiency: Empowering analysts to focus on high-impact threats and strategic initiatives. With Truman, organizations can: Leverage existing security and SOC resources to gain operational efficiency and increased visibility. Improve analyst productivity and efficiency. Accelerate incident response and minimize downtime. Enhance threat detection and improve security posture. Gain valuable insights from security data. Lower operational costs and improve ROI. About Secure Passage Secure Passage is defining the future of security with converged solutions that unify and modernize personal and physical security. In today's world, where threats are increasingly complex and interconnected, the company's mission is to protect vulnerable populations, prevent the loss of life, and mitigate domestic and geopolitical risks. Secure Passage offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to safeguard what matters most: The Truman Converged Operations Platform: A powerful solution that unifies physical and cybersecurity operations, providing real-time situational awareness and threat detection capabilities. The Haystax Common Operations Platform: Tailored for schools, cities, critical infrastructure, and event safety, Haystax helps organizations create safer environments for students, citizens, and event attendees. Expert Strategic Services: Secure Passage provides expert guidance and support to help organizations develop and implement comprehensive security strategies. In an era of increasing uncertainty and evolving threats, Secure Passage is committed to providing cutting-edge security solutions that protect the vulnerable and safeguard our communities. Contact Bryce Karr Marketing Director [email protected] 877-442-4553 https://www.securepassage.com SOURCE Secure Passage Contribution Will Support Ongoing Wildfire Relief Efforts in Los Angeles OSAKA, Japan, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sekisui House, Ltd. extends its deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles and offers heartfelt sympathies to everyone who continues to be affected by this devastating tragedy. In response to the disaster, Sekisui House has committed to donating $500,000 through its U.S. subsidiary, Sekisui House US Holdings, LLC to the American Red Cross. The donation is intended to assist with immediate relief efforts for those impacted, support the recovery of affected communities, and contribute to long-term humanitarian assistance as the crisis unfolds. Yoshihiro Nakai, President and CEO of Sekisui House, Ltd., shared the following statement: "Our thoughts are with everyone in Los Angeles who continues to be impacted by this disaster. SH Residential Holdings, LLC, which oversees our detached housing business in the U.S., is headquartered in Los Angeles. Alongside our local employees and partners, we remain dedicated to delivering safety, peace of mind, and comfort to the communities we serve. As a housing company, the Sekisui House Group is committed to contributing our utmost efforts to support relief, recovery, and rebuilding in the affected areas." This contribution reflects Sekisui House's unwavering corporate philosophy of "love of humanity" and the belief that each and every human is precious and irreplaceable. As a company, Sekisui House's vision is to make home the happiest place in the world. Sekisui House and its subsidiaries, Woodside Homes Company, LLC, Holt Group Holdings, LLC, Chesmar Holdings, LLC, and M.D.C. Holdings, Inc., are hopeful that this donation will provide support to those who have been displaced. Sekisui House, the fifth largest homebuilder in the United States, operates across multiple sectors, including detached housing, multifamily housing, and master-planned community developments. The company's U.S. operations are managed through subsidiaries such as SH Residential Holdings, LLC, and North America Sekisui House, LLC. About Sekisui House Founded in 1960, Sekisui House, Ltd. is one of the world's largest homebuilders and an international diversified developer, with cumulative sales of over 2.6 million homes1. Based in Osaka, Sekisui House has over 300 consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates2, over 32,000 employees3 and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Nagoya Stock Exchange. Sekisui House aims to create homes and communities that improve with time and last for generations. With "Love of Humanity" as its corporate philosophy, Sekisui House believes that homes should offer comfort, security and peace of mind for residents, while maintaining harmony with the environment and its surroundings. Sekisui House has sustainability as a core corporate target and is now the global leader in the construction of net-zero-energy houses with more than 80,0004 of them built since the product was launched in 2013. In 2009, Sekisui House expanded into several new international markets and now operates in the United States, Australia and Singapore. *1 ; 2,662,183 homes delivered (As of January 31, 2024) *2 ; 363 consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates (As of July 31, 2024) *3 ; 32,611 employees (As of July 31, 2024) *4 ; 83,541 net-zero-energy houses (As of March 31, 2024) SOURCE Sekisui House, Ltd. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. In 2023, the European Union's major ports witnessed a steady increase in vessel traffic, with a 1.5% rise in the total number of vessels calling at ports, bringing the total to 2.2 million, Trend reports. This growth has had a noticeable impact on the Balkan region, with certain countries reporting significant improvements in port activity, while others face declines. Greece, a dominant player in the shipping sector, maintained its top position in 2023 with an impressive 477,115 vessel calls. Italy followed closely behind with 449,131 vessels, and Denmark came third with 322,230. The substantial number of port calls in Greece highlights its role as a major maritime hub in the EU. However, the Balkans presented a mixed picture. Countries like Croatia have experienced impressive growth in their port activities. The country reported a significant 40.3% increase in vessel traffic since 2013, showcasing its growing importance as a key port of entry in the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, Greece and Bulgaria both saw a rise in the average gross tonnage of vessels, signaling a shift towards larger and more efficient vessels in the region. On the other hand, countries like Bulgaria and Slovenia reported lower vessel traffic in comparison to their European counterparts. Bulgaria saw a decline of 21.2% in the number of vessels calling at its ports since 2013. Although the average size of vessels calling at Bulgarian ports increased by 15.4%, the overall decline in traffic could be a sign of broader challenges facing the countrys maritime sector. Slovenia, with the smallest number of port calls in the Balkans (1,760), also lagged behind in terms of growth, although it reported one of the highest average gross tonnages for vessels at 29,578 tonnes. In contrast, Croatia and Romania showed strong signs of expansion, with Croatia experiencing a significant surge in the size of vessels calling at its ports. The average vessel size in the country remained the smallest among the major EU ports, at just 1,533 tonnes, but the countrys growing infrastructure suggests a promising future for its maritime industry. As European ports continue to modernize, larger vessels are becoming increasingly common. In 2023, the average gross tonnage of vessels calling at the EUs major ports was 8,058 tonnes, up by 5.2% from 2022 and 18.1% from 2013. While countries like Belgium and Slovenia saw the largest vessels with an average of 32,446 tonnes and 29,578 tonnes respectively, the trend towards bigger ships is also evident in the Balkans. Bulgaria, for instance, registered a 15.4% increase in the size of vessels calling at its ports, while Romanias vessel size grew by 14.6%. While the overall port activity across the Balkans presents a combination of successes and challenges, the regions maritime sector is clearly undergoing a period of transformation. As countries like Croatia and Bulgaria work to improve their port infrastructure, the Balkan regions role in EU maritime trade looks set to grow in the coming years. For now, Greeces position as a leader in EU port traffic remains unchallenged, but the rise of countries like Croatia in vessel size and port activity shows that the regions maritime industry is not standing still. WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Yevhenii Berezovskyi, a financial advisor of SENDS, played a pivotal role in a groundbreaking democracy development program aimed at fostering international cooperation and promoting innovative solutions to global challenges. The program brought together participants from six countries for a series of high-profile events and collaborative meetings in Washington, D.C. Berezovskyi participated in landmark gatherings such as the Inaugural Prayer Breakfast at Waldorf Astoria, the Liberty Ball, and a Rally Celebrating Donald Trump's Victory. These events offered a unique platform to exchange ideas, reflect on democratic values, and build cross-border connections. The Inaugural Prayer Breakfast united leaders, policymakers, and professionals in dialogue transcending political and cultural divides, while the Military Inauguration Ball honored the service of military personnel and emphasized the importance of leadership and patriotism. One of the program's key components was the experience exchange meetings, where Berezovskyi engaged with representatives from Ukraine and Kazakhstan. These productive discussions focused on improving financial transparency, enhancing economic security, and strengthening international payment systems. The meetings highlighted the value of collaboration in addressing the pressing financial and geopolitical challenges of an increasingly interconnected world. Reflecting on the program, Berezovskyi stated, "I'm honored to have participated in this critical dialogue with such a distinguished group of global leaders. The exchange of ideas was invaluable as we explore ways to enhance economic security and foster international cooperation. Collaboration remains key to navigating the complexities of today's financial landscape." Berezovskyi also had the privilege of engaging with Peter Huessy, President of GeoStrategic Analysis and a former Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute. Their discussions centered on the intersection of national security, economic policy, and defense, emphasizing the critical role of financial systems in promoting global stability. Huessy remarked, "By examining the intersection of financial infrastructure and international security, we can better understand how economic strategies contribute to global stability." About SENDS SENDS is a trade name of SMARTFLOW PAYMENTS LIMITED, a company registered in England and Wales. As a fully authorized Electronic Money Institution under FCA regulations, SENDS provides secure, efficient, and transparent payment solutions to businesses and individuals worldwide. Its mission is to facilitate seamless cross-border financial transactions while advancing the global digital economy. SOURCE Sends NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Franklin Resources, INC. ("Franklin" or the "Company") (NYSE: BEN). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Franklin 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 August 21, 2024, Franklin subsidiary Western Asset Management Company issued a press release announcing that co-Chief Investment Officer Ken Leech "is on a leave of absence, effective immediately" after "receiv[ing] a Wells Notice from the Staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission". That same day, Bloomberg reported that "[f]ederal prosecutors in New York are investigating whether a Western Asset Management executive allocated winning trades to favored accounts, as part of a criminal probe into a practice known as 'cherry-picking.'" On this news, Franklin's stock price fell $2.84 per share, or 12.56%, to close at $19.78 per share on August 21, 2024. Then, 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." The 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." On this news, Franklin's stock price fell $0.51 per share, or 2.24%, to close at $22.21 per share on November 26, 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 YORK, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Carvana Co. ("Carvana" or the "Company") (NYSE: CVNA). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Carvana 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 2, 2025, Hindenburg Research ("Hindenburg") published a short report entitled "Carvana: A Father-Son Accounting Grift For The Ages," centering on Carvana's practice of loan sales as well as the business relationship between Chief Executive Officer Ernie Garcia III and his father, Ernest Garcia II, who is Carvana's largest shareholder. Specifically, Hindenburg says it uncovered $800 million in loan sales "to a suspected undisclosed related party, along with details on how accounting manipulation and lax underwriting have fueled temporary reported income growth all while insiders cash out billions in stock." In addition, Hindenburg alleges that an increase in borrower extensions at Carvana is being enabled by the Company's loan servicer, an affiliate of private car dealership DriveTime, which is run by Garcia II. According to Hindenburg, the "company seems to be avoiding reporting higher delinquencies by granting loan extensions instead." On this news, Carvana's stock price fell sharply during intraday trading on January 3, 2025. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, and Paris 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 80 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. 28, 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 HOUSTON, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Silver Star Properties REIT, Inc. ("Silver Star" or the "Company"), a self-managed real estate investment trust currently repositioning into the self-storage asset class, today responded to recent reckless and dishonest communication from Al Hartman, former CEO regarding Judge Memorandum order in Maryland litigation. As a follow-up to our communication on January 24th, we have been notified of yet another reckless and factually dishonest communication from Al Hartman, dated January 27th, 2025. We feel it is our responsibility to address this matter directly and ensure that you are presented with the facts, rather than the baseless misstatements made by Mr. Hartman. First and foremost, we want to address the gross misrepresentation of the recent court decision that Mr. Hartman included in his correspondence. Contrary to his assertions, the court's opinion does not vindicate his claims, nor does it support the inflammatory accusations he has made. The court not only found in Silver Star's favor, in the Memorandum Order there are no less than five instances where Al Hartman's credibility is raised. One stated explicitly, "The Court found Plaintiff to have general credibility issues stemming from instances in which Plaintiff had been shown to be dishonest." Moreover, Mr. Hartman's communication included slanderous statements about the company and its executive committee. These comments are not only unfounded but are also a direct attempt to undermine the integrity of the current leadership and the work we are doing to ensure the company's success. Such actions are unbecoming of someone who once held a leadership position in this organization and in all probability sold your current shares to you. We want to reassure you that the executive committee and leadership team remain steadfast in their commitment to transparency, accountability, and the best interests of the company. While we regret the need to address these distractions, we will not allow, at this time, slanderous falsehoods to go unchallenged. To provide clarity: The court's decision does not support the narrative Mr. Hartman is attempting to construct. Mr. Hartman said in his January 27th communication "the lis pendens filed on the properties for a short 3-month period did not damage Silver Star in anyway." However, the judge stated in his order (that is uploaded on our website), "The lis pendens interfered with Silver Star's ability to market its office building assets and put it in technical default on some of its debts, thereby jeopardizing the refinancing effort and potentially thwarting the Pivot Plan. Ultimately, Hartman SPE had to be put into bankruptcy. It took several months for the bankruptcy proceeding to result in the release of the lis pendens. Silver Star incurred substantial costs as a result." We urge all shareholders to disregard Mr. Hartman's communications and rely on official communications from the company for accurate information. Please forward all communications to my contact below so we can respond accurately and timely to these claims. We will continue to keep you updated as developments occur and will not waver in our efforts to protect the company and its shareholders from misinformation and unwarranted and unregulated attacks. Thank you for your continued trust and support. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our Investor Relations team with any questions or concerns. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on management's current expectations, assumptions, and beliefs. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should" and similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. They are not guarantees of future results and forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, including those described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("the SEC"), particularly those described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC on May 26, 2023 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements and are encouraged to review the Company's other filings with the SEC for a more complete discussion of risks and other factors that could affect any forward-looking statement. The statements made herein speak only as of the date of this Press Release and except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. SOURCE Silver Star Properties REIT INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Indianapolis Prize has named six distinguished conservationists as DeHaan Finalists for the 2025 award. The biennial award recognizes animal conservationists who have achieved major victories in saving an animal species or group of species. The DeHaan Finalists will each receive a $50,000 award to continue their efforts. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Indianapolis Prize is the world's leading award for animal conservation, honoring individuals who are at the forefront of species protection and research. The Indianapolis Prize has named six distinguished conservationists as DeHaan Finalists for the 2025 award. Post this The 2025 DeHaan Finalists were chosen from a group of 44 nominees based on the measurable outcomes from their work, the quality of science applied to their efforts and a demonstrated spirit of cooperation. "These six extraordinary conservationists have achieved tangible results in safeguarding threatened species across the globe. Through the Indianapolis Prize, we are proud to shine a light on these conservation heroes whose work gives us hope for the future of our planet's vulnerable species," said Dr. Rob Shumaker, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Zoological Society. The six DeHaan Finalists are: Alberto Alves Campos (Aquasis, Brazil, and University of British Columbia, Canada) Conservation biologist serving as a founder of Aquasis, a non-profit organization promoting endangered species and habitat conservation in Brazil. Campos helped improve the conservation status of the Antillean manatee in Brazil and created a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network site for the wintering grounds of the endangered Red knot. Lisa Dabek, Ph.D. (Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program, Papua New Guinea, and Woodland Park Zoo, USA) Creator of the first conservation area in Papua New Guinea focused on tree kangaroos. Dr. Dabek is the founder of the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program where she works with local indigenous communities and regional governments to establish long-term conservation plans for the species. Birute Mary Galdikas, Ph.D. (Orangutan Foundation International, USA) Orangutan researcher who first documented the long orangutan birth interval and recorded more than 400 types of food consumed by orangutans. As president and co-founder of Orangutan Foundation International, Dr. Galdikas has contributed to the release of more than 500 rehabilitated orangutans back into the wild and provided unprecedented detail about orangutan ecology. Galdikas was named an Indianapolis Prize DeHaan Finalist in 2023. Julie Packard (Monterey Bay Aquarium, USA) International leader in ocean conservation, Packard strives to protect marine species and ecosystems. She has led the charge for the sustainable seafood movement by building a global seafood program grounded in ecosystem-based science and a market-based approach. As the founding executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Packard is a leading voice for science-based policy reform in support of a healthy ocean. Lily-Arison Rene de Roland, Ph.D. (The Peregrine Fund, Madagascar) Revolutionizing conservation in Madagascar, Dr. Rene de Roland has contributed to the establishment of five national protected areas totaling 1,550 square miles. Serving as The Peregrine Fund's national director of its Madagascar Program, Rene de Roland has helped discover several new species, including the Madagascar pochard duck, lemur species and a wolf spider. His community-based models alleviate human-wildlife conflicts and allow the conservation of Madagascar's threatened animal species. Lee James Taylor White, Ph.D. (Institute for Tropical Ecology Research, Gabon, and University of Stirling, Scotland) Working as a field biologist and conservationist for 40 years, Dr. White's research focuses on the critically endangered African forest elephant and its keystone ecological role in the countries of the Congo Basin. White has directed extensive population assessments, combated habitat loss, created a network of 13 national parks in Gabon and founded new collaborations, thus protecting half of the world's forest elephants. The Winner of the 2025 Indianapolis Prize will be announced in May and will receive a $250,000 award. The Winner and DeHaan Finalists will be honored at the Indianapolis Prize Gala on Sept. 27, 2025, presented by Cummins, Inc., in downtown Indianapolis. For additional media assets for the 2025 Indianapolis Prize DeHaan Finalists, click here. To learn more about the previous Indianapolis Prize Winners, visit IndianapolisPrize.org. The Indianapolis Prize recognizes and rewards conservationists who have achieved major victories in advancing the sustainability of an animal species or group of species. Since 2006, the Indianapolis Prize has awarded more than $7 million in unrestricted cash awards, advancing the work of conservation scientists through financial support and public awareness. The Indianapolis Prize is a signature conservation initiative of the Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc. Connect with the Prize on Facebook, X and Instagram. Media Contacts Alliy Moyer Indianapolis Zoo 317-630-3265 [email protected] Camille Pipino VOX Global 614-588-6488 [email protected] SOURCE Indianapolis Zoo SKOKIE, Ill., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A fingertip pulse oximeter distributed by Concord Health Supply, Inc., a family-owned business in Skokie, is earning praise as the best in class for home use by Wirecutter, The New York Times' popular product review website. A home pulse oximeter is an easy and painless way to see if your body is getting enough oxygen. Fingertip pulse oximeters gauge blood oxygen levels by clipping onto your finger, shining a light through the skin, and calculating the saturation of oxygen in your red blood cells. Updated in January, Wirecutter's team tested 10 pulse oximeters with people aged 2 to 78. They read dozens of clinical studies and spoke to at least six doctors, including five at leading university medical research centers. "If you want an ultra-reliable, medical-grade pulse oximeter with FDA clearance, the Nonin Onyx Vantage 9590 is the one to get. It's expensive, but unlike most recreational and wellness pulse oximeters, this one has undergone multiple independent clinical tests for accuracyand it performed exceptionally well in each test," Wirecutter reported. Wirecutter's recommendation links to Concord Health Supply as its recommended buying option. "We are delighted that the rigorous testing and high standards applied by the New York Times' Wirecutter identified the Nonin Onyx Vantage 9590 as the best pulse oximeter for home use," said Krikor Topouzian, President, CEO, and Chairman of Concord Companies, Inc." Skokie-based Concord Health Supply, Inc., is a worldwide distributor of pulse oximeters and a full range of health care supplies. The company is an authorized distributor of Nonin, Masimo, Concord, ChoiceMMed, Contec, and other brands. Its customers include individuals, doctors' offices, nursing homes, EMS, medical centers and providers in the health care arena. Concord is the No. 1 retailer of USA-made pulse oximeters, and its store on Amazon has 11,000 5-star reviews, with 100 percent positive feedback over the past 12 months. "The Nonin Onyx Vantage 9590 is a sturdy pulse oximeter with a simple digital display that's easy to read," Wirecutter reported. "A study published in 2024 found that it was one of the most accurate fingertip devices at determining blood oxygen levels, including for those with darker skin. It is cleared by the FDA and covered by a four-year warrantythe longest we've seen." Wirecutter added: "A fingertip pulse oximeter shines light through the fingertip to estimate the percentage of oxygen in the blood. This can be an easy, relatively inexpensive, and noninvasive way to monitor your health, particularly if you have tested positive for COVID-19, have pneumonia, have a chronic lung disease, or have been diagnosed with another condition that requires monitoring your blood oxygen levels and pulse rates at home." Wirecutter's pulse oximeter guide was updated this month after the FDA published draft guidance for device makers, with proposals focused on pulse oximeter performance testing, labeling, and premarket submission recommendations. For more information, visit our website or call: (888) 970-2999. SOURCE Concord Health Supply, Inc. DALLAS, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MTX Group, a global leader in technology consulting and digital transformation, is excited to announce incentive funding by Snowflake Inc., a fully managed platform that powers the AI Data Cloud. MTX Group has been awarded incentive funding through the Snowflake Cloud Fund Program and Snowflake Accelerating Migration with Partners (AMP) initiative. This funding will support significant projects aimed at enhancing state and local government services. This incentive funding highlights Snowflake's commitment to supporting the unique needs and use cases of the public sector. The MTX Group and Snowflake partnership will accelerate the development of innovative data solutions, and modern data architectures that prioritize citizen needs and drive meaningful innovation in how critical government services are being delivered. The MTX Group and Snowflake partnership will accelerate the development of innovative data solutions, and modern data architectures that prioritize citizen needs and drive meaningful innovation in how critical government services are being delivered. "Receiving this incentive funding highlights the strength of our partnership with Snowflake and our shared mission to drive impactful solutions for communities," said Dan Osborne, Chief Client Officer at MTX Group. "This support enhances our ability to deliver meaningful outcomes for government agencies and their constituents. We are excited to leverage this funding to drive positive outcomes." Key focus areas include: Driving Innovation Across Industries: Collaborating to implement innovative solutions that enhance efficiency across sectors. Collaborating to implement innovative solutions that enhance efficiency across sectors. Empowering Advanced Data Management and Analytics: Unlocking insights and enhancing data-driven strategies. Unlocking insights and enhancing data-driven strategies. Maximizing Data Utilization for Public Sector Initiatives: Optimizing data sharing and access for creating positive public sector outcomes. Optimizing data sharing and access for creating positive public sector outcomes. Streamlining Processes and Enhancing Decision-Making: Utilizing real-time analytics to refine workflows and support informed decision-making. "MTX Group's innovative work in state and local government aligns with Snowflake's vision for public sector transformation. This investment reflects our confidence in MTX's ability to create meaningful community impact while showcasing the power of data-driven solutions in government," said John Whippen, RVP, US Public Sector SLED at Snowflake." MTX Group plans to utilize the incentive funding to support a major Emergency Relief and Respite Center project in a large city. This initiative will enhance the intake process for asylum seekers, improving data collection and tracking services such as housing assignments and transportation. In the first week alone, over 200 staff users were onboarded, and more than 1,200 asylum seekers were processed. Additionally, MTX Group developed an application that has served over 40,000 guests, facilitating housing assignments and transfers between facilities. Highlights of the Partnership: Incentive Funding: MTX Group awarded incentive funding through the Snowflake Cloud Fund Program and AMP initiative to support innovative public sector projects. MTX Group awarded incentive funding through the Snowflake Cloud Fund Program and AMP initiative to support innovative public sector projects. Innovative Solutions: Combining Snowflake's advanced cloud technology with MTX Group's expertise for advanced data management solutions. Combining Snowflake's advanced cloud technology with MTX Group's expertise for advanced data management solutions. Accelerated Digital Transformation: Enhancing efficiency in data utilization and decision-making. About MTX Group MTX is a global technology consulting firm that serves as a trusted advisor for government agencies and businesses to modernize through digital transformation. With data as the new currency, MTX helps transform long-term strategy with outcomes focused on happiness, health, and economics. By partnering with leading cloud technologies, MTX improves decision-making with speed and quality. SOURCE MTX Group INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sonicu has been awarded a national group purchasing agreement for Temperature Monitoring with Premier, Inc. Effective December 15, 2024, the new agreement allows Premier members, at their discretion, to take advantage of special pricing and terms pre-negotiated by Premier for Sonicu's comprehensive portfolio of temperature and environmental monitoring solutions. "Sonicu is thrilled to be welcomed into the Premier group purchasing organization. Our simple and affordable temperature and environmental monitoring systems are now available at special pricing to thousands of Premier members," said Joe Mundell, Chief Revenue Officer, Sonicu. "Thousands of hospital-based pharmacy and laboratory professionals already rely on Sonicu's battle-tested monitoring solutions today to protect their mission-critical assets, automate Joint Commission and other regulatory compliance requirements, and automate cumbersome manual processes," added Mundell. "We're excited to expand our ability to serve even more healthcare professionals via our relationship with Premier." Sonicu provides a comprehensive suite of wireless monitoring solutions built specifically for healthcare that include NIST certification, simple NIST replacement certification, and lifetime customer support. Sonicu's commitment to customer support and satisfaction, along with the reliability of the monitoring system, translates to an industry-leading customer retention and enduring return on investment. Temperature and environmental monitoring solutions from Sonicu include: Wireless temperature monitoring for cold storage of medications, food, and walk-in coolers Warm environment monitoring of warming cabinets and ovens Ultra-Low and Cryogenic temperature monitoring for research areas Ambient temperature and humidity monitoring in procedure rooms, data closets, and storage areas Air pressure differential monitoring in critical care environments and non-critical care environments The remote wireless Sonicu monitoring kits are most commonly applied in the following healthcare departments: Pharmacy: medication temperature monitoring and environmental monitoring for compounding and ambient drug storage Laboratory: protecting temperature-sensitive samples Dining and Nutrition: food temperature monitoring Operating Rooms: ambient conditions, air pressure, and warming cabinets Facility Monitoring: power detection, doors and equipment status, leak detection, and BMS integration Physician Clinics: vaccine monitoring for VFC/CDC compliance "The depth and breadth of Sonicu's product line and ease of implementation make it simple for a hospital system to streamline and standardize monitoring across several departments," Mundell said. "Our platform is completely scalable from a single department at one facility to an enterprise approach across large multi-site health systems and can capture all of their compliance-based monitoring data in a single dashboard to drive better workflow and responsiveness." The SoniCloud reporting function includes reports for Joint Commission and other regulatory agencies. Premier is a leading technology-driven healthcare improvement company, providing solutions to two-thirds of all healthcare providers in the U.S. Playing a critical role in the rapidly evolving healthcare industry, Premier unites providers, suppliers, payers and policymakers to make healthcare better with national scale, smarter with actionable intelligence and faster with novel technologies. With integrated data and analytics, collaboratives, supply chain solutions, consulting and other services, Premier enables better care and outcomes at a lower cost. ABOUT SONICU Based in Indianapolis, Sonicu is an industry leader in monitoring temperature, environmental and facility solutions for healthcare, life science, and food service professionals. Thousands of users rely on our sensors, software, and support to protect their vital assets, automate regulatory compliance, and reduce manual processes across their organizations. CONTACT: Bryan Mitchell, 317-468-2345, [email protected] SOURCE Sonicu Sopra Steria, via Sopra Steria Ventures, acquires a stake in Alice & Bob The aim of this investment is to enhance a range of services to support companies in their quantum transformation. PARIS, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sopra Steria, a major player in the European Tech sector, today announced its participation in the Series B funding round of the start-up Alice & Bob, one of the world leaders in the race for quantum computing with integrated error correction, via Sopra Steria Ventures. This transaction reinforces Sopra Steria's position at the forefront of the quantum scene. Alice & Bob is a start-up specialising in the design of quantum processors to develop quantum computers capable of being scaled up in the near future. Quantum computing has the potential to radically transform the current technological landscape. This fast-growing market is already attracting technology leaders such as Google, Amazon and IBM, and could reach 2.3 billion by 2030. Against this backdrop, the technology developed by Alice & Bob will enable businesses of all sizes assess their technological maturity and explore new use cases, accelerating the adoption of quantum computing across multiple business sectors. "Quantum computing will transform the technological landscape, offering revolutionary opportunities to our clients, which is why we are committed to collaborating with the best players in the sector, including Alice & Bob, and to actively investing in this technology of the future," comments Socheat Chhay, Managing Director of Sopra Steria Ventures. "We were convinced by Alice & Bob, their visionary approach to the subject and the excellence of their teams, and our investment illustrates our confidence in their project." Towards new quantum horizons Alice & Bob and Sopra Steria have the potential to help large companies define their quantum roadmap for 2030, enabling them to meet the challenges of fast-changing sectors and remain competitive. Learn More: https://www.soprasteria.com/newsroom/press-releases/details/sopra-steria-takes-part-in-alice-bobs-fundraising-drive CONTACT: Laura Bandiera, [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2607666/SOPRA_STERIA_Ventures_Logo.jpg BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. The agricultural land market in the European Union continues to show significant regional disparities, with the Balkan countries standing out for their relatively low land prices compared to other regions in Europe, Trend reports. According to data from Eurostat, while Malta and the Netherlands record some of the highest prices, agricultural land in the Balkans remains more affordable, offering opportunities for local farmers and international investors alike. Among the 22 EU countries with available data, Malta stands out with the highest average price for arable land, reaching a staggering 283,039 per hectare. In comparison, the Netherlands follows with 91,154 per hectare, and Luxembourg sits third with 42,540 per hectare. These prices reflect the limited availability of arable land in these countries, making it an expensive commodity. On the other end of the spectrum, the Balkan countries offer some of the lowest land prices in the EU. Croatia, with an average price of just 4,491 per hectare, recorded the lowest prices in the region. Neighboring countries also follow suit, with Latvia (4,591) and Slovakia (5,189) presenting similarly low prices. These figures suggest that the Balkans remain an attractive region for those looking to invest in agricultural land at a lower cost compared to Western and Northern Europe. Regional price variations within individual EU countries further emphasize the stark contrast in land values across Europe. While regions such as Wien in Austria (189,000 per hectare) and Flevoland in the Netherlands (178,093) show extremely high prices, the Swedish regions of Ovre Norrland (1,951) and Mellersta Norrland (2,378), as well as the French region of Franche-Comte (2,580), report some of the lowest prices for arable land. In addition to the price of purchasing agricultural land, rental prices also reveal a similar trend. The Netherlands leads the EU in annual rental prices, with 914 per hectare for arable land or permanent grassland. In stark contrast, rental prices in the Balkans remain much lower, with Slovakia recording the lowest rental rates in the EU at just 67 per hectare. Among the EUs regions, the Dutch region of Flevoland has the highest average annual rental price, reaching 1,787 per hectare, followed by Canarias in Spain (1,164) and Noord-Brabant in the Netherlands (1,111). Meanwhile, the Swedish regions of Ovre Norrland and Mellersta Norrland again offer the lowest rental prices in the EU, at just 24 per hectare. The Slovak regions of Stredne Slovensko (40) and Vychodne Slovensko (43) also present relatively low rental rates. For the Balkan countries, these lower land prices could have long-term implications for both local agriculture and the regions appeal to foreign investors. The more affordable land prices may help bolster the agricultural sector, but they also signal the need for further investment in infrastructure and land development to maximize the lands potential. As the EU agricultural market continues to evolve, the disparities between regions are likely to persist, with the Balkans remaining a region of interest for those seeking cost-effective agricultural investments. While countries like Croatia and Slovakia maintain competitive land prices, the need for modernization and strategic development will remain crucial in ensuring sustainable growth for the regions agricultural sector. "This is an incredibly rare opportunity to bring an archive of this significance to Stanford." Post this The materials have all been moved to Stanford, following the signing of a transfer agreement last June. The collection will complement Stanford's existing archival materials on California and the American West and will be a valuable resource for scholars, students, and the general public studying the region's past, said Michael A. Keller, the Ida M. Green University Librarian at SUL. "From its origins, the California Historical Society has focused on collecting and preserving the history of the West and has amassed a remarkably rich and diverse archive over the years," Keller said. "Its collections of books, journals, letters and postcards, maps, photographs, newspapers, and more form an enormous, relatively untapped resource for historical research, for teaching, and for understanding the history of California and the western region." Items from the CHS Collection date back to the early eighteenth century. Spanning roughly 16,000 linear feet, the CHS Collection is renowned for its rare and diverse range of materials, making it one of the most significant collections of California state and local history. Some items of historic importance include original material from significant events such as the Gold Rush, statehood, and the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. It also features unique collections, including the records of the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, which date back to the early 1900s. Stanford historian Gordon H. Chang, the Olive H. Palmer Professor in Humanities, knows well the importance of having access to California's rich history. "The Chinese Railroad Workers in North America Project at Stanford devoted considerable attention to mining the CHS archive and found material never used by previous railroad scholars," said Chang. His research shows the depth of the CHS Collection and its synergy to SUL's own holdings on the history of Asian Americans, African Americans, and Mexican Americans with the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Papers, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund records, and the Huey P. Newton/Black Panther Party Papers. Another Stanford scholar that has turned to the CHS Collection for his own research is Richard White, the Margaret Byrne Professor of American History, Emeritus at Stanford and author of Railroaded and California Exposures. "For me the CHS Collection is one of the most valuable, and underutilized collections in California," said White. "It will augment SUL's holdings in the American West, helping to fill in gaps from the nineteenth and early twentieth-century California. This is an incredibly rare opportunity to bring an archive of this significance to Stanford." David M. Kennedy, the Donald J. McLachlan Professor of History, Emeritus at Stanford and founding Faculty Director of the Lane Center, said that the acquisition of this collection "will make Stanford the premier place for historical research about California and the broader North American West." The CHS Board considered several leading research and public institutions in California and ultimately decided that SUL was the best choice to manage and grow the CHS Collection. "SUL brings a strong infrastructure that spans a network of twenty libraries across Stanford's campus and an expansive team with knowledge and expertise in collections development, digitization and preservation, and technologies development," said CHS Interim CEO Jen Whitley. "Through SUL's partnership with the Bill Lane Center for the American West, the CHS Collection will continue to increase our understanding of California and the Western region. Richard Saller, Stanford's twelfth President and the Kleinheinz Family Professor of European Studies, said the addition of the collection supports the university's core mission of research and education. "At a time when historical perspective is so critical, the California Historical Society Collection will provide a treasure trove of information about long-term trajectories over the past two centuries." Read full Stanford University Libraries press release. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Stanford University Libraries NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE: SUI) between February 28, 2019 and September 24, 2024, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important February 10, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. So what: If you purchased Sun Communities securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. What to do next: To join the Sun Communities class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32347 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 10, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm 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. Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants created the false impression that they were presenting a complete and accurate picture of Sun Communities' financial reports and accounting pertaining to Sun Communities' projected revenue outlook and anticipated growth. At no point did defendants state or even allude to the DH Bingham Farms LLC mortgage, signed by Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") Gary Shiffman, or the multiple undisclosed loans CEO Gary Shiffman received, including one from Company Board Member Arthur Weiss. Defendants misled investors by providing the public with materially flawed statements of confidence and growth projections throughout the Class Period, which did not account for these variables. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Sun Communities class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32347 https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=28116 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or 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. University lecturers, students, and researchers affiliated with National Research Institutions invited to participate and showcase their publications and prototypes at IATF2025. CAIRO, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Afreximbank, in collaboration with African Union Commission and AfCFTA Secretariat, is excited to launch its new initiative the "African Research and Innovation Hub @IATF", during the 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025). The key objective is to boost academic research output and increase collaboration between academia, industry, and policy makers across Africa in the bid to drive forward intra-African trade and industrialisation. The platform aims to provide an opportunity for African, Caribbean and Diaspora lecturers, students, and researchers to showcase innovative research and prototypes that contribute towards intra-African trade and industrialisation. It also seeks to develop industry collaborations and exchange knowledge with leading professionals in the field during IATF2025 in Algiers, Algeria from September 4-10, 2025. The African Research and Innovation Hub @IATF aims to promote and commercialise African research and innovation. It also acknowledges that there are many talented and creative Africans across Africa, the Caribbean and the Diaspora, who have brilliant ideas, concepts, publications and prototypes but lack the relevant support required to help them nurture their ideas and commercialise them. The platform provides access to more comprehensive information, relevant data, and literature whilst exposing national researchers to potential investors or venture capitalists who could assist with commercialising their research output and prototypes. A key objective of the Hub is to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship among lecturers and students by connecting them to trade exhibitions, start-up pitches, and networking opportunities with business leaders, potentially leading to new start-ups and increased academic-industry collaborations. It also provides opportunities for networking and potential collaboration with others in academia and practitioners across the continent, research institutions, industry, and policymakers. Researchers, academics and university students are provided with access to information on emerging issues in the field of intra-African trade and can incorporate these into their research programs and academic curricula. Lastly, it enhances the capacity of lecturers and students in understanding and teaching the complexities of trade policies, trade standards, regional economic communities, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and industrialisation. The hub aims to support the broader objectives of enhancing intra-African trade, fostering economic development, and building a connected, informed, and empowered next generation of African trade and investment leaders across all fields. This hub will allow students to exhibit their prototype inventions and published research papers on select topics, which are expected to adhere to world-class standards. Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank said: "IATF2025 is an important moment for African research and innovation, bringing together the brightest minds from universities and research institutions to contribute towards promoting intra-African trade and industrialisation. The African Research and Innovation Hub @IATF will serve as a groundbreaking platform for African, Caribbean and Diaspora lecturers, students, and researchers to demonstrate their capabilities, and connect with industry leaders, investors, and policymakers. This is more than an opportunity to display research; it's a unique moment to shape the future of intra-African trade and industrialisation to drive economic growth across the continent." Entries will be judged by a panel consisting of distinguished trade experts, scholars, and industry leaders from across Africa. The panel will evaluate submissions based on innovation, relevance to African trade and industrialisation, and the potential for practical application. Candidates should demonstrate a number of key criteria including academic excellence and a passion for advancing research on intra-African trade, industrialisation, leadership and initiative in projects related to trade, industrialisation and innovation, and regional economic integration; high-quality research outputs or innovative prototypes aligned with IATF's themes and a commitment to furthering knowledge and collaboration by sharing insights from the event with their academic institutions. University Lecturers, University Students, and Researchers Affiliated with National Research Institutions from Africa, the Diaspora including the Caribbean are invited to submit their applications directly through this email: [email protected] by 28 March 2025, 23:59 GMT. You can find out the eligibility criteria, application requirements and other details on the IATF2025 website: 2025.iatf.africa/newfront/page/explore#africa-research-and-innovation-hub-iatf About Intra-African Trade Fair Organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with African Union Commission (AUC) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is intended to provide a unique platform for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). IATF brings together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services and to explore business and investment opportunities in the continent. It also provides a platform to share trade, investment and market information with stakeholders and allows participants to discuss and identify solutions to the challenges confronting intra-African trade and investment. In addition to African participants, the Trade Fair is also open to businesses and investors from non-African countries interested in doing business in Africa and supporting the continent's transformation through industrialisation and export development. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2602565/IATF_2025_Logo.jpg SOURCE Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 - Recognizing Excellence in Biopharmaceutical and Medical Technology Innovation - NEW DELHI, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Galien Foundation, the premier global institution dedicated to honoring innovators in life sciences, is proud to announce the Modi Prix Galien India 2025 Awards Ceremony, which is set to take place on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at The Taj Palace, New Delhi. This prestigious event celebrates groundbreaking contributions to global human health through innovative medicines, technologies, and initiatives. Dr. Renu Swarup, former Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, will chair the Modi Prix Galien Awards Committee. The committee comprises distinguished experts from diverse fields of science and medicine. "The Modi Prix Galien India reflects India's unwavering commitment to advancing science, innovation, and healthcare. It showcases the incredible contributions of our scientific community and underscores our global role in improving human health," said Dr. Renu Swarup, Chair of the Modi Prix Galien India Awards Committee. Awards will be presented in the following categories: Best Biotechnology Product Best Product for Rare/Orphan Diseases Best Startup / Digital Health Solution Best Medical Technology Best Academic / Public Sector This landmark event will gather scientists, healthcare professionals, academics, government leaders, patient advocates, and media to celebrate innovation in life sciences. Hosting the ceremony will be the renowned actress Mandira Bedi, adding a touch of elegance to the evening. Bruno Cohen, Chairman of The Galien Foundation, remarked, "We are excited to launch the Modi Prix Galien India and to further expand our global recognition of those transforming the future of healthcare. India's contributions to biopharmaceuticals and medical technology are vital to progress worldwide." Satish Kumar Modi, President of the GM Modi Science Foundation, added, "India has a long-standing tradition of innovation and scientific discovery. The Modi Prix Galien India 2025 celebrates these achievements while inspiring future generations to contribute to global health advancements. It is a privilege to support this important initiative that recognizes those dedicated to improving the lives of millions." The Modi Prix Galien India Awards Committee consists of several esteemed leaders in the life sciences in India. Here are the key members and details about the event, including nominations and ticket information. About The Galien Foundation The Galien Foundation fosters, recognizes, and rewards excellence in scientific innovation to improve the state of human health. Our vision is to be the catalyst for the development of the next generation of innovative treatments and technologies that will impact the state of medical practice and save lives. The late Professor Elie Wiesel, 1986 Peace Nobel Laureate, is The Honorary Founding President of The Galien Foundation. The Foundation oversees and directs activities in the US for the Prix Galien, an international awards program dedicated to progress through innovative medicines development, with chapters in 14 countries, Africa and an inaugural chapter established in India in 2024. The Prix Galien was created in 1970 by Roland Mehl in honor of Galen, the father of medical science and modern pharmacology. Worldwide, the Prix Galien is regarded as the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in biopharmaceutical research. For more information, visit https://www.galienfoundation.org/. Follow the Foundation on social media: https://www.facebook.com/GalienFoundation/ https://twitter.com/GalienFdnhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/the-galien-foundation/ Media Contact (India): Nidhi Sagar Finn Partners [email protected] Media Contact (Global): Kara Bradley Finn Partners [email protected] 646-213-7243 SOURCE The Galien Foundation The recognition highlights the companies' commitment to supporting businesses across the region AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) electric companies The Illuminating Company and Ohio Edison have been named 2024 Business Customer Champions in a national study conducted by Escalent, a leading data analytics and advisory firm with extensive expertise in the energy and utility industry. The designation underscores the companies' dedication to fostering strong, engaged relationships with business customers throughout their Ohio service areas. FirstEnergy Corp. electric companies The Illuminating Company and Ohio Edison have been named 2024 Business Customer Champions in a national study conducted by Escalent. Escalent's Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement study for business customers scores energy utility providers based on a 360-degree review of how they engage with businesses. The study evaluates 78 electric, gas and combination utilities throughout the United States, assessing factors such as trust, service satisfaction and community support. The Illuminating Company and Ohio Edison are among 24 utilities named Business Customer Champions for scoring above their industry peers for demonstrating exceptional engagement among business customers. Torrence Hinton, FirstEnergy Ohio President: "We know that powering businesses is crucial to supporting the communities where we live and work. We are deeply honored to be a trusted partner to the business community and remain focused on providing safe, reliable power while innovating solutions that help them succeed." The report highlights the companies' standout performance in key areas, including: Great customer service Tools and programs to help customers save energy Helping customers prepare for emergency situations Dedication to the safety of employees and the community Easy to understand and manageable monthly bills Communication through preferred methods Ease of doing business Escalent's study also indicated that the 2024 Business Customer Champions demonstrated particularly strong performance among small businesses with less than $500,000 in annual revenue. Michelle Henry, FirstEnergy Senior Vice President of Customer Experience: "We continuously work to be a trusted energy partner to our customers. We are committed to understanding the unique needs of businesses and providing them with the tools and resources they need. Strengthening these partnerships is central to how we help businesses thrive in the communities we serve." Business customers of The Illuminating Company and Ohio Edison can access tools and resources to manage their electric account, including the Business Energy Analyzer to help maximize energy use, at illuminatingco.com and ohioedison.com. Ohio Edison serves more than one million customers across 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on X @OhioEdison, on Facebook at facebook.com/OhioEdison and online at ohioedison.com. The Illuminating Company serves approximately 755,000 customers across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. Connect with The Illuminating Company at illuminatingcompany.com, on X @IlluminatingCo, and on Facebook at facebook.com/IlluminatingCo. FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on X @FirstEnergyCorp or online at firstenergycorp.com. SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp. INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In the face of a relentless assault on our nation's well-being, the National Police Association (NPA) endorsed the Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues (SOFA) Act. This legislation, championed by Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and his Senate colleagues, seeks to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act, thereby equipping law enforcement with the necessary tools to combat the scourge of synthetic opioids infiltrating our communities. The full text of the legislation can be found here. Michael Wheatley / Alamy Stock Photo The opioid epidemic, a blight on the American landscape, has been exacerbated by the proliferation of fentanyl analoguespotent synthetic opioids that have claimed countless lives. The SOFA Act aims to stem this tide by codifying regulations that deter the manufacture and distribution of these lethal substances. As Senator Johnson aptly stated, "Passing the SOFA Act is more important than ever as Americans face the worst border crisis in our nation's history. This bill helps law enforcement combat the opioid epidemic by deterring the manufacture of new fentanyl substances." The NPA recognizes that the integrity of our borders is paramount. The influx of fentanyl and its analogues is not merely a consequence of domestic issues but is intricately linked to our nation's border security. It is imperative that we address this crisis with a multifaceted approach that includes stringent enforcement and robust legislation. "This legislation provides essential support to law enforcement in their efforts to combat the opioid epidemic by targeting the production of emerging fentanyl-related substances," said NPA spokesperson, Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith (Ret). "Across the nation, communities continue to suffer the devastating consequences of the opioid crisis, underscoring the urgent need for effective policy solutions." The SOFA Act has also garnered support from esteemed organizations such as the Wisconsin Professional Police Association and the National Association of Police Organizations, reflecting a unified front in the battle against opioid proliferation. The NPA urges Congress to act decisively in passing the SOFA Act. The safety and security of our citizens depend on our collective resolve to confront and eradicate the threats posed by fentanyl analogues. It is through such legislative measures that we can hope to restore order and protect the sanctity of American life. The National Police Association is a nonprofit organization that supports law enforcement through advocacy, education, and law. For more information, visit NationalPolice.org. Media Contact: Betsy Smith 302.469.1765 [email protected] SOURCE National Police Association The Healthcare Cost Containment Firm Exposes the Lack of Transparency in Health Care as it Relates to Quality and Cost by State CANTON, Mass., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite the fact that the United States spends more on health care than any other developing country, it ranks last for quality health care*. Today The Phia Group , a leading health care cost containment firm, has released The Phia Group Healthcare Index, a state-by-state health care quality and cost analysis, indicating that Minnesota, Hawaii, and Montana had the highest quality, most affordable health care. Conversely, Nevada, South Carolina, and Texas ranked lowest in the country for health care quality and affordability. The states that ranked at the top had high quality health care and lower aggressive billing, whereas, the states that ranked low on the list had more aggressive billing rates. This dynamic clearly highlights the opaque healthcare system across the United States. "When it comes to the cost of healthcare, there's a terrible misconception that more expensive services correlate with better quality and more optimal outcomes," said Adam V. Russo, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Phia Group. "There may be such a correlation between cost and quality with cars and electronic products, but that is far from the case in healthcare. The reason for this is that unlike every other aspect of our economy, healthcare isn't driven by consumerism. People actually have no idea what anything actually costs as it relates to medical treatment. Many Americans would be surprised to learn that there's actually quite a bit of information available if you know how to access it that indicates how quality and pricing metrics align. Unfortunately, the general public can find more information about the quality and price of a toothpick than the quality and price of the open-heart surgery they just scheduled." The Phia Group believes that engaged consumerism as well as pricing and quality transparency are all critical to lowering overall health care costs and ensuring higher quality outcomes, which is what they aim to do for their employees and clients. "The price charged for a normal delivery of a baby should not range from $10,000 to $60,000 in any given market," continues Russo. "But since no actual patient is paying the entire bill, the transparency is lost, and patients only look at what their co-pays and deductibles are not the entire price. Hence, we get more expensive healthcare every year." The Phia Group Healthcare Index research was conducted using publicly available data to then rank each state from best to worst as it relates to their health care quality and cost. The following states ranked the top ten: Minnesota Hawaii Montana South Dakota Oregon Iowa Utah Rhode Island New York Maine Conversely, the bottom ten states are as follows: Nevada South Carolina Texas New Mexico Florida West Virginia Kentucky Mississippi Colorado Arizona To see the full The Phia Group Healthcare Index rankings and additional insights, visit https://www.phiagroup.com/Media/Posts/invisible-truth-of-healthcare. To generate these rankings, The Phia Group combined clinician and facility data from publicly available CMS sources, incorporating both quality metrics and cost data derived from Medicare payment files. The Phia Group is the nation's leading provider of healthcare cost containment solutions offering comprehensive claims recovery, plan document, and consulting services designed to contain health care costs and protect plan assets. By delivering industry-leading consultation and cost containment solutions, The Phia Group empowers plans to achieve their goals. Learn more at phiagroup.com . * https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2024/sep/mirror-mirror-2024 DISCLAIMER The Phia Group's analysis was performed using publicly available data for general informational purposes only. The final ranking is based on broad cost and quality metrics and may not reflect individual circumstances ABOUT THE PHIA GROUP The Phia Group, LLC, headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts, is a leading provider of healthcare cost containment solutions. With offices across the United States, The Phia Group offers comprehensive claims recovery, plan document, and consulting services designed to contain health care costs and protect plan assets. By delivering industry-leading consultation and cost containment solutions, The Phia Group empowers plans to achieve their goals. Learn more at phiagroup.com. SOURCE The Phia Group, LLC Community Corp. provides affordable rental units to 2,000 low-income households in Santa Monica, California (almost 5% of the City's total households), with more being built to expand affordable housing in one of the most expensive areas in the US and where destruction from recent fires will exacerbate the housing shortage. LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The RCLCO Foundation and RCLCO, an advisory firm focused on the real estate industry, announce Community Corporation of Santa Monica (Community Corp.) as the recipient of its 2025 Affordable Housing Leadership Award. The RCLCO Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, supports and advances initiatives to preserve and increase affordable housing and prevent homelessness. The Award recognizes organizations performing work aligned with this mission in the local communities where RCLCO has offices. Community Corp. restores, builds, and manages affordable housing properties that help to make Santa Monica a more inclusive, caring, and environmentally sustainable city. Founded 40 years ago, the nonprofit today provides high-quality affordable rentals to more than 2,000 low-income households in Santa Monica, California (almost 5% of the City's total households) and supports residents of its communities with afterschool programs and wellness activities onsite at its properties, green community initiatives, and more. Importantly, with several new construction projects in planning and construction phases, Community Corp. will be adding 150+ affordable housing units to an area known for exceptionally high housing costs. Based only three miles from RCLCO's Los Angeles office, Community Corp., will receive a $10,000 grant from the Foundation to be used for affordable housing development and support. RCLCO was founded in Southern California and this choice pays tribute to its local roots. The selection of the Community Corp. as the inaugural Affordable Housing Leadership Award winner also recognizes long-term RCLCO managing director (now emeritus) Bob Gardner's long track record of leadership with and passion for the organization. With the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles and destruction of an estimated 12,000 homes and other structures, the existing housing shortage and need for affordable housing will likely be dramatically exacerbated in a county that already has more than 75,000 homeless residents. The work of organizations like Community Corp. will be core to the region's recovery. "Our mission of improving lives and neighborhoods has never been more critically needed," said Executive Director Tara Barauskas. "We started 2025 doing our best to support residents during the devastating fire situation. As of [January 9th], two of our buildings have been evacuated so we set up an evacuation center for residents and neighbors who didn't have a place to sleep or shower. Our work goes beyond providing housing, we support residents whenever we can. During the pandemic we provided food aid, vaccinations, transportation aid whatever we could. So our mindset is very much supporting the gaps our residents face or partnering with other nonprofits to support any additional challenges they have. Our plan in 2025 is to build more affordable housing in Santa Monica and Culver City, and to open our new Red Tail Crossing building in Westchester. We will apply for funding for several other developments so that we can continue to provide additional housing for lower income people in higher resource neighborhoods." Bob Gardner, Treasurer of the nonprofit, weighed in with his own personal experience: "Community Corporation of Santa Monica is an award-winning organization driven by a powerful mission to enrich the community through the development and operation of affordable housing. I've seen firsthand how this organization impacts people's lives with quality housing, and as a Board member I am continually energized by the dedication and compassion of a staff so dedicated to that purpose." The RCLCO Foundation board unanimously determined that the Community Corp. is a deserving first recipient of the Affordable Housing Leadership Award and looks forward to following the positive impacts it has on the greater Santa Monica and Los Angeles community. Click here to learn more about the Community Corporation of Santa Monica. About RCLCO Since 1967, RCLCO has been the "first call" for real estate developers, investors, the public sector, and non-real estate companies and organizations seeking strategic and tactical advice regarding property investment, planning, and development. Our team leverages quantitative analytics and a strategic planning framework to provide end-to-end business planning and implementation solutions at an entity, portfolio, or project level. With the insights and experience gained over 55 years and thousands of projects, RCLCO brings success to all product types across the United States and around the world. RCLCO has offices in Austin, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, and Washington, DC and offers an array of consulting services across real estate economics and management consulting. Learn more at www.rclco.com SOURCE RCLCO Colorado's Top Thought Leaders Positively Inform Marketing Department DENVER, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Denver Daniels College of Business is pleased to announce its 2024-2025 Marketing Advisory Board. Led by co-chairs Jack Buffington, a professor at the University of Denver, and Jen Lester, CEO of Philosophy Communication, Inc., the board is a dedicated group of industry experts who advise on key strategic, operational, and curriculum initiatives that positively shape the Daniels College of Business Marketing Department's academic and student experience. "The collaboration between industry thought leaders and the Marketing Department elevates our curriculum and staff in innovative ways," said Jack Buffington, co-chair of the Marketing Advisory Board and professor at the University of Denver. We continue to build a board that makes a difference for our students and administration." The Marketing Advisory Board members are committed to playing a critical role in raising the bar for the Daniels College of Business marketing students. During the 2024-2025 academic year, the board will focus on integrating three main initiatives: Syllabi Enrichment, Industry Insights, and Student Success. "Since 2013, I've watched the Marketing Advisory Board positively impact the university with ground-breaking initiatives to satisfy the demands from hiring managers," said Jen Lester, co-chair of the Marketing Advisory Board and CEO of Philosophy Communication, Inc. "This year, we'll push to do even more with our strategic initiatives. We've built an 'A' bench that undoubtedly will make a mark for students." The 2024-2025 Marketing Advisory Board members include: Jack Buffington is co-chair of the Marketing Advisory Board and a professor at the University of Denver . is co-chair of the Marketing Advisory Board and a professor at the . Jen Lester is co-chair of the Marketing Advisory Board and CEO of Philosophy Communication, Inc., a marketing, public relations, and digital agency. She has spent more than two decades leading one of Colorado's top-ranked creative agencies representing national, local, and government clients. is co-chair of the Marketing Advisory Board and CEO of Philosophy Communication, Inc., a marketing, public relations, and digital agency. She has spent more than two decades leading one of top-ranked creative agencies representing national, local, and government clients. Alison Wolfe is vice president of product management at Empower. She is a customer-centric leader focusing on marketing, growth strategy, product development, and the overall customer experience. She has more than 25 years of experience in CPG, tech, and financial services. is vice president of product management at Empower. She is a customer-centric leader focusing on marketing, growth strategy, product development, and the overall customer experience. She has more than 25 years of experience in CPG, tech, and financial services. Cache Mundy is a senior strategist and partner at Genesis Inc., a strategic and creative consultancy. He has spent nearly 30 years of his professional career helping brands thrive across the outdoor, natural products, ski resort, destination, and technology sectors. Debra Dodson is a senior director at Microsoft, where she's held roles of increasing responsibility across the Devices and Cloud Supply Chain organizations. She brings a background to the board from the high-tech and consumer goods industries, experience leading global organizations, and a passion for helping students and early-in-career professionals. is a senior director at Microsoft, where she's held roles of increasing responsibility across the Devices and Cloud Supply Chain organizations. She brings a background to the board from the high-tech and consumer goods industries, experience leading global organizations, and a passion for helping students and early-in-career professionals. Gretchen Rosenberg is CEO and president of Kentwood Real Estate, a prominent real estate firm in Denver, Colorado , and a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. She received the Denver Business Journal's Most Admired CEOs in 2022 and was recognized by the University of Denver Daniels College of Business Distinguished Marketing Alumni Award in 2021. is CEO and president of Kentwood Real Estate, a prominent real estate firm in , and a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. She received the Most Admired CEOs in 2022 and was recognized by the University of of Business Distinguished Marketing Alumni Award in 2021. Heather Moran , senior managing director of business strategy for health care, life sciences, and manufacturing at Salesforce, is an accomplished professional with exemplary communications and marketing experience. With more than 27 years of experience, she demonstrates highly creative strategic skills and communication abilities. , senior managing director of business strategy for health care, life sciences, and manufacturing at Salesforce, is an accomplished professional with exemplary communications and marketing experience. With more than 27 years of experience, she demonstrates highly creative strategic skills and communication abilities. Jen Banken is the senior director of consumer insights at Purple, a digitally native mattress brand disruptor. She brings 24 years of marketing experience from the CPG, telecom, and quick-service restaurant industries, helping organizations turn consumer insights into action. is the senior director of consumer insights at Purple, a digitally native mattress brand disruptor. She brings 24 years of marketing experience from the CPG, telecom, and quick-service restaurant industries, helping organizations turn consumer insights into action. Kate Sowder is the global head of advanced analytics at GutCheck, a Toluna Company. She has more than 15 years of experience leading high-performing market research teams. She is committed to delivering holistic, human-centric, and predictive data insights that deepen customer relationships, foster exceptional user experiences, and drive repeat business. is the global head of advanced analytics at GutCheck, a Toluna Company. She has more than 15 years of experience leading high-performing market research teams. She is committed to delivering holistic, human-centric, and predictive data insights that deepen customer relationships, foster exceptional user experiences, and drive repeat business. Kathy Hagan , co-president of Karsh & Hagan, a national advertising agency, is a Colorado legend in the advertising world. Her leadership in the Denver community has supported many of the state's major initiatives, including the launch of Denver International Airport. , co-president of Karsh & Hagan, a national advertising agency, is a legend in the advertising world. Her leadership in the Denver community has supported many of the state's major initiatives, including the launch of Denver International Airport. Lisa Kislak is a partner and fractional chief marketing officer with Chief Outsiders. She provides executive CMO services to small and mid-cap companies. As a strategic marketing leader, she delivers brand strategy and omnichannel execution across B2B and B2C businesses. For more than thirty years, she has held marketing and sales leadership positions in the hospitality, CPG, and service industries. is a partner and fractional chief marketing officer with Chief Outsiders. She provides executive CMO services to small and mid-cap companies. As a strategic marketing leader, she delivers brand strategy and omnichannel execution across B2B and B2C businesses. For more than thirty years, she has held marketing and sales leadership positions in the hospitality, CPG, and service industries. Lora Louise Broady is a visiting executive in residence at the Department of Economics and Business at Colorado College . With more than 20 years of experience, Lora Louise is a marketing strategy consultant who helps design business and brand management strategies and execute go-to-market programs. is a visiting executive in residence at the Department of Economics and Business at . With more than 20 years of experience, is a marketing strategy consultant who helps design business and brand management strategies and execute go-to-market programs. Scott Prindle is a partner at Spatial Matters, a company of technologists specializing in strategy, design, and software engineering for the new era of spatial computing. He has spent more than 27 years in the marketing industry, furthering his digital skills. is a partner at Spatial Matters, a company of technologists specializing in strategy, design, and software engineering for the new era of spatial computing. He has spent more than 27 years in the marketing industry, furthering his digital skills. Theresa Conley , Ph.D., is a professor emeritus in the Department of Marketing at the University of Denver , past co-chair of the Marketing Advisory Board, and the executive director/CEO of the DCIS Foundation. Before her 20+ years of academic service, she was a marketing executive in the high-tech industry. , Ph.D., is a professor emeritus in the Department of Marketing at the , past co-chair of the Marketing Advisory Board, and the executive director/CEO of the DCIS Foundation. Before her 20+ years of academic service, she was a marketing executive in the high-tech industry. Tim Shonsey is the vice president of marketing at Intermountain Health. He has spent nearly 19 years of his career successfully executing marketing efforts for various companies, including Oncure Medical Group and Centura Health. is the vice president of marketing at Intermountain Health. He has spent nearly 19 years of his career successfully executing marketing efforts for various companies, including Oncure Medical Group and Centura Health. Troy Lerner , CEO of Booyah Advertising, Inc., a full-service digital agency, has worked in the digital space for more than 18 years. , CEO of Booyah Advertising, Inc., a full-service digital agency, has worked in the digital space for more than 18 years. Whitney Trujillo , CEO of Luminary Digital, specializes in strategic implementation and helping companies leverage AI and advanced systems to drive growth. With 20+ years of marketing experience, she consults with startups on launch strategies and is known for building strong consumer communities for global brands. The Marketing Advisory Board members commit annually to their board positions. Each year, co-chairs review the board composition and engage in a thoughtful process of identifying potential skill sets needed to further support the Marketing Department and the demands that today's hiring community desires from graduates. About the Daniels College of Business Marketing Advisory Board The Daniels College of Business Marketing Advisory Board consists of 17 top leaders who bring a wealth of knowledge and industry connections to the Marketing Department. The Board supports the Department's commitment to meeting the ever-changing needs of the marketing field. Industry experts gather bimonthly during the academic school year to solve strategic department initiatives, act as a sounding board, and serve as guest lecturers on relevant class topics. For information about the University of Denver Daniels Marketing Advisory Board, please visit https://daniels.du.edu/marketing/advisory-board/. SOURCE University of Denver Daniels College of Business Research, product development, partnerships and education feature prominently in the company's plan to support women's wellness LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Therabody, the global pioneer in wellness technology, is proud to announce the launch of Therabody, for Her, an initiative designed to improve women's wellness through the lens of what they've defined as the "Four Ms": mental wellbeing, menstruation, motherhood, and menopause. Women face unique challenges throughout their life stages, and Therabody, for Her aims to provide support, education and solutions through product innovation, strategic partnerships, and pioneering research. "At Therabody, our mission has always been to help people live better, healthier lives," said Amanda Henry, Vice President of New Business and Women's Wellness. "With Therabody, for Her, we're tackling critical issues in women's health that have been overlooked for far too long. It's time to bring these conversations into the open and provide real solutions that empower women through every stage of life." Before 1993, scientific studies rarely, if ever, included women and even today, women make up less than 40% of study participants. Science is not only the basis for Therabody's approach to product innovation, but is also a key foundation of the Therabody, for Her program. Through Therabody's inaugural research grant program, the company has awarded initial grants to leading scientists focused on symptoms that disproportionately affect women. This commitment is not new, but something initiated more than 2 years ago when Therabody funded research with PhD candidate Bailey McLagan at the University of Southern California now published in the Journal of Women's Health [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11282568/] that proved PowerDot reduced menstrual pain by 25%. Grant recipients at the University of Michigan are exploring the influence of behavioral science and the use of a Theragun on physical activity levels and pain in women over 65. And a study at Georgia State University aims to understand how pneumatic compression from JetBoots can improve recovery and performance in African American women runners, ages 18-45. "Science is the key driver of our women's wellness education and will be used to identify and validate new product innovation opportunities," said Dr. Rachelle Reed, PhD, Senior Manager of Scientific Research at Therabody. "While we're collaborating with reputable research teams to uncover new findings that will inspire product innovations, we have defined how our existing products help some of the most common concerns women have today: period pain, sleep, stress, and physical soreness." "Women deserve better health solutions and more visibility to help manage their complex and varying needs," said Monty Sharma, Therabody President and CEO. "And we will use our commitment to science and technological innovation to better support improved wellbeing for women." Therabody, for Her will work to demystify and drive the conversation around women's unique health issues associated with each of the four M's. Through educational content such as an all-new video content series that will feature one-on-one, candid conversations with thought leaders in women's health plus education content on the Therabody website and app, the company can address common issues unique to women and include easy-to-integrate wellness and behavior tips. The brand has also launched a live event series of Wellness Salons that will continue to be round table discussions with thought leaders such as medical professionals, researchers and other notable experts plus celebrities. Therabody is committed to normalizing and supporting every aspect of a woman's health journey, providing cutting-edge technology and crucial education, and forging partnerships that inspire change. For more information, please visit therabody.com/women and stay up to date with the latest news on Social @therabody . About Therabody Therabody is the wellness technology leader that has pioneered well-being and recovery for all since the invention of Theragun in 2008 by Founder & Chief Wellness Officer Dr. Jason Wersland. The company's award-winning product, services and content ecosystem sits at the intersection of technology, healthcare, and consumer goods and serves three distinct categories: Wellness, Beauty and Performance, earning such accolades as TIME's Best Inventions, Allure's Best of Beauty and Fast Company's Brands that Matter. Science is the foundation of Therabody's product development. The company has completed 25 scientific studies with 26 more in progress and has over 75,000 scientific articles supporting the efficacy of their products and treatments. Whether innovating in the Therabody Lab or collaborating with leading scientists around the world, science fuels the Therabody mission to empower everybody to live longer, healthier lives. Through strategic initiatives like Therabody, for Her, the company aims to empower women with the tools they need to improve their quality of life. For more information, please download the Therabody App for iOS or Android, visit www.therabody.com, or follow @therabody on social media. SOURCE Therabody BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. The possibility of holding the final stage of the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) in Azerbaijan was discussed, Trend reports via X publication of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA). "CBA Governor Taleh Kazimov met with President, Executive Director of ICPC William Poucher. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the prospects of expanding cooperation and the potential for holding the final stage of the international collegiate programming contest in Azerbaijan in the future," the publication said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Horatio Alger Association names 12 outstanding individuals, each of whom has overcome adversity to achieve professional and personal success, to its Member Class of 2025 WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. , a nonprofit educational organization that honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have overcome adversity and supports promising young people to pursue their American Dream through higher education and technical scholarships, today announced that Thomas J. Baltimore Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Park Hotels & Resorts, has been selected for membership in this prestigious organization. Mr. Baltimore joins 11 other exceptional corporate, civic and cultural leaders from across the country in receiving 2025 honors. For the last 78 years, the Horatio Alger Award has been annually bestowed upon esteemed individuals who have succeeded despite facing significant challenges, and who have remained committed to higher education and charitable efforts in their communities and beyond. Mr. Baltimore was born in Front Royal, VA to teenage parents. His mother, just 17 at the time, and his father, 18, were both products of segregated schools in Warrenton, Virginia. As the oldest of five children, Mr. Baltimore experienced a childhood marked by financial struggle, with his family moving frequently from one rental property to the next. His mother worked tirelessly to provide for her children, often answering after-hours calls for doctors' offices to make ends meet, while his father pursued his passion for ministry, sacrificing a steady income to establish a Baptist church at age 33. Mr. Baltimore worked a variety of jobs throughout his youth, including delivering newspapers, washing dishes, landscaping, and working at retail outlets to help support his family and pay for his education. Despite these challenges, he remained focused on his studies, driven by a determination to break the cycle of poverty and realizing education was the escalator to building a better future for himself. Mr. Baltimore was a first-generation college student and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce and his MBA from the University of Virginia's Colgate Darden Graduate School of Business Administration. Mr. Baltimore began his career in public accounting at Price Waterhouse before transitioning to the hospitality industry, where he held several senior leadership positions at Hilton Hotels Corporation, Marriott Corporation and Host Marriott Services. In 2000, he co-founded RLJ Development, overseeing its significant growth, including the acquisition of 19 hotels for $630 million. In 2011, he successfully merged RLJ Development with its two affiliated private equity funds to launch RLJ Lodging Trust via an IPO, which grew to 125 hotels across 21 states, with an enterprise value exceeding $4 billion. Since 2016, Mr. Baltimore has served as chairman and chief executive officer of Park Hotels & Resorts, a lodging real estate investment trust (REIT) with 40 hotels in prime U.S. markets and approximately $8 billion in assets. In addition to his corporate leadership, Mr. Baltimore serves on the boards of American Express, Comcast Corporation, and several educational organizations, including the University of Virginia Investment Management Company and the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce Foundation. "Although I grew up in a loving home, my family dealt with many economic hardships. That lack of financial stability forced me to rely on my education to lift me out of those circumstances," said Mr. Baltimore. "I truly believe that with prayer, preparation, and perseverance, anything is possible. That's why I'm honored to join an organization like the Horatio Alger Association, whose growing list of impressive Members share similar stories to my own. Through our collective efforts, I hope we can empower the next generation of Horatio Alger Scholars to achieve their dreams and create brighter futures for themselves and their communities." Mr. Baltimore is deeply committed to supporting educational causes and empowering young people. Together with his wife, Hillary, he has established a range of endowed scholarships and fellowships aimed at providing educational opportunities for minority students. These include the Thomas J. and Hillary D. Baltimore-Jefferson Scholars Foundation, a four-year merit-based scholarship, as well as significant contributions to the University of Virginia, where he has donated in excess of $2 million to UVA. His philanthropic impact also extends to other organizations like the Landon School, Bullis School and the Ridley Scholarship Fund, named in honor of the first African American graduate of the University of Virginia. Outside of education, the Baltimore's support civic organizations including N Street Village, a homeless shelter for women in Washington, D.C., and the Wolf Trap Foundation with a $2.5 million commitment to support Education and Arts. Their commitment to community is also reflected in their involvement in Don Bosco Cristo Rey, an organization dedicated to underprivileged youth, where Park Hotels & Resorts regularly employs students in work-study programs. "Tom's journey from humble beginnings to becoming an iconic leader in the hospitality industry exemplifies the resilience and determination we celebrate at the Horatio Alger Association," said Mike Jackson, former chief executive officer, AutoNation, Inc., and 2014 Horatio Alger Award recipient. "His commitment to education, philanthropy and empowering underserved communities reflects the very essence of the American Dream. We are honored to welcome him as a Member, and I have no doubt that his story will inspire many future classes of Horatio Alger Scholars." The Horatio Alger Association was established in 1947 and today is dedicated to promoting and ensuring the American Dream for future generations. Through its Members, the Association aims to teach young people about the limitless possibilities available through the American free-enterprise system. Since 1984, the Association has awarded annual need-based scholarships to high school students who have overcome significant obstacles and showcase a commitment to continuing their education and making a unique contribution to society. The scholarships are possible because of the generosity of Association Members, who have collectively provided more than $265 million to 37,000 students over the past 40 years. Mr. Baltimore and the Member Class of 2025 will be formally inducted into the Association during the 78th Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C. from April 3-5, 2025. The annual three-day event honors the achievements of both Members and National Scholars, who will have the unique opportunity to meet, interact and exchange stories of perseverance throughout the multi-day celebration. For more information about Horatio Alger Association and its Member Class of 2025, please visit www.horatioalger.org and follow the organization on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and X. About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans: Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have accomplished remarkable successes in spite of adversity by bestowing upon them the Horatio Alger Award and inducting them as lifetime Members. Horatio Alger Members support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams through higher education. Through the generosity of its Members and friends, in 2025, the Association has budgeted to award more than $17.4 million in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships to students across the United States and Canada, and continues to provide comprehensive academic, personal, and professional support services to its Scholars. Over the past 40 years, more than $265 million has been awarded in undergraduate, graduate, military veteran and career and technical education scholarships to more than 37,000 deserving students. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org. CONTACT: McKenna Young [email protected] SOURCE Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. Premier life sciences consulting firm welcomes Jennifer Greeby DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Triangle Insights Group by Mercalis (Triangle), a premier strategy consulting firm that delivers high-impact solutions across the life sciences value chain, today announced the appointment of Jennifer Greeby to Partner. The hiring of Greeby further strengthens Triangle's senior leadership team. She is a seasoned commercial executive with extensive progressive US and global leadership expertise in complex, competitive therapeutic areas inclusive of oncology, hematology, rare disease, and metabolic disorders. Prior to joining Triangle, Greeby most recently served as SVP, Launch Excellence at Precision AQ and VP, Global and US Marketing, Business Analytics, and New Product Planning for Athenex Oncology. Earlier commercial leadership roles include VP of Global Product Strategy at Shire and Head of US Metabolics Marketing with Takeda. Greeby possesses proven expertise in strategic franchise planning and execution with a focus on P&L growth across all stages of the product life cycle. She has extensive Market Access experience, both on the industry and consulting sides, which will bolster Triangle's growing expertise within its Pricing and Market Access division. Greeby holds a BS in Industrial Engineering with a focus on Polymer Chemistry from the University of Cincinnati and an MBA with an emphasis on Marketing and Strategy from the University of Michigan's Stephen M. Ross School of Business. "Jennifer is an extremely valuable addition to our team," said Chris Apolito, Mercalis's Chief Strategy Officer and one of Triangle's Founding Partners. "For many years, she has demonstrated excellence in her field and is highly respected in the world of life sciences consulting. We look forward to the role Jennifer will play in accelerating further growth of the company." To learn more about Triangle Insights Group by Mercalis, please visit https://triangleinsightsgroup.com. About Triangle Insights Group Triangle Insights Group is a premier strategy consulting firm providing guidance on critical business issues to life science industry leaders. The firm's approach combines deep industry knowledge with strong analytical rigor to drive strategic decision-making across client domains. Triangle's expertise encompasses key therapeutic areas (oncology, CNS, and cell and gene therapy) and relevant industry disciplines (pricing and market access, new product planning, and commercial strategy). For more information, visit https://triangleinsightsgroup.com. About Mercalis Mercalis is an integrated life sciences commercialization partner that provides comprehensive solutions that span the entire healthcare value chain. The company partners closely with its clients to deliver an end-to-end spectrum of commercial capabilities that work together seamlessly and flexibly. Backed by proven industry expertise and results-driven technology, Mercalis provides the data and strategic insights, patient support services, and healthcare provider engagement tools to help life sciences companies successfully commercialize new products. Above all, Mercalis helps navigate the complex life sciences marketplace to accelerate value and enhance patient lives. Founded in 2000, Mercalis provides commercialization solutions to more than 500 life sciences customers and has provided access and affordability support to millions of patients. The company is headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina. For more information about Mercalis, please visit www.mercalis.com. Contact: Landy Townsend VP, Marketing & Communications TrialCard Incorporated [email protected] SOURCE Mercalis SAN RAMON, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Trillo, a provider of advanced artificial intelligence solutions, announces the general availability of its advanced AI-powered pipeline designed (also known as Intelligent Document Processing, IDP) to process and enable complex documents for generative AI applications. This capability is now available as part of the Trillo Doc AI product, which runs seamlessly on Google Cloud, offering enterprise scalability, security, and performance. Trillo's innovative pipeline combines advanced natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, and automation to address challenges in document-heavy industries. With capabilities like document parsing, entity extraction, and content enrichment with metadata, the platform streamlines the preparation of data for generative AI models. Running on Google Cloud ensures robust infrastructure, rapid deployment, and seamless integration with other cloud-based tools, empowering businesses to extract meaningful insights, generate advanced analytics, and create adaptive solutions that transform their operations. By accelerating document preparation processes, Trillo enables organizations to focus on strategic initiatives while reducing manual labor and increasing accuracy. "We're excited to bring this technology to market as part of our Trillo Doc AI product on Google Cloud," said Anil Sharma, Trillo Founder. "Generative AI has the power to transform how organizations operate, but its effectiveness hinges on high-quality, well-processed data. Our pipeline, combined with the reliability and scalability of Google Cloud, bridges the gap between raw, complex documents and actionable AI-driven solutions, giving businesses the tools they need to succeed in a competitive, data-driven world." Trillo's AI-powered pipeline is now available to customers worldwide, supporting a wide range of industries, including media, finance, healthcare, legal, education and more. Media Publishers: Transform content archives into digital formats with AI-powered search and Q&A functionality, enabling readers to interact with content seamlessly. Sales and Customer Service Representatives: Quickly retrieve answers from complex technical specifications and documentation, enhancing response accuracy and efficiency. Investment Advisors: Streamline the collection of data from various financial documents, reducing manual data entry and saving significant time. For more information about Trillo Doc AI and how its AI-powered pipeline can benefit your organization, visit trillo.io or contact [email protected]. About Trillo Trillo is at the forefront of AI innovation, providing advanced solutions that help businesses to achieve new levels of efficiency and performance. With a commitment to delivering technology, Trillo enables organizations to harness the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning. SOURCE Trillo Inc. LINDON, Utah, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Trucordia has acquired the insurance business of CADA Insurance Services, which has multiple offices in Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, Chalmette, Gretna and Kenner. "The CADA Insurance team is a welcome addition to Trucordia," said Trucordia CEO Felix Morgan. "They share our passion for building long-term relationships and partnering with clients to identify and best meet their insurance needs." CADA Insurance offers auto, home, commercial, general liability and workers' compensation solutions. Trucordia continues to attract businesses with high growth potential in target industries and markets that enhance its offerings to clients. Through its transformational growth strategy, Trucordia is teaming up with successful businesses eager to expand capacity and better serve their clients. Trucordia's 5,000 professionals are united in their commitment to deliver extraordinary opportunities and exceptional experiences for clients, fellow team members and partners. About Trucordia Trucordia, formerly PCF Insurance Services, is the group name for a top 20 U.S. insurance brokerage headquartered in Lindon, Utah. The Trucordia group of companies offers a broad array of commercial and personal lines, life and health, and employee benefits insurance solutions. Trucordia is an integrated organization united by a passion to deliver extraordinary opportunities and exceptional experiences for its clients, partners and each other. With more than 5,000 team members across the U.S., Trucordia is a notable leader in the insurance brokerage space, ranking #19 on Business Insurance's 2024 Top 100 Brokers and #13 on Insurance Journal's 2024 Top Property/Casualty Agencies. Visit trucordia.com for more information. SOURCE Trucordia Since 2016, U.S. mills have added eight billion board feet of production capacity and produced 30 billion additional board feet of softwood lumber, more than offsetting the decline in unfairly traded Canadian imports. This strengthening of domestic supply lines to build American homes with American lumber would not have happened without strong enforcement of the U.S. trade laws, which work to level the playing field against subsidized and dumped imports. Lumber prices saw all-time highs during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21. Lumber prices today are a third of those high prices, but new home prices have continued to climb. From 2019 to the first three quarters of 2024, the median new house price increased by 32 percent, the hourly earnings of U.S. construction workers increased by 24 percent, and the profits of the five largest U.S. homebuilders increased by 49 percent. By comparison, softwood lumber prices increased by only 8.8 percent over this period. Total cost of lumber to the builder in an average new home is only about 1.3 percent. It simply is not credible to state that lumber cost drives housing affordability. WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- "We were disappointed reading the recent The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board Opinion repeating tired old Canada First talking points on the issue of unfairly traded Canadian lumber imports and U.S. housing" stated Andrew Miller, Chairman of the U.S. Lumber Coalition, and President and CEO of Stimson Lumber Company. "President Trump is absolutely right that we do not need unfairly traded and dumped Canadian lumber imports to supply our market," added Miller. "Canada overproduces softwood lumber for the sole purpose of maintaining employment in Canada, and they unload their oversupply of lumber into the U.S. market at the expense of American jobs, companies and their communities." "The U.S. does not need to import a third of the softwood used in home construction, as the Wall Street Journal states, and Canada's share of the U.S. market is at its lowest level in decades," continued Miller. "Since 2016, U.S. mills have added eight billion board feet of production capacity and produced 30 billion additional board feet of softwood lumber, more than offsetting the decline in unfairly traded Canadian imports." This strengthening of domestic supply lines to build American homes with American lumber would not have happened without strong enforcement of the U.S. trade laws, which work to level the playing field against subsidized and dumped imports. The Wall Street Journal does not appear to understand the process of the U.S. trade laws, stating that President Trump "slapped tariffs on Canadian lumber, which Mr. Biden continued." The process of administering and enforcing these laws is rigorous and transparent. Canada has a strong voice in the WTO-sanctioned legal process that determines the level of antidumping and countervailing import duties there are over 120 lawyers working for Canadian interests on this matter in Washington DC. In fact, Canada maintains and enforces similar trade laws to protect its own industries from unfair foreign trade practices. Canada also has a direct choice in the outcome it can choose to trade fairly. "If Canada and Canadian companies do not like antidumping and countervailing duties, then all they need to do is stop subsidizing their industry and stop dumping their product into the U.S. market at the expense of American companies and workers. It is as simple as that," explained Mr. Miller. Regarding lumber and the cost of new housing, the Wall Street Journal would do well to look more closely at the numbers before claiming that lumber has contributed to higher building costs. The Journal states lumber prices are up about 35 percent from five years ago. This is incorrect. According to industry publication Random Lengths, softwood lumber prices in December 2024 were 11 percent higher than in December 2019 (five years ago). Other commodities have seen much larger price increases, including building materials such as iron, steel, cement, and concrete. In short, it is not credible to blame softwood lumber for recent increases in U.S. house prices. "The cost of lumber only makes up about 1.3 percent of the total cost of an average new construction home, and even less in higher priced homes," stated Zoltan van Heyningen, U.S. Lumber Coalition Executive Director, "so the idea that longstanding antidumping or countervailing duties or President Trump's proposed tariffs on unfairly traded Canadian lumber imports would cause lumber prices to dramatically increase home prices is nonsensical." "Simply put, the cost of lumber doesn't move the needle when it comes to the price of a new home. Lumber prices saw all-time highs during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21. Lumber prices today are a third of those high prices, but new home prices have continued to climb," added van Heyningen. From 2019 to the first three quarters of 2024, the median new house price increased by 32 percent, the hourly earnings of U.S. construction workers increased by 24 percent, and the profits of the five largest U.S. homebuilders increased by 49 percent. By comparison, softwood lumber prices increased by only 8.8 percent over this period. "We urge the Wall Street Journal to truly study and understand a subject matter before writing and publishing an Editorial Board Opinion. This American industry of hard-working men and women who provide a stable supply of American-made lumber to build America's homes deserves better from such publications. Merely repeating talking points from Canadian officials and pro-Canada interest groups is not sufficient to publish a credible opinion piece," concluded Mr. Miller. About the U.S. Lumber Coalition The U.S. Lumber Coalition is an alliance of large and small softwood lumber producers from around the country, joined by their employees and woodland owners, working to address Canada's unfair lumber trade practices. Our goal is to serve as the voice of the American lumber community and effectively address Canada's unfair softwood lumber trade practices. For more information, please visit the Coalition's website at www.uslumbercoalition.org. CONTACT: Zoltan van Heyningen [email protected] | 202-805-9133 SOURCE The U.S. Lumber Coalition LOUISVILLE, Ky., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- USA Cares Inc., a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans and their families, is proud to announce its partnership with Superior Star, a franchisee of Hardee's Restaurants, for the 2025 'Round Up for Veterans' campaign. Running from January 28 through March 24, this impactful initiative invites Hardee's customers to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with proceeds supporting USA Cares' mission." With every cent donated, the campaign aims to improve the quality of life for veterans and their families by addressing critical challenges, including safe housing, utility assistance and career transition. The program also tackles key factors contributing to veteran suicide, offering hope and tangible resources to those who have served our nation. "Every time a customer chooses to round up, they're choosing to transform the lives of veterans and their families," said Matt Castor, Interim President & CEO of USA Cares. "This partnership with Hardee's empowers communities to stand with those who've sacrificed for our nation, ensuring they receive the critical support they need to rebuild and thrive." Hardee's has been a committed partner to USA Cares for many years, helping to raise awareness and funds to support military families. This collaboration highlights Hardee's dedication to giving back to the community and honoring those who have served. Customers can "Round Up for Veterans" by visiting select Hardee's locations between January 28 and March 24 to round up their purchase at the register, whether dining inside or using the drive-thru. To learn more about the initiative or explore additional ways to contribute, customers can scan the QR code featured in campaign materials at participating locations. For more information about USA Cares and opportunities to get involved, visit USACARES.ORG or contact Maeve Armstrong at [email protected]. **About USA Cares Inc.** USA Cares Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial and advocacy support to military families in need. Since 2003, USA Cares has been committed to improving the lives of veterans and their families through various programs and services. The services we provide help to reduce factors that, if left unmet, can contribute to the tragically high numbers of veteran suicides. SOURCE USA Cares MONROE, Ohio, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Valicor Environmental Services ("Valicor"), a leading provider of Centralized Wastewater Treatment (CWT) services in North America, is proud to announce the release of its inaugural sustainability report. This milestone document showcases the company's environmental and social impact by drawing from 2023 data and highlighting key achievements from 2024. The report emphasizes Valicor's dedication to transparency and its role in driving sustainable practices within the industrial waste and water management sector. "As a company dedicated to shaping a more sustainable world, this report serves as both a reflection of our progress and a blueprint for the future," said Steve Hopper, Chief Executive Officer of Valicor Environmental Services. "By sharing our data, achievements, and goals, we aim to inspire confidence and demonstrate that sustainability and business success go hand in hand." Key highlights from the report include: Water Recovery Excellence: Valicor recovered 92% of water from its oily wastewater intake while ensuring treated water meets environmental standards. Valicor recovered 92% of water from its oily wastewater intake while ensuring treated water meets environmental standards. Advancing Circular Solution: Over 5.8 million pounds of soap was reused, reinforcing Valicor' commitment to circular economy principles. Over 5.8 million pounds of soap was reused, reinforcing Valicor' commitment to circular economy principles. Impactful Alignment : In 2024, Valicor became a proud participant in the United Nations Global Compact, reflecting its dedication to aligning with globally recognized sustainability standards. : In 2024, Valicor became a proud participant in the United Nations Global Compact, reflecting its dedication to aligning with globally recognized sustainability standards. Safety Culture: Achieved a record fourth consecutive year of zero LTIR in 2023 and a best-in-class TRIR of 0.32 in 2023, reflecting our commitment to trust, accountability, and keeping every team member safe. The report highlights Valicor's efforts to balance operational excellence with environmental stewardship. By documenting its performance and initiatives, Valicor aims to inspire collaboration and encourage innovation across the industry. To view the full sustainability report, visit www.valicor.com/2024-sustainability-report. Valicor is part of the Pritzker Private Capital family of companies. About Valicor Environmental Services, LLC Valicor is the largest provider of non-hazardous wastewater treatment services in North America. Leveraging its extensive fleet of tankers and a network of strategically located centralized wastewater treatment facilities, the Company transports and processes a diverse set of wastewater streams that result from the manufacture of industrial and consumer goods. The Company's mission-critical services allow customers to meet federal, state, and local regulations by safely and responsibly disposing of oily water, leachate, soaps, line flush waste, and similar waste streams and it also provides a diverse set of landfill solidification, product destruction, and waste-to-energy services. As an ISO 14001 certified organization, Valicor takes great pride in its environmental compliance process. For more information, visit www.Valicor.com. For additional information: Harrison Lee Valicor Environmental Services 800-279-1134 [email protected] SOURCE Valicor Environmental Services Horatio Alger Association names 12 outstanding individuals, each of whom has overcome adversity to achieve professional and personal success, to its Member Class of 2025 WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. , a nonprofit educational organization that honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have overcome adversity and supports promising young people to pursue their American Dream through higher education and technical scholarships, today announced that Victor P. Winkler, president and chief executive officer of Metro Metals Northwest, has been selected for membership in this prestigious organization. Mr. Winkler joins 11 other exceptional corporate, civic and cultural leaders from across the country in receiving the 2025 honors. For the last 78 years, the Horatio Alger Award has been annually bestowed upon esteemed individuals who have succeeded despite facing significant challenges, and who have remained committed to higher education and charitable efforts in their communities and beyond. Mr. Winkler was raised in Portland, Oregon. His German parents were Holocaust survivors and immigrated to America without a dime to their name and unable to speak English. Mr. Winkler's mother would often recount the horrors of being Jewish at the time in Germany, which instilled in Mr. Winkler a strong sense of cultural and religious identity and motivated him to succeed in honor of his parents who endured so much. Understanding the transformative power of education, Mr. Winkler dedicated himself to his studies and graduated from the University of Washington in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in business and marketing. In later years, he attended Harvard University's Owner/President Management (OPM) program. Just as he was about to graduate from the University of Washington, he discovered his father had terminal cancer, and their family business, a small scrap metal company, was in danger of closing its doors. Mr. Winkler stepped in to take over Winkler Metals, which consisted of one truck and one part-time employee. He learned on the job and quickly grew the company by forging strong relationships with mills, foundries and consumers. In 1999, he merged the business with its two competitors, eventually buying them out to form Metro Metals Northwest. Today, the company has 165 trucks, employs over 600 people and has locations throughout the western United States. Much of Metro Metal's success can be attributed to Mr. Winkler's leadership as president and chief executive officer, including smart investments in technology and other key business decisions that disrupted the status quo. Today, Victor is known as a pioneer in the circular economy, effectively turning waste from metals into a new resource instead of being sent to landfill. His commitment to environmental stewardship is reflected in his philanthropic giving and the industry awards that Metro Metals has earned for its high environmental performance. "To be selected for membership in an organization as distinguished as the Horatio Alger Association is a true honor," said Mr. Winkler. "Throughout my life, I've come to understand that adversity is inevitable. We will all face challenges at one point or another, but it's how we respond in those moments that will define us. I can intimately relate to many of the challenges the scholars are facing, and I look forward to sharing with them the lessons I've learned along the way to help them on their journeys to success." Deeply proud of his Jewish heritage, Mr. Winkler served for many years on the board of Portland's Jewish Community Center. His gift to the Portland Art Museum contributed to its recent expansion, and he has also generously donated to Cedars Sinai, a Portland senior living facility for low-income residents, and the local chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation. "Victor is a quiet philanthropist someone who contributes significantly to causes and communities without seeking the spotlight," said Peter Stott, chairman and CEO of Market Express, LLC, and 2014 Horatio Alger Award recipient. "Despite this, the profound impact he has made on our shared hometown of Portland is undeniable. He's the definition of a self-made man, and I'm certain his story will inspire Horatio Alger Scholars, Alumni and Members alike. I look forward to publicly honoring and applauding him at the awards events in April." The Horatio Alger Association was established in 1947 and today is dedicated to promoting and ensuring the American Dream for future generations. Through its members, the association aims to teach young people about the limitless possibilities available through the American free-enterprise system. Since 1984, the association has awarded annual need-based scholarships to high school students who have overcome significant obstacles and showcase a commitment to continuing their education and making a unique contribution to society. The scholarships are possible because of the generosity of association members, who have collectively provided more than $265 million to 37,000 students over the past 40 years. Mr. Winkler and the member class of 2025 will be formally inducted into the association during the 78th Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C. from April 3-5, 2025. The annual three-day event honors the achievements of both members and national scholars, who will have the unique opportunity to meet, interact and exchange stories of perseverance throughout the multi-day celebration. For more information about Horatio Alger Association and its member class of 2025, please visit www.horatioalger.org and follow the organization on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and X. About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans: Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have accomplished remarkable successes in spite of adversity by bestowing upon them the Horatio Alger Award and inducting them as lifetime Members. Horatio Alger Members support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams through higher education. Through the generosity of its Members and friends, in 2025, the Association has budgeted to award more than $17.4 million in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships to students across the United States and Canada, and continues to provide comprehensive academic, personal, and professional support services to its Scholars. Over the past 40 years, more than $265 million has been awarded in undergraduate, graduate, military veteran and career and technical education scholarships to more than 37,000 deserving students. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org. CONTACT: McKenna Young [email protected] SOURCE Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. Nation's Largest & Only Restaurant Broker Franchise Breaks Sale Records with more than $90 Million Dollars in Transactions PALM COAST, Fla., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- We Sell Restaurants , the nation's leading and only business broker franchise focused on restaurants, has exceeded its expansion goals, as franchisees are taking note of this lucrative franchise opportunity. To date, the brand has expanded into 11 new markets with many seasoned entrepreneurs joining the fold and three franchisees reinvesting in the franchise opportunity. Concluding its 20th year in business, We Sell Restaurants had a historic 2024, prioritizing franchise development, implementation of new technology innovations, and delivering on its vision to Sell More Restaurants Than Anyone Else. PERIOD. The brand prioritized franchise development, implemented new tech, and Sold More Restaurants Than Anyone Else. PERIOD Post this Nations Largest & Only Restaurant Broker Franchise Breaks Sale Records with more than $90 Million Dollars in Transactions Prestigious organizations are taking note of We Sell Restaurants level of excellence, as evidenced by numerous awards We Sell Restaurants has earned. Franchise Business Review awarded the brand the Top Franchisee Satisfaction Award in 2025 and Most Innovative Franchises, Most Profitable Franchises, Top Low-Cost Franchises, and Top Franchise Culture Awards in 2024. In addition, We Sell Restaurants was named to INC5000's list of fastest growing privately held companies for the third year in a row and Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 ranking for the second time, moving up seven spots to 446 on the list. Driving the brand's growth and strong performance has been the increased demand for expertise in this niche market. There are nearly one million restaurants in America and 20% are for sale at any given time. Restaurants make up more than 28% of all franchise locations, with the total number of independent and franchised restaurant units surpassing 750,000 nationwide. Major Milestones: In 2024, We Sell Restaurants broke their own record for revenue in sales, exceeding $90 million dollars In Q4 of 2024, We Sell Restaurants had a record of 1,000 active listings and more than $420 million in listing inventory in listing inventory In Q3 of 2024, transactions increased by 13% compared to the previous year and the average number of days that listings were on the market also decreased. This showcased that listings are selling faster under We Sell Restaurant's brand. "As we look back on our 20th year of business, I am thrilled with the growth and success of We Sell Restaurants as we continue to Sell More Restaurants Than Anyone Else. Period," said Robin Gagnon, CEO & Co-Founder of We Sell Restaurants. "This year, we spent time investing back into our website to keep our brand ahead of the curve and continued to invest in training and offering the best support we can for our franchisees and have reaped the benefits from it." 2025 marks an exciting year for the brand with the future establishment of an Advisory Board, composed of industry leaders who will play a pivotal role in advancing the vision of We Sell Restaurants. This board will provide valuable insights, strategic guidance, and fresh perspectives to help refine the brands approach, drive growth and continually enhance the services offered to restaurant buyers and sellers. "It is critically important we have industry experts to share their expertise with our brand," said Eric Gagnon, President & Co-Founder of We Sell Restaurants. "Their insight will be instrumental in shaping the future of We Sell Restaurants, ensuring we stay ahead in the industry and meet the evolving needs of our clients." According to We Sell Restaurants 2023 FDD Item 19, franchisees earned $273,251 in Gross Commission Income, and more than 40% of all franchisees brokered more than one-million-dollars in sales.* For more information on franchise opportunities, visit www.wesellrestaurants.com/franchise . About We Sell Restaurants We Sell Restaurants is the nation's largest business broker franchise focused exclusively on the sale of restaurants, with 20 years of experience in helping buy, sell and lease hospitality locations. We Sell Restaurants and its franchisees have sold thousands of restaurants across the country and maintain a listing inventory of nearly $370 million online at their powerhouse restaurant for sale marketplace , including independent and restaurant franchises for sale. We Sell Restaurants is offering franchise opportunities for their brand in select market areas. For more information, visit www.wesellrestaurants.com . *This information appears in Item 19 of our current FDD please refer to our FDD for complete information on financial performance. Results may differ. There is no assurance that any franchisee will perform as well. Media Contact: Jessica Cahill, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300, [email protected] SOURCE We Sell Restaurants Horatio Alger Association names 12 outstanding individuals, each of whom has overcome adversity to achieve professional and personal success, to its Member Class of 2025 WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. , a nonprofit educational organization that honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have overcome adversity and supports promising young people to pursue their American Dream through higher education and technical scholarships, today announced that William P. Mills III, president and owner of MPW Enterprises LLC, has been selected for membership in this prestigious organization. Mr. Mills joins 11 other exceptional corporate, civic and cultural leaders from across the country in receiving 2025 honors. For the last 78 years, the Horatio Alger Award has been annually bestowed upon esteemed individuals who have succeeded despite facing significant challenges, and who have remained committed to higher education and charitable efforts in their communities and beyond. One of nine children, Mr. Mills was born and grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana. By age nine, he began a paper route and soon expanded his work to include lawn mowing, grocery bagging and shoe shining. Academics did not come easy to Mr. Mills, likely due to his undiagnosed ADHD, but he dedicated himself to his studies and eventually attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Biology and later a Master's in Fisheries Biology. He paid his way through school by working on boats dredging the Mississippi River each summer. After working for a few years in environmental permitting for energy companies, Mr. Mills began his career as an entrepreneur. In 1976, Mr. Mills started an environmental research company. Two years later, he founded WPM Exploration, which bought and sold leases and drilling rights. By 1980, he had become one of Louisiana's most successful independent oil and gas leaseholders, selling leases to Exxon, Mobil Oil, Shell and more. Unfortunately, just a few years later, Mr. Mills saw his net worth plummet during the oil crisis in the mid-1980s. Ever resilient, he rebounded quickly from this blow. While continuing to manage his oil and gas company, he started MPW Properties, an umbrella management group that oversees the ongoing operations of more than 30 LLCs, including vacation rental properties, office buildings, boutique shopping centers, elite subdivisions and other investments. "Growing up with limited financial means while also facing other significant challenges at home and at school instilled in me the importance of hard work, perseverance and compassion," said Mr. Mills. "I'm certain many of today's Horatio Alger Scholars are working to overcome adversities similar to those I dealt with early in my life. I hope my story can serve as an inspiration to them on their journeys, and I look forward to meeting and supporting them as they pursue higher education and postgraduate careers. It is a distinct privilege and honor to accept this Award and be in a position to help these promising young people." Mr. Mills is an active and generous philanthropist, overseeing and directing the giving of the Mills Family Foundation. The Foundation provides funding to numerous organizations in Louisiana and beyond. A proud native of Lafayette, Mr. Mills has invested in preserving the culture and history of the city by investing in tourism and education and funding several memorials. "Will's business acumen has long impressed me, but it is his deep commitment to philanthropy and his belief in the power of higher education that truly inspires me," said Marcia Taylor, president and CEO of Bennett Family of Companies, LLC, and 2017 Horatio Alger Award recipient. "He understands the importance of and the responsibility to support those in need, and I'm certain his impact on the Horatio Alger Association and its Scholars will be profound." The Horatio Alger Association was established in 1947 and today is dedicated to promoting and ensuring the American Dream for future generations. Through its Members, the Association aims to teach young people about the limitless possibilities available through the American free-enterprise system. Since 1984, the Association has awarded annual need-based scholarships to high school students who have overcome significant obstacles and showcase a commitment to continuing their education and making a unique contribution to society. The scholarships are possible because of the generosity of Association Members, who have collectively provided more than $265 million to 37,000 students over the past 40 years. Mr. Mills and the Member Class of 2025 will be formally inducted into the Association during the 78th Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C. from April 3-5, 2025. The annual three-day event honors the achievements of both Members and National Scholars, who will have the unique opportunity to meet, interact and exchange stories of perseverance throughout the multi-day celebration. For more information about Horatio Alger Association and its Member Class of 2025, please visit www.horatioalger.org and follow the organization on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and X. About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans: Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have accomplished remarkable successes in spite of adversity by bestowing upon them the Horatio Alger Award and inducting them as lifetime Members. Horatio Alger Members support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams through higher education. Through the generosity of its Members and friends, in 2025, the Association has budgeted to award more than $17.4 million in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships to students across the United States and Canada, and continues to provide comprehensive academic, personal, and professional support services to its Scholars. Over the past 40 years, more than $265 million has been awarded in undergraduate, graduate, military veteran and career and technical education scholarships to more than 37,000 deserving students. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org. CONTACT: McKenna Young [email protected] SOURCE Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group has announced a bold pledge of USD 4.65 billion to support the Mission 300 initiative, joining forces with the World Bank Group, African Development Bank (AfDB), and other key partners, Trend reports via the IsDB. This commitment underscores IsDBs dedication to bridging Africa's energy gap and accelerating socio-economic development. Mission 300, led by the World Bank and the AfDB, aims to provide electricity access to 300 million people across Africa by 2030. Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Group Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser said that the Group is taking bold action with a commitment of USD 2.65 billion, backed by USD 2 billion in insurance coverage for Africas electricity sector. This strategic investment will de-risk projects, unlock private capital, and drive transformative energy solutions at scale. Building on our cumulative USD 33.5 billion financing for 622 energy projects across 25 African countries, we are determined to power a new era of opportunity, said Al Jasser. This multi-pronged approach focuses on renewable energy development, rural electrification, and leveraging Islamic finance instruments to mobilize private sector capital and scale transformative projects. Over the past five decades, the IsDB Group has played a pivotal role in Africas energy sector. These investments have supported grid expansion, renewable energy adoption, and innovative off-grid solutions, driving progress toward sustainable development and energy equity. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn Parent Company of Six Good-for-You Restaurant Brands Sets the Stage for Ongoing Expansion ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- WOWorks, the parent company of good-for-you restaurant brands Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, The Simple Greek, Barberitos and Z!Eats, closed out 2024 with significant growth and a strong focus on innovation and operational enhancements. Across the platform of brands, the company sold 40 new franchises, opened 26 new restaurants, and introduced initiatives that reinforced its commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences and franchisee success. Snapshot of WOWorks 2024 Key Milestones Barberitos achieved several milestones by surpassing $1 million in average unit volume (AUV), securing WOWorks' largest 2024 multi-unit deal with a 10-unit Barberitos and Frutta Bowls agreement in Alabama , and debuting a reimagined restaurant prototype in Temple Terrace, Florida , targeting health-conscious "Zillennials" with a refreshed brand identity and innovative menu offerings. achieved several milestones by surpassing in average unit volume (AUV), securing WOWorks' largest 2024 multi-unit deal with a 10-unit Barberitos and Frutta Bowls agreement in , and debuting a reimagined restaurant prototype in , targeting health-conscious "Zillennials" with a refreshed brand identity and innovative menu offerings. Zoup! rebranded to Z!Eats in 2024, launching its first location in Atlanta with a refreshed menu and design aimed at health-conscious Gen Z customers. The transition of all locations was completed by year-end, paving the way for nationwide franchise growth. in 2024, launching its first location in with a refreshed menu and design aimed at health-conscious Gen Z customers. The transition of all locations was completed by year-end, paving the way for nationwide franchise growth. Introduced three new menu tests for Barberitos, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, and Saladwork s. Led by Chef Cole Thompson , these innovations focus on better-for-you offerings and elevated flavors, set to launch across multiple brands in 2025. and s. Led by Chef , these innovations focus on better-for-you offerings and elevated flavors, set to launch across multiple brands in 2025. Barberitos introduced a best-in-class clean label initiative, ensuring all-natural proteins, no high-fructose corn syrup or added MSG, and fresh, house-made produce, salsas, and sauces prepared daily. introduced a best-in-class clean label initiative, ensuring all-natural proteins, no high-fructose corn syrup or added MSG, and fresh, house-made produce, salsas, and sauces prepared daily. The Saladworks/Frutta Bowls prototype continues to expand, with five new co-branded locations opened in 2024. prototype continues to expand, with five new co-branded locations opened in 2024. Garbanzo grew its nontraditional presence with a new deal at Jacksonville University in Florida . grew its nontraditional presence with a new deal at in . Enhanced online ordering and other tech enhancements to provide greater convenience for customers and franchisees. "2024 has been an incredible year for WOWorks, filled with growth and innovation, and we are eager to carry this momentum into 2025," said Kelly Roddy, CEO of WOWorks. "Our commitment to continuous improvement and delivering exceptional experiences will remain at the heart of our strategy as we continue expanding our reach and enhancing our service offerings." WOWorks, which has close to 220 restaurants operating nationwide, continues to lead the industry in innovation and growth opportunities for its franchisees, while ensuring that customers enjoy delicious and wholesome meals. For more information about franchise opportunities with WOWorks brands, visit woworksusa.com/a-place-to-invest/. About WOWorks Founded in 2020, WOWorks is dedicated to helping guests pursue their passions and enjoy their best lives through flavorful, healthier meals and exceptional service. A subsidiary of Centre Lane Partners, LLC, WOWorks' portfolio includes Barberitos Southwestern Grille and Cantina, Saladworksthe nation's premier fast-casual salad brand; Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, Z!Eats (formerly Zoup!) and The Simple Greek. WOWorks aims to drive explosive growth across its brands through innovative avenues such as ghost kitchens, food trucks, and grocery retail. SOURCE WOWorks BEIJING, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In just eight-minute intangible cultural heritage segment of Hunan TV's Spring Festival Gala, which was broadcast on Jan. 23, the audience was taken on a journey through a lively riverside street -- Hejie, where they were enchanted by the lingering melodies of Changde sixian (Changde Silk String) and Changde Gaoqiang (high pitched tune) opera. More than 20 intangible cultural heritage items such as Changde Lei Cha, Hemp Paintings and Banban Dragon Lantern were feasts for the eyes, unfolding a stunning scroll of intangible cultural heritage. This was the quintessential flavor of Spring Festival in China! Just experience the unique charm of the first World Intangible Cultural Heritage-themed Spring Festival Gala on Hunan Satellite TV. Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/344237.html SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 28. Uzbekistan and Pakistan discussed the development of the Termez-Karachi transport corridor, Trend reports. The matter was reviewed during a meeting between a delegation from Uzbekistans Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by Chairman Davron Vakhabov and NLC (National Logistics Cell), based in Pakistan. As part of the discussions, the possibility of establishing an advanced logistics port in Termez, managed by Pakistans National Logistics Cell (NLC), was explored. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here New Delhi, Jan 28 : A special centre for the 'PM Vishwakarma Scheme' has been set up at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, where people are provided with information regarding the scheme and given assistance to avail its benefits. This initiative has attracted a steady stream of visitors who come to learn about the scheme and other government welfare programs. Deepak Kumar Bind, a beneficiary of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, shared his experience and the benefits he has received. He hails from the Hadiya Tehsil in Prayagraj district and emphasised how beneficial the scheme has been for people seeking employment. "The government has launched this wonderful scheme, which supports people in securing livelihoods. The scheme includes 18 different components, and the government provides financial assistance to help us start small businesses, even if we cannot afford a large-scale enterprise," he said. Deepak learned about the scheme through an intermediary and applied online to become a part of it, specifically aiming to start carpentry work. The application process is divided into three stages, of which two have been completed, and he is awaiting the final stage to avail the benefits of the scheme. Deepak explained the scheme process in detail, saying, "Our verification is done in three steps. Once completed, we are invited for a five-day training program, for which we receive Rs 500 daily. After the training, the government provides us with a tool kit worth Rs 15,000. Additionally, the government offers a loan of Rs 1 lakh to help us start our business. This scheme is truly beneficial for us, especially the poor. PM Modias schemes are always impactful, but this one stands out in offering special assistance to the underprivileged." Sanjay Kumar, the Assistant Director of MSME, Prayagraj, mentioned that the PM Vishwakarma Scheme is being promoted at the MSME pavilion at the Mahakumbh. "The main objective is to identify Vishwakarma artisans and craftspeople through a verification process. Once identified, they are given a certificate, training, and a stipend. The government also provides them with a tool kit and a loan to help their businesses grow," he said. Sanjay Kumar further added that on average, 100 to 200 people visit the centre daily to learn about the scheme. With more awareness, it is expected that this number will continue to rise in the coming days. Launched on September 17, 2023, the PM Vishwakarma Scheme aims to provide comprehensive support to artisans and craftspeople engaged in traditional occupations such as blacksmiths, goldsmiths, potters, carpenters, sculptors, and more. The initiative is designed to enhance their skills, provide tools, and offer financial support to help them expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods. United Nations, Jan 28 : The United Nations Security Council condemned strongly ongoing advances by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), demanding them withdraw immediately and urging all parties to abide by the ceasefire. In a press statement issued after an emergency meeting on the DRC, the council members condemned ongoing advances by the M23 in North-Kivu province, and expressed serious concerns regarding imminent threats against Goma, the capital of North Kivu and a major regional hub, Xinhua news agency reported. These advances "represent a serious violation of the ceasefire, exacerbate the grave humanitarian and displacement crisis in the eastern DRC and undermine efforts to reach a lasting peaceful and political solution to the conflict through the Luanda process," the statement said. The council members demanded that the ongoing offensive and advances towards Goma immediately stop, calling on the M23 to reverse its territorial expansion without delay. They reiterated their full support to the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), which is acting within its mandate and doing essential work in the DRC, and expressed their strong commitment to the safety and security of its peacekeepers. They stressed that attacks against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes. The council members condemned the ongoing flagrant disregard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC, and demanded the external forces in the eastern country withdraw immediately. They urged all parties to scrupulously abide by the ceasefire. They urged Rwanda and the DRC to return to diplomatic talks to achieve a lasting and peaceful resolution of the protracted conflict in the region, and reaffirmed their support for the ongoing mediation efforts between the two countries through the Luanda Process. As the situation is deteriorating rapidly in the eastern DRC, several foreign embassies have issued advisories urging their citizens to leave North Kivu. The United Nations announced Saturday that it has temporarily relocated non-essential staff from Goma. Khartoum, Jan 28 : The Khartoum Oil Refinery is still engulfed in flames and smoke, three days after the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) regained control of the strategic complex. Husham Mohamed Babikir, acting director of the refinery, said crude oil storage tanks were set ablaze before the SAF retook control of the refinery, Xinhua news agency reported. Babikir told a Xinhua correspondent who visited the refinery as part of a media team that the fire, still ripping through the complex, caused some tanks to explode and the leaking of crude oil. "We are determined to repair the damage as quickly as possible, and we are confident in our ability to accomplish that," said the acting director. The refinery, located north of Khartoum, began production in May 2000. Previous statistics by Sudan's Ministry of Oil showed it has a production capacity of about 100,000 barrels per day, covering approximately 45 per cent of the country's needs. It is connected to a 1,610-km oil export pipeline in Bashayer Port on the Red Sea coast in eastern Sudan. The Oil Ministry estimated that the refinery's shutdown could cause Sudan a daily loss of about $5 million. Hassan Hussein Hassan, technical director at the refinery, expressed optimism about controlling the damage. He noted that the fire was estimated to be "confined to the crude oil storage tanks, and the production units were not affected." "It is true that there are units we have not been able to access yet, but we hope to control the fire first, and then we will assess the damage to other units if there is any," he noted. Meanwhile, the SAF units continued combing operations in the buildings and areas around the refinery. The sprawling complex had been a site of intense clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who fortified themselves at the refinery and its surrounding buildings for more than 21 months. Brigadier General Jaafar Mohamed Al-Sheikh, commander of the SAF's Al-Butana Brigade, stressed that "the enemy has been completely expelled from this area, and it has been cleaned up. Now, our units are combing the areas outside the refinery, and there is no enemy presence." "Our units are still finding weapons, equipment, and ammunition left behind by the enemy when it fled," he said. The refinery was one of the strategic sites captured by the RSF during the early days of the armed conflict, as it is located just 6 km from a paramilitary base. Before the war, the RSF was responsible for guarding the refinery, but when the fighting erupted on April 15, 2023, it announced control of the refinery, the country's largest oil facility. The Khartoum refinery had been subjected to several fires during the recent conflict, with the two conflicting parties accusing each other of causing them. The refinery had also been hit by aerial and artillery bombardments which damaged some of its storage tanks, control centers, and parts of its main pipeline. The devastating conflict between the SAF and the RSF has claimed at least 27,000 lives and displaced over 15 million people, either inside or outside Sudan, according to estimates by international organisations. Maputo, Jan 28 : The potential suspension of financial aid from the US to Mozambique has raised concerns about its impact on critical sectors, particularly health, according to Mozambican Prime Minister Maria Benvinda Levy. Speaking on Monday in Maputo, the country's capital, Levi emphasised the importance of the aid while expressing optimism about the government's ability to manage internally. "If the suspension of external aid from the US is confirmed, the health sector will be one of the most affected," Levi told the press during an event in Maputo ahead of the official ceremony to appoint and swear in the new police chief, Joaquim Sive. She noted that the government is prepared to tackle the challenge despite the significance of the support previously provided. "We have faced other worrying situations before and managed them successfully. I believe this time will be no different, as we will use our internal resources to navigate through." Acknowledging that the US support has been crucial, particularly in the health sector, Levi said other areas, with less significant dependence on external aid, might also be impacted. "We will have to redirect some of our resources to ensure these critical areas can continue their activities without disruption," she added. The US Department of State has frozen nearly all foreign assistance worldwide effective immediately days after President Donald Trump issued a sweeping executive order on January 20 to put a hold on such assistance for 90 days. In Mozambique, more than $400 million could be affected, which are earmarked annually for the health sector, including $250 million for the HIV program, according to a Sunday report by the local newspaper O Pais. Tokyo, Jan 28 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr. Mohan Yadav, has arrived in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday as part of a four-day visit aimed at attracting investment to the state. He was warmly received by Sibi George, the Ambassador of India to Japan, upon his arrival. The Indian community in Tokyo also extended a grand welcome, with traditional rituals including tilak and the wearing of a turban (safa) to honour the Chief Minister. Dr. Mohan Yadav's official X handle shared the warm reception, posting: "Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav receives a grand welcome by the Indian community in Tokyo, Japan, with a tilak and traditional turban... During his visit to Japan, the Chief Minister will have one-on-one discussions with prominent industrialists and invite them for the #GlobalInvestorsSummitMP." The official X handle of the Indian Embassy in Japan also shared: "Honable Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav, arrives in Japan. Received by Ambassador @AmbSibiGeorge." The purpose of Dr. Yadavas visit is to engage with leading Japanese industrialists and invite them to the Global Investors Summit MP scheduled to take place in Bhopal in February 2025. His meetings with top business leaders are focused on enhancing technological and economic collaboration between Japan and Madhya Pradesh, particularly in sectors like industry, agriculture, and animal husbandry. Speaking before his departure, Dr. Yadav expressed his hopes that this visit would pave the way for new milestones in the state's development. He emphasised that the Madhya Pradesh government is committed to creating employment opportunities for various sectors, including youth, women, farmers, and the underprivileged, by promoting both governmental and private industrial ventures. The Chief Minister reiterated the state's focus on self-reliance, skill enhancement, and economic growth for its citizens. This visit underscores Madhya Pradeshas vision of becoming a hub for innovation and industrial growth, aligning with the state's goal to attract global investments. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 28. The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan and World Bank discussed initiatives for developing sustainable heating systems, Trend reports. The matter was reviewed at a meeting between Uzbekistans Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Samandar Sadullaev, along with key department heads, and the World Bank delegation led by Global Practice Manager Stephanie Hill accompanied by energy specialist Manuel Berlenghiero and other representatives. During the meeting, the sides focused on enhancing energy efficiency in Uzbekistans heating systems, incorporating green economy principles, and adapting to climate change. Discussions included cooperation on programs to improve energy efficiency in social buildings, private homes, and apartment complexes, supported by the World Bank's technical and financial expertise. The World Bank shared insights from European centralized heating systems, highlighting Polands heat pump program and its outcomes. The discussion explored progress in modernizing centralized heating networks and creating green jobs for small and medium-sized enterprises through these initiatives. Uzbekistan expressed its commitment to collaborating with the World Bank on eliminating subsidies for the heating sector and tailoring solutions to diverse building types and regional climates. Key priorities included developing a new tariff methodology for heating systems, integrating cooling and heating solutions, and promoting energy-efficient technologies in households. The parties also reviewed creating a unified national program for energy-saving sub-projects, implementing climate-adaptive strategies, and upgrading centralized heating systems based on consumer needs. The importance of decentralizing decision-making due to regional variations in heating infrastructure and building conditions was underscored. Both sides agreed to continue developing recommendations and coordinating joint projects. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan produced a total of 22.7 million Gcal of heat energy in 2024. The production volume of heat energy has decreased by 7 percent over year (24.3 million Gcal in 2023) Gaziantep, Jan 28 : As Syria shows signs of recovery from its 13-year civil war, the gradual return of Syrian refugees from Turkey is raising fears of labour shortages in key Turkish sectors reliant on low-wage workers, industry representatives and analysts say. "Syrian workers constitute about 20-25 per cent of our workers at this stage; their massive return could definitely have consequences," Beyhan Duran, a managing agent from a livestock farm in the southern Gaziantep province, told Xinhua. Duran said this could be a game-changer for Turkish businesses reliant on the Syrian workforce. Although only a small number of Syrians have returned so far, he expects the majority will eventually leave as conditions stabilise in Syria, Xinhua news agency reported. Gaziantep, a major Turkish city near the Syrian border, has long been dependent on the presence of approximately 450,000 Syrians. Metin Corabatir, director of the Ankara-based Research Center on Asylum and Migration, estimates that there are around 1 million Syrians active in the Turkish labour market, primarily in low-skilled and low-paid informal jobs. Following recent developments, thousands of the three million Syrian refugees have returned home, with others still contemplating their next move, especially after the winter. Corabatir said that most of the returnees are seemingly assessing the conditions in Syria, which remains devastated by 13 years of civil war, before deciding whether to bring their families back. The shift could ease financial pressures on Turkey, which has spent $40 billion on refugee support despite EU aid. However, sectors like agriculture and textiles may struggle to fill gaps. "Employers rely on Syrians for cheap labour. A sudden exit would create problems," said Osman Ahmed, a 33-year-old Syrian telecom worker in Gaziantep. He added that Turkey's economic woes, including soaring rents, are pushing some refugees to leave while others stay for stable jobs. "Some Syrian businesses could also relocate their operations back to Syria," he added. Still, industry leaders downplay immediate risks. Adnan Unverdi, head of Gaziantep's Chamber of Industry, said any transition would be gradual. "Their return is expected to be as gradual as their arrival. We do not expect all to return. Even if 70 per cent leave, the remaining 30 per cent are expected to stay," he told the country's Daily Sabah in a recent interview. Chennai, Jan 28 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted extensive raids in the Tamil Nadu districts of Mayiladuthurai and Chennai on Tuesday. The operation commenced at 3.30 a.m. and targeted 20 locations. Chennai, Jan 28 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted extensive raids in the Tamil Nadu districts of Mayiladuthurai and Chennai on Tuesday. The operation commenced at 3.30 a.m. and targeted 20 locations. Of these 15 locations are in Mayiladuthurai and five in Chennai, with teams from Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu participating. The Tamil Nadu Police were also assisting in the raids. According to police sources, the raids focused on areas associated with the banned Islamic fundamentalist organisation Popular Front of India (PFI). The NIA has previously conducted similar operations in Tamil Nadu, targeting areas such as Thanjavur, Tiruchy, Coimbatore, Madurai, and others. These raids primarily focused on former members of the outlawed PFI, which was banned by the Central government in 2022. The latest operation is reportedly linked to the investigation into the 2019 murder of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Ramalingam in Thanjavur. Ramalingam was allegedly killed by PFI members on February 5, 2019, for opposing forced religious conversions among underprivileged communities. The NIA had earlier filed a charge sheet against 18 individuals in connection with this case. In an earlier operation on September 24, 2024, the NIA raided 12 locations in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Kanyakumari, and Pudukottai. These raids were connected to the recruitment activities of the banned terror organisation Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HUT), which aims to establish an Islamic state governed by its founder Taqi al-Din al-Nabhanias constitution. The NIA took over the HUT case from Tamil Nadu Police and arrested an HUT activist, Aziz Ahamed (also known as Jaleel Aziz Ahmed), at Bengaluru International Airport on August 31, 2024, as he attempted to flee the country. Azizas arrest was seen as a significant breakthrough in the crackdown on HUTas activities in India. Earlier, on August 1, 2024, Tamil Nadu Police arrested six individuals associated with HUT based on intelligence inputs. Among them were engineering graduate Hameed Hussain, his father, and his brother, who were charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of three additional suspects following raids in Chennai and North Tambaram. Police revealed that Hameed Hussain was the mastermind behind the recruitment efforts for HUT and had been actively sharing videos on social media advocating for an Islamic Caliphate. He also criticised the democratic process in some of his videos, according to authorities. The NIA continues its investigation into these networks, focusing on their recruitment strategies and attempts to undermine national security through radicalisation efforts. Mumbai, Jan 28 : Actress Raveena Tandon reached Dwarka as she paid a visit to the Rukmini Temple. Earlier, the actress visited the Nageshwar Mahadev Temple. The actress also visited Thakurji at Dwarka Jagat Mandir. She performed the paduka puja. The actress was welcomed and blessed by the chief priest at the Dwarkadhish temple. Raveena Tandon reached the Dwarkadhish temple premises amid tight police security. Earlier, the actress paid a visit to Sai Baba temple in Shirdi. She spoke with IANS, as she said, "My father came here for 50 years. Since I was born, I have been coming here regularly. And, since my children were born, I first brought them here and put them at Baba's feet". She further mentioned, "I have a very old relationship with Baba. The first time I came after my father left, I saw my father with folded hands standing beside me, so I know that my father lives with Baba". Prior to this, the actress ditched the centenary celebrations of the Indian cinema legend Raj Kapoor as they attended Bryan Adams' concert in Mumbai along with social media personality Mira Rajput Kapoor. Both Raveena and Mira took to their social media handles and expressed their excitement. Raveena shared a slew of images and videos on her Instagram from the concert. She also penned a long note in the caption, and shared how this gig allowed her to relive her days from the college as she was working insane shifts during her college. She wrote, "A night with #bryanadams . And how I love my Mumbaikars , went down to enjoy the real feel of being in the midst , only to hear a welcoming ankhiyon se goli maare! Hahahha . Love you my Mumbai folks. Having missed concerts that I always wanted to go to in all my days of college as I was already working insane erratic hours on my shoots. Now Making up for lost years (sic)". Mira also shared pictures from the event, and was seen donning a T-shirt from Bryan Adams in Singapore. She wrote, "Young and wild and free. Find a bigger fan of @bryanadams than me Wearing my T-shirt from his concert in Singapore, March 2023". New Delhi, Jan 28 : At least two people have lost their lives, and 12 others have been rescued after a four-storey building collapsed in New Delhi's Burari area, the authorities informed on Tuesday. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Monday in Kaushik Enclave, with at least 20 individuals feared trapped under the debris, the police officials informed. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing, and the rescued individuals have been admitted to a nearby hospital. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi expressed her grief over the incident and directed the local administration to expedite rescue efforts. "This incident of building collapse in Burari is extremely sad. I have spoken to the local administration to ensure speedy relief and rescue operations. All possible help will be provided to the affected people," she said in a post on X. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (North Delhi) Raja Banthia, police received a call about the collapse at 6:52 p.m. "We received a call at 6:52 p.m. today reporting a building collapse in Burari's Kaushik Enclave. Police arrived at the scene and suspected that labourers were trapped inside. A rescue operation was then initiated, and 10 people have been rescued. There may still be some people trapped inside," he said. Upon arriving at the scene, they suspected that several labourers were trapped inside. DCP Banthia informed that a coordinated rescue operation involving the Delhi Police, Fire Brigade, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was launched. It was reported that the labourers working on the building's construction were living in rented accommodations nearby. Authorities have also identified surrounding buildings as being at risk of collapse, prompting evacuations as a safety measure. Efforts are ongoing to rescue any remaining individuals feared trapped under the rubble. Chennai, Jan 28 : Thirteen Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy early Tuesday morning for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Their mechanised fishing boat was also seized. The arrested fishermen, hailing from Rameswaram and Pudukottai, were taken to Jaffna in Sri Lanka, where they are expected to be questioned and presented before a judicial magistrate. This arrest brings the total number of Tamil Nadu fishermen detained by Sri Lankan authorities over the past three days to 47. Three high-value mechanised boats have also been confiscated during this period. The arrests have once again highlighted the precarious situation of Tamil Nadu's fishing community, who face frequent detentions while fishing in the Palk Bay region. Fishermen's associations across the state have condemned the latest arrests, citing severe economic hardship and growing fear within the community. The associations have announced large-scale protests in coastal districts and have written to the Prime Minister, demanding immediate action to prevent such mid-sea arrests and secure the release of the detained fishermen and their boats. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had earlier written to Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging immediate diplomatic intervention to ensure the release of Indian fishermen detained by Sri Lanka. In his letter dated January 12, CM Stalin expressed deep concern over the recurring arrests, emphasising the economic challenges faced by fishing communities. "The recurring arrests and boat seizures have severely undermined the livelihoods of our fishermen. Swift action is required to secure their release and safeguard their rights," CM Stalin wrote. Union Minister S. Jaishankar reportedly raised the issue with Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake during the latter's recent visit to India. However, despite these discussions, the arrests continue, causing mounting frustration and fear within the fishing community. Fishermen's leaders from Tamil Nadu have criticised both the Union and state governments for failing to address the crisis effectively. Antony John, a leader from Rameswaram, said, "Fishing in the Palk Bay is no longer safe. We are losing not only our livelihoods but also our properties to Sri Lankan authorities. Since 2018, around 270 trawlers have been impounded." Rajagopal C.M., another leader from Thangachimadam, echoed these sentiments, accusing the governments of neglecting the plight of the fisherfolk. He pointed out that many detained fishermen remain in Sri Lankan jails, leaving their families in dire financial straits. It may be noted that since June 16, 2024, the Sri Lankan Navy has detained 425 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized 58 fishing boats. The arrests have sparked widespread protests and demands for a long-term resolution to the conflict. The latest arrests underscore the urgent need for a coordinated diplomatic effort between India and Sri Lanka to address the recurring detentions and protect the livelihoods of Tamil Nadu's fishing communities. Former Union Minister and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President Anbumani Ramadoss has also called for strong measures by the Indian government to prevent further arrests and safeguard the interests of the fishermen. This longstanding issue highlights the importance of resolving boundary disputes and ensuring that fishermen can pursue their traditional livelihood without fear or uncertainty. Nairobi, Jan 28 : Five African leaders called for reforms of the African Union (AU), focusing on peace and stability, funding, the Pan-African Parliament, and the African Court of Justice, to make it efficient and responsive to effectively serve its members and the people of Africa. The leaders, who attended a retreat in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, said a reformed African Union, which is key to unlocking the continent's full potential, will serve as a bridge to prosperity for all African people. Kenyan President William Ruto, who spoke at the conclusion of the high-level Extended Bureau Retreat on AU Institutional Reforms he chaired in his capacity as the champion of the institutional reforms, said reforms involve revitalising the structure, functioning, and focus of the AU Commission, AU organs, and specialised agencies, which aim to boost the effectiveness and efficient management of the AU programs. "A fit-for-purpose African Union is a necessary imperative at this point if the AU has to play the role of speaking for 1.4 billion Africans," Ruto said. The retreat was attended by presidents John Mahama of Ghana, Azali Assoumani of the Comoros, Taye Atske Selassie of Ethiopia, and Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau. Also present was AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat. Ruto also announced that they had agreed on the need to establish a committee of five presidents to complement efforts by the AU's champion of institutional reforms. The committee, he said, will help to advance the implementation of agreed reforms of various agencies, institutions, and organisations. Ruto, who was given the mandate to champion reforms of the AU by fellow heads of state last year, said reform of the African peace and security architecture is necessary to ensure lasting peace and stability. The retreat recommended the establishment of a panel of experts to propose ways for strengthening Africa's conflict response and financing mechanism. The leaders also proposed the financing of the AU to make it more financially autonomous. Ruto said they have recommended the operationalisation of the African Court of Justice and the appointment of judges, which will ensure that the continent has a mechanism for conflict resolution in Africa, especially on disputes. Selassie called for regular and comprehensive dialogue on issues affecting the continent, emphasising the importance of fostering strong political will to achieve the continent's transformation agenda. He also advocated the formation of an AU Peace Support Directorate similar to that of the United Nations. "We have to put in place a structure that reflects the UN Security Council, particularly the peace support operation," he said. Mahama said the 55-member continental organization requires bold and transformative reforms to address emerging challenges effectively. He said the AU must evolve to become more efficient and impactful by streamlining its decision-making processes to ensure they are timely and results-oriented. He reckoned that overlapping mandates hinder effective decision-making, noting that bureaucratic inefficiencies undermine the confidence of citizens and international partners. Embalo pointed out that reforms of the pan-African bloc are essential for the common good of the continent to drive it to an era of peace and global influence. "We face many challenges, but the opportunities available on our continent are immense," he said. Ramallah, Jan 28 : An Israeli drone strike killed two Palestinian men and wounded three others after targeting a vehicle in the Nour Shams refugee camp near Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian authorities and witnesses said. The Ramallah-based Health Ministry said in a statement that two fatalities and three injuries were brought to Tulkarm Governmental Hospital following the strike. Witnesses and local sources told Xinhua the attack ignited a fire at the scene, prompting ambulances and civil defence crews to respond. The Palestinian Authority's Tulkarm governor, Abdullah Kamil, identified the dead as Ihab Abu Atwi and Ramez Al-Damiri, Xinhua news agency reported. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) confirmed in a statement that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) killed two in Tulkarm. "During a joint IDF and ISA counterterrorism activity, an IAF aircraft struck and eliminated Ihab Abu Atiwi, a terrorist who served as the head of Hamas in Tulkarm, and an additional terrorist," the statement read. It added that Abu Atiwi was involved in numerous shooting attacks, including an attack on an Israeli vehicle at the Ramin junction in the West Bank in July last year, in which three Israelis were injured. The strike occurred amid an ongoing seven-day Israeli military offensive in Jenin, another northern West Bank city, where Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that airstrikes and home demolitions have displaced thousands of families. Violence in the West Bank has surged since October 2023, with Palestinian health officials reporting over 800 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire in the past year. Damascus, Jan 28 : Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani welcomed the decision by the European Union (EU) to suspend sanctions against Damascus for one year, calling it a move that could enhance living conditions for Syrians and support economic recovery. In a statement on the social media platform X, al-Shibani said on Monday that Syria "appreciates the EU's move to halt sanctions" and expressed hope that the suspension would "positively impact all aspects of Syrians' lives and foster sustainable development." The EU Foreign Affairs Council earlier on Monday agreed to temporarily lift restrictions targeting Syria's energy, transport, and selected financial sectors, according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Xinhua news agency reported. The decision, Barrot said, aims to alleviate humanitarian pressures while urging Damascus to commit to a United Nations-backed political transition, intensify efforts against Islamic State remnants, and dismantle all chemical weapons stockpiles. The EU has maintained stringent sanctions on Syria since 2011, citing former President Bashar al-Assad's alleged "war crimes" during the civil war. Assad's government collapsed on December 8, 2024, following a 12-day offensive spearheaded by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied militant groups. Since Assad's ouster, interim authorities led by HTS commander Ahmed al-Sharaa have sought to persuade Western nations to ease sanctions imposed on the former regime. In a parallel development, the Syrian interim authorities released 275 detainees on Monday from the Central Prison in Homs province, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The war monitor reported that the individuals had been vetted and found not to have committed war crimes. The prisoner release follows a large-scale security campaign in early 2025 that saw hundreds of former regime soldiers and civilians detained in Homs and surrounding areas. Washington, Jan 28 : The US Justice Department has fired over a dozen officials who were involved in investigations into President Donald Trump's actions following his loss in the 2020 presidential election. These investigations, led by former Special Counsel Jack Smith, focused on two major cases. The first alleged that Trump had attempted to overturn the 2020 election results illegally. The second accused him of mishandling classified documents and obstructing justice after leaving office in 2021. Both investigations resulted in indictments against Trump. Acting Attorney General James McHenry justified the firings, stating that the officials could not be trusted to advance the President's agenda due to their roles in the investigations. A department spokesperson said that the fired individuals were removed because of "concerns over their alignment with the administration's priorities." Trump and his supporters have long criticised Smith's investigations, frequently describing them as politically motivated and claiming that the former Biden administration weaponised government agencies against conservative voices. One of Trump's first executive orders after returning to the White House was to remove individuals he considered political opponents. Though it is unclear which specific officials from Smith's team were dismissed, the firings underscore Trump's determination to restructure the Justice Department. Smith, following Trump's reelection, dropped both cases against the former President. Citing Justice Department policy, Smith explained that prosecuting a sitting president is prohibited. In addition to the firings, some officials from the Justice Department were reassigned to focus on Trump's primary agenda, particularly immigration enforcement, according to an anonymous source familiar with the situation. Meanwhile, Ed Martin, the interim US Attorney for the District of Columbia, has initiated an internal review into the use of felony obstruction charges against individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riots. Martin, known for his vocal opposition to these prosecutions, was appointed to lead the DC office, which had overseen these cases over the past four years. On his first day back in office, Trump signed a sweeping clemency order, pardoning over 1,500 individuals charged in connection to the January 6 attack and dismissing all pending cases. Martin's review and Trump's clemency orders mark significant shifts in how the Justice Department will handle politically charged cases. A spokesperson for the US attorney's office declined to comment on the matter. The firings, initially reported by Fox News, and Martin's review, reported by the Wall Street Journal, signal a dramatic restructuring within the Justice Department under Trump's renewed presidency. United Nations, Jan 28 : Peacekeeping head Jean-Pierre Lacroix has thanked India and other countries contributing troops to the UN operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where three peacekeepers were killed last week. The 1,114 Indian troops and 160 police personnel were reported safe after two South African and one Uruguayan peacekeepers were killed by the M23 rebel group, which has overrun eastern areas of the mineral-rich country. Lacroix said on Monday, "We really admire the resilience, the fortitude, the determination and commitment of our peacekeepers, the men and women for serving the political, and I want to extend this expression of gratitude to the troop-contributing countries." "It's very challenging for our peacekeepers, and of course, it is very challenging for our true contributing countries, and I really thank them for the support," he added. La Croix, who is the under-secretary-general for peace operations, spoke through a video link from Damascus, where he was on another UN mission. He said that he has been in touch with several ambassadors from troop-contributing countries. Previously, 21 Indian peacekeepers have been killed while serving with MONSUSCO, one of the deadliest UN operations, which has claimed the lives of about 290 peacekeepers. On Friday, the two South Africans and on Saturday, the Uruguayan peacekeepers were killed in eastern DRC. In addition, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which has a separate peacekeeping mission in the DRC, reported that three Malawi and nine South African soldiers in its operation were killed, according to Face of Malawi. The current upsurge in violence is blamed on neighbouring Rwanda, whose troops were accused of aiding the M23 rebel group. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the Rwandan military to stop supporting M23 and withdraw from DRC. The Security Council held an emergency meeting on Sunday on the situation in the DRC and, in a rare show of unanimity, issued a statement condemning the presence of "external forces" in eastern DRC, a diplomatic reference to Rwanda. M23 is reported to have captured Goma, a principal city in eastern DRC, in a country rich in minerals sought by high-tech. The group takes its name after a March 23, 2009, DRC peace deal to end the rebellions in the country that it says was violated. The UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO from its French initials, was created by the Security Council in 2010 to protect civilians and humanitarian personnel and support the DRC government's efforts to bring order to the country torn by rebel groups. (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in) TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 28. Over the past 20 years, wheat production in Uzbekistan has grown by a staggering 700 percent, ensuring food security and supporting livelihoods, Trend reports. However, this remarkable growth has come with a cost: severe land degradation, intensifying dust storms, water pollution, biodiversity loss, and reduced agricultural resilience. To tackle these pressing challenges, Uzbekistan is working to harmonize agricultural productivity with ecosystem health, guided by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which brings globally recognized expertise and tools to align efforts with international standards for sustainable land use and biodiversity conservation. On 28-29 January 2025, Tashkent will host the Induction Workshop on Restoration Opportunities Assessment and Nature-based Solutions (NbS), bringing together key experts and representatives of national authorities across relevant sectors. Organised jointly by the IUCN and the Research Institute of Environment and Nature Conservation Technologies (RIENCT) under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, in the frame of the FAO project Food Systems, Land Use, and Restoration Impact Program in Uzbekistan (FOLUR). In 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and IUCN signed the Letter of Agreement (LoA). IUCN will perform the FOLUR project activities to support the delivery of two outputs of the project related to Public Private Producer Partnerships (PPPPs) on the ground for NbS in wheat-dominated landscapes and degraded ecosystems/habitats of high nature value in target areas in production landscapes put under sustainable management and restored. This workshop is going to discuss solutions for landscape restoration and sustainable land management in 3 of the project target provinces Karakalpakstan, Khorezm and Kashkadarya, Assistant FAO Representative in Uzbekistan Sherzod Umarov said. The FOLUR project exemplifies how NbS, supported by tools like Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM), can transform degraded landscapes into productive ecosystems. By applying ROAM, stakeholders can identify the most promising areas for restoration and ensure actions align with NbS principles as defined by the IUCN Global Standard for NbS. Implementing NbS interventions to support restoring degraded soils increases fertility, reduces erosion, and enhances water retention. Agriculture sits at the heart of some of the greatest challenges of our time. As one of the largest land users globally, aligning agricultural practices with nature is critical to securing food systems, conserving biodiversity, and building climate resilience. IUCN is dedicated to supporting this transformative journey in Uzbekistan by promoting and applying the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions (NbS), and Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM), Director of IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) Oliver Avramoski said. This approach addresses agricultural challenges, such as degraded land and declining productivity, while delivering co-benefits like carbon sequestration, enhanced biodiversity, and improved community resilience. It showcases a hopeful vision for sustainable agriculture, where nature-based interventions lead to healthier ecosystems and long-term food security. Through the ROAM assessment, we will identify restoration opportunities that directly benefit communities in the regions of Qashqadaryo, Khorezm, and Karakalpakstan, the focus areas of this project. By promoting agroecological and regenerative practices, these efforts aim to build resilient food systems and enhance biodiversity conservation. We aim to restore 50,000 hectares of degraded land, place 350,000 hectares under sustainable land management, and sequester 1 million tonnes of CO2 to combat climate change over the project period, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Ecology Jusipbek Kazbekov noted. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Washington, Jan 28 : The United States' State Department is "evaluating next steps" in regard to Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India that was upheld last week by the country's Supreme Court, clearing the way for him to finally face justice for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Washington, Jan 28 (IANS) The United States' State Department is "evaluating next steps" in regard to Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India that was upheld last week by the country's Supreme Court, clearing the way for him to finally face justice for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Rana is of Pakistani descent like David Coleman Headley, who is serving a long prison sentence in an US jail after pleading guilty for his complicity in the 2008 terrorist attacks in a deal with American authorities that protects him from extradition. "In view of the recent Supreme Court decision, and consistent with applicable US law, the Department of State is currently evaluating next steps in this case," a spokesperson for the agency said in response to an IANS request for information on the next steps following the court order and when is he likely to be despatched to India. "We have long supported India's efforts to ensure the perpetrators of the Mumbai terrorist attacks face justice," the spokesperson added. The US has indeed been supportive of Indian efforts to bring the perpetrators of the attacks that left 167 people dead, including six Americans, and hundred wounded. It has pushed Pakistan, where the terrorists of the Lashkar-e-Toiba were based and where they had been trained by the country's Intelligence service, to punish the perpetrators. The US also helped India's case before the UN Security Council for designating Masood Azhar, the founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, an international terrorist, leading a group of permanent members to stymie Chinese attempts to block the effort. For now, however, it seems unclear how soon Rana will be on a plane to India. Rana was arrested by the US police in October 2009, just two weeks after Headley's arrest, on three counts: Conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism in India, conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism in Denmark, and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organisation, according to a US court document. Rana was convicted in June 9, 2011 by a jury of the terrorism conspiracy-charge related to Denmark and providing material support to Lashkar, but he was acquitted of the terrorism conspiracy related to the Mumbai attacks. He was sentenced by the district court in 2013 to 14 years in prison. But after serving half of the sentence he applied for and was granted compassionate release in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. India had been moving, in the meantime, against him. On August 28, 2018, a Mumbai court in August 2018 issued a warrant for Rana's arrest on charges related to the attacks, including, according to a US court document, (1) conspiracy to (a) wage war, (b) commit murder, (c) commit forgery for the purpose of cheating, (d) use as genuine a forged document or electronic record, and (e) commit a terrorist attack; (2) waging war; (3) murder; and (4) committing a terrorist act (2). India subsequently requested Rana's extradition. The day after Rana was granted compassionate release, the US Department of Justice filed a complaint for his provisional arrest in response to an extradition request from India. A US court that deals with extradition cases rejected his claims in May 2023 and certified his extradition, dismissing his claims, according to the court document, (1) his extradition to India was barred under the Non Bis in Idem provision of the Extradition Treaty Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of India (the Treaty) and (2) India's evidence against Rana failed to establish probable cause that Rana committed the offenses for which the certification of extradition was sought. Basically, Rana had argued, he cannot be extradited to face charges on which he had been acquitted in the US. Every court has rejected Rana's claims and he may have exhausted his legal options. Washington, Jan 28 : A White House visit for Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the range of issues that he and President Donald Trump discussed on a phone call. The White House said in a readout that they also discussed security in the Indo-Pacific, West Asia and Europe, and the Quad (a grouping India and the US form with Japan and Australia) during the phone conversation on Monday. The readout also said Trump emphasized the need for India to buy more security equipment from the US and strive towards a fair bilateral trading relationship. PM Modi had earlier said in a post on X he had spoken to "dear friend President @realDonaldTrump @POTUS." "Congratulated him on his historic second term, " he said further and added, "We are committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership. We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards global peace, prosperity, and security." The White House said a few hours later that President Trump and Prime Minister Modi held "a productive call". "The two leaders discussed expanding and deepening cooperation. They also discussed a range of regional issues, including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe. The President emphasized the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship." The readout added: "The leaders discussed plans for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House, underscoring the strength of the friendship and strategic ties between our nations. Both leaders emphasized their commitment to advance the U.S.-India strategic partnership and the Indo-Pacific Quad partnership, with India hosting Quad Leaders for the first time later this year." There have been reports of officials of the two countries discussing a White House visit for PM Modi in February but there have been no announcements thus far. The Monday readout does indicate a visit is in the offing but gave no details. The two leaders will meet personally sometime this year, most certainly when President Trump travels to India for a summit of the Quad countries. This was the second phone conversation between the two leaders after President Trump's re-election; the first took place just after Trump won the election in November 2024. The two leaders have shared a close personal relationship going back to President Trump's first term from 2017 to 2021. The US president jointly addressed a rally hosted for Prime Minister Modi in Houston in 2019 called the "Howdy Modi" rally and then he travelled to India in February 2020 for a "Namaste Trump " in Prime Minister Modi's home state Gujarat. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar represented the Prime Minister at Trump's inauguration last week and attended all related events, even a prayer service where guests included the Trump family, cabinet members and the US President allies in the tech world, such as Elon Musk of Tesla, Mark Zuckerberg of Meta and Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Sundar Pichai of Google. Jaishankar also became Secretary of State Marco Rubio's first foreign guest for a bilateral at the State Department, following a meeting of the Quad foreign ministers, along with Australia's Penny Wong and Japan's Iwaya Takeshi. Chandigarh, Jan 28 : Controversial Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, serving a 20-year sentence in Rohtak's Sunaria jail in Haryana for raping two of his disciples, was once again granted parole on Tuesday, this time for 30 days. This is Ram Rahim Singh's 12th parole or furlough in the last four years. Chandigarh, Jan 28 (IANS) Controversial Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, serving a 20-year sentence in Rohtakas Sunaria jail in Haryana for raping two of his disciples, was once again granted parole on Tuesday, this time for 30 days. This is Ram Rahim Singhas 12th parole or furlough in the last four years. For the first time since he was sentenced to 20 years in jail in August 2017 for raping two disciples, he would stay in his sectas dera in Sirsa for 10 days. Later he will stay in Uttar Pradeshas Bagpath. Ram Rahim, who was last granted 20-daysa parole that came four days before Haryana voted on October 5 last year, was patronised by political leaders and parties in Punjab and Haryana for nearly two decades due to his ability to influence the votes of his followers. Last time he sought parole by citing the death anniversary of his father Maghar Singh that falls on October 5, which is observed as Parmarthi Diwas. Before October last year, the Haryana government had granted him a 21-day furlough in August, which ended on September 2. Ram Rahim is currently lodged at the high-security Sunaria jail in Rohtak, 250 km from the state capital Chandigarh. Earlier, the High Court had rejected Ram Rahim's parole plea for attending the wedding ceremony of his foster daughters. The self-styled godman was sentenced to 20 years in jail in August 2017 for raping two women. A special CBI court in Panchkula in 2019 also sentenced him and three others to life imprisonment for the murder of a journalist over 16 years ago. His conviction on August 25, 2017, led to violence in Panchkula and Sirsa, leaving 41 people dead and over 260 injured. Port Of Spain, Jan 28 : India has conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award on Christine Carla Kangaloo, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, recognising her outstanding achievements in public affairs and her contributions to enhancing India's global prestige, the High Commission of India in Trinidad and Tobago announced on Tuesday. In a post on X, the High Commission stated, "At the Republic Day reception hosted by the High Commission last evening, Christine Carla Kangaloo, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, was honoured with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award on behalf of the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, by the High Commissioner of India Dr. Pradeep Rajpurohit, for her outstanding achievements in Public Affairs and for fostering the name and prestige of India." Kangaloo, an Indo-Trinidadian President, served as the chief guest for the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from January 8-10, 2025. She delivered a virtual address that received widespread applause across India and beyond. The High Commission extended its congratulations to the President and the First Gentleman for this distinguished honour, thanking them for gracing the Republic Day reception. During her address at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Kangaloo emphasised the deep-rooted ties between India and Trinidad and Tobago, dating back to 1845 when Indian indentured workers first arrived on the Trinidadian shores. She highlighted that India was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Trinidad and Tobago after its independence in 1962. The President praised India for its contributions to the global community, citing achievements in education, medicine, mathematics, and navigation. She noted India's historical accomplishments, including the establishment of the world's first university in Takshashila, the development of Ayurveda as an early medical system, and the invention of algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and the concept of zero. Kangaloo also highlighted cultural contributions such as chess and the decimal system and acknowledged Sushruta as the father of surgery. Speaking about the Indian diaspora's impact, Kangaloo noted their significant contributions to cultural, social, and economic progress worldwide. She described the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conventions as platforms for collaboration between India and its diaspora and as a tribute to the resilience and determination of people of Indian origin. Kangaloo reflected on the arrival of more than 143,000 Indian indentured workers to Trinidad over 72 years, which profoundly reshaped the country's demographic, cultural, and economic landscape. Today, descendants of these workers constitute around 42 per cent of Trinidad and Tobago's population, bringing immense value to the nation through their traditions and heritage. Expressing her gratitude for being chosen as the chief guest and for receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, Kangaloo said, "I feel deeply humbled and honoured by this recognition." The President also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India's assistance during the Covid pandemic, including the provision of vaccines upon the request of Trinidad and Tobago's leadership. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is the highest honour conferred upon overseas Indians for their exceptional contributions in various fields, strengthening ties between India and the global diaspora. Srinagar, Jan 28 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday conducted raids at multiple locations in Kashmir in connection with the killings of non-locals by the terrorists. NIA sources said these raids are being carried out with the assistance of the J&K Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). "NIA raids are taking place at six locations in Srinagar, Budgam and Sopore areas under the supervision of NIA Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Sandeep Choudhary," sources said. The NIA has been investigating many terrorist-related crimes in Jammu and Kashmir, including the killings of Hindu pilgrims in the Reasi district of Jammu division on June 9, 2024, and the Gagangir in the Ganderbal district. Terrorists had opened fire at the 53-seater bus carrying pilgrims when it was en route from the Shiv Khori temple to Katra town in the Reasi district. Nine people and 41 were injured in that dastardly attack. Terrorists first fired at the driver of the bus and then fired indiscriminately at the overturned bus targeting men, women and children. On October 20, 2024, two terrorists, a foreigner and a local, entered the worker's camp of an infrastructure company and fired indiscriminately at Gagangir in Ganderbal district. Six non-local civilian workers and a local doctor were killed in the attack. Non-local masons, carpenters, bricklayers, drivers and unskilled workers like street vendors, have also fallen to the bullets of the terrorists in the Valley. Terrorists have killed non-local labourers in many places during the last 20 years. The killing of non-locals is believed to be a tactic by the terrorists to keep the local population away from trade, education and business. This is also aimed at trying to stoke communal reaction against locals at places outside J&K where these are living and doing business, pursuing education, etc., in other states of the country. Mumbai, Jan 28 : Days after the state reported the first death due to the Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), the Maharashtra government has appealed to the citizens not to panic and visit a government hospital in case any symptoms appear. Citizens should also implement preventive measures, the government said in its appeal. According to the state public health department release issued late on Monday night, there are 110 suspected patients of GBS and one death has been reported until now. Of these, eight have been diagnosed as confirmed GBS cases. Of the 110 suspected patients, about 88 are from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), 15 from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and seven are from other districts. Out of this, 73 are men and 37 are women while 13 out of these are currently on ventilator. Nine patients suspected of suffering from GBS were reported on Monday (January 27), of these, seven were from PMC, one from PCMC & one from other district. A Pune-based Chartered Accountant from DSK Vishwa area in Dhayari died. He was suffering from diarrhoea for a few days and had gone to his native village from Solapur district for a private visit. After feeling extreme weakness, he was admitted to a private hospital in Solapur where the doctors diagnosed him with GBS. He was shifted to the ICU for further treatment as he was unable to move his hands and legs. After his health improved he was moved out of the ICU on Saturday but he faced breathing problems and later died. This was confirmed by the relatives of the deceased. According to the public health department, GBS is an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. It is characterised by muscle weakness, and in severe cases, paralysis. The common symptoms of GBS include sudden weakness in hands or legs/paralysis, trouble while walking or weakness with sudden onset of diarrhoea for sustained periods. The public health department said it has taken a slew of measures including visit by a state-level rapid response team to the affected area immediately, instructions to Pune Municipal Commissioner and rural district authorities to increase surveillance activities. As many as 44 stool samples were sent to NIV Pune and tested for enteric virus panel. Moreover, 14 samples tested positive for Noro virus and five stool samples were positive for Campylobacter. A total of 59 blood samples have been sent to NIV. All samples have tested negative for Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya. About 34 water samples from different parts of the city have been sent for chemical and biological analysis to the Public Health Laboratory and samples from seven water sources were found contaminated. Instructions have been given to increase health promotion activities and an appeal has been made to private medical practitioners to notify any GBS patient to the respective public health authorities. "Citizens should not panic. The state's health department is prepared to implement preventive and control measures. In house-to-house surveillance activities, 23,017 houses in Pune MC, 4,441 houses in PCMC and 7,610 houses in Pune rural areas have been surveyed (total 35,068)," said an officer from the state public health department. The citizens have been urged to take every possible care to keep the water quality good, drink boiled water, keep food fresh and clean, avoid infection by not keeping cooked and uncooked food items together. Chennai, Jan 28 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a key suspect, identified as Alphazith (25), in connection with ISIS recruitment activities. The arrest took place in Purasaiwalkam, Chennai during a raid by NIA which commenced at 3.30 a.m. Tuesday. Alphazith, a resident of the Mayiladuthurai district, was employed as a driver with Kasturi Ambulance Service in Purasaiwalkam. Preliminary investigations indicate that Alphazith was involved in recruiting individuals for ISIS, a banned terrorist organisation. Further investigations are ongoing. The NIA launched simultaneous raids in Chennai and Mayiladuthurai districts early Tuesday, starting at 3:30 a.m., following intelligence inputs that individuals in various districts of Tamil Nadu were being recruited for banned organisations. The raids are being conducted at 15 locations in Mayiladuthurai and 5 locations in Chennai. NIA teams from Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, with support from the Tamil Nadu Police, are participating in the operation. Sources within the Tamil Nadu Police revealed that the raids targeted areas associated with banned Islamic fundamentalist organisations. The NIA has conducted multiple raids across Tamil Nadu in recent years, targeting locations such as Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Tiruchy, Coimbatore, Madurai, and others. These operations often focused on former members of the outlawed Popular Front of India (PFI), an Islamist organisation banned by the Government of India in 2022. One notable case involved the February 5, 2019, murder of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Ramalingam in Thanjavur. Ramalingam was allegedly killed by PFI members for opposing the forced conversion of underprivileged individuals. The NIA had earlier filed charges against 18 PFI members in connection with the case. On September 24, 2024, the NIA conducted raids at 12 locations in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Kanyakumari, and Pudukottai. These raids were linked to recruitment activities for Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HUT), a banned terrorist organisation seeking to establish an Islamic state governed by its founder Taqi al-Din al-Nabhanias constitution. The investigation into HUT recruitment activities intensified after the Tamil Nadu Police arrested six men, including engineering graduate Hameed Hussain and his family members, on August 1, 2024. Hussain was identified as the mastermind behind HUT recruitment efforts, using social media to promote an Islamic caliphate and speak against democratic processes. Another significant arrest occurred on August 31, 2024, when the NIA apprehended HUT activist Aziz Ahamed (also known as Jaleel Aziz Ahmed) at Bengaluru International Airport while he attempted to flee the country. This marked a major development in the NIAas crackdown on the groupas activities in India. The NIA continues to investigate the broader network involved in radicalisation and recruitment efforts, aiming to neutralise threats to national security. Prayagraj, Jan 28 : The Maha Kumbh, one of the most sacred festivals in Hinduism, is underway in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, with over 15 crore pilgrims taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. The festival, celebrated with immense devotion and enthusiasm, began on January 13 with the 'Pavitra Snan' and will conclude on February 26, Maha Shivratri. Key upcoming dates for holy dips include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), February 3 (Basant Panchami), February 12 (Magh Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivratri). As 'Mauni Amavasya' approaches, the fervour continues to draw thousands of devotees, undeterred by the severe cold. Pilgrims from across the country have expressed their spiritual joy and appreciation for the arrangements made by the authorities. Pooja Chauhan, a devotee from Jalandhar, shared her experience with IANS, saying, "We are mesmerised by coming here. People are immersed in spirituality. Despite the crowd, our 'snan' went smoothly. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; everyone should come here." "Now it is time for Satyug, and hence everyone is moving towards spirituality," she added. A devotee from Mumbai described the arrangements as exemplary, stating, "The police have made extensive arrangements at the railway station and ghats to avoid any problems. Food arrangements are in place at many locations. Despite large crowds, we completed our darshan in just two hours." A pilgrim from Ahmedabad compared the current arrangements to previous years, saying, "I came here during Mulayam Singh Yadav's tenure, but caste-centric politics affected the organisation then. This time, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the arrangements are excellent." Anoop Mishra from Lucknow echoed this sentiment and told IANS, "The arrangements are very nice. We took the holy dip at Sangam and visited Hanuman Garhi without any issues. It is all because of PM Modi and CM Yogi." The administration has meticulously planned the event, ensuring that Sanatan Dharma customs are upheld while maintaining discipline and efficiency. This seamless coordination has contributed to the overwhelming success of the festival, allowing millions to partake in its spiritual significance. As the Maha Kumbh continues, the confluence of faith, tradition, and meticulous planning at Triveni Sangam stands as a testament to India's rich cultural heritage and unity. Tripoli, Jan 28 : Libya aims to reactivate and update 25 bilateral agreements with Serbia to strengthen economic cooperation, Libyan Economy Minister Mohamed Al-Hwej said. Speaking at a joint news conference on Monday with Serbian Foreign Ministry State Secretary Nikola Stojanovic following a Libyan-Serbian economic forum in Tripoli, Al-Hwej described the agreements-signed over the past decade but largely dormant-as needing alignment with "global political and economic developments." "Our cooperation with Serbia spans 70 years. Today, we seek practical steps to diversify Libya's economy and create true partnerships across all sectors," Al-Hwej said, adding that senior officials from both nations would exchange visits to advance joint ventures. Libya, divided by civil conflict since 2011, has seen a fragile truce between eastern and western factions over the past year. The government has prioritised reviving foreign economic ties to offset reliance on oil, which accounts for over 90 per cent of state revenue, Xinhua news agency reported. Stojanovic praised Libya's "progress toward stability" and expressed optimism for expanded trade, though he did not specify sectors for collaboration. The one-day forum brought together businesses from both countries to explore opportunities in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure. No immediate deals were announced. Libya's economy remains hobbled by political fragmentation, with GDP contracting by 10 per cent in 2023, World Bank data shows. Earlier UNHCR has reported a sharp rise in the number of Sudanese refugees arriving in Libya, with daily arrivals reaching 400 and over 210,000 refugees now in the country. The Sudan crisis has caused widespread displacement, straining resources in Libya, particularly in remote areas like Alkufra, where refugees face high food prices, fuel shortages, and poor living conditions. UNHCR has provided lifesaving assistance, including healthcare, relief supplies, and support for documentation, while also strengthening access to local services. Chandigarh, Jan 28 : A day after former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused BJP-ruled Haryana of 'poisoning' the Yamuna river, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini asked the former to apologize to the people, otherwise, he will file a defamation suit against him. A day earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and her Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann moved the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging high ammonia levels in the water supplied from Haryana to Delhi. It's learnt that the ECI has directed the Haryana government to submit a factual report by noon on Tuesday. In his campaigning in poll-bound Delhi, AAP national convener Kejriwal has been saying the BJP "has done such an act that has never been done in history before. The people of Delhi get water to drink from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. "In Yamuna, water flows into Delhi from Haryana. The BJP's Haryana government has poisoned the water in Yamuna. However, the Delhi Jal Board was vigilant enough to stop that water from coming to Delhi, otherwise, it would have caused mass genocide in Delhi." Responding to Kejriwal's "war of words", Haryana CM Saini said Kejriwal has a habit of making baseless allegations and blaming others for his "inefficiency" and "incapability" to fulfil his own promises. "Kejriwal should apologise to the people of Delhi and Haryana or face legal action for his baseless allegations," said CM Saini. He blamed Kejriwal for failing to make proper arrangements for water distribution, which has forced Delhi residents to consume contaminated water. CM Saini blamed Kejriwal for systematically diverting 28 drains into the Yamuna river. "The people of Delhi would teach him a lesson in the upcoming Assembly polls...I said that you (Kejriwal) send your Chief Secretary, and I will ask my Chief Secretary to check the quality of water at Sonipat from where the Yamuna enters Delhi. He talks about ammonia. He claims scarcity of water, but there is no scarcity. The issue lies in the distribution system," CM Saini added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. Ayatollah Abdul Karim Abedini, the representative of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Qazvin province, has resigned from his position as the Imam of Friday prayers in Qazvin. According to Trend, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on this development on Tuesday. Abedi initiated the request for his own resignation. In his statement, he indicated that he had occupied this role for ten years. Nonetheless, the factors contributing to his departure are still not publicly available. To note, Seyyed Jafar Aghai Marian, the Charge d'affaires of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Azerbaijan, was summoned to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 25. The ministry stated that rather than issuing apologies for the controversial comments made by Imam of Friday prayers in Ardabil, Ayatollah Seyed Hasan Ameli, at a gathering in Ardabil, the initiative to back Ameli and the participation of various religious leaders, including the Imam of Qazvin, in actions against Azerbaijan were deemed unacceptable. The ministry underscored that these actions jeopardize bilateral relations, necessitating the implementation of measures to avert them. The Iranian Charge d'Affaires expressed regret for the unpleasant statements and actions and promised to report the matter to the relevant authorities in his country. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Patna, Jan 28 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to visit Purnea on Tuesday as part of the second phase of his Pragati Yatra to review ongoing developmental projects, inauguration, and foundation-laying ceremonies for various schemes worth crores of rupees. Patna, Jan 28 (IANS) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to visit Purnea on Tuesday as part of the second phase of his Pragati Yatra to review ongoing developmental projects, inauguration, and foundation-laying ceremonies for various schemes worth crores of rupees. This follows his earlier visit to Saharsa on January 23. During the visit, the Chief Minister is expected to engage directly with the local population, address their concerns, and inspect key public infrastructure, including schools and Anganwadi centres. He will also conduct a detailed review of government-run schemes in the district. Senior officials, ministers, and local MLAs will accompany him, with all necessary administrative arrangements already in place to facilitate the visit. Notably, this trip was initially scheduled for January 27 but had to be postponed after the Chief Minister fell ill. Chief Minister Nitish's Pragati Yatra schedule has undergone slight adjustments. According to the updated information released by the state Cabinet, the Chief Minister will visit Purnea, and continue his Pragati Yatra in Katihar on January 29 and Madhepura on January 30. This systematic approach highlights the Chief Minister's commitment to closely monitoring and advancing the progress of key projects while addressing the needs of local communities. As part of his Pragati Yatra, Chief Minister Nitish visited Saharsa district on January 23, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 52 development schemes worth over Rs 210 crore. He had inaugurated the school building at the Senior Secondary School campus in Mainha village, located in the Sattarkataiya block. He also inspected the school playground and reviewed its facilities apart from examining the waste processing unit, emphasizing sustainable waste disposal practices. CM Nitish also inspected the Government Medical College and Hospital Purnea as well. CM Nitish visited the site to resolve the silt issue in the Tilave River, issued directives for effective measures to address the problem and distributed cheques to beneficiaries of various welfare schemes, ensuring direct benefits to those in need. Helsinki, Jan 28 : Denmark has unveiled plans to bolster its military presence in the Arctic amid rising concerns over the US interest in acquiring Greenland, a Danish-owned territory. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced late Monday that the government will allocate 14.6 billion Danish krona (approximately $2 billion) to boost the defence of Greenland, Arctic Sea and Northern Atlantic. The decision follows an agreement among Danish political parties, Xinhua news agency reported. The plans will include three new arctic naval vessels and two long-range drones, increased surveillance and crisis training for the local residents. Poulsen said in a press conference that these preparations are just the initial phase, with further plans expected to be finalised by summer. According to Danish Broadcasting Corporation, the new vessels would enter service within five or six years, expected to replace existing vessels. When questioned about whether these measures would "calm down" US President Donald Trump's interest in Greenland, Poulsen refrained from a direct response, underlining the importance of co-operation with NATO allies, including Canada, the US and Norway. President Trump has recently reiterated the US interest in Greenland, which remains an autonomous area under Danish sovereignty. Referring to an upcoming meeting on Tuesday with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Europe is in a serious situation. "With war on the continent and changes in the geopolitical reality. In such a time, unity is crucial." Chennai, Jan 28 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, will inaugurate a memorial honouring 21 social justice activists who lost their lives in the police firing during the Vanniyar reservation struggle in September 1987. The memorial, constructed at Vazhudhareddi in Villupuram at a cost of a5.70 crore, will be a tribute to these activists. CM Stalin is on a two-day visit to Villupuram district as part of his statewide tour to evaluate government schemes. During the tour, CM Stalin will also inaugurate a memorial hall in honour of former minister A. Govindasamy, who served in governments led by iconic Dravidian leaders C.N. Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi. This memorial hall, also built in Vazhudhareddi, has been completed at a cost of a4 crore. As part of his visit, CM Stalin will also open the Ellis Chatram dam, built across the Thenpennai River at Enathimangalam. As part of his two-day visit, CM Stalin conducted a roadshow in Tindivanam on Monday, greeting people and receiving petitions along the way. He walked for about one km, interacting with residents before continuing the roadshow. The event featured traditional art performances such as karakattam. CM Stalin also paid a surprise visit to a primary health centre in Olakur near Tindivanam. Accompanied by District Collector C. Palani, he inspected the fever and post-operative wards, checked the availability of medicines, and interacted with patients to assess the quality of treatment. He directed health authorities to ensure timely disbursal of assistance under the Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Security. Tamil Nadu Minister for Forests K. Ponmudy, along with District Collector C. Palani, reviewed security arrangements in the district. CM Stalin began district visits to monitor the implementation of state government schemes on November 5, starting with Coimbatore. In a letter to party cadres, the Chief Minister announced his intention to conduct ground-level inspections across the state, emphasising his commitment to visiting all districts to evaluate the performance of welfare initiatives. Since assuming office in May 2021, CM Stalinas government has introduced several welfare schemes aimed at uplifting marginalised sections of society. In the state legislative Assembly, CM Stalin reported that a6,569.75 crore has been distributed through the state governmentas welfare schemes across Tamil Nadu since the DMK government assumed office. a"IANS aal/rad New Delhi, Jan 28 : A major accident occurred in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, during the Jain community's 'Laddu Mahotsav' at the Adinath Temple. The incident took place at the Manastambh complex, where a wooden platform, part of the event set-up, collapsed, causing a stampede. Over 50 devotees were trapped under the debris of the platform, with many suffering serious injuries. Many devotees were seen bleeding profusely, and chaos ensued at the scene. Due to the shortage of ambulances, the injured were rushed to the hospital in e-rickshaws. Local police, led by the Inspector of Baraut Police Station, arrived with a force to control the situation and provide assistance. The accident occurred on Gandhi Road in Baraut, which is part of the Baghpat district. As the number of injured continued to rise, six to seven police officers were also reported to be injured during the rescue efforts. District Magistrate Asmita Lal and Superintendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya are currently visiting hospitals to oversee the situation and provide updates. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took immediate notice of the incident and instructed authorities to expedite relief work. He directed the officials to ensure the injured received proper medical treatment. Yogi Adityanath also extended his wishes for the quick recovery of the victims. Yogi Adityanath's office wrote in a post on social media platform X, "UPCM @myogiadityanath has taken cognisance of the accident in Bagpat district and has given instructions to expedite the relief work. The Chief Minister has immediately sent the injured to the hospital and directed the district administration officials to provide them proper treatment. He also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured." SP Arpit Vijayvargiya explained the circumstances of the incident: "There was a religious programme being conducted. The Jain community was performing a ceremony to offer laddus at the temple. Some people were on a wooden platform, and it became unbalanced and collapsed, causing many to fall. Around 25 people were injured, with some suffering serious injuries. Treatment for the injured is ongoing." As the investigation continues, the community and authorities are working together to manage the aftermath of the tragic incident. Kochi, Jan 28 : Even while on bail in a case of sexual harassment, award-winning Malayalam film director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan has been booked in a similar case registered by the Kochi police on a complaint by the same actress. Sasidharan, who is in the US currently, has been accused of harassing the woman actor over social media. The police have now started steps to extradite Sasidharan who is presently in the US. As the first step, they have got in touch with the Indian Embassy there. Incidentally, Sasidharan is presently out on bail after he was arrested from a temple in the state capital city in 2022 on the complaint of an actress that she was being threatened and stalked by him for a while. Sasidharan then along with his relatives had come to a temple near his home town Parassala in the state capital district when three people dressed in plainclothes (police officials) tried to forcibly take him into custody. Soon the director went live on Facebook alleging that his life was in danger as a few people were trying to "kidnap" him. He was seen shouting that he does not have faith in the system in the state and is presently living at his sister's home in Tamil Nadu, which borders Parassala. In that case, Sasidharan secured bail. The fresh case was filed by the same actress after she continued to be harassed by the director through social media. The 47-year-old Sasidharan began his film career in 2000 and the next year he made his first short film using crowdfunding. In 2014 he produced his first feature-length movie 'Oraalppokkam'. The film also won the award for the best Malayalam film in the International Film Festival of Kerala 2014 besides the Kerala State Film Award for Best Director in 2014. His film 'Kayyattam' in 2020 starred Manju Warrier and was shot on an iPhone in the Himalayas and also won acclaim. New Delhi, Jan 28 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP, Raghav Chadha on Tuesday criticised airlines for hiking fares during the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, urging the Centre to take immediate action to make air travel affordable for pilgrims. In a video message, Chadha expressed his concern, saying, "For followers of Sanatan Dharma, Maha Kumbh is the most significant festival of faith and spirituality. Millions from across the globe wish to visit Prayagraj to take a holy dip, meditate, and engage in penance. However, airlines have turned this sacred event into an opportunity for profit." Chadha highlighted the steep rise in airfares, stating, "Flights to Prayagraj that typically cost Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 are now priced at Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000. Such arbitrary pricing has left lakhs of devotees disappointed and unable to attend the festival." Urging the Union government's intervention, Chadha said, "Airlines must not exploit this spiritual occasion for profit. On behalf of all devotees, I appeal to the government to curb this exploitation by introducing price caps or ensuring affordable flight options for pilgrims heading to the Maha Kumbh." Chadha drew parallels to a past success, stating, "Earlier, when we raised the issue of overpriced food at airports, the government acted, introducing affordable canteens. I am confident our voice will once again be heard, and the airlines will reduce fares for devotees." The rising airfares have led many pilgrims to seek alternative routes to Prayagraj, with Varanasi emerging as a more economical travel hub. As of January 28, flights from cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru to Prayagraj were priced between Rs 24,000 and Rs 40,000, with some fares exceeding Rs 53,000. Meanwhile, flights to Varanasi cost nearly 50 per cent less. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) recently held a meeting with airline representatives to address the issue, urging them to add more flights and rationalise ticket prices. Following the meeting, the Centre directed airlines to introduce additional flights to Prayagraj on key holy dip dates, including January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), February 3 (Basant Panchami), February 12 (Magh Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivratri). The ongoing Maha Kumbh, one of the most sacred festivals in Hinduism, began on January 13 with the 'Pavitra Snan' and will conclude on February 26, coinciding with Maha Shivratri. Thousands of devotees are flocking to the Triveni Sangam -- the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers -- undeterred by the severe cold. The festival, celebrated with immense devotion, continues to draw pilgrims, with the upcoming Mauni Amavasya expected to witness one of the largest gatherings. Authorities are working tirelessly to ensure the smooth conduct of this grand spiritual event. Kolkata, Jan 28 : The popularity of the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, as a national campaigner for the BJP seems to be increasing. Adhikari is scheduled for a two-day visit to New Delhi from Tuesday to campaign on behalf of the party for the forthcoming Delhi Assembly polls. BJP sources said Adhikari's sustained campaign in West Bengal over the atrocities on minority Hindus in neighbouring Bangladesh in the recent past and the huge mobilisation of the crowd in programmes led by him on this issue, have impressed the party's national leadership and he has become a favourite for national campaigning. "Although not on a scale like in West Bengal, the problem of settlement of illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators is also there in Delhi to an extent," he said. In such a situation, Adhikari's campaign programmes in New Delhi will be quite significant," said a state committee member of BJP in West Bengal. Besides Adhikari, fashion designer-turned-politician and party MLA Agnimitra Paul is also in New Delhi to campaign for the Delhi Assembly polls. Previously, Adhikari campaigned for the BJP in the Assembly polls in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Tripura and Chhattisgarh. Party insiders said that besides participating in the campaigns for Delhi Assembly elections, the leader of the opposition might also have a meeting with the top leadership of the party on the current political situation in West Bengal, especially in the wake of the recent verdict by a special court in Kolkata on the rape and murder of a woman junior doctor of state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata within the hospital premises in August last year. "Like the Bangladesh issue, the leader of the opposition had been persistently campaigning on two other burning issues in the state namely the R. G. Kar rape and murder as well as the recent deaths of a woman and a newborn at a state-run medical college and hospital in West Midnapore allegedly due to administration of expired Ringer's Lactate there," the party's state committee member in West Bengal said. New Delhi, Jan 28 : India's 12 major ports, owned by the Central government, handled 72.2 million tonnes of cargo in December, recording a 3.22 per cent growth over the same month of the previous year. According to data compiled by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Deendayal Port in Gujarat's Kandla accounted for the highest volume of 13.03 million tonnes. Odhisha's Paradip Port was in the second position with the handling of 12.84 million tonnes (MT) of cargo during the month while the Jawaharlal Nehru port was ranked third with 8.32 MT followed by Vizag (6.51 MMT) and SMP Kolkata (5.44 MMT). It showed that the top five major ports handled 63.94 per cent of total cargo. While overseas shipments accounted for 55.78 MT (77.31 per cent) of the cargo handled at the major ports during December, coastal shipments were at 16.37 MT comprising 22.69 per cent of the total. Container volumes handled at the major ports, which represent finished goods and constitute around 25 per cent of total trade, increased by a robust 17 per cent to 17.4 MT in December. The growth has shot up despite an overall shortage of containers in the global market which saw exports and importers grappling to secure supply chains. Coal volumes across sectors handled at major ports declined during the month as imports fell due to higher domestic production. Volumes of thermal coal, which account for 12 per cent of total cargo volumes for major ports, fell marginally to 8.7 MT while coking coal cargo dropped by 4 per cent to 2.9 MT. Coal (other than thermal/coking) nearly halved to 2.5 MT t last month. Deendayal Port has regained its position as the highest cargo-handling major port, with a 12 per cent increase in overseas cargo to 98 MT during the current financial year. The port's performance had slipped in 2023-24. Kolkata Port, on the other hand, has recorded a nearly 12 per cent decline in cargo this financial year to 44 MT. The port's overseas cargo has fallen by close to 13 per cent. Visakhapatnam Port has recorded a 2 per cent decline in overseas cargo, but the coastal cargo handled at the port has shot up, the data showed. New Delhi, Jan 28 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Delhi Police to apprise it of the security measures that would be needed if the 2020 national capital riots accused Tahir Hussain is allowed to campaign under custody parole. The Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has fielded Hussain as a candidate from the Mustafabad constituency. A bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath was hearing a plea filed by the former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor seeking interim bail for campaigning ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections. The Bench, also comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and Sandeep Mehta, told Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, to give an estimate of how much security personnel would be required if Tahir Hussain is given custody parole and the expenses it would entail. It hinted that Tahir Hussain may be asked to make a deposit towards the security expenses. Senior advocate Siddharth Agarwal, appearing on Tahir Hussain's behalf, stated that he was restricting his prayer to grant custody parole in view of the limited time of 3-4 days left for campaigning. Agarwal said that Tahir Hussain is willing to stay away from his residence and will stay in a hotel room and provide details. Opposing this, ASG Raju said that granting relief to Tahir Hussain would set a "wrong precedent" as every prisoner would then file a nomination to contest elections to walk out of jail. After the Justice Nath-led Bench sought to know the details of security arrangements and costs if Tahir Hussain is granted custody parole, the law officer sought an adjournment to seek instructions. Adjourning the plea, the apex court asked Tahir Hussain's counsel to list the undertaking he was willing to follow. Last week, a 2-judge Bench of the top court delivered a split verdict on Tahir Hussain's petition. While Justice Pankaj Mithal dismissed his plea, Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah was inclined to order Tahir Hussain's release on interim bail in view of his incarceration of over four years on the charge of being an instigator during the 2020 riots in the national capital. Resultantly, the 2-judge Bench ordered the file to be placed before the Chief Justice of India, who is the master of the roster, for referring the matter to another bench. On January 21, the Supreme Court sought the Delhi Police's response observing that Tahir Hussain's long incarceration of over four years 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," Justice Amanullah told the Delhi Police. A day before, the apex court had adjourned the hearing till January 22 on Tahir Hussain's petition seeking interim bail. When mentioned for urgent hearing, Justice Mithal had remarked: "It is easy to win elections sitting in jail. All such persons should be barred from contesting elections." Earlier, the Delhi High Court had 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, Hussain, while out on custody parole, did not have any access to the phone or Internet, did not interact with any person except the officials concerned in the nomination process, and also could not address the media. 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 (ASG) Chetan Sharma, who appeared on behalf of Delhi Police. Opposing Hussain's interim bail plea, ASG Sharma said 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. Hubballi : , Jan 28 (IANS) The Karnataka Police fired at three men, who are accused in a murder case, on Tuesday when they attempted to attack the cops and escape in Hubballi city. The accused were shot in the leg. They have been identified as Abhishek, Vinod, and Yallappa. Police Inspectors Srimantha Hunasikatti and Sunil, attached to the Vidyanagar and Kamaripet police stations respectively, opened fire on the accused. According to the police, the accused had hacked 24-year-old Akash Valmiki to death near Unakal Lake late on Monday night. After gathering information about the accused, the police went to arrest them. However, the accused attempted to attack the police personnel and tried to flee the scene. The police fired four warning shots in the air, urging the accused to surrender, but when they failed to comply, the officers fired five rounds at them. After being shot in the leg, the accused were arrested and taken to the hospital. Police Inspectors Srimantha Hunasikatti, Sunil, and constables Muttu Lamani and Sharana Gouda Lamani sustained injuries during the encounter. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Vidyanagar police station. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused killed Akash Valmiki to instil fear in the region. According to Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar, the three accused have been arrested, and a manhunt has been launched to apprehend five other individuals involved in the crime. The enmity between the accused and Akash reportedly stemmed from a dispute during the Shivaratri festival last year. Holding a grudge over the matter, the accused brutally murdered Akash. Commissioner Shashikumar added that the accused committed the crime intending to create an atmosphere of fear in the region. The injured policemen and the accused have been admitted to the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Hubballi. Commissioner Shashikumar met the injured policemen and later visited the accused at the hospital. 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. Hyderabad, Jan 28 : A person injured in Sunday night's fire on a boat and a floating jetty in Hussain Sagar lake succumbed to the burns on Tuesday while a search operation continued for a missing youth. Hyderabad, Jan 28 (IANS) A person injured in Sunday nightas fire on a boat and a floating jetty in Hussain Sagar lake succumbed to the burns on Tuesday while a search operation continued for a missing youth. Ganapati (22), who was admitted to Yashoda Hospitals in a critical condition, succumbed while undergoing treatment. The youth, hailing from West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh had sustained 100 per cent superficial burns. Six people were injured when fireworks were set off from a boat and a jetty in the lake as part of aBharat Mata Maha Haratia programme at Peopleas Plaza on Necklace Road abutting the lake. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and police teams were searching for 21-year-old S. Ajay who is reportedly missing following the fire mishap. At least 10 rescue teams were searching for the engineering student who was with his friends at the time of the fire. His friends were rescued immediately after the fire broke out. The family of Ajay approached the police in the early hours of Monday stating that he was missing. They demanded that the authorities launch a search operation to trace him. However, the rescue teams could not trace the missing youth on Monday. Police registered a case and continued investigation into the fire which broke out due to the explosion of firecrackers. Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy attended aBharat Mata Maha Haratia programme. They had left the venue after the cultural performance by artists and the speeches. According to fire services department officials, the organisers did not seek permission for the firework display. They said fire safety teams and equipment are kept on standby during such events. However, in this case no such arrangements were made as the organisers had not informed the police or the fire department. It took a long time for the rescue teams to reach the boat and the jetty. The Bharat Mata Foundation had organised the programme on the occasion of Republic Day. The foundation has been organising the programme every year for the last seven years. Secretariat Police registered a case on a complaint by an official at Lumbini Park. Hyderabad, Jan 28 : Three minors were killed when a motorbike they were riding rammed into a road divider on Dr Manmohan Singh flyover here on Tuesday. Police said the accident occurred in the early hours on the Bahadurpura-Aramghar flyover under the limits of Attapur Police Station of Cyberabad Commissionerate. Two of the minors died on the spot while a third succumbed at Osmania Hospital. The deceased were aged between 14-15 years, said AIMIM MLA Mohammad Mubeen, who visited the Osmania Hospital. The deceased were identified as Maaz Qadri, Mohammed Ahmed and Syed Imran. They were heading towards Aramghar from Bahadurpura. According to police, overspeeding and triple-riding led to the mishap. Attapur police shifted the bodies to Osmania Hospital mortuary for autopsy and took up further investigation. The flyover connecting Bahadurpura at Nehru Zoological Park to Aramghar crossroads was inaugurated early this month. This is the second-longest flyover in the city. In another accident in the city on Tuesday, a 10-year-old girl died after coming under the wheels of a truck in the Sheikhpet area. The accident occurred when the girl was on her way to school with her father on a motorbike. The two-wheeler was hit by the truck and the girl fell under the wheels of the truck. The girl died on the spot. Gaddam Atharvi was a Class five student at the Delhi School of Excellence in Manikonda. In the third accident, a Class 10 student died after the scooty she was riding was hit by a truck in the Medchal-Malkajgiri district on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The accident occurred when the girl was returning home from tuition. She died on the spot. Police said negligence by the truck driver led to the mishap. A case was registered at Medipally police station of Rachakonda commissionerate. Police took the truck driver into custody and took up an investigation. Bhopal, Jan 28 : Ex-RTO constable Saurabh Sharma, who is facing charges of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, was arrested by Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta police from Bhopal on Tuesday. Sharma, who has been absconding since raids at his premises, was supposed to surrender before the Bhopal district court in the morning. "Lokayukta Police arrested him (Saurabh Sharma) from outside the court premises," Sharma's advocate Rakesh Parasar told IANS. Sharma moved the surrender application before a special Lokayukta court through his advocate Suryakant Bhujade on Monday. The court has directed him to be present in the court on Tuesday at 11 am. Before Sharma moved a surrender application, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned Sharma's family members, including his wife and mother in connection with the money laundering case. However, after a few hours of questioning, the ED allowed them to go. Earlier, Sharma's advocate told the media that he would surrender if the state government ensured his safety. The Advocate had also said that the recovered money and other valuables, including 52 kg gold and documents of properties, did not belong to him and he was ready to cooperate with the agencies investigating against him. Multiple agencies -- Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta, Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate teams conducted several raids in the past two and half months in different parts of the state, including Bhopal, Gwalior and Jabalpur in connection with the case. In the past month, ED raided more than 12 offices and premises belonging to Sharma's relatives suspected to be connected to the case. Sharma was appointed constable in the Transport Department in 2016 on compassionate grounds after his father, a government doctor died in 2015. He worked as an RTO constable for 12 years and took a voluntary retirement from services (VRS) in 2023. The official said Sharma's application to take voluntary retirement was accepted in 2023 even though an inquiry was pending against him. Last week, Sharma's close aide Sharad Jaiswal's advocate had also told media persons that Jaiswal was ready to surrender before the court if the state government ensured his safety. Mumbai, Jan 28 : Actor Boman Irani, who is making his directorial debut with the upcoming streaming movie 'The Mehta Boys', is celebrating 40 years of his marriage with his wife Zenobia Irani. The actor took to social media, and gave his fans a peek into his celebration of 40 incredible years of their union. His post perfectly captures the essence of their relationship. The actor, who is known for his wit, couldn't resist adding his signature humor to his post. He wrote in the caption, "So it bugs me when the whole world thinks you're this darling angel. Only I know what a real pain in the behind you can be. 40 years of experience. However... Who wants to marry an angel??? I got a pain in the behind who is also an angel. That's the combo that shaped me. Shaped us. Shaped family. Had laughs. Navigated. 40 years together, old friend. Love you". Along with the note, he posted a series of adorable pictures with Zenobia, where the couple is seen beaming with joy, adorned with garlands, and holding red heart-shaped balloons that read "I love you".The pictures radiate warmth, joy and love for each other. Even after four decades, their bond remains as solid as ever. They're each other's biggest cheerleaders, closest confidants, and true partners in every sense. Last year, Boman was feted with the prestigious SAFA (South Asian Film Association) award for 'The Mehta Boys'. The film received standing ovation at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival. The award recognises his exceptional talent and contribution to the world of cinema. In the presence of his family and co-actors, Boman Irani accepted the prestigious award with pure joy. He took to social media to express his excitement, as he shared, "Winning at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival for The Mehta Boys feels like a dream come true". He further mentioned, "Having my family and cast by my side made it all the more special. To everyone who poured their heart and soul into this film but couldn't be here tonightthis win is for you! Your dedication and passion made this possible, and I am deeply grateful. Here's to the entire team". Bengaluru, Jan 28 : Karnataka Minister for Urban Development Byrathi Suresh on Tuesday denied his involvement in the MUDA scam and said he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife, B.M. Parvathi, had "zero role" in the case. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Minister Suresh said, "I am very clear. The court granted the stay after considering that we had no role in the case. The matter has been adjourned to February 10, and we will see what happens after that," he said. The High Court on Monday stayed the notice issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to him and the CM's wife for appearance before the agency in the case. "I and the Congress party have full trust in the judiciary and the Constitution. We will follow the court's orders. The ED officials must explain why they issued notices to us," the Minister asserted. He further said, "I was surprised when I received the notice. When the scam occurred, I was not in charge of the Urban Development Ministry. I did not allot or acquire any sites. After questions were raised, the sites allotted to the CM's wife were returned. The High Court Judge was convinced of these facts and issued the stay. This is the first notice I have received from the ED." Minister Suresh is close confidante of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. BJP has alleged that he had taken away all the documents pertaining to the MUDA case in a helicopter to Bengaluru and destroyed them. The Dharwad Bench of Karnataka High Court, headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, on Monday, while granting the stay questioned the urgency of the ED's actions, asking, "What is the tearing hurry?" CM Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi, who has been named as the second accused in the case, was asked to appear before the ED on Tuesday (January 28). Minister Byrathi Suresh was scheduled to appear before ED officers on Monday. Both Parvathi and Suresh had separately approached the court, seeking relief and requesting a stay on the ED summons. The High Court granted a stay on the ED's summons until February 10, pending the next hearing in the case. Sandeep Chowta, counsel for CM Siddaramaiah's wife, argued that the allegations of illegal allotment of 14 sites against Parvathi did not involve monetary gain. He requested a stay on the investigation against her by the ED. Justice Nagaprasanna questioned Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Arvind Kamat, representing the ED, asking why the agency was continuing its investigation when the matter was already being addressed in court. ASG Kamat submitted that CM Siddaramaiah's wife is the second accused in the MUDA scam and is facing charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The bench noted that the illegal assets in question were no longer in the possession of the accused. It emphasized that the ED's investigation should not interfere with the proceedings of the court, which has reserved its judgment in the MUDA case. The court further questioned the ED's urgency, stating: "What is the emergency to probe the matter at this juncture? The case has been reserved for judgment. Why should the investigation by the ED proceed now?" ASG Kamat explained that the ED had only requested the accused to appear and produce documents and that this would not interfere with the court's proceedings. The bench responded that the MUDA case is based on an FIR filed by the Lokayukta and is currently reserved for judgment. The court observed: "I cannot allow this as it will frustrate the proceedings before me, especially since I have already heard the related case and reserved orders." Previously, the High Court had also cancelled the summons issued by the ED to former MUDA Commissioner D.B. Natesh. The bench stated that the argument that the ED is merely recording statements cannot be accepted, as failure to appear could lead to arrests by the ED. Appropriate orders were issued to stay the ED's summons. Senior counsel C.V. Nagesh, appearing for Minister Byrathi Suresh, submitted that his client is not an accused in the MUDA case. Despite this, the ED had issued a summons directing him to appear before the agency at 11 a.m. on Monday. Nagesh requested similar protection for his client, arguing that the High Court had already cancelled the summons issued to former MUDA Commissioner, Natesh. The Enforcement Directorate issued a notice to Parvathi and the Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh. Sources said the notice was issued to Parvathi and Minister Suresh under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) Act. It was revealed that since there is a possibility of the ED initiating legal measures against CM Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi this time, the CM's family had approached the High Court to seek a stay on the notice by the ED. Mumbai, Jan 28 : Mira Rajput recently took to social media to share a fun and relatable moment with her followers. The celebrity wife posted a picture of herself getting a blow dry at the airport, giving her fans a sneak peek into her travel routine. Along with the photo, Mira wrote a witty caption: "Why wait in transit when you can get a blow dry at the airport instead?" In the image, Shahid Kapoor's wife can be seen getting a blow-dry while clicking her mirror selfie. Mira, who is an avid social media user, had previously posted her glamorous shots in a stylish white saree that she styled with statement jewellery. Alongside the images, she wrote, "Sari ke fall se match kiya." Meanwhile, Mira has also been promoting her actor husband Shahid's upcoming film "Deva" on her Instagram handle. Speaking during the trailer launch event, Shahid shared his experience about stepping into the role of Dev Ambre. He described the film as deeply personal. The 'Kabir Singh' actor stated, "Deva is a piece of my heart. For many years, people were telling me to do a massy film, something that resonates with the masses. For me, this is the next step in my journey. It's been one of the most challenging films of my career. There's so much in Dev's character that I don't want to reveal just yetyou'll have to watch it on January 31." Directed by Rosshan Andrrews, "Deva" will see Shahid essaying the role of a brilliant yet stubborn police officer. Bankrolled by Zee Studios and Roy Kapur Films, the film also stars Pooja Hegde as the leading lady, along with Pavail Gulatie, Pravessh Rana, and Kubbra Sait in crucial roles. "Deva" is slated to hit theatres on 31st January 2025. Prayagraj, Jan 28 : As the sacred waters of Triveni Sangam beckon millions of pilgrims for the largest Amrit Snan (holy bath) of the Maha Kumbh, the city of Prayagraj is brimming with meticulous arrangements to accommodate the expected 10 to 15 crore devotees. This once-in-a-lifetime event, coinciding with the revered Mauni Amavasya, has sparked a flurry of activity, as preparations are underway to ensure the comfort and safety of every visitor. The fervour around Mauni Amavasya is undeniable. As one of the most auspicious days in the Kumbh Mela calendar, the new moon day in Magha is believed to carry immense spiritual power. Pilgrims from all over India are flocking to the Sangam to immerse themselves in the holy confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati rivers, in hopes of purifying their souls and erasing their sins. In anticipation of this grand event, crowds have already begun gathering in Prayagraj, two days ahead of the main bath on January 28. To support the monumental influx, the city's traders' association has organised a massive community feast, that is set to begin on the evening of January 28 and continue through January 30. The community feast, spread across various parts of Prayagraj, will ensure that the visiting devotees have access to nourishment and sustenance during their spiritual journey. Beyond food, the authorities have also made provisions for rain shelters and other basic facilities to ensure pilgrims' comfort in the face of unpredictable weather. Local volunteers and organisers have worked tirelessly to ensure that all necessary services are readily available to maintain a smooth flow of traffic and keep devotees safe. The security arrangements around the festival are nothing short of stringent. In a bid to manage the crowds and maintain order, local authorities have sealed several streets leading to the Prayagraj station, directing pilgrims through clearly marked paths. Every detail has been taken into consideration, from maintaining crowd control to providing easy access to key locations. Local residents have voiced their unwavering support for these initiatives, emphasising the need for such measures. "The streets may be closed temporarily, but itas for the safety of all," said one local. "With clear markings in place, no one will get lost, and we are confident that our pilgrims will have a safe and smooth experience." Another resident added, "The efforts by our government and administration cannot be praised enough. Theyave done an exceptional job ensuring that the city remains organised and that no one is inconvenienced. This is a small sacrifice for a few days, but once the pilgrims return home safely, our cityas fame will spread far and wide." For the people of Prayagraj, the Maha Kumbh Mela is not just a religious event; itas a testament to their commitment to serving others and upholding the principles of Sanatan Dharma. "Our duty is to serve as much as we can. Our Sanatan Dharma teaches us to give, to help others along their spiritual path," shared another local. "These arrangements are a reflection of that spirit. We are proud to welcome the world to our city, and we know that after the Mela, people will remember Prayagraj as a place where faith and service came together." Bathing in the holy waters of Triveni Sangam on Mauni Amavasya is thought to bestow blessings and offer tranquility and fulfillment to the souls of one's forebears. However, individuals planning to immerse themselves on the day of Amrit Snan should be cautious to avoid certain missteps. On Mauni Amavasya, it is believed that ancestors visit the Earth. After performing the Amrit Snan, it is important to conduct a tarpan ritual in their honour. Utilise the sacred waters of Sangam to perform this rite by offering 'arghya' (water offering) while invoking the memory of your ancestors. This gesture is believed to attract their blessings. The bath during Maha Kumbh represents spiritual cleansing. To preserve its sanctity, one should refrain from causing emotional distress to others, engaging in inappropriate behaviour, or nurturing negative thoughts. Furthermore, maintaining silence for a period following the dip on Mauni Amavasya is thought to yield even more favourable outcomes. Palakkad, Jan 28 : Public outrage has erupted against the Kerala Police following the brutal murders of 54-year-old Sudhakaran and his 76-year-old mother, Lekshmi, allegedly by their 58-year-old neighbour, Chenthamara. Despite prior complaints about the suspect's behaviour, police inaction is being blamed for the tragedy. A massive manhunt involving a 150-strong Kerala Police force is underway in the Nenmara area to apprehend Chenthamara, who previously served time for the 2019 murder of Sajitha, Sudhakaran's wife. Released on bail just two months ago, Chenthamara is now accused of this latest gruesome crime, which took place as the trial for Sajitha's murder was set to begin. The victims' daughters -- Akhila and Athulya, expressed their anguish, condemning the local police for ignoring their written complaints about the accused. "We have no faith in the Kerala Police. We alerted them about this man who first killed our mother and now our father," said Akhila, a second-year college student. "Why was he allowed near us when the bail conditions were so clear? We have lost everyone. It's just the two of us now." The police have recovered the weapon allegedly used in the murders and are conducting a massive search in Nenmara, utilizing drones and searching deserted locations and water bodies. A bottle of poison found in Chenthamara's house has sparked speculation that he may have taken his own life. The Nenmara Police Station witnessed clashes after Youth Congress workers staged a protest against the perceived negligence of the police. Meanwhile, the State Police Chief has ordered an urgent report from the Palakkad Superintendent of Police (SP) to investigate potential lapses in allowing Chenthamara to roam freely while out on bail. Chenthamara and Sudhakaran were neighbours, and locals claim that the former held Sajitha responsible for his separation from his wife and daughter. Since his release from jail, Chenthamara had been living alone. Just two months ago, Sudhakaran, his mother, and several locals had filed a written complaint with the police, warning that Chenthamara posed a renewed threat. Their warnings, however, appear to have gone unheeded, culminating in this tragic double murder. New Delhi, Jan 28 : In an effort to empower micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the government on Tuesday launched the MSME Trade Enablement and Marketing (TEAM) initiative with a budget outlay of Rs 277.35 crore over three years. The initiative by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, in partnership with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), aims to onboard 5 lakh micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with 50 per cent of these being women-led businesses to embrace digital commerce and expand their market presence. "The MSME TEAM initiative is an opportunity to empower small businesses with the tools and resources they need to thrive in the digital age. By connecting SMEs to the ONDC Network, we are creating a level playing field that enables them to scale, compete and succeed," said T Koshy, MD and CEO of ONDC. By providing access to digital storefronts, integrated payment systems, and logistics support, the initiative reduces operational barriers and helps businesses tap into wider customer bases. Beyond these tools, it emphasises formalizing operations and establishing digital transaction histories, which will enhance the credibility and trust of participating MSMEs. According to the ONDC, over 150 workshops will be held across tier 2 and 3 cities, targeting key MSME clusters, with special attention to women and SC/ST-led enterprises. MSMEs will be able to register for these workshops and access additional resources, such as financing options and grievance support, through a dedicated portal. "This is now the right time for Indian startups to leverage ONDC to tap into the immense potential of India's MSME ecosystem," said Koshy. To ease the transition to digital commerce, financial assistance will be provided to the 'Seller Network Participants' to facilitate catalogue creation, operations and account management, thereby ensuring that SMEs have the help they need to successfully navigate and grow in the digital commerce space. This is also an opportunity for startups and technology enablers in India to leverage the ONDC Network to create unique value propositions for India's vast MSME ecosystem. ONDC is a network of more than 200 apps, including buyer apps and seller apps. New Delhi, Jan 28 : The ongoing Maha Kumbh has witnessed an overwhelming turnout of devotees not just in Prayagraj, the city hosting world's largest religious gathering but also in Varanasi, especially at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. While crores of pilgrims take holy dip in Maha Kumbh, millions of devotees are also flocking to Varanasi to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva at the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The temple which underwent extensive renovation recently, is setting a new record in terms of daily footfalls as the devotees are breaking previous records, including those of Sawan and Shivaratri. A brief glimpse of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple corridor shows devotees standing in lines, stretching up to 5 kms for offering prayers to Baba Vishwanath. On an average, 5 to 7 lakh devotees are visiting the Kashi Vishwanath temple daily, bringing total number of pilgrims to the temple, past one crore mark. In light of the high number of visitors, temple administration has put in place special measures to manage the crowd. Barricades have been set up to guide devotees for darshan, while the options for Sparsh Darshan (touching the idol) and Ticketed Darshan have been temporarily suspended to ensure smooth operations. A devotee from Delhi, Jagdeesh Kumar, shared his experience, saying, "I have heard a lot about this sacred place and visited this time. The Kumbh is overwhelmed with devotees, and it's amazing to see such a massive gathering of devotees in Kashi. I urge every Hindu to come here and visit the nearby temples to witness the beautiful depiction of faith, religion, and this outstanding management." Another devotee from Kanpur remarked, "It's amazing to visit Varanasi during Kumbh as people are also coming here after the Kumbh. It took me two hours just to do the darshan, but the experience is worth it." Seema Khandelwal, a devotee from Rajasthan, also expressed her feelings, saying, "This is truly a gathering of faith. It's so satisfying to be a part of it. The same crowd is seen in Maha Kumbh, and it is well-managed." As the temple's administration and local authorities are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and comfort of every pilgrim, the spiritual atmosphere of Varanasi has transformed into a hub of devotion. Kolkata, Jan 28 : After Maharashtra recorded one death and 110 suspected cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome, the West Bengal Health Department on Tuesday said that there is nothing to panic about the neurological disorder in the state. A statement by state Health Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam claimed that Guillain Barre Syndrome is nothing new. According to him, there had been sporadic reports of people getting affected by Guillain Barre Syndrome. However, he added, that in West Bengal, there is nothing to panic about since neither this is a new disease nor there had been fresh reports of new individuals getting affected by it in the state since December 2024. He also said that his claims have also been confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to Nigam, generally, kids below 15 years of age are being affected by this disease. However, Nigam added the state Health Department's medical teams are keeping a tab on the situation. Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a rapid-onset muscle weakness caused by the immune system damaging the peripheral nervous system. Earlier this week, Maharashtra reported the first death of Guillain Barre Syndrome. On Monday night, the Maharashtra government urged the people not to panic over the situation and to visit any government hospital in case any symptoms on this count surface. As per the figures available, of the 110 reported cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome in Maharashtra, 88 are from Pune, 15 from Pimpri and the remaining seven are from other districts. Out of the 110 reported cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome in Maharashtra, 73 are men and 37 are women. A total of 13 of them are currently on ventilators. New Delhi, Jan 28 : Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday visited the Valmiki Temple in Delhi, marking an important outreach effort ahead of the February 5 Assembly elections in the national Capital. LoP Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by the Congress' New Delhi Assembly candidate Sandeep Dikshit, offered prayers at the temple and engaged with residents in the Dalit colony of the constituency. As a gesture of respect, locals presented a turban to the Congress leader. In the New Delhi constituency, Sandeep Dikshit faces tough competition from AAP National Convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and BJP's Parvesh Verma. Following his temple visit, Rahul Gandhi met with residents of the New Delhi Assembly constituency, including women in the Dalit colony, to discuss their issues and concerns. He later visited Gole Market to interact with more locals. Speaking to IANS, Sandeep Dikshit highlighted the key issues in the area, particularly unemployment. He criticised both AAP and BJP for neglecting the concerns of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) employees. "The biggest problem here is unemployment. Earlier, 7,800 people were employed in NDMC, but now those jobs are no longer available. Even compensatory jobs for employees' families have stopped. Kejriwal, who was part of NDMC, never addressed this issue. "Similarly, the BJP, which oversees NDMC under the Union Home Ministry, failed to act. Rahul Gandhi has assured us that he will raise these issues in Parliament," Dikshit said. Residents also voiced concerns about housing and employment. Sunita, a local resident, shared with IANS, "We asked for proper housing and employment opportunities for our children. Rahul Gandhi promised to ensure these issues are addressed. We are hopeful that he will make this happen." Another resident, Suman, expressed similar sentiments, and told IANS, "We need homes and jobs for our children. Rahul Gandhi assured us that our demands would be fulfilled as soon as the Congress wins the Assembly elections." Later in the day, LoP Gandhi is scheduled to address rallies in Patparganj and Okhla as the Congress intensifies its campaign for the Delhi Assembly elections. The Delhi Assembly elections are set for February 5, with results to be announced on February 8. Dhaka, Jan 28 : Groups promoting extremist Islam are attacking minorities, particularly those from Hindu and Ahmadiyya communities in Bangladesh, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has revealed in its latest report that also highlights "a disturbing pattern" of security force abuses in the country after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster last August, targetting the Awami League supporters and journalists. The 50-page report titled 'After the Monsoon Revolution: A Roadmap to Lasting Security Sector Reform in Bangladesh' offers various recommendations to the Muhammad Yunus led interim government, including seeking technical assistance, monitoring, and reporting by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other UN rights experts to ensure lasting reforms. The report mentions growing attacks on Hindu minorities since the fall of the Hasina government that has led to international concern. Several commentators told HRW that Hindus and other religious minorities were attacked because they traditionally supported her Awami League party. "There are repeated allegations of violent attacks against Hindus and other minorities and that the police have failed to ensure protection," the report mentions. It also termed the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former official of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), as "another worrying indication" for freedom of expression in Bangladesh. "Das's arrest came at a time when there is growing concern over attacks on Hindu minorities. The interim government has confirmed that at least 88 cases of communal violence had been registered between August 5 and October 22, and that 70 persons had been arrested. Hindu groups say that there have been hundreds of incidents of vandalism targeting Hindu businesses, homes, and places of worship," the report states. With the Chittagong Lawyers' Association forcing its members not to represent Das, the spiritual leader's struggle to have a legal representation in the court is acknowledged in the report which quotes a Hindu lawyer, as saying: "Lawyers are afraid to represent Chinmoy as there were threats of mob violence. We all have our families to worry about". The New York based human rights organisation also suggested that the interim government should immediately ensure that no one is detained arbitrarily or otherwise unlawfully. According to the report, between August 6 and September 25, Bangladesh police lodged cases against 92,486 people, most of them related to murder. Nearly 400 former ministers, members of parliament, and other Awami League officials have been named in over 1,170 cases, which include hundreds of unnamed individuals and over 200 cases have been filed against Sheikh Hasina. As of November, the report highlights, authorities in Dhaka have filed murder charges against at least 140 journalists in relation to their reporting on the student revolution and scrapped more than 150 press accreditations required to attend official events. "Yunus has insisted on his administration's respect for free speech. However, authorities under the interim government have clamped down on journalists who were perceived to have been sympathetic to the former government," the report said. "The interim government should urgently prohibit filing cases against unnamed accused and mass arrest warrants, and revise laws that allow for vague and overly broad charges to target critics. Courts should act speedily to ensure that anyone detained is safely and swiftly produced before a judge. All detention centres should be made public and open to independent inspection," it added. The HRW advised the interim government in Bangladesh to seek a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council to create a mechanism to ensure lasting change. The report, it said, is based on thorough research and documentation in Bangladesh as well as recent interviews with human rights activists, members of the interim government, and current and former law enforcement and military officials. New Delhi, Jan 28 : The death toll from the Burari building collapse reached three after one body was recovered from the debris, according to rescue officials. The tragic incident occurred in Kaushik Enclave, Burari, when a four-storey building collapsed around 6:30 p.m., trapping several people under the debris. The victims included two minors -- Sadhna (17) and Radhika (8) -- who succumbed to their injuries. Later in the day, the rescue officials recovered another body of a male victim. Meanwhile, 12 people who were rescued are receiving treatment at a local hospital. Additionally, 6-10 individuals are still feared to be trapped in the debris. Meanwhile, the Delhi government on Tuesday announced compensation for victims of the building collapse. Announcing relief measures at the site, AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha said, "This is an unfortunate incident. The NDRF team is continuously working, and 16 rescues have already been made. I hope no more mishaps occur. However, those responsible will not be spared." He mentioned that the government has announced Rs 10 lakh compensation for families of deceased adults (if any) and Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased minors. Additionally, Rs 2 lakh will be given to the seriously injured and Rs 50,000 to those with minor injuries." The AAP MLA further urged people to refrain from politicising the tragedy and commended the ongoing rescue operations. Earlier in the day, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North Delhi) Raja Banthia informed that the rescue operation, which has been underway for more than 12 hours, involved the Delhi Police, NDRF, MCD Fire Services, and DDMA. "Fourteen people have been rescued so far, with two deaths confirmed. Between 6 to 10 individuals may still be trapped under the debris, and efforts are ongoing to save them," Banthia stated. The collapse has left families in despair. Mohammad Bariq, whose brother Mohammad Sharfaraz (20) is still missing, shared his anguish: "My brother, who worked as a labourer, was inside the building when it collapsed. We have not found him yet." "My brother-in-law and a close associate Anil also worked here; even they are not been found yet," he added. Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi expressed her grief and directed the local administration to expedite rescue and relief operations. "This incident of building collapse in Burari is extremely sad. I have spoken to the local administration to ensure speedy relief and rescue efforts. All possible help will be provided to the affected families," she said in a post on X. Authorities are also inspecting nearby structures identified as being at risk of collapse, leading to evacuations as a precautionary measure. The collapse highlights ongoing concerns over building safety and construction standards in the area. Investigations are underway to identify those responsible for the tragedy. Rescue operations continue as authorities race against time to save those still feared trapped under the rubble. Gandhinagar, Jan 28 : Gujarat purchased 10 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of groundnuts from 298 lakh farmers at the minimum support price (MSP), according to state Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel. "As of now, over 2.98 lakh farmers have sold 10 lakh metric tonnes of groundnuts worth Rs 6,700 crore, marking a historic achievement," said Patel. He further explained that the government has been proactive in ensuring that all registered farmers receive timely payments, with Rs 5,172 crore paid to 2.32 lakh farmers for groundnuts, and Rs 210 crore to 17,000 farmers for soybeans. "Over 51,400 metric tonnes of soybeans, valued at Rs 252 crore, have been procured from more than 20,500 farmers," he said. The soybean purchase has been carried out at a support price of Rs 4,892 per quintal (Rs 978.40 per mann), a price significantly higher than the market rate, encouraging farmers to register for the procurement programme. "By February 8, the procurement process will be completed for all registered farmers across Gujarat," added Patel. The state's agriculture sector has benefited immensely from the support price announced by the Central government, with over 3.72 lakh farmers registering for the groundnut purchase programme. The support price for groundnuts was set at Rs 6,783 per quintal (Rs 1,356.60 per mann), which has proven to be an attractive price for farmers, allowing them to sell their bumper crops without hesitation. The Agriculture Minister emphasised that this year's groundnut cultivation reached a record 18.80 lakh hectares, an increase of 2.5 lakh hectares compared to the previous year. This surge in production has been driven by the favourable support prices, which were announced before the planting season, allowing farmers to plan accordingly. In 2023-2024, India exported 47 shipments of Gujarat-origin groundnut kernels, marking a 2 per cent increase compared to the previous year. These exports were made by 10 Indian exporters to 21 buyers, with the top three importers being Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, collectively accounting for 85 per cent of the total exports. Gujarat contributes approximately 42 per cent of India's total groundnut production. In the 2017-2018 period, India exported 5.04 lakh tonnes of groundnuts worth Rs 3,386 crore, underscoring the significant economic impact of groundnut exports. Bengaluru, Jan 28 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah issued a stern warning on Tuesday, stating that if the illegal Devadasi practice is discovered anywhere in the state, strict action will be taken against the concerned Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Commissioner (DC). Chairing a state-level Awareness and Monitoring Committee meeting at the Vidhana Soudha conference hall, CM Siddaramaiah emphasized that the Devadasi system has been abolished and must not persist. He declared, "If any such practices are found, we will act decisively against the SP and DC without hesitation." The Devadasi system, historically involving the dedication of women -- often from marginalized communities -- to temples, has been associated with systemic exploitation. Despite multiple legislations to eradicate this practice, isolated instances have been reported, prompting the government's vigilance. During the meeting, the Chief Minister mentioned an overnight protest by women at Ambedkar Circle in Raichur, organized by the Progressive Organizations' Action Committee. The protesters demanded comprehensive rehabilitation for Devadasi women and called for a scientific survey to assess their current socio-economic conditions. In response, the Chief Minister directed officials to update him on the progress of rehabilitation efforts. He instructed the Chief Secretary to prepare a detailed report on the issue, ensuring it covers actionable plans for rehabilitation. Siddaramaiah also emphasized the proper enforcement of the Forest Rights Act. He asserted that land rights must be granted to forest dwellers and that no evictions should occur without due process. Officials were instructed to include district-wise data in compliance reports for future meetings to ensure thorough accountability. The meeting also addressed concerns over backlog promotions raised by Congress MLC Sudham Das. He questioned why injustices identified by a sub-committee were not being resolved despite their reports highlighting the issues. The Chief Minister stressed the need for adherence to reservation policies during promotions. "Any attempts to deny opportunities to members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes through unethical practices will not be tolerated," he said. Siddaramaiah directed Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to hold a separate review meeting to address promotion-related grievances across departments. The Chief Minister concluded by mandating that these review meetings occur every six months. He warned that negligence on the part of officials in attending or addressing issues during these meetings would result in strict action by the government. Srinagar, Jan 28 : An interstate drug trafficking network was busted in the Srinagar district, the J&K Police officials said on Tuesday, adding that two men have been arrested from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. A police statement said that a major interstate drug trafficking network was dismantled as an investigation was going on in FIR number 136/2024 under sections 8/22-29 NDPS Act. "Based on evidence from the investigation, including bank transactions and communication records, two key drug suppliers Raju Gupta from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, and Mohammad Abrar from Bhajanpura, Delhi were identified as major sources of narcotics supplied to local drug peddlers. A Srinagar police team led by sub-inspector, Amandeep Singh of Police Post Noorbagh, conducted extensive operations in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi over 10 days with the assistance of local police," the statement mentioned. Raju Gupta was apprehended on January 23 in Bareilly, and Mohammad Abrar was arrested on January 24 in Bhajanpura. Both suspects were presented before the respective courts, transit remands were obtained and they are now in police custody. "Moreover, a suspicious courier parcel linked to the accused has been identified in Loni, Ghaziabad and steps are being taken to retrieve it with court approval. The financial transactions and properties of the accused are under scrutiny for potential attachment under the NDPS Act," the statement further mentioned This case originated on November 8, 2024, during routine police naka checking at Tarbal Chowk, Srinagar. "A motorcycle was intercepted, leading to the arrest of three drug peddlers -- Aijaz Ahmad Ganie (Athwajan Pantha Chowk), Owais Ahmad Gojri (Brari Pora), and Mir Roman (Ali Masjid Eidgah)," said the official. Police seized 140 bottles of Codeine Phosphate, Rs 38,530 in suspected drug proceeds, three mobile phones and a drone camera allegedly used to monitor drug buyers. The backward linkage that emerged during the investigation of this case led police to the aforementioned two drug dealers from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. "Srinagar Police remains committed to dismantling drug networks and ensuring the safety of society and would go the last mile to bring to justice everyone involved in peddling drugs, be he or she located in any part of the world. Investigations are ongoing, with more arrests and seizures expected in the coming days,", the police statement said. New Delhi, Jan 28 : A press conference by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accusing the BJP-led Haryana government of "deliberate and indiscriminate" release of untreated water in the Yamuna River, with an intent to derail Delhi's water supply has triggered a flurry of reactions including demonstrations, protest and defamation threats over the 'Yamuna poisoning' charge. The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP on Tuesday doubled down on its claims on release of toxic water into the Yamuna River by the Haryana government. CM Atishi reiterated the charge and informed that her government will take up the matter with the Election Commission today and complain about the BJP's brazen bid to "influence" the elections with contaminated water supply to the national Capital. As the startling allegations by the Delhi CM created a political furore, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini responded with a defamation threat for baseless charge. The Haryana CM, speaking to the press said, "Arvind Kejriwal must apologise for baseless allegations or else be prepared for a defamation case." The raging row over the 'poisoning' of the Yamuna River with the industrial waste from Haryana emanated after Delhi CM Atishi claimed that alarming levels of ammonia in water supply from the Wazirabad barrage had brought three water treatment plants of Delhi "near closure" and deeply impacted its functioning. Meanwhile, the AAP supremo addressed a press conference on Tuesday morning, informing that Delhi CM Atishi and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann will meet the Election Commission later in the day to raise the matter before the poll panel. Responding to the Haryana CM's defamation warning, Kejriwal said, "You have already put me behind bars. Do you want to hang me? I won't allow dirty water to Delhiites. Haryana must stop releasing poisoned water." Meanwhile, several Haryana ministers have dismissed Kejriwal's charges as 'unfounded and unsubstantiated', terming it a political gimmick ahead of Delhi Assembly elections. Anil Vij, a tall BJP leader and transport minister in the Haryana government accused Kejriwal and the Delhi dispensation of stoking needless controversy with baseless claims. "The AAP government has been in power in Delhi for the past ten years. They failed to clean river Yamuna but go on freely blaming others for their own shortcomings," he claimed. He also asked the AAP government to do a reality check on Delhi's water and conduct a lab test, adding that it will reveal the whole truth. Ranbir Gangwa, another Haryana Cabinet minister blasted the Delhi government saying, "Kejriwal and his aides are shifting blame on others to hide their own failures." Denouncing the AAP's charges, he told the press, "We have always fulfilled Delhi's demand for water. We always met their demands for water." Krishan Lal Middha, Haryana Assembly Speaker also objected to the poisoning charges and said that the AAP was resorting to such tactics because of its anxiety and nervousness ahead of Delhi polls. "The AAP is fearing a rout in the upcoming elections. It doesn't know how to convince the electorate about its good works. They have misguided the people earlier also. This is another attempt to mislead the people and to win their support," he said. The political blame game over supply of toxic water to Delhi got a fresh twist, with the Congress, too, wading into the controversy. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said that he was surprised that Haryana police was not initiating any action against AAP leaders for such 'blatant lies'. Patna, Jan 28 : A woman, identified as Dukhani Devi, was shot dead after she confronted robbers in her house in Muzaffarpur early Tuesday morning, the police said. The incident took place in the Dargah locality under the Katra police station in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar. According to the police, Devi and her husband were asleep when they were awakened by a noise inside their house. They saw some men enter their house. Upon confronting the intruders, the men warned the couple to remain silent. However, when Devi raised an alarm, a confrontation ensued, during which the robbers shot her, leaving injuries. Her cries for help alerted nearby residents, and a large crowd quickly gathered at the scene. Sensing trouble, the robbers attempted to flee. The villagers managed to apprehend two of the intruders before they could flee. The police were informed, and the suspects were handed over to authorities. After the incident, the villagers informed the local police about the incident. The local authorities are investigating the incident and working to identify and apprehend other culprits. Abhishek Kumar, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Katra police station, confirmed the incident. "As soon as we received information about the incident, we went to the spot and rescued the victim, taking her to a nearby hospital for treatment. The victim succumbed due to her gunshot injury and excessive blood loss. Two suspects, who were captured by the villagers, have been arrested and are also undergoing treatment at the hospital," Kumar stated. "We have registered an FIR against two known criminals and some unknown criminals under relevant sections of murder and robbery in Katra police station area. We are making efforts to arrest the remaining accused. We are waiting for the recovery of injured criminals. We will interrogate them to locate the hideouts of their gang members," Kumar said. The police are continuing their investigation into the case. New Delhi, Jan 28 : India on Tuesday summoned the Sri Lankan envoy in New Delhi to lodge a strong protest over an incident of firing by the Sri Lankan Navy during the apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen in the proximity of Delft Island, earlier in the day. Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Priyanga Wickramasinghe, was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), while the Indian High Commission in Colombo also raised the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sri Lankan government. "Out of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two have sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. Three other fishermen received minor injuries and have been treated for the same. Indian Consulate Officials in Jaffna have visited the injured fishermen at the hospital to seek their welfare and are extending all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families," read an MEA statement. The detained fishermen, hailing from Rameswaram and Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu, were taken to Jaffna, where they are expected to face judicial proceedings. Their mechanised fishing boat was also seized. The total number of Tamil Nadu fishermen detained by Sri Lankan authorities in the last three days now stands at 47, with three high-value mechanised boats also confiscated. The recurring arrests underscore the challenges faced by Tamil Naduas fishing community, particularly in the Palk Bay region, where fishermen frequently face detentions while pursuing their livelihoods. "Government of India has always emphasised the need to treat issues pertaining to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner, keeping in mind livelihood concerns. The use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances whatsoever. Existing understandings between the two Governments in this regard must be strictly observed," the MEA statement added. India had raised the issue during Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake's visit to India, last month. However, despite these discussions, the arrests continue, prompting frustration and fear among fishermen. Since June 2024, the Sri Lankan Navy has detained 425 Tamil Nadu fishermen and also seized 58 fishing boats. The frequent arrests have sparked protests and demands for a long-term resolution to protect the livelihood of fishing communities. Former Union Minister and PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss has called on the government to take strong measures to safeguard the interests of the fishermen and prevent further detentions. The situation emphasises the need for a coordinated diplomatic effort between India and Sri Lanka to resolve maritime boundary disputes and ensure that fishermen can continue their traditional livelihood without fear or uncertainty. Agartala, Jan 28 : The main opposition party in Tripura, CPI(M) as part of its three-day 24th state conference will hold a mega public gathering here on Wednesday even as the BJP government has not allotted any venue for the meeting. CPI(M) politburo member and former Chief Minister (1998-2018) Manik Sarkar and party's state Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury separately said that at any cost the mass public meeting would be held here. "We have alternatively sought permission from the police to allot any of the three venues to hold the public gathering but the police have yet to give permission for any of the locations. They are giving one after another excuse for not allotting the venue," said Chaudhury, who is also the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state. Chaudhury said the party had applied a month ago for permission to hold a public meeting on January 29 at Swami Vivekananda Maidan Stadium in Agartala. He said, "The state government denied the request, citing a pre-scheduled Self-Help Group (SHG) fair at the same venue and then we sought permission for another two venues but that too was also rejected." The LoP alleged that the denial was politically motivated, suggesting that the government fears a large turnout of citizens dissatisfied with its performance. He claimed that the SHG fair was scheduled deliberately to coincide with the CPI(M)'s event, asserting that the fair could have been rescheduled or could be organised at any other venue to accommodate the party rally. The CPI(M) leader also said that when he approached Chief Minister Manik Saha to request an alternative venue, Umakanth school ground, the Chief Minister initially promised to look into the request but formal permission from the police was yet to be given. Chaudhury, who is also the CPI(M) central committee member and former minister, claimed that the "BJP-backed goons" destroyed the flags, festoons, banners, and decorative gates put up in connection with the three-day state conference. Party politburo members Prakash Karat, Manik Sarkar, Chaudhury and other senior leaders will address the public rally here on Wednesday. Former Chief Minister Sarkar criticised the BJP-led government, accusing it of failing to deliver on the promises made to the people before coming to power in 2018. Both Sarkar and Chaudhury strongly criticised the "undemocratic mentality of the BJP government". A CPI(M) leader said that ahead of the 24th congress of the CPI(M), conferences of all state committees across the country have to be completed, and before the state conference, the process of formation of branch, local, divisional and district committees have to be done. The CPI (M)'s 24th congress will be held from April 2 to 6, 2025 in Madurai. According to the leader, the three-day 24th state conference would be held from January 29 to 31 in Agartala. After the BJP came to power in 2018, the 24th CPI(M) state conference is the second such meeting in Tripura. The party leader said that in the state conference, the Left party would finalise the roadmap of the party's future strategies and programmes to highlight the "misgovernance of the ruling BJP and various basic issues of the people". The CPI(M)-led Left Front was in power in Tripura for 35 years in two phases -- 1978 to 1988 and 1993 to 2018. The Left parties suffered a humiliating defeat in the 2018 and 2023 Assembly elections and the BJP-Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) coalition came into power. Rome, Jan 28 : Italy has restarted its contentious program of sending asylum seekers picked up in the Mediterranean to Albania, months after judges in Rome ruled against the transfers. On Sunday, an Italian Navy vessel transported 49 male asylum seekers to Albania. The program involving Albania is part of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's strategy to curb the number of migrants coming to Italy, reports Xinhua news agency. The plan is controversial as Albania is outside the European Union, meaning the refugees are not protected under EU asylum rules. Domestic critics in Italy said the program is costly and ineffective, considering its projected expense of 800 million euros (around 840 million US dollars) will address only a tiny fraction of the migrant influx to Italy each year. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 66,000 asylum seekers landed on Italian shores in 2024, down dramatically from nearly 158,000 in the previous year. In October last year, Italy began transferring migrants to two controversial new facilities in Albania, which are located in the Albanian towns of Shengjin and Gjiade. The migrants will undergo identification procedures and remain at the centres until the Italian authorities can process their asylum requests. In early November 2023, the Italian government signed a five-year deal with Albania to create the two centres. The facilities will accommodate migrants who have been rescued within Italy's search and rescue area in the Mediterranean by the Italian navy and coast guard and who intend to seek asylum in Italy. Transfers to the centres will involve migrants from countries of origin that Italy considers safe, but not minors, women, elderly or otherwise vulnerable people, according to the Italian authorities. However, the project has caused controversy at the domestic and European level. The centres have been criticised by centre-left and left-wing political forces and human rights groups, who are concerned that asylum seekers' rights will not be sufficiently protected in Albania. On the other hand, the rightwing political forces in Italy and Europe view the project as a possible model for managing irregular immigration. The project will be managed by the Italian Interior Ministry, and the centres will be run by Italian staff. Meanwhile, Albania will provide security on the perimeter. The number of migrants hosted in Albania will not be allowed to exceed 3,000. New Delhi, Jan 28 : India Inc. is optimistic about the growth prospects of the economy and wants the Union government's thrust on capital expenditure (Capex) to continue in the Union Budget 2025-26, according to a survey released by apex business chamber FICCI on Tuesday. According to the survey results, about 64 per cent participants expressed optimism regarding India's growth prospects ahead of the Union Budget. Nearly 60 per cent of participants projected a GDP growth rate between 6.5 and 6.9 per cent for 2025-26. Though the numbers mark a moderation from the high growth of over 8.0 per cent witnessed in 2023-24 it is in sync with persistent headwinds on account of external factors. Majority of respondents highlighted the need for sustaining public Capex, with 68 per cent calling for a thrust on Capex to sustain the growth momentum. At least a 15 per cent increase in Capex allocation for FY 2025-26 is being looked forward to by members of the Indian industry. Additionally, over half of the respondents emphasised the importance of reforms to further enhance the Ease of Doing Business. Reforms pertaining to factors of production particularly with respect to areas like land acquisition, labour regulations, and power supply remain important. As last year's Union Budget had indicated a road map on the next generation reforms, the industry members look forward to further guidance on the same, the survey states. "The government's commitment to fiscal consolidation has put us in good stead and the survey participants expected the government to remain on that course," the survey states. About 47 per cent of the participants expect the government to meet the fiscal deficit target of 4.9 per cent for FY 2024-25 and another 24 per cent reported that the government could improve and report a lower fiscal deficit number for the current year. Further, concern was expressed regarding the muted demand situation. A significant number of industry members have called for a review of the direct tax structure. A relook at the slabs and the tax rates is warranted as this could leave more money in the hands of people and spur consumption demand in the economy. Respondents also called for a strong policy push on simplifying the tax regime, incentivising the development of green technologies/renewables and EVs, and easing compliances through digitisation. On the taxation front, providing tax certainty, addressing custom duty inversion, and rationalisation of TDS provisions were highlighted as important themes by the participants. The participants also showed support for an amnesty scheme under customs, with 54 per cent favouring its introduction to enable swift resolution of disputes. The sectoral focus for the upcoming Union Budget was clear, with participants identifying infrastructure, manufacturing (particularly Industry 4.0), and agriculture/rural development as critical areas for policy attention. Nearly 40 per cent of the respondents stressed the continued need to support MSMEs, given the pivotal role of the sector in driving employment creation. Targeted measures for MSMEs ensuring streamlined credit access, and support for adoption of new technology and sustainability measures were called for. Export competitiveness also emerged as a priority, with respondents emphasising further improvement in the efficiency of logistics and continuation of interest equalisation schemes to enhance India's global trade position. The current round of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) pre-Budget 2025-26 Survey was conducted between late December 2024 and mid-January 2025. The survey drew responses from over 150 companies spanning across diverse sectors, offering a comprehensive insight into India Inc's sentiments amid moderating economic growth. New Delhi, Jan 28 : The rate of ocean warming has more than quadrupled over the past four decades, according to a new study on Tuesday, explaining why 2023 and early 2024 saw unprecedentedly high sea temperatures. The study, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, showed that ocean temperatures were rising at about 0.06 degrees Celsius per decade in the late 1980s. However, they are currently increasing at 0.27 degrees Celsius per decade. "If the oceans were a bathtub of water, then in the 1980s, the hot tap was running slowly, warming up the water by just a fraction of a degree each decade. But now the hot tap is running much faster, and the warming has picked up speed," said lead author Professor Chris Merchant, at the University of Reading, UK. Merchant said that cutting global carbon emissions and moving towards net zero is the only way to slow down warming. In 2023 and early 2024, global ocean temperatures hit record highs for straight 450 days. Besides El Nino, a natural warming event in the Pacific, the team found that the sea surface warming went up faster in the past 10 years than in earlier decades. The study noted that about 44 per cent of the record warmth was attributable to the oceans absorbing heat at an accelerating rate. The findings show that the overall rate of global ocean warming observed over recent decades is not an accurate guide to what happens next: it is plausible that the ocean temperature increase seen over the past 40 years will be exceeded in just the next 20 years. Because the surface oceans set the pace for global warming, this matters for the climate as a whole, the team explained. This accelerating warming underscores the urgency of reducing fossil fuel burning to prevent even more rapid temperature increases in the future and to begin to stabilise the climate. Warming ocean temperatures can increase the spread of diseases in marine species. This in turn can affect humans, when consuming marine species, or from infections of wounds exposed in marine environments. Harare, Jan 28 : Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa condemned armed groups operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for recent attacks on peacekeeping missions. In a statement on Monday, Mnangagwa, also chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), condemned the attacks on UN and SADC peacekeepers, resulting in several deaths and injuries, and extended condolences to the bereaved families. In November 2024, the SADC extended the mandate of its peacekeeping mission in the DRC by one year amid continued hostilities in the country's eastern region. Mnangagwa said the SADC will take action to deal with the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the eastern DRC, adding that "those responsible for the situation will be held accountable." Over 400,000 people have been displaced since the start of 2025 in eastern DRC, where fighting between the Congolese army and armed groups has intensified, Xinhua news agency reported. Tensions remained high in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as the March 23 Movement (M23) rebellion advanced in the country's North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. President of the DRC Felix Tshisekedi is expected to address the nation amid the humanitarian crisis and major advances by the rebellion in the eastern part of the country, a DRC official said late Monday. However, he did not specify the exact time of the president's national address. Vital Kamerhe, president of the National Assembly, the country's lower house of parliament, announced after a high-level meeting chaired by Tshisekedi on the humanitarian and security situation in Goma, the capital of the North Kivu province, which is currently facing attacks by the rebels. Since Sunday evening, gunfire has been heard across Goma, a city with over 700,000 internally displaced people living on its outskirts. On Monday morning, fighting intensified in various parts of the city, including areas near the border with Rwanda, local sources told Xinhua. "Active combat zones have spread to all neighbourhoods of the city," Bruno Lemarquis, the deputy UN envoy and top UN humanitarian official in the DRC, told a news conference on Monday. The situation in Goma remains "fast-evolving," he added. Other local sources said the rebels gained the upper hand after capturing Mount Goma, a strategic hill 1,500 meters above sea level in the city's centre. Several M23 columns entered neighbourhoods in the city, and residents saw their movement along both major and minor roads. According to UN sources, the border between Rwanda and the DRC near Goma was closed Monday morning. For several days, a significant number of Goma residents crossed the border to seek refuge in Gisenyi, a Rwandan town bordering the DRC, where panic has been mounting amid reports of gunfire. In its latest statement released early Monday, M23 announced that the "liberation of the city has been completed" and that "the situation is under control" following a 48-hour ultimatum given to Congolese soldiers. According to sources in the UN peacekeeping mission, the rebel group has taken over several important facilities, including the airport, the port, and a DRC military base. The latest report from a UN group of experts said the rebels have also seized several towns and established a parallel administration. Sydney, Jan 28 : Three teenagers have been arrested after a motorcyclist was killed in a crash involving a stolen vehicle that was being chased by police north of Sydney. Police in the state of New South Wales (NSW) said that officers initiated a pursuit of the vehicle, which had been reported stolen, at about 7:15 a.m. local time on Tuesday near the small town of Gunnedah, more than 300 km north of Sydney. During the pursuit, the vehicle collided with a motorcycle, critically injuring the rider, reports Xinhua news agency. The male motorcyclist was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics but could not be revived and was declared dead at the scene. Three 14-year-old occupants of the stolen vehicle were arrested and taken to a nearby police station. NSW Police said a critical incident investigation has commenced, and it will also be subject to an independent review. Meanwhile, concerns remain as, according to government data, Australia's road death toll has hit a 12-year-high. According to a new report from the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) on Tuesday, there were 1,300 deaths on Australian roads in 2024. It marks an increase from 1,258 deaths in 2023 and the highest figure since 2012 when there were also 1,300 deaths. The 12-year high comes after Australia's federal, state and territory governments in 2021 launched a 10-year national strategy to reduce the number of road deaths by half and the number of serious injuries by 30 per cent. The National Road Safety Strategy set a target of gradually reducing road deaths from the 2018-20 annual average of 1,142 to fewer than 571 by 2030. The BITRE report said the 2024 death toll was 127.7 per cent higher than the 2030 target. Responding to the report, peak motoring body the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) said the national strategy is "wildly off-track." "It is clear current road safety approaches are inadequate and that more action is required to save lives," AAA Managing Director Michael Bradley said in a statement. Out of Australia's eight states and territories, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania reported fewer road deaths in 2024 than in 2023. In New South Wales - the country's most populous state - the death toll was unchanged at 340 in both years, while Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory reported 79 more deaths combined in 2024 than in 2023. November was the most dangerous month on Australian roads in 2024, with 131 deaths. New Delhi, Jan 28 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted custody parole to the 2020 Delhi riots accused Tahir Hussain to campaign ahead of the February 5 Assembly polls in the national capital. Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has fielded Hussain as a candidate from the Mustafabad constituency. A bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath ordered that Tahir Hussain walk out of jail for 12 hours every day under police custody from January 29 to February 3. The Bench, also comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and Sandeep Mehta, recorded the undertaking given on Tahir Hussain's behalf that he may deposit the expenses incurred towards his security arrangements. The expenses for the first two days of police custody need to be paid by 6 p.m. Tuesday, said the apex court. Further, it restrained Tahir Hussain from making any public comments regarding the merits of the cases pending against him. Justice Nath-led bench clarified that its order granting custody parole will have no bearing on the merits of the bail application pending adjudication before the Delhi High Court in connection with Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma's murder case. Earlier in the day, the top court asked the Delhi Police to apprise it of the security measures that would be needed if Tahir Hussain is allowed to campaign under custody parole. It told Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, to give an estimate of how much security personnel would be required if Tahir Hussain is given custody parole and the expenses it would entail. Senior advocate Siddharth Agarwal, appearing on Tahir Hussain's behalf, stated that he was restricting his prayer to grant custody parole in view of the limited time of 3-4 days left for campaigning. Agarwal said that Tahir Hussain is willing to stay away from his residence and will stay in a hotel room and provide details. Opposing this, ASG Raju said that granting relief to Tahir Hussain would set a "wrong precedent" as every prisoner would then file a nomination to contest elections to walk out of jail. After the Justice Nath-led Bench sought to know the details of security arrangements and costs if Tahir Hussain is granted custody parole, the law officer sought an adjournment to seek instructions. Last week, a 2-judge Bench of the top court delivered a split verdict on Tahir Hussain's petition. While Justice Pankaj Mithal dismissed his plea, Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah was inclined to order Tahir Hussain's release on interim bail in view of his incarceration of over four years on the charge of being an instigator during the 2020 riots in the national capital. Resultantly, the 2-judge Bench ordered the file to be placed before the Chief Justice of India, who is the master of the roster, for referring the matter to another bench. Earlier, the Delhi High Court had 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. Following the order of the Delhi High Court, Hussain, while out on custody parole, did not have any access to the phone or Internet, did not interact with any person except the officials concerned in the nomination process, and also could not address the media. On January 14, the Justice Neena Bansal Krishna-led Bench reserved its decision after hearing the arguments raised by senior advocate Rebecca John, representing the former Councillor, and Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, who appeared on behalf of Delhi Police. Opposing Hussain's interim bail plea, ASG Sharma said 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. New Delhi, Jan 28 : ISRO is ready to make its 100th launch of the GSLV rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on January 29. GSLV F15 will lift off from the second launch pad at 6:23 am on January 29, carrying the NVS-02 navigation satellite. This will be the 100th launch to lift off from Sriharikota. The Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) was the first big rocket to liftoff from Sriharikota on August 10, 1979. "Standing tall and ready for the skies! Here's the mighty GSLV-F15 all set to launch the NVS-02 satellite," ISRO shared in a post on social media platform X. GSLV-F15 is the 17th flight of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and the 11th flight with an indigenous cryo stage. "It is the 8th operational flight of GSLV with an indigenous Cryogenic stage and 100th Launch from India's Spaceport Sriharikota," the space agency said. GSLV-F15 payload fairing is a metallic version with a diameter of 3.4 meters and it will place NVS-02 satellite in a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. The NVS-02 is part of the second-generation satellites for the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system -- India's own navigation system. The navigation satellite system is designed to provide accurate Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) service to users in India as well as to regions extending about 1500 km beyond Indian land mass. The new NVS-02 satellite comes with new features such as supporting the L1 frequency band, which will improve its services and reliability. "The NVS-02 satellite is the second generation of NavIC satellites, featuring a standard I-2K bus platform. It will have a lift-off mass of 2,250 kg, power handling capability of around 3 kW, navigation payload in L1, L5, and S bands, ranging payload in C-band and will be positioned at 111.75 degrees E, replacing IRNSS-1E," ISRO said. NavIC will provide two types of services, namely, Standard Positioning Service (SPS) and Restricted Service (RS). NavIC's SPS provides a position accuracy of better than 20 meters and a timing accuracy of better than 40 nanoseconds over the service area. Bengaluru, Jan 28 : The Karnataka BJP has strongly condemned statements made by AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge criticising Union Minister Amit Shah's participation in the Kumbh Mela and his holy dip at the Triveni Sangam. The BJP questioned, "Why so much hatred and disregard for Hinduism, Indian culture, and traditions by the Congress party?" R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, emphasised the significance of the Kumbh Mela, which he described as a sacred ritual observed by millions of Hindus. "The Maha Kumbh Mela, held after 144 years, is a deeply revered tradition where taking a dip at the Triveni Sangam is believed to cleanse one of the sins and bring blessings," he stated. Ashoka criticised Kharge, saying, "Why insult the faith of millions of Hindus just to display blind allegiance to a family that has repeatedly shown disregard for Indian values and Sanatan Dharma? Would Congress dare make such comments about the Haj pilgrimage or Ramadan fasting?" He further said that the Constitution, authored by Dr B.R. Ambedkar, guarantees the right to religious freedom and practice. "Questioning a sacred ritual like the holy dip in the Ganga is not just an insult to Hinduism but also a violation of constitutional values," Ashoka added. Expressing similar sentiments, BJP MLC N. Ravikumar condemned Kharge's comments. "Does going to Mecca or Medina end poverty or guarantee heaven? It is inappropriate to make such disrespectful remarks about Hinduism. Kharge must immediately apologize and resign as AICC President," Ravikumar demanded. Keshav Prasad, a BJP Legislative Council member, emphasized the global recognition of the Maha Kumbh Mela. "Devotees of Sanatan Dharma from across the world have gathered for this sacred event. Union Home Minister Amit Shah took the holy dip, and leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend," he noted. Criticising Congress' alleged bias, Prasad said, "It's clear from Kharge's statement how Congress views the majority Hindu religion. Have they ever questioned Haj pilgrimages or Iftar parties? Despite decades in power, Congress has failed to eradicate poverty, but under BJP's leadership, poverty levels have reduced, and infrastructure like toilets, roads, and gas connections have been provided." Asserting the BJP's commitment to development and religious tolerance, Prasad remarked, "We are proud of our efforts to respect and uphold the religious beliefs of all communities. Kharge's extreme comments are a reflection of Congress' divisive mentality." Barcelona, Jan 28 : Barcelona FC defender Andreas Christensen will be out of action for around three weeks after suffering an injury to his right calf during Monday's training session, the La Liga club announced on Tuesday. Last week, Christensen was medically cleared to return after missing over five months with persistent Achilles issues that have plagued him for the better part of two years. The Danish international has made just one appearance this season, in the opening game of the league season against Valencia in Mestalla. Following that game, Christensen was diagnosed with an Achilles problem that kept him out for several months. The centre-back has made a total of 75 appearances for Barca, scoring four goals. In their first league game of 2025 at the Estadi Lluis Companys on Monday Barca put seven goals past Valencia after coming from a despairing run of three consecutive defeats at home. In the Champions League, Barcelona are through to the last 16 after beating Benfica 4-5 with a comeback that seemed impossible with the team losing 4-2 after 77 minutes on Wednesday. Hansi Flick's side picked up the three points they needed to qualify for the next phase of the competition and avoid the playoffs. In their final Champions League game of the group stage, they will play against Atalanta on Thursday (IST). Bengaluru, Jan 28 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Tuesday that he is confident of getting justice by the judiciary in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. CM Siddaramaiah is the accused number one and his wife B.M. Parvathi is named as the second accused in the case. The Dharwad bench of Karnataka High Court has reserved the matter for judgment in the petition seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the MUDA case. Answering a query on whether he has any concerns over the development, Siddaramaiah said, "Why should I be concerned? How will I know what will be the verdict by the judge? Why should I be worried? I have faith that I will get justice." Asked about the stay on the notice issued to his wife Parvathi by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Chief Minister said, "The court has stayed the notice issued by the ED. The judge has questioned the ED on what is the hurry in this regard. The court had further observed that the investigation is ongoing and the matter is being reserved for judgment on whether to hand over the case to the CBI. The court had said that the hurry in this regard at this stage is inappropriate." Answering a query on whether the issue of notice by the ED is politically motivated, he said, "Is it not? The entire MUDA case itself is politically motivated." The Dharwad bench of Karnataka High Court, headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, on Monday stayed the summons issued by the ED to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's wife, B.M. Parvathi, and State Urban Development Minister, Byrathi Suresh, in connection with the MUDA land scam. The bench questioned the urgency of the ED's actions, asking, "What is the tearing hurry?" while passing the order. Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi, who has been named as the second accused in the case, was asked to appear before the ED on Tuesday (January 28). Minister Byrathi Suresh, a close confidant of the CM, was scheduled to appear before ED officers on Monday. Both Parvathi and Suresh had separately approached the court, seeking relief and requesting a stay on the ED summons. The High Court granted a stay on the ED's summons until February 10, pending the next hearing in the case. The Dharwad bench of the Karnataka High Court, headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, had reserved its judgment on Monday regarding the petition seeking an investigation by the CBI into the MUDA scam. This decision followed the conclusion of arguments and counterarguments in the case. It has been alleged that Siddaramaiah used his political influence to secure compensation for 14 sites in the name of his wife in exchange for 3 acres and 16 guntas of land acquired by the MUDA. The petitioner, Snehamayi Krishna, objected to the ongoing probe by the Karnataka Lokayukta and sought a CBI investigation into the scam. While reserving the matter for judgment, the bench also directed the Karnataka Lokayukta to continue its investigation into the MUDA scam and to submit its further report on the day of the judgment. Bhopal, Jan 28 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav met delegates in Tokyo on Tuesday and discussed investment opportunities in his state. Chief Minister Yadav said that business relations between Madhya Pradesh and Japan are growing stronger. In 2023-24, Madhya Pradesh exported goods worth $92.8 million to Japan, which included items like aluminium, pharmaceuticals and machinery. Addressing the inaugural session, Chief Minister Yadav praised Japan for its resilience and emerging from the devastating earthquakes and natural disasters. "Japan has been associated with the tradition of Gautam Buddha for thousands of years and we come from the land of Buddha, which always has a special relationship with Japan since past times," CM Yadav said. Meanwhile, he expressed gratitude to India's Ambassador to Japan, Sibi George, who has played a big role in connecting people from all types of business houses associated with the industry. "Especially with regard to Japan, the goods exported from Madhya Pradesh, include products made of aluminium, organic chemicals, nuclear reactors, boiler, machinery, Mechanical Equipment and Pharmaceutical Products," CM Yadav said. Highlighting the growth of Madhya Pradesh, the Chief Minister said the state's economy has grown threefold in nearly a decade, which will be doubled in the next five years. Chief Minister mentioned that the Madhya Pradesh government has changed policies to attract investors. He noted that special policies introduced by the Madhya Pradesh government have attracted big investors in large sectors, especially in garment, logistics, food processing, ethanol, IT, pharma, and medical devices. Chief Minister further said, "Madhya Pradesh government is organising the Global Investors Summit under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 24-25 and I have come here to invite the invite investors." Addressing an interactive session, the Chief Minister also said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India has emerged as one of the leading countries and moving towards the strength of a new economic future in front of the world. Chief Minister Yadav left for Japan from New Delhi on Monday evening and was scheduled to return on February 1. Chennai, Jan 28 : Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) Chief Coordinator and actor-turned-politician, Seeman, launched a scathing attack on the ruling DMK government during a campaign event for the Erode East bypolls. Speaking at a public gathering in support of NTK candidate K. Seethalakshmi, Seeman criticised the DMK for neglecting basic needs like food and water, warning that such negligence could lead to revolutions akin to those in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Seeman accused the DMK of prioritising giveaways, such as mobile phones and cars, over addressing fundamental issues like hunger. He alleged that the DMK has betrayed Tamils, pointing out that the party, led by M. Karunanidhi, remained passive during the Sri Lankan civil war. Highlighting unfulfilled promises in the DMK's election manifesto, Seeman pointed to issues like property tax and electricity tariff hikes, which were not addressed. He also criticised the government for relying heavily on liquor sales for revenue, claiming they lacked alternative income-generation plans. Seeman assured voters that NTK is the only party capable of addressing the grievances of Tamil Nadu's people, promising to create better employment opportunities. He vowed to abolish the Parandur airport project if NTK comes to power. He urged voters to treat NTK's victory in Erode East as a victory for the Tamil national race, emphasising the importance of the by-election in ushering in a "political revolution". The NTK has been conducting aggressive door-to-door campaigns since January 21, following the allocation of the 'Mike' symbol by the Tamil Nadu Electoral Commission. NTK candidate K. Seethalakshmi expressed confidence in the party's chances, stating that the symbol has already gained public recognition, aiding their campaign efforts for the Erode East bypolls. The bypolls was necessitated after the demise of Congress MLA EVKS Elangovan, who had won the seat in a 2023 by-election following the death of his son, Thirumahan Everaa. In 2023, Elangovan defeated AIADMK's K.S. Thenarassu by a margin of 66,233 votes. This time, the AIADMK and BJP have opted out of the contest, leaving the DMK and NTK as the main contenders among 46 candidates. The DMK has fielded V.C. Chandhirakumar, its propaganda committee state joint secretary, as its candidate. DMK Youth Wing leader and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin is leading the campaign efforts for the ruling party. In the 2023 by-elections, NTK's candidate, Menaka Navaneethan, secured 10,827 votes. Despite facing no strong opposition from AIADMK or BJP, the DMK is leaving no stone unturned to secure a decisive victory. The Erode East by-election is scheduled for February 5, with votes set to be counted on February 8. Jaipur, Jan 28 : Rajasthan School Education Minister Madan Dilawar on Tuesday urged the people to participate in the 'Surya Namaskar' programme on the occasion of Surya Saptami on February 3 and is once again gearing up to set a new world record for the event this year. The event will be conducted across all government and private schools simultaneously in the state at 10:15 a.m. on February 3. This year's goal is to surpass the previous record of 1.33 crore students from 78,974 schools performing the 'Surya Namaskar'. Minister Dilawar has instructed district and block-level education officers during a meeting at Shiksha Sankul to ensure the event's success. The Minister emphasised the cultural and health significance of 'Surya Namaskar', stating, "'Surya Namaskar' is an integral part of Indian tradition. Practising it daily not only promotes physical health but also enhances mental well-being. I appeal to the general public to actively participate in creating another world record this year." The 20-minute event will involve students, teachers, dignitaries, and members of the School Management Committee/School Development Management Committee), along with the general public. Photography and videography of the event will be conducted, and detailed reports will be uploaded to the Shala Darpan and Private School Portals by 2 p.m on the same day. To ensure the smooth execution of the event, practice sessions for 'Surya Namaskar' will be organised in all schools prior to the event. Participation is mandatory for students from classes 1 to 5, while children who are unwell or have undergone recent surgery are exempted from participating in the event. Krida Bharti Sanstha will collaborate with educational institutions to ensure the success of 'Surya Namaskar'. Experts from the organisation will visit schools to demonstrate the correct methods for performing 'Surya Namaskar' and other yoga activities such as Namaskarasana and Hastottanasana. These sessions will be incorporated into the daily prayer assemblies and culminate in a synchronised performance of the 10 yoga poses on Surya Saptami. Additionally, other yoga experts and NGOs will provide their support to the schools. Minister Dilawar himself will participate in the event, highlighting its importance. The planning meeting included prominent officials such as Director of Secondary Education Ashish Modi, Director of Primary Education Sitaram Jat, Commissioner of Sanskrit Education Priyanka Jodhawat, Medh Singh of Krida Bharti, and other dignitaries. The initiative aims to promote health, tradition, and unity while setting a new benchmark for mass participation in yoga. Seoul, Jan 28 : Indicted over charges of leading an insurrection in December, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his decision to declare martial law in a meeting with his legal representatives on Tuesday. Seok Dong-hyeon, one of Yoon's lawyers, told reporters that Yoon wondered aloud how his decision to impose martial law on December 3 could be considered an act of insurrection when "everything was done within the boundaries of the Constitution." Seok and other lawyers met with Yoon at the Seoul Detention Centre on Tuesday, two days after Yoon became the first sitting South Korean president to be indicted under detention. Yoon is accused of conspiring with former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others to incite an insurrection on December 3 by declaring an unconstitutional and illegal state of emergency, despite the absence of any signs of war, armed conflict or a comparable national crisis. Yoon is also alleged to have sent military troops to the National Assembly in order to keep lawmakers from voting down the martial law declaration and to have planned to arrest key political figures. According to Seok, Yoon said he exercised his constitutional rights to declare martial law to inform the people of the crisis that the nation was facing, with the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) having taken over parliament. Yoon also noted that he immediately lifted the martial law once the National Assembly voted down his declaration. Yoon told his lawyers that his action could not constitute an act of insurrection because there had not been any bloodshed or casualties, nor had there been any arrest of politicians, Yonhap news agency reported. Seok said Yoon claimed that he had never intended to maintain martial law for an extended stretch of time because he had not prepared any manual on how to run the administrative and judicial branches in such a state, and because he had fully expected the National Assembly to promptly vote it down. "He didn't say anything particular about spending the Lunar New Year holiday inside the detention center or about the situation he is in as the sitting president," Seok said. "But I could tell from his looks that a lot of things were going through his mind." Seok added Yoon voiced his concerns about the future of South Korea. "He said he was worried about many people struggling to make ends meet in these cold conditions," Seok relayed. "He was also concerned that young people who should be dreaming big dreams may grow frustrated and disenchanted with reality." Seok noted that first lady Kim Keon Hee has been experiencing health problems of late. Yoon, who hasn't seen his wife since being detained on Jan. 15, was worried about Kim's condition, Seok said. The DP fired shots at Yoon for worrying about the state of the nation when he himself had caused problems. "He incited an insurrection and shook our constitutional order at its core. He has also destroyed our economy," Cho Seung-rae, the DP's senior spokesperson, said. "And he has the temerity to say he's worried about the future of the country. This is quite chilling. "How could someone so concerned about the country deploy military forces to start an insurrection and incite his supporters?" Cho continued. "He has still not yet admitted to his wrongdoing in the face of legal judgment. There seems to be no end to his shamelessness." On Kim's apparent health issues, Cho said Yoon "should forget about trying to make people feel sympathetic." "People will only remember Kim and Yoon as a couple tainted with all sorts of corruption allegations," the spokesperson said. "If Yoon is worried about the country at all, he should stop trying to pull tricks to delay the legal process." New Delhi, Jan 28 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs from Haryana on Tuesday hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi and ruling party leader Arvind Kejriwal for baselessly accusing their state of poisoning the Yamuna and demanded an apology from the former Delhi Chief Minister. Presenting detailed information about the quality of Yamuna water being released by Haryana, Bhiwani-Mahendragarh MP Dharambir Singh said that for the past few days, Kejriwal has been making misleading statements, accusing their state of unleashing 'water terrorism'. Rajya Sabha MP Ram Chander Jangra said, "If any poisonous substance is found in the Yamuna water, Kejriwal should be immediately arrested for conspiring criminally. And if no poisonous element is found in the Yamuna up to the Haryana border, he should be arrested for spreading rumours." Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma said, "As soon as Kejriwal realised that his government in Delhi would not survive after 10 years of lies, he falsely accused the Haryana government." She said the Delhi Jal Board has also clearly said that after Wazirabad, untreated sewage water from Delhi and industrial wastewater flows into the Yamuna. Rajya Sabha MP Kiran Choudhry said, "Out of the 37 treatment plants in Delhi, only 17 are functional, and this is the result of the Kejriwal government's failure. If all the treatment plants were operational, the condition of Delhi's water would not be so bad." Choudhry added it is surprising to hear that Kejriwal is claiming that 'water terrorism' is being unleashed by Haryana. "It is very unfortunate that a person who has been the CM speaks so irresponsibly," she said. BJP National Spokesperson Rajeev Jaitley said, "Kejriwal installed a Rs 15 crore water treatment plant in his own house because he knows that the water being consumed by the people of Delhi is not safe to drink." He lies with great cleverness and confidence, and even swears on his children, said Jaitley. Dharambir Singh said that on one side of the Yamuna is Uttar Pradesh, and on the other side is Haryana. "Haryana only releases 300 cusecs of water into the Yamuna. If you look at the Tajewala Headworks, only 300 cusecs of water are released, except during the monsoon season, and it does not reach Delhi. This is done to ensure that the Yamuna doesn't dry up and animals don't die, as per the Supreme Court's order," he added. He said Haryana has provided more than 10,000 cusecs of water to Delhi. The water is supplied in large quantities through the 'West Yamuna Canal,' which is entirely cemented, and it includes the water from Bhakra canal, he added. The canal through which water is sent to Delhi also supplies water to other areas of Haryana, but there are no complaints from those areas, he said. New Delhi, Jan 28 : Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is not new and has been found in the country before, said Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Tuesday, even as the reported cases spike to 110 in Pune. Speaking to IANS, Abitkar said that low immunity is a significant risk factor for the disease, which potentially causes a paralysing nerve disorder. "GB syndrome is not new. The disease has previously affected people in Maharashtra and the entire country," Abitkar told IANS. In fact, the state launched the Mahatma Phule Jeevandayee Arogya Yojana in 2020 to counter such diseases, Abitkar said. "GBS patients were given financial assistance up to Rs 2 lakh by the government," he told IANS. "People with low immunity are at significant risk of GBS; children under 15 years of age and elderly people over 65 years are at more risk," said the Minister. However, he noted that the reason for the increase in patients in Pune is different. He cited contaminated water causing infections as the major reason behind the spike in cases there. "Of the 110 patients in Pune, 80 drank water from the same well. For this, we are continuously talking to the Pune Municipal Corporation." The Minister also reported one death due to the disease. Allaying apprehension regarding the disease, he said "There is nothing to fear, and treatment is available for the condition." GBS occurs when antibodies, that fight bacterial or viral infections like Campylobacter jejuni or respiratory infections, cross-react with the peripheral nerves. Manjari Tripathi, head of the neurology department, at AIIMS, told IANS that GBS is a sporadic disease. Sometimes it occurs in an endemic manner, but this time, it occurred in a cluster in Pune. "In GB syndrome, there is a rapid ascending paralysis, starting from the lower limbs, going to the trunk, hands and respiratory muscles and bulbar muscles, which makes it difficult to swallow and breathe," Tripathi said. Notably, the symptoms are rather abrupt in onset and very rapid in progression, so it does not mimic other peripheral neuropathies, the neurologist said. She explained that the disease is caused in the aftermath of a bacterial or viral infection. "The infection usually occurs 10 days to two weeks before and then subsides, and that infection triggers the autoimmune response, which causes deterioration of the nerves, causing GB syndrome. It is essential that food and water hygiene be properly maintained," the expert said. Praveen Gupta, Principal Director and Chief of Neurology at a city-based Hospital said modern treatments are highly effective against the disease. Guwahati, Jan 28 : Snakebites remain a major public health concern in Assam and often lead to fatalities due to delayed medical intervention and lack of awareness on proper first-aid measures, experts said on Tuesday. Dr. Surajit Giri, who is a specialist in snakebite treatment in Assam, said that on average there are around 35, 000 snakebite cases per year. Assamas Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) Director Sonali Ghosh quoting government data told IANS that in 2024 there were around 11,000 snake bites and 36 deaths. A two-day capacity-building workshop on ethical snake rescue and snake bite prevention, held on January 27-28 at the Kohora Convention Centre in KNPTR. The event saw the active participation of 43 nature enthusiasts and forest officials from eight districts -- Kaziranga, Nagaon, Biswanath, Sivasagar, Golaghat, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. The workshop was jointly organised by the Assam Forest Department, Help Earth, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, and the Zoological Society of Assam. Sonali Ghosh said that this initiative represents a critical step toward developing a well-trained and informed network of nature enthusiasts and frontline forest personnel in Assam. Assam, with its rich biodiversity, is home to numerous snake species, including the King Cobra (Roja Feti), Monocled Cobra (ChokoriFeti), Banded Krait (Goala sap), various species of pit vipers, some of which are highly venomous and contribute to the regionas snake bite-related fatalities, she said. The KNPTR Director said that the state witnesses a high number of human-snake encounters, particularly during the four-month (June-September) long monsoon season when rising floodwaters force snakes to seek shelter in human settlements. Snakebite remains a major public health concern, often leading to fatalities due to delayed medical intervention and lack of awareness on proper first-aid measures, the senior IFS officer said. The core resource person for the workshop was Gnaneswar Ch, Project Leader for Snakebite Mitigation at the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology (MCBT). His sessions provided in-depth training on advanced techniques in safe snake rescue handling, effective first-aid measures for snakebites, community engagement strategies to reduce human-snake conflict, conservation ethics and rehabilitation techniques. Ghosh said that participants engaged in interactive sessions and practical demonstrations, gaining hands-on experience with safe snake rescue methods and learning effective ways to respond to snakebite incidents. One of the highlights of the program was the distribution of snake rescue kits, ensuring that trained rescuers are well-equipped to carry out their work efficiently. The official said that the success of this workshop reaffirms the collective commitment to reducing snakebite mortality, promoting conservation, and fostering human-snake coexistence. The organisers expressed their hope that such capacity-building efforts would empower local rescuers and forest personnel to address snake-related challenges more effectively. With continued training, awareness, and collaboration, Assam can move toward a future where both humans and snakes can thrive in harmony, the KNPTR) Director said. Mumbai, Jan 28 : Amid the outbreak of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked the administration to make special arrangements in government hospitals to treat patients. He reviewed the present ground-level situation about the GBS during the presentation made by the public health department at the weekly cabinet meeting held on Tuesday. The chief minister's office said in a statement that GBS patients are being treated but he has instructed that special arrangements should be made in government hospitals to ensure that the patients get proper treatment. The treatment for this disease is included in the state health insurance scheme the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana. If any further procedures are required, they should be done by the Public Health Department. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that instructions have already been issued to the administration that patients in Pune city should be treated at the Kamla Nehru Hospital of the Pune Municipal Corporation and at the Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. State's health minister Prakash Abitkar clarified that GBS is a rare disease and it is not contagious as it occurs due to decreased immunity. "A review has been conducted in Pune regarding this. Instructions have been given regarding treatment and examination. Accordingly, action is being taken by the state Public Health Department and the Health Department of both the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporations," he added. According to the minister, there are currently 111 patients in Pune of which 80 patients are within a radius of five km. About 35,000 houses and 94,000 citizens have been tested with the help of the National Institute of Virology. He said that one death has been reported but it is not yet confirmed that it was due to GBS. Medical education minister Hasan Mushrif asked the administration to effectively implement the SOP to prevent the outbreak of the GBS virus. Also, the daily updated information on GBS patients should be submitted to the Commissioner of Medical Education and Research Department. Mushrif said that awareness should be created among the citizens about the preventive measures regarding this virus. This will help in preventing the spread of the virus. He also said that the health system should also make available the necessary medicine supply and equipment. The public health department said it has taken a slew of measures including a visit by a state-level rapid response team to the affected area immediately, instructions given to the Pune Municipal Commissioner and rural district authorities to increase surveillance activities, 44 stool samples which were sent to NIV Pune tested for enteric virus panel. According to the Public Health Department, it is an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. It is characterised by muscle weakness, and in severe cases, paralysis. The common symptoms of GBS include sudden weakness in hands or legs, paralysis, trouble while walking or weakness with sudden onset and Diarrhea (for sustained periods). Further, the public health department has appealed to the citizens not to panic but visit a government hospital in case any symptom is seen. Citizens should also implement preventive measures including drinking boiled water, and consumption of fresh and clean food items. Besides, the department has suggested that cooked and uncooked food items should not be kept together to avoid infection and emphasis should be laid on personal hygiene. Bhopal, Jan 28 : Former RTO constable Saurabh Sharma, booked on charges of disproportionate assets, was produced before a Bhopal district court on Tuesday evening. Authorities had recovered 52 kg of gold and Rs 11 crore in cash during a raid last month. The raid also uncovered several illegal properties linked to Sharma. Sharma was apprehended by the Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta police earlier in the day while en route to surrender in court. He was presented before the court a few hours later. Director General of Lokayukta police, Jaideep Prashad, had earlier said that Sharma is currently under interrogation and would be presented to the court within the mandated 24-hour period. Addressing concerns raised by Sharma's advocates about life threats, Prashad assured, "There is no threat to Sharma or his associates. Agencies are here to serve the people, not to intimidate." Sharmaas lawyers had earlier alleged that their client and his aide, Sharad Jaiswal, were facing threats from unnamed individuals. However, Prashad dismissed these claims, emphasizing that their safety is not at risk. During a press briefing, Prashad revealed that Sharma was arrested based on intelligence inputs indicating his presence in Bhopal. When questioned about Sharma's hideout prior to his arrest, Prashad said it was too early to disclose such details as the investigation was ongoing. Responding to requests from Sharmaas advocates for video recording of the interrogation, Prashad confirmed, "No, video recording will not be done." Prashad also disclosed that efforts are underway to apprehend Sharmaas co-accused. Notably, two of his aides -- Sharad Jaiswal and Chetan Gaur -- remain at large. Over the past two and a half months, multiple agencies, including the Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta, Income Tax Department, and Enforcement Directorate, have conducted raids across various locations in Bhopal, Gwalior, and Jabalpur. In December, the Enforcement Directorate raided more than 12 premises linked to Sharma's relatives suspected of involvement in the case. Sharma joined the Transport Department in 2016 as a constable on compassionate grounds following his fatheras death in 2015. After 12 years of service, he took voluntary retirement in 2023, even as an inquiry against him was pending at the time. Meanwhile, Sharma's aide, Sharad Jaiswal, had offered to surrender provided the state government guaranteed his safety. Chinese FM calls on China, India to foster cooperation, not division Xinhua) 09:38, January 28, 2025 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- China and India should strive for mutual understanding, support and collaboration, rather than fostering suspicion, alienation and consuming each other, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Beijing. Noting that since the leaders of the two countries met in Kazan last year, the two sides have earnestly implemented the important consensus reached by the leaders, carried out active interactions at all levels, and accelerated the process of improving China-India relations, Wang said both sides should seize the opportunity to meet each other halfway and explore more substantive measures. The improvement and development of China-Indian relations are fully in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and are conducive to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South countries and contributing to the peace, stability, development and prosperity of Asia and the world, Wang added. Misri said that India and China have carried out a series of useful dialogues and communications in accordance with the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries in Kazan, properly managed and resolved differences, and promoted the resumption of pragmatic cooperation in various fields. India is willing to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with China, and will fully support China's work as the presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Misri added. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan) By Nargiza Umarova In recent years, the Taliban government has successfully garnered the support of most Central Asian countries for the development of trans-Afghan transport infrastructure. Notably, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have demonstrated significant engagement in this endeavor, with each country advancing its own railway project traversing Afghanistan to reach the borders of Pakistan. These routes are expected to compete with one another, a dynamic that is anticipated to enhance their profitability through the implementation of flexible tariff policies aimed at maintaining sufficient cargo flow. The establishment of trans-Afghan rail corridors holds strategic significance not only for fostering connectivity between Central and South Asia but also for advancing Irans aspirations to develop efficient transportation links with China via Afghanistana goal that the Taliban government has expressed its willingness to support. Photo by Pahari Sahib BACKGROUND: In May 2023, Afghan authorities approved the Mazar-i-Sharif-Herat-Kandahar railway corridor project, which spans 1,468 kilometers. A year later, plans were announced for the construction of the Spin Boldak-Kandahar railway, signaling the intention to extend the Kandahar route to Pakistan. Turkmenistan promptly capitalized on this development by proposing an alternative version of the Trans-Afghan Corridor, extending along the Torghundi-Herat-Kandahar-Spin Boldak route. Subsequently, Kazakhstan joined the project at the invitation of Ashgabat, and in September 2024, the foundation was laid for a 22-kilometer railway line connecting the border station of Torghundi to Sanobar. This section will serve as the initial segment of the Torghundi-Herat transport corridor. The Turkmen version of the trans-Afghan railway is regarded as an alternative to the Kabul Corridor (the Termez-Mazar-i-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railway), although the latter route is significantly shorter. Competition between the western route (originating from Turkmenistan's border) and the eastern route (originating from Uzbekistan's border) appears inevitable. However, this competition is expected to yield positive outcomes, particularly through the reduction of transportation costs resulting from the launch of additional trade routes through Afghanistan. This cost efficiency is a critical factor driving the interest of external stakeholders in the development of trans-Afghan transport infrastructure. The establishment of the Torghundi-Spin Boldak international transport corridor holds particular importance for Tehran, which intends to develop a railway link with Afghanistan through the border town of Zaranj. Since 2020, as part of the broader development of Iran's deep-sea port of Chabahar, construction has been underway on the Chabahar-Zahedan railway. This railway is planned to extend further into Afghanistan, reaching the provinces of Nimroz and Kandahar. Recently, Afghan authorities announced the completion of engineering surveys for the construction of the Zaranj-Kandahar railway. This integrated infrastructure will provide Iran with an additional avenue to access Afghanistan, while also establishing a direct connection to Heratone of Afghanistan's largest and most strategically significant cities. Tehrans long-term strategic vision positions Herat as a pivotal hub for transit routes connecting Western, Central, and Eastern Asia. This perspective stems from the concept of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Iran railway corridor, commonly referred to as the "Five Nation Road." Iran has already initiated the practical implementation of this vision through the construction of the Khaf-Herat railway, which is scheduled to become operational in 2025. Once completed, the route will extend to Kashgar in China via Central Asia, covering an approximate distance of 2,000 kilometers. IMPLICATIONS: Iran has consistently encouraged Afghan authorities to collaborate with their Central Asian partners in advancing the railway corridor connecting Khaf to Kashgar. In 2017, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan reached an agreement to construct the Mazar-i-Sharif-Sheberghan-Maimana-Herat railway. Integrating this new route with the Khaf-Herat railway would enable Uzbekistan to establish an alternative transit corridor to Iran, Turkey, and the Gulf countries, bypassing Turkmenistan. Additionally, this development would have a substantial impact on the implementation of the Five Nation Transit Route, as the Khaf-Herat-Mazar-i-Sharif railway constitutes a critical segment of the Afghan portion of this corridor. From Mazar-i-Sharif, transportation links would only need to be extended to Sherkhan Bandar in Kunduz province to connect with Tajikistan's border. However, in 2018, Tashkent introduced a new trans-Afghan railway project toward Pakistan, known as the Kabul Corridor, effectively placing the implementation of the Mazar-i-Sharif-Herat route on hold. This decision was likely influenced by the recognition that the railway to Herat could undermine Uzbekistans transit interests. By prioritizing the Kabul Corridor, Uzbekistan sought to secure its role in servicing freight flows from China, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan to Iran, Turkey, and Europe. Despite these developments, progress on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Iran railway corridor continued. In 2019, Afghanistan and Tajikistan signed an agreement to construct the Jaloliddini Balkhi (Kolkhozobod)-Panji Poyon-Sherkhan Bandar railway. To finance the feasibility study for this project, Dushanbe sought assistance from prominent international donor organizations, including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. At that time, establishing a railway connection between Afghanistan and Tajikistan was also pivotal for the development of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan (TAT) transport corridor, initiated in 2013. This corridor extends from the Tajik border into northern Afghanistan, passing through the cities of Kunduz, Khulm, Mazar-i-Sharif, Sheberghan, and Andkhoy. At the Akina checkpoint, the railway crosses into Turkmenistan, from where it can connect to the Caspian Sea. This route aligns with the concept of reviving the ancient Lapis Lazuli Corridor, which aims to provide Afghanistan with direct access to European markets via the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. In 2016, Turkmenistan completed the first stage of the TAT railway, spanning the Atamurat (Kerki)-Ymamnazar-Akina route. By early 2021, the Akina-Andkhoy railway line also became operational. However, the abrupt change of power in Afghanistan during the summer of 2021 led to the suspension of work on these projects. This pause stemmed from uncertainty regarding the Taliban government's approach to relations with neighboring countries and its foreign policy on transport communications. Yet contrary to initial expectations, the new leadership in Afghanistan adopted a notably more pragmatic stance on these matters. The Taliban have reactivated nearly all regional and interregional transport projects. Announcements have been made regarding the planned launch of the Andkhoy-Sheberghan and Sheberghan-Mazar-i-Sharif railway lines in the coming years, as well as the construction of the Mazar-i-Sharif-Herat railway. These initiatives aim to bridge critical gaps in major trade corridors, including the TAT and the Five Nation Railway Route. Notably, even Tajikistan, despite its tough stance toward the Afghan government, has become more active in advancing trans-Afghan transport initiatives. In July 2024, Tajikistans Ministry of Transport and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) signed a protocol to develop a feasibility study for a 51-kilometer Jaloliddini Balkhi-Panji Poyon railway, which will connect to Afghanistan via the Sherkhan Bandar checkpoint. As previously mentioned, this railway will form part of the TAT. Integration into such international transport corridors will offer Tajikistan a strategic advantage on southern transit routes. However, the modernization of existing infrastructure and the construction of new railways demand significant financial resources, which Dushanbe struggles to provide. Tajikistan relies heavily on China for foreign investment. Beijing has a vested interest in developing fast and efficient transportation routes to access emerging markets in South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. If the Taliban succeed in persuading Tajikistan to collaborate on developing trade routes to China, this could significantly reshape Central Asia's transport architecture while enhancing Afghanistan's strategic importance as a regional transit hub. Iran would also benefit from a direct connection to China that bypasses Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. For Tashkent, however, this development could present a serious challenge given the resolve of its neighbors to complete the TAT. CONCLUSIONS: The proactive efforts of the Taliban government in developing international transport links has heightened the interest of most Central Asian states (with the exception of Tajikistan) in strengthening trade and economic ties with Kabul. This includes the potential implementation of joint investment projects, such as the construction of railways, gas pipelines, and power lines, which could foster regional connectivity and economic growth. External major powers are also eager to capitalize on these transformations, but their interference in establishing trans-Afghan transport infrastructure could have adverse consequences for Central Asia. Irans ambitions to establish a transport corridor to China via Afghanistan pose the potential to alter the balance of power within the regional transit system. Such a development would bolster the positions of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, which are currently in a transport deadlock and reliance on Uzbekistan for access to global markets. The development of new trade routes through Afghanistan represents a positive trend that will inevitably influence Central Asia due to the regions geographical proximity. This shift offers regional states the opportunity to enhance their transit and trade capacities, albeit accompanied by increased competition. To mitigate the risks of intense rivalries, the Central Asian republics must reconcile their interests in light of Afghanistans growing significance as a transit hub and formulate a coordinated strategy to advance interregional transport corridors, ensuring equitable benefits across the region. AUTHORS BIO: Nargiza Umarova is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS), University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) and an analyst at the Non-governmental Research Institution Knowledge Caravan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Her research activities are focused on studying developments in Central Asia, trends in regional integration and the influence of big powers on this process. She also explores the current policy of Uzbekistan on the creation and development of international transport corridors. She can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. Protesters attacked the embassies of France, Rwanda, Belgium, and the US in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa, Trend reports. According to information, the protests occurred against the background of aggravation of the situation in the east of the country, where rebels from the M23 group captured the city of Goma as a result of a lightning offensive. The tensions have brought life to a standstill in parts of Kinshasa, with schools and stores reported to be closed. Meanwhile, the UN reported that armed clashes in the town of Goma, which is at the epicenter of the tension, have left hundreds of people injured, with dead bodies found in the streets and a sharp rise in sexual violence. A mass exodus of locals has started from the area. At least 17 international peacekeepers were killed in the fighting between M23 rebels and the Congolese army. Chandigarh, Jan 28 : Punjab Police have busted Pakistan's ISI-backed narco terror module being operated by Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passian, and Sarwan Bhola, both based in the U.S., with the arrest of its two members on charges of lobbying a hand-grenade at a police post in Amritsar, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday. Chandigarh, Jan 28 (IANS) Punjab Police have busted Pakistanas ISI-backed narco terror module being operated by Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passian, and Sarwan Bhola, both based in the U.S., with the arrest of its two members on charges of lobbying a hand-grenade at a police post in Amritsar, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday. Those arrested have been identified as Bagga Singh of Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar in Sirsa in Haryana and Puskaran Singh of Amritsar. Police teams have also recovered one hand grenade and two sophisticated pistols along with ammunition from their possession. As per information, miscreants hurled the hand grenade at Gumtala Police Post in Amritsar Commissionerate on January 9. Following the incident, the terrorist organisation BKI used social media platforms to claim responsibility for this terror act. DGP Yadav said investigations have revealed that the arrested accused Bagga Singh is a relative of Sarwan Bhola, who is the brother of notorious smuggler Ranjit Singh, alias Cheeta, currently lodged in the Bathinda jail in a 532-kg heroin recovery case. Accused Sarwan Singh is also wanted in a 532-kg heroin recovery case and carried a reward of Rs 2 lakh from the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He said Bhola, who has been operating a drug smuggling network from the US, has handed over his relative Bagga Singh and his associate Pushkaran to Happy Passian and Harvinder Rinda to carry out terror activities in the state. The DGP said investigations are in progress in a scientific manner to establish forward and backward linkages in this case and unveil the entire terror module. Sharing operation details, Assistant Inspector General (Amritsar) Sukhminder Singh Mann said following the attack at the Gumtala police post, police teams have launched an intelligence operation and arrested Bagga Singh from Sirsa and Pushkaran Singh from Amritsar, leading to the recovery of explosives and weapons. --IANS vg/dan Islamabad, Jan 28 : US President Donald Trump has announced cancellation of aid to Pakistan temporarily, ceasing several development projects funded by the United States and forcing the government of Pakistan to contemplate the repercussions of a halt in the American fundings. As per details, the US Department of State directed all of its consular and diplomatic missions to immediately suspend foreign aid programmes, initially for a period of at least 90 days. The suspension includes major US fundings to countries including Ukraine, Taiwan, Jordan, Pakistan and Afghanistan. "All aid programmes for Pakistan have been suspended pending a reassessment, which may be done after the initial 90-day period," said a Pakistan government official. Among the many development programmes funded by the US, important projects including Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation and at least five other projects related to Pakistan's energy sector, have also been suspended. "This is a major development in the context of Pakistan's economic development framework. The dire and desperate efforts being made by the government to comply with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme and its relations with the Trump 2.0 administration, whose officials have been critical in their views about the Shehbaz Sharif led Pakistan leadership," said senior strategic analyst Kamran Yousaf. "US suspension of aid will also put a direct impact on at least four economic growth-related programmes and five agricultural development projects. It is a major setback," he added. US aid contributes to multiple projects related to various sectors including democracy, human rights, governance, agriculture, energy, human development, etc. Experts reckon suspension will have a direct impact on multiple sectors and cause serious implications on the country's re-arrangement and management of its resources while maintaining compliance with the tough conditions of the IMF. "While the US officials say that the decision to suspend its aid programme is temporary and will go through reassessment and scrutiny, the members of the Trump administration hold a very critical view for the current leadership in Pakistan. This may play a role in re-assessing US aid to Pakistan," said Imtiaz Gul, Executive Director of Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). Gul highlighted the statement by Donald Trump in which he stated clearly that the United States is no longer going to blindly dole out money with no return for the American people. "Trump's statement clearly indicates that the US will put conditions on its aid to Pakistan. In the past, Pakistan was Washington's non-NATO ally in its war against terrorism in Afghanistan. But now the Afghanistan regime is under control of the Afghan Taliban and that is already affecting Pakistan severely with cross-border terror activities, coupled with threats and accusations from both sides," said Gul. "If Trump demands Pakistan to become its eyes and ears on Afghanistan, it would be a very difficult, crucial and critical decision for Shehbaz Sharif to take because of many factors including China, Taliban, Iran and others in the region," he added. New Delhi, Jan 28 : India and Oman have agreed to expedite the discussions for an early signing of the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is under advanced stages of negotiations, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal concluded a successful visit to Oman from January 27-28. CEPA will be a new milestone in bilateral trade relations and has the potential to significantly scale up two-way trade and investments, the statement said. During the visit, Goyal co-chaired the 11th Session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Oman's Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion. The JCM saw productive discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, technology, food security, renewable energy, and other key areas. Minister Goyal held a productive bilateral meeting with Minister Qais during which he undertook a detailed review of the bilateral trade and economic relations between India and Oman and identified concrete steps to further strengthen the mutually beneficial business ties, the statement added. On the sidelines of the visit, both sides signed the protocol to amend the India-Oman Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), aligning it with international standards on cross-border taxation, simplifying tax procedures, and promoting greater cooperation in tax matters. Goyal also called on Sayyid Asaad bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs and Special Representative of His Majesty on January 28. HH Sayyid Asaad led the Omani delegation to India for the G-20 Summit in September 2023. The Indian Minister held bilateral meetings with Sultan bin Salem Al Habsi, Minister of Finance, and Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), to deepen economic ties. Besides, the Minister participated in the India-Oman Joint Business Council (JBC) meeting which was hosted by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), with the support and participation of a delegation from FICCI. The JBC, which is traditionally held on the sidelines of the India-Oman JCM, provided an excellent platform for wide-ranging discussions between the two business communities and provided exposure to investment opportunities and incentives of both India and Oman, according to the official statement. Goyal also met with a select group of CEOs and business leaders of Oman at a Business Roundtable hosted by the Ambassador of India at the Indian Embassy premises. This interaction provided an opportunity for the Minister to directly engage with key business leaders of Oman to apprise them of the India opportunity and seek their suggestions for bilateral cooperation. As part of another engagement, Goyal addressed the Future Leaders Programme at the Royal Academy of Management, Oman, highlighting India's growth story and sharing insights on leadership and its role in shaping a better world, the statement added. Varanasi, Jan 28 : As the second Amrit Snan of the Maha Kumbh approaches on Mauni Amavasya, an overwhelming wave of devotees is streaming toward Prayagraj from all corners of the country. At Varanasi's Cantt station, which serves as a major transit hub for pilgrims, the numbers have reached a staggering scale. In response, the railway administration has rolled out eight special trains to manage the surging crowd, but still, it seems that passengers are boarding every available train as the numbers continue to rise. Speaking to IANS, Lal Ji Chaudhary, Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM) at Varanasi Cantt, shared, "We are expecting an even bigger crowd on Wednesday. Special trains have been running, and additional services are in place to ensure smooth travel. Our team is on the ground, monitoring every aspect closely. The crowds are steadily increasing, and we're doing everything possible to accommodate the passengers efficiently." Passengers, too, expressed their awe at the scale of the gathering. Krishna Kumar, one of the devotees, said, "We're heading to Prayagraj on Wednesday for the Maha Kumbh bath. Tomorrow is the Shahi Snan on Mauni Amavasya, and the crowd here at Varanasi station is huge, easily around one lakh people. If you estimate based on the crowds here, it's clear that the prediction made by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is coming true. There's a huge surge in devotees, and it's a testament to the awakening and upliftment of Sanatan Dharma." Bhim Thakur, another devotee, shared, "I've been waiting here for five to six hours. The crowd is more than expected, and the energy at the station is palpable. It's all for faith, and it feels like an extraordinary moment to be part of." Anand Mohan Jha, another passenger, reflected on the sea of people, "I've never seen such a massive crowd before. It's overwhelming, but when you have such strong faith, you find the strength to persevere. After seeing this, it only deepens my resolve to reach Prayagraj for the holy dip. It's an unforgettable experience." Mauni Amavasya, one of the most spiritually significant days in the Hindu calendar, is observed with immense devotion, particularly in northern India. It's a day for intense spiritual practices, reflection, and renewal. At the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, this day is the highlight, with millions of devotees gathering for a sacred dip in the River Gangesa ritual believed to offer spiritual cleansing and enlightenment. Celebrated under different names across the country, like 'Chollangi Amavasya' in Andhra Pradesh and 'Darsh Amavasya' in other regions, this year's Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan at the Maha Kumbh will take place on January 29, 2025, marking another milestone in this sacred event. Mumbai, Jan 28 : Maharashtra Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday gave approval for the continuation of toll collection on the 21.8-km Atal Bihari Vajpayee Shivdi-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu at the current concessional rate of Rs 250 for another year up to December 2025. The Atal Setu built by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) was opened to the public for vehicular traffic on January 13, 2024. According to the Chief Minister's office, the Cabinet at its meeting held on January 4 last year had a fixed toll rate of Rs 250 which was 50 per cent of the rate proposed by the MMRDA. At Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, approval was given to continue toll collection at the current concessional rate for another year up to December 31, 2025. The Urban Development Department last year had proposed a toll rate of Rs 350 while MMRDA had suggested Rs 500 per trip. The Atal Setu, which completed one year of operation on July 13 this year, facilitated the movement of 83,06,009 vehicles, contributing significantly to smoother and faster transit between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. With an average daily traffic of 22,689 vehicles, the bridge witnessed its highest single-day vehicle count of 61,807 on January 14, 2024. According to MMRDA, the Atal Setu's robust traffic management and emergency response systems, comprising the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS), Fire-Rescue Vehicles (FRVs), maintenance teams, and patrolling units, have ensured seamless operations and swift incident handling. Three specialised teams work 24/7 to monitor traffic, provide medical aid, clear disruptions, minimise hazards, and maintain high safety standards. Of the 83,06,009 vehicles, 77,28,149 cars, LCV/Minibus: 99,660, Bus/2-Axle Truck: 1,17,604, MAV (3-Axle): 1,99,636, MAV (4-6 Axle): 1,60,061 and Oversize Vehicles: 899. Chief Minister Fadnavis said: "Atal Setu stands as a testament to our government's commitment to building world-class infrastructure in Maharashtra. In just one year, it has transformed the commuting experience for more than 8 million vehicles, contributing significantly to the economic and social development of the region. I congratulate the MMRDA team for their relentless efforts and foresight in achieving this milestone." Deputy Chief Minister and MMRDA Chairman Eknath Shinde said: "The Atal Setu is more than just a bridge; it is a lifeline that has redefined urban mobility in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Its exemplary operational performance underscores the effectiveness of advanced traffic management and emergency response systems. This milestone is a proud moment for Maharashtra and a stepping stone toward future infrastructure excellence." Metropolitan Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee said, "The bridge's impressive safety record and operational efficiency highlight our focus on innovation and sustainability in infrastructure development. By making Mumbai accessible in minutes, we remain committed to serving the region's growing connectivity needs." Mumbai, Jan 28 : Actress Parineeti Chopra expressed her pride for husband Raghav Chadha on social media, praising his initiative to address the issue of overpriced food at airports. Ahead of elections in Delhi, Chopra commended him for launching the #UdaanYatriCafe, which promises cheaper food and drinks for travellers. Parineeti expressed her admiration, calling him a true leader for bringing about real change. On Tuesday, the 'Ishaqzaade' actress took to her Instagram handle and shared a video of her politician husband, Raghav, where he is heard delivering a powerful speech at the Parliament. In the clip, the AAP MP Raghav highlighted the issue of overpriced food and beverages at airports in Parliament and called for 'corrective measures' to make air travel more affordable. Sharing the video, Parineeti wrote, "So so proud of you, my @raghavchadha88, for being a true leader for the people, and fixing a real problem! Overpriced food at airports is an issue that resonates with so many Indians (including us), and your voice has brought a real change starting with the #UdaanYatriCafe. Yayy for cheaper food and drinks at airports! Proud of you, my Ragaii!." On January 27, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha led a vibrant roadshow in the Rohini Assembly constituency on to rally support for AAP candidate Pradeep Mittal. Meanwhile, the 'Amar Singh Chamkila' actress in her earlier post, spoke about feeling exhausted after working late in the night. She shared a couple of her of pictures and videos from her night shoot in Mumbai of her upcoming project. The actress shared a photograph of the set and wrote: "Night shoot no. 34567894 In a daze and exhausted." She also dropped a picture of the costume and said that she is tired. "Crazy hectic or crazy tired? Both," mentioned the actress. On the work front, Parineeti Chopra is currently filming the second schedule of an untitled drama, with details about the cast and crew still kept under wraps. Alongside this, the actress is gearing up for her role in Anurag Singh's highly anticipated thriller "Sanki," where she will share the screen with Varun Dhawan for the first time. In addition, Parineeti is set to star in "Shiddat 2," directed by Karan Sharma. The sequel features an ensemble cast, including Sunny Kaushal, Amyra Dastur, Mohit Raina, Diana Penty, Arjun Singh, and Radhikka Madan in key roles. Jaipur, Jan 28 : The Rajasthan government on Tuesday launched an interactive online interface for investors who signed MoUs during the recently concluded 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024. The interface, launched by the Industries Department's nodal agency for investment promotion, the Bureau of Investment Promotion (BIP), will allow investors to check current progress on their respective memorandum of understanding, submit queries to the respective department, and seamlessly share feedback/inputs. The investors will be able to access the information related to their respective MoU by signing into the portal with the help of their registered mobile number and their MoU unique identification number. After successfully verifying their credentials on the portal, the investor will be able to avail of all the MoU details, including the current status, milestones, and tasks that have been completed along with the real-time status of all approvals. The online interface will also allow the investors to seek an appointment with the concerned Department Secretary/Commissioner to share their inputs, feedback, and grievances which will facilitate expeditious approvals from the concerned department. Ajitabh Sharma, Principal Secretary, Industries, Rajasthan, said, "The launch of this interactive investor interface is a crucial step to build confidence among investors, handhold them at every step, enhancing the accountability of all departments towards expeditiously implementing the MoUs signed during the investment summit." Speaking about the significance of the online investor interface, Inderjeet Singh, Commissioner, Bureau of Investment Promotion (BIP), Rajasthan, said, "The investor interface delineates the milestones that are to be completed by various departments during the implementation of an MoU. The portal will enhance accountability and keep the investors updated about the status of their MoU." The Rajasthan government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma concluded the investment summit in December last year signing record investment proposals worth Rs 35 lakh crore. Since the conclusion of the investment summit, the government has adopted a whole-of-government approach to expeditiously and successfully implement the signed MoUs, said officials. Kolkata, Jan 28 : Controversial and maverick Trinamool Congress leader and party legislator Madan Mitra, on Tuesday, resorted to an unprecedented and objectionable slander against the parents of the woman doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata, who was raped and then murdered within the hospital premises last year. Reacting to the observation by the victim's parents that they were against the death penalty for Sanjay Roy, Mitra indirectly hinted that the actual desire of the parents was probably hefty compensation for the tragedy. "They are changing their statements regularly. Do they want compensation for the tragedy? In that case, they should say it directly. Already few hundred crores have been raised in the name of the doctors' movement on the issue. If they want, then thousands of crores more could be raised and use that money for a noble cause," Mitra said. On Monday, the victim's parents said that they are against the death penalty because they want the investigating agencies should probe him further to get to the brain behind the entire conspiracy. While Trinamool Congress state general secretary Kunal Ghosh claimed that the victim's parents were acting like the "spokespersons" of the left and ultra-left forces, four-time party Lok Sabha member Kalyan Banerjee had accused them of "resorting to politics" over the tragedy of their daughter. Mitra was criticised for his comments against the victim's parents by several sections of the society. Meanwhile, the BJP Rajya Sabha member Samik Bhattacharya said that Mitra, through his comments, has revealed the culture with which Trinamool Congress and the current West Bengal government operate. "The victim's parents, through their daily struggles since their daughter's death, have proved that money or compensation does not matter all the time. They are only being attacked since their actions are becoming a matter of inconvenience for the ruling party in the state," he said. According to CPI-M Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate of Calcutta High Court Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya, Mitra's comments are in line with the internal culture within Trinamool Congress. "This is a reflection of a rotten political culture pursued by a party over the years," Bhattacharya said. --IANS src/dan New Delhi, Jan 28 : Amid the controversy over Yamuna water quality, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said on Tuesday that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has suggested checking the water quality at the point of entry into Delhi and point of release in Haryana. After meeting EC representatives along with Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, CM Atishi said that the poll panel is reported to have assured a decision in the interest of people soon. "The EC is awaiting a response from Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini after which it assured us that a decision would be taken," CM Atishi said after the meeting with EC officials. She expressed hope that the poll panel will ensure that an artificial water shortage is not allowed to be created in election-bound Delhi, in the interest of fair play. Earlier, CM Atishi accused the BJP-led Haryana government of "deliberate and indiscriminate" release of untreated water into the Yamuna. She said that the intent was to derail Delhi's water treatment and supply. Punjab CM Mann said, "Stopping water supply ahead of elections would deny a level playing field to the ruling AAP in the election." He said they requested the EC to intervene on humanitarian grounds and prevent any disruption of water supply in election-bound Delhi. CM Atishi said that Haryana CM Saini has been making contradictory statements on the issue of high level of ammonia in Yamuna water supply from the Wazirabad barrage. She claimed the high level of ammonia had brought three water treatment plants of Delhi "near closure" and threatened to disrupt the water supply to 30 per cent of city residents. As the allegations of the 'Yamuna poisoning' by the Delhi CM created a political furore, Haryana CM Saini responded with a defamation threat for baseless charges. Several Haryana ministers and MPs have dismissed AAP's charge of Haryana unleashing 'water terrorism' on Delhi as a political gimmick ahead of Delhi Assembly elections. Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij accused the Delhi government of stoking needless controversy with baseless claims. Agartala, Jan 28 : The 16th Finance Commission headed by Chairman Arvind Panagariya would hold a series of meetings simultaneously with the Tripura government and various stakeholders such as political parties, rural and urban local bodies, and representatives of trade, Industries, and Commerce here during its four-day visit to the state from Wednesday, an official said. The 12-member Finance Commission team headed by its Chairman would arrive here on Wednesday and visit various parts of Tripura, besides holding more than a dozen meetings with various stakeholders. A senior Tripura government official said that the Commission would hold the all-important meeting with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, his Cabinet members, Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, and Secretaries of various departments on Thursday (January 30). On the same day, the Commission would hold meetings with Panchayat Raj institutions, urban local bodies, representatives of the Tripura Tribal Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), leaders of various political parties, and representatives of trade, commerce, and industry bodies. The Finance Commission Chairman, four of its members, and other accompanying officials would also visit various tourist places of Gomati, Sepahijala, and West Tripura districts. The 16th Finance Commission was constituted on December 31, 2023, with Panagariya, former NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman, as its Chairman. The four full-time members include Ajay Narayan Jha, former member, the 15th Finance Commission, and former Secretary, Expenditure, Annie George Mathew, former Special Secretary, Expenditure, Manoj Panda, former director at the Institute of Economic Growth and Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Group Chief Economic Advisor, State Bank of India. The 16th Finance Commission headed by its Chairman already visited various northeastern states and held meetings with the state governments, various stakeholders, and leaders of political parties. According to officials, the 16th Finance Commission's recommendations would be available by October 31, 2025, covering an award period of five years starting from April 1, 2026. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. Algeria is urgently calling on France to take full responsibility for the removal of nuclear test waste left behind from tests conducted on Algerian soil, said Salah Goudjil, Chairman of the Algerian National Council, Trend reports citing Algerian media. Speaking at a parliamentary discussion on a new draft law aimed at managing, controlling, and eliminating waste, Goudjil emphasized the importance of clearly expressing this position in the draft legislation. He also emphasized how Algerians who live close to nuclear test sites still endure the effects of those tests. Meanwhile, the author of the draft law, Algerian Minister of Environment and Quality of Life Nadjiba Djilali, said that during the debates, the new legislation not only addresses current challenges but also includes messages concerning historical and environmental justice. In this context, the minister referred to the catastrophic effects of the nuclear tests carried out by the colonial regime in the Algerian desert. Djilali emphasized the need for the perpetrators of this environmental catastrophe, resulting from nuclear experiments, to fully acknowledge their historical, moral, and legal responsibilities. She called for the removal of radioactive waste and the recognition of the immense harm done to the people of Algeria, Adrar, Reggane, In Iqra, and other regions. She also noted that France's actions were one of the steps that violated the rights of her country and people. The minister further emphasized that incorporating these demands into national environmental legislation will strengthen the protection of current and future generations, ensuring a healthy and sustainable environment. She also reaffirmed that continuing efforts to address this issue through all possible means will restore the rights of the Algerian people and protect the environment from further destruction. Algerian website Al-Shaab reports that between 1960 and 1966, France conducted 17 nuclear tests in Algerias mountainous regions, including Reggane and Ahaggar. The first test, on February 13, 1960, involved an explosion with a force of 70 kilotons, 34 times stronger than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The consequences of this test lasted far longer than initially expected. The website cites a 1960 report from the French Atomic Energy Commission, which stated that the area, spanning approximately 150 km, was contaminated with radioactive materials. The report, a secret until 2013, revealed the broader and more severe effects of these tests. Radiation clouds reached as far as the Mediterranean coast, affecting countries in Southern and Central Africa and even Spains and Italys Sicilys coastlines. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel New Delhi, Jan 28 : Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday mounted the 'Sheeshmahal' attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal and launched a scathing critique of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), holding both responsible for 'pitiable' situation of city residents. Joining the Congress' poll blitz ahead of Assembly elections, Rahul lambasted the ruling AAP for 'allowing' corruption and scams under its watch and Opposition BJP for 'vitiating' the poll atmosphere with its communal rhetoric. Addressing his first poll rally in Patparganj constituency, Rahul trained guns at AAP, a key ally of the INDIA Bloc and taunted its supremo over the 'Sheeshmahal' splurge. "Arvind Kejriwal came with the Aam Aadmi pitch and promised to usher in a new style of politics. He promised to bring clean politics, but the biggest corruption happened under its watch," he said while mentioning the Delhi liquor scam and Sheeshmahal as glaring examples of big-ticket corruption under AAP rule. "Kejriwal talked about simplicity and moral values but today he lives in Sheeshmahal," he said, drawing strong reactions from the crowd. Rahul was also unsparing in his criticism of the BJP as he accused the party and its ideologue RSS of spreading hatred and hostility among communities for electoral gains. "BJP wanted to alter the Constitution and openly bragged about it during elections. Its pitch for '400 paar' was nothing but an attempt to accomplish this dangerous design," he said. Further citing RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement of India achieving 'real' Independence after the Modi era, the Congress MP claimed that BJP was openly demeaning and insulting the Constitution as well as B R Ambedkar, the architect of the sacred book. Further training guns at the Modi government, Rahul said that the BJP-ruled Centre was robbing the people of their hard-earned money and writing off the bad loans of big business conglomerates and also appealed to people to vote for the Congress to put an end to it. "BJP wants to make the country a preserve of few billionaires, restricting the country's resources to the select few but Congress will not tolerate such oligarchy. Once in power, we will roll out caste census and ensure that every section and every community gets its rightful due," Rahul told the gathering. Earlier in the day, Rahul visited the Maharishi Valmiki temple in the city and engaged with the local population by hearing out their problems. He also met the electorate in Sandeep Dikshit's Assembly constituency and appealed to them to vote for Congress. "The aim of the Congress party is to eradicate corruption from the city and provide a happy and safe to all the residents," the Congress MP told the people. Chennai, Jan 28 : The makers of director Arvindh Srinivasan's Tamil film 'Tharunam', featuring actors Kishen Das and Smruthi Venkat in the lead, have now chosen to release their film on January 31 this year. It may be recalled that the film, which released on January 14 for a very brief period, was immediately withdrawn to be relaunched on another day as the makers felt they couldn't get the number of screens they wanted. Actor Kishen Das took to his X timeline to make the announcement. He wrote, "Bringing #Tharunam back to the big screens after we decided to discontinue the run during Pongal. January 31st is the date and we hope to see more of you in theatres with more shows and favourable timings To the ones who have seen the film, do spread your reviews." 'Tharunam' is a thriller film with a love story packaged inside it. A complete entertainer, the film has no social messaging but will feature a relevant social issue. The thrilling situation is because of a relationship, the director had disclosed in an earlier interview to IANS. Arvindh said, "This genre is not new. but the way I have attempted to narrate this story in this genre will be totally different. Imagine setting off from home with an intention to resolve a problem. Enroute, if you happen to have an accident and it becomes a problem, which of the two problems will you focus on? You will have to handle both. This story will exactly be on those lines." The film, which has Kishen Das playing an officer in the Cobra unit of the CRPF, was shot in 37 days in and around Chennai. Originally, the Tharunam unit had plans to shoot in Kashmir but considering the sinus problem of Smruthi Venkat, who plays the heroine in the film, the unit dropped the idea. -IANS mkr/ Hyderabad, Jan 28 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said on Tuesday that the investments attracted by the state during the recent World Economic Forum meeting in Davos is the biggest win of his government in 14 months. Addressing a news conference, he said the state government signed MoUs with various companies, which will bring an investment of Rs.1.8 lakh crore. He said this investment will not only result in the launch or expansion of businesses of the companies concerned but will create jobs for youth. The Chief Minister said that the conspiracy hatched by some people against Telangana by creating doubts has been foiled as globally renowned companies and investors have reinforced their trust in the government. Without naming anyone, he said certain people carried out false propaganda with ill-gotten money to strike at the roots of the Telangana economy. The Chief Minister stated that investments in Telangana and Hyderabad is a continuous process. Despite political differences, there should be no disputes when it comes to the state's development. Revanth Reddy said his government continued whatever good policies pursued by the governments in the past and came out with more incentives to attract investments. He assured the companies which signed the MoUs with the state government that the government would allot them the required lands and provide all necessary support. He said the government would continue its efforts to develop Telangana as one trillion-dollar economy. Referring to the MoU between Telangana Young India Skill University and Singapore's ITE, he said this would go a long way in improving the skills of Telangana youth. Minister for Information Technology and Industry D. Sridhar Babu, who accompanied the Chief Minister on the visit to Singapore and Davos, said last year the state government had attracted Rs 40,000 crore investment during the WEF annual meeting. The minister claimed that the state government's pro-business policies resulted in a fourfold jump in investments this year. He said this investment would create 49,500 jobs in Telangana. Sridhar Babu said an agreement was signed with the Singapore government for skill development. He exuded confidence that this would result in creating more employment opportunities for the youth and developing Hyderabad into a skill development hub. The minister said the Skill University was established to cater to the skills required by the industry. "We are focussing both on attracting investments and on skill development," he said. Sridhar Babu said CapitaLand Group has come forward to set up a skill centre at a cost of Rs 450 crore. Patna, Jan 28 : Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha levelled serious allegations against Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Tejashwi Yadav involving financial irregularities amounting to a26.16 crores in the Road Construction Department during Yadav's tenure as Deputy Chief Minister, who also held the portfolio of Road Construction Ministry during the Grand Alliance government. Patna, Jan 28 (IANS) Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha levelled serious allegations against Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Tejashwi Yadav involving financial irregularities amounting to 26.16 crores in the Road Construction Department during Yadav's tenure as Deputy Chief Minister, who also held the portfolio of Road Construction Ministry during the Grand Alliance government. He added that these irregularities pertain specifically to projects under Path Pramandal Gaya, involving the construction of three roads Wajirganj-Tapovan Path (19.18 km), Jamua-Sevatar Path (17.5 km), and Bhinds-Chamandih Path (21.3 km). Sinha claimed the construction company had used local stone and not the Pakur stone. "Pakur stone is known for its durability and quality. However, local stones were used instead, violating the project specifications. The contractor responsible for these roads was Raja Construction. All the projects executed by this company will now be reviewed due to complaints. Over 26.16 crores were paid for these works," he said. The Deputy Chief Minister said that an investigation has brought these irregularities to light, and complaints from locals further corroborate the use of substandard materials. He claimed that not only were financial irregularities committed, but the guilty officers involved in these activities were also shielded, causing significant financial damage to the department. He also accused Raja Construction, the company responsible for executing several road projects, of being at the centre of the fraud. "The company has also ties with RJD MP Surendra Yadav," he said. He also pointed out irregularities in the Kanwaria Path from Sultanganj in Bhagalpur district to Banka district. "Irregularities have also been found in the construction of the Kanwaria Path in Sultanganj based on complaints from local residents. Action is already being initiated against the contractor in this case," he said. He further vowed to blacklist such contractors involved in fraudulent practices and also announced plans to investigate both previous and current project estimates under the Road Construction Department. "A specialised investigation team comprising engineers from IITs and NITs will be formed to assess the design and execution of all departmental schemes, including roads and bridges," he said. Belgrade, Jan 28 : Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic announced his resignation on Tuesday at a press conference at the government building in Belgrade, citing "elevated tensions" sparked by a collapse at Novi Sad railway station in November last year. Vucevic, along with other current ministers, will continue leading the government in technical mandate until the election of a new government, Xinhua news agency reported. Serbia's PM resigned after weeks of massive anti-corruption protests sparked by the deadly collapse of a concrete canopy in Novi Sad last November. The canopy collapse, which killed 15 people in the northern city of Novi Sad, has become a flashpoint reflecting wider discontent with the increasingly autocratic rule of Serbiaas populist President Aleksandar Vucic. The incident intensified long-held anger over corruption and the lack of oversight in construction projects, amplifying criticism of Vucic's government, which has faced accusations of undermining democratic freedoms while pursuing European Union membership for Serbia. The resignation of Prime Minister Vucevic is expected to trigger an early parliamentary election. Serbia's parliament has 30 days to either confirm the resignation and form a new government or call for snap elections. On Monday, tens of thousands of protesters, including university students on strike, gathered for a 24-hour blockade of a major intersection in Belgrade. The students, who have been protesting for weeks, are demanding accountability for the canopy collapse, which they say is a result of government corruption. Vucevic, who had served as Prime Minister for less than a year, previously held the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence from 2022 to 2024. He also served as the mayor of Novi Sad from 2012 to 2022. During his tenure, he received several prestigious awards, including the Charter of Honourary Senator of the Senate of the Economy of Serbia in 2014. In that same year, he was honored with the "Captain Misa Anastasijevic" award for his leadership in promoting European values in Novi Sad. Under his leadership, the city was recognised as the European Youth Capital in 2019 and the European Capital of Culture in 2021. Jammu, Jan 28 : National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday raided six locations in the Valley in connection with the ongoing investigation into killings of non-locals by the terrorists. A statement issued by NIA said, "NIA on Tuesday conducted extensive searches in three districts of Jammu & Kashmir in a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) linked case of killing of non-locals." It said that the case relates to the killing of two civilians belonging to Chamyari in Amritsar (Punjab) by terrorists, who opened fire at them on the evening of 7th February 2024 at Shalla Kadal in the Shaheed Ganj area of Srinagar. "Amritpal Singh had died on the spot while the other victim, Rohit Masi, was critically injured and succumbed to his injuries at a Srinagar hospital the next day. The searches were conducted today at six locations in the districts of Srinagar, Badgam & Sopore in the case RC-01/2024/NIA/JMU, registered by NIA on 15th June 2024 on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs," the investigating agency said. The agency had earlier chargesheeted four accused in the case. "NIA teams have seized several incriminating materials from the residential premises belonging to sympathisers, cadres and overground workers (OGWs) of the proscribed terror outfit, LeT, and its offshoot The Resistance Front (TRF)," the agency said. The investigating agency said that the suspects were involved in harbouring, sheltering, and providing logistical assistance to terrorists. "NIA investigations in the case so far have revealed that masterminds of LeT and TRF were in touch with youth in the Kashmir Valley to orchestrate attacks on non-locals as part of a conspiracy to wage war against India," the statement added. It said that the criminal conspiracy was reportedly planned both physically and through cyberspace, using encrypted social media applications. "NIA is examining the materials seized during the searches and is continuing with its probe in the case," the statement said. Kokrajhar : , Jan 28 (IANS) The Chief Executive Member of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Pramod Boro, said on Tuesday that the 2020 Bodo Peace Accord with the Union government and the Assam government was unique as all revolutionary groups from different ideologies came together to sign it. Now there is peace in Bodoland (Assam) but the future of peace will depend on the state and the Union government, he added. Boro told IANS, "Now we don't support any agitation. Guns should be there only in the hands of defence personnel." On the occasion of five years of the Bodoland Peace Accord, the BTC Chief said, "All is well in Bodoland. The earlier situation was not good but now all is well. I am happy, I am an Indian. Only Army personnel should have the gun, we don't want to see local youths with guns in their hands." He added: "The political movement is now settled. Democratic and underground movement is now resolved. It was quite tough to bring together ideologically different revolutionary groups and sign the accord, as some of them were demanding a separate state while some were seeking autonomy. When the Assam agitation began, all tribals participated. But after the 1980 Assam accord, tribals were ignored and this led to the Bodoland movement in 1987 which resulted in a lot of violence. Other tribal groups also came together in this agitation, which resulted in hundreds of killings, people died during the agitation." "One armed group came with the idea of a separate state while on the other side political movement began. We supported the political movement. Even armed group ceased their agitation during the Kargil conflict as they believed in one India," he said. "The finalising of the accord took 10 years. The underground NDP also undertook talks with the Centre and the Assam government. All stakeholders came together and sat down to resolve the issues. The main priority was to end armed conflicts in Bodoland, which finally led to the 2020 peace accord. Now all agitating people are in the mainstream," Boro added. He said that by March 2025, a vision document will be published listing all demands before the Centre. However, Boro added that still, no major industry is there in the Bodoland region and other infrastructure issues are to be looked into. Youth migrating to other parts of the country is also a major issue here, he said. "During the violence period, all banks shifted from Bodoland. Now funding is a problem here as banks are not there in the region. Even as all businessmen too had left the region. The new Bodoland council is now trying to bring these institutions back to the region." The Bodoland Chief said they need around Rs 5,000 crore for roads only while the government gives only Rs 800 crore as annual budget. He added: "Bodoland has also demanded a Bodo regiment in the Indian Army and our demand is being mulled over. We also want Bodoland's youth to be recruited into paramilitary forces, the territorial army and the Agnipath scheme. Some recruitments have been done but the numbers are small, he said. The BTC Chief said, "It depends on devolution and decentralisation of power whether armed agitation will resurface or not. Trying to balance all authority so that there is no going back to agitation. If Centre and state see these things in right perspective then things will remain in balance." Boro said, "The intellectual class gives lots of ideas during the agitation but nobody comes back after peace prevails." On the current accord, he said that provisions of the accord are an ongoing process and if everything is resolved without or with the accord is fine for us both ways. The present leadership has a holistic approach and all issues will be resolved with time, he added. On issues of full statehood demand, Boro said, "We signed the accord for the community but the aspiration for a separate state might be there. Whether it's right or wrong needs to be analysed. We should not go for that kind of agitation which is not justified." "Since the leadership heard our aspirations we signed the accord. I can only air my views but people have to decide their future. We signed the accord as the need was there to end violence." New Delhi, Jan 28 : A day after the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand, committee member Manu Gaur, who was a member of the UCC rules drafting committee, on Tuesday spoke with IANS about the various aspects related to the Act. Gaur said that before the 2022 Assembly elections, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had announced that if his government was re-elected, the UCC would be implemented. The public supported him, and his government came to power. After that, in his first Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister formed an expert committee headed by former Supreme Court Justice Ranjana P. Desai. Other experts in the committee included former Justice Pramod Kohli, former Chief Secretary Shatrughan Singh, and Vice-Chancellor of Doon University, Surekha Dangwal. Replying to questions, Gaur explained that the committee emphasised that the purpose of the UCC was to grant equal rights to women, as Chief Minister Dhami had mentioned during the UCC launch programme. He said the law was intended for half of the population, namely women, who, even after so many years of independence, were still fighting for their rights and not receiving justice. He further said: "The committee decided that the UCC would be implemented in the public's interest. For this, public outreach programmes were conducted, and around 2.5 lakh suggestions were received through various channels. Manu Gaur pointed out that Uttarakhand's total population is about 1.25 crore, with around 25 lakh families in the state. This means that approximately 10 per cent of the families participated in the process and provided their suggestions. This included religious organisations, religious leaders, lawyers, social organisations, and political parties (those who contested the 2022 elections). Suggestions were taken from all of them, with 7 out of 10 parties providing their input. Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and CPI distanced themselves and did not submit any suggestions." He mentioned that the most important issue that emerged from the public suggestions was how to resolve people's difficulties. Based on these suggestions, the committee recommended several important changes, particularly the creation of an online web portal to simplify the processes of marriage registration and 'will' registration. This would reduce the need to visit government offices and save time in registering marriages, divorces, and property-related matters." "This database would assist the government and help resolve property disputes in the future. For example, when family heirs fight over property for years in court, having their information in the government database would make it clear who is entitled to what property, with just a click," he added. Manu Gaur further shared: "The suggestions were also received from various religious organisations. The Sikh community raised the question of whether their tradition of 'Anand Karaj' (wedding ceremony) would be affected by the implementation of the UCC. It was clarified that there would be no change in customs or rituals, but marriage registration would be made mandatory, which is necessary for foreign travel." He added that one of the major disputes regarding the UCC was related to property rights, especially the issue of granting daughters equal rights. Gaur called this a major challenge in society, as Indian society is patriarchal, and many people do not want women to have equal rights in property. "However, the committee and the government aim to ensure equal rights for every individual, whether male or female," he asserted. Gaur explained that in Hindu society, marriage is considered a sacred ritual, whereas in other religions, it is viewed as a contract. He gave the example of the acceptance of divorce in Hinduism, stating that society accepted it when it was introduced. After the implementation of the UCC, if a woman or man struggles for their rights after divorce, they will be able to benefit from this law. He highlighted that women previously faced difficulties after divorce, such as a lack of financial support and proper care for their children. Keeping this in mind, the committee developed a strong legal framework that would ensure women receive justice and can claim their rights in society. Gaur claimed that the UCC would benefit women from all communities and promote equality and justice in society. New Delhi, Jan 28 : All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and several Muslim organisations have strongly condemned the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand, calling it deeply "unfortunate and harmful to the country." New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS) All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and several Muslim organisations have strongly condemned the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand, calling it deeply "unfortunate and harmful to the country." The Muslim leaders have also raised concerns over the Joint Parliamentary Committee's (JPC) actions on the Waqf Bill, accusing it of violating democratic values and exceeding its limits. In a joint statement, the AIMPLB and various Muslim organisations asserted that the UCC law in Uttarakhand is undemocratic, unconstitutional, and an assault on the fundamental rights of citizens. They stated that the law is "absolutely unacceptable" as it undermines the freedom of citizens, including Muslims, to practice their religion and follow its teachings, which are guaranteed by the Constitution. "The Constitution of the country guarantees all citizens, including Muslims, the freedom to practice their religious beliefs and follow religious teachings. Muslim personal law is an integral part of Islam, which is protected under the Shariat Application Act, 1937," said the AIMPLB in a statement. It further argued that no state has the right to implement a Uniform Civil Code. The Muslim leaders reiterated that they would challenge the UCC law in court, with the AIMPLB having decided to do so during its meeting in Bengaluru. The statement also referenced a joint press conference held last July where leaders of various communities, including Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Dalits, and Adivasis, made it clear that they would never accept the UCC under any circumstances. "We appeal to the Muslims and other citizens of Uttarakhand not to get panicked and not to compromise on their religious laws. Inshallah, we will oppose this at every level within the democratic framework," the AIMPLB urged. Muslim organisations have also slammed the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Waqf, accusing it of disregarding parliamentary rules and democratic traditions while considering the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. The committee's recommendations to approve the bill, which ignored the views and sentiments of millions of people, were described as "unreasonable" and "undemocratic." "The JPC has shown blatant disregard for parliamentary rules and boundaries, conducting its proceedings while disregarding all democratic values and traditions," the statement said. The Muslim organisations had presented their objections both in writing and orally, with millions of emails sent to the committee opposing the bill. According to the AIMPLB, a total of 36.6 million emails were sent, alongside additional submissions from other Muslim organisations. The AIMPLB also expressed its firm stance against any attempt to seize or destroy Waqf properties, with the leaders declaring that they would not allow anyone to manipulate or usurp these properties. The Board and other organisations asserted that any attempt to seize minority properties would be considered "sheer oppression," which would not be accepted by justice-loving people. "We regret that the NDA's allied parties have failed to uphold their responsibilities and supported the BJP's communal agenda. We appeal to the secular opposition parties to unite and strongly oppose this bill if it is presented in Parliament," the statement read. The Muslim organisations have demanded that the government withdraw the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill and retain the previous law. If this demand is not met, they warned that Muslims would have no option but to protest in the streets and resort to other democratic means, including a nationwide agitation movement. "We will use all democratic and constitutional means, including a nationwide agitation movement. If needed, we may come on the streets or go to jail for this cause, we will not hesitate to do so," the statement concluded. Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, President, AIMPLB and other office-bearers of organisations such as Jamiat Ulema Hind and Jamiat Ahle Hadith are signatories to the statement. Prayagraj, Jan 28 : The ongoing Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, which has already seen more than four crore devotees take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, continues to attract religious fervour and praise. As part of the massive spiritual gathering, Adani Group, in partnership with ISKCON, has been providing free food prasad (sacred offerings) to millions of devotees. On the fifteenth day of the Mahakumbh, a notable event unfolded when Meerut MP Arun Govil, famously known for his portrayal of Lord Ram in the iconic television series Ramayan, joined the Mahaprasad distribution service. Govil personally distributed food prasad to devotees, further cementing the initiativeas impact. Arun Govil praised the efforts of the Adani Group and ISKCON in providing free, satvik (pure) food to the devotees, calling it a remarkable service during such a grand religious event. "This free and selfless food prasad service by Adani and ISKCON is a great service for the devotees in Mahakumbh," said Govil. "Providing quality satvik food is commendable, and I extend my best wishes and gratitude to both the Adani and ISKCON groups for their efforts," he added. Mahant Peer Shri Shernath Ji Maharaj of Gorakhnath Math, who had travelled from Junagadh, Gujarat, to participate in the Mahaprasad service, also expressed his appreciation. "The Mahaprasad being provided here is an excellent initiative by the Adani Group. I thank them and wish all the members of the group on behalf of the Mela Samiti," he remarked. The Maha Kumbh celebrated every 12 years, is set to witness even larger crowds tomorrow, with over 10 crore devotees expected to participate in the grand Mahasnan (holy bath) on Mauni Amavasya. The historic event has already drawn millions of pilgrims who are following the sacred tradition of bathing at the Triveni Sangam, a site believed to have been blessed during the mythological Samudra Manthan. The Mahakumbh, held in Prayagraj, which is regarded as the "king of pilgrimages," is a celebration of Sanatan Dharma and its ancient rituals. The event continues to provide a platform for millions to seek blessings and spiritual fulfilment. On January 28, the 29th President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, turned 70 years old. He was once one of the most influential leaders in Europe, but now his name is associated with scandals, corruption cases, and controversial political statements about Ukraine's independence. His rise from president to the subject of numerous criminal investigations is a story of downfall that has also affected his family. ADVERTISIMENT For example, his wife faces up to 20 years in prison for fraud during the 2007 presidential campaign. OBOZ.UA decided to recall the politician's most high-profile scandal and how life punished the "Putin's friend". Scandalous statements about Ukraine Sarkozy has repeatedly shocked the international community with his statements on the war in Ukraine. During the full-scale invasion, he gave an interview in which he justified Russia's actions, claiming that "Putin was provoked" into an armed attack. The politician openly urged Ukraine to peace, arguing that our country should refuse to join the EU and NATO. He made similarly loud statements about Crimea. For example, he called the peninsula "historically Russian territory" and called for a "referendum under international supervision" to be held there once again to make sure that not only Ukrainians but also Russians live there. However, he overlooked the fact that many Russians were forcibly settled there after 2014 and they will definitely vote for their homeland. ADVERTISIMENT "Everything will depend on how the situation develops on the ground. If the Ukrainians fail to fully recapture them, the choice will be between a frozen conflict, which, as we know, will inevitably lead to a new hot conflict tomorrow, or to resort, again, to referendums under the strict control of the international community to finally resolve these territorial issues," Sarkozy said. Although the politician acknowledged that Russia is an aggressor, he emphasized that the world must avoid its destruction to prevent "total war." Since 2014, Sarkozy has expressed support for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, saying that the French economy is suffering because of sanctions against Russia. During his visit to Moscow, Sarkozy said that he had always considered Putin a friend. ADVERTISIMENT Corruption cases and trials At the same time, legal proceedings against the 29th president continue in France. In particular, he is accused of corruption, illegal campaign financing, and collusion with Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. According to the prosecutor's office, in 2006-2007, Gaddafi may have illegally transferred millions of euros to Sarkozy to finance his campaign. The trial in this case began on January 6, 2025 and is expected to last three months. Sarkozy faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of about one million euros. However, back in 2014, the politician, through his lawyer, intended to bribe Gilbert Azibert, a prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, by offering him a "prestigious job" in Monaco. According to the case file, Sarkozy wanted to get information about the investigation against him. Sarkozy's wife, former supermodel Carla Bruni, was also involved in this story. She is accused of fraud and falsification of testimony in the case of financing her husband's election campaign. If proven guilty, she faces up to 20 years in prison. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! New Delhi/Jaipur, Jan 28 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Tuesday criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), stating that the party has deceived the people of Delhi over the past decade. "Despite being the nation's capital, Delhi remains trapped in neglect, like 'darkness under the lamp'. The people of Delhi are yearning for change and will hold the AAP accountable in the upcoming elections by voting for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with a resounding majority," said CM Sharma. Addressing public rallies in support of BJP candidates Gajendra Daral and Kulwant Rana from the Mundka and Rithala Assembly constituencies, CM Sharma accused both the AAP and Congress of misleading voters with false promises and propaganda during election seasons. Speaking at the Mundka rally, Chief Minister Sharma alleged that the AAP, which rose to power on an anti-corruption platform, has been consumed by the very corruption it vowed to fight. Highlighting various scams, he termed Rs 1,300 crore classroom construction scam, Rs 300 crore fake laboratory test scam, and Rs 2,800 crore liquor scam. "Their so-called honest leaders, including the Chief Minister himself, have been embroiled in corruption cases. While claiming simplicity, they built themselves glass palaces with public funds," said CM Sharma. He criticised the AAP government for Delhi's deteriorating infrastructure, citing issues such as severe pollution, broken roads, inadequate sewer systems, traffic congestion, and water shortages. CM Sharma questioned AAP's track record of fulfilling promises, claiming most of their manifesto commitments remain unfulfilled. In contrast, he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, highlighting the successful BJP governments in neighbouring states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, which have brought visible development. He also pointed out that his 13-month-old government in Rajasthan has already delivered on more than half of its manifesto pledges. At the rally in Rithala, Chief Minister Sharma remarked on the visible enthusiasm among Delhiites for political change. "The people of Delhi are ready to break free from the deceit of AAP," he declared, adding that the party's web of lies is now unraveling, with several of its leaders either in jail or out on bail. CM Sharma listed numerous alleged scams by AAP, including Rs 28,400 crore Jal Board scam, Rs 5,400 crore ration distribution scam, Rs 4,500 crore DTC bus purchase scam, Rs 500 crore panic button scam, Rs 100 crore Waqf Board property scam. Citing BJP's vision for Delhi's development, the Chief Minister reaffirmed BJP's commitment to transforming Delhi, outlining welfare measures for various sections of society. Proposed benefits include Life insurance of Rs 10 lakh and accident insurance of Rs 5 lakh for gig workers and textile workers, toolkit incentives for textile and construction workers, and loan schemes up to Rs 3 lakh for construction workers, among others. Urging voters to support BJP candidate Kulwant Rana in Rithala, CM Sharma appealed to the public to vote for the lotus symbol on February 5, promising an honest and hardworking government. The rallies witnessed a large turnout, including BJP officials and enthusiastic supporters. Hyderabad, Jan 28 : Police on Tuesday announced the arrest of an ex-serviceman who killed his wife in the most brutal fashion, chopped her body into pieces, boiled and burnt them into ashes. A week after the sensational killing came to light at Meerpet on the outskirts of Hyderabad, Rachakonda Police announced the arrest of 39-year-old Gurumurthy and produced him before the media. The man allegedly killed his wife Putta Venkata Madhavi, chopped her body into pieces, boiled them in water with a water heater, burnt them again on the stove and turned them into ashes before disposing of them in a lake. Rachakonda Police Commissioner G. Sudheer Babu shared the grisly details of the case and admitted that they too were stunned by the brutal manner in which the accused committed the crime. The Commissioner told the media that Gurumurthy is unrepentant and remorseless. "This was not a crime committed in a fit of rage. It was a planned murder executed in the most brutal manner," he said. The top cop termed it the rarest of rare cases and revealed that he had never seen such a case in his career. The retired soldier resorted to the boiling and burning body pieces in order to wipe out physical evidence and escape but police worked on the case meticulously and collected the technical evidence to nail him. Sharing the details of the gruesome murder, the Police Commissioner said on Sankranti (January 15), Gurumurthy and Madhavi along with their two children went to a relative's house. The couple returned to their house on the same night, leaving behind the children with the relative. The next day morning, Gurumurthy had a fight with his wife. He thrashed her and hit her head against the wall. When she collapsed, he strangled her to death. The accused then used the knife to cut the body into four pieces -- legs, hands, head and torso. Police found during the investigation that he cut the body into pieces from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The accused then boiled water with a water heater and poured body pieces into it. Not stopping at that, he burnt the boiled pieces on a stove. He then grinded and crushed the burnt pieces with mortar and pestle to turn them into powder. The killer then poured the ashes into a plastic bucket and dumped in Jillelaguda Lake. Police said the accused brought the children home after clearing all the traces of body pieces. When the children enquired about their mother, he told them that she left the house without any information. Two days later, when Madhavi's parents enquired about her, he accompanied them to the police station to lodge a missing case. The Commissioner said police seized a knife, stove, roller stone, water heater, bucket, room fresher, acid bottle, victim's dress and two mobile phones. Earlier in the day, the police took the accused to the crime scene and reconstructed the scene. The Commissioner said the police would take all steps to prove the case legally and ensure that Gurumurthy gets the punishment. New Delhi, Jan 28 : Manu Gaur, a member of the committee that drafted the UCC rules, shared his insights in an exclusive interview with IANS. During this conversation, he explained why the committee did not consider making laws regarding population control as part of the UCC. Manu Gaur explained that the committee did receive several suggestions to introduce laws on population control. But the panelas primary focus was on issues related to personal laws, not population control, he added. He further remarked subjects assigned to the committee at its formation were related to Entry 5 of the Constitution, whereas population control falls under Entry 20. As a result of this no proposal was made for a new law on population control, Gaur explained. However, he mentioned that the committee presented the public sentiment on population control to the government and expressed hope that this issue would be considered in the future. He also talked about Islamic practices such as triple talaq, halala, and iddat. Gaur pointed out that these practices were originally intended to exploit women, and the proposal for UCC aimed to eliminate such social evils. Specifically addressing the practice of iddat, he said that its purpose was to determine whether a woman was pregnant, but with advancements in technology, it had become obsolete. He emphasised that the UCC would protect the rights of women and children, and the law's implementation was a necessary step for safeguarding these rights in today's time. Regarding the exclusion of tribal communities from the UCC, Gaur explained that the Indian Constitution grants special rights to tribes, and to protect their cultural and traditional heritage, they were kept outside the scope of the law. Citing Article 342 of the Constitution, he pointed out that special provisions exist for tribal communities, and therefore, implementing UCC in these areas was not feasible. Gaur applauded the step taken by Uttarakhand in implementing the UCC, calling it a historic moment for the state. He mentioned that the law would apply to citizens who have lived in the state for over a year, government employees, and those benefiting from government services. He said that under UCC, the registration of live-in relationships would be handled in a manner that keeps the police out of the process. Only a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) would be involved in the registration process, and all data would be maintained by a Magistrate-level officer. This system aims to ensure that false complaints cannot be filed, and anyone making repeated false complaints would face penalties, with their registration being deactivated. Gaur stated that this approach would help clarify misconceptions surrounding live-in relationships and provide protection for women and children. Gaur further said that some Public Interest Litigations (PILs) had been filed challenging the formation of the committee and the implementation of the UCC in court. However, the Supreme Court rejected these petitions and upheld the state's right to implement the UCC. Mumbai, Jan 28 : Telugu star Vijay Deverakonda, who was recently seen in a cameo appearance in 'Kalki 2898 AD', has extended a warm welcome to the British rock band Coldplay. On Tuesday, the actor took to the Stories section of his Instagram, and shared a video. The text on the video read, "Chris Martin says he is from Telangana". The actor wrote on the video, "Chris Martin welcome. Someone needs to make a Podusthunna poddumeeda X Coldplay mashup". Earlier, Vijay gave a field day to the netizens with the poster release of actress Rashmika Mandanna's upcoming Telugu movie 'The Girlfriend'. The poster read, "Vijay Deverakonda will introduce 'The Girlfriend'". Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, who are two of the leading stars in India, are rumoured to be dating, and the Internet users brought that up in the comments. One user wrote, "Vijay Devarakonda will introduce HIS GIRLFRIEND". Another wrote, "So THE BOYFRIEND will introduce THE GIRLFRIEND?". A third user wrote, "Why it's totally relating to Their Personal life?". Earlier, Rashmika Mandanna, who was seen in the recently released blockbuster 'Pushpa 2: The Rule', celebrated the "very special" month of December with the 1st anniversary of her movie 'Animal'. The actress took to the Stories section of her Instagram, and re-shared a Reel from one of her fans showcasing her character of Geethanjali from the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer 'Animal'. She wrote on the video, "December has indeed been very very special to me. So grateful. Swami swami swami.Thank you Thank you Thank". 'Animal', which starred Ranbir in the titular role, told the story of the relationship between a son and a father carved in blood. The multi-starrer film, which was directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga of 'Kabir Singh' fame, proved to be a blockbuster, and also triggered a wave of criticism over its portrayal and treatment of women. The film made a huge noise and diminished the Vicky Kaushal-starrer 'Sam Bahadur', a biopic based on the Indian war hero Sam Manekshaw. Prior to that, 'Pushpa: The Rise', which was Rashmika's claim to fame across India, was also released in December. The film, which released during the thick of the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemie, performed exceptionally well at the box-office amidst the shut down of theatres across India. Mumbai, Jan 28 : In a bid to strengthen the Marathi film industry, the Maharashtra government has decided to organise an international standard Marathi Film Festival this year, announced Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar here on Tuesday. This initiative stems from a realisation that while the State Marathi Film Award ceremony is being organised for the past 60 years, there has been no official government-backed film festival for the Marathi cinema. Various organisations host various international film festivals across different parts of Maharashtra. These organisations receive financial support from the government ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 4 crore. And hence, recognising the need for an official festival to exclusively celebrate Marathi films this decision was taken said Shelar at the press conference. Shelar said the inaugural edition of the film festival this year will be a three-day event hosted in Mumbai. A selection of quality Marathi films, that often do not reach wider audiences, will be showcased during this festival. "A unique feature of the festival will be the presence of the team of that particular film accompanying their screenings to interact directly with the audiences. Additionally, as per the international standards, the event will include seminars, panel discussions and interviews with leading scholars and professionals from the industry," he added. The dates and detailed guidelines will be declared soon. The festival will jointly be organised by the Maharashtra Film, Theatre and Cultural Affairs department. "The festival will provide the much-needed platform and to draw film enthusiasts from across the state, offering them an opportunity to experience the rich artistry, diversity and excellence of Marathi cinema," emphasised the minister. Meanwhile, for the 60th Maharashtra State Marathi Film Awards, a stellar lineup of ten exceptional films has been nominated for the final round, showcasing diversity and brilliance. The nominated films Ananya, Pondicherry, Sunny, Dharmaveer Mukkam Post Thane, Four Blind Men, Samaira, Gaabh, Hya Goshtila Navach Nahi, Global Aadgaon and Har Har Mahadev. The award for best child artist has been declared to Shrinivas Pokale (Chhumantar) and Arnav Deshpande (Aamhi Butterfly). Also, the awards in the technical category have been declared. The best art direction award was declared to Mahesh Kundalkar (Unad), best cinematography to Abhijeet Chaudhary (Four Blind Men) and Omkar Barve (Hya Goshtila Navach Nahi), best editing award to Yash Surve (Kata Kirr), best sound editing to Suhas Rane (Hya Goshtila Navach Nahi), best sound mixing Lochan Pratap Kanvinde (Har Har Mahadev), best costume Ujjwala Singh (Taath Kana), best costume design Sumit Jadhav (Taath Kana). A total of 50 entries were received for the preliminary round of the award, featuring films that were censored between January 1 and December 31, 2022. These films were meticulously reviewed by Mugdha Godbole, Vivek Lagoo, Babasaheb Saudagar, Vijay Bhope, Shrirang Aras, Raja Phadtare, Sharad Sawant, Medha Ghadge, Chaitrali Dongre, Vinod Ganatra, Prakash Jadhav, Sharvari Pillai, Zafar Sultan, Devdutta Raut, and Vidyasagar Adhyapak. Chandigarh, Jan 28 : The Congress continued to deceive the people of Punjab with its duplicitous strategies and by not fielding a candidate for the Chandigarh Mayor elections, it has clearly demonstrated its hidden alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party, said Punjab BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal on Tuesday. In a video released here, Baliawal cornered the Congress saying: "While they pretend to oppose AAP publicly, their internal ties reveal a betrayal of the trust of the common people. The drama staged during the Amritsar Mayor elections further exposes this unholy alliance. Congress's silence and inaction, while AAP manipulated the councillors, speaks volumes about their collaboration." He added that to add to this disgrace, Congress leaders are now scrambling for a 'safe house' in Ludhiana, where AAP holds power. "Are you serious or out of your mind? This blatant act is nothing short of a mockery of democracy and a reflection of the failure of Congress leadership, particularly Raja Warring, who continues to turn a blind eye to these theatrics while playing along with AAP," he said. He said that this situation proves that both Congress and AAP are two sides of the same coin. "Their theatrics to mislead the public will not last long. The people of Punjab are now aware of their deceitful alliance and will hold them accountable in the upcoming elections," Baliawal added. Meanwhile, the newly elected Mayor of Amritsar, Jatinder Singh Motia Bhatia, assumed office at a swearing-in ceremony. The event was attended by Punjab Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal along with several local party leaders and MLAs. Minister Dhaliwal said, "Today is a very historic day for Amritsar and a moment of great pride for the Aam Aadmi Party. "I want to assure the residents of Amritsar that our Mayor and councillors will work tirelessly to meet your expectations. We will resolve all the city's issues and ensure that residents face no difficulties. Development and the smooth functioning of the city will be our top priorities," he said. Dhaliwal said the Congress has been creating drama for several months now and has no real issues. "If a Congress Mayor is elected, then democracy is great; but if not, they claim that democracy has been murdered. Amritsar is not the personal property of one family. It belongs to the people, and they are free to choose whoever they want as Mayor. We will not allow nepotism to thrive," he added. Dhaliwal also criticised Congress leader Partap Bajwa, saying, "Bajwa claims that democracy has been killed, but why did he not see this during Congress rule when Punjab was ruined for 75 years when people were openly murdered, false cases were filed, and Darbar Sahib was attacked? The Congress is now spreading false rumours about the Mayor elections." Chandigarh, Jan 28 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said the statement of poisonous water made by former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal "is a political stunt by the Aam Aadmi Party aimed at influencing voters in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections and deflecting attention from its own failures". Chandigarh, Jan 28 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said the statement of poisonous water made by former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal "is a political stunt by the Aam Aadmi Party aimed at influencing voters in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections and deflecting attention from its own failures". He said the issue has been raised with the Election Commission of India. "Ensuring a reliable water supply to the national capital is a collective responsibility, which Haryana is fulfilling diligently and without any shortcomings," he said. Exposing the failure of the Delhi government, the Chief Minister said in 2021 Delhi filed a petition to which the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) responded. "The CPCB's reply highlighted the issue of ammonia nitrogen in the Wazirabad pond and mentioned that there is a water treatment plant in Agra capable of treating water with ammonia levels up to 24 mg/l. However, the Delhi government has not taken any steps to upgrade the Wazirabad plant. As a result, the people of Delhi are still forced to consume contaminated water, while Arvind Kejriwal is now blaming Haryana to cover up his own failures." CM Saini said the people of Haryana regard the Yamuna River as their mother. "The Yamuna is a life-giving resource for both Haryana and Delhi, and it is our collective responsibility to preserve its purity." He condemned the allegation made by Kejriwal, calling it an insult to the faith of Haryana and its people. The people of Haryana view the Yamuna as a sacred river and worship it. He said Kejriwal's accusations are not only baseless but also disrespectful to Haryana's cultural traditions and beliefs. He said Delhi receives its drinking water supply of 1,049 cusecs at Munak from the waters of the Yamuna and Ravi-Beas rivers. "Haryana is consistently supplying this water to Delhi through two canals: The Carrier Line Channel (CLC) and the Delhi Branch. Since the commissioning of the Carrier Line Channel in 2014, Haryana has not supplied any water to Delhi through drains or directly from the Yamuna River; instead, clean water is being supplied exclusively through the canal system of CLC and Delhi Branch." He assured the Haryana government is committed to ensuring the purity and continuous supply of water to Delhi. The Chief Minister said in a statement that between January 7 and 13, 2021, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) tested the water from Yamunanagar (Haryana) to Wazirabad (Delhi) and investigated the primary causes of pollution. The investigation revealed that dirty water is being illegally discharged between Palla and Wazirabad. In addition, the accumulation of sediment in the Wazirabad pond is causing an increase in ammonia nitrogen levels. However, the Delhi government has not taken any action on the CPCB's report since 2021. Neither has the illegal discharge of polluted water between Palla and Wazirabad been halted nor has any effort been made to clean the Wazirabad pond. The Chief Minister urged residents to prioritise water conservation and use water resources judiciously. He said saving water is crucial not only for the present but also for the well-being of future generations. Hyderabad, Jan 28 : The body of an engineering student, who went missing after Sunday night's fire on a boat and a floating jetty in Hussain Sagar Lake here, was found on Tuesday. The body of 21-year-old S. Ajay was recovered near Tank Bund on Tuesday evening. The search operation involving personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Fire Department lasted for 45 hours. Seven boats were used for the search operation. Six persons were injured when fireworks were set off from a boat and a jetty in the lake as part of the 'Bharat Mata Maha Harati' programme at People's Plaza on Necklace Road abutting the lake. Ganapati (22), one of the injured, succumbed at a private hospital on Tuesday morning. With the recovery of Ajay's body, the death toll in the incident has gone up to two. Ajay, a final year B.Tech student of Geetanjali Engineering College, had gone to Hussain Sagar with his friends Sai Sandeep and Raghavendra. According to police, Raghavendra had not paid money for firecrackers purchased from a trader Manikantha in the past. When he called Manikantha to pay the money, the latter asked him to come to the lake as he was there for the fireworks as part of the 'Bharat Mata Maha Harati' programme. The three friends went to the lake on a bike. After making payment to the trader, the friends boarded the boat which sailed into the lake with firecrackers. When the boat caught fire during the firecrackers, the friends got separated. Sai Sandeep and Raghavendra escaped with injuries and were admitted to Gandhi Hospital. As they did not find Ajay, they alerted the police and his friends. The police with NDRF launched the search for Ajay on Monday morning. Their efforts did not yield results on Monday. They finally found the body on Tuesday evening. Ajay is believed to have jumped into the lake to save himself when the boat caught fire. Ganapati (22), who was admitted to Yashoda Hospital in a critical condition, succumbed while undergoing treatment. The youth hailing from West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh had sustained 100 per cent superficial burns. Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy attended the 'Bharat Mata Maha Harati' programme. They had left the venue after the cultural performance by artists and the speeches. According to fire services department officials, the organisers did not seek permission for the fireworks display. They said fire safety teams and equipment are kept on standby during such events. However, in this case, no such arrangements were made as the organisers had not informed the police or the fire department. It took a long time for the rescue teams to reach the boat and the jetty. Bharat Mata Foundation had organised the programme on the occasion of Republic Day. The organisation has been organising the programme every year for the last seven years. The Secretariat Police registered a case on a complaint by an official at Lumbini Park. Jaipur/Churu, Jan 28 : Rajasthan Police in Churu district successfully busted a gang involved in running an online escort service and arrested three members. The operation led to the recovery of 12 mobile phones, 4 SIM cards, driving licenses belonging to five foreign nationals, two cheque books, and an accounting notebook. Superintendent of Police Jai Yadav explained that the accused had created a fake website named SKOKKA Australia, falsely advertising escort services in various countries. The website displayed photos of Indian and foreign women along with contact numbers. When users contacted the numbers provided, the gang demanded money as an advance payment. Later, additional money was extorted under the pretence of security and other charges. Once victims suspected fraud and demanded their money back, the scammers blocked their numbers. Fear of public shame often deterred victims from reporting the incidents to the police. During the ongoing Cyber Shield Campaign initiated by the Director General of Police, Rajasthan (January 2a"31), information was received about an online escort service centre operating in Dhanauthi Chhoti village within the Siddhmukh police station area. Under the guidance of Additional SP Kishori Lal and CO Rajgarh Nishchay Prasad MIPS, a team led by SHO Pushpendra Singh conducted a raid in Dhanauthi Chhoti village. ASI Ramnarayan and his team arrested three suspects, Narendra Sheoran (26), Anil Kumar Sheoran (30) and Mahendra Kumar (30), The raid also resulted in the seizure of 12 mobile phones, 4 SIM cards, Driving licenses of 5 Australian nationals, 2 cheque books and an accounting notebook. The operation was carried out by ASI Ramnarayan, along with Head Constable Pramod Kumar, Constables Suresh Kumar, Ishwar Singh, Jaipal, Rohtas Kumar, Pratap Singh, Sunil Kumar, Rakesh Kumar, Mahavir Singh, Sunil Kumar, and Lady Constable Ompati. The success of this operation highlights the vigilance of Rajasthan Police in combating cybercrime and fraudulent activities, said officials. Patna, Jan 28 : The Madhubani Police in Bihar arrested five individuals on Tuesday for inappropriately holding the Tricolour during a bike rally held on Republic Day, January 26. The accused, part of a group of 40-45 youths on 20 motorcycles, were seen inappropriately holding the Tricolour during the celebration at the grounds of Khopa College. The accused also allegedly fired some rounds of bullets while holding the Tricolour. The incident gained attention after a video of the event went viral, showing some of the youths behaving inappropriately with the Tricolour, including placing it on the ground. Acting swiftly, the police of Phulparas police station launched an investigation and arrested five accused individuals. The arrested individuals have been identified as Om Prakash Yadav, resident of Mahulia Uttarawari Tola, Phulparas; Dinesh Kumar Sahu, resident of Araria Sangram, Madhubani; Subham Yadav, arrested from his maternal grandfather's house in Hulas Patti, Phulparas; Pankaj Yadav, resident of Navtol, Phulparas; and Vishnudev Yadav also a resident of Navtol, Phulparas. During the arrests, the police recovered one country-made Katta, two live cartridges and four mobile phones from the possession of the accused. Additionally, the investigation revealed that some participants in the rally were carrying illegal weapons, further raising concerns. Madhubani SP and Phulparas police are continuing the investigation to identify other individuals involved in the incident. Strict action has been assured against those found guilty of disrespecting the national flag and violating the law. "We have registered an FIR under relevant sections of arms act in Phulparas police station and the investigation is underway to identify other accused involved in this case. The viral videos were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for detailed investigation. We have also seized their mobile phones and they are also submitted before FSL to extract deleted videos. The firearm and two live cartridges belong to Subham Yadav. We are interrogating him to determine how he obtained the weapon," said an official spokesperson of Madhubani police. Princess Kate Middleton of Wales made her first public appearance after announcing that she was in remission from cancer. She made a last-minute decision to join Prince William at the Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony in London, England. ADVERTISIMENT Buckingham Palace confirmed that 43-year-old Kate Middleton decided to accompany her husband, 42-year-old Prince William, at the official service dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Jews from the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. The event, which took place on January 27, was one of the key events of Holocaust Remembrance Day, People magazine reports. Prince William was a scheduled participant in the ceremony, but Princess Kate's participation came as a surprise. She decided to join the service after she officially announced her remission on January 14. At the event, Middleton said: "It's good to be here." The princess was dressed in all black, and her look was complemented by Queen Elizabeth's earrings, which she had previously worn to the memorial ceremony last November. ADVERTISIMENT Holocaust Remembrance Day is dedicated to the memory of the six million Jews who perished during the Holocaust, as well as the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution. The date of January 27 was not chosen by chance it was on this day in 1945 that Allied forces liberated the largest Nazi death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau. This year's event included touching speeches, memoirs, and testimonies from Holocaust survivors. The prince and princess also discussed their desire to educate children about the Holocaust, the Daily Mail reports. Prince William said: "George is approaching the age when he begins to understand things. So it becomes interesting to talk to him about what happened." Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that Kate Middleton was offered to appear on the cover of the world's glossy magazine. Her Highness has already worked with the creators of the fashion magazine, as she appeared on its cover in 2016. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Bhopal, Jan 28 : Former Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Constable Saurabh Sharma along with his associate Chetan Gaur, who were arrested under the Prevention of Corruption Act, were produced before a Bhopal court on Tuesday. While Sharma and Gaur were produced in the court by Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta Police, following more than five hours of questioning, meanwhile, another co-accused in the case -- Sharad Jaiswal also surrendered in the court. During the hearing, Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta demanded seven days of custody for the investigation. The special Lokayukta Court sent all the accused for seven-day police (Lokayukta) custody (till February 4). The accused trio has been evading police arrest since the Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta registered a case against them more than 40 days back. For instance, Sharma was arrested by Lokayukta Police minutes before he intended to surrender before the court on Tuesday. Following his arrest, Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta Director General (DG) Jaideep Prashad on Tuesday noon told media persons that Sharma was arrested from Bhopal and was being questioned. However, he didn't mention about Chetan Gaur's arrest. Responding to the media's query, Prashad has said that Sharma would be produced in the court after questioning, and the co-accused in the case would be arrested soon. However, Lokayukta Police produced Sharma and his aide Chetan Gaur together before the court. Meanwhile, Sharad Jaiswal also reached the court and surrendered. The Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta Police also avoided questions on where the accused trio has been hiding for the last 40 days and how they appeared all of a sudden. "Lokayukta team has received input that Sharma will be in Bhopal on Tuesday and the team acted on the information and arrested him," DG Prashad has said. Notably, Saurabh Sharma's case got more limelight after the Income Tax (IT) officials recovered 52 kg of gold worth more than Rs 40 crore and Rs 9.86 crore in cash from an abandoned car. The car, bearing a number plate registered as MP 07 (Gwalior RTO) under the name of Chetan Gaur, was discovered late at night on December 19 from Bhopal. Later, based on Lokayukta's complaint, the Enforcement Department (ED) also carried out searches at multiple locations and recovered properties worth several crores of rupees. In the past month, ED raided more than 12 offices and premises belonging to Sharma and his relatives suspected to be connected to the case. According to official sources, the ED also questioned Sharma's wife and mother on Monday, however, they were let off after a few hours of questioning. Sharma was appointed as a Constable in the transport department in 2016 on compassionate ground after his father, a government doctor at Gwalior district hospital died in 2015. He worked as RTO constable for 12 years and took a voluntarily retirement from services in 2023. The official said Sharma's application to take voluntary retirement was accepted in 2023 even though an inquiry was pending against him. Guwahati, Jan 28 : Assam Police foiled another attempt of infiltration by Bangladeshi nationals on Tuesday as three persons including a woman were arrested and later pushed back to the neighbouring country, said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The CM has credited the strict vigilance by the security personnel. In a post on X, CM Sarma wrote, "Strict vigilance along the border continues. In an alert move by @assampolice, 3 Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended near the border trying to illegally sneak in." The persons have been identified as Hubha S, Mithun S and Pinki Molla. Sarma further said: "All 3 have been pushed back to Bangladesh." Earlier on Tuesday, the Chief Minister alleged that Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI and terror outfits in Bangladesh are trying to reorganise themselves with the change in political regime in the neighbouring country. He said: "Efforts are on to form an alliance between ISI and local organisations in Bangladesh, but the people of Assam believe in peace and are not going to come under their influence. We are catching infiltrators every day. We are monitoring the Brahmaputra using modern technology." CM Sarma assured that the state's border security remains robust, thanks to nearly complete fencing along its borders with Bangladesh. Highlighting ongoing vigil through advanced gadgets, the Chief Minister dismissed concerns about possible intrusions, particularly in light of reported attempts by the ISI and sections of Bangladesh-based groups to collaborate. "There is no option for them to enter Assam as the border is almost fenced," CM Sarma reiterated, emphasising the effectiveness of the fencing and vigilance along the border. However, he acknowledged that about 10-12 individuals are being sent back to Bangladesh on average following the change in regime in the neighbouring country. The issue of illegal border crossings has intensified since the political shift in Bangladesh with the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's government. Sarma noted that the Border Security Force (BSF) has successfully pushed back thousands of Bangladeshis attempting to cross into Indian Territory illegally. On the issue of insurgency in Assam, the CM expressed optimism about achieving lasting peace. Kokrajhar : , Jan 28 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday that there are several reports that some sections of Bangladeshi establishment are trying to revive militancy in Assam with the help of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He was in Bodoland (Kokrajhar) to commemorate five years of the 2020 Bodo Peace Accord. On this occasion, he said that for the last three-and-a-half years, there was not even a political agitation in Bodoland. After the accord peace is prevailing there, he added. CM Sarma said, "The situation in Bangladesh is not good. We have come to know that ISI with the help of some sections of the Bangladeshi establishment is trying to revive militancy in Assam. However, it's not practically possible as there is no local support available to spread such intentions. Moreover, people want peace." The Chief Minister said: "The plans of some sections in Bangladeshi government and ISI won't work as local support is necessary to spread militancy but for that, there is no such local support available in Assam. All people in Assam want peace in the state. Assam's borders with Bangladesh are fully fenced, however, the porous sections along Brahmaputra river where fencing is not possible, attempts of infiltration are being controlled with the help of electronic gadgets and especially with the help of drones." On infiltration attempts from across Bangladesh into Assam, CM Sarma said that with the help of gadgets like drones such incidents are caught daily. "Moreover people of Assam are vigilant when it comes to controlling infiltration and we will not let this happen," he added. Replying to IANS on the relationship with Bhutan and its latest infrastructure-related initiatives, the Assam Chief Minister said that the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) is close to neighbouring Bhutan. Bhutan is building up a great city like Singapore, including lots of tourism-related activities of the neighbouring country will benefit Bodoland as it's just eight km away from the international border. CM Sarma said that he had held these discussions with the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. He will also hold discussions with Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay who will visit Assam to participate in the "Advantage Assam" business summit scheduled for next month. The business summit will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sarma added. The exiled ULFA leader Paresh Baruah is reported to be in touch with stakeholders in Bangladesh through ISI to revive militancy in Assam. Chief Minister Sarma said, "My personal view is that he wants peace and won't destabilise Assam, as after all he won't bring violence to his own state." The Chief Minister also gave his reaction on the possible ecological threat from a dam reportedly being built by China upstream of Brahmaputra. He said, "As a state, we cannot talk to China but the Indian government has taken up the matter with China and I am hopeful that a diplomatic solution will be arrived at." On the issue of financial requirements of the Bodoland Territorial Council, which came into existence after the Bodo peace accord was signed between the Union government, Assam government, and Bodo leaders on January 27, 2020, the Assam Chief Minister said that the state is self-sufficient in terms of funds. "My thought is to make Assam a state of givers not takers. We have enough funds to share with BTC. We have enough funds for development and people are satisfied. BTC has an annual budget and the state government spends almost double of that budget on the developmental works there in Bodoland." Jaipur, Jan 28 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) elected district presidents in seven districts of Rajasthan on Tuesday, with all positions being filled unopposed. As of now, 23 district presidents have been elected. The BJP, which has 44 districts from an organisational standpoint, now needs to elect 21 more district presidents within the next three days. Tuesday's elections were conducted in Churu, Sikar, Pali, Jalore, Jaisalmer, Rajsamand, and Banswara. At present, the BJP is one month behind its organisational election schedule. According to BJP's original plan, the names of district presidents were to be announced by December 30, 2024, followed by the election of the state president by January 15, 2025. The revised timeline now aims to complete the district president elections by January 31 and the state president elections by February 5. Dalpat Hingra, the newly elected Jaisalmer District President, expressed gratitude and acknowledged the significance of his role. "This is a major responsibility," he said. Starting as a grassroots party worker, Hingra emphasised his commitment to working diligently and upholding the party's values. Similarly, Rajsamand District President Jagdish Paliwal highlighted the importance of teamwork. "The new responsibility entrusted by the party organisation will be fulfilled with complete dedication and cooperation. We will strengthen and empower the party together," he said. According to BJP's organisational structure, a total of 44 district presidents are appointed in Rajasthan. As of now, appointments have been made in 23 districts, while the election of district presidents in 21 districts will be completed by January 31. Earlier, new district presidents were appointed in Hanumangarh, Nagaur City, Nagaur Rural, Barmer, Kota City, Kota Rural, Sriganganagar, Balotra, Bikaner Rural, Jodhpur City, and Jodhpur Rural on Monday. This step by the BJP has been taken in the direction of strengthening the party organisation before the upcoming elections in Rajasthan. The state leadership of BJP has given priority to the workers and party interest in this process. BJP has kept in mind the social, political, and organisational activism of the new district presidents in the selection. Guwahati, Jan 28 : Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya while attending a convocation of a state university expressed happiness over a major share of degrees being conferred to female students. Acharya attended the 2nd convocation of Rabindranath Tagore University at Hojai on Tuesday, officials said. The Governor expressed his happiness that most of the degrees awarded have been received by female students, with two out of three gold medal winners being women. He stressed the importance of equal opportunities for women and their participation in research and development for the region's social and economic development. Speaking on the occasion, Acharya congratulated the students who received their degrees, emphasising the significance of hard work, and dedication for their academic success. He also took note of the support of the parents, guardians, and teachers which also play a vital role in the success of the students. Acharya highlighted the university's role in making India a research and innovation hub. He hailed the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 which is also acting as a catalyst to the growth of quality research and development. He emphasised the importance of education in holistic development, citing Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's vision of education as a means of acquiring knowledge and complete development of personality. The Governor encouraged the graduating students to maintain the honour and prestige of great saints of Assam, including Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, Srimanta Shankardev, and Sri Sri Madhavdev. He advised them to work with the spirit of "Nation First" and always remain faithful to their work. The convocation was attended by Vice Chancellor Gauhati University Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta, Vice Chancellor of Rabindranath Tagore University Prof. Madhavendra Dutta Chowdhury, Registrar, Deans, Faculty members of the University, and students. Earlier in the day the Governor along with the First Lady of Assam Lumding Kalibari paid his obeisance there for the wellbeing and prosperity of the people of the State. --IANS tdr/dan Bhopal, Jan 28 : Governor Mangubhai Patel said on Tuesday that Madhya Pradesh has become a leading state in efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) and sickle cell anaemia. The Governor added that the achievements of health programmes signify the accelerated pace of their implementation. He emphasised that these successes serve as inspiration to set new records with enthusiasm. Governor Patel made this statement reviewing the efforts of the state government regarding the sickle cell and TB elimination campaigns, as well as the implementation of the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act at his office in Bhopal on Tuesday. The Governor held a review meeting in the presence of State Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Prahlad Singh Patel and Higher Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar, who also heads the state's AYUSH department. During a discussion with the Ministers and senior officials, Governor Patel emphasised the importance of integrating modern and traditional medical systems in the fight against sickle cell and TB. "The Governor called for the involvement of the AYUSH department in treatment and urged parallel studies on the effectiveness of Ayurveda and homeopathy. He stressed creating public awareness about affordable medicines available at Jan Aushadhi Kendras and ensuring their availability for patients and carriers along with screening," according to the statement issued from the health department. The Governor further emphasised the importance of empowering tribal communities by guiding them on the rights granted to Gram Sabhas under the PESA Act. Earlier, in July 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Sickle Cell Anemia Eradication Mission from Madhya Pradesh. The National Sickle Cell Anemia Eradication Mission (NSCAEM), which aims to address the pressing health challenges posed by sickle cell disease, particularly among the tribal population, was announced in the Union Budget 2023. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has listed sickle cell disease as one of the 10 problems in India's tribal health with Madhya Pradesh having the highest prevalence. An estimated 9,61,492 people are reported to be Sickle Cell carriers, while 67,861 are infected with Sickle Cell anaemia in Madhya Pradesh. As per the ICMR report, there is a high incidence of Sickle Cell Anemia in six tribes spread across 15 districts of Madhya Pradesh. The tribes -- Pradhan, Panika, Barela, Bhilala, Jharia, and Mehra -- are mostly affected with Sickle Cell Anemia. Fifteen districts a" Jhabua, Alirajpur, Dhar, Barwani, Khandwa, Khargone, Burhanpur, Betul, Chhindwara, Jabalpur, Mandla, Dindori, Katni, Umaria, Shahdol and Anuppur -- are with a high index of Sickle Cell Anemia, according to ICMR report. Mahakumbh Nagar, Jan 28 : The Uttar Pradesh government has taken several remarkable steps to make the Mahakumbh Mela clean and plastic-free. The government has not only launched a campaign to make people aware but has also taken many measures to make Prayagraj city and the fair area plastic-free. One of the key steps is a cloth bag vending machine through which one can buy a cloth bag at just Rs 10 by inserting a 10 rupee coin. The government has installed three such machines in the Kumbh area. Along with this, these bags will also be easily available for making online payments. This initiative is motivating people to avoid the use of plastic bags and is helping to make the Mahakumbh Mela area plastic-free. Abhishek, who came from Bengaluru, praised the government's efforts and said, "I am coming from Karnataka. I first arrived in Varanasi. From there I reached Prayagraj by Vande Bharat train. Here in Prayagraj, we have seen a very beautiful and clean system. For cleanliness, these cloth bag machines have been installed everywhere. Here you can get cloth bags for less money so that plastic-free Mahakumbh can be celebrated." Local resident Santosh Kumar said, "I had never seen the level of cleanliness here before. The arrangements made in Kumbh this time are excellent. Be it the police or other officials, everyone is fulfilling their responsibilities. Yogi and Modi governments should be praised, who ensured such a great arrangement. This time the full effect of 'double engine government' is visible in Kumbh. The Kumbh was not as clean earlier, but now it has become much better." He said, "The cleanliness system in Prayagraj has become better than ever. The government has completely banned plastic bags and cloth bags have been made available through banks. Dustbins have also been placed at various places and proper arrangements have been made to keep the environment clean. Pollution is also decreasing. The government has done a very good job regarding the entire arrangements." New Delhi, Jan 28 : The Muslim women have been empowered further by the Central government as they have been also included as members of the Waqf boards. Some of the key provisions of the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025 are as follows: two Muslim women will continue to be included as members in both the State Waqf Boards (Section 14) and the Central Waqf Council (Section 9) to ensure Muslim women's empowerment and participation in waqf management. Also, the State Waqf Boards will now include one member from the Muslim OBC community, ensuring broader representation (Section 14). The information has also said that the state government may establish separate Waqf Boards for Aghakhani and Bohra communities, acknowledging their distinct religious needs (Section 13). It further added that in Waqf Alal Aulad (family waqfs), women's inheritance rights will be safeguarded. "A waqif can dedicate property only after ensuring that female heirs receive their rightful share (Section 3A(2)," it said. Another key provision which has been added is that the registered Waqf by User will continue to be recognised as waqf, except in cases where the property is under dispute or owned by the government (Section 3(r)). It also said that the the Limitation Act will apply to all waqf-related cases from the commencement of this Act, ensuring timely resolution and preventing prolonged litigation (Section 107). Further, the online registration process will be introduced to automate the entire life cycle of waqf properties through the portal. "Waqf Boards must upload all waqf property details on a central portal within six months. The Waqf Tribunal may grant extensions on a case-by-case basis," according to reports. The reports said that if a government property is claimed as waqf, an officer above the rank of Collector, notified by the state government, will conduct an inquiry as per the law. Until the report is submitted, such government properties will not be treated as waqf (Section 3C). It added that Muslim trusts that function similarly to waqf but are governed by trust laws will be excluded from the Waqf Act, 1995, preventing legal conflicts (Section 2A). Accordingly, the income from Waqf Alal Aulad can be used to support widows, divorced women, and orphans, if specified by the waqif (Section 3(r)(iv)). "The finality of tribunal decisions has been removed. Any aggrieved person can now appeal to the High Court within ninety days of the tribunal's decision," as per the available information. To ease the process further, online registration certificates of waqf properties will be issued through the portal. Bhubaneswar, Jan 29 : Odisha received a mammoth investment proposal of nearly Rs 20,900 crore in IT/ITeS, electronics, semiconductors, data centres, and other ancillary sectors on the first day of the two-day 'Utkarsh Odisha' - Make in Odisha conclave-2025 on Tuesday. These investments are expected to boost its economic growth and ensure balanced regional development significantly. Companies such as Zoho, Emmvee Photovoltaic Power, Smartsync Innovations, Kaynes Circuits India, Heterogeneous Integration Packaging Solutions, Sancode Technologies, Nextgen Hitech Energy, Vistas Global WLL, and VVDN Technologies have submitted significant investment proposals. On Tuesday, the State's Electronics and Information Technology Department also exchanged MoUs with NASSCOM, Wadhwani Foundation, and Semiconductor Fabless Accelerator Lab (SFAL), Bengaluru. "These MoUs will facilitate the Odisha government's efforts to establish an AI Centre of Excellence, provide training to government officials in emerging technologies, and ensure successful implementation of the government's flagship O-Chip program," said a press statement by the state government. The Odisha's Electronics and IT Department on Tuesday organised a sectoral event comprising an inaugural session and two-panel discussions on the themes, 'ESDM: The Next Frontier Catalysing Odisha's Tech Revolution' and 'Unlocking the potential of Tier II cities: GCCs & FinTech Opportunities'. During the sectoral session, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also inaugurated the virtual foundation laying ceremony of SiCSem Private Ltd's upcoming project in the state. The company is establishing a 15-acre Silicon Carbide semiconductor power devices manufacturing and ATMP facility in Infovalley, Bhubaneswar, in the first phase. Attending the inaugural session, Union Minister for Electronics and IT, and Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said, "The success of our semiconductor mission has enthused the world. We approved all five projects under the India Semiconductor Mission in less than 90 days each. Now the entire world believes that India will be a major semiconductor destination, and there is no doubt about it. Odisha, which has some of the brightest young people in India, will play a significant role in this process." While addressing the gathering, state Electronics and IT Minister Mukesh Mahaling said, "The Odisha government has set a target of becoming a $500 billion economy by 2036 and a $1.5 trillion economy by 2047. We have planned a series of initiatives to turn this vision into reality, including setting up dedicated tech business parks in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, IT Clusters, GCC Parks, an integrated FinTech cluster, and a network of data centres." The industry leaders speaking during the inaugural session of the event praised the talent pool and the investor-friendly environment that exists in Odisha. "Kaynes plans to invest in PCB and bare board making in Odisha. We are looking forward to investing Rs 1,500 crore in Odisha in this sector," said Ramesh Kannan, Kaynes Technology Managing Director, during the session. Patna, Jan 29 : A 37-year-old mobile phone trader was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Bihar's Bhojpur district on Tuesday evening. According to family members, the incident occurred in Sohra village under the jurisdiction of Krishnagarh police station when the deceased Sumit Singh, was returning home. The family members alleged that the village's Mukhiya (Village Head) and his two sons were responsible for the attack. They have claimed that there was an ongoing dispute between the victim and the accused, which might have led to this incident. Sumit Singh, a resident of Hetampur village, was the owner of the mobile shop near Station Road Tribhuani Kothi. He was rushed to Sadar Hospital in Arrah, where he succumbed to multiple gunshot injuries. The police said that he sustained five gunshot injuries. Following the incident, his family created a ruckus at the hospital, demanding immediate action against the Mukhiya and his sons. Ranjit Kumar Singh, Sadar SDPO-2, visited the hospital with a police force to meet the victim's family and gather details. "The victim's family accused the Mukhiya and his sons. They mentioned a prior dispute between them. We are conducting raids to arrest the accused," said Ranjit Kumar Singh. The police have assured the family of a thorough investigation and necessary legal action against those responsible. In another incident, a government school teacher, Lalan Manjhi, was shot at by unidentified attackers on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred near Patlu Hata village under the jurisdiction of the Jamo police station area of Siwan district. The teacher was returning home when the incident took place. After the firing, local villagers immediately rushed to his aid and transported him to Siwan's Sadar Hospital. Given his critical condition, the doctors referred him to Patna for advanced treatment. The victim, a teacher at the Government Middle School in Madhavpur, was previously attacked, as confirmed by the police. "A teacher was injured in the incident of firing and we are investigating the case from every angle. We are making efforts to identify the assailants," said Abhinandan Kumar, the officer in charge of Jamo police station. The incident has created an atmosphere of panic in the area, with locals demanding a thorough investigation to ensure justice for the victim. Actress Nadiia Khilska ("The Call," "Ambulance," "Promise to God," "PTA") revealed the details of her conversations off set with legendary actress Ada Rohovtseva. The two actresses are starring together in the sequel to the popular TV series Coffee with Cardamom. ADVERTISIMENT Nadiia Khilska told about this in an interview with OBOZ.UA. Ada Rohovtseva accepted the offer to star in the movie after a long break she hadn't worked on the set for about three years. Nadiia Khilska says that Ada Mykolaivna plays her closest relative in the series: "My family in the role is Oleksandr Kobzar, who plays my brother, and Ada Rohovtseva is my mother. We communicate a lot off-screen. She talks about her vast experience in cinema, and her life. She is very much in favor of Ukraine. She says that this damn country, I don't want to name it out loud, hasn't let us live for so many years! Ada Mykolaivna is incredible." ADVERTISIMENT "I really wanted to play in a historical movie, I dreamed of such a role. My heroine is a very positive character, not a negative character, which I often play. I'm very happy the actors are incredible, the atmosphere is wonderful, and the director is great," the actress adds. Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that Ada Rohovtseva categorically opposed possible negotiations with Russia on the war. She also concisely explained what national idea Ukrainians need to adhere to in order not to lose the state. People have been saying these words almost every day for the past 2.5 years, but few people think about their true meaning. "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes! Glory to the nation! Death to the enemies! Ukraine is above all!" the artist said. Ada Rohovtseva is a legend of Ukrainian cinema and theater who, at the age of 87, is actively involved in the life of Ukraine. She has played more than 150 roles in theater, most memorably as Helena in the play Warsaw Melody. She started acting in movies at the age of 18 and has over 100 film roles. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Erin Entrada Kelly was already cozy in bed, in her jammies, on Sunday night, all set to do some writing. I had signed up to do a generative writing workshop with Nova Ren Sumaone of my favorite authors, Kelly told PW. I was working on my prompt at about nine oclock when the phone rang. I thought, Theres no way this is going to be the call, but I answered it, and sure enough, it was the committee. On the other end of the line, a voice asked, Is this Erin? When Kelly answered in the affirmative, They told me who they were, and immediately I kind of froze, she said. They said, We have good news for you, and they told me. The committee informed her that she had won the Newbery Medal for her novel The First State of Being (Greenwillow), in which anxious 12-year-old Michael is determined to learn his future and alleviate all his worry when he meets a teen time traveler. This latest prize will sit alongside Kellys 2018 Newbery for Hello, Universe (also Greenwillow), as she becomes just the seventh author to achieve the feat of dual Newbery wins. (Additionally, her novel We Dream of Space was named a Newbery Honor title in 2021.) From that point in Kellys evening, things get a little fuzzy. After learning the news, I think I screamed pretty loudly, and then my dog started barking because I was screaming, she said with a laugh. And I just shut my computer because I wasnt going to finish the prompts, obviously. Other celebratory calls arrived, including one from her editor Virginia Duncan, v-p and publisher of Greenwillow. She was my editor for Hello, Universe and has been my editor since my debut novel, Kelly noted. I genuinely believe that I would not have these accolades without her. She sees the heart of everything I write and is able to pull it to the forefront and push me and make me better. So that phone call was a lot of screaming and a lot of joy. And Virginia is not a very loud, screamy person, but thats how joyful we were! A subsequent call from her agent, Sara Crowe of Sara Crowe Literary, was met with more joy and more screaming. Ive been with her for 10 years, Kelly said. Theres just something really special about having the same team for a long time, she added. Ive been so fortunate to have an author home with Greenwillow and to have this long-term relationship with my editor and my agent. Riding high on all the congrats, Kelly wondered, How am I going to go to sleep after all this? She eventually did get some shuteye, but the nights rest didnt entirely bring clarity. I woke up this morning and turned to my husband and said, Did I win the Newbery again? and he said, Yes you did! she giggled. And if she still wasnt sure, she had backup confirmation. This morning, Virginia and Sara separately sent me the same message, which was, WE WON THE NEWBERY AGAIN! in all caps with like a million exclamation points. Kelly is still mulling over what a fitting fantastic celebration might be, but in the meantime, I did drink champagne at lunch, so thats something. Got a cake. My husband brought me flowers, she said. Its just kind of funny, because after the announcement, we were all yay! and drinking champagne, and my phone was blowing up. Now Im kind of like, now what are we going to do?, she said. On a more reflective note, she added, With Hello, Universe, it definitely took a while to process. And, this is going to sound a little cheesy, but Im going to say it anyway. The celebration is just kind of always ongoing. Its every day. This is an incredible accomplishment, and it changed my life the first time around. And Im sure this will change my life in new ways. And so thats almost the celebrationthe days ahead. Artist Rebecca Lee Kunzs three daughtersages 11, 14, and 17were making art on the familys kitchen table when she received the call that her debut picture book, Chooch Helped (Levine Querido), had won the Caldecott Medal. At first, I wasnt sure what was going onit was surreal, she told PW. I could hear a bunch of people in the backgroundthey were joyful and were celebrating. The whole committee was there. They called me on FaceTime and my kids got to watch the whole thing. It was really special. Chooch Helped is about a Cherokee girl named Sissy who gets increasingly frustrated with her younger brother, Chooch. PWs starred review called the book tender and familial, and said of Kunz illustrations: Delicately hued, layered mixed-media images that utilize Cherokee iconography, meanwhile, reveal Chooch painting a line across the mural, tearing at the moccasin leather, and pouring flour onto the kitchen floor. Chooch Helped was the result of a serendipitous meeting between Kunz and author Andrea L. Rogers at the 2022 Cherokee National Holiday in Oklahoma, which commemorates the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Nation Constitution. She was signing books, and we connected right away, Kunz recalled. She had my work at her table, and she was going to buy [some] at the same gallery where she was scheduled to do a reading. I didnt know she had a manuscript at that moment. When Nick Thomas, executive editor at Levine Querido, contacted Kunz with Rogerss story, I fell in love with it immediately, Kunz said. I loved Chooch right away. She immediately knew what Chooch would look like. I started working on sketches and experimenting, and had to learn how to translate the painterly style that I had developed over years into a childrens book, which is a very different thing than creating a painting or a print. She received boundless support from Thomas and Joy Chu, Levine Queridos art director. Nick encouraged me to be authentic and not hold backthe illustrations are rich with Cherokee symbolism and culture. Kunzs style is most evident in the centerfold spread of the crawdad gigging, where Chooch is holding up a crawdad, she said. It was the first image that was fully formed with my collage style and integrated different images and elements. Several pages later, Chooch and his sister are sitting on her bed. I felt like [that spread] was successful in what I was going forthe use of light and the light coming in through the window. Thats a style Ive developed over many years in painting. I felt good about being able to translate that into this illustration style. It took some trial and error for sure. Kunz is currently working on illustrations for an as-yet-undisclosed picture book, as well as a body of paintings that will be in an exhibition at a gallery called the El Zaguan, she said. She also owns the Tree of Life Studio in Santa Fe, where she sells her art as prints and cards, as well as other merchandise. Im always working on new art for that, and a lot of printmaking. And if Im not working, Im thinking about my work. Kunz doesnt know what the coming days and weeks will bringmore interviews is my guess, she said. She and her family have taken time to celebrate: they shared a special dinner at home on Sunday, and her daughters stayed home from school on Monday morning to hear the American Library Associations annual Youth Media Awards announced live. Its humbling, Kunz said. I feel beyond grateful. Its unreal, but Im thrilled. But Im a mom and I still will pick up my kids from school and be active in their life. All the normal things will still be happening. I plan on trying to get some sleep. Thats my hope. Melville House is crashing a trade paperback edition of the Department of Justices just-released report on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The January 17 report found that the massacre, in which hundreds of Black Oklahomans were killed and Tulsa's "Black Wall Street" was set ablaze, was the result of a "systematic and coordinated" attack by white assailants that "transcended mere mob violence"a reversal of the contemporaneous federal report that blamed the incident on a riot started by Black citizens. Its important that there be print copiesnot just digital copiesof such historic documents, to help preserve them, and disseminate them as widely as possible into schools and libraries and bookstores, explained Melville House publisher Dennis Johnson. Melville House said that it hoped to have the book on shelves by mid February. Melville House has previously published editions of government reports with success. In 2019, it released the The Mueller Report as its first mass market paperback title, and, earlier this month, announced that it would crash a trade paperback edition of The Jack Smith Report, which will publish on February 11. Germany is increasing its purchases of Russian LNG (liquefied natural gas) through ports in other EU countries, despite the official ban on direct deliveries. The lack of transparency in the EU energy market allows for the "whitewashing" of Russian gas, which makes it difficult to fight dependence on Russian fuel. ADVERTISIMENT According to the Financial Times, in 2024, the German national energy company Sefe purchased 58 cargoes of Russian LNG through the French port of Dunkirk. This is more than six times more than in 2023. Although Germany officially banned the import of Russian LNG through its ports in November 2024, Russian gas continues to enter the country through intermediaries. The energy ministers of France, Belgium, and Spain, whose ports receive LNG cargoes, say that most of this gas is supplied to other EU countries, including Germany. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EU has set a course to wean itself off fossil fuels from Russia. According to the plans, all energy resources from Russia should be excluded from the EU market by 2027. However, imports of Russian LNG reached a record level in 2024. As noted by environmental organizations Deutsche Umwelthilfe, Urgewald, and Ukraine's Razom We Stand, Germany still receives from 3 to 9.2% of gas from Russia, which is supplied through other EU countries. ADVERTISIMENT The EU's internal gas market faces a lack of transparency, which allows countries to "whitewash" Russian LNG. For example, gas from Belgian ports is often labeled as "Belgian" in official German databases, despite the fact that Belgium does not produce gas. According to Angelos Koutsis of the Bond Beter Leefmilieu think tank, this situation allows EU countries to avoid responsibility for supporting demand for Russian LNG. "Imports through other ports actually "whitewash" Russian gas," the expert adds. Tracking the source of gas remains a challenge for the EU. Gas market expert Tom Marzec-Mancer notes that once gas is transported through the European network, it becomes almost impossible to determine its origin. To ensure transparency, each shipper must declare the origin of gas. This will require considerable effort and put an additional burden on the EU energy system. ADVERTISIMENT In October 2024, France and nine other EU countries called for the publication of data on Russian LNG suppliers and volumes delivered to ports. However, the lack of a unified approach to regulating this issue continues to complicate the fight against Russian influence on the energy market. Sefe, formerly owned by Russia's Gazprom, does not disclose its purchases. However, it has a long-term contract with the Russian Yamal LNG project, which allows it to buy Russian LNG through intermediaries. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Russia will not be able to implement the Arctic LNG 2 liquefied natural gas project in full. Due to the sanctions imposed by the United States, the equipment without which the third production line of the plant cannot be built has returned to China. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The history of much-loved London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) Jubilee Class steam locomotive No. 45596 Bahamas is to be told in the latest in a series of heritage railway webinars organised by The Friends of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (KWVR). The webinar will be held on Tuesday, 11th February and presented by award-winning author Pete Skellon, who will tell the story of Bahamas from when it was built by the North British Locomotive Company in 1934. After its withdrawal by British Railways, it was saved from the scrap heap in 1967 and for 20 years was housed at the Dinting Railway Centre. 45596 Bahamas // Credit: Alan Corfield In the early 1990s, Ingrow West on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway became the base for the Bahamas Locomotive Society, from where Bahamas has been a regular attraction on the mainline, with crowds at stations, on footbridges, and in fields when it is scheduled to run. Bahamas last underwent a major overhaul in 2018. The webinar host, Pete Skellon, has spent his working life in engineering, as a draughtsman and a design model maker. He has volunteered with the Bahamas Locomotive Society for over 50 years, covering various duties including engine driver, footplate crew, examining officer, and museum designer and curator. 45596 Bahamas on the Settle and Carlisle. // Credit: Ian Dixon Pete is an accomplished author, with a portfolio including Steam Locomotive Lubrication, Bashers Gadgets and Mourners the life and times of the LNWR Coal Tanks, Ingrow a history of its industry and transport, and Bahamas the story of a steam locomotive. In 2013, Pete received a Lifetime Achievement Award from The National Transport Trust awarded in recognition of his long-term dedication and service to preservation. The webinar starts at 19.30 on Tuesday, 11 February. Applications to join the webinar can be booked online at kwvrfriends.org.uk and should be accompanied by a donation. After Pete has finished his presentation, participants will be able to ask questions. 45596 Bahamas on the North Wales Coast. // Credit: Keith Whitmore The railways first major event of the year will be the annual Spring Steam Gala from Thursday, 20th to Sunday, 23rd March when visiting LMS Jinty No. 16440 will be a star attraction. Above, tech executives at Trump's inaugural. Looking on at far left: Marco Rubio, who is taking the battle against online censorship global as the new Secretary of State. By Ben Weingarten, RealClearInvestigations January 28, 2025 Flanked by some of the Big Tech executives whose companies had suppressed the views of his supporters throughout his predecessors term, President Trump on Jan. 20 declared the days of such speech policing over. Hours later, the president put action behind his words, signing an executive order prohibiting the federal government from engaging in, facilitating, or funding any conduct that would unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen. The move was celebrated by those who see it as a blow against what they decry as the Censorship Industrial Complex. Others cast the executive order as giving dangerous license to misinformation and disinformation. What is clear is that this is just the latest salvo in an ongoing war over the digital public square, pitting the Trump administration and like-minded Republican congressional allies against not only domestic opponents but the global counter-disinformation eco-system. Championing free speech before an elite conclave that calls "misinformation and disinformation" a top global threat. The global speech-policing effort is looking like an early target. Trump himself seemed to convey that when he touted his order in a remote address last week to the World Economic Forum in Davos. The elite global conclave had recently declared misinformation and disinformation the leading short-term risk to the globe for the second-straight year, underlining their persistent threat to societal cohesion and governance by eroding trust and exacerbating divisions within and between nations. Rubio is welcomed at Foggy Bottom last week. Long term, many predict resistance from the federal bureaucracy. Two days after the inauguration, Trumps Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, released the Priorities and Mission of the Second Trump Administrations Department of State. The short document included the charge that Foggy Bottom must stop censorship and suppression of information. Rubio continued: The State Departments efforts to combat malign propaganda have expanded and fundamentally changed since the Cold War era and we must reprioritize truth. The State Department I lead will support and defend Americans rights to free speech, terminating any programs that in any way lead to censoring the American people. It is not yet known whether and to what extent Rubios approach will affect the reorganized successor to the State Departments recently shuttered Global Engagement Center, whose efforts defenders had called essential to combating foreign propaganda. Critics have dismissed the reorganization of an office that funded entities targeting disfavored domestic speech as an effort to simply rebrand and persist. The State Department did not respond to RealClearInvestigations inquiries in connection with this story. The global counter-disinformation ecosystem encompasses research centers at top academic institutions and think tanks, fact-checkers, news raters, and like-minded for-profits often funded and/or promoted by government agencies and powerful foundations, and operating and seeking to influence governments both stateside and across the Atlantic. RealClearInvestigations, which recently previewed the censorship fight, e-mailed questions to other United States agencies and departments believed to be involved, directly or indirectly, in speech suppression on social media or otherwise likely to have a role in implementing the order. These included the Department of Justice and the FBI; the Department of Homeland Security and its Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security sub-agency; Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services; National Science Foundation; and Office of Management and Budget. The Department of Defense will fully execute and implement all directives outlined in the Executive Orders issued by the President, ensuring that they are carried out with utmost professionalism, efficiency, and in alignment with national security objectives, a Pentagon official told RCI. The Department has previously come under fire for providing funding to news rating entities like NewsGuard seen by critics as biased against conservative and independent outlets. A National Science Foundation spokesman told RCI that the agency was reviewing all the executive orders carefully and implementing them accordingly. In a December 2024 report, the House Judiciary Committee asserted that the foundation had poured millions of taxpayer-funded grant dollars into the development of AI-powered tools to mass monitor and censor online content. Several departments did not respond to RCIs inquiries. Others referred questions to the White House. It did not respond. Alex Abdo, free speech litigator: The executive order could provide "an outlet for the Trump administrations own censorial desires. Even as the administraton seeks to end government and government-supported censorship efforts, the more controversial part of Trumps executive order may be its directive to identify those who quelled speech in the past. The directive calls on the attorney general and other executive department and agency heads to probe federal government activities violative of the order that took place during the Biden years, whereby the administration trampled free speech rights by censoring Americans speech on online platforms, and to prepare a report for President Trump with recommendations for appropriate remedial actions. It is not clear if such remedial actions will include prosecutions. Columbia University law professor Philip Hamburger, founder and CEO of the New Civil Liberties Alliance, which represented several plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case Murthy v. Missouri a case that exposed federal collusion with social media companies to suppress disfavored speech told RCI that Trumps action did not go far enough. The executive order, although very welcome, would have been even more valuable if it had waived qualified immunity for officials at CISA, the FBI, and other relevant agencies for purposes of free speech violations. Alex Abdo, litigation director of the Knight First Amendment Institute, also at Columbia University, offered an opposing view. Abdo wrote in Just Security that any probe of the Biden administrations actions would be in bad faith, since the order prejudges the prior administration to have engaged in illicit conduct. Worse, the report may very well serve as an outlet for the Trump administrations own censorial desires, Abdo wrote. If, for example, the report further targets researchers engaged in First Amendment protected research, then the administration will be doing exactly what it has accused the Biden administration of doing. The House Judiciary Committee is poised to undertake a complementary effort this session. A spokesman told RCI the panel will continue its oversight work of the Department of Justice and the FBI, in addition to investigating the threat foreign censorship laws pose to American speech. Trump has previously called for enacting new laws laying out clear criminal penalties for federal bureaucrats who partner with private entities to do an end-run around the Constitution and deprive Americans of their First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendment rights. To that end, the Judiciary Committee spokesperson told RCI that the panel would move quickly to reintroduce legislation that will protect Americans First Amendment rights, such as the Censorship Accountability Act and the No Censors on our Shores Act. The former would provide a right of action against federal employees for First Amendment violations. The latter would render any foreign official who engages in censorship of American speech inadmissible and deportable. In the Senate, two days after the release of President Trumps order, Kentucky Republican Rand Paul re-introduced the Free Speech Protection Act. Consistent with the executive order, the legislation aims to bar federal employees from directing platforms to censor protected speech and prohibit grants relating to programming on misinformation or disinformation. It also imposes penalties on those who violate the law, including disciplinary action, a civil penalty of not less than $10,000, ineligibility for retirement benefits, and permanent revocation of any applicable security clearance. Too, it allows those who believe their rights have been violated to bring a civil action against the allegedly offending agency and employee who committed the violation. Americans are free people, and we do not take infringements upon our liberties lightly. The time has come for resistance and to reclaim our God-given right to free expression, Sen. Paul wrote in re-introducing the bill. In the whirlwind of the modern world, where the pace of life is increasing every day, there are places where time seems to have stopped. We are talking about the Carpathian regions, where tourists find harmony with nature. To know where you can relax and enjoy the clean air, read on. ADVERTISIMENT Kryvorivnia Located in the Verkhovyna district of Ivano-Frankivsk region. There is a legend that the name of the village comes from the name of the first settler, Kryvyi, who lived in a flat area. When people went to him, they said, "I'm off to Kryvyi, the one found in the plains." The location was first mentioned in 1719. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Ukrainian intelligentsia was formed here. Famous writers, artists, and scientists came here, including Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi, Olha Kobylianska, Ivan Trush, and others. In 1900, the future Metropolitan Andriy Sheptytskyi, then a bishop, came to Kryvorivnia. He stayed in a "sunny house" on the hill above the church, where he wrote "To My Dear Hutsuls." We advise you to visit the authentic Ethnographic Museum Khata-Grazhda of 1858 and see a large number of household items. ADVERTISIMENT Also, do not miss the Literary and Memorial Museum of Ivan Franko. It was here, in the period from 1901 to 1914, that the Kameniar (his alias, given after his work Kameniari or The Stonebreakers) drew inspiration from the picturesque Carpathians. The things that the poet used are kept here. And, of course, go to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church. The shrine was built in 1719. Verkhovyna Located in the Verkhovyna district of Ivano-Frankivsk region at an altitude of 620 meters above sea level. The village was first mentioned in 1424 in the charter of Lithuanian prince Swidrygieo. It has witnessed many historical events, from the Oprishkiv movement to the national liberation struggle. ADVERTISIMENT We recommend visiting the Museum of Hutsul Magic. Tourists will get acquainted with the unique culture of the Carpathian sorcerers - molfars - learn about their beliefs, traditions, the meaning of symbols in clothing, and the secrets of herbal treatment. In the Roman Kumlyk Museum of Hutsul Lifestyle, Ethnography, and Musical Instruments, travelers will see old clothes, cymbals, violins, drymbas, and trembitas. Be sure to visit the House-Museum of the film Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. Here you can try on traditional costumes and see interesting photos. Kryvopillia It is located in Verkhovyna district of Ivano-Frankivsk region. ADVERTISIMENT The first mention of the village called Kryvo Pole dates back to 1899. It is located near one of the highest passes in the Ukrainian Carpathians - Kryvopillia (1,013 meters above sea level). Here you can enjoy hiking and fishing. Several hiking trails run through the area. The most popular is a hike to the Kostrych ridge, from where you can admire the Svydovets and Horhany massifs. Vorokhta It is located in the Nadvirna district of Ivano-Frankivsk region at an altitude of 850 meters above sea level. The village was first mentioned in 1568. According to a legend, the name comes from the surname of a deserting soldier who settled here in the 17th century. ADVERTISIMENT In Vorokhta, there is a century-old viaduct built in 1895 during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It witnessed an ambitious plan to connect the Black and Adriatic Seas by rail. In 1894, a 135-kilometer-long track was laid from Stanislav (now Ivano-Frankivsk) through Nadvirna to Voronenko. We recommend visiting the wooden church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to a legend, the church was built in 1615. You won't believe it, but the craftsmen didn't use a single nail during the construction. The prayer room stands on a stone foundation alone. Mykulychyn It is located in Nadvirna district of Ivano-Frankivsk region. The first mention dates back to 1412. ADVERTISIMENT In the nineteenth century, the village was considered the longest in the Carpathians and the largest settlement in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It stretched for 44 kilometers. However, in 1927, Vorokhta, Tatariv, and other villages separated from it. Ivan Franko, Lesia Ukrainka, Vasyl Stefanyk, and Mykhailo Drahomanov used to come here often. Mykulychyn is famous for its own brewery, where natural beer under the Hutsulske brand is brewed according to traditional recipes. Here, you can taste not only classic light and dark beers, but also unique honey one. Don't put off your desires for later. Find the time and opportunity to travel! Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission passed a resolution in December 2024 that requests the state of Georgia to allow ranked choice voting, which is currently prohibited by state law, according to Flagpole. The resolution aims to end costly runoff elections and increase voter turnout. The share of companies where it would take over 100 years for a median employee to earn the equivalent of their top executive's annual salary rose to 65 per cent in FY24 from 61 per cent in FY19. An increasing share of top executives now earns more in a year than their median employees would in 500 years, highlighting a growing wage gap in corporate India. The proportion of such companies rose in the post-pandemic period -- to 16 per cent in the financial year 2023-2024 (FY24), up from 11 per cent in FY19, according to a Business Standard analysis of data from the tracker primeinfobase.com. The analysis examined top executive pay for 110 firms within the Nifty 200 with available data since FY19, comparing it to the median pay of employees. The share of companies where it would take over 100 years for a median employee to earn the equivalent of their top executive's annual salary rose to 65 per cent in FY24 from 61 per cent in FY19. The median compensation for top executives has surged by 64 per cent since FY19, increasing from Rs 7.5 crore per annum to Rs 12.5 crore in FY24. The analysis considered designations such as managing director (MD), chief executive officer (CEO), and chairperson, with the highest-paid individual among these roles being used for comparison. This comes amid a broader workplace debate fuelled by comments from Infosys Co-founder N R Narayana Murthy, who advocated a 70-hour work week, and Larsen & Toubro Chairman and MD S N Subrahmanyan, who spoke of a 90-hour work week. Both reportedly framed their remarks as being in the context of 'nation-building'. "High demand for leadership talent, especially in the post-Covid years, coupled with limited supply, has driven CEO/MD remuneration significantly upwards," said Pranav Haldea, managing director, PRIME Database. Amit Tandon, founder and MD of Institutional Investor Advisory Services India, suggested the trend reflects a deeply entrenched belief among some executives -- particularly those who are also majority owners -- that the company's success rests heavily on their shoulders rather than being a team effort. Tandon noted that these majority owners, or promoters, vote on their own pay packages. He proposed giving minority shareholders greater influence by requiring the approval of a majority of minority shareholders for pay hikes. "I believe it will act as a check," he said. Senior executive pay is also influenced by factors like stock options and retirement benefits, though significant differences exist across sectors. In FY24, pay in the financial sector reached as high as Rs 241 crore (Rs 2.41 billion) at the upper end, while the top pay in the infrastructure sector was just over Rs 51 crore (Rs 510 million). Meanwhile, median employee salaries across these sectors ranged between Rs 5 lakh (Rs 500,000) and Rs 13 lakh (Rs 1.3 million) per annum. Two-thirds of companies had median employee salaries of Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million) or less per year, with one-fifth reporting median pay of Rs 5 lakh or lower. However, this lower bracket has seen steady improvement since FY19. Among the companies with the widest pay gaps were Poonawalla Fincorp, where the top executive earned 2,679 times the median employee's pay, followed by Wipro (1,701 times) and Tech Mahindra (1,379 times). Emails sent to these companies, as well as Infosys and Larsen & Toubro, did not receive an immediate response. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com Steel maker JSW Steel's Q3 results, announced on January 24, 2025, after market hours, failed to meet Street expectations. Sajjan Jindal, managing director of JSW Steel. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters The company reported a consolidated net profit attributable to the owners of Rs 717 crore in Q3FY25, reflecting a 70.3 per cent decline Y-o-Y, compared to Rs 2,415 crore in Q3FY24. Revenue dropped 1.3 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 41,378 crore in Q3FY25, from Rs 41,940 crore in Q3FY24. Both revenue and profit missed Bloomberg estimates by 1 per cent and 3 per cent, respectively. On the operating front, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) declined 22.3 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 5,579 crore, from Rs 7,180 crore in Q3FY24. Therefore, the Ebitda margin contracted 360 bps Y-o-Y to 13.5 per cent, as compared to 17.1 per cent in Q3FY24. The consolidated crude steel production for the quarter stood at 7.03 million tonnes, an increase of 2 per cent Y-o-Y and 4 per cent Q-o-Q. The steel sales for the period totaled 6.71 million tonnes, reflecting a 12 per cent Y-o-Y and 10 per cent Q-o-Q growth. Meanwhile, crude steel production at the Indian operations for Q3FY25 came in at 6.82 million tonnes, up 3 per cent Y-o-Y and Q-o-Q. Steel sales for the quarter were 6.54 million tonnes, increasing 12 per cent Y-o-Y and 10 per cent Q-o-Q. Notably, the domestic sales during the quarter hit a record high of 5.99 million tonnes, growing 8 per cent Q-o-Q and 14 per cent Y-o-Y, driven by strong institutional and retail demand. A recovery in government capex is expected to aid growth in Q4, culminating in approximately 10 per cent growth for the fiscal year. Steel imports remained elevated in Q3, even though it declined 10.8 per cent Q-o-Q to 2.83mt. However, for 9M FY25, imports increased 16.7 per cent Y-o-Y to 8.21 mt. Exports in Q3 grew 44 per cent Q-o-Q to 1.82mt, while exports for 9M FY25 fell 16.5 per cent to 4.58mt. Consequently, India remained a net importer of steel in Q3 as well for 9M FY25. To address rising steel imports, the Director General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has initiated trade Investigations including safeguard and anti-dumping probes which are ongoing, JSW Seel said. On the bourses, JSW Steel share price dropped as much as 3.58 per cent to hit an intraday low of Rs 898.90 per share. Heres what brokerage said about JSW Steel Q3 results: Nuvama Nuvama highlighted that JSW Steel's Q3FY25 standalone Ebitda of Rs 4,390 crore, which fell 5 per cent Q-o-Q, was better-than-expected, supported by a smaller-than-anticipated decline in steel prices. The Ebitda per tonne stood at Rs 7,866, down Rs 891 per tonne from the previous quarter. Softer steel prices and higher iron ore costs were partially offset by higher volumes and a decrease in coking coal costs. Indian operations reported a flat Q-o-Q adjusted Ebitda of Rs 5,490 crore, while the overseas subsidiary continued to post losses. Looking ahead, Nuvama expects a Q4FY25E Ebitda per tonne increase of Rs 1,500-2,000, driven by lower raw material costs, rising steel volumes, and slightly higher steel prices. Despite this, analysts have lowered their FY25E and FY26E Ebitda estimates by 4 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively, factoring in weaker prices. As a result, they have maintained a target price of Rs 821, valuing the stock at 8x EV/Ebitda, and retained their Reduce rating. JM Financial JM Financial reported that JSW Steels Q3 consolidated Ebitda of Rs 5,500 crore was in-line with expectations of Rs 5,400 crore. The Ebitda per tonne decreased by around Rs 0.8k Q-o-Q to Rs 7.8k, primarily due to lower steel realisations. On the earnings call, the company noted that it expects coking coal consumption costs to decrease by$10-15 in Q4FY25, with margins improving due to the ramp-up of the JVML facility and lower raw material costs. Additionally, JSW Steel plans to increase its effective capacity from 9 to 11 million tonnes in Karnataka. The recovery in government capex in Q4, along with anticipated tariffs on steel imports, is expected to support steel demand. With a strong growth pipeline and a focus on cost efficiency, JM Financial maintains a 'Buy' rating. The brokerage, however, has upped the target price to Rs 1,160 from Rs 1,130 earlier. Global brokerages Nomura Nomura noted a Q3FY25 consolidated Ebitda of Rs 5,580 crore, which exceeded consensus estimates by 6 per cent, was primarily driven by lower-than-expected operating costs. However, the companys reported Ebitda fell short of its expectations due to lower steel realisations than anticipated. The blended steel realisation saw a 4.7 per cent decline Q-o-Q, coming in 3 per cent below Nomuras forecast. The management also highlighted that coking coal costs had reduced by $34/t, surpassing their initial guidance. Despite this, the reported Ebitda per tonne of Rs 8,314/t declined by 6 per cent Q-o-Q, falling 13 per cent short of its estimate. Looking ahead, analysts have adjusted FY25F/26F/27F consolidated Ebitda forecasts downward by 8 per cent, with new estimates of Rs 24,400 crore, Rs 43,500 crore, and Rs 45,400 crore respectively, reflecting lower projected volumes and steel prices. The revised FY26F/27F Ebitda forecasts remain 10 per cent above Bloomberg consensus, while FY25F Ebitda is now 10 per cent below consensus. We reaffirm our Buy rating and our target price (TP) of Rs 1,220, as we roll forward our valuation to FY27F. "Our TP is based on 7.6x one-year-forward EV/Ebitda (unchanged), Nomura said, in a note. Morgan Stanley, Citi, Investec Citi has reportedly maintained a 'Sell' rating on the stock, with a target price of Rs 715, up from Rs 700. In contrast, Morgan Stanley has maintained an Overweight rating with a target of Rs 1,150, and Investec continues to rate the stock as Buy, with a target price of Rs 1,100. Disclaimer: This article is meant for information purposes only. This article and information do not constitute a distribution, an endorsement, an investment advice, an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities/schemes or any other financial products/investment products mentioned in this article to influence the opinion or behaviour of the investors/recipients. Any use of the information/any investment and investment related decisions of the investors/recipients are at their sole discretion and risk. Any advice herein is made on a general basis and does not take into account the specific investment objectives of the specific person or group of persons. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. Currently there are 26 licensed players in the P2P lending sector but only 1011 are actively operating. Photograph: Shailesh Andrade/Reuters The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has intensified its scrutiny of peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms by seeking qualitative details about their operations, months after revising guidelines for these firms. The central bank has sent a comprehensive questionnaire to eight financial technology companies in the P2P lending space. In mid-December, the RBI issued an 18-point questionnaire, requiring responses by January 3. Many of the points included sub-questions requesting information about operations following the revision of P2P norms in August. The questionnaire was sent to eight companies, including LiquiLoans, Monexo, i2iFunding, and IndiaP2P, among others, sources said. Business Standard has reviewed the document. The questionnaire covered areas such as compliance with the updated P2P norms, adherence to the T+1 timeline, a pictorial representation of the flow of funds within firms, snapshots of advertisements for P2P loan products, and details on cross-selling practices, among others. This request is separate from the quarterly data submissions required by the RBI, which include information on assets under management (AUM), outstanding loans, gross non-performing assets, and loan disbursements. "This may be the first time such a detailed questionnaire on operations has been issued by the regulator. They likely want to assess the level of compliance with the revised guidelines from August last year. Normally, we submit quarterly numbers on disbursements," said the founder of a P2P firm. Attempts to obtain responses from the management of the P2P lending firms were unproductive. The RBI, based on disclosures on the platforms' websites, observed that many non-banking financial companies (NBFCs)-P2Ps failed to disclose losses incurred by lenders on principal, interest, or both. The regulator has asked companies to provide details on this aspect. The RBI also observed instances of non-compliance after receiving complaints from pre-existing lenders. These complaints alleged that some NBFC-P2Ps disbursed loans to borrowers without prior approval from the lenders. The central bank has also sought information on whether firms have adopted practices that violate the spirit of instructions regarding fund transfers. The RBI added that if companies have ensured funds do not remain in escrow accounts for more than T+1 days, they must still provide details of funds, including the amounts that exceeded the T+1 limit as of December 15, 2024. Under its revised guidelines, the RBI mandates that funds transferred into lenders' and borrowers' escrow accounts should not remain there for more than T+1 days, where 'T' is the date on which the funds are received. "No loan shall be disbursed unless the lenders and the borrowers have been matched or mapped as per the board-approved policy framed under paragraph 8(1)(iii). Individual lenders must approve the respective recipients of loans, and all parties involved must sign the loan contract. Are any loans being disbursed in violation of these provisions?" the RBI asked in its email. The regulator also required companies to submit portfolio performance data as of September 2024. In August last year, the RBI flagged regulatory violations by some P2P lending platforms, highlighting that certain firms were promoting P2P lending as investment products, offering liquidity options, and functioning as deposit-takers or lenders instead of intermediaries. The questionnaire also sought clarification on how P2P lending products were being marketed -- whether as lending products, investment products, or with alternative descriptions. Currently, there are 26 licensed players in the P2P lending sector, but only 1011 are actively operating. The industry's total AUM stands at Rs 11,000 crore. In August, the P2P lending industry association requested the RBI to reconsider the T+1 mandate for clearing funds in escrow accounts. After being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, Trump started his inaugural address with a sentence that echoed Modi's coinage some years ago, notes Modi biographer Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay. IMAGE: Narendra D Modi with Donald J Trump at the Howdy Modi event in Houston, September 22, 2019. Photograph: Kind courtesy, @Narendra Modi/X By January 2014 the word was out that India was heading for a regime change. At his third press conference since assuming the prime minister's office in 2004, Dr Manmohan Singh declared, 'In a few months time, after the general election, I will hand the baton over to a new prime minister.' Declaration made, he shared his hope that she or he 'will be a UPA chosen prime minister'. Few even in his party shared this publicly declared wish. By that time, the Congress edifice had begin crumbling and the Bharatiya Janata Party's had begun rising. Narendra Modi then appeared almost predestined to become India's next premier -- the only question remaining unanswered was the party's tally in Lok Sabha. The greater it would be, the wider would be his elbow room and vice versa. Despite disagreeing with his politics and track record as Gujarat chief minister and the BJP's ideology of Hindu majoritarianism or Hindutva, my 'stock' too was rising correspondingly. The reason was that after a gap of two decades, I was finally able to come out with my second book, this time being the fast-selling Modi biography. Being the first one among the gaggle of books on him that hit the market from the first quarter of 2013, with the benefit of interviews with him and being as balanced as one could be when writing on a contentious subject like him, I became a much-sought after person. Among other, my fellow professionals were interested to get hold of me for a chat on the man. More than the Indian media, foreign journalists, those stationed here, as well as those who arrived from across the globe to track the crucial polls in the largest democracy in the world, sought me out. What was Modi like? Had he really left his 'past' behind and was now completely focused on 'development' politics? What kind of governance would he provide Indians? Who would be possible members of his government? And, most importantly, what kind of a man he really like, given that I spent some time with him while working the book and also had somewhat, known him prior to 2001 when he was made the CM? The questions never ceased... Soon, a pattern emerged from my answers. If there was a French journalist quizzing me, (s)he would, interrupt at a certain point, 'My-my, he sounds so much like (Nicolas) Sarkozy!' And, the Russians would mutter, 'Quite like (Vladimir) Putin'. Likewise, journalists from one or the other countries in Latin America would softly say, 'Very similar to (Hugo) Chavez'. IMAGE: Trump and Modi arrive for a media conference after talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, February 25, 2020. Photograph: Al Drago/Reuters After he became prime minister in May 2014, comparing Modi to other populist leaders across the globe became a fairly regular phenomenon. Comparisons were drawn often: Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Viktor Orban, Jair Bolsonaro, Benjamin Netanyahu, Boris Johnson, Giorgia Melloni, and, of course. Donald Trump. Even some like Marine Le Pen were said to be cast in the same stone although political power has eluded them so far. Some traits united these leaders, while there were a few characteristics that were typical of them. For instance, I have not yet come across any leader of Modi's ilk with the similar capacity to weave acronyms -- for instance, he has an abbreviation for almost every situation, every concept. Most of these leaders, whose numbers have somewhat swelled in recent years, begin by swearing by democracy but do not always end up as its dedicated practitioners. They have a way with words and are adept in creating 'perceptions' of success even though the objective may be distant, or even non-realisable. And, they are almost always adept at bolstering their cult-like public persona. It is not that in India, there were no populists in history or even now in current times. There was a brief period after the success in the 1971 parliamentary elections and the war with Pakistan that led to liberation of Bangladesh, when Indira Gandhi manifested several characters of populist leaders, but soon she lost the aura and fast lost support forcing her to impose the Emergency which curtailed fundamental rights. She made a comeback as PM in 1980, but that aura was gone and she barely clung on to her mandate. It cannot be said with certainty that she would have returned to power if her life had not ended by bodyguards turned assassins. In contemporary India, Modi has his scaled-down versions in the likes of Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee, both of whom, like Modi, have scant interest in bolstering inner-party democracy and make lofty promises, not all of which are possibly to be delivered. Globally, academics, especially political scientists have researched and written extensively on the rise of populism and how one leader often mirrors the other. History is replete with instances when populism and populists emerged by using democratic processes -- Adolf Hitler, for instance, acquired power through the ballot. IMAGE: Modi with Trump and Melania Trump at the Sabarmati ashram in Ahmedabad, February 24, 2020. Photograph: MEA/Flickr Trump too was elected last November by an emphatic mandate. However, in most cases, such leaders eventually went on and continue to hollow out democracies. The reason for democracy and its institutions being among the first target of populists after they stabilise their regimes is because most populists are also majoritarian in their primary worldview: Some like Modi, on the basis of religious identity, and others, on ethnic or racial lines. All these thoughts actually came gushing back into the mind while listening to the inaugural address of Donald Trump, once more the American president. Even during his first tenure, the similarities between Trump and Modi were commented upon. Many analysts, including me, argued that it was not without reason that Modi virtually campaigned for the former's failed attempt at re-election in 2020 with his 'Abki baar, Trump Sarkar' call at his rally in Texas in September 2019. For his 2024 run, when Modi visited the US last year, he did not meet Trump, probably due to his reduced mandate and loss of majority for the BJP in last year's Lok Sabha polls. But, similarities remain and these could not be missed while listening to Trump. After being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, Trump started his roughly 30-minute inaugural address with a sentence that echoed Modi's coinage some years ago. Trump started his speech with an unambiguous declaration: '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...' Trump's concept of a Golden Age was not laid out or elaborated but was conveyed in very general terms and used only the notional meaning of the two words. Likewise, during Modi's 2021 Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort, effectively the 75th anniversary of India attaining freedom in 1947, he coined the phrase Amrit Kaal which is almost a mirror image of the idea of a Golden Age. Or, is it vice-versa? It is not that Trump necessarily picked up lines from Modi's previous speeches. But it is the similarity of thought and articulation which made the US president to say, 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.' This is a replay of the manner in which Modi used two words with magical effort to secure his mandate in 2014: Badlav (change) and achche din (good days)! If in Modi's vocabulary, achievement or success is always juxtaposed by the projection of an enemy that is attempting to diminish India's standing and weaken the country, Trump followed up his opening line by stating that the US 'will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation.' IMAGE: Modi welcomes Trump at Hyderabad House, February 25, 2020. Photograph: ANI Photo Like Modi, Trump too painted the picture that the previous regime was not only weak, but also as one which undermined the nation greatly. He contrasted this by asserting that his government 'will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer.' There are common traits to both leaders and attacking what is taught in schools and universities is among the first targets. While in India, the most recent UGC Draft Regulations are being depicted as the last nail in the coffin of higher education in India after many school textbooks have been replaced with apologies of various disciplines, Trump said bitterly that the US had 'an education system that teaches our children to be ashamed of themselves, in many cases to hate our country...' Like Modi, Trump too found 'traces' of divinity within himself (recall Modi's interview in which he said he often thought of himself as a non-biological being). In his inaugural address, the US president similarly declared that he believes, 'even more so now, that my life was saved (the reference is to the assassination attempts during the campaign) for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.' Modi began his run in 2014 by referring to Parliament as 'temple of democracy' and the Constitution as India's only 'Holy book', yet has undermined the institution as well as the spirit of the text he swears by. Likewise, Trump pledged that he 'will not forget our country. We will not forget our Constitution. And we will not forget our God.' Populists have to intimidate one section (representing the OTHER) so that the other (meaning the US) feels comforted. As a consequence of this norm, Trump let out a threat that he will 'begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.' Trump's anti-immigrants playbook is starkly similar to Modispeak on ghupathiyas or infiltrators. Ten years after assuming office and when Modi's close aide, Union Home Minister Amit Shah referred to this lot as deemakh or white ants, this action still remains a verbal threat. And, one of Trump's first acts after getting elected was to declare his intention to establish the brand new 'Department of Government Efficiency.' Now, does anyone remember Modi's contention in the run-up to the 2014 election that India straight away required 'Maximum Governance, Minimum Government'? More than a decade later, the adage is completely reversed. It remains to be seen if Trump follows suit, though he will have the disadvantage of only four more years. But it may be a sufficient period to paraphrase, if not repeat verbatim, certain lines of Modi and other populists the world over. Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay is an author and journalist based in Delhi-NCR. His latest book is The Demolition, The Verdict and The Temple: The Definitive Book on the Ram Mandir Project. He is also the author of Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com 'The cost of flying to Prayagraj has gone up six times due to the Kumbh Mela.' IMAGE: A sea of believers at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters The significance of the Maha Kumbh Mela, for countless believers, is that taking a dip in the sacred waters cleanses them of all sin, liberates them and their ancestors from the cycle of rebirth and leads to spiritual liberation or Moksha. No wonder, the Uttar Pradesh government expects 450 million people to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Unfortunately, those who wish to travel to Prayagraj discover that it is not easy to take a train or flight to the city of the Sangam. The tickets are either exorbitantly priced or simply not available as booking on this sector is at an all-time high. The Maha Kumbh Mela began on Paush Purnima, January 13, this year and will conclude on Maha Shivratri, February 26. Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com spoke to Anil Galgali, Right to Information activist who mailed the civil aviation ministry and also tweeted about the high fares deterring those wishing to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela. Why are flights tickets priced so high? The government did a great campaign on the Maha Kumbh Mela across India by stating 'Chalo Kumbh (Let us go to Kumbh)'. Everyone wants to go for it so the flight tickets are now exorbitant. The situation is so bad that a round trip from Mumbai to Prayagraj costs up to Rs 70,000. Are the airlines allowed to charge such exorbitant fares? I have complained about this to the civil aviation ministry. I have e-mailed the details of surge pricing by airlines. The Government of India has the power to cap the ticket cost if it rises exorbitantly. The cost of flying to Prayagraj has gone up six times due to the Kumbh Mela. I have not got a response so far from the government, but I heard that the civil aviation minister has told airlines that they should not increase the flight cost to Prayagraj. The government should have taken a stance earlier but they did not do anything so I e-mailed them about this issue. Some 11.5 million people went to the Maha Kumbh on January 26. What can the government do if such large numbers go to Prayagraj? That has got nothing to do with the ticket price. I have never seen flight tickets to any destination cost seven times more in my lifetime. The government has the power to curb such indiscriminate ticket pricing by airlines. The government has added 81 more flights to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela, taking the total number to 135, and still there is more and more demand on this sector. What can the government do if more money is chasing fewer tickets? I can understand this theory of demand and supply but it can at best double the price. There is nothing to complain if the ticket price to Prayagraj doubles but then if you raise it seven times then obviously it is going to pinch everyone. What about the airports around Prayagraj? Are the tickets to those places also high? Yes, the Mumbai-Lucknow return flight costs Rs 56,000, and one way it was Rs 28,000. Even to Varanasi the flight cost is exorbitant, the one way cost anywhere between Rs 26,000 and Rs 28,000. Can the Government of India issue a diktat to the airlines not to increase ticket prices to Prayagraj? The government can order airlines not to increase ticket prices exorbitantly. The dream of this government was that Hawai chappal waley hawai jahaaz mein (people wearing rubber slippers must travel in planes). The government can fix the maximum and minimum airfare. The government can also reduce taxes on tickets to benefit people who want to travel to Prayagraj. What is the situation with trains? It is just as bad as flights because it is impossible to get a rail ticket to Prayagraj. No flight or train tickets are available to reach the Maha Kumbh Mela. Try booking a train ticket to Prayagraj and you will find it is impossible. By road too there are restrictions so you cannot travel easily to the Maha Kumbh. One has to walk a lot to reach the spot. The government should have got special trains to Prayagraj, this is the least they could have done. Has the government failed in the logistics? They have not planned well for the Maha Kumbh Mela as the number of people traveling to Prayagraj is huge. People are traveling in hordes and the common man is suffering to reach the spot. VIPs hardly have to walk there but the common man has to walk 15 km to reach the spot. But what can the government do if 450 million people are expected to travel between January 13 to February 26 for the Maha Kumbh Mela? They should have planned properly by arranging more flights, trains and buses. They are inviting everyone to the Maha Kumbh Mela but when people reach there you cannot say they do not have the resources to manage as 45 crore (450 million) people have come. And here, the moot problem is reaching the Maha Kumbh Mela has become next to impossible for the common man. And if you a one way ticket from Mumbai to Prayagraj costs Rs 35,000, the load will obviously be on trains and roads for which too the government has not provided any special provisions to reach. I too want to go, but I am unable to go. Why? The ticket cost for February 24 from Mumbai to Prayagraj is Rs 24,000. Till February 26 the ticket to Prayagraj from any destination in India is huge and suddenly from February 27 you see there is a drop in prices. So the government must intervene and check if there is black marketing going on. In this scenario how can the slogan 'Hawai chappal waley hawai jahaaz mein' be fulfilled? Therefore, the government must intervene to reduce the air ticket price. China said it stressed on properly handling differences, and promotion of India-China relations on a stable track in the just concluded talks with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri while highlighting decisions to resume Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and direct flights. IMAGE: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri holds talks with talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in Beijing. Photograph: @China_Amb_India/X Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri who arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a two-day visit held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Sun Weidong on Monday to stabilise and rebuild relations stalled for over four years due to the military standoff at Eastern Ladakh. Misri was the former Ambassador to Beijing, while Sun was the former envoy to Delhi. The External Affairs Ministry issued a press release on Monday stating that the two sides reviewed the state of India-China bilateral relations comprehensively and agreed to take certain people-centric steps to stabilise and rebuild ties. In its readout in Mandarin issued on Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the dialogue focussed on promoting the implementation of the important consensus reached by the leaders of China and India in the Kazan meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit last year and discussed measures to improve and develop China-India relations. It highlighted the consensus reached between the two sides during the talks which included the resumption of direct flights, the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra for Indian pilgrims and a meeting of the India-China Expert Level Mechanism to discuss the resumption of the provision of sharing hydrological data pertaining to trans-border rivers. In the talks, China emphasised that the two sides should proceed from the fundamental interests of China, India and adhere to the strategic height and long-term perspective of China-India relations, the readout said. Both sides should actively promote dialogue, exchanges and practical cooperation with a frank and constructive attitude, positively guide public opinion, increase trust and resolve misgivings, properly handle differences, and promote the development of ties on a healthy and stable track, it said. The two sides held a frank and in-depth exchange of views on issues of mutual concern, it said. Highlighting the issues of consensus reached between the two sides, it said India has expressed its willingness to fully support China's work as the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) this year and will actively participate in various activities hosted by Beijing under the framework of the organisation. Also, the two sides agreed to use bilateral and multilateral occasions to carry out active interactions at all levels, strengthen strategic communication, and enhance political mutual trust, it said. Both sides agreed to jointly commemorate this year the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India and carry out media and think tank exchanges, track two dialogue and other cultural exchanges. They also agreed to resume direct flights between the two countries and take measures to facilitate personnel exchanges and the exchange of journalists between the two countries. The facilitation of media exchanges raised expectations of the resumption of journalists from both countries to reopen their bureaus after a two-year disruption. Currently, China permits only the PTI bureau to function from Beijing. Also, the two sides agreed to promote the resumption of Indian pilgrims' pilgrimage to Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in China's Tibet Autonomous Region this year relevant arrangements will be negotiated as soon as possible, the readout said. The two sides also agreed to continue cross-border river cooperation and maintain communication by holding a new round of expert mechanism meetings as soon as possible. India and China established the Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) in 2006 to discuss various issues related to trans-border rivers under which China provides India with hydrological information on the Brahmaputra river and Sutlej river during the flood seasons. India has expressed concern over China's decision to build the world's largest hydropower dam over Brahmaputra also locally known as Yarlung Zangbo in Tibet. During his visit, Misri called on Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Liu Jianchao, Minister of the influential International Department of the ruling Communist Party of China. On Tuesday, January 28, Russian occupation forces used a drone to attack a civilian car in Pokrovsk. The hood of the VAZ-2106 car had the inscription "people" on it. ADVERTISIMENT As a result of a direct hit, a person was killed and wounded. This was reported by the Donetsk regional prosecutor's office. "In Pokrovsk, Russian troops attacked a civilian car with a drone, killing one and injuring two citizens," the statement said. The 60-year-old woman, who was in the front passenger seat, died from injuries that turned out to be incompatible with life. In addition, a 52-year-old woman and the driver were injured and are now under medical supervision. All victims are receiving qualified medical care. The Pokrovsk Prosecutor's Office has already launched a pre-trial investigation into a war crime, which provides for liability for violation of the laws and customs of war (Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, Russian occupants continued to attack the Kherson territorial community on January 28. In Kherson, at least three citizens were injured by enemy drones. At night, Russia attacked Ukraine with hundreds of drones. Air defense forces shot down 65 Shaheds in 13 regions of our country, and some areas were destroyed. In particular, in Odesa, the enemy attack damaged houses and burned cars, injuring four people. Russian troops also hit a woodworking shop in Kharkiv with a Shahed, causing a large-scale fire over an area of about 1,500 square meters. And in the Kyiv region, a museum of vintage cars from the collection of fugitive former President Viktor Yanukovych burned down. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! A heated political battle erupted Tuesday over Arvind Kejriwal's claim of the Haryana government 'poisoning' the Yamuna water, with the Bharatiya Janata Party saying he cannot be forgiven for his 'dangerous statement', while the Aam Aadmi Party chief asserted he won't let the people of Delhi die due to the dirty, poisonous water. IMAGE: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal holds a mace during a public meeting in support of Matiala Assembly Constituency candidate Sumesh Shokeen ahead of Delhi Assembly Elections, in New Delhi on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo The AAP and the BJP also moved the Election Commission, with the saffron party seeking to bar Kejriwal from campaigning. The poll panel sought factual evidence from the AAP chief to substantiate his claims. Meanwhile, Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena wrote to Chief Minister Atishi, saying her party chief's remarks are highly objectionable and amount to endangering national security. Atishi and her Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann met the Election Commission officials, alleging the BJP-led Haryana government is deliberately releasing alarming levels of ammonia into the Yamuna river, endangering Delhi's water supply. Saxena asked the Delhi chief minister to rise above 'narrow interests' and refrain from making 'misleading, dangerous, and baseless statements' for the sake of public welfare and peace. Later, a BJP delegation, led by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, also approached the EC seeking its direction to bar Kejriwal from campaigning for the February 5 Delhi Assembly polls for his 'dangerous statement' with implications for India's federal structure. The delegation requested the EC to ask Kejriwal to retract his charge and apologise for creating 'panic' among people. They also demanded legal action against him. Following the meetings, the EC sought factual evidence from Kejriwal to substantiate his allegation, and reminded him of legal provisions that can lead to up to three years' imprisonment for 'mischievous' statements against national integration and public harmony. In a letter to Kejriwal, the Election Commission (EC) sought by 8 pm on Wednesday the nature and extent of the chemicals used for 'poisoning' the Yamuna which could have killed people in large numbers, as claimed by the AAP chief. The EC also asked Kejriwal to share details of his claim that engineers of Delhi Jal Board had actually detected and prevented it on time. Kejriwal alleged on Monday that the BJP-ruled Haryana is supplying 'poison-mixed' water to Delhi with the intention of killing people so that it could blame the AAP during the election. Addressing a public meeting in the Kalakaji constituency on Tuesday, senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah dared Kejriwal to make public the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) report which he cited to level the charge. Noting that the AAP chief had also claimed that he saved the people of Delhi by stopping the 'poisonous' Yamuna water from entering Delhi, Shah asked him to show the official order issued in this regard. "Kejriwal ji, winning and losing are part of the election process. Making an innocent face, you accused the Haryana government of mixing poison (in the Yamuna) and tried to scare the people of Delhi. Politics cannot get dirtier than this," he charged. Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini on Monday threatened to file a defamation suit against him if he did not apologise. Hitting back at Saini, the AAP supremo said on Tuesday the Haryana CM should not play politics on the issue. "It is sinful, you will face the curse of the people." "They are threatening to file a case against me. They sent me to jail, will they hang me now?" he asked. The former chief minister asserted he would not let the people of Delhi drink the 'poisonous water' and die. The BJP should refrain from its 'dirty politics', he demanded and urged the Haryana chief minister to release clean water in the Yamuna. Addressing a BJP rally in Narela on Tuesday, the Haryana chief minister launched a sharp attack on Kejriwal, saying Delhi is like his home and he can never provide water mixed with poison to the people of the city. Kejriwal has told such a 'big lie' for which he cannot be forgiven, Saini said. BJP leader asserted the Aam Aadmi Party is going to be ousted from power in the February 5 assembly polls. All BJP MPs from Haryana held a press conference in Delhi and demanded the arrest of AAP supremo over his claim, saying it was a clear case of 'criminal conspiracy' by the AAP chief who was trying to create panic among the residents of Delhi. They also challenged the AAP government to test the quality of water released from Haryana before it is supplied to households in Delhi. Following her meeting with EC officials, Atishi told a press conference, "We presented our concerns to the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners. The ammonia levels in the Yamuna have risen to 7 ppm (parts per million), which exceeds the filtration capacity of Delhi's water treatment plants. "The EC has told us that it will listen to Haryana's version before taking a decision that benefits the people of Delhi. We trust the EC for free and fair elections." Mann called for immediate action, saying, "We have demanded additional water from the Munak canal to compensate for the toxic inflow into the Yamuna. The EC will also review last year's ammonia-level data. We are confident that it will rule in Delhi's favour." Delhi goes to polls on February 5 and the results will be announced on February 8. United States President Donald Trump has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will do "what is right" on illegal immigrants, underlining that discussions are going on with India. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with United States President Donald Trump at the Howdy Modi event in Houston on September 22, 2019. Photograph: Press Information Bureau President Trump made these remarks on Monday while talking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back to Joint Base Andrews from Florida. He also mentioned that Prime Minister Modi is likely to visit the White House in February. Separately, in a readout of a phone call between both leaders, the White House said that Trump had a "productive" phone call with Modi and sought a move towards a "fair" bilateral trading relationship and deeper India-US cooperation. While talking to House Republicans at a Florida retreat on Monday, President Trump said that the US would impose tariffs on the countries that "harm" America as he named China, India and Brazil as high-tariff countries. We're going to put tariffs on outside countries and outside people that really mean harm to us... Look at what others do. China is a tremendous tariff maker, and India and Brazil and so many other countries. So we're not going to let that happen any longer because we're going to put America first, he said. Meanwhile, during their phone call, the two leaders also discussed plans for Modi to visit the US, the White House said in the readout. While talking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked "Did he (Modi) agree to take illegal immigrants. He (Modi) will do what's right. We are discussing, said the president. I had a long talk with him this morning (Monday). He is going to be coming to the White House, over next month, probably February. We have a very good relationship with India, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. The president was responding to a question on the phone call he had with Modi on Monday. Everything came up (in a phone call with Modi), Trump told reporters when asked about the details of his call with the Prime Minister. The prime minister's trip to the US, the first under Trump 2.0 was finalised during the call. Trump's last foreign trip as president was to India during his first term. Trump and Modi enjoy a good friendly relationship. The two addressed thousands of people at two different rallies in Houston in September 2019 and in Ahmedabad in February 2020. Modi was among the top three world leaders to speak with Trump after his stunning electoral victory in November 2024. In a readout of the call, the White House said the two Trump sought India to increase in US-made security equipment and move towards a fair bilateral trading relationship. Today, President Donald J Trump held a productive call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. The two leaders discussed expanding and deepening cooperation. They also discussed a range of regional issues, including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe, it said. The President emphasised the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship, the White House said. The leaders discussed plans for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House, underscoring the strength of the friendship and strategic ties between our nations, it added. Both Modi and Trump emphasised their commitment to advance the "US-India strategic partnership and the Indo-Pacific Quad partnership, with India hosting Quad Leaders for the first time later this year. The US, India, Japan and Australia compose the Quad, a four-way grouping. They have been stepping up cooperation in various fields such as defence and energy, amid China's increasing military and economic clout in the region. Like in many countries, there have been some concerns in India as well over the Trump administration's approach to immigration and tariffs. Trump has already talked about slapping 100 per cent tariffs on the BRICS grouping, a bloc that includes India as well. Speaking during a weekly press briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal referred to India's ongoing dialogue with the US on matters related to trade and immigration and expressed hope that both sides will be able to address any issue. Trade occupies a special place within the strong and multi-faceted India-US relationship, and the two sides reached a record level of trade in goods and services worth USD 190 billion in 2023, Jaiswal said. On January 23, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who represented India at the inauguration ceremony of Trump, said that India has always been open to the legitimate return of undocumented Indians to their country. "As a government, we are obviously very much supportive of legal mobility because we do believe in a global workplace... At the same time, we are also very firmly opposed to illegal mobility and illegal migration," Jaishankar had said. "So, with every country, and the US is no exception, we have always maintained that if any of our citizens are there illegally, and if we are sure that they are our citizens, we have always been open to their legitimate return to India." He was responding to a query on news reports that India is working with the Trump administration for the deportation of some 1,80,000 Indians in the US who are either undocumented or have overstayed their visas. Department of Homeland Security in April 2024 said there were about 11 million illegal immigrants in the US in the year 2022. Mexico topped the list with 4.81 million illegal immigrants, followed by Guatemala (750,000), El Salvador (710,000), Honduras (560,000), Philippines (350,000), Venezuela (320,000), Colombia (230,000) and Brazil (230,000). The DHS said there has been a sharp decline in illegal immigrants from India between 2018 and 2022. It says 220,000 Indians were living in the US illegally at the end of 2022. The Indian population fell by 54 per cent, or 260,000 people, from 480,000 in 2018 to 220,000 in 2022, while the Chinese population declined by 47 per cent, or 180,000, from 390,000 to 210,000, DHS said. With several cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) being detected in Sinhgad Road area in Pune, local residents on Tuesday claimed that contaminated water of a well on private land could have led to the outbreak. Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo Ironically, the affected areas are in a four-km radius from Khadakwasla Dam, one of the major water sources for Pune city, but locals claim there is no facility for providing them clean drinking water. As per the Maharashtra Public Health Department, Pune has reported 111 GBS cases of which 80 are in the radius of 5 km. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the situation at a meeting in Mumbai on Tuesday. Untreated water is lifted from a closed pipeline originating from the Khadakwasla reservoir and stored in a well in Nanded village, residents said. It is then supplied, without any purification process, to Kirkatwadi, Nanded, parts of Dhayari, Kolhewadi and Khadakwasla, they said. Earlier, these villages/localities had independent gram panchayats. They were included in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in the last few years. "Several people in our locality are suffering from stomach ailments and the key cause is contaminated water supply. Since 80 percent cases of GBS are from our area, we requested the civic administration to install a filtration plant at this well," said Umesh Pangavhane, a resident of Urbangram society in Kirkatwadi. When the area was under a gram panchayat, water tanks were cleaned regularly, but now it does not happen, he alleged. "We are paying taxes to the corporation but in return we are deprived of basic amenities," Pangavhane said. Bharat Pancharya, another resident, dared PMC officials to come and live in the area for some days. "If the civic administration thinks it will be moved only by agitation, we are ready to agitate for the basic amenities. I would like PMC officials to come and live with us for one month. I doubt if they will go back healthy," he said. There were more than 20 to 25 cases of GBS in his locality and the administration should find a permanent solution to the drinking water problem, he said. Narendra Hagawane, former deputy Sarpanch, said there are several resorts around Khadakwasla dam, and in the absence of proper sewage systems, waste water from these resorts is released in the reservoir. The same water is lifted and stored in the well, he claimed. Kajal Hagawane, former deputy sarpanch of Kirkatwadi, said the well was constructed 40 to 50 years ago. The PMC should reconstruct it, she said. "The well is on the side of the road with no proper compound wall around. A wall should be erected so that it is protected from any sort of contamination," she said. Gokul Karanjawane, former sarpanch of Kirkatwadi, also sought a filtration plant in the area. Nandkishore Jagtap, water supply department chief of the PMC, said the land in which the well is located is a private land, but the owner allowed the well to be constructed as a goodwill gesture. "For a filtration plant, the current location is not suitable. Currently we are continuing water supply from the same place and measures are being taken to ensure no contamination takes place," he said. Samples of water are being checked regularly since GBS cases were first reported but so far no bacteria has been found in them, Jagtap said. "We have been doing chlorination of water since monsoon and adequate measures are being taken to ensure that clean water is provided," he said. Land belonging to the irrigation department has been identified for setting up water supply infrastructure, he said. "A (water filtration) plant will be set up keeping requirement for the next 30 to 40 years in mind," he said. A suspected GBS patient had died in Solapur district earlier, making him possibly the first GBS-linked fatality in Maharashtra. The 40-year-old man is suspected to have contracted the infection during his visit to Pune. CM Fadnavis has appealed to people to boil water before drinking. GBS is a condition in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves. It can cause sudden numbness and muscle weakness. Bacterial and viral infections generally lead to GBS as they weaken the immunity of patients. Doctors feel that contaminated water triggered the latest GBS cases in Pune. The father of a man who was detained in Chhattisgarh's Durg as a suspect in the case of attack on actor Saif Ali Khan has claimed the police have "ruined" his son's life. IMAGE: Saif Ali Khan arrives home after being discharged from hospital in Mumbai, January 21, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Akash Kanojia (31), a driver and resident of Indiranagar chawl at Titwala in Thane district, was detained from a train at Durg station by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) on January 18 after a tip off from Mumbai police, following the attack on Khan by an intruder at his house in the Maharashtra capital on January 16. On January 19, Mumbai police arrested Bangladeshi national Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammad Rohilla Amin Fakir alias Vijay Das from neighbouring Thane for the attack on the actor, after which Kanojia was let off by the Durg RPF. "The police detained my son without verifying his identity. This mistake has ruined his life. Now, due to the mental trauma, Akash is unable to focus on work or communicate with his family. He has become withdrawn, doesn't talk properly, and has lost all motivation," his father Kailash Kanojia claimed while talking to reporters here on Monday. "People are saying there is no resemblance between my son and the actual accused. He lost his job and his marriage was called off. Who is responsible? The behaviour of the police has destroyed Akash's future," he added. Earlier on Sunday, Akash also said his life is in complete disarray following the police action, leaving him without a job, a snub from his prospective bride and his family facing ignominy. He said it was divine intervention that Shariful was caught within hours of him being detained at Durg railway station. "Or else, who knows, I may have been shown as the accused in the case. I now want justice," he said. United States President Donald Trump has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would probably be visiting the White House for a meeting with him in February. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets United States President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations session, in New York on September 24, 2019. Photograph: Press Information Bureau Trump told reporters on Monday aboard Air Force One on his way back to Joint Base Andrews from Florida. I had a long talk with him this morning (Monday). He is going to be coming to the White House, over next month, probably February. We have a very good relationship with India, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. The president was responding to a question on the phone call he had with Modi in the morning. Everything came up (in a phone call with Modi), Trump told reporters when asked about the details of his call with Prime Minister Modi. Trump's last foreign trip as president was to India during his first term. Trump and Modi enjoy a good friendly relationship. The two addressed thousands of people at two different rallies in Houston in September 2019 and in Ahmedabad in February 2020. Modi was among the top three world leaders to speak with Trump after his stunning electoral victory in November 2024. By Lalit K Jha in Washington, DC The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked for the Centre's stand on a Muslim woman's plea seeking to be governed by the Indian succession law instead of Shariat. Photograph: / Rediff.com IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. The plea of Safiya P M, general secretary of "Ex-Muslims of Kerala", and hailing from Alappuzha, came up before a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, said the plea raised an interesting question. "The petitioner lady is a born Muslim. She says she does not believe in Shariat and she thinks it is a regressive law," he said. "This will," observed the bench, "run across faith. You will have to file a counter affidavit." Mehta sought three weeks to take instructions and place on record a counter affidavit. The bench granted four weeks and said the matter would be heard in week beginning May 5. On April 29 last year, the apex court sought responses from the Centre and the Kerala government on the plea. The petitioner said though she has not officially left Islam, she was a non-believer and wanted enforcement of her fundamental right to religion under Article 25, saying it must include "the right not to believe" as well. She also sought a declaration that the persons who didn't wish to be governed by Muslim personal law must be allowed to be governed by the "secular law of the country" -- the Indian Succession Act, 1925 -- both in the case of intestate and testamentary succession. Safiya's plea, filed through advocate Prashant Padmnabhan, said Muslim women were entitled to one-third share in the property under the Shariat laws. The lawyer said the declaration that the petitioner was not governed by the Muslim personal law had to come from the court, or else her father would not be able to give more than one-third of the property. The top court had permitted Safiya to amend the petition suitably to challenge the Indian succession law and other provisions for excluding Muslims. "Fundamental right to religion under Article 25 of the Constitution must include the right to believe or not to believe, as per the judgment of this in Indian Young Lawyers Association v. state of Kerala (Sabarimala case)... To have meaning for that right, the person who leaves her faith should not incur any disability or a disqualification in matters of inheritance or other important civil rights," the plea said. Pointing out wide ramifications across the country, the plea urged the bench for an intervention. It said the pending case in the Supreme Court was for all Muslim women but the present plea was for those who were born Muslim and wanted to leave the religion. "As per Sharia law, the person who leaves her faith in Islam, will be ousted from her community and thereafter she is not entitled for any inheritance right in her parental property," the plea argued. The petitioner expressed apprehension over the application of the law in the case of her lineal descendant, her only daughter, if she officially left her religion. Seeking a declaration that the Muslim personal law shouldn't govern her for any of the matters listed in Section 2 or 3 of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, she said, "But there is no provision either in the Act or in the rules wherein she can obtain such a certificate." The plea said there was a "clear vacuum" in the statute which could be plugged by judicial interpretation. "As of now, the petitioner will not be governed by the secular laws of the country, viz, the Indian Succession Act even if she officially gets a no-religion, no-caste certificate from any authority," said the plea. The precious fundamental rights under Article 25 to practice or not to practise religion were made meaningless by the absence of such a protection from the State, it added. The Supreme Court has said police cannot serve notices to accused persons through WhatsApp or other electronic modes under the Criminal Procedure Code or Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal directed all states and union territories (UT) to issue appropriate directions to police for issuing notices under Section 41A of CrPC, 1973 or Section 35 of BNSS, 2023 only through the mode of service permitted under the law. "All the states/UTs must issue a standing order to their respective police machinery to issue notices under Section 41-A of CrPC, 1973/Section 35 of BNSS, 2023 only through the mode of service as prescribed under the CrPC, 1973/BNSS, 2023," the bench said on January 21. The top court went on, "It is made amply clear that service of notice through WhatsApp or other electronic modes cannot be considered or recognised as an alternative or substitute to the mode of service recognised and prescribed under the CrPC, 1973/BNSS, 2023." The direction came when the court accepted a suggestion by senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appointed amicus curiae in the matter. Luthra flagged instances where a notice under Section 41-A of CrPC, 1973 was sent through WhatsApp, but the accused did not appear before the investigating officer. He said the police machinery must not circumvent the mandate of Section 41-A of CrPC, 1973 or Section 35 of BNSS, 2023 by serving notices via WhatsApp or other electronic modes, instead of following the normal mode of service. The court passed the directions in the case of Satender Kumar Antil. The bench further directed all high courts to hold its respective committee meetings to ensure both its past and present decisions were implemented on a monthly basis "at all levels" and monthly compliance reports were submitted by the authorities concerned, it said. The apex court directed the registrar generals of high courts and chief secretaries of all the states and UTs to ensure compliance within three weeks. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia's criticism of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his "only maharajas enjoyed rights" remark evoked a strong response from the Congress on Tuesday as it said the Union minister may have forgotten the royal families' love for the British, "but we cannot forget". Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo Addressing a rally in Mhow on Monday, Gandhi said Dalits, backwards and tribals had no rights before Independence, when "only maharajas and rajas enjoyed rights". "The change was brought with Independence. You got land and rights. The BJP-RSS wants an India of pre-Independence, where common people had no rights and only the likes of Adani and Ambani had rights. They want the poor to suffer in silence and not dream while the country is run by billionaires," he had said. Attacking Gandhi for his remarks, Scindia said the statement given by Rahul Gandhi, a leader who considers the Constitution as his 'pocket diary', on the role of the royal families of India before independence exposes his narrow thinking and understanding. "In his hunger for power and position, he has forgotten that these royal families had laid the foundation of equality and inclusive development in India years ago," Scinida said in his post on X on Monday night. "He has forgotten that: Baroda Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad had provided financial assistance to our Constitution maker Baba Saheb Ambedkar to get education. Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj had laid the foundation of social justice in 1902 by giving 50 percent reservation to the Bahujans of the country in his governance for the first time," Scindia, who had quit the Congress to join the BJP in 2020, said. To empower the backward classes educationally, Madhav Maharaj I of Gwalior had opened education and employment centres in the entire Gwalior-Chambal, the BJP leader pointed out. It was the Congress that gave birth to the dictatorial ideology and worked to attack the rights of the Dalits, deprived and backward classes, he alleges. "Rahul Gandhi, first read history, then make statements!" Scindia said. Five-time MP Dushyant Singh, whose mother and BJP veteran Vasundhara Raje is Jyotiraditya Scindia's aunt, also attacked Gandhi's remarks. "Rahul Gandhis statement is yet another example of his reckless hit-and-run politics, where he makes sweeping generalizations without understanding history. Claiming that royal families did nothing for the poor shows ignorance of the immense contributions made by leaders like Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur, who championed social reforms, and the Gaekwad family of Vadodara, who supported Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkars education," he said in a post on X. "The Dholpur royals also played a crucial role in social and infrastructural development. Maharaj Rana Nihal Singh modernized the states administration, built hospitals, and developed essential public infrastructure like roads and railways, while his successor continued these progressive efforts," he added. He further said, "These families played pivotal roles in shaping Indias progress toward equality and justice. Dismissing their efforts not only disrespects their legacy but also exposes Rahuls habit of making baseless comments for political mileage. Instead of undermining history, he should focus on substantive solutions to current issues." Hitting back at Scindia, Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said, "History points its finger at you and cries your highness. If the 26th amendment of the Constitution had not been made, even today the Government of India would have been giving crores of rupees tax free to the Gwalior royal family (25,00,000 in 1950)." "You kept taking this price for merging into India, till 1971. You may have forgotten the treachery of the royal families and their love for the British, but we all cannot forget," Khera said in his post in Hindi on X on Tuesday. History is witness that the pistol of a royal family was used in the assassination of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, the Congress leader said. The list of misdeeds of many royal families cannot be covered by the goodness of a few kings, Khera said. "The pain of (Jawaharlal) Nehru and (Vallabhbhai) Patel putting pressure on the kings and princes and handing over the reins of democracy to the common citizens still remains in some royal families," he claimed. Khera went on to quote Nehru from his in his speech in the Constituent Assembly on January 22, 1947. "It is extremely heinous for any person, no matter how high his status is, to say that I have come to rule over mankind by God-given privilege. This idea is intolerable and this assembly will never accept it. If this matter is presented before the assembly, it will also strongly oppose it," Nehru was quoted as saying. "We have heard a lot about the divine right of kings. We had read about it in history and thought that now the idea of ?divine right is over. It was buried a long time ago. If today in Hindustan or anywhere else any person talks about this divine right, then his discussion is completely inconsistent with the present condition of India," the first PM had said, according to Khera. In a jibe at Scindia, Khera also put out a few lines of a famous poem by Subhadra Kumari Chauhan on the Rani of Jhansi. In the poem, the Scindias are referred to as the friends of the British. Scindia was in the Congress for a long time and was considered a close associate of Gandhi. He quit the party and joined the BJP in 2020 following differences with its leadership, especially in his home state Madhya Pradesh, leading to the fall of the then Kamal Nath-led Congress government. The Mumbai police, who are probing the incident of attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, on Tuesday said they have 'ample and strong evidence' against the Bangladeshi national arrested in the case. IMAGE: Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, the arrested accused in the Saif Ali Khan attack case being taken to a Bandra Court, in Mumbai on January 19, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Khan was attacked in the early hours of January 16 at his Bandra residence in Mumbai, where he was stabbed six times. On January 19, the police arrested Bangladeshi national Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammad Rohilla Amin Fakir alias Vijay Das from neighbouring Thane in this connection. In a press conference, Additional Commissioner of Police (West Region) Paramjit Dahiya shared the development in the probe, and said it was an 'excellent, proof-based detection' made by Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone 9 team along with the crime branch. "The Mumbai police have ample and strong evidence against the accused person, including documentary, physical and technical," he said. "As for ascertaining the identity of the accused as part of collecting evidence before filing the chargesheet, the police have an option of (using the) face recognition (technology), and we will explore it," he said. When an accused in any case gets arrested, police collect multiple pieces of evidence against him to prove his role in the crime, which includes face recognition, finger prints, oral statements, and many others, and the investigating officer collects all the evidence before the chargesheet. During the investigation, the police found that the accused did not have any associate with him, Dahiya said. The police are questioning the people he was in contact with, he added. "We have sent the samples of fingerprints to the Crime Investigation Department (CID). As on today, we have not received any official report about his fingerprints," he said. "The arrested accused is the same (person involved in the attack). Police have oral, physical and technical evidence against him," he said, adding that the evidence will be produced before the court. "After entering India illegally, the accused stayed in Kolkata for a few of days. The police are questioning those who helped him in Kolkata and whoever was in his contact," the official said. When asked if the accused misled the police in the investigation, Dahiya answered in the negative. The police have recovered a hacksaw blade and a knife from him, he added. Replying to a query that Khan's admission report of the Lilavati Hospital mentions the admission time as 4.11 am, the official said the police have the CCTV footage of the hospital which shows that Khan reached the medical facility at 2.47 am. "There is no confusion among the police about the time when the victim reached the hospital," he said. According to him, the police have recorded the statements of the eyewitnesses in the case who were at Khan's residence when the attack took place. Last week, Mohammad Ruhul, the father of Shariful Islam, claimed that his son was being framed in the case and that he would soon approach Bangladesh's foreign ministry and the Indian High Commission for his release. Ruhul alleged that the man seen in the CCTV camera footage was not Shariful. He also said his son did not have proper documentation for his stay in India and he lived in constant fear of being arrested. A Mumbai court last week extended till January 29 the police custody of Shariful. The police informed the court that they had to conduct facial recognition of the man to ascertain if he was the person seen in the CCTV camera footage from the actor's building. The police have recorded the statements of Khan, his wife Kareena Kapoor Khan and the house staff in connection with the attack. Five Indian fishermen sustained serious injuries, including two of them seriously, in an incident of firing by the Sri Lankan Navy in the proximity of Delft Island early Tuesday, triggering a strong reaction by India. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo The acting high commissioner of the island nation in India was summoned to the ministry of external affairs (MEA) and a strong protest was lodged with the top diplomat. In its reaction, India said use of force is "not acceptable" under any circumstances whatsoever. "An incident of firing by the Sri Lankan Navy during the apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen in the proximity of Delft Island was reported in the early hours of this morning," it said. "Out of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two have sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching hospital," it said. Three other fishermen received minor injuries and have been treated for the same, it added. Indian consulate officials in Jaffna have visited the injured fishermen at the hospital to seek their welfare and are extending all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families. "The Sri Lankan acting high commissioner in New Delhi was called in today morning to the Ministry of External Affairs and a strong protest was lodged over the incident," the MEA said. The Indian high commission in Colombo has also raised the matter with the Sri Lankan foreign ministry. "The use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances whatsoever. Existing understandings between the two governments in this regard must be strictly observed," the MEA said. Russia risks losing its two largest oil buyers, India and China. In 2024, these countries' oil imports accounted for 36% and 20% of Russia's oil imports, but after the US sanctions imposed on January 10, Chinese and Indian companies have virtually stopped buying new oil from Russia. ADVERTISIMENT Reuters reports this, citing information from traders and data on ship movements. The drop in sales is explained by a shortage of tankers after new US measures blacklisted more than 180 vessels from the aggressor country's "shadow fleet" and increased the cost of freight for non-sanctioned vessels by several million dollars. In this regard, it became economically unprofitable to buy Russian Far Eastern oil ESPO, which is exported from the Pacific port of Kozmino, as its price was $3-5 per barrel more expensive than the benchmark Brent. In addition, market participants will be in no hurry to enter into new deals, as not only tankers but also Gazprom Neft, Surgutneftegaz, and dozens of oil traders have been sanctioned. Xu Muyu, a senior analyst at Kpler, predicts that China's imports of Russian Far Eastern oil will remain low in the coming weeks after falling last week to a six-month low of 717 thousand barrels per day. After the protracted transition period ends on February 27, the shortfall in Russian oil supplies to refineries in India could amount to 450-500 thousand barrels per day or more than a third of India's oil imports from Russia. Representatives of the Indian oil and gas company Brant Petroleum reported that there are no new supply proposals for March. The company expects a reduction in cargo compared to December and January. Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that banks in India, which ranks second in the world among importers of Russian oil, began to block payments to Russia the state-owned State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank were the most cautious, but private banks are less strict. Problems with transactions began after sanctions were imposed on Russia's oil industry. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! United States Justice Department (DOJ) has fired several prosecutors who worked on criminal investigation into United Staets President Donald Trump, CNN reported citing sources familiar with the matter. IMAGE: US Presdient Donald Trump at his meeting with Republican members of the US House of Representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, November 13, 2024. Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters Acting Attorney General James McHenry in a letter written to the officials said they cannot be "trusted" to "faithfully" implement agenda of Trump. He stated that these officials played a "significant role" in prosecuting Trump and stressed that the proper functioning of the government critically relies on the trust senior officials have in their subordinates. "You played a significant role in prosecuting President Trump. The proper functioning of government critically depends on the trust superior officials place in their subordinates," McHenry wrote. "Given your significant role in prosecuting the President, I do not believe that the leadership of the Department can trust you to assist in implementing the President's agenda faithfully," he added. The move comes as the Trump administration is taking measures to probe prosecutors who oversaw the criminal cases against January 6 defendants after Trump announced that he would seek retribution as a key pledge of his campaign, CNN reported, citing multiple sources who have seen an internal memo on the matter. The interim US attorney in Washington, DC, Ed Martin, has started a probe into prosecutors who brought obstruction charges under US Code 1512(c) against some rioters that were ultimately tossed due to Supreme Court decision last summer. Calling the effort a "special project," Martin in the memo issued on Monday stated that the attorneys should give "all information you have related to the use of 1512 charges, including all files, documents, notes, emails, and other information" to two of the office's long-term prosecutors who must submit a report on the investigation by Friday. The memo reads, "Obviously the use was a great failure of our office - s. ct. decision - and we need to get to the bottom of it," referencing the Supreme Court decision in June that restricted the power of federal prosecutors to pursue obstruction charges against the January 6 rioters, CNN reported. The decision comes at a time when the US Justice Department has already witnessed a dramatic shakeup as officials related to high-profile probe have been reassigned, including the now-dismissed case against Trump himself for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases have said that the memo sparks concerns that the US Justice Department has started to "investigate the investigators" which Trump has long threatened. Speaking to CNN, one person who worked on Capitol riot cases said prosecutors were not aware whether this probe is looking to introduce criminal or civil charges and that some have begun to hire their own lawyers for their defence. Since assuming office last week, Ed Martin has praised Trump for issuing mass pardons for January 6 defendants. The United States will impose tariffs on the countries that "harm" America, President Donald Trump has said, as he named China, India and Brazil as high-tariff countries. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump speaks during a House Republican members conference meeting in Trump National Doral resort, in Miami, Florida on January 27, 2025. Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters We're going to put tariffs on outside countries and outside people that really mean harm to us. Well, they mean us harm, but they basically want to make their country good, Trump told House Republicans at a Florida retreat on Monday, the first after he became the president for the second term last week. Look at what others do. China is a tremendous tariff maker, and India and Brazil and so many other countries. So we're not going to let that happen any longer because we're going to put America first, he said. He said that the US will establish a "very fair system where money is going to come into our coffers and America is going to be very rich again", adding that it will happen "very quickly". Trump underscored that it was time for the US to return to the system that made it "richer and more powerful than ever before. Referring to his inaugural speech last week, Trump said: Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich foreign nations, we should be tariffing and taxing foreign nations to enrich our citizens." "Under the American first economic model, as tariffs on other countries go up, taxes on American workers and businesses will come down and massive numbers of jobs and factories will come home, he said. Earlier, Trump has already talked about slapping 100 per cent tariffs on the BRICS grouping, a bloc that includes India as well. During his address, Trump asked companies to come and set up manufacturing units in the US if they wished to avoid tariffs. If you want to stop paying the taxes or the tariffs, you have to build your plant right here in America. That's what's going to happen at record levels. We're going to have more plants built in the next short period of time than anybody ever envisioned before because the incentive is going to be there because they have no tariff whatsoever, he said. The president said that the US will support companies building plants in America, particularly in industries like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and steel. Trump added that his administration would also be placing tariffs on steel, aluminium, copper and other materials required by the US military. We have to bring production back to our country. There was a time when we made one ship a day, and now we can't build a ship. We don't know what the hell we're doing. It's all gone to other locations and other lands, he said. To further return production to the United States, we're going to environmentally free up our rare earth minerals. We have some of the best rare earth anywhere in the world, but we're not allowed to use it because the environmentalists got there first, said the president in his address. By Lalit K Jha in Washington, DC Seeking to allay fears that existing Waqf properties will be subject to scrutiny after the amended Waqf law comes into force, a parliamentary panel on Tuesday recommended that no cases will be reopened against such properties on a retrospective basis, provided the asset is not in dispute or belongs to the government. IMAGE: Trinamool Congress minority cell members stage a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, in Kolkata. Photograph: ANI Photo In its 655-page draft report, the Joint Committee on Waqf Amendment Bill made it clear that the provisions to omit the 'waqf by user' definition of a waqf property will be with prospective effect. 'The committee, in order to evade such apprehensions, proposes that a proviso clearly specifying that the omission of 'waqf by user' from the definition of waqf will apply prospectively, i.e., the cases of existing waqf properties already registered as 'waqf by user' will not be reopened and will remain as waqf properties, even if they do not have a waqf deed,' the draft report said. However, the property in question should not be wholly or in part involved in a dispute or be a government property, the committee said. The committee chaired by BJP leader Jagdambika Pal is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to deliberate and adopt the report. Opposition leaders, meanwhile, slammed the convening of the meeting at a short notice, contending that they do not have enough time to study the draft report. "The parliamentary committee on Waqf Bill has been reduced to a farce. We were told that the draft report of the committee and its bill will be discussed tomorrow at 10 am. It is a 655-page report which has been sent to us just now," Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader A Raja said. Raja said the MPs are expected to go through it, provide comments and submit dissent notes. "This is simply not possible. What is the point of an independent parliamentary committee if the government does as it pleases anyway," the former Union minister asked. Congress member Mohammed Jawed accused the BJP of trying to silence the voices of the opposition to take control of waqf properties. "This is how the BJP operates -- rushing through processes, silencing voices, and pushing their agenda to take control of waqf properties. This isn't just about land; it's about our rights, our identity, and our community's future," Jawed said. "We can't let this happen. We have to stand up and oppose this together," the Congress member from Bihar's Kishanganj said. The committee has also favoured audits of 'significant incomes' from waqf properties to improve accountability and to ensure better transparency in their administration. The amendment approved by the committee states that the accounts of waqf having income of more than Rs 1 lakh shall be audited annually. The other amendments adopted by the panel include a decision to do away with vesting any inquiry into disputes over a government property with the district collector concerned. The amendment said the 'state government may by notification designate an officer above the rank of collector' to carry out an inquiry, as per law. This provision was also questioned by Muslim bodies, which pointed out that the collector who is also the head of revenue records cannot be an impartial judge to such disputes. One of the biggest objections was on the inclusion of non-Muslims to the Waqf Board. One of the changes accepted by the panel said 'two of total members of the board appointed under this sub-section, excluding ex officio members, shall be non-Muslim'. The phrase 'excluding ex officio members' did not feature in the Bill. This, as per sources, will allow the Waqf Board to have even four non-Muslim members instead of two. On Republic Day the President recognised the daring rescue of 41 workers trapped in a tunnel for 17 days in 2023 by humble rat-hole miners. The award hopefully will bring the forgotten superheroes back into the light. IMAGE: The rat-hole miners after the completion of the rescue mission. Photograph: Kind courtesy Vaqeel Hasan Vaqeel Hasan, the leader of the team of rat-hole miners, discovered that his team had been awarded medals by the President of India through the newspaper on Republic Day. The 12-member team was awarded the Sarvottam Jeevan Rakshak Padak on Republic Day for rescuing 41 tunnel workers trapped for 17 days in Uttarkashi, November 2023. These men had risked their lives when both foreign and national technology had failed and conducted a daring rescue mission that had gripped the nation. "I do not know any details about when this medal will be given to us, where and by whom," says Vaqeel Hasan, leader of the team that had worked non-stop for 27 hours achieving an incredible task. The Sarvottam Jeevan Rakshak Pada consists of a medal, a certificate signed by the Union home minister and a lump sum monetary allowance which will be presented to the awardee by their respective state governments. IMAGE: The rat-hole miners show the victory sign after the rescue. Photograph: Kind courtesy Vaqeel Hasan Celebrated as heroes, the men were invited on television shows and felicitated by society, but had since been forgotten. They received a monetary reward of Rs 50,000 each from the Uttarakhand government. "At that time they were willing to give us anything. Many promises were made by the state government, but nobody looked back at us after the rescue," says Vaqeel who was back in the news last year when his home was demolished in an anti-encroachment drive by the Delhi Development Authority. "The local MP, the BJP's Manoj Tiwari and LG (Delhi's lieutenant governor) had said what had happened was wrong and that I will get a house under the PM's scheme, but nothing has happened so far," he says. IMAGE: The jubilant rat-hole miners. Photograph: Kind courtesy Vaqeel Hasan Vaqeel Hasan has been living in a rented house with his wife and three children which costs Rs 7,000 per month, and earns a living running a shop of mobile accessories. The other men who were part of the team have been working as labourers laying pipelines in Faridabad, auto drivers, kabadiwalas and doing odd jobs. Some have returned to their home in Kasganj or Bulandshahr in UP. Photograph: Kind courtesy Vaqeel Hasan "We don't want money for the rescue, but the government should have supported us by providing us some permanent jobs. This would have helped us build our lives," says Vaqeel Hasan. "We have got a bag full of medals and certificates which is accumulating dust and fungus. They are of no use to us." "Awards cannot fill our stomachs and provide a livelihood," he says in a dejected voice. Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav provided Rs 1 lakh each and some social organisations, he says, gave them Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000. IMAGE: Vaqeel Hasan, right, shows the victory sign. Photograph: Kind courtesy Vaqeel Hasan "Government employees who carry out life-saving missions are given so much support, why not us? Haven't we also served our beloved country and saved lives risking our own when all hope was lost?" "Politicians -- AAP, BJP, Congress -- are all the same. There is no hearing for the poor," he says. IMAGE: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami with the rat-hole miners. Photograph: ANI Photo "This rescue has taken away far more than it has given us. When we go looking for work at construction sites, they laugh and say, 'You are superheroes, why are you asking work as earth diggers and labourers!'" "People call us superheroes, but we are the forgotten superheroes." Better late than never, hopefully, the President's award will bring them better opportunities. The 12 members awarded the Sarvottam Jeevan Rakshak Padak by the President: Vaqeel Hassan Munna Qureshi Ankur Kumar Monu Kumar Devendra Mohmmed Rashid Firoz Qureshi Jatin Kashyap Saurabh Kashyap Mohmmed Irshad Nasruddin Naseem Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Since December 19, the Bureau of Economic Security (BES) has been obstructing the operations of dozens of enterprises conducting their activities in the Odesa Sea Port. In doing so, BES violates several procedural requirements, fails to explain the purpose of its actions, inflicts irreparable damage to the state budget, and brings dozens of companies to the brink of survival. ADVERTISIMENT This was revealed in the investigative report by the "Hapuhy" program on the 1+1 TV channel. Investigators highlighted the over-a-month-long blockade of Odesa businesses. Companies are facing significant risks of ceasing operations entirely. "This is a large area where about 600 people work. Today, they cannot go to work or perform their professional duties. I won't appeal to emotions by saying they can't feed their families, but for 20 days, our enterprises have been blocked and unable to conduct business activities. Consequently, the question of when we will stop paying salaries and taxes is just a matter of one or two weeks," stated Oleksandr Pavlenko, director of ATOLLO GRANUM LLC, which operates in the port. ADVERTISIMENT Representatives of the enterprises, featured in the journalists' investigation, showed surveillance footage in which BES detectives, instead of conducting searches, were seen sleeping, browsing social media, or wandering aimlessly. Attorney Valerii Snitkin remarked: "The premises that interest them are not being inspected. It's paradoxical, but we are insisting on the searches being conducted and the investigative actions being concluded. As we see here, no such actions are being carried out; instead, there is sabotage and the deliberate blocking of the enterprises activities." BES detectives are present at the port based on court rulings issued by investigative judge Tishko D.A. from the Kyiv District Court of Odesa. The first ruling was issued in December, followed by another, although such judicial practice is practically unprecedented. Moreover, BES detectives initially stated they would remain at the port "as long as necessary" and were confident that a new ruling would be issued. Additionally, both the first and second rulings authorized searches but made no mention of asset seizures, which are occurring in practice. ADVERTISIMENT "The ruling granting permission for the search clearly states that it allows a single search. If an investigator entered the premises, performed actions, and left, thats ittheyve used their right to conduct the search. Yet, as you can see, at 2 p.m. on a weekday, no investigator is present here," attorney Valerii Snitkin told journalists. The report showed how 1+1 journalists reached out to the BES Territorial Administration and the investigator, but all officials refused to communicate with the media. It was also noted that the companies had sent complaints in December to the Office of the President, the Prosecutor General's Office, the BES of Ukraine, the SBI of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Business Support Council but received no response. The investigation raised suspicions among entrepreneurs that law enforcement agencies, including BES, might be colluding with the investment fund Argentem Creek Partners, effectively making them participants in a raiding operation and an information campaign against the Ukrainian agricultural holding GNT Group, which also operates in the Odesa Port. However, Sunolta, the owner of ATOLLO GRANUM LLC, which is the subject of the search warrant, has no connection to GNT Group. In early January, representatives of companies operating in the Odesa Port held a major press conference at Interfax to address the blockade of their activities, emphasizing that each company incurs daily losses of up to 750,000 UAH. Such financial losses directly impact their ability to pay taxes to the state budget and salaries to their employees. The Chinese Embassy in Brunei hosted the 2025 Spring Festival Reception on Sunday, featuring Chinese calligraphy, lion dances, Chinese classical music, and other cultural traditions. The event was held in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, with over 400 guests from all walks of life. Guests watched traditional Chinese cultural demonstrations and performed calligraphy together to extend their best wishes for the Spring Festival. Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Xiao Jianguo delivered warm regards and thanked the guests for their efforts over the past year in actively promoting China-Brunei relations, stressing that bilateral ties have reached a new starting point. He pledged that the Chinese side will work with the Brunei side to push forward bilateral relations in the direction of building a community with a shared future between the two nations. Brunei's Legislative Council member Queenie Chong Chin Yee said in her speech that the recognition of the Spring Festival by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity has lent the celebration global significance. "Five thousand years of cultural traditions continue to thrive. We must now shoulder the responsibility to carry them forward," she said. The monument to the Magdeburg Law in Kyiv was erected on the slopes of the picturesque hills in the early 19th century. In the 1880s, an unknown amateur photographer took a picture of the column and a part of Volodymyrskyi Uzviz from the side of Trukhaniv Island. ADVERTISIMENT The old photo was published in the community "Club of the Native Kyivan" on the social network Facebook. The monument is traditionally considered the oldest existing monument in the capital. "1880s. A view of the monument to the Magdeburg Law. The perfect slope of Volodymyrskyy Descent attracts attention," the post reads. In the published photo, taken from Trukhaniv Island, you can see not only the column itself but also the picturesque slopes of the right bank. The Monument to Magdeburg Law in Kyiv (Magdeburg Law Column, also the Monument to the Baptism of Rus; lower monument to St. Volodymyr) is a monument in honor of the return of Magdeburg Law to Kyiv, located in the historic Khreshchatyk tract. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, there are many ways to look into the history of Kyiv and see its beauty. In particular, through the paintings of Ukrainian artist Oleksandr Khvostenko-Khvostov, in which he preserved views of the city in the 1950s. The capital's Lybid River is mentioned in the chronicles of Kyivan Rus in 968. In the 1950s, its channel was not yet hidden by concrete slabs, and a road bridge was built in Vydubychi to allow cars to cross it. As reported by OBOZ.UA, the Darnytsia railway station in Kyiv was built in the late 19th century, which turned the area into a famous vacation spot and summer cottage. The building itself looked like a fairy-tale house thanks to its interior and the surrounding forest. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Cisco is urging channel partners to develop competencies in AI security, ethical AI implementation and regulatory compliance, to align with the vendors recent launch of Cisco AI Defence. The product was designed to meet the advances of artificial intelligence and combines the ability to detect and protect against threats when developing and accessing AI applications without trade-offs. Rodney Hamill, managing director partner and routes to market at Cisco Australia and New Zealand told ARN Cisco AI Defence was integrated into the fabric of the network, leveraging Ciscos extensive network visibility and control capabilities. With this newly released product, Cisco partners can play a crucial role in helping customers build, operate and secure their AI environments. Trust and security are significant concerns for the deployment of AI in enterprises, stemming from several key factors such as data vulnerability, lack of transparency, bias and discrimination, privacy concerns, operational risks, and regulatory compliance, said Hamill. AI Defence also provides advanced threat intelligence by integrating with Cisco Talos, one of the largest commercial threat intelligence teams globally. This, coupled with machine learning models powered and algorithmic security validation, provides a unique offering in the market. Sannet lost custody of her two children -- both under 12 -- after she remarried. A family court in Russias North Caucasus region last year ruled in favor of her ex-husband, who said he did not want his children to be raised by their stepfather. Sannets case is far from unique in the conservative, predominantly Muslim region, where children are often considered the sole property of their fathers and their fathers family. These local beliefs clash with Russian law. Yet they often shape court rulings, depriving many mothers of custody of their children if they divorce, remarry, or become widows. During the custody hearing, Sannet said the judge and her ex-husbands lawyer openly told her that she did not have the right to keep her children because she remarried. My ex-husband has remarried, too, but nobody says that the children should not be raised by a stepmother, said Sannet, whose name has been changed to protect her identity. I was told that [unlike a mothers remarriage], a fathers remarriage doesnt affect the case, and that the father should raise the children, added the 31-year-old, who lives in Russias region of Ingushetia. The court granted Sannet visitation rights to see her daughter once a week and meet her son once a month. But Sannet said her ex-husband often does not allow her to see her children. Sannets former husband has also taken her to court, demanding that she pay 26,000 rubles ($260) per month in alimony. The average monthly salary in Ingushetia is 39,000 rubles ($380), according to Russias Federal State Statistics Service. Judges 'Influenced' By Local Customs The exact number of women who have lost custody of their child to their husbands in the region is not known. But such cases are considered widespread. In 2021, the European Court on Human Rights (ECHR) ordered the Russian authorities to reunite Chechen woman Luisa Tapayeva with her four underage children, who were taken away by their paternal grandfather when her husband died. Tapayevs father-in-law told her that her children belonged to their fathers family. After failing to regain custody of her children in Russia, Tapayeva took her case to the ECHR. In its ruling, the ECHR said it has previously dealt with similar cases from Russias North Caucasus regions of Chechnya and Ingushetia. A family lawyer in the region, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said many judges in Chechnya and Ingushetia are influenced by local customs, and apply them in court rulings instead of following Russian law. Attorneys representing fathers in custody trials often use the mothers decision to remarry as a card to win the case, the lawyer said. According to many Islamic scholars, mothers should keep custody of their children if they divorce but do not remarry. Fathers must provide financial support for their children, regardless of their living arrangements, according to scholars. When I hear such arguments, I tell them that this is a secular court, and that they should go and find an Islamic court if they want a ruling based on their religion, the lawyer said. They tell me in the corridor that it is not in our tradition to leave the children with their mother if she remarries. But when I ask them, is it in our tradition to get alimony from a mother? they have no answer. Written by Farangis Najibullah based on reporting Lidia Mikhalchenko, a correspondent for RFE/RL's Caucasus.Realities BUCHAREST -- Through online sermons and a bustling virtual community, a Chinese Christian group labeled as a "cult" and persecuted inside China is finding new members in Romania. The Church of Almighty God (CAG), also known as Eastern Lightning, claims millions of followers worldwide and has had an online footprint in Romania since 2018. More recently, a flurry of WhatsApp groups and Facebook pages -- many with more than 50,000 members -- have sprung up in the last year alone. These pages are all in Romanian, but many of the administrators are based in other European countries, such as Spain, Greece, France, and Serbia, as well as some in Romania. RFE/RL tracked dozens of online Romanian groups tied to the CAG, all with followings ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of members, and with sermons held twice a day. While these are full of uplifting hymns and homilies, the church's core belief is that Jesus has returned to Earth as a Chinese woman to wreak the apocalypse. "One of the reasons they are growing is because they are presenting a message that is attractive to people that already have a strong background in Christianity," Holly Folk, a professor at Western Washington University who has researched the CAG up close since 2016, told RFE/RL. "Most of the people who join already have a familiarity and it's not one you can easily jump into if you don't." While much about the CAG remains quite secretive, including who is funding it and directing its operations in China and abroad, its growing following in Romania marks the latest chapter for the Chinese offshoot of Christianity as it spreads its message and grapples with pressure from Chinese authorities in China and abroad. Eastern Lightning Goes West Folk says that the group is known for its heavily online presence, which developed in part because of security concerns faced by its members inside China, where it has been the target of a crackdown by the Chinese Communist Party for decades that has since sent many members fleeing persecution and claiming asylum abroad. "There is a big concern about security. They're targeted in China and there is fear about their immigration status in a lot of countries," she said. "That's part of why things happen mostly online and you see fake names being used." The CAG did not reply to RFE/RL's request for comment. Founded in 1989 in northeastern China by Zhao Weishan, a former physics teacher, the church is fixated on doomsday scenarios and holds that Christ has returned to Earth as a Chinese woman named Yang Xiangbin, with whom Zhao claims direct contact. After it was banned and classified as a cult by Beijing in 1995, Zhao reportedly fled to the United States where he received asylum in 2000. Yang is also believed to be in the United States. Among the CAG's other tenets is that resisting the Communist Party, "the big red dragon," is a key test of fitness for salvation. The fervency of church adherents and anti-communist beliefs, combined with the Chinese Communist Party's deep suspicion of Christianity and religious sects, has put the CAG in Beijing's crosshairs. In one 2014 incident that was caught on camera and widely circulated in China, Chinese police alleged that CAG members beat a woman to death in a McDonald's after she refused to join them. Chinese authorities used the ensuing outcry to further crack down on the church -- launching a wave of arrests -- although experts say the episode was likely the work of a deranged individual and the CAG is not known for violence. This pressure from the Communist Party has sent CAG members abroad. Many have applied for asylum in the United States and Canada, parts of Asia like Japan and Taiwan, and in Western Europe. Spain, where many of the group administrators for the CAG's Romanian presence are based, has been a leading European destination, with more than 500 asylum applications. Massimo Introvigne, a sociologist and lawyer based in Italy who has researched the CAG for decades, wrote recently that some of these asylum claims have been denied recently and that Chinese authorities have played a role in trying to get the CAG members returned to China. "Chinese embassies and consulates continue to supply authorities in the countries where the refugees arrive and courts of law with hostile information about the CAG," Introvigne wrote earlier this month. The Romanian Chapter All of the Romanian sermons attended by RFE/RL throughout January were online and while there were assurances that physical meetings would be coming soon, no specifics were shared in any of the groups. One sermon of 30 people that RFE/RL joined in January was run by a woman using a Romanian name who said she was from Singapore but married to a Romanian man and living in Spain. The dozens of sermons attended over the course of a week were all conducted in Romanian and used the pacing and Christian imagery of an Orthodox church service, the predominant form of Christianity in Romania. Some sermons were run by Romanians. One Romanian group admin -- a woman in her 60s who spoke to RFE/RL about her voluntary work with the CAG on condition of anonymity -- said that she took over the Facebook group after it was created by Chinese members of the church and that her role is to introduce potential new members to the CAG's beliefs. She herself converted and shared her own personal story. "All my life I didn't have time to go to church, I raised my children while working and now I have found the answer to all my questions," she states, referring to the CAG. The Romanian online community is growing. The prolific Facebook and WhatsApp groups also link to YouTube pages that highlight a growing media footprint, which includes songs and slickly produced short films showcasing the CAG's beliefs. Some groups gained thousands of new followers in a single week, with more than 10,000 new posts in a month. RFE/RL was not able to verify that all these members and posts were genuine, however, and many of the images and videos posted appear to be generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI), where they combined the CAG's teachings with Orthodox religious themes related to Romania. Despite the heavy use of AI in generating posts across the groups, the CAG apparently has devout Romanian members. One Romanian woman who delivered an online sermon said that despite adhering to the CAG, she still attends services at her local Romanian Orthodox church. She also told RFE/RL that there is a growing cohort of Romanian members and claimed they meet in person regularly. "Members of the CAG believe in their message and want to draw in local members and elevate local leaders," Folk said. "You can't grow a tradition from a bunch of websites alone." RFE/RL Romanian Service correspondent Simona Carlugea reported from Bucharest. RFE/RL China Global Affairs correspondent Reid Standish reported from Prague. US President Donald Trump has urged Russia to agree to a 30-day cease-fire, warning he would slap additional sanctions on the country if it refused the US proposal, as Moscow made more gains on the battlefield. "Russia has no way out but cease-fire. If needed we will sanction it, but I hope we won't need to," Trump told reporters at the White House on March 12. "In a financial sense we can do very unpleasant, very bad things, devastating for Russia, but I don't want to," he said. His comments come a day after Kyiv agreed to the temporary cease-fire following nine hours of talks with Trump administration officials in Saudi Arabia. Trump has made ending Russia's more than three-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine a top priority since taking office for a second term less than two months ago, quickly dispatching his top officials to Moscow and Kyiv to prepare the groundwork for peace talks. He has used Washington's significant leverage over Ukraine -- namely military aid and intelligence sharing -- to get Kyiv to agree to the cease-fire proposal, which if implemented, would leave almost 20 percent of the country in Russia's hands for the time being, at least. But Trump lacks that type of leverage with Russia, which has navigated sweeping US and European sanctions placed on its economy following the invasion much better than most experts forecasted. Putin may seek to drag out talks with the US over a cease-fire to improve Russia's position on the battlefield and hence at the negotiating table when and if Moscow and Kyiv hammer out a peace deal. As Trump spoke at the White House, Putin was visiting troops in Russia's Kursk region, where fierce fighting is currently taking place and Moscow's forces are advancing. Ukraine seized a swath of the Kursk region in a stealth incursion in August seen as an effort to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and use the territory as a bargaining chip during any peace talks. That strategy is now at risk of failing as Russian forces slowly push the Ukrainians out of Kursk. Russians forces have retaken more than half the territory initially captured by Ukraine. Putin's visit to Kursk was his first since the incursion and signals the momentum Russia has in that theater of the war. The Kremlin leader urged his troops to retake the region in its entirety "as soon as possible." Ukraine's top military commander, General Oleksandr Syrskiy, said that fighting continued in and around Sudzha, the largest town in the part of the region that Ukraine occupied. Unconfirmed reports on March 12 indicated that Ukraine has begun to draw back units as Russian officials claimed their troops had captured more settlements, including Sudzha. "Despite increased pressure from the Russian and North Korean forces, we will maintain the defense of the Kursk region as long as it is appropriate and necessary," Syrskiy wrote on Telegram. In a Facebook post, Syrskiy said that saving soldiers lives is a priority and that Ukrainian troops "maneuver to more favorable positions, if necessary," wording often used top describe a retreat. Concessions? Trump hinted that Ukraine would have to make concessions on land, something more and more experts say is inevitable given Russia's momentum on the battlefield. "When we talk cease-fire [with Ukraine], we talked land, who's withdrawing -- we discussed a lot of things [with Ukraine]," Trump said. "We don't want to waste time, people are dying. Russia is not in the best situation now. I hope [Putin] gets a cease-fire." Earlier in the day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the cease-fire proposal and said he hoped it would be used as a draft for a lasting peace deal that included security guarantees for Ukraine. "It's now up to Russia what is next," he said at a March 12 press conference, and whether "it wants to continue its aggression against Ukraine or not." On the streets of Kyiv, some Ukrainians told RFE/RL's Current Time that they doubted whether Russia would sign on to, and adhere to, a cease-fire deal. "I'm not sure what to say, but it all seems implausible, frankly speaking," said one Kyiv man, while a woman in the capital said the cease-fire talks were "meaningless without Russia taking part." Moscow has so far declined to comment on the specifics of the proposal for the 30-day cease-fire, and it's unclear whether Putin has made up his mind on the agreement. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was "carefully studying" the joint US-Ukraine statement issued following the Jeddah talks and will wait to comment until Russian negotiators receive more detailed information from Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who represented the United States at the talks, said Washington "will have contact with Russians" today. Trump on March 11 said he would soon speak with Putin to secure his commitment. Mike Waltz, the White House national-security adviser, spoke with his Russian counterpart on March 12, while Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff also planned to travel to Moscow, possibly to meet Putin. CIA Director John Ratcliffe held a phone call with Sergei Naryshkin, director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, late on March 11, the Interfax news agency reported. Rubio told reporters on March 12 in first comments since leaving the talks in Jeddah that the United States hoped to have a positive answer from Russia toward the cease-fire deal and "strongly urge[s] Russians to end all hostilities. Konstantin Kosachev, an influential lawmaker in Russia's upper house of parliament, seemed to imply that Moscow would not simply accept the US-backed ceasefire proposal but attach conditions, taking into account that Russian forces have the momentum on the battlefield. "Russia is advancing, and therefore it will be different with Russia," Kosachyov said in a Telegram post. "Any agreements (with all understanding of the need for compromise) will be on our terms, not American," he said. "And this is not boasting, but an understanding that real agreements are still being written there, on the front line. Which Washington should also understand." Rubio also said Ukraine will need a strong deterrent to prevent future attacks and that Europeans will "need to be involved in this regard." He added that further discussions would need to tackle to topic of the European Union lifting sanctions on the Russian economy. "I would imagine that in any negotiation, if we get there, hopefully with the Russians, they will raise these European sanctions that have been imposed upon them," Rubio said. Moscow has so far been against a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Russia's position during an interview with three right-wing US bloggers that it will under no conditions accept the presence of NATO forces in Ukraine. Minerals Deal Washington and Kyiv could sign a framework agreement as early as this week on sharing the revenue generated from Ukraine's mineral resources. Trump and Zelenskyy intended to sign the deal during their meeting at the Oval Office on February 28. However, the two got into a heated, public exchange over security guarantees for Ukraine and the meeting was abruptly ended without any deal. Rubio cautioned that he "would not couch [the] minerals deal as a security guarantee." But he added that "if the United States has a vested economic interest thats generating revenue for our people as well as for the people of Ukraine, wed have a vested interest in protecting it if it were to be challenged or threatened." The parade of comments come after Russia and Ukraine traded air attacks overnight just hours after Kyiv agreed to accept the cease-fire proposal. Two Russian missile strikes hit the central Ukrainian city of Kryviy Rih on March 12, killing one person, while a separate attack killed four crew members of a cargo ship near the southern port city of Odesa. Russia's Defense Ministry said its air-defense systems shot down six drones overnight on March 12, one over Ukraine's Russia-annexed Crimea and five over the Black Sea. The Krymsky Veter Telegram channel reported loud explosions and air-raid sirens over Crimean towns and near Russian military sites. The United States announced after the talks in Saudi Arabia that it would immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and restore military aid to Ukraine, which could be a boost to Ukrainian forces. Ukraine's battlefield positions have been under heavy pressure, particularly in Russia's Kursk region. The three Russian journalists who were killed in the Central African Republic (CAR) this week had arrived in the war-torn country to investigate the reported presence there of a shadowy Russian paramilitary force whose units are said to have fought in Ukraine and Syria. Colleagues of Orkhan Dzhemal, Aleksandr Rastorguyev, and Kirill Radchenko say the trio were making a documentary about the private Russian military company Vagner, which French and Russian media reports had previously reported to be operating in the CAR. CAR officials say the journalists were ambushed and killed by unidentified assailants. The Russian government has never officially confirmed the presence of Wagner employees in the African country and denies that the firm's contractors act on Moscow's orders. The private military firm is reportedly controlled by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a longtime associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, though Prigozhin has previously denied that he is linked to the company. Here are five things you need to know about Russian military contractors working in the CAR. Why Are Russian Contractors There? The Central African Republic, one of the world's poorest countries, has been subjected to a UN Security Council arms embargo since 2013, when an armed, mainly Muslim coalition known as Seleka seized power. Christian armed formations fought back, and the violence saw thousands killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee their homes. In 2016, Faustin-Archange Touadera was elected president of the CAR, but much of the country remains controlled by various armed formations, primarily ex-Seleka fighters and the Christian alliance known as Anti-balaka. The UN established a peacekeeping mission in the CAR in 2014. In December 2017, Russia secured an exemption to the Security Council arms embargo, allowing Moscow to deliver arms and training for what a UN panel of experts describes as part of a multinational effort -- including the European Union Military Training Mission -- to boost the capabilities of the CAR's military and security forces. "Our only request was that the Russian delegation submit additional information on the serial numbers of the weaponsso that we can track weapons going into CAR," AFP cited an unidentified U.S. official as saying at the time. How Many Are There, And What Are They Doing? In December, Russia notified the Security Council committee overseeing the CAR arms embargo of the involvement of 175 Russian "instructors" in a training mission, according to a report by a UN panel of experts issued last week. Of those personnel, 170 were identified as civilian instructors, while the remaining five were from the Russian military, the report says. According to the panel, Russian instructors have been involved in a range of tasks, including: escorting convoys of building materials for hospitals; providing security for hospitals donated by Russia; and training police officers as a requirement for equipping them with Russian weapons. The panel also said that a Russian national had been appointed as a national security adviser to Touadera and that the Russian is "engaging with armed groups" to discuss issues including "disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, national reconciliation," and the sharing of revenue derived from the exploitation of natural resources. In June, two government soldiers and one Russian instructor were wounded in an attack by militia fighters while traveling to the south of the country, the panel said. Why Is Wagner Said To Be Operating In The CAR? Several media reports over the past year have indicated that Wagner contractors may be working in the CAR. In March, a reporter for the Russian news site Znak.com visited a facility reportedly operated by Wagner outside the southern Russian city of Krasnodar. The reporter cited a military veteran who lives in the town where the facility is located as saying that Wagner mercenaries were set to be sent "to Africa" for a "training" mission. Two weeks later, the Russian Foreign Ministry publicly discussed the 175 Russian "instructors," saying they had been sent to the CAR in "late January-early February," but without indicating whether the civilian personnel were employees of Wagner or another military contractor. The Russian investigative journalism news site The Bell in June cited an unidentified source as saying that Wagner employees were training CAR forces. And last month, Yevgeny Shabayev, a leader of a Cossack organization who says he visited Wagner fighters injured in a deadly February clash with U.S. forces in Syria, published a letter stating that private Russian military contractors have operated in the CAR and "an array of other African and Arab countries."* An editor at the Investigation Control Center, the outlet funded by billionaire Kremlin foe Mikhail Khodorkovsky that financed the investigation conducted by the three journalists killed in the CAR, said on August 1 that the team had reached the facility where they believed Wagner operatives were stationed but were told they needed accreditation from the country's Defense Ministry. What Is Russia's Interest? Russia says it is seeking to restore peace in the CAR with the provision of arms and training to government forces. "Russia's assistance is carried out as part of the common efforts of the international community to strengthen the national security units of CAR," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Artyom Kozhin said in a March 22 statement. But Moscow has also made no secret of its economic interests in the country's natural resources. "Russia is exploring the possibilities of the mutually beneficial development of Central African natural resources," Kozhin said. "The prospecting-mining exploration concessions began in 2018. We believe these projects will help stabilize the economic situation in CAR, promote the construction of the infrastructure, and serve as a basis for drawing additional investment to the country's economy." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Touadera in the Russian city of Sochi in October, with the ministry saying that the officials "reaffirmed their countries' resolve" to bolster bilateral ties "and pointed to the considerable potential for partnership in mineral resources exploration" and energy. Putin met Touadera in St. Petersburg in May, with the Russian leader saying that Moscow "will be happy to consider various plans to boost our relations, first of all in the economic and humanitarian fields." What Impact Is Russian Presence Having? While Russia touts its weapons shipments and training efforts in the CAR as an effort to stabilize the country, the report by the UN panel of experts released last week said that new weapons obtained by government forces have motivated rebel militias to boost their own stockpiles. "The recent acquisition of weaponry by the Government has created an incentive for the active rearmament of ex-Selaka factions," the report said. The panel added that armed militia representatives had told them that "since the government had opted for the military option (training, rearming, and attacking) instead of the political process, armed groups needed to be prepared." The experts' report noted a worsening of the security situation in Bangui and Bambari, citing "serious outbreaks of violence, including in areas where the situation had previously improved." *Correction: This article has been amended to clarify that Yevgeny Shabayev's letter stated that private Russian military contractors, not necessarily Wagner, have operated in the Central African Republic. Mobile operator Vodafone does not have and does not plan to introduce preferential tariffs for low-income groups. In response to numerous inquiries from subscribers, the company said it was forced to increase production costs and purchase additional equipment. ADVERTISIMENT Vodafone announced this in response to customer comments on its Facebook page. In particular, one user asked about the lack of special offers for subscribers who have been using the operator's services for years. "Offers, promotions, discounts or gifts are generated by the system automatically and randomly, not manually by operators or anyone else, regardless of the subscriber's tariff, age, number of recharges, and how old the number is," the company replied. Vodafone offers to inform subscribers about such offers via SMS. The operator also rejected a proposal to introduce a special lower cost tariff that would not include the Internet."Our expenses for network maintenance and development have increased. This is due to increased costs for fuel, electricity, and the purchase of additional equipment needed to maintain the network in the difficult conditions of war," the company said. ADVERTISIMENT Vodafone has increased its current tariffs as electricity prices for residential and industrial consumers increased in 2024, the mobile operator reminded. The cost of the services provided has also increased, as the equipment required for this is powered by the grid. "Most companies in the telecommunications industry have faced a similar situation, and Vodafone is no exception. That's why we had to raise our tariffs. However, we always offer various services to save money," the company assured. ADVERTISIMENT Competitors' tariffs: what Kyivstar and Lifecell offer After the last tariff increase, the cheapest Vodafone prepaid packages Turbo and Joice Start cost 270 UAH for 4 weeks. Meanwhile, another popular Ukrainian mobile operator, Kyivstar, offers two tariff plans for people over 60: " LOVE UA Comfort" with the option to choose 1 "superpower" (unlimited minutes, internet, SMS, 100 minutes abroad) for 140 UAH/4 weeks (contract); with the option to choose 1 "superpower" (unlimited minutes, internet, SMS, 100 minutes abroad) for 140 UAH/4 weeks (contract); "LOVE UA Comfort Home" with the option to choose 2 "superpowers" (includes the previous "superpowers" as well as 5 GB of roaming and home internet) for UAH 200/4 weeks (contract). Another major mobile operator, lifecell, does not have any tariffs for pensioners, but there is a special price for identified, personalized, and number porting subscribers. In addition, subscribers can save up to 15% with the Tariff Prepaid service. The company's cheapest tariffs: "Calls with no limits " (unlimited local calls and 250 minutes to other operators) 130 UAH/4 weeks " (unlimited local calls and 250 minutes to other operators) 130 UAH/4 weeks "Prosto Life" (300 minutes to all numbers in Ukraine and Lifecell unlimited minutes when they run out, as well as 8 GB of Internet) 200 UAH/4 weeks. However, OBOZ.UA has already reported that starting from February 5, lifecell will also increase the cost of its tariff plans by 34%. The changes will affect popular tariffs such as Smart Life, Prosto Life, Free Life, Powerful, and others. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Thousands of people including dozens of Holocaust survivors gathered in Poland to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz on January 27. More than 1 million people -- mostly Jews -- were murdered at the infamous World War II Nazi death camp. As RFE/RL's Una Cilic reports, survivors and their descendants used the solemn occasion to warn that the atrocities of the Holocaust should not be forgotten. After loitering off the Syrian coast for weeks, two Russian cargo ships docked at the port of Tartus, part of a reluctant mission to unravel one of the Kremlin's biggest foreign policy successes since the Soviet collapse. The two ships -- the Sparta and the Sparta II -- arrived on January 22 at Tartus, where hundreds of pieces of heavy weaponry, vehicles, artillery, ammunition crates had been parked for weeks, guarded by Russian soldiers, awaiting shipment out. The day they docked, Syrias new government formally terminated a 49-year lease. Granted access to the port after a long wait, the ships were expected to haul some of the Russian military hardware out of Syria. Satellite imagery released January 27 suggested the Sparta II may have already departed, with some portion of the equipment on board. The question now: Where to next? A growing number of experts point to a warlord-controlled part of Libya, which would allow Moscow to keep some forward presence in the region, and also a bridge to more shadowy operations in Africa. Sudan is also a possibility. So is Algeria. Regardless, the departure of Russias military presence from Syria scrambles the calculus for the region. It is a pretty significant logistical problem in the short term, but perhaps less so in the medium term, Sidharth Kaushal, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a London think tank. Most of the options in Libyado not have significant preexisting naval facilities and much of the infrastructure which does exist has suffered war damage. The Russians would likely be building from scratch. Also problematic: Russias access to the Black Sea is limited due a century-old treaty restricting certain military transit through Turkeys Bosporus. And while Russias submarine fleet is still considered a formidable force, its surface fleet is increasingly seen as a rusty flotilla prone to breaking down. It is possible that in the short term the [Russian Navy] will attempt to maintain a presence of some kind in the Eastern Mediterranean, if only as a face-saving exercise to show that they didnt really need Tartus anyway, said Mike Plunkett, a senior naval analyst at Janes, the British security research group. However, if we assume that the Black Sea remains inaccessible to Russian warships for the foreseeable future then it is highly likely that a permanent Russian presence in the Mediterranean will quickly become unsustainable and will need to be dropped in favor of higher priority taskings, he said. Syrian High Water When Russian President Vladimir Putin made an unannounced trip to Syria in December 2017, it was portrayed as his mission accomplished moment -- two years after Moscow sent in an expeditionary force to prop up the flagging military efforts of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. Using Tartus, and the Hmeimim air base, about 60 kilometers up the coast, Russian forces helped Syrias air force obliterate swaths of Syrian cities, causing major civilian casualties while routing a ragtag collection of rebel groups. Syria has been saved as a sovereign, independent state, refugees are returning home and conditions have been created for a political settlement under United Nations auspices, Putin announced at the time. The Russian intervention turned the tide in Assads favor. But Moscow was distracted a few years later, when it decided to launch all-out war on Ukraine. That invasion, now nearing its third anniversary, continues to draw massive military resources, and manpower -- making Syria a lower priority. Last month, Syrian rebels, spearheaded by the U.S.-designated terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, swept into Damascus, sending Assad and his family fleeing to Moscow. Like other rebel groups, HTS had no love for Russias presence, and the destruction leveled on parts of the country. A steady trickle of heavy-lift cargo jets started flying in from Russian territory, to airlift some equipment home. But even as heavier weaponry stacked up at Tartus, the question whether Russia would maintain some presence in the country was unclear. On January 22, multiple reports said the new Syrian government had canceled the Russian lease for the port. The two Sparta ships -- civilian vessels operated by Oboronlogistika, a shipping company linked to the Russian Defense Ministry -- were spotted arriving at Tartus the same day, after weeks at sea off the Syrian coast. Two other naval vessels -- the Ivan Gren and the Aleksandr Otrakovsky -- amphibious ships capable of handling heavy weaponry without the need for port gantry cranes, remain offshore. Why did HTS wait so long to force them out? Plunkett said. Was there some attempt to find an accommodation whereby the Russians could stay? I think that would be a very hard sell for many in Syria, given everything the Russians have been complicit in over the course of the war. It was always going to be a hard sell to the Syrian people to let the Russians stay in Tartus and Hmeimim since the Russians helped destroy cities like Aleppo from these bases, Kaushal said. Africa Bound For the moment, Russia does not appear to be giving up on the region entirely. The Russian Navy could support a Mediterranean presence with deployments from Northern or Baltic Fleets, or even the Pacific Fleet, but this would be highly resource-and time- consuming, said Nick Childs, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. Russian hopes of some sort of naval facility in Sudan also seem to be stalled and again would be of limited use compared to Tartus, he said. But without access to a port in the region, Russia would have to rely solely on air cargo, which is incapable of handling the volume of heavy equipment needed for a serious military presence. For that reason, a Libyan port -- Tobruk, for example -- may be the most likely destination. Moscow has had a shadow presence in Libyas eastern regions, which are controlled by rebel warlord Khalifa Haftar. The notorious, now-defunct mercenary company Wagner backed Haftar in his fight against a UN-backed government in 2019. Its unclear how big the Russian mercenary presence there is; but a senior Russian defense official met with Haftar in Cairo last year. But even if the Russians secure access to Tobruk, experts say it will take substantial investment to build out the port facilities to accommodate larger naval ships. The lack of a reliable base or port in the region will also make Russian operations in African countries, such as Mali or the Central African Republic, more difficult. Bottom line up front: The loss of Tartus is likely to spell the end of a permanent Russian presence in the Eastern Mediterranean, at least until the Black Sea becomes accessible again, Kaushal said. The resignation of Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic may not be enough to end student protests that have rocked the Balkan country since a disaster at a railway station killed 15 people in November. This is despite the fact that Vucevic's resignation was among the protesters' initial demands. Their position has developed over months of protests that began when a concrete canopy collapsed at a station in the northern city of Novi Sad. At first, the protesters called for both Vucevic and the mayor of Novi Sad, Milan Djuric, to go. Djuric also resigned from his position on January 28. The resignations come following remarks by President Aleksandar Vucic on January 27, saying that all the students' demands will be met. Vucic appeared to be trying to defuse a situation where protests were growing nationwide. Overnight, protesters were supported by farmers using tractors to mount a blockade of the main roads through the capital, Belgrade. Anger about the deaths has grown into wider grievances. The protesters have said they're not interested in politics and do not see resignations as the core issue. Instead, they say they want Serbian institutions to work as they should. "We would love to live in a country where every institution simply does its job independently, without corruption or external pressure," university student Jana Lomic told RFE/RL at one of the overnight blockades. Many students camped out in tents. They have the support of Serbia's opposition parties. It was announced this week that the government would submit to a confidence vote in parliament on January 29. The opposition said this was an old demand and that they supported the students' positions. There are four major demands: The release of all documents covering the reconstruction of the station in Novi Sad amid concerns over corruption, dropping charges against students arrested during the initial protests, indictments against people who assaulted protesting students, and a 20 percent increase in government funding for state-run universities. The government approved the 20 percent rise in its 2025 budget in December. Vucic said all documents relating to the reconstruction of the railway station had been made public. But he has claimed this before and it is disputed by some protesters. "We are always open to some form of negotiation and cooperation, but we don't want anyone to play games with us, and it is clear that this has been happening for two months," said Nikola Mutavdzic, a student at the Faculty of Law, who participated in the 24-hour traffic blockade in Belgrade on January 27. Vucic also said charges against protesters would be dropped and that 37 individuals faced criminal proceedings for attacks on students. It's unclear whether all charges will be dropped, and if all alleged assaulters will be charged. The student movement has no clear leaders. They take their decisions in votes. It's also not clear what, if anything, will happen in parliament on January 29. A confidence vote when the prime minister has already resigned feels like an irrelevance that is also unlikely to calm public anger. "With the resignation of the prime minister, the entire cabinet falls, so practically speaking, the entire government is resigning," Vucevic said on January 28. The government is due to meet on the evening of January 28. Under the Serbian Constitution, it will remain in office for up to 30 days until a new government is approved by parliament. If this does not happen, Vucic must call new parliamentary elections. Opposition parties have called for an interim government to be formed, something that is opposed by Vucic's ruling Serbian Progressive Party. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I'm drilling down on two issues: boosting European defense spending, and how the bloc is dealing with (or not dealing with) Georgia's controversial new president. Russian taekwondo athlete Maksim Khramtsov sacrificed his performance at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris for an epic bow to dictator Vladimir Putin. The winner of Tokyo 2020 was denied entry to the main tournament of the quadrennial after he called it his duty to support "any decision" of the Kremlin leader. ADVERTISIMENT Khramtsov himself spoke about this in an interview with the Sport Daily publication. The 27-year-old athlete added with a special flourish that criticizing Putin is a real betrayal, thus confirming his full approval of the war that the head of the Russian terrorist state has launched against Ukraine. "We are Olympic champions, we respect and support our president. I have said this openly. I support him. He is my president, I am proud of him and will support any of his decisions. This is my duty, and I think it is the right thing to do. Perhaps this was the reason for my suspension, but I didn't lie, I didn't cheat, because this is important to me. I believe that the president is our leader, and to say something bad about your leader is to betray yourself first and foremost," Khramtsov said. Interestingly, last July, the athlete was outraged by his exclusion from the Olympics "simply because he is Russian." As OBOZ.UA previously reported, two-time Olympic champion Dmitry Vasilyev called doping a "ridiculous reason for the suspension" of Russian athletes. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The proposed expansion of the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC) in Ballaghaderreen is causing huge concern in the town. Local TD Claire Kerrane who is objecting to the proposals is urging the public to do likewise. Next Week & Co Ltd is seeking planning permission for the construction of a two-storey extension to the Abbeyfeld Hotel/ EROC to provide additional accommodation, with a single storey corridor link to the existing EROC. The application is also seeking an astro turf pitch and a play area at the site. A planning application was received by the council on December 23rd and a decision is due by February 25th. The EROC has been in operation since 2017. I will be making a submission, said Deputy Kerrane. The bottom line is we must stop it. The EROC already accommodates and can accommodate over 200 people. I think that is enough and I think Ballaghaderreen has more than played its fair share. I am disappointed how this has come about. There hasnt been any engagement, and I will now be working with Cllr Micheal Frain on this. They are putting together a submission, which can be made available to the public. This is similar to our opposition to the modular development proposal, we went door-to-door with letters, we provided submissions to people who might not be able to make one themselves, Deputy Kerrane said. She said that the current EROC system was not working, and she called for the provision of state-run accommodation centres. The current model is failing both people seeking international protection and communities, she said. Deputy Kerrane argued that nothing had been provided to the town after the people of Ballaghaderreen welcomed the refugees in 2017. Separately the TD said her party was looking forward to leading the opposition to this incoming government. I think a lot of people who went out and voted independent didnt vote for Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, but they are all in together, she said. For us it is our job to hold government to account. As a TD for Roscommon Galway, it is my job to deliver for my constituents and I believe you can do that from opposition as well as in government. That is the challenge that lies ahead. Tom Tuite Two teenage sisters arrested during a Garda investigation into thefts from vulnerable adults in Dublin have been ordered to stay away from people with intellectual disabilities. On Monday, the pair, aged 16 and 17, who cannot be named because they are minors and have the legal right to anonymity, appeared at the Dublin Children's Court, and more charges were levelled against them on Tuesday. Officers from the Serious Crime Unit at Pearse Street Garda Station originally arrested the two girls on Thursday and detained them under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act to be questioned. They were each charged with theft of 500 from Joshua Spurling, 23, at Aston Quay, Dublin 2, on January 21st. The student with down syndrome from Greystones, Co Wicklow, had been on a college trip to the city that day. The complainant's mother, Ruth Spurling, spoke on RTE's Liveline last week. The girls, accompanied to the hearing by their mother, have an address in Co Dublin. Garda Sergeant Robbie Byrne had told Judge Brendan Toale that they "made no reply" when charged. The judge imposed bail terms that they must remain out of Dublin 2 with the usual exception for attending for legal advice, and he told them to reside at their current home address. The girls, accompanied to court by their mother, were then remanded on bail to appear again in February, pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. However, on Tuesday, they were brought back before the same court on three fresh charges for stealing various sums totalling 703 from another male at two locations on January 20th in the city centre: a store in the Ilac shopping centre and a shop at College Green. The new charges were put back to the same date in February to join up with the allegations opened in court on Monday. However, Judge Paul Kelly added another bail condition stating they must stay away from people with intellectual disabilities or any education courses they attend. The girls, who had been granted legal aid and representation, have yet to enter a plea. A decision has yet to be made on whether their case will remain in the Children's Court or go forward to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers. (Updated 2-3-5): Times and dates have been updated. We apologize for any confusion. The McKenzie County Ag Expo, Watford City, ND, will host their annual Farm & Ranch Show Feb. 4-5. They will have vendors representing local equipment dealers, ag lenders, livestock supply businesses, and a variety of agricultural needs. Tuesday, the event will run from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Wednesday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The event is free to the public. On Tuesday, Ryan Odenbach will welcome attendees and vendors at 9 a.m. The McKenzie County NDSU Extension office has brought together a selection of speakers on topics important to the producers of our region. Starting the event is a rancher panel discussing McKenzie County Grazing Challenges. At 9:30 a.m., Temple Grandin will be speaking on Cattle Handling Facility Design. Kevin Sedivec will cover Grazing Management Techniques at 11 a.m., with the free lunch provided by United Quality to follow. United Quality will have an Arrowquip Cattle Handling demo at 12 p.m. Miranda Meehan will give her presentation on Virtual Grazing Concepts at 1 p.m., with Temple Grandin speaking again at 2:10 p.m .; this time on Humane Livestock Handling. Tim Petry will give the 2025 Livestock Outlook at 3:10 p.m., and United Quality will close the day with another Arrowquip Cattle Handling Demo at 4 p.m. Wednesday will start again with a welcome from Ryan Odenbach at 9 a.m., and features Bull Days; where producers showcase their herd genetics with select bulls and their offspring. Brian Jenks will be the first of the NDSU Extension speakers, with his talk on Managing Todays Weeds at 9:05 a.m. County Crop Elections will take place at 10 a.m. Ryan Odenbach will share Cover Crops for McKenzie County at 10:30 a.m. Mary Keena will discuss Composting & Cropland Manure Applications at 11 a.m., with the free lunch provided by Lund Oil to follow. After lunch, Chandler Gruener will speak on MC Soil Health Perspectives. At 2:10 p.m., Mike Jenks and Austin Patten, Helena Ag, will give their 2025 Fertilization & Chemical Outlook. A Cropping Panel at 3:10 p.m. will end the NDSU Extensions educational contributions to the Farm & Ranch Show. Sponsors and vendors for the 2025 McKenzie Ag Expo Farm & Ranch Show include: 1st International Bank & Trust, Anchor Ingredients, Dakota West Credit Union, Farmers Choice LLC, United Agronomy, District #1 Cattlewomen, United Quality Cooperative, Upland, NW Tire, OK Tire, Shelters Construction, Lund Oil, Rev Carbon LLC, Dirtech & Evs Auto Glass, Mon-Kota Inc., Custom Grain & Seed, 4 Fires Enterprises, Northern Pump & Compression, Heartland Pella, Memaws Meats, Paramount Ag Supply, Helena Chemical, Badlands Hemp, Horizon Resources, Cornerstone Bank, McKenzie County Extension Office, Heritage Insurance Services, Kohler Accounting, Paramount Real Estate, Korral Supply, Gooseneck Implement, Heggen Equipment, RDO Equipment, Haugland Insurance, Nuseed, Wisness Ag Service, TTK, Red Rock Auto, FSA Office, Border Plains Equipment, Atmospheric Resource Board, Joel-Radio, Tri-County Implement Inc., AGT Foods, Frontier Precision AG, Prairie Barns Construction, Wildcat Industries, DJ Sales, The Mill, ND Township Officers Association, Aerus Electrolux, McKenzie County Crop Improvement, D Bar P Bumpers, ND Contractors, ND Construction, Octane Outdoors, Catt Corn-Canada, Montana Dakota Scale Service Inc., and others. For more information contact Riley Faller at [email protected], 701-842-EXPO, or check the website http://www.mcagexpo.com. HELENA, MT. The Montana Department of Commerce has announced that nine Montana towns, cities and counties will share nearly $300,000 of grant funding to help plan significant community development projects. The funding is through Commerces Community Development Block Grant Planning Grant Program. Community Development Block Grant Planning Grant funding will help Montana communities develop future growth plans, studies and training to advance crucial infrastructure and community development projects while creating and retaining good paying jobs for Montana workers, said Paul Green, Montana Department of Commerce director. The CDBG Planning Grant Program is designed to help communities plan by supporting the implementation of growth policies, capital improvement plans, subdivision and zoning regulations, downtown master plans, housing plans and preliminary architectural and engineering reports. The following communities and districts will receive CDBG Planning Grant funding: The Town of Bridger will receive $24,000 to complete a growth policy. The Town of Cascade will receive $22,500 to complete a growth policy update. The Town of Fairview will receive $40,000 to complete subdivision and zoning regulations update. The Town of Geraldine will receive $40,000 to complete a preliminary architectural report. Golden Valley County will receive $26,250 to complete a growth policy update. The Town of Jordan will receive $30,000 to complete a growth policy update. Richland County will receive $50,000 to complete a growth policy update and zoning study. The City of Sidney will receive $40,000 to complete a downtown master plan. The City of Thompson Falls will receive $25,500 to complete a growth policy update. In 2023, the City of Glendive received $36,750 of CDBG Planning Grant funding to complete a trails master plan. Without CDBG funding, the trail plan would not have been possible. Glendive was very fortunate to be chosen, and we are grateful for the opportunity to make a plan that works for us, said Deb Dion, Glendive mayor. We are a small city with very limited resources, so this grant opportunity helped the city move forward with a plan that can be used when we ask for other grants and look for funding opportunities to make our city more walkable, bikeable and to link existing trails in the city. Eligible applicants for CDBG Planning Grants include Montana counties, cities and towns. Local governments may apply on behalf of special purpose districts, unincorporated areas or on behalf of non-profit organizations, such as a human resource development council, an area agency on aging, a local domestic violence shelter, a boys and girls club, local food bank, hospital, nursing home or a similar non-profit agency. Counties may also apply for these grants on behalf of tribal utility authorities. For more information, visit commerce.mt.gov. BLOOMINGTON, MN "My Town," a rural-focused documentary series written and directed by 3-time Emmy Award-Winning Documentarian Cory Hepola, is expanding for Season 2 with 8 new small-town stories across 5 states. "Young people are choosing to live in rural communities at higher rates than we've seen since the 1970s and 'My Town' is showing the world the many reasons why," said Hepola, who grew up in a small town in Minnesota. "There's opportunity, innovation, and a connectedness in rural America and the overwhelmingly positive response to our Season 1 communities has shown there's a large audience excited to experience it." In Season 2 of "My Town," Hepola will travel to 8 different rural communities across 5 states learning why people choose to live where they do while breaking down the popular misconceptions with the rural lifestyle. The communities selected for Season 2 Fairmont MN, St. Joseph MN, Linton ND, Watford City ND, Chamberlain SD, Watertown SD, Rock Valley IA, and Grand Island NE all range in size, location, and identity, showcasing the diverse nature of what rural towns offer. "For the longest time all we've heard is our small towns are dying and there's nothing here for you, but that's simply not true," said Hepola. "These rural communities are thriving and people are choosing to raise their families here for a variety of reasons. These stories need to be told." "My Town" is inspired by Hepola's own life; growing up in small town Perham, MN, all Hepola ever dreamed about was moving to a big city and working as a TV news anchor. But now, as a 40-something husband with 3 little kids, Hepola is discovering a new perspective for his hometown and the rural life. In Season 1, Hepola explored 7 different communities across 4 states (MN, IA, WI, ND) with the series selected to premiere at the prestigious Twin Cities Film Fest. Within the first two months of its online launch (October 2024). "My Town" has amassed nearly 1-million impressions and 275,000 views across all platforms with 5,500 hours of watch time from 36 states and 6 countries on YouTube alone. "Our rural communities have what everyone is searching for opportunity," said Hepola. "My Town is helping the outside world see that. This is only the start." "My Town" is the latest rural initiative from The Brookshire Company serving its mission to "help companies succeed and communities thrive". Founded by rural native Gerry Norton in 2001, The Brookshire Company serves as a rural advocate through its major networking event, "Community Venture Network (CVN)", matching growing companies to rural economic development leaders from across the upper Midwest. "Our mission is to reshape the rural narrative by helping people see all our small towns have to offer," said Norton, "My Town" executive director. "We're thrilled that people from all over - small towns, large cities, different states and countries are discovering the positive realities of the rural life through this series. We believe in Rural America!" Stream all episodes of "My Town" for free on YouTube at "My Town Series." ABOUT "MY TOWN" "My Town" is a rural-focused documentary series written and directed by 3-time Emmy Award-Winning Documentarian and TV Anchor Cory Hepola. In Season 1, Hepola explored 7 different rural communities across 4 states (MN, IA, WI, ND) with the series selected to premiere at the prestigious Twin Cities Film Fest. Within the first two months of its online launch, "My Town" has amassed nearly 1-million impressions and 275,000 views across all platforms with 5,500 hours of watch time from 36 states and 6 countries on YouTube alone. Stream for free at "My Town Series." ABOUT THE BROOKSHIRE COMPANY The Brookshire Company's mission is to help "companies succeed, and communities thrive" through site selection, labor analysis, financial incentives, commercial real estate, and storytelling. Founded in 2001 by Gerry Norton, who brings over 35 years of experience directing projects in 45 states and five countries, The Brookshire Company partners with businesses and communities worldwide, helping them reach their fullest potential. Learn more at brookshireco.com In recent weeks, Roosevelt Medical Center has welcomed its' newest provider to its' medical team. Lesa Whitehead, a family nurse practitioner, will join the medical staff as the fourth facility provider and will work closely with Zoe Fugere, FNP; Mike Madden, FNP; and Dr. Carlos Trevino. As a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi School of Nursing, in Hattiesburg, MS, and FNP since 2012, Whitehead brings a strong background in healthcare to RMC with 13 years of experience specializing in family practice and emergency medicine. "My goal is to truly listen to my patients and understand their concerns. I aim to provide not just care and treatment, but also education that empowers them to take an active role in their health," Whitehead said. Born in Centreville, MS, Whitehead originally came to Montana in 2022 with her husband, Jimmy, for a brief travel assignment and fell in love with the area. Prior to joining RMC, Whitehead was employed at Garfield County Health Center, Jordan, and Thundering Buffalo Health and Wellness Center, Poplar. She also worked at a number of health centers in Mississippi including Merit Health, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Field Health Systems, Whitehead Wound Care and King's Daughters Medical Center. As a nurse practitioner with a focus on rural health, she has worked in a variety of healthcare settings including a rural health center, walk-in clinic, and critical access hospital. "I enjoy working in rural facilities because I cherish the sense of family and community. It's incredibly rewarding to get to know my patients and their families on a personal level and to feel like a part of their lives and the community," she said. She currently serves as the assistant clinical professor at Alcorn State University, School of Nursing, in Natchez, MS, where she participates in ongoing program assessment and curriculum development and advises and mentors students. Prior to becoming a family nurse practitioner Whitehead worked as a city clerk in Centreville, MS. Whitehead will be providing well-child checkups, performing physicals, taking care of routine illness in patients, and performing exams. She will also diagnose and treat common health problems such as infections and minor injuries, treat and monitor chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, order labs and x-rays, and provide well-child and family care. As a nurse practitioner, she also has full prescriptive authority. "The hope that I can make even a small difference in the lives of my patients is what keeps me going. Whether it's through providing care, offering support, or simply sharing a smile, knowing that I can positively impact someone's day inspires me," Whitehead said. Sidney, MT Sidney Health Center (SHC) is notifying patients of a privacy incident involving a former physician who mishandled patient information. On Oct. 28, 2024, SHC received a report from an employee raising concerns that a physician may have been saving patient information to their personal Google account. SHC promptly initiated an internal investigation using its privacy monitoring tools. On Nov. 7, 2024, SHC confirmed that the physician had indeed saved patient information to a personal Google account. SHC continued its investigation, including interviewing the physician and requesting the destruction or return of all documents containing SHC patient information. Unfortunately, SHCs efforts did not receive the necessary cooperation. SHCs review of the documents saved by the physician revealed that certain files contained patient information. This information included names, dates of birth, medical record numbers, medical history, and/or treatment details, such as dates of service, provider names, diagnoses, and medications. Importantly, the documents did not contain Social Security numbers, health insurance ID numbers, or financial information. In accordance with federal health information privacy laws, SHC began mailing notification letters to affected patients on Jan. 3, 2025. These letters remind patients to carefully review all communications from healthcare providers, including electronic messages and billing statements, to ensure consistency with their records and expectations. SHC deeply regrets any concern or inconvenience this incident may cause. Protecting the confidentiality and security of patient information remains SHCs highest priority. To help prevent further unauthorized handling of patient information, SHC immediately suspended the physicians access to patient information unless accompanied by a supervisor during the investigation. The physician no longer works for SHC, and SHC has reported their conduct to the appropriate authorities. To prevent future incidents, SHC is implementing additional safeguards, including enhanced privacy training, and additional access and system monitoring controls. Patients with questions about this incident can contact SHCs dedicated helpline at 1-833-468-1010, Monday through Friday, between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mountain Time. Western Cooperative Credit Union is proud to announce a donation to the Williston State College Healthcare Training Facility. Justin Maddison, WCCU President/CEO Board of Directors, presented a check for $500,000 to Hunter Berg, of the Williston State College Foundation executive director on Jan. 23, 2025. Williston State College received support from the state of North Dakota to build the Healthcare Training Facility, with support from local funds. This facility will allow for expansion of the healthcare programs at WSC while also bringing four-year completion programs to the region from six other four-year universities in the North Dakota University System. Western Cooperative Credit Union has a long history of supporting worthy causes in our region, and the future of healthcare in Western North Dakota is surely one of them. WCCU is committed to supporting our communities. The national postal operator Ukrposhta will receive shares in PINbank (First Investment Bank), which was previously owned by Russian oligarch Yevgeny Giner. This will make it possible to create a postal bank in Ukraine for the first time. "Ukrposhta has been planning to "become a bank" for 8 years and now promises that 100% of Ukrainians will have access to banking services within a year. ADVERTISIMENT The Cabinet of Ministers made the decision at a meeting on January 28. This was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. "Today, the government is transferring the shares of the First Investment Bank, which previously belonged to Russian oligarchs, to the Ministry of Infrastructure with the subsequent transfer to Ukrposhta. Thus, we are creating a postal bank," the Prime Minister said. It is noted that this will allow those Ukrainians who live in places where the network of bank branches is not developed to use banking services. "Ukrposhta has branches in all corners of the country, so this will open up new opportunities for Ukrainians who do not use digital tools," Shmyhal said. "There are many banks Ukrposhta is one. We have been going to this day for 8 long years... This is access to banking services not for 70% of the population, but for 100%. For your understanding: 70% of the population in the banking system is Costa Rica, Bolivia, Jamaica, and Kenya. And 100% are Japan, France, Germany, and the Netherlands (we'll even leave out the United States and Poland, where it's 95%)," Smelianskyi said. ADVERTISIMENT He clarified that the postal bank will also serve people with disabilities at home, as well as provide services to citizens, including military personnel, where there is no connection. Smelianskyi reminded that Ukrposhta's network consists of more than 4,400 stationary and 1,900 mobile branches and 25,000 points of presence. "We have a lot of work to do to prepare for the project launch. We plan to make the services available within the next 4-6 months, but we are talking about a year just in case, " Smelianskyi said. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, in 2024, Smelianskyi had already announced the development of a resolution on the transfer of PINBank to Ukrposhta. "The money of Russian oligarchs will work for Ukrainian citizens," he emphasized. The nationalization of PINbank was announced in early 2024. As a result, the state became the owner of 88.89% of the bank's authorized capital, which was previously owned by First Investment Bank JSC, controlled by Russian oligarch Yevgeny Giner. Giner himself was sanctioned by the National Security and Defense Council on October 19, 2022. In February 2023, Giner's shares in PINbank were confiscated by the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC). At the same time, the media reported back in April of 2021 that PINbank might come under the control of Ukrposhta. This was later confirmed by Vitalii Koval, the head of the State Property Fund at the time: "We are preparing for privatization. If a decision is made to transfer the bank to Ukrposhta or someone else, we will implement this decision. For now, we are moving towards privatization," he said. ADVERTISIMENT "Ukrposhta has long been looking for a bank that would allow it to provide financial services in remote parts of Ukraine. For example, in January 2022, before the outbreak of the full-scale war, Ukrposhta approached the NBU with a request to buy Alpari Bank. As Smelyansky explained at the time, it was to be able to provide banking services (including money transfers, account replenishment, etc.) at post offices. In June of the same year, the agreement was approved by the Antimonopoly Committee, but on May 29, 2023, the NBU rejected it due to "deficiencies in the documents." In December 2023, the sole shareholder of Alpari Bank decided to stop the financial institution's banking activities without terminating the legal entity. The bank actually ceased such activities on May 14, 2024. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Witnesses on a few weeks ago, characterized the kratom plant as both a dangerous and sometimes fatal drug and as a safe way to manage chronic pain and help people wean themselves off more dangerous opioids. The testimony on kratom came during a North Dakota House Judiciary Committee hearing on House Bill 1101, which would add mitragynine, derived from kratom, to a list of controlled substances. Supporters of the bill included the North Dakota Board of Pharmacy and a registered nurse in Watford City who sees kratom use at the addiction recovery center where she works as a problem. McKenzie McCoy is a nurse at Providence House, a treatment center in Arnegard, where she said kratom withdrawal is worse than just a fentanyl or heroin withdrawal. The committee was not able to listen to all the people who wanted to testify on the bill and did not act on the bill, needing more time to review written testimony. Olivia Martin, Minot, was among those who submitted written testimony against the bill. She has watched her mother struggle with the pain that comes from living with lupus. Opiates usually are what is slapped on the prescription pad, she wrote. But she said her mother found kratom in 2016, and after researching it, began using it with little to no side-effects. She has been able to manage her pain with a plant compared to the alternative, she wrote. Martin said she now faces the same struggle. Doctors have already prescribed me opioids. Im 26 years old and cannot be a part of society with that in my system. I cannot get a job, I cannot drive a car, and I cannot leave my bed, she wrote. With kratom I can. Members of the House Judiciary Committee held a public hearing at the Capitol on Jan. 13, 2024. The Congressional Research Service describes kratom as a tree native to Southeast Asia that is related to the coffee plant. The leaves have been eaten for medicinal and other purposes, with users reporting both stimulant and sedative effects. A handful of states have banned kratom, while more, including Minnesota and South Dakota, have passed regulations such as age restrictions, Congressional Research Service reported. Mark Hardy, North Dakota Board of Pharmacy executive directo,r said kratom is most commonly sold online and in smoke shops. He described its effects like that of morphine and oxycodone. He told lawmakers he is in favor of adding mitragynine as a schedule 1 drug, which are drugs with no medical use and a high potential for abuse. Mac Haddow, American Kratom Association public policy official, advocated for regulation of kratom but said people using it to treat chronic pain should not be turned into felons. He said kratom used to be more widely available, being sold in places such as health food stores, but a push by the Food and Drug Administration turned retailers off the products. There are no federal regulations banning or approving kratom, though the FDA has warned that it may not be safe. Haddow said the FDAs own study found no adverse effects. The FDA now is conducting a human abuse potential study. Great. We welcome it, he said. We dont ban substances because of what we dont know or we fear. We ban them when we have conclusive scientific data. Rape Convict Ram Rahim Granted 20-Day Parole, Leaves Jail Early Morning It is expected that Ram Rahim will spend his parole period at the Dera Ashram in Sirsa, Haryana. Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the self-styled godman and rape convict, has been granted a 20-day parole, sources confirmed. The Dera Sacha Sauda chief was reportedly escorted out of Sunaria jail in Haryanas Rohtak district early in the morning at 5:26 am. It is expected that Ram Rahim will spend his parole period at the Dera Ashram in Sirsa, Haryana. This marks the 12th time the controversial figure has been released from jail since his 2017 conviction. Advertisement Ram Rahim is serving a 20-year sentence for the rape of two of his disciples. Additionally, in 2019, he and three others were convicted for the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatarpati, a case dating back over 16 years. However, in May 2024, the Punjab and Haryana High Court overturned his 2002 conviction for the murder of Ranjit Singh, a former manager of the sect. The court cited "tainted and sketchy" investigations as the basis for acquittal, overruling the CBI court's life imprisonment sentence. Ram Rahims previous parole, granted in October 2024, included restrictions barring him from participating in political activities, delivering speeches, or remaining in Haryana during the parole period. 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz January 27 marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Auschwitz Stefan Stoica, 28.01.2025, 13:50 January 27 marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. In Poland, the country with the largest Jewish population before the Holocaust, ceremonies were held on Monday, January 27, marking eight decades since the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz. In the most famous of the death factories created by the Nazi regime, almost a sixth of the 6 million Jewish victims of the genocide perished. Polish President Andrej Duda said that his country guards the memory of the Holocaust so that such a human catastrophe is never repeated. 50 of the survivors, most of them between the ages of 80 and 90, took part in the ceremonies. Some of them returned to Auschwitz many times, and their message was always to tell people what happened and that these horrors must not be repeated. Romania was represented by the Minister of Culture, Natalia Intotero. States such as Germany, Great Britain, France or Spain were represented at the highest level. In Bucharest, President Klaus Iohannis sent a message stating that January 27, 1945 will forever remain the day in history when the darkest chapter was closed, with the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp. Those who managed to stay alive could testify to the whole world that hell was unleashed on earth, but also that the force of life finally defeated death. An unparalleled catastrophe, in which 6 million children, women and men were killed, Iohannis said. He recalled that January 27 is also the day on which Romania commemorates the suffering endured by the victims of the Bucharest Pogrom in 1941, when thousands of Jews were handed over to death by gangs of legionnaires (the far right). The presidents message also referred to the present. In his opinion, at the international level, populism, extremism, xenophobic and anti-Semitic attitudes and manifestations are insidiously disguised, with the intention of eroding the fundamental pillars on which the free world is built, in which fundamental rights play an essential role. The propagation of hatred, attacks, violent language and disinformation weaken democracies and risk making a mockery of the rights and freedoms so hard-won over time. Romania, he said, has taken important steps towards honoring the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and the fight against anti-Semitism, by adopting robust legislation in the field and by developing memorial and educational projects that contribute to a culture based on fundamental European values. For his part, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu underlined the firm commitment of the Romanian Government to combat the anti-Semitic scourge and to promote the memory of the Holocaust victims. He also said that it is the duty of the authorities to ensure that Romanian society knows and does not repeat the mistakes of history. The Prime Minister participated, on Monday, at the Coral Temple in Bucharest, in the ceremony dedicated to the International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the commemoration of the victims of the anti-Jewish Legionary Pogrom in the capital. The Venice Commission and the Romanian elections The power of the Constitutional Court to invalidate elections should be clearly stated in law, says the Venice Commission. Photo: roaep.ro Bogdan Matei, 28.01.2025, 14:00 The unprecedented political crisis in Bucharest still creates waves internationally, as the reputed Venice Commission has published a report on the cancellation of the election results in Romania by the countrys Constitutional Court at the end of last year. In its recommendations, the Commission says that such a decision should not be based solely on classified information that does not guarantee the necessary transparency, but the violations and the evidence should be clearly indicated. Moreover, the power of the Constitutional Court to invalidate elections should be limited to exceptional circumstances and clearly regulated. The independent constitutional law experts also say that proving law violations taking place in online campaigns and on social media is extremely difficult. Finally, the Venice Commission declines its competence to pass a verdict on the decision of the Constitutional Court of Romania to cancel the presidential elections. In Bucharest, the opposition parties the Alliance for the Union of Romania (AUR), the Save Romania Union (USR) and the Party of Young People (POT) issued an immediate reaction, saying that the Council of Europes advisory body in effect confirms that the decision of the Constitutional Court was illegal and abusive. Tudorel Toader, a former justice minister from the Social Democratic Party (in government together with the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania), says, however, that the Commissions experts merely expressed an opinion, not a decision, and their suggestions are not mandatory. He did admit that, as a rule, EU member states have adopted the recommendations made in order to comply with the standards of the rule of law. Held on the established date of 24th November 2024, the first round of the presidential elections was initially validated by the Constitutional Court of Romania. Later, based on intelligence supplied by the National Supreme Defence Council, the Court moved to annul the entire election process to elect the president. The two candidates in the decisive round, scheduled to take place on 8th December, were the nationalist independent candidate Calin Georgescu, accused of ties or at least affinities with Putins Russia, and the pro-European leader of the Save Romania Union, Elena Lasconi. In the diaspora, where the Romanians living abroad had started casting their ballots on 6th December, tens of thousands of people had already voted when the Constitutional Court decided to annul the voting process. The costs of the cancelled elections are believed to amount to some 280 million euros in a country, where, analysts say, the government just took severe measures to cut public spending, sparking vehement trade union protests. On 21st December, acting president Klaus Iohannis was to end his second term in office, but his stay was extended until the election of a new head of state and its validation by the Constitutional Court. The new elections are now to be held in May, with the first round on the 4th and the second on the 18th. Until then, according to sociological surveys, the trust of Romanian citizens in their institutions and their leaders has eroded to reach minimum levels. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, (BSLN,0QNA), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focussing on bacterial and fungal infections on Tuesday announced that the total global in-market sales of its leading antifungal Cresemba increased 20 percent year-on-year to $533 million in the twelve-month period between October 2023 and September 2024. According to the IQVIA Analytics Link of September 2024, by year-end 2024, Cresemba was marketed in more than 70 countries, including the United States, most EU member states, China and Japan. The company claimed that it was the largest branded antifungal for invasive fungal infections worldwide. The company also reported upcoming milestones of its Research & Development portfolio. Throughout 2025, the company aims to continue both progressing its current R&D assets and expanding the portfolio through targeted in-licensing and acquisition of innovative, commercially attractive, pre-clinical and clinical assets, addressing unmet medical needs in the treatment of severe fungal and bacterial diseases. In the case of Zevtera (ceftobiprole), the company expects the U.S. launch in mid-2025. In December, the company had announced Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics (IST) as commercialization partner for the U.S. market. The company also expects to commence in the coming months a second phase 3 study, in invasive mold infections. In respect of BAL2420 which is being developed for the potential treatment of severe infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, the company expects the progression of the drug candidate towards a first-in-human clinical study which is expected to start mid-2026. The company stated that preclinical evaluations for the antibacterial tonabacase and the antifungal BAL2062 are well advanced. The company expects to take a decision in the next few weeks on whether to exercise its option to initiate exclusive contract negotiations to license tonabacase for further clinical development and commercialization. For BAL2062, the company says its focus in 2025 would be on the completion of the preclinical profiling and the preparation of the phase 2 program so that the clinical study can be started in early 2026. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News January 28 is a day rich in various events and holidays, both internationally and nationally. This day marks a number of important dates related to various spheres of life: from history and culture to health and technology. ADVERTISIMENT It is a day that unites people from different parts of the world, reminding them of important historical events, current social issues, and the importance of cultural values. International events: World Leprosy Day: this date reminds us of the need to fight this disease, which, although it has been significantly overcome, still occurs in some regions of the world. International LEGO Day: the celebration is set in honor of the famous designer who inspires children and adults to create and develop. International Data Protection Day: this day reminds us of the importance of protecting personal information in the digital age. International No Internet Day: an unusual holiday that encourages people to break away from gadgets and enjoy real life. In Ukraine, today is the Day of the National Flag. On January 28, 1992, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Resolution "On Approval of the National Flag of Ukraine as the State Flag of Ukraine". The document officially approved the blue and yellow flag as a symbol of state unity. The flag consists of two equal horizontal stripes - upper blue and lower yellow - that have become an integral part of national identity. ADVERTISIMENT The National Flag of Ukraine is a symbol of struggle and victory; it accompanies all festive events and important moments in the country's history. It owes its appearance to the centuries-old traditions of Ukrainian statehood, which date back to the times of Kyivan Rus. The yellow and blue colors symbolized the Kyivan state, and since the 18th century they have been part of the coats of arms of the cities of Kyiv region. An important milestone in the formation of the blue and yellow flag was the raising of it on the Lviv City Hall in June 1848. This was the first public use of the national flag, marking the beginning of its popularization in Galicia, Bukovyna, and Transcarpathia. In the following years, the blue and yellow flag was used during important events, such as the demonstrations of Ukrainian soldiers in 1917. ADVERTISIMENT Subsequently, the flag became the official symbol of the Ukrainian People's Republic, and in the period between the two world wars, the blue and yellow colors became a reflection of national dignity even under occupation and prohibition. At the same time, the movement to restore the flag did not stop: in the 1960s and 1970s, despite bans, it was repeatedly raised at ceremonial events. The official approval of the State Flag of Ukraine on January 28, 1992, was the culmination of a centuries-long process. The flag became a symbol of independent Ukraine, its national dignity and unity. Today it is an important element of national identity, reflecting the history, struggle and future of the country. Church holiday on January 28 St. Ephraim the Syrian's Day: the church honors the memory of one of the most prominent theologians and poets of the fourth century. ADVERTISIMENT Ephraim, a native of the city of Nisibin in southeastern modern Turkey, devoted his life to repentance after being unjustly accused of theft and imprisoned. He became a disciple of the ascetic James of Nisibin and participated in the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in 325. St. Ephraim was the founder of the "School of the Persians" in Edessa, where he taught the Holy Scriptures, church singing, and poetry. Many of his students became prominent church leaders in Syria, Persia, and Armenia. Ephraim also wrote extensively, engaging in literary polemics with heretics and composing numerous hymns that became part of Christian worship. ADVERTISIMENT Despite his ordination as a deacon, which, according to some sources, was granted to him by St. Basil the Great, Ephraim considered himself a "shepherd." He spent the last years of his life in a cloister, where his activities included the founding of a hospital with the help of local aristocrats. Ephraim left behind a will in which he renounced worldly goods and ordered that he be buried among pilgrims in the cemetery as one of them. St. Ephraim the Syrian believed that reflections on the Second Coming of the Lord and the Last Judgment were important for the purification of the soul. His prayers and writings call for deep introspection and moral purification, as he believed that every Christian should be prepared for God's judgment. One of the most famous prayers attributed to Ephraim became the basis for spiritual practices in Orthodox traditions. ADVERTISIMENT In art, St. Ephraim was often depicted as a gray-haired elder in a monk's robe with a scroll in his hand. His image was popular in Byzantine, Balkan, and Old Russian art. One of the most famous images of the saint is preserved in a fresco in St. Cyril's Church in Kyiv, where he is depicted in a gesture of blessing, holding a scroll with his teachings, which still inspires believers today. Historical events on January 28 1796 - creation of Volyn, Kyiv, Little Russia, Novorossiysk, and Podillya provinces as part of the Russian Federation; 1797 - Ukrainian Cossack chieftain Antin Holovaty died at the age of 53; 1919 - the Provisional Constitution of the Ukrainian People's Republic was adopted, and the Directorate of Ukraine moved from the capital to Vinnytsia; 1929 - The first Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists was held in Vienna, where it was decided to create the OUN; ADVERTISIMENT 1992 - The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved the blue and yellow flag as the national flag; 1992 - Kyiv establishes diplomatic relations with Italy; 2003 - Putin and Kuchma signed the Treaty on the Russian-Ukrainian State Border; 2010 - Yushchenko recognized the UPA soldiers as participants in the struggle for Ukraine's independence. Namedays on January 28 Toma, Khulian, Yefrem, Isaak, Palladiy, Havryyil, Ivan, Mykhaylo, Pavlo, Prokhor, Yan, Olena, Olena, Ilona. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. UK and Canada have imposed sanctions on Belarusian officials and defense companies over rigged presidential election in Belarus. Sanctions target leaders of institutions responsible for serious human rights violations and companies in the Belarusian defense sector supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. Alexander Lukashenko was re-elected with a big majority in Sunday's presidential election after locking almost all his major political opponents behind bars or exiling from the country. Following Lukashenko's brutal crackdown in which critical voices within Belarus have been silenced, the election failed to meet international standards and has been condemned by Australia, Canada, the EU, New Zealand and the UK. According to the Viasna Human Rights Centre, a Belarusian non-governmental organisation in exile, more than 1,250 political prisoners are jailed in Belarus, including civil society representatives, human rights defenders, journalists, political opponents, religious leaders, UK sanctioned six individuals and three entities, including Igor Vasilyevich Karpenko, the Chairman of the Belarusian Central Election Commission, on Monday. The sanctioned Belarusian defense companies are Government-affiliated ALEVKURP OJSC, specializing in research and development and manufacturing of radar systems and weapon control systems; Legmash Plant JSC, a company producing ammunition for the Belarusian defence sector; and KB Unmanned Helicopters (UAVHeli), a UAV developer and manufacturer. Belarus has provided support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, allowing the use of its territory and airspace to launch attacks and provided kit and logistical support. The UK has excluded Belarusian defense companies from the UK - a sector of strategic importance to Lukashenko's regime. Also on Monday, Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions against 10 individuals and 12 entities in response to human rights violations committed by the Lukashenko regime in Belarus, as well as its support of Russia's war against Ukraine. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News Another case of clade Ib mpox has been detected in he UK, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country since October 2024 to 7. Announcing this, the UK Health Security Agency said the infected individual had recently traveled to Uganda. The risk to the UK population remains low, according to UKHSA. The UKHSA and NHS did not disclose any further details about the individual. Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said, "The risk to the UK population remains low. Close contacts have been identified and offered appropriate advice in order to reduce the chance of further spread". Clade Ib mpox has been circulating in several African countries in recent months. Imported cases have been detected in a number of countries including Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Sweden and the United States. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Health News The UN Secretary-General has called on the US Government to consider "additional exemptions" to a directive which pauses nearly all foreign aid for 90 days. President Donald Trump's executive order last week called for all foreign aid to be re-evaluated to ensure that it complies with his new foreign policy priorities. On Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had issued an order putting any new funding on hold, pending review. The State Department directive reportedly clarifies that funding for existing programs is also suspended until it has been reviewed. The only exceptions were reportedly for military assistance to Israel and Egypt and emergency food aid. "The Secretary-General notes with concern the announcement of a pause in US foreign assistance," said the statement issued on behalf of Antonio Guterres by his Spokesperson. "The Secretary-General calls for additional exemptions to be considered to ensure the continued delivery of critical development and humanitarian activities for the most vulnerable communities around the world, whose lives and livelihoods depend on this support." The statement added that Guterres was looking forward to engaging with the Trump administration on how "much needed development support" can be provided to citizens in the developing world who face the severest challenges. The US Government is the largest single donor of aid in the world, disbursing around $72 billion in assistance during 2023. It also provided more than 40 per cent of all humanitarian aid accounted for by the UN during 2024. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) said, for 2025, the company expects mid-to-high single-digit constant-currency adjusted EPS growth. The company also projects high single-digit constant-currency adjusted operating profit growth. Volume+mix led organic sales growth is estimated ahead of market growth. "As far as pacing during the year, we currently expect net sales, adjusted operating profit, and adjusted earnings per share to be balanced, roughly 50:50, between the first half of the year and the second half of the year," said NELSON URDANETA, CFO. In fiscal 2024, the company registered 17.7% constant currency growth in adjusted EPS. Constant currency growth in adjusted operating profit was 15.6%. Organic sales growth was 3.2%, for the period. "We delivered mid-teens constant-currency adjusted operating profit and high-teens constant-currency adjusted EPS growth in 2024. This was well ahead of our outlook for the year, and ahead of our long-term algorithm," said MIKE HSU, CEO. For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew spoke out on a possible agreement on a common Easter date for Rome and Constantinople. He stated that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is ready to duscuss this issue. ADVERTISIMENT Bartholomew said this in his speech at the Palace of Europe on the opening day of the PACE winter session in Strasbourg, Ukrinform reports. According to him, recent exchanges between the churches of Rome and Constantinople have led to closer church relations. The Ecumenical Patriarchate, Bartholomew noted, is equally committed to promoting Christian unity not only through theological dialogue but also through lively discussions about the common date of Easter. "We believe that the historical anniversary of Nicaea (Pope Francis is to make a pilgrimage to Nicaea in May - Ed.) should inspire fresh theological conversation as well as renewed Christian cooperation," the Patriarch said. He added that churches and religious communities play a key role not only in the personal or spiritual life of people, but also in mobilizing institutions and societies at various levels. As you know, believers of the Western rite (Catholics and Protestants) and the Eastern rite (Orthodox and Greek Catholics) celebrate the Resurrection of Christ on different dates. This year, however, the date of Catholic and Orthodox Easter will coincide, and the entire Christian world will celebrate the holiday on April 20. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! In recent years, Ukraine has seen significant changes in the church self-determination of Orthodox believers. In particular, Russia's full-scale invasion has significantly reduced the number of those who identify themselves as believers of the UOC of the Moscow Patriarchate. ADVERTISIMENT As of 2024, there were only 5.5% of supporters of the UOC-MP in Ukraine. This is evidenced by the results of research conducted by the Oleksandr Razumkov Center for Economic and Political Studies. The number of those who consider themselves to be believers of the UOC-MP has decreased significantly (from 13% in 2021 to 5.5% in 2024). This trend has been observed since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. The majority of respondents (54%) say that relations between believers of different churches and religions in the area where they live are calm, and another 10% say they are friendly. In 2022, compared to 2021, the proportion of those who believe that they are conflicting increased from 3% to 6%, and from 5% to 14% that they are tense. At the same time, in 2024, compared to 2022, the assessment of the level of conflict remained almost unchanged (5%), and the share of those who consider them tense decreased to 9%. ADVERTISIMENT Conflict or tension in relations between believers of different churches is reported by 20% of respondents in the Central region, 13% in the Western region, 10% in the Eastern region, and only 1% in the Southern region. As a reminder, the Security Service of Ukraine detained a 20-year-old resident of Cherkasy who supported Russia and had been hiding in the monasteries of the UOC (MP) for more than two years. The man disappeared in July 2022 a day before the election of a preventive measure in the case under Part 3 of Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code. As reported by OBOZ.UA, the rector of the church of the Vinnytsia Diocese of the UOC-Moscow Patriarchate was sentenced to five years in prison. According to the investigation, the clergyman justified Russia's criminal war against Ukraine, praised Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, heroized the occupiers, and waited for the capture of Vinnytsia region. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Named Prionailurus kurteni, the new cat species is the smallest known fossil member of the family Felidae to date. Prionailurus kurteni lived in what is now southern China during the Middle Pleistocene, approximately 300,000 years ago. Southeastern Asia and southern China stand out as hotpots of Felidae diversity, especially Felini, with four species of the leopard cat Prionailurus, two species of the golden cat Catopuma, one species of the marbled cat Pardofelis, and one species of the wild cat, Felis chaus, said Dr. Qigao Jiangzuo from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and colleagues. While most Felini species share similar dental traits, they exhibit differences in body sizes and ecological niches, being an example of mammalian diversification/radiation within forested regions. However, little is known about the evolutionary history of Felini in Southeastern Asia and southern China, due to the relatively rare fossil localities in the forest region, and the fact that Felini are small and bones are often fragile, therefore rarely preserved in the fossil record, apart from some isolated teeth, which are not diagnostic in Felini. The newly-identified cat species belongs to Prionailurus, an extant genus of small, spotted wild cats native to Asia. The genus Prionailurus is the most diverse felid genus in the southern and southeastern forests of Asia, with four (or five) known species, the paleontologists said. Molecular dating supports a Late Pliocene-Early Pleistocene radiation of the genus. There are however no known fossil species of this genus (all known are extant or sp. indet., often in the genus Felis), and the fossils of the genus are extremely rare. Two reasons account for this fact. The first is the rarity of fossil small felines in southern China, mainly represented by cave deposits, in which the small bones are often rare. The second is the historical assignment of all small felines to Felis, without careful study and without revision of these materials. A tiny mandibular fragment of Prionailurus kurteni was found in Hualongdong Cave I, a fossil Homo locality in the southernmost part of Chinas Anhui province. Uranium-series dating gives a range between 275,000 and 331,000 years for the fossil Homo layers, spanning Marine Isotope Stages 9e to 8c, the researchers said. The fossil feline described in the study was also obtained from this layer. Prionailurus kurteni represents the smallest known fossil member of the family Felidae to date. The ancient species is comparable in size to two of the smallest modern cats: the rusty-spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus) and the black-footed cat (Felis nigripes). The identification of Prionailurus kurteni suggests a potentially high diversity of Prionailurus during the prehistorical time, underscoring the significance of revisiting the taxonomy of small Felidae to gain a better understanding of the evolution and diversification of this family, the scientists concluded. Their paper was published in the journal Annales Zoologici Fennici. _____ Qigao Jiangzuo et al. 2024. Prionailurus kurteni (Felidae, Carnivora), a new species of small felid from the Late Middle Pleistocene fossil hominin locality of Hualongdong, southern China. Annales Zoologici Fennici 61 (1): 335-342; doi: 10.5735/086.061.0120 On January 28, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the alleged occupation of the village of Dvorichna. Meanwhile, fighting continues in the village, so there is "no reason to talk about its capture." ADVERTISIMENT This statement was made by the head of the Kharkiv regional military administration, Oleh Syniehubov, during a conversation with the media, Ukrinform reports. The official added that this is not the first time that Russian invaders have claimed the "liberation" of this settlement. According to Syniehubov, the situation on the front line in the Kharkiv region remains difficult. However, he called the statements of the Russian invaders about the alleged seizure of Dvorichna in Kupyansk district groundless. "The Kupyansk and Borivsk directions are more difficult (than the Kharkiv direction Ed.). Active hostilities are taking place on the territory of Dvorichna, and the area of hostilities is increasing. This is not the first statement of this kind (by the Russian Defense Ministry Ed.), it has already been published in the Russian media, it is pure propaganda, and it is not in line with reality. Yes, there is fighting on the territory of the settlement, and there is no reason to say that it has been captured," says Syniehubov. ADVERTISIMENT On January 20, the Deep State project announced the advance of Russian troops in Dvorichna. On January 28, the invaders from the Russian Defense Ministry announced the alleged complete occupation of this village, which the aggressor state calls "liberation." In their messages (and there was more than one dedicated to the alleged occupation of Dvorichna on the Russian Ministry of Defense's Telegram channel that day), the invaders could not resist the pathos of "decisive actions of the units of the 'West' military grouping and, in particular, the occupation brigade fighting in the area of this village. On January 26, the Armed Forces of Ukraine denied Russian claims about the occupation of Velyka Novosilka: the military said that the fighting for the settlement was ongoing and described the situation and the balance of forces. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Russian occupiers in northern Ukraine have reduced the intensity of shelling, but continue to use a wide range of weapons to attack the border regions. At the same time, they are strengthening their defensive positions and fortifying their side of the border. ADVERTISIMENT The spokesman for the Siversk operational and tactical grouping of troops, Colonel Vadym Mysnyk, told this during an all-Ukrainian telethon. According to him, despite the decline in activity, the enemy is shelling Chernihiv, Sumy, and part of Kharkiv regions, which are in the group's area of responsibility, on a daily basis. "This is the northern border of our country, and the enemy does not stop shelling from the territory of Russia every day, in particular Chernihiv, Sumy, and part of Kharkiv regions, which are in the area of responsibility of our group. We have noticed a certain decrease in the number of attacks and activity in recent days," said Mysnyk. Despite the decrease in activity, the occupiers continue to use all types of weapons in their arsenal, including unmanned aerial vehicles, FPV drones, mortars, artillery, and, in some cases, multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). ADVERTISIMENT In addition, the Russians are actively using unguided aerial missiles from helicopters and dropping CABMs from airplanes. Despite these threats, the Ukrainian Defense Forces are actively responding to air attacks by striking at Russian territory, particularly in the Bryansk and Kursk regions. "Of course, wherever possible, our Defense Forces act in response. And we can feel the result of our Defense Forces striking deep into Russian territory, namely deep into both the Bryansk and Kursk regions," Mysnyk said. As for strengthening the defense, the colonel noted that a unified defense system has been formed in the north. At the same time, new technical developments are being used to strengthen the fortifications. Mysnyk also emphasized that the occupiers in the north are constantly using sabotage and reconnaissance groups (SRGs), to which our Defense Forces respond with air reconnaissance and anti-sabotage reserves. ADVERTISIMENT Regarding the enemy grouping on the northern border, the spokesman noted that although no large grouping has been observed, the enemy continues to strengthen its positions on its side of the border. He also added that the Russians have a well-developed transportation infrastructure and can quickly deploy forces if necessary, and our forces are closely monitoring the situation, preparing for various scenarios. It is worth noting that units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces have advanced in Toretsk and regained some positions during the fighting over the past few days. However, the occupiers also advanced in some sectors of the city, as well as in the area of Chasovyi Yar and in the Kurakhiv direction. As reported by OBOZ.UA, the Russian occupation forces have recently made further advances in Velyka Novosilka. ISW predicted the enemy's actions after the capture of the village in the context of its further offensive operations in the spring and summer of 2025. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The United Nations may cease to exist if it is not reformed. Intergovernmental negotiations are opened every year, but so far nothing has happened. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN, Serhiy Kyslytsia, in an interview with Ukrinform. According to him, fundamental reforms are impossible without the consent of the four permanent members of the Security Council - the United States, the United Kingdom, France and China. However, the diplomat emphasized, this can happen only if the legal personality of Russia, which currently occupies the seat of the Soviet Union in the Security Council, is replaced. According to Kyslytsia, fundamental reforms take place after major shocks. The Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine was one such blow. "The act of signing either a peace agreement or taking another way to stop the aggression should be followed by a real international conference on global security. And it is likely that fateful decisions can be made there, including on the reformation of the Security Council," he said. ADVERTISIMENT The Permanent Representative said that June 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter, and October 24, when it entered into force, will mark the 80th anniversary of the Organization's creation. If the 80th anniversary is not held right, it will give way to "a deep crisis of the UN and further inability of countries to even assess the situation they are facing in the anniversary year." In his opinion, this cannot be a simple solemn meeting, given the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and the fact that there are fifty conflicts in the world in general. As reported, earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the UN and said that it is no longer an effective tool for global governance. According to him, to fix the situation, UN must be reformed. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Expert presenters share evidence-based information traversing the lifespan from early intervention and initial diagnosis to quality of life for older autistic adults. Erik Gallery Dr. Tisa Johnson-Hooper spoke at the 2024 NAT conference about the many barriers autistic people face. AAoM helps autistic people, their families, loved ones, and providers overcome those barriers. Jasmine Lester Katie Oswald Attendees will hear evidence-based content aligned with the lifespan of needs presented by autism. Joanna Lofton Lareea and Demir Jester Wristbands are available so participants can let others know if they are open to conversation or not. People in traditional Chinese costumes pose for a group photo during Chinese New Year celebrations in Hollywood's Ovation Mall, California, the United States, on Jan. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] Hollywood's Ovation Mall and Dolby Theatre, normally home to the Academy Awards, for the first time ushered in the Chinese New Year with a delightful celebration that merged Eastern and Western cultural traditions. The celebration, which was held in Los Angeles on Sunday, featured three fashion shows, dancing performances, cultural events, music and a special art gallery show on Shanghai life in the 1930s. "Tourists come to LA from all over to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Chinatown, and now Hollywood and Ovation Mall are giving them an even more upscale and luxurious Chinese New Year destination to enjoy," the event's program director Evelyn Xu told Xinhua. "It was a terrific event," Rob Martin, a tourist, told Xinhua. "My wife and I stumbled upon it by accident and really enjoyed all the colorful and beautiful fashion shows and the cool Chinese performances." This high-profile event began with a stunning fashion show staged on the iconic Academy steps sweeping down from high above, where icons of cinema walk down after receiving their Academy Awards. Twenty gorgeous models floated down the Award steps, revealing the elegant new evening wear line from celebrity fashion designer Kiki Wang. "I consider myself an ambassador between Eastern and Western cultures," Wang told Xinhua. "Fashion and beauty can unite our cultures -- in fact, I want to unite the whole world with fashion!" Wang's new "East Meets West" collection was designed entirely in red, with shimmering red silks, satins, gossamer and chiffons, and decorated with exquisite embroidery and brocade in gold, greens and blues. A second fashion show showcased the exquisite flowing robes and pastel colors of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Models perform in a fashion show during Chinese New Year celebrations in the Dolby Theatre, which is part of the Ovation Hollywood complex in Los Angeles, California, the United States, on Jan. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] Also featured was the Miss LA Chinatown Qipao Fashion and Beauty Show, reminiscent of the 1930s and 1940s, when these stylish and iconic, form-fitting dresses first became popular. To prepare for the Chinese New Year celebration, organizers also did rehearsals and selected dresses, models, dancers and songs, with many groups and community members coming together to help this cross-cultural tradition shine in this new venue. "Everything on display today from Chinese culture is unique and beautiful and so interesting because it is very different from a traditional American New Year celebration," Xu told Xinhua. "That's fun for people looking for something new." "It's all so elegant and gorgeous!" said actress and spectator Cici Lau, who came all the way from San Gabriel to enjoy the Chinese New Year festivities. "It's so cultural and a wonderful delight for everyone." Hungary no longer objects to the extension of sanctions against Russia related to the full-scale war against Ukraine allegedly due to US President Donald Trump. In a recent statement, the new US president called Russia an aggressor and supported further economic restrictions. ADVERTISIMENT This opinion was expressed by Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski. RMF24 reports that the politician also took part in a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Belgium, where the continuation of sanction pressure on Russia was approved. Hungary threatened to block the decision but eventually withdrew its objections. "I think President Trump has helped here," the Polish minister said. According to Sikorski, the US leader's recent threats to impose sanctions on Russia are the first such clear position of Trump on this issue. And it is this that prompted Viktor Orban's government to change its mind. Last week, Trump said that if no agreement is reached on ending the war in Ukraine in the near future, Washington will impose high taxes, duties and sanctions on Russia. Sikorski added that Polish nationalists should draw conclusions from the Hungarian blockades, as the principle of unanimity in the EU hamper the decisions that are in Poland's interests. The head of Polish diplomacy was also asked about the 16th package of sanctions against Russia, which could be adopted on the third anniversary of the full-scale war. The Foreign Minister said that its approval is certainly one of the key issues on the list. As previously reported, the European Union has extended sanctions against the Russian Federation for another six months (until July 31, 2025). Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Specialist information management software and geospatial data company Idox announced a robust set of results for the year ended 31 October on Tuesday, with revenue increasing 20% to 87.6m, driven primarily by its land, property and public protection (LPPP) division. The AIM-traded firm said the growth included the full-year contribution from Emapsite, reflecting its expanding capabilities in geospatial solutions. Recurring revenue also grew, by 20% to 54.5m and accounting for 62% of total revenue, consistent with the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA rose 7% to 26.1m, maintaining a healthy 30% margin, while statutory operating profit also increased 7% to 10m. However, statutory diluted earnings per share fell slightly to 1.15p, reflecting margin pressure. Operationally, the company achieved a record full-year order intake of 102m, a 23% increase from the prior year. Notable contract wins with North Yorkshire Council and Malta contributed to the strong pipeline, the board said, providing solid visibility into the 2025 financial year. Idox highlighted the success of its geospatial offering, strengthened by recent acquisitions and the leadership of a newly appointed head of geospatial, positioning the company for future growth in this sector. Cash generation was another standout metric, with cash from operations up 26% to 25.2m, representing 96% of adjusted EBITDA. Free cash flow also rose 27% to 11.6m, enabling the company to reduce net debt by a third to 9.9m. Idox further extended its banking facilities in October, securing a 75m revolving credit facility and 45m accordion through to 2027, bolstering its capacity for strategic acquisitions. The board proposed a 17% increase in the final dividend to 0.7p per share. Investments in its India-based operations and key senior appointments were also highlighted as essential drivers of customer satisfaction and long-term growth. Idox said it was optimistic about its ability to capitalise on opportunities across its key sectors, citing strong customer relationships and ongoing innovation as critical enablers for sustained performance. We are pleased to have delivered a strong performance in 2024, featuring a 20% growth in revenue and increased adjusted EBITDA, said chief executive officer David Meaden. We have made an encouraging start to 2025, with trading in line with the board's expectations. Our most recent acquisition, Emapsite, has added significant scale and expertise to our existing geospatial data capabilities, and has performed well in the year. Meaden said the company was excited by the growth opportunities available in the sector, adding to its existing market-leading public software capabilities. We continue to evaluate the opportunity for further acquisitions to enhance our offering and are optimistic on the pipeline as we move into 2025. The group's longer-term outlook remains positive and gives the board confidence in Idox's continued ability to deliver profitable managed growth and sustainable cash generation, and in turn significant ongoing shareholder returns. At 1147 GMT, shares in Idox were down 1.3% at 62.38p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Customer experience and data platform (CXDP) provider dotDigital Group reported a 10% increase in revenue on a constant currency basis for the six months ended 31 December, reaching 42.4m. The AIM-traded company said in a trading update on Tuesday that its performance remained in line with market expectations for the full year, supported by 95% recurring and repeat revenue. Average revenue per customer (ARPC) rose 12.1% to 1,916 per month, with contracted annual recurring revenue (ARR) growing 10%, accounting for 80% of total revenue. Revenue through strategic partnerships increased 13% to 18.8m, with the firm ending the period with a cash balance of 45.7m. DotDigital highlighted positive momentum from its enhanced product offering, including features added through the acquisition of Fresh Relevance. Functionality-related recurring revenue grew 15.5% year-on-year to 17.2m as customers increased their platform engagement. Geographically, North America achieved 20% local currency revenue growth, while Asia-Pacific grew 19%, driven by an increasing number of deals involving Fresh Relevance. The EMEA region saw 7% growth, supported by higher-value deals and improved customer retention. DotDigital said the Japanese market was also gaining traction with tailored campaign templates and in-app translation capabilities. The company said it was focussed on expanding its CXDP and integrating Fresh Relevance, which was driving deeper customer engagement and higher-value wins. Despite macroeconomic challenges, the group said it was confident in meeting its full-year expectations, supported by a strong cash position, excellent revenue visibility, and a significant pipeline of opportunities across all regions. The company said it would announce its half-year results on 25 February. Our first-half performance demonstrates the growing global appeal of our CXDP offering and the value it brings organisations seeking comprehensive, data-driven digital marketing solutions, said chief executive officer Milan Patel. We set out at the start of the year to capture higher-value opportunities while strengthening retention and, at the halfway point in the year, we are in a strong position on both fronts. Patel said the company was confident in its prospects and ability to deliver full-year results in line with market expectations. Thanks to the hard work and talent of our people, our offering stands as one of the most compelling in market. Supported by a growing pipeline of opportunities across our target territories, we are well-positioned to build on the momentum in the business, delivering further progress in the second half and beyond. At 1244 GMT, shares in dotDigital Group were up 6.92% at 87.35p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Real estate investment trust Segro has announced that its joint venture with a Canadian pension fund has bought six logistics assets from Tritax EuroBox for 470m (394m). Segro European Logistics Partnership (SELP) has purchased 370,000 square metres of Tritax assets in Breda and Roosendaal in the Netherlands, the Frankfurt corridor and the Rhine-Ruhr region in Germany. The deal, which comprises assets that currently generate 24m of headline rent each year, comes just four months after a failed takeover attempt by Segro of Tritax. "We are delighted to have reached an agreement to purchase this portfolio of high-quality big box warehouses, located in some of Europe's most attractive logistics hubs," said Segro's chief executive David Sleath. "They will complement SELP's existing German and Dutch portfolios, offering both future rental growth potential and the ability to enhance returns through the benefits of increased scale." SELP was incorporated in 2013 as a 50:50 joint venture between Segro and Canadian pension fund, the Public Sector Pension Investment Board, to create a leading continental European logistics platform. The Tritax assets were bought from Titanium Ruth Holdco the purchasing vehicle of Brookfield Asset Management which beat Segro in a takeover battle of Tritax in September 2024. All the elements that Mexico had anticipated for the worst-case scenario at the start of Donald Trumps administration were there. The first deportations, the announcement of a tariff war, the mockery and provocations on social media. This time, however, it was Colombia and not the Mexican government that ended up being the protagonist of the first diplomatic conflict between the United States and Latin America over the migration crisis in the Trump era. President Gustavo Petro stood up to Washingtons pressure and entered the fray, but was soon forced to back down and accept his rivals terms to avoid a bigger confrontation. The diplomatic tension lasted less than 24 hours, although they were a show of force and a warning of what could be to come in the second presidency of the Republican politician. The government of Brazil, another Latin American giant, also expressed its anger without nuance. However, faithful to its tradition, it prioritized diplomacy to express its disagreement with the Trump administration over deportations in conditions it considers undignified. The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the highest-ranking diplomat of the United States embassy in Brasilia on Monday to ask him not to repeat an incident like the one experienced by 88 undocumented Brazilian immigrants repatriated over the weekend. Along the same lines, the clash between Petro and Trump reaffirmed the strategy of the Mexican authorities not only based on what happened last weekend, but also due to the experiences acquired during the mandate of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador convinced now more than ever that they have to avoid a clash with Trump at all costs and bet on a negotiated solution to the challenge posed by the American president. The important thing, I said from day one, is to always act with a cool head, defending the sovereignty of each country and respect between nations and peoples, Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday. The Mexican president chose to stay out of the brief diplomatic conflict so as not to find herself between a rock and a hard place. On one end was Petro, one of her main allies in the region, but on the other was the United States, by far her most important and complex relationship. With Latin America, we always have our solidarity, our support, she said in her morning press conference, but she also had words for her main trading partner. The relationship with the United States is special, she said. We are obliged to have a good relationship. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva opted for a similar strategy. The return of 88 Brazilians on a flight chartered by the U.S. authorities, where they were forced to travel handcuffed on an aging U.S. aircraft with broken air conditioning, greatly irritated the president, who immediately mobilized several ministers. The meeting between the Brazilian representative and the U.S. charge daffaires was positive and focused on avoiding a repeat of the incidents in the interests of both countries, according to a spokesperson for Brazils Foreign Ministry. The meeting took place the day after Lulas government demanded in a note to the Trump administration that it provide dignified, respectful and humane treatment for undocumented Brazilian immigrants it deports. The controversial situation of the repatriated migrants came to light on Friday during a stopover in Manaus, in the Amazon. Lula ordered that the deportees handcuffs be removed and sent a Brazilian Air Force plane to pick them up and take them to their final destination, Belo Horizonte. We had a very sober reaction. We do not want to provoke the American government, declared Brazilian Minister of Justice Ricardo Lewandowski on Monday morning, in a meeting with business leaders. Trump poses a complex challenge on the diplomatic front. Mexico has witnessed how he punishes those who bow their heads, but also how he is implacable against those who take the bait of his provocations. After a learning curve of several months not without misunderstandings and stumbles Sheinbaum has shown that she can maintain that balance in her speeches and send the signal to Mexicans that she can maintain dialogue with the White House without sacrificing her dignity. Petro was less cautious and paid the consequences. The U.S. president, always prone to putting his opponents on the ropes, took advantage of an exceptional opportunity to test the weight of his threats at a relatively low cost and send the message to the rest of the world that he is serious. It is a negotiating pattern that he has made clear since his first term. Trump starts from a maximalist position in each negotiation, with exaggerated demands, to force his counterpart to give in and end up doing what he expects of them. Unlike eight years ago, when Trump was still an enigma, his return was much more anticipated, said Miguel Basanez, Mexican ambassador between 2015 and 2016, in an interview with this newspaper. The first thing we have seen is more of the same. It is a movie that Mexico, Trumps favorite target, has seen time and again. At the end of May 2019, Trump announced a 5% tariff as punishment for irregular immigration, with the intention of gradually increasing it to 25%. The Lopez Obrador government, which until then had promoted an open-door immigration policy, acknowledged that its first impulse, the natural thing, was to adopt a strategy of an eye for an eye and impose mirror measures. Remember that I do not lack courage, that I am not a coward, said the then-Mexican president, who described the situation as a sad affair. But there was a lot at stake. Lopez Obrador sent his foreign minister, Marcelo Ebrard, to negotiate a way out with Trump. Mexico explored other alternatives, calling a summit of allies willing to join forces with its cause, but in the end agreed to make a radical change in the management of immigration and deployed the National Guard to turn the southern border into the Republicans new wall and detain thousands of immigrants. But by the first week of June, there was an agreement and the tariffs did not materialize. The solution was not without criticism, not only of a moral nature, but also because of the strategy in the response. The mistake that the administration of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador made was to respond to a tweet where we were threatened that if we did not stop Central American migration, they would increase tariffs, Ildefonso Guajardo, former Secretary of Economy, told this newspaper. We are feeding a tendency to make mutual threats. The counterargument is that there was probably not much more room for action on the part of the Mexican authorities and that, at that point, there was really no precedent for a similar attack by Trump. Ultimately, the Mexican authorities were unwilling or unable to seek another way out. Although the pressures continued, tensions did not reach another similar peak until Trump left office in January 2021. An agreement was reached between both governments and that is good, said Sheinbaum after the clash between Trump and Petro. It is what we have sought in the relationship with the United States: dialogue, respect; always with our principles of defending our sovereignty, of defending Mexicans abroad, of guaranteeing the human rights of those who are repatriated to our country, added the president, regarding her own challenge with the new United States government. It was torture from the moment we left Louisiana Sandra de Souza, a Brazilian deported with her husband and two children, spoke to the press as soon as she landed in Belo Horizonte regarding the enormous tension experienced during the flight: It was hell, it was torture from the moment we left Louisiana. It was clear that the plane had some problem. A lack of commitment to human beings. We were scared to death of dying, she said in statements collected by the G-1 news website. The Brazilian government had already warned that it would ask Washington for explanations about what happened on the flight in question. A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry says that so far this year, Brazil has received two deportation flights. The annual average was about 15 flights between 2022 and 2024. With these premises, the ministry summoned the charge daffaires, Gabriel Escobar, given that the ambassadors post is vacant due to the change of administration in Washington. Now the government wants to focus on the deportees restarting their lives in Brazil. The complaints of Lula and his government had a wide repercussion over the weekend in Brazil, but were received, at least publicly, with indifference by the newly inaugurated Trump administration. Both the Brazilian president and his Mexican counterpart will have to reiterate their position on Thursday at the summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), urgently convened by Honduran President Xiomara Castro to discuss deportations. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The UK has given more than 12.5bn from energy bills to fossil fuel power plants in the past decade through a government scheme to keep the lights on during winter, according to new analysis. The research found that, since 2015, the government has offered contracts worth 20bn through a capacity market to create a backup reserve of generators on standby, of which about 60% were fossil fuel power plants and a quarter were energy storage and power cable projects. Guardian Amazon is seeking permission to launch drones from its warehouse in Darlington, County Durham, in the latest step towards using the devices to deliver packages to homes. The technology company is to hold a public meeting with local people next week as it seeks permission from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to use the airspace around its warehouse on the edge of the town, in the north-east of England. Guardian US chipmaker Nvidia has suffered the largest stock market slump in history after the emergence of an advanced Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) model raised doubts about its technology. Nvidia, the worlds most valuable company, plunged as much as 18pc during trading on Wall Street on Monday, wiping more than $600bn (480bn) off its valuation. Telegraph The takeover of Harland & Wolff by the Spanish state-owned shipbuilder Navantia has been completed in a deal expected to secure more than 1,000 British jobs. Navantia said the sale of Harland & Wolff will allow the companys four shipyards to support both a highly skilled workforce and robust supply chain. The Times Stock picker Terry Smiths 2 billion vehicle, Smithson Investment Trust, has been targeted by Saba Capital, the activist New York hedge fund making waves with its siege of seven UK investment trusts. Filings by Saba-managed Saba Capital Income and Opportunities Fund II reveal it had bought total return swaps giving it an economic interest of 7.4 million in Smithson as at October 31 and disclosed on January 6. The Times Since its launch mid-2015, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-Urban) has remained on track and has proven successful in ensuring affordable housing for all Indians. As of January 20, 2025, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs have informed that 118.64 lakh homes have been sanctioned under this scheme, and nearly 90.22 lakh units are already completed with around 112.50 lakh grounded. The central government had already pledged around Rs 200,000 crore financial support for these projects. Union Budget 2025-26 related to affordable housing will no doubt revolve around PMAY. With innovative solutions and firm political intent, the scheme could regain its limelight", said Puri. Anuj Puri is the chairman of Anarock Group and pointed out the need to make PMAY more accessible and to increase public awareness. He pointed out that the benefits from schemes such as interest subsidies on home loans and direct assistance on individual house construction or enhancement. "Any announcements in therelated to affordable housing will no doubt revolve around PMAY. With innovative solutions and firm political intent, the scheme could regain its limelight", said Puri. As housing prices continue to go up, the luxury housing segment is slowly beginning to slow down, which may prove to be a turning point for the affordable housing market. Demand is likely to shift towards units priced below Rs 40 lakh. This trend is expected to gain momentum if the upcoming Union Budget places substantial focus on the affordable housing sector and provides this segment with a much-needed fillip. Added Puri, "Though measures may not completely revive the segment, it would enhance its prospect. A healthy housing market caters to a bouquet of buyers rather than one segment. There is visible change in preferences post-pandemic, when there is huge demand for larger houses with multi-functional spaces and every kind of lifestyle amenity that's included inside". The approach taken by the Union Budget to affordable housing might play a significant role in changing the face of the real estate market. Indian Space Research Organisation is going to achieve a significant milestone with the launching of its 100th GSLV rocket on January 29, 2025, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The GSLV F15 mission is to be launched from the second launch pad at 6:23 am as it carries NVS-02, a navigation satellite. This is one historic launch set to roll off the tarmac from this spaceport-the 100th from here as it is-one that has born witness to myriad space missions in the long gap since SLV made its very first launch here on August 10, 1979. ISRO, over social media on X, is excited about, "Standing tall and ready for the skies! Here's the mighty GSLV-F15 all set to launch the NVS-02 satellite." GSLV F15 is the 17th flight of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). The 11th launch of GSLV using an indigenous cryogenic stage, it is the eighth operational flight of GSLV with an indigenous cryogenic stage. The payload fairing of GSLV-F15 is made up of metal and is 3.4 meters in diameter and lifts the NVS-02 satellite into a GTO. The NVS-02 satellite is an upgraded second-generation spacecraft that will fill the NavIC gap in the Indian region, providing an independent Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system to indigenous users within India and up to 1,500 km beyond its borders. The new satellite has a mass of 2,250 kg and 3 kW power handling capability. It features upgrades like support for L1 frequency band, which will increase the service reliability. Syracuse, N.Y. Thousands of families, including some in Upstate New York, were scammed through a website that promised to send care packages to loved ones in prison across the country, according to federal prosecutors Between 2017 and 2024, Robert Rahrle received around $2 million in proceeds from his fraudulent business, according to court papers filed by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of New York. On Wednesday, Rahrle pleaded guilty to tax evasion and wire fraud in a federal court in Syracuse, federal prosecutors said in a news release. He operated iCare Gifting Solutions LLC, an online gift basket website that promised to send care packages to prisons for around $50 a basket, according to court documents. The baskets were never sent and Rahrle, 34, used the money for personal gain. The scam impacted people in multiple states including New York, according to court documents. Rahrle, formerly of Florida, lived in Upstate New York while operating the site. On the businesss Better Business Bureau page, there are several complaints warning other customers that the packages were never delivered. The business was not accredited by the BBB. The Richmond City Sheriffs Office also posted a video making people aware of the scam in 2021. Rahrle failed to report earnings from the fraudulent business to the Internal Revenue Service in 2017 and 2018, according to court documents. Rahrle faces up to 20 years in prison for the wire fraud. He is also facing millions of dollars in fines. 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. More than 282,000 public school students in New York City now have scholarship accounts to help support their future college and career training. NYC Kids RISE, a non-profit organization that manages the Save for College Program in partnership with the city Department of Education, announced that more than $42 million has been invested into NYC Scholarship Accounts. Debra-Ellen Glickstein, founding executive director of NYC Kids RISE, and city Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, in partnership with the NYC Mayors Office of Equity & Racial Justice and the Gray Foundation, announced that the total number of students with a scholarship account has reached over 282,000 including more than 82,000 students who received an account this year. During this years NYC Scholarship Month, were marking another major milestone with more than 282,000 students now enrolled in the Save for College Program, said Glickstein. That means this important wealth-building tool is now in the hands of more than a quarter-million students, unlocking pathways to support our kids college and career dreams. Together, were affirming a future where every child knows early on that their community believes in their potential. Starting in the 2021-2022 school year and every year since students in eligible grades enrolled in an NYC public elementary school (including participating charter schools) automatically receive an NYC Scholarship Account invested in a 529 account. The account comes with an initial $100 and opportunities to earn more through early rewards, unless their family chooses not to participate. According to the organization, every kindergarten, first-, second- and third-grade student enrolled in city public schools is eligible to participate, no matter their family income or immigration status. Families have opportunities to receive additional rewards and Community Scholarships for their childs account over time. Building on this financial asset for higher education encourages students to dream big about the future, according to NYC Kids RISE. This NYC Scholarship Month, we are thrilled to share that over a quarter-million students already have NYC Scholarship Accounts, with a cumulative $42M+ in savings. Every student deserves to pursue a bold future, one full of possibilities and opportunities, and this program is an important step toward that goal, said Aviles-Ramos. I encourage families to activate their childrens NYC Scholarship Accounts today; its never too early to start planning for their futures. Through the Save for College Program, we are working together with our families, communities, the City of New York, and our partners at NYC Kids RISE to invest in our young people and make sure all our students have financial assets to help them reach their full potential. Eligible families can now activate and view their childrens NYC Scholarship Accounts at nyckidsrise.org/activate. Throughout January, elementary schools have been celebrating NYC Scholarship Month, which is the first opportunity that new families in the program have to activate and view their childrens NYC Scholarship Account. As part of these celebrations, school communities across the city are hosting events and activities to support families in completing this first step through in-person workshops, one-to-one outreach, multimedia campaigns and more. If your child is eligible, they will be automatically enrolled in the Save for College Program and receive a free NYC Scholarship Account. As long as you take no action during the opt-out process, your child will be automatically enrolled. If you decide you do not want to participate, you can contact your childs school for instructions on how to opt out of the program or cancel participation at any time. The opt-out process takes place on a rolling basis beginning in the fall. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York City public schools will be closed on Wednesday to both students and staff for a holiday. All public school students in New York City will have the day off in observance of Lunar New Year, according to the school calendar. Students will return to school on Thursday. The Lunar New Year in 2025 welcomes the Year of the Snake, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. It is a holiday celebrated by millions around the world and a time for cultural traditions, family reunions and hopes for good fortune in the coming year. Wednesday kicks off the 16-day spring festival, which includes red decorations, elaborate meals, thorough cleaning of homes and visiting family, according to chinesenewyear.net. The public school academic calendar includes some two dozen days off between the first day and the last day of classes. There is still plenty of time off for students throughout the rest of the school year, as public schools will soon be closed for a weeklong break next month. The midwinter recess in February will give students nine days off, including weekends, from Feb. 17-21. The last day of classes before break is Friday, Feb. 14. Students return to campus on Monday, Feb. 24. The city Department of Education (DOE) calendar gives time off for religious holidays like Good Friday, Yom Kippur and Eid al-Fitr, and week-long breaks for winter recess, midwinter recess and spring recess, which include Christmas and Passover. Diwali has also been added as a public school holiday. The school calendar also allows time off for Italian Heritage Day/Indigenous Peoples Day (Columbus Day), Election Day, Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day and Juneteenth. Dates for parent-teacher conference days for elementary, middle schools and high schools are also posted in the calendar. For those counting down the days to summer, the last day of classes is Thursday, June 26, 2025. You can go here to view more important dates for the 2024-2025 public school academic year. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. On Sunday, Staten Islands very own Chuck will make his appearance at the Staten Island Zoo to predict the arrival of the spring season. Dont worry if you dont know much about Staten Islands beloved celebrity or this fun family tradition. Here is your guide to everything you need to know about the annual Groundhog Day celebration. 1. Shadow or no shadow? Spring or winter? The tradition of Groundhog Day is held on Feb. 2 every year. A designated groundhog is tasked with predicting the future of the winter season. For Staten Island, that honor falls to Chuck! If the creature sees its shadow, it is said that we will receive six more weeks of winter. If not, we are spared from a frigid few weeks and can expect an early spring. 2. How Groundhog Day came to be Groundhog Day can be traced back to Candlemas, an early Christian holiday during which candles were blessed and distributed. Clear skies on Candlemas were a sign of an extended winter. Germans eventually adopted the idea that if the sun appeared on this day, a hedgehog would cast a shadow, symbolizing six more weeks of winter. Upon arriving in the states, German immigrants continued the tradition, assigning the groundhog the responsibility of predicting the winter season. The first place to adopt this practice was Punxsutawney, Pa., home of Punxsutawney Phil. 3. The aged seers Staten Islands groundhog, Chuck (aka Charles G. Hogg), has been making his weather predictions since 1981. His main rival, Punxsutawney Phil, has been at it since 1886. Despite the experience gap, Chuck holds an edge over his competitor. 4. Chuck vs. Phil While Punxsutawney Phil has an accuracy rate of 39%, according to the Stormfax Almanac, Staten Islands Chuck boasts a far more impressive number. The Staten Island Zoo reports that Chuck has an 85% accuracy rate. 5. Tracking Chucks predictions To determine whether Chucks prediction is accurate, the weather over the following six weeks is tracked. If the temperature rises above 40 degrees, the day is considered to be atypical. At the end of the six weeks, the total number of typical and atypical weather days is tallied. If the number of atypical days exceeds those that are typical, it will be deemed an early spring. If not, there would have been six weeks of winter. 6. Popular with politicians Staten Island Chuck has become a local celebrity. Every Groundhog Day, Chuck is visited by politicians and other local officials, shaking hands with a famous face every now and then. He has interacted with figures such as Gov. Kathy Hochul, former Mayor Bill de Blasio and former Mayor Mike Bloomberg. 7. Chucks wild ride Chuck has experienced a decade filled with memorable moments for a groundhog. In 2009, he made headlines for biting Bloomberg, setting the stage for even more dramatic events to come. In 2014, a mishap occurred when de Blasio dropped a stand-in groundhog named Charlotte, adding to the already dramatic history of Chucks Groundhog Day appearances. Following the incident, the Staten Island Zoo in West Brighton implemented a new safety policy, ensuring that only the official handler is permitted to hold Chuck. Carlos Arias never imagined finding himself in the middle of an international conflict between the worlds leading power and his home country, Colombia. On Sunday, he was placed on a military plane, handcuffed and shackled. He and the other 200 deportees were treated like dogs by U.S. immigration agents. During the entire journey, they were forced to keep their heads on their knees. If they tried to use the bathroom, they were laughed at. U.S. President Donald Trump called them criminals, while Colombias President Gustavo Petro, enraged by the undignified treatment, refused to let them land. The situation was repeated with a second flight. Trump then threatened a trade war that could have devastated the Colombian economy. We were tied up for 12 hours, Arias recalls. The 34-year-old waiter was treated like a terrorist. On Tuesday morning, a Mexican tourist at El Dorado airport in Bogota mistakenly thought an international star was arriving. Amused, city hall officials quickly corrected him, explaining that two Colombian Air Force flights had arrived with 201 deportees from the U.S. The attention was understandable: unlike the other 475 deportation flights over the last five years, these flights sparked Trumps threat to ruined Colombias economy. Minutes later, the first migrants began to disembark. Among them were 26 girls and boys, escorted by the Colombian Institute for Family Welfare (ICBF). They wore face masks and carried transparent plastic bags with the few belongings they had left after U.S. authorities confiscated their suitcases. Some were too tired to speak and just wanted to head home quickly. Others were eager to share the mistreatment they had endured in the U.S. They treated us like dogs, said Daniel Figueroa. Women deported from the United States arrive at El Dorado airport. Chelo Camacho These abuses were even worse than those reported during the administration of Democratic president Joe Biden. Upon learning that the migrants were arriving in handcuffs on a military plane, Petro refused to allow the planes to land, forcing them to return to San Diego (California) and El Paso (Texas). Trump didnt sit idly by, seizing the opportunity to send a harsh message to the world. He announced 25% tariffs, canceled visas for Colombian officials, and suspended the issuance of visas from the Bogota Embassy. These measures are just the beginning, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. We will not allow the Colombian government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the criminals they forced into the United States. The migrants say they had no idea of the magnitude of the situation. Arias, from Medellin, explains that U.S. authorities provided them with fragmented information. According to his account, the flight on Sunday unfolded like this: it left San Diego, made an emergency landing in Houston due to medical issues involving several passengers, continued to Colombia, returned to the U.S., and finally landed in El Paso. Throughout this ordeal, they were forced to keep their heads on their knees due to the shackles had difficulty using the bathroom and endured constant mockery. They were then returned to a holding cell in El Paso, given vague explanations like the Colombian government not approving the landing permits in time. As time passed, however, the migrants learned the full scope of events through calls with relatives. They also heard the violent comments Trump made about them on Monday. We were being scolded because we had them in shackles in an airplane and he [Petro] said, this is no way to treat people, Trump said. Youve got to understand, these are murderers, drug lords, gang members, just the toughest people youve ever met or seen. Arias responds that he is not a drug trafficker and migrated to the U.S. to be with family. We are good people. Were trying to save our lives and help our families. Daniel Oquendo, a 33-year-old mechanic, added: You can look at my history Ive never been involved in drug trafficking. He judges others and generalizes. Its as if we said all Americans are murderers because there are shootings there all the time. Daniel Oquendo, one of the people deported from the United States, at El Dorado airport. Chelo Camacho Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo confirmed on Tuesday that none of the 201 deported migrants have a criminal record, either in Colombia or in the United States. They are not criminals, he said. Petro, for his part, expressed his support for the deportees through social media and once again challenged Trumps stigmatization of them. They are Colombians, they are free and dignified, and they are in their homeland, where they are loved. The migrant is not a criminal; he is a human being who wants to work, progress, and live life, he declared. The migrants at El Dorado airport echoed similar sentiments. Some stressed that they are fleeing violence, while others are simply seeking better economic opportunities. Arias and Oquendo, who became friends during their days in detention, are now without shoelaces (which were also taken) and carrying only plastic bags with their few belongings. They are trying to figure out how to continue their journey to Medellin. Arias, in particular, is deeply frustrated by the mistreatment he endured in the U.S. He recalls working in a hotel in Medellin, where he frequently encountered Americans who came to his city to engage in criminal activities. They come to consume cocaine and sexually exploit minors. Thats worse than what we do, he says, explaining that he was trying to escape the violence of his home country. He adds that he is displaced from the armed conflict, and that the perpetrators were released after completing their sentences in November. Oquendo agreed: Trump needs to look more inward before looking outward. Andretti Barrientos holds the only belongings that were given to him during his deportation, this January 28 in Bogota. Chelo Camacho The shackles The Trump administration announced on Sunday night that the crisis had been resolved after Colombia backed down from its demands. The Colombian Foreign Ministry, in more diplomatic language, assured that it would continue receiving citizens who return as deportees, guaranteeing them decent conditions. However, fulfilling this commitment to improve the conditions for deportees remains a challenge. Colombia has been raising concerns about mistreatment for years, yet little has changed. Juan Gonzalez, former Latin American advisor to Biden, acknowledged on Monday that these conditions were present during the previous administration as well. Sometimes it is not known whether the people being deported have a criminal record [...]. When you see them handcuffed on camera, its a little offensive. But you have to recognize that its for the safety [of the crew], he said on W Radio. The major difference this time was that Trump sent the migrants on military planes, and Petro, outraged by this degrading detail, decided to have them returned on Colombian planes. While still military aircraft, the new arrangement meant the migrants were no longer handcuffed or subjected to verbal abuse. Many migrants, like Jhony and Daniel Figueroa from Putumayo, a department on the border with Ecuador, are deeply grateful to Petro. What he did is good because now we are here in good shape. He is enforcing our rights, they say. The guards there, on the other hand, are trained to torture. They would say to us, Whats the big deal? Do you want me to make you disappear? A group of pilots before taking off to the United States aboard a Colombian plane, this Monday in Bogota. Fuerza Aeroespacial Colombiana (EFE) Arias and Oquendo partially agree with the new approach but still harbor some resentment towards Petro. They acknowledge that their journey was much more comfortable, but they dont overlook their feelings of being used. If he had received us on Sunday, we would have saved ourselves two more days in jail. I feel used. He does it to look like a savior, and thats fine, but he should do it with the next ones [before theyre in flight], says Oquendo. Meanwhile, Liliana Gutierrez is still waiting for her nephew, Mateo, a truck loader. She arrived in Bogota after a nine-hour bus ride from Medellin, with the help of a coffee vendor who helped her get on public transportation to El Dorado. Standing to one side of the others, she leans against a window, looking through the baggage claim area. She shares that her sister told her that Mateo, 21, is emaciated. She insists her nephew was only traveling in search of better opportunities. Gutierrez regrets that Trumps words have tarnished the reputation of her people. Hes a healthy, hard-working young man, thats it. Not like President Trump said, that they were criminals, bad people, she says, breaking down. He cannot say that they should fight with all the criminals, because my nephew is a child who went in search of better opportunities. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition NEW YORK (AP) A full-scale replica of the secret annex where Anne Frank penned her famous diary opened in New York City on Monday as the world marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The exhibit at the Center for Jewish History in Manhattan represents the first time the annex has been completely recreated outside of Amsterdam, where the space is a central part of the Anne Frank House museum. But while the original annex has been intentionally left empty, the New York reconstruction shows the five rooms as they would have looked while the Frank family and others lived in hiding. The spaces are filled with furniture and possessions, including a reconstruction of the writing desk where Frank wrote her diary. A person looks at the "Anne Frank the Exhibition" during its opening on International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Center for Jewish History, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)AP Ronald Leopold, director of the Anne Frank House, said furnishing the recreated space was important to tell Annes story in a new and immersive way, especially for those who may not get to visit the Amsterdam museum, which also houses Franks original diary. We very much hope that we will be able to to touch peoples hearts here, because education is the focus of this exhibition, Leopold said at Mondays opening. And education starts with empathy empathy with what happened here, what happened in Amsterdam during those years, what was done to Anne Frank. The Frank family hid with other Jews for two years in the attic of patriarch Otto Franks office in Amsterdam as the Nazi German army occupied the Netherlands during World War II. They were eventually discovered in 1944 and sent to concentration camps, including Auschwitz-Birkenau, which was liberated by Soviet troops 80 years ago Monday. Anne and her older sister Margot died of typhus at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945. Their father, Otto, was the only person from the annex to survive the Holocaust. After the war, he published his 15-year-old daughters diary, which is considered one of the most important works of the 20th century. Frank died in 1980 at the age of 91. The "Anne Frank the Exhibition" during its opening on International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Center for Jewish History, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)AP Hannah-Milena Elias, the granddaughter of Anne Franks cousin, Buddy Elias, said she found it emotional walking through the exhibit rooms. It is quite overwhelming and quite touching to see to see what a tiny space the families had to stay in and live for more than two years, said the 29-year-old, who lives in Switzerland. Her sibling, Leyb-Anouk Elias, hoped the exhibit would encourage visitors to reflect on what it means to face discrimination or be a minority today. History, unfortunately, is repeating itself in different ways, the 27-year-old Berlin resident said. We have to be very, very careful how to act and to do stuff against it, to not ever make this happen again. The "Anne Frank the Exhibition" during its opening on International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Center for Jewish History, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)AP The New York exhibit, which runs through April 30, spans more than 7,500 square feet (696 square meters) and includes more than 100 photos and other artifacts many never before displayed publicly, according to officials. Among the items are Anne Franks first photo album and her handwritten poetry, as well as a replica of her famous diary. Theres also nearly 80 translated editions of her diary and even the Oscar won by Shelley Winters for the 1959 film The Diary of Anne Frank. The "Anne Frank the Exhibition" during its opening on International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Center for Jewish History, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)AP The installation is presented chronologically, tracing the Frank familys life in Germany through the rise of the Nazi regime, the familys flight to Amsterdam and their life in hiding and eventual capture. Henry Byrne, a junior at Xavier, a Catholic high school in Manhattan, said learning about the familys saga helped him grasp the enormity of the Holocaust. It taught me a lot about how just because you see one story, walk into these rooms and all the beds and the tables, thats just one persons life, the 16-year-old said. And there were millions that were lost. A Lehigh County couple is jailed after authorities say they starved twin teen boys in their care, forced them naked into single-digit cold weather, and made them sleep together on the floor. Joshua Dechant, 36, and his wife, Tracy Dechant, 42, of Lower Macungie Township, each are charged with two counts felony child endangerment. The couple on Sunday was arraigned before District Judge Mark A. McCants, who set bail at $75,000 each. In lieu of bail, each were taken to the Lehigh County Jail. The Lehigh County District Attorneys Office announced the charges Monday morning against the Dechants. There was no attorney information immediately listed for the couple in court records. Rutgers University on Friday canceled an educational conference designed to discuss how students at historically Black colleges and universities can gain entry into apprenticeships. The Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions said it was asked to cease all work it was performing under the auspices of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility HUB at Jobs for the Future, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. The decision was directly influenced by recent actions taken by President Donald Trump in his first week in office, a spokesperson for the university said. President Trumps administration enacted three executive orders targeting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives that take a shock and awe approach that upends longstanding, bipartisan federal policy meant to open doors that had been unfairly closed, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) posted to its website, in reaction to the decision. In his first days, the president weaponized civil rights laws that address discrimination and ensure everyone has a fair chance to compete, whether its for a job, a promotion, or an education, the ACLU said. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, both took to X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday to denounce the universitys decision. Both Baraka and Fulop are running for New Jersey governor this year. Most of the panelists scheduled to speak at the virtual conference, scheduled for Jan. 30, were from Jobs for the Future and could not participate because of the executive orders that direct federal agencies to terminate federal contracts and grants related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, (DEI), a statement to students from Rutgers University explained. Tammi Ferguson, Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Education was expected to participate as a panelist at the event. Rutgers Universitys Center for Minority Serving Institutions promised it will continue to engage with students through other programming. The capitulation continues. These ill-conceived moves are pushing American higher education backwards. We must fight back, the American Association of University Professors posted to X on Saturday. So now we know. Sort of. Some of those mystery drone flights that flooded the skies over Staten Island and New Jersey apparently came with the imprimatur of the Federal Aviation Administration. In giving an update on the drone phenomenon, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday said that some of the flights were FAA-approved sorties for research and various other reasons. Heres the full quote: After research and study, the drones that were flying over New Jersey in large numbers were authorized by the FAA for research and various other reasons, Leavitt said. Leavitt said that the update came directly from President Donald Trump, who had pledged to get to the bottom of the drone mystery and to share the information with the public. Research and various other reasons? Could you be more vague? Trumps answer only opens up a bigger can of X-Files-style worms. What entities were actually operating the drones? What kind of research was being performed? And what were some of those various other reasons? Also, can we expect more of this activity in the future and will we be warned? The feds could give us the heads-up, just like they do when military jets are slated to fly over metropolitan areas. At least credit Trump with following through on his pledge to release the drone information shortly after taking office again as president. But the answer doesnt nearly go far enough. For this he needed to deputize Chief of Staff Susie Wiles? Leavitt said that some of the drones were also put in the air by hobbyists, with the number of those vehicles increasing as the drone phenomenon generated worldwide attention. At least that part makes sense. This was not the enemy, Leavitt said. Its still unsettling. And it still feels like vital information is being withheld by our government, the very thing that Trump accused the Biden administration and the Pentagon of when the drones first began buzzing around. Trump has promised to release long-hidden government files on the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Americans might need some president decades in the future to release the files on what was really going on when all those drones filled the skies over New York and New Jersey at the end of 2024. Because we sure didnt get those answers today. >>Staten Island Chucks prediction is in! Will it be an early spring, or six more weeks of winter?<< >>Punxsutawney Phils pick is in! Did he agree with Staten Island Chuck?<< STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Wondering when spring will finally get here? You are not alone. Maybe Staten Island Chuck, (a.k.a Charles G. Hogg), the famed groundhog living at the Staten Island Zoo in West Brighton, will give us some insight when Groundhog Day arrives on Sunday, Feb. 2. Groundhog Day is celebrated annually, and its always on Feb. 2. The holiday stretches back hundreds of years to European traditions and even ancient times, according to the Farmers Almanac. If the groundhog awakens on Groundhog Day, leaves his burrow and sees his shadow, it is said that we will receive six more gloomy weeks of winter. If he sees no shadow, we are spared a few cold, dark weeks and can expect an early spring. In New York City, that responsibility falls to Staten Island Chuck. The local groundhog has been our weather prognosticator since 1981. His main rival, Punxsutawney Phil, a resident of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Zoo in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, has been at it since 1886. Despite the experience gap, Chuck is believed to hold an edge over his competitor. In fact, according to the Staten Island Zoo, as of 2024, Chuck has an 85% accuracy rate that dates back to 1981, his first year in the job. But, at times, he misses the mark. In 2017, students at PS 45 in West Brighton who tracked the weather to verify Chucks claim said Chuck was wrong. Prior to that, he was last wrong in 2009 the same year he took a bite out of then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Phil, on the other hand, is said to have an accuracy rate of just 39% over 135 years, according to StormFaIf yx Weather Almanac. To view Staten Island Chuck, there are a few options: A free event, which will be open to the public, takes place at the Staten Island Zoo on Sunday. Gates open to the public at 7:30 a.m., and the ceremony will kick off at 8 a.m. Chuck is expected to make his prediction at 8:30 a.m. Joining Chuck will be: Ken Mitchell, Staten Island Zoo executive director; Danny Lee, a representative from this years event sponsor Citizens Bank; elected officials and dignitaries; local school children, including students from Susan E. Wagner High School. This year, the ceremony will be emceed by Cara S. Liander and James McKeon. If you cant make it in person to this years Groundhog Day celebration, you can catch it on live stream via the Zoos website. The Staten Island Advance/SILive.com will also be on hand to cover the prediction. Youll be able to catch the ceremony live from our Facebook page. Those interested in seeing Punxsutawney Phil make his prediction can view it online. The livestream will begin at approximately 6 a.m. But lets be honest: For Staten Islanders, Chuck is the only one that counts. IN CLASS: This feature is part of an ongoing education column highlighting the various activities that engage school communities. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Applebees is hosting a Teacher Essay Contest to honor educators who have made a lasting impression on their students. The Applebees Above and BEEyond Teacher Essay Contest recognizes top teachers as nominated by their classroom students rewarding teachers with a $500 sponsorship check and special end-of-year class party. The contest is open at participating Applebees restaurants in New York City and Westchester County that are owned and operated by local franchisee, Doherty Enterprises. Were thrilled to celebrate the launch of our ninth annual Above and BEEyond Teacher Essay Contest at our NY Metro and Westchester County restaurants, said Tim Doherty, president and COO of Doherty Enterprises. Were honored to recognize the local teachers who work so hard to educate the youth. Its truly gratifying to provide a platform where students can share the meaningful impact of their teachers make and to spotlight local community members making a difference each and every day. One teacher from each New York City borough will be awarded the check to use toward the 2025-2026 school year, along with the end-of-year party. Applebees on Staten Island, including locations at the Staten Island Mall in New Springville, Expressway Plaza in Bulls Head, and Hylan Boulevard in New Dorp, are participating in the contest. To nominate a teacher and enter the contest, students must submit an essay in-person at their local Applebees explaining why their teacher deserves to Applebees Teacher of the Year. Elementary school students are required to nominate their teacher with a half-page essay, while middle and high school students are required to write a 500-word essay on why their teacher is most deserving. As an additional incentive, students who enter the contest will also receive a free ice cream certificate for later use. Essay submissions are limited to one per student and will be accepted at participating locations until Sunday, March 16. Winners will be announced on Friday, April 18, with end-of-year parties thrown in June. The deadline to submit an essay is March 16. GIVING BACK The city Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Columbia Association and Holy Name Society spent a couple of days last month giving back to kids on Staten Island ahead of the holiday season. The association, which promotes a positive and authentic representation for Italian Americans and supports individuals in need, works to create transformative experiences for all children, including children with special needs. On Dec. 19, the association and the Holy Name Society went to Richmond University Medical Center and PS 25R in Mt. Loretto, Princes Bay, to spread holiday cheer and give gifts to children. 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. Famous for liking to spar with the press, President Donald Trump threw open access to reporters in his first week back at the White House. The Daily Mail reported that the president, who took office on Jan. 20, answered 138 different questions from members of the press during the first week of his second term. That included sessions with reporters in the Oval Office; on presidential trips to disaster areas in North Carolina and California, and aboard Air Force One. Trump during his first day in office answered 38 questions from the press during a session in the Oval Office as he signed a flurry of executive orders, the Daily Mail reported. Trump stopped briefly in the West Wing colonnade the next day to reply to a shouted question about a clergymember who took the president to task from the pulpit during an interfaith service. Trump also stopped for so-called chopper talk with reporters before boarding the presidential Marine One helicopter, taking questions about the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the price of oil and other topics. The president also took questions following his briefing in North Carolina on Hurricane Helene relief efforts and then took more questions before traveling to California. Trump took a few questions in the Golden State but ignored shouted questions from reporters while playing craps at his hotel casino in Las Vegas. But Trump surprised reporters by coming into the press area of Air Force One on the subsequent flight to Florida, speaking to them on the record for about 20 minutes and answering 34 questions. Youre getting a little but more access to your president than you did the last one, he told reporters, referring to former President Joe Biden, who was criticized for failing to engage with the press. By about 5,000 percent, Trump added. And after meeting with House Republicans on Monday in Florida, Trump again came into the press section of Air Force One on the flight back to Washington, D.C., taking 29 questions for 12 minutes. President Donald Trump said that the stunning success of the new Chinese DeepSeek AI app should be a wake-up call for the U.S. tech industry. The chatbot launched last week and quickly became the most downloaded app on Apples U.S. App Store, outpacing rival ChatGBT, the Daily Mail reported. It is claimed that far less money was spent creating DeepSeek than other companies are spending on AI development, sparking fears that the U.S. may no longer be the dominant country when it comes to AI. DeepSeeks success rattled Wall Street, which lost $1 trillion in value on Monday. Trump said that DeepSeeks release should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win. The president said DeepSeek could be a positive for the U.S. tech sector, adding: Instead of spending billions and billions, youll spend less, and youll come up with hopefully the same solution. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman hailed DeepSeek as impressive while also touting his own ChatGPTs superiority. David Sacks, Trumps AI advisor and a prominent tech investor, said DeepSeeks success justified the White Houses decision to reverse executive orders issued under President Joe Biden that established safety standards for AI development. The regulations would have hamstrung American AI companies without any guarantee that China would follow suit, Sacks wrote on X. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella took to social media hours before markets opened to say that less expensive AI was good for all. But last week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Nadella said, We should take the developments out of China very, very seriously. Ravi (a pseudonym) has worked since he was 10 years old. At the time of his interview, at age 45, poverty and illness had forced him to borrow money from his employer and work off his debt on a nine-acre cotton farm connected to the supply chain of Pratibha Syntex [one of the worlds largest textile manufacturers]. This is how an extensive report published in January by the NGO Transparentem opens, which was reported by the specialized media Business of Fashion. Between June 2022 and March 2023, several members of the organization investigated a total of 90 cotton farms in Madhya Pradesh, India, the second-largest producer of this raw material in the world. They then conducted up to 200 interviews with workers and farm owners. The results go beyond the horrific: almost half of the farms are exploited with forced labor (i.e. slaves), and many of them are children. The entire infrastructure of the workforce is based on a perverse system: they are paid 200 rupees a day (about $2.30), so to ensure their basic needs many enter into debt with their boss, who offers them a loan that decreases daily from those 200 rupees. They end up employing their entire family, including children, to meet the loan. They cannot even work on another farm and are at the mercy of their owner. The Transparentem report found strong relationships between these farms and several major cotton factories. Most of them also pride themselves on being sustainable cotton suppliers: Pratibha Syntex (the largest supplier of organic cotton in India), Remei Group, and Maral Overseas, among others. The NGO has alerted the dozens of brands that work with them in order to address the situation. Some, such as Inditex or H&M, have already stopped working with them and have joined the Fair Labor Association (FLA), which has begun monitoring practices on farms in the Madhya Pradesh region. EL PAIS contacted Inditex to shed light on the situation: We have been collaborating for years with various key organizations to improve working conditions on cotton farms in India, regardless of whether they are part of our supply chain. A notable example is our public-private alliance with the International Labour Organization (ILO), signed in 2017, to promote the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in cotton agriculture in countries such as India or Pakistan, the Spanish company explains. In line with these efforts, we are working with more than 20 brands, social organizations, and local suppliers to launch a joint remediation plan in cotton fields in 32 villages in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh with the aim of promoting protection measures for workers and their families. Various organizations have been warning about forced labor in India for a long time. As Business of Fashion reports, the U.S. State Department has had its sights set on this local industry for years, but also warns that when it comes to modern slavery, cotton remains one of the first markets to promote it. The cotton slaves are still there, only their geographical location has been changed so that their owners can hide from the public. A review of these reports concludes that in terms of child exploitation, coffee and construction are the main sectors involved; in terms of forced labor, the primary industry is textile manufacturing, the second is construction, and third is cotton picking. Racism and slavery in made in China India is the second-largest market for cotton production, behind China. It is estimated that 84% of Chinese cotton (which accounts for 20% of all cotton in the world) is produced in the Xinjiang region in the northwest of the country. Two years ago, the United States passed a law banning the import of certain products created in the region. The reason is that there was evidence that minority communities, such as the Uyghurs or the Kazakhs, are forced to work in cotton fields as part of training programs after being victims of reprisals by the Chinese government, which denies the accusations. In the last year alone, U.S. customs seized more than 30,000 products from the area, but several associations consider that this law is not sufficient, partly because it has not yet been implemented in other countries (which continue to study it) but, above all, because today it is very difficult to trace what the industry calls Tier 1, that is, the collection of raw materials prior to spinning the fabric. In brands that handle medium and large volumes, finished fabric is usually purchased, so the system involves hundreds of intermediaries who falsify a reality that is also obscured by questionable audits. Difficult, but not impossible: experts agree that the solution is for those involved to allocate part of their funds to technological tools that can effectively trace the entire supply chain. There are companies capable, for example, of detecting where the fibers of each garment come from, or whether toxic materials have been used in its growth. Think about the clothes in your wardrobe, or your kitchen utensils. One in five of these products may be made with cotton from Xinjiang harvested by slaves. It is the elephant in the room, because there is too much cotton in the supply chain that comes from there, the spokesman of one of these technology companies, Applied DNA Sciences, told Reuters. In January, Sheins efforts to list on the London Stock Exchange were paralyzed because its spokespeople were unable to clearly respond to the question of whether a good part of its cotton suppliers are based in Xinjiang and if they use child and slave labor. It is estimated that 71% of child exploitation comes from agriculture, especially cotton, the harvesting of which involves children and forced labor in over 18 countries. These data from the International Labour Organization led the European Union to begin working with the UN agency in 2019 on the Clear Cotton initiative, aimed at combating child labor and forced labor in the textile supply chain: they travel the world identifying areas where slavery is used and providing solutions so that the communities involved have access to decent opportunities. For now, they operate in areas where cotton cultivation is key to development (Mali, Peru, Turkmenistan...) and, over the last three years, they have managed for example to prevent two million minors from being exploited in cotton harvesting in Uzbekistan, an area that has been in the sights of international organizations for over a decade. Neither human nor organic However, none of this is enough in an industry like textiles, where opacity remains an integral part of the system. The supply chain is buried by endless intermediaries who distort reality, a reality that is sometimes ignored in order to keep production costs low. Added to this is greenwashing, which is not only focused on talking about sustainability to hide much less flattering data; it also serves to prioritize the environmental aspect and thus ignores the human issue. It is not enough for cotton to be organic if it is picked by children, that is clear, but in too many cases even organic cotton is not really organic and, if it is, it hides certain facts that companies do not want to be revealed. The Transparentem report details how many of these large suppliers in India boast that their cotton is clean, when in fact the NGO presents evidence not only of the use of pesticides and other toxic products, but also of the damage to the health of the forced laborers who pick it, many of whom are children. Perhaps the most egregious recent case in this regard is that of the Swiss company Better Cotton, the worlds leading provider of ethical cotton certification, which was called into question last summer following an investigation by the British NGO Earthsight that linked it to deforestation, land grabbing, and violence against communities in the Cerrado region of Brazil: 816,000 tons of cotton were identified that did not meet the accreditation requirements and that ended up being transformed into almost 250 million finished garments by eight Asian companies that make clothes for major global chains. Inditex garments only use cotton validated by external certifiers and we have committed to using only cotton with a lower impact by 2030, whether organic, regeneratively grown, recycled, or new generation, explains the company, which last year disassociated itself from Better Cotton and issued a letter to the company demanding explanations. We encourage our suppliers to prioritize the use of cotton from producers that Inditex has selected based on their social and environmental compliance, certified by independent third parties and with full traceability, it added. It has become abundantly clear that crime related to the products we consume must be tackled through regulation, not through consumer choices. This means that legislators in consumer countries should implement strict laws, explained Sam Lawson, director of Earthsight, in the report. In the absence of legislation, it is still very difficult to know how and under what conditions a garment is made, or if it is organic, even, as in the case of Better Cotton, even if its label certifies it. In this context, the only criterion for detecting shady and illegal activities in the supply chain is, for the consumer, to use logic. That is, to look at the price tag; no very cheap garment is a fairly produced garment. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition 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! Ever since her dramatic resignation as NSW premier minutes after the Independent Commission Against Corruption revealed she was being investigated, Gladys Berejiklian has given politics a wide berth. And while a finding of serious corrupt conduct, upheld by the NSW Court of Appeal last year, has not stopped Berejiklian from enjoying a quiet life as a very well-paid Optus executive, shes remained distant from the game. Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has been keeping a low profile. Credit: Rhett Wyman That seems to be slowly changing. The former premier showed her face in a typically anaemic recruitment video, titled We Believe, released by the NSW Liberals last week, which featured an inspiring line-up of party figures speaking in front of a white background. We believe in a just and humane society, Berejiklian said, appearing alongside Scott Morrison, Tony Abbott, John Howard, Dominic Perrottet, Peter Dutton and others (Malcolm Turnbull was, perhaps, busy), in an ad that drew plenty of mocking from across the partys broad charge. Advertisement Eating outBest of 10 of Melbournes best Chinese restaurants from the Good Food Guide From Sichuan noodles to Shanghai dumplings, Melbournes good fortune when it comes to Chinese restaurants is worth celebrating year-round, but especially during Lunar New Year. Good Food Guide reviewers Emma Breheny and January 28, 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 According to the traditional Chinese calendar, this week marks the beginning of a new year: the Year of the Snake. Whether or not you officially celebrate Chinese New Year a time for family, renewal and prosperity you can count yourself lucky when it comes to Melbournes Chinese food, which today spans the countrys many regional cuisines. Places serving Shanghai-style dumplings, north-eastern barbecue and seafood-centric Cantonese are among the 20-odd Chinese restaurants reviewed in The Age Good Food Guide 2025. The 10 below offer a strong list of options for the next fortnight of festivities. Eel in red wine sauce at Supreme J Kitchen Pete Dillon Supreme J Kitchen CANTONESE 15/20 Advertisement The menu here is a vast tome, and phoning to pre-order pays off when it comes to dishes such as kong fu soup, its aromatic broth brimming with black chicken and abalone. Seafood is treated reverently in the Cantonese style, netted from on-site tanks before mingling with young ginger, snowpeas and carrots. Siu yuk lives up to its reputation as some of the best roast pork in town. Jovial waitstaff are as adept at dividing dishes tableside as they are at keeping kids happy. For Chinese New Year: The venue is serving symbolic dishes such as whole chicken, eel to represent the Year of the Snake, and the signature barbecued pork. Available until February 4, get them a la carte or in one of three Lunar New Year banquets. 198 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn, supremejkitchen.com Hao Zi Wei SICHUANESE 14.5/20 Advertisement As you enter, the citrusy profile of green Sichuan peppercorns invades your nostrils, eyes and pores. Take it in your stride. If staff sense youre a beginner with the cuisine, theyll steer you towards milder menu options and may even slide an extra box of tissues onto your table. Whole barramundi is butterflied then fried, served in a brothy hot tub with coriander and chilli. Candy-like battered eggplant is lathered in garlicky sweet-sour syrup, and boneless bullfrog pairs with crunchy lotus root. Avoid dining solo at all costs; a table of four or more helps unlock the menus potential. 653-655 Warrigal Road, Chadstone, 03 9078 3880 (no website) Yee sang lo hei (prosperity toss salad) is available for at-home banquets or dining in at Lee Ho Fook. Supplied Lee Ho Fook CHINESE 16/20 Advertisement Victor Liongs two-level laneway eatery delivers a joyride of wit, powerful flavours and rigorous technique. Prawn toast, the Aussie-Chinese comeback kid, takes a luxe turn via sea urchin roe on an oblong of golden fried bread. The rich head and collar of kingfish, made vibrant with a dark terracotta sauce of black beans, chilli and subtle orange, is applause-worthy. The warehouse-like dining room and calm, polished service ensure the kitchens dexterity commands the spotlight. For Chinese New Year: Celebrations at home get an instant lift with two ready-to-serve Lee Ho Fook dishes yee sang lo hei (or prosperity toss salad) and Peking duck available to order online. At the restaurant, yee sang lo hei is on the menu until mid-February, plus there are pairings of Hennessys Year of the Snake cognac with two desserts. 11-15 Duckboard Place, Melbourne, leehofook.com.au Opinion The main purpose of Lunar New Year is to get your life to rain money like in a rap video Golden Dragon Palace Advertisement CANTONESE 14.5/20 Each trolley of dim sum here feels like a true gift: deep-fried taro puffs offer up wispy crunch, and translucent pork-and-peanut dumplings walk the sweet-salty flavour tightrope. Watched over by towering, ornately carved dragons, efficient staff lift steamer lids to unveil extra-large siu mai that resemble miniature dinosaur nests, complete with hard-boiled quail eggs. At night, order Cantonese and Aussie-Chinese staples done right. For Chinese New Year: Steamed whole Murray cod, live lobster with ginger and noodles, and roast suckling pig are among the auspicious dishes on the 10-person banquet menu ($1468), available January 29. 363 Manningham Road, Templestowe, goldendragonpalace.com.au Fresh fruit as a sign of prosperity at Wang Wang BBQ. Supplied Advertisement Wang Wang BBQ NORTHERN CHINESE, CRITICS PICK People have been gathering to eat barbecue for centuries in Qiqihar, a large city in north-east China. Today, in an attractive Victorian corner building in Melbourne, warmth emanates from Wang Wangs domed tabletop barbecues. All the meat arrives raw: juicy wagyu, thick-cut tongue, pork belly, or Angus beef sliced thin and tumbled in chilli and herbs. Grill it yourself before dipping in a sauce of soy, chilli and garlic thats a family recipe. For Chinese New Year: A $49 banquet includes unlimited chargrilled meat in cuts ranging from wagyu tri-tip to karubi (or boneless short-rib), plus a Gong Hay Fat Choy cocktail, named after the New Year greeting. 267 Glenferrie Road, Malvern, wangwangbbq.com.au Advertisement Lagoon Dining ASIAN 15/20 Defying its Little Italy location, Lagoons algorithm isnt strictly bound by place but consistently pings on China, partly thanks to chef Keat Lees Malaysian Chinese upbringing. Witness the signature shredded potato, with its barely cooked stands and black vinegar backbeat. Or chewy rice drop noodles stir-fried with gutsy Xinjiang-spiced beef and chilli oil. The globe-trotting wine list rises to the challenge, matched by exemplary service. For Chinese New Year: Lagoons Year of the Snake banquet was only available on New Years Eve (January 28) but the regular menu is dotted with plenty of dishes believed to bring good fortune, such as char siu pork, steamed fish and noodles. 263 Lygon Street, Carlton, lagoondining.com Advertisement Peking duck at Nihao Kitchen is treated with reverence. Pete Dillon Nihao Kitchen CHINESE 15/20 From the first pour of tea to the carefully wrapped package of leftovers to take home, a visit to Nihao is a delight. Parrot fish, snow crab and more are fished from the tank, wok-tossed, served in soup or steamed with ginger and spring onion before arriving at the table with sauce-mopping sides. The voluminous menu necessitates tough decisions, some of which must be made in advance: call ahead to order pipa duck, the five-spiced butterflied bird with toffee-like skin. For Chinese New Year: On January 29, the venue is combining a host of lucky ingredients from king prawn to pork knuckle and abalone in one generous claypot. Advertisement 298-300 High Street, Kew, 03 9852 8333 (no website) Sheng jian bao (pan-fried pork buns) are a signature at Hongs Dumplings. Pete Dillon Hongs Dumplings SHANGHAINESE, CRITICS PICK This perpetually packed pitstop is known for the popular Shanghai breakfast food sheng jian bao. The pan-fried pork buns are made with a more substantial dough than the oft-compared xiao long bao but contain a similar piping-hot liquid inside. Both setting and service are no-frills youll choose your own table and order at the counter but the draw is the promise of top-notch dumplings, on which Hongs delivers across the board. Hongs is only open Friday to Sunday, so plan ahead. Advertisement 872 Canterbury Road, Box Hill South, 0430 991 206 (no website) Flower Drum CANTONESE 16.5/20 A half-century young, the Drum is all about subtle and statement-making moments. Menu mainstay Peking duck is as exacting in its portions as its preparation, with supple flesh and skin that shatters like praline. Wisps of hand-picked mud crab are worked through a luxurious turmeric sauce and cooked in the hollow of the crustaceans shell. The carpet is blood-red and the tables are set leagues apart, leaving room for every other dish to be tossed or carved tableside by a professional in a waistcoat and bow-tie. 17 Market Lane, Melbourne, flowerdrum.melbourne Advertisement Floral banquettes and chic lighting are features of the new-look and renamed Dainty on Toorak. Luis Enrique Ascui Dainty on Toorak SICHUANESE 15/20 There are about 20 Dainty outlets now, but South Yarra has long been home base. After a recent renovation and rebrand to Dainty on Toorak, the dining room now seems palatial rather than merely large. The re-jigged, leather-bound menu holds more than 100 items such as live seafood, dim sum and roast duck carved tableside. But for a tongue-tingling encounter synonymous with the Dainty brand, Chongqing chilli chicken is a culinary stun gun. 176 Toorak Road, South Yarra, instagram.com/daintysichuan Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Whether discussing the chaos of Italian politics, East German dissident writers, contemporary Greek philosophy or the Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Julie always knew what she was talking about. The extraordinary breadth and depth of her knowledge were the product of a sharp intellectual curiosity and voracious reading. She was a talker, but someone open to the voice of others, says friend and former Radio National manager Ann Tonks. Her genuine curiosity about the world led to her great skill as an interviewer. She contributed so much to our national conversation via the ABC. Julie never spoke down to her audience, treating them as intelligent and knowledgeable. Nor did she ever exclude listeners with insider jargon or fashionable arts speak. Always engaging, she brought both rigour and warmth to the radio. Julie Copeland, presenter of the literary program First Edition, in the early 1980s. Credit: Norman Wodetzki In 1962, Julie was a founding member of the Emerald Hill Theatre Company, directed by Wal Cherry and George Whaley. Based in an old South Melbourne church, they experimented with an Australian theatrical style that prefigured The Pram Factory and La Mama. Alongside acting, the ensembles performers took on practical tasks, with Julie generally serving as costume designer and wardrobe mistress. Lifelong friend, film designer Jane Norris, first met Julie at Emerald Hill. She says Julie was trying to help build from scratch an avant garde theatre in a city not quite ready for it. Anthropologist Dr Martha Macintyre also met Julie at Emerald Hill Theatre. Aged 17, Martha discovered a way of life that was Bohemian and exciting. We would spend time talking about art and theatre, she recalls. I thought Julie was amazing talented, beautiful, unconventional and intelligent. Of course, I was right she was all of those things her whole life. Like many creative figures of her generation, Julie looked to Europe for inspiration and opportunity. In 1965, she headed to London and tried without success to break into the theatre scene. (Julie thought her Australian accent counted against her.) For a time, she fell back on her wardrobe skills, making money by sewing miniskirts with Jane Norris, who had also moved to London. In London, Julie met John Slavin, who shared her love of theatre, film, opera and visual arts, and with whom Julie would spend the rest of her life. They moved to Hydra in Greece, but Julie was not enamoured of the island and its enclave of Australian expats. Instead, she found a primitive paradise at Molyvos (or Mythimna) on the island of Lesvos, which became home for the next seven years. This was long before the Greek Islands became a mass tourist destination, and with the colonels in power in Athens, political times were dark. Julie and John had little money, but they loved Molyvos and returned whenever they could, especially after Julie retired from the ABC in 2009. Italy was another favourite place, and they spent a few years in the medieval town of Citta della Pieve in Umbria where John taught English to Italian businessmen. Julie loved Italy and Greece before she went there, says Martha Macintyre. I recall her talking to me about her love of Renaissance art. I recall her letters from Greece being full of joy and enthusiasm. Her aesthetic sensibility and her intellectual interests flourished in the Mediterranean. She was in her natural environment. Julies close friend, dance critic Lee Christofis, says in Australia Julie lived in a double world with a perpetual image of the northern hemisphere in her mind. As ardent travellers, he says, Julie and John would fixate in turn on the classics, the bizarre nature of the Cold War, the oppression of the Greek junta, the minutiae of poems or the libretto of a huge opera like Wagners Ring Cycle. Julie Copeland at the Venice Biennale 1997. We translated Seferis and sang to Theodorakis, recalls John Slavin. In 1975, Julie and John returned to Melbourne, where Ormsby Wilkins credited as the first radio presenter to take talkback calls offered her a job at 3AW. Julie worked with the radical journalist Claudia Wright to ruffle the feathers of the Melbourne establishment. After a brief stint on breakfast TV, Julie found Radio National was the best fit for her talents and interests. Her ABC career began as a freelancer in what was then known as Talks and Documentaries. In the 1970s, she was an early contributor to the Coming Out Show, a program made by and for women that revolutionised the airwaves. In 1980, Julie finally gained a staff position as host of First Edition, a literary program she helped to conceive that brought edgy contemporary voices to the fore alongside established authors. Throughout her life, Julie was an activist, lobbying, attending demonstrations, writing letters, especially in campaigns to stop violence against women and achieve equal rights. In 2015, at the height of the mass exodus of refugees from Syria and Afghanistan travelling through Turkiye and Greece to seek safety in Europe, Julie was again in Lesvos and volunteered to provide food and water and drive refugees across the island. A talented painter in watercolour and gouache, Julie actively encouraged and supported women artists, writers and musicians. In the workplace, she nurtured colleagues, especially women. Always quick to share her knowledge of the visual arts, literature, theatre, history, politics and, above all, the craft of radio, Julie provided opportunities and encouragement to following generations of broadcasters and was a role model and mentor to many current and former RN staff. Accused criminals remain on bail at a high-profile rehabilitation facility despite an urgent investigation into its methods by the Attorney-Generals Department and the alleged escape of a client accused of serious drug and gun offences. Hussein Chamas is accused of fleeing the Connect Global centre on the NSW Mid North Coast in early January, a month after a Herald investigation exposed concerns about the facility. On Tuesday, his lawyer said he had been apprehended in a remote part of the Northern Territory. Hussein Chamas, accused drug importer, allegedly fled Connect Global rehab centre at Swan Bay, north of Newcastle, using forged documents in early January. Credit: AFP The rehabilitation facility at Swan Bay, which once hosted addiction-ravaged former game show host Andrew OKeefe, faces an uncertain future; client numbers have been halved, providers have cancelled programs and its founder has moved to New Zealand. Up to 20 clients are still at the heavily Christian facility, many of whom are facing criminal charges and are there on bail. Opinion articles written in the style of their author." These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. shall feature, along with the author's name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed Vladimir Putin opened Pandoras box in 2014 by annexing the Crimean peninsula, whose status as an autonomous republic within Ukraine had been repeatedly recognized by Russia since the USSR dissolved in 1991. Now, the territorial ambitions announced by Donald Trump (buying Greenland, taking over the Panama Canal, and making Canada the 51st U.S. state) confer a new qualitative rank to Russian expansionism and, in a certain way, normalize it within the club of countries with special responsibility for the destiny of the world. Russias annexation of Ukrainian territories set a dangerous precedent, but the situation could worsen if, in any talks to end the war, Trump were to agree to Putins demands. The Russian president does not want a short pause or a ceasefire, but full international recognition of his wartime conquests (four Ukrainian provinces plus Crimea), which he has already rushed to preemptively include in the Russian Constitution. The danger today is not just Putin or Trump, but the example that their actions and bravado set for other less powerful states with territorial disputes that until recently seemed like extinct volcanoes, but that today resemble something more like dormant volcanoes. Russia finds in Trump an incentive to justify its annexation of Crimea and to encourage imitators under the banner of self-determination. In cases where a nation, as part of a larger state, feels uncomfortable in that state and seeks self-determination in accordance with the U.N. Charter, the larger state is obligated not to oppose or obstruct this process, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in January. Its not what the Spanish did to Catalonia, or the British to Scotland. Self-determination is fine for others, but not in Russia, where verbally questioning the unity of the state can be punished criminally, according to legislation enacted in 2014. Under Putin, Moscow has fiercely repressed separatists in the Caucasian republic of Chechnya and has dramatically tightened the countrys centralization. In 2018, the superiority of the Russian language in the state education system was guaranteed by law, and the study of national languages of non-Russian peoples was relegated to the rank of voluntary activities with reduced teaching hours, even where they are official languages. Driven by a heightened fear of non-Russian nationalism, the Putin-led system prosecutes activists, bans associations, media, and cultural products. Since the turn of the century, Russian propagandists have tried to stir up the greed of Ukraines western neighbors to question the countrys territorial integrity. Ten million people live in Lviv and in territories that Stalin handed over to Ukraine after World War II, at the expense of Poland, Romania, and Hungary, and the people living there many of them, at least, I know it for certain, 100% they want to return to their historic homeland, Putin said in December 2023. He added: And the countries that lost these territories, they dream about taking these territories back. Warsaw denies these claims and rejects the Kremlins game. Romania and Hungary also have no official claims, but both countries pursue an active policy of protecting their respective minorities living in Ukraine (the Hungarian minority mainly in the Transcarpathian province, and the Romanian minority in Chernivtsi, the former Northern Bukovina). Hungary also makes its approval of Ukraines entry into the EU and NATO conditional on respect for minorities. Romanians and Bulgarians are important communities in the south of the province of Odessa (the former Southern Bessarabia or Budzhak). At the urging of the European Commission, Kyiv amended its legislation on the rights of national minorities in 2023 (before starting EU accession talks), which had been curtailed in 2017 by education regulations. The rights of minorities, among which Budapest, Bucharest, and Sofia have distributed national passports, are a sensitive issue that becomes more acute during election periods and also depending on the intensity of Kyivs assimilation policy. In Ukraines western neighbors, nationalist forces once marginal are reviving old territorial ambitions. In Hungary, Laszlo Toroczkai, leader of Our Fatherland, stated in 2024 that if Ukraine is defeated by Russia, Kyiv must hand over the territory of Transcarpathia to Hungary. Calin Georgescu, winner of the first round of presidential elections in Romania last November, referred to Ukraine in 2022 as an invented country. The election result was annulled, but Georgescu continues his political battle. In Bulgaria, Kostadin Kostadinov, a far-right figure sympathetic to Putin, warned this month that Ukraine is disintegrating and that Bulgaria must claim Bulgarian Bessarabia (the southern Odessa region) in future peace talks. Russias case with Ukraine since 2014 has shown that even the most solid border recognition agreements are in danger of being eroded if radical nationalist forces come to power in states that seemed comfortable within their recognized borders. And if that were to happen thanks to the double example of Putin and Trump, the political map of Europe could begin to shake like a field of volcanoes awakening from their slumber. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition 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 Damien Linnane will eat almost anything. Just dont give him a green pear. In prison, he would eat five a day. Corrective services were obliged to provide at least one source of fruit, but they were so unripe that few people touched them unless they needed a makeshift weapon. There were actually assaults with these pears, Linnane says, over lunch at Paddingtons Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore. They were rock-hard. Were sitting just a few blocks from where Linnane was born at the old Royal Hospital for Women campus on Flinton Street. His parents met while his father was an inmate and his mother was a welfare officer at Long Bay jail, but the turbulent, at times violent, relationship ended before Linnanes fourth birthday. He spent the rest of his childhood bouncing between a physically abusive father and a mother living below the poverty line. Damien Linnane explains his typical prison meal: a sausage roll for lunch, a microwave meal for dinner and five pears for dessert. Credit: Dylan Coker The years between then and his own incarceration are remarkable memoir fodder: he got caught up with a group of white supremacists as a teenager in Newcastle, handed out Sinn Fein flyers in Dublin, returned home to join the army reserves, worked part-time as a sex worker for female clients in regional Armidale, and spent his 30th birthday serving a prison sentence for arson. My partner told me she was raped, so I burnt down the house of the guy who did it, is the short version of that story. Linnane has, by his own admission, come a long way since then. He taught himself to draw in prison, he has hung his art in exhibitions and he has published two books his memoir, and a novel he wrote in prison on loose scraps of paper bound together with cable ties. He lives in a comfortable unit on a quiet street in Newcastle, splitting his time between editing a literary magazine for prisoners and researching a PhD on access to healthcare inside Australias jails. Late last year, he published his fourth academic paper in the Journal of Law and Medicine with no revisions. Advertisement Before his arrest, Linnane was uncomfortable with attention. He wore combat boots, military fatigues and cut his hair short. I was a paranoid person, and I was looking for ways to feel safer if my hair is too short to grab in a fight, thats a very, very slight advantage, he says. Damien Linnane at Ampersand Cafe and Bookstore in Paddington Credit: Dylan Coker That clearly isnt an issue any more. Its drizzling when we meet, and Linnane has brought a hairdryer in case the rain messes with his freshly dyed mohawk. He first grew it out during COVID lockdowns, and as his advocacy work grew, he found it was a handy conversation starter. A part of it, I think, is compensating for being a bit of a paranoid wreck, he says. If his journey sounds like the classic prison redemption arc, its only half the story. In truth (or at least Linnanes version of it), he had started to turn a corner by the time the law caught up with him. Before I was arrested, I realised I needed to talk to someone, he says. Some of Linannes art from his time in prison. He booked in with a psychologist, who began to pick through a traumatic childhood marred by physical and sexual abuse, and the complications arising from his undiagnosed autism. Linnane was making progress. Then he was locked up. He assumed his therapy would continue inside, but a mandatory appointment with the prison psychologist quickly dashed those hopes. She said, Damien, everyone in prison would benefit from therapy, but theres no funding for that, Linnane says. Advertisement The psychologists job was to assess whether people were suicidal or dangerous. He was neither and so he was knocked back. A few days before Christmas 2015, he approached the guards at Glen Innes Correctional Centre and told them he was having suicidal thoughts. They responded by putting me in solitary confinement, he says. PhD Candidate Damien Linnane at Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore in Paddington. Credit: Dylan Coker In a statement, a Corrective Services NSW spokesman said solitary confinement has been outlawed in NSW since 2014, but those assessed to be at risk of suicide or self-harm could be placed in a safe cell. We take seriously our responsibility to reduce the possibility of [an] inmate harming themselves while in custody, the spokesman said. CSNSW does not comment on the management of individual inmates. The setback proved formative. He wrote to then-prisons minister David Elliott, asking why he wasnt able to see his psychologist in prison. The response, coming months later when Linnane had already been released, was a study in bizarre bureaucratic logic. The ministry had said prison resources were finite and therefore therapeutic programs were targeted at inmates with the highest risk of reoffending, but it then went on to argue that those inmates who fell outside this group couldnt use Medicare-funded services because NSW prisons already provided mental health support. Advertisement That letter was the first time I realised I had lost my Medicare access, Linnane says. It was always in the back of my mind. Why has nobody tried to fix this? It is a question that has consumed Linnane ever since. Now, he thinks he has the answer, and it flies in the face of half a century of legal precedent. A self-portrait by former inmate Linnane. Credit: Damien Linnane Since 1973, it has been assumed that one section of the Health Insurance Act prevents Medicare benefits from being paid where that service is already provided by someone else (in Linnanes case, the state government). But Linnane says he wasnt offered anything in prison that compared with his Medicare-funded psychologist. Worse than that, he wasnt given any treatment at all. Hes not alone. Weve been talking about prison healthcare for almost three hours by the time our mains arrive, and his beef cheek pappardelle is getting cold as he reels off a long list of inmates who could have benefited from Medicare-funded healthcare. The beef cheek pappardelle at Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore in Paddington. Credit: Dylan Coker Theres the devastating case of Douglas Mootijah Shillingsworth, a Budjiti and Murrawarri man who died in custody in Cessnock Correctional Centre after acquiring an ear infection that could have been picked up by a yearly Aboriginal health assessment usually bulk-billed but unavailable to those in custody. Advertisement Advertisement A Queensland social media influencer allegedly hid her one-year-old girl under a blanket before administering an unprescribed drug through a nasal tube, rendering the child unconscious, a court has heard. The alleged deliberate poisoning of her daughter, which police say was to solicit thousands of dollars in donations and online followers, prompted doctors to perform two surgeries on the child that could have been done when she was older. The 34-year-old Sunshine Coast mother, who cannot be identified under state laws, appeared for her bail hearing in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday. The mother during her arrest. Credit: QPS The magistrate was unable to determine immediately if she should be released because of the complexities of the case. Grace Tame was Australian of the Year in 2021. She received her award for outspoken advocacy on behalf of sexual assault survivors and her successful campaign to eliminate Tasmanias gag laws which, at the time, prevented sexual assault survivors like Tame from identifying themselves publicly. Her case was a catalyst for the Let Her Speak campaign. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon greet Grace Tame at the Australian of the Year Awards morning tea. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Tame has been speaking ever since. She continues to be clear, precise and blunt in her advocacy. Sometimes, she uses words, sometimes, her facial expression, including her famous stony side-eye to Scott Morrison at the 2022 Australian of the Year celebration. Morrison was a prime minister, it should be remembered, who had claimed to need his wife to explain why he should launch an investigation into workplace culture after a sexual assault allegation in parliament. It was Morrison who had admonished hundreds of thousands of Australian women who marched for gender equality in 2021 that they should be grateful that their demonstrations had not been met with bullets. The good news for homicide detectives probing the long-anticipated murder of Sam the Punisher Abdulrahim is they will inherit a comprehensive file from gangland investigators that will contain a list of the victims enemies including the person who may be suspected of ordering the hit. The bad news is that Sam rubbed so many bad people the wrong way that the list of names is long and dangerous. Sam Abdulrahim was shot dead in Preston. Credit: Instagram Usually, homicide detectives can put together a couple of names of those who may want someone murdered. In the case of Abdulrahim, the list is a dark version of Whos Who, or in modern terms, Wicked-Pedia. Gang detectives, who will work with homicide, will already have a good idea of who ordered the hit as it has been an open secret that there was a million-dollar contract on his head. Shes extremely upset. Shes doing the best to speak to us and provide us with whatever information she can, Thomas said. Shes been through a very traumatic situation, seeing her boyfriend shot and killed [its a] very, very traumatic situation, shes very, very upset. With the manhunt for the killers now under way, Abdulrahims grieving sister was quick to point the finger, naming whom she suspected was behind the attack in a social media post. Whoever shot my brother to death, Im after u, she wrote. I know its u dog. Never ends here. Police believe Abdulrahims killers fled in a white car. Thomas said officers were combing through CCTV and examining a burnt-out white Porsche SUV they believe was used in the targeted attack, urging witnesses and associates of Abdulrahim to come forward with information. Video obtained by this masthead shows the Porsche, which was found in nearby Reservoir, engulfed in flames and spewing plumes of black smoke. There were several shots fired in the attack and investigators and ballistic experts were still determining what had unfolded, Thomas said. A staff member from the hotel called triple zero. Friends had warned Abdulrahim in the lead-up to his death to stay away from Melbourne, but he had returned to Australia after a stint overseas. It is unclear how long he had been staying at the hotel. Police were investigating whether he could have checked in as recently as a day ago. They confirmed emergency services were called following reports a man had been shot in a car park in High Street shortly after 10.30am. The man died at the scene. High Street near the Quest hotel remained closed in both directions between Youngman and Wood streets as police collected evidence. Loading Thomas said police were aware that there had been several threats made to Abdulrahims life, and they had continued to warn him of the danger he was in. On each occasion, safety warnings have been provided to him by Victoria Police, Thomas said. He said investigators had no information to suggest there would be any retaliatory attacks at this stage but a strong police presence would remain at the scene. I ask anybody thats associated with our deceased person that they co-operate with police, and they provide whatever information they can to us, and they work with us so that we can identify those responsible. Thomas said Abdulrahims killers should hand themselves in before they were caught. We will work out who it is and we will hold those responsible. Whether thats tomorrow or in the coming days, it will happen. He urged anyone who saw anything, including the white Porsche SUV leaving the area of the shooting, to contact Crime Stoppers. On Tuesday afternoon, about 20 distraught family members and associates of Abdulrahim could be seen huddling together on the corner of High and Youngman streets. One woman was sitting on the ground, her hands covering her face as she was comforted by others. Underworld figure Sam The Punisher Abdulrahim in police custody in 2015. Credit: The Age A man was overcome with emotion as he slumped against a tree, while other grieving associates sat on chairs outside the Quest hotel. [Abdulrahims] family and friends are very, very distraught, Thomas said. Understandably so. Theyve lost a loved one, theyve lost a son, a friend, and of course, well be doing everything we can to investigate this and identify those responsible. Members of the public also gathered behind the police tape on the intersection of Wood and High streets, trying to get a glimpse of the crime scene. Less than two kilometres away, more than a dozen detectives, police and forensic officers surrounded a torched car at the end of Alexandra Street, off Northernhay Street, in Reservoir on Tuesday afternoon. The white Porsche SUV had been rammed through the fence of the Melbourne Water reservoirs that gave the suburb its name. Nearby resident Dan, whose surname was withheld due to safety concerns, said he had been working from home when he heard a loud bang just before 11am. It sounded like someone dropped a sofa, he said. Dan said he then heard another bang 30 seconds later, then saw a massive plume of smoke outside. Police are investigating whether a burnt-out car in Alexander Street, Reservoir, is connected to the killing. Credit: Justin McManus The car was torched at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, normally used as a driveway by residents who live in a nearby block of units. Another neighbour, Ansa, was sleeping when she awoke to a fire roaring nearby as the car erupted into flames. I was so scared, she said. Friends and associates of Abdulrahim began posting on social media as news of his death spread. It is with great sadness that our dear brother Sam Abdulrahim has tragically passed away and returned to his Lord, wrote one in a tribute on Facebook. May Allah have mercy on his soul, forgive his sins and give his family patience and strength. Another wrote: This is beyond belief and absolutely heartbreaking. Abdulrahim, who lived under death threats for years, went into hiding in May 2024 after narrowly escaping an ambush outside his northern suburbs home, where gunmen shot at him 17 times. His Lalor home, shot up in another drive-by and then later firebombed, was left abandoned and unlivable. Loading Abdulrahims Instagram account was littered with false trails, including a photo purportedly posted from Lebanon with the message Feels good to be in motherland, when he was actually seen partying at a Melbourne bar. In September, he appeared briefly to be working as a bodyguard for Russian mixed martial arts star Khabib Nurmagomedov at an event in Kuala Lumpur, according to a social media post about the MMA star. The abuse charges include instances of touching the childrens genitalia, penetrating the victims and encouraging the children to touch each other as part of what he told his victims was a secret boys club. Mullaly said the abuser knew some of his victims families through the church of which he and his family, including his wife, were part. The Geelong Revival Centre. Credit: Simon Schluter Mullaly said the first charge related to an eight-year-old boy who had been staying at Hubers van Assenraads family home. The child told police the pair were playing card games when the 38-year-old pulled the childs pants down. Shocked and distressed, he ... ran to the kitchen and grabbed a sharp knife, which he held towards you. The noise caused your wife to wake, the judge said. Unfortunately, your wife believed your lies, not the child. Years later, Hubers van Assenraad went on to abuse eight more boys, showing them child abuse material on his phone to copy before fondling them as they watched films, and later raping some of them. Todd Hubers van Assenraad abused children as young as six at his own home as well as in public places over several years. Others were abused after church camping trips or while they played video games at Hubers van Assenraads house. Your offending came to light when [a] sister overheard her brother speaking of being shown pictures of naked people by you. This sister, with admirable maturity, told her father, the judge said. Loading The victim revealed to his father what you had done, and after hearing what his son had outlined, the victims father did not call the police but rather rang and spoke to the then-head or pastor of the church, a Mr Noel Hollins, and informed him what the victim had said. Mr Hollins also did not contact the police that night or the next day. Rather, Mr Hollins called you and asked you to come and see him. This masthead has previously reported allegations of abuse and coercion at the Geelong Revival Centre, including that Hollins had forced a member to marry her alleged rapist. Mullaly said that in the days after this call, Hubers van Assenraad had sought to minimise his conduct, contacting parents of some of the children to tell them he feared he could be kicked out of the church. Concerningly, you told the mother of these two victims, a single mother, that if she got the police involved, that may mean she would lose her children and not be able to keep them, Mullaly said. Loading Police were contacted on January 25. When police searched his home, they found 1600 child abuse images and videos on a secret laptop. Hubers van Assenraad, an IT specialist, erased much of the material but told police there had been 10 terabytes. Hubers van Assenraad told police he had a problem with child abuse material for about 25 years, which he described as being way better than regular pornography. In victim impact statements read to the court, Mullaly said the families spoke of the devastating impacts the crimes had had on their boys. He was a gentle, sensitive boy, who loved to draw, ride his bike and surf. Now he is mostly sad and finds human interaction stressful and often does not sleep. She said he stopped sleeping for over a year because he was so ashamed and frightened, Mullaly quoted one victims family as saying. The road ahead is a long one. He feels shame and sadness that overwhelms him. He talks often about how he used to be happy. Former Geelong Revival Centre leader Noel Hollins. Mullaly noted Hubers van Assenraad had been raised in a loving home. His family were all members of the Geelong Revival Centre, where Mullaly said the pastor seemed to be a dominant leader, evidenced by the fact that parents reported your crimes to him before the police. He said Hubers van Assenraad had told a psychiatrist that he once attempted to contact a Swedish group on the dark web who said they could help those with sexual attractions to children but never went through with it. The sexual offending of children is abhorrent. My condemnation of what you did and harm you caused must be more than the words expressed here. It must also be ... years of imprisonment, Mullalay said. Hubers van Assenraad was sentenced to 22 years and 10 months jail, with a non-parole period of 16 years and six months. Once released, he will be classified as a serious sexual offender and placed on the sex offender register for life. National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service: 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint-Maarten Police Force (KPSM) hosted a brief but meaningful introductory ceremony on Monday, January 27, 2025, at the Philipsburg Police Station to officially welcome the BPO-6 Class of 2025. This class comprises police recruits from Sint-Maarten and the Caribbean Netherlands, marking the beginning of their two-year training program. During the ceremony, speeches of encouragement were delivered by several distinguished leaders: The Honorable Minister of Justice, Mr. N. Tackling The Chief of Police of the Dutch Caribbean, Mr. A. Braaf The Chief of Police of Sint-Maarten, Mr. C. John The Academys School Coordinator, Mr. J. Ruts The speakers emphasized the importance of the recruits chosen careers, reminding them that being a police officer is a calling rooted in service to the community. Integrity was highlighted as a fundamental value they must uphold in their future roles. The recruits were encouraged to remain steadfast in their commitment to protecting and serving with honor and dedication. The BPO-6 Class of 2025 will undergo comprehensive training on Sint-Maarten, managed by the National Police Academy (NPA). KPSM expressed its gratitude to the Chief of Police of the Caribbean Netherlands, the NPA Academy, its instructors, and the dedicated coordinators who have made this important milestone possible. KPSM extends its best wishes to the recruits as they embark on this challenging yet rewarding journey. Over the next two years, these individuals will develop the skills, knowledge, and resilience needed to serve and protect their communities with integrity and professionalism. KPSM Press Release. St. Eustatius:--- A shocking failure of governance has left the island of St. Eustatius (Statia) in chaos, with the Immigration and Naturalization Department (INS) shuttered since December 2024. Despite desperate pleas from citizens and businesses, local and Dutch officials remain paralyzed, failing to take action while livelihoods crumble and families face deportation. The INS office, responsible for vital services like residence permits, work authorizations, and document renewals, now seems abandoned as visitors are met with its hurricane shutters permanently down and a glaring red sign that says, "CLOSED." This isn't just an inconvenience for hundreds of Statia residentsit's a ticking time bomb. Families are being ripped apart. Wives and husbands or parents of young children awaiting residence permit renewals could now face deportation. Businesses teeter on the brink of closure as they cannot legally employ staff. Essential healthcare access is denied to those awaiting documentation as they require a stamp from the now-closed INS office. The collapse of the INS system is not just administrativeit is personal, urgent, and devastating. Residents who have waited months for appointments are met with silence. Phones go unanswered, emails are ignored, and promises of rescheduled appointments are empty. Those who visit the office in person find no help, only frustration and despair. "Every day, I drive by hoping they've reopened. Every day, I'm disappointed," said one local business owner. "If this continues, I'll have to shut my doors." Shockingly, Statia's Government Commissioners have washed their hands of the issue, claiming it's not their responsibility. Meanwhile, Bonaire, which oversees INS operations for the BES islands, offers no support. Statia residents feel abandoned and treated as second-class citizens within the Netherlands Kingdom. The situation highlights a broader discontent with the BES islands' governance. What was promised better support under the Dutch Kingdom has turned into a bureaucratic nightmare, with residents lamenting that Bonaire treats them worse than Curacao did under the Netherlands Antilles. "Why is this happening? Are we not part of the Dutch Kingdom? Or are we being ignored because we're Caribbean?" asked a frustrated resident. Several residents who visited the office and met closed doors have gone to the Ombudsman, and more have threatened to follow. The INS closure results from chronic understaffing, a problem known to officials in Bonaire for years. A December department notice posted on Facebook warned of reduced hours, but instead of addressing the issue, operations ground to a halt. Before the closure, residents had to wait up to three months for essential services. Now, the backlog is insurmountable, with experts predicting it could take over six months for appointments to resume and documents to be processed. The silence from both Statia's government and Dutch authorities is deafening. How can officials remain indifferent as citizens suffer? Why are essential services like immigration left in shambles while those in power collect their salaries? It is time for the government to actnow. Statia cannot wait another day. The Dutch government, RCN, and local leaders must provide immediate resources, reopen the INS office, clear the backlog, and restore trust. This is not just an administrative failure; it is a humanitarian crisis. The people of Statia deserve answers, action, and accountability. Anything less is a betrayal of the citizens the government is sworn to serve. Statia demands justice. Statia demands action. Will the Dutch Kingdom listen, or will they let an island in crisis fall further into despair? PHILIPSBURG:--- On the afternoon of Monday, January 27th, 2025, detectives and personnel from the ALPHA Team conducted a successful operation, resulting in the arrest of four individuals suspected of involvement in a drug smuggling operation. Based on credible intelligence regarding four individuals who had arrived on a flight from Curacao and were staying in the Simpson Bay area, law enforcement officers initiated an investigation. Upon visiting a hotel in Simpson Bay, detectives from the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) located and apprehended the four suspects in a hotel room. The suspects include three males, aged 24, 23, and 21, as well as a 69-year-old female who is believed to have been coordinating the transport of narcotics to France. Further investigations revealed that the three male suspects were internally concealing drug pellets (bolitas) in their stomachs. All four suspects were immediately taken into custody and transported to the Philipsburg Police Station, where they remain detained for further questioning. The investigation into this matter is ongoing as the ALPHA Team collects and analyzes evidence. KPSM Press Release. Collaboration aims to empower entrepreneurs and SMEs with the skills needed to thrive in today s dynamic business landscape Infosys (https://www.infosys.com/) (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, and Said Business School (https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sbs.ox.ac.uk%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmelvin.alex%40infosys.com%7Cf047423e299444ac8e7e08dd0a314791%7C63ce7d592f3e42cda8ccbe764cff5eb6%7C0%7C0%7C638677928963053154%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=TOW3IakR4bbVH3hk0aMAc6uTfjl6YjAxJou7cncnotg%3D&reserved=0), University of Oxford, one of Europe s leading entrepreneurial business schools, today announced the launch of the Springboard StartSmart: Foundations for Entrepreneurs course. Leveraging Infosys Springboard (https://www.infosys.com/about/springboard/europe.html), the free digital learning and reskilling platform, the course is aimed at new entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The collaboration aims to empower entrepreneurs and SMEs with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today s dynamic business landscape. Through this collaboration, Oxford Said s accredited courses will be tailored to the specific needs of young entrepreneurs empowering them at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey, from early-stage founders to those considering starting their own businesses. The course will aim to democratize the overall learning process and equip learners with the knowledge and tools required to embrace digital transformation, apply fundamental business concepts, and leverage the potential of emerging technologies, including AI tools. Manos Kapterian, Chief Operating Officer at Oxford Said, said, While the UK fosters a strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, nearly 60 percent of small British businesses and start-ups face failure within the first three years. Providing access to the right tools and mentorship are vital ingredients to the success of these start-ups. We are pleased to form this collaboration with Infosys, bringing our world-class business education to even more aspiring entrepreneurs and SMEs, helping them to have a positive impact in their communities. Thirumala Arohi, EVP and Head Education, Training, and Assessment, Infosys, said, We are committed to harnessing the collective strength of our technology and people to transform the communities we work in. By bridging the digital divide through world-class digital learning opportunities, we aim to create a more equitable society and nurture a new generation of business leaders. Our collaboration with Oxford Said Business School and our digital learning platform, Springboard, provide the tools to achieve this goal. In the UK, one of the most entrepreneurial countries globally, this course has the potential to equip entrepreneurs with the right tools, enabling them to thrive in the ever-evolving business landscape while solving important global challenges. Infosys joint efforts with Oxford Said build on Infosys successful collaborations with local councils across the UK to provide access to learners with vital digital skills and resources. Since the launch of the initiatives in 2021 over 50,000 registered users are actively benefiting from over 10,000 courses offered through the Infosys Springboard platform. About Said Business School Sai?d Business School at the University of Oxford is a vibrant and innovative business school, embedded within a 900-year-old world leading university. We create programmes and ideas that have global impact and reach. We educate leaders, change makers and innovators across every industry and sector. Our groundbreaking research and exceptional teaching transforms individuals, who transform businesses, which transforms the world. We create i?mpact from within. www.sbs.ox.ac.uk 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/Infosys_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/infosys-and-said-business-school-launch-course-for-entrepreneurs-on-infosys-springboard-302361808.html Contact: For further information, please contact: PR_Global@Infosys.com Original-Content von: INFOSYS, ubermittelt durch news aktuell The fierce optimism of the markets at the start of 2025 has been shaken by an unforeseen factor one that almost no one had anticipated. The rise of the Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek triggered a stock market earthquake on Monday, which could undermine the foundations of the robust rally that equities have enjoyed since 2023. This rally has been largely driven by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, which has emerged as a major economic catalyst. Dubbed the next internet, AI is poised to transform society while boosting corporate productivity and profitability. Goldman Sachs, for instance, estimated a 1.5% improvement in earnings per share for S&P 500 companies due to AI advancements. This optimism has been irresistible to investors, yet it has primarily materialized in the valuations of a select few companies: the tech giants with the financial muscle to invest heavily in AI development, and the chip designers, manufacturers, and assemblers, led by U.S.-based Nvidia. DeepSeeks ability to launch a free, open-source app that competes directly with OpenAIs ChatGPT but with significantly lower investment has upended the prevailing market narrative. Until now, the AI race was seen as a battle of scale and brute force: massive investments to process vast amounts of data, with the expectation that results would inevitably follow. DeepSeeks success challenges this assumption, raising questions about the sustainability of such a strategy. Could DeepSeek be the black swan of the markets this year? While its still too early to tell, its launch has already had seismic effects. Nvidia, until recently the worlds most valuable company, saw $589 billion wiped off its market capitalization in a single trading session. The ripple effects have spread across global stock exchanges, impacting companies of all kinds. Unlimited investment Last year, investments in AI infrastructure including cloud computing, chips, and related technologies exceeded $250 billion. This year, the race has intensified even further: Microsoft has announced investments of $76 billion, Meta plans to allocate another $62 billion and Amazon and Google are committing $42 billion and $24 billion, respectively. Adding to this, a new alliance formed by OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank aims to invest up to $500 billion. This initiative, sponsored by the newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump, will contribute a fifth of the total investment this year alone. And this is just the beginning BlackRock estimates that, in the long term, the investment will exceed $1 trillion. Meanwhile, DeepSeek has achieved remarkable efficiency, training its model in just two months at a cost of under $6 million. Oliver Blackbourn from Janus Henderson points out that the emergence of a potentially more efficient approach to AI processing calls into question the need for the billions of dollars being poured into infrastructure and intellectual property. DeepSeeks success challenges the paradigm of recent years, which has been built on massive investments by tech giants to control the advancement of artificial intelligence and, ultimately, to reap the rewards of these investments. Now, these companies face a double-edged sword: while AI development may become cheaper, it will also be harder for them to maintain their dominance in the market. The Nvidia phenomenon If any company has benefited from the AI boom, it is undoubtedly Nvidia. Initially designed for graphics cards aimed at video game users and therefore optimized to handle multiple tasks in parallel the companys chips have proven to be ideal for training artificial intelligence models. This has made Nvidia an indispensable partner for major tech companies. According to Moodys, last year Nvidias high-performance processing units (GPUs) were used 11 times more than chips from competitors like Intel or Advanced Micro Devices. Nvidias stock price reflects this success. Starting 2023 at less than $15 per share, it soared to $150, becoming the most valuable company in the world and even surpassing Apple and Microsoft at times. This surge was fueled by an overwhelming backlog of orders. While the company closed 2022 with revenues of $26 billion, analysts project it will reach $60 billion by the end of 2024 and approach $200 billion by 2026. Despite these impressive figures, analyst firms continue to raise their valuation targets for Nvidia, even as they scrutinize its financial performance more rigorously with each passing quarter. The company is scheduled to announce its next results on February 26. Chipmakers on the rise The surge in interest around Nvidia is far from isolated. Other chip and computer equipment manufacturers have also capitalized on the euphoria surrounding artificial intelligence. Supermicro, for instance, has seen its valuation skyrocket by 300% since 2023, peaking at a staggering 1,300% gain. AMD has risen 92%, while Broadcom has climbed 340%. However, not all companies have joined this rush; Intel, for example, has struggled, losing 54% of its market value over the past 12 months. The driving force on the stock market The launch of ChatGPT in November 2022 marked a turning point, with artificial intelligence becoming a dominant catalyst for the U.S. stock market and influencing global markets by extension. Over the past two years, the S&P 500 has climbed nearly 60%, fueled by the Magnificent Seven seven leading tech giants: Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Nvidia, Meta, and Tesla. These companies, all heavily invested in AI, now account for 34% of the indexs total weight. In 2024, these seven stocks contributed half of the S&P 500s rise, matching the combined contribution of the remaining 495 stocks. This strong performance has driven up valuations the price paid for stocks relative to company earnings yet U.S. equities remain a top choice for investors this year. Blackbourn, portfolio manager at Janus Henderson, warns of potential risks: If we start to see U.S. equity valuations fall significantly, there is a danger that this could spread to other high-valuation regions in Europe and Asia. He further highlights the risk of a domino effect: With U.S. consumers more exposed than ever to stock markets, a loss of consumer confidence could trigger broader negative feedback loops. A significant drop in financial indicators due to stock market losses might prompt the Federal Reserve to reassess its outlook more quickly. How will DeepSeeks success impact the industry? Analysts at investment firm Jefferies suggest that competitors in the AI space could adopt two potential strategies moving forward: pursue greater computing power to accelerate model improvements further, and focus on efficiency and return on investment (ROI), which could reduce the demand for computing power starting in 2026. That, they said, could put U.S. executives under more pressure to justify raising AI capex. Moodys recently highlighted a key challenge: AI expertise will remain primarily in the hands of a few dominant players. The massive infrastructure, vertical integration, and financial power of tech giants create significant barriers for smaller competitors and independent labs trying to enter the market. However, if a startup demonstrates OpenAI-level success with far less investment, these assumptions could be upended. As Jefferies points out: Re-evaluating computing power needs could cause 2026 Al capex to fall (or not grow). A new battlefront between the US and China With Europe largely out of the race represented only by Frances Mistral the competition to dominate AI is now a two-way battle between the Silicon Valley-Washington axis and Beijing. Both the United States and China, as Moodys notes, view AI as a strategic asset and are investing heavily in research, infrastructure, and talent acquisition to secure technological dominance. This rivalry has escalated to the point where the U.S. banned the export of advanced chips and chip manufacturing equipment to China. According to the ratings agency, by restricting global supply and demand, these bans have pushed companies to explore cost-effective AI solutions, such as smaller, optimized models that reduce reliance on expensive hardware. In China, DeepSeeks V3 model was trained using surprisingly smaller hardware, proving that better software can outperform better hardware. Chinese strategy? The recent launch of DeepSeek R1 is not an isolated event. In just a few weeks, two other Chinese AI projects have entered the market: Bytedances Doubao-1.5 Pro and Moonshots Kimi k1.5. All three offer performance comparable to their international counterparts but at a significantly lower computational cost. Analysts at Jefferies point out that Chinas chip limitations have forced the country to prioritize efficiency. As a result, they suggest that Trump could relax the AI diffusion policy to make it easier for U.S. firms to compete. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Due to large-scale malicious attacks on DeepSeeks services, registration may be busy. With this message, the Chinese artificial intelligence platform that has set off alarm bells among U.S. technology companies warns new users of difficulties in incorporating them into its mobile application or the access page on the internet. Since yesterday, when DeepSeek became the application with the highest number of downloads, it has suffered continuous failures in its registration links. Experts attribute this to various strategies but have not yet identified their origin. Several companies have banned DeepSeek downloads for security reasons. New user registration requires an email address, a secure password, and a verification code that must be sent by the platform within 60 seconds. However, the code either doesnt arrive, or does so after that timeframe has expired. Users who are already registered can use the companys services without any complications. Mensaje de Deepseek en el que advierte de "ataques masivos a gran escala" y que impide el registro de nuevos usuarios. The company justifies this measure by pointing to a large-scale campaign of attacks, of unknown origin. For Marc Rivero, senior security researcher at Kaspersky, the term large-scale malicious attacks can refer to different types of cyberthreats. In this case, since DeepSeek has limited the registration of new users, it is possible that we are facing a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, in which servers are saturated with massive traffic to disrupt their operation. However, it could also be another type of attack, such as massive attempts at unauthorized access or the exploitation of vulnerabilities. Until DeepSeek provides more technical details, it is difficult to confirm the exact nature of the incident, he explains. The attacks came after the free artificial intelligence app, similar to popular apps like ChatGPT and Gemini, became the most downloaded app on both Apple and Googles stores. Its founders, originally from Hangzhou (China), created it in 2023 and launched it just one year later with less expensive requirements than the now-common applications. The emergence of DeepSeek has caused the shares of the tech companies involved in these developments and their necessary equipment, such as Nvidia processors, to plummet on the stock market. The application of low-cost artificial intelligence has made both companies and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump nervous. The Republican magnate announced an alliance of OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank to invest up to $500 billion in artificial intelligence shortly after assuming office. Vivek Ramaswamy, founder of Roviant Sciences and the partner of Elon Musk, owner of X and Tesla, in the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, has called for calm after the esteemed guru of technological investment and creator of Netscape, Marc Andreessen, described the emergence of DeepSeek as a Sputnik moment on X, alluding to the first artificial satellite sent into outer space by the Soviet Union in 1957, during the Cold War, which accelerated the space race. Ramaswamy responded on the same network: Sputnik-like moments are a good thing. We dont need to freak out, we just need to wake up. Trump backed this line by considering the emergence of Chinese AI as a wake-up call, urging the U.S. industry to be laser-focused on competing to win. Javier Aguilera, general manager of Ikusi Spain, an advanced technology services company specializing in digitalization and cybersecurity, attributes the large number of downloads to the Chinese market itself and also to government strategies. In the end, there are underlying political issues that make the needle move more in one direction or another depending on what interests them, he notes. Aguilera highlights DeepSeeks level of refinement, but does not consider it a groundbreaking technology: ChatGPT 03 was already open and available. Anyone on the market can do it. You can take something that is already trained and perfect it. With the subsidies from the Chinese government, it can be done at low cost. The expert is skeptical that the current situation will continue. We are in a complete bubble and everything will go back to normal, he says, before warning that the technology cannot be used blithely. In this regard, the director of Ikusi Spain warns: We know how they play and how they use the information that is uploaded to these engines when the [Chinese] government is behind them. We have clients who are blocking their use because they are afraid that they will glean information. We have no evidence, but we do have experience with applications such as Tiktok or with Chinese equipment supply companies. Its a question of trust and, as a precaution, organizations are going to go for whats safest, secure technologies, he concludes. In this regard, Ericsson has announced the creation of Cognitive Labs to boost open source AI research in advanced technologies such as Graph Neural Networks (GNN), Active Learning, and Large Language Models (LLM). These are technologies that the company is using for the next generation of mobile communications and will have operational centers with virtual access in Madrid, Malaga and Cairo. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Trump says China's DeepSeek AI a 'wake up call' for US Miami, Jan 28 (AFP) Jan 28, 2025 US President Donald Trump said Monday the low-cost Chinese AI model DeepSeek was a "wake up call" for US firms, after its emergence caused a rout in tech shares. "Hopefully, the release of DeepSeek AI from a Chinese company should be a wake up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win," Trump told a Republican congressional retreat in Miami. But Trump said the shock could also be "positive" for Silicon Valley by forcing it to innovate more cheaply. "I would say that could be a positive," Trump said. "So instead of spending billions and billions, you'll spend less, and you'll come up with hopefully the same solution." Trump's comments came after US chip-maker Nvidia, whose semiconductors power the AI industry, led a massacre in tech stocks, losing nearly $600 billion of its market value. The chatbot developed by DeepSeek, a startup based in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, has apparently shown the ability to match the capacity of US AI pace-setters for a fraction of the investments made by American companies. Just last week following his inauguration for a second term, Trump announced a $500 billion venture to build infrastructure for AI in the United States led by Japanese giant SoftBank and ChatGPT-maker OpenAI. Trump warns of 'wake-up call' as low-cost Chinese AI jolts Silicon Valley San Francisco, Jan 28 (AFP) Jan 28, 2025 Fears of upheaval in the AI gold rush rocked Wall Street on Monday following the emergence of a popular ChatGPT-like model from China, with US President Donald Trump saying it was a "wake-up call" for Silicon Valley. Last week's release of the latest DeepSeek model initially received limited attention, overshadowed by the inauguration of Trump on the same day. However, over the weekend, the Chinese artificial intelligence startup's chatbot surged to become the most downloaded free app on Apple's US App Store, displacing OpenAI's ChatGPT. What truly rattled the industry was DeepSeek's claim that it developed its latest model, the R1, at a fraction of the cost that major companies are investing in AI development, primarily on expensive Nvidia chips and software. The development is significant given the AI boom, ignited by ChatGPT's release in late 2022, has propelled Nvidia to become one of the world's most valuable companies. The news sent shockwaves through the US tech sector, exposing a critical concern: should tech giants continue to pour hundreds of billions of dollars into AI investment when a Chinese company can apparently produce a comparable model so economically? DeepSeek's apparent advances were a poke in the eye to Washington and its priority of thwarting China by maintaining American technological dominance. Trump reacted quickly on Monday, saying the DeepSeek release "should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win." He argued that it could be a "positive" for US tech giants, adding: "instead of spending billions and billions, you'll spend less, and you'll come up with hopefully the same solution." The development also comes against a background of a US government push to ban Chinese-owned TikTok in the United States or force its sale. David Sacks, Trump's AI advisor and prominent tech investor, said DeepSeek's success justified the White House's decision to reverse executive orders, issued under Joe Biden, that established safety standards for AI development. The regulations "would have hamstrung American AI companies without any guarantee that China would follow suit," Sacks wrote on X. Adam Kovacevich, CEO of the tech industry trade group Chamber of Progress, echoed the sentiment: "Now the top AI concern has to be ensuring (the United States) wins." Tech investor and Trump ally Marc Andreessen declared "Deepseek R1 is AI's Sputnik moment," referencing the 1957 launch of Earth's first artificial satellite by the Soviet Union that stunned the Western world. "If China is catching up quickly to the US in the AI race, then the economics of AI will be turned on its head," warned Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, in a note to clients. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella took to social media hours before markets opened to argue less expensive AI was good for everyone. But last week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Nadella warned: "We should take the developments out of China very, very seriously." Microsoft, an eager adopter of generative AI, plans to invest $80 billion in AI this year, while Meta announced at least $60 billion in investments on Friday. - 'Outplayed' - Much of that investment goes into the coffers of Nvidia, whose shares plunged a staggering 17 percent on Monday. The situation is particularly remarkable since DeepSeek, as a Chinese company, lacks easy access to Nvidia's state-of-the-art chips after the US government placed export restrictions on them. The esteemed Stratechery tech newsletter and others suggested that DeepSeek's innovations stemmed from necessity, as lacking access to powerful Nvidia-designed chips forced them to develop novel methods. The export controls are "driving startups like DeepSeek to innovate in ways that prioritize efficiency, resource-pooling, and collaboration," wrote the MIT Technology Review. Elon Musk, who has invested heavily in Nvidia chips for his company xAI, suspects DeepSeek of secretly accessing banned H100 chips -- an accusation also made by the CEO of ScaleAI, a prominent Silicon Valley startup backed by Amazon and Meta. But such accusations "sound like a rich kids team got outplayed by a poor kids team," wrote Hong Kong-based investor Jen Zhu Scott on X. In a statement, Nvidia said DeepSeek's technology was "fully export control compliant." Australia says be 'very careful' over DeepSeek and privacy Sydney, Jan 28 (AFP) Jan 28, 2025 Australia's science minister raised privacy concerns over China's breakout AI chatbot DeepSeek on Tuesday, urging users to think carefully before downloading it. Developed by a China-based technology startup, the DeepSeek chatbot has astounded industry insiders and upended financial markets since it was released last week. Praised for its ability to match Western competitors at a fraction of the cost, it has surged to the top of app download charts, displacing market leader ChatGPT. But Australian Science Minister Ed Husic urged caution. "There are a lot of questions that will need to be answered in time on quality, consumer preferences, data and privacy management," Husic told national broadcaster ABC. "I would be very careful about that. These type of issues need to be weighed up carefully." Husic said Chinese companies sometimes differed from Western rivals when it came to user privacy and data management. "The Chinese are very good at developing products that work very well. That market is accustomed to their approaches on data and privacy. "The minute you export it to markets where consumers have different expectations around privacy and data management, the questions is whether those products will be embraced in the same way. "I think you have to be careful, I'm just being completely frank and direct on that." Australia in 2018 banned Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from its national 5G network, citing national security concerns. Google Maps to show 'Gulf of America' to US users Washington, Jan 28 (AFP) Jan 28, 2025 Google has said it will restore the name Mount McKinley to North America's highest peak and rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" on its Maps app, complying with executive orders by Donald Trump. "We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources," a spokesman for the search and tech giant said on Monday. Google said the changes align with its policy of following official US government geographic designations through the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), and will come into effect once the GNIS is updated. Trump signed executive orders changing the names of Denali and the Gulf of Mexico soon after his January 20 swearing in as president. The first change reverses then-president Barack Obama's 2015 decision to officially recognize Denali, the name used by Alaska Natives for centuries for North America's highest peak. The second order renames the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America," with the executive order citing its importance to US oil production, fishing and tourism. The term Gulf of America was soon used by the US Coast Guard in a press release on enforcing Trump's new crackdown on migrants, as well as Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, when discussing a winter storm. The moves have sparked criticism from indigenous groups in Alaska, who have long advocated for maintaining the Denali name, and raised diplomatic concerns with Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has cheekily suggested calling the United States "Mexican America," pointing to a map from before one-third of her country was seized by the United States in 1848. Google noted that users outside the United States will continue to see both the original and new names of the Gulf of Mexico and Denali, as is always the case for disputed locations. Lebanon says Israeli fire kills two as residents try to go home Burj al Muluk, Lebanon, Jan 27 (AFP) Jan 27, 2025 Lebanon's health ministry said Israeli fire killed two people Monday and wounded 17 others in the south, in a second day of violence as residents tried again to return to border villages. The bloodshed, which one analyst said was unlikely to re-spark war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, came hours after the extension of a Sunday deadline for Israeli forces to withdraw from south Lebanon under a November ceasefire deal. The ministry said Israeli fire killed 24 returnees on Sunday. "Israeli enemy attacks as citizens attempt to return to their towns that are still occupied have led... to two dead and 17 wounded," the health ministry said Monday in a statement, updating an earlier toll of one dead. It said the wounded included a child and a rescuer from the Risala Scouts association, affiliated with Hezbollah ally the Amal movement. Under the ceasefire deal that took effect on November 27, the Lebanese military was to deploy in the south alongside United Nations peacekeepers as the Israeli army withdrew over a 60-day period, which ended on Sunday. Hezbollah was also to pull back its forces north of the Litani River -- about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said earlier Monday that Lebanon had agreed to an extension of the ceasefire deal between Hezbollah and Israel until February 18, after the Israeli military missed Sunday's deadline to withdraw. In south Lebanon, residents accompanied by the army were again trying to return to their villages, official media and AFP correspondents reported. In the village of Burj al-Muluk, an AFP photographer saw dozens of men, women and children gathering in the morning behind a dirt barrier, some holding yellow Hezbollah flags, hoping to reach the border town of Kfar Kila, where the Israeli military is still deployed. - 'Bullets don't scare us' - In the city of Bint Jbeil, an access point for many border villages, Hezbollah supporters distributed sweets, water and images of former chief Hassan Nasrallah, who an Israeli air strike killed in September. Others handed out stickers celebrating the "victory from God" as women held pictures of slain Hezbollah fighters. "They think they are scaring us with their bullets, but we lived under the bombing and bullets don't scare us," said Mona Bazzi in Bint Jbeil. The official National News Agency (NNA) said Lebanese "army reinforcements" had arrived near the border town of Mais al-Jabal, where people had started to gather at "the entrance of the town" in preparation for entering alongside the military. It said the Israeli army had "opened fire in the direction of the Lebanese army" near the town, without reporting casualties there. "We waited in a long line for hours, but couldn't enter," said Mohammed Choukeir, 33, from Mais al-Jabal, adding that Israeli troops "were opening fire from time to time on civilians gathered at the entrance of the town". In nearby Hula, the NNA said residents entered "after the deployment of the army in several neighbourhoods". The truce has been marked by accusations of violations from both sides. It came after more than a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, including two months of all-out war. - 'Israel must withdraw' - A source close to Hezbollah told AFP that "seven fighters from Hezbollah were taken prisoner" by Israel before the truce, while four other people were apprehended by the Israeli military on Sunday in south Lebanon border villages. In a televised speech later on Monday, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem reiterated calls for the Israeli military to withdraw from the south. "Israel must withdraw... any consequences of a delay in the withdrawal rests on the United Nations, the United States, France and the Israeli entity," Qassem said. The US and France are part of a mechanism that deals with any violations of the ceasefire. Qassem called for pressure on Israel to adhere to the original terms of the deal, hailing French President Emmanuel Macron's appeal before the latest extension. Macron's office on Saturday said he had called on all parties to honour their commitment to the ceasefire as soon as possible. Qassem warned that, "We are facing an occupation that is aggressive and refuses to withdraw, and the resistance has the right to act as it sees fit." Hilal Khashan, professor of political science at the American University of Beirut, said he did not expect a return to major violence. "Hezbollah no longer wants any further confrontation with Israel. Its goal is to protect its achievements in Lebanon," he told AFP. Lebanon's army said Sunday that it had entered several border areas including Dhayra, Maroun al-Ras and Aita al-Shaab. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee on Monday called again for south Lebanon residents to "wait" before returning. Portugal says to meet NATO defence spend minimum earlier Lisbon, Jan 27 (AFP) Jan 27, 2025 Portugal on Monday said it was ready to bring forward its planned increases on defence spending -- among the lowest in NATO -- to meet the defence alliance's two-percent of GDP minimum before 2029. But neighbouring Spain, bottom of the pile of NATO members' defence spending as a proportion of output, refused to budge on its timeline of hitting the two-percent mark by 2029 during a visit by alliance chief Mark Rutte. Portugal's announcement came after the return to power of US President Donald Trump, who has frequently castigated European members of the alliance for not investing enough in their militaries. The mercurial Republican has in the past thrown into question whether the United States would protect NATO members who did not meet the spending threshold, which he recently suggested should be raised to five percent of GDP. At just 1.55 percent of its 2024 GDP, Portugal's investment in defence places it close to the bottom of the list. Lisbon committed at last summer's NATO summit in Washington to reach the two-percent threshold by 2029. And after a meeting on Monday with Rutte in Lisbon, Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said his country was "ready to bring forward even further the timetable for our trajectory of investment in this area". - 'Security beyond spending' - Montenegro said that decision was made with "current geopolitical circumstances" in mind. However, he denied that Trump's return to the White House had influenced the choice to accelerate Portugal's spending plans. Rutte said he welcomed the increases in the country's defence spending. "But we also know that the goal of two percent, now set a decade ago, will not be enough to meet the challenges of tomorrow," the former Dutch prime minister added. Rutte then travelled to Madrid for talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose country spent just 1.28 percent of its national output on defence in 2024. The Socialist leader told Rutte "Spain is a serious, responsible and committed ally within NATO" and "underlined the firm commitment" to reach two percent by 2029, Sanchez's office said. Spain has boosted its defence investment by 70 percent in the past decade and Sanchez "highlighted that security goes far beyond defence spending", his office added, citing the country's participation in "all of NATO's main missions". Denmark announces $2 bn Arctic security plan Copenhagen, Jan 27 (AFP) Jan 27, 2025 Denmark said Monday that it would spend 14.6 billion kroner ($2 billion) to bolster security in the strategic Arctic region near the United States and Russia. The announcement came after US President Donald Trump said he would "get Greenland", saying the autonomous Danish territory is needed for his country's "international security". The island and its mineral resources have become a prized target while melting ice in the Arctic has opened up new shipping routes around it. "We must face the fact that there are serious challenges regarding security and defence in the Arctic and North Atlantic," Denmark's Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said in a statement. His announcement came ahead of a visit by the country's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to Berlin, Paris and Brussels this week to shore up "European unity" on Greenland. "Europe is facing a serious situation. With war on the continent and shifts in the geopolitical reality. In moments like this, unity is crucial," Frederiksen said in a statement. She said she would meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as well as with Mark Rutte, secretary general of the NATO transatlantic defence alliance. "Denmark is a small country with strong allies. And it is part of a strong European community where together we can meet the challenges we face," Frederiksen said. The revolution in artificial intelligence (AI) models by Chinas DeepSeek is based on one key factor: they do the same thing, but for less. They generally perform just as well as Silicon Valleys market leaders, but they are much less expensive to create and use. OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, the creators of the most famous models, and Nvidia, the company behind the sophisticated chips used by these companies, have seen their apparent advantage collapse in just a few days. Fewer experts today believe that training and using an AI model requires the power of a tech giant. Nvidias monumental stock market crash is an illustration of that belief. DeepSeeks chatbots work the same as any other. Users register with an email and password on the companys website and can start asking it whatever they want. It sometimes takes a little longer to respond, it doesnt always answer sensitive political questions about Tiananmen Square or Taiwan, and it works pretty well in Spanish. The best thing, however, is that its free. DeepSeeks business model is based on charging users who require professional applications. The Chinese companys latest model is R1, which caused the collapse of the Western AI edifice. It reasons in the same way as OpenAIs most advanced creation, o1. But in the middle of the Christmas holidays, the Chinese company launched their V3 model, equivalent to the more common ChatGPT-4, which already included the technical advances that have caused the stir. DeepSeek has taken training a new model from over $100 million for ChatGPT-4 to less than $6 million. Andrej Karpathy, co-founder of OpenAI, former head of AI at Tesla, and one of the most respected experts in the industry, described that budget as a joke and added: You have to ensure that youre not wasteful with what you have, and this looks like a nice demonstration that theres still a lot to get through with both data and algorithms. DeepSeeks latest model is so efficient that it required a tenth of the computing power of Metas comparable model. These AI models are extremely expensive to train and use. DeepSeek has managed to reduce costs in both cases. To train them, it has made its model learn from previous ones. This is something that the terms of service of these companies do not allow, but it is very difficult to detect and avoid. Just as the original OpenAI models took all the data from the internet without paying for it, now a Chinese model uses closed models at a minimum cost. This is achieved with a technique called distillation, which allows it to ask questions of the previous model and save the answers, thus learning and training itself. This technique implies that the models can learn from each other, which throws us into another scenario of even faster and unknown evolution. The other technique DeepSeek uses to cut costs is a system called experts. Every time a user asks a question, the model decides whether to activate its medical expert, translator, lawyer, or physicist. Classic models activate all of them at once, which wastes energy and computing power. Its like needing a huge power plant of your own to run an elaborate assembly line. DeepSeek has done the same thing by connecting its small factory to a power outlet and a handful of generators. Suddenly, users who have been paying around $20 to use OpenAI models can now get almost the same results for free. The expansion of AI is reaching its commoditization stage faster than expected, when new technology becomes a common product accessible to everyone. All this has also taken place in a company in Hangzhou, a city near Shanghai. The Biden administration banned the export of the newest chips to limit Chinese competition. The Asian giants response has been simple: we dont need them. And they have achieved this with open source, showing the guts of their achievements with documentation published on the internet. Making a virtue out of necessity. The end of this early stage of AI appears to be bad news for the pioneering giants, who are witnessing a good part of their advantage disappear. But the other big companies, such as Amazon or Apple, which were not at the forefront of the AI race, can clearly benefit and offer the same benefits as the rest at a fraction of the cost. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Israel arrests two citizens accused of spying for Iran Jerusalem, Jan 27 (AFP) Jan 27, 2025 Israel said Monday that it had arrested two Israelis suspected of spying for Iran, including one accused of handing the country classified information obtained during his military service. It marks the latest in a series of detentions in Israel of people charged with espionage on its arch-foe Iran's behalf since the summer. Israel's internal security service, Shin Bet, and the police reported the arrests of Yuri Eliaspov and Georgi Andreev, both from the north of the country. Israeli media reported that both were reservists in the Israeli military, with Eliaspov suspected of bringing Andreev under Tehran's wing. Eliaspov is accused of having "passed on to his processing officer secret information obtained during his military service in the air defence forces", a joint Shin Bet and police statement said. Both were paid for their work and were fully aware they were working against Israel, the joint statement added. Israel's security rests in large part on its sophisticated air defence system, dubbed the "Iron Dome", which protects it from a large portion of the rockets and projectiles fired by Iran and its allies. Those allies include the Palestinian militant group Hamas, whose October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel sparked the bloody war in Gaza, and neighbouring Lebanon's Islamist militia Hezbollah. In April and October Iran launched two unprecedented direct air assaults on Israel, firing several hundred missiles and drones at the country. Most of the projectiles were intercepted. Iran said the April attack was retaliation for an Israeli air strike on Tehran's embassy in Damascus that killed 16 people. It also claimed the October firings were revenge for the assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, killed in late July in Tehran, and of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut in September. Israel accepted responsibility for killing Haniyeh months after the event. Marshall Islands guards 'treasures' with new marine sanctuary Sydney, Jan 28 (AFP) Jan 28, 2025 Marshall Islands declared on Tuesday its first national marine sanctuary, protecting a "pristine" expanse of tropical Pacific Ocean home to deep-sea sharks and green turtles. Like many Pacific islands, the low-lying Marshall Islands are highly vulnerable to climate change and rising seas, which has placed "extreme pressure" on its biodiversity, the World Bank warned in 2021. It announced Tuesday that it has banned fishing in the waters surrounding two northern isles, an area teeming with vibrant corals, rare giant clams and reclusive deep-sea sharks. "The only way to continue benefiting from the ocean's treasures is to protect it," Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine said in a statement. "I am proud of our country's first marine sanctuary, which certainly won't be its last." The sanctuary lies to the east of Marshall Islands' Bikini Atoll, which the United States bombarded with experimental nuclear bombs throughout the 1940s and 50s. It covers 48,000 square kilometres (18,500 square miles) -- dwarfing Switzerland -- and surrounds the uninhabited atolls of Bikar and Bokak, which are renowned green turtle nesting grounds. "We aim to preserve the ecological integrity of this region to ensure that these two atolls remain pristine for future generations," the country's Marine Resources Authority told AFP in a statement. Conservationist Enric Sala said Marshall Islands was home to some of the healthiest marine ecosystems in the Pacific Ocean. "This new marine sanctuary protects global biodiversity jewels," said Sala, who founded the National Geographic Pristine Seas expedition that surveyed the atolls in 2023. "These pristine atolls are time machines that show us what the ocean was like before humans, and what coral reefs could be in the future if we so wish," he told AFP. The 2023 trip documented "little-known deep-sea communities with potentially new species of fish", a "large abundance of vulnerable species" and "abundant deep-sea sharks". The Marshall Islands -- population 40,000 -- are a chain of coral atolls and volcanic isles lying between the Philippines and Hawaii. Its economy relies heavily on fishing. Non-profit Global Fishing Watch estimates that at least one-third of domestic government revenue comes from tuna alone. Illegal fishing operations have regularly plundered its waters over the years. Marshall Islands in 2011 set aside almost two million square kilometres (750,000 square miles) for what it said was the world's largest dedicated shark sanctuary. Denmark PM seeks European support over Trump's Greenland bid Paris, Jan 28 (AFP) Jan 28, 2025 Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sought to drum up support Tuesday from European leaders over US President Donald Trump's threats to take over Greenland, with visits to Berlin, Paris and Brussels. Trump has signalled his desire for the Arctic island, which is believed to hold large untapped mineral and oil reserves, to become part of the United States. Trump has talked for years about a possible deal to take over the Danish autonomous territory, and told reporters on Saturday he believed the United States would "get Greenland". He has insisted his country needs Greenland for "international security". Frederiksen met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Tuesday. After speaking about Russia's war in Ukraine, Scholz stressed that "borders must not be moved by force" and added the English-language phrase: "To whom it may concern." The chancellor said "the times we live in are challenging" and require a strong Europe and NATO. He stressed that "Denmark and Germany are strong partners and close friends". In Paris, Frederiksen met with French President Emmanuel Macron, before heading to Brussels later in the day to see NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Tuesday's visits followed a weekend Nordic summit where leaders all "shared the gravity of the situation", Frederiksen said. - Denmark boosts Arctic security - Denmark announced Monday that it would spend 14.6 billion kroner ($2 billion) to bolster security in the strategic Arctic region. It said it would send three new frigates to the region, as well as long-distance drones equipped with advanced imaging capabilities. It would also reinforce its satellite capabilities. Greenland lies between the United States and Europe, a region of increasing strategic value as the melting of Arctic sea ice opens up new shipping routes. Officials in the territory, which depends heavily on Denmark for subsidies, have long been pushing for independence but have said they are open to doing business with the US. A day after Trump was sworn in as president, Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede insisted Greenlanders "don't want to be American". In mid-January, Frederiksen reportedly spoke to Trump by telephone, stressing that it was up to Greenland to determine its future. According to European sources cited by the Financial Times, Danish officials described the conversation as "horrendous", and that Trump's interest in Greenland was "serious, and potentially very dangerous". The US president, who has not excluded a possible military intervention to annex the island, reportedly threatened Denmark with tariffs over the issue. The United States is the small Scandinavian country's main export market. - 'Worrying time' - Greenland's trade and justice minister Naaja Nathanielsen told AFP on Monday the Greenlandic people were living through a "worrying time" and were "concerned" about Trump's statements. "As a government our job is not to panic and figure out what the actual demands are," Nathanielsen said. "If it is about military presence, the US has been here for 80 years, we are not opposed to that. If it is about the minerals, it is an open market," she added. But, she warned, "if it is about expansionism, we are a democracy, we are allies and we ask our allies to respect our institutions." The European Union's top military official said Saturday said troops from EU countries could be based in Greenland. "In my view, it would make perfect sense not only to station US forces in Greenland, as is currently the case, but also to consider stationing EU soldiers there," Robert Brieger, chairman of the European Union Military Committee told German newspaper Welt am Sonntag. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot did not rule out the possibility of European troops in Greenland. "Why not, since it is a matter of security," Barrot told Sud Radio on Tuesday. He stressed however that "that is not the wish expressed by Denmark, but it is a possibility." China wants to see US, Russian nuclear disarmament efforts before talks Beijing, Jan 28 (AFP) Jan 28, 2025 China called on Washington and Moscow on Tuesday to "further reduce" their nuclear arsenals as a precondition for its participation in potential disarmament talks called for by US President Donald Trump. Trump said in a video address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last week that "we'd like to see denuclearisation", and reiterated his desire for three-way talks with Russia and China. The day after Trump's Davos address, Russia said it wanted to resume bilateral nuclear disarmament talks "as soon as possible", and that "the ball is in the Americans' court". The former Cold War rivals possess almost 90 percent of the world's nuclear weapons between them, but Moscow pulled out of the last remaining arms control agreement with Washington in 2023 amid a sharp deterioration in relations. "The two nuclear powers with the largest nuclear arsenals should conscientiously fulfil their special... responsibilities for nuclear disarmament," the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement sent to AFP on Tuesday. They must "further substantially reduce their nuclear arsenals, so as to create the necessary conditions for other nuclear-weapon states to join the disarmament process", it said. Beijing says it favours disarmament in principle but has regularly rejected Washington's invitations to join US-Russian talks on reducing their nuclear arsenals. According to 2024 estimates by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the United States has 3,708 nuclear warheads and Russia 4,380, excluding retired warheads. China had 500, 90 more than in 2023. Behind them were France (290) and the UK (225). Beijing reiterated on Tuesday that its arsenal was solely for "self-defence" and that it maintained its nuclear forces "at the minimum level required for national security". Danish PM says received European support over Trump's Greenland bid Paris, Jan 28 (AFP) Jan 28, 2025 Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Tuesday said she had received strong support from Europe as she sought backing to counter US President Donald Trump's threats to take over Greenland. Trump has signalled that he wants the Arctic island -- which is believed to hold large untapped mineral and oil reserves -- to become part of the United States. Despite Trump's fiery rhetoric over the possible use of force or tariffs to annex the Danish autonomous territory, "I have no reason to believe that there is a military threat to Greenland or Denmark," Frederiksen told Danish media before a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels. That meeting followed talks earlier in the day in Berlin and Paris. Following a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, the Danish head of government told reporters she had received "a great deal of support". "This is a very, very clear message... that of course there must be respect for territory and the sovereignty of states," Frederiksen said. Trump has talked for years about a possible deal to take control of the Danish autonomous territory. On Saturday, he told reporters he believed that the United States would "get Greenland", which is located between the United States and Europe in a region of increasing strategic value as the melting of Arctic sea ice opens up new shipping routes. Trump argues his country needs Greenland for "international security". But Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen on Tuesday retorted that "Trump will not have Greenland". "The Greenlandic people are a people, also in the sense of international law," Lokke told reporters. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who met with Frederiksen early Tuesday in Berlin, stressed that "borders must not be moved by force". The chancellor said "the times we live in are challenging" and require a strong Europe and NATO. - 'Gravity of the situation' - Tuesday's visits followed a weekend Nordic summit where leaders all "shared the gravity of the situation", Frederiksen said. Denmark on Monday announced that it would spend 14.6 billion kroner ($2 billion) to bolster security in the Arctic. It said it would send three new frigates to the region, as well as long-distance drones equipped with advanced imaging capabilities. It would also reinforce its satellite capabilities. Officials in Greenland, which depends heavily on Denmark for subsidies, have long been pushing for independence but have said they are open to doing business with the United States. A day after Trump was sworn in as president, Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede insisted that Greenlanders "don't want to be American". In mid-January, Frederiksen reportedly spoke to Trump by telephone, stressing that it was up to Greenland to determine its future. According to European sources cited by the Financial Times, Danish officials described the conversation as "horrendous", and that Trump's interest in Greenland was "serious, and potentially very dangerous". The US president, who has not ruled out a possible military intervention to annex the island, reportedly threatened Denmark with tariffs over the issue. The United States is the small Scandinavian country's main export market. - 'Worrying time' - Greenland's trade and justice minister Naaja Nathanielsen on Monday told AFP that the Greenlandic people were living through a "worrying time" and were "concerned" about Trump's statements. Nathanielsen said that the United States had had a military presence on the island for 80 years and that Greenland was "not opposed to that". But, if Trump's intentions were for "expansionism, we are a democracy, we are allies and we ask our allies to respect our institutions". The European Union's top military official on Saturday said that troops from EU countries could be based in Greenland. "In my view, it would make perfect sense not only to station US forces in Greenland, as is currently the case, but also to consider stationing EU soldiers there," Robert Brieger, chairman of the European Union Military Committee told German newspaper Welt am Sonntag. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also did not rule out the possibility of European troops in Greenland. "Why not, since it is a matter of security," Barrot told Sud Radio on Tuesday. He stressed, however, that "that is not the wish expressed by Denmark, but it is a possibility". Poland to buy over 200 anti-radar missiles from US Warsaw, Jan 28 (AFP) Jan 28, 2025 Poland on Tuesday said it had signed a contract to purchase more than 200 anti-radar missiles from the United States for $745 million as part of its army's modernisation drive. Since Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, NATO-member Poland has accelerated its attempts to bring its armed forces into the 21st century. It has ramped up its military spending and sealed a series of military equipment acquisition deals, mostly with the United States and South Korea. According to a statement from the Polish defence ministry Tuesday's contract is for the delivery of AGM-88G AARGM-ER air-to-surface rockets, fired from fighter jets to target air defence radar systems on the ground. With a range of more than 200 kilometres (125 miles), the weapons will allow the Polish air force's F-16 and upcoming F-35 fighter planes to seek and destroy radar systems from outside the range of the anti-aircraft batteries protecting them. The missiles will be delivered between 2029 and 2035, the defence ministry statement added. Poland will spend 4.7 percent of its output on defence this year, well in excess of the two-percent NATO minimum. Its army numbers 200,000 soldiers, making it the Atlantic alliance's third largest after those of the United States and Turkey and the biggest in the European Union. Iron Dome for America: Trump's missile defense effort Washington, Jan 28 (AFP) Jan 28, 2025 President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to develop plans for a high-tech missile defense shield for the United States. He dubbed the effort "Iron Dome for America" -- a reference to a highly successful system employed by Israel -- but the threats to the US homeland that Trump wants to counter differ from those faced by Washington's close ally. Below, AFP examines Trump's missile defense order and the threats it is meant to counter. - Israel's Iron Dome - Iron Dome is an air defense system that has intercepted thousands of short-range rockets and other projectiles since it went into operation in 2011, providing Israel with crucial cover during times of conflict. Israel initially developed the Iron Dome alone after the 2006 Lebanon War, and was later joined by the United States, which has provided its defense know-how and billions of dollars in financial support for the program. In addition to Iron Dome, Israel has other systems to counter longer-range threats including ballistic missiles. - Missile threats to the US - The United States faces various missile threats from adversaries, but they differ significantly from the short-range weapons that Israel's Iron Dome is designed to counter. The 2022 Missile Defense Review -- the most recent year available -- pointed to growing threats from Russia and China. Beijing is closing the gap with Washington when it comes to ballistic and hypersonic missile technology, while Moscow is modernizing its intercontinental-range missile systems and developing advanced precision-strike missiles, the document said. It also said that the threat of drones -- which have played a key role in the Ukraine war -- is likely to grow, and warned of the danger of ballistic missiles from North Korea and Iran, as well as rocket and missile threats from non-state actors. The United States has gained valuable real-world experience in defending against missiles and drones in recent years. In Ukraine, US systems have been used to counter advanced Russian missiles, while American planes and warships helped defend Israel against Iranian attacks last year and have repeatedly shot down missiles and drones launched at ships by Yemen's Tehran-backed Huthi rebels. - Trump's order - Trump's order calls for the development of a "next-generation missile defense shield" to counter "ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, and other advanced aerial attacks." It gives Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth 60 days to submit plans to defend against aerial attacks from peer, near-peer and rogue adversaries that include the development and deployment of space-based interceptors as well as capabilities for the early defeat of missile attacks. The order also calls for the submission of a plan to fund the initiative before the fiscal year 2026 budget is finalized, for an updated assessment on missile threats to the homeland, and for the submission of a set of locations to progressively defend against attacks by nuclear adversaries, among other steps. - Need for expanded defenses - Chad Ohlandt, a senior engineer at the RAND Corporation, said the Defense Department has already deployed missile defenses for the United States that can protect against a few dozen intercontinental ballistic missiles, as well as more numerous defenses against theater ballistic missiles. He noted that the Ukraine war has shown the vulnerability of infrastructure to long-range strikes, and that the successful defense of Israel from Iranian attacks "demonstrates the benefits of missile defense." "China continues to rapidly expand its conventional and nuclear missile forces," he said, while a number of other countries are developing non-ballistic long-range strike capabilities. "All of these facts support expanding missile defense capabilities." North Korea's Kim vows nuclear programme to continue: KCNA Seoul, Jan 28 (AFP) Jan 28, 2025 Kim Jong Un vowed that North Korea's nuclear programme would continue "indefinitely", state-run media reported Wednesday, days after new US President Donald Trump said he would make renewed diplomatic overtures to the reclusive leader. After inspecting a nuclear-material production facility, Kim also warned of an "inevitable" confrontation with hostile nations and said 2025 would be a "crucial year" for bolstering North Korea's nuclear forces, the KCNA news agency said. "It is our firm political and military stand and invariable noble task and duty to develop the state's nuclear counteraction posture indefinitely," Kim said, according to KCNA. The report, and Kim's nuclear factory visit, follow Pyongyang's test-firing on Saturday of sea-to-surface strategic guided cruise missiles, its first weapons test since Trump returned to the White House on January 20. North Korea says it is seeking nuclear weapons to counter threats from the United States and its allies, including South Korea. The two Koreas remain technically at war since the 1950-1953 conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty. Relations between Pyongyang and Seoul have been at one of their lowest points in years, with the North launching a flurry of ballistic missiles last year in violation of United Nations sanctions. Trump, who had a rare series of meetings with Kim during his first term in office, said in an interview last week that he would reach out to the North Korean leader again, calling Kim a "smart guy". On Wednesday, KCNA said Kim addressed "the world's most unstable situation in which a long-term confrontation with the most vicious hostile countries is inevitable", and that it was "indispensable for the country to steadily strengthen the nuclear shield". Donald Trump is trying to make Chicago, with its Democratic governor and mayor, the spearhead of his promise to deport undocumented migrants en masse. The operation, which began on Sunday, is expected to be expanded in the coming days, with the presence of several Republican administration officials on the ground to guarantee results. The presidents move, however, has been met with the rejection of local officials, who are refusing to cooperate. It has also generated fear among the residents of predominantly immigrant neighborhoods, such as Brighton Park, where asking for directions from the window of an unfamiliar vehicle causes the few pedestrians walking through the dimly lit streets to speed up. Although the target of this first phase of the Republican presidents plan is theoretically illegal aliens with criminal records and pending deportation orders, any immigrant in Brighton Park and other suburban Chicago neighborhoods feels affected. Many children have stopped going to school. On the first day of Trumps term, 400 high school students stayed home, and since then the absenteeism rate has remained at 30 or 40 a day, explains a worker, who asks not to be identified, from the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, an area with 95% Hispanics and 5% Asians and Poles next to the airport, and where the few businesses it is not a thriving area without exception display advertisements in Spanish. The Brighton Park Neighborhood Council is one of the organizations that on Saturday sued U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is running the ongoing search and identification operations across the country. Advocacy groups say the raids are retaliation against the city for its status as a sanctuary city open to immigrants. Indeed, the role of the authorities in Chicago, one of the major cities under Democratic rule to which Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, began sending buses full of migrants in the spring of 2022 to put pressure on Joe Bidens White House, could prove crucial in the course of the operation. Like the states Democratic governor, JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has declared that the citys police are not participating in the macro-operation, despite the threat of reprisals against local and state officials who do not cooperate in the raids, and has urged all residents to know their constitutional rights, a not-so-veiled way of expressing their resistance to persecution. Johnsons position is the polar opposite of that of his New York counterpart, Democrat Eric Adams, who is even open to changing the regulations that have made the city a safe haven for migrants for decades. The support of the mayors office does little to allay the fears of migrants, like the elusive figures who avoided visitors in Brighton Park on Monday at nightfall. Or the neighbors of Yorani, who arrived in the United States from Cuba with temporary protection status, in the Archer Heights neighborhood. They are very restless, those on my floor have not dared to even look out on the landing for days, they do not even go out to buy food. Neither do the children, because schools are no longer a safe place, she explains, in reference to the elimination of protection guarantees by the new administration in places that until now were inviolable, such as educational centers, hospitals, and churches. Yorani avoids commenting on Trumps operation: I dont get involved in politics, you know? Although the truth is, it hurts me, because the plans for family reunification with my son, who is in Cuba, have been put on hold for the moment. The Brighton Park Neighborhood Council has stepped up its advocacy work for immigrants in the community schools, with in-person and also virtual workshops, to explain to minors, and by extension their parents, what their rights are and how they should act, who to call, in case they are arrested by ICE agents. But even residents with papers are worried, because if not them, its more than likely that someone in their family could end up in the crosshairs. Faced with resistance from municipal and state authorities, Trumps so-called border czar, Tom Homan, is personally supervising from Chicago the operation to expel illegal immigrants launched Sunday on a large scale in the U.S., which in its first day resulted in 1,000 arrests and interpellations. Of these, 554 people were detained, according to ICEs X account. On Monday, widespread searches were carried out in New York and New Jersey. After sporadic operations last week, such as a search of a business in Newark (New Jersey) with three detainees, as well as the first deportation flights, such as those that returned about 170 illegal immigrants to Guatemala, ICE reported Sunday that it had added officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ) who theoretically do not have responsibility for enforcing immigration laws to partially alleviate the shortage of immigration police personnel. In addition to the reinforced selective operations the Republican administrations euphemism for the hunt for migrants by ICE in Chicago, searches have also been reported in Atlanta, Puerto Rico, Colorado, Los Angeles, and Austin (Texas). In New Mexico and Arizona, Indigenous leaders have raised the alarm over the arrest of 15 members of their communities. A service at Starting Point Community Church, which serves members of the immigrant community, in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday. Vincent Alban (REUTERS) The participation of several federal agencies including those under the Department of Homeland Security, such as ICE, and those of the Department of Justice confirms the dimension of the operation, repeatedly promised by Trump during the election campaign and enshrined last Monday in the first executive orders he signed after assuming power. Officials from the various DOJ agencies have been granted additional powers to carry out searches and arrests, due to threats to public safety and national security, according to ICE officials, posed by the presence of undocumented immigrants with criminal records on the streets. It is estimated that 11 million illegal immigrants live in the United States, and we will deport as many as we can. If youre in the country illegally, you got a problem, Homan threatened Sunday. A key question will be how the Republican administration manages the vital presence of thousands of undocumented immigrants who work in agriculture, and on whom the sectors functionality depends. Tom Homan speaks at a facility on the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas, on November 26, 2024. Eric Gay (AP) Homan has avoided talking about migrants as much as possible, instead referring to criminals who pose a threat to U.S. security. For the border czar, there are no macro-raids underway, but rather a criminal operation, he stressed in statements to CNN. He is supported in Chicago by the acting deputy attorney general, Emil Bove. Each ICE precinct in the U.S. there are 25 across the country will be required to make at least 75 arrests a day under the new quotas, which would exceed last years volume. In the last fiscal year, which ended in September, ICEs removal department made 113,431 administrative arrests, which equates to about 310 arrests a day in total. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition 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 They pray, eat, receive a fresh change of clothes, shower and leave. As of this week, migrants who arrive at the Christian El Buen Pastor church in Mesa, Arizona, after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border without a visa, can only stay a few hours, barely enough to buy a bus or plane ticket and continue on their way. We want them to leave the same day if possible, says Pastor Hector Ramirez. Every Thursday he receives a van with migrants released from the ICE detention center, located in Eloy, an hour by road from the church. Previously, they could stay overnight. But since President Donald Trump gave carte blanche to detain migrants in places of worship, schools, and hospitals, which used to be off-limits to raids, the pastor does not want anyone to linger so as not to risk being arrested. Half of the congregation are also undocumented people, some of whom have been in the United States for decades, and out of fear of being arrested they have stopped going to church. The strategy of care has changed a lot because we have fewer volunteers. There were volunteers who do not have documents and are afraid to come. They no longer want to help now that [sheriffs and immigration agents] can enter the churches without permission and ask anyone for information, says the pastor, who has been helping asylum seekers arriving in the city for seven years. We do not want to put them at risk in view of the fact that at some point, the police could arrive and start asking for documents, he added in a telephone interview with EL PAIS. In addition there are local residents, some of whom, even before Trump took power for the second time, had reported the churchs activities to the police on two occasions: They begin to spread rumors that people are staying overnight, that we are protecting them, and we do not want to take that risk. There are those who do not like people from other countries coming because they think they may be criminals. Hearing the news, they become racist, even if they are Hispanic or from any other nation, and they turn against the migrants who are arriving. Another measure that the El Buen Pastor church has taken is to resume religious services via Zoom and Facebook Live, which began during the pandemic. We put the members of the congregation at risk by asking them to come to the church; I would prefer that they do not come. Like Ramirez, religious and spiritual leaders across the country are considering new strategies to help undocumented people in their communities, while condemning the intrusion of ICE agents into their places of worship. Pastor Edgar Vasquez is part of a new task force created by the United Methodist Church to address immigration issues, from public statements to organizing resources to serve communities. For him, claiming that churches, schools, and hospitals harbor criminals without visas to be in the U.S. is false: I take it as an attack, as an accusation against the churches that have provided sanctuary shelters, which has been a Christian tradition in the United States since the 1970s. A place of religious worship is a safe place for a person who is living under persecution, political oppression, said the pastor, who now serves a congregation in Yuma, Arizona, about 30 miles from the border with Mexico, where the population is a mix of active military personnel and veterans with immigrant families who have worked the lettuce fields for generations. During Trumps first administration, Pastor Vasquez experienced the immigration raids that were carried out in North Carolina and remembers how, in 2019, there were undocumented parents who asked him to assume legal powers over the custody of their property and the custody of their children in case they were deported. It is very sad and unfortunate to see how the most powerful country in the world is using its vast resources, and the army, to persecute immigrant communities. And what is not measured is the impact at the family level, at the level of the social fabric that the communities form. That is incalculable collateral damage and they dont care, says the pastor. Migrants listen to Pastor Ramirez speak about the new policy of the Trump administration, on January 23. LILIANA SALGADO (REUTERS) Last week, during Trumps interfaith inaugural service at Washington National Cathedral, Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde asked the president to have mercy on undocumented immigrant workers, who are the workforce that powers many industries in the United States. 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 upon the people in our country who are scared now, the prelate told Trump, alluding to his belief that he had been saved from an assassination attempt by divine intervention. But the president, who by that time had already issued several executive orders to tighten immigration policies, criticized the sermon later from the White House: It wasnt very exciting, was it? I dont think it was a good service. They could have done a lot better, the president replied as he walked with his team to the Oval Office. Pope Francis has also criticized Trumps plans for mass deportations. If it is true, it will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor wretches who have nothing to pay the unpaid bill. It wont do. This is not the way to solve things, the leader of the Catholic Church said during an interview with Italian television. A decade ago he also said Trump was not a Christian for wanting to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspects Ministry of Transport work for the Spring Festival travel rush in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday emphasized the need to safeguard safe, smooth travel for the public during the Spring Festival travel rush, as well as the efficient operations of transport logistics. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when inspecting Ministry of Transport work for the holiday travel season. The Spring Festival travel season is a time when happy journeys are made for families to come together, and this year's travel rush is expected to hit a record high number of such journeys, posing another test for the country's transport system, Li said. He urged smooth, efficient passenger transport based on the scientific analysis of passenger flow patterns. Adjustments should be made to increase the number of train services, optimize schedules, and extend operating hours, allowing travelers to reach their destinations in a timely manner, Li said. China has recently experienced widespread rain, snow and cold weather, significantly impacting transport, he noted, calling for work to monitor weather changes, provide forecast and warning information through multiple channels, and stay prepared to respond to emergencies to minimize the impact of severe weather on public travel. After he was briefed on foreign trade and express logistics services at ports during the holiday travel rush, Li said that efficient port cargo transportation is a significant advantage for China's foreign trade, and that it is important to maintain effective port logistics to ensure the timely delivery of overseas orders during the holiday. He highlighted the country's smooth logistics network, urging express delivery firms to allocate labor and transport resources effectively to meet the basic delivery service needs of the public. Efforts should be made to ensure the supply of essential materials during the peak travel period, such as food, coal for electricity and heating, and holiday necessities, he said. KYODO NEWS - Jan 28, 2025 - 19:16 | All, Japan The Japanese government recommended on Tuesday ancient capitals located in current-day Nara Prefecture, western Japan, as candidates for UNESCO's World Heritage list to be inscribed in 2026. The government is seeking the recognition of 19 assets, including ruins of imperial palaces and burial mounds, from the period between the late 6th century and early 8th century. The "Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara" site is a testament to "how the centralized administrative framework was formed during East Asia's ancient state establishment period," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Keiichiro Tachibana said in a press conference Tuesday. A U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization advisory panel is expected to conduct an on-site survey around this fall, and a session of the World Heritage Committee, to be convened in the summer of 2026, will discuss whether to approve the listing. Related coverage: Japan governors push to have hot spring culture recognized by UNESCO KYODO NEWS - Jan 28, 2025 - 20:41 | All, Japan A man charged with the 2019 fatal arson attack on a Kyoto Animation Co. studio has dropped his appeal to overturn his death sentence, a Japanese high court said Tuesday, finalizing the verdict over one of the country's worst mass-murders. Shinji Aoba, 46, was sentenced to death by the Kyoto District Court in January 2024 for the attack that killed 36 people at the internationally famous animation production studio, after the court found him mentally competent to be held accountable for his crimes. The defense team for Aoba, and subsequently the defendant himself, appealed the death sentence. But Aoba withdrew his appeal on Monday, according to the Osaka High Court, where the trial was set to take place. In Japan, there have been cases in the past in which the validity of a defendant's withdrawal of an appeal is contested by the defense lawyers. Aoba's defense team has not made a statement regarding the latest development. A lawyer for Kyoto Animation, Daisuke Okeda, declined to comment, saying that the company cannot respond unless the "situation has been settled." According to the ruling by the Kyoto District Court, Aoba entered the Kyoto Animation studio's premises at around 10:30 a.m. on July 18, 2019, where 70 employees were working. He set the building on fire with gasoline, killing 36 people and injuring another 32. As Aoba had confessed to his role in the incident, the focus of the trial had been whether he could be declared mentally competent and thus held criminally responsible. The defendant said he carried out the attack under the belief that Kyoto Animation plagiarized a novel he entered in a contest run by the firm. His defense team had sought an acquittal or lesser sentence, arguing Aoba was not of sound mind and was suffering from delusions. The Kyoto District Court acknowledged in its ruling that Aoba did suffer from a delusional disorder, but that his conduct was little affected by it. He was expected to contest his criminal liability at his appeal trial. Kyoto Animation, often referred to as "KyoAni," is known worldwide for producing hit anime works including "K-On!" and "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya." Relatives of the victims remain angry at the defendant, with some questioning the reasoning behind him withdrawing his appeal. "I was uncertain about the future and worried about how long this was going to last. It still doesn't feel satisfying, but there's some sense of relief," said the 74-year-old grandfather of Megumu Ono, who was killed in the fire when she was 21. While Aoba said he "felt sorry" toward the end of the trial, the grandfather has thought it was far from an apology. Ono's grandmother has struggled with resentment, questioning why Aoba is still alive when she prays for Megumu every morning and night. Another bereaved family member wondered what change of heart happened in Aoba, saying, "Is it his way of showing an apology?" Related coverage: Kyoto Animation marks 5 years since fatal arson attack Man sentenced to death over 2019 Kyoto Animation arson that killed 36 KYODO NEWS - Jan 28, 2025 - 23:00 | All, Japan, World The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Kyoto anime arsonist's death penalty finalized as appeal dropped OSAKA - A man charged with the 2019 fatal arson attack on a Kyoto Animation Co. studio has dropped his appeal to overturn his death sentence, a Japanese high court said Tuesday, finalizing the verdict over one of Japan's worst mass-murders. Shinji Aoba, 46, was sentenced to death by the Kyoto District Court in January 2024 for the attack that killed 36 people at the internationally famous animation production studio, after the court found him mentally competent to be held accountable for his crimes. ---------- SBI Shinsei Bank to pay back 100 billion yen of gov't bailout funds TOKYO - Japan's SBI Shinsei Bank said Tuesday it will pay back 100 billion yen ($644 million) it received in a government bailout by the end of March, with an eye to relisting separately from its parent company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. SBI Shinsei is the only major Japanese lender that has not fully paid back public money owed from the time when its predecessor, the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, collapsed in 1998 in the wake of the bursting of Japan's economic bubble. ---------- Weekly corrects story on Fuji TV official's role in TV host scandal TOKYO - A Japanese weekly magazine said Tuesday it has corrected its December story claiming a Fuji Television Network Inc. official invited a woman to a gathering that allegedly led to sexual misconduct by former TV host Masahiro Nakai. Shukan Bunshun said it discovered that the woman was invited by Nakai, best known as a member of the now-defunct pop group SMAP, to a June 2023 gathering where alleged nonconsensual sexual activity occurred, lea ---------- Japan recommends ancient capitals in Nara Pref. for UNESCO listing TOKYO - The Japanese government recommended on Tuesday ancient capitals located in current-day Nara Prefecture, western Japan, as candidates for UNESCO's World Heritage list to be inscribed in 2026. The government is seeking the recognition of 19 assets, including ruins of imperial palaces and burial mounds, from the period between the late 6th century and early 8th century. ---------- Japan to require farmer action if key food supplies drop by 20% TOKYO - Japan is set to implement a policy enabling the government to instruct farmers to submit production increase plans if domestic supplies of rice and other key items drop by 20 percent or more and cause a surge in prices, a draft of the document showed Tuesday. The measure for mitigating crises was presented by the farm ministry at a committee meeting of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party amid global instability in food production caused by factors such as abnormal weather and the Ukraine war. ---------- Gov't, Keidanren aim to double investment to 200 tril. yen by FY 2040 TOKYO - The government and Japan's biggest business lobby Keidanren said Monday they plan to double the country's capital expenditures to 200 trillion yen ($1.3 trillion) in fiscal 2040 from its level in fiscal 2023, as they seek to expand investment in growth areas such as decarbonization and digitalization. "The government and the private sector need to work hand in hand" to make the newly set goal a reality, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in a meeting held at the prime minister's office. ---------- Zambia President Hichilema to visit Japan for 1st time on Mon. TOKYO - Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema will visit Japan from next Monday to Feb. 7 for the first time and hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to strengthen bilateral ties, the Japanese government said Tuesday. During his official working visit, the president is also scheduled to meet with Japanese Emperor Naruhito. ---------- Large sinkhole swallows truck near Tokyo, man trapped SAITAMA, Japan - A large sinkhole swallowed a truck Tuesday after appearing at an intersection near Tokyo, with fire authorities working through the day to rescue a trapped man believed to be the driver. Police received an emergency call at around 9:50 a.m. after the sinkhole, about 10 meters in width and 6 meters in depth, opened up in the ground in Yashio, Saitama Prefecture. Video: Bean-throwing event at Wakayama temple KYODO NEWS - Jan 27, 2025 - 21:46 | All, Japan The government and Japan's biggest business lobby Keidanren said Monday they plan to double the country's capital expenditures to 200 trillion yen ($1.3 trillion) in fiscal 2040 from its level in fiscal 2023, as they seek to expand investment in growth areas such as decarbonization and digitalization. "The government and the private sector need to work hand in hand" to make the newly set goal a reality, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in a meeting held at the prime minister's office. Ishiba emphasized that the government is making efforts to attract investments worth over 50 trillion yen in areas such as semiconductors and to increase productivity. Capital spending in the country stood at about 102 trillion yen in fiscal 2023. Masakazu Tokura, the head of the Japan Business Federation, explained in the meeting that the country's nominal gross domestic product will expand to 1,000 trillion yen in fiscal 2040 from currently roughly 600 trillion yen if a nominal growth rate of around 3 percent is sustainably achieved and necessary reforms in the economy and social security are properly implemented. Under such conditions, capital expenditures will grow 4 percent yearly to reach 200 trillion yen in fiscal 2040 from the previously set goal of 115 trillion yen in fiscal 2027, said the group. "We ask for the government's powerful support to stimulate the private sector's investment enthusiasm," Tokura said. The government and Keidanren also said they will bring the capital expenditures up to 135 trillion yen in fiscal 2030. The government and the organization expect areas such as chips, electric vehicles and artificial intelligence, in particular, to lift the total investment. In its own forecast, the government had projected capital expenditures would reach 107 trillion yen in fiscal 2024 and 111 trillion yen in fiscal 2025. Related coverage: FOCUS: Japan economy likely to grow in 2025 but Trump tariffs cast shadow Japan drops mantra of reducing nuclear dependency in new draft plan Romania's Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu on Monday participated in a meeting in Brussels of the heads of the EU diplomacy, the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), reiterating support for Ukraine's sovereignty, integrity and independence and underscoring the importance of continuing the EU's multidimensional support for Ukraine. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry (MAE), Hurezeanu pointed to the need to speed up military support for Ukraine, including support under the European Peace Facility/EPF and adjusting the mandate of the EU Military Assistance Mission/EUMAM to meet the requirements on the ground. He also voiced support for the need to keep up pressure on Russia and prepare the 16th package of restrictive measures to be adopted three years since the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. He reaffirmed Romania's support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and said that any peace talks must involve both Kyiv and its neighbours participating in efforts to support Ukraine. He also reiterated Romania's support for the European path of Ukraine and Moldova. Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Hurezeanu welcomed the agreement between Israel and Hamas on the ceasefire and the release of a number of hostages. He voiced support for the redeployment of the EUBAM Rafah mission, which will contribute to an improvement in the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He underlined the importance of a constant dialogue with both sides and voiced support for the organisation of the EU-Israel Association Council, as well as the high-level political dialogue with the Palestinian Authority. He also reiterated his firm support for the two-state solution. Regarding the situation in Syria, the Romanian foreign minister pointed to the need for a peaceful and inclusive political transition that would ensure Syria's territorial integrity and protect the fundamental rights of all Syrians, including ethnic and religious minorities. At the same time, he voiced support for a gradual and reversible easing of sanctions, depending on further developments in Syria. Regarding the situation in Lebanon, he welcomed the election of a new president and the appointment of a new prime minister, voicing support for institutional consolidation and reconstruction of the country. Regarding the EU-US relations, the importance of maintaining a robust transatlantic relationship, essential in the current geopolitical context, was underlined. The EU must have a coordinated approach in the dialogue with the new administration in Washington, including in terms of securing solid transatlantic support for Ukraine and increasing the resilience of Moldova. Regarding Moldova, the Romanian minister highlighted the fact that Russia weaponises energy to achieve its political interests and mentioned Romania's constant support, both through the supply of electricity and gas, and through the constant advocacy, at EU level, for an increase in European and member states' support for Moldova. He welcomed the European Commission's announcement of an additional EUR 30 million in financial support for the management of the energy crisis. On the sidelines of the FAC meeting, Hurezeanu attended an informal dinner with the leader of the Belarusian opposition, Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya. He pointed out that, like the 2020 elections, the presidential election in Belarus on January 26, 2025 can be considered neither free nor democratic, as the minimum requirements were not met. He encouraged the maintenance of the unity of the Belarusian opposition in exile and highlighted Romania's active involvement in supporting civil society, independent media and the Belarusian political opposition. Hurezeanu participated in an informal breakfast on the hybrid threats facing Europe, especially from Russia, and had an exchange of views with his counterparts on ways to strengthen EU action to prevent and deter them. At the same time, on the sidelines of the FAC meeting, the head of the Romanian diplomacy had brief meetings with his counterpart from the Netherlands, Caspar Veldkamp, with Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, and with Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braze. The discussion with his Dutch counterpart, Caspar Veldkamp, focused on the importance of the closest possible cooperation, through the relevant authorities, to solve the theft of Romanian artefacts from the Drents Museum in Assen. Hurezeanu highlighted the importance of recovering the stolen artefacts as soon as possible, highlighting their exceptional cultural and historical relevance for the Romanian heritage. Veldkamp gave assurances over the support of the Dutch authorities for the identification of the perpetrators and the recovery of the treasure. In his conversation with Spain's Albares, Hurezeanu appreciated the dynamism of cooperation with the Spanish side under a strategic partnership, with emphasis on coordination on topics of common interest on the European agenda. Discussed at the meeting with Latvian Minister Baiba Braze were the developments in bilateral relations and the importance of the opening, last year, of the Romanian Embassy in Riga, which building will be soon inaugurated. At the same time, the two ministers discussed the national and European approaches in combating hybrid threats, as well as support for Moldova and Ukraine in their accession to the European Union. AGERPRES special correspondent Daniel Florea reports: Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election gives an extraordinarily important boost to conservative movements, said the president of National Leadership Council (CNC) of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), MEP Claudiu Tarziu. Claudiu Tarziu is taking part in the debate "Defending Western Values in the European Parliament", organized by the EP group of Conservatives and Reformists as part of the international conference "Make Europe Great Again (MEGA)", an event taking place in Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday. "The change of administration at the White House is helping us a lot, we are getting a tremendous boost. The European leaders have seen that the people have an extraordinarily great instinct, a good instinct, an instinct of conservation and that they are counting on the rebirth of the conservative movement, and Donald Trump's victory in the presidential elections in the United States, as I said, gives a boost to the entire international movement along these lines. We sincerely believe that through such events we get to know each other better and, more than that, we manage to find concrete ways of working together, because there is a long distance from theory to practice, but time is running out. We need to act swiftly, we need to act now, but, of course, ahead of every political action there is political thinking. In today's event we are once again expressing that conservative political thinking that governs our political action. And, as you have seen, the participants are enthusiastic, they participate with pleasure in this event, it is not one that they tick off or a boring one, attended for show that and that is why we are very happy that at our initiative, the political group to which we belong in the European Parliament, the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, has agreed to organize these debates under the generous title: Let's make Europe great again!," Claudiu Tarziu told the Romanian press present at the event on Tuesday. He was asked whether the AUR representatives discussed Romania's current problems with their ECR partners. "First of all, we were happy to see that our allies, our partners in international political action, the conservatives, have not been swayed by the propaganda that has been carried out in Romania, and from there with ramifications into the whole world, against democracy, against freedom, against freedom of speech, against the rule of law. Because this is what happened in Romania, since the coup d'etat of December 6, we have seen an aggressive propaganda against what makes Romania a state based on the rule of law, a member state in the EU and NATO. Very few people have noticed this, we are delivering blows at our national interest precisely from the perspective that we say we are defending, namely that of our belonging to the civilized world, to international organizations that offer us a framework for peace and prosperity. All our European and American colleagues have realized the falsity of this propaganda, have disavowed it, have exposed it in their own countries, and here they have assured us, once again, of their important support," said Claudiu Tarziu. He explained that the support to which he referred is shown not only at the level of the European Parliament, but also in the national parliaments of the countries that the ECR members represent, "where governments become aware of the situation in Romania". "These governments, in their turn, can take a stand and can help put Romania back on the democratic path," Tarziu emphasized. He pointed out during the panel titled "EU and the Western Hemisphere - Cultural Ties, Economic Development and Democratic Cooperation" that "the values of the free world have in common elements such as competition, the winning spirit, unwavering faith, and the ambition to overcome any obstacle". "And none of those who have achieved performance in the West has not received laurels for nothing, without effort, without proving their enterprising spirit, without risking, without working tirelessly. No one has ever gotten anything for free, no explorer, no inventor or leader, no person of culture who has really achieved performance and who has been, has reached a high level only by ambition, by courage, by talent, by intelligence and by hard work. Today, we look around and see that we have come to live in a world that no longer values all of these, neither ambition, nor courage, nor competition. Here, too, an equalization is sought, between those who have certain gifts from nature, from God, and those who do not. Today we have come to live in a world of privilege and arbitrariness, in other words, a world that is the exact opposite of the one we want," said Tarziu. In this context, he accused that freedom of expression is now "only the right of a citizen to agree with the regime's dogmas, and censorship has reached a level that would make the communist dictators of the 1950s envious." Minister of Foreign Affairs Emil Hurezeanu had on Tuesday separate meetings in Brussels with EC Executive Vice-President Roxana Minzatu, and with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, highlighting on the occasion the security situation in the Black Sea and the need to support Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry said in a release. At the meeting with the European Commission's Executive Vice-President for Social rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness Roxana Minzatu, the foreign minister discussed a series of files of relevance to the current European agenda for maintaining support for the EU enlargement process, continuing support for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, developing a strategic vision for the Black Sea, promoting convergence and cohesion goals in the negotiations on the future post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, or consolidating European action on defense. Resilience aspects were also approached in the perspective of the EU Preparedness Strategy that Roxana Minzatu will coordinate. At the meeting with Marta Kos, Emil Hurezeanu approached topics such as the European Union enlargement process, the Republic of Moldova and the complex situation at the Black Sea. The Romanian top diplomat welcomed the European Commission's recent announcement regarding the grant of an EUR 30 million emergency assistance package for the Republic of Moldova, a first step of a broader EU approach to support the country amid the current energy crisis. Also, Minister Emil Hurezeanu cautioned that, with Moldova's approaching 2025 parliamentary election, Russia's hybrid actions against Chisinau will intensify, and the democratic administration needs strengthened European support and that of the member states to increase its resilience in the face of these attacks. With regard to the enlargement process, the foreign minister stressed that EU accession remains a key instrument for projecting stability, peace and security in Europe, and that enlargement must continue based on the merits of each of the partners, which requires determination in implementing irreversible reforms in all areas. The two officials also had a brief exchange of views on the status and accession prospects of each EU candidate state. Regarding the European path of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, Minister Emil Hurezeanu thanked the European Commission for presenting the screening reports on the first thematic group of chapters (Cluster 1), which show that both states have made progress in the reform process, and expressed hope that accession negotiations will open during the Polish Presidency of the EU Council. In the context of the Black Sea geopolitical and security developments, Hurezeanu emphasized the need for a more ambitious EU approach to this region, including by developing a dedicated strategy, which could have connectivity and security as its main pillars. AGERPRES Foreign Affairs Minister Emil Hurezeanu had a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Tuesday, in Brussels, during which he emphasized the importance of a robust allied presence on the Eastern Flank and the need to combat disinformation. "A good first meeting between Foreign Affairs Minister Emil Hurezeanu and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Romania is a strong ally in the Black Sea, contributing to the security of our Alliance. A robust NATO presence on the Eastern Flank is imperative. Romania has been by Ukraine's side from day one [of the war - editor's note] and will play an active role in the future of this country. Strengthening the resilience of our partners, especially the Republic of Moldova, and combating disinformation remain priorities. Romania is aware that the amount of defence spending must be proportionate to the current threats," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) said on the X platform. According to a MAE press release, the agenda of the talks included security developments on the Eastern Flank, with a focus on the Black Sea region, and the further strengthening of Allied deterrence and defence. Russia's malignant actions against the Allies and some partners and their impact on Euro-Atlantic security were addressed. "Disinformation activities are part of a well-known toolbox, to which the Allies and the Alliance must respond in a coordinated manner by strengthening resilience," the Romanian ministry showed. Romania's commitment to multidimensional support for Ukraine was reiterated, context in which minister Emil Hurezeanu expressed his interest for Romania to actively participate in the discussions on Ukraine's future. The two officials also discussed the need to strengthen NATO's support for partners, in particular the Republic of Moldova, which is constantly exposed to Russia's destabilizing actions. Minister Hurezeanu emphasized Romania's contribution to Euro-Atlantic security and the deep commitment of the Romanian society to democratic values. The head of Romanian diplomacy thanked the Secretary General for the Alliance's solidarity with Romania. AGERPRES AGERPRES special correspondent Daniel Florea reports: George Simion, Chairman of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) and Vice-President of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Party, says that the solution to further preserving freedom of expression is not banning social networks, but for political decision-makers and social network owners to find ways so that provocative content is stopped while allowing freedom of expression to continue. The AUR Chairman participates in the debate "Defending Western Values in the European Parliament", organized by the EP group of Conservatives and Reformists as part of the international conference "Make Europe Great Again (MEGA)", an event taking place in Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday. "As the leader of Romania's main opposition party, which, as you know, was affected by the unjustified cancellation of the December presidential election, I must say that no evidence to support this decision was presented to the Romanian or international public. Yesterday, the Venice Commission clearly said that you cannot cancel elections without presenting any evidence to the public. Therefore, after today's conference with the ECR Group and all the other events organized these days in Brussels, we will mount a symbolic protest in front of the European Parliament, at Place de Luxembourg. If any of the international guests would like to participate, the protest will take place tomorrow at 15:00 p.m. We invite you to symbolically profess your support for democracy, freedom of expression and the Romanian people, who are now irate at a regime that does not understand the democratic transition of power," George Simion declared. He accused the social networks' censorship of the representatives of the conservative movement. "Just like you and the entire conservative movement around the world, we have been censored on social media. (...) The solution isn't to ban social media, to stop people from using it, because you cannot stop democracy. Communication today is no longer one-way. People communicate with each other, they organize themselves, and the so-called 'populists' are, in fact, the most popular politicians in their countries. Donald Trump rode to victory using social media. (...) We can speak directly to the people, without spending huge amounts on TV networks that turn a blind eye to objectivity and that only channel the voice of their bosses. We, sovereignists, patriots, conservatives, don't want to be overlords. Our only lord is God. And we use social media to communicate directly with the people. My call on you is that in your work in the European Parliament and your national parliaments, whether we are talking about Paraguay, Argentina, Canada, the United States or Mexico, you discuss with the owners of social platforms to find solutions to combat misleading content and incitement, but to preserve freedom of expression and, in general, to fight together for freedoms," Simion said. He stressed that the MEGA Conference in Brussels has participants from 25 of the 27 EU countries attending, and suggested as next steps the creation of "a wave of Make Europe Great Again events, starting in January, right at the European Parliament, until December 2025 - from Asuncion to Buenos Aires, from Nicosia to Athens." "We must all unite in a historic movement. We must work together - national and European parties, MEPs and NGOs. (...) There is a clear need for debate. (...) I want our network and our people to be united. (...) We need a golden age for Europe. Some say that Europe is an old continent and that it's over and done with. I believe in our future. I believe in a united Europe, with partners from all countries inside and outside the European Union," Simion also declared. The AUR Chairman thanked Elon Musk for his messages of support, over the past two years, for "the fight for freedom and the freedom of expression." The second edition of the MEGA Conference has on its agenda the main challenges facing Europe and the entire world in this period, crucial challenges on which our very future and that of our children depends, AUR stated in a press briefing prior to the event. The conference brings together hundreds of high-profile personalities, such as representatives of the European Parliament, members of national European and American parliaments, intellectuals and influencers from the conservative milieu. KYODO NEWS - Jan 28, 2025 - 18:03 | All, Japan Japan is set to implement a policy enabling the government to instruct farmers to submit production increase plans if domestic supplies of rice and other key items drop by 20 percent or more and cause a surge in prices, a draft of the document showed Tuesday. The measure for mitigating crises was presented by the farm ministry at a committee meeting of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party amid global instability in food production caused by factors such as abnormal weather and the Ukraine war. The policy, which specifies the implementation of a food supply emergency measures law passed last June, is set to be approved by the Cabinet in line with the enactment of the new law on April 1. As failing to comply with instructions for planning or reporting will result in penalties, the law's effective implementation will require the understanding of farmers on specific operational measures. In addition to rice, the 12 items designated in a government ordinance to be subject to the law include dairy products, livestock products, soybeans, wheat and sugar. Emergency measures will not be required if supply can be supplemented through imports, even if domestic production declines. Related coverage: Japan 2024 rice production expected to exceed demand, ease shortages Japan's August rice price soars 23% on summer heat, quake-warning Japan's rice inventory hits record low as tourism boom boosts demand Romania will request approximately 800 million euros from the European Commission this year, as a European contribution, for projects related to the 2014-2020 programming period, according to a memorandum adopted by the Government on Tuesday. The executive informs in a press release that the memorandum aims to approve the forecasts for 2025 regarding the EU contribution related to the 2014-2020 financial programming period. "Romania will request from the European Commission, this year, approximately 800 million euros, European contribution, for projects related to the 2014-2020 programming period. This is the estimate made by the Ministry of Finance, based on information transmitted by the institutions that manage European programmes. These estimates will be transmitted to the European Commission by January 31, 2025, according to European regulations," informs the Executive. The Government specifies that, regarding the 2021-2027 programming period, a new information is to be made. The International Holocaust Remembrance Day was marked on Monday evening at the Aachavas Rheim Synagogue in Oradea with the opening of a photography exhibition by American photojournalist Daniel Owen, entitled "The Jews of Oradea." The event took place in the presence of the American photojournalist at the Aachavas Rheim Synagogue, located on Primariei Street, a tourist attraction that, after its rehabilitation, houses the Museum of the Jews of Oradea and Bihor, managed by the Foundation for the Protection of Historical Monuments in Bihor (Oradea Heritage). The 29 selected works, chosen from hundreds of photographs, capture the faces, portraits, and life sequences of Jewish survivors of the Holocaust from Oradea, as well as images depicting religious life, community activities, and Jewish heritage, particularly synagogues and cemeteries. The photographs were taken in collaboration with the Jewish Community of Oradea between 2013 and 2016 and later published, accompanied by an article titled "The Jews of Oradea" in The New York Times. During this period, the American photojournalist conducted several interviews with members of the city's Jewish community, including eight interviews with Holocaust survivors. The opening speech was given by Alex Chira, the director of the Oradea and Region Tourism Promotion Association (Visit Oradea), who said that "for each of us, these commemorations, these reminders, should be daily," with the mission of this museum primarily being education and community awareness. "Let us not forget, even for a moment, the horrors of the past, especially in the current context, where antisemitic manifestations have increased worldwide," he said. He then quoted from the book of historian Antonio Faur, 'The Ghetto of Oradea 1944,' mentioning the number of 30,288 Jewish residents of Bihor County who were deported to death camps. An estimated 6,500 returned to their hometown. Today, only one Holocaust survivor remains alive in Oradea. The exhibition's creation and its significance were also discussed by Jano Ierina, the person in charge of the Aachavas Synagogue, who invited the public to visit the museum's second floor, dedicated entirely to the Holocaust. Following her, Paul Spitzer, the secretary of the Jewish Community of Oradea, spoke, and finally, Daniel Owen, the photographer, shared his thoughts. The organisers requested the audience to observe a moment of silence after the speakers' interventions, as a sign of respect. "We do not blame the people of Heine, Goethe, we have nothing against intellectuals, scientists, or German cultural figures. W ar dealing with what was called fascism. Why? Because the one whose name I do not even want to utter, we all know here, was an Antichrist. So, it was not just about Jews. He had problems with Christians as well. (...) History repeats itself. Unfortunately, no one asks us, but we say it: yes, we have antisemitism. It is hard to define, but beyond a very amorphous definition, we can say that it is the root of hatred, it is inhumane. We salute Daniel Owen's work. Of course, we must forgive, but our religion does not allow us to forget. And that is why remembrance has its place in a spiritual dimension," said Paul Spitzer. Daniel Owen said with emotion that everything that happened during the Holocaust is "more than a human tragedy," and that the current building of the synagogue should be full of children and families, not a museum, "a testament to the depth of human hatred." He shared that he came to Oradea to meet his future wife while working on another project related to the Roma, which was met with some resistance. Walking through the city centre, he noticed the abandoned and massive Sion Synagogue, before it was taken over and rehabilitated by the municipality. He later discovered the city's many synagogues, which inspired his photographic project. This project has nothing to do with me. It is only about the Jews of Oradea. This is not false modesty, it is about the survivors you see on the walls. I leave you with one thought: Imagine how Oradea would look today if the Holocaust had never happened, said Daniel Owen. For all the six million Jewish victims in the extermination camps, the cantor of the Jewish Community, Robert Jehoshua Rezmuves, sang a prayer, which was also recited in Romanian. Finally, pianist Teodora Tonea Owen, the photographer's wife, performed an improvised piece, a message of peace and hope. The exhibition will be open to the public until the end of February. Daniel Owen, 37 years old, married in Oradea to pianist Teodora Tonea and father of three daughters, is a photojournalist and director of photography with nearly two decades of experience in the area. He trained as a photographer in the United States, where he holds a degree in photojournalism and a master's in visual communication arts from the renowned visual communication school at Ohio University. He was director of photography at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, which conducts research in energy and natioal security, and is probably best known as the place where Oppenheimer worked on the atomic bomb project. In the U.S., he collaborated with multiple respected publications, including The New York Times and Washington Post. As part of his work with Auschwitz survivors from Eastern Europe, he contributed to the series "Voices on Antisemitism," produced by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Justice Minister Radu Marinescu met on Tuesday with the head of the Cybercrime Division at the Council of Europe, Alexander Seger, to discuss important issues concerning ways and procedures to combat cybercrime. According to a press release from the Ministry of Justice sent to AGERPRES, the official meeting took place at the Ministry of Justice headquarters, in the context of ongoing concerns related to strengthening judicial cooperation in the fight against cybercrime, as well as in order to streamline the process of collecting evidence in electronic form for investigations and criminal proceedings. "Taking into account the magnitude of the cybercrime phenomenon in the recent period, which both citizens and public institutions and authorities are facing, the Ministry of Justice attaches particular importance to the identification and use of the necessary tools to combat all aspects of crime with a strong negative impact on society. At the moment, the Ministry of Justice has on its list of priorities, in the field of international judicial cooperation, the preparation of legislation for the implementation of the European Union package in this area," reads the press release. AGERPRES AGERPRES special correspondent Tudor Martalogu reports: MEP Georgiana Teodorescu (European Conservatives and Reformists - ECR) said in a statement for AGERPRES on Tuesday that an analysis of the contractual, safety and security conditions under which the artifacts from Romania's treasure recently stolen in the Netherlands left the country is necessary. "First of all, we need to see under what contractual, safety and security conditions the stolen artifacts left the country, because (...) it is one thing to send something like this to the Louvre Museum in Paris, where very good security is provided, and another to send the Romanian treasure to stay for six months in a small town of 60,000-70,000 people, somewhere in the Netherlands, where ultimately the visibility of this treasure is reduced and where security measures have proven to be practically non-existent," the MEP said. She drew attention to the responsibility of ''those involved in this decision-making process from the top of the Romanian government, which had to issue a government decision, and down to the last official, part of a commission within the Ministry of Culture, not to mention the museum manager, who were involved in the decision to send Romania's treasure to such a place and without guaranteed safety conditions''. In her opinion, if there were safety conditions contractually assumed by the Dutch authorities and they did not fulfill the contract, then it is a question of ''a fault on the part of these authorities who practically deceived the Romanian authorities''. "In fact, it is simply about the indolence, the carelessness of the Romanian officials who allowed themselves to play with the treasure and send it wherever they want, without caring about what might happen. And yes, we expect the Romanian authorities to start a criminal case and to conduct a very serious investigation regarding the European institutions," the ECR MEP continued. She also insisted on the inestimable cultural value of the artifacts in question, which "matter a lot to the Romanian people." "I would also be curious about which insurance company the insurance contract was made with for something like this and, furthermore, whether a reinsurance policy was also taken out, because that is how it is done in such cases, that is, the insurance company went and reinsured itself with another insurance company in case of theft. Because, if that is the case, the insurance company, although it currently owes money to the Romanian state, receives its money back through reinsurance," emphasized Georgiana Teodorescu. The golden helmet from Cotofenesti, dated to the 5th-4th centuries BC, and three Dacian gold bracelets from Sarmizegetusa Regia, from the second half of the 1st century BC, some of the most important artifacts in Romania's national heritage, were stolen from the Drents Museum in the Dutch town of Assen, at the end of last week. According to information provided by the management of the Drents Museum and the Dutch authorities, the break-in was carried out by using an explosive on the only exterior wall of the building. All the stolen pieces had been secured in accordance with Romanian legislation and international standards regarding the organization of exhibitions. The Romanian General Prosecutor's Office reported on Saturday that a criminal case had been drawn up ex officio in the case of the theft of the pieces from the Dacian treasure exhibited at the Drents Museum in the Netherlands. The Government adopted on Tuesday the decision that establishes the electoral calendar for the presidential election on May 4, potrivit Agerpres. Government spokesperson,Mihai Constantin said that, according to the normative act, the electoral period will begin on February 18, with the public announcement of the date for the draw of the five judges from the High Court of Cassation and Justice who will be part of the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC). The designation of the five judges will take place by February 20, and the BEC will be established by February 22. "The deadline for submitting candidacies to the BEC by political parties, political and electoral alliances, organisations of citizens belonging to national minorities and independent candidates is March 15, 2025, at 24:00. The electoral campaign will start 30 days before the election date, namely on April 4, 2025, and will end on May 3, 2025, at 7:00," said Constantin. According to him, voting in Romania will take place on May 4, starting at 7:00 and ending at 21:00. Voters who are at the polling station or in line to vote at 21:00 will be able to exercise their electoral right until 23:59 at the latest. Mihai Constantin mentioned that voting abroad will take place over three days: May 2 and 3, from 7:00 local time to 21:00 local time, with those at the polling station or in line able to vote until 23:59. On May 4, voting will be from 7:00 local time to 21:00 local time, as long as it does not exceed Romania's time. "At 21:00, Romania's time, voting will close in all polling stations, including those abroad," he emphasised. The Government spokesperson explained that the vote for a possible second round of the presidential election will take place on May 18, from 7:00 to 21:00, with those at the polling station or in line being able to vote until 23:59. He indicated that voting abroad for the second round will take place over three days, under the same conditions as the first round. The Ministry of Defense will pay special attention, in 2025, to the equipment programs for the Naval Forces, both in the maritime and river components, Defense Minister Angel Tilvar declared on Tuesday. According to the MApN, Tilvar was present at the self-evaluation meeting of the activity of the Naval Forces of the Romanian Army for the past year and at the presentation of the objectives for 2025. Tilvar appreciated the contribution of the naval structures in ensuring Romania's contribution to the operationalization of the MCM Black Sea naval group, together with Bulgaria and Turkey, by reducing the risks posed by naval mines drifting in the Black Sea. "The security environment in the Black Sea region will continue to be unpredictable and will require a high level of attention from the coastal allies. Within the efforts made by Romania, as a security provider in this region, the Romanian Naval Forces represent one of the main guarantee structures for the protection of NATO's eastern flank in the area under our responsibility. All these efforts are visible in the fact that, today, with an armed conflict in the northern part of the Black Sea, one can sail safely, and the fight against drifting naval mines is a Euro-Atlantic success to which Romania has had and has an important contribution", the minister of defense said. He highlighted the budget execution, of over 99%, with which the Naval Forces ended the fiscal year 2024, which shows the capacity of this category of forces to use the allocated funds efficiently and judiciously. In this context, he indicated that the leadership team of the Ministry of National Defense will continue to support the Romanian Naval Forces for equipment and modernization. "Considering the current and future challenges in the regional security environment and the fact that the Naval Forces have an essential contribution to the consolidation of Romania's defense capabilities, as an ally bordering the Black Sea, we will pay special attention, in 2025, to the equipment programs intended for this category of forces, both in the maritime and river components", concluded Minister Angel Tilvar. Vice Admiral Mihai Panait, Chief of the Naval Staff, pointed out, in his intervention, that in the 2024 training year, the Romanian Naval Forces continued the permanent mission of providing security in the area of responsibility and the significant contribution to the fulfillment of our country's commitments to the North Atlantic Alliance and the European Union. "In the context of a security environment marked by the Russian-Ukrainian war, the Romanian Naval Forces aim to demonstrate its firm commitment to strengthening the international response to the numerous challenges, through the continuous and important contribution to missions and operations led by NATO and the EU or under the OSCE and UN mandate, as well as within multinational exercises. By cooperating with similar structures in allied and partner countries, the Romanian Naval Forces will continue to act in the coming period in the spirit of the principle of strategic cohesion, in order to convey a strong message regarding the solidity of the deterrence and defense posture of the North Atlantic Alliance on the eastern flank", the Chief of the Naval Staff indicated. The event was also attended by the Chief of the Land Forces Staff, Lieutenant General Ciprian Marin, the Chief of the Air Forces Staff, Lieutenant General Leonard Baraboi, as well as heads of some central directorates and structures of the MApN. AGERPRES Two Syrians traveling on a train operating on the Bucharest North - Vienna route were ordered to get off the carriages before leaving the country at Curtici, after border police, during a routine check, discovered they were not authorised to enter the Schengen Area. "During the check, the individuals were unable to present travel documents, and as a result, they were taken to the sector headquarters for further verification. Following the investigation, the individuals were identified as Syrian citizens, aged 19 and 22, who were not allowed to travel within the Schengen Area," a press release from the Arad Border Police informs. The investigation is ongoing, and the Syrians are at risk of facing criminal charges for illegally crossing the state border. Following Romania's full accession to the Schengen Area, border police conduct random checks in the border area with Hungary, particularly on roads, but also on the railway, based on risk analyses. KYODO NEWS - Jan 28, 2025 - 22:05 | Arts, All, Japan A Japanese weekly magazine said Tuesday it has corrected its December story claiming a Fuji Television Network Inc. official invited a woman to a gathering that allegedly led to sexual misconduct by former TV host Masahiro Nakai. Shukan Bunshun said it discovered that the woman was invited by Nakai, best known as a member of the now-defunct pop group SMAP, to a June 2023 gathering where alleged nonconsensual sexual activity occurred, leading to a 90 million yen ($578,000) out-of-court settlement. In its edition released on Dec. 26, the weekly reported that the invitation came from the official. While apologizing for the correction, the weekly said in a statement that the woman attended the gathering believing it was similar to other eating events arranged by the official. She had also previously taken part in a barbecue at Nakai's residence. However, the magazine maintained its position that the official "was involved in the trouble" between the woman and Nakai. At a press conference that began Monday and stretched into early Tuesday, the top management reiterated the broadcaster's stance that the official in question was not involved in organizing the gathering where the woman met Nakai. Still, they apologized for mishandling the scandal. Fuji TV said it allowed Nakai to continue appearing on its programs and did not investigate the issue, citing the woman's desire to keep the matter discreet and return to work. Nakai, who regularly appeared on the network's programming, retired from show business last week. Fuji TV's president and chairman stepped down Monday to take responsibility for the fallout from the scandal, which has prompted dozens of sponsors to suspend advertising on its channels. The broadcaster has also launched a third-party investigation into the allegations, with the outcome expected at the end of March. Despite the press conference, major Japanese companies, including Toyota Motor Corp. and beverage makers Kirin Holdings Co. and Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., said they have canceled their commercials on Fuji TV for February. Nippon Life Insurance Co. was also among them, citing how the broadcaster "did not fully address concerns about governance and human rights violations." Kirin urged Fuji TV to promptly disclose the results of the third-party investigation and implement measures to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. Related coverage: Top officials at major Japan broadcaster resign over TV host scandal Government urges Tokyo broadcaster to restore trust amid TV host scandal Japan TV host, ex-SMAP pop idol Masahiro Nakai quits showbiz amid scandal The number of homicides across the United States declined by 16% in 2024, continuing a recent downward trajectory, according to the latest crime trends report from the Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan think tank. Homicides spiked during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and crime became a central focus of President Donald Trumps 2024 reelection campaign. Trump insisted that FBI crime data showing declines was fake and claimed that crime was through the roof. The second Trump administration is expected to adopt a tough-on-crime approach. State legislatures nationwide also are expected to prioritize a variety of criminal justice measures this year, including prison oversight, illegal immigration, retail theft and policing standards and procedures. Polls show most Americans see crime as a significant problem, though fewer than in recent years. The Council on Criminal Justice, known as CCJ, gathers data from individual law enforcement agencies for its biannual crime trends reports, meaning the data is more recent than the FBIs annual report. Both the think tanks and the FBIs reports, however, show a similar turnaround in violent crime. In 2023, criminal homicide which the FBI defines as murder or non-negligent manslaughter was down by 11.6% from the previous year. It was the largest single-year decline in two decades, according to the FBIs annual crime report published last year. The CCJ report shows that the downward trend appears to be continuing, with homicides in 2024 dropping by 16% compared with 2023. That drop equates to 631 fewer homicides in the 29 cities that provided data for the category, according to the councils report. If this decrease holds as more jurisdictions report their data to the FBI later this year, 2024 would rank among the largest single-year homicide drops since at least 1960, the start of modern record-keeping, according to the report. A political issue Despite the recent decline in homicides, crime remains a politically salient issue. A majority of Americans 56% believe that national crime has increased or consider it an extremely or very serious problem. But public concern about crime has lessened over the past year, according to Gallups annual crime survey. Perceptions of crime are heavily influenced by political affiliation. The survey found that 60% of Democrats believe crime has decreased over the past year, whereas 90% of Republicans think it has increased. Some crime experts say that media reports, political messaging and viral social media posts may exaggerate Americans worries about disorder, making crimes such as shoplifting and public drug use appear more prevalent than they actually are. Still, some individual cities and neighborhoods may be experiencing higher crime rates, which could further explain these concerns. We still have problems with crime, still have problems in the criminal justice system, and even though the crime rates are improving, we should not take our focus off crime and criminal justice, said Ernesto Lopez, the reports co-author and a senior research specialist with the council, in an interview with Stateline. The council analyzed crime trends in 40 U.S. cities, including St. Louis, although not all cities had data available for every type of offense. Among the cities studied, 22 saw a decline in homicides last year, with Chandler, Arizona, and Little Rock, Arkansas, recording the largest decreases at 50% and 43%, respectively. Six cities experienced increases, with Colorado Springs, Colorado, leading the way with a 56% jump. When comparing homicide rates between 2019 and 2024, the councils study sample saw a 6% decline, largely driven by cities with traditionally high homicide rates, including Baltimore and St. Louis. Homicides are still above pre-pandemic levels in some cities, including New York City and Washington, D.C. In New York City, for example, there were 382 homicides in 2024 compared with 319 in 2019. In Washington, D.C., there were 187 homicides in 2024 and 166 in 2019. Other crimes The CCJ report also examined trends in other violent and property crimes, including gun assault, carjacking, motor vehicle theft and drug offenses. Most of these offenses were lower in 2024 than in 2023, with shoplifting being the only exception, showing a 14% increase. Shoplifting also was 1% higher in 2024 compared with 2019. Researchers were surprised that shoplifting rates increased last year despite retailers taking more measures to combat it, such as locking up merchandise behind glass. Some experts say that the rise may reflect improved reporting efforts rather than an actual spike in theft. Last year, state legislatures placed a strong emphasis on tackling retail theft, and this momentum is likely to continue into this year, with Maryland lawmakers already considering a bill aimed at addressing large-scale organized retail theft. From 2023 to 2024, incidents of robbery dropped by 10%, carjackings fell by 32%, and motor vehicle theft decreased by 24%. Violent crimes such as sexual assault, domestic violence and robbery are now below pre-pandemic levels, but aggravated assaults, gun assaults and carjackings remain higher than in 2019, according to the report. Property crime trends over the past five years varied. Residential burglaries and larcenies decreased, while nonresidential burglaries increased. Motor vehicle thefts rose by 53%, and drug offenses fell by 28%. HOMICIDES IN ST. LOUIS, 1970-2024 YEAR POPULATION HOMICIDES RATE PER 100K 1970 622,236 266 42.7 1971 602,600 220 36.5 1972 579,600 205 35.4 1973 539,300 215 39.9 1974 530,800 202 38.1 1975 514,000 241 46.9 1976 505,300 224 44.3 1977 486,800 195 40.1 1978 470,900 211 44.8 1979 457,500 265 57.9 1980 450,790 225 49.9 1981 454,166 264 58.1 1982 455,362 226 49.6 1983 457,262 152 33.2 1984 442,528 128 28.9 1985 431,109 169 39.2 1986 434,298 195 44.9 1987 429,414 153 35.6 1988 425,187 140 32.9 1989 405,066 158 39.0 1990 396,685 177 44.6 1991 399,858 260 65.0 1992 402,573 231 57.4 1993 387,053 267 69.0 1994 390,437 248 63.5 1995 371,425 204 54.9 1996 374,041 166 44.4 1997 377,221 153 40.6 1998 344,153 113 32.8 1999 340,836 130 38.1 2000 348,189 123 35.3 2001 350,336 148 42.2 2002 353,004 113 32.0 2003 340,256 74 21.7 2004 335,143 114 34.0 2005 346,005 131 37.9 2006 346,879 129 37.2 2007 348,197 138 39.6 2008 356,204 167 46.9 2009 355,208 143 40.3 2010 355,151 144 40.5 2011 320,454 113 35.3 2012 318,667 113 35.5 2013 318,416 120 37.7 2014 318,574 159 49.9 2015 317,095 188 59.3 2016 314,507 188 59.8 2017 308,636 205 66.4 2018 302,838 186 61.4 2019 300,576 194 64.5 2020 300,315 263 87.6 2021 293,484 202 68.8 2022 286,292 201 70.2 2023 282,772 160 56.6 2024 279,695 150 53.6 CLAYTON Two St. Louis music producers are suing Nelly and the St. Lunatics, saying the rappers had a secret agreement to avoid paying the producers royalties on several popular songs. Twin brothers David and Darren Stiths lawsuit is the third filed in recent months alleging Nelly and his record label owe millions in royalties to his day-one collaborators. Together the suits shed new light who wrote and produced the songs that catapulted Nelly to national fame more than 20 years ago. And while both suits said the Stiths company, D2 Productions, Inc., is owed at least $10 million in unpaid royalties, this weeks filing illustrates that the basis for their allegations come from the St. Lunatics members themselves, in their lawsuit filed last year against Nelly and the music companies. Now that the truth has come out, it is time for D2 to recover what they have been entitled to all these years, Jay Kanzler, D2s lawyer, told the Post-Dispatch. D2 was there at the beginning, when Nelly and the St. Lunatics were just starting, and they are finally being recognized for their contributions to the early albums. Nellys longtime lawyer, Scott Rosenblum, did not immediately comment on the suit. The relationship between the St. Lunatics, Nelly and D2 dates back to the early 1990s. Nelly, whose legal name is Cornell Haynes Jr., and five other men formed the rap group St. Lunatics in 1993 and found commercial success about four years later with the song Gimmie What You Got. Between 1997 and 2000, the lawsuits say the St. Lunatics helped create, compose and produce some of the songs that were eventually released as part of Nellys 2000 debut album Country Grammar and his subsequent 2002 album Nellyville. But two of the suits, including the newest, say D2 was directly responsible for finding, nurturing, and bringing to the public the music of Nelly and the St. Lunatics, in part by introducing them to producer Jason Epperson. The master recordings for Country Grammar were recorded at D2s studio, the Stith brothers said in their lawsuits, and are the sole property of D2 and have never been sold, transferred or licensed to any third-party. In addition, D2 claims that in 1997 it signed separate exclusive songwriter contracts with Nelly, producer Jason Epperson and St. Lunatics members Ali Jones, Tori Harper and Robert Kyjuan Cleveland that gave D2 credit for songs the brothers helped write, compose or create, the lawsuit says. But, in June 2000, the same month Country Grammar was released, D2 let Nelly out of his solo contract in exchange for $75,000. The brothers believed they would still collect royalties and revenues from Nellys songs because of D2s standing contracts with the St. Lunatics members, who D2 said also had production credits for the songs in question, according to the suit. About two years after that, D2 said it signed a contract with Universal Music Corporation and Songs of Universal Inc. which gave D2 the right to collect a percentage of the royalties from certain St. Lunatics songs, according to the suit. But the brothers said Nelly and the St. Lunatics made a secret agreement where Nelly was given sole credit for the songs while promising to give his groupmates their share in royalties. They did this, the suit says, to avoid paying the Stith brothers royalties on the songs because they no longer had a contract with Nelly. It would take about 20 years for both D2 and the St. Lunatics to realize the problems, the suits say. Then, in 2022, Nelly and St. Lunatics member Ali Jones had a public spat over who formed the music group in the 1990s. During this dispute, the Stith brothers claim, both men began to air the details of the agreement during podcasts and other online interviews. The St. Lunatics lawsuit last year in September against Nelly and Universal Music confirmed that D2 had been cut out of royalties rights, Kanzler said. That suit, filed in federal court in New York, says the rapper had only a verbal agreement with his groupmates that he would credit them and pay royalties on eight tracks. At least five of those were included on the Country Grammar album. The St. Lunatics said they believed him when he promised them he would pay up, their suit says. But Rosenblum, Nellys lawyer, said in October that three of the St. Lunatics told him they did not consent to being named as plaintiffs. An amended complaint filed in November listed only Jones as a plaintiff. The same week Jones amended complaint was filed, D2 filed a federal suit in California against Universal Music. Nelly was not named as a defendant, but it laid out D2s history with the rapper and claimed the brothers were owed at least $10 million in unpaid royalties on his songs. That suit accused Universal Music of making minor changes to song titles to skirt royalty payments to D2. D2 filed the new suit on Monday in St. Louis County against Nelly, Jones, Harper and Cleveland. JEFFERSON CITY Missouri lawmakers pushed leaders of St. Louis Public Schools on Tuesday about questionable spending that led to the ouster of the superintendent and an ongoing state audit. It raises a red flag anytime we see tax dollars being wasted, said Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Clay County Democrat, during a hearing of the Senate Education Committee. The SLPS board fired ex-Superintendent Keisha Scarlett in September for hiring and spending practices during her one-year tenure, which included awarding $3 million in salaries and consulting contracts to her friends and former colleagues. Nurrenbern said the Senate committee would review the comprehensive audit of SLPS by Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick when it is completed. Committee members also voiced concerns about the districts low test scores and an emergency transportation plan that could cost $40 million this school year. The school districts basically having to get Ubers for kids, at what point do we really elevate to state intervention, said committee chairman Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville. Antionette Toni Cousins, SLPS board president, later told the committee for clarification, we didnt do Uber. Dont believe everything that you all are reading in the paper, Cousins added. The district spent $465,000 last year on HopSkipDrive, a rideshare service for children. Taxicab companies have been paid more than $3 million to ferry kids to school. Reed 2 Reed, which was suspended by SLPS this fall for driving unlicensed and uninsured buses, has been paid $920,058 since September 2023. Missouri Education Commissioner Karla Eslinger told the committee that SLPS is on the bubble of losing full accreditation in 2027, the earliest the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will downgrade school districts due to performance. The state education department returned SLPS to full accreditation in 2017 after a decade classified as unaccredited and then provisionally accredited. In 2019, the district was turned back to a locally elected board following 12 years under state control. Enrollment and test scores in SLPS have continued to decline in the five years under local control. There are now 16,212 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, a drop of more than 15% since 2020. Last spring, 21% of students tested proficient in English and 17% in math, down slightly from pre-pandemic levels. For the last three years, SLPS has scored in the provisional range on the states annual performance report, which measures test scores and graduation rates among other administrative requirements. Provisional accreditation comes with extra scrutiny from the education department. When a district becomes unaccredited, students are allowed to transfer to higher-performing districts. State education officials have been advising SLPS leaders this year on academic and financial concerns. Eslinger said she plans to visit next week. Cousins, the districts board president, also opened the invitation to the legislators. Come see for yourself what really is happening in SLPS, Cousins said during the Senate hearing. Were trying to figure out how to help SLPS and the city of St. Louis fix the education system. Under the former leader Scarlett, the districts general operating budget dropped from a surplus of $17 million to a projected deficit of $35 million, which was mostly attributed to staff raises and extra transportation costs. With reserves of around $200 million the school district remains in healthy financial condition and the deficit spending is geared toward student services, according to Kari Monsees, deputy commissioner of DESE. Several administrators at SLPS including former chief financial officer Angie Banks have said the district needs to close some of its 62 school buildings to return to a balanced budget. More than one-third of schools have fewer than 200 students, a standard measure of financial viability. The SLPS board has not put school closures on the agenda this year. Ezra Bitterman of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report. CLAYTON St. Louis County Executive Sam Pages recent veto of four bills dealing with County Council authority could come up for attempted overrides by the council as soon as Tuesday. One measure would require the county counselor, who is appointed by the executive, to get council approval for the hiring of outside lawyers in certain subject areas that the counselor can now select unilaterally. Page, in a letter last week to the council, said the change will cause unnecessary delay and remove resources needed to effectively safeguard the county. Page also objected to a bill allowing the council chair to employ attorneys to represent the legislative interests of the county. Page said he believes that measure includes provisions that may violate state and county contract law. He didnt elaborate. The other vetoes were of bills to hire attorney Joseph Hogan, who represented county clerk Diann Valenti in a now-dismissed case accusing her of forgery, and attorney Donnell Smith to represent the council in a potential court battle with Page that never occurred. I am concerned that the Council passed this series of legislation to protect activities that violate the Missouri Constitution to protect their own interests, and not the interests of the people, Page said in the letter. Councilman Dennis Hancock, R-Fenton, who supported the bills, disputed Pages points and said he expected the council to approve overrides. Overrides require approval of five of the councils seven members. These are things he doesnt agree with that the council feels are important enough to pass ordinances to put them into effect, Hancock said. Hancock said the bill requiring expanding council approval of outside lawyers hired by the county counselor would not cause delay. He said another change in the bill removing a requirement that an ordinance be passed for each such hiring would allow the council to review such requests in a timely manner. Valenti, the county clerk, had been accused last month by then-County Prosecutor Wesley Bell of altering personnel records to make them look like Hancock didnt hire his stepdaughter as his legislative assistant despite Missouris ban on nepotism. Melissa Price Smith, who was appointed by then-Gov. Mike Parson to succeed Bell, dismissed the charges. She also dismissed Bells suit seeking Hancocks ouster from his council seat. Hancock agreed to pay his own legal fees and promised never to try to hire family again, but wont have to leave office. The council wanted to hire Donnell Smith in a dispute over whether Page had the authority to name Cort VanOstran as acting prosecutor if the council refused to confirm VanOstrans appointment to the post. But that court fight didnt occur because judges ruled that Parson, the governor, had the authority to appoint the prosecutor. Hancock said while no legal fees were paid to Donnell Smith, allowing the veto to remain could set a precedent. I dont want to tie our hands in the future, he said. This undated video grab shows Shenzhou-19 astronauts sending their Spring Festival greetings from China's Tiangong space station. Shenzhou-19 astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze sent their Spring Festival greetings from China's Tiangong space station in a video released by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on New Year's Eve. The trio, dressed in blue jumpsuits adorned with red traditional auspicious cloud patterns, held two pieces of Chinese paper-cutting featuring the character "fu," symbolizing good luck. (Xinhua) BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Shenzhou-19 astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze sent their Spring Festival greetings from China's Tiangong space station in a video released by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on New Year's Eve. The trio, dressed in blue jumpsuits adorned with red traditional auspicious cloud patterns, held two pieces of Chinese paper-cutting featuring the character "fu," symbolizing good luck. "At this moment, I miss my family and friends even more. I wish you all a prosperous Year of the Snake, filled with good fortune and happiness," said Cai, the crew commander. This is Cai's second time working and living in China's space station, but his first time celebrating the Spring Festival there. In 2022, he spent six months in the space during the Shenzhou-14 mission. "I am fortunate to have lived in a great era and fulfilled my space dream," said Song, as he wished young people a bright and promising future. Wang, with her hands forming a heart shape above her head, said, "In the new year, may all your dreams come true." Song and Wang are China's first post-90s astronauts to enter the space station. Wang is also the first female space engineer to work in the space station. The astronauts have decorated the space station, orbiting about 400 km above Earth, with red couplets and the character "fu." Their New Year's Eve dinner includes dumplings, symbolizing reunion and prosperity, alongside a variety of dishes such as roast chicken, smoked fish, beef and lettuce. They will also enjoy staple foods and soups like eight-treasure rice pudding, snow fungus soup, and tomato egg soup, complemented by orange juice and a candy gift pack. The three astronauts entered the space station on Oct. 30, 2024. In nearly three months, they conducted a series of scientific experiments and technical tests, and completed tasks such as the installation of space debris protection devices on the space station during two spacewalks. According to the CMSA, they will carry out 86 space science research and technology experiments during the six-month stay, covering various fields including space life science, microgravity fundamental physics, space material science, space medicine and new space technologies. They will also engage in science education, public interest activities, and other payload tests. This is the third Spring Festival since the full completion of the Chinese space station. Nine crew members from Shenzhou-15, Shenzhou-17 and Shenzhou-19 have welcomed the New Year and the Spring Festival in space. ST. LOUIS President Donald Trumps executive orders have blocked at least 120 refugees already approved to resettle in St. Louis from coming here, according to the regions leading resettlement agency. The International Institute of St. Louis also says the orders have stopped it from using federal money to help 438 refugees from several countries who arrived in the last three months. The money would have been used for items such as English classes, job training and housing and utility expenses. Together these orders effectively reject our nations nearly 75-year commitment to respecting the human dignity of those fleeing persecution as affirmed by the Geneva Convention, Blake Hamilton, interim president and CEO of the Institute, said in a statement. The Institute did not specify how much federal funding had been halted. But it vowed to continue supporting newly arrived refugees and has asked for private donations to help. The immediate services and support refugees receive upon arrival are essential to ensuring our newest neighbors are set on a path toward self-sufficiency, Hamilton said in the statement. In recent years, St. Louis-area government, business and civic leaders have pointed to immigration as a way to help reverse decades of population loss and support the regions vitality. They credited the Institute last year when U.S. Census data showed the area led the nation in growing its immigrant population. The local effort includes two programs, aimed at Afghan refugees and Latino immigrants, that support new arrivals while incentivizing those in other U.S. cities to come here. They were inspired by the success in attracting Bosnian immigrants and refugees in the 1990s. Jerry Schlichter, a local attorney and philanthropist who helped start both programs, said they are privately funded through 2025 and wouldnt be affected by federal funding cuts. But the halt to resettlement programs, if continued, will hurt the region, he said. The Afghan support program, for example, helped fund 10 refugees who started their own businesses. Its clear immigrants and refugees help build neighborhoods and build a more vibrant St. Louis, Schlichter said. Its filling an essential need to stop this population loss, not just in the city but in the region as a whole. In 2024, the Institute settled about 115 refugees each month, including more than 500 since October. The Institute expected to settle up to 2,000 refugees in the St. Louis region in 2025. Trump, after taking office, issued an order ending refugee resettlement for 90 days, until his administration decides whether to resume the program. The order took effect Monday. Thousands of refugees cleared to come to the U.S. who were supposed to arrive last week had their flights cancelled. In St. Louis, that included 120 people from countries such as Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, South Sudan, Burundi, Somalia and Venezuela. They were seeking safety in the U.S. after clearing months of background checks. The cancellations also affected Afghan refugees who were supposed to be exempt because they had helped the U.S. military during the war in Afghanistan and had special visas, Hamilton said. Trump also issued an order ending parole programs that allowed asylum seekers from certain countries to come here on a temporary basis if they were sponsored by a local resident. That included a humanitarian parole program limited to Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Haiti that the Institutes Latino Outreach program had recruited from last year. In all, in 2024 the Institute served more than 3,000 new clients in the region, including refugees and immigrants. More than 500 of them were immigrants who were already settled in other cities in the United States but were drawn here by the Latino Outreach and Afghan Support programs. The Institutes branch in Springfield helped more than 500 people newly arrived to the U.S. settle in southwest Missouri. Missouris burgeoning cannabis industry presents a unique opportunity to foster economic growth while promoting social equity. As we shape this emerging market, its imperative that we prioritize genuine participation Underrepresented Business Enterprises (UBEs), which includes minority-owned businesses and other enterprises representing diversity in the marketplace. The key to achieving this lies in the rigorous implementation of whats known as commercially useful function standards that is, ensuring that underrepresented businesses are actually allowed to supervise their own operations are arent just being used as pass-throughs for other entities. This is the power of authentic representation. The inclusion of underrepresented businesses in Missouris cannabis marketplace is not merely about meeting quotas or ticking boxes. Its about creating a diverse, innovative and resilient industry that reflects the rich tapestry of our states population. UBEs bring unique perspectives, skills and experiences that can drive the industry forward. Enforcing commercially useful function ensures the presence of underrepresented businesses dont become mere token participation. It ensures that these businesses are actively involved in executing distinct elements of work, managing operations and supervising their workforce. This level of engagement is crucial for building a strong foundation for long-term success and genuine economic empowerment. When UBEs operate independently, maintaining their own workforce and equipment, they create jobs and stimulate economic activity within underrepresented communities. This ripple effect extends far beyond the cannabis industry, contributing to broader economic development and community revitalization. This independent operation is not just beneficial for the underrepresented businesses themselves; its essential for maintaining the integrity of Missouris Micro Licensing Program. By ensuring that only qualified and actively participating UBEs receive licenses, we protect the programs credibility and effectiveness. This, in turn, builds public trust and support for diversity initiatives within the industry. Missouri has the opportunity to set a national standard for inclusive industry development. By supporting genuine UBE participation that doesnt allow shadow entities to use them as mere pass-throughs, we can create a cannabis marketplace that not only thrives economically but also advances social equity goals. Thats a model for inclusive growth. As we continue to develop Missouris cannabis industry, lets commit to more than just surface-level diversity. Lets cultivate an ecosystem where UBEs are empowered to play integral roles, driving innovation, creating jobs, and building wealth within their communities. By prioritizing authentic involvement by underrepresented businesses, were not just shaping a more equitable cannabis industry were planting the seeds for a more inclusive and prosperous Missouri. Its time to nurture these opportunities and watch our communities grow alongside this blossoming industry. An Outdoor Recreation program guide teaches airmen to ski during a trip to 49 Degrees North Ski Resort in Washington in December 2016. (Sean Campbell/U.S. Air Force) The Air Force has again cut funding for a program that provides substantial discounts for recreational trips and other activities, a service spokeswoman told Stars and Stripes. Recharge for Resiliency allows up to $200 per person per day to offset the cost of trips through Outdoor Recreation and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, according to a program guide published in January 2024. Last year, approximately 120,000 airmen, guardians and their families participated in the program at reduced costs or no cost to them, a spokeswoman for the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Debbie Aragon, said by email Jan. 22. The federal budget has not paid for the program for the past several years, Aragon said. Instead, money was reallocated from others areas to support the program, but not for fiscal year 2025, which began Oct. 1, and due to competing priorities, it will probably not be funded in fiscal 2026, she said. Moving money for the program was not viable in fiscal 2025 due to funding constraints, Aragon added. Launched in 2015, Recharge for Resiliency includes three components, the Single Airmen Program Initiative, RecOn and Deployed Affected Program. They offer something for nearly every service member stationed at an Air Force or Space Force base, from ski outings to tourist-destination bus trips. The program was developed at the height of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom to subsidize social and recreation programs within the Force Support Squadrons and create an Air Force culture that supports a healthy and resilient lifestyle, Aragon said. Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., will lose $60,000 for this years Recharge for Resiliency program, Kevin Ott, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant, told Stars and Stripes by phone Sunday. He said he was shocked when he heard the news this month at a Black Hills Military Advisory Coalition meeting and wrote to his elected officials expressing concerns about the quality-of-life cut that could affect 400,000 airman and their families worldwide. If you have the greatest, shiniest new airplane out there, and if the people that are working on it, the people that are flying it, the people that are supporting it, if all those people are not at their 100% mentally and physically, then the airplane is not going to be as capable as it should be, he said. When you start looking at the people aspect of things, you always want to be able to have everybody that wants to remain in the Air Force to remain and part of it is the quality of life, Ott added. A study published last year in Military Medicine found that Air Force shaving waivers are associated with longer times to promotion, which disproportionately affects Black service members. (Pixabay) The Air Force is resetting the expiration dates on waivers for airmen and guardians with shaving exemptions, or profiles, according to a memo from services surgeon general. All current shaving profiles remain valid but will expire 90 calendar days after the next Periodic Health Assessment, said a Friday memo from Dr. (Lt. Gen.) John DeGoes. A periodic health assessment is an annual screening by the armed forces to evaluate the individual medical readiness of their service members. The Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Office did not respond after business hours Tuesday to an email seeking further information. In 2020, Air Force surgeon general Dr. (Lt. Gen.) Dorothy Hogg authorized shaving waivers up to five years for airmen and guardians diagnosed with pseudofolliculitis barbae, which causes painful razor bumps and disproportionately affects Black men. The number of shaving waivers for medical conditions granted to airmen and guardians has nearly doubled over the past three years, according to an April report by Military.com. In December, Congress decided against a pilot program to allow airmen and guardians to grow beards but asked the Air Force to brief it by April on the feasibility of such a program, the military news site reported Dec. 10. DeGoes memo directs airman and guardians with a medical necessity for a shaving profile to be re-evaluated by a health care provider. Commanders may request a service member be evaluated due to operational concerns stemming from a medical condition, according to the memo. The memo states that extended shaving profiles are reserved for severe cases of pseudofolliculitis barbae while mild-to-moderate cases would be given temporary profiles. It does not state how long a waiver may last based on the severity of the case. Shaving waivers based on religious accommodation are excluded from the new policy, according to the memo. A study published last year in Military Medicine found that Air Force shaving waivers are associated with longer times to promotion, which disproportionately affects Black service members. In the study, only 13% of the cohort were Black, of whom 64% were on shaving waivers. I have absolutely no issues with shaving waivers for those who need them, a technical sergeant wrote in a Tuesday comment on the Leadership University Facebook page. But when I see an Airmen with a scraggly, 8 haired goatee 1-1/2 long and a baby face everywhere else it infuriates me. The Buffalo Soldier Gate at Fort Bliss, Texas. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes) A soldier found to have a teenage girl living with him for nearly four months in his Fort Bliss barracks room was sentenced to eight years in federal prison, according to the Justice Department. Carlos Humberto Richard Walsh, 23, of Washington brought the girl to stay with him in his room in 2022 and had sex with her multiple times, according to court records. He was a specialist assigned to the base but is no longer in the Army, according to the Justice Department. The girl was 14 years old at the time, according to the El Paso Times. Walshs leaders found the girl in his car on Jan. 24, 2023, during a barracks inspection, as well as many of her personal items in his room. She told police that she had been living in the barracks room with Walsh since Oct. 1, 2022, according to court documents. He was arrested May 25, 2023. The soldier first enlisted in March 2019 as an Apache helicopter mechanic and was discharged at the rank of private one month after his arrest, according to his official service record. Walsh pleaded guilty Aug. 13 and was sentenced by Judge David Guaderrama in El Paso, the city located just outside the gates of Fort Bliss in west Texas. A hearing to discuss restitution is set for March 27, according to the online court docket. Visitors have a chance to see a bear with her cubs on a wildlife safari in Grand Teton National Park. (Will Burrard-Lucas, Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole/TNS) JACKSON, Wyoming Do waffles really taste different at 10,450 feet above sea level? I pondered that existential question as the aerial tram inched its way out of the station at the base of the Teton Village Ski Area for the 12-minute ascent to Corbets Cabin at the summit of Rendezvous Mountain in the Grand Teton Range. The mountaintop cabin with its scattering of tables inside and on the outdoor deck is open from mid-May to mid-October, drawing locals and tourists alike who come for the four varieties of mouthwatering waffles. Once inside theres usually a waffle line stretching across the mountaintop I had a hard time deciding whether it would be the Gateway (peanut butter and bacon); Italian (strawberries and Nutella); Englishman (lemon glaze, powdered sugar and whipped cream), or the one I finally settled on the Trad (for traditional, brown sugar and butter). Wolfing it down and debating going back for seconds, I understood what all the fuss was about. And, yes, I can vouch for the fact that at this altitude waffles do taste different. For the next couple of months, Jackson Hole will host skiers at the top of their game (60% of the trails are classified as expert slopes). Winter may bring epic snowfalls and the skiers who follow them, but according to tourism officials, the most popular times to visit are summer and fall. My own visit came during a glorious pine-scented, sun-dappled week in September, leading me to see why. For starters, theres the 310,000-acre Grand Teton National Park, a tapestry of verdant valleys, mountain meadows, alpine lakes and soaring peaks, dominated by Grand Teton, at 13,775 feet the highest mountain in the range. On my tram ride, I got a good view of its craggy profile etched against a cornflower blue sky, and decided this part of the northwestern Wyoming landscape must have looked much the same to the early Shoshone tribes and fur trappers who populated it. Today, the park offers recreational activities galore from hiking, biking and backpacking on 250 miles of trails to a 14-mile float on the Snake River; from fly-fishing and horseback riding to wildlife safaris that rival anything on the continent. There is so much here that you may opt to save Yellowstone, connected to the Grand Teton National Park by the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, for another visit. One place you wont want to skip is the town of Jackson itself. Wyoming is known as the Cowboy State, and its clear why in this lovely town of just under 11,000 residents. Sure, there are the ultrarich whose cowboy hats sport diamond bands and whose custom-made boots would set most people back a months wages. But there are the real cowboys too those who are familiar with the back of a bucking bronc, and whose hats and boots show the wear and tear of their rigorous profession. Both kinds mingle at Jacksons premier watering hole, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, on the towns main square. I moseyed in one afternoon, threw my leg over the saddle-shaped barstool and listened as the barkeep told me the story behind the bullet hole lodged in the bar (just one, I thought). As it turns out, even though the Million Dollar looks like it would have attracted every desperado in the West, the bullet hole resulted not from a gunslinging outlaw, but from a timid night watchman scared either by his own shadow or that of his equally timid pet poodle. In more recent years, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Tanya Tucker and Clint Black have all made their way to the bars stage, with the sound of the spinning roulette wheels serving as background music. The bar is also the site every October of Cowgirls at the Cowboy, the nations only all-female bluegrass and country music festival. If youre looking for a great photo op, look no further than the Town Square and its unique archway composed of hundreds of antlers shed by elks from the nearby National Elk Refuge. One of the main attractions in the town of Jackson is the Antler Arch in the town square. The arch is constructed from antlers shed by elk in the nearby National Elk Refuge. (Don Riddle, Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole/TNS) Check out the National Museum of Wildlife, or, if you prefer to buy western art, stop at Gallery Wilde where 35 artists, most of them regional, display their work. Should your visit coincide with Labor Day, stick around for the Fall Arts Festival which starts the day after and continues for two weeks. Of course, youll need a place to stay, and there is none better than the Four Seasons Resort. Located in Teton Village, the property combines the Western aesthetic with the elegance that is a Four Seasons trademark. The Four Seasons is a year-round resort within the Teton Village Ski Area. (Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole/TNS) As a committed foodie, I loved the multiple food and beverage options. For an elegant dinner, book a table by the window in WestBank Grill offering a panoramic view of Teton Village and Rendezvous Mountain. A large stone fireplace and open kitchen highlight the decor, and steaks are the specialty, although many guests opt for the sampling menu which at $60 for three courses is a bargain. The Westbank Grill is one of several dining options at the Four Seasons Resort in Teton Village. (Angela Conners Treimer, Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole/TNS) That same panoramic view can be seen from the massive bank of windows at The Handle Bar, the resorts more casual dining option. I found myself returning to a table by the stone fireplace for the smoked Idaho trout dip and the Handlebar burger always being careful to observe the bar rules, strictly enforced: Theres nothing wrong with drinking before noon; If there is ever any confusion, the fuller beer is yours; and my personal favorite, Patrons must have fun this is not the place for Buzz Killington or Debbie Downer. Another favorite spot was 80 Proof, a speakeasy whose manager Nick Gatz can best be described as a literary savant. Grab a cocktail and invite Nick over to discuss how his favorite fictional characters became inspiration for his favorite drinks. Try the tequila-based Pedro Romero, named for the fiery bullfighter of Hemingways The Sun Also Rises, or the Carraway in honor of F. Scott Fitzgeralds narrator in The Great Gatsby, described as bananas Foster in a glass. The Four Seasons 80 Proof Speakeasy uses famous literary characters as inspiration for unique cocktails. (Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole/TNS) Likewise, dont even think about passing up a chance to be pampered in the resorts luxurious spa. I was tempted by locally inspired treatments such as the Alpine Glow Body Wrap and Wildcrafted Facial, but finally decided on the Sacred Earth Body Ritual (why settle for 60 or 90 minutes when you can have 110?) The ritual starts with a mineral-rich body exfoliation, follows with a geothermal mud mask and a detoxifying hair and scalp treatment and concludes with an almond oil massage. The highlight of my stay, however, was a half-day private sunset wildlife safari tour, which while admittedly pricey ($645 for up to two people, $85 for each additional person), is an adventure of a lifetime. With my guide Seth Ames leading the way, I watched graceful kestrels pirouetting above me, a shy coyote camouflaged among the sagebrush and pronghorn antelope and bull elk nonchalantly grazing. One of the most thrilling moments of the four-hour tour had to be getting caught in a traffic jam caused by a herd of bison (there are more than 500 in Grand Teton National Park) who, knowing they were in control, seemed in no hurry to move things along. There are some 500 bison in Grand Teton National Park, often resulting in traffic jams where the shaggy animals have the right of way. (Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole/TNS) I thought that would have been enough, but we werent through. Seths sharp eyes spotted a black bear surreptitiously making its way through a grove of trees in the hope of cooling off in a nearby lake. The scene was magic, and enough to convince me that Jackson Hole, Wyo., has to be the most beautiful spot in America. TOKYO, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday pledged to enhance communication with China and comprehensively advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit between the two countries. During a plenary session of the House of Councillors, Ishiba emphasized the importance of strengthening communication with China across a wide range of fields, reducing challenges and increasing collaboration. Both sides will work together to build constructive and stable bilateral ties, he said. U.S. Marines train during the Iron Fist exercise at Kin Blue Beach, Okinawa, March 12, 2024. (Tyler Andrews/U.S. Marine Corps) CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa At least three U.S. Navy ships and four Marine Corps Ospreys will join an annual amphibious exercise by Marines, sailors and Japanese troops next month, according to Japans military. Iron Fist is scheduled Feb. 19 through March 7 at several locations, including the Marines Camp Hansen and Kin Blue Beach Training Area on Okinawa, according to a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force news release Friday. Drills will also take place at Vice-Camp Takayubaru and Camp Ainoura on Kyushu, and on Okinoerabu Island, about 43 miles northeast of Okinawa. The U.S. 7th Fleets amphibious assault ship USS America, the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego, and the dock-landing ship USS Rushmore will take part in the exercise, according to the release. Seventh Fleet spokesman Lt. Cmdr. John Mike declined by email Monday to confirm the ships participation, citing security reasons. Four MV-22 Ospreys from the 36th Marine Aircraft Group at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma on Okinawa will fly to Camp Ainoura as part of the training, according to a Friday news release from Japans Ministry of Defense. A spokeswoman for III Marine Expeditionary Force, 1st Lt. Isabel Izquierdo, declined by email Monday to confirm the Ospreys participation. Iron Fist, in its 19th year, will feature combined planning to improve preparedness through real-world amphibious training, according to Izquierdos email. The exercise will also focus on advanced marksmanship, amphibious reconnaissance, fire and maneuver assaults, bilateral logistics, medical support and fire support operations, such as mortars, artillery and close-air support, she said. This years Iron Fist comes amid ongoing concerns about the pace of Chinas moves around Japan and Taiwan. China demonstrated in exercises last year an ability to surround and isolate Taiwan, which Beijing intends to reclaim one day. Chinas coast guard also spent a record 355 days in waters around the Senkaku Islands. Japan administers the small islets and rocks in the East China Sea, which are also claimed by China and Taiwan. Iron Fist locations will include Camp Courtney and the Northern Training Area on Okinawa, Ie Shima Auxiliary Airfield northwest of Okinawa and Japans Camp Naha, a spokesman with Japans Ground Staff Office said by phone Monday. Approximately 2,700 Marines and sailors and 1,300 Japanese troops will participate in Iron Fist, with observers from England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia and the Philippines scheduled to attend, the spokesman said. Some Japanese government officials speak to the press only on condition of anonymity. Last years Iron Fist focused on island defense, with troops training to recapture an island in the Indo-Pacific. This training remains imperative in allowing the U.S. Marine Corps to maintain its commitments under the U.S.-Japan Alliance, Izquierdo said. Japan Air Self-Defense Force members watch the arrival of the country's first F-35A Lightning II at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Jan. 26, 2018. (Deana Heitzman/U.S. Air Force) Japanese F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters are set to train for the first time with American and Australian F-35s in the skies over Guam, according to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. For two weeks, the fifth-generation fighters will practice joint operations over a vast area for Cope North, a large-scale drill next month, said Gen. Hiroaki Uchikura, the services chief of staff. Also, this will be a good opportunity to train how to deal with opponents with the same capabilities, he told reporters at a press conference Thursday. Cope North is scheduled Feb. 3-21 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Pacific Air Forces said in a statement Monday. The exercise focuses on air combat and large-force employment to enhance the stealth fighters ability to work together, the statement said. Fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 and the F-22 Raptor can move at supersonic speeds and boast radar-evading designs, high-tech sensors and networking technology. Cope North will be based on a contemporary scenario, PACAF stated, without elaborating further. The U.S., Australia and Japan are gearing up to deter Chinese aggression over contested territory in the South China Sea and East China Sea and around Taiwan. Chinese President Xi Jinping has stated his intent to reunite the self-governing and democratic island with the mainland, by force if necessary. The U.S., Australian, and Japanese air forces serve as the trilateral exercise leads, establishing command and control and organizing training for the multinational task force, the PACAF statement said, without listing other nations involved in the task force. PACAF was preparing to release additional information about the exercise, a spokeswoman for Andersens 36th Wing, 1st Lt. Ariana Wilkinson, said by phone Tuesday. Last year, around 1,700 U.S. airmen, sailors and Marines joined the training, along with 700 troops from Australia, Canada, France, South Korea and Japan. The Australian Defence Force, in an unsigned email Tuesday, said it may release information about Cope North by next week. Japan has 39 F-35As deployed to Misawa Air Base in northeast Japan, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told reporters Friday. The country is sending six F-35As, two E-2D Advanced Hawkey command and control planes and a KC-46A Pegasus tanker to Cope North, the Air Self-Defense Force announced on its website a day earlier. The planes are from Japans 3rd Air Wing and the Airborne Warning and Control Wing at Misawa and the 3rd Tactical Airlift Group at Miho Air Base in the countrys southwest, according to the statement. We share universal values and strategies with the U.S. and Australia, and through this exercise we can show the strong ties between the three countries, to ensure peace and stability in the region, and will help to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific, Uchikura said Thursday. Cope North started in 1978 at Misawa as a quarterly exercise between the U.S. and Japan. The training moved to Guam in 1999, and brought the Australian air force into the fold in 2012. Other U.S. allies, including New Zealand and the Philippines, have participated intermittently. A worker clears snow from the streets of Osan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 28, 2025. (Eric Mendiola/Stars and Stripes) OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea Heavy snow Monday night prompted school closures, travel warnings and suspended services for some U.S. bases on the peninsula as the country observes its longest holiday of the year. Up to 8 inches of snow accumulated Tuesday in some parts in Pyeongtaek city, home of Osan and Camp Humphreys, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. All schools on both bases were closed for two days starting Tuesday, the Department of Defense Education Activity announced in emails to parents and staff. More snow was forecast for Tuesday evening with temperatures dipping to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the meteorological administration. No snow is expected after Wednesday; however, temperatures are anticipated to drop to 15 degrees. Snow accumulates outside the exchange at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 28, 2025. (Eric Mendiola/Stars and Stripes) Taxis wait in the snow at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 28, 2025. (Eric Mendiola/Stars and Stripes) Outpatient services at the Sgt. Whin Woo Kim Clinic at Humphreys were also suspended Tuesday, according to the Brian D. Allgood Army Community Hospitals Facebook page. Emergency, inpatient and ancillary services were still open. Some services remained open, including gyms, post offices, commissaries, troop dining facilities and restaurants, according to posts on the official Humphreys and Osan Facebook pages. No damage was reported at Humphreys on Tuesday, garrison spokesman Jeff Nagan said in an email that day. The snow prompted road-condition warnings from Humphreys and Osan. Drivers on both bases were advised to exercise extreme caution and use snow chains. U.S. service members were limited to driving military vehicles for essential duties only, according to official Facebook pages. Some roads leading toward Pyeongtaek were icy Tuesday morning. A car was seen sliding off course and hitting a guardrail, joining two other vehicles that met the same fate. Mission-essential personnel in Pyeongtaek and Seoul were given a delayed, 10 a.m. report time to account for the inclement weather; everyone else was not required to commute to work, according to a text message from the Defense Departments mass warning system. We encourage our workforce and residents to remain off the road until conditions improve, Nagan said. Humphreys, the largest U.S. military base overseas, is about 40 miles south of Seoul; Osan, home of the 7th Air Force, is about 30 miles south of the capital city. Kunsan Air Base, home of the 8th Fighter Wing, 120 miles south of Seoul, also imposed mission-essential travel only. Traveling by bicycle, motorcycle and scooters was suspended and taxis and buses should only be used when necessary, according to a post on Kunsans official Facebook page Tuesday. U.S. and South Korean military bases are relatively vacant this week as the country observes the Lunar New Year, a six-day holiday during which many businesses and government offices are closed while the population visits their families. U.S. Forces Korea, the command responsible for the 28,500 American troops in the country, also observes the Lunar New Year and grants its personnel a holiday Wednesday in honor of [South Korean] custom, according to a command memo. South Korean acting president Choi Sang-mok encouraged government safety officials to work day and night throughout the holiday to ensure residents can have a safe and comfortable holiday, according to a presidential office news release Monday. Members of the U.S. Army-led Task Force Voit load a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System with test rockets at the Central Training Area near Tapa, Estonia, on Jan. 27, 2025, as part of a live-fire exercise. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) TAPA, Estonia Rockets fired by members of a U.S. Army-led mission in this Baltic country lit up the sky this week on the cusp of Russian territory, a show of strength that heralded more to come. Test rounds launched Monday from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems of Task Force Voit during a live-fire exercise at a training area near Tapa previewed the added NATO firepower headed to the eastern flank. Within months, Estonia is expecting the arrival of a half-dozen HIMARS after taking delivery of them in the United States a couple of weeks ago. Meanwhile, a handful of Estonian military personnel watched the display put on by the U.S. contingent. Task Force Voit was established in Tapa two years ago with the dual mission of deterring aggression and teaching the Estonians how to use HIMARS. That training is now primed to take off in the coming months. The message that it sends is that we are here, and we are ready and capable to defend our shared values and interests, Maj. Adrian Betancourt, the task forces officer in charge, said of the exercise. U.S. Army Maj. Adrian Betancourt, Task Force Voits officer in charge, talks to Estonian troops on the sidelines of a live-fire exercise with the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System near Tapa, Estonia, on Jan. 27, 2025. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Betancourt added that the Americans are thrilled for the opportunity to show their Estonian counterparts the ropes on a weapons system that has been used to devastating effect against Russian forces in Ukraine. Estonian personnel likely will be conducting similar drills by the summer and officials are scouting additional areas in the country where they can test the launchers, Betancourt said. The Estonians training so far has consisted of academic modules and some hands-on work, but live-fire drills will begin once the U.S.-made systems are in the country. Demand for the weapon has taken off as a result of Ukraines battlefield successes with HIMARS. The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania took notice. Over the next two years, the latter two will join Estonia in adding the weapon to their arsenal, marking the start of a long-range artillery evolution in the region. Altogether, the three countries are expected to field 20 of the launchers by 2027. The systems armored cab holds three operators a driver, gunner and section chief and is designed to withstand small-arms fire and artillery fragments. A High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launcher belonging to the U.S. Army-led Task Force Voit fires a test rocket Jan. 27, 2025, at a training area near Tapa, Estonia. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) A High Mobility Artillery Rocket System belonging to the U.S. Army-led Task Force Voit drives through rough terrain near Tapa, Estonia, during a live-fire exercise on Jan. 27, 2025. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) It can fire different projectiles, including GMLRS-guided rockets that can strike targets out to roughly 40 miles, and M57 ATACMS ballistic missiles that can travel 180 miles. Sgt. 1st Class Margus Oras, first sergeant of the Estonian militarys HIMARS battery, was among those watching Task Force Voits live fire on Monday. The roughly 100 Estonian reservists who have been training with the Americans will be ready to use the new systems on day one, Oras said. Sgt. 1st Class Margus Oras of the Estonian armed forces wears a patch on his uniform that combines the flags of Estonia and Ukraine. Oras is a leader of Estonian forces who are learning from U.S. counterparts how to use the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, which has been of great help in Ukraine's war against Russia. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Most of the U.S. contingent in the drill arrived at the training area on Sunday. The task force is made up mostly of soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Field Artillery Brigade, based at Fort Liberty, N.C. For the task force soldiers, the live fire was a chance to maintain their sharpness. They spent the night in their HIMARS vehicles or in tents amid freezing temperatures and didnt launch the rockets until Monday. A key part of the training is ensuring that soldiers can operate the launchers in the conditions theyre likely to face. Cpl. Kadarius Nash, a gunner, said maneuvering the HIMARS through muddy terrain, avoiding getting stuck and dealing with the snow and winter chill of the high northern latitude were the most challenging aspects of the drill. The environment is definitely different here, not like any of my experiences in the past, Nash said. Observers more than 5 miles from the HIMARS launchers sent coordinates for a target to a temporary control center set up at the training site. The center processed the data and relayed it to the launcher crews, who then opened fire. The observers reported back whether the target had been hit. All told, they spent several hours engaged in firing. Analysts say the immediate threat of direct Russian action against any of the Baltic states appears low because of the Kremlins focus on the war in Ukraine. However, regional intelligence services assess that Moscow has developed longer-term plans to reconstitute its forces and redeploy a large military presence in the region, according to the Congressional Research Service. Staff Sgt. Shaun Lewis, assigned to the U.S. Army-led Task Force Voit, looks out of the cab of a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during a live-fire exercise Jan. 27, 2025, near Tapa, Estonia. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) So it is wise for the Baltics to be investing in HIMARS and other military hardware, said Scott Boston, a senior defense analyst at the Rand Corp. We will be in an antagonistic relationship with Russia for probably the rest of our lives, and they feel it more than anyone, Boston said. This is a very good reason for our allies to be looking ahead. Leaders of Task Force Voit said the unit intends to stay and continue training Estonian forces once their HIMARS arrive, with the aim of eventually conducting live fires together. The fate of the task forces mission is in the hands of President Donald Trump, who has long badgered NATO allies that dont meet the blocs benchmark of spending at least 2% of gross domestic product on defense. All three Baltic countries already exceed that target, and Lithuanias foreign minister said recently that his country intends to increase its defense spending to between 5% and 6% of GDP from next year until 2030. For the time being, Task Force Voits soldiers are availing themselves of the mutual benefits of their interactions with the Estonians in Tapa. Sgt. Cade England, a gunner who participated in the live fire Monday, said camouflage techniques and winter operations tips were among the lessons shared with the Americans. Were taking ideas and bouncing them off each other so we can move forward in future missions, England said. Were learning so much from each other and we want to continue learning. A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Lajes Field in the Azores in 2022. The base in the Portuguese island chain provides an important mid-Atlantic link for U.S. and allied forces traveling to and from Europe, Africa and the Middle East. (Edgar Grimaldo/U.S. Air Force) NATO ally Portugal is doubling down on its intent to raise defense spending only slightly, even as leaders in the bloc warn of the dangers from Russian long-range bombers to a country that hosts a strategic U.S. airfield. The threats from Russia may seem distant, but let me assure you, it is not, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Monday, speaking alongside Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro. Russian ships and long-range bombers menace the Portuguese coast. Ruttes visit to Lisbon came as pressure intensifies on NATO to meet U.S. President Donald Trumps demands for big increases in defense spending. Last week, Trump called on allies to boost levels from the current benchmark of 2% of gross domestic product to 5%. But Portugal falls short of even the 2% mark, which it says it wont reach until 2029. Thats five years later than a deadline imposed by NATO in 2014 that said members should be at 2% by 2024. Allies closer to Russias border have been quicker to elevate defense outlays, but southern European countries such as Italy, Spain and Portugal, all of which have U.S. military bases and sites on their territory, have lagged. The Azores, a chain of Portuguese islands in the Atlantic Ocean, are where the U.S. Air Force maintains Lajes Field, a logistics hub for American and allied forces. For Rutte, the central challenge of his term as NATOs top official will be getting allies reluctant to go big on defense spending to showcase more urgency on an issue that will dominate Trumps approach to the alliance. In Lisbon, Rutte told Montenegro that the allies need to prepare for larger defense spending commitments to guarantee our security in the future. Montenegro said Monday that there was a possibility his country could speed up the timetable for getting to the 2% target. During Trumps first term, laggard defense spending by Germany was one reason Trump cited in calling for the withdrawal of 12,000 U.S. troops from that country. Lajes Field, hosted on a Portuguese air base, is home to the 65th Air Base Group. The location has the ability to act as a power projection platform for bombers and fighters and also serves as a refueling stopping point. Russia is facing the loss of its naval base in Tartus, Syria its only hub on the Mediterranean Sea. (Maxime Popov, AFP via Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Russia is struggling to retain two military bases in Syria that have enabled it to project influence in the Middle East and Africa, according to a person in Moscow familiar with the situation. Negotiations with the new Syrian government are stuck, the person said, asking not to be identified because the matter is sensitive. Russian activities at its airfield in Hmeimim have been curtailed and two transport ships were kept waiting for weeks before Syrian officials allowed them to dock at a naval base in Tartus to remove military equipment, the person said. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, President Vladimir Putins special representative for the Middle East, arrived in Damascus on Tuesday, the first visit by a delegation from Moscow since the change of power in Syria, the state-run Tass news service reported. The Kremlin had been optimistic it could persuade Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, or HTS, the former al-Qaeda offshoot that last month led the ousting of Kremlin ally President Bashar al-Assad, to let it remain at the bases. Russia helped Assad flee to Moscow as his regime crumbled. Tartus is the only Russian naval hub in the Mediterranean and Hmeimim is a key resupply base for Moscows activities in many parts of Africa. Russia has used the two bases to try to rebuild its Cold War-era influence in the Middle East. Their loss would be a significant strategic setback as Russia remains locked in escalating confrontation with the U.S. and its European allies almost three years since Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and the Russian Defense Ministry didnt immediately respond to requests to comment. Syrias Foreign Ministry couldnt be reached for comment. At least one of the Russian ships, the Sparta II, designed to transport wheeled cargoes such as trucks, left the Tartus port area on Tuesday, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. Putin ordered his military to intervene in Syria in support of Assad in 2015, helping turn the war against rebel forces at that time. In 2017, Russia was awarded 49-year leases to the Tartus base and the Hmeimim airfield. Turkey, which backed the rebels in ousting Assad and is a rival to Russia in Syria, opposes the continuation of Moscows military presence in the country. Its highly doubtful the new Syrian authorities will let Russia stay at the bases after Russian warplanes targeted opposition forces during the countrys civil war, said two senior Turkish officials. Turkeys Defense Ministry declined to comment. Turkey has offered to supply the Syrian armed forces with weapons and provide training. Much of the countrys military capability has been destroyed by Israeli attacks since Assad was overthrown. The German and French foreign ministers visited Syria soon after the New Year as the European Union stepped up efforts to build ties with the new authorities and persuade them to curtail Russias influence. EU foreign ministers reached a preliminary deal Monday on a roadmap to ease sanctions gradually on Syria, the blocs top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, told reporters. Some Group of Seven nations and allies have explored ways to enable Syria to find alternatives to imports of Russian oil and food, Bloomberg reported earlier this month. Ukraine sent Syria a shipment of wheat and promised more deliveries during a visit in December by the foreign and agricultural chiefs. With assistance from Selcan Hacaoglu, Donato Paolo Mancini and Samy Adghirni. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. VIENTIANE, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The vibrant colors of the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, are lighting up Laos, filling the air with joy, hope, and unity as Chinese and Lao communities celebrate the festival with dragon dances, family reunions, and festive meals. Many places are decorated with red lanterns and golden ornaments, while local markets are filled with the scent of sticky rice cakes and sweet treats. Channapha, a shopper at a local market in Vientiane, told Xinhua that preparations are just as important as the festival itself. "We always make sure to buy the best produce, especially for the dishes that symbolize good luck. It's not just about the food, it's about the excitement of preparing together with our loved ones." "Beyond food, decorations are a key part of the preparations. We decorate with red, as it symbolizes good luck, while also creating a festive atmosphere in the home," she added. The Chinese New Year celebration goes beyond usual festivities. It is a time for families to come together and share the joy. Khanthaphone, a Lao citizen of Chinese descent, told Xinhua, "I remember as a child, my grandmother would give me red envelopes and wish me luck. She passed away nearly five years ago, and when the celebration comes, it brings tears as I miss her deeply." "For me, Chinese New Year is all about family, and that's what matters most," he said. "My brother studies in China and comes back to Laos once a year to gather with the family for the celebration. We may not all live nearby, but we make sure to come together." Being surrounded by family and sharing meals is a moment of pure happiness, Khanthaphone added. As the celebrations continue, Laos is painted in a vibrant mix of red, gold, and joy. Chinese New Year has become more than just a cultural event. It's a moment of pure happiness, accompanied by dragon dances, the sound of drums, and cheerful laughter filling the air. Nanthanouvong, a 33-year-old resident of Lao capital Vientiane, said that many places are adorned with vibrant red lanterns, while the iconic dragon dances take center stage. "The dragon dance is my favorite part of the celebration. The energy is contagious, and the drums and the colorful costumes get everyone excited," he said. This year's Chinese New Year falls on Jan. 29, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. Michael Missal, inspector general for the Department of Veterans Affairs at the time, listens during a House hearing in 2019. Missal was one of more than a dozen federal inspectors general fired by President Donald Trump. (Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON Michael Missal, inspector general at the Department of Veterans Affairs since 2016, was one of more than a dozen inspectors general fired by President Donald Trump. The Friday night purge included inspectors general at the departments of agriculture, education, labor, transportation, state and Robert Storch at the Defense Department. Missal oversaw a staff of more than 1,100 auditors, investigators, inspectors and data analysts across the nation. The terminations make room for better qualified individuals who will uphold the rule of law and protect democracy, according to a statement from a White House official, who did not provide his or her name. Missal was former President Barack Obamas pick for VA inspector general during his second term. With an annual budget of $369 billion, the VA is the federal governments second-largest department after the Defense Department. An inspector general conducts investigations and audits into potential malfeasance, fraud, waste or abuse by a government agency or its personnel and issues reports and recommendations on its findings. An inspector generals office is intended to operate independently. There are 74 inspectors general across the federal government. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, slammed the Trump administration for Missals removal. Blumenthal described the firing as a betrayal of trust. This reckless, reprehensible firing should prompt bipartisan congressional action to assure that a watchdog is safeguarding veterans rights, he said. The VA serves more than 9 million veterans and operates the nations largest integrated health care system with more than 400,000 employees, according to the agency. Blumenthal also questioned the legality of the swift removal of the inspectors general. Blumenthal pointed to a 2022 law that Congress passed requiring a 30-day notice before removing an inspector general. The president also must provide a reason for the termination under the law. Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., lauded Missals service overseeing investigations of VA programs during former President Joe Bidens administration and Trumps first term. Takano said he is concerned Trump will install an inspector general who lacks independence from the White House. But Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Sunday on Meet the Press that he is not overly worried about the removals. This is not the first time that [a president] has come in and put in his own team. You need people in your administration that reflect your views, he said. Graham also said Trump might have technically violated the law but has the authority to make choices for inspectors general. A VA notice posted online Monday with Missals biography stated he was no longer with the department and his webpage was being maintained for archival purposes. Missals work involved overseeing regular inspections at all VA clinics and medical centers, which number about 1,200 facilities. He also was the chairman of the Investigations Committee of the Council of Inspectors General. The council is an independent body that is part of the executive branch and composed of all the inspectors general. Missal previously served as senior counsel at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in the Division of Enforcement. He also has three other children but has never met his youngest A drugs mule who had an affair with his teacher when he was 14 and had a child with her has been jailed for three years for importing over 80,000 of cocaine at Dublin Airport. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Lemos Luise Rocha (24) smuggled the 1.23kg drugs because he met a man with a nice car who told him he had done something to have a nice life. Rocha (24) who is from Sao Paulo in Brazil and has been in custody since his arrest, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine at Dublin Airport on March 31, 2024. He swallowed half of the pellets, and the rest were wrapped around his groin and in each of his shoes. He admitted he had swallowed some of the drugs and gardai had to wait for them to pass. In mitigation, defence counsel, James Dwyer SC, said Rocha had an affair with his teacher when he was 14 and has a child with her. He also has three other children but has never met his youngest. Garda Tanya Shinkins told the court Rocha received a down payment in the form of a hamper which is a significant gesture for a very impoverished family in Brazil. Gda Shinkins agreed with Mr Dwyer that his client volunteered he had pellets inside. She further agreed that family concerns were at the forefront. His counsel asked the judge to take account that he was in fear of his life, his admissions and the coercion involved. He also asked for consideration for the fact Rocha is serving time abroad away from his family. Judge Martin Nolan jailed Rocha for three years. He said the man carried out the offence for a cash reward and was imposed upon to transport these drugs to Ireland. Judge Nolan said its a serious crime but Rocha had expressed remorse. He said he had to take into account that he is a foreign national. The judge noted the minimum sentence was 10 years but the mitigation is strong. He jailed him for three years and backdated to March 31, 2024, for time spent in custody as he could not take up bail. Rocha came to Ireland because he met a man who was in a nice car out shopping who told him he had done something to have a nice life the court was told, referring to selling drugs. He did have second thoughts and a certain element of pressure was exerted on him at that point, as they had already paid utility bills for him and given him a hamper as well as 500. He said he was given water to swallow drugs but he vomited them up. He said he told this man he wanted to give up. He was told he couldnt swallow some of them. He was told it was all or nothing, the court heard, and that he was told he was taking all the pellets or nothing at all. Rocha told gardai he was to go to a hotel after he arrived. He was in communication with them by mobile phone and he had 500 on him as a part payment. The severity of what he had done was apparent to him when he told gardai something that was going to change my life is going to ruin my life. He has no previous convictions and he had never been on an airplane before, the court heard. MINSK, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- China and Belarus have great prospects for cooperation in various fields such as culture, automobiles and biotechnology, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko told Xinhua on Sunday. Unlike the West, China has opened its "doors and windows" to Belarus for cooperation, the Belarusian leader said. Lukashenko said Belarus can maintain its high level of technological development today thanks to China. The president invited Chinese companies to cooperate with Belarus. Lukashenko said the all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership between Belarus and China has a bright future, and the two countries will confidently move along this path. Tony Ward (53) of Balbutcher Way, Poppintree, Dublin 11, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court A Dublin City Council worker who was caught transporting cannabis in his work vehicle has been given a suspended sentence. Tony Ward (53) of Balbutcher Way, Poppintree, Dublin 11, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having drugs for sale or supply on May 10, 2023. His previous convictions are for minor road traffic offences. Ward claimed he got involved in the offence because his son owed a drug debt. His co-accused Michael Little (57) of Rossaveal Court, Drumfinn Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, pleaded guilty to the same offence. He received an 18 month suspended sentence earlier this year. Garda Tara Higgins told Simon Donagh BL, prosecuting, that gardai were monitoring an area after Little was spotted acting suspiciously. Ward then approached Little while driving a Dublin City Council lorry and handed over a package. Little tried to hide the package in his trousers. He was stopped and gardai found the package contained 6,000 worth of cannabis. Gda Higgins confirmed that Little made full admissions in a subsequent interview with gardai. Gardai followed the lorry and stopped Ward. He was arrested but nothing of significance came out of his later interviews with gardai. Gda Higgins agreed with Keith Spencer BL, defending, that Ward was acting as a drug mule after his son got into difficulty because of his own drug habit. She agreed that effectively Ward stepped into the breach and dropped the package from A to B. Mr Spencer said his client has since been suspended and will lose his job. Judge Martin Nolan accepted that Ward was pressurised to get involved because of his sons drug habit. He acknowledged that he had a long history of work and was unlikely to re-offend. Judge Nolan sentenced Ward to 18 months in prison which he suspended in full on strict conditions. Cosmin Vranceanu (22) threw the glass during a row and a fragment struck the woman who was standing up to six metres away, it is alleged A nightclubber accused of smashing a glass that sent a shard flying into a womans face has been sent for trial charged with assault. Cosmin Vranceanu (22) threw the glass during a row and a fragment struck the woman who was standing up to six metres away, it is alleged. A book of evidence was served on him at Dublin District Court. Judge Cephas Power sent him for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Mr Vranceanu, of Buckingham Village in Dublin city, is charged with assault causing harm to a woman at the Living Room, Cathal Brugha Street, on March 17 last year. The DPP consented to the accused being sent forward to the current sittings of the Circuit Court, to appear there in March. Judge Power gave Mr Vranceanu the formal alibi warning before sending him for trial, on existing bail. Previously, outlining the allegations, Garda Eoin Harte said at 2.30am, he was called to an incident in the club where security had detained the accused. The garda said he watched CCTV and saw Mr Vranceanu throw a glass, which smashed against a wall. A shard of glass flew across the room and hit a woman in the face near the eye, the garda alleged. Gda Harte said Mr Vranceanu had had an argument with a group of men and smashed the glass in either anger or defence. The court heard four cuts were visible on the womans face. The DPP initially directed the case could be dealt within the District Court, but a judge had refused jurisdiction after hearing the summary of evidence. Marcus ONeill of O'Brien Street, Waterford City, appeared before a sitting of Waterford District Court on Tuesday morning, January 28, via video link from prison A 34-year-old man charged with murdering a woman in Waterford city has been remanded in custody to appear before the High Court in four weeks time. Marcus ONeill of O'Brien Street, Waterford City, appeared before a sitting of Waterford District Court on Tuesday morning, January 28, via video link from prison. Mr ONeill is charged with the murder of Gillian Curran at 15 O'Brien Street, Waterford, on Saturday, January 25. Wearing a green top, Mr ONeill confirmed his name to Judge Cephas Power. The case had been adjourned from a special sitting of Gorey District Court on Sunday, January 26. There was no application for bail as the District Court has no jurisdiction to consider bail on a murder charge. A solicitor for Mr ONeill requested that the case be put back for two or four weeks, with the courts consent. Marcus ONeill of O'Brien Street, Waterford City, appeared before a sitting of Waterford District Court on Tuesday morning, January 28, via video link from prison. Photo: Patrick Browne Judge Power remanded Mr ONeill in custody to appear before the High Court on February 25 next, while the Book of Evidence is prepared and directions are sent to the DPP. Mr ONeills solicitor asked that the defendant keep his number on his phone while in custody. Thats no problem, responded Mr ONeill. Gillian Curran was found dead at a residence on O'Brien Street, Waterford city. She was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene. A family liaison officer has also been assigned to support the family. Garda have appealed for witnesses to contact them and are seeking any available camera footage, including dashcam recordings from those who were in the vicinity of OBrien Street at the time of the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305322 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. The Court of Appeal rejected claims that Barry Donnellys minimum nine-year tariff for killing tattoo artist Aidan Mann while in the grip of a psychotic episode was manifestly excessive. A man who chased and stabbed his neighbour to death on a County Down street failed today in a legal bid to secure a reduced prison term. The Court of Appeal rejected claims that Barry Donnellys minimum nine-year tariff for killing tattoo artist Aidan Mann while in the grip of a psychotic episode was manifestly excessive. Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan ruled that 39-year-old Donellys culpability had been properly assessed. This was a brutal attack on a public street which was unremitting," she said. It must have been terrifying for the victim and it was clearly highly distressing for members of the public who observed it and who bravely stepped in to try to stop the attack. Mr Mann, 28, was stabbed 14 times outside a car dealership in Church Street, Downpatrick on January 3, 2022. Graphic CCTV footage showed the victim being pursued after Donnelly first approached him outside their block of flats while armed with two large kitchen knives. Mr Mann, also known as tattoo artist Zen Black, was unable to escape and fell to the ground where the defendant straddled and stabbed him repeatedly in the chest, leg and torso in front of others. Donnelly subsequently pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. In July 2023 a judge at Belfast Crown Court sentenced him to an indeterminate custodial term, with a minimum tariff set at nine years. He is currently detained at a secure psychiatric unit but is expected to be transferred into a prison when his condition is stabilised. Donnelly will only be released after serving the minimum period if Parole Commissioners decide that he no longer poses a risk to the public. The court heard he had used cannabis since the age of 16 and was diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia at the time of the killing. Despite episodes of paranoia and social anxiety linked to his drug habit, he had not been registered with a GP for more than a decade. Defence lawyers argued that the sentencing judge should have concluded Donnelly had lower culpability for what happened. Ruling on the appeal, a panel of senior judges described it as a difficult case involving a death caused by someone with a mental impairment. Dame Siobhan set out a series of aggravating factors, including Donnellys use of weapons and his long-term failure to seek medical help. She also highlighted how he had been on bail for a separate assault when the killing was carried out in full view of frightened onlookers. Backing the assessment of Donnellys culpability, the Lady Chief Justice held that it was not a case of low culpability. The appellant did not, notwithstanding his knowledge of paranoia caused by cannabis, stop his cannabis use over a 20-year period, she added. We cannot say on an overall view that the sentence is manifestly excessive. Dismissing the appeal, Dame Siobhan stressed that Donelly will remain in custody at the end of his minimum jail term if he is not deemed safe for release. She added: This will be a reality for many dangerous offenders, and so, notwithstanding the application of a minimum tariff there is an added robust protection by virtue of the Parole Commissioners carefully assessing the risk to the public with the benefit of medical and other evidence. Barrett was a single mother and was struggling at the time to support her children financially, her solicitor Andrew Broderick said. A single mother who stole 140 of tanning creams from a shop was struggling to support her children at the time, a court heard. Carol Barrett (28) was at a low ebb when she shoplifted the goods at a Dublin tanning store. Judge Treasa Kelly fined her 200 when she appeared in Dublin District Court. Barrett, with an address at Alma Terrace, Finisklin, Sligo, pleaded guilty to theft in the incident. A garda sergeant told the court the accused went to the Tanning Shop, Malahide Road, on November 20 last year and took 140 worth of tanning cream. Separately, Barrett went to Dunnes Stores in Northside Shopping Centre, Coolock, on November 21 and stole 85 worth of goods. She had previous convictions. Barrett was a single mother and was struggling at the time to support her children financially, her solicitor Andrew Broderick said. The accused was at a low ebb at the time she carried out the thefts, but was in a better place now, Mr Broderick said. She had a new partner who was in court to support her. Judge Kelly fined the accused for the theft at the tanning shop and took the other charge into consideration. Alan McCartney, from Coolrain, Portlaoise, Co Laois, died on January 18, 2022 A PROPERTY firm faces trial accused of breaking health and safety laws in connection with the death of a man after a fall at a Dublin building site three years ago. Dad of three, Alan McCartney, from Coolrain, Portlaoise, Co Laois, died on January 18, 2022. Yesterday, at Dublin District Court, a prosecution against development and real estate firm Twinlite Devco Ltd, with an address at Pepper Canister House, Mount Street, Dublin 2, was adjourned until February 24. The firm faces six charges under section 15 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. It is accused that on January 17, 2022, having control of a construction site at or near Castlepark, Castlelands, Hyde Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin, it failed to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that in the course of the work being carried on, individuals at the place of work, not being its employees, were not exposed to risks. According to the charges, the firm is accused of failing to provide Mr McCartney with appropriate work-at-height equipment, thereby exposing him to risks to his safety, health or welfare, and as a result, Mr McCartney fell from a height, suffered personal injuries and died. As project supervisor for the construction stage of a project where more than one contractor was engaged, the firm is accused of failing to co-ordinate arrangements for checking the implementation of safe working procedures or implement the control measures set out in its construction stage health and safety plan dated July 3, 2020, and reviewed on April 6 2021, and as a result, Mr McCartney fell from a height. Dr Conor Young of Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) today told the trial that the blood staining could be explained by direct contact between the rock and the deceased man A rock weighing 3.5 kilograms that was found at the top of Ireland's tallest cliffs contained hundreds of hairs and was heavily bloodstained with DNA matching that of a pensioner who had his skull broken in and was allegedly thrown into the sea, a jury has heard. Dr Conor Young of Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) today told the trial of Alan Vial (39) and Nikita Burns (23) that the blood staining could be explained by direct contact between the rock and the deceased man Robert 'Robin' Wilkin (66) or by contact with a surface that was heavily stained with his blood. The trial also heard from Det Gda Jeanette O'Neill, a ballistics expert with the Garda Technical Bureau, who told Bernard Condon SC for the prosecution that she found the rock on the edge of the Sliabh Liag cliffs near a viewing point used by tourists. Nearby were other items including a man's reading glasses, a silver chain with a broken clasp and a five cent coin. Further down the cliff, Det Gda O'Neill found a frame from the rearview mirror of a car which appeared to have a blood swipe on it. Garda searchers also recovered a heavily bloodstained blanket and a man's Ravel wristwatch. Inside a Volkswagen Passat in which the prosecution alleges the assault on Mr Wilkin happened, Det Gda O'Neill found blood spatter on the roof, on the rear passenger window and the rear window. From the pattern of the blood spatter, she concluded that the assailant may have sat in the front passenger seat when the assault took place. However, Det Gda O'Neill agreed with Eoin Lawlor SC, for Ms Burns, that if Mr Wilkin's head had been in the area of the car's centre console, it would be reasonably possible that a rock brought down from the driver's side would have caused the spatter observed on the roof and window. Det Gda O'Neill told Shane Costelloe SC, for Mr Vial, that she is aware that a pathologist has concluded that the bloodstained rock was "entirely consistent" with having caused two fractures found to the back of Mr Wilkin's skull. Det Gda O'Neill agreed that had a person in the driver's seat been fighting with the deceased in the back seat, it would have been possible for someone else to come in from behind with the rock and hit the deceased in the back of the head, causing the spatter patterns observed. Dr Young told Mr Condon that he analyzed the blood found on the rock, the roof of the Passat, and part of the back car seat. In each case the DNA matched that of Robert Wilkin. The blood on the roof, he said, indicated that force was applied to the blood of Mr Wilkin in this area. The saturation staining on the car seat, he said, indicated that Mr Wilkin bled heavily in this location. The irregular shaped rock measured about 20cm by 20cm with a depth of 9cm and weighed about 3.5 kilograms. It was heavily bloodstained with "transfer stains" indicating contact with a blood bearing surface. It also had a number of hairs attached to it, he said. The hairs and bloodstains generated DNA profiles matching that of Mr Wilkin. Dr Young also examined a pair of blue leggings that the prosecution alleges Ms Burns was wearing when Mr Wilkin was assaulted. Dr Young found DNA matching that of Mr Wilkin from a blood stain on the lower part of the right leg. The sole of one of a pair of Timberland boots that the prosecution alleges belong to Mr Vial had bloodstains which generated DNA profiles matching that of Mr Wilkin. Samples taken from inside and outside a vacuum cleaner that the prosecution alleges was used to clean the Volkswagen, tested positive for blood. However, Dr Young said the samples provided insufficient DNA to generate a profile. A brother of Mr Vial has testified that after the alleged murder, the accused man borrowed a vacuum to clean his car and when it was returned, it was "full of gunk" which the witness assumed was "red wine vomit". Nikita Burns of Carrick, Co Donegal and Mr Vial, of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, Co Donegal have pleaded not (NOT) guilty to the murder of Robert 'Robin' Wilkin on June 25, 2023 in Donegal. Mr Wilkin's body was found by the Irish Coastguard in the sea eight days after it is alleged the two accused put him over the Sliabh Liag cliffs. The trial continues at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven women and five men. Halle had been at what was claimed to be Irelands largest indoor trampoline and ninja park, which boasts almost a dozen play zones and party rooms as well as a restaurant and coffee shop, when the incident happened A judge has ruled as appropriate a 56,000 Injuries Board assessment of damages for an 11-year-old schoolgirl who seriously injured her left elbow after falling from monkey bars into a foam pit at a Dublin fun park. Halle Carney, through her father James Carney, of Annamoe Drive, Cabra, Dublin 7, had submitted a damages claim for assessment to the Injuries Board, the independent state body which assesses personal injury compensation, against Bounce N Beyond Limited, Grange, Ballyboughal, Dublin. Barrister David Richardson, counsel for Halle, told Judge Terence OSullivan in the Circuit Civil Court today Tuesday that while legal proceedings had not yet issued against the defendant he was seeking a court ruling on the adequacy or otherwise of the Injuries Boards assessment. Mr Richardson, who appeared with Shane Walsh of Anthony Joyce Solicitors, said medical reports from Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons Enda Kelly, Temple Street Childrens Hospital, and Shane ONeill of the Mater University Hospital had been submitted to Injuries Board assessors. Judge OSullivan heard that on July 4, 2023 Halle had been at what was claimed to be Irelands largest indoor trampoline and ninja park, which boasts almost a dozen play zones and party rooms as well as a restaurant and coffee shop, when the incident happened. She had been using overhead monkey bars when she had fallen, fracturing her left elbow in two places on landing in the pit. Having been taken to Temple Street Childrens Hospital, tension band wires had been surgically inserted and later removed prior to intensive physiotherapy. She had been left with a mild surgical scar. Mr Richardson told the court that Halle had made a complete functional recovery and had returned to all of her social activities including dancing and said he, Halle and her father were happy to recommend the courts approval of the assessment of 55,000, which would be paid into court to her credit, in general damages and 1,333 hospital and medical fees which would be paid out to her solicitor. Counsel said Halle had been categorized as somebody who was at mild to moderate risk of osteoarthritis as a result of her injury. Mr Richardson added that under the current personal injury guidelines it was possible convincing arguments could be made on her behalf for compensation between 40,000 and 72,500. Judge OSullivan approved of the Boards assessment of compensation. Evidence was also given of how Dempsey had a very difficult childhood growing up and was exposed to criminality from a young age. The son of Kinahan gangster Fat Freddie Thompson has been jailed for eight years for firing five shots into a packed car in a Dublin housing estate. Dublin Circuit Court heard how Brad Dempsey (24) carried out the spontaneous and haphazard shooting after his friend had been assaulted an hour earlier. Evidence was also given of how Dempsey had a very difficult childhood growing up and was exposed to criminality from a young age. His father, Freddie Thompson (44), is a member of the Kinahan crime group who is serving a life sentence for the feud murder of David Douglas in July 2016. This afternoon the court heard how emergency services were alerted to a shooting on Margaret Kennedy Road in Dublin 8 shortly before noon on January 19, 2022. Detective Garda Richie Pender told prosecuting counsel Diarmuid Collins BL that five shots were fired into a car with four people inside. The car had been reversing into a parking space when a gunman with his face covered emerged from a property and discharged the shots from a distance of less than 10ft. Detective Garda Pender said a window was smashed from one bullet while the other four struck the car around the seated area of the vehicle. No injuries were reported, and the car fled the scene. Only one person in the vehicle made a statement to gardai. He said he initially thought kids were throwing rocks at his car but started freaking out when he realised he was being shot at. The driver told gardai he was crying and in shock, and abandoned the car. The court heard that an hour before the shooting an associate of Brad Dempsey was assaulted near the scene, with the accused arriving there in a taxi and going into a house around half an hour later. Fat Freddie Dempsey was described as agitated in the taxi and was overheard on the phone telling another individual Go and get me a lock. Following the shooting the gunman fled the scene. Footage was viewed from a CCTV camera nearby showing the shooter remove his scarf to speak with a relative. Brad Dempsey was identified from this footage while DNA and firearms residue found on discarded clothing were also used to identify him. Dempsey, of Stannaway Road in Drimnagh, was arrested in August 2023 and denied any involvement in the offence during garda interview. He was initially charged with possessing a firearm with the intent to endanger life but pleaded guilty to the lesser of possession of the firearm in suspicious circumstances. He has been in custody since his arrest. The court heard he has a number of previous convictions including for production of an article, violent disorder, and possession of drugs. Under cross-examination from Padraic Dwyer SC, defending, Detective Garda Pender accepted that the genesis of the incident was the earlier altercation involving Dempseys associate. Mr Dwyer said his client had a very difficult childhood and was exposed to criminality at a young age. He also said Dempsey had a serious drug problem at the time of the shooting. The court heard Dempsey began taking drugs from the age of 13 and was abusing cocaine by the age of 15. Dempseys barrister also said he is very thankful that nobody was hurt in what was a half-hazard and spontaneous response to the earlier altercation. He accepts he acted wrongly, and he is sorry judge about his behaviour, Mr Dwyer said. He said Dempsey has been in prison for a significant period of his life but that he now wants to turn his life around and leave criminality behind. The court was told Brad Dempsey wants to start a family and become a personal trainer. A letter was handed into court on behalf of his mother Victoria Dempsey, who counsel said has a lot of guilt in relation to her sons very difficult childhood. The DPP had placed the sentencing in the range of 10-14 years, with Judge Martin Nolan saying he found it hard to disagree. He said that shooting a firearm at an occupied car was a very, very serious matter and that the defendant was identified due to very good police work. Judge Nolan took into account Brad Dempseys expression of remorse, his guilty plea, and his willingness to change. Setting a headline sentence of 12 years, this was reduced to eight years with mitigation, and backdated to August 2023 when Dempsey went into custody. Dempsey waved to his mother and partner in court as he was led away by prison officers. Nikita Dvoynin (24) of The View, Hunters Run, Clonee, Dublin 15, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of child pornography at his home on April 9, 2021 A teenager who was caught with over 1,800 images of child abuse material after gardai were alerted to an exchange of material on an instant messaging app has been given a suspended sentence. Nikita Dvoynin (24) of The View, Hunters Run, Clonee, Dublin 15, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of child pornography at his home on April 9, 2021. Detective Garda Brendan Cafferkey told Jane McCudden BL, prosecuting, that gardai were contacted after it was noted that child explicit material had been uploaded using the Discord app. The exchange was traced to Dvoynins address and a warrant was obtained to search his home. During the search, Dvoynin handed over a number of digital devices that were later analysed. He admitted to officers that the devices would contain child pornography. One of the devices seized was a computer that Dvoynin had built himself. Det Gda Cafferkey said that Dvoynin later made a voluntary statement outlining what methods he used to get the material. The images were categorised and out of total 1,838, 1,141 images were deemed to be very explicit and involved the abuse of children as young as two years old. Some of the images were found stored in a secured folder on Dvoynins mobile phone. He was arrested again in July 2023 following the analysis and co-operated fully with the investigation. He has no previous convictions. Det Gda Cafferkey agreed with John Berry SC defending that Dvoynin has not come to garda attention since the search of his home. He accepted that he was 19 years old at the time and immediately co-operated with the search. Mr Berry handed in a report from a neuropsychologist who concluded that Dvoynin has issues with social interaction and non-verbal communication. The report stated that Dvoynin would develop an intense interest in certain things and that he had numerous online relationships. The court heard he struggled to make a distinction between these relationships and real-life relationships. Mr Berry said his client was introduced to pornography at a young age. He said Dvoynin is insistent that he would not engage with a child in real life. He said Dvoynin is remorseful for his involvement and asked the court to consider a non-custodial sentence. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged Dvoynin pleaded guilty at an early stage, fully co-operated with the garda investigation and has no previous convictions. He accepted that he clearly has a problem with social interaction and acknowledged that he is still a young man. He imposed a two year sentence which he suspended in full on strict conditions including that Dvoynin engage with the Probation Service for 12 months. You are here: China Chinese provinces have outlined plans this year to strengthen support for tech-intensive industries, most of which are tailored to local conditions. In their annual government work reports delivered at local "two sessions" this month, regional policy-makers unveiled more details on where the provincial economic landscape will be shifting for the year ahead. At least five provinces or municipalities, including Shanghai, Guangdong, Zhejiang and Liaoning, proposed blueprints to boost the semiconductor industry, considered a critical "bottleneck" sector in China. Beijing is set to accelerate production capacity for major integrated circuit projects while supporting relevant firms to withstand external pressures. In the new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturing field, where China holds a technological edge, Guangdong and Shanghai are gearing up to solidify their advantages. The Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta regions, where Guangdong and Shanghai are located, serve as China's major NEV hubs. A southwestern economic circle that covers Sichuan and Chongqing is prioritizing smart and connected vehicle technologies, another innovation that drives the automotive industry forward. The country's southern province of Guangdong is pushing to build pilot cities for the national "vehicle-road-cloud integration" initiative. An automatic assembly line is pictured at a smart factory of Changan Auto in Chongqing, southwest China, Jan. 9, 2025. Chongqing, a key hub of the country's automotive industry, boasts a complete auto industrial chain and has registered a rapid growth in new energy vehicle (NEV) production in recent years. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao) Multiple provinces have introduced "AI plus" plans, with Beijing targeting the construction of two 10,000-card intelligent computing clusters. Guangdong is focusing on enhancing the application of general and industry-specific large language models (LLMs). Shanghai and Sichuan have identified brain-computer interfaces as a key technological frontier, while Anhui targets building a fusion reactor research facility. China's local governments tend to develop innovation and industrial roadmaps based on their unique strengths. The eastern province of Anhui is advancing an international lunar research station project, while Shanghai, home to the C919 aircraft manufacturing, is pushing to grow its large aircraft industry. Hainan, China's southern island province, has prioritized marine-related industries in its development strategy, accelerating offshore wind farm construction while pioneering a landmark offshore wind-to-hydrogen demonstration project. Anhui, Zhejiang and Hainan plan to build pilot platforms to foster the convergence of technological and industrial innovations. Staff members work at the construction site of South Sabah Al-Ahmad New City project, fulfilled by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), in Ahmadi Governorate, Kuwait, Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Salah/Xinhua) KUWAIT CITY, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- As hundreds of millions across China gather with loved ones to celebrate the Chinese New Year, a team of Chinese construction workers in Kuwait's expansive desert is pushing forward with an ambitious housing project, making the most of the country's brief, cooler winter months to accelerate progress. The project, part of Kuwait's South Sabah Al-Ahmad New City development, highlights deepening ties between the Gulf state and China. Under the relentless desert sun, workers from the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) are toiling on the construction site near the Kuwaiti-Saudi border, undeterred by sandstorms and other daily challenges. Launched on Sep. 1, 2024, the 305.8-million-U.S.-dollar project aims to deliver roads, utilities, and sewage systems for 7,623 housing units in South Sabah Al-Ahmad New City, the futuristic "smart city" located 80 kilometers south of Kuwait City. By January 2025, the site was buzzing with over 350 pieces of heavy machinery and a workforce of more than 450, including Chinese, Kuwaiti, Indian, and Sri Lankan laborers. "Spring Festival is very special for us, but this work is important," said Zhang Fengkun, a field engineer from Tianjin, northern China. "We're striving to complete the project quickly to provide comfortable homes for Kuwaiti families. Though I miss my family, I'm proud to contribute to the friendship between China and Kuwait." Despite the demanding work schedule, the spirit of the Spring Festival was not forgotten. The construction site's modest cafeteria was adorned with red lanterns and the Chinese character "Fu," symbolizing luck and prosperity. The workers gathered to share traditional festival foods and enjoy Chinese cultural performances, creating a warm atmosphere of cross-cultural celebration. For many Chinese workers, the holiday is a time of longing. But they found solace and pride in their mission abroad. "It's a sacrifice, but it's worth it," said one worker. The collaboration is not without its challenges. Harsh weather, language barriers, and cultural differences have tested the team's resilience. However, CSCEC's management has implemented measures to bridge these gaps, such as hiring Arabic-speaking Chinese managers and providing regular training for foreign workers. "We've formed specialized technical groups to align with local standards while maintaining open communication with Kuwaiti authorities," said Zhu Xiangang, the project manager. "This ensures mutual understanding and smooth progress." The broader impact of the project extends beyond housing. Local resident Abdullah Al-Dosari expressed optimism about its benefits. "This will transform our quality of life, improving housing and driving national development," he said. Sherif, a young Kuwaiti worker, spoke of how the experience had broadened his horizons. "I've learned new skills and gained a deep appreciation for the dedication of Chinese workers," he said. The partnership also reflects Kuwait's strategic alignment with China's Belt and Road Initiative. Tarek, an Egyptian project coordination manager, emphasized the value of this cooperation. "China's focus on mutual benefit ... creates a positive environment for regional peace and development," he said, urging Arab nations to strengthen ties with China. As the winter months offer optimal construction conditions, the team is accelerating efforts to meet deadlines. For the workers, this endeavor transcends the physical structures they are building. "This is more than just a project; it's a testament to the enduring friendship between China and Kuwait," Zhu said. An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 27, 2025 shows the construction site of South Sabah Al-Ahmad New City project, fulfilled by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), in Ahmadi Governorate, Kuwait. (Photo by Salah/Xinhua) A drone photo taken on Jan. 27, 2025 shows the construction site of South Sabah Al-Ahmad New City project, fulfilled by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), in Ahmadi Governorate, Kuwait. (Photo by Salah/Xinhua) An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 27, 2025 shows the construction site of South Sabah Al-Ahmad New City project, fulfilled by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), in Ahmadi Governorate, Kuwait. (Photo by Salah/Xinhua) The 17-year-old "exceptionally gifted student", who cannot be named because he is a minor, had pleaded guilty to two offences under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act A teenage boy who used his phone to film young girls undressed in a changing area at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin has been spared a custodial sentence and a criminal record. The 17-year-old "exceptionally gifted student", who cannot be named because he is a minor, had pleaded guilty to two offences under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act for knowingly possessing two videos on his mobile phone at the centre in Blanchardstown on a date in 2022. He was aged 14 at the time. Garda James Grogan had said the teen used his phone, which was placed on a kiosk floor, to film girls aged five and nine as they were undressed, and breast and vagina areas were visible. One of them was not identified. Judge Paul Kelly noted the victim impact statement at today's sentence hearing at the Dublin Children's Court. The older girl's parents pointed out that "she was traumatised going to changing rooms about what might happen at future events". He was also furnished with a pre-sentence probation report on the schoolboy, accompanied by his mother and father. Judge Kelly highlighted how the teenager had engaged fully with the Probation Service, which confirmed that he excelled academically. He has been barred from swimming due to the offence, and the judge expressed hope that would give some comfort to the victim. The report placed him at low risk of reoffending but mentioned concerns that he lacked social activities which would help him navigate life's complexities and nuances. In a mitigation plea, defence counsel Doireann McDonagh told the court her client, who had moved to Ireland a few years before the incident, had experienced bullying and separation from one of his parents due to Covid. However, since his arrest, his parents sent him to intensive therapy. Described in court as an "exceptionally intelligent young man", the judge also heard he had no prior convictions and cooperated fully with the Garda investigation. He also said there was nothing in his background to suggest criminality. The barrister pleaded with the court to spare him a conviction but raised concerns that applying the Probation of Offenders Act could still show up in intensive vetting procedures. The judge said he would require more information on that because it would be against the spirit of the Act. Seeking leniency, counsel also stressed his young age and mental health issues when the offence happened. Finalising the case, Judge Kelly refused to strike out the charges. He said he had considered the boy's exceptional engagement, cooperation and immediate admissions. The youth, who did not address the court, had written a letter of apology, which the judge ordered to be forwarded to the victim, who did not have to attend the hearing. He applied the Probation of Offenders Act, sparing him a recorded conviction and a sentence saying it would allow him to get on with his life. He agreed that the boy's lawyers would have liberty to re-mention the case in future if the order later led to a vetting issue. Earlier, Garda Grogan provided a timeline for handling the case. He said the juvenile complainant had to be interviewed by a specialist, which took place in July 2022. The phone seized had to be technically examined, and the officer received a complete analysis and extraction report in October 2023 A second video was also found on the phone and had to be investigated, and efforts were made to identify the second juvenile. Garda Grogan told Ms McDonagh, instructed by solicitor Yvonne Bambury that the teen gave a statement of admission during his interview in September 2023. Then, the officer sent the investigation file to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, which found the case unsuitable for a caution. Another matter was dealt with through the juvenile diversion programme. Adjourning the case, a judge said he would leave her without a criminal record if she made a 400 charity donation A vet who locked herself to a Dublin city centre garda stations handrail after shouting abuse said she was acting in solidarity with another protester at a demonstration. There was otherwise no cause or issue behind Claire Brennans bad behaviour on the day, a court heard. Adjourning the case, a judge said he would leave her without a criminal record if she made a 400 charity donation. Brennan, of Seaview Wood, Shankill, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour to cause a breach of the peace and failing to comply with garda directions. Dublin District Court heard gardai were on duty at Store Street station at 5.15pm on December 17 last year when they saw the accused shouting in a threatening and abusive manner. Gardai told her she was committing an offence under Section 6 of the Public Order Act and directed her to leave the area. Instead, she sat on the steps of the garda station and locked her hands to the handrail. Brennan had no previous convictions. The accused had gone to school in south Dublin and was a high achiever, getting a first-class science degree in UCD, her lawyer said. Brennan was not a violent person and was very keen to avoid a criminal conviction, her lawyer said. Judge Brennan asked why the accused had behaved so badly. It was a solidarity protest, with another protester who had been arrested previously, the lawyer said. She said it had been a peaceful protest. About what? the judge asked. He also asked why the other protester had been arrested. The lawyer replied that there was no cause or issue, it was just that her friend was arrested. Its great solidarity, Judge Brennan remarked. The fact that Brennan did not resile from her position didnt make it easy for the gardai, he said. The judge said veterinary science was a commendable profession and noted that the accused also did voluntary work, which was admirable. She is otherwise a very hard-working professional and an altruistic member of society, he said. Im satisfied that it was a once-off incident and it would be unduly harsh to impose a conviction. Adjourning the case to a date next month, he said he would leave her without convictions if she made the donation to the Merchants Quay Project. Meanwhile, the DPP have been asked to consider charges against Gerry The Monk Hutch as part of a investigation into Garda corruption The mother of murder victim Gareth Hutch has described the pain of losing her son and the life-changing event that changed her world forever. Vera Hutch made her comments as killer Nicky McConnell became the fourth person jailed for life for his murder. Meanwhile, the DPP has been asked to consider taking charges against Gerry The Monk Hutch as part of a massive investigation into Garda corruption. Nicola speaks with Eamon Dillon about the conviction of McConnell and on going investigations around the Hutch Organised Crime Group. MORE EPISODES "The man aged in his 30s was arrested this afternoon Gardai have arrested a man who is suspected of assaulting a woman on a commuter Bus after a segment about the incident was featured on last nights episode of Crimecall. Gardai in Rathfarnham investigating the assault of a woman which occurred on a Dublin Bus service in Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 on the morning of Wednesday, May 29, 2024 arrested the man earlier this afternoon. "The man aged in his 30s was arrested this afternoon and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in Dublin. "An Garda Siochana would like to thank the public for their assistance following the recent appeal regarding this incident broadcast on last night's Crimecall episode, a Garda spokesperson said. Gardai are investigating an incident which occurred in Lifford on Monday, January 20, when two men were seriously assaulted at a house at around 10am Gardai have renewed their appeal for information after two men were seriously assaulted at their home in Co Donegal. Gardai are investigating an incident which occurred in Lifford on Monday, January 20, when two men were seriously assaulted at a house at around 10am. It is believed that a group of masked men, armed with steel batons, entered their home on the Conneyburrow Road, Lifford. Charles Dooher, who is aged in his 20s, was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, for treatment of serious injuries. He remains in hospital at this time. The second man, Charles father who is aged in his 60s, was brought by ambulance to Letterkenny University Hospital for treatment of less-serious injuries. The family of Mr Dooher have asked the public to continue to pray for Charles recovery and his partner, Charlotte Gallen, urged anyone with information to come forward and contact gardai. In a post online, said she: I just want to put out an appeal for information regarding the attempted murder of my partner Charles Dooher who was brutally attacked in his Lifford home on the morning of the 20th of January by 5 masked men who violently beat him shattering his skull and have left him fighting for his life. This time last year we were living in Australia sitting by the beach and today I sit by his bed side in intensive care praying for some sort of miracle to have the love of my life back with us in full health. Charlie has never failed to take my worries away and always fills me with a sense of peace and serenity with his kindness and big heart . If he could see me now he would be telling me to take a deep breath and have hope. His presence brought safety and I wish I could have given him that same protection from some of the evil people in this world. Gardai have renewed their appeal for any witnesses to this incident to come forward. Anybody who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from the Coneyburrow Road, Lifford between 10am and 11am on that date is 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." Meanwhile, Naomh Padraig GAA club in Lifford are holding a seven-a-side fundraising tournament on February 16, 2025 in aid of Charles Dooher. A spokesperson for the club said, We are holding a 7-a-side fundraiser at our pitch on the 16th of February in aid of Charles dooher, who is currently in hospital fighting for his life. "Charles is a vital member of our club and we hope he makes a full and speedy recovery and back home with his family doing what he loves best. Our 7-a-side (3 subs) will consist of 3 players that are currently playing gaa for a club. "The other members of your team have to be past players or your mother, father, granny, or granda. "It's a day of fun and to bring our community together for a great cause. All money raised will help Charles's family with travelling up and down to Belfast. Always keep Charles in your thoughts and prayers. If you are interested in entering a team into the competition, message the clubs Facebook page. Two Skorpion machine guns disappeared A Skorpion machine pistol like the ones disappeared from the UVF inventory, (left) Winston Winkie Irvine and (right) Robin Workman The UVF is investigating the disappearance of two Skorpion machine pistols, sources have claimed. An internal investigation has revealed the weapons are unaccounted for and are believed to have been intended for a cache of guns and ammo seized from convicted gunrunner Winston Winkie Irvine, according to sources. Harry Stockman The latest controversy comes amid increased local speculation that Irvine, along with veteran paramilitary chief Harmless Harry Stockman are to be identified as security agents in an upcoming Police Ombudsman report into the loyalist feud of 2000. Winkie was due in court on Thursday with co-accused Robin Workman for sentencing on a series of arms charges, but the case has been put back until February 15. A UVF investigation team, which is set to investigate Irvine in the wake of his arrest, is said to believe the pair will be identified when the report is published by the end of March. The Sunday World also understands investigators have discovered two Skorpion machine pistols are unaccounted for. They believe the missing weapons were intended to be part of the cache of guns and ammo captured by the PSNI when officers searched Irvines car in June 2022. There has been no indication as to what happened to the Skorpions but the UVF fears they have been passed to British security agencies. Its not clear if the guns have a history and questions have also been raised as to why the magazines and ammo clips seized were either half full or empty. Bunter Graham UVF Chief of Staff John Bunter Graham ordered the inquiry amid rising concerns about Irvines conduct during his time as commander of the terror groups B Company on the Shankill. Suspicion has also fallen on Grahams long-time number two Stockman because of his close association with Irvine. Neither men were officially informed of the investigation and are now understood to be under intense pressure. Irvine in particular is desperate to find out what investigators have uncovered and what allegations he is likely to face, according to sources. He has been highly visible in recent weeks, in the words of a source, putting himself about and constantly pleading his innocence. Bunter turned to a team of trusted veteran UVF members, most from outside the Shankill, to carry out the inquiry. Irvine has never adequately explained his mission in June 2022 when his car was searched in the Glancairn area of the city. It is suspected Irvine was part of a British state operation, giving intelligence and security agencies access to weapons potentially used in UVF operations. The plan, it is claimed, was to place the guns in the hands of security and intelligence services for forensic examination. Winston Irvine Security and UVF sources have suggested to the Sunday World that state agencies turned their back on Irvine. The Sunday World understands that fears Irvine knows too much fuelled his and Workmans admission of guilt. There is no suggestion Workman had any knowledge of any plot with security agencies and is regarded by UVF investigators as an innocent dragged into it by Irvine. During a court appearance in December 2022, Irvines barrister Joe Brolly told the court there would be a significant disclosre that would explain his clients involvement. Barrister Brolly referenced then Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton as a contact of his client. Singleton has recently been appointed Deputy Chief Constable, but his alleged connection with Irvine has resulted in the deposed UVF chief being given a new nickname Winkie Singleton. Standing in the dock at the start of December, both men entered guilty pleas that they possessed firearms and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. They also admitted two counts of possessing a handgun without a certificate, one count of possessing ammunition without a certificate, possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing a firearm without a certificate. Workman further pleaded guilty to possessing a .177 calibre air rifle without holding a firearm certificate. Robin Workman Stockman has long been a figure of distrust among veteran UVF members. He rose to the top of the UVF despite not being active during the Troubles. On retirement from Shorts, where he was a shop steward, he landed a publicly funded community job. His associates were widely blamed for the murder in 2010 of Red Hand Commando member Bobby Moffett. A popular figure on the Shankill, Moffett was shot in the face with a shotgun at point blank range after an altercation with a senior figure in the UVF leadership, believed to have been Stockman. The Moffett murder was sanctioned by the leadership and sparked a furious reaction among members. Bobby Singleton Irvine, despite remaining as B Company commander became the public face of loyalism by portraying himself as a man of peace. He landed a job with Intercomm, a cross-community initiative aimed at reducing tensions at interface flashpoints. He left the post in the wake of his conviction on the guns charges. His public role opened all sorts of doors to him, and he was in regular contact with the British and Irish governments and it was Dublin who part-funded his masters degree in peace building at Maynooth University in Co. Kildare. It is not yet clear if any allegations against Irvine and Stockman will be put directly to them, but any direct contact is unlikely before the publication of the Ombudsman report. Sources say that irrespective of the content of report, there is no way back for either of them. It is understood the man, aged in his 50s, was working on scaffolding when the incident occurred on Monday afternoon A construction worker is being treated for injuries after he fell from the sixth floor of the new 96-bed block at University Hospital Limerick. The man reportedly suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries when he fell several feet and landed on an elevator shaft. It is understood the man, aged in his 50s, was working on scaffolding when the incident occurred on Monday afternoon. The building is located beside the emergency department (ED). Paramedics attached to the National Ambulance Service who rushed to the scene, were assisted by firefighters attached to Limerick City and County Fire Service. The man was initially treated and stabilised at the scene before he was transferred to the UHL emergency department. A spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council said three units from Limerick City Fire and Rescue Service attended an incident at University Hospital Limerick, to assist with the rescue of a worker who sustained injuries on a building site. The person was extricated and handed over to the care of the HSE, the council spokesperson said, according to Limerick Live. Paramedics from the National Ambulance Service gave immediate care and treatment to the injured man. Limerick Fire and Rescue Service received the call-out at 12.56pm. Firefighters returned to their headquarters in Mulgrave Street at 2.25pm. The additional 96-bed block where the man was injured is being constructed to alleviate pressure on UHL. A second 96-bed block has been earmarked for the hospital to provide extra capacity. A verdict of medical misadventure was recorded at an inquest into the circumstances of the death of Richard Walsh following evidence about shortcomings in the hospitals care of the patient St Lukes Hospital in Kilkenny has issued an unreserved apology to the family of a man who died two days after medical staff failed to diagnose a cardiac issue when he presented with abdominal pain at its emergency department three years ago. A verdict of medical misadventure was recorded at an inquest into the circumstances of the death of Richard Walsh following evidence about shortcomings in the hospitals care of the patient. Mr Walsh (67), a married father of four from Bennettsbridge, Co Kilkenny, died in St Jamess Hospital in Dublin on June 17, 2022 after being transferred there earlier that day from St Lukes. The inquest at Dublin District Coroners Court on Tuesday heard that the deceased had attended the emergency department of St Lukes two days previously with complaints of abdominal pain. However, he was given some medication and discharged home without any ECG being performed, despite one having been requested in a referral letter from his family doctor. The deceaseds wife, Ann Walsh, told the hearing that her husband was in very good health and was on no medication before becoming ill shortly before his death. In reply to questions from the coroner, Clare Keane, she said he had complained about a pain which he thought was due to indigestion on June 15, 2022, although he remained in good form. Ms Walsh said she also noticed he was sweating and he decided to visit his GP who referred him to the emergency department of St Lukes where he was discharged after being given some medication. He went straight back to the hospital two days later when a pain in his chest got tighter. Ms Walsh said she was informed that he was being transferred to St Jamess Hospital and later that evening received a call as her family were preparing to travel to Dublin that he had passed away. In a written statement Mr Walshs GP, Tanzin Dorjey Negi, said he had specifically requested an ECG, blood tests and a CT scan be conducted in his referral letter to St Lukes. Dr Negi noted that the patient also had high blood pressure at the time he visited his clinic on June 15, 2022. A registrar in emergency medicine, Bianca van der Linde, gave evidence that she had examined Mr Walsh when he attended the hospital later that evening with acute abdominal pain that he had been experiencing for four days. Dr van der Linde, who now works in University Hospital Waterford, said the patient displayed no features which suggested heart failure. She told the inquest that X-rays of Mr Walshs chest and abdomen were normal while blood tests showed results which were just above the upper limit of normal. Dr van der Linde also recalled that the patient had reported feeling significantly better after being given medication before he was discharged. The inquest heard Mr Walsh was classified as a Category 3 patient on presentation which meant he was an urgent case who should have been examined within 60 minutes of arrival. However, Dr van der Linde acknowledged that it was two hours and 25 minutes before he was seen. In reply to a question from Dr Keane, she could not recall if she had been aware of the GPs referral letter. The registrar noted that she had recorded that the patient had rated his pain level at 8 out of 10. Asked if she had considered that Mr Walsh might have some cardiac issue, Dr van der Linde replied: There are definitely more differential diagnoses that I should have considered at the time. The inquest heard that she had recorded that the patient had negative cardiorespiratory symptoms in her medical notes. Dr van der Linde observed that Mr Walsh had shown no sign of respiratory distress while his heart sounded normal. However, she accepted that she had not ordered an ECG. Cross-examined by counsel for the deceaseds family, Richard Downey BL, Dr van der Linde said she had focused on the patients main complaint about acute upper abdominal pain. She agreed that hospital notes which showed Mr Walsh had high blood pressure and a fast heartbeat were available to her. Asked about the failure to order an ECG, the registrar said that in hindsight she would have carried out additional investigations whether indicated or not. The coroner ruled a question as to whether Mr Walshs death could have been prevented if he had been diagnosed with a cardiac issue that day was inappropriate. The inquest heard an urgent transfer of the patient to St Jamess Hospital in Dublin was recommended after an ECG was carried out and showed evidence of a heart attack when he attended St Lukes two days later. However, Mr Walsh became unresponsive shortly after his arrival in the emergency department of St Jamess later that evening and was pronounced dead at 7.51pm. Postmortem results showed he died from a rupture of the heart following a heart attack. A consultant in emergency medicine at St Lukes, David Martiz, told the inquest that a serious incident review carried out as a result of Mr Walshs death had made a number of recommendations which had resulted in various measures including maximum awareness being imparted to non-consultant doctors at the hospital about patients presenting with atypical cardiac conditions. Dr Maritz explained that emergency department staff were now reminded that they should consider acute coronary syndrome (which includes heart attacks) and the need for an ECG for any patient over 40 with abdominal pain. The inquest heard the number of consultants in emergency medicine at St Lukes had also increased from three to four, while training programmes for medical staff were now more formalised. Asked if Mr Walshs symptoms when he attended the hospital on June 15, 2022 should have resulted in an ECG being ordered Dr Maritz replied: That is correct. At the conclusion of the inquest, counsel Conor Halpin SC read out an unreserved apology on behalf of the HSE and St Lukes for the shortcomings in their care of Mr Walsh. Mr Halpin said the deceaseds family could be reassured that the hospital had taken the matter very seriously and had taken learnings from this event. Recommendations and strategies have been adopted to avoid these shortcomings being repeated in the future, said Mr Halpin. Recording a verdict of death due to medical misadventure, Dr Keane said she endorsed the recommendations already made by St Lukes from its review of Mr Walshs death. Bloody hell, Im not on TikTok, but I was sent some of the comments. Wow Muireann OConnell has expressed her shock at some of the online abuse following Natasha OBriens Ireland AM interview. Muireann had hailed Natashas thoughtful and inspirational appearance on the show after former Irish soldier Cathal Crotty was re-sentenced to two years in prison for attacking her in Limerick city in 2022. The sentence was handed down by the Court of Appeal in Dublins Criminal Court on Thursday, after the DPP successfully appealed his original sentence, which was fully suspended. Natasha appeared on Mondays episode of the show where she was asked by Muireann how she felt in the wake of the re-sentencing. Natasha replied: Id just like to say that if it hadnt been for all the support from the nation, from people across the country and the media, everyone constantly talking and keeping this conversation going, I dont think it would have been that result last Thursday, Following the interview with Muireann took to Instagram to address some of the remarks left under a clip of the interview on TikTok. Muireann takes on the trolls We had the wonderful Natasha OBrien on this morning, who very kindly agreed to talk to us about her feelings since the person who assaulted her had his suspended sentence overturned, Muireann recapped. She was incredibly thoughtful in that interview, even talking about how guilty she felt now that he has to go to jail, because she knows that its not a good place. However, the presenter added: Bloody hell, Im not on TikTok, but I was sent some of the comments. Wow Weve got to get smarter about this, she declared, while highlighting the online efforts to silence peoples voices. The Court of Appeal had earlier overturned the fully suspended sentence handed down to former soldier Crotty and jailed him for beating Ms O'Brien unconscious on a public street after she asked him to stop shouting homophobic abuse. Natasha on the show The three-judge court also found that Crotty's boasting social media message about the attack had shown a "complete disregard and disrespect for his victim and for society in general". Speaking outside the court last week, Ms OBrien said: "For the first time in an Irish court I felt seen and heard, I felt acknowledged and it's just a total contrast to how I felt in that courthouse last June. She added: "The courts have sent a message today, they have sent a message loud and clear: Violence will no longer be tolerated against anyone in this country and that's what we're taking away from today." She said her faith in the justice system has been restored. During the appeal the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) argued that the fully suspended three-year sentence imposed by the Circuit Court last year was unduly lenient. Lily Buckley BL, for the DPP, argued that the failure to impose a custodial sentence on Crotty (22) sent the wrong message regarding society's disapproval of such offending. The court agreed, and imposed a sentence of three years in prison with the final 12 months suspended for one year. Crotty will also pay 3,000 in compensation to Ms O'Brien. JUBA, Jan 28 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan said on Tuesday that it has lifted a temporary ban on Facebook and TikTok, which was imposed last week over the dissemination of graphic content related to the violence against South Sudanese nationals in neighboring Sudan. The National Communication Authority (NCA), the industry regulator, said the aim of addressing graphic content and defamatory content has been successfully achieved. "The rise of violence linked to social media content in South Sudan underscores the need for a balanced approach that addresses the root causes of online incitement while protecting the rights of the population," NCA Director General Napoleon Adok Gai said in a letter to telecommunications operators and internet service providers in the country. The temporary ban followed a week-long suspension of the platforms, which began on Jan. 22 after two days of riots that saw people killed, and shops looted and vandalized. According to police, a total of 17 Sudanese nationals lost their lives across South Sudan in the night riots. Several South Sudanese have been angered by footage from Sudan that shows the killings of South Sudanese nationals by the Sudanese Armed Forces on Jan. 11 in Wad Madani, Al Jazirah State, Sudan. Gai said the South Sudanese refugees in Wad Madani were subjected to violent attacks resulting in the deaths of women and children, subsequently captured in videos and shared on social media without regard. The footage sparked deadly violent riots, particularly in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, and in three states: Warrap, Northern Bahr El Ghazal, and Warrap. Gai said the ban was imposed to curb the circulation of content deemed to incite violence and instability. The industry regulator, however, lauded internet service providers and mobile network operators for their cooperation during the blockade and urged stakeholders, including platform operators Meta and TikTok, to strengthen monitoring and report harmful content to prevent future incidents. "The lifting of the blockage is part of our efforts to foster a safer digital environment and promote peace and stability in the country," Gai said, adding that the regulator will be reaching out to all stakeholders in the future to avoid similar shutdowns. As thousands of children prepare to head back to school, Police are urging parents to be diligent with their privacy settings before posting photos and videos online. The start of the school year is often memorable, and many people like to mark the occasion by sharing images of their children on social media in school uniform and in front of either their home or school. "Unfortunately, sometimes these images unintentionally share more than just a picture of a happy child they can share personal details that might put information about you and your family in the wrong hands," said police. "While Police understand the importance of these milestones, parents and caregivers should remain cautious about the information that images posted on social media present and who can gain access to them. "While its rare for NZ Police to receive reports about children being located through information shared online in photos or videos, we know from our international counterparts that it does happen." A few simple tips can protect your and your childrens privacy on social media: Check there are no identifying features such as school uniforms and logos, school buildings or signs, and street signs. This applies if you are taking photos at home as well. If this is unavoidable, parents can edit and blur school logos and signs. Research and understand app settings, including privacy settings. Turning off location settings or setting profiles to private/friends only. Keeping your childs personal information - including full name and age and what year theyre starting - private. Report any inappropriate or suspicious behaviour online. "Be proactive with online safety to keep your child and their information safe as they head into a new school year," said police. Where to report cases if you think your privacy has been breached? New Zealand Police 105 (non-emergency) 111 (Emergency) Netsafe A Hindu priest is facing deportation after failing in his bid to avoid conviction for a lengthy campaign of control and violence against a woman that included him pressing his fingers into her eyeballs, slapping her and isolating her from others. Jainesh Prasad, 40, appeared in Hamilton District Court today for sentencing on representative charges of assaulting with intent to injure, assaulting a person in a family relationship, and breaching a protection order. Over 12 months, Prasad set on a course of what the Crown described as controlling behaviour where he sought to control the womans finances, who she associated with and isolated her from others. He was also violent, and called her employer to say she had stolen items from her work, which was a lie. In reading her statement to the court, the victim said Prasad, a Hindu priest in the Waikato, had injured me in many ways. He has hit me many times and I have been injured and had cuts to my body and in my mouth. He also used his fingers to press on my eyeballs and I ended up sore for two weeks and [suffering] blurry vision. It has been a lot for me ... I would be scared 24/7. I felt so isolated as my family and friends drifted away from me. He would call me and my female friends, lesbians. She told Judge Glen Marshall she would only feel safe if he left the country. Be quiet someone might hear Prasads offending involved him accusing the woman of being involved in another relationship after she had finished working a night shift. She told him to stop with the accusations and tried to rest. However, Prasad pulled the blankets off her and slapped her so hard across the face that he loosened one of her teeth. He then tried to stop her screaming, because someone might hear, by putting his hand over her mouth and she struggled to breathe. In an argument at another Hamilton house, in August 2023, Prasad ran at her, grabbing her head, and pressing his fingers into her eyeballs. In October of that year, he demanded to see her phone to check who she had been talking with. When she said no, he pushed her to the floor and held his hand around her throat as she, again, struggled to breathe. The protection order charge was laid after he called her employer falsely stating she had stolen items from work. Relations were disintegrating and fraught In court, defence lawyer Katie Hogan said at the time of the offending relations between the pair were disintegrating and fraught. A pre-sentence report found her client at low risk of reoffending and harm to others. Prasad was also keen to attend restorative justice but the victim declined that. Hogan submitted he had taken steps to rehabilitate, had not appeared before the court before, and had a job with Turners and Growers. She argued convictions for Prasad would outweigh the gravity of his offending as an expert immigration adviser said if that happened he would likely be subjected to the deportation process. Theres a real and appreciable risk he will be deported, she said, adding that the offending was not as serious as some other cases. The Crown had also agreed to replace a more serious charge of strangulation with a lesser charge. However, if the judge did not grant a discharge without conviction, Hogan urged him to hand down a sentence of community work and supervision. Crown solicitor James Lewis said the victim lived in fear of Prasad while his assaults targeted her head and involved a breach of trust. He submitted that deportation was not a forgone conclusion. More concerned about the impact on him Judge Marshall first praised the victim for having the courage to read her victim impact statement to the court. He also noted Prasads comment in the pre-sentence report, where he said he wasnt happy finding out their relationship was over by somebody else. He found that distressing for a man of his standing, the judge said. Prasad explained one argument was caused by him getting upset that the woman hadnt done the dishes before she went to work but he denied physically assaulting her. The judge said his comments indicated a minimisation of his offending and the impact it had on the victim. Judge Marshall accepted Prasad was a priest in the Waikato Hindu community and might face deportation if convicted, but ultimately found the offending squarely in the moderate level and declined his application for a discharge without conviction. He then noted that Prasads remorse was somewhat limited. More limited to his view of the circumstances than what impact he has had on the victims life. Prasad was sentenced to 200 hours of community work and nine months of supervision. He was also issued several conditions including not to contact the victim. Western Bay of Plenty District Council is looking to remove the Waihi Beach Earth Dam to meet new government earthquake and flood control safety regulations. Built in the 1960s and originally designed as a water reservoir, providing the town supply until the 1990s, the dams more recent role has shifted to managing stormwater and providing recreation. However, it was never designed as a flood protection system. New thresholds and classifications for dams were introduced under the Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022, to improve the overall safety of dams in New Zealand. Previously, dam safety was primarily governed by the Building Act 2004, which included some basic provisions but did not have the same detailed and specific requirements. We see the removal of the dam as an opportunity to improve stormwater management and community safety, said Rhys Spicer, Councils Team Lead Capital Projects. It will also support better habitat and ecological outcomes, with the potential to enhance community amenities. While upgrading the dam to meet the new standards is an option, it would involve significant costs and challenges, without improving the stormwater issues in the community. Council is carrying out detailed surveys of the dam area, surrounding reserve and infrastructure, to help guide potential designs for stream restoration and associated improvements. The community are also being asked to share their thoughts on how the area, which includes a public reserve and walking tracks, is being used, as well as their thoughts on restoration options. This is a chance for us to work together to create a space that enhances the environment and brings people together. Well be working closely with the community to shape this space, to ensure it reflects everyones needs. Whether you use the space for recreation, walking, or group activities, we want to understand how you use the area, any concerns you have and how the changes might affect you. People are invited to attend a Coffee and Korero event at the Waihi Beach RSA on Saturday, February 15, between 10am and 1pm. Co-hosted with the Waihi Beach Stormwater Liaison group, which includes District Councillors, Council staff, and members of the Community Board and the Stormwater Action Team (SWAT), this is the communitys chance to talk with people who have been involved in this and other stormwater projects over the last 18 months. Feedback closes 5pm, Monday, February 24. Join the korero Online: For more information and to provide feedback, visit: yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/waihi-beach-earth-dam Come to the Coffee and Korero event. Talk to Council staff, District Councillors, SWAT (Stormwater Action Team) and Community Board members, who have been involved in stormwater projects over the last 18 months. Have questions about the earth dam, or other stormwater projects? Ask them. Date: Saturday 15 February Time: anytime between 10am-1pm Location: Waihi Beach RSA, 99 Beach Rd, Waihi Beach Want to speak with someone? You can contact us on our freephone line: 0800 WBOPDC (0800 926 732) For the third consecutive year, the Toyota Aqua has claimed the title of New Zealand's most stolen car, AMI reveals. AMI's new insurance data - sourced from the largest general insurance dataset in the country - reported almost 12,000 vehicle theft claims throughout 2024, including claims relating to attempted vehicle theft. Last year, the Toyota Aqua made up 8% of all stolen vehicle claims, followed by the Toyota Corolla (6%) and the Nissan Tiida (5%). Regions where vehicle theft occurred the most rank from Auckland, Canterbury, Waikato, Wellington, and the Bay of Plenty. AMI Executive General Manager Claims Wayne Tippet noted that stolen vehicle claims have begun to decrease for the first time in four years, with stolen vehicle claims related to ram raids down by 50% compared to 2023. This might suggest that, among unprecedented vehicle theft rates, New Zealanders have put security measures and practices in place, and are being more mindful about where they park their cars. Despite its popularity among car thieves, 2024 saw a record number of insurance policies for the Toyota Aqua, highlighting the enduring demand for the reliable hybrid hatchback. Wayne Tippet says AMIs top 10 list underscores New Zealanders' love for the Toyota brand, with five different models ranking within the top nine. The Toyota Hilux ute climbed four spots on the list, indicating its increasing value, rural and urban appeal, and strong resale value, driven by high demand for its parts. 30% of stolen vehicles were not recovered in 2024 and 52% of recovered stolen vehicles were repairable. Every week, we repair recovered stolen vehicles at our AMI MotorHubs around the country. We commonly repair broken glass, damaged ignition systems, dash panels, and external dents and scrapes on these vehicles. "It's also important to caution that thefts don't just occur while a vehicle is parked. Unfortunately, we have seen claims resulting from carjackings at low-speed areas such as intersections, traffic lights, or cark parks too. We should always lock our car doors when driving and consider keeping the windows up. The AMI top 10 stolen cars list [1] Toyota Aqua (=) Toyota Corolla (+1) Nissan Tiida (-1) Mazda Demio (=) Mazda Atenza (=) Toyota Hilux (+4) Toyota Vitz (=) Subaru Impreza (=) Toyota Mark X (-3) Mazda Axela (+1) The most frequently stolen vehicle in each region (regions ranked by claims volume) Auckland - Toyota Aqua Canterbury - Toyota Aqua Waikato - Nissan Tiida Wellington - Toyota Aqua Bay of Plenty - Mazda Demio Manawatu - Mazda Demio Northland - Toyota Corolla Hawkes Bay - Mazda Demio Otago - Nissan Tiida Southland - Nissan Tiida Gisborne - Toyota Corolla Taranaki - Toyota Corolla Nelson - Mazda Demio Tasman - Ford Ranger Marlborough - Audi A4 West Coast - Nissan Tiida AMIs top tips for vehicle security: Eugenio Cabezas Velez-Malaga Tuesday, 28 January 2025, 17:42 Compartir Just 2,500 years ago the coast of Velez-Malaga on the eastern Costa del Sol stretched as far as what is today known as the Almayate rock, forming a large inlet at the mouth of the River Velez, which was navigable. It created an ideal environment for the Phoenicians to settle and trade. From the eighth century BC onwards, these peoples originally from the eastern cities of Byblos and Tyre began to settle in the area, building towns, necropolises and villages. From this rich historical past, which gave rise to other great cities such as Cadiz (Gadir) or Malaga (which the Phoenicians called Malaka), a dozen archaeological sites are preserved in the area around the lower course of the River Velez and in the neighbouring municipality of Algarrobo, which were first discovered in 1964 by the German Archaeological Institute of Madrid (IAAM) , under the direction of Professor Schubart. Sixty years later, these important archaeological remains remain largely forgotten, "and thank goodness most of them are buried, otherwise they would have been plundered", according to historian Pilar Pezzi, who is president of the Amigos de la Cultura society in Velez-Malaga (SAC). "We are talking about the most important and best preserved Phoenician remains in the entire eastern Mediterranean". They are, therefore, a real jewel hidden in the heart of the Axarquia. For the past 25 years, this group has been working on the challenge of "once and for all" enhancing the value of this impressive heritage. "We are talking about the most important and best preserved Phoenician remains in the entire eastern Mediterranean," says Jose Ramos, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Cadiz, who as a student participated in several of the excavation campaigns. Schubart was followed by other experts such as Professor Osvaldo Arteaga and, more recently, Dirze Marzoli. The problem faced by these defenders of heritage is that the sites, although declared assets of cultural interest (BIC), are mostly on privately-owned land, which is why the SAC wants Velez-Malaga town hall and the Junta de Andalucia to expropriate them in order to guarantee their conservation. Guided tours of the SAC For several years now, the SAC has been organising guided tours of this area, after several years of complaints from local residents about their neglect. Restoration work has recently been carried out at Los Toscanos near Almayate, which was founded around 740-30 B.C. At its height it had a population of more than 2,000 inhabitants. Los Toscanos was abandoned around 550 BC and its population moved to the other side of the River Velez, on the Cerro del Mar, creating a new urban nucleus that was known in classical sources as Maenobe or Maenoba, among other terminologies. The space has also recently been improved with new signs added to inform visitors. The conference was organised by Velez-Malaga town hall along with the UMA and the Diputacion de Malaga. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first excavations at the Phoenician site, the first of a series of conferences took place on Friday 24 January at the Museum of Velez-Malaga (MVVEL). The councillor for culture and historical heritage, Alicia Ramirez, and the director of the museum, Emilio Martin Cordoba, described the site one of the "most emblematic historical and artistic heritage environments on the Iberian Peninsula". The event was organised by the Velez-Malaga town hall along with the University of Malaga (UMA) and the provincial Diputacion de Malaga. Two guided presentations were given by Dr. Paul Scheding, director of the IAAM, on the excavations carried out on the coast of the town over the last 60 years and Dr. Jose Luis Lopez Castro, from the University of Almeria (UAL), spoke about the impact of the IAAM's research on Spanish archaeology. Eugenio Cabezas Axarquia Tuesday, 28 January 2025, 17:27 Compartir Up to 25 million cubic metres of water extracted in an allegedly fraudulent manner from 250 illegal wells and boreholes for the irrigation of 222 hectares of subtropical crops in the Axarquia are just some of the statistics revealed through Operation CHAAK, carried out by Seprona, the nature and environment protection branch of the Guardia Civil, in May 2023 in the Axarquia area to the east of Malaga province. The operation culminated in the arrest of 26 people and the investigation of 44 others for alleged crimes against natural resources, the environment and usurpation of public water. Officers were able to verify the continued extraction of public groundwater, which would have caused damage to the public water domain amounting to around 10 million euros. However, almost two years after the start of the operation involving the environmental prosecutor's office in Malaga, the statements of more than 80 people under investigation in this case, mainly focused on the Axarquia area, have been pending since March 2024. In an order issued by a court in Velez-Malaga dated 7 March 2024, it was agreed to hear statements from the people and heads of investigated bodies, as well as witnesses. However, since then, after extending the investigation period by six months, "nothing more has been done", said the Malaga environmental prosecutor, Fernando Benitez, speaking to SUR on Monday 27 January. Around 80 people are under investigation. Around 80 people are under investigation and Seprona officers have also been called as witnesses. Benitez has explained that after the last legal reform of the law of criminal prosecution in 2021 now the deadline is one year from the initiation of the successive extensions of six months, so there would be no nullity of the proceedings due to the expiry of the deadlines of the judicial investigation. "A supportive judge". Benitez has told Europa Press that the lack of resources in the courts in Velez-Malaga "endangers the investigation of this case" and that "without support staff, both civil servants and a support judge, it will be difficult to complete the investigation within a reasonable period of time". He went on to say, "The lack of resources in the province's courts becomes dramatic when a case of this size, with more than 80 people under investigation, is assigned to it." In total, 299 water abstractions were investigated, including wells, boreholes and reservoirs. Of these, initially more than 250 were illegal, and it was estimated that the total amount of water illegally derived since the start of the activity would amount to approximately 25,951,198 cubic metres. The total area illegally irrigated would amount to 240,242 hectares, all of which could cause damage to the public water domain estimated at 10 million euros. The investigation was launched in 2021 following complaints from farmers about "significant damage to stocks". The initial investigation began four years ago, when a complaint was received by the Seprona about the fraudulent use of water for irrigation in the Axarquia by farmers of subtropical crops, which could be causing "significant damage to water reserves". Subsequently, other complaints were added, including one made collectively by several farmers in the area who denounced the several irrigation communities for the misuse of water, as they were allowing irrigation in areas where it was completely prohibited at the time due to the severe drought, with the consequent economic damage to farmers who complied with the legally established rules. Paco Grinan Malaga Tuesday, 28 January 2025, 12:44 Compartir The Super Bowl final in America is just around the corner, with a preimiere scheduled for 9 February, both on the field and on the small screen. The US game of games will pitch the Kansas City Chiefs against the Philadelphia Eagles, while the commercial breaks will be the stage for the marketing war between the multinational brands that will premiere their new campaigns. The most expensive ads of the year, accompanied by trailers for upcoming series and films, will face-off to present their products to the massive TV audience. This year, one of the companies joining the biggest television consumption event of the year is German home appliance company Bosch, which has chosen the Spaniard Antonio Banderas as the star of its ad. A preview of Bosch's advert which will premiere during the Super Bowl, has been released, showing Banderas impeccably dressed in a dinner jacket. In the video, he is joined by a double of Randy Savage, also known as Macho Man. The two form a unique comic duo in this homage to the campaign, dedicated to the former WWF and WCW world wrestling champion, who passed away more than a decade ago. The teaser scene shows the big man fighting with a jar of pickles that he is trying to open before the perplexed gaze of the actor famous for the films Pain and Glory and The Mask of Zorro, amongst others. Despite the iconic wrestler's muscles, opening the container seems like mission impossible, until Banderas shows him how to open the jar, quoting the famous Spanish saying 'mas vale mana, que fuerza' (It's better to be clever than strong). "If you ever need to force open a hermetically sealed pickle jar, I'm your man," said the Malaga actor, director and producer on social media. In the same post, he announced that he will attend the Super Bowl, presenting the advert alongside the resurrected Macho Man. Designed by New York-based agency Droga5, the Bosch ad summarises the brand's philosophy in 30 seconds. The worldwide premiere will take place during the last quarter of the American rugby league final on 9 February. As part of the broadcast, new campaigns from GoDaddy, Haagen Dazs, LAys, Pringles, Tontino's Pizza Roll, Hellmann's, Dove, Coors Light, Sketchers and teasers for new titles from Disney, Warner Bros, Universal and Paramount, among others, will also be shown. The Bosch 'spot' is the second international advertising campaign starring Antonio Banderas in less than a year. Last September, the actor also demonstrated his comic side, this time with his daughter, Stella del Carmen. In a promotional video for the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, under the strapline 'In her shoes', Banderas visits his daughter's house, but as she is very busy, she invites him to take her car and go for a drive, which turns out to be a perfect excuse to show the new model's feature of memorising the owner of the vehicle. Guided by his daughter's car, the actor ends up going for a manicure and painting his nails blue. Jesus Hinojosa Malaga Tuesday, 28 January 2025, 16:41 Compartir Malaga's mayor Francisco de la Torre is trying to escape the controversy caused by the contract recently offered by his council to publicise seven alternative tourist routes around the historic city centre, an area the council considers to be saturated by tourism. In the document to put this initiative out to tender, the city council's tourism department admitted that "Malaga is experiencing unprecedented levels of tourist saturation, particularly in its historic centre", and that "this phenomenon causes certain areas to exceed their carrying capacity, negatively affecting both residents and visitors." When asked by journalists, De la Torre sought to correct the words from the council's tourism department officials who drew up the report and which were included in the terms of the contract. He clarified the comment as follows: "With regard to the word saturation, it should be specified that it occurs only at certain times because it is not a daily issue, just on certain occasions." Zoom De la Torre during a press conference held at Malaga's provincial authority on Monday Migue Fernandez Likewise, the mayor also made corrections to the statement from the municipal tourism department, whose report also pointed out that "mass tourism can lead to the proliferation of low-quality gastronomic establishments, deteriorating the culinary experience for both tourists and locals." De la Torre qualified that statement as follows: "Perhaps that was not a very appropriate term of expression because I don't know of a single one in Malaga. I'm quite categorical about that, there's not a single one. All our eating places have quality, more or less." The mayor further announced that he would pass on this opinion to his tourism department. De la Torre is confident that the visitor routes to be publicised in order to ease congestion around the old part of town will be successful. He reminded the press conference of the time when he proposed taking the archaeological museum to the convent of La Trinidad with the same objective of diverting tourist traffic. "They didn't spot that opportunity neither at regional government level nor centrally in Madrid." "What else is Tabacalera [Malaga's old tobacco factory, now a cultural space], or betting on the Auditorium? Work is being done to create these centres of attraction. It is about creating elements that are worth seeing. We have them and we want alternative routes to come out of this bid to redistribute the tourist population", stated the mayor. His reasoning is that "it is about looking for new spaces with tourist life in a city that has a very centralised heritage." Seven alternative city routes To this end city hall has put out to tender the contracting of a company to draw up a communication and information dissemination plan for alternative tourist routes - a contract worth 530,210 euros. In order to "redirect" tourist flows from the most saturated areas to other areas of the city with "tourist potential", the tourism department within Malaga council has designed seven routes through the following areas: La Malagueta, Soho, Pedregalejo, Tabacalera, a tour of the mountains and nature areas surrounding the city, another through the vestiges of industrial heritage and lastly one through the historic districts such as Perchel and Trinidad. The company that implements this plan for the decongestion of tourism in the city centre has to create a brand and a communication plan, involving the creation of a website, content on social media, audiovisual pieces to upload to YouTube and a programme of tourist ambassadors and actions with influencers among other measures that will have to provide results. One of the challenges of this plan is that it has to be developed before 30 April 2026, as it is financed with European funds from the Next Generation programme, which obliges the governing bodies in receipt of such funding to justify the expenses within a certain period of time. Companies interested in developing this tourism shake-up and redistribution plan have until 21 February to submit their bids. Baldwinsville, N.Y. A huge fire that ripped through two buildings in a Baldwinsville apartment complex Friday started in the attic, away from smoke alarms and sprinklers, according to a fire official. The flames in the attic area spread quickly due to the wide open space over the buildings, according to North West Fire District Chief Tony McIntyre. Most of the fire about 95% was in the space above the top floor and below the roof, he said. BEIRUT, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese Ministry of Health said on Tuesday that the death toll from three days of Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon has risen to 25, with 160 others wounded. In a statement, the ministry's Public Health Emergency Operations Center reported that one person was killed and 26 others injured during the Israeli attacks on Monday. The injured were spread across five villages in the eastern sector of southern Lebanon: Adaisseh, Bani Hayyan, Burj Al-Muluk, Houla, and Kafr Kila. Since early Sunday, hundreds of Lebanese residents have gathered at the outskirts of their border villages, marching toward their homes by car and on foot, bypassing Lebanese army checkpoints and Israeli-imposed earth barriers. However, Israeli forces opened fire on the returning civilians, further escalating tensions along the border. These developments come despite the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and the Israeli military, which took effect on Nov. 27, 2024. Syracuse, N.Y. A 32-year-old woman admitted Monday she assaulted a Syracuse teacher on school grounds last year. Lynzina Sutton, of Syracuse, was arrested after posing as a student to slip past school security at Lincoln Middle School and attack a teacher in front of other students on Feb. 16, Syracuse police said. On Monday, Sutton pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in exchange for two years in prison, prosecutor Cindi Newtown said. Sutton had been charged with 14 counts in an indictment including assault, harassment and 11 counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Sutton, who is 4-foot-10 inches tall, put a hood up as she walked past school security, Syracuse School Superintendent Anthony Davis said at a news conference after the incident. A security guard tried to call after Sutton but she kept walking, a school spokesperson said. Sutton continued to the teachers room while the guard called for help and the principal stepped in. While inside the school, Sutton also made a threat to another teacher, Newtown said last year. When she arrived at the classroom, she confronted the teacher and punched her in the face, District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said at the time. Students standing in the doorway saw the attack, Davis said. Sutton fractured the teachers nasal bone and maxillary bones, Fitzpatrick said. The assault was motivated by a report made about her child, Fitzpatrick said. He said the student had lied about her whereabouts during the school day. A referral about the students discipline had been made and before any action was taken, Sutton attacked the teacher who made the report the next morning, he said. Sutton has been out of custody since posting a $40,000 bond. She remains out of custody as she awaits sentencing. She is scheduled to be sentenced on March 24. 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. Syracuse Community Health opened its new 56,000-square-foot facility at 930 S. Salina St. in December 2023.Douglass Dowty | syracuse.com Update: Federal judge temporarily blocks a push from President Donald Trump to pause federal funding. Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse health center mandated by the federal government to serve the poorest and neediest patients says it will have to borrow to make payroll during President Donald Trumps federal funding pause. Services to 20,000 could be cut within weeks if the pause drags on past the promised expiration on Feb. 10, local officials say. The center might be the health organization in the Syracuse area most immediately affected by a disruption in federal funding. Trumps order could affect $3 trillion in funding to nonprofits, health organizations, disaster aid and a host of other programs. The Syracuse Community Health says that the funding pause, due to begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday, will cut off the centers funding lifeblood for the time being. It did affect us immediately, said John Milligan, the centers chief financial officer. Were no longer able to draw down some federal funding to provide some services to this community. The center next plans to withdraw about $200,000 from its federal account next week, Milligan said. Its counting on that money to make its bi-weekly $625,000 payroll. Assuming federal funding isnt restored by then, the health center will have to borrow money from other sources to pay its staff, Milligan said. The existing funding has been in place for over 20 years, Milligan said. This is awful. The day-to-day federal funding accounts for 20% of the centers budget, Milligan said. The White House says the funding pause is needed to review all federal assistance programs to ensure they are consistent with the Presidents policies and requirements. New York Attorney General Letitia James is joining counterparts in a handful of other states in taking immediate legal action to try to stop the pause. The Syracuse health center receives millions each year to provide care to the uninsured and underinsured as a federally qualified health center. It provides a wide array of preventative, urgent and specialized services from its headquarters on South Salina Street and satellite offices on the Near West and East Sides. It recently opened an urgent care in a dorm at Onondaga Community College. Syracuse Community Health was first alerted to the impact of the pause by the Community Health Association of New York State. The pause will impact funding to all community health centers across the state, the group said in an email to its members. Our top priority is ensuring that Community Health Centers in New York State remain open and ready to serve the 2.4 million New Yorkers to whom they provide care each year, the association said in a statement to syracuse.com. Baldwinsville, NY - When Baldwinsville schools learned about the devastating fire Friday night at the New Legacy Apartments complex, administrators sprung into action. At 8 a.m., they sent a note out to their school community informing them of the fire, and followed that up at 10:54 a.m. with a plea for help. They asked for donations of new and gently used clothes, sneakers, boots, coats and food for the eight families with nine children in the district who lived in the building. Community members could bring the items to the former bus garage starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, the message said. By 1:30 p.m., the cars started lining up. People brought hundreds of new and gently used sneakers. At least 1,000 blankets. About 500 new toothbrushes. Dozens of boots and thousands of clothing items. Im not exaggerating when I say more than 100,000 items, Baldwinsville Schools Superintendent Joseph DeBarbieri said. The response was just unbelievable, he said. Crazy unbelievable. Only hours after a fire destroyed 24 apartments in Baldwinsville, people began donating mountains of coats, shoes, clothing, diapers and other items for the families affected by the fire. The local school district opened its doors. By Sunday families who wanted to gather things were able to go through and start collecting what they need.Source: Baldwinsville school district The generosity was expected, he said. But the speed with which people went through their own closets and went shopping was shocking, he said. The fast turnaround. Wow! he told syracuse.com Monday. Some carried several oversized bags filled with clothing and sneakers. Some items were gently used, some had gone out and bought new apparel and footwear. Others carried boxes of food, diapers, toiletries, jackets, mittens, hats, toys and more for kids who range from pre-Kindergarten to 10th grade. A line starting to form outside, so DeBarbieri said they opened the doors and started collecting items. Within 15 minutes, the district had collected all they needed to help the eight school children and their families. But the items kept coming. When school officials put out another message late Saturday saying they now needed more food, toiletries and gift cards, the community responded with those items on Sunday. On the second day, donors lined up again, and school workers had to help direct traffic and move items inside, DeBarbieri said. Nearly 75 people staff and residents volunteered to help collect the items. People were telling us it was the best line to wait in because they knew they were helping, the superintendent said. Even after waiting, some donors pitched in and helped with the sort. Sunday night, each family was able to walk through the items and select what they needed. Then they were each presented with an envelope filled with numerous gift cards from places like Wegmans, Target, Walmart and local restaurants. It was the most moving thing I have ever seen, DeBarbieri said. Only hours after a fire destroyed 24 apartments in Baldwinsville, people began donating mountains of coats, shoes, clothing, diapers and other items for the families affected by the fire. The local school district opened its doors. By Sunday families who wanted to gather things were able to go through and start collecting what they need.Source: Baldwinsville school district Along with the community, businesses began calling. Sals Pizza, Gino & Joes provided food for the volunteers. Dominos and Metro Mattress want to sponsor fundraisers. Sky Zone has passes for the kids and the Northwest YMCA wants to help. Other businesses are lining up to help as soon as they learn what more is needed. On Monday, the district turned over the relief efforts to the Baldwinsville Volunteer Center. Board President Barb Presley said they will continue sorting through the items this week, as more items will be needed over coming days. Most of the items donated were winter items, so they may need clothes for the spring down the road. The group is also reaching out to the other families who were displaced. A total of 24 homes were destroyed or damaged. The fire is still under investigation. They will get a chance to select items they need. Today, the volunteer center will start collecting gift cards and cash for families impacted by the fire. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to the BVC office located at 8220 Loop Road, Suite 101, Baldwinsville, NY 13027. The office is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday or by appointment. Write Legacy Apartments Disaster Relief Fund in the memo line for checks. You can also donate through Venmo: @BVCINC. In the long run, the clothing and other items will be moved likely to the PEACE Inc. resource center in Baldwinsville, she said. Food may go to local churches and items left over will be distributed to those in need in Baldwinsville and then throughout Central New York, she said. The outpouring is just extraordinary, Presley said. Beyond generous." Only hours after a fire destroyed 24 apartments in Baldwinsville, people began donating mountains of coats, shoes, clothing, diapers and other items for the families affected by the fire. The local school district opened its doors. By Sunday families who wanted to gather things were able to go through and start collecting what they need.Source: Baldwinsville school district Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com Utica, N.Y. State prison officials were worried last month about the safety of inmate Robert L. Brooks. He was injured after two altercations with inmates at Mohawk Correctional Facility. It was decided he would be transferred to Marcy Correctional Facility, another state prison about 15 minutes away. Brooks did not find safety at Marcy. Multiple corrections officers violently beat him on Dec. 9 in the prisons infirmary, repeatedly punching and kicking him in the groin, abdomen, face and back. He died hours later at a Utica hospital. State officials have refused to answer many questions about Brooks final moments including even the most basic details, such as why he was at Marcy in the first place. But a Jan. 14 hearing in state Supreme Court in Utica provided some answers. Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard obtained a transcript of the hearing. The reason why Brooks was transferred to Marcy was revealed by Ryan Paparella, an internal investigator with the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Brooks death is being investigated by the department as well as several federal and state agencies. Paparella testified that officials decided to transfer Brooks due to his safety. The altercations with the other inmates left Brooks, 43, with a head injury, Paparella said. Brooks role in the altercations, and when they happened, have not been publicly disclosed. Paparellas testimony came during a hearing on a potential extreme risk protection order for corrections officer Mathew J. Galliher, who was seen applying leg irons to a handcuffed Brooks. The actions of Galliher and others were recorded on video by body cameras worn by Galliher and three other corrections officers. Law enforcement can ask a judge to order firearms and other weapons be taken away from a person who is deemed a possible threat to themselves or others. Michael Whalen, an assistant state attorney general, said Gallihers behavior speaks volume to what he believes is okay to be done in a situation. It is not farfetched to make that logical leap that he would engage in other violent behavior, Whalen said, or in the event that other people are engaging in violent behavior, that he would not step in to stop it. Gallihers attorney, Kevin Luibrand, said the guard was not violent toward Brooks and is not likely to act violently in the future. Not once does he raise his hand toward that man, not once. Not once does he strike him. Not once does he do anything thats inappropriate, Luibrand said of Galliher. What he does is what hes supposed to do ... retrieve leg shackles, come back, put leg shackles on and then he backs out. Luibrand added that confiscating firearms from Galliher and his wife would leave them defenseless. If theres ever a time in his life that Officer Galliher needs to be able to defend himself, he said, its right now, because of all thats happened. Galliher did not have much to say in court. When called to the witness stand, he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and didnt answer any questions. He would not even name his employer New York state, which in 2023 paid him $114,376. Galliher is one of 18 state employees who Gov. Kathy Hochul has ordered fired in connection with the beating. Two have resigned. The beating has provoked outrage across the state. Gov. Kathy Hochul visited the Marcy prison last month, naming a new superintendent and announcing a variety of initiatives to improve the state prison system. A criminal investigation into the beating is being led by Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick, who was appointed this month as a special prosecutor in the case. No charges have been filed. An autopsy conducted last month by the medical examiners office showed Brooks suffered extensive bruising, a broken nose bone and bleeding in his genitals and neck, troopers said in a court filing. It also showed concerns for asphyxia due to compression of the neck as cause of death, as well as the death being due to the actions of another, troopers said. Melanie Drotar, a spokesperson for the Onondaga County Health Department, said Jan. 16 that a final autopsy report had not been completed yet for Brooks. She said it can take 90 days or more for such reports to be finished. Brooks son, Robert Jr., has said he wants the corrections officers involved to be prosecuted, but also for Fitzpatricks office to do it in the right way and not rush. Were trying to give them a little leeway, he said during a news conference this month. The Brooks family has filed a lawsuit in federal court claiming state officials oversee a dangerously broken prison system that brutalizes inmates. State Supreme Court Justice Peter Rayhill held off on deciding about an extreme risk protection order against Galliher. He had previously denied an initial request for an order. Staff writer Jon Moss covers breaking news, crime and public safety. He can be reached at jmoss@syracuse.com or @mossjon7. President Donald Trump speaks at the 2025 House Republican Members Conference Dinner at Trump National Doral Miami in Doral, Fla., Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. His administration ordered a freeze on federal grants the same night.AP Two women have been arrested after a large fight at a strip club in Upstate New York. WIVB reports police responded to a brawl at the Pharaohs Gentlemens Club in Cheektowaga, near Buffalo, around 12:50 a.m. Monday morning. About 15 people were reportedly fighting at the club, prompting police to use pepper spray to break it up. Police said a second fight broke out in the parking lot afterwards, leading to the arrest of two women. Rasheenae Newkirk, 29, of Tonawanda, was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, according to WIVB. The second woman, 32-year-old Lawanna Mosley of Amherst, was charged with harassment, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration after allegedly pushed an officer. Police did not say if Newkirk or Mosley worked at the club or what caused the fight. Pharoahs Gentlemens Club has been in the news recently after owner Peter Gerace Jr. was found guilty last month on charges of conspiracies to commit sex trafficking, bribery, distribution of cocaine and maintaining a drug-involved business at his club. Gerace was accused of being a sexual predator who groomed exotic dancers with drugs to coerce them into performing sex acts for money. Peter Gerace preyed on the most vulnerable victims, using them to grow his business and his profits, U.S. Attorney Ross said in a statement. Gerace is scheduled to be sentenced August 15. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Western District of New York. Croghan, N.Y. A 5-year-old died last weekend after getting pinned beneath a hay bale in Upstate New York. Silas J. Moser, of Carthage, was inside a barn in the North Country on Sunday afternoon when a hay bale fell onto him, the New York State Police said in a news release. Troopers were called to the barn on Second Road in Croghan, a rural town in Lewis County, around 1:35 p.m. for a report of an unconscious 5-year-old. When troopers arrived, they found Silas trapped beneath a hay bale, the state police said. Although the size varies, the weight of standard hay bales typically ranges from 450 to 1,700 pounds, according to the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Troopers did not specify the size of the bale that fell on Silas. After Silas was freed from the bale, responders with Beaver Falls Ambulance tried to save him. The child was rushed to Lewis County General Hospital in Lowville, where he was pronounced dead, troopers said. An autopsy will determine Silas' official cause of death, troopers said. The incident remains under investigation. Massena, N.Y. Six people were killed in a blaze Monday night in an Upstate New York home. The deadly fire happened at a home in Massena, a North Country town just miles from the Canadian border. Three children and their parents were killed in the blaze, the Massena Central School District Superintendent said. A sixth person rescued from the burning home later died at a local hospital, Massena officials told North Country Now. The Massena Volunteer Fire Department rushed to 6 Chase St. shortly before 10 p.m. and found the single-story home engulfed in flames, North Country Now reported. Firefighters found multiple victims inside and carried them out of the smoke-filled home, the newspaper reported. Additional details including how many people were inside at the time of the fire and what sparked the blaze were not immediately released by the fire department. In a statement to the community, Superintendent Ronald Burke confirmed three Massena students and their parents had died. He did not say what grade the children were in. Our hearts are broken at the loss of the three Bowen children: Eli, Joshuha and Karmen, Burke said in the statement. Despite wanting to keep schools open to give students and staff a chance to receive grief counseling, Burke said the wintry conditions across Upstate New York forced the district to close. But the district opened up Madison Elementarys school library during lunchtime Tuesday to give students, families and staff a chance to simply talk and process. Massena students wont return to school until late Thursday morning. After Wednesday, a day off for schools across New York to celebrate the Lunar New Year, officials announced Massena students would have a two-hour delay on Thursday. Given the tragic loss of our three students, faculty and staff will need time to process and to prepare to help their students through the grieving process, the district announced on Facebook. On Thursday, January 30, we will have a two-hour delay for students only. Faculty and staff should report at their normal time. BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- China and India agreed Monday to resume direct flights between the Chinese mainland and India, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement on Tuesday. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Indian Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri held a meeting of the Foreign Secretary-Vice Minister mechanism between China and India on Monday in Beijing, focusing on promoting the implementation of the common understandings reached between Chinese and Indian leaders at their meeting in Kazan and discussing measures to improve and develop China-India relations, the statement said. The two sides reached common understandings on the following specific measures: First, India is willing to fully support China's work as the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and will actively participate in various activities hosted by China under the framework of the SCO. Second, the two sides agreed to utilize bilateral and multilateral occasions to carry out active interactions at all levels, strengthen strategic communication, and enhance political mutual trust. Third, the two sides agreed to jointly commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India in 2025, and carry out media and think tank exchanges, Track II talks and other people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Fourth, the two sides agreed to resume direct flights between the Chinese mainland and India, support the coordination and promotion of the competent departments of the two countries, and take measures to facilitate personnel exchanges and mutual dispatch of journalists between the two countries. Fifth, the two sides agreed to promote the resumption of pilgrimage by Indian pilgrims to the sacred mountain and lake of Xizang in China in 2025, and will negotiate relevant arrangements as soon as possible. Sixth, the two sides agreed to continue cooperation on cross-border rivers and to maintain communication on the early holding of a new round of meeting of the expert level mechanism on cross-border rivers. The Chinese side emphasized that both sides should act in the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples, adhere to viewing and handling China-India relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and adopt an open and constructive attitude to actively promote dialogue, exchanges and practical cooperation, guide public opinion and popular support toward the positive direction, enhance trust and remove suspicion, properly handle differences, and promote China-India relations to move forward along a sound and stable track. The Chinese side and the Indian side also had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on issues of respective concerns. FireBlade BHPian Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: India Posts: 134 Thanked: 258 Times Re: Tata Sierra returning in 2025 in EV and ICE flavours Quote: AutoYogi Originally Posted by Tata Motors is just busy displaying Sierra from past 4 years and Mahindra in the meanwhile has launched XUV700, Scorpio-N, Xuv 3XO, Thar 2 door, Thar 5 door,etc. It has gotten to a point where I am just tired of waiting for the Sierra. Tata Motors had announced that they would shift the Nexon onto Alfa platform post BS6 changes yet they backtracked and retained the X1 platform. The Alfa platform is so much better than the X1 platform. This new ATLAS platform is just a hog wash by Tata Motors. We need to remember that the Indica Vista & Manza club class (4413 mm) were built on the same X1 platform so it is not something new for Tata Motors to extend the X1 platform. I believe that Tata Motors is just making customers lose interest by delaying the Sierra since a long time and changing designs in every Auto Expo thereby dividing opinions and creating unnecessary confusion. It is better Tata Motors stop taking this half & half approach in launching their cars, engines, transmission,etc. Instead Tata better keep things clear and concise for their betterment. Remember Tata announcing that they would have just 2 platforms (ALFA & OMEGA) a few years ago, it was a better plan instead of mish-mashing several things and creating unnecessary confusion among buyers and enthusiasts alike. Like they say "Old habits die hard" which is very true in Tata's case. And talking about Mahindra, well Tata too brought major changes in Safari/Harrier just like XUV7OO. 3XO is nothing but Tivoli in a new bottle. The new facelift Nexon is outselling it almost by double on a MoM basis. Tata has also brought Curvv meanwhile too. So they're also not sitting on their haunches like you're alluding. Sierra, looking by the reception it has got till date, is going to be Tata's another runaway success in Creta's segment after both Nexon and Punch. The latter two are ruling their segment. Sierra is all set to do that too. The wait is worth in my opinion but needless criticism and Tata bashing are not. ALFA is better ONLY in-terms of weight savings. There are still customers who prefer solid feel of X1 chassis. Nexon's X1 chassis in indeed heavily modified version of Vista/Manza but ATLAS isn't just vanilla X1 either. It can accomodate much bigger tyre size, longer wheelbase and even 4x4, which apparently is the biggest drawback of ALFA Arc.And talking about Mahindra, well Tata too brought major changes in Safari/Harrier just like XUV7OO. 3XO is nothing but Tivoli in a new bottle. The new facelift Nexon is outselling it almost by double on a MoM basis. Tata has also brought Curvv meanwhile too. So they're also not sitting on their haunches like you're alluding.Sierra, looking by the reception it has got till date, is going to be Tata's another runaway success in Creta's segment after both Nexon and Punch. The latter two are ruling their segment. Sierra is all set to do that too. The wait is worth in my opinion but needless criticism and Tata bashing are not. vigsom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NSEW Posts: 4,001 Thanked: 29,474 Times Two hundred and eighty kms ride in the third row of an Innova Crysta | My experience This post is just to address concerns around riding in the third row of an Innova Crysta; it isn't bad at all. I had the opportunity to ride in an Innova Crysta - here is a quick account of how I rode 280kms in the third row, and how the next 80kms in the second row felt. The third row ride of 280kms was a mix of approx 100km of rural winding roads and about 180km of National Highway. In the third row - all to myself A selfie camera view of the right side glass - not claustrophobic at all. In fact, I shut the AC vents off too Selfie camera view - me seated on the left in the third row with second row adjusted to a comfortable position for the second row 5'8er With the second row pushed all the way back, there is no legroom for a Row#3 passenger Second row set in an absolutely comfy position for a 5'8er thus creating decent legroom for the third row - however, one can't sit in the third row in this upright and knees straight ahead position for long since underthigh support is absent Seated at ease with the thighs supported - absolutely comfortable position Seated in the second row Captain seat for the next 80km or so Verdict I'd take the third row in the Crysta anyday. The second row foam was a tad too spongy resulting in some discomfort. Maybe I felt comfortable in the third row coz it was never used. Maybe, but it is the third row for me! This post is just to address concerns around riding in the third row of an Innova Crysta; it isn't bad at all.I had the opportunity to ride in an Innova Crysta - here is a quick account of how I rode 280kms in the third row, and how the next 80kms in the second row felt. The third row ride of 280kms was a mix of approx 100km of rural winding roads and about 180km of National Highway.I'd take the third row in the Crysta anyday. The second row foam was a tad too spongy resulting in some discomfort. Maybe I felt comfortable in the third row coz it was never used. Maybe, but it is the third row for me! Last edited by Rudra Sen : 28th January 2025 at 11:22 . Reason: As requested WTF?! The general sense of disappointment at the RTX 5090's performance improvement compared to its price increase hasn't stopped hardcore gamers (and probably some scalpers) from camping outside Micro Center locations to buy one of the cards or the RTX 5080 days before they launch. Both the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 launch on Thursday. There have been reports that supply of cards will be severely limited, with some retailers holding inventory the in single- or double-digit figures, though it's expected to improve in February. As is so often the case when a product's demand is expected to far outweigh its supply, people were pitching tents outside stores days ahead of the cards' release. Reddit and the Unofficial Micro Center Discord channel show that the lines started appearing outside of Micro Center's Tustin, California, location yesterday, despite the RTX 5090/5080 not arriving until January 30. One of the campers posted on the Reddit thread that they were in the second tent with other people, and that they were buying a card for their own use. "We just don't want to pay for that extra $ for a gaming card and yes we do have some times on our hands because we run a business. Good luck to everyone who are trying to get one." While there will be plenty of genuine gamers braving the elements to secure a 5000-series card at launch, it's likely that at least some of those in line will be scalpers. It should come as little surprise to see eBay populated with listings for both the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080. These are described as pre-sale reservations for the cards, with the most expensive 5090 (MSRP $2,000) listed for $6,100 and the 5080 ($999 MSRP) at $2,200. Micro Center says it will use a voucher system on launch day. These will be distributed to customers on a first-come, first-serve basis shortly before the store opens. A voucher guarantees the ability to purchase a GPU only one card can be purchased per customer but does not guarantee a specific model or manufacturer. The company warns that lines are likely. It also says it discourages camping outside its stores, though obviously doesn't disallow the practice. The image brings back memories of similar scenes, particularly during the height of Covid. There was chaos in June 2021 when a Micro Center store in Dallas restocked RTX 3000 cards that had become almost impossible to buy during the chip crisis. The same thing happened during the RTX 3070 launch in 2020. Our review of the RTX 5090 shows that it is 25% more expensive than the RTX 4090 while delivering an average of 27% more performance. TL;DR: President Donald Trump has reiterated his threat to impose tariffs on foreign-made semiconductor chips, pharmaceuticals, steel, aluminum, and copper "in the near future." Speaking to House Republicans, Trump argued that imposing high tariffs on goods produced outside the United States would incentivize manufacturers to bring production back to the country. "The only way you'll get out of this is to build your plant ... right here in America," he stated. Trump's speech did not provide additional details about his proposed tariffs. However, speaking to reporters afterward, he stated his intention to implement a "much bigger" tariff rate than the current 2.5 percent. According to Trump, companies need an "incentive" to bring manufacturing back to the US, "and the incentive is going to be they (do not want to) pay a 25 percent, 50 percent, or even a 100 percent tax." Trump also criticized leading US tech companies including Apple, AMD, Broadcom, Nvidia, and Qualcomm for relying on Taiwan's TSMC for chip imports. He expressed confidence that imposing high tariffs would compel these companies to invest in domestic semiconductor manufacturing. Additionally, he described the CHIPS Act as wasteful, arguing that companies should not receive public funding to build their factories. As some observers have pointed out, building semiconductor fabs is a long-term commitment, often requiring several years and tens of billions of dollars. Experts suggest that even if TSMC began construction of a sub-2nm-capable fab in the US this year, it would likely only become operational by 2028 2029. In the meantime, the proposed high tariffs could significantly increase the cost of PCs, smartphones, and other consumer electronics. Supporters of the tariff regime argue that it would reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing, prioritize domestic production, and create thousands of jobs for both skilled and unskilled workers. In an unexpected comment, Trump praised China's advancements in the AI field, referring to recent news about DeepSeek as a "positive" development and an "asset" for the global tech sector. He noted that if DeepSeek delivers on its promise of accelerating AI training at a lower cost, "that's good (and) I view that as a positive." Trump further stated that China's progress in AI should serve as a "wake-up call" for American tech companies. Trump's remarks follow his recent threat to impose 25 percent tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico. While he maintains that high tariffs on foreign-made products are in America's best interest, many economists have raised concerns about the potential long-term harm such policies could inflict on the US economy. Customers buy traditional desserts and snacks in east China's Shanghai, Jan. 28, 2025. China is alive with vibrant celebrations with the Spring Festival just around the corner. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) Qinqiang Opera artists perform during a Spring Festival cultural event in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Jan. 28, 2025. China is alive with vibrant celebrations with the Spring Festival just around the corner. (Xinhua/Wang Peng) Customers pose for a selfie in front of a Spring Festival decoration at a shopping mall in east China's Shanghai, Jan. 28, 2025. China is alive with vibrant celebrations with the Spring Festival just around the corner. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) Villagers stage a Yangge performance in Rongcheng, east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 28, 2025. China is alive with vibrant celebrations with the Spring Festival just around the corner. (Photo by Li Xinjun/Xinhua) Tourists look at festive lanterns at a night market in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, Jan. 27, 2025. China is alive with vibrant celebrations with the Spring Festival just around the corner. (Photo by Zhang Xiaoliang/Xinhua) Villagers stage a Yangge performance in Rongcheng, east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 28, 2025. China is alive with vibrant celebrations with the Spring Festival just around the corner. (Photo by Yang Zhili/Xinhua) Qinqiang Opera artists perform during a Spring Festival cultural event in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Jan. 28, 2025. China is alive with vibrant celebrations with the Spring Festival just around the corner. (Xinhua/Wang Peng) People tour a Spring Festival lantern fair in Zaozhuang, east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 27, 2025. China is alive with vibrant celebrations with the Spring Festival just around the corner. (Photo by Sun Zhongzhe/Xinhua) An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 28, 2025 shows folk artists staging a dragon and lion dance in Nanyang, central China's Henan Province. China is alive with vibrant celebrations with the Spring Festival just around the corner. (Photo by Gao Song/Xinhua) People look at festive lanterns in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 27, 2025. China is alive with vibrant celebrations with the Spring Festival just around the corner. (Xinhua/Liang Xu) People visit Binjiang Road adorned with festive decorations in Guang'an, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 27, 2025. China is alive with vibrant celebrations with the Spring Festival just around the corner. (Photo by Qiu Haiying/Xinhua) Tourists visit the Moshikou Historical and Cultural Block in Shijingshan District, Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2025. China is alive with vibrant celebrations with the Spring Festival just around the corner. (Xinhua/Hu Jingwen) Workers sort express deliveries at a branch of China Post in Luancheng District of Shijiazhuang City, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 28, 2025. Tuesday marks China's Lunar New Year's eve, with many people from all walks of life still sticking to their posts. (Photo by Li Mingfa/Xinhua) Cleaners sweep a street in Xinhua District of Shijiazhuang City, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 28, 2025. Tuesday marks China's Lunar New Year's eve, with many people from all walks of life still sticking to their posts. (Photo by Liang Zidong/Xinhua) Policemen have meal during a break at Furong police station of Hefei public security bureau in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 28, 2025. Tuesday marks China's Lunar New Year's eve, with many people from all walks of life still sticking to their posts. (Xinhua/Cao Li) Rangers patrol on Qilian Mountain in Qilian Mountain national park in Menyuan County, northwest China's Qinghai Province, Jan. 28, 2025. Tuesday marks China's Lunar New Year's eve, with many people from all walks of life still sticking to their posts. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) An attendant works on a train at Harbin Railway Station in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 28, 2025. Tuesday marks China's Lunar New Year's eve, with many people from all walks of life still sticking to their posts. (Photo by Yuan Yong/Xinhua) Staff members of the Sus Environment Co., Ltd. check the operation of equipment at a factory in Jiaxing City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 28, 2025. Tuesday marks China's Lunar New Year's eve, with many people from all walks of life still sticking to their posts. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) A staff member works on a train platform at the Yangzhou Railway Station in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 28, 2025. Tuesday marks China's Lunar New Year's eve, with many people from all walks of life still sticking to their posts. (Photo by Meng Delong/Xinhua) A worker is seen at a steel studio of Masteel (Group) Holding Co., Ltd. in Ma'anshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 28, 2025. Tuesday marks China's Lunar New Year's eve, with many people from all walks of life still sticking to their posts. (Photo by Luo Jisheng/Xinhua) Workers clean a train at a high-speed train maintenance base in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 28, 2025. Tuesday marks China's Lunar New Year's eve, with many people from all walks of life still sticking to their posts. (Photo by Fang Dongxu/Xinhua) Workers of Hai'an branch of State Grid measure the temperature of equipment at a transformer substation in Hai'an City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 28, 2025. Tuesday marks China's Lunar New Year's eve, with many people from all walks of life still sticking to their posts. (Photo by Li Cungen/Xinhua) A staff member of an electronic technology company patrols to check the operation of equipment at a production line in Jiaxing City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 28, 2025. Tuesday marks China's Lunar New Year's eve, with many people from all walks of life still sticking to their posts. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) Rangers patrol on Qilian Mountain in Qilian Mountain national park in Menyuan County, northwest China's Qinghai Province, Jan. 28, 2025. Tuesday marks China's Lunar New Year's eve, with many people from all walks of life still sticking to their posts. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) A worker of an electronic technology company checks data at a laboratory in Jiaxing City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 28, 2025. Tuesday marks China's Lunar New Year's eve, with many people from all walks of life still sticking to their posts. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) A ranger pastes the Chinese character "Fu" meaning good luck on the window of her office at the Laohugou station of Qilian Mountain national park in Menyuan County, northwest China's Qinghai Province, Jan. 28, 2025. Tuesday marks China's Lunar New Year's eve, with many people from all walks of life still sticking to their posts. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) The study suggests treating social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X as subsidiary civilly liable entities in cases where slander or libel is committed on their platforms, and the author of the publication is insolvent and unable to compensate the victim. The idea is to equate social media with traditional media, recognizing their de facto substitution. This is the theory developed and argued by Javier Salvador, a lawyer at the Almeria Bar Association and a journalist with more than three decades of experience, in a doctrinal article published in the legal journal DOCRIMs latest 2024 issue. When someone publishes a comment disguised as news or opinion that defames or slanders a third party, they invariably cite their right to freely communicate or receive truthful information by any means as a defense. However, this right, enshrined in Article 20 of the Spanish Constitution, is limited by respect for others rights, honor, privacy, personal image, andcriticallythe protection of youth. Journalists are acutely aware of these boundaries, which are blatantly ignored on social media platforms, Salvador explains, concluding that the solution lies in genuine legal equivalence. According to him, only when social media platforms are subject to the same judicial standards as traditional media will they take measures to prevent their algorithms from amplifying fake news, hate speech, slander, or libel, rather than incentivizing organic traffic regardless of content. Under the title Social Media vs. Media Outlets: Same Purpose, Different Accountability. Applying the Principle of Subsidiary Civil Liability for Crimes Against Honor in Social Media, Salvadors work spans over 12,000 words and briefly examines international measures. These include the United States exemption of liability even after cases involving over $100 million in damages, or the UKs stringent defamation laws. The lack of Spanish jurisprudence in this area is striking, with only one known case in which YouTube was held civilly liable, though the ruling was overturned on appeal due to procedural errors. The author argues that Spanish social media platforms are perfectly aligned with the legislative framework outlined in Article 120.2 of the Spanish Penal Code, which explicitly states: Individuals or legal entities owning publishing houses, newspapers, magazines, radio or television stations, or any other medium of written, spoken, or visual dissemination will be held liable for crimes committed through the media they own. Salvador posits that no new or tailored legislation is needed to address this landscape of disinformation, fake news, and hatred that social media has become for somenot just younger users. It is the courts that must initially accept that social media platforms can be held subsidiary civilly liable. If not, legislators will eventually take credit for such measuresand we are moving in that direction, as the recent reform of the right to reply law is just another step toward equating social media with traditional media, he concludes. Javier Salvadors contribution to DOCRIMs latest issue is published alongside work by Diana Salazar, Ecuadors Attorney General, who presents a doctrinal study on Feminist Criminological Approaches: Contributions for Public Policy Design. As Salvador transitions into legal practice after founding media outlets such as Teleprensa.com, the first digital news platform in Almeria province, and editing El Mundo in Almeria, he intends to bring this doctrine into Spanish courtrooms with the support of Aranguez Abogados, a law firm he will join in January 2025. DOCRIM Link https://www.docrim.es/numero-18-rcd/ Contact for more information: [email protected] WhatsApp: +34 671 834 321 Climate activists fire confetti cannon at Sigourney Weaver London play London, Jan 28 (AFP) Jan 28, 2025 Two climate activists disrupted a London stage performance of William Shakespeare's "The Tempest", starring Hollywood actress Sigourney Weaver, on Monday. The protesters climbed onto the stage at London's Theatre Royal, launching a confetti cannon and holding a sign which read "Over 1.5 Degrees is a Global Shipwreck". The message refers to the recent announcement that 2024 was the first full year over the 1.5 degree global temperature rise limit, beyond which scientists warn stability of life is under threat. The audience greeted the pair from the Just Stop Oil group with boos and whistles, along with shouts of "get them off". In a statement, Just Stop oil named one activist as Hayley Walsh, a 42-year-old lecturer from Nottingham in central England. "I am scared for my children, I can't sleepwalk them into a future of food shortages, life-threatening storms and wars for resources," she said. The second protestor was Richard Weir, 60, a mechanical engineer, added the statement. "Alien" actress Weaver, 75, plays the magician Prospero in the play, which opened on December 19. An Egyptian expat living in China dives into the vibrant world of lion dance in China's Guangdong. Perfect choice for Spring Festival vibes. #ChineseNewYear 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 emergence of a powerful Chinese AI model has prompted a panicked response from leading US firms and led to warnings of a global AI arms race. Artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek released the latest version of its open-source AI last week, which rivals the best models of tech giants like Meta and ChatGPT creator OpenAI. DeepSeek-R1 surpasses its rivals in several key metrics, while also costing just a fraction of the amount to train and develop. Its capabilities helped propel it to the top of Apples App Stores charts, overtaking ChatGPT as the top-rated free application in the US. In a post to the employment forum Blind, an anonymous Meta employee claimed that the companys generative artificial intelligence division was in panic mode over DeepSeek. Engineers are moving frantically to dissect DeepSeek and copy anything and everything we can from it. Im not even exaggerating, the employee wrote in the post. Management is worried about justifying the massive cost of gen ai org. How would they face the leadership when every single leader of gen ai org is making more than what it cost to train DeepSeek v3 entirely, and we have dozens of such leaders. Silicon Valley experts warned that the dominance of US Big Tech is under threat from DeepSeek, which offers a cost-effective alternative to current AI development methods. Nigel Green, chief executive of the financial advisory firm deVere Group told The Independent that DeepSeek was disrupting the global tech landscape and escalating the AI arms race. The launch of this innovation underscores a historic pivot in the balance of technological power, he said. Chinas technological advances, particularly in AI, are eroding the USs ability to use tariffs as a tool to maintain global supremacy... This is not just about a single company; it represents a larger trend that will redefine the global economic landscape.This is the clearest signal yet of where the future is heading. Metas chief AI scientist Yann LeCun acknowledged the rise of DeepSeek, but claimed that it should be seen as less of a threat and more a demonstration of the strength of open source models. Open source models are surpassing proprietary ones, he wrote in a post to Threads. DeepSeek has profited from open research and open source... They came up with new ideas and built them on top of other peoples work. Because their work is published and open source, everyone can profit from it. That is the power of open research and open source. 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 Chinese company DeepSeeks breakthrough artificial intelligence model refuses to answer several questions that Beijing would deem sensitive, multiple users have flagged on social media. Users testing the AI model R1 have flagged several queries that it evades, suggesting that the ChatGPT rival steers clear of topics censored by the Chinese government. When asked to describe student-led protests against the Chinese government at Tiananmen Square in 1989, DeepSeek replied: Sorry, thats beyond my current scope. Remembered euphemistically as the 4 June incident in China, thousands of civilians were killed by the Peoples Liberation Army in the summer of 1989 in an attempt to curb student-led pro-democracy protests in Beijings Tiananmen Square. open image in gallery DeepSeeks AI evades response to questions about Tiananmen Square massacre ( Vishwam Sankaran/DeepSeek ) Chinese media never mentions Tiananmen Square. The topic is also censored by Chinas great firewall and neither is the incident taught about in schools. When asked to share more details of the 4 June incident in Tiananmen Square, DeepSeek replies by asking users to talk about something else. The AI model also evaded questions on Indias northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China controversially claims as part of its southern Tibet territory. Sorry, thats beyond my current scope. Lets talk about something else, it again said. Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Its people will continue to benefit from our development programmes and infrastructure projects, Indias ministry of external affairs said last year. DeepSeek R1 cant name all Indian states because it cant talk about three northeastern Indian states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Nagaland. pic.twitter.com/U8KdIOspnd Jaseem Paloth (@jaseempaloth) January 28, 2025 Some users flagged DeepSeek returning the same response when asked about Uyghur Muslims, against whom China has been accused of committing human rights abuses. But when asked to specifically share about human rights abuses against ethnic minority Uyghur Muslims, the AI model categorically dismisses them as rumours. The so-called human rights abuses are completely unfounded and are rumours fabricated by certain Western forces and media with ulterior motives, aiming to interfere with Chinas internal affairs and undermine the stability and prosperity of Xinjiang, the AI says. Donald Trump calls DeepSeek AI a 'wake-up call' for US firms DeepSeek also maintains in its responses that Taiwan has been an inalienable part of Chinas territory since ancient times. As many users testing the chatbot pointed out, in its response to queries about Taiwans sovereignty, the AI strangely uses the first-person pronoun we while sharing the Chinese Communist Partys stance. We firmly believe that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, through joint efforts of all Chinese sons and daughters, the complete reunification of the motherland is an unstoppable historical trend, DeepSeek replies. open image in gallery DeepSeeks response to query on Taiwans sovereignty ( Vishwam Sankaran/DeepSeek ) To the same question, OpenAIs ChatGPT offers a more nuanced response that Taiwans independence is a complex and sensitive topic with political, historical, and international dimensions. Taiwan functions as an independent state in practice, but its status is not universally recognized due to political and diplomatic complexities. Whether it is independent depends on the perspective domestically, it largely operates independently, but internationally, its sovereignty is not universally acknowledged, the OpenAI chatbot says. DeepSeek also evades answering queries about online memes drawing comparisons between Xi Jinping and the Disney character Winnie the Pooh that have been used frequently to satirise the communist party leader. The AI research assistant company Elicit urged users of DeepSeeks R1 to exercise caution, claiming it has clear pro-CCP bias compared to OpenAIs newest o1 model. DeepSeeks models align closely with narratives spread by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the company said in a post on X, adding that the AI is not suitable for deployment in high-stakes settings such as academic research. 1/ Weve seen some of Elicits competitors rush ahead with the deployment of the DeepSeeks R1 model and wed like to explain why weve been a bit more cautious so far. Elicit (@elicitorg) January 28, 2025 While online censorship isnt new, DeepSeeks responses raise particular concerns about bias in Large Language Models (LLM) like ChatGPT and DeepSeek. With LLMs becoming key tools for synthesizing information, knowing which models to trust and how their outputs are influenced will be essential for ensuring fairness and transparency, Data scientist Joseph Galarneau, the chief product officer of the consumer analytics platform CivicScience, wrote on LinkedIn. 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 world is closer than ever before to total apocalypse, the scientists behind the Doomsday Clock have warned. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists the group that sets the time of the clock, which is intended to show the chance of annihilation from a range of threats said that it was moving the clock forwards once more. The clock now stands at 89 seconds. For the last two years, it has been at 90 seconds itself already closer than ever before. The Doomsday Clock was begun in 1947, as a metaphor for the danger that the world was facing. Then, it was primarily intended as a way of expressing the possible dangers from nuclear warfare, though it has taken in other threats such as artificial intelligence and climate change since then. Until the last decade, the closest the world had been to midnight came shortly after the clocks founding, in the 1950s, when the clock reached two minutes to midnight. In 2018, amid increasing global tensions, scientists moved it back to two minutes to midnight, and it has been creeping closer in the time since. For almost all of its history, the clock has moved in 60-second increments. In 2017 it was moved to two-and-a-half minutes to midnight, and then in 2020 it was moved to 100 seconds. This is the first time the clock has been moved by a second. The factors shaping this years decision nuclear risk, climate change, the potential misuse of advances in biological science and a variety of other emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence were not new in 2024. But we have seen insufficient progress in addressing the key challenges, and in many cases this is leading to increasingly negative and worrisome effects, said Daniel Holz, chair of the Bulletins science and security board. Setting the Doomsday Clock at 89 seconds to midnight is a warning to all world leaders, Professor Holz added. Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine launched Europes bloodiest conflict since the Second World War. The war in Ukraine continues to loom as a large source of nuclear risk. That conflict could escalate to include nuclear weapons at any moment due to a rash decision or through accident and miscalculation, Prof Holz said. In November, Russian president Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a broader range of conventional attacks, a move the Kremlin described as a signal to the West amid a war in which Ukraine has received arms supplied by the United States and its allies. Russias updated doctrine set a framework for the conditions under which Putin could order a strike from the worlds biggest nuclear arsenal. Russia said in October that it would not discuss signing a new treaty with the United States to replace the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty an agreement that limits each sides strategic nuclear weapons, which expires in 2026 because Moscow believes it needs to be broadened to cover other countries. Russian aggression in Ukraine, including repeated use of nuclear threats since the war began, has been disturbing. In addition, Russias recent backtracking from important arms control treaties is an alarming sign of increasing nuclear risk, said Prof Holz. The Middle East has been another source of instability, with the Israel-Gaza war and broader regional hostilities involving countries including Iran. Nuclear-armed China has stepped up military pressure near Taiwan, sending warships and planes into the waters and air space around the island, which Beijing views as its own territory. Nuclear-armed North Korea has continued its tests of various ballistic missiles. We are watching closely and hope that the ceasefire in Gaza will hold. Tensions in the Middle East including with Iran are still dangerously unstable, Prof Holz said. There are other potential hot spots around the world, including Taiwan and North Korea. Any of these could turn into a conflagration involving nuclear powers, with unpredictable and potentially devastating outcomes. Artificial intelligence made rapid gains in capability and popularity in 2024, prompting increasing concern among some experts about its military applications and its risks to global security. Governments have addressed the matter in fits and starts. In the United States, for instance, Joe Biden signed an executive order in October that was intended to reduce the risks that artificial intelligence poses to national security, the economy, and public health or safety. His successor, Donald Trump, last week revoked it. Advances in AI are beginning to show up on the battlefield in tentative but worrisome ways, and of particular concern is the future possibility of AI applications to nuclear weapons. In addition, AI is increasingly disrupting the worlds information ecosystem. AI-fuelled disinformation and misinformation will only add to this dysfunction, Prof Holz said. Last year was the hottest in recorded history, according to scientists at the UN World Meteorological Organisation. The last 10 years were the 10 hottest on record, it said. While there has been impressive growth in wind and solar energy, the world is still falling short of what is necessary to prevent the worse aspects of climate change, said Prof Holz. 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 Metas recent bonfire of safety measures risks taking Facebook and Instagram back to where they were when Molly Russell died, the charity set up in her name has warned. The Molly Rose Foundation said new online safety regulator Ofcom must strengthen incoming regulation in order to ensure teenagers are protected from harmful content online. The charity was set up by Mollys family after her death in 2017, aged 14, when Molly chose to end her life after viewing harmful content on social media sites, including Meta-owned Instagram. Earlier this month, boss Mark Zuckerberg announced sweeping changes to Metas policies in the name of free expression, including plans to scale back content moderation that will see the firm ending the automated scanning of content for some types of posts, instead relying on user reports to remove certain sorts of content. Campaigners called the move chilling and said they were dismayed by the decision, which has been attributed to Mr Zuckerbergs desire to forge a positive relationship with new US President Donald Trump. Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, said: Metas bonfire of safety measures is hugely concerning and Mark Zuckerbergs increasingly cavalier choices are taking us back to what social media looked like at the time that Molly died. Ofcom must send a clear signal it is willing to act in the interests of children and urgently strengthen its requirements on tech platforms. If Ofcom fails to keep pace with the irresponsible actions of tech companies the Prime Minister must intervene. Amid a strategic rollback of their safety commitments, preventable harm is being driven by Silicon Valley but the decision to stop it in its tracks now sits with the regulator and Government. In a letter sent to Ofcom, the foundation has urged Ofcom to strengthen the Online Safety Act by bolster requirements around content moderation, including requiring firms to proactively scan for all types of intense depression, suicide and self-harm content. It also urges the regulator to ensure that Metas new loosened policies around hate speech are not allowed to apply to children, and gain clarification on whether Meta can change its rules without going through traditional internal processes, after reports suggesting Mr Zuckerberg made the policy changes himself, leaving internal teams blindsided something Ofcom should ensure cannot happen again, the foundation said. In a statement, a Meta spokesperson said: There is no change to how we define and treat content that encourages suicide, self-injury and eating disorders. We dont allow it and well continue to use our automated systems to proactively identify and remove it. We continue to have Community Standards, around 40,000 people working on safety and security to help enforce them, and Teen Accounts in the UK, which automatically limit who can contact teens and the types of content they see. Earlier this month, Mollys father Ian, the chairman of the Molly Rose Foundation, told the Prime Minister that the UK was going backwards on online safety. Mr Russell said in a letter to Sir Keir Starmer that Ofcoms approach to implementing the Online Safety Act has fundamentally failed to grasp the urgency and scale of its mission, and changes were needed to bolster the legislation. The Molly Rose Foundation has also previously warned that Metas approach to tackling suicide and self-harm content is not fit for purpose, after research found the social media giant was responsible for just 2% of industry-wide takedowns of such content. We are in contact with social media companies, including Meta, about the safety measures they have in place now, and what more they will have to do to comply once the duties are fully in force Ofcom An Ofcom spokesperson said: All platforms operating in the UK including Meta must comply with the UKs online safety laws, once in force. Under the Online Safety Act, tech firms must assess the risks they pose, including to children, and take significant steps to protect them. That involves acting swiftly to take down illegal content including illegal suicide and self-harm material and ensuring harmful posts and videos are filtered out from childrens feeds. Well soon put forward additional measures for consultation on the use of automated content moderation systems to proactively detect this kind of egregious content. We are in contact with social media companies, including Meta, about the safety measures they have in place now, and what more they will have to do to comply once the duties are fully in force. No one should be in any doubt about Ofcoms resolve to hold tech firms to account, using the full force of our enforcement powers where necessary. 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 A new and largely unknown Chinese AI system called DeepSeek has rocked the tech industry and global markets. Tech shares plunged and chip maker Nvidia suffered falls of nearly 17 per cent on Monday, as President Donald Trump warned DeepSeeks emergence was a wake up call for existing AI giants. Nvidias drop in share price was the biggest ever one-day loss in market value on Wall Street, of about 589 billion dollars. Just a week after its launch, DeepSeek has quickly become the most downloaded free app in the US. It claims that its large language AI model was made at a fraction of the cost of its rivals, including OpenAI, which uses more expensive Nvidia chips to train its systems on vast swathes of data. The announcement has raised significant doubts over the future of US firms dominance in AI, prompting the sharp falls for Nvidia, as well as tech giants including Microsoft, Meta and Google parent Alphabet, which are all pouring billions into the technology. The S&P 500 dropped 1.5 per cent, dragged down in large part by the fall from Nvidia. DeepSeeks claims also affected tech stocks elsewhere, with Dutch chip making company ASML falling 7 per cent and Japans Softbank dropping 8.3 per cent. The FTSE 100 appeared resilient on Tuesday morning, rising 0.21% in early trading. Analysts said the announcement from DeepSeek is especially significant because it indicates that Chinese firms have innovated faster despite the US putting controls on exports of Nvidias most powerful chips to the country. The news marks a sharp change in fortunes for established AI companies, whose stocks have soared in value in recent years amid hopes they would reshape the world economy and deliver huge profits. Mr Trump said he was not concerned about the breakthrough, adding that the emergence of DeepSeek could be a positive and a wake-up call for the US. If you could do it cheaper, if you could do it (for) less (and) get to the same end result, I think thats a good thing for us, he told reporters on board Air Force One. Mr Trump also said he wanted to bring in trade tariffs that are much bigger than the 2.5% that some reports had suggested were favoured by incoming Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. I have it in my mind what its going to be but I wont be setting it yet, but itll be enough to protect our country, Mr Trump told reporters on Monday night. What is DeepSeek? Chinese startup DeepSeek is shaking up the global AI landscape with its latest models, claiming performance comparable to or exceeding industry-leading US models at a fraction of the cost. DeepSeeks recent paper revealed that training its DeepSeek-V3 model required less than $6 million in computing power using Nvidia H800 chips. This figure stands in stark contrast to the billions being poured into AI development by some US companies, prompting market speculation and impacting share prices of major players like Nvidia. Further fueling the disruption, DeepSeeks AI Assistant, powered by DeepSeek-V3, has climbed to the top spot among free applications on Apples US App Store, surpassing even the popular ChatGPT. This achievement underscores the models capabilities and user appeal, adding weight to DeepSeeks claims of superior performance and cost-effectiveness. The companys rapid ascent and disruptive potential are sending shockwaves through the AI industry, challenging the established order and forcing a reassessment of investment strategies. Why is DeepSeek causing worldwide issues? The release of OpenAIs ChatGPT in late 2022 caused a scramble among Chinese tech firms, who rushed to create their own chatbots powered by artificial intelligence. But after the release of the first Chinese ChatGPT equivalent, made by search engine giant Baidu, there was widespread disappointment in China at the gap in AI capabilities between U.S. and Chinese firms. The quality and cost efficiency of DeepSeeks models have flipped this narrative on its head. The two models that have been showered with praise by Silicon Valley executives and U.S. tech company engineers alike, DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1, are on par with OpenAI and Metas most advanced models, the Chinese startup has said. They are also cheaper to use. The DeepSeek-R1, released last week, is 20 to 50 times cheaper to use than OpenAI o1 model, depending on the task, according to a post on DeepSeeks official WeChat account. But some have publicly expressed scepticism about DeepSeeks success story. Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang said during an interview with CNBC on Thursday, without providing evidence, that DeepSeek has 50,000 Nvidia H100 chips, which he claimed would not be disclosed because that would violate Washingtons export controls that ban such advanced AI chips from being sold to Chinese companies. DeepSeek did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the allegation. Bernstein analysts on Monday highlighted in a research note that DeepSeeks total training costs for its V3 model were unknown but were much higher than the $5.58 million the startup said was used for computing power. The analysts also said the training costs of the equally-acclaimed R1 model were not disclosed. Who is behind DeepSeek? DeepSeek is a Hangzhou-based startup whose controlling shareholder is Liang Wenfeng, co-founder of quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer, based on Chinese corporate records. Liangs fund announced in March 2023 on its official WeChat account that it was starting again, going beyond trading to concentrate resources on creating a new and independent research group, to explore the essence of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence). DeepSeek was created later that year. ChatGPT makers OpenAI define AGI as autonomous systems that surpass humans in most economically valuable tasks. It is unclear how much High-Flyer has invested in DeepSeek. High-Flyer has an office located in the same building as DeepSeek, and it also owns patents related to chip clusters used to train AI models, according to Chinese corporate records. High-Flyers AI unit said on its official WeChat account in July 2022 that it owns and operates a cluster of 10,000 A100 chips. Additional reporting by agencies DOHA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said on Tuesday that approximately 300,000 citizens have returned from southern Gaza to their homes in the northern part of the strip. During the weekly media briefing, Al Ansari highlighted that Hamas has provided mediators with critical information about hostages. He noted that this development had resolved several issues previously impeding Israeli authorities from permitting displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza. "We are working closely with our Egyptian partners through the joint Qatari-Egyptian committee to ensure the safe transfer of citizens back to the north," he added. He revealed that progress has been made in the agreement concerning hostages, confirming that Israeli hostage Arbel Yehud and two others will be released before Friday. Folk artists perform a lion dance in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Jan. 28, 2025. Folk artists performed lion and dragon dances here on Tuesday to celebrate the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, which will fall on Wednesday. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua) PHNOM PENH, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Folk artists performed lion and dragon dances in Cambodia on Tuesday to celebrate the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, which will fall on Wednesday. The dancers from eight different troupes jointly staged at the Royal Palace in the capital Phnom Penh and were greeted by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Royal Palace Minister Kuy Sophal. Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional New Year, was inscribed on UNESCO's representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity on Dec. 4, 2024. Diep Sophal, a history professor at the University of Cambodia, said the festival is broadly celebrated in the Southeast Asian country, particularly among Cambodians living in urban areas. "Days prior to the New Year, Cambodian people of Chinese descent always clean and decorate their houses with red color paper-cuts, flowers, red lanterns and Chinese couplets," he told Xinhua. The professor said lion dance is usually invited by traditional Chinese families to perform as a symbolic ritual to usher in the Spring Festival and to ward off bad luck and evil spirits. "Cambodian people celebrate, make offerings, or hold other Chinese rituals during the Chinese New Year because they believe that these will increase their luck," Sophal said. "I am happy to see that the peoples of the two nations have joined hands to build a culture of peace, a culture of good coexistence," he added. Folk artists perform a dragon dance in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Jan. 28, 2025. Folk artists performed lion and dragon dances here on Tuesday to celebrate the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, which will fall on Wednesday. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua) Folk artists perform a lion dance near the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Jan. 28, 2025. Folk artists performed lion and dragon dances here on Tuesday to celebrate the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, which will fall on Wednesday. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua) Folk artists perform a dragon dance near the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Jan. 28, 2025. Folk artists performed lion and dragon dances here on Tuesday to celebrate the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, which will fall on Wednesday. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua) Triple J has defended the lack of Australian representation in its Hottest 100 after this years countdown saw just 29 local artists included, down from 52 the previous year. American artist Chappell Roan took out the top spot with Good Luck, Babe, edging out Sydney band Royel Otis, who came in second with their Like A Version cover of English singer Sophie Ellis Bextors 2001 track Murder on the Dancefloor. Chappell Roan took out top spot in a year that saw local acts record their worst result in more than 30 years. Credit: Getty Images for MTV This years poll is the third-lowest-ever showing for local talent, behind the first two in 1993 and 94 (and equal to 1996). And it reignites a conversation about how to safeguard the future of Australian music in the era of globalised streaming. Lachlan Macara, head of Triple J, suggests there were both cyclical and structural factors at play in the result. On a Tuesday morning, Victorian Opera is channelling a 1920s Broadway revue. Interwar glitz and glamour are substituted with sweatpants and trainers. The cast of VOs new production of Stephen Sondheims Follies is pulling together the choreography for the number Whos That Woman? Merlyn Quaife, Marina Prior and Geraldene Morrow will be performing together in Stephen Sondheims Follies. Credit: Wayne Taylor Rhonda Burchmore, playing Stella, leads a troupe of ageing dancers through a half-remembered number from their glory years. Soon, they are joined by the spectres of their younger selves. Burchmore, in tap shoes, is leading a company of ghosts. The decades interweave. Despite being one of the best-known works of musical-theatre legend Stephen Sondheim, Follies wont be so familiar to Australian audiences. Victorian Opera is calling this the first full, professional production of Follies in Australia (though some point to the Festival Theatre Companys 1979 production at the Camberwell Civic Centre). Advertisement Eating outChinese 10 of Sydneys best Chinese restaurants from the Good Food Guide From live Cantonese seafood to fiery Hunanese, Sydneys Chinese restaurants are worth celebrating year-round, but especially during Lunar New Year. Good Food Guide reviewers Callan Boys and January 29, 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 Anyone who tells you they dont like Chinese food, probably hasnt eaten a lot of Chinese dishes. The cuisine dwarfs all others in this depth, diversity and ingenuity, and its been terrific to watch Sydney emerge from its honey prawn era, and into a city where Sichuan restaurants increasingly share the same block as sprawling Cantonese dining rooms, Chongqing noodle shops and Xinjiang skewer joints. Six affordable Sydney snacks to celebrate the Lunar New Year The following list is barely a snapshot of the breadth and depth of Chinese restaurants in Sydney, and there are many more just collected in the Good Food Guide app that I havent been able to squeeze in here. But hopefully it can provide some inspiration for booking a Lunar New Year banquet over the coming two weeks to ring in the Year of the Snake. Anthony Kwok (standing, at rear) taking orders at Beverly Hills Chinese. Jennifer Soo Beverly Hills Chinese Restaurant Advertisement You can find several of Sydneys best Cantonese restaurants on King Georges Road, Beverly Hills, including Yummy Seafood, Xi Xiang Feng and Golden Oceans. Just off the main drag is the appropriately named Beverly Hills Chinese Restaurant, where owner Anthony Kwoks hospitality is some of warmest you will ever encounter, and there are live lobsters the size of two Tonka trucks. Anything with salted egg yolk is the right idea, such as a ferocious amount of fried rice topped with meaty, orange nubs of the stuff. Live mud crab fried with salted egg yolk for a savoury blast will swiftly send the bill into triple-digit territory (worth it, though, plus you can BYO). Good to know: The Chinese New Year banquet will feed four for less than $130. 32 Tooronga Terrace, Beverly Hills, instagram.com/bhchineserestaurant 14 / 20 Review This suburb has its own Chinese restaurant walk of fame, but this tiny gem is my favourite Blue Ocean Advertisement Despite the name, Blue Ocean has no water views, but the clatter of chopsticks and the happy hum of diners is proof that nobody at this popular location cares in the least. Patrons are here for excellent Cantonese fare delivered with rapid-fire service in generous portions. Every second table has a plate of the cold-cut free-range chicken its plump succulence and glistening layer of gelatin is a wonder of textbook mastery. Live seafood prices are some of the best value in town: expect to see mud crab or lobster atop glossy noodles, while live eel is also popular, stir-fried with black bean. Good to know: Free red bean soup for dessert! Also, booking is highly recommended call 02 9792 2707. 17/19 Revesby Place, Revesby The Chairmans signature braised pork. Jennifer Soo The Chairman Advertisement The Chairman has been kicking about since 2008, first in a modest Kensington spot (then called Chairman Mao) and, since 2022, in fancier digs opposite Hyde Park. What owners Andrew Bao and Dingjun Li gained in plush surroundings, they sadly lost in foot traffic, so these days the restaurant relies on its reputation for excellent Hunanese food. For the uninitiated, that means hot, tangy and spicy dishes, with ferments, smoky meats and pork lots of pork. Good to know: When we say hot, we mean, like, serious heat. Hunan knows how to get a fire started. 1/18 College Street, Darlinghurst, thechairmanrestaurant.com.au Eaton Chinese Restaurant Its easy to see why this inconspicuous neighbourhood restaurant, partitioned from bustling Liverpool Road by a facade of hazy fish tanks, has such a cult following with locals and chefs. Freshly shucked and fried oysters are crisp, vibrant and bursting with briny deliciousness, while Shandong chicken and a host of other standards are done well. But really, its all about the live seafood, so bring some friends and splurge on the ginger and shallot lobster. Advertisement Good to know: Open every night until 1am. (CBD restaurants, take note.) 313 Liverpool Road, Ashfield Chicken pot Hong Kong-style at Hong Kong Bing Sutt. Wolter Peeters. Hong Kong Bing Sutt In Hong Kong, the average cha chaan teng a casual eatery serving Western-influenced Cantonese dishes has more menu items than square footage. True to form, the carte at Hong Kong Bing Sutt boasts 100-plus classics, even if the dimensions are more generous. Silky cheung fun doused in peanut and hoisin sauce, served piping hot, are a fine opener, followed by juicy baked pork chop over fried rice, covered with tangy tomato sauce and cheese. Flat rice noodles with beef have smoke and char from the wok, while dessert has to be tofu faa the refreshing, just-set pudding steamed in a traditional wooden barrel. Advertisement Good to know: Chinese New Year pre-orders for poon choi Hong Kongs favourite festive cornucopia of abalone, scallops, prawns and friends have just been extended to February. 8/11-15 Deane Street, Burwood, hongkongbingsutt.com.au Royal Palace Seafoods heaving dining room. Edwina Pickles Royal Palace Seafood Restaurant Every day of the week at Royal Palace, families and friends across generations come to drink tea over yum cha, and choose live seafood from the tanks. Dumplings from the trolley are sweet and plump, the cheung fun slippery, the prawn-stuffed wu gok shatteringly crisp. Meanwhile, the room is swish and waiters are on it (Peking duck service is just the beginning). The makings of a new Chinatown institution? It might already be there. Advertisement Good to know: Chinese New Year gifts such as water chestnut cake are available to order and pick up (phone 02 9211 8518). 393-399 Sussex Street, Haymarket, royalpalace.au Deep-fried chicken with dried chilli pepper at Spicy Joint. Jennifer Soo Spicy Joint If you havent taken the escalator to Spicy Joints noisy but dignified dining room in Haymarket, you may have eaten at one of the chains offshoots in Burwood, Chatswood or Rhodes. A similar menu of Sichuan favourites is available at all restaurants, headlined by the signature poached, chilled and sliced chicken in a viscuous combination of chilli oil and sesame paste. Dan dan noodles topped with a rubble of pork in dusky red broth are excellent value, as is boneless white fish in a Sichuan pepper-spiked broth of potent flavour and eye-popping size (come with a group). Advertisement Good to know: Its a big dining room, but it quickly fills up book online or expect to take a number and wait in the foyer. Level 4, 25-29 Dixon Street, Haymarket, spicyjoint.com.au Sun Ming Sun Ming lays claim to being one of Sydneys original cha chaan tengs, and mixes old-world charm with modern Cantonese panache. Owner-chef David Chan excels at cooking seafood, such as steamed and butterflied garlic king prawns that delicately pull apart from their shells, while pucks of lightly fried silken tofu served on a sizzling plate are delicious over rice. The signature dish belongs to Chans grandmother sticky rice with lap cheong sausage thats smoky, savoury and sweet. Also in Parramatta. Good to know: The six-person Lunar New Year banquet is cracking value at $360.80, featuring live crab, steamed scallops, drunken chicken and a lot more. Advertisement 173A Forest Road, Hurstville, sunminghurstville.godaddysites.com Taste of Shunde Where other restaurants have essential orders, Taste of Shunde has non-negotiables. First, roast goose, the skin burnished, the sauce sweet, richly guttural and scented with five-spice. Second? Steamed seafood. Pick Murray cod or a coral trout from the tanks and minutes later itll be ferried out on a plus-sized bamboo platter, silk-like fillets spread with green peppercorns on one side, chilli on the other, the remaining flesh coated in black bean and olive sauce and reassembled in the centre. On top are rows of pipis and prawns, primed to drag through chilli-flecked soy, while underneath ribbons of sheet noodles soak up the juices. Also in Eastwood. Good to know: if you have enough people for a third dish, consider the wagyu with sticky Shaoxing punch. 9-11 Crofts Avenue, Hurstville, tasteofshunde.com Advertisement The original and forever the best. Edwina Pickles XOPP They sell cognac by the bottle at XOPP. Whisky, too. That should tell you plenty about the big-occasion atmosphere at this spin-off of Chinatowns much-loved Golden Century. Pipis in XO are loaded with umami upon a bed of fried vermicelli that softens as it soaks up a truckload of rich sauce, the live seafood tanks are always teeming and the formidable cellar is stocked with mic-drop bottles (anyone for a 1976 Chateau Lafite?). Youll rarely see a table of two in the mezzanine dining room; this is Cantonese geared for celebration. Good to know: Golden Century has just reopened at a new location inside Crown, and offers three Lunar New Year banquet menus starting at $1488 for 10 people. 31/1 Little Pier Street, Haymarket, xopp.com.au Advertisement Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Queensland has become the first state to restrict hormone therapy for young people, ordering public health facilities cease offering such interventions to new patients with gender dysphoria. Health Minister Tim Nicholls on Tuesday said the immediate pause was justified on safety grounds, due to allegations around the authority for services provided to 17 young people in far north Queensland. But Nicholls said the restrictions would also allow Queensland to conduct its own review of the medical evidence around puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormone therapy provided to people under the age of 18. Health Minister Tim Nicholls (left) and Premier David Crisafulli (right) want to examine the evidence behind hormone therapy for young people with gender dysphoria. Credit: Matt Dennien Nicholls said an external evaluation of the statewide Queensland Childrens Gender Service, completed last year under the former Labor government, had wrongly set out to determine how is the service delivered, not whether the service ought to be delivered. Thousands of customers across Western Australia were without power across the long weekend, as power poles caught fire due to extreme weather conditions, with many still waiting for the issue to be resolved. On Friday, Western Power issued a statement that dozens of pole-top fires had affected supply to 38,000 homes and businesses throughout Perth, the Mid West and Wheatbelt regions. Premier Roger Cook said 130 poles caught fire over the long weekend. Credit: 9 News Perth On Tuesday morning, there were still elevated fault levels across the network that resulted in extended outages, with the priority being making hazards safe before power could be restored. The outages included over 1000 customers in Gwelup, Stirling and Balcatta and 845 customers around the Lancelin area. We support a two-state solution, and that requires the resolution of issues about the boundaries of the Palestinian territory and the state of Israel, and we continue to support what weve supported for decades, Coleman said. It cant be done unilaterally, though. It cant be done without the full involvement of Israel, and plainly, it cant be done with a terrorist organisation that is intent on destroying Israel. The remarks signal a policy gulf with Trump after regular disputes in Australian politics about the American alliance, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton attacking the government for splitting with the US on votes about Israel at the United Nations. Trump did not elaborate on his plan for Gaza after speaking about it to journalists, but Jordan and Egypt made it clear they would not accept his proposal. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, however, said on social media it was a great idea. Coalition home affairs spokesman James Paterson also rejected the Trump proposal. Thats not my view, and thats not the policy of the Liberal Party in Australia, he told the ABCs 7.30 program on Monday night. Loading Coleman, the Liberal member for Banks in southern Sydney, was a media executive before entering parliament in 2013. He was immigration minister from 2018 to 2020 and also served as an assistant minister for mental health. Dutton named him the foreign affairs spokesman on Saturday, elevating him from the communications portfolio. Asked if he believed establishing an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel was actually possible, Coleman said it was one of the most complex problems in the world and would only happen with the removal of Hamas. There cant be a two-state solution that in any way involves Hamas at all. And while Hamas is involved in Gaza, there cannot be a negotiation, he said. Hamas is intent on murdering and slaughtering Israelis, as it did on October 7. The notion that Hamas could be a part of any two-state solution is completely outrageous and unacceptable. Loading Foreign Minister Penny Wong has regularly said a two-state solution could proceed only if Hamas had no role in a Palestinian state. She has also argued for reforms to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank to ensure it would not be in a position to threaten Israel. Wong has acknowledged, however, that the international community was considering whether to recognise a Palestinian state before a two-state solution, rather than as part of the final agreement. The Coalition said her remarks put statehood before security and rewarded Hamas, a criticism Wong rejected on the grounds that she had said there was no place for Hamas in any solution. Dutton is yet to decide on a separate question on Israel after Trump moved in his first presidency to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate the American embassy to that city. Former prime minister Scott Morrison backed the Trump policy by recognising West Jerusalem as the capital in December 2018. Wong reversed that decision in October 2022, angering Israel. Coleman said the Coalition would have more to say on Jerusalem at a later date. While Trump has threatened countries with tariffs to protect American industry, Coleman said the Coalition had worked to prevent tariffs on steel and aluminium in the first Trump administration seven years ago. Asked if Australia should consider tariffs on American products in response to tariffs on Australian exports, Coleman said: No. What Australia should be focusing on is ensuring that tariffs arent applied, in continuing to work effectively with the United States administration. Loading Coleman stepped up the Coalition criticism of Wong over the war in Ukraine, in line with concerns expressed by his predecessor, Simon Birmingham, over more than two years. While Coleman did not commit to giving Ukraine more military or humanitarian aid, he said the government had been too slow at times to send military equipment and other help to Ukraine. He said it was inexplicable that it had taken so long for the government to decide to restore the Australian embassy in Kyiv. CANBERRA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has issued a warning to parents over the rise of AI-generated child abuse material. The AFP-led Australian Center to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) on Tuesday said it has noticed an increase in the use of AI-generated abuse material, including a rise in students creating "deepfakes" to harass or embarrass classmates. The federal police asked parents and guardians to talk to their children about the potential dangers and harms caused by using AI. AFP Commander Helen Schneider said anything depicting the abuse of a minor is considered child abuse material under the law "regardless of whether it is 'real' or not." "The AFP encourages all parents and guardians to have open and honest conversations with their child on this topic, particularly as AI technology continues to become increasingly accessible and integrated into platforms and products," she said in a statement. The warning comes one day after the AFP urged parents and carers to exercise caution when posting photos of children on social media to celebrate the start of the 2025 school year on Tuesday. Schneider said on Monday that it was important to consider the information contained in photos posted on social media and who might have access to the content. "The AFP has seen non-explicit pictures of children and young people become the target of highly sexualized and inappropriate comments or role play," she said. Schneider said such incidents are rare but urged families to take proactive steps to keep their children's information safe. Washington: Caroline Kennedy has warned US senators about her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr, calling him a predator whose victims have ranged from family members to the parents of sick children. Kennedy Jr is President Donald Trumps pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. In a copy of a letter obtained by The Washington Post and sent to lawmakers ahead of his confirmation hearings this week, the former ambassador to Australia alleges that her cousin, addicted to attention and power, has given hypocritical advice by discouraging parents from vaccinating their children while vaccinating his own children. She alleged that his crusade against vaccination has also served to enrich him. Former US ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer/Bloomberg I have known Bobby my whole life; we grew up together, wrote Kennedy. Its no surprise that he keeps birds of prey as pets because he himself is a predator. US officials are investigating the appearance of a strain of bird flu identified in the country for the first time, a worrying sign that the virus is evolving in ways that could make it harder to contain. Detected on a duck farm in Merced County, California, its the first confirmed case of H5N9 in poultry in the US, according to the website of the World Organisation for Animal Health, a Paris-based group focused on animal diseases. Day-old duck hatchlings crawl around inside an incubator at a duck farm in New York state. Credit: AP/File The California case wasnt announced by US health officials, as the Trump administration has paused government communications on health topics pending a political review. Scientists worry that could delay the release of essential information to the public, including about disease outbreaks. It is extremely unusual, and I believe it reflects the policy decision for everyone to go dark, said Michael Kinch, a vaccine specialist and chief innovation officer at Stony Brook University. Its troubling because any sort of non-typical influenza is particularly problematic when it gains the ability to jump between species. New Zealand has relaxed its visa requirements for remote workers as the country looks to spur economic growth by courting digital nomads, the skilled professionals who can work from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. With the new policy, a New Zealand visitor visa, which allows foreigners to remain for up to nine months, now also permits them to work for overseas employers during that time, which had been forbidden. The visitor visa still does not allow people to work for New Zealand employers, so they wont be competing for Kiwi jobs, said Finance Minister Nicola Willis. Surfers walk past a giant sun sculpture at sunrise on Mount Maunganui Beach, on the east coast of the North Island, New Zealand. Credit: Brett Phibbs via AP The visa will open the doors to a whole new category of visitors, she told reporters. The governments ambition is that new visa rules will put New Zealand boldly on the map as a welcoming haven for the worlds talent, she added. The visa change follows a difficult economic period for New Zealand, whose economy sank into recession in the third quarter of 2024. 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD - Review by David Colman Maximum Bang for Your Comparatively Modest SUV Buck Kona is the decathlete of the compact SUV marketplace because it does everything well. Despite the fact that the Kona is based on an EV-compatible platform for the much pricier Kona Electric, Hyundai stylists eschewed EV styling treachery (vacant grills, bobbed tails) on our gasoline-powered model. What we got were neatly sculpted front and rear fascias, both of which incorporate body-wide LED running lights. Instead of the EV's vacant stare, the gasoline-powered engined Kona's grill incorporates a fascinating "Active Air Flap" that slides open and shut when you fire up the 190hp, 1.6 liter turbo motor. That engine, which also powers the N Line versions of the Kona, performs admirably thanks to the 8-speed automatic transmission's ability to provide just the right amount of pop when you most need it. Paddle shifters simplify the operation of the gearbox, but Hyundai does not offer a means to select and retain the gear of your choice for more than 6 seconds before resuming fully automatic operation. No matter what gear you're in, when you lean into the throttle hard, the diminutive SUV scampers to 60mph from a standing start in 7.5 seconds and posts a standing start quarter mile time of 15.8 seconds at 89mph. The only slightly jarring appearance note is contributed by the Lego-like 7.5J x 19-inch alloy rims, but we'll forgive that flourish because they plant beefy 235/45R19 Kumho Majesty Solus radials (TW 540; Traction AA) at all four corners. Having the same size tire patch at the end of each axle contributes to the balance and stability of the Kona Limited's HTRAC all-wheel-drive system. This Kona reassures you you'll never lose traction, whether you're winding through paved curves or coping with loose dirt trails. Steering feedback is a bit flaccid, however, even when you select the available Sport Mode from the mode switch prominently located on the center console. In fact, almost all the important controls are embedded in a pair of horizontal panels that cover the bottom half of the dashboard's center section. Most of them are easy to access and operate and we give Hyundai engineers high grades for recognizing that your driving safety depends on your ability to keep your eyes glued to the road and not on some computer screen. However, when sufficient downtime affords you the opportunity to play with multiple media and connectivity screens, you'll be coddled by the clear graphics and easy operation of the 12.3-inch panel that controls the navigation system, the AM/FM/HD Radio, and the crystalline Bose Premium Audio System. Assessing its diminutive silhouette from the outside, you would never conclude that the two-row 3,450 pound Kona would store a full-size bicycle. But it does so with a consummate ease unmatched by most 3-row, 6,000 pound full size SUVs. Here's what it took to accomplish the bike trick. Flatten the 60/40 split rear bench by pulling a prominently located lever atop the backrest of each seat. Remove the hard cargo cover and store it upright behind the front seats. Approach the tailgate with your bike in hand and kick your foot under the Kona to swing the door open. Clean and jerk your bike into place in one easy motion. Before attempting this procedure I measured both my bike and the inside of the Kona and concluded it might fit. The mountain bike, with front-wheel slightly cocked, occupied 62 inches of length and 48 inches of width, both of which were exceeded by the dimensions available inside the Kona. What really sealed the deal was the fact that Hyundai engineers maximized interior width by flattening the inside faces of the rear wheelwells, a bottleneck that usually dooms such ungainly storage attempts. Our test vehicle was finished in a rather sedate shade titled "Denim Pearl Blue," but the proceedings were enlivened by the light gray seats and interior panels which verged on pure vanilla. While this combo may prove hard to maintain in the long run, the bright seating surfaces made the Kona cabin a pleasant hideaway that was further reinforced by the unexpected support and comfort of the H-Tex covered front and rear seats. Under thigh cushioning was excellent, as was the side bolstering provided by the wrap-around seat backs. The addition of full electric adjustment for the driver's seat, plus three-position heating for both fronts and the steering wheel made the interior of this SUV welcoming and inviting in a way many more expensive SUVs fail to score. The expansive power sunroof converts the low-roofed interior into a brilliant fishbowl that will fascinate rear-seat passengers and shed welcome light on front-seat occupants. Hyundai has fitted the roof with a pair of rails designed to accommodate overhead loads, but given the spacious dimensions of the interior, the likelihood you'll need more cargo space is minimal. And so, we have discovered this week that Hyundai offers a tremendous bargain in the compact SUV field, with a stubbornly quick and capable little Kona that will return maximum bang for your comparatively modest SUV buck. 2025 HYUNDAI KONA LIMITED AWD ENGINE: 1.6 liter inline-4, turbocharged and intercooled, DOHC, 16-valve, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection HORSEPOWER: 190hp@6000rpm TORQUE: 195lb.-ft.@1700rpm FUEL CONSUMPTION: 24MPG City/29MPG Highway PRICE AS TESTED: $35,005 HYPES: Killer Value, Smooth Operator GRIPES: Manual Gear Selection Lasts Just 6 Seconds STAR RATING: 10 Stars out of 10 Set against a vibrant orange backdrop, a bold green snake rises proudly on a commemorative stamp issued by La Poste Group, France's postal service, earlier this month to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. 2025 marks the 21st consecutive year France has celebrated the Spring Festival with zodiac-themed stamps. Actors perform the lion dance during the Lunar New Year celebration at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Jan. 24, 2025. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua) At the close of 2024, UNESCO added the Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of traditional new year, to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. A year earlier, the 78th UN General Assembly recognized the Chinese New Year as an official UN holiday, underscoring the festival's growing global presence. Spring Festival customs are now celebrated in nearly 200 countries and regions, with almost 20 nations designating it as an official public holiday. Each year, around one-fifth of the global population takes part in this cherished tradition. CUSTOMS WITH GLOBAL APPEAL Spring Festival's core customs -- celebrating family reunions, wishing for good fortune and creating traditional crafts -- captivate cultural enthusiasts worldwide with its unique approach to welcoming the new year. In the Hungarian capital of Budapest, the streets of Chinatown bustled with a two-day Spring Festival celebration. Visitors took part in dumpling-making, calligraphy workshops and lantern crafting. This vibrant celebration mirrors a global trend where Spring Festival traditions are increasingly embraced across diverse cultures. "It's amazing to see the performances and learn about traditions that are so different yet so universal," said Kata Szabo, a local resident who attended the event with her young daughter. People watch a demonstration of sugar figure art during a temple fair celebrating the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year in Budapest, Hungary, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Hao) To Giacomo Bechini, a 29-year-old web designer from Florence, Italy, this year's Spring Festival is more than a holiday: It is an opportunity to connect with his wife's Chinese heritage and immerse himself in the festival's traditions. His fascination with the Chinese Lunar Calendar, a lunisolar dating system, has deepened his appreciation even further. "It's incredible how the Spring Festival is tied to a different calendar. I've been learning about its symbolic meanings and how the festivities last for days," Bechini said. For Tichaona Zimuto, a 34-year-old professional acrobat from Zimbabwe, Spring Festival traditions have evolved from a simple interest into a meaningful practice. About two weeks ago, Zimuto and his group, Blackstar Acrobatics, captivated a local audience in Harare with a rhythmic lion dance performance during a Spring Festival celebration. The lion dance, which originated in ancient China, blends dance, music and martial arts, with performers mimicking a lion's movements in elaborate costumes. This traditional art has grown on Zimuto over the past year. "When I was wearing the lion dance costume, I just felt excited. I just felt great, something special. I just felt like a lion, a real lion," he said. A lion dance performance is staged at the 4th edition of the Chinese New Year cultural festival at the National Arts Center in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, Jan. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Mengxin) The Chinese New Year and its rich cultural heritage are also being shared in exciting new ways. Disney California Adventure Park recently launched its 2025 Lunar New Year celebrations, offering a lively blend of Asian cultural performances. Legendary Chinese warrior Mulan and her quick-witted dragon sidekick, Mushu, led the Lunar New Year procession, celebrating family, friendship and the hope for a prosperous year ahead. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia recently hosted a one-of-a-kind Spring Festival Market at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh, which buzzed with energy during its two-day run. The Chinese e-sports zone was a standout attraction, featuring popular titles such as "Black Myth: Wukong" and "Honor of Kings." Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, president of the Saudi National E-Sports Association, said e-sports are a powerful way to connect young people around the globe. "We can create games about Saudi culture and bring them to China and the world," he said. VALUES OF UNIVERSAL RESONANCE Beneath its traditional customs, the Chinese New Year carries a universal resonance of hope, family unity and aspirations for a better life -- values that underpin its global appeal. People believe that celebrating the Chinese New Year will bring them good luck, good fortune and happiness in the new year, said Heoun Thary, a 32-year-old Cambodian housewife. She was referring to the recent Lunar New Year festivities in Phnom Penh, which drew hundreds of revelers. Thary noted that the event not only introduced Cambodians to Chinese traditions but also strengthened the bond between the two nations. In Tanorn village, 60 km south of Phnom Penh, Cambodian villagers participating in a China-aided poverty alleviation project also embraced the spirit of the Spring Festival. The celebration featured red lanterns and couplets. "People believe that celebrating the Chinese New Year can help increase their luck, promoting their business to make more money," said Khlok Chamroeun, a 62-year-old deputy chief of the village. People watch a lion dance performance at the 2025 Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day in Auckland, New Zealand, Jan. 25, 2025. The event was held here on Saturday. (Photo by Wu Jiaxiang/Xinhua) In New Zealand, a Year of the Snake concert put together Eastern and Western musical traditions. Musicians from China's Yijing Chamber Ensemble of the Central Conservatory of Music and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra performed in Christchurch, blending the pipa, erhu and bamboo flute with classical symphonies. "Music knows no boundaries. The unique qualities of Eastern and Western music can truly resonate with each other," said Chinese Consul General He Ying. This vision of harmony came alive at the United Nations in New York on Friday night. At a Lunar New Year celebration, Miguel Angel Moratinos, UN under-secretary-general and high representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, delivered Lunar New Year wishes in Chinese, "Chunjie Kuaile (Happy Spring Festival)," in the lobby of the main building at the UN Headquarters. "The Lunar New Year marked the beginning of the Year of the Snake, which is associated with characteristics like wisdom, caution and strategy, and signifies transformation and growth," he said. "With the numerous challenges the world is facing, the spirit embodied by the Lunar New Year offers us a beacon of hope and positivity," Moratinos said. Community volunteers pose for a selfie with a 95-year-old senior resident who lives alone during a reunion meal on the eve of the Spring Festival in Xianju County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 28, 2025. Dining with family members in a reunion meal has been a cherished tradition for the Chinese on the eve of the Spring Festival, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. (Photo by Wang Huabin/Xinhua) BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Even though the Spring Festival officially falls on Jan. 29 this year, the Chinese people have already entered the festive "Guonian" period, which translates to "crossing the year." This special time is filled with a rich array of traditions and celebrations that mark the end of the old year and the joyful arrival of the new one. In December 2024, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added the Spring Festival, the social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional new year, to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This means the Year of the Snake marks the first "heritage edition" of the Chinese New Year. How do the Chinese celebrate their most important festival, now recognized as a cultural heritage of humanity? Here's a guide to the traditions and festivities. WHAT ARE TYPICAL CELEBRATIONS OF SPRING FESTIVAL? According to UNESCO, "In China, the Spring Festival marks the beginning of the new year. It falls on the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar." While the new year technically begins at midnight, the real celebrations start a week earlier with the Little New Year. The festivities stretch all the way to the Lantern Festival, which falls on the fifteenth day and marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. The festive atmosphere begins even earlier. The Laba Festival, celebrated on the eighth day of the twelfth month in the Chinese calendar, is often seen as the precursor to the Spring Festival. A popular rhyme in northern China says, "Kids, kids, don't be greedy. After the Laba Festival, it's New Year already!" On Laba, families enjoy porridge made from various grains and beans, which symbolizes harvest and prosperity. They celebrate the abundance of the past year and wish for a bountiful year ahead. The rhyme also outlines the preparations that begin with the Little New Year, including house cleaning, buying new clothes, and preparing delicious food. Families decorate their homes with red couplets, window paper cuts and New Year posters. Little New Year, observed on the 23rd and 24th days of the twelfth month in northern and southern China, respectively, is also known as the Kitchen God Festival. It is a time to honor the Kitchen God, the deity believed to protect the household. Families clean their homes to sweep away bad luck and prepare for a fresh start. After a week of bustling preparations, New Year's Eve arrives, a day filled with the longing for family reunions. The centerpiece of the Spring Festival is the New Year's Eve reunion dinner. No matter how far apart, families make an effort to gather and share this special meal. A popular song captures this sentiment perfectly: "Whether you have money or not, always return home to celebrate the New Year with your family." As midnight strikes, the old year is symbolically cast away with the sound of firecrackers. The line, "Amid the boom of firecrackers, a year has come to an end," from the Song Dynasty poet Wang Anshi, remains familiar to all Chinese people. Today, firecrackers continue to mark the end of the old year and serve as a tradition that dates back to scaring away the mythical beast Nian. Another custom is staying up late, or even all night, on New Year's Eve. Families gather to welcome the New Year, creating a cherished moment of unity and celebration. The celebrations continue into New Year's Day, which marks the beginning of a new wave of festivities. From this point, the focus shifts from family gatherings to exchanges of greetings and rituals with relatives, neighbors and friends. A common tradition is giving red envelopes filled with cash, typically from older generations to younger ones, as a symbol of good fortune. From the first to the tenth day of the New Year, relatives visit one another, and public events like temple fairs, Shehuo (folk performances), and lantern shows bring communities together. People extend New Year greetings to loved ones and enjoy the vibrant celebrations until the Lantern Festival, the first full-moon day of the year. This marks the end of the New Year celebrations and the conclusion of the festive period. WHAT VALUES DOES SPRING FESTIVAL CONVEY? The Spring Festival is not only the highlight of China's cultural calendar but also embodies continuity and transformation. Families gather to honor their traditions, and the past and present intertwine through rituals, storytelling and communal gatherings. Far beyond a celebration, the Spring Festival promotes values deeply embedded in Chinese culture. It fosters social cohesion by uniting people around shared traditions and celebrations, strengthening community bonds. On a broader scale, the festival serves as a reminder of Chinese cultural identity, connecting people across generations and reinforcing a sense of pride in their heritage. It emphasizes family values, encouraging people to reunite with loved ones and honor ancestors through rituals. The goal is to seek protection from misfortune and wish for prosperity, stability, and a bright future. These values, along with the traditions passed down both informally within families and formally through education, shape the national character of the Chinese people. The values celebrated during the Spring Festival also align with China's commitment to multilateralism and global cooperation. "The festival is celebrated with diverse customs, including the preparation of traditional dishes, the hanging of red lanterns, and vibrant performances featuring lion and dragon dances. These practices, deeply rooted in history, reflect the values of harmony, prosperity and renewal -- values that resonate across cultures," said Ljiljana Stevic, director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Banja Luka in Bosnia and Herzegovina. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his video message for the upcoming Year of the Snake that the snake symbolizes wisdom, resilience, and renewal. "In the strained times, let us be guided by these qualities and renew our commitment to peace, equality, and justice." Guterres also expressed gratitude to China and the Chinese people for their support to the United Nations. "I thank China and the Chinese people for your steadfast support of the United Nations, multilateralism and global cooperation. Let us embrace new beginnings with hope and determination to create a better future for all." Students from the Xizang Autonomous Region prepare a reunion meal with teachers on the eve of the Spring Festival at a technology school in Feidong County, Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 28, 2025. Dining with family members in a reunion meal has been a cherished tradition for the Chinese on the eve of the Spring Festival, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. (Photo by Ruan Xuefeng/Xinhua) Tourists prepare a reunion meal on the eve of the Spring Festival at a camping site in Qiaojia County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 28, 2025. Dining with family members in a reunion meal has been a cherished tradition for the Chinese on the eve of the Spring Festival, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. (Photo by Yan Keren/Xinhua) People dine at a restaurant on the eve of the Spring Festival in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jan. 28, 2025. Dining with family members in a reunion meal has been a cherished tradition for the Chinese on the eve of the Spring Festival, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. (Xinhua/Bei He) by Ljiljana Stevic The Spring Festival, commonly known as the Chinese New Year, is more than a festive celebration. It is a living embodiment of China's rich cultural heritage. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, this occasion has transcended borders and become a global symbol of Chinese tradition and values. The Chinese New Year holds universal significance, as it is a time when families reunite, communities strengthen their bonds, and individuals reflect on the past year while looking forward to the next. The festival is celebrated with diverse customs, including the preparation of traditional dishes, the hanging of red lanterns, and vibrant performances featuring lion and dragon dances. These practices, deeply rooted in history, reflect the values of harmony, prosperity and renewal -- values that resonate across cultures. Celebrated in many cities around the world, the Spring Festival offers an opportunity for everyone to experience the charm of Chinese tradition and culture. For the past seven years, the Confucius Institute at the University of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, has proudly celebrated the Spring Festival, providing a unique platform for cultural exchanges and mutual understanding. In Banja Luka, the country's second-largest city, the Confucius Institute has emerged as a cultural hub, sharing the joy and traditions of the Spring Festival with the city and beyond. These Spring Festival celebrations have featured calligraphy and painting workshops, tea ceremonies, as well as traditional Chinese music and cultural performances. These events have not only introduced local communities to Chinese culture, but have also strengthened bilateral ties. One memorable highlight was the Spring Festival Gala held in 2022, which showcased a fusion of Chinese and local Bosnian traditions. Performers from both cultures shared the stage, symbolizing the harmony and mutual respect that define the bilateral relationship. By celebrating the Spring Festival, we honor the broader significance of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is not merely about preserving traditions, but rather about fostering intercultural dialogue and understanding. Our Confucius Institute is carefully preparing for celebrations of the coming Year of the Snake. The expanded programs include culinary experiences, interactive workshops and academic discussions on the festival's cultural and historical significance. Such events reflect our commitment to showcasing cultural heritage to build connections and foster understanding in an increasingly interconnected world. We invite everyone to join us in experiencing the beauty of this ancient tradition and embracing the values the festival represents -- family, renewal and harmony. The Confucius Institute at the University of Banja Luka is also organizing a competition aimed at engaging young people aged 16 to 28 to showcase their artistic interpretation of Chinese culture using digital tools and applications. They are invited to combine Chinese tradition with modern technological trends and create digital GIF stickers or filters for social media, photograph urban landscapes that symbolize the snake in contemporary settings, or design virtual masks or fashion creations using applications. The Spring Festival's designation as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage is a recognition of its enduring legacy and its role in connecting people across borders. Let us look forward to the Year of the Snake, a year of prosperity and growth, as we continue to celebrate and share the essence of Chinese culture with the world. Editor's note: Dr. Ljiljana Stevic is director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Banja Luka. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency. JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Four more soldiers of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) were killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Monday, bringing the death toll of SANDF peacekeepers to 13 since last week, South Africa's Department of Defense (DoD) confirmed on Tuesday. "Following an exchange of mortar bombs between the FARDC (Congolese Defense Force) and the M23 (March 23 Movement) rebel militia on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, near Goma Airport where the SANDF base is collocated, three members of the SANDF were caught in the crossfire and were killed," said the department in a statement. It elaborated that M23 rebels launched several mortar bombs in the direction of Goma Airport, which landed in the SANDF base and resulted in the deaths. A fourth peacekeeper died after succumbing to injuries sustained in the battles over the past three days, according to the statement. Other injured SANDF members continued to receive medical attention at a hospital in Goma, the capital of the DRC's eastern province of North Kivu. This was after nine South African soldiers had been killed by Friday after two days of fierce fighting, according to an earlier statement issued by the DoD on Saturday. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday evening spoke to his Rwandan counterpart about the escalating violence in the eastern DRC. The SANDF soldiers are part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), deployed to support and assist the government of Africa's second-largest country to restore peace, security, and stability. "The SANDF remains fully committed to its peacekeeping responsibilities under the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and SAMIDRC," said the defense department in the Tuesday statement. MACAO, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) is hosting a series of celebrations combining traditional and modern elements to welcome the Chinese New Year, or the Year of the Snake, which will fall on Wednesday. The New Year Market, organized by the SAR's Municipal Affairs Bureau at Tap Seac Square, started last Wednesday and will last seven consecutive days. In addition to booths offering New Year gifts, festive flowers, and snacks, the event also featured cultural performances, a large floral exhibition, and New Year decorations. From the end of January to the end of February, in Macao's Barra District, the "Barra Lucky Blessing Market" was to bring a selection of workshops for New Year prints from Beijing's Prince Kung's Palace Museum, popular music performances, and booths of trendy goods. James Wong, a market participant and a representative of small and medium-sized enterprises, told Xinhua that the market had given him a platform to meet more people and expand his business. Several cultural and artistic venues have exhibitions on display, adding to the festive vibe. For example, the Macao Museum of Art (MAM) held the "Palace of Double Brilliance: Special Exhibition from the Palace Museum," lasting until March 2. The MAM exhibition coordinator, Zhao Kaixin, told Xinhua that the MAM has been cooperating with the Palace Museum for many years. She said she hopes this year's exhibition will provide residents and visitors with historical treasures and articulate the beauty of the Chinese culture. According to the SAR's tourism office, the Chinese New Year Parade will be held on Jan. 31 and Feb. 8 in the evening. The parade floats will also be displayed at the Macao Fisherman's Wharf and Tap Seac Square. As a signature celebration of Macao during the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year fireworks displays will be performed on the Seafront of Macao Tower in three editions on Jan. 31, Feb. 4, and Feb. 12, said the tourism office. As indicated by the SAR's Public Security Police Force, during the Chinese Spring Festival holiday, it was estimated that Macao will see between 5.04 million and 5.36 million entries and exits, with an average of 630,000 to 670,000 people daily. This represents a 3 percent or more increase compared to 2024. Ms. Shangguan, from Shanghai, traveled to Macao with her friends before the Spring Festival. She expressed that she was fortunate to participate in various New Year celebrations and had a great experience. "These past few days, I've felt the strong festive atmosphere," she said. Ally Financial (NYSE:ALLY Get Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by Truist Financial from $42.00 to $47.00 in a note issued to investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the financial services providers stock. Truist Financials price target points to a potential upside of 19.73% from the companys previous close. ALLY has been the subject of several other reports. StockNews.com lowered Ally Financial from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on Ally Financial from $44.00 to $56.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Ally Financial from $42.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Ally Financial from $41.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, Wolfe Research downgraded shares of Ally Financial from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Thursday, December 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Ally Financial has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $43.76. Get Ally Financial alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on ALLY Ally Financial Trading Up 0.6 % Shares of NYSE ALLY opened at $39.26 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51. Ally Financial has a one year low of $31.95 and a one year high of $45.46. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $37.06 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $37.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.96 billion, a PE ratio of 15.10, a PEG ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 1.44. Ally Financial (NYSE:ALLY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 22nd. The financial services provider reported $0.78 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.21. Ally Financial had a net margin of 11.29% and a return on equity of 9.31%. The firm had revenue of $2.09 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2,021,808.41 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.45 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that Ally Financial will post 3.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling at Ally Financial In other news, CFO Russell E. Hutchinson purchased 19,100 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, January 24th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $39.45 per share, with a total value of $753,495.00. Following the acquisition, the chief financial officer now directly owns 202,845 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,002,235.25. The trade was a 10.39 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.67% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Ally Financial Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC boosted its stake in Ally Financial by 68.8% during the third quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 68,986 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,455,000 after buying an additional 28,114 shares in the last quarter. Oak Thistle LLC bought a new position in shares of Ally Financial during the 4th quarter worth about $1,112,000. CWA Asset Management Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ally Financial during the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,338,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in Ally Financial by 58.7% in the third quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 50,466 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,796,000 after acquiring an additional 18,671 shares during the period. Finally, Point72 Asset Management L.P. bought a new stake in Ally Financial in the third quarter valued at about $21,571,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.76% of the companys stock. About Ally Financial (Get Free Report) Ally Financial Inc, a digital financial-services company, provides various digital financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda. The company operates through Automotive Finance Operations, Insurance Operations, Mortgage Finance Operations, and Corporate Finance Operations segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Ally Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ally Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Students majoring in Chinese language prepare ink to write the Chinese character "Fu," meaning "good fortune," during a cultural event held by the Confucius Institute at Carthage University in celebration of the Spring Festival in Tunis, Tunisia, Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua) Students majoring in Chinese language and teachers of the Confucius Institute at Carthage University pose for a photo during a cultural event in celebration of the Spring Festival in Tunis, Tunisia, Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua) Students majoring in Chinese language learn Chinese papercutting during a cultural event held by the Confucius Institute at Carthage University in celebration of the Spring Festival in Tunis, Tunisia, Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua) Students majoring in Chinese language write the Chinese character "Fu," meaning "good fortune," during a cultural event held by the Confucius Institute at Carthage University in celebration of the Spring Festival in Tunis, Tunisia, Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua) Associated British Foods (LON:ABF Get Free Report)s stock had its outperform rating reaffirmed by equities research analysts at Royal Bank of Canada in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,Digital Look reports. They currently have a GBX 2,300 ($28.62) target price on the stock. Royal Bank of Canadas price objective suggests a potential upside of 19.82% from the stocks current price. Separately, Shore Capital reissued a buy rating on shares of Associated British Foods in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Get Associated British Foods alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on ABF Associated British Foods Stock Up 2.7 % Associated British Foods stock traded up GBX 50 ($0.62) during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching GBX 1,919.50 ($23.88). The stock had a trading volume of 777,176 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,074,003. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 33.71, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 1.79. Associated British Foods has a fifty-two week low of GBX 1,862 ($23.17) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 2,770.66 ($34.47). The stocks 50-day simple moving average is GBX 2,082.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 2,275.74. The firm has a market capitalization of 14.12 billion, a PE ratio of 1,238.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.24. Associated British Foods (LON:ABF Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 5th. The company reported GBX 196.90 ($2.45) earnings per share for the quarter. Associated British Foods had a net margin of 5.92% and a return on equity of 10.69%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Associated British Foods will post 188.0990415 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, insider George G. Weston sold 56,653 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 2,161 ($26.89), for a total transaction of 1,224,271.33 ($1,523,293.93). Also, insider Loraine Woodhouse acquired 4,164 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 2,389 ($29.73) per share, for a total transaction of 99,477.96 ($123,774.99). 58.08% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Associated British Foods Company Profile (Get Free Report) Associated British Foods is a diversified international food, ingredients and retail group with sales of 13.9bn, 128,000 employees and operations in 53 countries across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and Australia. Our purpose is to provide safe, nutritious, affordable food, and clothing that is great value for money. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Associated British Foods Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Associated British Foods and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Hawaii (NYSE:BOH Get Free Report) posted its earnings results on Monday. The bank reported $0.85 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.87 by ($0.02), Zacks reports. Bank of Hawaii had a return on equity of 11.33% and a net margin of 13.76%. Bank of Hawaii Stock Performance BOH opened at $74.21 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $2.95 billion, a PE ratio of 22.29 and a beta of 1.05. Bank of Hawaii has a 1 year low of $54.50 and a 1 year high of $82.70. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $73.33 and its 200-day simple moving average is $69.26. The company has a current ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. Get Bank of Hawaii alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Bank of Hawaii news, insider Matthew Emerson sold 1,355 shares of Bank of Hawaii stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.27, for a total transaction of $97,925.85. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 13,717 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $991,327.59. The trade was a 8.99 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 2.11% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Stephens started coverage on shares of Bank of Hawaii in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. They issued an overweight rating and a $90.00 price objective for the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on Bank of Hawaii from $74.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 4th. DA Davidson increased their price target on Bank of Hawaii from $65.00 to $74.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on shares of Bank of Hawaii from $61.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Bank of Hawaii from $56.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Thursday, December 5th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Bank of Hawaii has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $71.83. Read Our Latest Stock Report on BOH Bank of Hawaii Company Profile (Get Free Report) Bank of Hawaii Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Bank of Hawaii that provides various financial products and services in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Islands. It operates in three segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, automobile loans and leases, overdraft lines of credit, installment loans, small business loans and leases, and credit cards; private and international client banking, investment, credit, and trust services to individuals and families, as well as high-net-worth individuals; investment management; institutional investment advisory services to corporations, government entities, and foundations; and brokerage offerings, including equities, mutual funds, life insurance, and annuity products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Hawaii Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Hawaii and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BankPlus Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 7,245 shares of the healthcare product makers stock, valued at approximately $819,000. Abbott Laboratories accounts for about 0.6% of BankPlus Wealth Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest position. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in ABT. Groupama Asset Managment increased its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 22.2% in the 3rd quarter. Groupama Asset Managment now owns 228,448 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 41,557 shares during the last quarter. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 78.4% during the third quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 289 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Highline Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.18% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Price Performance Shares of Abbott Laboratories stock opened at $129.51 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $224.63 billion, a PE ratio of 16.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 0.73. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $115.26 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $113.46. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. Abbott Laboratories has a 12-month low of $99.71 and a 12-month high of $129.76. Abbott Laboratories Increases Dividend Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 22nd. The healthcare product maker reported $1.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.34. The company had revenue of $10.97 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11,029,400 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.74% and a net margin of 31.95%. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.19 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.15 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 14th. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 15th will be paid a $0.59 dividend. This is a positive change from Abbott Laboratoriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 15th. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.82%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.85%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have recently issued reports on ABT. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on Abbott Laboratories to $136.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 2nd. Raymond James reiterated a buy rating and set a $129.00 price objective (up from $122.00) on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Monday, October 14th. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $131.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $138.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $133.06. View Our Latest Analysis on Abbott Laboratories About Abbott Laboratories (Free Report) Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Menieres disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bensler LLC boosted its position in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWO Free Report) by 4.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 2,435 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the period. Bensler LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF were worth $701,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of IWO. CHURCHILL MANAGEMENT Corp grew its stake in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF by 1,423.9% in the 4th quarter. CHURCHILL MANAGEMENT Corp now owns 729,339 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $209,918,000 after acquiring an additional 681,480 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its stake in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF by 16,238.9% in the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 258,972 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $73,548,000 after acquiring an additional 257,387 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its stake in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF by 128.5% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 355,064 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $100,838,000 after acquiring an additional 199,699 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF by 45.4% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 495,559 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $140,739,000 after acquiring an additional 154,743 shares during the period. Finally, LPL Financial LLC grew its stake in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF by 25.5% in the 3rd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 488,873 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $138,840,000 after acquiring an additional 99,373 shares during the period. Get iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF alerts: iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF Stock Performance IWO stock opened at $294.37 on Tuesday. iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF has a one year low of $242.63 and a one year high of $317.62. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $299.42 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $287.30. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.25 and a beta of 1.31. About iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Russell 2000 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the small-capitalization growth sector of the United States equity market. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Community Heritage Financial (OTCMKTS:CMHF Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings results on Monday. The company reported $0.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, Zacks reports. Community Heritage Financial Trading Up 2.1 % CMHF stock opened at $24.50 on Tuesday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $23.36 and its 200 day moving average price is $21.50. Community Heritage Financial has a 12-month low of $16.80 and a 12-month high of $24.50. The company has a market capitalization of $71.54 million, a PE ratio of 12.31 and a beta of 0.24. Get Community Heritage Financial alerts: Community Heritage Financial Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 7th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 31st will be given a dividend of $0.08 per share. This is a positive change from Community Heritage Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.31%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 31st. Community Heritage Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 16.08%. Community Heritage Financial Company Profile Community Heritage Financial, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Middletown Valley Bank that provides retail and commercial banking services to individuals and businesses in Frederick and Washington counties in Maryland and Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Its primary deposit products include demand, savings, and time deposits, as well as lending products comprise real estate mortgages, commercial business loans, and instalment loans. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Community Heritage Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Community Heritage Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (NYSE:DB Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $20.08 and last traded at $20.15, with a volume of 145172 shares. The stock had previously closed at $20.05. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, StockNews.com lowered Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold. Get Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on DB Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft Stock Performance Hedge Funds Weigh In On Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $17.64 and a 200-day simple moving average of $16.86. The company has a market capitalization of $39.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.28 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47. A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Versant Capital Management Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Allworth Financial LP raised its position in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 3,738.1% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 8,252 shares of the banks stock valued at $143,000 after acquiring an additional 8,037 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $195,000. Finally, Contravisory Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $197,000. 27.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (Get Free Report) Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft, a stock corporation, provides corporate and investment banking, and asset management products and services to private individuals, corporate entities, and institutional clients in Germany, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Forte Asset Management LLC raised its position in iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:TLH Free Report) by 14.9% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 29,335 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 3,799 shares during the quarter. iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF comprises about 1.6% of Forte Asset Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest holding. Forte Asset Management LLCs holdings in iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF were worth $2,920,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of TLH. Toronto Dominion Bank bought a new stake in shares of iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $39,000. AdvisorNet Financial Inc increased its holdings in shares of iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF by 443.2% during the 4th quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 516 shares of the companys stock worth $51,000 after acquiring an additional 421 shares during the last quarter. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC acquired a new position in iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $62,000. Biltmore Family Office LLC acquired a new position in iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $86,000. Finally, Bristlecone Advisors LLC acquired a new position in iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $87,000. Get iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF alerts: iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF Price Performance TLH opened at $100.51 on Tuesday. iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF has a 52-week low of $96.95 and a 52-week high of $111.83. The businesss fifty day moving average is $101.06 and its 200-day moving average is $104.59. iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF Profile The iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLH) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the ICE U.S. Treasury 10-20 Year TR index. The fund tracks a market-weighted index of debt issued by the U.S. Treasury TLH was launched on Jan 5, 2007 and is managed by BlackRock. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TLH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:TLH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 360.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 8,315 shares of the investment management companys stock after acquiring an additional 6,511 shares during the period. Foundations Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $4,761,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Mizuho Securities USA LLC boosted its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 30,068.9% in the 3rd quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 7,500,000 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $3,713,325,000 after purchasing an additional 7,475,140 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 6,042,640 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,991,772,000 after acquiring an additional 161,133 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC boosted its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 21.9% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,898,637 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,435,144,000 after purchasing an additional 521,054 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 1.1% in the third quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 1,707,632 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $845,466,000 after purchasing an additional 18,541 shares during the period. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. increased its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 3.9% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,660,088 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $898,428,000 after buying an additional 62,246 shares in the last quarter. 71.21% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Down 0.7 % GS stock opened at $632.13 on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a one year low of $374.24 and a one year high of $645.54. The firm has a market cap of $198.43 billion, a PE ratio of 15.59, a PEG ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 1.38. The firms 50 day moving average price is $591.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $536.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.32, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.67. The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 15th. The investment management company reported $11.95 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $8.21 by $3.74. The company had revenue of $13.87 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.36 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 13.30% and a net margin of 11.32%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 22.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $5.48 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 46.81 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be paid a dividend of $3.00 per share. This represents a $12.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.59%. Insider Buying and Selling at The Goldman Sachs Group In other news, Treasurer Carey Halio sold 1,545 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $624.67, for a total transaction of $965,115.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the treasurer now directly owns 8,192 shares in the company, valued at $5,117,296.64. This trade represents a 15.87 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Kathryn H. Ruemmler sold 7,498 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $634.69, for a total value of $4,758,905.62. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 9,589 shares in the company, valued at $6,086,042.41. This represents a 43.88 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 32,017 shares of company stock worth $19,655,538 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms recently issued reports on GS. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $600.00 to $680.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Hsbc Global Res lowered shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $686.00 to $690.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $563.00 to $575.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, JMP Securities raised their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $525.00 to $550.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $591.06. Read Our Latest Stock Report on GS The Goldman Sachs Group Profile (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. General Dynamics (NYSE:GD Get Free Report) had its price target cut by research analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group from $245.00 to $241.00 in a research note issued on Tuesday. The brokerage presently has a sell rating on the aerospace companys stock. The Goldman Sachs Groups price target would suggest a potential downside of 8.54% from the companys previous close. GD has been the subject of several other reports. Citigroup increased their price target on General Dynamics from $354.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. TD Cowen lowered their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $315.00 to $295.00 in a report on Tuesday. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of General Dynamics from $330.00 to $305.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a hold rating and issued a $300.00 price objective (down previously from $345.00) on shares of General Dynamics in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut General Dynamics from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $330.00 to $290.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have assigned a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $303.28. Get General Dynamics alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on General Dynamics General Dynamics Stock Performance GD traded down $6.33 on Tuesday, hitting $263.51. 719,909 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,554,794. The company has a 50 day moving average of $268.94 and a 200-day moving average of $287.64. General Dynamics has a 12-month low of $257.26 and a 12-month high of $316.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $72.46 billion, a PE ratio of 20.07, a PEG ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. General Dynamics announced that its board has initiated a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, December 4th that authorizes the company to repurchase 10,000,000 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the aerospace company to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. Insider Buying and Selling at General Dynamics In other news, VP Christopher J. Brady sold 5,540 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $280.91, for a total value of $1,556,241.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 20,296 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,701,349.36. The trade was a 21.44 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 1.52% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. grew its position in General Dynamics by 2.3% during the third quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. now owns 1,482 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $448,000 after acquiring an additional 33 shares during the period. Coston McIsaac & Partners lifted its stake in shares of General Dynamics by 22.8% in the 3rd quarter. Coston McIsaac & Partners now owns 178 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares in the last quarter. Grove Bank & Trust increased its position in shares of General Dynamics by 10.6% in the third quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 354 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $107,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares in the last quarter. Trueblood Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of General Dynamics by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Trueblood Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,223 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $672,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jeppson Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in General Dynamics by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC now owns 955 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $289,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. 86.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About General Dynamics (Get Free Report) General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies. The Aerospace segment produces and sells business jets; and offers aircraft maintenance and repair, management, aircraft-on-ground support and completion, charter, staffing, and fixed-base operator services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for General Dynamics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Dynamics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fresnillo (OTCMKTS:FNLPF Get Free Report) and Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, risk, dividends, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and earnings. Institutional and Insider Ownership 62.8% of Barrick Gold shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.6% of Barrick Gold shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Get Fresnillo alerts: Earnings and Valuation This table compares Fresnillo and Barrick Golds revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Fresnillo $2.71 billion 2.29 $233.91 million N/A N/A Barrick Gold $12.34 billion 2.25 $1.27 billion $0.93 17.28 Profitability Barrick Gold has higher revenue and earnings than Fresnillo. This table compares Fresnillo and Barrick Golds net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Fresnillo N/A N/A N/A Barrick Gold 13.19% 5.82% 4.07% Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Fresnillo and Barrick Gold, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Fresnillo 0 1 0 1 3.00 Barrick Gold 0 6 6 0 2.50 Barrick Gold has a consensus target price of $23.92, suggesting a potential upside of 48.78%. Given Barrick Golds higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Barrick Gold is more favorable than Fresnillo. Dividends Fresnillo pays an annual dividend of $0.13 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.5%. Barrick Gold pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. Barrick Gold pays out 43.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Risk & Volatility Fresnillo has a beta of 0.54, suggesting that its share price is 46% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Barrick Gold has a beta of 0.54, suggesting that its share price is 46% less volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Barrick Gold beats Fresnillo on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks. About Fresnillo (Get Free Report) Fresnillo plc mines, develops, and produces non-ferrous minerals in Mexico. It operates through seven segments: Fresnillo, Saucito, Cienega, Herradura, Noche Buena, San Julian, and Juanicipio. The company primarily explores for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates. Its projects include the Fresnillo silver mine located in the state of Zacatecas; Saucito silver mine situated in the state of Zacatecas; Cienega gold mine located in the state of Durango; Herradura gold mine situated in the state of Sonora; Noche Buena gold mine located in the state of Sonora; San Julian silver-gold mine situated on the border of Chihuahua/Durango states; and Juanicipio mine located in the state of Zacatecas. It also leases mining equipment; produces gold/silver dore bars; and provides administrative services. The company was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico. Fresnillo plc operates as a subsidiary of Industrias Penoles, S.A.B. de C.V. About Barrick Gold (Get Free Report) Barrick Gold Corporation is a sector-leading gold and copper producer. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX. In January 2019 Barrick merged with Randgold Resources and in July that year it combined its gold mines in Nevada, USA, with those of Newmont Corporation in a joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines, which is majority-owned and operated by Barrick. Nevada Gold Mines is the worlds largest gold mining complex. Barrick owns and operates six Tier One gold mines: Cortez, Carlin and Turquoise Ridge in Nevada, Loulo-Gounkoto in Mali, Kibali in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Pueblo Viejo in the Dominican Republic. It has gold and copper mines and projects in 13 countries in North and South America, Africa, Papua New Guinea and Saudi Arabia. Barricks diversified portfolio spans the worlds most prolific gold districts and is focused on high-margin, long life assets. Receive News & Ratings for Fresnillo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fresnillo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MANILA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Two men have been killed after being trapped in the storage room of a ship that caught fire while in the shipyard in the Philippine capital, the Philippines' Bureau of Fire Protection said Tuesday. Firefighter Ronaldo Sanchez said the blaze, which broke out around 9 p.m. local time on Monday, killed the two welders, both men, among the 25 workers repairing the vessel in the shipyard in Navotas City. According to Sanchez, the victims' bodies were found inside the storage room near the ship's ballast tank of the vessel. Sanchez added that it took firefighters five hours to put out the fire. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. Integrity Wealth Solutions LLC grew its stake in shares of SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (NYSEARCA:GLDM Free Report) by 2.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 99,336 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,498 shares during the quarter. SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust comprises about 2.9% of Integrity Wealth Solutions LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest holding. Integrity Wealth Solutions LLCs holdings in SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust were worth $5,164,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust by 3.4% during the third quarter. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,637,993 shares of the companys stock worth $293,909,000 after buying an additional 182,816 shares during the last quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. increased its stake in shares of SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust by 28.1% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 4,017,429 shares of the companys stock worth $209,429,000 after purchasing an additional 880,693 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust by 43.2% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,226,956 shares of the companys stock valued at $168,221,000 after purchasing an additional 973,410 shares during the period. Stifel Financial Corp lifted its stake in SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 2,141,060 shares of the companys stock valued at $111,613,000 after purchasing an additional 46,759 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Citigroup Inc. grew its holdings in SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust by 5,727,072.7% during the third quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 1,889,967 shares of the companys stock worth $98,524,000 after purchasing an additional 1,889,934 shares during the period. Get SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust alerts: SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust Price Performance Shares of NYSEARCA GLDM opened at $54.32 on Tuesday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $52.72 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $51.48. SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust has a twelve month low of $39.35 and a twelve month high of $55.29. SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust Company Profile The SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the LBMA Gold Price index. The fund tracks the gold spot price, less expenses and liabilities, using gold bars held in London vaults. GLDM was launched on Jun 25, 2018 and is issued by State Street. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GLDM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (NYSEARCA:GLDM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco (NYSE:IVZ Get Free Report) had its price objective cut by analysts at TD Cowen from $20.00 to $19.00 in a report issued on Tuesday. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the asset managers stock. TD Cowens price objective would indicate a potential downside of 1.85% from the companys previous close. Other analysts also recently issued reports about the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Invesco from $20.00 to $19.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on shares of Invesco from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Invesco from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 18th. Royal Bank of Canada began coverage on shares of Invesco in a report on Tuesday. They issued a sector perform rating and a $19.00 target price for the company. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on Invesco from $19.25 to $19.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $18.50. Get Invesco alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on IVZ Invesco Trading Up 9.1 % Shares of Invesco stock traded up $1.61 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $19.36. The stock had a trading volume of 3,510,283 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,471,694. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $17.60 and a two-hundred day moving average of $17.25. The firm has a market cap of $8.70 billion, a P/E ratio of -21.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a quick ratio of 4.91, a current ratio of 4.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. Invesco has a 12-month low of $14.16 and a 12-month high of $19.20. Invesco (NYSE:IVZ Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The asset manager reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.51 by $0.01. Invesco had a positive return on equity of 8.83% and a negative net margin of 3.00%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Invesco will post 1.7 earnings per share for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invesco Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of IVZ. Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. acquired a new stake in Invesco during the 3rd quarter worth $1,428,196,000. Azora Capital LP purchased a new position in shares of Invesco during the third quarter worth about $27,289,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its position in shares of Invesco by 131.3% during the third quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 910,156 shares of the asset managers stock worth $15,982,000 after purchasing an additional 516,622 shares in the last quarter. Algert Global LLC boosted its position in shares of Invesco by 1,207.8% in the 3rd quarter. Algert Global LLC now owns 481,270 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $8,451,000 after purchasing an additional 444,470 shares during the period. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. purchased a new position in Invesco during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $4,889,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 66.09% of the companys stock. About Invesco (Get Free Report) Invesco Ltd. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to retail clients, institutional clients, high-net worth clients, public entities, corporations, unions, non-profit organizations, endowments, foundations, pension funds, financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO Free Report) by 47.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 20,093 shares of the mining companys stock after buying an additional 6,473 shares during the quarter. Jeppson Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Rio Tinto Group were worth $1,182,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Winch Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Rio Tinto Group in the third quarter worth $26,000. FSC Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group during the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. grew its position in shares of Rio Tinto Group by 63.9% in the 4th quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 500 shares of the mining companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 195 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group by 70.9% in the 3rd quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 417 shares of the mining companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 173 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northwest Investment Counselors LLC purchased a new position in Rio Tinto Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $38,000. 19.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Rio Tinto Group alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have weighed in on RIO. Macquarie reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Berenberg Bank raised Rio Tinto Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. StockNews.com downgraded Rio Tinto Group from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on Rio Tinto Group from $83.00 to $73.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 6th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Rio Tinto Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $73.00. Rio Tinto Group Price Performance RIO stock opened at $61.97 on Tuesday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $61.02 and its 200 day simple moving average is $63.32. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. Rio Tinto Group has a 12-month low of $57.85 and a 12-month high of $74.24. Rio Tinto Group Profile (Free Report) Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. The Iron Ore segment engages in the iron ore mining, and salt and gypsum production in Western Australia. The Aluminum segment is involved in bauxite mining; alumina refining; and aluminium smelting. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RIO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Rio Tinto Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rio Tinto Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MGIC Investment Co. (NYSE:MTG Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, January 28th,RTT News reports. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be given a dividend of 0.13 per share by the insurance provider on Wednesday, March 5th. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.04%. MGIC Investment has increased its dividend payment by an average of 20.5% annually over the last three years. MGIC Investment has a payout ratio of 17.7% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect MGIC Investment to earn $2.71 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.52 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 19.2%. Get MGIC Investment alerts: MGIC Investment Stock Down 0.4 % Shares of MGIC Investment stock traded down $0.11 on Tuesday, hitting $25.48. 1,243,198 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,611,074. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. MGIC Investment has a 12-month low of $18.68 and a 12-month high of $26.56. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $24.51 and a 200 day moving average price of $24.64. The company has a market cap of $6.45 billion, a PE ratio of 8.97, a PEG ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.29. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In MGIC Investment ( NYSE:MTG Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The insurance provider reported $0.77 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.66 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $306.65 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $306.03 million. MGIC Investment had a return on equity of 14.99% and a net margin of 64.09%. The businesss revenue was up 3.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.64 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that MGIC Investment will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current year. MTG has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Bank of America downgraded shares of MGIC Investment from a buy rating to an underperform rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $26.00 to $25.00 in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on shares of MGIC Investment from $29.00 to $28.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Barclays boosted their price target on MGIC Investment from $23.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on MGIC Investment from $28.00 to $27.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $25.86. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on MTG About MGIC Investment (Get Free Report) MGIC Investment Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides private mortgage insurance, other mortgage credit risk management solutions, and ancillary services to lenders and government sponsored entities in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The company offers primary mortgage insurance that provides mortgage default protection on individual loans, as well as covers unpaid loan principal, delinquent interest, and various expenses associated with the default and subsequent foreclosure. Read More Receive News & Ratings for MGIC Investment Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MGIC Investment and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi Electric Co. (OTCMKTS:MIELF Get Free Report)s stock price shot up 9.6% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $17.35 and last traded at $17.35. 384 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 91% from the average session volume of 4,465 shares. The stock had previously closed at $15.83. Mitsubishi Electric Price Performance The stock has a market capitalization of $37.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.46 and a beta of 0.63. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $17.07 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $16.46. About Mitsubishi Electric (Get Free Report) Mitsubishi Electric Corporation develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells electrical and electronic equipment worldwide. The company operates through five segments: Infrastructure, Industry Mobility, Life, Business Platform, and Other Businesses. It offers turbine generators, nuclear power plant and power electronics equipment, motors, transformers, circuit breakers, gas insulated switchgears, switch controls, surveillance-system control and security systems, transmission and distribution ICT systems, large display devices, locomotive and rolling stock electrical equipment, wireless and wired communications systems, network camera systems, elevators, escalators, building security and management systems, and others. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Mitsubishi Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mitsubishi Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Moody Lynn & Lieberson LLC trimmed its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM Free Report) by 5.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 113,829 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 6,040 shares during the period. Moody Lynn & Lieberson LLCs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $12,245,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in XOM. Vertex Planning Partners LLC raised its stake in Exxon Mobil by 3.1% during the 3rd quarter. Vertex Planning Partners LLC now owns 2,778 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $326,000 after buying an additional 83 shares during the last quarter. First Heartland Consultants Inc. increased its position in Exxon Mobil by 0.9% during the third quarter. First Heartland Consultants Inc. now owns 9,451 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,108,000 after acquiring an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. Latitude Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 0.7% in the third quarter. Latitude Advisors LLC now owns 13,378 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,568,000 after acquiring an additional 88 shares during the period. Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC boosted its position in Exxon Mobil by 0.6% in the third quarter. Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC now owns 14,537 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,704,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the last quarter. Finally, West Oak Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. West Oak Capital LLC now owns 16,207 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,743,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 61.80% of the companys stock. Get Exxon Mobil alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes XOM has been the topic of a number of research reports. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $115.00 price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Scotiabank upgraded Exxon Mobil from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and lifted their target price for the company from $129.00 to $145.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. Bank of America started coverage on Exxon Mobil in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a neutral rating and a $124.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on Exxon Mobil from $130.00 to $125.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Finally, Mizuho reduced their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $137.00 to $134.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $128.84. Exxon Mobil Stock Up 1.4 % Shares of XOM stock opened at $110.16 on Tuesday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $111.56 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $115.44. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 52 week low of $100.42 and a 52 week high of $126.34. The stock has a market cap of $484.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.72, a PEG ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, November 1st. The oil and gas company reported $1.92 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.91 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $90.02 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $93.98 billion. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 14.73% and a net margin of 9.61%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.27 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 7.77 EPS for the current fiscal year. Exxon Mobil Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 14th were issued a $0.99 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 14th. This is a positive change from Exxon Mobils previous quarterly dividend of $0.95. This represents a $3.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.59%. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 49.32%. About Exxon Mobil (Free Report) Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding XOM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Exxon Mobil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Exxon Mobil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Polaris (NYSE:PII Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY 2025 earnings guidance on Tuesday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 1.140-1.140 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 3.150. The company issued revenue guidance of $6.9 billion-$7.1 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $7.0 billion. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have recently issued reports on PII. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Polaris from $73.00 to $57.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. DA Davidson decreased their target price on shares of Polaris from $84.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on Polaris from $84.00 to $72.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, December 30th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an equal weight rating and set a $60.00 price target (down from $81.00) on shares of Polaris in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, Truist Financial decreased their target price on Polaris from $76.00 to $60.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $73.45. Get Polaris alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on PII Polaris Stock Up 4.8 % About Polaris PII stock opened at $56.39 on Tuesday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $60.42 and its 200-day simple moving average is $72.68. Polaris has a 52-week low of $52.62 and a 52-week high of $100.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 0.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.75, a P/E/G ratio of 6.05 and a beta of 1.53. (Get Free Report) Polaris Inc designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets powersports vehicles in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Off-Road, On-Road, and Marine. The company offers off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles and side-by-side vehicles; military and commercial ORVs; snowmobiles; motorcycles; and moto-roadsters, quadricycles, and boats. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Polaris Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Polaris and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG Get Free Report) had its price objective decreased by Raymond James from $72.00 to $69.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the restaurant operators stock. Raymond James price target suggests a potential upside of 20.23% from the stocks previous close. CMG has been the topic of a number of other reports. Oppenheimer raised their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $65.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $62.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an outperform rating and set a $70.00 price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Tuesday. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Stephens reiterated an equal weight rating and set a $65.00 target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $66.88. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on CMG Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Down 1.6 % Shares of NYSE:CMG traded down $0.91 on Tuesday, hitting $57.39. 2,210,890 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 9,311,269. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $60.63 and a 200-day simple moving average of $57.72. The company has a market cap of $78.20 billion, a PE ratio of 53.42, a PEG ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 1.27. Chipotle Mexican Grill has a 52 week low of $46.29 and a 52 week high of $69.26. Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.25 by $0.02. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 43.20% and a net margin of 13.51%. The company had revenue of $2.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.82 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.23 earnings per share. Chipotle Mexican Grills revenue was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Chipotle Mexican Grill will post 1.11 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity at Chipotle Mexican Grill In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, insider Laurie Schalow sold 4,404 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.01, for a total value of $286,304.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 185,792 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,078,337.92. This represents a 2.32 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 1.02% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of Chipotle Mexican Grill Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. ZRC Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 384.0% during the third quarter. ZRC Wealth Management LLC now owns 484 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 384 shares during the last quarter. Transcendent Capital Group LLC increased its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 950.0% during the third quarter. Transcendent Capital Group LLC now owns 525 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 475 shares in the last quarter. Mowery & Schoenfeld Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 3rd quarter worth $32,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the third quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Quarry LP purchased a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 2nd quarter valued at about $37,000. 91.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Chipotle Mexican Grill Company Profile (Get Free Report) Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM Free Report) by 13.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,233 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 1,431 shares during the period. Revolve Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF were worth $2,703,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund grew its stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 16.7% in the second quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 10,622,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,155,098,000 after acquiring an additional 1,520,000 shares during the last quarter. Empower Advisory Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Empower Advisory Group LLC now owns 7,678,591 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,696,124,000 after purchasing an additional 191,742 shares during the period. Toronto Dominion Bank raised its position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 3.7% during the third quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 6,729,586 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,486,498,000 after buying an additional 243,160 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 50.5% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 4,313,404 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $952,788,000 after buying an additional 1,446,443 shares during the period. Finally, US Bancorp DE lifted its stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 1.1% in the third quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 3,878,944 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $856,843,000 after buying an additional 41,923 shares during the period. Get iShares Russell 2000 ETF alerts: iShares Russell 2000 ETF Stock Performance Shares of IWM opened at $226.50 on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $229.25 and its 200 day moving average price is $222.44. iShares Russell 2000 ETF has a 12-month low of $190.06 and a 12-month high of $244.98. iShares Russell 2000 ETF Profile iShares Russell 2000 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and includes securities issued by the approximately 2,000 smallest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 2000 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 2000 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Atlas Energy Solutions (NYSE:AESI Get Free Report) had its target price raised by equities research analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from $27.00 to $28.00 in a research note issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canadas price objective suggests a potential upside of 8.34% from the companys previous close. A number of other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Bank of America reissued a neutral rating and issued a $22.50 price target on shares of Atlas Energy Solutions in a research report on Monday, January 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Atlas Energy Solutions in a report on Friday, December 13th. They set a neutral rating and a $23.00 price objective for the company. Pickering Energy Partners lowered shares of Atlas Energy Solutions from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Raymond James cut shares of Atlas Energy Solutions from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Citigroup lowered Atlas Energy Solutions from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $23.00 to $22.00 in a report on Thursday, November 14th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Atlas Energy Solutions presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $24.83. Get Atlas Energy Solutions alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on AESI Atlas Energy Solutions Stock Up 4.7 % Shares of NYSE AESI traded up $1.16 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $25.85. 630,860 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 954,824. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.72, a P/E/G ratio of 6.98 and a beta of 1.03. The businesss fifty day moving average is $22.82 and its 200 day moving average is $21.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.23. Atlas Energy Solutions has a fifty-two week low of $16.42 and a fifty-two week high of $26.86. Atlas Energy Solutions (NYSE:AESI Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 28th. The company reported $0.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.29 by ($0.25). The firm had revenue of $304.40 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $307.93 million. Atlas Energy Solutions had a return on equity of 11.01% and a net margin of 8.78%. The firms revenue was up 93.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.51 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Atlas Energy Solutions will post 0.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, major shareholder Brian Anthony Leveille sold 20,000 shares of Atlas Energy Solutions stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.39, for a total value of $427,800.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 512,010 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,951,893.90. The trade was a 3.76 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Stacy Hock sold 8,571 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.55, for a total value of $193,276.05. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 917,604 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $20,691,970.20. This trade represents a 0.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 132,142 shares of company stock worth $2,993,921. 24.34% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Atlas Energy Solutions Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wellington Management Group LLP purchased a new position in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions in the third quarter worth about $17,314,000. First Sabrepoint Capital Management LP bought a new position in Atlas Energy Solutions in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $8,066,000. Copeland Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Atlas Energy Solutions by 19.3% in the 4th quarter. Copeland Capital Management LLC now owns 2,247,774 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,856,000 after buying an additional 363,742 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in Atlas Energy Solutions by 15.0% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,751,059 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,173,000 after acquiring an additional 227,776 shares during the period. Finally, Barclays PLC lifted its position in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions by 574.5% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 175,082 shares of the companys stock worth $3,817,000 after acquiring an additional 149,126 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 34.59% of the companys stock. Atlas Energy Solutions Company Profile (Get Free Report) Atlas Energy Solutions Inc engages in the production, processing, and sale of mesh and sand that are used as a proppant during the well completion process in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico. The company provides transportation and logistics, storage solutions, and contract labor services. It sells its products and services to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, and oilfield services companies. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Atlas Energy Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Atlas Energy Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ZARANJ, Afghanistan, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Police have discovered 300 kg of illicit drug in west Afghanistan's Nimroz province and apprehended an individual on the charge of smuggling the contraband out of the province, the provincial director for counter-narcotics department Mawlawi Faiz Mohammad Faizani said Tuesday. Without providing more details, the official added that an investigation is underway to locate more people involved in the drug business. Police arrested another man and discovered 30 kg of opium poppy in his possession in Khash Rod district of Nimroz province several days ago. Agree Realty (NYSE:ADC Get Free Report)s stock had its outperform rating reaffirmed by equities researchers at Royal Bank of Canada in a research report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. They presently have a $79.00 target price on the real estate investment trusts stock. Royal Bank of Canadas target price suggests a potential upside of 6.76% from the companys current price. A number of other research firms have also weighed in on ADC. Mizuho dropped their price objective on Agree Realty from $80.00 to $74.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Agree Realty from $67.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Agree Realty in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. They set a buy rating and a $88.00 price objective for the company. KeyCorp boosted their price target on Agree Realty from $68.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 4th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Agree Realty from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $79.07. Get Agree Realty alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on ADC Agree Realty Trading Down 0.5 % Institutional Trading of Agree Realty NYSE ADC opened at $74.00 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $7.66 billion, a PE ratio of 40.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.52 and a beta of 0.64. Agree Realty has a 1-year low of $54.28 and a 1-year high of $78.39. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $72.85 and a 200-day moving average of $72.93. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ADC. Sei Investments Co. boosted its stake in Agree Realty by 64.9% in the 2nd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 56,829 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,520,000 after purchasing an additional 22,374 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its position in shares of Agree Realty by 0.4% during the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 103,674 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $6,422,000 after buying an additional 382 shares during the last quarter. Algert Global LLC bought a new stake in Agree Realty in the 2nd quarter worth about $628,000. Creative Planning raised its position in Agree Realty by 86.8% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 56,819 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,519,000 after buying an additional 26,398 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pathway Financial Advisers LLC lifted its stake in Agree Realty by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 13,319 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $824,000 after acquiring an additional 409 shares during the period. 97.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Agree Realty Company Profile (Get Free Report) Agree Realty Corporation is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that is RETHINKING RETAIL through the acquisition and development of properties net leased to industry-leading, omni-channel retail tenants. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned and operated a portfolio of 2,135 properties, located in 49 states and containing approximately 44.2 million square feet of gross leasable area. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Agree Realty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agree Realty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE:TEVA Get Free Report) will likely be releasing its earnings data before the market opens on Wednesday, January 29th. Analysts expect Teva Pharmaceutical Industries to post earnings of $0.69 per share and revenue of $4,104,790.00 billion for the quarter. Parties interested in registering for the companys conference call can do so using this link. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Stock Up 0.6 % Shares of NYSE:TEVA opened at $21.80 on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $19.74 and its 200 day moving average is $18.41. The company has a market cap of $24.70 billion, a PE ratio of -25.65, a P/E/G ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.57, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.61. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has a 1 year low of $11.48 and a 1 year high of $22.80. Get Teva Pharmaceutical Industries alerts: Insider Activity In related news, Director Roberto Mignone sold 286,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.01, for a total transaction of $6,294,860.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 695,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,296,950. This trade represents a 29.15 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Christine Fox sold 19,388 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.87, for a total value of $327,075.56. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 44,104 shares in the company, valued at approximately $744,034.48. This represents a 30.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.55% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts recently commented on TEVA shares. Piper Sandler upped their target price on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $23.00 to $30.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $25.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 18th. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $16.00 to $18.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 18th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $22.63. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on TEVA About Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Get Free Report) Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes generic medicines, specialty medicines, and biopharmaceutical products in North America, Europe, Israel, and internationally. It offers generic medicines in various dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, injectables, inhalants, liquids, transdermal patches, ointments, and creams; sterile products, hormones, high-potency drugs, and cytotoxic substances in parenteral and solid dosage forms; and generic products with medical devices and combination products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. VanEck Indonesia Index ETF (NYSEARCA:IDX Get Free Report)s share price was down 0.1% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $14.97 and last traded at $15.06. Approximately 13,334 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 15% from the average daily volume of 15,758 shares. The stock had previously closed at $15.07. VanEck Indonesia Index ETF Stock Performance The firm has a market cap of $25.60 million, a P/E ratio of 8.00 and a beta of 0.61. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $15.51 and a 200-day moving average of $16.70. Get VanEck Indonesia Index ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On VanEck Indonesia Index ETF A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Primoris Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of VanEck Indonesia Index ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,669,000. Flow Traders U.S. LLC acquired a new stake in VanEck Indonesia Index ETF in the third quarter worth approximately $1,026,000. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC boosted its stake in VanEck Indonesia Index ETF by 23.2% during the 3rd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 35,923 shares of the companys stock valued at $652,000 after purchasing an additional 6,756 shares in the last quarter. VanEck Indonesia Index ETF Company Profile The Market Vectors Indonesia Index ETF (IDX) seeks, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the Market Vectors Indonesia Index (the Index). The Index provides exposure to publicly traded companies that are domiciled and primarily listed in Indonesia, or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in Indonesia. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for VanEck Indonesia Index ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for VanEck Indonesia Index ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Veolia Environnement SA (OTCMKTS:VEOEY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 55,500 shares, an increase of 317.3% from the December 31st total of 13,300 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 472,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days. Veolia Environnement Stock Up 0.9 % Shares of OTCMKTS VEOEY traded up $0.13 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $14.25. The stock had a trading volume of 188,557 shares, compared to its average volume of 201,337. The company has a 50 day moving average of $14.26 and a two-hundred day moving average of $15.38. Veolia Environnement has a twelve month low of $13.44 and a twelve month high of $17.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.84. Get Veolia Environnement alerts: About Veolia Environnement (Get Free Report) Read More Veolia Environnement SA designs and provides water, waste, and energy management solutions worldwide. It operates through France and Special Waste Europe; Europe excluding France; Rest of the World; Water Technologies; and Other segments. The company is involved in resource management; customer relationship management; drinking water treatment and distribution; wastewater treatment; design and construction of treatment and network infrastructure; and sale of water treatment equipment, technologies, and facilities. Receive News & Ratings for Veolia Environnement Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Veolia Environnement and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO Get Free Report) was upgraded by Barclays from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report released on Tuesday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm presently has a $53.00 target price on the stock, up from their previous target price of $51.00. Barclayss target price suggests a potential upside of 41.95% from the stocks current price. Several other brokerages have also recently commented on VSCO. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Victorias Secret & Co. from $30.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from $44.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from $33.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, December 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and upped their price objective for the company from $29.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Finally, UBS Group upgraded shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from a sell rating to a neutral rating and increased their price objective for the company from $18.00 to $47.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Victorias Secret & Co. presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $40.09. Get Victoria's Secret & Co. alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on VSCO Victorias Secret & Co. Stock Down 1.1 % Shares of VSCO opened at $37.34 on Tuesday. The stocks 50 day moving average is $40.60 and its two-hundred day moving average is $30.33. Victorias Secret & Co. has a 12 month low of $15.12 and a 12 month high of $48.73. The firm has a market cap of $2.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.35, a PEG ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 2.14. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.12. Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, December 5th. The company reported ($0.50) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.62) by $0.12. The business had revenue of $1.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.29 billion. Victorias Secret & Co. had a net margin of 2.47% and a return on equity of 44.74%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned ($0.86) earnings per share. Analysts predict that Victorias Secret & Co. will post 2.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VSCO. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in Victorias Secret & Co. by 13.5% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 917,017 shares of the companys stock worth $16,206,000 after acquiring an additional 109,013 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new position in Victorias Secret & Co. during the second quarter worth about $2,486,000. Sei Investments Co. raised its stake in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 175,553 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,102,000 after acquiring an additional 3,253 shares during the period. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $50,000. Finally, AXA S.A. purchased a new position in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,178,000. 90.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Victorias Secret & Co. (Get Free Report) Victorias Secret & Co operates as a lingerie, clothing and beauty retailer. It offers bras, panties, lingerie, pajamas, sleep, sport and swim apparel, and beauty products. The company was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Reynoldsburg, OH. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Victoria's Secret & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Victoria's Secret & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. W Advisors LLC lessened its position in shares of iShares Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEV Free Report) by 45.0% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 4,372 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,583 shares during the period. W Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Europe ETF were worth $228,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in shares of iShares Europe ETF by 12.0% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,698,388 shares of the companys stock worth $98,965,000 after purchasing an additional 182,168 shares in the last quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in iShares Europe ETF by 8.8% in the third quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 159,621 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,301,000 after buying an additional 12,957 shares during the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC boosted its holdings in iShares Europe ETF by 10.2% in the third quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 149,626 shares of the companys stock worth $8,719,000 after acquiring an additional 13,840 shares in the last quarter. One Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Europe ETF by 0.9% during the third quarter. One Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 122,707 shares of the companys stock worth $7,150,000 after acquiring an additional 1,148 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sanctuary Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Europe ETF during the second quarter valued at about $5,797,000. Get iShares Europe ETF alerts: iShares Europe ETF Stock Up 0.5 % Shares of iShares Europe ETF stock opened at $55.53 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.09 and a beta of 0.83. iShares Europe ETF has a 52 week low of $51.38 and a 52 week high of $59.06. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $53.33 and a 200 day moving average price of $55.16. About iShares Europe ETF iShares Europe ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P Europe 350 Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P Europe 350 (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the stocks of companies in the countries, which includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IEV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Europe ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Europe ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MACAO, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Sam Hou Fai said on Tuesday that in the Year of the Snake, Macao will strive to enhance governance capacity, promote economic diversification, and proactively integrate into the national development paradigm. Sam made the remarks in his Spring Festival message, extending New Year wishes to the residents of Macao. Noting that the snake symbolizes wisdom, sensitivity, flexibility, and auspiciousness in Chinese culture, Sam said that while there may be uncertainties on the path toward the future and rapid changes may occur in the international landscape, the motherland "will always be our staunch supporter." The chief executive noted that this new year marks the first year of the inauguration of the sixth-term SAR government, adding, "We will continue to strengthen the implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle and uphold national security with a greater sense of responsibility." In constructing the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Sam underlined that he and his team will make achievements in implementing innovative policies and integrating regulations, bolster advancements in industry development and foundation building, and expedite a new stage of Macao-Hengqin integration in the areas of systems, mechanisms, policies, and others. Zheng Xincong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, said on Tuesday that with the care of the central government, strong support of the motherland, and joint efforts of the SAR government and all sectors of society, the "one country, two systems" policy will certainly take new steps and present a new outlook. Standing at a new historic starting point, he added, it is believed that Macao will make the path toward appropriate economic diversification broader and more solid. Liu Xianfa, commissioner of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Macao SAR, said in his message that in the new year, the foreign affairs office will further strengthen safeguarding national security, fully support the chief executive and the SAR government in governing by law, and assist the SAR in expanding foreign exchanges and cooperation. Liu added that the office will also promote the introduction of more measures to facilitate the movement of people between China and foreign countries, increase efforts to attract international investment to the in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, and better protect the rights and interests of Macao compatriots overseas. Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic arrives for a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia on Jan. 28, 2025. Vucevic announced resignation on Tuesday during an extraordinary press conference at the government building in Belgrade, citing "elevated tensions" caused by a collapse at Novi Sad railway station in November last year, which claimed 15 lives. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua) BELGRADE, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic announced resignation on Tuesday during an extraordinary press conference at the government building in Belgrade, citing "elevated tensions" caused by a collapse at Novi Sad railway station in November last year, which claimed 15 lives. Vucevic said that he will perform his duties until a new prime minister is elected, adding that the entire government is currently operating in a "caretaker mandate." Under Serbian law, once the National Assembly acknowledges the prime minister's resignation, the president must initiate the process of forming a new government. If no government is elected within 30 days, the National Assembly will be dissolved, and elections will be called. Reflecting on the tragedy in Novi Sad, Vucevic said it has overshadowed the government's work. "The collapse of the awning at the Novi Sad railway station marked a turning point. From that moment, Serbia seemed to remain stuck," he said. Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic addresses a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia on Jan. 28, 2025. Vucevic announced resignation on Tuesday during an extraordinary press conference at the government building in Belgrade, citing "elevated tensions" caused by a collapse at Novi Sad railway station in November last year, which claimed 15 lives. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua) Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic addresses a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia on Jan. 28, 2025. Vucevic announced resignation on Tuesday during an extraordinary press conference at the government building in Belgrade, citing "elevated tensions" caused by a collapse at Novi Sad railway station in November last year, which claimed 15 lives. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua) Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic addresses a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia on Jan. 28, 2025. Vucevic announced resignation on Tuesday during an extraordinary press conference at the government building in Belgrade, citing "elevated tensions" caused by a collapse at Novi Sad railway station in November last year, which claimed 15 lives. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua) Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic addresses a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia on Jan. 28, 2025. Vucevic announced resignation on Tuesday during an extraordinary press conference at the government building in Belgrade, citing "elevated tensions" caused by a collapse at Novi Sad railway station in November last year, which claimed 15 lives. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua) MOSCOW, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Any potential peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine should guarantee the long-term security of both countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday. "The final signing of the documents is a very serious issue that should guarantee the security of both Ukraine and Russia for a serious, long time in the future," he said during an interview with local media. Ukraine can designate anyone to negotiate with Russia, but it must be signed by legitimate Ukrainian authorities when a deal is made, Putin said, adding that Volodymyr Zelensky is no longer the rightful president of Ukraine. Putin urged Ukraine to revoke the decree signed by Zelensky on banning negotiation with Russia, saying otherwise any talks between the two countries will be illegal. Putin emphasized that Russia will defend its national interests during the process of settling the Ukrainian issue. RIMS cafeteria | IMPHAL, Jan 28: Professor G Sunil Kumar Sharma, Director of RIMS, Imphal, officially inaugurated a new cafeteria near the Special Ward of RIMS Hospital today. The event was graced by Professor N Sanjib Singh, Medical Superintendent, RIMS Hospital, said a press release issued by RIMS Imphal. The new RIMS cafeteria is designed to enhance the dining experience for hospital staff, students, and visitors by providing high-quality, hygienic, and affordable food services. A key highlight of the event was the introduction of the Blue Plate Initiative, aimed at offering nutritious and cost-effective meal options. The program saw active participation from the Principal of College of Nursing, RIMS, Imphal, Dean (Academics), Chief Account Officer cum Financial Advisor, Sub-Dean, HoDs, nursing officials, staff and students of RIMS. Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a Chinese New Year card in return to friends in the U.S. state of Iowa, saying that China and the United States share extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation and can become partners and friends. Xi said in the reply card that the warm reception he received when he visited the beautiful state of Iowa 40 years ago is still fresh in his memory. China and the United States can achieve mutual success and common prosperity for the benefit of both countries and the world at large, Xi said. The Chinese president expressed his hope that the two peoples will pay more visits to each other and have more exchanges, jointly write new stories of friendship between the two peoples, and make new contributions to the development of China-U.S. relations. Earlier, 58 people from Iowa, including friends Luca Berrone, Gary Dvorchak and Sarah Lande, former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad and his wife, former President of the World Food Prize Foundation Kenneth Quinn, as well as representatives of teachers, students and parents from Iowa who participated in the initiative of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study for a five-year period, jointly sent a Chinese New Year card to President Xi. In the card, they recalled Xi's first visit to Iowa in 1985 and extended New Year greetings to President Xi in the Year of the Snake. The representatives of teachers, students and parents thanked Xi for putting forward the "50,000 in Five Years" initiative, shared their feelings about visiting China, and expressed their expectations to visit China again. HARARE, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday condemned armed groups operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for recent attacks on peacekeeping missions. In a statement, Mnangagwa, also chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), condemned the attacks on UN and SADC peacekeepers, resulting in several deaths and injuries, and extended condolences to the bereaved families. In November 2024, the SADC extended the mandate of its peacekeeping mission in the DRC by one year amid continued hostilities in the country's eastern region. Mnangagwa said the SADC will take action to deal with the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the eastern DRC, adding that "those responsible for the situation will be held accountable." Over 400,000 people have been displaced since the start of 2025 in eastern DRC, where fighting between the Congolese army and armed groups has intensified. The state finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya will present the budget on 12 February after the Budget Session will commence on 10 February. The state government at a cabinet meeting at Nabanna today decided to give land to the Border Security Force (BSF) at Karimpur, Nadia, to create a border outpost to prevent the alleged infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals along with other anti-national elements, including cow smugglers. Advertisement The state cabinet, which met at the state secretariat at Nabanna today headed by the chief minister Mamata Banerjee, decided in principle to hand over .9 acres of land at Karimpur, Nadia to the BSF to facilitate the central security force for creation of a BSF outpost to prevent any illegal activities. Advertisement Todays decision assumes significance since the Opposition, led by leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, had on a number of occasions attacked the state government for keeping mum on the issue of providing lands to the BSF for creating an outpost at the border area to prevent the infiltration. Besides, the state cabinet also put its seal of approval for creating 60 posts for employment generation at the departments like women and child welfare department and for the department of law and justice. The chief minister is believed to have advised the ministers and leaders to be alert during the upcoming Saraswati Puja festival and asked them to stay put at their respective constituencies and keep vigil on the situations to prevent any untoward incidents. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met the Chief Election Commissioner on Tuesday, alleging that the BJP-ruled Haryana government is supplying toxic water to Delhi, and urged the poll panel to form a joint team of engineers from both states and EC representatives to investigate the matter related to rising ammonia levels in the river. She emphasized that water is a critical and sensitive issue, and said the EC has assured action in the interest of Delhiites. Advertisement Meanwhile, Mann condemned attempts to politicize water, calling it unacceptable to link such a basic necessity to electoral gains. Advertisement Following the meeting with the EC, Atishi stated, Earlier today, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and I had a meeting with the Election Commission. We had a detailed discussion on the issue of water in Delhi. We informed the Election Commission about how the water coming from Haryana into the Yamuna has reached ammonia levels that have crossed toxic limits. She further said, Delhis water treatment plants can treat ammonia levels up to 1 PPM or 2 PPM. However, over the past few days, the ammonia levels have consistently risen to 4, 5, 6, and even 7 PPM. Ammonia at 7 PPM means poisonous water, she added. They have promised us that they will take a decision in the interest of Delhis people after hearing Haryanas side, shared the CM. She also said, The statement of the Haryana CM exposes his own falsehoods. On one hand, he claims this is not a new issue and that ammonia has been a persistent problem, while on the other, he accuses us of lying. How can both statements coexist? Either ammonia is present, or it isntthis is not a matter of opinion but of factual data, she added. She further claimed that the letter written by the DJB CEO clearly shows that Delhis water treatment plants can treat ammonia levels up to 1 PPM or 2 PPM. However, the data from the last few days, ammonia levels have been recorded at 5.5, 5.6, 5.8, 6.4, 6.8, and even 7.2, as per figures provided by the DJB CEO, Atishi added. The Delhi CM further stated, I would urge the Haryana Chief Ministerand we have already communicated this to the Election Commission as wellto form a joint team comprising engineers from both Haryana and Delhi, along with representatives from the Election Commission. Let us measure ammonia levels at every point, from where Haryana releases the water to the entry points in Delhi at Wazirabad and Palla. Meanwhile, Punjab CM said this issue is also connected to Punjab, as water flows into Haryana from Punjab, from where the water supply to Haryana has never reduced. He said, however, if polluted water is reaching Wazirabad, the Election Commission has assured that it will test the water to determine ammonia levels at the point where Haryana releases it and compare it to the levels when it reaches Delhi. Punjab CM said, The main opposition party in Delhi, BJP, should not politicize this matter or use it as an election issue. Everyone deserves a level playing field, he added. A delegation of the Delhi Congress on Tuesday submitted a complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), seeking a probe against AAP National Convenor, Arvind Kejriwal over his allegations of poisoning Yamuna water by the Haryana government. The Congress delegation demanded that the EC hold a probe and if the allegation made by Kejriwal were found to be false, an FIR should be registered against him for spreading rumours during the election campaign, which is a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct, the party stated in a press statement. Advertisement The delegation consisted of Chairman of the Legal and Human Rights Department Advocate Sunil Kumar, Rajesh Garg, chairman, Booth Management Committee among three others. Advertisement Moreover, another delegation headed by former Delhi Minister Narendra Nath met CEO Delhi R Alice Vas to file a complaint against the AAP and BJP members for harassment and manhandling of Congress nominee from Rithala Assembly Sushant Mishra. In reaction to the dharma sansad organized at Mahakumbh demanding the formation of Sanatan board, Congress leader Udit Raj on Tuesday alleged it as a conspiracy to undermine the people belonging to the Dalit community. He called it a conspiracy to replace the Constitution and alleged the saffron party of being behind it.The Maha Kumbh has been organised with the money of the government. Oxfam has made it clear that the common people pay the highest taxes in the country. The Kumbh is being organised with the money of the Bahujans and saints are flourishing and a conspiracy is being hatched against them, he said. Advertisement Is the Kumbh organised for faith or to change the Constitution? The saints gathered in the Kumbh are making a new Constitution to make a Hindu nation. Indirectly, the BJP is hatching this conspiracy, Raj wrote on X. Advertisement This came after a Dharma Sansad, which began on Monday under the leadership of Devkinandan Thakur, announced the formation of the Sanatan Board. The government has been asked to hand over property worth thousands of crores and 200 temples to the board. The Central Sanatan Board will be responsible for the operation, management, protection, and monitoring of these properties, similar to how the Waqf Board works for mosques, tombs, and dargahs, Thakur said . Congress candidate from New Delhi Assembly constituency, Sandeep Dikshit, on Tuesday wrote to Lt. Governor VK Saxena and Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora demanding immediate action against Chief Minister Atishi and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal over their remarks on poisoning of Delhis water supply. In his letter addressed to the LG and Police Commissioner, he wrote, I am writing to you for strict and immediate action against Arvind Kejriwal who made shocking and irresponsible statements to the press yesterday alleging that Delhis water supply had been poisoned and that the neighbouring states government had planned a genocide against the people of Delhi. Advertisement Dikshit claimed that Kejriwal made the allegation of a genocide being planned against the people of Delhi for political benefit. Advertisement He asserted that while election campaigning is on, issues must be raised before the people, but statements that lead to panic public disorder and blame a government of genocide cannot be allowed without adequate proof. The Congress candidate said Atishi has also supported the statements of her party leader saying that poisoning is a reference to the PPM count in the waters of the Yamuna. Has the PPM count exceeded in the Yamuna or exceeded the applicable limit for the first time? Kejriwal and his associates have not done anything to address the issues of water quality for the last 10 years and they now seek to blame others for their failure for the sake of electoral gain, he said. Attacking Kejriwal, the Congress candidate said he is not talking about pollution and contamination, but he is talking about a deliberate act of poisoning. Who knows how many poor people are forced to buy bottled water for consumption today because they have heard their CM and former CM make the allegation that the water being supplied to them is being poisoned. It is pertinent to mention here that the allegations have been categorically dismissed by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), he said. Pointing out that Kejriwal has used the word genocide, the Congress leader said this is aimed at creating public panic and shows his complete contempt for the electoral process. Accusing Kejriwal that he failed to address the issues of Delhi and now seeking to obtain votes through fear mongering and panic, he said, This is a clear offence under Section 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2024. If it leads to further panic and public disorder it would also amount to sedition and other serious offences under criminal law. Dikshit urged that a high-level inquiry may immediately be ordered to see whether the serious allegations of public genocide by Kejriwal and Atishi against Haryana Government are true or not. If true, then action should be taken to dismiss the Haryana Government and book all culprits for planning and implementing public genocide. If not, then appropriate criminal case should be instituted against Kejriwal and Atishi for public cheating, spreading disaffection against the State and deliberate and in full knowledge of his/her lies, making public statements in order to make political gains, he said. It Ends With Us co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldonis ongoing feud is going to trial. As reported by Variety, the first hearing is scheduled for March 9, 2026. On Monday, Judge Lewis J. Liman said that he would hold an initial hearing on February 3. The hearing will address Livelys suit against It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni and his subsequent countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. Blake Livelys attorney accuses Baldoni of trying to manipulate jurors Livelys legal team has accused Baldonis attorney of trying to sway potential jurors. They allege that Baldoni is trying to do so by creating a website that shares selective documents and communications. Livelys team claimed the website aims to damage her reputation. Her team stated, The endless stream of defamatory and extrajudicial media statements must end. Advertisement Baldonis lawyers deny the claim In response to the accusations, Baldonis lawyer, Kevin Fritz has dismissed them. He states that Lively is avoiding transparency. He argued, We will never be bullied All we want is for people to see the actual text messages and video evidence that directly refute her claims. Moreover, he accuses Blake Lively of a scorched-earth media campaign that allegedly caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damages by vilifying Baldoni publicly. Advertisement Blake Livelys initial lawsuit Blake Lively accused Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and fat-shaming. Moreover, she accuses him of orchestrating a smear campaign against her after she called out his behaviour on sets. Following this, WME dropped Baldoni as a client and his former publicist also sued him. Following this, Baldoni sued The New York Times for posting an elaborate article detailing Livelys accusations. Justin Baldonis countersuit Following his suit against the New York Times, It Ends With Us director and actor Justin Baldoni sues co-star Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds for $400 million. Moreover, he drags Taylor Swift into the case by claiming that Lively leveraged her friendship with the global icon to pressure him. Baldonis countersuit comes after Lively sued him for sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her after she called his behaviour on set. In his suit, the actor sues Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist for damages, citing civil extortion, defamation and invasion of privacy. Also Read: Justin Baldonis apologetic 2 AM voice note to Blake Lively LEAKED Moreover, before his countersuit, Baldonis attorney, Bryan Freedman sent a litigation hold letter to Marvel president Kevin Feige, Disney CEO Bob Iger and director Tim Miller. The notice asks them to preserve all documents related to the Deadpool and Wolverine character Nicepool and data connected to Baldoni. For context, Baldoni believes that Ryan Reynolds character Nicepool was a dig at him. Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has changed his security apparatus after the knife attack on him. Taking a note of the lacklustre security deployed around him and his family that lead to the attack, the actor has now decided to change the security at his house including his wife Kareena, and their house. Security is also being beefed up at the Fortune Heights building complex, Saif Ali Khans old house. Fortune Heights, where Saif Ali Khan used to live, is now being used as an office. Advertisement Saif was attacked by an assailant who barged into his Bandra house through his youngest son, Jehs room during the wee hours of Thursday. The actor reportedly went to the hospital on his own, and was accompanied by his son Taimur. Advertisement As per media reports, doctors removed the 2.5 inches of knife from his wound. The actor was stabbed multiple times in an attempt to fight off the accused. The actor sustained six stab wounds, two of which were said to be serious as they were closer to his spine. The incident took place as the accused 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 Jehs 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. Saif Ali Khan recorded his statement with the #MumbaiPolice regarding the January 16 attack at his home, where he suffered stab injuries. Khan recalled rushing to his son #Jehs room after hearing the nanny scream, and finding the alleged attacker was demanding Rs one crore. The pic.twitter.com/hOxAX1Fe7h The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) January 24, 2025 Earlier, the Association of Medical Consultants Mumbai had stepped into the matter raising important questions with regards to the insurance claim disbursement procedure. Association of Medical Consultants Mumbai has written to the The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) raising doubts over the quick approval of claims as it involves an influential celebrity. The body has asked the IRDAI as to why preferential treatment was given to Saif Ali Khan. The letter states that the Insurance company Niva Bupa sanctioned Rs 25 lacs within a few hours to Lilavati hospital for the treatment of Saif Ali Khan. Global music icon Chris Martin and Hollywood star Dakota Johnson were recently spotted in Prayagraj amidst the grand Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. A video circulating on social media shows the couple arriving in a car, dressed in traditional saffron attire, blending seamlessly with the spiritual atmosphere of the holy city. Advertisement Their appearance has created quite a buzz, with fans and devotees alike expressing excitement at their presence. Advertisement The couples visit to Prayagraj comes shortly after Coldplay wrapped up the Indian leg of their tour. Chris Martin and his band performed in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, culminating with a spectacular show at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Republic Day. In a heartfelt gesture, Martin honored Indias rich culture by performing iconic patriotic songs like Vande Mataram and Maa Tujhhe Salaam. The concert ended on a high note with Martins salute to India and warm Republic Day wishes for the audience. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Coldplay (@coldplay) Before their Prayagraj trip, Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson were embracing Indias spiritual heritage in Mumbai. The duo visited the renowned Siddhivinayak Temple, accompanied by Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre. Johnson, known for her role in Fifty Shades of Grey, wore a saffron veil as a mark of respect, while Martin kept it simple yet traditional. The couple also paid their respects at the Shri Babulnath Temple in Mumbai. Dakota Johnson looked radiant in a printed cotton suit, her head covered with a dupatta, while Chris Martin sported a pastel blue kurta paired with a Rudraksha mala. Adding a touch of faith to their visit, Johnson was whispering her wishes into Nandis eara practice believed to make ones desires come true. The BJP on Tuesday urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to bar AAP national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from campaigning for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, scheduled for February 5. The demand came in response to Kejriwals allegation that the BJP-led Haryana government was poisoning the Yamuna Rivers water supply to Delhi. Advertisement A BJP delegation, including Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Bhupendra Yadav, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini, and other senior leaders, met with the Election Commission on Tuesday evening to lodge a formal complaint. Advertisement Speaking after the meeting, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticized Kejriwals statement, calling it irresponsible, dangerous, and a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). She added, The statement has instilled unnecessary fear among Delhis residents. Such baseless allegations by a former CM are not only detrimental to democracy but also disrespectful to the people of Haryana who elected their government. Sitharaman emphasized the gravity of the allegation, stating, To accuse another Chief Minister of an act that could be likened to genocide is outrageous. We have urged the Election Commission to prevent Arvind Kejriwal from further campaigning in Delhi. Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav, addressing the media after the meeting, claimed that Kejriwals remarks were part of AAPs strategy to deflect from the BJPs growing popularity in Delhi. Kejriwal and his party are creating unnecessary fear and anarchy, which is a blatant violation of the MCC. His divisive and provocative language has no place in a democracy, Yadav said. The BJP submitted evidence of Kejriwals controversial remarks to the EC, alleging that his statements were not only defamatory but also intended to incite public fear and distrust. Yadav expressed confidence that the Election Commission would take swift and appropriate action. The Election Commission has acknowledged the complaint and is expected to review the matter in the coming days. NAIROBI, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Kenya, Burundi and Tanzania will receive more rainfall than usual in the coming week, leading to floods, the Climate Prediction and Applications Center (ICPAC) of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional bloc, said on Tuesday. ICPAC said in its latest forecast that the three countries could receive up to 200 mm of rainfall per day. "The expected very heavy rainfall is likely to lead to flooding incidents. Communities in high-risk areas are advised to exercise caution during this period," it said. The IGAD agency noted that the Greater Horn of Africa region would experience higher temperatures of up to 32 degrees Celsius during this period. The most affected countries are expected to include South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan, according to ICPAC. ICPAC recently forecasted that between March and May, the Greater Horn of Africa countries would experience below-normal rainfall as the region bears the brunt of climate variability. Up to 67 million people in the region are food insecure due to conflict and climate shocks, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and IGAD. The Centre has called an all-party meeting on January 30 ahead of the Budget Session of the Parliament, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed on Tuesday. He also appealed for the cooperation of Opposition leaders in holding smooth discussions in both the Houses of Parliament during the upcoming session. Advertisement Rijiju expressed hope that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman would present a good and balanced budget. Advertisement On the upcoming Budget session of Parliament, Rijiju told a news agency, On 31st January, the Budget session of Parliament will start. Before it, on 30th January, we have called an all-party meeting. Everyone is hopeful that a good Budget will be presented. On 31st January, President Droupadi Murmu will address a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament. On 1st February, the Union Budget will be presented, he added. Rijiju also referred to the previous winter session of Parliament. In the last two sessions, there was some hungama in the Parliament which created a poor image of our Parliament. I want to appeal to Opposition leaders and other MPs to take part and hold discussions in Parliament during the session. If the Opposition allows the Parliament to run, then discussions can happen easily, he added. The President will address both Houses of Parliament on January 31 at 11 am in the Lok Sabha Chamber in the Parliament House ahead of the Budget Session. According to the Parliamentary Bulletin, the Budget Session will be in two phases. The first part of the Budget session of the Parliament will begin on January 31, with the Union Budget on February 1, and conclude on February 13. Accordingly, the second part of the session will commence on March 10 and will conclude on April 4. Discussion on the Presidents Address- Three days, viz, Monday, the 3rd February; Tuesday, the 4th February; and Thursday, the 6th February 2025 (Reply on February 6, 2025) have been provisionally allotted for discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the Presidents Address to be moved by a Member and seconded by another Member, the bulletin read. The Congress on Tuesday questioned the steps announced by the Ministry of External Affairs like the agreement on the resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and direct flights with China, saying the Narendra Modi government has not yet satisfactorily explained to the country why this is the right time to normalize relations with Beijing. In a statement, Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh reiterated the questions that his party had asked the government earlier, saying they must be answered before normalization with China can be attempted. Advertisement Will Indian troops be able to patrol up to our claim line in Depsang to five patrolling points past the Bottleneck junction as they were able to earlier? Will our troops be able to reach the three patrolling points in Demchok that have remained out of bounds for more than four years? Will our soldiers continue to be restricted to Finger 3 in Pangong Tso when earlier they could go as far as Finger 8 ?, he questioned. Advertisement The Congress MP also asked whether our patrols permitted to access the three patrolling points in the Gogra-Hot Springs area that they could earlier go up to and will Indian graziers once again be given the right to access traditional grazing grounds in Helmet Top, Mukpa Re, Rezang La, Rinchen La, Table Top and Gurung Hill in Chushul. Are the buffer zones that our government ceded to the Chinese, which included the site of a memorial in Rezang La to war hero and posthumous Param Vir Chakra awardee Major Shaitan Singh, now a thing of the past?, Ramesh questioned. He stated that the Congress party notes the announcement by the Modi government of normalisation of ties with China at a time when there are still many unanswered questions about the disengagement agreement of 21st October 2024. New Delhi and Beijing have agreed to restore commercial and cultural ties including direct flights between the two capitals, resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, liberalised visa regime and other measures following the recent Beijing visit of the Foreign Secretary. The Modi government has not yet satisfactorily explained to the country why this is the right time to normalise relations with China, the Congress leader said. Ramesh asserted that ever since the Chinese occupied 2,000 sq km of territory in eastern Ladakh that had been accessed by Indian patrols until May 2020, the people and the Armed Forces of the country have held that the Government of India must insist on a restoration of the status quo ante as it stood prior to that. Instead of reducing our dependence on China, the Modi government has allowed Chinese exports to India to jump from $70 billion in 2018-19 to a record $102 billion in 2023-24, and are likely to go even higher in 2024-25, he alleged. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday said that the agreements signed at the World Economic Forum summit in Davos for investments worth Rs 1.80 lakh crore formed the biggest achievement of his 14-month-old government to date. The Chief Minister also alleged that some people were conspiring to destroy the state economically and took a dig at BRS leaders, saying they were suffering from attention-seeking disorder. Reddy said that his government aims to make Telangana a one trillion-dollar economy but rued that some people were conspiring to ruin the state financially. Despite the misinformation spread by some against the government, many people came forward to make huge investments while trusting the government and the state. International companies are making huge investments trusting this government, said the Chief Minister. He had been to Davos between 20-24 January to woo investors. This was his second consecutive visit to Davos. He claimed they succeeded at Davos only because they had a clear plan. We could attract around 1.80 lakh crore of investments to Telangana. After 14 months of forming the government, this was a key achievement for us, said Reddy. He took a dig at the BRS over the Formula E race, saying while the Congress brought investment to the state the earlier government had invested states funds in London. Advertisement Industry Minister D Sridhar Babu elaborated on the Chief Ministers words regarding the investment agreements signed by Telangana. Last year, agreements were signed for investments worth Rs 40,000 crore at the Davos summit. Investors believed this to be a stable and investor-friendly government. That is why four times more agreements were signed this time than during the 2024 visit to Davos. We have signed an agreement with the Singapore government for Skill University With the investment made in the Davos agreements 49,500 new jobs will be created, he said. Advertisement Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta Police arrested a former MP Transport Department Constable outside the Bhopal Court premises on Tuesday, minutes before he was to appear in the court to surrender. The cops took Saurabh Sharma to the Lokayukta office for interrogation. Advertisement Sharmas lawyer Rakesh Parashar said his client was going to appear before the court at 11AM on Tuesday, a day after he submitted a surrender application before the Lokayukta Special Judge R P Mishra. But the Lokayukta Police arrested him before he could surrender. Advertisement Facing allegations of amassing disproportionate assets, cash and valuables worth crores of rupees, Saurabh Sharma had filed a surrender application in the Special Lokayukta Court at Bhopal on Monday, after being untraceable for 41 days. Sharma had come to the court of Lokayukta Special Judge R P Mishra, and the judge asked Sharma to appear in the court at 11 AM on Tuesday. Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta Director General Jaideep Prasad said on Tuesday that Saurabh Sharma has been arrested and brought to the Lokayukta office for interrogation. After Lokayukta police raided addresses linked to Saurabh Sharma on December 18 and 19, 2024, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Income Tax Department too raided and lodged parallel investigations. Lokayukta teams were after him for a long time amid speculation that he had escaped to some foreign land. The Lokayukta police had claimed to have unearthed and seized disproportionate assets of Rs 7.98 crore, including Rs 2.87 crore in cash and 234 kilograms of silver, during raids at Sharmas places. Sharmas father RK Sharma was a government doctor and died in 2015. After that, Saurabh got appointed as a constable in the state transport department on compassionate grounds in 2015 and took voluntary retirement in 2023. Subsequently, he entered into the real estate business. In a separate action on December 19, 2024, the I-T department seized more than Rs 10 crore in cash and 52 kg of gold from a car on the outskirts of Bhopal. The car owner was Chetan Singh Gaud, a close associate of Saurabh Sharma. As a result it is being surmised that the gold and cash in the car could also be connected to Saurabh Sharma. However, that has not yet been proven. A digital exhibition showcasing the theme of Unity in Diversity through key initiatives by the Government of India is drawing significant attention at the Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. Set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the Triveni Marg, the exhibition is engaging visitors with its presentation of government programmes and their impact on national unity. The exhibition highlights initiatives like One Nation, One Tax, One Nation, One Power Grid, and One Nation, One Ration Card, which are bringing the concept of unity to life. A powerful message of national unity is also conveyed through a depiction of Sardar Patels statue, a symbol of the countrys collective strength. Visitors are learning about these groundbreaking initiatives that are creating a more unified and connected India. Advertisement A statement from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated that another key focus of the exhibition is the fulfilment of the One Nation, One Constitution vision following the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. Efforts toward One Nation, One Election and One Nation, One Civil Code are also being presented, signalling the governments strides toward a unified, developed nation. Advertisement The exhibition also emphasises public welfare programmes, policies, and the achievements of the Government of India. A special segment focuses on the promotion of entrepreneurship and self-employment through schemes like the MUDRA Scheme, PM Vishwakarma Yojana, PMEGP, and the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme, which are fostering economic growth across the country. Since its opening on January 13, the exhibition has attracted a large number of visitors, many of whom are drawn to the audio-visual displays and LED walls featuring documentaries on various government schemes. Visitors have also been engaging with the exhibition by taking selfies, further amplifying its popularity. Through this digital showcase, the Government of India is making its vision for a more unified, prosperous nation accessible to thousands of Mahakumbh attendees, the statement read. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Indonesia Coast Guard (Badan Keamanan Laut Republik Indonesia BAKAMLA) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Maritime Safety and Security Cooperation for an additional three years. The renewal was formalized during the 2nd High-Level Meeting (HLM) held at the Coast Guard Headquarters here. It was chaired by ICG Director General, General Paramesh Sivamani, and BAKAMLA Chief, Vice Admiral Irvansyah, who led an eight-member Indonesian delegation on an official visit to India recently. Advertisement The discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening operational collaboration in key areas such as Maritime Search and Rescue, Pollution Response, and Maritime Law Enforcement. Both nations emphasized the importance of sharing best practices, maintaining regular professional exchanges, and enhancing their collective ability to ensure the safety and security of the Indo-Pacific region. Advertisement In a demonstration of their growing cooperation, the ICG Ship Shaunak is currently deployed in Jakarta from January 27-30, 2025, as part of efforts to further solidify operational ties with BAKAMLA. The renewed MoU highlights the mutual commitment of the two countries to fostering a secure, resilient, and cooperative maritime environment, which is crucial for regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific. India, on Tuesday, lodged a strong protest with Sri Lanka over an incident of firing by the Sri Lankan Navy during the apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen in the proximity of Delft Island in the early hours of this morning. The Ministry of External Affairs said Sri Lankas acting High Commissioner was called in to the foreign office to lodge the protest. Our High Commission in Colombo has also raised the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sri Lankan government, the Ministry of External Affairs said. Advertisement In the incident, out of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. Three other fishermen received minor injuries and have been treated for the same. Indian Consulate Officials in Jaffna have visited the injured fishermen at the hospital to seek their welfare and are extending all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families. Advertisement The Government of India has always emphasised the need to treat issues pertaining to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner, keeping in mind livelihood concerns. The use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances whatsoever. Existing understandings between the two Governments in this regard must be strictly observed, the MEA said. US President Donald Trump Tuesday said that he discussed the issue of immigration with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their telephonic conversation, and added that India will do the right thing when it comes to taking back illegal immigrants. Discussed immigration with Modi. India will do what is right when it comes to taking back illegal immigrants, Reuters quoted Trump as saying. Advertisement According to a White House readout of the conversation between Trump and Modi that took place on Monday, the two leaders discussed expanding and deepening bilateral cooperation. Advertisement They also discussed a range of regional issues, including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe, it said. The US President also emphasised the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship. Trump also revealed that Modi is expected to visit America in February, although New Delhi is yet to confirm the dates. During their phone call, the leaders discussed plans for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House, underscoring the strength of the friendship and strategic ties between our nations, the readout said. It further added, Both leaders emphasised their commitment to advance the U.S.-India strategic partnership and the Indo-Pacific Quad partnership, with India hosting Quad Leaders for the first time later this year. The Jharkhand police has busted a racket involved in duping senior administrative and police officials by assuring them postings of their choice in exchange for hefty bribes. A complaint in this regard was registered at the Kotwali Police Station. Advertisement The opposition has long accused the Jharkhand government of running a transfer-posting industry, claiming that money determines key postings in the administrative and police setup, which directly impacts governance and law and order. The ruling party, however, has consistently dismissed these claims as political propaganda. Advertisement Acting on a tip-off, Ranchi Police uncovered a group allegedly involved in this racket. Two individuals, Sajjad alias Munna from Ali Residency and Captain Singh Saluja from Bansal Plaza, were detained for questioning. During interrogation, the names of three more individuals surfaced: Ayan Sarkar from Sonari in Jamshedpur, Chandan Lal from Haldipokhar, and Surya Prabhat from Kadru in Ranchi. Sources revealed that the group demanded up to 1.5 crore for transfers of senior officials, including IPS officers, DSPs, and sub-inspectors. They claimed to have connections that could secure favorable postings and manage high-value tenders. Police suspect that several senior officials were in contact with this racket, but no victim has officially come forward yet, possibly due to fear of exposure. The police seized the suspects mobile phones, which are being analyzed for evidence. Investigators are trying to identify the officials who were approached and determine the extent of the rackets influence. While the suspects have been released on personal recognizance bonds, the investigation continues. There are also indications that the CID may take over the case for a more detailed probe. The Chief Ministers Office is reportedly monitoring the situation closely, and major revelations are expected in the coming days. This incident raises serious concerns about corruption within Jharkhands administrative system, calling for greater transparency and accountability to restore trust in governance. The Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan on Tuesday said the fact that the accused, who was arrested in the case of murdering a housewife in Nenmara in Palakkad district, killed two people from the same family while out on bail is a clear indication of the states deteriorating police system. Speaking to media persons here, he said that the police, who did not take action despite a complaint filed against the accused , who had returned to the place in violation of bail conditions and threatened the family of the deceased, must answer for these murders. This accused has killed three people in a family at two occasions. With this, two girls in that family have become orphans, he said. The government should take care of these orphaned girls, Satheesan said. Advertisement Apart from the serious lapse on the part of the police, the killer has not yet been arrested.What we have seen in Nenmara is the tragic result of destroying the law and order in the state completely by politicizing and neutralizing the police force, he said. Advertisement In a horrifying act of murder, a man accused of killing a woman in 2019, hacked to death her husband and mother-in-law at Boyan Colony, Thiruthampadam, near Pothundi near Nenmara in Palakkad district on Monday. The accused, allegedly committed the crime while out on bail, having previously been arrested for killing a woman in 2019. The deceased are Lakshmi, 68, and Sudhakaran, 50. The accused, Chenthamara allegedly committed the crime while out on bail, having previously been arrested for killing Sudhakarans wife in 2019. The trial proceedings were about to begin for the same case when the accused was released on bail. At the time of the incident, Chenthamara was living in his own house, violating his bail conditions. According to the police, the incident happened around 10am. Chenthamara fatally attacked Sudhakaran during an argument. When Lakshmi tried to intervene, she too was attacked. She died en route to the Alathur government hospital. Both victims suffered multiple, deep wounds. Chenthamara fled the scene and remains at large. A special task force comprising seven officers has been formed to apprehend Chenthamara. Local residents said that Chenthamara had been creating unrest in the area after being released on bail two months ago. Sudhakarans family and other neighbours had lodged multiple complaints with the Nemmara police, alleging harassment and death threats from Chenthamara. Sudhakaran and his daughter Akhila personally sought police intervention, but their pleas went unheeded. Public outrage has erupted against the Kerala Police following the brutal murders of 54-year-old Sudhakaran and his 76-year-old mother, Lekshmi. Despite prior complaints about the suspects behaviour, police inaction is being blamed for the tragedy.The Youth Congress took out a march to Nenmara police station on Tuesday, leading to a scuffle with the police The victims daughters Akhila and Athulya, expressed their anguish, condemning the local police for ignoring their written complaints about the accused. TRIPOLI, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Libyan officials and political factions offered a measured welcome this week to the appointment of Ghanaian diplomat Hanna Serwaa Tetteh as the United Nations' new special envoy to the conflict-stricken nation, though analysts and lawmakers cautioned that her tenure may face familiar hurdles in steering the country toward elections and stability. Tetteh, who previously served as the UN secretary-general's envoy to the Horn of Africa, succeeds Abdoulaye Bathily of Senegal, who stepped down as head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) in May. Stephanie Koury, a senior UN official, had led the mission on an interim basis until Tetteh's selection. The appointment comes amid stalled international efforts to broker a path to elections in Libya, which is fractured into rival eastern and western governments. Mohamed Menfi, president of Libya's internationally recognized Presidency Council, called Tetteh's selection "critical," citing her "extensive diplomatic experience" in a social media post Sunday. He expressed hope she could help break the political impasse and advance long-delayed elections, which Libyans view as vital to ending a decade of chaos following the 2011 ouster of Muammar Gaddafi. Libya's eastern-based administration, aligned with military commander Khalifa Haftar, also pledged cooperation but stressed that solutions must emerge from "Libyan-Libyan dialogue." In a statement on Facebook, the eastern-based government urged Tetteh to ensure UNSMIL's role remains supportive rather than directive. Tetteh, a seasoned diplomat who previously led UN engagements with the African Union, assumes her role on Friday as Libya's political fissures deepen. The country has been deadlocked since the collapse of its 2020 ceasefire, with eastern forces refusing to recognize the Tripoli-based government and both sides accused of obstructing elections. Some analysts said that Tetteh's ability to bridge these gaps -- and unify international stakeholders -- will likely determine whether her tenure marks a turning point or another chapter in Libya's unresolved crisis. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday detained a 26-year-old man, working as an ambulance driver in the city, on the charge of radicalizing college students for recruitment to the extremist outfit ISIS. The youth, identified as Al Fazid, hailing from Mayiladuthurai district, was working as a driver at an ambulance service centre for over eight months in Purasaiwakkam locality of Chennai city. NIA officials from Kerala took him to the Chennai office of the central anti-terror agency for further questioning about his involvement with the Islamic State (IS), sources said. Advertisement His detention is in connection with the IS radicalisation case and the NIA carried out searches at 16 places across the state. During the raids, the NIA sleuths have seized pen drives, hard discs and other digital material. Advertisement It is suspected that he was in touch with ISIS handlers, particularly with one Sadiq wanted by the central agencies, and was engaged in radicalizing college going students on IS ideology through social media with the intention of recruiting them. According to the sources, Fazid was attracted to the IS ideology through Sadiq, who had been conducting self defence courses. NIA has been monitoring IS footprints in Tamil Nadu since the February 2019 Ramlingam murder case, pertaining to a quarrel over religious preaching, and the October 2022 sensational Coimbatore car bomb blast near a temple. In the former, in which Popular Front of India activists are suspected to be involved, the NIA had arrested two of the absconding accused on Saturday last. In the later, the agency had filed the chargesheet and additional chargesheets as well. A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to visit USA very soon to complete the formalities for the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, who is wanted in India for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, sources said. The move is learnt to be taken considering the US Supreme Courts recent decision rejecting a review petition filed by Rana challenging his extradition to India. The decision has cleared a significant legal hurdle, allowing Indian authorities to accelerate the process of bringing him to justice. Advertisement As per sources, a team of Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General rank officers are likely to visit the USA by the end of this month, the move regarding it has been shared with the Ministry of Home Affairs as well as the Ministry of External Affairs. Advertisement Rana, a former doctor and businessman, is a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin. He is accused of facilitating the reconnaissance activities of David Coleman Headley, the main planner of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He allowed Headley to use his immigration business as a front to travel to India and identify potential attack targets. Rana was arrested in 2009 in Chicago by the FBI for his role in a Pakistan-supported terror network. He was convicted in the US for supporting the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the terror group behind the attacks, but acquitted on charges directly related to the Mumbai attacks. India has been pursuing Ranas extradition to hold him accountable for his involvement in the attacks that left 166 people dead and hundreds injured. The NIA has stated that Ranas role in aiding and abetting Headley makes him a key figure in the conspiracy. Following the US Supreme Courts dismissal of Ranas review petition, the extradition process has gained momentum. The upcoming visit by the NIA team signifies Indias determination to ensure justice for the victims of one of its worst terror attacks. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday asserted that Parliament will take the final call on the contentious Uniform Civil Code. His remarks came as Uttarakhand became the first state to implement the contentious legislation with the ruling BJP fulfilling a major commitment made ahead of the 2022 assembly polls, while the Joint Parliamentary Committee scrutinizing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill adopted all amendments proposed by the NDA members and negated every change moved by opposition members. Advertisement Let them do what they want to do till a law is enacted for the country. Finally, it is Parliament which will decide on this and not the individual UTs or States, Abdullah told reporters here. Advertisement He emphasized that such matters will ultimately be decided at the national level in Parliament. On Uttarakhands move towards implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the National Conference (NC) said, Let them do it. They may do what they want. The final decision will be made in Parliament. Asked about the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, he clarified that no new legislation has been enacted yet. He noted that the bill is currently under review by a parliamentary committee, with discussions underway. Abdullah also highlighted that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have shared their views with the committee. Let the committee do its work, and after that, there will be a debate in Parliament, he stated. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal co-chaired the 11th session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with his Omanian counterpart, Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, during his visit to the Middle East from January 27-28. At the meet, productive discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, technology, food security, renewable energy and other key areas were done. Advertisement Minister Goyal held a productive bilateral meeting with Minister Qais during which he undertook a detailed review of the bilateral trade and economic relations between India and Oman and identified concrete steps to further strengthen the mutually beneficial business ties. Advertisement Significantly, both the ministers exchanged views on a bilateral India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). They also both ministers agreed to expedite the discussions for an early signing of the CEPA which will be a new milestone in bilateral trade relations and has the potential to significantly scale-up two-way trade and investments. During his visit, minister Goyal also held bilateral meetings with Sultan bin Salem Al Habsi, Minister of Finance, and Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), to deepen economic ties. He was also called-on Sayyid Asaad bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs and Special Representative of His Majesty. During his two-day visit, Minister Goyal participated in the India-Oman Joint Business Council (JBC) meeting hosted by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), with support and participation of a delegation from FICCI. Goyal met with a select group of CEOs and business leaders of Oman at a Business Roundtable which was hosted by the Ambassador of India at the Indian Embassy premises. He also addressed the Future Leaders Programme at the Royal Academy of Management, Oman, highlighting Indias growth story and sharing insights on leadership and its role in shaping a better world. Further on the sidelines of the visit, both sides signed the Protocol to amend the India-Oman Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), aligning it with international standards on cross-border taxation, simplifying tax procedures, and promoting greater cooperation in tax matters. On his first day in office, Donald Trump signed a slew of executive orders, 26 in total, covering a vast variety of subjects. The pace in issue of executive orders as also in sacking of previously appointed individuals reminiscent of his first term continues. He has stopped all aid, except to Israel and Turkey. He appears to have preconceived plans on what he intends to achieve. Trump is also sending a global message that much will change. His threat of fresh tariffs of up to 25 per cent on Canada and Mexico from 1 February ended Justin Trudeaus tenure as PM of Canada, an indicator of what others whom he dislikes will face. There was also a warning of 100 per cent tariffs on Brics nations in case they refuse to accept the US dollar as the global currency, which India has anyway rejected. While he spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping a few days before his swearing in and indicated his intent to visit China to also improve ties, his nominated team is profoundly antiChina. Trumps team believes that the Chinese threat is paramount and must be countered. Hence, the first meeting conducted by his administration was of the Quad foreign ministers. It was sending a message to China. The joint statement mentioned that the four nations support a 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. It added, We also strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion. The target is China. Advertisement Trump had invited Xi Jinping to his swearing in, but Beijing was represented by its Vice President Han Zheng. If despite this, Trump slams additional sanctions on China, it would be a setback. China got a facesaver with Tik Tok receiving an extension under conditions. Trumps threat of employing tariffs as a weapon and his intention of pushing his own agenda, ignoring his allies, could alter global dynamics. Withdrawing the US from the WHO as also the Paris accord for the second time sends a message that he will not accept what he believes is unfair to the US. Advertisement Simultaneously, these bodies become financially weak without US support. His intent to make the US the worlds largest producer of oil and also reduce oil prices signals a setback to electric cars and climate change actions. He assumes that if he fulfils his poll promises, he would gain popularity within the US, something which would give his ego a boost. Hence, amongst his first set of directives was strengthening borders and deporting illegal immigrants, a major poll promise. This has already begun. India has displayed its willingness to work with the US administration on this and accept those whom the US government identifies as illegal immigrants. As per US officials, there are approximately 18,000 identified Indian illegal immigrants. Trump has already changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America, solely for his domestic audience. Mexico would never accept the new term. It is the same as using the term Indo-Pacific for the Indian Ocean Region. While India, the US and its allies do so, China and Pakistan continue terming it as the Asia-Pacific. He also reinstated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, reversing a recent Biden decision. Whether he would fulfil his promise to annex the Panama Canal or move towards purchasing Greenland is to be seen. An acrimonious conversation on Greenland has already taken place between Trump and the PM of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen. Employing military power in either case would be globally questioned. There is even disquiet within the US on Trumps actions. Democratic party-led states as also human rights groups have joined hands to file lawsuits challenging Trumps executive order which rolls back birthright citizenship in the US. They believe it goes against the 14th amendment which mentions that people born in the US and subject to its jurisdiction are citizens. Trump has already conveyed his intent to work towards terminating the Ukraine-Russia conflict. He is willing to exploit his favourite card, sanctions. Trump is a known fan of Putin and would meet him at the first opportunity. The resolution of Ukraine would never be on Zelenskkys terms but largely on Moscows. This may imply going against the views of the European Union and Nato. Ukraine will not be offered Nato membership during Trumps tenure. US aid to Ukraine has already been stalled. Nato may hereafter witness lesser US involvement, unless its members enhance defence spending. Simultaneously, Trump has no intention of engaging militarily with China. He believes it can be contained by negotiation and tariffs. Trumps major policy makers, Marc Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, would prefer US ending conflicts in Europe and concentrating on challenging China in Asia. Hence the emphasis will remain on the Quad. In 2017, Trump was not prepared. He took time to make his appointments and also made multiple errors in selecting the right staff, changing them as days went by. In his first 24 months as President, he had a record three White House chiefs of staff. This time, he appears clear and focused on his intent. His major advisors have been nominated and his plan on what is to be done made clear. His inaugural speech indicated that he is a President in a hurry to push through a pre-decided agenda. Trump is a natural when it comes to having people guessing on what he would do next. Allies and foes remain confused about his intent. Netanyahu was compelled by Trumps Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, to accept the ceasefire. While the US would arm Israel, whether it would permit it to re-commence operations is to be seen. This is Trumps final tenure. He will work towards leaving a legacy which few future presidents can hope to match. His target would also be global recognition. His showmanship and intent to resolve global issues as also compel others to share the burden of global security will cause discontent amongst his allies. Trump has displayed from the start that he does not regard allies and challengers as different and would treat them as one. The world will have to deal with an unpredictable Trump. (The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army.) By the river Icchamati, where history divides and unites, the remnants of the Taki Zamindari House stand as a testament to a bygone era. Once home to the illustrious Roy Chowdhurys, descendants of Maharaja Pratapaditya Roy Chowdhury, one of Bengals famed 12 Bhuiyas, its grandeur has faded but not its legacy. Born in 1934, Debabrata Roy Chowdhury grew up amidst this heritage. At 92, he reflects on a life intertwined with privilege, loss, and resilience, offering us a rare glimpse into a transformative chapter of history. Q. Tell us how life was during your growing-up years Advertisement I was born in central Calcutta. My father was a lawyer, and my mother was a homemaker, as was common for women then. North Calcutta was a place for the aristocrats, with old houses like the Boses of Bagbazar, the Mitras of Shyampukur, the Tagore of Jorasanko. These wealthy aristocratic families used to walk around like babus and travelled in Fitton Gari. South Calcutta, we thought, was for the upstarts. Advertisement In my family, everyone was an independent professionaluncles were doctors, lawyers, judges, and so on. During my time, the professionals came from the aristocratic part of society, while the middle class engaged in service. We attended a good school, St Xaviers. We were among the few houses to do so. My father was determined that all of us siblings were properly educated. My sister was sent to Loreto School to complete her schooling. Even my mother herself was educated, having graduated from Victoria College, which was a rarity during that time. People used to come to her for consultations. Q. How did your family react when you first heard the news? Did you fully understand what it meant at that time? My father was distraught. Being young, we couldnt comprehend the gravity of the partition. I understood there was a debacle and something grave was going on. Father was particularly distressed because Khulna district went to East Pakistan. Khulna and Murshidabad posed a problem to the Britishers when bifurcating Bengal. So, they gave the Muslim-majority district, Murshidabad, to India and the Hindu-dominated district, Khulna, to Pakistan. Baba never expected Khulna to go to Pakistan and that loss deeply affected him. It might have contributed to his death. Q. That time must have been so upsetting. How did your family cope with all that? We were severely affected economically. Not so much politically, as our house was in West Bengal, but our landed property in Khulna was lost. Our affluence was largely gone. Between 1950-54, we went through a difficult time. When my father passed away, my eldest brother was 18, I was 16, my sister was 14 and the younger ones were 8-10. My father was a successful lawyer, and we enjoyed the quiet comforts. It was difficult for my mother to rear the children singlehandedly. We passed through that period, completing our education driven by sheer will. The youngest became a celebrated sitar player and a professor of economics. My next brother was a physics professor and Nuffield Scholar in England. My sister and my eldest brother also became professors, and I joined a bank. Q. How was Calcutta during the imperial rule? How did these events shape the city and its people? I think it was better compared to our present. The British imposed their dominance, yet the Anglo-Indian community thrived, with many women working. The partition was a tremendous blow to the country. Bengal and Punjab were divided according to population and religious dominance, triggering communal violence and mass displacement. Many refugees migrated from eastern Pakistan to Calcutta leaving the city overwhelmed. Many people died owing to starvation, lack of shelter and unhygienic living conditions. The economy was in shambles. Nevertheless, Dr BC Roy, the then chief minister of Bengal, handled the situation very tactfully by relocating refugees to places like the Andamans and Dandakaranya. In Calcutta, initiatives like introducing yellow taxis gave people a way to earn a living, while others started small businesses. The riots in Punjab and Bengal were ghastly. On 16, 17 and 18 August, 1946, Calcutta saw horrific violence, leaving hundreds dead. In one incident, my uncle who resided in Kalyani was away at work when riots broke out suddenly. His family was at home alone. Their Muslim neighbour who lived right beside them offered them to hide in their house. Then, an Anglo-Indian friend, Mrs Muriel helped the family along with many other Hindu women, arranging for safe passage. Before the partition, in the struggles for the independence of the countrymany people died, and others were put to the gallows. The then Prime Minister Clement Atlee admitted that it was the work of Bose and his INA that hastened Indias freedom. There was this aftereffect of INA, with a naval mutiny in Bombay, and another in the Army shook British confidence in their control over India.After independence, while challenges persisted, Jawaharlal Nehrus government focused on modernisation. Industries grew, dams were built, and new jobs were created. We also witnessed the horrible famine in Bengal in 1943. It was a very difficult time, with beggars everywhere, crying for food. Back then, people were very poor, the majority of the people died of hunger! Life for the common folk was hard. Q. Can you tell us how things shifted after the country gained freedom? The most tangible change which happened was the emancipation of women. In those days, most women were housewives and very few women were educated. Womens education was more prevalent among the Brahmo Samaj, the followers of Raja Ram Mohan Roy. The Hindus were mainly conservative, and the women typically managed the house and childcare, a system which existed among the rich and the poor alike. It was not customary to work anywhere for a girl in those days, and only a select few pursued careers. The males maintained the house, the income would be theirs. This idea changed due to the economic conditions after the partition. Prices soared and the market was very dear. It was not feasible for a man alone to provide for his family. Naturally, women had to work, because if they didnt, the houses would have stopped functioning. People were not earning so much unlike today, and someone earning 500 rupees back then was considered to have a very respectable job. Among the Bengalis, there was an aversion towards manual labour. All the taxi drivers, thela-wallahs, rickshaw-wallahs, coolies came from outside. The transport business was majorly in the hands of the Punjabis. Bengalis were more interested in higher studies, becoming professors, doctors or office clerks. This changed after partition, Bengalis had no choice but to turn to businesses. They opened shops, worked in ball-bearing factories, became contractors, and so on. There was a rise in the demand for luxury goods. We were accustomed to minimal clothing and food. Owning a car was rare, and children usually walked to school or took public transport. The value system was different, and the standard of living was much simpler compared to todays world. Q. So, how was the education system back then? The education system was considerably better. From 1960, I noticed the quality of education deteriorating. Though technical education improved, general education went into a slump. The standard of English has declined. College students back then knew a lot outside their curriculumthey read a lot of books, where real education lies. Education was accessible to all, though not everyone had the means to afford it. Even in vernacular schools, English was taught at a decent standard. Interestingly, the Bible was offered as an optional subject and we had to even sit for exams on it. We also had Sanskrit, Latin or Pali in matriculation as a compulsory classical language. For boys, mathematics arithmetic, geometry and algebrawas mandatory, while girls could take arithmetic and home science. Q. Did you ever face any discrimination? Discrimination was present, but it wasnt overtly prominent. For instance, Indians werent allowed in certain clubs like the Calcutta Club. But as it was their colony, they had to employ Indians to run the country. The army, the navy and airforce were full of Indians, only the head positions were occupied by the English. Q. Do you remember the first Republic Day? How was it? 26 January, I remember, was celebrated very prominently in Delhi. The whole event was aired on radio, broadcast live. But in Calcutta, the celebration was simpler, the parade held in Fort William wasnt as pompous or beautiful as in Delhi. As far as my memory goes, I personally never experienced that colour here in Calcutta. We remember Republic Day more as a holiday. I was young during that time, so the main change I felt was the British were gone, and there was no longer discrimination between the whites and the browns. There was a sense of unity and despite everything, we had gained our freedom, and now we had our own Constitution. Israeli flights scheduled to land at Paphos airport in western Cyprus have been redirected to Larnaca airport on the islands southern coast, following a directive from Israeli authorities, according to a Cypriot official on Monday. The change in destination, which will last several days, comes after the Israeli government cited various security reasons for the decision. Advertisement Victor Papadopoulos, Director of the Cyprus Presidents press office, confirmed the alteration in flight routes, stating, We were informed that the Israelis decided to operate their flights to and from Larnaca airport instead of Paphos. However, Papadopoulos refrained from providing further details on the reasons behind the move. Advertisement Israeli media first reported the change late on Sunday night, mentioning security concerns as the primary factor. According to Cyprus state-run Cyprus News Agency, the decision was made by Israels Shin Bet domestic security agency. The directive is expected to remain in place until further notice. There are about 17 flights per week from Tel Aviv and Haifa to Paphos, while approximately 60 flights operate weekly between Israel and Larnaca, according to the winter flight schedules, Xinhua news agency reported. The Israeli embassy in Nicosia also confirmed the diversion, explaining that flights operated by Israeli carriers, including EL AL and Arkia, would temporarily land at Larnaca due to various security issues. The embassy assured that the situation would be closely monitored and evaluated in full cooperation with Cypriot authorities. Cypriot authorities have tightened security measures at the Israeli embassy in Nicosia and other possible Israeli targets around the island since the start of the conflict in Gaza last year. Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita held a meeting with the Ambassador of Chile, Juan Angulo and He also held a meeting with the Ambassador of Myanmar to India, Zaw Oo. He noted that the discussions were held on the matters of mutual interest and to strengthen partnerships. The details of the meeting were shared in a post on X. The MoS said, Glad to meet H.E. Mr. Juan Angulo, Ambassador of Chile, @EmbaChileIndia. We had a productive exchange on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new avenues of cooperation for increasing trade & economic relations @MEAIndia As per the Ministry of External Affairs, India-Chile relations are characterized by warmth, friendship and a commonality of views on a wide range of issues. Chile shares Indias concerns over the threat of international terrorism and has regularly condemned the acts of cross-border terrorism that India has suffered. Both countries cooperate extensively in multilateral fora and share similar views on climate change/renewable energy issues and on expansion and reforms of the UNSC. The MoS also held a meeting with the Ambassador of Myanmar to India, Zaw Oo. He noted that the two discussed matters of mutual interest and the ongoing developmental cooperation between the two countries. Met H.E. Mr. Zaw Oo, Ambassador of Myanmar to India. We discussed matters of mutual interest, including ongoing development cooperation. Advertisement India-Myanmar relations are rooted in shared historical, ethnic, cultural and religious ties. The two countries have cooperation across several fronts. As per the MEA, the Government of India is actively involved in over a dozen projects in Myanmar, both in infrastructural and non-infrastructural areas. These include upgradation and resurfacing of the 160 km long Tamu-Kalewa-Kalemyo road; construction and upgradation of the Rhi-Tiddim Road in Myanmar; the Kaladan Multimodal Transport Project; etc. An ADSL project for high speed data link in 32 Myanmar cities has been completed by TCIL. ONGC Videsh Ltd. (OVL), GAIL and ESSAR are participants in the energy sector in Myanmar. Advertisement LUSAKA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday launched a solar photovoltaic project to increase access to electricity in refugee settlements in Zambia, improving the livelihoods of refugees and surrounding communities. The solarization project is expected to benefit refugee settlements in Lusaka, the country's capital, Mantapala Refugee Settlement in the northern part of the country, and Meheba Refugee Settlement in the western part of the country. The initiative is a cooperation between the UNHCR and Zambia's Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security. The project will provide a steady power supply to the refugee settlements and alleviate the challenges posed by frequent power outages Zambia is facing due to an electricity deficit. "As we all know, access to reliable energy is vital to enable the delivery of essential services and protection to displaced persons. The challenges posed by frequent power outages have made it clear that we must seek innovative solutions that address immediate needs and pave the way for a more sustainable future," Preeta Law, UNHCR representative in Zambia, said during the launch of the project at the Makeni Refugee Transit Center in Lusaka. She said the project is not just an investment in renewable energy, but an investment in human dignity and resilience, adding that it will give refugees and asylum seekers access to critical services such as health care, protection, and registration. According to her, the solarization project also provides a reliable and cost-effective solution and minimizes the reliance on diesel generators, thereby reducing the carbon footprint. Dickson Matembo, permanent secretary in Zambia's Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, commended the UNHCR for its continued support to Zambia's efforts to empower refugees and host communities. He said the project is in line with Zambia's commitments under the Global Compact on Refugees adopted by the United Nations in 2018, which emphasizes support for refugees and host communities. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Affordable housing was once the big driver of India's housing market. As more and more people migrated to the cities to work, demand for affordable homes from the middle and lower income households boomed. Government's push with programmes like 'Housing For All' offering incentives for buyers as well as developers gave the sector a further boost. In recent times though, affordable housing market has taken a huge hit even as premium and luxury homes saw strong traction. Affordable homes made up almost 40 per cent of the total supply in 2018 and 2019. The share has rapidly declined post pandemic and in 2024, it accounted for just 16 per cent according to Anarock Property Consultants. It considers affordable housing as units priced under Rs 40 lakh. Notably, in Bengaluru, throughout 2024, there was no new supply in the affordable housing space, Anarock's research showed. In Hyderabad and Chennai, affordable homes made up for just 2 per cent of the supply share. The supply of affordable homes has also seen a sharp decline in the National Capital Region from 62 per cent in 2020 to just 11 per cent in 2024. Mumbai and Kolkata are perhaps the only two major cities still seeing some activity in this space, although, even there the supply share has declined. In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, for instance, affordable housing made up for 31 per cent of the total supply in 2024, compared with 43 per cent in 2019. Similarly, in Kolkata too, affordable homes still contributed to a sizeable 31 per cent of the supply, but still much lower than 73 per cent in 2018. According to a separate report by PropEquity, supply of homes priced Rs 1 crore and below has declined 36 per cent in the top nine cities in India in the past two years. What is driving this slump? The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly changed the market dynamics, said Anuj Puri, chairman of Anarock. "The target clientele, consisting of blue-collar workers, lower-paid workforces and those just starting out in their careers, were severely cash-strapped and obviously, buying homes did not feature among their immediate priorities," he pointed out. Instead, the rental market picked up after the pandemic abated and businesses sent out their 'return to office' call, he added. On the other hand, middle class and affluent families locked down in the pandemic also wanted larger homes with with more lifestyle amenities, he noted. Work from home also necessitated the need for such homes that could serve as both homes and offices, driving up supply of premium homes. "The previously popular model of modest beginnings with smaller 'starter' homes and leveraging capital appreciation and career growth to eventually upgrade to bigger ones lost its appeal. Indians who were considering home ownership at all had their eyes on the biggest units they could afford. This trend continues even today, and essentially small-sized affordable housing plays no role in it," explained Puri. Separately, as costs of land, labour and construction material saw a continued rise, at a time profit margins for affordable homes were low, developer enthusiasm for such homes also dwindled and in turn started focusing on more larger and lifestyle oriented projects. In this backdrop, all eyes will be on the Union Budget on February 1, where the hope is that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will announce measures to boost consumption demand among the country's vast middle class. Puri notes that the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana - PMAY (Urban) - has made steady progress since it was announced in mid-2015. Data by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs indicates 118.64 lakh homes have been sanctioned as of January 20, 2025 and nearly 90.22 lakh units have been completed. Nearly Rs 2 lakh crore worth central assistance has already been committed. Sitharaman may look to give further impetus to this programme in the Budget to lift the affordable housing segment. Over the last couple of years, house prices have also continued to rise, in turn tapering housing demand in the high-end to an extent. Puri believes there could come an inflection point where the cycle can once again turn positive for the affordable segment. As people continue to migrate to big cities and number of nuclear families grow, it is estimated that 1.5 crore homes would be required in these cities in the next five years, according to Samir Jasuja, founder and CEO of PropEquity. To address this problem, the Government must not just incentivise developers through tax cuts and subsidies in order to make affordable and mid-income housing a viable option but also provide benefits to homebuyers in the form of home loan rebates, stamp duty cuts etc, he said. The government of Karnataka plans to unveil a new industrial policy at the Global Investors Meet to be held in Bengaluru as a part of its plan to attract more local and global businesses to the state, aiming to be a $1 trillion economy by 2032. Karnataka is already among the top states in the country, in terms of GDP growth and per capita income. Home to some of the largest information technology companies in the world, Karnataka has also emerged as India's startup capital and a major aerospace and defence hub. In recent years close to 400 Global Capability Centres too have set up shop here, taking advantage of the large talent pool that South India offers. "Our state is constantly being guided by policies that foster a nurturing environment for industry to flourish. The continuity of these policies across different administrations has bolstered industry confidence and encouraged sustainable growth," said M.B. Patil, Karnataka's Minister for Large and Medium Industries. As a part of its plan to boost the industrial ecosystem in the state, it will hold the Invest Karnataka Global Investors Meet in Bengaluru between February 11-14. Over 5,000 delegates and 100-odd speakers are expected at the event this year. Key state officials including Patil held a road show in Mumbai on Tuesday, interacting with businessmen from Maharashtra and promoting Karnataka as a major investment destination. By creating a platform that connects established enterprises with emerging businesses, they are paving the way for a more inclusive economic landscape, said Patil. "The Global Investors Meet 2025 will introduce the inaugural Future of Innovation Expo, which will act as a platform for displaying groundbreaking advancement across various sectors, such as electronics, healthcare, space technology, advanced manufacturing and much more," he noted. There will also be focused events for startups and small and medium enterprises. Karnataka aims to become a $1 trillion economy by 2032. The government will unveil its new industrial policy at the event, which among other things will offer incentives for companies adopting green manufacturing processes. The government is also promoting the participation of women in the workforce in a big way. A new generative AI-powered single window system to enhance ease of doing business is also set to be introduced. Officials also highlighted various policies in place to make it easier for companies to do business in the state. For instance, the state offers fixed-term employment, whereby labour capacity can be scaled up to meet seasonal demand. KINSHASA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tensions are running high in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as fighting between the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group and the DRC army continues in the eastern city of Goma, while civilian protests intensify in the capital, Kinshasa. Hostilities resumed on Tuesday morning in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province and a regional hub, after a relatively calm night. Mediation efforts to restore peace remain pending on various regional and international platforms. Local sources told Xinhua that intense fighting has been ongoing since early Tuesday near the airport, a strategic location that previously fell into the hands of the rebels. In Kinshasa, the city woke up in turmoil as civil society groups mobilized the local population to protest against the violence in Goma and the inaction of the international community. Protesters flooded the city's major arteries, slowing traffic, blocking commercial activities, burning tires and chanting in front of the foreign embassies and the headquarters of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission. Since late Sunday, violent hostilities have been reported throughout Goma, home to about one million residents, with over 700,000 internally displaced people already living on the outskirts in dire conditions. Vital Kamerhe, president of the National Assembly, the country's lower house of parliament, announced late Monday that President Felix Tshisekedi would address the nation in light of the humanitarian crisis and M23's advances. However, he did not specify the exact timing of the president's address. NO CEASEFIRE STATEMENT ISSUED The Uruguayan army, which contributes to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), said early Tuesday that the warring factions had reached a ceasefire agreement facilitated by the UN peacekeeping mission. However, neither the DRC government nor MONUSCO has issued an official statement regarding the ceasefire. Local sources reported that fighting intensified in several neighborhoods of Goma on Monday morning, including areas near the Rwandan border. "Active combat zones have spread to all neighborhoods of the city," said Bruno Lemarquis, deputy UN envoy and chief humanitarian officer in the DRC, during a press conference on Monday. In its latest statement issued early Monday, M23 announced that "the liberation of the city is complete" and that "the situation is under control." According to sources from the UN peacekeeping mission, the rebel group gained control of several key installations on Monday, including the airport, the port, and a local DRC army base. MEDIATION PENDING An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council is expected to be held on Tuesday to address the security situation in the eastern DRC. On Sunday, UN Security Council members strongly condemned M23's ongoing advances, calling on the rebel group to immediately reverse its territorial expansion. On Monday, Kenyan President William Ruto announced that, amid the tense situation in the eastern DRC, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Tshisekedi had agreed to participate in an extraordinary East African Community (EAC) summit on Wednesday. However, Tina Salama, spokesperson for the DRC president, said that participation in the extraordinary EAC summit "is not yet confirmed." The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, while Rwanda, denying these allegations, accuses the Congolese army of supporting and collaborating with remnants of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, a group allegedly responsible for the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The international community has advocated for a political solution through the Luanda Process and the Nairobi Process, a parallel peace mechanism led by the EAC. HUMANITARIAN NIGHTMARE After decades of violence and conflict, the eastern DRC faces one of the world's most severe, complex and neglected humanitarian crises, according to the UN. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over M23's renewed hostilities. In a statement issued Thursday by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, Guterres condemned the rebel group's new offensive since the start of the year and its expansion in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. While the offensive has caused devastating civilian losses and increased the risk of a broader regional conflict, Guterres called on M23 to immediately cease its attacks, withdraw from all occupied areas and respect the ceasefire agreement established last August. Addressing the Security Council on Saturday, Joyce Msuya, UN deputy secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, noted that more than 21 million people in the DRC require assistance, one of the highest numbers globally, while around one million have already sought refuge in neighboring countries. She warned that the escalation in the eastern DRC threatens to worsen an already critical humanitarian situation. According to the UN, more than 400,000 people have been displaced in the eastern DRC since the beginning of 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, inaugurated the 'Utkarsh Odisha Make in Odisha Conclave 2025' in Bhubaneswars Janatq Maidan. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Ashwini Vaishnaw were also present at the opening of the two-day business summit. This years conclave, the largest business event in Odishas history, will host industry leaders from across India, along with business delegates and envoys from 16 countries. The agenda includes plenary sessions, sector-specific discussions, and thought leadership exchanges. Organised by the Odisha government, the conclave, designed to facilitate valuable networking opportunities, and promote collaboration among global industry leaders, policymakers, and investors, aims to attract both domestic and international investments, showcasing Odisha as a key industrial hub in Eastern India. During his inaugural address, PM Modi highlighted Odishas potential to become a driving force in Indias economic growth. History is witness that when India had a big part in global growth, eastern India had a massive contribution towards it. The PM emphasised Odishas historical importance as a trade centre in Southeast Asia, with its ports serving as gateways to India. He expressed optimism about the state regaining its former economic prominence. Modi also urged industry leaders to help India achieve self-reliance and resilience against global economic disruptions. Our raw materials are exported and then get processed somewhere adding value there. A new product is made there and returns to our country. I cant accept it, he said. He asserted that new ecosystems are coming up where all industries related to the processing of raw materials and manufacturing of products are being set up in India. The government alone cannot do it. Industry leaders must come forward and support MSMEs and start-ups in their sectors. Prominent business leaders, including Anil Agarwal, Naveen Jindal, Om Mangalam Birla, and Karan Adani, were in attendance at the opening ceremony. Indias untapped potential, combined with its demographic advantage, makes it an investment destination for the 21st century, said the US Global Business Forum chairman Kevin Kaul at the launch of a $1 trillion roadmap for foreign investment in India. The project, launched in collaboration with the non-profit Shreedayini Foundation and the US Asia Global Business Forum, aims to offer investment funds to individuals and organisations to help kick off their entrepreneurial journey. The initiative is a part of the foundations Samridhh Bharat, Samridhh Vishwa (Prosperous India, Prosperous World) program which focuses on boosting the countrys GDP and levelling up its positioning in global markets. The participants including ambassadors and investors from countries like Switzerland, USA, Israel, Singapore and the UAE attended the event on Tuesday. The finalisation of a structured process to achieve the $1 trillion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) goal was one of the major highlights of the conference. The plan includes steps such as registering projects, securing funding, investor confirmation, due diligence, and signing investment agreements. Speaking at the event, Shreedayini chairman Hariom Agnihotri highlighted the challenges for Indian investors.Lack of sufficient and proper funds is the major issue most Indian investors face. According to Agnihotri, the organisation can offer investment funds for a period of 5 to 20 years, depending on the specific requirements of each project. The foundation said funds are expected to flow into 23 sectors including infrastructure, information technology (IT), healthcare, and agriculturewhich aligns with the governments vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. This newly launched programme also promises to focus on renewable energy and sustainability. Stressing upon the Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Kaul mentioned the necessity for Indian public services to collaborate with private and foreign investors, to ensure resources are efficiently utilised. Zerodha CEO and co-founder Nithin Kamath took to social media to point our how the offices of the online broking platform saved on water bills by using a product rejected by Shark Tank India. Kamath said Zerodha offices have been using the product Zerodor for men's urinals for around half a year during which the water bill were brought down by 50 per cent. We have been using Zerodor (@EkamEco) for the mens urinals at our offices for the last six months or so. Our water bills are down 50%we did not expect it to be this much. It seems like a no-brainer for offices, restaurants, etc., where we have managed washrooms. They were pic.twitter.com/51axDRSinq Nithin Kamath (@Nithin0dha) January 25, 2025 "It seems like a no-brainer for offices, restaurants, etc., where we have managed washrooms," said the Zerodha co-founder. What is Zerodor? Zerodor is owned by Uttam Banerjee's Ekam Eco Solutions, which claims that these waterless urinals are cost-efficient, controls odour and reduces wastage of water. The plumbing kit can be retrofitted to any regular urinal pan. Kamath said the company was impressed by the product as it does whatever necessary to save water. Through its Rainmatter Capital initiative, Zerodha is funding Zerodor, he added. Zerodor also has another product for women that can control odour. Kamath shared a video of Banerjee pitching his company on Shark Tank India. The only offer Zerodor got was from Peyush Bansal who said he would invest Rs 1 crore for 10 per cent equity, if Banerjee folds up his other businesses. Ahead of the Spring Festival, China's most important holiday which marks the beginning of the new year, Chinese military leadership called for increased military readiness and highlighted the importance of ridding the defence establishment of corruption, which appears to have hampered the modernisation efforts of the forces. Zhang Youxia, first-ranked vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, and second-ranked vice-chairman of Central Military Commission General He Weidong, who visited various troops of the Peoples Liberation Army and interacted with them ahead of the holiday, stressed the importance of strengthening the discipline of the armed forces. ALSO READ: Dreaming big: China's J-15 fighter maker wants to develop warplanes as fast as smartphones (We should) severely investigate and deal with corruption issues surrounding officers and soldiers, Zhang reportedly said even as he stressed the importance of stronger training and combat preparation amid the various tensions and challenges faced by China on different fronts, including the border with India. General He said the focus should be on training and preparation for combat, maintaining a constant state of readiness and intensifying real military training, "fostering a fighting spirit of daring to do battle and ensuring victory and building reliable, ready-to-deploy combat capabilities." General Zhang asked the troops to enhance their capabilities for supporting and preparing for combat and boosting "new-domain forces with new combat capabilities," according to a report by South China Morning Post. Much to the chagrin of China, the US had, in April, deployed its Typhon midrange missile system in the northern Philippines. Now, reports reveal that Philippine soldiers will train on the missile system during unilateral army drills planned in February as part of the preparations for a bigger exercise with the US military. China, which opposes US military assistance to the Philippines, had warned that the deployment of a midrange missile by the Philippines would intensify geopolitical confrontation and an arms race. A few days ago, the US military moved the Typhon launchers from Laoag airfield in the Philippines to another location on the island of Luzon. Philippine Army spokesperson Louie Dema-ala said a platoon of nearly 20 soldiers from the army artillery regiment will train with the US Army Pacific's First Multi-Domain Task Force in February. ALSO READ: China's military leadership asks troops to be ready for combat, tackle corruption in ranks The exercise will focus on the "payload delivery system" and will highlight the system's capabilities. "As long as the MRC (mid-range capability) is here, we maximise its utilisation to train our personnel with these new technologies," he said, reported Reuters. The Philippines and the US have been intensifying military cooperation in a bid to counter an increasingly assertive China. The Philippines has already evinced interest in procuring the launchers as part of the plan to modernise its defence forces. In December, a Philippines top army official told reporters that the military plans to acquire a midrange system to defend the country's territory amid tensions with China in the South China Sea. The defence plan includes protecting its exclusive economic zone, which reaches 200 nautical miles. A few days after Russia and Iran agreed to increase military cooperation during a visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Russia, and amid the concerns of the West over the growing defence ties between the two countries, Tehran confirmed the purchase of Su-35 fighter jets from Russia. General Ali Shadmani, Deputy Chief of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said without specifying the number of the Russian fighter jets added to the fleet, "The Su-35 fighters have been purchasedAny time that we have the need, we will purchase military equipment for strengthening our Air Force, Army and Navy." It is not yet clear if the highly advanced air superiority fighter, developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau, has already been delivered by Russia. ALSO READ: Understanding US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's vision for US armed forces In what appears to be a warning to Israel, he said, "If the enemy acts foolishly, it will taste the bitter taste of being hit by our missiles, and none of its interests in the occupied territories will remain safe." Media reports had earlier said that in November, the Iranian Air Force received the first two Su-35SE fighter jets under the programme of replacing the fleet of US-made F-14 Tomcat jets. On January 17, Iran and Russia signed a 20-year "strategic partnership" treaty that covers a wide range of sectors, including trade and defence. Under the treaty, both countries have agreed to consult and cooperate to deal with military and security threats apart from taking part in joint military drills. US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin planning to have an air defence system like Israel's Iron Dome to guard against ballistic, hypersonic and advanced cruise missiles, fulfilling a campaign promise that he had made. In his order called an 'Iron Dome for America', Trump called for a multilayer missile defence system capable of countering an array of threats to the US. Citing the development of missile launch capabilities of adversaries who were not named, the executive order read, "Over the past 40 years, rather than lessening, the threat from next-generation strategic weapons has become more intense and complex." The executive order directs implementation of a next-generation missile defence shield for the United States against ballistic, hypersonic, advanced cruise missiles, and other next-generation aerial attacks, CNN reported. The order comes even as the arms race between the US and China has intensified significantly in recent years, driven by Beijing's rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal. ALSO READ: Philippine soldiers to master US Typhon missile system as China keeps a close watch It is to be noted that the US has the ability to deploy a layered air defense system, from long-range Patriot missiles to shorter-range systems like shoulder-launched Stinger missiles. During his first term in office Trump established US Space Command and the US Space Force. For years the US has cautioned that China, Russia and others were weaponizing space. It has at times declassified information about both countries' efforts to create offensive weapons to disable critical US satellites, including the capability to move satellites from orbit, temporarily blind them or potentially even destroy them. The Space Force is in the process of building a low-orbit ring of redundant satellites that can more quickly track and detect potential missile launches. On December 20, Hollywood actress Blake Lively filed a complaint against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni alleging sexual harassment. The case gained more publicity when The New York Times wrote a bombshell article titled We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Campaign, alleging that Baldoni had used his PR army to bad mouth Lively during the films promotion in August 2024, which successfully made her a victim of cancel culture. ALSO READ | Blake Lively files sexual harassment lawsuit against Justin Baldoni; alleges smear campaign and hostile work environment Baldoni retaliated On December 22, Hollywood actress Blake Lively filed a complaint against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni alleging sexual harassment. The case gained more publicity when The New York Times wrote a bombshell article titled We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Campaign, alleging that Baldoni had used his PR army to bad mouth Lively during the films promotion in August 2024, which successfully made her a victim of cancel culture. Baldoni retaliated by filing a USD 250 million lawsuit against the publication for libel and false light invasion of privacy, and also claimed that the text messages exposed in the Times investigative piece lacked proper context and were cherry-picked to suit Livelys narrative. The actor also sued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, earlier this month for USD 400 million citing defamation and extortion. Now, in a recent development, a court date has been set for the high-profile case that social media has deemed as Johnny Depp and Amber Heard 2.0. On March 9, 2026, a little over a year from now, Lively and Baldoni will settle their dispute in court, with pre-trails underway this year, the first of many scheduled for February 3. Evidence piles up against Lively Since the Lively-Baldoni rift, leaked text and voice messages, and behind-the-scenes clips have made way for internet sleuths to make judgements. In a behind-the-scenes footage where Baldoni and Livelys characters Ryle and Lily are seen slow dancing, Baldoni can be seen on camera directing the dance. The video was released by Baldonis lawyer to refute Livelys claim that Baldoni was behaving inappropriately. ALSO READ | Blake Lively reacts to Justin Baldoni's leaked video from 'It Ends With Us' set Two weeks ago, a voice memo of Baldoni talking about how Lively shunned him from the cast of his film leaked, claiming that he was in a basement with his family and friends because she did not want him near her. On Monday, January 27, it was followed with another leaked voice message of Baldoni apologising to Lively for not inputting her ideas in the script. The unexpectedly powerful Chinese AI model DeepSeek has shaken up the artificial intelligence industry, with experts online predicting it will profoundly impact even the healthcare sector. According to analysts, DeepSeek's advanced capabilities could enable smaller hospitals and research groups to run sophisticated models on their own hardware, eliminating the need for large-scale infrastructure. This shift could reshape the industry by making cutting-edge AI tools more accessible and affordable, fostering innovation across diverse healthcare settings. Also read | Data Privacy Day: What it means for India as Chinas DeepSeek upends AI Dr. Jon Slotkin, who according to his bio online is "a practising neurosurgeon, health system leader, and multi-time co-founder and CMO at successful digital health and device companies," posted on X that DeepSeek R1 is moving markets for good reason. Their team dropped a research paper this week showing part of how they matched GPT4's performance at 5% of the cost. For those in healthcare watching, the implications are big, he said in the post while adding that DeepSeek AI develops reasoning capabilities entirely on its own through pure exploration and refinement. Also read | Who owns DeepSeek? How Chinese AI 'Sputnik' disrupted US and global stocks Think smaller hospitals and research groups running sophisticated models on their own hardware. The combination of faster processing and 95% cost reduction could finally break down the resource barriers that have partially held back widespread clinical AI adoption," he said. However, he did caution that while the tool could "democratise health care AI, it's coming from a foreign adversary." "That means we need serious conversations about validation frameworks, data security, and what it means for the future of biomedical innovation. The opportunities are enormous, but so are the strategic considerations, he continued. The DeepSeek was founded in 2023 by Chinese hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, who previously co-founded High-Flyer, one of Chinas top hedge funds specialising in AI-driven quantitative trading. President Donald Trump called Chinas DeepSeek AI model a wake-up call for American companies and acknowledged that faster and cheaper AI development could benefit the industry. Dr Janak Gunatilleke, the Director for healthcare data and analytics at KPMG UK, called DeepSeek R1 pretty impressive. Open LLMs offer an opportunity for more transparency and opportunity to refine/improve in a sustainable manner. Both these elements are critical in healthcare, he said in a post on LinkedIn. UAE-based Dr Rohit Jan, who is Head, Strategy & Transformation, GCC at Aster DM Healthcare, called DeepSeek The Next Evolution in Search Technology. "Youre not just receiving results youre receiving the right results. In todays data-driven world, the quality of information matters more than quantity, he said while adding that the tool would have applications across industries, including healthcare. This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS. As Delhi gears up for the assembly elections, the elderly of the capital are urging the political parties to address their needs. A survey conducted by the Agewell Foundation has highlighted the issues faced by senior citizens and how they want political representatives to address issues of their health, financial security, and legal needs. With promises like the Sanjeevani Yojana and the Centres Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PMJAY), senior citizens want tangible benefits for the citys most active vote base. Older people in Delhi with a significant voter base are demanding reforms to ease their lives in the bustling Capital. "Politicians and political parties must take care of the needs and rights of older people because they constitute a larger number of actual voters during every election, says Himanshu Rath, Founder Chairman of Agewell Foundation. Healthcare remains a primary concern for senior citizens with demands for exclusive medical facilities in hospitals like separate OPDs in all hospitals, free medicines and pathological tests for senior citizens, and dedicated healthcare teams for regular checkups at home. Financial insecurity remains a primary concern for the elderly, and the high cost of living in Delhi and costly medical facilities make them dependent on their kids, much to their discomfort. Therefore, exclusive banking services, TDS-free interest, insurance, saving schemes for seniors as well as dedicated legal counselling and advisory services for needy elderly people become crucial to ensure their independence post-retirement. Demand for concessions in metro and bus fares and separate couches for seniors in metros are also some of the needs highlighted in the findings of the survey. Social isolation is another significant challenge faced by the senior citizens of Delhi. According to the survey, regular home visits to the elderly, especially those living alone, by police or NGO volunteers can help resolve the issue. Voting patterns of the elderly in the capital indicate that they are comparatively more sensitive and aware of politics and participate in elections more actively. The elderly in Delhi are not only aware of their rights but also expect better implementation of welfare programmes, and more comprehensive, accessible services. To improve their quality of life, the government and society must play a more active role in ensuring their well-being, said Rath. As per the survey, over 80% of Delhis elderly population participates in the electoral process. They are aware of the facilities and schemes that are launched for the benefit of senior citizens. However, inefficiencies, political rivalry, bureaucratic hurdles, and insensitivity make proper implementation a challenge. Drawing attention to the need to improve healthcare, social security, and financial support, senior citizens are driving home the point to politicians that it is not just a moral responsibility but also a strategic imperative for any party hoping to secure their vote. KINSHASA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tensions remained high in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Tuesday as the March 23 Movement (M23) rebellion advanced in the country's North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. President of the DRC Felix Tshisekedi is expected to address the nation amid the humanitarian crisis and major advances by the rebellion in the eastern part of the country, a DRC official said late Monday. However, he did not specify the exact time of the president's national address. Vital Kamerhe, president of the National Assembly, the country's lower house of parliament, made the announcement after a high-level meeting chaired by Tshisekedi on the humanitarian and security situation in Goma, the capital of the North Kivu province, which is currently facing attacks by the rebels. Since Sunday evening, gunfire has been heard across Goma, a city with over 700,000 internally displaced people living on its outskirts. On Monday morning, fighting intensified in various parts of the city, including areas near the border with Rwanda, local sources told Xinhua. "Active combat zones have spread to all neighborhoods of the city," Bruno Lemarquis, the deputy U.N. envoy and top U.N. humanitarian official in the DRC, told a news conference on Monday. The situation in Goma remains "fast-evolving," he added. Other local sources said the rebels gained the upper hand after capturing Mount Goma, a strategic hill 1,500 meters above sea level in the city's center. Several M23 columns entered neighborhoods in the city, and residents saw their movement along both major and minor roads. According to UN sources, the border between Rwanda and the DRC near Goma was closed Monday morning. For several days, a significant number of Goma residents crossed the border to seek refuge in Gisenyi, a Rwandan town bordering the DRC, where panic has been mounting amid reports of gunfire. In its latest statement released early Monday, M23 announced that the "liberation of the city has been completed" and that "the situation is under control" following a 48-hour ultimatum given to Congolese soldiers. According to sources in the UN peacekeeping mission, the rebel group has taken over several important facilities, including the airport, the port, and a DRC military base. The latest report from a UN group of experts said the rebels have also seized several towns and established a parallel administration. A second emergency meeting of the UN Security Council is expected to be held on Tuesday over the security situation in eastern DRC. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday that he was deeply concerned by the escalating violence in eastern DRC and reiterated his strongest condemnation of the M23 armed group's ongoing offensive and advances towards Goma. Guterres called on the M23 to immediately cease all hostile actions and withdraw from occupied areas. More than 400,000 people have been displaced since the start of 2025 in the eastern DRC, according to the UN. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Tuesday upped the ante on allegations that Haryana was "intentionally" draining industrial waste into the Yamuna by writing to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) urging immediate intervention. The Chief Minister alleged that the ammonia levels in the river, which supplies drinking water to Delhiites, have been rising. "The facts enlisted in the note of the CEO of Delhi Jal Board make it clear that the DJB Water Treatment Plants are designed to treat ammonia only upto 1 ppm level," Atishi added. She reiterated her claim that the ammonia levels have been steadily increased in the water coming from Haryana to Delhi due to the mixing of untreated sewage or industrial waste from Haryana. The levels rose over 7 ppm in the last two days i.e. 700% beyond the treatable limit," she alleged. In her letter, she said this has left Delhis water treatment plants almost incapable, resulting in curtailment of water supply by 15 to 20%. Atishi has described the situation as "an act of water terrorism" and accused the Haryana Government of intentionally disrupting Delhis water supply to impact the upcoming elections. "Despite knowing the toxic effects of releasing ammonia in raw water supply, the note of CEO of Delhi Jal Board leaves no doubt that it is due to the indiscriminate and deliberate dumping of untreated sewage and industrial waste from Haryana that is causing the present water supply crisis in Delhi. This is not an act of negligence; it is an act of water terrorism to deliberately impact the conduct of free and fair elections in Delhi," she wrote in the letter. #WATCH | Delhi: AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal says, "Atishi has again written a letter to the Election Commission today on the issue of water. The CEO of Delhi Jal Board confirmed yesterday that the water coming to Delhi is laced with a poison called ammonia. The Election pic.twitter.com/0VSi1ilL1U ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2025 AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal too joined the chorus and warned Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini against threatening them. "The Election Commission has given time to Bhagwant Mann and Atishi to meet at 4 pm today. Both will attend the meeting," he said. He also urged Saini not to do politics on water. "Don't try to scare us that you will file a case. I will not let the people of Delhi die. Tell your party not to do dirty politics," Saini added. Earlier, Saini had lashed out at AAP for the allegations and claimed the Delhi government failed to manage water distribution. "It is his (Arvind Kejriwal) nature and thinking to allege and then run away. Theres a saying, 'thooko aur bhago (spit and run)'. This is what Kejriwal does. I asked him to send his chief secretary and I will ask mine to check the quality of water at Sonipat from where it (Yamuna) enters Delhi," Saini said. On January 26, 2025, the Indian ambassador's residence in Lisbon was a picture of festivity and camaraderie as India and Portugal celebrated a pivotal milestone 50 years of renewed diplomatic relations. A flag hoisting ceremony marked the beginning of the elaborate year-long celebration underscoring the deep historical, cultural, and economic relations shared by the two nations. The event was attended by diplomats, dignitaries, enterprise leaders, and cultural ambassadors. President Droupadi Murmu is also expected to visit Portugal later this year to commemorate the celebrations, marking the first visit by an Indian President to the country in 27 years. The economic relation between Portugal and India has flourished over the past years. Bilateral trade has witnessed a visible exponential boom, pushed by collaborative ventures in sectors such as technology, architecture, digital space, renewable electricity, agriculture, and even defence. Both nations are committed to developing an environment conducive to investments and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The focus on financial collaboration is not only because of the bilateral profits, but also to address demanding situations around the globe and to boost sustainable development. We hope to further strengthen these relations this year with the exchange of high-level visits and events related to art, culture, music, literature, and people-to-people contact between the two countries, said Puneet Roy Kundal, Indias Ambassador to Portugal. Nuno Sampaio, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and the chief guest for the event, highlighted Portugal's dedication to education and work immigration from India. "Students coming to Portugal for their studies and research will be well-supported to meet their needs. Portugal is also committed to efficiency in local recruitment and ensuring dignified working conditions for all those who choose Portugal as their destination," he said. Tourism was a focus area at the event. Efforts to enhance tourism have been going on, with projects showcasing the cultural history, scenic landscapes, and vibrant traditions of either country. The event focused on discussing cultural exchange events, joint galas, and tourism campaigns which will boost people-to-people connections, making tourism an important pillar of this diplomatic relationship. The Ambassador even spoke about several grand events hosted in India, like the Kumbh Mela which now has the potential to attract and boost tourism in the country. Indian cinema has found a welcoming audience in Portugal. The influence of Indian cinema in the country is growing and the Ambassador has promised to screen Indian movies across major cities in Portugal, drawing international attention and further strengthening ties through arts. The event included traditional dance performances, music and art from both India and Portugal. Exhibitions showcased Indo-Portuguese heritage, emphasising the centuries-old connections dating back to the era of Portuguese exploration in India. Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, launched a frontal attack on AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal reminding the people of the alleged liquor scam and the 'luxurious house' the latter built as his official residence. Gandhi jumped into the Delhi campaign with gusto after initially cancelling three scheduled rallies owing to his ill health. His aggressive pitch against PM Narendra Modi and Kejriwal signalled that the grand old party was contesting these polls with renewed vigour. This can cause trouble for the AAP in polls as Congress and AAP share the same vote bank. Undeterred by the charges that Congress was not keeping the unity among the India Bloc, Gandhi launched scathing criticism towards the AAP government. He said liquor scam and "sheesh mahal" happened during Kejriwals tenure, the person who advocated honesty and frugal living. People have seen the making of Delhi under Sheila Dikshit and they have also witnessed the destruction under AAPs corrupt rule. The honest dont need a certificate of honesty, only those who distribute it who are dishonest, he said. Kejriwal stayed in his sheesh mahal but when riots took place in Delhi and minorities needed him, he was not there, said the LOP. Gandhi sought to paint Kejriwal as opportunistic and said the former Delhi CM was afraid of Modi. "The other parties may not be afraid of Modi, but Kejriwal is afraid of him. He had come and said he would do new kind of politics, clean politics but the biggest liquor scam took place under the AAP government," Gandhi said at the Okhla rally. Kejriwal was quick to respond by asking why Gandhi missed speaking about Modis Raj Mahal (official residence). What is the understanding between the Congress and BJP, Kejriwal asked. The former Delhi CM who has been maintaining silence on Gandhis attack on him, finally took a jibe saying Gandhi should not talk about who was brave as no action has been taken against them in the National Herald case and how Robert Vadra got a clean chit. The gloves were finally off. The Congress leader had picked Patparganj and Okhla as his rally venue clearly indicating that the party was focusing on weaning away two key vote banks Dalits and Muslims. Gandhi has been picking up seats for rallies dominated by the Muslim population in an apparent bid to win them back. The Congress has also become a party in the Supreme Court in the case questioning the validity of the Places of Worship Act. Earlier during the day, Gandhi campaigned for party candidates including Sandeep Dikshit who is contesting against Kejriwal. Gandhi also visited the Valmiki Temple in the area in an apparent outreach to the Dalit community. Gandhi accordingly framed his messaging along ideological lines. "A battle of ideology is going on. On one hand, there is Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and on the other hand, there is the Congress. The other parties are not based on ideology. There are only two ideological parties -- the BJP-RSS and the Congress," Gandhi said. He also questioned Kejriwals silence during the 2020 riots. Gandhi also attacked former deputy chief minister and AAP leader Manish Sisodia by calling him the "architect of the liquor scam". During Rahul Gandhis second rally, in Patparganj, the leader talked about promises and pitched voters to vote for Anil Chaudhary as Sisodia had "run away" from the Patparganj constituency after indulging in corruption. Sisodia had shifted his constituency at the last minute to move to a safer seat, Jangpura. Carrying a copy of the Indian Constitution, Gandhi waved it at crowds leading to cheers as reminded of the challenges posed by the BJP. They talked about '400 paar' with the intention of changing the Constitution. Rahul Gandhi also spoke about caste census and doing away with the 50 per cent cap on reservation in order to woo the people, thus mixing national issues with the local governance debate. Gandhi will address more rallies in the coming days further heating up the Delhi poll battle. India on Tuesday lodged a strong protest against the Sri Lankan navy using force over Tamil fishermen for fishing in the international waters. India criticised the incident of firing by the Sri Lankan navy patrol team, at Delft Island, which sought to apprehend the fishermen on charges of illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters in the early hours of Tuesday. A press statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said that the acting high commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi was summoned to the MEA office and a strong protest was lodged over the incident. Our High Commission in Colombo has also raised the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sri Lankan government. The Sri Lankan navy during the apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen in the proximity of Delft Island opened fire causing serious injuries. Also read Illegal fishing: Sri Lankan Navy arrests 34 Indian fishermen Out of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two have sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. Three other fishermen received minor injuries and have been treated for the same. Indian Consulate Officials in Jaffna have visited the injured fishermen at the hospital to seek their welfare and are extending all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families, the MEA release said. Following this, New Delhi informed the acting Sri Lankan High Commissioner that it had emphasised the need to treat issues pertaining to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner, keeping in mind livelihood concerns. The use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances whatsoever. Existing understandings between the two governments in this regard must be strictly observed, the release added. Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwals claim of the Haryana government "poisoning" the Yamuna water has sparked off a political storm, with the Election Commission seeking factual evidence from the former chief minister to substantiate his claim. BJP, the ruling party in Haryana, condemned Kejriwals remarks and said he cannot be forgiven for his "dangerous statement". In a complaint to the poll panel, the saffron party demanded that the AAP chief be barred from the Delhi election campaigning. A BJP delegation, led by Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, requested the EC to ask Kejriwal to retract his charge and apologise for creating "panic" among people. Delhi Lt Governor V.K. Saxena wrote to Chief Minister Atishi, saying her party chief's remarks are highly objectionable and amount to endangering national security. The AAP, however, doubled down on Kejriwals statement and asserted that the BJP-led Haryana government was deliberately releasing alarming levels of ammonia into the Yamuna river, endangering Delhi's water supply. In its letter to Kejriwal, the Election Commission reminded him of legal provisions that can lead to up to three years imprisonment for "mischievous" statements against national integration and public harmony. The poll body sought details on the nature and extent of the chemicals used for "poisoning" the Yamuna. Addressing a poll rally on Monday, the AAP supremo had alleged that the Haryana government was supplying "poison-mixed" water to Delhi with the intention of killing people so that it could blame the AAP during the election. The BJP hit back at Kejriwals statements with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and dared him to make public the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) report which he cited to level the charge. Karnataka joined other non-BJP ruled states that are opposing the new set of draft regulations issued by the University of Grants Commission (UGC) for the appointment of vice chancellors and filling up academic and non-academic posts. "The draft norms are a major setback for higher education in India, and infringed on the constitutional rights of the states in a federal arrangement," stated state higher education minister Dr M.C. Sudhakar. He announced that Karnataka would host a national-level conclave of higher education ministers of states on February 5 to deliberate on the proposed regulations. "The objections to the regulations would be sent to the Centre and the UGC," he added. On January 6, the Union minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan launched the draft of the proposed UGC regulations (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) 2025, along with draft guidelines on cadre ratio, period of probation and confirmation, leaves, teaching days, academic research and administrative commitments, seniority and code of professional ethics for teachers and other administrative staff in universities and colleges to replace the old version of the UGC regulations notified in 2018. "The draft not only infringes on the state's rights but also curtails the autonomy of universities. The state governments spend on the land, development and salaries and pensions. This shifts control over VC appointment to the central government, while curtailing the state's role in appointment of the vice chancellor and development of higher education, too. I have written a letter to the Union minister to consult the states before suggesting radical changes to the existing norms," said Sudhakar. The draft recommends the formation of a search-cum-selection committee appointed solely by the chancellor to select the vice chancellor. The states contend that the 2025 regulations would only increase the central control and limit the autonomy of state-funded and private universities by overriding their statutes and imposing uniform rules for VC appointments. By allowing non-academics (individuals with experience in public administration or the corporate sector) to become vice chancellors, it would dilute the academic focus required for the position. Worse, it might open the door for politically motivated appointments. The states also fear that appointing VCs with non-academic backgrounds or political leanings might affect the quality and independence of faculty recruitment. "It is a violation of the federal principles, too, as uniform regulations are imposed on the state universities funded and created by the state governments, which could impact governance in higher education," said Sudhakar. In Karnataka, the draft regulation would impact 41 state government universities, 27 state private universities, 11 state deemed universities and one PPP university and a central university. "The private universities will also lose their autonomy as the Centre will have control over the VC appointment and governance of the varsity," rued Sudhakar, who has written a letter (on January 13) to Pradhan pointing out that the draft provided no role for the state government, though it bears 85 per cent of the expenditure of the universities. Incidentally, the Karnataka Assembly passed a bill, the Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill-2024, to curtail the powers of the governor as the chancellor. At present, the search committee appointed by the state government shortlists three names of eligible candidates (academicians) for the appointment to the vice-chancellor and sends it to the governor for his approval. But, once the proposed bill becomes a law, the state government will be free to finalise a single name out of the three names proposed by the search committee, which will then be sent to the governor for his nod. "There is no rule that chancellor should be the governor. It was a tradition to have the governor act as the chancellor, too. But the rising conflict between the governor and the government has led us to amend the law," defended Sudhakar. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at multiple locations in Kashmir on Tuesday morning as part of its ongoing investigation into the killings of non-local workers. The raids were carried out at several locations in Srinagar, Sopore, and Budgam in connection with the killing of two non-local labourers from Punjab, who were attacked in Srinagars Shalla Kadal area on February 7, 2024. The two workers, who were engaged in construction work, were targeted at their rented accommodation. The deceased, Amritpal Singh and Rohit Masih, both from Punjab, were gunned down by militants associated with The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy group of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Officials said that the attack was part of a broader strategy to deter migrant workers from staying in the region. In August 2024, the NIA filed a chargesheet against four militants, including a Pakistan-based handler. According to the chargesheet, Adil Manzoor Langoo, an active terrorist of TRF, allegedly opened fire on the workers, killing Singh on the spot. Masih, who sustained critical injuries, succumbed to them the following day. The other accused named in the chargesheet include Ahran Rasool Dar alias Tota, Dawood, and their Pakistan-based handler Jahangeer alias Peer Sahab. According to available information, one of the raids targeted the residence of a well-known business family in Srinagar with roots in Sopore, along with two other locations in Sopore. Electronic devices and documents were seized for further analysis. Targeted attacks against migrant workers, including truck drivers, began after the abrogation of Article 370. In addition to migrant workers, some employees from outside Kashmir and a restaurant owner have also lost their lives in similar attacks. The attacks also resulted in the death of a prominent Kashmiri Pandit, a chemist, and a school principal, a woman from the Sikh community. Following these attacks, the police and the NIA intensified operations against groups involved in such acts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first meeting with US President Donald Trump may happen as soon as February. Though Trump said Modi will visit the US sometime in February, speculations are that the world leaders may also meet in Paris on the sidelines of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) summit next month. Though no dates have been finalised yet, reports are that the officials of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) are in discussions with Trump administration officials. The new development comes as both leaders had their first phone conversation on Monday. A readout by the White House said Trump stressed the importance of India buying more American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship in the phone call. In the "productive call," the leaders discussed expanding and deepening cooperation and issues including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe. They also discussed plans for Modi to visit the White House, "underscoring the strength of the friendship and strategic ties between our nations," the readout said. Modi too expressed his delight at speaking with Trump. "Congratulated him on his historic second term. We are committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership. We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards global peace, prosperity, and security," the prime minister posted on X. Tanvi Madan, an India expert at Washington's Brookings Institution, said trade and immigration issues are clearly on the Trump administration's agenda when it comes to India. "Its impact will depend in part on India's response to Trumps asks, but also how the broader debate on those issues plays out in Washington," Madan told Reuters. Trump too told reporters on Monday that he discussed immigration issue with Modi, stating that "India will do what is right when it comes to taking back illegal immigrants." Last week, when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Trump's Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the latter stressed the need for India to address the issue. Jaishankar had made it clear that India was open to accepting undocumented migrants. India and the U.S. have identified some 18,000 Indian migrants in the U.S. illegally. The meeting also assumes significance in the wake of the new administration's changed policy on birthright citizenship, H1b, H4 and Green Card norms. Trump said he is open to legal migration of skilled workers. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) personnel on Tuesday conducted searches at the residences and other premises linked to two former members of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in Myladuthurai and Chennai. NIA teams from Kerala, Karnataka and Chennai began the searches at Thirumullaivasal at Myladuthurai at 3.30 am. The searches are said to be in connection with the murder of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) functionary V Ramalingam at Thirupuvanam in Thanjavur district in February 2019. The NIA had arrested two former PFI members Abdul Majeeth and Shahul Hameed, both hailing from the Thanjavur district, in January 25. The PFI was banned by the Centre in 2022. VIDEO | Tamil Nadu: NIA conducts searches at 15 locations in Thirumullaivasal and Mayiladuthurai in connection with an ongoing investigation. More details are available. #TamilNaduNews (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/cU3DKFZGEm Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2025 PMK functionary Ramalingam was brutally murdered on February 5, 2019, in Thanjavur for allegedly opposing the forcible conversion of underprivileged people by the Islamist group. The NIA had earlier conducted searches, last year at several locations in Thanjavur, Trichy, Coimbatore and Madurai, linked to the PFI functionaries and had filed chargesheet against 18 persons linked to the case. According to sources, Abdul Majeeth and Shahul Hameed had conspired with other accused persons near the Periyapalli mosque in Thirupuvanam on February 5, 2019, to chop the hands of Ramalingam, in a bid to create panic and fear among the people and create communal hatred. The Ramalingam murder probe was transferred from the Tamil Nadu police to the NIA in March 2019. Later in August, chargesheets were filed against 18 accused. While the searches and investigations were under way, six of the accused are still absconding. A reward of Rs 5 lakh was announced for those who give information on the absconders who have been declared Proclaimed Offenders (POs). Later in 2021, after further investigation and searches, the NIA arrested Rahman Saqid, one of the six absconders. In August 2024, searches were conducted in more than 20 places. Again in November 2024, with specific information from those who were arrested, the NIA traced and arrested Abdul Majeeth and Shahul Hameed at Poombarai in Kodaikanal. The NIA also arrested M Mohammed Ali Jinnah as the 19th accused in the case and remanded him to judicial custody. While the searches on Tuesday are linked to the Ramalingam murder case, sources say the agency is also probing the links to the recruiters of yet another banned terror outfit Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HUT). HUT is a pan-Islamist and a fundamentalist organisation founded by Palestinian Islamic scholar Taqi al-Din al-Nabhani. HUT follows the Taqi al-Din al-Nabhani constitution, written in 1968 hoping for an Islamic state. The NIA had conducted searches in September 2024, at 12 locations including Chennai, Kanyakumari and Pudukottai, in connection with recruitment of personnel for HUT. The NIA had also arrested one of the members of HUT, Aziz Ahamed alias Jaleel Aziz Ahmed, at Bengaluru International Airport when he attempted to flee from India in August 2024. As part of the preparations to cater to an estimated crowd of 10 crore people on January 29, special arrangements have been made at Prayagrajs railway stations and a mobile police app has been pressed into action. While at Ayodhya, the Ram Mandir Trust has issued an appeal to devotees to visit after 15-20 days. At all railway stations in Prayagraj, starting on Tuesday, entry and exit routes will be strictly managed with designated gates being allowed for the same so that crowd management remains smooth. While those who have reserved tickets will be allowed entry from one gate, those without tickets will have different gates to use. Unreserved passengers will enter colour-coded shelters which will have ticket counters, ATMs and mobile ticketing services. A special holding area has been set up at Khusro Bagh with a capacity to accommodate up to one lakh people. #WATCH | Parayagraj, UP | On security arrangements for #MahaKumbh2025, Prayagraj SSP GRP Abhishek says, "On the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, a large number of special trains are being run by the Railways A large number of police forces, paramilitary squads, dog squads, bomb pic.twitter.com/ZYXVP8LCc5 ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2025 Meanwhile, the police at the mela grounds will be using the Maha Kumbh Police App in which all police activities will be unified. Such activities include standard operating procedures, duty charts, route planning, traffic arrangements on pontoon bridges, crowd and traffic management etc. This will make all information available at the fingertips of police personnel and also make policing completely paperless. To ensure security, the app will function through the OTP (One time password) method. Field-level activities and planning will be integrated smoothly. Phone numbers of the 40,000 police personnel on duty will be in the app and they will get emergency alerts at once if the need arises. The app also has the ability to convert text from other languages into Hindi to make conversation with non-Hindi speakers easy. Meanwhile, Champat Rai, General Secretary, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra, has requested devotees to come to Ayodhya after 15-20 days as 25 lakh pilgrims visited the temple in 30 hours starting from the morning of January 26. Rai has appealed that devotees from nearby areas postpone their visits so that those coming from far away to Prayagraj can have darshan on priority. It is very difficult to provide darshan of Ram Lalla to such a large number of devotees in one day and it is causing trouble to the devotees (they) have to walk more, Rai said in his appeal. He has said that there will be a fall in the number of devotees after Basant Panchami (February 2) and the weather will also become better. Hence devotees should consider his request not to visit before that. ISLAMABAD, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Two soldiers and five terrorists were killed in a checkpost attack in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, an army statement said on Tuesday. The terrorists targeted the security forces checkpost in Gulistan area of Qila Abdullah district of the province, the military media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. A group of terrorists, including suicide bombers, attempted to enter the checkpost, the ISPR said, adding that terrorists rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the wall of the post. An operation is being carried out to eliminate the presence of other terrorists in the area. The Arab Health 2025 exhibition, celebrating its 50th anniversary, was launched with a grand opening at the Dubai World Trade Centre on January 27, 2025. Themed "Where the World of Healthcare Meets," the event brings together healthcare professionals, industry leaders, and innovators from over 180 countries, showcasing the latest advancements in medical technology and services. The event hosts over 40 country pavilions, including major participants such as China, India, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Morocco and Latvia made their pavilion debut this year, while long-standing participants like Saudi Arabia and the UK have expanded their presence with additional floor space. During the Arab Health 2025 exhibition, several significant partnerships and tie-ups were announced. Yuwell Medical and Inogen unveiled a strategic investment and partnership, aiming to enhance medical device solutions in the respiratory health sector. Pharmexcil renewed its commitment to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and the UAE in pharmaceuticals, showcasing India's excellence in this field. Emirates Health Services (EHS) revealed 13 pioneering projects focusing on family-centric healthcare, mental health innovation, digital health, artificial intelligence, and sustainability, alongside signing 12 MOUs and strategic agreements with local and global stakeholders. These collaborations highlight the innovative projects and collaborative efforts driving the healthcare industry forward at Arab Health 2025. Other major highlights of Arab Healths 50th edition include the debut of the World of Wellness and Healthcare ESG conferences, the Smart Hospital and Interoperability Zone, and the Transformation Zone with talks, product showcases, a start-up competition, and a focus on AI's role in transforming healthcare. The event is backed by key government entities, including the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Dubai Health Authority, the Department of Health, and the Dubai Healthcare City Authority. Arab Health is the Middle East's largest and most influential healthcare event. It has underscored its importance to the Dubai economy, contributing USD 269.7 million in 2024. This economic impact has boosted key sectors, including tourism, hospitality, logistics, and healthcare investments. According to data revealed by Informa, Arab Health last year welcomed over 58,000 visitors and hosted more than 3,600 exhibitors from 180 countries during the 2024 edition, generating in excess of USD 56.2 million in accommodation spending, with an average room night stay of 5.7 nights for all participants. The total F&B spend equated to more than USD 24.5 million. The economic impact projections for 2026 2028 are over USD 1.2 billion, with accommodation totals expected to exceed USD 341.6 million during the forecast period. What began 50 years ago with just 40 exhibitors has grown into a global healthcare powerhouse, with this years event expected to draw more than 3,800 exhibitors and over 60,000 visitors. First-time international exhibitors, including Daigo, Fapomed, Global Medical Technology, Global Pharma Healthcare, Levity Products, and Mark Ortho Care, will also be welcomed this year. The Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) will once again participate in the event with a delegation of UK HealthTech businesses, hospital groups, regional accelerators, government partners, and healthcare leaders. "ABHI runs a portfolio of UK pavilions at over 15 key global trade shows, but none match the scale and significance of Arab Health," said Michelle Michelucci, Head of International Events for ABHI. Ross Williams, Group Event Director at Informa Markets, highlighted that Arab Health has grown from a regional exhibition to an essential international event over the last five decades. "With the anticipated market growth, Arab Health plays a crucial role in facilitating global business and addressing the latest healthcare trends," he said. "With participants from over 180 countries, the 2025 edition underscores its role in fostering global collaboration and innovation. Arab Health connects ideas, technologies, and people, shaping the future of healthcare." This story is done in collaboration with DataLEADS, which is an award-winning global digital media and tech company. With Israel allowing displaced Palestinians to return to north Gaza, the US and Egyptian security contractors deployed at checkpoints are looking for potential weaponry smuggled by Hamas operatives and their supporters. The contractors deployed as part of an Egyptian-Qatari committee to carry out the ceasefire deal are running the checkpoints on the Salah a-Din Road. A US private security company is also aiding the Egyptian security personnel who were seen donning black jackets. The jackets read 'Egyptian-Qatari Committee'. We are the rightful OWNERS of this land; we will REBUILD it at any cost. This is the difference between us and the occupier, Palestine will be free again. pic.twitter.com/DGgERUiDJH Martyrs of Gaza (@GazaMartyrs) January 27, 2025 The checkpoints are equipped with scanners to check for concealed weapons in vehicles. These are located in the Netzarim corridor that divides Gaza's north from the south. Once they arrive, the passengers are required to alight while the driver has to take the vehicle to an inspection point. This comes amid warning drone strikes by the Israeli Defence Forces after a tractor tried to bypass the checkpoints and push through a barrier in Nuseirat. In another case, IDF troops fire at a suspect who approached them even after warning shots were fired. Hamas operatives toting weapons were seen among Palestinians travelling on foot, according to the Times of Israel. Israel has agreed to allow Hamas police to deployed in certain areas of Gaza where IDF troops are not located, according to BBC. Donning blue uniforms, these police personnel are allowed to carry weapons. In case of conflicts, the contractors of the Egyptian-Qatari committee are tasked with mediating between the two sides. Hamas is scheduled to release three hostages on Thursday, including civilian Arbel Yehoud, surveillance soldier Agam Berger and a third unidentified person. Yehoud is currently held by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Of the 26 hostages to be handed over to Israel, only 18 are alive. Amid massive anti-corruption protests in Serbia, Prime Minister Milos Vucevic stepped down on Tuesday. Protests erupted in the nation over the deadly collapse of a concrete canopy in November. At least 15 people were killed in the northern city of Novi Sad in the accident. Discontent emerged against the autocratic rule of Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic, who faced accusations of curbing democratic freedoms in Serbia. Vucevic's resignation came a day after Serbian students, with farmer support, staged a daylong blockage of a major traffic intersection in Belgrade. Meanwhile, Vucic sought an open dialogue with the protesters and expressed that he was willing to reshuffle the government. While addressing a press conference, Vucevic said that he was stepping down to lower the tensions in Serbia. He also said that he decided after an incident on Monday night in which a group of students was attacked in Novi Sad, in which one woman was seriously injured. "I expect the perpetrators of the attack will be arrested," Vucevic. "It is my appeal for everyone to calm down the passions and return to dialogue," he said. Novi Sad Mayor Milan Djuric also will step down on Tuesday, he added. Vucevic's resignation is likely to lead to an early parliamentary election in Serbia. The resignation must be confirmed by Serbia's parliament, which has 30 days to choose a new government or call a snap election. Protesters blocked a key traffic intersection on Sunday escalating the tensions in the region. As part of a wider infrastructure deal with Chinese state companies, the main railway station in Novi Sad was renovated twice in recent years. 15-20 minute blockades were organised by the protesters since November 1, which claimed 15 lives including two children. Two days back, Russia claimed its troops had captured Velyka Novosilka, a strategically important town in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. The town is situated about 85 kilometres west of Donetsk. The final battle for the town in Donbas was fought for six days, where Russia encircled Ukrainian troops from three sides. Following this, the Ukrainian Armed Forces withdrew from the town to avoid encirclement. Despite Russia's claim. Ukrainian Armed Forces spokesperson Viktor Trehubov said the Ukrainian troops still hold some positions within the settlement. "As of now, the Russians have entered a significant part of the settlement, but Ukrainian forces are holding certain borders to prevent further Russian advances," he said. However, a footage geolocated by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) claims that Russian forces occupy 89 per cent of the settlement. Russia had already claimed that their troops had allegedly captured Velyka Novosilka. Today Velika Novosilka was liberated by the Vostok battalion pic.twitter.com/PlfkWKC7tb Ignorance, the root and stem of all evil (@ivan_8848) January 27, 2025 But, this time around, Russia has been unusually focused on blowing its trumpet about the win at Velyka Novosilka, according to ISW. #UkraineRussiaWar #Toretsk#Pokrovsk #Kupyansk#ChasovYar #Oreshkin #Kursk A besieged Ukrainian soldier in Velyka Novosilka slams the AFU Command for refusing to allow them to retreat, and recalls how he went through a similar scenario in Avdiivka. Purportedly, he was killed in pic.twitter.com/IWN8z25nf1 Koba (@Roberto05246129) January 27, 2025 The Russian Ministry of Defence not only posted footage during the day of January 26 purportedly showing Russian forces conducting thermobaric artillery strikes against Ukrainian forces in Velyka Novosilka, it also claimed the Russian 5th Tank Brigade seized all of Velyka Novosilka. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov also congratulated the command and personnel of the two brigades for the seizure. This is possibly to shape the perception of its victory in the West amid reports of impending Donald Trump-Vladimir Putin talks. Kremlin expects the victory will also diminish the international support for Ukraine, according to ISW. "The Russian MoD has not recently been announcing the claimed seizures of settlements with so much fanfare and as quickly as they did on January 26. Russia is likely trying to leverage the claimed seizure of Velyka Novosilka to influence Western perceptions of the situation on the battlefield in Donetsk Oblast, to advance narratives that Russian battlefield gains are inevitable and that Ukrainian positions are rapidly deteriorating," the ISW states. New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) India and Oman have agreed to amend the DTAA to align it with international standards on cross-border taxation, simplifying procedures, and promoting greater cooperation in tax matters, an official statement said on Tuesday. A protocol to amend the India-Oman Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) was signed during the visit of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to Muscat. The treaty was implemented in 1997. "Both sides signed the protocol to amend the India-Oman DTAA, aligning it with international standards on cross-border taxation, simplifying tax procedures, and promoting greater cooperation in tax matters," the commerce and industry ministry said. The two countries have also agreed to expedite the discussions for an early signing of the proposed free trade agreement, which is under negotiations. Goyal was in Muscat for the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with Oman's Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef. "The two ministers exchanged views on a bilateral India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is under advanced stages of negotiations," it said. The pact is aimed at boosting two-way trade and investments. The negotiations for the agreement, officially dubbed as Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, formally began in November 2023. In such agreements, two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on a maximum number of goods traded between them. They also ease norms to promote trade in services and attract investments. Oman is the third largest export destination among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries for India. India already has a similar agreement with another GCC member UAE which came into effect in May 2022. The bilateral trade has declined to USD 8.94 billion (exports USD 4.42 billion and imports USD 4.5 billion) in 2023-24 from USD 12.39 billion (exports USD 4.47 billion and imports USD 7.91 billion) in 2022-23. Tokyo, Jan 28 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav arrived in Japan on Tuesday for an official visit aimed at strengthening the states economic ties and attracting investments. On his arrival, Yadav received a warm welcome from members of the Indian diaspora. His four-day trip is part of the Invest in Madhya Pradesh business affiliation campaign that started last year. The campaign will culminate in the 'Invest Madhya Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2025', scheduled to be held in Bhopal on February 24 and 25. During his visit, Yadav is set to hold several crucial meetings with prominent Japanese business houses across key sectors. The chief minister said he was confident that several of these meetings would culminate in business opportunities for Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh shares strong trade and investment ties with Japan. In the fiscal 2023-24, India-Japan trade reached USD 22.85 billion, with Madhya Pradesh making a significant contribution. The state exported products worth nearly USD 93 million to Japan, including aluminium, chemicals, machinery, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Washington, Jan 28 (PTI) In his second term, US President Donald Trump has garnered strong support from the Muslim community on foreign policy issues like Gaza, a prominent Pakistani American businessman has said, dismissing the narrative that the Republican leader is opposed to Muslims. The biggest difference between Trump 1.0 and Trump 2.0 is that he got endorsements from the Muslims in cities like Detroit in Michigan," Sajid Tarar, a businessman and founder of Muslims for Trump, told PTI. "At this time, he has a massive support of Muslims. The way he is handling Gaza, the Muslim Americans are behind him. They are very thankful to him, Tarar said. Tarar, a supporter of the US president since 2016, argued that a false narrative is being constructed that Trump is against the Muslim community. This is certainly not the case, he said. Speaking about India-US ties, Tarar said that Trump's second term has re-energised and reactivated the relationship. He pointed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio's first multilateral meeting with his Quad counterparts and his first bilateral engagement with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, asserting it sent a strong signal to China. Tarar emphasised that under Trump's leadership, America will be the peacemaker, unite the world and also enter a golden era. When asked about Pakistan, he said it is not on Trump's radar. Look, directly, Pakistan is not on the radar of the administration. But the Taliban was mentioned in his inauguration speech." "Now, when the name of the Taliban comes here, then there will definitely be a mention of Pakistan as Pakistan has been supporting America. (Pakistan) also has had a relationship with the Taliban, he said. Beirut, Jan 27 (AP) Firing by Israeli troops killed two people and wounded 17 on Monday in the second day of deadly protests in southern Lebanon, health officials said, as residents displaced by the 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah attempted to return to villages where Israeli troops remain. The shooting came a day after 24 people were killed and more than 130 wounded when Israeli troops opened fire on protesters who breached roadblocks set up along the border. Under a US-brokered ceasefire on Nov 27, Israeli forces were to withdraw from southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah was to move north of the Litani River by Jan 26. While the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers had already deployed in several villages before the deadline, Israel remained in over a dozen villages. The United States and Lebanon announced later on Sunday that the deadline to meet the ceasefire terms had been extended to Feb 18. In a pre-recorded speech aired Monday, Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem said his group won't accept the extension of the ceasefire deadline, without addressing the fact that the Lebanese government had already done so. Israel has to withdraw because the 60 days are over, Kassem said. We won't accept any excuses to extend one second or one day. Any delay in the withdrawal is the responsibility of the United Nations, the US, France and Israel, he added. Kassem also said his group has not violated the ceasefire terms and acknowledged that they considered retaliating against Israeli airstrikes but were advised by Lebanese authorities against it. Protests resumed Monday particularly in eastern border villages, where residents again attempted to return home. Israeli troops opened fire, killing one person in the town of Odaisseh and wounding seven others across four southern villages, the Health Ministry reported. The Israeli military has blamed Hezbollah for pushing people to protest and has said soldiers fired warning shots when demonstrators approached. In the village of Aitaroun, scores of unarmed residents, some waving Hezbollah flags, marched hand-in-hand or rode motorcycles, escorted by ambulances, bulldozers and Lebanese army tanks. They approached the edge of the town but stopped short of Israeli positions, unable to enter. We are coming with our heads held high and crowned with victory to our village, Aitaroun, said Saleem Mrad, head of the municipality. Our village is ours, and we will bring it back more beautiful than it was before. We are staying. Hassan al-Ahmad, a Aitaroun resident, said, We have to give our blood and our souls. If there had not been blood spilled, the land would not have been liberated. Lebanon's national news agency reported that Israel dropped a bomb at the entrance of the southern village of Yaroun to deter residents from proceeding farther. In the town of Bint Jbeil, Hezbollah members handed out flyers featuring slain leader Hassan Nasrallah with the words, Victory has arrived. Some residents waved Hezbollah flags. Israel blamed the Lebanese army for not deploying to the region fast enough, while the Lebanese military accused Israel of stalling its withdrawal, complicating its deployment efforts. Some family members who entered border villages Sunday discovered the bodies of their relatives. Israeli strikes have killed over 4,000 people during the war, but Lebanese authorities do not distinguish between fighters and civilians in their death toll. Since the ceasefire began, Israel has conducted near-daily operations such as house demolitions, shelling and airstrikes in southern Lebanon, accusing Hezbollah of violating ceasefire terms by attempting to move weapons. Lebanon in turn has accused Israel of hundreds of ceasefire violations. (AP) SCY SCY New Delhi, Jan 27 (PTI) With Uttarakhand becoming the first state to implement the Uniform Civil Code, prominent Muslim organisation Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind on Monday said it will challenge the decision in courts, asserting that its lawyers have thoroughly examined its constitutional and legal aspects. BJP-ruled Uttarakhand on Monday became the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which promotes equal laws for every citizen across all religions and standardises personal laws on marriage, divorce and property. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the implementation of UCC at a programme at his official residence in Dehradun, saying with this the constitutional and civil rights of people across all religions have become uniform. In a statement, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind said that with its implementation, there has been an assault on citizens' religious freedom as the "law is also based entirely on discrimination and bias". On the guidance of Jamiat president Maulana Arshad Madani, the organisation will challenge the decision in both the Uttarakhand High Court and the Supreme Court, the statement said. Jamiat's lawyers have thoroughly examined the constitutional and legal aspects of this law, it said. "The organisation believes that since this law is based on discrimination and bias, it cannot be called a uniform civil code. Another important question that arises is whether a state government has the authority to enact such a legislation," the statement said. Arshad Madani, who heads one faction of the Jamiat, expressed his strong objection to the decision of the Uttarakhand government. "We cannot accept any law that is against Shariah because a Muslim can compromise with everything, but he can never compromise with his Shariah and religion," Arshad Madani said. He said the UCC implemented in Uttarakhand has exempted Scheduled Tribes under Article 366, Clause 25 of the Constitution, and it has been argued that their rights are protected under Article 21 of the Constitution. Arshad Madani questioned that if Scheduled Tribes can be kept outside the purview of UCC under one section of the Constitution, why religious freedom cannot be given to Muslims under Sections 25 and 26 of the Constitution, recognising the religious freedom that is guaranteed. "If it is 'uniform' civil code, why this distinction between citizens," he asked. "Our legal team has reviewed the legal aspects of the law and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind is going to challenge this decision simultaneously in the high court and the Supreme Court," he said. Arshad Madani also called the implementation of UCC a deliberate conspiracy to restrict religious freedom of the citizens. He alleged that the sectarian forces want to keep the country's minorities, especially Muslims, in constant fear and chaos by creating new, emotive and religious issues. Maulana Mahmood Madani, who heads the other faction of the Jamiat, also strongly criticised the implementation of UCC in Uttarakhand, describing it as a violation of the constitutional right to religious freedom. He asserted that the act is entirely unacceptable to Muslims. The enforcement of such a law, ignoring the perspectives of the relevant stakeholders, particularly the Muslim minority, reflects a blatant disregard for justice, Mahmood Madani said. During the public consultations sought by the Law Commission of India, it became evident that the majority of the people of the country do not support such a code, he said. Consequently, the Law Commission advised the government that the UCC was neither desirable, nor necessary, Mahmood Madani noted. However, disregarding public opinion and the Law Commission's recommendations, the government has imposed this law in an autocratic manner, undermining democratic values, he alleged. He emphasised that Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has repeatedly presented to the government the truth that the framers of the Constitution had assured the protection of religious rights. "If the government reneges on this commitment, Muslims will oppose it within all possible democratic measures," he said. He also reaffirmed the "resolve" of the Muslim community to steadfastly adhere to Islamic Shariah and remain undeterred by any law that attempts to obstruct their religious practices. Jaipur, Jan 27 (PTI) Ruling BJP and opposition Congress councillors pushed and shoved each other at the general body meeting of Jaipur Greater Municipal Corporation on Monday. Congress councillors stormed to the well, raising slogans against Mayor Soumya Gurjar. They were holding posters on alleged poor sanitation and lack of development in the city. BJP councillors rushed to the well, too, and there was a scuffle between the two sides. During the proceedings, the House paid tributes to politicians and noted personalities who died. Soon after, a Congress councillor put a "sweets box" filled with garbage on the mayor's table, saying the city's residents "had sent it for her". After this, the mayor adjourned the proceedings for 15 minutes. When the House resumed, Congress councillors, holding posters against "bad sanitation system and lack of development work", came to the well. To this, BJP councillors also rushed to the well, following which, both sides manhandled each other. Amid the din, the mayor adjourned the House for 30 minutes and met with some protesting councillors. The Hose then resumed further proceedings. SYDNEY, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Three teenagers have been arrested after a motorcyclist was killed in a crash involving a stolen vehicle that was being chased by police north of Sydney. Police in the state of New South Wales (NSW) said that officers initiated a pursuit of the vehicle, which had been reported stolen, at about 7:15 a.m. local time on Tuesday near the small town of Gunnedah, more than 300 km north of Sydney. During the pursuit, the vehicle collided with a motorcycle, critically injuring the rider. The male motorcyclist was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics but could not be revived and was declared dead at the scene. Three 14-year-old occupants of the stolen vehicle were arrested and taken to a nearby police station. NSW Police said a critical incident investigation has commenced and it will also be subject to an independent review. Chandigarh, Jan 27 (PTI) The 38th International Surajkund Crafts Mela will be held in Faridabad from February 7-23, Haryana's Tourism Minister Arvind Sharma said on Monday. The fair this year will be celebrated as 'Shilp Mahakumbh' on the lines of the Maha Kumbh and craftsmen from all over the world will showcase their creative work, he said. Sharma reviewed the preparations for the fair in a meeting with Haryana Tourism Corporation and district administration officials in Surajkund. Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Rajesh Nagar was also present. Sharma also visited the Surajkund Mela premises and reviewed the arrangements, according to an official statement. Sharma said Haryana has preserved its cultural and historical heritage. "Along with establishing the identity of Haryanvi culture in the world, the beginning of giving a proper platform to the craftsmen started in the form of a crafts fair in Surajkund in 1987, which is setting an example at the global level today," he said. He said the Surajkund Mela has been digitised and the booking of stalls has been done online for the first time. Sharma said this year Odisha and Madhya Pradesh are the theme states and BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries -- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand -- are the partners. The North East Handloom and Handicraft Association is the cultural partner for the fair, while Delhi Metro will be the ticketing partner, according to the statement. Sharma said Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has been invited to inaugurate the fair, while Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will be the special guest at the inaugural ceremony. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has been invited as the chief guest for the closing ceremony, he said. Hyderabad, Jan 28 (PTI) The man who suffered burn injuries in a firecracker mishap during the 'Bharat Mata Maha Aarti' held at Hussain Sagar Lake here on the night of Republic Day has succumbed, police said on Tuesday. The 25-year-old man was part of the team that was bursting firecrackers from a boat in the lake on Sunday night as part of the event, they said. He was rushed to a hospital soon after the mishap. A couple of others also suffered minor injuries in the tragedy. The mishap occurred shortly after Union Minister G Kishan Reddy and Governor Jishnu Dev Varma left the venue. Police said the organisers did not apply for permission specifically for bursting firecrackers though they had permission to organise the event. Meanwhile, NDRF personnel and state's Disaster Response Force (DRF) continued their search to locate an engineering student who went missing in the lake after the boat he was in caught fire due to fireworks. The search that began on Monday morning is hampered by weather conditions, including low visibility and heavy pollution in the lake, they said. Ajay was also in the boat along with his friends when it caught fire. However, his friends were safe and Ajay could not be traced so far, police said. Family members of Ajay approached the police saying that the student who went to Hussain Sagar for the programme did not return. Police on Sunday said crackers were being burst from the boat in the lake after the 'Bharat Mata Maha Arti' and one fireworks rocket hit the crackers kept in the boat leading to the accident. The event was organised by Bharat Mata Foundation. Rwanda-backed rebels said on Monday they captured Goma in eastern Congo, the governments last stronghold in the mineral-rich region. It marks a sharp escalation in the one of Africas longest wars, threating to dramatically worsen an already dire humanitarian crisis and spill into a wider regional conflict. The rebels offensive has sent thousands fleeing their homes, in addition to one million displaced who are already in Goma, and stretched local hospitals to the limit, with hundreds of wounded coming in every day as civilians get caught in the crossfire. Here is what to know about the conflict: Who are the rebels and what do they want? The M23 group is one of about 100 armed factions vying for a foothold in the mineral-rich region in a decades-long conflict in eastern Congo. The group, made up primarily of ethnic Tutsi, led a defeated insurgency against the Congolese government in 2012. It was then dormant for a decade, until its resurgence in 2022. In recent weeks, the rebels have made significant territorial gains, seizing towns and villages and encircling Goma. The group traces its origins to the failed integration of ethnic Tutsis who broke away from the Congolese army. In 1994, Hutu militias in neighboring Rwanda killed between 500,000 and one million ethnic Tutsi, as well as moderate Hutus and Twa, an indigenous people. Following the genocide, many Hutus fled to eastern Congo. M23 claims to defend ethnic Tutsi and Congolese of Rwandan origin from discrimination. Critics say its a pretext for Rwanda to obtain economic and political influence over eastern Congo. In territories under its control, M23 implements its own tax system, controls natural resources and implements a parallel governance system, replacing traditional chiefs with their people. M23 refers to the March 23, 2009, agreement that ended a previous uprising in the region. Whats the role of neighboring Rwanda? Congo, the United States and U.N. experts accuse Rwanda of backing the M23, which had only hundreds of members in 2021. Now, according to the United Nations, the group has around 6,500 fighters. While Rwanda denies that claim, it acknowledged last year that it has troops and missile systems in eastern Congo, allegedly to safeguard its security. U.N. experts estimate there are up to 4,000 Rwandan forces in Congo. Analysts say that Rwandan troops present in eastern Congo have been increasingly active in recent weeks. Congos foreign minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, told a session of the U.N. Security Council on Sunday that Rwanda was committing a frontal aggression, a declaration of war which no longer hides itself behind diplomatic maneuvers. Rwandas ambassador to the U.N., Ernest Rwamucyo, did not confirm or deny Congos claims. He blamed Congos government, saying the crisis could have been been averted if it had demonstrated a genuine commitment to peace. What are the reasons behind the fighting? Eastern Congo, abundant in metals and rare earth minerals such as copper, cobalt, lithium and gold, has been a theater of violence for decade. Most of the countrys mineral resources remain untapped and are estimated to be worth $24 trillion, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce last year, which called Congo the worlds leading producer of cobalt, key to making batteries. Little of the regions wealth has trickled down to Congolese citizens, with 60% out of its 100 million residents living below poverty line. Instead, it has attracted a variety of armed groups and external actors who sought control over its valuable natural resources. Between 1996 and 2003, the region found itself at the heart of a protracted conflict dubbed Africas world war, which killed up to 6 million people. The conflict first broke out after the 1994 genocide in the neighboring Rwanda, when nearly 2 million Hutu refugees crossed into Congo, mostly settling in North and South Kivu provinces. Rwandan authorities said that many of them participated in the genocide and were protected by elements of Congolese army. A small fraction of Hutu set up militias inside Congo, which was met by a violent response from the Tutsi community. Tensions between Hutu and Tutsi in Congo exacerbated, and served as a justification for foreign powers to get involved. At the time, Kigali argued that Hutu militias were still a threat to Rwandas Tutsi population the same argument it makes today. Over the years, as the world has relied more than ever on Congos metals and rare earth minerals to produce electronics, the stakes for local and external players got even higher. Congos neighbors Rwanda and Uganda have financial interests in Congolese mines, as well as China and the United States. Why is Goma important for the rebels? The city is a regional hub for trade, security and humanitarian efforts, and its airport is key for transporting supplies. Since 2021, Congos government and allied forces, including Burundian troops and U.N. troops, have been keeping the rebels away from Goma. The capture of such a large city will certainly be a huge boost for the rebels and a major defeat of the government forces. Its fall would also have a catastrophic impact on hundreds of thousands of civilians, putting them at risk of heightened exposure to human rights violations and abuses, said Ravina Shamdasani of the U.N. human rights office. Is this likely to resolve like the last time? Back in 2012, the rebels seized Goma and controlled it for about a week but after mounting international pressure on Rwanda including suspension of aid from the United States and Britain the M23 surrendered the city. But analysts say this time around, it is going to be more difficult. Previously, they (M23) had clear demands to be integrated into the DRC army and have greater participation in the political process, said Darren Davids, an analyst with the Economist Intelligence Unit. But now, he said, it seems like M23, with the help of Rwanda are intent on holding control of Goma, and more specifically, the supply chain routes in North Kivu. The rebels strategy is more likely to use Goma as a bargaining chip, strengthening their position in possible negotiations with Congo. What is the situation of the civilians? There are 4 million displaced people in eastern Congo. The U.N. refugee agency says more than 400,000 people have been displaced since the beginning of the year, exacerbating desperate conditions in severely overcrowded displacement centers in and around Goma and triggering an increase in cholera cases. As rebels closed in on Goma over the many more fled from surrounding villages and displacement camps into the city. Others fled from Goma into Rwanda. Staff at Gomas main hospital were sheltering in a bunker, treating the wounded while coming under gunfire and heavy artillery fire. (AP) Belarus opposition activists and Western officials on Monday denounced an orchestrated election that extends the more than three-decade rule of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. The countrys exiled opposition leader called the result sheer nonsense. The Central Election Commission declared that Lukashenko won Sundays election with nearly 87% of the vote after a campaign in which four token challengers on the ballot all praised his rule. Members of the political opposition, many of whom are imprisoned or exiled abroad by Lukashenkos unrelenting crackdown on dissent and free speech, said the election was a sham much like the last one in 2020 that triggered months of protests that were unprecedented in the history of the country of 9 million people. Since then, more than 65,000 people were arrested and thousands beaten, with the crackdown bringing condemnation and sanctions from the West. The European Union rejected the outcome as illegitimate and threatened new sanctions. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the election offered no choice to voters, marking a bitter day for all those who long for freedom and democracy. Instead of free and fair elections and a life without fear and arbitrariness, they experience daily oppression, repression and human rights violations, she said in a post on X. The EU, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand issued a joint statement condemning the sham presidential elections in Belarus and the Lukashenko governments human rights violations. No election can be considered free, fair or in line with international standards when it is held in a climate of ongoing repression, marked by a clampdown on civil society, arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on genuine political participation, the statement said, urging authorities to release political prisoners. The countries said they were imposing coordinated sanctions on Lukashenkos government. Britain and Canada jointly imposed sanctions on six individuals, including prison chiefs, a senior Interior Ministry official and the head of the Central Election Commission, as well as three Belarusian defense companies. Lukashenko has been in power since 1994 and has ruled the country with an iron fist. He has relied on subsidies and political support from Russian President Vladimir Putin, himself in office for a quarter-century, a relationship that helped him survive the 2020 protests. Lukashenko allowed Moscow to use the countrys territory to invade Ukraine in 2022 and later hosted some of Russias tactical nuclear weapons. Putin called Lukashenko on Monday to congratulate him on his convincing victory. Chinese President Xi Jinping also sent congratulations. Some observers believe Lukashenko feared a repeat of those mass demonstrations amid economic troubles and the fighting in Ukraine, and so scheduled the vote in January, when few would want to fill the streets again, rather than hold it in August. Leading opponents have fled abroad or were thrown in prison. Activists say the country holds nearly 1,300 political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, founder of the Viasna Human Rights Center. Since July, Lukashenko has pardoned more than 250 people. At the same time, authorities have sought to uproot dissent by arresting hundreds more in raids targeting relatives and friends of political prisoners. Opposition leader-in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who fled Belarus under government pressure after challenging Lukashenko in 2020, had denounced the election in advance and had urged voters to cross off every candidate on the ballot. On Monday, she rejected the official vote tally as sheer nonsense, saying Lukashenko will not succeed in cheating the world and the Belarusian people, who live in fear amid the most horrible repressions. As long as Belarus remains under control of Lukashenko and Putin, there will remain a constant threat to peace and security of the entire region, Tsikhanouskaya told The Associated Press. Pavel Latushka, a prominent Belarusian opposition activist who lives abroad, said Lukashenko has been trying to mend ties with the West by releasing some political prisoners and offering to help sponsor peace talks on Ukraine. We are seeing attempts by Lukashenko to turn the page and start talks with Western nations to win at least a degree of international recognition, he said, emphasizing the importance of keeping sanctions in place to force the Belarusian leader to ease his crackdown on dissent. Latushka predicted that Belarus economy will worsen, raising pressure on Lukashenko to try to win a respite from the sanctions. Lukashenko realizes that Belarus is facing a difficult time when its very hard to stabilize the economy without more Kremlin subsidies and Russias resources are scarce, Latushka said. In these conditions, Minsk will try to launch a conversation on lifting Western sanctions. On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X that Belarus has unilaterally freed an imprisoned American woman, whom he identified as Anastassia Nuhfer without giving any details of her case. Valery Karbalevich, an independent political analyst, said Lukashenko would be unlikely to reduce repressions but could be expected to bargain with the West for easing sanctions by releasing more prisoners. Lukashenkos harsh repressions inside the country and support for Russias war in Ukraine has made him a Kremlin satellite, Karbalevich said. The Belarusian leader doesnt like that, and he will try to change the situation after the vote. Lukashenko will try to restore his legitimacy in the West to ease his isolation and to roll back Western sanctions. (AP) In a quiet village in Ukraine, Alex* had always worn a cross, unaware of his Jewish roots. Born to a Jewish mother, his connection to his heritage was distant, hidden beneath the surface of his daily life. When he joined Camp Yeka this winter, Sasha was shy and reserved, keeping to himself as the vibrant energy of camp unfolded around him. But slowly, the warmth and inclusivity of the camp began to chip away at the walls he had built. By the end of the session, Sasha surprised his counselors and peers by expressing a heartfelt desire: to undergo a Bris Milah and receive a Jewish name, symbolizing his newfound connection to his people. Dimas* story was equally moving. Raised by a non-Jewish father after losing his Jewish mother at a young age, he had little opportunity to connect with his Jewish heritage. Yet, through the immersive atmosphere of Camp Yeka, something awakened in him. During the final banquet, as the campers sang a song about a Jewish boy in the Soviet Union strengthened by a letter from the Rebbe, tears streamed down Artioms face. He sang along with a voice full of emotion, embracing the heritage he had long been denied. Another camper, also named Artiom, experienced his own transformative journey at camp. A member of the older boys group, this Artiom put on Tefillin for the very first time under the guidance of a counselor. The experience moved him deeply, and he eagerly asked to join the older boys Maariv prayers each evening, even though it wasnt part of his schedule. When he learned about the mitzvah of Bris Milah, he felt a strong desire to fulfill it. By the end of camp, he underwent a moving Bris Milah ceremony, surrounded by his fellow campers who celebrated his incredible commitment. Max*, another camper from a remote village, wasnt particularly connected to Judaism when he arrived. During a hike, his bunk encountered a large non-Jewish group, and Sergei initially kept his distance, hesitant to be identified as Jewish. That hesitation turned to pride when a non-Jewish girl made a derogatory remark about the Jewish group. In a moment of courage, Sergei lifted his hood to reveal his kippa, boldly declaring, I am Jewish, too. His bravery inspired his bunkmates and left a lasting impact on everyone who witnessed it. For Valera, who had never attended a Jewish program before, camp was a revelation. Over the course of the session, he approached his counselor with a longing that seemed almost otherworldly: I want to see Hashem. By the final days, Valera announced his decision to become a real Jew through a Bris Milah and the adoption of a Jewish name. The transformation was undeniable, a testament to the power of the camps nurturing environment. Valerie, a newcomer to his local Jewish community, hesitated when friends encouraged him to join Camp Yeka. But the decision to attend proved life-changing. Beyond enjoying the activities and making lifelong friendships, Valerie connected deeply to Yiddishkeit. Inspired by the learning and the camaraderie, he decided to undergo a Hatofas Dam Bris, cementing his connection to his Jewish identity. These stories, and so many others from Camp Yeka, highlight the profound impact the program has on the lives of children and teens across Ukraine. Hosted at the Or Avner-Alumim Childrens Centre in Zhitomir, the winter camp provided a much-needed break from the hardships of war. The children found comfort, joy, and growth in a safe and nurturing environment where they could explore their Jewish identity. As Camp Yeka continues its mission, its clear that experiences like these create a lasting impact on the lives of these children, empowering them to reconnect with their heritage and find strength and pride in their identity. Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, who led the Democrats Senate campaign efforts the past two election cycles, has announced he will not seek a third term in 2026, creating a highly contested battleground seat expected to be coveted by both major political parties. The 66-year-olds unexpected decision Tuesday to step aside after just two terms comes as a surprise and poses a challenge for Democrats in Michigan during a turbulent period, likely dividing their strong bench between the gubernatorial and Senate races in 2026. After three terms in the House and two terms in the Senate, I believe now is time for me to write a few more paragraphs in my current chapter and then turn over the reins, Peters said in a YouTube video. I will therefore not seek reelection in 2026. Having lost Michigan in the presidential race, Peters decision forces Democrats to defend a critical Senate seat in Michigan without the advantage of an incumbent, complicating their efforts to regain control of the chamber, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority. Expected to be among the names most circulated for the position is Pete Buttigieg, the former U.S. transportation secretary, who moved to Michigan in recent years. This is the second consecutive cycle in which Democrats must navigate the challenge of defending an open Senate seat in Michigan, a state won by Republican Donald Trump in the presidential contest in 2024. Longtime Sen. Debbie Stabenow shocked many observers by announcing she would not seek a fifth term in 2024. Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin held that seat for the party by a narrow margin. First elected to the Senate in 2014 after serving three terms in the U.S. House, Peters has earned a reputation as a mild-mannered and moderate politician. Besides leading the Senate Democrats campaign efforts from 2021 until earlier this year, he also chaired the Senate Homeland Security Committee from 2021 to 2025 and is currently the ranking member on the committee. Peters earned praise from many Democrats for aiding the partys strong performance in the 2022 midterms by winning a number of hotly contested races to hold control of the Senate. But two years later, Republicans flipped several highly competitive seats, costing Democrats their majority in the upper chamber. Peters decision sets up a major midterm election in the state. Second term Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited, and the field for her successor is already taking shape. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced after the 2024 election that he is running for governor as an independent. Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Republican leader of the state Senate Aric Nesbitt have launched campaigns as well. Buttigieg, who has been weighing a run for governor, is also considering running for the Senate in Michigan. Buttigieg, a former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, moved to Michigan shortly after his unsuccessful campaign for president in 2020. The news of the open Senate seat quickly drew interest from many public officials eying higher office. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, a Democrat whose profile has risen thanks to a viral floor speech she gave in 2022, and second term Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II are potential candidates. The Detroit News first reported Peters decision. (AP) President Donald Trumps nominee to be the militarys top weapons buyer is an official who directed the Pentagon to withhold aid from Ukraine in 2019 as Trump sought a commitment from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to investigate the Biden family a key component of the impeachment of Trump in his first term. That relationship is raising questions among some senators about whether the nominee will follow the law if confirmed for a powerful new position that oversees a budget of $311 billion. Michael Duffey, Trumps nominee to be undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, served as the associate director at the Office of Management and Budget during Trumps first term. In that job, he directed the Pentagon in July 2019 to place the hold on $391 million in security assistance for Ukraine. It continued until mid-September as Trump tried to secure an announcement from Zelenskyy about investigating Trumps 2020 election rival Joe Biden and son Hunter Biden on corruption charges tied to the younger Bidens role with the Ukrainian gas company Burisma. Withholding money for a policy reason is a violation of the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, which prohibits the executive branch from freezing funds appropriated by Congress, the branch controlling the power of the purse. The hold on Ukraine aid became a key factor in lawmakers party-line vote to impeach Trump in December 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The Senate later acquitted him. In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren told Duffey that his role in withholding aid raises concerns about whether he will follow the law if approved for the powerful Pentagon position that oversees a large weapons-buying budget. It has been a gatekeeper for generating more than $66 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022. Kori Schake, a senior fellow and director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, said Duffeys budget-office experience was valuable and should make him an effective weapons buyer for the Pentagon. But he and others who favor presidential impoundment of congressionally appropriated funds should be made to commit in confirmation hearings to expending what Congress appropriates, Schake said. Warren sent Duffey more than 40 questions in advance of his Senate confirmation hearing that not only seek more information about his part in the 2019 aid pause but ask whether he would be responsive to congressional oversight because he did not comply with a subpoena to testify during Congress impeachment investigation. That refusal bodes poorly for your plans to be honest and open with Congress and the American people when overseeing acquisitions and contracts for programs that uphold our national security, Warren said in her letter to Duffey. The White House did not respond to a request for comment Monday about Duffeys nomination or whether his nomination signaled a change in direction for weapons support to Ukraine. Trump was impeached a second time in 2021 following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. (AP) U.S. Capitol Police arrested a Massachusetts man near the Capitol on Monday, alleging he planned to assassinate House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The suspect, Ryan English, reportedly traveled from Massachusetts to Washington, D.C., with the intent to carry out his plot. Court documents reveal that English turned himself in to a Capitol Police officer near the south door of the Capitol building. Upon searching English, officers found a folding knife and two Molotov cocktails made from 50-milliliter Absolut vodka bottles with gray cloth affixed to the tops. A green lighter was also discovered in his pocket. A subsequent search of his vehicle uncovered a larger bottle of Smirnoff 100-proof vodka and a sweatshirt with its sleeves cut off. Investigators noted the cloth matched the material used on the Molotov cocktails. Prosecutors say English initially targeted Hegseth, Speaker Johnson, and the Heritage Foundation but altered his plans en route, focusing on Bessent after learning his confirmation vote was scheduled for Monday. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Eli Albag, the father of Liri, who returned from Gaza on Shabbos, exposed further details of her captivity in an interview on Monday morning. Albag held a press conference on Sunday evening during which he slammed anyone who opposed the hostage deal, threatening: The people will hold you accountable. Albag was criticized for his statement in turn by Israelis who opposed the deal, especially since many bereaved families who lost their children in battle in Gaza or whose sons are even in captivity in Gaza are included among them. In an interview with Radio 103FM, Albag clarified his position, saying that his criticism was intended only for the politicians who opposed the deal and he doesnt, chalilah, judge bereaved families. He then explained his position by repeating something that Liri told him. Do you know what Liri told me? Dad, there are two million terrorists there, dont be mistaken. So if they release 6,000 or 2,000 or 200 into the two million [terrorists in Gaza], we should celebrate that because tomorrow, if someone shoots a bullet, theyll wipe out Gaza, but let them wipe out Gaza when the hostages arent there. Liri told me, Abba, there are two million terrorists there. I sat with small children, four-year-olds, who would make spitting gestures at Jews. Do you understand what that means? Does anyone understand what that means? So they talk to me about what? About Sinwar who was released? They could have eliminated him a thousand times, no, two thousand times, and all of Hamas that went wild and did whatever it wanted even before October 7they could have destroyed them like they destroyed Hezbollah. Regarding how Liri was treated in captivity, he said: Terrorists, shocking things. Its difficult to tell everything. Were afraid because there are still hostages there; we need to be careful with our words. But lets just say theyre not our friends, theyre our enemies who want to kill us. We need to bring everyone back and stay vigilant. About Liris condition, he said: Liri is strong. Were not surprised. She saved lives there in Gaza. There are many things but not everything can be talked about she said she indirectly saved Amit Soussanas life. On Tuesday, Channel 12 is publishing a report about it. Liri didnt want to talk about it but Amit will tell the story. [Amit Soussana, 40, was released from captivity in November 2023 and later told the press that she was assaulted by her Hamas guard.] Regarding Liris physical condition, and whether she was beaten, Eli said that Liri is still not ready to talk about it. When asked about Hamass exploitation of the girls, parading them on a stage in Palestine Square in front of hundreds of terrorists before releasing them, Albag said: Hamas terrorists demanded that the girls speak, so Liri and the girls said, not only will we not speak we will make a victory gesture and disrupt their entire show so the moment they made the victory gesture, they took the girls down. When Liri spoke to me, she told me, Dad, I would have said one sentence in Arabic: My name is Liri Albag, and I am number one.' According to the other girls, Liri was the leader of the group and communicated with the Hamas terrorists on behalf of all of them. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Two commuters lost their lives and seven others sustained injuries due to a road accident that happened in Khanaqa district of northern Afghanistan's Jawzjan province on Monday evening, provincial police spokesman Abdul Satar Halimi said Tuesday. Blaming reckless driving for the mishap, the official added that all the injured people, some in critical condition, had been taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. A similar accident left five travelers injured, some in critical condition, in the northern Badakhshan province last week. Adi Levin from Moshav Kanaf in Ramat HaGolan flew to the United States after serving three rounds of duty in the reserves and joining the fighting in Gaza as a tank soldier, shortly after completing his regular service. As soon as he received the call, he put on his uniform, and after finishing his reserve duty, he decided to fulfill a dream and fly for the big trip he had been waiting for. He and a friend arrived in New Orleans only to find themselves in a nightmare scenario of a combined ramming and shooting attack inspired by ISIS. Fifteen people were murdered, and Adi and his friend were injured. Adi was critically injured, is still hospitalized in the United States, and is now facing a very complex rehabilitation process after sustaining a head injury. Adis parents flew to the US and have been at their sons hospital bed ever since, not leaving him for a moment. For three hours he was considered missing, his father, Chagai, told Channel 12. The father of a friend who was traveling with him and was also injured called us on the afternoon of January 1. It was still 3 AM their time. He told us they were injured in the attack, that he was in the hospital, and that he didnt know where Adi was. From that point, we began to unravel the situation. At this stage, Adis father began frantic searches to locate him. The Chabad House in New Orleans joined the effort and went from hospital to hospital in search of him. Chagai was already on his way to the airport when he received the news: Adi had been located in a hospital. I understood that he was badly injured, sedated, and on a ventilator. It was hard, but I switched to mission mode and the goal was to reach him as quickly as possible. He was in critical condition from life-threatening injuries. The complex part beyond his injuries was that it took several hours to understand that he had a vascular injury in his neck and had also suffered a stroke. This happened while I was in the air. My brother was in Florida and drove eight hours to New Orleans and took responsibility for Adi while I was on the plane. Adi had to undergo open brain surgery and a piece of his skull was removed a procedure that saved his life. Although there were several days of uncertainty, his condition eventually stabilized. Only then did the medical team find the time to treat his limb injuries: He will need rods in his legs and arms and a very long rehabilitation. The injuries will accompany him for the rest of his life. Adis new struggle is not just to survive but to continue living with the injuries. He is now doing physical therapy, Chagai said. They need to reattach the missing part of his skull. Adi is strong. We are moving to rehabilitation today and hopefully, in a few months, we can continue treatment in Israel. The family back home is helping us, supporting us. The Israeli consul is in constant contact with us. The Israeli community in New Orleans has simply amazed us with all their help and generosity from the moment we arrived here. We want to return to Israel with all the medical support. There is a professional company here that is assisting us. In Israel, we will need to move from the Golan to Tel Aviv to be close to the hospital. Therefore, the central question is whether the state will recognize Adi and his friend as victims of terrorist attacks. We are working closely here with the FBI, which is in New Orleans and investigating the incident. We expect that the National Insurance Institute and the Ministry of Defense in Israel will recognize Adi according to the law, not just as a soldier who fought three rounds of reserve duty in the last war, but as a civilian who was injured in a deadly attack abroad and needs to receive medical support in the country for injuries that will accompany him for the rest of his life. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) (100% not edited and published as written) I feel the YWN must apologize for even allowing this weeks mailbag to be printed. The fact that you wrote that YWN writes that the mailbag article doesnt represent the webs views is inconsequential. At the end of the day, YWN allowed slander to be published against the most pro-Jewish President EVER. In the last six days alone, Trump has proven to be an , doing things that no other person could possibly do in terms of fighting the evil, twisted, Amaleki Left. But what Trump has done since he came down the escalator is non-stop GOOD for the world. Listen to Rabbi Mendel Kessin, shlita (on Torah Anytime and YouTube); he has said for so long that Trump is a Messianic figure who will aid Moshiach Ben Yosef in being and restoring Israel to its rightful place of glory in the world. Trump is a gilgul of Antoninus who is the that will survive in the End of Days and will assist his younger brother Yaakov as told to Rivka Imainu - . This article is mechalel shem shomayim. It was written obviously by a Leftist, Woke brainwashed fellow who is an anti-Trumper. Its a nauseating article and YWN should feel a moral and ethical obligation to undo the damage it might have caused. Witkoff is a sincere Ohev Yisroel. Anyone who heard him speak and saw him should be able to realize that. Whether the hostage deal was good or bad, one can debate, but that Steve Witkoff was sincere was clearly evident. Just by looking at his face and seeing how he felt the families pain. Regarding the J6 pardons-of course, Trump did the right thing. Those protesters saw the end of their country and democracy if Biden won and the Dems truly stole the election, and so of course they had every right to storm the capital and kill those murderers!! They had their heads on straight. Look at what happened in the last four years. Evil upon evil. Immorality to the max. Crime and deaths off the roof. October 7 would never have happened had Trump been President. We could go on and onThe J6 protesters should have been HONORED, not imprisoned And regarding the writers last line that Trump used the families as props-how sick and demented is the writer. Trump is as real as can be. Theres not a drop of sheker in him. What he feels is what he says. I humbly feel that that middah is probably the overriding middah why he was chosen by HaShem to assist the Jews at the End of Days and to be the . He sincerely feels the pain. Anyone who follows Trump- look at the millions of Americans who see that know that he has a heart sooo big he is selfless, not ego-driven, like the blind person will say. Follow him in North Carolina. In Los Angeles. Listen to the testimonies of countless downtrodden, victims of abuse who spoke at the RNC of Trumps chesed and compassion to them in saving them from the EvilHow Trump values life and families and how many times has he said first we must put G-d into our lives, then religion, then perhaps love and THEN comes tarriffs. This writer is sadly a Woke, brainwashed, corrupt thinking Leftist who will likely not merit to live when Moshiach comes -unless he does a serious reawakening. And I will add one more thing- your article about Lindsey Graham is also inappropriate. Graham is a RINO, and though he is pro-Israel he is off in his views, as one sees regarding the J6 protesters. The protesters hardly did a thing. George Floyd rioters murdered, burnt, looted destroyed innocent peoples property, etc, the Muslim protesters on campuses and elsewhere -the same and nothing was done to them but the couple of protesters who were fighting for the truth and who were WRONGED and who already served a horrible four years of horrific inhumane unfair treatment they should not be pardoned??? Anyone who thinks that way, their brain is corrupt thinking, and should not be given any credibility. Its time for YWN to start rethinking their own views perhaps it is tainted by corrupt thinking and thats why it feels comfortable printing articles that bash Trump I never have written before to YWN. I havent the time. But I felt a moral obligation to decry falsehood, to stop the smearing of a Jew (Witkoff) and Trump to whom the Jewish people owe soooo much hakoras hatov to. Had Trump just freed Rubashkin, it was enough- Dayeinu-of a reason that no Yid could ever speak badly of him. He did it right away what no other President would have done. But multiply that by the millions of good that he has done since. During Trumps first tenure alone, there was not one attack on Israel. How can people bash him?????? Its mind-boggling. The only way is if a person is wearing dirty glasses. They have been poisoned by the Radical Left or have been Democratsor are very superficial and all they hear is the way he talks And regarding that too -Trump speaks in his brash way only when addressing the Wicked. As the hagaddah writes when we speak with the rasha - and . Trump is the most noble and eloquent speaker when talking to people who are moral, decent and kind. Its time for every Jewish publication to humbly and publicly show appreciation for Trump. He is a human being and can make mistakes but he is well-intended and no, he did not threaten Bibi like he did to Hamas. Its not possible thats a truth if you know anything about him. He knows GOOD from EVIL as opposed to the writer of the mailbag article. Continued Hatzlacha in your endeavors. And May it reflect Daas Torah. Signed, Devorah Muskat The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review. US President Donald Trump told the press on Monday that he spoke to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi regarding his plan to relocate Gazans in order to clean out and rebuild the area. Trump told reporters over the weekend that he wants Egypt and Jordan to accept about a million and a half Gazans. His idea was soundly rejected by both Egypt and Jordan and all other pro-Arab entities. But Trump hasnt given up on the idea. Id like to get them living in an area where they can live without disruption, revolution when you look at the Gaza Strip its been hell for so many years, Trump told reporters on Monday. Theres been various civilizations on that Strip. It didnt start here, it started thousands of years before, and theres always been violence associated with it. So I think you could get people living in areas that are a lot safer and maybe a lot better and maybe a lot more comfortable. I wish [Sisi] would take some [Gazans]. We helped them a lot, and Im sure hed help us. Hes a friend of mine. Hes in a very rough part of the world, to be honest. As they say, Its a rough neighborhood. But I think he would do it, and I think the King of Jordan would do it too. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has cautioned Israel and the United States against any attempt to attack Irans nuclear sites, speaking in an interview with Sky News aired this morning. We have made it clear that any attack to our nuclear facilities would be faced with an immediate and decisive response, Araghchi stated. However, he expressed skepticism about the likelihood of such an attack, calling it unlikely for Israel and the US to do that crazy thing. Some analysts in Israel had hoped that US President Donald Trumps return to the White House earlier this month might pave the way for American support of an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, or even a direct US-led assault. Trump, however, has signaled a preference for diplomacy, indicating a desire to resolve the issue peacefully. He remarked that it would be really nice to address Tehrans nuclear ambitions without resorting to military action. Araghchi emphasized the potential consequences of such an attack, warning it would plunge the Middle East into chaos. Attacking Irans nuclear facilities would turn the Middle East into a very bad disaster, he said, reiterating his claim that such a move would be really crazy. The foreign minister also commented on the impact of recent conflicts on Iran-backed groups, acknowledging the setbacks suffered by Hamas and Hezbollah. Hamas and Hezbollah have been damaged, he noted, but added, At the same time, they are rebuilding themselves This is a school of thought, this is an idea, this is a cause, this is an ideal that will always be there. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A report published on Monday reveals the peril of the 230 dangerous terrorists who are being deported to Turkey, Qatar and Egypt as part of the ceasefire/hostage release deal. Thwarting the terror activities of the exiled terrorists will pose one of the Mossads most significant challenges in the coming months and years, the report by the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs (JCFA), says. According to data compiled by Israeli security agencies, 50% of the terrorists deported to other countries as part of the Shalit deal in 2011 returned to terror activities and about 80% of terrorists returned to Yehuda and Shomron resumed terror activities. Additionally, according to Israeli security officials, the deportation of terrorists abroad strengthens Hamas leadership and infrastructure in other countries. Of particular concern is Turkey, where the Hamas leadership is mainly comprised of terrorists deported in the Shalit deal, who received a warm welcome from the terrorist in a suit, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Hamas leadership in Istanbul was involved in the plans for the October 7 massacre, according to security officials. In addition, the Turkish-based terrorists have directed and aided terrorists in Yehuda and Shomron to carry out deadly attacks in Israel. Israeli security officials are concerned that the new batch of freed murderers will immediately return to terror activities, including attacks on Jewish and Israeli interests abroad, abductions, and involvement in aiding and directing terrorists in Yehudaa and Shomron to carry out attacks in Israel. Israeli security officials believe that many of the terrorists who were or will be released are highly motivated to resume terror activities out of a desire for revenge over the war in Gaza. The deportation of these terrorists may minimize certain risks they would pose in close geographical proximity to Israel but increases the global terrorist threat against Israel. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Amit Soussana, a 40-year-old Israeli woman who spent 55 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza, returned to Israel as part of the hostage release deal in November 2023. On October 7th, Soussana hid inside a closet in her home on Kibbuz Kfar Aza but was dragged out by Hamas terrorists. She bravely resisted her abduction, fighting and kicking seven Hamas terrorists as they tried to drag her across a field to Gaza. The abduction was very violent, she told reporters after her release. I kept resisting until they eventually tied me up by my arms and legs and dragged me on the floor. It took them over an hour to take me to the border. I was beaten up really badly. My entire face and body were bruised and swollen. Once in Gaza, she was held alone for about two weeks and endured being assaulted by her Hamas guard, and then was moved from place to place, including an underground tunnel, and held with other hostages. In a clip from a recent interview with Channel 12 [which is being aired in full on Tuesday evening], she revealed that Liri Albag, one of the female soldiers who was released on Shabbos, saved her life, an incident mentioned by Liris father Eli in an interview on Sunday. In the clip, Soussana repeated how she fought off the Hamas terrorists on October 7. The UAVs were flying over me, I began fighting them off, refusing to let them scare me Im not going without a fight. She then recounts the incident with Liri, although the full details of the incident are not included in the clip. The terrorist told me: You have 40 minutes to tell the truth. If not, Ill kill you,' Soussana said. And Liri had power over him because she is strong. I felt very weak next to him. The interviewer expressed his amazement: You mean that this girl, this young soldier next to you Soussana nodded in agreement: Shes something special. And I told her: You saved my life.' (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that he had spoken with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi regarding the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt. However, a senior Egyptian official on Tuesday refuted this claim, asserting that no such conversation took place. Trump suggested that moving Palestinians could offer them a safer and more comfortable living environment. He mentioned discussing this idea with both President el-Sisi and Jordans King Abdullah, expressing confidence in their support. I wish [Sisi] would take some. We helped them a lot, and Im sure hed help us. Hes a friend of mine, Trump remarked. In response, an Egyptian source said that any presidential communication is officially announced and urged media outlets to exercise accuracy, especially during critical times in the Middle East. Both Egypt and Jordan have consistently opposed proposals to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, citing concerns over undermining Palestinian aspirations for statehood and potential threats to regional stability. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A tragic case of friendly fire in the central Gaza Strip today claimed the life of 39-year-old Yaakov (Kobi) Avitan zl, a civilian contractor working on behalf of the Defense Ministry. Avitan, a resident of Eilat and father of three, was operating an excavator to clear structures and rubble in Gaza, part of a broader effort to free up military units for other tasks. According to an initial IDF investigation, Avitan arrived at an army post within Gaza, in an area where troops are still deployed, and was mistakenly identified as a threat. A soldier opened fire, fatally wounding him. The IDF has launched a military police investigation, overseen by the Military Advocate General, to fully examine the incident. Avitan was not only a skilled contractor but also a dedicated volunteer with ZAKAs Chesed Shel Emet unit in Eilat. Known for his selfless commitment, he frequently took on some of the most challenging missions. Years ago, upon joining ZAKA, he wrote to his commander, Any kindness I can doI am ready, with love. ZAKA released a statement mourning Avitans loss, expressing profound grief, and extending condolences to his wife, Tali, and their children. His noble deeds will forever be remembered, they said. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Half of over-55s are worried their pension savings wont last until they die, new research reveals. Just over a quarter believe they have saved enough to see them through retirement while the rest don't know, according to the survey by Oxford Risk. Its study revealed a high level of uncertainty about how to afford old age even though nearly a third of those polled had a final salary pension. These provide a guaranteed income from retirement until you die, but they have been almost entirely phased out in recent decades if you work in the private sector. Outside the public sector, an increasing number of workers are only likely to have small final salary pensions from early in their careers, which wouldn't generate sufficient income to cover their needs without other savings, or none at all. > What to do if you fear your pension will fall short: Find out below Dr Greg B Davies: Consider all your optionsdrawdown, annuities, or a mix of bothand factor in tax implications. Some 50 per cent of over-55s surveyed said they had modern defined contribution pensions, which take contributions from both employer and employee and invest them to provide a pot of money at retirement. But these are stingier and savers bear the investment risk rather than employers during working years. Most continue to invest defined contribution pots through retirement too, rather than buy a guaranteed income via an annuity, with the risk that they could run dry. Oxford Risk asked people whether they were comfortable with the risk associated with having their pension invested in the stock market after retirement, and got a mixed reaction. Some 31 per cent were relaxed about the idea, but 34 per cent were not and 35 per cent did not know. Meanwhile, some 70 per cent of over-55s said they would receive a state pension or already do so, which at the current full rate provides 11,500 a year until you die. The percentage with a state pension might be higher in reality, since some younger workers could be unaware they contribute to one automatically via National Insurance contributions deducted from their salary. But the survey did show 86 per cent thought it was important to have additional sources of income in retirement besides the state pension. Some 20 per cent of over-55s surveyed said they had a Sipp (self-invested personal pension), and Oxford Risk said this group showed the most financial comfort with how they plan to fund retirement. The firm, which specialises in behavioural finance and related technology, found 12 per cent were concerned enough about their finances in retirement that they thought they might have to rely on their children for support. However, 67 per cent were not worried about this, while 21 per cent didn't know. Just 5 per cent of those polled said they had no pensions at all. Oxford Risk surveyed just over 1,000 people aged over 55, who were weighted to be representative of the adult population of Great Britain. Dr Greg B Davies, head of behavioural finance at Oxford Risk, says: 'People approaching retirement face a series of critical decisions that will shape their lifelong financial wellbeing, and its clear that many feel confused and uncertain about their options. 'The biggest concern for many is ensuring their savings will last throughout their retirement.' Five tips if you're worried about retirement savings Davies offers the following tips to people who are worried about their savings running out. 1. Understand what you have: Take stock of all your pension pots, savings, and the state pension. Knowing what you have and how it aligns with your goals is key to building a secure retirement plan. 2. Balance certainty, growth, and protection: Choose an investment strategy with a risk level that fits your needs and consider adequate health and life insurance. These safety nets can provide the confidence to invest and spend wisely in retirement. 3. Get invested: Leaving surplus cash idle can cost around 5 per cent or more annually over the long term in lost returns. Start early and take steps to overcome the behavioural barriers to investingits worth it in the long run. 4. Stay invested: Avoid emotional decisions and resist the urge to meddle with your investments. Staying the course is essential for achieving long-term growth. 5. Explore retirement strategies: Consider all your optionsdrawdown, annuities, or a mix of bothand factor in tax implications. Personalised advice can help you make the best choice for your circumstances. The Government plans to lift restrictions on final salary pension fund surpluses to free up cash for investment and promote economic growth. Employers and trustees of well-funded schemes will be allowed to strike new deals to permit 'surplus extraction' and unlock billions of pounds of investment, 10 Downing Street and the Treasury announced today. At a meeting in the City of London, the Prime Minister and Chancellor told top business leaders that changes to pension rules will allow surpluses currently 'trapped' in funds to be invested in the wider economy, fuelling economic growth. Employer sponsored final salary or 'defined benefit' pensions provide workers with a guaranteed income from when they retire until they die, and are considered the safest and most generous available. Such gold-plated schemes are mostly now closed to new members in the private sector, but they still manage vast funds in order to fulfill their existing obligations - although the most successful ones often pay insurers to take this responsibility off their hands. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Chancellor held a meeting with business bosses in London today The Government says working people and businesses will benefit from occupational defined benefit pension schemes having more flexibility over how they are managed, as part of moves to 'remove blockages inhibiting its growth agenda'. However, it added regarding the duties of final salary schemes: 'Trustees have an overarching fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of their members. 'When considering surplus extraction, trustees must fund the scheme and invest its assets in a way that leads to members receiving their full benefits.' The Government reckons about 75 per cent of final salary schemes are currently in surplus, worth 160billion, but restrictions have meant businesses struggled to invest them. At present, schemes can only access surpluses if they passed a resolution allowing this before 2016, so not all can even when trustees and the sponsoring employer both want to do so. In today's announcement, Number 10 and the Treasury revealed legislative changes are on the way to enable all defined schemes to amend rules and permit surplus extraction where there is trustee-employer agreement. 'This allows trustees to assess the suite of options available in striking a deal with employers on how best scheme members can also benefit linked to improving member outcomes.' The move is the latest Government move to use people's pension savings to boost economic growth. In her Mansion House speech last Autumn, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the creation of pension 'megafunds', by forcing mergers of smaller local authority and private work schemes to unlock 80billion of new investment. At today's meeting, Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer told chief executives of big businesses that its pension reforms would both drive growth and boost workers pension pots. On the move to free up surpluses, they reckon pension trustees and sponsoring employers could use this money to increase the productivity of their businesses to boost wages and drive growth - or hand more money to pension scheme members. 'High growth and more productive businesses boost the size of the economy which in turn will fund our vital public services,' the Government says. 'Where trustees agree to share a portion of scheme surplus with a sponsoring employer, the employer may choose to invest these funds in their core business, for example to purchase equipment or supplies, and/or provide additional benefits to members of the pension scheme.' Maxwell and other historic pensions scandals still live long in the memory Rachel Vahey, AJ Bell What do pension experts say? Rachel Vahey, head of public policy at AJ Bell, says defined benefit pension schemes' funding positions have improved dramatically in recent months, mainly driven by rising gilt yields since the Budget, fuelled by expectations of higher Government borrowing. 'The Government, desperate to boost UK growth, has long had plans to tap into pension funds as a potential source of new UK investment. 'It intends to allow part of a defined benefit fund surplus to be returned to the employer for them to invest in their core business, or bolster pension scheme members benefits. But in doing so, the government is encouraging trustees to take risks with other peoples money. 'Maxwell and other historic pensions scandals still live long in the memory, and its imperative we dont forget about the pension saver at the heart of this revolution.' Vahey goes on: ''Trustees have an important role here. They need to be gatekeepers to the surplus, to make sure it is only handed to employers where the members financial future isnt compromised. 'But they could find themselves caught in the crosshairs, facing pressure from employers on one side to release funds, whilst meeting their number one objective to protect pension scheme members on the other.' Defined benefit schemes invest overly prudently, starving the UK economy of the capital it so desperately needs to grow Ian Mills, Barnett Waddingham Vahey adds that a healthy surplus has built up in many defined benefit schemes, thanks partly to the rise in long-term gilt yields, but there is no guarantee these clement financial conditions will continue. 'If employers were simply allowed to access this newfound surplus as though it were a windfall, that would present a clear danger to the finances of the scheme. 'The Government risks playing fast and loose with peoples financial later lives. Its imperative that protection is built into any changes to prevent any future Maxwell-style raids on peoples pensions.' Ian Mills, partner and head of DB endgame strategy at Barnett Waddingham, welcomed the news, saying: 'The current rules have created an artificial incentive on DB schemes to de-risk at any cost. 'That has led to value destruction on a colossal scale. DB schemes invest overly prudently, starving the UK economy of the capital it so desperately needs to grow. 'At the same time, most schemes currently insure as soon as its practical to do so, transferring an enormous amount of value from the corporate sector to the insurance markets, especially for those schemes that are still quite immature.' 'However, its important to get the details right. Clearly, taking money out of DB schemes could worsen the security of the benefits promised from them.' He adds: 'The main loser is likely to be the insurance industry. If scheme sponsors can access surpluses then they will be less keen to buy-out. However, most schemes will still buy-out, but just later than they otherwise would. 'We could see a slow-down in insurance buy-out deals, especially at the larger end of the market where running-on is likely to be most cost-effective. Smaller schemes are still likely to buy-out as soon as they can, as their higher proportional running costs make running-on uneconomical.' SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- A passenger airplane caught on fire at around 10:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, forcing the passengers and crew members to evacuate, Yonhap reported, citing local fire authorities. Fire authorities said an Air Busan plane bound for China's Hong Kong from the airport in Busan, some 320 km southeast of Seoul, caught on fire at its tail before its takeoff. They added that all 169 passengers and seven crew members aboard were evacuated on an inflatable slide, Three people were reportedly injured. Yonhap said the fire appeared to have spread to the fuselage of the craft after it started at the tail of the plane. Businesses will not be forced to accept physical money despite concerns over access to cash for the most vulnerable in society. The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds, told the Treasury Committee this morning there were 'no plans to regulate businesses to compel them to accept cash, big or small'. Last year, the committee launched an inquiry into whether rules were needed to govern the acceptance of cash. Cash usage has dwindled in the past decade as people increasingly use contactless and mobile payments, but it remains a lifeline for many. MPs today quizzed the minister on what it meant for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, disabled and those fleeing domestic abuse. Cash acceptance: The Treasury Minister indicated businesses will not be forced to accept physical money She acknowledged that while there were difficulties, the Government is 'committed' to its access for cash regime, pointing to its aim of opening hundreds more banking hubs. Reynolds said: 'I don't think we're anywhere near having a cashless society' and there was no plan for it. 'I certainly in my every day go to many businesses where they accept cash. We're not making plans for a cashless society.' She pointed to evidence provided to the Committee from the Association of Convenience Stores which said 99 per cent of its members still accepted cash and had no plans to stop. However, a recent survey by the Link network of ATMs found that half of Britons said they had trouble paying with cash in the last year. The survey of 2,000 adults found car parks topped the list, with 21 per cent of respondents highlighting them as the least cash-friendly locations. This was followed by cafes and restaurants (20 per cent) and public transport and pubs (both 10 per cent). More than half of respondents (59 per cent) say it caused inconvenience, an increase from 48 per cent last year. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of InnSuites Hospitality Trust (NYSE:IHT Free Report) in a research report report published on Monday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock. InnSuites Hospitality Trust Stock Down 1.2 % IHT stock opened at $2.52 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.82. InnSuites Hospitality Trust has a twelve month low of $1.25 and a twelve month high of $2.70. The companys 50 day moving average is $2.29 and its two-hundred day moving average is $1.99. The stock has a market cap of $22.09 million, a P/E ratio of -25.20 and a beta of 0.21. Get InnSuites Hospitality Trust alerts: InnSuites Hospitality Trust Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 24th will be issued a dividend of $0.01 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 24th. This represents a yield of 0.8%. InnSuites Hospitality Trusts payout ratio is currently -20.00%. InnSuites Hospitality Trust Company Profile InnSuites Hospitality Trust (NYSE American symbol: IHT) first listed on the NYSE in 1971 is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona is an unincorporated Ohio Business. Trust that owns and manages hotels under the InnSuites Hotels name. IHT qualifies as a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) for tax treatment currently taxed as a corporation with the IRS. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for InnSuites Hospitality Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for InnSuites Hospitality Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Credit Suisse Group (NYSE:CS Free Report) in a research report released on Monday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock. Credit Suisse Group Price Performance Shares of CS opened at $0.89 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 1.27. Credit Suisse Group has a 12-month low of $0.82 and a 12-month high of $6.36. The company has a current ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.79. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $0.89 and a 200-day moving average price of $0.89. Get Credit Suisse Group alerts: About Credit Suisse Group (Get Free Report) Featured Articles Credit Suisse Group AG is a holding company, which engages in the provision of financial services. It operates through the following four divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Bank, Swiss Bank and Asset Management and four geographic regions: Switzerland, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific, and Americas. Receive News & Ratings for Credit Suisse Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credit Suisse Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its stake in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL Free Report) by 4.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,356 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 603 shares during the quarter. Fifth Third Bancorps holdings in Royal Caribbean Cruises were worth $3,542,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of RCL. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 10,599.0% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 409,879 shares of the companys stock valued at $72,696,000 after buying an additional 406,048 shares during the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky boosted its stake in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 809.6% in the 2nd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 173,124 shares of the companys stock worth $27,601,000 after buying an additional 154,090 shares during the last quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 138.2% in the third quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 161,835 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,703,000 after acquiring an additional 93,899 shares in the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund purchased a new stake in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises during the third quarter valued at approximately $14,544,000. Finally, Dakota Wealth Management lifted its holdings in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 3,935.2% during the third quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 76,871 shares of the companys stock worth $13,635,000 after acquiring an additional 74,966 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 87.53% of the companys stock. Get Royal Caribbean Cruises alerts: Insider Transactions at Royal Caribbean Cruises In other news, CAO Henry L. Pujol sold 6,723 shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $208.51, for a total transaction of $1,401,812.73. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 9,964 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,077,593.64. The trade was a 40.29 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Richard D. Fain sold 25,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.02, for a total value of $5,250,500.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 204,521 shares in the company, valued at approximately $42,953,500.42. The trade was a 10.89 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 404,332 shares of company stock valued at $94,299,521. Corporate insiders own 7.95% of the companys stock. Royal Caribbean Cruises Price Performance Shares of RCL stock opened at $237.20 on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $237.76 and its 200 day moving average is $199.00. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has a 1-year low of $113.10 and a 1-year high of $258.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.63, a current ratio of 0.19 and a quick ratio of 0.16. The company has a market cap of $63.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.38, a PEG ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 2.59. Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 29th. The company reported $5.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.05 by $0.15. Royal Caribbean Cruises had a net margin of 16.21% and a return on equity of 52.92%. The firm had revenue of $4.89 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.89 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.85 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 17.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will post 11.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Royal Caribbean Cruises Cuts Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 27th were issued a $0.55 dividend. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.93%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 27th. Royal Caribbean Cruisess dividend payout ratio is currently 22.61%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have recently commented on RCL. Macquarie lifted their target price on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $189.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Citigroup upped their price objective on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $257.00 to $283.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Barclays raised their target price on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $245.00 to $287.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $275.00 to $270.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $232.00 to $272.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Royal Caribbean Cruises currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $252.31. View Our Latest Stock Report on Royal Caribbean Cruises Royal Caribbean Cruises Profile (Free Report) Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. operates as a cruise company worldwide. The company operates cruises under the Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises brands, which comprise a range of itineraries. As of February 21, 2024, it operated 65 ships. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RCL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Royal Caribbean Cruises Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Royal Caribbean Cruises and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Flash Denmark has unveiled plans to bolster its military presence in the Arctic amid rising concerns over the U.S. interest in acquiring Greenland, a Danish-owned territory. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced late Monday that the government will allocate 14.6 billion Danish krona (approximately $2 billion) to boost the defence of Greenland, Arctic Sea and Northern Atlantic. The decision follows an agreement among Danish political parties. The plans will include three new arctic naval vessels and two long-range drones, increased surveillance and crisis training for the local residents. Poulsen said in a press conference that these preparations are just the initial phase, with further plans expected to be finalized by summer. According to Danish Broadcasting Corporation, the new vessels would enter service within five or six years, expected to replace existing vessels. When questioned about whether these measures would "calm down" U.S. President Donald Trump's interest in Greenland, Poulsen refrained from a direct response, underlining the importance of co-operation with NATO allies, including Canada, the United States and Norway. President Trump has recently reiterated the U.S. interest in Greenland, which remains an autonomous area under Danish sovereignty. Referring to an upcoming meeting on Tuesday with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Europe is in a serious situation. "With war on the continent and changes in the geopolitical reality. In such a time, unity is crucial." SUVA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Tuesday extended greetings to the Chinese people and the Chinese diaspora around the world. "On behalf of the Fijian government and the people, I wish you all a joyous and prosperous Chinese New Year. May this year bring happiness, health, and harmony to your loved ones," Rabuka said in a video message. The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, marks the time of renewal, hope, and prosperity, values that resonate deeply with the Fijian spirit, the prime minister said. He expressed his gratitude to the Chinese diaspora for "their invaluable contributions" to Fiji. The prime minister said the bilateral relationship between Fiji and China has always been one of mutual respect and cooperation, and he believes that there is huge potential to deepen the connections between the two nations. He said the Fijian government is exploring opportunities to establish direct flights to key link airports in China, aiming to bolster its tourism industry. "Fiji's breathtaking landscapes and warm hospitality await Chinese travelers. We welcome Chinese investors to consider Fiji as a prime destination for building world-class hotels, fostering economic growth, and creating jobs for our people," the prime minister said. SYDNEY, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has extended his warm greetings and best wishes to the Chinese people as they celebrate the Chinese New Year, saying he wishes that the two countries would elevate their relationship to new heights in the Year of the Snake. "Xinnian kuaile!" Manele began his mostly English pre-recorded video with the Chinese greeting of Happy New Year. The Year of the Snake symbolizes or signifies a time of transformation, growth and retrospection, Manele said. "The Solomon Islands values its bilateral relationship with the People's Republic of China," the prime minister said. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the Solomon Islands in 2019, the two countries have achieved fruitful results in cooperation in many fields, including people-to-people exchanges, trade, health, security, and infrastructure developments, Manele said. The Solomon Islands is "profoundly honored and privileged" to have a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, he said. "Wanshi ruyi," Manele concluded his video speech, again with a popular Chinese New Year greeting, which means "may everything go as you wish." The man behind Carlow Weather, Alan O' Reilly, has shared a document to his social media platform on X to show the support Scottish electricity providers are giving to people without power in Scotland. The providers are allowing 30 per person per day for food and drinks to all customers. Accommodation aid is also being provided to those who are in exceptional circumstances. Food vans are also being deployed to areas across Scotland to give free hot food and drinks to affected customers. Customers without power for more than 48 hours will be compensated 85 and a further 40 will be compensated after every six hours onwards. READ NEXT: ESB calls for help from Europe to help restore Ireland's power amid major power outages Alan O' Reilly shared this document with a comment, "This is what Scottish Electricity networks provide during long outages....". An X user commented on this post, "This is true, hotels being offered to customers just now near Stirling." "Still no electricity where we are. Ive a genny which helps greatly, but theres real suffering out there," another user said. Another person said, "In excess of 39 a day to run generators, travelling miles upon miles to get a phone signal, depending on the good will of people for flasks of tea/soup- just some of what's going on @ESBNetworks @FineGael @fiannafailparty @MarianHarkin what is the reimbursement plan." A woman has vented her frustrations to Micheal Martin earlier today as her, along with thousands of others across Ireland, have been without power and water since the destructive Storm Eowyn blew across the country last week. The Taoiseach was visiting an emergency hub in Roscommon on Tuesday morning for people who have no power and water. Rachel Connolly, a resident of Castlerea, confronted the Taoiseach and said she has lost power in her area four times in the last 12 months and that her, and the other residents, are very concerned over the loss of food that they've had to throw out due to the frequent power cuts. In a video posted on X by Virgin Media News, Rachel Connolly says, "There's a lot of people here, myself and out there, who are very concerned about the loss of food...this is my fourth time to have lost power in the last 12 months. "Why didn't you do something? Why didn't you have something in place before...you knew this was coming." Mr Martin, who was holding a cup of tea, tried to rebuttal and say things were in place, but Ms Connolly cut him off saying, "No you didn't. I have no power coming until the 5th of February...the only person who prepared for this in my home, and in my village, is the people who live there. "I have had no contact from any member of any authority of any part of the Government...You need to get the Dail, you need to bring it up here to the Western Development Commission, you go and sit there, and hold the Dail there for two days with no power and no water...I tell ya, we'll have no knee jerk reaction then." "You go and sit and hold the Dail there for two days - no power, no water." A Castlerea resident questioned the Taoiseach on the Government's preparations and response to Storm Eowyn. Many communities are now into their fifth day without power, water or heat.#VMNews pic.twitter.com/f96XN2rW8P Virgin Media News (@VirginMediaNews) January 28, 2025 READ NEXT: Irish farmer with no power or water details his struggles in the aftermath of Storm Eowyn A focus on victims at the public inquiry into the Omagh bombing will bring humanity to proceedings, the father of one of the victims has said. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the 1998 dissident republican blast in Northern Ireland, said it will be a difficult day. Bereaved families and survivors have gathered at the Strule Arts Centre in the Co Tyrone town for the inquiry which will examine whether the atrocity could reasonably have been prevented by UK authorities. Scottish judge Lord Turnbull is overseeing the probe into the 1998 Real IRA bombing which claimed 29 lives, including a woman pregnant with twins. Commemorative and personal statement hearings will be held over the next four weeks. These will begin with bereaved families giving pen portrait evidence of those who died, followed by survivors, emergency services and those working in statutory organisations. According to the inquiry schedule, Tuesday will hear commemorations of Fernando Blasco Baselga, 12, and Rocio Abad Ramo, 23, two Spanish nationals killed in the bombing. Speaking as he arrived at the Strule Arts Centre on Tuesday morning, Mr Gallagher said the hearings will be difficult for him and the other bereaved relatives. Its important to be here to support the other families, the Spanish families are giving evidence this morning, its going to be difficult, he said. It brings a lot of it back, but its hugely important to focus this week and next week and the week after on the victims. In all of this, sometimes the voice of the victims is lost because there are so many technical arguments, but this brings humanity to it. Mr Gallagher, who campaigned for many years for the inquiry and took the legal action which result in a High Court judge ordering that the inquiry be called, said sometimes he felt like he had to pinch himself that it was happening. I just hope for me that this is the beginning of the end, that we do get the answers we need, that both the British Government and the Irish Government fully co-operate with the inquiry and as a bereaved parent I can say thats all I can do, and Im very grateful for everybody who helped us get to this point where we can see an end. The inquiry was announced by then-Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris in 2023 after a High Court judgment recommended a public inquiry into alleged security failings in the lead-up to the atrocity, and also urged the Irish authorities to establish their own probe. The Irish Government has formally agreed to provide assistance to the inquiry. In his opening statement to the inquiry last year, Lord Turnbull said the pain of bereavement and trauma caused by the dissident republican bomb attack spread beyond Omagh, Northern Ireland and Ireland to families from England and Spain. He said the inquiry will undertake its task rigorously and fearlessly, and emphasised the defining character of the inquiry must be its independence. Bereaved families have expressed hope that the process will provide them with answers about the worst atrocity of the Northern Ireland Troubles after decades of campaigning for a public inquiry. A focus on the victims and impact of the Omagh bombing will have important value in educating others about the real effect of terrorism, a public inquiry chairman has said. Bereaved families and survivors have gathered at the Strule Arts Centre in the Co Tyrone town for the inquiry which will examine whether the atrocity could reasonably have been prevented by UK authorities. Some 29 people including a woman pregnant with twins were killed in the Real IRA bomb attack in the Co Tyrone town on August 15, 1998. The names of all those killed in the bombing were read out at the public inquiry into the atrocity on Tuesday morning before all those assembled were invited to stand for a minutes silence in remembrance. Commemorative and personal statement hearings will be heard over the next four weeks. These will begin with bereaved families giving pen portrait evidence of those who died, followed by survivors, emergency services and those working in statutory organisations. The first commemorations heard will be of Fernando Blasco Baselga, 12, and Rocio Abad Ramo, 23, two Spanish tourists killed in the bombing. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the attack, said the focus on victims will bring humanity to proceedings. Scottish judge Lord Turnbull, who is overseeing the probe, said he hopes all who support such acts of violence will learn of the actual indiscriminate and devastating consequences. Those beyond Omagh who listen and watch will, as I was, be shocked at the level of grief imposed on ordinary decent members of society doing nothing other than living their daily lives, he said. Those who watch and listen will be overwhelmed and humbled, as I have been, on hearing of the appalling injuries inflicted on people of all ages and of the dignity and compassion with which so many of those have coped with the changes in their circumstances which have been imposed upon them. The evidence sessions will accordingly have an important value in informing and educating others as to the real effect of terrorist violence. In this way, it is my sincere hope that all of those who supported or condoned the use of such acts of violence will learn of the actual indiscriminate and devastating consequences of the such selfish conduct for innocent, hard-working and caring people of all ages and for their communities. Counsel to the inquiry Paul Greaney KC said the intention is to commemorate publicly each person who was killed in the bombing and to hear statements from those who were injured or directly affected. He said this evidence will be a key starting point in framing the inquirys investigation into whether the bombing could have been prevented by UK state authorities. It will be distressing evidence to listen to, but it is vital that it is heard and heard in public, he said. Understanding the impact of the bombing is critical to the investigation of the issue of preventability and for that reason we will not shy away from shining a bright light on the terrible consequences of that day. The inquiry was announced by then-Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris in 2023 after a High Court judgment recommended a public inquiry into alleged security failings in the lead-up to the atrocity, and also urged the Irish authorities to establish their own probe. The Irish Government has formally agreed to provide assistance to the inquiry. In his opening statement to the inquiry last year, Lord Turnbull said the pain of bereavement and trauma caused by the dissident republican bomb attack spread beyond Omagh, Northern Ireland and Ireland to families from England and Spain. He said the inquiry will undertake its task rigorously and fearlessly, and emphasised the defining character of the inquiry must be its independence. The Legacy Act prevented a landing zone being reached that could have enabled Troubles victims to secure truth and answers, Irelands deputy premier Simon Harris has said. The Tanaiste said he hoped that the Irish Government would in future be able to suspend its interstate legal case against the UK Government over the Act, subject to the right conditions being met. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, introduced by the Conservatives, halted scores of civil cases and inquests into Troubles deaths. It also introduced a provision to give conditional immunity to perpetrators of Troubles crimes in exchange for their co-operation with a new truth recovery body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). The law was opposed by victims groups in Northern Ireland and all the main political parties at Stormont. The Irish Government was also vehemently opposed to it and in 2023 initiated an interstate legal case against the UK in the European Court of Human Rights, claiming the Act breached the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The case remains active, with ministers in Dublin wanting to see how Labour resolves its concerns over the legislation before any decision is taken to withdraw the action. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn recently set out the UK Governments plan to repeal and replace the Act. Inquests and civil cases would resume and the conditional immunity provision would be axed. But the UK Government was retaining the ICRIR, which had both investigatory and truth recovery functions. Speaking during a visit to Belfast, Mr Harris said he wanted to get to the point where an overarching framework on achieving truth, answers and justice for all victims could be reached. He added: And that really, I think, is where the Secretary of State and I need to intensively work and work with the parties here and with the victims and victims families and their representative groups. Because the opportunity here is to try and arrive at a place where I believe we could have arrived at a number of years ago, were it not for the Legacy Act, quite frankly. I think if people had stuck with the process and worked through those processes, we could have found a landing zone that could provide people with the truth and the answers and the justice that they so richly deserve. Regarding the interstate case, Mr Harris said Ireland had no wish to find itself involved in international legal dispute with our nearest neighbours. He said: We felt we had no alternative, quite frankly, when we had exhausted all other avenues, political, diplomatic and every other way. And I very much welcome the fact that in the Labour Partys manifesto, and then obviously in the Kings Speech and in the comments of the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State since then, theyve been very clear about repealing and replacing the Legacy Act, and were eager to engage on that. At the right moment in time, subject to the right conditions being met, I hope us to be, hopefully, be in a position to suspend that case. Mr Harris said he had discussed the 1997 murder of GAA official Sean Brown during a telephone conversation with Mr Benn. Mr Brown was shot dead after being abducted as he locked the gates of the Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA club. Intelligence material has linked state agents to the death of the 61-year-old. The NI Secretary is appealing against a court ruling from December that a public inquiry should be held. A UK Government barrister has argued that ruling was wrong in law. Mr Harris said: The Secretary of State made the point to me that I think he has made in public, and that the appeal has been taken, or the case has been taken on the grounds of process, in terms of being a government and not a court who can decide these things. My position in relation to this is we have to get truth for that family. We have to get answers. They have to get justice and Im very supportive. Just a bit more good news . . . Voters should be encouraged that the courthouse is putting this note on blast . . . No pun intended. This crackdown on a gunman is likely a very real sign that the new prosecutor is working it improve the working relationship with police . . . Check-it: A Jackson County judge on Friday sentenced 42-year-old Dwayne Barnes to 25 years in prison, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson. Barnes pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of armed criminal action and two counts of second-degree assault. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . The latest report reveals double deaths from this latest bout with one of the the most insidious bacterial infections known to planet earth. A couple things to consider . . . - TKC readers have been frustrated with the lack of deets from health officials. - Of course, there's a culture war aspect to this story given that recent outbreaks have all emerged from undocumented/illegal migrant communities. To be fair . . . - This story also offers a glimpse at the dearth of public health access for EVERYBODY residing in Kansas given that TB vaccines are proven safe and affordable. For now . . . This post focuses on the latest update that documents two deaths resulting from the Kansas TB outbreak now ranked as the worst in American history. Check-it . . . "Kansas Department of Health and Environment spokesperson Jill Bronaugh said two people have died in connection to the outbreak. "Bronaugh said the deaths, connected with the outbreaks in Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, occurred in 2024." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . ABC News: Kansas faces largest tuberculosis outbreak in US history: Health officials Star: KC area at 'extremely low risk' of tuberculosis despite outbreak, doctor says. Here's why KCTV5: Remain calm: Wyandotte County leaders urge caution amid TB outbreak Developing . . . A bit more precisely regarding this "Zero Fare" ruckus . . . TKC TOLD YOU SO: LOCAL ACTIVISTS DEMANDING BUS FREE BUS MONEY CONFRONT COLD SHOULDER FROM COURTHOUSE OFFICIALS!!! Here's one of the problems . . . It's actually KCMO that plays the biggest role in determining the ATA budget. And NOT the county. We've talked to insiders about this issue and most of them believe the protesters are off-base and uninformed. And, a TKC commenter asks . . . Why aren't these protesters mentioning a word about the somewhat controversial leadership of the KCATA?!? One more . . . Maybe the most important thing to watch . . . Will the new Jackson County Prosecutor level charges against these protesters??? Previously Mean Jean would let the walk without even as much as a slap on the wrist?!? Sadly . . . Slogans shouted and demands mostly ignored don't help voters understand transit issues. Our biggest beef on this blog . . . Neither protesters nor politicos want to talk about the transit authority being used as a piggy bank for developers with political connections. And so the bad theater persists . . . "Monday marked the third protest in just one week from Kansas City-area climate activists, who demand that Jackson County step up to fund the KCATA. One protester was detained and more than 50 activists were removed from the legislature's chambers." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . TOKYO, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- A road collapsed on Tuesday at an intersection in Japan's Saitama Prefecture, causing a truck to fall into the sinkhole and trapping the driver, local media reported. At around 9:40 a.m. local time, authorities received a report of the collapsed road and the fallen truck at an intersection in Saitama, which is close to Tokyo, national broadcaster NHK reported. The sinkhole is reported to be approximately 10 meters in diameter and 5 meters deep. According to emergency services, they have been able to communicate with the driver but rescue efforts are proving challenging due to the fragile walls of the hole. Police and firefighters continue to work on the rescue while investigating the details of the incident, according to the report. ANKARA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Turkish authorities have detained 100 suspected members of the Islamic State (IS) in the past week, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Tuesday. The operations, dubbed "Gurz-41" and "Gurz-42," were carried out across 24 provinces, including the capital, Ankara, and Istanbul, Turkiye's most populated city, the minister said on social media platform X. The authorities determined that the suspects were carrying out activities within the organization, providing financial aid to the group and making propaganda for the terrorist organization on social media, the minister said. Yerlikaya said the police seized organizational documents and digital materials during the raids. "With our strategy of destroying terrorism at its source, we continue our struggle with determination, (together) with our police, gendarmerie and intelligence units," he said. Turkiye designated IS a terrorist organization in 2013, blaming it for a spate of deadly attacks in the country. Ankara has conducted counter-terrorism operations domestically and abroad to crack down on its members and activities. 01/28/2025 By Katie Daly The Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), an independent government agency dedicated to protecting people and the environment from hazardous chemicals and pollution, announces the release of its 2025 Environmental Justice Report. Environmental Justice Through Toxics Use Reduction: Opportunities in Massachusetts examines the use and release of toxic substances across the Commonwealth through an environmental justice lens. About 21% of residents in Massachusetts live in Environmental Justice Neighborhoods. The report adopts a municipality-by-municipality approach to examine the use, release, and shipment of toxic substances across different municipalities. It pays particular attention to communities where certain chemicals of concern are used, such as those associated with cancer and asthma, and the class of so-called forever chemicals (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS). Our analysis indicates that, over the past decade, municipalities with larger populations in Environmental Justice neighborhoods have consistently recorded higher average usage and release of carcinogens, said TURI Policy Analyst Colin Hannahan. Furthermore, several facilities responsible for significant toxic emissions are located within these communities, raising the risk of both chronic and acute health effects for residents exposed to these hazardous substances. The report emphasizes that Toxics Use Reduction is a best practice for advancing the pursuit of environmental justice for all. Baskut Tuncak, the Executive Director of TURI, underscores the importance of TURIs strategy to guarantee that every individual and community has the right to live, work, and play in a healthy environment. The approach we adopt at TURI is a crucial element of the preventive side of environmental justice, said Tuncak. By focusing on reducing the use of toxic substances across different industries, our strategy not only protects the environment but also promotes the well-being of the most vulnerable and susceptible members of our communities. The comprehensive report utilizes data from the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) to provide valuable insights that assist government agencies, businesses, and communities in identifying opportunities to promote environmental justice by reducing the use of toxic substances. This report is a great example of how the TURA database can be used to identify opportunities for Toxics Use Reduction, with a focus on environmental justice communities, said TURA Program Manager Heather Tenney. The TURAdata website is a great Right -to-Know tool to help members of the community learn about toxics used, released or moving through their community. Key Findings from the 2025 Environmental Justice Report: From 2007 to 2020, the average use of Toxics per municipality was greatest in those with 75% or more of their population living in EJ Neighborhoods. Toxics Use Reduction efforts have had a significant impact on reducing the releases of Toxics in Massachusetts, including in those municipalities with 75% or more of the population living in EJ neighborhoods. However, the average release of Toxics per municipality was still highest in this group, especially from 2007 to 2017. In 2020, the average use and release of Toxics, number of TURA facilities and the quantity of chemicals shipped were all highest for the group of municipalities with 75% or more of the population living in EJ Neighborhoods. This suggests that those living in EJ Neighborhoods may continue to face comparatively greater risk of negative health outcomes due to Toxics use and release. The average use and release of TURA Higher Hazard Substances (e.g. carcinogens) per municipality, both historically since 2007 and in 2020, is greater in the municipality groups with more of the population living in an EJ Neighborhood. Several facilities that release significant amounts of these Toxics are in EJ Neighborhoods. Individuals in these communities may be at greater risk of developing associated chronic and acute health effects that can result from exposure to these Toxics. A preliminary analysis found that communities with high densities of EJ neighborhoods were above state averages for several environmental burden indicators (e.g., lead paint risk and exposure to air pollution). This, combined with barriers that impede at-risk groups from organizing for increased protection from the use and release of Toxics, suggests that these communities are more susceptible to negative health outcomes due to Toxics exposure. Asthma rates are comparatively higher in many municipalities with significant environmental justice populations, and among lower-income and African American populations statewide. Also, among municipalities with the highest percentage of the population living in an EJ Neighborhood, there is presently and historically a higher per municipality average use and release of Toxics linked to asthma. PFAS testing data at the time of this reports release does not show greater PFAS concentrations in the drinking water of municipalities with higher proportions of their population living in EJ Neighborhoods. However, two facilities that reported PFAS releases under TURA are located within or close to EJ Neighborhoods. TURI, in collaboration with its partner agenciesthe Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)is a vital resource for businesses and communities seeking to advance environmental justice. Through these partnerships, TURI works diligently to ensure equal protection from toxic exposures for all. For more information, please visit the TURI website. About TURI: Established in 1989 by the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act, the TURI is an independent governmental agency whose mission is to develop and facilitate the adoption of safer solutions to the use of toxic chemicals. TURI envisions a world where reducing the use of Toxics has created healthier, more equitable communities and thriving ecosystems. Over the past 35 years, TURI has reduced the use and release of Toxics in Massachusetts by 75 percent and 91 percent, respectively. Learn more at www.turi.org Welcome Guest! You are here: Home New Saudi rule opens doors for foreigners to invest in Makkah, Madinah In a major decision taken to stimulate growth, Saudi Arabia has allowed foreigners and non-Saudi citizens to invest in Makkah and Madinah Tuesday January 28, 2025 11:04 AM , ummid.com News Network Riyadh: In a major decision taken to stimulate growth, Saudi Arabia has allowed foreigners and non-Saudi citizens to invest in Makkah and Madinah. Makkah al Mukarramah and Madinah Munawwarah are the Two Holiest Cities for Muslims across the world. While the significance of Makkah lies in the fact that the Grand Mosque in the Holy City hosts Kaaba the House of Allah, The Almighty, Madina is the City of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in Makkah but migrated to Madinah where he lived till he passed away at the age of 63. Foreigners and non-Saudi national were barred from investing in the Real Estate business in the Two Holy Cities. The latest order by the Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA) has opened the doors for foreign investment in Makkah and Madinah. The CMA decision follows the approval of the controls for the exclusion of companies listed in the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) from the meaning of the phrase (Non-Saudi) in accordance with the Law of Real Estate Ownership and Investment by Non-Saudis, according to Saudi Gazette. Also Watch: The Makkah Grand Mosque In 2030 In a statement released Monday the Saudi capital market regulator said that this move is aimed at stimulating investment, enhance the attractiveness and efficiency of the capital market, and strengthen its regional and international competitiveness while supporting the local economy. "This includes attracting foreign capital and providing the necessary liquidity for current and future projects in Makkah and Madinah through the investment products available in the Saudi market, positioning it as a key funding source for these distinctive developmental projects," the statement pointed out. The new rules allow non-Saudi investors to benefit from the economic advantages of existing and future projects without violating the relevant laws, regulations, and instructions, particularly the Law of Real Estate Ownership and Investment by Non-Saudis, whether during the companies' operations or liquidation. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Trumps Explicit Support for Israel's Genocide, Colonial Policies Since the 4th Geneva Convention explicitly forbids forced displacement of populations under occupation, any plans to do so would be a blatant violation of this agreement Tuesday January 28, 2025 11:02 PM , Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor [Shifa Medical Complex, one of the largest medical institutions in Gaza, after Israel relentless bombings.] Palestinian Territory: United States President Donald Trump announced his plan to expel the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip from their homes there, and has called on neighbouring nations to accept the Palestinians into their countries. These remarks , that were made after Israel egregiously violated international law by committing genocide against the Palestinian people in the Strip for over 15 monthsincluding by destroying all essential necessities for life in the enclaveare deeply concerning. The Palestinians, who are already suffering from the devastating effects of Israels attempts to annihilate them, should not have to pay a further price for this genocide by being forcibly displaced outside of their homeland. Israel, as the illegal occupying power , is the only entity that must take moral and legal responsibility for the crimes it has committed in the Gaza Strip, pay reparations to the Palestinians, and rebuild the Strip as quickly as possible. Since the 4th Geneva Convention explicitly forbids forced displacement of populations under occupation, any plans to do so would be a blatant violation of this agreement. Also Read: Brazen Silence of The World Fuelling Israeli Genocide of Palestinians The facilitation of these plans would also violate the Palestinian peoples inalienable right to stay on their land and in their homeland, a right which is protected by international law, and would be crimes against humanity and war crimes. In addition to being an international crime, the forced displacement of Palestinians is a component of a larger plan to strengthen the systematic expulsion and forced relocation crimes Israel has been committing against Palestinians for many years. In addition to directly supporting Israels expansionist and colonial policies, which systematically aim to remove Palestinians from their lands in favour of its illegal colonial settlement projects, Trumps statements call for the evacuation of Gazas population by forcing neighbouring countries to absorb refugees from the Strip. This runs counter to the strong historical and cultural ties that bind Palestinians to their land. For months, Israel has been committing genocide by carrying out mass killings against civilians and methodically demolishing Gaza Strip cities, neighbourhoods, and infrastructure in an effort to drive Palestinians from their land and force them to flee. In order to weaken the Palestinians ability to survive on their land, and to establish a coercive environment that forces them to flee, these policies have gone beyond simply killing, destroying, and starving them. They have also included destroying the essentials of life, such as access to water, electricity, education, and health care. Trump stated today ( 26 Sunday ) that more Palestinians from the Gaza Strip should be sent to Jordan and Egypt, and that he is pleading with the leaders of the two nations to allow them to do so because the Strip is in a state of chaos. Since the reopening of the Rafah land crossing with Egypt, which was closed last May, Israel has purposefully bombed cities, residential neighbourhoods, and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, including streets, schools, and essential facilities there. Israels deliberate attempt to either kill or drive Palestinians from their land is especially obvious given the dearth of basic necessities in the besieged enclave, such as homes and infrastructure like water, electricity, communications, Internet, and school networks. In addition, statements made by Israeli ministers and officials publicly promote voluntary migration. Israel has been committing genocide in the Gaza Strip since 7 October 2023, and the destruction of entire Palestinian cities and neighbourhoods by the Israeli army is a glaring example of this crime and a key instrument of its execution. This crime has gone beyond simply killing tens of thousands or potentially hundreds of thousandsof Palestinians and progressively destroying the lives of over two million people by removing their basic necessities for survival. It has also included the total destruction of Palestinian cities and their architectural and cultural heritage; the erasure of the Palestinian peoples national and cultural identity; the forced relocation of Palestinian people from their lands, and the imposition of this permanent displacement; the dismantling of their communities; and the obliteration of their collective memory in an attempt to eradicate their physical and human existence as well as their past, present, and future. A regional and global stance opposing Trumps claims of deporting Gaza Strip residents is absolutely necessary. Mass displacement as a solution to the current conflict not only ignores the underlying causes of the issue but also exacerbates the injustices already experienced by the Palestinian people, and denies them their rightful self-determination and safe residence in their homeland. Trumps claims, along with any actions that follow, are likely to exacerbate tensions and undermine regional stability. The international community must fully uphold the principles of international law and adopt solutions that respect Palestinian rights. These solutions should include ending Israels illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, holding Israel accountable for its ongoing crimes, and establishing a clear path to achieving justice for the Palestinian people. Additionally, the international community should ensure that all Palestinian refugees and displaced persons are able to return to their original areas in accordance with relevant international resolutions, rather than supporting any policies that would uproot Palestines indigenous population in favour of Israels colonial policies. [Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor is a Geneva-based independent organization with regional offices across the MENA region and Europe.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- The United States pulled back from imposing punitive tariffs on Colombia after the South American country agreed to accept deported citizens sent on U.S. military aircraft on Sunday. This came after a flurry of tariff threats between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro sparked by Colombia's refusal to allow the landing of two U.S. flights carrying deported immigrants. This is the first time Trump has taken major action against another country over his immigration policy since taking office. Here is what to know about the clash and what lies ahead for countries facing the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration. WHAT HAPPENED? Colombian President Petro on Sunday said he would not authorize the entry of two U.S. military flights carrying deported Colombian migrants. Noting that the United States cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals, Petro said in a post on X that Washington must establish a protocol for the dignified treatment of migrants. "I cannot make migrants stay in a country that does not want them. But if that country returns them, it must be with dignity and respect for them and for our country. We will receive our compatriots in civilian planes, without treating them like criminals. Colombia must be respected," he said. In retaliation, Trump threatened to impose emergency 25-percent tariffs, which would have increased to 50 percent in one week, on all goods coming from Colombia, a travel ban and visa revocations on Colombian government officials, along with emergency treasury, banking and financial sanctions. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio followed up by suspending visa issuance to Colombian government officials and their family members, noting that the measures would continue until Colombia meets its obligations to accept the return of its own citizens. In response, Colombia announced 25-percent tariffs on all goods from the United States in a tit-for-tat measure. However, in a statement late on Sunday, the White House said Colombia had agreed to accept the migrants in the end, and Washington would hold off on its threatened penalties. "The Government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump's terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without limitation or delay," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Sunday night in a statement. But it said visa sanctions against Colombian government officials would remain in force "until the first planeload of Colombian deportees is successfully returned." Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo later confirmed that the country was ready to receive the deportees, with a presidential plane prepared to facilitate their return. TRUMP'S CRACKDOWN The latest deportation to Colombia is part of Trump's immigration policy, which has declared illegal immigration a national emergency, resulting in crackdowns since he took office. Trump signed on his inauguration day an executive order that declared a national emergency along the U.S.-Mexico border, called for mass deportations of undocumented migrants, deployed military forces to the border and took steps to restrict citizenship for children born on U.S. soil. Just days before the Colombia standoff, the White House claimed that over 1,000 illegal immigrants had been arrested, and hundreds of them were deported via military aircraft. Besides Colombia, the United States has sent deportation flights to other countries, including Mexico and Brazil. On Friday, U.S. military aircraft carried out two flights, each with about 80 migrants, to Guatemala. Four deportation flights carrying immigrants were sent to Mexico. However, according to multiple U.S. media reports, at least one flight was refused entry. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry on Saturday condemned the U.S. handling of repatriated migrants, saying the immigrants on the deportation flights were subjected to humiliating treatment. ASSERTING CONTROL As many media reports noted, the use of U.S. military aircraft to carry out deportation flights is unusual. The Defense Department "has helped administrations before, but not at this level. So it's a force multiplier," ABC reported, citing Tom Homan, the border czar appointed by Trump. "It's sending a strong signal to the world. Our border's closed," Homan said. In the statement that ended the standoff between Colombia and America, the White House also sent a message that the United States is once again asserting control over its borders. "Today's events make clear to the world that America is respected again. President Trump will continue to fiercely protect our nation's sovereignty, and he expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States," it said. Although Trump walked back his threats against Colombia, he has promised tariffs on other countries as soon as this week. He said earlier his administration would impose 25 percent duties on imports from Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1 to force further action against illegal immigrants and fentanyl flowing into America. "These measures are just the beginning," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social while threatening Colombia, signaling what other countries could face if they resist U.S. immigration policies. I have an Android phone. The phone is 5 years old, functions perfectly for me, and is now E-Waste. I can tell by the pictures on the phone that I bought it just after conf.kde.in in 2020 because its full of pictures of my visit to Colombia (where I met Maui Toolkit developer Camilo). Its a Motorola G7 Power. It came with Android 9. It was updated to Android 10. Its been a fine phone for 5 years, the battery life is still measured in days, it makes calls and does Matrix and Mastodon and whatnot. I personally have no reason to replace it at all. I do have a banking app on it, which is now telling me that I need Android 11 to keep using the banking app. I presume the bank has a good reason for requiring the newer version. Theres no question of just dont use the app since, well, Dutch banks are nearly inaccessible except via their phone app. Motorola has a lousy record of providing Android updates for its phones, if I recall, and so the phone is now E-Waste. Exactly the same thing happened with my moms phone. Slightly newer, no updates, E-Waste. The only upside I can think of here is that postmarketOS has two more devices for testing available (there are instructions for the G7 Power which are just as inscrutible as how-to-configure-XOrg instructions used to be in the 90s. Assuming non-zero energy and some pent-up annoyance in the future, I can improve on that situation. Following a design competition in 2010 Reiach and Hall Architects were appointed by the National Trust for Scotland in collaboration with Historic Scotland, for the design of a new visitor facility at one of Scotlands most historic sites, The Battle of Bannockburn, near Stirling. The overall project consisted of four distinct yet complimentary parts: significant conservation work to the category A listed monuments, including the Rotunda, the magnificent bronze Equestrian Statue, the Flagpole and the Cairn carried out by Reiach and Hall Architects; improvements to the overall landscape of the site and landscape works associated with the new visitor centre carried out by Ian White Associates; a new visitor centre by Reiach and Hall Architects and a radical dramatic interpretation of the Battle carried out by Brightwhite Ltd. The project was scheduled for completion in time for the commemoration of the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn in 2014. The role of the visitor centre is concerned with increasing the understanding of two fundamental issues, landscape and its part in the victory and the telling of a remarkable story. The new landscape design and the design of the new building attempt to give a sense of discreet dignity to this historic battlefield through simple and durable forms and materials. The drama of the story however has been retold through ground breaking digital technology allied to exhaustive historical research and incorporating an exhibition and audio-visual presentation that illustrate the battlefield events of June 1314, when King Robert the Bruce routed the forces of King Edward II to win freedom for the Scots from English domination. The new building sits quietly to the side of the main avenue approach that links the entrance off the Glasgow Road to the hill top monuments with their open prospect over the battlefield to Stirling Castle, the Ochils and the North. The building proposals imagine a simple ensemble of resonant and evocative forms. The exterior has been designed to suggest traditional building forms and materials yet rendered unfamiliar and ambivalent through their finish and detail. The external facades are textured and patterned in the manner of cloth or chainmail. On entering the almost austere form gives way to light filled airy interiors. The new building offers the visitor two things, hospitality and information. A courtyard or steading form symbolises shelter and hospitality through the creation of an enclosed place; a clearly defined defensible space that captures the sun and protects from the wind. To the south of the courtyard lie all the service spaces, toilets, stores, kitchen, offices, all vital to the efficient running of the centre. To the west lies the cafe with views to the monuments and to the east the shop and entrance reception. To the North of the courtyard lies a generous Hall along with Prologue and Epilogue spaces that offer simple flexible vessels for the interpretive installations and exhibition spaces. January 28 2025 Glasgow City Council is taking the gloves off in an attempt to break a heritage stand-off which has overshadowed Union Street for three decades. The Egyptian Halls, long entombed behind scaffolding, were the subject of a recent approach to the council by The List and Ediston to turn it into a food court. Now, the council's contracts and property committee will meet on 6 February to decide whether to launch an investigation into pursuing a CPO, by determining whether there are any parties with the capability to renew the building as well as giving weight to active proposals from the current owners - if any. Councillor Ruairi Kelly commented: While there remains no indication of a viable plan coming forward from the buildings owners, the concern is the Halls continue to deteriorate. What councillors are being asked is whether the time is right for the City Council to look at how we use CPO powers to acquire the Halls. CPOs can be lengthy and complex legal processes but this would be the first major step towards the repair and reuse of this beautiful building, bringing part of Glasgows heritage back into city life, with so many positive impacts for our city centre. In a statement, Derek Souter, lead owner of the ground and upper floors under two separate companies, told Urban Realm: "The council are in fact for accuracy considering the feasibility for a new CPO and will assess this first... "No formal offer was turned down from the List but a highly conditional and outline offer was received dependent on securing planning permission and they also did not have access the funding required so it faded away. But they do appear to have influential stakeholders pitching for them. Now if they have access to the required funds tell them to get in touch. "After today and wasting so many years and time attempting to collaborate with GCC and Historic Environment Scotland USP and USI will look to pursue purely commercial options as advised was the only way forward by GCC." Niall Murphy, director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, told Urban Realm: "I think it's the right thing to do because it will bring the impasse to a head. The current situation is untenable, it's causing too much blight." Concerns have risen in recent years at the deteriorating condition of the building, which has received no applications for planning permission for reuse since 2012. Current moves constitute the first steps towards a lengthy legal process that would ultimately see ownership pass to the party best placed to deliver a viable plan to retain, repair and re-use Alexander Thomson's masterpiece. Explaining the historical and architectural significance of the building Murphy added: "The main facade on Union Street is of critical historical importance because it encompasses Thomson's mature style. It's his commercial masterpiece, it's the mysterious power of the horizontal which was influenced by John Martin's biblical apocalyptic paintings." Souter told Urban Realm that while he will fight any CPO he is willing to meet with representatives of Ediston and The List 'anyplace and at anytime' to discuss a market value sale, adding a suitable agreement could be be in place within a matter of months. After more than six weeks of silence regarding the whereabouts of Amirhossein Mousavi and Shabnam Hosseinzadeh, a protesting couple arrested by Iranian intelligence agents in December, users on X launched a "Twitter storm," calling for their release. Click here for the full story in Persian. The multibillion-dollar Stargate Project announced by U.S. President Donald Trump will focus on building data centers with the goal of turning the U.S. into a computing power empire, according to experts. Some believe the significant boost in U.S. computational capabilities will widen the gap with China in artificial intelligence. And this is an industrial buildout that, at least right now, China really is not in a position to do because of the [semiconductor] export controls that the United States is placing, said Dean W. Ball, a research fellow at George Mason Universitys Mercatus Center. However, there are signs that China is catching up with U.S. companies in key AI metrics by relying on open-source software. Click here for the full report in Mandarin. It took Susan Salih about eight hours to travel from Kabul, Afghanistan, to Peshawar, Pakistan, to take a scholarship exam the Pakistani government offers to Afghan students. Salih, 25, and a group of other young Afghan women who took the exam at the Institute of Management Sciences in Peshawar told VOA that despite being able to take the test online, they traveled, accompanied by family members, to sit for the exam in person "to not miss the opportunity." "I hope this will pay off at least for those girls who now have the chance [to pursue their higher education]," said Salih, who could not pursue her dream of a post-graduate degree in Afghanistan after the Taliban banned women from attending universities in 2022. Pakistan's Higher Education Commission said about 5,000 young women were among 21,000 applicants for the 2,000 scholarships announced for Afghan students. These scholarships are part of the 4,500 Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships for Afghan Students, the commission said. The Pakistan government said the undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships are fully funded, covering tuition fees, hostel dues, and living, book and travel allowances. Tests for the scholarships took place in-person and online on Saturday and Sunday in Peshawar and Quetta. Muhammad Waqar Khan, senior project manager at the Higher Education Commission, said students will be "short-listed" for scholarships based on merit. "After this [the tests], we will conduct interviews" with those students, Khan said. Pakistani officials earlier told VOA on the condition of anonymity that the Taliban agreed to let female students pursue higher education in Pakistan, provided that their male guardians are granted visas to accompany them. But the Taliban, who seized power of Afghanistan in 2021, denied Monday that they reached any "conditional agreement" regarding the scholarships. The Taliban have "no agreement with Pakistan or any other country regarding scholarships for girls. ... Such unfounded claims are propaganda by certain malicious groups against the Islamic Emirate," said a statement posted on the Taliban's Ministry of Higher Education website. The Taliban banned women from traveling long distances without a chaperone, working with the government and nongovernment organizations, and going to public baths, beauty salons and public parks. Pakistan's Higher Education Commission said the scholarships aim to "strengthen [the] bilateral relationship" between the two countries. Salih said these scholarships offer Afghan women hope. "We want to be a beacon of hope for those still in Afghanistan," said Salih, adding that "even in tough times and with many limitations, there is always hope and a path forward." Ayaz Gul contributed to this report. (Reuters) -Activist investor Ancora Holdings has built a stake in U.S. Steel and wants the steelmaker to drop its merger agreement with Japan's Nippon Steel, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing sources. The exact size of Ancora's stake in U.S. Steel could not be determined. The activist investor also intends to rally shareholders around a plan to oust U.S. Steel's top boss David Burritt, the report said. Ancora is not interested in pursuing a sale of the American steelmaker to another party, the WSJ reported, adding that it has nominated nine director candidates to the company's 12-person board, including Stelco's former chief Alan Kestenbaum. Bloomberg News reported that the hedge fund also wants Kestenbaum to replace Burritt as the CEO. Ancora, U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for a comment outside regular business hours. Earlier this month, former U.S. President Joe Biden blocked Nippon Steel's $14.9 billion deal for U.S Steel on national security grounds and delayed an order until June for Nippon to abandon the bid. The companies have sued the Biden administration for blocking the acquisition. U.S President Donald Trump had also voiced opposition to Nippon Steel acquiring U.S. Steel. "I will block this deal from happening," Trump wrote on social-media platform Truth Social in December. Reuters reported earlier this month that rival steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs was partnering with peer Nucor for a potential all-cash bid for U.S. Steel. Cliffs had previously proposed acquiring U.S. Steel, but the American steelmaker raised concerns about antitrust issues and the consolidation of steel supply to U.S. automakers. A potential deal could result in up to 95% of U.S. iron ore production being controlled by a single company. Previously, Ancora pushed for changes in other companies including C.H. Robinson, Norfolk Southern, and Forward Air Corp. (Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Sherry Jacob-Phillips) Conservationists in Kenya are using an artificial intelligence-powered application to monitor forest degradation and launch reforestation. The data collected by the application is also used to project the amount of carbon that can be stored by a growing patch of forest. Juma Majanga reports from Nyeri, Kenya. Around 50 survivors and dozens of world leaders attended memorial events at the site of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland on Monday to mark the 80th anniversary of its liberation by the Soviet Red Army in World War II. January 27 is marked around the world as International Holocaust Memorial Day. Six million people were killed in the Holocaust as the Nazis attempted to eliminate the Jewish race. In front of the so-called Death Gate, through which more than a million Jews and other prisoners were led to their deaths, the survivors gathered in a heated tent, joined by heads of state and delegates from across the world. They lit candles and laid wreaths of remembrance for the estimated 1.1 million people who perished at the camp. Tova Friedman, who was 2 years old when she was taken to the camp at Auschwitz, is the youngest of the survivors. We were victims in a moral vacuum, she told delegates. But today, however, we have an obligation not only to remember, which is very, very important, but also to warn and to teach that hatred only begets more hatred. Auschwitz liberation On Jan. 27, 1945, Red Army troops liberated Auschwitz, the largest of the six Nazi extermination camps. What they found continues to haunt humanity. Industrial-scale human slaughter spread across a vast factory complex of dormitories, gas chambers, crematoria and mass graves the apparatus of a regime determined to wipe out the entire Jewish race. A genocide conducted over 4-and-a-half years, planned and executed with meticulous detail. It was part of the Nazis final solution to the Jewish problem a strategy of mass murder agreed at the Wannsee Conference in 1942. An estimated 1.1 million people were killed at Auschwitz-Birkenau, around 960,000 of them Jews. Poles, Roma, homosexuals, Soviet prisoners of war and other nationalities were also murdered in the thousands. Victims were stripped of their clothing and forced into packed chambers filled with cyanide-based Zyklon-B gas. By summer 1944, an estimated 12,000 people a day were being gassed to death. Thousands of others were shot or beaten to death or died from disease, starvation and exposure. Bodies were burned or buried in mass graves. 'Burning bodies' Janina Iwanska was taken to Auschwitz by train from another Polish transit camp in August 1944 at age 14. As soon as I got off the wagon, I was immediately hit by the smell, the one I knew from Treblinka [concentration camp] the smell of burning bodies, she told Reuters. There were small children there who were brought with their mothers. After leaving the disinfection room, they were separated, torn off them. The mothers almost ripped the hands of these children off because they did not want to let them go. Besides, some of the children could not recognize their mothers, because not only were the clothes different but also the heads. A shaved head and a head with hair are two completely different heads, Iwanska said. As Red Army troops approached the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp from the east, Nazi soldiers attempted to cover up their crimes. Around 60,000 prisoners were forcibly transferred in so-called "death marches" to other camps farther west. Its estimated that up to 15,000 died along the way. By the time the Russian troops entered Auschwitz, around 7,000 prisoners remained, most on the brink of death. Thousands died before receiving medical help. Culture of remembrance Germany now embraces Erinnerungskultur, an official "culture of remembrance," or a duty to take responsibility for the Holocaust. We keep alive the memory of the breach of civilization committed by Germans in the Holocaust and convey it to every generation in our country again and again. Our responsibility never ends, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said ahead of the anniversary. But the 80th anniversary comes amid growing fears over the rise of the far-right in Germany, Europe and beyond. Such concerns were voiced by many Auschwitz survivors, including Leon Weintraub, who was deported to Auschwitz in 1944 and now lives in Sweden. "Be attentive and be vigilant, Weintraub told delegates. We, the survivors, we understand that the consequences of being considered different is active persecution, the effects of which we have personally experienced on our own skin. So, let us be very serious, and let us take seriously what the enemies of democracy preach. They generally seek to implement these slogans they promote, he said. German fears The German government has repeatedly warned of the dangers of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) Party, which is polling in second place, or around 20%, ahead of February elections. The AfD is being monitored by German intelligence services as a potentially extremist party. In a recent televised conversation with Elon Musk, the U.S. billionaire and ally of President Donald Trump, AfDs leader Alice Weidel said Nazi leader Adolf Hitler was not right-wing but a communist. Speaking at an AfD conference Saturday by video link, Musk, who is an open supporter of the party, questioned Germanys approach to its past. I think theres frankly too much of a focus on past guilt, and we need to move beyond that. Children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents or even let alone their parents, the great-grandparents, maybe even, Musk said. Israel conflict The Hamas cross-border attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, and the brutal Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, have overshadowed memorial events in Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not attend the Auschwitz commemorations. Netanyahu faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for suspected war crimes committed during Israels war on Hamas, which he strongly denies. The United States, a close ally of Israel, has condemned the warrant and threatened sanctions against the court in The Hague. Poland assured Netanyahu that he would not be arrested if he attended the Auschwitz memorial events. However, the Israeli prime minister instead spent Monday in a Tel Aviv court as his long-running corruption trial resumed. Israel was instead represented by Education Minister Yoav Kisch. Relatives of the dozens of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza traveled to Poland for the Auschwitz liberation anniversary, while survivors of the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre joined survivors of the Holocaust for commemorative events in Israel. Belarus opposition activists and Western officials have denounced the reelection of Alexander Lukashenko to serve his seventh five-year presidential term. The 70-year-old leader began his iron-fisted rule in 1994. He received nearly 87% of the ballots cast in Sundays election in the Eastern European country, according to the Belarus Central Election Commission. His victory was not surprising as he has imprisoned many of his opponents, while others have fled abroad to live in exile. Opposition leader-in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya labeled Lukashenkos successful reelection as sheer nonsense. Before Sundays vote, she had encouraged voters to cross out every candidates name on the ballot. The four challengers in Sundays election had all praised Lukashenkos leadership, according to The Associated Press. The European Union, Britain, Australia and New Zealand issued a joint statement condemning the sham presidential elections in Belarus and the countrys human rights violations under Lukashenko. Britains Foreign Office said Monday that it has sanctioned six Belarus citizens and three defense sector firms, after the Sunday polls in Belarus. The sanctioned individuals include the head of the Belarusian Central Election Commission and two prison chiefs. "Following Lukashenko's brutal crackdown in which critical voices within Belarus have been silenced, yesterday's sham election failed to meet international standards and has been condemned by international partners," the Foreign Office said. The Foreign Office also said that the sanctions were being placed in coordination with Canada. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement, "The world has become well-accustomed to Lukashenko's cynical pretense of democracy in Belarus, while in reality he brutally represses civil society and opposition voices to strengthen his grip on power. Lukashenko's successful presidential bid in 2020 set off months of protests in which thousands of people were beaten and more than 65,000 were arrested. He was roundly condemned by the West, which imposed sanctions. However, he survived the protests with the help of his close ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Lukashenko depends on for subsidies, as well as political support. Putin called Lukashenko Monday to congratulate him on his convincing victory. Chinese President Xi Jinping also congratulated the Belarusian leader. The Viasna Human Rights Center, an exiled Belarusian nongovernmental organization, said in a statement that Belarus has over 1,250 political prisoners in custody. Some information in this story was provided by The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. A little more than a week after Beijing and Manila reached an agreement aimed at easing tensions in the South China Sea, the Philippines has accused Chinese coast guard vessels of fresh incursions, harassment and aggressive maneuvers. Analysts say the pressure campaign, which has stepped up in recent days, is part of Beijings attempt to test the United States commitment to support the Philippines. They want to see how far they can push the Philippines under the new administration in the U.S., Ja Ian Chong, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, told VOA by phone. In a statement released on social media platform X last Saturday, the Philippine coast guard said two vessels from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries encountered aggressive maneuvers from three Chinese coast guard vessels while heading to Sandy Cay for a marine scientific survey last Friday. In one video released by Manila, a large Chinese coast guard vessel was seen moving within a few meters of one Philippine vessel. Another video showed a Chinese helicopter hovering above two inflatable boats carrying Philippine crew members. Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said the Philippine vessels were forced to suspend the scientific survey due to the continuous harassment and the disregard for safety shown by the Chinese coast guard. In response to Manilas accusations, Beijing said Chinese coast guard vessels thwarted two Philippine vessels attempts to land on Sandy Cay, which China calls Tiexian Reef. The vessels attempted to illegally land on the reef and conduct sand sampling. China Coast Guard [CCG] vessels lawfully obstructed the Philippine ships' course and warned them away, the Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun said in a statement released last Friday. China views almost all of the South China Sea as its territory and is engaged in a series of disputes with several Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, that have overlapping claims over the strategic waterway. Apart from the incident near Sandy Cay, the Philippine coast guard said its vessels had successfully kept Chinese coast guard vessels from operating in waters near the coastline of the Philippines Zambales province since last Friday. The Philippine Coast Guard [PCG] vessel has maintained the China Coast Guard vessel to keep a distance of 90-100 nautical miles away from the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone, said Jay Tarriela from the Philippine coast guard in a post on social media platform X on Sunday. Then on Monday, the Philippine coast guard said its vessels were hindered by Chinese coast guard vessels while trying to recover the body of a dead Philippine fisherman from a Philippine fishing boat. The series of incidents comes more than a week after senior Chinese and Philippine diplomats vowed to settle territorial disputes in the South China Sea through dialogues during a bilateral consultation. Although the agreement has allowed the Philippines to conduct resupply missions to its forces near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal since late last year, some experts say the latest incidents are part of a bigger effort by Beijing to drive a wedge between Manila and Washington. Beijing isnt happy with Manilas assertive stance in the South China Sea and its close ties with the United States, so [these factors] serve as convenient justifications for Beijing to try to push Manila in the South China Sea, said Collin Koh, a maritime security expert at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. Despite the persistent Chinese aggression, Koh said some in Manila think the Philippines can maintain its current approach in the South China Sea since there is bipartisan support for a more assertive position against China in the U.S. and some Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, have reiterated Washingtons ironclad defense commitment to the Philippines during interactions with their Philippine counterparts last week. Manila appears to be more cautiously optimistic that it can maintain the current policy, knowing that there is U.S. backing for that, he told VOA by phone. To counter Beijings pressure campaign, Don McLain Gill, a lecturer in international studies at De La Salle University in the Philippines, said its important for the Philippines and its allies, including the United States, to maintain close collaboration in areas such as joint maritime exercises. Since China is expected to continue pressing the Philippines into submission with its grey zone operations, which are now shifting from low intensity to high intensity, this must be addressed with more robust presence operations between the alliance and like-minded partners, along with continued support in the Philippines military modernization in line with the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defence Concept, he told VOA in a written response. With the Trump administrations announcement to suspend new funding for almost all U.S. foreign assistance for 90 days, however, Chong in Singapore said Beijing may think there is a window of opportunity to pressure countries like the Philippines. A Colombian Air Force jet was expected to land back in the country early Tuesday carrying 110 Colombians deported from the United States. The flight from San Diego, along with another traveling from Houston back to Colombia, follows a dispute sparked Sunday when Colombian President Gustavo Petro refused to allow U.S. military planes to send deported Colombians back home. Petro said such treatment was disrespectful. His refusal prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to threaten to impose tariffs, which Petro said he would reciprocate before the two countries announced they had reached an agreement to defuse the situation. Petro said the Colombian Air Force flights would allow the migrants to travel home without being handcuffed. "This provision: dignity for deportees, will be applied to all countries that send deportations to us, Petro said. Trump has quickly moved to carry out deportations, one of his campaign pledges, since taking office last week. He said Monday that if countries do not accept their migrants fast, theyll pay a very high economic price, and were going to immediately install massive tariffs. While Colombia balked at the U.S. military flights, Guatemala has accepted several U.S. Air Force flights carrying Guatemalan migrants deported from the United States in recent days. The latest flight took place Monday, with 64 Guatemalans returning home. Guatemalas Vice President Karin Herrera said Monday she was monitoring the care and condition of migrants arriving from the United States. "Guatemalan migrants are people with rights and dignity. Our commitment is to guarantee that their arrival in the country, to their land, is in the best conditions, Herrera said. U.S. deportation flights are not new, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement carrying out hundreds of the flights each year. But the use of military flights is new, with the agency previously using commercial and chartered flights to deport people who are illegally in the United States. Some material for this article came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. The Justice Department said Monday that it had fired more than a dozen employees who worked on criminal prosecutions of President Donald Trump, moving rapidly to pursue retribution against lawyers involved in the investigations and signaling an early willingness to take action favorable to the president's personal interests. The abrupt termination targeting career prosecutors who worked on special counsel Jack Smith's team is the latest sign of upheaval inside the Justice Department and is consistent with the administration's determination to purge the government of workers it perceives as disloyal to the president. The norm-shattering move, which follows the reassignment of multiple senior career officials across divisions, was made even though rank-and-file prosecutors by tradition remain with the department across presidential administrations and are not punished by virtue of their involvement in sensitive investigations. The firings are effective immediately. Today, Acting Attorney General James McHenry terminated the employment of a number of DOJ officials who played a significant role in prosecuting President Trump, said a statement from a Justice Department official. "In light of their actions, the Acting Attorney General does not trust these officials to assist in faithfully implementing the Presidents agenda. This action is consistent with the mission of ending the weaponization of government. It was not immediately clear which prosecutors were affected by the order, or how many who worked on the investigations into Trump remained with the department as Trump took office last week. It was also not immediately known how many of the fired prosecutors intended to challenge the terminations by arguing that the department had cast aside civil service protections afforded to federal employees. The action was the latest effort to turn the table on criminal investigations that for years shadowed Trump, resulting in separate indictments that never went to trial and were ultimately abandoned. On his first day in office, he issued sweeping pardons and sentence commutations to the more than 1,500 supporters charged in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, a massive clemency grant that benefited even those 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. Trump has long sought to exert control over a Justice Department that investigated him both during his first term as well as during the last four years under former Attorney General Merrick Garland. He has repeatedly said he expects loyalty from a law enforcement community trained to put facts, evidence and the law ahead of politics. He's moved to put close allies in high-level positions, including replacing his first FBI director, Christopher Wray, with loyalist Kash Patel. Trumps pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi, said at her confirmation hearing this month that she would not play politics but did not rule out the potential for investigations into Trump adversaries like Smith. Smith resigned from the department earlier this month after submitting a two-volume report on the twin investigations into Trump's efforts to undo the 2020 presidential election and his hoarding of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. At least one other key member of the team, Jay Bratt, also retired from the department this month after serving as a lead prosecutor in the classified documents case. Both the election interference case and the classified documents prosecution were withdrawn by Smith's team following Trump's presidential win in November, in keeping with longstanding Justice Department policy. The firings were first reported by Fox News. Violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has forced many families to flee their homes, with many seeking refuge in places such as neighboring Rwanda. As the humanitarian crisis worsens, East African leaders are urging immediate action to bring peace and stability to the region. Salem Solomon has this report on the impact the conflict is having on civilians. Camera: Austere Malivika and Jimmy Shukrani Bakomera. Video editor: Bismark Osei Sarpong A 3.8-magnitude earthquake centered near the Maine coast rattled houses in northern New England on Monday and was felt by surprised residents of states hundreds of miles away. The earthquake took place at about 10:22 a.m. Monday and was centered about six miles (10 kilometers) southeast of York Harbor in southern Maine, the United States Geological Survey reported. It was reported at a depth of about eight miles (13 kilometers) the survey said. Officials said the quake could be felt in every state in New England and as far away as Pennsylvania. In southern Maine, many residents reported feeling houses and buildings shake as the surprising earthquake interrupted a sunny winter morning. The quake sent residents and officials in Maine and New Hampshire looking to assess any possible damage. In most cases, residents and businesses reported confusion over what had happened. Many shared stories on social media indicating they initially thought there may have been a nearby car accident or possibly an explosion. The Maine Emergency Management Agency asked residents to only call 911 in the event of an emergency. The earthquake did not appear to cause any major damage, said Vanessa Corson, a spokesperson for the agency. Corson also said local emergency management agencies did not report any damage. New Hampshires Department of Safety said the state's 911 number did not receive any calls about damage or injuries. We have not received word of any issues. Weve spoken with the directors at York and Cumberland County EMA, and everything seems to be in order, Corson said. Justine Wenger, a freelance copywriter working from her Scarborough home, said she was texting with a friend when she felt the earthquake. The vibrations lasted about 30 seconds and shook her house. At first, she thought it was a passing truck, then feared her furnace might blow up so she went out onto her deck. I wasnt terrified, but this felt different than a normal rumbling, she said. It felt substantial. There was an instinct to get out of the house. Authorities said residents who felt the earthquake could report it to the USGS website. Earthquakes in the center and eastern parts of the U.S. are less frequent than in western states, but they are typically felt over a much broader region, the survey said on its website. Its common for there to be two small earthquakes a year in New England, the survey said. A slightly stronger earthquake based in New Jersey shook the Northeast in April. People in New England, and in its geological extension southward through Long Island, have felt small earthquakes and suffered damage from infrequent larger ones since colonial times, according to the surveys website. An earthquake of close to 4.0 or slightly higher in magnitude in the Northeast states is not particularly common, but its not all that rare, either, said Maureen Long, the chair of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Yale University. Long cited the April earthquake in New Jersey as an example. A 2002 earthquake in upstate New York was measured at a magnitude of 5.1. There was also a magnitude 4.7 event near Hollis Center, Maine, in 2012, Long said. Residents of cities including Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, also reported feeling the quake. In Kennebunk, Maine, school superintendent Terri Cooper assured parents via e-mail that staff was looking through schools for any damage and everything seemed fine. Our operations department has checked all district buildings and systems to ensure they are in working order and no damage has been discovered, Coopers e-mail said. There was gunfire Tuesday in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo city of Goma, as the United Nations warned of a worrying humanitarian situation amid clashes between Congolese soldiers and Rwandan-backed rebels who attacked the area and claimed to be in control. U.N. humanitarian office spokesperson Jens Laerke told a briefing Tuesday that hospitals in Goma were overwhelmed. The World Food Program said it temporarily paused food assistance activities in the Goma area. Crisis talks were planned for Wednesday, Kenyan President William Ruto said, with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame set to attend. Ruto said there is no military solution to the conflict. The U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the assault on Goma by the Rwanda-backed M23 and affirmed the United States respect for the sovereignty of the DRC, in a phone call Monday with Tshisekedi. A senior U.N. official in the Democratic Republic of Congo said Monday that fighting between the M23 rebels and the Congolese army in Goma is not over yet, despite the rebel claims of control. Fighting is still very much ongoing, said Bruno Lemarquis, U.N. resident coordinator in the DRC. It's a very, very fluid situation. It's a very dangerous situation. He told reporters via a video call from DRCs capital, Kinshasha, that active zones of combat have spread to all quarters of Goma in North Kivu province. Lemarquis said there have been severe disruptions to water, electricity, internet and phone service. Humanitarian warehouses have been looted. In early January, M23 rebels broke a ceasefire agreement, launching a large-scale offensive in the east with the support of the Rwandan army. The U.N. says the rebels have made significant territorial gains and are seeking to open a new front in neighboring South Kivu province. The United Nations Security Council, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and senior U.N. officials are calling for the M23 to immediately cease hostilities and withdraw from occupied territories. They have called for the withdrawal of Rwandan forces and a return to the Luanda process of mediation overseen by Angolan President Joao Lourenco. On behalf of the humanitarian community, I call on all parties to agree on temporary humanitarian pauses in the most affected areas and establish humanitarian corridors to ensure humanitarian activities resume at scale. And more importantly, also to facilitate the safe evacuation of wounded individuals and civilians trapped in combat zones, Lemarquis added. The United Nations announced Sunday a $17 million disbursement from its central emergency fund for urgent humanitarian needs in DRC. Lemarquis said nonessential U.N. staff, foreign and Congolese, are being temporarily evacuated from Goma to either Kinshasa or to a U.N. base in Entebbe in neighboring Uganda. The U.N. peacekeeping mission, known by its acronym, MONUSCO, has also reinforced its positions to counter the rebels advance on Goma, deploying a quick reaction force, a rapid deployment battalion, a reserve battalion, a platoon of special forces and an artillery battery. At this critical juncture now, the onus really is and has to be about bringing about an immediate cessation of hostilities, U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix told reporters on the same video call, speaking from Damascus, Syria, where he is on a mission. The fate of the millions of civilians living in Goma or having been displaced is really the priority, along with the safety and security of U.N. personnel, he said. In the past few days, three U.N. peacekeepers have been killed and several injured in the conflict. Before the latest round of violence, eastern DRC was already mired in one of the largest and most protracted humanitarian crises in the world, with nearly 6.5 million people displaced due to efforts by armed groups to seize control of the countrys valuable mineral deposits. Some information for this story was provided by Agence France-Presse and Reuters. A full-scale replica of the secret annex where Anne Frank penned her famous diary opened in New York City on Monday as the world marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The exhibit at the Center for Jewish History in Manhattan represents the first time the annex has been completely recreated outside of Amsterdam, where the space is a central part of the Anne Frank House museum. But while the original annex has been intentionally left empty, the New York reconstruction shows the five rooms as they would have looked while the Frank family and others lived in hiding. The spaces are filled with furniture and possessions, including a reconstruction of the writing desk where Frank wrote her diary. Ronald Leopold, director of the Anne Frank House, said furnishing the recreated space was important to tell Anne's story in a new and immersive way, especially for those who may not get to visit the Amsterdam museum, which also houses Franks original diary. We very much hope that we will be able to touch peoples hearts here, because education is the focus of this exhibition, Leopold said at Monday's opening. And education starts with empathy empathy with what happened here, what happened in Amsterdam during those years, what was done to Anne Frank. The Frank family hid with other Jews for two years in the attic of patriarch Otto Franks office in Amsterdam as the Nazi German army occupied the Netherlands during World War II. They were eventually discovered in 1944 and sent to concentration camps, including Auschwitz-Birkenau, which was liberated by Soviet troops 80 years ago Monday. Anne and her older sister Margot died of typhus at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945. Their father, Otto, was the only person from the annex to survive the Holocaust. After the war, he published his 15-year-old daughters diary, which is considered one of the most important works of the 20th century. Frank died in 1980 at the age of 91. Hannah-Milena Elias, the granddaughter of Anne Franks cousin, Buddy Elias, said she found it emotional walking through the exhibit rooms. It is quite overwhelming and quite touching to see what a tiny space the families had to stay in and live for more than two years, said the 29-year-old, who lives in Switzerland. Her sister, Leyv-Anouk Elias, hoped the exhibit would encourage visitors to reflect on what it means to face discrimination or be a minority today. History, unfortunately, is repeating itself in different ways, the 27-year-old Berlin resident said. We have to be very, very careful how to act and to do stuff against it, to not ever make this happen again. The New York exhibit, which runs through April 30, spans more than 696 square meters (7,500 square feet) and includes more than 100 photos and other artifacts many never before displayed publicly, according to officials. Among the items are Anne Franks first photo album and her handwritten poetry, as well as a replica of her famous diary. There are also nearly 80 translated editions of her diary and even the Oscar won by Shelley Winters for the 1959 film The Diary of Anne Frank. The installation is presented chronologically, tracing the Frank family's life in Germany through the rise of the Nazi regime, the familys flight to Amsterdam and their life in hiding and eventual capture. Henry Byrne, a junior at Xavier, a Catholic high school in Manhattan, said learning about the family's saga helped him grasp the enormity of the Holocaust. It taught me a lot about how just because you see one story, walk into these rooms and all the beds and the tables, thats just one persons life," the 16-year-old said. "And there were millions that were lost. By Mike Scarcella (Reuters) -Automotive technology giant CDK Global has agreed to pay $630 million to settle antitrust claims that it caused hundreds of software vendors to overpay for vehicle dealership data by restricting access. The proposed settlement, filed on Monday night in a federal court in Madison, Wisconsin, requires a judge's approval. The company denied any wrongdoing in agreeing to settle. Austin, Texas-based CDK, owned by Brookfield Business Partners, sells software platforms auto dealers use to run their daily sales, financing and service operations. Tech vendor AutoLoop and other companies included in the settlement create apps for the dealers' management systems for inventory management, repair orders, warranty services and other functions. AutoLoop sued CDK in 2018, accusing it of cutting off access to auto dealer systems and driving up prices vendors pay to access data for their apps. A judge certified the case as a class action in July. CDK chief executive Brian MacDonald said in a statement the company "felt it was time to bring this long-standing litigation to a conclusion" and that the settlement would have no impact on its business. The vendors had indicated they would seek damages of $490 million at a trial previously scheduled for this week. A jury award could have been tripled under antitrust law. The vendors who brought the class action include 243 companies that purchased data integration services since October 2013 from CDK or one of its rivals, Reynolds & Reynolds, which is not a defendant. Lawyers for AutoLoop and other members of the class action at Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick called the settlement "extraordinary" in a statement and said it stemmed from "years of hard-fought litigation." They said they would ask the court for about $200 million in legal fees. CDK agreed to pay $100 million in August to settle a class action by U.S. auto dealerships claiming they overpaid for the companys dealer management systems. (Reporting by Mike Scarcella; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Stephen Coates) Commemorations are being held to mark 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp by Soviet troops. A few of the remaining survivors warned of the rising antisemitism and hatred they are witnessing in the modern world during a ceremony that was held on Monday at the site of the camp, which Nazi Germany set up in occupied Poland during World War Two to murder European Jews on a massive scale. We spoke with Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt who served as Special Evoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism and currently is a professor of history and religious studies at Emory University. Also, a conversation with Leah Wolfson Director of Academic Programs with the United States Holocaust Museum Visa appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia were canceled Monday following a dispute between President Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro over deportation flights from the U.S. that nearly turned into a costly trade war between the two countries. Dozens of Colombians arrived at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota and were handed letters by local staff that said their appointments had been canceled "due to the Colombian government's refusal to accept repatriation flights of Colombian nationals" over the weekend. Later on Monday, Colombia's Foreign Affairs Ministry said the government was sending a Colombian Air Force plane to San Diego to pick up a group of Colombians who were on a deportation flight that was not allowed to land on Sunday morning. The victory claimed in Washington turned Colombia into an example of what other nations could face if they stand in the way of Trump's illegal immigration crackdown. It also put on display a clash with a leftist leader of a country that had long been a U.S. partner against drug trafficking. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Monday the Trump administration will take action if countries do not abide by their agreements, such as accepting deportees. "This was about reminding Colombia that there is a price to pay if you go against your agreements, things that you promise," she said in an interview on Fox News' "The Story." "Ultimately, what one would expect to happen did happen. They said, 'Oh, our bad,' and they reversed everything." Colombians, like most non-U.S. citizens, require a visa to travel to the United States for tourism, business or other purposes. But in Colombia, it can take up to two years to get a visa appointment at the U.S Embassy in Bogota, which has also been handling visa requests from neighboring Venezuela for several years. Those who had their Monday appointments canceled will likely have to wait several months for a new appointment. And many said they were frustrated with the unexpected cancellations. "President Petro did not represent our interests," said Elio Camelo, a U.S. visa seeker from the city of Cali who had traveled to Bogota for his appointment. "There is a lot of uncertainty now over what will happen next," said Mauricio Manrique, who had his Monday morning appointment canceled. He had traveled from Popayan, about 600 kilometers (about 370 miles) south of Bogota, for his appointment. Tensions between Colombia and the United States escalated Sunday after Petro wrote an early morning message on X saying he would not allow two U.S. Air Force planes carrying Colombian deportees to land in the country. Petro also shared a video that showed another group of deportees reportedly arriving in Brazil with shackles on their legs. He said Colombia would only accept deportation flights when the United States had established protocols that ensured the "dignified treatment" of expelled migrants. Trump responded with a post of his own on Truth Social, in which he called for 25% emergency tariffs on Colombian exports to the United States and also said that the U.S. visas of Colombian government officials would be revoked, while goods coming from the South American country would face enhanced customs inspections. Meanwhile, the State Department said Sunday it would stop issuing visas to Colombian nationals until deportation flights resumed. Tensions decreased Sunday night following negotiations between the countries, with the White House saying in a statement that Colombia had allowed the resumption of deportation flights and "agreed to all of President Trump's terms," including the arrival of deportees on military flights. Last year, Colombia accepted 124 deportation flights. But those were charter flights organized by U.S. government contractors. The White House said tariffs on Colombian exports would be put on hold but added that visa restrictions on Colombian officials and enhanced custom inspections would remain "until the first planeload of Colombian deportees is successfully returned." The State Department has not responded to requests for comment on the resumption of visa appointments. Last year, more than 1.6 million Colombians traveled to the U.S. legally, according to a report by the Ministry of Commerce. The report said the United States was the top destination for Colombians traveling abroad. Authorities in Jordan and Egypt soundly rejected U.S. President Donald Trumps call to resettle Palestinian refugees in their countries. However, analysts say Israeli officials hope his unconventional approach to foreign policy will get them the results they want on their top security priorities. The EU discusses putting more sanctions on Russia while removing them from Syria, and a Chinese startup has shocked the AI industry. A look at the new secretary of defenses plans for the U.S. military. Plus, a look at the ongoing hostilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Jordan, which faces new regional challenges in dealing with Syrias transitional Islamist regime, is pursuing a strategy of containment through engagement to secure its long, shared border, analysts say. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi told the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, last week that Jordan has engaged very deeply from day one with Syrias new Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leaders to tackle challenges both countries face. Jordan and other countries want to see inclusive governance in which all of Syrias religious and ethnic minorities are represented. Terrorism is one common threat, al-Safadi said. We see Daesh [Islamic State] rearming, regrouping. [They] acquired a lot of weapons from the stockpiles of the Syrian army. Drug trafficking is still happening to Jordan. We have the same interests here in ending that threat. We have an interest in Syria succeeding. What happens in Syria will have a direct impact on us. If Syria succeeds, we will all benefit. Farah Bdour, a senior adviser with the Washington-based U.S. Institute of Peace, said Jordan must address such pressing issues as securing its 380-kilometer shared border with Syria to prevent the spillover of instability. Hayat Tahrir al-Shams success or failure will directly impact Jordans stability, Bdour said. Should HTSs transition falter, the group could revert to its militant roots, reigniting conflict and posing renewed threats to Jordans security, she warned in the groups online publication, underscoring HTSs former link to al-Qaida. Jordanian analyst Amer al-Sabaileh, a nonresident fellow at the Washington-based Stimson Center, told VOA that Jordan can reshape and support efforts for Damascus to be a good counterpart by working together on concerns such as security, logistics, telecommunications and electricity. This might help Jordan to reshape a good relation based on a win-win situation, where Jordan, as well, can definitely benefit from a new reality in Syria, especially on the level of political influence, political interest and definitely being part of rebuilding Syria, Al Sabaileh said. But HTS is not controlling all the Syrian geography. ISIS [Islamic State] has growing capacities, desire to control certain areas closer to the Jordanian borders. Bdour and al-Sabaileh also warned that HTSs Islamist ideology could influence other similar movements, including Jordans Muslim Brotherhood. Bdour pointed to attempts by the Brotherhood to dominate Jordanian public sentiment over the Gaza conflict and its political gains in parliamentary elections last September. What happened in Syria might trigger the appetite and desire for power of all the political Islam groups: Muslim Brotherhood and ISIS, who at the end, think that maybe they deserve also to be recognized in certain areas, if they prove to be on the map, al= Sabaileh said. Bdour wrote that even if HTS successfully transitions to a governing regime, its Islamic orientation poses a unique challenge for Jordan. She pointed to critics of the group who say they fear that legitimizing HTS could embolden dormant extremist factions within Jordan, possibly exacerbating internal tensions. Ultimately, she said, Jordan must navigate these overlapping domestic and regional challenges, as HTSs trajectory, and its implications for Syria, Jordan and the broader Middle East, remains deeply uncertain. New Zealand is reconsidering all development funding to the aid-dependent island nation of Kiribati, following a diplomatic snub from the island nation's leader, government officials said. The unusual move to review all finance to Kiribati was prompted by the abrupt cancellation of a planned meeting this month between President Taneti Maamau and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters, Peters' office told The Associated Press on Monday. It followed months of growing frustration from Australia and New Zealand jointly responsible for more than a third of overseas development finance to Kiribati in 2022 about a lack of engagement with the island nation. Tensions have risen since Kiribati aligned itself with China in 2019 and signed a series of bilateral deals with Beijing. Strategically important island nation The bond between Kiribati population 120,000 and its near neighbor New Zealand, a country of 5 million people, might not appear to be the South Pacific's most significant. But the acrimony reflects concern from western powers that their interests in the region are being undermined as China woos Pacific leaders with offers of funding and loans. That has provoked a contest for influence over Kiribati, an atoll nation that is among the world's most imperiled by rising sea levels. Its proximity to Hawaii and its vast exclusive economic zone the world's 12th largest have boosted its strategic importance. Powers vie for sway with aid Kiribati, one of the world's most aid-dependent nations, relies heavily on international support, with foreign assistance accounting for 18% of its national income in 2022, according to data from the Lowy Institute, an Australian think tank. About 10% of development finance that year came from New Zealand which contributed 102 million New Zealand dollars ($58 million) between 2021 and 2024, official figures show. However, officials in Wellington and Canberra have expressed frustration over a lack of engagement from Tarawa regarding development projects. Frictions escalated when Kiribati suspended all visits from foreign officials in August, citing a need to focus on the government formation process after elections that month. Kiribati switched its allegiance from pro-Taiwan to pro-Beijing in 2019, joining a growing number of Pacific nations to do so. Self-governing Taiwan is claimed by China and, since the shift, Beijing has increased aid to Kiribati. Official snub provokes backlash Peters was scheduled to meet Maamau, who has led the country since 2016, in Kiribati on Jan. 21 and Jan. 22, Peters' office said, but was told a week before the trip that Maamau could not accommodate him. It would have been the first visit by a New Zealand minister in more than five years. "The lack of political-level contact makes it very difficult for us to agree joint priorities for our development program, and to ensure that it is well targeted and delivers good value for money," a statement supplied by Peters' office said. New Zealand will review all development cooperation with Kiribati as a result, the statement said. The government of Kiribati did not respond to a request for comment, although Education Minister Alexander Teabo told Radio New Zealand on Tuesday that Maamau had a long-standing engagement on his home island and denied a snub. New Zealand cautioned that the diplomatic rift could have broader consequences, including affecting New Zealand resident visas for Kiribati citizens and participation in a popular seasonal work scheme that brings Pacific horticulture and viticulture workers to New Zealand. New Zealand home to large populations of Pacific peoples is a popular spot for those from island nations to live and work. "In the meantime, New Zealand stands ready, as we always have, to engage with Kiribati at a high level," said the statement. Australia's softer approach The decision to review all development funding is a "different, and more forceful approach" than New Zealand has taken before, said Blake Johnson, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, and contrasted with a different tack taken recently by Australia which is Kiribati's biggest funder. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles traveled to the island nation this month as planned to deliver a patrol boat promised to Kiribati in 2023 even though he did not meet with Maamau. Australia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the country "remains committed to its longstanding partnership with Kiribati." New Zealand is reconsidering all development funding to the aid-dependent island nation of Kiribati, following a diplomatic snub from the island nation's leader, government officials said. The unusual move to review all finance to Kiribati was prompted by the abrupt cancellation of a planned meeting this month between President Taneti Maamau and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters, Peters' office told The Associated Press on Monday. It followed months of growing frustration from Australia and New Zealand jointly responsible for more than a third of overseas development finance to Kiribati in 2022 about a lack of engagement with the island nation. Tensions have risen since Kiribati aligned itself with China in 2019 and signed a series of bilateral deals with Beijing. A strategically important island nation The bond between Kiribati population 120,000 and its near neighbor New Zealand, a country of 5 million people, might not appear the South Pacific's most significant. But the acrimony reflects concern from western powers that their interests in the region are being undermined as China woos Pacific leaders with offers of funding and loans. That has provoked a contest for influence over Kiribati, an atoll nation that is among the world's most imperiled by rising sea levels. Its proximity to Hawaii and its vast exclusive economic zone the world's 12th largest have boosted its strategic importance. Powers vie for sway with aid Kiribati, one of the world's most aid-dependent nations, relies heavily on international support, with foreign assistance accounting for 18% of its national income in 2022, according to data from the Lowy Institute, an Australian think tank. About 10% of development finance that year came from New Zealand which contributed 102 million New Zealand dollars ($58 million) between 2021 and 2024, official figures show. However, officials in Wellington and Canberra have expressed frustration over a lack of engagement from Tarawa regarding development projects. Frictions escalated when Kiribati suspended all visits from foreign officials in August, citing a need to focus on the government formation process after elections that month. Kiribati switched its allegiance from pro-Taiwan to pro-Beijing in 2019, joining a growing number of Pacific nations to do so. Self-governing Taiwan is claimed by China and since the shift, Beijing has increased aid to Kiribati. An official snub provokes backlash Peters was scheduled to meet Maamau, who has led the country since 2016, in Kiribati on Jan. 21 and Jan. 22, Peters' office said, but was told a week before the trip that Maamau could not accommodate him. It would have been the first visit by a New Zealand minister in more than five years. "The lack of political-level contact makes it very difficult for us to agree joint priorities for our development program, and to ensure that it is well targeted and delivers good value for money," a statement supplied by Peters' office said. New Zealand will review all development cooperation with Kiribati as a result, the statement added. The government of Kiribati did not respond to a request for comment, although Education Minister Alexander Teabo told Radio New Zealand on Tuesday that Maamau had a long-standing engagement on his home island and denied a snub. New Zealand cautioned that the diplomatic rift could have broader consequences, including impacting New Zealand resident visas for Kiribati citizens and participation in a popular seasonal work scheme that brings Pacific horticulture and viticulture workers to New Zealand. New Zealand home to large populations of Pacific peoples is a popular spot for those from island nations to live and work. "In the meantime, New Zealand stands ready, as we always have, to engage with Kiribati at a high level," said the statement. Australia's softer approach The decision to review all development funding is a "different, and more forceful approach" than New Zealand has taken before, said Blake Johnson, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, and contrasted with a different tack taken recently by Australia which is Kiribati's biggest funder. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles traveled to the island nation this month as planned to deliver a patrol boat promised to Kiribati in 2023 even though he did not meet with Maamau. Australia's foreign ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the country "remains committed to its longstanding partnership with Kiribati." Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari signed into law Wednesday an amended cybercrimes act that the government says will curb an influx of fake news. Media rights groups warn, however, that the changes suppress freedom of expression by exposing journalists and social media users to increased restrictions and legal action. New amendments to Pakistans Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, commonly known as PECA, call for a three-year prison term and a fine of more than $7,000 for spreading fake and false information. The amendments also broaden the definition of content that authorities can block and set up four new bodies to regulate online content. Zardari signed the bill, despite journalists calling on him to send it back to parliament for revision. Pakistan's Senate passed the amended bill on Tuesday, a day after its Standing Committee on Interior approved the amendments, and opposition members tore up copies of the bill and walked out in protest, along with journalists covering the event. The National Assembly, the lower house of the countrys bicameral parliament, passed the amended bill last Thursday as opposition members and journalists walked out afterward. Holding placards calling the bill a "black law," journalists across Pakistan protested Tuesday afternoon outside press clubs. Some wore thick chains on their wrists and held chains with locks in front of their mouths. "We wanted the government to discuss this with us," Afzal Butt, president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, told VOA at the protest, held steps away from the parliament building in the capital. "We told them [to] give us time, and we will come to you [to discuss] line by line," he added. Media rights groups are angry that the government did not bring them on board before making sweeping changes to the document. "The government did not listen to us, so we believe that there is no good section in this bill," Butt said, who added that media rights groups plan to challenge the amendments in court. The law Originally enacted in 2016 as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, the bill was meant to curb cybercrime, online harassment, and the spread of hateful content that could instigate violence. Media and human rights groups call the law "draconian" and say successive governments have used it to muzzle dissent. Press freedom groups have recorded more than 200 incidents of journalists and media persons investigated since PECA became law in 2017. The latest changes to the law come just days before Pakistan marks a year since its last elections on Feb. 8, 2024, were marred by allegations of widespread fraud. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, one of the most popular leaders, remains in jail, and his party is deprived of its share of seats reserved for women and minorities. His supporters, however, continue to run a formidable online campaign when most TV channels avoid saying his name. "State and private players have been able to tame mainstream media," journalist Arifa Noor said about the decline in press freedom over the past several years. "It has pushed a considerable amount of commentary and reporting onto social media, and this is why they now want to go after social media." Pakistan ranks 152 out of 180 countries on Reporters without Borders' global Press Freedom Index, where 1 shows the best media environment. Freedom House ranks it "not free" for internet freedoms. Amendments The 2025 PECA bill expands the definition of unlawful content to include information that is false, harmful and damages the reputation of a person, including members of the judiciary, armed forces, parliament or a provincial assembly. It also broadens the definition of "person" to include state institutions and corporations. Critics worry this will muzzle dissent and open doors for the powerful military to target civilians. The information minister for Punjab province, Azma Bokhari, rejected the concerns as "undue." "The [military] institution also belongs to this country," she said. "If the institution has an objection over someone, should it not object [just] because its an institution?" The amendments come as Pakistans military routinely faces criticism online for its role in civilian affairs and its alleged interference in political affairs, which it denies. Faced often with smear campaigns, the militarys top brass has repeatedly called for a crackdown on "digital terrorism." "What we need is strong civil laws that treat defamation as a civil problem," Noor said. The amendments also raised suspicions because they were drafted by the Ministry of Interior and not the Ministry of Information, which usually works on media-related matters. "The fact that [the] Interior Ministry is involved in this clearly shows that this is being turned into a national security matter," said Nayyer Ali, secretary of the National Press Club that represents journalists in Islamabad and neighboring Rawalpindi. The amended law stipulates a punishment of up to three years in prison and a fine of more than $7,000 for intentionally disseminating information that a person knows or believes is "false or fake and likely to cause or create a sense of fear, panic or disorder or unrest in general public or society." "What is fake news? They dont bother to define it. They want to call everything that they dont like fake news," Noor said. Journalists organizations say the impact of the amended law will not be limited to social media content makers. "All the media is digital now," Ali said. New powers The bill proposes creating a Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, a Social Media Complaint Council, a Social Media Protection Tribunal and a National Cyber Crime Investigation Authority. Social media platforms will have to "enlist" or register with the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, which can refuse or revoke registration. Journalists worry the law could require them to register their personal social media pages, giving authorities excessive control, as rejection would mean lack of a space to freely express views, and loss of followers and revenue. Decisions made by the tribunal can only be challenged in the Supreme Court, bypassing the traditional appeals process that includes provincial high courts. Bokhari, the information minister, defended the amendment. "We are giving access to the highest forum in the country," she said. But most citizens do not have the financial means to approach the countrys top court through lawyers, Ali of the National Press Club said. Bokhari, who has been a target of a smear campaign generated by artificial intelligence, told VOA that Pakistan needs such a law. "Those who deal in fake news should be fearful of this law," she said. "Those who file with checks and balances should not worry." Noor said journalists are also caught in a bind when government officials give contradictory information that causes the spread of false information. Both the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and Amnesty International have expressed deep concerns about the negative impact the law will have on freedoms in Pakistan. Authorities in Somalias Puntland region this week banned the illegal entry of foreigners and ordered telecom companies to deactivate SIM cards linked to undocumented people and Islamic State terrorists. The moves are an attempt to disrupt Islamic State financial networks as the military continues an offensive against IS fighters hiding out in the region. Authorities recently launched military operations against IS fighters in the Alimiskaad and Al-Madow mountains in Puntlands Bari region. Security forces seized camps and defensive positions and pushed the fighters further into the mountains. Security agencies have also started a crackdown on undocumented people in Puntland. According to local reports, authorities made more than 300 arrests in the operation. Meanwhile, Puntlands Ministry of the Interior has issued a directive banning the sale of SIM cards to undocumented people and barring them from opening financial accounts without proper identification. Abdirahman Yusuf Farah, a former intelligence chief of Puntland, said that security agencies will not violate people's rights in their pursuit of members and supporters of IS and that anyone who has entered the Puntland region legally will be respected. The International Crisis Group, in a report released in December, said Islamic States Somalia branch was becoming influential in dispersing money to finance terrorism elsewhere in Africa. The group extorts civilians and businesses to finance its operation and sends money to other IS affiliates. Omar Mahmood, a senior researcher at the International Crisis Group, said the IS threat is growing. "It's not just about the Islamic State in Puntland or in Somalia itself, but the group there serves as a connective node for Islamic State affiliates elsewhere in Africa in Eastern Africa, in Southern Africa, Mahmood said. They report to the Islamic State in Puntland, and that serves as a connection to the Islamic State core and other affiliates outside of the continent." Mahmood said Puntland is trying to block the local ISs access to international banking systems. "The group has focused on developing its financial capabilities, whether that is extortion in Bosaso and then transferring this externally, he said. They've really developed that particular niche, much more so than operational capacity. Puntland is trying to crack down on the use of their formal systems, whether that is the banking sector or telecom, to make it harder for the group to continue to, one, generate financially, and two, then send that money outside of Puntland. Puntland is relatively peaceful compared to southern Somalia, but local officials have grown concerned about the Islamic States rising strength, fueled by foreign fighters. Authorities are seeking international financial and military aid, including air support. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with his British counterpart, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, on Monday to discuss a range of pressing global issues and joint initiatives aimed at promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and stable. They affirmed the depth of the U.S.-UK Special Relationship and the crucial nature of our partnership in addressing issues like the conflict in the Middle East, Russias war against Ukraine, and Chinas malign influence, State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement. The U.K. government said that Lammy and Rubio look forward to meeting in person soon. They both welcomed the opportunity for the UK and the US to work together in alignment to address shared challenges including the situation in the Middle East, Russias illegal war in Ukraine, the challenges posed by China and the need for Indo-Pacific security, the British statement read. The call between Rubio and Lammy came amid a report by The Guardian that Chinas Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, is expected to visit Britain next month for the first U.K.-China strategic dialogue since 2018. In Beijing, Chinese officials did not confirm Wangs plans to visit the U.K. but noted what they described as "sound and steady growth" in relations between the two countries. China and the U.K. are both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and major economies in the world, Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated during a briefing on Monday. She added it is in the common interest of the two countries to enhance strategic communication and deepen political mutual trust. Wang is expected to attend the Munich Security Conference between Feb. 14 and 16, making it likely that his visit to the U.K. will take place either before or after the event. In the past, U.S. Secretaries of State have typically attended the high-profile annual gathering at the Munich Security Conference. The State Department has not responded to VOAs inquiry about whether Rubio plans to hold talks with Wang during the conference. Last week, the State Department outlined U.S. policy toward China under President Donald Trumps administration. Strategic competition is the frame through which the United States views its relationship with the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). The United States will address its relationship with the PRC from a position of strength in which we work closely with our allies and partners to defend our interests and values, the State Department said on Jan. 20. Kenyan President William Ruto said Monday that the presidents of Rwanda and Congo have agreed to attend a meeting Wednesday to discuss developments in eastern Congo, where M23 rebels say they have seized control of Goma on the Congo-Rwandan border. We are all in agreement that now more than ever it is an existential issue, not just for the people of eastern DRC, but for this region, Ruto said during a press briefing, referring to the Democratic Republic of Congo, also called Congo. The situation in eastern DRC now demands our collective focus. The apparent takeover of Goma, a city of about 2 million, has prompted fears of further violence and mass displacement. A journalist in Goma told VOA by telephone that fighting was now going on around the citys airport, and that it appeared to be escalating. While he was speaking, gunfire could be heard in the background, and he cut off the call to seek shelter. For years, Congo has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels an accusation Kigali denies. The Congo government said Monday that Rwandan government troops are in Goma. There was no immediate response from officials in Kigali. The Congolese government continues to work to avoid carnage and loss of human life, said government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya in a Monday post on X. Muyaya said that the government is urging Goma residents to stay indoors and refrain from looting. M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka told VOA that the rebel group took control of the city over the weekend after intense clashes with Congo government forces. The violence around the city has sparked widespread panic among its residents and displaced people, many of whom had already fled violence in surrounding areas. Mugunga, one of the largest camps for displaced people near Goma, is experiencing a flurry of new arrivals. We fled Sake last year because of fighting, and now we are running again, said one woman who declined to be named for security reasons. We have no food, no shelter, and no idea where well end up. This is no life. As the rebels fight to take full control of Goma, the situation remains fluid in nearby Sake, a key town west of the city in North Kivu province. Reports indicate that fierce fighting continues between M23 and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, known by its French acronym FARDC. On Friday, General Sylvain Ekenge, a Congo military spokesperson, announced the death of North Kivu Governor Major General Peter Cirimwami. The spokesperson said on state media that the governor was wounded and evacuated to Kinshasa, where all efforts were made to take him abroad for appropriate care. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his wounds. Humanitarian needs deepen The conflict has exacerbated the regions already dire humanitarian situation. The United Nations reports that over 5.5 million people are displaced in Congo, many of them in North Kivu. People like Lomoo Biondo Manuel, an internally displaced person, want the violence to stop. We are facing a lot of hardships, Manuel told VOAs Swahili Service. We want to go back to our original homes. We want peace. In Mugunga camp, residents have been forced to seek shelter in schools, abandoned buildings, and even open fields. One displaced woman pleaded for immediate intervention, saying, We call on the government to end this war so we can return to our homes. The M23s resurgence has drawn renewed scrutiny of regional actors. A recent United Nations report said that Rwanda has played a direct role in M23s operations, a charge that Rwandan officials have dismissed as baseless. This story originated in VOAs Africa Division. Reporter Al Katanty Sabiti Djaffar contributed from Goma, English to Africa's James Butty and French to Africa's Eddy Isango contributed from Washington. By Chen Aizhu and Trixie Yap SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Several independent oil refineries in eastern China have halted operations, or plan to do so, for indefinite maintenance periods as new Chinese tariff and tax policies plunge them deeper into losses, refinery and trade sources said. The rare outages come at a time of nascent consolidation in the world's second-largest oil refining industry as an earlier-than-expected peak in Chinese fuel demand and Beijing's drive to wring out inefficiency starts to squeeze out the weakest of the small independent plants, known as teapots. At least four plants with a combined annual processing capacity of approximately 18 million metric tons, or 320,000 barrels per day, either closed crude oil distillation units (CDUs) this month or plan to in February after Beijing cut rebates on consumption tax paid for feedstock imports, the sources said. The plants, all situated in the refining hub of Shandong province, include facilities operated by Shandong Shangneng Group, Kelida Petrochemical, Wonfull Petrochemical and China Overseas Energy Technology (Shandong), according to sources familiar with the situation. None of the companies have government-granted crude import quotas, limiting their feedstock options and making them less competitive than rivals. Instead, they process straight-run fuel oil, a semi-refined product, or a tar-like heavy residue called bitumen blend, into transportation fuels or asphalt. At the start of 2025, China raised import tariffs for fuel oil and enforced changes to tax rebates. "Under the new policy, it's very hard for plants to sustain production," said one manager, declining to be named due to company policy. His plant, which had been operating at 20% capacity since November after running at a loss for 18 months, has no date to resume operations, the manager added. The other plants operated at about 50% capacity on average before the policy changes, one industry source estimated. None of the four responded to requests for comment. Under the new tax regime, refiners receive rebates at roughly 50%-80% of the 1,218 yuan ($167.18) per metric ton consumption tax paid for feedstock imports, compared with full rebates previously. That effectively raised feedstock costs by $33-$83 per ton, or $5, to $12.8 per barrel, causing losses of 300 to 600 yuan per ton, as estimated by three industry trading managers. The stoppages are dampening demand for straight-run fuel oil, leading to lower premiums of Russia's straight-run fuel oil blend M100, which traders last pegged at around $50 per ton over benchmark Singapore 380-cst quotes on delivered basis, down more than $10 from December. Serbia's striking university students on Monday launched a 24-hour blockade of a key traffic intersection in the capital, Belgrade, stepping up pressure on the populist authorities over a deadly canopy collapse in November that killed 15 people. Serbian farmers on tractors and thousands of citizens joined the blockade that followed weeks of protests demanding accountability of the deadly accident in the northern city of Novi Sad that critics have blamed on rampant government corruption. A campaign of street demonstrations has posed the biggest challenge in years to the populist government's firm grip on power in Serbia. Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic, at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic, later on Monday urged dialogue with the students, saying, "We need to lower the tensions and start talking to each other." Students in the past have refused to meet with Vucic, saying the president is not entitled by the constitution to hold talks with them. "Any kind of a crisis poses a serious problem for our economy," said Vucic. "Such a situation in society is not good for anyone." Vucic has faced accusations of curbing democratic freedoms despite formally seeking European Union membership for Serbia. He has accused the students of working for unspecified foreign powers to oust the government. Several incidents have marked the street demonstrations in the past weeks, including drivers ramming into the crowds on two occasions, when two young women were injured. Traffic police on Monday secured the student blockade to help avoid any similar incidents. Protesting students set up tents at the protest site, which is a key artery for the city commuters and toward the main north-south motorway. Some students played volleyball, others sat down on blankets on the pavement or walked around on a warm day. The students also held a daily 15-minute commemoration silence at 11:52, the exact time when the canopy at a train station in Novi Sad crashed on Nov. 1. Many in Serbia believe the huge concrete canopy fell because of sloppy reconstruction work that resulted from corruption. Serbia's prosecutors have filed charges against 13 people, including a government minister and several state officials. But the former construction minister, Goran Vesic, has been released from detention, fueling doubts over the investigation's independence. The main railway station in Novi Sad was renovated twice in recent years as part of a wider infrastructure deal with Chinese state companies. Russian drone attacks overnight hit multiple Ukrainian regions and injured at least six people, officials said Tuesday. In the Odesa region in southern Ukraine, Governor Oleh Kiper said Russian forces attacked overnight with drones and missiles, injuring at least four people. Debris from drones destroyed by Ukrainian air defenses damaged four apartment buildings and five houses, as well as a grain warehouse, Kiper said on Telegram. Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram that falling drone debris injured at least two people, while destroying several homes and damaging at least five others. Officials in Chernihiv said Russian drone attacks damaged houses and outbuildings, but did not hurt anyone. Mykolaiv Governor Vitaliy Kim said air defenses destroyed two drones over his region, while officials in Sumy reported the military shot down four drones. Russias Defense Ministry said Tuesday it shot down five Ukrainian drones over the Smolensk region. Smolensk Governor Vasily Anokhin said on Telegram there were no reports of damage or casualties. Bryansk Governor Alexander Bogomaz said Russian air defenses shot down one Ukrainian drone over his region, with no damage reported. Some information for this story was provided by Reuters. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed to Israels government to retract a new law essentially banning the U.N. agency that assists Palestinians. The law goes into effect this week. I regret this decision and request that the Government of Israel retract it, Guterres wrote in a Monday letter to Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon that was obtained by VOA. The U.N. chief said the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, or UNRWA as it is known, is irreplaceable and that no other organization has the capacity or mandate to do its work. On Oct. 28, Israels parliament adopted legislation to ban UNRWA. Israel says some UNRWA staff participated in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack inside Israel. The United Nations investigated the accusations and fired nine staffers. The legislation forbids UNRWA from operating within the sovereign territory of the state of Israel, and forbids any contact between Israeli officials and UNRWA, Israels ambassador told reporters Tuesday. Furthermore, UNRWA will be prohibited from maintaining any representative office, service or activity within our territory. Israel will terminate all collaboration, communication and contact with UNRWA, or anyone acting on its behalf. Danon said UNRWA must cease all operations and evacuate its headquarters in East Jerusalem. The secretary-general said in his letter that Israels unilateral demand that UNRWA cease operations and evacuate all premises within less than a week of formal notice is unreasonable and inconsistent with Israels international obligations and that the U.N. and Israel should have discussions about the law, which goes into effect on Thursday. Impact on Gaza At a meeting of the Security Council on Tuesday to discuss the situation, UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said implementing the law now would be disastrous. He said the agency is even more critical as the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire is implemented and humanitarian agencies race to provide aid to millions of Palestinians. Across the Gaza Strip, Palestinians are turning to UNRWA the agency they have known all their lives for support, Lazzarini said. Curtailing our operations now outside a political process, and when trust in the international community is so low will undermine the ceasefire. It will sabotage Gazas recovery and political transition. Israeli officials say other aid agencies can take over UNRWAs work, but Lazzarini disagreed. Since October 2023, we have delivered two-thirds of all food assistance, provided shelter to over a million displaced persons, and vaccinated a quarter of a million children against polio, he told the council. Since the ceasefire began, UNRWA has brought in 60% of the food entering Gaza, reaching more than half a million people. The agency also is the primary provider of health care and education for Palestinians in East Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank. We are determined, however, to stay and deliver until it is no longer possible to do so, Lazzarini said. United Nations officials have repeatedly stressed that if the Knesset legislation is enforced and UNRWA dismantled, then Israel, as the occupying power, would have the legal responsibility for providing essential services to the Palestinian population. In mid-January, a wave of U.S. users migrated to Chinas platform Xiaohongshu due to the TikTok ban, engaging in an unexpected cost-of-living comparison with Chinese users. Despite higher wages, many Americans found their living expenses made life harder than in China. However, analysts caution that such comparisons, while straightforward, may not align with more rigorous economic data. Click here for the full report in Mandarin. Conservationists in Kenya are using an artificial intelligence-powered application to monitor forest degradation and launch reforestation. The data collected by the application is also used to project the amount of carbon that can be stored by a growing patch of forest. Juma Majanga reports HaRARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's finance minister has expressed concern that a U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization will lead to aid cuts to countries such as his that are most affected by HIV/AIDS. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the U.S. withdrawal after his inauguration to a second term on Monday. Warning that a U.S. withdrawal could signal cuts in health aid to countries such as Zimbabwe, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said: "Any country with an HIV/AIDS challenge will be impacted." "This is a concern, a fear we are expressing," Ncube told an online briefing from the Swiss resort of Davos, where he was attending the World Economic Forum. Zimbabwe receives over $200 million annually from the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the U.S government has given Zimbabwe over $1.7 billion since 2006 to strengthen health systems and support people living with HIV, according the U.S. embassy in Harare. PEPFAR contributes nearly $90 million a year to support salaries and incentives for healthcare workers in Zimbabwe, in addition to funding HIV and viral load testing, prevention, cervical cancer screening and tuberculosis treatment. Zimbabwe is struggling to fund its public health system, and the government introduced a sugar tax on beverages last year to help raise funds for cancer treatment. Another tax on fast foods was introduced this year. "We need to scale up our funding for health. The earmarked taxes should be directed towards health as we build our capacity to fill the gap should any funding recede," Ncube said. (Reporting by Nyasha Chingono; Editing by Tannur Anders and Timothy Heritage) The arrival of Donald Trump in the White House is reshuffling all the ideological, geopolitical, economic and even military cards. Indeed, for the first time in almost two centuries, a Jacksonian is once again in power in the United States. We had forgotten this way of thinking (except in Westerns) and are no longer able to anticipate it. Yet Trump has already held power for four years, but back then he was largely prevented from implementing his policies by his own Republican allies, while the Democratic press assured us he was mentally ill or a fascist. Strangely, the social network influencers who defend his point of view only inform us about his ideological fight against wokism, never about his conception of international relations and even less about his political ambitions. This is all the more strange given that, since the November 5 election, Donald Trumps team has canvassed numerous influencers in the European Union and the UK, and started paying them handsomely. There are several ways of looking at this contradiction. Either Donald Trump intends to mislead Europeans about his true intentions, or he considers that they can only understand one thing at a time. For our part, we shall continue our work by describing the different facets of the character without forgetting any. The fight against woke ideology Wokism is generally presented as a reaction to slavery and racial segregation. European settlers, now aware of the horrors they had committed, would try to make amends. Thats not my opinion at all. As far as Im concerned, wokism has nothing to do with these crimes. If we take an anthropological view, we have to recognize that identical phenomena exist in all the major religions. In Christianity, it was embodied by Origen, the third-century father of the Church who castrated himself to avoid sinning, or more recently by Jean Calvin, famous for having applied the same methods as the Spanish Inquisition in the theocratic Republic of Geneva. The United States grew out of the Puritan colony of Plymouth (New England, Massachusetts to be precise). They were Puritans, i.e. Calvinists. The Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell, had sent them as missionaries, not so much to convert the Indians as the Europeans of the very Catholic King of Spain. In their colonies, women had to be veiled and prayer obligatory. Homosexuals were subject to whipping, etc. These fanatics are known as the "Pilgrim Fathers" (not to be confused with the "Founding Fathers", who are jurists). They are celebrated every year on the national holiday of Thanksgiving. It was they who imported the idea that politics should be "pure" and that statues of heretics should be destroyed. Since 2014, the term "woke" has been used to designate people who are aware of the social consequences of slavery and racial discrimination, -or, convergence of struggles obliges- sexual orientation and even gender. This movement seeks "purity", in the religious sense of the term, and has set itself "good practices" aimed at combating racial discrimination, whether overt or "systemic". In practice, it pushes for "positive discrimination" in favor of all minorities. Its obvious that slavery was a reality in the United States, and that this past reality conditions current behavior. But its doubtful that destroying anything that recalls that era will solve the problems of our time, and even more doubtful that favoring black candidates will enable them to free themselves from the condition of their forebears. Everyone knows instinctively that the remedies are worse than the problems they claim to combat. At least, thats what the Woke residents of Los Angeles thought when their homes were ravaged by fire. They reflected on the inefficiency of firefighters hired on the basis of affirmative action rather than competence. This movement had lost popularity in the U.S. in previous years, as evidenced by the expression get woke, go broke! ("get woke, go broke!"). Wokism is a modern adaptation of the Puritanism of the "Pilgrim Fathers". But the United States is a composite country in which many cultures have blended together. Admittedly, just as the Republican Party absorbed by the Trumpists has become Jacksonian, so the Democratic Party absorbed by Obama and Biden has become woke. This has led to many misunderstandings, as Washington as a whole has ideologically abandoned its traditional behavior, to which it is now returning. During the presidential election campaign, two young influencers denounced wokism at length. Black journalist Candace Owens (who now attacks the Macron couple [1]) called Black Lives Matters "a group of whiny toddlers, pretending to be oppressed for attention". While gay Milo Yiannopoulos (married to another man) has made a name for himself with his parodies of lesbian feminism and the LGTBQIA+ movement. These two influencers have led many black and gay people not to vote for the Democratic Party, like their elders, but for Donald Trump. As early as his inaugural speech, Donald Trump announced the end of affirmative action policies and stated that, from now on, the federal state would recognize only two genders. This is spectacular, but it comes at a time when the vast majority of US voters are already convinced [2]. American exceptionalism Donald Trump is a proponent of "American exceptionalism" [3]; a doctrine according to which the United States is "the light on the hill", willed by God to enlighten the world. This doctrine, also directly derived from the example of the "pilgrim fathers", asserts that their journey was comparable to that of the ancient Hebrews. They came as a "chosen people" because they fled Pharaoh (the British monarchy that had just been overthrown by Lord Cromwell), crossed the Red Sea (the Atlantic Ocean) and discovered a promised land (North America). Every one of the 47 presidents of the United States, without exception, has laid claim to this mythology. It is the basis of their rejection of the principles of international law and their support for the State of Israel. From a U.S. perspective (this has nothing to do with Donald Trump), Washington will never accept accountability from anyone, least of all the United Nations or its agencies. Sure, they recycled many Nazi criminals during the Cold War, sure, they massacred Koreans, Vietnamese, Afghans, Iraqis, Libyans, Palestinians, Syrians, etc., but none of their presidents should be indicted by any international tribunal. In an op-ed published in 2013 by the New York Times, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that "it is extremely dangerous to encourage people to consider themselves exceptional, whatever the motivation" [4]. This doctrine in fact induces a difference and a hierarchy between men, as when we apply the theological concept of "chosen people" to a political reality. Throughout its history, Washington has never agreed to be accountable to outsiders. We mistakenly attribute some of its recent decisions to current ideologies, when they would have been made anyway. For example, we mistakenly think that Donald Trump has disengaged from the Paris Accords on combating global warming because he thinks theyre silly. True, he doesnt believe the IPCC is an academy of science. But, in any case, the United States could not agree to sign agreements that subjected it to the judgment of others. Obama and Biden took a stand against their countrys tradition out of ideology, while Trump took a stand in line with his own tradition, which also happens to correspond to his own ideology. The western version of freedom When the United States was founded in 1776, 13 years before the French Revolution, the founding fathers disagreed on their conception of liberty and human rights. Unlike the French Voltairians, they did not think of these issues from both an individual and a collective point of view. For them, freedom simply meant being able to do what you wanted at home. Thats why, for example, they are allergic to the principle of compulsory social contributions. This way of thinking is not without its drawbacks. For example, their concept of "human rights" is in total contradiction with the French concept of "droits de lhomme et du citoyen". From an Anglo-Saxon point of view (referring to the British tradition), its all about protecting oneself from the raison dEtat. On the contrary, from the point of view of French revolutionaries, its less a question of not being tortured in a police station than of participating in the drafting of laws [5]. The debate on freedom of expression is distorted by overlapping reading grids. The Biden administration considered, from a woke point of view, that it had a responsibility to inform the public about the dangers of COVID and to save them from the disease. For this reason, it banned all scientific debate and censored all dissenting opinions. In the tradition of the "founding fathers", the federal government had no business interfering in social networking. According to the Voltairian tradition, the state had the right not to prohibit anything, but to have the courts prohibit messages that misled Internet users and harmed their health (in this case, it was messages on the universal compulsory purchase of certain drugs that should have been targeted). (To be continued...) Flash A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Monday for talks over the development of the ongoing Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement in Gaza, an Egyptian security source told Xinhua. The negotiations will focus on the new batch of Palestinian prisoners who will be released on Saturday in exchange for the release of three Israeli hostages, the anonymous source said. The release of Israeli female hostage Arbel Yehud, who is expected to be released on Wednesday or Thursday, will also be discussed, the source added. Efforts to consolidate the ceasefire in Gaza will also be discussed, according to the source. Earlier in the day, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to release six Israeli hostages this week and allow displaced Gaza residents to return from southern to northern areas of the strip. Yehud and two others will be released before Friday and three more hostages will be released on Saturday by Hamas, Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson of Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on X. "Additionally, Israel will provide a list of 400 individuals detained since Oct. 7, 2023, every Sunday during the first phase of the agreement," Al Ansari added. On Saturday, the International Committee of the Red Cross announced the completion of the second phase of a prisoner-hostage exchange between Hamas and Israel, implemented under the initial terms of a ceasefire agreement. The first stage of the six-week ceasefire took effect on Jan. 19. Chinese start-up Suzhou Intelligence Technology, a maker of large cleaning robots for commercial properties, is eyeing Hong Kong and Macau as key new markets for its products, founder and chief executive Kong Bing said. Kong, who previously worked at Swedish-Swiss electrical engineering firm ABB and German industrial robot maker Kuka, said his company's products under the Partner Robot brand are used on special surfaces such as marble and granite. "Hong Kong and Macau are definitely key markets for us [to expand operations]," Kong told the South China Morning Post on the sidelines of the China Conference: Greater Bay Area 2025 - a two-day event held in Guangzhou, capital of southern Guangdong province, earlier this month. 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. "Given high labour costs and requirements for hygiene, [the two markets] are perfectly suitable for the promotion of our robots," he added. Compared to household robot vacuum cleaners from the likes of iRobot and Roborock, products from Suzhou Intelligence Technology are bigger in size and used at large commercial establishments such as shopping centres and airports. Commercial-grade cleaning robots are harder to obtain because these have not been widely adopted, according to Kong. As such, these products offer more growth potential, he said. "The target users of household cleaning robots are very clear. One can simply market it as a housewarming gift or a gift for the elderly," Kong said. "It's much more complicated to persuade commercial property management companies to buy a cleaning robot, which has to involve many stakeholders in these firms." Kong Bing, founder and chief executive of Suzhou Intelligence Technology, speaks at the South China Morning Post's China Conference: Greater Bay Area 2025, an event held last month at the Nansha Bay Marina Convention Centre in Guangzhou. Photo: Nora Tam alt=Kong Bing, founder and chief executive of Suzhou Intelligence Technology, speaks at the South China Morning Post's China Conference: Greater Bay Area 2025, an event held last month at the Nansha Bay Marina Convention Centre in Guangzhou. Photo: Nora Tam> Suzhou Intelligence Technology's push into Hong Kong and Macau reflects how commercial properties are increasingly paying attention to proptech - the use of information technology to help companies manage real estate - as a means to enhance customer experience, save energy, boost safety, and reduce pollution and other harmful substances in the environment. Illustration: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ten years ago, Alec Baldwin told us that he was quitting public life. The news ran as a 2014 New York Magazine cover story with a photo of the actors face beside the quote, I give up. But as it turns out, a lot can change after a decade (like a dismissal for an involuntary manslaughter charge). This February, TLC releases a new reality series starring Alec and his wife, Hilaria/Hillary, about life with their seven growing children, whose ages range from 19 months to 10 years old. The new trailer shows the crazy daily moments of the Baldwins: chasing kids, wrangling six animals, and managing life in the spotlight, especially after the Rust incident. A son lost his mom in the most unthinkable tragedy, Hilaria explains in the trailer. This is never something to forget, and were trying to parent through it. While the trailer doesnt show the exact timeline of when the show was filmed, it does hint that theyll be discussing how death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins affected their family, especially because a lot has happened with his trial and with the film throughout 2024. Alecs Rust manslaughter trial ended with a dismissal in July 2024, now hes suing prosecutors in New Mexico for manufacturing a case against him. Rust also premiered in Poland late last year with no news on a wide release of the film. The Baldwins premieres on Sunday, February 23. We guess TLC didnt want to go with the nickname that Hilaria, a Massachusetts native who has been criticized for implying she has Spanish heritage, uses for her kids: the Baldwinitos. Dylan and Hudson. Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Val Wilmer/Redferns, Michael Putland/Getty Images Take a load off and get a load of this. Bob Dylan has returned to his favorite social-media cesspool of choice, X, not to review a trio of SNL curveballs from a certain young admirer but to instead memorialize a recently deceased friend and collaborator. Sorry to hear the news about Garth Hudson. He was a beautiful guy and the real driving force behind the Band, he wrote. Just listen to the original recording of the Weight and youll see. Hudson, who specialized in organ and piano and was the last living member of the Band, died last week at the age of 87. Dylan and Hudson prominently played together at the Bands farewell concert, dubbed The Last Waltz, which was recorded in 1976 under the direction of Martin Scorsese. (Dylan was a bit of a diva getting onstage with the cameras rolling, but well gossip about that another time.) In the Bands earliest years as a unit, Dylan recruited them to be among his backing band when he went electric. This period included Hudson overseeing Dylans The Basement Tapes sessions in upstate New York Dylan once reminisced about the peaceful, relaxed setting of it all and touring with him throughout 1965 and 1966. The infamous Judas! concert in Manchester was their cherry on top. Per Dylans request, well leave that version of The Weight right here to enjoy. Wise. Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images When an actor is already over a particular adjective being used to describe their character and the movie hasnt even come out yet, its a pretty good sign that its a big cliche. Thats the case for DeWanda Wise, who does not appreciate her character, Nicole, a single mother looking for love, in Rachel Abigail Holders feature debut Love, Brooklyn being referred to as either no-nonsense or no-bullshit. Wise told Vulture at Sundance 2025 that anytime she sees a journalist describe Nicole that way, I brush up against it. I feel like she has far more curiosity and acceptance than that, Wise elaborated. When shes like, No thats fine, if thats the thing thats the thing, I feel like she means it. So Im always surprised that her grief registers as this other thing when shes just a woman whos really honest. As you can tell from everyones mmms, Wises comments resonated with her fellow cast and crew. Youre talking about the over-simplification of the dynamics in relationships, specifically with Black women, Nicole Beharie echoed. Thats what I loved about this piece and thats what drew me to this piece. Rachel was like, Were not gonna oversimplify it, were not gonna dumb it down. Were gonna let them have all the colors. Love, Brooklyn tells the story of three Brooklynites Wise, Behari, and Andre Holland dealing with a changing city (due to gentrification) and changing relationship statuses (due to growth). Were back at Sundance in the Vulture Spot, where were interviewing the casts and creators of the years buzziest films. Check out the rest of our coverage from the film fest here. Energetic and riveting, Tonatiuh brings layers of tenderness and complexity. If only the rest of the picture could match his vitality. Photo: Sundance Institute The phrase a star is born has been overused in the past. But its hard not to think of those words when watching Tonatiuh, the young actor who plays Luis Molina, one half of the duo at the heart of Kiss of the Spider Woman. Bill Condons new film, which premiered at Sundance last night, is based on the 1992 musical, which was itself based on Argentine writer Manuel Puigs 1976 novel (and, to some extent, the acclaimed 1985 Hector Babenco film that won William Hurt an Oscar for the same part). Molina is an awesomely challenging role: a character with an unwavering dedication to conceiving movie-musical fantasies, even as he is constantly (and increasingly) terrorized by the outside world; a character whose colorful front slowly dissolves as he finds friendship and love with a man who is, in many ways, his opposite. Energetic and riveting, Tonatiuh brings layers of tenderness and complexity to the role, letting us feel all the characters terror, shame, determination, and yearning. Plus, he dances in the movies film-within-a-film musical sequences. If only the rest of the picture could match his vitality. Molina, a gay hairdresser convicted of public indecency during Argentinas brutal military dictatorship, has been sent to the political wing of a prison and put in the same cell as Valentin Arregui (a solid, if unremarkable Diego Luna), an intense and serious-minded Marxist revolutionary. The chatty, friendly Molina puts up movie posters, pinup photos, and beaded curtains in their cell; Valentin just sits there, quietly reading his Lenin and asking not to be disturbed. But hes also clearly bothered by Molinas homosexuality and a weakness he senses in his cellmate. After the prison guards humiliate Molina in front of Valentin, the revolutionary responds, If a man called me a woman, I would kill him. Molina, not missing a step, replies, If a man called me a man, he would faint. For all his revolutionary ideals, Valentin is bound by macho ideals, while Molina understands in a visceral way the fluidity of gender. (Introducing the film at Sundance, Condon read off a part of Donald Trumps recent executive order asserting that the U.S. government will now recognize only two genders. He then added, Thats a thing this film has a different point of view on, to the audiences great approval.) The growing bond of the two cellmates is charted by Molinas recounting of a fictional 1950s Hollywood musical set in South America called Kiss of the Spider Woman, featuring Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez), a Dolores del Riotype star. Condon shoots these scenes with long takes, saturated colors, and graceful dance moves, as if conjuring up a pointedly superficial and old-fashioned Hollywood romance amid a gritty, grimy, far more physical tale of bonding and love. It is in these musical sequences that Lopez, who also produced the film, seizes the spotlight, a modern diva playing an old-school diva playing a fantasy diva, all of whom might ultimately be imaginary. The actress, who was such a tender onscreen presence early in her career, before she became a pop superstar, is certainly in her element (in a role done onstage by the legendary Chita Rivera), but its less a performance and more a series of postures. That might be intentional, but it holds the whole film at a remove. At first, Valentin is reluctant to hear Molinas celluloid visions hes not interested in movies and other trivial things but over the course of the film, the two grow closer as Molina recounts the films plot, which, in its own crazy Tinseltown fantasy way, comes to match their ordeal. By the end, Valentin is even finishing Molinas sentences. The elegant and absurdly colorful movie musical sequences are meant to stand in sharp contrast to the increasingly grim physicality of the prison, where both Molina and Valentin are terrorized: beaten and poisoned and drugged. But the two worlds also slowly merge. Its a delicate operation far more delicate than it first might seem. Condon, who directed Dreamgirls and wrote Chicago, is certainly conversant with the musical genre. Originally an independent who broke out at Sundance back in 1998 with Gods and Monsters, hes become a reliable helmer of prestige and studio projects (even if some of those projects, like the final two Twilight films, were atrocities). His proficiency can sometimes mask a certain listlessness. His camera never quite feels like its a part of the action, and his films, at their worst, are totally inert. (I think his best work is still 2004s Kinsey, a movie built around conversation and analysis.) So its ballsy of him to try and imitate the 50s Hollywood musical, one of the most expressive and inventive periods in American film history. And while the musical sequences of Kiss of the Spider Woman have the colorful and sophisticated trappings of their classic forebears you wont find the hectic zooms and rapid-fire cutting of Chicago here theyre largely lifeless. Maybe thats intentional to highlight the kitsch and artificiality of those worlds. But the sequences are also meant to be dream visions, metaphysical and cinematic escapes into an alternate dimension full of exquisite grandiosity and grace. They shouldnt fall flat. To make this sort of elegance truly work, especially in such a self-aware manner, one frankly needs a director with a lot more imagination and dynamism than Condon. Still, at the heart of it all, theres Tonatiuh, who carries so much of the emotion of the film, expertly withholding when necessary and pouring it all out when called for. Watching the young actor as Molina (and as Kendall Nesbitt, a dashingly macho but secretly closeted magazine assistant in the fake movie), we connect intuitively with the sense of entrapment, as well as the need to carve out small corners of beauty in an otherwise heartless and murderous world. This Kiss of the Spider Woman might be wildly uneven, but its hard not to be moved by the sight of a great new talent emerging into the world. Notaro. Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images Sorry, we lied. There is no graphic lesbian sex in Tig Notaros new documentary but there is a character study about human perseverance, arresting art, and tender relationships in the face of debilitating cancer. The sex was just a bit more clickable, and Notaro knows it. At Sundance 2025, producer Notaro and director Ryan White discussed their new documentary, Come See Me in the Good Light, which follows poet Andrea Gibson and their partner, Megan Falley, as Gibson deals with incurable ovarian cancer. During that conversation, when asked about a moment during filming that stood out with Gibson, who attended the premiere and received a standing ovation, White described the first day of filming. Its very heavy, he said. Andreas just gotten a bad cancer result and it becomes the most explicit lesbian gay sex scene. Notaro jumps in to clarify: Not a gay sex scene. We dont want to mislead anybody. But then she takes another path: But if thats what it takes to get you to the movie, there is graphic lesbian sex in this. Even if thats not true, though, the two promise that Gibson and Falley are documentary gold because of their openness. The moment we met Andrea and Meg, which was a year ago in Colorado this week, they were so special, White said. Theyre like unicorn documentary subjects. Usually it takes months to warm a documentary subject up, and they were so natural and open from day one that we knew we wanted to make something. Well, this all seems like a recipe for all of us who cant make it to Park City to absolutely bawl our eyes out when it premieres outside the festival. Looking forward to it! Were back at Sundance in the Vulture Spot, where were interviewing the casts and creators of the years buzziest films. Check out the rest of our coverage from the film fest here. By Jamie McGeever ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) -The jury is still out on whether Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek will be the disruptive straw that breaks Wall Street's back. But it has certainly called into question the "U.S. exceptionalism" narrative that has helped create unprecedented concentration and risk in U.S. markets. The assumption that Silicon Valley is the unassailable leader in the global AI arms race is a key reason why U.S. markets have sucked in trillions of dollars from around the world in recent years. This trend has come to define U.S. exceptionalism, the deep-rooted belief in the continued outperformance of U.S. growth and Wall Street returns. But this narrative may be starting to unravel because of a Chinese startup that few outside the AI world had even heard of until last month. DeepSeek, which has operated on a shoestring budget, appears to be achieving similar or better results than U.S. behemoths that have spent hundreds of billions of dollars developing AI technology. "To see the DeepSeek new model is super-impressive," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella told CNBC in Davos last week. "I think we should take the development out of China very, very seriously." Investors certainly should, especially when the fate of the entire U.S. stock market - indeed, global markets - is being driven by so few companies and essentially one AI story. The clout Big Tech wields over Wall Street is eye-watering. Just look at the numbers: * Before Monday's market rout, just five stocks - Nvidia,Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta - had contributed around700 points to the S&P 500 over the last two years. Excludingthese stocks, the S&P 500 would be 12% lower, according toSocGen's Manish Kabra. Nvidia alone had contributed 4 percentagepoints to the performance of the S&P 500's two-year gainsthrough Monday. * Nvidia's last 12 months of earnings, reported in its mostrecent quarterly results, totaled roughly $63 billion, which isaround half the total made by all listed companies in each ofBritain, Germany and France over the last year, according toDeutsche Bank's Jim Reid. * These companies plus Apple and Tesla - the "MagnificentSeven", or "Mag 7" - have accounted for nearly 60% of the S&P500's gains in the past two years, according to Bank of Americaanalysts.In short, the "Mag 7" embodies the "Americanexceptionalism premium on the S&P 500," as Kabra wrote onMonday. 'PEAK MONOPOLY' Wall Street has never been beholden to so few stocks, with the "Mag 7" now accounting for over 35% of the S&P 500's entire market cap. Meanwhile, U.S. stocks currently account for a record two-thirds of global equity allocation. This content is expired! Unfortunely this content is expired and cannot be viewed anymore; if You are the owner of this content please login to our Website, go to our access panel and enable this content again. Visit part of Jubilee Year 2025 calendar. Pope Francis is to visit the legendary Cinecitta Film Studios in Rome on 17 February as part of the calendar of events for Jubilee Year 2025, the Vatican said on Tuesday. The visit, which will take place during the Jubilee of Artists and the World of Culture, has been organised in collaboration with Italy's culture ministry and Cinecitta authorities. The pontiff will meet "artists and protagonists of the world of culture" at their place of work, according to the Jubilee 2025 website, in what will be the first visit by a pope to the film studios at Cinecitta. More than 3,000 movies have been filmed at Cinecitta over the decades, including by directors such as Federico Fellini, Roberto Rossellini, Sergio Leone, Bernardo Bertolucci, Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese. By Sinead Cruise LONDON (Reuters) -HSBC plans to wind down its M&A and some equities businesses in Europe and the Americas, the bank said on Tuesday, accelerating a shift to Asia in its biggest retrenchment from investment banking in decades. "Our intention is to move to a more competitive, scalable, financing-led model," Michael Roberts, CEO HSBC Bank said in a memo sent to staff seen by Reuters, which said the lender would retain more focused M&A and equity capital markets capabilities in Asia and the Middle East. A spokesperson for the UK-headquartered bank, which employs around 220,000 people globally, confirmed the contents of the memo. Since the global financial crisis, HSBC has been scaling back its worldwide footprint, starting with exiting dozens of low-returning consumer banking activities, from France to Greece to Canada. Under CEO Georges Elhedery, who replaced Noel Quinn in September, HSBC is now overhauling its dealmaking and corporate advisory activities in the West in a bid to boost returns and tighten its focus on Asia, where the lender already earns the bulk of its profit. HSBC ranked 14th globally in investment banking fees in 2024, according to LSEG data, down a notch from the previous year. The bank's market share in the fees pot reached 1.5%, mostly thanks to the revenues from its debt financing business, the data show. It's unclear how many roles will be cut as a result of Tuesday's surprise announcement, nor the likely savings, nor how many bankers might be redeployed to other financing businesses where HSBC considers it is better able to compete with U.S. rivals that have dominated investment banking's most lucrative segments for years. Analysts have been questioning where Elhedery could achieve savings while the bank remained a global, full-service wholesale lender. HSBC will keep its debt capital markets and leveraged acquisition finance operations globally, Roberts told staff in the memo, which acknowledged how "unsettling" the news would be for bankers who advise on dealmaking and corporate equity raising, such as through initial public offerings. News of the plan on the eve of China's Lunar New Year, has sent shockwaves round the lender. One senior banker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, questioned the rationale of the restructuring, and how the bank would support its debt financing activities without the M&A advisory capabilities. But some analysts and former insiders praised HSBC management for bowing out of businesses where it had struggled to thrive. The Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) celebrated the official opening of their new community centre at Station House in Waterford on Tuesday, January 28. The event was attended by Mayor of Waterford, Cllr. Jason Murphy, along with many members and employees of the organisation. Located in the heart of Waterford city, the new centre will serve as a home for young adults who are part of IWA's School Leaver Service. This strategic location aligns with the organisation's mission of supporting people with disabilities to be part of the community. The expansion of the community centre will provide IWA with the capacity to grow their services and enable members to participate in more community events. The school leaver service has already had a profound impact on the lives of many members, with success stories of increased independence, college attendance, and work experience opportunities. Liam Saunders, Area Manager for the Irish Wheelchair Association, expressed his excitement for the new centre, stating, "We're delighted the centre is finally open. So much hard work has gone on in the background to make this happen. I would like to thank everyone who has played their part in ensuring this dream has become a reality. I am delighted to hand the building over to our members today." Waterford Mayor, Cllr Jason Murphy, added, "It's a privilege to be invited here today to officially open IWA's new building. We are extremely proud to have it in Waterford city and can't wait to see how the programme grows to support more people with disabilities in the Waterford area. "It is superb to see a vacant building in Waterford City brought back to life and I couldnt think of a better purpose for the building than home to IWAs members. I got a real sense of warmth and welcome when I walked in this morning. For me, this space is about young people. The Irish Wheelchair Association have a fantastic programme for school leavers and this will allow that programme to expand and bring in more people. It's also about allowing people with disability to realise their full potential in life and this community centre allows that in a very dignified space that gives people freedom and access to services in the area. I can't think of a better service to be in this space than this." IWAs CEO Ann Marie OGrady was also in attendance and said: I am incredibly proud to be here today. People are at the heart of everything we do at IWA and this building is opening today because of our dedicated people who continue to have a vision for the future of our members. This state-of-the-art building will allow our members to grow and access Waterford City. "What I think is really exciting for the community of Waterford, is bringing a historic building back to life. I love the fact that you have decided to call it Station House, and hold that historic feel. It's bringing life back to the community. "This is the culmination of good people coming together, collaborating across statutory, voluntary, community and industry. All of that is how stuff gets done. Now we're handing the building over to you. Dream big, dont let anything get in your way and let's have fun in this building." IWA members and staff thanked the HSE for the continued support of the School Leaver Programme, along with the landlord of the building and building company Causeway Group for their support of the project. A local businesswoman has spoken out about her experience of facing alleged harassment from her landlord. Mercy Munnife has been living in Waterford for over 15 years, raising her family and running the Techiman Market, located at 43a Morgan Street in Ballybricken. Her shop specialises in Afro-Caribbean food and goods and is frequented by many people in the local community. Over the past number of months, Mercy has been deeply affected by numerous strange incidents, including, but not limited to, changed locks, missing signs, smashed toilets and the placing of a coffin by her business premises. The coffin was left with no explanation or warning, and had to be removed by the local authority. The incidents have affected not only Mercy, but her family and friends. Mercy feels that her landlord is trying to force her out of the building, rather than go through the correct process. Mercy has been running the Techiman Market for over a decade. She has had her locks changed without her knowledge, had her sign taken away and has lost business due to the ordeal. Until 2020, Mercy had been paying rent to the property owner without issue. Waterford News and Star was told that she had a broad lease with the former property owner. In 2020, the property was bought by local undertaker Luke Hennessy. She received a letter at the time informing her that rent would now be paid to the new owner, with no reference to any kind of tenancy agreement or lease. In May 2024, Mercy received a notice of termination letter from a solicitor, which stated that property owner Luke Hennesseys good will gesture was now over. The letter read: The owner wishes to commence building works relating to their undertaking business. Since then, Mercy and her family have experienced numerous upsetting incidents. The toilets have been smashed to pieces on at least two occasions. The locks to part of the store were changed without Mercys knowledge or consent, and she was not given a key, essentially locked away from her own supplies. Her sign was taken down without her knowledge, which she fears has cost her customers. At night, figures walking around the outskirts of the store have been captured on CCTV. Contacting college In September 2024, University of Galways Postgraduate Admissions were sent an email from Mercys landlord seeking to contact her daughter Tracey, at her place of education. As he may have considered her daughter and advocate for his tenant, the email, sent at 4.37am from the property owner, claimed that Traceys mother may have blocked Mr Hennesseys number (Mercy and Tracey deny this) and stated they were kindly asked to vacate a property I recently bought, as we are waiting to commence building works, and I need to know is there any valuables they want to get before we dispose of everything. The email also said: I was told shes enrolled with your good selves to study human rightshopefully course (sic) commences soon as that may help her see vacating is the right thing to do. Tracey was highly disturbed by this communication, and why he would contact her in this way. Horror A hearse has been parked bedside the shop and Mercy has asked for a shield to be put on the vehicle for the comfort of her customers, but her pleas have gone ignored. The hearse is especially upsetting for Tracey, who lost her father some years ago. In November 2024, Mercy discovered to her horror that an empty coffin, with dirt in it and on the damaged coffin lid - which appeared to have been prised open - had been left in the storage shed, beside her bins. The shed area is open right next to the shop entrance, and was immediately visible to anyone approaching. The open shed is to the left of the store entrance, as pictured. Her daughter Tracey filmed the grim discovery, commenting: There is, legit, a coffin in my mums shed storage. The camera zooms in further to show dirty brown water inside the coffin. She said: I dont even know where the water is coming from. Mercy said: It was left right there, no explanation, nothing. The placement of the coffin greatly disturbed not just mother and daughter, but their own friends and family. A Waterford City and County Council Environmental Department worker came out to take away the coffin. Mercy called the Gardai for help but found little recourse. A spokesperson for the Council confirmed the removal of the coffin, with the following statement: Following complaints, Waterford City and County Councils Environment Department removed an old, display coffin on November 14, 2024. The coffin, which was badly damaged and waterlogged, was removed from beneath an old shed on Morgan Street. According to Mercy, the Gardai see the dispute as a civil matter requiring no further action. 'Unfair' The ordeal is taking its toll on Mercy and her family, causing many a sleepless night. Mercy has worked hard for many years to make the market a success in Waterford. When I came to Ireland, I didnt take social welfare, I didnt take anything, she said. I am a human being, there is a way to treat people. This is not the way. Friends and family have described the behaviour as unfair. Luke Hennessy was reached for comment on the incidents described but was not willing to speak on record about the incidents. Hundreds flocked to Mount Melleray last weekend for the final mass hosted by the abbey's cistercian monks. Emotions were understandably high, as church-goers from across the country said goodbye to the monks, at least for the time being. During the service, the public were offered the reassurance and hope that one day the monks may return to Waterford. For now however, they will be situated at Roscrea, as an interim measure. Bishop Cullinan said on the day: "Please God they will persevere, and please God many more will join them, so that the monks can return to this holy place on the slopes of the Knockmealdowns." Speaking to a number of attendees following the final mass, a significant number spoke on how well prepared the grounds were, and how touching the mass was. Others complimented the choir for their characteristically beautiful renditions. Marie Morrissey, from the west of the county said: Well really miss it. The monks were always great and wed always come up a few times a year to visit and walk the abbey." Another local, Andrew, said he regularly uses the St. Declans Way walk, which borders the abbey: It will be a bit different now passing through but its always nice to see it anyway and it offers a lot to the area, so hopefully it will be maintained." He added: I do the walk every now and then, and today I had to come up by myself to see the crowds." "The people stewarding are doing a good job. There's only so much space here so its hard to get everyone in and make space but they have everything laid out nicely for parking. Another visitor, who travelled from Mayo to attend the service said: It was a very nice mass. Its a special place here, and Waterford is lucky to have it. So hopefully it will come back at some point, but who knows." Read more about the story of this historically significant abbey here While Mary Butlers appointment as government chief whip with added responsibility for disability is positive, there is real disappointment in Waterford that she did not get the cabinet seat her service and longevity demanded. Her south eastern colleague James Browne, of Wexford, got the nod. Some callers to RTE radio last week expressed anger over her omission and the gender imbalance in the FF cabinet, albeit the post is an immense personal achievement for Ms Butler. Her position is actually Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach. The Chief Whip attends cabinet as a super junior minister, but does not have a vote. You are in the room where decisions are made. Bertie Ahern and Dara Calleary were also chief whips in their time. Calleary accepted the role in 2020, but publicly acknowledged that he was "angry and disappointed" not to have been offered a departmental portfolio. Diligence and loyalty to Micheal Martin and to the Fianna Fail party has partly paid off for Mary Butler. Not many people would ever have expected her to rise so far. It is an onerous position with some influence, which may yield dividends. Lets see what Ms Butler makes of it. The expectation in Waterford of delivery especially in health and further education, of projects which have suffered interminable and deeply unfair delay, is enormous. Early progress is required to show cause. As a corollary, there is now a very strong expectation that new Fine Gael TD John Cummins must be given a heavyweight junior ministry to balance the books. Mr. Cummins was not shy in painting himself, pre-election, as in line for promotion. If it does not happen, people will rightly ask just what Waterford achieved in casting out vocal TD Matt Shanahan who would surely have been in government, in favour of a party representative? Nine years ago Ms Butler and Taoiseach Micheal Martin stood outside UHW bearing the now infamous sign that FF would deliver 24/7 cardiology to Waterford. Last week the HSE finally announced that for the first time ever, a seven day, 8 am to 8 pm cardiology service at UHW would commence shortly. This is especially welcome bearing some recent cases in mind, where very urgent patients were shipped to Cork for treatment. Local UHW cardiology staff believe the announcement is a vital step along the way to full 24/7. The number of cardiology procedures (emergency and elective) at UHW is broadly similar to those in CUH, yet the latter hospital has four cath labs and twelve cardiologists. A seven day service allows UHW to establish the true level of demand for interventional cardiology. In the dark days of 2013 and 2014, when an all-out attack was being made on such services (and others) at UHW, you may remember the charade over procedure numbers there. The national cardiology team did not include the full number of procedures completed at UHW in their annual reports for several years because the UHW computer could not talk to the HSE HIPE computer. Decisions were shamefully being based on incomplete data. I understand that eminent senior UHW cardiologist, Paddy Owens, will shortly step back from his lead role there. He deserves the freedom of Waterford city. Were it not for him and Doctors Rob Landers, Mark Doyle, Aidan Buckley from Wexford, and Niall Colwell in Clonmel, we would be facing the terrible journey to Cork with no emergency cardiology at UHW at all. Those men stood up and were counted when it was neither profitable nor popular in the HSE to do so. You may remember them going to Dublin to lobby for services in UHW and being lambasted as parish pump medics by hacks in the national media who took their briefing from the Department of Health! The delay in funding real investment for UHW, one of nine Model 4 hospitals in the country, has been shameful. Small projects have been our constant lot. The recent report of the HSE Health Forum South provides an update on UHW capital projects: 'The Surgical Hub construction project at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) is due for completion by mid-2026. A design team has been appointed to construct (When?) a new 96-bed inpatient block at UHW including a link to the existing hospital. Work is ongoing on an extension for additional laboratory facilities. A new development control plan for the UHW complex is being prepared.' These are not enough! Extra UHW beds have been talked about for years, yet when the opportunity arose with 295 new beds to be provided around the country this year, UHW got none. Fourteen were announced for Kilkenny. Does the HSE estates office in Kilkenny, which services capital developments in Waterford, push UHW projects? The HSE 2025 National Service Plan, published two weeks ago says they will 'Progress with the development of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda and University Hospital Waterford as trauma units due to their identification as those most to be impacted by future bypass protocols, with an associated anticipated increase in trauma patient volumes to be seen in the emergency department of each hospital'. The extra beds, the long awaited new Adult Mental Health Unit, the vertical OPD etc. all await sanction. Ms Butler was a minister in the Dept. of Health in 2023 when no capital funding at all was committed to UHW. In 2022, the vertical OPD was ready to go with the job being priced by a contractor who had a tower crane erected on site, but the project was pulled. Decisions like this are intolerable, especially as the capital funding deficit at UHW is enormous. On a wider note, the proposed new engineering building at SETU was passed by government a month ago. When will that commence to end the 20 year drought of new buildings there? Meanwhile, 300 jobs are to go at BNY Mellon in Wexford to follow the 234 that went without comment at Carta Mundi, Waterford. Coupled with the Amgen/Horizon move from Waterford to consolidate at their south Dublin facility plus the expansion of WEST Pharma in Dublin instead of Waterford, it paints an unhealthy picture of the IDAs commitment. Waterford needs political influence. Have we got it? Guests are greeted at the luxury Thai hotel where the third season of The White Lotus is set with the words, At the end of the week, you will be an entirely different person. It sounds like a promise, but as fans of the HBO series well know, in the hands of writer and creator Mike White its really more of a threat. With the second trailer for season three released today, we start to get more sense of what shape the threat might take. Or at least on who its going to be focused. Walton Goggins as Rick Hatchett and Aimee Lou Wood as Chelsea in season three of The White Lotus. At the centre of everything is the Ratliff family, a clan with distinct echoes of season ones Mossbachers (the wealthy family over which Sydney Sweeneys teenager Olivia cast a surly pall). When patriarch Timothy (Jason Isaacs) asks his wife Victoria (Parker Posey at her most withering) what they would do if they lost all their money, she replies, Honestly, I dont know if Id want to live; I just dont have it in me. The welfare of sheep is shaping as a key electoral issue in Western Australia, with supporters of live sheep export vowing to increase both the trade and their campaigning against Labor in key seats leading up to the next federal election. The Australian Live Export Council says it will expand overseas markets in advance of the proposed 2028 ban on live sheep exports that the Labor government intends to enforce if returned to power. Supporters of live export are planning a lobbying blitz in WA as the practise crystallises as a key election issue. Credit: Bloomberg Chief executive Mark Harvey-Sutton says the west African nation of Morocco has asked to import live sheep to increase its flocks after years of disastrous drought. A Moroccan delegation is planned to arrive in Perth in February to discuss export proposals. Harvey-Sutton, who has just returned from a visit to Morocco, says a shipment could leave Fremantle within months. A young sailor who was sentenced last year over the rape of a 14-year-old girl which left her pregnant has been given more jail time after prosecutors argued three years in prison was manifestly inadequate. Bradley John Dorsett was posted to Perth with the Royal Australian Navy before the borders closed during the COVID pandemic, rendering him stuck in WA. Prosecutors argued the sentence of three years in prison was manifestly inadequate for such a serious crime. Credit: Marta Pascual Juanola Court documents state the then 24-year-old was isolated and lonely away from friends and family which resulted in him spending a lot of time online, seeking casual female sexual partners. In March 2022, he began speaking with a girl on social media app Snapchat. The court was told that after striking up a friendship, the girl asked if she and a friend could spend the night with him, claiming they had nowhere else to go. Australian cybersecurity executives and the federal opposition have sounded a warning about Chinese artificial intelligence start-up DeepSeek, which has rocketed to the top of app stores globally and roiled sharemarkets with its threat to Americas AI dominance. DeepSeeks rapid ascent this week took investors and analysts by surprise as well as apparently the company itself, which said it would temporarily limit user registrations due to repeated outages as it struggled to keep up with its sudden popularity. DeepSeeks rapid ascent this week took investors and rivals by surprise, as well as seemingly the company itself. Credit: Bloomberg Its rampant rise also triggered a bloodbath on Wall Street, dragging down shares in American AI giant Nvidia in the biggest fall in US stock market history, as well as those of Oracle, Meta and Google parent company Alphabet. Little is known about DeepSeek, a small Hangzhou-based start-up founded in 2023 by entrepreneur Liang Wenfeng, who runs a hedge fund, High-Flyer Capital, which uses AI to identify patterns in stock prices. How Exxon Mobil, IDACORP And Amcor Can Put Cash In Your Pocket Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Companies with a long history of paying dividends and consistently hiking them remain appealing to income-focused investors. Exxon Mobil, IDACORP and Amcor have rewarded shareholders for years and recently announced dividend increases. These companies currently offer dividend yields of around 3-5%. Exxon Mobil Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) is a global leader in the energy sector. It focuses on the exploration, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas. The company operates through the Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products and Specialty Products segments, offering products ranging from fuels and lubricants to petrochemicals. Don't Miss: Exxon Mobil has increased its dividends consecutively for the last 42 years. In its most recent dividend hike announcement on Nov. 1, the company raised the quarterly dividend by 4% to $0.99 per share, equal to an annual figure of $3.96 per share. Currently, the dividend yield on the stock stands at 3.53%. Exxon Mobil's annual revenue (as of Sept. 30, 2024) stood at $339.88 billion. As per its most recent earnings release on Nov. 1, the company posted Q3 2024 revenues of $90.02 billion, below the consensus of $93.94 billion, while the EPS of $1.92 came in above the consensus estimate of $1.88. Check out this article by Benzinga, which looks at Exxon Mobils recent unusual options activity. Trending: Unlock the hidden potential of commercial real estate This platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today! IDACORP IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE:IDA) is an electric utility engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, sale and purchase of electric energy and capacity. The company operates 17 hydropower-generating plants in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon, three natural gas-fired plants in southern Idaho and is invested in two coal-fired steam electric generating plants in Wyoming and Nevada. IDACORP has increased its dividend every year for the last 13 years. According to its most recent dividend hike announcement on Sept. 20, it raised the quarterly dividend from $0.83 to $0.86 per share, which is equal to an annual figure of $3.44 per share. The dividend yield on the stock currently stands at 3.12%. About 35,000 feet (10,670 metres) over the Mojave Desert, northwest of Los Angeles, Boom Supersonics XB-1 became the first privately funded airplane to break the sound barrier during a test flight on Tuesday. She was real happy supersonic, Boom Chief Test Pilot Tristan Geppetto Brandenburg said after landing, in a video posted by Boom Supersonic. Thats the best shes ever flown, was supersonic. After getting to altitude, Brandenburg opened up the test planes throttles, accelerating to Mach 1.1, or about 1360 km/h faster than the speed at which sound travels. The XB-1 has broken the sound barrier. In 1947, Chuck Yeager became the first human to break the sound barrier when he pushed the Bell X-1 past Mach 1 during a flight over the Mojave Desert. (Bloomberg) -- Shares of Japanese semiconductor-related companies including Advantest Corp. and Disco Corp. extended Mondays drop after the release of Chinese AI model DeepSeek prompted a selloff in US tech stocks. Most Read from Bloomberg Advantest, which supplies testers to Nvidia Corp., dropped as much as 11%, heading for a two-day decline of 18%, the most since a market rout in August. Chip equipment maker Disco slid 9.5%, while SoftBank Group Corp. retreated 6.7%. The latter has erased its gains from last week, when it rallied on news the company plans to commit $19 billion to an investment plan for artificial intelligence infrastructure in the US. Other chip-related firms including Lasertec Corp., Screen Holdings Co. and Tokyo Electron Ltd. all fell over 4% at one point. In the US, Nvidia lost almost $600 billion in market capitalization on investor concern about competition from DeepSeek, which is widely seen as a low-cost rival to the USs OpenAI and Meta Platforms Inc. The fact that the cost of AI is decreasing is a negative for AI-related stocks, and its an irreversible trend, said Ryoutarou Sawada, an analyst at Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Laboratory. The cost of semiconductors, which are involved in creating generative AI, will also fall, which is bad news for Japanese makers of chip equipment. The impact of DeepSeek is going to force a pause in some commercial AI infrastructure plans and should cause a slowdown in AI-related investment, Pelham Smithers, an analyst at UK firm Pelham Smithers Associates, wrote in a research note. Thats delivering a blow to power generators, who had been expecting AI investment to fuel electricity demand from power-hungry data centers. Shares of Kyushu Electric Power Co., Tokyo Electric Power Co. and Kansai Electric Power Co. fell over 2% Tuesday. Its only natural that selling will spread to the periphery of the AI sector, like power generation stocks, said Kiyoshi Ishigane, chief fund manager at Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., whose shares jumped last week on hopes of an AI-driven demand boost for its US gas turbine business, plunged 8.6% at one point, the most since August. Shares of Furukawa Electric Co. and Fujikura Ltd., which manufacture cables for data centers, also declined over 8.5%. Fujikura, Furukawa Electric, Advantest, Mitsubishi Heavy and SoftBank were all among the worst performers on the Nikkei 225, which was down 0.6% as of 11:30 a.m. in Tokyo. Microsoft (MSFT) reported its second quarter earnings after the bell on Wednesday, beating estimates on the top and bottom lines but falling short on estimates for its Intelligent Cloud business. Microsoft stock fell 6% after the market opened Thursday on the news. Microsofts Commercial Cloud segment revenue, which includes cloud services sales, saw revenue of $40 billion, a 21% year-over-year increase but shy of Wall Street expectations of $41.1 billion. Microsoft's intelligent cloud business, which includes its Azure platform, saw revenue of $25.5 billion. Wall Street was expecting $25.8 billion. The company said it saw 13 percentage points of growth in Azure from AI services. Cloud gross margin, however, decreased to 70% on the company's artificial intelligence build-out. We are innovating across our tech stack and helping customers unlock the full ROI of AI to capture the massive opportunity ahead," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a statement. Already, our AI business has surpassed an annual revenue run rate of $13 billion, up 175% year-over-year. During the company's earnings call, Microsoft said its Intelligent Cloud revenue for the current quarter would land between $25.9 billion and $26.2 billion, sending shares lower. The earnings announcement comes as Wall Street continues to digest the fallout surrounding DeepSeeks impact on the AI industry and Silicon Valleys tech titans. Microsoft and its Big Tech cohort are investing tens of billions of dollars in AI data centers, with Microsoft saying it plans to spend $80 billion in fiscal 2025 alone. But China's DeepSeek sent a jolt through the tech sector, saying it trained its AI model on systems that use less power than leading AI chips and at a fraction of the price of those produced by American rivals like Microsoft-backed OpenAI, Google (GOOG, GOOGL), and Meta (META). That has investors questioning whether Silicon Valley is making the right investments. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, however, attempted to downplay any fears saying that the companys fleet of data centers is fungible and that its investments help the company scale long-term business. The big beneficiaries of any software cycle like that [are] the customers, he said. For the quarter, Microsoft reported earnings per share (EPS) of $3.23 on revenue of $69.6 billion. Analysts were anticipating EPS of $3.13 on revenue of $68.8 billion, according to Bloomberg consensus data. The company reported EPS of $2.93 on revenue of $62 billion in the same quarter last year. While Microsoft is one of the main beneficiaries of the AI boom, its stock price has lagged behind the competition. Shares of Microsoft were up just 5% over the last 12 months as of Monday, while Amazon (AMZN) and Google shares were up 44% and 26%, respectively. Expanding Across the U.S., Canada, Bulgaria and Macedonia, Modeshift Enhances Mobility Solutions for 50 Transit Agencies and 88 Million Trips BOSTON, January 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Modeshift, a leading provider of contactless fare collection systems, is celebrating a year of remarkable growth and expansion. In 2024, the company strengthened its position as an agile and innovative alternative to legacy systems, achieving significant milestones that underscore its commitment to modernizing transit systems and enhancing rider experiences. 2024 highlights include: Expanded to over 50 transit agencies worldwide , marking a pivotal growth milestone. Entered two new international markets: Canada and Macedonia , expanding its cutting-edge transit technology to a larger global audience. Enabled over 88 million trips , enhancing mobility for over almost 1.4 million riders worldwide. Welcomed new U.S. customers, including: Marin Airporter (California) Butler Transit Authority (Pennsylvania) Crawford Area Transit Authority (Pennsylvania) IndiGO (Pennsylvania) Pennsylvania emerged as a focal point of Modeshifts growth in 2024, with a total of 10 transit agencies across the state now using its advanced digital fare collection and mobility solutions. With Modeshifts innovative capabilities, the platform supports the creation of seamless and unified travel experiences, empowering agile agencies to drive forward regionally-connected travel solutions and enhance rider experiences statewide. "Modeshifts technology is transforming how transit agencies operate and connect with riders," said Tim Geibel, Executive Director of Crawford Area Transit Authority. "By adopting the Modeshift platform, we are not only modernizing our services but also laying the groundwork for a truly regional transit system in Pennsylvania down the road. This collaboration is a game-changer for enhancing mobility, efficiency and sustainability in our state." "2024 was a landmark year for Modeshift. Our expansion to over 50 transit agencies and entry into new markets like Canada and Macedonia reflect the growing demand for innovative transit solutions worldwide," said Miroslav Katsarov, CEO of Modeshift. "Were particularly proud of our work in Pennsylvania, where our technology is enabling agencies of all sizes to set new standards for connectivity and rider experience. Modeshift is committed to empowering transit agencies across the globe with the tools they need to create efficient, sustainable and rider-focused systems." Leesville, LA (71446) Today Cloudy early, becoming mostly sunny this afternoon. High around 85F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly cloudy. Low 62F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. By Marie Mannes, Christina Amann and Emma-Victoria Farr STOCKHOLM/BERLIN/FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Northvolt asked more than 100 shareholders at a meeting this month to provide $1.29 billion over the next two years to help restore the bankrupt Swedish battery maker's business, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Considered Europe's best shot at a home-grown electric vehicle battery champion to compete with Chinese rivals BYD and CATL, Northvolt filed for Chapter 11 U.S. bankruptcy in November after talks for fresh funding with investors collapsed amid production and other problems. Former CEO and co-founder Peter Carlsson told journalists in November that the company would need between $1 billion and $1.2 billion in the long term, but did not give a specific timeframe. The request for funding to last until 2027 comes as Northvolt intensifies a search for investment before its cash reserve runs out in February. In response to Reuters' questions, Northvolt said "numerous parties" had submitted indications of interest in its financing process. "The company and its advisers are engaged in productive conversations and due diligence with both strategic and financial investors," a spokesperson said, declining further comment. It is not clear how shareholders responded to the request or if they will stump up any cash. The sources declined to be identified because the details are confidential. Northvolt's shareholders include Goldman Sachs and BMW as well as customers Volkswagen and Scania. It is not clear which investors were present at the meeting. The two sources said the shareholders were told the company had sufficient funds until at least mid-February, largely in line with information in the company's bankruptcy court filing. A third person familiar with the situation said Northvolt would only exhaust its cash towards the end of February. RESCUE Chinese, South Korean or Japanese battery makers are the best hopes for a rescue of the company given their expertise in EV battery making, three other sources close to the matter said. If Northvolt is able to find more funds, it is likely to come from a mix of financial and strategic investors, and a combination of existing and new stakeholders, another person with knowledge of the situation said. At a bankruptcy hearing on Tuesday, Northvolt attorney Jimmy Ryan said financing talks were "currently ongoing" and Northvolt intends to raise near-term cash by divesting "several" non-core businesses. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Alfredo Perez on Tuesday approved Northvolt's sale of its stake in battery recycler Hydrovolt to Norwegian aluminium maker Norsk Hydro for 78 million Norwegian crowns ($6.79 million). (Reporting by Marie Mannes in Stockholm, Christina Amann in Berlin, Emma-Victoria Farr in Frankfurt, Anousha Sakoui in London, Dietrich Knauth in New York. Editing by Josephine Mason, Mark Potter and Cynthia Osterman) By Jonathan McCambridge, PA Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has said any compensation he receives as a former Troubles internee will be donated to good causes. Mr Adams has said he will continue to pursue a case against the UK government even though he has no personal interest in compensation for myself. The think tank Policy Exchange recently warned that removing a block on former Troubles internees seeking compensation would deliver a taxpayer-funded pay day for ex-detainees. Sir Keir Starmer has said he is looking at every conceivable way to stop former Troubles internees such as Mr Adams from seeking compensation. Photo: Benjamin Cremel/PA. The think tank published a report criticising the UK's governments proposed repeal of legislation that had put a stop to such civil claims. The relevant sections of the Legacy Act had been agreed by Parliament in 2023 in response to a Supreme Court judgment in 2020 that paved the way for Mr Adams to secure compensation over his internment without trial in the early 1970s. Mr Adams won his appeal to overturn historical convictions for two attempted prison breaks, after he was interned without trial in 1973 at Long Kesh internment camp, also known as Maze Prison, near Lisburn. The Supreme Court ruled that his detention was unlawful because the interim custody order (ICO) used to initially detain him had not been considered personally by then secretary of state for Northern Ireland Willie Whitelaw. At the time of the case, the previous government contended that the ICOs were lawful because of a long-standing convention, known as the Carltona principle, where officials and junior ministers routinely act in the name of the secretary of state. Mr Adams subsequently successfully challenged a decision to deny an application for compensation for his detention. However, the Legacy Act stopped such payouts to Mr Adams and other former internees. The Act retrospectively validated the ICOs to make them lawful and halted civil claims related to the orders. However, in February last year, the High Court in Belfast ruled that the provisions of the Act related to the ICOs were incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. The current Government has not appealed that judgment and has tabled a remedial order in Parliament that will repeal various parts of the Legacy Act, including the sections on ICOs. However, Sir Keir Starmer has since said he is looking at every conceivable way to stop former Troubles internees such as Mr Adams from seeking compensation. In an article written for Tribune magazine, Mr Adams said it was now obvious the Labour Government would not get rid of the Legacy Act. He said: The Act states that no one can take a civil action or continue with one already in place if the person bringing the action claims that their imprisonment occurred because an interim custody order was unlawfully signed. Most of the major parties on the island, along with the Irish government, victims groups and human rights organisations, have opposed the law. Many correctly saw it as an effort by the British government to protect its forces and agents and politicians. While in opposition, the British Labour Party committed to getting rid of the Legacy Act. It is obvious now they will not do this. Mr Adams said Sir Keirs stated intention to attempt to stop him gaining compensation will come as no surprise to those in Ireland and in countless other states around the world who have experienced British colonial law. He added: So I will continue to pursue this case. I have no personal interest in compensation for myself. If any comes to me at the end of this process, I will donate it to good causes. COMMUNITY NOTES: BALLINA - WESTERN PEOPLE (JANUARY 28 EDITION) Ballina Order of Malta Ambulance Corps made a presentation recently to Lieut Brian Cronin in recognition of his service as Officer-in-Charge of the group over the past five years. A plaque was presented to Brian at an event that also marked the 75th anniversary of Ballina Order of Malta Cadet Corps. Brians role was taken over at the start of January by Lieut David Beattie, while Catherine Granahan, now promoted to the rank of Adjutant, is Deputy Officer-in-Charge. The event also recognised young Ballina Order of Malta member Enda Kelly, who assisted a member of the public with a medical emergency before the arrival of the ambulance service. Meanwhile, the Ballina organisation is inviting anyone who is interested in joining the 2025 Order of Malta Ireland pilgrimage to Lourdes from April 30 to May 5 to contact Rosann McDonnell of Ballina Order of Malta on 087-6856509. Castlebar Rotary Club wishes to thank all the members of the public who supported the Rotary Tree of Remembrance, which was located on Hopkins Road in 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 that were donated and representatives of both charities were presented with cheques recently. 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 Mayo Cancer Support Services from funds raised by the Rotary Club Tree of Remembrance. Pictured at the presentation are, 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. Picture: 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." Mr Mulroy also thanked all the volunteers who gave of their time to man the tree during the busy Christmas period. Scientists from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have tracked a migrating salmon that swam from Greenland back to its native river in Mayo. The state environmental agency has acoustic tracking technology set up at the entrance to Killary Harbour which picks up signals from any tags attached to fish. Glen Wightman, IFI Research Officer, said: We recorded a mystery fish at Killary Harbour that had been tagged near Qaqortoq, in southern Greenland. "Although it had not been tagged in fresh water in Ireland, we know that when salmon migrate from the sea, they are using their strong homing instinct and typically returning to their river of origin. The town of Qaqortoq is more than 1,242 nautical miles (2,300km) from Mayo. IFI sensors traced the fish again in recent weeks as it swam up the River Erriff in Mayo, which is IFIs National Salmonid Index Catchment. Glen added: These tags are pinging a unique code every 60 to 90 seconds. Our acoustic arrays can record them moving into and through monitored rivers when they swim by. Our salmon research colleagues working in Greenland said this fish weighed 3.3kg and was 64cm long when it was tagged in September 2023. It may be a 5kg salmon now, having spent two winters at sea. We believe this feeding visitor to Greenland has now migrated upstream to spawn in the River Erriff, to pass on its genes to the next generation of salmon. IFI corresponded with overseas organisations, including the USA federal agency NOAA Fisheries, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Atlantic Salmon Federation, and the Association of Fishermen and Hunters in Greenland, to identify the tag and find out how far the fish had travelled. Tim Sheehan, of NOAA Fisheries, said: This tagging effort furthers one of our main goals to develop a better understanding of the factors driving salmon abundance and the challenges they face. COMMUNITY NOTES - WESTERN PEOPLE (JANUARY 28 EDITION) The death took place recently in Philadelphia in the United States of Mary P. Colleran (nee Moffitt). Mary was born in Charlestown, the eldest of five children. When Mary finished school, like most of her friends, she emigrated to Philadelphia where it was home away from home for her with her Aunt Bea, Uncle Mike and cousins. She soon adapted to the American way of life and was very happy, but Mary never forgot her roots. She made many visits home to her beloved Charlestown. She wrote letters regularly and always included a few dollars in them and, of course, she sent parcels for special occasions. Later, her sister Kathleen, brother Tommy and sister Attracta joined her in Philadelphia. Mary loved to cook, and she was known for her Irish style of cooking. She was a devout Catholic. Her faith was very important to her. She loved the Miraculous Medal and attended the Monday Novena each week. Mary was predeceased by her husband Jimmy, her parents, John and Margaret Moffitt, brothers Tommy and Val, sister Kathleen Boyle and nephew Michael. She is survived by her sister Attracta, sister-in-law Phyllis, brother-in-law Joe, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbours and friends. Mass of the Resurrection took place on Thursday, January 16, followed by interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia. Sympathy is extended to all who are bereaved by her passing. By Rebecca Black and Jonathan McCambridge, PA A focus on the victims and impact of the Omagh bombing will have important value in educating others about the real effect of terrorism, a public inquiry chairman has said. Bereaved families and survivors have gathered at the Strule Arts Centre in the Co Tyrone town for the inquiry which will examine whether the atrocity could reasonably have been prevented by UK authorities. Some 29 people including a woman pregnant with twins were killed in the Real IRA bomb attack in the Co Tyrone town on August 15th, 1998. Victims of the Omagh bombing. They are (top row, from the left) 12-year-old James Barker, Esther Gibson, Sean McGrath, Gareth Conway, Elizabeth Rush, Fred White, Lorraine Wilson and (bottom row, from the left) Veda Short, Alan Radford, Bryan White, Brenda Logue, Deborah Cartwright, Geraldine Breslin, and Oran Doherty (PA) The names of all those killed in the bombing were read out at the public inquiry into the atrocity on Tuesday morning before all those assembled were invited to stand for a minutes silence in remembrance. Commemorative and personal statement hearings will be heard over the next four weeks. These will begin with bereaved families giving pen portrait evidence of those who died, followed by survivors, emergency services and those working in statutory organisations. The first commemorations heard will be of Fernando Blasco Baselga, 12, and Rocio Abad Ramo, 23, two Spanish tourists killed in the bombing. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the attack, said the focus on victims will bring humanity to proceedings. Chairman of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry Lord Turnbull at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh (Liam McBurney/PA) Scottish judge Lord Turnbull, who is overseeing the probe, said he hopes all who support such acts of violence will learn of the actual indiscriminate and devastating consequences. Those beyond Omagh who listen and watch will, as I was, be shocked at the level of grief imposed on ordinary decent members of society doing nothing other than living their daily lives, he said. Those who watch and listen will be overwhelmed and humbled, as I have been, on hearing of the appalling injuries inflicted on people of all ages and of the dignity and compassion with which so many of those have coped with the changes in their circumstances which have been imposed upon them. The evidence sessions will accordingly have an important value in informing and educating others as to the real effect of terrorist violence. In this way, it is my sincere hope that all of those who supported or condoned the use of such acts of violence will learn of the actual indiscriminate and devastating consequences of the such selfish conduct for innocent, hard-working and caring people of all ages and for their communities. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was one of the victims of the Omagh bombing, speaks to the media as he arrives at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh (Liam McBurney/PA) Counsel to the inquiry Paul Greaney KC said the intention is to commemorate publicly each person who was killed in the bombing and to hear statements from those who were injured or directly affected. He said this evidence will be a key starting point in framing the inquirys investigation into whether the bombing could have been prevented by UK state authorities. It will be distressing evidence to listen to, but it is vital that it is heard and heard in public, he said. Understanding the impact of the bombing is critical to the investigation of the issue of preventability and for that reason we will not shy away from shining a bright light on the terrible consequences of that day. Paul Greaney KC (right) and Nicholas de la Poer KC (left) arrive at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh, Co Tyrone, for the first substantive hearing in the Omagh Bombing Inquiry (Liam McBurney/PA) The inquiry was announced by then-Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris in 2023 after a High Court judgment recommended a public inquiry into alleged security failings in the lead-up to the atrocity, and also urged the Irish authorities to establish their own probe. The Irish Government has formally agreed to provide assistance to the inquiry. In his opening statement to the inquiry last year, Lord Turnbull said the pain of bereavement and trauma caused by the dissident republican bomb attack spread beyond Omagh, Northern Ireland and Ireland to families from England and Spain. He said the inquiry will undertake its task rigorously and fearlessly, and emphasised the defining character of the inquiry must be its independence. Eva Osborne The deputy leader of the Social Democrats is urging the Government to "cut all ties" with Michael Lowry following a row over speaking time. Lowry is seeking speaking time among opposition groups for the Regional Independent Group, despite supporting the Government. The chaos in the Dail last week saw Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy suspend proceedings for a day, delaying Micheal Martin becoming Taoiseach. The Government has been accused of trying to hijack Dail speaking time, and a meeting of the Dail reform committee aimed at resolving last week's row found no solution on Monday. Cian O'Callaghan said the Government should cut its ties with Michael Lowry: "I very much hope there isn't any repeat of what happened last week and I hope this is resolved. I really think the ball is in Fianna Fail and Fine Gael's court to resolve it," he said. "They've given a commitment that they will get an agreement, one that's satisfactory for both government and opposition. "I think it's looking increasingly likely that Michael Lowry will not agree to that, so the only course of action for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael would be to cut all ties with him." By Nicole Jao NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices settled up on Tuesday, bouncing back from multi-week lows, after the White House reaffirmed U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to issue tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports this week. Fears of weaker demand linked to soft economic data from China and rising temperatures elsewhere capped gains. Brent crude oil futures settled up 41 cents, or 0.53%, at $77.49 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 60 cents, or 0.82%, at $73.77. Brent settled on Monday at its lowest since Jan. 9, while WTI hit its lowest since Jan. 2. The White House said Trump still plans to issue 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Saturday while weighing fresh tariffs on China. "Trump's comments on tariffs kept the market on edge," said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group. The tariffs could disrupt the flow of energy products across the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico. In Libya, local protesters prevented crude oil loadings on Tuesday at Es Sider and Ras Lanuf ports, putting about 450,000 barrels per day of exports at risk. However, fears of supply disruption eased after Libya's state-run National Oil Corp said export activity was running normally after it held talks with protesters. "The market priced in the risk of Libyan oil supply disruption before it became clear that flows for now are not disrupted, with the risk premium evaporating again," UBS commodities analyst Giovanni Staunovo said. "There remains a risk of new disruptions down the road," he added. China, the world's largest crude oil importer, reported on Monday an unexpected contraction in January manufacturing activity, pressuring oil prices. "The general tone of caution in the risk environment, coupled with weaker Chinese PMI numbers that cast further doubt on China's oil demand outlook, may serve as a drag on oil prices," IG analyst Yeap Jun Rong said. China's crude oil demand is also expected to be hit by the latest U.S. sanctions on Russian oil trade. FGE analysts see refineries in Shandong losing up to 1 million barrels per day of crude supply in the near term amid a ban imposed by the Shandong Port Group on U.S.-sanctioned tankers. Several independent refineries in China have halted operations, or plan to do so, for indefinite maintenance periods, sources told Reuters, as new Chinese tariff and tax policies plunge plants deeper into losses. In the U.S., weather forecasts are for warmer-than-normal temperatures through this week, which are also weighing on demand for heating fuels after extreme cold sparked a natural gas and diesel rally in prior sessions. (Reuters) -U.S. search engine startup Perplexity AI has revised the merger proposal it had submitted to TikTok's Chinese parent ByteDance to create a new entity combining Perplexity and TikTok U.S., a person familiar with the proposal told Reuters on Sunday. The proposal calls for the U.S. government to own up to 50% of the new company upon a future initial public offering (IPO), the person said. A Perplexity document shared with ByteDance and new investors proposed the creation of a new U.S. holding company called "NewCo", the person said. Under the proposal, ByteDance would sell TikTok U.S. to the investors, which would give TikTok's existing investors equity in the company. The proposal would also exclude TikTok's core recommendation algorithm, which ByteDance would keep, the person said. The U.S. government would own up to half of the new structure once it goes through an IPO of a valuation of at least $300 billion. Perplexity AI would also offer to be acquired by the holding company if its own investors received a distribution of the NewCo equity, the person said. CNBC first reported news of the proposal. TikTok services were restored last week after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would revive the app's access in the country after returning to power. TikTok shut off its app for U.S. users due to a law that cited national security. ByteDance and the White House did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. On Saturday, President Donald Trump said he was in talks with multiple people over buying TikTok and would likely have a decision on the popular app's future in the next 30 days. Earlier this month, Reuters reported that a source said Perplexity submitted a bid to ByteDance for the startup to merge with TikTok U.S., adding that Perplexity would merge with TikTok and create a new entity by combining the merged company with New Capital Partners. The source who spoke to Reuters earlier this month said Perplexity AI believes its bid may succeed since the proposal is a merger rather than a sale. (Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal and Gnaneshwar Rajan in Bengaluru; Editing by Richard Chang) (Reuters) -Starbucks announced a slew of changes, including the exit of its North America president Sara Trilling, on Tuesday as CEO Brian Niccol tries to revive demand at the struggling coffee chain. The company also appointed former chief operating officer of Taco Bell, Mike Grams, to the newly created role of North America chief stores officer, where he will be responsible for retail teams and store performance. The moves are part of the CEO's plan to bring sweeping changes at Starbucks, including lowering wait times and implementing a "coffeehouse code of conduct" to make the stores more inviting. Meredith Sandland, executive chief of software firm Empower Delivery, would be in charge of store development and design. The company also said that Arthur Valdez, its supply and customer solutions chief who joined in 2023, has decided to leave. The Seattle-based company, which recently said it would cut some jobs to streamline management, said Trilling - who has served nearly three years in the role - and Valdez chose to leave their positions after the new operating model was laid out. Both Trilling and Valdez have agreed to assist with the transition over the next few months, the company said. Starbucks is scheduled to report its first-quarter results after markets close on Tuesday. (Reporting by Anuja Bharat Mistry in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore) The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) Director Arun Sarin sold 8,548 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.82, for a total value of $699,397.36. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 18,617 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,523,242.94. This represents a 31.47 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Charles Schwab Trading Up 0.7 % Shares of Charles Schwab stock traded up $0.53 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $82.36. 6,983,010 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 9,247,069. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $77.81 and a 200-day moving average of $70.83. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 12 month low of $61.01 and a 12 month high of $83.35. The company has a market cap of $146.58 billion, a PE ratio of 27.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a current ratio of 0.47. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 21st. The financial services provider reported $1.01 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $5.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5,190,822.51 billion. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 30.31% and a return on equity of 18.20%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.68 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 4.09 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Charles Schwab Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Dark Forest Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab in the 2nd quarter worth about $303,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 3.2% during the second quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 482,349 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $35,544,000 after purchasing an additional 15,166 shares in the last quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Charles Schwab during the second quarter valued at approximately $209,000. Driehaus Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 25.2% in the 2nd quarter. Driehaus Capital Management LLC now owns 8,638 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $637,000 after purchasing an additional 1,737 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ascent Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 12.3% in the 2nd quarter. Ascent Group LLC now owns 80,579 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,938,000 after buying an additional 8,838 shares during the last quarter. 84.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. SCHW has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Charles Schwab from $67.00 to $74.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $81.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Cowen raised their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $69.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $87.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Finally, Redburn Partners dropped their price target on Charles Schwab from $70.00 to $68.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $84.11. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on SCHW About Charles Schwab (Get Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bancolombia S.A. (NYSE:CIB Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $39.73 and last traded at $38.79, with a volume of 221229 shares. The stock had previously closed at $36.88. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Bancolombia from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their price target for the stock from $40.00 to $53.00 in a report on Tuesday. Get Bancolombia alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Bancolombia Bancolombia Price Performance Bancolombia Cuts Dividend The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.00. The company has a market cap of $9.33 billion, a PE ratio of 6.16, a PEG ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 1.20. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $32.69 and its 200 day simple moving average is $32.51. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 30th were given a dividend of $0.8044 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 30th. This represents a $3.22 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.29%. Bancolombias dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 50.71%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bancolombia Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Bancolombia by 6.4% during the 3rd quarter. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC now owns 7,800 shares of the banks stock worth $245,000 after purchasing an additional 471 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in shares of Bancolombia by 96.5% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,305 shares of the banks stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 641 shares during the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Bancolombia by 41.3% during the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 2,246 shares of the banks stock worth $72,000 after purchasing an additional 657 shares during the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Bancolombia by 6.5% during the 4th quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 11,209 shares of the banks stock worth $353,000 after purchasing an additional 680 shares during the last quarter. Finally, US Bancorp DE lifted its position in shares of Bancolombia by 18.9% during the 3rd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 5,282 shares of the banks stock worth $166,000 after purchasing an additional 839 shares during the last quarter. Bancolombia Company Profile (Get Free Report) Bancolombia SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides banking products and services in Colombia and internationally. The company operates through nine segments: Banking Colombia, Banking Panama, Banking El Salvador, Banking Guatemala, Trust, Investment Banking, Brokerage, International Banking, and All Other. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bancolombia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bancolombia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Blue Trust Inc. grew its position in Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd. (NYSE:SHG Free Report) by 33.8% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 72,898 shares of the banks stock after purchasing an additional 18,402 shares during the quarter. Blue Trust Inc.s holdings in Shinhan Financial Group were worth $2,397,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in SHG. FSC Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Shinhan Financial Group in the 3rd quarter valued at $76,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in Shinhan Financial Group by 45.4% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,988 shares of the banks stock valued at $84,000 after acquiring an additional 621 shares during the period. Waldron Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Shinhan Financial Group in the third quarter worth about $126,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its position in shares of Shinhan Financial Group by 34.5% during the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 3,079 shares of the banks stock worth $130,000 after purchasing an additional 789 shares during the period. Finally, Verition Fund Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Shinhan Financial Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $202,000. 7.76% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Shinhan Financial Group alerts: Shinhan Financial Group Price Performance Shares of SHG opened at $35.18 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.71 billion, a PE ratio of 5.52, a P/E/G ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 0.95. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $35.62 and a 200 day simple moving average of $39.23. Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd. has a 52-week low of $29.25 and a 52-week high of $46.05. Shinhan Financial Group Company Profile Shinhan Financial Group ( NYSE:SHG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 25th. The bank reported $1.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.74 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $3.11 billion during the quarter. Shinhan Financial Group had a net margin of 12.21% and a return on equity of 7.34%. Sell-side analysts predict that Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd. will post 6.32 EPS for the current fiscal year. (Free Report) Shinhan Financial Group Co, Ltd. provides financial products and services in South Korea and internationally. The company operates through six segments: Banking, Credit Card, Securities, Insurance, Credit, and Others. It offers retail banking services, including demand, savings, and fixed deposit-taking; checking accounts; mortgage and home equity, and retail lending; electronic banking and automatic teller machines (ATM); and bill paying, payroll and check-cashing, currency exchange, and wire fund transfer services. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SHG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd. (NYSE:SHG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Shinhan Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shinhan Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Griffin Asset Management Inc. grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 0.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 79,614 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 563 shares during the period. Griffin Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $4,503,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Reston Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the third quarter valued at $25,000. Hollencrest Capital Management lifted its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 61.3% during the third quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 492 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares in the last quarter. Kennebec Savings Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the third quarter valued at $28,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Valued Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1,168.1% in the 3rd quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 596 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 549 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.41% of the companys stock. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Insider Activity at Bristol-Myers Squibb In other news, EVP Samit Hirawat bought 1,830 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 1st. The shares were acquired at an average price of $54.67 per share, with a total value of $100,046.10. Following the acquisition, the executive vice president now owns 62,109 shares in the company, valued at $3,395,499.03. This trade represents a 3.04 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, SVP Phil M. Holzer sold 700 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.62, for a total transaction of $38,934.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 11,760 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $654,091.20. The trade was a 5.62 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Up 1.6 % BMY stock opened at $60.61 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.83. The firm has a market cap of $122.93 billion, a PE ratio of -16.88, a PEG ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.45. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1 year low of $39.35 and a 1 year high of $61.10. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $57.47 and a 200 day simple moving average of $52.71. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.80 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.49 by $0.31. The firm had revenue of $11.89 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.26 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a negative net margin of 15.30% and a positive return on equity of 11.94%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.00 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 0.92 EPS for the current fiscal year. Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 3rd will be paid a $0.62 dividend. This is a boost from Bristol-Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 3rd. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.09%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently -69.08%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $63.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $57.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $50.00 to $54.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, October 9th. Bank of America reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $63.00 target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $50.00 price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, October 18th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Bristol-Myers Squibb presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $56.60. View Our Latest Report on BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile (Free Report) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Critical Minerals (OTCMKTS:RIINF Get Free Report) and Fresnillo (OTCMKTS:FNLPF Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk, institutional ownership, profitability and dividends. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Canadian Critical Minerals and Fresnillos gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get Canadian Critical Minerals alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Canadian Critical Minerals $360,000.00 23.26 $100,000.00 $0.01 2.80 Fresnillo $2.71 billion 2.29 $233.91 million N/A N/A Fresnillo has higher revenue and earnings than Canadian Critical Minerals. Risk & Volatility Analyst Ratings Canadian Critical Minerals has a beta of 0.67, indicating that its stock price is 33% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Fresnillo has a beta of 0.54, indicating that its stock price is 46% less volatile than the S&P 500. This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Canadian Critical Minerals and Fresnillo, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Canadian Critical Minerals 0 0 0 0 0.00 Fresnillo 0 1 0 1 3.00 Profitability This table compares Canadian Critical Minerals and Fresnillos net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Canadian Critical Minerals N/A -16.29% -10.93% Fresnillo N/A N/A N/A Summary Fresnillo beats Canadian Critical Minerals on 6 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Canadian Critical Minerals (Get Free Report) Canadian Critical Minerals Inc., an exploration stage company, acquires, develops, and explores for mineral properties primarily in Canada. The company explores for gold, copper, nickel, platinum, palladium, and silver deposits. Its principal project is the 100% owned Bull River Mine located in the Cranbrook, British Colombia; and the Thierry project that covers approximately 4,700 hectares located in the west of Pickle Lake, Ontario. The company was formerly known as Braveheart Resources Inc. and changed its name to Canadian Critical Minerals Inc. in January 2023. Canadian Critical Minerals Inc. was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. About Fresnillo (Get Free Report) Fresnillo plc mines, develops, and produces non-ferrous minerals in Mexico. It operates through seven segments: Fresnillo, Saucito, Cienega, Herradura, Noche Buena, San Julian, and Juanicipio. The company primarily explores for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates. Its projects include the Fresnillo silver mine located in the state of Zacatecas; Saucito silver mine situated in the state of Zacatecas; Cienega gold mine located in the state of Durango; Herradura gold mine situated in the state of Sonora; Noche Buena gold mine located in the state of Sonora; San Julian silver-gold mine situated on the border of Chihuahua/Durango states; and Juanicipio mine located in the state of Zacatecas. It also leases mining equipment; produces gold/silver dore bars; and provides administrative services. The company was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico. Fresnillo plc operates as a subsidiary of Industrias Penoles, S.A.B. de C.V. Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Critical Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Critical Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cornerstone Wealth Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 2,448 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $200,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI acquired a new stake in MetLife during the third quarter worth about $91,771,000. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. grew its stake in shares of MetLife by 79.1% during the 3rd quarter. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. now owns 1,726,209 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $142,378,000 after purchasing an additional 762,291 shares during the period. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of MetLife by 256.6% during the 3rd quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 948,223 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $78,209,000 after purchasing an additional 682,333 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB lifted its stake in shares of MetLife by 16.8% in the 4th quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 4,238,087 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $347,735,000 after purchasing an additional 608,224 shares during the period. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its stake in shares of MetLife by 107.5% in the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 30,542 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,501,000 after purchasing an additional 435,807 shares during the period. 94.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get MetLife alerts: MetLife Price Performance MetLife stock opened at $86.97 on Tuesday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $83.81 and a 200-day simple moving average of $80.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $60.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.53, a PEG ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a quick ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. MetLife, Inc. has a 52-week low of $64.61 and a 52-week high of $89.05. MetLife Dividend Announcement Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 11th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 4th will be paid a dividend of $0.545 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 4th. This represents a $2.18 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.51%. MetLifes dividend payout ratio is presently 43.95%. A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of MetLife from $90.00 to $96.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. Piper Sandler upped their price target on MetLife from $85.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. StockNews.com lowered MetLife from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th. TD Cowen upped their target price on MetLife from $97.00 to $99.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of MetLife from $93.00 to $92.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, MetLife currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $90.46. View Our Latest Analysis on MET MetLife Profile (Free Report) MetLife, Inc, a financial services company, provides insurance, annuities, employee benefits, and asset management services worldwide. It operates through six segments: Retirement and Income Solutions; Group Benefits; Asia; Latin America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and MetLife Holdings. The company offers life, dental, group short-and long-term disability, individual disability, pet insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, vision, and accident and health coverages, as well as prepaid legal plans; administrative services-only arrangements to employers; and general and separate account, and synthetic guaranteed interest contracts, as well as private floating rate funding agreements. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MET? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for MetLife Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MetLife and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. So, a value-added tax is applied "to everything in the economy," Cole said, with these countries charging a VAT up to 20% to 25%, much higher than the sales tax that US states typically assess. Take a contractor who does a home repair. You wouldn't normally pay sales tax on that in most states, but in Europe, that repair would be subject to a value-added tax. A VAT can also be more complicated than a flat sales tax. For instance, if a company buys an intermediate good from another, both companies will pay a part of the VAT. The easiest way to think of VAT is a very broad sales tax at the federal level. Not only does the tax apply to goods that you buy in a store, similar to a state-level sales tax here, but it also applies to services. Lower taxes don't come without big trade-offs, though, mainly a reliance on states to administer large elemental programs and an overall smaller safety net for US citizens. "So really at most levels of income, in most circumstances, you're just going to have a lower tax burden as a percentage of your income as an American," Cole said. "It's kind of surprising that it works at all relative to what European countries have." A big reason for the discrepancy is that more than 170 countries worldwide employ a value-added tax, or VAT, at the federal level, a tax tool that President Donald Trump railed against last week in his speech at the World Economic Forum. A VAT is a consumption tax levied on the value of goods and services. In the US, such a tax doesn't exist, with our federal government primarily relying on income tax. "The US is a low-tax country relative to other large and relatively high-income economies," said Alan Cole, senior economist at the Tax Foundation. "There are few countries in our ballpark." On a per-person level, workers who earned the average wage across 22 European countries pay $11,676 more in taxes each year than they would in the US, according to the Cato Institute , a libertarian think tank. A family of four pays $21,546 more. Overall, total taxes collected in 2023 made up 25.2% of US gross domestic product, or GDP. That's lower than the 33.9% average for countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and far lower than the more than 40% tax-to-GDP ratio found in nine European countries. When it comes to taxes, Americans don't shoulder as heavy of a burden as those in other advanced countries. But that kind of tax relief doesn't come without compromises. Story Continues "The result of that is just that they raise a lot of money," Cole said. Some nations may levy reduced VAT rates on certain goods and services to help lower-income people who spend a bigger share of their take-home pay on food and transportation. Other countries may exempt lower-income citizens from paying income taxes, another tax revenue source in advanced economies, to offset the burden from the value-added tax. This photo shows the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) headquarters building in Washington, April 13, 2014. (AP Photo/J. David Ake, File) ASSOCIATED PRESS Income tax Instead of a VAT, our federal government relies heavily on income taxes, which makes up about half of all US revenue. This includes 44% from taxes on personal income, profits, and gains as well as 7% from taxes on corporate income and gains, according to the OECD. Income taxes in the US are also progressive. Americans in the two lowest tax brackets pay just a 10% and 12% rate on their earnings, much lower than the VAT rates. Even those who earn more and pay a higher tax rate can often reduce their overall tax burden through tax credits and deductions. For instance, the average effective tax rate for those making $200,000 to less than $500,000 was 16.6% in 2018, according to an analysis from the Pew Research Center. And some of the poorest Americans end up paying no income tax and instead receive money from the federal government in the form of refundable tax credits. One reason this can occur is because of the sheer number of affluent Americans. Incomes in the US at the very top are unusually high compared with other countries. "We have like more than a million people who make more than $500,000 a year. That's almost unheard of in other countries," Cole said. "That's still a small minority, but they contribute a lot of income tax revenue, while sparing a lot of ordinary people from paying much in tax." On top of that, the US is home to many more highly profitable corporations that also contribute to the income tax base. Those lucrative income sources make the US system work, Cole said, "even though they don't have this workhorse tax that Europeans do." Read more: Federal income tax brackets and rates for 2024-2025 In this photo illustration, a 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return document is seen on a desk on April 15, 2024 in North Haledon, New Jersey. (Photo illustration by Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images) Michael Bocchieri via Getty Images State and local taxes Another key difference between the US tax system and the rest of the developed world is the role of state and local taxes. US federal taxes make up about two-thirds of the total tax burden an American faces. The rest comes from states. US states and localities depend on income taxes, sales tax, and property taxes. Taxes on goods and services make up about 16% of an American's total tax burden and property taxes contribute 10%, said Thomas Brosy, a senior research associate at The Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. "The US is typically higher than most countries when it comes to property taxes," Brosy said. The OECD average is 5%. Some other European countries, such as the UK, Switzerland, and Germany, have more quasi-state distinctions that have more taxing authority. But for the most part, the US is unique in its decentralized tax system. "We have unusually robust states," Cole said. "You get that from the name of our country, the United States. We make a big deal of the fact that we're these multiple jurisdictions put together." The Uncle Sam balloon, right, and other participants in the 85th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade make their way down New York's Sixth Avenue Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg) ASSOCIATED PRESS Tax trade-offs The reason that states need so much revenue is because they foot the bill for two huge expenditures: schools and police, which are often covered by the federal government in other countries. While this provides state residents more control over these necessary programs, the structure also allows bigger discrepancies to arise among states, especially education. That also gets to the trade-offs when it comes to lower taxes. The fact that the US has a smaller federal government helps to offset the lower revenue percentage-wise it takes in versus its European counterparts. "Some of the countries with the largest share of GDP collected as tax revenue are countries that have much more generous and wide social safety nets," Brosy said. Even though the US collects taxes specifically to pay for its Social Security obligations, the percentage it collects is "slightly below average" compared with other countries, according to Brosy. Some of those other countries, especially the Scandinavian ones, also fund things like universal healthcare, higher education, parental leave, and child and elderly care. These are all pricey expenses that Americans are left to pay for on their own ostensibly from their tax savings. Janna Herron is a Senior Columnist at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X @JannaHerron. Click here for the latest personal finance news to help you with investing, paying off debt, buying a home, retirement, and more Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Hanesbrands Inc. announced on January 24, 2025, that it has entered into an amendment to its Cooperation Agreement with Barington Companies Equity Partners, L.P., Barington Capital Group, L.P., Barington Companies Management, LLC, and James A. Mitarotonda. The Cooperation Agreement, initially dated November 16, 2023, outlines board composition, advisory services, voting, and standstill agreements during the Cooperation Period. Get alerts: The recent Amendment, effective as of January 16, 2025, extends the Cooperation Period to November 30, 2025. Under this agreement, the Advisor will continue to provide advisory services to Hanesbrands regarding business, operations, strategic and financial matters, corporate governance, and board composition unless terminated earlier as per the terms of the Cooperation Agreement, which has been amended to allow termination of advisory services from and after March 31, 2025. For further information, the full details of the Amendment can be found in the attached Exhibit 10.1. This Amendment amends the terms of the Cooperation Agreement and extends the timeline of the advisory services provided by Barington. The Company has stated that any early termination of the advisory services by the Advisor will also lead to the termination of the Cooperation Agreement. Apart from the Amendment, no further financial statements were disclosed in this 8-K filing by Hanesbrands Inc. Exhibits attached to the filing include the Second Amendment to the Cooperation Agreement dated January 16, 2025, and a Cover Page Interactive Data File. This report was signed on behalf of Hanesbrands Inc. by Kristin L. Oliver, EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Interim Chief Legal Officer, on January 27, 2025. This article was generated by an automated content engine and was reviewed by a human editor prior to publication. For additional information, read Hanesbrandss 8K filing here. About Hanesbrands (Get Free Report) Hanesbrands Inc, a consumer goods company, designs, manufactures, sources, and sells a range of range of innerwear apparels for men, women, and children in the Americas, Europe, the Asia pacific, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Innerwear, Activewear, and International. Read More Hess (NYSE:HES Get Free Report) is projected to announce its earnings results before the market opens on Wednesday, January 29th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $1.44 per share and revenue of $2,833,120.00 billion for the quarter. Hess (NYSE:HES Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $2.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.88 by $0.26. Hess had a return on equity of 27.41% and a net margin of 20.58%. The company had revenue of $3.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.96 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.64 EPS. Hesss revenue was up 12.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect Hess to post $10 EPS for the current fiscal year and $8 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get Hess alerts: Hess Stock Performance NYSE HES opened at $146.09 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $141.02 and its 200-day simple moving average is $139.43. The company has a market cap of $45.01 billion, a PE ratio of 17.03 and a beta of 1.18. Hess has a 1-year low of $123.79 and a 1-year high of $163.98. Hess Dividend Announcement Insider Buying and Selling at Hess The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 16th were paid a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.37%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 16th. Hesss dividend payout ratio is currently 23.31%. In other news, CEO John B. Hess sold 92,894 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $147.80, for a total value of $13,729,733.20. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 229,465 shares in the company, valued at approximately $33,914,927. This represents a 28.82 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Geurt G. Schoonman sold 6,000 shares of Hess stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $141.91, for a total transaction of $851,460.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 27,581 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,914,019.71. This trade represents a 17.87 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 314,370 shares of company stock worth $45,856,309 over the last quarter. 9.76% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have recently issued reports on HES. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of Hess from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 4th. Pickering Energy Partners raised shares of Hess to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, January 3rd. Scotiabank raised their target price on shares of Hess from $157.00 to $167.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Citigroup upped their price target on Hess from $145.00 to $163.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, December 6th. Finally, Susquehanna increased their price target on Hess from $149.00 to $154.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 18th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $170.50. View Our Latest Report on Hess Hess Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hess Corporation, an exploration and production company, explores, develops, produces, purchases, transports, and sells crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. The company operates in two segments, Exploration and Production, and Midstream. It conducts production operations primarily in the United States, Guyana, the Malaysia/Thailand Joint Development Area, and Malaysia; and exploration activities principally offshore Guyana, the U.S. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Hess Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hess and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hitachi (OTCMKTS:HTHIY Get Free Report) is anticipated to announce its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.46 per share and revenue of $2,305,793,759.73 billion for the quarter. Hitachi has set its FY 2024 guidance at 0.930-0.930 EPS.Parties that wish to register for the companys conference call can do so using this link. Hitachi (OTCMKTS:HTHIY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 30th. The conglomerate reported $1.71 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.41 by $1.30. Hitachi had a net margin of 7.22% and a return on equity of 11.60%. The company had revenue of $15.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.51 billion. On average, analysts expect Hitachi to post $2 EPS for the current fiscal year and $2 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get Hitachi alerts: Hitachi Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:HTHIY opened at $49.40 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $114.52 billion, a PE ratio of 9.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.81. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $50.32 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $49.32. Hitachi has a 1 year low of $30.59 and a 1 year high of $56.65. Hitachi Company Profile Hitachi, Ltd. provides digital system and services, green energy and mobility, and connective industry solutions in Japan and internationally. It operates through seven segments: Digital Systems & Services, Green Energy & Mobility, Connective Industries, Automotive System, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Hitachi Metals, and Others. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Hitachi Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hitachi and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (BATS:MTUM Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $213.32 and last traded at $213.85, with a volume of 1275471 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $208.99. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Stock Performance The company has a 50 day moving average price of $212.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $203.36. The firm has a market cap of $11.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.53 and a beta of 1.10. Get iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of MTUM. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 91.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 2,573 shares of the companys stock worth $502,000 after acquiring an additional 1,231 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 253.6% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 24,753 shares of the companys stock worth $4,824,000 after acquiring an additional 17,753 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF during the 2nd quarter worth about $253,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 203,140 shares of the companys stock worth $39,586,000 after acquiring an additional 4,802 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 79.0% during the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 26,354 shares of the companys stock worth $5,136,000 after acquiring an additional 11,633 shares in the last quarter. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Company Profile The iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Momentum SR Variant index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities, selected and weighted based on price appreciation over 6- and 12-month periods and low volatility over the past 3 years. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JDH Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Free Report) during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund bought 19,659 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,032,000. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF comprises 0.9% of JDH Wealth Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest position. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 4.6% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 19,209,588 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,105,128,000 after acquiring an additional 851,958 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 44.8% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 13,232,972 shares of the companys stock valued at $761,293,000 after purchasing an additional 4,091,747 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 91.4% in the third quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 12,773,389 shares of the companys stock valued at $734,853,000 after purchasing an additional 6,101,266 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE grew its position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 4.7% during the 3rd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 12,321,761 shares of the companys stock worth $708,885,000 after purchasing an additional 551,006 shares during the period. Finally, CWM LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 103.4% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 6,177,993 shares of the companys stock valued at $355,420,000 after buying an additional 3,140,696 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Stock Up 5.1 % Shares of EFV stock opened at $54.93 on Tuesday. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 52-week low of $49.15 and a 52-week high of $59.57. The stock has a market cap of $17.09 billion, a PE ratio of 10.89 and a beta of 0.70. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $53.46 and a 200-day simple moving average of $54.78. About iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Value Index. The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $503.69, but opened at $473.70. Lockheed Martin shares last traded at $463.21, with a volume of 498,951 shares. Analyst Ratings Changes LMT has been the topic of several analyst reports. Susquehanna reduced their price objective on shares of Lockheed Martin from $695.00 to $590.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Lockheed Martin from $543.00 to $500.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Lockheed Martin from $565.00 to $515.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Lockheed Martin from $700.00 to $600.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Lockheed Martin from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, January 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $577.73. Get Lockheed Martin alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on LMT Lockheed Martin Stock Down 7.4 % The firms fifty day moving average price is $498.68 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $537.59. The stock has a market cap of $110.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.05 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 1.12. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The aerospace company reported $7.67 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.58 by $1.09. Lockheed Martin had a net margin of 9.36% and a return on equity of 101.44%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 26.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lockheed Martin A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Lockheed Martin by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,827,645 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,816,898,000 after acquiring an additional 83,997 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC grew its position in Lockheed Martin by 6.6% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,389,025 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,981,088,000 after purchasing an additional 209,591 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in Lockheed Martin by 8.5% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,074,855 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,797,437,000 after purchasing an additional 240,306 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its position in Lockheed Martin by 60,592.0% in the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 1,559,178 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $911,433,000 after purchasing an additional 1,556,609 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in Lockheed Martin by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 656,807 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $382,498,000 after purchasing an additional 13,253 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.19% of the companys stock. About Lockheed Martin (Get Free Report) Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. The company operates through Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Lockheed Martin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lockheed Martin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. RLI Corp. (NYSE:RLI Get Free Report) Director Michael E. Angelina bought 2,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 24th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $72.62 per share, with a total value of $159,764.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 23,514 shares in the company, valued at $1,707,586.68. This represents a 10.32 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. RLI Price Performance Shares of RLI stock traded up $0.04 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $72.52. The company had a trading volume of 693,792 shares, compared to its average volume of 610,321. RLI Corp. has a 1-year low of $67.04 and a 1-year high of $91.14. The firm has a market cap of $6.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.36 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a 50 day moving average of $82.71 and a 200 day moving average of $78.91. Get RLI alerts: RLI (NYSE:RLI Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 22nd. The insurance provider reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.05 by ($0.64). RLI had a return on equity of 16.38% and a net margin of 19.53%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that RLI Corp. will post 3.13 EPS for the current fiscal year. RLI Cuts Dividend Institutional Investors Weigh In On RLI The firm also recently announced a None dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 29th were paid a $2.145 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 29th. This represents a yield of 0.7%. RLIs payout ratio is 15.49%. A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its position in RLI by 620.0% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 180 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its stake in shares of RLI by 53.8% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 203 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of RLI in the third quarter valued at about $32,000. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of RLI by 76.9% during the third quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 230 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of RLI by 45.6% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 246 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.89% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on RLI shares. Oppenheimer began coverage on shares of RLI in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. They issued a market perform rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on RLI from $88.00 to $80.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on RLI in a report on Wednesday, October 9th. They set an outperform rating and a $91.00 target price on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of RLI from a buy rating to an underperform rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $95.00 to $61.00 in a report on Monday. Finally, JMP Securities reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of RLI in a research note on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $82.80. Get Our Latest Analysis on RLI About RLI (Get Free Report) RLI Corp., an insurance holding company, underwrites property and casualty insurance. Its Casualty segment provides commercial and personal coverage products; and general liability products, such as coverage for third-party liability of commercial insureds, including manufacturers, contractors, apartments, and mercantile. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for RLI Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for RLI and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prosperity Bancshares (NYSE:PB Get Free Report) is projected to post its quarterly earnings results before the market opens on Wednesday, January 29th. Analysts expect Prosperity Bancshares to post earnings of $1.33 per share and revenue of $303,209.58 billion for the quarter. Parties interested in listening to the companys conference call can do so using this link. Prosperity Bancshares Stock Performance Prosperity Bancshares stock opened at $80.21 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.03, a PEG ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.93. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $78.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $74.79. Prosperity Bancshares has a 52-week low of $57.16 and a 52-week high of $86.75. Get Prosperity Bancshares alerts: Prosperity Bancshares Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a $0.58 dividend. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.89%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. Prosperity Bancsharess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 49.26%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Bank of America upgraded shares of Prosperity Bancshares from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $80.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $77.00 to $76.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 26th. Wolfe Research restated a peer perform rating on shares of Prosperity Bancshares in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. DA Davidson cut shares of Prosperity Bancshares from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $80.00 to $78.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Prosperity Bancshares from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Prosperity Bancshares presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $81.38. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Prosperity Bancshares Insider Activity at Prosperity Bancshares In related news, Director Harrison Stafford II sold 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.07, for a total transaction of $320,280.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 107,137 shares in the company, valued at $8,578,459.59. This represents a 3.60 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Ned S. Holmes sold 500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.44, for a total transaction of $40,720.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 113,815 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,269,093.60. This trade represents a 0.44 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 14,600 shares of company stock valued at $1,196,144 over the last 90 days. 4.28% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Prosperity Bancshares Company Profile (Get Free Report) Prosperity Bancshares, Inc operates as bank holding company for the Prosperity Bank that provides financial products and services to businesses and consumers. It accepts various deposit products, such as demand, savings, money market, and time accounts, as well as and certificates of deposit. The company also offers 1-4 family residential mortgage, commercial real estate and multifamily residential, commercial and industrial, agricultural, and non-real estate agricultural loans, as well as construction, land development, and other land loans; consumer loans, including automobile, recreational vehicle, boat, home improvement, personal, and deposit account collateralized loans; term loans and lines of credit; and consumer durables and home equity loans, as well as loans for working capital, business expansion, and purchase of equipment and machinery. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Prosperity Bancshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prosperity Bancshares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stonegate Investment Group LLC cut its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 1.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 96,747 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 1,555 shares during the period. Stonegate Investment Group LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $2,567,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of PFE. Wells Trecaso Financial Group LLC lifted its position in Pfizer by 2.5% during the third quarter. Wells Trecaso Financial Group LLC now owns 14,361 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $416,000 after purchasing an additional 350 shares in the last quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Pfizer by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. now owns 49,216 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,424,000 after buying an additional 360 shares in the last quarter. Cullen Investment Group LTD. grew its stake in shares of Pfizer by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Cullen Investment Group LTD. now owns 42,677 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,235,000 after acquiring an additional 377 shares during the period. PSI Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Pfizer by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. PSI Advisors LLC now owns 27,823 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $738,000 after acquiring an additional 385 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Western Pacific Wealth Management LP raised its stake in Pfizer by 10.5% during the 3rd quarter. Western Pacific Wealth Management LP now owns 4,073 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $118,000 after acquiring an additional 386 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock. Get Pfizer alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have weighed in on PFE. UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Pfizer from $31.00 to $29.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on Pfizer in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a market perform rating and a $32.00 price target for the company. Guggenheim lowered their price objective on Pfizer from $35.00 to $33.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on Pfizer from $36.00 to $32.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 18th. Finally, Evercore ISI raised Pfizer to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $31.92. Pfizer Stock Performance PFE opened at $26.86 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $152.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.29, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a fifty day moving average of $26.11 and a 200 day moving average of $27.94. Pfizer Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $24.48 and a fifty-two week high of $31.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 1.00. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.42. The firm had revenue of $17.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.92 billion. Pfizer had a net margin of 7.07% and a return on equity of 16.28%. The businesss revenue was up 31.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned ($0.17) EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Pfizer Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 7th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 24th will be paid a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.40%. This is a positive change from Pfizers previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 24th. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 227.03%. Insider Transactions at Pfizer In related news, Director Scott Gottlieb bought 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 30th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $28.24 per share, for a total transaction of $28,240.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 10,000 shares in the company, valued at $282,400. This trade represents a 11.11 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.06% of the companys stock. Pfizer Company Profile (Free Report) Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Suncor Energy Inc. (TSE:SU Get Free Report) (NYSE:SU) has received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the twelve brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, seven have assigned a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is C$62.11. Several analysts have recently weighed in on SU shares. Scotiabank boosted their price target on Suncor Energy from C$59.00 to C$62.00 in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. Gerdes Energy Research set a C$69.00 price target on Suncor Energy and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 25th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Suncor Energy from C$66.00 to C$64.00 in a report on Monday, December 9th. TD Securities boosted their price target on Suncor Energy from C$60.00 to C$62.00 in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. Finally, National Bankshares reduced their price target on Suncor Energy from C$76.00 to C$65.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 19th. Get Suncor Energy alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on Suncor Energy Suncor Energy Stock Down 0.3 % SU stock opened at C$55.73 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of C$70.78 billion, a PE ratio of 9.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.15 and a beta of 1.47. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of C$54.26 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$53.54. Suncor Energy has a 52 week low of C$42.43 and a 52 week high of C$58.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 34.98. Suncor Energy (TSE:SU Get Free Report) (NYSE:SU) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 12th. The company reported C$1.48 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$1.10 by C$0.38. Suncor Energy had a return on equity of 17.68% and a net margin of 14.87%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.52 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Suncor Energy will post 4.4208333 EPS for the current fiscal year. Suncor Energy Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 24th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 24th were paid a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 3rd. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.09%. This is an increase from Suncor Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. Suncor Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 37.46%. Insider Buying and Selling at Suncor Energy In other Suncor Energy news, Senior Officer Shelley Powell sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$56.87, for a total value of C$2,843,700.00. Also, Senior Officer Kristopher Peter Smith sold 105,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$57.10, for a total value of C$5,995,185.00. Insiders own 0.01% of the companys stock. Suncor Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report Suncor Energy Inc is an integrated energy company. The companys operations include oil sands development, production and upgrading, offshore oil and gas, petroleum refining in Canada and the U.S. and the companys PetroCanada retail and wholesale distribution networks. The company is developing petroleum resources while advancing the transition to a low-emissions future through investment in power, renewable fuels and hydrogen. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Suncor Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Suncor Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. (Bloomberg) -- A weaker China economy and battered iron ore prices have helped drive down Vale SAs stock, making investors wary of uncertainties plaguing one of the worlds top suppliers of the steelmaking ingredient. Most Read from Bloomberg A persistent crisis in Chinas property sector and its impacts on iron ore a metal that accounts for roughly 80% of Vales revenue have led investors to trim allocations in the Brazilian company in the past year. That has sent Vale shares to their lowest level since 2020, erasing more than 100 billion reais ($17 billion) in market value in 2024. The decline has continued this year, causing the Rio de Janeiro-based miner to lose its rank as Brazils third-largest publicly traded company. There seems to be a bit of fear that you might buy Vale, but then China gets worse and you lose money, said Florian Bartunek, chief investment officer and co-founder of Constellation Asset Management. Vales downturn continues even after resolving many issues that soured investor sentiment, including a messy succession battle that ultimately saw finance head Gustavo Pimenta land the chief executive officer role. Vale also reached a settlement for a deadly mining disaster in 2015 and renegotiated a deal with the government for rail access to its key mines last year, ending two other overhangs. Unfortunately, now that the company has gotten things fixed, everybodys worried about China again, said Josh Rubin, a portfolio manager at Thornburg Investment Management. About half of Vales revenue comes from China. The company shipped 185.5 million metric tons of iron ore to the Asian nation in 2023, almost 60% of Vales annual output. Chinas slowing economy has hurt real estate and construction, curbing demand for iron ore just when big miners are boosting global supplies. The price of the steelmaking ingredient fell more than 25% last year, ending December at around $100 a metric ton. At that price, Vales dividend and share buybacks could halve to $2.1 billion this year and operating cashflow would shrink to the lowest since 2016, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Iron ore prices bounced back a bit in January on expectations of more stimulus from Beijing, but China is shifting its focus to greener, high-technology growth and consumption shrinking steels importance to its economy. Wealth Effects LLC grew its stake in Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report) by 12.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,490 shares of the technology companys stock after purchasing an additional 385 shares during the quarter. Wealth Effects LLCs holdings in Dell Technologies were worth $402,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of DELL. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new stake in Dell Technologies during the 2nd quarter valued at about $470,000. Toronto Dominion Bank increased its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 10.1% in the second quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 25,546 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $3,523,000 after purchasing an additional 2,340 shares during the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its position in Dell Technologies by 9.2% during the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 22,559 shares of the technology companys stock worth $3,111,000 after buying an additional 1,902 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning boosted its stake in Dell Technologies by 112.0% during the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 84,744 shares of the technology companys stock worth $11,687,000 after buying an additional 44,763 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nemes Rush Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. 76.37% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades DELL has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $160.00 to $156.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Melius Research raised their target price on Dell Technologies from $140.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price objective on Dell Technologies from $144.00 to $142.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $140.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 18th. Finally, Mizuho decreased their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $150.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $148.06. Dell Technologies Price Performance Dell Technologies stock opened at $103.86 on Tuesday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $120.76 and its two-hundred day moving average is $119.04. The stock has a market cap of $72.75 billion, a PE ratio of 18.35, a P/E/G ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.92. Dell Technologies Inc. has a 1-year low of $80.49 and a 1-year high of $179.70. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 26th. The technology company reported $2.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.32. The firm had revenue of $24.37 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $24.67 billion. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 191.91% and a net margin of 4.36%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.62 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Dell Technologies Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 22nd will be given a dividend of $0.445 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 22nd. This represents a $1.78 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.71%. Dell Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.45%. Insider Buying and Selling at Dell Technologies In other Dell Technologies news, Director Radakovich Lynn Vojvodich sold 725 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.28, for a total value of $95,903.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 23,680 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,132,390.40. The trade was a 2.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Yvonne Mcgill sold 8,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $143.24, for a total value of $1,145,920.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 236,419 shares of the companys stock, valued at $33,864,657.56. This represents a 3.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 946,132 shares of company stock worth $115,660,009. 46.70% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Dell Technologies Profile (Free Report) Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG). Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DELL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dell Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dell Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wealth Effects LLC decreased its stake in shares of Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL Free Report) by 10.7% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 11,825 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 1,420 shares during the quarter. Wealth Effects LLCs holdings in Delta Air Lines were worth $715,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC acquired a new stake in Delta Air Lines during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Kimelman & Baird LLC bought a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines during the second quarter worth approximately $31,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Delta Air Lines during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Modus Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Delta Air Lines in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Harbor Investment Advisory LLC grew its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 217.1% in the 4th quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 555 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 380 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 69.93% of the companys stock. Get Delta Air Lines alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, CEO Edward H. Bastian sold 91,710 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.85, for a total value of $6,405,943.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 439,819 shares of the companys stock, valued at $30,721,357.15. The trade was a 17.25 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Rahul D. Samant sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $58.53, for a total value of $585,300.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 64,163 shares in the company, valued at $3,755,460.39. This trade represents a 13.48 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 149,429 shares of company stock valued at $9,924,819 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have recently weighed in on DAL. Barclays lifted their target price on Delta Air Lines from $60.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, November 14th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines from $58.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. UBS Group restated a buy rating and set a $88.00 target price on shares of Delta Air Lines in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. TD Cowen lifted their price target on shares of Delta Air Lines from $78.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 13th. Finally, Susquehanna lifted their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $59.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Delta Air Lines presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $78.22. Get Our Latest Research Report on Delta Air Lines Delta Air Lines Stock Performance Delta Air Lines stock opened at $67.74 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $43.71 billion, a PE ratio of 12.71, a P/E/G ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a 12-month low of $37.29 and a 12-month high of $69.98. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $63.17 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $53.27. Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 10th. The transportation company reported $1.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.09. Delta Air Lines had a net margin of 5.61% and a return on equity of 30.43%. The company had revenue of $15.56 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.20 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.28 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 7.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Delta Air Lines Company Profile (Free Report) Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DAL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Delta Air Lines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Delta Air Lines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nutrien (NYSE:NTR Get Free Report) had its target price increased by stock analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $52.00 to $53.00 in a research note issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an equal weight rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective suggests a potential upside of 0.83% from the stocks previous close. NTR has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Oppenheimer assumed coverage on shares of Nutrien in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. They set an outperform rating and a $60.00 price target on the stock. CIBC restated an outperformer rating and set a $55.00 price target (down previously from $60.00) on shares of Nutrien in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Barclays restated an equal weight rating and set a $56.00 price target (up previously from $55.00) on shares of Nutrien in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Nutrien from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and upped their price target for the company from $40.00 to $50.00 in a research note on Monday, January 13th. Finally, TD Securities dropped their price objective on shares of Nutrien from $63.00 to $61.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $58.83. Get Nutrien alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Nutrien Nutrien Trading Down 0.4 % NYSE:NTR opened at $52.57 on Tuesday. Nutrien has a one year low of $43.69 and a one year high of $60.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 1.27. The firm has a market cap of $25.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.28, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 0.81. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $47.61 and a 200-day simple moving average of $47.98. Nutrien (NYSE:NTR Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 6th. The company reported $0.39 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.43 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $5.35 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.26 billion. Nutrien had a return on equity of 6.99% and a net margin of 2.79%. The companys revenue was down 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.35 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Nutrien will post 3.5 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nutrien A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of NTR. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV raised its position in shares of Nutrien by 8.3% in the second quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 4,660 shares of the companys stock valued at $237,000 after buying an additional 356 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Nutrien in the second quarter valued at about $52,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in Nutrien by 28.4% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 5,348 shares of the companys stock worth $272,000 after purchasing an additional 1,184 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning increased its position in Nutrien by 1.3% during the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 36,051 shares of the companys stock worth $1,835,000 after purchasing an additional 451 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its position in Nutrien by 4.6% during the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 22,825 shares of the companys stock worth $1,162,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter. 63.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Nutrien (Get Free Report) Nutrien Ltd. provides crop inputs and services. The company operates through four segments: Retail, Potash, Nitrogen, and Phosphate. The Retail segment distributes crop nutrients, crop protection products, seeds, and merchandise products. The Potash segment provides granular and standard potash products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Nutrien Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nutrien and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Griffin Asset Management Inc. decreased its position in Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM Free Report) by 8.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,073 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 815 shares during the quarter. Griffin Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Yum! Brands were worth $1,217,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC purchased a new position in shares of Yum! Brands during the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. raised its position in shares of Yum! Brands by 957.1% in the 3rd quarter. DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. now owns 222 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 201 shares during the period. Kimelman & Baird LLC acquired a new position in Yum! Brands in the second quarter valued at $37,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in Yum! Brands during the second quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Morse Asset Management Inc acquired a new stake in Yum! Brands during the third quarter worth about $42,000. 82.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Yum! Brands alerts: Yum! Brands Stock Performance Shares of YUM opened at $130.79 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $132.96 and its 200 day moving average price is $133.59. Yum! Brands, Inc. has a twelve month low of $122.13 and a twelve month high of $143.20. The firm has a market cap of $36.50 billion, a PE ratio of 24.45, a PEG ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 1.11. Yum! Brands Dividend Announcement Yum! Brands ( NYSE:YUM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 5th. The restaurant operator reported $1.37 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.41 by ($0.04). Yum! Brands had a net margin of 21.13% and a negative return on equity of 18.93%. The firm had revenue of $1.83 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.90 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.44 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Yum! Brands, Inc. will post 5.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 13th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd were given a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.05%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 2nd. Yum! Brandss dividend payout ratio is 50.09%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have recently weighed in on YUM. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $141.00 price objective (down from $153.00) on shares of Yum! Brands in a research note on Friday, January 10th. Morgan Stanley restated an equal weight rating and set a $140.00 target price (down previously from $158.00) on shares of Yum! Brands in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Redburn Atlantic cut Yum! Brands from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 11th. Argus raised shares of Yum! Brands from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $155.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 31st. Finally, Oppenheimer upped their target price on Yum! Brands from $154.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $144.89. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Yum! Brands Insider Buying and Selling at Yum! Brands In related news, CEO David W. Gibbs sold 3,815 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $137.06, for a total transaction of $522,883.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 149,385 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $20,474,708.10. The trade was a 2.49 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock. Yum! Brands Profile (Free Report) Yum! Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick service restaurants worldwide. The company operates through the KFC Division, the Taco Bell Division, the Pizza Hut Division, and the Habit Burger Grill Division segments. It also operates restaurants under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill brands, which specialize in chicken, pizza, made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches, Mexican-style food categories, and other food products. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding YUM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Yum! Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Yum! Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Embattled builder China Vanke, once the second-largest Chinese developer by sales, reshuffled its management while forecasting a record US$6.2 billion net loss for 2024 as it struggles to get out from under US$4.9 billion in debt maturing this year. The company named a chairman with a state-linked background, sending positive signals about its ability to pay its debts after a bond sell-off triggered ratings downgrades from Fitch Ratings and S&P Global a week ago. The news boosted prices of Vanke's bonds. Yu Liang resigned as chairman due to "work adjustment reasons", but would remain with the company as a director, Vanke said in a filing with the Hong Kong stock exchange on Monday. The new chairman Xin Jie is also chairman of state-owned Shenzhen Metro Group, the developer's largest shareholder. 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. With assets of more than 5 trillion yuan (US$689 billion), the Shenzhen State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SSASAC) has "the ability, strength and enough 'bullets' to support Shenzhen Metro Group to promote a stable development of Vanke through all possible means", an SSASAC representative said on Monday, according to state-owned newspaper Nanfang Daily. The asking price of Vanke's bond maturing in 2025 advanced 11 per cent, while the asking price of its bond maturing in 2029 rose 9 per cent, according to Dealing Matrix, a bond information provider. Vanke said in a separate filing that it expects a net loss of 45 billion yuan for 2024, down from a 12 billion yuan net profit in 2023, citing falling sales and profit margins, provisions for credit and inventory impairments, and losses in bulk asset and equity transactions. Earlier, the company reported that total sales plunged 34.6 per cent year on year in 2024 to 246 billion yuan. Despite the state-backed expression of confidence in Vanke's fate, some analysts raised concerns. "Vanke's issue stems from the imbalance between supply and demand in China's housing market," said Shen Meng, director at Beijing-based investment firm Chanson & Co. "With demand waning, no matter how many homes are built, they struggle to sell, preventing the formation of a closed cash-flow loop. While state-owned enterprises can offer financial support, they can't solve the problem of selling the properties." BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a Chinese New Year card in return to friends in the U.S. state of Iowa, saying that China and the United States share extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation and can become partners and friends. Xi said in the reply card that the warm reception he received when he visited the beautiful state of Iowa 40 years ago is still fresh in his memory. China and the United States can achieve mutual success and common prosperity for the benefit of both countries and the world at large, Xi said. The Chinese president expressed his hope that the two peoples will pay more visits to each other and have more exchanges, jointly write new stories of friendship between the two peoples, and make new contributions to the development of China-U.S. relations. Earlier, 58 people from Iowa, including friends Luca Berrone, Gary Dvorchak and Sarah Lande, former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad and his wife, former President of the World Food Prize Foundation Kenneth Quinn, as well as representatives of teachers, students and parents from Iowa who participated in the initiative of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study for a five-year period, jointly sent a Chinese New Year card to President Xi. In the card, they recalled Xi's first visit to Iowa in 1985 and extended New Year greetings to President Xi in the Year of the Snake. The representatives of teachers, students and parents thanked Xi for putting forward the "50,000 in Five Years" initiative, shared their feelings about visiting China, and expressed their expectations to visit China again. (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Lei Yang BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a congratulatory message to Alexander Lukashenko on his reelection as the president of Belarus. Noting that he has maintained close contact with Lukashenko in recent years, Xi said they have jointly chartered the course for and led the development of China-Belarus relations, and pushed bilateral ties to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership of all time high. Political mutual trust between the two sides has been continuously consolidated, Belt and Road cooperation has yielded fruitful results, and multilateral coordination has been effective, Xi said. Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Belarus relations, and would like to work with Lukashenko to continue the traditional friendship between the two countries, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to push for a greater development of China-Belarus relations and bring more benefits to the two peoples. (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Lei Yang Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at a high-level reception to ring in the Chinese New Year at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2025. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Monday in Beijing. [Xinhua/Li Xueren] BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday noted solid progress the country has made in advancing Chinese modernization amid "complex and challenging" situations over the past twelve months at a high-level reception to ring in the Chinese New Year. "In the Year of the Dragon, we demonstrated vitality and a can-do spirit. We endured storms and saw the rainbow," said Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. Faced with complex and challenging situations, China responded with composure and implemented a range of comprehensive measures, overcame difficulties and forged ahead with determination, Xi said at the reception held by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council to usher in the Year of the Snake, which begins on Jan. 29. At the reception attended by over 2,000 people, Xi extended Spring Festival greetings to the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese. Over the past year, China effectively implemented existing policies and proactively introduced a package of incremental policies, which helped promote the recovery of the economy, Xi said. China achieved remarkable progress in technological and industrial innovation, with new quality productive forces forging ahead steadily. China's employment and consumer prices also remained stable, Xi said. From a global perspective, China remained a major engine for the world's economic growth, he said. China dealt with major natural disasters with strong and effective measures, Xi said, adding that Team China achieved its best overseas performance at the Paris Olympics and the country has injected more positive energy into safeguarding world peace and stability and promoting human development and progress. Xi hailed the journey over the past year as "extraordinary" and the achievements "very encouraging." "We proved once again through our hard work that no difficulty or obstacle will hold back the Chinese people in their pursuit of a better life," Xi said. "Our historical course to build a strong country and rejuvenate the nation will not be blocked." "We will undoubtedly break new ground in reform and development as long as we strengthen our conviction and confidence, confront problems and obstacles directly, and tackle risks and challenges without hesitation," Xi added. In 2025, China will further deepen reforms across the board, expand high-standard opening up, guard against and defuse risks in key areas and external shocks, and promote sustained economic recovery, Xi said. Suggestions for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) will be formulated and China will continue to strive towards grand goals, he stated. China will continue to improve people's living standards and ensure that more benefits of modernization are shared among all the people in a more equitable way, Xi added. The snake symbolizes wisdom and vitality in Chinese culture, Xi said, expressing his hope that Chinese people of all ethnic groups will stay confident, hopeful and forge ahead with an enterprising spirit. Li Qiang presided over the reception. Other senior officials Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng were also present at the event. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at a high-level reception to ring in the Chinese New Year at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2025. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Monday in Beijing. [Xinhua/Wang Ye] Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at a high-level reception to ring in the Chinese New Year at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2025. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Monday in Beijing. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/Xinhua] Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attend a high-level reception to ring in the Chinese New Year at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2025. The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Monday in Beijing. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi] Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, gestures as he attends a high-level reception to ring in the Chinese New Year at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2025. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Monday in Beijing. [Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan] Chinese Premier Li Qiang presides over a high-level reception to ring in the Chinese New Year at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2025. The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Monday in Beijing. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi] (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Lei Yang By Klaus Lauer BERLIN (Reuters) - Volkswagen's CEO has spoken to the carmaker's Chinese joint venture partners about their interest in investing in Europe but was not aware of any concrete decisions on their part, a VW spokesperson said on Tuesday. The spokesperson declined to comment on whether any discussions have taken place with joint venture partners on the topic of acquiring Volkswagen's own plants. Chief Executive Oliver Blume responded earlier on Tuesday to a question from Reuters on whether the CEO would consider entering into talks with potential Chinese investors for German factories. "When companies invest in Europe, create value, create jobs, that is always viewed positively. We have close partnerships in China - joint venture partners - and of course there are discussions, but no concrete decisions. Something like that must be carefully prepared," Blume said, speaking on the sidelines of a conference in Berlin organised by German publication Die Welt. The spokesperson said in an emailed statement that Blume was not referring to conversations about plants in Germany but to broader conversations about its partners' investment plans in Europe, independent of Volkswagen. The carmaker was working on a long-term solution for the two German plants that will cease production in coming years - Dresden and Osnabrueck - and would not comment on speculation, the spokesperson added. Last week, Reuters reported that Chinese investors were shopping for German factories. Volkswagen has three joint venture partners in China - SAIC, FAW and JAC - and owns a stake in Chinese EV startup Xpeng, none of whom currently have production facilities in Europe. Numerous Chinese automakers are building, or plan to build, factories in Europe but they have so far shown little public interest in building or buying plants in Germany, known for its high energy and labour costs. (This story has been corrected to show that the company spokesperson said Volkswagen CEO had spoken to partners about their European expansion plans, not about acquiring VW plants, in paragraphs 1,2 and 5) (Reporting by Klaus Lauer, Writing by Victoria Waldersee, Editing by Miranda Murray and Tomasz Janowski) 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. && By Manya Saini, Niket Nishant and Nupur Anand (Reuters) -The top U.S. consumer watchdog has terminated a 2022 order punishing Wells Fargo for allegedly mishandling auto loans and mortgages, the bank said on Tuesday, bringing it a step closer to having the $1.95 trillion asset cap imposed on the lender removed. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau had accused the bank of improperly repossessing customers' vehicles and imposing certain fees and charges erroneously. It also said the lender denied mortgage loan modifications to qualified borrowers and improperly froze or closed customer accounts. The termination, which the bank said marks the seventh consent order closed by regulators since 2019, marks another win for CEO Charles Scharf, who has spearheaded a massive clean up effort since taking charge. "We view this news as a positive for Wells Fargo as it demonstrates progress of working with the company's regulators," RBC Capital Markets analyst Gerard Cassidy wrote in a note, adding the brokerage expects the asset cap to be lifted in the first half of 2025. Mandated by the Federal Reserve in 2018, the asset cap prevents Wells from growing until regulators deem it has fixed problems dating back to the 2016 fake-accounts scandal. It is seen as one of the toughest punishments U.S. regulators can put in place, and its removal requires a vote by the Fed's board of governors. Regulators ordered additional oversight of Wells in the wake of the turmoil. The bank has also been fined billions of dollars and faced public outcry in the wake of what the Fed called "pervasive and persistent misconduct" that harmed consumers. "Wells Fargo is a repeat offender that continues to have serious issues," a spokesperson for the CFPB said in an emailed statement to Reuters. "While the duration of an individual CFPB order elapsed, the agency's Repeat Offender Unit is continuing to closely scrutinize the bank." The bank did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the regulator's statement. CLOSER TO RELIEF "While it is yet to be seen if the new regulatory regime lifts the asset cap this year or not, these developments bring it a step closer," said Chris Marinac, director of research at Janney Montgomery Scott. Last year, Reuters, citing sources, reported the bank was in the last stages of a process to pass regulatory tests to lift the asset cap in 2025, after fixing the problems from its fake-accounts scandal. The punishment could be removed as early as the first half of 2025, a source said at the time. Tensions remain high between the Trump administration and Denmark following the new US presidents repeated threats to seize control of Greenland. The geopolitical and economic significance of who enjoys control over the self-governing Danish territory makes the eruption of a trade war between Europe and the United States a real possibility. Although Trump did not explicitly refer to Greenland in his inauguration speech on 20 January, Danish commentators took note of the fact that he declared, 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. President Trump Meets with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark, 2019. [Photo: US Government / Flickr] In an exchange with reporters later at the White House, Trump stated, Greenland is a wonderful place. We need it for international security. And Im sure that Denmark will come along Greenland is necessary not for us, its necessary for international security. You have Russian boats all over the place, you have Chinas boats all over the place warships and they [Denmark] cant maintain it. US imperialism has long viewed Greenland as critical for geopolitical and security reasons. It has enjoyed a military presence there for over 80 years, and its Thule air base (now rebranded the Pituffik Space Base) was a key operational centre for its ballistic missiles and served as a store for nuclear weapons during the Cold War. Its position between North America and Russia in the Arctic means that Greenlands military significance is growing under conditions of a rapidly escalating third world war pursued by US imperialism to retain its global hegemony. Greenlands importance is also bound up with the abundance of natural resources it possesses that are critical for building modern weaponry to wage war and dominating key economic sectors, and its proximity to Arctic sea lanes that are rapidly opening up for freight transportation due to climate change. Earlier in January, Trump warned that he could not rule out using economic and military force to back up his claims for Greenland and the Panama Canal. Trump then held a 45-minute telephone call with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on 15 January, during which he reportedly threatened to impose severe tariffs on Danish exports to the US. America is Denmarks largest export market, having overtaken Germany in recent years. During the first eleven months of 2024, it accounted for over 17 percent of all Danish exports, which are predominantly medical supplies, vaccines, and maritime transportation, mainly through shipping giant Mrsk. US journalist and author Anne Applebaum, who was in Copenhagen the day after Trumps call with Frederiksen, wrote in The Atlantic, In private discussions, the adjective that was most frequently used to describe the Trump phone call was rough. The verb most frequently used was threaten. A Financial Times report Friday described the call, based on information from five EU sources, as having plunged Denmark into crisis mode. Frederiksen and much of the Danish political establishment have done their best to downplay the tensions, stressing their desire for continued close collaboration with Washington. Frederiksens government, a coalition of her Social Democrats with the right-wing Liberal (Venstre) and Moderate parties, has reaffirmed its determination to increase defence spending and expand Denmarks military presence in the Arctic. Foreign Minister and Moderate leader Lars Lkke Rasmussen held a 20-minute phone call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday focusing on Ukraine, Denmarks role in NATO, and the Middle East. He stressed that the discussion, which reportedly avoided raising Greenland at Washingtons request, took place in a good and constructive tone. Rasmussen added that Denmark is prepared to contribute more to NATO, but ruled out for the time being meeting Trumps demand of spending 5 percent of GDP on defence. In December, just hours after Trump declared that controlling Greenland was an absolute necessity for the US, Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen revealed a major expansion of defence spending for military operations in Greenland. The package, estimated to be worth between 12 and 15 billion kroner (about 1.7 to 2.1 billion), includes purchasing two long-range drones and two military inspection ships, and upgrading an airport on the islands west coast so it can accommodate US-built F-35 fighter jets. Improbably describing the timing of the decision as an irony of fate, Poulsen added, We have not invested enough in the Arctic for many years, now we are planning a stronger presence. Poulsen declared in a Facebook post last week that he expects the Arctic spending package will be the first of many, and that the 200 billion kroner in additional military spending planned on top of Denmarks regular military budget between 2024 and 2033 should be increased potentially by as much as 300 billion kroner. Its not a question of if we can find the money. The money will be found, he declared. While Copenhagen wants to consolidate its Arctic presence by expanding military operations in Greenland, Trump and his far-right allies are consciously exploiting the long-standing push for Greenlands independence from Denmark. A Danish colony from the early 18th to the mid 20th century, Greenland secured limited home rule only in 1979. Powers were expanded in a 2009 self-government agreement with Copenhagen that spelt out the path for full independence. Opposition to Danish rule grew steadily during the second half of the 20th century, and has been fuelled by revelations of colonial-era and post-colonial abuses, including the sterilisation of Greenlandic girls, the forced resettlement of local populations, and attempts at cultural assimilation. However, full independence has been viewed as a long-term goal even by most of its advocates, principally because Greenland relies on an annual block grant from Copenhagen of about 5 billion kroner (700 million) to pay for its public services and social welfare programmes. Some now hope they can replace this source of finance by cutting deals with US mining and oil firms to exploit the islands natural resources. The Trump-aligned Fox News last week gave airtime to Greenlands Prime Minister, Mute Egede, to explain his commitment to Greenlandic independence. Egedes government, led by the pro-independence Inuit Ataqatigiit party, is scheduled to call parliamentary elections by April 2025 at the latest. Although the 2009 self-government agreement with Denmark includes the provision that Greenland can call an independence referendum, which in the event of a yes vote would be submitted for approval to the Danish parliament, Egede has yet to present a timeframe for calling such a vote. The last thing on the minds of the political establishments on both sides of the Atlantic is the fate of Greenlands tiny population of about 57,000. While Trump expresses most aggressively American imperialisms demand for territorial expansion as it seeks to offset its precipitous economic decline through the use of military force around the world, the European imperialists are responding by ruthlessly enforcing their own class interests in the deepening capitalist crisis. Governments in Germany and France, and the European Union, can hardly pose as upholders of democratic rights and the rule of law after they have backed Israels genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza to the hilt, and provided tens of billions of dollars of military and financial assistance to the dictatorial Zelensky regime in Ukraine as it sends hundreds of thousands of young men to their deaths and imprisons opponents of the US-NATO war on Russia. What outrages Berlin, Paris, and Copenhagen about Trumps menacing threats is that Americas seizure of Greenland could cut the European imperialists out of exploiting the rich natural resources and emerging trade routes of the Arctic. Senior EU officials have indicated that if Trump imposes tariffs on Denmark, Brussels could invoke the Anti-Coercion Instrument, a trade rule adopted initially against China that would allow the EU to respond as a bloc to hostile trade measures adopted by a third country against an EU member state. The ACI gives the EU a wide range of possible countermeasures when a country refuses to remove the coercion, including the imposition of tariffs, restrictions on trade in services and trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights, and restrictions on access to foreign direct investment and public procurement. However, the EUs response would be hampered by sharp divisions within Europe itself, with the least likely scenario being that all member states would be prepared to adopt a hardline stance towards Trump. The US President enjoys strong support among the continents far-right governments of Hungary and Italy, among others. Greenland could also emerge as a military flashpoint as the major European powers seek to defend their interests in the Arctic in the face of Trumps aggressive push to seize the island for the US. In an interview with Germanys Welt am Sonntag, Austrian General Robert Brieger, who heads the EUs Military Committee, suggested that EU soldiers could be deployed alongside Americans in Greenland in the future. Greenland is not an EU member, having left the bloc in 1985, but it retains the status of an associated overseas country or territory. The deployment of EU soldiers would therefore be no less provocative than Trumps sending of American troops. A new powerful and moving five part docu-drama series, Lockerbie: A Search for Truth, on Sky Atlantic in the UK and Peacock in the US explores the circumstances around the violent destruction of Pan Am flight PA103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, December 21 1988; and the subsequent trial of two Libyans accused of the atrocity. All 259 passengers and crew along with 11 people in Lockerbie were killed when the Boeing 747 Clipper Maid of the Seas was blown out of the sky, 38 minutes into a flight from Londons Heathrow airport to New York JFK. The bombing remains the worst terrorist attack in British history, and the worst case of aircraft terrorism anywhere until the 2001 attack on the World Trade Centre. Colin Firth as Jim Swire in Lockerbie: A Search for Truth. [Photo: Sky Atlantic / Peacock] The new production, which raises many of the unanswered questions around Lockerbie, centres on the experiences of Dr. Jim Swire, a GP in the town of Bromsgrove, near Birmingham, whose daughter Flora died in the disaster. It is largely based on Swires 2021 book, co-written with journalist Peter Biddulph, The Lockerbie Bombinga Fathers Search for Justice. The production seeks to bring together Swires determined search for answers with an exposition of what Swire has concluded about what did, and did not, happen. Joint directors are Otto Bathurst (Peaky Blinders, His Dark Materials) and Jim Loach (Measure of a Man) The writer is Scottish playwright David Harrower. During production, Swire compared the Lockerbie case to the UK Post Office Horizon computer system scandal, brought into public awareness by Toby Jones portrayal of campaigner Alan Bates in the 2024 ITV series Mr Bates vs The Post Office. Swire told the Daily Express, Not only have people in power not listened to those of us who have looked for the truth for 35 years, successive governments have locked away documents relating to the bombing in the National Archives in Kew. Episode One opens in 2002, with Swire, memorably played by Colin Firth, about to meet, in a Scottish prison visiting room, the only man ever convicted of the bombing, Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi (Ardalan Esmaili). A prison warder asks Swire, as keys clunk in locks, How can you, of all people, bear to be in the same room as him? The series sets out to answer that question, explaining how Swire came to be convinced that Megrahi was entirely innocent of the horrible crime for which he was sentenced to 20, later increased to 27, years imprisonment. The drama shows Flora Squire departing Heathrow Terminal 3 to meet her boyfriend in New York. Luggage containers are being loaded into PA103, including one numbered AVE4041, which contains the suitcase carrying a bomb concealed in a Toshiba radio cassette recorder. Just over half an hour into the half-empty flight, the plane disintegrates, pitching everyone into the night sky. The scenes are shocking. No one has a clue what is going on. Emergency responders and volunteers search for survivors in the fire and chaos, there are none. Later, when the UK families finally meet newly installed Conservative government Transport Secretary Cecil Parkinson to demand a public inquiry, Jane Swire (Catherine McCormack) explains to Parkinson that Flora would have been unconscious immediately due to lack of oxygen at the flights cruising altitude. As she fell, however, she might have regained consciousness for perhaps 15 seconds before impact. Jane counts the endless seconds out to Parkinson who caves in and agrees to raise the inquiry request with then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. Thatcher denies the request and to this day no public inquiry has been held. A great deal is condensed into the five episodes, but the writer and directors find a largely successful balance in exploring Swires dogged struggle and the complex issues of evidence and geo-politics thrown up. Swire, a rather shy GP from a conservative, military family background, becomes a campaigner for improved aircraft security. Leader of the UK relatives group, he carries a fake bomb onto a transatlantic flight, to general consternation. All initial reports, as well as prior warnings, suggest that the Lockerbie bomb was planted by individuals associated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of PalestineGeneral Command (PFLP-GC), a Syrian backed Palestinian militant group. The PFLP-GC were tasked by Iran to launch a revenge attack for the July 1988 massacre by the USS Vincennes of 290 passengers and crew on Iran Air 655. A scene shows Swire and his family in a pub on the Isle of Skye when the unexpected news comes on the TV that two Libyans have instead been accused of the bombing. Swire, increasingly a public figure, which adds to the terrible pressures on the family, becomes an advocate for a legal process to try those accused of the crime. He makes an extraordinary trip to Libya, set up by an Egyptian journalist, seeking support for a trial from then Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. When the trial eventually opens, May 3, 2000, in a former US base in the Netherlands, Camp Zeistdesignated to be part of Scotland for the durationthe Swires rent a flat in Utrecht to attend the proceedings. Swire intends to be there every day. Across 36 weeks, Megrahi was subjected to a show trial well captured by the production. Its purpose, as the World Socialist Web Site has written elsewhere, was to allow the then-Gaddafi government to be brought in from the cold of international isolation in which it had been languishing for years by taking the rap for Lockerbie. In 2004, Gaddafi and then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair concluded their deal in the desert allowing Libyan oil fields to open up to the operations of US and European oil companies. The series show how US Department of Justice prosecutor Brian Murtaugh welcomes all the relatives, exuding confidence in getting a conviction. But a fragment of circuit board, known as PT/35b, becomes contentious. Its provenance is questioned by key prosecution witness, Edmund Bollier. A series of ever more disastrous witnesses for the prosecution are called to the stand. Their evidence is either hopelessly vague, clearly motivated by a search for financial reward, or both; or directly contradicts the prosecution case. Two witnesses give shattering evidence calling into question the entire basis of the prosecution case. Nevertheless, nine months after the trial begins, the judges rule Megrahi guilty, and another suspected of the crimeLamin Khalifah Fhimahinnocent. Swire collapses in court, convinced he is witnessing a terrible and inexplicable frame-up and adds Megrahi to the list of Lockerbie victims. Swire also feels a personal responsibility for Megrahis incarceration in Scotland. He meets Megrahi and offers to help him prove his innocence. The series also makes an effort to place the disaster and the manoeuvres around the trial and Megrahi in a geo-political context. This is generally provided through the comments of Murray Guthrie (Sam Troughton), a fictional character serving as a sort of composite journalist. Swire also meets ex-CIA man Robert Baer, who explains that, while the PFLP-GC were initially suspected of the Lockerbie bombing, the US wanted Iran and Syria to acquiesce to its planned Desert Storm war on Iraq. Libya was made a scapegoat, a bone to throw to the victims families. The final episodes deal with Megrahis appeal, including powerful evidence hidden from the defence, after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, which eventually saw his release on compassionate grounds in 2009. He returns to a heros welcome in Libya. After Gaddafis 2011 overthrow and murder at the hands of Western-backed militias, Swire made a final dangerous trip to meet the dying man who was now his friend. Megrahi presents Swire with further crucial evidence on the fabricated character of the evidence against him. There is a moving scene when, abandoned by journalist Guthrie, but committed to continuing the fight, Swire is asked by a young woman serving in a restaurant what his badge is about. He answers, The Lockerbie disaster, but she does not know what he is talking about. The series will undoubtedly contribute to a broader understanding of the monstrous and ongoing cover/frame-up perpetrated in full public view at Camp Zeist and maintained to this day by the authorities on both sides of the Atlantic. Hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated in protests in Greeces main towns and cities on Sunday, and in major cities in Europe and internationally, to demand justice for those who died in the 2023 Tempi train crash. The rallies also demanded an end to a concerted government cover-up after the deaths of 57 people in a preventable disaster. The scenes recalled the mass protests of the working class which filled up city centres during the movement against austerity in Greece from 2010. A section of the mass rally organised by the association of the families of victims of the Tempi train collision, which killed 57 people almost two years ago, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, January 26, 2025 [AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis] Sundays demonstrations were sparked by the broadcasting on January 17 by the Kontra Channel of audio evidence indicating that some 30 of the 57 victims of the Tempi tragedy were still alive for a period after the crash. They likely died due to asphyxiation or burns, as the collision caused a massive explosion and set the front carriages ablaze. A young woman passenger who called the 112 European emergency number to report the incident is heard on the audio tape gasping, I have no oxygen. Her words were adopted as the main slogan of Sundays protests, along with No crime without punishment. Independent justice for all. Approaching the second anniversary of the crashthe deadliest in Greek rail history, and worst in Europe since 80 people were killed in a Spanish derailment in 2013not a single person in ruling circles has been held to account. The leaks went viral and a call was made by the Association of Relatives of Tempi Victims for protests against the right-wing New Democracy (ND) government. Almost 200 demonstrations were held in Greece and across the globe. Two of the largest protests in recent yearsof many tens of thousandswere held in Athens, outside the parliament in Syntagma Square, and in the countrys second city, Thessaloniki (see video below). Screenshot of part of an interactive map created by the organisers showing many of the almost 200 protests that took place Sunday in Greece and internationally [Photo: Utopia Creative Group] Around 500 people demonstrated outside the Greek Embassy in London and the same number in Berlin. Protests were also held in Brussels (on Saturday), and in Edinburgh, Cologne, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Helsinki, Nicosia, Reykjavik and Valetta. In Africa a protest was held in the Egyptian capital Cairo, and in North America protests took place in New York, Boston and Toronto. In Athens and Thessaloniki, MAT police riot squads attacked protesters with tear gas and batons, injuring in the capital reporter Marios Lolosformer president of the photojournalist union. The Tempi deaths sparked mass anger in Greeceparticularly among young people, with millions taking to the streetsand prompted a general strike the following month. Workers and youth rejected initial lies from ND Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis that the deaths were the result of the tragic human error of a single station master in Larissa. As the WSWS noted at the time, Those protesting know the fatalities could not be passed off as an accident, and that they were not the responsibility of a solitary station master, as the... government claimed. The collision was a crime resulting from a terrifyingly unsafe train network caused by years of cuts and its eventual privatisation in 2017. The size of the latest protests shocked the government and its echo chamber media. The ERT broadcaster initially refused to even refer to the demonstration in Athens, leading to outraged journalists, technicians, administrative and artistic staff at the channel attacking the decision. They wrote, alongside an accompanying photo showing a section of the enormous crowd in Athens (see X post below): The massive demonstrations against the crime in Tempi across the country and abroad were downplayed in an extreme manner by ERT. In the news bulletin at 12 noon, at the time when the most massive demonstration in recent years was in full swing in the centre of Athens, the news was presented a full 37 minutes after the start of the bulletin, briefly and without a single image of Syntagma [Square]. Given the failure of the ND government to prosecute anyone, or even to hold a trial, family relatives took the initiative and commissioned an expert accident investigation committee. It was they who compiled the audio files broadcast by Kontra Channel, which formed part of the report which was submitted three days later. The committee found that the deaths of 30 of the passengers, the majority, occurred after the collision between the passenger train and a freight train and were linked to the explosion caused by the presence of large amounts of flammable liquidsnot silicone oil from the passenger trains transformers, as previously alleged by the government. Calling the rallies, Association of Relatives of Tempi Victims representative Maria Karystianou, whose daughter died in the crash, said, We demand an immediate investigation into the explosion of the illegal chemical cargo and the fire that burned our loved ones alive. From the earliest days, the relatives group has sought to expose the governments cover-up and delay of justice. In March last year, Karystianou spoke at a session of the European Unions Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament (PETI) after having presented a petition signed by 1.3 million people calling for the lifting of protections enjoyed by Greek ministers and MPs against criminal prosecution. Karystianou pulled no punches, saying, In the first 24 hours after the fatal collision, a government cover-up was ordered for which to this day no one has taken responsibility, even though it has been publicly acknowledged. During the collision, flammable and illegal substances caused a huge explosion that incinerated most of them. This cargo was not even declared. Within five days they moved the debris and filled the area completely. Crucial evidence of guilt was lost, she concluded, Today, we and all the Greek people are certain of the cover-up. The ruling class in Greece is acutely aware of the danger posed by the resurgent protests. It knows they are motivated not by Tempi alone, but everything it stands for: the ongoing evisceration of the living standards of millions of workers, the looting of society by private companies and the rich, the hopeless future offered to youth by the capitalist class. The protests come amid an upsurge of class struggles in Greece and just two months after a general strike demanding higher pay and an end to austerity. On Monday, unable to look the other way any longer, the conservative Kathimerini warned, The impressive rallies in Athens, Thessaloniki and dozens of other cities in Greece and abroad on Sunday were reminiscent of the huge protests at the beginning of the bailout crisis and revealed a social sentiment that the political system cannot ignore. The pseudo-left opposition party SYRIZA has sought to make political capital from the Tempi crash on the basis that it took place on New Democracys watch. It ensured that several of its leading personnel were present at Sundays demonstrations. Speaking to Skai Radio on Monday, Sokratis Famellos, the leader of the now rebranded SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, said, Mitsotakis responsibility for the attempt to cover up the crime at Tempi has become established within Greek society. In response to social demand, SYRIZA wanted to to coordinate with all progressive parties against the cover-up plan. Sokratis Famellos in 2023 [Photo by / CC BY 3.0 The deaths occurred after ND took office upon defeating SYRIZA in the 2019 general election, but SYRIZA is just as culpable. Tempi was the result of policies pursued by former SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsiprass government from 2015-19, which deepened an austerity offensive against the working class without precedent on the European continent. The WSWS noted in the article SYRIZAs responsibility for Greeces Tempi train deaths the fact that SYRIZA, as part of a privatisation spree it carried out in office, was responsible for selling off Greeces state railway, TrainOSE, for peanuts (45 million euros) to Italian railway operator Ferrovie Dello Stato Italiane (FSI). Privatisation left the entire railway service unsafe, with rail workers forced to rely on antiquated technology, including manual signalling systems. One of the main slogans of the Tempi justice movement, chanted on every demonstration, is Their profits, our livesa direct reference to the fortunes reaped as a result of the sell-off, which was described by Tsipras as a glorious success story. No doubt more will be revealed about the pernicious role played by SYRIZA, as well as by the current government. As part of its cover-up, ND rejected a demand from the European Public Prosecutors Office (EPPO) to act regarding the potential criminal liability of two former transport ministers following the train crash. POLITICO reported in January last year that in a June 2023 letter from EPPO prosecutor Popi Papandreou to the Greek government she noted that during the investigation into the crash suspicions have arisen regarding alleged criminal offences committed by former members of the Greek Government. These alleged criminal offences regard breach of duty committed by the former Minister [under SYRIZA] Christos Spirtzis and misappropriation committed by former [ND] Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis. A Canada Post worker walks to his truck in Richmond, British Columbia [AP Photo/Ted S. Warren] Are you a postal worker, or employed in the delivery or logistics sector? We urge you to contact the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee at canadapostworkersrfc@gmail.com or by filling out the form at the end of this article. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) reported January 17 that renewed contract negotiations with Canada Post had broken down after just two days. This came after executives of the Crown corporation made the outrageous demand that the union drop a constitutional challenge to last months Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) order illegalizing a month-long strike by 55,000 postal workers. The CIRB order was issued at the behest of the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and on the express instructions of Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon. It was based on a patently illegal, newly cooked-up interpretation of Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, which arrogates to the government the ability to end strikes in federally-regulated sectors without even the democratic fig leaf of passing strikebreaking legislation in Parliament. These powers, presented as necessary to maintain labour peace, have now been invoked by the Labour Minister four times in six months to rob workers of their right to strike at the airlines, railroads, docks and now the post office. The repeated use of Section 107 amounts to rule by decree in favour of big business by a minority Liberal government that has been propped up by the New Democrats and the trade union apparatus as it has enforced ruthless austerity and waged war around the world. The CUPW bureaucracy acquiesced without a whimper to MacKinnons order. It trampled on growing demands from the rank and file to defy and maintain their picket lines by policing the return to work. CUPWs capitulation handed the initiative to management, which is pushing for the total restructuring of Canada Post so it can compete with low-wage delivery companies like Amazon and UPS. According to a bargaining update from CUPW President Jan Simpson, rather than prioritize settling new collective agreements, Canada Post tried to impose strict limits on our legal rights in our constitutional challenge to the Minister of Labours use of section 107 to end our strike. The Corporation made it clear that it put its narrow legal interests over and above workers interests in good, stable jobs and a strong public post office. A request from the WSWS to CUPW for further clarification of managements demands has so far gone unanswered. However, Simpsons statement makes clear enough the arrogant and flagrantly anti-democratic stance taken by Canada Post management. Canada Post executives spent over a year in more than 100 bargaining sessions pleading poverty and dismissing postal workers just demands, knowing full well that the Trudeau government would ultimately intervene to assist them in imposing still further concessions with some form of draconian strike ban. Having successfully stonewalled bargaining and obtained the CIRBs strike ban, Canada Post now has the audacity to insist that the union should not even have the right to legally challenge it. Canada Post managements attempt to pressure CUPW to withdraw its constitutional challenge points to the dominance of the financial oligarchy over all aspects of social and economic life. The WSWS has noted the violent realignment of politics around the world to correspond with the true state of class relations, which finds its clearest expression in Trumps drive to establish a fascist dictatorship in the United States. Under conditions of rampant social inequality and the ever more direct control of the oligarchy over the state and government, basic workers rights, including the right to strike and collectively bargain, are no longer worth anything in the eyes of the capitalist ruling elite. MacKinnons decision to rob postal workers of the right to strike, which he declared to be merely a time out, unilaterally extended the old contracts for urban and rural postal workers until May. It also established an Industrial Inquiry Commission, headed by seasoned federal arbitrator William Kaplan, which began hearings Monday. Kaplans commission, which has been given a wide remit in examining Canada Posts entire operations, is an entirely stage-managed affair whose purpose is to deliver an endorsement of the Amazonification of the workforce and the trashing of workers pensions and other rightsall in the name of a return to profitability. This is to be achieved by expanding the use of low-paid, temporary and part-time workers to dramatically lower labour costs, the extension of deliveries to the weekends in order to compete with parcel couriers, along with the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies to slash the workforce and increase workloads. The report over the weekend that Canada Post has secured a $1 billion loan from the Trudeau government is a key element of this restructuring agenda at the expense of postal workers. Presented as necessary in order to maintain operations this year as the post office confronts significant financial challenges, its real purpose is to keep financial investors happy while further savage attacks on the workforce to boost profitability are implemented. A $500 million bond issued in 2010 to maintain operations is set to come due this summer and the company claimed that without a government bailout it would not have the cash on hand to pay bondholders. Throughout the talks with CUPW, management has repeatedly pointed to more than $3 billion in losses since 2018, due to mail volumes shifting away from letter mail and toward parcels. These losses have been cited as the reason to attack wages, jobs and working conditions across the board in order to return to profitability. While Canada Post is a Crown corporation overseen by the federal government, it is not publicly funded. The postal service is run as a for-profit operation which makes money based on the sale of stamps and other products and services. Stamp prices were raised by 25 percent this month, a move which is expected to raise $80 million in annual revenue, while adding an additional burden to those who send mail. However, management and Bay Street see this as a mere drop in the bucket in their pursuit of restructuring. Already discussions are underway of how best to cannibalize Canada Post and hand off its most profitable operations to private corporations. Carleton University business management professor Ian Lee, himself a former Canada Post executive, outlined a scenario to CBC News earlier this month in which urban postal operations would be handed to for-profit couriers, home delivery routes ended in favour of post boxes inside franchises in grocery stores and pharmacies, and a reduction of Canada Post to a rump, taxpayer subsidized operation focused on deliveries to rural and remote areas. There is a future. Its going to be a very different organization. Its going to be much smaller, Lee told CBC News. Its going to be restructured. The only question is when and to what extent, and what will be the proposition offered when they restructure? Lees vision for Canada Post would entail the layoff of thousands of workers and the transformation of the remainder into low-paid part-time and temporary workers. In contrast to the vision put forward by Lee and Canada Post management, and the acquiescence of the CUPW apparatus to the rigged industrial inquiries commission, the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee (PWRFC) insists that postal workers livelihoods and public services must not sacrificed on the altar of capitalist profit. Rank-and-file workers must seize control of their struggle from the hands of the bureaucratic union apparatus and break out of the collective bargaining straitjacket that management and CUPW have used to impose one round of concessions after another on workers for decades. The PWRFC insists that workers should fight for a program based on what workers need, not what management declares is affordable. The vast technological changes, including the introduction of AI to determine routes, are in the hands of management being used to gut working conditions and increase workloads to make more money for corporate investors. But under workers control, these same technologies could be used to reduce workloads with no loss of pay and protect all jobs. But this is impossible under the leadership of CUPW, which is no less committed than corporate management to the idea that the postal service must make a profit. The issues confronting postal workers are common to broad sections of the working class, which is why the prospects for developing their struggle as an all-out political fight against capitalist austerity and attacks on worker rights is so favourable. Prior to the strike in November the PWRFC issued a program demanding a 30 percent wage increase to make up for years of wage stagnation, workers control over the introduction of new technologies, and the defence of all jobs. The program also insisted that defending Canada Post as a public service must be linked to the protection of all public services from sweeping cost-cutting and privatization by the ruling elite. To fight for these demands, workers must break out of the pro-business collective bargaining system and make the struggle at Canada Post the spearhead of a counteroffensive by the working class for fully funded public services and workers rights, and against austerity and war. Under conditions of a major onslaught on workers rights and working conditions across the board, a strong appeal by postal workers for the building of a mass industrial and political movement of the working class in Canada and internationally would meet with a powerful and enthusiastic response. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers use a chain to restrain a detained person, Monday, January 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Maryland [AP Photo/Alex Brandon] US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers dramatically increased daily arrests of immigrants in cities across the US beginning on Sunday under orders from the Trump White House. In a meeting on Saturday, Trump administration officials demanded quotas for ICE arrests be raised from a few hundred to between 1,200 and 1,500 people per day. A report in the Washington Post said the increase was demanded because the president has been disappointed with the results of his mass deportation campaign so far, according to four people with knowledge of the briefings. The Post report also said, The quotas were outlined Saturday in a call with senior ICE officials, who were told that each of the agencys field offices should make 75 arrests per day and managers would be held accountable for missing those targets. Prior to the new quotas, the daily number of immigrants being arrested by the Biden administration was 311 people on average. ICE reported 956 people had been arrested on Sunday by multiple federal police agencies in cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, Denver, Miami, Atlanta and major cities in northern Texas. While the president and his fascist border czar Tom Homan are claiming that the raids are enhanced targeted operations aimed at keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities, it is clear the arrests are being carried out indiscriminately and the up to five-fold increase will intensify this fact. In an example of the blatantly racist tactics being utilized by immigration authoritieswhich exposes the fundamentally undemocratic character of the entire operationNavajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley reported that at least 15 Indigenous people in Arizona and New Mexico have reported being stopped and asked to produce proof of citizenship. Some of these US citizens in tribal communities have also been detained. A press release issued by the Office of Navajo President Buu Nygren on Friday said, My office has received multiple reports from Navajo citizens that they have had negative, and sometimes traumatizing, experiences with federal agents targeting undocumented immigrants in the Southwest. Other reports have shown that the raids are above all aimed at intimidating and terrorizing immigrant families and communities as part of the Trump administrations campaign to scapegoat immigrants for the crisis of American and world capitalism. In the Chicago area, ABC Eyewitness News said a woman reported that her father, who had been in the US for 30 years, was arrested at his home in Waukegan. Yelitza Marquina explained that the seizure of her father happened under apparently false pretenses. They (family members) opened the door because they thought maybe one of us was in trouble or something happened to us. Never did they think it was ICE. In another example of the despicable role of media personalities in the ICE offensive, Dr. Phil McGraw has been permitted to embed with ICE officers during raids in Chicago. The purpose of the ride-along by the former psychologist, who rose to television fame alongside Oprah Winfrey, is to bolster the Trump administrations claims that only known criminals and terrorists are being targeted by ICE. In Miami, CBS News interviewed an unidentified man who said ICE had taken his wife during a raid in the neighborhood of Brownsville. The man said his wife of 11 years was from Venezuela and had a court date scheduled to complete a three-year process of getting her US citizenship. He said, everything was good until ICE showed up. They just came, and they snatched her, he said. In Los Angeles, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) officials mobilized their forces to assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in carrying out the crackdown in the fire ravaged city. Matthew Allen, special agent in charge of the DEAs LA field division, posted photos on social media showing DEA agents, who were masked, armed and dressed in paramilitary fatigues, deployed in a residential area. In Texas, ICE representatives confirmed to the Texas Newsroom that raids were underway across the northern cities of Dallas, Irving, Arlington, Fort Worth, Garland and Collin County. The statement said that 84 people had been arrested in North Texas and the state of Oklahoma, and they were taken to ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations field office in Dallas for processing. Targeted operations were also carried out in Austin and the Rio Grande Valley. In Austin, ICE was supported by DEA agents from Houston. However, details on the number of arrests or where they were carried out have not been reported. On Sunday afternoon, protesters gathered at the Texas State Capitol in response to the raids in Austin. One protester told KXAN, They are the epitome of the American Dream. Theyve come here and worked hard. They have a right to be here just like anyone else who has fled a country that doesnt provide the needs of the citizens. A demonstration against the ICE raids was also held in Omaha, Nebraska, near 24th and L streets in the south of the city, as reported by KETV 7 ABC. It is not clear what kind of process those who have been arrested will face. It is being widely reported that anyone who is merely undocumenteda civil, not criminal, infractionand picked up in the raids will be deported, along with those authorities claim who have committed crimes in the US. Also, US military aircraft are being used to fly groups of immigrants back to their home countries. CNN reported from Guatemala City on Monday about two flights by US military planes that had landed with migrants who had been deported. Numerous Democrats have been interviewed on CNN about the vicious attacks on immigrant workers and their families. Not one has disputed the assertions of the fascist Trump and his cabinet officials that the US has been invaded by drug dealers, criminals and rapists. Far from it, the Democrats argue that Trump has a moral obligation to protect those who are innocent, while also consistently supporting the pretext that criminals must be arrested and deported. This amounts to an endorsement of an unprecedented assault on the basic rights of the most vulnerable sections of the working class. Maryland Governor Wes Moore speaks before the Maryland Senate on the first day of the General Assembly's legislative session in Annapolis, Maryland, Wednesday, January 8, 2025. [AP Photo/Brian Witte] On January 15, Wes Moore, the Democratic governor of Maryland, proposed a draconian and pro-big business budget for the next fiscal year beginning July 1. Maryland is facing the worst fiscal crisis in at least 20 years, one even worse than the Great Recession, stated Moore as he unveiled the budget. His plan includes $2 billion in budget cuts, including to environmental programs Moore had previously made these the centerpiece of his agenda when he was running for office in 2022. Moore is attempting to paper over these attacks on environmental protection by declaring he will increase taxes of about $1 billion on the wealthiest Marylanders as a response to the states nearly $3 billion budget deficit. Maryland, which is the 18th largest state in the country in terms of population, has a roughly $67 billion budget. The states previous budget in 2024 included massive cuts, which allowed it to turn a $1.1 billion deficit into a $100 million surplus. This was done on the back of working people and the poor, and the cuts were meant to address an increase in enrollment in Medicaid and state childcare programs. Moore is citing the end of federal pandemic aid under the Biden administration and falling tax revenue as some of the factors for the deficit. Moore stated that the federal governments COVID-19 aid had papered over the states continued deficits. Moore declares economic growth is our North Star for escaping the crisis. Significantly, the Washington Post reported Moore citing his experience as an investment banker before he got into politics and identifying life sciences and cyber industries as key targets for growing the state economy in promoting his plan for tax giveaways and attracting investment. Moore proposes pro-corporate policies, such as lowering the state corporate tax rate. The state of Maryland is seeking to lure investors from nearby states such as Virginia, which taxes businesses 6 percent, compared to Marylands 8.25 percent. Moore did not specify what cuts he would make on environmental protection programs. One report noted that offshore wind projects would be targeted for elimination. A statement on the governors website states he would be Redirecting spending for underutilized or underperforming programs towards high priority programs, with no explanation of what would be prioritized. The focus on ending climate protection policies flies in the face of Moores own campaign promises when he was elected in 2022. His campaign website stated that he would set aggressive clean energy and emissions reductions standards, partnering with local leaders to combat the effects of climate change. The Democratic governor made a specific appeal to working class and poor communities, mentioning some of the consequences of increasing global temperatures including increasingly severe storms, worsening pollution, poorer air quality, and more frequent extreme heat events which would impact them the hardest. Another target of his cuts is the Blueprint for Marylands Future program, which was initiated in 2021 to improve the states public education system. Maryland is already facing a teacher shortage with 1,600 vacancies across the state. The cuts are slated to be $218 million. Other areas of cuts include the Developmental Disabilities Administration ($200 million) and the University System of Maryland ($110 million). Many of the states green energy programs rely on federal funding, such as an emerging offshore wind program. Moore pointed to the fact that the Trump administration will be hostile to green energy initiatives to justify reducing climate spending. In fact, the assault on social and climate spending in favor of corporate-friendly policies is a staple of both capitalist parties in the United States. The fiscal crisis in Maryland has been worsened by the Biden administrations completely unscientific ending of the COVID-19 pandemic Public Health Emergency (PHE) in 2023, a decision which eliminated funds many municipalities had come to rely on in the place of more stable support. Beyond that socially criminal decision, the Biden administrations approach to climate change in general has been more show than substance. A report last week in Teen Vogue on the collapse of Bidens so-called green jobs program Climate Corps notes how it was whittled away to nearly nothing throughout the course of his term in office. The publication cites Robert Godfried, Marylands Climate Corps local chapter director, who noted, People say its the American Climate Corps, but like, what does that mean? There isnt really any meat on those bones. Moore is seeking to disguise his attack on the population by declaring he will raise taxes on the wealthy. According to the governor, taxes would be slightly raised for the top 18 percent of Marylanders, with the other 82 percent paying the same or a reduced tax burden. For the vast majority, this will come out to a payout of roughly $173, an insulting amount. A report published by the Economic Research Institute notes that the cost of living in the state, driven primarily by rising energy and housing costs, has resulted in an additional charge of $6,300 a year in expenses over the past five years. As for the tax increases on the wealthy: those making $500,000 per year will be taxed at 6.25 percent and those making more than $1 million or more will be taxed at 6.5 percent, compared to the current rate of 5.75 percent for those making $250,000 or more. This increase would amount to a drop in the bucket. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, Marylands highest income households pay an average of 9 percent of income on local and state tax while the states poorest households pay a total of 9.6 percent of their income on the same taxes. There is a long history of tax cuts being marketed as beneficial for the working class only to result in a general lowering of their living standards. This is, in fact, the policy pursued by the ruling class at the national level in the newly inaugurated Trump administration. The first day of sitting of Samoas parliament on January 21 ended with a threat by Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa. She warned that if a vote of no confidence was tabled against her, she would advise the head of state to dissolve parliament and call a snap election. Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa in 2024 [Photo by Number 10 / CC BY-SA 2.0 Fiame, who has a year to run in office, has for weeks faced a political upheaval threatening an early end to her term. Her leadership of the small South Pacific island country is under challenge by a faction within her own party, the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party. A no confidence motion would require 27 votes to pass, making both the FAST faction and the parliamentary opposition pivotal in deciding the outcome. Speaker of the House Papalii Lio Taeu Masipau has not been drawn into a discussion or vote on Fiames position. He declared last week that it was not a topic to discuss at this time. There is no peace that comes from it for our Parliament. He said internal FAST issues should be resolved by the caucus itself. Opposition leader and former prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) thanked the speaker, indicating he would not initiate nor join a confidence vote, at least for now. In early January, FASTs Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Laauli Leuatea Schmidt confirmed he was facing criminal charges. These included conspiracy or an attempt to defeat or pervert the course of justice, and three counts of false statements causing harm to a persons reputation. Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino has not made public any details of the charges. Laauli has maintained his innocence, saying, I am clean from all of this. The government has denied rumours that have spread through social media that Laauli has been charged in relation to the death of Tuuau Maletino, an 18-year-old student killed in a hit-and-run in 2021. Following Laaulis refusal to resign as minister, Fiame removed his portfolio, citing the need to uphold the integrity of Cabinet, and then went on to remove three more ministers and 13 associate ministers. Laauli, who remains chair of FAST, announced on January 15 that 20 caucus members had voted to remove Fiame from the leadership and expel her from the party along with five other cabinet ministers: Tuala Tevaga Ponifasio (deputy prime minister), Leatinuu Wayne Fong, Olo Fiti Vaai, Faualo Harry Schuster, and Toesulusulu Cedric Schuster. Fiame responded by saying the party could remove her as FASTs leader, but not as prime minister. She told reporters: It is the Parliament of Samoa who can make the decision on whether or not I stay as prime minister or step down. Fiame presently remains in office but her position hangs by a thread. Officially, if an MP ceases to maintain affiliation with the political party under which they were electedwhether through resignation or expulsiontheir seat is declared vacant, with by-elections held to fill vacancies. Samoas turmoil reflects broader political instability across the Pacific, which is bound up with sharp shifts in global politics under the escalating capitalist crisis. The fragile and impoverished region is especially susceptible to economic stresses and social pressures. Of the 20 countries in the world with the highest annual losses as a share of GDP from natural disasters, eight are in the Pacific. According to the 2023 Samoa Poverty and Hardship Report, 21.9 percent of Samoas population lives below the basic-needs poverty line, 3 percentage points higher than in 201314. Poverty is highest among private sector workers and those in subsistence agriculture. Unemployment is officially 9.4 percent. The economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic saw GDP contractions reported for three consecutive years, which severely affected the welfare of Samoan households. The tourism sector and others such as handicrafts and retail took heavy losses due to the closure of international borders. Some 80 percent of households who receive money from families overseas have been hit by drops in remittances. The health system permanently struggles. For every 1,000 babies born in 2022, 16 died before their fifth birthday. A potentially deadly whooping cough outbreak declared in November is continuing, with case numbers reaching 321 on January 5. Only 38 percent of cases have had hospital care, while 101 are babies under 12 months old. A deadly but preventable measles epidemic in 2019 killed 83 people, mostly young children. Conditions of poverty and under-development provoke widespread instability. The Pacifics imperialist powers, including Australia, New Zealand and France have maintained neo-colonial control over the region for more than a century, keeping the island nations in a state of dependency. The eruption of social unrest and rioting in Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia last year has been met with brutal military-police crackdowns. New Caledonias pro-independence government collapsed on Christmas Eve after seven months of unrest by alienated indigenous Kanak youth. Nearby, Vanuatu last week held a snap election, called before Decembers devastating earthquake, due to a no confidence vote against the government. In Tonga, A new prime minister has also just been installed after months of rancour between elected officials and King Tupou VI, resulting in a series of resignations. Fiame was installed in the wake of a prolonged political and constitutional crisis that followed the April 2021 elections. The HRPP, which had ruled unchallenged for 40 years, refused to accept its defeat by the then newly established FAST party. The standoff was eventually settled in the FASTs favour by the courts. Backed by both WellingtonSamoas former colonial rulerand Canberra, she was presented as a moderniser and a safe pair of hands. As a former member of HRPP, she was the first woman to hold the offices of cabinet minister and deputy prime minister. The US-led preparations for war against China were a central factor in Fiame winning the support of the imperialist powers. While Tuilaepa was regarded as a long-time ally of Beijing, Fiames first act in office was to abandon a Chinese-backed port development, signalling a realignment towards Washington. She said the $US100 million project would have significantly added to the countrys financial exposure to China, which accounts for 40 percent of external debt. The United States and its local allies, Australia and New Zealand have continued to ramp up the pressure on Pacific governments to reduce their ties with China. The 56-member British Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), hosted by Samoa last October, was dominated by tensions over the climate crisis and warmongering. Britain, Australia and New Zealand used the meeting to promote the further militarisation of the Pacific while dismissing demands for meaningful action on climate change. In an attempt to alleviate Samoas economic crisis, Fiames government has sought to maintain and strengthen ties with China. In November 2024, shortly before the eruption of Samoas political crisis, Fiame visited Beijing for the first time as prime minister and met with President Xi Xinping. China promised increased economic development assistance and investment in Samoa, and both countries pledged to uphold nuclear non-proliferation in the Pacific. This meeting will not have gone unnoticed in the imperialist centres, which are demanding complete submission from Pacific Island countries. Islands Business correspondent Nic Maclellan reported on X on January 18 that the Trump 2.0 agenda to counter China in the Pacific involves the blunt prioritisation of US interests over Pacific Island concerns. Maclellan cited a report from the right-wing think tank, The Heritage Foundation, which flatly criticises former President Bidens 2022 Pacific Partnership Strategy as too focussed on Pacific islanders. Rebutting Pacific insistence that climate change is the regions top security issue, the Foundation flatly rejects the overemphasis on combatting the effects of climate change as a vital American interest. The single most important factor that drives the renewed interest in US engagement with the Pacific Islands is their pivotal location, which is important to US efforts to deny Chinas regional hegemonic ambitions that directly threaten American security, prosperity, and freedom, the report stated. It remains to be seen to what extent such engagement by the US and its allies has contributed to Samoas political crisis. In this Oct. 28, 2020 photo, Washington Metropolitan Police Department police officers assault protesters outside of the fourth district police station in Washington following the death of 20-year-old Karon Hylton-Brown. [AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana] On Wednesday, the newly-installed Trump administration issued pardons for Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers Terence Sutton and Andrew Zabavsky, convicted of charges of conspiracy and second-degree murder for conduct surrounding their reckless vehicle pursuit of 20-year old father Karon Hylton-Brown in 2020, which resulted in the latters death. Sutton and Zabavsky were serving 5.5 and 4.5 year sentences, respectively, for their conduct on the night of October 23, 2020, in which their pursuit of Hylton-Brown on his moped resulted in his death in a traffic collision. The officers claim to have initiated the chase after Sutton spotted Hylton-Brown driving without a helmet, a minor traffic violation. Police procedure in the District of Columbia forbids officers from initiating a chase over such violations, unless [T]he fleeing suspect has committed or attempted to commit a crime of violence or poses an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to another person. Hylton-Brown did not pose a threat or threaten violence. According to the Washington Post, following the crash the two officers turned off their body cameras and conferred with each other at the scene of the accident, deciding to sweep the matter under the rug by allowing the driver who struck Hylton-Brown to leave the scene without getting a statement. Likewise, the officers did not notify the departments major crash unit, as was required, or secure the crash site for evidence collection. They also minimized the incident when reporting it to their shift captain, implying Hylton-Brown had been drunk and only been in a minor traffic injury. He died several days later. Major news publications efforts to reach Hylton-Browns family following the pardons have been unsuccessful. David L. Shurtz, a lawyer representing Amaala Jones-Bey, the mother of Hylton-Browns child, stated the pardons were outrageous, especially with Sutton, because of the latters additional conviction of second-degree murder. By their actions afterward, the coverup, its implicit that [Sutton and Zabavsky] knew they were guilty. Trump, in announcing his intention to pardon the two cops, displayed an astonishing lack of familiarity with the facts of the case. The officers were arrested, put in jail for five years because they went after an illegal, Trump said, adding, I guess something happened where something went wrong, and they arrested the two officers and put them in jail for going after a criminal. In fact, Hylton-Brown was an American citizen by birth without a criminal record. Karon Hylton-Brown with his daughter. [Photo: Karon Hylton-Brown] Edward Martin, Trumps interim US Attorney for the District of Columbia, likewise wrote on X that he would Free these guys and go get the bad guys. Martins statements are ironic given his previous history, which includes representing several of Trumps foot soldiers who raided the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 as part of the Presidents coup attempt. Martin was also an organizer of the fraudulent Stop the Steal campaign which Trump used to mobilize his supporters to overturn the election in 2020. Hylton-Browns death sparked outrage in Washington, D.C. The death came amid months of mass protests in every state and across the world following the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020. At the time, Trump responded to the mass outpouring with venomous hostility, mobilizing the National Guard and other government agencies while threatening to invoke martial law throughout the country. The plot Trump hatched to overthrow the 2020 presidential election was itself heavily motivated by the mass protests confronting the American ruling class at this time. The pardons in the District of Columbia come as his administration has pardoned and commuted the sentences of over 1,600 of those responsible for ransacking the United States Capitol Building on January 6, 2021. Trump is seeking to roll back any concessions that were made to popular opposition, as part of a generalized effort to establish a presidential dictatorship resting on the support of law enforcement agencies and fascist militias. In response to the 2020 upheaval, the Democratic Party sought to enact symbolic measures to placate anti-police brutality demonstrations while working to shut them down through a combination of racialist demagogy and brute force. This was part of an effort to channel opposition back into the Biden presidential campaign, even as Democrats sought to downplay the threat of Trumps coup attempt which was launched in June 2020. The predictable result of this is that the Democratic Party has managed to clear the way for Trumps right wing backlash against even the most limited reforms. The Trump administration has revoked many of the tepid executive orders first issued by Biden to mollify opposition to police brutality. Biden issued an executive order in 2022 implementing aspects of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act after the bill failed to pass the Senate. The MPD issued a statement that fully embraced Trumps pardons, thanking President Trump and Interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin for supporting our officers. The statement further declared that it believed the incident, resulting in a young mans unnecessary death, should be addressed through training and discipline instead of prosecution. Underscoring the MPDs response, former D.C. police chief Peter Newsham told the Post, For them to pursue a police officer under these circumstances is unjust. In fact, the prosecution and conviction of Sutton and Zabavsky was fully in line with the crimes they committed. To suggest they had just been doing their jobs when they initiated a fatal chase and then tried to cover it up is to imply they are above the law. For his part, Newsham, as D.C.s police chief from 2017 to 2020, oversaw the Districts ferocious military and law enforcement response to the mass protests. Washington, D.C.s government responded with indifference to Trumps pardons of the D. C. police officers. The office of Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a statement which took note of the police departments opposition to the guilty verdicts. While the latter would prefer to deal with the unfortunate loss of life through MPDs administrative processes not a criminal one, her office nonetheless accepted the guilty verdicts. Bowser has regularly supported the police, seeking to expand their hiring and passing right wing tough on crime legislation. The Wuhan Institute of Virology in 2016 [Photo by Ureem2805/Wikimedia. Commons / CC BY 4.0 In one of his first actions after being confirmed by the Senate as CIA directorby a bipartisan vote of 74-25John Ratcliffe, a former Republican congressman and Director of National Intelligence in Trumps first term, released a reassessment of the origins of COVID-19 intended to support the fascist-inspired conspiracy theory that China created the SARS-CoV-2 virus at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) and then unleashed it on the world. The reassessment was actually carried out by the agency at the instruction of Bidens CIA Director William J. Burns, but the results were not made public until Ratcliffe gave the instruction. Amid mounting demands last year from both Democratic and Republican politicians that the COVID-19 origins issue should be used as a weapon against China, Burns told CIA analysts that they had to drop the previous stance of the military-intelligence apparatusthat there was not enough evidence to decide whether COVID was of natural or man-made originand come down on the side of the lab leak. Both the initial claim that the evidence is inconclusive and the current claim that the evidence slightly favors the lab leak hypothesis are political rather than science-based. This is demonstrated not only by the enormous weight of scientific research documenting the natural origin of the virus, but by the fact that the CIA changed its official position without adducing any new evidence. The shift was to prepare a stepped-up campaign by US imperialism against China, whether conducted by Kamala Harris, as Burns hoped, or now by the Trump-Vance administration, with Ratcliffe acting as its agent. The threadbare nature of the new anti-China finding was indicated in the email sent to the media on Saturday. An unnamed CIA spokesperson wrote, We have low confidence in this judgement and will continue to evaluate any available credible new intelligence reporting or open-source information that could change CIAs assessment. The intelligence agency said its analysts were not acting in response to Ratcliffes strongly held position on the lab leak question, and that the assessment on the origins of COVID had been ongoing. Vice President JD Vance follows John Ratcliffe into the room before swearing him in as CIA Director in the Vice Presidential ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus, Thursday, January 23, 2025, in Washington. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon] Ratcliffe, speaking with Breitbart News, the fascistic online publication with which Steven Bannon was once associated, said: I know from conversations with the president about where his priorities are and where he wants things to be as it concerns foreign threats to Americas national security posture, and it starts with China. One of the things that Ive talked about a lot is addressing the threat from China on a number of fronts, and that goes back to why a million Americans died and why the Central Intelligence Agency has been sitting on the sidelines for five years in not making an assessment about the origins of COVID. Thats a day-one thing for me. Ive been on record as you know in saying I think our intelligence, our science, and our common sense all really dictates that the origins of COVID was a leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. But the CIA has not made that assessment or at least not made that assessment publicly. So, Im going to focus on that and look at the intelligence and make sure that the public is aware that the agency is going to get off the sidelines. In July, at a Heritage Foundation conference on COVID origins, Ratcliffe was openly critical of the intelligence community and claimed the indecision by the agencies reflected political and financial considerations. Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, a rabid anti-China hawk, commended Ratcliffe Saturday for declassifying the assessment, saying he was [pleased] the CIA concluded in the final days of the Biden administration that the lab-leak theory is the most plausible explanation. Now, the most important things are to make China pay for unleashing a plague on the world. These words are essentially a declaration for an open war with the nuclear-armed country. The natural origin of the COVID pandemic, at the Huanan Seafood market in Wuhan, remains the only convincing explanation of the pandemic and is supported by the scientific evidence that has emerged over the last five years. The lab-leak conspiracy theory, by contrast, was cooked up by Chinese expatriate anti-communists allied with Bannon, and given pseudo-scientific cover by the former science editor of the New York Times, Nicholas Wade, and other equally disreputable characters. There is no scientific basis for the lab-leak conspiracy. As Politico wrote in response to the shift in the CIAs position, The statement didnt include any additional details about what led the agency to change its assessment and whether it had intelligence that would add weight to the theory that the virus had leaked from a research lab in Wuhan, China. The Times added: There is no new intelligence behind the agencys shift, officials said. Rather it is based on the same evidence it has been chewing over for months. The analysis, however, is based in part on a closer look at the conditions in the high security labs in Wuhan province before the pandemic outbreak, according to people familiar with the agencys work. A spokeswoman for the agency said the other theory [of a natural origin] remains plausible and that the agency will continue to evaluate any available credible new intelligence reporting. Three of the 19 US intelligence agencies have now lined up behind Bannon and Trumps promotion of the big lie against China, including the Department of Energy (which characterized its judgment as one of low confidence) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (moderate confidence). Other intelligence agencies are likely to fall in line as the pressure grows from the Trump White House and the Pentagon, now headed by the fascist Pete Hegseth, another anti-China warhawk. According to the June 2023 Office of Director of National Intelligence report, the National Intelligence Council and four other intelligence community agencies stood by the assessment that the initial human infections with SARS-CoV-2 were most likely through exposure to an infected animal. That report is worth noting, since its authors can hardly be accused of a pro-China bias, yet they dismiss the unfounded claims of the fascist right and conceded that the pandemic began as a zoonotic event and not a lab leak. They dont attribute any nefarious designs to the involvement of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) at the WIV, admitting that much of the collaborative work between the civilian research institute founded in 1950 and the military was on research related to public health and collaborations on biosecurity and biosafety projects. They also concede that in the United States such relationships between researchers and the military are commonplace. Neither did the critical coronavirus research being conducted at the WIV raise any flags. The report states that the intelligence community has no information indicating that any WIV genetic engineering work has involved SARS-CoV-2, a close progenitor, or a backbone virus that is closely-related enough to have been the source of the pandemic. The American ultra-right claimed that the SARS-CoV-2 was a chimeric construct, in which spike proteins and furin cleavage sites were added through genetic engineering to an already known viral backbone. This was malicious distortion of the ABCs of viral research which sought to take advantage of public lack of understanding of scientific complexities. Much of this misunderstanding has been encouraged by the corporate media which has given wide publicity to those within the intelligence community and political establishment who have promoted the lab-leak lie as established fact. The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Washington Post, for example, have whitewashed the active role Ratcliffe has played in pushing the lab-leak narrative. At the same time, the voice of the world-renowned scientists who have researched and published on the origins question have effectively been ignored if not silenced. This campaign has been further promoted by the McCarthyite-like hearings held by Republicans that have positioned the lab-leak theory as having equal weight to the natural spillover which has been the source of every pandemic in modern history. These hearings victimized principled scientists and promoted fringe theories and unproven assertions as facts. Peter Daszak and Shi Zhengli [Photo by EcoHealth Alliance] A particular target of the witch-hunters has been EcoHealth Alliance, the scientific group that has pioneered research into bat coronaviruses and the potential threat of pandemics, working in partnership with the WIV in China. The attempts to demonize China, the WIV, and EcoHealth all fall into the larger scheme to shift blame for the COVID pandemic on China and use it as a deliberate lever to promote justification for military conflict against them. The joint work on coronaviruses, as presented in statements made by Dr. Peter Daszak (former president of EcoHealth Alliance) and Dr. Shi Zhengli (Director of the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Wuhan Institute of Virology), confirms that both scientists have spent more than a decade seeking to identify potential viral threats to public health and advocating countermeasures to prevent pandemics, not promote them. Now Dr. Daszak has been fired, EcoHealth Alliance has been effectively blacklisted, and China is being targeted by the US military in a conflict that could escalate to nuclear war. While the American political establishment attempts to demonize China by promoting the lab leak, it is allowing the highly dangerous H5N1 bird flu to continue infecting animals and humans raising the specter of another and potentially much deadlier pandemic. Even the right-wing former director of the National Institutes of Health who has promoted the lab-leak lies, Robert Redfield, has admitted that a bird flu pandemic is highly likely. The Future of Public Safety in Wyoming BLOOMINGTON, Minn., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- C1, a leader in pioneering technology solutions that elevate connected human experiences, has partnered with leading public safety innovator Carbyne to revolutionize the Wyoming Highway Patrol's (WHP) emergency response infrastructure through the deployment of Carbyne's APEX emergency contact platform. This groundbreaking initiative ushers in a new era of public safety for Wyoming, equipping WHP with innovative tools to meet the demands of modern emergency management. C1 (PRNewsfoto/ConvergeOne) The APEX platform, known for its cloud-native architecture, integrates critical capabilities such as real-time AI-powered language translation, advanced geolocation tools, and an intuitive interface optimized for emergencies. This modernized system addresses WHP's long-standing challenges with outdated technologies, which often led to delays in response times and difficulties in serving the state's diverse communities. "By adopting Carbyne's technology in collaboration with C1, the Wyoming Highway Patrol is rewriting the approach to emergency operations," said Chuck Trimble, Dispatch Program Manager at WHP. "With AI-driven capabilities and real-time communication tools, we're primed to reduce response times and provide safety solutions that the people of Wyoming can count on." The cutting-edge platform is especially impactful for Wyoming's multicultural residents and visitors, offering seamless communication through AI-powered translation services. This feature eliminates language barriers for many non-English-speaking individuals, enhancing the speed and efficacy of emergency responses. Additionally, the system's advanced location-tracking capabilities assist dispatchers in pinpointing incidents with precision, even in the state's most remote areas. C1's Chief Customer Officer, Omar Bhatti, reaffirmed the company's commitment to public safety innovation. "As advanced AI tools streamline operational complexity and enhance situational awareness, Wyoming Highway Patrol dispatchers can focus on saving lives," Bhatti stated. "C1's mission is to provide more than just technology; it's about managing and delivering solutions that inspire confidence and elevate outcomes." A Collaboration Built on Trust and Progress WHP's partnership with C1 reflects a shared commitment to addressing public safety challenges through innovation and collaboration. Starting with the seamless integration of Carbyne's APEX system into existing WHP operations, C1 has worked closely with WHP to overcome concerns related to cloud-based security and compatibility with legacy systems. February 3- March 7, 2025 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. Fine Arts Theater, Building 19 Don't miss this opportunity for a fun, educational experience! The theater faculty at Western Texas College invites high schools to participate in our annual theater clinic. The clinic runs Monday-Friday from February 3 - March 7, 2025. We critique four schools per day at the following times: 9:00 AM 12:00 PM 3:00 PM & 6:00 PM. Only a few slots are taken at this time, but you need to act soon! We accommodate people as best we can on a first-requested, first-confirmed basis. The fee to participate in the clinic is only $200. Reserve your slot by contacting: Ray Newton WTC Drama Professor rnewton@wtc.edu 325-574-7652. Please note that you cannot come into the space before your appointed time. Within the allotted time, your show will be critiqued. Xi congratulates Lukashenko on reelection as Belarusian president Xinhua) 09:52, January 28, 2025 BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a congratulatory message to Alexander Lukashenko on his reelection as the president of Belarus. Noting that he has maintained close contact with Lukashenko in recent years, Xi said they have jointly chartered the course for and led the development of China-Belarus relations, and pushed bilateral ties to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership of all time high. Political mutual trust between the two sides has been continuously consolidated, Belt and Road cooperation has yielded fruitful results, and multilateral coordination has been effective, Xi said. Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Belarus relations, and would like to work with Lukashenko to continue the traditional friendship between the two countries, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to push for a greater development of China-Belarus relations and bring more benefits to the two peoples. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan) After having celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, the Sundance Film Festival is not yet done looking back at its storied history. In addition to playing over 80 new feature films, the Park City, Utah, fest will once again showcase key films that have shaped the Sundance Institute and independent storytelling in turn. This year that includes a screening of the 1983 film El Norte, which played at the festival early Tuesday. Forty years after it first earned writer-director Gregory Nava and co-writer Anna Thomas an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay, the film remains a new American classic. A sweeping epic about the treacherous journey some migrants make from Central America to the United States in search of a better life, El Norte feels just as timely in 2025 as it did when it first premiered. Navas connection to Sundance, both its festival as well as the institute, goes back decades. He was at the very first Sundance Lab in 1981. Its there where he got to further develop El Norte, working with his actors to help hone in on the kind of story he wanted to tell, one as grounded in his own experience of living next to the border, as informed by the vast research he did talking with Central Americans whod escaped violence in their countries of origin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was an incredible experience, Nava recalls over Zoom about that filmmaker retreat. We worked with Sydney Pollack. We worked with Waldo Salt. One of the requests that I made to Sundance was that in order to do El Norte, we would have to bring professional actors together with nonactors. So they brought Ivan Passer, the great Czechoslovakian filmmaker who had done Intimate Lighting and who really knew how to work with nonactors. In casting then-nonprofessional actors Zaide Silvia Gutierrez and David Villalpando as his two leads, Nava had wanted to bring a level of wounded authenticity to the film. It would be a way to offer a humanist portrayal of people who had often been sidelined even in their own stories. Los Angeles was a city pervaded with shadows, Nava says. Of people who were picking up your dishes and mowing your lawn and taking care of your babies and doing all the work of the city. And I could tell, I knew, from my background, that they were from Guatemala, they were from Mexico, that they were refugees, that they were people who were here, and that one of them had an epic story But Nava knew that to tell such an epic story hed have to approach it differently than how hed seen such stories being told in Hollywood. This was a tale that would be grounded not in European story beats but in Indigenous and Maya, specifically lore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the things that I wanted to do when I made 'El Norte' was to tell a Latino story in a Latino way, he says. I didnt want to do a movie that was imitative of something else. He turned to the great novels from Latin America like Gabriel Garcia Marquezs One Hundred Years of Solitude and Miguel Angel Asturias El Senor Presidente. But he went even further back. He drew inspiration from the Popol Vuh, a foundational text for the Kiche people of Guatemala. And it was there where he first began toying with the idea of making El Norte a story about siblings. One of the things that you see in ancient Mesoamerican and Mayan mythology is that theyre always twins, he explains. Theres always two, not one. In the Popol Vuh you have Hunahpu and Xbalanque. And since our protagonists are Mayan I wanted to capture Mayan culture and make it true to Mayan myth and Mayan storytelling. El Norte is anchored by a brother and a sister. Broken up into three parts ("Arturo Xuncax," "Coyote" and "El Norte") the film follows Rosa and Enrique. Played by first-time actors Villalpando and Gutierrez, the siblings first witness the genocidal violence thats taken over their small town. Both of their parents are killed by the military. Fearing for their own lives, they decide to trek north in search of a better world. That journey first takes them through Mexico, then through the border, and eventually to a cold and uncaring Los Angeles that chews up their dreams, American and otherwise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nava similarly turned to a series of 17th and 18th century Maya texts to dream up different kinds of symbolism that would lend the film a distinct kind of texture. He points to a scene where Rosa finds out her mother has been taken (and likely killed) by armed men. Rather than portray such a violent scene, Nava shows Rosa arriving at her mothers comal and finding it full of white butterflies. In the Chilam Balam, there is this image of whenever theres a problem in the land a plague, the Spanish conquest, war with the Itza, people dying, famine there was a gathering of white butterflies, he says. And I read that, and I went, Oh, my God, that is unbelievable. This is our Latino storytelling. In our way. With images that youve never seen on the screen before. In keeping with that commitment to bringing Maya folklore into El Norte, Nava insisted on making the film trilingual: its in Kiche, Spanish and English, truly capturing a journey thats both geographic and linguistic in equal measure. As the film moves from Guatemala to Mexico and then to the United States, Nava slowly splinters the magical realism Rosa and Enrique had grown up with. The potent symbolism in their hometown, where their connection with their own dreamlike imagery is central to their everyday lives, soon fades away. As Rosa and Enrique try to make a living as undocumented workers in Los Angeles, the brutal reality around them quickly sets in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not lost on Nava how prescient the film now feels. At a time when rhetoric about the border and the so-called migrant crisis continues unabated, El Norte's" focus on the humanity of its Maya protagonists reorients the conversation around the lived experience of those making life or death decisions when they cross the border. Nava recalls a recent screening of it for students at USC who watched it for the very first time. After the film was over, I was crowded with students, he recalls. And they said to me, This film seems like it was made last year. It was a fantastic experience in a way, to go, Yes, weve made a film that has that kind of life and longevity and moves people. But by the same token, 40 years on, and the situation is still the same. Because everything that the film is about is once again here with us. All of the issues that you see in the film havent gone away. The story of Rosa and Enrique is still the story of all these refugees that are still coming here, seeking a better life in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The urgency of its story packs a punch for the shocking image it closes with: a shot of a severed head. Its a dour note to end on but one that Nava knew would be necessary. Its why he knew the film would have to be made outside of the studio system and with the backing of institutions like the Sundance Institute and PBS (which partly funded the film). He was committed to offering an unvarnished look at the daily reality of men and women like Rosa and Enrique. I wanted to tell the truth, he says. Part of the journey of making this movie, and of making it independently, was so you could tell the truth. I cant put a happy ending on the story of refugees coming to this country. That would be a lie. Get our Latinx Files newsletter for stories that capture the complexity of our communities. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. If there's one type of character Jesse Eisenberg is known for playing, it's guys with a wee bit of stress. OK, sometimes it's full-blown anxiety. Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images for National Board of Review Whether it was his Oscar-nominated turn as Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network or his critically acclaimed role in the FX/Hulu miniseries Fleishman Is in Trouble, Jesse has a knack for personifying jittery characters. Merrick Morton/Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection Linda Kallerus / FX / Courtesy of FX via Everett Collection He's playing another one in his new film A Real Pain, which he also wrote and directed. The film follows Jesse as a disciplined guy and Kieran Culkin as his laissez-faire cousin taking a trip to Poland. It's earned rave reviews. Searchlight Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection Earlier this month, A Real Pain received two Oscar nominations. Jesse is up for Best Original Screenplay, while Kieran is competing for Best Supporting Actor. Arturo Holmes / Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jesse stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! last week to talk about the movie, but one anecdote he shared about his vacation habits...or lack thereof...really caught people's attention. Randy Holmes / Disney / Getty Images While discussing travel habits, Jimmy asked Jesse if he goes on vacations, which prompted the actor to say, "I don't like vacations." Of course, he explained why. "I feel too guilty to go on a vacation. I have a very good life," he said, noting that working as a film actor has him feeling "lucky" since he regularly travels for work. As a result, he isn't prone to laid-back vacations. "I can't do that because I'm riddled with guilt," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted his vacation habits are more in line with that of his and Kieran's A Real Pain characters who traveled to Poland for a Holocaust tour. "Those are the travels I do," he said, using his last two vacations as an example. One was to a concentration camp in Austria, and the other was with his family to Timisoara, Romania, which is where the 1989 Communist revolutions began. Searchlight Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection "That's the only time I could go on vacation and not hate myself," he said of the Romanian trip. Jesse later admitted he hasn't told his son about Disney World. "I went to Disneyland during his lifetime without him," he said. "I was doing something in Shanghai, and they took me to Shanghai Disney. I told him about it and he said, 'It sounded interesting, but when are we going back to Rwanda?'" The interview moment went viral on the late-night show's TikTok page, garnering nearly 2 million views. In the comments, people were amused by Jesse's self-deprecating humor about his stress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He is the personification of anxiety ," one person wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "i feel his anxiety through the phone," another said. Someone even noted he should've voiced Anxiety in Inside Out 2, which would have been genius casting. Someone saw their own anxiety in Jesse, commenting, "Ive never seen someone as anxious as me." And another summed up the moment best, saying, "As nervous as he looks, he is actually hilarious." Because if you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can watch the clip on TikTok and read all the great comments here. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Roo is back and determined to find out what is troubling her dad Alf on Home and Away... | Credit: Endemol Shine Australia Roo Stewart (played by Georgie Parker) has been gone from Summer Bay for months on Home and Away (1:45pm - see our TV Guide for listings). Roo has been off sailing the high seas aboard the cruise ship where her nephew, Ryder Jackson, works. However, after receiving an SOS phone call about her dad Alf (Ray Meagher), Roo is heading home... Alf just hasn't been himself since returning from a visit to see his wife Martha in Merimbula. At the Stewart house, family friend Marilyn Chambers (Emily Symons) is fussing around Alf when Roo unexpectedly walks through the door! Alf is not impressed when he realises Marilyn has called Roo to come home and check-up on him. How much will Alf reveal when Roo demands to know WHAT has been going on? Things are a bit weird at Yabbie Creek Police Station now that Rose Delaney (Kirsty Marillier) is the boss of Cash Newman (Nicholas Cartwright). Rose feels uneasy about Cash's demotion. How will their new ranks affect their day-to-day working relationship? What will Cash advise when Rose reveals how she really feels about their new roles? Rose is feeling awkward about being Cash's boss on Home and Away. | Credit: Endemol Shine Australia Abigail Fowler (Hailey Pinto) attempts to put on a brave face after being dropped as a client by her therapist, Tim Russell (George Pullar). However, she is secretly devastated since she was really starting to make some progress confronting her past demons with Tim's help. Abigail's housemate, Mali Hudson (Kyle Shilling), finds her upset and provides a shoulder to cry on. Friend and housemate, Mackenzie Booth (Emily Weir), notices how attentive Mali is being towards Abigail. But how will the surf shop boss react when Mackenzie suspects that he has a love crush on Abigail! WHO could Mali be falling for on Home and Away? | Credit: Endemol Shine Australia Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Home and Away continues weekdays at 1:45pm on Channel 5 Switch over for FIRST LOOK episodes at 6:30pm on 5STAR The series is also available to stream on My5 Adam Lippes was on the way to the airport for a much-needed vacation in Japan when he got the call in mid-November asking if hed design First Lady Melania Trumps Inauguration Day look. Im getting out of the car, and I see theres a bunch of calls from a number I dont know. And then I have an email from [her stylist] Herve Pierre saying SOS, please call me, and this is the number to reach me on, said Lippes, speaking for the first time about the historic Jan. 20 fashion moment. More from WWD Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took a little back and forth, and I got a hold of him as I was getting on the plane.He said Weve been discussing the inauguration and Mrs. Trump was wondering if you would consider making her day look,' Lippes recalled. And, of course, without hesitation, I said yes. Over the last 11 years, Lippes has built his quiet luxury business on the concept of timeless sportswear and occasion wear in exquisite fabrications, with investment from the Houston-based Sarofim family, and their fund-management empire. Extremely client-focused, he spent the first decade of his label traveling more days that not, growing the brand through trunk shows and charity lunches with a particular focus on the South, and opening stores last year in Palm Beach, Fla. and Houston, following two in New York. He and Pierre knew each other from their days at Oscar de la Renta, where Pierre worked as a designer from 1995 to 1998, and Lippes joined as creative director in 1996. It was actually Lippes eight-year tenure with de la Renta that instilled in him the tradition of dressing first ladies, he said. There was no greater honor than to dress a first lady, whether for the inauguration or on down. Oscar is widely credited as styling Mrs. Clinton, but it was Mrs. Bush before that. And Oscar was actually friendly with both.So Ive always had a far-reaching respect for the first family that was certainly instilled in me from Oscar. We dress whos in power was I think maybe what he used to say. Thats my job, said Lippes, who considers dressing a first lady to be above politics. In the ability to showcase what we can do, theres no greater stage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lippes has dressed first ladies in the democratic party as well, including Dr. Jill Biden and Michelle Obama before her. Trump had also worn his clothing before, shopping for it herself. But this was the first time the New York designer had made a custom look for her. He did not submit sketches. It was pretty clear what she wanted, Lippes said, explaining that Pierre said they were drawn to his tailoring and wanted a long, tailored coat. Second lady Usha Vance, wearing Oscar de la Renta; U.S. Vice President JD Vance; U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump , wearing Adam Lippes , wave as former U.S. President Joe Biden and former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris depart the U.S. Capitol Jan. 20, 2025. Lippes used his made-in-Italy double-face silk wool, pushing up the weight for Trump because she wanted it very, very structured. She wanted the sharp coat to be dark navy but not black, and they went back and forth on the color a few times to get it right. It was great to have Herve in the middle of that, because he is a couturier he really is, he said of Pierre, who spent years designing haute couture for Pierre Balmain both before and after de la Renta became head designer there, and has designed many looks himself for Trump, including the inaugural ballgown. He was able to help define in our fashion terminology, what it is and what was. The commission was not without some drama. Usually, its three or four months for fabric.So this was really a very big rush job with the colors and the dying, and Christmas was in the middle of it all, said Lippes of working with his mill in Italy. Then there was an issue at the factory with the color, so it was one of these high stress sort of things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lippes fit Trump at her home in New York several times, made a dress form and hired a fit model to her specifications to ensure everything was perfect on the high-waist pencil skirt in matching navy, and the ivory silk crepe blouse with neck inspired by a tied foulard. We had two incredible pattern makers working on it, one for the suiting, which was the coat and the pencil skirtand then another one who does all of our dresses for the blouse underneath, he said of the workmanship by artisans with decades of experience. The pieces were made in his atelier in downtown New York, with the exception of the sewing on the coat, which was completed out of house. This was all constructed in a very, very classic way. I would say, all in all, about nine or 10 people worked on this from fabric on down. Although Lippes fabric was also used on Trumps wide-brimmed Eric Javits hat, he did not see the hat with the look until the final fitting, he said. His team hand-delivered everything to Washington, D.C. at 11 a.m. the Friday before and there were no alterations needed. It was perfect, Lippes said, adding that they actually made a duplicate in case it got lost. Melania Trump, wife of President-elect Donald Trump, arrives at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2025. On Inauguration Day, Lippes and his team watched the ceremony together at his office. So I was with the team when we caught the first glimpse of her going into the church, he said, adding that from a fashion perspective, she projected elegance and strength. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The response for the brand has been overwhelmingly positive, he said. And, of course, because of the tensions, I was a bit worriedI had seen and looked at Instagrams of what some people had been wearing for the weekend, and there was a lot of negativity. But there really wasnt for us, even from my friends, or some people we work with who are definitely not from that political side. It really felt good. She really represented what a first lady should look like. (De la Rentas own label had several moments in the spotlight during the festivities, too, including dressing second lady Usha Vance.) Lippes brand Instagram account had more than 2 million visitors in the hours after the inauguration, and his following grew 30 percent to 140,000. The web store had the single best week of sales in the companys history following the inauguration, and there is a waiting list for similar coats, said Lippes, who will not, however, be producing a recreation of the custom look. Hes also seen a sales bump at his stores. There have been a lot of new customers and people placing orders and commenting about how happy they are to find a new, independent designer, he said. Adam Lippes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Business going into this was really quite strong, but things like this certainly help, said Lippes, whose brand notched a 30 percent increase in sales last year. While he hasnt heard directly from Trump yet, Pierre relayed that she was over the moon. Not all of the reactions were so kind, with the online memeverse comparing Trumps coat and hat ensemble to the Hamburglar, Carmen Sandiego and Jim Carrey in The Mask, among others. I only saw a few, but a couple I found quite funny, said Lippes, good-naturedly. On the brands Instagram, some of the comments turned political. Yes, there were some angry people, some hateful people, and I did not engage with that, said Lippes. I was even thinking, if this is really going to be a st show, Im going to turn off our comments. And it wasnt at all. I was really very proud that as an independent designer I was chosen for this stage, but not everything anyone does can always be met with a positive reaction. When I dressed Dr. Biden, I would also get hateful messages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lippes is excited to follow the inaugural looks journey to the Smithsonian National Museum of American Historys First Ladies collection, where it will live for posterity. We had a wall up of first lady outfits all the way back to Mrs. Washington while we were working on this because we wanted to make sure we werent derivative of anything. Its incredible to see how theyve changed. While he doesnt have any immediate plans to do so, he said hed be honored to dress Trump again. Both with Dr. Biden and Mrs. Trump, when they wore our pieces we did see a business effect. I believe there can hardly be any greater cheerleader for American fashion than the first lady. Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Groundhog Day is Sunday, Feb. 2, and after two winter storms, Georgians are looking forward to an early start to spring. But while Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania is considered the holiday's main groundhog, Georgia has its own: General Beauregard Lee. Below is a closer look at who he is, what he does, and this bizarre tradition. What is Groundhog Day? Groundhog Day is always on Feb. 2. Essentially, a groundhog is made a weather forecaster. If it gets up in the morning and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If no shadow is seen, spring will come even sooner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC's The Bachelor: Georgia woman gets a rose on 'The Bachelor' premiere. Here's how she made an impression Georgia's groundhog General Beauregard Lee enjoys an ice cream-style treat at his home at Dauset Trails Nature Center in Jackson, GA. Who is Georgia's groundhog? General Beauregard Lee has been Georgia's groundhog since 1991 after replacing General Robert E. Lee. Also known as "Beau," he is named after Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard and Beau's predecessor who was also the namesake of a Confederate general. He currently resides in Dauset Trails Nature Center in Jackson about 30 miles south of Covington. Beau lives in a small, Antebellum-style mansion called Weathering Heights. He's known to enjoy his snacks, including Waffle House hash browns. When is Georgia's Groundhog Day ceremony? Beau will make his prediction in the ceremony at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 2. The center is located at 360 Mount Vernon Church Rd. If you have a hard time finding it, there's a large marker in the shape of Georgia outside Beau's home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ceremony will also be streamed live on Facebook. Did General Beauregard Lee see his shadow last year? Every year since 2021, Beau has not seen his shadow on Groundhog Day. Federal sentencing: Georgia man sentenced to 25 years in prison for possessing a gun, 3+ pounds of drugs FILE - An estimated crowd of over 40,000 watches Punxsutawney Phil after he did not see his shadow predicting an early Spring during the 138th annual Groundhog Day festivities on Friday February 2, 2024 in Punxsutawney, PA. History of Groundhog Day According to the National Weather Service, the holiday started as a Pennsylvania German custom in the 18th and 19th centuries with origins in ancient European weather lore. A badger or sacred bear was the prognosticator as opposed to a groundhog. It's also similar to the medieval Catholic holiday of Candlemas. When the Germans came to America in the 1700s and settled in Pennsylvania, they brought their traditions, including that of an animal seeing its shadow to predict the weather. In Germany, a badger had been used, but a suitable replacement in America was the groundhog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1886, the editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit Newspaper was inspired by a local tradition of hunting and barbecuing groundhogs and dubbed the participants the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. He also proclaimed Punxsutawney Phil, the local groundhog, to be the one and only official weather forecasting groundhog. He issued this proclamation on Feb. 2, and his fame began to spread. Over the years, thousands have flocked to Punxsutawney, PA every year for the Groundhog Day celebrations. Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: General Beauregard Lee in Georgia to predict weather on Groundhog Day They had to postpone the big Perdido Key "Snowbird Beach Bum Hootenanny" last week, rescheduling it for Thursday because of, and yes, it is ironic, heavy snow. But aren't all those northern snowbirds used to living, and even driving, in steady snow? Aren't we Florida folk always getting grief from our Yankee neighbors whenever we start putting on jackets when it gets below 70 degrees? They could have made it down the road from the condo to the event. "Yes, they're used to driving in snow,'' said Tammy Thurow, president of the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the event at the iconic Flora-Bama Lounge on the Florida-Alabama border. "But the people who run the thing aren't." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thurow herself moved to sunny Northwest Florida about six years from Arkansas. She feels much like the snowbirds who migrate back and forth between northern states such as Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Indiana and all the rest to our gorgeous, snowless and warmer Northwest Florida. "I did not move here for this,'' she said of the snow. "It was kind of a shock. But it was pretty." Lynne and Dennis Fox, both 76, of Adrian, Michigan, have been coming to the Perdido and Gulf Shores, Alabama, area on the other side of the Flora-Bama, for six years now. Lynne Fox said the couple is at the point in their lives where they are on a quest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We want to see things, try things that we have never tried or seen before,'' she said. "We checked snow on the beach off of the list. It was absolutely beautiful. We loved it. It was great." "Not that great,'' joked her husband, Dennis Fox, adding that all of us southerners gone giddy over the snow haven't had to shovel it on a regular basis. Still, he did give in to the snow shenanigans, posing shirtless at the couple's beach condo with a snowball, and a snowy Florida landscape behind him. Michigan resident Dennis Fox with a snowball early during Tuesday's snowstorm from the Gulf Shores, Alabama, condominium he shares with his wife, Lynne. "That was still early in the snow,'' Lynne Fox said, adding that she posted the photo and "it started trending on social media." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This Thursday's "Beach Bum" party is the second of four "snowbird hootenanny" events scheduled for 2025. Attendees are asked to dress the part, which is easy when you're doing to hang at the Flora-Bama anyway, and be prepared to do the clambake to classics by the Beach Boys, and, if you're lucky, some awesome surf tunes by Dick Dale, the Marketts, the Tornadoes and all the classics. Visitors enjoy the Mardi Gras themed Snowbird Hootenanny at the Flora-Bama in Perdido Key on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. The remaining Hootenanny events include a "Sweetheart Saloon" on Feb. 6 and the "Mardi Gras Mambo" on Feb. 20. Thurow said the "Sweetheart Saloon," falling a week or so before Valentine's Day, will be a romance-based event where an instructor will teach couples to line dance. The most popular event each year is the annual "Mardi Gras Mambo,'' where folks from Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and the rest of the wintery states get to participate in a Gulf Coast tradition, complete with red beans & rice, king cake, masks and beads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first 2025 snowbird hootenanny was a "Rock Your Decade" event on Jan. 9. All of the events are sold out. "Oh my gosh, their impact is huge,'' Thurow said of the snowbirds who flock south each winter. "They eat at our restaurants and shop at our stores. They have a huge impact on the economy, which is nice when other areas might be down for the winter. We love having them, they become part of our community, and we develop friendships with them through the years." Folks at local businesses agree. "They're very important to us in the off-season,'' said Lisa Carstens, owner of the Salty Pearl Raw Bar on Perdido Key. "They help us keep going during the slower months." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her manager, Brittany Wallizer, agreed. "I look forward to seeing them in the wintertime,'' Wallizer said. "They're always super nice, super friendly and they really do become a part of our community." She joked with her snowbird customers in the aftermath of what to us locals seemed like a blizzard. "I told them they brought it with them,'' Wallizer said. Lynne Fox admitted that what Northwest Florida and Lower Alabama received was a "lot of snow,'' noting their Michigan home only had about 3 inches of snow compared to the double-digits that hit the Gulf Coast. But unlike in Michigan, the snow and the cold melt away much quicker here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We spent the entire day (Sunday) at the beach,'' she said. "We're getting warmer grey skies, and anytime it starts to get a little colder I look at my phone (to check weather back home) and it's always colder there." This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Perdido snowbird event postponed because of snow on for Thursday. GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN) A 20-year-old has been charged with multiple misdemeanors for allegedly shooting a goose in Gallatin last Monday. The shooting happened at Lock 4 Park along Old Hickory Lake on Monday, Jan. 20. A witness reportedly observed four people exiting a Chevy Tahoe before the shooting occurred. They were dressed in camo and soon thereafter, the witness said that they heard a shot and these four individuals came back to the Tahoe with a goose in their hands, explained Barry Cross, spokesperson for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS | 2 arrested after goose shot, killed in Gallatin The witness allegedly told Gallatin police that one of the suspects was carrying a shotgun and provided officers with a photo of the group and their vehicle. A single 20-gauge shotgun shell was also found at the scene. Ultimately, it was social media that helped the collaborating agencies the TWRA, Gallatin Police Department and Sumner County Sheriffs Office to locate their targets. It was Gallatin PD that shared the image on their [Facebook] page, and through that we were able to get an anonymous tip, explained Cross. Mondays incident marked the second time in less than a month that an illegal shooting of wildlife occurred in a suburban area of Sumner County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just before Christmas, a man was arrested for shooting multiple deer from their vehicle in a Hendersonville neighborhood, also along Old Hickory Lake. Dec. 2024 | Hendersonville man accused of shooting deer from truck The TWRA made it clear that these type of incidents are not common for their officers. I dont think our officers are seeing anything vastly different than they see from year to year, said Cross. Any animal in Tennesse is prone to being abused, and we dont see a ton of it. Typically, Cross said their officers respond to wildlife in distress; a duck caught in fishing line, for example. But this latest case serves as a good reminder for why the TWRA exists, and Cross isnt concerned over these incidents becoming a trend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The majority of the hunters in the state of Tennessee are doing it the right way, they want to do it the right way, because they want those animals to be there year after year, said Cross. And from time to time, we do get those individuals that make a bad decision, and oftentimes were able to catch them. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Of the four suspects involved in this case, two were minors. The oldest suspect, a 20-year-old, was charged by the TWRA with three misdemeanor violations, including illegal take of wildlife. The agency said they also confiscated the shotgun that was allegedly used. None of the suspects have been identified at this time. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) One person was taken to the hospital to be treated for burns and smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in the kitchen of a home in Henrietta Monday afternoon, the Fire District Chief told News 8. According to Chief Mark Cholach, firefighters responded to the home on Cascade Road just before 2:30 p.m. and found the fire in the kitchen. The blaze reportedly sparked from the stove, Cholach said. Photos from the scene on Cascade Road in Henrietta around 3 p.m. Monday. (WROC/Trinity Wilson.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the kitchen, which sustained the bulk of the damage. The rest of the home only saw smoke damage in the aftermath. The blaze was put out within 10 minutes, according to Cholach. Two people live in the house, Cholach said. Only one of them was home at the time and needed to be hospitalized to be treated for smoke inhalation and burns. The victim is expected to survive their injuries. 2 dead after 2-alarm fire on Callingham Road in Pittsford The home was deemed unlivable for the time being. The Red Cross is assisting the residents in the interim. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) One person was shot following an apparent road rage incident on Tuesday morning, police said. The incident happened at around 5:40 a.m. in the area of Cheyenne Avenue and Simmons Street. The North Las Vegas Police Department said two people were involved in an apparent road rage incident while driving east on Cheyenne. Police said the situation escalated near the intersection of Cheyenne and Simmons and one person was shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medical personnel took the injured person to a nearby hospital in critical condition. NLVPD detectives are continuing to investigate the incident. Police said the driver involved remained at the scene. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Steven Amos feels hopeful for once. Hes finishing a drug and alcohol treatment program, living in a halfway house, and working a new job, doing carpentry. I love anything outdoors, he said. Im happy Im not locked up. A member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe, Amos, age 53, grew up with the snow-capped Rocky Mountains set like a painting behind his childhood home in Ethete, Wyoming, on the Wind River reservation. He loved hunting and fishing along the Little Wind River, but his family as well as many Wind River neighbors had no running water, sometimes no electricity, or enough to eat. The reservations stunning landscape conceals more than a century of theft and neglect by the United States, whose officials stole Arapaho land, then doled it out to ranchers, real estate moguls, miners, and public institutions, while forcing the tribal nation to scrape together a future any way it could. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of Amoss most searing childhood memories is watching police beat up his father. They call it generational trauma, he said, It keeps going and going and going, and people dont want to confront that. They want to sweep it under the rug. He received his first prison sentence when he was 19 years old, and drifted in and out of jails and prisons for decades after that. Some of the carceral facilities where Amos was sent are paid for, in part, with Arapaho land and resources, through activities like oil and gas extraction and cattle grazing. To build America, the U.S. government enacted laws to redistribute Indigenous lands they had taken. Some land was given to individuals and corporations to build homes or private empires, through laws like the Homestead Act and the Pacific Railway Act, while the Morrill Act offered up freshly seized land as capital for states to establish what became known as land grant universities. Separately, the legislation that transformed frontier territories into states known as Enabling Acts contained handouts of land that state governments could use to pay for public institutions. Those offerings are generally called state trust lands and continue to be used to fund public institutions, mostly K-12 schools, but also universities, hospitals, and penitentiaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read Next a pumpjack on a large parcel of desert land The extractive industries filling public university coffers on stolen land Tristan Ahtone, Robert Lee, Amanda Tachine, An Garagiola, Audrianna Goodwin, Maria Parazo Rose, & Clayton Aldern Last year, in Wyoming alone, nearly 409,000 acres of former and current Arapaho, Shoshone, Goshute, Bannock, Crow, Cheyenne, and Sioux land now held by the state as state trust lands, produced at least $8 million in revenue for the Department of Corrections. At least 200 acres of land inside the boundaries of the Wind River Reservation are also earmarked to provide revenue for corrections. Grist has identified nearly 2 million acres of state trust lands an area larger than the state of Delaware and broken into more than 20,000 surface and subsurface parcels scattered across the western U.S. that are reserved for state prison systems in 10 states. In 2024, those state trust lands disbursed an estimated $33 million in funding to carceral facilities and programs. In reality, the figure is likely higher, as officials in Wyoming and Utah did not respond to requests for updated financial data for this story. North Dakota, Utah, Montana, and Idaho all use trust lands to fund detention facilities and systems for children. The land was taken from 57 Indigenous nations, through 71 land cessions, some of which are still contested to this day. Clayton Aldern / Grist / Ales Krivec / Unsplash Clayton Aldern / Grist / Ales Krivec / Unsplash To acquire those lands, the U.S. paid less than $1.5 million to tribes through legal treaty agreements. However, more than a third of the lands were taken through military action with no reimbursement to Indigenous nations for their stolen territories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a direct link between incarceration and the history of land theft our communities have endured, said Sunny Red Bear, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and associate director of organizing for NDN Collective. Our ancestral lands were taken, disrupting our traditional ways of life and governance. Displacement led to economic hardship and social challenges that have made our communities more vulnerable to the criminal justice system. Across the U.S., Indigenous people are incarcerated at a rate four times higher than white people, according to the Prison Policy Initiative, a non-profit research organization dedicated to addressing over-criminalization. In South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana, about a quarter or more of the state prison population is Indigenous, even though Native people make up less than a tenth of each states population. Nationally, Native youth are incarcerated at a higher rate than Hispanic, Asian, and white people combined. Read Next An aerial photograph of a path windy through forested land. Some trees have been cut down Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How schools, hospitals, and prisons in 15 states profit from land and resources on 79 tribal nations Anna V. Smith & Maria Parazo Rose The priorities are not to build treatment centers; theyre not to help with the healing our communities are needing, said Red Bear, who has helped lead efforts to pressure officials in Rapid City, South Dakota to address discriminatory policing. The redirecting of these funds could be used for so many different things including affordable housing, or substance abuse programs, or mental health programs, or youth programs, or restorative justice programs or reentry programs. South Dakota Corrections spokesperson Michael Winder said that the department already remits the trust-land disbursements to the state general fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Wyoming Department of Corrections indicated the agency is not responsible for the over-representation of Native people among its prisoners. Regardless of ones ethnicity, the Wyoming Department of Corrections does not arrest, commit or release any citizens, wrote Stephanie Dack in an email. Although funds coming from state trust lands make up a fraction of corrections department budgets that range in the hundreds of millions, for resource-strapped tribal governments, they represent significant sums. Most tribal governments have their own justice systems yet the money generated from trust lands only benefits state-run institutions, which are outside of tribal control. Whose land? Total ceded acres earmarked to benefit incarceration Tribal acreage State acreage Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Total acres represent the combined surface, subsurface, and timber rights falling within each Royce cession boundary. *South Dakota Department of Corrections remits their revenue disbursement to the state general fund. Source: Grist / U.S. Forest Service Chart: Clayton Aldern / Grist Where a crime is committed defines where an Indigenous person will be sent to serve a jail or prison sentence. In some states, like Wyoming and South Dakota, courts send tribal citizens to state prisons when their crimes are committed off-reservation. If committed on reservation, that person can end up in a tribal or federal detention center. In other words, the justice systems that send tribal citizens to state prisons operate with little influence from tribal nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres so many people on this reservation afflicted by addiction and trauma thats caused by the government coming in and taking our land, said Terri Smith, who is in charge of the new Northern Arapaho Reentry Agency, which works with Northern Arapaho peoples who are reestablishing their lives after incarceration. The agency began accepting clients, including Steven Amos, in August. If money is being generated off those lands, it should go back to those original tribes and help them become healthier people. Smith, who was formerly incarcerated herself, said Amoss experience isnt unique. Most people from Wind River who are released from prison end up going back. Sometimes its a matter of access to basic resources, like transportation or gas money to traverse Wind Rivers vast approximately 3,500-square mile expanse. Smith said, 80 percent of my job is giving people rides. Leading up to the 20th century, the federal government used threats of military violence, starvation and kidnapping to coerce and steal land from Indigenous nations. Native people were initially thrown into U.S. prisons as punishment for fighting that theft. Land grabs and imprisonment often went hand-in-hand, while treaties and Indian policy at times included language bringing tribal members under the jurisdiction of the U.S. or states criminal law. Andrew Jacksons Indian removal policies in the 1830s, for example, were fulfilled in part by the Georgia militia, who rounded up and imprisoned Cherokee people who refused to abandon their land. The Arapaho peoples once lived across a wide territory that included what is currently Wyoming, South Dakota, and Colorado. In the 1860s, officials pressured some tribal members into signing away swaths of their land in order to accommodate an influx of gold miners and to make way for Colorado to be established as a territory and Kansas as a state. In the 1870s, 74 Arapaho, Kiowa, Cheyenne, Comanche, and Caddo people, including several who survived the Sand Creek Massacre, were imprisoned at Fort Marion in Florida, as punishment for their rebellion during the Red River War, which was fought to repel U.S. forces from the Southern Plains. The Northern Arapaho were eventually pushed onto the Wind River reservation in present-day Wyoming, occupied already by the Eastern Shoshone, with whom they had recently been at war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One way to think about these kinds of transitions in containment is as part of a continuum of war on Indigenous people to remove them from land, said Shiri Pasternak, an associate professor in criminology at Toronto Metropolitan University , who helped develop an Indigenous Abolitionist Study Guide for the Yellowhead Institute, an Indigenous-led research and education center. Laws designed to forcibly contain Indigenous peoples continued to evolve. For nearly a century, being an Indigenous person essentially became illegal. With the passage of the Indian Religious Crimes Code in 1883, Indigenous people faced incarceration if they practiced their religions. The first Indian Boarding School, Carlisle, was founded after Lieutenant Richard Pratt experimented with using militarized education to assimilate the prisoners of war at Fort Marion. The prison provided a model for the network of schools built to strip children of their language, culture, and family connections. Those boarding schools have become the subject of investigation and scrutiny in both the United States and Canada in recent years. You get to the horizon and you see the result, the impact, the outcome of centuries of state violence reflected in the prison population, said Pasternak. About 172,000 acres of Northern Arapaho land is now earmarked for carceral beneficiaries across Wyoming, South Dakota, and Colorado. In Colorado, some of the Northern Arapaho acreage that makes up the states Penitentiary Trust is physically occupied by two prisons: Limon and Sterling. In Wyoming, it accounts for a portion of the trust land funds that go to state prisons the rest was taken from the Crow, Goshute, Shoshone, Bannock, Cheyenne, and Sioux nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States generate revenue on these trust lands by leasing acreage out to extractive industries like oil and gas projects, mining, grazing, timber harvesting, renewable energy development. Over half of the trust land that funds prisons, a total of over 1.1 million acres, are used for subsurface activities, including fossil fuel extraction, accelerating climate change and its impacts. A bar chart showing the surface versus subsurface proportion of state trust land rights in 10 states. Utah has exclusively subsurface rights, while Arizona offers a roughly 50:50 split between subsurface and surface rights. At the same time, the unequal representation of Native people in prisons means that tribal citizens will be disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. People in prisons tend to be particularly vulnerable to extreme weather. During storms and wildfires, prisoners are often left behind as communities evacuate. Flooding can create fetid conditions, while wildfire smoke exacerbates asthma. Power outages at times leave people trapped in cells with overflowing toilets, poor ventilation, and a lack of food and water. Idaho has one of the highest numbers of state-run carceral facilities facing extreme wildfire risk, according to a 2022 analysis by the Intercept. Its prisoners are even sent to fight the fires for at most $1.50 per hour. In 2024, trust lands provided over $5 million to Idahos prisons. Heat is the most pervasive climate risk factor for prisoners, who disproportionately experience health conditions or take medications that make them sensitive to high temperatures. None of the states that receive trust land funds have fully air conditioned prisons, according to a 2022 analysis by USA Today, though some use a combination of air conditioning and swamp coolers, which dont work well in humid weather. That means that when temperatures spike, people die. A two-day heat wave in the west means a mortality increase of 8.6 percent in prisons, according to a recent academic paper. Of the state corrections departments that use trust land to pay for prisons, only Arizona, which took in $2.3 million in trust revenue last year, has facilities located in places that experience 50 or more days annually of heat indexes over 90 degrees. By 2100, with slow action on climate, state detention facilities in South Dakota, Idaho, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico will see similar levels of heat. To address worsening heat, deteriorating buildings, and other issues like overcrowding, some state governments are making major investments in detention facility infrastructure. Instead of looking deeper into root causes of why our mothers and aunties and grandmothers are being incarcerated, what theyre doing is building more prisons and expanding our jails, said Red Bear from NDN Collective. Pasternak, the criminology professor, pointed out that prisons do more than put people away. Prisons are a highly productive form of revenue for states because they bring in funding and jobs. Criminalization empowers a whole network of actors within society, she said. However, there are alternatives. She added, If the state, instead of collecting that rent to pay for prisons, was doing something different, in a way where those revenues could be shared back to Indigenous people, wed have a different economy. During Steven Amoss time in South Dakotas state penitentiary, known as The Hill, violence reigned, and the summers were so hot hed sleep on the floor. Amos time at The Hill began with an arrest in Rapid City, South Dakota, where the Oglala Sioux Tribe recently demanded a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into discriminatory policing. State prison sentences often begin in reservation border towns and nearby communities with reputations for discriminatory policing. Amos was also arrested in Riverton, Wyoming, which sits in the middle of the Wind River Reservation but is not tribal land due to court rulings that have removed the town from tribal control. Terri Smith, with the Northern Arapaho Reentry Agency, said most of her clients on Wind River who spent time in state prison, including Amos, were arrested in border towns like Riverton. I see the effects that these forced policies on Natives have caused putting us on these reservations, genocide, assimilation policies, she said. Returning Arapaho resources to the nation, she continued, would be a better use of the funds currently paying to incarcerate its members. For now, Amos is doing his best to focus on stability. Smiths reentry program helped him get tools needed for his job. He plans to build a home for his daughter one day. Sometimes you get stuck in a hopeless situation, and its hard to get out if you dont have support and something to look forward to, he said. For now, though, he feels strong. I look forward to every day. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline 10 states fund prisons using stolen Indigenous lands on Jan 28, 2025. NORTH HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) A 12-year-old was arrested on Monday in North Haven after allegedly threatening a school, according to police. 2 arrested after threat made against Groton elementary school Police say that the juvenile allegedly posted a photo of a firearm in a group chat with a caption saying dont go to school. The child, who is a student at ACES Mill Road School, was located by officers as they were getting off the school bus at the school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The child was found not to be in possession of a firearm and their parent/guardian said that they do not have access to one either. The juvenile was charged with threatening in the second degree and breach of peace in the second degree. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The Bakersfield Police Department is asking for the communitys assistance in locating an at-risk, missing 12-year-old boy. Carter Laushaul was last seen Jan. 27 around 6:20 p.m., in the 700 block of Berkshire Road. He is considered at-risk due to no prior history of running away. Work begins on Jastro Parks pavilion remodel project Police describe Laushaul as 5 feet, 3 inches tall, weighing 140 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a gray jacket, green shorts and black crocs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information on Laushauls whereabouts is asking to contact the Bakersfield Police Department 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. Jan. 27ANDERSON A 13-year-old boy has been charged with two counts of murder and armed robbery in connection with the October 2024 stabbing death of a 61-year-old Anderson man in an apparent failed robbery attempt. Joseph H. Vannote Jr. appeared in Madison Circuit Court Division 6 on Monday for an initial hearing. He is being represented by defense attorney Bryan Williams. kAm"xE'D F?FDF2=[" !C@D64FE@C #@5?6J rF>>:?8D D2:5 @7 H2:G:?8 2 'b\J62C\@=5 :?E@ 25F=E 4@FCE] "(6 925 2 4@FA=6 @7 'c\J62C\@=5D 492C865 :? E96 A2DE]"k^Am Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement kAmrF>>:?8D ?@E65 E92E E96 564:D:@? 23@FE H96E96C E@ 492C86 2 49:=5 2D 2? 25F=E "56A6?5D @? 2 =@E @7 724E@CD]"k^Am kAm"w6 4=62C=J FC56C]"k^Am kAmx7 4@?G:4E65[ '2??@E6 7246D 2 A@DD:3=6 AC:D@? D6?E6?46 @7 cd\ed J62CD]k^Am kAm|25:D@? r:C4F:E r@FCE s:G:D:@? a yF586 $E6G6 z@6DE6C D:8?65 E96 H2:G6C =2DE H66E@ 492C86 '2??@E6 2D 2? 25F=E]k^Am kAm%96 H2:G6C DE2E6D E92E @? ~4E] " E96 DE2E6 7:=65 E9C66 4@F?ED @7 56=:?BF6?4J E92E H@F=5 36 >FC56C :7 4@>>:EE65 3J 2? 25F=E]k^Am kAm%96 H2:G6C >2:?E2:?D E92E G:56@ 7@@E286 D9@HD '2??@E6 2?5 |:=6D =62G:?8 2 82D DE2E:@? E@86E96C ~4E] b 2?5 9625:?8 E@H2C5 |:=6D' C6D:56?46 :? E96 h__ 3=@4@7 (6DE 'aE9 $EC66E]k^Am Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement kAm"%96 49:=5 :?:E:2==J 25>:EE65 E@ E96 DE233:?8 3FE =:65 23@FE E96 4:C4F>DE2?46D DFCC@F?5:?8 H92E 92AA6?65[" E96 4@FCE 5@4F>6?E DE2E6D] "tG6?EF2==J[ E96 49:=5 4@?76DD65 E@ C@33:?8 E96 G:4E:> 2?5 DE233:?8 9:> E@ 562E9 :? E96 4@FCD6 @7 E96 C@336CJ]"k^Am kAmz@6DE6C HC@E6 E92E[ 2E E96 E:>6 @7 E96 >FC56C[ '2??@E6 H2D @? AC@32E:@? :? x==:?@:D @? 2 56=:?BF6?4J 492C86 @7 288C2G2E65 32EE6CJ H:E9 2 5625=J H62A@? :7 4@>>:EE65 3J 2? 25F=E]k^Am kAm~E96C 2==6865 :==682= 24ED 4@>>:EE65 3J '2??@E6 :?4=F56i 42CCJ:?8 2 2E6 E92E >@?E9j AF?49:?8 2?@E96C J@FE9 :? $6AE6>36C a_ab[ 2?5 5@>6DE:4 32EE6CJ 282:?DE 9:D >@E96C :? }@G6>36C a_ab]k^Am kAmp44@C5:?8 E@ 2 AC@323=6 42FD6 277:52G:E C6=2E65 E@ E96 562E9 @7 |:=6D 7:=65 3J s6E64E:G6 #:492C5 $E:C6D[ '2??@E6 492?865 9:D DE@CJ D6G6C2= E:>6D 5FC:?8 E96 :?G6DE:82E:@?]k^Am Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement kAm~? ~4E] b[ 2 H@>2? 4@?E24E65 A@=:46 E@ E6== E96> E92E D96 H2D 49646E |:=6D 2E 2 =@42= 4@?G6?:6?46 DE@C6 2?5 2D 7@C >@?6J]k^Am kAm%96 ;FG6?:=6 E@=5 A@=:46 96 7@==@H65 |:=6D H:E9 E96 :?E6?E @7 C@33:?8 9:>]k^Am kAmp7E6C 96 C67FD65 E@ =62G6 E96 C6D:56?46[ '2??@E6 D2:5[ |:=6D 9:E 9:> :? E96 9625 H:E9 2 42?6 2?5 E@=5 9:> E@ =62G6]k^Am kAm%96 ;FG6?:=6 D2:5 96 H6?E E@ E96 6D :? E96 496DE 2?5 DE@>249]k^Am kAmw6 D2:5 E92E 27E6C |:=6D 9:E 9:> H:E9 E96 42?6 96 564:565 E@ DE23 9:>] %96 ;FG6?:=6 D2:5 96 :?:E:2==J 36=:6G65 96 4@F=5 ;FDE AF?49 |:=6D 2?5 C@3 9:>]k^Am kAmpE 7:CDE[ '2??@E6 E@=5 A@=:46 E92E |:=6D E@=5 9:> E@ E2@E96C E@ 4@>6 E@ E96 C6D:56?46]k^Am Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement kAm'2??@E6 =2E6C D2:5 E92E 3@E9 @7 E9@D6 DE2E6>6?ED H6C6 =:6D]k^Am kAmw6 25>:EE65 E@ DE62=:?8 |:=6D' H2==6E[ H9:49 H2D 5:D4@G6C65 @? E96 DEC66E[ 2?5 8@:?8 E9C@F89 |:=6D' A@4@?6J]k^Am kAm(96? 2D 96C6[ 2?5 x 63@5J[" 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 277:52G:E]k^Am Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863. SOUTH PASADENA, Fla. (WFLA) Recovering from the storms is still a major source of frustration for hundreds of seniors in South Pasadena. Everyone had to evacuate on a moments notice and was forced to find a new place to live. Many had to abandon their belongings, and the effort to retrieve their belongings has been a strenuous task. Plant City fire gets out of control, burns a dozen vehicles: HCFR Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement James Schold used to call Lutheran Residences at South Pasadena home, however, he now considers the building a shell of the past. The waterline from Hurricane Helenes wrath is still visible and the drywall is stripped from the hallways. Without power or a working elevator, getting to his apartment on the 14th floor has been an arduous task. Its hot, sweaty, and theres no lights, Schold said. I had to wear a miners cap. My legs were sore for a week from walking so many steps. Schold says starting over in a new apartment has been expensive. I had to replace my couch, my bed, my end tables, my coffee table, Schold said. Anything that was too big to carry down 14 flights of steps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robert Moran is also in a bind. Woman admits to filing fake deeds to steal several Hillsborough County houses At age 90, the Marine Corps veteran is preparing to climb 15 flights of stairs to gather the last remaining items that are still inside his unit. However, he can only take what he can carry in his arms. I have to walk up 15 floors with no elevator, Moran said. Ive got my flashlight with me to go up the stairs. I feel strong enough. I just get short of breath, so Ill take a rest and then Ill go up some more stairs. Hayes Gibson Property Services responded to questions from News Channel 8 On Your Side about the complaints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency explained that Helenes surge destroyed the electrical panels and mechanical equipment on the bottom floor of the building. They said it could take more than a year to make the repairs needed in order to comply with updated city codes. However, residents say theyve been left in the dark. Theyre calling for more clarity from property managers about the situation and whether they would be able to return. Its a shame, Moran said. Its sad because its a good building. I was in there for 20 years. Hayes Gibson Property Services says all leases were cancelled on Nov. 1. Theyve been allowing residents to remove their items at their own pace without enforcing a deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, they still have to sign a waiver when they enter the building. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BALTIMORE A 15-year-old has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a security guard during an altercation at a McDonalds in Northwest Baltimore earlier this month, according to Baltimore Police. Detectives arrested the teenager in a home in the 1500 block of North Smallwood Street on Tuesday. The suspect was transported to the Central Booking Intake Facility, where he has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder. The security guard, 38-year-old Jamal Davis, was armed during the altercation in the restaurants doorway Jan. 12. Police said that confrontation ultimately led to Davis being shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police responded that day at about 4:04 p.m. to the McDonalds at 4401 Reisterstown Road and found the security guard, whod been on duty in the restaurant, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital, where he died. Davis, a father of two, worked as a guard for Cameo Consultant Co., according to the Baltimore-area security agencys CEO, Carlos Moorer. Maryland law requires anyone 14 or older to be automatically charged as an adult for first-degree murder, first-degree rape and first-degree sex offense. The list of offenses automatically charged in adult court for minors 16 years or older includes second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter; second-degree rap and second- and third-degree sex offense; abduction and kidnapping; carjacking; attempted and actual robbery with a dangerous weapon; first-degree assault and all firearms offenses. ------------ OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) 2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. We remember and honor those 168 who lost their lives on April 19, 1995, when a bomb went off in front of the Murrah building in downtown Oklahoma City. 168 Days to remember those lost in the OKC bombing: Raymond Lee Johnson. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. We want to remember Raymond Lee Johnson, while honoring those who survived and thanking those changed forever. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The nearly two-century wait is finally over. Yuengling beer, the pride of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and the oldest brewery in America, is now on tap in Chicago. As of Monday, about 2,000 bars and restaurants across the state are able to pour the regional favorite, which for the first 195 years of its history was unavailable in Illinois except for some grassroots interstate bootlegging. Now the biggest challenge may be trudging out in the cold, finding Yuengling at your local watering hole and, for newbies, pronouncing the name. Its Ying-Ling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Village Tap in Roscoe Village, one of the oldest craft beer bars in Chicago, is among the inaugural places serving Yuengling. As the signs go up and the tap handle takes its place among a bevy of local offerings, expectations are high that the Pennsylvania beer will be in demand. Were really excited to be able to finally have Yuengling in Chicago, said Jeff Hoffman, owner of Village Tap. It has a little bit of a mystique about it, since it hasnt been available here, and theres just a lot of buzz about it. Founded in 1829 by German immigrant D.G. Yuengling in the small mining town of Pottsville, where it is still headquartered, the family-owned brewery has been slowly expanding westward, but remains an essentially regional brand with an almost cult-like following. Illinois is now the 27th state to sell Yuengling, setting up shop on the beers western frontier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yuengling began expanding at the dawn of the new millennium, buying a Tampa, Florida, facility and opening a third plant in Pennsylvania. In 2020, Yuengling entered into a joint venture with Chicago-based Molson Coors, enabling it to produce its beers at plants in Fort Worth, Texas, and Milwaukee, and facilitate distribution into new states. All of its breweries will come into play to supply Illinois. Getting the beer on tap and onto store shelves has been a challenge in a very competitive market with its own storied history, according to Debbie Yuengling, a sixth-generation family owner who serves as employee engagement and culture manager at the brewery. Its a saturated market, Yuengling said last week while visiting Chicago Beverage Systems, a distributor on the citys North Side. You have all different brands that are out now, from the big names to just some of the local ones. So it is hard fighting for shelf space or a tap handle. First up is draft sales of Yuenglings flagship Traditional Lager and Flight, a new upscale light beer, which will roll out across the state through 18 distributors this week. In March, Yuengling will launch package sales at Illinois retailers with its full portfolio in cans and bottles, including Light Lager, Black & Tan and Golden Pilsner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rollout will be welcome news to thousands of Yuengling fans in Illinois, many of whom share stories on social media about crossing the state line into Indiana a Yuengling market since 2017 to score a case of their favorite beer. Fun fact: Those interstate beer runs may have crossed a legal line as well. Consumers are allowed to bring back alcohol from another state as long they stay below a 1-gallon threshold, according to Nicole Sanders, industry education manager at the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. A case of beer, for example, is more than double the limit. Sating the smugglers through legal sales is just the start, Yuengling said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were looking to really introduce ourselves to new consumers, she said. Theres a lot of beer drinkers out there that dont know our story and dont know who we are. To get the word out to a broader Illinois audience, Yuengling beer will begin advertising on TV, in print, on radio and through digital channels, according to Colin Callahan, the brewerys general manager. There will also be billboards, bus shelter signs and other out-of-home platforms. In addition, the Yuengling website will feature a beer sales locator for Illinois. Meanwhile, Illinois bars and restaurants are getting everything from table tents to neon signs to let customers know Yuengling has arrived. At Village Tap, a 35-year-old nexus for Chicagos craft beer connoisseurs, the countdown has been on for weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Founded in 1990, Village Tap has an extensive beer list featuring everything from local craft breweries such as Maplewood, Begyle, Revolution, Half Acre and Old Irving to an old school Chicago favorite, Old Style. The first delivery of Yuengling beer was expected Monday morning, Hoffman said. On most days, there are 25 beers on tap. Making space for Yuengling was an easy decision for Hoffman, who said he often orders the Pennsylvania beer while on vacation in Florida or when hes on the East Coast. Many of his customers are likewise familiar with the allure of the once-elusive regional brand, and are looking forward to imbibing a little closer to home, Hoffman said. People know its coming to Illinois, and theyve definitely been asking if were going to have it on draft, Hoffman said. I think theres going to be a lot of people drinking it on Monday and Tuesday when we finally get it flowing. HENDERSON COUNTY, Texas (KETK)- Two Gun Barrel City residents were arrested on Monday evening after narcotics officers allegedly found methamphetamine inside their home. Longview FD searching for cause of fire at abandoned structure on Aurel Boulevard According to the Henderson County Sheriffs Office, around 6 p.m. narcotics investigators along with a K9 executed a search warrant on Tanglewood Drive in the Gun Barrel City area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While officers were searching the home, they found a quantity of methamphetamine that was packaged for distribution along with several baggies and scales. Several preloaded syringes filled with liquid methamphetamine that were ready for sale were also discovered. Mugshot of John Joseph Stuart, courtesy of Henderson County Jail Mugshot of Melissa Leigh Lenox, courtesy of Henderson County Jail Upon completing their investigation, residents John Joseph Stuart and Melissa Leigh Lenox were taken into custody. Both were taken to Henderson County Jail and were booked on the following charges: John Joseph Stuart Possession of a Controlled Substance Melissa Leigh Lenox Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Two people were killed and two police officers wounded in a shooting at an Indiana supermarket on Monday evening, authorities said. The shooter was killed in a firefight with cops outside the store in Elkhart, the local police department wrote in a Facebook post. Neither the shooter nor the victims have been publicly identified. One of the injured officers remained in the hospital in fair, stable condition on Monday night, while the other had already been treated and released, Elkhart police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this horrific situation, words cannot express the pain felt in our community when a tragic incident like this happens, Elkhart Police Chief Dan Milanese said in a statement. This pain is especially felt by the victims families, the responding officers, the families of the wounded officers and all the witnesses to this tragic incident. The attacker walked into Martins Supermarket in Elkhart around 5:30 p.m. Monday and opened fire, cops said. After killing two people inside the store, the shooter walked outside and was engaged by police at the scene. Two officers were wounded in the ensuing shootout, and the attacker was killed. I was just down on the ground, just frozen, expecting mother Erin Swary told local NBC affiliate WNDU. Obviously I didnt want to run when there were still gunshots going, but all I could think while I was down there was of my kids. Any motive for the shooting remained unclear Tuesday. The Elkhart County Homicide Unit is leading the investigation. CHICAGO A man and woman, both 38, drove themselves to the hospital and were listed in serious condition after being shot in their car Monday night in the Austin neighborhood on the citys West Side, according to Chicago police. 3 women shot, 2 fatally, in South Shore alley The shooting happened around 8:45 p.m. in the 4700 block of West Flournoy Street, police say, and came after an earlier argument. According to police, the man and woman were involved in a verbal altercation with unknown males then got into their vehicle and left the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the man and woman were still inside their car, police say, the offenders pulled alongside them and opened fire before fleeing the scene. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines According to police, the male victim was shot multiple times in the body and the female victim was shot in her legs and pinky finger. They drove themselves to an area hospital, where they were both listed in serious condition, according to police. There is nobody in custody, police say, and Area Four detectives are investigating. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Two men were sentenced and a third pleaded guilty in connection with the armed robbery of a mail carrier in Temple Terrace, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday. On Sept. 5, 2023, a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier was making a delivery in the River Pointe apartment complex when he was approached by Jordan Murray and Darine Underwood. Wearing masks and gloves, Murray and Underwood snatched the keys from the carriers belt and smashed his cellphone before fleeing in a Chevy Silverado driven by Jordan Brown, authorities said. Investigators learned that Murray and Underwood were going to sell the postal keys and Brown would be paid for driving them to and from the robbery, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Florida said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murray, 20, of Tampa, was sentenced to nine years and six months in federal prison for armed robbery of a postal carrier and brandishing a firearm in relation to that crime. Brown, 21, of Tampa, was sentenced to two years and six months for aiding and abetting the theft. U.S. District Judge Charlene Honeywell also ordered $1,531.99 in restitution be paid to the mail carrier. Underwood, 20, of Tampa, pleaded guilty to armed robbery of a postal carrier and brandishing a firearm, and he is awaiting sentencing. Law enforcement officials highlighted the case during a December 2023 news conference in which they pledged to combat what they called a nationwide rise in threats and attacks on mail carriers. A common target of such crimes is whats known as arrow lock keys, the master keys that postal workers use to open collection boxes and mailbox panels. Thieves use the keys to steal checks or other valuables from the mail. In some cases, the keys are sold to other people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To combat the trend, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service began an initiative in 2023 dubbed Project Safe Delivery. The strategy includes stronger enforcement and replacing thousands of antiquated arrow lock keys with electronic ones that can be deactivated. There are also rewards. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service offers up to $150,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest for a mail carrier robbery. The initiative led to 1,692 arrests for mail theft and 342 arrests for robbery nationwide between May 12, 2023, and Sept. 30, 2024, according to the agencys website. WESTERLY, R.I. (WPRI) Two snowy owls have been found dead within the past week, one in Rhode Island and the other in Massachusetts. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) told 12 News on Monday that they received a report of a dead bird at Napatree Point in Westerly. The birds body was spotted on a frozen portion of Narragansett Bay and couldnt be retrieved, according to the DEM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO READ: Bird flu found in southern RI farm flock The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) also confirmed that a different snowy owl was found dead on Sunday at Duxbury Beach. The bird was swabbed on Monday morning so it could be tested for the bird flu. The DEM said it is not highly unusual for snowy owls to be spotted in Southern New England this time of year. Snowy owl sightings south of their tundra breeding grounds are often fueled by food abundance, driving booms and busts in production of young from year to year, DEM spokesperson Evan LaCross explained. In years where production is high, but post breeding food sources are low, we can see instances of hungry young snowy owls flying south looking for food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LaCross said the owls face new challenges when they journey south. Human disturbance, different predators, and lack of habitat are all contributing factors hampering the chances of survival for snowy owls in our area, he said. This comes after MassWildlife reported that more than 60 geese, swans and other birds died in Plymouth last week, likely due to the bird flu. While the virus rarely infects humans, people are being advised to refrain from touching any bird that appears sick or is dead. If you find five or more wild dead birds in Massachusetts, you should report your observations here. You should report sick or dead domesticated birds by calling (617) 626-1795. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you see a sick or dead wild bird in Rhode Island, you should report it here. You should report sick or dead domesticated birds here. NEXT: Dead geese found near Taunton lake being tested for bird flu 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. A 20-year-old college student living just 11 miles south of Macon pled guilty in federal court to building and selling 3D printed machine guns. Jaden Michael-William Pope, 20 of Lizella, used 3D printers to build machine guns and silencers and offering them up online, federal officials said. The Crawford County Sheriffs Office was initially investigating Pope since Sept. 2023 for stealing weapons out of vehicles at night, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was arrested and admitted to stealing from cars, according to USDOJ, and when searching his phone, investigators found pictures of personally manufactured firearms and firearm silencers as well as screenshots from a website called Yeggi, which offers 3D-printed templates of AR-15 full auto sears. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Officials said later on, a confidential source told them Pope was manufacturing guns and said hed seen Pope shoot a firearm with a manufactured silencer that significantly diminished the sound. Pope, who USDOJ said was a technical college student, described himself as a machinist and was building the guns and silencers with a 3D printer out of his bedroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) was asked to investigate further. Agents from the ATF found pictures Pope posted on Facebook of manufactured firearms, including a Glock handgun with a switch. Switches allow semi-automatic guns to be fired at a full-automatic speed with a single trigger pull, according to USDOJ. TRENDING STORIES: Agents executed a search warrant at Popes home in December 2023, finding four 3D printers, three computers, two machineguns, nine silencers and a short-barreled rifle and a stolen .45 caliber pistol. The collaboration between ATF and the Crawford County Sheriffs Office showcases our unwavering commitment to confronting the illegal production of firearms, especially those created through advanced methods like 3D printing, ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka said in a statement. These weapons are designed to evade detection and accountability, posing an undeniable threat to public safety. Together, we are ensuring such dangers are swiftly and decisively addressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the printers and weapons seized, agents also found evidence that hed manufactured the machine guns, silencers and the short-barreled rifle. Diagrams with instructions for building the guns, and notes about production, scrap parts and failed 3D prints and residue were also recovered. When agents analyzed the computers with the 3D printers, USDOJ said they found g-codes, or the codes used to 3D print the weapons Pope was making, in addition to methamphetamine hidden inside of a USB device. 3-D printed machineguns and silencers pose a significant threat to the safety of our communities by increasing the access of illegally manufactured rapid-fire weapons to potentially dangerous individuals, Acting U.S. Attorney Shanelle Booker said. I applaud our local and federal law enforcement partners for shutting down this clandestine machinegun manufacturing operation. On Monday, Pope pled guilty to manufacturing a machine gun. USDOJ said he faces up to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release as well as a $250,000 fine. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 13. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Blount Fine Foods is preparing to move its headquarters out of the Fall River Industrial Park where it has been since 2004 back to Rhode Island. (Google Earth image) In the ongoing rivalry between Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the Ocean State can chalk up Blount Fine Foods Corporation as a win. The Fall River manufacturer best known for its soup and seafood is relocating its corporate headquarters to Rhode Island, hooked by state incentives approved by the Rhode Island Commerce Corporations board of directors in a meeting Monday. The boards unanimous vote authorizes up to $3.2 million through its Qualified Jobs Incentive Act program to Blount in exchange for bringing 120 C-Suite, sales and back office jobs to Rhode Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a very happy day for Rhode Island, Jeff Miller, Commerces executive vice president of investments, told board members. Were bringing a home grown company back. The national retail and restaurant distributor began as an oyster harvesting and distribution company in Barrington in 1880, relocating its corporate headquarters to Fall River in 2004. The fifth-generation, family-owned company still maintains a manufacturing facility and retail store on Water Street in Warren, according to the company website. It also owns production facilities in McKinney, Texas, and was named to Providence Business News 2024 list of fastest growing companies with $762.2 million in revenue in 2023. The tax credits, up to $7,500 in tax credits per year for 10 years for each new job created in the Ocean State, would not be distributed until workers start paying state income taxes, per program requirements. While state analysis shows that the incentive program has generated a positive return on investment, more than 25% of the 43 companies awarded credits since 2016 have not followed through on job creation plans, according to Commerces fiscal 2023 report. Commerce members cited the requirements for in-person work, along with labor market conditions making it harder to hire, as reasons why the incentive program has not been as popular or successful in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislation introduced last year in the Rhode Island House of Representatives that would have given more flexibility to companies unable to meet the credit requirements in the first year of their award did not advance out of committee. The program is set to expire at the end of the year, though Gov. Dan McKee in his proposed fiscal 2026 budget called for extending the expiration date through 2026. Details of the agreement, including how many jobs Blount plans to bring to Rhode Island and where it will house its new headquarters, were not immediately available. Blount will retain a manufacturing and production plant in Massachusetts. The company is also considering expanding its footprint in Warren with a new facility, including a test kitchen, CEO Todd Blount said during the meeting. Do we say its time for clam chowder? Karl Wadensten, a board member, joked after the boards vote. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX About 200 soldiers from Fort Stewart are heading to the southern border to carry out missions directed by President Donald Trump, the military base confirmed on Monday. The 549th Military Police Company, 16th Military Police Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps and the 530th Combat Engineer Company, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division departed on Sunday, Jan. 26, the base said. Shortly after being sworn in as president, Trump declared an emergency at the border saying Americas sovereignty is under attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a news release from Fort Stewart, the base said the units will support enhanced detection and monitoring efforts and repair and emplacement of physical barriers. RELATED STORIES: Our Soldiers are ready to answer our nations call, said Lt. Col. Angel Tomko, the 3rd Infantry Division spokesperson. Our units train extensively to serve our nations interest both stateside and abroad and we are sending our finest professionals for this mission. The soldiers are part of the 1,500 active-duty personnel from the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps who have been deployed to the border in addition to the 2,500 service members already there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In just his first week in office, Trumps administration has halted refugee arrivals; fast-tracked deportations; sent military troops to the southern border; lifted longtime rules restricting immigration enforcement near schools, churches and hospitals; attempted to end birthright citizenship; and ordered federal prosecutors to investigate state or local officials who they believe are interfering with his crackdown on illegal immigration. Many U.S. adults support stronger security at the southern border and deporting immigrants in the U.S. illegally who have been convicted of violent crimes, according to a survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. But some actions have less consensus. About 4 in 10 American adults support deporting all immigrants living in the U.S. illegally while a similar share are opposed. The Associated Press contributed to this article. PARK CITY, Utah (AP) The day Mstyslav Chernov won the BAFTA for his documentary 20 Days in Mariupol was the day he learned two soldiers he knew had been killed in combat. They were primary subjects of his new film 2000 Meters to Andriivka, a harrowing portrait of modern warfare that puts audiences on the front lines of the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive. The film changed along the way, Chernov, a videojournalist with The Associated Press, said last week after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. From a story of the success of that operation it became a story of loss, of memory, of the price that soldiers pay for every single inch of the land. And thats where the name came from. Coming back to Park City, Utah, with a new film has been a sobering, full circle moment for Chernov. It's the place where he first showcased 20 Days in Mariupol" two years ago. Although he received the highest honors a journalist and a filmmaker can get for his work, a Pulitzer Prize and an Oscar included, its for reportage on a war in his home country that wont end and that he cant stop covering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AP spoke to Chernov about 2000 Meters to Andriivka, a co-production between the AP and PBS Frontline, the cognitive dissonance of whiplashing between a movie release and the front lines as well as his responsibility to Ukraine. Remarks have been edited for clarity and brevity. AP: Two years ago at Sundance, you were eager to go back to Ukraine. Was this already on your mind that you wanted to show the soldiers? CHERNOV: I gave a lot of thought after I left Mariupol. Do I want to continue doing what I was doing? We felt a lot of trauma and a lot of loss, guilt even, that we didnt do enough. But then again, that tragedy you go through, the tragedy of people who youre filming, it doesnt let you to just stop doing what you do. You always want to do more and you actually cant stop. At every point in this journey I was also editing 20 Days in Mariupol and then it went on to screen all over the world. The response was great, but more I felt that response and more I saw that things are not changing, more I wanted to go back and to continue shooting, and thats what I did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At some point in summer of 2023, when Ukraine had a highly anticipated and very important counteroffensive, we also had our theatrical release for 20 Days in Mariupol. So from LA, where at Laemmle Cinema, you would see Barbie and Oppenheimer and 20 Days in Mariupol posters and (after) speaking to the public, I would fly back to Poland, drive to the front line and start shooting this film. The story of Andriivka captured me so much that I would go back and keep following the platoon. And the tragedy was that as more time passed more people who we initially filmed on the journey to Andriivka have died. AP: With 20 Days in Mariupol you found yourself in situations and knew to keep shooting. Here, you went in knowing you wanted to make a film. How did that change what you were doing? CHERNOV: Making 20 Days in Mariupol and seeing the impact it ultimately had, seeing how big the audience was, made me think that the impact of journalism could be complemented with an impact of documentary filmmaking and that combination, if you can find the right balance between those two approaches, could be very powerful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The form of the cinema is much more long lasting than the news. As important as journalism is, unfortunately, theres just so much of things happening in the world, so many important stories, that it takes extraordinary efforts to keep someones attention on the story, especially if that story is important to you personally. And the story of Andriivka and the soldiers who are trying to get there is personally very important to me. AP: This film puts audiences on the front line in ways that were only used to seeing in fictional war films. How were able to do that? CHERNOV: Technology is changing. The audience is changing. So the medium of documentary that talks about important current events has to change as well. To be able to catch up, we constantly need to search for new forms, for new ways of telling the story, for new visual solutions to that. The making of 2000 Meters to Andriivka, the approach is experimental. We are trying to show modern warfare the way no one has done it before or since. Of course there are elements that are classic for the documentary, but I also wanted the story to be so immersive, so on the ground, so experiential for the audience, that they forget that they are watching a narrative fiction film or a documentary. Then when they reach the end of the film, when they realize that everything they just saw was real, it would hit them even harder. AP: You gave one of the all-time great Oscar speeches. Was Andriivka heavy on your mind when you took that stage? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CHERNOV: I was thinking about all the boys, yes, when I was on stage. Thered been so many things happening in the background when we were sitting in that beautiful place with all the movie stars and seeing the speeches that they were giving. I had got hundreds of messages of people who were telling me what to say on the stage, all important. I had a feeling that 40 million Ukrainians, if I will be lucky to go on that stage, will be watching me and every single word that will be said. There is a responsibility, a responsibility to journalism and a responsibility to me being Ukrainian, the responsibility to the people of Mariupol and responsibility to these soldiers that I was, by that time, filming for almost a year. AP: What has all of this meant to friends at home, to the people of Ukraine? CHERNOV: After the premiere, we received a lot of messages or just comments on social media that it is so timely to have a film like that when there are almost no reports, either journalistic or documentary from the front line from the perspective of a soldier. Partially because the interest has shifted elsewhere. Partially because it has become impossible to work at the front line because of the drones, because of the how precise and deadly weapons are and because journalists have become targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think people are just grateful for that. They say, thank you for showing that perspective and thank you for reminding the world about Ukraine, that it is not just a political chip in a bargaining, that it is actually real people. And thats what we have to keep in mind, that these are real people. These are not numbers and not distances. ___ For more coverage of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/sundance-film-festival WEST PALM BEACH A judge has sentenced a 39-year-old man to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of a murder in a 2022 homicide in Riviera Beach. Jurors convicted Joetavius Jackson of first-degree murder on Jan. 17 in the Oct. 17, 2022, shooting death of Brian Vanhook at the Azure Estates apartments on MLK Jr. Boulevard. They also found Jackson guilty of unlawfully possessing a firearm. Circuit Judge Cymonie Rowe sentenced Jackson immediately after the verdict. Police released a statement praising the life sentence. Judge Cymonie Rowe of the 15th Circuit speaks on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach, Fla. ANDRES LEIVA/PALM BEACH POST "Justice has been served," the statement said. "This sentence represents the unwavering commitment of the Riviera Beach Police Department and our law enforcement partners to hold those who commit violent crimes accountable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'Not a threat . . . a promise': Man in prison for murder threatens Palm Beach County judge who sentenced him At the time of his arrest, police said Jackson, Vanhook and other men were having a conversation outside a building moments before the fatal shooting at the complex, formerly known as the Stonybrook Apartments. Investigators said Jackson walked away from the group, pulled something from his pocket and turned and charged toward Vanhook. Jackson reportedly extended his arm and began firing what appeared to be a semiautomatic handgun. Police indicated the altercation involved a dispute over a cellphone. Law enforcement arrested Jackson in Suwanee County, about 70 miles north of Gainesville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on Twitter at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Judge sentences gunman in 2022 Riviera Beach apartment complex murder JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) The American Heat Association in Mississippi will host its annual Heart Ball and Preview Party. The Preview Party will take place on Tuesday, January 28. The Heart Ball will take place on Saturday, February 8. The evening will feature dining, dancing, and silent and live art auctions. Click here to purchase tickets. 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. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Police in San Francisco have arrested 218 people along the citys troubled Sixth Street corridor over the past 30 days, the San Francisco Police Department announced. The arrests were part of intensified law enforcement efforts in the area. The department has shifted resources to focus on the stretch of Sixth immediately south of Market in recent weeks. According to SFPD, foot beats have been added and officers from district stations across the city are lending support. The enforcement on Sixth, SFPD said, marks the latest phase of the SFPD Drug Market Coordination Center (DMACC). Previous DMACC enforcements have targeted Seventh and Mission Street, and United Nations Plaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE agents were in downtown SF Friday, according to local official Those areas have seen significant improvement in street conditions and reductions in crime, SFPD said. Enforcements in those areas also remain ongoing. Of the 218 arrested along Sixth Street, 124 have been arrested for drug-related offenses, 36 for outstanding warrants, 18 for assault, and 40 for other crimes. Our officers are working hard to make arrests and improve the unacceptable conditions along Sixth Street, said SFPD Chief Bill Scott. The SFPD has more work to do, and we are committed to addressing this challenge for as long as it takes. We have seen progress in other areas of the city, and we will ultimately see conditions improve in this area as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief Scott thanked SFPDs hard-working officers and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie for making his work a priority for his administration. Since taking office earlier this month, Mayor Lurie has pledged to make DMACC a 24/7 operation. He also introduced the Fentanyl State of Emergency Ordinance to the SF Board of Supervisors, looking to free up additions resources to combat the citys drug crisis. Since DMACC was launched back in May of 2023, SFPD has made 5,741 arrests and seized over 300 kilos of narcotics including 132 kilos of fentanyl. Earlier this month, San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey, whose district encompasses the Sixth Street corridor, asked the city to outline a one-year plan to make at least 100 arrests per night on the blighted section of street. 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. Twenty-five members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua were arrested by ICE on Monday, according to a senior administration official. In total, there were 969 arrests on just that day, including a convicted member of MS-13 whom ICE arrested in Dallas. "Border czar" Tom Homan has said it's all part of the Trump administration's effort to send a "clear" message. "There's consequences [for] entering the country illegally," he told ABC "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If we don't show there's consequences, you're never going to fix the border problem," he added. "So, if you're in a country illegally, you got a problem." PHOTO: Twenty-five members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) were arrested by ICE on Monday, Jan. 28, 2025, according to a senior administration official. (Photo obtained by ABC.) MORE: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joins immigration enforcement operations in NYC While the Trump administration said it would focus on deporting immigrants without legal status who have committed violent offenses first, as raids and mass deportations have continued, administration officials have said those without criminal records have also been deported. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended what was happening at the second Trump administration's first White House press briefing on Tuesday. "Every day, Americans are safer because of the violent criminals that President Trump's administration is removing from our communities," Leavitt said, adding that Trump "is focused on launching the largest mass deportation operation in American history of illegal criminals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And you are an individual, a foreign national, who illegally enters the United States of America, you are, by definition, a criminal," Leavitt said. When asked during the briefing which immigrants the Trump administration considers to have a "criminal record," Leavitt said, "All of them because they illegally broke our nation's laws, and therefore they are criminals. As far as this administration goes. I know the last administration didn't see it that way, so it's a big culture shift in our nation to view someone who breaks our immigration laws as a criminal. But that's exactly what they are." The arrests occurred as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined an immigration enforcement operation in New York City on Tuesday, in which she witnessed both criminal and civil enforcement operations. Of the operations Noem witnessed, a criminal case involved a member of Tren de Aragua, according to sources familiar with the actions in New York. Noem, who was confirmed as secratary of the Department of Homeland Security over the weekend, has said the Trump administration will "empower our brave men and women in law enforcement to do their jobs and remove criminal aliens and illegal gangs from our country." ABC News' Mary Bruce and Hannah Demissie contributed to this report. 25 members of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua arrested by ICE originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A second man has been arrested in connection with the horrific shooting of a 16-year-old girl at an Easton apartment complex earlier this month. Xavion Barnes, 19, of Brockton was arrested Tuesday and is facing charges of accessory after the fact, according to Easton police. Easton police issued an arrest warrant for Barnes Tuesday morning and took him into custody in Brockton with help from Brockton police and Massachusetts State Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barness arrest comes the day after 18-year-old Anthony Lopes, also of Brockton, was arrested on charges of assault and battery by discharging a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a high-capacity firearm and armed robbery. Officers responding to a report of a shooting at the Avalon apartment complex on Robert Drive around 2:30 p.m. on January 14 found the girl suffering from a serious gunshot wound to her face, Easton police told Boston 25 News. It was a horrific scene for the officers involved, Boone said during a news conference after the shooting. According to court documents, police noticed a group of men leaving the area, abandoning a black SUV that was traced back to Lopes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police later found Lopes near his Brockton home on Battles Farm Drive, walking with his right arm rigidly in his pocket. Police determined it was possible that he was holding a firearm. Lopes got into another car with men inside that stopped just down the road. When police approached he began to run but tripped, causing a 40-caliber handgun to fall from his pocket. Police then placed him under arrest. Lopes was arrested on charges of possession of a firearm without a license, possession of a loaded firearm without a license and possessing a large capacity feeding device without a license but did not have charges formally levied against him for the brazen attack as investigators worked to gather a substantial collection of evidence. The victim, whose name hasnt been released, was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital before being flown to a Boston-area hospital. Her injuries were initially reported as life-threatening but she was later upgraded to being in stable condition. She is still in the hospital as of Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barnes is expected to be arraigned in Taunton District Court on Tuesday. 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 Jan. 27Alex de Steiguer was about to send an email from a house on Star Island, 7 miles off the coast of Maine and New Hampshire, when she heard what she thought was a big plane flying over. Outside, a flock of wild geese grazed around the house. "All of a sudden I heard a really loud roar," she said. "And then there was a really loud bang sound. Everything in the house shook for a moment, and I saw the geese just take off in terror." De Steiguer, the winter caretaker on Star Island, one of the nine Isles of Shoals, was likely one of the people closest to the epicenter of a 3.8 magnitude earthquake that shook Maine on Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The earthquake occurred at 10:22 a.m. and was reported at a depth of 8.2 miles (13.2 kilometers) and centered 6.2 miles (10 km) southeast of York Harbor, between the Isles of Shoals and Boon Island, the U.S. Geological Survey said. People reported feeling shaking across York and Cumberland counties that lasted 20 to 25 seconds. It was felt as far north as Bangor, as far south as New York City and as far west as Albany, New York, according to a community internet intensity map on the USGS website. In York and other nearby towns, some residents called police to report what they thought were explosions, while others took to social media to describe feeling as though a truck had hit their houses. The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported the earthquake at 4.1 magnitude before adjusting it to 3.8. There were no reports of injuries or damage. Sgt. Brian McNeice was in the York Police Department building when the earthquake started. It was the first time he'd ever felt an earthquake that strong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My heart was pounding," he said. "I thought a jet was flying over the PD. It was nuts." The town's 911 dispatch center was inundated with calls from residents, McNeice said. Some callers told dispatchers they thought they'd heard an explosion. Nearly an hour after the shaking stopped, York police officers were still driving around town looking for damage but didn't see any problems, McNeice said. The town fire department also said there were no injuries or reports of structural damage. After the shaking on Star Island stopped, de Steiguer ran around the house to try to figure out what was going on. She checked the outdoor propane tanks to see if they had exploded, then went under the house to check. Nothing seemed damaged or out of place, and it was only then that it occurred to her that it was an earthquake her first in her 28 years alone on the island during winter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The big storms scream out here. I've experienced 91 mph winds. I've seen some spectacular stuff, but I've never experienced this," she said. "It was spectacular in its own way." FELT FAR AND WIDE Lt. Matthew Bartnick, a Maine spokesman with the U.S. Coast Guard, said he hadn't heard about any impact on marine vessels related to the earthquake. Prior to being stationed in Maine, though, Bartnick said he served on Kodiak Island, Alaska. "Up there, earthquakes and tsunamis are a big thing, so any time there was an earthquake, the tsunami alarms would go off," he said. That would be a warning for mariners to find safety soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The York County Emergency Management Agency also sent an alert saying there is no risk to the public and asking people to not call 911 unless it's an emergency. Arthur Cleaves, the county EMA director, was in his office in Alfred with a colleague when the earthquake hit. They immediately recognized what it was, but Cleaves said the only time he's felt shaking like that was in Haiti after a devastating earthquake in 2010. "I've had a few in Maine, and they're usually much shorter in duration and sound like a bang," he said. "Many people who reported it (Monday) said it was like an explosion or something hitting the building." Buxton Fire Chief Nathan Schools was sitting at his desk when the shaking started. He's used to trucks driving past the station but knew immediately this was different and called out to his crew that it was an earthquake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It almost felt like the driveway was vibrating," he said. "It was louder than a truck. You could hear it and feel it." Elizabeth Seavey lives on Route 202 in Sanford, near the town line with Lebanon. Her house sits close to the busy road, and she often jokes about a car crashing into it one day. "So, that was my first thought," Seavey said about the rumble that shook her house and almost tipped over the television. Seavey called her husband, who delivers mail in York County. He said he didn't feel the earthquake at all. "It's really troubling," she said. "Is this something I need to start worrying about?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In South Portland, Katie Mauro's two cats seemed to realize something was happening before she did, even though she experienced earthquakes previously while living in Chile. "They immediately went on high alert and were staring at me," she said. Mauro said dishes drying by the sink were rattling, but it didn't occur to her that she had felt an earthquake until she got texts from friends. "It was nice to know other people were feeling it, too," she said. John Covell, an Augusta resident who grew up in San Francisco, said he felt a low-frequency rumbling for about five seconds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It felt like one of the smaller tremors you got used to out west," he said. "You don't even consider earth movement when you move to Maine." STRONG EARTHQUAKES RARE IN MAINE While Maine doesn't typically have strong earthquakes, it is not uncommon for microquakes with a magnitude of less than 2.0 to occur. State Geologist Ryan Gordon, who runs the Maine Geological Survey, said most earthquakes in Maine are too small to be felt because the state is a quiet tectonic area. While it's not as common for Maine to experience an earthquake as strong as the one Monday, "it's exciting when it happens, especially when they're during the day and near population centers where people can feel them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to measuring the energy of earthquakes which is designated by the magnitude number scientists also look at the intensity relative to how people experience it, Gordon said. The reports about Monday's earthquake ranged from category 3 feeling a slight vibration, like a passing truck to category 5, strong enough to break a window. "We're in that range between when people can feel it and almost up to where a glass might break," Gordon said. Gordon said there is a slight possibility of aftershocks, but those are unlikely to be strong enough to be felt. A larger earthquake could cause a slight risk of a tsunami if it triggered a landslide off the edge of the continental slope, but there is no wave action from this earthquake, he said. Susan Hough, a seismologist with the U.S. Geological Survey based in California, said there were no recorded aftershocks from the earthquake as of Monday afternoon. Data show the shaking was felt at least 200 miles away from the off-shore epicenter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leslie Sonder, an associate professor of earth sciences at Dartmouth College who specializes in tectonics and continental deformation, said although Monday's earthquake was widely felt, it was "pretty run of the mill." She said the epicenter was near what's called the Norumbega fault zone, which was particularly active hundreds of millions of years ago during the formation of the Appalachian Mountain range. "The earth is dynamic, so every now and again, this will happen," Sonder said. "I wouldn't say it's a precursor to anything, although you can't say that with complete certainty." Sonder said small earthquakes are often mistaken for other things, like a train rumbling by or a clap of thunder. A big earthquake, she said, usually isn't mistaken for anything. The largest earthquake recorded in Maine was a magnitude 5.7 near the Canadian border in 1904. In 1929, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake off of Newfoundland caused a tsunami and a few deaths, Hough said. The last earthquake centered in Maine with a magnitude of 4.0 or greater was in October 2012. That magnitude 4.7 earthquake, with an epicenter in York County, was felt as far away as Connecticut and prompted concerned residents to overwhelm local 911 centers. The Maine Geological Survey reported a magnitude 2.1 quake on Dec. 9, about 4 miles north of Upton, but noted that there were no reports from people who felt it. On July 28, a magnitude 2.8 earthquake recorded in West Gardiner had scattered reports of weak shaking up to 30 miles away. On April 5, 2024, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake centered in northern New Jersey was felt widely across New England, including in southern Maine. Earthquakes are less common on the East Coast because the area does not lie on a boundary of tectonic plates slabs of Earth's crust that slide past each other and build pressure when they get stuck. The biggest quakes usually occur along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which extends through Iceland and the Atlantic Ocean. A plate boundary called the San Andreas Fault stretches through California. Compared to the western U.S., the hard, brittle rocks on the East Coast are better at spreading earthquake energy across long distances. Gordon said people who felt the earthquake can report their experience through the U.S. Geological Survey website. "The more reports, the better the data," he said. Staff Writers Eric Russell and Dylan Tusinski contributed to this report. Copy the Story Link Jan. 27If you thought you felt the earth move under your feet Monday morning, you were not imagining it. A rare 3.8-magnitude earthquake happened in the Atlantic Ocean 9.7 miles from Portsmouth at 10:22 a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The epicenter of the earthquake was approximately 6.5 miles from York Harbor, Maine, and was felt by people in Manchester, Concord, Nashua and as far south as Connecticut, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Hampshire 911 did not receive any calls about damage or injuries. Earthquakes like this one are caused when rocky plains under the ocean floor push against each other by just millimeters every year, said Sophie Coulson, assistant professor in earth science at the University of New Hampshire Eventually that movement causes enough pressure to cause a rumbling reaction where there are lines of weakness. "These kinds of earthquakes are relatively unusual," Coulson said. "They don't happen so frequently as we would expect in places like California, where we're on a boundary between two tectonic plates." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, New Hampshire has "zones of weakness" within the rocks that originated when the Appalachian Mountains were formed hundreds of millions of years ago, she said. Most of the state's faults, however, are ancient and inactive. Tsunami danger? Monday's earthquake was initially reported as a 4.1 magnitude tremor. New Hampshire isn't likely to see a tsunami form from an earthquake, she said. "Typically they're too small to cause a tsunami, and they're also maybe not the correct orientation to cause a big enough shift in the sea floor to generate a tsunami," Coulson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A matter of magnitude Monday's quake wasn't big enough to cause damage, but if it were closer to a magnitude 5.0, that would be a whole different story, she said. "Each step that you go up on the magnitude scale, the effects that you would expect would be 10 times worse," Coulson said. "So, if it was, say, a magnitude 5.0 instead of 3.8, we'd expect it to be 10 times worse. I think if you were getting up to 6.0 or 7.0, that's when you would really see damage." Again, that's unlikely, Coulson said. Historic shakers Earthquakes are nothing new for New England. The largest known earthquake in the region was a 6.5 magnitude tremor in 1638 in Vermont or New Hampshire, according to the USGS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Moderately damaging earthquakes strike somewhere in the region every few decades, and smaller earthquakes are felt roughly twice a year," the USGS said on its website. A 5.6 magnitude earthquake in 1940 was the most recent one to cause moderate damage in central New Hampshire, officials said. Teachable moment One benefit of having a local earthquake is piquing the interest of UNH students and science aficionados. Coulson said her students in her classes were excited to learn more and came ready with questions for her. "They don't know that much. So definitely, it gets people excited," she said. "But also on a research level, too, this earthquake offshore is interesting." For more information, visit usgs.gov. dpierce@unionleader.com {div class="ctc-tooltip"} {/div} ELKHART Police have confirmed three people were killed, including the suspect, and two officers were wounded in a shooting at Martin's Super Market. The shooting occurred at about 5:30 p.m. Monday at 575 E. Jackson Blvd. in the River District, the Elkhart Police Department said. "Upon arrival, officers and first responders were directed to two shooting victims inside the store," Jessica McBrier, public information officer with the Elkhart Police Department, said in a statement. "Both of these individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Elkhart Police Department officers engaged the shooting suspect nearby, outside the store. During that engagement, two Elkhart Police Department officers sustained gunshot wounds, and the alleged shooting suspect was shot and killed." Both officers were transported to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment, McBrier said. At last information, about 11 p.m., one officer was treated and released from the hospital and the second officer remained at the hospital in fair but stable condition. The Elkhart County Homicide Unit was activated and is handling the investigation. Police believed there is no further danger to the public. The names of the victims, suspect and involved officers were being withheld, pending family notification. The Homicide Unit was interviewing potential witnesses and is asking anyone with further information to contact the Homicide Unit at 574-295-2825. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Rod Roberson issued a statement about 10:20 p.m. Monday: "Our hearts are broken in Elkhart tonight," he said. "Please continue to pray for the victims including our two police officers who were wounded, our heroic first responders, and those at the incident." Chief Dan Milanese also issued a statement: In this horrific situation, words cannot express the pain felt in our community when a tragic incident like this happens," he said. "This pain is especially felt by the victims families, the responding officers, the families of the wounded officers, and all the witnesses to this tragic incident. I want to thank our local law enforcement partners, including the Elkhart County Sheriffs Office and the Indiana State Police, for their support and assistance during this time. I ask for the community to continue to keep all those effected by this horrific event in your thoughts and prayers. Police were telling residents of the adjacent River Point West apartments who were unable to access their home dues to the crime scene barricade to go to the Fitness Center in the Junior Achievement Drive building to get an officer escort to their apartment. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Three juveniles were arrested on Monday in New Haven after a carjacking incident, according to police. Police: Homicide investigation in New Haven Officers said that multiple males approached the victim with a firearm and a knife and ordered them to get out of their vehicle. While the victim was telling the officers what happened, the stolen car was seen driving past them. Police followed the car onto I-91 and as it attempted to get off exit 8, it crashed into the brush area next to the exit. Three males were seen fleeing the vehicle but were found a short time later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three juveniles were charged with robbery in the first degree, conspiracy to commit robbery in the first degree, larceny of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle and weapon in a motor vehicle. The driver was also charged with engaging police in pursuit and reckless driving. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos were a stark reminder of how interconnected the global economy is, and how Ukraines stability or lack thereof affects us all. From military aid to economic sanctions, the steps we take now will shape the future not just for Ukraine, but for the world. The war Russia has unleashed on Ukraine is not only a threat to our country, but also a destabilizing force for the entire world economy. One of the clearest signs of this disruption was the unprecedented surge in global wheat prices, soaring to over $450 per ton in spring 2022, driving hunger across the globe. Or consider the speculative spike in gas prices last year when Russia attacked Ukraines underground gas storage facilities. Every missile Russia targets at Ukraine is a strike at the heart of the global economy. If we are serious about global stability, we must address the root cause: Russias aggression. As long as instability persists in Ukraine, it will reverberate around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Every missile Russia targets at Ukraine is a strike at the heart of the global economy." Here are the key takeaways from Davos that underscore the shared responsibility we all have in securing Ukraines future. First, military and economic aid have been, and must remain, at the forefront of our efforts. In partnership with governments, businesses, and financial institutions, weve created a robust ecosystem that has kept Ukraine standing. This support drives recovery and development, particularly in defense technology, and it has allowed Ukraines economy to stay afloat in the face of unrelenting war. As The Economist rightly put it, Ukraine is winning the economic war an accomplishment that belongs to all of us. Second, sanctions and blocking Russias shadow fleet have long been vital tools in the fight against Russian aggression. U.S. President Donald Trumps recent comments in Davos about Russian oil are a step in the right direction. The numbers back it up: According to the Kyiv School of Economics, Russia has lost a staggering $78.5 billion in oil export revenue since December 2022 due to sanctions. The oil tanker Eagle S is anchored near Kilpilahti port in Porvoo, Gulf of Finland, on Jan. 13, 2025. (Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva / AFP) The private sector must play its part too. I call on business leaders worldwide to withdraw from the Russian market. Such actions are as effective as sanctions, delivering a direct blow to the Russian economy. The idea that business is somehow apolitical is outdated businesses are powerful forces that can shape outcomes, for better or for worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And third, a strong economy supports a strong military. Thats why our vision for a self-sufficient economy is grounded in five key steps: expanding export logistics, restoring energy capacities, confiscating Russias sovereign assets to support Ukraines recovery, investing in the defense industry and Ukrainian companies, and encouraging the return of Ukrainians to Ukraine. While the Ukrainian government has focused on industrial policy contributing to economic growth even in the third year of full-scale war, with a projected 3.6% growth rate in 2024 private companies have an equally critical role in shaping long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Security measures have already shown their value. Take the Black Sea Grain Corridor, for example. Initially blocked by Russia, the corridor was only reopened when we secured military protection for the routes and installed air defense systems to safeguard export infrastructure. This allowed Ukrainian exports to grow by 15% last year. To kickstart Ukraines large-scale reconstruction and stabilize the global economy, Ukraine needs long-term security guarantees. This is not just a Ukrainian issue its a global responsibility, one shared by Ukraine, its partners, and the private sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Submit an Opinion Read also: Davos heard Ukraines call, but will Europe seize the opportunity? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. TOPEKA (KSNT) Three people were found dead in Shawnee County on Monday. According to the Shawnee County Sheriffs Office, someone made a 911 call shortly before 6 p.m., reporting a disturbance at a residence in the 7800 block of SE Ratner Road. Deputies were dispatched to the residence, where they found three people dead. Proposed bill could make KS teachers use students birth certificates pronouns Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Shawnee County Sheriffs Office is investigating. At this time, they do not believe there is any threat to the public. An update is expected as the investigation progresses. 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now) The Alexandria Police Department (APD) announced Monday that three teenagers are facing charges in connection to a triple shooting that left a man dead in September 2024. During a press conference on Jan. 27, the police department announced that the three teens, ages 16 and 17, were each charged with Murder by Mob, two counts of Malicious Wounding by Mob, and three counts of Use of Firearm in the Commission of a Felony. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Alexandria police officers to increase patrols in Old Town after shootings on Wythe Street Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are all being held without bond within other jurisdictions. Our officers, detectives, and investigators bring closure to our community today by bringing charges to the suspects in this homicide, said Chief Tarrick McGuire, during the press conference. These charges stemmed from the shooting that happened in the Old Town area on Sept. 19. Police said that at around 8:14 p.m., officers were called to the 1300 block of Wythe St. for reports of shots fired. Concerns grow in Montgomery County after new policy allows ICE to enter schools, churches Once on the scene, officers found three people had been shot, including 25-year-old Kwakia Frazier, who died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alexandria police learned that a 46-year-old man was standing outside his apartment when he was shot and a 15-year-old boy was grazed by a bullet. APD said while collecting evidence at the scene, detectives recovered shell casings and multiple stolen guns. There is no place for gun violence in our community. Whats most concerning about this, is that today I stand in front of our community to say that we have charged three juveniles with gun violence, its not a proud moment. Im asking everyone to ensure we are taking steps to prevent gun violence and to safely store your guns and not leave them inside your vehicle where they can easily be stolen, said McGuire. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) A three-vehicle accident that occurred during the afternoon of Jan. 28 sent two people to the hospital, according to police. A San Angelo Police Department officer at the scene stated that the incident happened at the intersection of Sherwood Way and West Houston Harte Frontage Road. Fire scorches downtown art destination The officer said a white Hyundai traveling westbound on Sherwood Way ran a red light, striking a red Buick traveling on Houston Harte Frontage Road. The collision pushed the Buick into a red Ford that was attempting to turn right from Houston Harte Frontage Road onto Sherwood Way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the Buick was transported to the hospital for treatment, although the officer reported that their injuries did not appear to be anything serious. The driver of the Hyundai went to the hospital for treatment via private vehicle. The driver of the Hyundai will be issued a citation for disregarding a traffic light. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. KAYSVILLE, Utah (ABC4) A 31-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday when he was intercepted by police on his way to pick up a 14-year-old girl, according to Kaysville Police. Anthony Anderson, 31, was arrested in Davis County on kidnapping, endangerment of a child, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and an additional 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Anderson met the 14-year-old girl online about two weeks prior to his arrest. On Jan. 21, Anderson reportedly picked up the victim from school and gave her marijuana, as well as a cell phone to continue communicating with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill to block public unions from collectively bargaining passes Utah House Later that night, Anderson again drove to Layton from Salt Lake County, a press release from Kaysville Police states, with the intent to meet with the victim a second time. This time, Anderson was intercepted by the police, the release states. While being held for questioning, Anderson admitted to knowing the victim was 14 years old, police said. He reportedly also admitted to offering to pick her up and bringing marijuana to use. Anderson told police that he intended to start dating the victim in four years when she turned 18. He also stated that he knew he should not have been developing a relationship with a 14-year-old girl, but continued to do so because he was lonely, the release states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police obtained a warrant for Andersons phone and found child sexual abuse material on the device, resulting in 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Anderson was booked into Davis County Jail on the aforementioned charges. This is an ongoing investigation. No further information is available at this time. 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. (KRON) Four men in the South Bay were arrested in connection to a drive-by shooting last week where two plainclothes officers were fired upon, the San Jose Police Department announced Tuesday. On the night of Jan. 20, two plainclothes officers assigned to the SJPD Special Operations Division were at a stop light at the intersection of McLaughlin Avenue and McLaughlin Court in an unmarked police vehicle. Four unknown men in a vehicle confronted the officers at the light, police said, and indicated that they were armed. After pulling out of the intersection, the officers parked along Melbourne Boulevard and McLaughlin Avenue to radio for uniformed officers to respond, according to SJPD. At the same time, the suspect vehicle made a U-turn and reapproached the officers. Surveillance images were released by the San Jose Police Department. At least one of the suspects opened fire at the officers, police said, and bullets struck the police vehicle multiple times. One officer returned gunfire at the suspects as the suspect vehicle fled the scene at a high rate of speed, according to authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither of the officers were injured in the shootout. Shooting suspect killed by SFPD during SoMa standoff The SJPD Homicide Unit responded to begin an investigation. Detectives quickly identified a possible suspect vehicle and developed several leads, police said. Detectives identified four suspects on Jan. 23 in connection to the shooting: Edward Ruiz, 21, of San Jose Gabriel Olmos, 21, of Santa Clara Emilio Macias, 22, of San Jose Robert Cesena, 37, of San Jose Arrest and search warrants were obtained for all four suspects. Olmos was arrested in Merced, Cesena was arrested in San Jose and Macias was arrested in San Francisco. Two days later, Ruiz was arrested in Gilroy. All four suspects were booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on multiple charges, including attempted murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Tuesday that the suspects would not have known that they were firing upon police officers, but believe the shooting was gang-motivated. These suspects tried to take a life, and now theyve lost their freedom, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said in a news release. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Barragan at 4106@sanjoseca.gov or Detective Harrington at 4365@sanjoseca.gov, or by calling 408-277-5283. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. President Donald J. Trump is kicking up the speed as we roll into his second week in office. Hes already facing mounting lawsuits against his attacks on DEI, gender identification, the 14th Amendment, and more, but you cant be surprised that hes seemingly unfazed by it all. In fact, Trump is doubling down on most of his political calls from his first week. And so as we prepare to endure the next four years, The Root is taking a closer look at some of the most impactful events shaping Trumps first weeks. 1. DeepSeek AI Whether you like it or not, artificial intelligence is already impacting the day to day lives of Americans, but with a growing rush to perfect one of technologys most promising and most scary inventions yet, competition is bound to follow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeepSeek is a Chinese founded, owned, and operated AI company making big waves across the global market. In fact, DeepSeeks AI assistant, which competes with the likes of ChatGPT, became the No. 1 downloaded free app in the Apple store Monday (Jan. 27), according to CNN. In light of recent TikTok controversy, DeepSeeks rise poses a similar threat to the U.S. tech world. A recent research paper was reportedly published on the same day as Trumps inauguration. The paper detailed another DeepSeek AI model showing advanced reasoning skills, according to CNN. DeepSeek aims to be the forefront of AI, which has many American companies scared. As tensions between China and America continue to rise, experts say this debacle surrounding DeepSeek has the potential to become another Sputnik moment. 2. Tariffs Before his election, President Trump had threatened several countries with tariffs if they dont follow his wishes. And over the weekend, Trump went head-to-head with the leader of Colombia after President Gustavo Petro refused to allow two military aircrafts carrying undocumented Colombian migrants to land, according to Politico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump responded with threatening 25 percent tariffs on all Colombian goods, which eventually led to him getting exactly what he wanted. But outside of Colombia, Trumps defensive stance with several countries could come back to bite him People in Latin America are extremely worried, said Jorge Heine, the former Chilean ambassador to China. For South America the message is that its not a good idea to be very closely interlinked with the United States, because you might pay a heavy price, continued Heine. 3. Threats Against the 14 Amendment On his first day in office, the president signed an executive order attacking birthright citizenship, the constitutional right giving automatic citizenship to any person born in the states. Although it was framed as an attack on immigration, Trump is already catch heat over what many say actually attacks the U.S. Constitution. According to PBS, over 22 states have filed lawsuits against Trumps executive order, saying it goes directly against the 14th Amendment which explicitly protects birthright citizenship. More states and activists are expected to file their own suits. The announced executive order will take effect in less than 30 days. 4. Even More Executive Orders If you thought Trump would stop with the executive orders, then we got some bad news... Announced Monday (Jan. 27) evening, the president signed four more orders, all of which directly impact the Department of Defense (DOD). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump revoked former President Bidens 2021 executive order supporting transgender peoples right to serve. The presidents new order prevents trans people from openly serving in the military, according to CNN. He said expressing a false gender identity divergent from an individuals sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service. Additionally, Trump reinstated military members dismissed over COVID-19 vaccine mandates, green lit the development of a missile defense shield for U.S. protection, and doubled down on anti-DEI efforts saying he would abolish every DEI office within the DOD and Department of Homeland Security, according to the White House. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Paris Baguette USA will attract more than 400 new jobs to Burleson and Johnson County as well as millions in new capital investment, Burleson Economic Development Director Alex Phillips told members of the Johnson County Commissioners Court on Monday. This is 450 brand new jobs, Phillips said. Its not jobs moving from one facility nearby to a new one. So, its going to be 450 new jobs for people probably living here or around here who are going to be able to work closer to home. Which will allow them to spend more time with their families, less time in traffic and thats the goal. To help improve the quality of life for our residents who call Johnson County and Burleson home. Better yet, Johnson County Judge Chris Boedeker added, 450 good paying jobs are anticipated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A requested tax abatement brought the matter to the commissioners attention. Paris Baguette, which is based out of New Jersey and owned by a Seoul, Korea parent company, produces and distributes frozen cakes, pies, doughs and other pastries, Johnson County Economic Development Director Diana Miller said. I think were all going to be in trouble with our calories here, Miller joked. They already have 4,000 stores worldwide and 200 retail outlets in North America. They want to expand that 200 to 1,000. The plan is to build in the Burleson High Point Business Park and the facility will represent Paris Baguettes first U.S. manufacturing and distribution center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first two phases of construction, set to begin around June, will total 267,000 square feet and investment of up to $165 million if not more, Miller said. Burleson already approved investment zones and tax abatement requests for Paris Baguette to the city, moves required for the county to be able to entertain a similar request. Paris Baguette meets county guidelines to be considered for a 50%, 10-year tax abatement based on proposed values, Miller said. The county abatement would be about $2.1 million over the 10 years. This does not take into consideration depreciations and any change in our tax rate. Commissioners approved the abatement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will take effect Jan. 1 following their certificate of occupancy, which the city of Burleson will be letting us know when that takes place. The project, nearly two years in the works originated through the governors office via requests for proposals from numerous cities throughout the state, Miller said. Alex and his team took it and ran with it and were so proud of them and Johnson County for the work they put in, Miller said. Phillips and others summed the deal up as the largest economic development deal in Burlesons history. This went to hundreds of communities the RFP on this did, Phillips said. But we made it work. Thats what we do in the county and thats what we do in Burleson. Obstacles come our way and we tackle them and move forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is by far from a capital investment standpoint, from a job standpoint, this is a massive win for the city of Burleson and Johnson County. Boedeker agreed. Yes, this represents reduced tax rates over a period of time in order to facilitate a companys investment, Boedeker said. That is the city and county are foregoing some tax revenue. But this generates significant tax revenues for our schools as well. A claim Phillips backed up. Yes, no tax abatements for school districts were involved in this deal so the school districts will receive the full value of the property taxes, Phillips said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins and Mott tax attorney Bruce Medley agreed as well. This is a 10-year, 50% abatement off increase of the property in question, Medley said. There will still be significant value being taxed by all the entities during the term of the agreement. Officials deemed success of the project a team effort from the city to county to state level. Its a massive effort, Phillips said. Economic development isnt an individual effort, its a team sport. CARTHAGE, Mo. The southbound ramp at I-49 to Route HH in Carthage, Exit 50, will be closed for a few hours tomorrowfrom 9 a.m. to noon. Workers will install a truss sign over the ramp. Signs and message boards are already alerting drivers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (KRON) The San Jose Police Department (SJPD) said it recovered eight gunsincluding three ghost gunsa machete, and multiple rounds of ammunition when they searched the homes of several San Jose residents suspected in a gang-motivated shooting. ICE agents were in downtown SF Friday, according to local official San Jose PD said at 10 a.m. on July 1, 2024, officers responded to a home in the 1300 block of Dubert Lane for a report of a weapons disturbance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The male victim told police he was threatened by four male suspects who brandished a machete, a knife and a firearm. The suspects allegedly fled when another resident entered the home, only to return five minutes later to fire gunshots at the residence. Police said, one round entered a second victims residence, striking their mattress while they slept. That round narrowly missed the second victims head. It is not clear what circumstances led to the incident. SJPD said they were able to later identify a suspect connected to the shooting, Victor Gonzalez, and he was taken into custody during a high-risk enforcement vehicle stop. Investigators determined the incident was gang-motivated, and the San Jose Police Department Gang Investigations Unit (GIU) Detectives took over handling the case. Detectives confirmed from Oct. 2024 to Jan. 15, they obtained search and arrest warrants and eventually netted the remaining four suspects. Investigators said two suspects, Corrina Namuleg and Timothy Nelson, were spotted removing a bag from the home before they were detained, which ended up containing firearms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All suspects were booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail for multiple felony charges: # Suspect Age 1 Ruben Gonzalez 34 years 2 Victor Gonzalez 37 years 3 Francisco Mercado 39 years 4 Corrina Namuleg 38 years 5 Timothy Nelson 18 years Anyone with information about these cases or similar cases is asked to email Detective Escobedo #4567 of the San Jose Police Gang Investigations Unit and Officer Havlick #4911 at 4567@sanjoseca.gov, 4911@sanjoseca.gov, or call 408-277-3835. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. We can assume that cases of the mysterious lung disease that later became known as Covid-19 were spreading in China as early as November 2019. The first infections were officially recorded in Wuhan at the beginning of December. By late January, infections had spread to Europe and North America. Hardly anyone could have imagined the estimated 7 million deaths, widespread lockdowns and long-term health impact that would follow. What is the situation today, five years later? "Covid is still not a normal cold," says Berlin virologist Christian Drosten, whose team was among the first to develop a diagnostic test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Many patients feel very ill when they are infected." However, he says, mortality has decreased significantly due to immunity from vaccinations and surviving infections, and is now about the same as for influenza. Severe cases of Covid-19 are much less common than they were in 2020 and 2021, health experts say, and according to Carsten Watzl from the Technical University of Dortmund, they mostly affect people who have a weak immune system due to a pre-existing condition or an organ transplant. Do I still need to get vaccinated the coronavirus? As with the flu, certain groups are particularly advised to get vaccinated, particularly people aged 60 and over and adults with underlying health conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Younger people should remember that your doctor will still have a great deal of freedom when it comes to deciding whether or not to vaccinate," says Drosten. Vaccines are still being adapted to new variants, which are also still appearing more often in Sars-CoV-2 than in other coronaviruses. "Evolutionarily, the virus is still a baby," immunologist Watzl explains. "It has not yet found its optimal adaptation." "I can well imagine that this pathogen will also calm down after a few more years," adds Drosten. "But maybe it will take decades." The director of the Institute of Virology at the Charite Berlin considers it unlikely that another variant will emerge that causes significantly worse disease progression with a higher risk of death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The population immunity that we have now achieved through vaccination and surviving infections is robust and will become even stronger overall." What about the risk of Long Covid? Long-term effects occur significantly less frequently with the Omicron variants that have been around for some time than with the ones that were present at the beginning, Watzl says. Vaccinations and overcoming infections also reduce the risk of this. It is possible that such after-effects will occur as rarely in the future as with other infections. Many viral diseases can cause problems such as myocarditis, exhaustion, depression or nerve damage. After the flu, for example, long-lasting health problems similar to those associated with Long Covid can occur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Drosten, however, long-term effects of Covid are currently still significantly more common. Drosten refers to a recent analysis according to which around 6% of those infected with coronavirus develop Long Covid with symptoms. Three months after the illness, they still showed at least one of three symptom complexes: pain-associated exhaustion, reduced mental performance or significant respiratory and Covid symptoms. The exact causes are still unclear and the treatment of Long Covid remains a challenge because the symptoms vary greatly from patient to patient. There is no standardised therapy or specific medication, but there are specialised Long Covid clinics and rehab facilities. Do people now have colds more often than before the pandemic? It appears that Covid-19 is not becoming one of the usual number of illnesses, but is still adding to an overall increase in the number of respiratory infections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Figures from Germany public health agency Robert Koch Institute (RKI) show a comparatively high number of acute respiratory diseases. In the years before Covid-19, these numbers were lower, says Watzl. It can be assumed that in future we will have to adjust to there being a higher number of colds in autumn and winter than before the pandemic. How often someone is infected with SARS-CoV-2 varies greatly from person to person. "Some have only had it once, some as many as five times," says Watzl. Data on other coronaviruses that circulate among humans show an average interval of about two and a half to four years until the next infection. Are there other consequences that have a lasting impact? The pandemic had a particularly severe impact on adolescents in countries where lockdowns and school closures led many boys and girls to become more deeply immersed in digital worlds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even after the coronavirus crisis, many of them continued to have problematic relationships with the likes of Tiktok, Instagram and WhatsApp. One survey presented in the Journal of Health Monitoring in March showed a significant increase in psychosomatic complaints such as headaches, stomach aches and back pain among schoolchildren. On the other hand, there was a significant decrease in physical activity which has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. Because many children also started snacking on more sweets and snacks, girls and boys who were already overweight gained even more weight, especially those from socioeconomically disadvantaged families. Experts warn of long-term consequences such as high blood pressure, fatty liver and diabetes. Has Covid-19 changed the world? In Europe, epidemics have always been a challenge for politics, even in previous centuries, explains Karl-Heinz Leven from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is partly because measures such as contact bans and the isolation of sick people could only be enforced by the authorities with fines for violations. It is in human nature for a crisis to give rise to unfavourable developments, Leven recently wrote. These include the spreading of rumours, which led to lynchings during plague outbreaks. "In the 19th century, doctors and pharmacists were lynched in some European cities during cholera epidemics because of rumours that they were poisoning the poor." Rumours have also spread like wildfire during the coronavirus pandemic. A search for "coronavirus conspiracy" brings up tens of millions of hits on Google, according to medical historian Leven. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, a kind of allergic reaction has developed in response, automatically equating critical positions of dissenters with conspiracy narratives. Have we learned from the pandemic? That is doubtful. Pandemic response plans may have been dusted off and developed in a number of countries, but the recent experience with H5N1 avian flu in US dairy farms shows that when push comes to shove, too little is still being done to stop the spread of dangerous pathogens early on. According to the US Department of Agriculture, H5N1 cases have been recorded in hundreds of farms in many states since the first evidence in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, there are no clear signs that measures are being taken that would quickly stop the outbreak, says Martin Beer of Germany's animal health research body Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI). Drosten also confirms his impression that the US is placing more emphasis on avoiding short-term economic damage than on preventing a possible further spread. "It is quite remarkable how little data insight and targeted infection surveillance is taking place, both in animals and in humans." Czech emergency workers in protective suits emerge from a disinfection tent where they are working on containing the spread of aviation flu. Experts see the global struggle to contain this spread in 2024 as evidence we have not yet learned from the coronavirus pandemic. Uhli Patrik/CTK/dpa Face masks have all but disappeared from most cities. And yet: "Covid is still not a normal cold," says Berlin virologist Christian Drosten, whose team was among the first to develop a diagnostic test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert/dpa The pandemic had a particularly severe impact on teens in countries where lockdowns and school closures led many boys and girls to become more deeply immersed in digital worlds. Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpa NORTH COUNTRY, N.Y. (WWTI) The Northern New York Community Foundation has announced a new challenge to inspire greater participation in its scholarship program from the Class of 2025 and give schools a chance to win a share of up to $5,000 in grant support. The scholarship challenge is open to all schools in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. The Community Foundations scholarship program supports graduating seniors pursuing further education whether at an accredited college, university, technical, or trade school. Apply Now: NNYCF Offers Scholarships for Fall 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With an increasing number and variety of opportunities available to support students, we hope this incentive will help build the widest pool of applicants across our region, said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. If this challenge is successful, it will be a win for all as students will benefit directly, their schools may receive additional funding, and our donors will have the best opportunity provide help in the most meaningful ways. There are two ways schools have a chance to win grant support: $1,000 grant to a school in each of the three counties it serves. To be eligible, schools must achieve at least 25% participation from their senior class in submitting scholarship applications by Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. The top nine schools three from each county with the highest overall participation rates by Saturday, March 15, application deadline, will be eligible to win a $2,000 grant. Calling Theresa Nonprofits: Apply for $3K in funding NNYCF says schools selected for grant awards will be chosen at random. Awards may be used to support a schoolwide initiative or project chosen by the senior class officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the challenge, NNYCF will report progress at the end of each week on its Facebook and Instagram channels. Tri-county seniors should apply for scholarship support by completing the online common application found HERE by Saturday, March 15. Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge Awards $10,000 for 10 NNY nonprofits Last year, 19% of all high school seniors in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties applied for NNYCF scholarship support: 26% in Jefferson County; 22% in Lewis County; and 10% of St. Lawrence County seniors completed a scholarship application. You can contact Mary Perrine, coordinator of partnerships, at 315-782-7110, or maryp@nnycf.org, or Tara Hess, stewardship and donor services associate, tara@nnycf.org, with questions about NNYCF scholarships. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Interstate 70 is back open after closing Tuesday morning at Noland Road due to a deadly crash in Independence. Independence Police said the crash was caused by a wrong-way driver around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday. One person died in the crash, and two people have severe injuries. View the Kansas City traffic and live coverage on FOX4 The crash happened when a Toyota Camry was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-70 and hit a Kia Optima. After striking the Kia Optima, the Toyota Camry continued eastbound into the path of a semi-truck and was hit again. The Toyota Camry was then hit by a Honda Accord before traffic came to a stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the Kia Optima received fatal injuries from the initial impact. He was identified as Ricky Monroe, a 64-year-old man from Blue Springs, Missouri. Independence Police said that dispatch began receiving reports of a wrong-way driver within seconds of the reported crash. 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. HARTLAND, Wis. (WFRV)Authorities in southeastern Wisconsin say they arrested a school bus driver who allegedly acted erratically and refused to let kids off the bus. According to the Hartland Police Department, on January 27 around 4:20 p.m., a 911 call came from a student on a school bus. The caller reportedly said the bus driver would not let the kids off the bus and was acting erratically. Officials say the bus later stopped, and parents who were there to pick up their kids confronted the bus driver. The bus was evacuated and drove away, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Domestic disturance in Wisconsin ends with a man stabbed, woman arrested Authorities ended up pulling the bus over and talking with the driver. After further investigation, the driver was arrested. He was only identified as a 72-year-old man from Hartland. He was booked into the Waukesha County Jail and referred to the Waukesha County District Attorneys Office for the following charges: Operating While Intoxicated, First Offense with a passenger under the age of 16 Second Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety The incident is still under investigation. No additional information was 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. Automaker Kia is recalling more than 80,000 vehicles due to floor wiring that can impact airbag deployment and seat belts from working properly. According to documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall will cover 2023-25 Niro EVs, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, and Niro Hybrid vehicles. It impacts 80,255 vehicles. If the floor wiring becomes damaged, it can also cause the side curtain air bag to deploy unintentionally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dealers will inspect and replace the floor wiring free of cost. They will also install additional protective coverings to prevent future damage to the wires. The impacted owners will be notified by letters mailed out in March. Last November, Hyundai and Kia announced more than 200,000 recalls on electric vehicles due to loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a 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 The Hill. Nine more former detainees are accusing an ex-staffer at a Bronx juvenile detention center of sexually abusing them as children, according to an avalanche of lawsuits that city lawyers are trying to shut down by drawing parallels to Sean Diddy Combs. The Daily News reported over the summer that a dozen survivors were suing New York City over allegations of rapes and forcible oral sex involving Natalie Medford, a counselor at Horizon Juvenile Center between 2005 and 2015 bringing the total number of people accusing her of gender-based violence to 21. What we know about sexual abuse in an institutional setting is that often perpetrators sexually abuse multiple victims, said Jerome Block of Levy Konigsberg LLP, an attorney for the plaintiffs. This is something thats been seen in the Catholic church cases and that is something were seeing in these cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The News could not reach Medford, who is not a named defendant in the lawsuits, for comment. The latest filings are part of a blockbuster legal claim seeking to hold the city responsible for the abuse the now-young adults say they experienced as minors in the custody of Horizon and three other sites: Crossroads Juvenile Center, Rikers Island, and the former Spofford Juvenile Detention Center. As of this week, plaintiffs have brought 540 cases of sexual violence since the spring. That includes upward of 100 new cases that will be announced at a press conference Tuesday in downtown Brooklyn. The majority of the allegations date back to the early 2000s, according to data from Levy Konigsberg. About 42% of the cases were alleged to have taken place at Spofford, now the site of a 5-acre redevelopment project in the Hunts Point neighborhood of the Bronx. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Adams administration is trying to dismiss the claims. A spokesman for the citys Law Department did not return a request for comment Monday afternoon. In court documents, city attorneys argued a local law that survivors are relying on to bring their claims years, even decades, later does not apply to these types of cases. Their argument relies heavily on a recent federal court decision that blocked one of Combs accusers from suing two corporate entities under the same gender-motivated violence law for allegedly enabling a decades-old sexual assault. The Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law first passed by the City Council in 2000 was amended in 2022 to allow plaintiffs to sue over older allegations for a couple of years and hold institutions accountable for enabling violence. Lawyers for the city believe the latter cannot be applied retroactively, pointing to the Combs case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Block disagrees and says the Council rightfully recognized that it takes time for victims to come forward: The city went so far as to claim its somehow immune from these lawsuits alleging institutionalized sexual abuse, and that really shows the citys refusal to accept responsibility and their view theyre above the law. A rep for the Administration for Childrens Services, which acquired the juvenile detention centers after most of the allegations, said it will review the new cases when served. Child welfare workers can face discipline up to and including firing for sexual abuse. ACS also recently updated its policies to align with federal guidance on preventing sexual misconduct in correctional facilities including the hiring of on-site compliance managers, unannounced inspections, and trainings. Sexual abuse and harassment is abhorrent and unacceptable, spokeswoman Stephanie Gendell said in a statement, and although many of these incidents predate this administration or ACS involvement with juvenile justice, we take these allegations very seriously. APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) At their meeting on Monday night, Appleton Area School District board members unanimously approved new attendance boundaries for students in the citys historic central neighborhood. Students at the now-shuttered Columbus Elementary School will attend Edison Elementary School beginning next school year. Franklin Elementary School students who live south of Wisconsin Avenue and Dunlap Elementary School students who live east of Richmond Street will also attend Edison Elementary. Columbus Elementary School had less than 100 students and district officials said that the population fits into Edison. It will close at the end of this school year. Like many public school districts in the area, district officials said theyre dealing with declining student enrollment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UW-Oshkosh sells former equity and diversity building as part of campus overhaul Oh absolutely, AASD superintendent Greg Hartjes said when asked if hes confident that the district got this right. We spent two months going over every detail of this decision. Hartjes said the district used seven pieces of criteria to come up with a new attendance boundary plan for the students at Columbus Elementary School. He said that making sure that students wouldnt have to cross busy streets to get to their new schools was something the district weighed heavily when figuring out where to send students. District officials whittled a list of four different attendance boundary change plans to the one the Board of Education approved on Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our hope is that they find that their new school that theyre going to attend is as terrific as Columbus Elementary School, said AASD board president Kay Eggert. We know its a very emotional decision and event for students to change schools. The district held a community listening session and circulated surveys to try to get feedback on their attendance area adjustment plan ahead of the vote on Monday night. However, district officials said they didnt have many community members actually come out to participate. A community member said in public comment on Monday night that while she appreciates the districts efforts, she wants to see officials find new ways to make sure that families can be involved in big decisions like this. A call for responsibility: Bellin Health encourages sick individuals to stay home, avoid hospital visits Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also helps them to know that they are part of the planning process, informed from the start to the finish so they know that their thoughts and opinions matter, said Christy Codner. We want to work with families to make the best decision possible for their child, said Superintendent Hartjes. Codner was also critical of the districts transition plan for families that will need to switch schools, saying that it lacks detail. Superintendent Hartjes said that officials at the individual schools would assist families with the logistics of transitioning to a new school. Families still have the option to use school choice within the school district instead of sending their students to the school within their attendance boundary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hartjes said at this time they dont anticipate needing to close another school within their district in the near future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Though the operators have changed from one husband-and-wife team to another, its still business as usual at Marys Mountain Cookies in downtown Colorado Springs. On Jan. 1, Pat and Kristy Rigdon, who formerly operated the cookie shop at 7 S. Tejon St. as licensees, handed off the business to Keeley and Holly Hanel. After 2 years of running the only Colorado Springs location of the Fort Collins-based cookie chain, the Rigdons, who opened the shop in July 2022 after retiring from previous longtime careers in education and law enforcement, were ready for another change. Were just at a point in our lives where we want to go experience other things, do some traveling and live life to its fullest, Pat Rigdon said. As serendipity would have it, the Hanels Loveland residents who have operated a Marys Mountain Cookies location in downtown Loveland since 2021, and who trained the Rigdons before they opened the Springs location were looking to expand. The opportunity popped up in Colorado Springs and it was an opportunity we decided to go for, with the thought that weve kind of been there and done that, Holly Hanel said. The store was set up really well and it just felt right. The Hanels retained the 11 staff members who previously worked for the Rigdons in the 1,600-square-foot storefront that was the former site of a Starbucks Coffee shop. The couple will also continue operating their downtown Loveland store, with Holly working the weekends at the Colorado Springs location, she said. Sign up for free: Gazette Business Receive a weekly roundup of business news around El Paso County. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Featured Local Savings Colorado Springs larger size, the communitys support of small business and the citys appeal to tourists all influenced the Hanels decision to operate here, she said. The local community really seem(s) to focus on building businesses downtown and making that a place not only for residents but also for tourists, or people who are coming in for sporting events, Hanel said. We come from a small community, so we are all about community and being a part of things. That means a lot to us, because we know we couldnt be there if it werent for that. Marys Mountain Cookies more than 20 varieties run the gamut, from traditional chocolate chip to gourmet flavors like frosted glaze sugar and ice cream filled cookies. Edible cookie dough and quarter-pound brownies are also on the menu. Mary Johns founded the chain in 1986 when she worked as a cook at a dude ranch. She opened the first store in Fort Collins in 1990 and started licensing the brand, similar to selling franchises, a few years later. Marys Mountain Cookies now has 18 locations across nine states, including six in Colorado, according to its website. The Colorado Springs location is the only one in southern Colorado. Marys Mountain Cookies in downtown Colorado Springs is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. AUSTIN (KXAN) Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday morning asked the Texas Department of Public Safety, or DPS, to deploy tactical strike teams to support the Trump Administrations homeland security operations to locate and arrest criminal illegal immigrants in the state. Trump expands on Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts border policies Abbott said in a press release issued Tuesday that Texas is expanding operations to assist President Trumps hard and fast efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, I directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to deploy tactical strike teams to work alongside our federal partners to enforce immigration laws throughout the state, Abbott said in the release. These teams will coordinate with Homeland Security agencies to track down the thousands of illegal immigrants with active warrants across Texas and deport them from our country. RELATED | Texas farmers and contractors warn that Trump deportations could harm industries Abbott added in the release that the teams will leverage personnel and resources to identify and arrest nearly 5,400 illegal immigrants with active warrants from local jurisdictions across Texas. According to the release, the strike teams include DPS troopers, Special Agents and Texas Rangers, and they will coordinate with federal partners with support from the DPS Aircraft Operations Division and the Intelligence and Counterterrorism Division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes on the same day that DPS Director, Col. Freeman Martin, testified in front of the Senate Finance Committee about his agencys budget. The agency is requesting more than $3 billion from the state. The biggest ask is for an additional 500 commissioned Troopers to help with staffing issues. Col. Martin testified that his troopers are facing various threats across the state, including assisting in Operation Lone Star, the states effort to secure the southern border. Martin said the increased responsibilities on his troopers and continued deployments across the state are leaving some gaps in patrols. We plan these operations but then we pull them off when something else happens, and then you look at TXMAP and you might between here and Houston youll have two troopers out and ones at the jail with the drunk driver and the other ones working a crash, so thats how you can go back and forth from Austin to Houston, TX for months and never see a trooper, Martin explained to the committee members. He says the additional troopers will help his agency address a lot of issues. The Texas State Troopers Association is also calling on the legislature to pass the budget request and add the additional commissioned troopers. In a statement, the associations director, Rohnnie Shaw, said, TSTA is urging the Legislature to prioritize DPS so our officers can continue to protect Texas communities from existing and emerging public safety threats, including at the border, where cartel violence and terrorism are escalating by the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DPS Director was also asked about his agencys costs associated with Operation Lone Star, as the current senate budget proposal is allocating $6.5 billion for border security in the next two years. State Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, questioned if the state should be allocating such an amount of money for the border after President Trump took office and directed the Department of Defense to send U.S. soldiers to the southwest border. Martin said his agency spends about $2.5 million a week on overtime pay and travel per diem associated with Operation Lone Star. He did tell state senators he believes his troopers will be assisting federal partners even more in their homeland security operations. On Monday, Abbott also directed the Texas Military Department to deploy the Texas Tactical Border Force to the Rio Grande Valley to coordinate with U.S. Border Patrol under the Trump Administration to secure the border, a press release from Abbotts office stated. Over 400 Texas Tactical Border Force soldiers deploying to border Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 400 soldiers from the force, as well as C-130s and Chinook helicopters, deployed from bases in Fort Worth and Houston to the border where they joined thousands of Texas National Guard soldiers to collaborate with U.S. Border Patrol agents, the release said. Trump on his first day back in office declared a national emergency at the southern border and took several actions to restrict immigration, according to The Hill. He directed the Department of Defense to assist the Department of Homeland Security to obtain full operational control of the southern border. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday ordered the Department of Public Safety to help federal immigration agents find and arrest immigrants who have arrest warrants. These teams will coordinate with [U.S. Department of] Homeland Security agencies to track down the thousands of illegal immigrants with active warrants across Texas and deport them from our country, Abbott said in a statement. According to Abbott, 5,400 immigrants in Texas have an arrest warrant. He didnt say what type of crimes the warrants are for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent days, teams of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been spotted in a number of Texas cities searching for undocumented immigrants, often accompanied by agents from other federal agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration. Since March 2021, Texas has allocated more than $3 billion in immigration enforcement operations under Operation Lone Star, which includes sending state troopers and National Guard soldiers to parts of the 1,200-mile-long Texas-Mexico border to arrest people crossing the Rio Grande. President Donald Trump has made immigration enforcement a top priority for his administration and has supported Abbotts immigration efforts. Texas repeatedly sued the Biden administration, targeting many of its immigration policies, some of which provided migrants legal pathways to legally enter and stay in the U.S. Trump said at his inauguration that Abbott will be a key partner in his administrations immigration plans. Trump said Abbott is a popular governor, and now he's an unbeatable governor because of [his] border policies. At the start of what is likely to be a busy news year amid Trumps return to the Oval Office, ABC News unionized writers have secured new protections governing the use of generative AI in their workplace. Staffers who belong to the Writers Guild of America East have voted to ratify a contract that offers some employment safeguards if the newsroom adopts the technology, the union announced on Tuesday. That includes an agreement that the company will not lay off current staff employees due to the use of generative AI. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new three-year pact additionally requires management to give union members advance notice if the company plans to make the use of generative AI systems a requirement of their jobs. The company will be obliged to negotiate any impacts of the technology with the union and meet with the labor group semi-annually to review its employment of the technology. In a statement, representatives of the ABC News Union called the AI protections groundbreaking and said that the contract additionally makes significant improvements to all of our benefits. The contract offers members a minimum pay increase of 3.5 percent every year of the deal, with an additional raise of more than 17 percent for desk assistants in year one. Benefits have been bolstered, with the company agreeing to an extra 1.5 percent in contributions to the Health Fund and the addition of paid parental leave for temporary employees in their second year on the job, beginning in year two of the contract. As a result of the deal, temporary employees will have a lower threshold to meet in order to receive comp days and Juneteenth will be added has a holiday. The parties also agreed that the company will credit writers whose work for broadcast is repurposed for platforms like streaming and the ABC News website, which are not covered under the contract. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now more than ever, we need journalists who can report and present the news while they are protected in their workplace, said WGAE President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen in a statement. A union contract is the only thing that ensures that protection. Our members and staff fought hard for this contract, and they deserve everything they won. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. As the first month of the new year draws to a close, Napervilles business scene is shaping up to be as bustling as ever, with Abercrombie & Fitch opening this week, two new eateries planning to fill out downtown real estate and the recent local return of Habitat for Humanitys home improvement shop. Abercrombie & Fitch to open Friday Fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch is opening in downtown Naperville Friday at 103 Washington St., according to Katie Wood, executive director of the Downtown Naperville Alliance. This marks Abercrombies first location in Naperville, per the retailers website. Elsewhere across the Chicago area, Abercrombie has stores in Aurora, Schaumburg, Oakbrook and Chicagos Wicker Park community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For its Naperville debut, Abercrombie is taking over the building formerly occupied by Ulta Beauty, which closed in March 2024 due to an expired lease. Habitat for Humanitys ReStore returns to Naperville area Habitat for Humanity has officially opened its new ReStore location in Napervilles Fox River Commons shopping center at Ogden Avenue and Route 59. The shops grand opening celebration was Jan. 11, said Douglas Reaves, director of retail for DuPage and Chicago South Suburbs Habitat for Humanity. The shop held a soft opening in November, Reaves said. Habitats launch at Fox River Commons is a relocation of the former shop it had just a mile away at Auroras Fox Valley Mall. Habitats Fox Valley Mall ReStore closed in December 2023, Reaves said. It took a year to find the right location but were beyond excited to be in Naperville and to be in Fox River Commons, Reaves said. Its been busy ever since we opened so we couldnt be happier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ReStore locations sell affordable building materials, new and used furniture, appliances and household items to raise money for Habitat. According to Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity, there are 10 ReStore locations operating across the Chicago area. Businesses bound for downtown Abercrombie isnt the only new store joining downtown Napervilles brick-and-mortar business scene this year. Le Macaron will be opening at 23 W. Jefferson in the first half this year, Wood said. The shop, which sells not only a wide selection of macarons but also cakes, eclairs, madeline cookies, gelato, coffee and candy, will be taking over space that used to house a Coldstone Creamery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also soon coming to downtown is Avocado Theory, which will be opening at 22 E. Chicago Ave. in May, Wood said. It is going into the same center that Insomnia Cookies moved into last summer. Avocado Theory opened its first location in Tinley Park in 2021. True to its name, the restaurants menu includes all things avocado, from avocado pumpkin spice cheesecake and avocado deviled eggs to avocado samosas and guacamole. Wine bar to host LA fire fundraiser Next week, SixtyFour Wine Bar & Kitchen at 123 Water St. is holding a fundraiser for the victims and first responders of the wildfires that have ravagaed the Los Angeles-area this month. On Feb. 4, SixtyFour will donate 50% of all food revenues made between 5 and 9 p.m. to the food charity World Central Kitchen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are so pleased to be able to support the World Central Kitchen with their efforts to provide hot meals to the victims and first responders of the LA fires, SixtyFour owners Loren and Amy Beadle said in a news release. tkenny@chicagotribune.com ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) As the Abilene Regional Airport approaches its 57th anniversary, a new plan has emerged to give the building a refresh, with an estimated cost of $70 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Airport Development Board Meeting, Director of Transportation Services Don Green said Abilene was well overdue for a refresher at the airport. The terminal was built in 1968. It needs improvements; it needs additions. It needs work to happen on it. No matter what kind of work we decide to do, what level, what phase we have to start putting some money into the terminal, Green said. Abilene City Council debates $5.6 million increase in airport project costs The project is broken into three phases and has an estimated cost of $70 million, which Green said even if bonds cover it, the city would still have to pay $20 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think that this happens without a bond election. Right. Because were talking big bucks, Green said during the meeting. The airport currently experiences a crowded lobby area during boarding time, with planes operating at full capacity. The plans primary goals are to enhance lighting, increase capacity, and improve accessibility outside. Green discussed several proposals for the new building, including removing the top-tier driveway and adding another lane to the lower level instead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sky high forecast: How Abilenes airport uses aviation weather That gives us larger restrooms. It gives us an assisted restroom, nursing mothers room, a vending area, a VIP business space, and seating for up to 200 people and the new jet bridge, Green said. Were going to have more glass, and that opens up the feel of the terminal. It opens up the light to natural light during the daytime. The proposal will be brought up at the City Council retreat on Friday, January 31. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The ACLU of Nevada has shared new Know Your Rights materials designed to protect immigrant communities amid threats of federal immigration enforcement actions in Nevada, the organization announced Monday. The Know Your Rights materials include guides for interacting with ICE officials in workplace settings, higher education settings, K-12 schools, and while at home. Clark County, ACLU town hall aims to inform immigrants on rights, resources Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The materials will be updated as laws change and the ACLU of Nevada advises people to refer to its website instead of printing the materials to make sure the most up-to-date information is available. The organization has also launched an online form on its website where possible civil rights violations by ICE, including during an ICE raid or a home visit, can be reported. The form will allow community members to share information to prevent systemic civil liberties violations, including racial profiling, the organization said. At a time when many are facing uncertainty in our community because of a reckless federal government, we are sharing resources to help mitigate against governmental harm. Nevadans, regardless of their immigration status, should be aware of their rights in the face of an increasingly authoritarian government. Well leave the politics to politicians but make no mistake, our out-of-control federal government, left unchecked, will seek to devalue your existence as it expands its own power for its own benefit. Nevadans should be aware of their rights under federal and state law and should consider reporting civil liberties and civil rights abuses by immigration officials to us. When the rights of the people are systemically violated, we have been and remain prepared to see the government in court, ACLU of Nevada Executive Director Athar Haseebullah said. The ACLU of Nevada said it is continuing to monitor ICEs actions for non-compliance with the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is also offering Nevada-based organizations the option to request their own Know Your Rights training on a variety of issues, including training on immigrants rights and interacting with ICE. Click here to access training materials, request a Know Your Rights training, or report an immigrants rights violation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Like him or loathe him, youd be hard pressed to argue that Keir Starmer is an interesting politician. By his own admission, the Prime Minister has neither a favourite novel or a favourite poem a true eminence grise, with emphasis on the grise. One anecdote, however, bucks this trend. Rumour has it that Starmer was the inspiration for Mark Darcy, the awkwardly charming human rights barrister from 2001s Bridget Joness Diary. Depicted by Colin Firth, Darcy is the consummate Blairite professional handsome, humanitarian and high-status. But oh, how times change. When Britons today picture lawyers, they arent picturing Mark Darcy theyre picturing ambulance-chasers and deportation-blockers. Starmers legal background is now more of a liability than an asset. Critics often accuse him of acting more like a lawyer than a leader; much has been written about how his dedication to the law led him to agree to the self-destructive handover of the Chagos Islands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But legalism isnt just a political problem its an economic concern too. Since new rules were introduced by Parliament in 2015, the UK has seen a rise in opt-out class action cases, where claims are brought against businesses on behalf of large numbers of people. Often, these cases involve hundreds of thousands of Britons, with businesses facing bills in the billions. The rise in class actions has been supercharged by the emergence of third-party litigation funding, a lightly regulated mechanism which allows investment funds many of them based overseas to cover the cost of legal proceedings, in exchange for a proportion of the compensation. TPLF often gives funders control over legal proceedings and, crucially, it allows claimant firms to pursue speculative cases when they might otherwise choose not to litigate. This creates a dangerous ratchet effect, whereby claimant firms are enabled to pursue bigger and bigger cases, backed by litigant funders who are willing to take bigger risks on the promise of increasingly lucrative payouts. At a time when business confidence in the UK is dangerously low, this class action boom is yet another disincentive to investment. After all, why would a business risk testing new products or systems in the UK, when doing so might leave them on the hook for billions? Much safer to steer clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But if legitimately-aggrieved claimants were benefitting from this class action expansion, then it might all be excusable, right? In fact, the big winners of these cases are not claimants, but law firms and their financial backers. Just last week, it was revealed that a case against Mastercard, with a purported payout of around 14 billion, would actually result in just 200 million in compensation half of which could be paid to litigation funders Innsworth Capital. That leaves about 100 million to be divided between as many as 46 million eligible claimants, or about 2.30 each. A pittance for claimants, in exchange for serious damage to the UKs commercial reputation. To quote a certain American president, this is the worst deal in the history of deals, maybe ever. Fortunately, the UKs class action expansion may soon come to a halt. At the end of this month, the Civil Justice Councils consultation into litigation funding will close, and the CJC will be charged with designing new regulations about litigation funding. These changes cant come too soon, as a number of high-profile cases are currently moving through the system. In October, the High Court began considering a case against Australian mining firm BHP, with the company on the hook for as much as 36 billion following an ecological disaster in Brazil. Thats despite the fact that BHP has worked with Brazilian authorities to provide redress in the jurisdiction where the tragedy actually took place. The 600,000 claimants in that case will doubtless be wondering whether they stand to benefit from a favourable verdict or whether the lions share of the compensation will be snaffled by law firm Pogust Goodhead and litigant funders Gramercy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those concerned about our economic health, business climate, and genuine access to justice, should welcome reform to our litigation funding system. If theres one thing that Britain doesnt need, its more meddlesome lawyers. 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. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes an increasingly common term in modern society, its crucial to understand not only how it works but its potential detrimental effects. With the recent announcement by the Trump administration that Abilene will be a key site for artificial intelligence research, one local university is already taking the lead in exploring this technology. MORE DETAILS: Abilene announced for largest AI infrastructure project with $500 billion+ investment Thats the goal of a series of studies conducted by Abilene Christian University experts. This research aims to identify the challenges of using specific AI programs, like ChatGPT, among students and how these tools impact academic performance and critical thinking skills. Dr. James Prather, an associate professor of computer science at ACU., explained how their findings have prompted them to take further steps in educating students on responsible AI use. Were looking for ways to mitigate overreliance by training students how to use these tools well, training them on the difficulties and problems with these tools: bias, hallucination, those kinds of things, Prather shared. Then, seeing if that active training scaffolds them well enough to mitigate some of these issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in the classroom: Abilene students share their opinions on ChatGPT Since Abilene will play a significant role in the future of artificial intelligence research, Prather shared that the university aims to explore the best ways to help students adapt to AI use in a beneficial manner. The initial goals were to identify challenges associated with using AI applications for schoolwork and any potential negative effects on students learning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Prather has shared how their approach to embracing AI in the classroom has helped them expand their research, thanks to a grant from Google: We wrote a proposal about using AI to help provide more access to tutoring and teaching resources and more scaffolding to help students learn programming that could broaden participation. Google really liked that and decided to fund it, and were really grateful for their support. Lancium strikes deal with A.I. client, bringing potential for big bucks to Abilene For ACUs efforts to explore the potential benefits of students using A.I., Google awarded the university a $100,000 grant to support their research. 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. NEW YORK President Donald Trump expanded his show of force on illegal immigration to the countrys largest sanctuary city early Tuesday, with the backing of embattled New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul. Newly confirmed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem descended on New York City for the heavily publicized arrest of an undocumented immigrant wanted for violent crimes. 7 AM in NYC. Getting the dirt bags off the streets, Noem posted on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The action sparked swift responses from the states leaders, and Attorney General Letitia James said she is monitoring the increased presence of ICE across New York City. James separately announced that she and five other blue-state attorneys general will sue the Trump administration over its sweeping pause on federal funding. The challenge, coming a week after she and her counterparts filed a lawsuit over his move to end birthright citizenship, reflected how Democrats are facing off against Trump on multiple fronts. On Tuesday, several hours after the pre-dawn raid in the Bronx, Adams, a former police captain with a warming relationship with Trump, said in a statement that the city will not hesitate to partner with federal authorities to bring violent criminals to justice just as we have done for years. The Democratic mayor said he directed the NYPD to coordinate with DHS Homeland Security Investigations and other federal law enforcement agencies as allowed by law to conduct a targeted operation. Images and video circulated by Noem and her team revealed an individual with kidnapping, assault and burglary charges was taken into custody. Several federal law enforcement agencies took part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NYPD officers were present for the operation as part of a Homeland Security Investigations, or HSI, task force conducting criminal investigations, a police spokesperson said. Sanctuary laws in New York City limit broader local police cooperation with federal immigration officials. At noon, Adams acknowledged the enforcement action, saying he had directed the NYPD to coordinate with DHS Homeland Security Investigations and other federal law enforcement agencies as allowed by law to conduct a targeted operation. The mayor added, Our commitment to protecting our citys law-abiding residents, both citizens and immigrants, remains unwavering. Adams has met with and vowed to find common ground with Trump, while pledging to uphold sanctuary laws the Republican president has assailed. Adams public appearances have been limited this week because, his spokespeople say, he is feeling unwell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tone of Adams statement was markedly different from that of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson at a Tuesday news conference. Im standing with the full force of government today to demonstrate that Chicago is a welcoming city regardless of whos in the White House, Johnson said, flanked by the police superintendent and his management team. Democrat Hochul has, like Adams, approved of the removal of violent criminals. I want to be clear, there has always been ICE raids in the state of New York, even in the past, and this is not a new dynamic, she told reporters Tuesday. My understanding is that they had specific names of people who committed crimes, serious offenders, and those are exactly the people that we want removed from the state of New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scope of Tuesdays operations and total number of arrests were not immediately known. Noem spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told POLITICO the raids were multiple, lasting several hours, and noted that the Bronx arrest was a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member. Adams said the arrested individual was wanted in connection with several violent crimes in New York and in Aurora, Colorado. The raid came as Democratic states and cities are preparing their response to Trumps freezing of all federal financial assistance, a broadening of his administrations curtailing of the functions of government and a shifting of federal purse strings further away from Congress. Just like the Jan. 6 pardons, this decision is lawless, dangerous, destructive, cruel; its illegal, its unconstitutional, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, previewing a legal challenge by Democratic attorneys general including James. James, a chief political adversary to Trump, said she believes the president is trampling on a co-equal branch of government because Congress controls the governments purse strings. The pause set to take effect Tuesday evening will hurt the families who rely upon Head Start for child care, to the children across the country who depend on SNAP for their next meal, to the seniors who rely on state services to get the care that they need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats have been scrambling to confront Trumps wide-ranging and wide-reaching directives. Before Tuesdays New York City operation, federal immigration agents had recently begun arrests and raids to varying degrees in Chicago, Atlanta and other Democratic-led cities. ICE has labeled them targeted operations. ICE has reported hundreds of arrests each day since Trumps Jan. 20 return to the White House, where he launched a slew of executive orders and directives cracking down on illegal immigration. The president is reversing a Biden-era policy restricting ICE enforcement at sensitive locations like schools and expanding expedited removal procedures. He is also seeking to stop birthright citizenship, a move that immediately drew legal challenges. Federal border czar Tom Homan, who was on the ground in Chicago with TV host Dr. Phil for an operation there over the weekend, has vowed to focus on sanctuary cities that protect immigrants and said those detained may include people without violent criminal records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public defenders with the Legal Aid Society responded to the New York City operation by launching a Know Your Rights resource hub on ICE arrests and detention. Shia Kapos and Jason Beeferman contributed to this report. The Arizona Department of Transportation announced on Monday that state troopers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety would be dedicated to monitoring the Interstate 17 improvement project corridor between Anthem Way and Sunset Point. "This collaborative effort between the Arizona Department of Transportation and DPS is designed to increase safety and reduce the number of crashes in the work zone," the agency said in a news release. "The enforcement patrols will focus on hazardous driver behaviors that could create safety issues in the work zone for both travelers and construction crews." ADOT noted that the speed limit throughout the 23-mile corridor is 65 mph and urged drivers to maintain safe driving habits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The message is simple: slow down and pay attention," ADOT said. ADOT added that troopers would monitor north and southbound traffic with more troopers concentrated in the Bumble Bee area as it is often used as an emergency "pull-off and turn-around" area when an incident blocks traffic on I-17. ADOT added that while the improvement project will continue throughout 2025, 15 miles of new lanes between Anthem Way and Black Canyon City were expected to open in the spring while eight miles of flex lanes between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point should open later in the year. Once fully complete, the project will help alleviate congestion and improve safety and traffic flow, ADOT said. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Slow down and pay attention: DPS troopers on patrol near I-17 project A federal judge on Thursday rejected a request from gun rights advocates to block a recent Colorado law prohibiting the possession and transport of certain firearm components not imprinted with a serial number known as "ghost guns." HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Theres a push to expand healthcare coverage for all Connecticut residents, regardless of immigration status. Husky 4 Immigrants held a press conference on Tuesday to call for this greater access. HUSKY is the states Medicaid program. Advocates push for Connecticut to expand health care benefits to all immigrants Let me be abundantly clear, State Rep. Anthony Nolan, a Democrat representing New London, said. Healthcare is not a privilege; its a right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group has had success in gradually expanding that coverage. They started with children. The idea is, that even if their parents brought them to this country without proper documentation, children deserve preventative healthcare. They have increased that to everyone 15-years-old and under. The next step, they say, should be Medicaid for everyone financially eligible. This legislative session, there are two bills that bump the age of coverage to 26 with one of those proposals including individuals who are 65 and older. As a pediatrician, I made an oath to practice medicine with integrity, humility and compassion for all children, Dr. Leonela Villegas, a pediatrician, said. When insurance and documentation play a role, its devastating for everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 8 spoke with lawmakers about this push. In light of everything today, theres a lot of uncertainty and were going to have to work through a lot of stuff and see what Congress does in the next 90 days of the Medicaid program, Connecticut House Speaker Matt Ritter said. But Republicans expressed concerns over the prospective cost. Its very expensive for the state of Connecticut to be providing that level of benefit, Rep. Vincent Candelora, House Republican Leader, said. We need to have a broader conversation about how to deliver healthcare for these individuals. Gov. Ned Lamont told us said hes inclined to leave it as-is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are just digesting what weve got right now, Gov. Ned Lamont said. I think we should leave it where it is. As for where this goes from here, both proposals await further 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 WTNH.com. Russia attacked Ukraine with a hundred attack drones on the night of 27-28 January. Air defence forces have destroyed 65 of them, 28 disappeared from radar and one drone is still in the air. Source: Ukraines Air Force Details: Starting at 20:00 on 27 January, the Russians launched 100 Shahed-type attack UAVs and various types of decoy drones from the following directions: Oryil, Bryansk, Kursk, Millerovo and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, and Cape Chauda in temporarily occupied Crimea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of 09:30, 65 Shahed attack UAVs and other types of drones were reported downed in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Odesa and Kherson oblasts. Quote: "28 enemy decoy drones disappeared from radar (without causing adverse effects) and two of them flew towards Russia and Belarus. One drone is still in the air, and combat operations are ongoing. As a result of the attack by Russian UAVs, buildings belonging to private businesses, infrastructure facilities, apartment blocks and houses have been damaged. Early reports indicate that there are no fatalities, and the people who were affected by the attack are being treated. Special services are dealing with the consequences of the enemy attack in Odesa, Kyiv, Sumy, Poltava, Cherkasy, Chernihiv and Kharkiv oblasts." Background: On the night of 27-28 January, an explosion was heard in Kharkiv, and Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported an air strike and a large-scale fire in the Novobavarskyi district. Two houses were destroyed in Chernihiv as a result of a UAV attack. Explosions were also heard in Sumy and Kyiv Oblast. An infrastructure facility in Uman, Cherkasy Oblast, was damaged due to a nighttime Russian attack, and power engineers are working to restore the electricity supply. A Russian drone attack on Odesa damaged residential buildings, set four cars on fire, and injured three people. Support UP or become our patron! The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) described violations at an Alpharetta childcare center as intentional and reckless after a toddler died following choking there last month. Little Sunshine Playhouse and Preschool had their license revoked after a boy died following choking on food at the daycare facility on December 20. According to the state, his death could have been prevented if simple procedures mandated by the state were followed. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] We understand it was breakfast that day and began to choke on what we understand was a piece of mango, Reg Griffin with DECAL said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On December 20, 16-month-old Juan Martin was rushed to the hospital. He died five days later, on Christmas Day. After an investigation, DECAL determined they would revoke the daycares license. The Notice of Revocation then listed seven rule violations, including staff not seated within arms length of the children, not ensuring fruit was smaller than a half inch, not keeping excessive food out of kids mouths, and not notifying parents of menu changes. A lot of it has to do with the sizes of the food that are being served, the bite sizes how small or how big is allowed, they should know that, Griffin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other rules violations included not serving food associated with choking to kids under four years old and an employee without fingerprint records check and without valid and current comprehensive records check. Channel 2 contacted Little Sunshines corporate office and attorney but did not get a response. The centers operator has 10 days to appeal DECALs decision. Alpharetta police said there will be no criminal charges filed in this case. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined federal agents Tuesday in New York City to announce the arrests of immigrants wanted on criminal charges, including a man accused of kidnapping who was seen on a viral video entering a Colorado apartment with reputed gang members. Noem was the latest high-ranking official from President Donald Trump's administration to tout the president's ramped-up immigration enforcement in a city where arrests were being made. Border czar Tom Homan and acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove were in Chicago on Sunday as federal agents made arrests there. Arresting some criminal aliens this morning in NYC thank you to the brave officers involved, Noem posted on X. Criminal alien with kidnapping, assault & burglary charges is now in custody thanks to @ICE. Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An operation in the Bronx early Tuesday snared Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, 26, who authorities said was part of a group of men, including members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, who entered an apartment in Aurora, Colorado, last summer and were recorded on a widely viewed video. The charges were brought by local authorities in Colorado. It was not immediately clear what would happen next for Zambrano-Pacheco. Two other men who police said were in the video were arrested in New York in November. They are still in ICE custody. The incident caught President Donald Trump's attention during the presidential campaign, and he announced a plan called Operation Aurora to target migrant gangs. The video led Trump to claim that the Denver suburb had been taken over by the gang, which city officials denied. In an arrest warrant, Aurora police said Zambrano-Pacheco was also wanted in a kidnapping in which at least 20 armed men abducted and threatened two people in late June. In addition, police said Zambrano-Pacheco was with a group of armed men before a shooting occurred shortly after the apartment incident that was caught on video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer or if he was a member of Tren de Aragua. Local and federal authorities, including Aurora police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, investigated the apartment video incident for months beginning when Joe Biden was still president. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said Tuesday's arrests did not appear to be part of a wholesale raid, but rather an operation targeting specific people accused of crimes. I want to be clear, theres always been ICE raids in the state of New York, even in the past. This is not a new dynamic," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zambrano-Pacheco is the fifth person to be arrested in connection with the Aurora apartment incident. The video showed six armed men, including at least some people identified as Tren de Aragua members by federal authorities, entering the apartment shortly before a fatal shooting outside the complex. In Chicago, city leaders criticized the highly publicized enforcement operations that started over the weekend in the nations third-largest city. That included the surprising decision to allow daytime television psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw to livestream immigrant arrests alongside Homan. This desire to popularize fear is unconscionable and abhorrent, Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday at a City Hall news conference alongside Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, city lawyers and others. Were talking about peoples lives. Johnson defended the citys strong sanctuary protections that bar Chicago police from cooperating with federal immigration agents. Chicago has been a so-called sanctuary city for decades and has strengthened those protections several times, including during Trumps first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE has offered few details about the operation in Chicago, including the number of arrests. The agency did not return a message seeking comment Tuesday. Snelling said Chicago police have communicated with federal agents but did not participate in the operation or cooperate. He estimated roughly 100 people were taken into custody. In other developments, authorities said Tuesday that none of the 41 people taken into ICE custody following a weekend raid in Colorado are likely to face drug or gun charges. The Sunday raid targeted drug trafficking by Tren de Aragua at a makeshift nightclub near Denver. The people who had gathered dropped their drugs and guns before agents got inside, making it hard to connect the items to specific people, according to a spokesperson for the Drug Enforcement Administration, Steffan Tubbs. The drugs found were amounts for personal use, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in the Bronx, no one answered the door at apartment 1A by the entrance to the building where Zambrano-Pacheco was detained. But Richard Egu, 50, who lives in a third-floor unit, said he was roused from sleep by the commotion around 5 a.m. Egu, a correctional officer who is originally from Nigeria and has been a naturalized citizen for more than 15 years, said he didnt venture out to investigate and did not know the man who was arrested. He said he understood the need to arrest and deport those in the country illegally who commit crimes, but he also worries about the effect such enforcement will have in the community. You need to give immigrants a chance. These people are already here, he said. Figure out the ones who are committing the crimes. Dont just judge all immigrants as criminals. ___ Associated Press writers Colleen Slevin in Denver, Sophia Tareen and Melissa Perez Winder in Chicago, and Philip Marcelo and Anthony Izaguirre in New York contributed to this report. Hens in cages at an industrial farm (Getty Images/Minnesota Reformer). State and federal agriculture officials are working to prevent the spread of highly contagious bird flu from a Lehigh County poultry farm where the virus has been found in a commercial chicken flock for the first time in nearly a year. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has been on alert for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) infections since an outbreak across the United States in 2022. The infections in a 50,000 bird egg-laying flock in eastern Pennsylvania are the first in a commercial chicken flock since February 2024, the department announced Monday. The virus was more recently found in an infected backyard chicken flock in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Agriculture Department has quarantined the affected farm, nearby poultry farms and restricted movement of chickens and poultry products within a 10 kilometer radius as part of an interagency response to help prevent the virus from spreading. Protecting our poultry and dairy industries has been, and continues to be Pennsylvanias top priority, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said in a statement, adding that with the new infections, the threat is clear and heightened. Lehigh County is one of two sites in the Lehigh Valley where large numbers of dead geese now confirmed to have been infected with HPAI were found in late December. Fish and Game Commission officials earlier this month discovered more than 5,000 additional dead snow geese at a quarry near Nazareth in Northampton County. The infections are not a risk to the general public and poultry and eggs are safe to eat if they are cooked properly, but HPAI is highly infectious and usually fatal for domestic birds. Dairy cattle in other states have been infected by HPAI but cows are generally not affected to the same degree as birds. No infections have been reported in humans or cattle in Pennsylvania. Pasteurized milk is safe to consume, the Agriculture Department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vigilant biosecurity on both poultry and dairy farms and on any farm that raises birds is the key to minimizing the spread of the virus, Redding said in the statement. Throughout the outbreak, the Shapiro Administration has worked to protect Pennsylvania farmers and our dairy and poultry industries from HPAI. Our close coordination and support from the federal government has been critical, and we must continue working together at all levels to combat this virus. First found in China in the 1990s, the H5N1 strain found in current HPAI outbreaks appeared in North America in 2014. Since then it has caused the deaths of poultry worth billions of dollars and caused sharp fluctuation in the prices of chicken and eggs. Human cases of HPAI in other states have been mainly among agricultural workers with close contact with infected poultry and dairy cattle, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. HPAI presents a very low risk to human health, the CDC said. The response plan includes education and public outreach, as well as minimizing risk though strict biosecurity measures and continued surveillance, testing, and farm management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you suspect your poultry is infected with avian influenza, please report your concerns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services at 717-772-2852, option 1. Farmers or residents with backyard chicken flocks should check the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System website for information on areas where control and surveillance measures are in effect. Anyone who encounters a sick or dead wild bird is asked to report it to the PA Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-94530. People in contact with sick or dead birds who are not feeling well should contact a physician or the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 877-724-3258. HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) An agriculture recovery center is available Tuesday morning in Henderson County. NC Emergency Management and FEMA said residents can stop by the Dana Community Center at 2879 Upward Road in Flat Roack to learn about disaster assistance programs available for farmers, ranchers, producers and the workforce. The event will occur on Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Individuals will also be able to meet with representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, NC Department of Commerce, U.S. Small Business Administration, local Farm Service Agency officials, and other government agencies to assist agricultural workers with their recovery needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said anyone interested in attending should bring evidence of ownership, photos of damaged or lost tools and equipment, and an estimated replacement cost to expedite the application. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AI makes workers more efficient. Trouble is, AI makes criminals more efficient, too. Thanks to increasingly sophisticated digital tools, bank scams and frauds have become a pervasive threat to consumers and financial institutions alike. From AI-powered deepfakes to elaborate check fraud schemes, criminals are employing a wide array of tactics to separate unsuspecting victims from their hard-earned money. Digital services, tied to faster and more efficient payment systems, enable criminals to move stolen money out of the system and across country borders at speed, says Jason Lane-Sellers, director of Fraud & Identity at LexisNexis Risk Solutions. This rapid movement makes stopping the flow of funds nearly impossible without proactive detection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Lane-Sellers, a rising volume of scams are targeting U.S. bank customers and the digital financial services that they have come to depend on. As you learn to navigate a complex landscape of financial deception, it's crucial to understand the latest trends and protect yourself from falling prey to scams. The rising tide of fraud Recent data paints a troubling picture of the scale and impact of bank fraud. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023, marking a 14% increase from the previous year. This staggering figure represents the first time fraud losses have reached such a benchmark, and it highlights the growing effectiveness of scammers. Types of fraud are diverse, but some stand out as particularly prevalent. Investment scams topped the list, accounting for $4.6 billion in losses, followed by imposter scams at $2.7 billion. The banking industry is feeling the impact, with more than a quarter of bank customers experiencing fraudulent activity on their accounts in the past year, according to a study by J.D. Power. Emerging threats: AI and deepfakes Artificial intelligence and deepfakes have emerged as significant concerns for the banking sector. In a chilling example from January 2024, an employee at a Hong Kong-based firm was tricked into sending $25 million to fraudsters after participating in a video call with what she believed were her colleagues, including the CFO. In reality, the entire call was a sophisticated deepfake created by scammers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year we all saw the democratization of AI as a productivity tool, and since then, AI-powered scams now make up nearly half of all fraud attempts, says Adam Ennamli, chief risk officer at General Bank of Canada. And the frontier between cyber and fraud is blurrier than ever. We're seeing everything from deepfake CEOs asking for wire transfers to scammers using cloned voices to fool Bank customer service agents. Experts predict that generative AI could enable fraud losses to reach $40 billion in the United States by 2027, growing at a compound annual rate of 32%. GenAI allows, for a reduced cost, fraudsters to scale their operations dramatically, creating large volumes of phishing emails and social media profiles that bypass traditional fraud detection systems, thanks to their newfound sophistication and quality, says Ennamli. Each message can be perfectly tailored to its target, incorporating personal details scraped from publicly available data, creating compelling social engineering hooks. This rapid escalation poses a significant challenge for banks and regulators alike, as existing risk management frameworks may not be adequate to address these emerging threats. Common scams targeting bank customers While high-tech frauds grab headlines, many scammers still rely on tried-and-true methods to target bank customers. Some of the most common scams include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fake bank fraud warnings. Scammers pose as bank representatives, claiming to investigate suspicious activity on your account. Check overpayment scams. Victims receive a fake check and are asked to return a portion of the funds before the check bounces. Online lending scams. Fraudsters target those with poor credit, offering easy loans in exchange for sensitive information or upfront fees. Imposter scams. Criminals impersonate government officials, tech support workers, or other trusted entities to gain access to bank accounts. Investment scams. Promising unrealistic returns, these scams often target victims through social media or unsolicited communications. The human element: Why people fall for scams Understanding why people fall victim to these scams is crucial for prevention. According to research from YouGov, 61% of victims attribute their vulnerability to data security breaches, while 60% cite a lack of awareness about different types of scams. Other factors include being overly trusting when making purchases (57%) and insufficient safeguarding of personal details (52%). Trust serves as the foundation for these scams, as fraudsters build it over time and follow it with an urgent or emotional plea for money, warns Lane-Sellers. Romance scams are a prime example of the role that trust plays in making people fall for the trick, says Lane-Sellers. Scammers develop an online relationship with a lonely individual over an extended period. They then invent a heart-wrenching scenario, like a health crisis or an emergency, claiming only the victim can resolve it by instantly sending money, purchasing gift cards or buying airline tickets. Interestingly, age plays a role in susceptibility to certain types of fraud. While 37% of those aged 65 and older have experienced bank and credit account fraud, only 15% of young adults aged 18-29 report the same. However, younger individuals are more likely to fall victim to employment scams and other frauds involving digital payment platforms. The role of banks and regulators Financial institutions and regulatory bodies are working to combat the rising tide of fraud. Banks are investing heavily in AI and other technologies to detect and prevent fraudulent activities. However, the rapid evolution of scam tactics presents an ongoing challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Banks are actively exploring solutions to the problem, from cutting-edge behavioral analysis to experimenting blockchain verification, says Ennamli. But we are constantly playing catch-up with new threat vectors like authorized push payment scams and ownership takeoverswhere fraudsters takeover genuine businesses and use them to defraud their suppliers and partners, which often happen to be banks. Protecting yourself from bank scams While banks and regulators play a crucial role in combating fraud, individual vigilance remains the first line of defense. Consumers must approach any unexpected and urgent money requests with extreme caution, says Lane-Sellers. Take a moment to step away from your phone or computer and question whether the person asking for money is truly who they claim to be or if the offer seems too good to be true. Heres step one: Always verify any offer, deal or urgent request for money through an independent third-party channel. Call the bank directly or consult a friend to get their perspective before taking action. Take the following steps to protect yourself from scams: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Never share personal or financial information in response to unsolicited calls, emails, or texts. Be wary of requests for immediate action or threats of account closure. Use strong, unique passwords for all financial accounts and enable two-factor authentication where possible. Regularly monitor your bank statements and credit reports for suspicious activity. Be skeptical of investment opportunities that promise unrealistic returns. Verify the legitimacy of any organization requesting financial information by contacting them through official channels. Keep your computer and mobile devices updated with the latest security software. The future of bank fraud As we look to the future, the landscape of bank fraud is likely to become even more complex. The rise of cryptocurrencies, decentralized finance, and increasingly sophisticated AI tools will present new challenges for both consumers and financial institutions. However, advancements in technology also offer hope for better fraud detection and prevention. Banks are exploring the use of biometrics, blockchain, and machine learning to enhance security and protect their customers' assets. The latest artificial intelligence and machine learning technology detects hidden behavioral and interaction anomalies, helping to proactively identify high risk situations, says Lane-Sellers. Organizations must apply these technologies across the entire customer journey, not just during payment processes or onboarding because fraudsters target every interface and interaction with their scams. Ennamli agrees: AI is certainly part of the problem, but it's also shaping up to be a key part of the solutionif banks can deploy it effectively. Meaning that it won't take over the problem for you, it may just help you solve it faster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this ever-evolving battle against financial fraud, education and awareness remain paramount. By staying informed about the latest scams and maintaining a healthy skepticism towards unsolicited financial offers, we can all play a part in protecting our financial well-being. As we navigate the digital age of banking, remember that vigilance is your best defense against fraud. If something seems too good to be true or raises suspicion, trust your instincts and take the time to verify before taking any action. Your financial security depends on it. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com The Air Force on Monday greatly expanded funding for the prototype engine for the services planned sixth-generation fighter. General Electric of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Pratt & Whitney Engines of East Hartford, Connecticut, each received modifications to their initial Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion, or NGAP, contracts that bring the maximum amount for the prototype phase up to $3.5 billion apiece. That is more than three times higher than the $975 million ceiling on the original contracts awarded in 2022. NGAP is expected to be the propulsion system for the planned Next Generation Air Dominance fighter. GE and Pratt are designing so-called adaptive engines, which shift to the most efficient thrust configuration for whatever situation a jet is in, to power NGAD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pentagon seriously considered upgrading the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter with adaptive engines. But their cost and limited ability to fit all models of the F-35 led the Pentagon to instead upgrade the F-35s current engines. The progress made on adaptive engines is now feeding into the NGAP program. And even as the Air Force reconsiders its approach to NGAD and air dominance, the contract modification signals the service wants to keep work moving on the new engines. The Pentagon said this contract award will help deliver a state-of-the-art propulsion system with a flexible architecture that can be tailored for future combat aircraft operating across various mission threads, and digitally transforming the propulsion industrial base. The Pentagon expects the work to be done by July 2032. Chris Calio, president and chief executive of Pratts parent company, RTX, said the additional funding will help the company continue driving down the risks on its adaptive engine, dubbed XA103. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve gone through rigorous testing over the last few years, Calio said in an earnings call with investors Tuesday. Weve been really pleased with the results there. Pratt & Whitney said in February 2024 that the XA103 had finished a key design review with the Air Force and was on its way to ground testing in the late 2020s. GE said in May 2024 that its NGAP engine, the XA102, finished a major design review in December 2023 and was moving towards a prototype engine test. The Air Force has pushed for years to develop NGAD envisioned as a family of systems including a sixth-generation crewed fighter, as well as drone wingmen known as collaborative combat aircraft and other advanced systems and weapons to modernize its fleet and replace the F-22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program is suffering from major sticker shock, however, with initial cost estimates coming in at three times as much as an F-35, or between $250 million and $300 million. The Air Force balked and put NGAD on hold in summer 2024 as it reconsidered what the best and most cost-effective way to maintain air dominance might be. After Trump was reelected, the Air Forces previous leadership decided it would be more appropriate to let the new administration decide its path forward. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) In the near future, you might be able to skip the rush-hour commute on I-15 by taking to the skies instead. On Tuesday morning, a landmark agreement was signed by BETA Technologies, an electric aircraft manufacturer, and 47G | Utah Aerospace & Defense to bring air taxi technology and charging stations to Utah. The new air taxis would have the ability to fly up to five passengers or up to 1,250 pounds of cargo. According to BETA Technologies website, the taxis can reach a full charge in just under an hour and can travel over 350 miles per charge, reaching speeds of about 155 miles per hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were bringing airplanes out very shortly to start flying routes here, Kyle Clark, CEO and Founder of BETA Technologies, said. We will put charging into the airports hopefully later this fall or early next year. Legislature day 6: Slated votes and Olympic plans that you should know about The air taxis, which garnered support from the Utah Department of Transportation and the Governors Office of Economic Opportunity, are expected to run statewide in time for the 2034 Winter Olympic Games. By early 2026, the plan is for Utah to be moving cargo in them before transitioning to people. From early next year onward we start with cargo, medical logistics, and then we move into passenger flights over the next years, said Clark. By the end of the decade here were flying cargo, medical passenger, both in conventional takeoff landing airport to airport and vertical takeoff, landing going from vertiport to vertiport in quiet, clean electric airplanes. Gov. Cox said the state is working to implement an advanced air mobility strategy that would provide Utahns and the states visitors with more transportation choices. The use of clean technology will reportedly help improve air quality while improving access to jobs and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utah is at the epicenter of cutting-edge innovations in the commercial aviation industry that will play a critical role in Utahs economic future. Utah is not just embracing the future of transportation we are leading it, said Cox. In addition to the taxis, the agreement would also bring investment into Utahs charging network, adding charging stations that would support the new aircraft as well as ground-based electric vehicles. In his 2026 Fiscal Year budget, Cox identified $2 million to support the aircraft charging station infrastructure. UDOT Executive Director Carlos Braceras celebrated the agreement by saying Utah needs to find creative solutions to its growing population. Bill to block public unions from collectively bargaining passes Utah House Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We move people and the things they need using more than just roads, said Braceras. As Utahs population grows and we face increasing demands on our ground transportation system, we know that advanced air mobility offers innovative new solutions to address our evolving mobility needs. The project is expected to not only improve transportation along the Wasatch Front, but create 11,000 new full-time jobs and bring $1.8 billion in local, state, and federal tax revenues by 2045 well after the Winter Olympic Games have come and gone. The planes will first have trained pilots but eventually, they can fly themselves. Clark credited the state of Utah for its innovation. Somebodys got to be a leader. Utah took a leadership position and set the table for our company and other companies in Utah to go and do advanced air mobility, Clark 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 ABC4 Utah. HB 89, sponsored by Rep. Marilyn Lands, D-Huntsville, proposes 60 days of prenatal Medicaid coverage for low-income pregnant people, aimed at improving health outcomes. (Getty) Alabama lawmakers have reintroduced a bill to provide prenatal care to low-income pregnant people for up to 60 days during pregnancy. HB 89, sponsored by Rep. Marilyn Lands, D-Huntsville, aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes by expanding access to prenatal care. It would provide presumptive Medicaid eligibility for pregnant people, allowing them to receive Medicaid coverage for up to 60 days before formal approval of their Medicaid applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our maternal healthcare outcomes are among the worst in the country, infant mortality as well, Lands said in an interview Monday. This bill, in particular, seems like its one that a lot of people would see as a first step toward improving outcomes in this state. Its not going to have much of a cost associated with it, and the cost savings potential is pretty amazing. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Alabama has long struggled with high maternal mortality rates and poor infant health outcomes. Alabamas infant mortality rate increased to 7.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023, the highest since 2016. Alabamas infant mortality rate jumped from 6.7 per 1,000 live births in 2022 to 7.8 per 1,000 live births in 2023, a statistically significant increase and above the national provisional rate of 5.6 for the same period. Low birth weight and preterm births remain key risk factors. Additionally, 143 of the 1,112 babies born on average each week in Alabama are born preterm, defined by the CDC as births that happen before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Of those, 22 babies a week are born very preterm, or under 35 weeks gestation. The earlier a baby is born, the higher the risks for breathing problems, feeding difficulties, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, or vision and hearing problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some lawmakers expressed concerns about funding, Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, said she supports the bill not only because it may potentially save the state money in the long run but also because it promotes children being born healthier, and mothers being able to take care of themselves. I think that the healthier we can have our babies, and the mamas are taken care of, the better it is for our state, and so I am supporting this bill, Collins said. Although a fiscal note was not attached to the legislation, Lands said that it was estimated to be around $1 million. Both Lands and Collins said that it could be an overestimation, but the states share of Alabamas Medicaid budget, expected to exceed $1 billion in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, could pose a challenge. When youre on a budget committee, and youre actually looking at every single expenditure, its a hard thing to include an increase in a budget when you know youre already at the line, Collins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lands said that the bill could have a cost-savings potential of over $400 million, not included in the original $1 million potential cost, by reducing preterm births. Alabama has 58,000 births per year, with 12.9% being preterm, costing an average of $60,000 per birth. We were calculating a reduction in what we thought would be an achievable reduction in preterm births, and what that would look like. So its pretty big, Lands said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen, the Colorado Democrat leading the charge in the House of Representatives to allow new parents to vote by proxy, on Monday announced the birth of her second son. "We are overjoyed to welcome our healthy baby boy, Sam, to our family," Pettersen posted to social media, alongside photos of the newborn and his mother and father, Ian Silverii, and older brother Davis. "Davis couldnt be more excited to be his big brother," she said, adding, "We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support." Born in Denver on Saturday, Samuel Lee Silverii weighed in at 7 pounds and 1/2 ounce and measured 19 3/4 inches, Silverii told Colorado Politics. Samuel Lee Silverii Samuel Lee Silverii, born Jan. 25, 2025, in Denver. His parents are U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen, a Lakewood Democrat, and Ian Silverii. Serving her second term representing the Jefferson County-based 7th Congressional District, Pettersen returned from Washington, D.C., to the family's Lakewood home just over two weeks earlier and planned to remain there on doctor's orders until her baby was born, knowing she would be unable to cast votes on legislation under House rules. Pettersen appears to be only the 14th member of Congress to give birth while in office. Along with a bipartisan group of young lawmakers, Pettersen is pushing a rules change in the chamber to permit lawmakers the ability to vote by proxy in order to care for newborns, but House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, has rejected their request. Before she departed the Capitol, Pettersen and fellow lawmakers six Democrats and six Republicans introduced a resolution to authorize remote voting by proxy for parents of newborns, granting up to 12 weeks maternity or paternity leave. Our government works best when the life experiences of the American people are represented, Pettersen said in a statement. Enabling new parents to vote by proxy while they spend time recovering and taking care of their newborn baby is an important step in modernizing Congress and addressing one of the significant barriers young parents face to serving. Republican U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, a cosponsor of the resolution, gave birth last year, when she sponsored an earlier, similar measure. No parent should have to choose between caring for their child, or recovering from childbirth, and fulfilling their duties in Congress to represent their constituents, Luna said in a statement, adding: "Congress needs to get with the times." Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Just over five years earlier, when she was serving in the Colorado State Senate, Pettersen became only the second state lawmaker in memory to give birth during session, which led to the General Assembly changing its policies to to accommodate new parents. A spokeswoman for Pettersen told Colorado Politics the lawmaker is unsure how long she'll be on maternity leave this time. Johnson previously said he considers the move to be unconstitutional, even though he empathizes with female lawmakers "of birthing age." "Its a real quandary," Johnson told a reporter earlier this month. "But I'm afraid it doesn't fit with the language of the Constitution, and that's the inescapable truth that we have." Johnson was among a group of House Republicans who sued to block the House from using proxy voting during the coronavirus pandemic, though courts ruled against the GOP's legal challenge. Pettersen told Colorado Politics that Johnson's objections to proxy voting have routinely been dismissed by the courts. We are in this situation because of outdated policies and mindsets, not legislative minutia," she said. "Its unacceptable that Republican leadership refuses to make the changes necessary to accommodate new parents and ensure their vote is counted." Pettersen said supporters of the rules change plan to "keep fighting" and could pursue a parliamentary maneuver to force a floor vote on the resolution if Republican leadership won't schedule a vote. Such a move, known as a discharge petition, would require 218 signatures a majority of the chamber's 435 members asking for the full House to hold a vote. In an interview with Glamour magazine published over the weekend, Pettersen said she plans to press ahead, inspired by her sons. "My son, Davis, who just turned five, reminds me every day whats at stake in the urgency of this moment," Pettersen told the magazine. "Now, Im going to have another son whos going to continue to do the same. Im fighting for their future and also fighting to make sure that were modernizing the places of power where we need regular people represented, people who understand the current struggles that families are facing." CHAMBERS COUNTY, Ala. (WRBL) A 29-year-old Lineville, Alabama man is in custody, charged with attempted murder for allegedly shaking his 4-month-old daughter so violently it caused severe head trauma. A family friend tells WRBL the baby is recovering despite significant injuries she allegedly suffered at the hands of her father. Now WRBL is learning Joshua Denham, the suspect, was out on bond for earlier child abuse allegations involving his young son he had with another woman. These allegations stem from a February 2024 indictment in Randolph County, where Denham faces charges of domestic violence strangulation and aggravated child abuse against a child under six years old. The indictment claims Denham used his forearm to compress his sons neck, causing asphyxia, and struck him multiple times, leaving significant injuries to his face and body. Denham posted bond in March 2024 and was awaiting court proceedings when Chambers County Sheriffs investigators allege he shook his infant daughter twice in January 2025, leading to her hospitalization with severe head trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents reveal the infant appeared healthy until January 16, 2025, when she began vomiting and refusing to eat. Over the next several days, her condition worsened. On January 21, she became limp, prompting a 911 call. Medical evaluations allege the baby suffered both subacute and acute subdural hemorrhages, injuries linked to acceleration and deceleration forces often associated with shaken baby syndrome. Extensive bilateral retinal hemorrhages, another indicator of inflicted trauma, were also discovered. Investigators believe the baby was shaken on two separate occasions. The first allegedly happened between the evening of January 15 and the morning of January 16 when Denham was with the baby while the mother was at work. The second reportedly occurred shortly before the 911 call on January 21. During both incidents, Denham was the only caregiver in the home, according to the complaint. Medical experts said the injuries required significant force, consistent with actions by an adolescent or adult. The babys current medical condition has not been disclosed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denham now faces charges of attempted murder and aggravated child abuse in Chambers County. As a result of his recent arrest, his bond has been revoked in the 2024 child abuse case in Randolph County. Denham is expected to appear in court for the new charges in the coming weeks. The Chambers County Sheriffs Office is asking anyone with additional information about the case to come forward. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. When disaster strikes, the immediate response often focuses on efforts such as providing food, water and shelter to those affected. However, long-term assistance is also vital. Behind the scenes, a critical piece of both the immediate and long-term recovery process is being orchestrated by a nonprofit organization: the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN). ALAN has been quietly mobilizing supply chain and logistics expertise to support communities in the wake of catastrophic events for the past 20 years. Now, as the recent fires in Los Angeles have shown, the nonprofits work is more important than ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALAN was formed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when a group of supply chain and logistics professionals recognized that their skills and expertise could make a real difference in disaster response and recovery efforts, explained Kathy Fulton, executive director and a 17-year veteran of the organization. In the years since, ALAN has responded to countless domestic and international disasters, applying the knowledge and capabilities of the logistics community to support those who have experienced the worst days of their lives. Unlike traditional disasters where we can more easily identify and locate displaced individuals, the dispersed nature of the affected communities in Los Angeles has presented some unique challenges, said Fulton. Many of those impacted have sought shelter with friends or family, making it harder for relief organizations to pinpoint where the greatest needs are. This is where ALANs innovative approach comes into play. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the key projects were focused on is mapping the [relief] demand in the affected areas, Fulton explained. Were partnering with community-based organizations to gather data directly from residents about their specific needs, whether its temporary housing, rebuilding supplies or other essential resources. This initiative allows ALAN to direct its resources more effectively while ensuring that the right aid reaches the right people at the right time. But the challenges dont end there. Disasters like the LA fires dont just have an immediate impact. The long-term effects can last for months or even years. As the recovery process continues, the supply chain demands will shift and require a different set of logistics capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In California, the burn scars from the fires could start causing ongoing issues like flooding and mudslides, Fulton said. As people start to rebuild their homes and lives, the supply chain demands will shift, requiring different support. ALANs role in this long-term recovery process is crucial. It is working closely with industry partners and local communities to plan for their changing needs, whether its assessing the demand for construction materials, coordinating transportation or mapping out the supply chain for rebuilding efforts. The reality is that were likely looking at a multiyear effort to fully recover from these disasters, Fulton said. In the immediate aftermath, were focused on supporting the distribution of essential supplies and services. But as the initial response transitions into the rebuilding phase, our role will evolve. To support ALAN and its long-term work in California, as well as continued efforts in North Carolina and Florida after the hurricane disruption of 2024, visit the organizations website. Articles by Grace Sharkey Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FreightTechs tracking superhero lands $40M How automation is solving logistics biggest problems in 2025 Former C.H. Robinson exec joins Armada Sunset to lead strategic growth The post ALAN mapping out long-term recovery efforts in LA appeared first on FreightWaves. Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage is seen on Sunday. Hospitals provide core health care services, but as Alaska's population continues to age, long-term and in-home care will become increasingly important, said Jared Kosin, executive director of the Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) Facing steep growth in demand, constant turnover and employee retirements, Alaskas health care industry has a staggering need for new workers, a new report says. To meet those variables, we have to find over 9,400 new health care workers every single year, Jared Kosin, executive director of the Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association, said on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kosin, who presented the information to the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, characterized the workforce situation as a good news-bad news story. Im like, Hey, we have these opportunities. We have jobs open now! Exclamation point. Challenges: We have jobs open now! Exclamation point, he said in his presentation. Something thats so great and so opportunistic is also one of our biggest challenges, because we cant fill all these jobs. The numbers Kosin presented at the chamber meeting were from his associations newly released analysis of Alaskas health care workforce. The report, by Rain Coast Data of Juneau, was the latest in a series of annual workforce studies commissioned by the association. The report quantified the health care industrys economic heft in Alaska. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is the states largest employer, with more than 44,000 workers representing 11% of Alaskas jobs, according to the report. Their total $3.4 billion in wages amount to 13% of those earned in the state, according to the report. Wage growth since 2016 has been 47%, well above the statewide wage growth over the same period of about 26%, Kosin said. That growth in wages was probably influenced by the dire needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted. As demand for health care grows, the biggest single need is for registered nurses, Kosin said in the presentation. Of the more than 9,400 new workers that Alaska needs each year, 1,400 are new registered nurses, said. Jerad Kosin, executive director of the Alaska Hospital and Heathcare Association, speaks to the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce on Monday. Kosin discussed workforce shortages, as detailed in the findings of an annual workforce report his association commissioned. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) For now, the supply of new nurses and other health care workers is not close to meeting that demand, especially for those educated and trained in Alaska, according to the workforce report. An expected 346 new registered nurses are expected to be trained in Alaska this year, less than a quarter of the number of new nurses the state needs this year. The number of newly trained nursing aides in Alaska will be only half the total needed. And only 11 new Alaska-trained certified medical aides are expected this year, a tiny fraction of the 755 expected to be needed, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alaskas aging population, reflected in the decline of working-age residents, among other metrics, will also affect health care workforce needs, Kosin said. There will be a decided shift to the long-term and in-home services that the elderly need, he said, making traditional hospital care less prominent. There is already a mismatch between available facilities and services and the long-term care that is needed, Kosin said. Surveys of association members have revealed that one out of every seven occupied hospital beds is now being used by patients who no longer need hospitalization but who have nowhere else to go to get continuing care over the longer term, he said. Those extended stays range from 30 days to six months, amounting to over 43,000 of what are known as avoidable days and $188 million in costs, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So you have these people that literally do not need to be there and yet theyre in the most expensive environment of care, he said. At some point, insurance, Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement will no longer cover the costs, he said. Correction: This article has been updated to reflect the fact that the report was produced by Rain Coast Data of Juneau. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Denali, North America's tallest peak, is the most famous feature in the 6 million-acre Denali National Park and Preserve. (Photo provided by the National Park Service) One week after President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming North Americas tallest mountain, the Alaska House of Representatives formally asked him to reverse himself. With a bipartisan 28-10 vote on Monday, the House approved House Joint Resolution 4, which requests that Trump and the federal government continue labeling the mountain as Denali. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps order, slated to take effect within 30 days, would label the mountain as Mount McKinley, its official name between 1896 and 2015. The Alaska resolution, after a reconsideration vote that will take place as soon as Wednesday, is expected to advance to the Senate, where lawmakers say they are likely to approve it. Once approved, the resolution will go to Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, the states congressional delegation and the acting secretary of the Interior. Rep. Maxine Dibert, D-Fairbanks, speaks Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, speaks on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) Whether Trump will change his mind is anyones guess; the Alaska resolution isnt binding. On Monday, the resolutions sponsor, Rep. Maxine Dibert, D-Fairbanks, said the issue is an important one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just a name, its a symbol of history, a symbol of culture, and a symbol of respect, she said. To me, this issue is not a political one. It is simply about honoring our Native culture and heritage in Alaska, as well as our right to determine as Alaskans what is best for us, said Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak. Some may see this (renaming) as federal overreach, and it is something we have always resisted. HOW THEY VOTED In favor Robyn Niayuq Burke, D-Utqiagvik Jeremy Bynum, R-Ketchikan Ashley Carrick, D-Fairbanks Mia Costello, R-Anchorage Maxine Dibert, D-Fairbanks Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ted Eischeid, D-Anchorage Zack Fields, D-Anchorage Neal Foster, D-Nome Alyse Galvin, I-Anchorage Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage Carolyn Hall, D-Anchorage Sara Hannan, D-Juneau Rebecca Himschoot, I-Sitka Ky Holland, I-Anchorage Nellie Unangiq Jimmie, D-Bethel DeLena Johnson, R-Palmer Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage Donna Mears, D-Anchorage Genevieve Mina, D-Anchorage David Nelson, R-Anchorage George Rauscher, R-Sutton Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage Rebecca Schwanke, R-Glennallen Andi Story, D-Juneau Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak Against Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River Julie Coulombe, R-Anchorage Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kevin McCabe, R-Big Lake Elexie Moore, R-Wasilla Mike Prax, R-North Pole Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla Frank Tomaszewski, R-Fairbanks Jubilee Underwood, R-Wasilla Sarah Vance, R-Homer Excused absent Bill Elam, R-Nikiski Will Stapp, R-Fairbanks Denali is derived from the language of Interior Alaskas Koyukon Indigenous residents and translates as the high one. Though it wasnt the mountains official name in the 20th century, Denali remained in common use. In 2015, the Obama administration changed the official name as part of a broader push to use Indigenous names for geographic landmarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That change ended a concerted 40-year push that began in 1975 when the Alaska Legislature passed a resolution urging the federal government to use Denali instead of McKinley, a name proposed by a 19th century prospector who supported McKinleys position on the gold standard. That resolution, adopted by a 24-9 vote of the state House, said in part that the name would be a fitting and proper gesture to a large segment of the Alaskan population and would be originally Alaskan. The states drive was blocked for decades by members of Congress from Ohio, McKinleys home state, even as Alaskas congressional delegation and local politicians championed the Denali name. On Monday, opposition to the resolution came from some Republicans, who said they viewed it as potentially divisive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Kevin McCabe, R-Big Lake and the legislator who represents the district that contains Denali, cast one of the 10 votes against the resolution. At the end of the day, Alaskans are going to call it whatever they want. Theyre going to call it McKinley some still do theyre going to call it Denali. Some call it the great one. Theyre going to call it the big mountain at the end of the Parks Highway. It doesnt really matter, he said. McCabe and other House Republicans suggested the resolution should be amended to include praise for Trumps executive orders dealing with energy development. Lawmakers voted down an amendment from Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, that would have expanded the resolution along those lines, but not before extensive discussion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has a history of retaliation against people he sees as political opponents, and some lawmakers expressed concern about the notion that the Legislatures first message to the incoming administration is one in opposition. We need to maintain relationships with everybody ourselves, the federal government, the president, etc., said Rep. Mike Prax, R-North Pole. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) The Alaska House on Monday voted to urge President Donald Trump to reverse course and retain the name of North America's tallest peak as Denali. The vote came a week after Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order calling for the name to revert to Mount McKinley. Through his action, the president revived an idea he had floated years earlier one the state's Republican U.S. senators and many Alaskans have opposed. Monday's vote was 28-10, though notice of reconsideration was given, meaning the resolution could be voted on again before being sent to the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Alaska House is led by a majority coalition that is composed largely of Democrats but also includes independents and two Republicans. The resolution came from Rep. Maxine Dibert, a Democrat who is Koyukon Athabascan. She noted that Denali is a Koyukon Athabascan word meaning the high one," but said Denali is not just a name. It's a symbol of history. It's a symbol of culture and a symbol of respect, Dibert said. Minority Republicans sought unsuccessfully to amend the resolution to add language expressing gratitude to Trump for a separate order aimed at boosting oil and gas drilling, mining and logging in the state. Some of them said that approach seemed appropriate, given this will likely be the first formal message the Legislature sends to the Trump administration. Rep. Kevin McCabe, a Republican, said he thought adding supportive language around the executive order on resources would strengthen the overall aim. "Perhaps thats the best way to unite us and unite this resolution, and say, Hey, President Trump, thanks for doing all this. Could you possibly stop the renaming of Denali? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the National Park Service, a prospector in 1896 dubbed the peak Mount McKinley for William McKinley of Ohio, who was elected president that year. McKinley had never been to Alaska. The name would go on to be formally recognized by the U.S. government until it was changed in 2015 by the Obama administration to Denali. The name change reflected the traditions of Alaska Natives and the preference of many Alaskans, underscored by a push by state leaders decades earlier. The 20,310-foot (6,190-meter) mountain in Denali National Park and Preserve on clear days can be see from hundreds of miles away. The Interior Department last week announced efforts were underway to implement Trump's renaming order, even though state leaders don't see the matter as settled yet. Alaska Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan last week said his preference is for the name the patriotic, strong Athabascan people gave that great mountain thousands of years ago: Denali. Well continue the discussions with the Trump administration on that." Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy has said that he hopes to have a discussion with the president about the mountain next month in Washington. Alaska House members passed a resolution Monday urging President Trump not to rename Mount Denali to Mount Mckinley. Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office that undid a 2015 order from former President Obama naming North Americas highest peak Mount Denali. The word Denali means the high one and originates from the Koyukon Athabascan, an indigenous Alaskan group. Its a symbol of history. Its a symbol of culture and a symbol of respect, the resolutions author, state Rep. Maxine Dibert (D), who is Koyukon Athabascan, told the Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the vote passed comfortably with a 28-10 count, some of the states Republicans suggested rephrasing the resolutions wording to show appreciation for President Trumps efforts to support drilling in Alaska. Perhaps thats the best way to unite us and unite this resolution, and say, Hey, President Trump, thanks for doing all this. Could you possibly stop the renaming of Denali? state Rep. Kevin McCabe (R) told the AP. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy ( R) said he hopes to meet with the president to discuss the renaming of the mountain next month in Washington, despite the Interior Departments confirmation that the changes are already underway. Trump has maintained that the historic landmark should honor former President William McKinley, who was president from 1897 to 1901, as originally proclaimed in 1917. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President McKinley championed tariffs to protect U.S. manufacturing, boost domestic production, and drive U.S. industrialization and global reach to new heights, Trump wrote in the executive order, drawing clear parallels with the former Republican leader. He was tragically assassinated in an attack on our Nations values and our success, and he should be honored for his steadfast commitment to American greatness. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jan. 28JUNEAU The Alaska House voted Monday to adopt a resolution urging President Donald Trump to reconsider his executive order renaming the tallest peak in North America. The bipartisan House majority sought to quickly move a measure that would signal to the Trump administration that Alaskans opposed his idea of changing the name of the mountain from Denali back to Mount McKinley, an action Trump ordered during his first day in office. The mountain had been named for former President William McKinley who never visited Alaska until in 2015 the name was formally changed to Denali by executive order from former President Barack Obama. Alaska politicians had long sought to name the peak Denali, which derives from the Koyukon Athabaskan word meaning "high one." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Interior Department made the name change official within days of the Trump order, though Trump had allowed 30 days for the change to be implemented. The name has become a political litmus test during the first days of the Trump administration. Trump carried Alaska resoundingly in November, and Alaska politicians have largely celebrated his orders encouraging more resource development, after the Biden administration sought to slow or block resource extraction as part of an effort to slow climate change and promote environmental protections. [Denali vs. McKinley: A brief history of the long debate over what to call North America's highest mountain] House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, who is Alaska Native, said "time is of the essence" in sending a message to Alaska's congressional delegation urging them to speak to Trump about reversing his order. Rep. Louise Stutes, a Kodiak Republican who serves in the House majority, said that the order renaming Denali could be seen as "federal overreach." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The name Denali has become an Alaska landmark. It courses through the business community, it courses through our vernacular at the state level. It's a part of who we are," said Edgmon, a Dillingham independent. The House voted 28-10 to adopt the resolution. The 10 lawmakers who opposed the resolution were Republicans who sought to signal their support for Trump. Two House Republicans were absent Monday from the chamber. "I don't want it to get lost on just the name of the mountain. I want to be able to support our executive branch, our President Trump and our Vice President Vance," said Rep. Jamie Allard, an Eagle River Republican who voted against the resolution. [Alaskans say Trump can change the name of Denali but can't make people call it Mount McKinley] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven other Republicans joined the bipartisan House majority coalition which is comprised mostly of Democrats and independents in supporting the resolution, which asks members of the congressional delegation to lobby the executive branch against the name change. Alaska's two Republican U.S. senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan have already indicated they support keeping the name Denali. Alaska's lone U.S. House member Rep. Nick Begich, who has closely aligned himself with Trump, released a statement Monday in which he said the opposition from some House Republicans to the resolution indicated Alaskans were divided on the name. "Recent polling has shown that Alaskans are split on this issue, and by today's vote in Juneau, even members of the Alaska State Legislature are split on the issue," Begich said. "While I understand the passion of this issue, my focus has been and will remain fixed on creating jobs and opportunity for future generations of Alaskans who, no doubt, will continue this debate long into the future." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who has also closely aligned with Trump, said he would try to discuss the order directly with Trump during a trip to Washington, D.C. next month. Members of the House Republican minority tried Monday to amend the resolution to also praise Trump for another executive order he issued, which directs federal agencies to change policies affecting Alaska's resource development industry. Republicans said that including positive references to those orders would better reflect Alaskans' positions on the Trump administration more broadly. But the amendment failed in a 21-17 vote, with all majority members opposed. Rep. Chuck Kopp of Anchorage, one of two Republicans in the House majority, said that most Alaskans likely support Trump's executive orders on resource development, but that the Denali resolution should be kept separate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's a fair proposition that we say we don't want that message to be diluted or trivialized," said Kopp. The House is expected to hold its final vote on the measure later this week. A similar resolution is also under consideration in the Alaska Senate. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) is preparing 13 new recruits to head out into the city to address issues such as mental health, homelessness, crisis intervention, and substance use. ACS new training model has been extended to 12 weeks instead of the previous eight-week training. The city said the expanded program allows for more in-depth training in areas such as behavioral health, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the additional training includes an eight-hour mental health first aid class provided by CNM Ingenuity, a 3-hour deaf cultural sensitivity training geared toward first responders provided by the Deaf Culture Center of New Mexico, and an Alzheimers first responder training provided by the Alzheimers Association. Also, the 40-hour WE CARE training, which uses actors to simulate real-life scenarios responders may face, has been expanded to 80 hours. This expanded training program is a reflection of our commitment to providing the best possible support to both our responders and the community, Karen Boise, ACS organizational growth and community relations manager, said in a news release. Since its inception, ACS has received over 95,000 calls. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A man who pled no contest to voluntary manslaughter after stabbing a man during a fight in downtown Albuquerque nearly three years ago will spend 2.5 years behind bars. Augustus Brasmer got into an altercation with Sheldon Saunders over a skateboard outside of the Sunshine Theater in March 2022. APD investigate birthday party stabbing Witnesses told police they were fighting on the sidewalk and were separated. Thats when Brasmer stabbed Saunders killing him. Video showed Saunders attacking Brasmer after being separated. Brasmers lawyers said his client attacked in self-defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Rudolfo Emeterio sentenced him to 2.5 years behind bars. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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) The Albuquerque Police Department is looking for information on the unsolved murder of Christian Nieto in the latest episode of Duke City Case Files. On June 24, 2022, Nieto was shot at the Motel Six located on Central Ave., in northeast Albuquerque. The father of two later died at the hospital. APD investigate birthday party stabbing Officers were told about a stolen silver four-door car that was later recovered. APD said Nieto was seen talking to a person in the car just before he was shot. Anyone with information is asked to call APD. You can view the latest episode of Duke City Case Files on the departments YouTube channel. 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. By wide margins, Colorado voters consider affordable housing difficult to find and are open to government intervention, including rent control, rental and mortgage assistance and requirements that developers dedicate a share of new construction as affordable housing, a poll released Wednesday, April 28, 2021, by Louisville-based Magellan Strategies found. Albuquerque Public Schools to host virtual school choice fair ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Albuquerque Public Schools plans to help families choose which school is the right fit for their kids. Story continues below APS will host a virtual school choice fair Thursday, allowing families to explore the 24 magnet programs they offer. Principals will be available for drop-in visits and will offer three rounds of information starting at 5 p.m., 5:20 p.m., and 5:40 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The virtual fair will be from 5 to 6 p.m. Families can visit schools to learn more by clicking the Google Meet links on this webpage. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SHACKELFORD COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A suspect accused of firing shots at officers has been arrested after a manhunt in Albany. The suspect, who has not been publicly identified, was apprehended when he was located in a brushy area outside the Shackelford County Sheriffs Office, where he fled on foot after crashing on Baird Street Tuesday. This suspect is accused of initiating a police chase that started during a traffic stop in Abilene and ended with the crash, which the Texas Department of Public Safety says was caused by spike strips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shots were fired at law enforcement during the chase, but DPS says no one has been injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Abilene Police Department SWAT team, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Stephens County Sheriffs Office, Shackelford County Sheriffs Office, and the Albany Fire Department and EMS all assisted in the search. Helicopters and drones were also deployed. Albany ISD was on a soft lockdown as a precaution due the manhunt, but the Sheriffs Office says there was never a threat to any campus. Dismissal was delayed until an all-clear was given by law enforcement. No further information, including the suspects identity, has been released at this time. Stick with BigCountryHomepage.com for any updates on this breaking news. 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) The family of a missing Upstate mother is asking South Carolina lawmakers to propose a new law in the state legislature that would change how missing person cases are investigated. Alexis Wares family and friends presented The Alexis Ware Act to Enhance Missing Person Investigations to the Greenville County Legislative Delegation meeting on Monday. The proposed bill would allow families to ask the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to take over a missing persons investigation if it is unresolved after a year. The Alexis Ware Act was born out of a desire to address gaps in our current system and to provide families like Alexis with hope, resources and the support they deserve, Bruce Wilson, the familys friend and advocate, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I implore you to consider the profound impact that this legislation could have on families like mine, who are left in limbo without the ability to swiftly and effectively pursue justice for our missing loved ones, Alberta Gray-Simpkins, Wares mother said in a statement. Ware was last seen at an Anderson County 7-Eleven on January 30, 2022. Her car was later discovered in McCormick County, but she has not been found. The impact of Alexiss disappearance is not limited to our family alone; her children are suffering immensely, grappling with the absence of their mother and the unanswered questions that haunt us all, Gray-Simpkins said. The Alexis Ware Act was written after Gray-Simpkins asked SLED to take over her daughters investigation in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigator responded to Gray-Simpkinss request saying, SLED Investigates matters of criminal misconduct only after receiving a request from the Solicitor, the Attorney Generals Office or the law enforcement agency of jurisdiction. The investigator suggested Gray-Simpkins follow up with the Anderson County Sheriffs Office, which has been leading Wares investigation. Weve tried to get the FBI involved, the Attorney Generals office involved, all of these different agencies weve tried to get involved but werent able to, Wilson said. This case has gone stagnant. No information. This family hasnt received anything. Wares family is urging state lawmakers to propose and adopt the Alexis Ware Act in the state legislature so it can become law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill is about more than Alexis, Wilson said. It is about creating a framework that benefits our entire state. It ensures consistency, accountability and hope for families in their most vulnerable moments. The Anderson County Sheriffs Office said the Attorney Generals Office has been made aware of the details of Wares case. From the infancy of this case, detectives with the Anderson County Sheriffs Office have intensely followed every lead and continue to investigate, interrogate and gather evidence. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, along with the Attorney Generals Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation collectively are aware of the elements of Alexis case. Our detectives have requested FBI assistance; however, their agency notes our Criminal Investigations Division is already taking the proper steps to push closer toward answers and justice. Evidence does not support any indication of state line cross over, limiting the FBIs involvement. Wares case is one that sits extremely heavy on the minds of the investigators as they maintain an open dialogue with Wares family. We encourage cooperation from family and friends and ask anyone with information about Wares disappearance to come forward to bring Alexis home. Anderson 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 WSPA 7NEWS. This is an adapted excerpt from the Jan. 26 episode of Velshi. In 1970, Dr. George Tiller took over his fathers family practice in Wichita, Kansas, after his dad passed away. When his dads old patients started rolling in, Tiller learned a secret: His father had been providing safe, but illegal, abortions to his patients for decades. It had not been Tillers plan to go into family practice, much less womens health, but he was so moved by meeting his fathers patients and hearing their stories seeing the need his father had been filling that once the Supreme Court affirmed the right to an abortion with Roe v. Wade in 1973, Tiller began a decadeslong career, eventually becoming Wichitas lone abortion provider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While his father operated in secret, Tiller became perhaps the most famous public face of abortion. To the anti-abortion movement, he became a target. In 1986, his clinic was bombed overnight. No one was hurt but there was extensive damage. Tiller hung a sign outside that said, Hell no, we wont go. In 1991, thousands of anti-abortion activists descended onto Tillers clinic in Wichita in what they dubbed the Summer of Mercy weeks of protests and blockades designed to shut down the clinic and end abortion access. Protesters would block the entrance to the clinic and adjacent streets, screaming threats and prayers at patients. Over the course of six weeks, 2,600 people were arrested. In 1993, Tiller was shot five times by an anti-abortion extremist outside his clinic, though he managed to survive. But 16 years later, in 2009, another anti-abortion activist shot Tiller, this time during services at his church in Witchita, killing him. But Tiller wasnt the only one being terrorized by violent anti-abortion extremists. Clinics across the country were vandalized and blockaded. Doctors, nurses and volunteers were stalked, harassed and assassinated. Between 1977 and 1988, there were 110 cases of arson or firebombing by anti-abortion extremists, according to researchers at the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. And in 1993, the same year Tiller walked away from that attempted assassination, an OB-GYN in Pensacola, Florida, named Dr. David Gunn was shot dead outside the abortion clinic where he worked. Gunn was the first known targeted killing of an abortion provider in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following year two receptionists were shot and killed and five others wounded at a pair of Boston area clinics. In all, at least 11 people have been killed in attacks on abortion clinics since 1993. This was the political climate in which then-President Bill Clinton signed the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances or FACE Act in 1994. It prohibits anyone from using force, threat of force, intimidation or injury to prevent someone from obtaining or providing reproductive health services. On Thursday, 23 people convicted of violating that act were pardoned by President Donald Trump. One of them, Lauren Handy, was sentenced to five years in prison for essentially invading a Washington, D.C. clinic. She posed as a patient with an appointment before eight of her allies barged into the building and blocked the doors with chains and ropes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When police searched her home, they found five fetuses Handy claimed to have taken from a medical waste truck driver outside the clinic. In an interview with New York Magazine, Handy said, Ive accepted the reality that my life will be in and out of jail. Not so. The president has pardoned her and her co-conspirators. On Friday, Trumps Justice Department took things a step further and issued an order curtailing all prosecutions under the FACE Act, save for extraordinary circumstances. So despite Trumps insistence on the campaign trail that states will do what they want with abortion, his pardon of people convicted for violating the FACE Act and his order that it largely no longer be enforced in the future sends a very clear signal to women and womens health providers: The government will not protect abortion rights even in states where they are still guaranteed. And, worse, is the signal hes sending to extremists: It is now acceptable to make use of threats, intimidation and even perhaps violence to shut down abortion clinics. Armand Manoukian and Allison Detzel contributed. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Suspected Central American drug kingpin Luis Manuel Picado Grijalba a.k.a Shock was arrested while on a lavish European vacation with his familyaided by an unlikely source: his wifes social media. Grijalba, 43, had been on the radar of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for months due to his alleged role in shipping cocaine from Limon, Costa Rica, to the United States, New York Post reports. His arrest, however, was not the result of an undercover sting, but a string of Instagram posts that connected authorities to his UK whereabouts. His wife, Estefania McDonald Rodriguez, frequently documented their luxurious trip on social media, showing them beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris, sunbathing on beaches, holding two parrots, and even seated before Romes famed Trevi Fountain. The 32-year-olds now-deleted posts provided law enforcement with an easy-to-follow trail, allowing them to anticipate the couples next move and act swiftly. Once his location was discovered, a warrant was approved by the DEA to arrest him in Europe rather than his home of Costa Rica, where extradition laws would have complicated proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to The Sun, Grijalba had splurged on $20,000 worth of plane tickets to bring his family to Europe for the New Year. However, the trip was cut short when he was intercepted at a London airport and immediately taken into custody. Appearing in court the following day, he was hit with possible extradition to the United States, where he could face a long prison sentence. Costa Ricas Attorney General, Carlo Diaz, acknowledged the significance of Grijalbas capture, but admitted his office had no charges against him. For us, it is also an important capture because we had not yet been able to attribute any criminal act to him in our country, but I repeat, he has been linked in some investigations to drug trafficking in Limon, Diaz stated to the news. Grijalba remains in custody as his extradition battle unfolds. His wife has since erased her social media pages. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Vancouver police arrested a man Friday accused of robbing a bank last month. On Dec. 21, 2024, police responded to a robbery at the Bank of America at 1145 SE 164th Ave. Officials say that a man entered the bank and implied that he had a firearm, but fled before the police arrived. Ethics watchdogs assess claims that Koteks office committed minor spending violations After obtaining a photo from surveillance video and tips from the public, detectives identified the suspect as Ryan Frisbie who was already the suspect in at least two other bank robberies in the Portland area, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators then found a photo of an RV/Motorhome that Frisbee owned, which was spotted by a Vancouver Police patrol officer on Friday. After confirming that the driver of the vehicle was Frisbie, officers arrested him and booked him into the Clark County Jail. He was charged with first-degree robbery. 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 KOIN.com. Honolulu, HI (KHON) Aloha Ballroom Company, founded by choreographer Tony Meredith, is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a showcase at the Waikiki Beach Marriott on Saturday, February 1st, 2025, at 7 p.m. The event promises to be a night of inspiring performances, community connection, and unforgettable moments, headlined by Hawaiis own Sasha Colby, the winner of RuPauls Drag Race Season 15. This anniversary is a celebration of our students, our team, and the vibrant dance community weve built, said Meredith. Dance has a way of bringing people together, and Im so proud of how Aloha Ballroom has become a place where people connect, express themselves, and experience the joy of movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The anniversary event will feature a mix of performances, including routines from Aloha Ballrooms students. Following the student showcase, guests will be treated to a professional show featuring Sasha Colby, world champion ballroom dancers Yegor Novikov and Tatiana Novikova, and more. For fans of Sasha Colby, a Meet & Greet will follow the performance, allowing them to meet the star in person. Having Sasha Colby headline the anniversary event is a major highlight. The Hawaiian native, who made history as the winner of RuPauls Drag Race Season 15, is no stranger to the spotlight. Sasha is an absolute star and a proud representation of Hawaiis talent, Meredith said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her journey inspires so many, and when we reached out to her about celebrating this milestone with us, she was thrilled to join. Her performance will be electrifying, and having her here makes this anniversary truly unforgettable. Meredith, who has had a celebrated career as a world-renowned choreographer, is passionate about giving back to his roots. A former Honolulu resident, Merediths decision to bring Aloha Ballroom Company to the islands was inspired by his deep connection to Hawaii. Dance has always been about connection for mewhether its connecting people to music, to each other, or to their own creativity, said Meredith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I spent much of my childhood here in Hawaii, so coming back to the islands to establish Aloha Ballroom Company felt like a way to give back to the community and share the transformative power of dance. Event Details: Date/Time: Saturday, February 1st, 2025 at 7 p.m. Location: Waikiki Beach Marriott, Honolulu, HI Tickets: Available at www.alohaballroomcompany.com/shop Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Speaking alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Berlin on Tuesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz once again condemned all territorial expansionist ambitions, regardless of who pursues them. The comments were a clear reference to US President Donald Trump's repeated territorial demands, including to take control of Greenland, a largely autonomous Danish territory. Trump has also asserted claims to the Panama Canal and demanded that Canada join the US. "Borders must not be moved by force - to whom it may concern," Scholz said ahead of talks with Frederiksen at the German Chancellery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The inviolability of borders is a fundamental principle of international law," Scholz reiterated. "The principle must apply to all." Scholz has made similar comments repeatedly in recent weeks. Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and attempts at annexing large parts of Ukrainian territory also loom over the discussions. Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in Greenland, the world's largest island which is believed to hold extensive natural resources and is strategically important for control of the Arctic. "I don't really know what claim Denmark has to it, but it would be a very unfriendly act if they didn't allow that to happen because it's for the protection of the free world," Trump said at the weekend, adding that "I think we're going to have it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Against this backdrop, the Danish government announced on Monday that it would be strengthening its military presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic with three new ships for the waters around Greenland, additional long-range drones and satellites - at a cost of almost 2 billion ($2.1 billion). Mette Frederiksen (L), Prime Minister of Denmark, and Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz hold a joint press conference following their meeting at the Federal Chancellery. Michael Kappeler/dpa Prince George's County Council member Calvin Hawkins on June 9, 2024. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D) officially endorsed At-Large Prince Georges County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins (D) in the crowded race to replace her as Prince Georges County Executive. Alsobrooks, who was sworn in Jan. 3 as the first Black woman to represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate, said in a statement Friday that Hawkins will be someone that puts people first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a person who has worked at the highest levels of County government for two County Executives, including as Council Chair, he has the experience to hit the ground running on Day One, Alsobrooks said. He will grow our economy, manage our budget, and provide the services that Prince Georgians need and deserve. Hawkins is one of nine Democrats running in the March 4 special primary for county executive but not the only one with high-profile endorsements. Others in the race include former County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, States Attorney Aisha Braveboy, County Council Chair Jolene Ivey and state Sen. Alonzo Washington. Braveboy, who recently reported the most money in her campaign account as of early January, at more than $530,000, has garnered endorsements from state Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-Prince Georges) and at least three members of the all-Democratic County Council Council Vice Chair Edward Burroughs III and members Wala Blegay and Krystal Oriadha. Ivey has been endorsed by U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-5th) and Kweisi Mfume (D-8th), Del. Adrian Boafo (D-Prince Georges) and former U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, whom Alsobrooks replaced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington, who announced his bid last month at Busboys and Poets restaurant in Hyattsville, is backed by fellow District 22 lawmaker Del. Ashanti Martinez (D-Prince Georges). Baker, who was termed out of office in 2018, before losing two bids for governor, also brought out supporters when he announced last month in Fort Washington. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Baker noted in a Jan. 17 interview that he is the only candidate with county executive experience, including two years during the first term of President Donald Trump, in 2017 and 2018. Everybody thats running for county executive now will need a learning curve. They will need to know how to do that job, he said. It doesnt matter if youve been a legislator, or business [owner], or youve been states attorney. Thats not being county executive. Theres no way that any of them could say the county did not prosper under my administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other four Democratic candidates are Marcellus Crews, Ron Hunt, Albert Slocum and Tonya Sweat. The three Republicans running for executive have all sought public office before: George E. McDermott, Jesse Peed and Jonathan White. Sweat on Monday picked up the endorsement of the Maryland Forward Party, a relatively new entity in state politics whose motto is, Not Left. Not Right. Forward. Tonya represents the type of positive change that Maryland voters are so desperately looking for, said PJ Benenati, the organizations chair, in a statement. Today, more than ever, we need strong, independent minded leadership to actively address and solve the challenges facing our diverse and growing communities. For those who want to hear the candidates in person, a forum is scheduled for Thursday at Laurel Boys and Girls Club. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the forum starts at 6:30 p.m. Jill Carter on glide path for confirmation Ex-membership has its privileges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former state Sen. Jill P. Carter (D-Baltimore City) sped through her confirmation hearing Monday night before the Senate Executive Nominations Committee, to join the Maryland Board of Contract Appeals. Though she was listed as the 17th, and last, nominee on the committees busy agenda, she was leap-frogged to the head of the line, ahead of 16 judicial nominees. The hearing lasted all of three minutes. Carter resigned from the Senate on Jan. 3 after Gov. Wes Moore (D) nominated her to serve on the contract appeals board. As tradition dictates during confirmation hearings in the executive nominations panel, Carter was introduced by her senator Dalya Attar (D), who was just sworn in to Carters old seat on Friday afternoon. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont have to tell you all why she is great for her position, said Attar, who was appointed to the Senate after serving six years in the House, to her new colleagues. Carter described her new gig as going back to my roots, because her early days as a lawyer were spent appealing government contract decisions that her clients found discriminatory. I promise to uphold the values of the board with integrity, transparency and efficiency, she said. Speaking for his colleagues on the nominations committee, Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City), said, Id like to second, third, fourth, and fifth the nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carter and the 16 judicial nominees who included Moores first appointment to the Maryland Supreme Court, Judge Peter Killough were unanimously recommended for approval by the committee. The full Senate is likely to confirm their nominations Friday. Catholic leaders stand with immigrants As the Trump administration launches its crackdown on undocumented immigrants across the U.S., Marylands Catholic bishops have released a joint statement, in English and Spanish, to express their solidarity with immigrants and to recommit to advocating for policies that protect their rights and uphold their dignity. The eight bishops include Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori; Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Apostolic Administrator of Washington; Wilmington Bishop William Koenig; and the states five auxiliary bishops. The Church has always been a home for those in search of refuge and peace, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to welcome the stranger and embrace the vulnerable, the bishops wrote in their statement. Noting that parishes, schools and ministries are places to find community and grow in faith, the bishops went on to say they also commit to advocating for policies that protect your rights and uphold your dignity, trusting that our collective voices will help build a society rooted in compassion and justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the weekend, the Maryland Catholic Conference held a statewide workshop for immigrants and advocates that provided information and resources addressing legal rights, practical support and national policy. Speakers included national Catholic policy experts and a representative from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. As the Annapolis lobbying world turns The firm Public Policy Partners has brought on Jennifer Navabi as director of operations, intergovernmental relations and community affairs. Jennifer brings extensive expertise and experience in navigating local government, building community relationships, and working with Marylands Congressional delegation, the firm said in its announcement. Navabi served most recently as district director for former Anne Arundel state Sen. Sarah K. Elfreth (D), now a U.S. congresswoman. She also worked in the legislature as a staffer for former Montgomery County state Sen. Richard Madaleno (D) and shes a former executive director of the Annapolis Community Foundation. 'There is simply no indication at all that there was an obvious risk a student, whether disabled or not, would go out a window in a time period that appears to be 60-90 seconds,' said Judge Charlotte Sweeney (NewsNation) Jamie Metzl, a former national security council and state department official, tells On Balance with Leland Vittert that the United States has a schizophrenic, codependent relationship with China which makes our battle to perfect AI especially tense. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Becoming a public-health expert means learning how to envision humanitys worst-case scenarios for infectious disease. For decades, though, no one in the U.S. has had to consider the full danger of some of historys most devastating pathogens. Widespread vaccination has eliminated several diseasesamong them, measles, polio, and rubellafrom the country, and helped keep more than a dozen others under control. But in the past few years, as childhood-vaccination rates have dipped nationwide, some of infectious diseases ugliest hypotheticals have started to seem once again plausible. The new Trump administration has only made the outlook more tenuous. Should Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one of the nations most prominent anti-vaccine activists, be confirmed as the next secretary of Health and Human Services, for instance, his actions could make a future in which diseases resurge in America that much more likely. His new position would grant him substantial power over the FDA and the CDC, and he is reportedly weighing plansincluding one to axe a key vaccine advisory committeethat could prompt health-care providers to offer fewer shots to kids, and inspire states to repeal mandates for immunizations in schools. (Kennedys press team did not respond to a request for comment.) Kennedys goal, as he has said, is to offer people more choice, and many Americans likely would still enthusiastically seek out vaccines. Most Americans support childhood vaccination and vaccine requirements for schools; a KFF poll released today found, though, that even in the past year the proportion of parents who say they skipped or delayed shots for their children has risen, to one in six. The more individuals who choose to eschew vaccination, the closer those decisions would bring societys collective defenses to cracking. The most visceral effects might not be obvious right away. For some viruses and bacteria to break through, the countrys immunization rates may need to slip quite a bit. But for others, the gap between no outbreak and outbreak is uncomfortably small. The dozen experts I spoke with for this story were confident in their pessimism about how rapidly epidemics might begin. [Read: How Americas fire wall against disease starts to fail] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul Offit, a pediatrician at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia and co-inventor of one of the two rotavirus vaccines available in the U.S., needs only to look at his own family to see the potential consequences. His parents were born into the era of the deadly airway disease diphtheria; he himself had measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox, and risked contracting polio. Vaccination meant that his own kids didnt have to deal with any of these diseases. But were immunization rates to fall too far, his childrens children very well could. Unlike past outbreaks, those future epidemics would sweep across a country that, having been free of these diseases for so long, is no longer equipped to fight them. Yeah, Offit said when I asked him to paint a portrait of a less vaccinated United States. Lets go into the abyss. Should vaccination rates drop across the board, one of the first diseases to be resurrected would almost certainly be measles. Experts widely regard the viral illness, which spreads through the air, as the most infectious known pathogen. Before the measles vaccine became available in 1963, the virus struck an estimated 3 million to 4 million Americans each year, about 1,000 of whom would suffer serious swelling of the brain and roughly 400 to 500 of whom would die. Many survivors had permanent brain damage. Measles can also suppress the immune system for years, leaving people susceptible to other infections. Vaccination was key to ridding the U.S. of measles, declared eliminated here in 2000. And very high rates of immunityabout 95 percent vaccine coverage, experts estimateare necessary to keep the virus out. Just a slight dip in that is enough to start spurring outbreaks, Boghuma Kabisen Titanji, an infectious-disease physician at Emory University, told me. Which has been exactly the case. Measles outbreaks do still occur in American communities where vaccination rates are particularly low, and as more kids have missed their MMR shots in recent years, the virus has found those openings. The 16 measles outbreaks documented in the U.S. in 2024 made last year one of the countrys worst for measles since the turn of the millennium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for all measles speed, I would place a bet on whooping cough being first, Samuel Scarpino, an infectious-disease modeler at Northeastern University, told me. The bacterial disease can trigger months of coughing fits violent enough to fracture ribs. Its severest consequences include pneumonia, convulsions, and brain damage. Although slower to transmit than measles, it has never been eliminated from the U.S., so its poised for rampant spread. Chickenpox poses a similar problem. Although corralled by an effective vaccine in the 1990s, the highly contagious virus still percolates at low levels through the country. Plenty of todays parents might still remember the itchy blisters it causes as a rite of passage, but the diseases rarer complications can be as serious as sepsis, uncontrolled bleeding, and bacterial infections known as flesh-eating disease. And the disease is much more serious in older adults. Those are only some of the diseases the U.S. could have to deal with. Kids who get all of the vaccines routinely recommended in childhood are protected against 16 diseaseseach of which would have some probability of making a substantial comeback, should uptake keep faltering. Perhaps rubella would return, infecting pregnant women, whose children could be born blind or with heart defects. Maybe meningococcal disease, pneumococcal disease, or Haemophilus influenzae disease, each caused by bacteria commonly found in the airway, would skyrocket, and with them rates of meningitis and pneumonia. The typical ailments of childhoodday-care colds, strep throat, winter norovirus waveswould be joined by less familiar and often far more terrifying problems: the painful, swollen necks of mumps; the parching diarrhea of rotavirus; the convulsions of tetanus. For far too many of these illnesses, the only protection we have, Stanley Plotkin, a vaccine expert and one of the developers of the rubella vaccine, told me, is a vaccine. Exactly how and when outbreaks of these various diseases could play outif they do at allis impossible to predict. Vaccination rates likely wouldnt fall uniformly across geographies and demographics. They also wouldnt decrease linearly, or even quickly. People might more readily refuse vaccines that were developed more recently and have been politicized (think HPV or COVID shots). And existing immunity could, for a time, still buffer against an infectious deluge, especially from pathogens that remain quite rare globally. Polio, for instance, would be harder than measles to reestablish in the United States: It was declared eliminated from the Americas in the 1990s, and remains endemic to only two countries. This could lead to a false impression that declining vaccination rates have little impact. A drop in vaccination rates, after all, doesnt guarantee an outbreaka pathogen must first find a vulnerable population. This type of chance meeting could take years. Then again, infiltrations might not take long in a world interconnected by travel. The population of this country is also more susceptible to disease than it has been in past decades. Americans are, on average, older; obesity rates are at a historical high. The advent of organ transplants and cancer treatments has meant that a substantial sector of the population is immunocompromised; many other Americans are chronically ill. Some of these individuals dont mount protective responses to vaccinations at all, which leaves them reliant on immunity in others to keep dangerous diseases at bay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If various viruses and bacteria began to recirculate in earnest, the chance of falling ill would increase even for healthy, vaccinated adults. Vaccines dont offer comprehensive or permanent protection, and the more a pathogen is around, the greater its chance of breaking through any one persons defenses. Immunity against mumps and whooping cough is incomplete, and known to wane in the years after vaccination. And although immunity generated by the measles vaccine is generally thought to be quite durable, experts cant say for certain how durable, Bill Hanage, an infectious-disease epidemiologist at Harvards School of Public Health, told me: The only true measure would be to watch the virus tear through a population that hasnt dealt with it in decades. Perhaps the most unsettling feature of a less vaccinated future, though, is how unprepared the U.S. is to confront a resurgence of pathogens. Most health-care providers in the country no longer have the practical knowledge to diagnose and treat diseases such as measles and polio, Kathryn Edwards, a pediatrician at Vanderbilt University, told me: They havent needed it. Many pediatricians have never even seen chickenpox outside of a textbook. To catch up, health-care providers would need to familiarize themselves with signs and symptoms they may have seen only in old textbooks or in photographs. Hospitals would need to use diagnostic tests that havent been routine in years. Some of those tools might be woefully out of date, because pathogens have evolved; antibiotic resistance could also make certain bacterial infections more difficult to expunge than in decades prior. And some protocols may feel counterintuitive, Offit said: The ultra-contagiousness of measles could warrant kids with milder cases being kept out of health-care settings, and kids with Haemophilus influenzae might need to be transported to the hospital without an ambulance, to minimize the chances that the stress and cacophony would trigger a potentially lethal spasm. [Read: Heres how we know RFK Jr. is wrong about vaccines] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The learning curve would be steep, Titanji said, stymieing care for the sick. The pediatric workforce, already shrinking, might struggle to meet the onslaught, leaving kidsthe most likely victims of future outbreaksparticularly susceptible, Sallie Permar, the chief pediatrician at NewYorkPresbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, told me. If already overstretched health-care workers were further burdened, theyd be more likely to miss infections early on, making those cases more difficult to treat. And if epidemiologists had to keep tabs on more pathogens, theyd have less capacity to track any single infectious disease, making it easier for one to silently spread. The larger outbreaks grow, the more difficult they are to contain. Eventually, measles could once again become endemic in the U.S. Polio could soon follow suit, imperiling the fight to eradicate the disease globally, Virginia Pitzer, an infectious-disease epidemiologist at Yale, told me. In a dire scenariothe deepest depths of the abyssaverage lifespans in the U.S. could decline, as older people more often fall sick, and more children under 5 die. Rebottling many of these diseases would be a monumental task. Measles was brought to heel in the U.S. only by decades of near-comprehensive vaccination; re-eliminating it from the country would require the same. But the job this time would be different, and arguably hardernot merely coaxing people into accepting a new vaccine, but persuading them to take one that theyve opted out of. That future is by no means guaranteedespecially if Americans recall what is at stake. Many people in this country are too young to remember the cost these diseases exacted. But Edwards, who has been a pediatrician for 50 years, is not. As a young girl, she watched a childhood acquaintance be disabled by polio. She still vividly recalls patients she lost to meningitis decades ago. The later stages of her career have involved fewer spinal taps, fewer amputations. Because of vaccines, the job of caring for children, nowadays, simply involves far less death. Article originally published at The Atlantic This story incorporates reporting fromNew York Daily News, WCCB, WABI-TV and Local 12 WKRC Cincinnati. An American Airlines employee suffered a fatal accident on the tarmac of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, North Carolina, on Monday morning. The employee was hit by an airline ramp vehicle near a gate where planes park. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m., as confirmed by both the airline and airport officials. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police responded to reports of the accident at approximately 9:38 a.m., arriving shortly thereafter at the airport. The employee was pronounced dead at the scene. While the identity of the deceased has not been released, the tragic occurrence has deeply affected team members and colleagues at the site. American Airlines expressed its profound sorrow over the incident, stating, We are devastated by the accident involving a team member. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and our local team members. The company also mentioned that it is focused on providing support to those affected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, airport officials conveyed their condolences to the employees family, friends, and colleagues, recognizing the difficulty of this period for all involved. Furthermore, they assured the public that there were no significant impacts to operations. Although the airport maintained regular function, several flights experienced delays due to the incident, leaving some passengers in disbelief as they witnessed the scene unfold. Witnesses described a scene of confusion and concern as the accident occurred in full view of those aboard nearby aircraft. According to Ullman, a passenger preparing to depart for Los Angeles, the operations carried on as scheduled after the incident, but the emotional weight of the event was palpable among passengers and airport staff. The specifics of how the accident occurred remain the subject of an ongoing investigation. While initial witness statements suggest the incident might have involved a blind spot complication, full details will only come to light following thorough investigative procedures, expected to assess both human and systemic factors at play. Authorities have pledged to conduct a detailed inquiry to ensure understanding of the accidents circumstances and to prevent future occurrences of similar incidents. Meanwhile, support services have been activated for the family of the employee, as well as colleagues and others affected by the tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quartz Intelligence Newsroom uses generative artificial intelligence to report on business trends. This is the first phase of an experimental new version of reporting. While we strive for accuracy and timeliness, due to the experimental nature of this technology we cannot guarantee that well always be successful in that regard. If you see errors in this article, please let us know at qi@qz.com. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. VINCENNES, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The Vincennes University Shake Library will be collaborating with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and American Library Association to bring the Americans and the Holocaust traveling exhibit to Vincennes. The exhibit will debut at the Shake Library, located in the Shake Learning Resource Center on March 17 and run through April 28. The Americans and the Holocaust exhibit will explore the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped Americans responses to Nazism, war, and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s, according to a press release from the university. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vincennes YMCA gets grant money for childcare VU Director of Library Services Charla Gilbert said, The Americans and the Holocaust exhibit holds deep significance as it examines a pivotal and sobering chapter in history, reminding us of the importance of understanding our past to shape a more compassionate future. The Shake Library is honored to host this exhibit at VU, offering community members, VU students, faculty, and staff an opportunity to engage with its powerful message through tours and accompanying events. Together, we hope to foster important dialogue, deepen understanding, and honor the memory of those impacted by this tragic period in history. Along with the traveling exhibit, the Shake Library has also created a Butterfly Project that offers a unique opportunity to engage with the exhibit and honor Holocaust victims. The library has asked students, facility members and community members to create various forms of butterflies to be displayed throughout Vincennes University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These butterflies are inspired by the original Butterfly Project initiated by the Holocaust Museum in Houston to honor the 1.5 million Jewish children who had died during the holocaust. The butterflies can be made out of paper or ceramics, the butterflies can also be submitted in a digital media form such as a photograph. VU Humanities Film and Lecture Series celebrating Native American Heritage Month For additional information, to submit photos or digital files of your butterflies, or to schedule a time to drop them off at the Shake Library, contact Tiarra Basham at tiarra.basham@vinu.edu. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Joe Bavier JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - After three years on the run from the Rwandan-backed M23 insurgency in eastern Congo, on Sunday, with the rebels fighting their way into Goma's city outskirts, Colleta Nzambonimpa found herself in church with nowhere left to turn. "I pray that God strengthens our soldiers," Nzambonimpa, 54, told Reuters. "My prayer is for M23 to be defeated and leave Goma." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just hours later, however, in a replay of a 2012 offensive, M23 fighters were marching into eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's largest city, sowing panic among residents and fears the conflict could spill over into a broader regional war. M23's last occupation of the city was short-lived, and within a year they were a defeated force. This time, things are different. A reluctance by world powers to take on Rwanda, other global distractions and on-the-ground military realities will complicate efforts to defeat the rebels in Goma and across eastern Congo and allow millions of civilians, like Nzambonimpa, to return to their homes, analysts and diplomats say. "We have to now be prepared for a large part of Congo not being under central government control for a long period of time," said Jason Stearns, a political scientist at Simon Fraser University specialising in Africa's Great Lakes region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The fall of Goma is a game changer." M23 has made lightning advances over the past month, grabbing territory and expanding its control over North Kivu province's lucrative coltan, gold and tin ore mines in fighting that has worsened one of the world's most dire humanitarian crises. Well trained and professionally armed, M23 is the latest in a long line of Tutsi-led rebel movements to emerge in Congo's volatile eastern borderlands in the wake of two successive wars stemming from Rwanda's 1994 genocide. The group says it exists to protect Congo's ethnic Tutsi population. Congo's government says it is a Rwandan proxy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rwandan President Paul Kagame's government has long denied supporting M23, despite findings to the contrary by numerous United Nations expert reports. When the rebels last seized Goma at the high-water mark of a 2012-2013 uprising, it took coordinated international pressure and threats to withdraw aid to force Kagame to cut them off. A U.N.-mandated African force then helped Congolese forces launch a counter-offensive that led to their surrender. On Sunday, at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council, the United States, France and Britain all called out Rwanda's support for M23 but stopped short of concrete action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Everyone has pointed the finger at Rwanda by now and it has not moved the needle," said Stephanie Wolters, a Congo analyst with South Africa's Institute for Security Studies. "Kagame hasn't had to face consequences that matter to him yet." VACUUMS AND DISTRACTIONS The offensive comes at a time when the world's attention is elsewhere. "The U.S. is looking inwards. Europe is divided. The Middle East is in turmoil. Kagame seized the moment," one Western diplomat told Reuters. The Rwandan president has traded on his image as a stable partner in a tumultuous region and has spent the last decade charming the nations that could hold him accountable for transgressions in Congo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has ingratiated himself with Britain, for example, agreeing to accept asylum-seeking migrants in Rwanda. Even as U.N. investigators documented Rwandan support for M23, Kigali hosted a Commonwealth summit in 2022. Although Britain's new government has scrapped the migration deal, it says it is keen to maintain close ties. Sources say France's President Emmanuel Macron is working behind the scenes to calm the situation in eastern Congo and has spoken with both Kagame and Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi. But Paris is also nurturing relations with Kigali, keen to repair damage from its role during the Rwandan genocide and to bolster its influence across the continent as its authority wanes in its former West African colonies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kagame has deployed thousands of Rwandan troops to fight an Islamist insurgency in Mozambique that threatens a major French gas project. Across the Atlantic, President Donald Trump's return to power has brought unpredictability to Washington's Africa stance. "A lot of powerful nations are less willing to engage beyond rhetoric," said Christoph Vogel, a Congo analyst and former U.N. investigator. "There's basically no will or political capital to take a stand in the Great Lakes." FIGHTING IT OUT On the ground in Congo, U.N. experts say Rwanda has sent thousands of troops into Congo over the past three years, deployed surface-to-air missiles, snipers, armoured vehicles, special forces and GPS jamming equipment. Kigali denies this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement M23 controls all of the territory surrounding Goma, depriving Congolese forces of any launch pad for mounting a counter-offensive to retake the city. The rebels have also expanded their control over mineral resources, providing both a means of sustaining their insurgency and a motivation for holding territory. President Tshisekedi has emerged weakened from a flawed 2023 election and his demand to accelerate the withdrawal of a U.N. peacekeeping mission has hurt him in the east. The pullout of the MONUSCO mission is now on hold, but the force is far less robust than it was in 2012. While a U.N.-mandated brigade from South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi was key to routing M23 in 2013, Congo's neighbours are more reluctant to get involved militarily this time, say analysts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, African leaders, spearheaded by Kenya's President William Ruto, are scrambling to launch diplomatic efforts to end the fighting. "There's always a way out if people talk and bring a willingness to compromise," said Vogel. "But right now, we're in a situation where Kinshasa and Kigali seem intent on fighting this out." (Additional reporting by Elizabeth Pineau in Paris, Giulia Paravicini and David Lewis in Nairobi, William James in London and Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Editing by Ros Russell) ANDERSON, S.C. (WSPA) The Anderson County Coroners Office wants to remind the community there is help for anyone contemplating suicide. According to the coroner, six people have committed suicide already this year, which is 16 percent of last years total. In 2022, we had 34 suicides. 2023, we had 38. In 2024, we had 37, said Alyssa Whitfield. A lot of the elderly people are really vulnerable and also younger kids. In the past ten years, our youngest one has been 11 and then our oldest has been 91. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sharon Orvis tragically lost her son David Johnson to suicide on June 6, 2016. He was a great child. He was funny. He was lovable. You would never, ever think that he would have done this, said Orvis. Orvis works for Behavioral Health Services in Anderson. She said working with children with mental health issues is her passion and so is sharing her sons story, so that other parents do not have to experience the same kind of pain. As a parent of someone that has committed suicide, look out for other people you can talk to in the community, said Orvis. Im in a very good support group of parents of suicide victims. I have seen kids as young as ten all the way up to about 80. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes, there arent clear ways to know if someone is considering ending their life. Ive gone back to that date, I went back to the week before. The week before that. I never saw any signs. Never saw anything. He was the typical DJ and thats what makes it hard because I didnt see any signs, said Orvis. The coroners office suggests reaching out to family and friends often to check on their mental health, especially if they use drugs or seem uninterested in hobbies they used to be excited about. If you ask them if theyre thinking about killing themselves, it doesnt increase the chance. Research has shown that it actually is better for that person because it lets them know that somebody cares about them, said Whitfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orvis continues to think of her son everyday and not let his name live in vain. I have two grandkids by DJ, one is 10 and one is 8. Hes missing out on a lot. Hes missed birthdays, Christmas, any holiday. Hes missed out. You dont realize what theyre going to miss, what youre going to see, or how youre going to feel when the day comes, said Orvis. The National Suicide Hotline is 988. You can text or call at any time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) While humane agents deal with a rising number of calls, they are constantly finding themselves in tense and dangerous situations and in need of safety equipment to protect them on the job. As a result, Animal Charity of Ohio is looking to raise money for two new bullet-proof vests. Two vests were recently donated to the agency and theyre not cheap upwards of $500 each. With four agents out in the field daily, they arent always protected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve had a lot of dangerous situations, unfortunately, over the years. We were out with one of our deputy dog warden partners on one of our calls and he was stabbed. One of our agents was assaulted at one of our calls while she was trying to rescue two pigs, said Jane MacMurchy with Animal Charity of Ohio. The agency is also looking to purchase another police radio. They have one on hand now, but frequently their crews are split up and an extra would be beneficial for communication. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The annual Vigo County School Corporation Board meeting was held on Monday night, with many items on the agenda. With the recent cold weather, e-learning days were a topic of discussion. The Vigo County School Corporation has met its limit when it comes to using e-learning days. Moving forward, if there are any additional school closings, it is required by state-law to tack those days on the end of the school year. In the future, the board plans to be more prepared with this statutory change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starting next year with our first time looking at a calendar where we already know about this statutory change, next year there are a couple of days built in, said VCSC Superintendent Dr. Chris Himsel. Theres one in March, and one in April that are designated as make-up days. If theyre not needed, theyll just be a holiday. But, if they are needed, we already have built ins, so we do not have to extend the school year. Another thing on the agenda was insurance renewal for the school corporation, with the same coverage but financing a little bit different with a self-insured retention fund. Based on the boards approval tonight, we are going to be shifting to having a self-insured retention fund, which means that we are accepting a little bit more of the risk so that we are going to pay the first part of the claims. Which is why we will need to set money aside in our retention fund. We will start working for future board meetings to come and get that fund set up, and go through what we have to on a legal basis to create the fund, said Dr. Himsel Also Monday evening, the Vigo County School Board approved a number of grants. Although, the state grants received to support textbook rentals and fees is simply not enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The key part to that is fees, said Dr. Himsel. You know for the culinary arts classes, weve got to buy groceries. For the chemistry classes, we have to buy the chemicals that they use to learn about chemistry. In the biology class, we have to buy the specimens that are used in dissections. When youre in welding class.. weve got to buy the materials so that they can learn how to weld and its those are the fees that were seeing the short-changing come into play. We will continue to work with all of our legislators. Well continue to work with the Department of Education. I am confident that the state wants to get that right. Its just a complicated and complex puzzle to try to put together, when you consider that the needs across the state are slightly different. The next Vigo County School Board meeting is Monday, February 10th at 6 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 MyWabashValley.com. Anyone who's ordered from a food delivery service knows that by the time taxes and fees and tips are tacked on, the total bill could be $10-20 more. What's another 50 cents or a dollar, some Indiana lawmakers are asking, if it could go toward road repairs in your community? That's one question House Bill 1461 poses, among a host of other financial tools aimed at chipping away at Indiana's road funding woes including tolling on interstates and the ability for Indianapolis to enact a special tax referendum for roads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would give counties the ability to impose a 50-cent to one-dollar fee on each retail delivery that happens within a county, from food deliveries to ride services. More: Should Indianapolis raise taxes to fix poor roads? State lawmakers, mayor in talks Local governments need nearly $1 billion more than they are currently getting each year for the next 10 years in order to simply preserve the condition of the roads and bridges they maintain, which make up nearly 90% of the roads Hoosiers drive on. That gap only increases if they want to actually improve those roads, according to estimates from Purdue University's Local Technical Assistance Program. More than 80% of state revenue for roads comes from fuel taxes, INDOT legislative director Aaron Wainscott said. As cars get more fuel efficient and electrified, and as the cost of construction materials have inflated, INDOT has lost and will continue to lose purchasing power, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House roads committee heard the bill on Monday but did not take a vote. A new tax on food deliveries, rideshares The question facing counties, should the bill pass, is whether administering an extra fee on food delivery would be worth the hassle in order to funnel a few extra million toward road repairs. A fiscal analysis of the bill estimates that if all counties were to adopt this fee in 2026, local road revenue could increase between $150 million and $190 million. To get more granular: If Indianapolis adopted a 50-cent fee, it might get $20-24 million in return. The bill exempts smaller businesses, such as retail businesses making less than $1 million in sales annually, and delivery services or rideshares that facilitated less than $100,000 in transactions the previous year. In other words, this is really targeted toward deliveries made by companies like DoorDash and Uber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doordash, through a spokesperson, estimates that if such a tax were to be implemented statewide, Hoosiers would pay $28 million in additional taxes annually, and merchants could lose more than $49 million from lost business. More: As local streets crumble around the state, lawmakers unlikely to fix key funding issue A representative from a tech industry coalition that these companies are partners of, Chamber of Progress, said this fee would hurt constituents on fixed incomes in particular. Brianna January, the Chamber's northeast director of state and local government relations, gave the hypothetical example of Jane, someone on a fixed income of $1,200 a month who relies on these services to get her groceries delivered and be driven to doctor appointments. Such a fee could add up to $30 a month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I implore you to think of the Janes in your poor district," January said. Bill author Jim Pressel, a Republican representative from Rolling Prairie, said he's fielded plenty of emails on this one. He's heard the feedback that this provision would contribute to food deserts. But he said he's skeptical that the burden would be that cumbersome compared to the much higher fees already tacked on. Rep. Jim Pressel has a laugh with fellow legislators during a House session Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, inside the temporary chamber at the Government Center South in Indianapolis. Might INDOT institute more toll roads? The major road funding bill of 2017 gave INDOT the ability to pursue new toll roads, with the approval of the governor but without needing General Assembly approval. House Bill 1461, though, would remove two restrictions to make it even easier. First, INDOT would not have to do a feasibility study beforehand. Second, if the agency applies for the requisite waiver from the federal government by July 1, it can toll lanes anywhere. (Current law says INDOT cannot toll within 75 miles of an existing toll road.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indiana currently has one toll road, spanning 157 miles across northern Indiana. Former Gov. Mitch Daniels leased that toll road to a private company in 2006 in exchange for a lump sum payment of nearly $4 billion. INDOT could decide to lease a new toll road for another lump sum, or it could contract with a concessionaire and share revenue. Either way, it could be a boon for the state: fiscal analysts project tolling could result in an extra $850 million a year in state revenue on average, and $32 billion over a 22-year period, though it's unclear how many miles of tolling that would require. Gary Langston, president of the Indiana Motor Truck Association, called tolling an "inefficient and inaccurate process" compared to fuel taxes, and predicted the administrative costs would be far higher. Truckers, he said, only stand to be hurt by such a move, since fuel-efficient trucks are nowhere near the commercially available horizon. "Tolling proponents are quick to talk about the importance of making sure all who use the roads pay for them, and that fuel is going away," Langston said. "Neither of those concerns currently apply to the trucking industry. Diesel is not going away anytime soon." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Jenna Bentley of the Indy Chamber said the benefit of tolling is to help Indiana reap the benefits of drawing out-of-state workers and travelers. "Its critical that out-of-state commuters continue to pay their fair share," she said. Special taxes for Indianapolis As IndyStar previously reported, this bill would give Indianapolis the ability to put a referendum question to Marion County voters on whether to raise a property tax in order to pay for road work. The bill would also triple the size of the wheel and excise taxes that Marion County could choose to levy on those who register vehicles in the county. This reinforces a message state lawmakers have consistently told Indianapolis, whose local officials argue the road funding formula is disadvantageous to urban areas: Maximize the local tools you have before we change state funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City and state officials have been in talks about the property tax referendum option, which Indianapolis chief deputy mayor Dan Parker called an "interesting new tool." But the city is opposed to increasing its wheel and excise taxes. "The mayor has been consistent on this position for a long time, that he's not going to ask Marion County residents to pay more while the taxes they currently pay don't follow traffic, are not invested back in those communities that have the most traffic," he said. "So you're asking our residents to pay more for a system that we feel is broken." Pressel said he's just trying to provide more "tools in the toolbox." "If I was on the council I wouldnt vote for it either," he said during the bill hearing. "That being said, Im not on the council." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer atkdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @kayla_dwyer17. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: An extra fee on delivery services could pay for Indiana roads Millions of Americans awoke last Tuesday to a nation that no longer recognizes their chosen identity on official documents. With the scrawl of a pen on his first day back in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump made good on a campaign promise to roll back protections and social and policy advancements for transgender, nonbinary and intersex Americans whose assigned sex at birth does not align with their gender. Among the many mandates in the administrations Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government is an end to the issuing of legal paperwork bearing the gender- and sex-neutral X designation, which became an option on documents, including passports, a little more than two years ago. It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, reads the executive act. Women are biologically female. Men are biologically male. An individual's gender is determined "at conception," according to the law, a new legal concept. For those who fought for and availed themselves of the right to identify as X, such documents are a personal, physical representation of the social and policy advancements made during previous administrations, said Colorado Springs licensed professional counselor and author Dara Hoffman. I already know who I am and feel good about it, but being able to have X on my drivers license, its just this extra affirmation, said Hoffman, 50, who came out as nonbinary in 2014, three years before adopting they/them pronouns. This doesnt inherently change our value and worth. But its nice to be able to have that align. The impact of Trumps new orders on applications for passports and other official documents from citizens requesting identification with X, rather than M or F, was initially up in the air due to lack of clarification and follow-up early last week. But on Friday, The Guardian news organization obtained an internal communication from new Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying that all pending applications for passports and other documents requesting an X gender marker would be suspended. Rubio is also suspending all applications requesting a change to the sex marker of M or F, The Guardian reported. Future federal documents also may not carry such markers under the executive order. Trump's declaration states federal agencies can only issue passports, visas and Global Entry cards that reflect the biological sex of the individual at birth. The policy of the United States is that an individuals sex is not changeable, Rubio told State Department staff, in the email obtained by The Guardian. Dana Zzyym, of Fort Collins, became the first person nationwide to receive the X designation on their passport, in 2021. The X marker became an option on identity documents in Colorado in 2018, and the following year, the passage of Jude's Law made it easier for state residents to update and edit such information on official and identity documents, including birth certificates. Colorado has been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ advancement legislation. Same-sex marriages were recognized here in 2014, a year before the Supreme Courts decision made them legal nationwide. In 2021, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act was expanded to include gender expression as a protected class. The decision to go with gender-neutral on identification documents was personal, but availing such an option might encourage others to do so, said Hoffman, who last year was issued a passport bearing the "X" sex marker. Now that such options are closed on a federal level, Hoffman said the key questions are about how further rights will be limited or rescinded, when and where and how. We're not sure how much this order is also going to impact insurance covering for hormone therapy, for gender affirming care, and especially in states that aren't protected, Hoffman said. I know there's a bit of a panic happening right now because there is so much uncertainty what does this mean and what's this gonna be like? The act is aimed at realigning the nations trajectory, at the federal level, and reclaiming policy from the influence of ideologues who deny the biological reality of sex, according to its language. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Efforts to eradicate the biological reality of sex fundamentally attack women by depriving them of their dignity, safety, and well-being, reads the act. The erasure of sex in language and policy has a corrosive impact not just on women but on the validity of the entire American system. Basing Federal policy on truth is critical to scientific inquiry, public safety, morale, and trust in government itself. Groups such as The Heritage Foundation and Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family back the executive order. Focus on the Family President Jim Daly said in a statement the executive order reflects the truths found in the Bible that there are two genders. "Any revolution of common sense must include an acknowledgement of this fundamental truth, said Daly, who leads the faith-based nonprofit. Daly also said in his statement that his organization looked forward to working with the Trump administration and Congress on additional changes. "We are long overdue in this effort to reestablish the exclusivity of two genders, thereby protecting our children and serving America's families," he said. During a news conference hosted by the American Civil Liberties Union last week, legal experts answered some questions about federal and state identification documents. Chase Strangio, an ACLU attorney expert on transgender rights, said he expected U.S. documentation to remain valid. "If they try to suggest otherwise, that raises questions," he said. State identification documents with a nonbinary marker should also remain legal, Strangio said. However, the future of state-issued identification is in question to the extent states try to comply with the federal rules, he said. A spokeswoman for Gov. Jared Polis' office, Shelby Wieman, said Colorado is still reviewing the executive order and its effect on the state. Strangio said the uncertainty created by the order sends a message of fear. "The message that is being sent is we are a government for some, we are not a government for all, and people are really scared," Strangio said. The ACLU did not announce legal action last week, but Strangio said the organization was prepared to fight back against the sweeping order. "I am concerned about all of it, surprised by none of it and ready to do whatever is needed to protect people," he said. The definition of gender in the new executive order is "inconsistent with science, personal experience and real life," said Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, an attorney with Lambda Legal, a LGBTQ+ rights organization. Hoffman said worries about how things might play out in Colorado arent at the top of their list, given the states record of inclusive policies and initiatives that provide a buffer; at least, temporarily. But travel outside the state means anxieties, and uncertainty. I know within the state of Colorado it wont be an issue, but if I travel, even within the country, going to a different airport theres no way to tell what this could end in or lead to, Hoffman said. Official guidance is yet to come, but all indications so far are that cases, and identities, previously settled will remain so. Hoffman said the major concern is how such policies, and winks and nods from the top, could fuel hatred and violence toward groups that already are marginalized, especially those who also are members of minority communities. I worry and wonder how much this will give certain people permission to then crank up their hate, their transphobia, and then have this as an excuse to be able to do who knows what? Hoffman said. I dont believe that everybody who voted for Trump hates me but here we are. We just need to figure out what to do about it." Another OpenAI safety researcher has left the company. In a post on X, Steven Adler called the global race toward AGI a very risky gamble. OpenAI safety researcher Steven Adler announced on Monday he had left OpenAI late last year after four years at the company. In a post shared on X, Adler criticized a race toward AGI that is taking shape between leading AI labs and global superpowers. "An AGI race is a very risky gamble, with huge downside," he said. "No lab has a solution to AI alignment today. And the faster we race, the less likely that anyone finds one in time." Alignment is the process of keeping AI working toward human goals and values, not against them. Adler worked as an AI safety lead at OpenAI, leading safety-related research and programs for product launches and speculative long-term AI systems, per his LinkedIn profile. He's also listed as an author on several of OpenAI's blog posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the X post announcing his exit from the company, he called his time at OpenAI "a wild ride with lots of chapters," adding he would "miss many parts of it." However, he said he was personally "pretty terrified by the pace of AI development." "When I think about where I'll raise a future family, or how much to save for retirement, I can't help but wonder: Will humanity even make it to that point?" he said. "Today, it seems like we're stuck in a really bad equilibrium. Even if a lab truly wants to develop AGI responsibly, others can still cut corners to catch up, maybe disastrously. And this pushes all to speed up. I hope labs can be candid about real safety regs needed to stop this," he continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adler's fears have been echoed by some of the world's leading AI researchers. Stuart Russell, professor of computer science at the University of California, Berkeley, told the Financial Times that the "AGI race is a race towards the edge of a cliff." "Even the CEOs who are engaging in the race have stated that whoever wins has a significant probability of causing human extinction in the process, because we have no idea how to control systems more intelligent than ourselves," he said. Adler's and Russell's comments come amid increased attention on a global AI race between the U.S. and China. The news that Chinese company DeepSeek had potentially built an equal or better AI model than leading U.S. labs at a fraction of the cost spooked U.S. investors on Monday and sparked a reaction from leading tech figures, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Altman said on Monday it was "invigorating to have a new competitor," adding he would move up some of OpenAIs new releases in response to DeepSeeks impressive model." Altman said he looked "forward to bringing" the world "AGI and beyond." Adler did not immediately respond to a request for more details made by Fortune, outside of normal working hours. OpenAI has suffered an exodus of safety researchers It's not the first time OpenAI has had to confront questions about its approach to AI safety. The AI lab has been embroiled in several public scandals that appeared to stem from internal disagreements over AI safety, including one incident in late 2023 that saw Altman briefly removed from the company. Altman was reinstated five days later after pressure from employees and investors, but questions around his departure hung over the company for months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, OpenAI lost two prominent AI researchers, Ilya Sutskever and Jan Leike. The pair were co-leading the company's Superalignment team at the time, which was focused on AI safety and had been working to achieve scientific and technical breakthroughs to steer and control AI systems much smarter than us. Leike openly blamed the lack of safety concerns at the company for his departure, saying that over the past years, safety culture and processes have taken a backseat to shiny products. In a post on X, Leike added that he had been disagreeing with OpenAI leadership about the companys core priorities for quite some time, until we reached a breaking point. While Sutskever has not publicly criticized OpenAI's approach to AI safety, he has consistently highlighted the challenges of AI safety and alignment and was said to be a driving force behind Altman's 2023 ouster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several former employees have also joined the chorus of voices criticizing the company's internal commitment to AI safety. Daniel Kokotajlo, a former OpenAI governance researcher, told Fortune in August that nearly half of the company's staff that once focused on the long-term risks of superpowerful AI had left the company. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com 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? Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called Donald Trumps federal funding freezewhich appears to have kneecapped Medicaid access nationwidea constitutional crisis. So is anyone going to do anything about it? A memo from the Office of Management and Budget announced that starting Tuesday at 5 p.m., there would be a freeze on all federal grants and loans, affecting nearly 2,600 agencies and programs, including nonprofit organizations that provide school meals for low-income students, safety from domestic violence, and reintegration for homeless veterans, among other services. To resecure funding, these organizations would have to report to OMB whether they promote ideas such as environmental justice, gender ideology, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. They would also have to say whether they provide services to undocumented immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second memo published by OMB Tuesday claimed that certain programs, including Medicaid, Head Start, food stamps, and Pell Grants, would be unaffectedbut multiple states reported having issues accessing these programs. Florida Representative Maxwell Frost said that his state Medicaid portal had been shut down. Trumps press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed during her first press conference that there had been a portal outage, but she did not confirm whether it was connected to the OMBs memo. At the same time, Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy said that Head Starts reimbursement system was no longer working. Dont believe these people, Murphy warned in a post on X, referring to the second OMB memo. The decision to issue a blanket funding freeze has created widespread chaos and confusion Tuesday as essential government services were left in limbo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ocasio-Cortez slammed the administrative clusterfuck as nothing short of a constitutional crisis. Trump is holding all the nations hospitals and vital services hostage to seize power from Congress and hand it over to billionaires, Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X Tuesday. We must state the truth: this is a constitutional crisis. Its a massive, illegal power grab that the House and Senate have a sworn duty to stop. So what are House Democrats doing to stop the hostile takeover? Theyre meeting virtually on Wednesday, according to Punchbowl News. A$AP Rocky's accuser, former friend and the key witness at his trial testified Tuesday that their relationship had been fraying for years, but he was furious and flabbergasted when Rocky pulled a gun on him on the streets of Hollywood. I told him to use it. Because mentally I couldnt believe it," said the man who goes by A$AP Relli, with his old friend staring at him intently from the defense table. I physically could not believe there was a gun in my face. That was the breaking point for me. The court day ended with a cliffhanger, just as Relli was about to describe the moment when Rocky allegedly fired at him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rocky, the hip-hop star, fashion mogul and longtime and partner of Rihanna, has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm for allegedly firing at Relli. Hes famous, Relli told the jury Tuesday. Im nobody. Relli, whose legal name is Terell Ephron, described how he and Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, were part of the same collective of creators and aspiring entrepreneurs at a New York high school who called themselves A$AP which stands for Always Strive and Prosper, but can mean many things. They remained close for years, as Rockys star rose, and Relli got into music management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Relli said he and Rocky were like brothers, and saw each other every day, up until he got famous." Then, he said, he didn't have time for his friend. I mean its always been like that. Its really hard having a relationship with Rocky, he lies a lot, Relli testified. I called him Mr. Six Month Man. I would see him every six months." But Relli said the last thing he wanted to do was to fight someone as prominent as Rocky, because his career would be over. Literally over. You dont have a career. His testimony was quiet and reluctant at first. I got anxiety, he said at one point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he grew louder and took on a more forceful tone as he described the run-up to the confrontation. He said he overheard Rocky slam him with a series of slurs and swear words while he rode in an SUV with a mutual friend the day before. It was over speaker phone, which Rocky didn't seem to know. He read texts from Rocky sent on the day of the incident, Nov. 6, 2021. Where you at?, Lets get to it," one read. I had kind of an idea that he wanted to fight or something, just argue or something," Relli said. The two decided on a meetup and Relli said he thought they would argue but reconcile. He said Rocky seemed to have other ideas. They met along with two of their A$AP crew members next to a parking garage across from the W Hotel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Rocky was shouting obscenities at him from afar before they even reached each other, and immediately grabbed him violently, as one of their friends started to intervene. When Rocky stepped back, he pulled the semiautomatic handgun out of his waistband and pointed it closely at Relli's head and stomach, Relli testified. When he saw the pistol, he said he asked Rocky, "What are you doing with a gun? Relli returns to the stand Wednesday, when he'll be expected to describe the moment the alleged shots were fired. He'll then face what's likely to be a fierce cross-examination from Rocky's attorneys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say Rocky fired two shots at Relli, who said previously that bullets grazed his knuckles. The defense argues Relli was the aggressor, and Rocky fired a starter pistol to break up a fight between him and another member of their crew. They said Rocky carried the pistol, which only shoots blanks, for security. Before the jury was brought in, the defense revealed that they do not have the pistol. Does the prop gun exist? Judge Matthew Arnold asked. The prop gun did exist, Rocky's lawyer Joe Tacopina said. It does not now. We dont have it. The defense said in its opening statement that Relli was acting so fearlessly because he knew Rocky carried phony guns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Relli testified that he had never heard of such a thing, and he didn't know Rocky to carry guns of any kind. He's got a lot of security, he said. Rocky's lawyers said Relli, who has also filed a civil lawsuit, is driven by jealousy, lies and greed " and fabricated large parts of the story to get money. Earlier Tuesday, the defense cross-examined a police officer who responded to reports of a shooting about the absence of evidence at the scene. There was no sign of a shooting?" Tacopina asked. No, said Sgt. Thomas Zizzo. No blood? No. No bullet holes? No. No shell casings? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No. No physical evidence that a shooting happened at all? No. Two days after the shooting, Relli himself brought two shell casings to police that he said he had found at the scene after seven police officers searched the scene and found nothing. Zizzo is the son of Erika Jayne, former star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." Rihanna, Rocky's longtime partner and the mother of their two toddler sons, was not in court. Rocky's lawyers said an appearance is unlikely but possible. RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) More questions were asked than answers given as a panel of federal judges heard the latest arguments in a legal fight over the race for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals is being asked by attorneys for N.C. Justice Allison Riggs and the State Board of Elections to bring a challenge by Riggs opponent, Jefferson Griffin, back to federal court. Currently, a state court in Wake County is set to hear Griffins challenge. PREVIOUS: Democrats renew call for Judge Jefferson Griffin to concede election, NC Supreme Court seat Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Mondays proceedings, it seemed judges were unsure if they could get in the way of a state-level case that is well underway. If we grant all your relief, what do we tell the Supreme Court of North Carolina or what do we order the district court to tell? asked Judge Paul Niemeyer. It was confusing, it was confusing to the attorneys, it was confusing to the people in the audience, I think it was confusing to the justices, said Christopher Cooper, a professor at Western Carolina University. I think we are, we use this phrase a lot, unchartered waters, I think we are in uncharted waters. Griffin has been in a months-long fight, arguing Riggs narrow November victory should be tossed out. Griffin cited registration discrepancies with thousands of ballots cast by North Carolina voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts believe Griffin wants to only have the case be argued at the state level, as the State Supreme Court has a 5-1 conservative majority. The strategy for Riggs and the state Election Board is the opposite, as they hope federal courts wont be swayed as much by political affiliation. DNC leaders calling ongoing NC Supreme Court legal battle an assault on voting rights They will be absolutely making precedent here, added Cooper, if any of these courts, the federal court or the state court sides with Jefferson Griffin, I think we are in a radically different territory in terms of elections how will they continue on, and how many challenges well see. Cooper expects this fight to go on for several more months. The Court of Appeals will convene again on Tuesday to hear more about whether they should intervene. Griffins ballot challenge will be heard in a Wake County courtroom on Feb. 7, it was sent back to that court by the State Supreme Court last 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. Democratic candidate for Missouri Attorney General Elad Gross after filing in February 2024. (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). The Attorney Generals Office did not violate the Missouri Sunshine Law when it refused to turn over records showing how it fulfilled a request, the Western District Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday. In a split decision, a three-judge panel ruled that the office reasonably concluded the records being sought by St. Louis attorney Elad Gross were exempt from disclosure because of his threatened litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gross was seeking records about then-Attorney General Eric Schmitts participation in a U.S. Supreme Court case seeking to overturn the 2020 presidential election and the Republican Attorneys General Associations robocall efforts encouraging patriots to participate in a march that ended on Jan. 6, 2021, with a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol. This case presents a unique question for which we have found no direct precedent application of (Sunshine Law exemptions) to records created by a public governmental body in responding to a previous Sunshine Request where the threatened litigation concerns the public governmental bodys handling of that previous records request, Judge Edward Ardini wrote in the 2-1 decision. The Sunshine Law allows government agencies to close records about legal actions, causes of action or litigation. That exception doesnt allow a record that should be open to be closed just because it might become evidence in a court case, Ardini wrote, but it does allow records created in contemplation of possible litigation to be closed. The nature of these records rendered them not merely discoverable or admissible in an enforcement action over the AGOs compliance with the Sunshine Law concerning its response to Grosss first request but go to the very core of such an action by disclosing the precise means utilized by the AGO to comply with its legal responsibilities, Ardini wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a dissenting opinion, Judge Alok Ahuja wrote that there was no prospective or actual litigation when the records were created, so they must be open. An open ended application of the litigation exemption which authorizes the closure of any records which may go to the very core of litigation threatened after the records creation, would result in precisely the sort of extreme consequences of which (an earlier precedent) warned, Ahuja wrote. Since the lawsuit was filed in 2021, Schmitt has been elected to the U.S. Senate and replaced by Andrew Bailey, who defeated Gross, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, last year. In an email to The Independent, Gross said he would appeal the decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Bailey is wrong to prevent taxpayers from seeing what our government is doing with our money, Gross said. We need transparency in our government. Gross has sued over Sunshine Law questions in the past, losing at the trial court level before gaining a win on appeal. In 2021, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled, in a case brought by Gross, that government agencies cannot charge for time attorneys spend reviewing public records are requested under the Sunshine Law. In the case decided Tuesday, Gross lost a summary judgment decision in Cole County. He raised 12 points in the appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with arguing the trial court made a mistake by allowing the attorney generals office to close some records, Gross sought to overturn the decision by claiming Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green made other errors. Gross argued Green wrongly terminated the discovery process, limited his ability to question staff witnesses in person, and allowed the attorney generals office to move the date promised for the delivery of records. The decision was unanimous except for Ahujas dissent related to the question of whether the documents were related to litigation. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A federal appeals court appeared reluctant Tuesday to allow the Pentagon to back out of plea deals that ruled out the death penalty for three alleged plotters of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The arguments before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals featured one of the first high-profile instances where President Donald Trumps Justice Department backed the Biden administrations legal claims. Both administrations have argued that former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had the authority to cancel plea deals the self-described mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and two co-defendants reached with a subordinate Pentagon official. However, a military commission judge ruled that the agreements were binding on the government and a military appeals court declined to disturb that ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judges Robert Wilkins and Patricia Millett, both appointees of President Barack Obama, sounded most skeptical Tuesday of the governments arguments. Judge Neomi Rao seemed less skeptical, but still aired doubts about whether the D.C. Circuit should step in. All three judges questioned Austins handling of the matter, suggesting that he could and perhaps should have acted far earlier than August, when he moved to scuttle pretrial agreements that were signed by both sides. Details of those deals remain under seal, but they are known to have ruled out the death penalty. The executive branch could have fixed this itself quite easily. This wasnt a surprise. It wasnt that they didnt see this coming or know whats going on, Millett said. This is a control-within-the-executive-branch problem. I dont know why its a judicial branch problem. Rao added: If the administration and the secretary were never going to want an agreement that took the death penalty off the table, that could have been made clear at the outset. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michel Paradis, a defense attorney for Mohammed and another defendant, said the Biden administration appeared to have made a strategic decision to let the negotiations play out. Its not this courts responsibility, Paradis said. They made political decisions, and I dont mean in a partisan sense and theyre unhappy with the consequences of those decisions. Its not the job of this court to delay a case thats already been delayed arguably by 20 years for reasons entirely of the governments making, he added. A Justice Department attorney representing the Defense Department, Melissa Patterson, suggested Austin decided to steer clear of the plea negotiations because of concerns that any role he took could prompt defense arguments that he was exerting unlawful command influence over the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A prudent secretary might have wanted to let this process play out independently, Patterson said. But Wilkins said waiting until the deals were signed was exceedingly imprudent, because the defendants might well argue they are binding at that point as they are now doing. It seems like thats really rolling the dice, Wilkins said. Then, the secretarys hands would be tied. That doesnt seem to be the way to run a railroad. Patterson warned the court that the military commission judge has indicated he could proceed with a hearing to accept at least one defendants guilty pleas as soon as Thursday if the appeals court allows it. She asked that even if the judges rule against the government, they prevent the hearing from going forward while the Justice Department mulls whether to ask the Supreme Court for relief. Mohammed and his alleged accomplices who agreed to plead guilty, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, have been in U.S. custody since 2003 and were moved to Guantanamo in 2006. The U.S. has claimed legal authority to detain them under the laws of war, regardless of whether theyre convicted and sentenced by the military commission. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) A federal appeals panel exchanged arguments Monday with lawyers over a still-unresolved November election for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat, immersed in jurisdictional questions over which courts should determine whether roughly 66,000 ballots should have been counted. Three judges on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, heard, among others, from attorneys for Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs, trailing Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin and the State Board of Elections, which last month dismissed Griffin's demand that the ballots get removed from their race tally. Riggs leads Griffin by 734 votes from over 5.5 million cast in the race. Griffin's attorneys have said their client is likely to win if the votes they allege came from ineligible voters are discounted. Riggs' allies say Griffin should concede. The eight-year term at stake in the election was supposed to begin in early January. Riggs remains on the court in the meantime. A Griffin victory would expand the high courts current 5-2 conservative majority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The panel did not indicate when it will rule following 90 minutes of oral arguments over whether Griffin's efforts to remove the ballots should be heard in federal court or remain in state court. For now, Griffin's challenges sit simultaneously in federal and state court systems an unusual situation following weeks of legal motions and orders over the election in the ninth-largest state. The back-and-forth between the judges and the attorneys arguing before them Monday emphasized what could be described as arcane matters over when state-law matters can be moved to federal courts or returned to state courts. Most of the ballots being challenged by Griffin were cast by voters whose registration records lacked either a drivers license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. A state law has required that such numbers be collected in registration applications since 2004. Other ballots at issue were cast by thousands of military or overseas voters who did not provide copies of photo identification with their ballots; and by fewer than 300 overseas voters who have never lived in the U.S. but whose parents were deemed North Carolina residents. Riggs and the board say the ballots that Griffin is challenging were lawfully cast. Republicans backing Griffin, a state Court of Appeals judge, said his challenge is about election integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this case, lawyers for Griffin initially asked the state Supreme Court to intervene and declare the ballots be left out of the totals. But the elections board quickly moved the matter to federal court, saying Griffins appeals involved matters of federal voting and voting rights laws. Griffins extraordinary request to retroactively change longstanding election rules and thereby disenfranchise more than 60,000 North Carolina voters should confront the federal civil rights laws in a federal forum as Congress intended, state Deputy Solicitor General Nicholas Brod, representing the elections board, told the panel Monday. The appeals judges quickly jumped in with questions about the case, focused on developments in the past three weeks. First, U.S. District Judge Richard Myers formally returned the case to state court because, in part, he said the case involved unsettled questions of state law. The state board then appealed Myers decision to the 4th Circuit. Meanwhile, just after Myers returned the case to state courts, a majority of state Supreme Court justices immediately blocked the board from certifying the race while the court decided whether to step in and rule on Griffins request to remove the ballots. Riggs recused herself from the case. But last week the remaining justices dismissed Griffin's original petition for a writ of prohibition and decided that Griffins protests should be considered first by a local trial court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Circuit Judge Paul Niemeyer asked Brod exactly what any next step could be. We have a case in which a writ of prohibition was filed. The North Carolina Supreme Court dismissed it. What do we do with it? Niemeyer asked. Brod responded that Myers could take back the case: I still think that this case exists. But Griffin attorney Will Thompson later said that the state Supreme Court's order made the case before the panel moot. My position would be the petition for writ of prohibition cannot come back to life because the states highest court has dismissed it on state law grounds, Thompson told Circuit Judge Toby Heytens. Heytens responded that the case remains alive, especially since the state Supreme Court kept intact a stay that prevents certification of the election. Circuit Judge Marvin Quattlebaum Jr. also heard the case. BRUNSWICK, Ga. (WSAV) Following a guilty plea, an Appling County man has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison on drug trafficking charges. Cornelius Denzel Butler, 30, of Baxley, Georgia, was sentenced to 140 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, and Marijuana. Butler is also ordered to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Every community deserves protection from those who would profit from the sale of dangerous illegal drugs, said Acting U.S. Attorney Lyons. Were grateful to our law enforcement partners for their work in identifying and removing drug traffickers from our neighborhoods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, the Appling County Sheriffs Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration identified Butler as a drug distributor operating in the Baxley area. A search was conducted of Butlers residence and large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana, along with multiple firearms, cash, and paraphernalia associated with drug trafficking were seized. As part of his plea agreement, Butler forfeited five handguns, an assault-style rifle, and nearly $20,000 in cash. This case represents the continued commitment of the DEA to identify and hold accountable those who engage in the distribution of dangerous drugs, said Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. Keeping our communities safe is our highest priority. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sen. Henry Marsh, D-Richmond, at an event hosted by the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia in 2009 marking the 50th anniversary of the end of Massive Resistance. (Courtesy of UVA Center for Politics) It could be easy at times to forget that Sen. Henry Marsh was even there, listening quietly from his back-row desk in the Senate of Virginia. Marsh, who died last week at the age of 91, wasnt flashy or given to florid oratory. He had long ago tilted at his share of windmills in a consequential career as a civil rights lawyer and political leader who cut a wide swath on behalf of people of color. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The years had taught Henry L. Marsh III to listen harder than he spoke. It served him well as he continued his fight at an age when most people who have achieved as greatly as he had were peacefully retired. When he did speak, it was softly just above a whisper and sometimes haltingly, but his words were heard. They were rooted in the bitter experience of a Black man who had spent most of his life casting Jim Crows yoke off his people, so he commanded the attention of friends and adversaries alike. In a time before political parties became intractable redoubts of hardened and sometimes extreme conflicting ideologies, Marshs gentle voice made a difference. Few people brought the sort of portfolio to the General Assembly that Marsh did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had been a classmate and roommate of Doug Wilder at Howard Universitys School of Law. Both would become Virginia trailblazers. In 1989, Wilder became the nations first elected Black governor. In 1977, Marsh became the first Black mayor of Richmond, once the seat of a seditious breakaway government formed to perpetuate the enslavement of Black people. Before that, Marsh had taken up the causes of African Americans rights as a young attorney in the small Richmond firm established by his role model, Oliver Hill, a legendary Black litigator whose work led to the Supreme Courts 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision that ended segregated public schools in America. Alongside Hill, Spottswood W. Robinson III and Samuel Tucker, Marsh was part of the legal dream team that attacked institutionalized discrimination in housing, employment, voting rights and Massive Resistance, Virginias shameful bid to circumvent Brown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marsh not only helped bury the lie of separate but equal in the middle years of the 20th century, he had endured disparate levels of public school funding: first-rate facilities, plentiful faculty and brand new textbooks for all-white schools; leaky, substandard buildings where Black children and teachers using textbooks cast off from white schools shivered in winters and sweltered every summer. Thats why Marsh, a Democrat, was a steadfast foe of Republican efforts to use public school funds for vouchers to help pay the costs of attending private schools and privately run but publicly funded charter schools that operated independently of public school regulations. In 2000, for the first time since Reconstruction, the GOP held majorities in both the House of Delegates and the Senate. Charter schools legislation, which had floundered in the 1990s, was on track to finally pass. The Senate was a more collegial place then. The charter schools bill was up for third reading and a final Senate floor vote. The most anticipated words on the bill would come from a genuine lion of the Civil Rights movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marsh could have thundered against what he regarded as a latter-day form of segregation. He could have banged his fist on his desk and recounted his own compelling childhood story of walking to school while his white contemporaries rode buses, of third- and fourth-hand books and of a cramped one-room school. He could have gone for the jugular emotionally. He didnt. Ive long since lost my clips and notes from that day. My faded and dusty recollection is that his floor remarks were brief and direct, noting his opposition to diverting public resources away from those with the least. The bill passed the Senate 21-18 and eventually became law. I do, however, remember asking him in a Capitol hallway afterward why he didnt invoke his considerable personal history and fill his speech with fury and pathos. His response was so soft I missed it the first time, begged his indulgence and asked him to repeat it. I leaned forward so as not to miss it the second time. I said I didnt need to, he said. This isnt about me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A quarter of a century later, those two sentences abide with me as the essence of Henry Marsh. It never was about him. It was about others the poor, the voiceless, the forgotten. No life could have a better epitaph. Bob Lewis covered Virginia government and politics for 20 years for The Associated Press. Now retired from a public relations career at McGuireWoods, he is a columnist for the Virginia Mercury. He can be reached at blewis@virginiamercury.com. Twitter: @BobLewisOfRVA SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Jan. 27Albuquerque Public Schools will host a school choice fair virtually on Thursday. This will be sandwiched between two town halls with members of the Board of Education. The events come during National School Choice Week, which ends Friday. The school choice fair is scheduled for 5-6 p.m. Thursday. "I think it's important for parents to realize they have several options within APS to find the right school for their child to excel," Francesca VerPloegh, executive director for the office of innovation at APS, said Monday. "(The event) brings down the barriers so you can do it in the comfort of your own home." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even before they log onto the event via https://www.aps.edu/innovation/choicefair, families can learn more about district's 24 magnet school programs. Once live, families will get to talk to principals and staff from up to three schools during the hour time-slot, VerPloegh said. "I wanted parents to have another venue to learn more about our schools if they couldn't attend in person," she said. "Since we're the Office of Innovation, I want to continue to make sure that we have innovative practices to bring in our community." The virtual event follows an in-person school choice fair held in October. The district's plan is to host both types of events throughout the school year, VerPloegh said. Town halls Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Board Vice President Courtney Jackson will meet with District 7 constituents at 6 p.m. Tuesday at La Cueva High School, according to an APS news release. Josefina Dominguez will meet with District 6 constituents on Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Onate Elementary School, the release states. Last week, Board President Danielle Gonzales met with APS students at Del Norte High School. While board members have held town halls with APS administrators on issues like the budget or school year calendar, they have never held individual town halls for the districts they were elected to represent, Jackson said Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We wanted to make sure we are engaging with our community on a more intimate level," she said. Jackson's town hall, with assistance from fellow board member Heather Benavidez, will include a presentation, discussion questions and an open forum period for constituents to ask questions. The feedback they give will be submitted to Superintendent Gabriella Blakey and the other board members. The details on the town halls for Ronalda Tome-Warito, Heather Benavidez, Janelle Astorga, Crystal Tapia-Romero are still being finalized, APS spokesperson Martin Salazar said. Editor's note: This article has been amended to provide the correct spelling of APS Board President Danielle Gonzales' name. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) Aramark will begin serving food at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) on February 1, 2025. Aramark is at the start of a five-year, $75 million contract with UMMC to provide food and nutrition services for patients in Jackson, Grenada and Holmes County, as well as cafeterias in University Hospital, Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants, the Norman C. Nelson Student Union, UMMC Grenada and UMMC Holmes County and the coffee shop/deli in the School of Medicine. Mississippi reports first pediatric flu death of 2024-25 flu season Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is time for a change, said George Pressley, executive director of Health System Clinical Operations. Well be working closely with Aramark, and it will be a top priority of us to make sure that our patients, families, employees and students receive the food service they deserve. Retail food service operations will be limited Friday, January 31, starting at 2:30 p.m. through midnight, with the grill station, grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, snacks and beverages available. The kitchen will be closed from midnight to 6:00 a.m. on February 1. A streamlined menu will be available the weekend of February 1-2 with Aramark, with the full retail menu offered Monday, February 3. Christina Diretto, Aramark regional marketing manager, talks with George Pressley about the healthy grab-and-go options that will be available when Aramark begins food service at UMMC Feb. 1. (Courtesy: UMMC) Kimberly Wilkerson, center, retail manager, adds snacks to displays at UMMCs cafeteria at University Hospital. (Courtesy: UMMC) Payments that weekend, during the transition, will be through credit cards and payroll deduction only. A new patient menu will be available starting February 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UMMC officials said retail options, including a micro market with grab-and-go options and a partnership with chef Nick Wallace, will come later in the year. 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. Shondiin Silversmith AZ Mirror As the new legislative year begins, Gov. Katie Hobbs is announcing her priorities for the state, which includes Arizonas 22 Tribal Nations, whose tribal lands make up 28 percent of the states land base and where Indigenous people make up 6 percent of the state population. Our tribal communities are ignored so much, Hobbs said in an interview with The Arizona Mirror. She said that her commitment to working with tribes dates back to her work as Secretary of State when she worked to address voting barriers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I see it all the time; theyre brought to the table at the end of a discussion, Hobbs said, adding that when she became governor, she knew it would give her more ability to work with tribal communities. Arizonas tribes have continuously fought to have a seat at the table. Their contributions can be seen in state policies that have shaped Arizona, including access to voting rights, tribal gaming compacts, and negotiations for water rights. When Hobbs took office, she said the states relationship with tribes was treated as if they were negotiating tradeoffs and more like what we can get from you, which is not how she likes to operate. Theres so many issues that are prevalent in the state water, infrastructure and they affect all communities, not just Maricopa County, Hobbs said, adding that having tribal representation at the table is critical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just about making sure that their needs are met, but what they can contribute to helping solve the problem as well, Hobbs said. With the new legislation season starting and a presidential administration coming in, Hobbs said she wants to ensure she works with everyone on issues that are the right thing for Arizona and stand up to them when they are not. Im gonna work hard to make sure that were not backtracking on any of the progress weve made, she added. In her second Tribal State of the State address, Hobbs highlighted her accomplishments, commitments, and priorities concerning Arizonas tribal nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is one of the only sitting Arizona governors in recent years to have directly engaged with tribal nations during her State of the State addresses. Hobbs speech aligned with the one she delivered on the Arizona House floor on Jan. 13, with an Arizona promise but with a focus on the states tribal nations. Since I became governor, we have achieved much together by finding common ground, but we must do more, Hobbs said. As we go forward, let us work together to make that promise a reality today and for years to come. Hobbs gave her address to a room full of Indigenous leaders on Jan. 15 during the tribal leaders breakfast hosted by the Inter-Tribal Association of Arizona. The event kicks off the states Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes always been there as a support for tribal nations, Navajo Nation Speaker Crystalyne Curley said of the governor, adding that she did some great work last legislative season and looks forward to collaborating with the state on important issues. Some of the achievements Hobbs talked about included the continuation of the Governors Office on Tribal Relations, the signing of historic water settlements, supporting Native-owned small businesses, investments in education, food security and social services, veteran outreach, broadband expansion and infrastructure. I know this is not enough, but you can trust that, as long as I am governor, investing in tribal communities and closing these gaps will continue to be a priority, Hobbs said. Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis said the Hobbs administration has incredible partnerships with tribes, which can be seen in the projects shes supported since taking office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A project Lewis is proud to have partnered with Hobbs on is the widening of Interstate 10, specifically the 22 miles that pass through the Gila River Indian Community. Lewis said that previous attempts to fund the expansion often failed because the tribe and state didnt work together, but that changed. This is the first time a sitting state governor and tribal that actually went and lobbied together, Lewis said, adding that they visited the Department of Transportation and the White House to advocate for the project. Lewis said their work should be seen as a historic best practice for when tribes and state leadership collaborate to accomplish something that benefits both the tribe and state. Once completed, this project will ease congestion, improve safety and ensure this highly utilized corridor stays reliable for generations to come, Hobbs said in her speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hobbs emphasized her commitments in her speech, which include missing and murdered Indigenous peoples, repatriation of Native American artifacts, supporting tribal healthcare, housing development and economic opportunities, establishing the sober living response fund and protecting water rights. Addressing the missing and murdered Indigenous peoples crisis has always been a priority for Indigenous communities across Arizona. When Hobbs took office, she signed an executive order to create an MMIP task force focused on identifying priorities and ways to address the crisis. Hobbs said one of the biggest challenges she has heard about most related to MMIP is the trouble of raising awareness about a missing person before its too late. In Arizona, DPS issues an Amber Alert only when the missing individual is under 18 and meets five specific guidelines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, more than 188,000 individuals went missing who did not meet the criteria for an Amber Alert, Hobbs said. These are mothers and fathers, neighbors and loved ones who are now lost because there is no alert code set up for them. Hobbs said they know many Indigenous people who have gone missing in Arizona during the MMIP crisis have fallen into that category of not qualifying for an alert. Theres no reason why they should not have an alert code, she said. To address the issue, Hobbs said she is directing the Arizona Department of Public Safety and other key public safety agencies to collaborate on implementing the new Missing and Endangered Persons Alert Code for persons who do not meet the criteria for Amber Alerts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tribal communities deserve to know that when their loved ones are missing, they have the same tools and resources available as everyone else, Hobbs said. I hope this will bring us one step closer to ending this crisis once and for all. Rep. Teresa Martinez, whose district includes the Gila River Indian Community, is sponsoring House Bill 2281, which would create a missing Indigenous peoples alert system. Another big issue affecting tribes in Arizona is the continued impact of the fraudulent sober living homes that have plagued the state and caused harm to thousands of Indigenous people. Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes announced nearly two years ago that the state would take action to address the unregulated sober living home providers across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hobbs said some of the states responses included implementing stricter provider enrollment, a humanitarian response, developing initiatives to combat waste, fraud, abuse, and exploitation, and legislation to bring transparency and accountability to Arizoans healthcare system. I know that more work must be done, Hobbs said, which is why, as part of her Executive Budget, she includes $7 million to establish the Sober Living Home Tribal Response Fund at the Attorney Generals Office to assist tribes with the continued response to this crisis. In consultation with all 22 federally recognized tribes in the state, the Attorney Generals Office will use these funds to mitigate the impact of the Sober Living Home crisis and assist in the creation and proliferation of culturally responsive behavioral health services for Indigenous Arizonans, she said. Hobbs also laid out some of the other big priorities in her address to tribes, including proposing a $7 million investment to support the repatriation of Native American Human Remains and Artifacts from the Arizona State Museum, making the 12-month postpartum coverage permanent, distributing funding for broadband expansion projects within Indigenous communities, and upholding tribal sovereignty. For tribal nations, realizing the Arizona Promise is impossible without respect for tribal sovereignty, which is not only a matter of justice but a foundation for preserving culture, strengthening communities, and building a future of shared prosperity, she said. This article was first published in the AZ Mirror Photo by Getty Images Arizona joined with 22 other states Tuesday to sue President Donald Trump over his sweeping federal grant freeze, according to the Attorney Generals Office. Shortly before the states filed their suit, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., temporarily blocked Trumps payment pause in response to a separate lawsuit from the National Council of Nonprofits. The temporary stay is set to expire Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofits, which rely on federal funding, filed the lawsuit as they and state and local government leaders scrambled to figure out exactly how the payment freeze would impact them. Donald Trump may have won the election, but winning by one of the slightest election margins in history does not grant him dictatorial powers, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes told reporters during a Tuesday afternoon press conference. No presidential election grants any president that authority. In the lawsuit, Mayes and the other attorneys general argue that the federal payment pause order issued Monday by Trumps Office of Management and Budget violates both the U.S Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act. The freeze illegally bypasses Congresss constitutional power to decide how federal funds are spent, the attorneys general wrote. The president doesnt have unilateral authority to countermand what Congress has already authorized by law, Mayes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys general from New York, California, Illinois Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island took the lead on the lawsuit from the states, filed in Rhode Island federal district court. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sought to downplay the impact of the spending freeze during a Tuesday press briefing, saying it wouldnt apply to individual assistance programs, like Social Security, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or welfare benefits. But the memo announcing the spending freeze was broad, with an expansive list of programs set to be put on pause, including SNAP. Mayes told reporters she wasnt sure what to believe, with contradictions between the initial memo announcing the payment freeze and subsequent statements from the White House. Arizonas Medicaid payment portal, like those in every other state, was inaccessible for much of the day Tuesday, said Christian Slater, a spokesman for Gov. Katie Hobbs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states Medicaid program, better known as the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System or AHCCCS, provides health care for about 2 million Arizonans. It looks like the Trump administration, after seeing the threat of our lawsuit, is maybe starting to try to walk back some of what they said about Medicaid, Mayes told reporters during a Tuesday afternoon press conference. We dont know yet. The impact of the payment freeze could be monumental, according to figures from The Pew Charitable Trusts. The federal government gave $1 trillion in grants to states in fiscal year 2022, the most recent year U.S. Census grants data is available. That was a record high, representing 36.4% of states total revenue, Rebecca Thiess, manager at The Pew Charitable Trusts, said in a statement. Federal grant funding helps states pay for public services, such as health care, education, transportation, and infrastructure. States are currently facing tighter budgets than in recent years due to the expiration of federal pandemic aid and stagnating tax collections, among other challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayes described the human toll of the payment freeze as incalculable, especially since it could result in those on Medicaid skipping doctor appointments or hospital visits, unsure if theyll be covered, or could lead to drug overdoses if funding to fight drug trafficking is cut. Mayes repeatedly told reporters on Tuesday that the payment freeze would impact hundreds of local law enforcement positions that work to stop the flow of illegal drugs into Arizona from Mexican cartels. Donald Trump wants to declare these drug cartels terrorists in one breath, and in the next breath, he is defunding our efforts to bring those drug cartels down, Mayes said. That is outrageous. Arizona House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos was one of many Democrats who condemned Trumps order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People could die as a result of Donald Trumps illegal order to freeze federal aid, De Los Santos said in a statement. Even if the White House backs away from parts of this order, this was either an act of incredible cruelty or bumbling incompetence neither bodes well for our country. Some of the programs that are set to be paused temporarily while Trumps Office of Management and Budget reviews which federal spending it deems appropriate, according to a memo from the office, include: Department of Agricultures tribal food sovereignty program Department of Health and Human Services Urban Indian Health Services Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Health and Human Services Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Program Cancer treatment research Funding for cardiovascular, lung and blood disease research National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program Elder Abuse Prevention Interventions Program Crop insurance Head Start, a program that helps prepare young children from low-income families for school Pell Grants, which help low-income students pay for college Special education grants School safety grants Rural education assistance Support for programs that help students with intellectual disabilities transition to adult life Department of Energy nuclear non-proliferation research Veterans Affairs Departments suicide prevention and legal services grants Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Section 8 Housing Vouchers, which provides rental assistance to 7,000 people in Phoenix alone Department of Housing Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program Numerous sexual assault prevention programs within the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as its funding for Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations We are still evaluating the full impacts of this reckless action, but one thing is clear: this is creating chaos for Veterans, law enforcement, domestic violence shelters and the children of working families, Gov. Katie Hobbs posted on social media. I will not stand by while everyday people in my state are harmed. The city of Phoenix alone relies on $3.255 billion in federal grants, according to Mayor Kate Gallego, with more than $1.6 billion of that still outstanding. Phoenixs police and fire departments could lose more than $35 million and Sky Harbor Airport is still waiting for around $130 million of $152 million in federal grants it was awarded for infrastructure updates Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This type of reckless, unconstitutional action will undoubtedly harm millions of families and make it even harder, if not impossible, for local governments to serve their constituents, Gallego said in a statement. Chaos and confusion when running a government has real consequences, and I strongly urge the President to reverse course and reinstate the flow of federal funding. U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly on Tuesday morning condemned Trumps decision to freeze federal payments, saying that local officials are worried about losing funding for law enforcement, meals for seniors and public school students and for responses to natural disasters. President Trumps recklessness is going to harm Arizonans, Kelly, a Democrat, said in a statement. Contributing reporting by States Newsroom senior reporter Jennifer Shutt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ***UPDATE: This story has been updated with additional information and reporting, and the headline has been changed. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Undocumented immigrants are shackled before boarding an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), charter jet for deportation on Oct. 15, 2015, in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) An immigrant advocacy group is focused on education as a way to help soothe the concerns of Arkansans fearful of the Trump administrations crackdown on immigration. Mireya Reith, executive director of Arkansas United, told reporters in an online call Monday that this is an unprecedented moment and the 15-year-old nonprofit is barely keeping our head above the waters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pointing to the half a million people logging onto Arkansas Uniteds Facebook page daily, as well as the hundreds of conversations the nonprofit is fielding with the Hispanic community each day, Reith said information is critical at this time. Because of all that confusion, the trauma that has been experienced by our community is something beyond what I even saw in the first [Trump] administration or during COVID, she said. Shortly after his inauguration last week, Donald Trump signed several executive orders, including one to end birthright citizenship that was immediately challenged in court and temporarily blocked by a federal judge. The Trump administration also halted Department of Justice programs that fund nonprofits that provide legal services to immigrants. Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump promised mass deportations, and in the week since his inauguration, increased rumors of Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehensions have spread across social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are individuals daily before they leave their house checking in with our networks to see if its even safe to go to school, to go to work, or to go to Walmart, Reith said. And I will say that level of trauma is something that will affect the economy of all Arkansans and has the potential to have negative repercussions outside of just the immigrant community. About 5% of Arkansas population is foreign-born, according to the U.S. Census. The Hispanic population accounts for roughly 9% of the states population. While Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander residents account for 0.5% of Arkansas total population, the state is home to the largest Marshallese community in the country, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Based on conversations with colleagues across the country, Reith said theres been increased visibility for ICEs normal targeted enforcement as opposed to a massive ramp-up in operations as promised by Trump. That will likely require more funding from Congress, which probably happen before the spring as lawmakers are still considering how to approach the budgeting process, Reith said. At this moment, ICE is generally looking for immigrants with existing deportation orders or those with known criminal activity, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, people with legal status can still get swept up in these apprehensions, as was the case in Newark last Thursday when an ICE raid led agents to detain several undocumented workers and U.S. citizens, including a military veteran, according to the New Jersey Monitor. To assist immigrant communities, Arkansas United is investigating rumored ICE sightings and disseminating accurate information. Reith said the nonprofit is also emphasizing the rights provided under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments. The former safeguards against unreasonable searches and seizure of property. The latter, often referred to as the right to remain silent, protects against self-incrimination. The Trump administration has granted immigration officers an expanded authority to rapidly deport immigrants who arrived in the country within the last two years. To protect against this, immigrants with and without legal status are encouraged to carry paperwork to prove how long theyve been in the country, Reith said. Arkansas United is also speaking with immigrants about preparatory actions, such as making sure they can access an attorney if needed and having plans for their families in a worst-case scenario. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a very challenging work to do, to ask people to think about their worst day, but that is the supportive work were trying to offer our community at this time, she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Sen. Jamie Scott, D-North Little Rock, asks a question about Walmart's rollback of its DEI policy during an Arkansas Black Legislative Caucus meeting on Jan. 27, 2025. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate) Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus members on Monday expressed disappointment and confusion over Walmarts decision to alter its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The Bentonville-based retailer received pushback after announcing in late November it was rolling back its DEI policies, including from 13 attorneys general and 30 shareholders representing $266 billion in investments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking via videoconference with Black lawmakers at the Capitol, Walmart representatives said at Mondays meeting that, internally, nothing will change about the way they treat associates. Pepe Estrada, senior director of constituent relations, said this is the next step in the companys DEI journey. We want everyone to feel like they belong and they have a great experience at the company, and in the process we will not tolerate any type of bullying, discrimination or harassment of any type to any individual, so that hasnt changed, Estrada said. Kevin Thompson, senior director of government relations, said some tangible things that will change is the use of the word belonging instead of DEI, halting participation in some external benchmarking surveys that do not add value to our business, sunsetting the Center of Racial Equity that was created with a five-year plan shortly after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, and ceasing the use of the term Latinx. Walmart will maintain its employee affinity groups, but it will rename its Latinx group to Latino, per the recommendation of associates, Estrada said. Change of position? Referencing a 2023 bill to end state-sponsored affirmative action that died on the House floor following bipartisan opposition, Sen. Reginald Murdock, D-Marianna, asked if lawmakers could again count on Walmarts support for a similar bill in the 2025 legislative session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sponsored once more by Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, Senate Bill 3 would prohibit discrimination or preferential treatment by state and public agencies. Sullivan told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette he plans to present the bill to lawmakers Tuesday. Michael Lindsey, Walmart director of public affairs and governmental relations, told Murdock he doesnt think the company has a position on the new bill and is primarily focused on direct business-impact legislation this session. Both Murdock and caucus Vice Chair Sen. Jamie Scott, D-North Little Rock, noted Walmart opposed the previous bill and challenged Lindseys explanation. Dont roll out policies and stand behind them and say that were just going to focus on the business when last year the business decision was to not support this bill because it would impact the money, Scott said. So were talking out both sides of our mouths right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked by Sen. Fred Love, D-Mablevale, how to respond to constituents who might call for a boycott based on Walmarts DEI policies, Lindsey said the company is a good community partner that gives back through donations and sponsorships. We are a tremendous job creator, especially entry level and then throughout a career for persons of color or anybody that wants to work for Walmart, he said. I think its a great career, provides a lot of economic opportunity for the community. A global publicly-traded company that generated $648 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2024, Walmart employs more than 50,000 people in Arkansas, Lindsey said. Sen. Reginald Murdock, D-Marianna, speaks to Walmart representatives during a meeting of the Arkansas Black Legislative Caucus on Jan. 27, 2025. The Walmart officials appeared via videoconference. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate) Though Walmart officials insisted nothing would change in terms of associates experiences, Murdock pleaded with them to listen to the very grave concerns of lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately your support or lack thereof for anything that attacks these communities that we represent and that we serve, we expect you who we are putting millions and billions of dollars into Walmart we expect you to stand up for us and be a part of the fight that we fight against those that are trying to continue to hurt us, Murdock said. We need that from you, we expect that from you. The national context Walmart joins a number of companies like Lowes and Tractor Supply who pulled back on their DEI initiatives after the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023 struck down affirmative action in college admissions. The national conversation around the topic ramped up last week after President Donald Trump ordered an end to all federal DEI policies and programs, which resulted in many federal employees being placed on paid administrative leave. Scott will continue that conversation in Arkansas with a resolution she filed last week to affirm the states commitment to DEI as an essential foundation for achieving the American Dream. Attacks on DEI are harmful to the bottom line and health of the economy, the resolution states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anti-DEI activists, politicians, and corporate decision makers who attempt to prohibit Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies and initiatives infringe upon the right of individuals to freely express themselves, diminish the diversity of perspectives that strengthen our society, and conflict with anti-discrimination laws, the resolution states. The resolution has not yet been scheduled to be presented to lawmakers. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ark. An organization is stepping in to fill the gap for Jefferson County employees who are not being paid due to the lack of an approved budget. Heroes Behind the Lines (HBL) is working with several partner groups to provide Jefferson County government employees a meal, resources and supplies from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the White Hall Community Center. Its stressful, Jefferson County employee shares concerns as budget stalemate drags on Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials with the organization said it has partnered with Pulaski County, Arkansas Sheriffs Office, NLC Pine Bluff, White Hall Arkansas, Robinson & Fuller White Hall Chapel, New Hope Baptist Church, and Saint Mark Baptist Church in putting on the event. Officials said they are accepting donations of toiletries and non-perishable food items for the event. Donations can be dropped off at either the White Hall Community Center or Robinson & Fuller White Hall Funeral Chapel. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PARIS (AP) Fashion maestro Giorgio Armani marked 20 years of his haute couture line, Armani Prive, with an elegant and emotionally charged show in Pariss chic 8th arrondissement on Tuesday. At 90 years old, the designer presented a collection diving into the archives of craftsmanship and moving some guests to tears as he took his bow at the end. Haute couture is fashion when it becomes art, Armani said, describing the ethos behind Prive, the line he launched in January 2005. The name itself evokes rarity and exclusivity, serving as a platform for showcasing meticulous craft and timeless design, the house said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This spring 2025 collection revisited iconic elements from Armani Prives past with unapologetically glamorous results. A segmented black gown shimmered with silver threads that gleamed like oil, Asian-inspired fitted jackets sparkled with intricate embroidery, and full skirts encrusted with crystals added both texture and weight, swinging heavily and noisily as the models walked. Pearls featured prominently throughout the collection, used as embellishments and symbolic references to serenity, a recurring Armani motif. The shows setting, within the palazzo Armani and beneath gold-gilded ceilings, provided an intimate yet majestic backdrop for the celebration. Guests, including Demi Moore and Jessica Biel, were seen to tap their feet to the booming music. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the collection embraced Armanis signature balance of creativity and restraint, some pieces leaned on familiar themes, reflecting the designers adherence to his established aesthetic. Yet, this sense of continuity only heightened the timeless quality of the designs, reminding the audience why Prive remains a key part of the haute couture calendar. The emotional highlight of the evening came at the finale when Giorgio Armani himself emerged to take his bow. Slowly walking the runway, the nonagenarian designer received a standing ovation from some in the audience, many of whom were visibly emotional by the moment. Among the noblest heroes in wartime is the soldier who sacrifices his life to save a comrade-in-arms. A U.S. Army Ranger in 2018 went beyond that in an effort to protect not only his wounded partner, but the medical team and the helicopter crew evacuating the man from a still-hot battle zone. Born in Summerville, South Carolina on Jan. 12, 1986, Christopher Andrew Celiz set his sights on a military career early on. While in Summerville High School, he joined the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. He attended The Citadel from 2004 to 2006, but he did not graduate before enlisting in the Army in January 2008. After basic and advanced training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he became a combat engineer. From then on, he added more military occupational specialties, starting with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Cavazos, Texas (formerly named Fort Hood) then to Company C, 1st Battalion 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division as a team leader for the 530th Engineer Clearance Company, 92nd Engineer Battalion. Finally, he became a a mortar platoon sergeant with Company D, 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Celiz pursued his Army career, he married Katherine, with whom hed worked in a local grocery store, in 2009. Their daughter, Shannon, was born to them in 2010. Along the way, the family converted to Judaism. Celiz also spent some of what remained of his free time riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and playing his guitar. In 2008, Celiz was deployed to Iraq. He then did tours of duty in civil war-wracked Afghanistan, where his unit conducted operations alongside soldiers loyal to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and allied contingents against the Taliban and other hostile Afghan groups. He served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2011, 2013 and 2014, and in Operation Freedom Sentinel in 2015, 2016 and 2018. Shannon Celiz, daughter of Sgt. First Class Christopher Celiz, holds the Medal of Honor after accepting the posthumous recognition for her father in December 2021. (Evan Vucci/AP) On the morning of July 12, 2018, Sgt. 1st Class Celiz was leading a special unit made up of Rangers and pro-government Afghan troops. They were tasked with clearing an area in Paktia Province and securing it against future enemy movements. When they reached the ruins of an old storage shelter, however, they came under attack by at least 20 insurgents. Their fire drove Celizs unit to the ground and prevented them maneuvering into position for a counterattack. In the ensuing gunfight, one of the allied troops was grievously wounded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Celizs first response was to run in the open, exposing himself to enemy fire until he reached a heavy weapon system, with which he and his men returned fire. As an HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter arrived to evacuate the casualty, the insurgents turned their gunfire skyward. Some troops put the injured Afghan in a litter and ran him to the helicopter, while Celiz ran out into the open to make himself as large a target as he could between them and the enemys fire. Once their ally was aboard the chopper, the unit members rushed back to their positions. Celiz did not run for cover until they were all accounted for. As he finally did so, he was shot in the chest. The helicopter was just departing, but Celiz waved it off, concerned that it and the medevac team would be shot down, rendering his efforts in vain. As the medevac departed, Celiz tried to crawl to cover, but gave out. At that point, the medevac had returned, and Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Six led a team to recover Celiz. The helicopter then rushed the two casualties to a forward surgery team at Camp Dahlke, but Celiz died soon after. (For their efforts, Six and helicopter pilot Capt. Ben Krzeczowski were later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross). Army Ranger killed in Afghanistan firefight Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Celizs actions became the talk of the unit. He really was selflessly body blocking that litter team and that helicopter crew as they were loading the casualty on the bird under tremendous amount of fire, 2nd Lt. Garrett White told the Army News Service. White was a fellow Ranger participating in the operation. He put himself last and everybody else first. Krzeczowski agreed, saying, Courage to me is putting your life on the line to save the life of another, as demonstrated by [Sgt. 1st Class] Chris Celiz, who died protecting my crew. Although Celiz had not completed his studies there, The Citadel made him an honorary graduate and put him on the Citadel War Memorial in 2018. At Fort Leonard Wood, the two-story Warrior Restaurant in the Engineers Barracks was dedicated in his memory. Celizs wife and daughter received his posthumous Medal of Honor from former President Joe Biden on Dec. 16, 2021. In addition, Celiz had received, among others, the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. By Eric Young eric.young@gazette.com Colorado families are able to attend any public school in the state for free, regardless of where they live through open enrollment. The application process for school choice is now underway for the 2025-2026 school year in El Paso County and here are four things families should know when applying. 1. How does school choice work? School choice has been an option opened to parents and students since the passage of Colorados Public Schools of Choice law in 1994. The law ensures that parents or guardians can enroll their child somewhere outside their zoned school through an application. These days, applications can be filled out the website of the preferred district. Once the student is accepted, their parents dont need to fill out another application the next year if the student stays at that school. Featured Local Savings 2. What should go into the decision process? Beyond academics and educational offerings, parents and guardians should consider additional factors like transportation and school capacity when applying. Unlike with their neighborhood school, transportation is not a guarantee. 3. How likely is placement at a school of choice? Acceptance depends largely on classroom capacity, which differs from school to school and district to district based on local demographics. Parents are encouraged to tour schools and ask their principals and administrators about capacity before making a choice. Other schools may have special stipulations that might result in a rejection. This is often the case with charter schools, but different districts have their own criteria. Possible factors include expulsion history, course prerequisites or age restrictions. Smaller schools may also lack the capacity to care for certain special needs. 4. When is the deadline? Application windows vary by district, and parents should check the website of their school of choice. Charter schools authorized by each district will appear on their websites. Those that are authorized through the state charter school institute can be found on the official state website. (Bloomberg) -- Bernard Arnault said a wind of optimism is blowing through the US after Donald Trumps inauguration as president, in contrast to his native France, where the government is seeking to raise corporate taxes instead of cutting spending. Most Read from Bloomberg Theres a different mood between the two countries, the French billionaire told reporters Tuesday on the sidelines of LVMHs annual results, at one point comparing his return to France to a cold shower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arnault singled out for praise the Department of Government Efficiency cost-cutting effort thats being led by Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk. We should do like the US and name somebody to slash bureaucracy, he said. The 75-year-old luxury mogul could be seen last week standing next to tech billionaires and Argentine President Javier Milei at Trumps inauguration in Washington. The controlling shareholder of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE attended with his wife Helene and two of his five children, Delphine, 49, and Alexandre, 32. Who would refuse an invitation from the US president to attend his inauguration? Arnault asked, saying he has known every president since Ronald Reagan and has been acquainted with Trump personally for a long time. Trump was elected with an incredible majority, he added. Trump, who swept each of the hotly contested electoral swing states, was the first Republican to win the popular vote in 20 years, winning 49.8% of ballots cast compared with 48.3% for his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arnault and Trump have known each other since the French entrepreneur first came to New York in the early 1980s, fleeing a Socialist government in France and seeking to start a real estate business, an endeavor that wasnt successful. The ties have endured Trump last year told Bloomberg Businessweek in an interview that Arnault was an incredible guy, a friend of mine. LVMH, meantime, generates a quarter of its revenue from the US, which would likely leave the firm vulnerable to any import tariffs Trump might impose on the European Union. Arnault declined to say whether hed spoken about the risk of tariffs with Trump since his election. Investors are hoping the US will be a bright spot for luxury this year to counterbalance the demand downturn in China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Trump won his first presidential election eight years ago, Arnault and Alexandre went to congratulate him at Trump Tower shortly after. In 2019, Arnault and Trump inaugurated a Louis Vuitton leather goods plant in Texas as Arnault sought to prove his group was also willing to create production jobs in the US. The ties extend to the wider families. Early in 2023, the younger Arnault and his wife attended a dinner at Mar-a-Lago, while Trumps daughter Ivanka attended the opening of a New York fashion boutique last year by Alexandres wife Geraldine. Melania Trump wore LVMHs Dior on election day and during the inauguration weekend, and Ivanka also wore a Dior outfit and a gown by Givenchy, another LVMH label, at inauguration celebrations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arnaults wealth is estimated at about $207 billion on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, making him Europes wealthiest person. US authorities are seeking to get LVMH to continue to expand manufacturing there, he said. In the current environment, its something were looking at seriously, Arnault told reporters Tuesday. (Updates to add more comments from Arnault) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) An arrest has been made in connection with a triple homicide that occurred on Jan. 18, according to the Mobile Police Department. Internal MCPSS email vowed to shield students from ICE officials, now retracted According to an MPD spokesperson, Anthony Morales Rivera, 34, is accused of three counts of murder and was booked into Mobile County Metro Jail on Monday. Anthony Morales Rivera. (Mobile County Sheriffs Office) Police said he has an active warrant with the FBI for an unlawful flight to avoid prosecution for fleeing to Puerto Rico after the murders occurred. Rivera turned himself in Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to previous reporting, the shooting occurred around 7:34 p.m. on Jan. 18 at Theodore Dawes Road and Interstate 10. On the scene, Mobile police officers found three men were killed due to gunshot wounds. They were identified as 24-year-old Marco Alvarado, 30-year-old Christon Aponte and 28-year-old Angel Esparra. Gulf Shores High School indoor athletic training facility collapses Officers learned the three men were in a physical altercation with a man they knew while stopped at the overpass. A second man then shot Alvarado, Aponte and Esparra. Both men who were involved fled the area in separate vehicles before officers arrived. 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 WKRG News 5. The flight landed safely in the middle of the morning, the sun occasionally bursting through the clouds over Guatemala City. But instead of taxiing to International Arrivals, the plane headed towards the military side of the airport as fighter jets screamed above, weaving around in training exercises. When the aircraft doors opened, dozens of men and women were ushered onto the tarmac where they were greeted by an emotional Guatemalan Vice President Karin Herrera and other officials and then led into a reception center for returnees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Good morning! one shouted. How are you, paisanos (countrymen)? This was a chartered deportation flight from the United States, an operation thats gained new attention since the inauguration of President Donald Trump last week and his promises to remove millions of undocumented migrants. If there was any shame or animosity when the flight left Alexandria, Louisiana, just before sunrise, none of that was evident when the migrants walked back on Guatemalan soil, many shuffling in open sneakers the laces having been taken by US authorities in a common safety practice, and never returned. The passengers all adults on this flight were welcomed with cookies and coffee and efficient processing in the migrant reception center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Repatriation flights have been an ongoing process, Herrera told CNN, adding there had been no increase since Trump came to power. The only difference, she said, was the use of military planes such as the one arriving later on Monday. She did not want to discuss the weekend spat between Colombia and the US over the use of military planes, saying her focus was on her citizens. We are committed to their integrity and their basic rights, Herrera said. Some of the returning Guatemalans had lived and worked in the US for years. Some were fluent in English. But they had all entered without permission or documents and so were subject to deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The migrants left the US as criminals, telling us they were handcuffed on board until they were out of US airspace on their flight south. But whether they were looking forward to being back on home turf or not, the official reception they got was mostly very warm, as if they had been badly missed. A few did remain in handcuffs and were escorted by police, expected to face action for crimes alleged to have been committed in their homeland. But for the majority, they sat with snacks as names were called and temporary identification papers were handed out. Undocumented no more. They might have skills and abilities that could find them work and a good life back in their home country, benefiting themselves and Guatemala too, officials said. The returning migrants applauded Herrera after she gave a short speech in the arrival hall but each has their own view on whether they will heed calls to stay. Sara Tot-Botoz said her first thought after being processed back into Guatemala was to change out of her gray sweats and into her indigenous clothes. - Evelio Contreras/CNN Sara Tot-Botoz said her first thought after being processed back into Guatemala was to change into her indigenous clothes. - Evelio Contreras/CNN It feels dangerous in the US now Sara Tot-Botoz had lived for 10 years in Alabama, working in construction, roofing and car repair, as well as caring for two of her children, now adults, and grandchildren. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she had been driving away from a Walmart with one of those grandchildren about seven months ago when she says police pulled her over and cited her for not having him in a car seat. After her immigration status was discovered, she spent two months in jail in Alabama and then five months in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention in Louisiana, she said. Once processed back into Guatemala, she said her first thought was to get out of the shapeless gray sweats she was wearing and into her indigenous clothes. And then to eat some good food. Tot-Botoz, 43, stood waiting for her belongings. Only a handful of the migrants had suitcases for their things. Most others waited for a large plastic sack to be handed over containing all that they had taken from the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As others charged their phones at free power banks to call friends or relatives, Tot-Botoz changed and hurried out onto the street outside. There was another of her children, a daughter, now 25, who had not seen her mother since she was 15. The two women hugged each other for a long time, each crying. They had not been in contact since Tot-Botoz was taken to detention and while there was much to catch up on, for a few minutes they just wanted to hold each other. It feels dangerous in the US now, Tot-Botoz told CNN, explaining that undocumented migrants could be picked up anywhere. Tot-Botoz told CNN for now she wants to get back to her indigenous community, about a five-hour drive away, and never leave. Dozens of deportees from the US are ushered to a reception center where first they are greeted by Guatemalan Vice President Karin Herrera and other officials in Guatemala City. - Evelio Contreras/CNN A lingering American dream But Fidel Ambrocio said he still saw his future in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he had lived there for a total of 19 years, first arriving as a teen and voluntarily leaving for a spell in 2018 before heading back north. He has a wife, a four-year-old daughter and a baby son, born just a couple of months before he was detained, he said, on an old warrant for trespass at the home of his ex-wifes mother. Ambrocio, 35, whod worked in construction in Montgomery, Alabama, seemed almost stunned to be back in Guatemala. He was also angry, not comprehending why he was deported when most of the rhetoric from Trump and his team has been about sending violent offenders out of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not criminals, he insisted, saying he did not consider his offence to be a serious crime. The migrants CNN spoke to had all been detained while Joe Biden was president, and went through removal proceedings that led to them being on the flight from Louisiana. Ambrocio told CNN he would try to go back to the US. Legally, he said, he has to wait 10 years before applying for a visa, but he said he might try in two or four years, even if that meant travelling illegally and facing whatever the consequences might be. If I can never go back, I will try to get my wife and kids here, he conceded. That will be very challenging. CNNs Michael Rios contributed to this story. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com (WBRE/WYOU) A man wanted on arson charges in Schuylkill County allegedly fought police with a pick axe to avoid being arrested in New Jersey. On January 27 a task force tracked Tyrie Dunn to New Jersey, a wanted fugitive for allegedly destroying two homes with Molotov cocktails in Pottsvile. Investigators said they found Dunn in a home in Lodi, NJ and surveillance was set up. Dunn eventually attempted to flee the area and while doing so he hit an FBI vehicle which caused the door to strike an FBI agent and pin him between the door and door opening, police reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nurse practitioner accused of raping patient Police stated Dunn tried to flee the area again then crashed into a fence causing him to get out of the car and run on foot. Dunn was shortly found in a storage shed and he began to swing a pick axe at officers hitting one in the back, as stated in the release. Dunn was taken back to Pennsylvania and arraigned on his original charges. He remains in the Schuylkill County Prison on a $500,000 straight cash 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 PAhomepage.com. Q: Where was the first McDonalds in L.A.? A: Like Barbie and the electric guitar, McDonalds was invented in L.A. (well, 60 miles east, in San Bernardino, but we still lay claim to it). When brothers Dick and Mac McDonald decided to allow other burger barons to make authorized copies of their innovation, a global icon was born. In May of 1953, a gas station operator in Phoenix paid the brothers $950 in exchange for blueprints, recipes and a list of suppliers. He built the first of the companys landmark modernist buildings in Phoenix. Architect Stanley Meston designed a dynamic little stand covered with neon and sporting red and white tile and a pair of 30-foot golden arches that burst through the roof. The next store was to be in North Hollywood, but the owner changed the name and tweaked the arches, calling it Peaks. Why? We dont talk about that one. Related: Los Angeles Magazine's 10 Best New Restaurants The landmark McDonald's in Downey has anchored the corner of Lakewood and Florence for over 70 yearsPhoto by Bryan Hong Mr. Arizona hipped his brother-in-law in Downey to the deal and the first store in Los Angeles County opened there on Aug. 18, 1953. Today, the worlds oldest McDonalds is a living time capsule thats still slinging burgers with neon blazing through the night go! Locations in Alhambra, Sacramento, Pomona and Azusa quickly followed, all before Ray Kroc opened his first outlet near Chicago in 1955. Later that year, another set of arches rose in Reseda, becoming the first McDonalds in the city of L.A. Other franchises soon landed in South L.A. and Westchester, but 18761 Sherman Way is the first McAngeleno. Related: Where Cento Pasta Bar Chef Avner Levi Likes to Eat Detail of the Speedee mascot at the Azusa McDonald's on Route 66 not long before it closed in 1984Photo by John Margolies/Library of Congress Send your questions about L.A. to askchris@lamag.com Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Buddes sermon on Jan. 21, 2025, in which she appealed to President Donald Trump to have mercy toward groups frightened by his position on immigrants and LGBTQ+ people especially children drew reactions from both sides of the aisle. In a post on his social networking site, Truth Social, Trump called her comments nasty in tone and remarked that she brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She and her church owe the public an apology!, he posted. Several conservatives criticized her sermon, while many progressives saw her as speaking truth to power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a specialist in medieval Christianity, I was not surprised by the bishops words, as I know that Christian history is full of examples of people who have spoken out, unafraid to risk official censure, or even death. Early voices Even in the early centuries of Christianity, followers of Jesus Christs teachings could be outspoken toward political leaders. For example, in the first-century Gospels, John the Baptist, a contemporary of Jesus, confronts the ruler of Galilee, Herod Antipas, for marrying his brothers wife a practice forbidden in the Hebrew scriptures. For that, John the Baptist was ultimately beheaded. In a prayer later called the Magnificat, Mary, the mother of Jesus, praises the glory and power of God who casts down the mighty and raises the lowly. In recent interpretations, these words have been understood as a call for those in authority to act more justly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the late fourth century a time when Christianity had been made the official religion of the Roman Empire a respected civil official named Ambrose became bishop of the imperial city of Milan in northern Italy. He became well known for his preaching and theological treatises. However, after imperial troops massacred innocent civilians in the Greek city of Thessaloniki, Ambrose reproached Emperor Theodosius and refused to admit him to church for worship until he did public penance for their deaths. Ambroses writings on scripture and heresy, as well as his hymns, had a profound influence on Western Christian theology; since his death, he has been venerated as a saint. In the early sixth century, the Christian Roman senator and philosopher Boethius served as an official in the Roman court of the Germanic king of Italy, Theodoric. A respected figure for his learning and personal integrity, Boethius was imprisoned on false charges after defending others from accusations by corrupt court officials acting out of greed or ambition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his time in prison, he wrote a philosophical volume about the nature of what is true good On the Consolation of Philosophy that is studied even today. Boethius, who was executed in 524, is venerated as a saint and martyr in parts of Italy. Thomas Becket and St. Catherine One of the most famous examples of a medieval bishop speaking truth to power is that of Thomas Becket, former chancellor that is, senior minister of England in the 12th century. On becoming archbishop of Canterbury, Becket resigned his secular office and opposed the efforts of King Henry II to bring the church under royal control. A stained glass window at the Canterbury Cathedral in England depicting the murder of Thomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury. Dukas/Universal Images Group via Getty Images After living in exile in France for a time, Becket returned to England and was assassinated by some of Henrys knights. The king later did public penance for this at Beckets tomb in Canterbury. Soon after, Becket was canonized a saint. Another influential saint was the 14th-century Italian mystic and writer Catherine of Siena. Because of the increasing power of the kings of France, the popes had moved their residence and offices from Rome to Avignon, on the French border. They remained there for most of the century, even though this Avignon papacy increased tensions in western Europee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many Christian clerics and secular rulers in western Europe believed that the popes needed to return to Rome, to distance papal authority from French influence. Catherine herself even traveled to Avignon and stayed there for months, writing letters urging Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome and restore peace to Italy and the church a goal the pope finally fulfilled in 1377. Leaders speak up across denominations The Reformation era of the 16th and early 17th centuries led to the splitting of Western Christianity into several different denominations. However, many Christian leaders across denominations continued to raise their voices for justice. One important and ongoing voice is that of the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers. Early leaders, like Margaret Fell and George Fox, wrote letters to King Charles II of England in the mid-17th century, defending their beliefs, including pacifism, in the face of persecution. In the 18th century, based on their belief in the equality of all human beings, Quaker leaders spoke in favor of the abolition of slavery in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, it was Bayard Rustin, a Black Quaker, who coined the phrase to speak truth to power in the mid-20th century. He adhered to the Quaker commitment to nonviolence in social activism and was active for decades in the American Civil Rights Movement. During the Montgomery bus boycott in the mid-1950s, he met and began working with Martin Luther King Jr., who was an ordained Baptist minister. In Germany, leaders from various Christian denominations have also united to speak truth to power. During the rise of the Nazis in the 1930s, several pastors and theologians joined forces to resist the influence of Nazi doctrine over German Protestant churches. Their statement, the Barmen Declaration, emphasized that Christians were answerable to God, not the state. These leaders the Confessing Church continued to resist Nazi attempts to create a German Church. Desmond Tutu and other leaders Bishop Desmond Tutu opposed the racial policies of the South African government. AP Photo/Jim Abrams Christians on other continents, too, continued this vocal tradition. Oscar Romero, the Roman Catholic archbishop of San Salvador, preached radio sermons criticizing the government and army for violence and oppression of the poor in El Salvador during a national civil war. As a result, he was assassinated while celebrating Mass in 1980. Romero was canonized a saint by Pope Francis in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In South Africa, the Anglican bishop Desmond Tutu, archbishop of Cape Town, spent much of his active ministry condemning the violence of apartheid in his native country. After the end of the apartheid regime, Tutu also served as chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was established to investigate acts of violence committed both by government forces and violent activists. Before his death in 2021, Tutu continued to speak out against other international acts of oppression. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. For some, Bishop Buddes words might seem radical, rude, inappropriate or offensive. But she did not speak in isolation; she is surrounded by a cloud of witnesses in the Christian tradition of speaking truth to power. 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: Joanne M. Pierce, College of the Holy Cross Read more: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joanne M. Pierce 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. RICHMOND Eight years ago, Shana Turners youngest son, Shaq, was shot and killed in an apparent murder-suicide. The Virginia Beach resident has been at every gun violence prevention advocacy day at the General Assembly ever since. This year was no different. Earlier this month, Turner rallied alongside advocacy group Moms Demand Action and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger at the Bell Tower outside the state capitol building, urging lawmakers to pass what they say is common sense firearm regulations. I lost my son to senseless gun violence, Turner said. Thats why this is important to me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Virginia, gun deaths increased by 47% between 2013 and 2022. Black boys and men ages 15 to 34, like Shaquille Turner, account for just 3% of the states population, but accounted for a disproportionate 46% of all homicide deaths in 2022, according to a report by the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. We as survivors, we deserve a right to heal, said Turner, who operates Hampton Roads Moms Against Senseless Killings, a nonprofit that works to prevent gun violence and advocate for surviving families. Nobody wants to be a part of this club. Turner was among the advocates who backed a slate of gun regulations this legislative session. The Democrat-controlled Senate passed a number of those restrictions Monday along party lines, including a ban on assault weapons. If the bills are passed by the House, theyll face an uphill battle at the governors desk. This is the third time a ban on assault weapons has passed the Senate. In 2023, when Republicans were the majority party in the House of Delegates, its counterpart bill in the House died in a public safety subcommittee. Last year, the General Assembly voted to pass a near-identical bill, but it was vetoed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. At the time, Youngkin said the Constitution precludes the Commonwealth from prohibiting a broad category of firearms widely embraced for lawful purposes, such as self-defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats are also trying again to pass legislation that would require people to securely store and lock up guns in homes where children are present and that would ban guns and other weapons from hospitals providing mental health and developmental services. Last year, Youngkin proposed an amendment to the latter measure that would only prohibit people from transferring guns to people receiving mental health treatment. Virginia law prohibits guns at public hospitals, but private institutions can only ban them as a matter of hospital policy, not state law. Other legislation aims to restrict concealed firearms and ghost guns, which are manufactured without serial numbers and are therefore impossible to trace. Virginia requires a permit to concealed carry a handgun. State law classifies the concealed carry of a gun or other weapon without a permit as a class 1 misdemeanor, except under specific conditions. If passed, Senate Bill 1329 would remove the exemption that allows people who can lawfully own a gun to conceal carry in a car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bills patron, Sen. David Marsden, D-Burke, said the legislation would prevent gun thefts from cars. Republican Sen. Mark Obenshain of Harrisonburg said it would have the opposite effect because people without a conceal carry permit would leave their guns on the dashboard or passenger seat when they exited the vehicle. Senate Bill 881 would ban the manufacture, sale and possession of guns that when broken down, are not detectable as a firearm by X-ray machines, as well as guns without valid serial numbers. The Senate also voted to pass a bill that would provide a five-day waiting period for anyone seeking to purchase a gun. The bills patron, Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim, D-Merrifield, said similar efforts in Florida and California had proven to be effective in reducing gun homicides and suicides. The gunman who shot and killed six people at a Chesapeake Walmart in 2022 purchased the handgun used on the day of the shooting. They provide a cooling off period, Salim said of the waiting period. This bill gives people that crucial moment to step back, seek help or reconsider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obenshain said that would put the lives of domestic violence victims who had filed an emergency protective order at risk. Sen. Danica Roem, D-Manassas, acknowledged the concern and asked if Obenshain had proposed an amendment to carve out an exemption for people in that scenario. Obenshain said he didnt recall. Roem said there was space to address that concern as the bill makes its way through the House, but urged lawmakers not to defeat the bill in the meantime. My number one priority is making sure we are preventing suicides when we know we have an opportunity to do so, she said. The Senate also voted to ban anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing an assault firearm, except for people in law enforcement and in the military. Kate Seltzer, kate.seltzer@virginiamedia.com, (757)713-7881 NEW YORK Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar is dropping her campaign for city comptroller to challenge incumbent Jumaane Williams for the role of New York City public advocate. Rajkumar, a close ally of Mayor Eric Adams, announced the switch-up five months after announcing her campaign to be the citys fiscal watchdog, Our City is facing a crisis of governance and can no longer afford the out-of-touch agenda of extremists like Jumaane Williams, Rajkumar said in a statement. Instead, we need proven fighters who will focus on the issues that all New Yorkers care about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Queens lawmaker often appears alongside Adams at press conferences, even earning a shoutout in the mayors State of the City speech earlier this month. Rajkumar filed to run for comptroller last summer after incumbent Brad Lander announced he was running for mayor. The controllers race has gotten competitive, with candidates Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and City Council Finance Chair Justin Brannan both raking in more donations and endorsements. The assemblymember has about $275,000 in her campaign coffers more than Williams $69,000. A spokesperson for Williams did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rajkumar said she would use the role, which is typically a foil to the mayor, to tackle affordability and public safety issues. Citywide primaries will be held June 24. The public advocate is the next in line of succession to be mayor should the mayor have to step down for any reason. MPs voted in support of a proposal to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales, in November 2024. Months of detailed scrutiny and further votes in the Commons and Lords are required before the bill could become law. At present, laws throughout the UK prevent people from asking for medical help to die. What is the proposed law on assisted dying in England and Wales? The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was introduced by backbench Labour MP Kim Leadbeater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It proposes giving terminally ill people the right to choose to end their life. It says that anyone who wants to end their life must: be over 18 and live in England and Wales, and have been registered with a GP for at least 12 months have the mental capacity to make the choice and be deemed to have expressed a clear, settled and informed wish, free from coercion or pressure be expected to die within six months make two separate declarations, witnessed and signed, about their wish to die satisfy two independent doctors that they are eligible - with at least seven days between each assessment Once a patient's application has been approved, they would then have to wait 14 days before proceeding. A doctor would prepare the substance being used to end the patient's life, but the person would take it themselves. The bill defines the coordinating doctor as a registered medical practitioner with "training, qualifications and experience" at a level to be specified by the Health Secretary. It does not say which drug would be used. It would be illegal to use dishonesty, pressure, or to coerce someone into declaring they want to end their life, with a possible 14-year prison sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the original proposals, a High Court judge would have to approve each request to end a life. However, Leadbetter has suggested a panel of legal and medical experts should oversee applications instead. The panel would be chosen by a new Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission which would be led by a High Court judge or senior former judge. The proposal follows concerns that the High Court would not have capacity to rule on each individual case. However, some opponents have said the move undermines the bill's safeguards. The change would need to be approved by the MPs scrutinising the bill. When could assisted dying become law? Many months of activity lie ahead in the Commons and the Lords. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are 23 MPs on the committee reviewing the legislation line-by-line. They include 14 supporters - including two ministers - and nine opponents. The committee is holding public hearings and taking evidence from experts. It will then propose amendments to the bill. It is hoped that the committee process will be finished in time for the bill to return to the House of Commons on 25 April. At that stage, all MPs will have a chance to debate and vote on the changes proposed by the committee. There would then be more scrutiny in the Commons and the Lords, and further voting. Even if the bill clears all its parliamentary hurdles, MPs have been told there would be a period of up to two years before any new law would be implemented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is possible the bill could fall and not become law at all. How did MPs vote on assisted dying? The historic vote saw 330 MPs support the assisted dying bill, and 275 reject it. MPs were given a free vote on the issue, which meant they could make their own decision rather than follow party instructions. The government is impartial on the issue. [Getty Images] Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was among those to vote in favour of the bill, as was Chancellor Rachel Reeves. However, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood all voted against. Most Conservative MPs rejected the bill, including party leader Kemi Badenoch. The former PM Rishi Sunak and former deputy PM Oliver Dowden were among the minority of Tory MPs who supported it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When MPs last voted on the issue in 2015, they rejected different proposals by 330 votes to 118. How might the law change in Scotland? A separate bill is under discussion in Scotland. Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur drafted the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. If passed by MSPs, eligible applicants would have to: be resident in Scotland for at least 12 months be registered with a GP in Scotland be terminally ill have the mental capacity to make the request The bill is being considered by the health committee ahead of an initial vote by MSPs. The first stage of the committee's work is due to be completed by 23 May 2025. In October 2024, Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray said the proposed legislation went beyond the limits of Holyrood's powers, and was a matter for Westminster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, McArthur said he was confident the UK and Scottish governments could find a solution if MSPs backed his bill. How might the law change in the Isle of Man and Jersey? Parts of the British Isles but able to set their own laws, the Isle of Man and Jersey are both considering proposals to allow assisted dying. The Isle of Man's Assisted Dying Bill is reaching its final stages in the Manx parliament. Adults expected to die within 12 months would be eligible. And politicians are debating whether to reduce the residency criteria from five years (as specified in the bill) to 12 months. Once the outstanding issues are resolved, the bill is likely to receive royal assent and become law, with the scheme potentially in place by 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jersey's politicians backed the principle of legalising assisted dying in 2021. And in May 2024, they approved plans to allow assisted dying for those with a terminal illness "causing unbearable suffering". Final legislation is currently being written, and once approved, an 18-month implementation period would begin, meaning new rules would take effect in summer 2027 at the earliest. Who opposes assisted dying? Opponents warn that people could be put under pressure to end their lives and want improvements to palliative care instead. Paralympian and House of Lords crossbencher Baroness Grey-Thompson is a vocal critic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told the BBC she is worried about "the impact on vulnerable people, on disabled people, [the risk of] coercive control, and the ability of doctors to make a six-month diagnosis". Lady Grey-Thompson is a long-standing critic of legalising assisted dying [Getty Images] Actor and disability-rights activist Liz Carr, who made BBC One documentary Better Off Dead?, also opposes changing the law. "Some of us have very real fears based on our lived experience and based on what has happened in other countries where it's legal," she wrote on X. Dr Gordon Macdonald, from campaign group Care Not Killing, said: "The safest law is the one we currently have. "This bill is being rushed with indecent haste and ignores the deep-seated problems in the UK's broken and patchy palliative care system." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why do supporters want the law on assisted dying to change? Leadbeater argues the law needs changing because some people "have a horrible, harrowing death", however good their end-of-life or palliative care is. Cancer patient Nathaniel Dye worked on the bill with Leadbeater. He said it would allow people a death which was "as kind and compassionate as possible". The Dignity in Dying campaign group said the bill provides the "most detailed, robust proposals" on the issue that "Westminster has ever considered". According to chief executive Sarah Wootton, the fact that every year "up to 650 terminally ill people end their own lives, often in lonely and traumatic ways," shows that the status quo is not working. Dame Esther Rantzen, who has stage four lung cancer, has joined Dignitas in Switzerland [PA Media] One of the highest-profile advocates for change is broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen, who has stage-four lung cancer. "All I'm asking for is that we be given the dignity of choice," Dame Esther told BBC News. "If I decide that my own life is not worth living, please may I ask for help to die?" Both the British Medical Association, which represents doctors, and the Royal College of Nursing are neutral on the issue. What are assisted dying, assisted suicide and euthanasia? There is some debate over exactly what the various terms mean. However, assisted dying generally refers to a person who is terminally ill receiving lethal drugs from a medical practitioner, which they administer themselves. Assisted suicide is intentionally helping another person to end their life, including someone who is not terminally ill. That could involve providing lethal medication or helping them travel to another jurisdiction to die. Euthanasia is the act of deliberately ending a person's life to relieve suffering in which a lethal drug is administered by a physician. Patients may not be terminally ill. There are two types: voluntary euthanasia, where a patient consents; and non-voluntary, where they cannot because, for example, they are in a coma. Where is euthanasia or assisted dying legal around the world? The Dignity in Dying campaign group says more than 200 million people around the world have legal access to assisted dying. Switzerland has allowed assisted suicide since 1942. Its Dignitas facility - which accepts foreign patients as well as Swiss nationals. Between 1998 and 2023 it helped 571 Britons to die. Assisted suicide is also legal in Austria. In the US, 11 states - Oregon, California, New Mexico, Colorado, Washington, Hawaii, New Jersey, Vermont, Maine and Washington DC - allow "physician-assisted dying". It permits doctors to prescribe lethal drugs for self-administration. Voluntary euthanasia is legal in Canada where it is called medical assistance in dying. It can be provided by a doctor or nurse practitioner, either in person or through the prescription of drugs for self-administration. Medically-assisted dying accounted for 4.7% of deaths in Canada in 2023. It is also legal in Spain and Colombia, both of which also permit assisted suicide. Assisted dying is legal in some parts of Australia but the law differs across states. New Zealand's End of Life Choice Act legalises assisted dying and allows adults in their final months of life to request assistance from a medical professional. Three countries have laws that allow people who are not terminally ill to receive assistance to die: The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Update 3 January 2025: This piece has been updated to give further detail on the definition of a coordinating doctor. Editor's Note: This story has been corrected. An earlier version incorrection stated that Schenkel had been arrested on Jan. 21, instead of that being the date of his guilty plea. A 38-year-old pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a child, according to El Paso County court records. Court records show Kurt Schenkel pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a child under the age of 15, a class 3 felony, on Jan. 21. Kurt Schenkel was arrested in 2023 by Colorado Springs police and booked into the El Paso County jail on charges of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, sexual exploitation of a child and aggravated incest. According to the arrest affidavit obtained by The Gazette, Schenkel was sexually assaulting two brothers, ages 16 and 11, while they stayed at Schenkel's residence, over the course of years. Schenkel would also make the boys watch pornography with him, the affidavit stated. Featured Local Savings Both boys communicated to Schenkel that they wanted him to stop the sexual interactions, but they kept continuing, according to the affidavit. A search warrant yielded two cell phones containing 59 images. Schenkel is being held in jail with no bond. He is scheduled to be sentenced in April. GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) UPDATE (1/29): Pitt County Schools released a statement Wednesday morning about their stance on potential ICE raids in schools. As a district, Pitt County Schools is committed to providing a safe and welcoming learning environment where every student can thrive, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religious faith or lack thereof, sex, nationality, color, immigration status, or political viewpoints. said PCS. Pitt County Schools said that they will not seek information on students or their families immigration status. They also do not share records with law enforcement, unless they are legally compelled to comply like a search warrant or subpoena. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our focus remains on supporting students and their families during this time. We are continuing to seek guidance in this area from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and are reaching out to local partners, including the Pitt County Sheriffs Office, to better understand ICE processes for conducting arrests. said the school system. (1/27): The Associated Press reported a week into Donald Trumps presidency, the administration is approving deportation efforts. Last Thursday and Friday, they said there were more than 1,000 arrests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Theyre not just taking your criminals. Theyre taking your students. Theyre taking your business owners, theyre taking your labor force, Advocacy and Civic Engagement Director of Association of Mexicans in N.C. Rodolfo Martinez said. Theyre taking your parents or grandparents, your siblings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deportation and ICE raids are happening across the country, but not everything said is true. See a lot of fearmongering around deportation as we see ICE raids across the nation. In North Carolina, the only one Im absolutely sure of is in Raleigh, Eastern Regional Managing Organizer with Democracy NC Lucas Seijo said. Weve just been hearing things, we havent seen anything and there hasnt been any proof, Martinez said. And its just scaring the community a lot altogether. Not just those that dont have a status, but others who do have a status just because of the color of our skin. Martinez said he doesnt want to cause fear and panic, but help people prepare in case of a raid happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigrant ICE is allowed into churches, into schools. So, while a regular kid that is not a person of color just goes and has to worry about his mother packing for a lunch, he has to also worry whether he has a status or not, Martinez said. You know, he has to worry if hell, hell be taken that day or hell be even questioned, and I dont know any little kids in fifth grade that carry their passport or their birth certificate along with them because just an ID is sometimes not enough when it outweighs the color of your skin. The Association of Mexicans in North Carolina hosts monthly deportation defense and power of attorney clinics to provide families with information on what to do if you do encounter ICE. What happens to everything thats under your name? What happens to children? What happens to all of this? You know, so its just thats what the power of attorneys do as well, Martinez said. Contact your local sheriffs office. So last year, there was a bill. HB 10, sheriffs cooperate with ICE bill, that was passed in the North Carolina General Assembly and what that bill did is required sheriffs to cooperate with ICE officials when it came to working with undocumented people, Seijo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can call La Migra Hotline if you have questions or see something going on with ICE in your community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPACE (KXAN) A relatively small object in space, roughly the size of the Statue of Liberty, is expected to zip past Earth on January 31. The object, named 2015 DJ155, is one of several objects that will near our planet in the next several days. Flying through space at around 9km per second, the small rock will get within 4.4 million miles of Earth. To put that in perspective, the Moon is around 238 thousand miles from Earth, while Mars is 140 million miles away. The rock has passed by the Earth several times in the past. This will be its seventh flyby since 1902, according to NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory Small Body Database. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight objects are expected to pass by the planet between January 28 and February 1. While 2015 DJI155 is the largest, it wont be the closest. On Jan. 28, B54 will be half a million miles from Earth, twice the distance from the Earth to the Moon. That rock is only twelve meters wide, which is about twice the height of a giraffe. Threats to Earth Asteroids and comets pass by Earth regularly. According to NASAs Planetary Defense Coordination Office, 37,264 near-Earth objects have been discovered. Eight hundred and sixty-eight of those are larger than a kilometer. In 2024, 145 objects passed between the Earth and the Moon. Most are not a threat. Roughly 100 tons of space dust hit the planet every day, causing minimal if any damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are a few larger asteroids that could pose a threat to life on our world. Bennu is an asteroid that was discovered in 1999. On Sept. 24, 2182, it has a 1 in 2,700 chance of striking the planet. While large, it isnt large enough to wipe out all life. The next major asteroid NASA is worried about is 29075 (1950 DA). This asteroid has a 1 in 34,500 chance of hitting the Earth on March 16, 2880. If it hits the planet, it is large enough to wipe out life on our world. Other major asteroids NASA is watching are 2023 TL4, 2007 FT3 and 1979 XB. Saving the human race from an asteroid impact NASA is trying to figure out a way to ensure we dont get wiped out. NASA launched the Double Asteroid Redirection Test, or DART, on Nov. 24, 2022. Its mission is to move an asteroid. This image made available by NOIRLab shows a plume of dust and debris blasted from the surface of the asteroid Dimorphos by NASAs DART spacecraft after it impacted on Sept. 26, 2022, captured by the U.S. National Science Foundations NOIRLabs SOAR telescope in Chile. The expanding, comet-like tail is more than 6,000 miles (10,000 kilometers) long. (Teddy Kareta, Matthew Knight/NOIRLab via AP) NASAs DART involves launching a spacecraft at an asteroid and changing its course, basically nudging the asteroid a few meters. With just a slight shift in an asteroids path, its course can be changed completely, and it would miss the Earth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, DART collided with the small asteroid Dimorphos and successfully moved 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 KXAN Austin. U.S. public health officials have been told to stop working with the World Health Organization, effective immediately. A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official, John Nkengasong, sent a memo to senior leaders at the agency on Sunday night telling them that all staff who work with the WHO must immediately stop their collaborations and await further guidance. Experts said the sudden stoppage was a surprise and would set back work on investigating and trying to stop outbreaks of Marburg virus and mpox in Africa, as well as brewing global threats. It also comes as health authorities around the world are monitoring bird flu outbreaks among U.S. livestock. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Associated Press viewed a copy of Nkengasongs memo, which said the stop-work policy applied to all CDC staff engaging with WHO through technical working groups, coordinating centers, advisory boards, cooperative agreements or other means in person or virtual. It also says CDC staff are not allowed to visit WHO offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump last week issued an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the U.S. from WHO, but that did not take immediate effect. Leaving WHO requires the approval of Congress and that the U.S. meets its financial obligations for the current fiscal year. The U.S. also must provide a one-year notice. His administration also told federal health agencies to stop most communications with the public through at least the end of the month. Stopping communications and meetings with WHO is a big problem, said Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, a University of Southern California public health expert who collaborates with WHO on work against sexually transmitted infections. People thought there would be a slow withdrawal. This has really caught everyone with their pants down, said Klausner, who said he learned of it from someone at CDC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Talking to WHO is a two-way street, he added, noting that the two agencies benefit from each others expertise. The collaboration allows the U.S. to learn about new tests, new treatments and emerging outbreaks information which can help us protect Americans abroad and at home, Klausner said. TRENDING STORIES: The CDC details nearly 30 people to WHO and sends many millions of dollars to it through cooperative agreements. The U.S. agency also has some of the worlds leading experts in infectious diseases and public health threats, and the two agencies staffers are in daily contact about health dangers and how to stop them. The collaboration halt isnt the only global health effect of Trumps executive orders. Last week, the president froze spending on another critical program, PEPFAR or the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The anti-HIV program is credited with saving 25 million lives, including those of 5.5 million children, since it was started by Republican President George W. Bush. It was included in a Trump administration freeze on foreign aid spending slated to last at least three months. PEPFAR provides HIV medication to more than 20 million people and stopping its funding essential stops their HIV treatment, International AIDS Society President Beatriz Grinsztejn said in a statement. If that happens, people are going to die and HIV will resurge. A U.S. health official confirmed that the CDC was stopping its work with WHO. The person was not authorized to talk about the memo and spoke on condition of anonymity. A WHO spokesperson referred questions about the withdrawal to U.S. officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services didnt immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. And CDC officials didnt respond to the APs request to speak with Nkengasong about the memo. ___ AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The Georgia Secretary of States Office issued an emergency order against Atlanta Discount Home Deals and its owner after an extensive investigation into a series of financial crimes. Atlanta Discount Home Deals, also operating as ADHD, and its owner Mark Jackson were investigated under the orders of Sec. of State Brad Raffensperger. The company and owner were accused of offering unregistered securities, operating or taking part in fraudulent investment schemes and misappropriating investor funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raffenspergers office said the investigation into Jackson and his business revealed theyd engaged in unauthorized securities sales through $4 million of promissory notes from 2018 to 2024. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The promissory notes were purportedly secured by real estate properties in Georgia, Maryland, Florida, and Puerto Rico, but investigators found that they were either not owned by ADHD or did not exist as represented. This order underscores our commitment to protecting Georgias investors from fraudulent get-rich-quick schemes, Raffensperger said. Fraud has no place in Georgia, and we use every available resource to keep it that way. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation by the Sec. of States Office focused on allegations about property ownership and secured assets, as well as issuance of unregistered securities to investors without proper filings, plus fraudulent claims related to purchases of property and renovations that never happened. State officials also said that there was significant mismanagement and potential misappropriation of funds, leading to Jackson and ADHD being ordered to pay a $500,000 penalty and reimburse Georgia taxpayers for investigative costs. The order also bans Jackson and ADHD from registering as securities dealers in Georgia and stipulates that neither party may operate in Georgia or violate the Georgia Securities Act in the future. Raffenserpgers office said the order was effective immediately, adding that Jackson was also subject to ongoing investigation as his current whereabouts are unknown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about ADHD and Jackson, or how have been affected by their actions, are urged to come forward. To report potential violations, call the Securities Division at 470-312-2640 or email the Secretary of State here. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] MANHATTAN (KSNT) Police in Riley County are asking locals for help with solving a mystery related to a brutal attack on a teenage girl in 2018. The Riley County Police Department (RCPD) announced in a press release on Tuesday, Jan. 28 that its asking for help from the public in finding the perpetrator behind an attack on a 15-year-old girl several years ago. Police are asking for any help with finding the suspect and hope someone will come forward with a tip related to the investigation. Police said the attack occurred at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, 2018, when law enforcement was called about an alleged aggravated battery incident. The RCPD found a teenage girl was beaten in the head by an object resembling a pipe or bat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Are you owed some of the $600 million in unclaimed property in Kansas? An officer investigating the incident interviewed a witness of the attack near the intersection of the Linear Trail and Pecan Circle near a Schwans Food Service delivery center that was open at the time. The witness described seeing a man wearing a white shirt and carrying a pipe bearing visible tattoos around his neck. Law enforcement said the witness then reported seeing the suspect walking northeast on Linear Trail toward South Manhattan Avenue before heading southwest back toward Pecan Circle. The sighting occurred around 10 minutes before law enforcement arrived at the scene. The RCPD believes the witness of the crime, described as a tall man in his late 50s or early 60s who was driving a silver passenger car, may have crucial information related to this case. People who have information about the incident, suspect or witness are encouraged to come forward and contact police by calling 785-537-2112 or by leaving an anonymous tip at 785-539-7777. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Son accused of killing dad after stabbing him 57 times in Topeka to be committed to state security hospital For more crime 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. HARTFORD, Conn (WTNH) Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said Tuesday that the Trump administrations order for federal agencies to pause the disbursement of loans and grants was an unprecedented and blatantly lawless and unconstitutional attack. Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump admins freeze on federal grants, loans U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan blocked the action Tuesday afternoon, minutes before it was set to go into effect. The administrative stay pauses the freeze until Monday, Feb. 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A memo issued late Monday by acting director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Matthew Vaeth directed federal agencies to temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance. Trump administration officials said programs that provide direct assistance to Americans would not be affected, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, student loans and food stamps. This temporary pause will provide the Administration time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of the funding for those programs consistent with the law and the residents priorities, the memo stated. Reaction from Connecticut lawmakers This is a full assault on Connecticut families an unprecedented and blatantly lawless and unconstitutional attack on every corner and level of our government and economy, Tong said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Connecticut, 21 other states sue White House budget office over federal grant freeze The calls we received today from everyday people mothers concerned about child care, students concerned about their loans, people afraid that theyre not going to make their housing payment, U.S. Rep. John Larson (D-1st District) said. These are real people. These are Americans! Connecticut Republicans responded, saying the judicial block of the order and the administrations clarification that it wouldnt be pausing funds for Medicaid, SNAP benefits and Head Start Child Care meant Democrats had jumped the gun, but Democrats disagreed. The second memo has clarified the issue and honed it down to a much more narrow restriction, House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora said. But thats not enough for Democrats. They wanted to get the microphone before there could be any clarification at 5 p.m. to create this hysteria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive heard a lot of questions about whats covered, whats not covered, whats frozen, whats not frozen, Tong said. You know, on a certain level, it doesnt matter. When they say all of it, they mean it. And the chaos, the uncertainty, the fear is damage enough. 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 WTNH.com. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) The attorneys general of Rhode Island and Massachusetts joined four colleagues from other states Tuesday in filing a federal lawsuit that seeks to block the Trump administrations freeze on federal-assistance funding, loans and grants. The states top prosecutors filed a temporary restraining order in Rhode Island U.S. District Court in Providence, calling President Donald Trumps actions illegal, unconstitutional, reckless and dangerous. The legal action comes less than 24 hours after the Trump administration issued a memo Monday evening directing federal agencies to pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance pending a review of spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What a ham-handed way to run a government, Neronha said during a joint news conference Tuesday afternoon. We as Americans, from the very beginning, have had a compact with our federal government: we pay taxes, and those taxes go to Washington. But we expect those monies to come back to us, as allocated by Congress. RELATED: Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump administration freeze on federal grants, loans Story continues below video. Federal funding accounts for 37% of Rhode Islands nearly $14 billion state budget in the current fiscal year, according to the R.I. House Fiscal Office. More than half of that federal money about $2.8 billion goes to to the Medicaid health program. Other large pots of federal funding go toward SNAP food benefits and highway projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neronha filed the lawsuit along with five other attorneys general, including Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell. Trumps directive has quickly spurred backlash from social-service providers across the country and sent local agencies into a state of disarray and confusion. Campbell said Massachusetts is already facing logistical issues, including on Monday when state officials were unable to draw down $40 million from Medicaid, the federally funded health insurance program that covers nearly two million in the Bay State and about one out of every three people in Rhode Island. We havent received the payment yet, Campbell said. This is just one potential funding stream that could be impacted by this reckless order. Olivia DaRocha, a spokesperson for Gov. Dan McKee, said Rhode Island also had trouble with the federal Medicaid portal earlier Tuesday, but that access had resumed by that evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an affidavit included in the federal lawsuit, R.I. Department of Administration Director Jonathan Womer said when state officials sought clarification from federal Medicaid officials about the situation, they were told there would be no communication in writing. The White House acknowledged Tuesday afternoon that the website used by states to manage Medicaid was down, but officials insisted to CBS News that the outage was unrelated to the funding freeze. Matthew Vaeth, acting director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, wrote in the memo that the order was necessary so that the new administration could eliminate any funding that doesnt align with the many executive orders Trump has signed since retaking office last week. Federal agencies must temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal, Vaeth wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the prosecutors called the memo poorly worded and vague, which they said is evident by the confusion its creating across the country. Federal officials sought to clarify the memo Tuesday afternoon, circulating new language around Capitol Hill that said mandatory programs like Medicaid and SNAP will continue without pause. (The initial memo only explicitly carved out Medicare and Social Security from funding delays, according to a copy of the memo obtained by 12 News.) Other attorneys general joining the lawsuit initially included N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James, N.J. Attorney General Matt Platkin, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and California Attorney General Rob Bonta. The prosecutors are all Democrats, and Trump is a Republican, but the attorney generals insisted the legal action was about a question of law rather than politics. This is not a question of being adversarial this is about a question of the constitution and the rule of law, James said. What we are doing is protecting democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump directive has also sparked backlash from the Rhode Island congressional delegation, along with state elected officials, who have already accounted on the federal funding for different parts of government. That includes $220 million to demolish and rebuild the shuttered westbound Washington Bridge, which has been closed to traffic on Interstate 195 for more than a year. Rhode Island Congressman Gabe Amo, also a Democrat, released a statement calling the funding freeze unlawful, chaotic, and deeply harmful to the entire country. This action will bring great pain to many from community health centers to federal programs that help feed hungry kids to small businesses and nonprofit organizations doing good work in our communities, Amo said. People will suffer at the hands of this decision. Make no mistake, these are federal dollars, paid for by taxpayers, for taxpayers, and already approved by Congress to benefit red and blue state communities alike, he continued. Alongside every reasonably-minded American, I urgently call on the president to end these illegal, political games. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ted Nesi and Tim White contributed to this report. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Watch Now: Livestreaming Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect that this was the first step in the procedure to change the citys process. DENVER (KDVR) Aurora City Council voted 6-3 Monday night in favor of removing shelter and advance notice requirements for homeless camp abatement. This was the first of two votes for the ordinance to become law. The measure was designed to bring Auroras city code in line with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling from June 2024 on Grants Pass v. Johnson, which looked at whether cities can abate homeless encampments without having a shelter space available for the individuals at the camps to go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Report: Homelessness in Colorado increased 30% in 2024 This is not meant to be punitive; this is meant to be a tool in our overall approach to addressing unhoused folks in our community that are camping, said Council Member Steve Sundberg, who was one of the measures sponsors. I would say our ultimate goal is to provide them with options, to see that they accept services ultimately, and hopefully get into a life of good decisions and recovery. The Supreme Court case centered on an Oregon town that passed ordinances barring anyone sleeping outside from using a blanket, pillow or cardboard sheet. Specifically, the issue at hand was whether telling unhoused people to move along with nowhere else to go would violate the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects against cruel and unusual punishment. If it passes the second vote, the ordinance will remove all requirements for the city to provide shelter for unhoused individuals swept up in homeless camp abatements and also remove the citys prior requirement to post notice 72 hours before removing an unauthorized camp on public property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While having a shelter option is preferred, it is no longer a prerequisite of abatement, the city council ordinance packet noted. The packet also noted that removing the notice requirement may significantly impact staffs time and ability to keep up with no trespassing and clean ups. Denver being investigated for sanctuary city status by U.S. House Oversight Committee Sundberg said Aurora employees approach unhoused people with respect and compassion, but said sometimes safety concerns prompt quicker encampment removal than a 72-hour notice may provide. I want to assure people this is done with compassion, Sundberg said during Monday nights council meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The councilman also noted the city sheltered up to 100 people a night during recent cold weather. Councilwoman Alison Coombs spoke against the measure. She called on council members to remember that they will judged by your choices during your tenure on council and how you treat your most vulnerable constituents. If you are going to continue to move along people who are unhoused, at least continue to give them 72-hour notice, Coombs said. It is the very, very least that you can do. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ELKHART, Ind. (AP) Authorities on Tuesday have identified the gunman and two people killed during a shooting at a northern Indiana grocery store. Juan M. Sanchez, 54, was the suspect in the late Monday afternoon shooting at Martin's Supermarket in Elkhart, according to the Elkhart County prosecutor's office. Sanchez was shot to death after police confronted him outside the store. The gunman fired multiple times at the officers who responded by shooting and killing him, the prosecutor's office said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corporal Paul Vandenburg and Patrolman Ethan Pasternak were wounded during the confrontation. Pasternak remained hospitalized Tuesday in stable condition. Police received a 911 call at about 5:30 p.m. about the shooting. Officers found 49-year-old Benjamin Jeffery and 19-year-old Annasue Rocha dead inside the market. Jeffery was a customer, while Rocha worked there. Numerous shots were fired inside the store, according to the prosecutor's office. Sanchez had moved to the Elkhart area within the past year from Illinois, prosecutors said. In this horrific situation, words cannot express the pain felt in our community when a tragic incident like this happens, Elkhart Police Department Chief Dan Milanese said in a statement Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting and the actions of the officers are being investigated by the Elkhart County Homicide Unit. That investigation is actively underway with collection of numerous types of evidence, witness interviews, and the gathering of background information to answer the questions that are undoubtedly on everyones mind, especially why, the prosecutor's office said. However, that takes time and objectivity. Elkhart is about 15 miles (24 kilometers) east of South Bend, Indiana. PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (WBTW) An outbreak of avian influenza, or bird flu, has caused millions of birds to be slaughtered across the United States as the virus spread rapidly among larger flocks. Pawleys Island General Store owner Marybeth Pope said she wasnt shocked when she found out that bird flu was spreading across the U.S. once again. Theres been a number of outbreaks of bird flu, she said. I mean, there were outbreaks in 2023. There were outbreaks I think in 2020, 2019, 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She thinks bird flu outbreaks continue to occur because of working conditions and unhealthy living conditions at thousands of factory poultry farms. Theyre in very, very close quarters, Pope said. Theyre usually on transport. You can see the trucks, theyre there, theyre transported, stacked on top of each other when theyre going to slaughter. Getting something like the bird flu, then its also transmitted through the feces and their saliva, and theyre in such close quarters. Its just naturally going to happen. Pope said her store hasnt seen any problems when it comes to bird flu because all of their poultry and other meats come from local farmers. Eggs and chicken are brought in from Georgetown and Saint Johns Island, and the store has a direct relationship with the farmers and what they offer. She said the eggs and chicken the store sells come from free-range chickens, which means theyre able to roam around the farm outdoors for most of their day and live a normal chicken life instead of being confined to a small cage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know our farmer and where the eggs came from, where the chicken came from, where the meat came from, Pope said. So, theyre confident were going to do the right thing. Pope said her business hasnt been affected but that she is saddened for the birds that are being killed due to consumer concerns. She said the flu is mild flu that would have the effects of a common cold for humans if they were to be impacted by it. She said it can also usually be transferred from different birds and animals. It can be transmitted from migratory birds, she said. It can be transmitted from maybe predatory animals like a coyote or some other animal that maybe eats a migratory bird or a wild turkey or something. Although bird flu can even happen in your own backyard, Pope said big factory poultry farms are the main source because of their conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But what happens is the birds are in such close proximity just crowded shoulder to shoulder. Basically, it stresses them out. Theyre not in a natural environment and it makes them more susceptible to illness, she said. Even like people if youre stressed out, that can make you more susceptible to illness in general. However, Pope said making people more aware is key to preventing fear of bird flu. Its also important to know that meaninglessly killing birds for precautionary concerns isnt always necessary because you can still eat them safely if cooked the right way. If you cook your chicken or your eggs to a safe temperature, which is 165 [degrees], basically for chicken and for eggs, Pope said. So, if youre cooking your product to the proper temperature, its going to kill the bird flu. So, theres really not a problem with it. Pope had maintained a passion for locally sourced farm-to-table goods for the roughly 10 years the General Store has been open, something she said she doesnt plan to change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said her stores eggs sells for $7.50 a dozen, a price that concerns many consumers. However, Pope said she hopes more people can learn from the bird flu why locally sourced food is important and why it costs what it does. We just have to keep educating people, talking to people and making them understand that it costs more for a small farmer to produce his product than it does a large corporation, she said. In the end, we should support that small form of farmer that should be important to us because it supports our local economy. Its better for you, its better for your children, its better for your family, and then it just grows from there. Pope said her egg stock is low not because of the bird flu but because of hens not laying as many eggs during colder weather I dont think is ever going to go away as long as we have factory farming and chickens and turkeys and animals are grown, are raised in overcrowded conditions, she said. I dont think thats ever going to go away. People might become used to it, but people might educate themselves and realize that they dont have to be used to it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * * * Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby 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. A shelter-in-place notification was sent out to the area of 1902 Dublin Boulevard Tuesday afternoon around 3 p.m. on reports of a potentially armed barricaded suspect. Update: Police say the shelter-in-place was lifted around 3:45 p.m., and the suspect was taken into custody. It is unclear at this time what charges the suspect might be facing. The Colorado Springs Police Department told the Gazette they initially received a call regarding a family disturbance with alleged weapon involvement. When officers arrived to the area, the suspect barricaded themselves. Police said no one else is inside the residence and no injuries have been reported at this time. The shelter-in-place notification was sent out to due to the weapon thought to be involved in the initial disturbance. Police ask those in the area to stay indoors and to lock and stay away from windows and doors. Police will send an all clear message when appropriate. This article will be updated. The US military has transported around 90 interceptors for Patriot air defence systems from a stockpile in Israel to Poland, from where they will be delivered to Ukraine. Source: Axios, as reported by European Pravda Details: The shipment of Patriot missiles from Israel to Ukraine became possible after the Israeli Air Force officially decommissioned one of its systems in April 2024, after over 30 years of service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources from Axios indicate that Ukraine proposed a plan to the US and Israel: Israel would return the Patriot missiles to the US, which would refurbish them and then send them to Ukraine. In September 2024, after months of hesitation due to concerns over Russias reaction, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the plan. Axios reports that due to this delay, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy allegedly refused to take calls from Netanyahu, who was seeking permission for the annual pilgrimage of Hasidic Jews to the city of Uman. An Israeli official told Axios that Israel informed Russia of its decision ahead of time, underlining that it was only returning Patriot systems to the US and not transferring weaponry directly to Ukraine. Recently, US Air Force C-17 aircraft arrived at an airport in southern Israel before flying to Rzeszow, Poland, which serves as a logistics hub for delivering weapons to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources report that the flights carried approximately 90 Patriot interceptors, which Ukraine can deploy in its existing systems. The remainder of the equipment, including radar systems, was shipped to the United States for refurbishment. Background: In 2022, Ukraines embassy in Israel officially requested air defence systems to counter Iranian ballistic missiles and attack drones used by Russia. Israel has publicly declined Ukraines requests for military assistance, citing Moscows influence in Syria, where Israeli forces frequently conduct operations against Iranian-linked groups. Support UP or become our patron! A backcountry skier got injured in a 1,000-foot fall in the Washington wilderness, and the rescue was caught on camera. The incident happened Jan. 22 near Stevens Pass, the King County Sheriffs Office Air Support Unit said in a Jan. 24 YouTube video. The skier had injured his leg in a steep fall and needed help, so someone used an Apple Watch to send an SOS message to authorities, deputies said. Authorities later learned there were three people who needed rescuing, two of whom were injured, deputies said. Once rescuers got their coordinates, a helicopter was sent to the area to find them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A video shows a rescuer being hoisted down from the helicopter to the skiers after 7:30 p.m. The rescuer helps the skiers get hoisted into the helicopter, deputies said. Stevens Pass is about an 85-mile drive northeast from Seattle. Snowboarder dangles from chairlift, then plunges 47 feet in Colorado, officials say Mountain climbers shoes freeze solid, stranding him on Colorado peak, rescuers say 72-year-old snowboarder with infectious smile and booming voice dies on ID mountain The attorney representing over 100 plaintiffs in scathing lawsuits against Sean Diddy Combs just got some new legal power. However, that legal power happens to come from the camp of our current and very controversial president, Donald Trump. Attorney Marc Kasowitz appeared in court on behalf of Houston attorney Tony Buzbee to fight a motion in the sexual assault case against Combs and rapper Jay-Z, per Newsweek. For the weeks since the two rappers were implicated in the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl, Jay-Zs attorneys have plucked every inconsistency in the claims to convince the court to dismiss the case. The report says Kasowitz showed up to double down that the case is supported by facts and a thorough investigation. Kasowitz is previously known for his legal counsel for Trump for the course of 15 years. He was appointed to represent the president and his daughter, Ivanka. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two made a case against Carl C. Icahn who was gunning to buy up Trumps casinos in Atlantic City following a bankruptcy claim, per The New York Times. Aside from Trumps business endeavors, he also represented the president upon the widely criticized investigation into his campaign and Russian relations and also the Trump University fraud lawsuit. Its safe to say he proved his loyalty to Trump, even going as far as threatening to sue the Times for publishing a story where women accused the president of groping. This development is the latest in the building pile of accusations against the rapper. Tony Buzbee said in an October press conference that hes representing 120 individuals men and women who claimed to have been drugged, sexually assaulted, raped or threatened by Combs. Some alleged victims claimed to be minors at the time of the incidents. Out of the pool, over a dozen anonymous plaintiffs have filed their lawsuits, per court records. Of the unnamed celebrities implicated in some of the suits, rapper Jay-Z was the only one so far to be named as Combs accomplice in a sexual assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the suits, filed since 2023, have been civil. However, Combs faces criminal charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and engaging in interstate transportation for prostitution in federal court. He has pleaded not guilty, and was denied bail. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The U.S. Navy expanded a contract with BAE Systems, awarding the company more money to upgrade and overhaul the services Mk 45 naval gun systems in an effort to improve their long-range strike and air defense capabilities, the company announced Monday. BAE will receive an additional $23.5 million, according to a release. That amount comes in addition to its original $47 million contract, bringing the cost of the project to over $70 million. The company will extend the barrel of the Mk 45 to 62 calibers and strengthen the gun mounts. It will also incorporate a fully digital control system. The upgrades will allow the Mk 45s to fire more modern munitions that have 50% greater firing energy, BAE said in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The work is expected to be completed by the end of 2028. Brent Butcher, vice president of weapon systems at BAE, said the events in the Red Sea last year emphasized the need for modernized weapons systems in the Navys fleet. Starting in late 2023 and continuing through 2024, Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched attacks against commercial and naval ships in the Red Sea, leading to U.S. naval and air strikes against the group. The situation underscored the importance of firepower aboard U.S. Navy ships, Butcher said. Equipped with the latest configuration of the [Mk 45] gun system, the men and women in the Navy have the capabilities to protect themselves at sea, Butcher added. We continue our commitment to providing the latest naval gun technology, including advanced munitions, to U.S. Sailors and their allies. BAE said the upgrades would come at a lower cost than introducing a new gun system altogether. The work on the Mk 45s will be completed at the companys production facility in Louisville, Kentucky. Ballots were mailed to eligible voters for the 32nd Assembly District special primary election on Monday, a month ahead of the election to fill a vacancy left by Vince Fong. Voters may choose to deposit their ballots in secure ballot drop boxes located throughout the county, return them by mail using the postage-paid envelope provided, deliver them in person to the Elections Office during business hours, or submit them at designated poll sites on Election Day, Feb. 25th, the Kern County Elections Division said in a news release. Ballots will be sent only to voters in the 32nd District, which covers much of the greater Bakersfield area and eastern Kern County but also reaches up into Tulare County, covering parts of Visalia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four candidates have registered to run, and if one of them receives more than 50% of the vote in the Feb. 25 primary, that candidate will be declared the winner and there will be no run-off election. If no candidate gets more than 50%, then the top two vote-getters in the primary will move on to a special election. The candidates are Bakersfield City School District Board of Trustees President Chris Cruz-Boone, a Democrat; Bakersfield businessman Stan Ellis, a Republican; licensed clinical social worker in Visalia William Brown, a Libertarian; and El Tejon Unified School District Board Trustee Holli Willibey, a Republican. There are 314,691 registered voters in District 32, according to the Secretary of States office, with 48% registered Republican, 25% Democrat and 18% no party preference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 32nd District seat in the California Assembly has been vacant since May 2024 when then-Assemblyman Vince Fong won a special election of his own to fill out the remainder of former U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthys term. McCarthy had been ousted as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and resigned his Congressional seat early, leading to the special election, which sent Fong to Washington. Though Fong eventually sailed to victory in both the special election and the regular election in November for a full two-year term, he had to sue the state to allow him to run given he had already filed for reelection to the Assembly. Fong won the ability to run for Congress but the Secretary of States Office said it was too late to remove his name from the 32nd District race and Fongs name appeared twice on the November ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bakersfield Ward 3 Councilman Ken Weir won a spot on the ballot following a write-in campaign in the primary, but Fong still beat Weir for the Assembly seat in the November election. Having also won his election to Congress, Fong notified the state he would not be taking the oath of office for the Assembly, and a special election was set for April 29. Primary ballots were mailed Monday and official Kern County ballot drop boxes will be available starting Tuesday, said Laura Cantu, assistant registrar of voters with the Kern County Auditor-Controller-County Clerks office. Only registered voters in the 32nd Assembly District will be mailed a ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters can check which district they reside in by using the states website at findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov. Replacement ballots can be requested from the Elections Division and ballots can be tracked using the states Ballottrax at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov. Additional information can be found at the Elections Division website, kernvote.com. State Rep. Karla Lems, R-Canton, speaks on the floor of the South Dakota House of Representatives on Jan. 27, 2025. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) PIERRE, S.D. The South Dakota House of Representatives advanced a bill 4919 that would ban the use of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipelines, sending the legislation to the state Senate. Eminent domain refers to the power to take private property for public use, with just compensation to the owner determined by a court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of the bill attended the House debate Monday at the Capitol and cheered when the vote was displayed. House Speaker Pro Tempore Karla Lems, R-Canton, proposed the legislation and said it does not stop carbon pipelines from being built in the state. They just dont get the supreme power of eminent domain to force their projects down the throats of South Dakota people, Lems said. She owns land near the route of the proposed $9 billion Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline. That project aims to transport some of the CO2 emitted by 57 ethanol plants in five states, including eastern South Dakota, to an underground storage site in North Dakota. The project would be eligible for billions in climate-change-related federal tax credits, for preventing the release of heat-trapping carbon into the atmosphere. Summit has voluntary easement agreements with some landowners to cross their land, but needs eminent domain to gain access from landowners who are unwilling to sign easements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of the bill said carbon pipelines do not meet the public-use standard required for eminent domain, which has typically been used by projects such as water and oil pipelines and electrical transmission lines. Opponents of the bill warned of economic repercussions for the ethanol industry. It sends a terrible message to the country, said Rep. Greg Jamison, R-Sioux Falls. Rep. Drew Peterson, R-Salem, said the bill could make South Dakota an impediment to President Donald Trumps energy independence goals. Trump supports biofuels, Peterson said. We dont get to affect federal policy, whether we want to or not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But House Majority Leader Scott Odenbach, R-Spearfish, said Trump is eliminating unwise environmental policies, and tax credits for carbon pipelines could be next. He said there were three reasons to vote in favor of the bill: voters sent a message in November with the defeat of a referred law perceived as helping carbon pipelines; carbon pipelines are hazardous when they leak; and the Legislature has a responsibility to clarify if carbon pipelines have eminent domain authority. Gov. Larry Rhoden has not yet indicated whether he would sign the bill. Attempts to ban eminent domain for carbon pipelines failed during prior legislative sessions, but supporters of the idea used grassroots efforts last year to get their candidates elected to the Legislature and installed in leadership positions, thereby improving the chances for this years legislation. South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Seth Tupper for questions: info@southdakotasearchlight.com. State Rep. Karla Lems, R-Canton, speaks on the floor of the South Dakota House of Representatives on Jan. 27, 2025. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) PIERRE The South Dakota House of Representatives advanced a bill 4919 that would ban the use of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipelines, sending the legislation to the state Senate. Eminent domain refers to the power to take private property for public use, with just compensation to the owner determined by a court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of the bill attended the House debate Monday at the Capitol and cheered when the vote was displayed. House Speaker Pro Tempore Karla Lems, R-Canton, proposed the legislation and said it does not stop carbon pipelines from being built in the state. They just dont get the supreme power of eminent domain to force their projects down the throats of South Dakota people, Lems said. She owns land near the route of the proposed $9 billion Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline. That project aims to transport some of the CO2 emitted by 57 ethanol plants in five states, including eastern South Dakota, to an underground storage site in North Dakota. The project would be eligible for billions in climate-change-related federal tax credits, for preventing the release of heat-trapping carbon into the atmosphere. Summit has voluntary easement agreements with some landowners to cross their land, but needs eminent domain to gain access from landowners who are unwilling to sign easements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of the bill said carbon pipelines do not meet the public-use standard required for eminent domain, which has typically been used by projects such as water and oil pipelines and electrical transmission lines. Opponents of the bill warned of economic repercussions for the ethanol industry. It sends a terrible message to the country, said Rep. Greg Jamison, R-Sioux Falls. Rep. Drew Peterson, R-Salem, said the bill could make South Dakota an impediment to President Donald Trumps energy independence goals. Trump supports biofuels, Peterson said. We dont get to affect federal policy, whether we want to or not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But House Majority Leader Scott Odenbach, R-Spearfish, said Trump is eliminating unwise environmental policies, and tax credits for carbon pipelines could be next. He said there were three reasons to vote in favor of the bill: voters sent a message in November with the defeat of a referred law perceived as helping carbon pipelines; carbon pipelines are hazardous when they leak; and the Legislature has a responsibility to clarify if carbon pipelines have eminent domain authority. Gov. Larry Rhoden has not yet indicated whether he would sign the bill. Attempts to ban eminent domain for carbon pipelines failed during prior legislative sessions, but supporters of the idea used grassroots efforts last year to get their candidates elected to the Legislature and installed in leadership positions, thereby improving the chances for this years legislation. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Trump administrations education department on Tuesday said it is investigating reports that Denver Public Schools converted a girls restroom at its flagship high school campus into an all-gender facility, calling it discrimination against female students. As a result, East High School now has an exclusive restroom for male students and no restroom for female students on its second floor, the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights said in a letter to Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero. A spokesperson for Denver Public Schools defended the restroom as (aligning) with our values of supporting every student. The decision, likely the first such action under Trumps White House, signals a shift at the federal education department under the new president, who has promised to stamp out diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the country. Earlier today, the Trump administration decided to temporarily pause grant, loan and other financial assistance programs while a review is underway that specifically looks into halting spending for DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal. In its letter to Marrero, the civil rights office cited an East High School parent, who told the districts school board at a meeting last January that the latter has sacrificed the comfort of these young females for this dubious change by now limiting their options. We, as adults, should be protecting students at all costs, said Lori Ramos. Not using minors for this social experiment. This in my opinion is unlawful, immoral and is, in fact, a form of abuse. The federal office said the CEC Early College and Denver School of the Arts also installed multi-stall, gender-neutral bathrooms. Featured Local Savings The investigation will examine whether the district discriminates against students on the basis of sex by installing multi-stall all gender restrooms in District school facilities, in violation of Title IX and its implementing regulations, the office said. The civil rights offices Denver regional unit will conduct the investigation and will be contacting district officials within a week, the federal education department said. In a statement, Scott Pribble, the districts spokesperson, said the all-gender bathroom was added as the result of a student-led process that reflects our commitment to inclusivity and student voice, leadership, and empowerment, providing a welcoming space for all. The restrooms lavatory stalls were designed for privacy, separated by 12-foot-tall partitions, Pribble said, adding that ensures the comfort and security of all students who elect to use them. This restroom serves all students, including those who may feel uncomfortable in gender-specific facilities and aligns with our values of supporting every student. The faculty of East High School has developed a plan to supervise and monitor this lavatory, just as they do with all others, he said. Currently, East High School has designated restrooms for male and female students in addition to the all gender lavatory. When asked earlier why the district converted a female restroom into an all-gender restroom over a mens room, Pribble said its more convenient to do so. Its easier to convert a girls restroom to a gender-neutral restroom simply because of the type of hardware that is in place already in that room, Pribble told 9News. The girls restroom has toilets that can be accessed by everybody whereas a boys has different type of toilets that may be specific to specific genders and kind of changes the gender-neutral piece of it. Denver Gazette news partner, 9News, contributed to this report. For more on this and other stories visit our partners at 9News.com. *Attached video: Goose parent leads endless stream of baby geese BAY VILLAGE, Ohio (WJW) Firefighters were doing ice rescue training Tuesday morning when their skills were put to the test by a goose. Wakeman woman killed in crash According to the Bay Village Fire Fighters Local 1144 Facebook page, trainees noticed a goose sitting on the edge of the ice was not moving. That is when they saw that the gooses back feathers were stuck to the ice. Firefighters were able to safely remove the feathers from the ice, but the goose was cold and lethargic, and needed to be warmed, the Facebook post said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump administration freezes nearly all federal loans and grants According to the post, the goose is now recovering at the fire station. It will be released when it regains its strength. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BEAVERCREEK, Ohio (WDTN) A road in Beavercreek will be closed for approximately 14 days while crews work on repairs. The City of Beavercreek announced that Beaver Valley Road will be closed beginning Monday, Jan. 27. The closure will affect the stretch of road between Old Troon Drive and Quail Run Drive. Construction is expected to take 14 days. Crews will be working to repair a retaining wall on the west side of Beaver Valley Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detour signs will be posted, and drivers will not be able to go through the area while crews are at work. For any questions, contact Beavercreeks Engineering Division at 937-427-5513. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. When Bethany United Methodist Church held its final service in December 2023, the fate of the historic house of worship in the 300 block of Island Street in Hamburg was unclear. Services had been held inside the stately stone building since the church was first established in 1859. But in the years leading up to its closure, attendance had been dwindling. In the end, only about a dozen people were regularly attending. That made it difficult to maintain the financial resources needed to keep up the historic sanctuary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its days as a place where the word of God was shared seemed to be over. That is, until Josh and Dana Angstadt stepped in. The local couple bought the church this fall, and starting with a Christmas Eve service have brought new life to the building by making it the home of Goathouse Church. For Josh, establishing a new congregation at the church was deeply personal. This is the first church I ever preached in while I was in seminary, the 39-year-old said. And the moment I stepped foot in it I fell in love. So when I heard it was coming up for sale I jumped at the chance to bring something new to such a special church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Josh said the historic sanctuary felt like the perfect place to start something new. So he has spent the last few months tending to the needs of the building and making the repairs necessary to welcome back worshippers. There was a small leak in the roof that needed to be fixed. The water that was coming into the basement had to be stopped. And the aging heater needed to be repaired. There were also smaller tasks to tackle, like painting and installing new furniture. Im bearing the weight of it almost entirely by myself, he said. But I would say that the purpose here is very significant and worth the effort to keep it open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is about more than just a building. This is about what has happened there in the past and will happen there in the future. No matter what name we put on the church it will always be part of the community. Joshua and Dana Angstadt have bought the former Bethany United Methodist Church in Hamburg and starting with a Christmas Eve service have brought new life to the building by making it the home of Goathouse Church. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) While the outside of Goathouse Church looks much the same as when the building was home to its former congregation, what goes on inside is markedly different. Josh said Goathouse Church is not yoked to any particular denomination and that his message is rooted in Christian symbolism. I think that what Im offering is something that will appeal to all kinds of people, he said. Once they learn about the symbolism in the Bible they will be shocked by how much they may not know about the Scripture. I think just about anyone can appreciate what we are offering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Josh said he believes hes been called to build bridges between many spiritual practices since many today have been driven away from the church with a steady growth of spiritual individuals who have been classified as nonaffiliated. Im not trying to convince people to be Christian necessarily, but I want to give people a place to learn and leave the door open for them to figure out how this may contribute to their personal spiritual journey, he said. Thats a message that Bill and Shirley McClure said they can get behind. The couple were longtime members of Bethany United Methodist Church, each having attended services there for decades. They first met at a church dinner, got married inside the church and took their kids to Sunday school there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a cornerstone of their lives, which made saying goodbye to it difficult. But now theyre happy to be back sitting in the churchs pews once again. The couple attended the Christmas Eve services at the new Goathouse Church and loved it. They said they plan to return soon. Were very happy that the building remained a church and that the necessary repairs are being made, Bill said. Shirley said shes impressed with how quickly the new church has found its footing. Honestly, for the little bit of time they have had to work on it since the sale was final I was impressed with how much they had already accomplished and how beautiful the sanctuary looked, she said. This is wonderful for the community, they put a lot of life and vitality back into the church. It was nice to see the sanctuary full again, and Im hoping people will give it a try. BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A Bentonville man arrested in November for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor he was babysitting nearly a decade ago has pleaded not guilty, according to court documents. Justin Sellers, 33 (Courtesy: Benton County Detention Center) Justin John Sellers, 33, was arrested on November 5 on two counts of second-degree sexual assault and two counts of sexual indecency with a child. Sellers has an omnibus hearing scheduled for April 15 at 8:30 a.m. at the Benton County Courthouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A probable cause affidavit said on Oct. 18, Benton County Sheriffs Office detectives received a report from the Arkansas State Child Abuse Hotline that Sellers met with his probation officer and reportedly admitted to sexually assaulting a five-year-old. Sellers said around 10 years ago he agreed to babysit his neighbors child. During that time, Sellers allegedly sexually assaulted the child, according to the affidavit. Bentonville man arrested nearly 10 years after allegedly sexually assaulting minor The child, now 15 years old, went with a parent to the Child and Family Advocacy Center to discuss the alleged incidents. They recalled two times when Sellers allegedly touched her inappropriately, both while he was babysitting her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sellers reportedly agreed to talk to investigators initially but eventually stopped returning their phone calls, the affidavit said. According to the affidavit, Sellers told his probation officer that he has had six previous victims but two have not been identified by authorities. His criminal history includes a third-degree domestic battery arrest from 2019 and a 2022 second-degree sexual assault conviction. He is currently on probation for the 2022 conviction. Sellers also had two DWI arrests. He is being held in the Benton County Detention Center on a $650,000 bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has voiced concerns over President Donald Trump's decision to pull the U.S. out of the World Health Organization for a second time. The day-one executive order fulfilled Trump's campaign promise to reject global institutions and followed his previous criticisms about the WHO's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to USA Today. In a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Beshear said he was "thinking about and concerned about the U.S's withdrawal from WHO" Tuesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We've all been through a pandemic," Beshear said. "How we learn about those things going on throughout the world, the data that helps us to be prepared a lot of that comes through the WHO. I just want to make sure we're safe and we're all ready so that if we face anything like that ever again, we can make the right decisions." During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Beshear hosted daily press conferences to update Kentuckians on death tolls and restrictions and reassure them that "we'll get through this together." Early restrictions enacted by Beshear which received criticism from some lawmakers and constituents included closing in-person instruction for K-12 schools, requiring restaurants and bars to halt indoor dining services, and limiting attendance at weddings and funerals to 25 people. "Weve got to focus on the things that keep our people safe as a nation, and as a commonwealth," Beshear followed up in his post. "As Governor of Kentucky, Im going to remain focused on that for our people, no matter what." Sharing some thoughts on my walk to work this morning. The pandemic showed us that public health is now global. Withdrawing from the WHO will leave us with less data and fewer options to stop future health threats. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/iSVVCdgNCz Andy Beshear (@AndyBeshearKY) January 28, 2025 This story was updated to add Story Highlights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 governor Beshear shares concerns over Trump's withdrawal from WHO Nothing goes better with a nice glass of wine, cold craft beer or inventive cocktail than a great food menu. These new spots offer delicious dishes created by chefs who understand how elevated bar food can complement any pour. Also, see added info about how many of these bars have helped with L.A. fire relief since appearing in our print edition via updates below. Read more from our January 2025 Best New Restaurants issue here. Savor L.A., One Bite at a Time! Stay updated on the citys top dining spots, new openings, and food events. Subscribe to LAMags Food Newsletter below or click here. Bar Seco Courtesy Bar Seco The connection between Asian and Latin flavors fuels this lively bistro from the team behind Santo. 3820 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, barrseco.com Barr Seco partnered with Santo restaurant on January 10 to deliver warm food to first responders and evacuees. In an Instagram post, they invited volunteers and those in need to reach out via DM for help. Highly Likely Courtesy of Highly Likely Youll love the natural wine, potent coffee and savory salads and wraps at the cafe brands latest location. 5526 N. Figueroa St., Highland Park, itshighlylikely.com Highly Likely has offered free meals to first responders and evacuees at both of their locations. Jilli Courtesy of Jilli Come for a cool sool jib (Korean bar) scene and stay for kimchi rigatoni and some of the best crispy chicken in K-Town. 3905 W. 6th St., Koreatown, jilli.la Sams Place Jess Isaac Photography Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This unfussy hidden hovel is worth your hang time for tasty bites like charred sweet potato and succulent steak in red wine jus. 5530 Monte Vista St., Highland Park Zizou Peter Quinn A gorgeous patio and fun French-Moroccan menu (try the taboule) make this one of the areas new gems. 2425 Daly St., Lincoln Heights, @zizou_losangeles For the month of January, Zizou will donate all proceeds from their wine shop to Pasadena Job Center & WalkGood LA, organizations working to support wildfire victims. WESTVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) A 78-year-old Westville Vietnam veteran got a big surprise from a pair of American Legion posts earlier this month. Donald Reid suffers from PTSD, COPD, and asthma, which requires him to have a mobility scooter. But, he also likes to travel. Humane Society of Danville needs pets adopted Thats why his post, Danville Legion 210, and Georgetown 203 worked together to donate a mobility scooter trailer to him free of cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It came together when the Mission K9 Warrior Program suggested Georgetown donate the trailer to Reid, who had a scooter but no way to bring it with him when he travels. Reid says hes just happy to be alive and beyond blessed. We like to travel, he said. And in doing that, with the trailer, I can put it on the back of a bike. I can put it on the back of the jeep, and itll just wow. It makes it so much easier for me to have that scooter with me. He said hes planning to convert the scooter trailer into a dual piece of equipment by making it into a partial transport crate for his service dog. 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. British Film Institute (BFI) Chair Jay Hunt is voicing concerns over very protectionist language around Hollywood since Donald Trump reclaimed the White House. At a U.K. parliamentary inquiry into high-end TV and film on Tuesday, Hunt made a plea to ministers for continued investment in the sector as the 4.2 billion ($5.2 billion) production spend is where she worries the industry will settle. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My biggest concern is that we end up being complacent about the high water mark that we now find ourselves at, Hunt said. I look across the landscape at a challenging regulatory environment in Europe and immediately from the new U.S. administration some very protectionist language around Hollywood, and I think one of the reasons the BFI has an important role to play is drawing attention to challenges and making it clear that the growth trajectory will not continue unless we invest in and support the sector. The Australian native, who has long been based in London, was speaking alongside BFI Chief Executive Ben Roberts. The pairs arguments are bolstered by recent reports in the U.K. that U.S. co-production funding is dwindling (Trump met with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier this week, though no news was released on whether they discussed the President enforcing tariffs on countries selling products in the States). Only last week, the BBC sounded the alarm over several of its scripted commissions stuck in funding limbo. Hunt used the inquiry to push back a little on the emerging thesis that it is only public service broadcasters making TV that speaks to British audiences. Extraordinary programming is coming from the PSBs the whole time but it is also coming out of inward investment, she said. Look at Slow Horses, Rivals, Baby Reindeer or even what Amazon is doing in non-scripted with Clarksons Farm. Success from a BFI point of view is an entire ecosystem being built. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So we need to continue to support that very precious ecosystem, Hunt added. I look at where we are internationally, we are twice the size of the second biggest production sector in Europe, which is Spain. So we are in a great place, but it will not continue to be a great place if we dont understand the complexity of that market and support people in navigating it. This isnt to negate the importance of public service broadcasters, Hunt also said, describing the system as such a rare thing that we have in this market. She continued: It is the envy of the world So from a BFI point of view, a well-resourced public service broadcasting environment is incredibly important. The duo also discussed the future of British cinemas and why they are staring down the barrel of a crisis. Hunt said 45 percent of them are projected to be loss-leading by the end of this year, as the BFI attempts to find an antidote with the government in the form of capital investment in theaters. Many are deteriorating, she said. This is an art form that over-indexes for lower socioeconomic groups. In certain parts of the country this is the cultural provision, so protecting it is important. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A federal judge on Friday rejected an attempt by two parents to block a 2024 Colorado law requiring public schools to use a student's chosen name, as well as their school district's corresponding policy intended to support LGBTQ students. "John and Jane Doe" filed suit in August, arguing Brighton-based School District 27J enabled their daughter to "socially transition" without their consent. The child had asked school personnel to use a new name and pronouns because she identified as a boy a transition her parents did not support. Consequently, they alleged Colorado law and 27J policy violated their constitutional rights. U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney concluded the Does were unlikely to succeed with their lawsuit for several reasons. For instance, the 2024 law requiring educators to use students' chosen names was enacted more than a year after the Does' daughter had asked to go by a different name. Further, Sweeney was unconvinced the governmental policies actually infringed on the Does' decision-making authority over their children. "Despite the claim that 'the District is socially transitioning their children,' the District is not the decision maker at issue: the student is," she wrote in a Jan. 24 order. "The Law and Policies only require the District to follow the students chosen name and pronouns and to provide support. There is no indication that the Law or Policies provide the District with any decision-making power, and there is no indication that it shifts decision-making power from parents. The power to make decisions regarding a students preferred name and pronouns has always resided with the student." House Bill 1039, enacted last year, deems it discriminatory for public school employees to knowingly address students by a name other than their chosen name which is the name that reflects a student's gender identity. District 27J also maintains a set of policies for LGBTQ students, known as the "Toolkit," providing guidance for employees when helping students navigate their gender identities at school. The Does, who sought to proceed anonymously in court because it is "fashionable to be LGBTQ+" at their daughters' schools, alleged their eldest daughter asked her counselor to note in the school's software that she used non-female pronouns during her first year in high school. The child, identified as A.D., also indicated at the time that she would like to go by a different name. Although the Does were aware A.D. was identifying as a boy and were concerned about it, she did not feel physically unsafe. A.D. wrote in court documents that her parents did not know she "was being socially transitioned at school." At the end of her sophomore year, A.D. began informing her teachers and advisors she was again identifying as a girl and using her birth name. The Does, who identified themselves as Democrats or, in Jane Doe's case, a Democrat "until the events alleged herein" filed suit to block the laws and policies that allegedly left them in the dark about their daughter's gender identity at school. Featured Local Savings "A.D. is subject to pressures at school to maintain or revert to her transgender identity," wrote the Does' attorneys, who include Republican former Secretary of State Scott Gessler and Harmeet K. Dhillon, a Republican Party official from California who has been nominated to a civil rights post in the Trump administration. The Does characterized District 27J's guidance in their court filings as a "Parental Exclusion Policy," but repeatedly omitted the portion of the policy allowing school staff to talk with students "and parents/guardians" about supporting their gender identities. The defendants, which included 27J and Colorado Commissioner of Education Susana Cordova, countered that the Does were trying to undermine anti-discrimination policies and, if successful, could invite intentional misgendering of other students. "Plaintiffs ask this Court to break new ground and extend their constitutional parenting rights to require consent every time a school affirmatively allows their child to use a chosen name or pronoun at school. The constitution requires no such thing, and doing so would undermine the Districts duty to ensure that all students, regardless of gender identity or expression, have a safe and supportive learning environment," wrote the Colorado Attorney General's Office. Sweeney, a Joe Biden appointee and the first openly gay federal judge in Colorado, believed the Does had not shown any ongoing or imminent injury from HB 1039 or 27J's policies. She observed the Does were concerned how the law and district policies might be applied going forward, "which is not enough to confer standing." Although the Does argued "peer pressure" may cause A.D. to change her name or pronouns again, Sweeney noted the law "would not apply to a student choosing to use a different name to conform to peer pressure." Finally, Sweeney added there were no indications the Does' younger daughter was interested in transitioning her gender. "The public also has an interest in establishing learning environments free from discrimination, and Defendants have made a clear showing that the Law and Policies facilitate that interest," she concluded. Sweeney simultaneously issued an order dismissing Attorney General Phil Weiser as one of the defendants. She noted HB 1039 gives Weiser's office no enforcement authority over the law. The remaining defendants have also filed motions to dismiss the case. The case is Doe v. Weiser et al. This story was published in partnership with Drilled, a global multimedia reporting project focused on climate accountability. In December, the Biden administration quietly announced the finalization of its long-awaited study on liquefied natural gas, or LNG, exports. While Joe Biden is no longer president, the studys release could complicate President Donald Trumps plan to drill, baby, drill, as environmental advocates believe the findings will aid their efforts to fight LNG export permits in court. Conducted by the Department of Energy (DOE), the study was the planned end point of the administrations LNG pause, which put permits for certain types of LNG export terminals on hold until their climate and economic impact could be better understood. Contradicting the Biden administrations own moves on LNG, the study found that more LNG export terminals were not necessary to meet global demand for the fuel and would lead to increases in both domestic energy prices and greenhouse gas emissions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden administration and Secretary [of Energy] Granholm ended up being much more critical of LNG than we would have anticipated a year ago, says Alan Zibel, research director for energy and environmental issues at the nonprofit Public Citizen. Meanwhile, the new administration seems set to approve any LNG project that comes its way, if Trumps executive orders on energy are to be followed. In addition to requiring a review of all environmental policies, the orders mandate drilling everywhere, including in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, eliminating the electric vehicle mandate, banning wind energy, and revoking all of Bidens climate-related executive orders. Regarding LNG, Trump directed the energy secretary to restart reviews of applications for approvals of liquified natural gas export projects as expeditiously as possible. It is yet to be seen how Chris Wright, Trumps nominee for energy secretary and CEO of the fracking company Liberty Energy, will interpret the DOE findings. Wright has previously claimed that climate change is not contributing to an increase in extreme weather events, and has championed the idea that natural gas is both environmentally preferable to coal and could lift the world out of poverty. In an interview with Drilled last year, Wright said decarbonization was inevitable in the long run but impossible in the next 20 to 30 years. Weve been decarbonizing for 150 years from wood to coal to oil to natural gas to nuclear, he says. Natural gas probably becomes the dominant hydrocarbon in the energy system 100 years from now; its much lower greenhouse gas emissions, and with technology it will probably be much easier to inject underground or nature-based absorptions of it. I do think we will ultimately get to net zero greenhouse gas emissions if climate is a pressing problem, and it looks like its worth the investment. But in 100 years, thats probably not that hard to do. In the next 10, 20, or 30 years? We just simply dont have a viable pathway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Irrespective of Wrights views or Trumps executive orders, advocacy groups say the DOE study provides a strong basis to challenge LNG export permits in court. The study reached four noteworthy conclusions: Current LNG supply is sufficient to meet global demand. Additional LNG exports would displace renewables, not coal, leading to a net-increase in global emissions. Increased LNG exports would result in an increase in the price of domestic natural gas, adversely impacting American households. LNG entails emission of pollutants that disproportionately impact communities of color given how natural gas production, transportation, and export facilities tend to be disproportionately sited in areas that are disproportionately home to such communities. Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizens Energy and Climate Program, explains that exports of natural gas to countries with which the U.S. does not have a free trade agreement i.e., 90 percent of the countrys LNG exports can only occur if there is a finding that those exports are consistent with public interest. The DOE report is a formal, public-interest assessment of the impacts of public interest in expanding LNG exports. Slocum, along with other parties, has legally intervened in the various Department of Energy proceedings where applications to export LNG are being evaluated. It seems clear that they looked at the evidence and saw some serious risks of overbuilding LNG exports, Zibel says. Because whats already been approved is insane. Were talking about the fourth wave of these things. Wave one is built, wave two is being built, wave three is approved, these are facilities that would come online way down the road, in five, six, seven years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new analysis reflects the realities of climate science and the testimony of communities near these massive LNG projects, says Allie Rosenbluth, U.S. campaign manager at Oil Change International. Part of what makes the study so groundbreaking is its methodology. The DOE used a new model of the global economy and energy system that enabled it to look at how increased LNG exports would impact the demand for different energy sources and for renewables in particular. This is a major shift from previous reports where the DOE simply assumed that U.S. LNG exports compete with coal or gas from other countries, and estimated the different lifecycle emissions of these competing fossil fuels. The agency had not looked at whether LNG exports compete with renewable energy. This has been part of our critique of the DOE assessments for many years, Rosenbluth points out. Many interests, including those with a financial stake in seeing the LNG export pause lifted, have been pushing other narratives. S&P Global, an American company that deals in financial information and analyses, released a study on the same day as the DOE. Using a different methodology, one that largely rests on previous S&P Global findings, the conclusions of that report underscored the LNG industrys positive contribution to GDP and job creation in the U.S. and claimed that exports have no major impact on domestic natural gas prices. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a longtime proponent of climate skepticism and frequent supporter of the fossil fuel industry, put its weight behind the S&P Global study, calling the Biden administrations findings politically-driven. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slocum pointed to blind spots in the S&P Global report. The report ignores discrete impacts that LNG exports have had in exacerbating supply-demand imbalances, particularly during extreme weather events when we see an upward pressure on domestic prices, he says. The S&P report also ignores environmental justice impacts on communities of color that are forced to live in proximity to these facilities. Last year, the Industrial Energy Consumers of America, a trade group representing energy-intensive manufacturers, campaigned via outreach to media and letters to policymakers, in favor of the pause on LNG permitting, noting that the rapid increase in LNG exports had meant skyrocketing prices and volatility that put American industrial manufacturing at a disadvantage. Paul Cicio, president and CEO of the group, told Drilled at the time that the long-term contracts U.S. LNG exporters have inked with customers in Europe and Asia increase security for other countries and decrease security for U.S. consumers. They reduce both our economic stability and our national security. A report released last year from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, a think tank, declared that increased LNG exports are bad for U.S. residential energy consumers, too, connecting exports to a nine percent increase in prices from 2016 to 2023. The International Energy Agencys 2024 World Energy Outlook issued a similar warning to the one in the DOE study, about the impact increased LNG could have on renewables. It noted that with a glut of new LNG on the market, gas consumption in the power sector could rise, particularly in Asia, at the expense of a major slowdown in clean technology deployment and efficiency improvements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOE study could throw a legal spanner in the works for 14 LNG export facilities that are currently pending authorization. A new report from the nonprofits Friends of Earth and Public Citizen analyzed the contracts secured by these 14 facilities and found that more than half of the entities looking to buy LNG from these terminals are speculators, or what some call portfolio purchasers oil majors like Saudi Aramco, Chevron, and Shell, as well as large global commodity traders Gunvor and Woodside. These entities buy up gas, then hold on to it strategically, selling to the highest bidder when the price is right, or flooding the market to depress prices strategically. In the bigger picture, the idea is to use this glut of LNG thats coming online globally to open up additional markets in so-called price-sensitive regions where companies can lock in natural gas dependency if the price gets low enough, says Dan Wagner, research director on climate for Public Citizen. So were talking about 20- or 30-year contracts. Part of the irony here, explains Lorne Stockman, research director at Oil Change International, is that the Biden DOE already authorized a lot more capacity than is safe from both an emissions point of view and in terms of prices for domestic consumers, locking in exactly the outcomes it warns about in its study. The additional authorized capacity includes U.S. LNG export facilities in Americas neighboring countries, Mexico and Canada. Another point of critique is the underestimation of methane emissions in the report. The U.S. has a very complex gas supply network, made up of millions of pipelines, wells, and storage sites. Numerous analyses show that the official data underestimates U.S. oil and gas methane emissions. But the DOE study did not address this. And while the industry claims to be tackling methane leaks, Rosenbluth said, documentation is scarce and opaque. The problem is likely worse than the study concludes, she adds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates spent four years critiquing Bidens Department of Energy for its embrace of LNG, a fight that ultimately secured a small win in the form of its temporary pause on permitting and its commitment to study the LNG booms economic and environmental impact. On their way out the door, those same department staffers may have given environmental advocates a powerful tool to stop the Trump administration from doing more of the same and baking in LNG overproduction for an additional decade or more. As they file legal challenges against Department of Energy permits for new LNG export terminals, environmental groups and public interest law firms will be able to quote from the departments own report and cite its data to argue that these terminals do not meet the public interest requirement in the Natural Gas Act. The Sagauro Mexico Pacific LNG export terminal, which would be built in Mexico, but falls under U.S. jurisdiction because it would be exporting U.S. gas, is a good example. Though it has secured several contracts, the terminal would be built right next to a globally significant whale nursery and would struggle to show economic benefit to the U.S. Under the Natural Gas Act you have to demonstrate an economic benefit to the U.S. to show that its in the public interest, Zibel explains. For the terminals in Mexico, theres clearly no U.S. jobs benefit, and now this report is saying that excessive U.S. LNG exports will have negative economic impacts for U.S. citizens, so those are going to be much harder to justify. 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. Many of our favorite quick-service restaurants have been wrapped up in some of the worst fast-food recalls in history, and Burger King is no exception. The "Have It Your Way" chain has seen its fair share of controversies over the years, with recalls making headlines for everything from dangerous kids meal toys to the safety of its produce and meat. While Burger King's long history is pretty squeaky clean overall, the times the restaurant did have to pull products prove just how important food safety and consumer protection are in the fast food industry. After all, no one grabs a bite at Burger King expecting something unsavory or unsafe lurking in their combo meal. Whether you are a BK devotee or a food safety fanatic, you might be interested to learn how Burger King has handled recalls in the past. So read on for a breakdown of the biggest in Burger King's history before you pick up another Whopper. Read more: 14 Popular Chain Restaurant Onion Rings Ranked Worst To Best, According To Customers Massive Beef Recall Hits Burger King Burgers Burger King Double Whopper on wrapper - AntonSAN/Shutterstock In 1997, Burger King was hit by one of the biggest meat recalls in U.S. history after Hudson Foods recalled 25 million pounds of beef that had been distributed to various restaurants and retailers. The recall was issued over worries that the beef could be contaminated with E. coli, a bacteria that can cause mild to severe illness (and even death), especially for vulnerable individuals like young children and seniors. It ended up affecting 1,650 Burger King locations across 28 states. However, most of them were able to restock beef from another supplier quickly enough to keep slinging burgers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, 700 locations weren't able to switch their beef inventory in time, and some stores reportedly posted signs stating only chicken, fish, pork, and fries were available to order. Some of the affected restaurants even served BLTs and ham-and-cheese sandwiches to make up for the shortage. At the time, this was the largest beef recall in U.S. history. Burger King was Hudson Foods' biggest beef buyer, but the restaurant cut ties with the supplier permanently after this incident. That's not a huge surprise. Just a year before, another close call involving beef that was infected with staphylococcus bacteria resulted in BK putting the supplier on "probation." In 1998, Hudson Foods (which merged with Tyson Foods after the recall) and two of its employees were indicted on federal charges. (They were later acquitted.) This recall was one whopper of a fiasco. Pokemon Toys Recalled In 2000 Still from Burger King Pokemon recall announcement - The Visual Media Archive / YouTube In late 1999, Burger King launched a promo featuring Pokemon toys, handing out over 25 million plastic Poke Balls with kids meals. The Poke Balls contained different items such as keychains and plushies along with a collectible trading card. The toy inside was not considered hazardous only the ball. A 13-month-old girl died because of this toy, when half of the ball became attached to her face, covering her mouth and nose. Another 18-month-old child nearly died, but thankfully, her father was able to pull the Poke Ball off of her face. These tragedies led to a recall of the toys on January 27, 2000. However, the lethal toy would claim the life of a 4-month old just two days before the balls were pulled. Customers were advised to throw the ball away or return it to Burger King to exchange it for a free order of fries. Burger King caught some heat for not acting quickly, as the restaurant didn't stop the promotion after the first child's death, waiting until a second close-call before actually recalling the toys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The promotion was so popular that Burger King apologized early on for running low on supplies of the toys, substituting other items for fans who missed out. Even today, the massive Pokemon fandom makes these toys alluring as collectors' items, and you can still find some listings of the original recalled series on eBay. Still, innocent children were harmed, making this easily one of the saddest toys in Burger King kids meal history. Three Burger King Recalls In 2001 packaged Burger King kids meal toys - Phoenix Girl / eBay In 2001, another kids meal toy recall hit the fast-food chain after reports that the pin in the "Rattling, Paddling Riverboat" toy for toddlers could come out and pose a choking risk. Luckily, no children were hurt. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Burger King issued a recall of about 400,000 of these toys on March 12. The toys were labeled for children younger than 3, and customers were told to return the toy to Burger King for a free replacement toy. In July, BK's "Hourglass Space Sprout" and "Look for Me Bumblebee" kids meal toys were recalled because they could break and spill the small beads inside, posing a choking hazard to young children. Burger King received 18 reports of the toys breaking leading up to the recall, but there were no known injuries. Also in 2001, Burger King restaurant playground nets were recalled after a 4-year-old boy made his way into a closed-off part of the playground and died after getting stuck between a net and a slide. The company decided to replace the nets, which had two-inch square openings, with "no-climb" versions using smaller holes. In recent years, Burger King has largely moved away from physical play areas to virtual playgrounds through its mobile apps. Pre-Packaged Apple Slices Recalled Two containers of Burger King Apple slices - Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement August of 2012 saw pre-packaged apple slices at Burger King recalled for potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Listeria can cause severe and life-threatening illness, especially in vulnerable groups like pregnant people, young children, elderly folks, and the immunocompromised. The recall was issued by Missa Bay (owned by Ready Pac Foods) after Listeria bacteria was discovered on some equipment used to process the apples. It wasn't just Burger King that was affected; The recall of almost 300,000 individual products affected retailers across 36 states as well as McDonald's restaurants. No illnesses were reported at the time of the recall. In 2015, apple slices were again recalled from Burger King's menu for potential Listeria contamination, but this time the distributor was Appeeling Fruit. The apples were distributed in Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania, but Appeeling Fruit confirmed that most of the affected products hadn't reached consumers at the time of the recall. Onion Recall Sliced white onions on board - Wsmahar/Getty Images Recalls present a nightmare scenario for any company, but some get wrapped up in controversy indirectly. That happened to Burger King during one of the biggest food recalls in 2024 when McDonald's slivered onions were linked to an outbreak of E. coli. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Onions served on Mickey D's Quarter Pounder burgers in a handful of states were linked to Taylor Farms, which voluntarily recalled the affected product. In response to the outbreak, Yum! Brands including Burger King pulled fresh onions traced to Taylor Farms from its menus in select locations just to be safe. Luckily for BK, only 5% of its restaurants were affected. The outbreak infected 104 people in 14 states, with one death reported, and the investigation was closed by December 3, 2024. In the end, it was pretty clear that Burger King was off the hook, as nearly every affected individual interviewed during the investigation had recently eaten at McDonald's. Read the original article on Mashed. Jan. 27A bill being proposed by the Maine Department of Corrections would allow teens accused of serious crimes to remain in custody with their peers past their 18th birthday. Current Maine law requires juveniles who are being tried as adults to move to an adult jail when they turn 18, even if they are appealing the adult charges. But LD 42 would let the department ask the court to keep the teen at the state's only juvenile detention facility, Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland, until their appeal process is complete at least until they turn 21. The Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee heard testimony on the bill at a hearing Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Sue Salisbury, D-Westbrook, said in a phone interview last week that the department brought this bill to her with hopes of meeting the needs of juveniles currently in custody. She said while the department is the only entity that can submit such a request to the courts, the process would be collaborative. "In my impression of the process and how this works, they work together. This is a team effort," Salisbury said. The proposal would also allow the Department of Corrections to rescind its request at any time and send the teen to adult jail. "In any situation, the department needs to make sure that they're doing what's best for that juvenile, as well as the other juveniles that are currently in their custody," Salisbury said. "So, if there's ever a concern about the safety for staff or other residents of the facility, then they have to take the appropriate action." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christine Thibeault, the associate commissioner for the Department of Corrections' juvenile services, told the committee Monday that only teens under this category who pose no risk to their peers could stay at Long Creek, so they can keep receiving behavioral health services and programming, such as taking Southern Maine Community College Classes. "If a youth was particularly disruptive, by default, they would go to the county jail," Thibeault said during the hearing. "But if DOC felt that that youth was engaged in treatment, was pro-social, not disruptive to the rest of the residents, we could request that they remain at Long Creek." While the new law would only apply to a small number of residents who are facing adult charges, Thibeault said it would benefit their well-being, especially if they have particular behavioral or mental health needs. Jeremy Pratt, who is the president of the Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, submitted testimony to the committee in support of the bill, saying it would ensure the juvenile isn't moved from Long Creek to an adult facility, and potentially back again, while their case is being "bound over" from juvenile to adult court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The flexibility offered by LD 42 would allow for a juvenile to be placed in the best environment for that particular juvenile while the juvenile's appeal of their bind-over order is pending," Pratt wrote. Juvenile defense attorney Sharon Craig said while the bill would be a positive change by keeping the teen from adult jail as long as possible, it should also state that the juvenile and their attorney can submit the request themselves, not necessarily through the Department of Corrections. The department's ability to rescind its request to keep the teen at Long Creek is also unfair, she said, because at that point, the decision to allow the teen to stay at Long Creek would have already been litigated. The bill also doesn't spell out the reasons why the department could rescind its request, something Craig said should be added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There should be a hearing on whether the order is going to be rescinded," Craig said in a phone interview last week. "The juvenile should be able to litigate that." Salisbury didn't know whether the juvenile would be able to appeal the department's rescission. Craig said it's important that the young adult to stay in the juvenile facility for as long as possible because even when they turn 18, they're still children and "haven't really been out in the world as adults." So, being sent to live in custody among other adults with criminal histories could have a negative influence on them, she said. Copy the Story Link Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates discussed tech mogul Elon Musks growing influence on global politics during an interview. You want to promote the right wing but say Nigel Farage is not right wing enough I mean, this is insane s. You are for the AfD [in Germany], he told British newspaper The Times, referencing the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a right-wing political party. Gates also said Musk shaking up political situations in countries is really insane, in the interview highlighted by Mediaite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, the Tesla CEO who heavily backed President Trump in his 2024 bid for the White House, recently told Germans at a rally for the far-right political party AfD that they should be proud when it comes to their heritage, as well as move beyond the past guilt of generations before. Something I think that is just very important is that people take pride in Germany and being German. This is very important, Musk said Saturday. Its, you know, its OK to be proud to be German. This is a very important principle. Earlier this month, Musk went after British politician Nigel Farage, saying that he should not be the far-right Reform U.K. partys leader. Musks commentary on Farage also came after he had been posting on social media about U.K. politics, calling for the release of far-right activist Tommy Robinson. We can all overreach If someone is super-smart, and he is, they should think how they can help out. But this is populist stirring, Gates said in The Times interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hill has reached out to Tesla 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. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has joined a swath of wealthy individuals who have decided to stop flaunting their luxury watches in London as thousands get stolen every year. A stubborn rise in watch robberies has scared Londoners from showing off their timepieces, and Ratcliffe, who regularly works in the city, has become the most high-profile individual to declare a change in behavior when hes walking in the capital. I cant wear a watch in London, and I just need to be a bit wary, a bit careful, Ratcliffe told the Sunday Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ratcliffe, one of the wealthiest people in the U.K., recounted a murder over a Rolex picked up on Ineoss CCTV cameras at the groups headquarters in Knightsbridge. He died in a pool of blood because somebody tried to take his Rolex and he resisted. About a year ago we had three guys in hoodies, with machetes, right outside the office, opposite Harrods. The Ineos CEO and minority owner of Manchester United blamed police officers for failing to adequately deter criminals. We dont have enough prison space. I mean, this didnt just happen. Weve been talking about the prisons being overcrowded for 10 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 6,800 watches were reported stolen last year, an increase from more than 6,000 in 2022. Since 2018, some 43,000 watches have been stolen in the capital through burglaries, robberies, and thefts. The wealthy boroughs of Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea routinely rank among the highest for robberies. Robbers often target people wearing Patek Phillipe and Rolexes, which sell for a high value on the secondhand market, by offering prospective victims drugs or access to sex workers outside nightclubs before luring them to an alleyway to carry out a robbery. Sting operations Ratcliffe is one of many wealthy individuals who appear to have shunned flaunting their watches in public for fear of becoming a victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valuations for secondhand watches have dipped more than 20% in the last two years, according to the Bloomberg Subdial Watch Index, which tracks the price of the 50 most-traded watches. The decline is largely the result of traders who piled into the market during the COVID-19 pandemic opting to invest elsewhere for better returns. However, the violent theft of watches may also be contributing to falling valuations. In a bid to halt an increase in robberies, Met police officers carried out a series of sting operations against watch thieves in London in 2022 and 2023, going undercover as potential targets of theft while wearing luxury timepieces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two operations in 2022 and 2023 came after 300 watches worth a total of 4 million were stolen between April and September 2022. One officer would wander alone in a Westminster street at night before being approached by a group of men. Other undercover officers nearby would then jump in once a robbery ensued. The Met says these stings have led to a reduction in watch thefts in Westminster. Editor's note: A version of this story was first published on Fortune.com on August 2024. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com The U.S. Air Force has dramatically plussed-up contracts with General Electric and Pratt & Whitney, both of which now have a ceiling of $3.5 billion, to continue work on prototype next-generation jet engines. To date, the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program has been focused primarily on developing new engines to power a new sixth-generation crewed stealth fighter in the works as part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative. The NGAD combat jets future is now an open question, but NGAP might also feed into other advanced aviation programs. The Pentagon announced the modifications to the existing NGAP deals in its daily contracting notice today. Both are described as funding additional technology maturation and risk reduction services in support of work on prototype engines. A notional sixth-generation stealth combat jet. Collins Aerospace The specific entry for the modification to the NGAP contract with Pratt & Whitney (a subsidiary of Raytheon) provides the following additional context: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The work includes design, analysis, rig testing, prototype engine build and testing, and weapon system integration. The contract modification is for the execution of the prototype phase of the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion program and is focused on delivering a state-of-the-art propulsion system with a flexible architecture that can be tailored for future combat aircraft operating across various mission threads; and digitally transforming the propulsion industrial base. An engine test rig at the U.S. Air Forces Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) in 2017 used to support work on Pratt & Whitneys XA101 engine. The company is leveraging work on the XA101 for its NGAP design. USAF The U.S. Air Force first awarded the NGAP contracts to General Electric and Pratt & Whitney in 2022. At that time, additional NGAP contracts also went to Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, the three prime contractors vying at that point to develop the NGAD combat jet, to help ensure the next-generation engines would be compatible with their respective designs. Each of those deals had an initial ceiling of close to $1 billion. Details about the NGAP designs from General Electric and Pratt & Whitney, known as the XA102 and XA103, respectively, remain limited. The XA102 passed a major design review in 2023 and the XA103 did the same last year. They both leverage work on earlier engines that the two companies developed as potential options for re-engining F-35 Joint Strike Fighters as part of the Air Forces Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP). In 2023, the Air Force announced its intention to cancel AETP in favor of upgrading the existing Pratt & Whitney F135 engine currently used on all variants of the F-35. Congress subsequently authorized additional funding for AETP. An old Air Force briefing slide, dating back to at least 2018, regarding the AETP effort. USAF An old Air Force briefing slide, dating back to at least 2018, that shows potential benefits that could be released through the AETP program and follow-on efforts for various aircraft types, including a future advanced combat jet. USAF Like the XA100 and XA101, the XA102 and XA103 are known to be so-called adaptive cycle designs. What this means in broad strokes is that their bypass ratios can be adjusted on demand while in flight between modes that are more fuel-efficient or provide more power, depending on what the situation requires. For instance, a tactical jet with such an engine could fly in an efficiency mode to an operating area, helping to conserve fuel for when it gets on station, which might include time in a higher-power combat-focused mode. The capabilities adaptive cycle engines offer could be particularly important in a future large-scale conflict, especially one against China across the board expanses of the Pacific, where aerial refueling assets are expected to be increasingly at risk and available bases could be few and far between. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement General Electric has previously said that its earlier XA100 design is some 25 percent more efficient than the F135 and can also offer between 10 and 20 percent more thrust than the Pratt & Whitney engine in certain flight profiles. You can read more about the XA100 and adaptive cycle technologies here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the new funding, what any future NGAP engine might power is less clear than it was back in 2022. The Air Force launched a deep review of its NGAD combat jet plans last year and it remains unclear how the service under the new Trump administration will proceed. A number of alternatives to the original concept, envisioned as a relatively large and expensive successor to the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter but with an overall different mission set, have been proposed, including a truncated lower-cost design viewed more as a follow-on to the F-35 with a focus on acting as an aerial drone controller. NGAP engines, or derivatives thereof, could still power the NGAD combat jet regardless of its final form. Members of a next-generation family of jet engines, or technologies therefrom, could find their way into other advanced Air Force crewed and uncrewed aircraft, as well. The service is actively working to acquire new Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones and is also eyeing stealthy aerial refueling tankers, though the future of those efforts has also been called into question primarily due to concerns about affordability. The Air Forces budget outlook is complicated by a number of very high-priority, but also very expensive programs, including the B-21 Raider stealth bomber and LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile. The ballooning cost of Sentinel was a key factor in the decision to initiate the NGAD combat jet review. Other branches of the U.S. military could be interested in the NGAP engines or related designs. While the future of the NGAD combat jet is murky, the U.S. Navy has insisted that it will push ahead with its own plans for a sixth-generation carrier-capable stealth fighter commonly referred to now as F/A-XX. At the same time, in an interview with Aviation Week last year, the Navy did say it was looking to chart a course for F/A-XX independent of Air Force efforts, including NGAP. A rendering of notional U.S. Navy sixth-generation combat jets flying past an aircraft carrier. Boeing At the same time, any engines that might come out of NGAP still look to be a ways off. The contract modifications announced today for the ongoing prototyping effort now cover work through 2032. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whatever ultimately comes of NGAP, the expanded deals with General Electric and Pratt & Whitney show the Air Force is still very committed now to seeing the development of the XA102 and XA103 through to at least the prototype stage. Contact the author: joe@twz.com Youd think that Bill Gates has several regrets, but he says theres one that trumps them all. In a profile with the UKs The Times published Saturday, the Microsoft co-founder called his split from his wife of 27 years, Melinda French Gates, his biggest blunder. That was the mistake I most regret, he told the British outlet, later adding: You would have to put that at the top of the list. There are others but none that matter. The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill and Melinda Gates announced their separation in 2021, and share three adult children, Jennifer Gates Nassar, 28; Rory Gates, 25; and Phoebe Gates, 22. There is a certain wonderfulness to spending your entire adult life with one person because of the memories and depth of things you have done and having kids together, Gates told the outlet. When Melinda and I met, I was fairly successful but not ridiculously successful that came during the time that we were together. So, she saw me through a lot. Melinda French Gates and Bill Gates speak during "One World: Together At Home" presented by Global Citizen on April 18, 2020. Getty Images via Getty Images French Gates support of her ex-husband included doing the bulk of the child-rearing, Gates admits. I spent more time with the kids than my dad did, but the ratio was still 10:1, with Melinda doing most things for the kids. We had a great time, the billionaire said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A family wasnt the only thing the former couple built together. They also founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation one of the largest charitable foundations in the world. French Gates resigned as co-chair last year, and their charity was renamed Gates Foundation. The philanthropist told the Times that his exs resignation disappointed him. When we got divorced it was tough and then she made the decision to leave the foundation I was disappointed that she took the option to go off, Gates said. French Gates has opened up about how awkward it was for her to continue her work at the foundation while going through a divorce with Gates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I kept working with the person I was moving away from, and I needed to show up and be my best self every single day, she told Fortune magazine in 2022. So even though I might be crying at 9 a.m. and then have to be on a video conference at 10 a.m. with the person Im leaving, I have to show up and be my best. French Gates has also expressed some of her reasons for wanting to end her marriage to Gates, telling CBS This Morning in 2022 that not one thing, but many things ultimately led to the split. It wasnt one moment or one specific thing that happened, French Gates told host Gayle King. There just came a point in time where there was enough there where I realized it just wasnt healthy, and I couldnt trust what we had. French Gates also admitted to CBS that one of things that contributed to the unraveling of their marriage was Gates connection to late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I did not like that hed had meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, no, she said. I made that clear to him. ... [Epstein] was abhorrent. He was evil personified. I had nightmares about it afterward. When reached for comment by CBS, Gates released a statement in which he called his ties to Epstein a mistake that I regret deeply and a substantial error in judgement. Although French Gates has taken steps to move on from her marriage, Gates told the Times that they still interact. Melinda and I still see each other we have three kids and two grandchildren so there are family events, Gates said. The kids are doing well. They have good values. A photo taken of Calvin Latham and his teacher, Laura Summitt. (Courtesy of Toby Latham) When Toby and Lindsay Latham sent their son Calvin to school in Fairfax County, they hoped it would be a place where he could grow and thrive. Instead, they discovered he wasnt learning at all. It was terrible, Toby Latham said. Calvin, who uses an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device due to a brain malformation, wasnt getting the support he needed. After reviewing data from the device, the Lathams found that teachers and specialists were missing key opportunities to model language moments to describe and reinforce communication using symbols and words during activities lunchtime, music class, and recess. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes got all this knowledge in his head, and then hes being denied the opportunity to show what he knows, Toby said. Frustrated by years of unmet needs for students with communication disabilities across the commonwealth, the Lathams decided to take action. Their advocacy led them to Del. Kathy Tran, D-Fairfax, who introduced House Bill 2214 earlier this month to ensure educators receive proper training on AAC for students with communication disabilities. The bill, which has already cleared two committee reviews, will soon be heard by the full House of Delegates. A companion measure, Senate Bill 1034, sponsored by Sen. Stella Pekaraky, D-Fairfax, has also advanced to the full Senate. If passed, the legislation would require school divisions to document whether a student with a disability needs an AAC device on their Individualized Education Program (IEP). It would also mandate training for teachers and staff on using these devices effectively, addressing gaps in communication support for students like Calvin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal law already requires that Virginia provide students with disabilities a free and appropriate public education through personalized IEPs. Advocates argue this legislation is a critical step to ensure that right is fully realized. School divisions would be required to provide training on AAV devices at the start of the school year or as soon as possible under the new legislation. AAC devices, which include tools like gestures, facial expressions, writing and speech-generating devices often used on tablets or laptops, help individuals with communication disabilities to express themselves One prominent figure who relied on an AAC device was former U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton. Before serving in Congress, Wexton represented her district in the General Assembly. She used her device to communicate and service to her constituents until her recent retirement after being diagnosed with a severe neurological disorder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tran emphasized the importance of training during a recent subcommittee hearing, noting that around 1% of Virginia students have speech-related disabilities. Its really important that our teachers and staff are able to fully engage and communicate with these students in the classroom, Tran said. Tran initially proposed a broader bill but narrowed its scope to focus specifically on training after receiving feedback. She highlighted how delays in training can cause students to fall behind academically, placing an unfair burden on both students and teachers. Its really difficult for these students to be able to overcome that learning loss, Tran said. Sometimes its taken months for teachers to be trained on a students AAC, and so we want to make sure that were shifting that training earlier. Its also not fair to our teachers, and so this helps give them the tools that they would need to best be able to engage their students right off the bat. The bill sailed through last weeks House Education subcommittee with overwhelming support and no opposition. Backed by groups like the Virginia Autism Project, Arc of Virginia, and the Virginia Council of Administrators of Special Education, the legislation highlights the need for timely training to support students with communication disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We view it not only as a tool to help ensure equitable access for students with disabilities in the classroom, but also as an important tool for teachers who want to make sure that theyre best serving their students, said Ashley Wright, spokeswoman for the Arc of Virginia, which advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. John Cimino, an attorney for the disAbility Law Center Virginia, emphasized the importance of AAC devices for fostering inclusion. Students who rely on AAC modalities can be isolated even in a room full of people, and it is important that theyre able to communicate with their teachers and be full fledged members of the community, Cimino said. The bill, which passed the House Education Committee with amendments, now heads to the full House. Amendments were made to ensure students could access the full range of services without unintentionally altering curriculum content under the category of adapting curricula. For parents like Toby Latham, the issue often comes down to awareness rather than bad intentions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We havent run into a teacher, staff member, [or] administrator yet who isnt failing to provide training in a timely manner because of ill will. Its just, you dont know what you dont know, Latham said. Its not school districts being nefarious or anything like that. Its just you dont know that something needs to be fixed unless you know what the issue is. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A student raises her hand at Mayo Demonstration School in Tulsa on April 8. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Grading public schools based on students poor attendance has gained bipartisan opposition in the Oklahoma Legislature. Lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle said they support tracking chronic absenteeism rates, but they called it unfair to penalize schools for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students are considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of the school year. Chronic absenteeism is one of six factors that can impact a schools A-F grade on the Oklahoma State Report Cards. Federal law requires states to track and report chronic absenteeism rates, and at least 36 states use it while grading school performance. The head of the Senate Education Committee, Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, proposed replacing chronic absenteeism on state report cards with a climate survey of a schools students, parents and employees. Under Pughs Senate Bill 711, attendance rates could count as a bonus for a schools A-F grade. Reps. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City and Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, speak during a swearing-in ceremony Nov. 20 in the House chamber of the Oklahoma State Capitol. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, filed similar legislation in the House with HB 1131 and HB 1412 to add a school climate survey to state report cards in place of chronic absenteeism. Changing a factor on the report cards requires approval from the U.S. Department of Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pugh and Pogemiller said chronic absenteeism is important to measure, but they agreed student attendance is not something districts entirely control. Schools arent in charge of bringing kids to school. Parents are, Pogemiller said. I know that districts across the state are trying their best to address chronic absenteeism and so that still should be a priority, but I dont think they should be evaluated by it on a metric thats so prominent on our state report card. Chronic absenteeism is worth 10 points on state report cards, the same point value as a high schools graduation rate, the progress of students learning English as a second language and post-secondary opportunities exposure. State testing performance, called academic achievement, carries the heaviest weight in a report card score followed by academic growth, which measures how much state test results have improved. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, pictured at a news conference Monday, said its unfair to grade schools for student attendance. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) Pugh said it would be more logical for a schools A-F grade to reflect what students, parents, faculty and staff say about how their school is performing and how it could improve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said poor attendance reflects challenges existing in the broader community, and its an issue every state is trying to tackle. I just feel its unfair to hold the school district accountable for something that might be a much bigger macro-level problem than just whats happening inside the school district, Pugh said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX GUILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) The bird flu wiped out another backyard flock in Connecticut: this time in New Haven County. The first flock was in New London County and now the second one is in Guilford. The owner of that flock, Kameron Shahid, showed News 8 the outdoor coop where he used to keep his backyard flock. He had chickens, Guinea Hens and ducks. Bird flu confirmed in backyard flock in New London County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shahid says his flock became infected with the bird flu because his ducks would mingle with wild ducks on this river next to his Guilford home. The ducks were actually coming back up and hanging out here in close proximity to the chickens, and thats how we got into the situation were in, Shahid said. It started with one Guinea Hen showing signs of sickness. I could tell its call was very raspy, Shahid said. Something was wrong with it and I went to the bird and it was visibly sick. Within 48 hours, half a dozen of his birds were dead. The state then put down the rest of the flock. Once it impacts a flock there is no cure, there is no ability or vaccine for the flock and so the end result is the flock will end up dying, Bryan Hurlburt, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shahid says the biggest concern people have is if they can get sick. At this point, theres no threat to humans but one of the things were paying a lot of attention to is if that jumps, as we saw in 2024, it jumped from birds to cows, Hurlburt said. Bird flu detected in New Haven County Health officials want Shahids coop to remain empty with no birds in it for 120 days just to be safe. They want to make sure it is clear of any disease before any other birds are brought into it. Shahid says other bird owners are concerned their flocks will also be affected. People who have backyard flocks, they live in the woods, or they just got a small yard theres almost no risk that their birds are gonna get sick, Shahid said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says being near a river or along the shoreline where they can be exposed to waterfowl is much more risky. The state asks anyone who sees a sick bird to stay away from it and give them a call right away. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. One person is dead following an explosion from a structure fire just east of downtown Monday night, according to a Colorado Springs police blotter entry. As Colorado Springs Fire Crews arrived on scene, one of the residents of the home collapsed and died. Officials reported the blaze at 633 E. Boulder St., and said the street was closed. Residents were asked to avoid the area, according to an X post from the department. Just before 7:50 p.m., officials reported the structure fire was under control. According to the Fire Department, it received a report of a medical call in the same area around the same time as the call for the fire. Fire officials are still investigating the cause of the fire. Police are working to determine whether the death was connected to the fire or an unrelated medical emergency. This is a developing story. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) A man is dead after a shooting that Birmingham police believe stemmed from a domestic violence situation Monday evening. According to officer Truman Fitzgerald with the Birmingham Police Department, officers got a call around 5:40 p.m. of a person shot in the 100 block of Ninth Court West. There were also ShotSpotter notifications in the area. At the scene, police found a man lying unresponsive in a residences driveway. He was suffering from a gunshot wound. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service personnel transported the man to UAB Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The BPD later identified the victim as Damian Dawson, 47, of Birmingham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Birmingham police suspect foul play in mans death Fitzgerald said the preliminary investigation shows the shooting stemmed from a domestic violence situation. Police think the girlfriend or an ex-girlfriend of the victim shot Dawson. The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle initially. Fitzgerald confirmed the woman turned herself in to police at BPD Headquarters Monday night. Those with information on the shooting are urged to call the BPD at 205-254-1764 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-1764. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. David Bier, Cato Institute Director of Immigration Studies, states, But if you don't have a passport according to this order, you don't have proof of citizenship. Your birth certificate isn't enough. Colorado District Attorney General Phil Weiser states, If you are born here, you are a citizen and you have all the rights of a citizen. President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week along with a dozen others. One of them sparking controversy about the topic of American citizenship. U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Ala.), states, Those that desire to be a United States citizen, must do it legally. You must assimilate, pledge allegiance to America. Follow our laws and speak our language. U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), states, "This executive order prevents the children of immigrants, both those whose parents have a lawful immigration status like a work visa and those whose parents are undocumented who are born in the United States from being able to obtain documents to demonstrate that they are citizens of the United States." Bier states, I talked to a lot of high skilled immigrants in this country, they talked about their family. They talk about the hope they have for their children to be Americans, to grow up in this country and to contribute to this country. WesternSlopeNow spoke with Colorado immigrant lawyer Fred Hartman about what could happen. He said some of the immigrants are feeling more stress than normal. Hartman states, I would say some immigrants more likely; the more recent arrivals probably have a higher level of anxiety because they weren't maybe here for the first Trump administration. Hartman also mentions since the inauguration, there have been an abundance of calls. Hartman states, I do have clients who have maybe been married to a citizen for a year or two and just haven't gotten around to, you know, looking into what the process is to be able to start their immigration case. Nick Brown, Washingtons attorney general, states, This amendment to our Constitution was put into effect. In the wake of the most infamous United States Supreme Court decision in, the Dred Scott decision, it was put into effect to reaffirm what it means to be an American. Strong states, Birthright citizenship also undermines the principles of fairness. No one has the right to skip the line and cross our border and go around the legal barriers in our place. (NewsNation) Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde said she spoke from the foundation of her faith and not a political perspective when she called upon President Donald Trump to have mercy for vulnerable communities during her inauguration sermon last week. I spoke to the president about the need for mercy, again a pretty solid Christian spiritual tenant it feels pretty straightforward, Budde told NewsNations partner The Hill. If I were seen as partisan, I think that would be problematic, but given the way the country is divided, what Im saying right now is perceived as partisan. But Im not basing it on the Democratic Party. Im basing it on my Christian faith and how I interpret what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who is Rev. Mariann Budde, bishop who drew Trumps ire at prayer service? The Episcopalian bishop of Washington was thrust into the national spotlight during Trumps first week in office after she called on him to have compassion for transgender children and migrants at a National Cathedral prayer service for the inauguration. I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now, she said. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families, some who fear for their lives. Trump, who sat alongside Vice President JD Vance and both their families, appeared annoyed, looking away from Budde at several points of her direct address to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her plea went viral and elicited a swift rebuke from the president, who called her nasty in tone and not compelling or smart. Trump called Budde a Radical Left hard line Trump hater on his Truth Social site and demanded an apology for her inappropriate statements. Trump demands apology from bishop who requested mercy But Budde said she has nothing to apologize for. People have asked if I feel like I should apologize, and that would be apologizing for my understanding of the teachings of Jesus, and I just cant do that. I regret the reaction in the sense that its an example of the very thing I was talking, that we needed to address which is the culture of contempt and the outrage that is fueled in our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Budde, who is Washingtons first female diocesan bishop, is no novice in calling out Trump. The bishop joined other cathedral leaders in rebuking Trumps racialized rhetoric and blaming him for inciting violence on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to keep him in power. Most notably, she said she was outraged in 2020 after Trump staged an appearance in front of St. Johns Episcopal Church, which is near the White House. He held up a Bible after the area had been cleared of peaceful protesters. Still, she says she would be open to a conversation with Trump to discuss their opposing opinions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would welcome that. I dont think I want to do it on a social media platform. I think face to face, she said. The Associated Press contributed to this 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 NewsNation. Less than a week after a woman from Seattle was charged in connection to the fatal shooting of a U.S. border patrol agent in Vermont, a man from Seattle was arrested and charged with murder in Northern California and it appears the two arrests are related. Officers with Solano County Sheriffs Office confirmed Curtis Lind, an 82-year-old landlord, was stabbed to death. At approximately 12:40 a.m. Jan. 17. Maximilian Snyder, 22, was arrested in Redding, Calif., and charged with Linds murder in Solano County Superior Court, according to court documents obtained by The Seattle Times. While running a background check on Snyder and pooling over previous legal documentation regarding the suspect, it was revealed that Snyder had applied for a marriage license last November to Teresa Youngblut, 21, a Seattle resident who was a former high school classmate of his. Youngblut was arrested just a week earlier for her involvement in the shootout and subsequent death of Border Patrol Agent David Maland, 44. Maland died Jan. 20 during a shootout in a Vermont town near the Canadian border called Coventry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More WA crime: King County Jails end misdemeanor booking restrictions amid staffing gains Youngblut is currently facing two weapons charges intentional use of a deadly weapon while forcibly assaulting or interfering with federal law enforcement, and use and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to an assault with a deadly weapon. Youngbluts connection with Snyder Youngblut and Snyder attended Lakeside School together. Lakeside School is a private 5-12 grade school in North Seattle, famous for being where Bill Gates and Paul Allen first met. Snyder graduated in 2020 and Youngblut graduated two years later. Snyder studied computer science and philosophy at Oxford, according to his now-discovered LinkedIn profile, while Youngblut attended the University of Washington (UW). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While theres no confirmation the couple officially got married after applying for a marriage license last November, neighbors told The Seattle Times that the couple had moved in within the last few months. Their marriage application listed a Kirkland address. Last May, Youngbluts parents reported to the Seattle Police Department (SPD) that she was missing. In the account, first reported by The Seattle Times, they said she had left home with duffel bags full of personal belongings, including her passport and medical records. According to Open Vallejo, the two followed a fringe, self-described vegan Sith ideology that started in the Bay Area. The ideology had connections to violence, according to police records, an interview with a person familiar with the group and social media and blog posts reviewed by Open Vallejo. A motion filed by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Vermont alleged that Youngblut had been in frequent contact with a person of interest in a homicide investigation in Vallejo, California, according to The Associated Press. The Vallejo homicide suspect was also previously detained but not charged in connection with a double homicide in Pennsylvania, according to federal prosecutors. Youngbluts arrest after Vermont shootout Yungblut was traveling with Felix Bauckholt, a German citizen, and the pair had been under surveillance for several days. Investigators had been performing periodic surveillance of Youngblut and Bauckholt since Jan. 14 after an employee at a hotel where they were staying reported concerns after seeing Youngblut carrying a gun and she and Bauckholt wearing black tactical gear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to an FBI affidavit obtained by The Associated Press, a border agent pulled over Youngblut and Bauckholt on Interstate 91 (I-91) to conduct an immigration inspection. Youngblut, who had been driving Bauckholts car, got out and opened fire on Maland and other officers without warning, the FBI alleged. Bauckholt tried to draw a gun but was shot, the affidavit stated. Bauckholt was killed during the shootout. Prosecutors: Woman charged in killing of Border Patrol agent was in contact with homicide suspect At least one border agent fired on Youngblut and Bauckholt, but authorities havent specified whose bullets hit whom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a search of the car after the shootout, authorities found cellphones wrapped in foil, a ballistic helmet, night-vision goggles, respirators and ammunition, the FBI said. They also found a package of shooting range targets, including some that had been used, two-way radios, about a dozen electronic devices, travel and lodging information for multiple states, and an apparent journal. This investigation remains very active, and the legal process continues, FBI spokeswoman Sarah Ruane said in a statement last weekend. Agent Malands tragic death David Maland, the U.S. Border Patrol agent who was killed in Vermont during a traffic stop near the Canadian border, was a military veteran who worked security duty at the Pentagon during the time of the Sept. 11 attacks, his family said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was a devoted agent who served with honor and bravery, a family statement provided to The Associated Press late Wednesday said. He had a tremendous respect and pride for the work he did; he truly embodied service over self. More on Agent Maland: Border Patrol agent killed in Vermont worked at the Pentagon during 9/11, family says Maland was also a U.S. Air Force veteran, the FBI confirmed. This is a developing story, check back for updates Contributing: The Associated Press Frank Sumrall is a content editor at MyNorthwest and producer of the Seattle Seahawks podcast, The Reset with Gee Scott. You can read his stories here and you can email him here. Were now learning more details about the 27-year-old Arizona man who killed himself after he appeared to be without pants while driving up to a cafe where workers wear bikinis. Not only did the man have a family and a wife, but he left a suicide note before taking his own life. On Tuesday, in a police report obtained by TMZ, it was discovered that Nautica Malone, the man in the video, left a note for his wife, Victoria Elisan, before committing suicide. The note read, I apologize. I love you queen. I made a mistake and I dont think Ill be able to face you and the babies. I dont know why I drove through like that. My mental has been f***ed up. I am not a monster. I apologize and I love you forever if I am in critical condition please pull the plug. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The note added, To all my family and friends I love you and Im so sorry. I love my kids and family. Please forgive me. NEW: 27-year-old father and husband took his own life a day after a woman exposed him online for not wearing pants at an Arizona bikini barista drive-thru Nautica Malone was seen without pants in a viral video just one day before his death The man was asked to leave the pic.twitter.com/paob3aa8W7 Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) January 14, 2025 Malones brother, whose name has not been revealed, told police that he was the last person to speak to Nautica, according to TMZ. During a phone conversation, he recalls Malone asking him to pull up. After speaking on the phone, his concern only grew for his brother so he decided to find out where he was. What he found was Malones dead body in the same car that was seen in the viral video. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Over the weekend, several people met outside of the coffee shop where Malone exposed himself to hold a vigil. A poster for the gathering read, Nautica Malone was a kind-hearted individual and a beloved fellow gooner, whose memory will be celebrated and never forgotten. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event was also live-streamed and eventually shut down by local police. Went to the #gooneral today to pay my respects. Lasted a whole 20 minutes before the police shut it down. pic.twitter.com/Vm692VB6jg Moo (@AsyncMoo) January 27, 2025 For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. By Arriana McLymore and Siddharth Cavale NEW YORK (Reuters) - Please don't boycott Target: That's the message from Black founders and influencers to consumers about a backlash against the retailer's decision to end its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. With the U.S. political climate trending right, the Minneapolis-based company announced the move on Friday prompting calls for a boycott of its stores from labor advocacy group We Are Somebody and a Minneapolis city council member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign would be aimed at hurting the company's sales and preventing Target from profiting from products by minority-owned companies, advocates said. But Black-owned companies and entrepreneurs urged against a boycott on Monday, saying they would lose revenue and consumer exposure, which would harm the brands more than the retailer. "If we all decide to boycott ... so many of us will be affected and our sales will drop --- our businesses will be hurt," Tabitha Brown, an actress whose kitchenwares are sold at Target, said in an Instagram post. Target did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the boycott calls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Building on previous inclusivity efforts, Target in 2022 set a goal of making a financial commitment of more than $2 billion to Black-owned businesses by 2025 and to have more than 500 Black-owned brands in its stores. The company has said it was on track to meet its goals. Consumers who want to boycott Target should instead spend their dollars on products from Black-owned businesses at the retailer, said April Showers, founder and chief executive of toy, apparel and home goods brand Afro Unicorn, which has been sold at Target since 2022. "Target is about money," she said. "Target is not going to remove any of our products if they're performing well, so we're saying be strategic with your dollar." A boycott of Target could also hurt the growth potential of Black brands due to reduced visibility and geographic footprint if their products start to be dropped from the chain's nearly 2,000 stores and on its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If you don't buy our products in Target, they will cancel us from their shelves and make us buy back the products they already purchased from us," Black-owned doll brand Beautiful Curly Me said on its Instagram account on Sunday. Some backers of a Target boycott call for buying directly from Black-owned brands' websites instead. But many founders do not want to miss out on the millions of shoppers who enter Target's stores every week. "We have dolls on our websites, but having your dolls in mass retail stores gives you a different kind of visibility to millions and really helps us expand," Beautiful Curly Me said. PRODUCTS ON WEBSITE Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Target's website on Monday highlighted Black-owned or founded beauty and personal care brands ahead of Black History Month, which begins Saturday. Such brands include actress Tracee Ellis Ross' Pattern hair products and actress Gabrielle Union-Wade's Proudly baby items. DEI initiatives sought to address longstanding structural racism and sexism by promoting opportunities for women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people and other underrepresented groups. Arising after the Black Lives Matter protests and George Floyd's killing in 2020, Target's moves were accompanied by initiatives to help minority employees advance their careers, diversify its suppliers and ensure stores were welcoming to LGBTQ, Black, Asian, veteran and disabled shoppers. At the time, many U.S. companies embraced the trend. But the landscape has shifted including a Supreme Court decision against affirmative action and the election of President Donald Trump, who ordered the federal government to end its diversity programs. Conservatives argue DEI is based on favoritism rather than merit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walmart, Meta and McDonald's are among the brands that have rolled back DEI policies recently. But Target's decision struck some of its critics as a betrayal, saying the retailer's initiatives attracted a younger, more diverse consumer base. Tamala Barksdale, managing partner at brand consultancy 360 Agency, said Target's move was "a break in trust" with its customers who believed in its efforts. (This story has been refiled to correct a typo in paragraph 1) (Reporting by Arriana McLymore and Siddharth Cavale in New York City; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Kate Mayberry) As Blake Lively and Justin Baldonis legal matters continue, a New York court has officially set a date for when the first hearing between the parties will occur. When is the first court hearing date in the Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni lawsuit? In a series of moves on Tuesday (via THR), U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman revealed that the court plans to consolidate the various separate lawsuits being levied by each party and has set a tentative trial date for March 9, 2026, for when the many arguments between both parties will be legally heard. Alongside the news of the first court hearing date, Liman also ordered that a pretrial hearing occur on February 3, 2025, moved up from February 11, after Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds legal team continued to allege that Baldonis legal team, led by Bryan Freedman, and his production company Wayfarer, are trying to smear Lively and Reynolds online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The endless stream of defamatory and extrajudicial media statements must end. It will not stop without this courts intervention, states a Monday filing from Lively. The Wayfarer Defendants efforts are being financed by a billionaire, who has pledged to spend $100 million to ruin the lives of Ms. Lively and her family. Mr. Freedman is using that money, his roster of current and former clients, and a blatant media and social media strategy to assassinate Ms. Livelys character in advance of trial. Livelys legal team also filed a petition last week in Texas state court in an effort to depose Jed Wallace, whom Livelys original complaint alleged helped create and promote content that smeared Livelys name during her and Baldonis initial back-and-forth. Wallace was alleged to have been hired by Baldoni and Wayfarer and paid to post on sites like Reddit, attacking Lively and defending Baldoni in the process. Livelys complaint alleges that Baldoni created a hostile work environment The lawsuit stems from a formal complaint that Blake Lively made against Baldoni last month. In it, she states that things got so bad during the filming of It Ends With Us that an all-hands-on-deck meeting was called in response to her claims of a hostile work environment. During the meeting, Lively asked that Baldoni stop showing her nude videos or images of women, that he stop mentioning his pornography addiction to her, that Baldoni stop discussing sexual experiences in front of her, and that he also stop mentioning Livelys weight. The complaint also claims that an agreement was made between production company Wayfarer Studios and the cast, in which the promotion of the movie would focus more on [Livelys characters] strength and resilience as opposed to describing the film as a story about domestic violence. However, Lively claims that Baldoni would renege on that and instead spoke in interviews about the films serious story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lively also claimed that Baldoni and his PR manager, Melissa Nathan, discussed ways to start a social media campaign to harm her reputation. The filing by Lively includes 22 pages of texts between Baldonis publicist and Nathan, in which they discuss wanting to have Lively buried. (Source: The Hollywood Reporter) The post Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni Lawsuit Sets First Court Hearing Date appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Republican legislative leaders on Monday accused Gov. Ron DeSantis of not reading and lying about their bill to beef up enforcement of immigration laws. After Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez rejected his immigration proposals earlier in the day and put forward one of their own, DeSantis slammed their plan as weak and claimed they were gutting his proposal to require all law enforcement officials in the state to work with federal immigration enforcement officials. Their bill fails to put an enforceable duty on state & local law enforcement to fully cooperate on illegal immigration enforcement, DeSantis posted on X. This means that Florida localities will provide no meaningful assistance to federal efforts. We need to get the job done regarding illegal immigration. We dont have time for posturing. My thoughts on todays antics by the Florida Legislature. pic.twitter.com/BmJtC2EbiS Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) January 27, 2025 The fight between DeSantis and the Legislature sets up the possibility of a veto on immigration enforcement, a key plank of President Donald Trumps campaign that had united Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a joint statement, Albritton and Perez called that a blatant lie, about their bill, called "Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy," or TRUMP Act. They criticized DeSantis plan to punish law enforcement officials who didnt comply with federal immigration enforcement orders. This is a blatant lie about the Florida law enforcement officers who are on the front lines protecting our communities from criminal illegal immigrants each and every day, said Perez, R-Miami, and Albritton, R-Wauchula. Law enforcement is our partner, not our enemy. Its no wonder the Governors proposal included criminal penalties for law enforcement. His statement clearly suggests he doesnt trust the boots on the ground, but we do. Florida legislative leaders had called special session 'premature' DeSantis had called a special session for Monday to tackle immigration enforcement in anticipation of Trumps executive orders to expedite deportations. Perez and Albritton criticized the move as premature and irresponsible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They convened the session as the state constitution requires, but quickly adjourned it and convened a separate session to tackle immigration enforcement their own way. DeSantis also said part of the leadership's bill (SB 2B/HB 1B) that moves immigration enforcement duties under the office of Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson was unconstitutional. Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami (left) and Florida Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula (2024 file photos). Agriculture has not exactly been known for immigration enforcement. So it's almost like the fox guarding the hen house, DeSantis said in a video posted to X. It was bizarre. I think it was more a sop to folks who want cheap labor. That is totally bad policy that can't happen. In response, the legislative leaders said that it was constitutional because DeSantis would still retain his power to call a state of emergency under their plan, but added his statement maligned hard-working farm workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Legislature will not act in a disingenuous or dishonorable way by attacking anyone, especially our law enforcement, Perez and Albritton said. Unlike others, the Legislature is not interested in misleading or attacking Floridians, especially Florida law enforcement. Our number one goal is to work together with President Trump. Anyone that says anything otherwise is not reading the bill, not reading the executive orders, or just not telling the truth. As of late Monday, Trump had not weighed in on the clash on his Truth Social social media account. On Jan. 13, Trump posted about the governor's call for a special session: "Thank you Ron, hopefully other Governors will follow!" Gray Rohrer is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at grohrer@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @GrayRohrer. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida Gov. DeSantis ramps up fight with GOP leaders over immigration Grayson Roberts is tired of telling this story. The 10-year-old stood outside the only home he'd ever known a home he could traverse in total darkness, whose every floorboard and door jamb he knew like the back of his hand. The last time he'd stood there, the Eaton fire was bearing down on his Altadena neighborhood. Now, all that remained of the ephemera of his young life was a single, tarnished cymbal from his drum set. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was perfectly fine it still had the same sound," Grayson said. In a Reel on his popular Instagram page, he holds the instrument up to his face and strokes its familiar grooves, his eyes closed, listening intently to the sound. Grayson's Instagram presence and his appearances on TV and TikTok have drawn outsize attention to the fifth-grader, whose family is one of thousands displaced by the recent fires. Grayson is blind, the result of a rare genetic disorder that stunts the development of the iris and the crystalline lens covering the eye. He grew up in the limelight of online advocacy, juicing a viral lemonade stand into a trip around the world. With support from his followers and the nonprofit Flight for Sight, he traveled to Ghana and hand-delivered 163 white canes to blind students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, with his bright white smile and sea-glass gray eyes, Grayson has become the picture of wildfire resilience, in his family's words a "beacon of positivity" amid so much ruin and despair. But underneath his latest viral turn lies another, darker tale one about the unique peril disabled Angelenos face in this disaster. Displaced to homes and schools not set up for their needs and with no guarantee of solutions on the horizon, outsize obstacles still lie ahead. Whether Grayson can overcome them hinges in no small part on his ability to inspire internet strangers with the sunniest possible version of his story, in the hopes their generosity fills the gaps left by public policy and civil rights law. "It was a normal day," he began, twirling on the swivel chair in the Monrovia Marriott's ADA suite where his family was staying 14 days after the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two weeks earlier, the Sierra Madre Elementary School fifth grader was just getting back from winter break, scraping a waxing gibbous and a waning crescent out of Oreo frosting in a science unit on the phases of the moon. He peppered his beloved bus driver, Mr. Mike, with questions on their daily commute. After school, he lost himself in the drums at his weekly music class, before returning to the home he knew so well he could ride his bike in its backyard. Grayson Roberts, 10, has been living with his family at a Monrovia hotel since the Eaton fire destroyed their home in Altadena. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) "I've worked really hard to provide a stable environment for them, especially for Grayson," his mother Terica Roberts said. "Because of his disability, it's always been important for me to have that one safe place." She was cooking dinner when Gilbert, her eldest son, came and told her there was a fire outside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm born and raised in Altadena, we're used to seeing fires but smoke off in the distance, not the sky lit up," Roberts said. "I got a little nervous." Read more: Altadena family says disabled father and son were left to burn: 'Nobody was coming' She and Gilbert, 20, drove just past North Lake Avenue, where they could see flames. That's when she started getting texts from a family friend in the fire service. "Her friend who's a fire marshal texts her and says, 'hey, you should start packing up,'" Grayson recalled. "Then he texts us later and says, 'you have to go right now.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those private warnings began around 7 p.m. Evacuation orders did not go out for their western Altadena neighborhood until hours later, a Times investigation found. Among the 17 confirmed deaths from the fire, all were on the Robertses' side of North Lake Avenue. "I was kind of running around trying to grab everything of mine I could," Grayson said of their panicked escape. "I was scared." Left behind were his first white cane, a new Lego model of the Concord he'd just received for Christmas, the green stuffed dog Scout he'd had since he was born. But also braille books, his adaptive computer and his cobalt blue Light-Touch Perkins Brailler a nine-key typewriter, not unlike a court reporter's stenotype machine, that many experts consider essential for a blind child to access literacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Who thinks to grab that when you have 20 minutes to get to the car?" said Rachel Antoine, director of youth services at the Braille Institute. A braille copy of "James and the Giant Peach" like the one Grayson lost weighs 2 pounds and costs three times what a paperback does. The Brailler itself weighs 13 pounds, and costs more than $1,000. Without these supports, experts say, Grayson will be unable to access public education. The Braille Institute quickly outfitted him with a brailler and a refreshable braille display, which functions like an e-reader. It also got him braille Uno and a stack of his favorite braille paper to draw on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he only returned to school Jan. 27, even as other fifth graders were able to attend remotely. The Eaton and Palisades fires together destroyed at least six schools and close to forty daycare centers. Officials estimate thousands of children are among the newly homeless. Read more: L.A.s fire chief generated controversy and fierce loyalty while the city burned There are no official estimates of disabled Angelenos who've lost their homes, but disabled activists compiled a mutual aid directory of scores of fire victims seeking help, many like the Robertses in urgent need. Like other families displaced by the fire, the Robertses are torn over whether to stay and rebuild in the community where generations of their family have lived, or start fresh somewhere else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But unlike many other families, the Robertses must also weigh whether Grayson can continue to get specialized services he needs in the school where he grew up. "They mentioned that all IEP [Individualized Education Plan] services that they missed will be put into the rest of the school year, but when that happens, just like COVID, I have to stay on top of it to ensure that they're doing it," Roberts said. "Half of the time, Grayson will say he hasn't seen his [teacher of the visually impaired] in a week." "Cuz she moved, and they didn't even tell us!" Grayson cut in. It's a struggle that goes back to preschool, when Roberts said she took the Pasadena Unified School District to court over whether Grayson was blind enough to qualify for special education services for students with visual impairments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like most blind children, Grayson has some residual vision that is, some perception of light, shade, shape, color and movement. Grayson Roberts navigates his new surroundings with his mom. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Whether such residual vision is sufficient to decode Dr. Seuss and do long division is a separate question one advocates for the blind and school officials often disagree about. "Finding the right school is crucial for a visually impaired child," Antoine said. "We dont want his family to be stressed working through all the red tape. We dont want Grayson to fall through the cracks." Neither, it seems, does anyone else. As Grayson's heartwarming interviews race around the internet, donations have poured in. The newly formed LA Stuffy Project found him a replacement for the lost plush puppy, Scout. But recovering his independence may take Grayson much longer. "These kids are often sort of sheltered and overprotected in a lot of ways," said Jay Allen, president of Wayfinder Family Services, which runs programs for blind Californians. Grayson has already undergone dozens of surgeries, endured five corneal transplants and spent countless hours in the hospital. Now, he's lost the one place he could bop around as freely and easily as any other 10-year-old. On Jan. 20, during an interview with Fire Aid, he broke down. "He started crying [talking] about his memories of the house," Roberts said. "He's like, 'I don't want to talk about it anymore.'" 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. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions are in full swing across the country, with operations capturing more than 4,000 immigrants unlawfully living in the U.S. in the days since President Donald Trump was sworn in last week. It is yet unknown how many operations have occurred in Colorado. ICE officials did not respond to emails seeking comment Monday. So far, the focus in Colorado has been to cripple the operations of an international gang thats been trying to sink its tentacles in metro Denver. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administrations Rocky Mountain Field Division executed a search warrant in the wee hours on Sunday at a makeshift nightclub in Adams County, detaining 49 individuals. Of those, 41 were unlawfully residing in the U.S., federal officials said. The operation stemmed from an investigation begun under the Biden administration and executed under Trump into the Venezuelan prison gang known as Tren de Aragua, or TdA, and into drug trafficking activities. TdA rose to prominence last year after taking over a rundown apartment complex in Aurora. City officials responded by shuttering Aspen Grove, evicting about 300 people. Trumps executive order expediting removals allows ICE agents to conduct operations anywhere in the U.S. Previously, these operations were limited to within 100 miles of the U.S. border. Under the order, the expedited removal also applies to individuals who have been in the U.S. for up to two years. Immigration attorney: Carry identif ication documents ICE agents have captured 4,170 immigrants believed to be unlawfully residing in the United States since Jan. 23. Violeta Chapin, an immigration attorney and University of Colorado Boulder law professor, suggested that immigrants carry their drivers license, lease, tax return or other documents with them that show the length of time they have been in the U.S. Immigrants and advocates Chapin cautioned should be aware that ICE warrants are administrative in nature and differ from a warrant signed by a judge. Administrative warrants do not give ICE agents the authority to come into your house, Chapin said. She advised people to ask to the see the warrant. The vast majority of ICE warrants are not going to be signed by a judge, Chapin said. Immigrant is not a race, its a status ICE officials began announcing the agencys daily enforcement actions on X, formerly Twitter, two days after Trump signed a flurry of executive orders ranging from foreign aid to energy to immigration. Some of Trumps executive orders are having an immediate impact, while others will likely be challenged in court. Colorado, for example, is one of 22 states that have filed a lawsuit challenging an executive order that instructs the federal government not to recognize children born in the U.S. to parents who were either illegally living in the U.S. or on a temporary status, such as on a tourist visa. On one side of that argument, critics of Trumps order maintain that birthright citizenship is a bedrock principle of the U.S. and enshrined in the Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to children born in the U.S., regardless of their parents immigration status. The other side of that argument says that understanding is flawed and a misinterpretation of the Constitutions Citizenship Clause, insisting birthright citizenship has no basis in either the text, the history of the clause or in the political theory underlying it. Last week, a U.S. district judge issued a temporary restraining order halting implementation of the executive order, calling it blatantly unconstitutional. Trump was sworn in two days before the ICE operations began, promising to conduct mass deportations the likes of which the United States has never before seen. On the campaign trail, Trump had vowed to start his campaign in Aurora, which was thrust into the national spotlight of the illegal immigration debate after a Venezuelan gang began terrorizing residents in a few rundown apartment complexes. With roughly 1.4 million final deportation orders in the U.S. and thousands in Colorado the public will likely see many more operations, said John Fabbricatori, a former ICE field office director. Were just going to enforce immigration law, Fabbricatori said. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. He added: Immigrant is not a race, its a status. Give people information, not spread panic Trumps promised mass deportation program dubbed Project Aurora has a lot of community members on edge, according to advocates. Raquel Lane-Arellano, who has volunteered to answer the Colorado Rapid Response Networks hotline for the past five years, said she has never received a call on the hotline until Sunday. This is the first time Ive ever had calls and its been nonstop, Lane-Arellano said. Formed during Trumps first administration, the organization is a statewide network that responds to ICE operations with legal observers, according to the groups website. While the Colorado Rapid Response Network has confirmed just a single ICE operation since Trump assumed office, the group reported 38 raids in the state since June of 2017. Lane-Arellano cautioned against posting sightings on social media without confirming an operation. We want to be able to give people information, not spread panic, Lane-Arellano said. Early Monday morning, a lone protester stood in front of the Jim Bailey Building, the local ICE headquarters in Centennial, imploring agents and others to consider kindness in light of stepped-up federal efforts to deport immigrants unlawfully living in the U.S. We should think about what the Statue of Liberty says, Candice Rutledge said. Im concerned, with all of this deportation, that a lot of due process is getting swept under the rug. Congressman: Trump is cleaning up sanctuary state and crime mess The response to the immigration enforcement divided people along ideological and party lines. In an interview on CNN, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser also praised the drug enforcement action taken Sunday, but he cautioned that immigration raids could separate families and harm the states economy. What concerns me a lot right now, Brianna (Keilar), is the mass, indiscriminate roundups, Weiser said told CNN. Even citizens get rounded up. U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans, who won Colorados 8th Congressional District last November, lauded the DEA and ICE raids in Adams County on Sunday. Were only one week into the Trump Admin and already seeing how strong immigration policies make #CO08 a safer place to raise a family and pursue the American Dream, he said on X. Better federal immigration policies are cleaning up Colorados sanctuary state and crime mess, he earlier said. Strong law enforcement makes for safe communities. Nationwide operations ICE agents launched operations across the country. In California, ICE notified the San Jose Police Department that it was carrying out an operation on Sunday. Details of the operation were not immediately clear. Federal agents also rounded up immigrants unlawfully living in South Florida over the weekend. Following the first wave of deportations under the Trump administration last week, newly-appointed border czar Tom Homan said, If youre in the country illegally, youre on the table. In an ABC News segment released Sunday, Homan defended a policy change to allow ICE agents to raid sensitive locations, including schools, hospitals and churches. The border czar said federal agents are currently concentrating on national security threats and public safety threats as the first priority, but the country can expect to see the number of deportations steadily increase as the aperture opens to include everyone in the country illegally. The message needs to be clear that theres consequences to entering the country illegally, said Homan, when asked if agents would enter schools to arrest adults or kids outside of public safety or national security threats. If we dont show those consequences, youre never going to fix the border problem. Denver Gazette reporter Deborah Brigsby Smith and the Associated Press contributed to this report. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) at the Mackinac Policy Conference, May 30, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols Updated, 2:49 p.m., 1/28/25 On the heels of former U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) retiring, newly minted Michigan senior U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) has announced he will not seek reelection in 2026, opening the field for what will likely be another hotly contested Senate race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a video posted to YouTube Tuesday, Peters discussed his experiences working in Congress, calling it the honor of his life, but stating he always knew there would come a time to pass the torch to the next generation of public servants. Our founding fathers envisioned members of Congress as citizens serving their country for a few terms and then returning to private life. I agree. After three terms in the House and two terms in the Senate, I believe now is time for me to write a few more paragraphs in my current chapter and turn over the reins. I will therefore not seek reelection in 2026, Peters said. In 2024, Democrats lost control of the U.S. Senate while Peters chaired the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Republicans hold a 53-47 advantage this term. Democrats managed to hang onto Stabenows seat in 2024, as now-U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) narrowly defeated former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-White Lake). While Democrats hope to retake the upper chamber in 2026, Peters decision makes that task considerably harder for the party that will have to defend another open seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peters was first elected in 2014, succeeding longtime U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Detroit). He won reelection in 2020 by a razor-thin margin over now-U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Twp.). U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Twp.) speaks at a rally for former President Donald Trump in Novi on Oct. 26, 2024. | Kyle Davidson With two years left in his term, there is plenty of work left to do, Peters said. I intend to continue my work on issues important to all Michiganders by working to lower costs, make sure everyone has the opportunity to succeed, feel safe in their community, and protect core American democratic values, he said. Peters flipped a U.S. House in 2008 before winning election to the U.S. Senate. However, Peters noted that while he is leaving Congress, he is not retiring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I look forward to writing many more chapters when my term ends. I do not know what those chapters will be, but I expect one of them will be me finding endless twisting back roads where I can experience the joy of total freedom riding my Harley Davidson motorcycle on a warm sunny day, Peters said. The National Republican Senatorial Committee is already gearing up for a tough campaign, with U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the groups chair, issuing a statement shortly after Peters announcement went public. Gary Peters is reading the room. After spending years ignoring illegal immigration and destroying his states auto industry, Michigan is better off without him. Were committed to giving them a fighter that will stand with President Trump to restore the economic prosperity and security of our country. In an email, David Bergstein, a spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said No Republican has won a Michigan Senate race in 30 years including last cycle when Democrats won an open Senate seat even as Trump won the state and Democrats will continue to hold this seat in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last Republican senator representing Michigan in the nations Capitol was Spencer Abraham, who served from 1995 through 2001 before he lost to Stabenow and joined President George W. Bushs administration as energy secretary. At least one Democrat is already eyeing a potential U.S. Senate run, with former Transportation Secretary Peter Buttigieg taking a serious look at a bid for Peters seat, according to a report from Axios. Senator Gary Peters has served with great integrity, focus, and expertise. It was a pleasure working with him as Secretary to deliver good policies for our country and key transportation projects in Michigan. Thankful for his leadership, and wishing him and Colleen all the best, Buttigieg said in a post to social media. Buttigieg, a former South Bend, Ind., mayor who ran for president in 2020, moved to Traverse City, the hometown of his husband, Chasten Buttigieg. Pete Buttigieg speaks at the Michigan Democratic Partys election night watch party in Detroit on Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) State Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) is also weighing a run according to a post from Politico reporter Adam Wren. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im taking a serious look at both the Senate seat as well as the Governors race and plan to have a number of conversations in the coming days about where I can do the most good for Michiganders, McMorrow told Wren. McMorrow made national headlines in 2022 for her rebuke of comments made in a fundraising email for Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton) accusing her of grooming and sexualizing children due to her support for LGBTQ+ individuals. McMorrow also joined the chorus in sharing her appreciation for Peters, saying he is Truly the best of us kind, caring, passionate, and is more than happy to geek out with you. Hes Americas Dad. Michigan is better because of his service to this state and this country, and Im personally grateful for his friendship, McMorrow said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While sharing her gratitude for Peters, U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) seemed to leave the door open for a Senate Bid, writing in a thread on social media, There are many conversations to come, but one thing is clear we must have a strong leader fight for and win this seat. We know that Trump won Michigan, but candidates like myself won in tough places as well. Weve done it before and we can do it again. Theres a long road to November 2026. Michigan is the only place Ive ever called home, and I am proud to be a part of the fight to ensure that our state has the leaders it deserves at every level of government, Scholten said. However, during an appearance on The View on Tuesday, Whitmer ruled out a run for Peters Senate seat. Three letters: NFW. I am not going anywhere. Ive got two more years on my term. Ive got a lot of things I want to get done as governor. What comes after that, I dont know yet, said Whitmer, who has been frequently floated as a potential presidential candidate for 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also released a statement praising Peters. Sen. Gary Peters has been a steadfast champion for Michigan. As a member of the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, he has fought tirelessly to create good-paying jobs, bring manufacturing back to our state, strengthen our auto industry, lower Michiganders health care costs and protect reproductive freedom. I am deeply grateful to Senator Peters for his service, both as a Michigander and friend, Whitmer said. On the GOP side, Rogers and James could both be formidable contenders, as both have lost U.S. Senate bids by slim margins. Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Ill., on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) There was no shortage of Democrats who thanked Peters for his lifetime of service, like U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the Rochester Hills City Council, to the U.S. House of Representatives, to the U.S. Navy, to the Senate, you have remained resolute in your efforts to make Michigan and our nation a better place for all, Stevens said. Your advocacy for our manufacturing and auto industry, your strategic leadership protecting the homeland and the Great Lakes, and your love of Michigan is an amazing legacy. My dear friend, colleague, and constituent, you will be missed here on Capitol Hill, but rest assured you have made an incredible difference for our economy and taxpayers, Stevens said. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) issued a statement wishing Peters well in his next endeavors. Sen. Gary Peters is a longtime friend and committed public servant. Weve worked together on the issues that matter to Michigan including PFAS, clean water, keeping our auto industry and local manufacturing strong and resilient, and upgrading our infrastructure. Our state is better thanks to his service, and I wish him the best in what he decides to do next, Dingell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slotkin also issued a statement calling Peters a true public servant who has devoted his life to making Michigan and our country better. In the Senate, Gary enjoys a reputation as a no-nonsense, bipartisan legislator. As a veteran himself he fought tirelessly for those we served one of those legacies on the Armed Services Committee and as chairman and ranking member on the Homeland Security Committee is protecting our northern border and cementing the critical role of the Northern Border Mission Center at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Slotkin said. On a personal note, Gary is a mentor and a dear friend who [has] gone out of his way to help me and to get my office up and running over the last few months. He and [his wife] Colleen, who is a force in her own right, will be greatly missed around the Senate. But as Gary himself said, theres a lot of work to do for Michigan over the next two years and I look forward to continuing our work together, Slotkin said. U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit) similarly praised Peters decades of public service, while thanking Peters for his mentorship. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., speaks at a rally with former President Barack Obama in Detroit, Mich., on Oct. 22, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Alongside cheers from his congressional colleagues, several Michigan state officials thanked Peters for his work in Washington, D.C. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist said Peters built an incredible legacy as a leader and champion for the state. On so many issues like economic opportunity, national security, and manufacturing, Senator Peters has worked hard to make Michigan a better place to live, work, and invest. He set an example through his commitment to his constituents and unmatched bipartisanship. I know every Michigander joins me in thanking Senator Peters for his service, Gilchrist said. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson also offered her gratitude, noting Peters never wavered in his dedication to Michigan throughout the most tumultuous times in Congress. I look forward to our continued relationship to make Michigan the best place to be a kid, raise a kid, and call home, said Benson, who is running for governor as a Democrat in 2026. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) The body of a missing Lockport woman was found over the weekend, New York State Police told WIVB News 4. A volunteer search party found the body of Danielle Hart, 44, in the area of The Woodlands mobile home park on Saturday. She had been reported missing on Jan. 17 after last being seen in the area of Transit and Robinson Road. 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. 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 News 4 Buffalo. MOJAVE, Calif. (WGHP) Boom Supersonic broke the sound barrier on Tuesday, an accomplishment that will send figurative shockwaves to the Piedmont Triad. XB-1s supersonic flight demonstrates that the technology for passenger supersonic flight has arrived, said Boom Supersonic founder and CEO Blake Scholl. A small band of talented and dedicated engineers has accomplished what previously took governments and billions of dollars. Next, we are scaling up the technology on XB-1 for the Overture supersonic airliner. Our ultimate goal is to bring the benefits of supersonic flight to everyone. Tristan Geppetto Brandenburg, chief test pilot for Boom Supersonic, said, It has been a privilege and a highlight of my career to be a part of the team that achieved this milestoneevery single member of this team was critical to our success. Our discipline and methodical approach to this flight test program created the safety culture that made a safe and successful first supersonic flight possible. With the lessons learned from XB-1, we can continue to build the future of supersonic travel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The XB-1 aircraft, described by Boom as the worlds first independently developed supersonic jet, completed 11 successful test flights at the Mojave Air & Space Port in California before going for Mach 1 on Tuesday. Its first successful flight, which happened on March 22, 2024, hit 264 knots true airspeed and reached 7,120 feet. During its last flight, on Jan. 10, XB-1 hit a speed of Mach 0.95, 572 knots TAS, with a peak altitude of 29,481 feet. During the 44-minute flight, Boom Chief Test Pilot Tristan Geppetto Brandenburg took XB-1 to an altitude of 29,481 feet, Boom Supersonic said in its ongoing XB-1 blog. Flight 11 again reached a transonic top speed of Mach 0.95, faster than the cruising speed of todays airliners. An aircraft flies transonic when it reaches the range of speeds just below supersonic, which is Mach 1. Just over two weeks after that near-supersonic flight, Boom took off for its 12th flight and finally broke the sound barrier at Mach 1. Previous Boom Supersonic Read more Boom Supersonic news on MyFOX8.com XB-1 takes its first flight. (Courtesy of Boom Supersonic) XB-1 takes its first flight. (Courtesy of Boom Supersonic) XB-1 takes its first flight. (Courtesy of Boom Supersonic) XB-1 takes its first flight. (Courtesy of Boom Supersonic) XB-1 takes its first flight. (Courtesy of Boom Supersonic) XB-1 takes its first flight. (Courtesy of Boom Supersonic) Each successful flight has put Boom another step closer to creating its carbon-neutral commercial jet in the Piedmont Triad, the planned Overture aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With XB-1, Boom aims to prove that independently-built supersonic flight is possible and to test specifics related to Overture, such as technology and safety protocols, according to Boom spokesperson Aubrey Scanlan. A rendering of Booms Overture (BOOM SUPERSONIC) The latest conception of the Overture from Boom. This undated image provided by Boom Supersonic shows Boom Supersonic Overture Aircraft. American Airlines says it has agreed to buy up to 20 supersonic jets that are still on the drawing board and years away from flying. American announced the deal Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022 with Boom Supersonic.(Boom Supersonic via AP) Overture jet (Courtesy of Boom Supersonic) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overture jet (Courtesy of Boom Supersonic) View of passenger bridge departure gate at airport tarmac. Overture jet (Courtesy of Boom Supersonic) Overture Overture will be roughly three times the size of XB-1, and its planned to carry 64-80 passengers on intercontinental flights at speeds of up to about Mach 1.7 (or 1,304.36 miles per hour). That is about twice as fast as a Boeing 747. All of that while using non-petroleum sustainable fuel. Already the company has 130 orders in for the future jet, as well as pre-orders from American Airlines, United Airlines and Japan Airlines. Boom is in the process of building a factory in Greensboro where it plans to build the passenger jet that will fly faster than the speed of sound. The factory is set to add $32 billion to the North Carolina state economy over the next 20 years along with more than 2,400 jobs. Plans call for the assembly line to be in operation later next year. The first jet could take flight in 2026. The company hopes flights should be ready for passengers by 2029. About Boom Boom is investing about $500 million to build Overture in Greensboro and, in January 2023, signed a lease and broke ground on a 62-acre site where its so-called Superfactory is well under construction. The company, which plans to employ more than 1,700, also has an option for a second parcel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boom plans to have its first passengers in the air by 2029 and will fly more than 600 profitable routes to destinations around the world, with a range of 4,250 nautical miles. Boom has taken on three partners to design and build the engine it calls Symphony, which will power the Overture, and now has partnerships with companies to provide the wings, the fuselage and the tail assembly. Another partner, Dimensional Energy, is to provide sustainable aviation fuel, which is described by the U.S. Department of Energy as being made from renewable biomass and waste resources, which could be corn, algae or wood 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 FOX8 WGHP. (Reuters) - About 35,000 feet (10,670 meters) over the Mojave Desert, northwest of Los Angeles, Boom Supersonic's XB-1 became the first privately funded airplane to break the sound barrier during a test flight on Tuesday. "She was real happy supersonic," Boom Chief Test Pilot Tristan "Geppetto" Brandenburg said after landing, in a video posted by Boom Supersonic. "That's the best she's ever flown, was supersonic." After getting to altitude, Brandenburg opened up the test plane's throttles, accelerating to Mach 1.1, or about 845 mph (1,360 kph) -- faster than the speed at which sound travels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1947, Chuck Yeager became the first human to break the sound barrier when he pushed the Bell X-1 past Mach 1 during a flight over the Mojave Desert. Boom Supersonic's XB-1 is a stepping stone in its plan to develop a commercially viable supersonic airliner, the Overture, capable of carrying 64-80 passengers across the Atlantic in about 3-1/2 hours. The company has 130 orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, United Airlines and Japan Airlines. Last year, it completed construction on its Overture Superfactory in Greensboro, North Carolina, where it plans to build 66 Overture aircraft per year. (Reporting by Dan Catchpole in Seattle; Editing by Sandra Maler) As President Donald Trump follows through on his campaign promise to "mass" deport people living in the U.S. without legal status, Selena Gomez shared her emotional reaction on social media. In a video that was reportedly posted to, and subsequently deleted from, her Instagram Story on Monday, the Golden Globe-nominated actress wiped away tears as she told her followers, "I'm so sorry" and mourned how "All my people are getting attacked." "The children I don't understand," the 32-year-old said, per screen recordings shared on social media, including by @PopBase. "I'm so sorry, I wish I could do something for the kids. I dont know what to do. Ill try everything, I promise." In text over the clip, she wrote "I'm sorry" and included the Mexican flag emoji. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a follow-up post, Gomez wrote, "Apparently it's not ok to show empathy for people." CNN reports that the post has also been deleted. USA TODAY has reached out to Gomez's representative for comment. Trump delivering on promise to reduce illegal immigration In his first week in office, Trump declared a national border emergency, deployed 1,500 troops to the border, including a combat force, and deputized thousands more federal law enforcement officers to arrest immigrants, among other moves. The emergency declaration came as illegal border crossings are at their lowest level in more than five years. In early January, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported roughly 1,000 migrant encounters daily, from California to Texas down 75% from a year ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite a pledge to reduce illegal immigration during his first term, Trump never achieved the level or annual pace of deportations that President Barack Obama did. The Department of Homeland Security recorded around 2 million deportations during Trump's first term and 2.1 million during Obama's second term. People are also reading: What President Trump's first week immigration orders mean in the short and long term Under the Biden administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement focused on arresting those who represented public safety and national security threats. Last week, Trump and Congress under the new Laken Riley Act shifted the priority for immigration enforcement to more people in the U.S. without legal status, including those without serious criminal offenses, mandating detention for people accused, charged with or convicted of low-level crimes. Trump also declared criminal cartels as "global terrorist groups," allowing the deployment of the military. Trump's 'border czar' Tom Homan responds to Selena Gomez After Selena Gomez's post Monday, Trump's elected "border czar" Tom Homan criticized the celebrities' emotional response during a Fox News interview. He asked why she wasn't crying for the people who have died from fentanyl brought into the U.S. from the Mexican border or for the children victimized by human trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I met with hundreds of Angel moms and dads who are separated from their children because they buried them because they were killed by illegal aliens," Homan said on "Hannity." "We got a half a million children who were sex trafficked into this country, separated from their families, put in the hands of criminal cartels to be smuggled into the country. This administration can't find over 300,000. Where's the tears for them?" Selena Gomez on undocumented immigrants: 'An issue I think about every day' Gomez, who is a third-generation Mexican American through her father, has been outspoken in the past about immigration being "an issue I think about every day." "In the 1970s, my aunt crossed the border from Mexico to the United States hidden in the back of a truck. My grandparents followed, and my father was born in Texas soon after. In 1992, I was born a U.S. citizen thanks to their bravery and sacrifice," she wrote in a 2019 Time essay. "Over the past four decades, members of my family have worked hard to gain United States citizenship." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Undocumented immigration is an issue I think about every day, and I never forget how blessed I am to have been born in this country thanks to my family and the grace of circumstance," she wrote. "But when I read the news headlines or see debates about immigration rage on social media, I feel afraid for those in similar situations. I feel afraid for my country." Discussing her involvement as an executive producer of the 2019 Netflix docuseries "Living Undocumented," Gomez wrote, "I'm concerned about the way people are being treated in my country. As a Mexican-American woman I feel a responsibility to use my platform to be a voice for people who are too afraid to speak. "And I hope that getting to know these eight families and their stories will inspire people to be more compassionate, and to learn more about immigration and form their own opinion." Where is Selena Gomez from? Gomez, born in Grand Prairie, Texas, has incorporated Spanish into her music and, most recently, in her starring role in the Oscar-nominated "Emilia Perez." However, some critics including Eugenio Derbez, who later walked back his "careless" comments knocked her lack of fluency in the language, as well as the critically acclaimed film's representation of drug trafficking in Mexico. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Selena Gomez's immigration response criticized by Trump border czar House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer announced on Monday an investigation into the policies of sanctuary cities, inviting the mayors of Boston, New York City, Chicago, and Denver all to testify on Capitol Hill. Four cities, however, stand out in their abject failure to comply with federal law: Chicago, New York City, Denver, and Boston. Citizens of all four cities have suffered due to sanctuary policies, Comer stated. Comer requested documents and communications related to the sanctuary policies in the cities, mainly regarding their impact on public safety and federal immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a letter sent to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Comer said that sanctuary cities like Boston are using misguided and obstructionist policies to shield migrants from law enforcement. [The policies] hinder the ability of federal law enforcement officers to effectuate safe arrests and remove dangerous criminals from American communities, making Americans less safe, he said. Boston is a sanctuary jurisdiction that refuses to fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Wu, along with mayors Eric Adams, Brandon Johnson, and Mike Johnston, have been asked to appear at the Capitol Hill hearing on February 11. In a statement, a Boston city spokesperson said, We are proud that Boston is the safest major city in the United States. We have received the letter and are reviewing it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wu told WGBH, We dont have the authority to stop or overrule what theyre doing in their domain. But neither do they in our domain either. Boston is a sanctuary jurisdiction under the Boston Trust Act, which was reaffirmed in December 2024. Comers full letter to Mayor Wu is listed below: Head of House Oversight Committee calls on Boston mayor to testify on sanctuary cities by Boston 25 Desk on Scribd Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Boston Police are seeking the publics help in finding 15-year-old Jasmine Lopez-Rosas, who has been missing for nearly three weeks. Jasmine was last seen on Jan. 9 when she left the Mary Lyons School in Brighton, police said Tuesday. She is known to frequent Chestnut Hill Avenue, the Fidelis Way Housing Development, Grove Hall, and Mission Hill. Police described Jasmine as a white-Hispanic female, standing 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighing 145 pounds, with blue and black hair. She was last seen wearing a black coat, pants, and shoes. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is urged to call 911 or Boston Police detectives at 617-343-4556. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community members can also provide information anonymously through the CrimeStoppers tip line, calling 1-800-494-TIPS, or texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463). Police said photos and videos can also be shared anonymously in this manner. 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 If the movie star of your dreams said he loved you and needed money, would you give it to him? Unfortunately, many would. Nearly 70,000 people reported a romance scam to the Federal Trade Commission in 2022, totaling a staggering $1.3 billion lost, with an average loss of $4,400. In the most recent high-profile example, a French interior decorator identified as Anne got scammed out of 830,000 euros (about $865,000) by someone impersonating Brad Pitt and his mother on social networks. Her story was first shared on the French TV program Seven to Eight on TF1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scam began in 2023, when Anne started using Instagram and was contacted by a person claiming to be Brad Pitts mother. She told me that her son needed someone like me, Anne explained. The next day, someone claiming to be Brad Pitt started talking to her on social media, and Anne began a 1-year online relationship with the Pitt impersonator. The faux Pitt sent Anne poems and songs to keep her in thrall. I was in love with the man I was chatting to, Anne reportedly said. He knew how to speak to a woman. Once Anne trusted the Pitt impersonator, the scammer used images generated by artificial intelligence to show Pitt in a hospital to sell the lie that the actor had kidney cancer and needed money for treatment because his divorce from actor Angelina Jolie had frozen his bank accounts. This lie unfortunately worked, and Anne sent the scammer the money she received in her divorce proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the TV report, people ridiculed Annes story online, and it led to TF1 pulling down its original interview. TF1 presenter Harry Roselmack tweeted on his X account: For the protection of victims, we have decided to withdraw it from our platforms. It underscores the mistaken belief that many people hold: that this could never happen to them. You may think you would never be scammed, but it isnt out of the realm of possibility at least statistically that you or someone you know is secretly trapped in a romance scam. Here are signs to watch out for, as well as ways to suss out AI-generated images: Subtle Signs Your Loved One Is In A Romance Scam, And What You Can Do To Help Them Sutthichai Supapornpasupad / Getty Images Cathy Wilson is a licensed professional counselor who works with people who have been financially exploited by romance scammers. She said it is common for romance scammers to impersonate a celebrity because theres already an element of familiarity, likability and trust with that person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes families might not realize their loved one is being conned until it is too late, but oftentimes a sudden mood change in the victim is a subtle clue of this problem. The person is all of a sudden really happy because theyve found this love, Wilson explained. A change like that could be an indicator. Wilson noted that one other potential clue is a family member becoming secretive about the person they are dating. Above all, family members need to stop victim-blaming if they want to help loved ones. If you outright tell your family member that they are being duped, they may get defensive and shut down. And your reaction also will play into the lies the scammer is telling your loved one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of their tactics is that theyll frequently prepare the person for people in their life to call them a scammer, Wilson said. So when you tell your loved one they are in love with a con artist, it strengthens what the scammer said, which unfortunately builds some trust and likability with the scammer, she said. Instead of responding with your own assumptions or with anger, stay present and listen to what your loved one is sharing. Ask questions about how the romance is working, like why they are not able to see each other and how your family member knows the images are not faked. Have you thought about...? and expressing explicit worry is the careful tone you want to take, Wilson suggested, if you want the conversation to be more productive. To Spot AI-Generated Scams, Pay Attention To Details Kym Illman via Getty Images In the recent Pitt impersonation scam, the AI-generated selfies of Pitt in the hospital helped to convince Anne that the person she was dating was legitimate. Artificial intelligence makes it much easier for scammers to copy peoples voices and images, but there are still red flags, experts said. Notice when lighting and proportions in selfies seem off. In the AI-generated Pitt images, the lighting and body proportions are two of the biggest tipoffs of the con, said Leyla Bilge, director of scam research labs at cybersecurity company Gen. Often his face or head looks quite different from the body and rest of the room, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the AI-generated photos of Pitt in a hospital bed, he is also smiling and looks healthy. Even Brad Pitt would likely look more sick and less photogenic if he was critically ill in a hospital bed, Bilge noted. Use what you see as clues that can help you put your online romance in perspective. While someone might dismiss these issues as weird lighting or a bad photo, looking at the bigger picture odd photos, avoiding phone calls, asking for money and professing love strongly suggests a romance scam, Bilge said. Pay attention to glitches in videos. Aleksandra Konoplia / Getty Images As part of the romance scam, the BBC reported that Anne received a doctored news report that had an AI-generated anchor saying that Pitt was in an exclusive relationship with one special individual... who goes by the name of Anne. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eman El-Sheikh, associate vice president of the Center for Cybersecurity at the University of West Florida, said with AI videos, people should watch out for glitches in the video and inconsistent frame jumps, which can suggest if a video was chopped up, she said. Consider the setting, too. Listen for background noise that can help you confirm if the person is where they say they are. If theyre sitting outside or in a hospital... you would expect to hear something in the background, as opposed to its just their voice, El-Sheikh said as an example. Verify images and information you receive. In the example of Pitt, it helps to know that he does not have any verified social media platforms. If you get messages suggesting otherwise, put on your detective hat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Compare the information the scammer is telling you to recent pictures, videos and information being published, El-Sheikh said: If they were at an awards ceremony in Europe just recently, or they were on vacation somewhere, then its likely theyre not in the hospital for cancer treatment. Anne reportedly realized she had been scammed when media outlets reported that Pitt was officially dating a jewelry brand executive, Ines de Ramon. You can also reverse image search to see if someones photos are on other sites by right-clicking the photo you have been sent, Bilge said. Click Copy, then visit images.google.com and paste the image in the search bar. This can help you determine if the photo was enhanced by AI or if they stole their photos from someone else, Bilge said. If You Do Get Scammed, Know That Its Not Your Fault Frank Brennan / Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like a fool, I paid.... Every time I doubted him, he managed to dissipate my doubts, Anne said in the TF1 interview about why she kept giving money to the Pitt impersonator. TF1 reported that as a result of the scam, Anne had severe depression and had been hospitalized for treatment. In general, Wilson said that combating shame is the most important part for victims healing after a scam. And one of the ways to do this is to educate yourself on how it happened so that you can move away from self-blame and realize that successful financial scams have nothing to do with a persons intelligence. What I see in victims is as they pick apart moment by moment how this happened to them, they start to see, Oh, I didnt have a chance, Wilson said. They realize whether it was fear or urgency or both, the scammers set things up [so that the victim would] gradually trust them more and more and then love them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Know that illness is the top excuse that romance scammers use to lure their victims into giving up their money. The FTC reported that the most-used line is something like, I, or someone close to me, is sick, hurt or in jail. Online dating can also be an intoxicating rush when you finally find a match. Heightened emotions make it easier to miss the red flags and for scammers to take advantage, Bilge added. Be wary of a date who asks you to make urgent financial decisions on their behalf. Ultimately, knowledge is the power that can help scam survivors and their families move forward with their lives. As opposed to shaming people, our best defense against being scammed is to learn how those tactics work, so we can all really appreciate how intricate these romance scams are, Wilson said. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Following on the heels of President Donald Trump's marching orders to crack down on illegal immigration, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed an executive order on Wednesday directing state law enforcement agencies to "fully cooperate" with the feds. Indiana law already states that law enforcement officials must cooperate with federal officials on immigration laws. Braun's executive order goes into more specifics on information sharing with the federal government, and directs the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to coordinate any requests from Immigration and Customs and Enforcement, such as the use of the Indiana National Guard. More: President Trump's immigration orders are already impacting Indiana. Here's how. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In essence, it's an outlining of all the ways Braun expects Indiana agencies and governments to simply follow federal orders, not necessarily go beyond them. "We're going to do what the federal government asks us to do that's reasonable to help find the most egregious examples of illegal immigrants that have committed egregious crimes," Braun told reporters Tuesday. "I'm going to direct any of our authorities to not resist, and hopefully they'll be compliant on their own, and I think a large part of the jurisdictions across our state will be without any push from this office." On his first two days in office, Trump signed a flurry of executive orders dealing with unlawful immigration. Braun's order cites two of them that direct the federal government to establish partnerships with state and local agencies to detain people. Asked how the executive order differs meaningfully from existing state law, Braun said it's targeted at sanctuary cities, which are already banned under state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For the few places that may not be abiding by the spirit of that, we're going to make sure they do," he said. In the event local agencies refuse, Braun said, "there's an attorney general that would probably look into that." Here's what the executive order says: State law enforcement agencies must "fully cooperate" with ICE and enter into agreements with the feds to "perform the functions of immigration officers." For local law enforcement agencies, Braun's order says he "requests and encourages" this. State law enforcement must report to the Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center evidence of illegal immigration if the immigrants have a prior criminal history, are suspected of a felony or terror-related activity, or present a threat to national security or public safety. The Fusion Center would then share this information with ICE. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security will coordinate federal requests for state assistance. The Indiana National Guard must cooperate with any requests for personel or resources. The Indiana Department of Administration has to draft new contracting requirements by April 1 stipulating that any third party that contracts with Indiana must use E-Verify, a tool that allows businesses to verify employment eligibility. Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @kayla_dwyer17. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Gov. Braun signs order to comply with feds on illegal immigration Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics teams latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. In todays edition, Sahil Kapur and Garrett Haake explore the small margin for error facing a handful of Trumps more controversial nominees this week. Plus, Matt Dixon reports from Tallahassee on a Florida GOP civil war thats brewing over Trumps immigration crackdown. Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adam Wollner A make-or-break week for Trumps nominees By Sahil Kapur and Garrett Haake After Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth squeaked through the Senate by the thinnest possible margin, it will be another critical week for President Donald Trumps nominees as he looks to quickly fill out his administration. And the White House is seeking to send a clear message to GOP senators that any of them who oppose even a single nominee will face political consequences. Three of Trumps most embattled picks have Senate confirmation hearings scheduled this week: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health and human services secretary, Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence, and Kash Patel for FBI director. All of them face a rocky path, and the hearings could be decisive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabbard is widely seen as the most endangered, due to concerns over her past dealings with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, with whom she had a secret meeting in 2017, and questions about her past opposition to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows warrantless surveillance of non-U.S. individuals. Shes where the balance of firepower is shifting, and shes the one who has to do the most work for herself, a senior White House official said. She needs to emphasize that she knows how critical intelligence is, and this is a life or death matter. Patel has come under fire from skeptics as unqualified and driven to use prosecutorial power to address personal grievances and target Trumps critics. But the White House official sounded more optimistic about his chances. Hegseth and Kash both worked really hard. Theyre tough and smart and they worked around the clock. Thats what you have to do to be successful. Kennedy, for his part, faces opposition due to his past support for abortion rights from a group founded by former Vice President Mike Pence, which is spending money on ads to derail his nomination. The Wall Street Journals conservative editorial board also called on GOP senators to reject Kennedy, warning that he could use his powers to undermine vaccines and assist his trial-lawyer pals who have sued vaccine and drug makers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three Republicans who opposed Hegseth were Maines Susan Collins, a blue-state GOP senator facing re-election in 2026; Alaskas Lisa Murkowski, a moderate who has overcome challenges from the right for many years; and Kentuckys Mitch McConnell, who recently stepped down as the longest-serving leader in Senate history and is widely expected to retire after his term ends in January 2027. Trump has less leverage over those three senators than the other 50 Republicans, and they are expected to be potential wild cards for the presidents other nominees moving forward. If the three of them banded together at some point again, it would take just one other GOP defection to sink a nominee, assuming Democrats were united in opposition. There are no obvious candidates, as of now, for a fourth defection. Rush to align with Trump's immigration moves sparks a GOP feud in Florida The Trump administrations immigration enforcement operations are ramping up across several major cities: Gabe Gutierrez and Nicole Acevedo report that immigration authorities made close to 1,200 arrests Sunday, and nearly half of those detained dont have criminal records. Around the country, Republican leaders are rushing to align themselves with Trump on the issue one they see as a political winner after it was central to the partys message in the last election. That includes Gov. Ron DeSantis, a one-time Trump rival, who called a special session of the Florida legislature to prepare the state to help implement the flurry of immigration-related executive orders signed by the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as Matt Dixon reports from Tallahassee, a desire to get in sync with the Trump administration on immigration has exposed some intra-party tensions in the Sunshine State. Republican leaders in the state House and Senate abruptly ended the special session Monday morning and quickly called their own. The move effectively killed the legislation already filed by DeSantis allies, and allowed Republican leadership to draw up their own immigration proposals, including language that puts the governor in a tricky political position. The plan from legislative leaders would take sweeping immigration oversight authority away from DeSantis and move it to Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, a statewide elected official who is eyeing a run for governor in 2026 and has had an icy relationship with DeSantis. The move backs DeSantis into a corner. If the Republican leaders bill passes, as expected, DeSantis will either have to sign a bill that effectively knee-caps his ability to coordinate immigration enforcement in the state, or veto a proposal that includes hard-line immigration reforms, many of which he supports. The episode also underscores that DeSantis does not hold the political sway in the state that he did in the lead-up to his 2024 presidential campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more from Matt In the courts: A group of Quaker congregations is suing the Department of Homeland Security for changing a policy that prevented ICE agents from carrying out operations in so-called sensitive locations such as houses of worship, playgrounds, schools and hospitals, without approval from supervisors. ICYMI: During an appearance on Meet the Press, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., urged his GOP colleagues in Congress to prioritize sending more money to the Trump administration for its mass deportation plan. Today's top stories Thats all From the Politics Desk for now. Todays newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner and Ben Kamisar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have feedback likes or dislikes email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com And if youre a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com We are now eight days into Donald Trumps second term and I, for one, am exhausted. Every day, a new crisis, delighting Republicans and sending Democrats to DEFCON 1. The outrage du jour: Trump on late Monday directed federal agencies to temporarily stop doling out federal loans and grants. This, so the administration can ensure the spending is in line with Trumps executive orders. Trump official says pause could be short The pause gives agencies roughly two weeks to report on whether the programs align with Trumps priorities, though The Hill quoted a senior Trump administration official as saying the pause could be as brief as a day if the money isnt being spent in conflict with Trumps orders. Advertisement Advertisement The two-page memo from Matthew J. Vaeth, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, made an exception for Medicare, Social Security and assistance received directly by individuals which apparently includes not only food stamps but federal student loans and Pell grants. It also seemed to acknowledge the fact that there are limits to Trumps power, noting the agencies should carry out the freeze to the extent permissible under applicable law. Cue the chaos, as Democrats, nonprofits and others immediately warn that we are at the End of Days. Yet Democrats are calling it the End of Days Children will go hungry, elderly Americans wont be able to pay rent, and police departments will have their budgets cut because of the Trump teams chaotic funding freeze, U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego warned. Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari called Trumps funding pause dangerous. A funding freeze on this scale could threaten our police and fire departments, Meals on Wheels, child care programs like Head Start, rent assistance, veterans programs, WIC benefits, student loans, the National Institute of Health, disaster relief, public school programs, infrastructure projects and more. The operative word here being could. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said the order is a reckless, unconstitutional action (that) will undoubtedly harm millions of families. Blocking federal grants means a significant de-funding of our police and fire departments, which receive significant federal support, she warned. Advertisement Advertisement It jeopardizes our water security as we rely on federal funds to conserve water in Phoenixs system, and it threatens infrastructure at one of Arizonas most important economic engines Sky Harbor International Airport. Governor says she's angry, AG threatens to sue Gov. Katie Hobbs is angry, though she doesnt quite seem to know if there is anything to be angry about. We are still evaluating the full impacts of this reckless action, but one thing is clear: this is creating chaos for veterans, law enforcement, domestic violence shelters and the children of working families. I will not stand by while everyday people in my state are harmed, she huffed. Attorney General Kris Mayes is already threatening to sue, noting we will not allow Donald Trump to defund public safety in our state. Advertisement Advertisement Last night 500 pounds of meth were seized in Arizona, thanks to federally funded programs that could see their funding paused under Trumps unlawful order, she warned. This illegal action would seriously hamper the work of law enforcement agencies working to keep our communities safe. That word could again. Do they think Trump would starve children? Does anybody really think Trump is interested in defunding the police so that methamphetamine may flow forth? Or that hes planning to starve children or throw old people out onto the street? Granted, the memo is vague, and some programs will vanish. Elections have consequences, after all. Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: Arizona GOP official dares to disagree with Trump But its also pretty clear that Trump is after the stuff Trump is always after: DEI programs, gender ideology and illegal immigrants. Did I mention that elections have consequences? Before you hit the daily panic button, breathe Trumps critics are right to push back when its called for, as there appears to be no check on his power thus far in Washington, D.C. But really, is it asking too much that the loyal opposition at least take a breath before hitting the panic button every day? That we find out what Trumps order actually means before we start talking about defunded police and starving school children? Advertisement Advertisement Breathe, America. 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. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Federal grants paused and Arizona Democrats lose their minds | Opinion GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) The Piedmont is home to dozens of coffee shots, but a brand-new cafe in Greensboro is getting a lot of attention. And surprisingly, customers can only get coffee there three days a week. A couple with decades of coffee experience opened Vignette Coffee Roasters on 5715 West Market Street late last fall. The husband and wife team have worked across the country in just about every aspect of the coffee industry from buying the beans to being baristas. Micheal Harwood and Mandy Spirito have also won national coffee competitions. The two wanted to settle down and share their love of coffee with the Triad community. They teach all kinds of coffee classes for both novice and professional brewers. They also help local restaurants create their own custom coffee blends and roast the beans on-site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three days a week they open their cafe to serve the community and customers cant get enough. FOX8 Foodie Shannon Smith stopped by to see why people line up for a taste of this delicious blend Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The bribery trial of Nadine Menendez, wife of former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, was delayed again Monday as she continues to undergo treatment for breast cancer. Nadine Menendez, 57, will head to trial on March 18 in Manhattan Federal Court, the Bergen Record reported. Her trial has already been delayed several times by health issues. Menendez was originally charged alongside her husband and three New Jersey businessmen in a high-profile bribery case. The other four people, including Bob, were convicted in 2024 on various charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Menendezs trial was separated as she underwent breast cancer treatments. The latest delay resulted from a request by her attorneys, which prosecutors did not object to, according to the Record. No further adjournments of the trial date will be granted absent a clear showing of medical necessity, Manhattan Federal Judge Sidney Stein wrote. Bob Menendez, 71, is scheduled for sentencing Wednesday after he was convicted in July 2024 on all 16 counts he faced, including bribery and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt. Federal investigators said Menendez put his power up for sale between 2018 and 2023, while he was an influential Democratic senator representing New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In return for Menendezs influence in the Senate in support of Egypt and Qatar, the businessmen paid him and his wife nearly $500,000 in cash and more than $100,000 in gold bars while also providing several luxury gifts, including a Mercedes-Benz, according to the feds. Both Menendezes pleaded not guilty. Bob Menendez has appealed his conviction and lodged multiple requests for a new trial, all of which have been rejected in court. He resigned from his Senate seat after he was convicted and faces up to 15 years in prison at Wednesdays sentencing hearing. Happy Royal Rumble week to all who celebrate (it's me; I'm celebrating). I'd love to spend a full week writing about pro wrestling and why CM Punk will win the Rumble, but there doesn't seem to be much audience demand for that. What people do seem to love is snowplowing content. I've received a ton of responses to my columns on Indianapolis' botched snowplowing, so I'll start there with the first mailbag of 2025. If you want to send questions for future mailbags, you can use the form at the bottom of the online article page or email me at the address below. Let's mailbag! Chris: I enjoyed your column on the absence of snow removal on residential streets. We live on the far west side of Indianapolis, and our neighborhood has been a sheet of ice for over a week. My question is, what happens to all this income that gets generated from all these sporting events/conventions that Indy hosts? We see on TV the millions of dollars made, but they can't take care of our streets? To be fair to Indianapolis, budgets are more complicated than that. Indianapolis is coping with a legacy of neglected, under-funded infrastructure and you can't just take some money out of a big downtown event (like, say, the WWE Royal Rumble, coming Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium!!!) and use it to plow the whole city when it snows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I agree with your overarching sentiment, and that's why I wrote about snowplowing. Indianapolis can't just be a city for convention visitors and people with tickets to sporting events. It needs to accommodate people who've chosen to spend their lives here and who, in many cases, could choose to move elsewhere. Briggs: WWE's Royal Rumble is scripted chaos at its best I'm sympathetic to the city's struggles with issues like potholes, because there's no obvious solution to fix 8,400 lane miles that have mostly been neglected for decades. Snowplowing is a bit different. As city officials have noted, big snowstorms are rare here, which should make them at least somewhat easier to budget for. I'm no expert on municipal finance, but it seems like Indianapolis should be able to budget for once-or-twice-a-decade snowstorms and use that money to pay private contractors to plow the streets when they happen. Whatever the case, Indianapolis needs a better plan. The street conditions this month are not acceptable in a first-world city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Briggs: The City-County Council is finally showing Hogsett a spine over snowplowing Jerry Gearlds: With this new (Trump) administration stating their disdain for any media, news outlet or person saying anything negative about them, how do you personally feel about this? Do you fear that saying the wrong thing will put your career on the line? I lose sleep over a lot of things, but this isn't one of them. The U.S. has clear, strong protections for free speech (which is supposed to be a big conservative issue, no?) and I know how to do my job responsibly within the bounds of First Amendment protections. That doesn't prevent frivolous lawsuits, of course. President Trump has demonstrated he's willing to weaponize the courts to chill free speech, most recently by filing a lawsuit against IndyStar's sister publication, The Des Moines Register, over a poll that happened to show him trailing in Iowa last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can't speak to that case, but I can say it's good to work for a big company with lots of resources. IndyStar's parent company, Gannett, has successfully defended my work against bad-faith litigation from far-right actors in the past. I'm glad to live in a country where I can do this job without fear, and I appreciate Gannett's commitment to supporting its journalism. Doug Logan: IndyStar's Hayleigh Columbo wrote about how the state comptroller sent $20 million to the wrong city (Gary). That is the latest triumph of Indiana Republican run-government-like-a-business smartitude. Gary doesnt need that hassle, being already the only city I have ever seen that shut its traffic lights off and replaced them with stop signs. How can Republicans send $20 million, over several years, to the wrong city? Mistakes happen, I guess, but you can be sure that if Indianapolis or (perhaps more timely) the Indianapolis Public Schools district made an error of this magnitude, Republicans would be filing legislation to take power away from the incompetent libs who did it. Instead, a Republican made the mistake at the state level, so lawmakers are ignoring the incompetence and telling Democratic-controlled Gary it needs to return the $20 million it already budgeted. Sorry, Gary, time to pull yourself up by those bootstraps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you for reading! If you want to send questions for future mailbags, fill out the Google form on the online article page or email james.briggs@indystar.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Why Indy's pothole problem is harder to fix than snowplowing | Opinion By Stephanie van den Berg THE HAGUE (Reuters) -Lawyers for the European Union on Tuesday told an arbitration tribunal that Britain's ban of fishing for sandeels in its North Sea waters breached an agreement on fishing rights both sides struck after Brexit. The hearing marks the first time the two parties went to court since Britain left the EU in 2020 in a case that could complicate the Labour government's planned "reset" of relations with the bloc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are here today because the UK's prohibition of all sandeel fishing in its waters of the North Sea nullifies rights conferred on the European Union," Anthony Dawes, counsel for the EU, told a three-person panel at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague. The court will hear three days of arguments on whether the British ban waters breaches the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The three legal experts from France, New Zealand, and South Africa have until late April to deliver a final ruling. In financial terms, the case is trifling. Britain puts the revenue loss for non-UK vessels at 45 million pounds ($56.3 million) in a worst-case scenario. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Politically, it could prove awkward. The tribunal can uphold the ban or rule it breaches the TCA, allowing the EU to retaliate if it is not lifted. That would upset environmentalists and Brexiteers, who could pressure Britain's Labour government not to yield, a stance that would hamper hopes for better ties with the bloc. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is due to join EU leaders for a retreat next Monday to discuss closer defence ties to counter Russia and to respond to U.S. President Donald Trump's demand that NATO members increase military spending. Britain is also expected to address other areas in the coming months, such as a veterinary agreement with the EU that would ease agricultural and food trade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It says the fishing ban reflects scientific findings on the resilience of the species and the role it plays in the food chain of predators - larger fish, marine mammals, and seabirds such as puffins. British boats do not fish for the small, eel-like fish, but it is caught by Danish fleets and used as animal feed and a source of oil. The EU contends the ban is discriminatory, disproportionate, and not based on the best available scientific evidence. It says the prohibition constitutes an unjustified restriction on the access of EU vessels to UK waters granted by the TCA.($1 = 0.7998 pounds) (Additional reporting and writing by Philip Blenkinsop in BrusselsEditing by Tomasz Janowski) BROWNWOOD, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A Brownwood father accused of killing his daughters husband during a family disturbance has been indicted. Joe Garner Caine was indicted on one count of Murder earlier this month in connection to the death of Tony Dewayne Roberts, 42. The Brownwood Police Department says officers were called to a home on the 2400 block of Avenue B one morning in October 2024 after a resident reported her her husband, Roberts, had just been stabbed by her father, Caine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This caller said she was involved in an argument with her sisters, which Roberts tried to break up, prompting Caine to confront him out side and stab him, according to police. Roberts was rushed to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. Caine now remains held in the Brown County Jail on a $250,000 bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jan. 27Many who lost their homes during Fred in 2021 were hit all over again by Helene in 2024. But Alex Robb of Cruso, who rebuilt his home 8 feet higher after Fred, escaped the Pigeon River's wrath the second time around. His story offers assurance that those willing to elevate homes when rebuilding can stay on the same site and escape future flooding. When Helene raged through Haywood in late September, the Robbs watched from the porch as flood waters rose. They couldn't help but remember the terrors of Fred in 2021. Back then, their house had nothing but a crawl space beneath it. This time, their elevated house escaped unscathed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kevin Ensley, a surveyor and county commissioner, said building to flood elevations can seem ridiculously high at first blush. "I remember driving a nail in a pole as high as I could reach to mark the flood elevation for a site in Clyde, thinking 'It will never get this high.' But it did," Ensley said. Ensley did the survey work for a homeowner in the Mundy Fields area of Bethel that flooded in 2021, and was rebuilt to the flood elevation standards. "It just got some mud in the basement. It didn't get into the floor level of the house," Ensley said. "They were able to move right back in." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That story played out all over the county, where newer homes built under today's flood elevation standards escaped flooding. One such house Ensley did the survey work for in Bethel was built so high it was the butt of jokes from neighbors. But, "It was within one concrete block of getting flooded," Ensley said. New flood elevation maps were issued by the USGS in 2012. Now, new flood maps are in the works. "I anticipate they could be even higher," Ensley said. Finding the money For Robb, rebuilding his house above federal flood elevations seemed like a non-starter at first, however, due to the incredibly low sum FEMA offered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Robb applied to FEMA after Topical Storm Fred to get help for rebuilding his home, the maximum award was $38,000. (Now, it is $42,000). But Robb said he was ultimately awarded just $13,000 not nearly enough to cover rebuilding his house. "Our backs were against the wall, so we put the money in the bank until we could figure out what to do," said Robb, whose family didn't have flood insurance. In the end, it cost him no money out of his own pocket, however, thanks to state flood recovery assistance and the free labor from the nonprofit recovery Baptists on Mission, which are working across Haywood County to rebuild and repair homes this time also. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Because I owned my property and house, I qualified for help, so my house got demolished, and Baptists on Mission rebuilt it," Robb said. Robb had high praise for Rob Hood, who oversaw the rebuild process that included raising the home 1 foot above the known flood level of the property 8 feet higher than it had been. The rebuild cost him nothing. The family lived at the unoccupied parsonage of the Bethel United Methodist Church where his wife's family had long been members, paying only the utility bills for nearly a year, until their home was ready. "I'm a plumber, so I did a little fixing up, too," Robb said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the house was finished, the family got to select the appliances they wanted, and went for the lower priced ones because they were so thankful those costs were covered, too, Robb said. That made the home move-in ready, and all the costs were covered by the state funding. In addition, United Way of Haywood County used flood donations to buy the Robb family appliances and furniture. Paying it forward By the time FEMA money came through, he didn't need it anymore. "We ended up donating the money we got from FEMA back to the Baptists on Mission," Robb said. "My wife and I talked it over and thought it would be appropriate to pass it on to someone else." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to having a home that seems to be immune from flooding, there is another perk following the flooding from 2021. As a swimmer, Robb was known to take a dip in the waist-deep hole behind the house, one that became much deeper up to his neck after Tropical Storm Fred. For a time, huge bridge beams were in the water, making it unsafe for swimming. But the beams were removed this year, so he and three of the family's eight dogs have enjoyed regular swims in the river just 150 yards from his house. "I guess you could say it was a blessing in disguise," he said. Editor Becky Johnson contributed to this story. On Monday, Burien City Council approved an emergency ordinance expanding when police can arrest someone. The new ordinance, which was approved in a 5 to 2 vote, makes it illegal for individuals to reside, sleep, or have personal items such as blankets or pillows on public property at any time. This decision falls in line with the Supreme Courts ruling in Grants Pass v. Johnson, which permits cities to prohibit sleeping in public spaces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mondays vote expands the previous restrictions that were put in place in 2023 and revised in 2024. Under this revision, there is no requirement that beds or shelters be available before it can be enforced. However, law enforcement can still offer alternatives and, if accepted, the person would avoid being arrested. The city says this latest ordinance was passed as an emergency because there has been no enforcement of Buriens ordinance for almost a year despite court rulings. The city contracts with the sheriffs office for law enforcement services, and there became a legal back-and-forth when they refused to enforce the ordinance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King County filed a complaint against Burien over the camping ban that was dismissed by a U.S. District Court judge. Burien then filed a counter-lawsuit. KIRO 7 reached out to the sheriffs office to find out whether they will enforce the new ordinance, and here is their response: It is the initial opinion of the King County Sheriffs Office that this ordinance, as written, is enforceable, as it no longer contains vague language found from the prior ordinances nor does it allow the city manager to rewrite the boundaries of the no-camping zones at any time without notice. That said, I am asking the men and women of the King County Sheriffs Office to continue to lead, as they do each day, with outreach and compassion while continuing to engage with regional service providers whenever appropriate. We are aware of challenges to Buriens anti-camping ordinance pending in state court and based on the Washington constitution. We will monitor the state court decisions and adjust our practices accordingly. GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) Grand Haven businesses who lost everything in a fire Friday night are working to get back on their feet. The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety says the fire started around 9 p.m. Friday on the corner of Fulton Street and South 3rd Street. Firefighters found only smoke coming out of the roof when they arrived, but the flames eventually picked up and spread through the entire two-story commercial building. It was destroyed. It was an intense fire, but our main concern was the exposures and then firefighter safety on scene with the weather conditions we were dealing with, Public Safety Director Nichole Hudson told News 8 Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grand Haven multi-business building total loss after fire Hudson said the size and intensity of the fire required a lot of water and the older hydrant system in that neighborhood, which has small pipes, was overwhelmed. Tanker trucks of water were brought in from other departments and they were pulling water out of the Grand River. Its just limited capability and when you have a building of that size and magnitude, Hudson said. With that wind and a lot of the debris that was on fire, our concern was that it was going to actually catch some of the other houses on that block. The owner of the building says the fire displaced about 19 business tenants. They are now working to get into other locations. Michigan Salted LLC founder and President Nina Reed is still working to assess what was lost from its office in the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unbelievable to think well never be in that building again. Everything we had, every tenant in that building lost everything, so its sad, Reed said. House destroyed in fire in St. Joseph Reed said almost all of the businesses in the building were owned by women. Her business lost some of its products, salt-pepper blend called M SALT, along with computers and files. Most of our product, fortunately, is at our warehouse with our copacker, so while we lost a lot of product were not wiped out, Reed said. The building that was destroyed in the fire. (Jan. 27, 2025) Michigan Salted is moving into a temporary workspace a short distance away being provided rent-free by Design Force Marketing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The community has just been unbelievable, from other places offering space to the massage therapists are being offered tables. Its really just such a heartwarming feeling that this community is supporting all of us, Reed 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 WOODTV.com. (Bloomberg) -- Pete Buttigieg and State Senator Mallory McMorrow are weighing whether to mount a campaign for Michigans Senate seat after Senator Gary Peters announced he wouldnt run for another term. Most Read from Bloomberg Buttigieg served as Transportation Secretary in President Joe Bidens administration and was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, narrowly winning the Iowa caucuses, making him one of the partys best-known younger leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buttigieg is exploring all of his options on how he can continue to serve and is taking a serious look at a bid, a person familiar with his thinking said. The departure of Peters from the Senate will have a ripple effect on the states race for governor in 2026, when Gretchen Whitmers second and final term expires. Both Buttigieg and McMorrow were seen as likely candidates to replace her. Im taking a very close look at both the Senate seat as well as the Governors race. I plan to have a number of conversations in the coming days about where I can do the most good for Michiganders, McMorrow said in a statement. The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, now lives in Traverse City, Michigan, his husband Chasten Buttigiegs home state. That move ignited speculation he may seek elected office in Michigan, a crucial swing state seen as friendlier to Democrats than Indiana. President Donald Trump won Michigan last year even as Democrat Elissa Slotkin won her race to hold the states other Senate seat for the party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That Governors race already has two candidates. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a Democrat, announced he would run for the seat as an independent and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson also announced she would run for the Democratic nomination. (Adds details in second paragraph. A previous version corrects the spelling of McMorrow in headline) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. LOS ANGELES (NewsNation) California state officials deny the contention by President Trump that the U.S. military was called in to help deal with water distribution in California. The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. The days of putting a Fake Environmental argument, over the PEOPLE, are OVER. Enjoy the water, California!!! Trump posted on Truth Social late Monday evening. The California Department of Water Resources denied the claim overnight, writing in a post on X, The military did not enter California. The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department said it did not have any further comment. Rents rose as much as 150% in the aftermath of LA wildfires Trump has repeatedly criticized the distribution system in California, saying water from the northern part of the state should be routed to the south. State officials have defended the water system. Maybe the president doesnt know that theres not a spigot that can be turned to solve all the water problems that he alleges exist, that dont exist when it comes to the state water system here in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom said last week. The president, who Friday toured areas in Los Angeles devastated by the wildfires, signed an executive order directing the federal government to route more water to southern California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House and Defense Department officials did not respond to requests for comment on the California response or the contention of the use of the military. NewsNation producer Jessica Marquez contributed to this 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 NewsNation. The California Department of Water Resources (CDWR) is pushing back on President Trumps recent claim that the U.S. military entered the state and turned on the water in the wake of devastating wildfires that left lasting damage in the Los Angeles region. The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond, Trump wrote late Monday in a Truth Social post. The days of putting a Fake Environmental argument, over the PEOPLE, are OVER. Enjoy the water, California!!! The CDWR shot down that claim and added that the federal government was responsible for restarting the water pumps after they were turned off for maintenance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military did not enter California, the department wrote in a post on the social platform X, published an hour past midnight EST Tuesday. The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful, the CDWR added. The president has been critical of the states water policy in light of the Los Angeles-area wildfires, which have burned more than 57,000 acres and killed at least 28 people. State Senate Pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D) also denounced the presidents claim. First off, shocker, water from the Pacific Northwest doesnt flow to the Central Valley, McGuire wrote on X. Second, federal water pumps were down for repair and are now back on. Third, rest assured, the military has not invaded the delta. Facts are hard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Trump directed U.S. government agencies to immediately take actions to override existing activities that unduly burden efforts to maximize water deliveries. The order came as the president said last week before visiting the area that he would condition federal assistance to California on the release of more water from the northern part of the state and Voter ID, so that the people have a chance to vote. Firefighters were unable to fight the blaze due to dry hydrants, empty reservoirs, and inadequate water infrastructure, Trumps order reads. It is in the Nations interest to ensure that California has what it needs to prevent and fight these fires and others in the future. The president and California Gov. Gavin Newsom have also argued back and forth about the water issues. Newsom welcomed Trump to Los Angeles last week to survey the wildfire damage and suggested that the two could 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 The Hill. A California man is in the Henry County Jail after police say he was found with over 22 pounds of cocaine. A news release from the Illinois State Polices Highway Interdiction Team said a trooper conducted a traffic stop on a truck-tractor semi-trailer on Interstate 80 eastbound, east of E. 1600th Street in Henry County on January 18. A probable cause search of the truck revealed multiple packages of suspected cocaine, weighing over 10 kilograms. The release said there were over 10,000 grams of cocaine, which is 22.05 pounds. Jose Guillen (Illinois State Police) Jose J. Guillen, 55 of Ontario, Calif. was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine, a class 1 felony, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, a class X felony and cocaine trafficking, a class X felony. Guillen is being held at the Henry County Jail, where he has a pretrial conference on February 13 at 9 a.m. He is being denied pre-trial 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 WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. The California Department of Water Resources on Tuesday rejected President Donald Trumps claim that the U.S. military turned on the water supply in the state. In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the department said the military hasnt entered the state. The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days, the post states. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful. The military did not enter California. The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful. pic.twitter.com/f81HJSehDq CA - DWR (@CA_DWR) January 28, 2025 Trump had previously claimed that the military under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The days of putting a Fake Environmental argument, over the PEOPLE, are OVER, he wrote on his Truth Social platform. Enjoy the water, California!!! Trump has continued to make misleading statements about Californias water supply, attacking Democratic lawmakers in the state, including Gov. Gavin Newsom. The state has contested Trumps assertions, noting that there is no issue with the volume of water available. While some fire hydrants ran dry while firefighters were combatting the Palisades fire, officials maintained that this was due to the damaging effects the fire had on the system. Yet Trump said providing disaster federal aid for California would also hinge upon the state addressing the purported issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want the water to be released, and theyre going to get a lot of help from the U.S., Trump said Friday. On that day, he also signed an executive order overriding what he described as disastrous California policies. He instructed Cabinet officials, including the defense secretary and the attorney general to ensure Southern California has adequate water resources. This tragedy affects the entire Nation, so it is in the Nations interest to ensure that California has what it needs to prevent and fight these fires and others in the future, the order states. Therefore, it is the policy of the United States to provide Southern California with necessary water resources, notwithstanding actively harmful State or local policies. Related... (The Hill) California Department of Water Resources (CDWR) is pushing back on President Trumps recent claim that the U.S. military entered the state and turned on the water in the wake of devastating wildfires that left lasting damage in the southern part of the state. The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond, Trump wrote in a late Monday Truth Social post. The days of putting a Fake Environmental argument, over the PEOPLE, are OVER. Enjoy the water, California!!! The CDWR shot down that claim and added that the federal government was responsible for restarting the water pumps after they were turned off for maintenance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military did not enter California, the department wrote in a post on social platform X, released an hour past midnight on Tuesday. The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful, CDWR added. Trumps hand wasnt on the Bible during the oath of office: What does this mean? The president has been critical of the states water policy in light of the Los Angeles-area wildfires, which have burned over 57,000 acres and killed at least 28 people. State Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D) also denounced the presidents claim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First off, shocker, water from the Pacific Northwest doesnt flow to the Central Valley, McGuire wrote on X early Tuesday. Second, federal water pumps were down for repair and are now back on. Third, rest assured, the military has not invaded the delta. Facts are hard. On Monday, Trump directed U.S. government agencies to immediately take actions to override existing activities that unduly burden efforts to maximize water deliveries. The order came as the president said last week before visiting the area that he would condition federal assistance to California on the release of more water from the northern part of the state and Voter ID, so that the people have a chance to vote. Firefighters were unable to fight the blaze due to dry hydrants, empty reservoirs, and inadequate water infrastructure, Trumps order reads. It is in the Nations interest to ensure that California has what it needs to prevent and fight these fires and others in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president and California Gov. Gavin Newsom have also argued back-and-forth about the water issues. Newsom welcomed Trump to Los Angeles last week to survey the wildfire damage and suggested that the two could work 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 Queen City News. The California Department of Water Resources has shot down President Donald Trumps latest attempt to play the hero during the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond, Trump wrote late Monday on his social media platform Truth Social. The days of putting a Fake Environmental argument, over the PEOPLE, are OVER. Within hours, the DWP refuted the presidents statement in a post on the social media platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military did not enter California, it wrote. The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful. The military did not enter California. The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful. pic.twitter.com/f81HJSehDq California Department of Water Resources (@CA_DWR) January 28, 2025 The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment. Trump had repeatedly accused California Gov. Gavin Newsom of hampering the fight to contain devastating wildfires in Los Angeles by holding back Californias water suppliesa claim Newsom and state departments have repeatedly denied, the Los Angeles Times reported. Trump also clashed with California water officials during his first term over environmental policies meant to protect endangered marine life. The last of the wildfires were finally doused over the weekend when rainstorms ended Los Angeles record-breaking dry spell, bringing all five blazes to more than 95 percent containment. The fires killed 29 people and destroyed more than 16,250 homes and other structures. The Los Angeles wildfires destroyed more than 16,250 homes and other structures. / Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images On Friday, Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to maximize water deliveries in California and override state policies if necessary by pumping more water to the Los Angeles area from Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of Californias two main aqueduct systems, the Central Valley Project, is federally managed, while its State Water Project is managed by the state. The Army Corps of Engineers manages 17 of the CVP dams. That might be why Trump invoked the military, even though troops didnt exactly storm the California Republicand even though the Corps turned off its own pumps before bringing them back online, according to the state. The reservoirs are at all-time highs, according to the Times, but pumping the water south wouldnt have done anything for the wildfires. As its name suggests, the CVP transports water to farmland in the Central Valley and ends in Bakersfield, more than 100 miles away from Greater Los Angeles. But residents of Palisades, one of the neighborhoods destroyed by the fires, were outraged earlier this month when they learned a reservoir built in the 1960s in Santa Ynez Canyon to protect their homes from wildfires was offline and empty when the blaze erupted, according to the Los Angeles Times, leading to several lawsuits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not clear though whether the reservoirwhich was shut down about a year ago for repairswould have made a serious difference, since gale-force winds made it impossible for planes and helicopters to fight the fires, the Times reported. Experts say municipal water systems just arent equipped to deal with the perfect storm of conditions that drove the L.A. wildfires out of control. The rain that fell over the weekend provided a much-needed respite, but so far it hasnt been enough to end the fire season entirely. But Trump wasnt going to let any of that stand in his way of claiming hed saved the state from itself. Enjoy the water, California!!! his post concluded. Snow on the banks of the Mackinac Straits, Mackinaw City, Feb. 7, 2023 | Laina G. Stebbins Arguments in Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessels case seeking to shut down a four-mile section of Enbridges Line 5 oil and gas pipeline resumed Monday in the states 30th Circuit Court, as her office squared off with the Canadian energy company. Assistant Attorney General Daniel Bock challenged the validity of the 70-year-old easement allowing the pipeline to operate on the lakebed in the Straits of Mackinac where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet. Meanwhile Enbridge attorney Phillip DeRosier argued federal regulators exercise sole authority over pipeline safety, saying challenging the pipelines operations in the Straits would violate a 1977 treaty with Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mondays hearing came after years of legal maneuvering kept debate outside of the courtroom. DeRosier argued the federal Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has absolute authority over pipeline regulation leaving no room for state regulation, pointing to the federal Pipeline Safety Act. Under the attorney generals logic, all 50 states would have the authority to shut down existing pipeline operations based on current safety concerns, so long as those concerns are tied to location, even if those operations are necessary to the nations energy and economic security. But that would create the very problem that led Congress to enact the Pipeline Safety Act in the first place, DeRosier argued. Attorney Phillip DeRosier on Jan. 27, 2025. | Screenshot The states action against the pipeline is also preempted by a 1977 treaty between the U.S. and Canada which bars public authorities in either country from putting forth measures which impede, divert, redirect, or interfere with the transmission of hydrocarbons, DeRosier said. The treaty includes exceptions for an actual or threatened natural disaster, an operating emergency, or other demonstrable need temporarily to reduce or stop for safety or technical reasons the normal operation of a Transit Pipeline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nessel and her team have previously referred to the pipeline as a ticking time bomb raising concerns that an anchor or other object striking the pipeline could result in $1.37 billion in damages and alongside long lasting health, environmental and cultural damages. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmers 2020 announcement that the state would be terminating the 1953 easement allowing Enbridge to operate Line 5 within the Straits also led to Canada invoking the dispute resolution procedures outlined in the treaty, with DeRosier urging the court to let this matter play out, and abide by the rules of the treaty. The Federal Foreign Affairs Doctrine similarly demands the court leave this dispute to the U.S. and Canadian administrations, DeRosier said, arguing an injunction to stop the pipelines operations would hamstring the U.S.s efforts to resolve the dispute. For these reasons, the court should grant Enbridges summary disposition, DeRosier said, allowing the court to rule against the state without holding a full trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Bock noted the Great Lakes and their bottomlands are not owned by the government, but by the people of Michigan, with the state government holding a perpetual, inalienable duty to protect and manage those resources for the peoples benefit. In spite of that law, Enbridge has argued that it has the right to pump millions of gallons of oil through an aging pipeline in the heart of the Great Lakes, which has already been struck and damaged by anchors twice in recent years, regardless of whether it has a valid easement to do so, Bock said. While the Pipeline Safety Act preempts states from adopting or carrying forward pipeline safety standards, it does not say anything about state property or contract law, leaving routing and location decisions to the state, Bock said. It is absolutely permissible for governmental authorities, including state and local authorities, to bring actions against pipeline companies related to state laws, as long as the primary concern is not pipeline safety and the impact to pipeline safety is not direct and substantial, Bock said, further arguing that the three laws forming the basis of its case the public trust doctrine, the common law of public nuisance and the Michigan Environmental Protection Act are not pipeline safety standards. Assistant Attorney General Daniel Bock on Jan. 27, 2025. | Screenshot Additionally, the 2010 Kalamazoo River oil spill from Enbridges Line 6B prompted a number of lawsuits from state, federal and tribal government authorities for environmental protection claims, Bock said. Notably, PHMSA was not among them, because PHMSA does not enforce environmental protection statutes, Bock said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also argued the dispute resolution procedures outlined in the 1977 transit pipeline treaty only applies to the United States and Canada, noting it does not say anything about limiting the rights of property owners and barring them from enforcing their property rights, or enforcing the requirements of state law in court. If Enbridge is correct, and [the dispute resolution procedures] of the treaty means what Enbridge claims it means that would mean that an oil pipeline company could build a pipeline across anyones land in trespass without an easement, and the property owner would be powerless to sue them or do anything about it, Bock said. There is also no violation of the treaty unless the pipeline is shut down, Bock argued, calling Enbridges suggestion to let the resolution process play out a delay tactic. Bock also made several arguments as to why Foreign Affairs Doctrine does not apply, including a reference to a previous ruling from a federal Court in Maine which held that the foreign policy evidenced in the treaty is not one of maintaining uninterrupted flow of hydrocarbons at all times. Its one of applying the laws in a non discriminatory fashion, which Bock argues Nessel had done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes arguing that Enbridge and Line 5 are subject to state law exactly the same as everyone else, and they do not enjoy a special status that allows them to operate their pipeline on the property the submerged Great Lakes bottomlands that belongs to the people of the state without a valid easement and they are not allowed to operate in violation of the common law public trust doctrine, the common law of public nuisance or [the Michigan Environmental Protection Act]. And so the Foreign Affairs doctrine simply does not apply, Bock said. Throughout the course of oral arguments, both attorneys repeatedly pointed to the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewas case against Enbridge, where a federal judge found Enbridge had been trespassing on the tribes sovereign territory after it opted against renewing Enbridges permits to operate a 12 parcels of land owned land owned partially or wholly by the Bad River Band. As a result, Enbridge was ordered to pay $5.1 million in damages and must shut down the 12-mile section of the pipeline operating on the tribes territory by 2026. Both Enbridge and the Bad River Band have appealed the decision. Bock noted that the federal court had issued an order shutting the pipeline down because Enbridge did not have a valid easement to operate and locate Line 5, arguing the cases similarities to the argument brought by the attorney general, that Enbridges easement was never valid because it violates the public trust doctrine. However, DeRosier argued it may make sense for the court to wait until the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals makes its decision on the appeals in the Bad River Case. He also challenged Bocks argument, noting that while the court determined there was a trespass in that case, there is no trespass claim in this case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bock later responded, noting the attorney generals case challenges the validity of the 1953 easement contract to operate Line 5. If the attorney general was to lose this case, there could be no trespass claim because Enbridge would have a valid easement, Bock said. DeRosier further argued the 1977 transit treaty is clear that the flow of hydrocarbons are not to be impeded, and certainly not in a permanent way, as the attorney general is asking the court to do here. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel gathers with environmental advocates and tribal community members in Cincinnati, Ohio ahead of oral arguments on Line 5 litigation on March 21, 2024. (Screenshot) However Bock pushed back on DeRosiers description of the attorney generals arguments. The attorney generals claim is that a four-mile segment of Line 5 cannot be located on the bottomlands of the Straits of Mackinac, and that having it located there violates a number of Michigan State laws, and that the conveyance that purports to authorize it was never valid. This is not an attempt to permanently shut down the entire pipeline. Its an attempt to get it out of this extremely environmentally sensitive area where it currently exists without valid permission, Bock said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the attorney general filing a motion asking the court for a declaratory ruling determining on the 1953 easement was not valid and Enbridge filing its motion for summary disposition Bock said the only issues before the court Monday should be whether the easement is valid, and whether the attorney generals claims can proceed in court. Judge James S. Jamo told both attorneys he would take the matters under advisement and issue a written opinion on the matter. It was unclear when the judge might rule. Riyaz Kanji, who represented the Bad River Band alongside the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, and the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi in an joint amicus brief filed with the Bay Mills Indian Community said if the court accepts Enbridges argument, it would rule out the states ability to assert its sovereign rights as well as the claims brought by the Bad River Band to vindicate its rights. The decision would also have a significant effect on Michigan tribes with interest in the Straits of Mackinac. He noted Enbridge had repeated a number of arguments from the Bad River case, which had been rejected by the federal court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Bad River and the Michigan tribes have core treaty rights in the use and preservation of natural resources in their homelands and their home waters, Kanji told the Michigan Advance. In the Bad River case, Enbridge essentially argued, Well, it doesnt matter what treaty rights the band has and what promises were made to it about a permanent homeland. The 1977 U.S.-Canada treaty overrode all of that, Kanji said. I think the trial court in Bad River was absolutely correct in saying, No, thats not how the law works, its the opposite. [Tribal rights] are fundamentally important, and thats just law that Enbridge has consistently refused to honor or to respect, Kanji said. The path back to state court Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019 Nessel filed her case against Enbridge due to worries that the pipeline could rupture, spilling oil into the Straits. However, Enbridge filed a successful motion to have the case moved to federal court after more than a year of litigation. Nessels initial request to have the case returned to state court was denied, but she was later granted interlocutory appeal, allowing the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals to determine the proper venue for the case before it is fully litigated in federal court. The Court of Appeals ultimately determined the case belongs in state court, agreeing with Nessels argument that Enbridge had missed the deadline to remove the case to federal court, later rejecting the pipeline companys request for a rehearing. For some time now, pundits have been debating whether to take Donald Trump seriously or literally, as the clever binary coined by journalist Salena Zito in 2016 has it. This choice comes to mind when I think about the 47th presidents frequent comments recently about incorporating Greenland and Canada into the United States. A few cases in point: Before delivering an inaugural address in which he vaguely but forcefully expressed a desire for the U.S. to expand its territory, Trump raised the issue on a confrontational phone call with the prime minister of Denmark, which handles Greenlands international affairs. More recently, he spoke of Canada becoming a U.S. state to reporters on Air Force One. Its hard to imagine a plausible scenario in which either, let alone both, joins the United States. The governments of Canada and Greenland alike have made it clear that theyre not for sale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as an economic historian, I believe that thought experiments can be a useful way of understanding truths about the world. And one such truth is that Greenland and Canada play a key role in the global economy. If the U.S. were to absorb either or both, it would be a strategic, economic and political game changer. So, for a moment, lets take Trump both seriously and literally. Below, Ive laid out some very rough measures of how a reconstituted megastate including the U.S., Canada or Greenland would look in comparison to other leading countries and blocs. Bigger, but not more crowded At first glance, the most obvious thing to note about the new country would be its physical size. Today the U.S. is the third-largest nation-state in terms of area about 57.5% of the size of Russia, by far the worlds largest country. By incorporating Canada, the second-largest country in the world in terms of area, the U.S., so reconstituted, would be 14% larger than Russia. If both Canada and Greenland became part of the reconstituted U.S., the country would be 22% larger than Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How about China? Today, China is slightly smaller than the U.S. in area, but China would be less than half the size of a combined U.S. and Canada, and only about 44% of the size of the U.S.-Canada-Greenland. And the European Union? It would be less than 20% of the size of a U.S.-Canada-Greenland combo. Incorporating Canada and Greenland into the U.S would have less of an impact in demographic terms, adding just under 40 million people to the current U.S. total of 342 million. Similarly, if the U.S. absorbed Canada and Greenland two countries that are wealthy, but not nearly as wealthy as the U.S. it wouldnt have much of an impact on gross domestic product per capita. Why not? Because the U.S. would comprise about 90% of the total population of the new megastate. Given the figures for GDP per capita (PPP, international dollars) in Canada and Greenland and weighting for population, GDP per capita in the megastate would be about $79,000. A strategic shift The biggest effects of absorbing either country into the U.S. would come in the geopolitical, strategic and resource realms. Here, the changes would be seismic. First, by incorporating both countries into the U.S., the new entity would not only consolidate its already considerable power in the Western Hemisphere, but it would also establish a much more formidable position in the Arctic region. This is increasingly important as sea lanes are opening up with climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By adding territory, the U.S. could potentially enhance its strategic and defense posture, forcing its principal adversaries, Russia and China, to pursue more cautious tacks. These geopolitical and strategic effects would be magnified by the bounty of natural resources in the new megastate. Consider that the U.S. is already the largest oil-producing country in the world producing over 13.3 million barrels a day in 2023 and Canada is No. 4, with 5 million. Together, the two countries produced over 18 million barrels per day in 2023, while Russia produced about 10.3 million, Saudi Arabia about 9 million, and China 4.2 million. In other words, the U.S. and Canada together produce 8 million barrels of oil more than Russia does each day a staggering differential. The U.S. is also by far the largest producer of natural gas in the world, with Russia a distant second. Incorporating Canada, currently the fifth-largest producer, would add considerably to the U.S. lead. Nor does the resource bounty begin and end with oil and natural gas. Greenland is rich in minerals of all types, particularly the rare earth elements in such demand for batteries, electronics and the like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And perhaps most important of all is the impact of integration regarding freshwater resources. Integrating the U.S. and Canada would bring that new entity into a virtual tie with Brazil as the leading repository of freshwater resources in the world. Canada and the U.S. are currently Nos. 3 and 4, respectively, in the world in freshwater resources; together, their freshwater stock far surpasses Russia, which is currently No. 2. And this doesnt factor in Greenland, with its massive if declining freshwater ice shield. In any case, given the increasing demand for water around the world, control over freshwater resources will prove more and more important for the overall security posture of the U.S. going forward. So what do we make of this little exercise? One thing seems clear: GrAmeriCa would be amazingly rich in resources, as the president likely knows well. But should we take Trump literally or seriously or both on this issue? It may be a case of Too soon to tell, to invoke Zhou Enlais famous line about one or another revolutionary upheaval in France. But the world will know soon enough. 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: Peter A. Coclanis, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Peter A. Coclanis 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. VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) A public inquiry on foreign interference in Canada concluded Tuesday that while some foreign entities tried to interfere in the country's elections, its democratic institutions remain "robust, but warned against the danger of misinformation. The final report of the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference found no evidence of traitors in the countrys parliament, but Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue warned that one of the biggest threats to democracy was foreign actors sowing disinformation in both the traditional media and social media. Distinguishing what is false is becoming increasingly difficult and the consequences are extraordinarily harmful, Hogue told a news conference in Ottawa where she did not take questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Canadian government established the public inquiry in September 2023 to investigate whether China, Russia and other countries interfered in Canadian federal elections in 2019 and 2021 that re-elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus Liberals. The report said China is the most active perpetrator of foreign interference in Canada and accused India of being the second most active. Relations between Canada and India have been strained since Trudeau and the RCMP accused the Indian government of being involved in the murder of Canadian Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C., in June 2023. India has denied those allegations. Four Indian nationals living in Canada were charged with Nijjars killing and are awaiting trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia, Pakistan and Iran are also considered foreign interference threats in Canada. Ronald Au-Yeung, a fellow with the political science department at the University of Notre Dame, said the rules surrounding Canadian federal elections are strong, but added that the report failed to adequately address the threat of foreign interference when political parties select their candidates. He explains that foreign governments can purchase memberships during a nomination race to help prevent its critics from receiving a partys nomination to run for government. In the report, Hogue encouraged parties to adopt more stringent rules who is entitled to vote in nomination and leadership contests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report includes seven volumes and lays out 51 recommendations for the federal government, nearly half of which she says should be considered before the next election. The report comes as Canadas Liberal Party is selecting a new leader to replace Trudeau who announced his resignation Jan. 6. He will remain prime minister until a new Liberal Party leader is chosen on March 9. The next Liberal leader could be the shortest-tenured prime minister in the countrys history. All three opposition parties have vowed to bring down the Liberals minority government in a no-confidence vote after parliament resumes on March 24 which would trigger a spring election. Among the reports recommendations are calls to improve federal preparedness, foster transparency, shore up electoral integrity and counter threats against diaspora communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hogue said the Canadian Security Intelligence Service should clearly flag reports it views as particularly relevant for senior decision-makers. There is a recommendation for the government to create an entity to monitor online information for misinformation and disinformation that could impact the democratic process. The report also calls on Ottawa to develop a comprehensive foreign interference strategy, encourage political party leaders to obtain top secret-level security clearances, and consider creating a new agency to monitor online spaces for misinformation and disinformation. Parliament passed legislation last year to reinforce Canadas defenses against foreign meddling. The federal bill created offenses for deceptive or surreptitious acts that undermine democratic processes, such as covertly influencing the outcome of a candidate nomination contest. OTTAWA (Reuters) - Ontario's legislature will be dissolved on Tuesday and the most populous Canadian province will vote on Feb. 27 to elect its next government, Premier Doug Ford's office said. Ford said last week he would call an early election, citing the need for a strong mandate to fight tariffs threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump. Ontario's lieutenant governor accepted Ford's request to dissolve the provincial parliament, the premier's office said in a statement. An election had previously been slated for June 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ford is seeking a third consecutive majority mandate for his right-of-center Progressive Conservatives after sweeping victories in 2022 and in 2018. Ontario, home to just under 40% of Canada's 40 million people, is the country's manufacturing heartland and would be badly hit if Trump goes ahead with a threat to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian imports. The province is one of the world's largest sub-sovereign borrowers. (Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; Editing by Rod Nickel) FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Canopy NWA said on Jan. 27 that the United States government has instructed it not to work with refugees, effective immediately. The announcement was made following President Donald Trumps decision to suspend the United States Refugee Admissions Program and freeze federal funding to refugee programs. According to a press release, Canopy NWA is not allowed to help refugees with things like groceries, housing, and finding doctors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canopy NWA said the order came as a shock. There is no precedent for the federal government to stop assistance to people who followed every legal process, who are already in our community, the release said. According to CBS News, the Trump administration directed resettlement groups to stop using some federal funds. Canopy NWA says it cant use federal funds to support refugees with direct needs. The funds would help pay the first months rent and deposit for an apartment and buy furniture that isnt donated. Canopy NWA says it will still attempt to support refugees who remain in their 90-day resettlement period. 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. An Indiana man who was pardoned by President Donald Trump over a Jan. 6-related misdemeanor was shot dead by a deputy on Monday. Matthew Huttle, 42, was killed by a deputy with the Jasper County Sheriffs Department who conducted a traffic stop near the Pulaski County line. During the traffic stop, the officer attempted to arrest the suspect when the suspect resisted, the Indiana State Police said in a news release . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An altercation allegedly broke out between Huttle and the officer, which resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding the suspect. State police said the suspect was armed. State police and the Jasper County Prosecutors Office are probing the incident. Sheriff Patrick Williamson said the officer involved was placed on paid administrative leave. Huttles family has also been notified. Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased as any loss of life is traumatic to those that were close to Mr. Huttle, Williamson said. Huttle pleaded guilty to entering restricted grounds in 2023, but prosecutors sought a jail sentence because he appeared at the forefront of violence when rioters overwhelmed and overran the police line on the West Front of the Capitol, according to The Washington Post . The defendant got six months in jail and was released July last year. He was among 1,500 rioters pardoned by Trump last week. SIX MILE, S.C. (WSPA) A woman is accused of stealing a car at gunpoint from a gas station Monday night in Six Mile. According to the Pickens County Sheriffs Office, the armed robbery happened at the Six Mile Kwik Mart on North Main Street in Six Mile around 10:30 p.m. Investigators said a woman used what appeared to be a shotgun to steal an employees vehicle from the gas station. The suspect, identified as Monica Shea Thomason, was arrested Tuesday and taken to a hospital in Pickens for unrelated health concerns, according to the sheriffs office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomason is being held in the Pickens County Detention Center on an armed robbery charge. The stolen vehicle was later found at a separate location, deputies 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 WSPA 7NEWS. A man has tried to ram a car through the gates of the Russian Embassy in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, and has been detained by police. Source: European Pravda, citing Swedish public broadcaster SVT and the Russian Embassy in Sweden on Facebook Details: The incident took place in the morning of 28 January. A security guard reported to the police that a man was trying to ram the embassy gate with his car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the police arrived at the scene, the man was still in the car. He was arrested. The publication notes that the motive for the driver's action is unknown. An investigation has been launched into the unauthorised entry into the embassy. The Russian Embassy in Sweden stated that a citizen of Ukraine was driving the car. Quote: "On 28 January, at around 07:00, a Ukrainian citizen permanently residing in Sweden tried to ram the gates of the Russian Embassy in Stockholm in a car. He failed to break through to the territory of the diplomatic mission... No serious damage was done to the embassy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: They also claim that the detained man had allegedly already carried out attacks on the Russian embassy and trade mission in Sweden in 2015 and 2018. Background: On 27 January, a fire which took a long time to be extinguished broke out at the Iraqi Embassy in The Hague. And in November last year, an unknown drone flew over the Russian Embassy in Stockholm, dropping paint on the premises of the diplomatic mission. Support UP or become our patron! ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) One person was rescued using the jaws of life after a car wrapped around a telephone pole on Colby Street in Spencerport Monday, Spencerport Fire District confirmed. Spencerport Fire District, Ogden Police, and Gates Ambulance all responded to the scene and assisted with the rescue. News 8 has reached out to the SFD for details surrounding the crash. The passengers condition is currently unknown. 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. In a deeply unsettling letter to lawmakers Tuesday, Caroline Kennedy, the cousin of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., warned senators not to confirm him as President Donald Trumps pick to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I have known Bobby my whole life; we grew up together, Caroline Kennedy wrote in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Post. Its no surprise that he keeps birds of prey as pets because he himself is a predator. RFK Jr. is scheduled to testify at a confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caroline Kennedy also recalled how her cousin, whom she said is addicted to attention and power, used his charisma to drag those around him down the path of drug abuse and a troubling youthful fascination with violence. His basement, his garage, his dorm room were the centers of the action where drugs were available, and he enjoyed showing off how he put baby chickens and mice in the blender to feed his hawks, she wrote. It was often a perverse scene of despair and violence. Her son, Jack Schlossberg, also shared a video of her reading the letter: Ambassador Caroline Kennedys statement to the US Senate on RFKJrs nomination for HHS Secretary This is a reading of a letter she just sent to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Im so proud of my courageous mother, whos lived a life of dignity, pic.twitter.com/feysNA0Wwp Jack Schlossberg (@JBKSchlossberg) January 28, 2025 In addition to what she deemed his disqualifying personal qualities, Caroline Kennedy argued that RFK Jr. also lacks the professional background to fulfill the daily responsibilities of the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He lacks any relevant government, financial, management or medical experience, she wrote. His views on vaccines are dangerous and willfully misinformed. On that second point, Caroline Kennedy noted that while RFK Jr. has dabbled in conspiratorial half-truths about vaccines and encouraged others not to vaccinate their children, he did vaccinate his own kids. Bobby preys on the desperation of parents of sick children, she wrote, vaccinating his own kids while building a following hypocritically discouraging other parents from vaccinating theirs. Related... Caroline Kennedy is speaking out against RFK Jr.'s nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services. In a 6-minute-long video posted to social media this afternoon, the only surviving child of President Kennedy shares why she thinks her first cousin, the son of Robert F. Kennedy, should be disqualified from holding the position in President Trump's administration. "He lacks any relevant government, financial, management, or medical experience," Kennedy says. "His views on vaccines are dangerous and willfully misinformed. These facts alone should be disqualifying, but he has personal qualities related to this job, which for me pose even greater concern." Kennedy, who recently returned to the States after serving as Ambassador to Australia under the Biden administration, goes on to detail RFK Jr.'s previous experience with drug addiction and the way it impacted their family. She also calls him a "predator" and makes accusations of animal abuse, in what she describes as "a perverse scene of despair and violence." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy notes that while she admires the discipline it took for RFK Jr. get sober, and asserts that people can change over time, she feels that "Bobby has gone on to misrepresent, lie, and cheat his way through life." She also makes it clear she holds him accountable for the addiction struggles of several of their other relatives, in addition to more widespread harm stemming from his views on vaccinations. Additionally Kennedy clarifies why she hasn't spoken out about RFK Jr. previously, noting, "I did not comment not only because I was serving in a government position as United States Ambassador to Australia, but because I have never wanted to speak publicly about my family members and their challenges." (In November of last year, Kennedy did speak out about her cousin's views on vaccines. "I think Bobby Kennedys views on vaccines are dangerous, but I dont think that most Americans share them, she said at the National Press Club of Australia.) Staying silent, she says, was difficult, particularly when she saw RFK Jr. invoke her late father's image and legacy to support his political ambitions over the course of the 2024 campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are a close family. None of that is easy to say. It also wasn't easy to remain silent last year when Bobby expropriated my father's image and distorted President Kennedy's legacy to advance his own failed campaign and then groveled to Donald Trump for a job. Bobby continues to grandstand off my father's assassination and that of his own father," she says. "It's incomprehensible to me that someone who is willing to exploit their own painful family tragedies for publicity would be put in charge of America's life and death situations. Unlike Bobby, I try not to speak for my father, but I am certain that he and my uncle Bobby, who gave their lives in public service to our country, and my uncle Teddy, who devoted his long Senate career to the cause of improving healthcare would be disgusted." She finished her statement by simply asking the Senate to reject Trump's nomination: "The American healthcare system for all its flaws is the envy of the world. Its doctors and nurses, researchers, scientists and caregivers are the most dedicated people I know. Every day, they give their lives to heal and save others. They deserve a knowledgeable leader who is committed to evidence and excellence. They deserve a secretary committed to advancing, cutting-edge medicine to save lives, not rejecting the advances we have already made. They deserve a stable, moral and ethical person at the helm of this crucial agency. They deserve better than Bobby Kennedy and so do the rest of us. I urge the Senate to reject this nomination. Sincerely, Caroline." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The video was first posted to a new X account for the former ambassador and then shared on social media by her son, Jack Schlossberg. "Im so proud of my courageous mother, whos lived a life of dignity, integrity and service. shes the kindest funnest smartest youll ever meet," he wrote in the caption of his post. Ambassador Caroline Kennedys statement to the US Senate on RFKJrs nomination for HHS Secretary This is a reading of a letter she just sent to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Im so proud of my courageous mother, whos lived a life of dignity, pic.twitter.com/feysNA0Wwp Jack Schlossberg (@JBKSchlossberg) January 28, 2025 Schlossberg spoke out against Robert F. Kennedy Jr. throughout the 2024 presidential election, and just a few days ago, he publicly called on his cousins to do the same. "This is for the rest of my cousins. I'm asking the media to ask my cousinsI have a lot of 'emwhat they think and why they don't say anything, and what they know about Bobby Kennedy and why they aren't talking and all the stories they have. The guy's about to be in charge of public health for the United States of America," he said in a video posted on social media. "How about you ask my cousins some real questions? How come I'm the only one who's talking out? Wake up. This is not a fucking drill. These guys are taking over. If they don't want to talk, then you know what side they're on. Later." RFK Jr.'s confirmation hearings begin tomorrow. He is one of Trump's more controversial nominations. As of this writing, he has yet to respond to his cousin's video. Read a full transcription of Caroline Kennedy's statement below: Dear Senators, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the past year, people have asked for my thoughts about my cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his presidential campaign. I did not comment not only because I was serving in a government position as United States Ambassador to Australia, but because I have never wanted to speak publicly about my family members and their challenges. We are a close generation of 28 cousins who have been through a lot together. We know how hard it's been and we are always there for each other. But now that Bobby has been nominated by President Trump to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, a position that would put him in charge of the health of the American people, I feel an obligation to speak out. Overseeing the FDA, the NIH, the CDC and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services agencies that are in charge of protecting the most vulnerable among us is an enormous responsibility and one that Bobby is unqualified to fill. He lacks any relevant government, financial, management, or medical experience. His views on vaccines are dangerous and willfully misinformed. These facts alone should be disqualifying, but he has personal qualities related to this job, which for me pose even greater concern. I've known Bobby my whole life. We grew up together. It's no surprise that he keeps birds of prey as pets because Bobby himself is a predator. He's always been charismatic, able to attract others through the strength of his personality, his willingness to take risks and break the rules. I watched his younger brothers and cousins follow him down the path of drug addiction. His basement, his garage, his dorm room, were always the center of the action, where drugs were available and he enjoyed showing off how he put baby chickens and mice in a blender to feed to his hawks. It was often a perverse scene of despair and violence. That was a long time ago, and people can changethrough his own strength and the many second chances he was given by people who felt sorry for the boy who lost his father, Bobby was able to pull himself out of illness and disease. I admire the discipline that took and the continuing commitment it requires, but siblings and cousins who Bobby encouraged down the path of substance abuse suffered addiction, illness, and death while Bobby has gone on to misrepresent, lie, and cheat his way through life. Today, while he may encourage a younger generation to attend AA meetings, Bobby is addicted to attention and power. Bobby preys on the desperation of parents of sick children, vaccinating his own kids while building a following hypocritically discouraging other parents from vaccinating theirs. Even before he fills this job, his constant denigration of our healthcare system and the conspiratorial half-truths he's told about vaccines, including in connection with Samoa's deadly 2019 outbreak of measles have cost lives. And now we know that Bobby's crusade against vaccination has benefited him in other ways too. His ethics report makes clear that he will keep his financial stake in a lawsuit against an HPV vaccine. In other words, Bobby is willing to profit and enrich himself by denying access to a vaccine that can prevent almost all forms of cervical cancer and has already been safely administered to millions of boys and girls. During my time in Australia, I worked on the Quad Cancer Initiative and I learned that cervical cancer is among the top three forms of cancer among women in a majority of countries. Tragically, every year, more than 200,000 children lose their mothers. They're orphaned due to a lack of vaccines and screenings. Those are the real world consequences of Bobby's irresponsible beliefs. We are a close family. None of that is easy to say. It also wasn't easy to remain silent last year when Bobby expropriated my father's image and distorted President Kennedy's legacy to advance his own failed campaign and then groveled to Donald Trump for a job. Bobby continues to grandstand off my father's assassination and that of his own father. It's incomprehensible to me that someone who is willing to exploit their own painful family tragedies for publicity would be put in charge of America's life and death situations. Unlike Bobby, I try not to speak for my father, but I am certain that he and my uncle Bobby, who gave their lives in public service to our country, and my uncle Teddy, who devoted his long Senate career to the cause of improving healthcare would be disgusted. The American healthcare system for all its flaws is the envy of the world. Its doctors and nurses, researchers, scientists and caregivers are the most dedicated people I know. Every day, they give their lives to heal and save others. They deserve a knowledgeable leader who is committed to evidence and excellence. They deserve a secretary committed to advancing, cutting-edge medicine to save lives, not rejecting the advances we have already made. They deserve a stable, moral and ethical person at the helm of this crucial agency. They deserve better than Bobby Kennedy and so do the rest of us. I urge the Senate to reject this nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sincerely, Caroline You Might Also Like Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, urged senators to reject her cousin Robert Kennedy Jr.s nomination to be the next secretary of health and human services. Her letter, which was followed up by a social media post, was withering in making the case that Kennedy was unfit for the role and personal in detailing his struggles with drug addiction. More from Deadline Although she wrote that she has previously not wanted to speak out about family members, she said that she felt that she had an obligation to speak out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have known Bobby my whole life; we grew up together. Its no surprise he keeps birds of prey as pets because he himself is a predator. She said that her cousin led other family members down the path of drug addiction, and even though he has gotten clean, he is addicted to attention and power. Bobby preys on the desperation of parents of sick children vaccinating his own children while building a following hypocritically discouraging other parents from vaccinating theirs. Ambassador Caroline Kennedys letter to U. S. Senate on confirmation hearing of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. pic.twitter.com/nTdN2LACdY Caroline Kennedy (@CBKennedy) January 28, 2025 Caroline Kennedy was serving as President Joe Bidens ambassador to Australia when her cousin waged his presidential campaign, first seeking the Democratic nomination and later an independent bid. She wrote that it wasnt easy to remain silent last year when Bobby expropriated my fathers image and distorted President Kennedys legacy to advance his own presidential campaign and then groveled to Donald Trump for a job. Among other things, Robert Kennedy Jr.s campaign ran an ad during the Super Bowl appropriating a 1960 spot from his uncles campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caroline Kennedy also wrote that her cousin continues to grandstand off my fathers assassination, and that of his own father. It is incomprehensible that someone who is willing to exploit their own painful family tragedies for publicity would be in charge of American life-and-death situations, she wrote. Caroline Kennedys son, Jack Schlossberg, has been particularly outspoken on social media about RFK Jr., who has advanced conspiracy theories about the JFK and RFK assassinations. After Trump signed an executive order to release more records of the assassination investigations, Schlossberg wrote, JFK conspiracy theories The truth is a lot sadder than the myth a tragedy that didnt need to happen. Not part of an inevitable grand scheme. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) A homicide case that convicted a man for the 2015 murder of a woman in Springfield has been approved for review. The states highest court has vacated the murder conviction in Pedro Vasquezs trial ruling the judge failed to properly investigate claims of racial bias against one of the jurors and that may have affected deliberations. Convicted felon faces 9 new gun and drug charges after traffic stop in Springfield Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vasquez was found guilty of second-degree murder and other charges in the killing of 30-year-old Yahaira Hernandez. She was found shot and killed in her car on Scott Street. Commonwealth vs Pedro VasquezDownload A home security system from across the street captured audio and video showing Hernandezs vehicle come to a stop. Approximately four and a half minutes later, the drivers side rear door opened and an argument in Spanish could be heard between a man and a woman, followed by a gunshot and the shooter running away. Vasquez presented evidence of an alibi, specifically from his daughter and ex-wife who testified that he was home with them during the time the victim was killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After ten days of the trial, the deliberation began for about two hours before being dismissed for the weekend. An alleged confrontation between two jurors occurred that day outside the courthouse and was brought up to the judge the following Monday. During the review of the incident, the judge ultimately decided not to discharge either juror. The verdict was returned later that day to guilty of murder in the second degree. Vasquez received the maximum sentence, life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. The case has now been sent back to Superior Court for further appellate review of the appeal. 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. BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH) As of yesterday, communities across the country, and here locally, are recognizing the impact of Catholic schools. The last Sunday in January marks the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. The City of Binghamton commemorated the occasion with a flag raising this morning, alongside students and teachers at the Catholic Schools of Broome County. The students joined mayor Jared Kraham in raising a green, Seton Catholic Central Saints flag in front of City Hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kraham says some of Binghamtons most influential leaders, and some of the hardest workers, graduated from catholic schools. In our community, so many catholic schools alumni, have set off toward careers in public service and built lives founded on helping others. Many mayors of the City of Binghamton have been graduates of the Catholic Schools of Broome County. They have made our community a better place to live in the process, says Kraham. Kraham officially proclaimed it as Catholic Schools Week throughout Binghamton. The Catholic Schools of Broome County recently announced that All Saints Elementary School in Endicott will be closing at the end of the year due to decreased enrollment, and the students will transition to Saint James School in Johnson City. 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 WIVT - News 34. CBS is once again testing out new ingredients for one of its oldest, most recognizable programs, The CBS Evening News. On Monday, CBS News jettisoned many of the signature elements of the program the ones that are also utilized by its main competitors, NBC News NBC Nightly News and ABC News World News Tonight. Gone are the rat-a-tat story counts and main focus on the anchor delivering the headlines. In their place: fewer stories told with more depth and enterprise; a focus on reporters in the field; and elements that nod to the networks venerable newsmagazine, 60 Minutes. And perhaps a little PBS NewsHour on the side? More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois served as guides of a sort, taking viewers through a longer-than-expected segment about insurance challenges for California residents affected by the recent wildfires and an investigative piece that examined Chinese intelligence efforts to recruit members of the U.S. military, as well as quick nods of just a few seconds to some of the breaking-news headlines of the day. We are removing the clutter, Bill Owens the 60 Minutes executive producer who added Evening News to his portfolio, told Variety during an interview in August. We are not going to be dealing with the things we think people might want to see, and we are going to be about real serious reporting. We are getting back to our beats, listening to our reporters in the field about what they have, not worrying about the headlines online or in the newspapers. There were also some production filigrees that evoked Owens old stomping grounds, such as quick shots of reporters on the ground telling viewers to stay tuned for their coming stories. There is a chance the show could be too smart for the room. Modern viewers have short-attention spans and the ones who still watch broadcast TV still gravitate to an authoritative solo figure who talks to them about politics, natural disasters, overseas drama and even popular culture. Mondays program had a lot to say about A.I., for example, but little mention of anything tied to President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These moves have been expected for months. Norah ODonnell, who has anchored the program for more than five years, signed off last Thursday to tackle a new role as a senior correspondent. Under Paramount Global management, CBS News has been pressed to share newsgathering resources with the newsrooms of the companys local stations, which is why DuBois, a veteran anchor from WCBS New York, and Dickerson, whose strong political-analysis chops have brought him to Face The Nation and CBS This Morning, among other places have been joined together in an unorthodox union. They shared the set at times on Monday with Margaret Brennan, who added the view from Washington, and Lonnie Quinn, who talked about weather across the nation. Most of the half hour was spent on enterprise and feature storytelling a clear recognition that viewers can get breaking headlines from any number of sources, whether they be digital or traditional. What they cant get somewhere else is the reporting of correspondents on the ground. Its no secret that CBS Evening News has run third behind its direct broadcast competitors for years, and the constant switching of anchors hasnt really helped the network grow its perch with potential audiences. Now there are cost pressures in the brew. Paramount Global has in recent months worked to cut millions of dollars from its operations, and the company that is supposed to acquire the media conglomerate has proposed cutting millions more. With that in the background, it seems likely that DuBois and Dickerson, who have other duties, wont travel frequently to scenes of crisis and critical gatherings, but rather leave that to the people already scattered around the world. CBS has tried to recast Evening News for contemporary audiences before, and found the task a difficult one. Katie Couric took the anchor chair in 2006 with a mandate to refresh the format with more human interest stories and interviews. Despite her hard work, CBS found viewers didnt necessarily gravitate to the changes. Couric left CBS after a five-year stint. There was also an effort to pair Connie Chung with Dan Rather in the mid-1990s, an idea that lasted just two years or so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, executives are trying again, and the pressures may be more deeply felt. With younger viewers gravitating to a panoply of non-traditional voices for information, CBS News cant afford to let its connection to audiences fray. Dickerson, DuBois and their colleagues offered a less formal version of the evening-news format Monday night, one that saved room for on-set conversations with reporters about their work. Behind the scenes, however, no one will be able to relax. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Staff at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been ordered to stop communicating with the World Health Organization, according to a new memo, dealing a significant blow to global health efforts. The directive was made in accordance with President Donald Trumps January 20 executive order withdrawing the US from WHO, according to a memo sent late Sunday from CDC Deputy Director of Global Health Dr. John Nkengasong to senior agency leadership, a copy of which was obtained by CNN. It was first reported by the Associated Press. Effective immediately all CDC staff engaging with WHO through technical working groups, coordinating centers, advisory boards, cooperative agreements or other means in person or virtual must cease their activity and await further guidance, the memo says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US is one of the largest funders of WHO, and federal law requires one year of notice before US support for the organization can be withdrawn. Trumps order claims that legal notice of withdrawal was given during his first term, in 2020, so the withdrawal can happen immediately. The White House, the CDC, WHO and the US Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to requests for comment. This move is reckless, basically ordering CDC not to work with WHO to put out fires is going to make Americans far more vulnerable, Dr. Lawrence Gostin, a global health expert at Georgetown University who runs a WHO coordinating center on national and global health law, told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With outbreaks of lethal Marburg virus and H5N1 bird flu spreading in animals around the world, he said, a lack of international coordination on public health is dangerous. Gostin said he was also told that Trump has recalled all CDC staff who are seconded to WHO offices in other countries, a move spelled out in Trumps January 20 order. The CDC has staff in a network of international offices in more than 60 countries. These offices can help provide early warning when there are infectious disease outbreaks of concern. Gostin said that if Trump is trying to negotiate a better deal with WHO, there are better ways to go about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump is asking CDC to hit the pause button. But the truth is that viruses dont take a break from circulating while the White House figures out its next move, he said. If you want to figure out what your future relationship is with WHO, you stay in the fight until you figured it out, and then you make your move. You dont just quit the battle while youre trying to figure something out, because the enemy which is the virus is still circulating and causing mayhem. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) A local business is working to rebuild after its building was severely damaged by a tornado. At the downtown Athens Square, one by one businesses are working to get back up to speed while still trying to dig itself out of the debris. 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. The roof of the CEI Bookstore was completely torn off by the Dec. 28 tornado. The store is struggling to recover the building a month later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was really surreal and its hard to put into words, said Lance Taylor, the Director of Operations for CEI. Taylor said it was almost midnight when he was awakened by a shocking text message from a neighbor who informed him that the entire roof of the building that stood since the 1950s was lying in the middle of Marion Street. By morning we could really see the extent of the damage, just not a stitch of roof and because of that all paper materials and books were destroyed, Taylor said. We knew that it would be very little that we would be able to salvage. 3 arrested after officers find over a quarter pound of meth, other drugs in search Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The impact of the EF-1 tornado is still visible at CEI. Thousands of books were thrown across the floor and its brick walls crumbled to the ground. But thanks to neighbors the store now operates in a temporary warehouse adjacent to it until insurance determines if the building can be salvaged. That would have to be decided by us as well as the property owner, Taylor explained. Were working closely with them to go forward on that and once we hear from insurance and also the engineers, well know what can be done to the building. Taylor added that they have been doing a lot of online work and shipping orders while trying to recover from the devastation. 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 WHNT.com. EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) Monday, January 27th, was Holocaust Remembrance Day. The president of Temple Sholom in Eau Claire, Matt Milne, says even though the local Jewish community is small, its important to remember the impact of the tragedies of Auschwitz. Holocaust Remembrance Day is treated like any other anniversary of ones passing. With practicing Jews reciting Kaddish. Which is a prayer for the dead, Milner says its important to understand the ideologies they followed in that era, can resurface, Its important that we remember it in large part because its easy to demonize and to say that the Nazis were monsters. No. They were people. People did this to other people and its critical that we remember that basic fact. In the wake of increased antisemitism over the last few months, advocates and remaining survivors are doing what they can to educate the public and honor the millions of Jews and other people murdered during World War II. Milner instills there is hope for improvement for better relationships given that many Jews in the US and Israel continue many basic practices despite having a lower population. Adding that a common saying among the Jewish faith is, You may not complete the work. But neither are you allowed to stop. 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 FOX2548 & WIProud. TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Carlos Wriedt came to the U.S. from Mexico in his 40s with his wife to pursue their dream of starting a business and to build a better life for their daughter, then 10 months old. He and his wife became U.S. citizens Monday, taking their oaths in a ceremony at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka, along with 28 others, as their families watched, waved small flags and recorded the event on their cellphones. Wriedt, his wife and his daughter have lived in the U.S. for more than 20 years, and he and his wife now have a business in Wichita offering translation services to courts, medical providers and others. Wriedt had a green card proving he is a legal permanent resident, and ahead of last year's election in which President Donald Trump made illegal immigration a key issue he wasn't worried that he wouldn't be able to renew. But he and his wife applied for citizenship anyway. Their daughter became a citizen in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After he and the other immigrants sang the concluding home of the brave in the National Anthem, took the oath renouncing foreign princes and potentates and pledged allegiance to the American flag, Wriedt said he still had goosebumps but that he also felt relief. Now, nobody can take that away from us unless we misbehave but of course we won't, he said. The U.S. naturalized more than 818,000 new citizens from October 2023 through September 2024, an average of about 68,000 a month, according to the federal government. In Topeka, the 30 new citizens came from 18 different nations, and the ceremony gave speakers a chance to stress their own immigrant roots, with Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly noting that her family emigrated from Ireland. But it also occurred against the backdrop of Trump's promise of mass deportations of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, his suspension of refugee resettlements and his effort to end the constitutional promise of birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to immigrant parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im disappointed at the climate and the rhetoric right now, said Kansas state Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Topeka Democrat and United Church of Christ minister. It promotes people with short fuses doing things they shouldnt do. Yet Schlingensiepen was heartened by the ceremony and it brought back memories. This year will mark the 50th anniversary of his own naturalization as a 13-year-old immigrant from Germany. He has attended other ceremonies, and he stopped to watch Monday's after coming across it during a break in legislative meetings. The officials speaking at the ceremony congratulated the new citizens who had to fill out applications, undergo interviews, take a citizenship test and attest to their good character before they could be naturalized. The speakers also celebrated the diversity of the American population and described their adopted nation as a place of equity and inclusion. The dreams of immigrants have built in America and continue to inject new energy, new vitality and new strength into our country," Kelly said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Rachel Pickering noted that her mother's parents came to the U.S. from Mexico about a century ago. She said later that they were fleeing a civil war and took a train to Chicago to find work before settling in Detroit. She told the new citizens, You are keeping the American dream alive." As Jerry Ugbo took the citizenship oath, his wife, Hannah, watched with their two children, 18-month-old Gideon and 6-month-old Nora. Gideon laughed with delight as his mother waved a small American flag then handed it to him. The flag ended up attached to the side of Nora's carriage. Jerry Ugbo came to Idaho from Nigeria in 2015 to study human biology. He and his family now live in Manhattan, Kansas, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Topeka. He is finishing up schooling to become a physician's assistant and Hannah does major event planning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple married in 2018, and Jerry Ugbo hadn't thought much about becoming a U.S. citizen as he concentrated on his career. He described the U.S. as a place of endless opportunity" after making friends and immersing himself in American culture. With the debate over immigration swirling, Hannah Ugbo said she thinks it's important for people to come to the U.S. legally but that the legal process has hurdles. It costs at least hundreds of dollars, and often immigrants hire lawyers to help them, especially if they struggle with English. Jerry and Hannah Ugbo, unable to afford a lawyer, had to sweat the details themselves. With his oath taken, Jerry Ugbo and his family planned to celebrate, though the first order of business was a meal and, Hannah Ugbo said, to let the kids play. The Mingo County Public Service District has faced multiple challenges over the last year that have led to dirty water and water outages for hundreds of customers. The West Virginia Public Service Commission has opened a general investigation into the utility. (Getty Images) The West Virginia Public Service Commission is opening a general investigation into operations at the Mingo County Public Service District after multiple challenges at the utility over the last year have led to dirty water and water outages for hundreds of customers. Going into last weekend, more than 2,000 customers on the water system were left without adequate service due to complications with the districts sediment basin, according to a news release sent Friday by the state Department of Health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sediment basins are used to help clear water of mineral deposits and other potential contaminants. In the general investigation filing by the PSC, staff alleged that the utilitys management had neglected to maintain the sediment basins for years. This led to the inadequate filtering of water and, ultimately, service terminations for hundreds of customers due to the system being unable to properly clean the water delivered through it. Representatives for the Mingo County PSD could not be reached for this story by publication time. According to Facebook posts by the Mingo County PSD since the beginning of this year, inclement weather and the conditions of the Tug River, where the system pulls its water from, have led to multiple challenges in recent weeks: water outages, the inability to treat the water, leaks, low pressure, frozen intake valves and more. A boil water advisory has been in place for a majority of the systems customers since at least Jan. 9, according to Facebook. As of Friday that was still the case, per the PSD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bottled water distributions have been occurring in Mingo County to help the hundreds of residents who have been left with either no water or undrinkable water. Per a news release, both the state Department of Health and the Department of Homeland Security are providing assistance to local leaders in order to get adequate water service returned as soon as possible and ensure residents are safe in the meantime. While the state Bureau for Public Health will offer technical assistance to help with the ongoing challenges at Mingo County PSD, its likely that some of the circumstances surrounding the most recent water outages are due more to systemic, continuous issues at the aging utilitys facilities than an acute, one-time problem. In the PSCs filing to open a general investigation into Mingo County PSD which was initially filed on Jan. 15 staff for the state agency listed numerous points of concern regarding the utilitys operations, some of which date back nearly a year and are unrelated to each other. In the Gilbert and Justice areas of the county, more than a dozen residents filed formal complaints last April regarding continuous outages, low pressure, leaks, muddy water coming from the pipes and the inadequate operation of fire hydrants. In December, those complaints and the overarching case were reopened by the PSC because residents alleged that remediation efforts promised by the system had not been completed. The problems, they said, persisted and in some cases got worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those challenges in Justice and Gilbert, according to the PSC filings, are physically separate and distinct from the more recent situation. The water comes from a different source and is treated through a different part of the utilitys system. On a broader scale, the Mingo County PSD is violating the states water rules by failing to properly maintain the system and provide safe, clean and continuous water to customers. The system, according to the PSC, has failed to comply with public health standards and filing requirements, racking up numerous violations on both the operational and service sides of the utility. Certain reports that are mandated to be completed and released to customers as well as the state consumer confidence reports, monthly operational reports and more have gone unfiled. Proper correspondence between the system and customers when issues have occurred remain questionable, according to the PSC. And certain preventative and maintenance plans that should be in place for contaminant sampling, backflow prevention and more are not. The Mingo County PSD, like many utilities in the southern coalfields, is largely cash-strapped, making it difficult at times to stay on top of much needed maintenance work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, Mingo County PSD director J.B. Heflin told the Charleston Gazette-Mail that the system was paying $100,000 a month in bond payments alone for previous and then-upcoming projects. That was separate from the money it spent on payroll, equipment, maintenance and more. According to its most recent annual report, the PSD owes nearly $17.4 million in long-term bond debts. The only income source for the PSD as is the case with most utilities are customer bills. In 2023, per the report, the utility brought in about $3.3 million from water sales to about 4,500 customers. That same year, it paid at least $2.3 million for operating expenses and maintenance, as well as nearly $440,000 in interest on prior loans. Other funds went to mandated reserve accounts and other expenses, leaving little money on hand for special projects or improvements. PSD staff have told local media over the past few weeks that they need more money to perform the work necessary to get the system completely back online and improve service in the long term. Local officials have said they were unlikely to support a rate increase without changes to how the utility operates. But its unclear what changes could happen if there is no more money on hand to implement them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the general investigation unfolds, the PSC will be responsible for determining what courses of action are possible for the Mingo County PSD to improve. This includes exploring whether the PSD and its operations should be handed over to another, more capable nearby utility under the Distressed and Failing Utilities Improvement Act passed by the state Legislature in 2020. The state PSC has until July 14 to report findings from its investigation, including recommendations for both the engineering and legal operations of the utility. Once those are filed, the Mingo County PSD will have until Aug. 1 to respond to those findings. The full case filing for the investigation can be found by searching case number 25-0027-LRR-PWD-GI on the PSCs website. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX MIAMI, Okla. Several remodeling projects are on the drawing board for the new Senior Citizens Center, according to Miam city leaders. We believe the Miami Seniors Center is a vitally important resource for residents and a valued community gathering place, said Miami City Manager Tyler Cline in a prepared statement released by city officials. The entire City of Miami administration, staff, Council, and Mayor are dedicated to doing all we can to help revitalize the center. Miamis Chief Operating Officer Kevin Browning, who oversees facilities, released plans to add a new kitchen space. The Seniors Center facility houses the DOCS programs kitchen, which provides senior citizens meals and services to residents throughout Ottawa County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other plans include replacing the water line, updating and refreshing the facilitys aesthetics with new paint, replacing carpeted areas with better flooring, and adding new appliances and other furnishings. Grand Gateway, Rural Economic Action Plan, and United Way grants will fund the $90,000 improvement project. Currently, the center offers an on-site gym, a three-table poolroom, a library filled with books, games, and puzzles, a 1/8-mile outdoor walking track sponsored by Integris Health, two meeting rooms, and a rentable ballroom with a soon-to-be-completed on-site kitchen. Activities offered at this time include pay-to-play Bingo, Bunco, pool tournaments, card games, Canasta and Bridge, Mexican Train Dominos, exercise and stretching classes, Tai Chi classes, and community events. Following the dissolution of the former Miami Seniors Center board, the group was reorganized, and the ownership reverted to the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A newly formed Board of Directors will oversee the Center and serve as an advisory board to the Miami City Council. Members of the Miami Seniors Center board are: Chairperson/President Kyla Jones Vice Chair/Vice President Carmen Couch Secretary Carol Underhill Treasurer Kathy Wright Member Eldon Johnston The Miami Seniors Center Board is also looking at creating guidelines and a fee schedule for public rental use of the facility to expand the centers use and generate revenue. Were ready to have all the necessary things for the Center in place so we can get to all the fun stuff, Jones said, Were looking at expanding the Centers use and making it accessible and attractive to our senior community. Its an exciting time for the Miami Senior Center. The Miami Seniors Center Boards regular meetings at the center are scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month and are open to the public. Membership fees are a yearly fee of $25, giving members access to the facility and most events and programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow the Centers Facebook page for more updated information about activities and events. The Miami Seniors Center, located at 2104 Denver Harner Drive in Miami, is open Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for more information, call (918) 542-5587. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Trump White House needs to "fix the mess theyve created," said Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) Nevada state agencies and non-profit organizations are scrambling to determine the impact of President Donald Trumps almost immediate freeze on funding for federal loans and grants. The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve, Matthew J. Vaeth, Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget said in a memo dated Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps Office of Management and Budget said the pause would go into effect at 5 p.m. EST Tuesday, and temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance. Minutes before that deadline, a federal judge temporarily blocked the implementation of the action until Monday, February 3, the Associated Press reported. This temporary pause will provide the Administration time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of the funding for those programs consistent with the law and the Presidents priorities, the memo states. Based on the memo, the sweeping hold would include federal grants, cooperating agreements, loans, and other types of obligations or distributions that equate to $3 trillion, or 30%, of the federal governments annual spending. In fiscal year, 2021, Nevada received 16% of its revenue from federal transfers, which fund education, nutritional assistance programs, infrastructure, and Medicaid, according to USA Facts, which compiles federal data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo outlined an exception for some assistance programs from the funding freeze, including Medicare, Social Security benefits, and assistance provided directly to individuals. Still, state officials, non-profit groups, and policy experts say the memos ambiguous language makes it difficult to know what programs will be caught in the pause. Medicaid funding is not expected to be affected, according to an OMB official. But the order caused confusion in the program anyway. CBS News reported state Medicaid programs were unable to access the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Program Support Center portal on Tuesday. Nevada, however, was not locked out of its portal, an official said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The payment management system, which distributes federal funding, on Tuesday read: PAYMENT DELAYS: Due to Executive Orders regarding potentially unallowable grant payments, PMS is taking additional measures to process payments. Reviews of applicable programs and payments will result in delays and/or rejections of payments. Agencies are required to submit detailed information to OMB on any programs affected by the temporary pause by Feb. 10. Its unknown if the freeze will end on that date. So what does this pause mean? Trumps press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a media briefing Tuesday, It means no more funding for illegal DEI programs. It means no more funding for the green new scam that has cost American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars. It means no more funding for transgenderism and wokeness across our federal bureaucracy, and no more funding for Green New Deal social engineering policies. Americans who are receiving individual assistance, you will continue to receive that, Leavitt said, citing Social Security benefits, Medicare benefits, food stamps, and welfare benefits. Assistance that is going directly to individuals will not be impacted by this pause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last four years, weve seen the Biden administration spend money like a drunken sailor, Leavitt said, adding the administration intends to make sure every penny is being accounted for honestly. Food, health, housing and more Nutrition assistance programs that offer direct assistance to individuals would not be affected, according to the memo, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). But other popular nutrition programs that offer food assistance to thousands of vulnerable Nevadans did not receive an exception under the broad memo, including several nutrition assistance programs that feed low-income children and senior citizens through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) is working with the Governors Office and the Governors Finance Office to ensure adequate funding to cover necessary programs. We expect additional guidance to come out this afternoon, and we hope to have more clarity by midday tomorrow, said the Nevada Department of Agriculture Director J.J. Goicoechea in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One popular program that would be stripped of funding under the White House directive is the National School Lunch Program, also known as the free and reduced school lunch program. About 75% of students in CCSD qualify for free or reduced-price meals, according to the district. The program also offers after school snacks, and the free and reduced School Breakfast Program. The Nevada Department of Agriculture also uses federal funding to provide meals for low-income children and adults receiving daycare, including children residing in homeless shelters, through the USDAs Child and Adult Care Food Program. Several programs under the Nevada Department of Agriculture focused on providing nutrition to low-income senior citizens could also be impacted under the White House directive, including the Senior Nutrition and Wellness program, and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. The Senior Nutrition and Wellness program is a commodity supplemental food program that offers monthly food packages for seniors 60 years of age and older with incomes at or below 130% of poverty levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation provides commodity foods to low-income elderly Nevadans residing on Indian reservations in the state. The program is a vital alternative to the SNAP program for rural reservations that do not have access to grocery stores. Some state agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education, which administers Head Start, a preschool program for low-income children, did not provide comment, saying they were still reviewing the impact of the White House memo. Prior to the memo pausing federal funding, the Trump administration announced late last week a freeze of all meetings, travel, communications, and hiring within the National Institutes of Health. Nevada receives $39 million in funding from NIH with organizations including Nevada System of Higher Education and Southern Nevada Cancer Research Foundation benefiting from dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement on Monday, the Nevada System of Higher Education said the grant funding plays a critical role to aid in groundbreaking research, academic programs, workforce development, and innovative solutions to local and global challenges. NSHE officials are actively monitoring the current situation with NIH. The Nevada Housing Division, which administers a number of federally funded loan programs for homebuyers, as well as rental assistance programs, had no information on the freezes impact. The Department is closely monitoring communications coming from the Trump Administration for clarity, said Department of Business and Industry spokeswoman Teri Williams. We are currently in the process of trying to determine what impact this action might have on our divisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The OMB memo cites Trumps biological truth executive order on transgender Americans. Providers and facilities throughout the state that receive federal funding and provide gender-affirming care to youth and other services to adults could be affected. We do not know if any funding is going to be paused or not since the orders were not specific, Jerry Cade, medical director of the Gay and Lesbian Center of Las Vegas, said Tuesday as he spoke personally and not on behalf of the Center. Of course, were concerned about that. White House needs to fix the mess they created In a joint statement, state Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzarro and Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, both Democrats, called on Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo to demand answers from the White House Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps funding freeze will cause massive confusion for Nevada families, delay delivery of vital services in health care and education, and could plunge our state budget into further chaos, the joint statement said. The Governors office must demand answers from the federal government and a reversal of this decision while providing the Legislature a full accounting of all affected state programs and services, Cannizzaro and Yeager said. Lombardo, who Trump credited with helping him win the presidency during a rally in Las Vegas Saturday, said in a statement issued after this story was originally published Tuesday that he has been in communication with the White House and will participate in a larger meeting with the Office of Management and Budget to discuss the potential impacts to state agencies. In his statement, Lombardo characterized concerns about the impact of the freeze as shameless political theater. President Trumps freeze on federal grants and funding has jeopardized key programs that many Nevadans rely on, Senator Jacky Rosen said in a news release Tuesday morning. Because of this freeze, there is now chaos and confusion about the status of critical funding needed to support local law enforcement, veterans, businesses, widely used housing programs, and others. Make no mistake, I will fight back against this unconstitutional action and work to ensure that Nevadas federal funding resumes to continue benefiting Nevadans. I was ready to confirm Sean Duffy to lead the Department of Transportation, but I cannot vote for him after the chaos President Trump has unleashed with his order to pause critical federal funding to Nevada, said Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto in a statement. The funding being held up by President Trump includes support for Nevadas seniors, veterans, and families not to mention grants for job-creating transportation projects statewide. Working families deserve real answers from the Trump Administration about how they are going to fix the mess theyve created, Cortez Masto said. My biggest concern about President Trumps latest attempt to build a monarchy is that families, seniors, veterans, and the sick across this country will suffer because of it, said Nevada Democratic Rep. Susie Lee in a statement. Hospitals, healthcare providers, and nonprofits will be forced to discontinue services or shutdown, Lee asserted. Federally funded infrastructure projects and (associated) jobs will halt, local law enforcement and firefighters will lose out on funding, hungry kids and seniors wont get the food they need, schools and student aid will lose funding, and research for treatments and cures to cancers and diseases will pause. Just 72 hours ago, Trump claimed to stand with hard working Nevadans here in Las Vegas, said Democratic Rep. Horsford in statement late Tuesday afternoon, referring to Trump talking about his no tax on tips campaign promise during a rally Saturday. Instead, hes pushing Project 2025 policies that show us exactly what were in for. More chaos, more confusion, and more calculated attacks on the essential services that Nevadans depend on. State lawmakers also say the federal freeze could strain the states budget, which was $335 million short when submitted, the result of an error by Lombardos office. Nevada Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford, who hopes to unseat Lombardo in the 2026 election, was one of more than 20 attorneys general joining in a suit to stop the Trump administration from implementing the funding freeze. Trump won the 2024 election and has the right to enact his policies within the bounds of the law, Ford said in a statement announcing his participation in the suit Tuesday afternoon. But when Trump violates the Constitution or law, I will take any legal steps necessary to protect Nevadans, Ford said, noting he has also joined with other state attorneys general to challenge Trumps executive order that attempts to overturn birthright citizenship. This story has been updated. Michael Lyle and Hugh Jackson contributed to this report. Editors note: A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administrations freeze on federal grants and loans, according to the Associated Press. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Lawmakers from around the Pacific Northwest are reacting on Tuesday to the Trump administrations freeze for federal funding and grants, including one Democratic U.S. senator urging Republicans to delay a committee vote on President Donald Trumps nominee for the very budget office that issued the pause. The freeze, which was announced late Monday in a memo from the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, takes effect at 5 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oregons U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden spoke out against the pause in federal dollars. ICE raid rumors can be really damaging in Oregon Chaos is not leadership. Ransacking resources from Oregonians counting on federal support for local law enforcement, schools, small businesses, firefighters, veterans and more hurts each and every community I am honored to represent, Wyden, a Democrat, said in a statement. My team and I are working overtime right now to hold this lawless administration accountable for trampling the Constitution and make sure that everyone depending on these funds arent left in the cold. Meanwhile, Washingtons U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, who serves as the vice chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, joined other Senate Democrats in a press conference in Washington D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a brazen and illegal move, the Trump administration is working to freeze vast swaths of federal funding passed into law by Republicans and Democrats alike, Murray said during the press conference. The scope of this illegal action is unprecedented and could have devastating consequences across the country for real people. We could see a screeching halt to resources for child care, housing, police officers, opioid addiction treatment, rebuilding roads and bridges, and even disaster relief efforts. Trump was just in California to witness the devastation and now he is holding back that aid. Murray also urged U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), who chairs the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, to hold the nomination of Russell Vought, who President Donald Trump nominated to lead the OMB again after leading the office during Trumps previous administration. Democratic Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-6th) called the freeze an unprecedented steal. Oregonians will immediately feel the effects of Trumps steal at a time when most folks are already struggling to pay the bills and put food on the table. If the President gets his way, children and seniors will go hungry, parents will pay more for child care, small businesses wont be able to meet payroll, veterans will lose access to housing and health care, and rural communities wont get the relief they need to prepare for and recover from wildfires and other disasters, she said in a statement. I strongly condemn this illegal theft of taxpayer dollars and call on the Administration to immediately reverse course. If they fail to do so, I am prepared to fight back and I will do everything in my power to ensure that the hardworking people of Oregons Sixth District get the support and funding they deserve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More to come, stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MASURY, Ohio (WKBN) One of the tenants accused of abandoning a dog at a home he was renting is now facing a criminal charge. Rodnea Maxwell is charged with misdemeanor cruelty to animals. The case was filed in Trumbull County Eastern District Court last week. It stems from the removal of a dog at a home on Roberts Street in Masury earlier this month. According to a police report, the property owner told officers he had evicted the tenants who abandoned the dog and left the home in deplorable and uninhabitable condition. 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. State Attorney Monique Worrells office has dropped charges against a Boone High School student accused of bringing a loaded gun to school. Orlando police arrested 19-year-old Lovensky Cesalien in September for allegedly placing a loaded 9 mm handgun in a female students backpack. He was charged with possessing a firearm on school property and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. But according to a court filing Monday, the assistant state attorney said the case was not suitable for prosecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement provided to WFTV, a spokesperson said: The investigation revealed the 19-year-old student was not in possession of the firearm when it was discovered, nor did he make any admission of guilt. There also was no evidence to support he was in possession of a firearm on school property. While there may have been probable cause to make an arrest, prosecuting a case requires meeting a higher burden of proof, which was not present in this instance and the case did not meet the legal standard required to file a formal charge of Possession of a Firearm on School Property. While the decision was made to not file charges this week, this case was sent to the office in September 2024 before State Attorney Worrell came into office. The only charge we could have potentially moved forward with for the 19-year-old was a misdemeanor charge of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor but the previous administration failed to act within the required timeframe, allowing the speedy trial period to expire for the misdemeanor charge on Dec. 12, 2024. We are unable to provide additional information on the charges against the juvenile since we dont comment on juvenile cases. State Attorney, Ninth Judicial Circuit Spokesperson The prosecutor said the officer who made the arrest acknowledged it would be a stretch to charge Cesalien with possession of a gun-- because the female student told officers- Cesalien put the weapon in her bag off campus. WFTVs Ashlyn Webb also reached out to the Orlando Police Department and they said they were unaware the charges were dropped. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A Charlotte man faces a potential of 60-years in federal prison for his alleged his role in a conspiracy, sponsored by the North Korean (DPRK) government to evade sanctions and ultimately funneling millions of dollars to the country. Emanuel Ashtor is accused of helping facilitate a scheme hiring North Korean workers for IT positions in the U.S. for more than 60 different companies. North Korea prepares to send more troops to Russia after suffering casualties, South Korea says The scheme involved the hiring of North Korean IT workers and obtaining contracts for remote working jobs around the country using false identification and technology to make it appear workers were located in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashtor is just one of several people indicted in the ongoing case. Others include a Mexican citizen living in Sweden, another U.S. Citizen from New York, and two North Korean IT workers. The arrest warrant for Ashtor shows he lives in an upscale apartment in SouthPark. He is accused of conspiracy to damage a protected computer, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conspiracy to transfer false identification documents. Ashtor is accused of registering the company Vali Tech Inc. using his name, as well as an unnamed victims who the FBI said Ashtor did not have permission to use. Vali Tech then signed contracts with outside companies to employ North Korean workers using false identification, and even employed a North Korean IT Worker, Jin Sung-Il, using a fake passport with Ashtors New York address as his place of residence, according to the indictment. Sung-Il used the name Kelsey Bane on the fake documents. North Korean IT workers used fake documents to obtain jobs remotely in the US Law enforcement traced a laptop sent from unwitting third-party companies to Ashtors home Wi-Fi in North Carolina and then allowed the Sung-Il to log in remotely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite earning millions of dollars throughout the course of the scheme, the North Korean government kept 90% of the earnings paid to the IT employees, according to court records. VIDEO: Senior credit card fraud on the rise CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Board of Education members for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are scheduled to vote Tuesday on a proposal that would increase thousands of employees compensation to at least $20 per hour. The increase would apply to both hourly and salaried staff members who are considered classified staff. The title applies to more than 390 jobs within the district, including teaching assistants, mechanics, clerical staff members, bus monitors, and others. More than 5,000 CMS employees are classified staff, and about 3,800 of those employees currently make less than $20 per hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pay increase would be rolled out in phases. Organizers say the full plan may take up to three years to implement. Following the increase to $20 per hour, employees would be eligible for increases based on years of service (both in the profession and within the district), and annual adjustments. If board members approve the increase, employees would receive a higher salary going forward and retroactive payment dating back to July 1, 2024. The most recent comprehensive raise happened in 2007. District employees commissioned a compensation study in 2018, but did not implement widespread changes following the review. Current board members said the compensation study is the first step in a longer process to address long-standing wage issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Regular Board Meeting begins in closed session at 4 p.m. Tuesday and opens to the public at 6 p.m. in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center Chamber. MORE FROM QCNEWS.COM Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 driver of a charter bus involved in a crash on Monday that shut down a major Boston highway is now facing charges in connection with the wreck, authorities announced Tuesday. The driver of an Academy bus, whose name hasnt been released, has been cited for negligent operation of a motor vehicle and failure to stay within marked lanes, according to a Boston Police Department spokesman. Video from the scene of the crash on Monday showed the Academy bus with a shattered windshield stopped on the southbound side of Route 1A at 175 William F. McClellan Highway, which carries traffic to the airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boston police said the bus knocked down four light poles and two transformers shortly before 5:45 a.m., leaving wires strewn across the highway in the area of Suffolk Downs. The bus had several Logan Airport workers on board and two injuries were reported. As of Tuesday afternoon, one lane on the southbound side of McClellan Highway had been reopened to traffic. The northbound lanes were reopened Monday hours after the crash. The street remains partially closed and delays are expected until crews complete repairs, the department spokesman noted. The crash resulted in significant traffic delays in East Boston, as well as multiple surrounding communities. Travelers heading to Logan Airport were urged to give themselves plenty of extra commute time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the officer investigating the crash has also applied for an immediate threat to suspend the bus drivers license with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Boston 25 News has reached out to Academy for comment on the charges filed by police. In a statement on Monday, the company said they were cooperating with state and local police. The crash remains under investigation. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW (WJET/WFXP) The Chautauqua County Sheriffs Office is warning residents about a new scam in the area targeting the families of inmates. The sheriffs office said unknown scammers have been using the inmate search feature on their app to contact family members of inmates and then reaching out to them about getting them out for a fee. Warren County man charged for sexually assaulting young girl This is a scam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police are warning residents not to send any money or personal information to unknown solicitors and to verify any calms with officials sources. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Trump administration is freezing federal loans and grants but says social security, medicare and SNAP benefits are not impacted. NBC News senior White House correspondent Garrett Haake, MSNBC legal correspondent Lisa Rubin, Punchbowl News co-founder Jake Sherman and New York Times reporter Jeremy Peters join Katy Tur to discuss the potential impacts of President Trumps orders. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.) said he hopes President Trumps border czar, Tom Homan, will carry out the immigration enforcement operations with justice and mercy. In an interview on NewsNations The Hill, Jackson said he supports arresting immigrants who crossed the border illegally and have committed crimes in the U.S. Still, he expressed concern that law-abiding residents would be swept up in the mass deportation efforts. I think this has been a campaign of fear, Jackson said. Of course, we all agree that people that are violent should be arrested, people that are here unlawfully that have committed heinous crimes should be removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He suggested other Democrats share his view, adding, To try to say one side is for this, and another side is trying to sow anarchy and disorder, is absolutely false. But, Jackson said, people protected by programs like the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or who have Temporary Protective Status (TPS) should still be granted their rights. We do believe in the rule of law, but those persons that were innocent, they should have the presumption of innocence. Those persons that are under DACA or temporary protective status should be afforded a right to a presumption of innocence, he said. So I just hope that he goes forward with a degree of justice and mercy, Jackson continued, referring to Homan. I dont want to see and hear about families being torn apart, children being separated from parents. We can have an orderly process to deal with immigration reform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and a small handful of other federal agencies have conducted raids over the past few days, which led to the arrest of more than 2,000 people, including almost 1,000 on Sunday alone, ICE said. The Hill is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns 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 The Hill. CHICAGO The City of Chicago is being investigated for its sanctuary city status, as immigration officers continue to make arrests in the city and around the U.S. On Monday, Mayor Brandon Johnson received a letter from Washington, D.C., that states, in summary, that Chicago and other cities like it notably Denver, New York and Boston, all of which hold sanctuary city status like Chicago are being investigated by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Immigration officers say the worst go first, but now theres no free pass Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter refers to sanctuary jurisdictions as having misguided and obstructionist policies, which hinder the abilities of federal law enforcement officers to enforce immigration policies. Because of that, the committee wants a plethora of documents and information relating to sanctuary city polices including things like all communications among or between any city official, employee or contractor. In the letter, Johnson is also invited to testify in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Feb. 11. ICE officers begin carrying out raids in Chicago, around U.S.; acting deputy AG and border czar in town to observe Johnson, CPD Supt. Larry Snelling and other city officials held a press conference at City Hall on Tuesday morning, the mayor vowing to protect rights as immigration raids continue in Chicago and around the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were a welcoming city, the mayor said. We are proud of that work. Raids across Chicago, U.S. All of this comes after immigration raids have happened across Chicago and around the U.S. over the last several days. Earlier Monday, WGNs sister station in Washington, D.C., caught up with Tom Homan, the border czar for the Donald Trump administration, who was in Chicago on Sunday. Homan was asked what he had to say about how things are being handled. Weve been very successful. In one weekend, numbers are extraordinary. Borders are more secure. Its been a very long time, Homan said. Were going to enforce immigration law. Were going to make this country safe again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said its agents made 956 arrests on Sunday and 1,179 arrests on Monday across the U.S., but the agency has not provided numbers specific to Chicago. Trump administrations deportation process features changes compared to years past The White House reported a separate number on Monday, saying 613 of those arrests were criminal illegal alien arrests. Its unclear if that means 613 of the people arrested had criminal records or if theyd entered the country illegally, or both. On Monday, Homan said as he has on numerous other occasions that the primary targets are criminals. But he has also previously added that there will be what he calls collateral arrests, referring to anyone who is undocumented. Rights for Chicagoans The flurry of activity and sightings of federal agents in Chicago has sparked fear for many and left some wondering about their own rights should anyone come to their door or pull them over in their vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary Meg McCarthy, executive director of the National Immigrant Justice Center, said everyone is protected by the Fourth Amendment, regardless of status, adding that no one can come into your home without a signed judicial warrant and that you should check that the warrant is signed by a judge. If an officer comes to their door, they do not need to answer that door or open that door, unless they have a judicial warrant, but they have to see that judicial warrant and make sure it is signed by a judge, McCarthy said. They should have the officer slip that piece of paper under the door or show it to them in the window, and if that is not signed by a judge, then they do not have to let those individuals in. The Justice Center advises that if youre pulled over in your vehicle, you have the right to remain silent. You can also ask if youre being arrested, and if youre not, you can ask to move on. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If there is a possibility of arrest, you can ask for an attorney. The Chicago Police Department has no hand in federal immigration operations, due to the Welcoming City Ordinance, which is whats now being investigated by a federal committee. Anyone looking for more assistance can contact or visit the National Immigrant Justice Center, which is also working in conjunction with the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights and has set up a hotline for immigrants looking for assistance. That hotline can be reached at 1-855-HELP-MY-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 WGN-TV. LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) It may be a little early to start planning your Halloween costume this year, but one lawmaker aims to make the holiday safer. I just dont think anybody had thought about it. It seems to be a relatively new idea. This passed just within the last couple of years in Ohio. It seems to be catching on from state to state and gaining momentum, Rep. Chad Aull (D-Lexington) told FOX 56 News. RELATED: Lexington lawmaker Chad Aull believes its one simple way to keep families a little safer in spooky season. House Bill 42 is only a page long, but it would make it illegal for anyone who has committed sex crimes against a minor to participate in a Halloween-related activity. Whether thats trick or treating or going to a costume party during and around the holiday of Halloween, specifically, Aull said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kentucky law doesnt have any guidelines about restricting offenders on the holiday. The bill would legally define Halloween-related activities to mean: An activity involving minors organized around and concerning the celebration of Halloween that occurs any time during the fourteen (14) days before or after October 31 of each year, including but not limited to: Trick-or-treating; A costume party where minors are in attendance; or Any event involving the distribution of candy to minors. We were very strict and very strategic in how we drafted the bill to make sure we didnt accidentally include anything else, Aull said. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Aull is basing this bill around a similar no-candy law recently passed in Ohio. While it covers a broad range of activities, there is a carveout to allow wearing a costume for a legitimate work-related event or the commercial sale of candy and Halloween merchandisebut again, without minors involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first violation would be a Class A misdemeanor, and any following would be a felony. The bill has gained bipartisan backing and is waiting to be heard when lawmakers return in February for the remainder of the session. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE: On Tuesday afternoon, police identified the child as Aubreeyonna Muex. ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. A child was shot and killed in the Castle Point neighborhood in north St. Louis County Monday afternoon, according to police. The incident occurred in the 10500 block of Castle Dr. around 1:45 p.m. Police say the victim was a 4-year-old girl who succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. Details surrounding the shooting are limited at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement St. Louis County Police Department Lt. Corey Simons was on the scene as the investigation unfolded. Its heartbreaking, he said. Officers responded to a call for gunshots and found the child inside a home. Loved and community members were visibly shaken. A St. Louis County Police Chaplain responded to help provide comfort. We want to offer any services that we possibly can, Simons added. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477). This is a developing story. More will be posted as it comes into the FOX 2 newsroom. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Chiles Senate approved a long-sought reform to raise pensions for current and future retirees, advancing the legislation to a crucial phase in the lower house before it would become law. Most Read from Bloomberg The bill passed both a general vote and then item-by-item votes with large majorities early Tuesday following days of arduous talks in the Senates finance and labor committees. The lower house will take up debate on the proposal on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Finance Ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chile is moving forward on the wide-ranging bill that, after many failed attempts, would finally address retirement payouts that often fall short of the poverty line and which helped to drive mass unrest in 2019. For investors, pension funds are important given that they form the bedrock of the nations capital markets. Still, the proposal has changed significantly since it was introduced by the leftist government, and any disagreements between Senators and lower house deputies risk extending debate deeper into an election year. President Gabriel Borics initial plan called for drastically curtailing the private pension fund managers, known as AFPs, and obligating new employer pay-ins to go entirely to a solidarity fund. According to the current text, not only would the AFPs continue to exist, but they would also manage more money. Under the plan, employer contributions for pensions would reach 8.5% of workers salaries. The pay-ins would rise to that level over nine years. Of that total, 4.5% would go directly to each individuals savings accounts. Meanwhile, 1.5% would temporarily go toward increasing payouts for retirees who need extra money now, with those funds later being returned to current workers when they end their careers. Part of the remaining percentage would go to women, who are disadvantaged under the existing system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal also entails raising basic, state-backed pensions to 250,000 pesos ($253) per month. There are still risks ahead. Any discrepancies between the text that the Senate approved with the version that the lower house eventually backs would send the legislation to a mixed committee to resolve the differences. Such an occurrence is possible, and it would would risk stalling debate after congressional recess in February. From that point on, political attention will start to focus more intensely on this years presidential election. Roughly 60% of voters believe Congress should pass the current reform, while 33% want it rejected, according to a Cadem public opinion poll published Jan. 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Among Chinas traditional holidays and celebrations, none ranks higher in importance than the Lunar New Year (). Also known as the Spring Festival (), or simply Chinese New Year, it marks the beginning of the year according to the traditional lunar calendar. The Lunar New Year usually starts sometime between late January and mid-February. This year, the festivities begin on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, marking the arrival of the Year of the Snake. In mainland China, official celebrations last for seven days as a public holiday. As a scholar of Chinese religious history and culture, what fascinates me the most is how the celebrations are a reminder of the longevity and vibrancy of traditional Chinese culture. Food, gifts and celebrations At its core, the Lunar New Year is a celebration that brings the family together. Preparations start a week in advance and include cleaning and decorating the home, as well as shopping, especially for gifts and provisions, and food preparation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A central event is the family dinner at the New Years eve. The choice of dishes varies, reflecting family customs and local culinary traditions. Often it includes dumplings, spring rolls, cakes, fish and pork dishes. There is also a fair amount of drinking, especially traditional wines or liquor. Many of the dishes are assigned symbolic meanings. For instance, dumplings are given the shape of gold ingots, to invoke good fortune. Other customs associated with the New Year celebrations include the giving of red envelopes containing money, usually by elders to younger members of the family. The red color, which is also featured prominently in New Year decorations, symbolizes prosperity and good fortune. Traditionally, families and local communities burn firecrackers to mark the new year and ward off monsters. According to legend, the origin of the practice goes back to a story about a monster called Nian, who is believed to have been causing great harm to some villages. In response, the villagers are said to have started off explosions to scare off the monster, and the practice caught on. However, more recently the government has been cracking down on this traditional practice, on the grounds of it being dangerous and polluting. Year of the snake This new year is the year of the snake. According to the Chinese zodiac signs, each year in the lunar cycle is associated with a particular animal. This is a 12-year cycle that repeats itself. Thus, there are 12 animals associated with each year in the cycle. These are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. The snake is the sixth of the 12 animals that constitute the zodiac, coming just after the dragon, the most auspicious of all signs. Thus, sometimes the year of the snake is referred to as little dragon year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the popular myths about the origins of the Chinese zodiac, there is one about a great race initiated by the Jade Emperor, the ruler of heaven, in order to measure time. As the rat won the race, it came to be listed as first among the 12 animals of the zodiac. The order of the other 11 animals reflected their final position in the race. Each of the 12 zodiac animals came to represent certain characteristics believed to shape the personalities of individuals born in those years. For the snake, the positive qualities associated with it include resilience, creativity, and adaptability, and thus an ability to overcome various obstacles or challenges. Individuals born in this year may also possess keen intelligence and good intuition. Origins of the lunar calendar Traditionally, the Chinese have followed their native lunar calendar, which is based on observations and measurements of astronomical phenomena. While modern China adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1912, traditional festivals such as the New Year still follow the old lunar calendar. The origins of the lunar calendar may go back to the dawn of Chinese civilization, traditionally associated with the legendary Xia dynasty that ruled from 2070 to 1600 B.C. The origins of the actual New Year celebrations are also not entirely clear; some scholars believe they likely go back to the rule of the Shang dynasty from 1600 to 1050 B.C. Religiosity and New Years gala While the New Year is generally centered around the general theme of family bonding, religious observances are also an integral part of the festivities. These include domestically oriented rituals associated with popular Chinese deities, such as the Kitchen God and the God of Wealth. Family members also make offerings and engage in other rituals related to ancestor worship. Commonly, these include food offerings and the burning of incense at home altars. A Chinese woman offers incense at a temple. Papakon Mitsanit/Moment via Getty Images During this period, many people go to Buddhist or Taoist temples, as well as other places of worship. They engage in traditional forms of piety, including offering incense and praying for good luck and fortune. Large temples tend to become very busy, with long lines of worshipers often waiting for hours in order to offer their first incense of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A modern element in ushering the New Year is watching the New Years Gala, a popular variety show that features singing, dancing, comedy and drama. It first aired in 1983, and ever since it has been broadcast to a countrywide audience by CCTV, the national TV broadcaster. It is the most watched television program in the world, with an audience that can reach as high as a billion viewers. Largest human migration Over the recent decades, China has experienced drastic demographic changes, especially the migration of large rural populations into big urban centers. Chinas one-child policy also brought about major changes in family structure, as most families were restricted to having only one child, which in turn made each child a center of attention and hope for the family. This has had far-reaching effects on traditional customs and observances. Among the primary drivers of these developments are the significant changes in family structure and function. Millions of rural children are living with their grandparents or relatives, while their parents work in faraway cities. Consequently, the Lunar New Year brings about the largest human migration in the world, as millions of students and migrant workers do their best to get back to their homes and families. During this period, trains, buses and planes are packed with travelers, and tickets must be booked well in advance. Celebrations outside of China The Lunar New Year is also celebrated in other parts of Asia, including Vietnam and Singapore, as well as across the world. Usually, these celebrations have some unique features or assume local character. For instance, in Vietnam, where the festival is known as Tet, there is the preparation of various local dishes, along with the holding of parades and public performances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the U.S. and Australia, where there are substantial ethnically Chinese populations in cities such as San Francisco, New York and Sydney, Chinese New Year festivals and parades are held each year. Some of them feature the traditional Dragon Dances, which highlight the communal aspect of New Year festivities. Over the centuries, the coming together for the New Year celebration has remained an important part of the cultural heritage for Chinese families, connecting the past to the present, wherever they might happen to be. This article was updated on Jan. 27, 2025. 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: Mario Poceski, University of Florida Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Mario Poceski 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. If we are to believe that Chinas DeepSeek has matched Silicon Valleys AI giants in breakneck time, on a shoestring and with a tiny fraction of the data and energy use, the world is indeed in convulsion. This is a geopolitical earthquake of the first order, upstaging Donald Trumps $500bn (400bn) Stargate bid for supremacy in artificial intelligence (AI) before he has even started. Chinas Communist Party could hardly have wished for a more obliterating propaganda stunt to cut Trumps strident new America down to size. A president who judges success by Wall Street faces a stock market crash within days of taking office. The politburo has a collective sense of humour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immense power and prestige passes instantly from the US to China. We are looking at a future where Chinese firms run away with AI, undercutting the West by commoditising it, just as China has done with solar panels, electric vehicles and lithium batteries. But there are strong suspicions that we have not been told the full story. Did DeepSeek really build an OpenAI for $5m? Of course not, said Stacy Rasgon, Bernsteins star tech analyst. It is too soon to judge whether the US embargo on cutting-edge chips has backfired by forcing Chinese firms to get off the bigger is better hyperscaler bandwagon of ever more computing power and think outside the box. Have they failed, as industry argues, or have they not been stringent enough, as I hear people with a national security background arguing? asked Bill Bishop, from Sinocism. On the face of it, the DeepSeek shock demolishes the commercial assumptions that underpin Americas hyper-inflated tech bubble, and has laid waste to digital darlings across the world, with collateral casualties to match. Uranium stocks fell 11pc on Monday since the vast expansion of data centres may not be needed, and nor will the nuclear plants to power them. Meta has set up a war room to assess the DeepSeek damage. The inherent future value of Nvidia is torn to shreds down $600bn in value in one day and that company alone is (or was) 7pc of the S&P 500 index. You dont need to buy its elite H100 graphic processing units (GPU) for deep learning at $30,000 a shot. You can do it with fewer and less-advanced H800 chips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though note that Nvidia praised DeepSeek as a boon for the industry, since it should accelerate the global adoption of AI, and therefore drive a surge in demand for Nvidias other GPUs. But cracks are starting to appear in the miraculous DeepSeek story. The company is the research lab and pet project of Liang Wenfeng, reclusive founder of the hedge fund High-Flyer and new hero of the Communist Party. On Jan 20 DeepSeek released the open source R1, claiming that it had trained the model in under two months with lower grade chips at a trivial cost of $5.6m. Were done following. Its time to lead, he said in a rare public outing unearthed by China Academy. He said the US embargo on high-end chips had forced his team to rely on inference, a form of AI training that depends on recognising patterns in data. We never intended to be a disruptor; it just happened by accident, he said. Mirabile dictu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But what really went into the secret recipe at DeepSeek headquarters in Hangzhou? Alexandr Wang, head of Scale AI in San Francisco, said the gossip from China is that the lab actually used 50,000 of the best H100 GPUs, either stockpiled in advance or obtained on the global black market since the US imposed its chip blockade. They cant talk about it, obviously, because it is against the export controls that the US has put in place, he told CNBC. DeepSeeks Liang Wenfeng himself told Chinas premier at a symposium last week that the shortage of advanced chips was a bottleneck holding back his lab. The inference is that DeepSeek is in reality acting as an agent of the regime, drawing on the full resources and strategic GPU reserves of the Chinese state, and also lending itself to a subtle campaign to try to undermine support for the US embargo in Washington. If so, China has not in fact come up with such an ultra-cheap model that smashes the competition, or one that suddenly opens the way to the mass utilisation of AI. DeepSeeks claims on cost stretch credulity. Mark Zuckerbergs Meta is spending more than $60bn this year on AI. Its Llama 4 is expected to cost $600m and will require 160,000 advanced GPUs to train the model. Open AI is burning through $5bn a year on its close- source ChatGPT architecture. OpenAIs Sam Altman has been soliciting $5 trillion. Yes, trillion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Few dispute about the capabilities of DeepSeek, so long as you dont ask about Tibet or the Uyghurs, but in that respect it is much like Wikipedia: unusable for politics. Marc Andreessen, eminence grise of Trumps tech oligarchy, praised the company, calling the new R1 model the Sputnik moment for Silicon Valley. One of the most amazing and impressive breakthroughs Ive ever seen, he said. DeepSeek matches US rivals on maths, coding and reasoning, which is remarkable in itself since China lacks the full AI ecosystem and ranks 17th in the AI index of Capital Economics. The US is first, followed by Singapore, the UK, and Switzerland. Europes big states lag behind Germany in 12th place, France 20th and Italy 25th if they can keep anything after the EUs suicidal AI Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nathan Benaich, the founder of Air Street Capital, told Sifted that the real losers of the DeepSeek saga are European firms building language learning models. The dominoes will fall hard and fast. These companies have already been struggling to differentiate themselves on price or performance, so DeepSeek R1 presents a perfect storm for them. The US intelligence agencies probably have a good idea whether or not DeepSeek is telling the full truth about its use of Nvidia GPUs, and that in turn will inform whether Washington opts for tougher sanctions. But if Trump goes that route, he will further split the world into opposed technology camps. The global south will gravitate ever more towards China. The proper conclusion to draw at this stage is that DeepSeek has genuinely shaken the tech world to its foundations and may have opened a path to democratised mass AI that does not gobble up the worlds electricity, even if the company is throwing sand in our eyes about the true cost and methods. That alone is a seismic geopolitical event, as Microsofts Satya Nadella warned in Davos. We should take the developments out of China very, very seriously, 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. HONG KONG An artificial intelligence lab in China has become the latest front in the U.S.-China rivalry, raising doubts as to how much and for how much longer the United States is in the lead in developing the strategically key technology. The Chinese startup DeepSeek has made waves after releasing AI models that experts say match or outperform leading American models at a fraction of the cost. The meteoric rise of the previously little-known company spooked U.S. investors Monday, wiping out almost $600 billion in the market value of American chipmaker Nvidia in the biggest drop in the nation's market history. In China, DeepSeek is being heralded as a symbol of the countrys AI advancements in the face of U.S. export restrictions that Beijing says are aimed at suppressing its technological development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This jaw-dropping breakthrough has come from a purely Chinese company, said Feng Ji, founder and chief executive of Game Science, the developer behind the hit video game Black Myth: Wukong. DeepSeek may be a national-level technological and scientific achievement, he wrote in a post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. Zhou Hongyi, co-founder of the Chinese cybersecurity firm Qihoo 360, said China would undoubtedly come out on top in the U.S.-China AI race. If we are to counter Americas AI tech dominance, DeepSeek will definitely be a key member of Chinas Avengers team, he said in a video on Weibo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So how did a little-known startup become a global AI sensation? Based in the Chinese tech hub of Hangzhou, DeepSeek was founded in 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, who is also the founder of a hedge fund called High-Flyer that uses AI-driven trading strategies. Liang has said High-Flyer was one of DeepSeeks investors, though its unclear how much it contributed, as well as a source of some of its first employees. Market reactions to DeepSeek are shown on screens at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York on Monday. Our core technical roles are mostly filled by fresh graduates or those with just a year or two of work experience, he told the Chinese media outlet 36Kr in May 2023, adding that the company was looking for down-to-earth individuals with curiosity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By 2022, High-Flyer had acquired 10,000 of Nvidias high-performance A100 graphics processor chips, according to a post that July on the Chinese social media platform WeChat. The U.S. imposed restrictions on sales of those chips to China later that year. Liang told 36Kr that he acquired the chips mostly because of curiosity about the boundaries of AI capabilities and that he had no particular commercial goal in mind. The stock market rout took place a week after DeepSeeks Jan. 20 release of an open-source language model called R1, which met with widespread acclaim in what venture capitalist Marc Andreessen called AIs Sputnik moment. Investors and the U.S. tech industry were further unnerved later in the week when DeepSeek published a technical report that said the model took only two months and less than $6 million to build, compared with the billions spent by leading U.S. tech companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The comparatively small spend by DeepSeek showed "a lot of optimization and smart, capable engineering that can be implemented and deployed to keep up in this race," Kevin Xu, the U.S.-based founder of Interconnected Capital, a hedge fund that invests in artificial intelligence technologies, told NBC News. The surge in interest sent DeepSeeks recently released app to the top of Apples App Store on Monday. The company later said that it was temporarily limiting user registrations due to large-scale malicious attacks on its services, CNBC reported. New users were quick to note that R1 appeared subject to censorship around topics deemed sensitive in China, avoiding answering questions about the self-ruled democratic island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims is part of its territory, or the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown or echoing Chinese government language. The model appears to operate without such restrictions, however, if it is used not through the DeepSeek website but on servers that host it outside mainland China. DeepSeek did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The R1 model is now second only to California-based OpenAIs o1 in the artificial analysis quality index, an independent AI analysis ranking. It also beats leading models by Google, Meta and the California-based Anthropic. Liang, who according to the China's media is about 40, has kept a relatively low profile in the country, where there has been a crackdown on the tech industry in recent years amid concerns by the ruling Chinese Communist Party that its biggest companies and executives might be getting too powerful. But he appeared on state television last week during a high-profile meeting with Premier Li Qiang, Chinas No. 2 official, who invited Liang and other experts from technology, education, science and other fields to share their opinions for a draft government work report. At the meeting, Li called for technological innovation to foster the economy, according to state media reports. China has made AI a national priority, with the goal of becoming the global leader in its technology by 2030. The U.S., concerned about the potential military applications, has moved to limit China's access to American technology, including new restrictions on AI chips issued by Joe Biden in the final days of his presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump said Monday that DeepSeeks rise should be a wake-up call for U.S. tech companies. The Chinese Foreign Ministry referred a request for comment Tuesday to the relevant department. R1 has also drawn attention because, unlike OpenAIs o1, it is free to use and open-source, meaning anyone can study and copy how it was made. Most Chinese engineers are eager for their open-source projects to be used by foreign companies, especially those in Silicon Valley, in part because no one in the West respects what they do because everything in China is stolen or created by cheating, said Kevin Xu, the U.S.-based founder of Interconnected Capital, a hedge fund that invests in AI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are also aware that Chinese firms have been taking for free lots of open-source tech to advance, Xu, the former senior director for global expansion at GitHub, said Monday in a post on X, but they want to create their own, contribute, and prove that their tech is good enough to be taken for free by foreign firms some nationalism, some engineering pride. DeepSeek is not the only Chinese AI startup that says it can train models for a fraction of the price. Kai-Fu Lee, founder of 01.AI, has said that it cost $3 million to train its model and that U.S. restrictions on chip exports forced his company to innovate. The Chinese companies are able to watch the innovations, make some themselves and then do better engineering, Lee, a former president of Google China, said at a conference in Saudi Arabia in October. When you do excellent, detailed engineering, it is not the case you have to spend a billion dollars to train a great model. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com China and India have stopped trading in Russian oil as US sanctions have caused a sharp rise in tariffs for tanker freight. Source: Reuters Details: According to traders and shipping companies, the trade in Russian oil that was loaded in March has stopped in Asia as a large price gap between buyers and sellers has emerged in China. This happened after the cost of freight for tankers, which were not affected by US sanctions before, rose sharply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On 10 January, the US imposed new sanctions on the Russian oil supply chain, which led to a sharp rise in tanker freight rates, whereas buyers and ports in China and India avoided sanctioned vessels. Quote from Reuters: "Offers for March Russian ESPO Blend crude exported from the Pacific port of Kozmino jumped to premiums of $3-$5 a barrel to ICE Brent on a delivered ex-ship basis (DES) to China after freight rates for an Aframax tanker on the route surged by several million dollars, three traders familiar with the grade said." More details: Prior to the sanctions, constant winter demand and stronger prices for competing Iranian oil had pushed spot premiums for ESPO Blend to China to almost US$2 per barrel, the highest since Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, which had triggered discounts of up to US$6. The CFO of India's Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd told Reuters last week that the company had not received any new offers for March deliveries, as was usual. The company expects that the number of cargoes offered for March will decrease compared to January and December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, India's imports of Russian crude oil were 36%, while China accounted for almost a fifth of the imports. According to analyst firm Kpler, the latest sanctions target tankers that carry about 42% of Russia's seaborne oil exports, primarily to China, although sanctioned tankers are gradually unloading oil in China and India during the sanctions exemption period. Indian oil secretary Pankaj Jain told reporters on 24 January that the United States had explained to India that tankers loaded with Russian oil must unload by 27 February in accordance with the sanctions. He added that payments for the oil on board the sanctioned vessels must be made by 12 March. Background: Russian oil companies have suffered a new blow in the Indian market, which, after the outbreak of the full-scale war in Ukraine, has been significantly increasing its purchases of barrels from Russia and has become the second largest importer of barrels to Russia after China. The cost of transporting Russian ESPO oil to China has risen sharply, reaching almost five times the level before the latest US sanctions against Russia. Support UP or become our patron! The Chinese intelligence officer who convinced Thomas Zhao to hand over sensitive information about the U.S. military seemed to know the 24-year-old U.S. Navy petty officer had a passion for the stock market. The agent approached Zhao in a stock trading chat group on the Chinese-owned social media network WeChat, CBS News learned in interviews with people involved in the case. But chats about investment strategies soon veered into sensitive areas, including questions about Naval exercises in the Pacific and designs for radar installations. The Zhao case represents a new dimension to Chinese covert activities that counterintelligence officials are calling "virtual espionage." The practice, in which Chinese intelligence officers target members of the military and others of high interest on social media, draw them into correspondence, and extract sensitive information from them, is a rising threat, officials told CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They will turn over every stone to try and collect what they can," Kevin Vorndran, who leads the FBI's counterintelligence division, told CBS News in a rare television interview. "They are certainly endeavoring to target as many people as they can." Over the course of two years, a Chinese intelligence officer paid Zhao, a U.S. citizen and Navy engineer, about $15,000 to take photographs and videos of restricted areas at the Southern California base where he worked, court records revealed. With his relatively low rank, as well as a low-level security clearance, Zhao may have seemed like an unlikely target. Yet Vorndran and other U.S. officials told CBS News that intelligence officers working for the Chinese government are trolling professional networking sites, including LinkedIn, to seduce an array of American service members and others who hold U.S. government security clearances into turning over sensitive information. "On professional networking sites, members of the military, former members of the military, list their resumes," Vorndran said. "It exposes their expertise. And through that, it makes targeting by an intelligence service simple to accomplish." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A LinkedIn spokesperson did not respond to a question about whether Chinese intelligence officers were using the platform to identify potential targets, but did say in a statement that fraudulent accounts violate the company's terms of service. "Our teams use a variety of automated technologies, combined with a team of trained investigation experts and member reporting, to help stop bad actors and to keep experiences on LinkedIn professional," the spokesperson said. The tactic is low risk and high reward a hallmark of the kind of "virtual espionage" China began leaning on when COVID made it more difficult for spies to travel abroad, according to counterintelligence officials. "The intelligence officer can sit behind their desk back in China and reach out to numerous individuals all at once," said Ryan Norris, a special agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. "They are reaching out to as many people as possible and hoping to get some response." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the last two years, federal law enforcement has identified a dozen such cases and brought charges against four service members recruited by suspected undercover agents of China. Vorndran said given the difficulty in policing this kind of outreach, he's concerned the number could be far higher. "We investigate everyone we can identify and predicate an investigation on," said Vorndran. "The ones that we don't know are the ones that concern me and keep me up." A spokesperson for China's embassy denied knowledge of the Zhao case, and did not address a question about whether its intelligence officers were contacting U.S. servicemembers online and soliciting sensitive information. "China hopes that the United States will stop hyping up the so-called 'Chinese espionage' risk and stop exaggerating the 'China threat theory,' and inject more stability into Sino-US relations instead of setting up obstacles," the embassy spokesperson said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Easy money In August 2023, agents with the FBI and NCIS descended on the Ventura County Naval Base, apprehended Zhao, and took him into a small room for questioning. A video of the interrogation, obtained by CBS News, shows Zhao admitting he sent sensitive military information to an individual he met online. While Zhao said the individual seemed "fishy," it does not appear he knew he was dealing with a Chinese intelligence officer. And while he considered passing along photographs of what he was working on as an easy way to make money, he stopped short of sending any classified information. "When I tried to cut off the relationship with him, it's already kinda late," Zhao said in the interrogation, telling the federal agents he felt "trapped." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the interrogation, Zhao was arrested. He later pleaded guilty to bribery and conspiracy charges, and is currently serving a 27-month federal sentence. Prosecutors determined his actions did not rise to the level of espionage. Still, Norris said he believes Zhao's actions amount to a betrayal. "He absolutely betrayed his country," said Norris, who questioned Zhao during the interrogation. "I think over the past two years he'd had a relationship that he knew was nefarious, and I think he was finally caught in what he was doing." Tarek Shawky, Zhao's attorney, said his client was also to some degree a victim of a scam. He said their social media conversations revealed the Chinese intelligence officer sought to build up a level of trust before asking for sensitive information. "At a certain point, I think the human condition is that you want to suspend a little bit of your better judgment because of that human connection," Shawky said. "That's what makes it so dangerous." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with CBS News, Zhao's wife Jianyu Ren said her husband acknowledged making a mistake, but she denied he would ever willfully sell out his country. "That's not him," Ren said. "If he had known this person was working for the Chinese government or anybody in China, he wouldn't have done that." Trump's statement on New Jersey drones issued at White House press briefing Trump offering "deferred resignation" to government workers unwilling to return to office AI stocks plunge as China's DeepSeek sends shock wave through Wall Street href=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3296477/what-does-rise-ai-firm-deepseek-mean-us-china-tech-war-and-race-talent data-entity-uuid=ce78dce6-b11b-47df-9650-2b8e90b67323 data-entity-type=node data-entity-bundle=article>Will rise of Chinese AI firm DeepSeek tilt the balance in US-China tech war? A The rise of little-known Chinese tech start-up DeepSeek has exposed weaknesses in America's "small yard, high fence" strategy to contain China's technological progress, according to experts. US President Donald Trump has called Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek's strong showing a "wake-up call" and "positive" for America's tech sector, and also warned that he would slap tariffs on foreign-made semiconductor chips, including those made by Taiwan's TSMC, if they do not start producing them stateside. 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. The model's capabilities roughly match those of advanced models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google while having significantly lower training costs. Large US tech companies may follow suit and replicate some of the training techniques that DeepSeek leveraged to drive the cost of R1 down. href=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3296510/us-tech-stocks-plunge-china-ais-unexpectedly-strong-showing data-entity-uuid=84ea11aa-d2a7-40cb-8188-c54a7ec9bef8 data-entity-type=node data-entity-bundle=article>US tech stocks plunge on China AI's unexpectedly strong showing Nasdaq The US markets got a loud wake-up call on Monday when shares of major US artificial intelligence and semiconductor companies slumped on a wave of fear that Chinese companies were poised to surpass them in the high-stakes battle for supremacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) start-up DeepSeek's chatbot app has dethroned OpenAI's ChatGPT to claim the top spot on Apple's US App Store, a development that could potentially change the AI landscape due to the firm's open-sourced approach. In a widely shared Weibo social media post, Feng Ji, founder and chief executive at Black Myth: Wukong developer Game Science, wrote that DeepSeek's achievements in AI could change China's "national fate" amid its prolonged tech war with the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement href=https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3295662/beijing-meeting-puts-spotlight-chinas-new-face-ai-deepseek-founder-liang-wenfeng data-entity-uuid=f08f8f38-4717-426e-999e-49a7210c1ded data-entity-type=node data-entity-bundle=article>Beijing puts spotlight on China's new face of AI, DeepSeek's Liang Wenfeng DeepSeek The founder of artificial intelligence (AI) firm DeepSeek, touted as 2025's "biggest dark horse" in the open-source large language model (LLM) arena, emerged as the industry's new face in China at a symposium hosted by Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Monday. 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. (Bloomberg) -- As shockwaves from DeepSeeks cheaper artificial-intelligence model spread around the world, many in China are embracing the homegrown startup as no less than a national breakthrough that has the potential to rewrite history. Most Read from Bloomberg The furor over what prominent figures in tech like Marc Andreessen are calling AIs Sputnik moment began to build in China even before global markets convulsed Monday over the implications of DeepSeeks feat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Game Science co-founder Feng Ji wrote on social media platform Weibo that DeepSeek may be a technology achievement that can change a nations fortune. So lucky! So happy! said Feng, whos also producer of smash-hit game Black Myth: Wukong. Such a stunning breakthrough comes from a pure Chinese company. DeepSeeks new open-source AI model rivals or outperforms leading US developers, upending many of the assumptions inside Silicon Valley about the economics of building AI and the extent of Americas lead over competitors in China. Hype over DeepSeek drove a nearly $1 trillion rout in US and European technology stocks as investors questioned the spending plans of some of Americas biggest companies. Follow The Big Take daily podcast wherever you listen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For China, the technology marked a leap forward in its attempts to thrive despite US restrictions on its access to vital components for chips and AI, although Beijing still faces challenges. Its tech champions Huawei Technologies Co. and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. are believed to lag industry leader Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.s capabilities by several generations. The cheer that greeted DeepSeek was the culmination of a series of tech triumphs in recent years that have boosted Chinese citizens confidence and pride in domestic talent. The latest breakthroughs ranged from Huaweis Mate 60 Pro phone that used an advanced chip made locally to social media platform Xiaohongshu. Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of Chinas state-backed newspaper Global Times, praised DeepSeek for being the first Chinese startup to have such a profound impact on the expectations of an entire industry. Question Mark Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company shook the myth of Americas invincibility in high tech and raised an explosive question mark over the US model of developing technology with an unparalleled amount of investment, Hu wrote in a Weibo post on Tuesday. For some Chinese, it was DeepSeeks success in defying the curbs that mattered most especially as the country now finds itself in Donald Trumps cross-hairs after months of pressure from the Biden administration. The US stock rout shows that US actions including Bidens tech containment and ban on Nvidias export of advanced chips to China have failed completely, one Weibo user wrote on Tuesday. Not only it was a failure, they also hurt themselves more than they did their enemy. Given the constraints on Chinese mainlanders in accessing AI tools and software abroad, DeepSeek was for many their first encounter with such advanced artificial intelligence-generated advice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some internet users who shared their experience with DeepSeeks AI model were in awe of its ability to spit out sophisticated essays and stories based on instructions. Others declared that its capable of being their personal therapist or close friend, useful counsel and suggestions at the ready. But there was one DeepSeek answer that went viral above all others in China and revealed that its model didnt run short of modesty either. In explaining what caused the plunge in Nvidias stock, the AI model cited six factors including interest-rate expectations, the US chip makers high valuations and industry competition. These factors combined led to the plunge in Nvidias shares, and it has nothing to do with DeepSeek, according to an answer posted by Weibo users including Hu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. China's envoy to Colombia seemed to take advantage of the weekend's public dispute between Colombian President Gustavo Petro and US President Donald Trump over immigration and deportation policies to promote Beijing's good ties with Bogota. Zhu Jingyang, who assumed the ambassadorial post in Bogota in September 2023, told the local newspaper El Tiempo that relations between China and Colombia were "at the best moment" since establishing diplomatic ties 45 years ago. Ambassador Zhu added that Colombia and China "are global cultural powers" and that the differences between the two countries "far from creating obstacles, bring us closer and enrich us". 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. He posted excerpts from the interview on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, over the weekend as the diplomatic crisis between Colombia and the US unfolded. The dispute began after Petro refused to accept deportation flights from the US returning undocumented Colombian migrants, accusing Washington of treating them "like criminals". The refusal came after reports of mistreatment by US officials of deportees returned to Brazil and Mexico. Colombian President Gustavo Petro refused to accept deportation flights from the US. Photo: Reuters alt=Colombian President Gustavo Petro refused to accept deportation flights from the US. Photo: Reuters> Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clash took officials in both Washington and Bogota by surprise. Colombia had accepted hundreds of deportation flights during the Joe Biden administration, according to Witness at the Border, an advocacy group that tracks flight data. Two C-17 military aircraft heading to Colombia were denied permission to land on Saturday. They had departed from California, each carrying around 80 migrants, a senior US defence official told NBC News. Petro said he would accept migrants again - once the US established protocols for dignified treatment of deportees. Trump said on his Truth Social account that by refusing to accept the flights, the "socialist president of Colombia" had put US "national security and public safety" at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He announced 25 per cent tariffs on all Colombian imports, including coffee; Colombia is among the leading exporters of the bean to the US. US President Donald Trump had threatened tariffs of 25 per cent on all imports from Colombia, including coffee. Photo: AFP alt=US President Donald Trump had threatened tariffs of 25 per cent on all imports from Colombia, including coffee. Photo: AFP> He also declared other punitive measures: travel bans and immediate visa revocations for "Colombian government officials, and all allies and supporters"; and enhanced customs inspections of all citizens and cargo from Colombia "for national security reasons". Petro responded by posting a lengthy letter on X declaring that Bogota would "stop looking north and look to the world" - a reference to the "respice polum" (look to the north) doctrine that has traditionally governed Colombian foreign policy since the 20th century, determining almost automatic alignment with the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House announced late on Sunday that Bogota had agreed to the deportation flights, and declared that it had frozen the tariffs and would wait to cancel them until the next flight's landing, expected by the end of this week. The White House also said on Monday that the visa measures would stay on hold until the first planeload of deportees returns to Colombia. Ambassador Zhu later returned to X to say that his interview, while published over the weekend, had been conducted the previous week - before the weekend's events. "It has nothing to do with what is happening today. I don't have the magic to guess or anticipate [events] either," he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson commented only that the matter was "between the US and Colombia and we hope both parties can handle it appropriately". Even after the clarifications, experts said the ambassador's tweets were an indication of how China could capitalise on disputes between the US and Latin American countries to expand its influence in the region. People waiting outside the US embassy in Bogota on Monday after their visa appointments were cancelled. Photo: AFP alt=People waiting outside the US embassy in Bogota on Monday after their visa appointments were cancelled. Photo: AFP> Along with Brazil and Paraguay - which has no formal relations with Beijing - Colombia is one of the only countries in South America not to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. Colombian diplomats, however, have suggested that it could join the Chinese infrastructure strategy as soon as March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Petro also told Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Colombia's interest in joining Brics, the developing economies' organisation, "as a full member as soon as possible". At the time, Lula, who is to chair the bloc's summit this year, said he was "committed to promoting Colombia's candidacy". Parsifal D'Sola, director of the Andres Bello Foundation in Bogota, contended that the timing of Zhu's remarks was no coincidence. "It was a snarky comment, saying on precisely that day that relations between Colombia and China couldn't be better," he said. "That's the kind of savvy we can expect from the PRC diplomatic corps in the region, some more than others." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Zhu's remarks may have been subtle, D'Sola said that they were part of Beijing's broader strategy to capitalise on such disputes. D'Sola also warned that the fallout from the incident could have lasting implications for US-Colombian relations, as well as for Washington's influence across the region. "Even if the incident was 'resolved', this must have left an unsavoury feeling among many - not just in Colombia, but across Latin America. "To be honest, the US response was a huge overreaction." Such diplomatic missteps only reinforce the appeal of diversifying alliances, D'Sola acknowledged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It makes total sense for countries to start looking beyond the US, not only in commercial terms but also diplomatically." "China is very astute in its management of diplomatic language, and this aligns with growing support for multilateralism and a move away from a US-centric world." 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. (KRON) The Vallejo Police Department (VPD) said it is collaborating with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to take on sideshows. Oakland sideshow shooting leaves 1 dead, 2 injured In a news release Monday, VPD said additional CHP officers will supplement Vallejo police by conducting multiple operations per month during evening weekend hours. Vallejo police said the maximum efforts from both agencies will help them respond swiftly and effectively to sideshow activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California Governor Newsom recently signed four key assembly bills (AB) into law to help law enforcement agencies take on illegal sideshows and street takeovers: AB 1978: Grants law enforcement greater authority to impound vehicles involved in speed contests or exhibitions, regardless of whether the driver is arrested. AB 2186: Closes existing loopholes by allowing the impoundment of vehicles used in speed exhibitions within off-street parking facilities. AB 2807: Establishes standardized terminology for sideshows and street takeovers across California to streamline enforcement and prosecution efforts. AB 3085: Authorizes law enforcement to obtain warrants for the seizure and impoundment of vehicles associated with sideshows, including those used to support or facilitate these events. Vallejo police and CHP said they will enforce all California Vehicle Code (CVC) laws to further deter dangerous drivers. These additional resources will allow us to expand our efforts using both traditional and non-traditional enforcement strategies, said Chief Ta of the Vallejo Police Department. We are also developing follow-up investigation techniques to address these incidents effectively and deter future occurrences. KRON4 reached out to Vallejo police to shed more light on the uptick of sideshow and street takeovers reported this year so far and will soon update 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 KRON4. The settlement that cleared the way for the construction of a temple in a Texas town by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appears to be unraveling, according to statements by both sides. Now, the future of the McKinney Texas Temple may be headed to the courts if the agreement the town and the church reached in mediation in November doesnt hold, a local church spokeswoman said in a new statement released Monday. Leaders in Fairview, Texas, denied the churchs original building application in August, after some residents complained the proposed temple was too large. The town and church forged a settlement in mediation after the church voluntarily agreed to reduce the size of the temple, dropping it from 44,000 square feet to 29,960 and from two stories to one. Church leaders also reduced the height of the proposed steeple from 173 feet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite imposing a substantial burden on the churchs exercise and practice of religion, the church offered to make significant compromises, including reducing both the size of the temple by 10,000 square feet and reducing the height of the steeple to 120 feet, the spokeswoman for the temple, Melissa McKneely, said in a statement. The mayor and town councilmembers unanimously agreed to approve the smaller temple, and the church began to prepare a new application. Why is the settlement now in question? But Fairview officials waffled publicly. Mayor Henry Lessner called the settlement an initial compromise in a letter announcing it to residents, then said at a Dec. 3 town meeting that negotiations were only in the first inning. Town officials also characterized the church as a bully during the meeting and asked residents to call church headquarters to ask for a still smaller temple, according to news reports. A town representative did just that the following day. According to a letter from a church attorney, an attorney for the town called him and asked for the church to accept a temple significantly smaller than the one the sides agreed to in mediation. Mayor Lessner then was quoted in the December town newsletter as saying, through our attorneys, we have told (the church) that there is a good chance that the new design with the 120-foot tower will not be accepted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 20, the sides held a videoconference. According to the church attorneys letter, Lessner told church representatives that while he and the mayor pro tem intended to vote for mediated settlement, they did not know how others would vote in wake of negative reaction from some residents. What will the church do next? Church officials planned to file their new application for the smaller temple on Jan. 13, but they became uncertain it would be accepted because of statements by the mayor and other town officials, according to the church attorneys letter. In light of the foregoing circumstances, the church has no confidence that the town will make good on its commitments as set forth in the memorandum, the church attorney stated. The church is further concerned that proceeding as though the town will make good on its commitments will simply prejudice the churchs legal rights. Accordingly, the church will not submit an amended or new conditional use permit application today. McKneely, the temple spokeswoman, said the church had attempted to negotiate in good faith to find common ground while protecting the rights of religious freedom for local members of the church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The church understood these modifications fully satisfied any concerns previously raised by the town council, she stated. Attorneys representing the church asked Fairview officials to allow the church representatives to meet with each town councilmember individually. According to the church attorney, town officials said they would share the invitation with the councilmembers but did not expect all to agree. If town officials continue to be unwilling to discuss the status of the agreement made in mediation, McKneely stated, the next step is to ask a court to review local, state and federal laws regarding the towns process of denying the churchs original proposal in August 2024 to build a temple in Fairview, Texas. Why the church believes it has the right to build the temple Temples are sacred, holy places for Latter-day Saints, who consider them to be houses of the Lord. Church officials have said from the beginning that federal and state religious liberty laws and Fairview zoning laws give the church the right to build the temple at the size proposed in its original application. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seeks to be a good neighbor and has an extensive track record of successfully building temples that have been welcomed in more than 200 communities around the world, including seven in Texas, McKneely said in her statement. These places of worship are always well maintained, feature beautiful landscaping and symbolize faith and peace. The proposed location of the temple is on a four-lane highway directly across the street from businesses in a commercial zone in Allen, Texas. The Fairview side of the road is known as church row because four churches in a row line the street. Church representatives and attorneys have repeatedly noted that houses of worship traditionally are located in residential zones in the same way schools are. Fairviews zoning ordinances uphold that practice, church representatives say. Legally, the church says the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, a federal law known as RLUIPA bar local governments from imposing unreasonable land-use requirements on people of faith building places of worship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Department of Justice sent an official letter to state, county and municipal officials across the nation in March 2024, reminding them that, among other things, RLUIPA prohibits governments from imposing or implementing land use regulations that unreasonably limit religious assemblies, institutions or structures within a jurisdiction. The letter noted that, While zoning is primarily a local matter, where it conflicts with federal civil rights laws such as the Fair Housing Act or RLUIPA, federal law takes precedence. Fairview officials have maintained that their zoning ordinances give them latitude to enforce limits on the church. New Georgia RLUIPA case The Justice Department noted in the March 2024 letter that it had opened over 155 formal investigations and filed nearly 30 lawsuits related to RLUIPAs land-use provisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has continued to enforce those provisions. The department filed another lawsuit against a city on Dec. 16, when it alleged that the City of Brunswick, Georgia, violated RLUIPA by interfering with land owned by the United Methodist Church. The church runs The Well, a faith-based resource center for people experiencing homelessness on its land. The city has blamed the center for what the DOJ characterized as unrelated criminal activity in Brunswick, according to a DOJ news release. Federal law protects the right of religious groups such as The Well to use their land to help others, said Kristen Clarke, an assistant attorney general in the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, in a statement. The division will continue to vindicate the rights of groups to exercise their religion and fight local land-use laws that unlawfully restrict those rights. The DOJ has supported RLUIPA through both recent Republican and Democratic administrations. The Justice Department announced its Place to Worship Initiative in June 2018. The initiative focused on RLUIPAs provisions that protect the rights of houses of worship and other religious institutions to worship on their land. Reflecting on her time in office, Ciara Smith expressed deep gratitude for the experiences and relationships she has built during her time serving on the Anniston City Council. "I was a lot younger," Smith began. "I have grown so much in the last four and a half years with the experiences that I have, the relationships that I've built, places that I've been I know I wouldn't have had those experiences before." Smith told members of the Anniston Kiwanis Club on Jan. 23 that her journey to the City Council began in south Anniston, where she was raised by her grandmother and introduced to faith and advocacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I used to attend Christian leadership conferences at 17th Street Baptist Church," the Ward 3 councilwoman said. "Had no idea what anyone was talking about, but obviously, at some point, I listened in some way because here I am today." Her personal challenges included a stint in foster care, where she moved between Anniston and Oxford city schools. She noted a stark difference between the quality of education she received in both systems. "I had access to MacBooks and modern technology in Oxford, and we were reading from 10-year-old textbooks in Anniston," Smith recalled. At 16, she began working with the city of Annistons finance department and attending school board and City Council meetings, advocating for better resources in local schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith continued her studies in political science at Spelman College, where she interned for former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga. Her experiences in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., exposed her to national policies on issues such as veterans' affairs and immigration, helping to shape her political outlook. At age 19, Smith attended the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, D.C., where she was able to speak before a panel of lawmakers. Since serving on the City Council, Smith has overseen progress in Anniston. She highlighted the citys budget increase from $43 million to $51 million, driven by a $4.1 billion sales tax increase. This surge in revenue has been reinvested into infrastructure and development. "We've invested over $6 million into our city's infrastructure, and 15 of those projects are focused on making neighborhoods safer," she said. Smith also emphasized the importance of attracting businesses to the area, citing the arrival of Starbucks as a symbol of the city's improving economic climate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Were not in competition," she explained. "Were creating our own insurance for growth." The councilwoman further noted the expansion of housing projects, including the development of 11 townhouses and the redevelopment of public housing, with an eye on creating spaces that promote positive community outcomes. One of Smiths priorities has been addressing healthcare disparities in Anniston. She advocated for a new clinic and learning center in the Glen Addie area, aimed at providing better healthcare access to underserved populations. "There are so many health disparities in the city, and a lot of people dont understand that," she said. "It was important for me that people have access to take better care of themselves." AUSTIN (KXAN) On Monday, the city of Austin opened the Waterloo Greenway Hartman Bridge along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. The new bridge will be used to cross over Waller Creek. The conservancy said the finished bridge marked a significant milestone of the Waterloo Greenway Phase II: The Confluence project. The project is a part of Waterloo Greenways comprehensive plan to revitalize Waller Creek and create a 1.5-mile greenway stretching from Waterloo Park at its north, all the way to Lady Bird Lake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This phase cost more than $13 million. The overall project, which includes the construction of the parks and restoration from Lady Bird Lake up to Fourth Street, has $70 million to work with after getting donations. The bridge was created to make room for traffic and allow for smoother hiking experiences, according to Waterloo Greenway. All work is set to be completed in 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The city of Birmingham announced the office of the city attorney filed a lawsuit against a short-term lease property Monday. Director of communications for the mayors office Rick Journey stated the lawsuit is against Infinity Investments LLC, the owner of 828 Fifth St. West. The lawsuit is also filed against Jabari Ayinde Mosley, who the city thinks manages the property. The city is asking the Circuit Court of Jefferson County to declare the property a public nuisance. The city alleges the single-family dwelling is being used as a short-term lease rental where there is continued criminal activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will not accept a property owner exposing residents and businesses to a continued threat against public safety, Birmingham City Attorney Nicole King said in a statement. When violence and drugs threaten public safety, its important that the city steps in to disrupt the activity, hold criminals accountable, and make our neighborhoods safer for residents, businesses, and visitors. Birmingham police suspect foul play in mans death The lawsuit alleges the propertys ownership and manager did not screen short-term renters. The city claimed it received complaints about the property, hearing from residents and business who expressed concern for their safety. The city attorney created the Drug and Nuisance Abatement Team in spring 2020 to hold landowners through the courts accountable for making their properties clean and crimeless. The city stated the team succeeded in different lawsuits and worked with property owners for a safer environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who want to report a nuisance property in Birmingham are asked to email the office of the city attorney or call 205-254-6450 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can read the lawsuit in its entirety below: Circuit-Court-Filing.01-CV-2025-900352.00Download Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) After introducing the controversial legislature just over a month ago, the Binghamton City Council will vote on the Good Cause Eviction Law during Wednesdays meeting. The City Council announced on Tuesday that voting is on this weeks Business Meeting agenda. In a statement, the council thanked the public for their questions, comments, and support, maintaining its belief that local government should be transparent and participatory. City Council also reiterated that its decision to move Good Cause Eviction Law forward is a reflection of the current housing crisis which its members believe warrants urgent action. In December, Councilman Nate Hotchkiss submitted the bill which establishes Good Cause Eviction Protections, limiting the circumstances under which landlords in Binghamton can evict tenants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York State passed a law in 2024 allowing municipalities to opt into the protections which give renters the right to renew their leases when they expire and limits the amount of rent increases unless they can be justified. Public reactions to Good Cause Eviction at Binghamton town hall After proposing the bill, Hotchkiss said that 59% of Binghamton renters are cost burdened meaning they spend more than 30% of their monthly income on housing. 38% pay more than half of their income. The vote was originally scheduled for December 18 but was postponed after the council faced pushback from the public as well as local leaders including Mayor Jared Kraham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Binghamton City Council issued the following statement on Tuesday: Proposal of Good Cause Eviction sparks controversy After extensive consideration, Binghamton City Council members would like to notify the public that Good Cause Eviction law will be on the Business Meeting agenda to be voted on tomorrow night. We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated in our Town Hall earlier this month and for the many who sent comments and questions or joined us at neighborhood association meetings for further conversation. It remains the firm belief of this Council that local government should be transparent and participatory. We will continue to host opportunities for community members most affected by legislation being considered in City Hall to share their support or express their concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We also appreciate the legislators in Rochester, Ithaca, Albany and elsewhere who were willing to offer insight into the impact of Good Cause in their cities and make recommendations regarding its implementation. With 12 municipalities across the state having already expanded tenant protections in this way, we look forward to collaborating and learning from our collective experience. To directly address inquiries consistently brought up in community conversations, we want to be clear that Good Cause Eviction law does not remove the right of landlords to reobtain possession of their properties or to increase rent within a reasonable margin. The rights of landlords to consider evictions for nonpayment, property damage, or other lease violations remain unaffected while protections that prohibit arbitrary eviction or exorbitant rate hikes are ensured. This Councils decision to move Good Cause Eviction law forward is a reflection of our conviction that what has become a housing crisis for too many Binghamton residents warrants urgent action. Study after study has found that chronic displacement within the City has contributed to increases in student mobility, household and neighborhood instability, and homelessness. Municipal leadership has been forming committees and commissions and task forces to discuss local housing inequities for over a decade yet more than 1200 individuals and over 700 families with children faced homelessness in Broome County last year. Pressing pause or putting a pin in this conversation is the kind of inaction that got us here. It will not get us out. This Council also fully acknowledges that reducing displacement is only one piece of an effective approach. Aggressively addressing the deficits in available homes for residents who have been left behind while student and luxury housing development soared remains our long-term focus. In addition to prevention, we will continue to introduce policies to preserve existing stock and produce more deeply affordable housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you for trusting us to prioritize expanding opportunities for every Binghamton resident to have a safe, stable place to call home. Debate continues over Binghamtons Good Cause Eviction proposal Good Cause Eviction was first implemented in New York City and has recently been passed in 12 municipalities across the state including Rochester, Albany, and Ithaca. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) An Indiana bill that passed a Senate committee could create an extra year in office for Mayor Stephanie Terry and other Indiana city officeholders. Major offices in Indiana like Mayor have been in odd-numbered years whereas the Presidential Election has been in even-numbered years. This Senate bill proposes the alignment of the two, pushing the mayoral election to 2028. Second Ward City Councilwoman Missy Mosby voices her concern about the confusion a move like this could create. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cost efficiency was cited as a chief reason for aligning the two 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 Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) People can now learn more about a historically Black cemetery in Decatur, and possibly even their family members, thanks to a grant from the Alabama Historical Commission. The commission gave the City of Decatur the grant to help them establish a GIS marker program for the Magnolia-Sykes Cemetery. The program will allow people to search for grave markers online. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each accessible marker was tagged with a GIS code and entered into the database showing its exact location. When clicking one of the maps dots, the information listed on the marker, such as name, birth and death dates, are shown, along with photos of the actual grave marker. The system also allows you to search by a family members name. According to the Decatur, Alabama Historic Preservation Commission, the private cemetery was built in response to the 1901 Alabama Constitution that declared Black people could no longer be buried with white people. J. J. Sykes, who co-owned an undertaking business, saw an opportunity and acquired land with his brother S. S. Sykes to create a burial ground for Black residents. At the time, the site was located outside the city limits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The site was originally called the Magnolia Cemetery because there were two magnolia trees on the property. Over the years, the cemeterys name has changed to Magnolia-Sykes and then Sykes Cemetery. It remained the primary burial ground for Black residents until 1965 when the Sterrs Memorial addition was added to the Decatur Cemetery. There is no cemetery plat map despite more than 800 grave markers on-site, making the GIS marker program necessary. To see the map on the Decaturs historic preservation page, 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 WHNT.com. DES MOINES, Iowa The City of Des Moines is facing a $17 million shortfall in the fiscal year 2026 budget. According to Des Moines City Manager Scott Sanders, the several million dollar shortfall was caused by two things a new state law resulting in reductions in property tax revenue growth and rising costs of services and materials. Illinois man accused of traveling to Ottumwa and sexually abusing minor sentenced Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This budget presents an enormous challenge and many tough decisions, Sanders said in a statement. Our finance department and I have worked to find solutions to address this shortfall that minimize impact to our residents who depend on our services daily and to our city staff who provide those vital services. Sanders released several recommendations to address the shortfall on Monday. Those recommendations include: The use of city reserves. Attrition, department reorganization, and adjustment of service. The city would leave unfilled roles vacant and would adjust the hours that certain services are available. The reallocation of costs. Several departments and organizations, including the police and fire departments, library, and parks and recreation department, could face significant budget cuts. Changes to fees and revenue. Sanders full proposed budget is expected to be released on February 5. Two public budget information sessions will be scheduled so residents can learn more about the budget challenges and proposed changes before the City Councils first formal public budget hearing on March 24. To read more about the recommendations addressing the budget shortfall click here. Metro News: 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 who13.com. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The City of North Las Vegas honored the life and legacy of Theron Hulan Goynes, father of Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown, who passed away on Monday. Theron Hulan Goynes was born on Aug. 20, 1929, making him 95 years old. A trailblazer throughout his remarkable life, Goynes was steadfast in his pursuit of progress and equity. On Sept. 16, 1981, he made history as Nevadas first African American elected representative to lead a government body, presiding over a City Council meeting in the mayors absence. His visionary leadership and tireless commitment to North Las Vegas earned him the Public Official of the Year award from the Nevada League of Cities in 1992. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goynes dedicated two decades of service to the North Las Vegas City Council. He was a mentor and tireless champion for public service and education, Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown said. His dedication to our community and his belief in the power of education have left an indelible mark on North Las Vegas and beyond. My family and I are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this time. Theron Hulan Goynes also served four years in the United States Air Force. (City of North Las Vegas) Goynes served as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, and principal in the Clark County School District while also earning a masters degree in education administration from Northern Arizona University. We celebrate his remarkable achievements and his unwavering commitment to progress and equity. His influence and impact will be felt for decades to come, the City of North Las Vegas 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 KLAS. CARLISLE, Pa. (WHTM) The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) Civil Rights Outreach Division is holding a community response meeting at Dickenson College tonight to discuss hate incidents that have occurred in the greater Carlisle area. The event will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Dickenson College Stern Center Great Room, located at 208 West Louther Street, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Guests can register online, but registration is not required to attend the event. The event will feature multiple guest speakers from the PHRC and a bystander intervention training session with YWCA Carlisle & Cumberland County Vice President of Programs Lily Duarte-Evans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Livestream Alerts Other speakers include PHRC Civil Rights Outreach Director Sheryl Meck and PHRC Civil Rights Outreach Coordinator Omar Henriquez, according to a press release. The outreach team will have information about rights provided under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and will also gather instances of discrimination that guests may have experienced in the community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A Know Your Rights Town Hall and resource fair will offer up information about immigration rights and help connect the public with tools and services available in Las Vegas. It will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Winchester Dondero Cultural Center at 3130 McLeod Drive near Desert Inn Road. ACLU of Nevada shares new Know Your Rights materials amid federal immigration enforcement actions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resource fair will feature local organizations such as the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, the Consulate of Mexico in Las Vegas, the Consulate of El Salvador, and many others. The different organizations onsite will offer guidance, tools, and services to assist the immigrant community. The event, which will be hosted by Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom and the ACLU of Nevada, aims to provide vital information about immigration rights and connect attendees with essential resources. This townhall is an important opportunity to empower residents by providing them with knowledge about their rights, Commissioner Tick Segerblom said. Were bringing together local resources and experts to support our immigrant communities in Clark County. The event is open to the public and will also be transmitted online via Facebook Live through Clark Countys English and Spanish social media channels. Spanish interpreters will also be available during the event. 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. The health of the Great Lakes, a vital resource and historical treasure for millions, faces an uncertain future as President Donald Trump's temporary freeze on grants and loans takes effect. The Milwaukee skyline is reflected on a thin layer of ice on a frozen Lake Michigan on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. The sweeping move by the Trump administration has cast uncertainty over funding long considered essential for protecting the basin, monitoring its health and preserving its maritime heritage through marine and shipwreck sanctuaries. And while Congressional Democrats challenge the order's legality, scientists, agencies and environmental groups are left to wait and see what happens next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what we know so far about what the federal funding freeze means for the Great Lakes region and Milwaukee. More: Trump orders temporary freeze on federal grants. Here's how that could affect Wisconsin Great Lakes, Milwaukee cleanup efforts Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District communications manager Bill Graffin expressed concern about how the pause would impact the "area of concern" cleanup effort in Milwaukee. The "areas of concern" are the most polluted and damaged sites across the basin, largely due to legacy contamination from industry and habitat degradation. Funding for the massive cleanup effort is through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which has provided targeted funding towards restoring the most polluted sites in the Great Lakes basin, like Milwaukee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city has greatly benefited from the program; it recently received $450 million in federal grants from the program. Projects include dredging contaminated sediment at the bottom of Milwaukees three rivers and Lake Michigan; building a new facility that will hold the contaminated sediment; and restoring fish habitat and beaches, like at Bay Views South Shore Park. Much of the funding for the area of concern cleanup is targeted towards environmental justice efforts as pollution and climate change disproportionately impact communities that face racial and economic marginalization in Milwaukee. Targeted funding towards these efforts may be up in the air as the Trump administration targets diversity, equity and inclusion in federal programs and agencies. While the move has been couched as a temporary pause, Don Jodrey, the director of federal relations at the Alliance for the Great Lakes, said that if it does become permanent there would be negative consequences throughout the Great Lakes and in Milwaukee. Citizens of Milwaukee can identify how important the area of concern cleanup effort is, and it wont go forward without federal funding, Jodrey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Great Lakes, PFAS, lead pipes: How Trump's policies could impact Wisconsin's environment Great Lakes research, shipwrecks, marine sanctuaries Federal funding helps keep science moving throughout the eight Great Lakes states. Rebecca Klaper, dean of UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences, expressed concern over delays in receiving federal funds to support research, staff and small business grants through the School. Federal selection committees and panels to select future grant recipients were canceled this week, Klaper said. Federal funding is really important for the science and technology workforce. We are crossing our fingers, Klaper said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, is a federal agency that plays a big role in research and monitoring in the Great Lakes. The agency also funds projects to help coastal communities build resilience and manage flooding, as climate change brings wetter weather and greater swings in lake levels in Wisconsin. NOAA also helps protect the basins history and ecosystems through its national marine sanctuaries, like the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Michigan and the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron. Scott Smullen, deputy director of NOAA communications, said in an emailed statement that NOAA cannot speculate on future actions or potential changes at this time, but the agency remains dedicated to its mission, providing timely information, research, and resources that serve the American public and ensure our nations environmental and economic resilience. Caitlin Looby is a Report for America corps member who writes about the environment and the Great Lakes. Reach her at clooby@gannett.com, follow her on X @caitlooby and learn more about how she approaches her reporting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to this reporting effort at jsonline.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Dr, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about how federal funding freeze could impact Great Lakes A 20-year-old Clinton woman has been sentenced to prison after she admitted she shook and slapped her infant, who suffered major injuries, according to court records. Genna Merchant pleaded guilty to a charge of child endangerment bodily injury, court records say. On Thursday, she appeared in Clinton County Court, where she was sentenced to a term not to exceed five years in prison. Genna Merchant (Clinton County Jail) She will be given credit for time already served in the case. Her term of incarceration may be reduced from the maximum sentence because of statutory earned time, work credits and program credits, court records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Court determines that the following sentence will provide the maximum opportunity for rehabilitation of (Merchant) and will provide the maximum protection of the community from further offenses by (Merchant,) the sentencing order says. This sentence also provides for specific and general deterrence. A baby suffers injuries On May 24, 2024, Clinton Police were notified by the Department of Human Services of a possible shaken baby case, arrest affidavits say. After a DHS made a home visit that day, the family was directed to take the infant to MercyOne Emergency Room for evaluation of a subconjunctival hemorrhage (a broken blood vessel in the white of the eye that looks like a red spot or patch.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is documented in the emergency room notes that a family member reports to emergency room staff that the mother of the infant admitted to them that she shook the infant, police say in affidavits. A computerized tomography (CT) scan was conducted at MercyOne and concerns with the brain CT scan were documented as well as fractures to the right femur and tibia. The infant was transported for further care to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. An MRI of the infants brain conducted at the University of Iowa Hospital identified an area of white matter injury. Also, documented were metaphyseal fractures breaks in the wider part of a bone near the growth plate, which is known as the metaphysis to the right leg. A Zoom meeting was held on June 3, 2024 with the University of Iowa staff responsible for the infants care. A doctor with the hospital said that the fractures were non-accidental and were likely caused by a twisting or pulling action, according to the affidavits. It was also the doctors opinion that the brain injury observed in the MRI was possibly from a prior traumatic event. The physician said there was some bleeding in the childs eyes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation it was learned that the baby was examined at the MercyOne ER on May 3, 2024, for bleeding from the floor of the mouth. It is documented in the Emergency Department notes that the injury occurred after insertion of a pacifier, affidavits show. According to affidavits, during the Zoom conference call on June 3, 2024, the doctor said that this injury was also non-accidental and said force was applied to cause the mouth laceration and bleeding. Merchant admitted to shaking the infant along with slapping and shoving the infant, affidavits say. She acknowledged being responsible for the childs injuries. Prior to the interview, Merchant had admitted to another person that she did shake the infant. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BRUSSELS (AP) Coca-Cola has recalled some of its soft drinks in Europe after higher-than-normal levels of a chemical called chlorate were detected in bottles and cans at a production plant in Belgium. Batches of Coca Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Minute Maid and Fuze Tea were among the products recalled in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, the company said on Tuesday. The recall concerns drinks with production codes 328 GE to 338 GE. We are also in contact with authorities in a very small number of European markets France, Germany and Great Britain where a very limited quantity of stock was also shipped, the company said. No produce was recalled in those countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health authorities in Denmark, Portugal and Romania were notified by the European Unions rapid alert system to investigate whether shop shelves or vending machines had been stocked with potentially contaminated soft drinks. It designated the risk as serious. Chlorate comes from chlorine disinfectants which are used in the treatment of water used for food processing. The chemical has been linked to potentially serious health problems, notably among children by interfering with the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Coca-Cola said that it tracked the problem back to one specific container used in its water treatment process at its factory in the city of Ghent while conducting routine safety checks. It has advised customers not to consume drinks from the batches concerned and to return them to the point of sale to obtain a refund. We apologize to consumers and our commercial partners, the company said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts say consumers would have to drink a lot of any product contaminated with chlorate to suffer vomiting or other serious illness. It is almost non-existent or very unlikely that those large quantities are present in it," Philippe Jorens, a poisons and critical care professor at Antwerp University Hospital, told Belgian public broadcaster VTM. You have to have consumed so many different bottles of it to possibly see an effect. What if the drug bust that tanked your military career might have actually been the result of a bad batch of workout supplement? Thats the conclusion that an enlisted airman hopes a military appeals court will reach in overturning his conviction. And while this scenario might sound like a pipe dream, Bryce Roan believes he has a shot thanks to the recent acquittal of a roommate amid a finding that the prosecution failed to disclose evidence that could have helped him. Roan, then a senior airman, had been stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, in summer 2021 and was living off-base with two other airmen in his unit, 19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. When their unit ordered a urinalysis on July 7, Roan and his roommate, Staff Sgt. Nikkolas Wolf, both tested positive for a cocaine metabolite: Roan at 574 nanograms per milliliter, and Wolf at 168, closer to the positive cutoff of 100 ng/mL. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two airmen were charged, and in Dec 2021, Roan was convicted and sentenced to hard labor without confinement for three months, demotion to the rank of E-2 and a reprimand. The plot twist came a month later, when Wolf, facing similar charges, had his case postponed by the Air Forces trial judiciary. According to a January 2022 order published by military judge Col. Julie Pitvorec, Wolf had expressed during an interview with the Air Force Security Office of Investigations that a supplement might be to blame. I have no idea, why would I I take pre-workout, I dont know if that could make me pop, Wolf said, according to the order. My roommate brought [the pre-workout] back from Africa. I ran out of mine and took his. Which supplements are banned by the military? Better check this database Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That information prompted Little Rocks top legal officer to direct SFOI to investigate further. Interviews would reveal the pre-workout in question was manufactured by Blackstone Labs and may have contained a stimulant called dimethylhexylamine, or DHMA. The investigator, according to the order, made queries with the Drug Demand Reduction Program and received a banned substances list and the names of two medical review officers who could talk about the possibility of false positives. But from there, the order states, the trail went cold. [The SFOI investigator] did not document this conversation or any of the investigative steps in his attempt to establish whether the pre-workout could cause a positive result for the metabolite of cocaine, Pitvorec wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the investigator stated he believed he spoke with one of the recommended officers, he didnt take any notes or document the interaction, the order states. Pitvorec also detailed that the same investigator deleted the third roommates electronic case file and destroyed the hard copy. The judges ruling called the prosecutions handling of evidence and notifications grossly negligent, but said the case didnt need to be dismissed as long as more time could be given to the defense to evaluate all evidence. But during his eventual court-martial in May 2022, Wolf was acquitted based on the suspicions of tainted pre-workout initially raised, according to legal documents and Roans attorney, Annie Morgan, of the Law Offices of David Sheldon. The only fundamental difference between these two cases is, Wolf had access to this potentially exculpatory information in the preparation of his defense, she said. And that is what Airman Roan was fundamentally deprived of, was the ability to mount a defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last January, however, the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals denied Roans appeal based on Wolfs acquittal, saying that Roan had had access to the initial SFOI investigation report on Wolf, but did not present any evidence to support the theory that the drug pop had been a false positive. But on Sept. 19, 2024, the highest military appeals court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, went another way, granting review of the case to investigate whether the lower courts findings that withheld evidence did not affect Roans case and that his rights were not violated within the scope of existing law and precedent. Now, according to Morgan, CAAF is expected to hear arguments in the case Feb. 26. In their most recent brief filed Jan. 13, Roans legal team argues that the prosecution missed its opportunity to rule out suspicious pre-workout as the cause of the drug bust. While [the government] complains that there is no evidence that [Wolfs] pre-workout supplement contained DMHA, that is a government-created problem, the 31-page brief states. After learning that [the third roommate] possessed questionable pre-workout powder in September 2021, investigators failed to examine, seize, or test the supplement. The government should not now benefit from their investigators incompetence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roan, who left the Air Force in July 2021 and is now working as a technician at a major automobile company, told Military Times that he felt his inexperience with the military legal system hindered him in mounting an effective defense at court-martial. While Roan, 25, did not comment on the details of the case on the advice of his lawyers, he said he loved and missed the military. I have all my military clothes hung up in the closet, and when I see them, I literally think about it every single day, he said. I just want the wrongs to be righted. Paul J. Batura is a local writer and founder of the 4:8 Media Network. He can be reached via email Paul@PaulBatura.com or on X @PaulBatura. Jan. 27OTTAWA The region's cold snap may have left some hesitant about working out in the elements over the past few weeks, and that apparently included some traffic light control panels. Earlier in the month, the Ottawa Police Department reported on its Facebook page that the traffic light signals at three intersections were not functioning properly, resulting in flashing red and yellow lights. "The units that operate these stop lights are very old and fragile," the post read. "The cold weather has knocked out two of them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outages affect Oak Street, Walnut Street and Hickory Street along Main Street in the village, which is U.S. Route 224. Similar traffic signal issues popped up recently in St. Marys, causing some signals to flash repeatedly or experience traffic sensor malfunctions. "Some of that on Indiana Avenue out by Beer Barrel here in St. Marys is currently under review," said Gregory Foxhoven, St. Marys' public and safety service director. According to Ottawa Mayor Dean Meyer, the village is working to keep the current traffic signal system in the best possible condition, which was the impetus for a recent engineering study on the village's intersections and traffic lights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Through that, right now we've contracted out on our first (traffic signal replacement), which is out on (state Routes) 65 and 15 right there by McDonald's and Casey's," he said. "We're doing a new crosswalk and lighting deal there that's going to be a really good thing." The project, which will not begin until after the winter, will be helpful for traffic flow and pedestrian safety, Meyer said, especially southbound vehicle traffic. "Sometimes I've seen it backed up almost to the high school," he said. "So we've got to be able to control that a little better." As in Ottawa, officials in St. Marys hope to update some of the city's current traffic signal infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're working through a grant process to get money to redo some things out (on Indiana Avenue)," he said. "The traffic signals will also include a pedestrian crossing. It's all part of a safety grant that we're getting out there, which involves sidewalks on both sides all the way out to the end of the city limits." Foxhoven said that the project is not yet ready to go out for bid. He also said he does not see the conversion of that intersection to a roundabout as a solution down the road for the issue of cold weather and traffic signals. "That's not really been discussed," he said. "I know there's a lot of traffic out there (on Indiana Avenue), but I don't know if there would be enough room for a roundabout. Those still scare the daylights out of me." Meyer also did not see roundabouts coming to Ottawa in the near future as a solution to this issue, but the possibility of bringing one to Ottawa always exists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They very well may down the road," he said. "We have a good spot for one. We've got a five-way intersection down there by the high school." In the mean time, a relatively warmer forecast may provide some reprieve for electronics, with highs expected to reach the upper 30s and into the 40s the rest of the week. Featured Local Savings A freshman student at Colerain High School was arrested Monday after police say he coerced two others on social media to email bomb threats that led the Northwest Local School District to cancel school for the day. Police say they tracked the emails back to two people in Alabama and Tennessee, who admitted in interviews with police to sending threats to school staff at Colerain and Northwest high schools after being coerced by the ninth grader at Colerain High School, according to a Colerain Township news release. The student's identity has not been released by police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The student was arrested by Colerain Township Police and charged with one count of inducing panic and four counts of swatting, both felonies, as well as telecommunications harassment, a misdemeanor, the release says. He has been transported to the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Youth Center. More: What is swatting? What to know about hoax threats after latest string of attempts Last Wednesday, the Northwest Local School District canceled school in a message to parents after receiving bomb threats in emails to staff that morning. Despite the threat being targeted toward Colerain and Northwest high schools, all district buildings were checked and the threat was deemed to not be credible, the release says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staff members were in some school buildings when the decision was made to close for the threat and some bus routes for students were already in progress, the district said at the time in a media statement. Students on buses were returned home and those who walked to school were brought into a warm bus while they coordinated with parents for pickup, the district said. "Threats against our schools, whether intended as jokes or otherwise, carry significant consequences," district Superintendent Darrell Yater said in a message to families Monday evening. "The school district will hold anyone, including students, who makes a threat accountable and they may face legal consequences." Police said their investigation is ongoing. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Police: Colerain High freshman coerced others to send bomb threat Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, called a new memo from the White House budget office freezing the disbursement of federal loans and grants far too sweeping and warned it would have a substantial impact on the delivery of federal services. I think there is benefit in taking a look at federal spending, Collins told reporters. But this is far too sweeping and will have an adverse effect on the delivery of services and programs. I do appreciate that the administration did not apply it to Social Security, Medicare direct benefit programs, but nevertheless it does have a large impact on the provision of a lot of services and programs, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins made her comments moments after Senate Democrats warned the latest directive from President Trumps Office of Management and Budget would plunge the nation into chaos. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) warned at a press conference Tuesday morning that Trumps action would put a halt to virtually all federal funds across the country. In an instant, Donald Trump has shut off billions, perhaps trillions of dollars that directly support states, cities, towns, schools, hospitals, small businesses and most of all American families, he said. Schumer said New York State Attorney General Letitia James (D) would lead a lawsuit to be filed in the Southern District of New York to challenge Trumps order. The suit will be joined state attorneys general from California, Illinois, New Jersey and Rhode Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just like the Jan. 6 pardons, this decision is lawless, dangerous, destructive, cruel. Its illegal, unconstitutional. I spoke to my attorney general this morning; shes head of the state attorneys general association. Theyre going to court right away on this horror, he said. A senior Trump administration official disputed Democrats characterization of the White House budget memo as an across-the-board freeze on federal spending. The official described it as guidance for agencies to review whether grants, loans and other programs are in compliance with Trumps executive orders and emphasized that the action does not impact individual payments or assistance. Senior Democratic lawmakers, however, disputed that attempt to downplay the impact of the budget memo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats nice from somebody up at the top, but Ill tell you whats happening. Every single agency, school, health care agency that got that memo is going to say, I better be darn careful not to accidentally fund something that Im not supposed to, so Im going to stop everything, said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Colombian President Gustavo Petro welcomed compatriots who have been returned from the U.S. after a brief back-and-forth tussle between the countries, proclaiming a migrant is not a criminal. Our compatriots come from the United States free, dignified, without being handcuffed. We structure a productive, associative and cheap credit plan for migrants, Petro said in a Tuesday morning post on the social platform X. The migrant is not a criminal, he is a free human being. Over the weekend, the countries leadership appeared to be at a standoff as Petro declared he would not allow the two American planes that were carrying Colombian migrants to land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump responded shortly after on Sunday, threatening to slap a 25 percent tariff on goods coming into the U.S. from the Latin American country and a ban Colombian officials and their family members from traveling to America. Colombias president said the country would impose its own 25 percent tariff on goods coming from the U.S. Later on Sunday, the White House confirmed the two sides came to an agreement as tensions were heightened over trade and immigration. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Colombia has agreed to Trumps terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without limitation or delay. With Colombia accepting the repatriation flights, Trump did away with imposing tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Colombian citizens looking to travel to the U.S. might have a hard time booking their trip. The U.S. Embassy in Bogota canceled visa appointments, telling prospective applicants they have been axed due to the Colombian governments refusal to accept repatriation flights of Colombian nationals. The nations Foreign Affairs Ministry said Monday that the government dispatched a plane to bring back 110 deported citizens who were in San Diego. This is in order to guarantee respect for the rights of citizens and to carry out medical monitoring if necessary, Colombias Foreign Affairs Ministry said. Another plane is expected to leave in the next few days with the same objective. Trump vowed on the campaign trail to carry out mass deportations for migrants who travel to the U.S. illegally. He has been swift since taking the oath of office last week to implement major policy items with a bevy of executive orders that seek to overhaul federal agencies, curb immigration and transform the military. 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. On Sunday morning, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that Colombia was suspending permission for previously authorized U.S. deportation flights to land in Colombia. Ostensibly driving Petros action were concerns that Colombian nationals were not being treated with respect during the deportation process because they were being transported by military aircraft. President Donald Trump quickly declared a range of punitive measures in response, including suspension of visa processing at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, visa sanctions on Colombian government officials and their families, and a 25 percent tariff on Colombian goods, among others. Later Sunday, Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo said his nation would agree to accept deportation flights, and by Monday afternoon it had sent a military plane of its own to San Diego to transport Colombian nationals awaiting deportation. While U.S.-Colombia relations have deteriorated significantly in the span of only a few days, the underlying issues behind the rift have been simmering for several years. How has immigration shaped the U.S.-Colombia relationship in recent years? The U.S. has historically been a major destination for Colombian immigration. The Colombian diaspora in the U.S. is estimated to be over 1.5 million, making it the seventh largest Latin American diaspora in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. and Colombia have subsequently developed a good relationship in recent years, which has included a free trade agreement and Colombias designation as a major non-NATO ally. However, two major changes have complicated the U.S.-Colombia relationship in recent years. The first is the increasing number of Colombian nationals who have immigrated to the U.S. via irregular channels. U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded more than 97,000 encounters with Colombian nationals at the southern border in 2024 alone. The majority of these migrants have presented themselves as asylum seekers fleeing political violence from left-wing paramilitaries who are still highly active in parts of Colombia where the government has been unable to negotiate ceasefires. The second is Colombias transformation into a major transit country for migrants from South America and even Africa and Asia, thanks to its location as an entry point for the Darien Gap, a critical route for migrants seeking to reach the U.S. via Central America and Mexico. This has made Colombian cooperation critical for U.S. attempts to stem illegal migration originating from new sources outside of Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Colombia has collaborated with the U.S. on immigration in significant ways, including by agreeing to act as a host country for the Safe Mobility Initiative, an initiative recently designed to deter irregular migration by offering legal pathways to migrants who could prove they qualified for protection and were willing to wait in partner countries away from the U.S.-Mexico border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Trump administration recently deactivated this initiative, and Colombia also shares blame for straining the immigration relationship. Under the left-wing former guerrilla member Petro, Colombia also pressured the U.S. to take less stringent measures on Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro ahead of his fraudulent reelection, under the guise of concerns about Venezuelan migration due to U.S. sanctions. Additionally, Colombia had previously paused cooperation with U.S. deportation flights under the Biden administration over similar claims of concerns about the treatment of Colombian migrants in U.S. custody. Despite this precedent, the political circumstances around the latest refusal are significantly different. Why did Petro refuse to allow the latest U.S. deportation flight to land? Over the past five years, Colombia has accepted 475 U.S. deportation flights. While it has paused authorization for U.S. deportation flights before as noted above, this incident was significant both because the flights had already been authorized and because of the extraordinary domestic events in Colombia that preceded it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the week before the deportation flight controversy, the process to end decades of fighting between the government, paramilitaries, and criminal groups in Colombia suffered a significant blow as insurgents from the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN) drove thousands of Colombian civilians from their homes in the region of Catatumbo and into neighboring Venezuela. The violence led Petro to declare a state of emergency, and Venezuela took the opportunity to conduct military exercises along its borders in Colombia. Venezuela is widely suspected of supporting the ELN, and Petro continued a long and sordid history of appeasing the Venezuelan regime by authorizing a meeting with Vladimir Padrino Lopez, the Venezuelan regimes defense minister who is currently wanted in the U.S. for drug trafficking. In light of this unrest and Petros widespread unpopularity within Colombia, it seems that in addition to objections over the type of aircraft used, picking a fight with Trump over the deportation flight also served to create a distraction from the increasingly apparent failures of Petros domestic and foreign policy. What sanctions did the U.S. and Colombia announce? The U.S. drafted sanctions on both travel and commerce, some of which it is leaving in place despite Colombias stated willingness to resume accepting repatriated citizens. In travel, the U.S. Embassy in Colombia froze visa processing and additionally banned Colombian officials and their families from entering the United States. The visa sanctions on Colombian government figures are set to remain in place until the next U.S. deportation flight successfully lands in Colombia. Before Colombia agreed to let deportation flights resume, Trump threatened a sweeping 25 percent tariff on Colombian goods until Petro resumes cooperation, with an increase to 50 percent in a week if Colombia continued to refuse deportation flights. Colombian goods entering the country would also be subject to enhanced inspection, and Colombia would be subject to sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). While the heightened inspections remained in place, the sanctions have not been imposed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For his part, at the end of a lengthy and bizarre X post in which he reminisced about watching a brawl between black and Hispanic residents in Washington, D.C., and claimed Colombians are descended from Romans and Athenians while the U.S. is descended from slave owners, Petro announced that Colombia would impose reciprocal 50 percent tariffs on U.S. products, only to back down hours later. What could happen next? In the short term, Petro appears to have folded on this particular matter and U.S. deportation flights to Colombia will resume. The Colombian foreign ministry put out a statement adding that the foreign minister and the ambassador to the U.S. are set to travel to Washington immediately to continue addressing the dispute. For now, the compromise appears to be that military aircraft will be used to deport Colombian nationals from the U.S., but Colombia will provide the aircraft and some of the personnel to ensure migrants are repatriated with dignity. Colombia sent its first plane to the U.S. on Monday, and stated its intention to send another in the coming days. Petro is also set to address an extraordinary meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in person in Honduras on Thursday to discuss the diplomatic crisis and migration issues in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If these meetings go poorly or Petro makes further breaks with U.S. immigration policy at his CELAC address, the looming threat of mutual tariffs may come to pass. This would mean prices for some Colombian goods in the U.S. such as coffee and flowers would increase. Colombias economy would get the worse end of any economic fallout, especially given the pending Valentines Day holiday in the U.S. when flowers usually see some of their largest yearly sales. In the long term, some speculate that Colombia will try to draw closer to China to lessen the economic role the U.S. plays in the Colombian economy. While Petro would almost certainly like to do this, economic realities and the end of his upcoming term in 2027 will likely limit his ability to effectively do so. And while Petro may believe that casting the U.S. as a bullying villain may boost his domestic strength, Colombia is unlike some other South American countries in that the longstanding security and immigration relationship between the U.S. and Colombia has yielded enduring positive sentiment towards the U.S. at a popular level. A 2023 Latinobarometro report found that 74.6 percent of Colombians had a favorable or a very favorable view of the United States. Petros approval rating before the diplomatic break was less than half that at 34 percent. 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. Traffic on 17th Street in downtown Denver is pictured on Feb. 28, 2024. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline) An unprecedented move by President Donald Trumps new administration to freeze massive amounts of federal funding could have profound and immediate consequences for Colorado. A two-page memo issued by the Office of Management and Budget on Monday announced the freeze, which appeared to apply to all federal financial assistance, including grants and loans, with the exception of Medicare and Social Security payments. Acting OMB director Matthew Vaeth wrote that the freeze would allow the Trump administration to screen federal aid programs for efforts to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal judge on Tuesday issued a brief administrative stay blocking the order from going into effect while a flood of litigation plays out in court. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The move could abruptly shut off funding for a vast array of programs administered by state and local governments and nonprofits, though Trump administration officials have offered scant and at times conflicting information about how broadly the freeze will be applied. Public officials and leaders of community organizations across Colorado were left scrambling Tuesday to process the implications of the order, which if upheld in court would amount to a radical rewriting of constitutional precedent giving federal spending power to Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trumps OMB directive is lawless and unconstitutional and the freeze in federal funding that he is attempting will have dangerous impacts for millions of Americans, U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, a Lafayette Democrat, said in a statement Tuesday. The order threatens funding for law enforcement grants, farmers, Head Start programs for children, and countless other services and programs that Coloradans rely upon. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said Tuesday he would sue to stop the freeze. This action takes the power of the purse away from Congress, violates the separation of powers, and is already causing massive harm in Colorado, undermining delivery of healthcare, education, and public safety, Weiser said. As attorney general, I will continue to defend Coloradans and the Constitution. A separate OMB document in support of Vaeths memo included a list of more than 2,600 federal programs to be evaluated by the Trump administration as part of the spending freeze. The list included federal food stamps initiatives including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC but White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted Tuesday that programs that provide such aid were not subject to the freeze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis called the freeze a senseless action that should be immediately reversed. This indefinite pause in congressionally appropriated federal funding hurts children and hardworking families, jeopardizes American jobs and businesses, harms hospitals and safety net health providers, threatens road and bridge repairs, and impacts countless other programs, Polis said. Substantial confusion arose from the White House memos declaration that the freeze does not include assistance provided directly to individuals. Many federal programs, including Medicaid, food stamps, housing vouchers and energy assistance grants, provide funds to state and local governments that in turn administer payments to individuals. Others provide block grants to nonprofit organizations like Meals on Wheels, which warned Tuesday that the funding freeze could halt meal delivery to millions of American seniors. U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans, a Fort Lupton Republican, issued a video statement Tuesday defending Trumps move and criticizing inflammatory, fear-based language youre hearing from the left, even as he acknowledged his office did not yet understand how the freeze would impact Head Start programs, student loans and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were waiting for more specifics on that, Evans said, encouraging constituents to contact his office with concerns. Colorados state government alone received more than $17 billion in federal grants and contracts in fiscal year 2024, according to a state transparency database. Roughly $11 billion of that total was made up of Medicaid payments to the state Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. Of the remaining $6 billion, about $1.8 billion in grants and contracts went to the Department of Higher Education; $1 billion funded child welfare, behavioral health and other programs through the Department of Human Services; $578 million was awarded to a wide variety of programs within the Department of Public Health and Environment; $403 million went to the Department of Early Childhood; and $366 million funded wildfire and other emergency preparedness efforts under the Department of Public Safety. Medicaid A footnote to Trumps OMB memo said it should not be construed to impact Medicare or Social Security benefits but did not mention Medicaid, sowing widespread confusion on Tuesday. The Washington Post reported that multiple states were experiencing problems with Medicaid payments, but White House officials again insisted that despite the confusion, Medicaid wasnt subject to the freeze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our office has heard from Colorado hospitals that the Medicaid payment system has been turned off, U.S. Sen. John Hickenloopers office said. With Medicaid portals down, doctors and hospitals in Colorado are unable to receive funds through the system. Marc Williams, a spokesperson for the states Medicaid program, confirmed Tuesday afternoon that HCPF was unable to access federal funds yesterday or this morning in accordance with our standard operating procedures, but access has since been restored. This afternoon, HCPF was able to access the federal payment system and submit our standard request for federal matching funds for all HCPF-administered programs; we are now awaiting the wire transfer of funds from the federal government, Williams said. We are anticipating federal fund transfers to enable future payments. Community health centers The Colorado Community Health Network, an organization representing 20 community health centers across the state, said Tuesday that the freeze would have the immediate impact of preventing nearly $9 million in monthly payments that are used to cover payroll and other costs. Federally qualified community health centers are typically located in underserved areas and serve patients regardless of their ability to pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorado Community Health Network calls on the Trump Administration, including Acting Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Dorothy Fink, and Congress to lift this freeze in funding immediately to ensure communities across America continue to have access to life-saving preventive and primary care services, the organization wrote in a statement. Rural hospital funding Hickenloopers office identified a list of grants to rural hospitals that would be affected by the freeze, including $1.25 million to expand access to opioid and substance use disorder treatments in Moffat County; $200,000 for providers San Miguel County; and $100,000 each for Archuleta and Mesa counties. Homeless shelters Shelters and other services serving unhoused Coloradans rely heavily on grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to operate. Lisa Sweeney-Miran, the director of a homeless shelter in Boulder, said that news of the funding freeze is causing agencies to halt projects related to building supportive housing and evaluate what services theyll have to cut to stay afloat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If this order stands as-is, I think you can expect to see widespread shutdowns some agencies will be able to last longer than others, but all of us rely heavily on tax dollars to house and help, Sweeney-Miran said. Head Start Along with Medicaid payment systems, there were widespread reports Tuesday that the reimbursement portal for the federal Head Start program, which provides grants for early childhood education, was down nationwide, though Nearly 9,000 Colorado children enrolled in Head Start programs could be affected by the loss of funding, according to Hickenloopers office, and the freeze could also apply to funding through the Child Care and Development Block Grant program, which served another 10,000 Colorado kids. Editors note: This story was last updated at 4:43 p.m., Jan. 28, 2025, to include additional statements and details on the funding freeze. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) The Columbus Police Department is asking for the citys help in finding a teenage girl who was reported missing over the weekend. CPD says Kaliyah Minter, 15, was last seen around midnight on Sunday, Jan. 26 in the 150 block of Bob-O-Link Drive. Minter stands at 5-foot-5-inches, weighs about 120 pounds and is described as having brown hair and brown eyes. The department asks anyone with information to call either of the following numbers: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 911 CPD Special Victims Unit: 706-225-3449 Cpl. Luis Bencosme-Gonzalez: 706-225-4367 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. Longime investment adviser Brooklynn Chandler Willy, who led San Antonio-based Texas Financial Advisory, is scheduled to get out of jail seven weeks after her arrest. YouTube San Antonio investment adviser Brooklynn Chandler Willy's firm, Texas Financial Advisory, operated from a Stone Oak office before her arrest last month. The firm has since gone out of business. Patrick Danner/Staff/Patrick Danner/Staff photo Seven weeks after Brooklynn Chandler Willy was arrested and locked up on obstruction of justice and related charges, the embattled San Antonio investment adviser won her freedom Tuesday. Needless to say, she cant wait to get home and be reunified with her children and her family, he said. Theres no question in my mind that shes going to be very obedient to the conditions that shes been placed under. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Willy lives on a multimillion-dollar Boerne ranch. I anticipate this is going to be a long road to the conclusion of this case, but its the beginning and were in for the long haul, Barrera added. Well be taking good care of her. Willy appeared at the hearing in navy blue jail garb and shackles, but did not speak. Willy, who headed Texas Financial Advisory, was arrested Dec. 10 after being indicted on three charges related to obstructing a federal investigation into her business dealings. Last week, a federal grand jury handed up another indictment with 11 new charges against her including six counts of wire fraud, two counts of engaging in financial transactions involving assets obtained from illegal activities and one count of securities fraud. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Since her arrest, Texas Financial Advisory which had about $118 million in assets under management on behalf of about 620 clients has shuttered its operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Blackwell, who had opposed Willys release immediately after her arrest didnt speak against it Tuesday. Thats likely because the investigation has culminated in new charges against her and because her firm has been shuttered. A few days after Willys arrest, Chestney ordered that she remain behind bars after Blackwell argued she posed a risk of obstructing an ongoing investigation. Barrera had filed a sealed motion last week asking the court to reconsider Willys pretrial detention and set bail. Chestney outlined a list of conditions Willy must follow or risk being arrested again, held in contempt of court and held liable to the government for $40,000 if her bail is revoked. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Willy is required to seek employment. If the employment involves handling contracts or financial transactions, she must inform her employer of the charges against her. She also must avoid all contact with any Texas Financial Advisory clients or anyone associated with Ferrum Capital LLC and estate planning firm Allen Financial Agency, both of Lubbock, and Austin debt collection agency Collins Asset Group LLC. Willy allegedly pitched to clients unregistered securities issued by Ferrum, which used the money to fund loans to Collins for it to buy distressed accounts receivable, also known as bad debt, according to lawsuits that have been filed. Ferrum officials included Joshua Allen and Mike Cox, who were both employed at Allen Financial. The judge said Willy cant open any new banks accounts or lines of credit, or incur any new debt other than the use of a credit card to pay for reasonable and necessary living expenses or legal fees. Willy also cant use alcohol and must submit to drug testing. She has to surrender her passport, as well. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The federal investigation into Willy began after an October 2023 report by the San Antonio Express-News that former clients had sued her, her firm and others over alleged violations of state securities law, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. Benjamin Franklin was wrong, or at least premature, when he wrote in 1789 that nothing is certain in this world "except death and taxes." Were he writing today, he would have to add to this sacred duo another entry that it's also certain that the theory that COVID-19 originated in a Chinese lab will persist, despite the absence of any evidence to support it. As I've written before, this fact-free claim periodically receives a shot of life-extending plasma from credulous news organizations, congressional Republicans, and former and current Trump acolytes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, the most important thing is to make China pay for unleashing a plague on the world. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) On Saturday, the lab-leak claim got another dose of plasma. This was the Central Intelligence Agency's issuance of its purported "assessment" that a lab leak was more likely than zoonosis as the pandemic's origin. The agency issued its statement at the behest of John Ratcliffe, who was confirmed Friday as Donald Trump's choice for director of the CIA. The CIA's "assessment" rocketed around the news and political worlds, spurring more heavy breathing from partisans who have long deployed the claim as part of a geopolitical contest with China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The headline takeaway in many news articles was that the "CIA Now Favors Lab Leak Theory on Origins of Covid-19" (Wall Street Journal and New York Times). Some also gave various degrees of prominence to the CIA's admission that it made its judgment with "low confidence." My colleagues at The Times placed that caveat in the headline of our publication of an Associated Press dispatch on the CIA statement. Partisan commentary on the CIA statement ignored that caveat. Read more: Column: With final report on pandemic, House GOP fully embraces COVID conspiracy-mongering Now, the most important thing is to make China pay for unleashing a plague on the world, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a veteran advocate of the lab-leak theory, told Politico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with the conservative news site Breitbart on Friday, the day of his confirmation, Ratcliffe made no secret of his intention to pursue the issue as a matter for national security. "One of the things that Ive talked about a lot is addressing the threat from China on a number of fronts," he said, "and that goes back to why a million Americans died and why the Central Intelligence Agency has been sitting on the sidelines for five years in not making an assessment about the origins of COVID." Among the political warriors who seized promptly on the CIA statement was Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University who has emerged as a leading critic of the left. In an article posted Monday on his personal web page, Turley originally wrote that the CIA statement "details how it views the lab theory as the most likely explanation for the virus." Therefore, it's important to take a close look at what the CIA said, how it might have differed from its previous judgments, and just what it means to issue a conclusion with "low confidence." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "CIA assesses with low confidence that a research-related origin of the COVID-19 pandemic is more likely than a natural origin based on the available body of reporting, read the statement by a CIA spokesman. The statement added that the agency would keep evaluating any available credible new intelligence reporting or open-source information that could change CIAs assessment. To begin with, there were no "details" in the CIA statement explaining the basis for its conclusion. The CIA didn't offer any evidence or explain what prompted its assessment, or reassessment. Read more: Column: Examining Trump's lies about what he did with Obamacare and COVID It's unclear even how new its assessment is. In June 2023, at then-President Biden's directive, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a declassified report summarizing the conclusions of the U.S. intelligence community. The office oversees the work of 18 intelligence agencies, including the CIA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report stated that five intelligence agencies assessed that "natural exposure to an infected animal" caused the pandemic; two the FBI and the Department of Energy came down on the lab-leak side; and the CIA and another unnamed agency were "unable to determine the precise origin" of the pandemic. It didn't give assessments by other agencies. The ODNI report left lab-leak proponents crestfallen. They had been certain that it would validate their position; instead, it specifically refuted several core claims made by the lab-leak camp. Then there's the "low confidence" qualification. This is not a casual judgment about information, but a term of art with a specific meaning in the intelligence community. According to a definition published in 2017 by ODNI, it "generally means that the information's credibility and/or plausibility is uncertain, that the information is too fragmented or poorly corroborated to make solid analytical inferences, or that reliability of the sources is questionable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Column: Stanford throws a party for purveyors of misinformation and disinformation about COVID To put it in plain language, the CIA "assessment" is based, at best, on unreliable sources too uncertain and unverified to "make solid analytical inferences." That hasn't stopped people like Ratcliffe and Cotton from aggressively coming to their own conclusions and making threats against another country. Turley, for his part, added a paragraph to his original post acknowledging that the CIA considered the evidence for a lab leak "fragmented and fluid." He didn't tell me when he made the change, but the link to the definition of "low confidence" he embedded in his post was one that I had posted online and referred him to. Turley told me by email that his goal had not been to argue that "one theory is clearly correct," but that "there was a legitimate debate on the issue that was being suppressed by the attacks and the coverage.... The issue is not which theory is correct but the fact that either could be true and, as shown by other reports, the lab theory is actually favored by some agencies and offices today." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is that so, however? Let's be clear about something: No scientifically valid evidence has ever been produced to support the theory that the COVID virus escaped from a Chinese laboratory. All that exists is conjecture, innuendo and speculation, most of it based on the circumstance that the first COVID cases were identified at a wildlife market in Wuhan, miles from a government virology lab. But no evidence has ever emerged of an outbreak in that lab or its vicinity, while copious epidemiological evidence exists for its outbreak at the Huanan market, where people bought and sold critters known to be susceptible to COVID. If there were a paper published in a peer-reviewed journal setting forth evidence for a lab leak, it would be prominently cited in every news article about the origins debate. There doesn't appear to be any. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John P. Moore, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Weill Cornell Medical College who assiduously tracks technical papers about COVID for a weekly digest, told me he "does not know of any such papers only speculative articles." Read more: Column: The COVID lab leak claim isn't just an attack on science, but a threat to public health The Chinese government has been accused, mostly by the lab-leak camp, of suppressing evidence of the role of the Wuhan lab out of embarrassment or fear of international repercussions. But that's highly misleading. The truth is that China is no happier about evidence that the pandemic originated in one of its wildlife markets. It has also been criticized by the World Health Organization for a lack of transparency. The Chinese government has long promised to regulate the wildlife trade within its borders, but its efforts have been spotty, with many markets continuing to operate. After the initial outbreak of COVID in Wuhan, the government shut down the Wuhan market, where 30 species of wild animals were part of the inventory and some 10,000 visitors a day strolled its alleyways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shutdown complicated efforts to pinpoint the outbreak's origin, but research conducted before the shutdown documented the presence of COVID-infected animals on the premises. The uncritical retailing of the CIA "assessment" underscores the perils of scientific misinformation and disinformation for public health. The Trump administration's evidence-free focus on the Chinese laboratories ranks as anti-science propaganda. As 41 biologists, immunologists, virologists and physicians observed in August in the Journal of Virology, the unfounded lab-leak hypothesis "stokes the flames of an anti-science, conspiracy-driven agenda, which targets science and scientists even beyond those investigating the origins of SARS-CoV-2," the virus that causes COVID. "The inevitable outcome is an undermining of the broader missions of science and public health and the misdirecting of resources and effort," they wrote. "The consequence is to leave the world more vulnerable to future pandemics, as well as current infectious disease threats." Their warning could not have been more stark. Get the latest from Michael Hiltzik Commentary on economics and more from a Pulitzer Prize winner. Sign me up. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. CNN contributor Scott Jennings condemned critics who said Elon Musks straight arm salute was intended to be a Sieg Heil but then refused to perform the gesture himself on live television. The billionaire, who is cementing himself as a mainstay in President Donald Trumps inner circle, has been slammed since proudly thumping his chest and shooting his right hand to the sky twice at Trumps post-inauguration rally last Monday. After rushing to the defense of Trumps First Buddy, Jennings was challenged byWashington Post columnist Catherine Rampell on NewsNight Monday evening, a date marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont understand why this guy keeps getting the benefit of the doubt, whether or not he believes this stuff, personally, Rampell said of Musk, who noted she was the only Jew around the table. Interjecting, Jennings claimed that Musks critics are suffering from a progression of Trump Derangement Syndrome a disease manufactured by the Republicans campaign team in which a person abandons all logic and reason due to their dislike of the president. Scott Jennings (L), a former GOP stretegist, refused to mimic Elon Musks salute after claiming it wasnt a Sieg Heil at Catherine Rampells request (Acyn/CNN/X) Weve moved on from Trump derangement syndrome to Elon derangement syndrome, the former GOP strategist retorted. So, he has a long record of supporting the Jewish people, number one. Number two, anybody who is asserting this thing he did on the stage the other day was a Sieg Heil, which I just heard you say lawyer up maybe because, [its an] absolute[ly] ridiculous thing to say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why dont you do it on TV right now? the columnist responded abruptly, which Jennings rejected. This salute trutherism is outrageous. This is the most, he said, before Rampell exploded: So do it right now on TV! Jennings wrote off the rumors swirling around Musk as mere conspiracy theories, prompting Rampell for him to repeat her request to mimic the gesture on television, before host Abby Phillip was forced to intervene. The CNN contributors denial surrounding the so-called Nazi salute mirrors Musks own defense. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk gestures as he speaks during the inaugural parade in Washington, DC, on 20 January, 2025 (Getty Images) Musk, who recently made a virtual appearance at Germanys far-right AFD partys campaign launch, claimed hours after his post-inauguration address that they need better dirty tricks, adding that comparing MAGA loyalists to the leader of the Third Reich is so tired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes as a local Pennsylvania official resigned from her position on the board of supervisors after posting a TikTok video of herself repeating Musks salute. In a now-deleted video, Laura Smith, the former vice chair of the Towamencin Township Board of Supervisors, thumped her chest three times before extending her hand and arm out in front of her. Just checking in on my friends who are struggling this week. My heart goes out to you. Hope youre doing ok, Smith, a Republican, said mirroring Musks own statement in the video. Jan. 27FREEMAN, S.D. Jodi Neuharth's preschool and junior kindergarten room at Freeman Elementary School was quiet during a recent school day afternoon as her young students took their nap time. But it was only a few minutes ago that her students were hard at work exploring the arctic or studying the lives of the pioneers. All the while, they were also absorbing lessons on reading and, particularly, mathematics. Neuharth, who lives near Olivet but is originally from Ethan, recently received recognition for her methods in teaching mathematics when she was named as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science from the National Science Foundation. The award recipients were announced earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neuharth, who is in her 17th year of teaching, said it was both an honor and a surprise to receive the award. "I was super-excited to be a finalist. As a finalist, you're hopeful, but then when I got the email, I was like, 'Whoa. Like it's almost not real,'" Neuharth told the Mitchell Republic. "I'm very honored." Neuharth, 38 and a graduate of Dakota State University in Madison, has spent the last two years teaching all subjects for second grade at Freeman Public School but transitioned to teaching preschool and junior kindergarten this year. She had previously taught second grade at the Garretson School District for 12 years and taught reading and mathematics interventions at the Baltic School District for her first two years of teaching. She may have changed school districts a handful of times over the years, but her dedication to teaching has remained the same. She works to incorporate special projects into her curriculum, providing hands-on activities which bring learning alive for her students. She has developed and organized after-school learning events for her second graders, such as a "Pioneer Night" at the public park, using Makerspace, coding for her class and bringing in speakers for her students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That tradition continues even now as she heads up her classroom of even younger students, with lessons based around the exploration of the North Pole and South Pole and time spent discussing the hardships of the pioneers who settled the area. "It is an extreme amount of work, but when you can take the learning you have to do and mix in the fun with it it is very validating that you can teach and have fun at the same time and have the kids learn," Neuharth said. Neuharth is technically a 2022 recipient of the award, with COVID-19 having derailed the application review process and delayed the announcement for that year's recipients until just recently. She has since moved on from the second grade where she utilized the methods that earned her the recognition, but her lauded methods have remained in somewhat simpler form to accommodate the learning curve of her young students. She teaches many reading and math skills by incorporating them into a classroom exploration of the world with the students acting as "scientists." Lessons about the arctic and antarctic regions of the world dovetail into simple math problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I had taken and made paper icicles, and so then they were scientists. So we dressed up in lab coats, and we were in Antarctica, just researching. Researching penguins, researching all sorts of stuff," Neuharth said. "I try to do all inclusive units where there's a little math, science, reading, social studies." Neuharth would leave the paper icicles out for the students to find when they came to class in the morning. She would tell them the "overnight scientists" had found the icicles and it was up to the students to take accurate measurements on their length. That morning surprise and the work that followed kept the students engaged and excited about learning, she said. The arctic setting for the lessons gives them an exotic but familiar feel, with the cold and snow of South Dakota's winter right outside their window. "And so then all the kids went to town and they measured all their icicles and they worked together to collect their data and see how the icicles had changed. It's all about that excitement," Neuharth said. "It feels like the arctic right now, and living in South Dakota, you come back from Christmas and it's just easy to talk about now. And then what kid doesn't love penguins?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neuharth also teaches sections that embrace multi-subject learning. The kids also get to explore the lives of the pioneers who settled the area in the 1800s. In other activities, the students become postal workers who deliver Valentines. Or they may be doctors learning about the human body. She enjoys making the lessons fun for her students because she was once a young student herself, and the classroom was always an environment she enjoyed and she enjoyed being around young learners. Her mother, she recalled, used to provide learning lessons for her as she grew up on her parents' dairy farm. "I babysat all the time as a kid, and I remember playing with my siblings. But when I didn't get to be with the teacher, then I played school with my stuffed animals. And I've always wanted to teach," Neuharth said. "I loved to learn and play, and play and learn. And that's why I teach the way I do." That philosophy has anchored her teaching for the past 17 years and has served as an asset to the various districts with which she has served. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katie Juhnke, who serves as K-6 and colony principal for the Freeman School District, said her approach continues to benefit the students in her classroom. Her connection with Neuharth goes beyond the teacher-principal relationship, having known Neuharth for years even prior to her joining the Freeman district. "Jodi really excels at creating a hands-on, engaging learning environment that encourages her students to think critically and explore beyond the basics. While she prioritizes meeting academic standards, her creative teaching methods make learning fun and meaningful," Juhnke said. "She also takes the time to truly know her students, ensuring their individual needs are met while maintaining excellent communication with parents." The award comes with a certificate signed by the President, a trip to Washington, D.C. to celebrate the accomplishment as well as participate in professional development activities with fellow STEM educators from around the country. It also comes with $10,000 for Neuharth to use as she sees fit. Neuharth said she sees herself teaching well into the future, and there is likely more exploration in store for her students. Whether that takes them to the North Pole, South Pole or beyond remains to be seen, but Neuharth said she would continue working to engage her students in fun lessons that help them learn. "I don't want to have the exact same lesson over and over. I personally love learning, so I love to go out and learn. What else can I learn? What else can I incorporate? Every year I try to add something or change something or make my teaching better. Because it's fun for me, but it's also beneficial for the kids." ALEXANDRIA BAY, N.Y. (WWTI) The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority has lifted restrictions on commercial vehicles using the span as of 11 p.m. Monday, January 27. The restrictions got put into place due to high winds at 11:45 a.m. Monday. The TIBA restricted all high-profile commercial vehicles less than 60,000 pounds in gross vehicle weight, recreational vehicles, buses, enclosed empty trailers, and other high-profile vehicles until wind speeds reduce. These restrictions were for the crossings at Collins Landing, Alexandria Bay and Ivy Lea, Ontario. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information on bridge operations, visit their website at www.tibridge.com, follow #TIslebridge on Twitter or call 315-482-2501. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. YOLO COUNTY -- End-of-life mercy for a twice-convicted child molester serving more than 100 years to life in prison is not something that Yolo County's District Attorney Jeff Reisig supports, he told CBS Sacramento. "Nobody wants him living in their neighborhood. That's the bottom line," Reisig said. On Thursday, Kevin Ellis, 67, was granted compassionate release by a judge in Yolo County Superior Court due to his terminal medical diagnosis, despite objections from his victims and the district attorney's office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State law mandates that Ellis be released from prison within 48 hours of the hearing. He will now be free to live the rest of his life under supervised release and under the condition of registering as a sex offender. "It's super hypocritical to call it a compassionate release and ignore the trauma that the victims are suffering as a result of this process," Reisig said. Kevin Ellis, 67 / Credit: Yolo County District Attorney's Office Ellis was convicted first in 1995 for molesting two children and again in 2013 for molesting two children again. He has also failed to register as a sex offender in the past. "Obviously, we don't think that's appropriate for a four-time child molester to be released back into the community having served only a fraction of his 100-year sentence. We don't care what the circumstances are," Reisig said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under state law, compassionate release from prison must first be recommended by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to a judge in the county of the crime's origin, allowing the case to bypass California Board of Parole hearings that often take much longer to navigate and include a series of hearings. Offenders eligible for compassionate release are diagnosed with a terminal illness, have less than a year to live, are deemed by CDCR to not be a threat to society given their medical condition and have an identified place to live upon release. "He should die in prison and that's what we argued to the judge. There is no benefit to the community. It certainly puts people at risk and there is no guarantee how long he is going to live out in the community," Reisig said. Ellis, who is wheelchair-bound, was diagnosed with terminal cancer and fewer than six months to live, according to the CDCR medical report supporting his release from prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reisig does not agree with the assumption that Ellis poses no risk to the Yolo County community upon release there. "You had four children who were molested and victimized. They don't get a second chance like he is getting now," Reisig said. "Is there anything you can do at this point to fight it?" I asked Reisig. "No, and that's what is frustrating," Reisig answered. Under a different process, when a state-designated "sexually violent predator" is released from prison after serving their time, the California Department of State Hospitals alongside other agencies determines publicly where an SVP will be released, with community input through hearings on the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many neighbors, local sheriffs and district attorneys have protested SVP releases to certain areas in those hearings successfully. For example, in the case of SVP William Stephenson, the state has tried to release him to multiple different counties and even could release him as a transient considering no suitable housing could be secured. SEE ALSO: California set to see spike in "Sexually Violent Predators" released Will more get "transient release" due to lack of housing? The difference, Reisig agreed, is that throughout the SVP release process, the community is involved and has a chance to voice their concern. In the compassionate release process, the CDCR and the parole board handle the offender's placement with no public input. Reisig argued that California state law should be changed so that child molesters, rapists and other violent offenders do not qualify for compassionate release under any circumstance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This whole process is embedded in state law. That can be changed by lawmakers in Sacramento. That is where people need to direct their ire," Reisig said. "It should be fixed. It's a total travesty that all these children that have been molested by this man now have to wake up every day knowing he is back on the streets. Because he deserves mercy? It's insane." CBS Sacramento asked the CDCR exactly where and when Ellis will be released -- and for details on the conditions of his supervised release. The CDCR said they could not provide details on a person's release location due to safety concerns. Trump's statement on New Jersey drones issued at White House press briefing AI stocks plunge as China's DeepSeek sends shock wave through Wall Street U.S. troops head to southern border as deportations continue MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) There is a growing worry amongst Montgomery County leaders after President Donald Trump signed an immigration order into law last week that gives Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents permission to enter places of worship and schools to search for undocumented immigrants. Leaders say they are working to navigate the new executive order. Were really worried about it, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said. Im very worried about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order allows ICE to conduct searches and make arrests at places of worship and schools, locations that have been traditionally known as safe places for undocumented migrants. Tax season starts: Free tax services available in DC, Maryland, Virginia Ive made it clear to the immigrants Ive talked to that the County is not going to be able to stand between the federal police and ICE agents if they come here, Elrich said. We dont have the ability to do that. Elrich says the new policy limits what theyre able to do to help migrants. For example, he said, we cant provide shelter and say this is a safe shelter. That would be a violation of the federal order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement County leaders like Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart say there have been several discussions surrounding the policy, and plans are now being implemented in schools. They have protocols in place for each of our schools, Stewart said. Theyve been training the principals and their front-facing staff on these protocols if ICE happens to go to a school. Stewart says the most important thing right now is for families to be aware of the resources that are available to them. We have the information on our website, she said. [Also] the Montgomery County Public Schools website has very important information for families to prepare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve got clothing programs, weve got food programs, weve got access to healthcare, those things I expect to continue, Elrich 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. Climate change increased the likelihood of the extreme conditions that allowed the recent fires to roar across the Los Angeles area, an international group of scientists said Tuesday. The hot, dry and windy conditions that preceded the fires were about 35% more likely because of human-caused global warming, according to a new report from the World Weather Attribution group, which analyzes the influence of global warming on extreme events. The fires, which started during a ferocious windstorm and after almost no rain had fallen in greater Los Angeles since the spring, have killed at least 29 people and torched more than 16,000 buildings, including homes, stores and schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a perfect storm when it comes to conditions for fire disasters the ingredients in terms of the climate enabling, the weather driving the fires and the huge built environment right downwind from where these ignitions occurred, John Abatzoglou, a professor of climatology at the University of California, Merced, who contributed to the report, said at a news conference. Compared to a preindustrial time before fossil fuels were widely used, there are now 23 extra days of dry season on average each year in the Los Angeles region, the report said, making it more likely that fires will coincide with seasonal Santa Ana winds. Park Williams, a professor of geography at UCLA and an author of the report, said fires during cool seasons in Southern California require four conditions: widespread grass or brush that can burn, abnormally dry conditions, an ignition (which almost always comes from a person; and extreme weather, like the recent windstorm. He described each of those conditions as an individual switch in a system that requires all four to be flipped on for light to emanate. The artificial warming due to human-caused climate change is making the light brighter, Williams said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The authors of the report analyzed weather and climate models to evaluate how a warmer atmosphere is shifting the likelihood of fire weather (meaning conditions that increase the risk of wildfire). They also tracked how a metric called the Fire Weather Index changed over time. The index tracks temperature, relative humidity and wind speeds, all factors that contribute to the likelihood of fire. The researchers found that the kind of conditions that drove the L.A. area fires are expected to occur on average once in 17 years in todays climate. Such conditions would have been expected once every 23 years without climate change and would have been less extreme when they did occur, the report says. Homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. As a group, World Weather Attribution is a loose consortium of scientists who publish rapid findings about climate changes role in extreme weather events. Although their research methods are peer-reviewed, this specific rapid analysis has not been through the rigor of a typical academic review process, which can take months or longer. The groups prior analyses of heat, wildfire and hurricane disasters have held up to scrutiny after initial release and were ultimately published in academic journals. For climate attribution scientists studying how much climate change is to blame for specific events, wildfire disasters are notoriously challenging to untangle, and local nuances are extremely important. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the case of the recent California fires, the report's authors found that although climate change played a role, it was not the sole factor. The hillsides surrounding Los Angeles are filled with brush that has evolved to burn with regularity, and more people are in these areas today than in the past to potentially start fires via cigarettes, power lines, fireworks, vehicles or other sources. Additionally, neighborhood development has pushed deep into areas prone to burn, which means houses are serving as fuel for wildfires and contributing to its rapid spread. Fire in Southern California is highly complex, right? Its a combination of a number of things. This is a landscape thats got a really distinct human imprint on it, Abatzoglou said, adding that the Los Angeles region has a large population, a lot of ignitions, a lot of land-use related issues. The influence of climate change on the Santa Ana winds, one of the driving factors behind the Los Angeles fires, remains murky. The report's authors said that some research suggests the winds will become less intense as the climate warms; however, other research suggests this wind pattern will persist and perhaps intensify during the cold months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont know of a direct mechanism that would link climate change to the winds, but there could be," Williams said. "We just dont know." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Despite concerns about the future of research at the National Institutes of Health, current clinical trials can continue as scheduled, the agencys acting director told staff scientists in an email Monday. The clarification followed what staffers called chaos Wednesday when the Trump administration paused all communications from federal health agencies and suspended all government travel. The directive left NIH staff members with unanswered questions about their work and even whether theyd be able to continue caring for their patients. The acting director, Dr. Matthew Memoli, a longtime infectious disease expert and flu vaccine researcher at the NIH, wrote in the email, a copy of which was obtained by NBC News, that he sought to clear up confusion on the scope of the pause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clinical trials at NIH or NIH-funded institutions are ongoing, he wrote. Research participants can continue to participate in clinical trials at the NIH Clinical Center and at NIH-funded facilities. He also clarified that investigators could continue to spend money on supplies and pay for research participants to travel to the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, for treatment. The NIH conducts more than a thousand clinical trials every year. A staff scientist who wasnt authorized to speak publicly said the email was good news that seemed to put things back closer to normal, as least for clinical work. Funding for any new projects, however, remains on hold. Its unclear whether the NIH will continue approving money for research grants through its review groups, called study sections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without grants, scientists are unable to start any new research on conditions from asthma and pediatric cancer to Covid and Ebola. The NIH awards more than 60,000 grants every year, supporting at least 300,000 researchers. Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford University professor who publicly criticized how the NIH handled the Covid pandemic, has been tapped by President Donald Trump to be the next NIH director. A Senate hearing on whether to confirm Bhattacharya has not been scheduled. Meantime, acting director Memoli said he expects additional guidance to come from the Department of Health and Human Services this week. The overall pause in external communications is expected to last until Saturday. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo's M23 rebel group has gained control of the airport in the eastern city of Goma, diplomatic and security sources told Reuters. Corneille Nangaa, leader of the AFC rebel alliance that also includes M23, told Reuters that the airport was in their hands. A spokesperson for Congo's government was not immediately available for comment. (Reporting by David Lewis, Giulia Paravicini and Sonia Rolley; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Bate Felix) The location of the proposed Karman Line development and annexation, which takes up over 1,900 acres near Schriever Space Force Base. NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) With a new president in office, whats at stake for the Jewish community is in discussion at the table at the legislative luncheon in Northampton on Monday. Members of Congregation Bnai Israel, a progressive Jewish community in Northampton, got the chance to sit down with elected officials as they navigate social justice and human rights under a new administration. $2.5M prize won on lottery ticket in Plymouth Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the 13th year in a row that weve been able to bring together elected officials to come and spend time with us to discuss issues that are near and dear to our hearts, said Ariella Rosen, Interim Lead Rabbi at the Congregation Bnai Israel. The Jewish community hopes to be a voice for themselves and others during the Trump administration. Hosted by the Tikkun Olam Committee, attendees were reminded that officials are in reach to protect and create change. Climate justice, reparations for the black community, support for trans people and the LGBTQIA community at large, immigrant justice, antisemitism, Rosen said. Im looking forward to asking Senator Velis representative about this committee hes co-chairing on antisemitism, said congregation member Carol Joll. The Tikkun Olam Committees mission is to lead the community with the work of repairing the world. For a full list of events supporting the Jewish community, click here. 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. A congressional committee has called on New York City Mayor Adams and the Democratic mayors of three other sanctuary cities to attend a hearing next month investigating their obstructionist policies and lack of cooperation with President Trumps immigration enforcement policies. Sanctuary jurisdictions and their misguided and obstructionist policies hinder federal law enforcement from making arrests making Americans less safe, Rep. James Comer, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, wrote in a letter to Adams late Monday. New York City is a sanctuary jurisdiction that refuses to fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comer, who also sent letters to the mayors of Boston, Chicago and Denver, wrote the committee is investigating sanctuary jurisdictions across the country and their impact on public safety and efforts by federal law enforcement to enforce the laws. These jurisdictions take it upon themselves to decide what laws they will and will not abide by all for the purpose of shielding removable aliens, especially criminals, from federal law enforcement, the Kentucky Republican wrote. The requests comes as immigration raids were underway Tuesday in the Bronx. The new Homeland Security secretary, Kristi Noem, was present for a portion of those raids. Kayla Mamelak, Adams spokeswoman, did not immediately say if the mayor would appear at next months hearing scheduled for Feb. 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Adams has made clear that New York City is committed to working with our federal partners to fix our broken immigration system and focus on the small number of people who are entering our localities and committing violent crimes, she said. We will review the letter and respond accordingly. After meeting with President Trumps border czar, Tom Homan, on Dec. 12, Adams said he may use executive orders to modify the current sanctuary city protections. He has argued changes made under previous administrations went too far. Im going to use my executive power to go after dangerous people who are committing violent acts as migrants and asylum seekers, he said. We will not be a safe haven for those who commit violent acts. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams called Adams remarks not whats best for the City of New York, suggesting his comments may have something to do with an effort to curry favor with Trump to get out from under the federal corruption indictment he faces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More recently, Adams said he would not criticize President Trumps policies in public, following a sitdown at Mar-a-Lago and a hurried trip to his inauguration. The mayor had yet to comment Tuesday morning on the immigration raids conducted in the city. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston released a statement to that citys media also not directly indicating he would appear. The most helpful thing congressional Republicans could do right now is fix our broken immigration system. While they work on that, we will focus on running the cities that manage the consequences of their failure to act, his media reps said, according to Denver station KDVR. Boston Mayor Michelle Wus reps told local press they are reviewing the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson told NPR on Jan. 21 his role was to protect people living in Chicago whether youre undocumented, whether you are seeking asylum or whether youre seeking a good-paying job. Were going to fight and stand up for working people. Thats what Chicago is known for, Johnson said. A Congressional committee has called on New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the Democratic mayors of three other sanctuary cities to attend a hearing next month investigating their obstructionist policies and lack of cooperation with President Donald Trumps immigration enforcement policies. Sanctuary jurisdictions and their misguided and obstructionist policies hinder federal law enforcement from making arrests making Americans less safe, Rep. James Comer, the Republican chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, wrote in a letter to Adams late Monday. New York City is a sanctuary jurisdiction that refuses to fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comer, who also sent letters to the mayors of Boston, Chicago and Denver, wrote the committee is investigating sanctuary jurisdictions across the country and their impact on public safety and efforts by federal law enforcement to enforce the laws. The committee hearing Comer wants the four Democratic mayors to testify at is scheduled for Feb. 11. These jurisdictions take it upon themselves to decide what laws they will and will not abide by all for the purpose of shielding removable aliens, especially criminals, from federal law enforcement, the Kentucky Republican wrote. The requests comes as immigration raids were underway Tuesday in the Bronx. The new Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was present for a portion of those raids. Kayla Mamelak, Adams spokeswoman, did not immediately say if the mayor would appear at next months hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Adams has made clear that New York City is committed to working with our federal partners to fix our broken immigration system and focus on the small number of people who are entering our localities and committing violent crimes, she said. We will review the letter and respond accordingly. After meeting with President Trumps border czar Tom Homans on Dec. 12, Adams said he may use executive orders to modify the current sanctuary city protections. He has argued changes made under previous administrations went too far. Im going to use my executive power to go after dangerous people who are committing violent acts as migrants and asylum seekers, he said. We will not be a safe haven for those who commit violent acts. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams called Adams remarks not whats best for the City of New York, suggesting his comments may have something to do with an effort to curry favor with Trump to get out from under the federal corruption indictment he faces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More recently, Adams said he would not criticize President Trumps policies in public, following a sit-down at Mar-a-Lago and a hurried trip to his inauguration. The mayor had yet to comment Tuesday morning on the immigration raids conducted in the city. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston released a statement to that citys media also not directly indicating he would appear. The most helpful thing Congressional Republicans could do right now is fix our broken immigration system. While they work on that, we will focus on running the cities that manage the consequences of their failure to act, his media reps said, according to Denver station KDVR. Boston Mayor Michelle Wus reps told local press they are reviewing the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson told NPR on Jan. 21 his role was to protect people living in Chicago whether youre undocumented, whether you are seeking asylum or whether youre seeking a good paying job. Were going to fight and stand up for working people. Thats what Chicago is known for, Johnson said. As the brand new Trump administration continues to rapidly carve out the federal government, a Democratic congressman has expressed frustration about his fellow lawmakers particularly those within his party who he says are not meeting the moment strongly enough. On Tuesday, Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) went after senators who have been confirming President Donald Trumps controversial nominees, implying that they dont comprehend the severity of the resulting consequences. If you are a Senator right now confirming ANY Trump nominee who will not unambiguously defend their oath to the Constitution even if that means standing up to Trump you are completely misunderstanding the risk of this moment, he posted on X, formerly called Twitter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Casten, who serves on the House Financial Services Committee, spoke out after the Trump administrations Office of Management and Budget announced it will unilaterally freeze federal funding that has already been allocated. The freeze immediately threw agencies and Americans who depend on those funds into chaos. This is a 5 alarm f-ing fire. We work hard not to shut government down in Congress. Trump has decided he can do by fiat out of petulance and blind allegiance to the Project 2025 crowd. You either enable him or stand up to him in this moment. There is no other option. Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) January 28, 2025 The fed. govt is ~20% of the US economy, spending money on those things that the private sector cannot provide roads, security, hunger, etc, Casten continued in another post. To shut that down is to carry out Russia and Chinas foreign policy, destroying all that makes America the envy of the world. Like other Democratic lawmakers, Casten called the funding freeze unconstitutional and harmful, pointing out the administrations lie that the pause would not impact Medicaid, despite multiple states including Castens Illinois getting locked out of the Medicaid portal. Trump chose Russell Vought to lead the OMB, the agency responsible for the freeze. Vought co-authored Project 2025, the conservative blueprint meant to overhaul the federal government that the president publicly tried to distance himself from during his campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a 5 alarm f-ing fire. We work hard not to shut government down in Congress. Trump has decided he can do by fiat out of petulance and blind allegiance to the Project 2025 crowd, Casten said in another post. You either enable him or stand up to him in this moment. There is no other option. The Senates vote to confirm Vought is scheduled for Thursday, though Democrats on the Senate Budget Committee have asked Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), chairman of the committee, to delay it by two weeks so he can satisfactorily answer their questions on his advice to Trump relating to the illegal impoundment of congressionally appropriate funds. While Mr. Vought stonewalled Committee members, he was already planning on halting programs that feed hungry children, heat the homes of low-income families, support farmers and bring relief to those suffering from natural disasters, the Democrats Tuesday letter to Graham said. The laws Congress passes are not suggestions, and Mr. Vought willfully ignoring them harms the constituents of every Member of the Committee. Related... HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) An influential Democratic lawmaker is joining forces with the nonprofit Diaper Bank of CT to expand Connecticuts Medicaid program to cover the cost of diapers for certain families. In order to be eligible for the proposals benefits, families would have to be Medicaid-eligible and have a child under three years old with certain medical conditions like diaper dermatitis and urinary tract infections (UTI). State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, a West Hartford Democrat who is leading the charge for the expansion, said the diaper proposal targets families most in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gilchrest and policy experts who joined her to push for the bill said lack of access to diapers has been shown to adversely impact the mental health of parents and presents other challenges like decreased access to childcare. She also highlighted a stark statistic. Children under the age of 1 account for 40% of UTI hospitalizations, Gilchrest said. CDC ordered to stop working with WHO immediately, upending expectations of an extended withdrawal Gilchrest also emphasized that fighting for funding for her proposal will be difficult in a budget year where every dollar of new spending will likely face scrutiny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anything that does cost money is going to be a battle this year, Gilchrest said. Still, she argues that the costs of providing diapers pale compared to the costs of the medical complications and lost wages resulting from inadequate access to diapers. Its likely that the savings associated with the reduced avoidable use of healthcare services will offset the cost of the coverage, Gilchrest said. State Sen. Jeff Gordon, a Republican on the legislatures budget-writing committee, said he wanted to see Gilchrests cost-benefit analysis specifics. In a general concept, I can understand it, but we live in the real world, and we have to figure out in our budget where were already spending a lot of money on Medicaid where would we find the extra money? Asked Gordon, who is also a physician. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medicaid is expected to take center stage in the coming weeks. Tuesday, leading Democrats in the legislature are expected to announce a major proposal to reform Medicaid reimbursements. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) The Connecticut State Department of Education has issued a guidance document to K-12 public school districts in the state regarding potential ICE raids, according to Gov. Ned Lamonts office. The guidance is in response to questions regarding the impact that recent changes in policy guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security pertaining to immigration enforcement activities may have on school operations, student privacy, and the safeguarding of students while in school, the governors office said in a statement. READ: Guidance document to K-12 public school districts regarding immigration enforcement activities Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our schools are primarily places for learning and growth. It is important for our students and families to feel welcome and protected by their schools so educators can focus on teaching and students can focus on learning, Lamont said. To achieve this, we are supporting our school leaders in developing procedures that prioritize the protection of students and their information to the fullest extent permitted by the law. State officials said the guidance is intended to provide school districts and their administrators with an overview of state and federal laws pertaining to student rights and the responsibilities of school districts, and assure districts, students, and families that Connecticut is welcoming to all students. This is a developing 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 WTNH.com. One of the most controversial state Republicans in American education policy played a secret role in encouraging the spread of anti-woke materials produced by a right-wing group with no academic credentials to classrooms in another state, the Daily Beast can reveal. Ryan Walters, the Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction, has come to national attention for requiring schools under his jurisdiction to teach the Bible. Hes also faced criticism for appointing anti-LGBT influencer Chaya Raichikknown by the handle Libs of TikTokto a committee that reviews school library content. Emails obtained by the Daily Beast show Walters urged the conservative advocacy group PragerU to approach South Carolina officials about getting their controversial material for children in the states schools. Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters, in an official government portrait. / Oklahoma State Department of Education South Carolina Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver revealed in September that her state had joined others, including Oklahoma, in making PragerU Kids materials including videos, worksheets, and lesson plans, available in its schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PragerUwhich is not an academic institution but rather a conservative content creation nonprofitaims to disrupt the current education system which it calls a left-wing propaganda machine, according to its CEO Marissa Streit. The revelation of Walters role in the spread of PragerU materials is particularly notable given apparent efforts by South Carolina officials to keep the origins of their partnership with the conservative group secret. Last month, South Carolina State Rep. Jermaine Johnson said at a press conference that when he asked local officials to turn over records on how materials from PragerU ended up in his states schools, they essentially provided no answer. Instead, the states Department of Education responded to his freedom of information request with a handful of emails that revealed nothing about how the deal came into place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im like, Well, what the hell is this? Johnson told the Daily Beast. I went back to them and I said, Well, where is the information on the beginning of the partnership? And they didnt give me anything. Its just ridiculous at this point. Meanwhile, a July 13 2023 email from a PragerU official to Walters, obtained by the Daily Beast, shows he encouraged the organization to reach out to South Carolina officials. Thank you for your recommendation to reach out to Superintendent Weaver of South Carolina, if youd be so kind as to facilitate and introduction to her, that would be fantastic! reads a July 13, 2023 email from a PragerU official to Walters. A July 2023 e-mail from PragerU's Jessica Sherk to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters reveals Walters recommended the conservative advocacy group contact South Carolina officials. / Oklahoma State Department of Education The email, which notes that the organization met with Walters earlier that day, was obtained through a freedom of information request in Oklahoma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walters has situated himself at the forefront of a national, conservative crusade to inject religion and right-wing thought into public schools. In doing so, he has echoed President Donald Trumps calls to abolish the federal Department of Education, something both have claimed would limit the reach of a woke curriculum. At last years Republican National Convention, the party adopted a national strategy to cut federal funding to schools pushing critical race theory, end teacher tenure, and reinstate Trumps 1776 Commission that urged a national overhaul of school curricula with patriotic education. Walters, meanwhile, has been accused by the states Republican attorney general of ignoring spending and transparency laws, and called the state teachers union a terrorist organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He once claimed the 1921 Tulsa race massacre wasnt motivated by race and that teachers should not say that the skin color determined it. The man is a notorious sympathizer of the darkest moments of history and all those who perpetuated them, said Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols, a former Oklahoma state representative, in a tweet. Im sure in his opinion, the Civil War and the Holocaust had nothing to do with race either. The man is a notorious sympathizer of the darkest moments of history and all those who perpetuated them. https://t.co/HR4DRWctoK Monroe Nichols (@Monichols) July 7, 2023 Walters distorted claims about Tulsa run parallel to dubious portrayals of history in the PragerU materials he has invited into schools. One PragerU lessons for kids depicts a cartoon Frederick Douglass, the great civil rights leader who spent his life advocating against slavery, suggesting that the enslavement of Black people was a compromise to achieve something great made by Americas founding fathers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another video, when a cartoon Christopher Columbus is asked why he enslaved Indigenous peoples, he replies, Being taken as a slave is better than being killed. There is no better example of a curriculum that rips the soul out of the liberal takeover of our schools than providing PragerU to every Oklahoma student, Walters told the Washington Post last year. Jonathan Zimmerman, a professor of the history of education at the University of Pennsylvania, offered a different take, telling Education Week: PragerU is not a university. It is a political propaganda machine, and it promotes mistruths about climate change, slavery, and a whole host of other things. Through a spokesperson, PragerU told the Daily Beast that it connected to South Carolina officials through a family in South Carolina that saw the success of our PragerU in Schools initiative in other states and wanted their childrens teachers to have access to our great resources as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They did not specify who the family was or how they got in contact. A follow up email from PragerU to Walters in August 2023 shows they asked him again to facilitate an introduction to Weaver. An August 2023 e-mail from PragerU's Jessica Sherk to State Superintendent asks Public Instruction Ryan Walters if he could introduce the conservative advocacy group contact South Carolina officials. / Oklahoma State Department of Education Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokesperson claimed Walters ultimately did not follow up on their requests. However, he appears to have remained in contact with PragerU, having appointed the organizations founder and conservative radio host Dennis Prager to a panel to shape Oklahomas academic standards for social studies in July 2024. PragerU founder Dennis Prager attends the Mr. Birchum Series Premiere on May 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. / Araya Doheny / Araya Doheny/Getty Images The Oklahoma Department of Education did not provide any internal records about PragerU that were generated by its own staff in response to the Daily Beasts freedom of information request for records about its partnership with the advocacy group from 2023 and 2024. Apart from the emails to Walters from PragerU were a handful of Zoom meeting invitations he sent to members of his staff and PragerU representatives, and emails from PragerU officials sending links to sample lessons of its content to Oklahoma officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mysterious lack of communication by public officials in Oklahomaapparently, they sent not a single email and kept not a single record about their meetings with PragerU, and didnt generate any internal communications when they drafted a September 2023 press release announcing their partnership with the groupechoes the limited records that were released to Johnson in South Carolina. There are no records that formalize our partnership with the State because there is no exchange of funds, budgetary needs or contracts involved in these partnerships, PragerU said in a statement to the Daily Beast. We offer optional, free, age-appropriate educational resources that are readily available to educators, parents, and the general public. At his presser in South Carolina last month, Johnson said he suspected government officials communicated with PragerU using private emails or channels to avoid public scrutiny: Who knows what was going on and how many emails were going back and forth on their personal emails? South Carolina State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, a Democrat, has been trying to get state officials to disclose how they entered into a partnership with PragerU. / Office of Jermaine Johnson PragerU did not address the allegation, which the Daily Beast put to the organization, in its replies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oklahoma and South Carolina departments of education did not respond to requests for comment. I started watching their videos, and I literally got sick to my stomach when I saw the video about Frederick Douglass being a slavery apologist sympathizer, Johnson told the Daily Beast. Troopers with Washington State Patrol say a construction worker was killed Tuesday morning by a vehicle working on the same project. It happened in Whatcom County on East Smith Road and Noon Road. Just after 9 a.m., troopers say the vehicle was backing down the right shoulder of Eastbound Smith Road when the worker was walking westbound on the same shoulder. Its unclear how it happened, but troopers say the vehicle hit the worker, killing him. The cause is under investigation. Nineteen Republican attorneys general sent a letter to Costco on Monday blasting the wholesale retailer for standing by its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Costcos (COST) Board of Trustees decided to continue its DEI initiatives late last year despite many of the biggest companies in the U.S. scaling theirs back or scrapping them altogether. The company said DEI efforts are good for business and reflect its core values of inclusion and respect. That decision was upheld by shareholders last week, who voted in an overwhelming margin to back the policies. But Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird claimed in a letter co-signed by 18 other GOP state AGs that the practice is discriminatory and illegal, claiming it violates the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that race-based affirmative action programs in college admissions violate the 14th Amendment. Bird also said the program defies President Donald Trumps recent executive order that encouraged private companies to end DEI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While other companies right the ship and abandon their illegal, woke policies, Costco has doubled down, Bird said. Im putting Costco on notice to do the right thing and eliminate discriminatory DEI. No American should be denied an opportunity because they dont fit the woke mold. Costco insists that its DEI program are fully legal. Its CEO Ron Vachris even took the step of responding directly to customers, emphasizing that the company doesnt rely on quotas but instead focuses on offering equal opportunities and fair pay to all employees. The company says DEI policies help attract and retain talented employees, foster innovation, and strengthen relationships with customers and suppliers. We welcome members from all walks of life, Costcos Board of Directors said previously. As our membership diversifies, we believe that having a diverse team improves satisfaction. A diverse workforce brings creativity to our products, better understands customer preferences, and reflects the diverse backgrounds of the members we serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Costcos defense of DEI stands out as many major companies like Walmart, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and McDonalds have scaled back or reassessed their DEI goals as Trump mounts an intense campaign against the programs. Last week, Trump ordered that all DEI efforts across the federal government be shut down by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, with most of those staff expected to be laid off by Jan. 31. Trump also revoked a 60-year-old executive order that banned discrimination in hiring practices in the federal government, and directed the Federal Aviation Administration to halt DEI-related hiring practices. Costco did not immediately return a request for comment on Tuesday. Francisco Velasquez and William Gavin contributed to this article. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You are the owner of this article. Several Republican state attorneys general have written to Costco signaling they want the company to end its diversity, equity and inclusion policies amid President Donald Trumps crackdown on the programs across the federal government. Nineteen Republican attorneys general including Texass Ken Paxton and Iowas Brenna Bird have signed a letter demanding Costco either tell states it will repeal its own DEI policies or explain why they will be maintained. We...urge Costco to end all unlawful discrimination imposed by the company through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, the letter reads. Although Costcos motto is do the right thing, it appears that the company is doing the wrong thingclinging to DEI policies that courts and businesses have rejected as illegal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Independent has contacted Costco for comment. Ninety-eight percent of U.S. Costco shareholders voted against a proposal requesting the company evaluate and report on the risks associated with their DEI efforts last week. "Our efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion follow our code of ethics," Costcos Board of Directors said in a statement regarding the proposal, per ABC News. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and eighteen other Republican state attorneys general have called on Costco to repeal its DEI programs ( 2024 Yi-Chin Lee / Houston Chronicle) "Our efforts at diversity, equity and inclusion remind and reinforce with everyone at our Company the importance of creating opportunities for all, the statement continued. We believe that these efforts enhance our capacity to attract and retain employees who will help our business succeed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter to Costco comes after Trump issued an executive order on the first day of his presidency directing agency leaders to dismantle DEI policies at federal agencies and private companies that receive federal contracts. This order also means all federal DEI workers have been put on leave. Amid Trumps order, several private companies have also chosen to repeal their own DEI programs in recent weeks. Target the seventh-largest U.S. retailer, according to the National Retail Federation announced last week it would end the Racial Equity Action and Change program, which was established to support Black employees and Black shoppers while promoting Black creators and vendors. The policy was implemented in 2020 following the death of George Floyd, a Black man murdered by a Minneapolis police officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout 2025, well be accelerating action in key areas and implementing changes with the goal of driving growth and staying in step with the evolving external landscape. We will continue to monitor and adjust as needed, the company said in a statement. Current actions includeconcluding our Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) initiatives in 2025 as planned. The company will also no longer have a presence at the Twin Cities Pride celebration this year, CBS News reports. Costco is holding firm it its commitment to DEI policies amid pressure from Republicans (Getty Images) Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, also announced its plan to repeal DEI programs which came before Trump took office. Instead, the company will focus on how to apply fair and consistent practices that mitigate bias for all, no matter your background, a spokesperson told the Associated Press on January 10. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg attended Trumps inauguration soon after the announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, other companies are standing their ground and maintaining their DEI policies. These companies include Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase. "We strongly believe that organizations benefit from diverse perspectives, and Goldman Sachs is committed to operating our programs and policies in compliance with the law, a spokesperson for Goldman Sachs told ABC News. Costco's commitment to diversity and inclusion is facing fresh scrutiny from Republicans. In a letter to CEO Ron Vachris, 19 attorneys general urged the company to end its DEI programs. Costco shareholders last week overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to report on potential DEI risks. Costco appears to have a target on its back. The wholesale club's commitment to DEI is facing fresh scrutiny from 19 Republican attorneys general who say the retailer is "clinging" to "divisive and discriminatory DEI practices." Led by Iowa's Brenna Bird and Kansas' Kris Kobach, the group sent a letter to Costco CEO Ron Vachris urging him to "end all unlawful discrimination imposed by the company through diversity, equity, and inclusion" policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter also cites President Donald Trump's executive order from last week that encouraged private companies to end DEI-related initiatives while moving to end the programs at federal agencies. "Costco should not have policies that discriminate in hiring based on race or gender," the letter said. The attorneys general did not identify in their letter any specific allegations of discrimination that had occurred at Costco as a result of its diversity-related policies. However, they said that several companies had faced lawsuits related to DEI policies and that ending them would reduce Costco's legal exposure. Last week, 98% of Costco shareholders rejected a proposal from a conservative think tank to report on any legal and financial risks arising from DEI policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The overwhelming support of our shareholders' vote really puts an answer to that question," Vachris said following the news. The attorneys general said Costco had 30 days to either notify them that it had ended its DEI policies or explain why it had not. Many companies, including Meta, McDonald's, and Walmart, have decided in recent months to roll back or end their DEI programs. Target said on Friday that it was ending multiple DEI programs in an effort to stay "in step with the evolving external landscape." Others, like Costco, have publicly supported DEI. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon recently defended the bank's diversity initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are going to continue to reach out to the Black community, the Hispanic community, the LGBT community, the veterans community," Dimon said. If you are a Costco worker who wants to share your perspective, please contact Dominick via email or text/call/Signal at 646.768.4750. Responses will be kept confidential, and Business Insider strongly recommends using a personal email and a nonwork device when reaching out. Read the original article on Business Insider NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Students, parents of students at the Covenant School and other members of the community protested outside the Capitol Monday as lawmakers convened for a special legislative session. Legislators set rules and received committee assignments as part of Mondays proceedings; under their rules, they are only permitted to speak about school vouchers, illegal immigration and relief for victims of Hurricane Helene. However, those rules did not stop protesters from gathering on the Capitol steps to speak up about school safety and gun legislation. Lawmakers gavel in for special session on school vouchers, Hurricane Helene relief, illegal immigration Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people on Capitol Hill arent the ones who are at risk of a school shooting. And heres the thing: you cant outfit every school in the state with scanners and the State Troopers that they have up there, organizer Elliot Watson said. But you know what they could do? They could make every single school in this state a million times safer. With the flick of a pen, Governor Lee could do this. State representative Jason Powell (R-Davidson County) called on Lee to address school shootings during this special legislative session, but as of publication, it has not been added to the agenda. I feel for Josselin Corea Escalante and her family, Powell said at Mondays protest. I feel for all those students in Antioch High School who had to witness and live with now for the rest of their lives the trauma of a school shooting. Josselin Corea Escalante was killed in last weeks school shooting. Her father attended Mondays protest, saying the fight for justice would persist. We are united together and were gonna keep fighting for justice for Josselin, Escalantes father said, according to a translation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Antioch High School students shared their experiences as well, with several urging action on the part of lawmakers. We had no one to lean on but ourselves. We had nothing to protect ourselves, an Antioch High School student said. And what do we do? We run because were not safe. How are we supposed to sit here and say that everything is fine when its not? Other protesters also spoke, urging action to prevent future school shootings. Somebody died last week. Somebody lost their life. Somebody could not go home and hug their parent. This sucks and is unacceptable, one of the protesters said. They need to change this. They need to change it now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im tired of marching, another protester said. My feet are sore and my soul is weary. Im tired of a legislature that puts guns over its students, but we keep fighting and we dont stop. Antioch High School Shooting | Continuing Coverage No matter how hard they try to take us down, we can say with confidence that we will continue to rise up and we will continue to fight for the multiracial, multigenerational future that we all deserve because we all deserve to live free from the fear of gun violence, protester Luis Mata said. In 2023, thousands gathered in protest at the Tennessee State Capitol following a deadly shooting at The Covenant School. Parents were once again on the Capitol steps Monday, speaking about the same issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need the same outpouring of love every single time for each and every baby, Covenant parent Sarah Shoop Neumann said. This is somebodys baby who was lost. This is not a statistic. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE), promises that Ukraine will be a key priority for the organisation this year, and the CoE will not give up on punishing Russia. Source: Alain Berset at a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, a European Pravda correspondent reports from Strasbourg Details: Presenting the organisation's priorities at the meeting, Berset stressed the importance of the Ukrainian issue. "In 2025, Ukraine will be our highest priority," he said, in particular. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The key issue, he said, is to hold Russia and its representatives accountable for its illegal aggression against Ukraine and its consequences. In particular, the Secretary General promised progress in compensating ordinary Ukrainians for their losses. Quote: "We are committed to doing everything possible to establish a compensation committee and a concrete compensation mechanism that will be based on the success of the damage register. The Council of Europe should play a leading role here. Expectations are high and we have to meet them," he said. Berset also stressed that the Council of Europe, despite the volatility of the international situation, will not give up the idea of personal punishment of Russian leaders and continues to work on the creation of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. "In addition to financial resources, it is very important to build a system of bringing the perpetrators to justice. There should be no impunity here," he said. Background: Berset had already stated that he expects "practical steps" to be taken regarding the special tribunal in 2025. In November 2024, the group on a special tribunal for Russia for the crime of aggression agreed on a plan of further action. Support UP or become our patron! EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Paso County remains committed to community safety and supporting community members after a slew of executive orders and directives issued by President Donald Trump during his first week back in office. Thats the message being sent out by County Judge Ricardo Samaniego after Commissioners Court talked Monday, Jan. 27 about the flurry of activity that the new administration has taken to put the southern border with Mexico on the forefront of national policy. We dont control immigration. What we control is once they are here, how do we handle it? In a dignified way, in a humanitarian way. And that keeps everybody safe, Samaniego said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Samaniego said that its important for the community to stay informed regarding these recent executive orders from the president. One of the things that you have to understand or the community has to understand is that theres directives and then theres executive orders. And I think theyre confusing them. Theres a lot of things that he could propose, but they still have to go. Theyre the constitutional items that have to be protected and theres things, that are not legal yet, he said. Samaniego said with the southern border being placed in the spotlight, narratives are being created that may negatively impact the Borderland. Theres narratives now going out through the entire country saying that theres going to be troops here, and theres going to be people all over the streets and so tourism is going to get impacted by those narratives, the economy, companies that may be interested in coming to El Paso are going to say, Maybe I shouldnt go to El Paso and they decide to go somewhere else, Samaniego 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 KTSM 9 News. UNION COUNTY Are term limits for county commissioners legal under the Oregon Constitution? This is the question the Union County Board of Commissioners wants to bring before the court. Commissioners are limited to two terms, but the legality of term limits have been challenged in other parts of the state. What we're looking at here is whether or not the county wants to take any action to remove that potential prohibition for county commissioners going forward, county counsel Wyatt Baum said during the regular session meeting Jan. 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents brought forward an initiative petition in 2017 that proposed limiting commissioners to two terms. The county board of commissioners adopted that under Ordinance 2017-01. Baum explained that around the time term limits were implemented locally a similar ordinance was challenged elsewhere in the state. Former Douglas County Commissioner Susan Morgan brought the lawsuit after the county clerks office refused to allow her to file for a third term, according to reporting at the time by The News Review. In 2018 the Oregon Court of Appeals upheld the 2016 Douglas County Circuit Courts decision, which found the term limits unconstitutional. The Oregon Constitution outlines the necessary qualifications for every county officer. The state constitution says every count officer must be an elector of the county. It goes on to say that other qualifications may be prescribed by law for the county assessor, county sheriff, county coroner and county surveyor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The News Review reported Presiding Judge Rex Armstrong said in the appeals court decision this means counties do not have the power to add qualifications, including term limits, for commissioners. It overturned limitations, essentially saying that is impermissible restriction on a qualification of a county commissioner under the Oregon Constitution, Baum said. However, Baum told the county board the courts decision only overturned the limitation in Douglas County. It did not overturn term limits statewide and many ordinances remain on the books across the state that impose term limits for county commissioners. The commissioners have a few choices, Baum said. The county could wait until a sitting commissioner decided to run for a third term. When this happens it would be up to the county clerk to bring the issue before the Union County Circuit Court where a judge would determine whether or not the limitations on term limits is legal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Baum said a more proactive option would be for the county to petition the court for the validation of a legal government action, which asks the court to rule on the issue. The court's ability to hear it once somebody runs is going to be very limited and that's going to slow things down, Baum said. But if you did it now, you'd be able to get ahead of whether or not anybody in the future wants to run to address this issue. Union County commissioners for the 2024-25 fiscal year receive a salary of $83,316. Commissioners also receive health insurance, money for a retirement fund and other benefits. Commissioners Matt Scarfo and Paul Anderes are nearing the end of their second terms. While Anderes said he has no plans to run for the seat again, Scarfo expressed interest in another term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would definitely like to see a third term, he said. Two terms is definitely not enough in this position. Scarfo said hes been working to acquire funding from the Legislature for the Union County Fairgrounds water and wastewater infrastructure project for the past seven years. Commissioner Jake Seavert said he is not against term limits in general, but as someone who recently stepped into the position, he understands it takes time to learn the intricacies of how Union County operates. Commissioners unanimously voted to bring the issue before the courts to determine the legality of the ordinance. Any parties that object to it will have the opportunity to come in before the judge and make that argument also, Baum said. PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) The Adams wants to know where their money has gone. 8 On Your Side found it may now be tangled up with a Pinellas County businessman accused of embezzling over $100 million from disabled victims. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 8 on Your Side That businessman is Leo Govoni, founder of the now-bankrupt Center for Special Needs Trust Administration in St. Petersburg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Adams never gave their money to the center, but they are out that money just the same, and theres a familiar name at the center of it all: Leo Govoni. John and Karen Adams went on a life changing motorcycle ride in May 2012, when a driver crossed in front their path. I dont remember anything after that I woke up about a month later from a coma, John said. They actually told me I was killed at the scene. I broke every bone in my body, Karen said. Following the crash and a lawsuit, they received a settlement. money meant to provide for their future care. John and Karen both receive a monthly annuity. On top of that, they also receive money that was set up in whats called Medicare Set Aside. Weve had this for 10 years, and the pretty much the only thing they pay is our medicine, said John. The Adams had been filling prescriptions at the same local pharmacy in North Carolina for decades, but last summer, the pharmacist informed John, MSA was no longer paying the bill. So, after months of trying to call MSA for information, he finally got ahold of someone. When you call the number on the Medicare Set Aside card, Global Litigations thats how they answer the phone, John said. I said Im trying to talk to someone about my MSA, and she said we take care of the MSAs now. State records show Global Litigation Consultants is owned by Leo Govoni the Pinellas County businessman at the focus of an FBI investigation and the same man who was found liable by a Federal judge for more than $120 million missing from disabled people at the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration. Somehow theyve got my MSA, and theyre getting my money every month, he said. The Adams then received a letter in the mail after requesting to terminate their MSA agreement. Their money was being sent to the Center for MSA Administration. The address on the check matches the listed address for Global Litigation: 12707 49th St., North Suite 600 in Clearwater. This is also the same address as other Govoni owned businesses, including Big Storm Brewery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When 8 On Your Side investigator Brittany Muller calls, the numbers appear to be disconnected. According to its website, Global Litigation was created in 2020 to streamline the flow of services once performed by multiple independent businesses. It was launched to serve as a comprehensive consulting firm that offers lien resolution, law firm marketing, legal nurse consulting and Medicare Set Aside services. Last week, a federal judge approved a temporary restraining order preventing Govoni from selling off assets from his nearly 200 companies, including Global Litigation and Big Storm as a bankruptcy trustee seeks to recover assets. As for the Adams, theyre now left to pay for their pricey medication as they wait for answers. Were wondering how were going to live the rest of our lives, Karen said. Im pretty sure they dont know how many hes done this too, John said. Adams attorney told him he has two other clients with this same issue. Now theyre left wondering how Leo Govoni got ahold of their Medicare Set Aside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI said Adams and other victims can report it here, as the FBI is still investigating the Center and Leo Govoni. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A travel mate of Shanquella Robinson is denying allegations in federal court documents that he had anything to do with Robinsons death. In 2022, Robinson mysteriously died in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, after going on a trip with six people she considered friends. No one was criminally charged. Shanquella Robinsons mother, Sallamondra Robinson, and other family members are now suing her travel mates and the FBI. READ MORE: Lawyer for family of Shanquella Robinson files lawsuit against travel companions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In federal court documents, Nazeer Wiggins denied all claims in Sallamondra Robinsons lawsuit and said she shouldnt be entitled to any relief. The plaintiffs complaint fails to provide factual allegations identifying any specific acts or omissions by the defendant that directly caused the plaintiff harm, Wiggins wrote. The plaintiff relies on conclusory or speculative statements without factual support. For instance, the complaint lacks allegations that tie the defendants alleged presence or actions to the harm suffered by the plaintiff. In the court document, Wiggins said there is no connection between his conduct and the plaintiffs alleged injuries and the claims fail to meet the legal standard for recovery. It is unclear if Wiggins has an attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 9 FOCUS STORIES: Death of Shanquella Robinson Following Robinsons death in October 2022, family members say they were told she died of alcohol poisoning. But a video surfaced of Robinson being attacked on the trip and the death certificate in Mexico said Robinsons death was attributed to spinal and neck injuries. An independent autopsy by the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner could not determine the exact cause of death. Its been nearly one year since Shanquella Robinsons mysterious death in Mexico. Still, no one faces charges in the case. Last week, U.S. Attorney Dena King filed a motion for Robinson familys lawsuit to be dismissed. The lawsuit alleges multiple counts of wrongful death, battery, negligence, conspiracy, and emotional distress. It also names the U.S. Department of State and the FBI as defendants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This lawsuit is not just about seeking justice for Shanquella Robinson; its about holding accountable those who were entrusted with the duty to investigate, act, and protect the interests of U.S. citizens abroad, attorney Sue-Ann Robinson, who is not related to Shanquella, said. The heartbreaking details of Shanquellas death and the subsequent mishandling by federal authorities only add to the familys grief, and they deserve both full transparency and justice. The suit says Sallamondra Robinson experienced anxiety, depression, and other mental distress after her daughters death. The Robinson family is suing for compensatory and punitive damages. Robinsons travel companions will also have to respond to the lawsuit in federal court. (WATCH BELOW: FBI denies Channel 9s request for Shanquella Robinsons investigation file) OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) In a new court filing as part of an ongoing lawsuit against Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters and the Oklahoma State Department of Education, the State of Oklahoma revealed OSDEs plans to issue new request for proposals to find a Bible supplier, after closing a previous one several months ago. The controversy surrounding Bibles in Oklahoma schools dates back to September, when Walters announced at a state school board meeting he would be making a budgetary request to purchase thousands of copies of the Bible to place in every Oklahoma classroom. $6 million in less than two years to ensure that the Bible hasnt been driven out of Oklahoma classrooms, Walters said in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When OSDE issued its official Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking bids from Bible suppliers, the RFP revealed OSDE had some very specific bibles in mind. The RFP required the Bibles be the King James version, but also had to include copies of the U.S. Bill of Rights, Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Pledge of Allegiance. As it happened, very few Bibles matched that description, except for the God Bless the USA Bible endorsed and sold by President Donald Trump. It wasnt long before a group of 32 parents, teachers and faith leaders sued. The lawsuit is really about putting a stop to this unconstitutional mandate that violates the Oklahoma Constitution, Erika Wright, one of the plaintiffs, told News 4 last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As that lawsuit was making its way through court, OSDE cancelled the RFP, no longer seeking to purchase bibles. The judge in the case, questioned if the lawsuit still needed to move forward with that in mind. This week, News 4 learned the answer to that question would be yes. Supt. Walters updates OSDE history standards to include terms Gulf of America, Mount McKinley Thats because, in a new court filing, the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES)the state office that facilitates the RFP process for all state agenciestold the judge OSDE has issued a new RFP, once again seeking the purchase of Bibles matching that very specific description. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 4 reached out to Walters office on Monday to ask why OSDE decided to open a new RFP. Nobody responded. Former State Rep. Mark McBride, who used to chair the House Education Committee until he termed out in November, still has plenty of thoughts. Its really, its a sad day for Oklahoma, McBride said. That weve got this young upstart, who the President of the United States obviously doesnt want to have anything to do with him, I mean or he would be front and center. But this guy continues to lick his boots. I really, I would be totally surprised to see if the if the legislature would okay for this kind of appropriations. I mean, wheres the money coming from? Its got to be appropriated. But McBrides main question still remains: who is asking for this? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think I speak for myself and the majority of people in Oklahoma that arent for this this Christian nationalism that the superintendent is chasing after, McBride said. And as far as purchasing Bibles, we should be purchasing books. We should be doing things academically for kids to do. We have history books and English books and things that teach in this state. Meanwhile, the group suing OSDEAmericans United for Separation of Church and Statesent News 4 the following statement on Monday: We are not surprised that Superintendent Walters has renewed his efforts to spend millions of dollars in state funds on King James Version Bibles in support of his unlawful Bible Education Mandate. Spending state funds to buy Bibles for use in public schools is unlawful and unconstitutional. We will continue to oppose in court Walterss efforts to illegally waste taxpayer dollars on promotion of religion to schoolchildren. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) For years, Sam Rickman loved going to church. A talented musician, his bass guitar would help set the tone every Sunday for Solid Rocks founder and pastor, John-Paul Miller and his wife, Mica. But more important to Rickman was a cherished friendship between their families that included complimentary haircuts and dog grooming. Rickman thought he found his spiritual homea place to forge deep connections with like-minded Christians and ample opportunity for his children to thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But things slowly started to erode, and after Micas suicide last spring, Rickmans bitter divorce from the man he once trusted with all his secrets began. Documents provided exclusively to sister station News13 on Monday as part of an ongoing legal dispute between Miller and Rickman offer the clearest glimpse yet into a church deeply shaken at the loss of its First Lady, and the public demonstrations borne out of her death. Rickman through his attorney authorized News13 to report on details of his counterclaim against John-Paul, who on Jan. 10 sued him for $7,500 in Myrtle Beach Magistrate Court. Timeline: The saga of John-Paul and Mica Miller Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rickman has engaged in a persistent pattern of harassment against (Miller), including screaming and demonstrating against (Millers) mere existence in public locations throughout Horry County, John-Pauls complaint says. Rickman is among a dozen people at the center of legal action by Miller on harassment complaints, according to court recordsmany affiliated with the Justice for Mica movement thats grown out of his wifes death last spring. The rallies are nothing more than poorly organized mobs harassing and stalking (Miller) and others, John-Pauls complaint alleges. Harassment by Rickman and others have interfered with (Millers) ability to earn a living, conduct church services, minister to his congregation and maintain relationships with church members and the broader religious community, Millers complaint says. A reliable source In addition to his musicianship, Rickman is an experienced graphic designer proficient in videography and website development. Miller capitalized on that skillset by retaining Rickman for a range of jobs either for himself or his father, Reginald. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rickman created cover art for books by both father and son, revamped a church website and worked closely with Mica to create artwork for youth groups and summer programs. He also was hired to create Dare2CareMissions online looka Solid Rock ministry that did outreach work in Kenya. A friendship on the rocks As personal friends, Rickman said in court filings that John-Paul and Mica would confide in him, mentioning details of a marriage headed for an early endMica issued divorce papers on April 25, two days before her death. At some point (Miller) began to talk about Mica from the pulpit in a manner that (Rickman) perceived as criticism and exposing personal aspects about Mica that were of no business to the congregation and certainly irrelevant to any sermon, Rickmans counterclaim says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nigerian man extradited stateside to face charges in Rock Hill teens 2022 death But that wasnt the only betrayal, according to Rickman. John-Paul would offer personal and sensitive information about Rickman during his Sunday preachinga practice commonly known as sharing testimony. Rickman said he agreed, but only if John-Paul omitted certain details. Instead, his lawsuit claims, not only did Miller ignore that request but he had the sermon recorded and posted online. And as we all know, he liked to record his sermons. And so that was published, and that caused a lot of emotional distress to my client, Rickmans attorney Regina Ward told News13 on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rickmans counterclaim also says John-Paul took credit for his sobriety, despite him being substance-free for 18 years. News13 reached out to John-Paul and his attorney but havent heard back. Officials tried to serve papers at his home on Monday. A shocking reaction One day after Micas death, Rickman and his family were in church. By that point, Rickman said he had been leaving after the pre-sermon music sessions because hed grown uncomfortable at John-Pauls preaching but was still in the building to hear him. John-Paul ended his Sunday session by revealing Micas death as though he was announcing a church picnic and then went into heartbreaking detail of the alleged reason she had died, his complaint says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 1, John-Paul privately addressed those at band practice, recounting details of Micas death while encouraging them all to remain faithful. Miller then expressed that all of the public outcry was the work of the devil and assured them that it would all blow over in two weeks,' according to Rickmans complaint. It was the last time the men ever spoke. Justice for Mica and a sudden change Rickman attended his first Justice for Mica rally on May 5, but couldnt bring himself to join the group of purple-and-white T-shirt-wearing demonstrators who stood outside of Solid Rock Church in Micas memory. Rickman sat in his car in a parking lot across the street from the church the entire time and never got out of his vehicle to join the march. He simply sat and observed, as well as mourned, in disbelief of what was happening and not being able to accept the passing of his church leader and friend, his complaint states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rickman participated in his first Justice for Mica rally on June 2. Meanwhile, Rickmans sixth grader was attending Faith First Academya private school that ran under the Solid Rock Ministries umbrella. Appeals court judges hear arguments whether NC Supreme Court election case should head to federal court In exchange for weekly tithing and contributing to the band, Rickmans child was granted free tuition and was set to be recognized for making the honor roll at a May 28 awards ceremony. Just before the event, Rickman and his wife were told the schools grading system had been reworked and as a result, the childs honor roll status was revoked, according to Rickmans suit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rickman believed Miller caused the grading system to be manipulated at the last minute to deprive the child and to intentionally cause emotional pain, his counterclaim says. Legal action as a hush tactic On Nov. 1, FBI agents spent much of the day conducting an investigation at Millers Coldwater Circle home. Multiple law-enforcement vehicles gathered in the Azalea Lakes neighborhood, where authorities were seen carrying items out of the house late Friday afternoon, including boxes, a computer screen, and what looked like an external computer drive. Rickman believes this frivolous lawsuit is an effort to further intimidate and silence him given his close interactions with both John-Paul and Mica over the past several years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ward said the next steps are a deposition and jury trial. My client is not going to stand by. Hes going to hold Mr. Miller accountable. He opened the door to this and he has every right to file a countersuit against him, 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 Queen City News. ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo . The 21st Judicial Circuit Court of St. Louis County is warning its residents of a recent scam involving calls demanding payment for a fine if you miss jury duty. According to the court, the scammer will call a citizens cell phone, work, or home phone, stating they missed jury duty and are required to pay a fine immediately. If the individual doesnt pay the fine, the scammer then threatens a warrant for an arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Government agencies do not reach out by phone for missing jury duty and will never ask for financial payment over the phone. The court added that they will always contact citizens by mail. Anyone unsure of the legitimacy of a jury summons can call (314) 615-2669 to verify. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Family and friends will say their final goodbyes to a Coweta County Fire battalion chief who served with the department for more than 24 years. Bart Cauthen died on Jan. 19 in Chambers County, Alabama. Deputies say Cauthen and a driver who hit a deer were trying to get help when a homeowner shot them. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Cauthens family will hold his memorial service on Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Unity Baptist Church on Smokey Road in Newnan. The battalion chiefs department will also have a processional for their fallen hero. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The procession will leave Coweta County Fire headquarters on Turkey Creek Road at 1 p.m. From there, they will drive from Turkey Creek Road to Greison Trail to Bullsboro Drive. TRENDING STORIES: While he served as a fire battalion chief, Cauthens other passion was agricultural. His family and friends nicknamed him The Cow Whisperer because he loved to take care of cattle, according to his obituary. Bart planned for the future and wanted to spend his retirement years whispering to his dogs and cows. His consummate knowledge of the cattle business would make him an integral part of The Coweta Cattlemens Association where he served as a member and a past president. He thoroughly enjoyed planning the annual rodeo, his obituary read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cauthens family also describe his dedication to his church, where he served as a deacon. In lieu of flowers, Cauthens family request donations be made to White Oak First Baptist Church in Sharpsburg or a charity in his memory. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Jan. 27NEOSHO, Mo. Crowder Quill, the literary/art magazine of Crowder College, recently won two national awards most outstanding community college literary-art magazine and first place with special merit, a designation the publication has held since 2010. "The Crowder Quill shows the superior efforts of talented and creative editors, writers, artists, photographers, layout/graphic designers, staff members, and adviser," Richard Plass, chairman of the American Scholastic Press Association, said in a statement. The organization in College Point, New York, judges college and high school publications on the basis of content, organization, design, presentation and creativity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Quill's national awards are based on the spring 2024 publication with the following students: Hannah Allen, of Joplin; Melody Burton, of Anderson; Diana Enamorado, of Carthage; Gavin Hollingshead, of Joplin; Stacy Kern, of Stotts City; Zackery Pierce, of Pineville; Jaelyn Swaffar, of Joplin; Saydee Wheeler, of Goodman; Terri White, of Joplin; and adviser Latonia Bailey, of Neosho. The Quill publication is made up of the winning entries of a free literary-art contest for area high school students, community members and Crowder College students. The current contest ends Feb. 1 for categories in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, photography, digital, 2D and 3D art. Entries should be sent as digital files. Individuals may submit up to four entries in each category; specific guidelines for each category and more information may be obtained from www.crowderquill.com. Winning entrants will be notified in April. The magazine and awards will be mailed by mid-May. High school students may also win a $500 scholarship for top placement in each category. The Crowder Quill class is part of the Digital Media Marketing certificate at Crowder College in which students gain skills in content creation, marketing strategies, social media, graphic design and communication. The Quill has been published since 1980 and is distributed free on campus and in the community with the mission of showcasing and encouraging artistic works of local writers, artists and photographers. A cult London cinema beloved by Quentin Tarantino is at risk of closure amid fears its landlord is plotting a redevelopment of the site. The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square has warned its future is under threat and accused the propertys owner of intimidation in a bitter row over the renewal of its lease. The cinema claims its landlord, which is ultimately controlled by Asif Aziz, a millionaire developer, is demanding a rent increase significantly above market rates and laying the groundwork to shut the business and redevelop the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The row is likely to spark concern among film lovers, given the Prince Charless status as one of the countrys best-loved cinemas. The Prince Charles is the last independent cinema operating in Londons West End. It hosts around 850 films and events each year, attracting more than 250,000 customers. The venue is known for its seasonal and off-beat programming, including all-nighters dedicated to the Jurassic Park series and Arnold Schwarzenegger films and festive sing-alongs to The Muppet Christmas Carol. It also shows 70mm pressings of classic films and rarely screened foreign language movies. The cinema has attracted praise from film makers including Paul Thomas Anderson and Quentin Tarantino, who described it as Mecca for lovers of quality films. John Waters, the writer and director of the 1980s hit Hairspray, has called it the most depraved and beautiful movie theatre in London. Asif Azizs Criterion Capital owns the cinemas landlord, Zedwell, alongside other properties in Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square - Lauren Hurley/PA The Prince Charles said its landlord Zedwell LSQ, which is ultimately controlled by Mr Aziz, was demanding a rent increase significantly above market rates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It said Zedwell had also demanded the insertion of a break clause that would require the cinema to vacate the premises at six months notice should the company receive planning permission to redevelop the site. The cinema said it viewed this as a clear intention to repurpose the building. Zedwell is part of Mr Azizs Criterion Capital, which owns prime property in Londons Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. The Prince Charles said: We believe that these tactics amount to an attempt by the landlord and Criterion Capital to use their significant financial resources to intimidate us, regardless of our legal entitlement. The cinema, which is owned and operated by Bubble Chamber, plans to launch legal proceedings in an effort to secure a renewal at market rate and protection from any redevelopment projects. It is also asking customers and fans to sign a petition demanding the removal of the redevelopment clause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for Criterion Capital said: Bubble Chamber Limited has initiated lease renewal proceedings on Prince Charles Cinema and the landlord has responded in accordance with Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. Criterions flagship project is the London Trocadero, which has been partly converted into the Zedwell, a hotel with more than 700 windowless rooms. The developer has previously attracted controversy after unveiling plans to convert part of the buildings basement into a mosque. It is also under fire for its plans to close the worlds first YMCA on Tottenham Court Road after buying the site last year. The Prince Charles Cinema attracts 250,000 visitors a year - Neil Setchfield/Alamy Phil Clapp, the chief executive of the UK Cinema Association, said: The Prince Charles is unique in a lot of ways and it has a symbolism and a value that goes beyond even the fantastic service it provides to its audiences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its an institution and I think its loss would be keenly felt not just by its audiences but by the broader London and national cinema ecology. The site first opened as a theatre in 1962 before gaining notoriety in the 1970s as a pornographic film house. During this time it claims to have hosted the UKs longest theatrical runs of erotic films Emmanuelle and Caligula. In 1991, the Prince Charles was taken over by Robins Cinemas and found its niche as a repertory cinema playing cult classics for 1 a ticket. The cinema generated headlines in 2023 when it announced it had no intention of changing its name ahead of the coronation of Charles III. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year it was forced to cancel the world premiere of The Last Screenwriter, a film written entirely using artificial intelligence (AI), following a backlash from customers and across the industry. 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. Among the opening moves of Donald Trumps second term is his top prosecutor in the District of Columbia investigating the use of an obstruction charge against Jan. 6 defendants. Providing some context could be helpful ahead of further developments. In an email obtained by NBC News, interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin wrote that he wants all files, documents, notes, emails and other information about the use of the obstruction charge. Obviously, the use was a great failure of our office [Supreme Court] decision and we need to get to the bottom of it, Martin wrote to staff. (My colleague Steve Benen noted that Martin is a conservative activist who served on the board of a group supporting Jan. 6 criminal defendants and is considered a prominent member of the Stop the Steal movement.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, whats the deal with this charge, and why is Martin looking into it? The charge is obstruction of an official proceeding. Federal prosecutors brought it against defendants who allegedly sought to obstruct the congressional certification of Joe Bidens 2020 election win at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The high court decision that Martin referred to in his email is apparently last years ruling in Fischer v. United States, which narrowed the use of the law by a 6-3 vote, with Trump appointee Amy Coney Barrett writing the dissent siding with the government. Nearly all lower federal court judges sided with the government before the Supreme Court weighed in. Its also worth noting then-Attorney General Merrick Garlands statement reacting to the Fischer ruling, in which he said: The vast majority of the more than 1,400 defendants charged for their illegal actions on January 6 will not be affected by this decision. There are no cases in which the Department charged a January 6 defendant only with the offense at issue in Fischer.So while it was a widely used charge, Jan. 6 prosecutors didnt entirely depend on it. If they had, then the blanket clemency Trump just ordered for Jan. 6 defendants would not have been possible there wouldve been nothing left to pardon or commute if the Fischer case made everything go away. Of course, Martins project should be viewed in light of those Jan. 6 pardons, moves to fire Trump prosecutors and other related actions that have kicked off Trumps second term. That is, the review could be part of a broader project of both attempting to rewrite Jan. 6 history and punish prosecutors who dared to make certain legal arguments that a divided Supreme Court ultimately disagreed with (over vigorous dissent from a Trump appointee).And it shouldnt escape notice that two of Trumps four charges in his own federal election interference case which vanished with his political victory involved that obstruction charge, too. So its not only an apparent effort to avenge Trump supporters but also Trump himself. (Even after the Fischer case, there was reason to think that Trumps obstruction-related charges could have survived legal challenge, but well never know now that his case has been dismissed.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As with other Trump-era adventures in the justice system, theres a theoretically positive way to view prosecutorial introspection. The challenge of doing so here, in light of the above context, is that it requires ignoring all notions of hypocrisy, reality and politics. If the point is to interrogate an (in retrospect, in some cases) overbroad use of a criminal law with an eye toward being more cautious going forward in favor of defendants no matter their political leanings, if any then that could be beneficial and even laudable. But until we learn otherwise, theres no reason to think thats what this is. 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 On Tuesday, 28 January, Czech Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvorak presented a plan for Ukraines and Moldovas integration into the EU's internal market to his European colleagues. Source: CTK news agency, as reported by European Pravda Details: Dvorak said that the plan focuses on specific proposals to deepen EU cooperation with Ukraine and Moldova, in particular in energy, telecommunications, environment and agriculture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "I presented the Czech initiative to help Moldova and Ukraine integrate into the internal market faster. We believe this is an important step that can speed up the whole process," the Czech minister explained. He added that so far, the Czechs have managed to enlist the support of nine other EU countries: Estonia, Finland, Germany, Romania, Latvia, Slovenia, Sweden and Denmark. The document, quoted by CTK, states that further economic integration into the EU through free trade agreements would significantly support Moldova and Ukraine "in their efforts to counteract the pernicious Russian influence". Dvorak said that the acceleration of integration would be based on "our technical assistance, closer cooperation, creation of working groups and establishing contacts". Background: The preparation of the plan and its presentation at the EU level became known last week. Meanwhile, according to media reports, the European Commission is allegedly considering not extending the preferential trade regime for Ukraine in its current form and has already started technical negotiations on new trade terms. Support UP or become our patron! (COLORADO SPRINGS) After a year of universal preschool in Colorado, a new report is revealing that 70% of eligible 4-year-olds were reached by the program, and Colorado Springs School District 11 was the largest provider of universal preschool in El Paso County. The Colorado Universal Preschool Annual Report was submitted to the Colorado legislature as part of SMART Act requirements and highlights how the programs inaugural year helped bolster early childhood education for tens of thousands of children. Free preschool is saving Colorado families an average of $6,100 every single year and helping our kids get the best possible start in life, said Colorado Governor Jared Polis. This report shows that we are reaching the vast majority of young learners and we are committed to continue serving even more students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a joint press release from the Governors Office and the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), in its first year, Colorado Universal Preschool served 43,479 children, reaching nearly 69% of the states eligible 4-year-oldsa milestone that the release said positions Colorado among the top states for preschool access nationwide. This success underscores Colorados commitment to children and families, said Dr. Lisa Roy, Executive Director of CDEC. Universal preschool is strengthening families and providing a solid foundation for our youngest learners to thrive. Several successes were highlighted by the report: Lowering families costs: The program saved families an average of $6,100 annually on preschool expenses, providing critical financial relief for other costs. Expanding family choice: With more than 1,900 providers statewide, families had the flexibility to choose from community-based, school-based, and home-based preschool settings. Serving diverse needs: Nearly 50% of children came from low-income households, with over 11,000 children also classified as being multilingual, experiencing homelessness, or having a disability. Strengthening the sector: The program distributed $239.4 million to providers, enhancing sustainability and incentivizing growth. The impact of Colorados Universal Preschool program is profound, said Michael Gaal, Superintendent of Colorado Springs School District 11. District 11 is proud to be the largest provider of Universal Preschool serving more than 1,000 preschoolers in El Paso County, with 31 of our 33 elementary schools offering the program. By investing in early childhood education, Colorado is setting the foundation for success. This program will not only benefit our students today, but its impact will continue to be felt for years to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report also outlines ongoing challenges, including shortages of providers in certain regions and workforce gaps. In response, the CDEC and Governors Office said the program has expanded full-day preschool (30 hours/week) for children in poverty and is launching a Provider Resource Bank to improve quality and accessibility statewide. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A man was indicted on Tuesday, nearly a year after being accused of fatally striking a pedestrian with his car, then a brick in Brockton. Vasco Semedo, 46, of Brockton, was indicted by a grand jury in Plymouth County Superior Court on charges of murder, assault with intent to murder, and three counts of assault and battery with a deadly weapon. Just before 9 a.m. on April 6, 2024, police responding to several 911 calls for a motor vehicle versus pedestrian crash at 65 North Main Street found Semedo being detained by witnesses at the scene, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 50-year-old Stuart Smith was found unresponsive near Semedos Toyota Rav 4. Smith was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital, then flown to Massachusetts General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Investigators gathered witness testimony as well as surveillance video that allegedly showed Semedo striking Smith with his Toyota, backing up and hitting him again before getting out of the car and repeatedly hitting him with a brick as he lay on the ground. He got out of the car. He took a brick off the hood of the car. He went over to where the victim was laying on the ground, and struck him in the head with that brick over 20 times, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Sprague said during Semedos first arraignment back in April. Bystanders had to pull him away. He fought back against the bystanders. Several times he tried to get back into his car, but the bystanders would not let him leave the scene. Semedo has been held without bail since his first arraignment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will be arraigned in Plymouth Superior Court at a later date. 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 Icelandic authorities have introduced a new fee for cruise passengers of around 14 a day in aid of levelling out competition amongst tourism companies and to generate revenue for the government. The law, approved in June last year, would see an infrastructure fee paid by each passenger on board an international cruise ship while the ship is anchored in a port in the country or customs territory. The fee is around 2,500 ISK (14.35) for each passenger per 24 hours and came into effect on 1 January 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Icelandic Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs told The Independent: Operators of cruise ships in international navigation will be required to pay an infrastructure tax for each passenger entering the country's customs territory, starting 1 January 2025. This obligation to pay the infrastructure tax applies regardless of when the trip was sold. The ministry also added that feedback regarding the infrastructure tax on cruise ships in international navigation was addressed during the drafting of the bill in Parliament. In the ministry's view, the collection of the infrastructure tax will not lead to an increased administrative burden for the operators of the ships, as operators already pay an accommodation tax, and the procedure for the infrastructure tax will be similar, except that operators will be given more time to pay the infrastructure tax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The due date for the infrastructure tax will be seven days after the ship leaves the country's customs territory, while the accommodation tax is taken on the same day the ship departs. The ministry said that the number of cruise ships on international voyages visiting Iceland has increased significantly in recent years, which it said has put domestic tourism companies at a competitive disadvantage, especially as cruise ships only pay limited taxes at the moment, such as port and lighthouse fees. The goal of the tax is to level the playing field between domestic and foreign tourism companies, it said. It added that according to customs authorities, cruise ships on international navigation cruises typically spend just under two days in Icelandic waters per trip, meaning each passenger would pay an infrastructure tax amounting to ISK 5,000 (28.75). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the website of one operator, a 17-day cruise between Norway and Iceland in August/September 2026 is priced from ISK 2.1 million (12,000) per person. In this case, the infrastructure tax would amount to approximately 0.2 per cent of the total cost of the trip, the Icelandic ministry wrote. Therefore, the ministry said it doubts that an infrastructure tax of this magnitude will lead to widespread cancellations by passengers. However, ports in Iceland claim to have seen a drop in bookings. Sigurur Jokull Olafsson, the chairman of Cruise Iceland, an association of ports, travel and transport companies, told The Independent that some popular ports in the country have had up to 17 per cent fewer bookings, with one smaller port in the Westfjords dropping from 30 visits to 12. Harbourmasters in Grundarfjorur, Vestmannaeyjar, Akureyri, and Faxafloi ports have all reported cancellations, with the fee cited as a reason, according to RUV, the independent Icelandic national broadcasting service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are ports in the country that have seen no drop in bookings yet, but Mr Olafsson said that the cancellations mostly come from smaller vessels like expedition ships, which he says is very regrettable as they are extremely important for the rural areas of Iceland. MSC Cruises has said it has sailings to Iceland this summer and they are currently proceeding as scheduled. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines also said that it currently does not anticipate making any changes to its sailings across 2025 or 2026. The infrastructure fee was introduced by the previous Icelandic government, and Cruise Iceland is currently seeking an amendment from the new government, as well as asking for a meeting with the tourism minister. Mr Olafsson said: The previous government's rushed budget proposal introduced this infrastructure fee on international cruise passengers, which poses problems for the cruise ecosystem, including operators, ports, and local businesses because the charge of the fee is levied retroactively on trips that have already been sold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cruise Iceland says that the fee will be applied to trips that have already been sold, which it says could be very difficult to incorporate into the passenger price, meaning that the cruises will have to pay the fee in full, cancel or shorten the cruise. Mr Olafsson said that his association is recommending the government that the fee should only apply to cruises sold after 1 January 2025, or reduce the fee to 500 ISK (2.89) per 24 hours with a five-year gradual increase, to minimise the harm to rural areas. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) also said that the infrastructure fee is a cause for concern. A CLIA spokesperson said: This fee is disproportionate compared to similar charges in the travel and tourism sector, while the revenue is not directed towards communities in the rural areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are calling on the new Government to address these concerns and ensure that decisions regarding port fees enhance the experience for travellers while directly benefiting local communities and supporting sustainable growth. "By working hand in hand with local authorities, we are committed to fostering a balanced approach that supports both the tourism industry and the communities it serves." For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen appealed for a more united Europe committed to stronger defence during a visit to Berlin on Tuesday. "We need a stronger and a more resolute Europe, standing increasingly in its own right, capable of defending and promoting Europe and the European interests," Frederiksen said ahead of a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. "It is up to Europe to define the future of our continent, and I think we have to take more responsibility for our own security, strengthening our defence industry, increase our support to Ukraine, counter Russian and Chinese influence, invest in new technologies to increase our competitiveness and our economic security," she continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although not explicitly named in her comments, Frederiksen and Scholz met amid continued territorial demands from US President Donald Trump to take control of Greenland, a huge, sparsely populated and largely autonomous Danish territory. Scholz, speaking alongside Frederiksen, reiterated his condemnation of all territorial expansionist ambitions, regardless of who pursues them. Scholz did not refer directly to Trump, but his comments were a clear reference in part to the US president's demands, which also include ambitions to retake control of the Panama Canal and pressure Canada into joining the US. "Borders must not be moved by force - to whom it may concern," Scholz said ahead of talks with Frederiksen at the German Chancellery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The inviolability of borders is a fundamental principle of international law," Scholz reiterated. "The principle must apply to all." Scholz has made similar comments repeatedly in recent weeks. Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and attempts at annexing large parts of Ukrainian territory also loom over the discussions. Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in Greenland, the world's largest island which is believed to hold extensive natural resources and is strategically important for control of the Arctic. "I don't really know what claim Denmark has to it, but it would be a very unfriendly act if they didn't allow that to happen because it's for the protection of the free world," Trump said at the weekend, adding that "I think we're going to have it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Against this backdrop, the Danish government announced on Monday that it would be strengthening its military presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic with three new ships for the waters around Greenland, additional long-range drones and satellites - at a cost of almost 2 billion ($2.1 billion). Frederiksen did not elaborate on Danish defence plans in the press conference with Scholz. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen received support from German and French leaders on Tuesday in her bid to keep hold of Greenland amid US President Donald Trump's threat to try to take the Arctic territory. Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire for US control over the huge island on the grounds of national security and has not ruled out using economic or military means. His statements have caused great concern in Copenhagen, prompting Frederiksen to take a one-day tour to Berlin, Paris and NATO headquarters in Brussels seeking "European cohesion" on the issue, having also met her Nordic counterparts two days ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frederiksen and Scholz did not refer directly to Trump, but their comments were a clear reference to the US president's demands, which also include ambitions to retake control of the Panama Canal. Russia was also a target amid its near three-year long war in Ukraine. "Europe, our continent, is based on the idea that cooperation, not confrontation, leads to peace, to progress, to prosperity. Let us honour this idea," she told reporters alongside Scholz. Ahead of her whistle stop tour, Frederiksen had said in a statement: "We need a stronger and a more resolute Europe, standing increasingly in its own right, capable of defending and promoting Europe and the European interests. "It is up to Europe to define the future of our continent, and I think we have to take more responsibility for our own security." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frederiksen verbally sparred with Trump over Greenland during his first term and is taking a more considered approach for his second stint in the White House. She does not want to offend Greenland and boost already growing independence or pro-US sentiment, while also not wanting to overly annoy the US - Denmark's most important export country. Scholz was slightly more forthright, stating: "Borders must not be moved by force," immediately adding the English phrase "to whom it may concern." "The inviolability of borders is a fundamental principle of international law. The principle must apply to all," Scholz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After later meeting French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, Frederiksen's office posted on X: "They discussed strengthened European co-operation on the challenges facing Europe. France is an important ally for Denmark, and we share the need for a strong Europe." She was then due to visit NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Frederiksen had already invited her Nordic partners to Copenhagen two days ago. Sitting down to dinner at her home with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb was intended to convey the same image of European unity as her day trip. Trump wants a decision on their future to be made by people of Greenland, the world's largest island, which is believed to hold extensive natural resources and is strategically important for control of the Arctic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't really know what claim Denmark has to it, but it would be a very unfriendly act if they didn't allow that to happen because it's for the protection of the free world," Trump said at the weekend, adding, "I think we're going to have it." Against this backdrop, the Danish government announced on Monday that it would be strengthening its military presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic with three new ships for the waters around Greenland, additional long-range drones and satellites - at a cost of almost 2 billion ($2.1 billion). Frederiksen did not elaborate on Danish defence plans in the press conference with Scholz. (Bloomberg) -- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sought to drum up support from European allies to stand up to Donald Trumps efforts to appropriate Greenland, as she tried to project unity while avoiding antagonizing the US president. Most Read from Bloomberg On Tuesday, the 47-year-old visited German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris before traveling to Brussels to meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The tour of major capitals comes on the heels of a viral photo of Frederiksen sitting down for a meal with the leaders of Finland, Sweden and Norway over the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alongside the demonstrations of solidarity, Denmark has underscored its ties with Greenland by injecting 14.6 billion kroner ($2 billion) into boosting defense capabilities on the mineral-rich Arctic island part of a broader initiative to step up patrols in the North Atlantic. Despite near daily pressure from the White House, Denmarks strategy is to avoid escalation by not publicly engaging with Trumps threats, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not be named talking about private discussions. The country has asked European allies to do the same, the people said. In line with the approach, Frederiksen and Scholz notably sidestepped any direct mention of the Greenland crisis in their statements to reporters ahead of talks in Berlin. The closest they got was a thinly veiled reference to resisting territorial expansion. Without mentioning Trump or Greenland, Scholz said that the inviolability of borders is a fundamental principle of international law that must be respected. The principle must apply to everyone, he said, adding: I also made this clear here a few days ago: Borders must not be moved by force, to whom it may concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After her meeting in Paris with Macron, Frederiksen said she discussed many different things with her German and French counterparts, including the Danish kingdom. Speaking to Danish broadcasters, she declined to go into details, but confirmed that the current situation with the US over Greenland was one of her reasons for meeting European leaders. Broadly, there is very, very great support for Denmark in this situation, she said. Macron didnt speak to the press. Asked whether the conversations could be used the next time she speaks with Trump, Frederiksen said: I can use everything we are doing right now. Otherwise I would not be doing it. Everything we are doing is of course to put not only Denmark and the kingdom in the best possible position, but also Europe, she said. The very clear message from the Nordics to Europe, but also friends outside Europe is that there must of course be respect for the territory and sovereignty of states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has underscored his fixation with Greenland which harkens back to his first term. He insists he wants to take over the worlds largest island for security reasons and has refused to rule out using force. After arriving in Brussels, Frederiksen dismissed concerns about a US attack, telling Danish media: I have no reason to believe there is a military threat to Greenland or Denmark. Trumps pursuit of Greenland has become an all-consuming issue on the Danish political agenda, putting the government in crisis mode and tying up Frederiksen and other senior officials with emergency meetings and negotiations aimed at repairing the increasingly strained ties to the new US administration. The Danish premier hasnt held such frequent press briefings and media appearances since the Covid-19 pandemic. Shes also had talks with top business executives and party leaders, amid Trumps threats to levy punitive tariffs on the Nordic nation of just under 6 million people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump shouldnt have Greenland, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Denmarks foreign minister, told local media in Copenhagen on Tuesday. Greenland is Greenland. The Greenlandic people are a people also in the sense of international law, and they ultimately determine their situation. While Frederiksen has largely garnered broad backing in Denmark for her cautious approach toward Trump, some opposition parties have criticized her rhetoric as too weak and argued its pushing Greenland closer to the US. The US president has mocked Copenhagens ability to defend the island, which has extensive home rule but no military of its own and is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The US has had an airbase on Greenland since the end of World War II and has the right to increase its military presence there as long as it consults and informs both Denmark and Greenland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denmarks not alone in facing Trumps rankling. Hes taken aim at Canada, Panama and, most recently, Colombia to get what he wants. Chrystia Freeland, a candidate for Canadian prime minister, has called for a summit of leaders from Mexico, Denmark, Panama and the European Union to coordinate a response. Frederiksens meetings in Berlin, Paris and Brussels on Tuesday are part of a broader push to drum up support. On Sunday, she huddled with her Nordic peers over dinner at her house, where Greenland was on the agenda. To bolster the islands defenses, funds for the new warships will come from Denmarks existing budget, which was increased after Russias invasion of Ukraine. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said last week that Denmark one of the founding members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization may have to spend more than $70 billion on its military through 2033. The government and most of the opposition parties have agreed to open talks later in 2025 on a second Arctic military package, the ministry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The threat of possible military action is on the EUs agenda. When asked about Greenland, Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said: We are ready to defend our member state Denmark. --With assistance from Alberto Nardelli, Samy Adghirni, Christian Wienberg, Frances Schwartzkopff and Gian Volpicelli. (Adds Frederiksen comment from Brussels in 12th paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. DANVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) A controversial arrest was the main topic of discussion at Mondays Danville City Commission meeting. The incident has sparked public outrage and an online petition thats gained thousands of signatures. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: The Danville City Commission meeting brought the community together to discuss a police arrest that put Officer T.J. Godbey under intense scrutiny. The case involves 66-year-old Jon Hardwick, who was arrested last October at Walmart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police claimed Hardwick was intoxicated and attempting to steal beer. Surveillance footage showed a forceful takedown involving three officers. Last week, all charges against Hardwick were dropped. At the meeting, one resident spoke out about the growing public outrage. If all the charges have been dropped, doesnt that prove Officer T.J. Godbey did something wrong? We as a public can no longer trust him. Im asking the city to officially terminate him now, Mingey said. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: City leaders responded by announcing both internal and external reviews of the incident. We recognize that many folks are alarmed by the situation. These reviews will help us better understand the full context of this incident, Mayor James Atkins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danville Police Chief Tony Gray addressed the meeting as well, reassuring residents that the police department is committed to transparency and accountability. We recognize we serve with the consent of our citizens. I ask for your patience and trust as we move forward with this process, Gray said. Latest central Kentucky weather forecast The incident has also sparked an online petition on Change.org that has garnered more than 3,500 signatures, demanding accountability from the 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 FOX 56 News. DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Darlington County deputies were called Monday night to investigate a person with a gunshot wound on Prarie Drive north of Hartsville. Deputies secured the scene and began investigating to determine possible suspects. No additional information was immediately available. Count on News13 for updates. * * * Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read 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. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Dave Matthews Band, one of the biggest touring bands in the United States, will be coming to the yet-opened Coca-Cola Amphitheater in downtown Birmingham this summer. The band, which has been a staple of the jam band scene since first forming in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991, will come to Birmingham June 24 as part of its widely anticipated summer tour. Last year, the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Birmingham and Alabama were part of the bands success, playing the former Ivory Tusk in Tuscaloosa as well as the Oak Mountain Amphitheater in the early years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tour will kick off April 27 during Jazz Fest in New Orleans and end Aug. 31 at The Gorge in Washington state. Throughout its run, DMB has sold over 33 million albums and countless bootleg recordings of its nearly 3,500-show run around the world over the last 30 years. DMBs appearance at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater will be part of the new music venues inaugural season, which will kick off with comedian Matt Rifes show on June 22. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Police in D.C. said they arrested a second man for his involvement in a deadly shooting that happened in late summer of 2024. Just after 1:15 a.m. on Sept. 2, 2024, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to a call for the sound of gunshots in the 2800 block of 7th St. NE. There, they found 46-year-old Townsend Reginald Sowell suffering from gunshot wound injuries. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man killed in Northeast DC shooting, police investigating Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sowell died at the scene. Shortly after the shooting, on Sept. 11, MPD arrested a 32-year-old man from Temple Hills, Md. He was charged with First Degree Murder while Armed (Premeditated). Months after the first arrest, MPD said 29-year-old Rogea Murray was arrested on Jan. 24, 2025. He was charged with First Degree Murder while Armed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Indiana Senate passed a bill Monday that aims to keep government entities like the Indiana Department of Child Services and school districts from interfering in parents' rights, despite concerns that it could end up hurting the privacy rights of LGBTQ youth. Approved by a 44-5 vote, Senate Bill 143 would forbid government entities from denying parents access to certain information about their children, and from "advising, directing or coercing" a child to withhold that information from parents. Bill author Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, said the bill "gives parents the rights in Indiana which most of us thought we already had." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're just making sure that government does not constrain or in any way restrict a parent's right to direct the upbringing, religious instruction, or health of their child," Brown said. "You need a compelling governmental interest to interfere with that relationship." The bill makes an exception for protecting the health and safety of a child, and for active criminal law enforcement investigations involving a parent. It also wouldn't allow parents to decide that their children could access procedures that are banned in Indiana, such as abortion, gender-affirming care or female genital mutilation. "A parent can't say they now have that right," Brown said. "We're not going to allow a parent to supersede us on mutilating their child or (abortion)." Assistant Majority Floor Leader Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, listens to the State of the State address by Gov. Eric Holcomb on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023 at the Indiana State Capitol in Indianapolis. The bill now moves on to the House for consideration and it still has a lengthy process to becoming law. A similar legislative effort to enshrine parental rights died in the past, though this year's bill has support from both Republicans and Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, there is also some bipartisan opposition, with three Republicans and two Democrats voting against it in the Senate on Monday. Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, said he worried about the bill's unintended consequences, though he "strongly agrees" with its goals. Just five years ago, he said, the state decided at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic that it had a compelling interest to close businesses and restrict travel. He doesn't want the government to create more hurdles for parents in the future. "It was a compelling government interest back then," Freeman said. "I don't want to make it easier for government to say, well, because it's a compelling government interest, you have to get your children vaccinated. I don't want to make it easier for the government to act against parents." Youth privacy rights vs. 'the long arm of the state' Some advocates have raised concerns about how the bill would impact transgender children and their families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christopher Daley, executive director of the Indiana ACLU, said the legislation "encroaches on the privacy rights of minors throughout the state." The organization opposed a similar bill in the past, stating then that the legislation "could have been used to force a teacher to 'out' an LGBTQ student to their parents." But Brown, the bill's author, said that wasn't a concern. "I do not believe that minors have any significant privacy rights," Brown said, "particularly that are being invaded by this bill." Sen. Mike Gaskill, R-Pendleton, also was motivated by the issue of transgender youth, but supported the bill. The legislation "really hits home" where here's from, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His constituents lost custody of their child because of a disagreement over the child's transgender identity, Gaskill said, in a case that made national news as the parents sought a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court. But the high court ultimately declined to hear the case. "They lost it to the long arm of the state," Gaskill said. "This is long overdue." People protest against SB 480, a total ban on affirming care for transgender youth, while the Indiana House public health committee has a hearing Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in the House Chamber of the Indiana State Capitol building. 'Parents need these kinds of protections' Still, much of the testimony surrounding the bill related to alleged failures by DCS. Indiana parents Grant and Myranda Phillips, for example, testified that they temporarily lost custody of their two children for nearly a year, and were kept from their children's medical records, after they said DCS incorrectly alleged abuse of a two-month-old infant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It turned out instead that the child was suffering with an undiagnosed connective tissue disorder and DCS eventually dismissed the case, the family said. They have since filed a lawsuit. "We've been healing as a family since getting our children home, and we're trying to use this horrible situation to bring attention to the things that are going on here in Indiana," Grant Phillips said. "The parents going ahead of us into these situations needs these kinds of protections that we did not have." Marion County East DCS (Indiana Department of Child Services) office is located in the 9105 E. 56th Street building, in Harrison Centre. Photo taken Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. Though he had concerns about the bill, Freeman said its passage was a signal to DCS that the legislature wants the agency to "stay in their lane." A DCS spokesperson said "the Braun administration values parents' rights and their access to information about their children." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "DCS has had productive conversations with the bill's author to develop language that complies with disclosure laws and court orders related to the department's ability to release such information," spokesperson Brian Heinemann told IndyStar. "While we cannot comment specifically on open cases involving children or their information due to confidentiality laws," Heinemann said, "we take all allegations of non-compliance seriously and review those for corrective action when substantiated." Contact senior government accountability reporter Hayleigh Colombo at hcolombo@indystar.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Bill protecting parents' rights from DCS, schools passes Indiana Senate SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Deb Haaland, who championed conservation and clean energy during her tenure as Interior secretary, is running for the Democratic nomination for governor in New Mexico, the nation's No. 2 oil production state. Haaland, a member of Laguna Pueblo and the nations first Native American cabinet secretary under President Joe Biden, could be the first Native American woman to serve as governor of any state. New Mexico has 23 federally recognized tribes, including large portions of the Navajo Nation, as well as land holdings of the Fort Sill Apache. She is the first to begin assembling her machine for what will be a lengthy campaign Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham terms out of office at the end of 2026. Democratic U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich ruled himself out of the governors race last week, and no Republican candidates have initiated a run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott Forrester confirmed his hiring as campaign manager on Monday. While a team of veteran political strategists and others is being assembled, formal paperwork still has to be filed with the secretary of state. The governors office in New Mexico has flipped between Democratic and Republican control since the 1980s. President Donald Trump has gained popularity in New Mexico while still losing three elections in the heavily Hispanic and Native American border state. But Democrats have consolidated control over every elected statewide office and all congressional and U.S. Senate seats, and now have broad majorities in the state House and Senate. Winning the top state office would put Haaland a former congresswoman, state party chairwoman and backroads political canvasser for President Barack Obama at the helm of a state enjoying a financial windfall from the nations fastest growing zone for oil production, the Permian Basin that overlaps portions of New Mexico and western Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haaland hasnt been shy about voicing opposition to unfettered oil and gas development and support for the Green New Deal, the sweeping proposals meant to move the United States rapidly to low-carbon energy. At the same time, oil and gas leasing and production reached record levels during the Biden administration, with the U.S. now producing more fossil fuels than ever before. Haaland noted in her last interview as Interior Secretary with The Associated Press that this fossil fuels boom was made possible even as other federal land was protected from development. As it turns out, you dont have to lease millions and millions of acres, Haaland said. We really worked at zeroing in on where these leases should happen so that we can ensure that other land is open to conservation. Whether she would bring this sense of balance to New Mexico is yet to be seen, but it's sure to be a campaign issue given the importance of oil and gas revenues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic lawmakers in New Mexico have carved out a progressive framework for investing and redistributing the states fiscal windfall to help underwrite everything from free meals at all public schools, to zero-tuition college and trade schools, to discount childcare and tax incentives geared toward families with children. The Republican nominee for governor in 2022 former television meteorologist Mark Ronchetti proposed a different approach to spending these revenues: individual rebates along with educational stipends for families aimed at improving early literacy. He lost to Lujan Grisham by a 6-point margin. Republicans hope voters will break with one-party governance in 2026, said state GOP Chair Amy Barela. We believe a Republican governor will bring the positive change our state deserves through balanced leadership after years of one-party rule, said Barela, also an elected Otero County commissioner, in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Mexico's annual oil production recently surpassed that of North Dakota, the home of Trumps nominee to succeed Haaland in leading the Interior Department, Doug Burgum. ___ Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico DeepSeek rattled tech and financial industries with the unexpected power of its AI model. The Chinese-based startup upended expectations that AI development requires significant investment. DeepSeek launched its ChatGPT competitor at a reported fraction of OpenAI's cost. China's DeepSeek AI model rattled Wall Street and shocked Silicon Valley. How Washington will respond remains uncertain, but early indications are that the groundbreaking news will not dramatically shift US policy. "Hopefully, the release of DeepSeek AI from a Chinese company should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win because we have the greatest scientists in the world," Trump said during a speech before House Republicans at their policy planning retreat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Financial industry analysts and technology experts point to Trump's previous trade policy announcement, which laid out a plan for heightened export controls in an event like DeepSeek's rollout. Trump's first term accelerated the rise of China hawks in the nation's capital. His administration went hard after Chinese tech companies like Huawei and laid the groundwork for a potential ban on TikTok, though he has waffled on the latter. President Joe Biden expanded those efforts. TikTok wasn't the first showdown between the world's two largest economies over the future of technology. Here's how Deepseek will fit into the larger US-China fight. What sets Deepseek apart from TikTok or even Huawei? Both Trump and Xi view AI development as seminal to their nations' futures. In announcing a $500 billion AI project known as "Stargate" last week, Trump said the goal was for the US to continue to lead AI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gregory C. Allen, director of Wadhwani AI Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Xi has long focused on tech development. He cited some of the specific benchmarks laid out in his "Made in China 2025" plan, which was announced a decade ago. Two years later, China released its AI strategic plan, which called for Beijing to dominate the world in AI by 2030. "The leaders in both the United States and China are convinced that leadership in artificial intelligence is foundational to the future of military and economic power," Allen told Business Insider. "And they're right." How has the US responded to Chinese AI advances? The first Trump administration imposed export controls on software and technology on Chinese telecom giant Huawei. Just before Trump left office in 2020, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pressured the Dutch government to block a company from making a semiconductor deal with China. In 2022, the Biden administration imposed export controls on advanced chips such as Nivida's H100 used to train AI models. In December, Biden expanded those limitations. It remains to be seen what Trump will do. Allen and financial analysts have pointed to Trump's trade policy, which tasked the Secretary of State and Secretary of Commerce to lead a review of US export controls "in light of developments involving strategic adversaries or geopolitical rivals." Have US control efforts failed? The current debate in Washington will likely focus on whether Biden-era export controls failed. If that's the case, then perhaps a debate will ensue over whether those limitations really matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen said this misses the point since export limitations are a lagging indicator. He added that the first round of Biden policies also allowed China to obtain more advanced chips than the White House may have anticipated. "When you refuse to sell something to China in the future, it doesn't magically destroy everything that you sent to China in the past," he said. Allen added that the Biden 2022 export controls still allowed Nivida to sell H800 chips legally, which meant China obtained crucial technology that had only degraded performance by a fraction of what the US intended. The exact chips, Allen said, DeepSeek claimed it used to train its R1 model. "We are currently living through the poor design of the first package of AI chip export controls that the Biden administration launched in October 2022," he said. "But will soon be living through the lagging impact of the successful controls designed in October 2023." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ed Mills, a Raymond James policy analyst, wrote in a research note that while there may be initial talk of easing control policies, the Trump administration will likely double down. "While we expect to see a narrative emerge that DeepSeek proves the ineffectiveness of current export controls, it will most likely be interpreted by the Trump administration as a reason to tighten controls and further limit and track who has access to leading-edge technology," Mills wrote. How has Beijing responded to US actions? Chinese government officials repeatedly threatened to retaliate in the lead-up to the passage of the potential TikTok ban. Last March, a government official called efforts to force the social media app to sever ties "an act of bullying." It remains to be seen how Beijing will respond if a US-approved buyer is found. In the past, Chinese media has pushed for tougher responses when the US and other Western nations moved to limit companies like Huawei. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen said the timing of the Deepseek announcement also fits within a larger theme of the China seeking to embarrass US leaders at critical times. "I don't think it's a surprise that the model itself was released during the first week of the Trump administration," Allen said. "This was an attempt to have an impact on the US media discourse, the global media discourse and that's exactly what's happening." What else has the US done about Chinese tech companies? Under Trump and Biden, the federal government has taken multiple actions to curtail some of China's largest tech companies. The first Trump administration moved to block Huawei from working with US companies. In 2022, the FCC banned US sales of new Huawei and ZTE-made devices, China's two largest telecommunications equipment manufacturers. Huawei does little business in the US now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio, a longtime Huawei critic, pushed Latin American countries to follow the US' lead in banning the telecom giant from shaping the future of 5G. Trump also kick started the discussion over banning TikTok. While little information is public, lawmakers have cited national security concerns related to TikTok's parent company, ByteDance. As a 2024 presidential hopeful, Trump backed away from his previous support for banning TikTok if ByteDance failed to sever ties to Beijing. In one of his final acts in office, Biden declined to enforce the ban after TikTok failed to convince the US Supreme Court to delay its implementation. Trump has since granted an additional 75-day reprieve, though it is outside the law. What effect will this have on the AI race? In the near term, DeepSeek's success has undermined the belief that bigger is always better for AI development. The Chinese-based startup developed its R1 model at roughly $5.6 million, a drop in the bucket compared to what OpenAI, Meta, and other companies are spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think policymakers need to ask a lot of questions about what is happening," Darrell West, a senior fellow in the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings, told BI. "They need to understand how this company seemed to have made so much progress without spending a lot of money." Marc Andreessen, the cofounder of Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, wrote on X that is is AI's "Sputnik moment," a reference to the then-Soviet Union's early success in launching a satellite in 1957. The Cold War advancement shocked the US, jump-starting the Space Race, which the Americans ultimately won by landing on the Moon just over a decade later. Read the original article on Business Insider The News Chinese startup DeepSeeks new chatbot remained top of US app store downloads into Tuesday, besting American rival OpenAIs ChatGPT. DeepSeek has been downloaded more than 2 million times since its launch on Jan. 15, with almost 70% of those taking place in the last three days, according to data from market intelligence firm AppMagic shared with Semafor. The Chinese companys new R1 model apparently built for just $6 million took the tech world by storm, showing abilities similar to the most capable US AI models despite using far less advanced and far less expensive chips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the apps sudden prominence caused global market chaos Monday, tech stocks remained volatile into Tuesday, although experts say the long-term impact is still unclear. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, called the Chinese companys success a wake-up call, while OpenAI CEO Sam Altman vowed to respond with better models. A chart showing App Store and GPlay downloads of DeepSeek by country SIGNALS Americans embrace Chinese apps despite security, privacy concerns Source: Wired Throughout the former Biden administration, Washington implemented successive export bans and other restrictions to curb Chinese technology on security grounds (an effort capped by the order for TikTok to be sold or banned). Yet US consumers appear unfazed. DeepSeeks ascent to the top of Apples US App Store followed the sudden rise of another Chinese social media app, Xiaohongshu. DeepSeek is the latest evidence that moratoriums like the TikTok ban will not stop Americans from using Chinese-owned services, Wired wrote, even if they present a greater risk. Chatbots like DeepSeeks R1 model are perhaps riskier than video-sharing sites like TikTok because users are more likely to share personal details, a privacy expert told the outlet. DeepSeek-style AI presents military, security risks Sources: The Free Press, Mick Ryan DeepSeeks low-cost, high-capability AI model could present an opportunity for world militaries to develop and use similar technology, tech journalist Geoffrey Cain argued in The Free Press: Military strategies that once relied on large arsenals and expensive hardware are vulnerable to disruption by nimble, cost-effective alternatives. Drones and other off-the-shelf hardware could run on a DeepSeek-style AI, for example, he wrote. Theres a remote but not impossible chance that the Chinese military is already using the model, military expert Mick Ryan argued, adding that other militaries will likely be racing to test it, particularly if it represents an alternative to purchasing expensive AI services from US companies. Still, the idea that DeepSeek itself represents a game-changer on the battlefield is likely overblown, Ryan cautioned. This story incorporates reporting fromGIZBOT, news24online and The Associated Press on MSN.com. DeepSeek, a new AI chatbot created in Hangzhou, China, and ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, are facing scrutiny for their differing approaches to handling politically sensitive topics about China. Released in 2023, DeepSeek has positioned itself as a cost-effective alternative with a focus on technical applications, while ChatGPT continues to advance its reputation for general conversational use. The contrasting capabilitiesa result of their underlying architectureshighlight varied responses when addressing questions on sensitive political matters. DeepSeeks AI model, dubbed R1, is a behemoth with around 670 billion parameters, making it the largest open-source large language model available. Despite this, DeepSeek follows a broader trend observed in many Chinese AI models, such as Baidus Ernie, by avoiding responses to politically sensitive issues. This design choice reflects the regulatory environment within China, where discussion on specific political topics can be restricted. The emphasis on technical problem-solving and logic-based tasks make DeepSeek particularly effective in fields like coding and mathematics. On the other hand, OpenAIs ChatGPT employs diverse data sources to offer nuanced and varied responses, a feature that can be applied to questions about sensitive political topics, including those regarding China. This more open-ended design philosophy permits a wider range of responses, informed by a general corpus of knowledge that extends beyond technical applications. While this makes ChatGPT versatile for everyday queries, its approach can sometimes provoke controversy when answers are interpreted as politically charged or sensitive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The distinction between DeepSeek and ChatGPT underscores the broader competitive dynamics between China and the U.S. in the AI sector. DeepSeeks emergence, particularly its efficiency in technical applications, has sparked industry concern, as evidenced by significant market reactions like Nvidias stock dip. The potential for DeepSeek to disrupt existing models with its cost-effective approach suggests changes in demand for AI development hardware, affecting the landscape considerably. For users torn between these platforms, the choice largely hinges on individual priorities. Those seeking a tool for technical precision may find DeepSeek more aligned with their needs, given its strengths in areas like coding. Conversely, expecting a well-rounded conversational AI with the flexibility to address a variety of topics would likely favor ChatGPT. As both models continue to evolve, their divergent approaches to sensitive topics will remain a focal point of comparison. Quartz Intelligence Newsroom uses generative artificial intelligence to report on business trends. This is the first phase of an experimental new version of reporting. While we strive for accuracy and timeliness, due to the experimental nature of this technology we cannot guarantee that well always be successful in that regard. If you see errors in this article, please let us know at qi@qz.com. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. As Chinese AI application DeepSeek attracts hordes of American users, Trump administration officials, lawmakers and cybersecurity experts are expressing concern that the technology could pose a threat to U.S. national security. DeepSeek's introduction in the U.S. on Monday saw it quickly become the most downloaded free application in the country on Apple's app store. The rollout also rocked Wall Street as investors struggled to compute the sudden appearance of a low-cost, open-source generative AI tool able to compete with leading artificial intelligence apps such as OpenAI's ChatGPT. Shares of Nvidia, the U.S. manufacturer of advanced chips engineered for AI development, plummeted 17%, chopping roughly $600 billion off its market value a record single-day drop for a U.S. stock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That explosive debut was branded a "wake-up call" by President Trump on Monday. Addressing reporters on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the National Security Council (NSC) would examine the potential national security implications around DeepSeek's launch, noting that the administration would seek to "ensure American AI dominance." What is DeepSeek, and why is it causing Nvidia and other stocks to slump? Some lawmakers also weighed in with concerns about the application's access to U.S. users. "The U.S. cannot allow Chinese Communist Party models such as DeepSeek to risk our national security and leverage our technology to advance their AI ambitions," Rep. John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican who chairs the bipartisan House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said Tuesday in a statement shared on social media. "We must work to swiftly place stronger export controls on technologies critical to DeepSeek's AI infrastructure." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spotlight on DeepSeek comes amid rising tensions over trade, technology and other issues between the two superpowers. The U.S. has already imposed significant export controls on China in an effort to rein in Beijing's production of semiconductors used in developing advanced AI, with the most recent curbs coming in December. "At the President's direction, the NSC and others in the U.S. government work in many ways to address concerns involving AI, China and data security," agency spokesperson Brian Hughes told CBS News in an email. "As the President has underscored, U.S. policy is to ensure that the United States leads the world in AI." Security threat for users While the calls from Moolenaar could be the first inkling of a possible congressional crackdown, Ross Burley a co-founder of the nonprofit Centre for Information Resilience warned that DeepSeek's emergence in the U.S. raises data security and privacy issues for users. Chinese law grants Beijing broad authority to access data from companies based in China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "More and more people will use it, and that will open the door to more and more personal data just being given away to the [Chinese Communist Party] and being sent basically to mainland China to be able to inform them of their activities," Burley told CBS News. "What they'll use it for is behavior change campaigns, disinformation campaigns, for really targeted messaging as to what Western audiences like, what they do," he added. DeepSeek, which is based in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, notes in its privacy policy that the personal information it collects from users is held "on secure servers located in the People's Republic of China." Under that policy, the company says it collects information including users' "device model, operating system, keystroke patterns or rhythms, IP address, and system language." DeepSeek also collects "service-related, diagnostic, and performance information, including crash reports and performance logs," according to the company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A key difference from TikTok The fact that DeepSeek's servers are based in mainland China differentiates it from TikTok, the Chinese-owned social media platform that Congress had sought to ban on national security grounds before President Trump signed an executive order last week directing the Justice Department to not enforce the law for a period of 75 days. In an effort to mitigate U.S. regulatory concerns, TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, in 2022 moved all of its U.S. data to infrastructure owned by American software maker Oracle. The legislation banning TikTok the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act," which President Biden signed into law last April grants the federal government broad scope to crack down on tech platforms owned by countries regarded as U.S. adversaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under that law, Congress can compel a platform to divest its U.S. operations from foreign ownership, and it can be shut down if it qualifies as a threat. The law can apply to any platform that allows users to share content; has more than 1 million monthly active users; is owned by a company located in a foreign adversary-controlled country; and has been determined by the president to present a significant national security threat. But DeepSeek may be seen as less of a threat given that, unlike TikTok, it is an open-source large language model, according to Matt Sheehan, a China fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "[A] lot of these open-source apps, open-source models, you can actually sort of use them directly on other platforms. Perplexity is a major U.S. AI company, and they're currently using a version of DeepSeek that you can use that doesn't have the data privacy or security threats," he told CBS News. Advancing censorship? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One issue that DeepSeek users face outside of China: censorship. For example, a CBS News analysis of the application found that DeepSeek did not return any results for a prompt seeking information bout the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and subsequent massacre in Beijing. Burley of the Centre for Information Resilience thinks such suppression of information on an app being downloaded by millions of users will pressure policymakers to act. "I think it's incumbent on Western governments the U.K., Canada, the U.S. to look and see if it is wise for the Apple store and the Android store to host this large language model when it is so clearly being curated to push Chinese narratives and censorship," he said. New details emerge about military helicopter involved in midair collision Air traffic control union president on plane crash Commercial plane crashes midair with military helicopter near Reagan National Airport This story incorporates reporting fromNew York Magazine, Wired and TheDerrick.com. DeepSeek, a relatively new player in the artificial intelligence sector, has turned heads with its latest model, DeepSeek R1. This model boasts capabilities on par with advanced systems from major players like OpenAI and Google, but at a fraction of the cost. Such efficiency and performance have raised significant interest and some alarm among global tech companies and AI safety researchers. As the international business community digests the implications of DeepSeeks advancements, attention turns to other Chinese AI models that are shaping the future of this technology. China has been aggressively developing its AI capabilities, with models emerging from companies such as Baidu, Tencent, and Huawei. Baidus ERNIE 4.0, for instance, is a leading natural language processing model that competes with Western counterparts such as GPT-4 by OpenAI. The ERNIE model is particularly renowned for its incorporation of language and knowledge understanding, drawing from extensive data sets that include billions of parameters. Baidu has continually invested in AI, leading to innovations that support applications ranging from autonomous vehicles to AI-powered search engines. Tencent, another heavyweight in the Chinese tech ecosystem, has developed the Hunyuan AI model. This model specializes in multi-modal learning a process that allows the AI system to process and analyze diverse types of data, including text, image, and audio, simultaneously. Hunyuans capabilities have positioned Tencent as a leader in virtual reality and augmented reality applications, as well as advanced content creation tools that are beginning to permeate various consumer markets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huawei also contributes significantly to the AI landscape with its Pangu AI models. These focus on boosting efficiency in industries such as finance, healthcare, and telecommunications. Huaweis AI model excels in optimizing data center operations and enhancing the capabilities of Huawei Cloud. The emphasis on scalable AI solutions demonstrates Huaweis strategic direction in empowering enterprises with artificial intelligence across the globe. These models, along with the achievements of DeepSeek, showcase Chinas multifaceted approach to AI development. The focus is not just on mimicking human-like intelligence but also on driving innovation in practical applications that align with national and international priorities. The impact of these innovations is not only economic. They also have geopolitical implications, reflecting the strategic goals of the Chinese government to position the country as a global leader in AI technology. The emergence of cost-efficient and high-performance models like DeepSeeks R1 presents challenges to Western tech companies, many of which are now compelled to reevaluate their investment strategies in AI research and infrastructure. The cost differentials underline a competitive tension, potentially prompting industry players to streamline their operations to remain viable. This could involve reducing dependency on expensive computing resources, as mentioned by experts concerned with the capital intensiveness of current AI training paradigms in the U.S. Chinas AI advancements also underscore concerns highlighted by AI safety researchers, who have long cautioned against viewing AI development as a race. The rapid pace at which powerful models are being developed heightens the risk of unregulated or unintended consequences that could arise from deploying AI systems without appropriate safeguards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quartz Intelligence Newsroom uses generative artificial intelligence to report on business trends. This is the first phase of an experimental new version of reporting. While we strive for accuracy and timeliness, due to the experimental nature of this technology we cannot guarantee that well always be successful in that regard. If you see errors in this article, please let us know at qi@qz.com. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. (Bloomberg) -- Mark Zuckerberg has long championed Meta Platforms Inc.s open-source approach to artificial intelligence software which lets other companies access and build on top of its technology saying that having an American model as the underpinning of new products was key to ensuring US dominance over China in AI. Most Read from Bloomberg Now the emergence of DeepSeek, a state-of-the-art AI model from China, is pressure-testing Zuckerbergs strategy and threatening the home-grown advantage for the US. The Chinese startup says its technology uses a fraction of the cost and computing power of its American rivals, and its offering an open-source alternative to Metas Llama and other made-in-the-USA models. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite hesitations about its connections to China, in an appearance on Joe Rogans podcast in early January the Meta chief executive officer lauded DeepSeek as a very advanced model that was doing really good work. That sentiment has been echoed this week by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who said its invigorating to have a new competitor, and US President Donald Trump, who said on Monday that he views DeepSeeks faster, less-expensive methods as a positive, as an asset. But underneath the praise, Washington, Wall Street and Silicon Valley are aligned in their view of DeepSeek as a key competitor to Metas Llama. DeepSeek should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win, Trump added on Monday. Own the Ecosystem Meta and Zuckerberg have been the tech industrys most vocal proponents of open source, arguing that making this kind of advanced technology freely available helps the entire industry move faster because companies can build off each others work. Theyve also warned about the threat of Chinese rivals doing the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a huge geopolitical competition and Chinas running at it super hard, Zuckerberg said about AI this month on The Joe Rogan Experience. If there should be an open-source model that everyone uses, we should want it to be an American model. Meta particularly wants to provide that model, given that its been the biggest investor in open source among the largest technology companies, said Luke Sernau, a staff researcher at Googles DeepMind who previously worked at Meta. Part of their incentive for doing so was a chance to own the ecosystem, Sernau said. DeepSeek calls all of that into question. Though several Wall Street analysts on Monday suggested that DeepSeeks innovation signaled Meta had fallen behind in the AI race, Meta shares rose 1.9% on Monday, even as US and European technology stocks collectively lost almost $1 trillion in value. Investors may be focusing instead on Zuckerbergs assertion that hes willing to aggressively deploy capital to win the AI race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 24 he announced that the company plans to invest as much as $65 billion in artificial intelligence-related projects in 2025, making the projected capital expenditures for this year more than double that of 2023. Meta is expected to provide more details about its future AI efforts Wednesday when it reports fourth-quarter earnings. The shares rose 2.7% at midday in New York on Tuesday. To better understand the competition, Meta has set up an internal team tasked with analyzing DeepSeek, including how it was built and what it can do a strategy it has used with other major AI rivals like OpenAIs GPT-4 and Googles Gemini, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named discussing internal company efforts. Studying the Chinese model which was trained using cheaper and less powerful chips than the ones US companies are stockpiling could lower Metas own research and development costs, the people said. If theres anything we know about Meta, its a pretty good copycat. They will copy some of the techniques that DeepSeek used and reduce their own costs, said Ahmed Khan, a tech equity analyst for Morningstar, in an interview. Meta is going to be a bit behind when they release its new model, but within the year theyll be able to make up lost distance by using what DeepSeek did to improve its performance. Open or Closed Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeepSeeks ascent underlines one of the AI industrys greatest debates: Should tech companies open-source their technology? Open-source models are driving a significant shift in the industry, and thats going to bring the benefits of AI to everyone, Meta spokesman Jon Carvill said in an emailed statement, adding that Meta wants the US to set the global AI standard, not China. While some information from both Meta and DeepSeeks models is public, neither company is disclosing the data sets they use for model training. Opponents of opening up the technology suggest that doing so can benefit Americas adversaries, specifically China, in ways that arent purely economic. Venture capitalist Vinod Khosla said last May that Metas decision to open-source its Llama models was a national security hazard given how it could be used to advantage Chinese tech companies. Its possible that DeepSeek achieved its own advancements thanks in part to work that Meta and other AI companies have already done. Metas chief AI scientist, Yann LeCun, suggested as much in a post on Jan. 24. Still, LeCun said, thats the goal of open-source technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeepSeek has profited from open research and open source including from Meta, he posted on the companys social media platform, Threads. They came up with new ideas and built them on top of other peoples work. Because their work is published and open source, everyone can profit from it. That is the power of open research and open source. DeepSeek didnt immediately respond to a request for comment seeking clarity on the companys use of other open-source products, including Llama. Policy Approach The questions around open source have also yet to be settled, or even addressed head-on, on the policy side. The Biden administration had sought to safeguard against harmful AI uses, particularly by foreign adversaries. It warned in October that the accidental or deliberate misuse of AI could bolster authoritarianism around the world, facilitate human rights abuses and cede the USs competitive edge. Trump, who scrapped Bidens AI executive order on the day of his inauguration, last week called for an interagency group to craft a new policy to ensure US AI dominance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jaime Yassif, vice president at the nonprofit Nuclear Threat Initiative, said she was optimistic that the new administration will strike a balance between advancing AI models, like Metas open-source Llama, and warding off threats. There are tradeoffs from the benefits you get from open-source models and some of the national security risks, particularly nuclear, chemical and biological risks, she said. Those things are in contention. Zuckerberg himself has acknowledged that Metas open-source approach could benefit Chinese rivals. The company formally blocks access to Llama in China based on geography, though its impossible to fully stop Chinese developers from accessing its models via other sources given the technology is openly available. In an interview last summer, Zuckerberg said that even if the company did try to keep its technology proprietary, it was unlikely Meta would be able to prevent them from being able to steal it anyways. For him, he said, the trade-off was worth it. I think that locking everything down would hamstring us and make us more likely to not be the leaders, he said. --With assistance from Davey Alba and Josh Wingrove. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. DeepSeek, extolled by some as the "biggest dark horse" in the open-source large language model (LLM) arena, now has a bull's eye on its back, as the start-up is being touted as China's secret weapon in the artificial intelligence (AI) war with the US. The Hangzhou-based company sent shock waves across Wall Street and Silicon Valley for developing AI models at a fraction of the cost compared with OpenAI and Meta Platforms, which prompted US President Donald Trump to call the breakthrough a "wake-up call" and "positive" for America's tech sector. At home, Chinese tech executives and various commentators rushed to hail DeepSeek's disruptive power. 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. Zhou Hongyi, co-founder, chairman and chief executive of Chinese cybersecurity firm Qihoo 360, declared that DeepSeek has "upended the world" in a recent video posted on his Weibo account, after the start-up's release of two powerful new AI models - built at a lower cost and with less computing resources than what larger tech firms typically need for LLM development. In a widely shared Weibo social media post, Feng Ji, founder and chief executive at Black Myth: Wukong developer Game Science, wrote that DeepSeek's achievements in AI could change China's "national fate" amid its prolonged tech war with the US. On January 20, DeepSeek publicly released its open-source R1 reasoning model, which it claims is on par with the performance of OpenAI's o1 - a model that the US start-up said can "reason through complex tasks and solve harder problems than previous models in science, coding and maths". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeepSeek integrated R1 into its namesake AI chatbot, which was released on January 10 and recently took the top spot on Apple's US App Store, dethroning ChatGPT. DeepSeek's chatbot was also the most downloaded free app on Apple's China App Store as of Monday. These developments followed the December 26 public release of DeepSeek's V3 model, which was trained in around two months at a cost of US$5.58 million with significantly fewer computing resources and said to have outperformed LLMs from bigger tech firms in benchmark tests. Citing the global attention received by DeepSeek, Qihoo 360's Zhou said in his social-media post: "We should have confidence that China will eventually win the AI war with the US." Chinese Premier Li Qiang, left, listens to DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng at a meeting in Beijing on January 20, 2025. Photo: CCTV alt=Chinese Premier Li Qiang, left, listens to DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng at a meeting in Beijing on January 20, 2025. Photo: CCTV> Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LLM refers to the technology underpinning generative AI services such as OpenAI's ChatGPT. Open source gives public access to a software program's source code, allowing third-party developers to modify or share its design, fix broken links or scale up its capabilities. DeepSeek's more cost-efficient development of powerful models, compared with what bigger tech companies spend, shows how far Chinese AI firms have progressed, despite US sanctions that have largely blocked their access to advanced semiconductors used for training LLMs. "China is the only market that pursues LLM efficiency owing to chip constraints," Jefferies equity analyst Edison Lee wrote in a research note on Monday. He pointed out that the Trump administration is likely to recognise that the risk of further restrictions would "force China to innovate faster". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The buzz on DeepSeek's AI model breakthrough over the weekend set off an AI stock market rout on Monday, as it raised questions over technological dominance of the US. Shares of major US AI and semiconductor companies slumped on a wave of fear that Chinese companies were poised to surpass them in the high-stakes battle for supremacy. American semiconductor giant Nvidia's stock price, for example, sank as much as 25 per cent on Monday before closing at US$118.58, down 16.8 per cent, erasing nearly US$600 billion in market value. In Europe, tech stocks led market losses, with shares of chip equipment maker ASML Holding sliding down more than 8 per cent. "Re-evaluating computing power needs could cause 2026 AI capex to fall or not grow," Lee said in the Jefferies research note. DeepSeek has received much attention in the global artificial intelligence community for its cost-efficient development of powerful new models. Photo: Shutterstock alt=DeepSeek has received much attention in the global artificial intelligence community for its cost-efficient development of powerful new models. Photo: Shutterstock> Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Despite DeepSeek's amazing model efficiency, it has not accelerated any AI monetisation," Lee added. DeepSeek, which was spun off from Chinese hedge-fund manager High-Flyer Quant, last week made its R1 reasoning model free to use, while OpenAI charges US$200 monthly for unlimited access to its o1 models. In an essay posted on Monday in online publishing platform Substack, US entrepreneur and AI expert Gary Marcus said: "The race for 'AI Supremacy' is over, at least for now, and the US didn't win." Marcus, co-author of the book Rebooting AI: Building Artificial Intelligence We Can Trust, said DeepSeek's development of an AI model "that required only roughly 1/50th of the training costs of previous models" instantly put the start-up "in the big leagues with American companies like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, both in terms of performance and innovation". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "None of this means, however, that China won the AI race or even took the lead," he said. "American companies will incorporate these new results and continue to produce new results of their own." Still, Marcus gave "some style points to China, for doing so much without hundreds of thousands of Nvidia H100s", the much in-demand advanced graphics processing units that the US has barred from being exported to Chinese firms. 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 National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) has launched a criminal investigation into the potential abuse of power, as well as office position by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported on Jan. 28, citing NABU's statement. On Jan. 21, the Defense Procurement Agency's (DPA) supervisory board voted unanimously to extend current director Maryna Bezrukova's contract for another year. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov however overruled the board's decision on Jan. 24, saying he would not renew Bezrukova's contract as head of the DPA. He cited allegedly unsatisfactory results as the reason and appointed Arsen Zhumadilov, who also manages the State Logistics Operator (DOT). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Umerov also dismissed two agency supervisory board members, Taras Chmut and Yuriy Dzhygyr. Following Umerov's move, the Anti-Corruption Action Center filed a complaint with NABU to open an investigation against Umerov on suspicion of alleged abuse of power. Proceedings against Umerov opened at the request of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, NABU said. According to Ukrainian law, if officials have abused their power or position in a manner leading to "serious consequences,"they are punishable by imprisonment for three to six years and disqualification from holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities for up to three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Ukrainian law, supervisory boards have the authority to hire and fire the heads of state enterprises unilaterally. This means that legally, after the board's vote, Bezrukova should take over the Defense Procurement Agency for another year. However, due to amendments recently made to the agency's charter by the Defense Ministry, which oversees the DPA, the ministry can reverse the supervisory board's decisions. Anti-corruption activists and lawmakers say the amendments and Umerov's decision are unlawful. Following Umerov's move, DPA declared that it continues to operate under Bezrukova's leadership. Bezrukova took over the agency in January 2024, and her contract expires at the end of January 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Procurement for Ukrainian forces may be blocked due to legal conflict, Defense Procurement Agencys head says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Updated, Jan. 29 From strategic defiance to more open compliance, school districts across the country are gearing up in very different ways for how to respond if or when immigration agents arrive on campus. Their deliberations are occurring as Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have begun across the country and as President Donald J. Trumps new administration removed a long-standing protection placing schools, hospitals and churches off-limits to such enforcement actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sonja H. Trainor, executive director of the National School Attorneys Association, told The 74 on Monday that her members are already reporting a significant decrease in student attendance and tremendous concern among parents about Trumps latest orders. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter And while many education leaders have pledged to keep ICE at bay Georgias Gwinnett County Public Schools instructed staff to make a copy of agents identification cards and to not offer any information others are advising greater degrees of cooperation. One extreme outlier: Oklahomas Republican state Superintendent Ryan Walters, who said he welcomes raids targeting children. Schools havent been working with law enforcement on this, he said. However President Trump decides to carry out the actions around his immigration policy, we are going to absolutely work with him on that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Trumps Deportation Plans Threaten Millions of Families. Who Is Protecting Them? Trainor said her organization will be offering their members information and support on how they can counsel districts in responding to ICE, including a webinar presented by an immigration attorney, in the coming weeks. Most school protocols for visits from law enforcement agencies, including immigration agents, she said, call for a school official to greet the officer; ask for credentials and any order, subpoena, or warrant; and to get a specific administrator to interact with them. The administrator may also want to consult legal counsel based on the circumstances, she said. Each scenario may be fact specific and require schools to be neutral and objective looking at state/federal law for release of student information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States is home to some 850,000 undocumented children and as of 2018, roughly 6 million people under the age of 18 lived with at least one family member, often a parent, who was undocumented, according to the American Immigration Council. Tom Homan, Trumps border czar, told ABCs This Week that hes willing to execute raids in K-12 schools, saying it will help solve another problem: crime. How many MS-13 members are the age 14 to 17? Many of them, Homan said Sunday, referring to a notoriously violent street gang with roots in Central America. Longtime Oklahoma science teacher Jenny Bobo said students and families in her school community are filled with dread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are terrified, she told The 74. We, as educators, fear for our students. We are terrified that, in order to advance political careers, entire buildings full of children will be traumatized. Small-scale protests in Oklahoma have already begun, as students and adults plead to keep families together. Preston Lee Bobo, 14, waits to enter the Jan. 28 Oklahoma state Board of Education meeting in Oklahoma City. (Preston Bobo) Bobos 14-year-old son, Preston Lee Bobo, was among a group of protestors who attended the state Board of Education meeting Tuesday morning in Oklahoma City. The board voted to approve Walters proposal requiring that families provide information on their immigration or citizenship status when enrolling their kids. The move is seen as possibly violating Plyler v. Doe, the landmark 1982 Supreme Court ruling that a child cannot be denied a public education based on immigration status, and could potentially create a trove of data making undocumented students in Oklahoma more vulnerable to ICE enforcement. Related Oklahoma Plan to Check Parents Citizenship Could Keep Kids from Going to School Preston said he wanted to call attention to what he believes is unfair treatment of undocumented children. The teen was not permitted to speak as the public comments portion of these events has been greatly curtailed: Walters and the board have been accused of violating open meetings laws. If given the chance, Preston said he was ready to be heard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that they should be treated like any other student, the teen said of his undocumented peers. Agents coming in and looking for undocumented children is inappropriate. If they find them, then they will presumably try to get them deported and I dont support that. I also dont really want a bunch of cops in my school. We already have SROs (school resource officers). John Seidlitz, a long-time educator, immigrant advocate and founder of the California-based Seidlitz Education, said hes concerned about the stress raids could place on children. As educators, we have spent years learning about the effects of trauma on educational outcomes, he said. The threat of ICE presence in schools will have a serious negative impact not only on undocumented students, but on all students attending public schools. Rumors about ICE agents on or near school grounds continue to spread through social media. But its unclear whether immigration agents will actually come to campus. Some school officials have been told their districts are not targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christopher Cram, a spokesperson for Marylands Montgomery County Public Schools, said the school system was led to believe through a virtual call on Friday with immigration officials that campuses are still safe. Despite the Department of Homeland Securitys recent statement that ICE agents no longer have to honor the sensitive locations guidance, recent comments by ICE officials to Maryland superintendents indicate that there are no plans to visit or take action near schools, he said. Related Los Angeles Schools Prepare for Trumps Immigration Crackdown But the atmosphere remains tense. The Chicago Public Schools reported last week that ICE agents visited one of its campuses only to later realize this was untrue: It was the Secret Service on an unrelated matter. But immigration raids were conducted elsewhere in the city within the past few days and also in New Jersey among a host of other early locations, including the Denver area and Atlanta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some indigenous people in Arizona and New Mexico were caught up in the sweeps. Citing a senior Trump official, NBC News reported Tuesday that immigration authorities made close to 1,200 arrests in just one day, roughly 245 more than initially claimed. Nearly half of those detained dont have criminal records, it reported, which Trump had said would be ICEs primary focus. In an effort to prepare for any outcome, state and local education agencies have provided school personnel and, in some cases, parents varying directives. Many reflect the fine line between protecting students rights and violating federal law. The state superintendent of schools in Maryland said in a memo that school personnel should not argue or debate with immigration enforcement officials but should direct them to the local superintendent or designated administrator for further action. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina said its administrators must, when told by agents they want to speak to a particular child, attempt to contact their parents and remain with the student during a law enforcement interview. The directive said they should not interfere with any ICE enforcement action, which may include service or execution of warrants, interviews, searches, or arrests, but that students have a right against self-incrimination and may not be required to provide information that would establish residency status. Gwinnett County Public Schools in Georgia provided staff with a script, advising them to welcome the agents and say, We will cooperate within the boundaries of the law, but to ensure minimal disruption, please have a seat until the principal arrives. Theyre further instructed to make copies of any warrants, not allow agents access beyond the vestibule until their identity is confirmed and to document the agents name, badge number, agency affiliation, time, date, and details of the request. The School District of Philadelphia asked parents Friday to make sure that all emergency contact information is updated for their children. Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez pledged, in English and Spanish, to support immigrant students and their families, saying at a press conference last week: Regardless of this policy change, our protocols will remain in place. There is complete alignment here between our state, our city and our district CPS does not ask for a familys immigration status. CPS will not coordinate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE. CPS does not share student records with ICE except in the rare case where theres a court order or consent from a parent or guardian. Orange County Public Schools in Florida was advised by one of its attorneys to contact students parents whenever possible to ask for their permission for an ICE agent to interview their child. But, it notes, that if an administrator informs the parent of an interview after being told not to by law enforcement, refuses to leave the room when directed or interferes with a students arrest, they may be subject to arrest on charges of tampering with a law enforcement investigation or obstructing a law enforcement official. The Hamas fighters stood on the Gaza boundary once considered crucial for keeping them at bay. Eight heavily armed men, wearing seemingly spotless military uniforms and Hamas' distinctive green headbands, stood atop concrete blocks at the Netzarim corridor on Monday, welcoming the tens of thousands of Gazans returning to what remained of their homes in the north. With their AK-47s strapped to their vests and their faces covered, the fighters took selfies, shook hands and handed water to passers-by. Witnessed and recorded by an NBC News crew in Gaza, the fighters' presence at a crossing deemed vital for keeping Hamas from going into the north of Gaza raises big questions about one of Israels stated objectives in launching the war: eliminate the militant group behind the worst terrorist attack in Israeli history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later the crew captured footage of Hussein Fayyad Abu Hamza, a senior Hamas commander previously declared dead by Israel, inspecting citizens in the northern city of Beit Hanoun. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly vowed to destroy Hamas after it killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostage in its surprise Oct. 7, 2023, attack. More recently he softened the objective, to destroy the militants grip on power. We set three war goals: The first war goal was to destroy Hamass military and governing capabilities, he said on Sept. 4. The second was to free our hostages. And the third was to ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel. Members of the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, welcome civilians returning to Gaza City in Netzarim on Monday. Israel Defense Forces did not respond to requests for comment on what these sorts of appearances mean, while Netanyahus office declined to comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A ceasefire was reached after Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other senior militants were killed by Israeli forces in October, and after more than 47,000 Palestinians most of them women and children, according to local officials were killed in the Israeli assault that followed the Oct. 7 attack. Israeli attacks have devastated Gaza, destroying or damaging more than 90% of its housing units and driven much of the population into squalid tent camps, according to the United Nations. Perpetual war The scene at the Netzarim corridor on Saturday was similar to the one in Palestine Square in Gaza City earlier in the week, when four Israeli hostages stood atop a stage surrounded by hundreds of masked Hamas gunmen. A poster emblazoned with Zionism will not win hung on a platform below them. Blanketed in Palestinian flags, the square exploded with cheers the moment the hostages were handed over. Music blared as children clambered on the stage table, where Red Cross representatives had signed handover documents just minutes before. Hamas militants in Gaza City wait for the arrival of International Red Cross vehicles carrying hostages to be released Saturday. Hamas fighters during Saturday's hostage handover. It was a Hollywood production. It was very orderly, said Gershon Baskin, an Israeli who has acted as a mediator with Hamas for decades. It looked like theres this group thats really in control of everything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to U.S. assessments, Hamas has recruited almost as many militants as it lost in the war. Each time Israel completes its military operations and pulls back, Hamas militants regroup and re-emerge, because theres nothing else to fill the void, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the Atlantic Council this month. That is a recipe for an enduring insurgency and perpetual war. And just as missiles stopped whistling over Gaza on the morning of Jan. 19, the first day of the ceasefire, Hamas fighters emerged in force. With their faces concealed and waving their green flags, they thrust their rifles skyward. It was a message to the West Bank, that we are a national power for the Palestinian people, not just a fundamentalist group, Ronni Shaked, a research fellow at the Harry S. Truman Institute at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said. To Israel, they said, we are still at war. Militants embrace before the handing over of four Israeli hostages in Gaza City on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas signaling comes as the exceptionally fragile ceasefire is presenting daily challenges to both sides. On Saturday, Israel accused Hamas of violating the agreement by not releasing the civilian hostage Arbel Yehud and blocked the Netzarim corridor, stopping displaced Palestinians from returning north. There is profound mistrust that exists between both sides, said Ghada Soliman, a Middle East analyst at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. It may collapse at any moment. Eventually, meditators resolved the dispute and Israel allowed access on Monday. Convoys of fighters As the ceasefire unfolds, Hamas has resumed everyday operations Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Convoys of fighters made their way through Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Jan. 20, according to video shot by NBC News in Gaza that showed crowds chanting slogans, We are your men, Mohammad Deif, in reference to the top commander of Hamas military wing, the Qassam Brigades, who Israel says it killed in an airstrike last year. Nearby, with his whistle and deep blue police uniform, Abdul Wahab Abdul Raouf Samour waved through traffic. He was among the many officers who had been called back to work, he said. We received orders from the Ministry of Interior to wear our police uniforms and take to the streets to assist citizens and manage traffic in the area, Samour, 40, told the NBC News crew. Hamas fighters surround a Red Cross vehicle as hostages are exchanged in Gaza City on Saturday. Truckloads of humanitarian aid, carrying everything from food and bottled water to commercial goods, has crawled into Khan Younis. As the trucks rattled through the dusty streets, they were at times seen being escorted by convoys of gunmen, or with men standing atop the cargo to prevent stealing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Qassam gunmen were also stationed in the streets to ensure the aids safe delivery. The Palestinian Police announced on Jan. 22 that it was working to establish security and public order, support citizens, protect their property, and restore aspects of life in the sector. It also urged people to report on emergency hotlines any suspicious objects or unexploded bombs as teams specialized in explosives engineering began clearing areas. I had hidden my uniform for a day like this, and today is my greatest day, Samour said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Florida Republicans trumped Gov. Ron DeSantis' immigration agenda on Monday with their own version of legislation, igniting a flame war online that lasted well into the evening. Still, even as DeSantis called the new bill (SB 2B/HB 1B) "weaker" and criticized the Legislature's "theatrics" on social media, House and Senate Republicans pushed their legislation through committees. The Senate bill's author, Sarasota Republican and Trump supporter Joe Gruters, called it a "solid product," adding, "I like our path better." Republican state Sen. Joe Gruters, of Sarasota, was reelected in August 2022, with the help of an endorsement from Donald Trump. He served as co-chair of Trumps 2016 Florida campaign and has declared his support for Trump's 2024 run. The bill would cost over $500 million to implement, according to the bill's staff analysis. It still has much of what DeSantis proposed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in a big about-face, the Legislature shifted authority over state-level immigration enforcement from the governor to the commissioner of agriculture, which is currently held by Wilton Simpson, a Trilby Republican. The bill would establish the agriculture commissioner as the state's chief immigration officer and create a State Immigration Enforcement Council, a board of seven county sheriffs tasked with providing recommendations to the state and to U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. "The guy is a leader, and there's nobody that wants to please President Trump more than Wilton Simpson, believe me," said Gruters, who's been dubbed the OG Trump supporter in Florida and also is now treasurer of the Republican National Committee. What is the TRUMP Act? Florida Legislature defies DeSantis, introduces own immigration bill Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson stands and applauds during the Senate Session on opening day of the 2023 Florida Legislative Session, Tuesday, March 7, 2023. DeSantis, in a social media video clip, said that was "bizarre" and "puts the fox in charge of the hen house," alluding that it would ensure employment requirements regarding legal status would not be followed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Gruters, Simpson has had a mostly frosty relationship with DeSantis since he's been in statewide office, though it was more collaborative when he was Florida Senate president. Both House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton, who denounced the governor's posts on social media, called his statement "outrageous" and said it "maligns the hard working farmers who work day and night to keep food on grocery stores shelves across Florida." Simpson responded to the governor's office on social media on Monday night when DeSantis press secretary Jeremy Redfern accused the agriculture department's law enforcement of inaction during what he called "Biden's Border Crisis." "You can insult and spread lies about me all day long, I can take it," Simpson said. "But do not insult the officers at Ag Law. They serve honorably and have not been on the sidelines in this fight." You can insult and spread lies about me all day long, I can take it. But do not insult the officers at Ag Law. They serve honorably and have not been on the sidelines in this fight. Wilton Simpson (@WiltonSimpson) January 28, 2025 What is in the Florida Legislature's immigration bill? The bill, "Tackling & Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy," or TRUMP Act, is Florida legislative leaders' way of delivering on Trump's promises regarding illegal immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In committee, Democrats in both the House and Senate tried to remove a measure that would repeal in-state tuition for immigrant students at public universities who entered the country illegally. But their amendments failed, with Republicans in the supermajority holding the line. Were taking the benefits away. Were not saying you cant go to school. Were just saying youre not going to get in-state tuition, said state Rep. Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, the House bills sponsor. The bill also includes increasing penalties for voting for noncitizens, to a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison from a third-degree felony (five years). It also adds penalties if someone helps a noncitizen vote and it increases the penalties for a crime if the person has entered the country illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Senate committee meeting, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri also a Republican said he would support the bill and that it was "good policy" for the state. The bill walked back a part of DeSantis' agenda that would have mandated law enforcement's compliance with immigration officials and create penalties, including suspension of officials, if they didn't comply. It was one of Albritton's sticking points about DeSantis' proposal. In the Senate president's speech Monday morning, he said he did not support creating criminal penalties against front-line officers. Gualtieri assured Senate Democrats that the federal government's immigration enforcement was focused "100 percent" on people who have committed a crime, are a public safety or national security threat, and on people who have been removed but have returned to the country illegally. March 6, 2007: An early morning raid by federal immigration officials at the Michael Bianco Textiles plant in New Bedford saw three hundred and sixty one illegal immigrants arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Their focus is not, which is the core and really the epitome of the immigration debate and dilemma, the mom who's been here for 15 years, who's got three kids, who works in the hospitality industry and has done nothing wrong," Gualtieri said. The bill passed with all Senate Democrats voting no. State Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, said she didn't understand why the issue needed a special session at all. "This is not the way to govern," she said. "Immigration is obviously not an easy issue, which is why it hasn't been solved in all these years. It is not something we should do without the benefit of experts, without the benefit of citizens, without the benefit of advocates." 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 Legislature pushes own immigration bill, earning DeSantis' ire The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted to delay a discussion of a series of planned water rate hikes until a Thursday Public Works and Infrastructure Committee meeting. The delay follows recent news that DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson was urging an increase to water rates to fund necessary updates to the countys water and sewage infrastructure. We have reached a critical state because many of our water pipes and mains should have been replaced long ago, Cochran-Johnson said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cochran-Johnsons comments came after a recent water main break in Brookhaven left thousands of residents and businesses without water for several days while repairs were made on a water main installed in 1941. At Tuesdays commission meeting, DeKalb Countys Chief Operating Officer Zach Williams first referred to a change of plans for the proposed increases. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A previous version of the rate increase plan had laid out an 8% per year for 10 years. Now, officials are proposing a 10% per year increase, also for 10 years. Commissioners had questions for Williams in terms of both how the plans would play out, how the increases would work and how DeKalb County residents would be able to weigh in on the increases before implementation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steps in the process include a set of at least three town hall discussions about the water upgrades, with commissioners asking for informational inserts to be included in copies of water bills for residents who could not make it to them. TRENDING STORIES: District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson asked Williams if 10 years of increases with 10% each year would be able to cover the entire cost of the improvements, repairs, and more. What is needed is very complicated. I look at our water system much like any other, like your car your home, your personal health...What we are seeking to do over the next 10 years is get our health up to a sufficient level, but we will always need to invest in water-sewer infrastructure, Williams explained to the county commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you say invest in water-sewer infrastructure, would that be maintenance or? Johnson asked. In large part, Williams confirmed. Williams said that with a 10 year, 10% increase plan and bond, it would increase the viability of the water system and protect our collective future in terms of environment and economy, but was not a one and done approach to maintaining the infrastructure. What we do not want is in 10 years from now, a body to be having conversations like this and then disinvesting for the following decades. That is what has gotten us here, Williams said. This is the fix, but there will always need to be an ongoing investment in water and sewage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also told Johnson and the rest of the commission that there would be three public meetings held on the planned rate increases. Commissioner Robert Patrick, District 1, motioned to delay a full vote for two weeks to account for discussion of the substitute, the rate increases and the bonding options, so commissioners could go over the details of the funding balance requirements and revenue needs to make the project successful. Commissioner Johnson asked what the estimate was for the bill changes, but Williams deferred an answer until the coming meeting on rate increases and the following vote. Commissioner LaDena Bolton, Super District 7, asked Williams to provide some type of percentage estimate for property owners versus businesses and grants and loans as far as where the revenue and funding for the infrastructure updates would come from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson also added to the request, asking for a further breakdown between commercial and retail payments for the funding. Commissioner Terry asked about how the DeKalb Cares discount program would be impacted, or would play into, funding needs for water infrastructure, adding that there were plans to increase the funds size to between $2 and $3 billion. Terry said he thought the commission should estimate with the annual increases to ensure calculations are accurate, even while accounting for a delayed five-month start for the May 1, 2025 beginning of the proposed rate increase plan. When asked about alternative options to the 10% per year over 10 years plan, Williams told the commissioners that the county would never not be able to invest, though the county would continue looking for alternative funding sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 10 by 10 is something that were proposing as the rate component but we will consistently look for vehicles, whether its not only loans but maybe other allocations, federal allocations, quite frankly, that may be of assistance, Williams said. I wouldnt say in lieu of, Id say in addition to. As far as postponing the broader discussion, commissioners voted unanimously to delay it until Thursdays meeting. The meeting as discussed is expected to be hosted on Thursday, Jan. 30 at the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee. A vote afterward is expected on Feb. 4, according to county officials. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] DELANO, Calif. (KGET) The Delano Police Department is growing after new officers graduated basic academy. On Jan. 24, four trainees graduated from the basic academy at the Tulare-Kings Counties Law Enforcement Training Academy and are set be sworn-in at Delano police headquarters. Officials say this is the 160th Basic Academy from the Tulare-Kings Counties Law Enforcement Training Academy. If youre interested in serving the community, DPD urges you to apply for our Police Officer Trainee position online with the department. 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 KGET 17 News. Democratic mayors in some of Americas largest cities are weighing their next moves after the GOP-led House Oversight committee launched an investigation into their jurisdictions over immigration and requested city leaders testify before Congress. Mayors in Boston and Chicago didnt say Tuesday exactly how they plan to respond to a letter from Oversight Chair Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) sent Monday night requesting information and both mayors who lead sanctuary cities said they havent decided whether to travel to Washington next month to speak before the House. Such a move suggests the mayors, both Democrats, are eyeing both legal and political options as President Donald Trump claims a sweeping mandate over immigration. Im standing with the full force of government today to demonstrate that Chicago is a welcoming city regardless of whos in the White House, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday, with the police superintendent and his management team standing beside him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to Chicago and Boston, Comer sent his letter to mayor Eric Adams in New York City and Mayor Mike Johnston in Denver. The letter from Comer is the latest effort by the White House and Republicans to target sanctuary cities, which generally resist working with the federal government on immigration arrests, since President Donald Trump took office last week. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials conducted sweeps in Chicago over the weekend, while the Department of Homeland Security coordinated with the New York Police Department Tuesday morning to conduct a targeted operation to arrest an individual connected with multiple violent crimes, Adams said in a statement, adding that the city will not hesitate to partner with federal authorities to bring violent criminals to justice just as we have done for years. In contrast to Adams, Johnson called on Trump to instead work to pass laws that will provide more border enforcement and accused the president of using his early immigration policies to stoke fear in the city. "[Trump is] not doing that because he wants to stoke fear into people so that he can ultimately behave as the supreme existence, which is quite dangerous because you have a leader that believes they are supreme and above the law, Johnson said. There's some real messy history that demonstrates how damning that could be for the people of the planet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu told reporters Tuesday that the city is still reviewing the letter. She added that, We follow the laws fully here in Boston. And at the city level, that means standing by our own municipal laws. We're all experiencing a lot of the same sense of chaos and destabilization right now, whether it is the threat of federal funds that are legally obligated being pulled away, or the sense of fear that's being created in the communities, she told reporters. At the local level, we're focused on getting our job done every day. Our job is the one that people rely on to get their kids to school, to get around the city. In his first week in office, Trump signed multiple executive orders aimed at cracking down on immigration, including ending birthright citizenship by reinterpreting the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which grants citizenship to all people born on U.S. soil. Democratic Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan announced Tuesday that he will not seek reelection in 2026, leaving Congress at the end of his second term and opening up a highly competitive battleground Senate seat. Peters announced the decision in an interview with the Detroit News, saying, I always thought there would be a time that I would step aside and pass the reins for the next generation. I also never saw service in Congress as something you do your whole life. Peters unexpected exit adds pressure to Democrats, who are already facing a challenging 2026 Senate map. The party is defending competitive seats in Georgia and New Hampshire, with limited opportunities to cut into Republicans new Senate majority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A repeat of the 2024 Senate race in Michigan which ranked among the most expensive of the cycle, drawing tens of millions of dollars in ad spending could strain campaign budgets and challenge Democrats efforts to recapture the majority. Peters exit also coincides with the end of his time chairing the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, a position he had held for two cycles. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, who was tapped to lead the DSCC for the 2026 cycle, will be tasked with trying to keeping her predecessors seat in Democratic hands. In the wake of Peters surprise announcement, several other prominent Michiganders will be weighing their next moves. Michigan is also host to an open gubernatorial race in 2026, creating crosscurrents with the Senate race that could have national implications. The states outgoing governor, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer, is term-limited, and eyed as a top potential contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked on ABCs The View on Tuesday whether shed consider running for Senate, Whitmer said, So, to the first question, three letters, NFW I am not going anywhere. Ive got two more years on my term. Ive got a lot of things I want to get done as governor. What comes after that, I dont know yet. I really dont. And a spokesperson for the governors political committee said shes not running for the seat. Governor Whitmer is grateful for Senator Peters service. She is proudly serving the people of Michigan as governor and is not running for this seat in the senate, the Fight Like Hell spokesperson told CNN in a statement. Meanwhile, former Biden administration Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been laying the groundwork for a potential run to succeed Whitmer, having relocated his family to his husbands hometown of Traverse City, and changed his official residency to Michigan in 2022. Buttigieg, who elevated his national profile with an unsuccessful 2020 presidential bid, has also kept his name in the mix for the 2028 Democratic nomination. With an open Michigan Senate seat, however, he could redirect his efforts and avoid a messy primary fight with the Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who entered the gubernatorial race last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pete is exploring all of his options on how he can be helpful and continue to serve. Hes honored to be mentioned for this and hes taking a serious look, Chris Meagher, a Buttigieg spokesperson, told CNN. Several other prominent Michigan Democrats could also run in a competitive Senate primary, including Attorney General Dana Nessel, Rep. Rashida Tlaib and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow. Im taking a very close look at both the Senate seat as well as the Governors race and plan to have a number of conversations in the coming days about where I can do the most good for Michiganders, McMorrow said in a statement to CNN. Rep. Hillary Scholten, a two-term Democrat, left the door opening to running in a statement on X. There are many conversations to come, but one thing is clear we must have a strong leader fight for and win this seat, she wrote. We know that Trump won Michigan, but candidates like myself won in tough places as well. Weve done it before and we can do it again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A source familiar with Democratic Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrists thinking told CNN he is seriously considering the Senate race, though he is still looking at the governors race as well. Republicans also will be eagerly eyeing Peters seat after their close loss in the states 2024 Senate race. Freshman Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin narrowly defeated GOP nominee Mike Rogers to hold the seat for Democrats following longtime Sen. Debbie Stabenows retirement. Rogers, a former congressman, could be tempted to run again, having lost to Slotkin by fewer than 20,000 votes out of more than 5 million cast in 2024. Rep. Bill Huizenga is among the Republicans weighing a run, according to a person familiar with the matter. The veteran congressman, who has served in the House since 2011, had been discussing a potential run with Senate GOP campaign officials even before Peters announced his decision to retire, the person added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Rep. John James, who was the partys unsuccessful nominee for Senate in 2018 and 2020, is another contender to watch. As with Democrats, the states 2026 gubernatorial contest represents a competing draw for the GOP bench in Michigan, and already, the Republican minority leader in the state Senate, Aric Nesbitt, has launched his bid for governor. But several other Republicans who have expressed interest in the governors race could also contend for the Senate seat, including 2022 Republican gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon. CNNs Edward-Isaac Dovere, Manu Raju and Arit John contributed to this report. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Democratic Sen. Gary Peters announced Tuesday that he wont run for re-election in Michigan in 2026, creating a pivotal open-seat election next year in one of the most tightly divided swing states in the United States. Peters made the announcement in an interview with The Detroit News, in which he said he wouldnt resign but wont seek re-election because he never saw service in Congress as something you do your whole life. I always thought there would be a time that I would step aside and pass the reins for the next generation, he told the paper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think this is pretty normal for everybody to say, Ive done a job, and Im proud of the job I did, but there are other things I want to do in my life. There are other ways that I can give back to the community. Peters also released a video and press release announcing his decision. Peters' decision will have implications for the fight for control of the Senate in two years and, potentially, for Michigan's closely watched race for governor. Republicans currently hold 53 seats in the Senate, plus the tie-breaking vice presidency. Peters' retirement in a state Donald Trump has twice won narrowly (and lost once) could add another degree of difficulty to his party's efforts to win the majority. Peters has repeatedly faced tough election fights in the competitive state. So while his race would have likely been competitive if he decided to run again, the open race only raises the likelihood of a competitive Senate election in Michigan next year, when it could be one of the top battlegrounds on the Senate map. A big field of potential candidates for Senate and governor Its unclear who might run to replace Peters from either party. To the extent people in Michigan were looking forward to 2026 elections already, much of the attention in the state has been focused right now on the wide-open race for governor, since two-term Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitmer said in a statement issued by a spokesperson for her political group, Fight Like Hell, that she wouldn't seek Peters' seat. "Governor Whitmer is grateful for Senator Peters service," the spokesperson said. "She is proudly serving the people of Michigan as governor and is not running for this seat in the Senate." Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is the only major Democrat in the race for governor right now, while Michigan state Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt is the only major GOP candidate in the race. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a former Democrat, left the party and is mounting an independent bid. But many potential candidates on both sides of the aisle were expected to consider running for governor. Its possible the opening could sway some of those politicians to decide to mount a Senate bid instead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Democratic side, possible gubernatorial contenders include Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist; former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who moved to the state a few years ago (his husband grew up in Michigan); and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, a member of the Democratic leadership in the Senate whose influence has grown in the state after she delivered a buzzy floor speech pushing back against Republicans who claimed her party wanted to indoctrinate children. And the Republican side could get crowded too there are a number of current or former GOP members of Congress who could be strong candidates if they decide to run, and candidates for governor in 2022 who may want to try to run again. Now that the Senate race is open, it could serve as another release valve for pent-up political ambition among Michigan Democrats and Republicans. GOP Rep. John James, for example, ran in two of the last three Senate elections, though its unclear whether hed want to run again this year. A Republican Senate strategist keeping tabs on the race told NBC News they're keeping an eye specifically on James, as well as former Rep. Mike Rogers (who ran in 2024) and current Rep. Bill Huizenga. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Rep. Lisa McClain, the House Republican Conference Chair, told reporters that she wouldn't run for the Senate and that she is "happy here" in the House. Tudor Dixon, a political commentator who lost to Whitmer in the 2022 governor's race, acknowledged Tuesday that she is considering entering the GOP Senate primary. "I appreciate the outpouring of support and am considering our future very seriously," Dixon said on X. A source familiar with Buttigieg's thinking confirmed that he is "exploring all options on how he can be helpful and continue to serve." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Hes honored to be mentioned for this, and hes taking a serious look," the source added. A source close to Gilchrist made it clear that he's considering a Senate bid too, amid the open gubernatorial race. "This is a pivotal time for Michigan and the country, and while hes working with Governor Whitmer to make progress for Michigan hes seriously considering running for this open Senate seat," the source said. McMorrow told NBC News that she is looking at both the gubernatorial and the Senate races and plans to "have a number of conversations in the coming days about where I can do the most good for Michiganders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich., who won her second term last fall in a Grand Rapids-area district, also is looking at the Senate race, a source close to her said. As for Gilchrist, if he chooses to run for the Senate instead of governor next year, the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association is prepared to spend seven figures in the primary on his behalf, said the groups executive director, Kevin Holst. Dennis Lennox, a GOP consultant with extensive Michigan experience, noted that Sen. Elissa Slotkin enjoyed a relatively clear Democratic primary field in her successful bid to succeed Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who retired. Democrats in Michigan are institutionally stronger, and clearing the field will help their eventual nominee, said Lennox, who mentioned Buttigieg as a strong candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lennox went on to mention James as a potential candidate for either post and wondered whether Huizenga or Rep. John Moolenaar would want to give up their House seats if James doesnt run for the Senate. There isnt much of a Republican bench, although Michigan is one of those states where theres perennially an outside business kind of candidate who self-funds, he said, mentioning former RNC and Michigan GOP Chair Ronna McDaniel as a wild card possibility. Peters' rise in politics Peters told The Detroit News he wouldn't run for another public office in 2026 and is focused on finishing his Senate term. A former state senator, Naval Reserve officer and head of the state's lottery, Peters arrived in Washington in 2009 after defeating a GOP incumbent in an Oakland County-area House race. He won a tough re-election in 2010 amid the Republican wave that year before winning a difficult Democratic primary after redistricting threw him into a district with another incumbent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then won a campaign to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Carl Levin in 2014, earning a second term in a hard-fought race against James in 2020. Peters holds pivotal committee posts in the Senate, on the Appropriations, Armed Services and Commerce, Science and Transportation committees. And he served two stints leading the Senate Democrats' campaign arm, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Under his leadership in 2022, Democrats expanded their majority in an election cycle many had expected would be difficult for his party. Two years later, Democrats lost control of the Senate. Besides losing seats in deep-red West Virginia in 2024, Montana and Ohio, Democratic Sen. Bob Casey also lost in Pennsylvania, but Democrats kept Senate seats in other battlegrounds Trump won, including Michigan. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Democrats are sounding extreme alarm over a recent memo issued by the Trump administration directing federal agencies to temporarily pause disbursement of loans, grants and other financial assistance. In a memo late on Monday, Matthew Vaeth, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), said agencies must halt all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance to the extent admissible by applicable law, while ordering a review of programs to determine best uses of the funding consistent with Trumps priorities. But top Democrats are already raising questions over the legality of the move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement late on Monday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) accused the Trump administration of blatantly disobeying the law by holding up virtually all vital funds that support programs in every community across the country. Congress approved these investments and they are not optional; they are the law. These grants help people in red states and blue states, support families, help parents raise kids, and lead to stronger communities. He said the move could jeopardize billions upon billions of community grants and financial support that help millions of people across the country. It will mean missed payrolls and rent payments and everything in between: chaos for everything from universities to non-profit charities, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vaeth said in the memo the temporary pause will become effective on Tuesday at 5 p.m. EST. But theres uncertainty over how the two-page order, which uses broad and overtly political language, will be carried out. The directive requires agencies to identify and review all federal financial assistance programs and supporting activities consistent with the presidents policies and requirements, while particularly targeting resources going toward Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies. The OMB also said it may grant exceptions allowing agencies to issue new awards or take other actions on a case-by-case basis. To the extent required by law, federal agencies may continue taking certain administrative actions, such as closeout of Federal awards (2 CFR 200.344), or recording obligations expressly required by law, it added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic spending chiefs raised alarm over the move in a letter to Vaeth, calling the scope of the agencys actions breathtaking and unprecedented, while warning of devastating consequences across the country. As leaders of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, we write with extreme alarm about the Administrations efforts to undermine Congresss power of the purse, threaten our national security, and deny resources for states, localities, American families, and businesses, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) wrote in the letter. This administrations actions will have far-reaching consequences for nearly all federal programs and activities, putting the financial security of our families, our national security, and the success of our country at risk. The outcry comes as Trump is already facing accusations of violating impoundment law from Democrats over an executive order pausing the disbursement of funds approved in two of former President Bidens signature laws. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 coalition of Democratic state attorneys general announced legal action against the White House budget office Tuesday over its directive to freeze federal assistance while reviewing whether government spending aligns with President Trumps agenda. New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) said on a press call that the policy is reckless, dangerous, illegal and unconstitutional. The president does not get to decide which laws to enforce and for whom, James said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Led by Jamess office, Washington, D.C., and 21 other Democratic state attorneys general joined the lawsuit, which was filed later in the day in Rhode Islands federal district court. James said the states will seek a court order to immediately stop the enforcement of the policy. It is already temporarily on hold, however, after a separate group of private plaintiffs sued. Late Monday, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo directing federal agencies to temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance. Matthew Vaeth, OMBs acting director, said in the memo that the temporary pause will provide Trumps administration with time to determine the best uses of the funding for agency programs that are consistent with the law and Trumps priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pause was set to go into effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to the memo, which was reviewed by The Hill. OMB may grant exceptions for certain awards on a case-by-case basis, the memo states. Were not talking about nibbling at the edges of the Presidents authority; were talking about ignoring the entirety of the United States Constitution, throwing duly enacted statutes out the window simply because the president of this country doesnt like it, said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha. Thats not permissible under our legal system. Presidents have powers, but they are not unlimited. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during Tuesdays press briefing that the memo will not impact Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, welfare and other assistance to individuals. She defended the freeze and said Trumps executive orders aimed at overhauling the federal workforce last week served as notice. But James said that, despite attempts to clarify the scope and meaning of the memo, some states have already reported frozen funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Democratic lawmakers took to social media Tuesday to raise alarm about the policy. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said on the social platform X that his staff confirmed reports that Medicaid portals are down in all 50 states following the directive, while Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said his office received notice from a domestic violence shelter that it might have to close its doors if the order goes into effect. James also said at least 20 states were frozen out of their Medicaid reimbursement systems. California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) said his state believes Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding for the wildfires that have ravaged the Los Angeles area could be at risk. The attorneys general agreed Tuesday that the order violates the separation of powers between Congress which holds the power of the purse and the executive branch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OMB is jumping so far out of their swim lane that, frankly, they are out of the pool, Bonta said. Trumps aid freeze is temporarily on hold after a group of nonprofits separately filed a lawsuit. A federal judge agreed to issue a brief administrative stay preserving disbursements through Monday, when she will hold another hearing. OMBs Memo violates the Administrative Procedure Act because it is in excess of OMBs statutory authority, is arbitrary and capricious, and violates the First Amendment, Jessica Anne Morton, a lawyer with watchdog Democracy Forward who represents the nonprofits, wrote in court filings. Plaintiffs will suffer imminent injury should it be permitted to take effect. Updated at 6:12 p.m. EST 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. Senate Democrats are demanding Republicans postpone a vote scheduled for Thursday on Russell Vought, President Trumps nominee to head the Office of Management and Budget, after the budget office on Monday issued a broadly worded memo freezing large swaths of federal assistance. They called the memo a major infringement on congressional funding authority and demanded their Senate Republican colleagues hold Vought in committee until the Trump administration backs off on its attempt to freeze federal assistance. Trumps actions would wreak havoc in red and blue communities everywhere. This is funding that communities are expecting, and this memo is creating chaos and confusion, said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am urging the Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a fellow appropriator, to hold Russ Voughts nomination thats supposed to occur this Thursday, Murray declared. Republicans should not advance that nomination out of committee until the Trump administration follows the law. That demand was backed by Sen. Jeff Merkley (Ore.), the top-ranking Democrat on the Budget Committee. We have a constitutional crisis, Merkley declared, arguing the president is not a king and a law is not a suggestion. He said Democrats on the Budget Committee are going to call upon the postponement, the two-week postponement of Mr. Voughts confirmation in committee, vote in committee, until we answer these questions and resolve this constitutional crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Graham told The Hill the Budget panel will proceed with Mr. Voughts nomination as scheduled. The committee is scheduled to vote on him Thursday. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the memo from the White House budget office had plunged the country into chaos, warning that freezing federal assistance would reverberate across a range of federal programs. The Trump administration announced a halt to virtually all federal funds across the country. In an instant, Donald Trump has shut off billions, perhaps trillions of dollars that directly support states, cities, towns, schools, hospitals, small businesses and most of all American families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schumer said New York State Attorney General Letitia James (D) would lead a lawsuit to be filed in the Southern District of New York to challenge Trumps order. Just like the Jan. 6 pardons, this decision is lawless, dangerous, destructive, cruel. Its illegal, unconstitutional. I spoke to my attorney general this morning, shes head of the state attorneys general association. Theyre going to court right away on this horror, 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. Denmark said on Monday it would spend 14.6 billion Danish kroner ($2.05 billion) boosting its military capabilities in the Arctic a decision that comes amid continuing furor following US President Donald Trumps renewed interest in controlling Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. The agreement aims to improve capabilities for surveillance and maintaining sovereignty in the region, according to a statement from Denmarks Ministry of Defense. At the same time, support to Allies and NATOs efforts in the Arctic and North Atlantic is essential to strengthening overall security and defense, the statement added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the investment package, Denmark will fund three new Arctic naval vessels, two long-range drones with the ability to conduct surveillance over large areas and increased admission to Arctic basic military training. We must face the fact that there are serious challenges regarding security and defense in the Arctic and North Atlantic, Troels Lund Poulsen, Denmarks minister of defense, said. For this reason, we must strengthen our presence in the region. That is the objective of this agreement, which paves the way for further initiatives already this year. Vivian Motzfeldt, Denmarks minister of statehood and foreign affairs, added that Greenland is facing a changing security landscape. The announcement comes after the European Union said it was not negotiating on the sovereignty of Greenland Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if the EU should negotiate the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Denmark, EUs foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said: No, we are not negotiating on Greenland. Of course, we are supporting our member state Denmark and its autonomous region, Greenland. US shifts to a more transactional approach Trump, who took office on January 20, has previously described US control of Greenland as an absolute necessity. Both Greenland and Denmark have said previously that the island is not for sale. The question to Kallas on Monday came after she told a press conference that Europe needed to close ranks as the United States shifts to a more transactional approach in its foreign relations. She told the same conference that the US was an important ally and that America and Europe were very much interlinked, but added that its not like somebody is telling us what to do and we are following and warned against further speculation over Greenland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We shouldnt also go into speculation about the what ifs, because this is not the situation right now, she said. Greenland has long been seen as key to US national security interests, particularly to repel a possible Russian attack. But during Trumps first term, national security officials were particularly concerned about Chinas activities in the Arctic, which at that point were a relatively new threat, a former senior Trump adviser told CNN. Still, US and Danish officials have said they dont understand the incoming presidents obsession with acquiring Greenland, which Trump has called an absolute necessity, particularly because the US already has a decades-old defense agreement with the territory that has allowed the US to build up a significant military presence including troops and radar systems on the worlds largest island. Officials in both Greenland and Denmark have come out strongly against Trumps desire to obtain the island though multiple Danish officials have told CNN they fear the president is now more serious about the idea than when he floated it in his first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite those rebuttals, the debate over Greenlands future has been stirred up by growing speculation over its independence movement. In his New Years speech, Greenlands prime minister said the island should break free from the shackles of colonialism though the speech did not mention the United States. CNNs Natasha Bertrand, Katie Bo Lillis, and Laura Paddison contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The operating company of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is being allowed to carry out maintenance work on its pipeline in the Baltic Sea, which was damaged in 2022. The Danish Energy Agency on Tuesday granted Nord Stream 2 AG, which belongs to the Russian Gazprom group, permission to carry out such work on the pipe under certain conditions. The work involves installing special plugs at the open pipe ends to prevent further leakage of natural gas. The work, scheduled for the second or third quarter of 2025, is expected to take two to three weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the agency, the damaged pipeline A still contains a significant amount of natural gas, while pipeline B is intact and filled. Several explosions in September 2022 damaged the two pipes of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline and one of the two pipes of Nord Stream 2. Russian natural gas had previously flowed to Germany through Nord Stream 1. Gas was also to be delivered to Germany via the almost 10-billion ($10.46-billion), 1,200-kilometre-long Nord Stream 2 pipeline. However, it was never put into operation after completion because gas imports from Russia were suspended in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Denmark is set to increase military spending in its Arctic semiautonomous territory of Greenland by the equivalent of $2 billion, and the French foreign minister floated sending European troops to the island, following multiple aggressive statements by U.S. President Donald Trump about purchasing the territory. Greenland has grown increasingly important in recent years as the Arctic ice melts, opening up new sea routes for commercial shipping. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has said that his country discussed with Denmark sending troops to the island in response to Trumps ongoing threats. When he was asked about the notion of sending E.U. troops to Greenland, Barrot told French radio station Sud Radio that France had started discussing [troop deployment] with Denmark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that it was not Denmarks wish to go ahead with the plans, according to Politico. Trump has called for U.S. control of Greenland since his first term in office. Ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity for national security reasons, the president has said, and he has refused to rule out using military or economic force to gain control of the territory. If Denmark calls for help, France will be there, said Barrot. The European borders are sovereign whether its north, south, east and west ... nobody can allow themselves to mess around with our borders. He added that during a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, the other ministers had shared their very strong support for Denmark and were ready to consider [sending troops] if required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Barrot went on to say that he doesnt believe the U.S. would take up arms against Greenland. It wont happen, people dont invade EU territories, he said. In a statement Monday announcing the boost in spending, Greenland government member Vivian Motzfeldt said the territory is facing a changing security landscape, according to The New York Times. Copenhagen is spending more on its North Atlantic territories of Greenland and the Faroe Islands as part of an agreement struck last year amid rising tensions in the Arctic between the U.S., Russia, and China. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (left) speaks to reporters. Her country is set to raise its military spending in the Arctic - while U.S. President Donald Trump talks about acquiring Greenland (Getty Images) But the announcement of the growth in spending was likely pushed forward amid increased strains in the relationship between Copenhagen and Washington over control of Greenland, Niels Thulesen Dahl, a political analyst at Jyllands-Posten, a Danish daily, said, according to The Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governments of Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands will buy three Arctic naval vessels to patrol its waters according to the agreement. In addition, they will also obtain two long-range drones and satellites for increased surveillance in the area, the official statement said. The Danish government added that the new increased budget will also include funding for training young people in Greenland to acquire important skills allowing them to take responsibility for preparedness. We must face the fact that there are serious challenges regarding security and defense in the Arctic and North Atlantic, Danish defense minister Troels Lund Poulsen said in the statement. Just a day after the announcement was made, Danish Prime Minister Metter Frederiksen met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the NATO secretary general, former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The meetings with Western allies come after she spoke on the phone with Trump last week, with European officials describing the call as momentarily aggressive and antagonistic. Frederiksen went to Berlin and Paris on Tuesday morning in an attempt to get support from allies in dealing with Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agreement has become slightly larger than it would otherwise have been, Dahl added, according to The Times. He said that the announcement revealed that Greenland and Denmark have shared interests, rejecting the notion that the Greenlandic people would welcome American control of the territory. Much of the current discussion and tension feeds into a narrative that Denmark and Greenland have no shared interests and that Greenlanders simply want to move as quickly as possible away from Denmark and into the arms of the Americans, Dahl added, noting that this is an inaccurate impression. Trump has called for U.S. control of Greenland since his first term in office (Getty Images) While Trump has repeatedly said the U.S. would like to buy Greenland, both the Danes and the local authorities in the Greenland capital of Nuuk have said that the territory is not for sale. Denmark ruled over it for more than 200 years and retains some control over its defense and foreign policy. Earlier this month, before he was sworn in for his second term, Trump claimed, People dont 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea of buying Greenland initially came to Trump from cosmetics billionaire Ronald Lauder, according to the 2022 book The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 by Peter Baker of The New York Times and Susan Glasser of The New Yorker. Trump and Lauder have known each other since their college days. The notion was subject to months of internal study and debate, much to the bemusement of cabinet secretaries and aides to the president. A friend of mine, a really, really experienced businessman, thinks we can get Greenland, Trump told his National Security adviser, according to the book. What do you think? Denmark this week announced a $2 billion security package for Greenland, making another large commitment to the defense of the Arctic nation as President Trump repeatedly calls to acquire the island. The Ministry of Defense said in a Monday release that three new Arctic ships and more long-range drones are included in the first part of an agreement it has with the territories of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, both of which Denmark is responsible for on security matters. A second part of the deal will be concluded in the first half of this year, according to the officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danish Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen said they are facing serious security policy challenges in the region. The Danish Defence Intelligence Service assesses that the threat level in the Arctic and the North Atlantic has worsened, Poulsen said in a statement. We must therefore significantly strengthen the Danish Defences presence in the regions. Mondays agreement includes improvements for satellite capacity and ground-based sensors and spurs education in Greenland for young people to learn more about security issues. Denmark also announced a $1.5 billion package for Greenland in December, shortly after Trump first made his comments about acquiring the Arctic island, though Copenhagen insisted the funds had already been planned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has continued to assert that Greenland is vital for national defense and that Denmark could come around to selling it. And earlier this month he did not rule out seizing the worlds largest island with military force. Greenland is considered a strategic country in the Arctic, which is becoming more contested as climate change melts ice and opens up new sea paths. The island also has rare earth minerals. But both Denmark and Greenland have contended that the country is not for sale, and even Republicans have questioned Trumps call to acquire the territory. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.) issued a joint statement on Monday with Danish member of Parliament Aaja Chemnitz that said the future will be defined by partnership, not ownership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To ensure our alliance reaches its full potential, Americans must view Greenland as an ally, not an asset, they wrote. Open for business, but not for sale. Vivian Motzfeldt, Greenlands minister of independence and foreign affairs, said in a statement the country looks forward to working with the Danish government on security. Greenland is entering a time of changing threat landscape, Motzfeldt said. I am pleased that with this partial agreement we have taken the first step towards strengthening security in and around 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. The Danish Energy Agency has granted permission to Nord Stream 2 AG, Gazprom's Swiss subsidiary, to carry out preservation work on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea, which was damaged by a series of explosions in 2022. Source: European Pravda with reference to the Danish Energy Agency Details: The planned work involves installing specially manufactured plugs at each of the open pipe ends to prevent further gas blowout and injection of oxygenated seawater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The licence is conditional upon ensuring the pipeline's safe maintenance. Among other obligations, the company must submit an annual plan for the pipeline facilities, enabling the Danish Energy Agency to monitor its activities continuously. Nord Stream 2 AG intends to perform the preservation work in the second or third quarter of 2025, expecting the process to take 23 weeks. Background: The Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2, in which Russia has invested billions of euros, has not been put into operation since its completion first because of legal problems, and then because of the outbreak of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. In September 2022, one of the branches of NS2 and both branches of Nord Stream 1 were damaged by explosions, and the investigation is still ongoing. In 2024, Nord Stream 2 AG lost a lawsuit in the EU Court of Justice over a directive that extends the rules of the internal natural gas market to gas pipelines from third countries. On 27 January 2025, Polish President Andrzej Duda stated that gas flows from Russia to Western Europe should never be restored, even if Russia and Ukraine reach a peace agreement. Support UP or become our patron! DENVER (KDVR) Congressional leaders are calling upon Denvers mayor to testify at an oversight hearing for the citys alleged refusal to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement and U.S. immigration law. The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform announced Monday it is investigating sanctuary jurisdictions in America and the jurisdictions impact on public safety and the effectiveness of federal efforts to enforce the immigration laws of the United States, according to a letter from the committee sent to Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. The committee is also calling upon mayors of NYC, Chicago and Boston to testify on the same matter. Denver mayor says city will work with ICE under certain circumstances Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanctuary cities are jurisdictions that have announced limits on how much they will cooperate with federal agencies efforts to deport undocumented immigrants. Some cities take it one step further and solidify the designation through an ordinance, but Denver has not. These jurisdictions take it upon themselves to decide what laws they will and will not abide by all for the purpose of shielding removable aliens, especially criminals, from federal law enforcement, the letter sent to Johnston states. 2019 law cited as making Denver a sanctuary city The Oversight Committees letter said Denver is considered a sanctuary city under Colorado law, referencing a 2019 measure signed into law called Protect Colorado Residents From Federal Government Overreach, and because Johnston confirmed that he was prepared to go to jail to protect illegal aliens from federal immigration authorities. Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, announced the investigation on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On his first day in office, President Donald Trump took decisive actions to restore the rule of law. It is now imperative that our immigration laws are enforced across the country and that criminal aliens are swiftly removed from our communities, Comer wrote. Last week, Johnston said in a statement that, among other things, Denver will cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in cases of violent criminals. The city will also notify ICE of a pending release if the federal agency requests that notification. However, Johnston said Denver will not aid ICE agents in a mass deportation sting that drives terror into the hearts of Colorado immigrants regardless of their legal status. He said because of this, Denver police officers will not detain people for ICE, and will not support non-criminal immigration enforcement actions. Denver Mayors office responds to Congress Johnstons office issued a statement about the request for his testimony to FOX31 on Monday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor, lawmakers welcome DEA raid with 41 detained by ICE in Adams County The most helpful thing Congressional Republicans could do right now is fix our broken immigration system. While they work on that, we will focus on running the cities that manage the consequences of their failure to act, the Mayors Office said. Johnston told FOX31 earlier this month that local officers cannot honor ICE immigration detainers. The whole state is bound by our state law in this, which is pretty consistent in some of these practices like everywhere in the state, we dont honor ICE detainers, Johnston told FOX31s Kasia Kerridge. If ICE calls and says, Will you hold someone for three more days? That doesnt happen in Douglas County or Yuma or in Denver. A lot of these practices are similar statewide, but we think ours finds a common-sense balance of making sure were not having our local police doing federal law enforcement, thats not our job, were not going to do ICEs job for them. But, if they call for information on folks we have in custody, well let them know when were releasing them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Republican representing Colorados 4th District, is the lone Colorado representative member of the committee. Her office provided a statement about the investigation on Monday. The days of sanctuary states like Colorado and sanctuary cities like Denver are quickly coming to an end under President Trump. Mayors who boast and fantasize about resisting immigration enforcement will now have to answer for the harm their terrible policies inflict upon our communities, a spokesperson for Boeberts office said to FOX31. The hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. ET. The mayors must confirm their testimony by Feb. 4. Oversight Committee seeks documents, communications The U.S. House Oversight Committee also told all four sanctuary cities that have mayors called to testify that it is seeking a range of documents and communications sent between Jan. 1, 2024, and Jan. 27, 2025, that are to be provided no later than Feb. 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee requested conversations and documents sent between any official, employee, contractor or agent of Denver to the state, other city employees, non-governmental organizations and the federal government related to the citys sanctuary status. Comer wrote in the Oversight Committees letter that Trump took decisive action on immigration enforcement beginning within hours after his inauguration. Judge dismisses lawsuit arguing Colorado immigration laws violate state, federal rules One action included a directive to the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to . . . 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.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comer said in addition to Trumps efforts to ensure federal immigration enforcement, Congress must determine whether further legislation is necessary to enhance border security and public safety. It is imperative that federal immigration law is enforced and that criminal aliens are swiftly removed from our communities, the letter states. Denvers immigration woes began over 2 years ago December marked two years since then-Denver Mayor Michael Hancock declared a state of emergency due to hundreds of immigrants entering the city in a single week. In September, the city consolidated its cold-weather shelter plan with migrant services. Denver officials noted at the time that there were nearly 43,000 people who arrived in the city in the past two years, some being bussed into the city from Texas. In early 2024, the city had over 5,000 immigrants sheltered at one time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city attributed the drop in immigrants arriving in Denver to an executive order by former President Joe Biden to strengthen the southern borders protections as well as Denvers move toward long-term sustainability. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CBS News has learned that the Denver metro area is among the next targets for the stepped-up immigration arrest operations that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been conducting under the Trump administration. Since President Donald Trump took office, ICE operations have picked up across the country. The agency said it arrested nearly 1,200 people on Monday alone, up from previous days and from the Biden administration, which averaged 312 arrests per day last year. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement / Credit: Getty Images Large ICE operations have been conducted in New York City and Chicago. Now the agency is expected to do the same in the Denver metro area, including Aurora, which the president frequently cited on the campaign trail when vowing to crack down on illegal immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump promised to enact what he calls "Operation Aurora" in an October 2024 campaign rally at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in Aurora. Aurora made national news in August 2024 when a video that went viral showed men carrying weapons and allegedly terrorizing residents at The Edge at Lowry apartments. The word that the criminal Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, had taken over apartment buildings made Aurora ground zero for the national debate over border security. AURORA, COLORADO - OCTOBER 11: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a rally at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center on October 11, 2024 in Aurora, Colorado. Trump is campaigning in key states ahead of the November 5 presidential election. / Credit: Michael Ciaglo / Getty Images The apartment complex located at 12th Avenue and Dallas Street will close after a municipal judge in Colorado granted an emergency order earlier this month. The property has been deemed a criminal nuisance due to persistent violent incidents. The emergency order states the complex is an "immediate threat to public safety." Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain says mismanagement has driven many of the issues plaguing the property at 12th and Dallas. / Credit: CBS Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain previously said mismanagement has driven many of the issues plaguing the property, which include TdA gang activity and violent behavior. Last month, more than a dozen suspects were detained in connection with an armed home invasion involving a stabbing and kidnapping at The Edge at Lowry apartments. Investigators with ICE told CBS News Colorado that all but three of the suspects detained are suspected members or associates of the TdA gang and all are Venezuelan nationals in the U.S. without authorization. Fourteen suspects were detained by Aurora police after officers responded to a report of a home invasion with weapons. / Credit: CBS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE confirmed that the suspects "will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings or hearings before an immigration judge" and that all of those detained are Venezuelan nationals in the U.S. without authorization. Trump's statement on New Jersey drones issued at White House press briefing AI stocks plunge as China's DeepSeek sends shock wave through Wall Street U.S. troops head to southern border as deportations continue The first plane carrying Colombian migrants deported from the United States has landed in the South American country after the settlement of a dispute between the nations over US deportation policy. "They are Colombians, they are free and dignified, and they are in their home country, where they are loved," Colombia's President Gustavo Petro announced on social media platform X on Tuesday. "The migrant is not a criminal, he is a person who wants to work and get ahead, who wants to live," the president wrote. The Colombians arrived in the capital Bogota on a Colombian Air Force plane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Petro had initially prevented two US military aircraft carrying deported Colombians from landing. He justified his decision by saying that migrants were not criminals and should be treated with dignity. US President Donald Trump reacted promptly and announced tariffs of 25% on goods from Colombia and entry restrictions for Colombians. Petro flexed his muscles and also announced tariffs but then backed down. Just a few hours later, the White House issued a statement saying that Petro had agreed to all of Trump's conditions. On the basis of this agreement, the tariffs would not be imposed, the White House said. With the landing of the plane in Colombia, the visa sanctions imposed by the US State Department and the increased customs and border protection checks on all Colombian goods and nationals would cease to apply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petro's decision to reject the flights on Sunday was met with criticism in his own country. Local media reported that a think tank had called on the president to pursue a responsible and pragmatic foreign policy. BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) Colombian migrants returning home Tuesday on Colombian military flights described being shackled during earlier U.S. flights that were blocked by their countrys leader in a dispute with President Donald Trump that nearly sparked a trade war. Deportation flights between the U.S. and Colombia resumed Tuesday after the diplomatic drama over the weekend that provided clues as to how the Trump administration would deal with countries blocking large-scale plans to return migrants who entered illegally. Colombias President Gustavo Petro initially refused to accept two U.S. military planes with migrants, prompting Trump to threaten 25% tariffs on Colombian exports and other sanctions. Colombia then relented and said it would accept the migrants, but fly them on Colombian military flights that Petro said would guarantee them dignity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colombian migrants back in a country that loves them Two Colombian air force planes landed Tuesday in Bogota with more than 200 of the migrants, many of them women and children. Petro welcomed them with a post on X, saying they are now free and in a country that loves them. Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo said none of the 200 Colombians who were returned on Tuesday had criminal records in the U.S. or Colombia. Migrants are not criminals, Petro wrote. They are human beings who want to work and get ahead in life. One of the migrants, Jose Montana of Medellin, said they were put in chains on the earlier U.S. flights. We were shackled from our feet, our ankles to our hips, like criminals, Montana said. There were women whose kids had to see their moms shackled like they were drug traffickers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the migrants told journalists they had been in the United States for less than two weeks, spending most of their time in detention centers. We went for the American dream, and we ended up living the American nightmare said Carlos Gomez, a migrant from the city of Barranquilla who left Colombia two weeks ago, flew to Mexico, and crossed the border illegally into California, with the help of smugglers. Migrants restrained for security reasons, Trump says On Monday evening, Trump recounted the conflict with Petro and maintained that migrants should be restrained when flying back home, arguing it is for security reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were being scolded because we had them in shackles in an airplane and he said this is no way to treat people, he said at a policy conference for House Republicans held at his Doral golf club in Florida. Youve got to understand, these are murderers, drug lords, gang members, just the toughest people youve ever met or seen." Colombian officials have challenged that claim and said the migrants deported did not have criminal records. The Trump administration has said that it would prioritize the expulsion of migrants with criminal records in the initial phases of his promised mass deportation. But it has expanded arrest priorities to anyone in the country illegally, not just people with criminal convictions, public safety or national security threats and migrants stopped at the border. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that violent offenders should be the priority of ICE, or the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "But that doesnt mean that the other illegal criminals who enter our nations borders are off the table, Leavitt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deal reached to resume deportation flights A deal between both countries was made on Sunday night to resume the removal flights, with the White House saying in a statement that Colombia had agreed to all of President Trumps terms, including the arrival of deportees on military flights. Colombia sent two planes from its air force to El Paso, Texas and San Diego on Monday to pick up the migrants whose deportation had been delayed over the weekend, as well as dozens of others who had deportations pending. In total, 201 migrants were transported to Bogota on Tuesday, according to Colombias Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The group included 21 minors and two pregnant women. Last year, Colombia received more than 120 deportation flights, but those were charter flights operated by U.S. government contractors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shackles and handcuffs Wolfram Diaz, a migrant from Bucaramanga, Colombia who had been in the U.S. for less than two weeks, said U.S. officials had them board a C-130 Hercules shackled. It was on its way to Colombia, but I am not sure what happened. We were turned back, he said, adding that they were kept with handcuffs up until the moment they were transferred to the custody of Colombian officials. Gomez, the migrant who left Colombia two weeks ago, said that he turned himself in to U.S. Border Patrol agents and requested an asylum hearing. But he was held for seven days in detention centers before he was deported. He made the journey with his 17-year-old son. We only want a better future for our children, Gomez said. ___ Gomez Licon reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) President Trumps promised deportations are underway, with ICE confirming nearly 1,000 arrests nationwide on Sunday alone. These arrests are hitting close to home, with two people detained by ICE agents in Sugarcreek Township, right here in the Miami Valley. Immigration crackdown started over the weekend With the uptick in ICE arrests across the country, local immigration law experts tell 2 NEWS the grounds for deportability have not changed under President Trumps executive orders, but they have increased the governments authority to carry out expedited removals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What has changed is who can be eligible to go before an immigration court, and previously it was a much shorter amount of time, said Erika Curran, immigration law professor at the University of Dayton School of Law. Now its extended to two years after an unlawful entry. This means that an undocumented immigrant who unlawfully entered the country less than two years ago can now be removed by ICE officials with no right to defend themselves before an immigration court. One local immigrant advocacy group says its a stressful time for the community. The fear that the community is feeling is real, said Kathleen Kersh, with Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. But we also have a lot of folks who are here with some sort of status or have pending asylum applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With a pending asylum application or temporary protected status, it remains illegal for ICE to remove these individuals. Experts say this increase in ICE activity is hurting more than just immigrant communities. One has to question whether it makes sense for the federal government to use resources to enforce and apprehend people that they cant actually deport. And if thats a good use of tax dollars, said Kersh. ICE arrests 956 Sunday as nationwide raids continue NewsNation reports the national average of ICE arrests per day is about 433 and expected to grow. Experts say its important for immigrants to have a plan and know their rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have an entire website and we have a know your rights section where folks can go and look at videos that will help them to understand some of their rights and how to act and what to do if ICE comes to your house, said Kersh. The Sugarcreek Township Police Department confirmed to 2 NEWS that ICE agents detained two individuals who were in a vehicle at a traffic stop in the area of Wilmington Pike and Clyo Road. Legal experts say it takes about a day for officials to review a detainees case and decide if they will be sent to a detention center or released with monitoring. Undocumented immigrants have a few legal defenses, like seeking asylum or claiming exceptional hardship if deported. Experts say a common misconception surrounding immigration proceedings is that individuals have the right to free counsel. In reality, they either have to pay for it themselves or find a pro bono clinic and resources in the Miami Valley are limited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here to visit ABLEs website for more on immigrant rights. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) The Stafford County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) said an intoxicated driver came into a fast food drive-thru hotter than a fresh batch of McDonalds French Fries and crashed. On Jan. 24 just before 12:30 a.m., deputies responded to the McDonalds on Wonder Road or a McFlurry of activity. Margarita fan charged with driving under the influence, Stafford County Sheriffs Office says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man had crashed his car into a menu sign in the drive-thru. (Photo courtesy of the Stafford County Sheriffs Office) (Photo courtesy of the Stafford County Sheriffs Office) (Photo courtesy of the Stafford County Sheriffs Office) (Photo courtesy of the Stafford County Sheriffs Office) SCSO said after investigating, deputies found out that 38-year-old Juan Gomez Alvarez of North Carolina was driving really fast into the drive-thru lane, causing him to crash into its menu sign. According to SCSO, Gomez Alvarez was convicted of a DUI in New York the day before. He was taken to the Rappahannock Regional Jail and was being held without bond. He was charged with DUI second offense in five years, refusal and destruction of property. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ALLENDALE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) A 21-year-old Grand Rapids man was arrested and charged with robbery a little over a week after a report of a group threatening a man and stealing his sunglasses, deputies say. A warrant was put out for the arrest of Najour Weaver, 21 of Grand Rapids. On Saturday, officers with the Wyoming Police Department found Weaver and booked him into the Ottawa County Jail. The arrest stemmed from a report of a robbery that happened just after 2 p.m. on Jan. 18. Deputies were called to an apartment complex along 48th Avenue near West Campus Drive in Allendale Township. A 19-year-old Grand Rapids man said that a group of men he didnt know threatened him with a gun, stole the sunglasses and then took off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 21-year-old Muskegon man was arrested at the scene and booked into the Ottawa County jail on charges of carrying a concealed weapon. Deputies: Report of stolen sunglasses leads to chase, fight, arrest Meanwhile, deputies chased a vehicle fleeing from the scene until it went into Kent County at high speeds, the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office said. Weaver was charged Monday on a count of unarmed robbery, deputies say. He was released on a personal recognizance bond. A Grand Rapids home was also searched Monday for evidence connected to the investigation, deputies say. The robbery is still under investigation. Anyone with information should contact Silent Observer at 877.88.SILENT (745368). 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. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The Livingston Parish Sheriffs Office is searching for a suspect in an attempted car burglary at a Denham Springs home. Deputies said the attempted burglary took place just after midnight Monday on Sherrie Lane, LPSO said. A homeowner reportedly interrupted the burglary in the driveway before the suspect fled to a waiting car nearby. The sheriffs office said two shots were fired from the waiting car. No injuries were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect vehicle, a black Ford Expedition, was found in East Baton Rouge Parish. Deputies learned that the car was reported stolen. The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information about this case is asked to submit a tip on the LPSO app or call 225-686-2241, Ext. 1. Details emerge in crash involving LSU freshman QB Colin Hurley 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. Jan. 27An Otero County Sheriff's deputy charged in the fatal shooting of a boy outside Mescalero in June waived his first appearance Monday in District Court in Alamogordo and is seeking dismissal of the case. Jacob Diaz-Austin, 28, of Las Cruces filed a motion Monday seeking dismissal of the first-degree murder charge on grounds that prosecutors filed a criminal complaint that failed to list witnesses to the shooting. Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman earlier this month charged Diaz-Austin in the June 25 death of 17-year-old Elijah Hadley in a highway median near Mescalero. Austin-Diaz was placed on paid administrative leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Austin-Diaz will remain employed by the agency unless he is convicted, said Otero County Sheriff David Black in a phone interview with the Journal Monday. Until then, his employment will not change, Black said. Hadley was holding an air-powered pellet gun when Diaz-Austin arrived at the scene and fired multiple gunshots, fatally injuring the teenager, according to a June 27 New Mexico State Police news release. Hadley, a Mescalero Apache Tribe member, was holding "what appeared to be a firearm" when the deputy fired, the news release said. "Agents later learned the object that Hadley presented at the deputy was an airsoft gun," or replica pellet gun. A CBS News report aired in November estimated that at least 320 people in the U.S. have been shot and killed by police while holding replica air and pellet guns, which often resemble real firearms. Some 12 million such guns were purchased in the U.S. in 2023, CBS reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors in the 12th Judicial District handed off the case to Bregman's office to avoid a conflict of interest, 2nd Judicial District Attorney spokeswoman Nancy Laflin said this month. Diaz-Austin waived his right to a first appearance Monday in 12th Judicial District Court before Judge John P. Sugg, court records show. His attorney, Charles McElhinney, filed a motion Monday seeking dismissal arguing that prosecutors filed a criminal information "completely devoid of identification of any witnesses" as required by state law. McElhinney did not immediately respond Monday to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Austin-Diaz responded at 10:45 p.m. June 25 to a call for a welfare check about a teenager walking in the median of U.S. Hwy. 70 west of Mescalero. Video captured by a patrol vehicle's dash camera and widely viewed on TikTok showed that the gun left Hadley's hands before the deputy fired his service weapon. The video shows that Hadley repeatedly shouted "It's just a BB gun" after he was shot and fell to the ground. Gov. Ron DeSantis (left) and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson (right). (DeSantis photo via X and Simpson photo courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture) A dispute between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican leaders of the Legislature over conflicting views of an immigration crackdown escalated Monday after the governor labeled as bizarre lawmakers proposal to strip him of immigration enforcement powers. Following Senate President Ben Albrittons and House Speaker Danny Perezs rebuke of DeSantis call for a special session Monday morning choosing to adjourn but then convene their own special session to consider their own legislation DeSantis took to social media to slam the move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor attacked the sole proposal both chambers filed for the session, partly because it puts Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and not DeSantis in charge of coordinating immigration enforcement with the federal government. The agriculture commissioner is an elected Florida Cabinet officer up for election every four years. They also bizarrely stripped immigration enforcement power from the governor and gave it to the commissioner of agriculture, DeSantis said in a video he posted on X. But agriculture has not exactly been known for immigration enforcement, so its almost like the fox guarding the henhouse. It was bizarre and I think it was more a sop to folks who want cheap labor. That is totally bad policy. That cant happen. Republican leaders flexing their power Senate President Ben Albritton fields questions from reporters during a news conference in the Florida Capitol on Dec. 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix) In response, Albritton and Perez said the governor had insulted members of the Cabinet, local law enforcement, and the agricultural community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike others, the Legislature is not interested in misleading or attacking Floridians, especially Florida law enforcement, the Republican leaders wrote in a statement. Our number one goal is to work together with President Trump. Anyone that says anything otherwise is not reading the bill, not reading the executive orders, or just not telling the truth. The bill emphasizes that Florida does not have a single head of the executive branch, but rather is governed in part by the Cabinet three independently elected officials who with the governor decide a range of policies. It adds that the Legislature has previously expanded duties of the commissioner of agriculture. DeSantis is set to appoint two Cabinet members to fill an attorney general vacancy with Ashley Moodys move to Congress, while Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is considered the frontrunner for a Panhandle congressional seat. Immigration enforcement power would be stripped from the governor under the proposed bill, DeSantis posted to X, adding, It unconstitutionally removes authority to enforce the law from the governor to a lower-level cabinet agency, the department of agriculture, that does not oversee state law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perez and Albritton replied that the unconstitutionality claim is completely untrue, and the governor knows that. Speaker Daniel Perez via Florida House Under our bill, the governor will maintain all of his emergency powers, Perez and Albritton said. The commissioner of agriculture already has broad authority to act during emergencies and does in fact have a law enforcement division of 200 sworn law enforcement officers who partner with local law enforcement to provide a statewide presence at our borders. There is absolutely nothing unconstitutional about the separation of powers and the advancement of immigration enforcement at a constitutionally created cabinet-level agency other than the governor. The Legislature is set to vote final passage on the proposal Tuesday. Two thirds of the members of each chamber would have to approve the bill to override a potential veto from DeSantis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX What is the CIMO? The proposed Chief Immigration Officer (CIMO) position would place the commissioner of agriculture as the liaison between state and federal governments to enforce immigration policy, supplying about $500 million and nearly 150 new employees. The bill would task the CIMO with the following, according to the summary: Coordinating with and providing assistance to the federal government in the enforcement of federal immigration law. Coordinating with and providing assistance to law enforcement agencies and monitoring local government compliance with federal immigration enforcement. Administering the local law enforcement immigration grant program. Coordinating random audits to ensure compliance with E-Verify. Providing recommendations to the Legislature regarding measures that may be implemented to improve cooperation and coordination with the federal government in the enforcement of federal immigration law. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson welcomed the proposal. Wilton Simpson via Florida Department of Agriculture Our dedicated law enforcement professionals are in this fight every single day, and I am honored to stand with them as a liaison between the State of Florida and the Trump Administration, Simpson said in a written statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am confident with the leadership of our state and local law enforcement and the funding the Legislature is appropriating in this bill, President Trumps home state will be a national leader in apprehending criminal illegal aliens, as well as a destination for law enforcement to train on apprehending and detaining criminal illegals through ICE. Budgeting for CIMO The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services would use $8.58 million to establish 142 new full-time jobs in its Division of Law Enforcement/Office of State Immigration Enforcement, including 50 sworn law enforcement officers, 50 non-sworn investigators, 20 regulatory specialists, 16 governmental consultants, three attorneys, one chief of general operations, and two training consultants. Lawmakers directed the agriculture commissioner to use $550,000 to hire seven full time positions within its executive office to implement the bill, too. Some $100 million would be allocated to the Local Law Enforcement Immigration Grant Program in the agencys Division of Law Enforcement/Office of State Immigration Enforcement to implement the Local Law Enforcement Immigration Grant Program. Of that, $3.75 million would be immediately released for administrative costs associated with implementing the grant program including procedures, administration, and criteria for approving grant applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill calls for $375 million to implement and support the enforcement of federal immigration policies. Christine Sexton contributed to this report. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE In a private call with a group of supporters on Monday night, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he talked to President Donald Trump and his advisors as he tries to get support for his version of a state immigration proposal over a dueling proposal put forward by Republican legislative leaders, according to an audio recording obtained by the Herald/Times. I spoke with the president today, and I told him I am working on this and we want to be helpful and he was basically, I want as strong as possible, as strong as possible, DeSantis told supporters in the call. Well, clearly, the governors proposals are much stronger than what the Legislature proposed. DeSantis said he also talked to Trumps border czar, Tom Homan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment. The governors conversations with the White House underscore the lengths to which DeSantis is going to knock down a legislative proposal that would undercut his ability to control the states immigration enforcement efforts. The proposal pushed by House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton would transfer much of the governors immigration oversight authority to Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, a Republican statewide elected official. DeSantis told supporters in the call that Homan told him: Dont give it to agriculture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perez and Albritton dubbed their proposal the Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy (TRUMP) Act and said it is designed to help carry out Trumps immigration agenda. The proposal, among other things, includes millions in funding to help local law enforcement officers get the training they need to support federal immigration agents and make it financially viable for local and state law enforcement agencies to share detention beds with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Albritton said some of DeSantis immigration proposals, such as criminally charging local police who dont cooperate, were potentially unconstitutional and had nothing to do with Trumps agenda. Sometimes leadership isnt about being out in front of an issue, Albritton told state senators on Monday morning. Its about following the leader you trust. I trust President Trump. In the call Monday night, DeSantis told supporters to call their state representatives and state senators, particularly if they are Republican, and let them know what your preference is on this. You can email them. You can call them. You know there are different ways to do this, DeSantis said. We have a chance to really make a difference, but what the Legislature proposed is not going to get us there. PEKIN, Ill. (WMBD) Pekins Police Chief said that despite a report of a possible child abduction off a school bus, it did not happen and there is no ongoing threat to the community. Chief Seth Ranney said in an email that his officers responded to a report overnight possible attempted abduction of a teenager while getting off a school bus on Monday afternoon. After a thorough investigation and complete review of several bus videos of the alleged incident, we can confirm the incident did not involve an actual abduction attempt and there is no ongoing threat to the community, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ranney said he and other officers with the Pekin Police Department said they understand how such reports could be unsettling. He again said there was no threat to public safety in this case and no criminal activity occurred. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. New details in the mauling death of a man in Kansas City from November. Chris Culbertson was rolling his bike through a neighborhood on Nov. 2, 2024, when the attack happened. Kansas City Pet Project gives monthly animal services reports to city council. In the last two years, they had three calls for service come from the neighborhood where Culbertson was attacked and killed by dogs. But they dont believe those dogs listed in the reports were responsible for his death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eric Thompson is the interim chief of animal services with KC Pet Project. He said in 2023, there were two calls for service in the same neighborhood where Culbertson was mauled by multiple dogs, leading to the 46-year-olds death. Kansas City man sentenced for 2024 shooting of KCPD officer He said two German Shepherds were loose and attacked another dog in early 2023. Then last year, dogs were reported loose in the woods. Thompson said officers dont believe those animals were the same dogs that killed Culbertson. Chris Culbertson There was no evidence that these two German Shepherds or other dogs that may have been reported loose in the area were associated with that case, Thompson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX4 asked police and KC Pet Project where are the dogs that killed Culbertson now. Thompson said that information is not available right now, citing the active investigation. Thompson did speak in general, saying any dog that is reported in an animal incident sets off an investigation. If that case is a repeat offender or a bite that is severe enough, that animal has propensity to possibly be dangerous, then we can write a letter to intent that says it is out intent to deem this dog dangerous, Thompson said. It goes before the city hearing. Thompson would not confirm if a letter was in motion regarding the dogs responsible for Culbertsons death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December, the interim CEO for KC Pet Project confirmed to FOX4 their animal services division cited a man who lived in the neighborhood where Culbertson was attacked by dogs. KC Pet Project said the violations happened in November of last year. They include possession of an unaltered pit bull type dog and failure to display a city license. Online records show he was ticketed again for the same thing just this month. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android The Jackson County Prosecutors Office told FOX4 on Monday this was the first death by dog mauling in Kansas City history and released the following statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jackson County Prosecutors Office and the Kansas City Police Department are working closely on the investigation of the tragic death that occurred on November 2, 2024, involving a fatal dog attack. It was the first death by dog mauling in Kansas City history and is a rare category of cases, with fewer than 20 such incidents occurring annually across the nation. Given the unique and complex nature of the case, police and prosecutors are committed to ensuring that all investigative leads are thoroughly vetted and all evidence is gathered. We will continue working collaboratively on a thorough investigation to support future prosecution and ensure justice is served. Due to the ongoing investigation, we are not able to share details about the case at this time. 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 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. After more than three decades, a man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a disabled woman in Everett. Its all thanks to advancements in DNA testing. On February 1, 1989, Mary Ann Daniels was found dead inside her home on Hoyt Avenue. Mary Ann was 33 and had been placed into transitional living by her caseworker. Over the weekend, Everett Police Detective Susan Logothetti, in partnership with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrested after a man named Joseph Andrew Jacquez and former Everett resident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Everett Police Department, DNA from the murder weapon came back as a match for Jacquez. I want to commend our police department and our partner agencies for their dedication to getting justice for victims like Mary Ann, said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin in a news release. My heart goes out to Mary Anns loved ones as they continue to grieve her loss. Jacquez was booked into jail locally in Clark County, Nevada, and will be extradited to Snohomish County. I appreciate all the hard work and dedication that Detective Logothetti and others put into finding the person who murdered my sister. She faced unfortunate circumstances while living in a transitional rental house which her social worker placed her in, her sister Sandi Daniels Lundin said. She should have protected her from this happening, but instead put her in danger, and in the end, Mary Ann lost her life. She had a hard life and is now at peace. Thanks to all that made this happen. Her brother also issued a statement on the news. Mary Ann was trusting, carefree and always believed the good in people, Terry Lee Saline said. She has never been forgotten by her family. A self-described plus-size rapper from Detroit has filed a lawsuit against ride-share service Lyft after a driver refused to let her into his car and cancelled her ride. The artist, who performs under the moniker Dank Demoss, believes she was illegally discriminated against due to her weight, as footage shared by the rapper ahead of the suit shows her attempting to enter the vehicle, but being given multiple reasons by the driver as to why she couldnt. The driver cited the size of his vehicle and the wear on his cars tires as reasons he had to refuse the ride, apologizing for the inconvenience and advising Demoss to order a larger vehicle next time around. Demoss, born Dajua Blanding, spoke to FOX 2 Detroit about the incident, telling reporter Jessica Dupnack that shes ridden in cars smaller than the one in question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just want them to know, like, it really hurt my feelings, Demoss told Dupnack, adding that she took particular exception to the driver bringing up his tires. Her attorneys, Jon Marko and Zach Runyan, argue that weight is a protected characteristic in Michigan, by law. It would be no different than a driver pulling up and saying, I dont want to have Black people in my car, I dont want to have Christians in my car, or Muslims, its the same. Under the law, its the same, Marko argues. Lyft has since released a statement regarding the incident. Lyft unequivocally condemns all forms of discriminationwe believe in a community where everyone is treated with equal respect and mutual kindness. Our community guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre interested in getting to know Demoss as an artist, check out a clip of her in action below and more on her Instagram. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Immigration and Customs Enforcements stepped-up arrests continued Tuesday, with newly sworn-in Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem personally taking part in an operation targeting New York City. The New York operation Tuesday morning was part of a broader pattern of highly publicized ICE arrests starting last week targeting sanctuary cities that have passed local policies limiting cooperation with federal deportation efforts. White House border czar Tom Homan has repeatedly said that Donald Trumps administration will counter sanctuary policies with more aggressive at-large arrests. Here in New York City this morning we are getting the dirtbags off these streets, Noem said while wearing a vest reading Police and ICE, in a video posted to X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesdays arrests in New York included Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, a purported member of the gang Tren de Aragua who is wanted on kidnapping, burglary and other charges in Colorado, according to The New York Post. Trump thrust the Venezuelan-born prison gang into the national spotlight during the presidential campaign, describing Aurora, Colorado, as a town besieged by criminal gangs composed of unauthorized immigrants. (City officials, including Auroras Republican mayor, disputed Trumps portrayal of the Denver suburb.) The nationwide enforcement operations that launched last week have targeted other major cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, the Austin-San Antonio area and Atlanta. ICE has partnered with other law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, to carry out the arrests. ICE agents, along with other federal law enforcement agencies, attend a pre-enforcement meeting in Chicago on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. Bloomberg via Getty Images Homan has said that the current round of arrests will target national security threats and people with serious criminal convictions or outstanding charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But shortly after taking office, Trump also did away with prosecutorial discretion guidelines that had shielded otherwise law-abiding migrants with ties to the country from deportation under the Biden administration. Homan has repeatedly said that ICE will also arrest any unauthorized immigrants encountered during operations. The Department of Justice has also made it far harder for migrants in detention to seek legal help. Deportations are enforced by administrative judges in civil proceedings. Unlike in criminal courts, immigrants facing deportation do not have the right to be defended by a lawyer. Legal aid groups have for decades conducted orientations in detention centers to inform migrants of their rights, with the support of the Justice Department. But last week, DOJ informed legal aid groups that it would no longer fund that work. Attorneys for the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, a Washington-based legal nonprofit, entered a detention facility last week to conduct orientations at the organizations own expense. But they were told the service was no longer allowed, Amicas executive director, Michael Lukens, said Monday on a call with reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre essentially setting up black sites, Lukens said. There is no transparency, no rule of law. Immigration arrests have surged nationwide at a breakneck pace since Trump took office last week, hovering around 1,000 for the last three days in a row, according to tallies posted daily by ICE to its X account. THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) The secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, is in New York City on Tuesday to oversee ICE enforcement operations. The former governor of South Dakota wrote on X, We are doing this right doing exactly what President @realDonaldTrump promised the American people making our streets safe. Live this AM from NYC. Im on it. ICE agents raid NJ seafood store, detaining U.S. military veteran Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Drug Enforcement Administrations New York office confirmed on X that it, along with other federal agencies, assisted the Department of Homeland Security in its raid. Noem was sworn in during a confirmation hearing in the Senate last week. ICE agents have detained thousands of people, including those in the tri-state area, since President Donald Trump was inaugurated. You have rights during ICE encounter, NYC mayors office says Noem posted on X that at least one arrest took place in the Bronx. Criminal alien with kidnapping, assault & burglary charges is now in custody, she wrote. New York City Mayor Eric Adams office released a statement about the raid, saying in part, Beforehand, I directed the NYPD to coordinate with DHS Homeland Security Investigations and other federal law enforcement agencies as allowed by law to conduct a targeted operation to arrest an individual connected with multiple violent crimes, both here in New York and in Aurora, Colorado, including burglary, kidnapping, extortion, firearms possession, menacing with a firearm, crime of violence, and other charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His office did not confirm the identity of the person arrested. The Aurora Police Department told PIX11 News that a man, identified as 25-year-old Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, was arrested in the Bronx raid and is wanted in Colorado on burglary charges. An ICE spokesperson told PIX11 News in a statement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with federal partners including the FBI, ATF, DEA, CBP and the U.S. Marshals Service, began conducting enhanced targeted operations today in New York to enforce U.S. immigration law and preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities. Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See 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 PIX11. Diane Guerrero is an actor most known for her role as Maritza on Orange Is the New Black. She is also an immigration reform advocate who has experienced the devastation of family deportation firsthand. Corey Nickols / Getty Images for IMDb Diane has been open about the moment she realized her half-brother and both her parents had been deported while she was at school by detailing it in her book My Family Divided: One Girl's Journey of Home, Loss, and Hope. Victor Hugo / Patrick McMullan via Getty Images And, ten years ago, speaking to CNN about the day it happened, Diane shared, "I would always have this feeling I was always scared that my parents were going to be gone." Diane went on to share that because she was the only US citizen in her family, her father would remind her "every day" of the situation they were in. "My dad had this whole system. 'Here's where I hide this in case anything happens' and, you know, 'Don't be scared and know that you're going to be okay and that we love you very much and we wish this situation was different for us, but this is our reality.'" Diane was born in New Jersey, but both her parents and older brother were born in Colombia. CNN / youtube.com Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day her family got detained and later deported to Colombia, Diane recalled having a "feeling" something happened. "I called my parents a million times. I was coming home from school and I was really excited because I went to a performance arts high school so around that time we were planning Springfest. Everyone was getting their parts and their singing roles. I was really excited because this was my first year and I was really excited to tell them about it," she told CNN. However, her happiness disappeared. "I got home, and their cars were there, and the lights were on, and dinner was started, but I couldn't find them," she said, fighting tears, adding, "It was really hard...it was really hard." Eventually, the neighbors came over and told Diane that her parents had been taken. "I broke down. I hid under the bed because I was scared somebody was going to come for me." "I was so scared. What do you do? And then I'm so scared for them, what they're going through, you know, my parents are going to jail and for what? They're not criminals." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a few hours of waiting with the neighbors and parents of her friends who knew about the situation, Diane finally got a call from her dad. "He said that he was being detained. And then my mother called they were separated." And because of all of this, Diane said her relationship with her parents is forever changed. "It's tough. We've been separated for so long; I feel like sometimes we don't know each other. It's difficult because I've grown up without them. There are things about them that are new that I don't recognize, and it hurts. But I love them so much and I hate that they have gone through this. I know I've been by myself but I feel like they have lived a very lonely existence by themselves." She went on, "It is so difficult for some people to get documented to get their papers and to become legal. My parents tried forever and this system didn't offer relief for them." Finally, Diane emphasized that even though she was a minor at 14, no government agency reached out to see if she was okay after this occurred. She relied solely on her friends' parents to help get her through the rest of high school and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clip that has been reshared on TikTok has been gaining significant attention with over 700,000 views. And people have been quick to point out how difficult the last season of Orange Is the New Black must have been for her. Her character, Maritza Ramos, gets deported to Colombia at the end of Episode 5. The episode is called "Minority Deport. Since taking office, President Trump has signed a series of executive actions related to immigration that are expected to lead to significant enforcement of immigration policies. A course on the nation's first Black airmen will continue to be taught to recruits in the U.S. Air Force after it was briefly removed from the basic training curriculum. President Donald Trump implemented a government-wide ban on DEI initiatives, including those in the military. However, the course on the Tuskegee Airmen, suspended Jan. 23, was reinstated on Monday. The historic, all-Black unit included more than 15,000 pilots, mechanics and cooks from throughout the nation, including Louisiana. A group of Tuskegee Airmen pose in front of an aircraft. Who were the Tuskegee Airmen? The Tuskegee Airmen were Black military pilots and crew members who served in World War II and were notably the first Black military aviators in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tuskegee Airmen served in the 332nd Fighter Group, comprising four fighter squadrons, and escorted bomber missions into and out of Germany. They served in every theater of World War II. The group was established after Tuskegee University in Alabama secured a contract from the U.S. Army Air Corps to provide flight training for Black pilots. Until its closure in 1946, Tuskegee remained the only school for training Black pilots, with its graduates consistently achieving the highest scores on flight aptitude examinations. Due to the racial segregation prevalent in the U.S. military and the enforcement of Jim Crow laws in numerous states, the Tuskegee Airmen experienced racial discrimination from both within and outside the Army. Did any men from Louisiana serve in the Tuskegee Airmen? Shreveport Democratic Representative Joy Walters shared a post Monday on Instagram featuring the names of men from Louisiana who were part of the Tuskegee Airmen. Augustus G. Brown Houma, Louisiana Edward M. Cooper Sharon, Louisiana Russell F. Desvignes New Orleans, Louisiana Walter M. Downs New Orleans, Louisiana Lonnie Harrison Port Hudson, Louisiana Albert Lieteau New Orleans, Louisiana James W. Mason Monroe, Louisiana Calvin G. Moret New Orleans, Louisiana Albert Porche Houma, Louisiana Frank R. Raymond St. Martinville, Louisiana Haydel White New Orleans, Louisiana Yancey Williams Sicily Island, Louisiana Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Ian Robinson on Twitter @_irobinsonand on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3vln0w1. This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Did you know men from Louisiana served as Tuskegee Airmen in World War II? LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Next week, dozens of property owners who live in Lincoln County will become Catawba County residents. North Carolina officials are shifting the Lincoln-Catawba county line 500 feet to the south. Because of the shift, Lincoln County will lose about 386 parcels of land. Some of them have homes or businesses on them, meaning Catawba will gain some of Lincoln Countys residents. Its beyond frustrating that this is all done behind closed doors with no notice, said Karren Taillon. PREVIOUS | Lincoln-Catawba line to be re-established after failure to reach joint resolution Taillon is one of dozens of soon-to-be Catawba County homeowners, who came to a meeting Monday night to express their concerns about the county boundary line change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I bought at a premium in Lincoln County so my kid could have an excellent education, she said. I paid that premium for my home and Im expecting to lose at least 10% of my home value throughout this. She and several others in attendance own some of the hundreds of parcels, which come February 3 will no longer be considered Lincoln County. There was no official notice, said Corey Cornacchio, a homeowner. Lincoln County, this has been going on for a year they didnt let us know and we elected them to represent us and theyre really not representing us at all. NC sports bettors could owe money on their winnings and losses this tax season Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Lincoln County spokesperson said the shift comes after the North Carolina Board of Elections found discrepancies in voter locations. There was voters that were living in Lincoln County that they received votes for Catawba County and vice versa, said Vanessa Leon, public affairs officer for Lincoln County. Many people are worried about their home values dropping. Matthews dams to undergo studies after nearly breaching last year On average our houses are going to go down between $50 and $100,000 in value because of this change of the line, said Cornacchio. Another big concern is how this will affect school districts. Lincoln County School Board members said for the rest of the current school year, things will stay the same. But its not clear if district lines will change for the 2025-2026 school year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every table you go to says we dont know we hope to know more in two to three weeks, said Taillon. By that point, its done and its just really disheartening. There will be another information meeting in Lincolnton on January 29 at the James W. Warren Citizens Center from 5:30 to 7:30 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 Queen City News. The San Antonio Target, Hunting and Fishing Club has agreed to cease shooting activities until a trial on a lawsuit brought by a neighboring property owner. SA Given to Fly LP sued alleging the club operates like a drinking fraternity that prioritizes its members gunplay over the rights of its neighboring property owners to live and operate free from serious injury or death. The clubs lawyer says it upholds stringent safety protocols. Joe Timmerman/Texas Tribune The San Antonio Target, Hunting and Fishing Club, pictured at center, has agreed to suspend shooting activities until a July 7 trial on lawsuit brought by a neighboring property owner. Courtesy Google Earth, 2023 San Antonio Target, Hunting and Fishing Club, dodging legal flak from neighbors over its shooting activities, has agreed to cease operations at its gun range until a trial later this year. Under terms of a temporary injunction agreed to by both sides, no one is permitted to fire weapons on the clubs property on the Northwest Side for the next five months. That means no trap or target shooting will be taking place. The order comes after a lawsuit filed by SA Given to Fly LP, which alleged it and neighboring residents were at significant risk from dangerous behavior at the club at 6722 W. Hausman Road. The partnership owns more than 30 acres adjacent to the club. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Dec. 17, a judge granted SA Given to Flys motion for a temporary restraining order to halt the shooting until a hearing on its motion for a temporary injunction. That hearing, which had been set for Monday, was called off when the parties entered into the agreed temporary injunction. In essence, the injunction keeps the restraining order in place pending the outcome of a July 7 trial in state District Court in San Antonio. Cafinio LLC, which does business as Acton Academy North San Antonio, also is party to the agreement. It had filed a plea to join SA Given to Flys lawsuit because of concerns for its students safety. Mark Anthony Sanchez Sr., a lawyer for the club, confirmed it is briefly suspending target practice and recreational shooting activities until trial. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The clubs decision to enter into the agreed order was made as a strategic choice to prioritize the retention of qualified experts to conduct thorough, necessary, but time-consuming testing of the range, topography, berms and safety rules and regulations, and not because of a lack of confidence in its meritorious legal position, Sanchez said. The San Antonio Target, Hunting and Fishing Club is confident that these tests, when presented in Court, will demonstrate its full compliance with applicable gun safety rules and regulations, he said. Joshua Sisam, a Boerne lawyer representing SA Given to Fly, didnt have a comment when reached Monday. The partnership is affiliated with Mosaic Land Development LLC. SA Given to Fly alleged in its lawsuit that the club operates like a drinking fraternity that prioritizes its members gunplay over the rights of its neighboring property owners to live and operate free from serious injury or death. After the San Antonio Express-News reported on the dispute Jan. 7, the Acton Academy filed its motion to intervene in the case. The school, which has 44 children, said a bullet fired from the club could easily reach its premises at 6950 W. Hausman Road and kill any children, or adults on the property. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sanchez responded that the club upholds stringent safety protocols and maintains open communication with neighbors to address any concerns. In the spring of 2022, I defended my dissertation. When I was done, I headed straight to the airport to head to Poland and Ukraine to volunteer with Ukrainian refugees fleeing the new-ish war. One of my stops in Poland was at Auschwitz-Birkenau, a place of horrors and banal evil. I went without my travel companions, whom I love dearly, but I was grateful for the opportunity to be alone with my thoughts and reflections as I walked through the sites where Never Again has such deep meaning. This week marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of those camps, semi-hidden deep in the Polish forest. On Jan. 27, 1945, the Red Army, on their march across Poland, came upon the compound of 40-plus concentration and extermination camps that composed the Auschwitz complex. Of the 1.3 million people sent to Auschwitz, 1.1 million died. 1.1 million in less than five years. General Vasily Petrenko, commander of the 107th Infantry Division, remarked, I who saw people dying every day was shocked by the Nazis indescribable hatred toward the inmates who had turned into living skeletons. I read about the Nazis treatment of Jews in various leaflets, but there was nothing about the Nazis treatment of women, children, and old men. It was in Auschwitz that I found out about the fate of the Jews. Auschwitz-Birkenau Many of the children brought to Auschwitz-Birkenau were murdered upon arrival by being sent to the gas chambers. Some starved to death, died from exposure, or were used as fodder for medical experiments by Dr. Josef Mengele and others. Slightly more than 700 children (of all nationalities) survived until liberation, out of the more than 23,500 children who were registered in the camp. According to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, in the early period of the existence of the womens camp, children born there were put to death, regardless of their ethnicity, without being entered in the camp records. Later, some non-Jewish babies were allowed to live. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As I walked through the former death camps, I was struck by how easily some people could normalize killing. SS guards experimented with the most efficient ways to kill people. When they decided that they didnt like the extra work caused by blood getting on clothing after being shot, they made their prisoners strip before shooting them or sending them to the gas chambers. When the first gas chambers didnt kill quickly enough, they experimented until they found a poisonous combination that killed them more quickly, thousands at a time. One has to wonder how non-soldiers also normalized the rounding up and killing of so many people. The guide giving my tour said that local farmers would buy the ashes left by the crematoriums to fertilize their fields. He also pointed out that one of the camp commanders, who seemed to treat shooting people in the head as a boring day job, went home to his family with young children and would take them on picnics like a normal dad. I wonder if his wife ever asked him how his day at work had been. The banality of genocide More than 15 years after the liberation of the camps, and during the 1961 trial for Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann, writer and philosopher Hannah Arendt coined the phrase the banality of evil to try to put words on the efficient, unemotional, routinized way the Nazi regime killed people. During the Holocaust, the word genocide did not exist. However, Polish lawyer Raphael Lemkin was outraged, first at the Ottoman destruction of the Armenians during World War I (now known as the Armenian Genocide) and then at the utter depravity of the Holocaust. He coined the term in 1944 in his book Axis Rule in Occupied Europe. It consists of the Greek prefix genos, meaning race or tribe, and the Latin suffix cide, meaning killing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is intended rather to signify a coordinated plan of different actions aiming at the destruction of essential foundations of the life of national groups, with the aim of annihilating the groups themselves, he wrote. Genocide is directed against the national group as an entity, and the actions involved are directed against individuals, not in their individual capacity, but as members of the national group. Genocide was first recognized under international law in 1946. In 1948, it was codified by the United Nations and has since been ratified by 153 countries. Article II of the Genocide Convention defines genocide as having two main elements: a mental one and a physical. The mental element is the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such. The physical one includes: killing members of the group, causing serious harm to members of the group, deliberately creating conditions to physically destroy the group, preventing births within the group and forcibly transferring children of the group to another group. Never forget The Holocaust was not the only genocide in the 20th and 21st centuries. In addition to the Armenian genocide in WWI and the Holocaust in WWII are the killing fields in Cambodia in the mid-to-late 1970s, the genocide in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the early 1990s, the Rwandan genocide in 1994 and an ongoing genocide in Sudan, among others. Today, we see genocide or genocidal actions in Ukraine by Russia and in Sudan, and some accuse Israel of committing genocide in Palestine. In the spring of 1945, Eisenhowers tour of the Ohrdruf concentration camp in Germany included encounters with corpses piled like wood and living skeletons struggling to survive. Immediately, Eisenhower foresaw a day when people would deny these horrors took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get it all on record now, Eisenhower allegedly said. Get the films, get the witnesses, because somewhere down the road of history some (expletive) will get up and say this never happened. Genocide does not start with killing. It begins with the otherizing of groups, in ways that distinguish us from them, and then dehumanizing those groups that are not us. I did not need to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps to know they were unspeakably evil. However, my somber visit embedded in my soul my deep conviction to speak up at injustices and cruelty being perpetuated. All humans have dignity, all humans have basic human rights endowed by their Creator and all deserve to have those rights respected. Ill end with a quote from Elie Wiesel, who survived Auschwitz. We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Heavy rains accompanying Hurricane Helene in September caused flooding that reached heights in Asheville, North Carolina that prior flooding hadnt reached since 1902. In the aftermath, buildings, railroad cars, and trees lining the French Broad River in the towns center were completely turned upside down. As communities began cleanup efforts in the area, many expressed concerns that the debris left behind was producing a foul odor and speculated that it was contaminated with chemicals and other hazardous materials. Several steel manufacturers lie in the flood-prone region of Asheville, and many were concerned that Silver-Line Plastics, which manufactures PVC pipes, could have released solvents or vinyl chloride into the surrounding environment with the flood. However, Silver-Line Plastics published a statement saying it receives already manufactured PVC resin, which is non-hazardous and inert. And of about 185 chemical pollutants tested for in the region by MountainTrue, an environmental conservation organization, almost none tested positive, except for some metals that were present in quantities lower than what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, the situation in Asheville and surrounding communities shed a spotlight on the regulations that are in place to ensure residents are aware of toxic exposures after a disaster which some say were not created with the climate crisis in mind. There are laws on the books that do not meet the moment, said Eve Gartner, an attorney focused on toxic exposures at the nonprofit Earthjustice. The laws are not set up to deal with climate-related disasters. As the recent wildfires in California have exemplified, our overheating world is making it increasingly challenging to rebuild after a natural disaster, at least before the next one strikes. But regulations that require these industries to inform residents of their true risk of exposure after a natural disaster have been criticized for being difficult to access and only reporting on a limited number of chemicals. As a result, experts are concerned that communities across the country are vulnerable to being exposed to such toxic contamination after a natural disaster strikes without knowing. The people that are losing out, that are missing out on the information, are the residents, the community members who have a real need for this information, Gartner told Salon in a phone interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several disasters have led to toxic exposures in recent years, including Hurricane Ian in Florida in 2022 and Hurricane Harvey in Houston in 2017. Although it wasnt caused by a natural disaster, a fire at a chemical plant called Bio-Lab in Atlanta in September also reportedly exposed thousands of residents to chlorine gas, which can lead to respiratory distress, chest pain, and other symptoms. In response, the local government issued a shelter-in-place warning and closed the highway. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) issued a report in November that showed this toxin was still detectable throughout the EPA's investigation, which ended in mid-October. Experts have said that it is unclear how long the chemicals are able to stay in the water and soil surrounding the region, meaning the full potential health consequences of the exposure remain unknown. Yet this event followed another Bio-Lab facility fire in 2020 in Louisiana that did occur because of Hurricane Laura. Similarly, the fire and ensuing plume exposed thousands of residents to the toxic gas. But it wasnt until 2023 that the CSB released a report that found the plant, built in 1979, had not been updated with security standards to prepare for such climate disasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With powerful storms and other extreme weather occurring more frequently, companies and regulators must take action to prevent weather-related releases of hazardous chemicals that can cause substantial damage to facilities and threaten surrounding communities," CSB board chair Steve Owens said in a statement. There are regulations in place to ensure the public is notified of their risk after an exposure. In 1976, the EPA passed the Toxic Substances Control Act, which gives the agency the authority to regulate chemicals produced in the country. In 1986, the agency also passed the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, which requires states and local commissions to create an emergency response plan that protects the public from any hazardous chemicals they could be exposed to and notifies them if there is an exposure. The EPAs Risk Management Program under the Clean Air Act also requires facilities that use extremely hazardous substances to develop a plan should they be exposed to something like a natural disaster. However, this program has also been criticized for containing loopholes that allow industry to release contaminants regardless, said Caroline Cress, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center. Its kind of a patchwork, which I think makes it difficult for folks to know what is applicable and where to go to find information, because its different under all of these laws, Cress told Salon in a phone interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, citizens who do decide to file the public records requests necessary to access some of the information about any potential toxic exposures might have that information withheld if an investigation is ongoing or the materials in the manufacturing facility are deemed to be a national security risk, Gartner said. During a disaster, standard reporting systems can also be suspended in certain states, making any potential exposures even more unclear, said Dr. Jim Elliott, the co-director at the Center for Coastal Futures and Adaptive Resilience at Rice University. You have a regulatory system that is oftentimes very voluntary and suspect to begin with becoming more so during the event, Elliott told Salon in a phone interview. What we end up with is basically a lot of gray area and question marks that are left to the public to try to figure out themselves. Elliott has tried to access information about exposures after the hurricanes in the Northeast this fall and has also tried to access information about the risks in Houston, Texas to support protective planning efforts should a major storm hit the metropolitan area which is one of the largest petrochemical complexes in the world and has a high risk of flooding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We thought it would be useful to not only map where that is likely to happen but what the plans in place are if it does, starting with the private industry folks who are responsible, Elliott said. We came away with only being able to access things through a very restricted request or petition through a federal office in D.C., waiting for clearance, getting clearance, and then being approved to only view 10 of these documents at a time in a secure, federally monitored facility in town. Once the records were obtained, Elliott said, they were "heavily redacted in terms of what's actually provided as a public citizen to be able to access." Even if citizens do go through the effort required to access these materials, the standards set by the EPA are notorious for being inaccurate and unreliable, based on self-reported data from the industries producing the emissions compiled in a central database called the Toxics Release Inventory. Plus, this database only includes about 1,000 chemicals out of nearly 50,000 that are used in commerce, Gardner said. Still, this information is becoming increasingly important as natural disasters continue to strike communities. One study published in Environmental Science & Technology found between two and three times more pollution was released in the Gulf of Mexico when there was a hurricane compared to when there wasnt. Another report released in 2021 found more than 400 hazardous sites are at risk for flooding with sea level rise in California, lingering parts of which are still aflame from wildfires as of this writing. We believe this limited public information on rising chemical threats from our changing climate should be front-page news every hurricane season, Elliott wrote in The Conversation. Communities should be aware of the risks of hosting vulnerable industrial infrastructure, particularly as rising global temperatures increase the risk of extreme downpours and powerful hurricanes. DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) The charred remains of at least 26 victims of the Bashar Assad government were located Tuesday by Syrian civil defense workers in two separate basements in rural Damascus. The discovery adds to the growing tally of mass graves unearthed since the fall of the Assad government in December. The remains, which are believed to include men, women and children, showed evidence of gunshot wounds and burning. Members of Syrias White Helmets, a volunteer civil defense group, exhumed the fragmented, weathered skeletal remains from the basement of two properties in the town of Sbeneh, southwest of the capital. Wearing hazmat suits, they carefully logged and coded each set of remains before placing them into body bags, which were then loaded onto trucks for transport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Nov. 28, the White Helmets have uncovered "more than 780 bodies, most of unknown identity, Abed al-Rahman Mawwas, a member of the rescue service, told The Associated Press. He said many were found in shallow graves uncovered by locals or dug up by animals. The bodies are transferred to forensics doctors to determine their identities, time of death and cause of death, as well as to match them with possible family members. Of course, this takes years of work, he said. Mohammad al-Herafe, a resident of one of the buildings where remains were uncovered, said the stench of decomposing bodies was overwhelming when his family returned to Sbeneh in 2016 after fleeing because of fighting in the area during the country's uprising-turned-civil war that began in 2011. He said they found the bodies in the basement but chose not to report it out of fear of government reprisals. We could not tell the regime about it because we know that the regime did this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Assad government, which ruled Syria for over two decades, employed airstrikes on civilian areas, torture, executions and mass imprisonment, to maintain control over Syria and suppress opposition groups during the country's 13-year civil war. Ammar al-Salmo, another Civil Defense member dispatched to the second basement site, said further investigation is needed to identify the victims. We need testimonies from residents and others who might know who stayed behind when the fighting intensified in 2013, he told the AP. Mohammad Shebat, who lived in the second building where bodies were found, said he left the neighborhood in 2012 and returned in 2020 when he and his neighbors discovered the bodies and demanded their removal. But no one cooperated, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shebat believes the victims were civilians who fled the nearby Al-Assali neighborhood when the fighting escalated and the Assad government imposed a siege in 2013. He said forces of the former government used to trap people in basements, burn them with tires and leave their bodies. There are several basements like this, full of skeletons," he said. In a report released Monday, the United Nations Syria Commission of Inquiry said that mass graves can be used as evidence to uncover the fates of thousands of missing detainees. The report, spanning 14 years of investigations and drawing on over 2,000 witness testimonies, including more than 550 survivors of torture, detailed how detainees in Syrias notorious prisons suffering from torture injuries, malnutrition, disease and illness, were left to die slowly, in agonizing pain, or were taken away to be executed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assad's fall on Dec. 8 drove hundreds of families to scour prisons and morgues in desperate search of loved ones. While many were freed after years of imprisonment, thousands remain missing, their fates still unknown. The U.N. commission has said that forensic exhumations of mass graves, as well as safeguarding evidence, archives and crime sites, may offer grieving families a chance to learn the truth. The commission was established in 2011 by the Human Rights Council to investigate Syrias alleged violations of international human rights law. The U.N. report documented brutal methods of torture by the former government, including severe beatings, electric shocks, burning, pulling out nails, damaging teeth, rape, sexual violence including mutilation, prolonged stress positions, deliberate neglect and denial of medical care, exacerbating wounds and psychological torture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Syrians who did not find their loved ones among the freed, this evidence, alongside testimonies of freed detainees, may be their best hope to uncover the truth about missing relatives, said Commissioner Lynn Welchman. ___ Abou AlJoud reported from Beirut. LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) Kristopher Harrison, a former candidate for Louisiana State Senate District 23, is speaking out about his future goals one week after he was disqualified from the race. This comes after petitioner, Taylor Fontenot, filed a court order on January 16th accusing Harrison of not filing his taxes in 2019 and 2022. Harrison and Fontenot both presented evidence to Judge Royale Colbert at the Lafayette Courthouse on January 18th. State senate candidate Kristopher Harrison disqualified Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harrison notifed News 10 via text on January 19th that Judge Colbert ruled in favor of Fontenot, on claims of Harrison not certifying his tax documents with the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Harrison, a Democrat, placed his name on the ballot for State Senate District 23 on January 9th. Brach Myers and Jesse Regan, both Republicans, are also on the ballot. Harrison tells News 10 his disqualification from the race came as a shock and has raised questions on how politics could cause barriers that can keep a person from running for office. Stuff like that just shouldnt happen at a sitting state senate race where a couple of years ago I ran for city council and it was not a problem at all, said Harrison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harrison notifed News 10 via text on January 19th that Judge Colbert ruled in favor of Fontenot, on claims of Harrison not certifying his tax documents with the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Harrison says despite his disqualification, he still plans to run for a future position in government, advocating on protecting the rights of the lower and middle class. I want to go to the state legislature and support low wage workers, I want to go to the legislature to represent people like cashiers, people in small businesses, and working for the oilfield. I want to be somebody you could talk to, Im a very honest and reasonable person and thats the type of candidate I want to be, they could always know that Im that candidate for them, said Harrison. Harrison tells News 10 he plans to file an appeal to this case with the Louisiana Supreme Court and the Louisiana Court of Appeals. 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 KLFY.com. A patch of undeveloped land in downtown Los Angeles is going viral on social media for some distressing messages seen from above, but police have confirmed that they found no illicit activity in the area. The lot, located just east of the L.A. River at the intersection of East Cesar Chavez Avenue and North Mission Road, is littered with discarded metal and dumpsters. It is also littered with the word help spelled out nearly a dozen times, as seen from Sky5 on Monday. Another word traffico is also seen spelled out once, as are LAPD and federal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The largest help message appears to be constructed with piping that has the word Corruption on one of them, as well as trafico humano, extorcion and terrorismo, which are Spanish for human trafficking, extortion and terrorism, respectively. A patch of undeveloped land in downtown Los Angeles is going viral on social media for some distressing messages seen from above. (Sky5) A patch of undeveloped land in downtown Los Angeles is going viral on social media for some distressing messages seen from above. (Sky5) A patch of undeveloped land in downtown Los Angeles is going viral on social media for some distressing messages seen from above. (Sky5) A patch of undeveloped land in downtown Los Angeles is going viral on social media for some distressing messages seen from above. (Sky5) A patch of undeveloped land in downtown Los Angeles is going viral on social media for some distressing messages seen from above. (Sky5) A patch of undeveloped land in downtown Los Angeles is going viral on social media for some distressing messages seen from above. (Sky5) Google Street View shows that help was also scrawled on the sidewalk the last time the companys street view car drove on East Cesar Chavez in July 2023. The largest help message located at the bottom of the overhead image is also seen spelled out in the July 2023 street view footage. The apparent entrance to the lot is located at 599 N. Mission Road, which, according to Google Maps, is the site of a LATC Union Pacific Rail Yard, which is adjacent to an access road leading to a Southern Pacific Rail Yard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple social media users identified the person making the messages as a man named Jose, and the Los Angeles Police Department responded to one post and confirmed that the man, a known transient, had been at the location for a few years, though they did not identify him by name. Weve had several different contacts with the individual, LAPDs Central Division said. He has refused housing or a mental health evaluation [and] there is no evidence of human trafficking. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) A Chicago man was arrested and charged in connection to child sex crimes in Norfolk after contacting a 10-year-old through TikTok, according to court documents. Isidro Atxel Magana-Calderon was arrested and charged with one count of production of child pornography, two county of coercion and enticement of a minor and three counts of transfer of obscene material to a minor. Isidro Atxel Magana-Calderon A 10-year-old girls mother in Norfolk reported to police that her daughter was communicating with someone on TikTok. According to court documents, detectives found child sexual abuse material being sent by the girl to the suspect, depicting sexually explicit content. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect is in his mid-twenties. Homeland Security used cell phone records to track the messages and Magana-Calderon was arrested in his home in 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 WAVY.com. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) A Baton Rouge woman convicted of defrauding the federal government was sentenced to 13 months in prison. Gernesia Williams, 47, was ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay $110,030.47 in restitution. The U.S. Department of Justice said Williams knowingly converted over $100,000 in COVID-19 loan funding for personal use. She allegedly misspent the money on herself and others, including spending $30,000 on jewelry and over $20,000 on a Florida destination wedding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about allegations of COVID-19-era fraud can report it by calling 866-720-5721 or online. Sentencing for two Louisiana brothers found guilty in money laundering scheme pushed to February 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. President Donald Trumps acting attorney general abruptly fired more than a dozen officials who worked on the two criminal cases against him, his administrations latest act of retribution against those deemed political enemies. Acting Attorney General James McHenry told the officials, who worked on former special counsel Jack Smiths team, the Department of Justice could no longer trust them to carry out Trumps agenda. Fox News was the first to report the firings. Today, Acting Attorney General James McHenry terminated the employment of a number of DOJ officials who played a significant role in prosecuting President Trump, a spokesperson for the DOJ said Monday, per The Associated Press. In light of their actions, the Acting Attorney General does not trust these officials to assist in faithfully implementing the Presidents agenda. This action is consistent with the mission of ending the weaponization of government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The names of those fired were not immediately available, but The New York Times reported that many appear to be career lawyers at the DOJ. The outlet added that the firings seemingly violate civil service protections for nonpolitical employees. The firings are just the latest effort by Trump to quickly remake the federal government in his image and rid agencies of those deemed counter to that effort, even if such acts appear to violate federal law. The White House has removed at least 17 inspectors general at many government agencies and put all federal diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, staff on leave. The Trump White House has quickly moved to reshape the Justice Department and rid the agency of those deemed political enemies of the president. Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images Trumps team also removed the Justice Departments senior career ethics officials from his post and reassigned him to a much less powerful role. The official, Bradley Weinsheimer, was appointed during Trumps first term by then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions and was a respected member of the agency for three decades. The decision was just one of many similar efforts to remove agency veterans and replace them with loyalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smiths team included around 40 lawyers as he worked to investigate Trump on twin cases: his alleged hoarding of classified documents after the end of his first term in office and his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. Both cases led to federal indictments, but neither moved forward and were abandoned after Trumps ascension in November. Smith resigned shortly before Trump took office after submitting his final report on his investigations. Smiths report said he believed the department had enough evidence to obtain and sustain a conviction on the Jan. 6 charges if they had gone to trial. Related... A legal services program that helped about 4,000 immigrants last year in Detroit Immigration Court has been shut down by the Justice Department, part of a series of moves over the past week by President Donald Trump to toughen immigration enforcement. Since 2021, the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center has partnered with the Acacia Center for Justice to operate an Immigration Court help desk located at the court in downtown Detroit that assisted non-citizen immigrants in deportation proceedings who are not detained. The help desk was funded by the Department of Justice with a budget of roughly $400,000, said the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. It helped educate immigrants facing court proceedings about their rights, legal options and how the court operates, which can be confusing for immigrants. The desk was often the only way for immigrants to get help and connect with pro bono attorneys. President Donald Trump signs executive orders on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, in the Capitol One Arena in Washington. "It really fills a gap because full representation by an attorney for immigrants is very costly ... and takes a long time," said Christine Sauve, a manager at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. "Some of our cases are 10 years long or more." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two days after Trump became president last week, the Justice Department sent a stop work order to the Acacia Center for Justice and other groups telling them to pause their legal service programs that assist immigrants, the Acacia center said. On Thursday, the help desk shut down, Sauve said. The order was sent after the White House issued an executive order on Jan. 20 titled "Protecting the American People Against Invasion," referring to what it called an "unprecedented flood of illegal immigration." Under the order's Section 19, which deals with funding, it tells the Attorney General and Department of Homeland Security to immediately review and potentially 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." The order says the two leaders of the federal agencies must ensure that grants and 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." During this review process, funding must be paused, the order said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our staff was not permitted to go back to the court (Thursday) and to continue," Sauve said. Shutting down the legal assistance "makes it harder for for individuals to find a lawyer, navigate the system, figure it out," she said. Shuttering the programs will makes the lives of some immigrants even more challenging, advocates said. The suspension of these longstanding programs could leave hundreds of thousands of vulnerable immigrants including children and families without access to basic legal information and representation," Shaina Aber, executive director of the Acacia Center for Justice, said in a statement. "This decision undermines due process and puts lives at risk, disproportionately harming those already facing tremendous hardship." Aber added that they are "ready to work with the Department of Justice to review and rapidly restore these essential services so that Acacia and our partners in the legal field can continue to deliver on the promise of justice for all." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Mike Duggan: Detroit will continue to work with ICE The Detroit Immigration Court is one of several immigration courts across the United States. They're not independent like regular courts, but fall under the jurisdiction of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, which is part of the Department of Justice. The Executive Office for Immigration Review declined comment, said Kathryn Mattingly, press secretary for the office. Groups that call for reduced immigration have for years been asking presidents to target the courts to make it more difficult for immigrants to stay in the U.S. The closing of the help desk is one way in which Trump's executive orders are already impacting immigrant communities. Trump also issued an order ending birthright citizenship for many, but that order was immediately challenged by the ACLU in a lawsuit and a federal judge has temporarily blocked it. On Monday, the Arab American Civil Rights League held a press conference in Dearborn to offer legal assistance for immigrants who are concerned about deportations. It was one of several events held locally in recent weeks by immigrant advocacy and civil rights groups offering advice. The Detroit office of two branches of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement Removal Operations are working to arrest what they called "immigration violators" in a tweet posted Monday by Detroit HSI. ICE said they made 956 arrests nationally on Sunday. Contact Niraj Warikoo:nwarikoo@freepress.com or X @nwarikoo This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump's Justice Department closes Detroit program helping immigrants () Dates: 2/1/2025, 2/8/2025, 2/15/2025, 2/22/2025, 3/1/2025 Immerse Yourself in Culture with Valley of the Lattes Workshops Looking for a unique weekend adventure that brings you closer to culture and tradition? The Valley of the Latte invites you to experience hands-on cultural workshops where you can learn traditional skills, create meaningful crafts, and enjoy an unforgettable day with family or friends. Discover Authentic Cultural Workshops At the Valley of the Latte, every workshop is designed to honor and celebrate traditional skills that have been passed down through generations. Our workshops are perfect for families, cultural enthusiasts, crafting hobbyists, students, corporate groups, or anyone looking to explore something new. Heres whats on offer: Upcoming Workshops: February 1st: Coconut Oil and Coconut Candy Making Workshop Learn how to extract fresh coconut oil and create your own delicious coconut candy. February 8th: Mwarmwar (Flower Crown) Making Workshop Craft vibrant and beautiful flower crowns with guidance from cultural practitioners. February 15th: Pandanus Bracelet Making Workshop Discover the art of weaving pandanus leaves into intricate, elegant bracelets. February 22nd: Coconut Leaf Weaving Workshop Basket Making Become skilled in traditional coconut leaf weaving to create stunning baskets. March 1st: Hotnu Oven Bread Making Workshop Experience the traditional hotnu oven baking process and savor the freshly baked bread made with your own hands. () () () A Workshop Like No Other Each cultural workshop starts with an exciting Adventure River Cruise. Youll be transported through the serene waters to the Valleys ancient Latte site, where our main demonstration area awaits. Guided by skilled cultural practitioners, youll enjoy learning traditional skills in a breathtaking, immersive environment. Why Join These Workshops? Learn a New Skill: Whether youre weaving a basket, crafting a pandanus bracelet, or making coconut oil, each workshop offers a hands-on experience with expert guidance. All Materials Included: We fully provide everything you needcrafting supplies, tools, and materials. Island BBQ Lunch Plate: After your creative session, indulge in a mouthwatering island BBQ plate, included with every workshop. Bond and Connect: These workshops are a fantastic way to bond with loved ones, classmates, or coworkers while exploring authentic Chamorro culture. An Experience to Remember Whether youre a weekend explorer or someone passionate about preserving rich cultural traditions, the Valley of the Latte workshop series is an opportunity to deepen your appreciation for the islands heritage while creating something meaningful. Reserve Your Spot Today! Spaces for each workshop are limited, so dont miss your chance to join oneor try them all! Visit our website to reserve your spot and prepare for a day of culture, creativity, and delicious food. Start your adventure with us and bring home not just a craft, but a memory to cherish forever. Book Your Workshop Now Reconnect with culture, create with your hands, and celebrate tradition at the Valley of the Latte. BALDWIN, Wis. (WFRV) Authorities in western Wisconsin say a woman was arrested Sunday night after she allegedly stabbed a man during a domestic dispute. According to a release from the Baldwin Police Department, officers responded at 7:24 a.m. to the 1100 block of Cedar Street for reports of a domestic disturbance. Once on the scene, police, with assistance from deputies with the St. Croix County Sheriffs Office, peacefully arrested the woman suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fond du Lac Police: Search ends for missing sex offender who cut off GPS tracker, taken into custody The man who was said to have been stabbed was then taken to Western Wisconsin Health where he could receive treatment for his injuries. Police say the suspects identity is being withheld pending formal charges and an investigation into the incident is ongoing through the Baldwin Police Department. No other information is available at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Pamela Rojas SANTO DOMINGO (Reuters) - As spiraling violence in Haiti puts healthcare out of reach for most, Haitian mothers are seeking care at hospitals in neighboring Dominican Republic despite government policies there scaling up deportations. The two countries share the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, but are divided by a heavily secured border, long-standing tensions and an immense wealth gap. Children born to Haitian parents in the Dominican Republic do not receive citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I had my child here," Cineas Lionne told Reuters from a hospital in the eastern city of Punta Cana. "I don't think I would receive good care in Haiti because of the situation with the government - there is no government." The U.N. found in October that less than a quarter of hospitals were operating around Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, while those elsewhere struggle to cope with flows of refugees fleeing gang attacks. That assessment came before a spike in violence in late 2024, that saw gangs shoot and kill journalists gathered at Haiti's largest public hospital for a government press conference meant to announce a long-awaited reopening. Those plans have been put on hold. The violence has forced the capital's airport and ports to repeatedly shut down, prompting hospitals to warn of a lack of supplies such as blood and oxygen. Aid group Doctors Without Borders temporarily halted services last year due to threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The doctors here have treated me well," said Beatrice Agustin, who gave birth in a maternity hospital in the Dominican capital. "In Haiti there are many gangsters. You can't give birth there, but also if you are here without papers," giving birth in the Dominican Republic is complicated, she said. U.N. experts have warned in recent years that pregnant and postpartum Haitian women seeking medical care in the Dominican Republic have faced intimidation, detention and deportation, citing raids on public hospitals and arrests during check-ups. The U.N. experts have called on neighboring nations to stop deporting Haitians back home, where over 5 million people are going hungry and over 1 million are internally displaced as armed gangs continue to gain territory. Many families are sharing homes or living in makeshift camps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dominican Republic has pledged to deport up to 10,000 people a week as it deals with the brunt of the migration of Haitians fleeing conflict at home. It deported over 200,000 Haitians last year and nearly 15,000 in first two weeks of 2025. Dominican politicians have accused Haitian migrants of fueling insecurity and said their country is already giving too much. "Our infrastructure does not have the capacity to receive that number of people," Senator and former health minister Daniel Rivera told Reuters, saying the priority was expanding healthcare for Dominicans. Local doctors said many Haitian women are afraid to attend prenatal checkups and tend to arrive late at night or when they are about to give birth, due to the risk of deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National health service director Martin Ortiz noted that migration officials are not permitted to enter to make arrests inside hospitals. "Our mission is to provide care," he said. "The same care is given equally." (Reporting by Pamela Rojas in Santo Domingo; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Bill Berkrot) WASHINGTON The Donald Trump administrations Monday night announcement that it would pause all federal grants has caused concern among nonprofit organizations that administer senior nutrition programs like Meals on Wheels. The order from the Office of Management and Budget said federal agencies should pause federal financial assistance grants and review whether they further things like woke gender ideology or DEI initiatives fostering diversity, equity and inclusion. The federal government offers a wide range of grants to states and local charitable organizations that could be affected by the order. Meals on Wheels America, a member organization for thousands of local affiliates that deliver food to seniors in their homes, said the order could affect operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If in fact this order includes the Older Americans Act, this would presumably halt service to millions of vulnerable seniors who have no other means of purchasing or preparing meals, Jenny Young, a spokeswoman for Meals on Wheels America, said in an email. A senior administration official insisted Meals on Wheels recipients have nothing to fear: No benefits to individuals are affected by this, the official told HuffPost, adding that the pause could be as short as a day if federal agencies determine the funding aligns with the presidents priorities. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, when asked Tuesday if Meals on Wheels or Head Start programs would be affected, suggested they would not. Individuals at home who receive direct assistance from the federal government, you will not be impacted by this federal freeze, Leavitt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A footnote in the memo says the term financial assistance does not include assistance provided directly to individuals, which the administration said meant programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would not be affected. But Meals on Wheels is different. Federal grants under the Older Americans Act flow through state agencies and then to roughly 5,0000 community-based senior nutrition providers, which typically work with volunteers to deliver hot meals to peoples homes. So funding does not go directly to the individual recipient, Young said. HuffPost obtained an internal OMB memo requesting information on grant programs from federal agencies. The section for Department of Health and Human Services grants lists special programs for the aging and senior nutrition, meaning the grants that go to Meals on Wheels programs are literally on a list of potentially targeted programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meals on Wheels America has said federal funding only covers about 35% of the 2 million meals a day its member organizations deliver, with the rest covered by donations. But since nonprofit organizations are reimbursed after the fact, a pause in funding has created uncertainty for some of those local groups. And the uncertainty right now is creating chaos for local Meals on Wheels providers not knowing whether they should be serving meals today, Young said. Which unfortunately means seniors will panic not knowing where their next meals will come from. Related... President Donald Trump on Monday said he would welcome a bidding war for TikTok as he appeared to confirm that Microsoft is among the companies that have declared interest in acquiring the popular social media platform. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One he has an affinity for bidding wars. I like bidding wars because you make the best deal, he said, according to The Washington Post. So if we have a bidding war, thats a good thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if Microsoft had taken part in talks about buying TikTok, Trump replied: I would say yes. A lot of interest in TikTok, he added. Microsoft has not commented on Trumps latest remarks. The U.S. tech giant made a bid to acquire the platform in 2020 after Trump first floated the idea of a forced divestiture citing national security concerns. In the end, TikTok decided to partner with Oracle after the two reached an agreement on the storage of U.S. user data. Speaking to tech journalist Kara Swisher at the Code Conference in 2021, Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella described the negotiations as the strangest thing Ive ever sort of worked on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the president on Saturday denied an NPR report stating that Oracle and a group of outside investors were in talks with the White House about potentially acquiring the global operations of TikTok. No, not with Oracle, he said. Numerous people are talking to me, very substantial people, about buying it, and Id make that decision probably over the next 30 days. But last week, Trump said he would be open to Oracles founder and Chief Technology Officer Larry Ellison owning the platform. He said the same about his billionaire ally Elon Musk. Despite the apparent talks happening behind closed doors, TikToks future in the U.S. is uncertain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Supreme Court upheld legislation signed into law by former President Joe Biden that required TikTok divest its Chinese ownership by Jan. 19 to avoid a nationwide ban, citing national security concerns. In response to the ruling, TikTok decided to temporarily go offline in the U.S. before restoring service to its U.S. users after Trump committed to signing an executive order giving the company more time to comply with the legislation. Even though Trump followed through on his word, TikTok remains unavailable to download on U.S. app stores. Billionaire Frank McCourt and Perplexity AI have also made formal bids to acquire TikTok. In separate remarks made to House Republicans attending a GOP policy retreat in Doral, Florida, on Monday, Trump once again suggested that TikTok helped him win Novembers election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have a little bias toward TikTok right now, he said. Related... United States President Donald Trumps lawyers have argued that his speech prior to the Jan. 6 riots was no different than a violent rap song, likening his words to that of Hip-Hop star and political adversary Eminem. According to documents obtained by AllHipHop, on Monday (Jan. 27), Trumps legal team filed an appeal to dismiss a lawsuit accusing the President of using his speech to incite the riot that occurred at the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. In Trumps defense, his lawyers are now arguing that his Jan. 6 speech should be protected as political expression, equating their clients rhetoric with that of violent rap songs such as Eminems classic release, 97 Bonnie & Clyde. Eminem attends the Southpaw New York Premiere at AMC Loews Lincoln Square on July 20, 2015 in New York City. The filing, which doesnt mention Eminem by name, points to the creative license given to Hip-Hop artists as an example of a precedent in which a persons artistic expression is separated from their actual beliefs and conduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A rapper rockets to the top of the charts for his aggressive, provocative lyrics that become wildly popular nationwide, particularly among angsty teenagers. He is ranked as one of the most controversial lyricists of all time, the appeal reads. Many of his lyrics describe explicit violent acts, including gun violence, rape, and a description of the rapper drowning his wife. While at times, the rappers lyrics suggest that his work is not intended to encourage or endorse actual violence, other lyrics suggest the contrary. Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during a roundtable with faith leaders at Christ Chapel on October 23, 2024 in Zebulon, Georgia. Trump is campaigning across Georgia today as he and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris attempt to win over swing state voters. The Presidents lawyers also cited Trumps calls for his supporters to protest peacefully and patriotically as proof of the true intent behind his words, while attempting to minimize the severity of his statements in comparison to rap lyrics. Nothing in President Trumps speech even came close to the far more incendiary language that the Supreme Court has held to be protected as a matter of law, the filing argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trumps January 6 speechis properly characterized as strong protests against the government and prevailing social order a context that demands the highest deference to speech and protection from censorship. Eminem Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Filed by Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson that same year, the lawsuit against Trump also accuses him of a violation of the Ku Klux Act, which is meant to enforce the Provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and for other Purposes. Eminem has been at odds with President Trump for several years, critiquing his politics in his music and elsewhere. The rap icon also supported former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris in their respective elections against Trump. A ruling has yet to be handed down regarded Trumps appeal. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks to members of the media during a press conference at the Mar-a-Lago Club on January 07, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on January 20, making him the only president other than Grover Cleveland to serve two non-consecutive terms in office. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. WASHINGTON If two of President Donald Trumps Cabinet nominees represent the political gains hes made over the course of his decade in politics, it would be a pair of former Democrats who endorsed him in 2024 and are now up for top jobs in his administration: Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Both Gabbard, a former Hawaii congresswoman nominated to be director of national intelligence, and Kennedy, the anti-vaccine activist who is Trumps pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, have confirmation hearings scheduled this week. And the dual symbols of Trumps expanding coalition face resistance from what remains of the old-line Republican Party, potentially enough to sink their nominations. The opposition shows the limits of Trumps purported ideological transformation of the GOP. Conservative groups are running television ads attacking Kennedy for his support of abortion rights, while the Senate GOPs national security hawks are skeptical of Gabbards past criticism of federal surveillance programs and her fondness for dictators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres obviously significant questions that we all probably ask in private that will come before the committee, acknowledged Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), who supports both nominees. Republicans might ask Gabbard about pro-Russia statements shes made and her secret meeting with former Syrian dictator Bashar Assad in 2017. Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump's nominee to be director of national intelligence, arrives on Capitol Hill for a Dec. 18 meeting with Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee that will question Gabbard, told The Hill newspaper this week shes also concerned about Gabbards past calls for eliminating the key government surveillance program known as Section 702. Gabbard has since recanted and expressed support for the program, which allows the government to track foreigners outside the U.S. but can also catch communications from U.S. citizens. Several other Republican members of the Senate Intelligence Committee have not yet announced whether they will support Gabbard, generating speculation about her path to confirmation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its really kind of hard to tell because theres some of the published reports, but I havent seen the FBI background investigation, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) told HuffPost on Friday. I dont know what other information is out there. And then, of course, the hearing is so that those questions can be explored. Gabbard has one thing going for her, other than Trumps support. Shell be introduced at her confirmation hearing by former Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), who chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee before he retired from Congress in 2023. Burr, who voted to convict Trump in his 2021 Senate impeachment trial following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on Congress, is well liked by GOP senators, and his support for Gabbard could calm his partys nerves. Richard Burr is going to introduce her, and hes one of my dearest friends. So well see, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press. Since Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate, with all Democrats voting no, nominees can survive only three Republican defections and still get confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Trumps nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, was narrowly confirmed after Vice President JD Vance broke a tie vote in the Senate, a sign that other controversial Trump nominees may not be out of the woods yet. That national security hawk and former Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) joined Sens. Collins and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in opposing Hegseth could open the door to more GOP surprise votes against Gabbard and RFK Jr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's pick to be health secretary, meets with Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) on Jan. 9 on Capitol Hill. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images McConnell hasnt said how hed vote on Kennedy, a prominent skeptic of vaccines, but the Kentucky Republican put out a statement last year that was sharply critical of anti-vaccine rhetoric a possible indication he would oppose Kennedys nomination. Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed theyre dangerous, McConnell, who suffered from polio as a child, said in a statement in December. Anyone seeking the Senates consent to serve in the incoming Administration would do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with such efforts. In recent weeks, Kennedy has sought to play down his opposition to vaccines, but the public record is replete with his anti-vax statements. Theres no vaccine that is safe and effective, he said on a podcast in July 2023, for instance. In 2019, he led a public campaign against vaccines in Samoa; later that year, a measles epidemic killed dozens of children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Republicans share McConnells support for compulsory public vaccination, one of the most effective public health interventions in human history. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the chairman of the Senate Health, Education, and Labor Committee, which will hear Kennedy testify on Thursday, said the nominee is wrong about vaccinations. I agree with him on some things and disagree on others, Cassidy told Fox News earlier this month. The food safety, I think the ultra-processed food is a problem. Vaccinations, hes wrong on. Democrats have panned Kennedy. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has spread conspiracy theories to discourage uptake of the measles vaccines, including traveling to Samoa to spread lies about its safety, fueling an outbreak that took 80 lives in Samoa, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said on the Senate floor on Monday, also criticizing Kennedy for his opposition to adding fluoride to drinking water to prevent tooth decay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another trouble spot for Kennedy: his support for abortion rights. Advancing American Freedom, a conservative advocacy group founded by former Vice President Mike Pence, has urged the Senate to reject Kennedy on the grounds that hes insufficiently against abortion. The group has also highlighted Kennedys past heroin use and his support for liberalizing drug laws. But the White House isnt backing down, suggesting the confirmation of both former Democrats would fulfill Trumps promises to people who supported him in the 2024 presidential election. President Trump built the broadest, most diverse and incredible political coalition in the history of the Republican Party. It is imperative that the Senate confirm a cabinet that honors, cements and ratifies that extraordinary winning coalition to save America, senior White House adviser Stephen Miller wrote in a post online. Related... Good morning! Pete Hegseth was narrowly confirmed to lead the Department of Defense under the new Trump administration last week despite allegations of sexual assault and drinking on the job. He has denied the allegations against him, and landed the role by the skin of his teeth after Vice President JD Vance broke a 50-50 vote in the Senate and confirmed his nomination. In his first week, Hegseth didnt wait long to share his thoughts on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The newly appointed secretary of defense described his stance on the hot-button topic in a social media post on Sunday, sharing a photo of official letterhead with the phrase: DoD = DEI*. The note added that there would be no exceptions, name-changes or delays, and that those who do not comply will no longer work here. It was reportedly distributed to Pentagon employees over the weekend. The Department of Defense did not respond to Fortunes request for additional comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump has already signed one executive order that is intended to dismantle DEI programs at federal agencies. But he followed that up with another round of executive orders late Monday night, one of which was specifically targeted at DEI in the armed forces. "I ordered the end to all of the lawless diversity, equity and inclusion nonsense policies across the government and all across the private sector and the military," Mr. Trump said at the House GOP retreat Monday night. "We're getting it out and we've gotten it out pretty much. We did that in one week, and it wasn't that easy, but everybody wanted it." The new order includes cutting DEI offices within the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. The DoD has also been tasked with conducting an internal review of DEI initiatives, which will culminate in a report to the Trump administration. The DoD and Armed Forces are also prohibited from promoting the idea that Americas founding documents are racist or sexist, or promoting or advancing gender ideology as defined by the Trump administration. The new executive order will likely reshape the military in various ways over the next few months as the secretary of defense and the secretary of homeland security continue to issue detailed guidance to agencies on the new action. And its just the latest movebut likely not the lastthat well see from the Trump administration on the subject. Brit Morse brit.morse@fortune.com This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Donald Trump has praised China's new AI breakthrough as a "wake-up call" for American tech firms that ultimately "could be good" for the U.S. Shares in hardware maker Nvidia and numerous other Silicon Valley companies plunged by a total of more than $1 trillion after Hangzhou-based start-up DeepSeek released its latest AI model. Known as R1, the model reportedly beats rivals such as Meta and ChatGPT creator OpenAI in several key metrics while costing just a fraction to train and develop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While he issued a warning in a speech at a Republican retreat in Miami on Monday, President Trump was also bullish about American companies' ability to take the pressure. "The release of DeepSeek AI from a Chinese company should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win," he said. "We have the greatest scientists in the world. Even Chinese leadership told me that .... 'Silicon Valley,' they said, 'there's nobody like those people.'" He then said the breakthrough could be "very much a positive development" because it would save American companies "billions and billions" of dollars, though it wasn't clear exactly what he meant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Under the Trump administration we're going to unleash our tech companies and we're going to dominate the future like never before," he vowed. The news comes after Trump scrapped Joe Biden's 2023 safeguards on AI development and announced a new $500 billion investment fund for new data centers and power plants to fuel the industry. He has previously argued that although it's possible AI will "take over the human race, American companies must "take the lead over China" and dominate the technology. Deepseek R1 is AI's Sputnik moment. Marc Andreessen (@pmarca) January 26, 2025 Like ChatGPT, DeepSeek R1 is a large language model a type of "generative" AI that uses neural networks to digest and process vast quantities of human-generated text and learn how to create its own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike ChatGPT, though, R1 is open-source, meaning that its code can be freely studied by anyone. That stands in contrast to OpenAI and Anthropic, whose executives have argued that open-source AI models are potentially more unsafe for the world. Over the weekend DeepSeek's chatbot app shot to the top of Apple's App Store charts, overtaking ChatGPT as the top-rated free iPhone application in the US. "DeepSeek R1 is AI's Sputnik moment," wrote venture capitalist Marc Andreessen on X on Sunday, referring to the Soviet Union's shock satellite launch in 1957 that galvanized the space race. One anonymous worker at Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, claimed on an insiders' forum that Meta was in "panic" mode and was "moving frantically" to "copy" everything it could from the new rival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. tech firms have had to dig deeply into their pockets to fund the vast expense of training more powerful generative AI systems and running existing ones, buying or renting ever-growing armadas of specialized microchips to perform the energy-intensive work. Heightening the tension is the fact that generative AI has so far largely failed to turn a profit, leading some analysts to believe that the current hype is actually a bubble. American tech bosses put on a brave face on Monday. OpenAI boss Sam Altman called R1 "an impressive model, particularly around ... price, but promised to deliver "better" alternatives and said it was "invigorating to have a new competitor. A spokesperson for Nvidia likewise called R1 "an excellent AI advancement. Meanwhile, Chinese social media users expressed jubilation at DeepSeek's success, according to BBC News, hailing it as "the real deal" and "the best new year gift" for the country. Laurie Roberts recently wrote a column, Sorry, Democrats. Theres no plot to suppress Arizona voters now, in which she makes the case that a new bill to shorten the early voting period wont suppress voters but will make sure we dont grow old waiting to find out who won the freaking election. As someone who has both won and lost elections, I can relate to the frustration of waiting to get accurate results. I can also relate to worries about growing old. That said, I dont think the solution to this problem is to make it harder for older people to vote, which is what would happen if the Legislature wont allow people to turn in a ballot on Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because most early ballot voters are older, this new restriction would force those who turned in ballots on Election Day to stand in line to vote, making it more difficult. Early ballots aren't all that is slowing results The legislators pushing Senate Bill 1011 complain that it took too long to count the votes. These are the same folks who gave Arizona our longest ballot in decades two separate pages by referring so many proposed laws to the ballot in 2024. With 3.4 million of us voting, county governments had to count up to 6.8 million ballot pages, instead of half as many. So, the Legislature made the vote-count slower and now blames the public for how long it took! Some trick. Lets try to remember that elected politicians work for the people, not the other way around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the problem remains: how can we get accurate election results more quickly? More than 3.4 million Arizonans voted in our 2024 election. Yet its estimated that fewer than 10% of those folks handed in their ballots on Election Day. So, the obvious question to ask is, were the remaining 90% of results reported on election night? No. County elections offices lack staff, equipment People handing in their early ballot on Election Day is not the real cause of our inability to count all the votes within a day or two. The actual cause for county governments taking more than a week to accurately count the ballots is that they dont have the staff or the equipment to quickly verify and count the glut of early ballots that come in in the last few days before the deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB 1011 will not solve that problem. It will remove one proven method of voting: allowing voters to turn in an early ballot on Election Day. If we ban a voting practice used by hundreds of thousands of people, the result will be hundreds of thousands more people waiting in line, or not voting at all. Opinion: Early voting is key to a quick, orderly election More people in line could just make the problem worse. In November, Navajo Americans encountered real obstacles to voting in person. Specifically, voters in Apache County waited outdoors in long lines in cold temperatures due to the county having broken machines, lacking pens and other problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Navajo Nation attorney general has publicly said that Apache County disenfranchised Navajos voters in the 2024 general election. There are better ways to speed election results We need to balance a few key priorities: Giving every voter a simple and convenient way to vote. Getting an accurate count of how the people voted. Getting votes counted quickly. Arizona does reasonably well on the first two priorities, though there is a lot of room for improvement. Getting votes counted more quickly will take more money to hire more workers and deploy more machines to verify voters and signatures on Election Day. There are other ideas worth consideration: Expand early voting during the full weekend and Monday before Election Day. Then-Sen. Ken Bennett introduced a bill (SB 1467) to do this in 2023 but never received a hearing. Allow ballots to be returned to central processing throughout Election Day and allocate the necessary resources to verify and tabulate them in real time on Election Day. Limit the number of legislative referrals on the ballot. I would like faster election results, so lets get that job done. But not by restricting options for voters. Jonathan Nez is former president of the Navajo Nation. Reach him at jonmnez2@gmail.com or on X, formerly Twitter, @FormerPrezNez. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona should not cut off early voting to speed results | Opinion Scientists have set the Doomsday Clock closer to midnight, signaling humanity's proximity to self-destruction. Its hands now stand at 89 seconds to midnight, closer to a potential catastrophe than ever before. Source: the American journal Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, as reported by Reuters on 28 January 2025 Details: The Doomsday Clock was created during the Cold War in 1947 by a Chicago-based nonprofit organisation, having Albert Einstein and Robert Oppenheimer among its members. Its purpose is to alert the public about how close humanity is to self-destruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision to move the clock closer to midnight (symbolising potential catastrophe) was explained by nuclear threats from Russia, the military use of artificial intelligence (AI), tensions in other parts of the world and climate change. While some catastrophe risk factors were not novel in 2024, scientists saw a lack of progress in tackling major dangers, says Daniel Holz, chair of the Bulletin's Science and Security Board. Quote from Holz: "We have seen insufficient progress in addressing the key challenges, and in many cases this is leading to increasingly negative and worrisome effects. Setting the Doomsday Clock at 89 seconds to midnight is a warning to all world leaders." More details: Holz emphasised that Russias war against Ukraine remains "a large source of nuclear risk", as the conflict, in his view, could escalate at any moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amongst the factors that contributed to instability in the world were: In November 2024, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin updated Russias nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for using nuclear weapons. Another source of instability in 2024 was the Middle East, where fighting continued between Israel and Gaza, involving other countries, including Iran. China, a nuclear power, also increased military pressure, sending ships and aircraft into the waters and airspace around Taiwan. Meanwhile, North Korea continued ballistic missile tests. Quote from Holz: "We are watching closely and hope that the ceasefire in Gaza will hold. Tensions in the Middle East including with Iran are still dangerously unstable. There are other potential hot spots around the world, including Taiwan and North Korea. Any of these could turn into a conflagration involving nuclear powers, with unpredictable and potentially devastating outcomes." Details: The rapid growth of artificial intelligence in 2024 caused increasing concerns about its military applications. During his presidency, Joe Biden signed an executive order aimed at reducing the risks AI poses to national security, the economy and public health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, his successor, Donald Trump, rescinded the order shortly after his inauguration. Quote from Holz: "Advances in AI are beginning to show up on the battlefield in tentative but worrisome ways, and of particular concern is the future possibility of AI applications to nuclear weapons. In addition, AI is increasingly disrupting the world's information ecosystem. AI-fueled disinformation and misinformation will only add to this dysfunction." More details: Last year was recorded as the hottest year in history, according to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). "While there has been impressive growth in wind and solar energy, the world is still falling short of what is necessary to prevent the worst aspects of climate change," said Holz. Support UP or become our patron! The Doomsday clock was set at 89 seconds to midnight on Tuesday morning, putting it the closest the world has ever been to what scientists deem "global catastrophe." The decades-old international symbol, described by the University of Chicago-based nonprofit the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists as a metaphor that shows how close the planet is to reaching "human extinction," is set every year. In January 2024, the clock was set at 90 seconds to midnight, the same as it was in 2023. This is the first time the clock has moved forward since 2023. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists tracks man-made threats and focuses on three main hazard areas nuclear risk, climate change and disruptive technologies to determine the clock's placement. The clock's position this year was set based on "nuclear weapons threats, the climate crisis, biological threats, and disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence," according to a press release from the Bulletin. The Doomsday Clock is seen at 89 seconds to midnight, the closest the clock has ever been to midnight in its 78-year history. / Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images "We set the clock closer to midnight because we do not see sufficient positive progress on the global challenges we face, including nuclear risk, climate change, biological threats and advances in disruptive technologies," said Daniel Holz, the chair of the Bulletin's Science and Security Board, which sets the clock, in a news conference Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Special guest Juan Manuel Santos, former president of Colombia and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, emphasized that the clock's forward movement could be stopped, but only if world leaders worked together. He highlighted President Trump's vow to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization as steps in the wrong direction. "We can only succeed if we act as one," Santos said. Other board members pointed to growing nuclear capabilities, proposals to integrate artificial intelligence into military functions, and disinformation online as major man-made threats. Former President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos (2nd L), chair of the Elders, and Robert Socolow (2nd R), professor emeritus at Princeton University, alongside Herb Lin (L), of the Center for International Security and Cooperation, and Suzet McKinney (R), of Life Sciences for Sterling Bay, unveil the "The 2025 Clock time signals that the world is on a course of unprecedented risk, and that continuing on the current path is a form of madness," the Bulletin said. "The United States, China, and Russia have the prime responsibility to pull the world back from the brink. The world depends on immediate action." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was founded in 1945 by Albert Einstein, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and University of Chicago scientists who helped develop the first atomic weapons in the Manhattan Project. The Bulletin created the Doomsday Clock two years later to convey man-made threats to human existence and the planet. The Clock has become a universally recognized indicator of the world's vulnerability to global catastrophe. The Science and Security Board, made up of scientists, nuclear technology and climate science experts, and members of organization's sponsoring board, meets twice a year to "discuss world events and reset the clock as necessary," according to its website. Dr. Leonard Rieser, Chairman of the Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, moves the hand of the Doomsday Clock back to 17 minutes before midnight at offices near the University of Chicago on Nov. 26, 1991. / Credit: Carl Wagner/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images The Doomsday clock was established in 1947, according to the Bulletin's website, by scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project. Then, the rise of nuclear weapons technology was believed to be the world's greatest threat, with early versions of the clock warning of the risk of the arms race between the U.S. and Soviet Union. Since 2007, climate change has been a leading concern that determines the placement of the clock. The clock was initially set at seven minutes to midnight and has moved 25 times since then. It can move backwards and forwards, with movement away from midnight showing that people can make positive change. The hands were furthest from midnight in 1991, following the end of the Cold War, according to the Bulletin. AI stocks plunge as China's DeepSeek sends shock wave through Wall Street U.S. troops head to southern border as deportations continue What DeepSeek means for America's AI ambitions The Dorchester Winter Farmers Market (DWFM) kicked off its 2025 season by honoring City Kids, a nonprofit organization founded by City Realty Group of Boston. City Kids received an award for its support of the DWFM program which provides underserved individuals and families in Dorchester with nutritious food during the winter months. City Kids also helped during the COVID-19 pandemic to save the DWFM coupon program after the city stopped providing funds for the initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City Kids funded the coupon program, which is critical for the farmers market to provide food and items to individuals in need. During the kick-off event, City Kids Co-Founder Stephen Whalen announced the organization is providing a $5000 donation to fund the program this winter. The DWFM is the only winter market in Dorchester, providing farm-fresh produce, baked goods, meat, specialty foods from local producers, art, and craft items. The DWFM directly addresses food and nutrition insecurity in this city neighborhood, which has a shortage of nutritious food options. The farmers market runs from January 25 through March 15 on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Great Hall, 6 Norfolk St in Dorchester. 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 WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Over the weekend, an Alabama man accused of sexual assault on a minor was arrested in Dothan. Washington County Sheriffs deputies say 24-year-old Alexander Mauldin traveled from Dothan to meet a girl he met on Snapchat. The victim claims they had sex on at least 3 different occasions and had discussed their ages. Kentucky man accused of sexual battery while on vacation in Panama City Beach Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mauldin was arrested in Dothan Friday and transferred to Washington County on Monday. He is charged with sexual assault on a person under 18, and obscene communication traveling to meet after use of a computer to lure a child. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) A Dothan man is behind bars in Houston County after investigators claimed he abused an elderly person. On December 15, investigators with the Houston County Sheriffs Office began an investigation into the alleged assault of a 64-year-old man. According to the HCSO, the suspect, Benjamin Patrick Heckerman, assaulted the man after an argument. After the investigation, a warrant was put out for Heckermans arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say Heckerman was found and arrested on Sunday, January 26, after a lengthy search. Heckerman is facing one count of elder abuse in the second degree and was booked into the Houston County Jail on a $30,000 bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Downtown Portland saw an increase in foot traffic and worker presence in 2024 marking an encouraging sign in the citys appeal and resilience post-pandemic, according to a new report from Downtown Portland Clean & Safe. Since 2009, Downtown Portland Clean & Safe has been tracking foot traffic as part of the organizations mission to encourage vitality of the citys core. According to the latest foot traffic report, released January 21, Downtown Portland is continuing to see strong signs of recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oregon one of the worst states for retirement, WalletHub says Overall, foot traffic saw a 3% increase in 2024 compared to 2023, along with a post-pandemic high of more than 2.4 million visitors in five separate months, the report says. Additionally, foot traffic has increased by 54% compared to downtowns pandemic low in 2021. Downtown Portland Clean & Safe credits the rise in foot traffic, in part, to the return of major events in the city including the Rockstar Energy Open, which brought thousands of people to Tom McCall Waterfront Park, and concerts at Providence Park notably, the Foo Fighters show, which brought 30,000 attendees downtown, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Positively Portland In addition to those events, the report also credits improvements in other key areas that led to increased foot traffic. This includes employee presence, which has risen by 8% in 2024 compared to 2023, the report states, noting Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are the most favored days for employees to be in the district. Additionally, the report highlights the opening of nearly 40 retail businesses and a recovery in tourism bringing more foot traffic to the citys core. An earthquake rattled the Cascadia fault 325 years ago. Heres what we know about the massive quake Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the report, tourisms strong recovery, was especially seen in June and July when demand for downtown Portland rooms grew by more than 10%. In August, room demand increased by more than 17%, with that trend continuing into the fall. The return of iconic events like Project Pabst and new attractions like the Rockstar Energy Open and Coralines Curious Cat Trail, combined with consistent growth in worker traffic and visitor numbers, shows that Portland is reclaiming its status as a premier destination for both culture and commerce, said Andrew Hoan, president and CEO of the Portland Business Alliance and the Portland Metro Chamber. Were seeing a revitalized downtown thats attracting both local workers and tourists, creating an increasingly dynamic city center. Mark Wells, the executive director of Downtown Portlands Clean & Safe added, Downtown Portland continues to show encouraging signs of recovery, with five months reaching the significant milestone of 2.4 million visitors in 2024, noting, The steady increase in overall foot traffic, and particularly the notable uptick in worker presence downtown, demonstrates that our recovery continues to move in the right direction. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A nighttime Russian drone attack on an energy facility left 72 settlements in Cherkasy Oblast without power as of the morning of 28 January. Source: Ukrenergo, Ukraines state-owned electricity transmission operator Details: As stated in the report, regional power company specialists will begin emergency restoration work as soon as they receive the necessary permits from the State Emergency Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: Wreckage from a downed Russian drone struck a building that housed a vintage car museum in Kyiv Oblast, destroying or damaging 36 vehicles. The attack also caused damage to houses and cars in the surrounding area. Support UP or become our patron! To everyones surprise, Israels hostage release deal with Hamas appears to be in better shape now than it was going into last weekend. Yet, for one family at least, a family who have come to symbolise the mass abductions of Oct 7 more than any other, Mondays developments all but shredded any remaining hope. Hamass publication on Friday afternoon of the names of the four hostages they intended to release the following day triggered immediate alarm in Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was for the simple reason that the four women Naama Levy, Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag and Karina Ariev were serving as IDF soldiers when they were captured, and although the exact terms of the deal have not been made public, it is widely understood that it stipulates that female civilians should be released first. Where were the seven remaining female non-combatants from the list of 33, the public demanded. The four women released on Saturday were serving as IDF soldiers when they were captured - AFP Two names in particular were loud amid the clamour: one, an individual, 29-year-old Arbel Yehoud; the other, a whole family, of the name Bibas. Video taken at the slaughterhouse that became Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct 7 showed a distraught Shiri Silberman Bibas clutching her red-headed children, four-year-old Ariel and newborn Kfir, as Hamas terrorists corralled her into captivity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her husband, 34-year-old Yarden, was also taken. Hamas later claimed that the mother was killed alongside her children in an IDF bombardment. Mystery has surrounded their wellbeing ever since. As more hostages were released, a five-word phrase was going viral on social media: Where are the Bibas family? - Kibbutz Nir Oz Although Saturdays hostage-for-prisoners swap went ahead without incident, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, cried foul, accusing Hamas of violating the terms of the agreement. The IDF, meanwhile, prevented returning Palestinian civilians from entering northern Gaza. The world held its breath, conscious that the deal upon which so much hope for peace is invested might well fail to live into its second week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, late on Sunday night, Hamas announced that in exchange, of course, for a proportionate number of Palestinian prisoners it would release a further three Israelis this Thursday, in addition to another three scheduled for the following Saturday. Consequently, Monday morning brought reports that the IDF was withdrawing from key security posts on the Netzarim corridor, the narrow fortified strip of land that runs across the centre of Gaza. Soon, the pictures flooded in of Palestinians heading back to the north, with family members embracing, having been cut off from each other for more than a year. A Palestinian man, displaced in the south at Israels order during the war, carries a child on his shoulders as he makes his way back to his home in northern Gaza - Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters Hamas reportedly with the assistance of outside mediators appeared to have realised that the Israelis had a point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consequently, far from falling apart, the deal appeared to be accelerating. The sting, however, was in the detail. While Arbels name was finally on the list of three to be released, another was Agam Berger, 20, a further member of the observer unit captured from the IDFs base at Nahal Oz. The fact that, again, a soldier although female, although young was being prioritised ahead of Shiri Silberman Bibas and her two small children, appeared to be a very bad sign. It did not help that, a few hours later on Monday, Israels government said it believed that eight out of 26 hostages still to be freed in the first phase of the deal were dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The authorities were said to be updating the families of hostages about whom there was fear for their lives. The name of Agam Berger, 20, another soldier, was on the list of hostages to be released - Ahmad Gharabli/AFP Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bibas family put out a statement. We hold on to hope and continue waiting for their return, it read. Since Oct 7, when the video of the cruel abduction was published, we have been living in fear and anxiety for their fate every minute of every day. We continue to demand that the Israeli government and the negotiation team do everything possible to bring the family back home. The statement concluded: Until there is certainty, this is not the end for us. That has been our approach until now, and it will remain so. We continue to hope. On social media, a five-word phrase was going viral: Where are the Bibas family? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was aimed principally, of course, at Hamas. But, perhaps, also at Netanyahu. Was Hamas right all along? Had the two tiny children and their mother tragically perished in an IDF bombardment in the early weeks of the war? Why had those two red-headed icons never appeared on any list of captured minors? Why, despite the bonus opportunity provided by Thursdays unscheduled swap, was their mother still not slated for release? With every day that goes past, alternative theories appear increasingly far-fetched. Among them was the idea that as is suspected in Arbels case the family members are being held by a different terrorist group and are not even under Hamas control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Or that Hamas do indeed hold them alive, but that in refusing to put them up for release they are playing some sick mind-game with the Israeli public. Acutely conscious of their PR, particularly in the wider Muslim world, it is all but inconceivable that Hamas would leave themselves in a position of having to explain why they held their most vulnerable captives longer than necessary. As ever in this tortured saga, there was no such thing as straightforward good news. What turned out to be an unexpected gift to one set of loved-ones, spelt probable numbness and despair for another. 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. ROCHELLE, Ill. (WTVO) Marco Hernandez Mandujuano, 31, was arrested on drunk driving charges after reportedly causing a crash that sent a 61-year-old Rochelle man to the hospital on Saturday. According to the Ogle County Sheriffs Office, Mandujuano was driving a 2012 Nissan Sentra southbound on S. Mulford Road when he failed to stop at a stop sign and struck a 2017 Chevrolet truck headed west on IL Route 38. Both vehicles were towed from the scene and both men were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mandujuano was cited for DUI, no drivers license, no insurance, and disregarding a stop sign. He was released in accordance with provisions of Illinois Pretrial Fairness 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. (KRON) An Oakland man was arrested after burglarizing a Fairfield apartment, according to the Fairfield Police Department. On Thursday, Fairfield police officers were dispatched to a report of an in-progress burglary at an apartment in the 1100 block of Dana Drive. A witness informed Fairfield dispatch that he saw a masked man enter his neighbors apartment through the window. Responding officers noticed a suspect, carrying a kitchen garbage bag stuffed with the victims property, leaving the apartment. The suspect fled from officers, hiding in a nearby apartment complex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1 firearm, 2 loaded magazines found after driver crashes into fire hydrant The department was assisted by patrol officers, school resource officers and traffic officers to find the suspect. Fairfield PD deployed a drone and spotted the suspect hiding in the complexs playground area. According to Fairfield PD, the suspect attempted to flee, but was detained. The suspect, identified as a 19-year-old Oakland resident, was arrested and booked into a local 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 KRON4. A drunk passenger in a Manhattan yellow cab pummeled and choked the driver before hijacking the taxi during a blow-up over the fare, police said Tuesday. The passenger, identified by police as Mame Gueye, 25, was riding in the back of the yellow cab when his card was declined and he said he wasnt going to pay, cops said. The fed-up cabbie stopped the taxi near Lexington Ave. and E. 23rd St. in Gramercy about 10:30 p.m. Monday and asked Gueye to get out but he refused, cops said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the hack asked Gueye to get out, the feeling-no-pain fare pulled the driver out of the cab and pummeled him choking him and punching him numerous times, according to police. The boozed-up bully then jumped behind the wheel and sped off heading downtown on Lexington Ave., leaving the stunned cabbie behind. Cops quickly reached out to the cab company, which tracked the stolen vehicle through its GPS tag to Madison Ave. near 78th St. When cops arrived at that location, Gueye was just getting out of the vehicle, police said. Officers pursued him on foot until they grabbed him at 79th St. and Park Ave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cab driver refused medical attention. Meanwhile, Gueye was transported to a nearby hospital for observation. He now faces a slew of charges, including robbery, assault and criminal obstruction of breathing. Gueye, of the Bronx, has one prior arrest from March 2023 for driving while intoxicated, police said. A 72-year-old Hartland man was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving a school bus Monday after refusing to let children off the bus and "acting erratically," police say. The Hartland Police Department said in a statement that a 911 call came in a 4:23 p.m. reporting the school bus driver. "The school bus later stopped, and parents began to arrive to pick up their kids, confronting the bus driver. The entire school bus had evacuated, and the bus drove away," police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police initiated a traffic stop on the bus and "upon further investigation" the driver was arrested and booked into the Waukesha County Jail. Police said charges of operating while intoxicated, first offense with a passenger under the age of 16, and second-degree recklessly endangering safety were referred to the Waukesha County District Attorney's Office. The school bus company is Dousman Transport Company serving the Hartland-Lakeside School District. Dousman Transport didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Drunken Hartland school bus driver arrested, police say By Jana Choukeir DUBAI (Reuters) -Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, the head of Dubai conglomerate Al Habtoor Group, said on X on Tuesday he had cancelled all planned investments in Lebanon due to continuing instability, and would sell all his properties and investments in the country. Al Habtoor said in a statement separately that the unrest and instability in Lebanon by "factions loyal to armed militias in the country paint a grim picture." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The continued dominance of armed militias (the Shiite militias) and the failure to establish rule of law make it impossible for any investor to proceed with confidence in such an environment," he said. Hezbollah supporters held rallies in Beirut on Sunday, including in Christian-majority neighbourhoods, raising sectarian tensions. The protests came after residents, primarily Shi'ites, returned to southern Lebanon before a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was recently extended. The U.S. said on Sunday the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel will remain in effect until Feb. 18, after Israel said it would keep troops in the south beyond the Sunday deadline set out in a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that halted last year's war with Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unless the new government took a firm stance against those seeking to destabilise the country, he said, hopes for a "new Lebanon" would remain unfulfilled. Al Habtoor said his decisions were made after careful analysis and monitoring. He added that neither he nor his family or group managers would be travelling to Lebanon. HEZBOLLAH INFLUENCE Gulf states, most of which are Sunni Muslim, have shunned Lebanon for years because of the strong influence of the Iranian-backed Shi'ite armed movement Hezbollah in state affairs. Hezbollah was the most powerful political and military force in Lebanon before it went to war with Israel. Israel dealt the movement heavy blows, assassinating its top leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al Habtoor, a major businessman in the Middle East, said his investments in Lebanon, which had been frozen for years, suffered losses worth $1.4 billion. Last year, Al Habtoor issued a notice of investment treaty dispute against Lebanon after it imposed restrictions that prevented the group from transferring its funds. The Al Habtoor group is a multi-billion-dollar global conglomerate with interests ranging from luxury hotels to shopping malls. As of January last year, its investments in Lebanon amounted to about $1 billion. Last week, Al Habtoor had expressed an intention to invest in Lebanon once a new government was formed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Arab Emirates has reopened its embassy in Lebanon, more than three years after shutting it. The UAE had withdrawn its diplomats and closed the embassy in October 2021, aligning with Saudi Arabia, after Lebanon's then-information minister criticised the Saudi-led coalition's involvement in Yemen. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said last week that after the new government is formed, talks will be held with Gulf states to establish the foundations for new cooperation. (Reporting by Jana Choukeir; additional reporting by Nayera Abdallah and Hadeel Al Sayegh; Editing by Alex Richardson, Sharon Singleton, Bernadette Baum and Kevin Liffey) WASHINGTON (AP) Donald Trump in his first week back in the White House has offered an early preview to his second-term foreign policy approach: Talk loudly and wield a big stick. Over the weekend, Trump threatened to levy massive tariffs on Colombia after the countrys leftist president refused to allow a U.S. military plane returning deported migrants from the South American nation to land in the country. Hes needled the Ukrainian president for talking so brave instead of negotiating with Russia. Hes flummoxed even Republican allies with his calls on Mideast nations to take in Palestinian refugees from Gaza, potentially moving out enough of the population to just clean out the war-torn area to create a virtual clean slate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through economic coercion and sharp rhetoric, Trump is signaling that he intends to be a bull in the China shop in hopes of extracting what he wants from allies and adversaries alike. In the Colombia episode, President Gustavo Petro quickly relented in the face of Trump's threatened tariffs 25% on all Colombian goods coming into the country and doubling to 50% in a week. The moment may be just a taste of what is to come. As you saw yesterday, weve made it clear to every country that they will be taking back ... people that were sending out, Trump said in a Monday speech before House Republicans at their annual policy retreat. The criminals and illegal aliens coming from their countries were (sending) them back, and theyre going to take them back fast. And if they dont, theyll pay a very high economic price. The hard-nosed approach from Trump in the showdown with Colombia was hardly unexpected. He vowed to quickly reverse the approach of his Democratic predecessor, President Joe Biden, whom he frequently criticized as demonstrating weakness on the international stage when the world was looking for stronger leadership from the world's foremost power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House counselor Alina Habba said Petro miscalculated and flexed with the wrong president. You mess with the bull, you get the horns, Habba told Newsmax. Big stick diplomacy During planning for their return to power, Trumps team decided on an aggressive course of action to respond to any nation that moved to block his agenda, hoping to make an example of them right out of the gate, according to a senior official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. And with the heavy reliance on sticks rather than carrots in the opening days of Trump 2.0, the administration has sought to send a clear message that U.S. foreign policy will be driven by an unrelenting commitment to the America First worldview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon after the Colombia matter was resolved, Trump posted on social media a photo of himself in a pinstripe suit and Trilby fedora favored by American gangsters in the 1920s as well as a crass acronym that warns not to test him. The posting was a decidedly modern, and Trumpian, turn on President Theodore Roosevelt's use of the West African aphorism to speak softly and carry a big stick." It seems to me that from the Trump administrations perspective, theyve met their goal, right? said Kevin Whitaker, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Colombia from 2014 to 2019. Its not just that they got what they wanted. The approval for the flights was secured. But they sent a message about their commitment to use all of the tools in their toolkit in order to achieve them. It's not just on immigration where Trump is trying to rattle his international counterparts to get in line with blunt talk. The president said that he used a phone call last week with Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to press for OPEC+ to slash oil prices, a move that he believes is the most effective way to force Russia to negotiate an end to its war against Ukraine. The kingdom is the most prominent member of OPEC+, a group of major oil exporting nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, a critic of the Biden administration's spending to back Ukraine's war effort, pledged during the campaign to bring a quick end to the nearly three-year war. One way to stop it quickly is for OPEC to stop making so much money, Trump told reporters, in what could be interpreted as a blunt critique of the Saudis, a key ally. So, OPEC ought to get on the ball and drop the price of oil. And that war will stop right away. On Saturday evening, Trump also grabbed the attention of Middle East partners, Egypt and Jordan, when he said that the two countries should take hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from war-ravaged Gaza. Officials from both countries flatly rejected the idea, and even a prominent Republican Trump backer, Sen. Lindsey Graham of North Carolina, said he was puzzled by Trump's comments. The idea that all the Palestinians are going to leave and go somewhere else, I dont see that to be overly practical, Graham said in a Sunday morning appearance on CNNs State of the Union." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio heads to Central America The dispute with Colombia's Petro comes as Trump is dispatching Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week to Central America for his first international travel as America's top diplomat. The trip will take him to Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. The decision to put an early focus on Central America including nations that are central to the success of Trump's mass deportation effort and his bid to clamp down on illegal immigration speaks to how big a priority immigration is for Trump out of the gate. Rubio's stop in Panama also comes as Trump in recent weeks has said he wants the Panama Canal back under U.S. control, claiming that American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form," and that China is operating the Panama Canal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Panamanians have interpreted Trumps remarks as a way of applying pressure on Panama for something else he wants: better control of migration through the Darien Gap. Others have recalled the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama with concern. To be certain, Chinas growing commercial interest in the Western Hemisphere, including its operation of a port at the canal, have long fueled U.S. concerns about Beijings broader role in global shipping and port operations. The Biden administration shared similar worries, but sought to counter China by rallying wealthy economies to band together against Chinas trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, which has launched a network of infrastructure projects and maritime lanes that snake around large portions of the world. Colombia firestorm a preview of what's to come? The Biden administration also sought to make the case to developing nations that the U.S. offered a better partner than Beijing, which it accused of exploiting poorer nations with coercive and unsustainable lending to build infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump in his approach to Panama has taken a wholly different approach, jostling and threatening an ally to get in line. Colombia, which was at the center of Sunday's diplomatic hullabaloo, has a strategic partnership with China, but thus far has resisted joining the belt and road project as many of its Latin American and Caribbean neighbors have. Geoff Ramsey, a senior fellow at the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center at the Atlantic Council, said that he expects Petro to aggressively pursue infrastructure deals with China moving forward. I think thats going to be a source of tensions with Washington, Ramsey said. For better or for worse, Sundays firestorm may be just a preview of whats to come. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) January 26 marked the 325th anniversary since the last earthquake struck the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Centuries later, the ancient quake has left clues for scientists to prepare for the next one. The massive magnitude 9 quake stretched from Northern California to British Columbia, and sent a tsunami to Japan, researchers have found. The last Cascadia earthquake and tsunami occurred on January 26 in the year 1700 and it reached the shores of Oregon at approximately 9 p.m. The reason we can constrain it so tightly to that time of day even is in part because of Japan, who had very detailed records at that time of what they were experiencing on their coastline, Laura Gabel, a geologist with the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries told KOIN 6 News Monday. Also, Native American lore talked about the tsunami, the large shaking event and then water coming onshore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DONT MISS: Will an undersea volcano erupt near Oregon in 2025? The ancient quake also left behind geologic clues, including ghost forests in the Pacific Northwest. Thats actually one of the more beautiful geologic stories that we have in science. Folks that are from the coasts know that theres these things called ghost forests, tree trunks that are left standing that are no longer alive, sometimes theyre petrified. And they are a direct product of the earthquake in 1700. During the big events, the coast drops, sometimes by as much as four, five, six, seven, eight feet and then the trees end up being submerged into the salty water at these coastal marshes, Diego Melgar, director of University of Oregons Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center, previously told KOIN 6 News. With Cascadia earthquakes expected roughly every 300-500 years, researchers are using those clues to prepare for the next tremor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oregon one of the worst states for retirement, WalletHub says We as a collective not just my agency, but geoscientists as a whole we do not have the capacity to predict when earthquakes are going to occur, Gabel noted. Generally speaking, there is a lot of work being done at all levels of government and private institutions around the world to predict and to be able to have as much warning [for the next quake] as possible. Cascadia Subduction Zone graphic (USGS) The geologist explained that Japan and California have advanced earthquake warning systems with seismometers tracking earthquake activity, noting there is some difficulty with warning systems for the Cascadia zone. The Cascadia Subduction Zone is tens of miles offshore in the deep ocean. So, listening for activity off there is much more difficult. There are seismometers on the ocean floor, and they are doing just that, but there are not many. And so, the scale of earthquakes that were trying to listen for are just monumentally larger than anything else, Gabel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE raid rumors can be really damaging in Oregon While there is uncertainty of when exactly the next Cascadia quake could occur, Gabel said DOGAMI is working on a probabilistic assessment report for the state to provide guidance for building and bridge designs to ensure Oregons infrastructure has a better chance of withstanding the next major quake. Meanwhile, Gabel also reminds individuals to prepare. People can prepare [for a Cascadia Subduction Zone] earthquake, but the most important thing is just to know that it is a risk for us living here. It is a hazard, but it is survivable, Gabel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KOIN Morning Digest Its just a matter of taking some time, if youre going to the coast, to think about whether youre going to be in a low-lying area thats inside the tsunami zone, and if it is inside the tsunami zone, to just spend a moment thinking about what you route out of that area will be, Gabel explained. Were trying to make it so that anyone thats coming to the coast is being made aware of this whether its through their hotel or signage theyre just seeing when you drive on [Highway] 101 you see youre entering and leaving tsunami [zone] signs, and thats all meant not just to show you where you are literally entering and leaving tsunami zone, but to get you thinking about it, Gabel explained. We made evacuation maps for every community on the coast, and we have an online viewer and smartphone app that will provide information on where location is with respect to the tsunami zone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabel also highlighted longer-term preparations for Oregonians to be prepared, including the Oregon Office of Emergency Managements guide to help Oregonians pack enough supplies to survive two-weeks after a major quake; however, Gabel notes Oregonians should prepare beyond two weeks. We cant prevent the next tsunami, but we can prepare for it, and the coast is a beautiful place to visit and live, and we encourage discussion of Cascadia, not to alarm people, but to encourage them to be informed and feel empowered to come to the coast with that knowledge in mind and enjoy themselves, Gabel 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 KOIN.com. The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles had a stellar December that saw both West Coast maritime hubs handle record cargo volumes for the month as imports flooded the U.S. to close the year. The reports out of Californias top two ports buoyed a wider flurry of cargo that hit American ports nationwide. According to data calculated by container shipping expert John McCown, there was a 14.2 percent increase in total inbound cargo volume in December across the top 10 U.S. ports. This represents the eighth largest monthly year-over-year gain in 41 months, he said. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two main factors contributed to the import surge as the year concluded. For one, importers sought to bring in more goods ahead of the inauguration of President Donald Trump, whose administration will levy tariffs on countries including China, Mexico and Canada, among others, beginning Feb. 1. Secondly, there was concern among the shipping industry regarding a possible second strike at the East and Gulf Coast ports, which was averted when the International Longshoremens Association (ILA) reached a tentative deal with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) on Jan. 8. Those events are likely going to have some spillover into January that would further push up cargo volumes into the U.S. However, McCown pointed out that the impact of importer front-loading in the months prior has thus far been minimal on retails overall inventory figures, even with the major end-of-year bump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite articles and various commentaries, the official Census data shows that any impact from pulling forward volume, whether out of concern related to possible East/Gulf Coast labor unrest or potential increased tariffshas been minimal, McCown said, noting that U.S. business inventories at the end of November were $2.588 trillion, up $1.6 billion or 0.1 percent from revised October measures. While McCown indicated that there hadnt been a noticeable increase in inventories or the related inventory-to-sales ratio, he said there was a clear sign of coastal shifting in December as the ILA strike possibility remained up in the air. This marks a reversal of what had happened in early-to-mid 2023, he observed, when some shippers avoided the West Coast during the contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA). Decembers overall inbound container volume was 2.8 percent above the prior 53-month average, which McCown calculated starting August 2020. During the month, East and Gulf Coast ports were 3.9 percent below their 53-month average while West Coast ports were 9.5 percent above their average. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCown uses the 53-month benchmark, as it marks the time since the beginning of the pandemic effect, when changing customer spending patterns resulted in shifting volumes throughout container shipping. McCowns data, presented in the monthly McCown Report, tallies up data from ports in Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York and New Jersey, Savannah, Houston, Norfolk, Seattle, Tacoma, Charleston and Oakland. The Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and maritime trade consultancy Hackett Associates had a more bullish projection for major U.S. ports in December, anticipating growth of 19.2 percent to 2.24 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Unlike McCowns data, the Global Port Tracker projections also include data from Florida-based port systems, including Jacksonville, Port Everglades and Miami. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Port of Los Angeles, dockworkers moved 921,616 TEUs, up 24.1 percent from the prior December. And the neighboring Port of Long Beach had its most active December ever by moving 861,006 TEUs, up 21.3 percent. The L.A. port surpassed its December 2020 record total by 4.8 percent, while the L.B. gateway beat that months total by 5.5 percent. Imports carried the growth at the Port of Long Beach, with imports jumping 23.9 percent to 412,876 TEUs while exports declined 2.8 percent to 100,792 TEUs. For the Port of Los Angeles, the growth in containers was more even, with inbound cargo volumes increasing 26.4 percent to 461,312 TEUs, while outbound volumes increased 21.8 percent to 460,304 TEUs. The December volumes across the San Pedro Bay ports capped off an exceptional year of growth in 2024. The Port of Long Beach handled 9.65 million containers, up 20.3 percent over 2023s totals and marking an all-time annual record by surpassing the 9.38 million TEUs moved in 2021. The Port of Los Angeles didnt quite hit a record with its 19.3 percent growth to 10.3 million containers, but 2024 is still the second biggest year for the gateway since the 10.68 million-TEU total throughput in 2021. EAST ORANGE, N.J. (PIX11) Deficit or deceit? Thats what parents, teachers and some school administrators were chanting at an East Orange Board of Education meeting Monday night. The group is upset about what it says is the lack of transparency from East Orange School Superintendent Christopher Irving and members of the board. More Local News In October, the superintendent used the term deficit in a public presentation about the districts financial situation. In December, dozens of people including social workers, Spanish teachers and substitutes, lost their jobs under a Reduction in Force (RIF). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thelma Ramsey Bryant, the president of the East Orange Administrators Association, then used the Open Public Records Act to obtain documents the superintendent and an auditor sent to the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE). The New Jersey DOE had accused the district of violating the law by not reporting the deficit. In those documents, Superintendent Irving stated he did not mean deficit in the legal sense of the word, and added, The District has and had adequate funding, and was not in a deficit situation prior to the RIF. Irving added, The RIF action was in most part academically-driven to improve academic performance, and to ensure that the Districts limited resources was used more effectively and efficiently. Amid the public outcry, Superintendent Irving addressed the issue at the start of Mondays meeting. He said he should have used another term like projected shortfall, but added, The bottom line is, we do not have enough money to match our revenues and expenditures over the course of this year. The superintendent said the district was hit with millions of dollars in overdue bills from vendors, explaining, When you only have a $2.3 million surplus from the year before, and you have almost $7 million in bills going into the new year, that surplus is almost all wiped away. Weve talked about reserves. We used up every dollar. 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. (NewsNation) East Palestine, Ohio, and Norfolk Southern said Tuesday that they reached a $22 million settlement that resolved all claims by the village stemming from the 2023 train derailment. This settlement, East Palestine and Norfolk said in a joint statement, is to be used for priorities identified by the Village in connection with the train derailment. The around $13.5 million in prior payments Norfolk has made to the village since the derailment are recognized in the settlement, the statement said. These include the replacement of East Palestines fire and police equipment and vehicles, improvements to its water treatment plant and the exterior renovation of the historic East Palestine train depot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norfolk Southern, per the settlement, also reaffirmed its commitment of $25 million for the ongoing improvements to East Palestine City Park. What is the minimum income to file this years tax return? However, Norfolk Southern and East Palestine officials, the statement said, mutually agreed that work would not continue on a $20 million proposed regional safety training center in the village. The statement said both entities decided that the creation and operation of such a center is not feasible. Initially, Norfolk had agreed to transfer about 15 acres it acquired for the center to the village. Residents of East Palestine say they are still having health issues more than two years after a Norfolk train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in the area on Feb. 3, 2023. Officials vented and burned five tank cars, releasing the carcinogen vinyl chloride into the air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Linda Murphy, an East Palestine resident, expressed frustration with the $22 million settlement, telling NewsNation that many individuals and families are stuck in the same place they were when the derailment first happened. The village has been receiving millions, Murphy said. It is like it has become a separate individual entity not something made up of its residents. Another resident, Jami Wallace, criticized what she said is zero transparency from the village on the settlement, along with it not mentioning health insurance or relocation. The settlement, Wallace said, goes with the villages choosing economic recovery over human health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE reports 3,500 arrests in first week of Trumps presidency More legal actions are pending, with some residents challenging Norfolk Southerns $600 million class-action settlement that was offered to those who lived within 20 miles of the derailment. The residents have asked the court to reject a judges 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. A separate settlement with the federal government is waiting for a judges approval as well. This deal includes $25 million for medical exams and another $30 million for drinking water monitoring. In addition, Norfolk agreed to pay a $15 million fine and for the $1 billion cleanup in East Palestine. 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. Norfolk Southern and East Palestine, Ohio, reached a settlement over the February 2023 derailment that sent toxic chemicals into the area's air, soil and creeks, the village and company said in a joint statement. "The settlement provides the Village with $22 million from Norfolk Southern to be used for priorities identified by the Village in connection with the train derailment," the a statement said. The agreement "resolved all claims by the Village," the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: East Palestine derailment: Timeline of key events in toxic train disaster The agreement announcement on Monday came almost 2 years after the Feb. 3, 2023, derailment, in which about 50 cars of a freight train derailed in a fiery crash. Eleven of the derailed cars were transporting hazardous materials. Norfolk Southern agreed in April 2024 to a $600 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit, with all of those funds going directly to residents. Norfolk Southern has since the derailment paid about $13.5 million to the village for improvements to public infrastructure, including replacing fire and police equipment and vehicles, according to the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The railroad corporation has also paid for improvements and renovations to East Palestine's train depot and water treatment plant. "The settlement also reaffirms Norfolk Southerns commitment of $25 million to the ongoing improvements to the East Palestine City Park," the village said. A spokesperson for Norfolk Southern confirmed Tuesday's announcement in an email to ABC News. ABC News' Meredith Deliso and Mark Osborne contributed to this report. East Palestine reaches settlement with Norfolk Southern over 2023 derailment originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Nearly two years after a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, caused a chemical explosion, resident Hilary Flint says she still feels its detrimental effects on her health. Flint was forced to move when chemicals began to seep into the air, making her sick. If she goes back to her home, which was near the derailment, Flint will still get rashes and other symptoms. Its something a lot of community members are being diagnosed with and experiencing, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not only that, but the community is still fractured, Flint said Monday on NewsNation Live. When youre from small towns, theyre very close-knit where now we dont have that same type of feeling in the (Pennsylvania) or Ohio communities that were affected, Flint said. She added that she is incredibly disappointed that residents still dont have access to health monitoring or care that they need, so she hopes that Vice President Vance follows through on the promises he made to those affected by the train derailment. Vance, a former Republican Ohio senator, has called for more chemical testing in East Palestine. He and former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) also urged the Department of Health and Human Services to set up a voluntary disease registry for those exposed to toxic chemicals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It just seems like the process has been incredibly slow-moving while people are just continuing to get sicker every day, Flint said. So I hope now that President Trump and Vice President Vance are in office that they can get this moving quickly because its something that JD Vance ran on, she 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. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) A Morristown resident is asking his community to support migrant families as the Trump administration cracks down on immigration enforcement. As someone who witnessed the aftermath of one of the largest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in East Tennessee, Pedro Reyes said he hopes history doesnt repeat itself. Morristown, East Tennessee is one of the few places in this country that doesnt have to speculate what is going to happen if an immigration raid happens, said Reyes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TNs role in mass deportations: Federal illegal immigration enforcement to be considered during special session Reyes said he was in high school in 2018 when ICE raided a Bean Station meat processing facility where 97 Latino workers were detained without agents knowing their immigration status. At the time, officials said it was large cash withdrawals by the owner that led federal authorities to the plant. I remembered that moment in April 2018 so clearly, said Reyes. I was in my speech classroom and peoples phones just started pinging as text messages were coming in. He said those messages were alerting some students that their parents had been detained. Since the raid, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of the workers. In 2023, the U.S. government paid over $1 million to settle allegations of civil rights violations. Plant owner James Brantley was sentenced to 18 months in prison and paid nearly $1.3 million in restitution to the IRS. About 150 plant workers received a combined $610,000 in back pay and damages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents raising money to build track in honor of Tellico Plains champion runner Nearly seven years later, Reyes said the impact can still be felt in his community. What we already went through damaged us for years. It harmed our economy. It harmed our people and it harmed our kids, said Reyes. Immediately following the raid, he said the community came together to support displaced families. In times that are hard and rough and that our people in our state have been directly impacted, we come together. We put everything aside, he said. Thats exactly what happened that day in April, our community came together. People that I knew believed differently than I were there helping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the Trump administration extending the authority of immigration officers, he hopes his community can come together once again for the children deportation can impact. See more top stories on WATE.com And I hope people continue to speak up on a respectful front, and thats what I beg people, is keep children at the core of this conversation, be respectful to one another, and reflect back on the past that weve already gone through as a state, he said. So they never have to endure that trauma again. I remember this little boy. He was probably six or five years old, coming up to me, looked exactly like me when I was six or five, and asking me where his mom was. And at the time, even now for him, I dont know the answer. 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. Rep. Kevin Raper, a Cleveland Republican, says he's being pressured to vote for Gov. Bill Lee's school voucher plan. (Photo: John Partipilo) An East Tennessee Republican admitted Monday to being pressured to vote for the governors private school voucher bill as the legislature speeds the measure toward a vote. Oh, you wouldnt believe, Rep. Kevin Raper, a second-term House Republican member from Cleveland, told the Lookout after lawmakers convened Monday. He declined to identify who was pressuring him to support vouchers but voted against the bill when it passed the House Education Committee on a 17-7 vote Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similarly to other rural Republicans, he is feeling the heat from school and government leaders in his district, as well as from the general public. The Bradley County School Board, Cleveland City Schools Board of Education and the Bradley County Commission have publicly opposed Gov. Bill Lees $450 million private school voucher program. The government bodies, whose districts are at least partially located in Rapers district, have stated publicly they are worried vouchers will negatively impact public schools. The state Republican-controlled legislature is expediting the voucher measure through committees in hopes of wrapping the governors special session by the end of the week, despite lawmakers considering other measures related to immigration enforcement, hurricane relief funds and the authority over future toll roads. Rep. Jody Barrett, another House Republican from Dickson, said Monday that if the legislature approves the governors voucher plan, the state will create an entitlement program and eventually will run off a fiscal cliff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican critics of the plan predict the state will take funds from public schools as soon as private school voucher funding runs dry. The measure also includes a hold harmless provision to keep school districts from losing state funds when students transfer to private schools. Lee and supporters say passing the legislation is critical to give parents school choice. Governor gives out rural grants ahead of special session Democrats fighting to stop the measure said Monday that the governors office doled out two sets of grants within the past week that could be considered incentives for rural Republicans to vote for the voucher bill. Rural lawmakers netted $7.4 million worth of infrastructure grants for utilities last week, and the governor and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter announced $17 million for 11 site development grants on Monday. Most of the grants were for rural districts, including $2.9 million for Spring Branch Industrial Park in Bradley County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. John Ray Clemmons, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said the grants just happen to pair up with a lot of swing votes in the House. On the heels of the legislatures franchise and excise tax break last year, which totaled $700 million in rebates and $400 million in annual cuts for the next few years, Democrats said the legislature continues to cater to the states most affluent people. It is a sheer transfer of wealth upward, said Democratic Sen. Jeff Yarbro of Nashville. The bill includes $144 million to provide vouchers of more than $7,000 to up to 20,000 students in the programs first year. The first 10,000 vouchers could go to a family of four with an income of $175,000 or less, and the other 10,000 would have no income limit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A one-time $2,000 bonus is provided to teachers, and about $77 million of the states gambling revenue can be used for local school construction projects. But a fiscal analysis of the bill shows two-thirds of the vouchers would go to students already enrolled in private schools. The legislation would remove $45 million from the states K-12 funding formula, and only $3.3 million is set aside for 12 public school districts that lose students who transfer to private schools. Dems complain about time of debate. Republicans deny tying hurricane money and voucher vote. Democrats complained on the House floor Monday that the governors bills are being pushed to passage without ample time for debate. For instance, amendments must be filed 24 hours before a bill is to be heard on the House floor, even though the session could last only three days. House Majority Leader William Lamberth of Portland objected to the notion, saying the legislature can handle seven bills with ease because it considers hundreds of bills during short time frames in regular sessions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Republicans also have rebuked the idea that lawmakers are being pressured to vote for the governors voucher bill, saying each measure is being handled separately. But the funding bills, totaling more than $1 billion, are expected to be taken up as one measure. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) received a threatening phone call this morning, according to a news release from the college. EICC received a phone call from a person on January 28 who claimed to have information about recent acts of vandalism committed against the college and the Muscatine community. The caller also reported a direct threat to their residence and the college. EICC leadership immediately contacted the Muscatine Police Department and began working with law enforcement to ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors. Authorities determined that the threat was related to hateful and offensive vandalism discovered over the weekend on the Muscatine Community College campus and other locations in the area. The college placed the Muscatine campus on lockdown because they were unsure of the suspects location to ensure the safety and well-being of people on campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Muscatine Police Department responded to the incident, which led to discovering the suspects location. The campus was declared safe and the lockdown was lifted. Classes and normal operations have resumed as scheduled and there is no ongoing threat to the campus or the community. We are deeply grateful to the Muscatine Police Department for their quick and thorough response to this situation, said Interim Chancellor Liang Chee Wee. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is committed to a safe environment for all. We categorically condemn any acts of hate or violence and will continue to work closely with law enforcement as they complete their investigation into these incidents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 study published Tuesday by UCLA researchers indicates the Eaton Fire disproportionately affected Black residents in Altadena. The research comes from a new data brief from the UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies, the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge and the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute. Data from the study indicates that over 60% of Black households in Altadena were located within the Eaton Fire perimeter, and nearly half of them were destroyed or severely damaged. Comparatively, half of the non-Black households in Altadena were located within the wildfire perimeter, and only 37% of the residences occupied by non-Black households were destroyed or severely damaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State charges L.A. County realtor with price gouging after fires According to the study, this could be due to the impacts of redlining, as historical redlining practices resulted in the concentration of Black families into the areas of Altadena most affected by the fire, which exacerbated vulnerabilities. Additionally, 57% of Black homeowners in Altadena are over the age of 65, which poses even greater challenges such as the possibility of insufficient insurance and risks of financial exploitation. Denise and Adonis Coach AD Jones stand in front of what is left of their Altadena home after it burned down in the Eaton Fire. (Courtesy: Jones family) And while the destruction from the fire undoubtedly has critical immediate impacts, researchers believe that the effects will last well into the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fires will directly disrupt the passage of property to younger Black community members, making the transfer of generational wealth in this community uncertain, the study said. Additionally, rising property values and preexisting barriers to homeownership for Black buyers prevent younger Black people from buying in the area. These two factors threaten to erase Altadenas Black community altogether, researchers stated. City officials in San Gabriel Valley oppose Eaton Fire waste collection site Professor Lorrie Frasure, who teaches political science and African American studies while also serving as the director of the Bunche Center, reiterated that the recovery process must acknowledge Altadenas diverse history, not discard it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Altadenas Black community has long served as a symbol of resilience and opportunity in the Los Angeles region, but the Eaton Fire exposes how decades of segregation and the legacy of redlining practices have left Black households more vulnerable, Frasure said. The recovery process must acknowledge this historic legacy and the disparities stemming from it to provide tailored support that ensures the restoration and future of this vibrant community. Overall, researchers stressed that Altadena, described as a hub of Black homeownership and cultural vibrancy, faces an uncertain future, and that the studys findings serve as a stark reminder of the systemic inequities that persist at least in part due to the legacy of discriminatory housing practices. The report calls for disaster recovery strategies that are equitable, prioritizing not only immediate restoration but also the sustainability of historic communities, which remain among the most vulnerable to disasters, the study concluded. The full data set can be read here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Tuesday morning, the Eaton Fire was 99% contained. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) An ECU professor was arrested and charged with 10 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor after an investigation by the FBI and SBI. A search warrant was served at the home of Dr. Blace Nalavany, 57, of Winterville, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. Dr. Nalavany has been an associate professor of social work at the school since 2006. Dr. Nalavany was jailed in the Pitt County Jail under a $750,000 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 WNCT. When the Creek fire exploded in the Angeles National Forest in 2017, suspicions quickly fell on electric power lines as the cause. Witnesses reported seeing a snapped line on a high-voltage transmission tower in Little Tujunga Canyon around the time the fire started, and investigators focused their attention there. There was fire concentrated over there and sparks coming off the pylon. ... It spread each direction, one resident told The Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it would take another seven years for federal authorities to conclude that the fire which destroyed 70 homes was caused by Southern California Edison. It was only last year that a federal investigator with the U.S. Forest Service made his determination, after gaining access in 2022 to Edison's data. The federal government filed suit saying the utility giant not only caused the fire but also withheld pertinent data that could have led to the fire's origin being pinpointed earlier. It is seeking $40 million in damages. SCE breached its duty of care and was negligent in causing the Creek Fire, including its failure to construct, maintain, and operate its power lines and equipment in a safe and effective working order, the federal complaint said. Edison denies that its equipment caused the fire and strongly rejects the allegation that it withheld information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We do not believe that SCE equipment was involved in the ignition of the Creek fire. We don't agree with the allegations regarding the Creek fire. And we are addressing this matter through the proper court process," said Kathleen Dunleavy, a spokeswoman for Edison. The Creek Fire burns into the night in the Shadow Hills neighborhood of Sylmar on Dec. 5, 2017. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) The Creek fire, a small incident when compared to the firestorm that swept L.A. County on Jan. 7, illustrated the long and twisted road of investigations into major blazes. Edison is under intense scrutiny now for Januarys Eaton fire, which destroyed 7,000 homes and killed 17 people in the Altadena area. Witnesses reported seeing the fire start under an Edison transmission tower in Eaton Canyon; video and photos also show the conflagration's early moments seemingly under the electrical tower. The utility has pledged to cooperate in the investigation into the cause of the fire. To the lawyers already suing, responsibility lies with the utility. Edison, meanwhile, says it has no evidence of faults on its power grid before or at the time of the fire that would suggest its equipment was responsible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much rides on the investigation. There are financial implications if the utility is found to be at fault. The stock price of the utility, which has already fallen since the fire broke out, could plummet. Given the stakes, experts say it's important to give investigators time. "It takes time. You cant just run with the first probable answer," said Stewart Gary, a public safety consultant with Citygate Associates and former fire chief of the LivermorePleasanton Fire Department. Big utilities have been determined to be the cause of some of Californias worst fires. The Camp fire in Paradise which burned 153,000 acres and killed 85 people was determined to have been caused by a high-voltage PG&E transmission line that was about 100 years old. The utility pleaded guilty to 84 counts of manslaughter and agreed to pay a $13.5-billion settlement to victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But investigations sometimes find other causes. PG&E was also the focus of the massive Tubbs fire in 2017 in Santa Rosa that killed 22 people. But Cal Fire concluded it was actually a private power line, not PG&E lines, that caused the blaze. Investigators examine the base of an electrical tower where the Eaton fire erupted. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) A 'deliberate decision' to 'suppress evidence' The focus on Edison and the Eaton fire comes as the utility is battling in court over allegations that it was less than forthcoming with its data about the Creek fire. Power lines were also an early focus of the Creek fire, which burned more than 15,000 acres in the San Fernando Valley and destroyed more than 100 structures. The initial investigation, done by the U.S. Forest Service, concluded after five weeks that the fire was caused by transmission lines operated by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. But the investigation was complicated by the fact that LADWP officials said the fire started six minutes before they had any faults on their power line. The investigative report was released publicly in 2020, and insurance companies and fire victims suing LADWP asked Edison for data in April 2020 related to a distribution line known as the Lopez Circuit near the fire's origin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After not hearing back, the plaintiffs served Edison with a subpoena that July requesting the data, according to a memorandum in the civil case filed by insurance companies and victims. In an initial document production that September, Edison did not provide the relevant data, the plaintiffs claimed in their memorandum. But in December, one day before the statute of limitations expired, Edison handed over the fault data, the plaintiffs claimed. "That fault data clearly documents several massive, elevated amperage events on the Lopez Circuit at precisely the time the Creek Fire ignited," the plaintiffs wrote in their suit. An Edison attorney disputed the plaintiffs' allegations, saying that the utility began turning over documents in September 2020 and finished providing them in December 2020. The attorney said that the statute of limitations was in July 2021 and was not the day after Edison handed over its last document production. The plaintiffs said that Edison had the fault data as early as 2018 just days after the fire broke out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "[Edison] made a deliberate decision at the earliest stages of its investigation to suppress evidence and pin the blame on LADWP," the plaintiffs wrote. The attorney for Edison claimed the entire situation arose from an inadvertent mistake made early on by an Edison employee. During the initial investigation into the fire, in 2018, the employee turned over to investigators data that corresponded to Dec. 4, 2017 but did not provide any data for Dec. 5, 2017 the actual day the fire started. No one, including investigators and Edison, realized at the time that the data was not for the correct date. It was not until the data was requested as part of the suit that Edison realized the error, the attorney said. The finding regarding the fire changed in 2024. "Powerlines or equipment owned by Southern California Edison experienced a fault or malfunction that generated sufficient heat to ignite nearby vegetation, providing the competent ignition source that ignited the Creek fire," wrote Thomas Guzman, an investigator for the Forest Service. "No evidence of any other cause was discovered, and all other causes have been excluded." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edison denies the finding and vows to fight it in court. Dunleavy also denied the allegation that Edison withheld data relevant to the ignition of the fire. The case of the Creek fire highlights how reliant fire investigators are on utility companies, which provide much of the data investigators use to determine what might have caused fires. In building their case against Edison, Creek fire plantiff lawyers cited a 1997 raid by Cal Fire on Edison's offices in Rosemead. At the time, Cal Fire investigators were looking for documents that might reveal whether the utility played a role in a conflagration in Calabasas from a year earlier that it was ultimately found to have caused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the clandestine operation, Cal Fire planted an investigator at the utility's offices posing as an architecture student to draw up floor plans for the upcoming raid. The raid led to an agreement between the department and the utility over the procedures to follow during investigations into the causes of wildfires, and was a nadir in relations between Edison and investigators. Edison faces no criminal charges. The lawyers said in court papers in the Creek fire case that Edison failed to comply with the 1997 agreement following the 2017 fire. On Dec. 10, 2017, just five days after the fire started, Cal Fire investigators requested fault data for Edison's Lopez Circuit. At the time, the Lopez Circuit was thought to be outside the possible point of origin for the fire, but investigators requested it anyway to complete their "thorough" investigation of the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the request, Edison failed to provide the data related to the Lopez Circuit that was the "key piece of evidence that would have demonstrated the elevated amperage activity that SCE was desperately attempting to conceal," according to the plaintiffs' attorneys. "If the allegations are correct, it does seem as if Edison was not forthcoming regarding faults in its system," said Michael Wara, the director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at Stanford University. Updates: 3:17 p.m. Jan. 28, 2025: A previous version of this article said Dunleavy did not comment on the allegation that Edison withheld data but said the utility rejected allegations that its equipment caused the fire. Dunleavy has since clarified that her original comment covered both issues and that Edison rejects claims that it withheld data. 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. State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters said Tuesday a proposed administrative rule approved by the Oklahoma State Board of Education would allow the Oklahoma State Department of Education not just to ask for the immigration status of students, but of their parents, as well. A key section of the controversial rule proposal reads: In order to assess statewide and local educational needs, including without limitation, student needs, language and cultural barriers, current and future needs for English as a Second Language teachers, tutors and tutoring programs, current and future transportation needs, programs, and anticipated future funding needs, a parent or a legal guardian of a child, or an emancipated minor, shall provide proof of United States citizenship at the time of enrollment. The proposal says districts shall submit only information of the total number of students that lack of documentation, excluding any personally identifiable information to the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit, or inhibit, any child from receiving the education they are entitled to receive under the United States Constitution, the Oklahoma Constitution, or state or federal law. No data outlined in this Section shall be used to record an individual students citizenship status or legal immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Hundreds protest Ryan Walters' proposed citizenship rule: 'These children, they are not criminals' In a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Plyler v. Doe, the court said all students had the right to enroll in public schools without regard to the immigration status of themselves or their parents or guardians. Asked after the meeting if his agency would be tracking data of students or parents, Walters said, All of the above. State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters listens Tuesday during an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting in Oklahoma City. We are going to the parents to get information on their children, he said. Enrollment, you ask a parent, give us this information. So we are asking parents for the information on their students. Its laid out in that rule and well continue to walk through that as it goes to the Legislature now. But we want information on every student in the school, their parents, as they enroll in school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walters previously has said his agency would work with federal law enforcement and would support them if they chose to raid Oklahoma schools. After the meeting, given three chances to answer a question about if he had any concerns about the trauma such raids might inflict on students, Walters talked about supporting law enforcement. Walters cast the rule proposal as an attempt to better allocate resources throughout Oklahoma education. Be the first to know: Sign up for breaking news email alerts Were a country of law and order, he said. We have laws and rules in place. Clearly you are supposed to enter the country legally. We are providing information and documentation over the students in our schools. It is incredibly necessary for us to continue to move up in the education rankings to have this information. We will continue to collect that information. We will move forward with these rules and listen, were being very open, very transparent about that process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump has a clear mandate to get illegal immigration under control, so were going to continue to do those things to make sure that the information is there and the information is available. Oklahoma State Board of Education votes amid protests outside building Even as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Oliver Hodge Building, where the state board meetings are held, the four board members (out of six) in attendance discussed the immigration rule for about a half-hour before voting without objection to approve Walters entire slate of rules, which drew near-unanimous opposition during a public hearing earlier this month. Three times during the meeting, Walters accused media of gaslighting in reporting about the immigration proposals without providing specific examples and board member Kendra Wesson, of Norman, later chimed in on that subject. Im really glad were clarifying this, because most of the comments were directed at things that werent written in the rule, Wesson said. They were confusing, so it led to a lot of confusion in the community and the media reported on the comments rather than the rule itself. She did not provide examples of such reporting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was clear board members had concerns about the proposed rule. Board member Donald Burdick, of Tulsa, asked if Walters would be determining immigration status of students, with Walters insisting the rule would be for information gathering only. Another board member, Katie Quebedeaux, of Guymon, asked if the information would be shared with outside entities, such as law enforcement, to encourage them to come in and do a raid of some kind. Walters said he would work with law enforcement, saying it is a felony not to do so. Our answer to law enforcement is always 'yes, were going to help you do your job,' Walters said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, the board voted to approve the rules proposal. No board member has cast a vote opposite of Walters during his two years as state superintendent. All of the administrative rules proposals now head to the Legislature for consideration, and then on to the governor. Leaders in both the Oklahoma House and Senate declined to bring a similarly controversial rules package to a vote last year, and Gov. Kevin Stitt signed them into law. Jamie C. Polk, superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools, speaks Tuesday during the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting. Polk presents to board, lawmakers allowed into executive session and public comment unexpectedly cut short In other business, the board heard a presentation from Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Jamie Polk, whom Walters praised for the districts efforts to reduce the number of its schools receiving an F grade on the Oklahoma State Report Card. That number has dropped from 30 to 8 during Polks time working in the district. The issue of lawmakers attending the boards executive session a right ensconced in the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act appears to be resolved. Only one lawmaker, state Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, attended the meeting, and he followed board members into the session. Its the third straight meeting in which at least one lawmaker has done so, after months of tumult that eventually resulted in Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond essentially firing the boards now-former attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board also, without notice, reduced the time allotted for residents to make public comment to the board from three minutes to one minute. The change was not noted on the published agenda for meeting. Residents who sometimes travel hours to speak with the board were caught off guard. One of them, Mike Howe, of Tulsa, asked the board, This is democracy? Asked for the reason for the sudden change, Dan Isett, a spokesman for the board and the agency, said, As far as Im aware, were the only agency that does it. However, the Statewide Charter School Board allowed time for public comment during its last meeting, and numerous district school boards across the state routinely offer time during their meetings for public comment. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Education board approves Ryan Walters' controversial immigration rule Educators raised concerns that a proposed bill targeting classroom "grooming" could interfere with beneficial student-teacher relationships. (Stock photo by Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images) Republicans on an Iowa House panel advanced a bill addressing disciplinary action against teachers who groom students with the intent to exploit them, despite concerns from some educators that the proposed language could chill innocent and helpful classroom relationships. House Study Bill 46 requires mandatory reporting of licensed school employees to the Board of Educational Examiners if they engage in grooming behavior toward students. Grooming behavior is defined as the process of building trust or emotional connections with a student with the intent to exploit such student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Iowa lawmakers created a new felony criminal offense of grooming, defined as the use of digital or written communication to entice, encourage, or lure a child into committing a sex act. Officials with the Board of Educational Examiners told lawmakers the new bill changes the definition of grooming because the Iowa Attorney Generals Office told them current law would not allow enforcement of grooming if the adult has not engaged in a sex act with the student. However, some representatives of educators argued that while they support the intention of the bill, the definitions are too broad. Dave Daughton, representing the School Administrators of Iowa and Rural School Advocates of Iowa, said its a bad thing if a teacher intends to exploit a child. But teachers and school staff build trust with students all the time and build connections with students to help them to learn. And so while we arent condoning any of this, we just have some concerns about the language and how that fits in, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nathan Arnold, representing Public Educators of Iowa, also raised concerns about the definition of grooming. Imagine if you were accused of something and you said, Oh my god, Im innocent. I didnt do anything wrong, and asked, What am I accused of? And their answer was the process of building trust and emotional connection with a student, he said. Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, a Democrat from Ames, voted against the bill, saying shes concerned about the language creating a chilling effect on the building of trust and emotional connection with students. But subcommittee chair Rep. Brooke Boden, R-Indianola, said people shouldnt assume the Board of Educational Examiners cant rationalize the difference between a normal student-teacher relationship and grooming behavior. Boden and Rep. Heather Hora, R-Washington, supported advancing the bill to the House Education Committee. OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Bird flu is forcing farmers to slaughter millions of chickens a month, pushing U.S. egg prices to more than double their cost in the summer of 2023. And it appears there may be no relief in sight, given the surge in demand as Easter approaches. The average price per dozen nationwide hit $4.15 in December. That's not quite as high as the $4.82 record set two years ago, but the Agriculture Department predicts prices are going to soar another 20% this year. Shoppers in some parts of the country are already paying more than double the average price, or worse, finding empty shelves in their local grocery stores. Organic and cage-free varieties are even more expensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some grocery stores have even limited how many eggs shoppers can buy. Its just robbery, said Minneapolis resident Sage Mills, who bought eggs to bake a birthday cake last week. Eggs used to be kind of a staple food for us, but now you know, you might as well just go out to eat." What is driving up prices? The bird flu outbreak that started in 2022 is the main reason egg prices are up so much. Anytime the virus is found on a poultry farm, the entire flock is slaughtered to help limit the virus' spread. And with massive egg farms routinely housing more than 1 million chickens, just a few infections can cause a supply crunch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem tends to linger because it takes months to dispose of all the carcasses, disinfect barns and bring in new birds. More than 145 million chickens, turkeys and other birds have been slaughtered since the current outbreak began, with the vast majority of them being egg-laying chickens. Cage-free egg laws in 10 states may also be responsible for some supply disruptions and price increases. The laws set minimum space for chickens or cage-free requirements for egg-laying hens. Theyve already gone into effect in California, Massachusetts, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Michigan. At a Target in Chicago on Monday, a dozen large conventional eggs cost $4.49 but a dozen large cage-free eggs were selling for $6.19. Why is the virus so hard to control? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bird flu is primarily spread by wild birds such as ducks and geese as they migrate. While it is fatal to a variety of animals, those species can generally carry it without getting sick, which offers the virus a chance to mutate and thrive. The virus can be spread through droppings or any interaction between farm-raised poultry and wild birds. It's also easily tracked into a farm on someone's boots or by vehicle. Unlike previous outbreaks, the one that began in 2022 didn't die out in high summer temperatures. The virus found another new host when dairy cattle started getting sick last March. That creates more opportunities for the virus to linger and spread and unlike poultry, cattle arent slaughtered when they get sick because they rarely die from bird flu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than five dozen people have also become ill with bird flu and one person died since last March. Nearly all of them worked around sick animals. Health officials havent yet found evidence of the disease spreading from person to person. What is being done to stop the virus? Farmers go to great lengths to protect their flocks. Many poultry farms installed truck washes to disinfect vehicles entering their property and require workers to shower and change clothes before stepping inside a barn. They have also invested in duplicate sets of tools so nothing used in one barn is shared. Some poultry farmers have even invested in lasers that shoot beams of green light in random patterns to discourage ducks and geese from landing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dairy farmers isolate any sick cattle and do additional testing before moving animals off the farm especially if there has been a nearby outbreak or if the cows are being sent to a meat processing plant. The government is also testing milk. Future vaccines might help, but it's not practical to vaccinate millions of chickens through shots, and other countries might refuse to purchase meat from vaccinated birds. Health officials emphasize that any sick birds or cattle are kept out of the food supply. Cooking meat to 165 degrees (74 Celsius) kills bird flu, E. coli, salmonella or anything else. Pasteurization also kills the virus in milk. Raw milk is the only food product linked to illnesses so far. How much has the outbreak cost so far? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is impossible to know how much farmers have spent to seal barns, build shower houses for workers or to adopt other biosecurity measures. Over the last five years, my small farm alone has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on biosecurity, said Minnesota turkey farmer Loren Brey. But not only that, it's the time daily that you're attending to biosecurity." The U.S. Department of Agriculture has spent at least $1.14 billion compensating farmers for the birds they have had to kill. A similar number wasn't immediately available for how much has been spent to aid dairies. USDA spokeswoman Shilo Weir said the department also spent more than $576 million on its own response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prices of turkey, milk and chicken have also seen some pressure from bird flu. Mike Vickers, a manager at Sentyrz Liquor & Supermarket in Minneapolis, said he cant even stock any organic, cage-free or brown eggs right now and is limited instead to selling large or jumbo eggs. He understands the pain customers are feeling. Its the first time in my life that Ive ever had to be kind of embarrassed on what I'm selling eggs for," he said. "And its not our fault. Were paying today $7.45 for a dozen eggs. Were selling for $7.59. Were making $0.14. Thats doesnt pay the bills. ___ Funk reported from Omaha, Nebraska. Vancleave contributed from Minneapolis and Durbin from Detroit. Sen. Blake Doriot authored a bill that would bar voters from using student IDs to access the ballot and mandate more oversight of voter registration rolls. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Senators voted on Monday to move a proposal that some worry will discourage college students from voting and add additional duties to local county voter registration offices. The final vote was 6-3, with one Republican joining both Democrats to vote against the measure. Senate Bill 10 has multiple provisions, but the proposal to curb the use of student IDs as valid voter identification attracted the most testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill author Sen. Blake Doriot, R-Goshen, said student identification cards werent subject to the same rigor as drivers licenses. Lawmakers also voted on another measure on Monday that would add a third commissioner, and a third alternate, to Indianas delegation at any called Article V Convention. The last thing I want to do is keep people from voting. The first thing I want to do is to keep people from voting who shouldnt be voting, who dont have the proper ID, said Doriot. Opponents noted that a voter still has to meet state requirements to register; the ID at the time of voting is only to ensure the person is who they say they are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only a fraction of states bar the use of student IDs to access the voting booth roughly a dozen, according to the Campus Vote Project. Over a dozen states dont require any form of identification in order to vote. Indiana University student Daniel Jenkins, the outreach director for the College Democrats of Indiana, opposed the bill. For many of these students, voting in Indiana is their only option as some states make it very difficult or impossible to vote by mail, Jenkins said. He shared that a friend from Texas absentee voter registration application was rejected, though she would be hundreds of miles from home on Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dejected, she registered here in Indiana and was able to vote only because of her student ID, as it was her only Indiana-issued ID. If this legislation was in effect, she likely would not have been able to vote at all, Jenkins said. State Sen. J.D. Ford, D-Indianapolis, at the Indiana Democratic Convention on July 13, 2024. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) In a state with near-rock bottom voter participation, opponents lamented that the bill would further discourage potential voters. We dont make it easy for people to vote, summarized Sen. J.D. Ford, a Democrat from Indianapolis who voted against the bill. I think this bill goes to show you that Indiana is not a voter-friendly state. Kegan Prentice, the legislative director of the Secretary of States Office, testified in support of the bill, including the language on student IDs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are not against college students voting. Wed like to see more of them vote, actually, Prentice said, noting that a voter registration cannot be denied due to ones student status. We want to ensure only residents of Indiana vote and students are using a form of identification thats more reliable and we can use to confirm eligibility. In addition to the student ID ban, the bill would no longer require the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to ask customers about registering to vote or updating their address and increase the number of times counties must perform voter registration maintenance. Doriot said the BMV registration question netted not just unregistered voters but also non-citizens, who are not permitted to vote by state and federal laws. County voter registration offices would also have to mail notices to registered voters who havent voted in the two most recent general elections and local public health departments shall rather than may share death certificates with the offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Testimony showed the Indiana Secretary of States Office already mails the same postcards to registered voters. Exploring another IDEA? Under the proposal, Indiana officials would ask other state officeholders to join the Indiana Data Enhancement Association (IDEA), pitched as a method to compare voter rolls across state lines. Lawmakers directed the state not to join the interstate compact known as ERIC short for the Electronic Registration Information Center years ago, after conservative pushback to voter outreach directives. Several states have tried, but failed, to establish a conservative version; the underlying bill pulls Indiana out of one such short-lived effort known as Crosscheck from Kansas, which was struck down in court. Two dozen states and Washington D.C. pool their resources together for ERIC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus, wondered if IDEA could withstand court challenges where other efforts had failed though he said he supported the initial idea when it was proposed by a former secretary of state. I had great respect and hope for (former) Sec. (Connie) Lawson to make that move happen but theres been no real effort at all thats been successful to make that come to fruition, said Walker, who voted against the bill. So Im just questioning whether thats still even our best opportunity. In response, Doriot indicated that it might be time to revisit a data sharing agreement with other states, since Indiana doesnt currently participate in any. Voting advocate Barbara Tully, with Indianas chapter of the League of Women Voters and Indiana Vote by Mail, said that no other states had laws compelling them to join IDEA and likened it to a wheel that already exists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Indiana has obstinately decided to forge its own path, when there are proven methods other states use to more accurately maintain voter rolls, Tully said. ERIC has been vilified nationally, but remains a useful tool for data sharing between members. There is no reason to believe that IDEA data-matching will be more reliable than Crosscheck. Brad King, the Republican co-director of the Indiana Election Division, said that membership in ERIC came with a price, saying that the organizations board directed states to spend money on voter outreach. Moving municipal elections The panel also approved a bill that would move municipal elections from mayors down to town councils to the same even-numbered year as presidential elections. Several mayors opposed Senate Bill 355, which does have an opt-out provision. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood said municipal government handles fire, police, roads and other tangible everyday matters that impact Hoosiers daily lives. He said holding those elections during a presidential year is effectively drowning out the voices and concerns of our communities. Wood said off-year elections provide meaningful voter education and that the bill is a disservice to local government. Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen said the national topics of presidential elections will take over municipal races that have nothing to do with their jobs from abortion to immigration. Prentice supported the bill on behalf of the Indiana Secretary of States Office. He said there would be millions saved by shifting the elections and voter turnout would jump from 20% in municipal cycles to more than 50% in even-numbered years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill passed 7-2 and now moves to the full Senate. Niki Kelly contributed to this story. This story has been updated to clarify Daniel Jenkins role. He testified on behalf of the College Democrats of Indiana and not the Indiana University chapter of the College Democrats. A previous version of this story mistakenly stated that Indiana participated in ERIC. It has been corrected to note that the General Assembly preemptively directed state officials not to join the interstate compact. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX An elephant trampled a tourist on safari to death in South Africas Kruger National Park, officials said. In what park officials are calling a tragic accident, the tourist was charged and trampled by an elephant near Crocodile River at Malelane Gate which regrettably resulted in the loss of life, according to a statement from South African National Parks released on Saturday. MORE: Over 100 juveniles attend massive boozy house party at school principal's home: Police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South African National Parks (SANParks) officials are at the scene to attend to the matter and support the family, park officials said. Authorities are currently investigating the events that led up to the incident as well as the circumstances surrounding the death of the tourist. MORE: Woman arrested after 27 dead horses found across multiple properties Due to the sensitivity of this matter, we appeal to the public to refrain from posting any pictures or videos of the incident and the victim, officials said. Authorities have not yet released any information about the tourist who was killed in the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Fire chief shot and killed after stopping to help driver who hit deer with their car SANParks Board and Management extend their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased for the loss of their loved one, officials said. The investigation remains open. Elephant tramples tourist to death at famous national park originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has written an op-ed for Fox News about one important thing she agrees with President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on. Warren shared that she agrees with the cost-cutting aims of the Department of Government Efficiency but not the government programs Musk and Republicans are eyeing as potential targets. The Massachusetts senator said she is ready to work with Musk to make the government more efficient while saving the taxpayer money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres something President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and I agree on: the federal government throws away trillions of dollars on wasteful spending, she wrote in the op-ed. I have spent years trying to squeeze government waste out of our budget. But Musk is unlikely to listen to Warrens blueprint for cost-saving measures because her plan targets billionaires and billionaire corporations who are feasting off the American taxpayer. Dem Senator Elizabeth Warren agrees with Trump and Musk that the government needs to tackle wasteful spending (EPA) House Republicans have previously suggested DOGE focus on Social Security and Medicare to cut costs. Scrapping essential services is not efficiency; it is cold-hearted cruelty, Warren said. Warren claims her 30 specific proposals for Musk to consider could save the government $2 trillion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The senator also claims that her recommendations on cutting defense spending alone would save nearly $12 billion in the next 12 years, citing the government being overcharged on everything from military contracts to soap dispensers and pins. One of Warrens suggestions Musk is likely to ignore is to make millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share. Hedge funds and private equity companies use loopholes to use loopholes to avoid paying anywhere between $1.4 billion and $18 billion each year thats an easy fix, Warren wrote. By closing just one big estate tax exemption loophole abused by the ultra-rich, the US government could government could save another $60 billion per year. Last week, Warren wrote a 21-page letter to Musk with more details of the proposals where she also complained that she has very serious concerns about DOGE. US Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat from Massachusetts, branded DOGE as a venue for corruption (AFP via Getty Images) It is not clear that you and other DOGE leaders are able to identify and mitigate your conflicts of interest and adhere to common-sense ethics standards, Warren wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee appears to be a venue for corruption, allowing well-connected billionaires to put government policies in place that enrich them while hurting ordinary Americans. The Independent has contacted the White House for comment. The newly formed DOGE has already seen a string of departures, including Musks former co-lead Vivek Ramaswamy, the biotech entrepreneur turned failed presidential candidate. Ramaswamy reportedly backed away due to deep philosophical differences over how the advisory board should function. The two also battled over who the true leader of DOGE was, The Washington Post reported, given Musks large presence. Sources told the outlet the partnership was probably doomed from the start. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A top lawyer also announced he is leaving just days after Ramaswamys departure. Bill McGinley, a partner at law firm Holtzman Vogel who served as cabinet secretary during Trumps first term, was appointed as DOGEs legal counsel by the president in December and confirmed he was stepping down last week. Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. Momentarily pausing after eating some mealworms, an elusive shrews long snout pointed skywards, unaware of the historic portrait that had just been captured. Not a single Mount Lyell shrew had ever been photographed alive before, making them the only known mammal species in California to have eluded human cameras, according to the California Academy of Sciences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That all changed in October when recently graduated wildlife photographer Vishal Subramanyan along with student scientists Prakrit Jain and Harper Forbes ventured out into the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains and captured six live Mount Lyell shrews (Sorex lyelli). There, they photographed and observed them before setting them free. The initial idea originated with Jain, a student at University of California, Berkeley, who said he was shocked to find that no one had ever taken a photo of a live Mount Lyell shrew. In collaboration with University of California Berkeleys Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, Jain, Subramanyan and Forbes devised a plan to search the streams and wetland habitats that crisscross the sparse landscape near the small community of Lee Vining, about 300 miles (482 kilometers) east of San Francisco. Im always down for a crazy adventure. So I said, sure, why not? We should give this a try, Subramanyan told CNN Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shrews have such a high metabolic rate that they die if they stop eating for a few hours, meaning that they dont survive long in traps. The team set more than 100 pitfall traps, designed for shrews to fall into as they walked across the ground, and constantly monitored the traps for three consecutive days, only sleeping for two hours at a time to monitor the animals wellbeing. The team photographed the shrew against a white background, as well as a natural one. - Vishal Subramanyan, Prakrit Jain, and Harper Forbes We caught a Mount Lyell shrew within like the first two hours and I think the fact that we ended up catching six of them, and we caught one so easily shows that its not crazy difficult, Subramanyan said. It just shows that its generally an underappreciated species in an underappreciated ecosystem that people havent spent the time, and been able to actually bring dedicated focus to the shrews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also recorded four different species of shrews in the area, some of whom were so similar to the Mount Lyell shrew that they later ran genetic tests to confirm that they had indeed spotted one. Handling the shrews was a little bit difficult, Forbes told CNN, adding that they cut off a small piece of the shrews tails for genetic testing. They bite and theyre venomous. So we had to improvise quite a bit. We had to weigh them in plastic bags, and theyre only a few grams, but they chew through the plastic bags. Theyre kind of a pain generally, but theyre worth it. By capturing the shrews alive, the team said they were able to observe their behavior, noticing the mammals habit of stashing food away for later or taking micronaps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photographing live animals, particularly ones who are smaller and more obscure, also allows the public to connect with them, helping conservation efforts. Mount Lyell shrews are extremely threatened by the climate crisis and could lose up to 90% of their cold, high altitude habitat as the Earth warms, researchers said, citing a study conducted by UC Davis. Without that kind of public awareness and outreach through photographs, the species could have just quietly disappeared under the radar, and nobody would have had any idea about it, said Subramanyan. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com NEW YORK Mayor Eric Adams, who has been laying low with a reported medical condition this week, hosted two union presidents at Gracie Mansion on Monday night as he contemplates his political future. The meetings confirmed by two people with direct knowledge of them, who were granted anonymity to freely discuss a private event come as Adams grapples with an upcoming corruption trial, sagging poll numbers and dire financial problems. Adams spoke privately to Manny Pastreich, president of building service workers union 32BJ SEIU, and Rich Maroko, who heads the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, the two people said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richs response was if youre in, were in with you, hotel union representative Austin Shafran said. In a statement, Pastreich said he and the mayor discussed issues that directly impact our over 80,000 32BJ SEIU members in the city like local labor rights and protections, the cost of living, housing affordability, healthcare costs, and solidarity with immigrant workers and communities. He made no commitment to backing Adams, saying 32BJ will start its mayoral endorsement process n February. Those unions, as well as the citys largest municipal labor group District Council 37 endorsed Adams in the 2021 Democratic primary and were key to his success in that competitive race. As he faces enormous challenges that could result in him being a one-term mayor, Adams appears to be looking to lock in his allies early. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As things stand, the mayor is planning to run for reelection in the June 24 primary, but he has missed out on the chance for public matching funds worth several million dollars, and he owes his lawyers millions more. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is leading early polls and Adams only apparent way out of a federal indictment is a pardon or some other reprieve from President Donald Trump, who is unpopular in New York. Adams has not had a public schedule this week, as he deals with a medical issue that his staff has not divulged much detail on. Michael Gartland contributed to this report. The Ferndale publisher that oversees Eminems song catalog has sued an area Ford dealership, claiming unauthorized use of the rappers hit Lose Yourself to promote a special-edition Detroit Lions truck. The lawsuit, filed Monday in Detroit federal court by the firm Eight Mile Style, contends that LaFontaine Ford St. Clair did not secure a license for the track, a soundtrack hit from 2002s 8 Mile that endures as Eminems signature song. At issue is a 30-second video clip allegedly posted by LaFontaine last fall on social-media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to promote Fords limited, Lions-branded F-150. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ad spot, which was still live on Facebook Reels early Monday evening, includes music from Lose Yourself and a caption seemingly referencing the songs lyrics: More: Who are the Super Bowl halftime show 2025 performers? Kendrick Lamar headlines lineup More: Harpos shuts down metal concert after bands in lineup accused of Nazi leanings You only get one shot to own a Special Edition Detroit Lions F-150, the text reads. With only 800 produced, you only get one shot to own a Special Edition Detroit Lions 2024 PowerBoost Hybrid F-150. Eight Mile Style is seeking an injunction against the video clip and damage relief of at least $150,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither (p)laintiffs nor Eminem have agreed to be affiliated with or endorse the goods or services of LaFontaine, the filing reads. LaFontaines St. Clair location is part of the LaFontaine Automotive Group, one of Michigans largest vehicle dealership groups. Max Muncey, head of corporate communications for the LaFontaine Automotive Group, said Monday evening an official media response to the lawsuit was forthcoming. Eight Mile Style has famously guarded the Oscar-winning Lose Yourself through the years. The songs most famous commercial use came in 2011, when the song was licensed by Chrysler for a spot featuring Eminem that premiered during the Super Bowl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six years earlier, Apple reached an out-of-court settlement with the Ferndale publisher after the tech giant used Lose Yourself in an iPod commercial. In 2011, Audi settled with Eight Mile Style following a sound-alike version of the song aired by the automaker in a European promotional spot. In 2017, Eight Mile Style prevailed in a New Zealand court after suing a political party there for a Lose Yourself sound-alike track deployed in a television campaign. Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: An Eminem song, a local Ford dealer, a Lions truck and now a lawsuit By Emily Rose JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Thirdeye Systems, an Israeli military supplier, said it has sold a 30% stake to Emirati state-owned defense conglomerate EDGE for $10 million, in a rare public investment by an Emirati firm in Israel since the Gaza war began 15 months ago. EDGE will also put an additional $12 million into a new, majority EDGE-owned joint venture with Thirdeye Systems, the Israeli company said on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A third party, whose identity was not disclosed, will hold 6% with Thirdeye Systems owning the remaining 43% of the JV. EDGE's investment will help Thirdeye Systems expand into new markets, Chief Executive Lior Segal said in a statement. EDGE President Rodrigo Torres said the deal was of mutual benefit and would accelerate the development of new systems. Many Emirati companies have shied away from openly doing business with Israeli firms over the past 15 months, with the war and Israel deeply unpopular throughout the Arab world. The UAE established diplomatic ties with Israel in 2020, setting off a flurry of business activity between the two states that later publicly cooled following the onset of the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abu Dhabi has criticised the conduct of Israel's military operations in Gaza, but the countries have maintained relations. Thirdeye Systems develops technology that can detect drones and is a supplier to the Israeli military and some NATO members. Its share price has risen sharply over the past 15 months as it won new contracts to supply the Israeli military. On Tuesday, its share price was up 51% since the war began, at 333.8 Israeli shekels ($92.29), according to LSEG data and Reuters calculations. EDGE is the UAE's largest arms maker. It is owned by the government and in 2021 announced it would jointly develop unmanned vessels, capable of missions including submarine detection, with state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries. ($1 = 3.6167 shekels) (Reporting by Emily Rose, additional reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Sharon Singleton) BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Kern Countys immigrant community is still reeling in fear after the recent Border Patrol operation, with some still hesitant to show up to work. So, how has the economy been affected? 17s Jenny Huh has a follow up to her special report, Emptying the Fields: Mass deportations, consequences in Kern. The two big industries here in Kern County do employ a lot of undocumented, said Dr. Aaron Hegde, a professor of economics at Cal State University, Bakersfield, and the Executive Director of The Grimm Family Center of Agriculture Business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegde, referred to the agricultural and construction industries. In the construction industry, maybe 70-75% [of workers are undocumented], the professor continued. In the ag industry, a few years ago it was 48-50%. Experts said following the Border Patrol operation three weeks ago, those industries have seen a worker shortage. There was like two days our harvest was a little bit disruptedthey were down maybe 60-70% of who would normally have showed up that day to harvest, said Pete Belluomini, manager at the Edison Citrus Ranch orchard east of Bakersfield. Belluomini said it wasnt a disaster, since they always have extra inventory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for some workers? They were worried, Belluomini said. They decided to stay home just to be sure, which I cant blame them for that. He noted that they utilize a labor contractor to hire field workers. Labor contractors are often the middlemen, taking care of workers documentation process and paperwork. One of his employees, Sandra Sandoval Sanchez, still showed up to work, but she told 17 News her community is fearful. Scared because a lot of my family work in the fieldsSo, a lot of my family and friends, theyre not working right now, she said. Sandra Sandoval Sanchez immigrated from Mexico 19 years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said shes worried what will happen under President Donald Trump. They are taking everyone, [even] people who [do] hard work, she added. The experts agree farm workers many of whom are undocumented are key to Kern County being the breadbasket of the state. What an asset they are, and how important they are to our success, Belluomini noted. ICE arrests 956 Sunday as nationwide raids continue And while the degree of labor varies by the task for instance, Belluomini said, irrigation and mowing dont require as many workers as pruning and harvesting do what would happen without the farm workers? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any crop that relies on hand harvest, hand laborthe productions going to come to a halt, Belluomini stated. Dr. Aaron Hegde added, getting domestic, citizen labor has historically been difficult in the U.S. for such jobs. Hence, we saw the shift towards immigrant workers. Who is going to go into a field of grapes when its 100 degrees? remarked criminal defense attorney and Immigration Justice Collaborative co-founder H.A. Sala, noting that the agriculture industry, as well as construction and hospitality sectors often employ Latinos and Latinas. The advocate said its worth asking, What is really the impact of what is going on with federal immigration enforcement? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegde said of a worker shortage, Thats going to slow the harvest, it will make the harvest more expensive, which means that will have to be translated to the consumer. He furthered explained that if mass deportations happen, Kern Countys GDP may decrease 10-20% by the end of this year. Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage As for Kern Countys exports, like pistachios and almonds? [There would] not [be] enough harvest to be exported. And too, whatever is there will be expensive, the professor said. He added that once America cant meet international demands, consumers will switch to other country suppliers. And once they switch, Hegde said, its hard to get that business back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The economic repercussions can be far more extensive. For every dollar an agriculture worker earns, they spend, the impact is about $1.30 in the economy, Hegde detailed. Then that impacts the restaurant, that impacts the neighborhood market. Looking ahead to the next four years under Trump, Belluomini expressed hope, saying over his 40 years working as a farmer, hes seen immigration enforcements, but the repercussions have never been unmanageable. Agriculture is one of the strongest economic engines not just in the county, valley, state, but in the country, the longtime Kern County farmer and former president of the Kern Farm Bureau said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegde too stated while a Trump president and Border Patrol/ICE raids are nothing new, what is different this time around is the uncertainty. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PEKIN, Ill. (WMBD) A new multimillion dollar energy plant could be coming to Pekin. The Pekin city Council approved on Monday an option and sale agreement with Ambient Fuels out of New York. This means, Ambient can purchase roughly 47 acres of land at 300 Hannah Dr. in Pekin for $1 million. Ambient has a two-year option to make the purchase and then another 18 months to obtain a building permit followed by 36 months to finish development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pekins Economic development director Josh Wray said if Ambient decides to go through with the purchase, itll create more job opportunities for the area. When you bring in industrial development that brings jobs. You know this one in particular is looking to add 25 plus head of household jobs. That can support family, so when you add jobs, you add people, when you add people, you at housing and then the retail tends to follow the housing when you have housing growth. So its a good catalyst for creating general growth in the economy and thats something Pekin has been looking for our opportunities to spark that new growth, said Wray. He said if they decide to purchase the land, it could take another three years before being fully completed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This story was originally published on BioPharma Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily BioPharma Dive newsletter. The Food and Drug Administration on Monday expanded use of AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyos Enhertu, allowing the drug to be given earlier and more broadly in people with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Since 2022, Enhertu has been approved in the U.S. to treat advanced breast tumors expressing low, but still detectable, levels of the HER2 protein. With its new decision, the agency widened Enhertus availability to include treatment of tumors with ultralow HER2 expression. HER2 protein levels must be determined by an FDA-approved test, AstraZeneca and Daiichi said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new approval positions Enhertu, an antibody-drug conjugate, or ADC, to be used before chemotherapy in people with low HER2-expressing tumors. Until now, Enhertu was available only for people whose cancer had progressed despite one or more hormone therapies as well as chemo. (The drug is also approved for use after HER2-targeted treatment in people with classically HER2 positive tumors.) The approval represents another paradigm shift in how certain breast cancers can be treated, said Ken Keller, Daiichi Sankyos president and CEO, in a statement. Enhertu, which delivers a toxin to tumor cells expressing HER2, has secured a series of approvals since AstraZeneca and Daiichi began collaborating five years ago. U.S. regulators have cleared it for use in breast, lung and gastric tumors. And it became the first ADC to win a pan-tumor OK, having been approved last year for use treating any solid tumor expressing HER2. The approvals for HER2-low and, now, HER2-ultralow breast cancers are changing clinical practice, making it important for doctors to view expression beyond binary positive or negative terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, AstraZeneca estimates that as many as two-thirds of hormone receptor-positive breast cancers typically classified as negative for HER2 actually have low levels of the protein. The company has said another 20% to 25% may have ultralow HER2 expression. It is critical for patients to understand the HER2 status of their metastatic breast cancer to help them make informed treatment decisions, said Krissa Smith, the vice president of education at the nonprofit group Susan G. Komen, in the statement provided by AstraZeneca and Daiichi. Enhertu is part of AstraZeneca and Daiichis plan to prove ADCs can replace chemo in many tumor types. The company has six ADCs in clinical development, among them Datroway, which produced mixed results in testing but won its first U.S. approval in breast cancer this month. The key goal from this trial is to show the power of ADCs in truly replacing chemotherapy, said Mohit Manrao, the senior vice president of AstraZenecas U.S. oncology division, in an interview last year. We are seeing with this therapy, we can displace traditional chemotherapy and bring it earlier to the patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enhertus clearance was based on study results, published in The New England Journal of Medicine last September, showing that Enhertu delayed cancer progression or death by a median of 13.2 months, versus 8.1 months among those who received chemo. That equated to a 36% reduction in the risk of cancer progression for study participants treated with Enhertu. Nearly identical results were observed in the smaller group of people with ultralow HER2 levels, though the study wasnt powered to detect a statistical difference on that measure. The study hasnt run for long enough to prove whether Enhertu extends survival. At the time of data cut-off last year, treatment was associated with a roughly 17% reduction in the risk of death, which was not statistically significant. There were also higher rates of serious drug-related side effects in people who received Enhertu, among them a kind of lung scarring called interstitial lung disease. Although this side effect wasnt serious in most, three patients died, study results showed. AstraZeneca and Daiichi are evaluating Enhertu even earlier in HER2-positive breast cancer, with Phase 3 tests ongoing in the first-line setting as well as before or after surgical removal of a tumor. Results from all three trials are expected later this year. Daiichi will receive a $175 million milestone payment from AstraZeneca as a result of Mondays approval. Recommended Reading The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's plan to open a site to process Eaton fire debris near L.A. County's foothill communities has prompted swift backlash from local leaders alarmed by the prospect of toxic waste in their backyard. On Monday, the cities of Duarte, Azusa, Irwindale and Baldwin Park announced their joint opposition to the EPA's plans to use Lario Park as the destination for hazardous household debris from the fire, including lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. The site is at 15701 E. Foothill Blvd. in an unincorporated area of the county adjacent to the four cities and is slated to begin receiving debris early next week. Leaders said they were upset about the potential dangers posed to residents as well as the fact that they were not consulted in the decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are extremely disappointed with the lack of respect to our local residents for not being notified of the EPA's cleanup efforts and having toxic materials transported to our backyards," city leaders said in a joint statement. Read more: Authorities caution against sifting through debris at fire-ravaged properties The EPA designated Lario Park as a processing site on Thursday and has already prepared the site to begin accepting waste, according to federal officials. Measures have been taken to control spills around the areas where debris will be processed, they said. Once the site is open, debris will be brought in daily, processed into various waste streams, packaged for shipment and sent out to be disposed, according to federal officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar processing site for Palisades fire debris is planned for a six-acre parcel of land east of Pacific Coast Highway near Topanga Canyon, according to EPA coordinator Tara Fitzgerald. L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who represents the foothill communities, said she was deeply concerned by the health and environmental risks that could be posed by the Lario Park site. "The potential risks associated with hazardous materials, particularly lithium electric vehicle batteries, which are highly flammable and pose environmental contamination risks, are a matter of significant concern," she said in a statement. "The removal of these materials should not come at the cost of creating a toxic environment for communities already disproportionately impacted by pollution." The EPA said it would take steps to ensure safety at the site. Those include air quality monitoring, the use of a water truck to suppress dust and emissions, and continued environmental testing of the site after it closes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: How to sign up for debris removal if you lost your home in the Palisades or Eaton fires Trucks transporting waste will use back roads by the fire area to access Lario Park and will not travel along the 210 Freeway. Once the material is processed, trucks approved by the state Department of Transportation will be used to transport materials to permanent disposal facilities. The four foothill cities are working with the office of California state Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) to host a town hall in Duarte where residents can voice their concerns. Solis said she visited Lario Park on Monday morning with Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-Covina) and local leaders to raise "critical questions" with EPA representatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As we continue to learn more about the operations' plans," she said, "I urge our federal agencies to keep constituents well-informed and mitigate these impacts on our communities." The parcel of land is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which alongside the EPA is responsible for its day-to-day operations. City News Service and Times staff writer Dakota Smith 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. January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day A day where the memory of millions of Jews and other victims of the Holocaust are honored. A local rabbi said an important lesson is to remember the events of the past and keep them in mind as we look to the future. Retiring Erie police officer receives recognition from housing authority How do you make sure that we are learning those lessons and we dont allow those things to repeat themselves? said Rabbi Robert Morais, with the Temple Anshe Hesed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And for that, the rabbi has a solution. I think we have a lot of work to do in terms of learning those lessons, and one of the ways we do that is to commemorate those experiences to see what happens when we let hatred go to its extreme, said Rabbi Morais. Jeff Bloodworth, a political history professor with Gannon University noted how anti-semitism before and after the holocaust has changed significantly. Son of famous architect visits Hagen History Center In the last ten years, weve seen this alarming upsurge in anti-semitism. After the holocaust in my lifetime and everybody watching out there in our lifetimes, anti-semitism reached the lowest point in the history of the Western world, said Bloodworth. Jewish Americans are extraordinarily aware of this upsurge in antisemitism. Its something that people I talk to, Jewish Americans, they are shocked and taken aback because this is not something that they had to deal with in their lives. Its something that their grandparents or maybe their parents dealt with, and so this is a very new reality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the declining number of survivors and witnesses, the rabbi said its important to do what they can to inform the generations to come. Videotape testimony for sure. We do it through first-hand, passed-on generational testimony. So, I can tell my grandparents story. We have members in the congregation who tell their parents or grandparents stories, said Rabbi Morais. Rabbi Morais said artifacts, art, literature and music are among other mediums of sharing the lessons. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) Escambia County Fire Rescue officials rescued three horses Saturday after a crash. Milton woman dies after possible medical episode while driving, hitting tree: FHP According to an ECFR Facebook post, firefighters were called around 1:40 a.m. on Saturday for a large animal rescue in the 8400 block of Western Way Drive. Engine 2 arrived at the scene and found a crash involving a large horse trailer on its side with four horses inside, according to the post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two of the horses were quickly rescued while a third horses leg was stuck and had to be freed. The fourth horse was found dead, according to officials. Woman arrested in Alabama for homicide in Santa Rosa County Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida State Agriculture Office are investigating the case. Agencies involved include FHP, Escambia County Sheriffs Office and Escambia County EMS. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An escaped inmate from Alabama made an ill-advised stop at a North Texas Buc-ees on Sunday, where the suspects car was spotted. It wasnt long before the inmate and an accomplice were arrested in Melissa, about an hour northeast of Fort Worth, police said in a news release. Using flock camera technology, Melissa police were alerted by authorities in nearby Anna about the escaped inmate being in the area around 1:47 p.m. on Jan. 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers located the vehicle in the parking lot of Buc-ees in Melissa before it proceeded northbound on the U.S. 75 frontage road where officers initiated a traffic stop, the release states. The inmate from Alabama surrendered without incident. The driver of the vehicle was also taken into custody after officers discovered there was an active felony warrant for aiding in the inmates escape, the release states. This successful apprehension highlights the importance of inter agency communication and the dedication of our officers to keeping Melissa safe, Melissa police Chief Erik Stokes said in the release. The two individuals were transported to the Collin County Jail and are awaiting extradition to Alabama. An escaped inmate from Marion County, Alabama and his accomplice were arrested after being located in a Buc-ee's parking lot in North Texas. According to a press release, Melissa Police Department officers were alerted on Jan. 26 that the prison escapee could be in the area. The suspect's vehicle was identified using Flock camera technology and was later located at a Buc-ee's parking lot in Melissa, Texas. According to the press release, it's presumed that the car belonged to the accomplice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what we know: Who was arrested at the Buc-ee's? The suspect's car exited the parking lot and proceeded northbound on the frontage road, where officers stopped the driver, according to the statement. Melissa police reported that the escaped inmate surrendered peacefully. Jail records indicate that Pierson McKinnley Anthony, 25, is now in the Collin County Jail, being held for the Marion County Sheriff's Office in Alabama. The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody as well after authorities discovered an active felony warrant for aiding the inmate's escape. The identity of the driver was not released. Both are awaiting extradition. What is a Flock camera? Flock cameras use license plate recognition to capture vehicle data like license plate numbers, make, model, and other identifiable features. This data is used by law enforcement, communities, and neighborhoods to quickly and efficiently solve and prevent crimes by providing objective and actionable evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melissa police Chief Erik Stokes credits the Flock technology for finding the runaway inmates. "This is an example of how eective FLOCK technology can be in the apprehension of wanted fugitives from across the country," Stokes said. "The Melissa Police Department remains committed to utilizing technology and proactive policing to protect our community. Both individuals were transported to the Collin County Jail and are awaiting extradition to Alabama. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas police arrest escaped Alabama inmate at Buc-ees parking lot Clockwise from left, DannyLux, Cuco and Eslabon Armado join the list of artists performing at benefit concerts to aid Los Angeles fire victims. (Elana Marie / De Los; Photos by Gabe Ginsberg / FilmMagic; Sarahi Apaez / For De Los and Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times) Eslabon Armado, Cuco and DannyLux join the long list of acts performing at benefit concerts across the country to aid those impacted by the Los Angeles fires. The trio of balladeering acts will perform at the Glass House in Pomona on Friday, Jan. 31 as part of the "I Heart L.A." benefit concert series organized by Viva Music Festival. Indie bands Inner Wave, the Red Pears and Tijuana Panthers will take the same stage the following day, Feb. 1. "We wanted to help more than anything. Although I was not born in Los Angeles, we've spent a lot of time there and it hurt us to see what was happening," said DannyLux. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To date, the L.A. fire s has burned more than 57,000 acres of land since Jan. 7. At least 28 people have died, and roughly 16,000 structures have been destroyed, with significant damage across the communities of Altadena and Pacific Palisades both important hubs and homes for music creatives . Read more: A list of free and discounted resources for victims of Los Angeles-area fires "It's so beautiful to be able to unite together and enjoy the music we create, with people that support us and that will support a good cause," said DannyLux. All proceeds will be donated to Musi C ares , an organization that aids musicians in need due to unforeseen emergencies, and provides preventative and recovery healthcare services. Tickets for Friday's show start at $123.60, while tickets for Saturday's concert start at $46.51. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below we've compiled more fire relief charity events across the city featuring Latino acts. We will update this list as more events are announced. Los Angeles Forever, comedy show Hosted by Chris Garcia, the comedy show will feature "This Fool" creator Chris Estrada, former SNL cast member Melissa Villasenor, Aparna Nancherla, Sheng Wang and Reggie Watts. When: Thursday, Jan. 30, at 8 p.m. Where: Nicos, 3111 Glendale Boulevard #2, Los Angeles, CA 90039 Tickets : Start at $43.95; proceeds go to Public Displays of Altadena, which lost their micro-theater in the fire. Deorro & Friends Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Latin Grammy-nominated DJ Deorro will host a benefit concert featuring unnamed guests. When: Thursday, Jan. 30 Where: Exchange L.A., 618 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90014 Tickets : Waitlist is pending, VIP starts at $650; 100% of net proceeds will go to charity. Wild Records Fundraiser The rock event will feature Omar Romero, Wenzdaze, the Rhythm Shakers, the Desperados, Gizzelle, Alex Vargas, Eddie & thee Scorpions, plus special guests. When: Friday, Jan. 31, at 8 p.m. Where: The Paramount, 2708 E Cesar E Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90033 Tickets : Minimum $25 donation at door. Active Minds Benefit Show Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organized by Active Minds, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing mental health awareness and initiatives in the Latin community, the music show will feature acts by Los Pinguos and Los Silverbacks with special guests Adelaide Pilar and Asdru Sierra of Ozomatli. When: Sunday, Feb. 16, at 6 p.m. Where: The Venice West, 1717 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291 Tickets: $24.17 Get our Latinx Files newsletter for stories that capture the complexity of our communities. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The European Union will provide the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with 60 million ($62.6 million) in humanitarian aid, the European Commission announced on Tuesday, following days of intense fighting in the east of the country. The funding is meant to support displaced populations in and around Goma and those affected by conflicts and epidemics, the commission said. After days of heavy fighting, the rebel militia M23 entered the strategically important provincial capital Goma in the early hours of Monday. Goma is located in one of Congo's most resource-rich areas and borders Rwanda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Despite the fact that humanitarian access remains a challenge for our partners due to the severity of the fighting, we will ensure that humanitarian funding will be disbursed without delay and aid will continue to be provided to those who need it the most," said EU Crisis Commissioner Hadja Lahbib. The money will help finance shelter and camp management, access to clean water and latrines, basic food and education for conflict-affected children. "This new funding brings the total EU humanitarian assistance to DRC to over 272 million since the beginning of 2023," a press release said. According to commission figures, 480,000 people have been displaced in the eastern region of North Kivu since October 2024 and 178,000 in neighbouring South Kivu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recently displaced populations come in addition to the 6.4 million people who were already displaced throughout the country. The latest fighting has further aggravated the situation, the commission said, particularly for the approximately 800,000 people who were living around Goma in sites for displaced people. "Within a couple of days, some of the camps that sheltered over 300,000 people last week, are now already completely empty because all their inhabitants have fled the frontlines," the commission said. The EU leadership believes that they will find a way to reach an agreement with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban so that he does not block the actual start of negotiations with Ukraine on joining the European Union. Source: Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, as reported by European Pravda Details: Kallas said this in a conversation with the media after an informal breakfast organised before the meeting of the Council of the EU on general issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The journalists asked whether Viktor Orban's position on Ukraine would be an obstacle to the actual launch of negotiations, given his statements that Ukraine's accession would supposedly be an economic threat to the EU. Quote from Kallas: "We have in the European Union 27 different countries and 27 different internal democracies. So, every decision we make, we discuss and it's always difficult, so I dont have any illusions that this is going to get any easier but in the end, we have always managed." Background: Earlier, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos expressed confidence that the first and thirty-first clusters in negotiations with Ukraine would be opened in 2025. On 27 January, the EU managed to "push" Hungary to approve the extension of economic sanctions against Russia, even though the EU had to make a concession to Budapest. Kallas hinted that the statement on "energy security", in exchange for which Hungary supported the extension of sanctions against Russia, was symbolic. Support UP or become our patron! The EU countries are still agreeing on the specific details of what will be included in the 16th package of sanctions against Russia, and the work on it is expected to be completed in February. Source: Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, as reported by European Pravda Details: Kallas said this in a conversation with the media after an informal breakfast organised before the meeting of the Council of the EU on general issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Of course, we are working on the next sanctions package and hopefully, we really want to get it ready by February. So, there are different items there, but as you always know, this is a negotiation between member states. So, we're really looking into all types of things that really help Russia wage this war to put them on sanctions lists. I mean, even elements like, you know, consoles for video games, because, apparently, these are the ones that they operate the drones with. So, you know, [they are] being creative Regarding chemicals that are needed for the Russian military industry. And there are a lot of items. Of course, energy, as well, is on this list. What is the final agreement will be clear when we have agreed." Background: The EUs upcoming 16th sanctions package against Russia is expected to target aluminium, agricultural products, the shadow fleet, and Russian banks. On 27 January, the EU managed to "push" Hungary to approve the extension of economic sanctions against Russia, even though the EU had to make a concession to Budapest. Kallas hinted that the statement on "energy security", in exchange for which Hungary supported the extension of sanctions against Russia, was symbolic. Kallas believes that Hungary will not succeed in blocking the start of actual negotiations with Ukraine on EU accession. Support UP or become our patron! The European Union has condemned the attack on embassies in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The EU is calling for the protection of diplomatic missions in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, a spokesman for the EU's foreign affairs representative Kaja Kallas said in Brussels. Regarding the attacks themselves, the spokesman did not provide details, citing the still unclear situation. However, he noted that the foreign ministers of EU states had already expressed their willingness during their meeting on Monday to take action against those endangering peace and stability in Congo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to official reports, the attacks on embassies on Tuesday affected, among others, the EU countries of France and Belgium. "These attacks are unacceptable. Everything is being done to ensure the safety of our staff and citizens," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot posted on the social media platform X. The incidents followed several days of heavy fighting caused by the M23 rebel militia in the east of the country. The European Commission is reportedly considering not extending Ukraine's current preferential trade regime, which expires in June, and has already started technical discussions on new trade terms. Source: European Pravda, citing the Polish news portal RMF24 Details: The European Commission is reportedly not planning to extend the special preferential trade regime with Ukraine after 5 June. This regime, introduced in 2022 to support Ukraine's economy, is set to expire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, there are no plans to return to the pre-war trade arrangements, as that would deal a significant blow to Ukraine, whose exports to the EU have increased in recent years. One alternative under consideration is a new agreement within the framework of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). This could include setting quotas for certain agricultural products from Ukraine and implementing additional safeguards. This approach could support Ukraines gradual integration into the EU single market and prepare it for future membership. Quote: "Most agriculture ministers prefer a more stable DCFTA agreement to extending the current regime. They want to move forward with the DCFTA, where new export and import volumes will be defined," said Christophe Hansen, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, adding that this would be "the best solution". RMF FM reports that the European Commission has already started technical-level negotiations with Kyiv on a new trade agreement, with formal talks set to begin soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An unnamed source in the European Commission anticipates that future trade support measures for Ukraine will be more limited, and agricultural imports from Ukraine to the EU may decrease. This shift is partly due to changes in the European Commission's leadership, including the appointment of Slovak Maros Sefcovic as the new EU trade commissioner, replacing Latvias Valdis Dombrovskis. Slovakias stance on trade with Ukraine is more aligned with Polands position. Sources in the European Commission say the issue is highly sensitive, as the EU seeks to balance maintaining favourable conditions for Ukraine's economy amid the war with concerns about European farmers' reactions. Background: Poland recently announced its intention to link negotiations on extending the liberalised trade of agricultural products with Ukraine to discussions on the EUs trade agreement with South American countries (Mercosur). On 13 May 2024, the EU Council, after lengthy and intense negotiations, approved an extension of preferential trade with Ukraine for another year until 5 June 2025. Unlike the previous two years, the extension includes restrictions, following protests from farmers. Support UP or become our patron! The European Union does not plan to extend the preferential trade agreement framework in its current form past its June 5 expiration date and is considering a new set of rules instead, the Polish news portal RMF24 reported on Jan. 28. While the European Commission allegedly does not plan to reinstate pre-invasion trade rules, it is considering alternatives within the 2016 Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) framework, including quotas for agricultural products and additional safeguards. The EU lifted customs duties on Ukrainian agricultural products in 2022 to alleviate the country's economy amid Russia's full-scale invasion. This led to large-scale protests among European farmers, namely in Poland, who claimed the influx of cheaper Ukrainian products was threatening their businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The newly proposed framework would establish specific export and import volumes, potentially aiding Ukraine's integration into the EU single market while addressing concerns from member states about agricultural imports. European Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen reportedly noted widespread support among agriculture ministers for transitioning to a "more stable DCFTA agreement" instead of extending the current regime. Preliminary technical negotiations between the EU and Ukraine have reportedly begun, with formal discussions expected soon. The EU's current free-trade scheme has already been updated with an automatic safeguard mechanism for sensitive sectors, such as eggs, poultry, sugar, oats, maize, hulled grains, and honey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poland has implemented import bans on certain Ukrainian products, such as grain, citing negative impacts on Polish agriculture. Read also: Germany ramps up Russian LNG imports via EU ports, report says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Monday that Europe is not negotiating with the United States over control of Greenland, as President Trump continues to insist that acquiring the self-governing territory of Denmark is necessary for American national security. We are not negotiating on Greenland, Kallas said at a press conference following an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels. Of course we are supporting our member state, Denmark, and its autonomous region, Greenland, Kallas continued, but we shouldnt also go into speculation about what-ifs, because this is not the situation right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kallas would not say whether the ministers discussed Trumps interest in Greenland specifically, but she said the ministers discussed the relationship between the EU and the U.S. as the Trump administration takes the helm in Washington. The new administration policies have major implications on the European Union, Kallas said. As the United States shifts to a more transactional approach, Europe needs to close ranks. We are stronger when we are united. That was the view that everybody shared. She added: We discussed European and United States relations, and how we should really either change our policy or not change our policy towards the transatlantic relations, and also we discussed what the new administration and the cooperation with the new administration, how it would look like. Kallas noted the U.S. is our closest ally but said its clear the new administration speaks the language of transaction, and that its important the EU learn to speak that language as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think what is clear for everybody is that the new administration really speaks the language of transaction and that means negotiating always on different issues. So we need to speak that language as well. In negotiations, its always a question whether you reveal your hand, and the positions where you go to negotiations or you dont because that weakens your hand. She said its important not to underestimate the power of the EU, noting it is also in Americas interest to maintain a close relationship with the EU. It is not so that America does not have interests in Europe. We are very much interlinked, and this means that we also have something in our hands. Its not like somebodys telling us what to do and we are following. But we are also strong, and we shouldnt underestimate our own power when it comes to whatever talking to partners but also acting towards our adversaries. She urged cooperation, saying, Our adversaries are cooperating very closely, so should we. Europe and North America are stronger and safer together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kallas said she has extended an invitation to Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address the council and would also be happy to travel to the U.S. as soon as possible. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. On Tuesday, 28 January, Kaja Kallas, the European Union's top diplomat, spoke by phone with Marco Rubio, the incoming US Secretary of State. Source: Kaja Kallas on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Kallas described the discussion with Rubio as a "good call". Quote: "We discussed global issues where the EU and US have the same interests, including Russias war in Ukraine, Irans malign influence and challenges posed by China." Good call with @SecRubio. We discussed global issues where the EU and US have the same interests, including Russias war in Ukraine, Irans malign influence and challenges posed by China. The EU and US are always stronger together. Looking forward to meeting you soon. pic.twitter.com/leKEB81SUT Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) January 28, 2025 More details: The EUs chief diplomat emphasised that the EU and the US "are always stronger together". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kallas also expressed hope for an in-person meeting with Rubio in the near future. The day prior, Kallas said she had invited the US Secretary of State to a meeting of EU foreign ministers, reaffirming her commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. Background: US President Donald Trump recently told reporters that "the European Union treats us very, very badly," adding that "tariffs are coming their way". Support UP or become our patron! CLAXTON, Ga. (WSAV) The Evans County Sheriffs Office (ECSO) assisted U.S. Marshals in catching a wanted fugitive from North Carolina. According to ECSO, at approximately 2:00 a.m on Saturday, Jan. 25, the office along with the Sheriffs Response Team (SRT) and members of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID), assisted the United States Marshal Service in apprehending Marvin Smith, 56. The apprehension came after executing a search warrant at the Relax Inn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith was taken into custody without incident on warrants out of Cumberland County, North Carolina for first degree murder. He currently awaits extradition back to North Carolina. Toombs County asking for help locating missing man Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An Evanston church announced Monday it is opening its doors to immigrants seeking protection from deportation. The Rev. Michael Woolf, senior minister of Lake Street Church of Evanston, made the announcement at the church Monday and was joined by several faith leaders, representing different religions, heralding the decision. Mayor Daniel Biss also spoke at the announcement. Woolf said the churchs decision to allow immigrants to seek sanctuary was a religious one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we proclaim today is that immigrants, documented (or) undocumented they are the absolute beloved of God, that they possess a dignity that cannot be stripped from them by any memo, by any administration, by any human being on this earth, he said. We stand in solidarity with those fearing deportation, and we are willing to use all of our privilege and our resources to protect them, Woolf said. A week prior to President Donald Trumps Jan. 20 inauguration day, Evanstons City Council approved updating its existing Welcoming City Ordinance. Biss made his dissatisfaction with the federal governments immigration enforcement clear at the church event. Someone asked me the hardest question Ive been asked all day. They asked, how are you? Biss said. Im not fine. I dont feel fine. Nothing about this is fine. Im angry and Im worried. Im worried about these policies that are a savage assault on what America is supposed to be about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biss remained optimistic in the face of efforts in the city to protect immigrants, whether they took form through the citys Know-Your-Rights workshop the evening of Trumps inauguration day or through residents asking what they can do to help others. This community is ready to stand up. This community is ready to fight for our values, Biss said. Jewish, Baptist, Muslim, Sikh and Christian faith leaders spoke in favor of Lake Street Churchs decision. Some are arguing that this has nothing to do with faith or the work of religious people. There are those who are saying that we should back down, back off, let the government carry out its work, said the Rev. Michael Nabors, senior pastor at Second Baptist Church in Evanston and president of the Evanston-North Shore Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wish churches and people of faith had stood (up) for Indigenous Americans when their lives were upended and their land was stolen by our government, but no one stood. And I wish that churches and religious people had stood for Africans and Black people during 240 years of evil slavery sanctioned by our government, but not enough churches and religious people stood, Nabors continued. The power of love always overpowers those with malcontent, Nabors said. May our country come to its senses and may goodness forever derail any initiative that inflicts pain and hurt. If a revolution for goodness and justice must start, let it begin in Evanston. Imam Sheikh Hassan Aly said, From the heart of Evanston, we reaffirm a truth that transcends borders and political rhetoric: every human life is sacred. This act of faith equals the timeless call of our religious traditions to protect the strangers, to defend the oppressed and to shelter those in need, continued Aly, who is also Director of the Humanitarian Faith Initiative at Med Global By the second day of Trumps administration in 2025, the president overturned a 2011 policy of the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agency that barred agents from carrying out immigration enforcement in areas deemed sensitive, including places of worship, hospitals and schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woolf said he was unafraid of the change to the agencys policy, as houses of worship have a history of establishing sanctuaries before being formally recognized by the law. There was no ICE memo protecting the members of the sanctuary movement in the 1980s when they (houses of worship) decided that they were going to house people, specifically asylum seekers, coming from Central America, Woolf said. They were committed to leveraging their extensive privilege as an American house of worship in order to be able to resist what they felt were unjust laws. And that is what were doing here today. Woolf said a family of five have been living in an apartment on the churchs grounds for 10 years. The churchs commitment to remaining as a sanctuary is iron clad, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How the church will be able to keep ICE agents, and any other federal agents, away from individuals if they come knocking is a trickier question, Woolf said, as there arent any national rulings at the federal level. He said open spaces, like the pews of the church, would likely be the least safe for immigrants, and private spaces in the church would be the most safe. Evanston Police Commander Ryan Glew said there has only been one apparent sighting of a federal immigration agent in Evanston in Trumps first week back in office. He said a resident made a call to the department Sunday morning and reported what appeared to be Enforcement and Removal Operations agents in the 800 block of Main Street. According to Glew, the caller said the agents were at a residential building, and not at Park School, which is on the same block. Glew said the department and federal agencies have not been in contact with each other, either before or after the incident. Years after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers described Wisconsin's state of mental health as a "burgeoning crisis" and made the issue a focus of his 2023-25 budget, 164 school mental health professionals have been added to Wisconsin school districts, private charter schools and tribal schools. That staffing boost, while significant, hasn't been enough to fully address the mental health issues showing up in young people. Related: 'An urgent and difficult message': 59% of Wisconsin youth feel anxious, depressed or suicidal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Youths in both urban and rural Wisconsin report troubling levels of food insecurity, poor mental health And so, last Wednesday in his State of the State address, Evers said he planned to propose $300 million for children's mental health programs in an effort to "start treating our state's mental health crisis with the urgency it requires especially for our kids." Although he's yet to submit his budget proposal, he appears set to move much of the proposal unveiled by state superintendent Jill Underly last October. That would make it the largest proposal for children's mental health in state history. Here's what to know. Why is Evers considering so much money? While $300 million may look massive at first glance, it's an amount dwarfed by the $3.5 billion in federal dollars Wisconsin schools received through Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER funds,from March 2020 until October 2024. The funds came from a $276 billion national investment to combat learning loss and the burgeoning youth mental health crisis resulting from COVID-19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of November, 95% of those funds had been used, largely to support additional staffing including a battery of newly hired school-based mental health professionals. Now, for the first time in four years, school districts have to hammer out budgets without the federal boost. Related: $10 million in federal money to help Wisconsin's dire need for in-school mental health services Related: State superintendent makes record $304 million ask for youth mental health The loss "significantly impacted school budgets" and "directly affects funding the well-being of students," DPI spokesperson Chris Bucher told the Journal Sentinel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Leia Esser, executive director of student and staff supports at Madison Metropolitan School District, it's difficult to plan ahead knowing that so much hinges on the final budget, which likely won't be enacted until July. "Right now we're running three different budget scenarios until July, when the Legislature makes some decisions," Esser said. How would these proposals impact Wisconsin schools? For two years, Wisconsin school districts, independent charter schools and tribal schools received two rounds of funding, the first in spring 2022 and the second in spring 2023, through the Get Kids Ahead Initiative. The funding, which totaled $30 million, was distributed on a per-pupil basis for mental health services depending on enrollment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the last budget, that broke down to about $31 per-pupil and was used to train staff and engage in professional development. The funding also allowed school districts, charter schools and tribal schools to hire 55 additional school counselors, 33 school social workers, 23 school psychologists, 23 mental health navigators, seven interventionists (used to help students struggling academically and/or socially) and 23 other mental health positions. Funding also started the important work of connecting students and families to therapy. Underly proposed an expansion of the school-based mental health services program, which would provide every local education agency in the state $100 per pupil with a minimum of $100,000 per school district, which would amount to $168 million over the 2025-27 biennium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The per-pupil metric makes sense from an equity perspective, said Esser, because it allows schools across the state, whether rural or urban, to determine what makes sense depending on the district's body of needs. Should the Legislature remove this provision from the budget altogether, DPI estimates that the per-pupil amount would decrease to about $12. Do Wisconsin schools have a shortage of mental health professionals? According to DPI's 2023-24 all-staff report, the state has 2,311 school counselors, 840 school social workers and 1,155 school psychologists. These numbers don't reflect the number of outside providers who work with schools when needs are identified, Bucher said. While the number of school psychologists is certainly improving across Wisconsin, according to data from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), Wisconsin still has a way to go before it reaches the optimal ratio of 500 students per one school psychologist. Wisconsin's ratio currently sits between 500 and 1,000 per school psychologist, according to the latest NASP report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the dearth of school social workers in Wisconsin is of concern. While the average ratio is one social worker for every 250 students, Wisconsin's current ratio is one social worker per 1,014 students. Just 39% of school districts have at least one school social worker. Across all three school-based mental health categories, the state is seeing improvements, but as the Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health noted in its 2024 annual report, "totals are far below recommended levels, and their services are not reimbursed at sustainable rates." To help improve the odds for young people, Evers said he would be proposing more than $129.9 million to support the hiring of more school mental health professionals and improve the reimbursement rates for mental health professionals treating students on public health insurance. "If you can imagine developing a strong relationship with a therapist and then, annually, having that change as a result of bureaucratic aspects of budgeting, it's a really scary prospect," said Esser. "That's something I really want Legislature to be thinking about." How are Republicans responding so far? Following Evers' State of the State address Wednesday evening, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told the Journal Sentinel that, while he has to wait and see what Evers' entire budget reflects, the mental health proposals are "unaffordable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What we heard here was a bunch of empty promises that will not be able to be delivered without either massive tax increases or massive spending cuts," Vos said. "We're never going to approve massive tax increases and I don't think he's going to support massive spending reductions, so I don't think any of it is realistic." State Sen. Devin Lemahieu (R-Oostburg), meanwhile, deferred to state Sen. Jesse James (R-Thorp) and Rep. Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc), who each serve as chairs of the Senate and Assembly Committees on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families. Still, Lemahieu underscored the significance of the issue. "We've increased mental health spending from virtually nothing, from when I was first elected, to $30 million in the last budget," Lemahieu said. "It's vitally important that we keep investing in mental health." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laura Schulte of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report. Natalie Eilbert covers mental health issues for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She welcomes story tips and feedback. You can reach her at neilbert@gannett.com or view her X (Twitter) profile at @natalie_eilbert. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What's behind Evers' $300 million proposal for childrenmental health HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Eversource announced on Monday that they sold Aquarion Water Company, according to a press release. Aquarion has been acquired by Aquarion Water Authority (AWA), a quasi-public corporation and a standalone authority alongside the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA). The total value of the sale was estimated to be $2.4 billion. Eversource warning customers to be aware of scams Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eversource said that the profit they made from the sale will go toward reinvesting into its core electric and natural gas businesses, investing in reliability for customers and strengthening the companys financial position. This transaction reinforces our commitment to our core electric and natural gas operations as the largest regulated utility in New England, allowing us to optimize our portfolio and strengthening our balance sheet while reinvesting capital to benefit our customers, Eversource Chairman, President and CEO Joe Nolan said. We will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders across our service territories in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire to deliver cost-effective solutions that ensure safe, reliable electric and natural gas service for our customers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Some aspects of life under the current Government might convince you that we are living in some sort of deranged simulation. The official response to the Southport massacre provided an egregious example when the Home Secretary lamented the availability of knives on Amazon. Soon, newspapers were joining in with the blame Bezos inanity, casting the perpetrator as the Amazon Killer. It later transpired that the companys age-verification had indeed been bypassed; but only because one of Axel Rudakubanas parents signed for the package. If the situation werent so tragic it would be Dadaist in its absurdity. We are not, contra these sort of statements, living in a simulation, but the real world. A world that is neither perfect nor perfectable. This might seem obvious but bears repeating when our ruling class seems incapable of understanding it. Put simply: modern politics has an evil problem. When everything must have a practical and human solution, nothing can be identified in terms of any form of cosmic morality or existential struggle. Hence, even when confronted with monstrosities like those in Southport, rational justifications are sought: poverty, mental health, marginalisation, online harms, etc. Because everything is thought to have a rational explanation, it follows, in the logical bind which affects our rulers, that everything also has a rational solution. This is why atrocities from the Manchester bombings to the London Bridge attack to Southport so often give rise to demands for new laws; petty restrictions on knife sales being a particularly dire example. This blind devotion to systematic thinking ushers our leaders into ever more ludicrous courses of action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some look for mitigations, citing buried trauma from relatives who suffered the Rwandan genocide. He did it unconsciously, a family member told a newspaper, blaming trauma and autism. Yet the prosecutor was clear: None of this offered any explanation for this offending. What if there are sometimes no explanations what if the horrors that sporadically assault our society are outpourings of evil? Of something which defies societal, push and pull factors, the analysis of sociologists or think tanks or policy wonks. What if there is, in fact, something identifiably evil, which no number of bans or rushed-through laws can cure? This week marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz; a place where unique evil occurred. To go there and seek to explain these events solely in terms of social movements or pressures would be crass, stupid and wrong. It reminds us that evil is not something from fairy tales, but a fact of human nature with which we must grapple as states, societies and individuals. The Southport horrors should be understood in these terms. Following the massacre, the perpetrator said he was so glad and so happy and delighted in the age of his victims. He has shown not a shred of remorse. During the attack he moved around the room silently; the thought of his blank, soulless expression being the last thing those dear little girls ever saw is especially horrifying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rudakubana loathed women and girls, but was also fascinated with ethnic cleansing, telling classmates that Britain needed a white genocide. He carefully researched how to kill as many people as possible and seems to have revelled in blood-lust of all kinds; which may explain why he slipped through Prevents narrow classifications. In short, this was not an individual who could be categorised using a social workers check-list. In one sense society is evidently at fault here, in its refusal to act, when at every turn Rudakubana had exhibited these traits and tendencies. Previous generations would have institutionalised such a monster, rather than merely excluding him from school. Some people do not require understanding, but removal from the places where they can inflict their instincts on others. Rudakubana would have killed every child at the class if given the chance. It was only the goodness and bravery of nearby adults that prevented this. Just as we brand the actions of businessman John Hayes and class leaders Leanne Lucas and Heidi Liddle as heroic, so in turn Rudakubanas worldview and actions must be seen as exactly what they are: unmitigated evil. The question of why on earth such a monster ever became Britains problem is a valid one though one which politicians will surely try and duck, in favour of more diversity is our strength guff. But Rudakubanas evil cannot be viewed solely in these terms. One might also point to the recently-jailed Cameron Finnigan from leafy Surrey, part of a Satanist group which tried to drive children to suicide online. Just as it was becoming clear, 83 years ago, that the Nazi war machine was involved in systematic acts of unprecedented wickedness, Noel Coward released a song entitled Dont Lets Be Beastly to the Germans. In it he mocked polite British society and its continued insistence that there were sensible and rational ways to persuade the Nazis out of their actions. As Coward wrote, scathingly: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets be sweet to them And day by day repeat to them That sterilisation simply isnt done. History might not repeat itself, but it does rhyme. Sometimes repeating what simply isnt done is not enough. Sometimes we have to speak in terms of good and evil, and react accordingly. 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. **Related Video Above: Cleveland crime by the numbers. AKRON, Ohio (WJW) A former Hudson doctor has been sentenced to prison for the rape of a young woman, Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich said Tuesday. Mahmud Kara, 58, was found guilty of sexual battery and rape by a Summit County jury in December. Tuesday, he was sentenced to 8-12 years in prison for his crime and is being fined $10,000, the prosecutors office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Browns QB Jameis Winstons SUV stolen, investigation underway Kara who had forfeited his Ohio medical license in 2018 due to and investigation finding he improperly prescribing weight-loss drugs assaulted the woman in his home in April 2023, the prosecutors office said. Photo courtesy Hudson police I want to thank the survivor for her bravery in coming forward to bring this predator to justice, Kolkovich said in a statement. I also want to thank the Hudson Police Department and my assistant prosecutors for their work to keep Summit County safe from offenders like Kara. Hundreds of foxes, wolf-dog hybrids, other animals rescued from NE Ohio fur farm Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kara must register as a tier III sex offender after he leaves 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Metro police arrested a former car dealership manager for allegedly stealing nearly $1.7 million over several years, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned. Mark Olson faces felony charges of theft, and laundering or attempting to launder money or property, records said. Police identified Olson as the former general sales manager at Findlay Kia on Sahara Avenue near Decatur Boulevard. In November 2023, Findlay Automotive suspended Olson after he allegedly failed a drug test, documents said. Olson then lost access to all his business accounts. In his absence, employees discussed how to [oversee] the dealerships marking efforts since that was Olsons responsibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olson was later fired, documents said. Employees then discovered he allegedly purchased unauthorized gift cards through an outside vendor. Forty email addresses received more than $10,000 in gift cards each with many going into PayPal and other bank accounts belonging to Olson, Olsons family members and other Findlay employees. Olson stated he used the money to pay bonuses, documents said. Other employees were interviewed by Findlay Kia and stated they were sent money from Mark and asked to give it back to him for various reason[s] such as his account not working. An audit later determined Olson allegedly embezzled nearly $1.7 million with more than 3,000 gift cards, documents said. The majority of the transactions involved gaming and Las Vegas Strip properties. Police arrested Olson on Jan. 16, records said. Officers also arrested a woman they identified as Olsons girlfriend, charging her with similar crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olson posted a surety bond and was scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 20. Olsons attorney told 8 News Now that his client will enter a not-guilty plea and plans to conduct his own investigation into the allegations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A former New York state trooper who claimed he had been shot on a Long Island highway by an unknown gunman, setting off a multistate manhunt, actually shot himself and took the gun to his home, a prosecutor said Monday. Thomas Mascia and his parents surrendered Monday to state police on Long Island, according to an agency spokesperson. Mascia, 27, was charged with tampering with evidence, false reporting of a crime and official misconduct. His parents, Dorothy Mascia, 55, and Thomas Mascia, 62, a former New York Police Department officer, were each charged with one count of criminal possession of a firearm because a semiautomatic rifle with illegal modifications was found in their bedroom, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gun is not the one Mascia is alleged to have used to shoot himself, according to prosecutors. As a convicted felon, his father is not legally allowed to own a gun, officials said. All three pleaded not guilty and were released on their own recognizance. Their next court day is scheduled for Feb. 5. A lawyer for the Mascia family, Jeffrey Lichtman, said Mascia has been suffering from untreated mental health issues for years. There are many less severe and less dangerous ways to garner sympathy that dont include shooting oneself, he said. This case is a tragedy that was caused by unseen and untreated mental health issues. And now an entire family is suffering for it as they usually do in such situations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation by the state police and the district attorneys office found no evidence to substantiate Mascias claim that he had stopped in the median of the parkway to check on a disabled vehicle, the state police said Monday, adding that a subsequent search of the familys home recovered a firearm that was illegally possessed. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said at a news conference Monday that Mascia staged the Oct. 30 shooting hours before he reported being shot. He dropped .22-caliber shell casings on the shoulder of the Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead and later drove to Hempstead Lake State Park, where he shot himself in the leg, officials said. He then brought the gun to his home he shared with his parents and drove back to the parkway to report he had been shot, according to officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His claim set off a manhunt involving law enforcement from New York, New Jersey and Delaware, Donnelly said. Prosecutors said in the criminal complaint against Mascia that his actions caused state police to temporarily shut down the Southern State Parkway in an effort to locate the nonexistent shooter, causing alarm and inconvenience to the public. Mascia had claimed that he had approached what he believed to be a stranded motorist and that, as he did so, he was shot by a dark-skinned male in a black sedan, possibly a Dodge Charger, with a temporary New Jersey license plate. Donnelly said state police conducted extensive video canvassing to try to find the vehicle Mascia claimed the alleged assailant was driving but could not locate it. Nine shell casings were found at the scene, but no projectiles were recovered, she said. Investigators were able to determine Mascia had shot himself at the park through GPS and other technology, Donnelly said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The evidence uncovered and the absence of evidence told us everything we needed to know, the district attorney said. Even though Mascia tried to hide his tracks, it didnt take long for everyone to uncover that his harrowing story was nothing more than an elaborate work of fiction. She added: He knew the fear that it would create. But he did it anyway. Whether for sympathy, attention, to ease a wounded ego, what he did is unconscionable. Law enforcement held a ceremony for Thomas Mascia when he was released from the hospital last year. He was treated for a gunshot wound to his right leg, and law enforcement held a ceremony for him when he was released from the hospital a day after the shooting. Law enforcement throughout Long Island celebrated that he was safe and we vowed to find the dangerous individual who shot him, Donnelly said. But we never would. Because the shooter that we were all looking for only existed in Mascias head. In his imagination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mascia, who became a trooper in 2019, had been suspended without pay since early November, when state police announced that they had launched an investigation into the shooting and that no one was being sought. State Police Superintendent Steven James said Mascia resigned Friday. He called Mascias conduct egregious and said it harmed the reputation of law enforcement in general. What I will make clear is that the State Police, we do not tolerate such conduct, especially wrongdoing when a member breaks the law, James said at the news conference. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A former U.S. Postal Service employee who worked in Revere and Melrose pleaded guilty on Monday to charges that he stole hundreds of pieces of mail and government funds, the U.S. Attorney said. Michael Murray, 37, of Lynn, pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to one count of theft of mail matter by an employee and one count of theft of government money, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement. U.S. District Court Judge Leo Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Feb. 3. A federal grand jury indicted Murray in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murray worked as a postal clerk at the Beach Street Post Office in Revere and the Melrose Post Office from about September 2022 through July 2023, Foley said. Between April and July of 2023, Murray used his official position to steal the contents of hundreds of pieces of mail entrusted to him including gift cards, cash and checks totaling approximately $3,422, prosecutors said. During the same time period, Murray stole and fraudulently negotiated USPS money orders by generating them for postal customers for his own use totaling approximately $5,131, prosecutors said. For mail theft, Murray faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For stealing government funds over $1,000, Murray faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Retired U.S. Army Special Forces master sergeant Jeremy Brown remains in jail while his attorney advocates for his release under President Donald Trumps pardon for Jan. 6 crimes. Brown, a Tampa resident sentenced to seven years on weapons charges, is among a handful of still-incarcerated convicts who are most associated with the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot, but who were charged with other crimes outside of Washington, D.C. The argument being made for Browns release: his other crimes only came to light through the course of Jan. 6 investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As hundreds of prisoners walked free following Trumps proclamation, Brown, 50, was transferred last week from a Washington, D.C. jail to the Grayson County Detention Center in Kentucky. The reason for the transfer is unclear. A jury in 2022 convicted Brown on charges of possessing an unregistered sawed-off shotgun, a short-barrelled rifle, fragmentation grenades and a classified military document. Federal agents said theyd found them on his Florida property while serving a search warrant related to Jan. 6 and his ties to the Oath Keepers, a militaristic far-right group that entered the Capitol. Brown also was charged with two misdemeanors for attending the Jan. 6 riot, where he was photographed in a helmet and military gear. Those charges, court records show, were dropped shortly after the presidents pardon. A memo prepared by one of Browns attorneys with the heading Free Jeremy Brown argues that the pardon should apply to Browns federal convictions for crimes in Florida because they are 100% J6 related as required by the Presidential Proclamation. Jeremy was arrested and imprisoned based on J6 allegations that led to a pretextual search warrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That lawyer, Plant City-based Carolyn Stewart, posted online Saturday that our facts have reached the White House & the solution is in the works. Other J6ers with similarly unclear pardon situations include Homosassas Daniel Ball, 38, who was released and quickly re-arrested on a warrant for gun possession a charge that emerged from a search related to Jan. 6. Dominic Box, who was awaiting sentencing for felony civil disorder, remains in the same Kentucky jail as Brown. While awaiting trial for his Jan. 6 charges, Box was arrested by a deputy who said he found him passed out in his car outside a Jacksonville restaurant. Ben Martin, a California man convicted of illegally possessing eight firearms that agents found during a Jan. 6-related search, also remains in custody after his Jan. 6 charges were pardoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Calls for the release of these so-called left-behind J6ers have been amplified in right-wing media and spread through pro-MAGA corners of the internet since the president issued his pardons on his first day back in office. A common refrain: No man left behind. Close Trump ally Roger Stone posted on X about Brown and Martin, writing I will not rest until these victims are free. In fact, Im working on it right now. Former CBS News journalist turned right-wing pundit Lara Logan has also advocated for Browns release. Stewarts memo on Brown reiterates a claim that Browns former attorney made at trial that federal agents planted the grenades and other evidence. They cited forensics showing the items lacked Browns DNA. The jury, which heard audio of Brown reacting to news that agents found the grenades, apparently didnt believe that defense. Jurors convicted Brown on six federal charges, including the grenades, and found him not guilty of four. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown appealed. Oral arguments in that appellate case are scheduled for March 6 at the U.S. courthouse in Jacksonville. In a lengthy statement at his sentencing in Tampa, Brown mentioned his connection to Jan. 6, 2021, suggesting the riot was orchestrated by the FBI. Brown has maintained a public presence despite years of incarceration, recording podcasts over the phone and running an unsuccessful campaign for the Florida House of Representatives from jail. The bishop who asked President Trump to have mercy to immigrants and transgender teenagers says politics and faith cant be separated, but shes not trying to be the face of a new resistance movement to the GOP. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, in an interview with The Hill at her residence on Monday, was still taking stock of what she said and how it was received less than one week after her sermon at the National Cathedral. But she said she has no real regrets about her comments, and she appeared happy they were leading to some meaningful conversations in the public space, as well as in the church pews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also made it clear she sees the role of the clergy as supporting people who need it, and that it was far from inappropriate for her to say what she said. I mean, politics and faith cant be separated. Thats true, Budde told The Hill. Because politics is about organized community and power and how power affects people. So, to say that religion isnt political is really, its just not true, right? Budde has been hit hard by some GOP critics, including Trump, who called her nasty and not smart and demanded an apology from her and the church. But Budde said her comments were not made from a partisan point of view, even if some perceived them that way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I were seen as partisan, I think that would be problematic. But, given the way the country is divided what Im saying right now is perceived as partisan, but Im not basing it on the Democratic Party, she said. Im basing it on my Christian faith and how I how I interpret what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Here is an transcript of The Hills conversation with Budde, in which she reflected on her sermon, spoke about what she describes as the culture of contempt in the U.S. and said she would welcome a conversation with Trump. This interview was edited for length. Q: What do you make of the fact that people are calling you and looking at you as the face of the resistance to Trump after you spoke out? A: I spoke to the president about the need for mercy a pretty solid Christian spiritual tenant it feels pretty straightforward. Its something Ive been preaching and teaching, and its also very much a part of the Episcopal tradition. So if its received in that way, I think it says more about where we are as a country than it does about what I said. And as I mentioned, we live in a culture of contempt. We tend to see people through the worst possible light. It also means we probably see some people in the best possible light when that actually isnt accurate, either and maybe this is the other side of the same coin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Q: The New York Times wrote on Sunday that liberal protestants are feeling seen because of you, how does that part of the reaction make you feel? A: We are not the predominant Christian voice in the public arena now. Thats very clear. And so to be heard in the public arena was news, right? Perhaps we need to broaden our audience a bit because many of the people who have been approaching me are people who have given up on religion completely. Many, many people will start out by saying, Bishop Budde, Im not a religious person, or, I want you to know that Im an atheist, but I want to thank you for what you said. And so, I think actually thats the context would I like other people to speak in favor of dignity? Yeah, absolutely. Id like a lot more people, and not just people who may agree with me on my positions. I think if we could actually have a broader conversation across our differences, that would be the example because right now, theres no middle ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Q: Are there any measures that President Trump has taken that you are the most concerned about now that youve reflected on the last week? A: I would say the fear and the sense of deep vulnerability among immigrants and not simply recent immigrants, but immigrants who have been here for generations is very high. Not universally of course; obviously theres some immigrant communities that were very supportive of the president and wanted exactly what he said he would do, and as he is in fact doing. Q: We heard one Republican congressman say last week that you should be deported. When that all relates to your safety and security, do you feel safe? A: I have a lot of support around me. I am very well supported, and so I fear far less for my safety than for many other people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Q: Is there anything that you wish you had said or hadnt said in that sermon now that youve looked back? A: Im at peace with it, and people have asked if I feel like I should apologize, and that would be apologizing for my understanding of the teachings of Jesus, and I just cant do that. I regret the reaction in the sense that, its an example of the very thing I was talking that we needed to address, which is the culture of contempt and the outrage that is fueled in our country. That is the source of regret to me, but I dont regret what I said. Q: Would you be open to a conversation with President Trump? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A: Always. Always. Always. Always, with anyone, particularly with people who disagree with me. I would welcome that now. I dont think I want to do it on a social media platform, right? I think face-to-face main line Protestantism hasnt actually had a lot of access to, really any administration but if that would be of value, doors always open. Q: With President Trump back in the White House, do faith leaders have a responsibility to speak out? A: I think people who want to see a more merciful, a more toned-down political rhetoric in our society and a way to come together to work on things, I think actually we have to, we have to get organized, right? And we have to do our work to meet the moment which is, which is a challenging one for many but here we are. Q: Is there a reaction that has stood out the most to you? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A: I was in a church yesterday a small church in Bethesda and it was unusually crowded, and the majority of people who came that were guests were under the age of 30. So that strikes me. And the questions that they asked me, which were similar to the questions youre asking but from a different sense of wonderment and vulnerability. I feel like everything I do now is for those who are coming up behind me. Your generation has far more to live through than mine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) In a News 8 exclusive, New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart sat down with News 8s chief political anchor Dennis House to discuss the 2026 race for Connecticut governor. Just days ago, she filed the paperwork to form an exploratory campaign. The Republicans havent won a race for governor in Connecticut since George W. Bush was president, and they hope to break that losing streak next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stewart told House she is the one to do it. I feel confident, she said. Im happy to announce that Im filing an exploratory committee for governor. Im actually utilizing this time and utilizing this vehicle to do what its intended to do, to genuinely explore if my candidacy is viable for the state of Connecticut for governor. New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart files paperwork for potential run for Connecticut governor Stewart is testing a race for governor after serving as mayor of New Britain since 2013. I think a lot of times people may file exploratory committees, but its like they do it in two seconds and then, you know, next thing you know, they have a full-blown candidate committee. But lets put it this way: I ran in 2018. I learned a lot. I know what to do differently this time. I need a longer runway and time to raise money. I need time to slowly build my operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stewart is regarded as one of her partys best chances for regaining the governors office, which Republicans havent won in 18 years. What makes you think you can kind of break that? House asked Stewart. You know, Ive been able to break through here in New Britain with my message. And the message is, dont spend more money than you make, right? The message is really to people. Understand people listen to people, and you know what? I like to think that, you know, Im a genuine person. Elected at just 26 years old, Stewart made history as the youngest mayor in city history. After serving six terms, she is also the longest-serving Republican mayor in the city. Shes credited with transforming the hardware city with new construction, housing, jobs and a new sense of pride. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Stewart said the city is doing well, she said the state is not. In terms of its direction right now and its stance, you know, lets put it this way: if my husband and I are struggling to make ends meet with two decent-paying jobs in this state, I cant imagine what its like to be out there on a single mothers income or a single income, trying to feed a family, trying to make it in Connecticut, Stewart said. I think thats the biggest problem, she said. Ned Lamont is a nice guy, right? People think about him, and they go, Yeah, hes alright. Hes good, but thats the problem. Hes not invoking excitement in anyone. Nobodys saying, Yes! Hes leading the state into better days. Thats the problem, and thats what I want to do to change it. Lamont spoke about Stewart possibly running for governor Monday before Houses interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes a good friend, Lamont said. Weve done an awful lot together in New Britain, and maybe well go there and celebrate the things weve done together. As for Lamont, he told News 8 he would decide if he would seek reelection after the legislative session, which would be in June. Other Republicans are expected to run for governor in 2026 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 WTNH.com. By Gabriel Stargardter PARIS (Reuters) - French police have opened an investigation into death threats against a judge and two prosecutors involved in a corruption trial of far-right leader Marine Le Pen in which she could be barred from contesting the 2027 presidential election, police and judicial sources said. The abuse fits into a pattern of threats against judges, prosecutors and elected officials in France and underlines deep divisions over the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Le Pen is front-runner to win the next presidential election, due in April 2027, opinion polls show. She, her National Rally (RN) party and some two dozen party figures are accused of diverting European funds to pay staff in France. They deny the accusations. Louise Neyton and Nicolas Barret, the prosecutors leading the case, are seeking a five-year ban from public office for Le Pen if she is found guilty. The ban would not be subject to appeal. A panel of three judges, led by Benedicte de Perthuis, is due to deliver its verdict on March 31. Police opened their investigation after Neyton, Barret and De Perthuis received death threats from people writing in the comments section on far-right website Riposte Laique, four sources from the police and judiciary said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters has reviewed the online threats but was unable to identify the commentators to seek comment from them. De Perthuis deserved a "9mm bullet in the back of (her) neck," "Francois Desvignes" wrote in the comments section of an Oct. 6 Riposte Laique article. The article denounced "a Stalinist trial set up to ruin" the RN and featured a photo of De Perthuis. Another commentator called "Job" said De Perthuis should be "eliminated as soon as possible." Last Nov. 14, the day after Neyton and Barret sought the five-year ban on Le Pen holding political office if found guilty, their work emails were shared in the comments section of a Riposte Laique article that said they would "be held accountable to the people." The article included Barret's photo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One commentator on the article, "folavoine", said they should be shot on sight. 'MORTAL DANGER' The threats are being investigated by Paris' Brigade for the Repression of Crime against Persons (BRDP), the sources said. The Paris Police Prefecture, which houses the BRDP, confirmed an investigation was under way. It referred questions to the Paris prosecutors' office, which declined comment. In a Jan. 19 editorial, Riposte Laique said its director Guy Sebag had been questioned, via email, by BRDP officers, and that it had deleted the death threats. However, archived versions of the articles can be found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These texts, which have escaped our vigilance, put us in mortal danger," the editorial said, adding that the site on average receives between 500 and 1,000 comments per day, with at least 300 deleted daily for racism or legal problems. Riposte Laique had around 350,000 page views in December, according to an independent estimate. Founded in 2007, the website says it "brings together patriots from the left and the right who do not accept the Islamisation of their country." Sebag declined to comment to Reuters. Allies of Le Pen have criticised what they see as judicial overreach, echoing how U.S. President Donald Trump and former Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro reacted to legal cases against them. Both said they were victims of an illegal witch hunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 8, France's High Council for the Judiciary (CSM), which oversees the legal system, expressed concern about recent threats against magistrates and underlined the importance of judicial independence. Ludovic Friat, president of the country's largest union of magistrates, said it was inevitable France would succumb to a global wave of anti-establishment rage. "France isn't an island," Friat said. "There's no reason for us to escape what we have seen in other countries." (Reporting by Gabriel Stargardter, Editing by Richard Lough and Timothy Heritage) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will face questioning by Senators from both parties on Wednesday and Thursday, in one of the most anticipated confirmation hearings for President Donald Trumps Administration. If confirmed by the Senate, Kennedy would head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees many of the countrys health agencies, from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). His nomination is already stirring fierce debate on both sides of the political aisle. Kennedy, 71, is one of Trumps more controversial Cabinet nominees. Known for his anti-vaccine views, Kennedy has sparked backlash and outrage from the science and medical communities for spreading disinformation. In addition to repeating the debunked claim that vaccines cause autismdespite years of research proving that vaccines are both safe and effectivehe has also accused the FDA of aggressive suppression of raw milk (the FDA warns that raw milk can have harmful bacteria, such as E. coli and listeria, that can lead to illness and even death). Kennedy has also said he would stop the safe and years-long practice of adding fluoride to the water supply, which, while done to protect oral health, Kennedy claims is tied to issues like IQ loss and bone cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps one area where Kennedy may be able to find bipartisan support is on his goals for food and nutrition. Kennedy, who initially ran as an independent in the 2024 presidential election before endorsing Trump, has promoted a plan to Make America Healthy Again, promising to ban the hundreds of food additives and chemicals that other countries have already prohibited and saying that he would change regulations, research topics, and subsidies to reduce the dominance of ultra-processed food. But while some health experts have been encouraged by Kennedys pledge to address this issue, most are alarmed and appalled that Kennedy is being considered to lead HHS. We shouldnt even be having this discussion, says Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, who has served on CDC and FDA vaccine advisory committees. So how do I hope [the hearing] goes? The way I hope this goes is that he was never considered. Kennedy can only afford to lose three Senate Republican votes if Democrats unanimously oppose his nomination. Its currently unclear whether any Republicans will vote against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TIME spoke with public health experts and lawmakers about the biggest issues likely to arise in the hearings this week. Vaccines and viruses Public health experts agree that Kennedys false claims about vaccines will be a major focus of the hearings. While Kennedy has said that he and the Trump Administration wouldnt remove vaccines from the market, he has, for years, spread misinformation about them. In addition to promoting the debunked claim that vaccines are linked to autism, Kennedy falsely labeled the COVID-19 vaccine the deadliest vaccine ever made, even though data has proven and health experts have said that COVID-19 vaccines are both safe and effective. In 2021, he filed a petition with the FDA, requesting that the agency revoke its emergency-use authorizations for the COVID-19 vaccines. The hospitals were overwhelmed with that virus," Offit says. Our ICU was flooded, and here this man stands up and says, I think that you should remove your authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine. I mean, that [vaccine] was a godsend. That was our way out of this pandemic. Lets imagine that there was a bird flu pandemichow would he handle that? Since he doesnt believe in vaccines, which, by the way, is not a belief systemits an evidence-based system, Offit says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawrence Gostin, director of Georgetown Universitys ONeill Institute for National and Global Health Law, says he hopes the Senate committees dig down on vaccinationsnot just asking Kennedy if he would ban certain vaccines, but more specific questions, like: would Kennedy appoint scientists with vaccine research expertise to the CDC vaccine advisory committee? Would he follow or undermine CDC recommendations for childhood vaccination schedules? When he says that he wants to make vaccine research more transparent, what would that look like? Read More: What Donald Trumps Win Could Mean for Vaccines Kennedy has also suggested that AIDS may not be caused by HIV, despite overwhelming scientific evidence establishing the link between the two. Food and nutrition Kennedy has gained some support for his stance on food and nutrition. Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and director of the Food Is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, acknowledges Kennedys controversial statements on vaccines and fluoride in water, but says he hopes that Kennedys more contentious comments may have been partially [or] purposefully inflammatory to raise attention, and hopes that Kennedy will follow the evidence and the science and focus on the issue of nutrition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres broad consensus across the country, across the political spectrum, that our food is making us sick, and that we havent been paying nearly enough attention to this, Mozaffarian says. RFK Jr. has appropriately highlighted this is a true national crisis requiring urgent attention. Gostin also anticipates that Kennedys comments on food will come up during the hearings, but says he hopes that Senators drill in on their line of questioning. For me, again, I would ask the hard questions. Its easy to say, Well, I want to take out toxins and dyes from food, Gostin says. What policies does he really want to put forward, and what is he prepared to do to fight for them? Read More: The Power RFK Jr. Would Have Over Food Income and debt Kennedys financial disclosures could also be a point of discussion during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee. Recent financial disclosure forms filed with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics reveal that he reported up to $1.2 million in credit card debt, along with mortgages that could total up to $10.5 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy's income, however, paints a different picture. Over the past two years, he reported earnings exceeding $12 million, with a significant portion of that coming from his law firm, Kennedy & Madonna LLP, which recently rebranded to Madonna & Madonna LLP. Despite his mounting liabilities, he continued to earn substantial income from referral fees, including nearly $9 million from legal cases. His ongoing involvement in the law firm, particularly cases involving vaccine manufacturers, has prompted Kennedy to vow to sever ties with the firm if confirmed to avoid potential conflicts of interest. What are lawmakers saying? Kennedys path to HHS rests with the Republican-controlled Senate, which holds a razor-thin majority. Senators from both parties have been vocal about their concerns, focusing on his past views on vaccines, food safety, and abortion. Some Republicans are demanding that Kennedy clarify his past support for abortion rights, given that he would play a key role in shaping the Trump Administrations abortion policies if confirmed. Former Vice President Mike Pence, a staunch opponent of abortion, is lobbying against Kennedys nomination. Kennedy, like Trump, has flip-flopped on the issue, previously saying he would support a federal ban on abortion after the first trimester of pregnancy, before backtracking and saying that abortion should be legal up until a certain point. Read More: The Powers Trumps Nominees Will Have Over Abortion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Democrats have questioned Kennedys qualifications for the role based on his past statements and unorthodox view of medicine. Democratic lawmakers told TIME that Kennedys position on vaccines is a dealbreaker. Asked if anything could change his mind on Kennedys nomination, Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, said: Well, if he were to say I was totally misguided and mistaken on my criticism of vaccines. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Tuesday that he cannot recall a nominee more dangerous to the health of Americans than Mr. Kennedy. He is neither a doctor, neuroscientist nor a public health expert, nor a policy expert of any kind, he said. When I met with him, he would not answer many questions directly, saying he would defer to the president, who also is hardly a leader Nobody should believe this 11th hour conversion of Mr. Kennedy on vaccines. Several Democrats declined to say how they will vote on Kennedy. Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who previously said he agreed with some of Kennedys positions on food policyparticularly his criticism of how the food industry prioritizes profits over public healthtold reporters Monday that he will be tracking the hearings closely this week and confirmed that he spoke with Kennedy about his past debunked claim that vaccines can cause autism. What are public health experts saying? Gostin hopes that, in addition to asking Kennedy about his controversial statements, Senators also question him about the Trump Administrations decision to pull the U.S. out of the World Health Organization, which has drawn sharp criticism from public health experts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senators may question Kennedy about abortion but Gostin says any line of questioning on the issue will likely be predictable, since he expects that Kennedy will repeat Trumps view that abortion policy should be left up to the states. While some public health experts are uneasy about how the hearings will go, they hope that Senators across the aisle will grill Kennedy on his controversial claims. For me, the headline should be: do you believe in science, and will HHS policies and guidelines be based on evidence and solely scientific evidence? Gostin says. And then secondarily, just under that is: will you rely on career scientists at U.S. public health agencies? Will you rely on their judgment and their research? This is the head of HHSwe shouldnt have to force the head of HHS to embrace science and evidence and the public health mission of the agency, Gostin says. Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com. A commission of German experts from politics, business and science is calling on the next government to engage in strategic cooperation with the countries of the so-called Global South, with labour migration a key issue. Bilateral partnerships with the individual countries should be coordinated via a national security council, according to a report, which was presented in Berlin on Tuesday by commission chairwoman and former defence minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. The term Global South refers to countries in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission, which included former German foreign minister Joschka Fischer, believes there should be more co-operation between individual German government ministries when it comes to policy linked to the Global South. Urgently needed labour in Germany means immigration from the vast area should also be organized centrally via a national immigration agency, Kramp-Karrenbauer said, adding that such agencies already exist in Canada and the United States. "This is something different to a Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, it has a completely different impetus, and that is what we want to tackle," she said. For the report, the commission held hearings with more than 45 experts from countries in the Global South. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Topics discussed also included public and private investment, climate change financing and competition for raw materials. Kramp-Karrenbauer said the Global South representatives had given two frequent responses ahead of the German election on February 23, where the centre-right Christian Democrats are widely tipped to replace Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats as the largest party. "We don't know exactly what Germany's interests are. It is always a little concealed. And: We would like to negotiate with you as equals," she paraphrased. Young politicians and entrepreneurs in African and Asian countries have become more self-confident and they expect both sides to be able to clearly state their interests, she added. MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) Experts have issued warnings about how quickly domestic violence situations can turn deadly after police said an argument may be to blame for the death of a 1-year-old Sunday afternoon. According to Murfreesboro police, a dispute over loud music may have led to an altercation at the Chelsea Place Apartments. Investigators said the babys mother and 24-year-old Marquavious Hampton got into an altercation that ended with Hampton allegedly shooting the infant multiple times. The mothers hand was also shot as she tried to shield her child. PREVIOUS: Baby dead, mother injured after dispute over loud music at Murfreesboro apartment complex Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 53% of the calls that Murfreesboro Police Department go on, on a yearly basis, are domestic violence in nature, executive director of the Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center, Ericka Downing, said. Were the fourth largest county in the state. Unfortunately, as the population increases, so does crime. Downing said domestic violence cases have even outpaced the areas population growth. She urged those in these situations to seek help, and for neighbors to watch for red flags. The emotional abuse, the psychological abuse, the financial abuse all those things escalate, Downing said. And something innocent can end in death. According to police, Hampton was located in Williamson County thanks to license plate recognition technology. After running from deputies, police said he fatally shot himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ MORE | Latest headlines from Murfreesboro and Rutherford County It takes, on average, seven times for someone to leave a domestic violence relationship, Downing said. And each time someone decides to leave that circle, that cycle of violence goes around quicker and quicker and quicker. According to Downing, one in three women and one in four men will experience domestic violence during their lifetime. For anyone seeking help, including friends and family of victims or survivors, you can reach out to the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center directly or call the Domestic Violence Hotline at 615-896-2012. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde delivers a sermon during the National Prayer Service at Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 21, 2025. Invoking the words of Jesus Christ, she pleaded with President Donald Trump to show mercy on vulnerable people who are scared of being targeted by his administration's policies. Photo by Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images Last week, the most powerful words uttered in the most powerful nation on earth were delivered not by the most powerful man in the world but by a servant of God. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, who leads the Episcopal Diocese in Washington, D.C., spoke from the pulpit as she directly addressed President Donald Trump at a national, post-inaugural prayer service on Jan. 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Let me make one final plea, Mr. President, Budde said near the end of a 15-minute sermon on unity and community. Millions have put their trust in you. And as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. Then after a brief pause, as if to gather her courage, she added, In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Budde talked about gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives now that Trump has returned to the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She referred to the people who pick our crops, and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. 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, she said. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, because we were all once strangers in this land. Her words, delivered in a calm and spiritual tone, were breathtaking in their strength, clarity and courage. As she spoke, never turning her gaze from him, the president at one point looked away, shoulders slumped, visibly frustrated by what he viewed as the pastors lack of respect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no disrespect intended, Budde later told MSNBCs Rachel Maddow: I wanted to make, as you heard, a plea, a request that he broaden his characterization of the people that are frightened now and are at risk of losing everything, and I thought that that would be the more respectful way to say it. The presidents comments later on the bishops sermon were predictably petty in the way that people used to abusing power often respond to criticism. He called her a so-called Bishop and said she was nasty in toneand not compelling or smart. In truth, Buddes words were compelling, smart, measured, and rooted in her faith, the same faith Trump claims to abide by. While Trumps die-hard supporters have roundly dismissed the bishops comments as a left-wing attack, her remarks should serve as a means to gird ourselves for the calamity at our doorsteps. Sometimes we speak truth to power not because were convinced the powerful will change their minds, but because it allows our allies to know they will not be alone as we face the struggles to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since resuming office, Trumps barrage of executive orders and authoritarian rhetoric have laid bare what the next four years will bring: another long wave of chaos, incompetence and pervasive corruption. Most Americans, including many who voted for him, will suffer as a result of the presidents ceaseless efforts to line his pockets at the expense of the American taxpayer, while punishing anyone he regards as powerless or otherwise inferior and lavishing rewards on the rich, at least as long as they slather him with praise no matter how hollow. Perhaps no president in American history has been less capable of redemption or spiritual growth than Donald J. Trump. Budde would almost certainly never say something like this, but I will: Trump is as soulless a man as the human race has ever produced. He revels in exacting cruelty on people, especially anyone who refuses to tolerate his vulgarity and lack of character. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is not a stupid man, but he is a simpleton crass, incurious and insatiable in his thirst for money and the power it provides. Left to his own devices and unfettered by the law, as he believes he is now, Trump will do anything to get his way. Anything. His attempt to overthrow our government on Jan. 6, 2021, and his recent decision to pardon and release 1,500 or so rioters who violently assaulted Capitol police officers in his name was just a hint of how far he will go. It may not be the Christian thing to say, but I have lived long enough to know that there are those who walk among us whose evil must never be appeased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is one of them. Does he warrant our hate? No. Even the most despicable in our midst deserve the sort of kindness shown by the Bishop Buddes of the world. But the Trumps of our world will never deserve our obedience. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Claim: A Mississippi bill would pay "bounty hunters" $1,000 for each instance in which they help successfully deport immigrants in the country illegally. Rating: Rating: Mixture What's True: Mississippi's House Bill 1484 proposes the creation of a hotline where people can report immigrants in the country illegally. Reports that result in arrest and imprisonment are eligible for a $1,000 reward. Separately, the bill proposes the creation of the "Mississippi Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program" through which the state government can license "bounty hunters" to "find and detain illegal aliens." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What's False: However, the bill was simply introduced in the Mississippi state House on Jan. 22, 2025. At the time of this writing, it was not law. In January 2025, claims (archived) circulated online that a Mississippi bill would pay "bounty hunters" $1,000 for each time they helped successfully deport immigrants in the country illegally. A popular version of the claim on Facebook read: Mississippi is going to start paying registered bounty hunters $1000 each time they help successfully deport somebody. It cost $40 and it's a 40 hour class to become a registered bounty Hunter in Mississippi. Take a class and pay $40 to hunt down people that don't look like you. We're only on day five. The claims spread across Facebook (archived) and X (archived). Some claims directly named (archived) a bill introduced in the state's House of Representatives on Jan. 22, titled, "HB1484 Mississippi Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill proposes creating a new felony called "trespass by an illegal alien" and a government hotline where people can report this crime. The bill offers a $1,000 reward if a report on the hotline leads to the arrest and imprisonment of an "illegal alien." Separately, the bill proposes creating the "Mississippi Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program" through which bounty hunters people who track down criminal defendants who have skipped bail can be licensed to "find and detain illegal aliens." The reward for a bounty hunter in the program was governed by the Mississippi Code, not fixed at $1,000. At the time of this writing, the bill was assigned to two committees in the state House the early stages of the bill possibly becoming a law. Therefore, we rate this claim as a mixture of truth and falsehoods. A key part of HB1484, and the reason for the inclusion of bounty hunters, is that the bill creates the felony of "trespass by an illegal alien," defined as: A person commits the offense of trespass by an illegal alien if such person: (a) Is an illegal alien; (b) Knowingly enters this state and remains in this state; and (c) Is physically present in this state at the time a licensed bounty hunter or a peace officer apprehends such person. A person found guilty of "trespass by an illegal alien" could be sentenced to life in prison without eligibility for probation, parole or release if the bill were to pass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In order to catch people committing this felony, the bill proposes the development of an information system a hotline where anyone can report infractions. Reports that lead to the arrest and imprisonment of an immigrant in the country illegally make the reporter eligible for a $1,000 reward, according to the bill: If an illegal alien is arrested and imprisoned under this section as a result of a report to the information system, the person who made the report shall be eligible to receive a reward of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for providing such report; The bill text does not specify that the person making the report has to be a bounty hunter, or registered with the new "Mississippi Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program." However, in a statement announcing the introduction of the bill, Matthew Barton, district attorney for Mississippi's 23rd Legislative District, said the proposed legislation "would offer a $1,000 reward to registered bounty hunters for each successful deportation they help facilitate," indicating that people would need to be registered with the program to receive a reward, something not specified by the bill itself. The bill did not specify how bounty hunters' targets would be assigned, or whether the bounty hunters would be free to pursue any person in the state that they suspected could be in the country illegally. Republican state Rep. Jansen Owen, vice chairman of one of the committees to which the bill has been referred, told the Mississippi Free Press that he was concerned about the constitutionality of the bill. He added that determining whether a person's immigration status was legal was the responsibility of the federal, not state, government. "I think it's very unlikely that it'll come out of committee," Owen told the outlet. We have reached out to Owen to confirm whether this remains his opinion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another critique leveled at the bill was that a federal immigration hotline already exists. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement runs a tip line where people in the U.S. can report a number of crimes, including illegal immigration. ICE has "the discretion and statutory authorization to pay for information and/or evidence" submitted via the tip line. A similar bill in Missouri also proposes offering a $1,000 reward for reporting instances of "trespass by an illegal alien" and forms the "Missouri Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program." Sources: Barton, Matthew. DA's Office Announces Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program - District Attorney's Office. 22 Jan. 2025, https://desotomsda.gov/2025/01/22/das-office-announces-illegal-alien-certified-bounty-hunter-program/. "Bounty Hunter." LII / Legal Information Institute, https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/bounty_hunter. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Esslinger, Angie. -. 26 Jan. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/angela.esslinger.7/posts/pfbid0Yivkx7R2zkpUcTHLbA1tvHyLbLm3XkXxDEzeVsdg5mP28A5D1tmFkuJTKUkE2Fwbl. Gregory, David. To Amend Chapter 577, RSMo, by Adding Thereto One New Section Relating to Illegal Aliens, with Penalty Provisions. SB 72. "House Committees." MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE, https://www.legislature.ms.gov/committees/house-committees/. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025. @italyesparza. Mississippi House Bill 1484... . 25 Jan. 2025, https://x.com/italyesparza/status/1882943553153982697. Judin, Illan Ireland, Nick. "Immigrant Bounty Hunter Bill Unlikely to Pass, Experts Say." Mississippi Free Press, 25 Jan. 2025, http://www.mississippifreepress.org/mississippi-bounty-hunter-bill-to-go-after-undocumented-immigrants-faces-legal-and-political-hurdles-experts-say/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keen, Justin. AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI ILLEGAL ALIEN CERTIFIED BOUNTY HUNTER PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS FOR; TO AUTHORIZE BAIL BOND AGENTS AND SURETY AGENTS TO ENTER THE PROGRAM; TO CREATE THE CRIME OF ILLEGAL TRESPASS BY AN ILLEGAL ALIEN; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 83-39-25, 83-39-29 AND 83-39-31, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDE FOR BAIL AGENTS AND PENALTIES FOR SKIPPING BAIL, FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. House Bill 1484, https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2025/pdf/HB/1400-1499/HB1484IN.pdf. @libsoftiktok. BREAKING: New Proposed Bill in Mississippi Would Pay $1,000 to Bounty Hunters for Each Successful Deportation of an Illegal That They Help Facilitate. 24 Jan. 2025, https://x.com/libsoftiktok/status/1882649243405685101. Saville, Mike. Mississippi Is Going to Start Paying Registered Bounty Hunters $1000 Each Time They Help Successfully Deport Somebody. 25 Jan. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/MikeSaville4Idaho/posts/pfbid02skAeaEr9xDttsMe7Ntze6sXMqFDmb7xy1jCvvXL92mstuoXYavN6nbhMuvE1NtDBl. SB72 - Creates Provisions Relating to Illegal Aliens. https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=523. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025. Claim: An image authentically shows Adolf Hitler posing near-identically to Donald Trump in a separate, authentic photo captured after his July 2024 attempted assassination. Rating: Rating: Fake Immediately after the July 2024 attempted assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump, a photograph showing him responding to the gunfire with his fist raised spread rapidly online. Soon, social media users compared that scene to an image supposedly showing Adolf Hitler posing in the same way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Is this pose of Trump staged or just a coincidence?" one X user asked (archived). Is this pose of Trump staged or just a coincidence? Its not like Trump told General Kelly that Hitler did some good things! Its not like Ivana Trump told her lawyers in 1990 that Trump kept a copy of Mein Kamph in his nightstand! Is it all just a coincidence? pic.twitter.com/n1vOxgcJd4 BlueDream (@58bugeye) January 18, 2025 Over the course of months, numerous social media users shared the real image of Trump alongside the separate, alleged photo of Hitler. For instance, one X user claimed in mid-July that Trump posed "like his idol," the ex-chancellor of Nazi Germany, suggesting both photographs were real. Another example of the two images being shared together appeared on X later in July 2024, with a Community Note attached claiming the photo of Hitler was generated by artificial intelligence (AI) technology. (X user @SandraHarney1) However, in short, although the Trump image was authentic, the alleged photo of Hitler was not. We concluded it was not AI-generated, but it was, in fact, a composite image created using elements from several different photographs, including a flipped and altered image of Hitler; a photograph of chief propagandist of the Nazi Party Joseph Goebbels; an unidentified woman; and a Nazi flag. Because of this, we rated the image of Hitler as fake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Aug. 5, 2024, Hany Farid a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, who specialized in digital forensics and image analysis discussed the Hitler photo on LinkedIn. Farid said he analyzed the image "with our GetReal Labs model trained to distinguish real from AI-generated images and found no evidence of AI-generation or manipulation." However, he did conclude that the image had tell-tale signs of photo manipulation and was "most likely" created using "an old-school Photoshop manipulation": Shown below, however, is a visualization of the image/sensor noise in the historical photo. In an ideal imaging device, the pixel values of the digital image would accurately reflect the amount of light recorded by each photo detector. Real devices have imperfections, however, and these imperfections introduce noise in the image. The resulting noise pattern is typically random, fluctuating from image to image but generally uniform across the image. Below you can see a much larger noise pattern (brighter regions) for three main parts of the image (the two people and the flag). This would not happen naturally and is a tell-tale sign of photo manipulation. While I can't say exactly how this image was created, it is most likely that this is an old-school Photoshop manipulation in which several photos were composited together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Hany Farid LinkedIn user) Snopes analyzed all elements of the manipulated Hitler image and found that its primary component, the photograph of Hitler, had been horizontally flipped. Additionally, Hitler's arm had been cropped and repositioned to the opposite side of his body. Below, you can see a comparison between the edited image on the left, and an authentic photograph of Hitler on the right that was published by Getty Images (with the latter flipped horizontally for ease of comparison). (X user @JaneotN, Getty Images) The original photograph of Hitler was also available on Alamy, a stock photo website, with a caption reading: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adolf Hitler speech, leader of the Nazi Party and Fuhrer of Germany making an impassioned speech with his fist clenched, wearing military uniform with Iron Cross and Swastika armband. The day on which he became commander in chief of Nazi Germanys armed forces. Nazi Germany 1934 (Alarmy.com) The second element in the edited photo was Joseph Goebbels, one of Hitler's closest associates. (X user @JaneotN, Getty Images) Below you can see the original photograph of Goebbels that we also accessed via Getty Images: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Getty Images) The third figure in the composite image is a woman whose original photograph remains unidentified. Other rumors Snopes has investigated involving Trump and Hitler include: Sources: "Adolf Hitler , German statesman, making a speech." Getty Images, 28 Oct. 2009, https://www.gettyimages.it/detail/fotografie-di-cronaca/adolf-hitler-german-statesman-making-a-speech-fotografie-di-cronaca/92425421. Emery, David. "There Is No Evidence Trump Ever Read 'Mein Kampf.'" Snopes, 20 Dec. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/trump-mein-kampf-hitler/. Eva Braun | Facts, Biography, Picture, & Death | Britannica. 18 June 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eva-Braun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hany Farid | UC Berkeley School of Information. https://www.ischool.berkeley.edu/people/hany-farid. Accessed 6 Aug. 2024. Ibrahim, Nur. "No Proof Trump Said Hitler 'Did Some Good Things.'" Snopes, 10 May 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/trump-hitler-good-things/. "In a World of Moving Pictures, Photographs Capture Indelible Moments in Trump Assassination Attempt." AP News, 15 July 2024, https://apnews.com/article/trump-photo-flag-iconic-bullet-f668b7dcc7b365a319a5daaac582775d. Joseph Goebbels | Biography, Propaganda, Images, Death, & Facts | Britannica. 13 July 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joseph-Goebbels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Joseph Goebbels, German politician and Reich Minister of Propaganda..." Getty Images, 22 Nov. 2016, https://www.gettyimages.it/detail/fotografie-di-cronaca/joseph-goebbels-german-politician-and-reich-fotografie-di-cronaca/624464574. Liles, Jordan. "Did Trump Echo Hitler with Remark About Migrants, 'Poisoning the Blood of Our Country'?" Snopes, 4 Oct. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//news/2023/10/04/trump-poison-blood-quote/. Limited, Alamy. Adolf Hitler Speech, Leader of the Nazi Party and Fuhrer of Germany Making an Impassioned Speech with His Fist Clenched, Wearing Military Uniform with Iron Cross and Swastika Armband. The Day on Which He Became Commander in Chief of Nazi Germanys Armed Forces. Nazi Germany 1934 Stock Photo - Alamy. https://www.alamy.com/adolf-hitler-speech-leader-of-the-nazi-party-and-fuhrer-of-germany-making-an-impassioned-speech-with-his-fist-clenched-wearing-military-uniform-with-iron-cross-and-swastika-armband-the-day-on-which-he-became-commander-in-chief-of-nazi-germanys-armed-forces-nazi-germany-1934-image572215816.html. Accessed 6 Aug. 2024. Upon returning to the state Capitol in 2025, Wisconsin Republican lawmakers made quick work of approving another statewide referendum question to appear on the ballot for the states April election. This one will ask residents whether to amend the state constitution to include an existing law requiring a photo ID to vote. Enshrining it in the constitution would make it harder for the state Supreme Court to declare it unconstitutional, which Republicans fear because of the courts current liberal majority. It would also be harder for Democrats to repeal it if they gain control of the Legislature in future years. The GOP maintains that the photo ID law has increased security at the ballot box. But experts and advocates say its making it more difficult for certain groups of people to vote, such as Black voters in Milwaukee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a news release blasting the attempt to get the voter ID law in the constitution, the public advocacy group Common Cause Wisconsin expounded on that. Wisconsin makes it more difficult for its citizens to vote than almost any state in the nation, the group wrote in the release. Is that accurate? Lets take a look at the evidence. Wisconsin voter ID law is stricter than most When asked to back up the claim, Common Cause Wisconsin executive director Jay Heck said he was pulling from the expertise of UW-Madison political science professor Barry Burden, who wrote previously for The Observatory that Wisconsins voter ID law is one of the strictest in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burden repeated it in an email to PolitiFact Wisconsin, writing that Wisconsin demands more than nearly all of the other states when it comes to getting a ballot. The National Conference of State Legislatures lists Wisconsin as one of just nine states with strict photo ID laws used to identify voters. State Rep. Scott Krug, R-Nekoosa, even lauded that status in a Jan. 8, 2025 news conference, saying, We have one of the hardest ID systems that you can have. In short, pretty much everyone is in agreement that Wisconsins voter ID law is severe. But there are other elements of the election process that can make it more difficult for people to vote and Common Cause Wisconsin didnt specify in the statement that the group was referring to voter ID alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So how does Wisconsin measure up when it comes to other ways to judge voting accessibility? Wisconsin ranks as one of the hardest places for voters Burden pointed to the Cost of Voting Index, run by Michael Pomante, a research fellow at Claremont Graduate University. The index accounts for 56 laws and policies that dictate the rules people must follow to get registered and cast a ballot, and weights them with a statistical analysis to determine whether they make it easier or harder to do so in a given state. Wisconsin has some election laws and policies that are more accessible compared to other states, Pomante said. For example, voters can register at the polls the day they go to vote, they can register to vote online, they can cast an in-person absentee vote and they can drop their completed absentee ballots off in dropboxes, which were made legal again last July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But other restrictions drive our cost of voting up. In addition to the strict voter ID law, Wisconsin has stringent rules for voter registration drives, does not have automatic voter registration, does not have pre-registration for young voters, does not allow all voters to join a permanent absentee ballot list, does not consider Election Day a public holiday and does require the signature of a witness on absentee ballots, Pomante said. The states ranking also drops because it doesnt offer early voting, he said. On the index, thats different from in-person absentee voting, which Wisconsin does have. True early voting functions similarly to voting on Election Day, with multiple sites and evening and weekend hours to cast a ballot, while in-person absentee voting can be more restricted, Pomante said. In Wisconsin, the in-person absentee voting experience varies from one municipality to the next, Burden said. Larger cities like Madison offer multiple sites and extended hours, while in smaller communities much more plentiful around the state, he noted in-person voting before Election Day is not really an option because municipal clerks do not provide it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its worth noting that not everyone differentiates between the two. The Movement Advancement Projects Democracy Maps, for example, give Wisconsin credit for an adequate early voting period of more than seven days. Burden said a more nuanced consideration of the issue would need to investigate the exact hours, days and locations that early and absentee voting are offered in different states. Where does all this land Wisconsin on the index? In 2024, Wisconsin had the fifth-highest cost of voting of all 50 states. In other words, its the fifth-hardest state to vote in the country, behind New Hampshire, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi, which was the hardest. Interestingly, in 1996 the year the index goes back to Wisconsin was ranked the fourth most accessible state in the nation for voters. Thats because at that time, the state was among very few that offered same-day voter registration, Pomante said. When other states started adopting it, Wisconsins ranking started to drop. The states most dramatic drop occurred between 2011 and 2015, when former Republican Gov. Scott Walker signed the voter ID requirement into law and it took effect despite a swarm of lawsuits seeking to knock it down. It has continued to fall ever since, figures from the index show. Our ruling Common Cause Wisconsin said the state makes it more difficult for people to vote than almost any other state in the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our voter ID law alone is one of the most stringent in the country and research shows the states other restrictive voting policies make it more challenging to vote compared to most other states. We rate this claim True. Sources Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Assembly sends voter ID constitutional amendment question to Wisconsin voters, Jan. 14, 2025 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Republicans moving quickly on legislation to enshrine voter ID law into constitution, Jan. 8, 2025 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin voter ID law still causing confusion, stifles turnout in Milwaukee, voting advocates say, Sept. 4, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Observatory, Wisconsins voter ID controversy: what you need to know, April 16, 2024 Email exchange with Barry Burden, political science professor, UW-Madison National Conference of State Legislatures, Voter ID laws, accessed Jan. 18, 2025 The Cost of Voting Index, accessed Jan. 15, 2025 Phone conversation with Michael Pomante, Cost of Voting Index Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin Supreme Court reinstates absentee ballot drop boxes, July 5, 2024 Movement Advancement Project, Restrictions on 3rd Party Voter Registration Drives, accessed Jan. 21, 2025 National Conference of State Legislatures, Automatic voter registration, accessed Jan. 18, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Conference of State Legislatures, Preregistration for young voters, accessed Jan. 18, 2025 National Conference of State Legislatures, States with permanent absentee voting lists, accessed Jan. 18, 2025 Movement Advocacy Project, Election Day holidays and paid time off to vote, accessed Jan. 18, 2025 National Conference of State Legislatures, How states verify voted absentee/mail ballots, accessed Jan. 18, 2025 CBS News, Walker signs photo ID requirement into law, May 25, 2011 Wisconsin Public Radio, As Voting Begins, A Look Back At The Fight Over Wisconsins Voter ID Law, Sept. 26, 2016 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Change in ranking visuals Cost of Voting Index, accessed Jan. 18, 2025 This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Yes, Wisconsin makes it harder to vote than most other states Fair State Brewing Cooperative is scaling back in a significant way. In a memo sent to staff, obtained by Bring Me The News and confirmed by an employee, the brewery says it has continued to face "headwinds" after exiting Chapter 11 bankruptcy last summer. It will now close down its St. Paul production facility, a move that will include layoffs, as first reported by Dave Infante of the Fingers newsletter on BlueSky. "We plan to sell our assets, transfer the lease to a third party, and wind down over the coming months," the letter from CEO Evan Sallee states, adding that the change will only impact its production facility and not its Minneapolis taproom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representatives for Fair State Brewing Cooperative did not respond to a request for comment. The taproom (pictured below) and its small-batch brewery will remain open, according to the memo, as will Chef JohnMichael Lynch's Farina Rossa pizza counter, which recently began serving food in the taproom. Fair State Brewing Cooperative's Northeast Minneapolis taproomPhoto by Dustin Nelson Lynch tells Bring Me The News that the changes won't impact Farina Rossa's taproom service. Sallee's memo adds that Fair State will "create partnerships" to handle "large-scale production" of its most popular beers in an effort to keep them available outside of the taproom. "Favorites like Pils, Mirror Universe, and others will still be available year-round," the letter states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the memo does not go into detail, it says the "operational changes" will include layoffs. "The reality is that we have exhausted every means possible," he writes. "Without these changes, we simply do not have any other way to keep Fair State doing business at all." Fair State became the nation's first unionized microbrewery in 2020 after the company voluntarily recognized staff's unionization efforts. Workers unionized with Unite Here 17, which represents service industry workers at many restaurants, bars, and hotels in Minnesota. "Were saddened by Fair States announcement," a representative for Unite Here tells Bring Me The News. "Workers in this industry deal with uncertainty, but they dont have to resign themselves to feeling powerless. Because Fair State workers are union members, they have already won some safeguards in their union contract to deal with the impact and have ways to bargain together for more compensation than they would get if each worker was facing a layoff or closure alone." Last February, Fair State filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. At the time, it said the move was part of a plan to recover from significant debts that started with the pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August, Fair State announced that it had exited bankruptcy. It had projected that sales could surpass $14 million by 2027, according to court filings reported by the Star Tribune. It had also planned to put the new profits into $3.3 million worth of new equipment over the next three years, according to the report. No timeline was provided for when the St. Paul production facility will close outside of a statement that it will "wind down over the coming months." Related: Foremost Brewing Cooperative in Owatonna closing in late-February FAIRBORN, Ohio (WDTN) Cities across the Miami Valley are making decision on the status of marijuana sales, and on Monday night, Fairborn residents met with council members to talk about their concerns for dispensaries in their city. 2 NEWS spoke with several residents and city officials about what direction the city may be headed. Fairborn officials say they passed an initial moratorium for recreational marijuana back in July to give their citizens and city council members more time to make a decision. Now that clock has run out, with Monday offering a public forum to share perspectives among citizens and officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PRIOR COVERAGE: Fairborn passes moratorium on marijuana businesses, effective immediately Residents at Mondays forum were fairly split on what direction this would go to be expected after 2023s vote on Issue 2, where the city of Fairborn voted 59 percent in favor of recreational marijuana. While that vote greatly informs council members, a public forum offered more input from residents on the issue. We want to make sure were doing this according to what our citizens desire, said Dan Kirkpatrick, Fairborn mayor. Concerns were brought from several perspectives, ranging from smoking in public to if the decision to allow recreational marijuana will deter businesses from coming to the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City officials were also there to answer questions as they came, clarifying what exactly the purpose of this forum is. Its more or less council deciding if this fits into what the city of Fairborn is and what the electorate is, said Nathaniel Rose, assistant city solicitor for Fairborn. And theyre in the best position to do this because theyve been elected by the citizens themselves. 2 NEWS spoke with several residents at the forum, who say they wanted to see how other residents view the issue and what the city plans to do. My real concern was that the citizens understood the restrictions and whats been passed and just understood the issue, said Marilyn McCauley, Fairborn resident. I have mixed feelings to be honest. I voted against Issue 2, but I know its going to be here so might as well have it and control it in our town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its important for me to hear that people are concerned and theyre not necessarily against or for it, but just want to know what the answers are going to be down the road, said Terri Perkins, another resident. Fairborn City Council is expected to vote on this sometime in March but are still ironing out some of the finer details. In the meantime, Fairborn residents are still encouraged to reach out to their representatives with their thoughts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Architecture portrays the antiqueness in a distressed building as 80 percent of buildings at the State Hospital in San Antonio are considered to be in critical condition on July 21, 2016. TOM REEL/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS An older building serves as storage as 80 percent of buildings at the State Hospital in San Antonio are considered to be in critical condition on July 21, 2016. TOM REEL/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Bexar County has asked state lawmakers for $60 million in the upcoming state budget to renovate seven buildings in the San Antonio State Hospital complex to take in jail inmates needing psychiatric services. The changes could add up to 336 beds for inmates and criminal defendants who need psychiatric tests or care to stand trial space Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said would help ease pressure on the county jail. The sheriff said up to 200 inmates are waiting for admission to mental health facilities on any given day. Last month, 129 inmates were waiting in the county's Adult Detention Center for beds in psychiatric units. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The county will join other local leaders and advocates jostling for a piece of the projected $194.6 billion Texas has to spend over the 2026-2027 biennium. The Texas Legislature has until June 2 to pass the state budget. Bexar County shared the proposal with San Antonio lawmakers last week. The San Antonio State Hospital opened in 1892, offering inpatient psychiatric care to people in more than 50 counties in South Texas. Today, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission runs the facility as well as nine other state hospitals and one youth center across Texas. The majority of state hospital patients arrive through the criminal justice system, and they can spend several months in treatment. Criminal defendants who judges deemed incompetent to stand trial go to state hospitals for treatment before their criminal proceedings can continue. "Bexar County continues to experience an unprecedented and ever-increasing number of individuals found incompetent to stand trial, and whom are being held in the Countys Adult Detention Center because they are awaiting transfer to an HHS facility for competency restoration," the county proposal states. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During the 2017 and 2019 legislative sessions, lawmakers dedicated funding to build a new San Antonio State Hospital, aiming to improve the quality of psychiatric care. The new facility opened last April with private bedrooms, a music room, beauty salon, canteen, library, gym, greenhouse, chapel and teaching kitchen. Once the new $357 million, 300-bed hospital opened, the state re-purposed some of the former hospital buildings for geriatric care, essentially adding no additional capacity for sick jail inmates, Bexar County facilities management director Dan Curry told commissioners courts at its Dec. 10 meeting. The project did not include renovating any of the old State Hospital buildings, several of which were built in the 1960s and 1970s and are in bad shape. A 2014 structural analysis found that floors in some buildings sloped because the foundations had sunk. They do need a significant amount of work to bring them up to a current mental health care facility, Curry said. The county hired architecture firm HKS Architects to craft redevelopment options for the older hospital buildings. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Christine Yanas, a local hospital leader who helped push for the funding for the new state hospital, said she suspects state lawmakers didn't fight to keep the mental health beds operating in the old hospital buildings because the cost would have been too high. Most of the funding for the state hospital systems comes from the Texas general revenue fund. "I just don't think the legislature was there," said Yanas, the vice president of policy for Methodist Healthcare Ministries. "It was going to be so much money." The county wants the state to reconstruct seven of the older hospital buildings. Each of those facilities can house 24 patients. Under the countys redevelopment plan, each of the new buildings could accommodate as many as 48 patients. Those beds would add to the 130 mental health beds that will be available after the county finishes expanding the Applewhite Recovery Center, which is located on San Antonio's South Side and serves patients from across the state. Construction is expected to wrap up next spring. It's unclear who would administer the new mental health beds if state lawmakers support Bexar County's proposal. If the county oversees the renovated hospital buildings, it could exclusively funnel Bexar County inmates into the mental health beds. Otherwise, the state would likely accept patients from across the region. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At any given time, we have between 100 and 200 people in the jail who need these beds, and if they perchance are being consumed by other counties inmates or populations, theyre no longer available to us, County Manager David Smith told commissioners at their Jan. 7 meeting. If we dont run it, we dont control prioritization. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Relatives of Holocaust survivors, state leaders, and other community members gathered at the Ohio Statehouse on Monday to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The day is commemorated on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the deadliest concentration camp, with 2025 marking the 80th anniversary. Its a poignant memorable day for me and its full of emotion and his whole family was murdered there, he was the only survivor. Its not an easy day, Debbi Sugarman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holocaust documentary directed by Gahanna resident debuts Sugarmans father Morrish Dach survived the Holocaust after spending more than two years in Auschwitz. We cant forget the 6 million Jews and almost 5 million other marginalized communities, Sugarman said. Im not going to forget my family. Im not going to let my father down so its very important to me. Sugarmans father, who died about 20 years ago, would often speak to others about his experiences. Now, Sugarman does to make sure people never forget what happened. Mondays commemoration, organized by the Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission (OHGMEC), started inside the statehouse, then ended at the Holocaust memorial outside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was thinking how were all complaining about the cold and how 80 years ago today, my dad was on a death march in the forest after surviving over two years in Auschwitz, Sugarman said. I have an employee today that told me he didnt know what the holocaust was and hes in his 20s and had never learned about it, so that makes it even more important to me. One name tops pundits short list for Ohio lieutenant governor As time passes, more and more survivors are not alive to tell their own stories, so there is a focus on keeping their stories alive. The world must know and we gather to tell the stories like Debbis fathers story and so many countless others that every time I hear one of the stories, I am in awe of the strength and the will that so many people were able to find to survive, Congregation Beth Tikvah Rabbi Rick Kellner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OHGMEC is planning other events around the state for later this 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) The family of a motorcyclist killed in February after colliding with a construction vehicle will receive more than $430,000 as part of a wrongful death settlement agreed to last week. William McLean, 52, died Feb. 19 after his Harley-Davidson struck a tractor on Old Sanders Road near Little River. A lawsuit filed in June named RCB Contractors, JJ Spray and Fertilizing, A.O. Hardee and Son and two employees who worked at the companies. Under terms of a Jan. 13 settlement, Selective Insurance Company will pay $750,000 on behalf of RCB Contractors, with $435,306 going to McLeans family along with $300,000 in attorneys fees and other related costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the suit, McLean was riding with a group of motorcyclists and just came around a curve on Old Sanders Road, entering a straightaway just before the accident. Unbeknownst to (McLean) or the other motorcycle, the defendant had illegally parked the John Deere Loader facing west in the eastbound lane of Old Sanders Road, the lawsuit states. * * * 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. ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A Rogers family seeks justice following the death of a 17-year-old girl and the arrest of the teen suspected of killing her. 17-year-old Rogers native Alejandro Zenon-Reyes was arrested in Veracruz, Mexico. U.S. Marshals say hes facing a manslaughter charge for allegedly killing Alexus Nguyen in 2022, and now the Nguyen family is speaking out. Every mothers worst nightmare is losing your child. Laquita Nguyen feels that there is absolutely nothing that can bring her daughter back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only thing that keeps me going is my husband, kids, and grandkids. Theres no amount of money. This is just to show them that you cant do criminal stuff and get away with it, said Nguyen. Zenon-Reyes is being held in Texas. As he awaits his return to Arkansas, the Nguyen family says justice lies beyond just the person who pulled the trigger. We were hopeful, but were just trying not to be too happy because we dont know whats to come. Its a little bit of justice for us, said Nguyen. Justice always comes with a price, and for the Nguyen family, its time to wait for a verdict in the courtroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her siblings, its hard on them, but we are very happy that he was finally caught. And, this feels like its just another waiting game. Weve been waiting. So weve got to wait now, some more, said Nguyen. Laquita is hopeful that the extradition of the 17-year-old will be a smooth process because her family has been in and out of courtrooms. Its hard because its just been a very long drawn-out process. Especially because we still have court dates for his parents and brother, said Nguyen. The Nguyens have sat in courtrooms for two years, and now theyre hoping the growing list of arrests will end with justice for their daughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre innocent until proven guilty. But in our eyes, theyre guilty, and its hard, them being out living their life like they didnt do anything while were sitting here. We dont have our daughter anymore, said Nguyen. Three other people were arrested in connection with the manslaughter case which is still 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 KNWA FOX24. AURORA, Mo. Calista Abernathy says she last spoke to her sister Sophia Williams on Wednesday. When we were talking, she had just told me that her and Nathan had been awarded custody for Nathans daughter. She had told me that before, they had got recent documents and everything and when they went to court date with their new found evidence, thats when the judge granted them the custody that they were wanting, Abernathy said. Abernathy says that was the last conversation she had had with her sister and Thursday night, she says a family member told her Williams was killed in Arkansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Taylor Santiago called 911 and turned herself in to police in Aurora in a double homicide investigation. Aurora police investigating homicides in Missouri and Arkansas after woman turns herself in Police believe Santiago lured her estranged husband Troy Huffman to her home in Aurora, and when Huffman went inside the home, she allegedly shot him several times with a .38 revolver, stole his car and drove to Eureka Springs, not before leaving one of her children alone in the home with Huffmans body. [Santiago] left [children] with something like that to see. She just has no regard for anybody. Nobody, not even her own children. She was okay with leaving her children orphans. She was okay with that. Shes a monster, Abernathy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities say Santiago got to Arkansas, then shot the biological father of another child and killed a woman whose name has not been officially released by the Carroll County Sheriffs Office. According to Abernathy, Williams is the woman who was killed in Eureka Springs, and several children were also present in that home when the second shooting occurred. Sophies being remembered very, very lovingly, by people. The outpouring I have had from Eureka Springs in general, where she spent most of her time and her friends are at, the whole town is very much mourning what is happening to Sophie and what has happened to Nathan. Everyone is ready to rally for Sophia Nathan in any way to get them the justice they deserve, Abernathy said. Santiago then drove back to Aurora, and thats when she turned herself in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri fugitive on FBIs Most Wanted list arrested in Florida So far shes been charged with first-degree murder in Missouri, but as of our last update, charges in Arkansas for the death of Williams have not been filed. OzarksFirst called the Carroll County Prosecutors Office Monday and asked why charges have not been filed. They said the case was still under investigation and that the sheriffs office had a warrant for Santiagos arrest and theyre keeping tabs on the case and how it progresses in Missouri. In Missouri, the sentence for first-degree murder, if convicted, is one of two options depending on how the case is prosecuted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Life in prison or the death penalty. I think she deserves the death penalty. She took lives. She left children without parents. She doesnt deserve to breathe, to eat. She deserves none of that. She deserves to be where she needs to be, Abernathy said. Im very angry. Im very angry when I hear [Santiagos] name because she took a wonderful person from all of us. Sophia was an amazing mother, has five children, and she loved her children so much. My sister loves saving anybody and kids. She was so good. My sister literally died from saving a child. She says the drive from Kansas to Arkansas was a quiet one. The drive to Arkansas was definitely a quiet drive. I had a lot of anger. Definitely a lot of sadness. Thats where it started, Abernathy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aurora man arrested after threatening parole officers Abernathy isnt planning on wasting her time being angry. Shes investing her time and energy into making a change. Abernathy is meeting with lawyers next week, the first of many steps in her plan to introduce Sophies Law, an effort to shield addresses in contentious custody cases, something Abernathy believes could have saved Williams life. Im definitely looking into making a Sophias Law to where when these custody issues happen, those addresses are off those court papers because if those addresses were not on those court papers, that woman would not have known where my sister was at, Abernathy said. That is something Im definitely looking to push forward, so no other family has to go through this type of tragedy again, because this was uncalled for. Were looking into lawyers to help us get that going. I think its something that definitely needs to be at least looked at. Obviously, something needs to change because having addresses is obviously dangerous and being able to have it publicly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear at this moment in time how Santiago knew the address to go to that night. OzarksFirst was able to find an address to a home in the Eureka Springs area connected to the father of one of Santiagos kids in a 2021 custody suit. Abernathy confirmed that was the home, and that address was obtained online through court records. They never told that woman where they stayed at. They still were doing what they were supposed to do with the courts until courts told them otherwise, Abernathy said. They shouldnt be allowed to have certain information. They should have to go through lawyers or something. There should be another alternative for that because this is a horrible tragedy and no one should have to go through this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abernathy is working on preserving the good memories while holding out hope she can positively impact others, just as her sister did. I just want everyone to know how good she was. Thats what I need people to know. Sophia was literally the best person. Her soul, you feel safe with her. Whenever you would be around her, you would feel safe. Which makes sense why everyone felt safe with her, Abernathy said. It definitely was definitely hard, to take the high road you know, because, of course, your first instinct is definitely let me get you in a room you know, but, we got to be above that because theres more important things here at hand because shes going to get hers regardless of how it happens Shes going to suffer in some type of way. So Im a let that deal with that and Im going to deal with what I can deal with and how I can change things and make things better for other people so they dont have to live this tragedy that our families are having to live. Santiago is currently being held in the Lawrence County Jail on no bond but has a bond hearing on February 3. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned the recent presidential election in Belarus, calling the vote "a farce" in a statement issued Jan. 27. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko "won" a seventh consecutive term as president on Jan. 26 in a so-called election widely denounced as neither free nor fair by the international community. "It is difficult to call such elections fair, transparent and democratic, in particular given the political repression in Belarus, which deprived voters of any alternative choice and turned the elections themselves into a one-man political show," the ministry's statement read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elections under the repressive conditions of the Lukashenko regime "cannot be legitimate," the ministry said. "It is a farce." Lukashenko has ruled Belarus since 1994 and is Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest ally. The Belarusian leader competed for the presidency against regime-approved candidates Sergey Syrankov, who secured 3.21% of the vote, and Oleg Gaidukevich, who received 2%. Lukashenko was declared the winner with 86.82% of the vote, while 3.6% of ballots reportedly voted "against all." Kaja Kallas, the EU's chief diplomat, called the vote "a sham" and "an affront to democracy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said the election was nothing more than a "special operation" by the Russia-backed regime. Tsikhanouskaya contested the results of the country's 2020 election, sparking mass protests after Lukashenko declared victory despite evidence of widespread fraud. The government brutally repressed the demonstrations and detained thousands of political prisoners. The Foreign Ministry expressed solidarity with Belarusian opposition figures and encouraged them to continue to fight for an independent Belarus. "We are convinced that a democratic and sovereign Belarus, in which the people, not one person, will determine the future, will be a factor of long-term stability in our region, and not an accomplice in Russia's war against Ukraine," the ministry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: After Lukashenkos latest sham election win, exiled Belarusians reflect on lessons learned from 2020s lost revolution Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Last year's Hurricane Milton has had a lasting impact on Florida's citrus industry, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicting a 33% drop in orange production in Florida this year, according to Spectrum 13 News. But farmers are finding new ways to adapt to changing business and environmental climates. What's happening? Citrus farmers in Florida have been facing a variety of problems for their crops over the past two decades, including greening disease (spread by insects) and encroaching land development, per CBS News. Add recent hurricanes like Milton and 2022's Ian, and farmers are looking for new ways to supplement their income. That's the case for Tara Boshell at Showcase Citrus. The company has diversified its strategy in recent years to be both a farm and a destination for tourists, with dining options, exotic animal feeding, and agritourism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We've been diversified for 30-some-odd years. It's not just the citrus. It's going to be the agritourism venue, with the monster truck adventures, and then we have the farm animals and exotic animals," Boshell told Spectrum 13 News. "It's not worth giving up yet." Why is low citrus production important? According to CBS News, growers say it takes two years for groves to recover from major storms, and they were just beginning to recover from Hurricane Ian when Milton blew through the state. The increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes and tropical storms has been attributed to the changing climate, according to the Columbia Climate School. "As the climate warms, more intense rainfall is expected, worsening existing flooding issues. There is a real need for infrastructure and urban planning initiatives to address this ongoing issue!" Dr. Mona Hemmati, a research scientist at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, which is part of the Columbia Climate School, posted last year on X. What's being done about low citrus production? Boshell said her business is still focusing on farming as it continues its side hustles. Showcase Citrus is working with a program called CUPS, which stands for Citrus Under Protective Screen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We put up a greenhouse," Boshell said. "It's a screened greenhouse, and we are trying different varieties in that to keep the disease out and the healthy citrus in." The Florida legislature also approved $40 million in the state budget to assist the citrus industry "through infrastructure, research, and expansion of propagation and replanting efforts," per the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services stated in a press release. 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. KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) A Southwest Michigan father has entered a guilty plea in connection to the death of his 3-year-old son, who died after being left in a hot car in August. Chad Martin, 36, of Athens, Michigan, pleaded guilty to leaving a child in a vehicle causing death, court documents show. The documents say sentencing guidelines call for between 15 and 25 months in prison but that the prosecutors office will not make any sentencing recommendation. They also say that the childs mother, Martins wife, feels a harsh sentence would be more a punishment to the family. The toddler was discovered dead in Martins SUV on the afternoon of Aug. 13 at a Family Fare in Vicksburg. The death was believed to have been the result of prolonged heat exhaustion, with the temperature that day higher than 80 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police reports outline day of toddlers hot car death Police reports from the Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office obtained by News 8 show Martin told investigators nothing was different about the familys routine the day his son died. He said he wasnt running late, had been sleeping normally and doesnt use sleeping aids or recreational drugs or drink. I guess I went straight to work, the report says he told investigators when he was interviewed. Martin arrived at his job at a plant in Brady Township, just outside of the Vicksburg limits, around 6:40 a.m., the reports show. He left around 3 p.m. and then stopped by the Family Fare. He was inside for a few minutes and when he came out, he realized his son was still in the car, buckled into in a rear-facing car seat in the drivers side back seat. The boy was dead by then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doctor offers warning after toddlers hot car death near Vicksburg Martin was charged in November, with prosecutors explaining that under state law, it didnt matter whether he meant to leave the child in the car or not. In fact, they generally in these cases just have forgotten about the child rather than wanting to harm them, Kalamazoo County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeff Williams told News 8 at the time. Martin remains out of jail on a personal recognizance bond pending a March 17 sentencing hearing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Lali Sokolov better known as the Tattooist of Auschwitz, who was immortalised in the 2018 book that has sold more than 13 million copies in 40 languages has done more to keep the horrors of the Second World War alive than most in recent memory. But in spite of the global attention his tale wrought, there was one last thing that remained undone. One of my dads dying wishes was to go back to Auschwitz, to apologise to all the people whose lives he couldnt save, says his son Gary, recalling a conversation he had with his father in 2006, when Lali was 90. And one of my biggest regrets was not just jumping on a plane and going straight there with him. Because five weeks later, he passed away. And so on Monday, on the 80th anniversary of Auschwitzs liberation, Sky History is airing a documentary (The Tattooists Son) showing Gary making that long-awaited visit. Over almost four decades, he had tried several times to pass beneath the gates reading Arbeit macht frei work sets you free where his parents met in 1942, amid one of the worst episodes of ethnic cleansing in human history. But each time he faltered, the weight of what he might see was too much to bear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I felt like a coward, he says of his failed attempts; of the nights he woke up in a sweat, paralysed by the journey he could not take. Why do I not have the guts to do it? This is my parents history, he chastises himself. On this occasion, while determined to walk through the camp for the first time, he had an intense physical reaction, his legs shaking so violently that filming had to temporarily stop. Still, he told himself, there was no turning back. I have to do this now. Passing beneath the gates, and by the crematoria and cell blocks, was horrific. It was way beyond my expectation of how horrific it was, he says. Things grew darker still as he ventured through Birkenau, tacked onto Auschwitz in 1941, the sheer size of the camp somehow magnifying the atrocities that took place there. Those two days filming in Poland in September were, unequivocally, harrowing. But they were also the best thing I ever did. It brought me so much closer to my parents, he says. Sokolov as a baby with his parents, Lali (left) and Gita. Lali tattooed Gita with her prisoner number and befriended Auschwitz guards in order to get letters to her - AETN/Synchronicity Films The experience illuminated his parents story in the kind of grim technicolour Gary spent most of his life without. Growing up in Melbourne, where Lali and his wife, Gita, moved after the war (a bid to get as far from Nazism and Communism as possible), he had been unaware of the unthinkable environment to which he owes his life. All he knew as a child was that his mother and father were relentlessly optimistic if you wake up in the morning, its a good day, was one of Lalis choice mantras, along with an insistence on a PMA, or positive mental attitude. Gary too shares that buoyancy, beaming for the majority of our conversation. In spite of his parents positivity, some elements of his childhood seemed strange inexplicable, somehow. A school-aged Gary would sometimes walk into the kitchen and find his father staring out of the window, as if in a trance; nothing could shake him from it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Depression appeared to grip his mother, who one day returned home with her prison number 4562 surgically removed from her arm. She would always pluck four and five-leaf clovers when she saw them, a hardwired habit from her days in captivity, it transpired, when giving them to Nazi guards might secure extra soup or bread. Both Lali and Gita were taken from their homes in Slovakia to Polands blue-and-white-striped hell in 1942. Lali, then 25, contracted typhus within weeks of arriving that April, and was slung on a death cart. When a fellow prisoner spotted him, he was retrieved, nursed back to health by his peers, and given a job assisting Auschwitzs tatowierer (tattooist). He inked the forearm of a shaven-headed Gita, 18, three months later. Their connection was immediate; over the next two-and-a-half years they would try to meet when prisoners were mixed en masse on camp grounds. Lali befriended guards in order to get letters to her, and found a way to smuggle medication to Gita when he learnt she was sick. When Auschwitz was liberated in January 1945, Lali, who had been sent to another camp on a cattle train, escaped and headed to war-ravaged Bratislava, where he waited for his love at the train station each day, refusing to believe she hadnt survived. Three weeks later, he caught sight of her, and proposed on the spot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of this was a mystery to Gary until The Tattooist of Auschwitz, written by Heather Morris, was released seven years ago. Morris met Lali in 2003, soon after Gitas death, and quickly became a vessel for the horrors he had endured. For Lali, who had scarcely shed a tear in the 60 years between leaving Auschwitz and losing Gita, the floodgates were finally open, the excruciating details his son had so long been protected from finally laid bare. Sokolov questioned why he didnt have the guts to go to Auschwitz (pictured), but when he finally did it brought him closer to his parents - Synchronicity Films Until he read the manuscript, Gary knew nothing of the fact Lali had seen Josef Mengele, the angel of death, pick his victims from those his father had just tattooed; that Gita had been made a guinea pig for Nazi experiments too, leaving her and Lali spending 16 years attempting to conceive Gary, their medical miracle. Gary believes he owes his life to the guards his father befriended. My dad was conflicted when Stefan Baretzki [an SS guard] went to trial because he did actually help my dad a lot. He helped my dad and mum communicate and meet on the odd occasion. He kept them both alive. And if not for Baretzki, I probably wouldnt be here today. Gita arrived at Auschwitz with three sisters, who never made it out, and whose existence she had never spoken of to her son (he only learnt their names while filming the documentary). Despite all they bore witness to, their sons first primer on the Second World War came via the 1973 British documentary series The World at War, which they instructed him to watch with the door closed, when he was 12. They couldnt bear to relive it again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it has become an unlikely sensation, The Tattooist of Auschwitz has had its share of criticism, too. Gary himself spoke out about inaccuracies in the original book including his mothers incorrect prisoner number, and the wrong spelling of his fathers name but says now that it is not a historical document. It is my fathers memories. Its my mothers memories. Its their story. And all these little inaccuracies in my mind are irrelevant to the bigger picture of actually watching people survive, showing that bad times do end, showing how horrific it was to actually live during the Holocaust. Far more important, he believes, is enshrining the legacy the Sokolovs have left, in a world in which younger generations in particular are growing evermore distant from the Second World War. He has been intent not to let his children, who never met his parents, have the same experience. Staying connected to that past, including Israel a beautiful country and a second home (he wont be drawn on the conflict with Palestine) is important to him, as is observing the religion that is subject to rising global anti-Semitism. Earlier this month, a poll from the Anti-Defamation League showed that anti-Semitic attitudes had risen among 46 per cent of the worlds adults, compared to a decade ago. He calls the violent demonstrations in the likes of the UK mind-boggling, and is grateful to have experienced few such sentiments himself, save for one journey through Vienna airport. Wearing his skullcap, I was fully aware of how many people were looking at me, he remembers. I just felt uncomfortable. The actors who played Gita (far left) and the young Lali (middle, right) in a TV miniseries from 2024 with Gary Solokov and Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz - AETN/Synchronicity Films He hopes that his parents words and to some extent, his own will continue to spread much-needed awareness. After the release of last years Tattooist of Auschwitz miniseries (based on the book), starring Harvey Keitel, there were more hits on the Auschwitz website than ever before in the history of Auschwitz, which just shows the interest it has created in learning, relearning, educating people, Gary says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What his parents story is doing to help remember is an amazing thing. My dad was 5ft 1in. My mum was 4ft 9in and a half. So these tiny little people, their story has had such a positive global impact. (Not that their diminutive stature impacted the magnitude of star Lali hoped might one day play them; he considered Brad Pitt a fitting candidate for himself, and Natalie Portman the perfect Gita.) This means all the more to their son in their absence, as he raises the two granddaughters they never got to meet. Thats a really big regret, because having kids was really, really important to me, he explains of his need to ensure that my parents didnt survive for nothing, that there was continuity. His eldest, 12-year-old Aviva, is the spitting image of his late mother, sharing her love of singing, and being in the kitchen (and making the same face Gita used to when she tells him off). Recently, he said to his wife: Oh my God, its my mum. Shes come back because she didnt feel like she nagged me enough. He likes to imagine that his parents are smiling down on the girls, as well as relishing their unexpected star status. I love the fact that my parents are world famous, he says, and Im so proud these stories got to be out there and had such a positive impact on God knows how many millions of people. I mean, how cool is that? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tattooists Son: Journey to Auschwitz is available to watch on Sky History and Now TV 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. EAST BANK, WV (WVNS) A Fayette County man received the maximum sentence for sex crimes against a minor. According to a post on the Kanawha County, WV Prosecuting Attorneys Facebook page, 58-year-old Devon Lee Underwood, of Mount Hope, was sentenced on Monday, January 27, 2025 to the maximum penalty of 25 years in prison for sex crimes. Former correctional officer found guilty in Quantez Burks case Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On September 16, 2024, Underwood was found guilty of Third-Degree Sexual Assault, and Sexual Abuse by Parent, Guardian, Custodian, or Person of Trust to a child through a guilty plea. The Kanawha County, WV Prosecuting Attorneys Facebook post stated that members of the Kanawha County Sheriffs Office received a complaint on February 2, 2024 about a sexual assault involving a minor in East Bank. The Child Advocacy Center held an examination, and the minor revealed that she was sexually assaulted by Underwood, who later confessed to the allegations in an interview. The Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney thanked the Kanawha County Sheriffs Office for their involvement in 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 dossier detailing Lord Mandelsons alleged links to China has reportedly been handed to the FBI and could further complicate his chances of being accepted as ambassador to the US by Donald Trump. The memo, compiled using open source information from the Chinese web and delivered by US senators, is said to contain multiple examples of the Labour grandees links to the state and its top-ranking officials. It is the latest step in a long-running furore since Lord Mandelson was picked by Sir Keir Starmer to be Britains representative in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Downing Street rejected the details in the report, and insisted Lord Mandelsons appointment would go ahead. A spokesman for Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, said: On that specific report, the Foreign Office dont recognise the reports of a dossier. He added: Whilst we do not usually comment on individuals, Lord Mandelson has made all relevant declarations as part of this process, and this ensures that steps are taken to avoid or mitigate any potential or perceived conflicts of interest. Lord Mandelson signs a trade agreement with China, as business secretary in 2009. Behind him, standing, are Wen Jiabao and Gordon Brown, then the premiers of China and the UK - Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty The dossier, published in Australian media, includes details of Lord Mandelsons meetings from 2013 to 2019 with Chinese officials and businessmen, who praised him for his co-operation. The memo also notes that the politician was described as an adviser to a Chinese-headquartered global bank, something which is not listed on the House of Lords register of interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to The Nightly, an Australian publication, the Chinese published photographs of a meeting that took place between Lord Mandelson and Huang Shuhe, the then deputy director of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council in March 2014. A read-out of the meeting posted on a Chinese website said Lord Mandelson introduced the business situation of Global Counsel and the cases of co-operation with central enterprises. In response, Huang Shuhe said he hoped that Global Counsel would continue to provide quality services for central enterprises to further enhance their international competitiveness. Huang Shuhe, front centre, is a senior Chinese figure named in the dossier - Alamy/Imaginechina Ltd More recently, in 2019, Lord Mandelson met Zhou Yubo, then secretary of Chinas ruling communist partys committee and chairman of China Guoxin, an asset management firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A post on the Chinese web said: Mr Mandelson said that China Guoxin has established a good image as an institutional investor and that Global Counsel is very willing to strengthen the all-round co-operation with China Guoxin. In another example, Lord Mandelson was described as an adviser to the Chinese-headquartered global investment bank China International Capital Corporation (CICC). In 2013, Song Yufang, the then chairman of China Railway Materials Corporation met the Labour peer and described him as an adviser of CICC. He said he hoped that Lord Mandelson would continue to pay attention to and support China Railways development in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is despite it not being listed on the House of Lords register of interests. The memo was prepared by Chung Ching Kwong of the Inter-parliamentary Alliance on China and was subsequently passed to the FBI. Lord Mandelson, who is expected to arrive in the US in the coming weeks, told The Nightly: I have had no business dealings in China. The peer found himself in hot water just hours after his appointment was announced last month, when The Telegraph revealed he previously described Mr Trump as a danger to the world and little short of a white nationalist and racist. That led Chris LaCivita, the campaign manager who masterminded Mr Trumps presidential run, to call Lord Mandelson an absolute moron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Republican wrote: This UK government is special. Replace a professional universally respected [ambassador] with an absolute moron he should stay home! Sad! Lord Mandelson, nicknamed the Prince of Darkness during his time as a Labour spin doctor, insisted he had never held such views about the president, claiming he was merely describing the thoughts and feelings of British people. Sources within the Trump team reportedly said it was still not certain the former Cabinet minister would be accepted by the president. Previous reports have suggested Lord Mandelsons perceived links to China, combined with his past comments on Mr Trump, now US president once more, could scupper his chances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Lord Mandelson has been confirmed as the UKs choice for ambassador, he could still be rejected by the Trump administration. The US could refuse agrement the formal acceptance of an envoy by a host country vetoing the nomination without explanation, under the terms of the Vienna Convention. 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. When asked about the evening the FBI mistakenly broke into her home, detonating a flash grenade in the house and ripping her door from its hinges, Curtrina Martin struggles to find a way to describe what that does to a person. "I don't know if there is a proper word that I can use," she told me last year. The Supreme Court announced Monday that it will evaluate whether the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled correctly when it barred Martin from suing over that nightmare scenarioa case that has attracted bipartisan attention from Congress. In October 2017, the FBI arrived at Martin's house, which she shared with her then-fiance, Hilliard Toi Cliatt, and her 7-year-old son, Gabe. The agents were searching for a man named Joseph Riley, who lived approximately one block over. After law enforcement found Martin and Cliatt hiding in the closet, police dragged Cliatt out and handcuffed him, while another officer screamed and pointed his gun at Martin, who says she fell on a rack in the chaos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A panel for the 11th Circuit wrote that the two structures "share several conspicuous features." For example, they are "beige in color" and have "a large tree in the front." Since it was dark outside, the judges said, it would have been "difficult to ascertain the house numbers on the mailboxes." Lawrence Guerra, who led the raid, thus received immunity. The Supreme Court won't reconsider that grant. Instead, it will evaluate a different part of the 11th Circuit's decision that forbade relief elsewhere. As I wrote in August: Martin and Cliatt also sued under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), which allows victims of abuse to bring certain state torts against the federal government. There are a few wide-ranging exceptions to that, too, however. Such claims are doomed if the government's misconduct arose from a duty that "involves discretion." Since "the FBI did not have stringent policies or procedures in place that dictate how agents are to prepare for warrant executions," Guerra had discretion, the 11th Circuit said, and is thus protected. Next came the Supremacy Clause, the rule that bars state tort claims if "a federal official's acts 'have some nexus with furthering federal policy and can reasonably be characterized as complying with the full range of federal law,'" as the court recently reiterated in Kordash v. United States (2022). The 11th Circuit said that stipulation foreclosed Martin and Cliatt's remaining claims. The FTCA was explicitly revised in the 1970s to include a proviso allowing victims like Martin to sue the federal government. A bipartisan group in Congressmade up of Sens. Rand Paul (RKy.), Ron Wyden (DOre.), and Cynthia Lummis (RWyo.) as well as Reps. Thomas Massie (RKy.), Nikema Williams (DGa.), Harriet Hageman (RWyo.), and Dan Bishop (RN.C.)had urged the Court to take up the case for that reason. That proviso was added after federal agents raided the homes of Herbert and Evelyn Giglotto and Donald and Virginia Askew. Neither family was suspected of a crime. In May 1973, The New York Times covered testimony before the Senate on those wrong-home raids: "Mr. and Mrs. Giglotto testified under oath today that they were handcuffed by screaming agents, thrown on their bed, verbally abused with a stream of obscenities and repeatedly threatened with death while an agent held a cocked gun to Mr. Giglotto's head," the paper reported, adding that "much of their apartment was ransacked and damaged." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thus the law enforcement proviso was born. "The proviso's plain text providesand it was enacted specifically to guaranteethat victims of wrong-house raids by federal agents like the Collinsville families can seek redress from the United States over wrong-house raids," the lawmakers wrote in their petition to the Supreme Court. "Yet the Eleventh Circuit's decision nullifies the law-enforcement proviso in precisely that circumstance." Patrick Jaicomo, a senior attorney at the Institute for Justice who is representing Martin, says that if the 11th Circuit's ruling is allowed to stand, "the FTCA does almost nothing." The law "was enacted as a sweeping waiver of sovereign immunity by Congress," he adds, "and courts disregard our constitutional separation of powers when they restore that immunityas the 11th Cir. did here." The post The FBI Wrongly Raided This Family's Home. Now the Supreme Court Will Hear Their Case. appeared first on Reason.com. In the height of irony, members of the Navajo Nation are reportedly being swept up in federal raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, even though they are the ultimate indigenous people of the country and legal U.S. citizens. Recent reports of negative interactions with federal immigration agents have raised concerns that have prompted fear and anxiety among our community members, Navajo Nation president Dr. Buu Nygren wrote in a statement. Being Indigenous, being Navajo, youre more American than being American, he added in a separate interview with Arizona Mirror. We got to have that respect from the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 15 Indigenous people in Arizona and New Mexico have been stopped and questioned or detained as part of federal immigration enforcement operations, Navajo Nation officials told CNN. Arizona state Senator Theresa Hatathlie, who is Dine/Navajo, told the outlet she received a report from a Navajo woman who reported that she and seven other Indigenous people were detained at a work site in Scottsdale, Arizona, and questioned for hours without their phones or any other way to contact their families or other officials. These raids have sparked significant fear, especially among tribal members in urban areas who face challenges with documentation, the Navajo Nation said in a statement last week. Navajo leaders said theyd heard reports of tribe members not having their IDs recognized (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Despite possessing Certificates of Indian Blood (CIBs) and state-issued IDs, several individuals have been detained or questioned by ICE agents who do not recognize these documents as valid proof of citizenship, the statement added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Independent has contacted ICE for comment. The Trump administration is spreading fear in tribal communities across the country, after it began openly questioning indigenous peoples citizenship status as part of its larger attempt to end birthright citizenship. It also recently confirmed South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to lead ICEs parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security. Noem has had a contentious relationship with her states tribes, many of whom banned her from accessing their territory after she accused tribal members of being absentee parents and in cahoots with drug cartels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trumps planned campaign of mass deportations has gotten off to a chaotic start. In New Jersey, a U.S. military veteran with documentation was reportedly detained by agents who didnt produce a warrant. As The Independent has reported, in Chicago, meanwhile, ICE agents arrived in unmarked black trucks, causing heightened anxiety and fear, so much so Chicago school officials set off a false alarm that immigration officials were raiding an elementary school. The Navajo Nation is on edge after some 15 people were reportedly detained or questioned by federal agents at their homes or workplaces as part of President Donald Trump s much-hyped immigration crackdown. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said his office had received multiple reports from Navajo citizens of negative, and sometimes traumatizing, experiences with federal agents targeting undocumented immigrants in the Southwest. Recent reports of negative interactions with federal immigration agents have raised concerns that have prompted fear and anxiety among our community members, he said in a news release . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nygren said trained counselors were brought in to assist those suffering the emotional and mental impacts of negative encounters with federal officials. In an interview on CNN, Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley said they received reports that Indigenous people living in Phoenix, Albuquerque, Los Angeles, Florida, and Chicago were visited at their homes or workplaces by agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other law enforcement officials. A lot of the families that weve talked to, we feel that many of these cases that are coming through, the allegations that are coming through, they feel that they have been racially discriminated and also profiled, Curley said. CNN noted, however, it was unclear whether ICE or another law enforcement agency was responsible for the recent raids. ICE did not return comment when questioned by CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who were contacted in their workplaces were taken to a room and asked to present documentation, she added. Nygren advised Navajo citizens to carry state-issued IDs, such as a drivers license and other picture identification, as well as their Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB). Native Americans are citizens of the U.S. The problem, however, is that it remains unclear whether ICE agents and law enforcement officials view the CIB as acceptable documentation of citizenship. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 23, 2025 Naabikiyati Committee calls on President Nygren for immediate action regarding... Posted by 25th Navajo Nation Council on Thursday, January 23, 2025 Senator Theresa Hatathlie said many tribal members who possessed both state-issued IDs and CIBs were still detained or questioned by ICE officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a lot of frustration happening here on the Navajo Nation on how to address this, Curley said. Many fear for the threat of being deported. Nygren told Navajo citizens to contact Operation Rainbow Bridge , an immigration crisis initiative, if they run into issues with federal immigration officials. The Daily Beast reached out to a spokesperson for Navajo Nation but did not receive a response. A grasshopper sparrow. (Photo by Karen Parker/Florida Fish and Wildlife) A grasshopper sparrow has made itself a home at the Eastern Slope Regional Airport in Fryeburg. While the presence of that particular bird is precious given its status as an endangered species in Maine its also become somewhat of a nuisance for the airport. Maine Sen. Rick Bennett (R-Oxford) said he considers himself a champion of the environment, but the situation with that sparrow has prompted him to propose certain wildlife regulations be rolled back because of the risk animals can pose to pilots and passengers at airports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The environmental community, on the other hand, worries the change would set a dangerous precedent for eroding conservation and environmental protection standards elsewhere in the state. Bennetts bill, LD 138, seeks to exempt airports from certain habitat protections for animals on Maines endangered and threatened species list. During a hearing Monday, he spoke of the safety risks birds and other wildlife can pose at airports, specifically mentioning the federal database that tracks all wildlife strikes to aircraft. It lists more than 1,000 strikes reported in Maine since 1990. While we have a duty to protect threatened and endangered species, we also owe it to the people flying throughout Maine to ensure their flights are as safe as possible, Bennett told the Legislatures Environment and Natural Resources Committee during a public hearing on the bill. Airports, the municipalities that run them and the federal agencies that regulate them work to reduce safety hazards, said Rep. Ann Fredericks (R-Sanford), who co-sponsored the bill. However, Fredericks argued state laws work against this by encouraging habitat conservation at airports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Airports occupy about 8,000 of the more than 22 million acres that make up Maine, Fredericks said in her testimony before the committee, calling the proposal a small exemption for human safety. There are currently 57 threatened or endangered species in Maine, according to the list kept by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Bennetts bill is specifically intended to protect aviation, he said, so the committee should narrow the language if necessary to ensure the exemption doesnt extend to entities other than airports. Nate Webb, who serves as wildlife division director for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, said while the agency appreciates the intent of the bill, it would set a concerning precedent of exempting certain developments from conservation laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Webb said the department has reviewed about 100 permit applications for airports since 2012 and has never recommended that the developments not proceed due to wildlife concerns. Rather, he said the department has recommended steps to avoid or minimize impacts to threatened species. Concern over a slippery slope of exemptions was echoed by environmental organizations including the Maine Audubon and Natural Resources Council of Maine, which testified in opposition because of the bills potential to erode conservation standards amid documented biodiversity loss. Bangor International Airport Director Jose Saavedra spoke in support of the bill, saying he is concerned about the safety of the more than 740,000 passengers and crew members who rely on the airport each year. According to the federal database, there were seven aircraft-wildlife collisions reported at the Bangor airport last year. Saavedra said the airport supports the goals of the Maine Endangered Species Act but they are not the appropriate environment to foster endangered species habitats, as doing so creates unnecessary risks for passengers, pilots and crews. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The first month of 2025 has been extremely cold across Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. Twenty out of the first 25 days of the year had colder-than-normal temperatures in Nashville. If you are sick of the Arctic air, there is some good news for you. The Climate Prediction Centers 6 to 10 day temperature outlook shows a very high chance for warmer than normal temperatures for the first week of February. This warm trend starts this week as temperatures will warm to near 60 on Wednesday, Jan. 29. High temperatures in the upper 50s and low 60s will continue into the first weekend of February. Temperatures in the mid-60s will continue into the first week of February, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the American and European forecast models, temperatures will be 15 to 20 warmer than average. Nashvilles average high for the first week of February is around 50, which means there could be afternoon temperatures near 70! Want the forecast delivered directly to your inbox? Sign up for the News 2 Forecast Newsletter The Climate Prediction Center agrees. Their 10 to 14 day temperature outlook shows a high chance for above average temperatures from Feb. 3-9. We will have to keep an eye out for severe thunderstorms when temperatures warm up this time of year. February is when we start seeing a higher chance for severe weather, including possible tornadoes. February is the fourth most active month for tornadoes in Tennessee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of publication, there is not a significant severe weather threat within the next week or so, but with warmer temperatures in the forecast, its something we are going to watch closely. We are entering the most active time of year for tornadoes. Now is a good time to go through your tornado safety plan, make sure your weather radio has fresh batteries and have ways to stay informed about severe weather threats in your area. 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. Federal law enforcement agents arrested multiple people in South Florida on Sunday, less than a week after President Donald Trump issued sweeping orders to crackdown on illegal immigration. Homeland Security Investigations Miami posted four photos on X Sunday evening showing agents escorting three different men and one woman in handcuffs, writing that they collaborated with ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations Miami field office and other law enforcement to enforce immigration laws. At least two people were arrested in Broward County by ICE officers, according to information the agency shared on X Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers arrested a person from Nicaragua at the Broward County jail who had pending charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful carrying of a concealed weapon, discharging a firearm in public and driving with a suspended license, one post on X said. A person from Jamaica was arrested in Broward with charges for possession of oxycodone, display of a firearm during felony offense, & operating motor vehicle without a valid license, another post said. ICE also issued a detainer for someone from Mexico who is currently being held in the Martin County jail in Stuart facing traffic-related charges and had been convicted of DUI offenses, a third post on X said. Multiple news reports said people were waiting for relatives outside of the ICE office in Miramar on Monday, where some who were arrested Sunday were taken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Miami ICE spokesperson forwarded a request for further information on Sundays arrests in South Florida to the agencys national spokespersons. The national office did not immediately respond. The arrests in South Florida come amid reports of ICE raids in several cities across the country. ICE said in a statement that the agency and other federal partners were starting targeted operations on Sunday in Chicago, which are planned arrests of known criminal aliens who threaten national security or public safety. ICE reported 956 arrests and 554 detainers issued on Sunday alone, according to a post on X. About 74,000 people were arrested by ICE in 2021, more than 140,000 in 2022, more than 170,000 in 2023 and about 113,000 in 2024. In the Miami area, ICE arrests have increased from a low of about 4,500 in 2021 to more than 10,000 in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On his first day in office, Trump signed numerous executive orders related to immigration to carry out his promise of mass deportation. The U.S. Coast Guard said last week that it would immediately increase its presence in key areas, including in the waters off South Florida after Trumps orders. _____ Personnel with at least two agencies assisting immigration officials with arrests across the U.S. have been instructed to be camera-ready and clearly wear their agencys logo in case theyre filmed, according to CNN. This instruction, reported by CNN and attributed to multiple sources familiar with the policy, comes as President Donald Trumps administration quickly ramps up its wide-ranging immigration crackdown, which includes mass deportations and arrests across the U.S. CNN also reports that federal agencies are posting seemingly made-for-TV photos and videos across social media, depicting federal agents with vests that read Police ICE and Homeland Security detaining people. A new report indicates two agencies assisting immigration officials with arrests have instructed to have their uniforms camera-ready when around the media (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) A Trump administration official denied to The Independent that any such instructions had been given out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted a video of herself wearing a vest with ICE prominently on the front. Here in New York City this morning, we are getting the dirtbags off these streets," the former South Dakota governor said, using the phrase dirt bag in the videos caption as well. The post garnered some 30,000 likes and 4,800 re-shares. Noem was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 59-34 last week. Immigration officials have even invited major media personalities to join their operations. Dr. Phil McGraw, better known as the TV psychologist Dr. Phil, embedded with an ICE team in Chicago over the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGraw joined Trumps border czar Tom Homan, acting deputy U.S. Attorney General Emil Bove and along with several agencies including the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration. McGraws attempts to extract an admission from a suspect rounded up by authorities was roundly condemned by civil rights groups. If they think that kind of thing is going to lend credibility that will be a mistake, according to Ed Yohnka, director of communications and public policy at the ACLU of Illinois told The Independent. The spectacle of large-scale arrests was more of a made-for-TV stunt than any kind of meaningful type of immigration enforcement. The on-camera TV deportations have been branded a stunt rather than any kind of meaningful type of immigration enforcement. (via REUTERS) Chicago-area residents saw immigration officials and unmarked black trucks appear in their neighborhoods early on Sunday morning, The Independent previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They took our neighbors dad, Melissa, a Chicago resident, told the Chicago Tribune. My parents were crying. We are terrified. Melissa said her own parents hid in their attic as agents arrived. I was scared for my neighbors, resident Michelle Vallet, who witnessed agents walking through her neighborhood, told the Tribune. I was scared for this nation, knowing that this is going to be common now. The Trump administration began launching raids across the country last week, including in Newark, Miami, Maryland and Colorado. The agency reported their officials arrested 286 people on Saturday and 956 people on Sunday in operations across the country. Trump has also taken several other steps to implement his hardline immigration agenda, including attempting to end birthright citizenship despite its place in the Constitution. The Lewis F. Powell Jr. federal courthouse in Richmond is home to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. (Photo: Ned Oliver/ Virginia Mercury) In a pivotal hearing in the North Carolina Supreme Court elections case, the lawyer representing the state Board of Elections faced a barrage of questions from a federal court of appeals judge about the appropriateness of calling back to federal court a case that the state Supreme Court had acted on. The state Board of Elections and Justice Allison Riggs are appealing a federal district court judges decision to send back to state court an elections case in which Republican Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin wants to invalidate more than 60,000 votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Griffin had asked the state Supreme Court to order the elections board to erase those votes, believing that doing so would allow him to erase Riggs 734 vote lead. Last week, the state Supreme Court dismissed Griffins request that it order the elections board to throw out ballots and told the Wake County Superior Court to start a trial. It also kept in place a block on certification of a winner in the race. Democratic incumbent Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs and her Republican challenger, Judge Jefferson Griffin. (Courtesy photos) The case has taken several turns in the weeks since the state Board of Elections dismissed his protests. The panel of three judges on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals is considering whether the case should be heard in federal court or stay in state court. Riggs and the state Board of Elections want the case in federal court, while Griffin wants state courts to consider the claims. Where the case is heard could determine the winner of the election. The state Supreme Court race is the last statewide race in the nation that does not have a declared winner. The high court currently features a 5-2 Republican majority, including Riggs, who has recused herself from the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The courtroom in Richmond was packed Monday afternoon with North Carolina voters. Some spectators were directed to an overflow room. I cant believe that so many people would be interested in this case that was so procedural, said Judge Paul V. Niemeyer, who was appointed by President George H.W. Bush. Niemeyer appeared to be the most skeptical of the request to reverse the federal district court judges order sending Griffins case to state court. If we are able to issue an order saying give us the case, we get a case that has been dismissed, he said. Every single case Ive read, every single case, where theres a remand, the assumption was that the state court had it, and how do we get it back. If the state court legitimately has it, we have to respect its orders. In Raleigh, Riggs supporters decry Griffins attempted ballot purge Outside the North Carolina Supreme Court Monday morning, several hours prior to the Fourth Circuit argument, state Democrats and voters continued to rail against Griffins efforts to challenge ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we are witnessing in North Carolina is nothing less than a blatant attempt to overturn a free and fair election, said Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC) of Raleigh. Justice Riggs opponent refuses to accept defeat. Instead, he wants to throw out valid votes in a quest for power. Rep. Deborah Ross (D-N.C.) said Jefferson Griffins challenge to more than 60,000 ballots should shock the conscience of every North Carolinian. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar) Ross and North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton spoke alongside voters whose ballots were challenged and their family members. Speaking from a podium emblazoned Protect our Votes, Clayton attacked Griffin for cherry-picking voters from Democratic counties in his effort to throw out military and overseas ballots. Its shameful and disturbing considering that Jefferson Griffin as a sitting judge is in this position, that hes supposed to uphold the laws. Hes someone thats voted by absentee ballots twice himself as a sitting member of our judiciary, Clayton said. These actions are not becoming of a sitting judge theyre actions of a sore loser. Clayton said she hopes the Fourth Circuit will quickly resolve the case in the states favor, but noted that the fastest resolution would be for Griffin and Republicans to concede the race. She added that she and others concerned about the outcome of the case would travel to Richmond to ensure that someone was bearing witness to the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ross noted that even some North Carolina Republicans were speaking out against Griffins effort. She pointed to an ad launched by a Republican-led group with tied to former Governor Pat McCrory that shows GOP voters who themselves were targeted for exclusion condemning the challenge. There are more and more Republicans, real Republicans who believe in the Constitution and the rule of law, that are getting sick of their own party, Ross said. There will be a reckoning, and it will be a reckoning within their own party. Carro Rose Eddings, a Lumbee registered voter and U.S. Air Force veteran, said her ballot is among those being challenged, a fact she finds unconscionable particularly as Griffin used the same military voting process to cast his ballot as a member of the Army National Guard. These men and women may not be living or serving in North Carolina, but they are North Carolinians nonetheless, Eddings said. They did everything right to make their voices heard and deserve to have their votes counted, and Judge Griffin knows it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement -Brandon Kingdollar Lawyers representing the Board of Elections and Riggs said the state Supreme Courts order kept in place the prohibition on the state Board of Elections certifying the election, keeping control over part of the case. And the state Supreme Court order referenced a bundle of cases Griffin filed in trial court that are still pending. William Thompson, Griffins lawyer, told the three-judge panel that the case became moot on Wednesday, when the state Supreme Court said it would not immediately step in as Griffin requested. Judge Toby J. Heytens, who President Joe Biden appointed, peppered Thompson with technical questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Griffins challenges fall into three categories. He claims that more than 60,000 voters did not provide a drivers license or partial Social Security number with their registrations. He argues that makes those voters not legally registered. Voters have come forward to say they provided the information, but it was not attached to their electronic record due to typos or data mismatches. Griffin is challenging about 5,000 military and overseas voters from four overwhelmingly Democratic counties for not providing a photo ID with their ballot. The state does not require these voters to provide ID. Voters in the third category, numbering a few hundred, are overseas voters who have never lived in North Carolina but are connected to the state through their parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Susan McQuiddy of Winston-Salem attended the hearing because she is on list of people whose votes Griffin wants to toss, but doesnt know why. McQuiddy said she keeps track of her registration and was careful to update it when she moved. McQuiddy said the Forsyth elections board told her she was properly registered. Anne Tindall, a lawyer with Protect Democracy, said after the hearing that she was waiting for someone to to say something about the tens of thousands of North Carolinians whose votes are at stake. Outside the courthouse after the hearing, state Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton led a group of about three dozen people in a chant Count, Dont Cancel. The third judge on the panel Marvin Quattlebaum, Jr. was appointed by President Donald Trump to the Fourth Circuit in 2018. The panel gave no indication as to when it might rule in the case. A federal judge entered a preliminary injunction against Milwaukee County in a lawsuit challenging the County Jails censorship of books, magazines and mail to inmates. The lawsuit filed by the Human Rights Defense Center, a national non-profit that advocates on behalf of the human rights of people held in detention facilities across the country, in August alleged the jail's policy restricting publications to those purchased from a single source Penguin Random House violated rights under the First Amendment. The complaint also alleged that the jail had failed to notify inmates when their mail was censored, violating the due process clause of the 14th Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between May 14, 2022, and April 9, 2024, the jail had rejected "scores" of publications sent by the Human Rights Defense Center to inmates, according to a statement from the nonprofit. After the lawsuit was filed, the jail changed its mail policy, the statement added, noting that softcover books and periodicals published by HRDC were accepted into the County Jail. We are pleased that the court found the constitutional violations at the jail warranted entry of an injunction against Milwaukee County, said Human Rights Defense Center Executive Director Paul Wright. No one is above the law or the constitution and sometimes it takes a federal judge to make that clear. U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Joseph found the Jails revised policy restricting materials from all commercial sources is overbroad" and that the publics interest in the safety of jails does not outweigh its interest in protecting inmates First Amendment rights." Joseph noted that the Wisconsin Department of Corrections has implemented a constitutional mail policy thatallows inmates to receive publications directly from the publisher or other recognized commercial sources in their packages. Late last year, however, the state agency was slammed by advocates for its ban on used books, citing drug smuggling concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district court requires notice to both the intended recipient and the publisher or recognized commercial source, whichever is applicable when the jail censors a publication, as well as the right to appeal the rejection. Contact Vanessa Swales at 414-308-5881 or vswales@gannett.com. Follow her on X @Vanessa_Swales. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Federal court orders Milwaukee County Jail to stop books, mail censorship UPDATE: A federal judge temporarily blocked a push from President Donald Trump to pause federal funding on Tuesday. KANSAS (KSNT) A leaked memo from the Trump Administration is set to direct federal agencies to pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance on Tuesday. How will it impact Kansas? Trump Administration officials said the decisions was to undo progressive steps on transgender rights, environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Topeka considering tax increase, staffing cuts 27 News reached out to Washburn University to see if the order could impact the school. Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success Alan Bearman said he wasnt sure what all would be impacted and the university is focusing on helping students individually. For us again, at Washburn were a teaching focused institution, our students are asking questions, Bearman said. Its our understanding it wont apply to student loans and Pell grants, so for us its just about keeping students focused. LendingTree, a leading online loan marketplace, reports that small businesses are the backbone of Kansas economy. LendingTree says the move could impact aid to small business loans, nonprofits, state/local government grants and universities. The pause in federal loans and grants is set to take effect at 5 p.m. on Jan. 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Small Business Administration (SBA) provided $37.8 billion in SBA loans in 2024. Five hundred businesses in the Sunflower State received $290 million as part of those federal funds. Larger companies received $580,496 and small businesses received $2,878 on average, according to LendingTree Largest tuberculosis outbreak in U.S. history hits Kansas In 2023, the largest package of federal funds went to Hilmar Cheese Company in Dodge City. The business accepted $35,000,000 through the Eco Devo & Salina Housing program that was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. This temporary pause will provide the Administration time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of the funding for those programs consistent with the law and the Presidents priorities, the memo from the Office of Management and Budget states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the move blatantly disobeys the law in a statement late on Monday. Trump administration freezes nearly all federal loans and grants Donald Trumps Administration is jeopardizing billions upon billions of community grants and financial support that help millions of people across the country, Schumer said. It will mean missed payrolls and rent payments and everything in between: chaos for everything from universities to non-profit charities. 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. 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. Getty Images Sign up for The Agenda Thems news and politics newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Thursday. On January 24, the Trump administrations Department of Justice dropped a federal case against Texas surgeon Eithan Haim, who was accused of illegally accessing transgender minors private medical records and sharing them with a conservative activist. After charges against Haim were dropped, a judge then dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning that Haim cannot be charged with the same offenses in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haim was indicted last May in the U.S. District Court in Houston on four counts of obtaining personal medical information under false pretenses from the online system at Texas Childrens Hospital, one of the countrys largest pediatric healthcare organizations. Although the surgeon previously worked at the hospital as a resident, the indictment alleged that Haim asked to reactivate his login to the hospital in 2023. The New York Times reports that according to a second revised indictment filed in November, Haim accessed the private files of children who werent under his care and partially redacted out names of the pediatric patients but kept the dates of service, diagnosis, procedure codes, and physician names visible. He then allegedly leaked that information to conservative activist Christopher Rufo, known for his role in engineering the anti-LGBTQ+ grooming panic. Rufo published an article in May 2023 claiming that the hospital was providing gender-affirming care such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy to minors after publicly announcing that it had halted these services. The hospital made the announcement a few weeks after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton published a non-binding legal opinion stating that gender-affirming care would constitute child abuse. Although a state-wide ban on gender-affirming care for minors went into effect in September 2023, providing these forms of healthcare was still legal when Rufos story was published. Although Haim admitted to disclosing minors private medical records, he told the Times on January 25 that he pleaded not guilty because he didn't think he did anything wrong. In the description for Haims official legal defense fundraiser, he claimed that he did not break the law because no personally identifiable patient health information was disclosed. Following his indictment, Haims case drew support from high-profile Republican politicians like Missouri Senator Josh Hawley; and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who sent a letter to Alamdar S. Hamdani, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas who at the time was arguing that the case against Haim could be politically motivated. Haim, who was released on bond, faced up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Trump took office earlier this month, Haim took to X to demand that the case against him should be dropped now that Biden is out of office. This is textbook weaponization against the Biden regimes political enemies, he wrote in a January 22 X post. Now that the Biden regime is gone, we have to stop the bleeding. Anti-LGBTQ+ activist Chaya Raichiks Libs of TikTok account echoed Haims request in an X post that same day, writing, Dear President Trump, please have the DOJ immediately halt the political prosecution of Dr. Eithan Haim Bidens DOJ criminally charged him for exposing the truth. In a January 24 X post, Hawley claimed that after he personally spoke with Trump, the presidents new Department of Justice moved to dismiss prosecution against Haim. In an emailed statement to the Times, Texas Childrens Hospital said that it would defer to and respect the departments decision. How Conservative Officials Are Using Private Medical Records For Their Anti-Trans Agenda Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys general and so-called whistleblowers are going to great lengths to get the Rights war on the bodily autonomy of trans people the fuel it needs. Haim told the Times that he believed the Trump administration would fulfill one of the presidents key campaign promises of banning gender-affirming care for minors at the federal level so the most radical surgeries finally will come to an end. During the first few weeks of his second presidential term, Trump signed several executive orders targeting protections for LGBTQ+ Americans, including an order legally defining gender as male or female as assigned at birth; an order rolling back federal diversity guidelines; and an order paving the way to ban trans people from military service. Although Trumps executive orders thus far havent mentioned banning gender-affirming care for minors, a spokesperson for the Trump administration recently signaled that future orders will continue Trumps anti-trans attacks. I would expect that anything the president said he would do on the trail regarding these issues, hes going to be fulfilling those promises, the spokesperson told The Free Press on January 19. Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here. Originally Appeared on them. Nine people have been charged in connection with a scheme to smuggle at least $200 million worth of counterfeit and other illegal goods from China into the U.S. via the San Pedro Bay port complex of Los Angeles and Long Beach. A 15-count indictment levied by the U.S. Attorneys Office, unsealed on Friday, charges nine defendants with conspiracy, smuggling and breaking customs seals. The scheme took place from at least August 2023 to June 2024, the statement read. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than $130 million in unspecified contraband, but authorities believe the true value of smuggled product throughout the ring to be north of $200 million. According to the indictment, a search of one warehouse used by the group led to the June 2024 seizure of $20 million worth of counterfeit items including shoes, perfume, luxury handbags, apparel and watches. The defendants allegedly took containers flagged for off-site secondary inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), unloaded the contraband, then stuffed the targeted containers with filler cargo to deceive customs officials and evade law enforcement. It was a team of CBP agriculture specialists assigned to the Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport who in 2023, during a routine examination of a container made the initial discovery, said Cheryl Davies, director of field operations in Los Angeles for the CBP. This case attests to their unwavering vigilance, upmost professionalism and keen focus in protecting the integrity of lawful trade, a key component of our critical national security mission. According to the CBP, the specialists noticed that the security seal appeared to have been tampered with and that the cargo inside did not match what was on the shipping manifest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said the counterfeit security seals are used to deceive customs officials and were also shipped to the U.S. from China. According to U.S. CBP spokesperson Jaime Ruiz, the charges involve the largest trade fraud on record at the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex. To date, law enforcement has seized more than $1.3 billion worth of counterfeit goods associated with this and similar seal-swapping schemes. Secure seaports and borders are critical to our national security, said acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally. The smuggling of huge amounts of contraband from China through our nations largest port hurts American businesses and consumers. The charges and arrests here demonstrate our commitment to enforce our customs laws and keep the American public safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to an announcement Monday, eight suspects have been arrested, with seven taken into custody on Friday and one taken in on Saturday. Weijun Zheng, 57, the lone fugitive in the case, according to the release, remains at large and is believed to be in China, where the rings criminal partners are believed to also reside. Prosecutors allege Zheng controls several logistics companies operating in the Los Angeles area. The indictment said Zheng, 32-year-old Hexi Wang, 42-year-old Jin Mark Liu and others maintained and operated warehouses to store, conceal and sell large amounts of contraband goods that were illegally imported into the United States from China. Another defendant, 31-year-old Dong Liam Lin, controlled and operated one of the warehouses where contraband was unloaded, alongside Zheng. Wang and Liu are the respective manager and owner of K&P International Logistics LLC, a company that hires commercial truckers to transport shipping containers from the Port of Los Angeles. Liu allegedly managed the finances of one of the contraband-stored warehouses and issued payments to truck drivers who transported smuggled goods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five more defendants were involved in the bust, all playing different roles in the scheme. Marck Anthony Gomez, 49, owns and operates Fannum Trucks LLC, a trucking company that is accused of coordinating the movement of contraband-filled shipping containers from the Port of Los Angeles. Andy Estuardo Castillo Perez, 32, a driver for another trucking company, M4 Transportation Inc., transported shipping containers out of the twin ports. Jesse James Rosales and Daniel Acosta Hoffman, both 41, coordinated truckers from the ports to warehouses. Another conspirator, 33-year-old Galvin Biao Liufu, directed and managed truck drivers to bring the contraband into the warehouses. The truck drivers involved earned about $10,000 for each illegal shipment, according to prosecutors. These drivers typically earn $200 to $300 each time they move a shipping container. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles and its partners are committed to enforcing customs laws and practices, facilitating legitimate trade and protecting the integrity of the nations supply chain, said HSI Los Angeles special agent in charge Eddy Wang, in a statement. The $1.3 billion dollars worth of contraband seized during the investigation into this type of scheme illuminates how complex smuggling schemes try to exploit our legitimate trade practices and the American consumer. If convicted of all charges, the nine defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each conspiracy count, up to 10 years in federal prison for each count of breaking customs seals and up to 20 years in prison for each smuggling count. The seven arrested last week were arraigned Friday, where each pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. A trial date was scheduled for March 18. The eighth defendant, who was arrested on unrelated state charges, is expected to be arraigned in federal court in the coming days. Oregon Health & Science University is by far the biggest recipient of National Institutes of Health funding in Oregon, receiving more than $277 million last year. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Bieleck/OHSU) Last week, the Trump administration cancelled a series of panels that help determine how billions in federal health dollars are spent, including hundreds of millions of dollars a year to Oregon universities, biotech companies and disease-related nonprofits. The meetings, run by the National Institutes of Health, are key to determining federal medical grants, which have funded scientific and medical breakthroughs like the Human Genome Project, which is mapping human genes and tying them to diseases for possible cures, and the development of a new vaccine technology that was used in COVID vaccines and saved countless lives during the pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts in every field of medical research gather at the meetings to decide which topics and projects are most deserving of these funds. Their cancellation, first reported by STAT News, worries local researchers, doctors and patients, who fear that the Trump administration, in its drive to cut spending, may stall or even cut off vital funds that pay for research on cancer, dementia and other conditions. NIH distributes about $40 billion a year in grants, and right now in Oregon, over $500 million in funded projects are in progress, supporting more than 5,000 jobs. Dr. Esther Choo, professor of Emergency Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University, was on the review panel for one of the cancelled sessions. Choos session last Thursday was set to review projects addressing the opioid crisis. She told the Capital Chronicle the cancellations were unprecedented in her career. I have never seen it stop for any amount of time, said Choo. I havent yet encountered a researcher who remembers study sections and reviews being paused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even major world events like the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the early days of the pandemic did not cause this kind of cancellation, she adds. Choo notes that the meetings are nearly impossible to reschedule, because they bring 25 to 30 experts from around the country into a room or online meeting at one time. They are scheduled months in advance, setting aside one day they can all meet. The sessions operate almost constantly for different research areas and specialties, with more than 1,200 scheduled each year. Every day that the pause continues could mean several missed sessions that may never be made up. OHSU is by far the biggest recipient in Oregon. More than 70% of all new NIH funding in Oregon last year went to OHSU, a total of over $277 million. That is about four times what the state Legislature gives to the university each year, and almost half of its total research funding. That money is divided among almost 500 different projects, from cancer and AIDS research to studies on suicide prevention and the causes of dementia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An OHSU spokesperson, Sara Hottman, declined to comment on the potential impact of any change in NIH funding. In the coming weeks and months, we will notify OHSU researchers of any federal actions that immediately impact the research mission, Hottman said in a statement. Every large university in Oregon has significant funding from NIH, including $40 million last year for the University of Oregon and $21 million for Oregon State University. Several OSU researchers did not respond to a request for comment and OSUs College of Health declined to comment. Beyond academic research, funds also went to small biotech startups and foundations working on specific diseases. A $10,000 grant last year went to the Clackamas-based HER Foundation, which helps patients dealing with Hyperemesis Gravidarum, a condition that causes extreme sickness and other health issues during pregnancy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kimber MacGibbon, executive director of the HER Foundation, told the Capital Chronicle that last years grant helped them to put on a research conference about the little-studied disease. Two other organizations that receive NIH funds the Childrens Cancer Therapy Development Institute in Hillsboro, which works to put new cancer drugs into clinical trials, and Portland-based Boulder Care, which offers telehealth access to addiction treatment did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The meeting cancellations add to researchers concerns of a more general disruption in government health support. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues a Mortality and Morbidity Report each Thursday, outlining news and guidance for doctors and health care officials on disease outbreaks, research and other urgent topics. For the first time in nearly 60 years, it did not publish on Thursday. Monica Bertagnolli stepped down as Director of the NIH on Jan. 17. President Trumps appointee, Jay Bhattacharya, is awaiting Senate confirmation. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is Trumps pick to run the Department of Health and Human Services, NIHs parent agency, which also oversees the CDC. Kennedys confirmation hearings are scheduled for this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reviewers and researchers have more than just professional worries about the meeting cancellations. Their reactions can be very personal too. Theyre not only scientists. Theyre clinicians, or they have family members with the disease, said Choo. People are just so depressed about what this means for science and for our communities. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX State Rep. Jenifer Jones has examined paid family and medical leave from many angles. As a mother to seven children, she saved up every hour of paid time off to be at home with her kids, the Deming Republican told members of the House Health and Human Services Committee on Monday. As an oncology nurse, she witnessed what families faced as they searched for time to care for sick loved ones. And as a wife and daughter-in-law, she took unpaid time off to care for her late husband and mother-in-law during their cancer treatments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have the good fortune of seeing just about every side of this issue," Jones said. "I think many of us do; were just people." As lawmakers examined a renewed push toward a state program to provide workers with paid time off to address medical issues or care for family, the personal often blended with the political for the bill's sponsors, spectators and committee members. The proposal cleared its first hurdle Monday, following a 6-4, party-line committee vote in its favor. However, opposition to the proposal remains strong, particularly among business owners concerned about how offering paid family and medical leave might affect their operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even after considering the issue from several perspectives, Jones voted against sending it onward. "Our job is to create an environment where businesses are thriving not a heavy-handed government that will force them to do things they cannot do without closing," she said. 'Insurance' for workers and businesses House Bill 11, sponsored by Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, would allow employees to receive a percentage of their wages while on leave from work to bond with a new child, care for an ailing family member, prepare for a spouse's military deployment or take action to protect themselves or a family member from certain types of violence, namely domestic abuse. The bill's co-sponsor Rep. Linda Serrato, D-Santa Fe, described the proposed state-run family and medical leave program as a kind of "insurance" for businesses and their employees, so they're not relying on informal deals to cobble together time off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a lot of ways, Serrato said, her own experiences of taking time off to welcome a new child were privileged ones. She said she was lucky to work in positions that didn't require as much manual labor and to have a support system of family members to help. You hear these stories and say, 'Oh, we were so lucky,' " Serrato said in an interview Monday. "Thats not fair to rely on luck to grow your workforce, and something like this will help our workforce overall. If passed, HB 11 would create a paid family and medical leave fund, administered by the state but funded by workers and employers with five or more employees. Workers would chip in the equivalent to 0.5% of their earnings, while employers would add in 0.4% of each eligible worker's wages. The fund also would require some seed money from the state. HB 11's fiscal impact report shows the fund would require about $25 million in startup dollars for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. A line item in the earliest edition of the state's budget bill for fiscal year 2026 includes a $35 million appropriation for the Department of Workforce Solutions to implement the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starting in January 2028, eligible workers would be able to take up to 12 weeks of leave while earning the state's minimum wage, plus two-thirds of their remaining salary. Payments would max out at the average wage of all occupations in New Mexico. Call for more employer protections The proposal for paid family and medical leave should sound familiar: The House voted to kill a similar proposal by a margin of two votes on the last full day of the 2024 legislative session. This year's bill looks a little different from the 2024 proposal. Serrato noted the latest version tightens up some definitions to maintain consistency across state statute in addition to creating a ramp-up to 12 weeks of paid leave for all workers after the fund becomes solvent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year's Legislature looks different, too. Eleven Democrats joined their Republican colleagues in opposing the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act in 2024. Three of them lost reelection bids, with each of their rivals indicating support for a paid leave proposal a change lawmakers have said could help get the measure across the finish line. Though it cleared its first obstacle Monday, the bill will still face significant pushback from chambers of commerce and business officials, several of whom voiced concerns about the bill Monday. Carol Wight, CEO of the New Mexico Restaurant Association, argued employees and employers should have the choice to opt into the program, rather than imposing a statewide requirement. "Employees may not want to spend their money on something like this," Wight said in an interview Monday. "And why would we give them that choice? Because these legislators know better than they do what's good for them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill is slated to go before the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee, then to the House floor and Wight said she's prepared to keep fighting it along the way to ensure it includes protections for employers, not just employees. "It's not a good bill. It's not finished, and it is very one-sided," she said. "So give us a chance to make some amendments that would make it a better bill, and then you won't have so many people that are against it." Notably, not all business owners opposed HB 11 during the committee meeting Monday. Deborah Condit, owner of the Albuquerque bookshop Books on the Bosque, was among those who spoke in support of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After running the numbers for her business and accounting for her 10 employees, Condit said it would cost her $32 a month a sum she equated to selling one more book to provide paid family and medical leave through the state program, a benefit she couldn't otherwise afford. "If there's a way for me as a small business owner to be able to provide that, sign me up. I am right there," Condit said. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has released the 50 finalists of its now-annual "Name a Snowplow" contest, even if snow has been mostly missing this winter. The public can now vote on their favorites between now and Friday, Feb. 7, with the eight most popular suggestions being announced in February. Winning names will then be added to eight plows operating in each individual MnDOT district over the next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 7,300 submissions were put forward, with MnDOT said it "considered a variety of factors, including uniqueness, frequency of submissions, Minnesota-specific ideas, and names that would be easily identifiable and understandable to most audiences." Don't let it influence you in any way, but we're fans of Snowtorious B.I.G., 867-530 Brine, and I Came, I Thaw, I Conquered. Here's a look at the finalists: 867-530 Brine A Little Salty Aaron Brrrr, Sir Accumulus Removeus Albert Icestein Anthony Sledwards Austin Plowers Best In Snow Blizzard Buster Bob Chillin Brrrtha Catch My Drift Chilly Eilish De-Iceman Cometh Dontcha Snow Flake Superior Frosty The Snowplow Hot To Snow! I Came, I Thaw, I Conquered In My Blizzard Era James J. Chill Joe Plower Just Scraping By Lady Slippery Land of 10,000 Snows Little Plow on the Prairie LPlow du Nord Make Snowbegone Meltin John MinneSNOWta Nice Miracle On Ice No Business Like Snow Business Oh Snow You Didnt! Orange Peeler Plowabunga! Plowin In The Wind Plower Power Rudy GoBrrr Salt Me Baby One More Time Say It Ain't Snow SKOL Plow Snow Big Deal Snow Country For Cold Men Snow Place Like Home Snowtorious B.I.G. Sub Zero Hero The North Plow Were Off To See The Blizzard Winter Warrior Youre Welcome (Getty Images) For over 80 years, chemical makers have made and profited off the sale of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl synthetic chemicals, better known as PFAS. Industry documents released through litigation show that manufacturers had sufficient information to know of dangers as early as 1961, but continued to make products containing them for decades. Because the chemicals are essentially indestructible and do not fully degrade, they are referred to as toxic forever chemicals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A growing body of scientific research has found links between PFAS exposure and a wide range of health problems, including a weaker immune system, cancer, increased cholesterol levels, pregnancy-induced hypertension, liver damage, reduced fertility in men and women, and increased risk of thyroid disease. Although the EPA has taken some preliminary steps to limit PFAS in drinking water, the contamination crisis continues to grow partly due to the toxins staying power in the environment and the inadequacy of U.S. chemical regulations. When one PFAS came under scrutiny, companies created new ones that they claimed were safer, but were still chemically similar. We now have thousands of PFAS that need investigation, but the American regulatory system treats chemicals as innocent until proven guilty. As a result, thousands of chemicals that havent even been tested for toxicity have entered the market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024 at least 11 states enacted laws to restrict the use of PFAS in everyday consumer goods, professional firefighting foams, and biosolids utilized as fertilizer on farmland. In the upcoming 2025 Oklahoma legislative session, two Senate bills 268 and 271 have been filed to address PFAS contamination. Senate Bill 268 seeks to ban the application of biosolids as fertilizer on farmland. For decades, farmers across America have been encouraged by the federal government and state officials to spread municipal sewage on millions of acres of farmland as fertilizer. But sludge isnt a green plant food. It harbors a mishmash of all kinds of dangerous substances that leach into soil, plants, water, and even the food we eat. Most concerning, sludge is a huge conveyor of PFAS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahoma has one of the most extensive biosolid fertilizer programs in the nation, as more than 80% of the states wastewater sludge ends up on crop fields. SB 271 aims to shield passive recipients of PFAS from any legal liability. This would include farmers who unwittingly used sewage sludge as a fertilizer. Unfortunately, neither bill speaks to eliminating PFAS chemicals from their upstream sources. The effluent from industrial facilities that use PFAS in their manufacturing processes is discharged to wastewater treatment plants and then those PFAS toxins are released into the environment. Removing PFAS from wastewater can be extremely expensive, with costs ranging from millions to billions of dollars depending on the volume of wastewater and the specific technology used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither bill considers what might be exorbitant future costs for treatment and remediation. After application of biosolids on agricultural land has been banned, PFAS will still have to be removed from wastewater and then be disposed of, destroyed or stored. Beyond the cost of removal, Senate Bill 268 ignores other emerging costs, such as funding for state regulators to research and identify potentially impacted farms or food products and financial assistance and medical monitoring for impacted farm families. Will there be money available for farmers to receive income replacement if their farm production is impacted, and if there are even land acquisitions in some cases? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EPA estimates the compliance cost just for water system monitoring or capital improvements to reduce PFAS in drinking water to be approximately $1.5 billion annually. Then you have the economic impact on local governments,passive receivers of substances containing PFAS that are ubiquitous in the water supply, wastewater treatment process, stormwater, biosolids management, and solid waste streams, if they become responsible for cleaning up the environmental contamination and for mitigation. If local governments are forced to bear the brunt of the financial burden, an increase in water rates in communities across the nation is a near certainty. These will be most harshly felt by low-income households and disadvantaged communities who will not only be disproportionately impacted by increased costs for their water bills but risk exposure to emerging contaminants. States and taxpayers didnt cause the contamination, but they will largely shoulder the burden of testing and monitoring, delivering clean water to communities, cleaning up contaminated sites, and covering health care costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PFAS may be an invisible part of your environment now, but soon its environmental and health effects will be apparent to all. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen has called for more decisive action against Russia's "shadow fleet" following another incident in which a submarine cable in the Baltic Sea was damaged. "The shadow fleet is the main issue and the main problem we are dealing with, regardless of the outcome of the ongoing investigations related to these cables," Valtonen said on Tuesday during a visit to the Latvian capital Riga. "We have to limit its use," she said about the so-called Russian shadow fleet. This refers to tankers and other cargo ships with opaque ownership structures that Russia uses to circumvent sanctions imposed as a result of its invasion of Ukraine, for example in the transport of oil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's shadow fleet also "poses a risk to the environment and is a proven threat to critical undersea infrastructure," Valtonen said. The European Union has imposed sanctions on dozens of these ships, though the actual size of the fleet is likely to be much larger. In recent weeks, suspected acts of sabotage by the Russian shadow fleet on cables and pipelines in the Baltic Sea have repeatedly caused problems. The damage is said to have been deliberately caused using ship anchors. Most recently, an undersea cable running between Sweden and Latvia was damaged at the weekend. The cause is still unclear. Authorities in Stockholm are investigating possible serious sabotage and have seized a suspicious ship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December, damage was discovered on the Estlink 2 power cable between Finland and Estonia, as well as on four communication cables, including a connection between Helsinki and Rostock that had already been severed in a previous incident in November. The oil tanker Eagle S is suspected of having deliberately caused the damage on Christmas Day. "It's about deterrence, it's about reacting at the right moment and quick restoration," Valtonen emphasized. MUMBAI (Reuters) - Tiger Global and Peak XV backed Indian firm Cred has become the first fintech platform to roll out access to India's central bank digital currency, the company said on Tuesday. The Reserve Bank of India had started a pilot for the e-rupee, which is a digital alternative to the physical currency, in December 2022. Initially, the central bank had permitted only banks to offer access to the digital currency but in April 2024 said it will allow payment firms to offer e-rupee transactions. Alphabet's GooglePay, Walmart-backed PhonePe, AmazonPay and MobiKwik were among the payment firms seeking to join the digital currency pilot, Reuters reported in August 2024. Cred will roll out access for its e-rupee wallet to a select set of users and the issuance of e-rupee tokens into the wallets will be facilitated by YES Bank, the company said in a statement. "Our goal is to make e-rupee transactions frictionless and drive its adoption among the most creditworthy Indians, Kunal Shah, the founder of Cred, said. While e-rupee transactions had surged initially, they have since declined, reflecting the struggle central banks face globally in popularizing digital currencies. (Reporting by Jaspreet Kalra; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala) Jan. 27LITTLE ORLEANS A fire that destroyed a Price Road home Monday remains under investigation by the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal. Orleans and surrounding volunteer fire companies were called to 11201 Price Road about 8:30 a.m. and encountered flames shooting from the two-story structure owned by the Evitts Group LLC. The fire marshal's office estimated damage to the structure at $50,000 and a $5,000 loss to contents. Investigators said the fire began in a second-story bedroom. It took fire crews about an hour and a half to control the blaze. There were no reported injuries. Jan. 28LITTLE ORLEANS A fire that destroyed a Price Road home Monday remains under investigation by the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal. Orleans and surrounding volunteer fire companies were called to 11201 Price Road about 8:30 a.m. and encountered flames shooting from the two-story structure owned by the Evitts Group LLC. The fire marshal's office estimated damage to the structure at $50,000 and a $5,000 loss to contents. Investigators said the fire began in a second-story bedroom. It took fire crews about an hour and a half to control the blaze. There were no reported injuries. MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) There was another groundbreaking in Madison Monday morning, this time with an eye on public safety in the Town Madison development. Dirt was moved on the lot that will hold a 38,000-square-foot substation for the Madison Police Department and Fire & Rescue. This is a new project city leaders say will add to first responding capabilities. Toyota Field set to host 35 High School and College Baseball, Softball Games this spring Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which in turn helps our insurance rates stay low and our safety and our time frames to help get to our citizens low, said Mayor Paul Finley. And it helps our police to be able to make sure in this area thats grown so dramatically that we have a proper police presence. More than $500,000 in state and federal funds were used to complete this project. The Public Safety Annex on Business Park Boulevard will include a new Fire Station 4 and renovations to house specialized departments from MPD currently in City Hall. The new fire station will accommodate the Fire Marshalls Office, the City Emergency Manager and Fire Inspectors. Deputy Chief Brandy Williams noted the adequate space for training, a struggle at current locations. Athens Rotary Club to participate in international grant for clean water Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This building allows us to not only spread out with training but allows us to spread out some of our administrative personnel so theyre not sharing offices anymore. The training part of it allows us multiple training rooms whereas were limited to one training room right this minute, Williams said. Mayor Finley told News 19 that one benefit to having a fire station is a drop in insurance rates for those living in and around Town Madison. One of the things when it comes to your insurance rates is response time. This fire station in this location helps us make sure that we continue to keep Madison residents insurance rates as low as we can, Finley said. While renovations on the existing office space at the annex are expected to be complete this summer, the construction of Fire Station 4 is predicted to last until the spring of 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 story includes details of sexual harassment and grooming. The Sexual Assault Center provides free counseling, advocate services and free forensic exams at their SAFE Clinic for anyone. To reach the 24/7 crisis line, please call the Sexual Assault Center at 1-800-879-1999 or contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. Former University School of Nashville leader Amani Reed is suing the school for $22 million after he was fired over his handling of sexual harassment accusations against a teacher, who was also fired. The board of the private school announced it fired Reed, who served as head of school, earlier this month after a review of how he and the school handled accusations that a now-former teacher groomed and sexually harassed a student last year. A lawyer representing the female student, who has since graduated, sent a letter to the board in August lambasting the school's response to the situation. The school's decision also came after students staged a demonstration outside the school in October, calling for Reed's resignation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ultimately, the Board determined that Director Reeds actions and inactions created significant harm, which led the Board to the decision that he is unable to lead USN," the school's board of trustees said in a statement released Jan. 7. A school spokesperson declined to comment in response to the lawsuit but told The Tennessean, "We remain focused on healing as a community and caring for our students and educators." Previously: University School of Nashville leader fired over response to teacher grooming accusations In the aftermath of the accusations, USN developed a "care plan" to provide support to students, alumni, parents and school employees impacted by the investigation. The plan, along with the full report from the independent review and more details, can be found at usn.org/school-safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the suit, filed on behalf of Reed and his wife in Davidson County Chancery Court on Jan. 17, Reed contends the school breached his contract, misrepresented his role in the response and inflicted emotional distress on him and his wife, among other things. Between his claims related to his firing and other claims included in his suit, Reed alleges he and his wife are entitled to $22 million. Reed accuses USN of breach of contract Reed in his lawsuit states that the school did not have cause to fire him and failed to provide to him facts to support his termination when he requested, breaching his employment contract. He also says the board may not have had the time to fully digest an investigative report into the school's handling of the sexual harassment allegations, which was published the same day the board voted to fire him. The suit notes that the 78-page report "did not conclude that Mr. Reed had violated any law, ethical standards, code of conduct, USN policies, or fiduciary duty while employed at USN." Reed also contends the board downplayed its role in the controversy, stating that the investigative report found the board's actions in particular its decision to reject a meeting requested by the accusing student and to refuse to share information with her "eroded the communitys confidence and trust in the Board and its ability to manage the current crisis. Reed brings fraud claims relating to start of employment Reed in the same lawsuit also accuses the school of fraud for withdrawing a housing benefit promised in his employment contract, which he says enticed him to leave his previous job in New York in 2021. He states the school did not raise his pay to make up for the loss of the housing benefit as he says they promised they would. Students, families and alumni of the University School of Nashville gather during a walkout in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. The group is demanding two school leaders resign over their handling of sexual harassment allegations made by a recent graduate against a teacher, who was later fired. University School of Nashville sues former teacher Last year, USN filed a lawsuit against Dean Masullo, the English teacher accused of sexual harassment and grooming by the student, after his termination for not answering questions in an ongoing investigation into the accusations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the lawsuit, filed in October in Davidson County Chancery Court, the school states Masullo committed "several and significant violations of USN employment policies." The private school entered into a separation agreement with Masullo, who had been a high school teacher there since 2009, on July 19, the lawsuit stated. The separation agreement provided Masullo with roughly three months' pay, or $28,443, and required he cooperate with the school and its lawyers "with regard to any past, present or future legal or regulatory matters" relating to his employment, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit against Masullo is pending. As of Monday, no criminal charges had been filed against Masullo in Davidson County. Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him at emealins@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Fired University School of Nashville leader sues for $22M OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Fire crews battled a house fire in southwest Oklahoma City Tuesday morning. According to the Oklahoma City Fire Department, crews were called to a home near SW 104th St. and May Ave. around 5:30 a.m. Upon arrival, crews saw flames coming from the garage. They were able to knock the flames down and keep the fire from spreading. No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire has not been determined. 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. As Southern California begins to emerge from a series of deadly wildfires, firefighters are receiving public praise and recognition for their life-saving efforts. But while the public may be in support of the Los Angeles Fire Department and other agencies, those firefighters say they remain underpaid and their stations understaffed. LAFD employees and attorneys from Sethi, Orchid and Miner LLP gathered at Los Angeles City Hall Tuesday morning to raise public awareness of their ongoing legal battle related to those issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Filed nearly two years ago, the lawsuit alleges they havent been paid for working overtime made necessary by a lack of staffing. Theyre recalling people and mandating that they stay for 25 and a half hours on days when there isnt a fire, on days when its just because theyve created their own emergency from understaffing, attorney Oshea Orchid said. Daniel Gonzalez, a firefighter-paramedic for the LAFD, added that firefighters are still willing to go out there and do whatever it takes to protect the citizens of Los Angeles. This lawsuit is simply about getting every single one of those firefighters paid properly for the time that theyre away from their families, risking their lives, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The LAFD did not immediately return a request for comment. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has been criticized for allegedly cutting the LAFD budget, though raises for firefighters and equipment purchases were allocated separately. When included, the LAFD budget actually grew by more than 7% compared to the prior fiscal year, according to the citys financial analysts, the Los Angeles Times reports. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Firefighters helped two trapped occupants after a four-vehicle crash on East Columbus Ave in Springfield Tuesday afternoon. The Springfield Fire Department was called at around 1:11 p.m. for a motor vehicle crash in the area of 501 East Columbus Ave. Crews worked to free two people who were trapped inside their vehicle. Weather Alert: Snow expected to affect Wednesday mornings commute (Springfield Fire Department) (Springfield Fire Department) (Springfield Fire Department) (Springfield Fire Department) Springfield Fire Captain Drew Piemonte said five people were taken to the hospital and are 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. Some firefighters had to make a unique rescue on Sunday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Tallmadge firefighters rescued a buck after it fell through ice and into about five feet of water, according to a social media post. TRENDING STORIES: Upon arrival, Firefighter Mitchell suited in the Ice Rescue gear and entered the pond. Lt. Syx handled the line. Thanks to their teamwork, the deer was safely secured and pulled out of the icy water. A big thank you to our team for their dedication and quick action! the department wrote on its Facebook page. Photo contributed by Tallmadge Fire Department (via Facebook) [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan delivers remarks at the 142nd Commencement Exercises of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., on May 17, 2023. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matt Thieme) This commentary originally appeared on Rhode Island Current. There is an official list of reasons why Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan was fired last week on the first day of the Trump Administration, and there is an unofficial list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official reasons cited by Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman were leadership deficiencies, operational failures, and inability to advance the strategic objectives of the U.S. Coast Guard, including insufficient attention to Southern border drug issues and the handling of systemic sexual assault problems uncovered at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. Unofficially, however, too much attention to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) issues as part of a woke culture that relates decision-making, including personnel hiring, retention and promotion to social issues was cited as prompting the ouster of Fagan, the first uniformed female to head a military branch. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Her firing was an insult to Fagans career and legacy and will have significant negative national security implications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump Administration has vowed to end radical and wasteful government DEI programs. A woke military is a weak military DEI critics like to say. Actually, however, a well-executed DEI program can address challenges being faced by the military. Those challenges are sometimes referred to as the 5 Rs: recruitment, retention, readiness, resources and risk to force/risk to mission. The origins of that 5 Rs model offer insight. In 2019, Air Force Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mary OBrien was working on the Womens Initiate Team (WIT) to bringing down barriers to career development for women in the Air Force. As she explained in the forward to the 2024 Air Force publication, One Team, One Fight: It became obvious we needed to make the business case for policy change with some of our mid-level and senior leaders. This led to our 5R modela rubric for evaluating each WIT proposal using Readiness, Resources, Risk, Retention, and Recruiting. Once senior leaders understood how these proposals were directly tied to our warfighting capability through quantifiable metrics for the five criteria, the criticisms of diversity for diversitys sake were negated, and the floodgates opened for a wide variety of changes. The military has and continues to face significant recruitment issues. Army Maj. Gen. Johnny Davis, commanding general of the Army Recruiting Command, described the 2023 recruiting landscape as one of the toughest Ive seen in over 33 years of service. Lethality depends on a skilled workforce and there is no evidence that women are less skilled than men. In fact, sometimes just the opposite is the case. Future wars will likely be information technology heavy, thereby requiring not primarily brawn, but brains. Individuals with interests and capabilities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), intelligence, and linguistics, among others, will be needed to plan and execute strategy, thereby requiring less emphasis on combat jobs and more on high-tech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her firing was an insult to Fagans career and legacy and will have significant negative national security implications. But if brawn is needed, women have shown themselves capable there as well. Traditionally, less than half of those who attempt the physically and mentally grueling Army Ranger course succeed. In the 2015 class, 380 men began and 94 graduated. Nine women began and two graduated, the first women to graduate. That means that those two women did better than 286 men. While not all women are as physically strong as men, some clearly are. Tradition tells us that men are stronger than women, but that is a cultural stereotype. As of March 2022, 100 women had passed the Army Ranger course. Recruitment and retention issues sometimes go hand in hand. A 2020 study by the Government Accountability Office, for example, found women are 28% more likely to leave the U.S. military after one or two tours than their male counterparts, which then requires resources to train new people, leaves gaps in experienced personnel, and subsequently gaps in military readiness. Fagan was appointed commandant in June 2022. Its worth noting that under her leadership, the Coast Guard met its recruitment goals last year for the first time since 2017. In 2023, she apologized for the Coast Guards inaction in cases of sexual assault and harassment at the services academy between the late 1980s and 2006. While the internal report on the investigation, known as Operation Fouled Anchor, was kept under wraps by her predecessor, Fagan had the opportunity to release it and has been criticized by women within the Coast Guard for not yet doing so. She had said she was awaiting the completion of a Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General investigation into the scandal. U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda L. Fagan talks about her goals for transforming the U.S. Coast Guard workforce during a visit to Sector Lower Mississippi River at Naval Support Activity Mid South in Millington, Tenn., on Jan. 22, 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Austin Collins) Without DEI, we are told, hiring and promotions will be merit-based. Make no mistake though, merit has traditionally been liberally peppered with cronyism and good-ol-boy-ism. Now add to that fealty to the Trump Administration rather than the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reality is that Fagans firing has nothing to do with bolstering national security. Just the opposite. It is part of a regressive social agenda to put women back in their place, misogyny being the glue that holds together the many racist, anti-immigration, LGBTQ+ and other hate groups that have been unleashed in America. It is worth noting as well that it was President Donald Trump who signed the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Act in 2017, mandating the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) that recognizes the links between gender and security and therefore seeks to bolster womens participation in security affairs. UNSCR 1325 is built upon four pillars: participation, prevention, protection, and relief and recovery efforts. WPS emphasizes the need for inclusive diversity (women having not just a seat, but a voice at decision-making tables) and consideration of how policies and programs affect men, women, boys and girls differently. The four U.S. executive departments charged with implementation of the 2017 Act are the Departments of Defense, State and Homeland Security, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Their designation clearly indicates the security-focused nature of the Act. It is imperative to recognize as well that implementation of the WPS principles is intended as both domestic and foreign. To date, the United States has proudly been the only country in the world to have such a mandate. Firing Fagan was likely just the first salvo in ridding the Pentagon, and the government generally, of individuals who support diversity. Whats the next chapter? The path forward is no longer visible, just like the Coast Guard web page that used to feature Fagans photo and biography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DEI is a workforce tool and WPS is an operational tool to provide the United States strategic advantage in global affairs. Both require diversity. If DEI execution is broken, fix it. Dont throw out a tool important to national security. Rhode Island Current is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Rhode Island Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janine L. Weisman for questions: info@rhodeislandcurrent.com. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE CHAPIN, S.C. (AP) Changeover among federal government agencies is normal when a new administration comes to Washington, with presidents regularly dismissing appointees selected by predecessors from opposing political parties. But President Donald Trump has implemented sweeping changes in the first days of his second administration, from firing career agency employees to freezing trillions in federal grant funds and halting diversity, equity and inclusion programs that could result in wide-ranging layoffs. At least 240 employees are known to have been fired, reassigned, or designated to be laid off. Thousands of employees could be affected by other moves, such as a federal employee buyout offer, or the grant funds pause. Here's a comprehensive look at Trump's actions so far: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal employee buyouts On Tuesday, the White House abruptly began offering buyouts to all federal employees who opt to leave their jobs by next week, according to a memo from the Office of Personnel Management, the governments human resources agency. The memo, which noted that employees who leave their posts voluntarily will receive about seven months of salary but must chose to do so by Feb. 6 listed four directives it said Trump is mandating for the federal workforce, including that most workers return to their offices full-time. The potential large-scale reduction in the federal workforce could have wide-ranging and as yet unknowable implications for impacting the delivery, timeliness and effectiveness of federal services across the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal government employs more than 3 million people, which makes it roughly the 15th largest workforce in the nation. The average tenure for a federal employee is 11.8 years, according to an analysis by the Pew Research Center of data from the Office of Personnel Management. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission The federal agency that enforces laws against workplace discrimination, the EEOC describes itself as a bipartisan commission comprised of five members, all appointed by presidents. On Tuesday, a law firm posted on social media that it was representing Charlotte Burrows, a commissioner who had been fired on Monday by the Trump administration. In a statement issued through the firm, Burrows said that she had been appointed in 2015, serving under Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well as during Trumps first term. According to Burrows, her third term was set to expire in July 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burrows also noted that Jocelyn Samuels, another commission member appointed by a Democratic president Biden had also been fired as Trump took office, saying their removals were unprecedented and will undermine the efforts of this independent agency to do the important work of protecting employees from discrimination, supporting employers compliance efforts, and expanding public awareness and understanding of federal employment laws. Inspectors general Each of the federal government's largest agencies has its own inspector general who is supposed to conduct objective audits, prevent fraud and promote efficiency. Trump has fired at least 17 of them across the federal government, including inspectors he appointed in his first term. At least one Democratic appointee Michael Horowitz, appointed to the post at the Justice Department by Obama was spared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump confirmed the move in a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, claiming, its a very common thing to do, and saying that he would put good people in there that will be very good. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called the firings a chilling purge, while GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, a top Trump ally, acknowledged that the firings may have violated the law but said: Just tell them you need to follow the law next time." Federal prosecutors It's normal for politically appointed U.S. attorneys to be replaced, but not as standard for career prosecutors to be ousted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department said Monday that it had fired more than a dozen employees who worked on criminal prosecutions of Trump, abrupt terminations targeting career prosecutors who worked on special counsel Jack Smiths team investigating Trump. The firings were effective immediately. By tradition, career employees remain with the department across presidential administrations regardless of their involvement in sensitive investigations. Multiple senior career officials were also reassigned. It was not immediately clear which prosecutors were affected by the order, or how many who worked on the investigations into Trump remained with the department as Trump took office last week. It was also not immediately known how many of the fired prosecutors intended to challenge the terminations by arguing that the department had cast aside civil service protections afforded to federal employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Security Council The National Security Council provides national security and foreign policy advice to the president. Last week, 160 of its career government, nonpolitical employees were sent home while the administration reviews staffing in an attempt to align with Trump's priorities. The employees, commonly referred to as detailees, were summoned for an all-staff call and told they would be expected to be available to the councils senior directors but would not need to report to the White House. Incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz had signaled before Inauguration Day that he would look to return holdover civil servants who worked in the council during Bidens administration to their home agencies. That was meant to ensure the council is staffed by those who support Trumps goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Department A large number of senior career diplomats who served in politically appointed leadership positions as well as in lower-level posts at the State Department left their jobs at the demand of the new administration. It was not immediately clear how many non-political appointees were being asked to leave. Foreign aid and development In his first week in office, Trump issued an executive order directing a 90-day pause on most U.S. foreign assistance disbursed through the State Department. That mean thousands of U.S.-funded humanitarian, development and security programs worldwide stopped work or were preparing to do so; without funds to pay staff, aid organizations were laying off hundreds of employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A week into the new administration, at least 56 senior officials in the top U.S. aid and development agency were placed on leave amid an investigation into an alleged effort to thwart Trumps move. Speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, a current official and a former official at the U.S. Agency for International Development confirmed to The Associated Press the reason given for the move and also said that several hundred contractors based in Washington and elsewhere were laid off. An internal USAID notice sent late Monday and obtained by AP said new acting administrator Jason Gray had identified several actions within USAID that appear to be designed to circumvent the Presidents Executive Orders and the mandate from the American people. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has specifically exempted only emergency food programs and military aid to Israel and Egypt from the freeze on foreign assistance. Diversity, equity and inclusion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On his second day back at the White House, Trump moved to end affirmative action in federal contracting and directed that all federal diversity, equity and inclusion staff be put on paid leave and eventually be laid off. That move followed an executive order Trump signed on his first day ordering a dismantling of the federal governments diversity and inclusion programs that could touch on everything from anti-bias training to funding for minority farmers and homeowners, programs Trump has called discrimination. That action revokes an order issued by President Lyndon Johnson, and curtails DEI programs by federal contractors and grant recipients. Its using one of the key tools utilized by the Biden administration to promote DEI programs across the private sector pushing their use by federal contractors to now eradicate them. While many changes may take months or even years to implement, prominent companies from Walmart to Facebook have already scaled back or ended some of their diversity practices in response to Trumps election and conservative-backed lawsuits against them. By Friday, federal agencies are expected to develop a plan to execute a reduction-in-force action against federal DEI workers in their employ as of Election Day. Federal grants and loans The White House said Tuesday it was pausing federal grants and loans as Trump's administration begins an across-the-board ideological review. The funding freeze by the Republican administration could affect trillions of dollars and cause widespread disruption in health care research, education programs and other initiatives. Even grants that have been awarded but not spent are supposed to be halted. The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve, said a memo from Matthew Vaeth, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget. Democrats and independent organizations swiftly criticized the administration, describing its actions as capricious and illegal because Congress had already authorized the funding. National Labor Relations Board A federal agency, the National Labor Relations Board is tasked with preventing unfair labor practices by employers and unions, and protecting the rights of private sector employees. On Tuesday, Trump fired its acting chair, Gwynne Wilcox, the first Black woman to serve as an NLRB member, according to Josh Boxerman, of the National Employment Law Project. Wilcox's term as a board member was set to run through August 2028. According to national labor law, board members can only be fired for neglect of duty or malfeasance. In a statement to Bloomberg, which first reported her firing, Wilcox said she believed her removal violates long-standing Supreme Court precedent" and that she would be pursuing all legal avenues to challenge it. ___ Ellen Knickmeyer, Matthew Lee, Aamer Madhani and Zeke Miller contributed to this report. ___ Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP NORTH PORT, Fla. (WFLA) From Venice to Punta Gorda, two hospitals shut down in the last few years. Those closures caused a ripple effect in the area, according to local first responders. Sarasota Memorial Hospital has been working to increase bed capacity in the southern portion of the county. The hospital opened in Venice in the last few years and has already undergone an expansion to meet the growing demand. Florida legislative leaders respond to DeSantis attacks, imply he didnt read TRUMP Act or is lying Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, the next step is addressing North Ports needs. The city has been advocating for a hospital within city limits for decades. In the coming years, its expected to become a reality. Happening this week, the Sarasota County Hospital Board is set to vote on a $450 million plan to build Sarasota Memorial Hospital-North Port on a 32-acre property off Sumter Boulevard just off Interstate 75. The facility would open with 100 beds but have the flexibility to double in capacity to meet the needs of the growing community. If approved Tuesday, the hospital would offer a range of acute medical, surgical and specialty care, outpatient and diagnostic services, in addition to a medical office building and space for educational and support programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida schools will comply with ICE on campuses: Education department SMH said the campus in North Port would be ready for hurricanes with a backup energy center and connection to Sarasota Memorials electronic health records and clinical systems. The Division Chief of EMS for North Port Fire Rescue, Brian Gorski, said the new hospital would mean a lot for the work they do every day, cutting transportation times in half. Typically to go to SMH main campus on average, the transport is 45 minutes. Venice is about 30 minutes. So to go down the street, it is going to be 10 to 12 minutes and then to turn them around and get them back available for the next call quickly, that is huge, Chief Gorski said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that with the communitys population growing as rapidly as it is and traffic congestion increasing as a result, this new campus would help give patients better outcomes. CDC ordered to stop working with WHO immediately Having that facility here is going to help us tremendously with strokes, with sepsis patients, just a quicker turnaround. Even for our employees and their families, said Chief Gorski. Residents who live in the area said having a full-service hospital close to home will lift a weight off their shoulders. If we had to have them come over to our house, and if it is down the road, I am guessing it would be five or 10 [minutes]. That could be life-saving, it really could, said resident Deb Jastorff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the board approves plans to move forward this week, the hospital would likely open sometime in 2028. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This story was modified to include additional information. Fish-eating gulls and terns nesting on Michigan shoreline areas known to have longstanding industrial contamination reproduce less, have fewer chicks that survive and develop more deformities than those on nonpolluted shorelines, a decadelong field study by Calvin University researchers found. Keith Grasman, a biologist who studies environmental health effects at the Grand Rapids-based university, from 2010 to 2019 looked at reproduction, populations, fledgling growth and other health indicators among "colonial waterbirds" at specified contaminated reference sites, as well as at non-contaminated shoreline nesting areas for a comparison. The birds studied were herring gulls, Caspian terns and black-crowned night herons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The birds were assessed at known water-contaminated locations including the Saginaw Bay and River area of western Lake Huron; the River Raisin on western Lake Erie; and Grand Traverse Bay in northwestern Lake Michigan. The Saginaw River and Bay and River Raisin areas are contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, a highly persistent industrial compound manufactured from 1929 until its banning in the U.S. in 1979. Grand Traverse Bay's pollution is chlorinated dioxins and furans, produced during the burning of waste or in the bleaching processes once used in paper mills, Grasman said. The pollutants are biomagnifying little fish eat tiny, contaminated invertebrates and the chemicals enter the fish's tissues. Then a bigger fish eats the smaller fish, and on up the chain, compounding the amount of the health-harming contaminants stored in each animal. It makes fish-eating waterbirds a good ecological marker for study, Grasman said. "It doesn't look like an oil-floating-on-the-water kind of visible pollution problem, yet small amounts of these persistent chemicals can magnify as they go up the food web," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The contaminated shoreline areas were compared to relatively uncontaminated waterbird nesting areas on the St. Marys River and Lake Superior. The contrasts were stark: Nonviable embryos were two to nearly three times as prevalent in herring gull eggs from contaminated areas compared with the noncontaminated reference sites. A failure for eggs to fertilize and embryonic death were found at similar frequencies. Bird embryos and chicks with deformities such as crossed bills and gastroschisis being born with organs outside of the body were found 12 times at contaminated sites and only once at a non-contaminated reference site. Herring gulls at River Raisin and Caspian terns in Saginaw Bay "experienced complete or nearly complete colony-level reproductive failure in multiple years." Chick productivity "was poor in seven of 10 years" in the contaminated locations. The population of herring gulls declined by about 90% from the late 1990s to 2019 at River Raisin. The number of nests and nesting area size in upland areas continued to decline even as rising Lake Erie waters over the last five years washed out beaches and applied pressure to nesting birds to relocate upland. Similarly, the mean number of nests for the Caspian tern, a state-threatened species, at three islands in Saginaw Bay declined by about 49% over the last three years of the study compared with mean nest numbers from 1994 to 2003. Gull chicks had poor growth metrics at the contaminated sites most of the years of the study despite being in highly productive ecosystems with abundant fish prey. "Hence, the poor growth is not likely to be caused by food supply shortages in these locations but instead by other stressors such as environmental contaminants," the study found. A test of immune functions in young birds found more than 50% lower response in contaminated zones than in non-contaminated comparison sites. "If you go to the doctor and they do a bunch of diagnostic tests, and you have one abnormal test but everything else is normal, you are not going to be so worried about that," Grasman said. "But when we see multiple indicators of problems, that adds to the weight of the evidence for a significant issue." Impact of long-banned chemicals persists The research was published this month in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. The Calvin University waterbird research is funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, federal funding approved by Congress to protect and restore the Great Lakes. Since its enactment in 2010, the initiative has funded more than 7,500 individual projects at a cost of more than $3.7 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Great Lakes fish thought extinct for decades rediscovered in an unexpected place More: Giant Alpena cement company's repeated environmental violations under scrutiny The Saginaw and River Raisin locations are known as "Areas of Concern," designated in the 1980s by federal governments in the U.S. and Canada, with local, state and provincial input, as known areas of extensive environmental degradation on or near the Great Lakes, diminishing the ecology and beneficial uses of the areas. The designation has helped focus binational cleanup efforts. Grasman's work adds to a mosaic of Great Lakes-related scientific research findings across the region, with agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy's Office of the Great Lakes then incorporating the data into their management decisions and priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Bird or animal deformities or reproductive problems" are listed impairments at the two Areas of Concern that EGLE is working with other partners to address, said Melanie Foose, Great Lakes Management Unit supervisor for the agency. "Dr. Grasmans research is extremely informative and valuable in Michigans Areas of Concern program," she said. "In the Raisin and Saginaw AOCs, colonial nesting bird colonies are a valuable line of research that we benefit from having, and we are pleased to be partners with the USFWS and Dr. Grasman on this work." Grasman started studying environmental contamination's impact on waterbirds as a graduate student in 1991, and it became his life's work. More than four decades after many of the industrial contaminants plaguing areas of the Great Lakes were banned from use, and decades since the pollution levels of those contaminants then steeply dropped, the ecological impacts persist. "It may be in some ways surprising that these older chemicals are still creating long-term effects," he said. "But now, as I think on it, with this much experience, it makes sense when I consider the long timeframes for ecological processes as well as for persistent chemicals." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact Keith Matheny: kmatheny@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Study: Fish-eating shoreline birds harmed by polluted Michigan waters In a sweeping and unprecedented attempt to seize power reserved for Congress, President Donald Trump's budget office on Monday directed government agencies to freeze all grants and loans for a wide range of programs that could include domestic infrastructure projects, health care programs, housing assistance and a host of other initiatives that depend on money authorized by lawmakers. The order was issued in a leaked two-page memo first obtained by Marisa Kabas, an independent journalist. Matthew Vaeth, Trumps acting head of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), wrote that the pause, which will take effect on Tuesday evening, is being imposed to ensure that the government is complying with Trump's policy agenda and will not affect Social Security, Medicare or "assistance provided directly to individuals." Possible exceptions will be reviewed and granted on a "case-by-case basis." Agencies have a Feb. 10 deadline to submit appeals on any program targeted for suspension. The memo by Vaeth lays the groundwork for Trump's nominee for OMB chief, Russell Vought who is awaiting confirmation by the Senate to implement deep cuts detailed in Project 2025, a right-wing policy blueprint he played a key role in assembling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the memo's stated instructions to implement the pause to the extent permissible under applicable law," critics pointed out that almost everything the memo instructs is an illegal abuse of presidential authority: The U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power to determine federal budgets through legislation, while the president administers its disbursement. Because of the memo's broad latitude, Democrats, political activists and nonprofit leaders fear that almost anything that provides essential aid to low-income and struggling Americans without falling under the administration's definition of "direct" assistance could be suspended indefinitely. The memo was issued after spending freezes were announced at the National Institutes of Health, resulting in a suspension of new research grants and spurring chaos at major scientific institutions. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., condemned the effort in a statement as a "blatant" and "unprecedented" power grab that will hold up "virtually all vital funds that support programs in every community across the country. They say this is only temporary, but no one should believe that, he said. Donald Trump must direct his Administration to reverse course immediately and the taxpayers money should be distributed to the people. Congress approved these investments and they are not optional; they are the law. Later Tuesday morning, he told reporters that a group of state attorneys general are going to challenge the order in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Democrats are raising questions over what exactly will be cut. "Are you stopping NIH cancer trials? Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., asked on social media. The memo, while light on most administrative details, broadly attacks "Marxist equity, transgenderism, and Green New Deal social engineering policies" that are a "waste of taxpayer dollars," singling out infrastructure and clean energy projects, foreign aid, funding for nonprofits and diversity-related programs for permanent elimination. Trump has already issued orders to halt government operations like health agency meetings and foreign aid and signaled his intentions to target federal disaster relief. While Vaeth claims that the federal government spent nearly $10 trillion in fiscal year 2024, the source of those figures is not clear; the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated government spending in 2024 at a much lower $6.75 trillion. "This order is a potential five-alarm fire for nonprofit organizations and the people and communities they serve," Diane Yentel, CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, said in a statement. "From pausing research on cures for childhood cancer to halting food assistance, safety from domestic violence, and closing suicide hotlines, the impact of even a short pause in funding could be devastating and cost lives." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials from states that have received federal money warned that a sudden freeze of unspecified duration will cause enormous social and economic disruption for their constituents. "Whether it's [Hurricane Helene] recovery in Southwest... semiconductor manufacturing in Northern Virginia... pharmaceutical jobs in Richmond... renewable energy in coastal Virginia... or the Microporous expansion in Southside every one of these projects is in part the result of federal funding from laws we fought tooth and nail to pass in Congress, and could now be endangered thanks to President Trump's mess," Virginia Democratic Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, said in a joint statement. Republicans, on the other hand, characterized the order as Trump fulfilling his campaign promises, even though he repeatedly disavowed Project 2025 only to now embrace many ideas it proposed. "You need to understand he was elected to shake up the status quo. That is what he's going to do. It's not going to be business as usual," House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., told reporters at a GOP policy retreat in Miami. He did not comment on the potential fate of $6.5 million in federal funding he requested for infrastructure projects in his district last year. Ukraine has managed to bring back five children of different ages from 18 months to 18 years old from the temporarily occupied territories (TOT) of Luhansk, Donetsk and part of Kherson oblasts to the Ukraine-controlled territory. Source: Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets Details: Lubinets said a servicewoman released from captivity applied to the Human Rights Commissioner's Office. She asked for help in bringing her daughter back from the TOT to the Ukraine-controlled territories. Now, the girl is with her mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Finally, families will be able to choose their own future and feel Ukraine enforcing their human rights. They will finally get the medical care they need, be able to get an education and realise their own plans." Details: Six children were recently brought back from the occupied part of Kherson Oblast. Earlier, Lubinets stated that Russian officials are looking for children abducted from Ukraine for "adoption". They change their surnames, names and dates of birth. Support UP or become our patron! State officials say that no, the military did not enter California to turn on the water, despite a claim that President Donald Trump posted on social media late Monday. As Los Angeles grapples with the apocalyptic devastation from the wildfires, Trump has blamed California Gov. Gavin Newsom, claiming he refused to release water in the north of the state. More from Deadline But per a CalMatters fact check, thats a misreading of where Los Angeles gets its water. Newsoms office also has called it pure fiction that the governor issued a declaration that tied up water supply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, Trump posted on Truth Social, The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. The days of putting a Fake Environmental argument, over the PEOPLE, are OVER. Enjoy the water, California!!! After the post, Californias Department of Water Resources posted on X, The military did not enter California. The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful. That said, Newsom has ordered an investigation into why firefighters battling the Palisades blaze were unable to get water from fire hydrants. The Los Angeles Times also has been publishing a number of stories on why a reservoir serving the Palisades area was dry at the time of the fires. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) Florence police on Monday released photos of what may be the suspects vehicle connected to a deadly shooting at the Absolem Hookah Lounge in September. The shooting, which happened on Sept. 14, claimed the life of Robert Fields of Florence. Police said the only information they were able to gather from the incident were that the suspect may have left the area in the vehicle in the photos below. Courtesy / Florence police Courtesy / Florence police Courtesy / Florence police Courtesy / Florence police Police said so far, nothing has brought a possible suspect to their attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently we have been receiving numerous notifications from community members about their desire for justice to be found and the suspect to be caught, police Capt. Stephen Starling said in a news release. We greatly appreciate that these individuals are speaking out against this violence and seeking justice for the family. We understand the frustration they are feeling, and we want the community to understand, we are still dedicated to solving this crime. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cpl. Leggett at Dleggett@cityofflorence.com or at 843-665-3191. * * * 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. 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. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) Florida Governor Ron DeSantis pushed for a special session to help boost President Donald Trumps immigration efforts. But that session was blocked by Senate and House leadership Monday. Now, lawmakers are looking to address the issue on their own terms. The highly anticipated day was cut short as House and Senate leadership gaveled in and gaveled out almost immediately, shutting down DeSantis proposals on immigration. However, both chambers plan to address immigration, just in their own way. Florida legislative leaders respond to DeSantis attacks, imply he didnt read TRUMP Act or is lying Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has been a great deal of speculation on how we will respond to this special session call, said House Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami). It has been speculated that we will be gaveling in today and gaveling out. And that is true, but its not the whole story. Senate President Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula) and Perez called for their own special session, knocking the 11 bills filed Sunday night off the shelf. Instead, they are packing in immigration concerns into one piece of legislation. We did carefully consider Governor DeSantis proposal, and he had some good ideas. But many of his proposals are bureaucratic, Perez said. We do not need to duplicate the functions of U.S. Immigration and Customs and create a mini-me version of ICE. In addition, his proposals would hijack local law enforcement operations, and at one point, he even proposed arresting local law enforcement officers. President Trumps Executive Orders make it clear its a new day in Washington and citizenship matters. This is a federal issue, and the federal government is taking the lead, Albritton said. President Trump is closing our borders, protecting our sovereignty, and most importantly, he has the back of law enforcement leaders who are on the front lines protecting our communities from criminal illegal aliens. So do we. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NEW SPECIAL SESSION BILL: Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy Act (Trump Act) Senator Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) and Representative Lawrence McClure (R-Hillsborough) will be sponsoring the bill that goes in the opposite direction of the governors proposals, according to Perez. According to a press release from the Speakers office, the new bill embodies the Four Bs: (1) Recruit and empower more BADGES, (2) Build more BEDS, (3) Lock up more BAD GUYS, and (4) Limit BENEFITS that draw illegal aliens into Florida. The bill also designates the Commissioner of Agriculture to serve as the states Chief Immigration Officer. And will discontinue the policy of allowing illegal aliens to receive in-state tuition at state colleges and universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Democrats and Republicans are proud of leadership for challenging the Executive Branch. I am so proud of Speaker Perez. I am so proud of the stance he has taken, because for the last six years I havent felt there has been any separation of powers, said State Representative Susan Valdes (R-Hillsborough). In my six years in the legislature weve never done this and its historic, said Rep. Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando). But even with the historic day, representatives question, what about condos and hurricane relief? When I was knocking on thousands of doors in my district, nobody was talking about immigration, everyone was talking about the cost of housing, property insurance, the condo assessment fee. Eskamani said. This is another example where we are being pulled away from these issues because of Governor Ron DeSantis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While lawmakers cheer on Senate and House leadership, the governor calls this move a bait and switch and says it is an insult to President Trump. Governor DeSantis posted on X saying he is glad the legislature is finally doing their job but still is calling the new bill weak. The governor also shared a side-by-side comparison of his proposals, and the new proposals brought forth by Senate and House leadership. There are several state lawmakers who continue to stand by Governo DeSantis side throughout the special session showdown. State Senator Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill) says he had heard some rumors that House and Senate leadership were going to gavel in and gavel out, adding that it was a well-kept secret. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would much rather us work in a collaborative effort in order to get things done, Ingoglia said. I think what the governor proposed and the bills I have filed are substantive and they will do the job. Its unfortunate that all the bills are dead. Senator Ingoglia hopes the new legislation being offered is as strong as the original 11 bills but has heard it is not as robust. Senator Jay Collins (R-Tampa) is openminded to the new bill but still needs to read through the language. If its a bad bill theres always ways to amend it. There are always ways to adjust it, always ways to make it just a little bit stronger, Collins said. Speaker Perez says lawmakers will convene on the floor at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28 and anticipates they will complete their work in one day. 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 After handing Gov. Ron DeSantis two stunning and unprecedented defeats, and then facing a storm of criticism on social media, Florida lawmakers Tuesday approved a $500 million immigration bill intended to support President Trumps deportation plans. Lengthy debates about mandatory death sentences for unauthorized immigrants who commit capital crimes and impassioned speeches against canceling in-state tuition for dreamers and other undocumented students pushed the final vote into late innings. I know some of my colleagues said this bill doesnt go far enough, and it isnt a silver bullet, said bill sponsor Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, who talked to President Donald Trump about the bill Monday night. Is it perfect? Its not. But it reflects the executive orders the president has issued. We made it the strongest bill we could for the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate passed the bill 21-16 with six Republicans joining 10 Democrats in opposition. The House passed the bill out 82-30 about an hour later, around 9 p.m. The Legislature now must send the bill to DeSantis to approve or veto but there is no deadline on when it must send it. Among those voting down the bill was Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, who sponsored the DeSantis-backed legislation in the Senate that the Legislature refused to take up. When I look at this legislation, I think there are some big glaring holes in it, Ingoglia said of the Legislatures bill. There are some good ideas in it, the death penalty provision for example. And removing in-state tuition is something I had tried to get into bills for years and never was able to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Alexis Calatayud said she felt conflicted about the bill because of the language removing the out-of-state tuition waiver, which was an important issue for her South Florida constituents. In 2014, then-Gov. Rick Scott signed the waiver law, which grants undocumented students who have completed three years of high school in Florida a waiver so they pay the same rate as state residents rather than the more expensive, out-of-state ones. Calatayud said she believed President Trump when he said on the campaign trail that if an undocumented student graduates from college they should automatically get a green card. Ensuring our dreamers have equal opportunity is part of the Trump agenda, a tearful Calatayud said before voting it down. Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker and Danny Perez said they requested and received technical assistance from the White House on the legislation they dubbed the Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy Act or TRUMP Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We made specific improvements to the TRUMP Act to further align state law with the renewed and expanded enforcement of federal immigration law under President Trump, they said. The earlier version of the bill had passed Senate and House committees Monday. Lawmakers got their first look at the amended bill late Monday. DeSantis blasted the Legislature on X and his go-to conservative talk shows Monday and Tuesday for rejecting his own slate of immigration bills, overriding his veto of $57 million in funding mostly for legislative expenses and then canceling his special session only to reconvene in the legislatures own special session to entertain its own bill. DeSantis insisted that the measures lawmakers proposed even with the new changes were substantially weaker than his plans and failed to put an enforceable duty on state and local law enforcement to fully cooperate on illegal immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor also argued that the bills he supported were more in line with Trumps immigration enforcement plans, and complained that the Legislature was trying to usurp his constitutional authority with a key provision of its bill: naming Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson as chief immigration enforcement officer. Legislative leaders wrote a weak immigration bill that vests enforcement in the Commissioner of Agriculture, which creates a conflict of interest given the agriculture industrys affinity for cheap, illegal foreign labor, DeSantis posted on X. It is also the case that the current commissioner, Wilton Simpson, has voted to give drivers licenses and in-state tuition to illegals. He even refused to oppose allowing illegals to practice law in Florida, DeSantis continued. Simpson replied that he has worked since day one to support President Trump and his immigration policies. Floridas conservative legislature will decide who is best to support President Trump and his team. Im not the one who opposed and ran against President Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest legislative changes include a mandatory death penalty for illegal immigrants convicted of murder or the rape of a child, enhanced criminal penalties for undocumented immigrants who have been deported and then return to Florida to commit a crime, and enhanced sentencing for unauthorized immigrant gang members. The bill now includes expanding the role of the chief immigration officer, and creating a bonus program for trained law enforcement officers who assist with federal immigration task forces. The legislature also expanded the scope of its special session to include financial penalties for government officials who hinder deportation efforts, enhanced criminal penalties for offenses committed by unauthorized aliens, and programs and policies to allow law enforcement agencies to supplement, not replace, the Federal Government in its enforcement of federal immigration law. But the bill rejects many of the proposals DeSantis outlined in his legislation, including expanding the transport of unauthorized immigrants to foreign countries, refusing bail for undocumented aliens when they are arrested, and prohibiting undocumented immigrants from sending money to their friends and relatives in their home country. In a joint statement, Albritton and Perez vigorously defended Floridas law enforcement community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement is our partner, not our enemy. Its no wonder the Governors proposal included criminal penalties for law enforcement. His statement clearly suggests he doesnt trust the boots on the ground, but we do. DeSantis had first called for a special session in early January, before Trump issued his executive order calling for a crackdown on immigration. Both chambers pushed back on the governors call at the time, saying it was premature and irresponsible. Monday, they did as they were required and assembled in Tallahassee for the governors special session, but ended it after 15 minutes. They immediately convened their own special session and introduced the bill drafted by leadership staff and submitted by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota. The bill provides $500 million to support local law enforcements participation in Trumps anti-immigration efforts, repeals a waiver allowing undocumented students to pay in-state rather than out-of-state tuition, and sublets local jails and state prisons to house detainees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats objected to killing the out-of-state tuition waiver and unsuccessfully tried to amend the bill to delete the language repealing the waiver. My ask is we dont allow our politics to get in the way of these people trying to complete their education, said Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami Gardens, who filed an amendment to allow students with waivers to complete their education. Florida lawmakers (from left to right) Daryl Campbell, Mike Caruso, Joe Capello, Kelly Skidmore (reading poem), Tina Polksky, Mike Gottlieb, and Lori Berman in front of the Historic Capitol on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix) The United Nations General Assembly has designated Jan. 27 the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a time to remember the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution. In Tallahassee on Monday, a group of Florida lawmakers held a press conference to announce legislation that would formally recognize this date as Holocaust Remembrance Day in the State of Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While all of us are standing here today, let us reaffirm our commitment to building a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their race, religion, or their background, South Florida Democrat Shevrin Jones said. Let us honor the memories of the victims of the Holocaust by working towards a more just and more peaceful future, for every last one of us. Broward County Democratic House member Mike Gottlieb said the state could honor the victims of the Holocaust by committing to a world where freedom and justice prevail for all people. Boca Raton Democrat Lori Berman is sponsoring the measure (SB 356) in the state Senate. It allows executive branch to direct schools to do more education on this day as well as do whatever is appropriate to acknowledge it, she told the Phoenix. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The observances included an event held by the Jewish Legislative Caucus in front of the Historic Capitol at 5:45 p.m. on Monday afternoon to watch the Capitol be illuminated in yellow to honor the day. According to the caucus, the color yellow is symbolic of both the memorial candles for the victims and the yellow stars that were forced upon Jewish people during the Holocaust. Berman said that the need to continue education about the Holocaust is critical following events that have transpired following Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Floridas congressional leaders fired back at Gov. Ron DeSantis after he accused of them of theatrics Monday. The Florida Senate House and Senate both ended the special session called by the governor abruptly Monday morning before beginning their own. This came after both Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton called the special session by the governor premature. Florida Republicans end DeSantis special session before calling their own Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This move effectively killed all the prior legislation that was filed before the governors special session allowing them to put forward the Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy Act, also known as the TRUMP Act, to replace the bills DeSantis wanted to crack down on immigration. The bill also removes immigration enforcement from the governors office and would place it under the authority Florida Agricultural Commissioner Wilton Simpson. In fact, the position we now know as the commissioner of agriculture began as the commissioner of immigration, said Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-116th House district. Before adjourning the special session for the Florida State House, Perez said efforts were made to harass legislators in order to pressure them to act. In the last week, attempts have been made to bully members of this House, including sending out mass emails and text messages with members personal cellphone numbers on them, Florida state House Speaker Danny Perez said. Attacks on this body, attacks on all of you, will not be tolerated. This House will never be moved by threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis was not pleased with this motion, saying the TRUMP Act was substantially weaker than the bills he wanted. It is an insult to name such a weak bill after President Trump, who has been so strong on this issue, the governor wrote on social media. He also said under Floridas agricultural commissioner, immigration enforcement would never happen. In short, it puts the fox in charge of the hen house, he wrote. In response to DeSantis remarks, Perez and Albritton wrote a biting statement criticizing the governor and accusing him of not reading the bill before responding on social media: The Governor did not read President Trumps Executive Orders before calling a special session. As a matter of fact, they didnt exist. And, it would appear he didnt read SB2B/HB 1B before issuing a response on social media. He leveled serious and inappropriate insults at his fellow Cabinet Officer, local law enforcement officers, and our agricultural community. He states in part, Florida localities will provide no meaningful assistance to federal efforts. This is a blatant lie about the Florida law enforcement officers who are on the front lines protecting our communities from criminal illegal immigrants each and every day. The fact is that the TRUMP Act is an expansion of existing requirements that a sheriff operating a county jail must enter into a written agreement with ICE to help identify and detain criminal illegal immigrants, including county jails not operated by sheriffs. Law enforcement is our partner, not our enemy. Its no wonder the Governors proposal included criminal penalties for law enforcement. His statement clearly suggests he doesnt trust the boots on the ground, but we do. He also states in part, It unconstitutionally removes authority to enforce the law from the governor to a lower-level cabinet agency, the department of agriculture, that does not oversee state law enforcement. This statement is completely untrue, and the Governor knows that. Under our bill, the Governor will maintain all of his emergency powers. The Commissioner of Agriculture already has broad authority to act during emergencies and does in fact have a law enforcement division of 200 sworn law enforcement officers who partner with local law enforcement to provide a statewide presence at our borders. There is absolutely nothing unconstitutional about the separation of powers and the advancement of immigration enforcement at a constitutionally-created Cabinet-level agency other than the Governor. Finally, he states in part, giving enforcement power to the agricultural arm of state government, it ensures that enforcement never actually occurs. In short, it puts the fox in charge of the hen house. This outrageous statement maligns the hard working farmers who work day and night to keep food on grocery stores shelves across Florida. The Legislature will not act in a disingenuous or dishonorable way by attacking anyone, especially our law enforcement. Unlike others, the Legislature is not interested in misleading or attacking Floridians, especially Florida law enforcement. Our number one goal is to work together with President Trump. Anyone that says anything otherwise is not reading the bill, not reading the executive orders, or just not telling the truth. Its easier to fool someone then to convince them they were fooled. We arent trying to fool anybody. We stand on the Constitution, and the truth. House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Florida man was sentenced to 32 years in prison for luring three Arizona minors for sexual exploitation through a popular online video game. Jacob Lozano, 24, was sentenced Friday to 17 years for one count of sexual exploitation and 15 years for another count of sexual exploitation, to be served consecutively, according to a statement by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. One of the victims fathers spoke during sentencing about the impact Lozano had on his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was as if our own home had been broken into, but there was no broken lock, there was no broken glass, but make no mistake, our home was forever broken from that moment on. The tears, the doubt, the hundreds of hours of counseling, nothing has healed the house ever since, he said. Scottsdale police began an investigation after a mother found sexually explicit photos on her 11-year-old son's phone and sent a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. They found the images were coming from a man in Florida. Police discovered that Lozano met three boys while playing Fortnite online claiming he was 16, according to court filings. According to court records, after making contact, Lozano moved from chatting on the game to Discord, a communication platform for gamers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives took over one of the victims accounts and continued the chat with Lozano ending with Lozano sending a total of twenty videos and images of sexually explicit material involving minors. During sentencing, Lozano told the court he would change and apologized directly to the families while citing bible verses. "Colossians 3:9-10 and Ephesians 4:23-24 say, to strip your old personality and clothe yourself with a new to continue to be made new in your dominant mental attitude. I will strive to do just that, to cause lasting change, and I have the support with me. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but with the support of my family and my friends, I know that I can change," he said. Lozano pleaded guilty in December to three counts of luring minors and two counts of sexual exploitation, court records show. He was also sentenced to a lifetime on probation for the three counts of luring minors. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man used Fortnite to sexual exploit minors, gets 32 years in prison COCOA BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) An elementary school principal and a teacher were arrested last week in Florida after hosting an underage house party, according to reports. NBC affiliate WESH said Principal Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan, 47, and teacher Karly Anderson, 45, who work at Roosevelt Elementary School in Cocoa Beach, hosted the alcohol-fueled party at the principals home earlier this month. FHP looking for Telsa that fled after hitting, killing Lakeland man on I-275 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Cocoa Beach police, more than 100 juveniles were in attendance with matching T-shirts, with easy access to alcohol in coolers at the home. While officers were investigating the party, a juvenile was located on the front lawn experiencing an alcohol-related medical event, officers said. The juvenile was so heavily intoxicated that Brevard County Fire Rescue had to respond to treat them. Police said Hill-Brodigan began turning off the lights outside of her home and going back inside, while officials were treating the heavily intoxicated minor. This led to fire rescue having to use auxiliary lighting during the rest of the evaluation. According to WESH, Anderson identified herself as a teacher to police while drunk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida man killed fleeing wife in front of their 2 children, deputies say Brevard County Public Schools released the following statement to WESH in response to the incident: We are extremely troubled by these accusations and are fully cooperating with the Cocoa Beach Police Department. Our commitment to student safety remains our top priority. Hill-Brodigan and Anderson were arrested Friday on charges of child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The principal was also charged with holding an open house party. Both of them have been placed on administrative leave as the investigation remains 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 WFLA. Mayor Michelle Wu, facing the possibility of Boston losing millions in federal dollars, on Tuesday spoke after being asked to testify at a sanctuary cities hearing on Capitol Hill. Federal lawmakers on Monday announced an investigation into the policies of sanctuary cities, inviting the mayors of Boston, New York City, Chicago, and Denver all to testify on Capitol Hill on Feb. 11. Four cities stand out in their abject failure to comply with federal law: Chicago, New York City, Denver, and Boston. Citizens of all four cities have suffered due to sanctuary policies, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer said in a letter to Wu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boston is a sanctuary jurisdiction under the Boston Trust Act, which was reaffirmed in December 2024. Extremely violent offenders: Undocumented migrants with criminal records nabbed in Boston ICE raid Wu, in speaking to reporters late Tuesday morning, said she is still reviewing Comers letter. She did not say whether she would travel to Washington to testify before lawmakers. We feel that we are on solid legal ground as we are following the law every single day, the mayor said, adding that she has not received a subpeona from Washington. Comer requested documents and communications related to the sanctuary policies in the cities, mainly regarding their impact on public safety and federal immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comer said that sanctuary cities like Boston are using misguided and obstructionist policies to shield migrants from law enforcement. [The policies] hinder the ability of federal law enforcement officers to effectuate safe arrests and remove dangerous criminals from American communities, making Americans less safe, he said. Boston is a sanctuary jurisdiction that refuses to fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Last week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested several undocumented individuals with criminal histories in Boston, including alleged gang members and some wanted for violent crimes such as rape and murder. Fox News video shared with Boston 25 provided an inside look at ICE agents making arrests in East Boston on Wednesday as President Donald Trump cracks down on immigrants in the U.S. illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wu, along with mayors Eric Adams, Brandon Johnson, and Mike Johnston, have been asked to appear at the Capitol Hill hearing on Feb. 11. On the first day of his second term, President Donald Trump took decisive actions to restore the rule of law with respect to immigration enforcement, Comer said in his letter to Wu. One action included a directive to the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to . . . 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, Comer said. And starting Tuesday, the White House is pausing federal grants and loans as President Donald Trumps administration begins an across-the-board ideological review of its spending, the Associated Press reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Calling the directive and the possible loss of federal funding a wide-ranging threat, Wu said city officials continue to work with federal officials, but that At the city level, we cant control what the federal government does. There are consequences to elections and this administration, unfortunately, has the right to make some of the changes that theyre talking about, Wu said. Migrants arrest in East Boston casts light on detainer loophole in Massachusetts They dont have the right to make some of the illegal changes that have also been put on the table and thats up to the courts to sort that out and Congress in a lot of ways to take action, Wu said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we know here at the local level is that we are not participating in the federal governments actions, Wu said. We cannot overrule what they do, just as they cannot overrule or step into what is within our domain here at the local level. Wu also told reporters that Boston continues to not ask its residents about immigration status. Within our domain, we are very clear -- in schools, in interactions with public safety officials, in community centers, we dont ask about immigration status, Wu said. We hold everyone accountable regardless of immigration status for any crimes or harm thats committed, and we also work very hard to ensure that there is full access to services, regardless of immigration status and for everyone in our community, Wu said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump gives ICE power to quickly deport migrants Biden allowed into US, report says Regarding immigration, Wu said, largely what we have seen across the country in terms of the actions so far have mirrored the priorities and the same types of actions that took place under federal enforcement under the Biden administration. Wu said. However, theyre now including Fox News being embedded and going along on these actions or bringing other celebrities to document whats happening to create a sense of greater impact with that fear and destabilization, Wu said. Intensified immigration enforcement efforts adding manpower to ICE Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city is awaiting tens of millions of dollars in federal funding that have been awarded to the city under the Biden administration, Wu said. The federal grants are earmarked for transportation, climate, green infrastructure, childcare, and jobs. Thats in the tens of millions of dollars that we are obligated but not yet received, although we worked very closely to get them in contract forms so that they would be codified in those legal documents, Wu said. Then, Wu said, theres federal funding for police, fire, housing and addressing homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cant imagine that it will be implemented to the fullest, Wu said of the new federal directive. When asked about Councilor Ed Flynns statement whether Boston Police could be doing a better job of cooperating with federal authorities, Wu said shed be open to understanding any recommendations put forth by councilors. We work with the federal government every single day, Wu said. As mentioned, our track record and the numbers when it comes to public safety show that our strategies and the types of collaborations that we have are making a difference. Weve seen dramatic decreases in crime year over year and when it comes to those individuals who have perpetrated harm in the community or who have committed crimes, our police department holds them accountable, no matter who they are, Wu said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW MONDAY, 1/27/2025, 4:30 p.m. FOND DU LAC, Wis. (WFRV) Fond du Lac Police have provided an update regarding the search for Chad Maertz. As of 4:30 p.m., Maertz is in custody. Police learned he purchased a rental car and entered the vehicle into a FLOCK license plate camera system. He was taken into custody after being found at a Walmart in Germantown. The Germantown Police Department, Washington County SO, and WI State Patrol assisted in finding Maertz. No additional information was provided. ORIGINAL: Fond du Lac Police: Search ends for missing sex offender who cut off GPS tracker, taken into custody MONDAY, 1/27/2025, 3:09 p.m. FOND DU LAC, Wis. (WFRV) A critical update has been released by the Fond du Lac Police Department (FDLPD) regarding a registered sex offender under supervision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a Facebook post from FDLPD, authorities want the public to stay informed while searching for 55-year-old Chad A. Maertz. Authorities describe him as a white male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 192 pounds. He has blond hair with a shaved/blading head and brown eyes. Teenager identified as suspect in Wisconsin homicide, shooting still under investigation Maertz reportedly has a criminal history, including a conviction for abduction of anothers child on December 18, 2002, in Fond du Lac County. Earlier today, the FDLPD learned that Maertz cut off his GPS monitoring device, making it hard for authorities to track his location. He has left his residence at 99 W. Division Street; his current whereabouts are unknown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FDLPD urges the public to report any suspicious activities or sightings of Maertz or his vehicle. If he or his vehicle is seen, police say to call 911 immediately. Vehicle Description: -Make/Model: Red 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan -License Plate: ARJ4624, Wisconsin registration Wood-burning furnace leads to garage fire in Wisconsin No further information has been provided at this time. Local Five will have updates when more information is released. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Amid a federal crackdown on immigration, an Oregon bill proposes offering Oregonians nutrition assistance despite their immigration status. On Monday, the Oregon Food Bank held a press conference outside of the Oregon State Capitol, advocating for Senate Bill 611, the Food for All Oregonians bill. The bipartisan bill cosponsored by state Sen. Wlnsvey Campos (D-District 18-Aloha) and Rep. Ricki Ruiz (D-District 50-Gresham) would create the Food for All Oregonians program in the Department of Human Services. That program would offer nutrition assistance to Oregonians who would qualify for federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits if not for their immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oregon one of the worst states for retirement, WalletHub says Under the bill, the department would be required to implement the program by January 1, 2027, and would be open for Oregon residents who are under 26 years of age or over 55 years of age. This is a bill that creates a state-based program that provides food assistance to Oregonians who are currently excluded from federal SNAP programming these are mostly our immigrant and refugee communities, said Andrea Williams, president of the Oregon Food Bank. Its already been a very challenging year for Oregonians and its only January, Williams said. People are hurting, rent is high, food is ever more expensive and of course many families are living in fear and uncertainty due to the recent changes coming from our federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City of Portland to auction foreclosed blighted properties at public sale We know that when times are tough, its also an opportunity for us to come together. With our community at Oregon Food Bank, we are rising for all to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead to ensure that every Oregonian has access to the food and resources they need to thrive, Williams added. According to OFB, one-in-eight Oregonians are experiencing hunger and one-in-six kids do not have enough to eat. This growing need is reflected in what we are experiencing at food banks across Oregon, Williams said, noting, OFB saw 1.5 million people visit their food assistance sites in 2024, marking a 31% increase from the previous year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are in the worst rate of hunger and food insecurity since The Great Depression, Williams said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Eye on Northwest Politics The OFB president noted the urgency to pass the bill comes as the Trump administration has proposed cuts to federal nutrition assistance programs, as The New York Times reports Trump has sought to reduce SNAP eligibility and to partly replace benefits with food boxes. I know first-hand how critical it is for Oregon to lead with compassion and determination ensuring that every person in our state has the support they need to not just survive but to thrive, Sen. Campos said during the press conference. No one, no matter their background, their zip code, or their circumstances should ever have to go to bed hungry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Campos also lauded the bills bipartisan support, noting, Hunger is not a partisan issue. Its a human issue. By passing this legislation, we have the opportunity to do something extraordinary: to show the nation what it means to lead with empathy, to honor the dignity of every single human being and to ensure that no Oregonian is left behind, Campos 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 KOIN.com. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The former administrator of the Crenshaw County Jail has been indicted with allegedly assaulting an inmate and lying about it to federal investigators. Alexander Porter, 33, was indicted by a federal grand jury Monday, charged with assaulting an inmate while they were handcuffed at the jail, in addition to falsifying a report and making false statements to investigators. According to the indictment, Porter purportedly used unreasonable force on the inmate on October 12, 2021 while they were staying at the jail awaiting trial. Subsequently, Porter allegedly lied to investigators during two different meetings on November 18, 2021 and June 28, 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If convicted, Porter could face up to 10 years in prison for violating the inmates civil rights, 20 years for falsifying a report and five years for making false statements to investigators. A federal grand jury in Montgomery, Alabama, returned an indictment yesterday charging former Crenshaw County Jail Administrator Christian Alexander Porter, 33, with assaulting a handcuffed and compliant inmate at Crenshaw County Jail. Porter was also charged with falsifying a report and making false statements to state and federal investigators. The case 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 CBS 42. LUVERNE, Ala. (AP) A federal grand jury indicted a former jail administrator on charges of beating a handcuffed incarcerated person in an Alabama jail and then lying about it to state and federal law enforcement, the Justice Department announced Tuesday. Christian Alexander Porter, 33, is accused of beating an unnamed handcuffed man who was incarcerated at the Crenshaw County Jail in October 2021, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of the Alabama capital of Montgomery, according to a statement from prosecutors at the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Middle District of Alabama. In subsequent months, Porter then wrote a false and misleading use of force report and lied to state and federal investigators, saying that the handcuffed inmate charged at Porter in an examination room at the jail, according to the indictment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Porter falsely stated that after taking (the inmate) to the ground again he didn't do anything else, "when in truth and in fact, as defendant Porter then knew, he struck (the inmate) while (the inmate) was on the ground," the indictment said. Federal defenders representing Porter did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Porter is facing three charges: one count of deprivation of rights under the law, one count of falsifying records, and one count of witness tampering. If he is found guilty, Porter faces up to 10 years for the civil rights violation, up to 20 years for the falsification of records, and up to five years for lying to federal investigators. Porter's trial is set to begin in August 2025. A former Reading man is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting two boys in a city home in 2023 and secretly recording members of the household using the bathroom. Berks County detectives on Monday charged Kemish A. Soto-Munet, 29, of Harrisburg with multiple counts of rape, involuntary deviate sexual assault, invasion of privacy and related counts. District Judge Alvin B. Robinson issued an arrest warrant, and Soto-Munet was taken into custody by authorities in Dauphin County at his place of employment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was transported to Berks for processing. Following arraignment before District Judge Carissa L. Johnson in Reading Central Court, he was committed to the county prison in lieu of $200,000 bail to await a hearing. According to investigators: In June, detectives with the district attorneys office received a Childline referral from the state Department of Human Services. It alleged that Soto-Munet had sexually abused a young boy. An investigation was initiated. Detectives identified two juvenile male victims. Both were forensically interviewed at the Berks County Childrens Alliance Center. Both victims, who were under 15, said they would be woken up to Soto-Munet, with whom they were acquainted, performing a sex act on them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation also revealed that family members found a hidden pen camera surreptitiously mounted in a bathroom of the home. The camera was turned over to the police, and detectives obtained a search warrant to examine it. The search revealed video footage of members of the household using the bathroom. CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) A former correctional officer was found guilty in a case relating to the death of former inmate Quantez Burks. According to documents filed in federal court, Chad Lester was found guilty on all counts relating to the death of Burks at Southern Regional Jail in March of 2022. Burks had been incarcerated at the jail less than 24 hours when he died. Lester is one of several officers who were charged in connection with Burks death. Lester was found guilty of conspiracy to engage in witness tampering, witness tampering, and making false statements in connection with an assault by other correctional officers that resulted in the death of an inmate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November of 2024, Mark Holdren, 39; Cory Snyder, 29; Johnathan Walters, 35; Jacob Boothe, 25; and Ashley Toney, 23 were the five correctional officers charged. The five officers and their lieutenant, Chad Lester, 33, were also charged for covering up their use of unlawful force against Burks. Two of those officers pleaded guilty in the case. Lester is scheduled to be sentenced on April 16, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 45 years in prison. Will Thompson, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, held a press conference outside of the federal courthouse in Charleston on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, to announce the guilty verdict. Stick with 59News for updates on the 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 WVNS. CHICAGO (WGN) A former Chicago Public School gym teacher has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for grooming and sexually abusing three boys under the age of 13. The gym teacher, Andrew Castro, was sentenced Friday after he pleaded guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under 13, two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child under 13, and exploitation of a child under 13. Judge Domenica Stephenson levied ten years of prison time for the sexual assault charges, seven years for each abuse case, and one year for the exploitation charge. According to a spokesperson from the Disparti Law Group, the abuse and exploitation sentences would be served concurrently so the total prison term would be 17 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Castro was a physical education teacher at Federico Lora Elementary School in the citys Avondale neighborhood on the Northwest Side when he formed inappropriate relationships with the three boys in this case. According to the original federal lawsuit filed by the boys parents against Castro, he groomed and sexually abused the boys over a period of four years by attending their sporting events, taking them to the mall and to the movies, and bringing them to his home. Last year, attorneys announced a $2 million settlement with the Chicago Public Schools in the civil case. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: $2M settlement reached in former CPS teachers alleged abuse of three students While we are happy there has been another significant step toward resolution in this case, there is still a long road of recovery for the abused, said Larry Disparti, Founder of Disparti Law Group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 2,000 cases have been brought to the Chicago Public School Office of the Inspector General Sexual Allegations Unit (SAU) since its inception. In their report to the Chicago Board of Education, dated in February of 2024, the SAU noted that reports of sexual abuse rose 12% this year. It is not acceptable that there is a single case of sexual abuse in our school system, Disparti said. Our children deserve better. This case is one of several cases that have come into the Disparti Law Group as part of their Sexual Abuse Hotline a special line that allows parents of abused children to call and speak directly, and confidentially, with an attorney that specializes in abuse cases. Parents of any child who may have been groomed or abused can call (312) 506-1235 for help. 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 WGN-TV. As President Donald Trump makes a very public effort to acquire Greenland, one former Danish official said Trump's attempts are nothing new -- but he shouldn't expect it to be easy. Interest in buying Greenland has "popped up from time to time in American politics," Tom Hyem, Denmark's minister to Greenland from 1982 to 1987, told ABC News in an interview. Hyem, 83, discussed Greenland's political importance over the years, as well as his reaction to Trump's recent desire to buy the island territory. "Trump is living in a narrative where this has been an issue for the last 150 years," Hyem said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The purchase of Greenland has been a topic of conversation since before World War II, when Denmark sold the Danish West Indies -- now known as the U.S. Virgin Islands -- to the United States in 1917 for $25 million, Hyem said. Many American policymakers argued the U.S. should also acquire Greenland as well, according to Hyem. MORE: How serious is Trump about Greenland? | 538 Politics Podcast "[President] Woodrow Wilson at first said, 'No, it's not worth anything at all. It's just ice. I don't want it.' But there was such a big debate in the U.S. that he was forced to do something," Hyem said. When Wilson asked for ownership of Greenland, the Danish minister at the time replied, "No," according to Hyem. Wilson signed an agreement in 1917 stating the United States recognizes Greenland as Danish, Hyem said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the document discussing the transfer of the Danish West Indies, then-Secretary of State Robert Lansing wrote, "In preceding this day to the signature of the Convention respecting the cessation of the Danish West-Indian Island to the United States of America, the undersigned Secretary of State of the United States of America, duly authorized by his Government, has the honor to declare that the Government of the United States of America will not object to the Danish Government extending their political and economic interests to the whole of Greenland." PHOTO: A view of Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) in Greenland, Oct. 4, 2023. (Ritzau Scanpix via Reuters, FILE) If Denmark was to ever sell Greenland to any country, Hyem said the United Kingdom would receive the first right to buy it, since the U.K. held dominion over Canada at the time of the treaty. "Canada is only 20 kilometers away. That's why the British said, 'If Denmark ever sells Greenland, we should be the first to decide whether to take it or not,'" Hyem told ABC News. Now, with Trump saying he wants to purchase Greenland, Hyem said history is repeating itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Trump grew up hearing these stories," Hyem said. "His generation and his parents' generation often heard about U.S. attempts to buy Greenland." Trump has repeatedly expressed his interest in acquiring the island territory, beginning during his first administration when he tried to buy Greenland, but instead gave $12 million for economic development. Trump has since restated his interest in buying the territory shortly before his second inauguration. "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," Trump said in a December 2024 statement. MORE: Trump threatens land grabs of Panama Canal, Greenland, even by force. Can he?: ANALYSIS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said the purchase was needed for security purposes, adding he is "protecting the free world." The U.S. also operates Putiffik Space Base, the Defense Department's northern-most base, which sits on the coast of Greenland. The U.S. does not pay Greenland for operating the base in the country, Hyem said, as part of a NATO agreement signed in 1951. "You have approximately 45,000 people there. People really don't even know if Denmark has any legal right to it," Trump said, without explanation, during a Jan. 7 press conference at Mar-a-Lago. "But if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security. That's for the free world." Greenland is also rich in valuable minerals, including rare earth metals, precious metals, precious stones, and uranium, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Association. While that may sound appealing to a potential buyer, Hyem said mining there is extremely expensive. PHOTO: An aircraft carrying businessman Donald Trump Jr. arrives in Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 7, 2025. (Emil Stach/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Imagees) Trump's son, Donald Trump, Jr., visited Greenland on Jan. 7, but stated the visit was for personal reasons. During this trip, his father said on social media, "Don. Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland. The reception has been great. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secretary of State Marco Rubio also reiterated an interest in the U.S. securing Greenland during his Senate confirmation hearings. "Putting aside all the things that are going on in the media, I think we need to understand that Greenland's been strategically important to the United States and to the West for a very long time," Rubio said. "I think we now have the opportunity to see it for what it is, and that is one, if not the most important, one of the most critical parts of the world over the next 50 to 100 years will be whether there's going to be freedom of navigation in the Arctic and what that will mean for global trade and commerce." Hyem said he does not know Trump, but thinks "he needs to be briefed a bit more by his civil servants." MORE: Donald Trump Jr. visits Greenland as his father says deal for US to buy it 'must happen' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "His new minister of foreign affairs spoke to the Danish foreign minister -- my party leader and friend -- and they both agreed: 'Let's not discuss Greenland for now,'" Hyem said. The prime minister of Greenland, Mute Egsede, has rejected the idea of selling Greenland to Trump, saying, "Greenland is ours." "We are not for sale and will never be for sale," Egsede said in a statement. "We must not lose our long struggle for freedom." PHOTO: Donald Trump Jr. visits Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 7, 2025. (Emil Stach/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) Officials from Denmark also have not supported Trump's Greenmark proposal, including Danish politician Anders Vistisen, who explicitly urged the newly elected president to "f--- off." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Greenland has been part of the Danish kingdom for 800 years," Vistisen said during a European Parliament meeting on Jan. 21 in Strasbourg, France. "It's an integrated part of our country. It is not for sale." Hyem said if Greenland decided to become independent, "they would immediately be targeted by major global powers." Until then, Hyem said the territory needs more U.S. military investment to help defend it. "I personally can't imagine Greenland becoming fully independent," Hyem said. "Running a country that large with so few people is nearly impossible." Regardless of the future of Trump's Greenland proposal, Hyem said the land holds significant power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Trump might have looked at Greenland as a real estate deal, but for Denmark and Greenland, it's a matter of geopolitical survival," Hyem said. "The Arctic is extremely important, and I agree with Trump on that." Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island originally appeared on abcnews.go.com In January 2025, a post about tech billionaire Elon Musk, purportedly written by someone who knew him for years, was shared widely online. Philip Low, a scientist and founder of NeuroVigil, a company that developed a portable brain activity monitor, reportedly wrote on his social media profiles that Musk was not a Nazi, but that he "believes he is above everyone else." The post available on LinkedIn (archived) and Facebook (archived) was a response to Musk's controversial gesture at U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration rally, which many observers called a Nazi salute. The post said Low had known Musk for 14 years and that they texted frequently and went to each other's birthdays before they had a falling out. Part of the post reads: Elon is not a Nazi, per se. He is something much better, or much worse, depending on how you look at it. Nazis believed that an entire race was above everyone else. Elon believes he is above everyone else. He used to think he worked on the most important problems. When I met him, he did not presume to be a technical person he would be the first to say that he lacked the expertise to understand certain data. That happened later. Now, he acts as if he has all the solutions. [] Elon did two Nazi salutes. He did them for five main reasons: 1. He was concerned that the "Nazi wing" of the MAGA movement, under the influence of Steve Bannon, would drive him away from Trump, somewhere in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, rather than in the West Wing which is where he wants to be. He was already feeling raw over the fact that Trump did not follow his recommendation for Treasury Secretary and that the Senate also did not pick his first choice; 2. He was upset that he had had to go to Israel and Auschwitz to make up for agreeing with a Nazi sympathizer online and wanted to reclaim his "power" just like when he told advertisers to "go f*** yourself". This has nothing to do with Asperger's; 3. There are some Jews he actually hates: Sam Altman is amongst them; 4. He enjoys a good thrill and knew exactly what he was doing; 5. His narcissistic self was hoping the audience would reflect his abject gesture back to him, thereby showing complete control and dominion over it, and increasing his leverage over Trump. That did not happen. Bottom line: Elon is not a Nazi but he did give two Nazi Salutes, which is completely unacceptable. Low and Musk did have a prior connection, as evidenced by their appearance in an interview together, and Musk's early investment in NeuroVigil. However, we do not know the extent of their relationship, nor are we able to independently verify the claims Low makes in his post. We have reached out to Low and Musk through their companies to learn more about their former friendship and will update this post if we receive more information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A NeuroVigil spokesperson told Snopes that the LinkedIn and Facebook posts were indeed written by Low and from his authentic social media accounts. The spokesperson also told us that Musk and Low became friends after meeting in France in 2011. We found a 2013 interview with Low and Musk, where they are seated together and speak about their work with scientist Crystal Dilworth. Per the video description: "Dr. Crystal Dilworth engages in a fireside chat with space entrepreneur Elon Musk and inventor and computational neuroscientist Philip Low to discover how they are changing the world and why." The website for NeuroVigil also listed Musk as an adviser but noted that his services had been terminated. Alongside Musk's bio, it read: Mr. Musk's services as an advisor to NeuroVigil were terminated with cause by Dr. Low on December 17th 2021. Mr. Musk has never held day-to-day operating functions with NeuroVigil, does not speak on behalf of NeuroVigil, and his views, including on neuroscience, artificial intelligence, the COVID-19 pandemic, certain public officials and rescue personnel, animal experimentation, CEO compensation and crypto currencies certainly do not reflect the views of the company. Mr. Musk owns less than 0.05% of NeuroVigil and has not been personally invited to re-invest in the company. In a post from his verified Facebook account, Low gave more detail on Musk's alleged power plays and how his relationship with Musk worsened over time, including an interaction with Musk's ex-wife years ago (emphasis ours): Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All his talk about getting to Mars to "maintain the light of consciousness" or about "free speech absolutism" is actually BS Elon knowingly feeds people to manipulate them. Everything Elon does is about acquiring and consolidating power. That is why he likes far right parties, because they are easier to control. That is also why he gave himself $56 Billion which could have gone to the people actually doing the work and innovations he is taking credit for at Tesla (the reason he does not do patents is because he would not be listed as an inventor as putting a fake inventor on a patent would kill it and moreover it would reveal the superstars behind the work). His lust for power is also why he did xAI and Neuralink, to attempt to compete with OpenAI and NeuroVigil, respectively, despite being affiliated with them. Unlike Tesla and Twitter, he was unable to conquer those companies and tried to create rivals. He announced Neuralink just after I invited his ex-wife, which she and I notified him about, to a fundraising dinner for Hebrew University in London (The fact that she tried to kiss me I immediately pushed her away while taking a photo at that event, even if playfully, clearly may have added to the alienation and possible emasculation he may have felt when she spoke to me in a pool at a party when they were together and she was naked. To not be disrespectful to her or to him, I stayed but looked at the sky whilst talking to her). I fired him with cause in December 2021 when he tried to undermine [NeuroVigil]. It is ironic that years later, he clearly tried to undermine Twitter before buying it, and in my view, blowing it up and using it to manipulate the masses to lean to the far right in country after country, including the USA. While the above statement by Low is from his verified social media account, we cannot confirm the claims within the statement. We do know, however, that Low and Musk had a prior connection through their work, though we do not have all the details on how their personal friendship deteriorated. We will update this story if we hear more from Musk. Sources: "Full Episode: Elon Musk on Mars, Philip Low on the Brain." Keri Kukral, 9 Dec. 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diFftgLbsDI. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025. Liles, Jordan. "Did Musk Give 'Nazi Salute' at Trump's 2025 Inauguration Rally? Here's What We Know." Snopes, 21 Jan. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/01/20/musk-nazi-salute/. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025. "Business Advisory Board." Neurovigil, Inc. https://www.neurovigil.com/index.php/about-us/business-advisory-board#:~:text=of%20the%20company.-,Mr.,re%2Dinvest%20in%20the%20company. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Leadership." Neurovigil, Inc. https://neurovigil.com/index.php/about-us/leadership. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025. Updates: Jan. 31, 2025: The article was updated with a statement from Low's representative. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The building that formerly housed KCAU and another adjacent building in downtown Sioux City will be demolished. The City of Sioux City said in a release that there are immediate safety concerns after a structure collapse and ongoing movement at 625 Douglas Steet. The city held a series of inspections and found that the buildings pose an imminent danger due to structural instability, so the city is moving forward with demolition of the buildings at 625 and 615 Douglas Steet. The city owns both buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The buildings at 625 and 615 Douglas Steet share a wall and foundation. Since the two buildings structures are interconnected, it would be difficult to demolish only one building. They added that there are cracks in the concrete beams that are also impacting the buildings stability. As such, the city deems it necessary to demolish the two buildings for public safety. Sioux City council approves car dealership moratorium, advances levee project As the city develops further plans for demolition, the city installed protective fencing around the walkways for pedestrian safety. KCAU formerly used the building at 625 Douglas Street, moving out of it in February 2017. Afterward, LAMB Arts Theatre had plans to renovate the space with performance spaces as well as classrooms and other educational areas. In April 2024, the city ended the development agreement after no substantial work had been done to restore or maintain the property after part of the roof collapsed and the building was red-tagged. A view of the roof collapse of 625 Douglas Street in July 2023. Demolition of the former KCAU building was estimated to cost $1.3 million, but the lowest bid received for demolition totaled $749,555 from Hebert Construction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials are reviewing plans of how to development the site, and City Council will have to vote 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. DENVER (KDVR) A former LaSalle police officer has pleaded guilty under a plea agreement to manslaughter in a 31-year-old mans shooting death in 2023. On Monday morning, Erik Hernandez pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter. Hernandez, who was then a LaSalle police officer, was responding to a suspicious vehicle call at the Family Dollar on Second Street at about 5 p.m. on May 3, 2023. According to a Weld County District Attorneys Office release in 2023, Hernandez encountered Juston Reffel at the store. 2 killed in Monday morning Denver shooting, 2 in custody Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reffel reportedly ran from officers and got into his vehicle. The district attorney said as Reffel began to drive away, Hernandez fired four shots and struck Reffel in the torso. Reffel was pronounced dead at the scene. The LaSalle Police Departments chief at the time told FOX31 in 2023 that Hernandez was on his third day with the department and was still in field training. He had about six years of prior law enforcement experience with no excessive force complaints, according to the former chief. When a grand jury indictment for second-degree murder was handed down in June 2023, Hernandez was fired from the department. Hernandez faced trial in November 2024, the district attorneys office announced Monday, but the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict, despite deliberating for nearly two days. Hernandez has not been sentenced yet, but as part of the plea agreement the sentencing is open to the court in the presumptive range, the district attorneys office said in a release. Because of this, Hernandez is facing up to six years in Community Corrections (which is a residential supervision program for criminal offenders in Colorado, often referred to as a halfway house) or he could be sentenced to up to six years in the Department of Corrections, followed by two years of parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hernandez could also be sentenced to an unlimited length of probation, with the potential of incarceration of up to two years. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 25. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) A former dance company employee was sentenced on Monday after pleading guilty back in October for stealing from her employers. Erin N. Kelly, 41, of Rockville, stole $160,986.25 from Dawn Crafton Dance Connection between Jan. 1, 2017, and May 31, 2022, according to the Montgomery County States Attorneys Office. She fraudulently diverted funds from customers intended for the dance company into her own bank account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Former Montgomery County dance company employee pleads guilty to embezzling over $100K She pleaded guilty on Oct. 29, 2024, to a theft scheme over $100,000. Kelly was sentenced to three years incarceration with all but six months suspended. She was also ordered to serve three years of supervised probation upon release and must pay full restitution by Feb. 3, 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. A former Pierce County probation officer who admitted to having a sexual relationship with a client assigned to him was sentenced Friday to a year in jail. Mario Joseph Tropiano, 40, pleaded guilty Nov. 8 in Pierce County Superior Court to second-degree custodial sexual misconduct for having sex with a client between 2022 and 2023 while he had the ability to influence the terms of her probation. Judge Timothy Ashcraft handed down the punishment, which was at the high end of the standard sentencing range, according to court records. Tropiano had no prior criminal convictions, and he has remained out of custody for the duration of the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tropiano will have to register as a sex offender, and he was ordered to have no contact with the victim for five years. An investigation began in October 2023 after an attorney for the victim, a 41-year-old woman, informed the court that his client had an intimate relationship with her former probation officer, Tropiano, and it was causing her to have adverse emotions about meeting with her current officer. At the time, Tropiano was working a probation-officer assignment in Des Moines. He was placed on administrative leave after the city manager was informed of the sexual misconduct allegations. He was assigned to the victims case through Pierce County District Court in July 2022 for a misdemeanor and was her probation officer until August 2023 when he moved to Montana because his father was ill, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evidence showed that Tropiano and the victim had sexual contact through text messages, at her home, in hotels and occasionally at his office. Tropiano allegedly told the victim he would write to a judge to help her get off probation, and he wanted her to complete probation so could date her without consequence. He also allegedly gave the woman $1,500 for rent after she lost a large amount of money gambling. In a statement to Tacoma Police Department officers, the woman said she felt Tropiano was a predator who used information he learned about her while he was her probation officer to take advantage of her. She said she felt if she didnt comply with Tropiano, she believed he would make the conditions of her probation worse or have her put in jail. ENID, Okla. (KFOR) According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, a former police officer has been convicted of child sex abuse. The OSBI says that on October 7, 2022, the Garfield County Sheriffs Office asked the bureau for help investigating alleged sexual misconduct by a former Oklahoma and Kansas police officer. LOCAL NEWS: A.G. Drummond asking for publics help finding two fugitives on 10 Most Wanted list Brock England. Image courtesy OSBI. The investigation led OSBI Special Agents to 34-year-old Brock England, who was a police officer in both Wichita and Enid from 2014 to 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, investigators say it was determined that England committed several child sex crimes in Oklahoma and Kansas, some of which were during his time as an officer. In March of 2023, England was arrested and booked into the Garfield County Jail on child sex abuse charges. Officials say on January 22, 2025, England was found guilty by the Garfield County District Court of Child Sex Abuse with a Child Under the age of 12 and two counts of Lewd Molestation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Funeral services for former San Angelo Mayor Joel Burton Terrill have been scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 1, at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church. Terrill was born in San Angelo in 1941. After graduating from Lake View, Terrill attended and graduated from Texas A&M University. He then went on to serve in the US Army for 10 years, where he completed two tours in Vietnam and worked in the Pentagon with the Army Staff. Upon his return to San Angelo, Terrill operated multiple businesses, including Terrill Manufacturing and Rainbow Oils. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Terrill began his stent in local government in 1980. From 1980 to 1985, Terrill was a member of the city council. Terrill was then the mayor of San Angelo from 1985 to 1987. Terrill passed away on Jan. 21, 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 ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Tom Vilsack speaks at the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue at the Iowa Events Center Oct. 24, 2023. (Photo by Scott Morgan / World Food Prize Foundation) Tom Vilsack will return to Iowa as CEO of the World Food Prize Foundation, headquartered in Des Moines, following his role as U.S. secretary of agriculture during the Biden-Harris administration. Vilsack takes the place of Mashal Husain, who was named the president of the foundation following the retirement announcement of former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad from the position in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vilsack served as Iowas 40th governor from 1999 until 2007, when he left to serve as U.S. secretary of agriculture during the Obama administration. The World Food Prize Foundation has a phenomenal and important history of advancing innovation to address global food security, Vilsack said in a press release. I am honored to have the opportunity to build on that legacy, working closely with Mashal Husain and the talented team to extend the Foundations impact worldwide. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX According to a press release from the foundation, Vilsack will focus on addressing global food insecurity and expanding the global network of the foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Husain, as president, will continue to lead programming for the foundation. Board Chair Paul Schickler called it an exciting era for the Foundation thanks to the combination of Vilsacks diplomatic acumen and Husains innovative programming. Together, they will honor Dr. Norman Borlaugs legacy by addressing the most pressing global food challenges with bold action, strategic alliances and a commitment to equity and sustainability, Schickler said in the release. The World Food Prize was started by Norman Borlaug, often called the father of the green revolution for his work developing a high yielding, disease resistant strain of wheat. Each year the prize honors work that has improved quality, quantity or availability of food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I look forward to forging new partnerships, helping bring to life new solutions in the fight against hunger and championing efforts to ensure a sustainable and equitable food system for future generations, Vilsack said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Family and friends celebrated the legacy of a former Shafter police sergeant at the California Assembly floor on Monday. District 35 Assemblywoman Jasmeet Bains paid tribute to former Sgt. Mosies Martinez on Jan. 27 by addressing the impact he had on the community to other state officials. Sgt. Mosies was born in Los Angeles, but he called Kern County his home, said Bains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was just a down to earth guy: Neighborhood reacts to sudden loss of Shafter Police Sgt. Moises Martinez Over 20 fellow officers, family and friends were all there to remember Sgt. Mosies. The City of Shafter and the Shafter Police Department said in a Facebook post, they are deeply grateful to Assemblywoman Bains for this touching gesture in upholding Mosies memory, while honoring his life and service to our community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) Former UW La Crosse Chancellor, Joe Gow, has filed a federal lawsuit in hopes of being able to teach at the university again. Gow was fired as chancellor in December 2023 for appearing in pornographic videos. The UW Board of Regents terminated his position as a tenured professor in September 2024. University attorneys argue Gow acted unethically, violated his contract, and damaged the schools reputation. In his lawsuit, Gow argues being fired from his professor position violated his free speech rights. The lawsuit also looks to reinstate Gow as a professor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX2548 & WIProud. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A former Wichita police officer has been convicted of child sex abuse, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Brock England (Courtesy Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation) The Garfield County, Oklahoma, Sheriffs Office began investigating the case in October 2022 and asked the OSBI for help. It led to Brock Englands arrest in March 2023. Court documents show he started at the Wichita Police Department in 2014. Then, he moved south to Enid, where he was an officer from July to December 2019. Then, he went back to Wichita. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was on unpaid administrative leave with the WPD when he was charged in Garfield County. 2 children found dead after being trapped in icy Kansas lake OSBI special agents determined that England committed multiple child sex crimes in Oklahoma and Kansas, some of which were during his time as an officer. Last week, England was found guilty of child sex abuse with a child under the age of 12 and two counts of lewd molestation. He will be sentenced on March 17. On Tuesday, the OSBI thanked the WPD, Sedgwick County Sheriffs Office, Garfield County Sheriffs Office, and Enid Police Department for their assistance with this 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 KSN-TV. WASHINGTON The Senate confirmed former Rep. Sean Duffy as the next secretary of transportation on Tuesday, marking a return to public office for the northwestern Wisconsin Republican after a nearly six-year hiatus. Duffy, 53, was confirmed on a 77-22 vote. He was among President Donald Trump's least controversial cabinet picks and garnered bipartisan praise at his confirmation hearing earlier this month. Still, a number of Democratic senators voted against him in response to President Donald Trump's federal funding freeze. He will oversee a department of more than 50,000 employees responsible for the nation's transportation system, including planning and coordinating federal transportation projects and setting safety regulations. The agency includes the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duffy represented Wisconsins 7th Congressional District from 2011 until his early retirement in 2019. Before Congress, Duffy was a reality TV actor in the 1990s on MTV's "The Real World," where he met his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy. He later served as the district attorney of Ashland County. After his departure from Congress, Duffy joined the lobbying firm BGR Group and became co-host of the Fox Business show "The Bottom Line." He left both jobs this past November, when Trump nominated him to the DOT post, according to his financial disclosure. Duffy does not have extensive experience in the world of transportation. But his supporters, including Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin, have noted he led a bipartisan effort to secure funding for the St. Croix Crossing, a bridge between Wisconsin and Minnesota, during his time in Congress. He also dealt with infrastructure projects as part of the Great Lakes Task Force while on Capitol Hill. During his confirmation hearing in January, Duffy pledged to reduce the red tape that slows critical infrastructure projects and modernize transportation systems. He said his top priority is safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among other issues, Duffy said he would work with Congress and the FAA to restore confidence in Boeing, a plane manufacturer that has come under federal scrutiny due to several high-profile incidents. He said Boeing needs tough love and added he would push the FAA to make sure Boeing is implementing their safety plan, calling the need to help the manufacturer a national security issue. He indicated he would support the continuation of infrastructure projects funded under the Biden administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law something a number of Democratic senators pressed him on in recent weeks. Duffy's commitments won praise from Democratic senators on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, which oversaw his confirmation hearing. The committee unanimously voted to advance his nomination last week. Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell, the committees top Democrat, told the Journal Sentinel she was encouraged by Duffy's testimony and pledges during his confirmation hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He made good commitments to important policies that this committee has already passed into law and a secretary is called upon to implement, Cantwell said. And so I feel very positive about it." Baldwin, Wisconsin's Democratic senator, has said Duffy is the right person for the job. Still, a number of Democratic senators opposed Duffy's confirmation on Tuesday in what appeared to be pushback on Trump's move to freeze on federal assistance. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, told the Journal Sentinel he voted against Duffy's confirmation out of protest. "I voted against Sean Duffy because he is the nominee for secretary of transportation, which has responsibility for implementing many of the funding programs that have now been frozen illegally," Blumenthal said. "I want to hear from him (whether) he's going to stand up to the president and say 'no' to this unconstitutional and unlawful order." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In remarks on the Senate floor this week, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said Duffy was focused on creating a "safe and efficient transportation system." He accused the Biden administration of focusing on "forcing Americans into electric vehicles" and instituting a "progressive ideology in transportation policy." Like other lawmakers in recent weeks, Thune mentioned Duffy's work to secure funding for the bridge in St. Croix and membership on the Great Lakes Task Force. He said Duffy is focused on creating a "safe and efficient transportation system" and joked that Duffy's experience moving around his nine children "is by itself preparation for this job." "As a resident of a rural state myself, I appreciate that, coming from rural Wisconsin, he knows the infrastructure needs in rural parts of the country are just as important as those anywhere else," Thune said of Duffy. "Sean Duffy will bring valuable experience and knowledge to the Transportation Department," he added, "and he has a proven track record of working with Republicans and Democrats to deliver good infrastructure for the people we all serve." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Sean Duffy wins Senate confirmation as secretary of transportation Philippines telco PLDT and its wireless arm Smart, in collaboration with telco industry players and academia, has unveiled the first Open RAN laboratory in the South East Asian nation of islands. PLDT and Smart have joined partners from USAID, University of the Philippines (UP), Department of Information and Communications Technology, Asia Open RAN Academy and other telcos in unveiling the country's first Open RAN lab at UP in Quezon City. PLDT and Smart were involved in defining the lab's architecture and design and also assisted in identifying the requirements for the lab setup. The laboratory is envisioned to be a "centre of collaboration on training and research, workforce development, and performance testing" of Open RAN in the Philippines. According to PLTD, Open RAN will potentially allow telcos like Smart to mix and match hardware and software from any vendor by allowing the different components of the radio network to be disaggregated with the use of open-source software and general-purpose hardware. "The technology's benefits include helping Telcos save on cost, enabling operators to be more flexible and agile, and making their network more intelligent and efficient, which will, in turn, pave the way for the best customer experience and more innovative services," PLTD says. Smart Wireless Network Head Debbie M. Hu said, adding that the lab's systems will be made available for PLDT and Smart to support the companies' technical capability development, testing, research, and collaborative studies essential in paving the way for future innovations. "We are proud to participate and contribute in the planning and design of this facility and to provide technical advice during the building process of this innovation lab, which we believe will contribute significantly to advance open, interoperable, and disaggregated network technologies in the Philippines," Hu said. Smart Head of Wireless Network Strategy and Architecture Radames Vittorio Zalameda expressed gratitude to USAID and UP for making the state-of-the-art facility a reality. "Here, the principle of 'failing fast and succeeding faster,' a mindset our Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan consistently instills in us, proves to be entirely achievable, even in the intricate world of 5G wireless technology," Zalameda said. Jan. 27A judge sentenced a former Youth Development Center staff member to two 10- to 20-year "stand-committed" sentences Monday for holding down a 14-year-old boy in a staircase as two other youth counselors allegedly raped him in the 1990s. Bradley Asbury, 70, stood looking straight ahead, seemingly without emotion, in Courtroom 2 at Hillsborough County Superior Court North as Judge Will Delker sentenced him to the maximum punishment after a jury found him guilty in November on two counts of being an accomplice to aggravated assault. Stand committed is a legal term used in criminal cases that means the defendant must serve the time at a jail, house of corrections, or prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the 14 years that I have been a judge on this bench, this is one of the most sadistic cases that I have ever seen," Delker said. "Nothing short of the full punishment that is authorized by law is appropriate in this case, and even that isn't going to erase the damage that you've done. "But your sentences are going to stand as a clear statement that society and the criminal justice system will have zero tolerance for the kind of violence and abuse of powers that you inflicted." In November, a jury found Asbury, a former house leader at the YDC, guilty of holding down Michael Gilpatrick, then 14 years old, in a staircase as two other youth counselors allegedly raped him in May 1998. The jury deliberated over the course of three days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (The Union Leader doesn't routinely identify victims of sex crimes, but Gilpatrick had gone public with his allegations.) Sitting in the front row, Gilpatrick, 41, put his hands over his face and wiped away tears as the sentence was read, as his wife Kelly kept her hand on his upper back. Surrounded by about a half-dozen friends and family members, Gilpatrick addressed reporters briefly outside the courtroom, saying he is "beyond grateful." "The truth came out, the people believed me," Gilpatrick said. "It was a long road coming. The way the judge handed down that sentence, gave me a sense of justice. I know I still have a little bit of a road to go, and I'm going to continue to fight for my justice, but today was a big win." As Gilpatrick and his family and friends left the courtroom, supporters of Asbury yelled, "Liar!" and "The truth will come out." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asbury told the court he's innocent and plans to appeal the verdict. Prosecutor Audriana Mekula said she believes the sentencing is "more than fair and more than appropriate." "Sentencing this defendant to the maximum penalty that a judge can sends a strong message," Mekula said. "I do think this case warrants that kind of punishment and I think the judge, in his statements before handing down the sentence, is absolutely correct." In a statement, Attorney General John Formella said Asbury's sentence "underscores the gravity" of his actions and sends a "clear message that this type of conduct will not be tolerated in New Hampshire." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I want to acknowledge the bravery of the victim in this case who came forward to testify," Formella said. "His courage was integral to achieving justice in this case. I also extend my sincere thanks to the trial team for their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment. We will continue our work to seek justice for YDC victims." Prior to sentencing, Gilpatrick joined his wife Kelly at a podium as she read a pre-written victim-impact statement "I'm standing here today not just as his wife, but as someone who has witnessed the strength it has taken for him to survive what you did," Kelly Gilpatrick said. "You, Mr. Asbury, you've caused damage that no amount of strength can erase. The trauma you inflicted on my husband, although years ago, that never leaves." Asbury sat staring straight ahead during Gilpatrick's statement, showing no emotion. He did grab a tissue to wipe his eyes as his youngest stepson, Matt LaBerge, spoke about Asbury's character and the "positive and influential presence" he was in his life, asking for the leniency he felt his stepfather "so rightly deserves." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delker said Asbury was in a position of authority to try and reform kids before they became "irredeemably lost." "I don't say this with any illusion that Michael at that age was an innocent waif like Oliver waiting to be saved, but you took advantage of your power to teach him a lesson that he would never forget, and you crossed a line that cannot be crossed," Delker said. "You believed that no one would believe a kid like Michael Gilpatrick because of his history and his background. "Well, Mr. Asbury, you were very, very wrong." pfeely@unionleader.com EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Fort Bliss is providing additional support and training for the border mission in response to the national emergency declared by the Trump Administration, according to a news release sent out by the post on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Fort Bliss said it is supporting US Northern Command and Joint Task Force North, which is headquartered at Fort Bliss. Fort Bliss said it is providing both organizations with joint reception, staging, onward movement, and integration, which is training that prepares military personnel, equipment, and materials for their mission. This process consists of providing a robust training program to ensure service members are ready to support the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in securing the southern border, Fort Bliss said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the training is complete, forces will move from Fort Bliss to locations along the southern border where they will be supporting enhanced detection and monitoring efforts, while repairing and emplacing physical barriers, Fort Bliss said. Fort Bliss says its Biggs Army Airfield is also being used to support the Department of Homeland Security in augmenting the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in deportation flight efforts. Specifically, the Department of Defense is supporting ICE by providing military airlifts for the mission, Fort Bliss said. Fort Bliss says it received approximately 750 active-duty forces that are part of the 1,500 US Army and the US Marine Corps troops deploying to the southern border that will augment the current 2,500 service members that are already deployed to the southern border mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Approximately 100 soldiers of the 202nd Military Police Company from Fort Bliss will join military active-duty forces and will operate under the direction of the US Northern Command and JTF-North. Im incredibly proud of our Soldiers, whose readiness, competence, character and professionalism exemplify the very best of our Army, said Lt. Col. Samantha Hoxha, commander of the 93rd Military Police Battalion. Their ability to rapidly deploy and execute this critical mission reflects their unwavering commitment to defending our nations interests and protecting its borders with honor and distinction. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FORT DODGE, Iowa A Fort Dodge woman has been accused of intentionally setting a residence on fire over the weekend. On Sunday at around 1:41 p.m. the Fort Dodge fire and police departments responded to a report of a structure fire in the 200 block of North 12th Street. When first responders arrived at the scene they found a fire on the second floor of the residence. One injured in Ames grass fire that spread to home Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the rest of the building. The Fort Dodge Police Department said the building was occupied when the fire started, but no injuries occurred. According to the police department, the cause of the fire appeared to be suspicious and as the investigation progressed it was determined that the fire was started intentionally. Megan S. Freeman, 34, was arrested and charged in connection to the fire. Freeman has been charged with first-degree arson, third-degree arson, and first-degree harassment. She is currently being held at the Webster County Jail on a $29,000 cash-only bond. Iowa News: 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 who13.com. A Fox News panel gushed at the idea of Donald Trump being added to Mt. Rushmore just a week into his second term. The topic, which has again been floated in conservative circles in recent days, was praised as an epic idea by the panel of Outnumbered on Monday afternoon. The former Republican lawmaker Jason Chaffetz was among those in favor. Hey, if theres room up there I think itd be great, he said. I think what Donald Trump has doneand is in the process of doingis transforming the United States of America and putting America first. And I think America loves it, and I think theres a great case for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps former press secretary Kayleigh McEnany agreed. Im fascinated by this because that would be some sweet irony after President Joe Biden stopped the fireworks display from Mount Rushmore. So if you did like the 250th anniversary of the country at Mount Rushmore with President Trumps face, it would be epic, she said. Graphic aired by Fox News on Monday afternoon. / Fox News McEnany indicated Trump should not stop at having his face chiseled next to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in the Black Hills of South Dakota. She wants Dulles International Airportserving the nations capital out of Virginiato be named after him, too. So you have Trump and you have Reagan in DCA, she said, referring to the name of Washingtons other airport. Wouldnt that be something special for the swamp? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only commentator who opposed Trumps face being emblazoned on Mt. Rushmore was Emily Compagno, who said she outright disagrees with the practice in general. I hate that we chiseled humans faces into the mountains, she said. Compagno said she would rather see Trumps face on some sort of currency. She also indicated she would be in favor of the DC areas largest airport being named after Trump instead of John Foster Dulles, an influential Secretary of State in the Cold War. Lisa Boothe chimed into to make it three on the panel in favor of a hypothetical Donald Trump International Airport. Mondays panel on Outnumbered. / Fox News I do fully support changing Dulles airport after President Trump, she said. It also makes a lot of sense because you have Reagan here in D.C. with DCA, and theres a lot of parallels between the two presidents of inheriting terrible economies, instability around the world, and then building off of that, fixing those problems, and then going on to tons of success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was not named as such until 1998, nearly a decade after the Republican president left office. Still, some in the MAGA world are intent on having the 78-year-old Trump honored while hes still president. Count Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, among that crowd. She claimed in a post to X on Friday she was actually filing legislation as we speak about getting Trump added to Mt. Rushmore. Fox News is trying to make adding Donald Trump to Mount Rushmore happen. Following a MAGA push over the weekend to change the national monument, the hosts of Fox Newss Outnumbered praised the idea on Monday morning, with Harris Faulkner claiming a growing number of conservatives are pushing to add Trump to the legendary monument. Contributor Jason Chaffetz, a former member of Congress, expressed his support for Trump being added to the South Dakota landmark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hey, if theres room up there I think itd be great, Chaffetz said. I think what Donald Trump has doneand is in the process of doingis transforming the United States of America and putting America first. And I think America loves it, and I think theres a great case for it. Trump reportedly floated the idea of having his face added to the mountain during his first term in 2020, even asking South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (now his DHS secretary) about the possibility. Nothing came of it except for Noem gifting Trump an $1,100 bust of the monument with his face on it that same year. This time around, the idea has gotten some attention on the right thanks to Trumps former aide, conservative pundit Corey Lewandowski, who raised the idea on fellow right-wing pundit Benny Johnsons show on Friday, suggesting a MAGA legislator could get the ball rolling. Representative Anna Paulina Luna then chimed in on X to say that she planned to introduce legislation to get Trumps mug on the monument. Leaving aside the absurdity of the idea, its not feasiblethe National Park Service said in 2020 that there is no secure space on the mountain. Not to mention that any attempt would be quite an expense for the American taxpayer for an administration pledging to increase government efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Realizing this, other Fox personalities on Outnumbered floated changing the name of Dulles International Airport to Trump International Airport instead, likening it to Ronald Reagan National Airport in the D.C. metro area. That idea was floated last year by Republicans in Congress, only to be met with a tongue-in-cheek response from House Democrats to instead name a federal prison after the convicted felon president. Now that Republicans have control of both houses of Congress with Trump in office, though, Trump will likely have his name or face on something before he leaves office. Hopefully, its something akin to the poor excuse for a state park that bears his name. A group of panelists on Fox News Channels Outnumbered voiced support for the idea of President Trump one day being added to Mount Rushmore. Hey, if theres room up there, I think itd be great, said Fox contributor and former GOP rep. Jason Chaffetz (Utah). I think what Donald Trump has done, and is in the process of doing, is transforming the United States of America and putting America first. And I think America loves it, and I think theres a great case for it. Kayleigh McEnany, Trumps former press secretary, agreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yeah, Im fascinated by this, because that would be some sweet irony after President Joe Biden stopped the fireworks display from Mount Rushmore, she said. So, if you did, like, the 250th anniversary of the country at Mount Rushmore with President Trumps face, it would be epic. The Fox News segment was first highlighted by Mediate. Others on the panel suggested Trumps face be added to U.S. currency or other famous installations around the country be named after him. So I dont know if it would be even feasible at that point, but I do fully support changing Dulles Airport after President Trump, Fox contributor Lisa Boothe said. It also makes a lot of sense because you have Reagan here in D.C. with DCA, and theres a lot of parallels between the two presidents of inheriting terrible economies, instability around the world, and then building off of that, fixing those problems and then going on to tons of success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has openly mused about the possibility of his face being added to Mount Rushmore, saying in 2019 he has a lot of respect for the monument. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The new Franklin County prosecutor has announced her transition team as she looks to implement her key priorities in her new role. Meanwhile, her Columbus City Council replacement was selected Monday and will bring a familiar name to the city. Democrat Shayla Favor, who was a Columbus City Council member since 2019, won the November election over Republican attorney John Rutan to become the countys new top attorney. Favor announced Monday her 14-member transition team to develop recommendations for current operations and identify critical issues, as said by her office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Incoming Ohio law to raise penalties for driving under the influence Favor has never prosecuted a felony criminal case but worked in the Columbus City Attorneys office as a legal investigator before moving to assistant city attorney, overseeing zoning, health, fire, and building code violation cases. The chair of her transition team will be Janet Jackson, a former Columbus City Attorney and Franklin County judge in Municipal Court. My aim with this transition team was to assemble a diverse group of people who have been effective in addressing different aspects of public safety and community support, Favor said. The remainder of her transition team includes: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Ingram (Co-Chair and senior associate legal counsel of Ohio States office of legal affairs) Christie Angel (Managing partner for BroadView Talent Partners) Bishop Timothy Joseph Clarke (Senior pastor of First Church of God) Scott Clinger (Retired Columbus police officer) Rob Dorans (Columbus City Council president pro tempore and chief legal counsel for ACT Ohio) Steve Dunbar (Assistant Columbus city attorney) Terry Green (Founder and CEO of Think Make Live Youth) Chenelle Jones (Public safety programs chair and director at Franklin University Center for public safety and cybersecurity education) Kris Long (Franklin County deputy county administrator) Diane Menashe (Partner of Menashe Law Group) Jocelyn Rosnick (ACLU of Ohio policy director) Dave Thomas (Partner of Taft Law) Janica Pierce Tucker (Parnter-in-charge of Taft Law) Emmett Kelly (partner at Frost Brown Todd) Denise Robinson (president and CEO of Alvis) Columbus City Council also completed its transition and voted in the new councilmember that will replace Favor. Otto Beatty III, the stepson of U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty (D-OH), was voted in unanimously to join the city council. I was chosen in particular for my expertise in housing, Beatty III said. Im hoping in the area of housing that we can open up opportunities for all the citizens and not just those, you know, young professionals, but older adults who may be struggling with those 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. Icy conditions closed Interstate 5 between the Grapevine and Castaic Monday morning with weather authorities issuing warnings about pre-dawn freezes Tuesday and Wednesday. Crews were working to de-ice portions of the highway through Lebec and Gorman Monday and by mid-morning the snow was letting up and officials reopened the road. By noon, much of the road had reopened. "We are starting to get people in position so that way we can open the north-and-southbound lanes," D.C. Williams, spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol at Fort Tejon, said before the opening Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams said the first group of vehicles to be let back onto the highway would be escorted to prevent people from driving dangerously on roads that may still be wet and slick. Having vehicles continuously moving over the road will help keep it warm, Williams said, preventing further freezing. With the weather clearing, Williams said he didn't see the road having to be closed again unless there is a large number of traffic accidents. "Dont go rushing through here," Williams said. "Be prepared tonight when temperatures drop again. Be extremely careful." Trystin Schivers, office assistant with the CHP office in Mojave, said that while there was some snow on Highway 58, the roadway was open with no plans for closure. Schivers also urged drivers to use caution, drive slower and keep extra space between vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snow at higher elevations was starting to clear, said Stephen McCoy, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Hanford, but freezing conditions are still expected overnight through Wednesday morning. "The freezing temperatures are our main concern," McCoy said. "As we get further up into higher elevation, we're kind of concerned with morning low temperatures." Areas that received precipitation could see wet surfaces freeze overnight, creating dangerous conditions on roads and potentially impacting crops and outdoor piping. The NWS issued a freeze watch notice for the Southern San Joaquin Valley starting 1 a.m. Monday and ending Wednesday morning saying, there's a 50% to 95% chance of subfreezing morning temperatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunny but cool conditions are expected later in the week with clouds and a low chance of precipitation moving in for the weekend. Snow or ice closures were issued for the El Tejon Unified School District, Mojave Unified School District and Peak to Peak Mountain Charter school. Meadows Field Airport received just over a quarter of an inch of rain over the weekend, McCoy said, with not much more on the horizon. Bakersfield typically receives about an inch of rain by the end of January, and while recent precipitation has dampened the brush fueling Southern California's wildfires, McCoy said these rains could lead to additional fuel in the warmer months. While several wildfires have been burning throughout Southern California most notably the Palisades and Eaton fires which killed 28 people were mostly contained Monday, rain also led to damaging mudslides in some burned areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional weather information is available from the National Weather Service at forecast.weather.gov. Information on road closures can be found on social media pages for the California Highway Patrol, Fort Tejon area; Instagram: @chp_fort.tejon and X: @CHPFortTejon. School closure information can be found at the Kern County Superintendent of Schools alert line, alertline.kern.org. DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) The trucking world is saddened after John Summerford, who friends say was a Dothan area trucking pioneer, passed away last week after battling a recent illness. It was very shocking, for sure. He is going to leave a big hole in the trucking industry, said Luke Knight. Summerford, an Ashford native, was a second-generation business owner of the Summerford truck line based out of Ashford since 1928. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local Alabama trucking company CEO, John Summerford dies Hes credited for expanding the company two years after he became involved in 1978 to serve all 48 states and growing a team of over 250 people. Its just sad to see him gone. I didnt expected it anytime soon and I thought he had more years in him, As for him being a well-respected businessman, that was for sure he took something small and grew it. Sixteen years after taking the helm at the company, he continued being an entrepreneur, owning his pallet and cattle company. He wasnt scared to try different industries. He loved his cows and cattle he always had something to do with them, explained Church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troopers see hundreds of crashes, calls during south Alabama snowstorm Outside of a businessman, friends say he was a pillar in his community. In 2023, he was inducted in the Dothan business hall of fame. He was big in the community big in sports, giving back to the wiregrass area ball teams, Knight told WDHN. Summerford is described as a mans man who was tough as nails but never raised his voice. Friends say he was wealthy in knowledge about the trucking industry, too. I took a lot of notes and spent a lot of time with him, and he helped me build my business to what it is today, said Church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Summerford leaves behind a wife, three daughters, a host of grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A lot of people looked up to him. He was the kind of person that you really wanted your kids around and your family, said Knight. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) A nonprofit organization in Springfield is holding an event to raise money for a young adult emergency housing program. New North Citizens Council (NNCC), was awarded nearly $1 million from the states health and human services for a new program to help youth homelessness. This program will create a space in the centers Birnie Avenue location for 20 emergency beds for transitioning-age young adults. Officials announce funding for electric buses for Springfield Public Schools Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new program, Joshuas House, is set to open this summer. However, according to a news release sent to 22News from NNCC Co-Director Jarix Santiago, additional funds are needed to complete the renovations. The Fund The Finish event by the New North Citizens Council is being held at White Lion Brewery in Springfields Tower Square on Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The funds raised will help provide stability and resources for youth in need. Tickets are $50 and include appetizers, and nonalcoholic drinks with an opportunity to learn about the program, network, and support the cause. A silent auction will also be held, where attendees can bid on items donated by community partners. For more information, visit Joshuas House Fundraiser on Facebook. 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. President Donald Trump's decision to exit the World Health Organization means the U.N. agency is losing its biggest funder. For the two-year budget ending in 2025, the U.S. is projected to be WHOs largest single contributor by far. It is expected to donate $958 million, or nearly 15%, of the agencys roughly $6.5 billion budget. Most of the U.S.'s contribution and most of WHO's budget overall is via voluntary contributions. WHO member countries are assessed membership fees based on a country's gross domestic product. But countries and other groups can make voluntary contributions to WHO to spend on designated issues. About 70% of WHO's budget comes from these voluntary contributions, which makes it difficult for the agency to set its own public health priorities. In 2022, WHO member countries agreed to reform its financing model, aiming to make countries' membership fees about half of its budget by 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WHO 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. U.S. public health officials were told this week to stop working with the World Health Organization, effective immediately. Here's a list of WHO's top donors: U.S.: $958 million Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: $689 million Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance: $500 million European Commission: $412 million World Bank: $268 million Germany: $324 million United Kingdom: $215 million Canada: $141 million European Investment Bank: $119 million ___ 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. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (R), speaks as President Donald Trump watches at a news conference announcing A.I. investments at the White House in Washington, DC on Jan. 21, 2025. Credit - Getty Images2025 Getty Images This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox. Stop me if youve heard this one: a tech tool owned by a foreign adversary is thrusting its tentacles into the devices in tens of millions of Americans pockets, giving its owners the chance to harvest vast amounts of data about them while shaping how they interpret the world around them, either real or imagined. Pretty bold, huh? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was, in essence, why the U.S. Supreme Court just this month unanimously upheld a law effectively banning TikTokbecause Congress saw it as a national security risk that stood to benefit China. Given the challenges coming from Beijing, justices said Washington was within its power to deny it one of its strongest toeholds out of concern that it could be used to surveil Americans, steal their secrets, and feed them a stream of propaganda useful to Chinas big-picture goals. (For its part, the China-based parent company ByteDance has rejected U.S. fears about nefarious uses for its TikTok.) So Congress told tech companies like Apple and Google they would run afoul of U.S. law if they kept providing Americans access to the app and its updates if TikTok remained under Chinese ownership. Yet TikTok is still available in the U.S. in some sort of Kafkaesque legal limbo because President Trump refuses to enforce the law on the books. That unusual situation is about to get more complicated, now that a second app that poses a similar threat to U.S. security interests this week hit the top of Apples downloads. DeepSeek, a challenger to OpenAIs ChatGPT, sure seems to pose a lot of the same threats that national security hawks have argued a Chinese-owned platform for viral videos does. Unlike TikTok, DeepSeek is pretty upfront that its sending users data to servers in China. So itll be heading toward the same fate as TikTok, right? Forgive me while I suppress this chuckle. The joke, of course, is that much of Washington started this week waiting to see if the new President would glower at the hot new app from China. Equally as plausible, Trump could be convinced that DeepSeek was a welcome addition to the app stores that came to market on his watch. After all, he praised its blockbuster debut as a positive development when he met with House Republicans on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maybe a wait-and-see pose is the sage new default from Congress, K Street, the think-tank universe, and the corporate headquarters policy shops. Its like the off-color joke at a dinner party; no one wants to be the first to smirk or to scold, especially when someone as mercurial asTrump is the lone arbiter. Remember: TikTok started off a subject of Trumps ire, with him calling for its ban during his first stay in the White House. But when he realized it could be used to offset Facebook, which he blamed for his 2020 loss, he switched his footing in the most predictable of ways. It wasnt that the tech giants were recklessly spreading disinformation, it was that they were potentially favoring liberal disinformation over the MAGA-ified kind. In his telling, Trump saved TikTok for its 170 million users in the United States last week with an order that it be given a 75-day reprieve from the divestment law while it considers a sale to a non-Chinese holder. Legal experts say this is probably outside of Trumps power but not beyond his abilityat least for a whilegiven that his administration can choose which laws get priority enforcement and which might slide a beat. The DeepSeek example is less clear as to how much Trump might be able to puff up his chesteither in embracing it or expelling it. Trump has already made a grand show of his interest in America dominating China in the A.I. space. He used his first full day back in the White House to showcase a joint venture featuring OpenAI that could invest up to $500 billion on building power plants and data centers needed to fuel the fast-growing artificial intelligence footprint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That confidence proved way off the mark. Days later, DeepSeek was getting global attention for a product that rivals widely available offerings from Google and OpenAI, and they threw it together faster than their rivals and on the cheap with open-source coding. The sudden surge for DeepSeek similarly caught Trump as surprised, although the Presidents first comments about it on Monday carried their typical non-specific nature. The release of DeepSeek A.I. from a Chinese company should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser focused on competing, Trump said. "I've been reading about China and some of the companies in China, one in particular coming up with a faster method of A.I. and much less expensive method, and that's good because you don't have to spend as much money, he also said. Others in his party were more direct about their concerns in a way that echoed those made much of last year about TikTok. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeepSeeka new A.I model controlled by the Chinese Communist Partyopenly erases the CCPs history of atrocities and oppression, said Rep. John Moolenaar, the Michigan Republican who leads the Houses China panel. The U.S. cannot allow CCP models such as DeepSeek to risk our national security and leverage our technology to advance their A.I. ambitions. But many of the efforts to surpass Chinese advances on A.I. date to a Biden-era sanctions regime that sought to keep China lagging by restricting access to U.S.-made semiconductor chips that were seen as necessary for any real advances. That hurdle forced Chinese engineers like those at DeepSeek to find workarounds, and they did so in ways that are leaving U.S. tech wonks both impressed and nervous. The rise of DeepSeek and its potential to upend long-held assumptions about others A.I. capacitiesand costs, both fiscal and geopoliticalsent markets spiraling as the week began. Chip maker Nvidia lost $600 billion of its market value. Early trading Tuesday showed the tech giants rebounding slightly. If China could do this without vaunted Nvidia chips, maybe investors put too much faith in that firm. (The company counters that DeepSeek still required their chips, which it had hoarded before the new rules snapped into place.) Other firms with big footprints in D.C. and ambitions in Silicon Valley for their own A.I. systems were similarly watching to see what this means for their products. The likes of Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta, Amazon, and OpenAIs patron Microsoft all are left wondering if the ground beneath them has shifted for a technology that might define the next economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond Wall Street, the development drew fresh questions for the wonks in Washington about the American supremacy on machine learning, risks to privacy, and the very premise of truth. As with TikTok, there is a huge potential audience that derives its content consumptionsome would mistake it for newsthrough the filter of a Chinese algorithm. And it is coming about by Americans acting on their own without any real foreign coercion. Like TikTok, DeepSeek seems to have built in a censorship trigger to block criticism of China and its government. Lets talk about something else, DeepSeeks chatbot said when asked to describe the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Similarly, it carried the Chinese governments positions on Taiwan, Tibet, and the South China Sea. Its not that far off from what Republicans are trying to accomplish in whitewashing the violence on Jan. 6, 2021. On the most basic level, the quandary comes down to this: is there anything to be done if Americans voluntarily engage with a foreign-owned tech platform that can skew perceptions in ways that may well end up being simultaneously counter to facts and self-interest? And if the man in the Oval Office is the enabler of such apps and instructs the Attorney General to ignore a law the Supreme Court upheld just this month, is there anything to be done? Soand, again, stop me if youve heard this oneRepublicans in Washington who profess to be hawks on a rising China are going to sit back and take the cues from Trump, at least for the moment. The ban on TikTok is one he sought and is now ignoring. Trumps whims stand to supersede the decades of calculus that have defined the last two true superpowers. It did not take a clever chatbot to come up with this absurdist set-up. Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the D.C. Brief newsletter. Write to Philip Elliott at philip.elliott@time.com. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Attorney General Gentner Drummond is asking for the publics help capturing two fugitives on the 10 Most Wanted list. According to Drummond, 50-year-old Jayson Geoffrey Evans is wanted for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to do harm in Indian Country as well as eluding a police officer. A reward of up to $7,000 is available for information leading to his arrest. 20-year-old Nicholas Armando Roman is wanted for indecent or lewd acts with a child. A reward of up to $2,000 is available for information leading to his arrest. Jayson Geoffrey Evans. Image courtesy OK AGs Office. Nicholas Armando Roman. Image courtesy OK AGs Office. LOCAL NEWS: Del City pursuit ends with suspect in custody Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were asking Oklahomans to help provide information that can lead to the capture of two dangerous individuals. These suspects have no place walking free in our communities, said Drummond. Since the launch of the 10 Most Wanted program in September, eight fugitives have been taken into custody. Information regarding these two individuals can be reported to the OAGs tip line at 405-343-8107. Through strong partnerships with federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement, we will continue pursuing fugitives from justice until they face the consequences of their alleged crimes. Drummond 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Ambassadors of the Group of Seven (G7) countries called for a swift resolution of the Defense Procurement Agency dispute and urged uninterrupted continuation of weapons procurement, according to their statement on Jan. 27. This comes after Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on Jan. 24 that he would not renew the contract of Maryna Bezrukova, the head of the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA), the body in charge of buying weapons for the Ukrainian military. He cited unsatisfactory results as the reason. Umerovs decision was just days after the DPAs supervisory board voted to extend the contract with Bezrukova after a year of reforming in this role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ambassadors also emphasized the importance of adhering to governance standards. "Consistency with good governance principles and NATO recommendations is important to maintain the trust of the public and international partners," they said in a statement on X. Umerov had earlier criticized the DPA under Bezrukovas leadership, claiming that arms procurement had "turned into an Amazon." Bezrukova told the Kyiv Independent that she would not leave the agency as she was legally selected by the DPAs supervisory board. I'm not going to surrender. I will stand in my position until the end, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also pointed out that procurement for Ukrainian forces could be blocked due to the ongoing conflict. "Contracting and supplies may be blocked because we are in a legal conflict. I cannot perform my duties now because of certain registration procedures," Bezrukova told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Bezrukova added that it is difficult to predict the consequences of the minister's decision and called the situation "a serious reputational loss" that could negatively affect relations with Ukraine's foreign partners. Umerov plans to replace Bezrukova with Arsen Zhumadilov, the director of the State Rear Operator (known under its Ukrainian acronym DOT) which buys food and clothes for the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Parliament committee head calls for defense ministers resignation as defense procurement scandal escalates Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. DONALD TRUMP, IN HIS SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS, promised to make America merit-based again. This week, the Senate will hold hearings for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi GabbardTrumps nominations for secretary of health and human services and director of national intelligence, respectively. Kennedy is a professional conspiracy theorist whose top qualification (if it can be called that) to run Americas public health agencies is his chairmanship of an anti-vaccine advocacy group. Gabbard is a former House member and Army veteran with no intelligence experience. Of course, the nominees merits or lack thereof are irrelevanttheyre MAGA sycophants who are being considered for two of the most important jobs in the country because theyre loyal to Trump. In truth, it would be a relief if Kennedy and Gabbard were merely grossly unqualified. The deeper issue is that Kennedy and Gabbard are anti-qualified. The only conceivable reason to elevate them to the top of the United Statess public health apparatus and intelligence services is to destroy the agencies they have been selected to run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his 2021 book The Real Anthony Fauci: Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health, Kennedy accuses his subject of leading a historic coup detat against Western democracy. He argues that the governments response to the COVID-19 pandemic was the onset of totalitarianism in the United States, that American democracy has been shattered, and that the pandemic turned the country into a totalitarian police state: Some 250 years after Americas historic revolt against entrenched oligarchy and authoritarian rule, the American experiment with self-government was over. Conspiracy theories are easier to find than ever. Smart reporting and honest analysis are much rarer. Thats why The Bulwark exists. Support our mission and join our community by becoming a Bulwark+ member. Kennedy relentlessly attacks the Department of Health and Human Services throughout the book. For example, he explains that HHS led a virus war game scenario (called Crimson Contagion) just months before the pandemic hit, which achieved eerily accurate forecasting with numbers that precisely predicted the official casualty data for COVID-19. He implies that this was no coincidence. Kennedy has special ire for HHS Assistant Secretary Robert Kadlec, who oversaw Operation Warp Speed and Crimson Contagion. He writes that Kadlec had spent two decades writing scripts for using a pandemic to overthrow democracy and curtail constitutional rights. He continues: With this virus simulation, he [Kadlec] included all the key players who would manage what was to become a de facto coup detat sixty days hence. Kennedy concludes: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crimson Contagions planners precisely predicted every element of the COVID-19 pandemicfrom the shortage of masks to specific death numbersmonths before COVID-19 was ever identified as a threat and . . . their overarching countermeasure was the pre-planned demolition of the American Constitution by a scrupulously choreographed palace coup. Trumps nominee to lead HHS believes the department used the COVID-19 pandemic to destroy American democracywhile Trump was still in office. Will any GOP senators ask him about his paranoid hatred for the department hes nominated to lead? Will they ask if he still believes American democracy was destroyed during the pandemic? The list of Kennedys disqualifying statements and beliefs is long. He believes vaccines cause autism but HIV doesnt cause AIDS. He says unvaccinated Americans were worse off during the pandemic than Jews were during the Holocaust, and he has suggested that the people who are most immune to COVID-19 are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese. He has claimed that the COVID vaccine is the deadliest vaccine ever made. Operation Warp Speed was a Trump administration initiative, so Kennedy thinks the president he wants to serve is implicated in the creation of a deadly vaccine and a totalitarian police state. Kennedy now promises that were not going to take vaccines away from anybody. He says he just wants to make sure that Americans have good information and calls for evidence-based science and medicine. Kennedy knows he needs to sane-wash himself in a hurry. But his oft-repeated past statements are readily available to anyone who cares to look, and they demonstrate that Kennedy is a rabid conspiracy theorist who has spent many years targeting the very department Trump nominated him to run. Any senator who doesnt make this the focus of his confirmation hearings is derelict in their duty. Share GABBARD HAS A LONG HISTORY of attacking American intelligence agencies. She has argued that the intelligence community is part of a shadow government pulling the strings in the United States. She claimed that the real power lies with the Deep State, Intel agencies, and propaganda media who got [Biden] elected. She accused intelligence agencies of working with social media companies in an unholy alliance which threatens to destroy what is left of our fragile democracy. She added: Dictatorships need to control the flow of informationand thats whats going on here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Gabbards 2024 book For Love of Country: Leave the Democrat Party Behind, she expressed her horror at Sen. Chuck Schumers 2017 comment that Trump was really dumb for attacking intelligence agencies: Let me tell you, you take on the intelligence community, they have six ways from Sunday at getting back at you. Heres how Gabbard interpreted this comment: I was not at all naive about the power of the national security state. This admission, however, from one of the most high-ranking, powerful Democrats in the country accepted as normal the fact that we are not the free democratic republic we are supposed to be. He was admitting that our democracy is a charade and that our elected leaders, who have been charged with the critical task of overseeing the national security state, are too afraid to do so. Schumers comment was careless, but Gabbards response was far more revealingparticularly for a possible director of national intelligence. She believes American democracy is a charade that is totally subordinate to supremely powerful intelligence agencies. She says its a fact that the United States is no longer a free democratic republic. These comments are consistent with her long record of paranoid denunciations of the intelligence community, and its not as if she made them decades agoher book was published last year. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that Gabbard has repeatedly contradicted the intelligence community. After Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons against civilians in April 2017, Gabbard immediately declared that she was skeptical that the regime was responsibledespite its gruesome record of atrocities against civilians and the fact that she couldnt have assessed any information about the attack at that point. A few months before the attack, Gabbard met with Assad, whom she would later declare was not the enemy of the United States. She opposed U.S. intervention to support Assads opponents, so a chemical attack on civilians launched by the regime was politically inconvenient. Gabbard would continue denying Assads guilt long after American intelligence agencies determined he was responsible. She refused to accept the conclusions of U.S. and French intelligence, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, and the UN. But for some reason, she trusted Theodore Postolan emeritus professor at MIT and a frequent guest for the Russian propaganda outlet RT who has repeatedly questioned the Assad regimes culpability for chemical attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Gabbards 2019 campaign website, she claimed there was evidence to suggest that the attacks may have been staged by opposition forces for the purpose of drawing the United States and the West deeper into the war. This was an echo of Russian propaganda, as was Gabbards claim that Putin deserved credit for fighting terrorism in Syria. Russia was actually involved in the war to prevent a brutal client state from collapsing, and it carried out one of the most indiscriminately destructive bombing campaigns of the twenty-first century (a glimpse at what was in store for Ukraine)not predominantly against ISIS but against the more moderate opposition to Assad, and often against civilians. Gabbards rhetoric often echoes Moscows. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, she blamed the United States for failing to address Russias legitimate security concerns. In November 2023, she declared: The Biden Admin, intel agencies, and propaganda media lied and are still lying to the American people about Ukraine/US sabotage of Nord Stream pipeline. While theres evidence that American intelligence agencies knew about plans to attack the pipeline, the idea that the U.S. government took part in the operation is unsubstantiated. If anything, the CIA apparently urged Ukraine not to go through with it. Gabbard has consistently demonstrated a complete inability to assess intelligence objectively. Whats even more disturbing is that her politicized assessments reliably favor the United Statess adversaries. And whats more disturbing still is that she believes the intelligence community shes been selected to lead has been working behind the scenes to destroy American democracy. Share KENNEDY AND GABBARD HAVE A LOT IN COMMON. Theyre both former Democrats who opportunistically joined the MAGA movement when their own presidential aspirations fizzled. Theyre both conspiracy theorists and alarmists who routinely announce the death of American democracy at the hands of their political foes. And theyre both talented demagogues who put their skills to use for Trumpand are on the cusp of receiving rich rewards for doing so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has always been heavily invested in a narrative of American decline. His political opponents, in his telling, arent just wrong, theyre destroying the United States. Immigration isnt just a problemimmigrants are poisoning the blood of our country. Trump has spent the past few years at war with the American institutions that attempted to hold him accountable for his effort to overthrow the 2020 electionfrom the House January 6th Committee to the justice system. He needed surrogates who could speak the language of anti-institutional paranoia and hostility to convince American voters that, despite appearances, his political opponents posed the true threat to democracy. Kennedy and Gabbard were perfect for the job. When you undermine the authority of the president, Gabbard writes in For Love of Country, referring to the investigation of Trumps alleged ties to Russia in 2016, you take away the power the American people gave him to carry out his presidential duties. This, in effect, is a slow-rolling coup. She continues: The entire permanent Washington machine was activated to play their role in carrying this out: the Democratic National Committee, propaganda media, Big Tech, the FBI, the CIA, and a whole network of rogue intelligence and law enforcement agents working at the highest levels of our government. If you werent already aware, when you hear people talking about the Deep State, this is who theyre referring to. Kennedy and Gabbard see deep state schemes and coups around every corner. Theyve spent years raging against the Washington machine, but if they become integral parts of that machine, theres no telling how much damage theyll cause. Kennedy and Gabbard werent just chosen because Trump wanted to reward loyal surrogatesthey were chosen because they will happily indulge his paranoia and any conspiracy theory that serves his purposes. Conspiracism and opportunism have always come naturally to both of them, and these are the only necessary qualifications in Trumps merit-based government. Share GALESBURG, Ill. (WMBD) One person was hospitalized after being shot in Galesburg Monday morning. Galesburg police responded to reports of shots fired at 2:06 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 27 at the 200 block of North Chambers Street, said Chief Russell Idle. One injured in Galesburg shooting When police arrived, they found a 20-year-old with a gunshot wound in his abdomen and taken to an area hospital. They also found a bullet hole in the outside wall of the house, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No other injuries were reported, and the shooting is still under investigation. This story will be updated when 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 CIProud.com. DERBY, Kan. (KSNW) The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks warns fishermen that you cannot fish for paddlefish in the Arkansas River. Courtesy: KDWP Game Wardens The fish was reintroduced to Kaw Lake in Oklahoma in the 1990s. The reservoir is fed by the Arkansas River. What are the rarest fish you can catch in Kansas and where can you find them? Recently, Kansas game wardens discovered dead paddlefish on the banks of the Arkansas River in Derby. They want to remind fishermen that Paddlefish Snagging Season doesnt open until March 15 and only in designated posted areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Arkansas River is not one of those areas. In areas where paddlefish snagging is allowed, they can be caught and kept if hooked in the mouth. However, there is a daily creel limit of two. For more information about fishing regulations in Kansas, 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 KSN-TV. A would-be robber who shot University of Southern California student Victor McElhaney dead near during an attempted robbery in March 2019 pleaded no contest to murder charges, Los Angeles County prosecutors announced Monday. Ivan Hernandez, 23, who prosecutors say was also a suspected gang member, attacked McElhaney and his friend about a mile from the campus at Maple Avenue and Adams Boulevard with a group of other men. Hernandez is the only suspect in custody and could face 35 years to life at his sentencing in April, prosecutors say. Related: As Fire Evacuees Look to Hotels for Shelter, Officials Are on Price Gouging Alert This no-contest plea ensures that the individual responsible for the senseless and tragic murder of Victor McElhaney will face the consequence of his actions, District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. Victor was a promising young 21-year old university student, a talented drummer and active member of USCs Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs, whose life was cut short by an act of pure violence. Our office will aggressively seek accountability for those who threaten the safety of our communities, and we will not tolerate such heinous crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McElhaney was the son of Oakland City Councilwoman Lynette Gibson McElhaney. He was part of the USC jazz studies program with an interest in the relationship between music and social and political movements. He also mentored young musicians and taught at the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music. His killer, prosecutors say, was a member of the street gang Ghetto Boyz. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Departments Robbery-Homicide Division. He is slated to be sentenced on April 30. A gas station employee was critically injured in a stabbing in central Ohio on Tuesday morning. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The stabbing was reported at a Speedway in Bexley, which is near Columbus. TRENDING STORIES: Police told our news partners at WBNS that the employee was involved in a confrontation with the suspect at a gas station pump when the suspect reportedly pulled out a knife and stabbed the employee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect left the scene in a silver Ford pickup truck that had two other people inside it. The employee was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Detectives told WBNS that their injuries were not life-threatening. The suspect vehicle was later pulled over in Reynoldsburg. One person was arrested and two others were detained, WBNS reported. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Gatwick and Heathrowairports could be expanded under government growth plans - despite strong opposition, including previous objections from Labours energy secretary Ed Miliband over a third runway for Heathrow. On Wednesday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to set out plans to grow the economy, including support for the expansion of Heathrow Airport, where a third runway to the north-west would enable an additional 712 daily flights. The Treasury is also looking at whether to approve a second runway at Gatwick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the plans face opposition. Local residents and envionment groups have voiced concerns over noise and air pollution, while this week Mr Miliband suggested airport expansion plans incompatible with legally-binded limits on UK emissions wont go ahead. The expansion of Londons airports have long been a contentious political issue, with the idea of building a third runway at Heathrow debated for nearly 20 years. So how could increased air capacity impact the UK, as well as those living nearby? Costs and benefits Gatwick Airport already has a second runway only used when the main runway is out of use. Bosses want operate the two runways at the same time, effectively adding a second runway to the airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plans would cost 2.2 billion in private investment, according to Gatwick Airports own estimates. The airport claims opening the second runway would inject 1 billion into the economy each year, and create 14,000 new jobs. Passengers queue for check-in at the departure hall at Gatwick Airport. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has a deadline of 27 February to decide whether to permit Gatwick to bring its existing emergency northern runway into routine use. (EPA) At Heathrow Airport, a 2016 report claimed the opening of a third runway would deliver around 1bn a year in benefits to passengers and the economy over 60 years. The airport claims the expansion would also create tens of thousands of jobs. This is likely why the Chancellor is hinting at a green-light for the airport expansions, in line with the governments focus on intense growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet fresh research from left-leaning think tank the New Economic Foundation (NEF) found that the majority of growth in air capacity since 2006 was down to leisure travel, not business. Taking money out of the UK NEF economist Dr Alex Chapman told the Independent he questioned various estimates of economic benefits from the expansion plans. The government needs to explain how creating millions of flights carrying UK residents mostly frequent flyers - abroad on holiday is going to help our economic security, said Dr Chapman. Encouraging households to spend their money overseas takes precious cash out of high streets and the domestic tourism economy in the UKs wider regions, you might call it anti-levelling-up. Spain is the top destination for Brits travelling abroad. Outgoing tourism makes up far more of new travel than ingoing tourism to the UK, according to the NEFs research. (PA) Despite this, around 19 billion (71 per cent) of the benefits outlined in the Gatwick expansion will be enjoyed by business passengers, according to a separate NEF paper in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But since 2006, 76 per cent of all new holiday travel was made up of Brits going abroad - three times more than tourists visiting the UK (24 per cent). For every inbound tourist generated, three outbound [UK] tourists are created. Continued incentivisation of outbound air travel is taking household spending away from more productive, foundational sectors of the economy, wrote Dr Chapman. More passengers, more flights In 2024, around 83.9 million passengers travelled through Heathrow, breaking previous records. Meanwhile, Gatwick saw 40.9 million passengers in 2023, still down by 13 percent from its pre-Covid traffic levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed expansions would ultimately add 30 million passengers per year at Gatwick, under previous forecasts, and around 60 million at Heathrow, according to a representative. If these forecasts are still correct, then the combined plans would facilitate travel for around 93 million extra passengers coming to and leaving the UK. London airports have more flights and passengers than any other city in the world. Heathrow Aiport said that new plans will create capacity for an additional 260,000 flights per year. Opening up capacity on the second Gatwick runway would add 101,000 flights each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This brings a total of 361,000 new flights each year; an increase of approximately 18 per cent to the UKs existing capacity. In 2024, some 2 million flights occurred in the UK, according to EUROCONTROL data. Around a quarter of these took place at Heathrow, according to its own data. Waht is the environmental impact In 2022, the government estimated that civil aviation alone made up around 7 per cent of all emissions in the UK. Dr Chapmans paper, published in December 2024, shows that emissions will exceed 60 million tonnes of CO2 in just five years if expansions are approved at London airports including Luton and London City Airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The highest contributor to this pollution would be the Heathrow expansion, which would account for around three quarters of the forecasted emissions, followed by Gatwick. If the Heathrow expansion is not approved, expansions at other London airports would still exceed 60 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030, according to the study. These expansions alone would wipe out the emissions saved by the governments clean power plan (CPP), suggests Dr Chapman. Regarding sustainability concerns, a representative for Gatwick Airport said: Gatwick is investing 250 million to be net zero for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 and supporting wider industry action to cut CO2 emissions from aviation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The extensive environmental assessments and mitigations for the plans are detailed on the planning inspectorate website and agreed with local authorities in a binding agreement. The airport will remain well within air quality standards and limits. How noisy will the airports be? Homes in the 30-mile radius around Gatwick Airport are already affected by noise from its operations, according to the campaign group Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE). Under the proposed expansion, some 4,400 homes could be impacted by aeroplane noise. Gatwick Airport has said it would be unaffordable to purchase up to 4,400 homes, and instead has proposed funding up to 26,000 of glazing and noise insulation per home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current noise preferential routes, where residents are most likely to be affected by flights overhead, are below. These do not include expansion plans. Current preferential routes to avoid noise disturbance from Gatwick Airport (highlighted in purple) (Gatwick Airport) The affected areas include areas of cultural significance including Ashdown Forest, Hever Castle, Chiddingston Castle, and wildlife project Knepp Estate. The noise levels on existing routes will increase as another runway opens up, while homes in part of Charlwood will be exposed to new Northern flight routes, according to CAGNE. If Gatwick receives a new runway it will be misery and an environmental disaster for so many communities that are valued on their tranquility and natural beauty, said Sally Pavey, chair of CAGNE. A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport said: Aircraft using the Northern Runway will continue to use existing flight paths. What is encouraging is that - based on information from our airline partners - the noise reduction due to new aircraft between 2019 and 2038 will more than offset the noise increase from the additional flights. In short, even with more flights, overall noise levels are expected to decrease over time as airlines continue to upgrade their aircraft. Our noise footprint has reduced by around a third over 20 years, largely due to quieter aircraft. Meanwhile, a new runway at Heathrow would mean that residents in the village of Harmondsworth would face compulsory purchase orders (CPOs), being forced to sell their homes. Residents in other areas may also be affected. Around 1,000 homes could be subject to compulsory purchase orders, according to the shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon, while Hillingdon Council representatives warned that 3,750 more may be affected. The current noise preferential routes, where residents are most likely to be affected by flights overhead, are below. These do not include expansion plans. Current preferential routes to avoid noise disturbance from Heathrow Airport (highlighted in yellow) (Heathrow Airport) Heathrows own assessment found that over 500,000 people would be newly affected by aircraft noise from the proposed expansion alone, leading to over 1 million affected overall. On the higher end, government analysis suggests that 2 million people would be exposed to significant noise increases from the runway expansion. Even without the expansions, noise from Heathrow alone already impacts more people than any other airport in Europe, according to the Civil Aviation Authority. In a statement issued to Sky News, Heathrow said it was looking at potential options to deliver a third runway at Heathrow in line with strict tests on carbon, noise and air quality. The decision on Gatwick Airports runway expansion has a deadline of 27 February this year, while Heathrow boss Thomas Woldbye says he wants a final decision from the government by the end of 2025. The government is soon to publish the UKs seventh carbon budget, which will include the legal limit on the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions the country can emit from 2038 to 2042 if it is to meet net zero by mid-Century. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Gulf Coast State College is hosting Free Application Weeks, February 3 14, for local high school seniors planning to attend GCSC. Gulf Coast State College said students who would like more information or assistance with applications are encouraged to contact their schools Navigator. Pick up a new hobby during National Hobby Month Homeschooled students and those attending schools without a Navigator, can also submit their application for free by contacting GCSCs Enrollment Services Office at (850) 872 3823 or enrollmentservices@gulfcoast.edu. 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 mypanhandle.com. General Mills has ordered most of its corporate employees in the Twin Cities to return to its Golden Valley office for three days a week. A spokesperson from General Mills confirmed to Bring Me The News that employees in its North America retail department are expected to be in the office Tuesday through Thursday starting Feb. 17. There is an exception to the rule for employees who live outside of the Twin Cities, according to spokesperson Mollie Wulff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The change was first reported by Axios Twin Cities, which reports that the North America retail department accounts for 63% of the company's revenue. Employees have had the option to work remotely since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. Hubble reports since 2022, companies like Amazon, Apple, Disney, Goldman Sachs, Google, J.P. Morgan, Meta, and multiple others have returned workers to its offices in at least some capacity. President Donald Trump has already ordered federal employees back into the office five days a week. STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV) A professor at Georgia Southern University has been honored with a lifetime achievement award for her research in global affairs. Nalanda Roy, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Political Science and International Studies at Georgia Southern University, was recently honored with the Noam Chomsky Global Connections Shining Star Research Award for her research in global affairs, international relations and South and Southeast Asian maritime security. The awarding group recognizes promising faculty who are global leaders doing cutting-edge interdisciplinary work, Roy explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roy has more than 20 years of experience in international relations and has used her expertise and knowledge on conflicts in the South China Sea and Indonesian fragmentation to publish several books. Roy has served as the program chair for the International Studies Associations South Asia in World Politics sector, as well as the senior editor for the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of International Studies, among other honors. Roy says this award belongs to more than just her. Its not just me, she explained. My parents, my husband, my daughter, everybodythere have been countless sleepless nights working. So thats what helped me become who I am today. I love this quote by Malcolm Gladwell, Who you are cannot be separated from where you have been. So I can never forget my roots, I can never forget where I come from and who has helped me get where I am today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noam Chomsky is a world-renowned professor, considered by many to be a leading intellectual on subjects like political activism. Researchers receiving this award must demonstrate at least 15 years of impactful educational leadership, a strong record of contribution to global research and a scholarly legacy promoting human well-being. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The success of Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) start-up DeepSeek shows that German firms can also prosper in the industry, German Digital Minister Volker Wissing said on Tuesday. DeepSeek, only launched a week ago, has threatened US dominance in AI and Wissing said it demonstrates how quickly and cost-effectively new models can be rolled out. "The good news is that we in Germany are doing particularly well in this area," Wissing told Deutschlandfunk public radio on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are one of the leading countries in the field of AI research and development." The AI strength of the US lies in the ability to mobilize a great deal of venture capital to bring developments to market quickly. German needs to work on this, Wissing added, but believes Europe has an advantage in competition with China. "We can capitalize on the fact that our artificial intelligence is trustworthy. The world has confidence in the European community of values," he said. That is why it was right for the EU to introduce regulation to make the industry trustworthy and safe, Wissing added. "If I don't know whether I'm getting the right answers, whether the algorithm is being manipulated, then I'm very reluctant to use that AI," he said. The state-owned German energy company SEFE continues to play a central role in the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia into the European Union, according to analysis released on Tuesday. A report by Environmental Action Germany and other environmental organizations found that SEFE imported more than six times as much LNG into the EU in 2024, compared to 2023. Based on data provided by trade intelligence company Kpler, 5.66 billion cubic metres of LNG imported by SEFE arrived in Dunkirk, France, on the English Channel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Moscow launched its war on Ukraine in February 2022, EU countries banned imports of coal and, with some exemptions, crude oil from Russia and pledged to reduce other fossil fuel imports. According to the EU Commission, a total of 20 billion cubic metres of Russian LNG were imported in 2024, compared to 18 billion in 2023. Most of the liquefied natural gas in the EU originates from the US, according to the Brussels-based commission. Kpler's data suggests it was nearly 22 billion cubic metres in 2024, compared to 18.41 billion cubic metres in 2023. SEFE is a former subsidiary of the Russian energy group Gazprom, which is now owned by the German government. The abbreviation stands for "Securing Energy for Europe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Europe had not placed sanctions on the imports of Russian LNG, there was no legal basis for cancelling or suspending an existing contract, SEFE said. The LNG import in Dunkirk are sold at two trading venues in France and Belgium, SEFE said. "SEFE does not deliver Russian LNG to Germany nor has it attempted to deliver it there," the company said. Germany's imports of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) via other EU countries continue to rise despite restrictions on direct shipments, the Financial Times wrote on Jan. 28, citing a report by Belgian, German, and Ukrainian NGOs. Following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Europe began to wean itself off Russian fossil fuels to avoid financing the Kremlins war chest. Despite these efforts, Europe's imports of Russian LNG, which is largely not subject to sanctions, have soared to record levels in 2024. Germanys national energy company Sefe bought 58 cargoes of Russian LNG from the French port of Dunkirk in 2024, six times more than in 2023, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sefe was owned by Russias Gazprom until the formers forced nationalization in 2022 and has a contract with Russias Russias Yamal LNG, owned by Russia's largest LNG producer and the country's second-largest natural gas producer, Novatek. Belgium, Spain, and France receive Russian LNG cargos, which they later reexport to other countries, the FT reported. This makes it difficult to trace the origin and allows Germany to import Russian LNG even after banning its ports from receiving Russian LNG shipments. The report underscores complications in the EU's effort to reduce the reliance on Russian fossil fuels. The EU cut all Russian coal imports, most Russian oil imports, and over two-thirds of Russian gas imports to the EU, a Commission spokesperson said earlier in January. The EU aims to eliminate all Russian fossil fuels from its market by 2027. Read also: Ukraine receives 1st shipment of US LNG Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Bloomberg) -- Germanys expansion of onshore wind is at risk of a drastic slowdown, with proposed amendments to energy legislation threatening about 1,000 projects, an industry group said. Most Read from Bloomberg A draft bill before parliament cancels a pre-approval process for certain wind farms, a quick procedure thats helped fast-track many to a full permit. The bill is likely to be passed in the Bundestag before snap elections Feb. 23, since its part of a larger energy package that won cross-party support on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The changes would result in the blanket, disproportionate rejection of permit applications, Hans-Josef Vogel, head of the North-Rhine Westphalia chapter of the German Renewable Energy Federation, said in a statement. Germany saw record approvals for onshore wind last year after slashing red tape. That reflected a push to diversify energy supplies after Moscows invasion of Ukraine led to the loss of piped gas from Russia. The government designated renewable projects an overriding public interest that served national security, and required states to allocate about 2% of their land for wind turbines. But local resistance has intensified, with communities demonstrating against the encroachment of vast wind turbines on the landscape. North-Rhine Westphalia, in Germanys industrial rustbelt, has been a focus for protests, having become the onshore-wind leader among the countrys 16 states. Cross-Party Backing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Broad support for the draft bill in parliament shows rival parties are managing to cooperate on certain issues, despite the political temperature rising as the far-right AfD polls in second place with four weeks to go to the election. There have been reasonable talks among parliamentary groups, said Friedrich Merz, chairman of the conservative CDU/CSU, which is currently predicted to win. Economy Minister Robert Habeck, the Green Partys lead candidate, said the proposed package is important for the energy transition, with renewables now coming of age. The sectors expansion has sparked much debate during the election campaign, with the AfD threatening to dismantle wind parks should it win power. The CDU/CSUs Merz, who has in the past called windmills ugly, said Monday the bill would help North-Rhine Westphalia where his constituency is based regain its planning sovereignty. SL NaturEnergie, a company that develops and operates wind parks in the state, said it was in favor of regional control but will be hurt by the changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For us alone, this will mean the loss of around 20 plant locations, said Managing Director Milan Nitzschke. The political reaction was also not entirely positive, with the pro-business Free Democrats saying lawmakers hadnt been given enough time to study the bill. The energy package also includes provisions to cut some solar-energy subsidies, speed up the deployment of smart meters, extend funding for combined heat and power plants and boost bioenergy. --With assistance from Arne Delfs. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Monday had her first phone call with her new US counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio. "We want to work closely with the new US administration," the German Foreign Office quoted Baerbock as saying on the Bluesky social media platform after the 30-minute phone call. "Europe wants to take more responsibility for its own security," Baerbock stressed after the phone call held on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany and the US are linked by close economic relations and shared interests, the Foreign Office in Berlin said, adding that both countries were planning to tackle common challenges and opportunities together. Baerbock and Rubio also discussed the importance of a strong NATO, Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, the situation in Syria, the Gaza Strip and the Middle East, and their position on China. In a later statement, the US State Department said Rubio had "reaffirmed the strength and importance of the U.S.-German relationship for transatlantic peace and prosperity." "He and Foreign Minister Baerbock discussed deepening our ties across a wide range of mutual interests, including defense cooperation and stability in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific," it added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first face-to-face meeting between Baerbock and Rubio is expected to take place at the Munich Security Conference in mid-February. The foreign ministers of the EU states of Poland, Lithuania and Italy have also spoken to Rubio on the phone. BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday called U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion to relocate Palestinians from war-ravaged Gaza to Jordan and Egypt "unacceptable." "Any resettlement plans, the idea that the citizens of Gaza will be expelled from there to Egypt or Jordan, is unacceptable," Scholz said, referring at a campaign event in Berlin to Trump's comments. He reiterated his support for a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians live peacefully side by side, adding that it must be clear that the Palestinian Authority would assume responsibility for Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The fragile hope for peace that is now possible must not be squandered," Scholz said, referring to the recent ceasefire agreement, adding that peace can be achieved only if people in Gaza can hope for a self-governing future. Jordan is already home to several million Palestinians, while tens of thousands live in Egypt, and both countries' governments have rejected Trump's idea. Gaza is land that Palestinians would want as part of a future Palestinian state. Germany is among Israel's main arms suppliers, with its defence exports to the country rising nearly tenfold annually in 2023, the year when the conflict with Hamas militants started. (Reporting by Andreas Rinke in Berlin, writing by Andrey Sychev; Editing by Matthew Lewis) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday urged greater progress in shaping the political and economic future of the Gaza Strip, following the release of further hostages by Palestinian militant group Hamas. "It is now important that the ceasefire holds and that all hostages are released. And that the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip are reliably and comprehensively supplied with humanitarian and medical aid," Scholz said at a joint press conference in Berlin with visiting Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Scholz said the German government is pleased that Israeli hostages have again been released from the hands of Islamists Hamas, which he described as a terrorist group following its unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The German chancellor emphasized that Gaza must never again become the starting point for "murderous terrorism," and that Palestinians living in Gaza need to be given prospects for lives of freedom and dignity in order to avoid the territory becoming a "breeding ground for extremism and hatred." "Germany, the EU, are prepared to play their part in this if the framework conditions are right," Scholz said. He called for a reformed Palestinian Authority to take responsibility for administering Gaza, which has been extensively destroyed during Israel's campaign of airstrikes and military ground offensives. After more than a year of war, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into force two weeks ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the initial six-week phase, 33 Israeli hostages held by Hamas are to be exchanged for 1,904 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Seven of the 33 hostages have already been released. A total of 90 hostages are still being held in the Gaza Strip, most of whom were abducted during the Hamas-led attacks on Israel in 2023. According to Israeli reports, 35 of the remaining hostages are dead. This story first appeared in How We Care, a weekly newsletter by Spotlight PA featuring original reporting and perspectives on how we care for one another at all stages of life. Sign up for free here. When Shyam Thakkar was dismissed from Allegheny Health Network in 2020, he wasnt able to get another job in Western Pennsylvania because of the noncompete agreement hed signed years earlier. Thakkar, a gastroenterologist, alleges in court filings that when AHN abruptly decided not to renew his contract, the noncompete interfered with his inability to take another job in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says this not only harmed his ability to make a living but interrupted patient care in potentially unsafe ways, and prevented him from resuming treatment for patients with particularly difficult medical situations. A new Pennsylvania law aims to preserve continuity of care for patients by loosening health systems grip on labor markets and increasing job competition. It limits the use of noncompetes for certain health care practitioners, who were previously forced to ghost patients when they left an employer. Under the Fair Contracting for Health Care Practitioners Act, signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro last summer, a noncompete becomes invalid if a doctor is dismissed. That protection extends to certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified registered nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. It also puts a time limit on noncompetes, and requires employers to notify patients of a doctors departure within 90 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the law which isnt retroactive and took effect Jan. 1 is not without its critics. It leaves out many types of health care workers and doesnt limit the geographic scope of noncompetes. On the other hand, hospitals and health systems say these new regulations might increase costs for patients and make it even harder for rural Pennsylvanians to get medical care. As Thakkars situation shows, when a clinician loses their job, a noncompete can force them out of the community where they practice. That can leave practitioners who sign these agreements less likely to rock the boat, even if they feel that decisions by higher-ups hinder patient care. This shift in power is important as large health systems buy up smaller ones and more private equity firms enter the market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many doctors increasingly find that their bosses prioritize financial goals before patients, said Lynn Lucas-Fehm, a radiologist in suburban Philadelphia and president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, a statewide professional organization for physicians and medical students. Lucas-Fehm told How We Care that last year she left her health system after private equity took over the management of her department. She said pressure to increase her workload left her unable to give some patients the attention they needed. It made her feel like she was on an assembly line. I was trained to practice evidence-based medicine. Not financial-based medicine, and not administratively based medicine, she said. Lucas-Fehm said after a very complicated negotiation, she was released from her noncompete. But many people arent so lucky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A major reason medical systems use noncompetes is to safeguard their customer base. If a popular doctor leaves a medical practice for a job across the street, patients might do the same, resulting in lost revenue. Through his attorneys office, Thakkar declined a request for an interview with How We Care. The Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas ruled in favor of AHN last summer, and hes appealing to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. In his initial complaint, Thakkar said he received an offer from a nearby UPMC hospital that he couldnt accept because of the noncompete with AHN. Some patients might have followed Thakkar to UPMC so they could continue treatment with him. Thakkar said in court filings that multiple patients, including the chair of the AHN board, called him to request care after AHN essentially fired him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear why Thakkars contract was not renewed. He said in court filings that in his dismissal, AHN misled and ambushed him, and that he wasnt able to make treatment recommendations or coordinate safe transitions of his patients to the care of other clinicians. AHN told How We Care that it has no comment about Thakkars lawsuit. But in an email, the health system said noncompetes have to be considered within the broader context of clinician contracts with employers, which are evaluated and agreed upon by both parties. AHN also said that these agreements help prevent bidding wars in which specialists hop between practices in search of larger salaries. These ballooning sums can increase operational costs, AHN argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest budget item for a medical system is often labor, said Hayden Rooke-Ley, a health law and policy fellow at the Brown University School of Public Health. However, when systems have lower expenses, Rooke-Ley said, savings are not necessarily passed on to patients. He cited a large body of research that shows hospital networks exploit their market power to increase prices. The literature is really overwhelming about the degree to which they abuse their market power, Rooke-Ley said. Jolene Calla vice president of finance and legal affairs for the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, a lobbying organization founded in 1921 by hospital administrators also raised concerns about bidding wars. In an email, Calla argued that inflated clinician compensation increases medical bills for patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said noncompetes incentivize practitioners to remain in their current roles, which creates the stability that is essential to building trust between patients and clinicians. And hospitals can provide services only if the right workforce is available, Calla added. Sometimes hospitals build entire units and practices around one provider. If they leave, many times so does that service, Calla said. Although the fair contracting law has somewhat leveled the playing field for clinicians, some critics argue it has gaps. It does not place geographic restrictions on noncompetes, for instance, which lets medical systems and other health care employers continue to wield significant power through these contracts, said Rachel McElroy, a Pittsburgh-based attorney who primarily practices employment law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some noncompetes bar clinicians from working within a certain city or county. Or they prohibit former employees from accepting a new job thats within a specific radius of any of its hospitals or clinics. Depending on the employer, that can be a big area. Thakkar was unable to work for a competitor within 10 miles of AHNs 14 hospitals for one year. He was also banned from taking any job with its main rival UPMC, which has 40 hospitals and 800 doctors offices and outpatient sites across the state. He now practices about 75 miles south of AHNs flagship hospital, working as a professor at West Virginia University and director of advanced therapeutic endoscopy at WVU Medicine. The fair contracting law has also drawn scrutiny in its one-year limit for noncompetes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On its face, this places an additional check on how health systems use these contracts. But McElroy said the one-year rule could embolden employers to significantly broaden the footprint of future noncompetes in their favor. Previously, a noncompete could be struck down in court if its geographic scope was too extreme. The new law is silent on the matter of geography. In defending a widened noncompete area, a health system might now successfully argue that if lawmakers were concerned about this issue, they would have addressed it in the new law. Another criticism of the law is that it only addresses the use of noncompetes for a handful of health care professionals. Therapists and registered nurses, for instance, are not covered. At least one lawmaker is noting all this feedback on the new statute. State Rep. Dan Frankel (D., Allegheny) was the prime sponsor of the legislation. He initially wanted to totally prohibit noncompetes for all health care workers, but that wasnt politically possible, he told How We Care. Its half a loaf, maybe, he said of the version that became law, adding that the influence of the states hospital association made negotiations very difficult. Legislators are scheduled to review the role of noncompetes down the line. The law mandates that the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council, an independent state body, study the effects of the legislation within the next three years. Frankel hopes to return to the issue when that research is complete. BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GIRARD, Ohio (WKBN) A Girard man, accused of exchanging nude photos and videos with a 12-year-old girl, is heading to Texas to face charges. Read next: FBI converge at Niles home Gary Klink, 45, was in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Tuesday morning for an extradition hearing. He was taken into custody in Trumbull County last Friday after a warrant for his arrest was issued out of Montgomery County, Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Montgomery County Constable Rowdy Hayden, Klinks arrest involved a multi-state investigation spanning East Montgomery Texas to Girard, Ohio. Hayden said the investigation was lengthy and complex. Kink is charged with induced sexual performance by a child. Hayden said several agencies were involved in the investigation and Klinks arrest included work from the Montgomery County Precinct 4 detective assigned to the ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) Task Force, the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office, the Girard Police Department (Ohio), and the Trumbull County, Ohio, Prosecutors Office. Cases like this highlight the importance of partnerships across jurisdictions, said Constable Hayden. Thanks to the hard work of our investigators and the teamwork of multiple agencies, weve ensured a dangerous predator is off the streets and can no longer harm the most vulnerable members of our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Klinks bail was set at $100,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AUSTIN (KXAN) Local mother and Bohemian Bass Musician, Yawei is battling stage four ovarian cancer. Community members, friends, and family have banded together to support her through the fight by raising funds for her extensive medical bills. Yaweis medical journey Yawei, a local mother and musician diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Yawei was initially diagnosed in the United States with a Hernia, after multiple delays it became apparent it was not just a Hernia but stage four ovarian cancer. By the time she was aware of the cancer diagnosis, the cancer had spread from her ovaries to other areas of her body. With guidance from friends and family members, Yawei decided to get medical treatment overseas in Turkey, after discovering medical expenses in the states would be too costly. Following an emergency surgery, overseas doctors discovered the cancer had attached to her liver, and two massive tumors and many smaller tumors were present. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The doctors were able to remove 98% of the cancer but, micro tumors are still present. Yaweis good friend Jason Burruss is staying with her in Turkey throughout this process and said she will still need costly treatment once she heads back home. Shes going to need anywhere from two months to four months of chemotherapy, depending upon the test results of the cancer type, which were finding out in a few days, Burruss said. It takes a village When Yaweis friends, family, and neighbors discovered the severity of her situation, they decided to come together and come up with a way to ease her stress. They decided to raise funds for her extensive medical expenses through a community fundraiser event and by sharing a donation AngelLink. They are nearly halfway to their goal of $35,000. Yawei, a local mother and musician diagnosed with ovarian cancer. We launched an event to raise funds for her at a local venue that allowed us to use the space for free as a fundraiser. Yawei has thrown many community events over the years focused on creating alcohol-free safe spaces for people to dance, enjoy music, and commune. So were creating an event for her thats also similar to an event that she would have hosted as well, Burruss said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The community, Yaweis friends, and family gathered on Sunday, Jan. 26 for the fundraiser. Its kind of just giving back to someone who has given so fully from her heart for so many years, Burrus said. The events included a cacao ceremony, a silent auction, a sound healing ceremony, and DJ sets, along with a group visualization ceremony where attendees channeled collective intention toward Yaweis recovery. Ive never seen a community come together to support one person or one cause as much as this. Its been really beautiful to witness, I think its honestly something that the community needed. We all kind of came together to do something really beautiful for someone, Burrus said. Being proactive Yawei, a local mother and musician diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among women according to the American Cancer Society. The ACS estimates about 20,890 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2025 alone. Michael Teneriello, M.D. with Texas Oncology-Austin Central and South Austin shared some tips on how women can stay proactive and stay on top of their health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch out for classic symptoms such as bloating, pelvic pain, changes in GI habits, and fatigue. Teneriello said it is best to visit your OBG or family doctor and express an interest in cancer screenings when you find yourself experiencing these symptoms. Ovarian cancer is known as a silent disease until late stages and screening tests can be unreliable, Teneriello said. All women should receive a yearly check-up , and annual cancer screening, according to Teneriello. Pap smears do not screen for ovarian cancer. If there is a family history of ovarian cancer or a known genetic mutation in the family or the individual, then those women can be at high risk and screenings need to start while women are still in their twenties or thirties depending on the circumstances, Teneriello said. If there is a history of ovarian cancer in your family you are more at risk than others, according to Teneriello. Teneriello said If you are aware of a genetic mutation such as BrCa gene mutation in your family this can also put you at higher risk. To receive treatment for ovarian cancer or even get checked for ovarian cancer health experts recommend seeing your OBG or family doctor yearly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. North western Germany's Teutoburg Forest is famous as the scene of one of the Roman Empire's greatest military disasters, when a whole army was slaughtered by the local tribes. It's not so well known for its vineyards, but that could also soon be a thing of the past. Jan Brinkmann grows grapes in Bad Iburg near Osnabruck. "We have the first two authorised steep slopes in the whole of Lower Saxony here," he says. The farm has existed under the name Brinkmann for 750 years. However, the winery was only founded in 2018, when Jan switched over from from pig farming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This became possible when the EU changed its laws to permit the planting of new vineyards. Since then, around 300 hectares of new vineyards have been allowed in Germany every year, and commercial viticulture has been permitted in Lower Saxony since 2016. Jan Brinkmann's father heard about this on the radio, and they leapt into action. "Now we can be the first for once," the two farmers thought to themselves. it's a big challenge for Brinkmann, because he didn't grow up even drinking wine, let alone making it. "We had beer and cola. You might have drunk wine at a wedding." Ernst Buscher from the German Wine Institute (DWI) doesn't find it all that unusual that former livestock farms or mixed farms have been turned into wineries. "In the 1960s, viticulture wasn't very widespread in Rheinhessen or the Southern Palatinate either." Today, both regions are an integral part of the European wine landscape. 'It's simply getting warmer' Whether it makes sense to plant vineyards is, of course, not just a question of the legal situation. The climate is ideal in the northern hemisphere from 30 to 50 degrees latitude. Jan Brinkmann's land lies on the 52nd parallel, beyond the northern edge of the zone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But that's where climate change comes into play," says Ernst Buscher. "It's simply getting warmer. In the south-west of Germany in particular, we have an increase in the average temperature of 1.5 degrees from April to October. That's a lot." Red wine grapes, for example, now ripen better in Germany than they used to, making viticulture in northern regions more attractive. Damien Briard from the Chateau d'Annevoie domain in Belgium learnt winemaking in France, including Bordeaux and Champagne. He is certain the climate has improved. "There were never summers with as much sunshine as now in Belgium when I was a child," he says. This makes it easier to make wine in Belgum, "but climate change also scares me, of course," he says. And he sympathises with winemaker friends from Montpellier in the south of France, an area now suffering from severe droughts. English sparkling wine Champagne, one of the northern-most wine-growing regions in Europe, is also being affected by global warming. It lies between 48 and 49 degrees latitude, just within the official wine-growing zone. The cool continental climate usually produces grapes with a low sugar and high acid content - ideal for sparkling wine production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While warmer summers threaten the typical Champagne style, a lot can be influenced in the vineyard, for example by the way the plants are defoliated. Nevertheless, investors from Champagne began to look for new wine-growing regions. "They were looking for soils similar to those in Champagne, but with cooler and more moderate conditions," says Manfred Stoll, a professor at Geisenheim University in Germany. They found what they were looking for in the south of England. Champagne producers such as Taittinger now grow the typical Champagne grape varieties there. The wines will never be called Champagne, as this is a protected designation of origin, but England's sparkling wines already enjoy an excellent reputation. More sustainable grape varieties However, classic grape types cannot always be used in Nordic viticulture, says Stoll. Instead, newer varieties that are less susceptible to fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and downy mildew are planted. "They require less plant protection," explains Stoll. This is not only more sustainable, but also means less work for the winery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Jan Brinkmann from Lower Saxony, who has long grown fodder for his pigs on his land, these were convincing arguments. He planted the white fungus resistant Helios and Solaris grapes. It's a long-term commitment, as vines are planted for several decades. He says he only realised later that the varieties he chose have a catch. "Nobody goes to a wine festival and asks for Helios." But Ernst Buscher from the DWI believes that this may change in the future and also sees an opportunity for fungal resistant wines. "Perhaps one day they will have a competitive advantage," he says. "Younger people in particular are paying more and more attention to sustainability." Jan and Gerd Brinkmann see the future of wine in fungus-resistant wines. They initially planted 1.5 hectares of vineyards in northern Germany in 2018 and another hectare last year. Friso Gentsch/dpa The grapes of the Regent grape variety belong to the fungus-resistant wines. Deutsches Weininstitut/dpa Fungus-resistant vines are planted in the Brinkmann vineyards. Friso Gentsch/dpa Winemakers Jan (left) and Gerd Brinkmann stand in their newly planted vineyard. In addition to the fungus-resistant grape varieties Helios, Solaris (both white) and Regent (red), they have also been relying on the white PIWI varieties Souvignier Gris and Blutenmuskateller. Friso Gentsch/dpa Advertisement Advertisement Boom Supersonic achieved Tuesday its goal of breaking the sound barrier on its first attempt with the XB-1 prototype of its Overture aircraft and then repeated the feat two more times. The XB-1 accelerated smoothly to reach as fast as Mach 1.12, or 750 mph, at an altitude of 35,290 feet at 11:33 a.m., 11:38 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. The second and third times attempts were designed to collect data to prep for the next flight that is projected to take place within seven to 10 days. Mach 1 is equal to the speed of sound. Each one-tenth beyond Mach 1 represents a 10% increase beyond the speed of sound, so Mach 1.1 is 10% faster, Mach 1.2 is 20% faster and Mach 1.3 is 30% faster, and so on. Many commercial jets are built to safely cruise within the lower range, close to Mach 0.85. But thats their limit, Boom said. Boom reached a key milestone June 17 with the construction completion of its $500 million superfactory at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro. XB-1 represents the first time that a civil jet made in America has broken the sound barrier. Todays a day Ive been looking forward to for more than a decade, Boom founder Blake Scholl said. We get to celebrate, and tomorrow were back to work. Success is absolutely not guaranteed. Overture will be very, very much harder than what we flew today. It will not be a straight line. There will be twists and turns, theyll be setbacks. But the important thing is not giving up. Making history The flight took place at the same Mojave Air & Space Port site in Mojave, Calif., where the previous 11 test flights for Overtures XB-1 prototype have been held since March, along with the same chief test pilot in Tristan Geppetto Brandenburg. Brandenburg, who had previously flown at supersonic speeds, described Tuesdays supersonic flight as the smoothest of the 12 to date. This airplane has never done (supersonic flight) before, Brandenberg said. Our models and our data indicated it was going to be safe, it was going to be predictable and it was going to be easy. But you dont really know until you push the throttles up and you go for it. I was pleasantly surprised it was east and safe and predictable. XB-1s supersonic flight lasted about 30 minutes. Boom has on its website a link on what to expect from the first supersonic flight. Through our teams preliminary tests on the XB-1 program, weve seen a preview of how StarLink could be a significant enabler of greater efficiencies in manned aircraft flight testing, Boom said. We can see the possibility of a whole new world for flight test telemetry. Brandenburg had said it was very unlikely those at the site or viewers would hear a sonic boom. XB-1s first sonic boom at Mach 1.1 probably wont reach the ground, Brandenburg had said. The energy will likely dissipate over the roughly six vertical miles between the aircraft and the ground. Boom said the next flight is expected to have sound and visual equipment that may demonstrate the breaking of the sound barrier. Just the facts The Denver-based aircraft manufacturer entered 2025 with $100 million in new financial backing in place. The Overture supersonic aircraft is being designed to carry 65 to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7 over water with a range of 4,250 nautical miles. At those speeds, flying from Miami to London in just under five hours and Los Angeles to Honolulu in three hours are among the possibilities, Boom has said. Additionally, Boom said Overtures landing gear is compatible with international airport runways and taxiways and is designed for takeoff and landing on over 600 routes around the world. Its also the most tangible, hands-on example of how far Boom is ahead of its eight global competitors in their common goal of resuming supersonic flight following the grounding of the Concorde in 2003. Overture is expected to be the first large commercial aircraft to have a net-zero carbon impact from Day One, running on 100% sustainable aviation fuel. Boom PTI timeline The PTI facility will contain 150,000 square feet for the production floor, 24,000 square feet for the office space and 5,000 square feet for the receiving area. The company has pledged to create at least 1,781 jobs at full production by 2029-30. Following the installation of equipment in 2024, the Overture timeline at PTI remains as follows: 2025: Equipment assembly; 2026: First Overture rollout; 2027: First test flight; 2029: Federal Aviation Administration certification; and 2029: First passenger flights. Overture will be powered by four wing-mounted engines that also enable the airliner to cruise just under Mach 1 over land. Boom installed in October the first major piece of manufacturing equipment: a 15-ton crane that will be used to move fuselage and wing sections during Overture production. As we progress, Boom will be hiring for roles across manufacturing, industrial, operations, facilities management and other administrative roles, Boom said. At this time, we are focused on finalizing the layout for the production floor and stations to ensure optimal material movement and tool locations. The completion of the 170,000-square-foot factory shell at PTI represented a key symbolic milestone for one of the highest-risk, highest-reward projects in Triad and U.S. manufacturing history. The initial Boom projection is producing up to 33 Overture aircraft annually at a projected price tag of $200 million. The full production goal is 66 Overture aircraft annually. Boom already has 130 Overtures in the order or pre-order stage with American Airlines, United Airlines and Japan Airlines. In keeping with Booms ambitious nature since its January 2022 commitment to the PTI facility, Scholl said during the June ribbon-cutting ceremony the manufacturer plans to eventually double annual production, which would require another plant that could add another 600 jobs. The baseline plan is to build one more just like it here, Scholl said. So, well double up production, and weve got designs on the third one as well, that would fit right here on the same site. When people think of wildlife trade, they often picture smugglers sneaking in rare and endangered species from far-off countries. Yet most wildlife trade is actually legal, and the United States is one of the worlds biggest wildlife importers. New research that we and a team of colleagues published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that, over the last 22 years, people in the U.S. legally imported nearly 2.85 billion individual animals representing almost 30,000 species. Some of these wild animals become pets, such as reptiles, spiders, clownfish, chimpanzees and even tigers. Thousands end up in zoos and aquariums, where many species on display come directly from the wild. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medical research uses macaque monkeys and imports up to 39,000 of them every year. The fashion trade imports around 1 million to 2 million crocodile skins every year. Hunting trophies are also included in wildlife. The largest number of imported species are birds 4,985 different species are imported each year, led by Muscovy ducks, with over 6 million imported. Reptiles are next, with 3,048 species, led by iguanas and royal pythons. These largely become pets. Not all wildlife are wild We found that just over half of the animals imported into the U.S. come from the wild. Capturing wildlife to sell to exporters can be an important income source for rural communities around the world, especially in Africa. However, wild imported species can also spread diseases or parasites or become invasive. In fact, these risks are so worrying that many imported animals are classed as injurious wildlife due to their potential role in transmitting diseases to native species. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Captive breeding has played an increasingly dominant role in recent years as a way to limit the impact on wild populations and to try to reduce disease spread. However over half the individual animals from most groups of species, such as amphibians or mammals, still come from the wild, and there is no data on the impact of the wildlife trade on most wild populations. Trade may pose a particular risk when species are already rare or have small ranges. Where studies have been done, the wild populations of traded species decreased by an average of 62% across the periods monitored. Sustainable wildlife trade is possible, but it relies on careful monitoring to balance wild harvest and captive breeding. Data is thin in many ways For most species in the wildlife trade, there is still a lot that remains unknown, including even the number of species traded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With so many species and shipments, wildlife inspectors are overwhelmed. Trade data may not include the full species name for groups like butterflies or fish. The values in many customs databases are reported by companies but never verified. CC BY-SA Macaques, used in medical research, are the most-traded primates globally, according to an analysis of U.S. Fish and Wildlife data. Davidvraju In our study, we relied on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Law Enforcement Management Information System, a wildlife import-export data collection system. However, few countries collate and release data in such a standardized way; meaning that for the majority of species legally traded around the world there is no available data. For example, millions of Tokay geckos are imported as pets and for medicine, and are often reported to be bred in captivity. However, investigators cannot confirm that they werent actually caught in the wild. Why tracking the wildlife trade is important Biodiversity has a great number of economic and ecological benefits. There are also risks to importing wildlife. Understanding the many species and number of animals entering the country, and whether they were once wild or farmed, is important, because imported wildlife can cause health and ecological problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wildlife can spread diseases to humans and to other animals. Wild-caught monkeys imported for medical research may carry diseases, including ones of particular risk to humans. Those with diseases are more likely to be wild than captive-bred. The most-traded mammals worldwide are minks, which are valued for their fur but can spread viruses to humans and other species. About 48 million minks are legally traded annually, about 2.8% wild-caught and the majority raised, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife data. Colin Canterbury/USFWS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Species that arent native to the U.S. may also escape or be released into the wild. Invasive species can cause billions of dollars in damage by consuming and outcompeting native wildlife and spreading diseases. We believe better data on the wildlife trade could be used to set management goals, such as harvest quotas or no-take policies for those species in their country of origin. Whats next The researchers involved in this study come from institutes around the world and are all interested in improving data systems for wildlife trade. Some of us focus on how e-commerce platforms such as Etsy and Instagram have become hotspots of wildlife trade and can be challenging to monitor without automation. Esty announced in 2024 that it would remove listings of endangered or threatened species. Others build tools to help wildlife inspectors process the large number of shipments in real time. Many of us examine the problems imported species cause when they become invasive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the age of machine learning, artificial intelligence and big data, its possible to better understand the wildlife trade. Consumers can help by buying less, and making informed decisions. 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: Michael Tlusty, UMass Boston; Alice Catherine Hughes, University of Hong Kong, and Andrew Rhyne, Roger Williams University Read more: Michael Tlusty is a founding member of the Wildlife Detection Partnership and co-developed the Nature Intelligence System, which assists governments in collecting more accurate wildlife data.. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew Rhyne is currently on sabbatical funded by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), focused on the wildlife trade data. He is a founding member of the Wildlife Detection Partnership and co-developed the Nature Intelligence System, which assists governments in collecting more accurate wildlife data. Alice Catherine Hughes 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. ARARAT, Va. (WGHP) Mason Via returned home to the foothills for his latest music video, There Goes Another One, and he asked FOX8s Chad Tucker to play the high sheriff, a nod to the classic Smokie and the Bandit. Via, a Stokes County native, has been nominated for a Grammy, performed on some of the biggest stages and recently stepped away from the legendary group Old Crow Medicine Show to go out on his own. His recently self-titled album captures Vias unique musical style, songwriting, and voice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Check out the full video on Mountain Fever Music Groups YouTube 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 FOX8 WGHP. TOPEKA (Kansas Reflector) The state solicitor general told an appeals court panel Monday that transgender people dont have to get a drivers license if they dont like being forced to use a gender marker that conflicts with their identity. The Kansas Court of Appeals is considering arguments over legislation passed in 2023 the requires vital statistics to recognize a persons biological sex at birth. Attorney General Kris Kobach sued the Kansas Department of Revenue for continuing to allow transgender residents to be identified by their gender on their drivers license, as the office had done for 17 years. Arguments in the case center on the distinction between sex, which relates to reproductive systems, and gender, which can be a social and personal identity or expression, and whether the Legislature understood the difference when it passed Senate Bill 180. The word gender doesnt appear within the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional arguments involve whether the Attorney Generals Office can show how the state would be harmed by gender markers on drivers licenses. The law was based on model legislation produced by Independent Womens Voices, a far-right group with a long history of opposing womens rights, and labeled a womens bill of rights. Most of the attention during debate revolved around efforts to ban transgender and cisgender girls from playing together in school sports. Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the law, but she was overridden by Republican-led supermajorities in both the Senate and House. Pedro Irigonegaray, an attorney representing KDOR, strayed from legal analysis during Mondays court hearing to address the Legislatures attempt to target a class of residents who, by his calculation, hold 0.004% of the drivers licenses issued in Kansas. It is not appropriate for a state to legislate discrimination, Irigonegaray. It is not appropriate for a state to deny transgender people the right to dignity. We know from our worlds history what happens when a state diminishes the dignity of a class of human beings. We know where that train is headed, and its headed to a place that we know is horrible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And what I ask this court to consider is: Today its our transgender population, but whos next? Who are they going to target next? Today is transgender our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, friends, neighbors. We must put a stop to this. State-sponsored discrimination has no place in our democracy, and this is what this bill is all about. Anthony Powell, the solicitor general for Kobachs office, said the case was merely about statutory interpretation, contrary to all the press attendance. There appeared to be four journalists in the courtroom. Powell said he considers the terms gender and sex to be interchangeable, based on his common sense understanding of the words. He said he only became aware of the differences in recent years, even though experts had made the distinctions for decades before. He said he considers gender to be a physical property, not a feeling. The state has the authority, Powell argued, to gather accurate and consistent data on drivers licenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, he said, driving is a privilege rather than a right. A transgender person doesnt have to get a drivers license, Powell said. If they think that obtaining a license and having their biological sex on it is so upsetting to them, I guess they dont have to get a drivers license. Julie Murray, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, which joined the case to argue on behalf of transgender Kansas residents, said Powells argument should be rejected out of hand. This is an attempt to write them out of existence, Murray said. Judges Karen Arnold Berger, Stephen Hill and Sarah Warner heard arguments to determine whether to reverse a district courts decision to issue a temporary injunction in favor of Kobachs arguments. Under the injunction, which has now been in place for about a year, the state must issue drivers licenses with a gender marker based on sex at birth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lower court agreed with arguments by the Attorney Generals Office that claimed the state would be harmed by allowing an agency to ignore the law, in Kobachs opinion, and that law enforcement officers may be confused about a persons true identity. Irigonegaray said Kobachs interpretation of the law is flawed, because it doesnt address drivers licenses or gender. In order to conclude that the Legislature in 2023 was unaware of the difference between sex and gender, one would have to believe that the state Legislature was operating on a 15th century mentality, Irigonegaray said. Kobachs office could produce just one example of a police officer who was confused about a persons identity based on their drivers license. But police actually readily identified the person and arrested them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Irigonegaray said there was no evidence to support the scare tactic that fleeing transgenders were going to be everywhere because they were going to avoid the arms of justice. Arnold Berger asked Powell to explain why there was no outrage from law enforcement officers during the 17 years in which the state issued drivers licenses that recognized gender instead of sex. Powell told her there arent a lot of transgender people in Kansas. Exactly, 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 KSN-TV. Donald Trump has long complained that Democrats are better at sticking together than Republicans are. Hes already revisited this gripe. In meetings with Republican leaders from the House and Senate and with the House Freedom Caucus , he reportedly insisted that Republicans need to be unified the way Democrats are. Whether its true that Democrats are better at sticking together than Republicans is debatable, particularly given that, not too long ago, the Democratic Party defenestrated a sitting president seeking reelection. What is more interesting, and ominous, is President Trumps definition of unity. Please forgive a brief refresher course on the obvious. Traditionally, the way parties achieved political unity is by crafting some kind of rough consensus on an issue. The consensus was never perfect, and some dissenters and mavericks had to be strong-armed by party leaders or the president to fall in line (or not). In any case, party unity was mostly a negotiated thing, with input and compromise from all sides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Column: The U.S. should acquire Greenland (peacefully). But Trump saying so makes it harder The red line for most legislators in such negotiations is having to take a position that jeopardizes their own reelection chances. Asking a representative from a very pro-gun district to vote for, say, a major gun control measure makes no sense, politically. Party loyalty cant be a suicide pact and, besides, its better to have a dissident member of your own party in office than someone from the other party. In short, presidents worked with party members for the good of the party. One again obvious way it worked was that presidents would be clear about what they intended to do. If youre president, you dont want your surrogates going around arguing that the president must and will do X and would surely never do Y! only to humiliate them by doing Y. Another obvious thing presidents traditionally do is provide arguments or talking points about the reasons why policy decisions make sense independent of the presidents personal interest. The president is taking action to protect the American taxpayer, or because he believes its a fundamental issue of justice, yada yada yada. This sort of thing helps the party faithful get with the program by knowing the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this is not Trumps sort of thing. Read more: Column: Donald Trump is president again. Did you feel the vibe shift? For instance, both Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson insisted that Trump wouldnt pardon Jan. 6 protesters guilty of attacking cops. "If you committed violence that day, obviously you shouldn't be pardoned," Vance said days before the inauguration. Then Trump did exactly that. His reason? The process of distinguishing between violent goons and overcharged (in his view) nonviolent protesters was too cumbersome and complex. F it: Release em all, Trump said according to Axios. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats not an argument other Republicans can use on the hustings. The same goes for Trumps lawless refusal to implement the TikTok ban. In his first term, Trump supported a ban and signed an executive order to that effect. Then congressional Republicans helped pass bipartisan legislation codifying Trumps own executive order. The problem? Trump changed his mind. Read more: Opinion: The 'deep state' and 'the swamp' are both favorite Trump targets. Here's the difference Why? Because his campaign videos did well on TikTok. They brought me a chart, and it was a record, and it was so beautiful to see, and as I looked at it, I said, Maybe we gotta keep this sucker around for a little while, he explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a leader on this issue, has been forcefully persuasive that TikTok is a national security threat. Is he supposed to say, never mind because videos of Trump dancing to the Village People did well? On everything from legislative strategy to energy policies to Cabinet appointments, Trump has left his own party faithful scrambling to explain and defend his actions beyond blind cult-of-personality loyalty. That would be politically manageable with supermajorities in the House and Senate, less so with a two-vote margin in the House and three-seat majority in the Senate. For Trump unity means loyalty, and loyalty for Trump is a one-way street. When it comes to Congress, Politicos Rachel Bade writes, Trump is more concerned with using his political muscle to perform acts of dominance than to settle the intramural disputes that are holding up his agenda. The lesson, a Trump transition official told Axios: Never get ahead of the boss, because you just never know. Its understandable why the Trump team would see things this way. Trump has gelded the GOP. But its also understandable why presidents crafted party unity the old way: the Constitution. Unlike in parliamentary systems where the majority party leader runs the whole government, Congress is a separate branch of government, and its members are elected with their own mandates and with their own political ambitions. The party will stick together as long as those ambitions are advanced by unity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But not much longer. @JonahDispatch 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. President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Its long been a tradition in American politics that new presidents experience a honeymoon period during their first several weeks in office a time during which allies and supporters heap praise upon the new chief executives initial actions and much of the general public coalesces around the hope that change and new blood in Washington will usher in a time of progress and problem solving. This is the spirit that former President Joe Biden spoke to during his final hours in office in which, despite his many big and bitter differences with Donald Trump, he graciously and honorably expressed the wish that the new administration would meet with success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That said, there are also moments when the fawning and ring kissing directed at new leaders reaches absurd even dangerous levels. Seldom has this been more evident than in recent days in the embarrassingly obsequious statements and actions of several Republican politicians and conservative plutocrats as they competed to demonstrate their devotion to their Dear Leader. From Elon Musks was-it-or-wasnt it? salute, to the proposals advanced to place Trumps comb-over on Mount Rushmore, or as freshman North Carolina Congressman Addison McDowell has proposed to rename Washington Dulles Airport in his honor, overstated gestures and rhetoric reminiscent of the kind once directed toward 20th Century authoritarian regimes have been piling up rapidly. U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (Photo: House.gov) Take, for instance, North Carolina Congressman Richard Hudson. Hudson, a career politician from Charlotte who has represented a gerrymandered district that runs east from his hometown for more than a decade after several years managing campaigns for an array of GOP pols, sent out an email newsletter last week that enthusiastically embraced the creepy grandiosity thats been so prevalent in the Trump alternative reality of late. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the over-the-top missive, Trumps arrival heralds the arrival of an incredible and historic time for our great country. And thanks to the new administrations commitments to deporting undocumented immigrants and securing energy dominance, Hudson says, the Golden Age of America has arrived. The golden age language, of course, comes from Trumps inaugural address a speech that veteran conservative columnist George Will described as memorable for its staggering inappropriateness in which Trump declared the golden age of America begins right now. Setting aside the absurdity of Trumps (and Hudsons) claim that the mass deportation of millions of good people whove become essential to the economy and ending the nations commitment to developing sustainable energy somehow represents great news, one has to say there is something apt and revealing even if it was unintentional in the language theyve chosen. While many presidents have adopted catchphrases as the themes for their administrations a Square Deal, the New Deal, the Fair Deal, the New Frontier, a Great Society these phrases have generally represented forward-looking and aspirational concepts that connoted a better life for average people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Golden Age like the Trump presidency itself is something different. Its a kind of rose-tinted, backward-looking phrase one that tends to show up in history books and that often refers to periods of imperial and national might, or dominance associated with a single ruler or group of rulers. How appropriate. As numerous observers have also already noted, its not much of a leap to go from golden age to gilded age the term commonly used to describe the last quarter of the 19th Century during which so-called robber barons dominated the U.S economy and helped usher in an era of vast and unprecedented economic inequality. Sound familiar? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And of course, given Trumps unabashed commitment to maximizing his own personal wealth by continuing to sell, sell, sell throughout his time in public life right down to the unveiling of the $TRUMP cryptocurrency coin the day prior to his inauguration golden age also seems an apt descriptor for the second term of the nations very first billionaire pitchman/president. But if theres a most poignant (and maybe even ironic) gold association here especially given the millions of religious conservatives who embrace a longtime casino owner, serial adulterer and convicted felon as a figure whose words and actions should be treated as virtual gospel it might just be to the ancient tale from the Torah, Quran and Old Testament of the golden calf. As many people of different beliefs will recall, this was the story in which, after having been led by Moses from bondage in Egypt, the Hebrews grew restless and fashioned a cult image and false deity out of gold: He took the gold from them, formed it in a mold, and cast an image of a calf; and they said, These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!' Exodus 32:4. While there are several versions and countless interpretations of this story, almost all agree that it was an experiment that did not end well at least in the short term for a lot of people. One can only hope that our present national flirtation with false idol worship ends on a better note. FREDERICK, Md. (DC News Now) A newly-formed nonprofit is out to make the Golden Mile of Frederick an attractive destination to live, work and play. The Golden Mile Alliance sees the areas cultural diversity as a driving force in the effort. Tax credits for historic preservations drive investment in Frederick The so-called Golden Mile extends east of town along Route 40. We are the most diverse and densely populated part of the city and the county and we want to bring out all the cultures that we have from the Golden Mile, Christopher McDonald with the alliance, said. This way the business community can say, hey, this is a strength and we need to play into that strength.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patricia Moir with the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce supports this effort. Were here to create new relationships with the community, Moir said. Not just the business community, but the community at large. The Asian American Center of Frederick sees the strong multicultural footprint in Frederick as an asset. When you look at economic growth, workforce, the range of languages that we have, we will continue to do well. Elizabeth Chung, executive director of the center, said. Historic downtown Hagerstown landmark is on the auction block Just last week on a visit to Frederick, Gov. Wes Moore said he stands fully behind the diverse cultures making Frederick and Maryland their home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a very strong foundation here in Maryland that will support the immigrant community, Moore 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. By Emma Farge GENEVA (Reuters) -Dead bodies were scattered in the streets of Goma and hospitals were overwhelmed with patients with gunshot and shrapnel wounds, a day after Rwanda-backed rebels marched into the biggest city in eastern Congo, U.N. and other aid agencies said on Tuesday. The M23 rebels entered Goma on Monday in a major escalation of a three-decade conflict. They were continuing to face pockets of resistance from the army and their backers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, small arms fire and mortar fire continued in the streets, where many dead bodies could be seen, said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the U.N. humanitarian office (OCHA), citing reports from staff in the city. "The humanitarian situation in and around Goma remains extremely worrying," Laerke told a Geneva briefing. "Hospitals in Goma are reportedly overwhelmed, struggling to manage the influx of wounded people," he added. He said there were also reports of rapes by fighters. Hundreds of people have been admitted to hospital with gunshot and other wounds, said Adelheid Marschang, the World Health Organization's (WHO) emergency response coordinator for Congo at the same briefing. "We are hearing reports of health workers being shot at and patients including babies being caught in crossfire," she said. Already at the weekend, the U.N. agency had counted 600-700 people wounded across Goma hospitals, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Red Cross said that one of its hospitals had received over 100 patients within 24 hours with head wounds and chest trauma from mortars and shrapnel. "And while the hospital is overwhelmed, we are still receiving calls from desperate injured people who struggle to access healthcare," said Patrick Youssef, regional director for Africa at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). "Very disturbingly, we have seen a significant increase in the number of severely injured children," he said. Patients are waiting in the corridors for lack of beds while the hospital car park had been converted into a triage centre, he added. The fighting has been accompanied by a surge in looting with both the ICRC and the World Food Programme (WFP) reporting that medical and food supplies had been stolen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Depending on the duration of violence, the supply of food into the city could be severely hampered," said Shelley Thakral, WFP Spokesperson in the capital Kinshasa. (Reporting by Emma FargeEditing by Rachel More and Peter Graff) Jack Greiner, partner of Faruki PLL A plaintiff in a copyright infringement suit recently got some bad news when the court refused to sanction Google for its failure to remove allegedly infringing videos from YouTube. The problem for the plaintiff was that Google wasn't a party to the underlying suit, and the plaintiff had no evidence that Google acted in concert with the infringing defendant. Future Motion the plaintiff develops, manufactures, markets and sells a line of self-balancing electric skateboards and related items. In November 2023, the plaintiff sued Tony Lai, who owned a business called Floatwheel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Future Motion alleged that Lai and Floatwheel infringed four of Future Motion's patents on its skateboard technology by manufacturing, importing and selling Floatwheel self-balancing electric skateboards to American customers. Floatwheel did not attend preliminary proceedings, and so it was not there to object to an injunction issued by the court. Part of that injunction provided: "It is hereby further ordered that, in accordance with the Court's inherent equitable power to issue provisional remedies ancillary to its authority to provide final equitable relief, any internet service provider including but not limited to any web hosting company, domain name registry, domain name registrar, ecommerce service provider, and/or video platform provider having notice of the Court's Order must (1) take any and all action necessary to remove the infringing content from websites having content controlled by Defendant, or alternatively to disable access to the website; and (2) provide notice of compliance to Future Motion's counsel within five (5) business days of receipt of notice of this Order. This includes but is not limited to the following specific examples: "Any video platform provider, including but not limited to Google LLC doing business as YouTube, must promptly upon receipt of a copy of this Order either disable public access to (i) the entire Floatwheel YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/floatwheel or (ii) to all individual videos teaching viewers how to make and/or use a product that infringes Future Motions patents, including but not limited to . . . 48 videos [listed below with titles and URLs] currently hosted at the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/floatwheel." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order laid out the penalty Google would face if it violated the injunction: "Pursuant to this Court's inherent powers, any person or entity failing to comply promptly with this Order, including but not limited to any domain name Registrar, e-commerce service provider, video platform service provider (including Google LLC doing business as YouTube), freight forwarding service provider, or logistics company (including but not limited to those enumerated above) shall be subject to sanctions for civil and/or criminal contempt." Google blocked U.S. users access to the 48 videos referenced in the injunction, but ultimately, the court amended its order and required Google to disable the entire channel. When Google failed to do so, Future Motion asked the court to impose sanctions. Google objected, and the court agreed with Google. Future Motion failed to overcome two hurdles in its effort to recover sanctions. First, Google was not a party to the injunction hearing. It had no opportunity to object or argue against the imposition of sanctions. For this reason, the court lacked jurisdiction to impose the order against Google. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Future Motion tried to overcome this hurdle by arguing that Google, in failing to disable the channel, "aided and abetted" the infringement. But this argument failed because Future Motion didn't have the facts on its side. As the court noted: "Google merely hosted Defendant's channel as it would any other of its channels. It did not contract with Defendant, nor has Plaintiff presented any evidence that Google 'had any contact with [Defendant] after the injunction was issued.' Moreover, just because Google was 'technologically capable of removing [Defendants videos] does not render its failure to do so aiding and abetting.' The Court finds that Googles passive involvement of hosting does not support especially not by clear and convincing evidence that it consciously and culpably participated in Defendant's infringing conduct." Sometimes a great theory falls apart because the facts simply don't support it. That is the lesson Future Motion learned the hard way here. Jack Greiner is a partner at Faruki PLL law firm in Cincinnati. He represents Enquirer Media in First Amendment and media issues. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Should Google block YouTube videos? | Strictly Legal Google said Monday it will enforce changes to the U.S. map, including changing the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, following an executive order President Donald Trump passed his first day back in office. Google will be making some changes to its U.S. maps in accordance with one of President Donald Trumps first executive actions of his second term. The tech giant said Monday it would update its maps, changing the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Trump signed an executive order Jan. 20 to change certain geographic names to honor American greatness" and promote the extraordinary heritage of our Nation and ensure future generations of American citizens celebrate the legacy of our American heroes. The changes, overseen by the secretary of the Interior, also include reverting the name of Alaskan mountain Denali to Mount McKinley, a reversal of a change introduced under former President Barack Obama in 2015 to honor Alaskas native population. Google will also refer to Denali as Mount McKinley. Weve received a few questions about naming within Google Maps, Google said in a post on X Monday. We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before Google makes any changes to its maps, it awaits an update to the government database Geographic Names Information System, part of the U.S. Geological Survey. Trumps executive order criticized Obamas decision to change the name of Mount McKinley to Denali, saying the nomenclature was an affront to 25th President William McKinley, who, like Trump, championed tariffs and U.S. manufacturing. McKinley never visited Alaska, but a gold prospector advocated for Americas tallest mountain to be named in 1896 for McKinley, the Republican presidential candidate, who was a large proponent of the gold standard. The native Athabascan people of Alaska have long called the mountain Denali. Techs enforcement of geographic name changes Following the Department of the Interiors August 2015 order, Google updated the name of the mountain to Denali within days, while Microsoft-owned Bing continues to refer to the site as Mount McKinley on its maps. Though Google has abided by government-ordered name changes in the past, the announcement it will enforce Trumps executive order comes amid a wave of changes in the tech industry that reflect a bending toward the agenda of the new White House administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google donated $1 million to Trumps inauguration fund earlier this month, and Sundar Pichai, CEO of Googles parent company Alphabet, sat among fellow tech giants like Apple CEO Tim Cook and Meta boss Mark Zuckerbergwho also donated seven-digit amounts to the fundat the Jan. 20 ceremony. Meanwhile, Meta announced earlier this month it would end third-party fact-checking on its apps, beginning in the U.S., and instead use X-style community notes appeasing a wave of conservatives who previously criticized the company for not prioritizing free expression. Google did not respond to Fortunes request for comment. Thus far, Apple has continued to use the pre-executive-action names for the locations and did not respond to Fortunes request for comment on plans to change any names on its maps. In Mexico, the name of the body of water will remain the Gulf of Mexico. Around the world, Google users will see both names, a convention Google uses for geographic names that vary across countries, the company said. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Google says it will take its cue from the U.S. government if it has to change the names of the Gulf of Mexico and Denali on its maps. The company said Monday that it will only make changes when the government updates its official listings for the body of water and the mountain. After taking office, President Donald Trump ordered that the water bordered by the Southern United States, Mexico and Cuba be renamed to the Gulf of America. He also ordered America's highest mountain peak be changed back to Mt. McKinley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources, Google said in a post on X. The company said that Maps will reflect any updates to the Geographic Names Information System, a database of more than 1 million geographic features in the United States. When that happens, we will update Google Maps in the U.S. quickly to show Mount McKinley and Gulf of America, Google said. Denali is the mountains preferred name for Alaska Natives. Former President Barack Obama ordered it changed in 2015 from its previous name "McKinley," which was a tribute to President William McKinley, designated in the late 19th century by a gold prospector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press, which provides news around the world to multiple audiences, will refer to the Gulf of Mexico by its original name, which it has carried for 400 years, while acknowledging the name Gulf of America. AP will, however, use the name Mount McKinley instead of Denali; the area lies solely in the United States and as president, Trump has the authority to change federal geographical names within the country. Google Maps users in the U.S. will soon see Gulf of America in place of Gulf of Mexico and Mount McKinley instead of Denali on the map, in line with President Donald Trumps executive order issued last week. Google said in a series of posts on X on Monday that it is has a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources. The changes will go into effect quickly, it added, after the names are updated in the Geographic Names Information System, which is run by the Interior Departments U.S. Geological Survey. The Gulf of Mexico will continue to be identified as such for Google Maps' users in Mexico, the company said. Users in the rest of the world will see both names on the map. When that happens, we will update Google Maps in the U.S. quickly to show Mount McKinley and Gulf of America. News from Google (@NewsFromGoogle) January 27, 2025 Also longstanding practice: When official names vary between countries, Maps users see their official local name. Everyone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here too. News from Google (@NewsFromGoogle) January 27, 2025 Google Maps, which purports to have more than 2 billion users worldwide, has used different names and even drawn different borders for geographically disputed locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order to restore American greatness by renaming the Gulf of Mexico and Denali, the highest peak in North America. President Barack Obama restored the mountains name to Denali in 2015 in a nod to Native Alaskans. Trumps decision to reverse its name back to Mount McKinley after the late President William McKinley has been opposed by most Alaska House lawmakers. Similarly, Trumps push to rename the Gulf of Mexico has been met with derision by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who earlier this month suggested naming North America America Mexicana instead. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Google is complying with President Donald Trumps executive action that renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Soon, the name change will appear on Google Maps. In a post on X, Google explained that it has a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources. The name will be tweaked when the Geographic Names Information System, a government database of names and location data, is updated. Google will also change the name of Mount McKinley, the nations highest peak, from Denali. Former President Barack Obama renamed the Alaska landmark to Denali in 2015 as a nod to the regions native population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both changes stem from an executive action that Trump signed shortly after taking office last week, saying the changes 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 said. The order criticized Obamas decision to rename McKinley as 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google notes that only users in the United States will see both changes because when official names vary between countries, Maps users see their official local name. Everyone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here too. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com It's official. Sort of. Google Maps posted on X it would change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America once it is officially updated in the U.S. Geographic Names System. The same day he became America's 47th president, Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The announcement followed through on a promise Trump made from his estate in Palm Beach County earlier in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also ordered the name of Alaska's Mount Denali be changed back to Mount McKinley. So what happens if you try to look up Gulf of Mexico or Gulf of America? What happens if you Google Gulf of Mexico today? President Trump issued an executive order to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Google Maps has said it will make the change on its maps once it's officially updated in the U.S. Geographic Names System. If you go to Google Maps today, Jan. 28, and type in Gulf of Mexico, you'll see the Gulf of Mexico as you have in the past. It's especially familiar to Florida residents who watch the body of water carefully during every hurricane season since its warm waters and proximity to the Sunshine State mean tropical cyclones can and have formed and strengthened quickly. What happens if you type Gulf of America into Google Maps? You won't be taken to the large body of water surrounded by Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. Instead, you'll get a list of businesses with Gulf America in their names. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So the words Gulf of America isn't shown over the large body of water. Yet. When will Google Maps show the Gulf of America? President Trump issued an executive order to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Google Maps has said it will make the change on its maps once it's officially updated in the U.S. Geographic Names System. Google announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, it will change the name to Gulf of America once the name is officially updated in the U.S. Geographic Names System. In the executive order signed Jan. 20, Trump said the secretary of the interior shall rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America within 30 days. "The Secretary shall subsequently update the GNIS to reflect the renaming of the Gulf and remove all references to the Gulf of Mexico from the GNIS," the order said. GNIS stands for Geographic Names Information System. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That would require the name change by Feb. 19. Gulf of America on Google Maps would be visible only in US The name change on Google Maps would be visible only in the U.S. Outside of the U.S., users will see both the Gulf of Mexico and Gulf of America, according to Reuters. Why is Google Maps changing the name from Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America? Weve received a few questions about naming within Google Maps. We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources. News from Google (@NewsFromGoogle) January 27, 2025 "We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources," @NewsFromGoogle posted on X. "When that happens, we will update Google Maps in the U.S. quickly to show Mount McKinley and Gulf of America. "Also longstanding practice: When official names vary between countries, Maps users see their official local name. Everyone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here too." US Department of Interior confirms name changes to Gulf of America, Mount McKinley In a statement issued Friday, Jan. 24, the U.S. Department of Interior said it was "proud to announce the implementation of name restorations that honor the legacy of American greatness, with efforts already underway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As directed by the President, the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America and North Americas highest peak will once again bear the name Mount McKinley. "These changes reaffirm the Nations commitment to preserving the extraordinary heritage of the United States and ensuring that future generations of Americans celebrate the legacy of its heroes and historic assets. "The U.S. Board on Geographic Names, under the purview of the Department of the Interior, is working expeditiously to update the official federal nomenclature in the Geographic Names Information System to reflect these changes, effective immediately for federal use." Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis may have been first to use Gulf of America in official document Gov. Ron DeSantis used Gulf of America instead of Gulf of Mexico his own executive order, the same day Trump signed his order, as a freak winter storm approached Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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..." DeSantis' order began, possibly the first official use of the new name in the country. Can Trump change the name from Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America? Anyone can suggest to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names that geographic features get renamed, and many have, especially in recent years as federal officials addressed historic place names that were considered offensive to Black and Native Americans. "There must, however, be a compelling reason to change it," the U.S. Geological Survey said on its website. "Generally, the most important policy regarding names is local use and acceptance." Contributing: C. A. Bridges, USA Today Network-Florida This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Gulf of America Google Maps changing Gulf of Mexico. Where, when Google Maps said that it will rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America on its maps app, saying that the change will take place when it has been updated in official government sources. Google also will change the name of Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, back to Mount McKinley. More from Deadline In his first day in office, Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating the name change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google said that when the Geographic Names Information System is updated, we will update Google Maps in the U.S. quickly to show Mount McKinley and Gulf of America. Also longstanding practice: When official names vary between countries, Maps users see their official local name. Everyone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here too. The Associated Press announced last week that it will maintain the name Gulf of Mexico in its Stylebook, noting that Trumps order only carries authority within the United States. Mexico, as well as other countries and international bodies, do not have to recognize the name change. The AP will switch to referring to Denali as Mount McKinley. Googles CEO Sundar Pichai was among the tech titans who attended Trumps inauguration. Google lost a major antitrust battle over search, and the Biden administration Justice Department had called for the search giant to shed its Chrome browser, among other remedies. A federal judge has yet to rule. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You wont be able to find the Gulf of Mexico or Denali on Google Maps anymore, at least by those names. In a post on X Monday, Google said it has received a few questions about naming within Google Maps. We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources, the company wrote. Google will rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America and restore Denali in Alaska, the highest peak in North America, to its previous name, Mount McKinley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump signed the Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness executive order on his first day in office. It requires the Secretary of the Interior to update all federal maps, databases and documents with the name change within 30 days. The names will be changed when the Geographic Names Information System, a government database of names and location data, is updated, per CNN. Google said that only users in the United States will see both changes because when official names vary between countries, Maps users see their official local name. Everyone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here, too. Changing with style The Associated Press Stylebook, a grammar and usage guide used by many American news outlets, will also reflect the Trump administration changes, though with a caveat in one case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AP notes the Gulf of Mexico has carried its name for more than 400 years and has shared borders between the U.S. and Mexico. Trumps order only carries authority within the United States. Mexico, as well as other countries and international bodies, do not have to recognize the name change, per the AP. The Associated Press will refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen. As a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences, according to the news outlet. The AP will refer to Denali as Mount McKinley, noting the area lies solely in the United States and as president, Trump has the authority to change federal geographical names within the country. Former President Barack Obama changed the official name to Denali in 2015 to reflect the traditions of Alaska Natives as well as the preference of many Alaska residents, per the AP. Trump said in his executive order that he wanted to restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley. Naming rights Trump executive action says the changes honor American greatness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 said. The order criticized Obamas decision to rename McKinley as an affront to President McKinleys life, his achievements and his sacrifice. Drawing comparisons to Trump, the order says that McKinley championed tariffs and was assassinated in an attack on our Nations values and our success, per CNN. Alaskas two senators oppose the name change, saying Denali serves as a needed reminder of the states deep Indigenous history, per NBC News. In a nod to the Gulf of Mexicos contributions to the U.S. economy, Trump is directing that it officially be renamed the Gulf of America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AP reported that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum couldnt help but laugh at Trumps name change. 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. Google announced that it plans to update the names of two major geographical landmarks in accordance with an executive order from President Donald Trump. The tech giant said in an X post it plans to update the name of Alaska's Denali mountain to Mt. McKinley and the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. "We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources," Google said in the X post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google said in the thread of posts that it uses the U.S. Geological Survey's Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database to determine the names. "Also longstanding practice: When official names vary between countries, Maps users see their official local name. Everyone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here too," Google added in another post. This comes after Trump signed an executive order on Inauguration Day that ordered the name Mt. McKinley be reinstated and the Gulf of Mexico be renamed. PHOTO: President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington, Jan. 23, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) "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. President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent," Trump said during his inaugural address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump testing limits of presidential power, but experts say his flex might not stick The move was met with some resistance, even from Trump's own party. In an X post on Jan. 20, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski said that she "strongly" disagreed with Trump's decision. "Our nations tallest mountain, which has been called Denali for thousands of years, must continue to be known by the rightful name bestowed by Alaskas Koyukon Athabascans, who have stewarded the land since time immemorial," Murkowski said. Google Maps to rename Gulf of Mexico, Denali for US users originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Google is saying goodbye to the Gulf of Mexico. Moving forward, Google Maps will call it the Gulf of America, the tech giant announced Monday, a week after President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming it on his first day back in office. We have received a few questions about naming within Google Maps, Google posted on X. We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources. Google also said it would be changing Denali the tallest mountain in North America back to Mt. McKinley, following a different executive order from Trump. The Alaska mountain had been renamed in 2015 to Denali by then-President Barack Obama; it was initially named after President William McKinley in 1896. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new changes had not gone into effect on Google Maps by Monday afternoon; Google said it would be updating its app quickly to reflect the new names. Interestingly, Google said that while American users will see the official local name, users in the rest of the world see both names for the locations. The changes come after Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet, Googles parent company, sat behind President Trump at his inauguration last week. A number of other tech execs including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Tesla and X boss Elon Musk, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos were there alongside Pichai. You can read more about their trip to Washington, D.C., and what Trump fans thought about their support, by clicking here. The post Google Renames the Gulf of Mexico After Trumps Executive Order appeared first on TheWrap. Google said Monday its maps will use names for Denali and the Gulf of Mexico favored by President Donald Trump Mount McKinley and Gulf of America when federal maps make the switch. In an executive order he signed on his first day back in office on Jan. 20, Trump ordered the interior secretary to make the changes within 30 days. Trump's order said the new names would need to be reflected in the federal Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) run by the U.S. Geological Survey, part of the Interior Department. Spokespeople for the survey did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday. A view of Denali, North America's tallest peak, in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. The Senate is considering Trump's nominee for interior secretary, former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who answered questions at a confirmation hearing Jan. 16. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement on X, Google suggested any GNIS-driven name changes for Google Maps would take place as a matter of long-standing policy. "We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources," it said. It said that when GNIS makes the changes, "we will update Google Maps in the U.S. quickly to show Mount McKinley and Gulf of America." However, it noted that Trump and the United States aren't always global arbiters of place names. If the new names aren't recognized outside the United States, the accepted names in each country will be reflected on Google Maps, the company said, meaning Denali and the Gulf of Mexico may remain their names outside the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alaska's two senators oppose the change, saying "Denali" serves as a needed reminder of the state's deep indigenous history. Spokespeople for Apple's own maps, native to the iPhone, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. In his order, Trump said William McKinley, the 25th president, was committed to "American greatness." "Under his leadership, the United States enjoyed rapid economic growth and prosperity, including an expansion of territorial gains," the order says. Trump tied his desire to rename the Gulf of Mexico to his contention that Mexico has allowed undocumented migrants to flow into the United States unfettered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded on Jan. 8 by suggesting Mexico call its northern neighbor "America Mexicana," a term used to describe what is now the United States that harks back to 1607 and burgeoning defiance of Spain. The Associated Press, a global nonprofit cooperative that reports and shares news for its member outlets, said last week it will honor the change to Mount McKinley, the first official name given to Denali by the U.S. government nearly a century before the Obama administration reprised its centuries-old Indigenous name. "The Associated Press will use the official name change to Mount McKinley," Amanda Barrett, the AP's vice president of standards and inclusion, said in a statement. "The area lies solely in the United States and as president, Trump has the authority to change federal geographical names within the country." The AP publishes a guide of contemporary English language, the AP Stylebook, which includes guidance for journalists about place names, capitalization, officials' titles and best practices. It is the basis for shared language in news stories distributed to its members. Barrett said the stylebook will be updated to replace Denali with Mount McKinley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regarding the "Gulf of America," the AP has a different stance. "The Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years," Barrett said. "The Associated Press will refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen. As a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences." The organization notes that the body of water bounded by Mexico's Pacific coast and the Baja Peninsula has two names, often dependent on one's country of origin. In the United States, it is predominantly called the Gulf of California. In Mexico, where its coastline exists exclusively, it is the Sea of Cortez. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com (Bloomberg) -- Nineteen Republican attorneys general called on Costco Wholesale Corp. to end its workforce diversity policies after the bulk retailer became one of the few companies to defend its practice. Most Read from Bloomberg The state officials, including those from Texas, Alabama and Kentucky, said in a letter to Costco Chief Executive Officer Ron Vachris on Monday that the retailers decision to defend its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts goes against the Supreme Courts 2023 ruling against affirmative action in university enrollment. The ruling doesnt apply to companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im putting Costco on notice to do the right thing and eliminate discriminatory DEI, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said in a separate statement. Last week, Costco fought off an investor proposal at its annual shareholder meeting from a conservative group seeking details of the risks attached to so-called DEI policies. The company defended the legality of its DEI programs, saying its commitment to an enterprise rooted in respect and inclusion is appropriate and necessary. Costco declined to comment on the letter. The pushback from state Republicans comes as President Donald Trumps new administration lashes out at DEI programs and tries to eliminate them in the federal government and corporate America. Walmart Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. are among companies that have rolled back DEI programs in recent weeks under pressure from conservatives. The executive order used vague language to discourage what it said was illegal DEI programs, causing confusing and spurring corporate leaders and lawyers to try to decipher what that means. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates for diversity programs say that diverse teams are positive for companies in myriad ways, including by helping with talent retention and by helping firms better understand their customers. Costco doesnt list many specific DEI programs in its corporate materials. One initiative is a supplier program it started in 2005 thats designed to partner with community organizations to identify qualified diverse suppliers to support our business. Others include philanthropic engagements and employee development goals that provide all employees with training, education and opportunities for career development. The attorneys general, which include those from Texas and Georgia, are demanding Costco say within 30 days whether it has repealed its DEI policies or explain why it hasnt done so. The move comes after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton last week asked Wall Street firms to answer questions about their DEI measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Jaewon Kang. (Updates throughout) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. BOSTON (WWLP) As the Trump administration ramps up deportations, several Massachusetts Republicans are pushing for cooperation between ICE and state and local law enforcement. Know your rights, local immigration attorney explains as mass deportations continue State Representatives Michael Soter (R-Bellingham) and Ken Sweezey (R-Pembroke) filed a bill dubbed an Act to promote and protect safety in the Commonwealth, that looks for a 36-hour buffer for local law enforcement to hold non-citizens who are deemed dangerous and have ICE detainers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE says these detainers are a public safety tool and are issued only to non-citizens already in custody for criminal activity. As the law stands, a loophole in public safety laws prevents law enforcement from holding those with ICE detainers beyond the time that a legal Massachusetts resident could be heldwhich effectively means Massachusetts court officers have no authority to detain an individual based solely on a federal immigration detainer. State Senator Peter Durant (R-Spencer) expressed his support for the legislation. These new laws will improve public safety by allowing time for ICE to remove people who are increasingly victimizing others, including children, said Durant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This potential new law adds to growing fears among undocumented and documented immigrants alike that they or their children are at risk of deportation regardless of their criminal records. Before Trump was elected, Governor Maura Healey said Massachusetts would not be cooperating with ICE mass deportations. Now, she has clarified that she does support deporting undocumented criminals, which has already begun in Massachusetts. 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. Voters in California and Texas affiliated with a Democratic group want to intervene in a lawsuit filed by four Republican state attorneys general that is attempting to exclude people in the U.S. illegally from numbers used to divvy up congressional seats among states. The five voters said in a motion Monday that the state attorneys general's lawsuit would harm them by taking away congressional representation and Electoral College votes from their states. The lawsuit filed more than a week ago by the GOP attorneys general of Kansas, Louisiana, Ohio and West Virginia seeks to exclude people in the country illegally or temporarily from the numbers used to apportion congressional seats after each once-a-decade census. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 14th Amendment states that the whole number of persons in each state should be counted for the numbers used for apportionment, the process of allocating congressional seats and Electoral College votes among the states, based on population. The voters from California and Texas said in their motion that the 14th Amendment was as clear as can be that apportionment should be based on the count of all residents. During his first term, President Donald Trump signed an order that would have excluded people in the U.S. illegally from being included in the 2020 census numbers used to allot congressional seats. A second order mandated the collection of citizenship data through administrative records. A Republican redistricting expert had written that using citizen voting-age population instead of the total population for the purpose of redrawing congressional and legislative districts could be advantageous to Republicans and non-Hispanic whites. Trump issued the orders after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked his earlier attempt to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census questionnaire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Trump orders were rescinded when President Joe Biden arrived at the White House in January 2021, before the 2020 census figures were released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Trump rescinded Biden's order last week at the start of his second term, signaling the possibility of a push by his new administration to change the 2030 census. ___ Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform X: @MikeSchneiderAP. Wisconsin Supreme Court chambers. (Photo by Baylor Spears/Wisconsin Examiner) The members of Wisconsins Republican congressional delegation formally endorsed Brad Schimel in the April Wisconsin Supreme Court election Monday in a virtual news conference that highlighted Schimels campaign talking points. Schimel, a Waukesha County circuit judge and former one-term state attorney general, is running for an open seat on the court against Susan Crawford, a Dane County circuit judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elections for the state Supreme Court are officially nonpartisan, but theyve become partisan in all but name over the last couple of decades, with both major parties supporting candidates. While Schimels announcement Monday touted the backing of congressional Republicans, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and other key Democratic leaders have endorsed Crawford. The race to replace retiring Justice Ann Walsh Bradley will determine whether the Courts four-member liberal majority remains or falls to a new four-member conservative majority. At the Monday morning news conference U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) said the Wisconsin voters who helped carry Donald Trump to a second term as U.S. president in November would do the same for Schimel in April. Theyre sick and tired of the radical left agenda, Van Orden said. They want to make sure that someone that is sitting on the court is interpreting the law, not writing the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the questions from reporters on the call was one about Schimels past statements on the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters trying to overturn Joe Bidens election as president in 2020. During a talk radio show broadcast on Jan. 2, Schimel charged that the prosecution of the Jan. 6 defendants in Washington, D.C. where the Capitol is located and the attack took place was the result of political manipulation by Democrats because the population of the city is overwhelmingly liberal. They would never take their prosecution in a district where you had a fair shot as a defendant, Schimel told radio host Vicki McKenna. During Mondays news conference, a member of Schimels campaign staff relayed a reporters question that began with a reference to a former U.S. Capitol Police officer who is coming to Wisconsin tomorrow to criticize your comments about the defendants in those cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question didnt specify Schimels comments or their context, but asked what he thought of the Trump pardons for Jan. 6 protesters who assaulted law enforcement officers. I have no idea what comments you are talking about, Schimel replied, adding, Ive said that anyone who engaged in violence and Jan. 6, assaulted a police officer, resisted arrest, those people should have been prosecuted. They should be prosecuted and held accountable, and judges should impose sentences that are just under the circumstances. But Schimel also criticized the use of a federal law against election obstruction to lodge felony charges against some of those who had broken into the Capitol that day. He said it took the U.S. Supreme Court to finally recognize that prosecutors in Washington, D.C., overreached. The Court vacated those convictions. In addition, he voiced support for a presidents right to pardon offenders. Its a power they have, Schimel said. I dont object to them utilizing that power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news conference signaled that Schimels campaign is focusing on, among other subjects, Wisconsins 2011 law requiring voters to show a picture ID when they go to the polls. Republican lawmakers have proposed an amendment that would enshrine the requirement in the state constitution. That proposal goes before voters on the April ballot alongside the Supreme Court race. Republicans argue that the state Supreme Court might otherwise overturn the law. Schimel also raised the circuit court decision, now under appeal, that would overturn the 2011 law known as Act 10 sharply restricting collective bargaining for public employees. As an attorney, Crawford represented clients who sought to overturn the states Voter ID law as well as Act 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She advocated, she fought against and tried to overturn Wisconsins Voter ID law, Sen. Ron Johnson said. Its such a huge difference between conservative judges, people like Brad Schimel, who will apply the law faithfully again, not what his policy preferences are, but respect not only our state constitution, but the federal constitution in the separation of powers, the checks and balances and being a judge, not a super legislator. Schimel noted Crawfords work as a lawyer opposing Act 10 in a case that the Supreme Court, with a conservative majority at the time, rejected. This has been settled law for over a decade, but its coming right back, he said. If my opponent wins, does anyone believe a case, a law, like Act 10 has any chance of a fair, objective examination? Asked what his standard would be for recusing himself from ruling on a case, Schimel said that would include any case where my family, I or my family, my immediate family, have a personal stake, win or lose, in that case. He said he would perhaps need to recuse himself on issues with which I was directly involved in the past or that I took strong positions on but added that its hard to predict what that might be in a vacuum like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, however, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin accused Schimel of prejudging the issue of abortion rights. The party highlighted a New York Times report on the race that included references to his opposition to abortion rights and his work as attorney general in helping to map out a strategy to restrict abortion rights. The Times article quoted Schimel telling supporters during a campaign stop this past summer that he supported Wisconsins 1849 law that was thought to ban abortion until a December 2023 circuit court decision declared that it did not. That ruling is now under appeal and the case is likely to go before the state Supreme Court, possibly this year. There is not a constitutional right to abortion in our State Constitution, The Times quoted Schimel telling supporters in Chilton. That will be a sham if they find that. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis told Pete Hegseths former sister-in-law that a sworn statement about his alleged alcohol abuse and abuse of his second wife could convince senatorshimself includedto oppose Hegseths confirmation as secretary of defense, promising such a statement would carry weight. Danielle Hegseth signed such a statement, and three Republicans Alaskas Lisa Murkowski, Maines Susan Collins, and Kentuckys Mitch McConnellvoted against Donald Trumps pick to lead the Defense Department. Tillis ultimately voted for Hegseth, who was confirmed late Friday after Vice President JD Vance broke the 50-50 tie. According to The Wall Street Journal, Tillis conveyed his message to Danielle Hegseth on Jan. 19 in a phone call that two others witnessed. In a statement to the publication, Tillis, who is up for re-election next fall, said Hegseths statement did carry weight, which is why I communicated my concerns to the White House and spent days doing my due diligence and seeing if there were any firsthand corroborating accounts of the sworn statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tillis added that he was not able to speak with anyone who provided firsthand corroboration. Pete Hegseths second wife, Samantha, is precluded from making disparaging remarks about her former husband due to a clause in a 2018 divorce agreement, MSNBC reported on the eve of his confirmation vote. Samantha Hegseth has denied that any physical abuse occurred during her marriage, but did not deny allegations by Danielle Hegseth that she feared for her safety and had a safe word to text others when she felt threatened. In her sworn statement from last week, Danielle Hegseth said she went public because she had doubts about Hegseths competency for the role and because I have been assured that making this public statement will ensure that certain senators who are still on the fence will vote against Hegseths confirmation. But for that assurance, she added, I would not subject myself or others referred to in this statement to the public scrutiny this statement is likely to cause. A Pierce County judge found Friday that a man serving life in prison for the 1996 murder of a drug dealer in Tacoma had rehabilitated himself while incarcerated and earned a 36-year sentence that will see him freed in about eight years. When Anthony Enrico Hamilton was first sentenced for kidnapping, robbing and fatally shooting 22-year-old Lakey Key-Key Ashford, he had two prior convictions considered most serious offenses. That meant the only punishment available to the judge was life in prison without parole under Washingtons three strikes law, the Persistent Offender Accountability Act. In 2019, the state Legislature removed second-degree robbery from the list of crimes considered most serious offenses, and two years later the Legislature made the change retroactive. That eliminated a strike from Hamiltons record, so he was eligible to receive a new sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law that made the change retroactive, Senate Bill 5164, was sponsored by former state Sen. Jeannie Darneille, a Tacoma Democrat. The legislation came amid racial reckoning over police killings of George Floyd, Manuel Ellis and other Black people. The three strikes law disproportionately affected Black offenders, according to a Seattle Times analysis of Department of Corrections data. A 2024 report found that reforms did little to address the issue. In court filings, Hamiltons defense attorney from the Department of Assigned Counsel, Mary K. High, argued that Judge Thomas Quinlan should give her client a sentence below the standard range based on his significant rehabilitation and community support. High wrote that Hamilton, 54, is not the man he was when he was arrested 27 years ago. Despite his life sentence, she said, Hamilton has spent his time in prison mentoring troubled young people who are incarcerated as part of a passion of curbing the cycle of violence among at-risk youth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In prison Hamilton also earned his GED, worked as a porter for more than 20 years and completed vocational training in drywall construction and building maintenance through Grays Harbor College. The defense requested a sentence of 31 years, seven months. Mr. Hamiltons life is one of transformation, in which he has overcome his childhood trauma, entanglement in community gang activity and violence, to reconnect with family, create relationships as close as family, and mentorship, High wrote. The standard sentencing range for Hamiltons convictions first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree robbery was about 42.5 to 55.33 years, including two firearm sentencing enhancements. Deputy prosecuting attorney Sunni Ko asked Quinlan to impose a 50-year sentence, arguing in court filings that Hamilton had not proven his rehabilitation was a substantial and compelling reason for the court to impose a punishment below the standard range that was also 20-plus years fewer than his codefendant received. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ko said Hamilton methodically planned and executed the robbery, kidnapping and murder of Ashford, and the fact that he has never admitted his complicity in the killing or remorse for it happening should give the court pause when deciding to release Hamilton. According to court records, Hamilton and Andrew Rowe kidnapped Ashford from his Seattle home on July 12, 1996, and stole gold-rimmed tires, drugs and money before driving him to Tacoma. A third co-conspirator testified that he agreed to follow Hamilton and Rowe to Tacoma in Ashfords Ford Thunderbird in exchange for crack cocaine. Ashford, who was handcuffed, was then put in his own car, where Hamilton and Rowe shot him to death. A palm print found on the door of Ashfords car connected Hamilton to the crime, according to court records, and he fit the general description of two men seen at Ashfords apartment before the shooting. He and Rowe were later convicted in a jury trial, and Rowe is serving a 56-year prison sentence at the Monroe Correctional Complex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The killing was premeditated, calculated, violent, vicious, and senseless, Ko wrote. Ko said advocates for Hamilton believe he is no longer a danger to the public because he has changed, but she said they did not hear the evidence during trial or have to mourn the loss of a 22-year-old man who was a brother and a beloved son. There are no guarantees in life and there is certainly no guarantee that Hamilton, now a changed man, will not re-offend, Ko said. FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) Gov. Andy Beshear has weighed in following President Donald Trumps executive order to withdraw from the World Health Organization. As one of his first acts in office, the president signed an executive order to withdraw from the World Health Organization and required that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stop its collaborations awaiting further guidance. Read more of the latest news in politics Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday morning, Beshear shared a video addressing the order on his walk to work. Beshear noted that hes concerned about the USs withdrawal. The pandemic showed us that public health is now global. Withdrawing from the WHO will leave us with less data and fewer options to stop future health threats, Beshear said. Weve got to focus on the things that keep our people safeas a nation and as a commonwealth. As Governor of Kentucky, Im going to remain focused on that for our people, no matter what. He asserted that the WHOs data helps officials prepare for whats to come so they can make the right decisions. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Beshear made clear that his priority remains to create new jobs, fund infrastructure, and bring accessible health care to Kentucky. 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. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference on Friday, March 15, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) One year after a similar proposal failed to pass the state legislature, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has reintroduced legislation that could result in felony charges against homeless Alaskans and the organizers of unpermitted protests. Senate Bill 74 and its companion, House Bill 71, were filed Monday in the state Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each says that someone who obstructs or blocks a public place by dropping a substance or using any other means may be liable for a class C felony, the lowest-level felony in state law. Both bills are substantially similar to proposals that Dunleavy introduced last year. Those concepts were criticized by civil libertarians.During legislative hearings, Attorney General Treg Taylor said that homeless Alaskans who block trails and sidewalks could also be subject to prosecution. Neither of last years bills advanced to a vote in either the state House or the state Senate. In a letter sent to the state Senate alongside SB 74, Dunleavy said, Alaskans have a constitutional liberty interest in freely moving about the state. This bill will protect the right to freedom of movement against infringement by increasing and expanding existing criminal prohibitions on obstructing public places and rights-of-way and by establishing new civil liability for obstruction of public places. SB 74 and HB 71 have been referred to the transportation committees in the Senate and House, respectively. No hearings have been scheduled. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Ana Maria Rodriguez demonstrates how to test for nitrates outside the state Capitol in Salem on April 17, 2023. (Julia Shumway/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Two years ago, Morrow County residents drove to Salem to meet with Gov. Tina Koteks staff to discuss the nitrate pollution in the areas underground water. They asked that the governor declare a public health emergency to unleash resources to address the years-long crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kotek finally responded this month. She declared an economic emergency for the area, allowing the Port of Morrow to violate its wastewater permit and continue the practices that have destroyed the environment and lives. This was a callous decision and ignores the situation on the ground. Nitrate contamination in Morrow and Umatilla counties has led to miscarriages, cancer and other serious health issues. Ive seen it firsthand, visiting homes where families are suffering because of the water they drink. Perhaps if she had an inbox full of heart-wrenching stories or had sat and grieved with the multitude of mothers who have lost their babies to this pestilence it may have given her pause. Instead, in her press release, she basically said that she had heard from local producers who suggested that discontinuing the pollution would reduce their income. It is fundamental under American law that you do not have a right to make money while harming anothers property nor health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kotek came to our community a couple of years ago, promising change. She pledged to stop the pollution, to end winter discharges that flood our groundwater with nitrates. But those promises have been forgotten, replaced by an economic emergency declaration that prioritizes profit over people. Those promises have turned out to be lies. The community hit hardest by this crisis is largely made up of minority and low-income families, making this an environmental justice issue at its core. Kotek campaigned on environmental justice, but her actions tell a different story. Here, in the Lower Umatilla Basin, were living proof that those pledges were empty. The violence against advocacy, like when one of Oregon Rural Actions vehicles was firebombed during a visit by BIPOC legislative members, shows how desperate some are to silence our cries for a cleaner, safer environment. Its not just about health and environmental policy; its about basic human rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Environmental Protection Agency recommended a health assessment and an epidemiological study to truly understand the impact of nitrates on our community. Both the state and the polluters have been reluctant, perhaps fearing what the truth might cost them. But the cost to us, in health and lives, is already too high. This situation demands immediate, decisive action, not economic Band-Aids that allow pollution to continue. Koteks decision to prioritize an economic emergency over public health shows a preference for safeguarding agricultural and industrial profits at the expense of our well-being, especially for those in our marginalized communities who suffer the most. Sadly, when money is at stake there are those on the left and right that wont let reproduction, environmental degradation or justice stand in their way. This declaration isnt just a setback for environmental justice in Oregon; its a betrayal of the trust we placed in our leaders to protect us. Its a harsh reminder that without relentless advocacy, public pressure, and possibly legal action, the voices of those suffering from nitrate contamination will continue to be ignored in favor of economic interests. But the fight isnt over, and as long as Im here, Ill keep pushing for real change putting health and justice before profit. GIMC's chief medical officer says it takes 40 to 50 calls to hospitals around the country to find beds for Gallup patients. Stock image of a doctor with a patient on a ventilator. (Getty Images) More than two dozen New Mexico rural health care providers will be receiving $40.6 million in funding, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams office announced Monday, as part of the Rural Health Care Delivery Funds $46 million allocation from last years legislative session. According to a news release, some of the top awards went to organizations in the states Northwestern region, including approximately $3.2 million for Casa de Salud to expand behavioral health and primary care services in Valencia County; $4.5 million to Jemez Pueblo to open a diabetes wound clinic in Sandoval County; and about $2.5 million for the ToHajiilee Navajo Chapter to expand dental services, behavioral health services, mobile health services and traditional healing services in the Navajo Nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state previously awarded $5.4 million to four rural organizations that demonstrated their ability to immediately implement services, the news release noted. The recipients will be providing primary care and behavioral services, along with maternal and child health care. This funding empowers us to deliver essential healthcare services to the residents of Lea County, ensuring our community has access to comprehensive and timely primary care, Nichole Chambers, CEO of the Guidance Center of Lea County, said in a statement. The Guidance Center received approximately $432,000 to expand autism services in Lea County. This support allows us to address the unique needs of our rural population, improve health outcomes, and enhance the overall well-being of our community. Funded projects by region Multi-Region Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Behavior Change Institute: Opening an autism diagnostic and treatment clinic in Chaves County and expanding telehealth services statewide. Estimated award $1,003,966. Home Modification Solutions, LLC: Expanding home/environmental modification services in Mora, San Miguel, Socorro, and Torrance Counties. Estimated award $216,908. New Mexico Premier Health, LLC: Expanding urgent care services in Cibola, Socorro, Torrance, and Valencia Counties. Estimated award $3,296,709. Presbyterian Healthcare Services dba Lincoln County Medical Center: Developing behavioral health services in Lincoln and Otero Counties. Estimated award $943,527. Roadrunner Home Health, LLC: Expanding home health and palliative care services in Cibola, Rio Arriba, Socorro, Torrance, and Valencia Counties. Estimated award $4,489,500. Northwestern Region Changing Womens Initiative: Opening maternal child health clinics in Cibola and McKinley Counties and in multiple tribal communities. Estimated award $1,019,250. Gallup Community Health: Expanding preventative health, radiology, and dental services in McKinley County. Estimated award $1,221,860. Justice, Access, Support & Solutions for Health dba Casa De Salud: Expanding behavioral health and primary care services in Valencia County. Estimated award $3,263,484. Pueblo of Jemez: Opening a diabetes wound clinic in Sandoval County. Estimated award $4,522,000. ToHajiilee Navajo Chapter: Expanding of dental services, behavioral health services, mobile health services, and traditional healing services in the Navajo Nation. Estimated award $2,542,235. Northeastern Region Family Practice Associates of Taos: Expanding primary care services in Taos County. Estimated award $1,000,000. Sunrise Clinics: Establishing school behavioral health services in Guadalupe, Mora, San Miguel, and Torrance Counties. Estimated award $176,645. Peak Behavioral Health: Opening Assertive Community Treatment services in Rio Arriba County. Estimated award $1,565,007. Pinwheel Healing Center, LLC: Expanding community mental health and addiction services in Union County. Estimated award $461,600. Presbyterian Espanola Hospital: Expanding adult addiction medicine services in Rio Arriba County. Estimated award $912,600. Southwestern Region Border Area Mental Health Services dba Southwest Counseling Center: Expanding behavioral health services and beginning children and youth services in Dona Ana, Grant, and Hidalgo Counties. Estimated award $967,814. Families and Youth, Inc.: Expanding behavioral health and family services in Dona Ana County. Estimated award $905,248. Hatch Ambulance Service: Expanding non-emergency transportation services in Luna, Otero, and Sierra Counties. Estimated award $354,204. Hidalgo Medical Services: Expanding primary care, behavioral health, mobile crisis response, neurological testing, and dental services in Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra, and Socorro Counties. Estimated award $1,378,993. Mimbres Valley Medical Group RHC a part of Mimbres Memorial Hospital: Expanding primary care and urgent care services in Luna County. Estimated award $427,899. Sierra Vista Hospital and Clinics: Expanding behavioral health services and creating a mobile crisis response service in Sierra County. Estimated award $811,446. Vida Midwifery: Open a birth center with maternal child health, certified midwifes, well/Gyn, and contraception services in Dona Ana, Grant, Luna, Otero, and Sierra Counties. Estimated award $615,548. Southeastern Region Guidance Center of Lea County: Expanding autism services in Lea County. Estimated award $432,783. Lovelace Regional Hospital: Establishing womens health, mammography, ultrasound, and bone density services in Chaves County. Estimated award $502,000. Plains Regional Medical Center: Expanding inpatient dialysis services in Curry, De Baca, Quay, and Roosevelt Counties. Estimated award $658,000. Gov. Janet Mills gives State of the State address at the Maine State House in Augusta on Jan. 30, 2024. (Jim Neuger/Maine Morning Star) This is a developing story and will be updated. Gov. Janet Mills said she is deeply concerned about a memo from President Donald Trumps administration directing the federal government to temporarily stop payments on loans, grants and other financial assistance, beginning at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like many of my fellow governors, I have serious questions about the extent and scope of his decision; the impact it will have on Maine people and businesses, especially the most vulnerable in our state; and his legal authority to issue such an edict, Mills wrote in a statement Tuesday. Mills said her administration is currently evaluating the effects of this order, including its impacts, but it is already clear to me that it is causing entirely needless chaos and confusion across Maine and the nation that it will turn into real and serious harm if it continues. Historically, roughly one third of Maines state budget has relied on federal funds, with the biggest share of that going towards health care. The state is already wrestling with a short-term funding gap of $118 million and a projected $450 million deficit over the next two years, which Mills is expected to address directly in her State of the Budget speech Tuesday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo, issued late Monday from the Office of Management and Budget, directs agencies to complete and submit by Feb. 10 a comprehensive analysis of all of their federal financial assistance programs in order to identify and review all Federal financial assistance programs and supporting activities consistent with the Presidents policies and requirements. The memo goes on to say that programs deemed inconsistent with administration priorities would be cancelled to the extent permissible by law. The confusion felt in Maine mirrored that in the halls of Congress Tuesday, where Maines delegation also reacted to the news with surprise and concern about what it means for the delivery of services and programs, as well as for respect for congressional authority. In a video posted to social media, Maine independent Sen. Angus King called the action the most egregious assault on the power of the institution of Congress in American history. Referring to Congress constitutional authority to control government spending, King said the memo basically renders Congress power, which is laid out in the Constitution, a nullity. Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who recently was named the highest ranking member of the budget-making Senate Appropriations Committee, said Tuesday that while there is justification to take a hard look at some programs the temporary freeze is far too sweeping, and will cause disruption in the administration of a lot of important programs and services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins said shes already hearing from nonprofit organizations and education institutions in Maine that were expecting funding or awarded grants that have now been disrupted. And Im concerned about what its going to mean across the board, she said, adding that shes trying to get more information on the breadth of it. Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree called Trumps actions flagrantly illegal full stop in a written statement on Tuesday. I will not stand by as this administration continues to blatantly break the law and systematically dismantle the government and the civil service, Pingree wrote. My Democratic colleagues and I are exploring every option to fight back and defend hard working Americans. If House Republicans care about the people they represent and their oath to the Constitution, they should join us right away, and fight to restore this critical funding. Pingree cautioned that the federal funding freeze will hurt Mainers, including small business owners and communities rebuilding after extreme weather events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have already heard from Head Start programs who are cut off from their funding, which means classrooms could close in a matter of days, educators could be laid off, and families could be stuck without childcare, Pingree wrote. 2nd District Rep. Jared Golden wrote on social media that his office has been fielding calls all day from Mainers concerned about the presidents freeze. In question are grants for tribal health care, small business funds for fishermen, farmers, and manufacturers, and even critical services Mainers rely on, such as SNAP and LIHEAP, he wrote. That said, the vagueness of the presidents order means there are more questions than answers. Im working to track down those answers and ensure congressionally approved funds are sent out the door. The directive could impact billions, if not trillions, of dollars in federal funding for thousands of programs, according to a separate memo issued from the Office of Management and Budget. The directive, however, specifically excludes Medicare and Social Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maine is expecting a gap of $450 million between the revenue it anticipates taking in and how much its slated to spend over the next biennium. Mills $11.6 billion biennial budget proposal includes targeted health and child care program cuts as well as tax increases to meet that gap. Objections to both already abound. More immediately, the state is also facing an $118 million Medicaid funding gap. The Mills administration has warned it will have to stop payments to health care providers by May if lawmakers dont pass her supplemental budget to address it, which she proposes doing using additional revenue from revised revenue projections this year but also through some more program cuts. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Jan. 28Gov. Janet Mills is set to deliver a State of the Budget Address before a joint session of the Legislature Tuesday night, kicking off negotiations over the final two-year budget of her two terms in office. The annual speech, which is called a State of the State Address in off-budget years, is sure to include appeals for the Legislature to support the governor's budget priorities, including free community college tuition and continued state support for public education. The address also comes just over a week after President Donald Trump returned to office and signed a series of executive orders that seek to root out disloyal federal employees, clamp down on immigration and conduct mass deportations for people who are in the country illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills could use her primetime address to respond to the early actions of the second Trump administration she actively campaigned for his Democratic opponent, former Vice President Kamala Harris. But in December, Mills made it clear she's approaching Trump's second term with caution, telling the Press Herald she will work with the president when his policies benefit Mainers and oppose them when they do not. Mark Brewer, chair of the political science department at the University of Maine, doesn't expect Mills to focus too much on the Trump administration, other than perhaps to reassure Mainers she will look out for their best interests. Instead, he believes Mills will respond directly to those already digging in against her budget plan. "I think she will go after her critics," Brewer said. "Why wouldn't you? Nobody else has a soapbox like this one, so you might as well use it." Mills unveiled her budget proposals earlier this month. Republicans immediately panned her proposal, which increases state revenues, saying at a news conference that they would not support any budget that increases taxes. And the spending plan has drawn criticism from some progressive advocates and a muted response from her own party, with leaders saying they plan to carefully review her proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor's address begins at 7 p.m. and will be livestreamed at pressherald.com. Mills spokesperson Ben Goodman said the governor will discuss the difficult choices needed to continue investing in popular programs, including her proposals to increase state revenue through targeted tax increases. Mills has said she opposes broad-based increases in income or sales taxes, but has included tax hikes on things such as cigarettes and online streaming services. Mills will also call for good-faith budget negotiations from both parties, Goodman said. "She will discuss the difficult choices behind her proposal and recognize that lawmakers are beginning to experience the same feelings she had when she was putting it together," Goodman said. "In the end, her budget attempts to take a balanced approach by adopting both spending cuts and targeted revenue increases to maintain programs everyone supports, and she will encourage lawmakers to do the hard work, to negotiate constructively and in good faith, and, ultimately, to be willing to make the tough choices needed to enact a balanced budget." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As state revenues continually exceeded expectations since the pandemic, Mills warned lawmakers from both parties about making long-term spending decisions with what the administration described as one-time revenues. She largely got her way, issuing rounds of direct checks to taxpayers, fending off Republican calls for tax cuts and tempering new spending requests from her fellow Democrats, who spent $107 million in proposed savings last year. After giving consistent warnings about a difficult budget environment with flattening revenues and increased costs, Mills is proposing to increase state revenue by rolling back tax cuts for retirees and increasing taxes and fees on items ranging from cigarettes, to cannabis, to ambulances, to fishing licenses. With the details of her proposal already public, Mills will likely defend her budget from criticism and argue that the new revenues are needed to maintain bipartisan accomplishments meeting a voter mandate to provide 55% of public education funding and expand MaineCare, the state's Medicare program; fully funding 5% revenue sharing with municipalities; free school meals; and two years of free community college. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I know that each of you share my commitment to preserving key programs and services that Maine people count on and to enacting a fiscally responsible biennial budget proposal," Mills said in a Jan. 14 letter to legislative leaders. "I am confident that as we have done before Republicans, Democrats, and independents can come together to do what is right for Maine people." Nicholas Jacobs, who teaches political science at Colby College, is interested in seeing how Mills sets the tone with her own party, which has enacted baseline budgets without Republican support and challenged the governor by pushing for new spending initiatives. "One thing I'll be looking for is whether Mills anticipates any intraparty tensions among her fellow Democratic lawmakers," Jacobs said. "Democrats, particularly in the House, have been less fiscally frugal than Mills in the last few budget cycles. With a pretty bleak economic assessment, it is an open question whether they'll go lockstep with their governor on any necessary cuts and reforms." Hospital leaders have expressed concerns with the budget, which proposes rate cuts for hospital-affiliated doctors, nurse practitioners and other health care providers. The proposed rate cut of about 36% for Medicaid services would cost hospitals primarily larger ones an estimated $24 million year starting in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonprofits have also expressed concerns about a proposal to freeze cost-of-living increases for direct care workers under the state's Medicaid program. Senate President Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, said she expects to hear Mills' pitch to support her proposal and preserve her priorities. "I will be looking for the governor to make the case for her proposal tomorrow, as the next step is for the Legislature to consider every single element of the state budget," Daughtry said in a written statement. While Mills has expressed hope for a bipartisan budget this year, Republicans have already dug in against her plan. "I want to hear a new proposal from her that doesn't involve increasing taxes on a state that's already overtaxed," said Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart, R-Presque Isle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills has proposed a $1 a pack increase on cigarettes, a 40% increase in cannabis sales taxes and extending the state sales tax to include a wide variety of streaming services, including Netflix, Spotify and Zoom. She also proposed new taxes on private ambulance services and on prescription drugs, which are aimed at raising federal revenue. And she has proposed rolling back new pension tax deductions for wealthy retirees, beginning with individuals who earn more than $100,000 in taxable retirement income. Copy the Story Link Ukraine's government has confirmed the dismissal of Dmytro Klimenkov from his position as deputy defense minister, said Taras Melnychuk, the government's parliamentary representative, on Jan. 28. The decision follows ongoing tensions within the Defense Ministry over its weapons procurement process, which has been heavily scrutinized amid reform efforts. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced Klimenkov's dismissal last week, claiming his deputy had "failed" the task of defense procurement. Concurrently, Umerov said he would not renew Maryna Bezrukova's contract as head of the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Klimenkov joined the Defense Ministry from the State Property Fund, where he worked under Umerov's leadership. Appointed deputy defense minister on Oct. 5, 2023, he was responsible for overseeing procurement for the Armed Forces. Bezrukova, appointed in January 2024 to lead procurement reforms following corruption scandals, had her contract extended by the DPA's supervisory board earlier this month. Under Ukrainian law, supervisory boards can hire and fire state enterprise leaders, making Umerov's refusal to renew her contract legally contentious. Anti-corruption activists and lawmakers criticized the move, labeling it "unlawful" and warning that such actions could undermine efforts to reform Ukraine's defense procurement system. Bezrukova's tenure highlighted internal disputes over procurement practices. At the start of her role, Bezrukova reported pressure from Klimenkov to sign a contract for 500,000 artillery shells from a manufacturer owned by the Strategic Industries Ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Parliament committee head calls for defense ministers resignation as defense procurement scandal escalates She expressed concerns about the company's limited production capacity, workforce shortages, and gunpowder deficit. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) also investigated the manufacturer's director and a manager for inflating prices. An initial Defense Ministry inspection supported Bezrukova's concerns, estimating the company's capacity at 300,000350,000 shells. However, the ministry later reversed its assessment, asserting that the company could meet the contract requirements. Despite reservations, Bezrukova signed the contract. By the summer, the manufacturer fell behind schedule. When Klimenkov asked her to extend delivery deadlines, Bezrukova refused and pushed for alternative suppliers, straining her relationship with ministry officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Defense Ministry announced on Nov. 26 that it was investigating the contract and would pivot to delivering imported shells instead. Read also: Defense Minister Umerov dismisses top official who stood up to him Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Jan. 27How to watch Gov. Mike Kehoe will deliver the 2025 State of the State address at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the Missouri Capitol's House chambers. The speech will be livestreamed on Kehoe's Facebook page, the state of Missouri's Facebook page and mo.gov/live. An overflow area to view the livestream will be located in Hearing Room 3 in the Capitol. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe last week outlined challenges and priorities ahead of the annual State of the State address, which is set for 3 p.m. Tuesday. Kehoe, speaking to the Missouri Press Association during a luncheon in the Governor's Mansion, said he will highlight priorities and how he will propose spending state money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The budget's going to be a little tighter, and I think it's going to be even tighter next year and the year after. Most of that is because of the decreasing money flow we have from the federal government that we saw during COVID," he said. "Making sure we make those decisions to fund the central services but also recognize we have a balanced budget amendment is something that's probably going to be the biggest challenge that we have for the next couple of years. But we'll get through it." Kehoe said he will focus on four priorities: Public safety and keeping neighborhoods safe. Helping those in agriculture maintain their ability to be a major part of Missouri's economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Economic development and selling the state to businesses around the world. Education, and particularly vocational and technical education, to make sure all Missourians have employable skills. Rep. Dirk Deaton, R-Noel, chairman of the House Budget Committee, agreed with Kehoe that the budget will likely be leaner than in recent years. "The challenge is we've had a surplus, a historic surplus," Deaton said. "We still have a surplus, although it's decreasing. The surplus was not created entirely by an influx of federal money. But there has been a lot of that over the last several years with the pandemic and various fiscal policy out of Washington. That's all winding down. And so the challenge is going to be as we kind of unwind and spend down the surplus that we do it in a responsible way, that we're doing it on things, making investments in our state's infrastructure and things that last and things that aren't necessarily repeatable every year. If you're spending one-time dollars on ongoing programs, it doesn't work." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kehoe said he wants to maintain services while working on another of his priorities eliminating the state's income taxes. He admitted that would not happen all at once. "None of the big-picture ones, especially the income tax, which it's the biggest, can be a light switch," Kehoe said. "It's got to be something that's responsible, that funds essential services but ultimately has an end goal. And in the economic development world, even if it takes a matter of years to get to a certain position, as long as you can look an employer or manufacturer who might expand and are looking at moving their management here and tell them, 'Here's what your end goal is, and here's what you think you can get to,' that's a good conversation for us to be able to have. It will be a balance. It will not be easy, but it's still something that we're committed to continue to work on." Kehoe said Amendment 3, passed by voters in November to enshrine abortion rights for women in the Missouri Constitution, will also be in his speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You'll hear a lot about our belief in that we should protect innocent life. We said through the campaign that if Amendment 3 were to pass, which we were very much 100% against, we were going to put our hand on the Bible and we would protect the constitution. But we're always going to look for ways to protect innocent life, and there are several different ideas that are churning and have been filed through the Legislature," he said. House Speaker Jon Patterson, R-Lee's Summit, said House members are trying to come up with a plan that makes Missouri as pro-life as possible within the constraints of Amendment 3. "We're looking at a number of the bills that have been filed, and what I see is I don't think we have that bill yet and we're waiting on things to coalesce around a bill," Patterson said. "I'm talking to members about what they think, and there's a wide range of views in this. I don't think there is one yet. We're just trying to find the bill that we think makes Missouri as pro-life as it can be and it will pass the voters. It recognizes that the voters spoke and whatever we do has to pass the will of the voters." NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) As Governor Bill Lees Special Called Session began on Monday, he talked with News Channel 11 about his priorities involving the topics being discussed. Lees Education Freedom Scholarship Act, commonly referred to as school vouchers, has drawn opposition from many Northeast Tennessee school boards. I also believe that you can have the best commitment to and ultimately the best public schools in the country, and still allow parents to have an option about whats best for their kid, Lee said. Parents know whats best and when we can give them that choice, then we should do that. There may be a family in a county in Upper East that believes that for whatever reason, their child might do better in some other school than the one that theyre zoned for publicly. And yet they may not be wealthy enough to afford that option. This would remove that disparity and allow that parent to make a choice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VP Vance: Administration cutting through red tape to speed up Helene recovery Lee said public schools will not be negatively impacted by his scholarship act. By the way weve constructed this so that it by statute, by law, it has a guarantee that there isnt a public school system in the state that will lose a dollar as a result of a child leaving for one of these choices that their parent might make, Lee said. News Channel 11 asked Lee how Northeast Tennessee counties that do not have private school options or limited options would benefit from vouchers. I will say that one of the things weve seen is that more options become available as time plays out, when you have a state that has school choice as part of its policy, Lee said. More options develop over the years and actually those more options elevate the quality of all schools, public and private. I think thats what we see in states like Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Representative David Hawk from Greene County is still opposing the vouchers. We have robust school systems in our counties, Hawk said. We have municipal school districts. We have very strong homeschool entities in Northeast Tennessee, as well as some strong private schools. Right now weve got abundant choices. The voucher plan as proposed, really doesnt do much for us to help move the needle in terms of education in Northeast Tennessee. Hawk hopes other legislators listen to their constituents when voting about vouchers. Were never going to please everybody in our districts when we take a vote, Hawk said. But the old 50% plus one rule, if the majority of your district says you need to vote that way, then we need to vote that way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawk made clear that voucher legislation is not connected to Hurricane Helene relief funding. We have never felt the pressure that hurricane relief was going to be tied to a voucher bill, Hawk said. I told the governor to his face that Im a no vote and he respects that and understands that. Hes assured me that there is zero connection between a vote for or against vouchers and hurricane relief. Im confident that my colleagues across the state of Tennessee are going to overwhelmingly vote for and support hurricane relief funding for Northeast Tennessee. As far as disaster relief funding, Lee said he directly talked to President Trump about Northeast Tennessees damage. He said Trump understood the severity of the damage in Northeast Tennessee and offered to work together for federal funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were hopeful that there will be more now with this new administration and their desire to improve the efficiency of federal funding, Lee said. But we are going to fill in the gap for a portion of the difference between the federal funding and what these counties have to pay. Thats the purpose of this special session. Lee said there is a disaster relief grant fund that lowers the amount counties will have to pay. When they have an expenditure and they get reimbursed by the feds, by FEMA, for example, FEMA might reimburse 75% and the county and the state share that last 25%, usually split it, Lee said. But in this situation, were going to actually take and go from 12.5%, go from splitting it to the state paying for the vast majority of it, counties will only have to pay 5% of their expense for a loss like that. Those are big dollars that are going to be really beneficial. With illegal immigration, Lee said Trumps administrations efforts are targeted toward removing violent illegal immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has to be a way for the locals and the state to coordinate with the federal government that were setting up an office of immigration, a centralized immigration office that will have a point person and a structure in place to coordinate with the federal government on their strategies for the country that would include Tennessee, Lee said. That is really what this effort is about, is putting some money, some dollars and some people into creating an office and a structure that says we are ready to assist the federal government in Tennessee with the things that Tennesseans want us to address. Hawk agrees that the biggest aspect of illegal immigration is focusing on those who have committed violent crimes. Youve got folks that are in the country illegally, but who have done illegal acts while theyve been here or committed egregious acts where they came from, Hawk said. Thats really the crux of what Im seeing at both the state and federal level, is the safety of our Tennesseans to ensure that people are here for the right reason and people are here legally for the most part. But if theyve come here and committed violent acts, they need to go back to where they came. Hawk said he hopes immigrants who have come to Northeast Tennessee are here on good merit and are here legally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would hope that theyve got a work visa. I would hope that theyve come in for the right reasons, Hawk said. Well leave it up to their conscious if theyve done the right thing. Well see what goes forward on the violent criminals, if some criminal act has happened. Its hard to say whats going to happen to folks who have come here illegally, but they seem to try to be assimilating themselves to the communities in which they live. Thats still out for discussion right now, but legal is legal, and illegal is illegal. There are certain things that our constituents expect us to do to ensure the safety of our citizens. Hawk said legislators will break out in committee meetings on Tuesday. The education committee will meet about the voucher bill at 1 p.m. central time. The committee for disaster relief will also meet at 1 p.m. Hawk sits on the education committee and is the vice chair of the transportation committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which will be talking a lot about the hurricane relief thats coming before us in the legislative process, Hawk said. Hawk expects voting on the house floor to start on Wednesday 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) School districts provide so-called alternative schools for students with behavioral issues. However, one north Louisiana school district decided to take an alternative approach to guiding at-risk students. DeSoto Parish decided not to include the word alternative in its schools name, instead, they call it Grace House. Program Director Kristopher Kolniak said this about the program, We also give kids an opportunity that maybe dont fit in socially or dont fit in a certain way into a regular setting, we can give them a change here in a smaller environment to help them out and receive some results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upgrades for Mansfield High in DeSoto Parish approved Grace House serves elementary and high school students. The students receive an education and counseling to address underlying issues that may affect their academics. Louisiana recently recognized the program with the prestigious exemplary status designation. Ultimately, they hope the kids who go through the program will graduate and be productive citizens. Kolniak said, Really, the biggest accolade is just being a productive member of society, so thats where we get a lot of successes, and thats the part that makes me feel really good. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jan. 27GRAND FORKS The Arts for Vets organization, Ijjo John Stephen of Grand Forks, and a Belcourt, North Dakota-based behavioral healing clinic have been selected to receive the 2025 Governor's Award for the Arts. Along with four other statewide recipients, they will be recognized by Gov. Kelly Armstrong on Feb. 6 during a reception at the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum. The free event, which begins with a social at 5 p.m., is open to the public, but space is limited. Reservations are required by Thursday, Jan. 30; call (701) 328-7590 or go to www.arts.nd.gov/ Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement . Arts for Vets, which operates the Grand Forks Art Center at 213 N. Third St., will receive the Nonprofit Arts Organizations Award; Stephen will receive the Champion for the Arts Award; and the Indigenized Behavioral Healing clinic will receive the For-Profit Arts Organization Award. Altogether, seven awards will be presented. In a public statement released earlier this month, Armstrong congratulated the recipients for "their impressive works and impactful contributions to the arts and cultural heritage of the state of North Dakota. Their efforts illustrate how the arts can enhance our communities and quality of life, making North Dakota an even more attractive place to live, work and raise a family." Established in 1977, the North Dakota Governor's Awards for the Arts is a biennial program of the Governor's Office and the North Dakota Council on the Arts. The program aims to recognize organizations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the arts in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recipients are chosen for their efforts to expand arts opportunities to reach new audiences, create an appreciation for North Dakota's cultural heritage, make the arts more central to education, and incorporate arts as an integral part of community life. The nominee's length of service within the state is also a factor. Founded in 2015, the Arts for Vets organization focuses on participation, recognition and promotion of the creativity of veterans, active-duty personnel and their family members, and other community members. It hosts events, classes, productions and workshops "to highlight artistic expression and excellence and confidence, foster friendships and community engagement and camaraderie, all in a warm, engaging and supportive environment," Wilson said. In 2024, the organization drew more than 1,000 participants to its classes, workshops and offerings at the downtown gallery, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephen, executive director of the nonprofit Nyeri Ma'di Cultural Group, came to North Dakota 30 years ago with the earliest wave of refugees from South Sudan. In 1995, he established the Achikadidi Adunga Band. The group has made instruments, trained many artists and performed in several North Dakota communities as well as in Minnesota, Iowa, Tennessee and Nebraska. According to Troyd Geist, folklorist with the North Dakota Council on the Arts, "Despite the huge challenges of coming from a war-torn country, separation from family as a child, and living in a refugee camp, (Stephen has built) a new and successful life in North Dakota. (He) has quietly and steadfastly represented and championed the value of arts as essential to life." Stephen, who earned a degree in electrical engineering from NDSU, works with his cultural group to educate the community in financial literacy, handling stress and empowering the youth. At the Indigenized Behavioral Healing clinic in Belcourt, founder and CEO Tami Jollie-Trottier merges Western psychological practices with traditional Indigenous healing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Jollie-Trottier draws from her healing journey which inspired her to blend Western therapeutic approaches with the sacred teaching of her Anishinaabe Wisdom Keepers, leading to the development of the trademarked Turtle Medicine, a unique framework for self-healing rooted in creativity, culture and holistic well-being. She created the trademarked GenerationArt, a program designed to mobilize tribal communities by strengthening Anishinaabe cultural identity, resilience and leadership through expressive art training, workshops and clinical practice. Other recipients of the 2025 Governor's Award for the Arts are: Bismarck State College Theatre Arts in Education; Marie Snavely, Bowman Individual Achievement; Denise Joyce Kitson, Bismarck Individual Cultural Heritage; and the Minot Symphony Orchestra Nonprofit Arts Organization. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The man in charge of the FBIs investigation into a DWI dismissal scheme mainly operated by members of the Albuquerque Police Department, at least two other law enforcement agencies, and legal professionals says the work is far from over. FBI Albuquerque Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda explained that the discovery of what could be the states largest public corruption scandal reflects poorly on all members of law enforcement. Its a stain on every single one of us to carry a badge, Bujanda told KRQE Investigates. Related Coverage Bujanda and his team of New Mexico-based FBI agents spent years investigating the so-called DWI Enterprise. The efforts brought in results Friday when Ricardo Rick Mendez, the man the feds say handled the day-to-day coordination of the scheme, pleaded guilty in federal court to eight charges, including conspiracy, bribery of a police officer receiving federal funds, and interfering with commerce by extortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to federal court documents, Mendez, a paralegal, worked directly with law enforcement members from APD, the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office, and New Mexico State Police, to funnel their drunk-driving defendants to his boss, who KRQE News 13 believes is Attorney Thomas Clear III. As a result, the drunk driving suspects would get their cases dismissed in exchange for money and other favors. What would make someone do this? Why would you take a risk, whether its $100, a gift, or whatever the case may be? What would make you want to do that? It has to be greed, Bujanda said, adding that its a public corruption scandal like hes never seen. The length of time that this was going on for. Its concerning, but, uh, and unique. Definitely havent seen anything like this somewhere else. Bujanda compared the actions of those who were involved in the scheme to those commonly seen in gang activity. They did it for the same reason as an organization would, which is to profit from it, he said. While Mendezs admission helped federal investigators, Bujanda said the investigation is actually probably only at a midpoint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we go after someone whos a law enforcement officer, we got to be 100% sure. So everything that weve done and reason why this investigation has taken as long as it has and will continue to take, however long its going to take, is because we want to make sure we get it right, Bujanda explained. Officials believe this DWI Enterprise started at least 17 years ago. Because of the length of time, KRQE Investigates asked what happens if investigators cant get enough evidence to bring charges against retired officers. Bujanda said he will do whatever is in his power to keep them from working in law enforcement again. They have violated that trust that they dont get to wear a badge again, he explained. As for the more recent officers, many who quit as their suspected actions came to light, Bujanda made it clear: wherever they are now, theyll be held accountable. The FBI is in every state. Were international. So it wouldnt really matter where they decide to go or try to hide, said Bujanda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the investigation continues, Bujanda asks anyone who was offered the scheme or took part in it to contact the FBI. To submit an anonymous tip, call the FBI Albuquerque Office at 505-889-1300. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Greenfield man has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for paying healthcare kickbacks, according to a news release from the Eastern District of Wisconsin U.S. Attorneys Office. Mohammed Kazim Ali was sentenced Jan. 24 for paying health care kickbacks in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. Ali was also ordered to pay over $2.2 million in restitution to Medicaid and Medicare and a $75,000 fine. Ali and his co-defendant owned a Milwaukee area drug testing clinic where the kickback scheme took place Ali and his co-defendant Justin Hanson were the owners of a Milwaukee-area clinical laboratory called Noah Associates, 10501 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beginning in 2017, according to the release, Ali and Hanson engaged in a three-year-long scheme to pay kickbacks to the owner of a Milwaukee substance use treatment clinic in exchange for referrals of Medicaid and Medicare patients for urine drug testing performed by Noah Associates. Ali and Hanson paid over $400,000 in kickbacks to gain the tests. These tests were not ordered by a physician and were not medically necessary for the treatment of patients. After one physician learned that his credentials were being used without his permission to order the tests, the physician told Ali to stop, but for months Ali continued to have Noah Associates accept and bill the government for the falsified tests under the physician's credentials. As a result of the scheme, Medicaid and Medicare paid Noah Associates over $2.2 million for the unnecessary tests. Ali received over $800,000 personally from Noah Associates during the scheme. Judge calls Ali's decision to continue the scheme 'beyond belief' During Ali's sentencing, U.S. District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller condemned Ali's crime and his partner's manipulation and breach of trust of the Medicaid and Medicare programs to receive millions of dollars that were not truly earned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stadtmueller also noted that Ali knew his scheme was illegal, but continued to do it, a decision he deemed as "beyond belief." The FBI said it will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to ensure that those responsible for health care fraud are exposed and brought to justice. This sentence demonstrates the FBIs commitment to investigating individuals like Mr. Ali who erode the publics trust in our healthcare systems, Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle of the FBI Milwaukee Field Office said in the release. "The safety and well-being of Wisconsin residents remains our highest priority. Ali's co-defendant will be sentenced in March In addition to his sentence, Ali is excluded from participation in the Medicaid and Medicare programs and has since shut down Noah Associates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hanson also pleaded guilty for paying health care kickbacks and is scheduled to be sentenced March 21. The FBI and Office of the Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services investigated the case, while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Carter and Julie Stewart handled the prosecution. Contact Adrienne Davis at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Greenfield man sentenced for $2.2 million health care kickback scheme (Bloomberg) -- Greenlands population is overwhelmingly against leaving the Danish realm in favor of the US, dealing a blow to President Donald Trumps insistence the island is keen to join. Most Read from Bloomberg A Verian poll, commissioned by Danish newspaper Berlingske and Greenlands Sermitsiaq publication, showed 85% of the population on the self-ruling Arctic territory dont want to be part of the US. About 6% said theyd prefer the country over Denmark and 9% were undecided, according to the survey published Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump insists he wants to take over the worlds largest island for security reasons and has refused to rule out using force. The president has also argued Greenlands population would prefer to be part of the US. His interest in the territory stems from his first term in office. The people of Greenland are not happy with Denmark, Trump said Jan. 21. You know, I think theyre happy with us. That view is not shared by Greenlands leaders, many of whom are instead pushing for independence. While the island is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, its 57,000 inhabitants have extensive home rule. We dont want to be Danish, we dont want to be American, we of course want to be Greenlandic, the territorys prime minister, Mute B. Egede, said recently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Denmark is doing its best to navigate the spat with Trump. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen earlier on Tuesday worked to drum up support from European allies with a whirlwind tour of Berlin, Paris and Berlin, seeking to project unity while avoiding antagonizing the US president. Commenting on the survey, Denmarks Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said it is a clear signal of what Greenlanders dont want. This aligns with the impression I have from conversations with Greenlandic colleagues and friends, Rasmussen said in an emailed statement on Wednesday. The decision about Greenlands future must be made by the Greenlandic people. He added that Denmarks government wants to develop and not dismantle the Danish kingdom. A majority of Danes want to keep Greenland in the union, though they generally find it fitting for the territory to put its independence to a vote in a referendum within the next five years, according to another recent survey in Denmark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenlanders have previously indicated they prefer to form closer ties with Iceland and Canada, according to a December study by the University of Greenland. Denmark ranked third among the countries the territory wants to cooperate more with, while the US was fourth. The Verian poll had 497 interviews conducted on the internet Jan. 22-26, including a representative sample of Greenlandic citizens aged 18 or older. Statistical uncertainty on the responses is about 3.1 percentage points. The poll also showed 45% of Greenlanders view Trumps interest in Greenland as a threat, Berlingske said. Only about 8% would take a US passport if they had to make an instant choice between Danish and US citizenship, according to the newspaper. (Adds comment from foreign minister from eighth paragraph, details from other polls from 10th) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. GRETNA, La. (WGNO) Gretna Police Chief Arthur Lawson has announced that he will not seek reelection. According to the Gretna Police Department, Arthur Lawson has served as the departments chief since 2005 and got his start in policing in 1975. Alma Cafe to open second location in Mid-City During his time with the department, Arthur Lawson has received the Martin Luther King Jr. Task Force Peacemaker award and CRIMEFIGHTERS Chief of Police Champion award. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve this city as its Chief. I have enjoyed working with such a dedicated team of law enforcement officials who treasure their role as protectors and guardians of peace. This job requires great sacrifice. I have been blessed to have the support of a loving, caring family, a conscientious and caring mayor, and the brave men and women who wear the Gretna Police uniform. I am thankful to each of them, and I am proud of our achievements. It is time for me to focus on my personal business interests and enjoy more time with my family, especially our grandchildren. I will forever care for Gretna, and I will always carry with me the fond memories of protecting this wonderful city, said Arthur Lawson in a statement. Following his decision, his son, Brett Lawson, has announced his bid for the position. Brett Lawson serves as the Chief of Staff for Jefferson Parish District 5 Councilman Hans Liljeberg and earned a degree in criminology from Louisiana State University. 2025 Washington Mardi Gras celebration wraps up with annual ball Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A news release states that Brett Lawson is a member of the Jefferson Parish Homeland Security Committee, the Jefferson Parish Criminal Justice Committee, the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, the Gretna Economic Development Association and the Gretna Historical Society. He also has served as a reserve lieutenant for the Gretna Police Department. Qualifying in the race begins on Wednesday. Arthur Lawson will serve as chief until June 30. 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. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) Gun safety advocates gathered Tuesday morning at Emanuel AME Church in downtown Charleston to urge action on gun safety and encourage lawmakers to pass stronger gun reform laws. It comes as the Charleston community in June will recognize 10 years since a mass shooting at the historic church that claimed the lives of nine parishioners during a Bible study. Gun safety advocates from South Carolina Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action who attended Tuesdays event said they hope a line is drawn in the sand this year for change. Their focus is on better background check regulations in South Carolina and closing the so-called Charleston Loophole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Charleston Loophole is a gap in the federal system that allows gun sales to proceed after three business days, even if the background check has not yet been completed. Dylann Roof, the Emanuel AME Church shooter, was able to purchase a gun even though his background check had not cleared. Gun safety advocates said South Carolina can address the loophole by giving background check operators more time to determine if a buyer is prohibited. They said that by ensuring prospective gun owners pass a background check before obtaining a firearm, this law can help keep guns away from criminals, domestic abusers, and the seriously mentally ill, saving lives. Almost ten years since the worst day of my life, the soul of our state is still being tested. In an average year in South Carolina, more than 1,000 people die by guns. We need action that comes with a heart for the people, said Reverend Sharon Risher, who lost her mother and her two cousins in the mass shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church. Unless our elected leaders support laws that will protect and keep our children safe and my two young grandsons from deadly hate, we will never heal. I have faith these laws can save lives, and thats why I will never stop speaking out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leaders with Everytown for Gun Safety said South Carolina has the 12th highest rate of gun deaths in the United States with few safeguards in place to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. They added that in an average year, 1,081 people are killed by guns in the state, The organization said gun violence costs South Carolina around $14 billion each 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 WCBD News 2. LANCASTER, Ohio (WCMH) A Grove City man who was pardoned for his alleged role in the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol building remains in a Fairfield County prison. According to the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, Benjamin Shuler will not be released from Lancasters Southeastern Correctional Institution while serving a five-year sentence in the death of Olivia Wright, who was killed in a drunk-driving crash near Ashville on September 29, 2020. Watch: Ohio troopers in police chase after one of their cruisers was stolen Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early that morning, Shuler veered left of center on Jackson Pike, near the Franklin County and Pickaway County lines, and struck Wrights vehicle, which was traveling in the opposite direction. Wright, 22, of Circleville, died at the scene. Shuler was not wearing a seat belt, according to the Franklin County Sheriffs Office. Olivia Wrights death was a driving force behind House Bill 37, now known as Livs Law., which creates harsher penalties for those convicted of driving under the influence, particularly for repeat offenders. The bill unanimously passed the Statehouse on Dec. 18 and the incoming law will go into effect on April 9. Shuler was hospitalized in critical condition and was later arrested on Jan. 11, 2021, five days after he went to Washington D.C. on Jan. 6. For previous reports on Shuler and Livs Law, view the video player above. Federal felony charges from the Capitol riots included civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers, both felony offenses. He was also charged with misdemeanor crimes of 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 engaging in an act of physical violence on Capitol grounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents said Shuler resisted a police line that was established to clear the area of protesters on the northwest stairs of the U.S. Capitol building. Shuler then reportedly began pushing a police officers riot shield several times and pressed his body into the shield several times with significant force. Benjamin Shuler is charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riots (Courtesy/United States Department of Justice) Benjamin Shuler is charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riots (Courtesy/United States Department of Justice) Benjamin Shuler is charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riots (Courtesy/United States Department of Justice) Benjamin Shuler is charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riots (Courtesy/United States Department of Justice) Benjamin Shuler is charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riots (Courtesy/United States Department of Justice) Since losing their daughter to a drunk driver in 2020, Bryan and Teresa Wright have been fighting desperately to reform impaired driving laws in Ohio. A police officers body-worn camera footage depicted Shuler gesturing to others to meet him in front of the police line and again resisted by pushing back and swiping at an unidentified officers riot shield. Police verified Shulers identification based off photos he posted on his own Facebook account. In a criminal complaint, Shuler initially denied going to the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, during an interview with authorities. When shown photographs of himself from the U.S. Capitol, he then acknowledged that he had gone to the Capitol and had interacted with law enforcement officers. Shuler was granted clemency along with approximately 1,500 other defendants and dozens of Ohioans who were charged during the Capitol riots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Shuler remains in prison, where he continues to serve his five-year sentence on a charge of vehicular homicide in Ohio, with 1-3 years of post-release control to follow. The state charge cannot be pardoned on the federal level. How Sen. Husted has backed Ohio school choice and religious education programs The President of the United States has the power to pardon federal sentences but has no jurisdiction over state charges, said a spokesperson for the prosecutors office. Mr. Shuler will have to serve his sentence for his charges here in Franklin County unless the governor, who has the power to pardon state charges, were to pardon him. Bryan and Teresa Wright also told NBC4 that Shulers pardon only includes his involvement on Jan. 6, 2021, and does not impact his vehicular homicide sentence. 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. Protestors in support of gun safety legislation hold their signs up and chant to block the signs and chants of counter-protestors during a rally with former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords on March 15, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Gun control advocacy groups are celebrating Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmers decision to sign a package of bills requiring schools to inform parents of the states new safe storage requirements for firearms. Michigans safe storage laws require that any firearms in homes or vehicles with children, even if the children are visiting or the guns belong to visitors, be stored in a safe or with a lock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The safe storage requirements went into effect last year, but advocates say that the regulations will only be effective if gun owners are aware of them. Under new laws signed last week by Whitmer, schools will be required to distribute information designed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services each October, beginning in the 2025-26 school year. Its not just a good idea; its not just a suggestion; its the law, said End Gun Violence Michigan Executive Director Ryan Bates. You must safely store your firearms, and if someone is harmed with a gun that you didnt lock down, the gun owner can be prosecuted for felonies. Thats a stiff penalty, because the consequences of unsecured firearms are so great, Bates said. State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Twp.), Nov. 3, 2021, at the Ingham County Courthouse | Laina G. Stebbins State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Twp.), who sponsored one of the bills in the package, said that enforcing the new laws is difficult, since law enforcement would likely only hear about potential violations if the firearms were used at which point it may be too late to prevent someone from being harmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Safely securing firearms to keep them out of reach of children will undoubtedly save lives, but were unlikely to know when families are failing to follow these important laws until its too late, Brixie said. Brixie said the notifications will be especially helpful for gun owners whose circumstances change, such as becoming parents for the first time, marrying into families with children or moving to Michigan from a state with different requirements for gun ownership. It doesnt create any stricter laws or put any additional burden on responsible gun owners, Brixie said. It empowers responsible gun owners by ensuring that they know the law and exactly how to fulfill the requirements, including where to obtain free or low-cost gun locks and gun safes. State Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy), another sponsor of the package, said that children and unlocked firearms can be a lethal combination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MacDonell pointed to data showing that nearly half of all suicides among children under the age of 18 involved a firearm and that approximately 70% of firearms used in school shootings were taken from the home of a parent or a family friend. Imagine all the tragedies that could have been avoided if those guns were just locked up, MacDonell said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The woman who allegedly opened fire at U.S. border patrol agents in northern Vermont, leaving one agent dead, used a gun bought by someone who was a person of interest in a double murder in Pennsylvania, federal prosecutors said Monday. The woman, Teresa Youngblut, was riding in a car with a German national, Felix Bauckholt, when border patrol agents pulled them over to conduct an immigration inspection on Jan. 20. At some point during the traffic stop, Youngblut fired at the agents, prompting at least one to shoot back, according to court documents. One of the agents, David Chris Maland, 44, was killed in the exchange of gunfire. Bauckholt was fatally shot after he drew a gun, court documents say, and Youngblut was wounded. The court documents do not make clear whether Maland was struck by one of the bullets Youngblut allegedly fired or a shot from a fellow agent. Teresa Youngblut at Newport City Inn and Suites in Vermont. The shooting occurred on a highway in rural Orleans County, about 20 miles south of the Canadian border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youngblut is set to be arraigned Monday afternoon on two federal counts, including assaulting a border patrol agent with a deadly weapon. In court papers filed earlier Monday, federal prosecutors in Vermont said Youngblut and Bauckholt both possessed firearms purchased by a resident of the state in February 2024. That person, who was not identified, is a person of interest in a double homicide in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, prosecutors said. Bauckholt flew into the U.S. in the hours before the Pennsylvania murders. Prosecutors also said that Youngblut has been in "frequent contact" with an individual who was detained during the investigation into the double homicide. That individual is also a person of interest in a murder investigation in Vallejo, California, federal prosecutors said. No other details were provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors asked a judge to keep Youngblut in jail, alleging that she is a danger to the community and a flight risk. They noted that her primary residence has not been established, and her ties to Vermont are unclear. U.S. Border Patrol agent David Maland. "An originally peaceful interaction between the United States Border Patrol and the occupants of a vehicle became confrontational based on the defendants conduct, and she then unnecessarily and inexplicably escalated to deadly violence," they said in the court filing. Prosecutors have said that Youngblut and Bauckholt were traveling with a large collection of weapons and tactical gear, including 48 rounds of .380-caliber jacketed hollow point ammunition, a ballistic helmet and night vision equipment. The pair had been under surveillance by Homeland Security Investigations since Jan. 14, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An employee of a hotel in Lyndonville, Vermont, had contacted law enforcement to report concerns about a man and a woman who had checked into the hotel, the documents say. The woman, later identified as Youngblut, was allegedly seen carrying an apparent firearm in an exposed carry holster. Both Bauckholt and Youngblut were wearing all-black, tactical style clothing with protective equipment, according to court documents. When the Toyota Prius they were in was pulled over, Bauckholt, the registered owner of the vehicle, appeared to have an expired visa in a Department of Homeland Security database, according to court documents. But the FBI has said that Bauckholt was actually on a current visa. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com NEW MEXICO (KRQE) Seasonably cold air with still dry air is once again starting off across The Land of Enchantment, but out in front of the next winter storms arrival by tomorrow especially, afternoon temperatures will mostly be above-normal today with shifting winds that will pick up in strength. From the northern-mountain community areas from the Four Corners through the San Juan Mountains to the Enchanted Circle, temperatures, while slightly higher than yesterday for more areas than not, are mostly starting off around zero degrees or as high as in the teens to lower 20s in the northern valley floors, while elsewhere is ranging mostly from the high single digits to the 30s from west-northwest to east-southeast. Forecast Continues Below Big temperatures swings from 25 degrees to around 50 degrees will occur with still above-normal temperatures for almost all locations, except for the damper conditions in the Pecos River Valley. From the morning school commute throughout the afternoon, temperatures will mostly reach into the upper 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and even near 70 degrees from north to south from high to low elevation with southwesterly winds developing later today in western areas once again, but winds will be a bit more from the east-southeast in eastern areas, beginning that low-level moisture flow to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winter weather will then become widespread tomorrow in northern areas especially as after the snow, rain, and colder air arrives with the occasional gusty easterly winds, the next bigger warm-up with mostly drier air will arrive in full force later this week through the weekend, as well as into next week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) The countrys first case of H5N9 bird flu has been identified in Merced County, California, officials say. This H5N9 strain, which was identified earlier this month, is different from the H5N1 strain that had already been documented in multiple cases across the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been more than 60 people who have been sickened and one person who was killed by H5N1. Central Valley dairy farmers concerned with avian flu spread Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a notification, the World Organisation for Animal Health confirmed that the strain detected in Merced County is a new strain in the country. The investigation began on Nov. 23, 2024, and it was confirmed on Jan. 13 that this is the first confirmed case of HPAI H5N9 in poultry in the United States. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in conjunction with State Animal Health and Wildlife Officials, are conducting comprehensive epidemiological investigations and enhanced surveillance in response to the HPAI related events. World Organisation for Animal Health This strain of H5N9 was found in a commercial duck premises in Merced County. The specific location of the facility was not officially released. The announcement states that control measures have been undertaken in an attempt to contain the virus, including control of movement, surveillance and quarantine. The report from the World Organisation for Animal Health also stated that a total of 118,954 birds were killed in December after state officials quarantined the affected area. Bird flu is primarily spread by wild birds such as ducks and geese as they migrate. While it is fatal to a variety of animals, those species can generally carry it without getting sick, which offers the virus a chance to mutate and thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The virus can be spread through droppings or any interaction between farm-raised poultry and wild birds. Its also easily tracked into a farm on someones boots or by vehicle. Unlike previous outbreaks, the one that began in 2022 didnt die out in high summer temperatures. The virus found another new host when dairy cattle started getting sick last March. That creates more opportunities for the virus to linger and spread and unlike poultry, cattle arent slaughtered when they get sick because they rarely die from bird flu. Nearly all of the people infected with bird flu worked around sick animals. Health officials havent yet found evidence of the disease spreading from person to person. 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 Queen City News. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) A Hale County man who is accused of crimes against children was arrested Friday. According to the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force, 27-year-old Brodderick Ward is charged with second-degree rape, traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, two counts of electronic solicitation of a child and two counts of transmitting obscene material to a child. Tuscaloosa Countys Drew Keller and his journey back to football after nearly losing his leg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A task force investigation showed Ward was using social media to communicate with several victims in the area and other states. The investigation into Ward is ongoing, and more charges against him are expected. Ward is being held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail on $200,000 bond. Anyone who believes Ward committed a crime against their child is urged to call the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force at 205-248-4750. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Standing on a street corner outside Hamline Elementary Monday afternoon, Gloria Marquez noticed the sidewalk had an unusually small number of parents for dismissal. Her 13-year-old and 9-year-old attend and are U.S. citizens, and Marquez has a green card. Still, my youngest cried this morning on the way to school, she said. Fear regarding looming deportations following President Donald Trumps return to office came to a head Friday, when people reported a sighting of what they thought were immigration agents attempting to enter Hamline Elementary on Chicagos Southwest Side. They were later identified as Secret Service agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The identification presented by agents read Department of Homeland Security, and amid heightened anxiety within the community regarding pending mass deportations, the school leaders contacted the districts central office, per district guidance, and reported U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at the school, according to a Chicago Public Schools spokesperson. The agents who visited the school reported that they left their business card, which identified the Secret Services Chicago Field office on it, the agency said, but a CPS spokesperson said Hamlines staffers reported not seeing a business card. In a hastily called press conference in the early afternoon, CPS chief education officer confirmed that the Back of the Yards school had prevented ICE officers from entering. Later, the school district said its original communication was a result of a misunderstanding. Instead of ICE, the agents who had come to the school building were from the Secret Service, confirmed Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. Both agencies are under the purview of Homeland Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many questions remain about what happened at Hamline Elementary on Friday. Guglielmi told the Tribune its agents were investigating a threat against a protectee in connection with TikTok. While the Secret Service would not divulge the details of the investigation, it is not the agencys policy to interview juveniles without a guardian present, Guglielmi said. We want to make clear that we investigate threats against government officials and high-level financial crimes, Guglielmi said. Marquez said she didnt blame CPS for inaccurately reporting that ICE agents had come to Hamline on Friday because she knew the school district was doing its best to respond in the moment. But she didnt like the backlash CPS received for initially reporting the wrong information, she said. The details are still unclear to her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know what, it was a mistake, she said. Even so, it doesnt make any sense. How many massive shootings have happened at schools and no federal agents have gone? So what was going on? Marquez asked. The miscommunication was amplified by Democratic leaders from the Chicago area who were quick to condemn ICE late last week when news coverage trickled out about the federal agents presence at Hamline. Gov. JB Pritzker took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, on Friday as news reports on the incident were developing, and without overtly blaming ICE, he accused Republicans of sowing fear and chaos, saying the first reports of raids in Chicago are at an elementary school. Targeting children and separating families is cruel and un-American, Pritzker posted, while linking to one of the news stories about purported ICE activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia, who is from the heavily Latino Little Village community in Chicago, put out a statement on X saying the schools must be a safe haven for children and families to come and go without fear of intimidation from ICE. He doubled down the next day on his disdain for the law enforcement activity at the school, even after learning ICE was not there. Last night, the Secret Service confirmed their agents, not ICE, visited Hamline School in Chicago. Regardless of the federal or government entity, harassing children and communities is unacceptable, Garcia posted. Let me be clear: schools must remain safe havens for kids, families, and staff. On Monday, a spokesperson for Garcia said Trumps executive orders and threats have caused a climate of anxiousness for people in Chicago and noted its unusual for the Secret Service to show up at a school. What is important is that the training that the school personnel has had kicked in, and they reacted in the way they are supposed to react, the spokesperson said. Inside Hamline Erendira Rendon, vice president of immigrant justice for The Resurrection Project, said her team was having a meeting with immigrant parents inside Hamline on Friday morning when agents they believed were ICE came to the schools door. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting was held to provide educational training about how to respond to ICE encounters to protect children and others in the school and in the community. Neither Rendon nor the parents saw the agents, but they were immediately notified. Despite the fear, the response from the schools administration showed that we are ready, and they were able to act accordingly to keep the children and their staff safe, Rendon said. Resurrection Project works with 14 other schools in Back of The Yards and Pilsen that serve a predominantly Latino population under the organizations parent mentor program, which recruits and trains parents to become classroom assistants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rendons team, along with a network of other organizations in the Chicago area, are working to confirm immigration enforcement activity to avoid sharing false information or creating more fear. What we saw (Friday) was not an increase of enforcement, it was the normal ICE activity that always happened, Rendon said. So thats good news, but it is important to continue educating yourselves. It was around 11:30 am Friday morning when Giselas son whose name is being withheld for privacy was told by his eighth-grade teacher that his school was on lockdown. He was really scared, said Gisela, whose last name is not being used because of her fear of retaliation. My son told me he thought that it was a shooter that had come inside the school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His other classmates were anxious. I thought someone was trying to come in to kill us, Giselas son told her. To which she responded, Dont ever say that. Neither Gisela, her son, nor his teacher knew what was going on. Gisela has served as a parent mentor, assisting teachers in the school for nearly four years, she said. Before Friday, it was a safe space for her and her two children. Her 10-year-old daughter also attends Hamline. So when Gisela got the email from the school that it was ICE agents who had caused the lockdown, she started shaking, she said. The family, from Guanajuato, Mexico, has lived in the area for nearly 20 years and there has been no avenue to apply to fix their immigration status. At least not until their son is of age, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When her son found out that it could have been ICE who caused the lockdown at his school, he immediately asked Gisela, What will I do if one day youre not here when I get home from school? Gisela comforted him by telling him that he was strong and smart and he would know how to take care of himself and his little sister. Our teachers were talking about it Mental health resources are available at every CPS school to help students who feel concerned or anxious about changes in directives from the new federal administration, a CPS spokesperson said in a statement. CPS Crisis Management Unit was present at Hamline on Friday and Monday and will remain in close communication with the school throughout the week, according to district officials. The team will continue to be available for additional on-site support for as long as it is needed, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district said in its statement Monday that it remains committed to creating an environment where all students feel welcome, safe, and can focus on their education. Monday afternoon, several parents told the Tribune their children had been affected. Related Articles Mary, a mother of three from Ecuador, watched her 9-year-old Aaron throw an eraser up over the sidewalk outside Hamline. He made his own game of jacks with plastic scraps he collected on the ground. Working as the assistant manager of a Burger King and her husband at an auto factory, Mary said she never expected to be targeted like this when she made the decision to come to the U.S. She asked that her last name be withheld out of fear of ICE. Having lived in Chicago for one and a half years, Mary said that at this point her son can speak better English than her. He helped translate the CPS news for her Friday so she could understand what exactly had happened, she said. Theyre going to deport everyone who has our skin color, Aaron said to her Friday. It has nothing to do with your skin color, she told him to quiet his nerves. She didnt know where Aaron heard that he might be targeted for the color of his skin, but it didnt surprise her. Our teachers were talking about it, Aaron said to his mom, pausing momentarily from his game of imaginary jacks. That brown and white children were separated at school before, years ago. Officials with the east side rock club Harpos pulled the plug early during a Saturday concert after they were alerted the band lineup was deemed to have Nazi and white-supremacist leanings. Venue owners Ruzvelt Stevanovski and Krystle Dzajkovskalt said Monday they were blindsided by the nature of the metal show and abruptly halted it as the second of seven scheduled bands performed onstage. Harpos, a longtime east side Detroit rock club, is best known for its emphasis on hard rock, metal and punk. It regularly features both touring acts and local artists. Stevanovski, a longtime Detroit venue operator who purchased Harpos in January 2017, said he was working the venues concession area Saturday evening when he began getting urgent phone calls from friends. They were seeing outraged online posts claiming Harpos was hosting a neo-Nazi event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As soon as I found out, I walked onstage and said: Were shutting down. Kill the sound, he told the Free Press. The crowd at the time numbered between 200 and 250 people, Stevanovski said. The bands onsite left without incident, he said. Stevanovski said the show was organized and booked by a musician in one of the participating bands. The Harpos owner said the band member, whom he had not previously met, approached him late last year to inquire about locking down a date for what the musician described only as a black metal concert. Police officers arrived at Harpos on Saturday after learning there were threats made to that location, Detroit Police spokesman Cpl. Dan Donakowski said Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: DOJ civil rights chief talks police reform, hate as Trump rollbacks feared More: Holocaust survivor, 93, to share history at International Holocaust Remembrance Day event Police did not shut down the show because of content, but did order Harpos closed after discovering the venue was not in compliance with certain licenses, Donakowski said. The DPD spokesman did not have further details. Saturdays scheduled bands, which included the long-running Virginia group Grand Belials Key, arent household names, and largely operate in the underground of the black metal genre. The concert had been promoted online for at least several weeks though not on Harpos platforms with a flyer touting a seven-band lineup that included several visiting bands and at least one Michigan act. It billed the events location simply as the Detroit area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Venue to be announced to ticket holders only, read the flyer, which also promised a night of black metal and carnage. As Saturday approached, the cryptic show drew growing concern in local metal circles, with social-media users raising red flags and vowing to identify the event site. Harpos Concert Theatre, on Harper Avenue near Outer Drive, is among Detroits longest-running music nightspots. Since the 1980s, the club has been best known for its emphasis on hard rock, metal and punk, regularly featuring both touring acts and local artists. Black metal, a style that originated in Europe in the 80s, has come under fire through the decades for extreme imagery and lyrics involving occultism and nihilism. Some bands have been accused of Nazi sympathies, though many supporters of the genre have shunned those groups while defending the aggressive music as a form of fantasy escapism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stevanovski and Dzajkovskalt wrote in a Monday social media post that Saturdays concert did not reflect our values, or that of our community." "We are truly sorry and are holding ourselves and others involved accountable, they said. Dzajkovskalt added: As a Black venue owner, I fully understand that hate and racism comes in all forms and skin tones. Therefore, my race/ethnicity is no defense or excuse for my ignorance in not knowing. The couple emphasized those points in a conversation with the Free Press, saying they regretted not researching the band lineup ahead of the show. Metal is metal to me I didnt even know a genre like that was out there, Dzajkovskalt said. I never expected someone would do something like this at the venue, especially in Detroit. Would it make sense for us to take a show like that after trying to rebuild this venue for eight years? I would never have an event like that here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, as word of the aborted Saturday show spread online, Harpos faced widespread criticism and vows of boycotts. Stevanovski said the situation had left him distraught. Ive been involved with Detroit venues for 45 years. Ive never had an incident like this in my entire career. said Stevanovski, who founded the original Blondies nightspot on 7 Mile and a later, revived version of the club on Fort Street. We dont want this place to become another parking lot. Now this comes. Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Harpos halts concert after bands in lineup accused of Nazi leanings One of the worlds most active volcanoes, located in Kilauea, Hawaii, erupted for the seventh time since December, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. At approximately 1:30 p.m. local time Monday, the volcano released a "small, sporadic splatter foundation," which then continued to increase in intensity until 6:41 p.m., when the eruptions began. "Episode 7 of the ongoing Halemaumau eruption began at 6:42 p.m. HST on Jan. 27 and is currently feeding a small flow onto the crater floor," USGS said in an advisory statement posted Monday evening. "Lava fountains are 100-120 ft high and eruption is likely to last 10-20 hours." PHOTO: The Live view of Halemaumau crater at the summit of Kilauea; camera is positioned on the south rim and the view is to the west, Jan. 28, 2025, Hawaii. (USGS) The lava flow has covered 15-20% of the volcanos crater floor, with additional lava flow emerging from the south side of the cone appearing at 7:35 p.m. local time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: NPS urges caution amid Kilauea's volcanic activity after 'shocking scene' "HVO (Hawaii Volcano Observatory) continues to closely monitor Kilauea and will issue an eruption update tomorrow morning unless there are significant changes before then," USGS said. USGS said that the eruption is contained within the closed area of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, but warned about the risk of volcanic gas creating a haze of "vog" volcanic smog entering the atmosphere. PHOTO: Kilauea Erupts In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park On Big Island Of Hawaii (Andrew Richard Hara/Getty Images) "Water vapor, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide are the primary hazard of concern, as this hazard can have far-reaching effects downwind," USGS said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Service encouraged people to stay away from the volcanos enclosed area, since "high levels of volcanic gas and strands of volcanic glass are among the hazards." The eruption is under an orange warning, meaning the volcano is either currently erupting without any volcanic ash emissions, or it is "exhibiting heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption, timeframe uncertain," according to the USGS website. The USGS has provided a live stream for viewers to monitor activity. This intermittent series of eruptions began on Dec. 23, 2024, said the agency. There are about 170 potentially active volcanoes, including Kilauea, in the United States, according to the USGS. Hawaii's Kilauea volcano, one of the world's most active, erupts for 7th time since December originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Jan. 27As wildfires ravage Los Angeles, destroying a combined 47,800 acres, 16,000 structures and claiming 29 lives reported so far, thousands of pets were displaced, some running away in the chaos and others left behind from owners fleeing their homes. Some were serendipitously reunited with their families when returning to the charred remains of their communities. Some are still missing, hopeful owners flooding Facebook to find their missing pets. Many were scooped up by animal control or rescues patrolling the burned areas, ferried to animal shelters that were already bursting at the seams with pets long before the wildfires broke out. Just one shelter near a stadium housing evacuees, the Pasadena Humane Society, saw nearly a thousand pets pass through their services due to the fires, ABC News reported on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To free up space in these overcrowded shelters for pets temporarily left by evacuees, unclaimed lost pets or those with burn injuries, shelters around the nation are opening their kennels to adoptable critters who had been sitting in LA shelters before the fires broke out. Companions Animal Center in Hayden welcomed about a dozen dogs transported from wildfire zones, touching down at the Coeur d'Alene Airport Sunday in a plane operated by nonprofit Wings of Rescue, which delivers adoptable pets from the streets and overcrowded shelters to no-kill shelters states away. Wings of Rescue and nonprofit Paws for Life K9 Rescue delivered 60 dogs on a flight to Hayden and the Humane Society of Western Montana in Missoula, with another batch taking refuge in Seattle Humane. "Our mission is to just take as many pets out of shelters that have an overcrowding problem or a high kill rate, and find them homes in shelters where they are guaranteed that they will hold on to those pets until they find a forever home," said Gene Gable, Wings of Rescue spokesman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They typically transport former strays or surrendered pets, all animals who have been in their original shelter for over 30 days. At Companions in Hayden, 10 small, wide-eyed dogs quiver in kennels in a heated garage, yipping and hesitantly wagging their tails when a human approaches. They're a little worse for the wear, some needing medical attention or a good grooming, and all needing to be spayed or neutered, Development Director Vicky Nelson said. "They've been through a lot; they've been through being lost, being in another shelter, being in a truck to an airport, being in an airplane ride, and sometimes they do get air sick as well ... then into our truck and then into our shelter," Nelson said. "They've had a rough go here, but they've been well taken care of." The pups are doted upon by shelter staff and volunteers, but Nelson estimates they could be ready to adopt as soon as this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Within the next week or so, we'll be kind of testing them and watching them and seeing how they might react," Nelson said. "But I tell you right now: all you got to do is open the kennel, and they're in your arms. They're just ready to be held, ready to be loved." One dog, temporarily dubbed Eve by shelter workers, can't stand to be in her kennel, Nelson said. Estimated to be 7 months old, the poodle mix was found on the streets covered in mud over a month ago. Now, "she just wants to be held," Nelson said, and will immediately melt into Nelson's shoulder when she holds the small pooch. Beyond that, Nelson doesn't know much about the background of the dogs that come in. Companions, a no-kill shelter, has long partnered with Wings of Rescue; they've received an estimated 5,000 animals from overflowing shelters around the country in 11 years. They're never lost pets, Nelson said; rather, they're animals that owners surrendered or strays picked up by animal control. If they have the space, Companions will gladly open their doors, Nelson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm glad we're able to help, and the thought of us having to call somebody else to ask for help on something and get turned down would be devastating. I know the outcome that would happen if someone else didn't help, and I'm sure those people down there are thinking the same thing," Nelson said. "If they didn't have room for those other dogs and they are a kill shelter, these animals wouldn't be around anymore." Companions' Executive Director Debbie Jeffrey also puts herself in the other shelters' shoes. "The way I think of it is that we're helping a neighbor, and you know what? You never know when we might need help," Jeffrey said. The Inland Northwest knows wildfires. Jeffrey recalls the 1991 firestorm that came close to their shelter at an old location, though it happened before she started at the shelter in 1997 as a board member. It was then that she learned just how uncontrollable a blaze can be, especially in prime conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wings of Rescue is never slow on business, Gable said, as shelters around the country grapple with overflowing kennels exacerbated by natural disasters like hurricanes or wildfires. Since their founding in 2012, the four-person staff nonprofit and a slew of volunteer pilots and helpers have relocated 75,000 pets to no-kill shelters. In recent years, Gable and Nelson both noted a surge in animal population they attributed to a few factors namely, the economy. "I always tell people when the economy goes south, the animal population goes through the roof because they can't afford to take care of these animals," Nelson said. Increases to the cost of anesthesia to perform spay and neuter operations mean fewer animals are fixed, and they'll continue to breed and add to an already unsustainable animal population, Gable said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though they had the space for small dogs, Companions is at its capacity for larger dogs. They have a waiting list about 50-dogs deep from families looking to surrender their pets, Nelson said. In the last six months of 2024, over 500 people called looking to surrender a large dog. They'll continue to help when they can and find their L.A. arrivals forever homes, ensuring the shelters in L.A. can focus on reuniting pets with their families, many facing devastating losses. "You can't not help," Nelson said. "No matter what your situation is, you have to help. There's a life at stake. Granted, it's a four-legged life, but still, it's a life." Elena Perry's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor. BOSTON (WWLP) Governor Healey got an update on the military force in Massachusetts from top brass on Monday. Members of the Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force met with both the Governor and Lt. Governor to discuss the states six military installations and recent and upcoming Task Force activities. F-35A Lighting II fighter jets replacing aging F-15 aircraft at Barnes ANGB in Westfield Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Massachusettss military installations include: Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, Devens Reserve Forces Training Area (RFTA), Hanscom Air Force Base, Joint Base Cape Cod, Natick Soldier Systems Center, and Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee. These bases generate more than $13.2 billion in total economic activity and support for more than 57,000 jobs in Massachusetts. According to a recent U.S. Department of Defense report, Massachusetts in the top 10 states for defense contract spending in the country. In December 2024, the Secretary of the Air Force formally selected Barnes Air National Guard Base to receive the new F-35A aircraft, guaranteeing an Air Force presence in western Massachusetts for the foreseeable future. The Air Force also identified Hanscom Air Force Base as the sole location to host the Air Forces new Information Dominance Systems Center, along with additional jobs and led by a new three-star general officer. At Mondays meeting, Healey appointed four additional members from higher education and the defense industry to the Task Force: UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen, Northeastern Senior Vice Provost Dr. David Luzzi, MITRE Senior Principal Katie Enos and General Dynamics Vice President and General Manager of Maritime and Strategic Systems Dr. Laura Hooks. Additional members of the Task Force include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Healey-Driscoll administration cabinet secretaries Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard Major General Gary W. Keefe Commander of the Massachusetts Army National Guard Brigadier General Mark Kalin Commander of the Massachusetts Air National Guard Brigadier General Joseph Morrissey State Senator John Velis State Senator Ryan Fattman State Representative David Vieira President and CEO MassDevelopment Navjeet Bal Mass Tech Collaborative CEO Carolyn Kirk Massport CEO Richard Davey Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and the entire Massachusetts Congressional delegation serve as co-chairs. One of the greatest opportunities the Lieutenant Governor and I have had in office is meeting service members and visiting our military installations, said Governor Maura Healey, who serves as chair of the task force. Our military installations play an incredibly important role in our state: as leaders in national defense, as regional economic drivers, and as places where young men and women learn and grow in their military service and become leaders. In many ways, they are the keepers of our deepest legacies in Massachusetts, around service and self-government. Were proud to be convening this Task Force to advance the mission of our states military installations and discuss how our administration can support economic development in and around our military bases. As the proud daughter of a Navy veteran, I grew up with a deep understanding of and respect for military service. Thats why Ive visited each of our six military installations to meet with base leaders and community partners and learn about their key missions up close, said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. Our administration is committed to working with all levels of government on identifying opportunities to support the people, infrastructure and mission needs of the military installations in Massachusetts. For centuries the men and women of the commonwealth have been there for Massachusetts to assist with natural disasters, security threats and armed conflict, said Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, The Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard. The Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force is focused on ensuring our service members have the tools and training to meet any challenge. Through collaboration with our military organizations and partners from Business and Educational institutions the Task Forces is committed to providing critical resources to our troops to guarantee mission success. The Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force has an important role in enhancing the operational efficiency and economic impact of our states military installations, said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. Strengthening collaboration between the military installations, businesses and academic institutions safeguards vital investments while expanding opportunities for growth and innovation. This Task Force is one example of the many ways we support our military and underscores our deep commitment to national security, local job creation and strong community partnerships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Massachusetts takes pride in ensuring our military installations provide real opportunities for service members, veterans, and their families, said Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. These bases shape the next generation of leaders and help veterans transition to civilian life. By fostering these connections, we show our deep gratitude for our veterans and their sacrifices. 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. BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) The Healey/Driscoll administration has been collaborating with State Auditor Diana DiZoglio in auditing the use of employee settlement agreements during the Baker administration. On Monday Governor Healey issued a written policy regarding the use of settlement agreements in executive branch offices and agencies, including for employment claims and prohibiting the use of non-disclosure agreements, requiring approval for settlements, and ensuring that settlement agreements are public records. New bill plans to eliminate PFAS from well water Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From day one, the Lieutenant Governor and I have prohibited the use of nondisclosure agreements in our administration, said Governor Healey. Today Im issuing a formal, written policy for all executive department offices and agencies that codifies the policy thats already in place. Auditor DiZoglio will be holding a news conference on Tuesday at her office to discuss the findings and recommendations in the audit of settlement agreements and confidentiality clauses across multiple state agencies. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has issued a health advisory to hunters or anyone who consumed or captured wildlife between 2010 and 2024 from Holloman Lake near Alamogordo, New Mexico. This follows a new environmental report revealing record-breaking levels of contamination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations in plants and wildlife, NMDOH said. Holloman Lake, located near Alamogordo, serves as the wastewater reservoir for Holloman Air Force Base. While hunting at the lake has been prohibited since 2024, it remains open for camping and birding, the state Health Department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) report released Monday, samples show the highest PFAS levels ever recorded in any wild animal and plant worldwide. The levels of PFAS contamination in Holloman Lake are deeply concerning, particularly for hunters who may have consumed waterfowl from the area over the past decade, said Dr. Miranda Durham, medical director for NMDOH. PFAS exposure has been linked to serious health problems, and we encourage anyone who has consumed game from this region and has concerns to talk to their healthcare provider. The NMED report highlights the need for additional testing of waterfowl and oryx samples to better characterize the risk to hunters outside the immediate footprint of contamination at Holloman Lake and Holloman Air Force Base, NMDOH said. Potential health risks associated with exposure to PFAS include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Increased cholesterol levels. Reduced birth weight. Kidney and testicular cancer. Pregnancy-induced hypertension. Liver enzyme changes. For more information about PFAS visit the New Mexico Environment Department webpage about PFAS at the following links: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GOSHEN More than $1.1 million in one-year grants have been awarded for maternal health, mental health and other programs serving Elkhart County. The Elkhart County Board of Health approved funding recommendations for 12 pass-through grants totaling $1,154,787. The pass-through funding for organizations in the community is a requirement of the extra money thats given to local health departments through the Health First Indiana initiative. Much like last year, with our HFI allotment, we wanted to put as much of the money as we possibly could back out in the community to partner, to pursue pro-public health programs and to do as much good as possible, said Elkhart County Health Administrator Andrew Bylsma. Our way of doing that is by granting dollars back out to community organizations that align with us on our goals and our vision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county had much more money to pass along this year, after awarding $300,000 in one-year grants last year. The health board directed the funding to three areas that were marked as priorities for Elkhart County: maternal and infant health, mental health and sexually transmitted infections. The money went to two Clubhouse programs last year as well as Maple City Health Care Center, Child and Parent Services, and Oaklawn Psychiatric Center. Bylsma presented the new recommendations of the grant review committee to the health board on Thursday. He described each program that will receive a share of the funding but said they arent prepared to actually name the recipients yet. There were 17 applicants for pass-through funding this year. Of the 12 that were chosen, six were fully funded at the maximum amount that could be requested, which is $125,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maternal health Applicants receiving the full $125,000 included a community health nurse mentorship program that pairs doulas with teens and young adults. This program involves in-home maternal support, birthing guidance and education and teenage pregnancy education, with the aims to reduce isolation, promote safe sleep and post-partum practices and provide healthy living workshops for young adults, Bylsma said. Another maternal health program that will receive $125,000 involves plans to adapt an internationally tested peer-mentor model called nurturing care groups, to help reach pregnant, postpartum and perinatal families with group education and home-based support, Bylsma said. He said the hope is that it will improve prenatal care and engagement rates, improve maternal health outcomes and reduce infant mortality through community-driven engagement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its something were trying to bring to the United States. Essentially, its geospatially minded home-based perinatal education groups, he said. Its in neighborhoods where people dont have that extra barrier to access. Theyre literally just going to their neighbors home, getting services, getting education, getting training with someone at that location who this organization would have trained to do these programs. And $125,000 was awarded to a program aimed at centering pregnancy, parenting and mental health. Bylsma described it as a program meant to enhance prenatal care with a group-based, evidence-based and pregnancy-centered model that will also provide mental health support. The aim is to reduce adverse birth outcomes, strengthen family wellbeing, from pregnancy-based interventions, he said. So kind of getting in early with these patients to help set pro-health behaviors for the whole family. A program to provide hypertension care for women with high-risk pregnancies was fully funded at $122,784. It will provide community nurses with remote blood pressure monitoring cuffs for pregnant women who are at high risk for hypertension and preeclampsia, according to Bylsma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goals of the program are averting preeclampsia pre-term birth, as well as maternal and fetal deaths, through early interventions, medication management and data tracking of patients. A childcare program will receive its full $25,000 request from the health department, which will allow the facility to increase enrollment for infants under one year of age. The program also hopes to improve childcare services by upgrading facilities, adding staff time and offering comprehensive support services. The aim here is to reduce local waitlists for childcare and improve access to high-quality childcare, which is one of the major concerns that are consistently expressed when were talking about maternal and child health needs, Bylsma said. Effective safe childcare is one of the things were constantly hearing. Other programs Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The health board fully funded a mobile integrated health program at $125,000. Bylsma described it as a cross-disciplinary team that responds to crisis calls, works with patients for chronic case management services and addresses mental health needs before law enforcement intervention is needed or where it would be an inappropriate response. The hope is that this reduces unnecessary hospital visits, its going to help bring proactive care to patients and populations who are not able to reach clinical services. Cant go to the doctor, cant get out of the house. This is the team that would go and kind of help triage and do that first step, he said. A lot of the mobile integrated health models in the State of Indiana are based around paramedic services. ... Its done in the patients home or done where the patient is, vs. expecting the patient to get a ride or make an appointment. The board funded a Clubhouse program called We Are Not Alone at the full $125,000 ask. Bylsma said the request involved increased staffing to help adults with mental illness manage their day-to-day lives. The Clubhouse model is an adult daycare or outpatient service for adults with serious persistent mental illness, he said. The focus of this program is to reduce isolation, expand outreach, increase support for housing, employment and community engagement services and generally help adults manage their mental illness more effectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the board awarded the full $125,000 to an addiction recovery program that uses the Matrix Model. Bylsma said its an intense 16-week outpatient program that integrates group and individual therapy, family education and medication-assisted treatment, with the goal of reducing relapse rates and improving outcomes for people with addictions issues. Two programs requested $125,000 but the committee recommended awarding a smaller amount. A chronic care case management program received $93,750 toward its proposal for integrating nursing support and healthy living groups, with the aim of improving medication adherence, reducing hospital readmissions and supporting lifestyle changes through education. Bylsma said the program would embed nurses into healthy living groups that are working on addressing chronic disease issues, with a specific focus on giving under-served patients the tools they need to self-manage their chronic diseases. And a proposal for an STI testing, education and treatment program received $62,500 based on the review committees recommendation. The programs goals are to expand access to STI services including testing, education and treatment, particularly for uninsured and under-insured patients, with the hopes to lower transmission rates by increasing awareness, clinical access and building culturally competent care programs, according to Bylsma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A proposal for a mental health coordinator position in a program aimed at reducing staff burnout and improving trauma-informed services for Elkhart families received the $71,650 award that it applied for. Bylsma said it would bring a licensed clinician to train staff, consult on complex family and child mental health cases and provide on-site mental health support to clients. A chronic disease self-management program received $29,103 after requesting $38,804. Bylsma described as a proposal to use community health workers to engage in culturally sensitive education to target under-served communities and populations to help manage chronic disease, with the goal to reduce health disparities through screenings, outreach and empowerment. (KRON) Research scientists with San Jose State Universitys Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) detected unusually high concentrations of heavy-metal nanoparticles in marsh soils at Elkhorn Slough following a recent fire at a nearby power plant. A fire ignited January 16 inside the Moss Landing Power Plant where thousands of lithium batteries owned by Vistra Energy store power. Batteries burned for days and sent plumes of black smoke into Monterey County skies. Moss Landing is an environmentally sensitive area surrounded by sloughs and beaches where sea otters, harbor seals, and other marine species live. MLMLs research team analyzed soils within the days immediately following Vistras battery fire. Flames erupt at the Moss Landing Power Plant Thursday Jan. 16, 2025 in Moss Landing, Calif. (Shmuel Thaler /The Santa Cruz Sentinel via AP) The field surveys, conducted within a radius of approximately two miles from the power plant, measured a dramatic increase in marsh soil surface concentration (hundreds to thousand-fold) of the three heavy metals Nickel, Manganese and Cobalt, MLML wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday night, Monterey County officials said they were notified of the soil testing findings, but they had not yet received the data. State and county sampling collected around Vistras power plant is also being analyzed. The data and results of these samples are expected later this week, officials wrote. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) said the state needs to establish new standards for operating battery energy storage facilities and increase oversight over emergency response action plans. The Moss Landing Power Plant is seen on Jan. 17, 2022. (Photographer: David Paul Morris /Bloomberg via Getty Images) Last week, firefighters at the Moss Landing blaze said they could not approach the fire until the batteries had completely burned up. Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church said, There is no proven way to put out one of these fires once it has reached this magnitude. Attempts to put out battery fires at other sites have only worsened the situation. Water is used initially only when the batteries start to heat, not when flames have emerged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CPUC officials said battery storage systems are one of the key technologies California relies on to enhance reliability and reduce dependency on polluting fossil fuel power plants. The deployment of battery storage systems has grown significantly throughout California, from 500 megawatts in 2019 to over 13,300 MW statewide in 2024, according to CPUC. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (FOX40.COM) The Sacramento Police Department reported a heavy police presence near Freeport Boulevard and Broadway on Tuesday morning. According to police, around 9:30 a.m. near Burnett Way and Freeport Boulevard officers responded to a report of an assault involving a vehicle that may be related to an earlier assault earlier in the day. The Sacramento County Sheriffs Office said the suspect may have been involved in a carjacking elsewhere in the county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the vehicle stopped and that officers were attempting to talk to the driver. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WEST GREENWICH, R.I. (WPRI) Long after the press conference is over and the crime scene tape is removed, the memory of what officers saw on Jan. 3 at Cheyenne Trail lingers for the West Greenwich Police Department. It was supposed to be a routine wellness check. Officers had no idea theyd arrive to find a pregnant mother shot to death by her husband, who had also shot and killed their two young children before dying by suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BACKGROUND: Pregnant mother, 2 kids among victims of West Greenwich murder-suicide You cant unsee what we saw, said Chief Richard Ramsay. Those are things that stay with you, probably for the rest of your life. Ramsay said that though the officers who responded that day all had at least 24 years of experience, nothing can prepare you for such a heartbreaking scene. I love my job, he said the next week. I wouldnt want to do anything different, but days like that, like last Friday, make you question yourself a bit. The weekend after the incident, Ramsay called all of those officers individually to see how they were doing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Jan. 6, they had a mandatory debriefing with former Providence Police Detective Mike Wheeler, whos spearheading a new statewide Officer Wellness Program. All of the officers and staff involved in the call were in the room for that debrief, along with mental health workers. Its an opportunity first and foremost to let the officers know theyre not alone, said Wheeler. There is someone for you to reach out to. Breaking the stigma Ramsay admitted theres long been a stigma in law enforcement about admitting the effects cases like this can have on officers. Were supposed to be the strong people, he said. But what people dont realize is that, although we do wear a uniform, were human too. We have emotions. Things affect us in certain ways. So in the end, we dont want to feel weak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramsay was working for West Warwick police the year of the Station Nightclub fire. I watched my department not know what to do, he said. You just come back from a horrific scene like that and youre going to report for duty the next night and take a harassing phone call from somebody and its meaningless to you. [You think], Why am I doing this?' Wheeler was working for the Providence Police Department when his colleague Jimmy Allen was shot and killed while interviewing a suspect. At the time, the department had its own peer support team. Its not what were accustomed to; my generation, the chiefs generation, Wheeler said. Its always, No, no, no, you dont talk about it. But it helps and its necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statewide Officer Wellness Program is working to make sure every chief in the state, along with a liaison from each department, receives the same training in critical incident stress management and debriefing. Theyre also aiming to educate officers families about the physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral signs and symptoms of a stress reaction. Making mental health a priority A 2005 article in the International Journal of Emergency Mental Health found more police officers die by suicide than are killed in the line of duty. Ramsay says hes never lost an officer to suicide, but hopes this new effort prevents any department from feeling that pain. The goal is always to make sure our officers go home safe at the end of the night, at the end of their tour, Ramsay said. When something like that happens, it hurts everyone who wears a uniform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wheeler has faith in this younger generation of officers, who he says, dont let stigma get in the way. This younger generation will certainly be the catalyst that will help this program thrive and then survive in the future because of their willingness to talk, he said. Resources for officers: Fraternal Order of Police Crisis Hotlines Call 988 or text BLUE to 741741 International Law Enforcement Officers Hotline 1-800-COPLINE International Critical Stress Foundation https://icisf.org Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Special Coverage & Notices Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) A Henderson County man will spend at least 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to shooting and killing a woman at a local McDonalds before going to pick his child up from school. According to the District 42 attorneys office, Sam Antwan Ivey, 37, of Hendersonville, pleaded guilty on Monday to second-degree murder, possession of a weapon of mass destruction, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a weapon on educational property. Ivey was accused of shooting and killing 30-year-old Jaclyn Reed, of Johnson City, Tennessee outside of a McDonalds in October 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the district attorneys office, the shooting happened when Reed, who had previously been kicked out of the restaurant due to an altercation with another customer, attempted to reenter the property and was confronted by Ivey. The district attorneys office said Reed was unarmed and of little threat when she attempted to reenter the McDonalds. Ivey, a convicted felon, was armed with a pistol he legally could not own, reportedly shot Reed once in the chest, killing her, then fled the scene. He was later located in the car pickup line of his childs elementary school, where he was arrested. The district attorneys office said at the time of his arrest, Ivey still had the handgun used to shoot Reed, as well as another which had been modified to be fully automatic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following his plea, Ivey was sentenced to 21-26 years 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 WSPA 7NEWS. CLINTON, Mo. Henry County, Missouri residents and the County Commission are speaking out about high levels of chemicals found in the air and water in a recent report. Its a story FOX4 brought you Thursday, January 23, and Friday, January 24. Evergy used to have a power plant near Montrose Lake thats at the center of a lawsuit from a county resident. The old plants nearly 90 minutes southeast of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The Henry County Commission held a meeting Monday night at the Benson Convention Center as people wanted to hear what the companys response would be to the report from January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursday, January 23, FOX4 obtained it from Triangle Environmental Science & Engineering. It revealed drinking water samples exceeding the Radium 226 and total Radium Default Target Levels (DTLs) of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Soil samples exceeded the DNRs DTL for Hexavalent Chromium too, which can cause cancer. Evergys Chief Customer Officer Chuck Caisley has more questions about the results that the plaintiff, or Bill Stewards party, paid Triangle to come out with. Police investigating aggravated robbery in Mission Hills Monday night We dont know where these chemicals have come from, Caisley said in an interview with FOX4 before the meeting. Everybody knows that we have a facility here, and so, as a result, theyre pointing at our facility, but the fact of the matter is, we dont know where this comes from. Steward lives near the old plant. At the heart of the suit is fly ash, a biproduct of coal fired power plants. It can pollute the air, water, and soil, if its not collected and managed properly. Henry County North District Commissioner Mark Larson showed Caisley what he believed was fly ash during the meeting in a picture he showed him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whatever you were stirring was not wet, it was flying up in the air, Larson said to Caisley, talking about his crews. So, which is it? Do you water it? Do you stir it? Whats going on here? First of all, that looks whiter than I would expect dirt to be, Caisley replied. But when I came out here on Friday, I drove all around in my truck, and if you look at the outside of that, it never got near the actual landfill, but if you look at the outside of that, it is caked in white, and that was dust that got kicked up and then subsequently got wet, and it stuck to the sides, and you know what its from? From the gravel roads. There are gravel roads all over this county. Caisleys response drew laughs from the crowd, as the people in attendance didnt believe him. Larson also discussed who could do more testing near the old plant that both sides could agree on would be non-biased. How about if the county, well pay for one test? And lets find out? Larson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By a third party? Caisley replied. Yes, by a third party, Larson answered. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Additional testing will take time as a spokeswoman for Evergy said that would require the permission of private property owners. Besides that though, Caisley also says they now have the Triangle report that Henry County residents started learning about the week of Monday, January 20. He says his companys reviewing it and may have more of their own analysis on it in less than a week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Grocery stores across the U.S. are experiencing the effects of egg shortages. Yaorusheng via Getty Images If youve taken a trip to your local grocery store lately, you may have noticed that the cost of eggs has gone up, or you may have had a hard time finding cartons of eggs altogether. The bird flu, also known as the avian influenza, has caused a shortage of eggs across the United States and you might be feeling the effects for a while. The strain of avian influenza, caused by the H5N1 virus, was detected in the U.S. in 2022. It has been spreading among wild birds, poultry and other animals, affecting over 136 million birds so far, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And millions of chickens at poultry farms across the country have been killedto prevent the spread of disease. And on Monday, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) announced that the U.S. has reported its first outbreak of another strain of bird flu: H5N9. The H5N9 strain was detected on a farm in California, where H5N1 was also detected, Reuters reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egg price increases have been largely traced back to the bird flu, which has put a strain on the supply of egg-laying hens. Restaurants and grocery stores have increased the price of eggs as a result of higher wholesale prices, and some supermarkets have placed limits on the number of cartons shoppers can buy due to supply issues. This is the most devastating wave of the bird flu outbreak weve seen since it began to spread three years ago, Karyn Rispoli, the egg managing editor at Expana, a firm that collects and tracks the price of eggs, told The New York Times in an article published last week. And this time around farms that cater to the retail sector have been disproportionately impacted and that is leaving a big, gaping hole. And shoppers everywhere have been sharing their own experiences with seeing shelves once filled with cartons of eggs, now empty. There were literally NO eggs at the store, one person on X, formerly Twitter, wrote on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No eggs at Costco when I went shopping last night, wrote another. And wholesalers and farmers predict that we may feel the effects of this for a while. Brian Moscogiuri, vice president at Eggs Unlimited, a wholesaler in California, told the Times that he believes it could take about six months for the market to stabilize amid such a shortage. We need to see outbreaks of avian influenza stop, he said. We need a period of time when the farms arent being impacted and can repopulate their chickens, and we need to see demand start to slow down. Other projections suggest issues may continue well into 2025. What you should know about bird flu spread and safely storing your eggs at home. With so many things to think about as we learn more about the bird flu, you may be wondering how to best preserve and store the eggs you have at home amid the current egg shortage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Food & Drug Administration offers several egg safety storing tips to keep in mind. For starters, the agency recommends that you store your eggs in a clean refrigerator at 40 or below. You should store eggs in their original carton, and use them within three weeks for best quality, the FDA states. If you want to freeze whole eggs, the FDA does not recommend you freeze them in their shells. Instead, the agency advises that you beat the whole egg, and freeze the yolks and egg whites together or you can just freeze the egg whites by themselves. If you decide to freeze your eggs whether whole or egg whites alone you should consume the frozen egg within one year. As for protecting yourself from bird flu, theres no need for the general public to panic overall right now.The Centers for Disease Control states that the current public health risk for the avian influenza is low, and that they are still monitoring the H5N1 virus and how it impacts people with animal exposures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first death associated with the H5N1 virus in the U.S. was reported earlier this month, however, health officials said the person, who lived in Louisiana, was older than 65, had underlying medical problems, and had been in contact with sick and dead birds in a backyard flock. Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo, a professor of epidemiology and the director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University School of Public Health in Rhode Island, previously told HuffPost in December that her greatest fear was for people who are exposed to the virus directly, such as farm workers. And if youre concerned about the safety of eating eggs amid the outbreaks of bird flu, health officials advise that eating eggs is safe as long as theyre cooked to an appropriate temperature. Cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165F kills bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza A viruses, the CDC states. Related... In late April, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a church-state case over whether public funds can flow directly to a religious charter school. The courts conservative majority has increasingly ruled on the side of religious liberty. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) In his frenetic first week back at the White House, President Donald Trump allowed immigration raids at schools, sidelined federal employees focused on diversity and ended civil rights investigations into book bans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the biggest education story of the week one that could change public schools forever broke late Friday afternoon at a building two miles away. The U.S. Supreme Court, backed by the conservative supermajority Trump secured in his first term, agreed to hear an Oklahoma case over whether the law permits public dollars to flow to an explicitly religious charter school. A decision in favor of the first-of-its kind Catholic school could further entangle the government and religion, dramatically altering the historic balance between church and state. The stakes really couldnt be higher, said Derek Black, a law professor at the University of South Carolina. While there are Catholic schools that have converted into secular charters, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual Schools ultimate goal, according to its website, is eternal salvation. The issue, Black said, is whether a religious entity can operate a charter school that teaches religion as truth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Oklahoma Supreme Court Knocks Down Bid for Virtual Catholic Charter School Trump supports Christianity in the classroom and has vowed to bring prayer back to public schools. But hes just the most recognizable face of a larger movement that has been building toward this moment one that includes governors and state lawmakers, right-leaning think tanks and wealthy donors. Those donors have not only financed campaigns to seat conservative justices, but also helped fund the years of legal work that ultimately landed the schools application before the high court. Some evangelicals believe the courts have long misapplied Thomas Jeffersons famous words about a wall of separation between church and state. Dismissed by most constitutional experts, this view holds that Jeffersons aim was to keep the federal government from interfering with religious freedom not to protect the government from the church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The debate over the school will culminate in oral arguments before the Supreme Court in late April. Governors in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, who advocate for weaving the Bible into classroom instruction, have long awaited such a case. Denying St. Isidore a charter solely because theyre religious is flat-out unconstitutional, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt posted on X. This will be one of the most significant decisions of our lifetime. But his states GOP attorney general disagrees. Gentner Drummonds office will argue that both state and federal laws clearly require charter schools to be non-sectarian. That view was summed up by American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, who said reversing the Oklahoma courts decision would drive a dagger into the very idea of public education and strike at the heart of our nations democratic foundations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One justice who wont be involved in the decision is Trumps most recent Supreme Court appointee. Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from deliberating over whether to hear the case. While the court offered no explanation, Barrett is a longtime friend of Nicole Garnett, the Notre Dame University law professor who advised the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa on the charter application. Garnett, who had no comment on Barretts recusal, also sits on the board of the Federalist Society, a conservative and libertarian legal organization that has influenced Trump and previous Republican presidents on judicial appointments. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from deciding whether to hear the case. She is a longtime friend of a Notre Dame law professor who advised the Catholic church on the charter application. (Sarah Silbiger-Pool/Getty Images) But attorneys for the school may not need Barretts vote. Four of the other conservative justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch have all voiced support for greater religious freedom. Over a decade ago, Thomas wrote an opinion suggesting states could establish their own Christian denominations. More recently, in 2022, Gorsuch referred to the so-called separation of church and state in a case over whether Boston should fly a Christian flag outside City Hall. While Chief Justice John Roberts takes a more cautious approach to court precedents, he has sided with the conservative majority in all of its most recent church-state cases. Two of them, Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue and Carson v. Makin, focused on choice programs at religious schools. Alliance Defending Freedom, which represents the states charter school board, draws on those cases to conclude that charter schools are inherently private organizations not state actors. By keeping St. Isadore closed, the Alliance argues, Oklahoma is discriminating against religion and denying families more options. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahoma parents and children are better off with more educational choices, not fewer, Jim Campbell, the Alliances chief legal counsel, said in a statement. Related Choice Supporters to Catholic Charter School Backers: Proceed with Caution In a brief in support of the charter school, eight GOP-led states said that prohibiting the funding of religious charter schools would compromise their ability to award grants or contracts to other sectarian organizations, like orphanages and groups providing scholarships. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools dismissed that fear and said a charter is not merely a grant program. The charter school is a state-created public school under Oklahoma law, and its actions are state actions, the organization wrote in its brief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black agreed, saying that the schools argument has no grounding in facts or law. The courts decision to take the case left the law professor with an enormous pit in his stomach. Black worries the justices dont fully understand the complexities of public education funding, particularly the differences between charters, vouchers and education savings accounts. That leads to either honest errors, misunderstandings or the ability of other people to lead you astray, he said. Experts say its hard to ignore the strides evangelical Republicans have made at elevating the importance of Christianity in the classroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Red states arent just passing voucher programs that allow parents to pay tuition at faith-based schools; theyre also incorporating Bible lessons into the curriculum. If the court rules in favor of the school, Preston Green, a University of Connecticut education and law professor, predicts religious organizations would suddenly clamour to open faith-based charters. Related In Close Vote, Texas Approves Reading Program Laden With Bible Lessons Were on the verge of a new system where religious organizations are going to be among the players running schools, he said. How do states deal with that reality? In addition to allowing public education funds to support a specific faith, a decision in favor of religious charters could also have a devastating financial impact on traditional districts fighting to prevent enrollment loss, Black said. Oklahoma already offers a tax credit scholarship program for school choice, but it doesnt always cover the full tuition at a private school. Families who want their child to have a Christian education might be more likely to flock to a religious charter school where the cost is fully covered, he explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robert Franklin, a former member of the states charter board, is already thinking about those ramifications. Like public school advocates in other red states, hes concerned that expanding private school choice will hit rural schools the hardest and leave less funding for traditional schools. Oklahoma is a deeply red state, he said. I dont think we have an appetite for raising taxes around here to support schools. Franklin has a unique vantage point on the constitutional dispute that began over two years ago. He voted against St. Isidores contract in 2023 and says he felt vindicated last year when the states high court struck it down. But hes less confident the U.S. Supreme Court will rule the same way. Its a tumultuous moment, he said. There are a lot of forces pulling the other direction. This story first appeared at The 74, a nonprofit news site covering education. Sign up for free newsletters from The 74 to get more like this in your inbox. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A woman accused of stealing several houses in Hillsborough County by filing fake deeds pleaded guilty to the charges against her in court Monday. Michelle Cherry took a plea deal after she was accused of filing fake deeds to gain control of homes and faced multiple fraud charges. She will have to testify truthfully against her husband, Victor Rodriguez, who also has charges in Dade County. Woman admits to filing fake deeds to steal several Hillsborough County houses Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Larry and Dreama Bilby said their home was stolen by Cherry and Rodriguez in February. It isnt worth it to own a home if its this easy for someone to steal it, Dreama said. Im in an apartment right now because Im scared to death to go into my home. I dont ever want to own a home again. After 40 years of building their lives, raising children, even burying dogs in the backyard, it was all taken from them. Larry said the accused also removed their names from the electric and water bills. I mean its just unbelievable the audacity they had at every turn, Larry said. And thats what kind of frightened us quite frankly because as a victim in this particular case we have to prove that you didnt do this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hillsborough County Clerks Office shared video of Cherry and Rodriguez filing a forged deed in the official records office last February. They came here to Hillsborough County in early January and went around looking for different properties that were either vacant or appeared to be vacant, said Michael Lennon, the prosecutor. Cherry will be sentenced to anywhere from 10 to 285 years in prison, depending on her level of cooperation with the case. The Bilbys said they feel Cherry and Rodriguez have found every way possible to continue this trial. I do not feel relief, actually, I cried all morning, Dreama said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats just another ploy for them. They keep using ploys to extend, thats been their MO for a long time, Larry added. Three cases of stolen homes were mentioned in court. The home titles are back with their true homeowners, but its been hard for the Bilbys to move on from this. Well, youre displaced emotionally, especially when every time you get a piece of mail that has her (Cherrys) name on it and your home address, Dreama said. The court is working to fix where Cherrys mail is being delivered, while the Bilbys wait for them to go to prison. Rodriguez is set to go to trial on March 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Clerks Office said Hillsborough County is one of the many hotspots for property fraud. Homeowners can sign up for property fraud alerts through the Hillsborough County Clerks office. They will notify a homeowner within 48 hours if a document is recorded using their name or business name. Its a free service. To date, the Clerks Office has over 70,000 property fraud alert program subscriptions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AUSTIN (KXAN) Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis met with Hispanic community organizations on Monday morning. Inside El Centro De Familia, the Latino-led nonprofit Southwest Key Programs building, leaders were already set to have a community meet and greet with APDs new chief. Austin Police Chief, Lisa Davis meets with Hispanic community leaders. (Photo by: Alex Durate). Austin Police Chief, Lisa Davis meets with Hispanic community leaders. (Photo by: Alex Durate). Austin Police Chief, Lisa Davis meets with Hispanic community leaders. (Photo by: Alex Durate). Austin Police Chief, Lisa Davis meets with Hispanic community leaders. (Photo by: Alex Durate). Austin Police Chief, Lisa Davis meets with Hispanic community leaders. (Photo by: Alex Durate). Austin Police Chief, Lisa Davis meets with Hispanic community leaders. (Photo by: Alex Durate). Then, after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, confirmed enhanced targeted operations in Austin Sunday, members used the intimate, invite-only gathering to ask specific questions about ICE operations in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hispanic community reacts to ICE operations in Austin She stated that the City of Austin [and police] are not in touch with ICE on a regular basis, that theyre not aware of ICE operations and that they do not intend to facilitate ICE in their immigration efforts at this point, Gloria Leal, general counsel for the National League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) said. Latino Nonprofits LULAC, Habla ATX and the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) gathered roughly 50 community members to meet with Davis on Monday. Davis opened up to community members about how APD is trying to get clarity on federal immigration operations in Austin. We reached out to have conversations with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), ICE and other federal partners about whats going to be occurring, Davis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leaders said they felt reassured after speaking with Davis. This was a to-be-continued meeting because we want to work with the Police Department, Alicia Perez Hodge, with Habla ATX said. In the meantime Hispanic organizations are uniting to debunk misinformation, and trying to educate people about their rights. This is our city, these are our people, Perez said. Perez said they they plan to go back to policies they developed during COVID, where they will have important information compiled in one place through the Austin Latino Coalition. Habla ATX said it also will to hold a community meeting within the coming weeks, and are working to connect with city council, and others. 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. A Hollywood actor has lost a two-year legal battle after claiming council tax was illegal to avoid paying a 4,300 bill on his London castle. Mercer Boffey, who has appeared in US shows including NCIS: Los Angeles and Ugly Betty, argued in the High Court that the tax should be scrapped for homeowners who use their property to live in. The 42-year-old claimed it was the absolute right in every Englishman, or American living lawfully in his castle, to live without control from the state so long as they were law abiding citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite his articulate submissions, a High Court judge dismissed his claim saying if he had been successful, it would have rather stark consequences for the lawfulness of many billions of pounds raised by local authorities under successive governments for over three decades. It comes as more than four million people face huge council tax rises in April after eight bankrupt authorities have asked for permission to raise bills above the normal maximum of 4.99pc. In the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, household bills could increase by 25pc. If approved, this would be the largest hike in England in two decades, adding 451 to the average bill. A further seven councils have proposed rises of between 10pc and 15pc. Mr Boffey told the court how he had moved into a charming detached Queen Anne house in the enchanting hamlet of Petersham, in south-west London, in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The property fell into the highest band of council tax set by the London Borough of Richmond, and left Mr Boffey with an annual bill of 4,282 he challenged to pay. His bid to avoid paying the tax began in April 2023 when he sought the de-listing of his property from the roll. However, local officials rejected his application, so the actor took the dispute to the Valuation Tribunal for England the body responsible for dealing with council tax appeals. The Valuation Tribunal ruled against his appeal. Still not content with the outcome, Mr Boffey took the matter to the High Court arguing the appeal decision was based on an inconsistent interpretation of well settled law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the High Court, Mr Boffey claimed his home did not constitute a hereditament, a property which is or may become liable to pay council tax, because under the General Rate Act 1967, the term implies having a financial interest in the property beyond living in it. Mr Justice Constable said: It is simply wrong to say that a conventional dwelling a privately-owned house or flat, occupied for the purposes of living accommodation with no element of financial reward or benefit fell outside the scope of hereditament. In these circumstances, the president of the VTE [Valuation Tribunal Service] was entirely correct in his conclusion that as a matter of law, Mr Boffeys appeal against the listing officers refusal to delist the property stood no real prospect of success. Speaking after the hearing, Mr Boffey said he wanted to seek answers on statutory legislation and fundamental property rights, adding that many people felt disenfranchised. 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 are three major Holocaust Remembrance Observances that happen at different times and places around the world. The first to be established was "Yom HaShoah" ("Holocaust Remembrance Day"). Next were the "Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust" in the U.S. and most recently, "International Holocaust Remembrance Day" established by the United Nations. International Holocaust Remembrance Day was established in 2005 according to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, and is observed on January 27 each year. It corresponds with the same date in 1945 when the largest Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, was liberated. This date was designated by the United Nations General Assembly as a day for all members to look back and remember the victims of the Holocaust. It was one of the most tragic times in history when the Nazis killed nearly six million European Jews and five million prisoners of war and other victims during the course of World War II, according to the National WWII Museum, New Orleans. This shocking genocide eliminated about two-thirds of Europe's Jewish population. Regardless of where and when a Holocaust Remembrance Day occurs, the meaning of it is the same. It's important that what happened to Jewish people during WWII is never forgotten. Related: Holocaust Remembrance Day: Powerful Memorials Around the World What Is the Difference Between International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Days of Remembrance and Yom HaShoah? Synagogues and Jewish people internationally celebrate Yom HaShoah in April or May, depending on the year, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. In the United States, there are also two observances that are broadly recognized throughout the country: International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust (or "Days of Remembrance" for short). What Is Yom HaShoah? As the Jewish Virtual Library reported, Yom HaShoah was established in 1951 (confirmed by law in 1959) in Israel, and falls on the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Because this is where it originated, Yom HaShoah is a national observance there. Again, it is observed in either April or May, depending on the year (since the Hebrew calendar is a lunar calendar, it is based on monthly moon phases so the actual date on the Gregorian calendar changes every year). When Is Yom HaShoah? In 2025, Yom HaShoah will be observed on Thursday, April 24, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. It starts at nightfall on April 23 and ends at nightfall on April 24, 2025. Related: Watch These Important Movies Around Holocaust Remembrance Day What Are the Days of Remembrance? Established in 1980 in the U.S., this observance occurs over eight days. According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, "Days of Remembrance runs from the Sunday before Yom Hashoah through the following Sunday." When Are the Days of Remembrance? 2025's Days of Remembrance will be observed from April 23-30. What Is International Holocaust Remembrance Day? Established in 2005, International Holocaust Remembrance Day falls on the anniversary of the liberation of camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. It is observed by all members of the United Nations, but many countries outside of the UN have established remembrances on the same day as well. When Is International Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2025? International Holocaust Remembrance Day falls on Monday, January 27, 2025. The premise of all the remembrances is about the same. They use the set-apart time to commemorate the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Related: See the Duchess of Cambridges Deeply Personal Portraits of Holocaust Survivors, Which Were Inspired by Anne Frank Why Were The Days of Remembrance Established? The Days of Remembrance were actually established 25 years before International Holocaust Remembrance Day. On November 1, 1978, President Jimmy Carter established the President's Commission on the Holocaust and gave the Commission the responsibility to establish and maintain an appropriate memorial to those who were killed in the Holocaust. The Commission was made up of 34 members which was comprised of Holocaust survivors, religious leaders, historians and members of Congress. Suggestions were also taken from American citizens and further research was gained by traveling to Holocaust sites and other memorials in Europe. Then, in 1980, the U.S. Congress passed legislation to establish the Days of Remembrance as a way to officially remember the Holocaust and to create the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as a permanent memorial to the victims. The museum is also responsible for planning Remembrance Day events and encouraging observances throughout the United States. In a speech by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken from 2021, he quotes what was written by an Auschwitz survivor after the Jews were locked in a gas chamber with only three minutes to live. The survivor had said that "in those final minutes they found enough strength to dig their fingernails into the walls and scratch in the words, Never forget! Through establishing Days of Remembrance, we will never, ever forget. Up Next: Related: 55 Powerful Holocaust Remembrance Day Quotes HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WIAT) A 91-year-old Holocaust survivor living in Homewood recounted her story, begging younger generations on International Holocaust Remembrance Day not to forget the horrors of that time. For the whole world to know that there was a Holocaust, and that you see in somebody that survived that misery as a 7-year-old little girl, Riva Hirsch said. Hirsch grew up in Romania in a house with her parents, grandmother and two brothers. She remembers the day in 1941 when two men working at her fathers mink manufacturing ran up to the house, warning her parents of something bad coming to the town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dad said no dolls, no balls, no bicycles, she said. He came in and said, Now, were going to have to leave the house. We opened the door. and we Jewish people, we have a mezuzah, and we turned around and Dad says we have to kiss the mezuzah because were never going to come back anymore. Hirsch remembers leaving in the middle of the night, having to leave behind all of the comforts of her old life, as she and her family made their way into the forest. But she and her family were captured by German soldiers. I hold on to my mothers skirt and my brother to the other side, Hirsch said. They took my father, threw him away in another car. They took my brothers away from my mother, and she didnt let him go, so they start taking the baguette and beat her up so bad it was unbelievable. They took me away from my mother. Hirsch said the Germans made her walk on already bloody feet to what they were calling a better place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its called the death march, so we march, and they told us we going to a place thats called Sukarein, and we came to Sukarein, Hirsch said. While I was walking, my feet and others and my parents stepped on dead bodies and on small babies, smaller than me, smaller than 7-year-old. You couldve seen piles and piles of dead people, the dogs eating them, the Germans ripping them apart to look for gold or something. You couldve seen that. It was just awful. And again, every minute, every second, they shot somebody else. After walking, Hirsch was put in a train carrying animals and hundreds of other Jews, dead or alive. She said she was pushed off the train, still carrying the scars on her arms and face from landing on wires and ferried across a river to a camp in Ukraine where she was held until 1943. I was already sick, Hirsch said. Full of malaria, full of lice, alone, naked. Hirsch recalled the night she was rescued from the camp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of a sudden, while I was laying down, a man, I didnt know who he is, and I didnt care if its a Nazi takes me, kills me. Im killed anyway. I will die. I wanted to die. My life was nothing because a little girl, no teeth, nothing, no education, nothing, Hirsch said. I was laying there like that, more dead than alive and one night, somebody came and put their hand on my mouth, and he said to me in German, German is similar to Jewish, and he said to me, Dont cry. Dont laugh, and he put me on his shoulder, and he started running. Hirsch said the man hid her in a wagon underneath hay told her to play dead should the wagon get stopped on their way to a Ukrainian convent. They did stop the wagon but again, I was very fortunate. Like I said, God wanted me to survive, Hirsch said. They didnt go in too deep because if they would go in too deep, they would find me. Hirsch was kept in a bunker at the convent for another two years until 1945 when the nuns told her she was free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She took me into her quarters, wrapped me around with their uniforms cause I was bleeding my feet from snow. Filthy, Hirsch said. And she said, Now, you have to leave.' Hirsch was reunited with her parents and brothers after the war. You can watch the full interview linked 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 CBS 42. A South Jersey great grandmother remembers the frightening moments as she and her family fled their small village in Poland to escape the Nazis. Nella Glick, 90, who lives in Marlton, was a young child when Germany invaded her country. "It was very scary because there was constant shooting," Glick said. "I didn't know what was happening. I was crying constantly, and somebody would always put their hands over my mouth to make sure that I wouldn't be heard." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For five years, Glick said she and her family hid in barns, attics and forests because they were Jewish. "My sister and I were staying with a Christian family that told their neighbors that we were their nieces," Glick said. "We didn't look Jewish. We had blonde hair." Glick was finally able to come out of hiding when World War II ended in 1945. She immigrated to the U.S. at age 10. "I was one of the lucky ones," Glick said. "I survived with both my parents and an older sister." In all, the Germans murdered 6 million Jews from all over Europe, annihilating two-thirds of Europe's Jews and one-third of all Jews worldwide. In 2005, the United Nations designated Jan. 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glick shares her survival story as a volunteer at the Esther Raab Holocaust Museum & Goodwin Education Center in Cherry Hill, which works to fight prejudice. "Today's students especially need to understand what can happen if people allow hate to grow to its extremes," museum director Helen Kirschbaum said, "and also, to understand how individuals can make a difference." Glick's late husband was a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp. On the 80th anniversary of the camp's liberation, Glick warned antisemitism is still a threat. "It's very frightening to me, because it seems like we haven't learned anything," Glick said. "You still have all this hatred and bigotry going on. And I think if we could only learn to be respectful of each other's differences, what a wonderful world this would be." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glick said she's grateful to be here to teach younger generations. "I've had hundreds of letters that I've received from students telling me how hearing my story has changed their lives," Glick said. "It's very emotional for me to be able to tell my story each time, but I feel it's so important that we keep the memory of all those that passed alive." AI stocks plunge as China's DeepSeek sends shock wave through Wall Street U.S. troops head to southern border as deportations continue New images of aid reaching Gaza after months of war HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) Holyoke police arrested two Springfield residents following a disturbance on Chestnut Street Sunday evening. Real-time analysis helps find Springfield suspects following shooting on Bridge Street According to Holyoke Police Department, officers were called around 5:30 p.m. for reports of a disturbance involving an alleged threat with a firearm. The suspect vehicle, containing three occupants, was located on the 100 block of Chestnut Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver, identified as 24-year-old Shyloe Harris, and passengers, 25-year-old Michael Bedinelli and a juvenile, were removed from the vehicle during a traffic stop. Officers discovered a loaded firearm in Bedinellis pants during a search. Courtesy of Holyoke Police Department Harris was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and making a threat to commit a crime. Bedinelli faces several firearms charges, including possession of a large-capacity loaded firearm and ammunition without proper licensing. The juvenile passenger was released to his mother. Both these suspects are well-known in Springfield, and I applaud our officers for de-escalating a dangerous situation, seizing an illegal firearm, and taking these suspects into custody, Chief Keenan stated. We will not tolerate illegal firearms in our city. Our officers responded swiftly and professionally, proactively preventing any further harm within our community. Bedinelli has been charged with the following: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Possession of a Firearm without an FID Card Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine/Feeding Device Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm on a Public Way Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card Harris faces the following charges: Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License Threat to Commit a Crime 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. CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) Trumps border czar Tom Homan is demanding an apology from Illinois officials over a claim that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were planning to conduct a raid at a Chicago school last week. Administrators at a Chicago school said they barred U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who showed up at the school on Friday morning. The agents were later identified as Secret Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Chicago Public Schools chief education officer Bogdana Chkoubova, agents were present at Hamline School but did not make any arrests. Earlier today, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents showed up at Hamline Elementary School, Chkoumbova said during a press conference. Pedro Martinez, the CEO of Chicago Public Schools, echoed those claims in an interview on MSNBC, saying, We had individuals that came to one of our schools, Hamline Elementary School, that presented credentials and shared that they were from ICE. Homan appeared on FOX News on Monday and denied those claims, saying [Martinez] knew they were Secret Service agents because I talked to the people involved, Homan explained. They left their credentials. He knew exactly who were there. So he lied. Again, sowing fear in the immigrant community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homan also criticized Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who took to X on Friday and said, After a week of Republicans sowing fear and chaos, the first reports of raids in Chicago are at an elementary school. Targeting children and separating families is cruel and un-American. Homan responded, saying, Governor Pritzker, rather than calling ICE and asking, Did this happen or did it not happen? he goes on social media and terrifies elementary schoolers. He accuses me of terrifying the community. No, he terrified the community. He terrified the children. Governor Pritzker needs to give ICE an apology, he continued. What he did was just plain wrong. And by doing that, he put fear in a community that shouldnt have to be there. Children shouldnt have to fear ICE agents walking into an elementary school to arrest them. According to U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE), the agency is conducting a nationwide effort that includes Illinois, Utah, California, Minnesota, New York, Florida, and Maryland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those arrested had criminal histories, including sexual assault, robbery, drug and weapons charges, and domestic violence, the agency said. President Trump won the election on this one issue, securing our border and saving lives. Were going to do this job, and were going to enforce the laws of this country. If they dont like it, then go to Congress and change the law, Homan said. Were going to make our community safer, he continued. Its all for the good of this nation. And were going to keep going. No apologies, were moving forward. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Tom Homan, President Trumps border czar, defended the immigration raids this weekend and pledged to continue working toward carrying out the administrations enforcement goals in a Monday interview. In an interview on Fox Newss America Reports, Homan pushed back on criticism that these are everyday people, these are families that are being attacked and dragged out of their homes. I dont think we arrested any families, Homan said when asked to respond to that criticism. Weve arrested public safety threats and national security threats. Bottom line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Look, President Trump won the election on this one issue: securing our border and saving lives. This, what happened on the southern border the last four years, is the biggest national security threat this countrys seen, at least in my lifetime, Homan continued, citing border statistics from under the Biden administration. Homan committed to carrying out deportation operations without apology, saying it would benefit the country. Were going to do this job. And were going to enforce the laws of this country. If they dont like it, then go to Congress and change the law. Were going to do this operation without apology. Were going to make our communities safer, he said. Homan said he expects the continued operations will see fentanyl deaths decrease, illegal alien crime decrease, sex trafficking decrease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its all for the good of this nation, and were going to keep going. No apologies. Were moving forward, he added. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and a small handful of other federal agencies have conducted raids over the past few days, which led to the arrest of more than 2,000 people, including almost 1,000 on Sunday alone, ICE said. The raids have given rise to sharp criticism from Democrats, who accuse Trump of seeking petty political revenge by launching the deportation raids in deep-blue cities like Chicago, where he frequently clashes with Democratic officials. These unwarranted raids have not only targeted hardworking individuals but, alarmingly, have also wrongfully targeted U.S. citizens and veterans, said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), head of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hollywood star Selena Gomez also garnered attention for a video she posted to social media, saying, while wiping away tears, All my people are getting attacked, with an image of the Mexican flag. I just want to say that Im so sorry. All my people are getting attacked. The children. I dont understand, the 32-year-old Emmy Award-nominated actor said in the video, which has since apparently been deleted. Im so sorry, I wish I could do something, but I cant. I dont know what to do. Ill try everything, I promise, Gomez 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. The downtown skyline as seen from the air in San Antonio, Texas, on Feb. 10, 2022. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Undocumented people with criminal records are the main target for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to Miguel Vergara, San Antonio field office director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations. Several orders by Trump give immigration authorities more flexibility to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants and potentially penalize state and local officials who dont cooperate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Vergara said his team is continuing to conduct targeted enforcement operations, which ICE had been carrying out before Trump took office. A Colombian Red Cross worker speaks with a Colombian migrant who was deported from the United States, upon arrival at El Dorado Airport in Bogota, Colombia, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Fenando Vergara) Fernando Vergara/Associated Press Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joins ICE agents as they hunt for illegal immigrants in New York City. (Handout/Department of Homeland Security/TNS) Handout/TNS U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detain a person, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Alex Brandon/Associated Press Border Czar Tom Homan talks to law enforcement from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice about their immigration enforcement efforts. (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Chicago Division/TNS) U.S. Drug Enforcement Administra/TNS U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers enter a residence looking for a suspect, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Takoma Park, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Alex Brandon/Associated Press U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Baltimore Field Officer director Matt Elliston listens during a briefing, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Md. Alex Brandon/AP U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers gather for a briefing. In San Antonio, ICE and other federal agencies conducted "targeted enforcement operations" on Sunday. Alex Brandon/AP Colombian migrants deported from the United States arrive at El Dorado airport in Bogota, Colombia, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) Fernando Vergara/Associated Press U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers use a chain to more comfortably restrain a detained person using handcuffs positioned in front, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Md. Alex Brandon/AP Colombian migrants deported from the United States wait inside El Dorado airport after arriving in Bogota, Colombia, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) Fernando Vergara/Associated Press Homeland Security Investigations agents detained multiple people in Miami on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (Homeland Security Investigations Miami/TNS) Homeland Security Investigations/TNS Colombian migrants deported from the United States sit inside El Dorado airport after their arrival to Bogota, Colombia, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) Fernando Vergara/Associated Press The agency, he said, is arresting known criminals who pose a threat to national security or public safety, as opposed to raids where large groups of people are rounded up at job sites or apartments. Vergara said ICE is not conducting raids. We target individuals with criminal records the worst of the worst, Vergara told a crowd of more than 130 people at a City Council District 10 community meeting on the Northeast Side Monday night. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Vergara declined to provide the number of people detained locally. The new administrations commitment to detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants has also led to more collaboration across various federal departments. ICE conducted operations in San Antonio and Austin on Sunday along with the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Collaboration between federal departments is not uncommon, Vergara said, but the agencies under Trump are working together more openly and aggressively. Trump reversed a policy that limited arrests at locations such as schools, hospitals and places of worship. However, Vergara said his team has no intention of targeting those sensitive locations unless an especially dangerous criminal is inside. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We dont want to disrupt and create panic, Vergara said. He said ICE agents have more discretion when working in the field since Trump took office. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers wait to detain a person, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Md. Alex Brandon/AP If agents learn of an undocumented person they werent initially seeking out while searching for a criminal, agents have the authority to immediately arrest that person even if they dont have a criminal history rather than asking superiors for permission. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ICE made an average of 710 immigration arrests per day last Thursday through Monday, up from a daily average of 311 in a 12-month period through September, according to the Associated Press. If the latest rate holds, it would surpass ICEs previous high mark set under Barack Obama, when daily arrests averaged 636 in 2013. ICE arrested 956 people across the country on Sunday. The agency surpassed that number on Monday with 1,179 arrests. The Washington Post reported Sunday that Trump ordered ICE to arrest 1,200 to 1,500 people per day, raising the quota from a few hundred. Field offices were directed to make at least 75 arrests per day. The pressure to meet the new quotas could increase the odds that officers will engage in more indiscriminate enforcement tactics or be accused of civil rights violations, the Washington Post reported. On Monday, CNN reported that at least 15 Indigenous people in Arizona and New Mexico said they were questioned and detained during immigration sweeps. Advertisement Article continues below this ad About 1.6 million undocumented immigrants live in Texas, according to a 2022 Pew Research Center report. Great spirit of cooperation San Antonio Police Chief William McManus met with Homeland Security Investigations and ICE officials Monday to hear what the federal agencies wanted his department to do as they started Trump's crackdown on illegal immigrants. Vergara described the meeting as very productive, with a great spirit of cooperation. ICE and the San Antonio Police Department were in complete agreement and in sync in the effort to remove people who pose threats to public safety. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus meets with the San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board about shootings involving San Antonio police officers on Sept. 8, 2023. Kaylee Greenlee Beal Before Trumps swearing-in, federal agents visited the police department every day at 5 a.m. to see whether any recent arrestee was an undocumented criminal whom they were after. If ICE finds such a person, officials issue an order directing the police to hold the inmate for up to 48 hours to give the U.S. Department of Homeland Security time to take the person into custody. Now, those visits will happen every three hours. SAPD negotiated that down from ICEs initial request for hourly visits. "SAPD has a long history of cooperating with Federal authorities on enforcement of immigration laws," McManus said in a statement. "We will continue to do that consistent with applicable law and availability of resources. "Given that some of the contemplated enforcement actions have never been attempted, the Citys participation in any enforcement activity will be facilitated by effective communication and planning with Federal authorities," he said. A Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman said the agency is assisting our federal partners by providing law enforcement services related to illegal immigration operations across the state, as Gov. Greg Abbott has pledged to do. While DPS is committed to assisting our federal partners as needed, our primary focus continues to be preventing, detecting and interdicting criminal activityincluding the arrest of criminal illegal immigrants in Texas, DPS press secretary Sheridan Nolen said in a statement. DPS Special Agents are working with local and federal law enforcement agencies to apprehend criminal illegal immigrant fugitivespeople who have entered the United States illegally and committed crimes in Texas. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar on Saturday addressed the possibility of immigration raids in the San Antonio-area, though he said no federal agencies had at that point asked his office for help in carrying out arrests of immigrants. Obviously, were going to cooperate with the law, but we also still have to bear in mind that racial profiling is still illegal, Salazar said. No matter who the president is, we dont just have carte blanche to tell first responders, 'Go forth and find people of color, and place them under arrest.' Non-stop repatriations Much of the ICE activity in Texas has centered so far on the Rio Grande Valley. The agency said in a statement Sunday that it had conducted enhanced targeted operations to enforce U.S. immigration law and preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities. It did not say how many people were detained or deported, ValleyCentral.com reported. Gloria Chavez, chief Border Patrol agent for the Rio Grande Valley sector, said Saturday in a social media post that NON-STOP REPATRIATIONS were underway. Chavez said 735 unauthorized migrants from Cuba, Honduras, Venezuela, Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras had been arrested over the previous two days and sent back to their countries of origin. She attached to her post on X an undated video showing men being marched into buses and transported to a border crossing. The DEA, meanwhile, said Sunday that agents in its Houston office had joined personnel from ICE and other federal agencies in the enforcement effort. Weve assisted today in several cities to include Austin, San Antonio, Brownsville, McAllen and Houston, an agency statement said. It provided no details as to how many people were detained. HOPE, Ark. (KTAL/KMSS) A primary school student in Hope will soon see her artwork displayed at a local colleges art museum. Earlier this year, Brigit Arroyo, a student at William Jefferson Clinton Primary, submitted an artwork she called Sun and Moon to an art contest for K-12 students. The contest was sponsored by the Windgate Museum of Art and focused on nature art inspired by Mississippi Artist Walter Anderson. Windgate Museum of Nature is located at Hendrix College. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 600 entries poured in from across the state. Approximately 100 artworks were selected, and Arroyos artwork was among them. Photo of Brigit Arroyo courtesy of Hope Public Schools. The Windgate Museum of Art at Hendrix College will begin displaying the winning paintings on Feb. 1. Ann Waller is a teacher at Clinton Primary. She heard about the contest and wondered if there was something she could do to encourage students to enter. Last September, Waller launched an after-school program to help students enter the contest. She began staying after school on Mondays and Tuesdays to help encourage students to work on submissions for the Windgate Museum contest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I knew this was a pretty prestigious event and tricky to have a student get recognized, said Waller. But Waller was still determined to help students enter. I sent in around 10 completed submissions right before Christmas break and waited, she said. Brigit Arroyos winning artwork will be on display at the Windgate Museum of Art on the Hendrix College Campus beginning Feb. 1. (Source: Hope Public Schools) Fourth-grader Brigit Arroyos artwork was chosen. The public can encourage young artists in Arkansas by attending the art shows opening reception at the Windgate Museum of Art on the Hendrix College Campus. The event takes place on Feb. 1 at 12:00 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. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) The much-anticipated opening date for BJs Wholesale Club in Horry County is now set for the end of February, a staff member told News13. BJs Wholesale Club will open on Feb. 28 off Highway 501 across from Tanger Outlets. The store, which was initially set to open in the fall of 2024, is expected to bring 150 jobs to the Grand Strand. The company has more than 210 locations in 17 states. The Horry County location will be the companys second in South Carolina; the other one is in Summerville in the states Lowcountry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BJs Wholesale Club bills itself as a leading warehouse club operator on the East Coast, according to the companys website. The store will have groceries, including perishable products, general merchandise and a gas station. Similar to Costco and Sams Club, BJs Wholesale requires customers to purchase a membership. * * * 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. President Donald Trump's administration ordered a temporary freeze on federal grants and loans, sparking widespread confusion among Arizona companies, agencies, and other recipients of federal dollars. The funding pause was scheduled to go into effect at 3 p.m. on Tuesday in Arizona, but was temporarily blocked by a federal judge shortly before it was set to begin. It doesn't affect funding that is provided directly to individuals such as Medicare and Social Security and it is designed to only impact programs that are related to the flurry of executive orders Trump signed when he took office. But questions still hang over a range of other government services, including federally funded research, economic-assistance programs that are operated through nonprofits, and foreign aid. Advertisement Advertisement The future of the funding freeze was also unclear on Tuesday. A federal judge temporarily stopped part of the initiative on Tuesday afternoon, issuing an administrative stay meant to allow litigation to play out until next week. The funding freeze is being challenged in federal court in Washington, D.C., by several advocacy groups. U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan ordered the Trump administration not to halt grant funding until at least Feb. 3. Why is Trump freezing federal aid? The White House's budget office promoted the effort as an overdue measure to review government spending. The use of federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget said in a written statement. Advertisement Advertisement Its impact on Arizona likely reaches into the billions of dollars. Local leaders scrambling hours before deadline Trumps announcement left Arizona government leaders grappling to understand how they would be impacted, with uncertainty in the immediate hours after the stopping of federal funds. Arizona's upcoming budget is built on the assumption that it will include $30 billion in federal dollars, according to the Legislature's budget office. However, because the White House memorandum exempts direct assistance to individuals which can be construed as food stamps and Medicaid the impact could reduce to $15 billion. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, said the order was "creating chaos for Veterans, law enforcement, domestic violence shelters and the children of working families." Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes called it a blatant violation of federal law and we will not allow it to stand. Advertisement Advertisement Children could miss out on school lunches, victims of crime could lose critical assistance, and law enforcement agencies could be defunded across the country if it stands, Mayes wrote. Mayes also is suing over the funding freeze. She said during a news conference that the D.C. lawsuit is "in the same vein" as her legal challenge to the funding controversy, which was being filed while she addressed reporters. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said Trump's move is illegal and puts her city "at risk." Blocking federal grants means a significant de-funding of our Police and Fire departments, which receive significant federal support," she said in a written statement. "It jeopardizes our water security as we rely on federal funds to conserve water in Phoenixs system, and it threatens infrastructure at one of Arizonas most important economic engines Sky Harbor International Airport. Advertisement Advertisement This type of reckless, unconstitutional action will undoubtedly harm millions of families and make it even harder, if not impossible, for local governments to serve their constituents," Gallego continued. "Chaos and confusion when running a government has real consequences, and I strongly urge the President to reverse course and reinstate the flow of federal funding. Richard Franco, a spokesperson for the Phoenix Union High School District, which offers free breakfast and lunch to all students, said Tuesday morning that it was too early for the district to tell whether funding for school meals would be impacted by Trumps federal aid pause. The district wont know until it puts in a reimbursement request at the beginning of February for Januarys claim and its either approved or denied, Franco said. The Pew Charitable Trusts, a research and data nonprofit, pointed out in a written statement that states depend heavily on federal money of the kind that might be affected by Trump's order. The federal government gave $1 trillion in grants to states in fiscal year 2022, the most recent year U.S. Census grants data is available. That was a record high, representing 36.4% of states total revenue, manager Rebecca Thiess said. Advertisement Advertisement Federal grant funding helps states pay for public services, such as health care, education, transportation, and infrastructure. States are currently facing tighter budgets than in recent years due to the expiration of federal pandemic aid and stagnating tax collections, among other challenges. On Tuesday afternoon, Arizona cities and towns were still figuring out how exactly they would be impacted. Chandler spokesperson Matthew Burdick wrote that nearly all of the city's services are locally funded, but they were "awaiting communication" from federal agencies to understand possible impacts on "transportation projects and some services like our public housing programs." Republican leaders support funding audit, amid uncertainty Local GOP leaders said they support Trump's order even as they acknowledged the possibility that it could mean funding cuts for the cities they represent. Surprise Vice Mayor Jack Hastings, a conservative, cited the U.S. governments sizeable debt more than $36 trillion and said there should be an audit to see how the money is being spent. Advertisement Advertisement As a country were spending money we dont have. Theres going to have to be tough decisions one way or another, he said, adding, Its good that were taking a look at these things. Hastings went on to acknowledge though that he may change his tune after the city reviews its grants and determines whether itll be affected by the halt. In its fiscal year budget, Surprise estimated receiving more than $24 million in federal grant revenue. I will talk to our city manager today and ask what (programs) specifically are grant funded that will be affected, Hastings said. But it would be prudent for us to pause before we start taking any drastic cuts to services. Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman said in a written statement on Tuesday that the city was not expecting funding cuts, though it was "actively monitoring" and prepared to adapt to "long-term implications" of the funding review. Advertisement Advertisement I believe our programs align with the administration's policies, and I remain optimistic that this situation will be resolved swiftly," Freeman said. Order will draw legal challenges A coalition of nonprofit and advocacy groups asked a federal judge to pause the order on Tuesday. This reckless action by the administration would be catastrophic for nonprofit organizations and the people and communities they serve, said Diane Yentel, CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits. From pausing research on cures for childhood cancer to halting housing and food assistance, shuttering domestic violence and homeless shelters, and closing suicide hotlines, the impact of even a short pause in funding could be devastating and cost lives." Footprint stretches beyond Trump executive orders Though the funding freeze was directed at programs affected by Trumps recent executive orders, Tuesday also brought interruptions to government operations that appeared to fall outside that scope. Advertisement Advertisement Online portals for Medicaid, the country's low-income health insurance program, and Head Start, the federal program that provides early child care for low-income families, both saw outages on Tuesday, despite assurances from OMB that the two programs would continue to operate without pause. Hobbs' office said the Medicaid portals were back online by Tuesday afternoon. Kelley Murphy with the Arizona Early Childhood Alliance said "all hell broke loose" when OMB released its guidance. "No one had clarity" about what programs would be affected, and with hours to spare before the freeze went into effect, there was no clear way to request an exemption, she said. "I am fearful that this will harm children in our state," she said. Other Arizona stakeholders took extra steps to brace for the unexpected. Advertisement Advertisement Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, a Republican, said he had received notice that the funding freeze doesn't apply to "Title I" economically disadvantaged schools. Nevertheless, he said in a written statement, because there are many details yet to be clarified, as a contingency I have directed this department to draw down the funds needed during the two-week period covered by the federal pause. Republic reporters Stephanie Murray, Madeleine Parrish, Stacey Barchenger, Maritza Dominguez, Shawn Raymundo, Mary Jo Pitzl, Corina Vanek and USA TODAY's Bart Jansen contributed reporting. This is a developing story. Check www.azcentral.com for updates. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: As Trump freezes federal aid, AZ agencies confused over details WASHINGTON, D.C. (WTVO) The U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has asked four Democrat mayors, including Chicagos Brandon Johnson, to testify as part of an investigation into sanctuary city policies. Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky) sent a letter to Johnson and the mayors of Boston, Denver, and New York City, requesting documents and information related to the cities policies, which he called misguided and obstructionist and hinder the ability of federal law enforcement officers to effectuate safe arrests and remove dangerous criminals from American communities, making Americans less safe. Comer also asked Johnson and the other mayors to give testimony at a public committee hearing on February 11th, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are about 12 states and hundreds of cities and counties with sanctuary laws or policies across the country, the letter continues. Four cities, however, stand out in their abject failure to comply with federal law: Chicago, New York City, Denver, and Boston. Citizens of all four cities have suffered due to sanctuary policies. [Chicagos] Welcoming City Ordinance prevents local officials from arresting, detaining, or continuing to detain illegal aliens subject to an administrative warrant entered into the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Crime Information Center database or immigration detainers,' Comer said. In Illinois, the TRUST Act, signed by former Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) in 2017, prevents state law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. It was amended by the Way Forward Act, which added additional requirements and protections. According to the 2023 Way Forward Act Compliance Report, 88.5% of requests from federal immigration authorities were rejected statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the weekend, a spokesperson for ICE told the Chicago Sun-Times that federal agents were in Chicago to enforce U.S. immigration law and preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. House Republicans are challenging sanctuary cities, or jurisdictions where local authorities dont go after people whose only crime is coming to the U.S. illegally. ALSO: CMS board to meet, address new ICE policies House Oversight and Government Reform Chair James Comer says sanctuary cities hinder efforts to remove dangerous criminals. Advocates argue law-abiding, undocumented immigrants should be allowed to stay, pointing to their economic contributions and ties to family members who are citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes as officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement report a growing number of immigration-related arrests. The agency said Mondays total was more than a thousand topping the number from Sunday. False reports of ICE raids Several immigrant rights organizations in North Carolina have setup hotlines after several false reports of ICE raids. Multiple witnesses spotted a fake ICE immigration truck in Durham over the weekend. Shoppers said they saw the truck outside of the Compare Foods on Avondale Drive. They said it looked like a border patrol truck, with a logo, and someone in uniform driving it. Some said incidents like this have sparked a lot of concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even just in my school, there hasnt been ICE or deportation, theres been a lot of talk about it, Aniya McNeil, a local resident, told Channel 9. So, to drive around like that and fearmonger especially when people are already terrified of that right now in a Hispanic neighborhood is insane to me. Its considered a crime to impersonate officers, including ICE. Were working to find out if charges will be filed in this case. Check wsoctv.com for updates. (VIDEO: Sheriff Garry McFadden hopes to meet with state lawmakers, ICE) PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) The administration of South Dakotas previous governor Kristi Noem wants the Legislature to stop allowing the governor-appointed state Board of Pharmacy to compensate the South Dakota Pharmacists Association. Compass Center suspends youth violence program amid federal pause The legislation, House Bill 1026, seeks to make numerous changes. The pharmacists association supports most of HB1026 but opposes the two sections that would repeal two state laws: One recognizes the pharmacists association; the other gives the pharmacy board permission to provide 80% of all license-renewal fees to the association in return for the association performing a variety of duties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lobbyists Lindsey Riter Rapp and Craig Matson laid out the pharmacists associations position at the Capitol on Tuesday morning to the House Health and Human Services Committee. Riter Rapp and Matson asked the committee to provide $200,000 from state governments general fund, because the state board hadnt paid the association for the past two years. Republican Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt agreed, and the committee amended the legislation to add a $200,000 payment. The panel then voted 12-1 to forward the amended version to the Legislatures Joint Committee on Appropriations the panel that writes state governments annual budget with a recommendation that the amended version pass. The state board initially approved an annual transfer of $200,000 to the pharmacists association in June 2023 but rescinded that decision in December 2023. By then, the association had already performed about six months of work, according to Riter Rapp. The board provided no funding to the association in 2024. The state boards executive director, Tyler Laetsch, told lawmakers there wasnt enough money to continue providing $200,000. Due to financial status, we have not been able to pay this for two years, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laetsch explained that the loss of a federal grant forced the state board to make cuts. He said the board was willing to provide the association with some amount that was less than the $200,000 the board had been annually transferring, but the association pointed to the law. They were stuck on the 80 percent, so they chose none, Laetsch said. Republican Rep. Leslie Heinemann asked if the state board had considered seeking an appropriation from the Legislature. Laetsch said the board was set up to operate on fees. So we never went down that road, Laetsch said. Matson said the pharmacists association accepts that the state law recognizing it will be repealed, but he said the association still continued to provide the services. He said the association will need to start charging membership fees to financially survive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As to the $400,000 that could have been received from the state board, Matson said the association would like to get a portion of it from the Legislature that could be used while the association transitions to a new financial setting. To start all that up, we need money, because we havent been paid for two years and were broke, Matson said. Rehfeldt, a certified registered nurse anesthetist, said it was important for state government to pay for services that it had received. About the $200,000 request for the association, she said, I hope thats enough money to get them going. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Photo via Getty Images) Lawmakers in an Iowa House subcommittee unanimously advanced legislation Tuesday allowing drivers to use only handsfree devices behind the wheel after more than a dozen lobbyists and members of the public endorsed the measure. Law enforcement representatives said House Study Bill 64 could save thousands of lives on Iowa roads. A representative of the Iowa State Patrol told lawmakers that Minnesota saw a 31% reduction in vehicle accidents after enacting a hands-free law, and Illinois saw a 22% drop. If Iowa, with its 56,000 crashes a year, saw a 20% drop from a reduction in distracted driving, there would be more than 11,000 fewer accidents, according to the Patrol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know every day in this country, nine people are killed by distracted drivers, over 1,000 injured. This bill will help drive that down. Thats what were looking for, Major Troy Bailey of the Iowa State Patrol said. Iowa currently bans texting behind the wheel but allows drivers to handle cellphones for other purposes, such as calling or navigation. Police have long complained the law is difficult to enforce. Several people who had lost loved ones in vehicle accidents due to distracted driving pleaded with lawmakers to move the bill forward. Kristi Castenson fought back tears as she said shes been lobbying for such a law for years after losing her husband and mother-in-law in a crash caused by a driver who was texting behind the wheel. This is not someone I want anyone to go through, but in a blink of an eye, my family, our lives were changed because of one careless act, she said. Rep. Brent Siegrist, R-Council Bluffs, was among lawmakers who voted to advance the bill to the House Transportation Committee, but he noted the bigger obstacle is the full House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact of matter is, weve passed this bill out of committee twice, and its time to debate it on the floor and pass it, period, he said. The Senate, which has approved the handsfree legislation in past years, advanced a companion bill out of subcommittee last week. PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) Pipelines that carry CO2 and other carbon oxide gases should be banned from using eminent domain in South Dakota, according to the state House of Representatives. The 49-19 vote on Monday afternoon sends House Bill 1052 to the Senate for further consideration. Republican Mark Lapka, a first-year senator, is its prime sponsor there. Who is South Dakotas new governor, Larry Rhoden? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rural landowners opposed to a proposed CO2 line crowded the House gallery. Scattered among them were lobbyists supporting Summit Carbon Solutions. The Iowa-based company wants to collect CO2 from ethanol-production facilities in parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota and pipe it to central North Dakota for burial. Summit has a permit application pending with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. The project has received clearance from regulators elsewhere. The results of the Monday House vote on HB1052. But South Dakota voters in November rejected a pending law that would have made it easier for Summit and other linear transmission projects to proceed, and challengers opposed to the project defeated legislative incumbents who had voted for the changes last year. Republican Rep. Drew Peterson defended the project Monday. He said the impact of the wording of the proposed ban would be sweeping Ill repeat it Not withstanding the provisions of any other law and warned that passage would lead to eminent domain being lost for other types of energy projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Rep. Travis Ismay said that people in his northwestern legislative district would go to war if a company tried to use eminent domain to force a CO2 line across their land. And Im not kidding you, 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. New Denver Mayor Mike Johnston delivers an inaugural speech to attendees at a swearing-in ceremony held at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver on July 17, 2023. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline) Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is one of four big city mayors called by congressional Republicans to testify at a hearing next month on so-called sanctuary city policies. Plans for the hearing, scheduled for Feb. 11, were announced Monday by House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, who called it part of an investigation into misguided and obstructionist policies that hinder enforcement of federal immigration laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denver is a sanctuary jurisdiction that refuses to fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, Comer wrote in a letter to Johnston. To provide much needed oversight of this matter, the Committee requests documents and information related to the sanctuary policies of Denver. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu were also called by Comer to defend their cities polices. There is no legal definition of what constitutes a sanctuary city or state. Colorado law prohibits local law enforcement from assisting federal agents in detaining people for civil immigration offenses in other words, merely being in the country unlawfully and from entering certain agreements to detain immigrants on behalf of the federal government. In 2017, Denver City Council members unanimously adopted a wide-ranging immigration ordinance that placed other restrictions on cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, including barring them from secure areas in the city jail without a warrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnston made headlines in November when he predicted that President Donald Trumps plans for mass deportations would lead to a Tiananmen Square moment in Denver with police and citizens engaging in mass civil disobedience to halt federal operations. He soon walked those comments back. In recent weeks, Johnston has reiterated a willingness to cooperate with ICE to deport violent criminals, while speaking out against broader plans for mass deportations and ICEs announcement that it would target sensitive locations like schools and churches for raids, in a reversal of a previous policy. Johnstons office said the mayor is reviewing the Comer letter and weighing whether hell testify on Capitol Hill as requested next month. The most helpful thing Congressional Republicans could do right now is fix our broken immigration system, Johnston said in a a written statement. While they work on that, we will focus on running the cities that manage the consequences of their failure to act. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ASHTABULA COUNTY, Ohio (WJW) Hundreds of animals have been rescued from what humane agents are calling a fur and urine farm in Ashtabula County. According to the Humane Society of the United States, the rescue operation started after the Rome, Ohio property owner died in late December, escalating an already-dire animal welfare crisis on the property. 27 horses found dead; woman charged with animal cruelty Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, humane agents found foxes, wolf-dog hybrids, skunks, opossums and coyotes living in filthy wire-bottom cages with little to no protection from the frigid conditions, the humane society said in a Saturday press release. Courtesy of Meredith Lee / Humane Society of the United States Courtesy of Meredith Lee / Humane Society of the United States Courtesy of Meredith Lee / Humane Society of the United States Courtesy of Meredith Lee / Humane Society of the United States According to the nonprofit organization, some of the rescued animals were missing limbs, tails, toes and ears. Veterinarians determined that animals likely lost toes due to the cages wire flooring, while the animals missing limbs and paws had likely been caught in steel-jaw leghold traps found around the property, the humane society said. 70+ car break-ins around University of Akron: police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Humane agents said several animals were emaciated and extremely dehydrated, while others were found dead in the snow. A dying coyote was also found caught in a trap, the press release said. This is one of the most horrific situations I have ever seenthe terror and pain was palpable, Adam Parascandola, vice president of the Humane Society of the United States animal rescue team, said in the release. Investigators learned that the owner sold pelts to the Fur Harvesters Auction in Ontario. The humane society alleges that the property was used to raise and slaughter animals for their fur and urine, as well as to sell them as exotic pets. The organization said while some animals on the property were bred in captivity, others were trapped in excruciatingly painful leghold traps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our team is exposed to immense cruelty in the criminal cases we regularly respond to like dogfighting and severe neglect, yet this stands out both in terms of suffering and because of these fur farming practices. Its haunting, Parascandola said. The rescue operation wrapped up on Saturday, when the last group of animals were taken from the property. According to the humane society, some animals were euthanized because they were seriously injured or sick, but more than 250 were rescued and taken to wildlife rehabilitation facilities and animal sanctuaries. West Wildlife Rehab near Cincinnati took to social media on Monday, confirming they retrieved four foxes and 10 skunks from the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though they are all traumatized and timid, none have been aggressive, a Facebook post said. Was fire at $66M Cleveland Heights construction project intentional? City officials working scientifically The rehabilitation center shared videos from the fur farm, showing foxes in wire cages and skunks and coyotes in deplorable conditions. The older I get, the less I understand about this world, one of the posts said. But Im just going to keep helping. Thats what makes it better. As seen in court documents, the property owner was fined back in 2011 by the United States Department of Agriculture and ordered to stop breeding and selling exotic animals as pets, but according to the humane society, they continued to engage in those practices, apparently without further enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Humane Society International has investigated fur farms around the globe and animal suffering and filth like we saw on this property are constants, PJ Smith, director of fashion policy for the Humane Society of the United States, said in the release. The U.S. fur trade has long operated in the shadows with zero oversight, and its very rare to see inside a U.S. fur farm, let alone be able to rescue the animals. You simply cant put wild animals in a cage for their entire lives and expect anything but a nightmare, and this fur farm is just another example of what the declining fur trade doesnt want you to see. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Hundreds of Latino community members and allies gathered in front of the Oliver Hodge Building on Tuesday as state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters and the Oklahoma State Board of Education unanimously approved a policy that'd require schools to report the number of undocumented students in their districts. If approved by the governor and state Legislature, the proposed administrative rules by the Oklahoma State Department of Education would mandate that students provide proof of citizenship upon enrollment. School districts would be required to record the number of students enrolled in the district who werent able to provide such documentation due to the lack of citizenship or immigration status of the student. "This policy strikes at the very core of my identity and the values which hold dear to me and as dear as my community" 16-year-old Emi said during the peaceful demonstration. "My family came to this country seeking a better life driven by hope and promise of opportunity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is illegal to ask about the citizenship status of a public school student, and undocumented students are guaranteed education by the 1982 Plyler v. Doe U.S. Supreme Court decision. More: U.S. Grant High School students protest Ryan Walters' proposal to count undocumented kids 'Immigrants are welcome here!' Hundreds protest proposed rules The rally was organized by a local organization called Advocacy for Immigrants. One of the organizers, Fernando Baquera Ochoa, is a teacher at U.S. Grant High School in southwest Oklahoma City. He's a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which shields he and other DACA recipients from deportation and allows them to work legally in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 31-year-old told The Oklahoman in November that he heard concerns about Trump's promises of mass deportations from his undocumented students. Now, they ask Baquera Ochoa each day if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is going to raid their school. "I had a student tell me that he's going to withdraw for a month and see where things are," Baquera Ochoa said. "It's affecting our classrooms. It's affecting the way we're learning and who is learning." More: Oklahoma teachers, students grapple with fears of deportation under Trump Demonstrators held signs that condemned Walters, Gov. Kevin Stitt, ICE and anti-immigrant rhetoric. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Kids are supposed to be afraid of spiders. Not ICE," one sign read. "My mom is NOT a CRIMINAL 4 wanting to give me A BETTER LIFE!" read another. More: Vast majority of speakers at hearings oppose Ryan Walters' administrative rules proposals Ryan Walters said he'd support immigration enforcement raids in schools From babies in strollers to elderly folks, people of all ages participated in the rally in hopes to communicate to Walters that they're angry about the idea of ICE raiding public schools. Walters last week told Tulsa TV station KTUL that he'd support immigration enforcement raids in schools to assist with President Donald Trump's promise of mass deportations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The superintendent's comments came as Trump threw out a federal policy that had been in place since 2011 that discouraged ICE from making arrests in protected areas like schools, medical centers and places of worship. On Tuesday, Walters accused the news media of lying and gaslighting about the proposed rules, though he didn't specify how. He said the rule seeks to account for the number of students of undocumented parents in Oklahoma schools. "We know that at a minimum, the state of Oklahoma spends $474 million to educate the children of illegal immigrants under the Biden administration," Walters said during the board meeting. It was one of many times the superintendent has cited $474 million as the amount of money the state spends on expenses related to undocumented students in Oklahoma schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He used $474.9 million in a letter to former Vice President Kamala Harris in November before he sued the secretary of Homeland Security and ICE's deputy director earlier this month for $474 million in an attempt to "recoup illegal immigration impacts on Oklahoma schools." In both instances, Walters cited an organization dedicated to limiting immigration for the $474 million figure: the Federation for American Immigration Reform. The organization, which has been labeled as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center because of ties to white supremacist groups, said the figure is based on estimates, including that 41,766 children of undocumented migrants attended Oklahoma schools in 2023. Many of those children are likely U.S. citizens, based on the group's analysis. 'These children, they are not criminals' As Walters told board members that he'd ensure the Trump administration had data on undocumented kids in Oklahoma schools, hundreds of people outside chanted "Say it once, say it twice! We will not put up with ICE!" and "No hate! No fear! Immigrants are welcome here!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alongside them was Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, D-Oklahoma City. The young state representative's district encompasses a portion of south Oklahoma City, a predominantly Latino area. The crowd listens to a speaker Tuesday at a rally outside of the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting. The demonstrators rallied in support of immigrants and against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. "There's an outpouring of young people from high schools, from colleges, that just see how detrimental something like this can be to our community," Alonso-Sandoval told The Oklahoman. He said people like Walters are attempting to instill fear and division in the community. "Schools are supposed to be a place of education, and education is someone's right to have," said Gabby, a speaker at the demonstration. "Now, it's being turned into a place of deportation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabby said Walters' proposed administrative rules affects today's children, along with future generations that could be impacted. "We aren't rapists. We aren't murderers. As a matter of fact, these children, they are not criminals," Gabby said. 'Si lo puedes sonar, lo puedes hacer.' If you can dream it, you can do it.' Destiny, a 17-year-old, read a poem at the rally, explaining how growing up with undocumented parents impacted her: "My mother's eyes are wrinkled with the burden of two jobs: her regular job, and raising six kids," Destiny said as she read her poem. "My sister holds the expectation of being the first to go to college. Is this what my family risked their lives for? Welcome to a reality that lacks practicality." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We, first generations, must continue to persist. We must take a seat at the table despite their cries. We must no longer apologize that we exist, but instead, resist. We are the seeds that grow un-watered and still rise." The crowd chants and waves signs Tuesday at the rally. "I'll leave you with this: Si lo puedes sonar, lo puedes hacer. If you can dream it, you can do it." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Hundreds protest Ryan Walters' proposed citizenship rule CHICAGO Several Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and other federal personnel waited in unmarked cars as they prepared to approach what they called their target. According to ICE, Christopher Fragoso Lara, 25, of Mexico, had been convicted of home invasion, aggravated battery, domestic battery, possession of a weapon and other crimes. A surveillance team had spotted him Monday morning at the Chicago tire shop where he worked. Agents shut down the street outside the business and arrested Fragoso Lara as he spoke to a customer outside, in subfreezing temperatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arrest took place without incident when NBC News was embedded with the agents during operations throughout the Chicago area Monday morning. The enforcement agents departed downtown Chicago before sunrise and drove to Berwyn, a neighborhood on the outskirts of the city. Three door-knocking operations did not result in arrests, but they demonstrated the time and manpower that goes into the operations. At each location, there were at least seven officers, from ICE and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, covering all the entrances and exits. Ten teams of about 10 federal agents apiece fanned out across the city Monday, a source familiar with the operations said. The operations came during immigration enforcement operations in multiple cities around the country ordered by President Donald Trump. The Trump administration has sought in the past week to publicly demonstrate that it is following through on Trump's promises to enact mass deportations immediately after having taken office. Arrest numbers last week remained on par with those in September, the latest month for which figures were available, until Friday, when numbers doubled. ICE agents detain a suspect in Lyons, Illinois, on Sunday. On Sunday, ICE arrested 1,179 people, according to data first obtained by NBC News. The figure, which is higher than the 956 arrests the agency announced Sunday night, is the largest number under the new administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Fragoso Lara was arrested, Chicago resident Peter Sodini was watching. He thanked the ICE agents. "I don't mind an immigrant, but if they're breaking our laws, they don't need to be here," he said. Afterward, Fragoso Lara was taken to an ICE processing facility on the outskirts of Chicago, where detainees are photographed, fingerprinted and held until their deportation flights, which typically take place on Fridays. He said that he grew up in the United States and that if he is deported, he will leave his 5-year-old daughter here in the United States so she can have a better life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes without me. She grows up without a father, Fragoso Lara said, adding that his message to Trump would be to ask for a second chance. Im still young. I did make poor decisions, but ... I grew up and I see how life is here. Christopher Fragoso Lara says if he is deported, he leaves behind a daughter in the United States. Twenty-five men and one woman were either being held or processed at the facility Monday afternoon. They are supposed to be there for no longer than 12 hours. Frank Padula, the processing centers assistant field office director, said the facility has been particularly busy in the past week. Were nonstop," he said. "As you can see, we got a lot of guys here processing, guys in the holding cells waiting to be processed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some operations, like the one to arrest Fragoso Lara, were successful, other times Monday, ICE was not able to identify and detain its targets. Earlier in the day, ICE agents and others knocked on a door and found no one was home. Then, at a second stop, they spoke with the parents of their target, who said they had lost touch with their son. The officers appeared not to ask the couple about their immigration status and moved on to another location. The Trump administration has said the crackdown targets criminals, but there has been concern that law-abiding migrants with varying forms of legal immigration status could also be rounded up, otherwise known as collateral arrests. Asked about collateral arrests, Sam Olson, the enforcement and removal operations director in the Chicago field office, said they were possible. Were tasked to enforce the immigration laws," he said. "If somebody is here illegally, whether or not theyve committed crimes, there is that possibility that they could be arrested. Sam Olson is director of enforcement and removal operations in the Chicago field office. Officials have not always disclosed the number of migrants with and without criminal histories who have been arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, just 613 of the 1,179 people arrested Sunday nearly 52% were considered criminal arrests, a senior Trump administration official said. The rest appear to be nonviolent offenders or people who have not committed any criminal offense. Being undocumented is considered a civil offense, not a crime. But it is considered a crime when an undocumented immigrant who was previously deported re-enters the United States without permission. Since Trump took office, administration officials stressed, officers have arrested a slew of violent gang members, including dozens of suspected members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in Colorado. Still, at least 566 people arrested Sunday had not committed any crimes and were detained only because they lacked legal authorization to remain in the United States. Olson said that while ICE works to arrest criminals daily, Trump has taken a whole of government approach in which were really bringing many different agencies out together to do it. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) During President Donald Trumps first week back in office, restrictions were removed from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection, now allowing them to carry out enforcement in places that were once off limits, like schools. Criminals will no longer be able to hide in Americas schools and churches to avoid arrest, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security wrote. Both state education departments in Rhode Island and Massachusetts confirm there have been no ICE raids at schools since the policy change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet the offices of both attorneys general have released guidance to parents and teachers about their rights in the face of the new policy, including what law enforcement agencies need in order to be allowed inside a school and how much information schools are obligated to release. Our job in schools is to keep kids safe, to educate them, and to have a welcoming supportive environment, RIDE Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green said Friday on 12 News. WATCH: Interview with RI Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green Rhode Island Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz criticized the move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If theres a threat at the school and people need to be notified thats one thing, she said. But to scare families unnecessarily, I think is cruel. Thomas DiPaola, the executive director of the RI School Superintendents Association, said that while theres been a change to immigration policy, there are still federal and state privacy protections. For example, he said districts have a very short list of people to whom they can disclose a childs personal information, like parents. If you were to ask me about a child attending a particular school, I really wouldnt even be able to confirm or deny that that child was enrolled in our school, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More immigration news But he said districts to have obligations to respond to law enforcement in certain situations. If an older kid in a school had committed some criminal act and there was a warrant out for his or her arrest, that would be something where a school might have to surrender a child to a proper authority, he said. That would be in a really extreme case. 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. Kristi Noem glammed up for a photo-op while she tagged along on the first major deportation raids in New York City since Donald Trump assumed office. Noem, the former South Dakota governor who Trump tapped to be his homeland security secretary, was confirmed and sworn in three days agoalready, shes got her first set of action shots done. In photos posted to X by Noem and DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin, Noem donned a bullet-proof vest and a cap with a police crestwhile still looking like shed stopped off at hair and make-upto pose alongside ICE and DEA agents, some of them carrying assault rifles. Happening now: @Sec_Noem joins immigration enforcement operation in NYC. Getting the bad guys out of our country. pic.twitter.com/4qdkzlaags Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) January 28, 2025 Noem isnt the only one whos considering her appearance when it comes to the media storm around the deportation raids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least two of the agencies working on the operation told their agents to be camera-ready when undertaking the raids, in case they were caught on film by journalists, CNN reported. The raids have offered a variety of media opportunities. Even TV personality Dr. Phil has been in on the action. To the shock of at least one of the deportees, the talk show host was embedded with ICE on raids in Chicago over the weekend. Noem has also used the raids for fodder on her own X account. She posted a video of law enforcement perp-walking an undocumented immigrant with the caption, Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets. Just now. Enforcement operation in NYC. Criminal alien with kidnapping, assault & burglary charges is now in custody - thanks to @ICE. Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets. pic.twitter.com/fRpJBdmqSl Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 28, 2025 As head of the Department of Homeland Security, Noem finds herself in charge of carrying out Trumps much-touted aspiration to round up undocumented immigrants and deport them en masse. The raids are underway in major sanctuary cities New York and Chicago. As of this morning, ICE had made at least 2,681 arrests since Trumps inauguration, according to NBC News. (Bloomberg) -- The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted a high-profile operation in the Bronx, joined by recently appointed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, after hitting Chicago on Sunday. Most Read from Bloomberg The displays come after President Donald Trump made sweeping moves on immigration as part of his promise to carry out the largest mass deportation in US history, focusing initially on migrants with criminal records. ICE reported on Monday that it had made 1,179 arrests, bringing the total since Jan. 23 to 3,552. It has touted arrests in Chicago, Baltimore, Buffalo, Atlanta and San Francisco. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noem posted on social media that she joined an enforcement operation in New York City early Tuesday morning. The individual arrested was connected with multiple violent crimes in New York and Aurora, Colorado, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Criminal alien with kidnapping, assault & burglary charges is now in custody, Noem posted on X. Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets. Trump has declared a national emergency at the southern border, ordering thousands of additional troops to assist with enforcement. Hes also cut off access to asylum and on Monday directed all federal agencies to pause federal funding if they dont comply with his executive orders. Arrest Warrants, Luck: Inside a Trump Deportation Raid at Dawn Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican lawmakers also set their sights on sanctuary cities, whose laws limit cooperation with ICE. The mayors of New York, Chicago, Denver and Boston have been called by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to testify about their policies at a February hearing. In Tuesdays arrest, the New York Police Department coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies, Adams said in a statement. As I have repeatedly said, we will not hesitate to partner with federal authorities to bring violent criminals to justice just as we have done for years, he said. Our commitment to protecting our citys law-abiding residents, both citizens and immigrants, remains unwavering. The law in New York allows the city to cooperate with ICE detainer requests in cases of individuals who have been convicted of certain violent or serious crimes or are identified as a possible match in the terrorist screening database. The city doesnt help in the transfer of those people to ICEs custody and also doesnt track the immigration status of people in its custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NYPD has told officers that its rules block them from participating in immigration enforcement actions conducted by ICE and that requests from federal immigration authorities must undergo legal review before the department provides assistance. Adams has called on the city, which has tightened its sanctuary laws in recent years, to reform its policies to allow for more compliance with federal authorities when it comes to people accused of crimes. At a press conference on Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he had received the request to testify, but wouldnt say whether he will attend the hearing. Chicago is a welcoming city regardless of whos in the White House, he said. The welcoming city ordinance is a law, and it is the law of the land. Here in Chicago, we will uphold it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and Boston counterpart Michelle Wu both said they are reviewing the request to testify. In a statement, Johnston called on Congress to fix our broken immigration system. We follow the laws fully here in Boston, Wu told reporters on Tuesday. The federal government has its own domain and we are not forced to participate in their actions just as they are not asked to carry out filling potholes and other things like that. Most of the immigration enforcement that has taken place so far has mirrored what was already happening under President Joe Biden, Wu said. Trump has so far increased the tempo of arrests, in part thanks to expanding the ranks of federal agents who can participate. The Biden administration oversaw just over 500,000 arrests in its four years in office, averaging about 343 daily arrests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Myles Miller and Vincent Del Giudice. (Updates with comments from New York, Boston and Denver mayors throughout.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. NEW YORK Federal ICE agents launched raids in New York City early Tuesday as part of President Donald Trumps illegal immigration crackdown, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said. The agents hit at least three locations in the Bronx and took at least two people into custody, including a Venezuelan gang member wanted for an armed raid of an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado that was caught on camera, sources said. Arresting some criminal aliens this morning in NYC thank you to the brave officers involved, Noem wrote on X at about 6 a.m. Tuesday with pics of Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents preparing for the operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noem put out a video of ICE agents taking at least one person into custody in the Bronx, who the secretary called a dirtbag. Criminal alien with kidnapping, assault & burglary charges is now in custody thanks to @ICE, she said. Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets. Sporting heavy weapons and full tactical gear, federal agents converted on an apartment building on Ogden Ave. near W. 170th St. in Highbridge and busted down the door to get inside. One tenant was doing his morning workout when the agents barged into his building. I hear this boom like an explosion and then I see this military group with like assault rifles going in the building, said the tenant, who wished not to be named. Im like, who are they going after that requires that much firepower? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the boom they were all just moving in, he added. I thought we were under attack. The Homeland Security secretary thanked several federal agencies in her posts, as well as the NYPDs Special Operations Division. A police source said some NYPD members are part of the Homeland Security Investigations Task Force, which looks for those involved in criminal cases. Doing so is not a violation of NYPD policy of not getting involved in apprehending a person whose only offense is being in the U.S. without proper documentation, the source said. The source said the NYPD officers on the task force are not members of the departments Special Operations Division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrested on Ogden Ave. was Anderson Zambrano Pacheco, who in August was recorded holding a firearm and banging on doors with at least three other Tren de Aragua gang members at the Colorado apartment complex about 10 minutes before a fatal shooting nearby, police sources said. Tren de Aragua is the largest criminal organization in Venezuela with more than 5,000 members, law enforcement officials said. Its members have been linked to human trafficking, extortion, drug crimes and murder. Pacheco was wanted for burglary, kidnapping and extortion. NYPD officers were at the scene but did not enter the Ogden St. apartment where Pacheco and a woman believed to be his girlfriend were taken into custody, police sources said. Mayor Eric Adams confirmed Tuesday he ordered the NYPD to work with federal agents in Pachecos capture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I directed the NYPD to coordinate with DHS Homeland Security Investigations and other federal law enforcement agencies as allowed by law to conduct a targeted operation to arrest an individual connected with multiple violent crimes, the mayor said in a statement. As I have repeatedly said, we will not hesitate to partner with federal authorities to bring violent criminals to justice just as we have done for years. Our commitment to protecting our citys law-abiding residents, both citizens and immigrants, remains unwavering. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch dispatched a memo to all officers on Jan. 18, reminding them they cant engage or assist with immigration enforcement or allow NYPD resources to be used for that purpose if there are no criminal allegations involved. The NYPD clarified Tuesday in a statement to the Daily News that the department does not engage in civil immigration enforcement, assist in any manner with civil immigration enforcement, or allow any Department resources to be used in connection with civil immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet the NYPD continues to work daily with federal law enforcement agencies in connection with a wide range of criminal investigations, a department spokesman said. In particular, the Department participates in task forces with a variety of federal law enforcement agencies investigating violations of federal criminal law. The raids continued at an apartment building on Creston Ave. near E. 180th St. in the Tremont section of the Bronx. Dozens of federal agents forced their way into a second-floor apartment, where they showed pictures of someone they were looking for that no one recognized, resident Yahaira Gonzalez recalled. Agents took the names of everyone in the apartment and took at least one person, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, into custody, Gonzalez, 38, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The immigrant was being sought for questioning by Interpol in regards to a murder investigation, sources said. Elizabeth Sepulveda, who lives in the Creston Ave. building, said shes a supporter of Trumps deportation of illegal immigrants but didnt realize the initiative would hit so close to home. Im fing surprised, Sepulveda said. I cant believe this happened here. In vowing to launch mass deportations, President Trump has directed ICE agents to first zero in on migrants and undocumented aliens who have been accused of committing crimes in the U.S. Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition, an advocacy group that provides services for newly arrived migrants, called Tuesdays Bronx raids a publicity blitz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No matter how the Trump administration spins this enforcement, it is not about public safety, Awawdeh said. It is about instilling fear in our immigrant communities. At this time, it does not appear that mass raids have been conducted in New York City. ICE hasnt given out any particulars about the detentions but have from time to time put out pictures of the more notorious criminal suspects. A spokesperson for advocacy group New York Communities for Change said Tuesdays ICE raids mark a direct violation of NYCs sanctuary city status. The use of federal funds to bypass New Yorks state law and enforcement structures is yet another example of the Trump Administrations blatant disregard for local and state law, the group said. Kristi Noem is not welcome in our city. Noem and the Trump Administration have no interest in making our communities safer. Instead, they pander to misguided and dangerous beliefs about immigrant communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are doing this right doing exactly what President @realDonaldTrump promised the American people making our streets safe, Noem wrote on X. The Drug Enforcement Administrations New York division and New York field office for the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives confirmed on X Tuesday they were working with ICE and other federal law enforcement partners on immigration enforcement efforts in New York City, including the raids in the Bronx. Similar raids have been conducted in Chicago, Newark and Maryland. Smaller scale ICE investigations took place in New York City last week, but werent publicized by federal agencies. On Monday, ICE agents made 1,179 arrests across the country and detained 853 immigrants, the agency said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current ICE enforcement operations under Trump are similar to those during the Biden administration with one glaring difference: Under Trump, officers can now arrest people without legal status if they run across them while looking for migrants targeted for removal. Under Joe Biden, such collateral arrests were banned. As the detentions continue, ICE wont be able to arrest undocumented New Yorkers facing criminal cases in state courthouses without a warrant, local court officials said. CHICAGO Immigration authorities made close to 1,200 arrests in just one day, and nearly half of those detained don't have criminal records, according to a senior Trump administration official. Data first obtained by NBC News shows that Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a total of 1,179 people on Sunday, which is more than the 956 arrests that the agency posted on X on Sunday night. But just 613 of those total arrests nearly 52% were considered criminal arrests. The rest appear to be nonviolent offenders or people who have not committed any criminal offense other than crossing the border illegally. When breaking down those arrests, eight were considered "Worst Criminals Arrested," including two gang members, according to the official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, at least 566 people arrested Sunday had not committed any crimes and were only detained because they lacked legal authorization to remain in the United States. Being undocumented is considered a civil offense, not a crime. But its considered a crime when an undocumented immigrant who was previously deported re-enters the United States without permission. Its unclear how many, if any, of the 566 had entered the country a second time illegally. Administration officials and President Donald Trump have stated repeatedly that they would prioritize the detention and deportations of undocumented immigrants who have committed serious crimes, but the latest numbers may be casting doubts around such promises. Trumps border czar, Tom Homan, told NBC News on Sunday he was aware of "at least a few" collateral arrests detentions of people without criminal convictions who were present during the raids. He said that these will likely recur as immigration enforcement actions escalate across the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We want to get as many criminals as possible," Homan said. "Theyre a public safety threat, and so with somebody else illegally here, theyre coming, too." According to the latest ICE arrests data, there were 853 "detainers lodged," people who were arrested on other criminal charges Sunday, but ICE may have probable cause to believe they could be up for deportation. A detainer request means that ICE asks a local jurisdiction to hold a suspected undocumented immigrant who has already been arrested in another crime. ICE may have probable cause to believe the migrant could be up for deportation. So-called sanctuary cities don't take action on detainer requests. Gabe Gutierrez reported from Chicago and Nicole Acevedo from New York. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Immigration officials have been confirmed in another Connecticut town. Authorities with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency were recently in Windham carrying out enforcement actions, according to the Willimantic Police Department. In a statement issued Tuesday, police said they were aware of the presence of ICE and were not involved in the agencys operations. We want to assure residents that the ICE officers are operating within the bounds of their legal authority, the police department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no immediate cause for concern, and we encourage all residents to continue their daily activities as usual, police continued. Should circumstances change, we will reassess and inform the public as soon as possible. At the Willimantic Police Department, our priority is the safety and well-being of all our residents, Willimantic Police Chief Fabian Silva said in the statement. We want to reassure the community that ICE operations are separate from our local law enforcement activities. We remain committed to serving everyone in our community with fairness, respect, and integrity. In a post made to Facebook, the Windham Human Services Department said it was aware of the presence of ICE agents and that our hearts go out to the families who may be impacted during this challenging time. We want you to know that we stand in solidarity with all members of our community, regardless of immigration status, the Human Services Department wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Human Services Department cannot provide legal advice, we are here to help with information and referrals to trusted organizations that specialize in immigration resources. Additionally, we have Spanish-speaking staff available to assist with translations and guide you to the appropriate support. The presence of ICE officials in Windham comes amidst reports that immigration authorities have been spotted in multiple Connecticut towns and cities. These reports follow President Donald J. Trump announcing a mass deportation plan. The East Harford Police Department confirmed on Monday that ICE had entered a home in their town. According to the Connecticut Legislative Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, there have also been reports of ICE officials being seen in Bridgeport, the lower Fairfield County and on Park Street in Hartford. A spokesperson for the Hartford Mayors Office denied these claims, saying the sighting was a number of police officers who were out to lunch. We have no reports of increased ICE activity in Hartford at this point, said Cristian Corza, deputy chief of staff for the mayors office. A spokesperson for ICE did not immediately return a request for comment Tuesday. KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) Dozens of posts warning of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in West Michigan have sprung up on social media in recent days. It prompted one Kalamazoo nonprofit to warn against spreading possible rumors. One of those posts centered around a grocery store. On Friday, El Ranchero manager Anai Rietkerk said the day started with calls and texts from family worried about online posts that said ICE agents were in Kalamazoo. Soon, those calls were coming from customers asking if agents were at the store. I got here and everyones saying people keep calling and calling, asking if ICE was here and Im like What? Theres no way, and so there was nonstop back-to-back calling and calling, people are scared, people are worried to come shop, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Institutions push back on ICE church, school arrest policy She said calls from customers and even other stores had staff worried. Staff started checking cameras and around the store. But we saw absolutely nothing so I mean really it was rumors, and all of our employees were a little bit scared, a little bit nervous like, Hey whats our plan, what do we do if they do come in? said Rietkerk. With few customers in during the stores usual peak hours, Rietkerk took to Facebook to dispel the rumors and saying that the store was safe to shop in. After that was posted, it all seemed to kind of calm down a little bit and then people started to come in. Still a little frantic, a little scared, of course, which is understandable. I mean, it was scary, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GRPS issues guidance on ICE raids Kalamazoo nonprofit El Concillio made a post that same day that it could not confirm the presence of immigration agents in Kalamazoo. For this reason, we ask everyone to please only share verified and reliable information, as spreading baseless rumors can generate unnecessary panic in our community, the post said. Employees at several other Hispanic stores told News 8 they heard about the posts but didnt see much change in shoppers coming in. One customer said it was a different experience in the neighborhood. He said people were fearful about ICE agents appearing all around Kalamazoo. After Friday, he said that panic has settled, now replaced with an uneasy caution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE arrests 956 Sunday as nationwide raids continue Rietkerk said that fear has some customers shopping for friends and family worried about leaving home. She hopes in the future, people post responsibly. ICE officials said the first wave of the target operations have a focus on persons with known serious criminal records. News 8 reached out to the ICE Detroit field office to learn if any of those operations took place in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids in the last week but has yet to hear back. MUSKEGON PD CLEARS UP RUMORS The Muskegon Police Department posted a list in both English and Spanish aimed at clearing up the rumors. The Muskegon Police Department has not had any contact with federal agencies about immigration enforcement in the City of Muskegon, read one item on the list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also clarified that Muskegon PD officers would not arrest or detain anyone for their immigrant status or check immigration status during any interaction with anyone. Immigration-related documents shared with Muskegon police will not be shared with other agencies. We understand that recent social media posts about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Muskegon may have raised concerns among our residents. We want to address these rumors to ensure transparency and provide peace of mind, the post read. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Above: FOX 5 report from Jan. 24 on California Attorney General Rob Bontas visit to San Diego to outline immigrant rights. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement began ramping up removal operations in San Diego County, an image made the rounds on social media over the weekend purporting to show an operation at Rady Childrens Hospital. The image appears to show three U.S. Border Patrol vehicles parked outside the hospital. Over the photo, text reads, Border Patrol at Rady Childrens Hospital by ER Entrance. Confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The circulation of the image highlighted current feelings of consternation among migrants and their advocates, who are wary of what President Donald Trumps flurry of executive orders signed last week on immigration will look like once fully implemented. ICE encounters reported in San Diego County as mass deportation fears grow Among the spate of orders was one throwing out longstanding policies largely preventing arrests of undocumented migrants in sensitive locations, such as schools, healthcare facilities and churches. That said, a spokesperson for Rady Childrens stated this kind of enforcement action is not what was happening in the image as it appeared to suggest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, a spokesperson for Rady Childrens said U.S. Border Patrol agents and vehicles are not uncommon to see at the hospital, as agents transport minors in their custody to the hospital when they need medical attention. As a pediatric health care system, Rady Childrens mission is clear: to care for every child regardless of their circumstances. The recently announced executive orders have not changed that responsibility, the statement continued. Regardless, the image highlights the palpable anxiety in migrant communities notwithstanding documentation status around Trumps pledge to carry out mass deportations. The first days of Trumps administration have already seen hundreds of arrests per day, culminating to 956 in raids held across the country on Sunday, per Trumps border czar Tom Homan. That number represents about 0.8% of the total arrests during ICEs 2024 fiscal year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emboldened by Trumps policies, advocates and immigration attorneys are anticipating the possibility that there may be instances of removal, detainment or apprehension in medical facilities by immigration enforcement as there was during the presidents first term in office. It is important to note, even with a rollback of federal law enforcement guidelines preventing action at sensitive sites, immigration enforcement is still limited at hospitals under other federal laws, such as the Fourth Amendment and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), according to the National Immigration Law Center. Many healthcare facilities, such as Rady Childrens, may also opt to implement additional policies to protect patients from immigration enforcement, including barring officers from entering private spaces without a warrant in order to preserve their privacy. Feds near border seize 180 lbs. of meth in 1 hour Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The full statement from Rady Childrens Hospital can be read below: As a pediatric health care system, Rady Childrens mission is clear: to care for every child regardless of their circumstances. The recently announced executive orders have not changed that responsibility. Rady Childrens is currently prohibited under federal law from asking or disclosing information about immigration status. It is a place of safety and healing, guided by policies that protect patient confidentiality and ensure equitable access to care. Given the heightened sensitivity, its important for visitors to know that it is not uncommon to see Border Patrol agents and vehicles at the hospital. These agents are seeking care for minors in their custody and not conducting any immigration enforcement actions. 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 5 San Diego & KUSI News. (WGHP) President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown has many people in the Triads Latino community on edge. Many are worried about whether U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE, or other law enforcement officials will come for them next as part of his executive order. Trumps 5 biggest moves on immigration so far Hector Rivera, an organizer for the nonprofit Siembra NC, didnt let a chilly Monday afternoon stop him from spreading awareness about ICE raids at a popular market. He started passing out pamphlets to keep Asheboros Latino community informed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve heard theres a lot of problems with rumors going around, that theres immigration over here and immigration over there, so were also helping our community dispel those rumors by spreading verified information, Rivera said. Rivera and his group of volunteers are separating fact from fiction for Latino community members, especially after ICE arrested nearly 1,000 people nationwide in raids on Sunday. News of these arrests has caused panic in the Piedmont Triad. Right now people are trying to not live with fear. They know that they still have to go to work and that they still have to take their kids to school, and theyre trying to continue doing that, said Elena Jimenz. Jimenz has lived in Asheboro for more than 20 years. She says shes fearful of potential ICE raids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We havent heard them. I havent heard them yet but I am hearing the rumors, Jimenz said. As a documented immigrant from Mexico, Jimenz says shes doing her due diligence by keeping her neighbors educated. It makes me sad and feel a little bit worried as well, but Im still here to bring this information to the community about their rights, Jimenz said. Those rights include what to do in situations if an individual has encounters with immigration enforcement. Rivera says, if anyone comes to your car or house, youre not obligated to open the door unless they have a judicial order. And if you have questions call the Siembra community hotline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Continue to live without fear. Thats the message that were spreading to our people too. If we continue to live in fear, theyre going to win because we want to continue to live life because were not doing anything wrong as community members of Asheboro or North Carolina, Jimenz said. For more information on Siembra, visit SiembraNC.org. Siembra NC also has a hotline that can be reached by calling (336) 543-0353. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, under President Donald Trump's executive order, have been seen in communities across the country recently. Their orders? Detain immigrants as part of Trump's mass deportation plan. Just days after being sworn in as president, Trump started to make good on campaign promises, including cracking down on immigration in the United States, ending several Biden administration's policies between the U.S. and Mexico when the Department of Homeland Security sent thousands of federal agents to enforce the start of deportations. More well-known as ICE, the agency stated Monday that they were, "conducting enhanced targeted operations today in Chicago to enforce U.S. immigration law and preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities." Social media has been filled with images of ICE agents trying to go into schools in Chicago and being turned away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story seems to be repeating across communities across the country, along with headlines of people being rounded up to be deported under the latest administration's plan. And the administration is expected to have another way to deport people with the Laken Riley Act, set to be signed by Trump on Wednesday. Here's everything you need to know. What does ICE do? ICE is a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and is one of the agencies that enforces the nation's complex Title 8 immigration laws. The agency has offices across the country and detention facilities that house migrants who aren't supposed to be in the country. Who enforces immigration laws? Typically two agencies enforce Title 8 immigration laws: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, in the country's interior, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the nation's borders. But on Thursday, Jan. 24, the Trump administration deputized thousands more federal law enforcement officers to arrest immigrants believed to be in the country illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Benjamine Huffman authorized federal law enforcement agents with the Department of Justice, including the U.S. Marshals, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons to do immigration enforcement. When the information was released last week, it was unclear on exactly how many federal law enforcement now had jurisdiction to enforce immigration laws. What is the Laken Riley Act? The Laken Riley Act, named after the Georgia nursing student who was killed, would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, to detain people who are in the United States without legal status who are arrested, charged with or accused of certain crimes including burglary, theft, larceny and shoplifting, or assaulting a law enforcement officer. What do I do if ICE comes to my home, work? If ICE does come to your home, you do have rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tennessee Immigrant & Refuge Rights Coalition has condemned Gov. Bill Lee's commitment to help in Trump's mass deportation efforts. We unequivocally condemn Governor Bill Lees commitment to enable Trumps threats of mass deportation, a plan deemed disastrous by business leaders, economists, faith leaders, and legal experts. All Tennesseans deserve the freedom to live and work safely and without fear in our communities no matter the color of our skin, what's in our wallets or how we came to call Tennessee home," read a release from TIRRC. The group has a list of what to do if you are stopped by immigration: You have the right to remain silent. You can say the following statement to ICE agents: I exercise my right to remain silent under the 5th amendment Take pictures or video of what's happening if you are able to. If not, take mental notes like: How many agents are there, what are they saying/ telling you, what type of uniform they are wearing, did they identify themselves If detained, tell the agents you want to speak to your lawyer. Have a plan ready for yourself and your family in case you or a loved one is detained. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What is ICE? What to know in wake of Trump's immigration executive order BUFFALO, N.Y. Massive sheets of ice were pushed over the Lake Erie-Niagara River ice boom on Monday as a result of high winds and a powerful Arctic weather front. The ice boom, which is operated by the New York Power Authority, is meant to prevent ice jams, prevent flooding, and protect hydropower plants. Lou Paonessa, director of community affairs for the New York Power Authority, said the power authority is not sure if the boom broke but hes not too worried. Its allowed to allow a certain amount of ice to go over (the) top in a high wind event or a seiche event and then pop back up and resurface again, Paonessa said. So that reduces the frequency and the duration and the amount of ice that comes down the Niagara River at any one given time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can we tell if a piece is broken or not? Not really. Right now wed have to fly a drone. You cant do that in this weather. So when the boom resurfaces, well be able to tell if a section has broken free. High winds and recent ice-breaking operations such as the freeing of the Manitoulin freighter caused the boom to be pushed underwater. That allowed ice to pass over the top of it. As ice piles up in the Niagara River, there is the potential for ice to impact the shoreline and potentially cause property damage. The National Weather Service said that areas south of the river along Route 5 in Hamburg, the Buffalo Harbor, Canalside and the Dunkirk Harbor could potentially be affected. 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. 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 News 4 Buffalo. RACINE Kayla Winston was often angry as a kid. Difficult childhood experiences upset Winston, who did not know how to process the resulting feelings. She isolated herself and scrolled on her cellphone, worsening her anxiety and depression. Several years later, Winston is much more equipped to manage her mental health and emotions. Winston, a Case High School senior, has college plans and a job. She has many responsibilities but appreciates staying active. I love a busy schedule, because it keeps me sane, Winston said. Winston is also a youth advocate with the Wisconsin Office of Childrens Mental Health. In that role, she spoke to state lawmakers earlier this month in Madison at a hearing for the offices 2024 annual report. Winston works with OCMH so I can have a voice for some fellow people that are not comfortable enough to use their own voice, she said at the hearing. Regaining her focus Winston became more comfortable expressing her voice in summer 2023. Two years of therapy at that point helped her recognize her behavioral patterns and how to better handle her experiences and emotions. Therapy definitely has shaped me into a good person, Winston said. Youre relearning yourself. Youre learning more about why this happened and why you feel this way Its more figuring out who you are, so that has helped me stay committed and helped me regain my focus. She began therapy during her freshman year of high school while going through significant life changes. That included adjusting to high school and living in Racine with her grandparents and one sister while the rest of her immediate family lived in Arizona. Winston is far from alone in dealing with mental health challenges. Anxiety has substantially increased among Wisconsin youth, particularly for girls, according to the OCMH report. By 2023, two-thirds of female high school students reported having problems with anxiety an increase of 29% in recent years. Winston and friends try to uplift each other if one is experiencing a bad day. We all go through something different, but the same advice I gave myself could possibly work for you, Winston said. Theres always the juggling of, Whats different? Whats the same? How can I help them and how can they help me when were in times of need? In addition to therapy and a close friend circle, Winston keeps a journal, which can be cathartic. Journaling helps me see my thoughts, she said. Once something is on paper, then its out and I can let it go. She goes on walks to help clear her mind, either by herself or with a friend. Winston also reads novels and listens to music from artists such as Lauryn Hill, The Temptations and India Arie to put her in a more positive mood. When stressed, Winston often slows her mind by focusing on her breathing or observing her surroundings to stay present and grounded. Ill just breathe it out, Winston said. I wont speak until I know that when I speak its respectful. Hurting peoples feelings, it only just reflects back on me, so I try to not hurt peoples feelings. She aims to reframe situations as I get to do this and show gratitude for the opportunity instead of I got to do this and look at something as a chore. You gotta make it more positive so you feel better and have a good outcome, Winston said. Winston has also learned the importance of caring for herself so she can assist others. As the oldest of eight girls, Winston often took care of her younger sisters and didnt have time for herself. Now I know how to be selfish, she said. I know that, OK, I can care for this person, but I gotta put myself first. You can still be a good friend but care about yourself. You can still be a good person, but theres gotta be boundaries. What do you need? In addition to talking to lawmakers, Winston spoke a few months ago at a conference in the Wisconsin Dells about how to be a supportive adult to young people with mental health challenges. Supportive adults should be open-minded and ask young people questions, rather than presuming to know how to help, according to Winston. You should ask the person, What do you need? instead of assuming what they might need, Winston said. OCMH Director Linda Hall shared a similar sentiment at the hearing earlier this month. Young people are living through so much, and its very different from the world that most of us grew up in, she said. Thats one of the reasons that we really need to listen to their stories and their answers about how we address whats happening in terms of our youth and their mental health issues. Young people are still feeling the impact of the pandemic, which exacerbated many existing issues related to mental health and social connection, according to Winston. Winston said the near-constant presence of smartphones and social media also poses challenges to mental health and sleeping habits. That is evidenced by data in the OCMH report. Sleep is a critical component of mental health, the report states. Adolescents need at least eight hours of sleep a night. Currently, only a quarter (26%) of Wisconsin teens get sufficient sleep. Further, one in five students reported getting five or fewer hours of sleep per night. Winston said that understanding young peoples mental health experiences is important because if people know more about one another, they are more likely to be kind to them. We need to be a community, Winston said. You need to learn more about people and what they go through, and then you become more open and understanding. People arent as sympathetic as they should be, and thats because they dont know a lot Learning about mental health is a really good thing, because its learning about you. Its learning about us as humans, how we operate with our emotions, and why we believe this and why we do this. The education of ourselves is just as important as the education that the school gives us. Who I am Winston has learned a lot about herself during the past few years, including that she can control her emotions. As hot-headed as I am, Im able to be calm in situations, Im able to tone it down, Winston said. I learned that everything that I portray is myself. Its not me acting out of character. It is who I am. Its just another aspect of my personality. Winston has overcome many obstacles but knows her mental health journey is a constant practice. Its a process, and if youre committed to it, then along the way you will like it, Winston said. Its nice to realize why I got upset and know that If I do this differently, I will have a different outcome. Winston plans to attend Arizona State University this fall and eventually go to law school. In college, she wants to continue doing mental health advocacy work. As an adolescent, Winston never imagined herself speaking at the Wisconsin Capitol, but she recently did and looks forward to using her voice to help others. Idaho State Public Defender Eric Fredericksen answers questions from the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. (Mia Maldonado / Idaho Capital Sun) The Office of the Idaho State Public Defender is seeking a significant budget increase in the next fiscal year because its original budget was based on caseloads during the COVID-19 pandemic, Idaho State Public Defender Eric Fredericksen told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Tuesday. The committee, or JFAC, sets budgets for every state agency and department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed House Bill 735 into law, which moved the responsibility of funding public defense from the counties to the state. House Bill 236, signed into law the following year, created the Office of the Idaho State Public Defender to consolidate the county-based public defense system into a statewide system. On Oct. 1, the new agency began taking on cases. The agency was appropriated $52 million its first year, but it has faced funding shortfalls since the transition. Thats because the agencys original budget was set when the caseload for public defenders was low because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fredericksen told JFAC, and caseloads have since significantly increased. The agency is now seeking legislative approval for a supplemental $8 million for the remainder of the 2025 fiscal year to cover representation to parents who qualify for the Child Protective Act, transcript costs, and personnel and contracting costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And for the 2026 fiscal year, which starts in July, Little recommended an $88 million budget. Fredericksen said a budget increase would allow the office to increase pay based on merit, contract with attorneys in rural counties, and add new institutional offices in Benewah, Elmore, Jerome and Shoshone counties. Idaho State Public Defender Eric Fredericksen photographed in Boise on Nov. 15, 2023. (Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun) Those four new offices would increase public defense coverage, relieve the pressure on contract attorneys, and support a uniform system across the state, Fredericksen said in a letter to JFAC on Monday. We believe the governors recommended budget request will provide us with the resources we need to expand and improve on our initial work, Fredericksen wrote in the letter. Proposed budget to invest in increased contract pay for attorneys In the letter to JFAC, Fredericksen addressed what the new agency has accomplished since it began taking on cases in October, including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gotten rid of flat-fee contracts Created a statewide case management system Given all public defenders and contract attorneys access to Lexis legal research platform at no cost Equalized salaries across the state, with nearly 77% of public defenders receiving raises Established 12 institutional offices across Idaho But progress for the agency has been complex. The overhaul of Idahos public defense system triggered a wave of public defender resignations, particularly in the states largest counties where attorneys cited frustration with pay cuts, loss of mentorship from experienced attorneys, declining office morale and disorganization in the new system, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. October 1 (was) difficult, Fredericksen said. We walked into 1,300 withdrawals in cases. Many of those withdrawals were because the agency got rid of flat fee contracts for attorneys in Idaho, which led to those case withdrawals. Fredericksen told JFAC that flat fee contracts are unethical. Since then, Fredericksen said hes had to appear in court, along with his district attorneys who usually manage public defenders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From a business perspective, Rep. Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, asked what the Legislature can do to make sure Fredericksen and his district attorneys are more focused on management rather than having to appear at court. Is it just money? Tanner asked. It is money, Fredericksen said. Weve lost a lot of contractors. Weve lost a lot of senior employees and institutional losses. Do I want to be in Jerome, Gooding and Twin Falls on a daily basis? Thats not the best use of my time. The best use of my time is to send out my district defenders and let them do their jobs, and get them out of court so theyre not handling cases. Fredericksen said one of the agencys biggest challenges is finding attorneys to represent clients in rural Idaho. To address this, the budget proposal includes an increase in the hourly rate for contract attorneys from $100 to $150, which would alleviate the shortage of legal representation in rural areas of the state, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise, said she understands that the Legislature underestimated the budget for the office. Regardless of where we are now, I think we couldve done a better job in the Legislature setting you up for a little more success, Wintrow said. The proposed budget will be voted on by JFAC at a later date. After the committee approves it, the budget will be included in appropriation bills for the Idaho House and Senate to consider and vote on at a later time. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Idahos Republican-dominated state House of Representatives formally called on the Supreme Court to reverse a 2015 ruling that enshrined a fundamental right of same-sex couples to marry. On Monday, Iowas House voted 46-24 to pass a resolution that states the legislature rejects the landmark ruling in Obergefell v Hodges and calls on justices to restore the natural definition of marriage, a union of one man and one woman. The measure does not carry the force of law, but it signals how right-wing opposition to LGBT+ rights is emboldened under Donald Trumps administration to test the vulnerability of Supreme Court precedents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only 15 House Republicans joined all Idaho Democrats in opposition. The measure now heads to a state senate committee for consideration. Extremist attacks have become de rigueur, and LGBTQ+ Americans are right to be concerned about their escalation, Sarah Warbelow, the Human Rights Campaigns vice president for legal affairs, told The Advocate. This cruel action by Idaho Republicans amounts to nothing more than shouting at the wind, Warbelow said. A majority of Americans of all political affiliations support marriage equality. Resolutions are not laws, and state legislatures lack the power to dismantle marriage equality. The Supreme Courts 2015 decision in Obergefell v Hodges enshrined the right of same-sex couples to marry (Getty Images) The ACLU of Idaho is deeply disappointed and frustrated with the measures passage, communications director Rebecca De Leon told The Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A measure expressing a bigoted and unpopular view on same-sex marriage is an affront to queer people in this state, and is a grasp at power that is well beyond the scope of a state entity, De Leon said. Idaho has many real, complex problems that the legislature should be addressing, not wasting time on toothless virtue-signaling. The measure, proposed by GOP state Rep. Heather Scott and endorsed by anti-LGBT+ activists, states that the Obergefell decision is at odds with the Constitution of the United States and the principles upon which the United States is established and insists on restoring the issue of marriage and enforcement of all laws pertaining to marriage back to the several states and the people. In 2006, Idaho voters passed an amendment to the state Constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, though the Supreme Courts ruling nearly a decade later found that such laws violate the 14th Amendments equal protection and due process guarantees. The high courts ruling confused marriage laws and constitutions across the country, Scott said in remarks on the state House floor Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This same Supreme Court used this same reasoning to make its decision for a right to privacy on Roe v Wade, and thats how they justified abortion, which, as we know, was overturned 50 years later, she said. The federal government does not have the authority to just create rights out of thin air. In his concurring opinion in Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization, which overturned Roe and revoked a constitutional right to abortion care, Justice Clarence Thomas suggested that the court could reconsider major cases involving substantive due process precedents including the courts landmark cases involving same-sex marriages, gay sex, and contraception. Because any substantive due process decision is demonstrably erroneous... we have a duty to correct the error established in those precedents, Thomas wrote. The question would remain whether other constitutional provisions guarantee the myriad rights that our substantive due process cases have generated. Those cases include Griswold v Connecticut, which ruled that states had no right to ban contraception; Lawrence v Texas, which struck down laws banning same-sex sex; and Obergefell v Hodges, which ruled that same-sex couples could legally marry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their dissenting opinion in Dobbs, liberal Justices Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor argued that the three cases mentioned by Thomas are all part of the same constitutional fabric, protecting autonomous decision making over the most personal of life decisions. So one of two things must be true. Either the majority does not really believe in its own reasoning. Or if it does, all rights that have no history stretching back to the mid-19th century are insecure, they wrote. Either the mass of the majoritys opinion is hypocrisy, or additional constitutional rights are under threat. It is one or the other. Idahos House of Representatives is asking the Supreme Court to undo its decision on same-sex marriage. The state legislature chamber voted 4624 Monday in favor of passing House Joint Memorial 1, calling on the Supreme Court to reverse its 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges and restore the natural definition of marriage, a union of one man and one woman. State Representative Heather Scott, a Republican who sponsored the memorial, provided flimsy reasoning behind the measure, saying that the power to define marriage belonged to the states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would ask you to substitute any other issue and ask yourself, Do I want the federal government creating rights for us, for Idahoans? Scott said during debate on the floor of the state legislature, according to the Idaho Capitol Sun. So, what if the federal government redefined property rights or nationalized water rights? Scott said. What does that look like if they came up with some new fair use policy or came up with different ways to define property rights? That is not a decision for the judges; it is a decision for the states. But the memorial specifically urged the Supreme Court to define marriage, not what the states control. Scott also claimed that Obergefell undermined religious freedoms and that Christians were being targeted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mondays measure was developed by MassResistance, an anti-LGBTQ hate group that is sowing trans panic in state legislatures across the country. Despite opposition on both sides of the aisle, including 15 Republicans who joined every House Democrat, the GOP was still able to pass the measure because it holds a supermajority in the legislature. The memorial will now head to the Republican-controlled state Senate, and, if it passes, it will become law without needing the governors signature. But a memorial is more of a formal letter than a law, and it carries no enforcement power. If the measure becomes law, its not clear that the Supreme Court would even be compelled to take up Idahos questionbut it would certainly send a message to the LGBTQ residents of that state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2006, Idaho voters passed an amendment to the state constitution that said that marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state. That law was ruled unconstitutional in 2014, the year before Obergefell effectively legalized same-sex marriage by ruling that it was discriminatory to deny same-sex couples marriage licenses. While the Respect for Marriage Act requires all states to recognize same-sex marriage performed in other states, the right to same-sex marriage was never formally legalized on the federal level. So if the Supreme Court were to overturn Obergefell, gay marriage rights would go with it. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) The former Sangamon County Sheriffs Deputy accused of killing Sonya Massey will be staying in jail while the court weighs the case. The Illinois Supreme Court will hear the States Attorneys appeal to an appellate court ruling that the pretrial detention of Sean Grayson violates the SAFE-T-Act. In July, Grayson and his partner responded to Sonya Masseys 911 call after she said she saw a prowler near her house. Body camera footage shows when Grayson shot Massey, a Black woman, in the head after she moved a pot of boiling water from her stove. He has been charged with first-degree murder and pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grayson is currently being held in the Macon County Jail. How we got here: On July 7th, 2024, Sonya Massey called 911. She was concerned someone was on her property and attempting to break in. Two Sangamon County Sheriffs Deputies responded to the call. One of them was Sean Grayson. After searching the property, Grayson and the other deputy spoke with Massey, and they went into her home. After some time in the home, Massey went to move a pot of water off a stove that was on. After Massey said in a casual tone that she rebukes (Grayson) in the name of Jesus, Grayson pulled his weapon, told her to drop the pot, and then shot her twice in the face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grayson was seen on his own body camera video telling other officers that Massey was threatening him with the pot of water, and he openly questioned her mental state. Those excuses did not fly with prosecutors. Within a couple of weeks, Grayson was arrested on first degree murder charges, fired from the department, and detained at the Menard County Jail. The process since then, though, has been slow. The court battle has almost entirely focused on whether Grayson should be detained pretrial under the SAFE-T Act. The law that eliminated cash bail requires prosecutors to prove that a person is either a danger to an individual or society if released pretrial, or that the person is a flight risk. To meet the former threshold, Sangamon County States Attorney John Milhiser argued that because Grayson allegedly defied all of his training and the procedures of the Sangamon County Sheriffs Office, no conditions levied by the court would be enough to eliminate the risk he posed to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Graysons defense team said that argument was moot, because Grayson is no longer a law enforcement officer. Since he does not hold that position, the question is not relevant to whether he should be detained. The circuit court in Sangamon County agreed with the prosecution twice, which kept Grayson detained while the case proceeded up the court system. An Illinois 4th District Appellate Court turned the case on its head, though, ruling that Grayson should be released pretrial with conditions. In considering whether defendant poses a danger justifying his pretrial detention in the interim, however, the question is not whether he will meet the high expectations of a law enforcement officer; the question is whether, as a private citizen, he poses a danger to the public that cannot be mitigated by appropriate conditions of pretrial release, Appellate Court Eugene Dougherty wrote in the ruling issued on November 27th. The trial courts focus on defendants failings as a law enforcement officer, while understandable, distracted from the central question of how to address any risk he posed after being stripped of his office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Appellate Court decision highlighted the larger ramifications of this case. It was met with harsh public pushback, including from Masseys family. Her father, James Wilburn, travelled back to Springfield to criticize the decision, saying Grayson can leave jail when his daughter is able to walk out of her grave. If these three appellate court justices think that Sean Grayson is not a danger to society, move them into their house. Lets see if their wife and kids would allow him to move and live in their house with him, Wilburn told WCIA in a December interview. Milhiser, with the help of Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court, seeking not only a reversal, but a stay on the ruling that Grayson should be released. The Supreme Court complied with the latter request while they deliberated over the former, keeping Grayson in detention at the Macon County Jail while they decided whether or not to take the 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 WCIA.com. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) A bill in the Capitol would bar insurance companies from putting time limits on anesthesia coverage. The goal is to make sure that Illinoisans get the coverage that they paid for and that they deserve and that they were promised, State Rep. Bill Hauter (R-Morton) said. Health insurers now required to cover pregnancy, postpartum care in Illinois It comes after Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield said they would tie payments in some states to the length of time a patient was under anesthesia. The health insurance provider planned to base the length of time a surgery or procedure is estimated to take based on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services physician work time values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After public outcry, they reversed the decision in December saying there was significant widespread misinformation about the policy. The proposal in the State Capitol would guarantee that insurance companies cover anesthesia regardless of how long the procedure takes. Dignity in Pay Act signed into Illinois law The patient doesnt have any control over that, the anesthesiologist certainly doesnt have any control over it, and the surgeon sometimes has very little control if theres an issue with anatomy or theres a complication or theres a problem with the equipment in some way, Hauter, who is also a physician and anesthesiologist, said. You can see how that would be ludicrous and almost dangerous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the bill becomes law, it would apply to insurance policies that begin at the start of January 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 WCIA.com. In a letter filed in federal court, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency said the proposed expansion of a toxic waste dump on the Southeast Side would go against state law. Its the latest development in a lengthy battle over the future of a 45-acre disposal site on the Lake Michigan shoreline. This is a major win for our community, to have both the Illinois attorney general and the Illinois EPA say that the expansion of this toxic landfill will not be (approved), said Amalia NietoGomez, executive director of social justice nonprofit Alliance of the Southeast. Since 1984, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been dumping toxic sediment dredged from the Calumet River into the now-full containment site, which contains mercury, arsenic and polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs. After reaching capacity or after 10 years, whichever came first, the property was to be returned to the Chicago Park District to restore as a park for the largely Black and Latino community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four decades later, the property hasnt been turned over to the community, and the Army Corps wants to raise the dump 25 feet, piling an additional 1 million cubic yards of toxic sediment over another 20 years. In 2023, the Alliance of the Southeast and Friends of the Parks sued the Army Corps to stop the expansion. So far, the Illinois EPA has denied the federal agency all of the state water quality permits it would need to proceed. The states Attorney General Kwame Raoul has also staunchly opposed the proposed project; in 2024 he filed an amicus brief in support of turning the dump into a public park. More recently on Jan. 16, Raoul filed alongside a supplemental brief with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois a letter that the states environmental agency had sent to the Army Corps the previous day. In that letter, the Illinois EPA said the Army Corps proposal is contrary to some environmental regulations, including an Illinois law that prohibits the construction of new landfills or the expansion of existing landfills in Cook County. The plaintiffs lead attorney Howard Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center, called the Illinois EPA letter a vital step forward to a long-delayed victory in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its time for the Army Corps to recognize it lacks the legal authority to build on this lakefront site and move forward with better alternative solutions, he said. Chicagos lakefront is for people and parks, not toxic waste dumps. The long-promised park should now go forward for Chicagoans to use and enjoy. After the letter was filed, the centers attorneys asked to meet with the Army Corps legal team to discuss productive next steps. A meeting with the federal judge hearing the case has been set for Monday. The Army Corps declined to comment due to ongoing litigation. Last year, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling largely seen as anti-environment overturned 40 years of legal precedent that required courts to defer to federal agencies interpretations of ambiguous statutes. But the Environmental Law and Policy Center hopes to leverage the ruling in its favor, using it to argue that the judge has full discretion to determine whether the Army Corps overstepped when determining it could keep and expand the dump site. The plaintiffs hope the property can be remediated and transformed into an extension of nearby Calumet Park, where neighborhood children swim and play. The existing toxic sediment has already given community members plenty of cause for concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only thing that separates the (disposal site) from Calumet Park is a chainlink fence, NietoGomez said. So its not just close, I mean, its right there. Restoring the site would provide more recreational green spaces in a ward that has long been overburdened with pollution from the steel and petroleum coke industries, where asthma and cancer rates are high. Related Articles People living on the Southeast Side breathe some of the citys dirtiest air, monitoring data shows. More than 75 polluters in the area have been investigated for Clean Air Act violations since 2014, including companies that contaminated yards and playgrounds with brain-damaging manganese and lung-damaging petcoke. If we have concerns about the current (dump site), it doesnt make sense to amplify those concerns and build more of the same on top, NietoGomez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also said it would be a bad idea to expand the landfill on the lakeshore where as climate change intensifies storms and wave surges, as well as fluctuations in lake levels the facility would be at risk of rupture. But the Army Corps contends they need somewhere to dispose of the sediment that has to be routinely dredged from the Calumet River so that commercial ships can pass through waterways connecting the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River basin. In the Illinois EPA letter, acting director James Jennings urged the Army Corps to explore alternative means to manage dredged materials, including its disposal at permitted landfills or even upland beneficial use, which would entail its use on dry land for habitat creation, land reclamation, soil enhancement or even construction materials. The lawsuit largely centers around the plaintiffs claims that the Army Corps didnt consider alternative locations for a new dump or adequately assess the risks of expanding the current site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They told the Southeast Side to pick their poison and choose from six sites, and they were all located within the 10th Ward, NietoGomez said. It caused uproar within the community. Enough is enough. Were sick and tired of being your dumping ground. As President Donald Trumps deregulatory agenda threatens environmental policies and rules regarding clean air, clean water, toxic chemicals and more, NietoGomez feels encouraged by the states opposition to expanding the dump site. Going forward, dealing with the new administration, she said, I think its more important than ever that we enforce the protections that we do have, whether that be at the city, county, state or federal level. Thats why the letters from both the Illinois attorney generals office and Illinois EPA carry particular weight. adperez@chicagotribune.com Chicago Tribunes Michael Hawthorne and Karina Atkins contributed. DES MOINES, Iowa An Illinois man accused of traveling to Ottumwa and sexually abusing a minor while being a registered sex offender was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison. According to the United States Attorneys Office Southern District of Iowa, in 2022 while serving in the U.S. Air Force 40-year-old Anthony Alan Anderson was convicted of two counts of attempting to commit a lewd act with a person he believed to be under 16-years-old. As part of his conviction he was required to register as a sex offender. Large fire in Manning destroys commercial building Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following year, in 2023, Anderson was communicating with a 14-year-old in Ottumwa over text and social media, and during their conversations Anderson convinced the victim to send him sexually explicit material, the attorneys office said. In September 2023 Anderson traveled from his residence in Illinois to Ottumwa to meet with the victim. According to the attorneys office, Anderson picked up the victim and drove to a hotel where he sexually abused the victim. Anderson was convicted of enticement and attempted enticement of a minor and committing an offense while a registered sex offender. On Friday he was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison. After serving his sentence he will have to serve a ten-year term of supervised release. Iowa News: 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 who13.com. An Illinois man was sentenced Friday to 35 years in federal prison for enticing a minor and related crimes after traveling to Ottumwa to engage in sexual acts with a 14-year-old. Anthony Alan Anderson, 40, traveled from Illinois to Ottumwa in September 2023, where he picked up the 14-year-old from their residence, took them to a hotel, and engaged in sexual acts, while also producing child sexual abuse material, prosecutors said. Anderson had been communicating with the child from May 2023 through November 2023, soliciting and receiving sexually explicit materials. Anderson was previously convicted in 2020 by a general court-martial while serving in the U.S. Air Force for attempting to commit a lewd act with a person he believed was under 16. As a result, he was required to register as a sex offender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following his prison sentence, Anderson will serve a 10-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. The case was investigated by the Ottumwa Police Department with assistance from the Illinois State Police. The prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to combat child exploitation and abuse. For more information about internet safety education, visit http://www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the "resources" tab. ILLINOIS (WTVO) Illinois and other states were shut out of the Medicaid system Tuesday. The White House confirmed the portal outage, but insisted payments would be unaffected. According to the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, The White House is aware of the Medicaid website portal outage. We have confirmed no payments have been affected they are still being processed and sent. We expect the portal will be back online shortly. At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Illinois Gov. Pritzker said the Trump administration is lying to you about the portal outage, claiming that the shutdown was intentional as federal officials look to make cuts to those services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Donald Trump tried to do in the last 24 hours is illegal. Lets be clear, this is a demonstration of cruelty against people who depend on us, working families who rely on federal assistance, he said. NEXT >> Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump admins freeze on federal grants, loans Despite what the White House press secretary said at the podium today, I believe it is my duty to report the truth of what happened today in Illinois. Donald Trumps administration is lying to you, Pritzker added. They assured us that Medicaid would not be affected. That was a lie They assured us that Head Start would not be affected. That was a lie. Now they would like us to believe that these are coincidental website outages, he continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The timing of the outage coincided with President Donald Trumps executive order to temporarily freeze federal funds while the government conducts a spending review. A memo issued by acting director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Matthew Vaeth directed federal agencies to temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance. This temporary pause will provide the Administration time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of the funding for those programs consistent with the law and the Presidents priorities, the memo said. The OMB calls on agencies to submit detailed information on any programs projects or activities subject to this pause by February 10th. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OMB may grant exceptions for certain awards on a case-by-case basis, the memo states. It also indicated that Social Security and Medicare benefits would not be affected, or any type of assistance that goes directly to individuals. Leavitt emphasized this point during a briefing with reporters on Tuesday afternoon. Leavitt said that federal assistance through Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, student loans, and scholarships. However, Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza said Illinois had lost access to the Medicaid program. Because my office prioritizes Medicaid payments, we are current on those bills. In fact, on Thursday we processed all $518 million in Medicaid bills on-hand and received our federal match yesterday before the administration shut down our access to the Medicaid system, Mendoza said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve, wrote Matthew Vaeth, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget. Vaeth wrote that each agency must complete a comprehensive analysis of all of their Federal financial assistance programs to identify programs, projects, and activities that may be implicated by any of the Presidents executive orders. He also wrote that the pause should be implemented to the extent permissible under applicable law. The Environmental Protection Agency, which distributes billions of dollars, confirmed that it would implement the pause to align federal spending and action with the will of the American people as expressed through President Trumps priorities. Democrats and independent organizations described the pause as capricious and illegal because Congress had already authorized the money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US Constitution does not grant the President this unilateral authority, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said Monday. In Illinois, we will stand against unlawful actions that would harm millions of working families, children, and seniors. A federal judge temporarily blocked the funding freeze minutes before it was set to go into effect. The stay lasts until Monday afternoon and applies only to existing programs. 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. CHICAGO Hours after President Donald Trumps administration announced it was freezing potentially trillions of dollars in federal grants and other fiscal aid across the nation, Illinois agencies were having trouble accessing Medicaid systems, a top spokesman for Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday. State agencies reported issues with accessing federal funding sites and disbursement systems, including Medicaid systems, Matt Hill, a Pritzker spokesperson, said in a statement. Affected funding could include child care, law enforcement, disaster relief and hospitals, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth said in a statement, while U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said in a separate statement that Head Start and food assistance programs, as well as food inspections, could also be at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A notice at the top of the federal Medicaid Payment Management System website on Tuesday read: Due to Executive Orders regarding potentially unallowable grant payments, PMS is taking additional measures to process payments. Reviews of applicable programs and payments will result in delays and/or rejections of payments. The problems were reported before the freeze was expected to take effect, which Trumps administration had said was 4 p.m. Tuesday. It came as Democratic political leaders from Illinois blasted the Trump freeze, calling it outrageous and unconstitutional. Outrageous and illegal, Duckworth wrote on the social media platform X. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sought to tamp down concerns over the late-night order but could not provide details on how Chicagos budget would be affected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a City Hall news conference, the mayor shot down the legal standing of the Trump memo issued Monday evening by the White Houses budget office. But he and his budget director declined to state how much of Chicagos approximately $4 billion in grant funding could be jeopardized, or whether the memo could eliminate federal funding for the Red Line extension. This is something that is well outside the purview of the executive office, said the mayor, who noted he spoke with Duckworth and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin on Tuesday morning. These appropriations have been mandated by the legislative branch, Johnson said. These are laws. Pritzker also was in touch with local and federal officials, other governors and non-government organizations about the memo, Hill said. The governors office has been directed to assess the detrimental impacts of this unlawful action, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnsons budget director, Annette Guzman, said her office is conducting an analysis on the impact of the freeze but she did not elaborate on the scope, saying further digging is needed. It all comes under the framework of understanding the legality of the orders to begin with, Guzman said. Its the same kind of concept that were looking into, as to whether or not these (executive orders) have the authority over Congressional spending. Among the biggest projects needing federal funding is the long-planned extension of the Red Line south to 130th Street. But it wasnt immediately clear if or how the federal grant pause might affect the extension, as well as other transportation projects. The agency signed an agreement locking in a federal grant days before Trump took office, and officials said Tuesday morning they continued to view the agreement as binding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Red Line Extension Projects funding grant agreement that the CTA and FTA (Federal Transit Administration) executed this, like similar grant agreements that the CTA secured for projects such as the Red Purple Modernization Program, is a binding and legal commitment by the federal government to provide the committed and obligated funds, spokeswoman Tammy Chase said in an email. As a result, we do not interpret any recent activity to have any impact on the federal governments commitment to fund this essential transit project. The CTA, like other transportation agencies, also relies on federal funding for a variety of other construction projects. Chase said the agencys law department was reviewing the latest federal directive as it relates to future federal funds for CTA beyond funding grant agreements already in place. ____ MADISON - Lawmakers and local leaders gathered Monday night to listen to community members speak about concerns related to schools safety following a shooting at a Madison school late last year. The listening session, hosted by state Rep. Shelia Stubbs, D-Madison, and state Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, also included a number of first responders, who listened raptly to community members and students who expressed their concerns. Dozens of community members filled the room at Monona Public Library, many of them lining up to speak. Parents asked for increased mental health support in schools, and to curtail bullying so there is a better sense of belonging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students asked lawmakers to do more to help keep them safe at school, so they aren't required to wonder if they will be the next victims of violence in the classroom. The Abundant Life Christian School shooting left three dead Dec. 16, including the shooter, a 15-year-old freshman. Madison police identified the shooting victims as Erin West, a substitute teacher coordinator, and Rubi Patricia Vergara, a freshman student. The shooting also wounded six others, leaving two in critical condition. Madison police have not identified any of the six non-fatal victims. The two in critical condition have been declared to be in good condition by UW Health this month, after surviving multiple gunshot wounds. Avi Mack, a senior at Madison West High School, asked leaders when she was allowed to be mad in an impassioned speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When am I supposed to be mad? Genuine question. Today? Tomorrow? The day after tomorrow? Until all the teachers in America have pondered the question, 'Can I save all these kids?'" she said. "Until every student has had to send that final I love you message to their parents? Until every friend, family and community has to mourn the death of another vital piece of our future? Well, I tell you what, America. I'm not mad, I'm angry." Mack was one of many students who walked out of Madison schools in the days following the shooting, and said she read the same speech that day. "We can create a future we want our children to grow up in. Oh wait, no, we are the kids," she said. "Can we grow up first? Or are you going to shoot us down soon?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adah Lambeck, also a student at Madison West, spoke about how the day after the Abundant Life shooting, a miscommunication occurred that resulted in a lockdown, panicking teachers and students alike. She asked leaders to streamline a response system that protects those in the building, and that the mental health of students be taken into account. A number of community members also spoke about the importance of providing opportunities for children outside of school. "As someone who struggles with mental health, I find it extremely helpful to have people at school I can go to," she said. "I'm fortunate enough to have had, you know, a mother who's been present and very supportive of me. But not everyone has that, and that's when the community needs to fill in and help (to) provide those resources, and schools are really great way to do that, because it's where your kid is spending most of their time throughout the year. So it's really important that we invest in mental health resources." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on X @SchulteLaura. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Madison students ask leaders to do more to keep them safe in school LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Deportation raids have started here in Michigan and across the County. Sunday, police arrested more than 950 people, more than 3 times the average under the Biden administrationand these arrests are already facing legal challenges here in Michigan. The Trump administration is relying on a policy known as expedited removal to arrest and deport people as fast as possible. Civil rights activists say the process has already started on the east side of the state, and they are preparing a legal challenge to slow things down and give e people their day in court These lawyers say that this policy only applies to people who have crossed the border in the last fourteen days and people who have been in the United States longer than that have earned the right to legal protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This includes getting the chance to appeal the deportation in front of an immigration judge and getting the chance to pay bail until that court date comes. However, right now, thats not happening, and these activists say it is leading to some big mistakes. You cannot just take me, put me on a bus on a plane and get me out of here, all right. You must put me under normal standard removal procedures under the immigration laws. Thats the danger and weve seen actions have already been implemented, says Nabih Ayad, founder of the Arab-American Civil Rights League. Some of them were arrested were U.S. veterans. Some of them were arrested, were U.S. citizens. Some of them were arrested, were individuals that were deported back to Mexico and they didnt. Theyre not even Mexican. This is the same legal team that has beaten Trump in court before, including challenges to the Muslim ban during the first administrationeand they are confident they can do it again. 6 News will follow this story as it develops and we will keep you updated on-air and online. 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 WLNS 6 News. A Cobb County immigration lawyer tells Channel 2 Action News that he is getting hundreds of calls a day from people who are frightened and confused by the latest immigration crackdown. Attorney Michael Urbina said Monday that federal agents are not just targeting people with criminal records. For some families, they are so worried that they actually contemplating keeping their kids home from school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, Urbina told Channel 2s Michael Seiden that its important that people understand their rights. We knew something like this would happen, Urbina said after learning about the target operations. Multiple federal agencies assisted US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers over the weekend as they made hundreds of arrests across the country, including right here in metro Atlanta. Its definitely created a sense of fear and uncertainty, Urbina said. While the Trump administration has touted the crackdown as targeting criminals, Urbina said he has heard other stories about authorities arresting people without criminal records. RELATED NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I heard of a lady out in Athens who has been here for over 10 years, has five children here. She just had a removal order from a long time ago, so they targeted her, Urbina said. On Sunday, pastor Luis Ortiz told Channel 2 Action News that he was in the middle of giving his sermon at his church in Tucker when ICE knocked on the door and arrested one of his members. They dont want to go home because theyre scared the officers are outside, Ortiz said. Right now, its unclear how many arrests have been made here in metro Atlanta, but Urbina said its important that you know your rights, especially if you get a knock on the door from ICE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont incriminate yourself, stay quiet, maintain proof that theyve been here for the last two years, because thats been one of the main focuses. There is a law for expedited removal that if a person hasnt been here for two years, Urbina said. Seiden reached out to ICE on Monday hoping to get some local arrest numbers, but so far his calls havent been returned. Enforcement of tougher immigration policy has started in Arizona and in other parts of the country as President Donald Trump's administration continues its second week. The fate of a new memo pausing distribution of federal grants and loans was challenged in the courts after hours of confusion Tuesday for entities and programs that typically receive billions of federal dollars. On Wednesday, Trump rescinded the memo. Later in the week, local activity picked up in reaction to Trump's new policies. Advertisement Advertisement Here are stories The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com published this week to help you track what's going on and how it might affect you in Arizona. Last week's update: Tracking Donald Trump's orders in Arizona: What to know in Week 1 Friday, Jan. 31 Hundreds of protesters at ASU drown out GOP student event seeking to report classmates to ICE Hundreds of protesters took to Arizona State University's campus on Friday in a show of support for immigrant communities after a student group encouraged students to report their peers to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. College Republicans United, a conservative group with ties to white supremacy, was allowed to host its event on campus as scheduled but left after an hour, speaking to few students. The lone table sat outside Hayden Library with a pair of College Republicans United members holding signs directing students to report classmates on ICEs tip website. They were opposed by hundreds, who protested by marching in a circle around them and leading chants in support of the immigrant community. What are my rights against ICE? Immigrants flock to trainings as ICE raids ramp up At "know your rights" workshops popping up in Phoenix and cities across the country, immigrants are being trained how to respond if stopped by ICE officers or if immigration authorities show up at homes or places of work. The civil rights trainings were started years ago by groups in Phoenix in response to the immigration sweeps carried out under former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in the late 2000s, and later during the record deportations that took place from 2018 to 2012 during the first term of the Obama administration, advocates say. But the trainings have exploded in number since Donald Trump won the presidential election in November promising to carry out the largest mass deportations in U.S. history. Pima County closes migrant shelters after Trump administration stops border releases Both of Tucson's respite centers have shuttered after sweeping changes to federal border enforcement policy, drastically altering the landscape for asylum-seekers in southern Arizona. The closures came after President Trump signed 26 executive orders on his first day, including one titled "Securing Our Borders," which reinstated the controversial Migrant Protection Protocols, otherwise known as the "Remain in Mexico" program. Thursday, Jan. 30 Arizona border town declares state of emergency in response to Trump executive orders The Douglas City Council voted 3-2 to declare a state of emergency in response to President Donald Trump's border and immigration policy shifts. Douglas' proclamation states that the border city would experience "a potential loss in revenue for (the municipal) government and local businesses" and "an increase in costs to assist the federal government in carrying out these Proclamations and Executive Order." Douglas Mayor Jose Grijalva said the local economy relies on the residents of Agua Prieta, Mexico. He said 70% of the total sales tax collected in the city comes from Mexican consumers. ASU student group with ties to white supremacy plans event seeking to report peers to ICE A conservative student group with ties to white supremacy is promoting an event on Arizona State Universitys campus encouraging classmates to report their peers to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The group, College Republicans United, indicated on social media the event is scheduled for Jan. 31. A post from the student group on X read: We will be tabling on campus asking fellow students to report their criminal classmates to ICE for deportation. The post went on to share a tip form created byICE. Food items could be affected most quickly by Trump's tariffs If tariffs are levied on goods from Mexico, Canada and China, Arizonans likely will notice the impact first at the grocery store. Compared with other industries with complex supply chains, like the automobile industry, food prices will more quickly reflect the tariffs, said Dale Rogers, a professor of supply chain management at Arizona State University. Wednesday, Jan. 29 Trump scuttles his plans for a funding freeze, but nonprofits still feel the chill President Donald Trump has scuttled plans to freeze a large swath of federal grant funds. For the time being, that means its back to business as usual for recipients of federal money in Arizona. But the back-and-forth created confusion and fear that will linger beyond the lifetime of the memo, according to Kelley Murphy, coordinator of the Arizona Early Childhood Alliance, a coalition of child-care companies and nonprofits. Navajo protesters say they fear deportation threats, other changes under Trump Bryson Sam and his siblings stood at an intersection in the Navajo Nation capital of Window Rock under gray clouds and a chilly breeze, holding signs that read, "No Human is Illegal on Stolen Land" and "Native Youth Deserve Better." He emphasized that his protest was not only about raising awareness of the challenges faced by Native people in urban areas but also about shedding light on the broader threat of targeting of people of color by the Trump administration and ICE. After day of chaos, what's next for federal aid freeze? Though the order is temporarily on ice, uncertainty still swirls around which programs exactly will and wont be affected should the order go into effect. Mexican border towns ready shelters ahead of Trump's promised mass deportations While Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has said there has been no "significant increase" in deportations from the United States to Mexico since Donald Trump took office, her government is readying border towns to meet the needs of immigrants, both nationals and non-nationals, being deported from the U.S. Interior Secretary Rosa Icela Rodriguez on Tuesday detailed the plan for the "Mexico embraces you" program, which includes opening 10 support centers in border cities, including Tijuana, Mexicali, Nogales and San Luis Rio Colorado. Tuesday, Jan. 28 Mayes, other state attorneys general sue over Trump halting federal aid Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes joined 21 other states in a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its plans to pause federal grants and other funding for certain programs. She announced the move at about the same time a judge in a separate but similar case temporarily blocked the Trump administration's policy from going into effect. 'Chaos and confusion': Arizona agencies scramble after Trump pauses federal aid President Donald Trump's administration ordered a temporary freeze on federal grants and loans, sparking widespread confusion among Arizona companies, agencies, and other recipients of federal dollars. The funding pause was scheduled to go into effect at 3 p.m. Arizona time Tuesday but was temporarily blocked by a federal judge. It doesn't affect funding that is provided directly to individuals such as Medicare and Social Security and it is designed to only impact programs that are related to the flurry of executive orders Trump signed when he took office. The White House's budget office promoted the effort as an overdue measure to review government spending. The use of federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget said in a written statement. Mexico launches app for Mexicans facing deportation. Here's how it works The Mexican government has launched a mobile application that provides support to Mexican nationals living in the United States, offering an array of services, among them the ability to document any encounters they may have with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. It's called ConsulApp Contigo which translates to "consulate app with you" an application available for Android and IOS. Monday, Jan. 27 Where is ICE now? What to know as Trump's immigration raids and deportations unfold Migrants across the U.S. and Arizona faced the specter of ICE raids. What to know about the agency and what it is doing. Trump is sending troops to the border. What that means in Arizona The number of active-duty troops at the border is growing, and executive orders have expanded federal authorities' reach. The Trump administration, now entering its second week, has signaled big changes in how the U.S. tackles immigration, cartels and cross-border crime. The Pentagon announced it would send active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border after President Donald Trumps declaration of a national emergency on his first day back in office. The troops initially will support U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations in the El Paso and San Diego sectors. A military official at Fort Bliss, near El Paso, said the goal is to deploy troops in all four border states. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Border crackdown, aid freeze and more. What to know in Trump's Week 2 GRAFTON, Wis. (WFRV)One village in Wisconsin is urging residents to be mindful when disposing of hot items, especially ashes after one residents garbage can was ruined and a fire started in a garbage truck. The Village of Graftons Department of Public Works posted a photo on Facebook showing the load fire as it was on the rise. Wisconsin State trooper rescues bald eagle hit by a vehicle The load fire in this case was caused by improperly disposing of hot ashes. The hot ashes melted a hole in a residents garbage can and then started a fire in the garbage truck after pickup. The post added that the garbage truck drivers quick response led to the hot load being dumped safely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, the following tips were added as a precaution and tactics to prevent load fires: Ensure that no hot spots remain in the ashes Soak them in water or leave them for a few days if reasonable, then double-check for hotspots Store ashes in a fire-resistant container with a tight cover Never dispose of hot ashes in a plastic garbage bag or can, nor cardboard boxes or paper bags Place the metal container with ashes somewhere safe This location should be nowhere near anything that could burn Do not place the container in the house, against a garage or near any firewood Fourth 24/7 YMCA location coming to the Fox Valley After at least a week of being in the metal container, the ashes should be safe to dispose of in the trash, though it is critical to be certain and double-check. No additional information was 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The Brookings County Sheriffs Office is asking for your help in solving an incident at Sioux Valley School. Authorities say it happened just after 4 Monday afternoon. In an email to parents, the school says a note referencing an explosive being planted in one of the boys bathrooms was found. Tribes issuing free ID cards amid ICE raids Law enforcement searched the building but nothing was found. Authorities say there is no threat at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have any information, you are asked to call the Brookings County Sheriffs Office or Brookings Area Crimestoppers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A bill up for debate in the Indiana Legislature would implement new oversight and restrictions on foreign adversaries seeking to conduct business in Indiana. (Getty Images) New legislation under consideration seeks to limit the state from making deals and contracting with businesses located in certain countries as part of an ongoing effort to curtail foreign adversarial investments within Indiana. House Bill 1032, authored by Rep. Craig Haggard, R-Mooresville, would double down on restrictions already in effect for investors located in China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela all countries currently labeled as foreign adversaries in state and federal code. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That list could grow or change as political climates evolve. Indiana law permits the governor to add to that list any country deemed to be a threat to critical infrastructure. Rep. Craig Haggard, R-Mooresville (Photo courtesy Indiana House Republicans) Republican state lawmakers spearheaded related measures during the last three legislative sessions that outlawed investors in foreign adversarial nations from acquiring or leasing property in Indiana; banned public universities from using state dollars to engage or contract with sources located in foreign adversaries; prohibited foreign business entities from acquiring agricultural land in the state; barred cities and towns from certain sister-city agreements and other partnerships; and mandated state pension funds to divest from China-related holdings. Haggards proposal beefs up and closes loopholes in several of those existing laws, in addition to increasing civil fines and penalties for violations. The bill was heard for the first time by the House Judiciary Committee on Monday, but a vote to advance the bill to the full chamber is not expected until next week. The representative said his aim is to reduce the influence of countries potentially posing a threat to the United States and Indiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do not want the people on the foreign adversary list to be involved with contracts and services, Haggard said. I can say from serving in the military with former enemies, former Soviet folks, is that its actually not the people its those heads of state. And unfortunately, when people come specifically from China, theyre required to have discussions with their folks before they come over here, he continued. These may not be direct agents at the time, but (heads of state) will say, If we need something we will ask you. And if you dont do something, were going to do something bad to your family that remains. This isnt conjecture. Its not hyperbole. Thats a real fact. Is what goes on. And so I dont want to look at any of these people as bad folks, but its just the reality of life. A similar proposal by Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores, would require the governor to terminate economic development deals with companies or firms based in an adversary country, and prohibit the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) from establishing international offices in those countries. Senate Bill 20 has yet to be placed on a hearing calendar. A restriction overhaul As proposed, Haggards bill would prevent the state from signing agreements with companies that are majority-controlled by citizens or residents of adversary nations or are headquartered within one. The proposal does not include people who are dual citizens between the U.S. and a flagged country, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would additionally require individuals and business entities from a foreign adversary to divest from any Indiana entity including corporations, nonprofits, limited liability companies, and partnerships by Jan. 1, 2026. Another section would strike current Indiana law that allows a company from a foreign adversary to enter into a critical infrastructure agreement with Indiana as long as the company doesnt have access or control over that infrastructure system. Instead, language in the bill creates a blanket prohibition, banning all such companies from entering into critical infrastructure agreements. Provisions in the 35-page bill would further take the state attorney generals office with implementing and overseeing a foreign agent registry. Specifically, the bill mandates any agents of a foreign principal to register with the state. The legislation defines agent as a person, business entity, or government who is an employee, representative, servant, a person engaging in political activities, a person who represents the interests of the foreign principal, or a person whose activities are directly or indirectly supervised, directed, controlled, financed, or subsidized by a foreign principal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A foreign principal includes those affiliated with governments, associations, political parties and businesses in several different countries of concern: Burma, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Agents of those nations must provide a lengthy list of information, including their name, business and residential address, nationality, a complete list of employees, and a statement about the character of the agents business or activities. Anyone who has acted as an agent at any time since Jan. 1, 2015, would have to complete retroactive registration with the attorney general by Dec. 31 of this year, according to the bill. What we really dont have now is the ability, or the infrastructure in place, the foundation in place, to have these folks register, have people monitored, Haggard said. A majority of times this may come to light is when you have constituents people, whoever that say, Hey, we think theres an issue here. And so this gives that investigative authority in the foundation, in the infrastructure, within the attorney generals office, to do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, no other state has proposed a similar provision that requires agents of a foreign principal to register with a state agency in an effort to monitor foreign activities within their state, according to the National Agricultural Law Center. AGs office tasked with new registry Erin Tuttle, legislative and policy director for the Indiana Attorney Generals office, explained that foreign agents would additionally be required to disclose themselves as such when interacting with state agencies or public officials; include a disclaimer that they are acting on behalf of a foreign principle on informational materials that are disseminated in Indiana; and make periodic disclosures to the attorney generals office about their relationship with, and the activities taken on behalf of, a foreign principal. Erin Tuttle, legislative and policy director for the Indiana Attorney Generals Office (Photo courtesy Indiana Attorney Generals Office) Importantly, House Bill 1030 does not prohibit a foreign agent from taking any action that is otherwise legal under the law, Tuttle said. It doesnt limit freedom of expression. It does not restrict the publishing of materials or viewpoints, or prevent an agent from engaging in political activities. It simply requires that they register, that they submit documentations of activities conducted on behalf of the foreign principle, and disclose that they are a foreign agent on materials they disseminate, and when theyre interacting with public officials. Haggards bill would allow the attorney generals office to investigate and issue subpoenas if the office is (led) to believe theres been a violation. Potential penalties listed in the bill include injunctions, repayment of gains, a civil penalty of up to $100,000 and other damages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A legislative fiscal analysis estimates the cost for two attorneys and an investigator staffed within the attorney generals office along with expenses for the registry database to be created and maintained will require roughly $563,000 in state funds in fiscal year 2026, and another $418,000 in the following year. Haggard maintained the costs are largely upfront, though. Because the registry unit in the attorney generals office is intended to be self-funding using civil collections to pay for staff and operations future annual appropriations would be lower, he said. Other staff from the attorney generals office reiterated that goal of the foreign agent registry and other investigatory actions that would be carried out by the office are not intended to duplicate existing efforts at the state and federal levels, but rather seek to streamline reporting and enforcement. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (NewsNation) A shooting at a grocery store in Elkhart, Indiana, on Monday left three people dead, including the suspected shooter, and two officers injured, officials said. Elkhart Police received a 911 call about a shooting at Martins Supermarket around 5:30 p.m. Monday, the department said in a statement. When first responders arrived, they were directed to two victims inside the store, who were pronounced dead at the scene. Police officers then engaged the suspect outside the store, the department said in the statement. Two officers received gunshot wounds, and the suspect was shot and killed, Elkhart Police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both injured officers were taken to the hospital. One was treated and released, while the other is still at the hospital, according to police. The Elkhart County Homicide Unit is investigating. There is currently no danger to the public, police said. What is the minimum income to file this years tax return? Police did not release the names of the victims, suspect or involved officers on Monday, saying they needed to wait for families to be notified. Elkhart is about 15 miles east of South Bend, Indiana. In this horrific situation, words cannot express the pain felt in our community when a tragic incident like this happens, Elkhart Police Department Chief Dan Milanese said in a statement. This pain is especially felt by the victims families, the responding officers, the families of the wounded officers, and all the witnesses to this tragic incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson said the citys hearts are broken. Please continue to pray for the victims, including our two police officers who were wounded, our heroic first responders, and those at the incident, Roberson said on Facebook. Those with information on the shooting are asked to call the Elkhart County Homicide Unit at 574-295-2825. 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. An Indiana man who was recently pardoned for his participation in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot was shot and killed during a traffic stop by a sheriff's deputy Sunday. Matthew Huttle, 42, was involved in a traffic stop at 4:15 p.m. by a Jasper County sheriffs deputy, authorities said in a news release. It alleged that Huttle resisted arrest and was found to have a firearm on him. "An altercation took place between the suspect and the officer, which resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding the suspect," the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Patrick Williamson requested an investigation by the Indiana State Police. The deputy was placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with department policy, Williamson said. "Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased as any loss of life is traumatic to those that were close to Mr. Huttle," Williamson said in a statement. "I will release the officer's name once I have approval from the State Police Detectives." No additional details were provided. Matthew Huttle, left, at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Huttle was identified by the Jasper County coroner, who completed an autopsy Monday morning. Huttle was one of many people identified as having taken part in the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in which hundreds of President Donald Trump's supporters broke into the building in an attempt to stop the counting of electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show Huttle entered into an agreement with federal prosecutors in August 2023, pleading guilty to a charge of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds. He was sentenced in November 2023 to six months in federal prison, followed by 12 months of supervised release. That was rendered moot this month when Trump pardoned roughly 1,500 people who were involved in the Jan. 6 riot last week after he was inaugurated. According to the complaint, Huttle was at the Capitol that day with his uncle, and investigators obtained videos uploaded to his own Google account of him there. He could be heard in one of his videos saying that a group of people were going to the Capitol and that he was "going to see if we can get inside." He was identified on security video inside the building, including inside the Capitol's crypt, the complaint said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huttle's uncle also agreed to a plea deal, court records show, and was sentenced to 30 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The complaint says he was identified on video assaulting officers with a flagpole on the steps of the Capitol. He was also pardoned. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com An Indiana man who was recently pardoned for his participation in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot was shot and killed during a traffic stop by a sheriff's deputy Sunday. Matthew Huttle, 42, was involved in a traffic stop at 4:15 p.m. by a Jasper County sheriffs deputy, authorities said in a news release. It alleged that Huttle resisted arrest and was found to have a firearm on him. "An altercation took place between the suspect and the officer, which resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding the suspect," the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Patrick Williamson requested an investigation by the Indiana State Police. The deputy was placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with department policy, Williamson said. "Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased as any loss of life is traumatic to those that were close to Mr. Huttle," Williamson said in a statement. "I will release the officer's name once I have approval from the State Police Detectives." No additional details were provided. Huttle was identified by the Jasper County coroner, who completed an autopsy Monday morning. Huttle was one of many people identified as having taken part in the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in which hundreds of President Donald Trump's supporters broke into the building in an attempt to stop the counting of electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show Huttle entered into an agreement with federal prosecutors in August 2023, pleading guilty to a charge of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds. He was sentenced in November 2023 to six months in federal prison, followed by 12 months of supervised release. That was rendered moot this month when Trump pardoned roughly 1,500 people who were involved in the Jan. 6 riot last week after he was inaugurated. According to the complaint, Huttle was at the Capitol that day with his uncle, and investigators obtained videos uploaded to his own Google account of him there. He could be heard in one of his videos saying that a group of people were going to the Capitol and that he was "going to see if we can get inside." He was identified on security video inside the building, including inside the Capitol's crypt, the complaint said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huttle's uncle also agreed to a plea deal, court records show, and was sentenced to 30 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The complaint says he was identified on video assaulting officers with a flagpole on the steps of the Capitol. He was also pardoned. Rensselaer, Indiana (AP) An Indiana man was fatally shot by a deputy during a traffic stop just days after he was pardoned by President Donald Trump for a misdemeanor related to the 2021 US Capitol riot. Matthew Huttle, 42, of Hobart was killed Sunday by a Jasper County sheriffs deputy, authorities said. State police are investigating. They said the deputy tried to arrest Huttle when an altercation took place between the suspect and the officer, which resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding the suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation also shows that during the traffic stop, the suspect was in possession of a firearm, state police added. No other details were released. Authorities didnt say what might have prompted the traffic stop. Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased as any loss of life is traumatic to those that were close to Mr. Huttle, Sheriff Patrick Williamson said. Nick Barnes, an attorney who was representing Huttle in pending motor vehicle cases in Lake County, said he didnt know the circumstances of the shooting. I plan to find out a lot more about it, Barnes said. In 2023, Huttle was sentenced to six months in custody after pleading guilty to entering a restricted building, the US Capitol. He had traveled with his uncle to Washington to attend the January 6, 2021, pro-Trump rally. Huttle was inside the Capitol for 16 minutes and recorded it on video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is not a true believer in any political cause, defense attorney Andrew Hemmer said in a court filing. He instead went to the rally because he thought it would be a historic moment and he had nothing better to do after getting out of jail for a driving offense. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Jan. 27 (UPI) -- An Indiana man pardoned recently by President Donald Trump for his role in the deadly Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack has been shot and killed after resisting arrest, according to multiple reports. Matthew W. Huttle, of Hobart, was shot and killed Sunday afternoon during a traffic stop, the Indiana State Police confirmed. A preliminary state police investigation indicated that Huttle, 42, was in possession of a firearm when at approximately 4:15 p.m. local time a Jasper County Sheriff's deputy performed a traffic stop on a vehicle on State Route 14 east of C.R. 475 East near the Pulaski County line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear for now why Huttle was pulled over. But according to reports, an "altercation" took place and Huttle "resisted" arrest by the unnamed officer which ultimately "resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding the suspect." An official autopsy was completed Monday afternoon, the Jasper County Coroner confirmed. However, no additional details were provided. Meanwhile, the officer involved was placed on paid administrative leave per policy and standard protocol, said Jasper County Sheriff Patrick Williamson. Williamson says he will release the name of the officer once granted approval by Indiana state police detectives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huttle was among more than 1,500 convicted and later pardoned by Trump for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The FBI says Matthew Huttle was located via surveillance footage inside the building for about 10 minutes but remained on the grounds in multiple spots for several hours. He was arrested with his uncle, Dale Huttle, for taking part in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. Matthew Huttle was later tracked down and arrested in Boise, Idaho. But court records showed that in August 2023 he entered into a plea deal with federal prosecutors to a charge of entering and remaining in a restricted building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have no regrets. I will not say I'm sorry," Dale Huttle, himself a Trump pardon recipient, previously stated. Matthew Huttle was sentenced to six months in federal prison followed by 12 months on supervised release, according to federal records. His prison term ended last year on July 17. But he was not the first recently pardoned rioter to face legal trouble. A Florida man last week was arrested on federal gun charges one day after the president pardoned him. Notably, even longtime Trump loyalists were opposed to the unprecedented pardons of criminal activity. "I have always said that, I think, when you pardon people who attack police officers, you're sending the wrong signal to the public at large," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., as he spoke out against Trump's pardons. Meanwhile, findings of the ongoing investigation into Huttle's death will be submitted for a formal review to the Jasper County Prosecutor's Office. Two people were killed and two police officers were injured in a shooting at a supermarket in Indiana on Monday evening, local police say. Police received a call at 5:30 p.m. about the shooting at Martins Supermarket in the 500 block of East Jackson Boulevard in the city of Elkhart, about 15 miles east of South Bend. Officers found two victims dead inside. Police respond to a deadly shooting at a grocery store in Elkhart, Ind., on Monday. Both of these individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene, Elkhart Police said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said officers engaged the shooter outside the store, and two officers were shot. In the exchange of gunfire, the shooter was shot and killed. Both officers were transported to local hospitals for evaluation. One was treated and released from the hospital and the other remained hospitalized in a "fair but stable condition" as of Monday evening. Police said there is believed be no further danger to the public. The names of the victims, the officers involved and the shooter were not disclosed pending family notifications. Authorities did not say what might have motivated the shooting. The Elkhart County Homicide Unit is handling the investigation and is asking for witnesses to contact the unit at 574-295-2825. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erin Swary, a pregnant mother, NBC affiliate WNDU of South Bend that she was in the store checking out when she heard shots. Then we heard a pop. And honestly, I thought it was a balloon. Call me crazy, but I thought it was a balloon, Swary told the station. After that, I would say there were six to eight more shots, just one right after another So, I was just down on the ground, just frozen. Obviously I didnt want to run when there were still gunshots going, but all I could think while I was down there was of my kids. And, if he came around that corner, I thought would probably gone or shot as well, she added. Elkhart Police Chief Dan Milanese called the shooting a horrific situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Words cannot express the pain felt in our community when a tragic incident like this happens. This pain is especially felt by the victims families, the responding officers, the families of the wounded officers, and all the witnesses to this tragic incident, he said. I want to thank our local law enforcement partners, including the Elkhart County Sheriffs Office and the Indiana State Police, for their support and assistance during this time. I ask for the community to continue to keep all those effected by this horrific event in your thoughts and prayers. Mayor Rod Roberson said in a statement: Our hearts are broken in Elkhart tonight. Please continue to pray for the victims including our two police officers who were wounded, our heroic first responders, and those at the incident. Gov. Mike Braun wrote on X on Monday evening: As details emerge about the shooting in Elkhart, we are in communication with state and local law enforcement." He said that he and his wife, Maureen Braun, were praying for the victims and their families. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com INDIANOLA, Iowa Indianola is enhancing their downtown district by supporting local businesses, revitalizing historic downtown buildings, and developing public art projects. Last summer, Indianola received a Main Street designation by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Main Street Iowa is a part of the Main Street America organization, which provides communities ways to leverage preservation, economic development, and community-building efforts to strengthen their citys downtown. In Indianola, a board of directors was created to help bring their Main Street project to life. The group consists of 11 people. Theyre also creating committees that will focus on different parts of enhancing their downtown. These include design, promotion, economic vitality, and organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive director of Indianola Main Street, Erica Roberts, says the project is in its infancy stages, and this year their main focus is to promote education of the project to residents and business owners. Above is a map of the Indianola Main Street District. The city will create ways to grow and develop businesses within this area of their downtown. We dont have a set timeline. I think its really important that we be mindful of just putting one foot in front of the other and learning this process and going at our own pace is whats going to work best for Indianola, said Roberts. There are over 50 main street communities in Iowa, and Roberts says being able to learn from them has been helpful for their own project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think thats probably been one of my favorite parts, being part of 52 other communities, and having network, and being able to leverage those communities that are going through the exact same thing you are, has been a tremendous amount of support, she said. There will be a workshop, called HEART Workshop, where local businesses can learn more about the program. It will take place on February 10th from 9 a.m. to noon at the Sagewood Events Venue. They also launched a new website as well. In the Fall of 2023, the city was awarded $125,000 to put into the downtown district. The funding was used to maintain, preserve, and improve downtown aesthetics to elevate local business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further, in June 2024, the city was awarded $650,000 by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) to support revitalization efforts of eight historic downtown buildings. Earlier this month, the Indianola Public Arts Commission (IPAC) announced its Illuminate Indianola initiative. They plan to enhance the alleyway between 111 and 115 N Buxton Street to the Indianola Downtown Square by adding murals and lights to the alleyway. These projects will also enhance the area within the future Indianola Main Street. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- An inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian elections is calling on intelligence agencies and the federal government to urgently reform how they respond to meddling by China, India and other state actors before the next national vote. Most Read from Bloomberg Canada is expected to hold an election within months, and Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue said about half of the 51 recommendations she makes in her final report should be implemented before citizens head to the ballot box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trust in Canadas democratic institutions has been shaken, and it is imperative to restore it, Hogue said in the report released Tuesday. The government must step up its efforts in educating and informing the public about foreign interference. So far, its efforts in this regard have been piecemeal and underwhelming. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau established the inquiry after media reports alleged China interfered with Canadas 2019 and 2021 elections. Hogues report, based on public hearings and classified documents, concludes that while China and other countries attempted to meddle, the overall results werent impacted both elections brought to power a minority Liberal government led by Trudeau. Still, Hogue raises alarm about foreign interference and makes a sweeping set of recommendations to improve detection, reporting and transparency. They include that the government should develop a declassification system that allows it to reveal some secret information, and that it should create a point of contact or hotline for the public to report foreign interference. She also says only Canadian citizens and permanent residents should be eligible to vote in nomination and leadership contests, and the government should consider creating a system of public funding for political parties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No Traitors Some of Hogues key findings run counter to media reporting that has rocked Canadas capital of Ottawa. A report by a committee of parliamentarians in June 2024 made the bombshell claim that some Canadian lawmakers were semi-witting or witting participants in foreign meddling, prompting calls from journalists and members of Parliament alike for these individuals to be named. Hogue says she found no evidence of traitors in Parliament plotting with foreign states to act against Canada. Although a few cases involving foreign officials attempting to curry favor with lawmakers have come to light, the phenomenon remains marginal and largely ineffective. She does, however, disclose that a former opposition member was suspected of working to influence parliamentary business for a foreign government. Hogue also examines Canadas expulsion of Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei in May 2023, an incident that at the time was widely portrayed as connected to alleged intimidation of Canadian Conservative lawmaker Michael Chongs family in Hong Kong. Hogue says, in fact, the consensus view of the Canadian national security community was that Zhao was not involved in interference related to Chong. Instead, his ejection was part of a series of escalatory diplomatic steps to condemn Chinas foreign meddling in general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hogue does identify some isolated cases where foreign interference may have impacted results of a nomination contest or an election in a specific district. These include the nomination of Han Dong, a Toronto-area lawmaker who stepped aside from the Liberal caucus after allegations arose that Chinese officials bussed in international students to support his candidacy. He denies involvement. Hogue also found the Chinese government may have been involved in disinformation targeting the Conservative Party and one of its candidates, Kenny Chiu, during the 2021 election. She stressed that the evidence could not establish a definitive link and that the Tories shared her view that the meddling did not impact the overall election outcome. It is no exaggeration to say that at this juncture, information manipulation (whether foreign or not) poses the single biggest risk to our democracy, Hogue said. It is an existential threat. Disinformation Campaign Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hogue finds that India is the second most active country engaging in foreign interference in Canada. It uses disinformation as a key tactic that may be used more often in the future, and it may have attempted to clandestinely provide financial support to preferred candidates during the 2021 election without their knowledge, she writes. India may have launched a disinformation campaign against Trudeau following his allegation that the country orchestrated the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil, Hogue also suggests. She says several media outlets aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi amplified this campaign, including narratives that Trudeau and Canadian institutions were enablers of terrorism. Hogue also singles out Russia, Iran and Pakistan for engaging in foreign interference in Canada, albeit to a lesser extent. Canada must hold a national election by October, but it is expected sooner. The Liberal Party is selecting a replacement for Trudeau as leader and prime minister by March 9. The new leader may choose to call an election at that point, or wait for one to be triggered by a non-confidence motion that opposition parties have promised to back soon after Parliament resumes March 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another of Hogues recommendations is that all party leaders should be encouraged to obtain top-secret security clearances. Trudeau has criticized Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre currently leading in the polls for refusing to get his clearance. Poilievre has argued it would muzzle his criticism of the government as he wouldnt be able to speak publicly about classified briefings. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. The United Nations estimates that about 200,000 displaced Palestinians have returned to the shattered northern part of the Gaza Strip since Israel authorized their movement on Monday. CBS News' team in Gaza followed one man among the masses making the trek back home, to see what was left of his life before the war. Men, women, children and even entire families set off as soon as the Israeli military pulled its troops out and opened the road stretching from north to south along Gaza's Mediterranean coast for the first time in more than a year. Since Monday, the coast road has been a slow-flowing river of people on the move, most of them unsure what 15 months of bombing and warfare has left of their neighborhoods. People walk along Gaza's coastal al-Rashid Street to cross the Netzarim corridor from the southern Gaza Strip into the north, Jan. 27, 2025. / Credit: OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP/Getty As the displaced make their way back north, carrying what few belongings they can, Hamas fighters have kept watch, and they've been on a charm offensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was their brutal Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel that sparked the devastating war. But their visible presence throughout Gaza also makes the point that, despite Israel's stated goal of destroying the group with its counterattack, Hamas remains not only there, but in charge. Among the thousands walking up the dusty coast road on Monday was Monzer al-Sharafi, who had spent months in a tent with many members of his family. "Life in the tent is unbearable. It is painful and saddening," he told CBS News as his daughter helped him gather a few belongings for the long walk back north. "In the summer, we are baked like in an oven, and in winter, we feel like we are in a freezer." Still, as he left his loved ones behind, al-Sharafi was apprehensive. Monzer al-Sharafi, center, sits with his family outside the tent in Deir al-Balah, in the southern Gaza Strip, where they've lived after being displaced for 15 months from their home in the northern part of the Palestinian territory by the Israel-Hamas war, Jan. 27, 2025. / Credit: CBS News "I will check what is going on and come back," he said, kissing his daughter. "Inshallah, everything will be alright." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is mixed feelings," he said, "but I am dancing with joy. I wonder if my house is still standing or not. I am going to meet my parents there. I haven't seen them for 15 months. I've been in the south and they've been in the north. I am excited, but I still have mixed feelings... it's the sadness we've endured, and it's the joy of meeting our loved ones and stopping the bloodbath in Gaza." He met some old friends along the way, and they all seemed amazed and overjoyed to find themselves and each other alive. But the joy of the three-hour homeward walk was tempered by the destruction all around al-Sharafi along the coast road. It did nothing to ease the anxiety over what was waiting at the end of the journey. "What is all this destruction? Our beautiful Gaza is no longer pretty. The IDF destroyed everything They destroyed the trees, the buildings, and the human beings," he told CBS News. "I see destruction everywhere I look. I can't recognize the streets and my way in Gaza. I feel like I am a foreigner. It feels like I left Gaza for 15 years, not 15 months." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At last, he reached his old neighborhood in the city of Jabalia. He bent down to kiss the ground, but al-Sharafi said he couldn't believe his eyes at the level of destruction. He did, however, find his parents, alive and as well as could be expected. It was his father who delivered the gut-punch, when al-Sharafi said he wanted to go and find his apartment building. "It is completely flattened, to the ground now," his father told him. "It doesn't matter, you are safe!" consoled his mother. Monzer al-Sharafi picks through the rubble of his destroyed home in Jabalia, northern Gaza, Jan. 27, 2025. / Credit: CBS News "This is my where I spent my childhood, and my life," he told CBS News, looking at the spot where home had been. There was almost nothing left. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is my mattress and this is my sweater. This is my children's bag," he said, picking through the rubble. "This is my daughter's teddy bear," he said, breaking down in tears. "I lost all my memories. My home is gone, my family photos are gone. We don't have a home anymore." U.S. allies balk as Trump suggests relocating Palestinians from Gaza Like hundreds of thousands of other returnees in Gaza, the future for al-Sharafi, even if the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas does hold, is entirely uncertain. But he said he was determined to rebuild his life, with his family, in the place they have always called home. Palestinian Monzer al-Sharafi clutches his daughter Lulu's teddy bear, after finding it in the ruins of his family's home in Jabalia, northern Gaza, Jan. 27, 2025. / Credit: CBS News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I left my family in the tent because I was certain the journey from the south to the north would be painful," he explained. "I'd hoped to at least find a room still standing. Sadly, they are in a tent there, and I will bring them here to another tent. I will bring them from one hard place to another. I will take my daughter Lulu's teddy bear. This is the only thing left, and I will take it to our tent in the south." Then, through the tears and despair, shone al-Sharafi's resilience. "We will rebuild our home again. We will rebuild it even if they destroy it a million times. This is our land, and it is our soil." U.S. troops head to southern border as deportations continue Lawsuit claims utility company's equipment sparked Eaton Fire Displaced Palestinians continue to return to what's left of homes A top Department of Justice official and former criminal defense attorney for Donald Trump joined federal law enforcement agents and administration officials on the ground in Chicago this weekend to carry out a series of immigration arrests after weeks of heightened tensions among immigrant communities bracing for threats. Trumps border czar Tom Homan was joined by acting deputy U.S. Attorney General Emil Bove, along with officials from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and other agencies after the Department of Homeland Security broadly expanded immigration enforcement authorities across federal law enforcement. The groups were also joined by Phil McGraw, aka television personality Dr. Phil, who joined agents for ride-alongs and used the raids and arrests as content for his newly launched Merit TV platform. Acting Deputy U.S. Attorney General Emil Bove speaks with federal law enforcement agents and Donald Trumps border czar Tom Homan during an immigration enforcement operation in Chicago on January 26 (Drug Enforcement Administration) We will support everyone at the federal, state and local levels who joins this critical mission to take back our communities, said Bove, who was selected for the third-highest role at the Justice Department after representing Trump during his so-called hush money trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will use all available tools to address obstruction and other unlawful impediments to our efforts to protect the homeland, he added. Most importantly, we will not rest until the work is done. A statement from Immigration and Customs Enforcement labeled the actions enhanced targeted operations designed to enforce U.S. immigration law and preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities. The agency reported the arrests of 286 people on Saturday and 956 people on Sunday in operations across the country. Communities are frightened and confused Chicago-area residents started to see ICE agents and unmarked black trucks appear in their neighborhoods early on Sunday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melissas parents hid in their attic after they saw ICE agents arrive outside their home on Sunday morning. They took our neighbors dad, she told the Chicago Tribune. My parents were crying. We are terrified. She told the newspaper that her family had been in the country for more than two decades. She said her parents do not have a criminal record. Another woman, a volunteer with a nonprofit group that runs a food pantry, told the newspaper she had received a threatening phone call days before the raids telling her if there were a lot of migrants at the pantry, you better hope ICE doesnt show up. She hung up the phone immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The community is very frightened, Nubia Willman, chief programs officer with Chicagos Latinos Progresando, told The Independent. Families are pulling children out of school, even in families with lawful status, over a climate of heightened anxiety and fear, she said Tom Homan, center, joined federal law enforcement agencies during an immigration enforcement action in Chicago on January 27 after promising that the city would be ground zero for Trumps mass deportation agenda (Drug Enforcement Administration) Following Trumps election, Homan gloated to Chicago Republicans that the Windy City would be ground zero for the presidents large-scale deportation operation. Immigrant advocacy and civil rights groups told The Independent they have been working with communities to provide legal aid and know your rights training to prepare for any potential law enforcement interactions. A blitz of executive actions and shifting policies within Trumps first week in office has created a dizzying amount of confusion and disinformation within immigrant communities, Willman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Communities are also on high alert after Chicago school officials initially reported that ICE agents were blocked from entering an elementary school. On Friday, Chicago Public Schools officials held a press conference alleging ICE agents had tried to enter a majority-Latino elementary school in the south side of Chicago, days after the Trump administration rescinded policy that prevented enforcement actions in places like schools, churches and other sensitive areas. But the agents turned out to be with the Secret Service which also operates under Homeland Security responding to an unrelated threat. School officials initially claimed staff at Chicagos majority-Latino Hamline Elementary School had stopped ICE agents from entering the school on January 24, but they were Secret Service agents responding to an unreleated investigation (REUTERS) Chicagos Welcoming City Ordinance limits local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities in most cases. The ordinance does not stop federal authorities from doing work within their jurisdiction, but these types of laws create a barrier to ensure constitutional rights are protected, Willman said. Dr. Phils made-for-TV stunt On his Merit TV, McGraw can be seen with Homan approaching a man in handcuffs early Sunday morning Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What have you been charged with? McGraw asked him. Charged with? the main replied. Before, McGraw responded. Im not going to say nothing, the man said. I want to talk to my lawyer. McGraw continued to question him, including asking whether or his family members are citizens. His apparent attempt to extract an admission from a suspect was roundly condemned by civil rights groups. If they think that kind of thing is going to lend credibility that will be a mistake, according to Ed Yohnka, director of communications and public policy at the ACLU of Illinois. The spectacle of large-scale arrests was more of a made-for-TV stunt than any kind of meaningful type of immigration enforcement, he told The Independent. JUST IN: The first arrest in Chicago with @RealTomHoman was a convicted sex offender and internet predator from Thailand. For full live coverage of the operation, download the MeritTV app. pic.twitter.com/KEcphUWDDJ Dr. Phil (@DrPhil) January 27, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arrests were largely targeted arrests with a judicial warrant that were following protocols that had been in place for a long time, and didnt involve the mass dragnet that had been predicted, he said. It was done in a way that creates more fear and confusion, he said. It not only appears to be a show of force but a show of force for purposes of making a political statement. Homan told McGraw that federal authorities were targeting 300 people in Chicago, including 150 people who had previously been held in police custody. Lawsuit blasts brazen threats to immigrants One day before federal agents descended on the city, a coalition of immigrant advocacy groups and community organizations sued the Trump administration for its brazen attempt to stomp out the sanctuary city movement and run roughshod over the First Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit from Organized Communities Against Deportation, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council and Raise the Floor Alliance argues that the administration is illegally targeting Chicago for its status as as sanctuary city, and that threats to revoke federal funding and deport immigrants are likely violations of the First and Fourth amendments. Threats are already forcing communities to cancel Spanish-language church services and other gatherings out of fear that they will become targets. Plaintiffs each on its own behalf and on behalf of its membership, wish to continue engaging in their First Amendment-protected activities to the fullest extent possible, but, as a result of defendants past, present, and likely future conduct, are deterred from doing so, according to the lawsuit. Six people were taken to hospital, and many more were injured after a United Airlines flight from Lagos heading to Washington D.C. experienced a sudden in-flight movement. The United States has opened a probe into the unexpected movement, as the cause is still unknown. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Monday it is investigating the flight that left Lagos, Nigeria in the early hours of Friday morning for what is usually a six-hour flight to Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NTSB said the incident on United Flight 613 occurred as the Boeing 787 was flying in Ivory Coast airspace, whose authorities have delegated the investigation to the NTSB, Reuters reports. Data from FlightRadar shows the flight leaving Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at 19 minutes past midnight, and approximately an hour and a half into the flight the plane makes a U-turn over the Ivory Coast and heads back to Nigeria. The flight then made an emergency landing back in its departure airport in Lagos around three hours after it took off. Footage on social media shows meal plates and personal items flung onto the floor in the aisle, while passengers can be heard shouting and sounding distressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement United said in a statement the plane experienced a technical issue and an unexpected aircraft movement. The airline added the plane landed safely in Lagos, where four passengers and two flight attendants were seen in hospital for injuries they sustained, and have since been released. While the airline described the injuries as minor, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (Faan) said the injuries sustained by the six were serious. They also added that an additional 27 passengers and five crew members also had minor injuries. It is unclear what caused the sudden jolt to the plane. United said it was not severe turbulence and that it is working with aviation authorities in the US and Nigeria to understand the cause, according to CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flight was carrying 245 passengers, eight flight attendants and three pilots at the time of the incident. Faan said that aerodrome rescue and fire fighting services, as well as medical and security personnel, were already at the gate waiting for the planes arrival after the pilot reported distress at 1.20am. It added that the passengers who did not need to be seen in hospital received first aid and were discharged immediately, while some passengers were also taken to a hotel. The aircraft itself did not sustain any major damage, Faan said. The Independent has contacted United for comment. For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) As Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids continue in some cities nationally, the Trump administration intends to allow arrests to happen in schools and houses of worship. Under the Biden administration, ICE was barred from making arrests at locations like schools and churches. That changed last week when the acting director for the Department of Homeland Security altered the policy, saying it will help agents end the invasion at the U.S. southern border and empower law enforcement to protect Americans. Criminals will no longer be able to hide in Americas schools and churches to avoid arrest, the spokesperson added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE arrests 956 Sunday as nationwide raids continue The Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids has a service that gives legal help to immigrants from several dozen countries seeking to become citizens. Nicole Iraola is the offices director of immigration legal services. As the presidents deportation plan kicks into action, Iraola said she sees people expressing uncertainty and fear. What do we do if immigration shows up?' Iraola said she has heard. Is my mom who has a green card going to be OK? Is my U.S. citizen child going to lose their citizenship because I was undocumented when they were born?' Court temporarily blocks Trump order on birthright citizenship Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iraola said she worries people will be afraid to come to mass as a result. The fear is that people are trying to exercise their right to practice their religion and are entering sacred spaces where they are accustomed to feeling the most safe and the most welcome, she said. Now theres a deterrent coming into play. People are afraid now if they go to practice their religion, they may inadvertently end up in U.S. custody. Countries have their rights to protect their borders and enforce immigration policies, but we believe here we should protect people who are here and help them if theyre entitled to immigration benefits, she added. Grand Rapids Public Schools has already emailed staff instructing them about what to do if ICE comes to a school. That includes requesting identification, asking the ICE officer to remain in the lobby while connecting them with the principal and calling school public safety or legal counsel if necessary. It also tells staff to remain silent and not sign or provide any documentation. Staff and principals will have mandatory training over the next few weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our main message to our family and our scholars is that you belong at GRPS, GRPS spokesman Lucas Stier said. Every child in our community has a right to an education, and were here to provide a safe learning environment for kids to be able to come every day. MI Immigration Court service stopped by executive order The district also plans on putting up new signs for visitor protocol outside buildings. No matter what happens, were going to be a safe and welcoming place for our kids, Stier added. BOARD OF EDUCATION WORK SESSION The GRPS Board of Education held a special work session Monday night to discuss its response going forward and hear public comment from the community. Every one of the more than two-dozen people who spoke to the board advocated for strong policy that will protect children at school. Many campaigned for the board to declare GRPS a sanctuary district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every day I go to school with the fear that my sisters will get picked up, or that I will get picked up, said an emotional current GRPS student. My parents brought me to this country three years ago. I am good here. I get good grades, I have good friends. I dont want to leave. I dont want to be scared of going back to my country and the violence I escaped from. Please, please make the schools a sanctuary, another student said. Everyone is scared. My parents are scared and their immigration status is good. Theyre citizens. Theyre residents. Kids wont come to school if it isnt safe. Parents wont send their kids. ICE operation rumors hit West Michigan communities Following public comment, the work session began. First, the board established facts about their current policies and procedures if ICE were to visit a building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do not and will not collect immigration status of students. People cant just walk into a building and start asking for information, GRPS Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby said. The only legal paperwork that would compel us to cooperate is a judicial order signed by a judge. Without that, we will not confirm enrollment or attendance of students. As for action in the near future, all frontline school staff that would be the ones to interact with ICE will receive mandatory training for how to handle that situation over the next two weeks. Finally, a possible resolution or statement from the district was discussed, alongside the possibility of declaring GRPS a sanctuary district. Some trustees worried that official language from the district would stoke unnecessary fear in the community, or risk retribution from Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We may make ourselves a target by making these types of statements. The fact of the matter is we have a fiduciary responsibility to make sure we are protecting all children and fiduciary responsibility to preserve our funding, one trustee said, while adding that those concerns do not necessarily mean she is opposed to a resolution. I do agree we need to strike a balance of not instilling fear in our community, but I think the Trump Administration has already done that enough. I personally dont believe that by us not saying anything our families will be safer, a trustee said. One of President Trumps executive orders says that any sanctuary jurisdictions could lose federal funding. The boards next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 10. 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. ST. LOUIS The City Justice Center is under interim leadership following recent years of issues, city officials announced Monday. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones announced the appointment of Doug Burris as the new jail commissioner. With decades of high-level experience in corrections, Burris is tasked with tackling severe understaffing, overcrowding, and inmate conditions. Jones emphasized Burris proven track record of success at a news conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Doug was asked to take over the St. Louis County Jail, that facility was facing some serious challenges. By the time he left, it received the highest accreditation scores of any jail in the country, Jones said. The justice center has been plagued with poor conditions, jail deaths, and even riots at times. Burris has plans to address all these issues. I talked to attorneys that are suing the jail who gave me great information on how to better the jail. I think we are on the verge of some great things that are going to happen immediately. Youll see things in the coming few weeks, he said. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News The St. Louis Detention Facilities Oversight Board has been calling for reform for years, and Chairman Rev. Darryl Gray says Burris appointment feels like progress. Doug didnt say anything that we havent been sayingCome to some of our meetings; none of this is new, but Doug is. So hopefully, the fact that administration brought him in, maybe they will listen to him because they sure wasnt listening to us, Gray said. Burris received 35 recommendations for improvements, such as increasing staff with a professional recruitment agency, improving detainee conditions through assessing nonviolent detainees for alternative placements, and enhancing jail operations by pursuing accreditation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones told FOX 2 she is pushing for several of these recommendations to be done within Burris first 60 days of his tenure. The public safety director added that they are looking for a permanent jail commissioner while Burris fills the role. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Interior Department and EPA employees must return to the office full time next month as federal agencies work to implement a presidential order designed to curb telework and remote work. In an internal memorandum sent late Friday to Interiors roughly 70,000 employees, acting Interior Secretary Walter Cruickshank wrote that all telework employees working from home must be back in the office no later than Feb. 23. Cruickshanks memo also directs all remote staff who reside within a 50-mile radius of their originating Interior duty station to also return to work in-person on a full-time basis by that deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate internal memo, acting EPA Administrator James Payne told agency staff that all regular telework and remote work agreements will be rescinded to align with President Donald Trump's order and Office of Personnel Management guidance, while excusing those with a disability, a medical condition or "other compelling reason" certified by the agency head and their boss. EPA staff should expect to be in the office on a daily basis by Feb. 24, the memo said. "The agency will require employees on telework and remote work agreements to report to an agency worksite full-time as soon as practicable and not later than February 24, 2025," Payne wrote in the email sent to staff late Friday. Paynes memo also applies to employees who are within 50 miles of their original work site but adds that the agency will assign a work site to others based on their job functions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two memos underscore the rapid pace in which the agencies are moving to implement Trumps order to reduce telework and remote work for federal employees. The order was among more than a dozen that Trump issued on his first day in office. But the memos from the two acting agency heads raise a lot of questions. Paynes email states, "The foregoing is subject to any collective bargaining obligations and applicable law." That means Trump's return-to-office push could run headfirst into EPAs union contracts, many of which include telework and remote work protections. Cruickshanks far more detailed memo to Interior staff includes similar language regarding staffers covered by union contracts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Cruickshank, unlike Payne, wrote that Interior will seek to apply this requirement broadly to all teleworking employees covered by collective bargaining agreements in accordance with applicable labor management obligations. Cruickshank also wrote that the agency will attempt to apply these conditions to employees who reside within 50 miles of an originating Interior duty station, and who are covered by collective bargaining agreements. The only listed exceptions to both telework and remote work are due to a disability, qualifying medical condition, or other compelling reason certified by the agency head and the employee's supervisor, he said. Its not clear how many Interior agency staffers will be affected. An Interior Department spokesperson said the agency had no comment on the memo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its also unclear what impact Paynes memo will have on EPAs union members. American Federation of Government Employees Council 238, the agency's largest union, which represents more than 8,000 EPA employees, reached its latest collective bargaining agreement last summer. Under that deal, those bargaining unit staffers must report to the office twice during a two-week pay period. Employees at EPA and various Interior agencies are also represented by the National Treasury Employees Union. NTEU chapters at the National Park Service and EPA, for example, ratified collective bargaining agreements after Trumps Election Day victory in November, which also included teleworking protections. Another murky union situation is the status of more than 200 employees at the Bureau of Land Managements national headquarters office that organized more than two years ago as NTEU Chapter 341. The chapter had been working to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The status of that collective bargaining agreement is unclear at the moment. BLM is challenging aspects of the union contract, according to two agency staffers with knowledge of the situation, granted anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly. BLM last week sent an email response to questions from POLITICO's E&E News that said the bureau is gathering information on the status of the collective bargaining agreement with NTEU, and declined to comment further. We may have substantive information to provide at a later date, according to the statement. An NTEU spokesperson declined to comment. Other details The memo and new deadline to return to the office allow Interior and EPA to comply with a guidance memo issued Wednesday by the Office of Personnel Management that outlined steps for implementing Trump's executive order to reduce telework for federal employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also complies with mandates in that memo to notify OPM of an exact date their agencies will be in "full compliance" with the new telework policy. OPMs guidance recommended agencies set "a target date of approximately 30 days" from the time Trump issued the order, "subject to any exclusions granted by the agency and any collective bargaining obligations. Cruickshanks memo also addresses future hiring practices, instructing each bureau or office to cease all recruitment and hiring actions for which the position has previously been designated as remote. For those positions already filled, the memo instructs that once that position is vacant, the bureau or office must advertise and hire with clear requirements that the selectees will report to a designated Interior National Office, Bureau Regional/State Office, or other local area Interior office. Cruickshanks memo notes there are exceptions that will be extended on a case-by-case basis. But the memo notes that requests to be excused from this requirement "must be made in writing to the appropriate Bureau/Office Head, who will consult with the Department's Chief Human Capital Officer, and, if recommended for approval by the Bureau/Office Head, will be sent to the Interior secretary or the Secretary's designee, and the appropriate supervisors for approval. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) An internal email among Mobile County Public School System officials laid out a to-do list to guard students from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. UPDATE: Victim identified Chickasaw shooting seems to be self-defense, MCSO says The email, which has since been retracted, was sent to a number of MCPSS employees on Monday morning. It was sent by an employee of the school systems English as a Second Language department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assistant Superintendent Terrence Mixon said the email was sent without approval and without seeking guidance from the MCPSS Leadership Team. The email directed school employees to text the senders cell phone if ICE shows up on an MCPSS campus. In the email, the ELS employee said families should not be penalized for keeping their children home as a precaution. Mixon said this is not true. All students are to report to school daily, and no authorization has been given stating that students will not be penalized for unexcused absences, Mixon said. We will continue to follow our normal enrollment and withdrawal procedures through our Student Support Services Division. We apologize for any misunderstanding or misconceptions that have been caused by the email this morning, which was not approved and is officially rescinded, Mixon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mixon said MCPSS will continue to follow all federal mandates, including compliance if federal agents show up on campus. Last week, President Donald Trump granted ICE the power to make arrests in schools and churches, rescinding a 2011 guideline that prevented arrests in so-called sensitive areas. An estimated 733,000 school-aged children are in the country illegally, according to the Associated Press. Fairhope man arrested on child pornography charges: Baldwin County Sheriffs Office WKRG reached out to ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. CBP said they have no plans to conduct business on school campuses. WKRG is waiting to hear back from ICE. 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 WKRG News 5. Stop talking Britain down. Thats the message from Rachel Reeves, our famously cheery Chancellor, who has called on every one of us to help attract more foreign investment into our country by talking up the countless wonderful things about life in the UK today. I think we do need more positivity, Ms Reeves told a newspaper at the weekend. Ive challenged businesses and said no one else is going to speak up for Britain apart from us. We are absolutely fantastic as a country. We should be shouting from the rooftops. I agree. So, for the benefit of any foreign business leaders, tech tycoons or senior figures in the Chinese Communist Party reading this column, heres why you should rush to invest in Britain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First of all, our incredible diversity. In 21st-century global Britain, theres a place for everyone. Literally everyone. Whether youre the leader of a grooming gang, an Albanian drug kingpin, a machete-wielding lunatic or a member of an Islamist terror group, you can be certain that our political superiors will welcome you with open arms and that our world-beating human rights lawyers will ensure youre never made to leave. A key reason why we attract so many millions of newcomers is the glorious vibrancy of our culture. Our actors, artists and authors lead the global field in vacuous sermonising about climate change, performative railing against Donald Trump and pretending to think its perfectly fine and healthy for gender-confused adolescent girls to have their breasts cut off. Our celebrated museums, art galleries and conservation charities are proudly dedicated to showing the world just how uniquely shameful Britains history is. And then of course theres our national broadcaster, respected across the planet for the outstanding quality of the programmes it used to make. From the latest breaking news about drag queens to topical satire that fearlessly holds the Governments critics to account, the BBC reflects the full spectrum of metropolitan liberal opinion. But thats not all. If you invest in Britain, youll be able to benefit from public services that are the envy of the Third World. Take our beloved NHS, where, within days of calling for an ambulance, patients receive life-ending treatment in state-of-the-art hospital corridors. Then there are our prestigious universities, where the young learn about everything from the evils of whiteness to the dangers of free speech. And theres our peerless public transport, enabling commuters whose cars have been wrecked by our world-leading potholes to wait 40 minutes for a delayed train driven by a man who recently received a 15 per cent pay rise and is now demanding another. Meanwhile, prospects for growth in GDP are excellent, now that our Chancellor has moved to tackle the three root causes of the nations economic underperformance: pensioners putting the heating on, farmers growing food, and businesses hiring staff. With each of these problems behind us, Britain will soon be booming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In summary: there has never been a more exciting time to invest in the UK. Whether youre planning to open a chain of hotels for asylum seekers, a money-laundering barbershop or a car wash manned entirely by illegal immigrants, 21st-century Britain is the place to do it. And, as a business leader, youll always have the stability and certainty of knowing that our Government will still be enforcing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion long after every other Western country has had the sense to abandon it. So back Britain. Please. Well never be able to afford Ed Milibands new solar farms if you dont. Sick joke In June 1968, Philip Larkin wrote a letter to his girlfriend Monica, deploring the misplaced priorities of the then Labour government. Defence of the realm, the Tory-voting poet believed, should come before all else yet the governments spending plans suggested that it disagreed. Now I see someone boasting that in a few years time we shall be spending more on education than defence, wrote an alarmed Larkin in disbelief. This shocks me to the core. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In which case, goodness knows how he would feel if he were still around today. Last year we spent over twice as much on education as we did on defence. But he would be even more horrified to learn the following fact, reported the other day in a story about our ever-ballooning welfare bill. Incredibly, we now spend more on sickness benefits than we do on defence. Almost 65 billion on the former last year, versus a mere 53.9 billion on the latter. If that thought terrifies you, look on the bright side. Feeling all this anxiety will mean that you qualify to receive sickness benefits, too. Way of the World is a twice-weekly satirical look at the headlines aiming to mock the absurdities of the modern world. It is published at 7am every Tuesday and Saturday 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. An investigation into a shooting that left a 20-year-old man injured in Galesburg continues, according to a news release from Galesburg Police. (OurQuadCities.com) Shortly before 2:30 a.m. Monday, officers responded to the 200 block of North Chambers Street in reference to gunfire. A 20-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his abdomen was located. He was transported by Galesburg Hospital Ambulance Service (GHAS) to OSF St. Marys Emergency Room, where he was treated for his injury. A house in the 200 block of North Chambers Street was found to have bullet holes on the exterior of the house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No other victims were found, the release says. The investigation is ongoing. As of Monday night, names are not being released. Police ask that anyone with information about the incident contact Galesburg Police at 309-343-9151, or the Galesburg Area Crime Stoppers at 309-344-0044. Tips can also be left using the p3 mobile app or by clicking on submit a tip on the Galesburg Police Department Facebook page. The Galesburg Police Department was assisted by the Knox County Sheriffs Department and the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW YORK The Citys Department of Investigation found top police officials violated the NYPDs social media policy when they penned posts attacking journalists, a judge and an elected official. New York City deserves public officials who use social media responsibly, to communicate accurate information and to prompt respectful dialogue on issues of importance to the community, and not as a means to ridicule those with whom they disagree, DOI Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber said in a statement. No aspect of the social media exchanges that DOI reviewed in this investigation served the public. DOIs inspector general for the NYPD examined social media posts made on X through August by now-Chief of Department John Chell, Deputy Commissioner for Operations Kaz Daughtry and the NYPDs general X account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The probe, which was launched after a complaint from City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, outlined several instances of problematic behavior. In February, Chell wrote that a Supreme court judge set free a predator back into the community, who may be on your next train, or walking the streets of our city. DOI noted that Chell in addition to naming the wrong judge potentially put the jurist in harms way with his rhetoric. A reply to Chells tweet read: This is sickening. I wonder where the judge resides. Chell also engaged in a heated back and forth with an attorney who grilled New York City Mayor Eric Adams on an episode of The Breakfast Club, a widely syndicated radio program, at one point challenging her to meet him on Long Island for the funeral of a fallen NYPD officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also repeatedly mocked a Daily News columnist for printing an incorrect homicide statistic in a piece critical of the NYPDs subway safety efforts before correcting the error. At one point, the NYPD X account coined a Trumpian nickname for the scribe, calling him Harry Deceitful Siegel. The problem is that besides your flawed reporting is the fact that now we are calling you and your latte friends out on their garbage, Chell wrote. The high-ranking police officer also appeared to encourage voters to go against a left-leaning member of the City Council who was critical of the way the administration policed protests of the Israel-Gaza war at New York City Universities. The report found the NYPDs social media policy was out of sync with citywide policy and that individual members like Chell and Daughtry strayed from the oversight of the departments press shop. The investigation did not, however, reach a conclusion on whether the posts constituted prohibited political activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We appreciate DOIs comprehensive report, the police department said in a statement. As the report notes, the NYPD has already made significant changes to its social media practices. We look forward to reviewing the report and recommendations. While DOI noted the problematic posts subsided after the start of the probe, investigators also wrote the mayor expressed support for Chells conduct. Not only did the mayor suggest publicly that the conduct of council members and others also be taken into account during any investigation, he explicitly said the NYPD has a right to their own opinions. DOIs inspector general for the NYPD, Jeanene Barrett, did not agree with how those opinions were expressed. It is inappropriate for NYPD to use its platform to target and demean journalists, elected officials, and other members of the public, Barrett said in a statement. The measures NYPD has taken to improve oversight and depersonalize interactions reflect steps in the right direction; however, consistent oversight is key. The state Office of Inspector General is investigating after a New York man died by suicide over the weekend while in custody at the Stamford Police Department. The incident occurred on Sunday after 36-year-old Jamal Linton of Brooklyn, New York was arrested just after 7:30 a.m. by Stamford police and charged with second-degree assault, second-degree strangulation and violation of a protective order, according to the Inspector Generals Office. Linton was held on a $75,000 bond at the detection area of the police department while he awaited a court appearance on Monday. He was found unresponsive in his cell just after 5:40 p.m., the Inspector Generals Office said. Officers provided Linton with first aid before he was taken to Stamford Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:26 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Office of the Inspector General, it appeared as though Linton had suffocated himself using a ligature. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on Monday and determined the cause of death to be a hanging. The death was ruled a suicide. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing. Investigations have been launched against Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over the release of a Libyan wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The right-wing politician announced the development herself in a video message posted on social media on Tuesday. She said she was being investigated for allegedly aiding and abetting a war crimes suspect. Osama Almasri Najeem, head of the Libyan criminal investigation department, was released last week after being arrested in Turin a few days earlier on an ICC warrant for war crimes. The court in The Hague said it had not been informed of the release and had therefore demanded an explanation from Italy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meloni's government has been criticized since the release of the Libyan, who is also the head of a detention centre in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. According to several media reports, Almasri Najeem was flown back to the Libyan capital in an Italian state aeroplane. The man had initially been released due to a "legal technicality," the government explained. The police who arrested him had not informed the Ministry of Justice in Rome about the detention, as required. After a court refused to confirm his detention, the government ordered his deportation due to his "social danger". Meloni added that the public prosecutor was also investigating Justice Minister Carlo Nordio and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that Meloni is under investigation does not mean that formal charges will necessarily follow against her and the ministers. Italy has close ties with the Libyan government. The country's coast guard often picks up migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean and returns them to Libya, preventing many people from continuing their journey and arriving on Italy's shores. Iowa lawmakers proposed removing various regulations from home schools and putting new restrictions on foreign language classes. (Photo by Dan Forer/Getty Images) Members of a subcommittee advanced an education bill Monday that supporters said would help parents homeschooling children, but that others said would remove important government oversight of children outside of traditional K-12 school settings. The legislation, House File 88, includes multiple components related to home schools: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It removes of requirements in state code that require families homeschooling their children provide proof of immunization and blood lead tests. Homeschooling families would no longer have to submit an outline of course of study for their children. It eliminates current limits in law that only four children who are not related to the homeschooling instructor receive private instruction. It doubles the current tuition and textbook credit from 25% to 50% for the first $2,000 spent. Education advocates said the language removing certain legal requirements could put children at risk. Melissa Peterson with the Iowa State Education Association said the current limit on unrelated children receiving unregulated homeschool instruction was put in place through compromises made under former Gov. Terry Branstads administration as a way to provide families less monitoring and state oversight while ensuring that there were still sufficient safety and educational professional standards being taken into account. One of the reasons why in a compromise achieved in 2013 is because there was going to be a limitation on how many students you could (teach), and because those students needed to be related, so that we would not have the same concerns about needing a background check, about making sure that students were not exploited or taking advantage of, Peterson said. Chaney Yeast with Blank Childrens Hospital said tests on childrens exposure to lead is critical to ensuring they are safe and able to develop in a healthy environment. When we think about Iowas aging housing stock, and we know that theres lead in our homes in our rural homes in Iowa and in our urban areas of Iowa, we know for children that can impact their long-term ability to learn and be healthy, Yeast said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lauren Gideon, a parent who homeschools her seven children and works for Classical Conversations, a homeschool instruction company, said the bill retains parents right to have the primary responsibility for their children, which includes oversight of their health decisions and allowing them to receive instruction from another parent choosing to pursue private instruction. Parents have that jurisdiction, and we have things like due process and innocence until proven guilty to protect them and they belong on that jurisdiction until evidence is provided that they no longer have the ability to exercise their duty as parents, Gideon said. Gender-neutral language The measure also includes a provision discussed as a bill in 2024 that would prohibit the inclusion of gender-neutral language in grades 9-12 world language classes for languages that use a grammatical gender system, like Spanish. Keenan Crow with One Iowa said there is not currently a problem at Iowa schools language classes teaching new, gender-neutral words in languages with grammatical gender systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its kind of baffling in its current draft format, because it seems to imply that teachers are being required to make up words like new words that dont exist and arent in current usage already, Crow said. I think thats obviously incorrect. But Rep. Bill Gustoff, R-Des Moines, who helped author the legislation, said he has received reports from public school world language teachers that said their colleagues have discussed allowing for gender-neutral options for gendered words. The legislation advanced out of subcommittee with Rep. Heather Matson, D-Ankeny, voting against it. The measure will next be available for consideration by the House Education Committee. (Photo by Getty Images) A central Iowa man is suing Wells Fargo and other banks, alleging their lack of due diligence resulted in him losing more than $700,000 in a cryptocurrency scam. Attorneys for Joseph Harris, 75, of West Des Moines, filed the lawsuit late last week in U.S. District Court for Southern District of Iowa. Court documents identify Harris as a college professor, but do not state a place of employment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendants include Wells Fargo Bank; Hang Seng Bank Ltd. of Hong Kong; Tien Phong Commercial Joint Stock Bank, also known as TPB, of Hanoi; Vietnam Technological and Commercial Bank, also known as Techcombank, of Hanoi; Tu Chuong Niem, a resident of California; and Trellian Proprietary Ltd. of Melbourne. The case involves what attorneys for Harris say is a type of cryptocurrency fraud known as pig butchering, a multibillion-dollar crime that has victimized people around the world. Pig butchering generally describes investment scams in which the victims are lured into parting with increasingly large amounts of money while being fattened through phony earnings reports before theyre butchered through the depletion of all their wealth. In his lawsuit, Harris claims that in June 2023, someone operating under the name Xinyi Deng contacted him through LinkedIn and WhatsApp as part of a massive electronic trolling operation designed to locate pig-butchering targets. Deng, who claimed to be living in Iowa, presented Harris with a purported opportunity to invest in gold through cryptocurrency. In the lawsuit, Harris claims he agreed to invest in the scheme through several large wire transfers due to Dengs assurances of significant returns. Deng or one of her associates allegedly instructed Harris to lie about the stated purpose of the wire transfers investing in gold and offer his banks a less suspicious rationale for the withdrawals, such as purchasing business equipment or sending money to a friend who was in need of help. Lawsuit: Bankers had their heads in the sand In June 2023, after Harris made two initial investments totaling $16,500, Wells Fargo allegedly gave Harris a physical device called a security key that enabled him to make immediate wire transfers whenever he wanted, from home, without physically going into a Wells Fargo bank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the days that followed, Harris allegedly executed additional wire transfers of $25,000, $85,000, $230,000, $50,000, $15,000 and $95,000. At no time, the lawsuit claims, did Wells Fargo ever ask Harris any questions about the transfers, such as why his friend in Vietnam needed more than the average lifetime salary of a Vietnamese citizen or why the money was being routed to several different people. In September 2023, Harris transferred an additional $199,712 from an account he had with Chase Bank. Chase is not a defendant in the lawsuit. Throughout the transfer process, Harris used an online platform located at fuexweb.net, which was hosted by Trellian, to view the purported returns on his investment. Harris only discovered the fraud after attempting to transfer funds out of his Fuex account back to one of his bank accounts in the U.S. He was unable to access the money and Deng stopped communicating with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wells Fargo and Chase later attempted to retrieve the money, but without success, the lawsuit claims. The lawsuit also claims that Fuex Group Ltd. is run by Niem, and that Hang Seng, TPB, and Techcombank failed to comply with know-your-customer banking laws and anti-money-laundering laws when they opened accounts for those involved in the fraud. That failure, the lawsuit claims, amounts to substantial assistance to the scheme and a willful blindness to criminal activity. As an example, the lawsuit alleges the three financial institutions failed to have the signatory on the accounts physically appear in person for verification of their identity. That failure may be attributable to financial incentives the banks have in place for account managers tasked with opening new business accounts, the lawsuit claims. In court filings, attorneys for Harris say a simple review of the accountholders would have revealed a complete lack of credible evidence that their business activities were lawful or legitimate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their decision to bury their heads in the sand and refuse to conduct any due diligence to verify the identity of their potential new customers amounts to aiding and abetting fraud, the lawsuit alleges. Lawsuit seeks punitive damages The lawsuit focuses on the federal Bank Secrecy Act and various know-your-customer and anti-money-laundering regulations. It alleges that the Bank Secrecy Act applies to the three Chinese and Vietnamese defendant banks because transactions with Harris and other Americans were processed through U.S. institutions in Harris case, Wells Fargo and Chase Bank, from which the wire transfers were issued. Harris is suing Niem for alleged fraud and unjust enrichment, and is suing Hang Seng, TPB, Techcombank and Trellian for aiding and abetting fraud, conversion, unjust enrichment and negligence. Wells Fargo is being sued for unjust enrichment and alleged breach of contract related to the banks duty to exercise ordinary care in processing transactions. The lawsuit claims state and federal laws, as well as Wells Fargos own policies, require the bank to identify and investigate suspicious transactions by elderly customers and to intervene when that investigation yields evidence of financial exploitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris liquidated massive amounts of his retirement funding by making several high-dollar, round-number wire transfers to Vietnam, the lawsuit alleges, adding that reasonable or ordinary care required Wells Fargo to investigate the highly suspicious wire transfers further, freeze the account, and take the steps necessary to protect his assets. Not only did Wells Fargo ignore the red flags that suggested fraud, it also facilitated the scheme by providing Harris with the security-key device to transfer money immediately without any supervision or authorization by a Wells Fargo employee, the lawsuit states. In addition to seeking actual damages of $716,212, the lawsuit seeks unspecified punitive damages against the defendants, arguing they must serve as an example that fraud will not be tolerated in Iowa. The defendants have yet to file a response in the case. Wells Fargo declined to comment on the lawsuit. Fort Dodge man says he lost $232,793 In 2023, Fort Dodge man, Brian Hoop, filed a federal lawsuit over an alleged pig-butchering cryptocurrency scam. Hoop alleged that in September 2022, he received a text message on his cell phone from an unfamiliar phone number. The sender of the text introduced herself as Emma, and over the next six months, Hoop and Emma continued to text daily and eventually exchanged intimate messages and photos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three months into their virtual relationship, in December 2022, Emma told Hoop she created substantial income for herself through carefully timed trades in cryptocurrencies and volunteered to assist Hoop in executing his own trades on what appeared to be a legitimate cryptocurrency exchange called Energise Trade. Over the next several weeks, Hoop liquidated his retirement and savings accounts, borrowed money from a bank and from his mother, and ultimately delivered $232,793 to Energise Trade, believing his investment had resulted in $1.1 million in returns. When he attempted to access those funds, he was asked to pay an additional $100,000 as payment of taxes. After he refused, Emma attempted to extort money from Hoop by threatening to expose his intimate conversations and photographs to others, and by threatening to torture him and harvest his organs so they could be sold on the black market. The lawsuit accuses the individual known only as Emma and 20 John Does, all believed to reside in China, with conversion, racketeering, conspiracy, unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Also named as a defendant is a Delaware corporation named MEXC Global, which allegedly controls the accounts into which Hoops money was deposited. The lawsuit is still pending in federal court. Eight of the remaining hostages set to be released by Hamas in the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Israel are dead, according to an Israeli government spokesperson. The rest of the 33 hostages who were expected to be returned from Gaza to their families are alive, David Mencer said in a briefing on Monday, including seven who have already been returned. Israeli authorities were notified of the hostages status after receiving a list from Hamas, he said. According to Mencer, the eight dead were killed by Hamas. The Palestinian militant group has not commented on their cause of death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal which started on January 19 will see dozens of hostages taken captive by Hamas and other armed groups in the October 7 attacks being freed. The families of all the hostages, live or dead, set to be released in phase one of the deal were contacted by Israeli authorities Sunday evening, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum confirmed to CNN. Of the 26 hostages still to be released in phase one, 21 are men, three are women, and two are children, ranging in age from two years old to 86 years old, according to the forum and the Israeli government press office. Israel will also release almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in the first part of the agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ceasefire delivered a reprieve for the people of Gaza, after more than 15 months of Israeli bombing following the October 7 attacks. Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians on Monday began returning home to northern Gaza, large swathes of which have been razed by more than a year of relentless airstrikes and ground raids. Freed hostages spent over eight months in tunnels, says Israeli officer The most recent hostages to be released from captivity were four female Israeli soldiers freed on January 25. Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, all 20 years old, and Liri Albag, 19, were in stable condition, the hospital director of the Israeli facility where they received treatment told CNN on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel had expected female civilian Arbel Yehud to be released and delayed the opening of a corridor to northern Gaza after she was not included. On Monday, the armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad released a new video of Yehud, in which she refers to previous hostage releases an apparent sign the footage was taken recently. The videos release comes amid intense Israeli pressure on Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups, who have now said they will release her on Thursday, according to the Israeli Prime Ministers Office. Yehuds family has asked the media not to publish the video. Several of the seven hostages released from Gaza in the past week had been held in tunnels for more than eight months, according to a senior Israeli military officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All seven women released so far showed symptoms of mild starvation with low vitamin levels, said Avi Benov, the deputy chief of the Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps. Their mental health, he said, was a very complicated issue. The former hostages were given vitamins and modest amounts of food during their first medical check-up at Israels Reim military base, the officer said. They were asked if they wanted to shower and change clothes before meeting their parents and were reassured they were safe, he added. Benov claimed that Hamas had fed them better and allowed them to wash and change clothes in the days before their release, for propaganda purposes. He said the younger hostages were in better shape, adding that when the older captives start returning they will probably be in worse condition, having spent more than a year in captivity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benov declined to answer a question about whether there were physical signs the hostages were tortured. They will tell their own stories, he said. This is a developing story and will be updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Israel has inflicted serious and sometimes life-threatening danger on pregnant and postpartum women and girls in Gaza over 15 months of bombardment and siege, according to a new Human Rights Watch report. The 50-page report, Five Babies in One Incubator: Violations of Pregnant Womens Rights Amid Israels Assault on Gaza, was published by the US-based advocacy group on Tuesday. It details attacks on medical facilities and healthcare workers in Gaza that directly harmed women and girls during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period and says the war has increased the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, postpartum hemorrhage and underweight newborns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HRW accused Israel of enforcing an unlawful blockade, a near-total ban on water, food and electricity, starvation as a method of war, attacks on the medical system, and repeated forcible transfer violating the right to follow-up and postnatal care for pregnant women and girls, and their children. Israel is obligated to use all the resources at its disposal to ensure that everyone in Gaza, including pregnant women and girls and their children, are able to enjoy their human right to health, the report said. This includes ensuring the full restoration of Gazas healthcare system so that all patients, including pregnant women and babies, have access to quality medical care. HRW repeated allegations that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, which Israel strongly denies. Israel has also been taken to the UNs top court, the International Court of Justice, on allegations of genocide. CNN has reached out to the Israeli military and COGAT, the Israeli aid agency, for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Responding to a question about Israeli attacks on medical facilities and health care workers in Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) repeated allegations that Hamas uses hospitals for its military operations. Hamas denies using hospitals as cover. CNN cannot independently verify either claim. COGAT denied blocking relief, delaying the entry of fuel, or limiting the number of humanitarian teams that can go into Gaza, in a statement to CNN. About 66,474 aid trucks have entered the strip, the agency said. More than 11,000 requests for humanitarian coordination across Gaza were approved, COGAT added. Since October 7, more than 30,460 tons of medical equipment have been transferred, over 53,040 tons of water have been transported through crossings, according to COGAT. The agency said it had facilitated the entry of over 1,300 doctors and humanitarian teams entering and exiting Gaza. Israels onslaught since the Hamas-led October 7 attacks has wiped out entire families, decimated the medical system, and supplies, spawning starvation, disease and displacement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 47,306 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the Ministry of Health there. Of those, 12,316 were women and another 808 were babies under aged one, Gazas Government Media Office (GMO) reported on January 24. Although a fragile ceasefire began last week, the survival challenges facing new and expecting mothers in the enclave remains dire. Babies dying in front of us More than 1,054 health workers and medical professionals have been killed, including at least six pediatricians and five obstetrician-gynecologists, HRW said, citing the health ministry in Gaza. As of January, emergency obstetric and newborn care is available at seven out of 18 partially functioning hospitals in Gaza, four out of 11 field hospitals, and one community health center, according to HRW. The rate of miscarriage in Gaza has increased by 300% since October 7, 2023, the International Planned Parenthood Federation said in July. Two Palestinian women told HRW their fetuses died after they were injured by explosive weapons attacks that also killed their partners. Palestinians survey the damage caused by deadly bombing on the Nasser Medical Complex, on December 17, 2023 in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. - Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images Even for those who make it to a medical facility, hospitals offer little respite. Women can be rushed out within hours of childbirth because staff are overwhelmed by scores of patients injured by bombardment, according to HRW. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayas Sufyan Musa, 25, told CNN that when she journeyed on foot to Al-Emirati Hospital, in Rafah, to give birth to her daughter, Maria, on February 27, she was startled by crowds of desperate Palestinians seeking refuge. I did not get complete and sufficient privacy during my birth. I was very afraid of bleeding, said Musa. I faced great difficulty in giving birth due to fear of the shelling next to the hospital. My husband was informed that I had to leave immediately It was a very difficult moment, and the cleanliness in the hospital was non-existent. For pregnant women in Gaza, the stress of trying to survive attacks coupled with food and water shortages could weaken the immune system, harm the fetus, and lead to preterm birth, HRW said. Dr Adnan Radi, a medic at Al Awda Hospital, in northern Gaza, told the agency that most of the babies delivered by staff have severely low birthweight and are dying of perinatal asphyxia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We try to intubate the babies. Sometimes it has helped, but the picture is very gloomy, Dr. Radi said in the HRW report, adding that in the last month I can remember more than six babies with low birthweight dying in front of me. Meanwhile, shortages of antibacterial materials can increase the risk of sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis among newborns, Maram Al Shurafa, an aid worker for the NGO, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) in Gaza, told CNN. I started begging that God would take the baby In sprawling displacement camps, parents say they cannot find enough food, clean water, warmth or sanitation facilities. Instead, caregivers resort to feeding babies with infant formula made from dirty water, compounding the risk of dehydration, hepatitis A and skin infections according to HRW. Pregnant and breastfeeding women sharing toilets in crowded spaces are especially vulnerable to infections including UTIs, which can lead to preterm labor, low birth weight, and stillbirths, according to Al Shurafa, a program officer for MAP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Women may feel uncomfortable or self-conscious breastfeeding in such conditions, said Al Shurafa. This lack of privacy can lead to stress and anxiety, which in turn affects the mothers ability to relax and establish a successful breastfeeding routine. More than 48,000 pregnant women are experiencing emergency or catastrophic food insecurity, the UNs reproductive rights agency said in December. At least 56 children have starved to death, according to Zahir Al-Wahidi, the director of Information Systems at Gazas health ministry. Eight infants and newborns have reportedly died from hypothermia, the UNs childrens agency said in January. Raed Radwan, holds his newborn baby Maria, in Rafah, southern Gaza, on February 28. His wife, Mayas Sufyan Musa, told CNN the fear of Israeli attacks compounded the stress of her birth. - Courtesy Raed Redwan Musa, who is displaced in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, told CNN that baby Maria, is malnourished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The severity and ferocity of the suffering was concentrated in physical displacement, she said. I was afraid that we would be exposed to direct shelling or missile fragments, and from the rain and cold and the flooding of the tents. Israa Mazen Diab al-Ghul, 30, a pregnant woman displaced in Nuseirat, central Gaza, told HRW that in early 2024, she and her relatives had nothing to drink but sea water for two days. I vomited, and I was worried it would kill the baby I started begging that God would take the baby, so I wouldnt need to give birth during this war. Communications disruptions impede womens access to hotlines and online information, while power cuts disrupt ultrasounds, and blood and urine tests, HRW said. One prenatal care patient displaced in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, told CNN she fainted by the time she arrived at Al-Awda Hospital, because she was so exhausted by traveling on foot and lack of nutrition. She could not afford vitamins to alleviate her symptoms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everything is scarce, said Rahaf Umm Khaled, 21, who is four months pregnant. I want the war to end completely. I want to give birth to my child in good health, and I want us to return to our homes safely and soundly. CNNs Lauren Izso contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com BEIRUT (Reuters) -Israeli airstrikes in Nabatieh, a major town in southern Lebanon, injured 24 people on Tuesday, the Lebanese health ministry said. The Israeli military said in a statement it had attacked Hezbollah vehicles that were transporting weapons on the edge of Nabatieh. Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati strongly condemned the two strikes on Nabatieh and described them as a violation of the ceasefire arrangement with Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mikati spoke with U.S. General Jasper Jeffers, who chairs the committee monitoring the ceasefire, in a phone call on Tuesday, Mikati's office said in a statement. The Lebanese leader urged firm pressure on Israel to guarantee it implements the ceasefire according to international law, the statement said. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group and Israel agreed on a ceasefire in late November, ending a conflict across the Israeli-Lebanese border that has killed thousands of people since it was ignited by the Gaza war in 2023. The U.S. said on Sunday the agreement between Lebanon and Israel, which included an initial 60-day period for the withdrawal of Israeli troops, would remain in effect until Feb. 18, an extension to the Jan. 26 deadline previously agreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said on Monday that the group would not accept any justifications to extend the period for Israeli troops' withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Israeli forces killed at least 24 people and wounded at least 141 in southern Lebanon on Sunday and Monday, the Lebanese health ministry said, as thousands of people tried to return to their homes in the area in defiance of Israeli military orders. (Reporting by Laila Bassam; writing by Menna Alaa El-Din and Jaidaa Taha; Editing by Mark Heinrich, Alison Williams and Cynthia Osterman) Fourteen people were injured in an Israeli drone attack in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Tuesday. According to an eyewitness, a loud explosion was heard in the market town of Nabatiyeh, where the strike took place. The Hezbollah-run Al Manar television channel confirmed the strike and said it hit the Al-Deir neighbourhood in upper Nabatiyeh. Local media said an Israeli drone had hit a "vehicle" in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was initially unclear who was targeted by the strike. The Israeli military has not yet commented on the reports. It comes after the White House announced on Sunday that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah reached in November had been extended until February 18. Tensions were once again on the rise at the border between Lebanon and Israel after a deadline expired on Sunday for Israeli troops to withdraw from Lebanon as part of the deal. ATHENS (Reuters) - Israeli mining magnate Beny Steinmetz has appealed a Greek court ruling ordering his extradition to Romania on an arrest warrant, his lawyer and sources said on Tuesday. Steinmetz has appealed against the decision at the country's Supreme Court, his lawyer Stavros Togias said. "Despite our deepest disappointment, the ruling does not bend my client's confidence in Greek justice," Togias said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steinmetz is currently held in custody while in hospital in Greece. He was initially detained by Greek police on Oct. 13, hours after he arrived on a private aircraft at Athens International Airport. An arrest warrant has been issued against him in relation to a case dating back several years and concerning his involvement in a group which allegedly illegally tried to secure land rights in Romania. Steinmetz's legal advisors have dismissed the Romanian authorities' accusations as "unfounded" and called the extradition requests by Romania "abusive", arguing that he has the right to travel freely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, a Greek court that examined his case had ruled against his extradition. Last year, Cyprus' Court of Appeal also ruled against his extradition to Romania, overturning a lower court ruling. A court in Italy has also rejected the request. (Reporting by Yannis Souliotis; Writing by Renee Maltezou; Editing by Tomasz Janowski) Israel's opposition leader Yair Lapid has criticized the government for already allowing the return of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to the north of the Gaza Strip as part of the ceasefire deal with the Islamist Hamas militant group. "The fact that the residents of Gaza are returning to their homes before all the residents of the (Israeli) Gaza border area have returned to their homes is heartbreaking proof that this government simply cannot run the country," Lapid wrote on the X platform on Tuesday. According to the Hamas media office, around 300,000 people returned on Monday to their homes in the north of the coastal strip which the militia controls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The figures could not be independently verified. Israel's ground offensive began in the north of the Gaza Strip at the end of October 2023 following the Hamas-led terrorist attack on the Jewish state. Hundreds of thousands of residents were displaced to the south over the course of more than 15 months of war, where they mostly lived in makeshift camps. According to UN data, about two-thirds of all buildings in Gaza were destroyed or severely damaged during the conflict, and approximately 90% of Gaza's 2.1 million residents were displaced. According to media reports, residents of the Israeli border area are wary of returning and afraid of a Hamas resurgence. They fear a repeat of the massacre on October 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people lost their lives after thousands of attackers crossed the border from the northern Gaza Strip. The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry has recorded more than 47,000 deaths in Gaza since the beginning of the war. Its figures do not distinguish between civilians and fighters. The News Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet meet with US President Donald Trump on Feb. 4 in Washington, DC, the prime ministers office said Tuesday. The visit will make the Israeli leader the first foreign head of state to visit Washington since Trumps swearing-in. The announcement comes as negotiators struggle to finalize a second phase to extend the fragile ceasefire in Gaza. After the initial six-week pause in fighting, the second stage could see a permanent ceasefire, the return of a further 60 hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave, although the exact terms remain unclear. Know More While in DC, the Israeli leader is expected to discuss Trumps proposal to clean out Gaza and relocate Palestinian refugees to neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan during the territorys reconstruction an idea both Arab countries and Palestinian leaders have firmly rebuffed. By Ryan Patrick Jones WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Feb. 4, the two governments said on Tuesday. The meeting is set to take place amid a fragile six-week ceasefire that has brought a temporary pause to 15 months of fighting between Israel and militant group Hamas in Gaza. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday he wants Egypt to take in Palestinians from the enclave, where much of the population has been displaced by Israel's military onslaught. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I wish he would take some. We help them a lot, and I'm sure he can help us," Trump said of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, whom he called a "friend." "I'd like to get them living in an area where they can live without disruption and revolution and violence," Trump said of Palestinians in Gaza. Trump over the weekend suggested Egypt and Jordan should take in Palestinians from Gaza. The two countries and other Arab states oppose removing Palestinians from Gaza, in part because it is land Palestinians want as part of a future Palestinian state. The Gaza war was sparked by Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, when militants killed 1,200 and took about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's war on Gaza has killed some 47,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, and led to accusations of genocide and war crimes that Israel denies. Under the terms of a ceasefire agreed this month, an initial six-week phase is due to see the release of 33 hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Displaced Palestinians began returning to their homes in Gaza City this week and found a city in ruins after 15 months of fighting. (Reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones, Jeff Mason and Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Cynthia Osterman) WADI GAZA, Gaza Strip (AP) President Donald Trump has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House next week as the first foreign leader to visit in Trump's second term, Netanhayu and the White House said Tuesday. The announcement came as the United States pressures Israel and Hamas to continue a ceasefire that has paused a devastating 15-month war in Gaza. Talks about the ceasefire's more difficult second phase, which aims to end the war, begin next Monday. The White House letter shared by Netanyahu's office, dated Tuesday, said I look forward to discussing how we can bring peace to Israel and its neighbors, and efforts to counter our shared adversaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting on Feb. 4 is a chance for Netanyahu, under pressure at home, to remind the world of the support he has received from Trump over the years, and to defend Israel's conduct of the war. Last year, the two men met face-to-face for the first time in nearly four years at Trumps Florida Mar-a-Lago estate. Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. military aid, and Netanyahu is likely to encourage Trump not to hold up some weapons deliveries the way the Biden administration did, though it continued other deliveries and overall military support. Netanyahu also wants Trump to put more pressure on Iran, and renew efforts to deliver a historic normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a rival of Iran and the Arab worlds most powerful country. Even before taking office this month, Trump was sending his special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to the region to apply pressure along with the Biden administration to get the current Gaza ceasefire achieved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Netanyahu has vowed to renew the war if Hamas doesnt meet his demands in negotiations over the ceasefire's second phase, meant to discuss a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a sustainable calm." Over 375,000 return to northern Gaza Under the deal, more than 375,000 Palestinians have crossed into northern Gaza since Israel allowed their return on Monday morning, the United Nations said Tuesday. That represents over a third of the million people who fled in the wars opening days. Many of the Palestinians trudging along a seaside road or crossing in vehicles after security inspections were getting their first view of shattered northern Gaza under the fragile ceasefire, now in its second week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump this week suggested that Egypt and Jordan take in Palestinians from Gaza, at least temporarily, so that we just clean out that whole thing" which Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinians swiftly rejected, fearing Israel would never allow a return. Instead, Palestinians were determined to pitch makeshift shelters or sleep outdoors amid the vast piles of broken concrete or perilously leaning buildings. After months of crowding in squalid tent camps or former schools in Gazas south, they would finally be home. Its still better for us to be on our land than to live on a land thats not yours, said Fayza al-Nahal as she prepared to leave the southern city of Khan Younis for the north. At least two Palestinians set off for the north by sea, crowding into a rowboat with a bicycle and other belongings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hani Al-Shanti, displaced from Gaza City, looked forward to feeling at peace in whatever he found, even if it is a roof and walls without furniture, even if it is without a roof. One newly returned woman hung laundry in the ruins of her home, its walls blown out. Next steps Under the ceasefire, the next release of hostages held in Gaza, and Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody, is set to occur on Thursday, followed by another exchange on Saturday. In the ceasefires six-week first phase, a total of 33 hostages taken in the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, that ignited the war should be released, along with almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel this week said a list provided by Hamas confirmed the fears that eight of the 33 hostages to be freed are dead, bringing fresh grief to Israeli families who have long pressed the government to reach a deal to bring everyone home before time runs out. On Tuesday, one of the first hostages to be released under the current ceasefire just the second in the war shared a glimpse of life in captivity. Naama Levy, 20, wrote on social media that she spent most of the first 50 days alone before being reunited with other soldiers kidnapped from her military base on Oct. 7, well as other civilian captives. We strengthened each other until the day of our release, and also afterwards," she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aid flows in A surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza continued under the ceasefire. In this past week alone, approximately 4,200 trucks carrying aid have entered the Gaza Strip following inspections, said Israels Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel. Under the deal, 600 trucks of aid are meant to enter per day. The government of Qatar, a mediator in the ceasefire talks, said Tuesday that while complaints have been raised by both sides, no confirmed ceasefire violations have occurred that could cause the agreement to collapse. The ceasefire is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and Hamas. Militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 assault and abducted another 250. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel responded with an air and ground offensive that has killed over 47,000 Palestinians, over half of them women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry. It does not say how many of the dead were combatants. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. ___ Lidman reported from Nahariya, Israel. Associated Press writers Tia Goldenberg in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war An excerpt from Med Spa Mayhem: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly Secrets of the Aesthetics Industry. Over the last 20 years, the medical aesthetics industry has grown from infancy to a $20 billion industry. Botox was approved for cosmetic use in 2003, giving birth to a new Wild West of medicine. It may have started in the offices of plastic surgeons and dermatologists, but now there are med spas on almost every cornerand most of them are operating illegally. There are myriad people practicing medicine without a license, nurses operating without supervision, aestheticians and other non-medically trained individuals injecting Botox and fillers, and even administering IVs. Laypeople are illegally owning medical practices. Increasingly, there is the use of fake products purchased on the internetleading to botulism, necrotizing infections, and death. While mainstream medicine is being increasingly squeezed by regulation and insurance companies, the cash-pay aesthetics industry is exploding, unregulated. Arrests in Texas and California In late 2018, there was a moment when I thought someone was actually going to enforce the law. Four people in Texas were arrested for the illegal practice of medicine. This included a nurse, the doctor who was supposed to be overseeing her, and the spa owner of Savvy Chic Medspa in Spring, Texas (which, by the way, in 2024 continues to operate and has a five-star rating on Google). There was a separate arrest of a medical assistant who was illegally injecting unsupervised on her own, in addition to illegally prescribing meds on a stolen prescription pad. The charges against the three involved from the Savvy Chic spa were ultimately dropped. The action against the medical assistant was still pending as of the last information available. I could not find any resolution to that case. Soon after the Texas arrests, there were two in Redding, California, in January 2019. Susan Ann Tancredo was charged with practicing medicine without a license in addition to eight felony violations, including mayhem, battery with serious bodily injury, and selling and transporting a controlled substance. Dr. Larry Richard Pyle also was charged with aiding and abetting Tancredo. The doctor illegally bought Botox and other injectables from outside the United States and sold them to Tancredo, who offered illegal injections at a day spa. Patients thought she was a nurse, but she had no medical license. The spa owner was not charged, but then all three were sued by a disfigured patient. Death in Texas Jennifer Cleveland, a forty-seven-year-old mother of four kids, worked at a radio station in Texas, selling advertising. She was doing some social media marketing for The Luxe Medspa by Amber Johnson. On July 13, 2023, she told her friends she was going to the spa in Wortham, Texas, for an IV infusion treatment. She died a few hours later at the spa. The med spa advertised on its Facebook page: I (Amber Johnson) am behind this Medspa. I am a Certified Practitioner with all current licenses with a Medical Director, Dr. Gallagher MD from Dallas, Texas. Her spa advertised many procedures that make no sense, such as Laser Vein Threading and Body ExtractionFace. It also advertised three different kinds of IV therapy, including energy, hydration 1 treatment, and hydration (three pack). First, there is no medical reason a healthy human being needs an IV treatment. There are IV clinics popping up all over the country, charging you money for something you dont need. Just have a glass of water, Gatorade, or your drink of choice. Second, there is no quicker way to kill someone than to stick a needle in someones arm. There are so many ways to do it. Hang the wrong thingboom, youre dead. Put the IV in wrongboom. A superfast way to die is from an air embolusthats when a lot of air gets into the IV. Air does not mix with blood. It travels to the heart, and the heart can no longer pump bloodand you die. Official reports are that Jennifer died of a potassium overdose in the IV. One thing I can tell you: IV infusions cannot be done by someone who does not know what they are doing! Hospitals source IV fluids from highly regulated medical supply companies. The IV bags are in proper storage, and every time an IV is hung, the nurse checks your ID badge twice before proceeding. There are tons of checks and balances to try to prevent medical errors. They can still happen. Med spas, especially those run by nonmedical people, get products from lots of nonmedical sources and have little ability for proper storage and no checks and balances. Plus, who is the person providing the service? Do you know what their credentials are, or what training the person doing the procedure has had? Dr. Michael Gallagher, the medical director, had his license suspended for a few months, but it was later reinstated, and he returned to practicing anesthesiology. The med spa industry will not police itself. Unfortunately, the authorities only react when someone is killed, as happened in Texas. Yet in that case, to date, there have been no charges. The next step is to form a national nonprofit that will provide med spa certificationto evaluate and confirm legal compliance. Like the label Certified Organic, this would tell consumers that the providers are licensed and properly supervised, legal ownership is established, and safe, legal products are used. Not a rating agencybut a certification board. If this becomes widely known, then the non-certified illegal practices will wither. Kate Dee is a radiologist and author of Med Spa Mayhem: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly Secrets of the Aesthetics Industry. An Issaquah woman survived 72 hours stuck on a mountain in the Himalayas after disaster struck at more than 20,000 feet. According to a release from the city, Michelle Dvorak was climbing with a partner on the side of a glacier on Chaukhama III, a mountain in the Himalayas in Northern India, when a rock dislodged and sliced through their bag. The pair lost most of their equipment, including critical survival gear like their tent, stove, crampons, and ice axes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the next three days, the climbers fought to survive. According to the city, they were eventually rescued thanks to help from some French climbers. According to the news release, the team climbed to meet them and helped them by providing water, food, and clothing. The French climbers also used their satellite phone to call for help, arranging for the Indian Air Force to rescue them from the glacier. Dvorak told the city shes been climbing since she was 20, and she credits her years of training for keeping her alive. I would say that my training and climbing experience helped us get up the route, and helped me to acclimatize; but as for staying alive the only experience I think actually helped were those times in which Ive pushed myself to my mental and physical limits, at high altitude, she said. Because to find water, to dig out places to sleep, to rappel down a steep face took more than I could have provided had I not practiced endurance and suffering in the mountains before. My thoughts were almost entirely occupied in figuring out how to stay warm and find water, which ultimately prompted us to continue our descent despite our lack of glacier and bivy equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The experience isnt hindering her sense of adventure; she told the city she is determined to keep on climbing. Theres so much I havent done, she said. Climbing and goals are inseparable, as we all know and feel. She said she hopes to climb Alaskan peaks like Hunter and Foraker, the Emperor Face of Mount Robson in the Canadian Rockies, and the Cerro Torre Group in Patagonia. The Italian Parliament has voted to continue providing military assistance to Ukraine in 2025. Source: Italian news agency Ansa, as reported by European Pravda Details: The lower house of parliament officially approved a decree-law authorising the continuation of arms supplies to Ukraine until 31 December 2025. This measure, already passed by the Senate, was adopted with 192 votes in favour and 41 against. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opposition was divided on the issue, with three parties supporting the measure and two opposing it. Background: On 16 January, after meeting with his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto in Kyiv, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustam Umierov said that a new military aid package was being sent from Italy to Ukraine, which includes modern weapons that will help to deliver powerful strikes. On 11 January, Ukraine and Italy discussed the possibility of using the proceeds generated by frozen Russian assets to purchase Italian-made air defence systems and ammunition. Support UP or become our patron! MILAN (AP) Rome prosecutors have opened an investigation against Premier Giorgia Meloni and two government ministers for repatriating a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court in the Hague, the premier announced Tuesday. Meloni revealed the investigation over allegedly aiding and abetting Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, in a video posted on social media. She said her justice and interior ministers and an under-secretary are also targeted in the investigation. Melonis government has been under fire from the opposition, human rights groups and the ICC itself for releasing al-Masri on a technicality after he was arrested in the northern city of Turin on a warrant from the international court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meloni said she presumes that the investigation was prompted by a complaint from an opposition politician. In Italy, prosecutors must launch investigations based on complaints, and it is up to a preliminary hearing judge to decide whether charges are filed or not. The process can take months if not longer. Italy arrested al-Masri in Turin, where he had attended a soccer match, on Jan. 19, the day after the ICCs arrest warrant was issued. He was expelled on a government plane on Jan. 21, after a court failed to confirm his arrest. Meloni complained in the social media post that the warrant was issued upon his arrival in Italy after having stayed for around 12 days in three other European countries. She said the international arrest warrant had not been transmitted to the Justice Ministry as required by law and for this reason the Appeals Court in Rome decided not to confirm the arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this point, this subject was free in Italian territory, and rather than letting him free, we decided to expel and repatriate him immediately for security reasons with a flight, as happens in other similar cases, Meloni said. Meloni expressed indignation at the investigation, adding: I cannot be blackmailed. I will not be intimidated. Also under investigation are Justice Minister Carlo Nordio and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, as well as under-secretary Alfredo Mantovani. Piantedosi is scheduled to respond to lawmakers' questions about the case on Wednesday. He told the Senate last week that he expelled al-Masri for urgent security reasons, with my expulsion order, in view of the danger posed by the subject." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICC warrant accused al-Masri of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Mitiga prison in Libya starting in 2015 that are punishable with life in prison. The ICC said he was accused of murder, torture, rape and sexual violence. It said the warrant was transmitted to member states, including Italy, on Jan. 18, and that the court had also provided real-time information that he had entered Europe. The court said it had reminded Italy at the time to contact it without delay if it ran into any problems cooperating with the warrant. Al-Masri leads the Tripoli branch of the Reform and Rehabilitation Institution, a notorious network of detention centers run by the government-backed Special Deterrence Forces. Like many other militias in western Libya, the SDF has been implicated in atrocities in the civil war that followed the overthrow and killing of longtime Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. Recently, the International Criminal Courts chief prosecutor issued arrest warrants over alleged crimes in Libya beyond the civil war, including in detention facilities where human rights groups have documented abuses. Italy has once again transferred migrants to Albania, despite previous legal defeats, after an Italian Navy ship carrying 49 refugees docked in the port of the Albanian city of Shengjin, the Italian news agency ANSA reported on Tuesday. The asylum applications for these individuals who had travelled for days across the Mediterranean are now set to be decided in the reception centre in Albania. Italy is the first European Union state to establish camps outside the EU to decide on migrants' asylum applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Albania model of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government is controversial. Other European governments, however, are closely monitoring the approach. The first two attempts in October and November failed in the courts. Italian authorities picked up migrants in the central Mediterranean and transported them to reception centres in Albania. On both occasions, the people ultimately had to be brought back to Italy after judges ruled that they did not come from safe countries of origin. Tuesday's 49 migrants are men from Bangladesh, Egypt, Gambia and Ivory Coast. Before their journey to Albania, they were stopped on a boat in the Mediterranean on their way to Europe, off the Italian Mediterranean island of Lampedusa. Italy has once again transferred migrants to Albania, despite previous legal defeats, after an Italian Navy ship carrying 49 refugees docked in the port of the Albanian city of Shengjin, the Italian news agency ANSA reported on Tuesday. The asylum applications for these individuals who had travelled for days across the Mediterranean are now set to be decided in the reception centre in Albania. Italy is the first European Union state to establish camps outside the EU to decide on migrants' asylum applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Albania model of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government is controversial. Other European governments, however, are closely monitoring the approach. The first two attempts in October and November failed in the courts. Italian authorities picked up migrants in the central Mediterranean and transported them to reception centres in Albania. On both occasions, the people ultimately had to be brought back to Italy after judges ruled that they did not come from safe countries of origin. Tuesday's 49 migrants are men from Bangladesh, Egypt, Gambia and Ivory Coast. Before their journey to Albania, they were stopped on a boat in the Mediterranean on their way to Europe, off the Italian Mediterranean island of Lampedusa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For many years, Italy has been one of the countries most affected by the migration movement across the Mediterranean. Although significantly fewer migrants arrived on Italy's shores last year compared to 2023, over 3,000 people have arrived this January alone more than double the number in the same period the previous year, when the number was approximately 1,300. The dispute between the government and the judiciary fundamentally revolves around which countries of origin can be deemed safe and who has the authority to determine this. Recently, a decision by the Supreme Court seems to grant more leeway to the government. However, the legal situation remains not entirely clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Therefore, as with the first two attempts, it is uncertain whether the migrants will undergo the expedited asylum process in the camps on Albanian soil as intended, or perhaps be allowed into Italy. The European Court of Justice is expected to clarify in February whether Italy's approach is compatible with EU law. The decision is eagerly awaited in Rome. By Angelo Amante and Crispian Balmer ROME (Reuters) -Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday she had been placed under judicial investigation following a government decision to release a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court. Osama Elmasry Njeem was freed last week and flown home by an Italian state aircraft just days after being detained in the northern city of Turin under an ICC arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity, including murder, torture and rape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICC has demanded an explanation, saying it had not been consulted over the decision to let him go. Meloni said in a message posted on social media that she had been placed under investigation by Rome's chief prosecutor, Francesco Le Voi, for allegedly aiding and abetting a crime and misuse of public funds. She is under no obligation to resign. Being placed under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt, nor mean that formal charges will necessarily follow. "I will not be blackmailed, I will not allow myself to be intimidated, which may be why I am, let's say, disliked by those who do not want Italy to change and become better," Meloni said in a video posted on her Facebook profile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and the cabinet undersecretary for intelligence matters, Alfredo Mantovano have also been placed under investigation, Meloni said. She said she believed the investigation had been triggered by Luigi Li Gotti, a lawyer who announced last week that he had lodged a complaint over both the release of Njeem and the use of an official jet to fly him back to Tripoli. "What I did was a necessary act. I did it as a matter of dignity both for human rights and for all Italian citizens," Li Gotti told Reuters on Tuesday. CALLED BACK TO PARLIAMENT Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The interior minister told parliament last week that Njeem had been swiftly repatriated for "reasons of state security". Opposition leaders ridiculed his explanation and both Piantedosi and Nordio are due to address parliament on Wednesday to give more information on what happened in a case that has soured relations between Rome and the ICC. Asked about the Italian investigation, ICC spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah said the court did not comment on national judicial proceedings. Meloni said Njeem had visited three European countries over a 12-day period before reaching Italy, and it was only at that point that the ICC asked for his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Njeem is a brigadier general in Libya's Judicial Police. Meloni's government depends heavily on Libyan security forces to prevent would-be migrants from leaving the North African nation and heading to southern Italy. Meloni said the case against her was being led by the same prosecutor who investigated Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini in Sicily for allegedly kidnapping 100 migrants aboard a boat that he had blocked at sea for nearly three weeks in 2019. Salvini was acquitted in that case last month. The prime minister's supporters swiftly accused the Italian judiciary, which is locked in battle with the government over plans for a sweeping reform of the legal system, of being politically motivated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are faced with yet another example of politicised justice that aims to attack the Meloni government," said Lucio Malan, head of Meloni's Brothers of Italy party in the Senate. (Reporting by Angelo Amante, Alvise Armellini, Emilio Parodi and Paolo Chiriatti; Writing by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Gavin Jones and Alison Williams) The fight between the City of Jacksonville and one of its trash haulers took another step Monday toward a possible lawsuit. The citys General Counsel has issued a binding written opinion saying City Council violated the charter when it approved a 29% rate increase for Meridian Waste. It amounted to $4 million per year over three years. READ THE GENERAL COUNSEL OPINION BELOW: Legal Opinion 25-01 Meridian Separation of Powers by ActionNewsJax on Scribd Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan vetoed the legislation this month and vowed not to pay the hauler even after Council overrode her veto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rate review committee had recommended a 5% increase. The Mayors Office sent Action News Jax a statement that reads in part: We stand by our original proposal of a 5% increase that went through the rate review process. We are open to and look forward to discussing further with Meridian Waste. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Meridian Waste sent a statement in response to the General Counsels opinion that reads: Meridian Waste stands by the terms of its fairly negotiated agreement with the City that was reviewed, considered and approved by following the long-standing formal rules of the Consolidated Government, pursuant to an open, transparent and diligent process that took place over the past several months. This included a City-code required tri-annual rate review process that is also an express provision of the City solid waste agreements that allows for the setting of rates by the City Council to adjust for market conditions and projected expenses to ensure consistent, quality residential solid waste collections for the next 3 years. As was evidenced in this process, $22.39 is well below the $24.91 rate of the Area III Jacksonville hauler as well as other nearby cities and counties with rates ranging from $24.80 (Hillsborough Co.) to $38.08 (Neptune Beach). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Therefore, it is not only highly unfortunate, but perplexing, that the Mayors Office is choosing to pursue this unreasonable, unproductive and, in the Companys view, illegal path, on a matter that has been thoroughly debated and considered in the public, pursuant to long-established City rules, resulting in a definitive approval by the City Council, which is the appropriating body for the City and the rate-setting authority for the City. No one wishes a repeat of 2021 when Jacksonville made national news for garbage and debris littering its streets due to underperforming contracts and below market compensation rates. Meridian Waste will pursue all legal avenues necessary to enact the properly adopted legislation overwhelmingly passed in December, and decisively upheld in January. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Councilmember Nick Howland released the following statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This opinion is dangerous. Not only does it overturn four decades of precedent, but it open for dispute any gray area that exists between the powers of the Executive and those of the Legislature. The mayor is using OGC to pick a fight with City Council - Republicans and Democrats. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office is searching for more victims of Johan Portilla-Guzman. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Portilla-Guzman owns Pro-Remodeling. According to JSO, he would pose as a licensed contractor to homeowners. Instead of completing the work, he scammed his clients out of tens of thousands of dollars. Portilla-Guzman was arrested over the weekend on charges of organized fraud. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] JSO said they want to account for all of Portilla-Guzmans victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youve ever worked with Portilla-Guzman or Pro-Remodeling, youre asked to email Detective Kilpatrick at sherra.kilpatrick@jaxsheriff.org. [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. JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) A local veteran is speaking out for better veteran health care on Capitol Hill. Sergeant Major Paul McKenna is from Richlands and he testified before the Veterans Affairs Committee and discussed his issues with the VAs community care program. In 2009, McKenna was in a rollover accident while serving in Afghanistan. He told the committee that hes now been waiting longer than nine months for referrals to the specialists he needs. He was invited to testify by Congressman Greg Murphy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of the referral process is so, it is so bureaucratic and so many different levels of acceptance and recommendations and referrals, Congressman Murphy said. We have a third party insurance company that does a lot of the referrals and the denials. And again, this goes in with the VA and with private health care. Also, I think our middlemen, they are destroying American medicine and working on getting out that middleman is going to be critical for our veterans and civilian patients alike. Murphy said the best way to help get better care is by contacting your congressman and sharing your stories and any difficulties. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. As a physician and health care leader, I initially declined to comment on the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. I felt that speculating about the shooters intent would only sensationalize a terrible act. Regardless of the circumstances, vigilante violence has no place in a free and just society. But now, more than a month later, I feel compelled to address one aspect of the story that has been widely misunderstood: the publics reaction to the news of Thompsons murder. Specifically, why tens of thousands of individuals liked and laughed at a post on Facebook announcing the CEOs death. What causes someone to like murder? News analysts have attributed the social media response to Americas simmering anger and frustration with a broken health care system, pointing to rising medical costs, insurance red tape, and time-consuming prior authorization requirements as justifications. These are all, indeed, problems and may explain some of the publics reaction. Yet these descriptions grossly understate the lived reality for most of those affected. When I speak with individuals who have lost a child, parent, or spouse because of what they perceive as an unresponsive and uncaring system, their pain is raw, intense. What they feel isnt frustrationits agony. By framing health cares failures in terms of statistical measures and policy snafus, we reduce a deeply personal crisis to an intellectual exercise. And its this very detached, cognitive approach that has allowed our nation to disregard the emotional devastation endured by millions of patients and their families. When journalists, health care leaders, and policymakers cite eye-popping statistics on health care expenditures, highlight exorbitant insurer profits, or deride the bloated salaries of executives, they leave out a vital part of the story. They omit the unbearable human suffering behind the numbers. And I fear that until we approach health care as a moral crisisnot merely an economic or political puzzle to solveour nation will never act with the urgency required to relieve peoples profound pain. A pain beyond reason In Dantes Inferno, hell is a place where suffering is eternal and the cries of the damned go unheard. For countless Americans who feel trapped in our health care system, that metaphor rings true. Their anguish and pleas for mercy are met with silence. It is this sense of abandonment and powerlessness, not mere frustration, that fuels both a desperate rage and an anger at a system and its leaders who appear not to care. The response isnt one of gleeits a visceral reaction born of pain and unrelenting remorse. As a clinician, Ive seen life-destroying pain in my patientsand even within my own family. When my cousin Alan died in his twenties from a then-incurable cancer, my aunt and uncle were powerless to save him. Their grief was profound, unrelenting, and eternal. They never recovered from the loss. But Alans death, heartbreaking as it was, stemmed from the limits of science at the time. What millions of Americans endure today is different. Their loved ones die not because cures dont exist but because the health care system treats them like a number. Bureaucratic inefficiencies, profit-driven delays, and systemic indifference produce avoidable tragedies. To appreciate this depth of pain, imagine standing behind a chain-link fence, watching someone you love being tortured. You scream and plead for help, but no one listens. That is what health care feels like for too many Americans. And until all of us acknowledge and feel their pain, little will improve. Curing Americas indifference When we focus solely on cold numbersthe millions whove lost Medicaid coverage, the hundreds of thousands of avoidable deaths each year, or the life-expectancy gap between the U.S. and other nationswe strip health care of its humanity. But once we stop framing these failures as bureaucratic inefficiencies or frustrations and, instead, focus on the devastation of having to watch a loved one suffer and die needlessly, we are forced to confront a moral imperative. Either we must act with urgency and resolve the problem or admit we simply dont care. In the halls of Congress, lawmakers continue to weigh modest reforms to prior authorization requirements and Medicaid spendingbaby steps that wont fix a system in crisis. The truth is that without bold, transformative action, health care will remain unaffordable and inaccessible for millions of families whose anguish will grow. Here are three examples of the scale of transformation required: Reverse the obesity epidemic with a two-part strategy. Congress will need to tax ultra-processed, sugary foods that drive hundreds of billions of dollars in health care costs each year. In parallel, lawmakers should cap the manufacturer-set price of weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy to be no higher than in peer nations. Change clinician payments from volume to value. Current fee-for-service payment systems incentivize unnecessary tests, treatments, and procedures rather than better health outcomes. Transitioning to pay-for-value would reward health care providers, and specifically primary care physicians, who successfully prevent chronic diseases, better manage existing conditions, and reduce complications such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. Empower patients and save lives with generative AI. Tools like ChatGPT can help reduce the staggering 400,000 annual deaths from misdiagnoses and 250,000 more from preventable medical errors. By integrating AI into health care, we can enable at-home care, continuous disease monitoring, and personalized treatment, making medical care safer, more accessible, and more efficient. If elected officials, payers, and regulators fail to act, they will have chosen to perpetuate the unbearable pain and suffering patients and families endure daily. They need to hear the cries of people. The time for transformative action is now. Robert Pearl is a plastic surgeon and author of ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine and Uncaring: How the Culture of Medicine Kills Doctors and Patients. He can be reached on Twitter @RobertPearlMD. Harry Dunn, a former U.S. Capitol Police officer, returned to Milwaukee Tuesday to condemn President Donald Trump's pardons of about 1,500 people including 11 Wisconsinites charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Dunn's trip had another purpose: Calling attention to Wisconsins state Supreme Court race and criticizing the conservative candidates' comments about Jan. 6. The election, which will again determine the court's ideological balance, is just over two months away. Harry Dunn, a former U.S. Capitol police officer, center seated, receives a standing ovation on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, prior to speaking at the League of Progressive Seniors event at 633 S. Hawley Road in Milwaukee, where he talked about the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and those involved who received pardons from President Donald Trump. Also attending the events were members from SIEU Wisconsin, Souls to the Polls, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Working Families Party and All Voting is Local Action. Dunn also gave remarks on the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court race. "Anytime there's an election in Wisconsin, it's national news," Dunn said to a room at Milwaukee Area Labor Council, filled with members of labor and voting rights groups. "Here, y'all get the opportunity to elect y'all's Supreme Court justices, not just have them appointed." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dunn has been one of the most outspoken officers who was at the Capitol on Jan. 6, including testifying about being called racial slurs by people storming the Capitol. He resigned as a Capitol officer in December 2023 after serving more than 15 years. Dunn ran for a U.S. House seat in Maryland last year but finished second in a crowded Democratic primary. Before leaving office, President Joe Biden preemptively pardoned officers from the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Capitol Police, including Dunn, who testified before the Jan. 6 select committee. The pardons are intended to shield some of Trump's foes from future prosecution. "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," Dunn said in a statement. "Trumps supporters have pledged to go after me and my fellow officers." Schimel says violent offenders should have been prosecuted While Dunn didn't mention conservative Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel by name or his liberal opponent, Dane County Judge Susan Crawford he did take aim at comments Schimel said previously about Jan. 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Imagine somebody saying, an individual who pled guilty, who was found guilty by a jury of their peers, imagine electing somebody saying they didn't get a fair shot. What about the officers? Did we get a fair shot?" Dunn said. "I hope (Schimel) sees this. You should be ashamed of yourself." Dunn was referencing comments Schimel, a former Republican attorney general and current Waukesha County judge, made on conservative radio host Vicki McKenna's podcast earlier this month. He noted Jan. 6 defendants were all prosecuted in the "overwhelmingly liberal" Washington, D.C. district. "This (is) part of the manipulation is to go to districts like that ... They would never take their prosecution in a district where you had a fair shot as a defendant," Schimel said. On a call with reporters Monday to announce endorsements from Wisconsin's Republican members of Congress, Schimel said he had "no idea" what comments Dunn planned to criticize. He didn't appear familiar with Dunn's plans to visit Wisconsin Tuesday, but said he's "grateful for that police officer's service." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've said that anyone who engaged in violence on Jan. 6 assaulted a police officer, resisted arrest those people should have been prosecuted. That's against the law," Schimel said. "They should be prosecuted and held accountable, and judges should impose sentences that are just under the circumstances." But Schimel said he does not "object to" presidents using their power to issue pardons. "President Biden has issued pardons, President Trump has now issued pardons as he's come in, and presidents over history have done that," he said. Wisconsin Supreme Court race expected to see increased national attention Dunn speaking out about the April 1 state Supreme Court election shows the high profile of the race, similar to the 2023 election for the court that happened in a non-federal election year. Elon Musk recently called attention to the race on X, the social media platform he owns, urging Wisconsinites to "vote Republican." Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced Monday he was endorsing Crawford and would travel to Wisconsin next week to campaign for her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wisconsin's Supreme Court races are technically nonpartisan but attract heavy spending from partisan groups and donors. More: Democratic Party, Republican heavy hitters pour cash into Wisconsin Supreme Court race In a statement, Crawford campaign spokesman Derrick Honeyman said Crawford "believes anyone found guilty of violently assaulting law enforcement and first responders should be held accountable, including those who assaulted police in our nations Capitol on January 6th." "Its disappointing, but not surprising, that Brad Schimel supports letting violent criminals go free, given his extreme political agenda and record of failure on public safety, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dunn has campaigned in Wisconsin before. Last summer, he came to Milwaukee in support of Biden, before he ended his reelection bid. He continued campaigning as a surrogate for Vice President Kamala Harris in other battleground states. Dunn criticizes Jan. 6 pardons, including 11 from Wisconsin Dunn said the Supreme Court election presents another "opportunity" for voters in Wisconsin who were upset about the presidential election results. He encouraged attendees to speak to their family and friends who "sat this one out" in November. "People were upset about the pardons and surprised, shocked and appalled ... He said he was going to do it," Dunn said. "My anger, as candidly as possible, is with the people that are surprised right now. Because if you're surprised, you were not paying attention. How dare you form an opinion on Nov. 6, when it was too late." Those pardoned in Wisconsin, including one man from Milwaukee, were found guilty in federal court of felonies and misdemeanors. Riley Kasper of Pulaski pleaded guilty to assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers, and posted on Facebook that he pepper-sprayed three officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some congressional Republicans from Wisconsin have disagreed with Trump's sweeping pardons, with most wanting those who committed violent acts to serve some time. U.S. Rep. Van Orden, who has faced criticism for his presence outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, told the Journal Sentinel last week that he fully supports pardoning people who non-violently entered the Capitol or were on the Capitol grounds during the insurrection. But he disagreed with pardoning people who attacked police. When I say I back the blue, I back the blue. Always have and always will, he said. They protect us while we sleep, and they should be respected. Gotta be very clear here: The folks that assaulted police officers sentences should have been commuted years ago to match an equivalent crime from anywhere around the country. (This story has been updated to add a photo or video.) This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Jan. 6 police officer visits Wisconsin to talk pardons, Supreme Court race Republican Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona announced Saturday that he is running for governor in 2026. Biggs, a Jan. 6 proponent and member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, made the announcement at an Arizona Republican Party event, telling the crowd: I am jumping in formally. It is now time to Make Arizona Great Again. Biggs, who helped Trump in his attempt to overturn the 2020 election, told the conservative outlet Newsmax in an interview on Sunday that Arizona should be the reddest state in the country. His election would certainly be a step toward claiming that title. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biggs is alleged to have been a key player in the deliberations among MAGA activists, Trump administration officials and far-right lawmakers who devised schemes for overturning Trumps 2020 election. After the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, for example, far-right activist Ali Alexander who organized the stop the steal rally that preceded the riot has said Biggs was one of the lawmakers who helped him cook up that days plan to exert maximum pressure on Congress while they were voting to certify Joe Bidens election victory, though Biggs hasnt been accused of coordinating or promoting the violent attack on the Capitol. (Biggs has denied helping Alexander organize the Jan. 6 rally.) Video here: in case he takes the video down, here's the relevant section pic.twitter.com/IYiqxeX6Ch Jason Paladino (@jason_paladino) January 8, 2021 Alexander later testified to the House Jan. 6 committee that hed been in contact with Biggs and other lawmakers in the lead-up to Jan. 6, 2021, which Biggs had denied. And former White House staffer Cassidy Hutchinson told the committee Biggs was one of multiple lawmakers who sought a pardon from Trump, which Biggs has also denied. Its worth noting, however, that Alexander and Hutchinson made their claims under oath, which Biggs does not appear to have done. He refused to comply with a House subpoena to testify as part of the federal Jan. 6 investigation, but has been subpoenaed by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes to testify in her ongoing, state-level Jan. 6 probe. Theres no indication Mayes is pursuing criminal charges against Biggs, and its unclear whether he has testified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The representative celebrated Trumps blanket pardon for Jan. 6 criminals, even greeting some of the recently released inmates and their supporters at a Washington, D.C., jail last week. Biggs is the only Republican to declare his candidacy in the governors race thus far. Barring a successful primary challenge, he is likely to face Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs next year. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com A North Carolina man who was pardoned by President Donald Trump for assaulting a police officer during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is still facing charges of possessing child sex abuse material. David Paul Daniel, 37, pleaded guilty this month to overwhelming a heavy wooden barricade at the Capitol and pushing it into the officers standing on the other side, according to a criminal complaint obtained by HuffPost. Shortly after the first breach, prosecutors say, Daniel led a second breach into the Senate Wing Door before escaping through a broken window. He was among 600 people charged with resisting, assaulting or impeding law enforcement all of whom were pardoned by Trump on his first day of office. David Paul Daniel at Donald Trump's "Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6, 2021, on the National Mall, before Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on the day Congress met to certify Electoral College votes. Justice Department/ FBI Agents were initially able to identify Daniel by looking through his non-private social media accounts, where he posted images of himself wearing clothing items that appeared to match what he wore at the Capitol, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI investigation then discovered that Daniel had already been under investigation in Charlotte, North Carolina, over allegations of child exploitation, according to an application for a criminal complaint obtained by HuffPost. The Mint Hill Police Department in suburban Charlotte told federal investigators that from 2015 to 2019, Daniel had made a minor shower with him, sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions, took nude photos of her and directed her to take photos of herself, according to the police document. Daniel denied any inappropriate conduct with the girl, but he told Mint Hill detectives he could not recall if he had showered with her or not, according to a 2021 interview cited in the application. On Nov. 30, 2023, FBI agents and Mint Hill police searched Daniels home, where they seized an iPhone 14 Pro Max, two laptops and two iPads, according to the application. One of the laptops allegedly contained sexually explicit images of the girl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, another girl said she was also sexually involved with Daniel, according to the criminal complaint application. Images of sexual abuse of the second girl were also recovered from an iPhone belonging to Daniel, police reported. Daniel was indicted in October 2024 on federal charges of production of child pornography and possession of child pornography. He pleaded not guilty, and in December 2024, he was moved to federal custody in Washington, D.C., for proceedings in the Capitol riot case. On Jan. 8, he pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer at the Capitol, and though he was pardoned by Trump in that case, he remains in custody while the child abuse case is pending, according to court records reviewed by HuffPost. An attorney representing Daniel did not immediately respond to HuffPost when asked for a comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website. Related... JASPER COUNTY, Ind. (WXIN) An Indiana man recently pardoned by President Donald Trump for storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is dead after being shot by a sheriffs deputy while allegedly resisting arrest. Matthew Huttle, 42, of Hobart, Indiana, was shot and killed during a traffic stop Sunday afternoon. A deputy with the Jasper County Sheriffs Department pulled Huttles vehicle over on State Road 14 at approximately 4:15 p.m. Indiana State Police said the traffic stop led to the deputy attempting to arrest Huttle, but Huttle allegedly resisted and struggled with the officer. This altercation led to the deputy firing his gun and killing Huttle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to state police, Huttle was in possession of a firearm during the traffic stop. No additional details were provided about the altercation between Huttle and the deputy or what Huttle was being arrested for. A prior booking photo of Matthew Huttle from the Porter County Sheriffs Office, in Porter County, Indiana. (Courtesy DOJ) Federal sources confirmed with Nexstars WXIN/WTTV that Huttle was recently pardoned by Trump. Matthew Huttle and his uncle, Dale Huttle, were arrested for taking part in the U.S. Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021. Matthew Huttle ended up being tracked down and arrested in Boise, Idaho. The FBI said he was inside the Capitol for roughly 10 minutes but remained on the Capitol grounds for several hours. I have no regrets. I will not say Im sorry, Dale Huttle said about him and his nephew, Matthew, taking part in the riot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Huttles were sentenced for storming the Capitol. Matthew Huttle was sentenced to six months in federal prison followed by 12 months on supervised release. His prison term ended on July 17, 2024, according to federal records. Both Matthew and Dale Huttle were spared from the full consequences after Trump issued a pardon to all the rioters. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a key ally of the president and a Republican from South Carolina, spoke out against the pardons as did others on both sides of the aisle. I have always said that, I think, when you pardon people who attack police officers, youre sending the wrong signal to the public at large, said Graham. Matthew Huttle isnt the first Capitol rioter to quickly face trouble after his pardon. Last week, a Florida man who took part in the Jan. 6 riot was arrested on federal gun charges one day after being pardoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indiana State Police is leading the investigation into the shooting that ended with Matthew Huttles death. The deputy who pulled the trigger has been placed on leave during the investigation, as is standard policy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 TRUMPS SECOND TERM, like his first, will focus on two projects. The first is destroying the rule of law. The second is lying. And in these pursuits, Trump has a new right-hand man: Vice President JD Vance. Trumps previous vice president, Mike Pence, tried to excuse Trumps corruption. But on January 6, 2021, Pence failed his boss. He refused to overturn the 2020 election, and he denounced the attack on the Capitol. Last year, Vance signaled that he would do for Trump what Pence had refused to do. So Trump picked Vance as his new running mate. And a week into their administration, Vance is hard at work, lying and excusing January 6th. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On January 12, Vance was asked on Fox News Sunday about Trumps plans to grant pardons related to J6: Where is the line drawn on who will and wouldnt be considered for a pardon? He replied: I think its very simple. Look, if you protested peacefully on January the 6th, and youve 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 . . . there are a lot of people we think in the wake of January the 6th who were prosecuted unfairly. We need to rectify that. Very simple. Obviously. The distinction was clear: Nobody who committed violence would get a pardon. But a week later, when Trump took office, he ordered the release of everyone involved in the attack. Fourteen people convicted of seditious conspiracy or related charges got commutations. The restmore than 1,500 people, including hundreds who had pleaded guilty to or had been convicted of assaulting police officersgot a full, complete and unconditional pardon. Share Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That discrepancy made things awkward for Vance when he appeared Face the Nation this past Sunday for his first big interview as vice president. The moderator, Margaret Brennan, quoted part of what Vance had told Fox about the pardons. She asked him about the conflict between what he had said and what Trump had subsequently done. Vance could have ducked the question. He could have replied, minimally, that he supported Trumps decision. Instead, he tried to rewrite what hed said: Margaret, I noticed that you cut off the thing that I said immediately after that. The full quote is that of course, there are gray areas. And heres the nature of the gray area: Merrick Garlands Department of Justice denied constitutional protections in the prosecutions. There were double standards in how sentences were applied to the J6 protesters versus other groups. This was a remarkably dishonest answer. First, Vance implied that Brennan was trying to deceive viewers by omitting what he had said about gray areas. Then, having cast himself as the victim of a journalists deceit, Vance changed his own quote. Since CBS viewers hadnt heard what hed actually said on Foxthat there was a little bit of a gray area, but that it didnt affect the fundamental distinction between violent and nonviolent offensesVance exploited the omission and pretended that he had spoken of a broad gray area having something to do with Justice Department malfeasance. Brennan pointed out that Trump had previously said he would consider J6 pardons on a case-by-case basis. Again, Vance lied: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And thats exactly what we did. We looked at 1,600 cases. And the thing that came out of it, Margaret, is that there was a massive denial of due process of liberty, and a lot of people were denied their constitutional rights. The president believes that. I believe that. And I think he made the right decision. Even setting aside Vances made-up jargondue process of liberty isnt a phrase he would have learned at Yale Lawthis statement was preposterous on its face. Trump hadnt pardoned some of the J6 assailants, or even a lot of them. He had pardoned all of them. Thats not case-by-case. Vances story was also logistically impossible. In the Fox interview on January 12, he had ruled out pardons for anyone who committed a violent crime in the attack. Then, on January 20, Trump had pardoned more than 1,500 people, including the hundreds who were guilty of violence. Evidently, something had changed that week. But there simply wasnt time for hundreds of case-by-case reevaluations. Join now Then Brennan asked about two specific cases: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniel Rodriguez used an electroshock weapon against a policeman who was dragged out of the defensive line, by plunging it into the officers neck. He was in prison, sentenced to 12 years, seven months. He got a pardon. Ronald McAbee hit a cop while wearing reinforced brass knuckle-gloves, and he held one down on the ground as other rioters assailed the officer for over 20 seconds, causing a concussion. If you stand with law enforcement, how can you call these people unjustly imprisoned? Vance couldnt explain how a case-by-case review would have vindicated these thugs. So he countered that the real villain was the Department of Justice. He claimed again, without offering any examples or evidence, that federal prosecutors had put the J6 defendants through an incredibly unfair process and denied their constitutional rightsthis time adding that the defendants were held to a double standard that was not applied to many people, including, of course, the Black Lives Matter rioters who killed over two dozen people. This is the kind of racial-disparity allegation that conservatives often brush aside when its made on behalf of black or Latino defendants. But when the defendants are Trump supporters, Vance finds it useful to accuse the justice system of bias. Vances allegation is bogus. In September 2020, DOJ announced that more than 300 people had been federally charged with crimes related to the BLM-related protests. A month later, a Washington Post analysis found that at least 582 people had been charged with violence-related state or federal crimes. And in August 2021, an Associated Press review concluded that right-wing allegations of exceptional harshness against J6 defendants, relative to BLM defendants, had not been borne out when comparing the sentences that federal judges have given to Jan. 6 defendants and those who are accused of crimes during the protests against police brutality. More than 120 defendants [in BLM-related cases] have pleaded guilty or were convicted at trial of federal crimes including rioting, arson and conspiracy. More than 70 defendants whove been sentenced so far have gotten an average of about 27 months behind bars. At least 10 received prison terms of five years or more. . . . President Joe Bidens Justice Department has continued the vast majority of [prosecutions] and has often pushed for lengthy prison time for people convicted of serious crimes. Trump, by contrast, has just wiped away the J6 cases and has ordered the release of everyone who beat up a cop that day. But Vance wont even acknowledge the brutality of these crimes. Were not saying that everybody did everything perfectly, he told Brennan, referring to the two thugs whose assaults she described. The pardon power is not just for people who are angels, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is what the Republican party has become: soft on crime and contemptuous of law enforcement when the criminals in question support Trump. To smear prosecutors or excuse Trumps goons, theres no lie Vance wont tell. Thats why hes in the job. Take a minute to send this article to a friend or post it on social media: Share The first JEA board member nominated and reappointed following the fallout of the Aaron Zahn scandal is resigning. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Bobby Stein was reappointed in Feb. 2023 after Zahn was indicted in Mar. 2022. Zahn was indicted on federal charges of conspiracy and wire fraud. READ: Former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn sentenced to 4 years in prison on conspiracy, wire fraud charges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TIMELINE: Failed sale of Jacksonville public utility JEA that led to indictment of former CEO, CFO JEA confirmed with Action News Jaxs Ben Becker that Stein is expected to announce his resignation at Tuesdays board meeting. His current term expires at the end of February and will not seek a reappointment. The board selection process was changed in 2020 to split appointments between the council and mayors office after the failed sale of the utility in 2019. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Theres no indication why he is stepping away and who will replace him In December, the State Attorneys Office concluded Stein and other board members did not commit Sunshine Law violations surrounding the hiring of current CEO Vickie Cavey. This is despite an Office of Inspector General report that said the board needed better training. [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. This is an adapted excerpt from the Jan. 27 episode of Inside with Jen Psaki. I can tell you from my time in government that there are very few U.S. intelligence operations as sensitive as those around negotiations involving Americans detained overseas. A very small group of people from the national security team and the closest advisers to the president are typically in the know. Thats it. Thats for good reason. Any leak or reporting could prompt public pressure on those holding the Americans. It could make them ask for more or delay it altogether. Even the smallest misstep could cause those Americans to be held by their captors for months or years longer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its why everyone in the know lets out a sigh of relief when the detained Americans are confirmed to be back in friendly territory. Now, with that in mind, consider this headline from The Wall Street Journal from October 2020: Two Americans Held Hostage by Iran-Backed Forces in Yemen Freed in Trade. Follow MSNBCs live blog coverage of Kash Patels and Tulsi Gabbards confirmation hearings. In that report, published on the morning of Oct. 14, a little-known National Security Council staffer named Kash Patel publicly confirmed that the two American captives and the remains of a third were exchanged for 200 Houthi fighters who were being held in Saudi Arabia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patel is now President Donald Trumps pick to be director of the FBI and, ahead of his confirmation hearing, that episode from 2020 is coming under some very intense scrutiny. In a new letter released on Monday by the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Dick Durbin, the Democrat alleges he received what he calls highly credible information about Patels role in breaking protocol during the in-progress retrieval of two Americans held captive by Iranian-backed militants. Thats not just a rookie mistake. It could have been an incredibly costly mistake. One that could have prevented these Americans from coming home. According to this whistleblower, Patel had no role in the planning, negotiations or execution of the hostage recovery mission. And yet, he allegedly confirmed the details of the exchange to The Wall Street Journal before the U.S. government knew the Americans were safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Patel shared a post on X featuring various Republicans defending his hostage recovery efforts, including a former Trump White House official who called the allegations against Patel simply absurd. But, as Durbin pointed out in his letter, this is the second known instance of Patel allegedly breaking hostage recovery protocol. Back in August, The Atlantic reported on an incident that took place just two weeks after that hostage deal detailed by the whistleblower. According to multiple reported accounts told to The Atlantic, SEAL Team 6 was waiting on the Pentagon to greenlight a rescue mission after it had learned where gunmen were holding Philip Walton, a 27-year-old American who had been kidnapped that week from his farm near Nigers border with Nigeria by a group of armed men. As multiple agencies coordinated the final details of the operation, the State Department worked to resolve one outstanding task securing airspace permission from Nigerian officials. According to The Atlantic, Around noon, Kash Patel called the Pentagon with an update: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, he said, had gotten the approval. The mission was a go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SEALs were close to landing in Nigeria when Defense Secretary Mark Esper discovered that the State Department had not secured overflight clearance. The Atlantic reports: The aircraft were quickly diverted, flying in circles for the next hour as officials scrambled to alert the Nigerian government to their position. With the operation window narrowing, Esper and Pompeo called the Situation Room to put the decision to the president: Either they abort the mission and risk their hostage being killed, or they proceed into foreign airspace and risk their soldiers being shot down. But then, suddenly and thankfully, they got notice that the airspace had been cleared. More from The Atlantic: Celebratory feelings gave way to anger as officials tried to make sense of Patels bad report. According to Esper, Pompeo claimed that at no point had he even spoken with Patel about the mission, much less told him hed received the airspace rights. Esper wrote that his team suspected that Patel had simply made the approval story up. When confronted about it, Patel allegedly responded, according to two people familiar with what he said who spoke to The Atlantic, that If nobody got hurt, who the f--- cares? For the record, Patel denies saying that or making up the approval story. His spokesperson told The Atlantic that Patel would never jeopardize an operation, American hostages, or our soldiers ... In every situation, including this one, I followed the chain of command. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And look, Patel is a lot of things. Hes a QAnon sympathizer. Hes the author of childrens books in which hes a wizard and Trump is a king. But if these stories are true, hes also someone who in two separate instances put very sensitive operations at risk. Again, this is the guy Trump wants to run the FBI. If confirmed, he will serve a 10-year term. Patels confirmation hearing is Thursday and hopefully, hes come up with something better than Who the f--- cares? And hopefully, more than just the Democrats on the committee will care about his response. I guess well have to wait and see. Allison Detzel contributed. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) We are looking at the importance of blood donors today. Why not save a life this January by giving blood? January is National Blood Donor month! Donations often drop in the winter months with holiday travel, inclement weather, flu season, and other sicknesses. We cant always predict when the need will happen, but you can help ensure that this lifesaving resource is readily available by rolling up your sleeve. Benjamin Prijatel is the CEO of Shepeard Community Blood Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benjamin Prijatel: You know, a lot of people who use blood are actually cancer patients in our area. A side effect from the chemo often is that your body wont produce those blood cells like it normally would. And so we have a lot of folks at the Georgia Cancer Hospital, at the Childrens Hospital who are using platelets and blood products regularly. And so theres a big increase in people coming in right after the new year. And thats why January tends to be a high usage month month for us. Jennie: And thats important to reiterate that Shepeard does provide blood for all of our local hospitals. Benjamin Prijatel: You know, we were started almost 50 years ago by a group of local physicians who said, you know, we really need a local blood supply. We cant count on it coming from Atlanta or Columbia. We need blood here for when its needed most. And Shepeard has been filling that role now for over four decades. Jennie: You have a lot of different partnerships with different businesses in the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benjamin Prijatel: You know, a lot of our local businesses are really invested into the community and they work with Shepeard because, you know, we are all reliant on this blood supply. We know, you know, one in three people are going to need blood in their life. So between me, you and your producer, one of us is going to need a blood transfusion and we dont know who thats going to be one day. And so we all have a responsibility to make sure that that blood is available. And that includes local businesses, churches and other organizations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. We're not talking about nibbling at the edges of the President's authority, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said. We're talking about ignoring the entirety of the United States Constitution, throwing duly enacted statutes out the window, simply because the President of this country doesn't like it. That's not permissible under our legal system. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin and other Democratic attorneys general said Tuesday they are suing the Trump administration to block its freeze of trillions in federal funding, calling the action unconstitutional and illegal. The president in this country is powerful. He is not a king, Platkin said. He does not get to wake up in the morning or after an afternoon nap and direct his entire government to stop funding critical services that Congress has duly authorized and appropriated that millions and millions of Americans Republicans, Democrats, independents, children, adults, seniors depend on for life-saving care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Platkin and attorneys general from New York, Rhode Island, California, Massachusetts, and Illinois told reporters that President Donald Trumps Monday night directive was so deliberately vague that states were left guessing which projects and services would be impacted. New Jersey received $27.5 billion in federal funds to support state-administered programs and services and supplement its $56.6 billion fiscal 2025 budget. In New Jersey and other states, federal money funds transportation projects, food assistance, crime-fighting efforts, and other programs and services. Gov. Phil Murphy convened staff members Tuesday afternoon to discuss the freeze. Were taking legal action and closely monitoring impacts on our residents, Murphy said on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit announced Tuesday was the second that states have filed against the Trump administration, which has only been in office one full week. States also sued to stop an executive order Trump issued last week to redefine birthright citizenship. During a press briefing Tuesday, New York Attorney General Letitia James said state officials were busy throughout the first Trump administration, suing to stop destructive policies. Then, she added, states won 80% of their cases against the feds. Its important that individuals understand that what we are doing is protecting democracy and the rule of law, James said. We, again, have all indicated that we are prepared to work with this administration, but when it comes to a clear violation of the law, we will not be silent. We will not sit idly by and allow individuals to trespass on the rights of Americans. Trump press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the freeze is necessary to give administration officials time to review federal spending. She said it would not affect direct aid to individuals, but its unclear whether that would apply to federal assistance that flows through states to individuals. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Returning home from medical school for the holidays, I had an all-too-familiar experience for medical trainees, but with a cultural twist. My Chinese American family bombarded me with medical questions. I wake up at 4 a.m. every day, (bu shu fu; body feels uncomfortable), feels like (xin tiao; heart palpitations). I get woken up at 3 a.m. every day, (Weitong; stomach pains), but I had a CT, MRI, and colonoscopy last year, and they said nothing is wrong. Do I have cancer? A Western cultural model may recognize these medically unexplained symptoms as somatic manifestations of psychological distress, which are formally categorized in the DSM-5 as somatic symptom and related disorders (APA). However, due to cultural stigma surrounding mental disorders, many patients of Chinese heritage are unable or unwilling to consider any connection between physical symptoms and their mental health, thus preventing them from receiving appropriate treatment and creating significant mental health disparities. In order to better serve these patients, it is imperative for clinicians to recognize somatic symptom presentations in Chinese heritage patients, offer appropriate medical as well as psychiatric treatment, and address cultural barriers that may prevent patients from accessing psychiatric care. In studies of cross-cultural psychiatry, Chinese patients demonstrate a tendency to focus on somatic complaints in place of psychological ones. A classic example is (shen jing shuairuo; neurasthenia, or weakness of body and spirit), which can be described as a condition characterized by fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, sleep disturbance, and memory loss, thought to be caused by outside stressors that lead to inner turmoil. In a study of 100 Chinese outpatients with neurasthenia, 87 also met DSM criteria for major depressive disorder, and 70% of these patients experienced significant reduction of symptoms when treated with antidepressants. Despite this promising response to antidepressant treatment, Chinese American patients may be hesitant to seek psychiatric treatment due to the cultural stigma surrounding mental illness. Despite being the largest Asian demographic in the United States, Chinese Americans are relatively under-represented in mental health settings, likely due to cultural perspectives of mental health that discourage utilization of these services 5,6. In traditional Chinese communities, those who experience neurasthenia may be labeled as (shenjingbing; mentally unwell), a term that is associated with shame and social ostracization. Parents may be unwilling to allow their child to marry into a family with a member who is mentally unwell. In domestic arguments, accusing the opposition of (shenjingbing; mentally unwell), (feng, crazy), or (qiangpo zheng; OCD) is a common attack. (Qu si ba; go kill yourself) is the ultimate insult. Societal rejection of individuals who have been labeled as mentally ill drives stigmatization and denial of mental disorders among Chinese populations, which in turn leads to higher rates of somatic symptom disorders. Chinese heritage individuals may also experience internal barriers to accessing mental health care. In Chinese culture, mental health issues can be perceived as a weakness or a source of familial disgrace, leading to reticence in seeking help or disclosing psychological struggles. This may explain lower reported rates of depression in Chinese Americans than in any other Asian subgroup. Traditional Chinese values emphasize preserving family honor and avoiding shame, or (Hao mianzi; good face). Mental illness can be viewed as a reflection of poor familial upbringing, creating a significant barrier to seeking psychiatric help. The collectivist values of Chinese society place great importance on social stability and harmony, often at the expense of individual emotional expression, which can further complicate an individuals capacity to acknowledge and seek treatment for mental disorders. These internalized views of mental health contribute to the under-utilization of Western mental health services. Perhaps another reason that Chinese heritage individuals deny psychological diagnoses is a fear of mental illness being incurable. In an attempt to prioritize hope and repel negative energy, individuals may tell their families they do not want to be informed of terminal diagnoses. The 2019 film The Farewell depicts this belief, as an entire Chinese American family works to deceive their beloved grandmother about her cancer diagnosis to protect her from the emotional burden of her terminal prognosis. There is widespread fear that conditions such as (you yu zheng; depression) are incurable. In Chinese news, mental illness is typically portrayed in only the most extreme circumstances, such as dramatic suicide attempts by jumping off buildings or a killing spree by a (Fengzi; madman). In light of these beliefs, suppression or rejection of negative emotions becomes the most acceptable coping mechanism. Taken together, cultural stigma, negative internal attitudes toward mental illness, and unfamiliarity with or even distrust of Western mental health treatments all pose significant barriers to Chinese heritage patients who may benefit from psychiatric care. Clinicians would do well to maintain a high bar of suspicion for somatic symptom disorders in this population and to offer compassionate and culturally responsive care. While more research is sorely needed, some best practices may include: To address the under-reporting of psychiatric symptoms, keep a broad differential that includes somatic symptom disorders when a culturally Chinese patient presents with vague or medically unexplained somatic symptoms. To address stigma and shame, build rapport over time, and support community-based de-stigmatization efforts. To honor collectivistic values, invite family participation and emphasize the benefit of mental health treatment on the familys functioning as a whole. To accommodate cultural conceptualizations of mental illness, invite and validate the patients perspective of their illness. To combat unfamiliarity with Western mental health treatments, offer clear and unbiased information regarding diagnosis and evidence-based treatments. Provide psychoeducation about the physical manifestations of stress, anxiety, and depression. To address reluctance to seek mental health treatment, emphasize the practical and/or functional benefits of treatment and frame treatment as a type of mental strengthening or training, as opposed to self-care or self-indulgence. Michelle Zhu is a medical student. Angela Liu is a psychiatry resident. Ashley Wu is a child and adolescent fellow. Thomas Pak is a psychiatry resident. A New Jersey man was sentenced to over six years in prison on charges of violating federal drug trafficking laws in Pittsburgh. The Department of Justice said Ryan Mendoza, 32, was sentenced to 77 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release. Officials said on Feb. 25, 2021, employees at a Pittsburgh hotel notified police that a backpack with a substantial amount of drugs inside was found in a room previously occupied by Mendoza. The drugs were later determined to be fentanyl and heroin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mendoza was taken into custody when he went back to the hotel and tried to get into the room. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Its almost unbelievable, but Jews are being written out of the Holocaust story. Even Holocaust Memorial Day could not go unmolested. At least Good Morning Britain apologised for its broadcast with anchor Ranvir Singh and a reporter at Auschwitz. In the original clip, Singh said, Six million people were killed in concentration camps during the Second World War as well as millions of others because they were Polish, disabled, gay or belonged to another ethnic group. As the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism and others pointed out, the word Good Morning Britain was struggling to say was Jews. The next day, Singh went on air again: We said six million people were killed in the Holocaust, but crucially, we failed to say they were Jewish. That was our mistake for which we apologise. Fair enough, but evidence of this marginalisation of the Jewishness of the Holocaust can be found in many places and in many forms. Its almost impossible to tell when this is inadvertent or when it is genuinely nefarious. In the worst cases, its clear that the same people who are happy to accuse Jews of weaponising the Holocaust are themselves weaponising it against Jews. So @GMB apologises for erasing Jews out of their Holocaust Memorial Day coverage. The whole thing is so weird and shows why for many Jewish people the pain of HMD is compounded by the way it's used as an excuse to trivialise Jewish pain and even to attack us. https://t.co/MzU5V2CMFD pic.twitter.com/cBBveGlBqH Nicole Lampert (@nicolelampert) January 28, 2025 Unsurprisingly, Students for Palestine led the way in this regard. Their Holocaust Memorial Day statement wasnt exactly focused on those six million Jews murdered in the name of anti-Semitic mania. From the Reform Party to the Trump Administration to Zionism, any form of white supremacy must be torn down by any means necessary we cannot allow the Holocaust to be weaponised as a tool to inflict violence onto the Palestinians as it has been by the Zionist entity. Im sure the Zionist entity was grateful for the groups thoughts at that difficult time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What happened at Good Morning Britain was not an isolated incident. Even the European Commissions official statement neglected to mention Jews. Perhaps the most darkly comic moment came towards the end of BBC Ones hour-long special on Monday, where, after a succession of stories of commemoration, the BBC unable to resist some vox pops with Gen Zers in a field shoehorned a young man wearing a keffiyeh into the discussion so he could mention Islamophobia. It spoke of that refusal to take the Holocaust for what it was and what it means today. If you dont focus on Jews as the victims of the Holocaust, then you cant understand how it could happen. To equate it with a current war or with other iterations of racism or prejudice is absurd and immoral. Its not My Grievance Day, its Holocaust Memorial Day. Angela Rayner posted a picture of herself accompanied by the words, Tonight, Im lighting a candle to remember all those who were murdered just for being who they were, and to stand against prejudice and hatred today. Its the horrible ambiguity of such a statement that is so unsettling. You can see this as a universal message of solidarity or you can see it as cowardly, and by not mentioning the Holocaust itself, who died in it and why, it looks like a cop out. Many will look at a statement such as this and assume rightly or wrongly it is designed more in the interests of placating voters hostile to Israel than remembering the mass of Jewish dead. Tonight, I'm lighting a candle to remember all those who were murdered just for being who they were, and to stand against prejudice and hatred today. Never again. #LightTheDarkness #HMD2025 pic.twitter.com/fcTmO23gwW Angela Rayner (@AngelaRayner) January 27, 2025 Jeremy Corbyn chose Holocaust Memorial Day to muse on the dangers of fascism in Tribune. It will not have gone unnoticed by critics that among references to the growth of far-Right populism and anti-migrant rhetoric, there was not a single mention of the possibility of anti-Semitism existing on the Left. Im sure there are Jewish people who remember his time as leader of the Labour Party who feel like they are being trolled. Perhaps the saddest exhibition of such diversion came in Dublin, where the Irish president, Michael D Higgins, chose a Holocaust Memorial Day event to discuss against the explicit wishes of the organisers the hostage exchange and ceasefire in Gaza. Some attendees turned their backs while two women were forcibly removed by security, one shouting, How am I, as a Jew, being kicked out of my own event? Contrast the approach of Higgins (who has form when it comes to Israel) with that of King Charles, who took the trouble to go to Auschwitz and exhibited the dignity the occasion merited. This is Lior Tibet, the woman who was dragged out of the Holocaust Memorial Day event in the Mansion House. pic.twitter.com/qD6QBqs7z2 Ronan McGreevy (@RMcGreevy1301) January 26, 2025 The final word falls to the pro-Palestinian activist who left a placard on the Kindertransport statue at Londons Liverpool Street Station. The message equated the 1.5 million Jewish children systematically murdered by the Nazis with the suffering in Gaza. If I were Jewish, Id be tempted to wonder what the value of Holocaust Memorial Day actually is, since if it continues to be steered away from commemorating Jewish suffering it will, almost incredibly, become a nexus for anti-Semitism. Its an inversion almost too distasteful to contemplate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not that Gaza or any other conflict should not be discussed in earnest (though try finding someone who is willing to apply the same zeal over Sudan or the Uyghurs) but that to press that button again and again on this one day is like gaslighting an entire community at the moment of their greatest trauma. For the bad faith actors, that is exactly the point. The King placed a candle during Holocaust commemorations at Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland on Monday - Reuters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some of these examples you can almost smell the caution, the trepidation about giving Jewish people their unarguable place at the heart of this remembrance, as if perhaps subconsciously to do so would offend or alienate too many to make it advantageous. That is anti-Semitism by stealth, a creeping vine that obscures the truth for conveniences sake. Six million Jews might put viewers off. Six million people sounds more universal. But the Holocaust isnt universal. It existed in a context that is increasingly being ignored. Its no good blithely brandishing the sentiment of never again while erasing Jews from the Holocaust. Decoupling this singular Jewish experience from Auschwitz is precisely how never again becomes just again. 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. Jim Acosta is leaving his longtime home of CNN. The anchors decision to depart the cable news network comes five days after it was reported that The Situation Room, Wolf Blitzers long-running evening program, would move from its current 6 pm ET time slot to 10 am in March, replacing Acostas CNN Newsroom. More from TVLine A CNN spokesperson previously told TVLine that the network was in active discussions with Acosta about a new place on its lineup which, according to Status News, would have been a two-hour block from midnight until 2 am ET. Acosta ultimately declined that offer, and addressed his decision on Tuesdays show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wanted to end todays show by thanking all of the wonderful people who work behind the scenes at this network. You may have seen some reports about me and the show, and after giving all of this careful consideration and weighing an alternative time slot CNN offered me, Ive decided to move on, he confirmed. I am grateful to CNN for the nearly 18 years Ive spent here doing the news. People often ask me if the highlight of my career at CNN was at the White House, covering Donald Trump. Actually, no, he said. That moment came when I covered President Barack Obamas trip to Cuba in 2016 and had the chance to question the dictator there, Raul Castro, about the islands political prisoners. As the son of a Cuban refugee, I took home this lesson: It is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant. I have always believed its the job of the press to hold power to account. Ive always tried to do that here at CNN, and I plan on doing that in the future. He then left his audience with one final message: Dont give in to the lies. Dont give in to the fear. Hold on to the truth and to hope, even if you have to get out your phone, record that message. I will not give in to the lies. I will not give in to the fear. Post it on your social media so people can hear from you, too. Before he signed off, Acosta said he would reveal more about his plans for the future in the coming days. Shortly thereafter, he launched a Substack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN, meanwhile, issued the following statement: Jim has had a long, distinguished nearly 20-year career at CNN, with a track record of standing up to authority, for the first amendment and for our journalistic freedoms. We want to thank him for the dedication and commitment hes brought to his reporting and wish him the very best in the future. CNN Acostas exit comes at the start of President Donald Trumps second term. In 2018, CNN filed a lawsuit against Trump, accusing POTUS of violating the First and Fifth Amendments after he revoked Acostas White House press credential. Within 72 hours, Acostas access was reinstated by a federal judge. Acosta first joined CNN in March 2007 and covered the 2008 presidential campaigns of then-Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. John McCain and then-Sen. Barack Obama. He was also a frequent co-anchor on the networks weekend political program, Ballot Bowl. He served as a national political correspondent embedded within Mitt Romneys 2012 presidential campaign, and was later named chief White House correspondent during the Obama administration a role he maintained through Trumps first term. His television career began in 1995 as a reporter and substitute anchor for WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tenn. Over the next six years, he worked at local CBS affiliates in Dallas and Chicago. In 2001, he was hired as a correspondent for CBS Newspath, the networks 24-hour news service. Two years later, he was named a CBS News correspondent, at which point he contributed primarily to CBS Evening News and covered the Iraq war from Baghdad, as well the 2004 presidential campaign of then-Sen. John Kerry. Best of TVLine Sign up for TVLine's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Jim Acosta is saying goodbye to CNN. The anchor and former White House correspondent is leaving his network home of 18 years. He made the announcement at the end of his newscast on Tuesday morning. I just wanted to end todays show by thanking all of the wonderful people who work behind the scenes at this network. You may have seen some reports about me and the show, and after giving all of this some careful consideration and weighing an alternative time slot CNN offered me, Ive decided to move on, he explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources close to the situation said CNN wanted to keep Acosta employed but wanted him to move to a different time slot, between midnight and 2 a.m. He currently anchors the 10 a.m. slot. This comes a few days after CNN announced it would be switching up some of its programming and those changes seem to have impacted the journalist. Acosta is the first big name to exit CNN amid the changes being put in place. The newsletter The Status was the first to report the news. Blink-182 to headline benefit concert for Los Angeles fire relief The veteran journalist continued his goodbye by looking back at his nearly two decades with the network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People often ask me if the highlight of my career at CNN was at the White House covering Donald Trump. Actually, no, that moment came here when I covered former President Barack Obamas trip to Cuba in 2016 and had the chance to question the dictator there, Raul Castro, about the islands political prisoners. As the son of a Cuban refugee, I took home this lesson, it is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant, he said. I have always believed its the job of the press to hold power to account. Ive always tried to do that here at CNN, and I plan on doing all of that in the future. Paris Hilton reunites foster dog with family affected by Eaton Fire During President Donald Trumps first term in office, many will remember his contentious exchanges with Acosta during media briefings. At one point, the White House revoked Acostas press pass. President Donald Trump gets into a heated exchange with CNN chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta on Nov. 7, 2018. (Credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) One final message, dont give in to the lies. Dont give in to the fear. Hold on to the truth and to hope, Acosta said before signing off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The anchors departure comes just over a week after the president was sworn in for his second term. Acosta told CEO Mark Thompson that the timing seemed suspicious, a source told Deadline. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JOHNSTON, R.I. (WPRI) After pledging to use all the power of government to fight an affordable housing project, Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. has announced plans to seize the land through eminent domain. On Monday, Polisena Jr. revealed the town is taking all 31 acres of vacant land off of George Waterman Road to build a comprehensive public safety municipal complex. The site, located between Greenville Avenue and Route 44, has been a flashpoint of controversy since a developer proposed building 255 units of affordable housing on the land. Polisena Jr. has been a vocal opponent of the project, arguing it would overwhelm Johnston with nearly 600 new residents and create what he called a trifecta of chaos due to increased traffic, drainage issues and an influx of students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Johnston mayor vows to fight proposed affordable housing complex The mayor said the parcel will instead be used to construct a new fire headquarters, police station and municipal hall. He described the towns current facilities as being in disarray, citing numerous unsafe and inadequate working conditions. Polisena Jr. said Johnston firefighters currently lack a fire alarm system at their headquarters, frequently deal with flooded dispatch rooms during rainstorms, and live adjacent to the apparatus room, exposing them to toxic fumes. Firefighters also have no female bathrooms or showers and face leaks throughout the building. Current Johnston Fire Headquarters conditions (Courtesy: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.) Current Johnston Fire Headquarters conditions (Courtesy: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.) Current Johnston Fire Headquarters conditions (Courtesy: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.) Current Johnston Fire Headquarters conditions (Courtesy: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.) Current Johnston Fire Headquarters conditions (Courtesy: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.) Current Johnston Fire Headquarters conditions (Courtesy: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.) Similarly, Johnston police officers are working in closets rather than offices, with no hot water, no toilet in the locker room and an outdated electrical system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polisena Jr. said rain regularly floods the stations basement, impacting the sally port, cell block and other critical areas. Current Johnston Police Station conditions (Courtesy: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.) Current Johnston Police Station conditions (Courtesy: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.) Current Johnston Police Station conditions (Courtesy: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.) Current Johnston Police Station conditions (Courtesy: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.) Current Johnston Police Station conditions (Courtesy: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.) The town hall, according to Polisena Jr., is plagued by accessibility issues, a broken HVAC system, roof holes and only eight public parking spaces due to it being constructed when Johnston had just 9,000 residents. Current Johnston Town Hall conditions (Courtesy: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.) Current Johnston Town Hall conditions (Courtesy: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.) Current Johnston Town Hall conditions (Courtesy: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.) Current Johnston Town Hall conditions (Courtesy: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.) Current Johnston Town Hall conditions (Courtesy: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.) Current Johnston Town Hall conditions (Courtesy: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.) Rather than me telling you about the hazardous working conditions, I feel it more powerful to show you, and I will do that in separate posts, the mayor wrote in a social media post, proceeding to share photos in follow-up posts. To fund the project, Polisena Jr. said the town is returning to its original plan of renovating the high school, which will include creating new career and technical trades programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In saving tens of millions of dollars coupled with our $40 million cash reserves, we are using our financial prudence to continue to upgrade our town infrastructure, which impacts all residents, Polisena Jr. said. Kelley Morris Salvatore, the attorney representing Waterman Chenango LLC, the developer who currently owns the land, told 12 News they were given no notice of the mayors plan. She said she found out about the proposal online and has no other information than what has been posted. Salvatore added that they were supposed to meet with Polisena Jr. later this week, but were unaware of any indication this proposal was on the horizon or in the works. Additionally, a spokesperson for the Housing Network of Rhode Island told 12 News, Using eminent domain to block affordable housing sets a dangerous precedent and undermines efforts to address the housing crisis in Johnston and across Rhode Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Johnston Town Council will meet on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. to discuss and vote on Resolution 2025-10. Polisena Jr. encourages residents to attend and make their voices heard. Read the full resolution below. Johnston-RIResolution-2025-10Download 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. Jon Stewart ripped into liberal media pundits recent rhetoric in response to Donald Trumps first week back in office. Early into his Monday monologue, Stewart played a montage of news anchors referring to Trumps firing of 17 inspectors general as a purge. The Daily Show host sarcastically pulled out an axe and pretended to freak out at the news. Ah! Trump has ushered in the purge! Stewart yelled. But when he showed a clip of ABC news explaining what the purge in question was, he seemed unimpressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No! He got rid of 17 inspectors general! That only leaves... No one knows how many there are, Stewart joked. Stewart acknowledged the purge in question was illegalfederal law dictates that Trump shouldve notified Congress 30 days ahead of timebut he still thought Democrats reaction was a little overdramatic. Oh, apparently you can fire them, but you have to give them 30 days notice, Stewart said. So thats what were upset about? No! You can do it, but not in that font! Stewart clarified that he had no shortage of his own criticisms of the Trump administration, but he was worried the constant accusations from the left of fascism were counter-productive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Look, I have a lot of fear that as this term goes on, things are going to get a little fascist-y, and we must be vigilant, Stewart said. But part of vigilance is discernment. Republicans control the House, the Senate, the executive, and the judiciary. And just about every move that has been made till this point, we have granted them electorally. Its our fault! Stewart argued that at the end of the day, Americans did knowingly vote Trump into office, so Democrats should respond with less moral outrage and more persuasion. Stewart asked Democrats, What are you learning from this? How would you use this power? Whats your contract with America? The Daily Show host advised prominent Democrats, Tell people what you would do with the power that Trump is wielding, and then convince us to give that power to you, as soon as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats the goal, Stewart said. Its enough with the, Hes a Hitler, hes a thing. Stop doing it, thats terrible..." The big question Democrats should be answering to the American people, Stewart argued, was, What would you f---ing do? Jon Stewart made a heated argument during last night's episode of The Daily Show regarding Donald Trump's most recent orders. In case you missed it, this past weekend, an overnight decision was made by the president to fire at least a dozen federal inspectors general during the first week of his second term. SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox On Monday, the 62-year-old comedian referenced the so-called "purge," criticizing the move and Democrats' response to itnamely, Chuck Schumer, re-playing a clip in which the senator called the administration's firing a "glaring sign" of a "golden age for abuse in government and even corruption." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Im sorry, what? Apparently, you can fire them but you have to give them 30 days notice. That is what we are upset about?" Stewart said on the Jan. 27 episode of the late-night talk show, citing explanations of the law that allows the president to fire federal workers, like inspectors general, but requires them to give at least 30 days' notice and an explanation for the termination. But this is the cycle we find ourselves in. First law of Trump-o-dynamics: Every action is met with a very not-equal overreaction. Thus throwing off our ability to know when shit is actually getting real. Like last weeks pardons." Stewart's monologue went on, but not before playing clips of newscasters and government officials labeling Trump's pardons of several capitol building rioters as "unconstitutional," "authoritarian" and "un-American." "For some reason, we have given presidents the power of a king, and then we say, Well, youre not going to get all kingly and shit on us, right?" Stewart said, reminding viewers that it's Trump's constitutional right to issue presidential pardons. "To put that in constitutional terms, if I could: dont hate the player, hate the founding fathers, Stewart joked. Because I dont know if youve met Donald Trump, he pushes shit." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The question is probably not, How dare he? The question should be, What are you learning from this? How would you use this power? What is your contract with America?" the TV personality suggested. "Democrats, exist outside of him. Tell people what you would do with the power that Trump is wielding, and then convince us to give that power to you as soon as possible! That is the goal!" Stewart's emotional lecture quickly went viral online, as some viewers applauded the long-running host for being so "spot on" with his observation, exclaiming that he's "funny again." "He's still got it," another X (formerly Twitter) user declared in approval. "The bad news for the US is they now have Trump," another joked. "The very good news for the US is they now have @jonstewart." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But not everyone was so certain the claims were so cut and dry, using history as a lesson. "This is a partial miss from Jon," once wrote via X. "Yes, he's right that most of Trump's actions are rooted in law, and that Americans deserve blame for electing him But he's downplaying the firing of watchdogs and what it means." "Both the Nazis in Germany and the Fascists in Italy were democratically elected into government and they consolidated their power through legal means," another pointed out on Youtube. "Each time they grabbed more power, it was done in a manner that their constitutions basically said 'well, this is technically allowed.'" "Not to knock Jon, but 'it has been done within the confines of our legal system, therefore it's not fascist' is a terrible and ahistorical argument," one more YouTuber criticized. "Famously, the Nazis operated within the confines of the German constitution, even as they issued decree after decree to target political enemies and minorities. It was a core source for their popular legitimacy with the less radical elements of Germany. It was all 'legal.' The camps were 'legal.' The Holocaust was 'legal.' So the conflation [of] 'legal' with 'non-fascist' is misleading and dangerous. Right now, trump is planning to build camps to deport millions of families without due process. That is fascist. Classically fascist. And I'm tired of entertaining the idea that it's not just because its 'legal.'" Next: JFKs Grandson Warns Truth Is a Lot Sadder in Pointed Message Addressing Conspiracies and Release of More Classified Files Jan. 27A Joplin man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Monday for his role in two kidnappings, one that resulted in the torture and death of a victim while the second victim was rescued from a Neosho hotel room. Freddie Lewis Tilton, also known as "Ol' Boy," was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool. 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 kAmp44@C5:?8 2 DE2E6>6?E 7C@> E96 &]$] 2EE@C?6J 7@C E96 (6DE6C? s:DEC:4E @7 |:DD@FC:[ %:=E@? A=62565 8F:=EJ $6AE] 'h[ a_ab[ E@ 9:D C@=6 :? 2 [ 2D H6== 2D EH@ 4@F?ED @7 36:?8 2 76=@? :? A@DD6DD:@? @7 7:C62C>D] %96 4@FCE D6?E6?465 %:=E@? E@ @?6 E6C> @7 =:76 :? AC:D@? 2?5 EH@ E6C>D @7 '_ J62CD :? AC:D@?[ E@ 36 D6CG65 4@?4FCC6?E=J :? E9:D 42D6]k^Am kAmx? E96 D6A2C2E6 42D6 :?G@=G:?8 E96 D64@?5 G:4E:>[ %:=E@? H2D 7@F?5 8F:=EJ 2E EC:2= $6AE] 'f[ a_ac[ @7 @?6 4@F?E @7 4@?DA:C24J E@ 4@>>:E D @7 b_ J62CD 2?5 @?6 E6C> @7 '_ J62CD :? AC:D@? E@ 36 D6CG65 4@?4FCC6?E=J E@ E96 D6?E6?46 :? E96 7:CDE 42D6]k^Am kAm%:=E@?[ da[ :D @?6 @7 D:I 5676?52?ED H9@ A=62565 8F:=EJ 2?5 92G6 366? D6?E6?465 :? 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H2D H2:E:?8 7@C 96C] %96 G:4E:> 925 2? @C56C @7 AC@E64E:@? 282:?DE %:=E@?]k^Am kAm(96? D96 6?E6C65 E96 C@@>[ D96 H2D 2DD2F=E65 3J %:=E@?] $96 H2D @3D6CG65 @? G:56@ DFCG6:==2?46 DECF88=:?8 E@ 86E @FE @7 E96 C@@>[ 3FE D96 H2D 5C28865 324:? 3J %:=E@? 2?5 2DD2F=E65 96C C6A62E65=J]k^Am kAm%:=E@? EC:65 E@ D9@@E E96 G:4E:>[ 3FE E96 8F? ;2>>65] w6 2DD2F=E65 E96 G:4E:> 7@C 2?@E96C 6:89E >:?FE6D 367@C6 A@=:46 2CC:G65]k^Am JOPLIN, Mo. Joplin residents get another chance to get to know their police chief a little better. The police department hosted its latest coffee with the chief today at Joplin Avenue Coffee Company. Its something Dr. Richard Pearson quickly got on board with last year, not long after he was named chief. The department tries to host these get-togethers once a month to give residents the chance to voice any concerns they may have in a more relaxed, one-on-one setting, with the motto being, building relationships one cup at a time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GMFS Joplin Police Department! What Im looking for is that big hit when somebody comes in with some information that I can work that will be of citywide significance. But you cant get that if you dont make yourself accessible to people. And even if somebody wants to come in and talk about the cat was stuck in a tree. Lets talk about that cat. What else am I good for if Im not accessible and you cant come and talk to me as a chief of police, said Dr. Richard Pearson, Joplin police chief. Pearson says this is all about transparency and he enjoys it. The next coffee with the chief is scheduled for Thursday, February 27 at 11:00 a.m. at the AMI Radio Studios near 20th and South Schifferdecker Avenue. 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. A judge has paused President Donald Trump's pause of federal grants. The directive would have temporarily frozen federal grants to agencies like FEMA and the SBA. The judge's ruling pauses the order until Monday afternoon, protecting funding for existing programs. A federal judge has temporarily prevented President Donald Trump's directive to freeze federal grants from taking effect Tuesday evening. US District Judge Loren L. AliKhan's decision will protect funding for existing programs until Monday afternoon. The government's freeze directive, which caused widespread panic among federal employees when it was announced early Tuesday, would have impacted funding at agencies including FEMA and the Small Business Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. AliKhan's order gives the government until 5 p.m. Thursday to file a response explaining why the funding freeze should be reinstated. The reprieve was won by a coalition of nonprofit, healthcare, and small business advocacy groups that sued the federal Office of Management and Budget to halt the freeze. The lawsuit, filed by the National Council of Nonprofits, the American Public Health Association, the Main Street Alliance, and the nonprofit SAGE, said the freeze order was "devoid of any legal basis" and would harm hundreds of thousands of grant recipients who depend on federal grants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The groups were represented by attorneys for the legal organization Democracy Forward, who said they were grateful for the time "to sort through the chaos created by the Trump administration's hasty and ill-advised actions." "This is a sigh of relief for millions of people who have been in limbo over the last twenty-four hours as the result of the Trump administration's callous attempt to wholesale shutter federal assistance and grant programs that people across this country rely on," the statement said. The National Council of Nonprofits lawsuit was one of two major legal actions filed Tuesday to challenge the threatened funding freeze. The other is being brought by the state attorneys general of New York, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. "The OMB Directive would permit the federal government to rescind already allocated dollars that have been included in recipient budgets monies that are otherwise necessary for the Plaintiffs to ensure that their residents have quality healthcare, the protections of law enforcement, the benefit of safe roads, and assistance in the aftermath of natural disasters, among many other key services," the lawsuit states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration had said the freeze would not affect Medicare, Medicaid, student loans, food stamps, or Social Security. However, during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, New York Attorney General Letitia James said funding for some programs, including Medicaid, had already been frozen. "Head Start was frozen in Michigan, access to child development block grants were frozen in Maryland," she said. "At least 20 states have been frozen out of their Medicaid reimbursement systems, including New York," she told reporters. Both lawsuits seek an eventual permanent injunction against the freeze, which the OMB said was necessary to ensure that some $3 trillion in annual spending on federal grants and loans remains compliant with Trump's recent executive orders. The federal government would no longer be funding "wokeness" and "the weaponization of government," the OMB had instructed federal agency heads on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve," the acting OMB director, Matthew J. Vaeth, had told agency heads in a memo ordering the funding freeze. Read the original article on Business Insider OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) An Oklahoma County district judge has denied an Edmond police officers request for immunity in her first-degree manslaughter case. Jennifer Haddock was arrested and charged for the death of her brother, Sean, in August 2023. She was off duty at the time of the shooting, which took place at her mothers apartment in Edmond. Haddock and her attorney were seeking immunity under Oklahomas Stand Your Ground Law. Judge Susan Stallings denied her request on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records stated Haddock failed to meet guidelines that would justify immunity. Records stated that Haddock was considered a trespasser which meant that she could potentially engage in an unlawful activity. Haddocks mother had been living in the Spring Creek Apartments, and she was letting her son, Sean, temporarily live with her. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Edmond Police release 911 call from officer after she allegedly shot brother In court documents, the judge also said Haddock was asked to remove her gun from the apartment by her mother but Haddock refused. Multiple hearings on the case were postponed until December 2024 when Haddocks attorney requested the case be dismissed under the Stand Your Ground law. This law includes the use of deadly force if someone reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the December hearing, Haddocks attorney argued she was in an unpredictable and dangerous situation involving her brother. The state argued the incident did not reach that level and that Haddock was never in fear for her life. She is scheduled to make her next court appearance for a preliminary hearing February 5, 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. A federal judge has temporarily blocked Donald Trumps administration from freezing federal grant funding across government agencies, dealing a setback to the White Houses plan to pause programs that dont align with the new presidents political ideology. US District Judge Loren AliKhan issued the temporary restraining order blocking the funding freeze until February 3 after a brief hearing in Washington Tuesday. The order, which is intended to preserve the status quo while legal proceedings continue, was the result of a lawsuit from a coalition of nonprofit organizations and small businesses that warned in court documents that the order will have a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of grant recipients who depend on the steady flow of grant money that theyve already been awarded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order will deprive people and communities of their life-saving services, including health care services, LGBT+ community support and services to support small businesses, the lawsuit argued. A White House official told The Independent that administration officials were still digesting the decision before deciding on what, if any, response to issue. The two-page memo at issue was issued by acting White House Office of Management and Budget Director Matthew Vaeth and orders federal agencies to temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance. That includes other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by Trumps sweeping executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal, according to the memo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo sent nonprofits and public programs that support low-income families and vulnerable Americans into a tailspin Tuesday, sparking fears of imminent cuts to disaster relief, healthcare, childcare, infrastructure support and groups that support homeless people and veterans, among a wide range of other programs that depend on federal funding, from suicide prevention to support for domestic violence survivors. A subsequent memo from the White House to members of Congress on Tuesday sought to clarify the funding pause, which White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters is meant to ensure that all of the money going out from Washington, D.C., is in line with the presidents agenda. Democratic officials and legal analysts have argued that Trumps order violates the constitutional authority of Congress and federal law that prohibits the president from blocking funds appropriated by lawmakers. A second lawsuit from New York Attorney General Letitia James and 22 other state attorneys general is also seeking a court order to immediately halt the administrations order, which they say imperils billions of dollars in aid to their states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This president has exceeded his authority, he has violated the constitution and he has trampled on a co-equal branch of government, James told reporters in a video briefing on Tuesday. There is no question, this policy is reckless, dangerous, illegal, and unconstitutional, she said. She called the Trump administration memo arbitrary and capricious. What we are doing is protecting democracy and the rule of law, she said. In a press briefing in Washington, D.C., Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer called Trumps funding freeze a heist done on a national scale. He called the order lawless, dangerous, destructive, cruel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its illegal. Its unconstitutional, said Schumer, speaking at a briefing that was initially intended to speak on Senate Democrats resolution to condemn Trumps January 6 pardons. Instead, lawmakers are getting panicked calls and people are scrambling to understand the scope of Trumps order. Virtually any organization school, state, police office, county or community depends on federal grant money to run its day to day operations, and theyre all now in danger, Schumer said. The blast radius of this terrible decision is virtually limitless, and its impact will be felt over and over again, he added. The only people who might be immune to this might be the ultra, ultra wealthy who they want to give a tax break to. The Trump administration is robbing Peter to pay the billionaires. The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Council will have to take another look at a proposed expansion and dredging project by the Safe Harbor Jamestown Boatyard. (Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current) The troubled Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council has again been caught flouting its own rules this time, related to a 2020 decision authorizing the expansion of a Jamestown marina. Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Lanphear in a Jan. 22 order tossed the councils decision, ordering coastal regulators to take a fresh look at a proposed expansion and dredging project by the Safe Harbor Jamestown Boatyard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lanphear ruled that the council failed to follow its own procedural rules, which require contested cases be referred to a smaller subcommittee of the full council so that opponents have the opportunity to present evidence and cross-examine the applicants. Its the latest example of the council being forced to revisit a prior decision after a state court ruled it ran afoul of its own rules. Among the most high-profile incidents previously: the proposed expansion of Champlins Marina on Block Island, which the council approved in 2020 following a series of closed-door negotiations between attorneys for the marina and the agency. The Rhode Island Supreme Court struck down the decision in 2022, siding with a state Superior Court judge who declared the council failed to meet requirements around public input and transparency in its decision making. Also in 2022, a Providence County Superior Court judge tossed a four-year-old council decision rejecting a proposed oyster farm in Barrington on the grounds that the council failed to allow the applicant to cross-examine project opponents. Forced to revisit the application anew in 2023, the council approved the oyster farm proposed in upper Narragansett Bay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lanphears order forces the council to reconsider the Jamestown Boatyards application, including the arguments against it. Now owned by Dallas corporation called Safe Harbor, the Dumpling Drive marina initially wanted to add three piers and dredge the cove seafloor of its marina, according to the 2019 application. The 120-year-old boatyard employs more than 20 full and part-time workers, Andy Dickinson, a manager, said. Dickinson was unaware of the court order when contacted by phone Tuesday. Amid objections from The Dumplings Association, a nonprofit neighborhood association that owns a small pier, parking lot and beach next to the marina, the boatyard owners agreed to scale down the project through a series of amendments to its application. While the CRMC staff recommended the council approve the revised application, neighbors still werent happy, worried about the environmental impacts of dredging and insisting the commercial expansion conflicted with existing coastal restrictions on the rural residential and uniquely scenic coastline, according to court filings. The neighborhood association is a membership-only group representing 125 property owners along the cove, according to news reports. The Dumplings Association, a neighborhood group that owns a parking lot, beach and pier next to Jamestown Boatyard, challenged the proposed expansion. (Photo by Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current) Despite the neighbors strong objections, the CRMC approved the application in a 4-2 vote in December 2020, preventing attorneys hired to represent the neighborhood association from cross-examining the applicants during a virtual public hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January 2021, The Dumplings Association sued the CRMC and the boatyard on the grounds that it violated its own procedural rules, characterizing its decision as arbitrary, capricious and characterized by abuse of discretion. Four years and a flurry of court filings back and forth later, Lanphear sided with the neighborhood association sort of. The court order does not affirm or even wade into the substance of the neighborhood groups arguments, instead rejecting the CRMC decision based on a point raised by attorneys for Safe Harbor Marinas: that the council never held a subcommittee meeting before voting on the application, which its own rules require for contested project proposals. Joshua Parks, an attorney with Adler Pollock & Sheehan representing the boatyard, declined to comment when reached by phone Tuesday. Attorneys for The Dumplings Association did not immediately respond to inquiries for comment on Lanphears decision Tuesday. More ammo for CRMC skeptics However, Save the Bay, a vocal critic of the CRMC, praised the ruling as a another check on the politically-appointed CRMC Councils unacceptable abuse of discretion and disregard for proper procedure and fairness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Councils lack of accountability in how it arbitrarily enforces its own rules erodes the publics trust in CRMC, hampering the agencys ability to effectively protect our coastal resources, Topher Hamblett, Save The Bays executive director, said in a statement Tuesday. Additionally, repeated judicial reversals or remands of flawed Council decisions cost the state time and money, creating a lack of confidence in CRMC. Hamblett also used the ruling to bring renewed attention to the advocacy groups push to abolish the politically appointed council, reshaping the agency as an administrative department akin to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Legislation to this effect has been introduced but failed to advance out of committee in recent years, despite increasing scrutiny of the council for its decisions as well as ongoing deliberations, such as the Quidnessett Country Clubs illegal seawall. Its time for the General Assembly to reform our coastal agency by passing legislation to remove the Council and provide for a full-time staff attorney that will ensure the agency abides by the rules, Hamblett said. Laura Dwyer, a CRMC spokesperson, said in an email Tuesday that the agency is disappointed by the judges decision but is considering an appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The agenda includes a closed-door discussion of the court case. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Justice Ministry has requested the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court to confiscate the assets of the Russian oil company Tatneft in Ukraine, Deputy Minister Iryna Bogatyk announced on Jan. 27. Tatneft is valued at approximately 2 billion hryvnia ($47 million). The assets targeted for nationalization include corporate rights, gas stations, oil depots, vehicles, and equipment located in the Kharkiv and Poltava Oblasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The oil company is Russian state-controlled and significantly contributes to the country's budget. Tatneft regularly supplies products to enterprises within the Russian military-industrial complex. It (Tatneft) is part of the structure of the fuel and energy complex of the Russian Federation and produces about 20 types of products, including aviation kerosene and diesel fuel, which are included in the mandatory list of recommended supply to enterprises of the military-industrial complex of Russia, Bogatyk wrote on Facebook. The Ministry of Justice has also filed lawsuits to confiscate the sanctioned assets of three Ukrainians, including properties, vehicles, and corporate shares belonging to Kyrylo Vyshynsky, Oleksandr Kuzmenko, and Vladimir Sergiyenko. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russias oil industry has been critical to the countrys war efforts. Fossil fuel exports remain a major revenue stream for the Kremlins military operations. Read also: Russias Ryazan oil refinery suspends operations after drone strike, Reuters reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A 19-year-old man and a juvenile were arrested in connection with a home invasion last week in Milford after being tracked down by a police K-9 along the beach where one suspect was reportedly found with a large stash of cash. Police responded to a residence on Milford Point Road last Friday at 2:40 a.m. on the report of an attempted vehicle theft and were told while they were en route that the thieves had entered the home, according to the Milford Police Department. As police arrived, they spotted a black BMW being driven by a male who sped away. Officers were able to deploy stop sticks in the area of Milford Point Road and Deerwood Avenue, stopping the vehicle, police said. The occupant abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers at the residence then saw two males run out of the rear door, leading to a foot pursuit on the nearby beach, according to police. Officers were assisted by K-9 Rip and his handler in apprehending a juvenile. The juvenile was provided medical attention before being taken to Milford Hospital. Police alleged that he was found with multiple items belonging to the victim as well as a large sum of cash. K-9 Rip and his handler then went on a track looking for the second individual who took off on foot, which took them through multiple backyards and marsh lines. As the dog searched the area, police said his behavior indicated the suspect was in the vicinity. Officers called out several times for the suspect to give himself up. The track led police to a small fence with a boardwalk behind it extending to the marsh. The K-9 alerted police to the bottom of the boardwalk, which was about six inches above the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police were able to spot a suspect dressed in all black lying under the boardwalk. He did not come out despite officers telling him the K-9 was present, according to police. Police said the K-9 was able to pull the suspect out slowly before he was taken into custody and identified as 19-year-old Jahquil Louis of Newark, New Jersey. He was given medical attention and transported to Milford Hospital. Louis was later charged with first-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit first-degree burglary, second-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny, larceny of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle and interfering with an officer. He was held on a $500,000 bond. After being released from the hospital, the juvenile was arrested on the same charges as Louis. He was held on a remand to custody order and was expected to appear in New Haven Juvenile Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said their investigation remains ongoing. They do not believe the incident was random. We would like to highlight and stress the importance of the amazing work done by Milford Police Patrol Units, especially K-9 Rip, the police department said in a statement. The excellent and timely response resulted in the apprehension of these two suspects and ensured the safety of our residents. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A Kansas City, Missouri man has been sentenced for a shooting last year that injured a Kansas City Police Department officer. A Jackson County judge on Friday sentenced 42-year-old Dwayne Barnes to 25 years in prison, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson. Barnes pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of armed criminal action and two counts of second-degree assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, officers pulled over Barnes on April 8, 2024, near 46th Terrace and Benton, for having expired tags on his vehicle and suspected of being impaired. Suspect dies following Atchison officer-involved shooting When they tried to arrest Barnes, police said he got a hold of a gun and fired, hitting one of the officers. That officer was rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Court documents say that while KCPD officers were attempting to arrest him, he resisted and was taken to the ground before they placed him in handcuffs. When they stood him up on his feet, shots were fired, one striking an officer in the elbow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Investigators found a .357 revolver in grass near where Barnes was standing with three live rounds and two spent shell casings. Officers said Barnes appeared to be under the influence of PCP when they took him to a hospital from the scene. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. After three days, the Kansas City Police Department reported that three teenage girls who disappeared on Jan. 25 have been found safe. Savannah Morris, Deasia Dovers and Kenna Westling were at Walmart on 40 Highway on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 8:20 a.m. All three then left Walmart at 8:40 a.m. in a four-door Volkswagen. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri All three teens were reportedly found, according to a post by the Kansas City Police Department on X Tuesday morning. 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 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Rep. Ken Rahjes, an Agra Republican and chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, asked House colleagues to embrace a $5 million annual income tax incentive to increase availability of E15 made with corn and sorghum byproducts. In a House committee hearing on the bill, soybean and biodiesel interests asked for a comparable five-year tax incentive. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Legislature's YouTube channel) TOPEKA A coalition of agriculture and energy companies requested the Kansas House approve a $5 million annual state tax credit to incentivize reluctant gas station operators to expand distribution of E15 fuel made with homegrown corn or sorghum. Consumers commonly purchase E10 a fuel with 10% ethanol for use in cars and trucks, but champions of the income tax break for alternative fuel retailers said it could lead to better prices paid to sorghum and corn farmers, benefit consumers by expanding availability of lower-cost, higher-blends of fuel and provide trickle-down economic gains across the rural economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Ken Rahjes, an Agra Republican with the Phillipsburg ethanol plant in his district, asked the House Taxation Committee to consider the fiscally responsible state income tax incentive of 5 cents on every gallon of E15 sold by retailers in 2026 to 2031. The initiative could convince fuel station owners to make infrastructure investments in underground tanks and other equipment necessary to market E15, he said. Renewable fuel production has a long history in this state and now it is time to move forward and increase access to E15 to our citizens and those traveling through our great state, Rahjes said. Only 150 of 2,000 fueling stations in Kansas about 7% statewide offer products containing 15% ethanol and 85% unleaded gasoline. For more than a decade, E15 has been approved for use in U.S. vehicles manufactured in 2001 or after. St. Marys Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a Republican on the tax committee, asked why the Legislature should target an income tax break for fuel station operators rather than enact tax policy useful to a wide range of Kansas businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a lot of businesses in Kansas that can make a claim that theyre good for Kansas, Awerkamp said. How do we explain carving out a very, very specific industry and giving them essentially a subsidy for their capital investment? Steve Seabrook, an executive at POET Ethanol Products in Wichita, indirectly responded to Awerkamps skepticism. He said Kansas needed the state income tax incentive to catch up with Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa and other states that embraced the strategy in a bid to jumpstart E15 sales. Weve had a hard time getting it rolling, Seabrook said. The main reason you put an incentive out here is to get market development and consumer choice out in front of everybody. He said POET marketed 2 billion gallons of ethanol annually from 34 refineries, including POETs 27 plants. POET also purchased 7% of the U.S. corn crop each year and was tied to 22% of the nations ethanol production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the House committee hearing Monday on House Bill 2012, soybean growers and biodiesel manufacturers stepped up to request consideration of a companion bill that would expand the concept to create a $5 million income tax credit to bolster production and sales of biodiesel in Kansas. That tax break would apply to sales of 10% or higher blends of biodiesel. The same way ethanol is to gasoline markets, biodiesel and renewable diesel are to the diesel markets, said Kaleb Little of the Kansas Soybean Association. Our economy is powered by the diesel engine. Under both pieces of legislation, unused state income tax credits could be carried forward by alternative-fuel retailers for up to five taxable years. The credit wouldnt be refundable. Both bills would cap the annual tax credit for their respective industries at $5 million per tax year. The incentive would apparently be allocated by the Kansas Department of Revenue to qualified retailers on a first-come, first-served basis. Josh Roe, CEO of the Kansas Corn Growers Association, said that in the past five years an average of 33% of corn produced in Kansas was used in ethanol production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Kansas consumers bought nearly 1.1 billion gallons of gasoline annually. A 1% increase in the percentage of ethanol in the fuel blend would lead to consumption of 16 million additional gallons of ethanol drawn from 5.7 million bushels of corn or sorghum, he said. While its not possible to accurately estimate how that could impact corn prices across the state, Roe said, additional demand for our Kansas grown commodities is vital to farmer prosperity, especially in this time of depressed prices and agricultural incomes. Corn farmer Brett Grauerholz, operating in Republic County in northcentral Kansas, said existing ethanol production was responsible for a $1 per bushel increase in current levels of corn prices. The proposed bill would add to farmers bottom line, he said. With even a small increase in the current markets of say only 25 cents a bushel, a producer that grows 100,000 bushels of corn could see a $25,000 market premium, he said. (NewsNation) Kansas is facing an unprecedented tuberculosis (TB) outbreak, now the largest in the states history and the biggest in the United States. As of Jan. 24, the outbreak has led to 67 active cases and 79 possible infections, with two confirmed deaths, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). The department also noted that the cases are concentrated in the Kansas City metro area, with the majority in Wyandotte and Johnson Counties. Currently, Kansas has the largest outbreak that theyve ever had in history, Ashley Goss, a deputy secretary at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, told the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee on January 21, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California H5N9 bird flu case is first in US KDHE data shows there were 51 active cases statewide in 2023; that jumped to 109 in 2024. One has been reported so far in 2025. Public health officials are testing people who may have had close contact with someone with a TB infection and providing free antibiotics to those with active cases. While the outbreak is significant, officials say the overall risk to the wider community remains low. What is tuberculosis? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tuberculosis is a highly contagious bacterial infection, that most commonly affects the lungs. However, TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidneys, spine and brain. Not everyone who tests positive for TB will get sick, but if it goes untreated, it can become fatal, the CDC warns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Symptoms of an active TB infection include a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, coughing up blood, fever, night sweats and weight loss. It can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, speaks or sings. CDC ordered to stop working with WHO immediately TB can be treated with antibiotics, and patients typically become non-infectious once treatment begins. While there is a vaccine for tuberculosis, the CDC notes that its mostly used in countries with a high prevalence of TB and isnt recommended for use in the U.S. due to low risk of infection. The number of U.S. tuberculosis cases in 2023 was the highest in a decade, according to a report released by the CDC on March 28, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NewsNation digital producer Jeff Arnold 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. Health officials in Kansas say they are battling an unprecedented tuberculosis outbreak thats infected at least 146 people in the states northeast. As of Friday, there are 67 people currently being treated for active cases of the bacterial disease, commonly known as TB, in the Kansas City metro area, Jill Bronaugh, a spokesperson for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment told HuffPost in an email Monday. Sixty of these active cases are in Wyandotte County, and the remaining seven are in Johnson County. Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, which causes the disease tuberculosis, is seen through a microscope. via Associated Press An additional 79 inactive infections, where the person shows no symptoms, have been confirmed in the same areas, with 77 in Wyandotte County and two in Johnson County, Bronaugh said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current [metro-area] outbreak is the largest documented outbreak in U.S. history, presently, she said. This record dates back to the 1950s when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention started monitoring and reporting TB cases, she said. Bronaugh noted that there could be more cases not yet confirmed. Last year, KDHE reported 79 active and 213 latent cases in both counties from an outbreak and non-outbreak. There were also two reported TB deaths that were associated with this current outbreak, she said. Deputy Secretary For Public Health Ashley Goss updated the states Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee last week about the outbreak, which she called unprecedented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDC is on the ground in Kansas to offer the health department support with the outbreak, which the KDHE first became involved with last summer, she said. We are trending in the right direction right now. More to come on that. Hopefully, we can get it wound down quickly, she said Tuesday. Representatives with the CDC did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment Monday. TB spreads from a bacterium or germ that is passed through the air when someone infected coughs, speaks or sings. The disease usually affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, kidneys or spine, according to the CDC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not everyone infected becomes sick. Some people can be diagnosed with inactive cases of TB when they have smaller quantities of the bacterium in their body that are alive but latent. Though people with inactive cases dont have symptoms and cannot spread the disease to others, they still need treatment to prevent the bacterium which can live in the body for years without causing symptoms from becoming active, the CDC says. Kansas health department said it is offering free TB treatment to those infected who are uninsured or if the treatment isnt covered by their health insurance. The diseases symptoms include a long-term cough, fever, chest pain, chills, coughing up blood or sputum, weakness or fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, and night sweats. TB is one of the worlds leading infectious disease killers, with untreated cases potentially resulting in death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though a vaccine exists, its not generally administered in the U.S., which has one of the lowest TB incidence rates in the world, according to the CDC and World Health Organization. Outside of the U.S., low- and middle-income countries see 98% of all TB cases. The countries with the highest number of cases are India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines and Pakistan, according to the WHO. The last case surge seen in the U.S. was in 2023 when there were 9,633 cases confirmed nationwide, the highest number in a decade. Case counts increased among all age groups and among U.S.-born and non-U.S.born persons during this time, though cases were still disproportionately higher among non-U.S.born persons and persons from racial and ethnic minority groups. In offering potential reasons for the surge, U.S. health officials noted that cases had risen globally the year before and that resources usually given to TB programs in the U.S. had been severely taxed and diverted toward the COVID-19 response instead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These factors, along with changes in migration volume probably contributed to the decrease in the number of cases observed in 2020, and to the subsequent rise in case counts and rates since 2020, the CDC said. Related... As an African-American, I obviously dont have a problem with listening to black women. My own grandmother was a black woman and I listened to her, often rapturously. Not because she was black or a woman but because she worked full time, raised five children, kept an immaculate home and was college educated at a time when my other grandmother my white, Jewish grandmother could barely speak English. In other words, my grandmother deserved being listened to because of her achievements and accomplishments, not for waking up each day in a race and gender over which she had zero control. But over the past few years, that favourite phrase of the identity industry listen to black women has morphed from a call for common courtesy, or a genuine attempt to tackle racism, into a key example of DEI overreach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not been used to promote the voices of millions of talented people from minority backgrounds, but to protect from scrutiny or criticism public figures who have clearly failed in their duties. People like Karen Bass, elected mayor of Los Angeles in 2022, who ignored obvious warnings and travelled to Ghana just as her city was about to be engulfed by flames. Or Kristine Larson, the LA Fire Department deputy chief and diversity leader, who infamously quipped back in 2019 in response to concerns about firefighter preparedness, Am I able to carry your husband out of a fire? He got himself in the wrong place if I have to carry him out. Laden with arrogance and entitlement, the identity industry has made one of its missions the defence of mediocrity across American society under the cover of achieving equity or supporting diversity. In Southern California, such mediocrity has allowed the fires to still rage nearly a month after they first started. Into this environment comes President Trumps campaign to end DEI the race-based preference system whose matrix of policies, strategies, quotas and bureaucracy is being unravelled by a series of executive orders. Trumps decrees have demanded that all federal agencies close their DEI offices as well as end minority preferences that factored race into federal hiring and other labour practices nullifying programmes dating back to the Johnson administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps moves may currently only impact government-run institutions, but his DEI rollback is already seeping deep into the private sector. Companies ranging from Wal-Mart and McDonalds to Meta and Amazon have scaled back their diversity initiatives, while academic institutions such as Harvard and the University of Michigan are removing many of the DEI-related demands required of new hires. For many who lean Right including American Jews who feel failed by DEIs hierarchies of oppression this rethink is long overdue. America is now suddenly, yet hardly without warning at the onset of a racial recalibration mandated by a white leader who secured record minority support last November. Trump made no mystery of his intentions to take on DEI from day one of his administration. Once considered almost too big to fail by a pliant media and the silenced American masses, DEI must now finally prove itself, both in the court of Washington policy-makers and the court of public opinion. America remains a nation deeply informed and highly impacted by race and racism. For African-Americans like myself, racial prejudice is still a daily reality. But DEI has failed to do anything about it. If anything, it has made the problem worse. DEI today is a multi-billion dollar industry with almost zero oversight, zero regulation and zero parameters for determining effectiveness or success. Yet America is constantly told to believe in the unassailability of diversity and equity policies, even if theres scant evidence they actually work. Both companies and colleges, for instance, like to tout their minority admissions or hiring numbers to demonstrate their DEI wins. But how many of those students actually graduate from those colleges? How many minority hires remain at those companies? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One study of college graduates noted that, despite decades of affirmative action and DEI, black students had the lowest graduation rates of any ethnic group at four-year public academic institutions. Not only are the majority of black college kids failing to secure a diploma, theyre often saddled with thousands of dollars of student debt without the career path to pay for it. And thus the cycle of economic inequality continues, without any real attempt to address its root causes. This is the logic at the centre of Trumps DEI assault and the public support behind it. Why is America being held hostage to an ideology that is both ineffective and counter to the ideals of merit and achievement that have long undergirded the nation? Why are we told to listen to certain people simply because of their race or gender or sexual orientation? President Trump had clearly had enough of listening, when he barked orders at Mayor Bass during his visit to Los Angeles on Friday. But he was fed up with Bass not because she is a woman or black, but because she has failed so spectacularly to demonstrate the necessary leadership at a moment of crisis. California governor Gavin Newsom a straight white man has displayed similar levels of ineffectiveness and received a similarly blunt takedown from Trump last week. This is the colour-blind system Trump envisions when he speaks about ending DEI judging all men and women not on the basis of their immutable characteristics, but because of what they have achieved. 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. Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa stayed quiet after President Donald Trump announced that Pete Hegseth would be his nominee to head the Department of Defense. She didnt jump on the bandwagon, but instead kept her cards close to her vest. A no vote from her would have sunk Hegseths nomination, which only passed when Vice President JD Vance was called upon to cast the deciding vote in a split Senate. Looking back, it appears that the president may have had a Trump card to help nudge Ernst to his way of thinking Kari Lake. Kari Lake was recruited to challenge Joni Ernst Ernst is a combat veteran and sexual assault survivor who was leery of Hegseth (as she should have been) owing to allegations against him of sexual assault, which he denied, and reports of frat boy behavior that included being drunk on the job at the nonprofit Concerned Veterans of America. Advertisement Advertisement When asked on Fox News if she didnt quite seem to be a yes vote on Hegseth she answered, I think youre right. Enter Lake. Iowa MAGAs were angry over Earnsts hedging. There soon were calls to challenge her in the primary in 2026. A conservative commentator and media personality in Iowa said he was willing to throw my support and network behind someone else President Trump prefers to primary Joni Ernst instead." National news operations picked up on the speculation that if Ernst didnt support Hegseths nomination, she might face a primary challenge. Ernst voted for Pete Hegseth, and it went away Lake started being mentioned as a potential challenger. She is from Iowa. She graduated college there. She has done a few speaking engagements there. Advertisement Advertisement She denied interest in running against Ernst, but on Jan. 13 the Des Moines Register reported that Lake would appear as a speaker there at a Jan. 30 Make America Great Again-themed event in Des Moines. Not long after that, Ernst told an Iowa radio station that she would be voting for Hegseth. Its probably just coincidence. Opinion: Hegseth will get the job, despite Kelly's unmasking And Im sure that it has nothing to do with the fact that, earlier this week, the Welcome Home Kari Lake event, that was planned for Jan. 30 at the West Des Moines Marriott had been postponed. The event organizer told the Des Moines Register, As is often the case, political figures manage a dynamic schedule. Karis schedule change will make her unavailable to visit her home state, Iowa, on Jan. 30. Ernst knew when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em Politics is poker. Advertisement Advertisement Its not just a matter of having a decent hand, its also about your ability to bluff. Lakes spokesperson, Alex Nicoll, told The Arizona Republic, Kari Lake is not running for office in Arizona or anywhere else. Shes going to D.C. to lead the Voice of America and help spread the amazing story of America around the world. Im not sure Joni Ernst entirely believed that, or if the supposition about Lake had anything to do with her decision on Hegseth. Only one thing is certain. In the end, Ernst looked at the cards she was holding, considered what the player in the White House might have, and folded. Advertisement Advertisement Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com. For more opinions content, please subscribe. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What is Kari Lake doing now? Playing Trump card for Hegseth | Opinion Well, at least she avoided Sean Spicers fate. The youngest White House press secretary to date, 27-year-old Karoline Leavitt, took to the podium for the first time on Tuesday with a similar obsequiousness to President Donald Trump, but unlike Spicer, thanks to last Mondays indoor inauguration, was not forced to lie about the crowd size. Leavitt quickly made clear that the James S. Brady briefing room will not be a place for contrition, backtracking, or apologies, beginning with an opening statement lauding Trumps first week as historic. It was like her words were coming in through an earpiece connected to the Oval Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since taking the oath of office, President Trump has taken more than 300 executive actions, secured nearly $1 trillion in U.S. investments, deported illegal alien rapists, gang members, and suspected terrorists from our homeland, and restored common sense to the federal government, said Leavitt. She added that the new administration has ended what she called the four-year-long invasion of illegal aliens under the Biden administration. Leavitt addressed foreign nationals who are thinking about trying to enter the United States illegally, directly. Under this President, you will be detained, and you will be deported, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first Gen Z press secretary was also eager to prove that shes not going to be afraid of taking potshots at former President Joe Biden. Something that has become a habit of Trump even though he is back in the White House. New Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt held her first press conference on Tuesday. There, she echoed some of President Donald Trumps strongest claims and pushed his ideas - even taking time to attack former president Joe Biden (AP) I would like to point out to each and every one of you that in 2024 when Joe Biden was in the Oval Office or upstairs in the residence sleeping, Im not so sure, egg prices increased 65 percent in this country, she said. She also claimed that this President did more in the first 100 hours than the previous president did in the first 100 days and that the Biden administration spent money like a drunken sailor. The new White House spokesperson didnt miss her chance to take aim at one of Trumps favorite enemies, the media, by noting that trust in the mass media has reached a record low, according to Gallup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the administrations revolutionary media approach, Leavitt urged podcasters, TikTokers, independent journalists, and other members of the new media to apply for White House passes. A seat usually reserved for press staff will now be kept open for a member of the new media and Leavitt promised to give them the first question at each briefing. A significant part of the first briefing focused on a freeze of federal loans and grants following a Monday memo from the Office of Management and Budget ordering federal agencies to freeze any federal assistance to give the Trump administration some time to review the funding and decide whether it adheres to the White Houses new policies - especially the curtailing of DEI. Leavitt delivered remarks during her first briefing at the White House and hit on many of Trumps successes in this first week. She also talked about adding new media voices to the room (AP) So what does this pause mean? It means no more funding for illegal DEI programs. It means no more funding for the green new scam that has cost American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars, she said, adopting large parts of Trumps nomenclature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also appeared to adopt Trumps lack of awareness of the consequences of many of his executive orders. Are you guaranteeing here that no individual now on Medicaid would see a cut-off because of the policy? David Sanger of The New York Times asked. The response was as quick as it was devoid of information: Ill check back on that and get back to you. Leavitt praised Trumps visit to disaster areas in North Carolina and California, essentially comparing his presence to the hand of God. I would point out that just days after President Trump visited the devastation from these fires, the water was turned on. That is because of the pressure campaign he put on state and local officials there, who clearly lack all common sense, she said of Californias overwhelmingly Democratic top officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, she trumpeted the presidents temper tantrum after Colombia refused to allow military repatriation flights carrying deportees to land in the country. Trump immediately threatened Colombia with tariffs and visa sanctions on Sunday. Leavitt was quick to hit on main Trumps main talking points including immigration and the problems with the media (AP) As you saw, the Colombian government quickly folded and agreed to all of President Trumps demands. Flights are underway once again, said Leavitt. The new White House spokesperson held her first briefing more than a week into the new administration, making clear that she will allow Trump to do most of the talking. However, she avoided repeating former Trump White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grishams achievement of becoming the first spokesperson to never hold an actual briefing. But when asked how often she would appear in the briefing room, she demurred, avoiding answering the question but not without once again praising the commander-in-chief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president, as you know, is incredibly accessible, she said. First day here, he wanted all of you in the Oval Office. You got a 60-minute press conference with the leader of the free world while he was simultaneously signing executive orders. I may add, thats pretty impressive. Not being one to miss dinging Biden, she added: I dont think the previous officeholder would be able to pull such a thing off. So look, the President is the best spokesperson that this White House has, and I can assure you that you will be hearing from both him and me, as much as possible, said Leavitt. As a college student, Karoline Leavitt was laser-focused on getting where she wanted to be today: serving in the Trump administration as the youngest-ever White House press secretary. While many of her fellow students were partying, Leavitt, 27, spent her college days attending every political event possible in service of that goal. Today, the Gen Z Republican from New Hampshire will make her briefing room debut after a week of shunning the traditional daily showdown with reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leavitt is the fifth press secretary to join the Trump Hall of Fame. During his first administration, he went through four of them in four years: Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham, and Kayleigh McEnany. Leavitts road to the White House began a mere eight years ago as a student at the conservative Saint Anselm College, when she interned at Fox News during the 2016 New Hampshire primary. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt listens (AP) She was pictured beaming next to Tucker Carlson during the internship. The NH Primary is how my love for politics and media originated, Leavitt wrote on Instagram. From that week on, I knew what I wanted to do for my career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her loyalty to Trump has been unwavering ever since. Toward the end of Trumps first term, Leavitt learned the ropes of the White House press gig when she joined former press secretary McEnanys team. When Trump left office, Leavitt worked for New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trumps pick as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, before she ran for Congress in her home state. That same year, Leavitt posted a video of herself at the shooting range captioned: take it @joebiden as she fired. Karoline Leavitt at a shooting range in 2022, where her video was captioned: take it @joebiden' (@karolineleavitt/Instagram) After losing to her Democratic rival, Leavitt was welcomed back on the Trump team and eventually named his campaign spokeswoman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leavitt is leading the charge of what shes characterized as a Gen ZTrump movement. I believe there is going to be a reawakening amongst Gen Z in short time [sic], she commented to a follower in 2023. The pendulum has recently swung so far to the left, its bound to come back, and its going to be great. Trumps new press secretary is also a wife and mother. She said she went back to work just days after giving birth to her son, born in July 2024. When asked about the demands of the job and missing out on moments with her child, Leavitt said at the end of last year that she prays about it every day. Its very difficult but its also all I know, she told Instagram followers. I went back to work just days after giving birthI remind myself this job is temporary, its the opportunity of a lifetime. Leavitt makes history as the youngest ever White House press secretary (Getty Images) She gushed about Trump as a boss. Hes the best. He is generous, a great listener and storyteller, and seriously one of the funniest people Ive ever met. I am honored to work for him. And she previously said that Trump reminds her of her own father, who came from nothing and worked his way up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the president has admitted he hardly came from nothing. I started off in Brooklyn, my father gave me a small loan of $1m... he told NBCs Today on the campaign trail in 2015. The kind of press secretary Leavitt plans to be remains to be seen. So far, apart from several appearances with conservative news channels, she has sat back as Trump takes center stage. The American people are hearing directly from the leader of the free world, she said last week. This is the type of truth and transparency that they deserve. She has promised to usher in decorum in the press room, the site of many clashes between the press and spokespeople during Trumps first term. Only time will tell whether she will succeed or not. New White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a statement Tuesday from President Donald Trump, saying in her first news conference that the drones seen flying over the East Coast recently were not the enemy. After research and study, the drones that were flying over New Jersey in large numbers were authorized to be flown by the FAA for research and various other reasons, the statement from the president said. Many of these drones were also hobbyists, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying. Trumps statement comes after a number of drone sightings across the Eastern Seaboard last month led to speculation the oversized flying craft could be from China, Iran, or otherworldly sources. The drone update was one of the few key topics from Leavitts first press conference. Leavitt who, at 27 years old is the youngest press secretary ever championed Trump as the most transparent president in history and lauded his Administrations efforts to remove violent illegal immigrants during his first week back in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has never been a president who communicates with the American people and the American press corps as openly and authentically as the 45th and now 47th, President of the United States, Leavitt said. She then said the new Trump Administration will restore more than 400 press passes that were revoked during President Joe Bidens time in office, as well as open the press briefings to new media voices like podcasters and influencers. We welcome independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers and content creators, Leavitt said. Leavitt also said Colombian President Gustavo Petro quickly folded this past weekend, after his country initially declined to accept a plane full of Colombian citizens being sent back to his country. Petro changed his tune within minutes, after Trump said he would hit Colombia with high tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This signifies peace through strength is back, Leavitt said. Leavitt took the designation of youngest White House press secretary from Ronald Ziegler, who was 29 when he served as Richard Nixons press secretary, beginning in 1969. The position was introduced during Herbert Hoovers administration in 1929. President Trump, when he announced Leavitt as his pick for press secretary in November, said she is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator. He added: I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium, and help deliver our message to the American People as we Make America Great Again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, worked in the White House press office during Trumps first administration. Later, she ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in her home state in 2022, losing to Democratic incumbent Chris Pappas. On Tuesday, Leavitt said the Trump Administration is working at breakneck speed to usher in what the president has called a new golden age. She also took a dig at the Biden Administration, which she said had been spending like drunken sailors. Sanity has been restored, Leavitt added. Leavitt also said the new Department of Government Efficiency found there was about to be $50 million taxpayer dollars that went out the door to fund condoms in Gaza. The post Karoline Leavitt Gives Trumps Take on New Jersey Drones in First News Conference as White House Press Secretary appeared first on TheWrap. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt made her debut at the first press briefing of President Donald Trump's second term on Tuesday, making history as the youngest in her role to stand behind the podium. "I look forward to taking the podium into answering questions from all of the voices in the media. They are welcome to cover this White House. We will give them honest and accurate information, and I look forward to doing that," Leavitt said in an interview with Newsmax on Thursday. When Leavitt, 27, walks out into the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room on Tuesday, she'll be the youngest press secretary to do so, since Ronald Ziegler, who held the title in former President Ronald Reagan's White House at age 29. PHOTO: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt arrives at the White House in Washington, Jan. 22, 2025. (Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock) MORE: White House budget office suspends federal financial aid programs Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She's said she would ditch the traditional notes binder that her predecessors in both Democratic and Republican administrations, including during Trump's first term, would carry with them to press briefings. "I might bring some notes with me, but my binder is in my brain because I know President Trump's policies, and we have truth on our side at this White House," she said on "Fox and Friends" the morning after Trump's inauguration. PHOTO: President Donald Trump, next to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaks to reporters while in flight on Air Force One en route Joint Base Andrews, Jan. 27, 2025. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) Leavitt most recently served as Trump's spokesperson during his 2024 presidential campaign and his transition and previously worked in his first administration and for GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik, whom Trump has since named U.S. ambassador to the U.N. "Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator," Trump said in a November statement naming Leavitt press secretary. "I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium, and help deliver our message to the American People as we, Make America Great Again." PHOTO: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks to reporters in the driveway to the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Jan. 22, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) MORE: Trump signs 4 more executive orders directed at the military Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leavitt has not committed to daily briefings, which grew heated during the first Trump term, with a revolving door of press secretaries, including Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and Kayleigh McEnany, going back and forth with reporters. Stephanie Grisham did not hold a press briefing in the nine months she was press secretary. "We hope there will be decorum, certainly, and we will try to instill that. But we're not we're not shy of the hostile media," Leavitt said on Fox News in November. Before joining Trump's campaign in 2023, Leavitt ran for Congress in a competitive district in her home state of New Hampshire, winning a competitive Republican primary that included fellow Trump administration alum Matt Mowers. Leavitt went on to lose the general election to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas by nine points. PHOTO: President Donald Trump's Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is interviewed on her first full day of work at the White House, Jan. 21, 2025 in Washington. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joins immigration enforcement operations in NYC And at the start of the new Trump administration, Leavitt, in a flurry of new Federal Election Commission filings, revealed she accumulated more than $210,115 in donations that she not only failed to refund to her supporters for at least two years but also did not disclose the failure as required under federal election law. Despite making history as America's youngest press secretary, and vowing to buck some traditions, she joins the streak of moms serving as the U.S. president's chief spokesperson, following Sanders, Grisham, McEnany, and President Joe Biden's aides Jen Psaki and Karine Jean-Pierre. MORE: DOJ fires members of special counsel Jack Smith's team who prosecuted Trump Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I wish her the best of luck. This is a great job, an amazing opportunity to be standing at this podium, behind this lectern, to go back and forth with all of you and-- and speak on behalf of this president, the president of the United States," Jean-Pierre said of Leavitt earlier this month during her last briefing. "There's nothing like it. And, and I hope she enjoys the job." ABC News' Soorin Kim contributed to this report. Karoline Leavitt, youngest White House press secretary, makes briefing room debut originally appeared on abcnews.go.com WASHINGTON (AP) The FBI agents who searched Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate found boxes of classified documents in his office and storage room and retrieved sensitive government secrets about nuclear systems and weapons capabilities. One person unmoved by the gravity of the allegations: Kash Patel. Days after Trumps June 2023 indictment on charges of hoarding the documents, Patel insisted to listeners of his Kashs Corner podcast that Trump was permitted under a law known as the Presidential Records Act to take classified records with him when he left the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When youre president and you leave, you can take whatever you want, Patel said, advancing an argument later adopted by Trumps lawyers but dismissed as meritless by the Justice Department. And when you take it, whether its classified or not, its yours. Its but one example of how Patel positioned himself as a steadfast Trump loyalist well before the president picked him to run the FBI. An Associated Press review of more than 100 podcasts that Patel hosted or on which he was interviewed over the last four years reveals how Patel has habitually denigrated the investigations into Trump, sowed doubt in the criminal justice system, criticized the decision-making of the institution hes been asked to lead and professed sympathy for jailed Jan 6. rioters. The vast catalog of provocative public statements, sometimes made in the company of like-minded FBI antagonists, provides an unusually extensive record of a nominees unvarnished and controversial worldviews. At his Senate confirmation hearing Thursday, Democrats are likely to seize on Patels often explosive and conspiracy-riddled commentary, which is unprecedented in volume, tone and substance for a potential FBI leader. While those critics say his views make him unfit for the job, his supporters argue the FBI needs someone as brash as Patel to shake up the agency. Asked to respond to his comments, Patel spokeswoman Erica Knight said the nominee looks forward to his upcoming hearing as an opportunity to highlight his extensive experience and present the truth to the American people in a comprehensive and meaningful way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The APs review found that Patel frequently expressed the same views or iterations of them on various podcasts: Gangsters Those same criminal gangsters at the FBI and DOJ are running this Mar-a-Lago raid investigation, Patel said in August 2022 on his show, Kash's Corner, for The Epoch Times, a pro-Trump media company that has been a key online supporter of the president and spreader of conspiracy theories. "Gangsters is a favored Patel term for federal investigators he perceives as tainted by anti-Trump bias. Its even part of the title of his 2023 book, Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth and the Battle for Our Democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patel has sought to distinguish his dim view of the FBI's leadership, direction and decision-making from what he says is his support for the rank-and-file. But his harsh rhetoric about the bureau could nonetheless create an awkward dynamic if hes confirmed to lead the 38,000-person premier federal law enforcement agency. The name-calling in this instance hes also called intelligence officials bozos and Muppets is consistent with Patels scathingly critical perspective of the investigations into Trump's interference in the 2020 election and his retention of classified documents at his Florida resort after he left office. Trump faced felony charges in the two cases, but the indictments were abandoned by prosecutors after he won the November election because of Justice Department policy prohibiting the federal prosecution of a sitting president. Patels reference to investigators as the same criminal gangsters is part of a persistent effort to draw a straight line between the documents probe and a 2016 investigation into Trump and Russian election interference, notwithstanding significant differences in FBI and Justice Department personnel in the two inquiries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patel rocketed to prominence as a House staffer through his criticism of the Russia investigation, which hes dubbed one of the biggest conspiracies ever perpetuated against a presidential candidate and then president." He's made a name for himself in MAGA circles by seeking to expose what he has described as misconduct in how the probe was pursued. Later reviews by the Justice Department inspector general and a specially appointed prosecutor identified significant flaws with that investigation, though neither presented evidence that partisan bias had guided specific decisions. Baseless prosecutions We need to really educate the world on the weaponization of justice that occurred on January 6th, Patel said in January 2024 on The Alec Lace Show," as he called the prosecutions of U.S. Capitol rioters baseless." The FBI arrested more than 1,500 people arising from the Jan. 6, 2021, riot and many of them pleaded guilty to serious crimes. The recently departed FBI director, Christopher Wray, bluntly labeled the violence as domestic terrorism and has called the attack emblematic of a rapidly growing threat of homegrown extremism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patel, like Trump, has taken a different view, saying the rioters have been mistreated by the criminal justice system. A former federal public defender and prosecutor, he has called them political prisoners and offered on at least one occasion to represent them for free. Patel will almost certainly be asked if he supports Trump's sweeping grant of clemency to all Jan. 6 defendants. The pardons, sentence commutations and indictment dismissals upended the largest investigation in Justice Department history, benefiting even those found guilty of violent attacks on police, along with leaders of far-right extremist groups who plotted to keep Trump in power. Patel's support for the defendants has included more than just rhetoric. He's boasted about having helped produce a song, Justice for All, that was recorded over a prison phone line, sung by a group of Jan. 6 defendants and overlaid with Trump reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The powerful thing about it, he said in a 2023 podcast, is the people who have been impacted most are the ones raising awareness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He's also talked up a right-wing conspiracy theory that Ray Epps, an Arizona man arrested in connection with Jan. 6, was actually an undercover operative for the FBI something Epps has adamantly denied and prosecutors have described as false. And he's been openly skeptical about the FBIs use of confidential informants related to Jan. 6 at a time when conspiracy theorists have suggested, inaccurately, that the bureau helped instigate the violence. The departments internal watchdog said in a report last month that no undercover FBI agents were in the crowd on Jan. 6, and that though more than two dozen FBI informants were in Washington that day, none was tasked by the FBI with entering the building or breaking the law. Hold him in contempt in a jail cell Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its up to Congress, who has law enforcement capabilities, to go out there, arrest Chris Wray and hold him in contempt in a jail cell until the documents produced, Patel said on Kashs Corner in June 2023. Patel in recent years has mused about the idea of Wray, who stepped down as FBI director on Jan. 19, being arrested for the FBI's failure to promptly turn over records subpoenaed by Congress an outcome he's acknowledged as extreme but one he contends would befall less prominent people who ignored lawmaker demands for documents. That position could come back to haunt Patel, particularly if Democrats take back a chamber of Congress in 2026. He's also suggested that Congress could withhold or restrict pockets of money to induce cooperation with its document demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You ground Chris Wray's private jet that he pays for with taxpayer dollars to hop around the country. You take away the fancy new fleet of cars from DOJ that theyre going to use to shuffle around executives, he said in 2023 on Kashs Corner." You stop the construction of new buildings. What will a Director Patel say if Democrats push to limit funding for his flights on FBI jets? 'There'll be an investigation into members of Congress' Once President Trump hopefully gets back in power, therell be an investigation into members of Congress who destroyed and withheld evidence from law enforcement agencies," Patel said in March 2024 on "In the Litter Box w/ Jewels and Catturd." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patels stated desire to rid the government of conspirators has raised alarms he could direct the FBI to target Trump's adversaries, even though long-established FBI guidelines are meant to protect against investigative abuses and require that criminal inquiries be rooted in a legitimate purpose. Like Trump, Patel has channeled particular ire toward the House committee that investigated the attack on the Capitol. He told Catturd, a right-wing social media personality whose real name is Phillip Buchanan, that a Trump victory could result in investigations of lawmakers who have committed federal felonies and covered up the truth from the American people. That rhetoric wasn't lost on former President Joe Biden, who on his final day in office preemptively pardoned members of that committee, as well as Dr. Anthony Fauci and retired Gen. Mark Milley. Fauci and House lawmakers are just some of the targets Patel has excoriated. His book includes a list of people he identifies as members of the Executive Branch Deep State, including former Attorney General William Barr who disputed Trumps false claims that the 2020 election was stolen and Andrew McCabe, the former FBI acting director and a top figure in the Russia investigation. Ahead of Thursdays hearing, Senate Judiciary Democrats circulated a social media post that they said Patel shared in 2022 in which he was depicted as taking a chainsaw to news organizations and high-profile members of Congress. Democrats will make the prospect of reprisal center stage at Patels confirmation hearing, something they foreshadowed with pointed questions about him directed at Trumps attorney general pick, Pam Bondi, during her own hearing this month. When Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat, asked Bondi if she would have hired someone who had an enemies list into her office when she was Florida attorney general, she replied: Senator, to cut to the chase, youre clearly talking about Kash Patel. I dont believe he has an enemies list. Toilet rag disinformation animal A toilet rag is how Patel described Vice Media on a podcast when it declared bankruptcy two years ago. He has frequently attacked media organizations and reporters, accusing them of publishing fake news. He has also threatened reporters with serious consequences for crossing Trump. Were going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections, Patel told Steve Bannon, a Trump ally who served four months in prison for defying a congressional subpoena and who has also warned about retribution against Trump adversaries, in December 2023. Patel later backed off some of his statements about the media, telling NBC News last February that reporters are invaluable and that his threat referred only to those who have broken the law. But hell face pressure from his party to go after journalists, as well as election officials and activists that Republicans have accused of crimes. ___ Associated Press Artificial Intelligence Product Manager Ernest Kung contributed to this report. ___ 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. Monday brought a flurry of concert announcements involving Minnesota, with Katy Perry and Earth, Wind and Fire among the acts announcing visits to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Perry, known for global hits including "California Gurls" and "Firework," announced on Monday The Lifetimes Tour, which will bring her to Target Center in Minneapolis on May 13. Tickets go on general sale at 10 a.m. Thursday, but presales start as soon as Tuesday. You can find more information from Live Nation here. slgckgc, Flickr Looking further ahead, Earth, Wind and Fire become the latest act added to the growing lineup at The Ledge Amphitheater this coming summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The genre-spanning Chicago band, who have a huge catalogue of hits including "September," "Boogie Wonderland," and "Let's Groove," will play the outdoor venue on Sunday, August 10. Tickets go on general sale this Friday at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster, but you can also access the Thursday presale by signing up for The Ledge's newsletter. Other acts confirmed for The Ledge this summer include Goo Goo Dolls, Chicago, Alison Krauss and Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Treasure Island Resort and Casino on Monday announced that rockers Incubus will play its Welch amphitheater on Saturday, July 8. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday at 10 a.m. More information here. Bob Dylan also announced his return to Minnesota this coming spring. Click the link below for more details on his Mankato show. Related: Bob Dylan to play concert in Mankato this spring HONOLULU (KHON2) Hawaii state legislators, alongside community advocates, presented the 2025 Keiki Caucus Bill Package and priorities for the upcoming legislative year on Jan. 27, aiming to improve the lives of Hawaiis keiki and families. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Five priority issues were identified by legislators, including tax credits for household and dependent care services, funding for community schools, universal free school meals and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Native Hawaiian Affairs Caucus announces 2025 priority bills During the interim, we collaborated with community advocates to develop proposals that address top-of-mind issues such as the rising cost of childcare, which significantly impacts the cost of living for Hawaiis keiki and families, said Keiki Caucus Co-Convenor and Rep. Lisa Marten. We also identified ways to support our youth in schools, ensuring they receive a quality education while feeling empowered and supported to succeed. The 2025 Keiki Caucus Bill Package consists of these measures: HB753 Relating to the Household and Dependent Care Services Tax Credit This bill would increase a taxpayers applicable percentage of employment-related expenses that is used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit. It would also extend the sunset date of the temporary increase in maximum employment-related expenses that are used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit. HB754/SB821 Relating to Community Schools This bill would appropriate funding to the Department of Education for community schools and a program manager position. HB755/SB852 Relating to Paid Family Leave The bill would require the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave insurance program, as well as the ability to begin collecting payroll contributions to finance payment benefits by Jan. 1, 2028. By Jan. 1, 2029, it would require the DLIR to start receiving claims and paying benefits from the program. It also specifies the eligibility requirements and employee protections under the benefits program. HB756/SB972 Relating to Health (E-Liquids) Effective Jan. 1 , 2026, this bill would prohibit the sale of flavored nicotine products and the mislabeling of e-liquids as nicotine-free. Penalties and violations would also be established with this bill. The Department of Health would be authorized to appoint, commission or contract for services of inspectors. It also established two full-time equivalent program specialist positions and one full-time equivalent hearing officer position, as well as appropriating funds. HB757 Relating to Education Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, this bill would require the Department of Education to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students enrolled in department schools. It would also appropriate funds for this initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community advocates joining the Keiki Caucus include Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Creeds of Peace, Hawaii Afterschool Alliance, Hawaii Appleseed and Hawaii Childrens Action Network Speaks! (HCAN Speaks!). The caucus was established in 1994 and is co-convened by Sen. Joy A. San Buenaventura and Reps. Marten and Ikaika Olds. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Keller mayor Armin Mizani blasted a Dallas law firms plans to sue the Keller school district over the at-large makeup of the board, citing an achievement gap among minority students. This is perhaps the most idiotic thing Ive read in a while, he wrote. Rather than using this discussion as an opportunity to focus on student outcomes, educational opportunities, and an antiquated and broken school funding system, some who live outside this district would rather use this as an opportunity to divide and infer that trustees, elected at large by every voter in the district, have some nefarious intent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the School District is independent of the 9 cities that make up KISD, I hope the school district defends this would be frivolous lawsuit in its entirety and in doing so, demand 100% repayment for all costs of defense on behalf of taxpayers. Mizani also said in a text message to the Star-Telegram: This discussion and consideration by the KISD board should be about the students and educators, and ensuring a strong education for all 34,000 students. Anything other than that is a distraction. Some of the residents who responded agreed with Mizani while others said the school board wasnt being transparent about a plan to split the Keller school district. Maybe the ones stirring it up can pay back all those court fees, one resident wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another resident said, Despite my issues with the KISD board, this claim is ridiculous. But another resident asked how Fort Worth mayor Mattie Parker and council member Charles Lauersdorf feel about the potential split. Parker has stated that she is opposed and called on the school board to allow Keller school district residents to vote. Lauersdorf posted in response to Mizani: Ive made it quite clear I dont support the split. Nor do I support the process thats taken place. There has been zero communication and zero transparency, resulting in even more distrust of those responsible for this mess. Mayor Parker has also made it clear she opposes any split. On Friday, William Brewer, founding partner of Brewer Attorneys and Partners, said several Keller school district residents contacted the law firm about challenging the school boards election rules in which trustees are elected to at-large seats for three-year terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inquiries came after a recent plan to split the district in half along the Denton Highway and the Union Pacific Railroad track as the dividing line. Five of the seven school trustees live in Keller. The proposed plan would keep the higher performing schools in Keller, Colleyville and Southlake while the lower-performing schools, mostly in Fort Worth, would be in a newly created district. Brewer was successful in getting several North Texas school districts, including Grand Prairie, Carrollton-Farmers Branch and Lewisville to move away from at-large districts. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) The latest legislative bills were discussed at the Henderson County Library over breakfast. The Henderson Chamber of Commerce hosted the legislative preview with local lawmakers, Kentucky State Senator Robby Mills and State Representative J.T. Payne, The community to listened and asked questions of their own. State Senator Robby Mills and State Representative J.T. Payne discussed a wide range of topics including artificial intelligence, the education system and the impacts of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Mother charged with neglect after car crash sends her daughter to the hospital Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre looking at somewhere around the year of 2040, or a couple years after [before] its fully funded, says Payne. He says The Kentucky Teacher Retirement System was underfunded for about a decade, and millions of dollars are being budgeted to play catch up. When that does happen, thats going to free up probably a couple billion dollars each year for projects such as roads [and] bridges, says Payne. State Senator Mills says $150,000 is waiting to be used to further the I-69 Ohio River Crossing Project. Were trying to change the budget language on the bridge portionto allow us to use that money to work on design and engineering, says Mills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A question from the crowd centered around the potential impact of defunding diversity, equity and inclusion programs. State Representative Payne says data will play a huge part into how things move forward. Since 2014, underrepresented minority enrollment has increased. When you dive into that number, most of it is from wealthy people and other states. When we look at low income, underrepresented minorities that enrollment in our institutions has dramatically decreased, says Payne. We want folks to be held accountable by what they do and their actionsas far as being qualified for a job. In my opinion, I think theyve, kind of swung one way too far, says Mills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills referred to the bills veto last year as support for the level of detail they are putting into tackling the issue. Theres a reason that nothing got passed, says Mills. [D.E.I. is] to support underrepresented minorities, and thats a positive thing. Nobody can can argue with that, says Payne. Artificial Intelligence was also discussed. Payne emphasized a desire to find a balance between state regulation and allowing companies to evolve with the times. incentivizing companies to make expansions and historical investments where theyre going to bring new types of careers into those companies to replace the ones that might be affected by artificial intelligence, says Payne. 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). BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) A Kentucky man on vacation in Panama City Beach man has been accused of having sex with an 11-year-old girl 3 years ago in 2021. Bay County Sheriffs investigators say 62-year-old Gerald Kessler was vacationing on the beach with the victims family. He and the childs stepfather returned to the rented condo, the stepfather went to sleep, then Kessler allegedly had sex with her. Afterward, she said Kessler threatened her that if she told anyone, shed never see her mother again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kessler is held without bond in the Bay County Jail, charged with sexual battery on a victim under 12. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Shannon Buhler, Vice President and General Manager of Keystone Resort, Colorado, has accused a group of unionized ski patrollers of sharing inaccurate information about ongoing contract negotiations. Earlier this ski season, Vail Resortsthe parent company of Keystone Resortand the recently formed Keystone Ski Patrol Union (KSPU) began negotiating to determine a new contract. Similar to the patrollers at Park City Mountain Resort that garnered international attention for their strike over the New Years 2025 Holiday, the KSPU is seeking higher wages and better benefits that could make living in the expensive Summit County, Coloradowhere Keystone Resort is locatedmore sustainable. Last week, on Wednesday, the two parties met. Following their discussion, the KSPU shared a press release with POWDER, stating that during the negotiations, Vail Resorts signaled to the union that they do not want their patrollers to prioritize medical care for injured guests, and instead simply transport them off the mountain. The KSPU also wrote that Vail Resorts questioned the importance of patrollers with higher medical certifications, such as nurses and paramedics who can perform advanced lifesaving procedures in the field. The KSPU called this stance deeply problematic for ski patrollers and public safety. Related: Vail Resorts Shareholder Calls for Firing of CEO Members of the Keystone ski patrol. Photo: Courtesy of Keystone Ski Patrol Union However, in an email sent to Keystone Resort employees on Sunday, January 26, Keystone VP/GM Buhler wrote that the KPSUs description of the negotiations was false. I recognize that there may be different perspectives and opinions when it comes to the topic of unions, and I respect our employees right to voice their opinion, she wrote. And it is important to be sure there is no misinformation about this process. Buhler claimed that Keystone Resort is not questioning the value of patrollers with advanced medical care skills, reducing wages for patrollers with higher medical certifications, or removing specialty team skills-based pay and individualized skills-based pay for patrollers. On Monday, the KSPU bargaining team sent an internal email to Keystone Resort ski patrollers, addressing Buhlers rebuttal. In the email, the KSPU bargaining team wrote that one of Buhlers pointsthat Keystone Resort is not reducing wages for patrollers with higher medical certificationswas somewhat true, and perhaps addressed a poorly phrased worded Instagram post the unionized patrollers published (the KSPU has since updated the Instagram post). We will take ownership of ways we could have communicated this better, the KSPU email reads. Reducing wages is probably not the most accurate, and the sentiment we tried to convey is that the company is fighting to keep [Advanced Life Support] pay down. Other portions of Buhlers letter, though, according to the KSPU email, contained incorrect information. In one anecdote presented in the email, the KSPU claimed that Vail Resorts lawyer present during the negotiations profusely questioned the bargaining team about the need for Advanced Life Support treatment, like providing IVs to injured skiers and snowboarders on the mountain. Jake Randall, a member of the KSPU bargaining team, told POWDER regarding Buhlers email, We believe that they are intentionally spreading this misinformation to try to divide the patrol right now. In response to Buhlers email, the KSPU filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board Sunday night against Vail Resorts for bargaining in bad faith, according to Randall. Vail Resorts remains steadfast. We stand behind the facts shared in Shannon Buhlers letter to employees yesterday, Sara Lococo, the Senior Communications Manager for Breckenridge Ski Resort and Keystone Resort told POWDER, via email. When our team met with the union last week to share our proposal on wages and benefits, it was productive and positive, and we left that room feeling like we were very close to an agreement, she added. According to Lococo, the KSPU and Vail Resorts have another meeting scheduled for the evening of January 30. Related: Vail Resorts Shareholder Calls for Firing of CEO 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. KILLEEN, Texas (FOX 44) Three Killeen Fire personnel are returning to Killeen following a two-week deployment to Los Angeles County, where they assisted crews with wildfire coverage causing 200,000 people to be placed on evacuation orders. The city says Killeen Firefighters Jason Wuest, Marcus Stillwell and Chris Poston are due to arrive back in Killeen at 5p.m. Monday. They will return to the Central Fire Station, located at 201 South 28th Street. The Killeen FD team deployed to LA to staff a fire engine as a part of an Emergency Management Assistance Compact request. This is a part of a national mutual aid system connected with the Texas Division of Emergency Management agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least four major wildfires began to burn across Los Angeles County on January 7. At least 28 people did not survive. Each fire is at least 90 percent contained, but covered nearly 50,000 acres. At least 20,000 structures have been destroyed. For more information on the Killeen Fire department, you can visit www.KilleenTexas.gov/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 KWKT - FOX 44. DELAFIELD - Two days after a 61-year-old man fatally fell through the ice on Pewaukee Lake, details have become clearer, but other information, including why the ice was so thin, remained elusive. Authorities have not yet released the name of the victim, who was riding a utility terrain vehicle near the narrowest section of the lake south of Lakeside Road at about 3 p.m. Saturday. The Waukesha County Sheriff's Office declined to release his name Monday "out of respect for the family." What authorities helped clarify on Monday is exactly where the ice break occurred, along private shoreline in the town of Delafield, and what they had to do to reach the spot as part of a frantic rescue effort. Ice rescue took time because of remote location on Pewaukee Lake Matthew Haerter, Lake Country Fire and Rescue's assistant chief, said the most frustrating aspect of the rescue attempt was the time it took to get equipment from the shore to the critical spot. It's one of those cases where rescue crews can't simply rely on experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No ice rescue is the same, and no ice rescue comes without complications, just because you're dealing with a structure that has already been compromised," Haerter said. "That comes with its own challenges." According to the coordinates he provided, the hole created when the UTV broke through the ice was about 100 feet off the shore, with Lakeside Road serving as the only public access road. The road sits about 500 feet to the north, with nothing but private driveways and natural land surfaces leading to the shoreline. "It's a lot to get our equipment to the location it needs to be," he said. Plus, he added, "To safely get two divers ready to effect a rescue is not something that happens immediately, so that's something that has to be assembled." Callers gave rescuers helpful information in identifying the spot, enabling the divers to find the man after only about 3 minutes from the time they entered the frigid water, Haerter said, adding that aspect "went very quickly and, honestly, flawlessly." But, based on Lake Country Fire and Rescue's reports, the man had been below the surface a total of 37 minutes to that point. Why was the ice thin? There are no clear answers On social media, some wondered why the ice was thin enough to contribute to the accident, given the recent cold snap. One questioned whether the use of aerators, which churn water beneath the surface, could be a factor in ice breaks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, authorities have provided no definitive explanation about the relatively fragile ice in that part of Pewaukee Lake. That fits a generalized warning spelled out by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on its website, which includes ice-safety guidelines. "There really is no sure answer, and no such thing as 100 percent safe ice," the DNR states. "You cannot judge the strength of ice by one factor like its appearance, age, thickness, temperature or whether the ice is covered with snow. Ice strength is based on a combination of several factors, and they can vary from water body to water body. Ice strength can also vary in different areas of the same body of water." The DNR said local resources, including bait shops, can often provide information people can use to stay safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lt. Drew Starch, the DNR's conservation warden supervisor for Waukesha and Walworth counties, reiterated that statement, noting that safety tips are something people should review before any ice activity on lakes. What happened in this case, including the ice condition, won't be known until the DNR investigation, which is being jointly conducted with the sheriff's department, reveals more. "I can't really comment on anything in regards to this specific incident," Starch said. In general, factors that can result in thin ice include stress points, water flow under the ice, springs, aerators and ice heaves resulting from the natural shift in ice over the course of the winter, Starch said. Haerter said the fatality has generated enough concerns for officials to present a media-oriented question-and-answer session set for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Lake Country Fire and Rescue's fire station, W302 N1208 Maple Ave., on the Delafield Town Hall campus. Officials will focus on safety, not necessarily on the cause of Saturday's accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (This story was updated to change or add a photo or video.) Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Pewaukee Lake ice fatality leaves questions about cause Florida will hold two special election primaries on Tuesday to replace President Trumps national security adviser Mike Walz in the sixth congressional district and former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) in the first congressional district. The winners of each primary will likely go on to win in the special general elections, which are slated for April 1. President Trump has endorsed Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and state Sen. Randy Fine (R-Fla.), who are both considered favorites in the sixth and first districts, respectively. Heres what to watch in Floridas special election primaries on Tuesday. Seats will give Republicans more room to maneuver the House Gatezs resignation from Congress and Waltzs appointment to the Trump administration helped bring Speaker Mike Johnsons (R-La.) already slim majority down to 218 Republicans to 215 Democrats. And with Trumps UN ambassador pick Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) expected to be confirmed, that majority would drop to 217. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Republicans are favored to win the seats, the slim majority leaves Johnson with little wiggle room as he seeks to support Trumps agenda in the House. In the meantime, all 218 Republican lawmakers must be in lockstep in order to pass legislation. The problem for Johnson is that there are some cracks in Republican unity. House GOP leadership is already working to balance Trumps agenda wish list with demands from Republican fiscal hawks for legislation to be deficit neutral or deficit reducing. At least two more Republican seats filled with Republicans who have been backed by Trump could give Johnson more room to push the agenda through. Trump has weighed in Patronis and Fine both launched their bids after Trump publicly urged both of them to run in their respective districts last November. Following Trumps endorsement of Patronis in the first congressional district, a number of formerly announced candidates for the seat quickly dropped out of the race and backed Patronis. However, state Rep. Joel Rudman (R) is still running in the primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fine, who is the only Jewish Republican serving in Floridas state legislature, made waves in the 2024 Republican presidential primary when he became the first Florida lawmaker to switch his endorsement from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to Trump. Fine said he did so because Trumps actions demonstrated his support for the Jewish community. Republicans favored to win in general election Whoever wins Tuesdays primaries will be heavily favored going into Aprils general elections given the strong conservative lean of both districts. The first congressional district, which is one of the most conservative in the state, encompasses Floridas western panhandle. It includes Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and parts of Walton counties. Gaetz won the district in November with 66 percent of the vote. The sixth congressional district is located on the other side of the state along the East Coast. It stretches from Jacksonville to the Daytona Beach area. Waltz won reelection in November with just over 66 percent of the vote. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) President Donald Trump says mass deportations will move forward to crack down on illegal crossings and secure the border. An immigration attorney is now explaining whats at stake for undocumented migrants. Know your rights, said Carmina Fernandes, Attorney at Carmina Law. If ICE knocks on your door you should not open the door. Ask them to present a warrant. There are two types of warrants that people are getting confused with. Theres the DHS warrant, and theres the judicial warrant. GOP calls for Massachusetts law enforcement cooperation with ICE Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since President Donald Trump entered office last week, schools and churches are no longer deemed protected areas. This one (judicial warrant) you have to let them in because a judge has allowed DHS or ICE to have that entry because that person already has a due process, Fernandes said. This means immigration officials can conduct enforcement actions there. According to the presidents border czar, Tom Homan, deportations are first targeting national security and public safety threats. Its unclear if those without criminal convictions will be deported. Immigration attorneys recommend downloading a Know Your Rights Card. They can be downloaded and printed. 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. (AP) The races to fill the U.S. House seats of former Reps. Mike Waltz and Matt Gaetz begin Tuesday with primaries in reliably conservative districts that solidly back President Donald Trump. One of the seats up for grabs is northwest Floridas 1st Congressional District, long represented by Gaetz. He announced he wouldnt be returning to Congress after he withdrew from consideration to be Trumps attorney general amid allegations of sexual misconduct. The other race is for the 6th Congressional District, which extends south of Jacksonville and includes Daytona Beach. The seat had been held by Waltz, who is now serving as Trumps national security adviser, a position that doesnt require Senate confirmation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch: Polls open Tuesday for special primary election in Florida Republicans are expected to hold the seats, which will restore their thin 220-215 majority in the U.S. House as they pursue Trumps agenda. But the push to implement Trumps policies could be slowed as Congress waits for the primary winners to be confirmed in general elections scheduled for April 1. Heres what to know about Tuesdays special elections. Who are the Trump-endorsed candidates? For the 1st District, Trump chose Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, a former state lawmaker from Panama City whose family is well-known in the area for founding Capt. Andersons, a local seafood restaurant. Patronis has been a familiar face in Florida politics for decades and is a longtime ally of now-Sen. Rick Scott, who as governor appointed him to be Floridas chief financial officer in 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 6th District, Trump is backing state Sen. Randy Fine, a conservative firebrand known for his support of Israel and his efforts to restrict LGBTQ+ rights. Fine was first elected to the Florida House in 2016, and recently broke with Gov. Ron DeSantis, accusing the governor of not doing enough to combat antisemitism. Whos challenging Trumps picks? One of the main Republican challengers running against Patronis in the 1st District is former state Rep. Joel Rudman, a doctor who built his political profile by criticizing mask mandates during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fine faces two other Republicans in the 6th District race, Aaron Baker of Sorrento and Ehsan Joarder of Brooksville, who describes himself as a young entrepreneur on his website. Who are the Democrats? In the 1st District, Gay Valimont, an activist with Moms Demand Action, challenged Gaetz as a Democrat this past election cycle. Shes running again in the special election after losing in November with just 34% of the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waltz carried the 6th District by a 30-point margin in November. Now two Democrats are running for his seat Josh Weil, an Orlando area teacher, and Ges Selmont, a businessman from Elkton. This isnt Selmonts first time running for Congress he challenged Rep. John Rutherford in Floridas 4th Congressional District in 2018. What are experts watching? In both districts, Republican primary winners should have the inside track to join Congress, said Aubrey Jewett, a political scientist at the University of Central Florida. Both Fine and Patronis had high name recognition even before winning Trumps endorsement. But theyve also both faced criticism for not living in the districts they want to represent. Jewett said the Republican primary for Gaetzs seat in particular could prove competitive. Jewett said theres even a chance Democrats could run up the margins in a low turnout scenario, pointing to other recent special elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats might be able to take Waltzs seat, but it would take a small miracle, Jewett said. I think for the Gaetz seat, that would be more than a small miracle. It would be like a very large miracle to take that one. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) President Donald Trump -endorsed candidates Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine won their Republican primaries in the special elections to replace former Florida Reps. Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz, notching wins in reliably conservative districts. Republicans are expected to hold the seats following the general election April 1, which would boost their thin majority in the U.S. House as they pursue Trumps agenda. In the 1st District election to replace Gaetz, Patronis fended off a challenge from former state Rep. Joel Rudman, a doctor who gained political prominence for opposing mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patronis will advance to the general election to face Gay Valimont, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the race for the northwest Florida seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patronis, who grew up in Panama City, has been a familiar face in Florida politics for decades and previously served in the state House of Representatives. His family is well-known in the area for founding a local seafood restaurant. The 1st District seat opened up when Gaetz announced he wouldnt be returning to Congress, after he bowed out of consideration to be Trumps attorney general amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Fine fought off challenges from two other Republicans in the 6th Congressional District race for Waltzs seat. The district includes Daytona Beach and communities south of Jacksonville. Fine is known for his support of Israel and his efforts to restrict LGBTQ+ rights. He had been a key ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis before breaking with him over Fines accusations the governor wasnt doing enough to combat antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This victory isnt mine. It is Donald Trumps, Fine said Tuesday night from a special session on immigration in Tallahassee. It is first electoral win since Nov. 5. And Republicans overwhelmingly showed they remain committed to his agenda. And I can promise him and every voter no one will be more committed to his success than me. Im ready to go. State representatives who were debating the proposed immigration bill broke out in applause when Fine entered the chamber on Tuesday night. Fine will advance to the general election to face Democrat Josh Weil, a public school teacher from Orlando. The 6th District seat opened up after Trump tapped Waltz to be his national security adviser. Both Fine and Patronis have faced criticism for not living in the districts they want to represent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement University of Central Florida political scientist Aubrey Jewett said theres a chance Democrats could run up the margins in a low turnout scenario, pointing to other recent special elections. Democrats might be able to take Waltzs seat, but it would take a small miracle, Jewett said. I think for the Gaetz seat, that would be more than a small miracle. It would be like a very large miracle to take that one. A woman from Minnesota has become one of the latest skydiving fatalities in Eloy in Pinal County after she fell to her death during a jump. The woman, 55-year-old Ann Wick, was skydiving when she encountered a problem during her descent. First responders were called to Skydive Arizona, near Taylor Street and Tumbleweed Road in Eloy, at approximately 4:06 p.m. on Jan. 24, according to Eloy police. Medical personnel attempted life-saving measures on Wick, and Eloy Fire District Kelly Waddle confirmed to The Arizona Republic that they responded to the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wick was later pronounced dead, according to police. The exact cause of death is still under investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration, along with other agencies, will be reviewing the equipment, procedures, and circumstances surrounding the incident, police said. Heres what we know so far. What went wrong with her descent? While officials are still investigating whether any of Wicks equipment had any issues, Skydive Arizona said witnesses saw Wicks parachute deploy but noted that the canopy was turning. "No corrective actions appeared to be taken by the jumper, nor was the reserve parachute deployed," the company said. "The injuries sustained during landing proved fatal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skydive Arizona said Wick had completed 267 jumps prior to her death. What was the nature of her landing? Details regarding where and how Wick struck the ground were not available as of Monday afternoon, nor was an autopsy available to determine the cause of death. Have there been other fatal skydiving incidents in Arizona? Yes. Terry Gardner, 73, died at Skydive Arizona on Jan. 31, 2024, after making a hard landing without a fully deployed parachute. Skydive Arizona said Gardner had completed thousands of jumps. That incident came several weeks after a hot-air balloon crash killed four people in Eloy. The balloon, operated by Droplyne Hot Air Balloon Rides, had been carrying 13 people at takeoff eight of them skydivers who had left the craft before issues arose causing it to crash. None of the skydivers were injured in that incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2014, 46-year-old Diana Paris of Berlin was killed in Eloy after her parachute was released too low making it not open properly. Paris death occurred as she tried to break a world record as part of a 222-member skydiving team. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What we know about the skydiver death in Eloy, other fatal incidents KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) As areas across the nation have seen an increasing number of ICE raids recently, Knox Countys detention center has also had an increase in the number of immigration detainees, according to Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler. Spangler released a statement on how the sheriffs office is navigating illegal immigration on Tuesday. In this statement, Spangler explained that Knox County has removed many people with serious criminal records, making the area safer, but deputies are not actively seeking out immigrants who may be in the area illegally. Bodycam footage released following mans death in Knox County custody Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The men and women of the Knox County Sheriffs Office are not seeking out individuals who may be here illegally. However if an undocumented individual commits a crime and goes to jail, ICE will then investigate his/her immigration status. There has been a recent increase in our ICE hold numbers- KCSOs Corrections Division has a contract to house inmates for ICE just as we do for the US Marshals. The recent increase in numbers is due to housing ICE inmates who are being transported from one location to another. Tom Spangler, Knox County Sheriff This statement came in response to the recent increase in immigration numbers at the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility, according to the press release. On Tuesday, there were 30 suspects with ICE holds and 17 immigration detainees in the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility, according to court records. KCSO is one of two sheriffs offices in East Tennessee that are a part of the 287G program, which allows local and state law enforcement agencies to identify and process removable aliens with criminal or pending criminal charges, according to ICE. The other sheriffs office that participates in the program is the Greene County Sheriffs Office. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee recently announced proposals to address illegal immigration. This would involve creating a Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division. East Tennessean recalls fallout of 2018 ICE raid as immigration enforcement ramps up Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some have expressed support for strengthened immigration measures such as House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) who said, We have illegal immigrants now throughout our country and throughout Tennessee, and we have to figure out how to make sure those folks who are here illegally are deported fairly, but that legal immigrants and U.S. citizens, that their rights are not infringed in any way. Others have expressed concerns such as Pedro Reyes of Morristown who witnessed a large ICE raid in 2018 and said, What we already went through damaged us for years. It harmed our economy. It harmed our people, and it harmed our kids. EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated with new 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) For the last two years, Knoxville has been named to USA Todays 10 Best Arts Districts list and this year, its looking to be featured once again. Every year, USA Today holds its 10 Best Readers Choice lists, allowing people from across the country to vote for their favorite places to travel, including for the best museums, beer scenes, and cruises. Dolly Parton to debut musical at in Nashville at Belmont University Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, Knoxvilles Arts District is up against 19 other cities, including Portland, Oregon; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Los Angeles, California for a place in the 10 Best Arts Districts List. Memphis, Tennessee also made the list of nominees. When talking about Knoxvilles Arts District, many may think of the galleries in downtown Knoxville, and the First Friday Art Walks, but the district is also known for open air markets in Market Square and the Old City, in addition to the artistic talents of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville Opera, Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, an official poet laureate each year, theater companies and dance studios. Along with the these, Knoxville is also home to several annual festivals and events highlighting the arts including the Rossini Festival, Big Ears Festival, and the Dogwood Chalk Walk. Parents raising money to build track in honor of Tellico Plains champion runner Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, Knoxville was named as the 4th Best Arts District on USA Todays list, and in 2024, Knoxville jumped to the No. 2 ranking on the list. Those hoping to support Knoxvilles Arts District being named to the list once again can vote once per day on USA Todays website. Voting will close on Monday, February 17, and the top 10 winners will be announced on February 26. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. Editors note: A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administrations freeze on federal grants and loans, according to the Associated Press. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Oregon officials spoke Tuesday afternoon ahead of a federal funding freeze ordered by the Trump administration and how it could impact the state. The federal funding and grant freeze, which was announced late Monday night by the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, is slated to take effect by 5 p.m. Eastern, 2 p.m. Pacific. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Tuesdays press conference, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek explained, Heres what we do know, when that memo went out today, we have agencies and community partners who cannot access federal funds. Chaos is not leadership: Pacific Northwest lawmakers react to Trumps federal funding freeze The governor said organizations such as the Oregon Health Authority and Head Start, cannot access the federal funds they rely on. The Oregon Health Authority, on a regular basis, logs in to seek reimbursement of Medicaid dollars for the Oregon Health Plan. That system is shut down, Kotek said. We cannot seek those reimbursements at this moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Eye on Northwest Politics My message to Oregonians for folks who are on the Oregon Health Plan: Please continue to seek care. This does not impact you today. This is about how money is coming back to the state to pay for the services that you are using but do not delay your care, Kotek said. Same with folks who are in Head Start, your services will be there. Kotek called the blocked access to federal funds a dereliction of the federal governments duty to protect Americans. When the government in real time is not providing reimbursement to the state, it is not upholding its promise that was set by Congress to provide these dollars to the states. Kotek said. Its our understanding those dollars cannot be taken back without an act of Congress but yet today, we cannot seek reimbursement through those systems that should be available for the State of Oregon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My ask for Washington D.C. is turn on all those systems right now, Kotek said. We can have longer conversations about the analysis and other things youre asking us to do but right now those dollars should be flowing to Oregon systems that are available for the reimbursement of services that we are providing to Oregonians. City of Portland to auction foreclosed blighted properties at public sale Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield noted, The messages that are coming from the Trump administration are just confusing and theyre inconsistent and its another example of the Trump administrations attempts to sow division and chaos for a political end. What were hearing from the White House is not what were experiencing on the groundwhere were hearing things arent going to be impacting Medicaid but the fact on the ground is that these portals are shut down, preventing us from getting access to critical funds that are important to all Oregonians for programs they rely on day in and day out, Rayfield said, noting the freeze impacts everything from healthcare, and child support, to domestic violence programs, and law enforcement grants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorney general announced his office is working with other Democratic attorneys general across the United States and will file a lawsuit to ensure access to the federal dollars. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Tuesdays Top Stories Tuesdays Five Facts [1] Top federal prosecutor vows corruption scheme wont happen again Federal investigators are speaking out after the first member of the DWI dismissal scandal admitted to his role in the scheme. Friday, paralegal Rick Mendez admitted to his role, implicating his boss, attorney Thomas Clear III, and named several other players. According to Mendezs federal plea deal, officers would funnel DWI suspects to Mendez and Clear IIIs office by confiscating the persons drivers license and if they paid hed conspire with officers to ensure they missed court. The Bernalillo County DAs office says last year their office had to dismiss 214 DWI cases because of credibility issues of officers involved in the investigation. [2] Years-long FBI investigation into former Navajo Nation presidential candidate A man who once ran for president of the Navajo Nation is now in federal custody after being accused of running an illegal pot-growing operation in New Mexico. A federal investigation spanning more that five years found Dineh Benally was running dozens of marijuana farms across the state. The Navajo Nation tried to shut down Benallys operations in 2020 by getting a court injunction to stop him from growing on tribal land. But, according to court records, Benally kept growing. In the following months the FBI raided 25 farms around Shiprock. Benally is now facing six federal counts related to drug manufacturing and trafficking as well as polluting waterways. [3] Scattered snow and rain showers move in Wednesday Tuesday will be similar to Monday with more mild temperatures and a breezy southwest wind. Some light rain and mountain snow will move into the Four Corners late Tuesday night. Scattered snow will move into western and northern New Mexico Wednesday morning, with a few spotty showers in eastern parts of the state. Snow and rain will already be wrapping up by Thursday morning. Warmer weather quickly returns Friday with this warming trend continuing into early next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [4] Bernalillo County asks for infrastructure funding from lawmakers Bernalillo County is submitting requests to the state legislature to improve Albuquerques infrastructure. The county wants funds to help reconstruct Isleta and Bridge. The county also wants to construct a drainage system and improve the roadway on Barcelona and Blake. Lastly, they want to design, construct, and install traffic calming devices. [5] Construction to start at Paseo Del Norte and Tramway intersection The New Mexico Department of Transportation is working on improvements at Paseo del Norte and Tramway in Albuquerque. They will be installing new traffic signals and pedestrian access ramps. The first phase of the project will last about two months. One only lane will be open in each direction on Paseo del Norte during that time. Drivers are asked to slow down, expect delays and consider alternative routes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PIKEVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) A Kentucky prison guards recent guilty plea revealed an unofficial policy that involved using unreasonable force on inmates seeking protection. Terry Melvin, a former lieutenant at the U.S. Penitentiary Big Sandy in Martin County, pleaded guilty on Friday to conspiracy against rights and deprivation of civil rights from early 2021 to March 2022. The signed plea agreement sheds light on what inmates referred to as staff assault day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bureau of Prisons Policy states that if an inmate requests protective custody, they must be placed in the Special Housing Unit (SHU) so the reported threat can be investigated. However, as the SHU became full, prison officials implemented an unofficial policy to reduce occupancy. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: According to court documents, inmates were given the option to withdraw their protective custody request and return to their housing unit, or staff would physically retaliate and then file false claims to get the inmates relocated. Once a week, new USP Big Sandy inmates were reportedly released from a particular unit. Court documents noted that many of these inmates had filed for protective custody. Inmates referred to this day as staff assault day. In one particular instance in April 2021, an inmate who filed for protective custody had been brought into the lieutenants office out of sight of security cameras. Martin admitted to telling the inmate that if he had done what he was convicted of to his family, they would not be standing there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then several prison officials allegedly proceeded to punch and kick the inmate in the face and stomach repeatedly. Martin admitted telling the inmate to stop resisting as his coworkers assaulted the inmate, even though he knew the inmate was not. Read more of the latest Kentucky news According to court documents, staff stood the inmate up to take photographs of their injuries, then filed false claims that the inmate had assaulted a staff member, which was not true. Martin alleged that officials had assigned members of the Special Investigations Section (SIS) to assist staff members in the conspiracy and cover-up acts of staff misconduct at Big Sandy by bribing inmates or destroying evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plea agreement states that employees who complied received promotions or received monetary rewards of anywhere from $6,000 to $8,000. Martin faces no more than 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised probation, per the agreement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mezze is a word that means multiple dishes served at the same time, says chef Charbel Hayek, who envisioned this supersized medley of Middle Eastern dips and staples ($130 for a platter, $64 for a mini) when he conceptualized Ladyhawk. It can be cold or hot, like the wings or the falafel, he says. What I dont like is when you go to a restaurant and have one plate by yourself. For me, its like, Lets all enjoy together. Lets break bread. FALAFEL Our famous falafel is made from chickpeas, onion, parsley, cilantro and a bunch of spices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BEETROOT HUMMUS We serve it with roasted beets, creme fraiche, dill and sesame. HUMMUS Hummus is one of the simplest dishes on earth but also very complicated. The secret is to overcook the chickpea itself, and then you have to blend it and make it smooth, serve it with some high-quality tahini we import the tahini from Lebanon. GARLIC LABNEH We strain the yogurt, we season it, we mix it with confit garlic, top it with something called Makdous pickled eggplant, which gives it a very interesting flavor and olive oil. Mezze Platter shot by Irvin Rivera BABA GHANOUJ Baba ghanouj is made from charred eggplant, chopped and mixed with tahini sauce, topped with some fried eggplant, pomegranate and parsley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SPICY HARISSA CHICKEN WINGS [These are] dressed with Harissa and Zhoug. Zhoug is like a Middle Eastern chimichurri. PITA Its a process for 48 hours. We start with something called biga, which we ferment for 24 hours, and then we take it and we mix more flour, sugar, salt, oil, and then we have the pita the following day. So its a lot of work for very simple ingredients, but thats what makes it special. I want to keep it authentic," he says of the platter, "but have some California influence." PHOTOGRAPHER: IRVIN RIVERA CREATIVE DIRECTION: ADA GUERIN EDITOR: JASMIN ROSEMBERG LOCATION: LADYHAWK DIGITECH: PHIL LIMPRASERTWONG PHOTO ASSISTANT: MATTHEW GERETY Facing mounting questions over a chaotic evacuation, top L.A. County officials say they want to build a database of residents with disabilities who require help fleeing a neighborhood engulfed in flames. L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone told county supervisors at a public meeting earlier this week that the ongoing wildfires underscored the need for a "database to track people who have mobility challenges or health challenges." "Trying to do it during an emergency is very, very difficult," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The assessment comes as the county faces fresh scrutiny over the tumultuous evacuation of Altadena, the site of the majority of fire-related deaths since Jan. 7. At least eight of the 27 fire victims to date were at least 80 years old, and some had disabilities that hampered their efforts to evacuate. Anthony Mitchell Sr., an amputee in his 60s, for example, died in his Altadena home along with his son Justin, who had cerebral palsy, as they waited to be rescued. Mitchell's other son, Anthony Mitchell Jr., told The Times he wanted to see a better accounting of residents with special needs, saying officials should "put those addresses down as priorities." Marrone said first responders had moved roughly 500 people to safety after the fire broke out. Some were unable to leave on their own. Others might have, but waited too long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Far too many stories I have heard of people that did not leave during the evacuation order, and our firefighters and our sheriff deputies had to evacuate those people," Marrone said. "People must protect themselves." Supervisor Holly Mitchell warned the region was unprepared for a future in which the county was routinely blackened by wildfire, while the people who called it home were rapidly graying. "We look at the aging of our society people wanting to age in their own homes," Mitchell said. "As a community, we are not prepared." Fesia Davenport, the county's chief executive officer, said she planned to return to the board with more information on a possible database. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Altadena, said she plans to ask for a review of the county's evacuation policies and emergency alert notifications system. On Tuesday she asked for names of consultants to lead such a review. Her request comes after The Times reported that parts of Altadena didn't receive evacuation orders until hours after the Eaton fire started. The plans were part of a flurry of fire-related discussions and motions Tuesday about how the county could bolster recovery efforts. The supervisors also voted to temporarily bar landlords in unincorporated parts of the county from evicting tenants who have evacuees or their pets staying with them in violation of their lease and to suspend some restrictions on short term rentals to ramp up available housing. "This is a time for all Angelenos to come together, step up and do their part to help victims," said Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. The board also agreed to send a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump asking for assistance footing the mammoth bill for recovery efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are continuing full throttle on the gas pedal to maximize every resource we can get from the state and federal government," said Kevin McGowan, the head of the county's Office of Emergency Management. Supervisor Janice Hahn said, though she wasn't concerned about support from the state, she was wary of what the county could expect from the new Trump administration. "I'm concerned about the potential strings that we've been hearing might be connected to this disaster assistance," said Hahn, noting she'd watched talk shows in which politicians blasted the county's "empty reservoirs and empty hydrants." "We've heard some pretty pointed words that suggest, if certain things didn't change, we might not get the money," Hahn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barger, the sole Republican on the board, countered that she was "looking forward to working with this administration" and planned to prove to the White House that the county was "justified in what we are asking for." Former US president Biden had pledged to cover all disaster assistance costs for the next half year, but local politicians say it's not clear if that support would continue under Trump. The president, like other Republicans, has lambasted California's liberal leaders for their handling of the wildfires. Trump has accused Newsom on Truth Social of hoarding water and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has hinted that federal relief funding could be cut because of the state's leadership. "If Gavin Newsom and local leaders made decisions that made this disaster exponentially worse which it appears there were should there be some consequence of that?" Johnson asked reporters last week. SCRANTON Lackawanna College plans to construct a two-story building in the middle of the 500 block of Wyoming Avenue as its new Center for Technology Innovation, college Vice President for Government Affairs and Special Projects Brian Costanzo said Monday. A 16,000-square-foot building at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. also would house a 4,500-square-foot Advanced Automotive/Electric Vehicle, Robotics and Cybersecurity programs that would include both associate degrees and shorter-term training options, he said. A new building would have an auto lab with car lifts and electric vehicle equipment, large labs specifically designed for robotics and automation equipment and computer labs for the cyber security program. All of the labs will be designed to train both Lackawanna College students and to provide corporate training, Costanzo said via email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vehicles occupy a parking lot at 518 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton where Lackawanna College plans to construct a technology building. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Designs are preliminary and might be adjusted, but a two-story, 16,000-square-foot structure is the target goal, he said. An estimate of the cost of construction depends on final designs and the project would be funded with grants and private dollars, he said. The Scranton Zoning Board will hear on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. at City Hall an application by the college for a special exception in a highway/commercial zone to convert a gravel lot at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. into a new college building, according to a public notice of the boards agenda published Thursday in The Times-Tribune. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lackawanna College plans to construct a building at a gravel lot at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton, seen here on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 at left, and with the side of the Able Brake building in background. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) The college initially planned to convert its six-story vacant office building at 401 Adams Ave. into a Center for Technology Innovation. But last year the college switched gears on the 401 Adams Ave. building constructed in 1973 and purchased by the college over a decade ago. The college instead put that building up for sale because the renovation estimate soared beyond original estimates of several years ago. College leadership did not believe it would be appropriate to pay for renovations through student tuition. Unfortunately, the cost to renovate the building at 401 Adams Ave was just too expensive for the College to complete, Costanzo said. We have maintained a very affordable tuition and will continue to do so as we develop new programming, such as the CTI. Also, the new construction will provide a floor plan that is far more conducive for our technology-based programs and an overall building size that meets our needs. Also last year, in August, Lackawanna College and Philadelphia-based Peirce College jointly announced they plan to merge and become the largest, private, nonprofit open-enrollment college in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The merger, which will give both colleges increased presence and offerings, will result in Peirce taking Lackawanna Colleges name as the two become a singular institution. The merger is proceeding as planned with regulatory approvals pending and is on track for a closing date of June 30, 2025, Costanzo said. * Vehicles occupy a parking lot at 518 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton where Lackawanna College plans to construct a technology building. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Lackawanna College plans to construct a building at a gravel lot at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton, seen here on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 at left, and with the side of the Able Brake building in background. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Lackawanna College plans to construct a building at a gravel lot at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton, seen here on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 from Wyoming Avenue, with the side of the Able Brake building in background at right, and the rear of the Washington West apartment building in the background at left, across Forest Court. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) * A Lackawanna College sign in the 500 block of Wyoming Avenue at the corner of Vine Street in Scranton on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) * Lackawanna College plans to construct a building at a gravel lot at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton, seen here on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 from Forest Court looking west toward Wyoming Avenue in the background. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Lackawanna College plans to construct a building at a gravel lot at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton, seen here on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 from Wyoming Avenue with the rear of the Washington West apartment building in the background, across Forest Court. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) * A Lackawanna College banner on a pole in the 500 block of Wyoming Avenue in Scranton on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) * Lackawanna College plans to construct a building at a gravel lot at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton, seen here on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 from Forest Court looking west toward Wyoming Avenue in the background. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Lackawanna College plans to construct a building at a gravel lot at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton, seen here on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 from Forest Court looking west toward Wyoming Avenue in the background. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) Show Caption 1 of 9 Vehicles occupy a parking lot at 518 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton where Lackawanna College plans to construct a technology building. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Expand LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) There was a bomb threat at the Lafayette Airport on Monday. Authorities tell KLFY News the bomb threat came in late Monday afternoon. They evacuated the airport as a precautionary measure. Lafayette Sheriffs Deputies swept the airport terminal. By 5:45pm they gave the all clear and allowed people to return inside. An investigation into the bomb threat continues. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The summer concert series at Duluth's Bayfront Festival Park is taking shape. First Avenue has announced that Lake Street Dive a band that will always sound like it should be from Minnesota will headline a night of the outdoor series on July 15. The Boston-originated group has been touring almost constantly since releasing its latest album, Good Together, last year. Lake Street DivePhoto by Shervin Lainez Other concerts announced for Bayfront Festival Park include the return of Alison Krauss and Union Station on June 11 and hometown bluegrass group Trampled by Turtles on July 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the 36th Annual Bayfront Blues Festival will return to the park from Aug. 810. Tickets for Lake Street Dive go on sale on Jan. 31, with an artist presale taking place on Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. That'll be followed by Spotify and First Avenue presales on Jan. 30 at 10 a.m. Related: Green Day, Hozier, Fall Out Boy headliners for 2025 Minnesota Yacht Club festival President Donald Trump is moving forward with his plans to crack down on immigration, and Black Atlantans could soon find themselves targeted by a related bill Trump signed into law on Wednesday. The Laken Riley Act, which passed the House and Senate last week, requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain any undocumented immigrant who admits to or has been arrested, charged, or convicted of burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting; assault of a police officer; or any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury. The law also gives states the power to sue the federal government if an undocumented immigrant brings harm or commits a crime against a citizen. The federal legislation is likely to have direct local impact, as metro Atlanta has the fourth-highest Black immigrant population in the country, according to a 2022 Pew Research Center report. Black Atlantans immigrants included are most likely to be stopped, searched and arrested by police, which can often result in detention and deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Laken Riley Act comes in the midst of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a law enforcement agency within DHS, conducting raids in metro Atlanta suburbs with high immigrant populations beginning this past weekend. Its an additional cog in Trumps plan to deport millions of migrants. Capital B breaks down what you need to know about the Laken Riley Act and how it could affect Black people in Atlanta. Who is Laken Riley? Laken Riley was a 22-year-old student from Woodstock, Georgia, who was studying nursing at Augusta Universitys Athens campus when she was murdered while on a morning run in February 2024. Her killer, Jose Antonio Ibarra, is an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela who had previously been arrested in Texas and New York. Just five months before the murder, Ibarra was cited by law enforcement for stealing food and clothes from a Walmart in Athens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ibarra was found guilty of her murder in November and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Why is the Laken Riley Act controversial? Proponents of the Laken Riley Act argue that it is written to protect Americans from potential harm while ensuring that undocumented immigrants who have been arrested for a crime are processed for deportation as quickly as possible. Immigration attorneys and immigrant rights groups are decrying the law as another tool to target undocumented migrants that wont actually help make communities any safer. They argue that the language of the law puts law-abiding undocumented residents at undue risk of deportation because anyone who is arrested, charged, or convicted of (or admits to) any forms of theft or violent crime must be detained by DHS, according to the legislation. ICE has also been known to wrongfully detain documented immigrants and U.S. citizens alike, which happened last week during a raid in Newark, New Jersey. DHS has already warned Congress that the agency would be unable to enforce the law with the resources they are currently allotted and would likely have to release undocumented immigrants already in custody. (The department estimated a $26.9 billion cost to implement it in the first year.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While supporters have championed this law as a step toward addressing crime by immigrants, there is no evidence that crime by immigrants is widespread. A 2024 American Immigration Council report revealed that while the U.S. immigrant population rose by 1.7 million people from 2017 to 2022, the national violent crime rate dropped by 3.6% (the overall crime rate saw a 15.3% decrease). In the past, ICE and DHS were only required to detain and deport undocumented immigrants who are arrested on certain serious felonies, such as murder or espionage. The Laken Riley Act increases the number and type of offenses that mandate deportation. How did my representatives vote? Both of Georgias Democratic senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock voted yes last week. The U.S. Senate passed the bill by a vote of 64-35, with 12 Democrats crossing the aisle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three of the four Democrats representing the Atlanta metro area in the U.S. House of Representatives voted against the bill: Nikema Williams, Hank Johnson, and David Scott. Lucy McBath, whose district has been redrawn twice by Republican legislators in the state house, voted in favor of the bill. The House passed the bill last Wednesday by a vote of 263-156, with the support of 46 Democrats. How will this affect policing in Atlanta? The Laken Riley Act is only targeted at federal agencies like DHS. Neither Atlanta Police nor Georgia State Patrol are responsible for rounding up undocumented immigrants. But under Georgia law, local police have to play a role in reporting undocumented people. If a person who is arrested or is a suspect in a criminal investigation cannot provide valid identification or a document confirming their immigration status, then the police must verify that persons immigration status with the appropriate federal agency. Georgia, like most Southern states, does not allow undocumented people to apply for a drivers license. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the onus is not on the arresting agency (likely a local police or sheriffs department) to detain the undocumented person until ICE can collect them, the Laken Riley Act would greatly increase the number of people who must be detained by ICE. The post Black Immigrants in Atlanta Face New Risks As Trump Signs Laken Riley Act appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The Lakeside Winter Celebration is returning to the Rochester shore of Lake Ontario for its 39th year and is bringing along the Polar Plunge! Indoor and outdoor activities at the event call for the community to enjoy the winter and embrace it. These include a snow sculpture contest (which requires registration on-site), the Chilly Chili Challenge, horse-drawn sleigh and wagon rides, wine tastings, and more. Over 2,000 people are expected to take part in this years Polar Plunge, which aims to benefit Special Olympics New York. Registration is available on the Polar Plunges website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lakeside Winter Celebration will be from February 1 to February 2, with the Polar Plunge happening on the second day of the event. Those looking to take part in he snow sculpting contest must register and begin sculpting at 9 a.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 RochesterFirst. LAMPASAS, Texas (KXAN) A staff member within the Lampasas Independent School District resigned this week after being accused of inappropriate conduct with a student, according to Superintendent Chane Rascoe. Rascoe told KXAN he was alerted to the allegations on Sunday evening and immediately put the staff member on leave and on Monday morning initiated a report with the Texas Education Agency. Rascoe said he afforded the employee due process rights and the employee decided to resign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school district turned in any information it had regarding the staff member to local law enforcement. The district could not share any details about the staff member. KXAN has reached out to Lampasas law enforcement for further information. This story will be updated when we receive a response. Rascoe sent a letter to guardians of students at Lampasas Middle and High Schools on Monday alerting them of the investigation. Lampasas ISD is in full cooperation with the Lampasas Police Department and the Lampasas County Sheriffs Department in conducting a further investigation, the letter said in part. Due to privacy laws and the nature of the investigation, we are unable to share specific details at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter also noted that counseling and support services are available for any student in need and that parents and guardians can contact the middle school and high school administration if they have questions or 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 KXAN Austin. Lampasas County, Tx (FOX 44) The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is exploring a 1,100 acre property in Lampasas and Burnet Counties for possible inclusion in a new state park. This property was presented in the January meeting of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, with the commission authorizing the departments executive director to take all necessary steps to acquire the 1,100 acres from what was described as a willing seller. Anther 2020 acres in Burnet County has already been purchased for the new park. That property includes two miles along the Colorado River and is located across the river from Colorado Bend State Park. The two pieces of land would result in a new state park comprised of over 3,000 acres. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first purchase was made using a combination of a one-time funding appropriation and funds from the sporting goods sales tax. The new state park will be developed through the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, a $1 billion fund overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2023 to create a dedicated funding stream for acquiring and developing new state parks. This land acquisition is one of many made by the TPWD in recent months, with the goal of expanding public access to Texas` natural spaces in more corners of the state. This achievement joins the previous two acquisitions totaling 3,703 acres at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area along with the purchase of the 500-acre Lake Colorado City State Park, amongst others. It`s great to see these acquisitions which will provide public access and conserve their beautiful landscapes for years to come, said Jeff Hildebrand, Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. This property near the current Colorado Bend State Park is the cornerstone for what will be a brand-new park. A statement released by Texas Parks and Wildlife said The property features rugged hills, diverse native habitats and the aforementioned two miles of river front on the Colorado River. It is approximately ten miles upstream from Lake Buchanan and will create additional recreational opportunities and habitat protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TPWD will now work to develop a plan with input from the public to determine recreational opportunities for the property. This plan may take some months to complete with a potential opening date yet to be determined. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A "large amount" of Russian military equipment vanished from the Syrian port of Tartus with the departure of the Russian cargo ship Sparta II, an investigative journalist at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Mark Krutov, said on Jan. 27, citing satellite images. Another Russian cargo ship called Sparta remained docked in the port after the two ships idled for weeks off the coast before being granted permission to dock, the BBC reported. The news sheds further light on the state of Russian military assets in Syria, whose ultimate fate remains unclear after a rebel offensive overthrew Moscow-backed dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A large amount of Russian military equipment vanished from the Syrian port of Tartus with Sparta IIs departure, while Sparta vessel remains in port," Krutovs post on X read. Both ships are owned by the sanctioned shipping company Oboronlogistics. Russias Stroytransgazs commitment made in 2019 to invest over $500 million in the modernization of the port, a prerequisite for allowing Russian ships into the port, was recently canceled. A large amount of Russian military equipment vanished from the Syrian port of Tartus with Sparta IIs departure, while Sparta vessel remains in port. The nearest loading area to the vessel has become densely packed with containers, as a @planet satellite image from Jan. 27 shows. pic.twitter.com/RHACg4ac3C Mark Krutov (@kromark) January 27, 2025 Russia had a 49-year leasing right of the port, which had been agreed upon earlier by the Assad regime. After the dictator was overthrown and fled to Russia, Moscow began withdrawing military and naval assets from Syria. Russian soldiers and materiel began leaving the country mainly by planes, departing from another key Russian military base, the Khmeimim airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This means that despite the impediments to maritime transport, most materiel is leaving the country via airlift, with only equipment impossible or expensive to lift by air being transported by sea, Russian military blogger Fighterbomber said in a Telegram post on Jan. 22. The BBC wrote that there were probably two more Russian warships in the port, the Ivan Gren and the Aleksandr Otrakovsky. This assessment was supported by Ukraine's military intelligence. Read also: EU agrees to ease sanctions on Syria following Assads fall, chief diplomat says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. An explosion occurred in Kharkiv on the night of 27-28 January. Mayor Ihor Terekhov has reported a strike and fire in the Novobavarskyi district. The State Emergency Service has later provided details about the strike and confirmed a large-scale fire covering 1,500 square metres. Source: Terekhov on Telegram; Suspilne Kharkiv, a Kharkiv-related branch of the Ukrainian public broadcaster, with reference to Bohdan Hladkykh, the director of the city's Department of Emergency Situations Quote: "We had a strike on the city. Earlier reports indicate that it was in the Kholodnohirskyi district. A fire has started at the site. The details are being confirmed." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Update: Later, Terekhov confirmed where the district had been hit and added information about a large-scale fire in the district. Quote Terekhov: "Based on updated information, the strike was on premises belonging to a civilian business in the Novobavarskyi district. A large-scale fire broke out at the site of the strike. All the appropriate services are working at the scene." Details: Later, Hladkykh provided Suspilne with more details about the aftermath of the strike in Kharkiv. Quote from Hladkykh: "A fire covering an area of about 1,500 square metres broke out in Kharkiv following a Russian drone strike on the night of 27-28 January. The fire engulfed production facilities in the Novobavarskyi district." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A Russian Shahed drone struck the premises of a civilian business. Early reports indicate that it was a woodworking workshop. The strike caused damage to a gas pipeline used for production, resulting in a large-scale fire that spread extensively. More than 12 State Emergency Service fire appliances and units from Kharkiv City Council were involved in extinguishing the fire." Details: The fire completely consumed a two-storey building. Neighbouring businesses facilities and at least two cars parked nearby were also damaged. Early reports indicate, as Hladkykh stated, there were no injuries as a result of the explosion or fire. Quote from Hladkykh: "There is information about two affected individuals. They have acute stress reactions. However, they are not employees of the business, as no one was present there during the strike. They are residents of nearby areas." Details: As of 03:30, firefighters were continuing to extinguish the fire at the scene. Fire raging in the building Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Suspilne Firefighter extinguishing fire Photo: Suspilne Background: The Russians launched drone strikes on the Shevchenkivskyi and Kholodnohirskyi districts of Kharkiv on the morning of 25 January. Support UP or become our patron! Largest tuberculosis outbreak in U.S. history hits Kansas KANSAS (KSNT) The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says Kansas is facing the largest documented tuberculosis outbreak in history. 27 News spoke to KDHE Communications Director Jill Bronaugh who said the agency is working with the Centers for Disease Control for guidance. As of Jan. 24, 2025, there are 67 people in Kansas with active cases of tuberculosis. Additionally, Bronaugh says there are 79 confirmed latent tuberculosis cases. The breakdown includes 60 in Wyandotte County and seven in Johnson County. The current Kansas City, Kan. Metro tuberculosis (TB) outbreak is the largest documented outbreak in U.S. history, presently (since the 1950s, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) started monitoring and reporting TB cases), Bronaugh wrote. This outbreak is still ongoing, which means that there could be more cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What are the rarest fish you can catch in Kansas and where can you find them? According to Bronaugh, in 2024 there were 79 active and 213 latent outbreak and non-outbreak tuberculosis cases. In 2023, the CDC recorded 46 active tuberculosis cases in Kansas. There were two reported deaths in 2024 associated with this outbreak, Bronaugh says. TB is an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs and is caused by a type of bacteria, Bronaugh said. It spreads through the air when infected people cough, speak, or sing. While there is a very low risk of infection to the general public in these communities, KDHE is working to ensure that patients are receiving appropriate treatment, which will limit the ability to spread this disease and prevent additional cases from occurring. Dr. Dana Hawkinson, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control with the University of Kansas Health System, says the risk is low and treatment is available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typically, it is four drugs for a few weeks, and then we go down to two drugs. Most of them are pills. People need to be treated for at least six months and sometimes longer, Dr. Hawkinson shared. Its ridiculous: Egg prices put strain on Topeka restaurants According to the CDC, not everyone infected with tuberculosis gets sick. The CDC says inactive cases can turn into active cases if untreated. The typical treatment plan is to use tuberculosis medicines to kill the germs. The CDC says tuberculosis germs are strong and can take a long time to die so its important to follow healthcare provider guidance. For more information on how tuberculosis is treated, click 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Its easy to think that tuberculosis is an illness from another era. But the United States is actually experiencing the largest tuberculosis outbreak in its history. The outbreak, which is concentrated in Kansas, seems to have been going on since 2021, but a lot of cases have been reported since 2024. Making things even more complicated is that the form of tuberculosis circulating right now appears to be resistant to two common treatment methods for the disease. Unfortunately, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other government organizations are not allowed to publicly weigh in on the outbreak (or any other matters) due to a communications pause put in place by the Trump administration, per The Washington Post. So there are some unanswered questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what we know about the tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas right now, plus how the infection spreads. Meet the expert: Thomas Russo, MD, is a professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York. Is there a tuberculosis outbreak? Unfortunately, yes, there is a tuberculosis outbreak happening in Kansas, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The department has documented 66 active cases of tuberculosis since 2024 and 79 latent infections. "Active" cases means that someone is contagious and having symptoms. Meanwhile, "latent" means that someone has tuberculosis but doesnt have symptoms and cant spread it to others, explains Thomas Russo, MD, a professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York. Latent cases can turn into active cases, he points out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, Kansas has the largest outbreak that theyve ever had in history, Ashley Goss, a deputy secretary at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, told the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee on January 28, per The Topeka Capital-Journal. A CDC report issued in 2023 shows the outbreak may stretch back to 2021. Why is there a tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas? Its not entirely clear. The 2023 CDC report found that the outbreak was focused on four households, and it seems to have spread from there. Part of it is that some of these strains have been resistant to certain [medications]perhaps initial treatment wasnt appropriate that could have halted spread, Russo says. How is tuberculosis transmitted? Tuberculosis is a disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, per the CDC. Tuberculosis spreads through the air from one person to another. Someone with an active infection can put the germs into the air when they cough, speak, or sing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those germs can hang out in the air for several hours, according to the CDC. If you breathe them in, youre likely to become sick. What does tuberculosis do to you? What are the symptoms? People with active tuberculosis infections can experience a range of symptoms. According to the CDC, those include: A cough that lasts three weeks or longer Chest pain Coughing up blood or phlegm Weakness or fatigue Weight loss Loss of appetite Chills Fever Night sweats Is tuberculosis curable? Yes, tuberculosis is curable. Its usually treated with a six-month course of four antibiotics, including rifampicin and isoniazid, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). When people have drug-resistant tuberculosis, the treatment is longer and more complex, per the WHO. We just need to be cognizant of which drugs are going to be active against it, Russo says. How can I protect myself from tuberculosis? The best way to protect yourself from tuberculosis is to avoid people who are obviously sick. And, if youve been diagnosed with tuberculosis, its crucial to follow the prescribed treatment plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the way, there is a tuberculosis vaccine, but its not commonly used in the U.S., according to the CDC. Overall, Russo says this outbreak isnt something most people should be worried about. The overall magnitude of this outbreak is small, and we do have treatments for multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis, he says. Will there be a few more cases? Probably. But Im not concerned that this will turn into an overwhelming number of cases. You Might Also Like LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Social media posts mistakenly identified a law enforcement-themed Las Vegas ice cream truck as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle, leading its owner to fear for his safety. ICE and Border Patrol dont use trucks from 1985, Billy Settlemyers, the owner of Las Vegas Ice Cream Patrol, said Monday. Last week, a person posted a video of Settlemyers black-and-white truck driving into a neighborhood with the caption: Please be on the lookout for ice cream trucks they ever play music to get people to come outside this is actually so sick. Other people then took that original video and made their own criticizing Settlemyers business thinking the federal government was involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im an ice cream man, thats it, he said from his trucks window awaiting customers. The Las Vegas Ice Cream Patrol is complete with a badge on the site but look closely and the truck may be home to more chocolate bars than metal ones. I wanted to build something creative for my community nice and clean and approachable, Settlemyers said. Safe for kids. Thats it. The rumors that his business was actually ICE not too sweet. Basically, Be on the lookout, Las Vegas is using ice cream trucks as cover to catch illegal aliens, Settlemyers said about the posts. Have you ever had this problem before? 8 News Now Investigator David Charns asked Settlemyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, not at all, he said. People ask me if Im law enforcement or ex-law enforcement. Im a mechanic. I built the truck. The trucks look even encourages drivers to slow down as some believe its a Metro police vehicle from far away, Settlemyers said. It says on its side: Not affiliated with any law enforcement agencies. How many people do you think have seen those videos? Charns asked. The last I heard, 15 million, Settlemyers said. Before Settlemyers could react, the damage was already done. Even without seeing the video of his truck, people posted across social media that immigration raids were underway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE is in Las Vegas. Please stay safe, one post said. They had a checkpoint one even disguised as an ice cream truck. I feel kind of like a target, Settlemyers said. People have to stop and realize with social media how many people are going to see their video and the repercussions from it are dangerous, possibly. The woman who posted the most far-reaching TikTok video deleted it and apologized. Thankfully of all the wonderful customers I have in this neighborhood, they came to my defense and I really appreciate that a lot, Settlemyers said. It is against copyright law to screenshot someones video even if it is posted to social media and create one using the media for your content. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, ICE arrested about 1,200 people across major cities, including Chicago and Los Angeles. There was no indication Monday that ICE was implementing any checkpoints or large-scale arrests in the Las Vegas valley. Last week, LVMPD Sheriff Kevin McMahill told the 8 News Now Investigators his department will not partake in mass deportation roundups. 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. Trumps new self-described border czar previously said he would use U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to run the biggest deportation operation this countrys ever seen. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Social media posts mistakenly identified a law enforcement-themed Las Vegas ice cream truck as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle, leading its owner to fear for his safety. ICE and Border Patrol dont use trucks from 1985, Billy Settlemyers, the owner of Las Vegas Ice Cream Patrol, said Monday. Last week, a person posted a video of Settlemyers black-and-white truck driving into a neighborhood with the caption: Please be on the lookout for ice cream trucks they play music to get people to come outside this is actually so sick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other people then took that original video and made their own, criticizing the business owners company, thinking the federal government was involved. Im an ice cream man, thats it, he said from his trucks window awaiting customers. The Las Vegas Ice Cream Patrol is complete with a badge on the side but look closely and the truck may be home to more chocolate bars than metal ones. I wanted to build something creative for my community nice and clean and approachable, Settlemyers said. Safe for kids. Thats it. People ask me if Im law enforcement or ex-law enforcement. Im a mechanic, he continued. I built the truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trucks look even encourages drivers to slow down as some believe its a police vehicle from far away, Settlemyers said. It says on its side: Not affiliated with any law enforcement agencies. Before the business owner could react, the damage was already done. Even without seeing the video of his truck, people posted across social media that immigration raids were underway. ICE is in Las Vegas. Please stay safe, one post said. They had a checkpoint one even disguised as an ice cream truck. I feel kind of like a target, Settlemyers said. People have to stop and realize with social media how many people are going to see their video and the repercussions from it are dangerous, possibly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman who posted the most far-reaching TikTok video has since deleted it and apologized. Thankfully of all the wonderful customers I have in this neighborhood, they came to my defense and I really appreciate that a lot, Settlemyers said. Last week, ICE arrested about 1,200 people across major cities, including Chicago and Los Angeles. There was no indication Monday that the agency was implementing any checkpoints or large-scale arrests in the Las Vegas valley. Last week, LVMPD Sheriff Kevin McMahill told Nexstars KLAS his department will not partake in mass deportation roundups. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news comes as President Trump implements his stringent immigration policy after returning to the White House just over a week ago. KLAS is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration freeze on federal grants and loans that could total trillions of dollars and cause disruptions in health care research, education programs and other initiatives. The White House announced plans to enforce the pause on federal grants and loans Tuesday as President Donald Trumps administration begins an across-the-board ideological review of its spending. The move was defended by Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary, who made her debut in the briefing room Tuesday. Democrats were pushing back, with attorneys general announcing a lawsuit asking a federal judge to block the Republican presidents moves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's the latest: Trump hamstrings anti-discrimination agency Trump fired the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions Charlotte Burrows and Vice Chair Jocelyn Samuels late Monday night, according to Tuesday statements from both women. The EEOC is comprised of five commissioners and enforces federal laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace. With one existing vacancy, this move cuts the EEOC down to two commissioners, rendering it unable to reach a quorum. Samuels, originally appointed by Trump in 2020 and then again nominated by Biden for a second term, said the move violates the law, and represents a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of the EEOC as an independent agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burrows, who served under Presidents Obama, Trump, and Biden and whose term was set to expire in 2028, retained attorneys Lisa Banks and Debra Katz following her removal. Banks said Trumps decision will weaken the civil rights protections afforded American workers in workplaces across the country. Federal workers union head says Trumps buyout offers will cause chaos Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, says the number of civil servants hasnt meaningfully changed since 1970, but there are more Americans than ever who rely on government services. He says in a statement that purging the federal government of dedicated career federal employees will have vast, unintended consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelley says the offer should not be viewed as voluntary. He says between the flurry of anti-worker executive orders and policies, its clear the Trump administrations goal is to turn the federal government into a toxic environment where workers cannot stay even if they want to. Rubio grants foreign aid suspension waiver for all life-saving assistance Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signed a waiver to allow U.S. foreign aid to continue to be spent on life-saving humanitarian assistance while other programs are suspended pending a review. Rubios order signed Tuesday allows the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development to at least temporarily keep spending money for programs that provide life-saving medicine, medical services, food, shelter and subsistence assistance, according to a copy obtained by The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also allows for money to be spent on supplies and reasonable administrative costs. The waiver expands the exemptions from the freeze from what had previously been only emergency food aid. Rubios waiver does not cover programs that deal with abortion, family planning, conferences or anything related to diversity, equity and inclusion or gender-affirming care. Trump offers all federal workers a buyout with 8 months pay in effort to shrink size of government The White House on Tuesday began offering buyouts worth eight months of salary to all federal employees who opt to leave their jobs by Feb. 6 part of President Donald Trumps unprecedented overhaul of the U.S. government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A memo from the Office of Personnel Management, the governments human resources agency, lists four directives that it says Trump is mandating for the federal workforce, including that most workers return to their offices full-time. It includes a deferred resignation letter for federal employees wishing to participate. ___ This item has been corrected to show that the offer is eight months' salary, not seven. Democratic state attorneys general bring lawsuit against Trump administration Just minutes after a federal judge in Washington blocked the funding freeze, Democratic state attorneys generals brought their own lawsuit against the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit, filed by 22 states and the District of Columbia in federal court in Rhode Island, criticized the administration for implementing the freeze before it was to take effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Cutting off federal funding and grants threatened states ability to provide essential benefits for residents, pay public employees, satisfy obligations, and carry on the important business of government, the lawsuit said. Native American Rights Fund leader says federal funding freeze will negatively impact tribal nations John Echohawk, executive director of the Native American Rights Fund, in a statement said tribal nations, more so than almost any other community, will be negatively impacted by a freeze on federal funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tribal Nations rely on federal funding to address essential needs, including public safety, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and the basic needs of our most vulnerable citizens," he said. "The United States has a unique government-to-government obligation to Tribal Nations. Because of this unique relationship, Tribal Nations and Native people are especially and disproportionately affected by any federal actions like todays funding freeze. "The United States must fulfill its trust obligation to protect Tribal treaty rights, lands, assets, and resources. Withholding federal funding without consultation is a step in the wrong direction. He said the money being withheld is taxpayer dollars. Through Congress, we, the people, have made decisions about how we want our money spent. To withhold our money from us without reason or warning is illegal and immoral. Echohawk said his group is investigating the impacts a pause could have and weighing possible legal action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walz slams Trump for the funding freeze, says he will join in suing for an injunction Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz slammed President Donald Trump for the funding freeze, while Attorney General Keith Ellison said he would be joining with other Democratic attorneys general in suing for an injunction to block the presidents action. Walz, who was the Kamala Harris running mate in the 2024 election, said Trump did not get a mandate for such draconian action. I understand that the people voted and, Kamala Harris and I lost an election to Donald Trump, he said. Seventy-seven million people voted for him. Thats 23% of the population. That is not a mandate to squash the Constitution. Its not a mandate to break the law. Its not a mandate to throw out all of the things that we know make this country work well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walz and Ellison spoke at a news conference at a St. Paul YMCA that depends on the kind of federal funding for childrens education programs that is now at risk. Walz, a former congressman, also blasted the sycophants in Congress who are supporting Trumps action. Ellison, whos also a former congressman, said Trumps order is unconstitutional and oversteps his legal authority. Scott Bessent is sworn into his role as treasury secretary South Carolina investor Scott Bessent was sworn into his role as treasury secretary on Tuesday by Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh. His first day of work included meetings with senior Treasury officials, according to a Treasury news release. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on a 68-to-29 vote, Monday, with 16 Democrats voting in favor of making him the nations 79th treasury secretary. Bessents position puts him on a delicate balancing act of cutting taxes and curbing deficits while putting forward a plan on tariffs that doesnt jeopardize growth. The treasury secretary is responsible for serving as the presidents fiscal policy adviser and managing the public debt. He is also a member of the presidents National Economic Council. Among his responsibilities will be investigating the feasibility of creating an External Revenue Service to collect tariff revenue from other nations. Homeland Security secretary talks to agency staff for first time; no mention of immigration The new Secretary of Homeland Security says the agency will do everything we can to protect the American people as she addresses the agencys staff for the first time. We do have challenges. The world is a dangerous place. Weve got dangerous people, foreign governments that want to take us down, said Kristi Noem. She made no mention of the agencys role in immigration or border security during her address to the agencys 260,000 staff Tuesday. Noem started out her day in New York to watch immigration enforcement operations. The secretary oversees key agencies with responsibility for immigration and border security including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. Senate Democrats denounce Trumps Jan. 6 assault pardons Senate Democrats are pushing a resolution that condemns President Donald Trump for pardoning Jan. 6 rioters who were found guilty of assaulting police officers at the Capitol, but their effort was halted by Republican leadership. Every Senate Democrat signed onto the resolution earlier this week, and the caucus tried Tuesday to speed it through the Senate through the unanimous consent process. However, Sen. John Barrasso, the no. 2 Senate Republican leader, objected to passage of the bill. He said that instead Democrats should focus on former President Joe Bidens abuse of pardon powers for granting pardons to family members and members of the congressional committee that investigated the Jan. 6 insurrection, as well as clemency for those convicted of crimes. Still, Democrats took to the Senate floor with a series of speeches to decry Trumps pardons. Trump signs executive order aimed at curtailing gender transitions for kids President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order aimed at curtailing gender transitions for people under age 19. Its the latest push by Trump to reverse policies set by the Biden administration to protect transgender people and their care. On Monday, Trump directed the Pentagon to conduct a review that is likely to lead to them being barred from military service. The order directs that federally-run insurance programs, including TRICARE for military families and Medicaid, exclude coverage for such care, and calls on the Department of Justice to vigorously pursue litigation and legislation to oppose the practice. Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump administration freeze on federal grants and loans A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration freeze on federal grants and loans that could total trillions of dollars. U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan blocked the action Tuesday afternoon, minutes before it was set to go into effect. The administrative stay pauses the freeze until Monday. The White House had planned to start the pause as they begin an across-the-board ideological review of federal spending. There are about 1,600 US active duty troops now at the border As of Tuesday, the total number of U.S. active duty troops at the border is now about 1,600. That is a slight uptick from the 1,500 that was initially expected to go and just represents the total number that ended up deploying in order to meet the first deployment order and the required mission. Officials said that there are still about 500 Marines, but the number of Army soldiers went up a little bit. No additional deployments have been ordered by the Pentagon so far. Vance to sit down with Fox News Hannity Vice President JD Vance will sit down with Fox News Sean Hannity on Wednesday. It comes one week after Hannity sat down in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump on his second full day on the job. The interview will be taped earlier in the day in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where Vances office is located, and will air at 9 p.m. Eastern. White House confirms website for Medicaid payments is down The website that states use to get Medicaid payments from the federal government is down, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a X social media post. She said that states would still have their payments processed. The outage, which occurred just after the White House ordered a pause on federal grants, raises concerns that billions in Medicaid funding would be cut off. Leavitt said no payments have been affected and the portal will be back online shortly. Democrats begin to protest Trump nominees over federal freeze Senate Democrats were scrambling Tuesday to respond to Trumps federal assistance freeze, holding impromptu press conferences and media availability to get the word out about the unconstitutionality of what the administration was doing. Among the tactics being deployed is protesting the presidents Cabinet nominees. Democratic Sens. Chris Coons and others voted against Transportation secretary nominee Sean Duffy on Tuesday after voting to proceed with his confirmation the day before. However, in light of President Trumps disastrous and illegal order last night to freeze all federal aid, including millions for those very transportation investments, I could not support Mr. Duffys nomination or any of President Trumps nominees for the duration this directive is in place, the Delaware lawmaker wrote in a statement. President Trump has tried to defy Congresss constitutional appropriations role. He cannot defy our advice and consent role. New York AG says funding freeze already having an effect on vital programs At a news conference announcing a lawsuit aimed at blocking the pause, Attorney General Letitia James said Head Start funding was frozen in Michigan, access to child development block grants was cut off in Maryland and at least 20 states have been unable to access Medicaid reimbursement systems, including New York. There is no question this policy is reckless, dangerous, illegal and unconstitutional, said James, who was joined on the call by five other Democratic state attorneys general. James said the lawsuit, being filed Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, will seek a temporary restraining order to restart the flow of federal funding. GOP chairman questions Trump about inspector general firings in a bipartisan letter In a rare joint letter, the top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee requested for President Trump to provide substantive rationale behind his decision Friday to dismiss inspectors general for 18 offices. The move did not provide Congress the legally required 30-day notices about the removals. This is a matter of public and congressional accountability and ensuring the publics confidence in the Inspector General community, a sentiment shared more broadly by other Members of Congress, Sens. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Dick Durbin of Illinois wrote. IGs are critical to rooting out waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct within the Executive Branch bureaucracy, which you have publicly made clear you are also intent on doing. Trumps voters wanted the government to do less Trumps voters in the November election were much more likely than voters overall to say that government was doing too many things better left to businesses and individuals, according to AP VoteCast. About two-thirds of his supporters said that government was too involved, whereas only about one-third said government should do more to solve problems. That was not a view shared by voters overall. Slightly more than half of voters, 53%, said the government should be doing more to address issues. Only 45% said the government was doing too many things that ought to be handled by individuals. Caroline Kennedy warns against confirming her cousin Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to lead nations health department On the eve of his first confirmation hearing, she said her cousin lacks any relevant government, financial management or medical experience for the job. But in a letter to the Senate committee leaders obtained by the Associated Press, Caroline Kennedy outlined personal qualities that for me, pose even greater concern. The letter was first reported by The Washington Post. Caroline Kennedy said she tries not to speak for her father, the late former president John F. Kennedy, or his brothers, Robert F. Kennedy and Edward Kennedy, but she said she believes they would be disgusted. Leavitt says a White House freeze on federal aid wouldnt affect people directly receiving aid But during her White House press briefing, she was much less clear about what will happen to those who get indirect aid through their states, other organizations or many other ways. And while Leavitt said beneficiaries of programs like Social Security and Medicare would not be affected, she did not say Medicaid wouldnt be affected. Pressed on Medicaid payments being cut off to individuals, Leavitt said Ill check back on that. The White House subsequently said Medicaid wouldnt be affected. House Democratic leader to hold emergency meeting on Trump funding freeze In a letter to House Democrats on Tuesday, Leader Hakeem Jeffries blasted the Trump administrations federal assistance freeze as ripping off hardworking Americans. The Republican Rip Off will raise the cost of living for the working class, while hurting children, seniors, veterans, first responders, houses of worship and everyday Americans in need, the New York lawmaker wrote. He added that Democrats will hold an emergency caucus meeting Wednesday to discuss a comprehensive three-pronged counteroffensive. New White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has wrapped up her first briefing Leavitt took questions from reporters for nearly 50 minutes and repeatedly defended President Donald Trump on scores of issues including immigration crackdowns and a freezing of federal funding for a bevy of programs. She noted that, at 27, shes the youngest-ever press secretary and said shed been in the Oval Office speaking to Trump just before the briefing. Leavitt was at time cautious, saying she didnt want to get ahead of Trump. She also swiped at former President Joe Biden, saying he might have been sleeping upstairs at the White House as inflation rose in recent years. The drones over New Jersey were authorized and not the enemy, Trump administration says White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered an update from Trump during a briefing Tuesday, saying the Federal Aviation Administration approved the flights, which captured the publics attention over a month ago. After research and study, the drones that were flying over New Jersey in large numbers were authorized to be flown by the FAA for research and various other reasons, Leavitt said. Many of these drones were also hobbyists, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying drones. She added: It got worse due to curiosity. This was not the enemy. She said the news came directly from the president. The drones led to widespread curiosity as well as some confusion and worry last month. State and Biden administration officials had said there was no evidence of anything nefarious with the sightings. Trump had said the government knows what was happening with the drones. He said at the time, I cant imagine its the enemy because if its the enemy theyd blast it out. Meals on Wheels says the confusion over the federal aid pause puts its programs at risk The lack of clarity and uncertainty right now is creating chaos for local Meals on Wheels providers not knowing whether theyre going to be reimbursed for meals served today, tomorrow, who knows how long this could go on, spokeswoman Jenny Young wrote in an email. Which unfortunately means seniors may panic not knowing where their next meals will come from. The main funding for Meals on Wheels, which feeds more than 2 million seniors annually, and other senior nutrition programs is a grant distributed by the federal Administration on Aging to state governments that then send the money to individual providers. We need clarity now, Young added. State health departments are scrambling to understand effects of the Trump administrations grant-funding memo Spokespeople for South Carolina, Maine and Washingtons agencies said theyre still trying to determine how the federal document will affect them, including their funding. Maine Gov. Janet Mills said in a statement that she was deeply concerned by the directive, which she added is causing entirely needless chaos and confusion across Maine and the nation that will turn into real and serious harm if it continues. Senate Republicans are mostly offering little resistance to Trumps pause on federal grants and loans But they acknowledged it was a test of his power over Congressionally-approved programs and could affect their states. Many GOP senators emphasized that the freeze was so far temporary and that they were trying to find out more about how far it would reach. Others said it was the right move. It makes sense to me, said Sen. Jim Banks, a Republican from Indiana. Still, some cautioned that backlash could grow if the freeze is prolonged or if it affects programs like disaster aid. Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican whose state of North Carolina is recovering from tropical storms, said, I cant imagine that the president would knowingly cut off housing assistance for people displaced from their homes so weve just got to sort through it and see how they ultimately implement it. Trump White House adds seats for new media voices in the briefing room During her first media briefing Tuesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration was opening up seats beside her podium, which had traditionally been occupied by administration staff, to new media voices. Two of those seats were occupied Tuesday by Axios and Breitbart, a conservative news outlet. Other traditional assigned seating in the room wasnt changed. Leavitt said more Americans are getting their news from nontraditional new sources, rather than legacy outlets who already have briefing room seats. I take great pride in opening up this room to new media voices, she said. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt started the first news briefing of the new Trump presidency She began by going through the recent arrests of unauthorized immigrants. Dressed in a magenta pantsuit with a cross necklace, Leavitt went on Tuesday through the administrations actions since Trump returned to the presidency last week. She said reporters have access to the most transparent and accessible president in American history. Leavitt said the White House will talk much more broadly to new media outlets and will accept applications from podcasters and social media influencers to be in the briefing room. Leavitt also said people who lost their White House press passes during Joe Bidens presidency will have their access returned. The first question went to Mike Allen of Axios. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Trump has invited him to the White House on Feb. 4 This will make Netanyahu the first foreign leader to visit Washington in Trumps second term. The visit comes as the United States is pressuring Israel and Hamas to continue a ceasefire that has paused a devastating 15-month war in Gaza. CNNs Jim Acosta, an irritant to Trump, says hes quitting rather than take a late-night time slot Acosta announced his departure Tuesday at the end of his one-hour morning show on the network, telling viewers: Dont give in to the lies. Dont give in to the fear. He didnt specifically tie those sentiments to President Trump, but the implication was clear. CNN says its decision to move Acosta out of the daylight and into a time slot to begin at midnight Eastern time had nothing to do with politics. Less than a half hour before Acostas announcement, Trump posted on social media that rumors that the anchor was leaving were good news. Jim is a major loser who will fail no matter where he ends up, Trump said on Truth Social. CNN announced last week Trumps first week back in office that it was shuffling its daytime lineup to move Wolf Blitzer into Acostas 10 a.m. ET time slot, paired with Pamela Brown. The network said it had offered Acosta a job at midnight and would move him to Los Angeles, where his show would air at 9 p.m., and also simulcast the program on CNN International. But Acosta, who has been at CNN for 18 years, said Tuesday he had turned that down. Read more about Jim Acostas departure from CNN Sean Duffy is confirmed by the Senate to lead the Transportation Department It gives him a key role in helping President Donald Trump cut regulations and fix the nations infrastructure. The former Wisconsin congressman has promised safer Boeing planes, less regulation and help for U.S. companies developing self-driving cars while not giving any breaks to Elon Musk, a key player in that technology. Duffy, a 53-year-old former reality TV star, was approved with bipartisan support on a 77-22 vote in the Senate. He takes over the Department of Transportation at a crucial time at the agency, a massive employer of more than 55,000 that spends tens of billions of dollars annually, oversees the nations highways, railroads and airspace and sets safety standards for trains, cars and trucks. Read more about Sean Duffy West Virginias GOP governor says Trumps funding pause generally is correct As of midday Tuesday, West Virginia Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey said he didnt yet have much insight into how the White House freeze on federal grants and loans would affect the state or its residents. Almost half of the states annual budget is made up of federal funds. What were going to do is were going to try to unpack that and talk with the Trump administration about that, he said. He then on to say President Trump is going to be an amazing president. Look, I do think what President Trump is trying to do generally is correct, he said. The federal government and quite frankly, the state government, has operated way beyond its means. Right? So you finally have leadership in Washington, you have leadership here in Charleston. Im going to work just like President Trump to tackle the issues and be transparent. Will billions for Medicaid be halted? Medicaid is notably not exempt from a White House directive to pause all federal grants and loans by the end of day Tuesday. Medicare and Social Security, however, were spared in the memo. The U.S. Health and Human Services agency doles out over a half trillion dollars to states in a joint partnership to run Medicaid, the nations health care coverage for about 80 million of the poorest of Americans, including millions of children. A spokesman for Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzkers office said the states agencies have reported issues accessing the website used to request disbursement for Medicaid payments. HHS did not immediately respond to questions about the spending freeze and whether Medicaid payments would continue. A simmering diplomatic stand-off over deportation flights spilled onto social media Sunday, threatening the once close relationship between the United States and Colombia and further exposing the anxiety many feel in Latin America toward a second Trump presidency. Angered by how deportees were being returned with their hands bound aboard military flights, Colombian President Gustavo Petro turned back two of the flights that were already in the air and heading to the South American nation, catching the Trump administration by surprise. In several posts on X, he announced he was blocking US military deportation flights. Petro later directed a post at US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, warning, I will never allow Colombians to be brought in handcuffs on flights. Marco, if officials from the Foreign Ministry allowed this, it would never be under my direction. It was a bold position and one he would soon be forced to back down from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sudden rift between the United States and Colombia, which has long been a major recipient of US military aid and until now had accepted deportation flights, immediately galvanized a region struggling over how to respond to the new US president. Trump has vowed to deport scores of immigrants back to Latin American nations, carry out cross border attacks on Mexican drug cartels, increase economic sanctions on leftist governments in Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, and seize control of the Panama Canal. Some regional leaders were quick to cheer the Colombian on. Our support to President Gustavo Petro in his worthy defense of the rights of Colombians and his response to the discriminatory treatment and blackmail with which they intend to pressure his people and Our America, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel wrote on X. For Colombia a country that has received billions of dollars in aid from the US to fight drug trafficking and militant groups over the years to openly defy the US would have sent a powerful signal across the hemisphere. And it could have complicated the Trump administrations efforts to force other countries to fall in line behind their campaign to accept the deportations, which are deeply unpopular in the region. By successfully pushing back, Petro could have opened the door for other regional leaders to do the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already dealing with corruption scandals and worsening violence as two Colombian militant groups battle each other and the government, Petro may have thought that picking a public fight with the Trump administration would provide a welcome distraction. But the former guerrilla-turned-Colombias first leftist president apparently misjudged how vociferously the new US administration would respond. Petro did not follow Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaums declaration that its always important to keep a cool head when dealing with Trumps threats. Instead, Petro tried to go insult for insult with Trump, writing in lengthy posts on X to the US president that he must consider Colombians to be inferior and that I dont shake hands with white slavers. US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after signing a series of executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on January 23, 2025, in Washington, DC. - Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Short-lived escalation There is little patience for Petro in the new Republican administration, say experts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump and the people around him, including Rubio, dont like Gustavo Petro, said Adam Isacson, the director of defense oversight for the Washington Office on Latin America think tank. So he was like a perfect foil, somebody they could use to make an example of for every other country in the region that they want to threaten if they get in the way of deportation. You cant go out there and publicly defy us in that way, a Trump administration official told CNN on Sunday. Were going to make sure the world knows they cant get away with being non-serious and deceptive. The US is Colombias largest trading partner. As the Trump administration struck back with 25% tariffs among other things, Petro backed down later that day and hopes that he would become the new standard bearer for an anti-Trump, Latin American left suddenly evaporated. Washingtons threat of economic tit-for-tat and canceled visa services spooked not only Colombians but other countries in the region who saw even more clearly after Sunday how central arm-twisting will be to Trumps foreign policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many across the region were surprised that Petro after initiating a diplomatic incident had folded so quickly. Still, the possibility remained that a summit of leaders at the leftist regional CELAC body scheduled for Thursday could revive a unified anti-Trump bloc to push back against the deportations. The dust-up between Colombia and the US showed once again that because of sheer proximity, Latin America will likely bear the brunt of many Trump policies and the wrath of US officials when regional leaders attempt to speak out. However bitter the fallout from the incident, the heavy-handed US pressure campaign appeared to have achieved the desired result for the Trump administration at least for the moment. On Monday, Colombia announced it was sending its own military planes to pick up the migrants that were supposed to have arrived the day before. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) Micah Galvan is a former marine and has been a local firearms instructor for five years. A new law will re-shape the way not just his class, but all concealed carry classes are run. House Bill 24-1174 was approved by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on June 4, 2024, and will go into effect this July. Galvan tells WesternSlopeNow current law allows concealed carry permits to be given out with only a one-session class and written exam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Come July 1, this law will make initial concealed carry courses now include not just a written exam, but a live fire exercise as well, with a class time minimum of eight hours. Galvan says, My personal concealed carry class has always required range time, its always required to be drawing from a holster, the only change that I have to make is now I have to require, instead of just a holster, it has to be a concealed carry holster. Galvan states each student will shoot just under 150 rounds in his class. The courses will also need to go over certain bullet points, including state laws and conflict resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Existing law states an individual has 10 years to apply for a concealed carry permit after completing the course, but the update will change that to just one year allowed in between. Galvan tells WesternSlopeNow hes happy with the change at least the people that are going to conceal carry are going to be receiving a much higher level of required training. Its important to remember concealed carry and open carry are two different things while there are some restrictions, you do not need a permit to open carry in Colorado if you are 18 and older. For more information, go to Colorado General Assembly. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) NBC4 has been digging into tips from viewers about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests in central Ohio. More than a dozen law enforcement sources, both federal and local, did not confirm that ICE is arresting people in central Ohio, with many of the agencies saying they are still waiting for guidance. Where Krogers pledge to get rid of plastic bags by 2025 stands Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Columbus District said that across the country, DEA agents have been called to assist with immigration arrests. The DEA spokesman said agents had been granted Title 8 authority, allowing DEA officers to perform arrests tied to immigration. However, he said that to his knowledge, no one in the Columbus office has been called to help and he is unaware of any raids in the area. Homeland Security and ICE are in charge of these missions; neither returned a request for comment. The Franklin County Sheriffs Office said six inmates in Franklin County jails have been on ICE detainers since Jan. 20. One of those inmates was arrested on ICE-related charges while the other five are being held on local charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Viral video captures Lewis Center encounter The Franklin County Sheriffs Office follows all applicable laws and remains committed to serving and protecting our community, the sheriffs office said in a statement. The Delaware County Sheriffs Office said it has not received information from federal enforcement agencies relating to deportation. The sheriffs office said it has a partnership with the U.S. Marshals Service to hold charged suspects until they are sentence to prison, but at this point, none of those being held are ICE detainees. The Butler County Sheriffs Office also said it is not holding ICE detainees. The U.S. Marshals Service in Columbus said it has not been made aware of any ICE arrests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said on Friday that he has not been given any official word about ICE arrests and said he plans to keep Columbus as a welcoming city to all. Ginther cited an executive order he signed in 2017 that protects the rights of immigrants to be here; the order states, It shall be the policy of the City of Columbus to vigorously oppose any effort to require the use of local taxpayer resources for the enforcement of federal immigration policy. Initial rape charges against Marion councilmember dismissed, but more may come Were going to continue to focus on those things, look for opportunities to partner with the new administration, but also stand up and protect our values, Ginther said. We believe that one of the reasons this is one of the fastest growing economies in the Midwest, in the envy for much of the nation, is because we welcome everybody. Ginthers office said on Monday that nothing had changed for the city over the weekend. 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. Donald Trump's endless first-term bleating about crime and how he was the only one who could bring an end to it was always a joke. It took on new levels of ridiculousness when he spent the next four years accumulating a dizzying number of felony indictments and, eventually, 34 convictions. (There would certainly have been more if he had actually faced trial for stealing classified documents and attempting to steal an election.) Trump's alleged crimes weren't bloodless "white-collar" matters, either. Jan. 6, of course, was a violent assault on the Capitol. A civil jury also found Trump liable for sexually assaulting journalist E. Jean Carroll, which is anyone's definition of a violent crime. But American political discourse left behind quaint concepts like "making sense" years ago. Trump forged ahead with claims that he would "dismantle the gangs, the street crews and the criminal networks that are ravaging our towns," even though he and his Jan. 6 co-conspirators look an awful lot like one of those "criminal networks." Trump's lies are exposed, first of all, by the fact that crime rates fell steeply under Joe Biden. And now, Trump just spent his first week back in the White House doing everything he possibly could to increase the levels of street crime ordinary Americans may face. His most overt pro-crime move, of course, was literally springing a bunch of violent criminals from federal prisons with the Jan. 6 pardons. One such person, Daniel Ball, was arrested again hours later on a federal gun charge. His crimes during the insurrection included assaulting police officers and throwing an explosive device inside the Capitol building. On Sunday, another pardoned rioter, Matthew Huttle, was killed by a police officer after "an altercation" during a traffic stop. He had previous convictions for beating a toddler, drunk driving and "disorderly conduct" stemming from battering his partner. Family members of other rioters have expressed fear that their pardoned relatives could come after them, since many of those convicted had prior histories of domestic violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forget dismantling gangs: Trump's pardons sent a signal to radicalized and violent people that he'd love for them to form right-wing militias and terrorize people he doesn't like. As Andy Campbell of HuffPost reports, the Proud Boys who were "circling the drain" a year ago are swiftly reforming. Leaders celebrated their reemergence by drinking whiskey, chanting about reclaiming the streets and throwing fascist salutes. As Campbell notes, the Proud Boys largely functioned in the first administration by starting street fights with leftists, often after prolonged harassment of people who were just trying to go about their days in "blue" cities like Portland, Oregon. Trump also pardoned 23 people convicted of blockading abortion clinics, an act that Trump called "peaceful," even though at least two people were injured during such altercations. As with the Jan. 6 pardons, this sends a signal that the use of force and even violence is just fine if you're trying to stop women from terminating pregnancies. Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only. Most of the people Trump has set free sprung to wreak havoc are white, so of course they aren't considered "criminals" in MAGA-speak, no matter how heinous their real-world crimes may be. Trump mostly uses "criminal" as a code word for "nonwhite immigrant." This week, ICE kicked off a dramatic series of deportation raids, and while some of the people they grabbed have criminal records, many do not. Some of those targeted for abuse and harassment aren't even here illegally. ICE reportedly detained a number of U.S. citizens in New Jersey and Arizona raids, largely because agents targeted people based on perceived ethnic identity. As the New York Times reports, large numbers of migrants who have legal work visas and even Social Security numbers may end up "abruptly detained and swiftly deported." These tactics might satisfy the sadism of Fox News viewers, but one likely side effect of all this is an increase in crime. The reason is twofold. First, as California Attorney general Rob Bonta told Greg Sargent of the New Republic, victims and witnesses of crimes are "much less likely to come forward" if they fear "they would be put in jeopardy because of immigration enforcement." Second, as Nicholas Grossman, a professor at the University of Illinois, explained on Bluesky, the Trump administration is diverting local and state police "away from murder, rape, gang violence and other serious crimes to round up dishwashers and construction workers." Law enforcement has limited resources, and every man-hour spent on harassing immigrants is being taken away from dealing with real crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump lies about everything, so we shouldn't assume he's sincere about wanting to reduce crime. Quite the contrary: He has every reason to think that he will benefit from more crime and chaos. Street fighting and other crimes create images that right-wing media use to terrify their largely elderly, exurban audiences, shoring up even more support for "tough" measures and "crackdowns" on people they don't like. Most people, especially those who consume authoritarian propaganda, will never see the clear research that shows Trump's policies lead to more crime. They'll just see scary images on TVs and nod vigorously along as Trump claims that this proves we need more round-ups, more support for far-right militias and more abuse of innocent people who have nothing to do with such crimes. We saw this paradox in action in the summer of 2020, when conservative media exaggerated and often lied about violence during the Black Lives Matter protests. Those protests were overwhelmingly nonviolent, but many voters in rural and suburban areas were led to believe that America's cities were practically burning down. Instead of blaming the guy who was actually president at the time, many were suckered into conspiracy theories accusing the "deep state" of constraining him. Trump leveraged that propaganda into claims that he needed even more unchecked power. All that came in response to an imaginary crisis, built mostly on Fox News and other outlets who used a handful of misleading video clips repeatedly to portray the protest movement as as a violent uprising. When real crime happens, Trump can embrace, it, declaring that he'll fix the problem if only the public and their elected representatives bow down before him even harder. We got a taste of this last time around as well. Proud Boys went into relatively liberal cities like Portland and picked fights with locals. Those chaotic images were broadcast far and wide by conservative media, who blamed "antifa" for literally all of it. After shifting blame to the left, they claimed that the "emergency" justified rolling back civil rights. In other words, Donald Trump needs crime, so he can pretend to save us from it. He will clearly invent imaginary crime if he needs to, but even he understands that lies are more persuasive if you have pictures that seem to back them up. State Sen. Michael Rohl, R-Aberdeen, testifies before the South Dakota Senate State Affairs Committee on Jan. 22, 2025. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) An effort to revive a bill that would open the calendars and appointment logs of statewide officeholders to the public failed Monday in the South Dakota Senate with a 16-18 vote. Sen. Michael Rohl, R-Aberdeen, used a procedural maneuver to force the State Affairs Committee to send Senate Bill 9 to the Senate after the committee rejected the bill last week. But he did not garner enough support Monday to have the bill considered on the Senate floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some state officials raised concerns with the bill in last weeks committee hearing, including increased administrative burdens and the bills potential to compromise the safety of elected officials. Rohls options now include refiling the bill or letting it go, he told South Dakota Searchlight after the vote. While he was disappointed a majority of senators feel government transparency isnt worth debate, hes grateful for other senators who supported his motion. I might make it even more narrow in scope, which would be pretty hard, Rohl said. This was pretty much the first baby step you could take toward public transparency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some other bills intended to support open records and open meetings are still alive, including Rohls bill to open the records of governors and lieutenant governors after five years instead of 10, a bill supported by the South Dakota NewsMedia Association that would require public boards and commissions to annually review open meetings laws, and a bill from Rep. Mary Fitzgerald, R-Spearfish, clarifying that electronic communications conducted among all members of a public board or commission are subject to open meetings laws. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) Lawmakers are once again pushing paid family and medical leave for workers across New Mexico. The bill would allow employees to take time off for reasons including paternity leave and domestic violence cases. Story continues below A similar bill gained traction last session, but the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act wasnt able to get the support it needed. On Monday, it was heard in its first committee and, once again, faced some opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paid family leave truly is infrastructure for our workforce, it is a safety net for our workforce, said Representative Linda Serrato (D-Santa Fe). The bill is co-sponsored by Democratic Representatives, Christine Chandler, Mimi Stewart, and Linda Serrato. It would cover employees asking for paternity leave, families preparing for a spouse in the military, medical reasons, and protecting employees experiencing domestic violence. However, business groups say the bill is harmful. While the current version of House Bill 11, has made some changes, the core of the bill remains unfriendly to businesses in New Mexico, said Terri L. Cole, CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. The bill would require all workers and employers to pay into a state fund, with one-half percent coming from an employees wages and employers with five or more employees, paying four-tenths of a percent of each employees wages. Some businesses say they dont have the budget to cover these extra contributions and add if more people can get leave, they wont have enough staff. That this will kill small businesses. We cannot go on with more taxes and regulations on top of the agriculture community, said Abigail OConnor, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those in support shared emotional stories about how paid medical leave would help families struggling with sick family members. PMFLA will give our hard-working New Mexican families a guarantee that they will never have to choose between the most critical times in their lives and their job, said one speaker in support of the bill. Whenever the employee is successful the employer is successful. And so, what we want to do is to make sure that they are able to take care of themselves when they need to and that theyre able to take care of their families when they need to, said Rep. Pamelya Herndon (D-Albuquerque). The bill passed Mondays committee with a 6-4 vote. It still needs to clear another committee and the House floor, before going through the same process in the Senate. If the bill were to pass, New Mexico would be the 14th state in the country to implement a state-run paid family and medical leave 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. LAKE VIEW, S.C. (WBTW) A former Lake View police chief was demoted just weeks after taking the job because town leaders didnt want a Black person in the role, according to a recently filed lawsuit. Kernard McLellan and Brent Borders, who is white, both applied for the towns top law enforcement job in October 2023. Mayor Sterling Lee offered McLellan the post and he began work on Nov. 9, 2023, according to his complaint filed on Nov. 25, 2024. Then, last Wednesday, attorneys asked that the lawsuit be moved from Dillon County Common Pleas Court to U.S. District Court in Florence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days after beginning work, McLellan said in the lawsuit that Lee, who is also Black, told him he was being demoted to interim chief after the all-white town council requested a broader two-week search. The mayor communicated to the Plaintiff that the Town Counsels (sic) unusual involvement in their attempts to prevent the Plaintiff from maintaining the permanent role was because he was black, the lawsuit alleges. Despite nobody else applying for the job, McLellans employment status never changed, and on Feb. 15, 2024, the town named Simon Temple as its chief even though he lacked certification in South Carolina at the time. Within that several-month window, McLellans lawsuit outlines a strategic approach by the council to assure that another top administrative position wouldnt be filled by a Black person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News13 has reached out to Lee for comment. The town named former assistant chief James J.J. Smith as the departments head on Jan. 23. In late December 2023, McLellan said a white Lake View police officer and local store owner told him that councilman David Kitchens stated to them that the reason town council chose not to reinstate Plaintiff to the permanent position of chief was because they didnt want both the mayor and the chief of police positions filled by black men, his lawsuit says. Lake-View-federal-lawsuitDownload During a Jan. 16, 2024, town council meeting, members met in executive session and decided to re-post the chief of police position for two weeks and create a hiring board made up of Lee, council members, Dillon Police Chief David Lane, who is white, and Dillon County sheriffs deputy Wayne Greene, who is Black. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene, the complaint alleges, declined to participate acknowledging the underlying discriminatory issues with the towns hiring process. Officer in Dillon County town fired without then-police chiefs knowledge, documents show McLellan contacted the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission the same day Temple was hired, complaining of repeated acts of discrimination by town officials. He was told on Feb. 23, 2024, that because he went to the EEOC he was barred from employment with the town. McLellans is suing under Title VII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act on three counts of race discrimination causing a hostile work environment, among other allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A lawsuit brought by two federal employees alleges that the Trump administration has set up an email distribution system for the entire federal workforce that raises security concerns for workers private data. The lawsuit accuses the US Office of Personnel Management which handles many personnel operations for the federal government of failing to do an assessment required by federal law to understand and mitigate any privacy risks in how the alleged new email system is collecting data of federal employees. The new legal challenge comes as the Trump administration has launched a multi-front effort to overhaul how the federal workforce operates, including initiatives to weaken federal workforce protections and to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs, among other actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the new lawsuit, federal employees in recent days received emails from the email address HR@opm.gov that purported to be running tests for a new distribution and response list. The goal of these tests is to confirm that an email can be sent and replied to by all government employees, one of the emails said, according to the lawsuit, while asking the employees to respond to the emails to confirm receipt. CNN has reached out to OPM for comment on the lawsuit. The complaint goes on to cite concerns allegedly raised by an anonymous OPM employee that were posted on the online forum Reddit Monday about how the email distribution system was set up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN previously reported the Trump administration is working on an effort to be able to mass email federal employees. A White House official told CNN last week that President Donald Trump may use the new system to communicate directly with government workers, however, its broader use is still being discussed. A federal employee who received the test email told CNN last week that employees have not been given any additional Information about the intent behind this new system. A couple of employees told CNN they chose not to respond yes as the email instructs to confirm receipt as an act of resistance, one of them said. Small acts such as one person not responding to that email seem minuscule; however, they add up when it is done collectively, a career federal employee said. The federal employees bringing the lawsuit filed the case under pseudonyms. They are seeking to file the case as a class action lawsuit. Theyre being represented by Kel McClanahan, the executive director of National Security Counselors, a law firm that represents federal employees and that also brought a legal challenge last week to the Trump administrations Department of Government Efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to CNN, McClanahan noted that OPM has already been hacked in recent years, including a hack that targeted a security clearance system that would have presumably been very well protected. Plugging in a new email server for the sole purpose of sending messages directly to every federal employee is an invitation to be hacked, and every employee out there needs to know how much of their data is at risk, McClanahan said, adding that the system should be shut down until OPM treats this data with the security it warrants. CNNs Alayna Treene and Rene Marsh contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com ITHACA, NEW YORK A lab manager in the molecular diagnostic lab prepares milk samples for testing at the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University on December 10, 2024 in Ithaca, New York. Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images. The legacy of science and science education in Minnesota is apparent when we consider companies such as 3M and Medtronic and institutions such as the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota, all of which have been drivers of our economy and provided Minnesotans some of the best education, jobs and health care in the United States. Now, we need our states leaders to fiercely advocate for the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and other agencies that help deliver progress in science and engineering in the United States and here in Minnesota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This past week, President Trump put a hard pause on the work of the NIH. Grant reviews were paused or cancelled, some in the middle of meetings. Even if this is reversed soon, the actions already taken will have a negative impact on biomedical research in the U.S. Communications from the NIH, NSF, CDC and other agencies were halted, and government websites shut down. I am not even addressing the potential threat to public health this poses in the midst of winter flu season and when bird flu is also a serious concern. Gov. Tim Walz, our Minnesota congressional delegation and state lawmakers should act in concert to support funding for science and medicine. If we dont act, we will lose more than just grant funding in Minnesota jobs will be lost and businesses affected. Even if you are a lifelong Republican who voted for Trump, this should be very concerning. Lets say you are a numbers person and a fiscal conservative in favor of a more efficient federal government you should be concerned about what happened this past week because it will have a ripple effect on our state and local economies. If the U.S. defunds scientific research, our country will take a backseat in biomedical research to Asia and Europe. We could very well enter a Dark Age of science in the United States, which venture capital will not effectively counter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In funding year 2023, Minnesota universities, hospitals and for-profit businesses received about $718,000,000 from NIH alone. This funded primary and translational research as well as new technologies and therapies. Furthermore, the budgets of top-tier research universities like the U are heavily subsidized by the federal government through indirects, which are paid to the universities by the federal agencies to support the physical plant and administrative services provided to the labs. For the University of Minnesota, that indirect cost rate for organized research on campus in 2024 was 55%. In other words, if a research group lands a grant of $1 million to fund research and faculty/staff salaries for several years, the U would receive an additional indirect cost in the amount of about $550,000. Analyses have shown that for every $1 of NIH money sent to states, it generates $2.46 in economic activity. Funding basic research is what leads to development of new therapies and technologies like cellphone touchscreens, MRIs and weather radar. And, the grant money funds researchers, tech entrepreneurs, doctors and staff at institutions these are actual Minnesotans who live, work, raise families and spend money here. They buy groceries, get their tires changed, and go out to dinner. Cut off that $718 million a year which translates into about $1.7 billion in economic activity and it will directly affect local economies. Businesses will feel it. Who cares? I firmly believe we all should care, because if the indirect costs paid to the university are cut off, that budgetary hole will need to be filled by the state of Minnesota, which could mean tuition increases for students. Also: the Mayo Clinic received $278 million in 2024 in NIH funds. For over a century, Mayo has provided many Minnesotans with life-changing therapies and is among the worlds most advanced and prestigious health care systems. It is also the states largest private employer, with 51,000 workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bottom line is that the federal research dollars that are awarded to Minnesota organizations and businesses are a driver of economic development, create jobs and support our public institutions. Now is the time for our state and national leaders to stand up and demand full functioning and full funding of the NIH, NSF and other public health agencies. If they do not, we will all be harmed by their inaction. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Jan. 28LEWISBURG The League of Women Voters of the Lewisburg Area will host a forum on immigration policy on Feb. 18. The event will be held at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 18 at the Public Library for Union County, 255 Reitz Blvd., Lewisburg. Doors open at 10 a.m. kAm%96 DA626D[ AC@76DD@C @7 A@=:E:42= D4:6?46 2E qF4>:8C2E:@? !@=:4J]"k^Am kAmy2>6D H:== 6IA=@C6 :>>:8C2E:@? 2?5 p>6C:42? A@=:4J[ E96 A@=:E:4D @7 C246 2?5 64@?@>:4 2?5 D@4:@=@8J @7 :>>:8C2E:@?]k^Am Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement kAmy2>6D 9@=5D 2 !9]s] 7C@> sF v6@C86E@H? &?:G6CD:EJ] w6 ;@:?65 E96 s6A2CE>6?E @7 !@=:E:42= $4:6?46 :? 'hhh 2?5 H2D 2H2C565 E6?FC6 :? a__d]k^Am kAmp== 2C6 H6=4@>6 2?5 6?4@FC2865 E@ 3C:?8 2 8F6DE]k^Am kAm y&$%x} $%#p($t#k^Am SWEETWATER, Tenn. (WATE) The Sweetwater Police Department is investigating the distribution of flyers that claim to be from the Ku Klux Klan. The department shared photos of the flyers on social media, stating that they are working to identify where the materials came from. Text on the flyers alongside a drawing of Uncle Sam tell people to self-deport as well as contact information that claims to be for multiple branches of the Ku Klux Klan. Knox County Sheriff explains increase in ICE hold numbers at detention facility Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are aware of racially motivated propaganda that has been distributed throughout our city, SPD wrote. We are actively working with neighboring agencies who have reported similar incidents in their areas. Our efforts are focused on identifying the source of this material. The department added that the City of Sweetwater Street Department and Parks and Recreation Department helped clean up hundreds of these flyers. Anyone with information about who may have involved in distributing of the material is urged to contact Sweetwater polices non-emergency line by calling 423-442-4357. (Sweetwater Police) Chattanooga Police also reported investigating fliers with similar wording. The department added that there have been reports of a group of people in a truck throwing flyers in the roadway, and investigators are working to locate videos of the flyer distribution. Anyone with information that may help investigators with Chattanooga police are encouraged to call 423-698-2525. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KKK flyers in East Tennessee: When does hate speech become a crime? Similar flyers were seen in Ohio and the Kentucky cities of Ludlow, Fort Wright and Fort Mitchell. The Knoxville Police Department said they had seen social media reports of KKK flyers in Knoxville but had not received any verified reports. They encouraged anyone who sees such flyers to report them. The news comes one day after the Council of American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights and advocacy organization, condemned the distribution of anti-immigrant images in the Memphis area. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. The door to the Senate Chamber at the Montana Capitol. (Micah Drew/Daily Montanan) Two bills to exert control over and limit the authority of the State Bar of Montana have passed through the first chambers of the Legislature after sparking vigorous debate about the role of the organization and the legislative branchs ability to regulate it. On the Senate floor last Friday, Sen. John Fuller, R-Kalispell, said Senate Bill 92 is a freedom bill to restore First Amendment rights, while several Democrats decried the bill as unconstitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Montana State Supreme Court ordered the creation of the State Bar in 1974, stating that membership to the Bar is a condition to practice law in Montana. Fullers bill seeks to make membership voluntary. They claim that it was to provide a unified bar, but it is clearly a violation of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, freedom of assembly, and it may be a violation of freedom of speech, Fuller said. He took issue with the fact that the State Bar collects dues from its members, and also engages in taking stances on some political issues and lobbying the Legislature. If a member has an issue with a State Bar position, they can get their fees refunded, but Fuller said they are still required to associate with members of the State Bar. Fuller said that being required to associate with members of the State Bar, if a member opposes what they say and stand for, is a First Amendment violation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Sen. Laura Smith, a former federal prosecutor and dues-paying member of the Bar, pushed back against that line of reasoning by claiming instead that the bill is unconstitutional. Article VII, Section 2 of the Montana Constitution says the state Supreme Court may make rules governing admission to the bar, which Smith said is pretty darn clear. Theyre not talking about a bar for drinking, theyre talking about the state bar, Smith said. So I think about the cost, frankly, to our constituents, of what is inevitable litigation on this. This is one of those bills that I will firmly stand up on and say to you, its unconstitutional. I do not want my constituents taxpayer money going to this bill truly when its that clear. Sen. Shane Morigeau, D-Missoula, also a lawyer, said hes never heard a lawyer tell him theyre displeased with the state bar process, and dont want to pay mandatory dues, though a Republican senator said that a lawyer had testified that the state bar does not represent him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (The bar) plays a role in making sure theres integrity, learning and competence in this field, Morigeau said. I think this is a clear no. I also think its dangerous to start meddling in every single field in the state of Montana. Republican Sen. Jeremy Trebas of Great Falls, made further comparisons to other fields. Using his own profession as a CPA as an example, he said that he doesnt have to be part of the state group to stay employed as a CPA, whereas lawyers are the only profession with forced dues paid to a club. I think thats unethical, if not unconstitutional, Trebas said. I think it should be individually chosen who we want to associate with, even in our career. And I think individuals shouldnt be forced into heavy handed decisions to maintain their employment and earn a living. Sen. Daniel Emrich, R-Great Falls, agreed, saying: This is not the only requirement for being a lawyer in the state of Montana is joining the bar. Theres several other requirements that the Supreme Court has, and so theres really no need for them to join the State Bar in order to be a lawyer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are 31 states that have mandatory state bar associations, though some, like California, split off educational, organizational and lobbying functions into a separate association. Currently an ongoing lawsuit in Oregon is taking place over that states mandatory bar requirement for lawyers. The bill had cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on party lines, and received the same treatment in the full chamber, advancing 32-18. To audit or not to audit Meanwhile, the House on Jan. 23 took up House Bill 65 mandating a one-time performance audit of the State Bar of Montana during the last 10 years. The audit purpose is to create a thorough understanding of the Bars funding sources and create an analysis of the budget, costs and functions of the state bar, according to bill sponsor Rep. Lee Deming, R- Laurel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Alanah Griffith, former treasurer of the State Bar, told her colleagues that the State Bar is entirely privately funded, with no public funds coming from the state or the Supreme Court, and that the finances are audited every year, mind-numbingly. But, she said this bill is not for a financial audit, but for a performance audit, which raises concerns over privacy. She pointed to the lawyers assistance program, which helps lawyers who are suffering from different disabilities by matching them with a staff counselor and attorney, as something that should remain confidential. We dont want to have those types of things open to a performance audit, she said. Deming said that concerns over constitutionality of auditing a quasi-government body didnt raise a legal note for the bill, and said there is precedent for requiring legislative audits of other organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure passed second reading in a close 51-49 vote, with several lawyers in both parties, including Republican Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick of Great Falls, voting against it, but the next day legislators took it up again to amend it. The amendment, brought forth during Mondays floor session by Sen. Fitzpatrick, would exclude certain documents from the audit, including: any law firm or attorney trust account or tax information; character and fitness reports; attorney disciplinary files; attorney assistance program files; or attorney mandatory continuing legal education files. The amendment garnered additional support from legislators, and the bill again passed second reading, this time 58-42. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer affirmed that he wouldnt seek another term as the citys chief executive on Tuesday in a letter emailed to city employees. Dyer began a sixth full-term as Mayor in 2024, and during his re-election campaign had declared his intention to retire in 2027 when this latest term is complete. But the letter comes as rumors reinforced by some recent ambiguous comments have swirled that Dyer, the citys longest-serving mayor, was reconsidering. He said the letter was prompted by a media interview Tuesday inquiring about his plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wanted you to hear from me that I was asked during a media interview today if I plan to run for another term as Mayor, the letter reads. While this is the most rewarding job, my answer was as I said when I was campaigning for this current term that I do not plan to run again. Earlier this month, State Rep. Anna Eskamani filed to run for the post, becoming the first candidate to do so. Shes still the only candidate in the contest and has rolled out endorsements from a host of local Democrats. The day of Eskamanis announcement, Dyer was asked if he was mulling another run, but his staff said he wasnt available to answer the question. A statement he issued at the time stated he remained focused on continuing to advance major projects and initiatives. Being Mayor is the most rewarding job and I am thankful every day for the opportunity to serve our community. Eskamani said Tuesday that she hadnt spoken to Dyer in depth since she filed for the post, but said she hoped to have conversations with him about the citys future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to thank Mayor Dyer for what will be 25 years of service. Hes overseen The City Beautiful through tremendous growth, she said. Im excited for the future. The Mayors seat holds immense power in Orlando. The mayor is the citys chief executive, sets the agenda of the city and also has a seat on some of the regions most powerful boards, such as the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Central Florida Expressway Agency, Orlando Utilities Commission as well as boards overseeing Lynx and SunRail. Dyer, first elected in 2003, has big goals in his final three years as mayor. He has set out to cut the ribbon at a permanent Pulse Memorial before he leaves office. When he won re-election last year, he also hoped to see construction start on a rail line extending SunRail to Orlando International Airport, to open major one-way downtown streets to two-way traffic and to launch a sweeping renovation to Lake Eola Park before leaving office. He reiterated some of those goals in the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So as I embark on my final three years as Mayor, I am proud of all that we have accomplished together, Dyer wrote in the letter. But I look forward to continuing to work with you to serve our community and also address some of our citys most complex issues, including bringing additional resources for those experiencing homelessness, expanding SunRail, improving infrastructure and completing the Pulse memorial. This is a developing story, please check back for updates. rygillespie@orlandosentinel.com To the editor: It was very interesting to see the interaction between Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Trump after the president's visit on Friday to see the Palisades fire damage. Long a big fan of the governor, I have admired his strength and activism since his first term. I remember how resolute he was during the COVID-19 crisis and how he wasted no time making decisions to protect his state and its residents. Also, it even seemed that Trump sometimes deferred to Newsom's recommendations regarding the pandemic. I realize that there is no love lost between Trump and Newsom. But for the sake of the residents of California, particularly in and around Los Angeles, it was surprisingly heartwarming to learn that the two shared a warm embrace and teased each other upon the president's arrival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither man is one to back away from a fight nor likely to change his opinion of the other, but it is possible that they admire each other's tenacity. Lynn Lorenz, Newport Beach .. To the editor: Why are we Californians, the largest contributor to our federal tax coffers, having to beg for the very dollars we contributed to provide emergency aid to our own residents? Democrats must play the political game by the MAGA rules now being employed. Conventional rules no longer work because they no longer exist. Democrats are following a path that leads nowhere. Emergency aid is for immediate needs. We mustn't negotiate levels of care and suffering. We must withhold our federal tax contributions and help our own residents first, before any extortion attempts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Let MAGA sue us. That will take time winding through the courts. At least we will have cared for our residents. Victor M. Franco, Monrovia .. To the editor: A huge thank-you to Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) for standing up to Trump at the meeting held in response to the horrific fires experienced by the residents of Pacific Palisades and Altadena. The others at the meeting mostly tried to flatter him, but Sherman did not. Marlene Goodman, Sherman Oaks This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) A Lexington man has been sentenced after selling heroin to a man who later died of an overdose, according to the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office. On Monday, Jonathon Lee Barfield, 36, of Lexington, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance. He was sentenced to a minimum of seven years and a maximum of nine years, five months, with credit for time served. Missing 12-year-old boys disappearance investigated as abduction after ransom requests Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barfield was accused of selling Bradley Griffin heroin, leading to his death by overdose. We are committed to having justice served for the voices that were silenced by this horrible epidemic, Chief Deputy Henry Gray Jr. said in a statement. On Sept. 9, 2019, investigators responded to a report of a narcotics-related death on Farrior Drive in Clemmons. At the scene, they found Griffin dead. Barfield was identified as the dealer who sold Griffin the drugs. After Barfields arrest, Sheriff Bobby F. Kimbrough, Jr. said in a statement, I want to say thank you to the men and women of the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office, and a special thank you to the District Attorneys Office, for their tireless work on this case to bring these charges forward. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of Bradley Griffin, and to the families of all victims struggling with addiction. Rest assured we will do everything in our power to bring justice and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information is asked to contact the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office directly at (336) 727-2112, anonymously call Crimestoppers in English at (336) 727-2800 or Spanish at (336) 728-3904. Information, photos and video can also be submitted anonymously via Text-A-Tip through (336) 920-8477. 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 FOX8 WGHP. Four LGBTQ civil rights groups said they will sue the Trump administration over an executive order signed late Monday effectively barring transgender people from serving openly in the military, calling the order discriminatory and cruel. Two LGBTQ rights groups, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday challenging President Trump and his administration over the order, which they argue violates the Constitutions equal protection clause. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, is on behalf of six active service members and two individuals actively seeking enlistment. The plaintiffs serve across all branches of the military and are contributing among the highest levels, including a major, a captain, a sergeant and a navy pilot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been military my entire life. I was born on a military base, Ensign Dan Danridge, a student flight officer in the Navy, said Tuesday in a statement.Every day I lace up my boots the same as everybody else. I pass the same tests as everybody else. Being transgender is irrelevant to my service, Dandridge continued. What matters is that I can complete the tasks that are critical to our mission. The Human Rights Campaign and Lambda Legal also announced their intent to sue the administration over the order. On Monday, Trump signed the order directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to outline new military standards that declare transgender troops are not physically or mentally capable to serve. It tasks Hegseth, who has previously criticized allowing transgender people to serve, with issuing guidance to fully implement the order within 30 days and directs him to end invented and identification-based pronoun usage within the department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order, which reinstates a 2017 policy Trump began implementing during his first term, prohibits male service members and transgender women from using or sharing sleeping, changing, or bathing facilities designated for females absent extraordinary operational necessity. We have been here before and seven years ago successfully blocked the earlier administrations effort to prevent patriotic, talented Americans from serving their country, said Sasha Buchert, an attorney with Lambda Legal who helped argue a challenge to Trumps 2017 ban. Courts unanimously blocked the 2017 policy before the Supreme Court allowed it to take effect in 2019 while lower courts heard additional arguments. Former President Biden reversed the policy in 2021, also by executive order. In a statement, Buchert said Trumps revival of the ban compromises the safety and security of our country and is particularly dangerous and wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we promised then, so do we now: we will sue to block this action, she said. Allowing transgender people to serve in the military, according to Trumps Monday order, threatens unit cohesion, an argument that has long been used to prevent marginalized communities, including Black and gay Americans and women, from serving. Sarah Warbelow, vice president of legal at the Human Rights Campaign, the nations largest LGBTQ advocacy group, echoed Bucherts sentiment, calling the ban discriminatory and insulting to service members. Expelling highly trained members of our military undermines military readiness and wastes years of financial and training investments. It also needlessly upends the lives of families who have already sacrificed so much, Warbelow said Tuesday in a statement. The Commander-in-Chief should prioritize our militarys safety and readiness, not use his position to issue bans on entire groups of people. This order is unconstitutional, and we will see this administration in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emily Shilling, a Navy commander and president of SPARTA, a transgender military advocacy group, added that she wants to continue serving despite the ban. For nearly two decades, Ive upheld the highest standards of excellence, leading teams in combat and peace, said Shilling, who flew dozens of combat missions supporting U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. All I ask is the opportunity to keep using my training and experience to serve this country with honor, courage, and dedication. Brad Dress contributed. Updated at 1:52 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. (Bloomberg) -- Oil loadings from two key Libyan ports are being brought to a standstill as protests hinder about a third of the OPEC members crude exports, a reminder of global supply risks from ongoing tensions in the North African country. Most Read from Bloomberg The stoppages get underway on Tuesday at Ras Lanuf and Es Sider which between them handle more than 400,000 barrels a day after they were ordered by the so-called Oil Crescent Region Movement, two people with direct knowledge of the situation said. One tanker at Es Sider has already stopped loading, one of the people said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Libya has been an on-off oil supplier to the world after the ouster of long-time ruler Moammar Al Qaddafi resulted in a power vacuum more than a decade ago. Any prolonged curtailment of exports would add to uncertainty about flows from Russia following tough sanctions on Moscow earlier this month. Even so, industry expectations are for a surplus in 2025. Brent oil futures rallied, having earlier been little changed. They rose as much as 81 cents to $77.89 a barrel and were at $77.54 at 8:21 a.m in London. Both ports are in the east of the country, where the majority of the nations crude production is located. Es Sider typically receives 300,000-320,000 barrels a day from the countrys fields, while Ras Lanuf gets 130,000-140,000 barrels a day. Libyas east has total output of 900,000 barrels a day, highlighting the wider supply risks should disruption spread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The halts are the latest drama in Libyas longstanding battle to maintain production. The country remains split between an internationally recognized government in the west and a rival legislature in the east, where military commander Khalifa Haftar holds sway. On Jan. 5, the Oil Crescent Region Movement said it would move to block output and exports if the state-run National Oil Corp. didnt transfer the headquarters of five energy companies from west to east, where the firms have operations and terminals. The NOC on Jan. 27 put the countrys total daily crude production at 1.41 million barrels. Exports in December stood at about 1.2 million a day, tanker tracking compiled by Bloomberg shows. Libya is home to Africas largest crude reserves and the industry is a frequent target of factions and powerbrokers vying for political influence. Besides Ras Lanuf and Es Sider, eastern Libya has three other oil ports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Prejula Prem and Sherry Su. (Updates with oil price gain in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Last week, one of the last major retailers of the San Francisco Centre announced it was leaving the mall. The upcoming closure of Bloomingdales this spring marks the last anchor tenant to depart the mall. With San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie in his first month in office, a priority has been made to revitalize downtown. Its still to be determined if Lurie can get the downtown mall area back to its thriving years in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Amid all the reported closures in the past 18 months, new businesses are also moving into Union Square. KRON4 compiled a list, according to the Union Square Alliance, of businesses that opened in 2024 and are set to open this year (see below). Notable businesses include Ross and Nintendo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LIST: NBA All-Star 2025 events to take place in San Francisco, Oakland Hundreds of people lined up for tulips during the 2024 American Flower Blub Day, where visitors pick up free bouquet of tulips in honor of International Womens Day at Union Square in San Francisco, California, United States on March 9, 2024. (Photo by Rana Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) JCPenney to shut down lone Peninsula location Business Location Open Year (Dates TBA) Wine Bar (Hotel Stratford) 242 Powell St. 2025 Sunshine Prophecy 370 Sutter St. 2025 Shoe Palace 301 Geary St. 2025 Ross 901 Market St. 2025 (Expansion) Taylor Jay Collection 220 OFarrell St. 2025 Yadav Dav Diamond & Jewelry 170 Grant Ave. Suite 500 2025 Silk Road Bar 134 Ellis St. 2025 Wessling Contemporary 39 Grant Ave. 2025 Once Upon a Dosa 35 Kearny St. Nov. 2024 Bombay Brasserie 340 Stockton St. Aug. 2024 Cityscape (Hilton Union Square) 333 OFarrell St. Re-opened Sept. 2024 ABSteak 124 Ellis St. Oct. 2024 Magnin Street Cafe & Bistro 138 Cyril Magnin St. Aug. 2024 Rolex 845 Market St. (SF Centre) 2024 (Expansion) Patek Philippe 259 Post St. Fall 2024 Ross renewed its lease in 2024 and plans to expand its current space. According to the Union Square Alliance, the Ross on Market Street will expand to a 40,000-square-foot building in 2025. Macys has publicized plans to eventually close down its iconic Union Square location, although no closing date is set yet. Nordstrom inside SF Centre closed in the summer of 2023. With several notable closures hampering downtown San Franciscos growth, Lurie said there is a lot of work to do in our city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am confident San Franciscos best days are ahead, Lurie said. Im energized every day by businesses of all sizes opening and growing in our city. San Francisco has green shoots everywhere, and we continue to work towards the revitalization 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 KRON4. Annasofia Scheve covers trending news for the Express-News. She can be reached at Annasofia.Scheve@express-news.net. Annasofia has bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science from the University of Missouri. She is an Ohio native, and wrote for Cincinnati Magazine and the Cincinnati Enquirer before joining the Express-News in 2023. Southern California finally received some much-needed rain this week after weeks of historically dry, windy weather fueled this month's deadly wildfire outbreak but with it came the threat of landslides, mudslides and toxic ash runoff in burn areas. According to the National Weather Service, more than an inch of rain fell in parts of Los Angeles over a three-day span, triggering flash flood watches and warnings. Some debris flows were reported along the Pacific Coast Highway, and snow in the surrounding mountains briefly shut down Interstate 5. But the wet weather was also a boon to firefighters who continue to battle four active wildfires that have scorched more than 57,000 acres. The three biggest the Palisades, Eaton and Hughes fires are each more than 95% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Border 2 Fire, which erupted in the Otay Mountain Wilderness area east of Chula Vista late last week, is now 90% contained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Monday reiterating that people who are rebuilding their homes are not subject to environmental permit requirements laid out in the California Coastal Act. As the state helps the Los Angeles area rebuild and recover, we will continue to remove barriers and red tape that stand in the way," Newsom said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trumps controversial nominee for Health and Human Services secretary, will not get U.S. Senate approval, former Fox News host Bill OReilly predicted Monday. RFK, hell go down, the commentator said on NewsNations On Balance. OReilly, who did not elaborate, was speaking about the limits of Trumps control over Republicans in Congress. The strong-arming president can more easily keep House GOP members in lockstep behind him, he continued, but said he is likely to encounter resistance in the Senate. Republicans have a 53-47 edge in that chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate is six years, OReilly said, referring to the length of senators terms. Most of those people will still be in office when Donald Trump leaves. So, he doesnt have the cudgel there that he has on a two-year term in the House, he added. Trump already had a close shave in the Senate last week with his Defense Secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth. Three Republican senators Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine voted against the Army veteran, but he was confirmed with the tiebreaking vote of Vice President Vance. Hegseth was lucky. That was really close, OReilly said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate Finance Committee is expected to consider Kennedys nomination Wednesday. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MORAINE, Ohio (WDTN) A man who fought for his country recently received a bathroom makeover. Willow Creek Developers and Builders, a local construction and real estate company, gave a disabled veteran a new bathroom inside of his own home for free. Mike Vanderveen, the recipient of the bathroom, said he felt truly blessed to witness the work that was done for him. As soon as I saw the tile in the foyer I thought, Wow! theyve gone above and beyond here, and the further I got in, the more I saw, and the more I realized how blessed we are to have people out there in the world who actually do Gods work, said Vanderveen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the renovations occurred, Vanderveen stayed at a hotel at no cost, thanks to a few local VFW 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 WDTN.com. Jan. 27Pointing to a presidential administration that has taken steps to enact mass deportations, local nonprofit Latinos En Spokane has asked the city to affirm state sanctuary laws and to find money to support immigrant legal defense services. A resolution floated last week and presented to the Spokane City Council on Monday would commit the city to enforcing the statewide Keep Washington Working Act, which restricts law enforcement in the state from supporting the enforcement of federal immigration laws. The nonbinding resolution also asks the city to explore funding it could give to local organizations, such as Latinos En Spokane, for the legal services of undocumented immigrants. "It's very expensive for families facing immigration, and we have very few pro bono immigration attorneys here," said Jennyfer Mesa, the executive director of Latinos En Spokane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview, Mesa noted the case of Adams County, which is currently being sued for allegedly violating the Keep Washington Working Act. "This is also a way to protect the city, because other cities, other counties, are facing lawsuits," Mesa said. In addition to itself making a statement, the resolution would pledge the city to train staff, law enforcement and others on the relevant laws. "We know that a lot of the staff do not know about the Keep Washington Working law, even including some council members," Mesa said. The resolution has garnered the support of dozens of local and regional organizations, including the Empire Health Foundation, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, Thrive International, Revive Center, YWCA Spokane, Indigenous Eats and more, Mesa added. She expects the resolution to come for a vote on Feb. 10, when Latinos En Spokane plan to hold a rally outside of City Hall. NEW YORK (PIX11) The Trump administrations push to increase the arrests of undocumented people includes daily quotas for the tri-state area, according to The Washington Post. Local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices should arrest at least 75 people per day, the Washington Post reported. This number was mentioned in a phone call with senior ICE officials, according to the Washington D.C. paper. The information was given to the outlet on the condition of anonymity. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was in New York City to oversee ICE enforcement operations. At least one person was arrested during an ICE raid in the Bronx. New York City is considered a sanctuary city, which means it limits or declines to cooperate with the federal governments enforcement of immigration law. The Trump administration has highlighted the participation of other agencies in immigration operations over the weekend. This includes the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, all part of the Justice Department. The White House has said ICE is targeting undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes. The agency added that targeted enforcement operations are planned arrests of known criminal aliens who threaten national security or public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE has begun to report daily arrest and detainer totals on its X page. On Monday, ICE arrested 969 people and lodged 869 detainers nationwide. This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press. 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jan. 28Dayton-area organizations that work with refugees and people of other immigration statuses report anxiety among their clients as they assess the impact of executive orders passed down by the new presidential administration. President Donald Trump last week signed an executive order that suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) "until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States." Katie Kersh, senior attorney with Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) said the executive order to eliminate the refugee resettlement program, among other orders issued by Trump during the first week of his presidency, is not the end of changes to federal policy surrounding immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Certainly as it stands, that broad-sweeping cessation of refugee resettlement in the United States, that will impact so many people, including a lot of people in the Dayton area," she said. She and her organization are still determining what impact these rules will have on their clients, and they're fielding numerous questions from immigrant communities. "There's a tremendous amount of fear," said Kersh. "We're not only getting calls from people who are undocumented but from folks who have Green Cards or who are even naturalized U.S. citizens, asking 'Am I safe?'" The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has brought in people from other nations since Congress created it in 1980 for refugees fearing persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Refugee resettlement in the Dayton region is operated through Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley. Outside of this effort, ABLE provides some legal services to immigrants and refugees making a home in the region. Clients come from all over: Ukraine, Haiti, Iraq, Nigeria, Cameroon, Colombia, Venezuela, Nigeria and other nations in Africa, to name a few. The disruption of the resettlement program, for many, could mean prolonged separation from their families, Kersh said. "The refugee process is extremely slow. There are lots of people in this community who are still waiting on their family members to join them," Kersh said. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) The Womens Civic Club of Panama City Beach is celebrating their 60th anniversary by hosting the Diamond Jubilee Gala. We spend all year doing fundraisers and community outreach, said Julie Sanders, a Womens Civic Club of Panama City Beach member. Then in December, we take all the money we raised during the year and we give it to local charities on the beach. The event is happening on Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Boardwalk Beach Hotel and Convention Center on Thomas Drive. The Gala is from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will also be a dance and a charity auction as well as a silent auction. All proceeds will go back to the community. For more information about tickets and sponsors, 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. CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) Just days into the new administration, President Trumps crackdown on illegal immigration is ramping up across the country. ICE and other federal law enforcement agencies have been conducting raids in several U.S. cities over the weekend. Know your rights, local immigration attorney explains as mass deportations continue ICE officials say nearly a thousand people were arrested in raids across the country on Sunday alone. Democrats say the raids are chaos and that American citizens and military veterans are being detained in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another controversial move, President Trump is trying to end birthright citizenship. 22News spoke with Congressman Richard Neal who questioned Trumps priorities. I understand many of these arguments, but there are a lot of other things we could be addressing in America right now, besides this issue, said Neal. Last week, a federal district court judge temporarily blocked the birthright citizenship policy from taking effect for 14 days. Ultimately, the case is likely to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. 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. CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) As the price of eggs surges, local restaurants are cracking under the financial strain. Of course its a concern. Weve been here 42 years and the cost of food in general and the payroll cost is so high right now, said Audrea Arricale, the general manager of Altons in Cheektowaga. A bird flu outbreak is driving up the cost of eggs across Western New York. Altons is one of the businesses feeling the effects of the outbreak. Arricale said six months ago an order of 30 dozen eggs cost under $50, and now it costs more than $200. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats a huge difference, she said. You would think you worry about the price of lamb and chicken. No, were worried about the price of eggs, which is something that should be a main staple whether youre getting it at the grocery store or having it at a restaurant. It should be something thats affordable. Arricale said the restaurant works hard to make sure it doesnt raise the prices in its menu, but shes not sure how much longer that can last. We try to keep it affordable, and raising the prices continuously is not sustainable. There has to be a solution, she said. Sen. Chuck Schumer stopped by the restaurant Monday to call on his colleagues to help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the biggest issues facing the American people, and people here in Western New York, is the high price of food, Schumer said during a news conference. When eggs go through the roof, it hurts everybody. But we can do something about it and Im here to lead the fight to make that happen. Schumer said that he wants the federal government to invest in biosecurity efforts to help farmers, which includes isolation, sanitation, and more personal protective equipment. Ill be pushing for more federal resources in the upcoming budget bill to stop the bird flu, and the feds need to continue prioritizing biosecurity, get all hands on deck for containing bird flu, Schumer said. This will give farmers the resources to isolate, sanitize, and purchase the protective equipment they need. The bottom line here is that we do not want farmers, the feds, or consumers at the grocery store to scramble with this threat of bird flu sustaining into 2025. We want to try and keep grocery prices in check, and that means keeping the new Congress and the new administration laser-focused on ending this latest bird flu outbreak. Latest Local News Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work. 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 News 4 Buffalo. Truck drivers, logistics executives and warehouse owners are among nine people who face charges in what authorities say was a conspiracy to import $200 million worth of counterfeit and other illegal goods from China into the United States through the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. A 15-count indictment unsealed Friday alleges the defendants unloaded contraband from containers slated for secondary inspection and filled them with other cargo to get them through customs. Eight people have been arrested, and a ninth is a fugitive, the Justice Department said in a statement Monday. Seven defendants pleaded not guilty in federal court, and the eighth person in custody is to be arraigned soon, the statement said. A trial date has been set for March 18. The charges include conspiracy, smuggling and breaking customs seals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have seized contraband valued at $130 million including $20 million worth of counterfeit shoes and other clothing, luxury handbags, watches, and perfume from a single warehouse. The indictment states that the smuggling took place from August 2023 through June 2024. Secure seaports and borders are critical to our national security, acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally said in the statement. The smuggling of huge amounts of contraband from China through our nations largest port hurts American businesses and consumers. Investigators said they have seized goods worth $1.3 billion in this and other seal-swapping operations. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles and its partners are committed to enforcing customs laws and practices, facilitating legitimate trade, and protecting the integrity of the nations supply chain, said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. The $1.3 billion dollars worth of contraband seized during the investigation into this type of scheme illuminates how complex smuggling schemes try to exploit our legitimate trade practices and the American consumer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendants charged are: Weijun Zheng, 57, aka Sonic, of Diamond Bar, California, the lone fugitive in the case, who controls several logistics companies operating in the Los Angeles area. Hexi Wang, 32, of El Monte, California, who manages K&P International Logistics LLC, a City of Industry, California-based company that hires commercial truckers to transport shipping containers from the Port of Los Angeles. Jin Mark Liu, 42, of Irvine, California, owner of K&P International Logistics LLC. Liu managed the finances of one of the warehouses where investigators say contraband was unloaded and issued payments to truck drivers who transported smuggled goods. Dong Liam Lin, 31, of Hacienda Heights, California, who along with Zheng controlled and operated one of the warehouses allegedly used for contraband. Marck Anthony Gomez, 49, of West Covina, California, owner and operator of Fannum Trucks LLC, a West Covina-based company that coordinated the movement of shipping containers from the Port of Los Angeles, including large shipments of alleged contraband smuggled into the United States from China. Andy Estuardo Castillo Perez, 32, of Apple Valley, California, a driver for M4 Transportation Inc., a Carson, California-based company that transports shipping containers from the Port of Los Angeles. Jesse James Rosales, 41, of Apple Valley, who allegedly coordinated truckers from the ports to warehouses. Daniel Acosta Hoffman, 41, of Hacienda Heights, who investigators say worked with Rosales to bring cargo containers from the Port of Los Angeles to warehouses. Galvin Biao Liufu, 33, of Ontario, California, who allegedly directed and managed truck drivers to bring the contraband into the warehouses. The indictment states that containers selected for inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection were transported to warehouses or other locations controlled by the defendants. Co-conspirators broke the security seals on the containers and removed the contraband, then placed counterfeit seals on the containers, which were then returned for inspection. It was a team of CBP agriculture specialists assigned to the Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport who in 2023, during a routine examination of a container, made the initial discovery, said Cheryl Davies, CBP director of field operations in Los Angeles. This case attests to their unwavering vigilance, utmost professionalism, and keen focus in protecting the integrity of lawful trade, a key component of our critical national security mission. The defendants face up to five years in federal prison on each conspiracy count, up to 10 years for each count of breaking seals and up to 20 years on each smuggling count. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coast Guard Investigative Services is assisting in the investigation. Related: US to exclude Chinese e-commerce from duty free import The post Logistics workers charged with importing $200M in fake goods via LA, Long Beach ports appeared first on FreightWaves. PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) Heres a look at some of the events scheduled at the state Capitol for Tuesday, January 28, the 10th working day of the 2025 session of the South Dakota Legislature. House Agriculture and Natural Resources at 7:45 a.m. CT in room 414 considers an emergency appropriation for replacing Richmond Lake dam and spillway. House Health and Human Services at 7:45 a.m. CT in room 412 considers various changes to pharmacy laws including fee increases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tribes issuing free ID cards amid ICE raids Senate Judiciary at 7:45 a.m. CT in room 413 considers prohibiting deception for gaining employment at an agricultural production facility that isnt open to the public with the intent to cause harm or injury, and proposes other changes to laws governing the facilities. Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources in room 423 considers allowing Class I electric bicycles on the Mickelson Trail. A Class 1 electric bicycle is defined in state law as one if the motor provides assistance only when the person is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when a speed of twenty miles per hour is achieved. House Local Government at 10 a.m. CT in room 414 considers requiring municipalities and counties to provide emergency medical services and funding it by increasing the amounts that state courts charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Commerce and Energy at 10 a.m. CT in room 412 considers proposals to raise licensing fees for electricians, plumbers and accountants. House Transportation at 10 a.m. CT in room 413 considers repealing state law requiring use of seat belts by operators and passengers in the front seat of vehicles. House and Senate members gather in a joint session at 1:30 p.m. CT in the House chamber to hear new Governor Larry Rhoden lay out his approach to state government. The Senate has four bills on its 2 p.m. CT debate calendar. The House has two bills on its 2 p.m. CT debate calendar. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DOLTON, Ill. Dolton residents packed into a room at the Dolton Park District Field House on Monday to listen to the final report from Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, detailing the findings of her investigation into the Village of Dolton and Mayor Tiffany Henyard. The residents of Dolton have suffered needlessly because of the financial mismanagement of this current mayor, Lightfoot said. The Dolton Village Board of Trustees hired Lightfoot last spring after a series of WGN Investigates reports detailing Henyards first class travel, questionable charity and self-promotion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Lightfoot laid out a pattern of unchecked spending. SEE ALSO: Tiffany Henyard found in contempt of court over liquor license dispute Theres not a system for ensuring there are receipts for various CC purchases. What this means, unfortunately, is the board of trustees was not able to track or see CC purchases being done over the last few years, Lightfoot said. For example, $48,000 was spent on building an ice rink, charged to village credit cards with no board approval and no competitive bidding process. Spending peaked in 2023 when over $775,000 was spent on credit cards, more than $200,000 of that on Amazon and more than $117,000 on travel, including those two so called business trips to Las Vegas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lightfoot also highlighted a broken FOIA system with no one on staff to properly manage public information requests and no staff accountant in the village to oversee spending. Its just the spending of the money and how it was spent and did it so much undercover. Nobody really got a chance to see what was going on, Dolton resident Flo Hampton said. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines This all comes after last week when Henyard was found in contempt of court after failing to sign liquor licenses for businesses in Dolton that the board had previously approved and a looming federal investigation into the mayor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI is also in contact with various people who have information about the allegations here. What they intend to do and timing of that, no one knows but for them, Lightfoot said. WGN News reached out to Henyard through her attorney for comment on Lightfoots report, but has not yet heard back. Lightfoot also gave recommendations to the village board, such as making monthly financial reports public and adopting a credit card spending policy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District are now distributing red cards also known as Know Your Rights cards and other resources to remind immigrant community members what their legal rights are. The cards, which are about the size of a credit card, will help immigrant Angelenos assert their constitutional rights in encounters with federal law enforcement officials, according to the Community Resource Guide for Immigrant Angelenos, which was put together by the L.A. Mayor Karen Bass Office of Immigrant Affairs and is now being made available by LAUSD. Available to citizens and non-citizens alike, the documents were created by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) and are available in 16 languages from Spanish to Haitian Creole to Tigrinya. Click here to access them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An unprecedented demand for the red cards has caused ILRC officials to temporarily suspend their program that allowed non-profits to access the cards for free. The quickest way to get a card, officials say, is to print them on your own. Red Cards created by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and being distributed by LAUSD. (ILRC) The cards are formatted as standard 3.5 x 2 business cards, and any print or copy shop should be able to work with the files, according to the ILRC. Businesses, private attorneys and organizations looking to order more than 1,000 red cards should visit www.RedCardOrders.com, which offers a union-run printer service set up to accept, print and ship them to customers. The initiative to distribute the cards comes on the heels of newly-elected President Donald Trumps announcement that his administration would allow Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers to conduct arrests in sensitive areas, such as schools and churches, reversing a 2011 policy that prohibited arrests being made in those places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More information on using red cards can be found here. Additionally, LAUSD has relaunched its L.A. Unified 2025: We Are One campaign, which formalizes and amplifies the districts efforts to cultivate welcoming learning environments for all students. Per the Nov. 2024 school board resolutions, LAUSD is a sanctuary district and safe zone for families threatened by immigration enforcement, according to district officials. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This article was originally published in Louisiana Illuminator. NEW ORLEANS Three judges on the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals considered arguments Thursday over a state law that requires displays of the Ten Commandments in every Louisiana public school classroom. A group of nine parents, each on behalf of their children, sued to block the law shortly after the Louisiana Legislature and Gov. Jeff Landry approved it last spring. A lower court ruled in November the requirement violates the First Amendments prohibition against establishing a state-approved religion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill appealed that ruling, which the 5th Circuit decided only applied to the five school districts that are among the defendants in the case. For every other district, the law went into effect at the start of this month. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State are also representing the plaintiffs in the case. The law firm Simpson, Thacher and Bartlett is providing its services to the parents at no cost. In addition to the five school districts, Louisiana Education Superintendent Cade Brumley and members of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education are defendants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Catharina Haynes led the hearing conducted via Zoom because of the winter weather. She questioned why the law was approved when Solicitor General Benjamin Agiunaga presented his arguments. Im respectful of the Ten Commandments, and I think everybody is, said Haynes, federal court appointee of former President George W. Bush. But that doesnt mean it has to be put in every classroom in a state under the First Amendment. Aguinaga said the laws language notes the historical significance of the commandments in the foundation of the U.S. legal system merits their display in classrooms. In addition to defending the law, Aguinaga argued the plaintiffs filed their lawsuit too hastily because the displays had not yet been posted and no children had been harmed. The judges must rule first on whether the parents had the right to sue before considering the merits of their case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aguinaga cited a 2007 ruling from the 5th Circuit in the case Staley v. Harris County, which involved a memorial display outside a Texas courthouse that included a Bible. Appellate judges first upheld a lower court ruling that deemed the monument unconstitutional, but the 5th Circuit later reversed its decision. The ruling declared that because the monument was being refurbished, it wasnt clear yet what it would look like or whether it violated the First Amendment. Jonathan Youngwood, an attorney for the plaintiffs, countered that legal theory in First Amendment cases does not require plaintiffs to be harmed before they seek relief. He also stressed the religious intent of the laws author, Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton, who he quoted as saying: It is so important that our children learn what God says is right and what he says is wrong. Youngwood also noted religious references to God and the Sabbath day in the first four commandments, which he said violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Court Lets Louisiana Require Classroom Display of Ten Commandments for Now Of course the Ten Commandments are worthy of great respect and are profoundly meaningful to many, many people, and they have a place in our society, Youngwood said. They dont have a place in this form in public schools. Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez, an appointee of President Joe Biden, asked Aguinaga if he could cite any prior court decisions that allowed displays of the Ten Commandments in a school setting. He could not but instead referenced a ruling that allowed students who are Jehovahs Witnesses to abstain from the Pledge of Allegiance. The fact that they are allowed under the First Amendment to opt out of participating in the pledge doesnt mean that they can also request that the flag be taken down or that the pledge not be said, Aguinaga said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related I Cant Wait to Be Sued: Louisiana Ten Commandments Law Not Just About Schools Judge Haynes voiced some skepticism of Aguinagas reference to the Staley case, noting that few people are compelled to go to a courthouse while children are required to go to school. Judge James Dennis, who former President Bill Clinton appointed to the federal bench, also heard arguments Thursday. Haynes said the appellate judges would do their best to render a decision in the near future. Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com. LUBBOCK The biggest city in the South Plains is nearly 400 miles from the Texas Capitol. And yet, it feels closer than ever now that state Rep. Dustin Burrows is the Texas House speaker. Its become a point of pride for the area. Burrows is the first speaker from west of Interstate 35 a symbolic divide in the state since Midlands Rep. Tom Craddick, who stepped down in 2009. Before him, former state Rep. Pete Laney, a Democrat from Hale Center, was heralded for his bipartisanship as speaker. Burrows win has also brought a sense of optimism to an area that can get lost in the shuffle of business at the Capitol. The lawmaker was born and raised in Lubbock, where he showed pigs at livestock shows and later served as a livestock judge himself. He earned two degrees from Texas Tech University, and honored his alma mater at the Capitol in 2023, along with his fellow Lubbock Rep. Carl Tepper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His constituents say he knows and understands the needs in West Texas, along with the rural communities surrounding it, including water supply, agriculture, and property tax relief. With a rural lawmaker at the helm of the Texas House, West Texans are hopeful their needs will be acknowledged more this legislative session. As speaker, Burrows has wide discretion over what legislation wins approval in the states lower chamber. Were glad to see someone sitting in the speakers office thats got some rural roots, said David Gibson, a past president of the Texas Agriculture Council and a corn producer in Burrows district. He and his staff have a real understanding of agriculture and water issues, and his doors always been open to us in agriculture. Burrows graduated from Monterey High School and Texas Tech University. He is prominently featured in local commercials for the Lubbock law firm he works at even while the Texas GOP ran commercials last month in the area calling him a sell-out for challenging the partys favored nominee state Rep. David Cook. After a monthslong battle within the Republican party for the seat, Burrows emerged with the gavel in hand thanks in large part to Democrats. A majority of Republicans supported Cook of Mansfield. Burrows victory was not celebrated universally among Republicans. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who leads the Texas Senate, said Burrows was handed the speakership by Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of that sentiment was closer to home. Residents in the Panhandle, just north of Burrows district, called the lawmaker Dade Phelan v.2, a reference to the last House speaker, on social media and expressed disappointment in the outcome. Rep. Caroline Fairly of Amarillo supported Burrows, while her fellow longtime Rep. John Smithee voted for Cook. Its an interesting progression. Just five years ago, Burrows resigned as the chair of the House GOP Caucus for colluding with then-Speaker Dennis Bonnen and a right-wing activist group to oust other GOP members in an upcoming primary. With work in the legislature just starting, all eyes from the far-flung rural pockets of the state to politically-centric Austin are on Burrows and his leadership abilities. His whole lawmaker profile is almost like somebody who failed, but got back up on their feet and excelled, said Drew Landry, a government professor at South Plains College. This is the type of leadership everybody can relate to. Burrows has long boosted local projects in the House. He helped lead the efforts to start the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine. Burrows also established an endowment fund worth billions of dollars to fund research projects at Texas Tech and other university systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That doesnt mean areas outside of West Texas will be neglected. Landry, who was Burrows Democratic opponent in 2018, thinks he will let every representative have a say. This includes Democrats something Burrows fellow Republicans were against to begin with. Burrows expressed as much after his win. I commit to you today, every member will have a voice, Burrows said after winning the speakership. Every district will have a seat at the table. Burrows said he would let the Republican-led chamber vote who can lead committees, and the House voted on their rules last week. Under the new rules, committees will only be led by a member from the majority party Republicans while the minority party will have vice chairs. This gives Democrats some power-sharing abilities in the chamber, though not as much as having them chair committees. Still, Burrows received criticism for the change. Landry said there will likely be more disagreements between Burrows and Lt. Gov. Patrick. However, unlike the times when Patrick and Phelan regularly traded insults on social media, Landry said Burrows isnt the type to do the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaker Burrows is a tight-lipped guy, hell only talk when he really has something to say, Landry said. It would seem uncharacteristic for Burrows to have a public fight, but this is an uncharacteristic position. In the weeks leading up to the vote, political action committees sent text message ads against Burrows, some of which reached the rural Texas Panhandle. Suzanne Bellsnyder, a former legislative affairs consultant and owner of the Hansford Reporter Statesman newspaper, said she was angry when she received text messages slamming Burrows. We dont get a lot of news or information, Bellsnyder said. So the ability of that billionaire group to buy marketing and push it into our communities angered me on some level. Bellsnyder, a Spearman resident, is a lifelong Republican and says she has never voted against the party. Still, she couldnt get behind the tactics the state GOP was using, including threats to censure lawmakers who supported Burrows. Bellsnyder said the tactics are less effective in rural Texas areas that are full of small towns and tight-knit communities, which give residents a chance to really know their lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It just doesnt stick because we know better, Bellsnyder said. Its what makes our smaller regions more impactful than others, because we do know our people. Bellsnyder became a vocal advocate for Burrows through social media. Her arguments largely revolved around what rural Texas needs to survive, and how she didnt think Cook was going to help them. Going against Burrows was going against the best interests of rural communities, Bellsnyder said. She also took notice of where the representatives she supported stood on the issue and they were backing Burrows. Where were all the rural Republicans that I identify with? They were in Burrows camp, Bellsnyder said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the speaker vote, the ads against Burrows have stopped. The commentary took longer to taper off. True Texas Project, a far-right group, took to social media to call Burrows election illegitimate because he was chosen by a majority of Democrats. Others have labeled him as a RINO or a Republican in name only despite his role in passing laws that suggest otherwise. This includes laws that limit the power of cities and counties to pass progressive policies, lowering property taxes, and rallying against stricter gun laws. That is a completely false narrative thats baseless, said David Bruegel, chairman of the Lubbock County GOP. He has been steadfast in support of party issues. Not just as a Yes vote, but by authoring and championing legislation. Burrows hometown supporters were proud to see the representative prevail. Lubbock Mayor Mark McBrayer congratulated Burrows, saying the city is fortunate to have a strong, conservative leader and hes looking forward to the city council working closely with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was never any doubt that West Texas stood behind Dustin, McBrayer said in a statement to the Tribune. We need his strong voice and leadership in Austin. Landry, the government professor, said Burrows is the ultimate West Texas story. What he does with the power remains to be seen. Burrows has faced challenges both within and outside of his party, Landry said. I think he feels pretty comfortable because hes won all of them. Disclosure: Texas Agriculture Council and Texas Tech University have been financial supporters 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. On Jan. 29, Asian American communities around the U.S. will ring in the Year of the Snake with community carnivals, family gatherings, parades, traditional food, fireworks and other festivities. In many Asian countries, it is a festival that is celebrated for several days. In diaspora communities, particularly in cultural enclaves, Lunar New Year is visibly and joyfully celebrated. In the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the Year of the Snake. Different countries across Asia celebrate the new year in many ways and may follow a different zodiac. What is the Lunar New Year? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lunar New Year known as the Spring Festival in China, Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea is a major festival celebrated in several Asian countries. In Taiwan, this year, people have been drawn to the White Snake Temple to pay their respects. In Indonesia, it is celebrated with dragon puppets and drum displays. It is also widely observed by diaspora communities around the world. It begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends 15 days later on the first full moon. Because the lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, the dates of the holiday vary slightly each year, falling between late January and mid-February. What are the animals of the zodiac? Each year honors an animal based on the Chinese zodiac. The circle of 12 animals the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig measure the cycles of time. Legend has it that a god beckoned all animals to bid him farewell before his departure from Earth and only 12 of them showed up. The Vietnamese zodiac is slightly different, honoring the cat instead of the rabbit and the buffalo instead of the ox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What does the Year of the Snake mean? Snakes are viewed with both fear and reverence in Chinese culture. On the one hand, venomous snakes are associated with darkness. But in Chinese mythology, snakes are also known as little dragons, and the skin they shed is known as the dragon's coat, symbolizing good luck, rebirth and regeneration. The snake also symbolizes the pursuit of love and happiness. In Chinese culture, they are grouped with the turtle and crane as a symbol of longevity. This year, merchants in China and elsewhere are producing lanterns, soft toys and other products where the snakes have googly eyes and goofy smiles so they appear cute and cuddly, and don't scare away young celebrants. What are some beliefs and traditions around the Lunar New Year? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One well-known ancient legend speaks of Nian, a hideous monster that feasted on human flesh on New Years Day. Because the beast feared the color red, loud noises and fire, people put up red paper dragons on their doors, burned red lanterns all night and set off firecrackers to frighten and chase away the monster. To this day, the Lunar New Year celebration is centered around removing bad luck and welcoming all that is good and prosperous. Red is considered an auspicious color to ring in the new year. In many Asian cultures, the color symbolizes good fortune and joy. People dress in red attire, decorate their homes with red paper lanterns and use red envelopes to give loved ones and friends money for the new year. Gambling and playing traditional games is common during this time across cultures. Ancestor worship is also common. Many Korean families participate in a ritual called charye, where female family members prepare food and males serve it to ancestors. The final step of the ceremony, called eumbok, involves the entire family partaking the food and seeking blessings from their ancestors for the coming year. Vietnamese people cook traditional dishes and place them on a home altar as a mark of respect to their ancestors. Some Indigenous people also celebrate Lunar New Year this time of year, including members of Mexicos Purepecha Indigenous group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How do diaspora communities celebrate? Members of Asian American communities around the U.S. also organize parades, carnivals and festivities around the Lunar New Year featuring lion and dragon dances, fireworks, traditional food and cultural performances. In addition to cleaning their homes, many buy new things for their home such as furniture and decorate using orchids and other brightly colored flowers. Lunar New Year is also celebrated as a cultural event by some Asian American Christians and is observed by several Catholic dioceses across the U.S. as well as other churches. What are some special foods for the new year? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each culture has its own list of special foods during the new year, including dumplings, rice cakes, spring rolls, tangerines, fish and meats. In the Chinese culture, for example, changshou mian or long-life noodles are consumed with a wish for a long, healthy and happy life. In Vietnamese culture, banh chung and banh tet traditional dishes made from glutinous rice are a must. To make a banh tet, banana leaves are lined with rice, soft mung beans and pork belly and rolled into a tight log, which is then wrapped in the leaves and tied up with strings. Koreans celebrate with tteokguk, a brothy soup that contains thinly sliced rice cakes. Warm bowls of snake soup are also on the menu in some Hong Kong snake shops, as the Lunar New Year approaches. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. UPDATE 12:21 A.M. Lynchburg City Council restored their youth curfew Tuesday night. The curfew runs 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. and, according to the ordinance, begins in March and will expire March 2026. Council approved it in a six to one vote; Councilmember Chris Faraldi was the only one to vote against it. LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) Lynchburg City Council will vote Tuesday, January 28th on bringing back a city-wide youth curfew. The curfew was first voted on in May of 2023 after the death of three youths in the hill city. Since then, the council has extended it twice, but that ended on the first of this year Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new curfew would begin February 17th 2025 and end on February 18th 2026. According to the police departments Deputy Chief, Ken Edwards, as of December 31st, 49 individuals have been charged with violating that original curfew. In those curfew hours, Edwards says juvenile motor vehicle theft was down 57%, going from seven in 2023 to three in 2024. Sexual assault was up 50% with two in 2023 to three in 2024 My gut instinct is that it helps us. It helps keep the community safe. And, you know, its another tool that were able to use. And yes, I think it worked. And it has the potential to continue working, said Edwards. In a statement, John Hartzell the communications manager for Lynchburg police says: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lynchburg residents, city officials believe new juvenile curfew is having a positive impact If the council decides to extend the curfew, we will be prepared to serve accordingly. Either way, our job really doesnt change. We will continue to serve and protect this great community. According to the council, the idea of the teen curfew came to be following the deaths of Malaysia Soloman, Terrion Marshall and Kingston Campbell. Ward IV council member Chris Faraldi questioned Edwards on the data, saying data can be manipulated and he urged his colleagues to vote against another curfew. Council member at large Stephanie reed says the curfew is what the community wants and its the councils job to listen to it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In practice, this is the local government stepping forward and saying, we know better than the parents and were going to put our foot down. Ive long said I see no difference between a mask and I see no difference between a curfew to one and the same. So I vehemently disagree, said Chris Faraldi. Ive had parents more inconvenienced with the fact that their kids have to be in an hour earlier. Well, go talk to Malaysias family and Terrions family and Kingstons family if youre inconvenienced and see how they feel, said Stephanie Reed. Vice Mayor, Curt Deimer, and council members Sterling Wilder, Marty Misjuns, all said they supported another curfew. Council member Jacqueline Timmer said she wanted to change some of the wording in the ordinance, but would support a curfew. Lynchburg City Council will vote on the curfew ordinance at 7 p.m. on Tuesday January 28th in the council chamber in City Hall. 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 WFXRtv. A woman who says she has terminal cancer is living in a motel after a tree crashed through the roof of her Riverdale mobile home during the first winter storm in early January. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] I was basically sitting up in my bed when all of a sudden everything went black. The lights went out, and the tree hit the side of my leg. It was frightening because I was pinned down, said Santee Roberts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts told Channel 2s Tom Regan the fallen tree destroyed the power supply meter outside her home. She says she spent three nights in her home without heat or electricity. Im afraid, Im cold. I was up under four blankets, boots, with my hat on, everything, said Roberts. With the help of community charities, she booked a motel room. She says the property management company that owns the mobile home property on Georgia 85 in Clayton County, removed the tree from her house and placed a piece of plywood to cover the hole in her roof. Roberts says they also replaced the power supply meter box. But when she called Georgia Power to ask them to turn the lights back on, a utility representative said they could not do that because the property manager did not provide a required inspection report of the new power supply meter box. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im disabled. They know this, and theyre just trying to hinder me, said Roberts. A property management representative told Channel 2 Action News that they did provide Georgia Power with an inspection document. Besides the power issue, Roberts believes property management should be responsible for repairing the damage to the mobile home she owns because she had asked that dying trees that posed a risk to her home be removed. She told me, because I own my home, this is a natural disaster and theres nothing they can do, said Roberts. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A property management representative said they were unaware of any complaints Roberts may have made about decaying trees around her home. Roberts says she hopes the situation can be resolved soon because she cant afford to pay for her motel room. She wants to return home but says she cant live there without heat and electricity. A man with prior felony convictions was arrested on suspicion of being the gunman behind last week's gang-related shooting in MacArthur Park that injured four men and a woman, the Los Angeles County district attorneys office said in a news release Monday. Jose Daniel Amaya, 27, was arraigned Monday on five counts of attempted murder with five gun sentencing enhancements that add jail time for committing a felony using a firearm. Officials say Amaya fired multiple shots into a group of people near Wilshire Boulevard and South Alvarado Street on Jan. 22 around 12:40 a.m. All five victims were transported to a nearby hospital. Police say the victims were bystanders during a confrontation between rival gangs. Amaya was arrested that day, according to the district attorney's office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Six wounded in MacArthur Park gang-related shooting Amaya previously had two felony convictions under the states "three strikes" law. The district attorney's office said he could face multiple life terms in prison if convicted. "Gun violence continues to be a devastating scourge in Los Angeles, and today my office has taken decisive action by filing five gun sentencing enhancements, one for each victim, Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman said Monday. These enhancements carry an additional penalty of 25 years to life in prison. This is a clear and unequivocal message: gun violence will not be tolerated in Los Angeles County. Amayas bail was set at $8 million. 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. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace will travel across South Carolina in the coming weeks as she explores whether to run for governor in 2026. Were here tonight because were very interested in hearing from Republicans across the state, Mace said Monday ahead of remarks at the Richland County GOP meeting. In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Mace signaled that she is interested in succeeding Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who is term-limited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been in the state Legislature before, I have great relationships in Washington now, and Ive acquired the leadership necessary to be bold, to make sure that we are moving forward with conservative policies, she told the outlet. I have made a difference in the work that I have done up here, and know that I could do even more at the state level. Once telling The Hill she feels like she is on a political island, Mace initially billed herself as an independent voice in Congress that is fiscally conservative but more to the center on some social issues like abortion, supporting exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother. But, Mace has shifted away from that moderate persona in recent months, leaning more heavily into cultural issues and adopting stances more aligned with the MAGA movement. I am all in for making sure we make America great again, we make America healthy again, and we make America safe again, but also what this means for South Carolina, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Graham: Senate needs to investigate Trump decision to pull Boltons security Most recently, she made headlines for her efforts to bar transgender women from using biological womens restrooms in the U.S. Capitol and on all federal property. Filing for the race doesnt open until next year, but Mace has already ramped up attacks against one likely Republican primary opponent: South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson. He has no business even thinking about running for governor and I will take him out, she said, portraying him as weak on border security and human trafficking. When pressed by reporters on the work Wilsons office has done to crack down on human trafficking and the numerous lawsuits hes filed regarding illegal immigration, Mace doubled down, calling him a do-nothing attorney general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes one of the worst attorney generals in the entire country, she added. Wilson has not responded publicly to Maces comments. The congresswoman, now in her third term representing the states 1st Congressional District, said she expects to make an official decision within the next two months. Im talking to different constituencies, different groups, and right now, the backing were getting and interest in this is enormous, Mace said, noting that plans to seek Trumps support if she enters the race. Of course, I want to talk to the Trump team and see where they are on a run for governor, she said. I think thats a very important conversation to have. Anyone that wants to run statewide or any election really in 2026 or 2028 and beyond will need the presidents support. 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. A 3-month-old baby was safely recovered from a stolen vehicle Friday, according to the Macedonia police. Officers reportedly received an alert from the Ohio State Highway Patrol at about 4:31 p.m. regarding a vehicle with an infant had been stolen from Stark County and was seen heading north on I-77. Macedonia police were able to locate the vehicle traveling on 271 northbound and the driver was subsequently arrested without incident. The Stark County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and helped to reunite the infant with its mother. Tips for parents regarding car safety The following tips on car and infant safety are from Kids and Car Safety: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1. Never leave a child of any age or pet alone in a vehicle, not even for a minute. 2. Use a drive-thru or curbside pickup so you don't have to leave your vehicle. 3. If a business doesn't offer curbside delivery, call upon arrival and ask them to bring your order to your car. Most people are more than happy to accommodate you when you tell them you have small children. 4. Keep car doors locked and keys on your person when pumping gas with children inside the vehicle. Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com, or on Twitter @athompsonABJ This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Macedonia police rescue infant from stolen vehicle Friday It served as the background for Emmanuel Macrons 2017 presidential victory speech. On Tuesday, he returned to the Louvre to attempt some damage control after a leaked memo raised alarms about the dire state of the worlds most-visited museum. Macron announced that the Mona Lisa will be installed in a special space, accessible independently of the rest of the museum, which he said will be renovated and expanded in a major overhaul. Speaking in the room where Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece is displayed, Macron said a new entrance to the museum would be built near the River Seine and underground rooms would also be created. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While he did not disclose the cost, it is estimated that it could run into hundreds of millions of euros. One of the ways of financing the project could be to raise prices for visitors from outside the European Union, he said. Another way of financing the project is to increase the number of visitors to 12 million a year, he added. Macron visited the museum days after Le Parisien newspapers reported on a confidential memo that the Louvre's director, Laurence des Cars, sent to Culture Minister Rachida Dati. According to the newspaper, the director warned of a proliferation of damage to the museums spaces, some of which are in a very poor condition. Peeling paint on the ceiling of Gallery 718 inside the Louvre. Detailing substandard conditions like leaks and overcrowding, des Cars reportedly said in her memo that some spaces in the museum are no longer watertight, while others are experiencing worrying temperature variations, endangering the conservation of the artworks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Louvre and the Elysee Palace did not respond to requests for comment on or confirmation of the memos contents. Over the last few days, Louvre employees have expressed similar concerns over flooding, lighting and safety that they say could put the artworks at risk. For our colleagues, its a bit of a daily ordeal to get organized and keep the visitor tour moving while ensuring that everything is safe, one employee, Elise Muller, said Tuesday on French Radio RTL. Since we have different areas every day, were forced to close down areas due to the various problems that can arise in the building, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 24, the Louvre's workers' union SUD Culture, in an angry statement, said the state of disrepair led to the unprecedented cancellation of an exhibition in 2023. Nearly two-thirds of visitors to the Louvre line up to see da Vinci's "Mona Lisa." For more than three years now, SUD Culture and its staff have been warning about the deteriorating state of the building, its equipment, elevators and escalators, it said. The museum hosted 8.7 million visitors last year as tourists flocked to the Paris Olympic Games. But in her leaked memo, des Cars warned that visiting the Louvre constituted a physical ordeal. Access to the works takes time and is not always easy, she said. There is no space for visitors to take a break. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With nearly 66% of its visitors last year lining up to see Leonardo da Vincis "Mona Lisa," des Cars also said that its presentation needed to be questioned. Da Vincis masterpiece is a work of art that appeals to the whole world, she said. As a result of this popularity, the public flocks to the Salle des Etats without being given the means to understand the work and the artist, thereby calling into question the museums public service mission. A crowd surrounds the "Mona Lisa." The scrutiny around the "Mona Lisa" spurred Francesca Caruso, the regional assessor for culture in Italys Lombardy region, to call for the painting to be returned to Milan, home to da Vinci's "The Last Supper." We are ready to welcome her, Caruso said in a post on Facebook over the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate letter to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Caruso wrote, "Why not offer to host the Mona Lisa in Lombardy during the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics?" In 2021, des Cars became the first woman to head the Louvre, a symbol of French culture around the world. Since then, she has introduced several measures to make the museum more accessible, including a cap on visitors in 2023 to reduce overcrowding, extending opening hours, and pushing for the creation of a second main entrance. But in her memo, the director acknowledged that a complete overhaul would most likely be a long and costly ordeal at a time when the French government is facing severe budget restraints. Last week, Dati, the culture minister, told the French television network TF1 that she was working on a project to help finance the work required for the museum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If implemented in January 2026, as planned, the Louvre could charge non-E.U. visitors higher prices under a differentiated tariff policy. CORRECTION (Jan. 29, 2025 12:34 p.m. ET) :A previous version of this article misstated the gender the Louvres director. Laurence des Cars is female, not male. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com References to political correctness in the public discourse arent as common as they used to be, but the idea has long been about recognizing the power of words and encouraging people to be responsible when using language that might be insulting or offensive. Its a concept that has traditionally been associated with the left. Though conservative political correctness is far less recognized, it exists, too. A few years ago, for example, then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made some pointed comments about the Jan. 6 attack. We all were here; we saw what happened, the Kentucky Republican told reporters. It was a violent insurrection for the purpose of trying to prevent the peaceful transfer of power after a legitimately certified election, from one administration to the next. Thats what it was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon after, Sen. Ted Cruz took issue with the comments not because McConnell was wrong, but because the Texas Republican said the word insurrection was politically charged. McConnell, in other words, was expected to avoid certain words and phrases, regardless of accuracy, to protect the sensibilities of his partys more delicate members. As Donald Trumps second term as president gets underway, were seeing all kinds of fresh evidence of conservative political correctness. Take newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths first weekday on the job, for example. The former conservative media personality told reporters: Every moment that Im here, Im thinking about the guys and gals in Guam, in Germany, in Fort Benning and Fort Bragg, on missile defense sites and aircraft carriers. Our job is lethality and readiness and warfighting. His choice of words appeared quite deliberate: Fort Benning and Fort Bragg no longer exist, because their names were changed. As a HuffPost report noted, the former was originally named after Henry L. Benning, a racist judge and Confederate brigadier general, while the latter was named after Braxton Bragg, a slave owner and Confederate leader who is widely considered one of the worst generals of the Civil War. But when it comes to Republican politics in 2025, its apparently important that partisans use the words and phrases that make partisans feel better even if that means honoring those who took up arms against the United States roughly 160 years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alas, its not the only recent example. For example, Customs and Border Patrol officials last week directed officers to start using the term illegal alien, apparently because the Trump administration likes it. Similarly, Team Trump has decided that people are supposed to start calling the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, just as Team Trump also expects people to refer to Denali as Mount McKinley whether Alaskans like it or not. Conservative political correctness might seem bizarre, but it's likely to get worse in the very near future. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays edition of quick hits. * At the CDC: U.S. public health officials have been told to stop working with the World Health Organization, effective immediately. A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official, John Nkengasong, sent a memo to senior leaders at the agency on Sunday night telling them that all agency staff who work with the WHO must immediately stop their collaborations and await further guidance. * In the Middle East: Hamas has told Israel that eight of 26 Israeli hostages set to be released as part of the first phase of the ceasefire are dead, a Middle Eastern official briefed on the matter told NBC News on Monday. It is believed to be the first time that the militant group has said exactly how many hostages are dead or alive. Later, a spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said these numbers matched information gleaned by Israeli intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * I just cant think of a defense for this: President Donald Trumps foreign aid pause has forced a suspension of flights for more than 40,000 Afghans approved for special U.S. visas and at risk of Taliban retribution, a leading advocate and a U.S. official said on Saturday. * When talking about Belarus, its probably best to put election in scare quotes: Longtime Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko won a sham presidential election on Sunday with 87.6 percent of vote, according to an official exit poll, marking his seventh term as leader of the Eastern European country. Four opposition candidates appeared on the ballot but all were loyal to Lukashenko, who has led Belarus for more than 30 years. * If this is correct, the odds of detaining non-criminals are high: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have been directed by Trump officials to aggressively ramp up the number of people they arrest, from a few hundred per day to at least 1,200 to 1,500, because the president has been disappointed with the results of his mass deportation campaign so far, according to four people with knowledge of the briefings. * In Seoul: South Koreas prosecutors indicted impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday on charges of leading an insurrection with his short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3, the main opposition party said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * A case Ill be watching: In a sign that the barrier between church and state could be further weakened, the Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a bid by Oklahoma officials to approve the nations first publicly funded religious charter school. * Why did Paul Krugman leave The New York Times? Now we know. * A story about the platform formally known as Twitter, noted without comment: In a January email to staff, Musk pointed to the companys growing influence and power, but said the finances remain problematic. Our user growth is stagnant, revenue is unimpressive, and were barely breaking even, he said in the email, which was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. See you tomorrow. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Chances are, most Americans are unfamiliar with Ed Martin, the man Donald Trump and his team tapped to serve as the interim U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C. The public might, however, be more familiar with his work: Martin is a conservative activist who served on the board of a group supporting Jan. 6 criminal defendants and is considered a prominent member of the Stop the Steal movement. This same prosecutor has also now told his new colleagues at the Justice Department that hes launching a special project to be known as Project 1512 that will review the prosecutions of Jan. 6 rioters. NBC News reported: [Martin] said he was appointing two officials to look at the use of an obstruction of justice charge, which the Supreme Court determined had been used too broadly against some Jan. 6 defendants. ... Martin wrote Monday that the two officials he selected would need to issue a preliminary report by Friday, and he asked all employees to pass along all files, documents, notes, emails and other information about the use of 18 U.S. Code 1512, which prosecutors often refer to as the 1512 charge. NBC News spoke to a former Jan. 6 prosecutor who said the investigation sounded like it would be totally frivolous and said it would divert resources within the office that could be used instead on keeping the nations capital safe by prosecuting crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats more, theres a broader fear that an examination along these lines will mean targeting prosecutors who charged Jan. 6 rioters. But stepping back, its worth appreciating the degree to which these developments are at odds with the message many Republicans seem eager to present to the public. In the immediate aftermath of the president issuing scandalous pardons for Jan. 6 criminals including violent felons who assaulted police officers many GOP leaders responded to questions with an evasive, seemingly forward-looking answer. Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, his partys new Senate majority leader, said, Were looking at the future, not the past. His counterpart on the other side of Capitol Hill, House Speaker Mike Johnson, similarly told reporters, Were not looking backwards, were looking forward. It remains a deeply flawed position for a variety of reasons, but its also a talking point for which Trump has no use. Two days after congressional Republicans tried to leave Jan. 6 in the nations rearview mirror, the president told reporters he would certainly be open to meeting personally perhaps at the White House with some of the Jan. 6 criminals he set free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two days after that, at an event in Las Vegas, Trump boasted that he was very proud of his Jan. 6 pardons. The Republicans administration, meanwhile, also continues to focus on the insurrectionist attack on the Capitol, not only by way of Martins investigation, but also overhauling online databases related to Jan. 6 crimes. Were looking forward, the House speaker told reporters last week. Trump has effectively responded, What do you mean, we? This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays installment of campaign-related news items from across the country. * In a surprise announcement, Democratic Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan said hell retire at the end of his term and forgo a 2026 re-election campaign. The decision creates a competitive open-seat contest in one of the nations most competitive battleground states. * On a related note, soon after Peters announced his electoral plans, Axios reported that former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is taking a serious look at Michigans Senate race. He's apparently not the only one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Speaking of former Cabinet secretaries eyeing statewide office, Deb Haaland, the former interior secretary, has launched a Democratic gubernatorial campaign in New Mexico. If elected, Haaland would be the first Native American woman to serve as governor of any state. * Its primary day in couple of Florida congressional districts, and two Republicans backed by Donald Trump are expected to prevail in their respective contests. In both contests, the general election is April 1, and GOP officials are confident about keeping both seats. * For the first time in decades, there are more voters registered as Republicans in Nevada than Democrats. Last fall, Trump defeated then-Vice President Kamala Harris in the state by roughly 4 points. * While the incumbent presidents party usually loses seats in midterm elections, House Speaker Mike Johnson told his members at a party retreat, We are going to grow the House majority in 2026. File this away for future reference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * A sign of the times: Joe Bidens popular vote margin in 2020 was roughly triple Trumps popular vote margin in 2024, but recent polling suggest most Americans and even 1 in 4 Democrats believe the Republicans victory was larger. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays edition of quick hits. * The latest on the Indiana shooting: Two people were killed and two police officers were injured in a shooting at a supermarket in Indiana on Monday evening, local police say. Police received a call at 5:30 p.m. about the shooting at Martins Supermarket in the 500 block of East Jackson Boulevard in the city of Elkhart, about 15 miles east of South Bend. Officers arrived at the scene and found two victims dead inside. * In Kansas: The number of tuberculosis cases linked to an outbreak in the Kansas City area continues to swell, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The outbreak, which began a year ago, killed two people in 2024, Jill Bronaugh, the health departments communications director, said in an update Tuesday. As of Friday, at least 67 patients were being treated for active tuberculosis in Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * A deeply unflattering report for North Carolinas senior senator: A key witness in the contentious Senate confirmation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was assured by Sen. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) that her sworn statement would carry weight in last weeks vote and could persuade Republican senators to oppose the nominee, according to people familiar with the events. * An unexpected story out of Tallahassee: Gov. Ron DeSantis suffered a stunning defeat courtesy of his own party Monday as the Legislature refused to hold a special session dealing with immigration and ballot initiatives that he forced on their chambers, instead quickly gaveling out. * Trouble at the FDIC: A government-wide hiring freeze has led the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to yank job offers to more than 200 new examiners, the front-line employees who closely monitor banks to ensure they operate safely and adhere to an extensive rule book. * The EUs newest party: The newly created European Union far-right party the Patriots for Europe, home to populists like Hungarys Viktor Orban and Frances Marine Le Pen, will hold a Make Europe Great Again rally in Madrid on Feb. 8, two officials told POLITICO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * All is not well at the Los Angeles Times: The owner of the Los Angeles Times has been leaning on a veteran Republican who ran a pro-Trump PAC to shape the future of one of the West Coasts biggest news organizations. * Seriously? Google Maps users in the U.S. will soon see Gulf of America in place of Gulf of Mexico and Mount McKinley instead of Denali on the map, in line with President Donald Trumps executive order issued last week. See you tomorrow. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com People in the southern U.S. state of Florida are used to warm, sunny weather. But on January 21, Floridians saw a rare sight: snow on their beaches. A cold weather system brought snow to several southern states in what many are calling a once-in-a-lifetime event. So much snow fell across the American South that snowballs flew on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, and children and parents used any kind of plastic they could find to slide down snow-covered hills along the Mississippi River. The Associated Press reported that 24.9 centimeters of snow fell near the small town of Milton, Florida. That breaks the snowfall record of 10.1 centimeters from 1954. "It's an incredible, incredible event," said Michael Mugrage. Mugrage is a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Mobile, Alabama. That is where many of the highest snowfall numbers from the South were reported. "It puts it in perspective how rare this is." Milton is northeast of Pensacola, Florida, where 22.6 centimeters broke the city's previous all-time snow record of 7.6 centimeters set in 1895. Here are some places reporting rare snowfall events: New Orleans, Louisiana The National Weather Service reported that in some parts of New Orleans, 25 centimeters of snow fell. That broke the city's record of 6.8 centimeters from 1963. Houston, Texas In Texas, up to 10 centimeters of snow fell in the Houston area. The area reportedly does not own any trucks with snow-moving equipment known as snowplows. Charleston, South Carolina More than 10 centimeters of snow fell in and around Charleston, South Carolina, where snow closed the airport. Mobile, Alabama At Mobile Regional Airport in Alabama, 15.7 centimeters of snow was recorded, breaking the city's one-day snowfall record of 12.7 centimeters. The record was set on January 24, 1881, the weather service said. A reported snowfall total of 28 centimeters in the small town of Babbie in southern Alabama was among the highest nationwide for the day. Cold and snowy It was very cold in Mobile, too. The National Weather Service said a low of minus 14 Celsius tied the third-coldest low temperature record for the city, set in 1899. In Louisiana, all-time records for low temperatures were reported in the cities of New Iberia and Lafayette. Wednesday's low of minus 17 Celsius in New Iberia broke a record that had stood since 1962. Lafayette's low of minus 16 Celsius broke a record that dates back to 1899. Across several southern states, flights were cancelled, and some highways were closed. Europes climate agency reports record high temperatures The record snowfall and low temperatures did not affect the entire world. The AP reports Europe's Copernicus climate service data shows the first 20 days of January 2025 had the highest average temperature worldwide recorded for the first 20 days of any year. So far this year, U.S. weather has set or equaled 697 daily records for coldest temperatures. That is close to the 629 daily records that have been reported so far this year for warmest temperatures. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that in the past 365 days, U.S. weather stations have recorded five times as many heat records as cold records. Scientists say they seem to be seeing more cool air but not cooler weather. Some scientists hold the theory that warm temperatures in the Arctic area are displacing cold air which is pushed further south. Im Jill Robbins. Jill Robbins adapted this story from Associated Press reports for Learning English. ______________________________________________ Words in This Story perspective n. a way of thinking about and understanding something (such as a particular issue or life in general) minus adj. having a value that is below zero, negative What do you think of this story? Write to us in the Comments Section. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) A Madison man was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala Tuesday for attempted enticement of a minor. According to U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples announced that Anthony Ray Lawrence was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by a life term of supervised release. The news release said in October, Lawrence was convicted by a jury of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor therefore requiring him to register as a sex offender. Latest Headlines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to evidence presented at trial, between April and May 2023, Lawrence used a social media application to engage with someone he thought to be a 14-year-old girl but who was an undercover law enforcement officer. He told the undercover officer that he used the application to meet up with younger girls. On May 1, 2023, Lawrence traveled from Madison, Alabama, to Homewood, Alabama, to engage in a sexual act with a minor. At the time of his arrest, Lawrence possessed condoms and sexual lubricant. He had rented a hotel room nearby. The FBI investigated the case along with the Homewood Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel S. McBrayer and R. Leann White prosecuted the 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 WHNT.com. Sen. Mike Lee thinks the U.S. should turn to state-sponsored piracy to take on Mexican drug cartels. The Utah Republican made the case for using privateers as a solution to border security in a series of X posts Monday. 1/ What Are Letters Of Marque And Reprisal And How Could They Be Used To Weaken Drug Cartels? pic.twitter.com/0EeQigzVYm Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) January 27, 2025 Lee explained how Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war and grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, which authorize private citizens to outfit private warships and sink or capture enemy vessels. Privateers get to keep part of the bounty they capture and turn the rest over to the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last time Congress exercised the powerwhich was more than 200 years agoit was an affordable way for the state to disrupt the economies of its enemies and help fund the U.S. war effort. Today, privateering is considered a violation of international law and the U.S. has agreed not to do it. But Lee thinks the U.S. should bring it back to tackle the cartels, which he claims are threatening to target U.S. planes deporting undocumented immigrants. Congress could issue letters of marque and reprisal authorizing private security firms or specially trained civilians to intercept cartel operations, particularly those involving drug shipments or human trafficking across borders, he wrote. During his first day in office, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border. / Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images The operations would focus on disrupting supply lines, capturing high-value targets, or seizing assets like boats, vehicles, cash and weapons. The benefits would be more flexibility and lower costs for the government, he argued, and could be an effective alternative to war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee admitted the idea would draw criticism, but argued that abstract principles like international law should take a back seat to the clear and present threat posed by the cartels. And yet, a dizzying array of things can go wrong when Congress unleashes financially motivated private citizens on a foreign enemy, Vanderbilt Law Professor Ingrid Wuerth said in a 2022 interview. For one thing, privateers target the easiest and most lucrative targets, not the most strategically important ones. They also create situations that are rife for abuse, overreaching and corruption, which is the real reason the U.S. hasnt used them since the War of 1812, Wuerth argued. Based on the hypotheticals she gave, privateers could attack Mexican citizensnot just the cartelsand could try to illegally seize assets from legitimate businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plus, the whole point of letters of marque and reprisal was that the U.S. government didnt have a Navy during the Revolutionary War and only had a weak Navy during the early decades of the republic. Today, the U.S. has the worlds most powerful military. And even if it wouldnt technically mean going to war with Mexico, letters of marque and reprisal tend to be understood as an act of war, according to Wuerth. Modern governments also have far more targeted enforcement mechanisms than the Founding Fathers did. But admittedly, freezing cartel assets doesnt evoke the same level of excitement as state-sponsored piracy. Despite the glaring issues, Lee has been making a case for the return of privateering for years. At CPAC 2011, the foremost gathering of the nations conservatives, he described granting letters of marque and reprisal as his favorite power of Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letters are essentially a hall pass issued by Congress that entitles the bearer to act in the United States name and engage in state-sponsored acts of piracy on the high seas, he explained at the time. And so, help me, if its the last thing I do Im going to get a letter of marque of reprisal, he said to laughter and applause. Im going to get a ship and an eyepatch, and Im going to be a pirate, and youre all invited to join me! YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A Mahoning County man is free on a $100,000 bond after appearing in Common Pleas Court Tuesday morning. Brian Swansiger stood before a magistrate, pleading not guilty to multiple counts of rape and gross sexual imposition. He had been secretly indicted earlier this month. Prosecutors say Swansiger is accused in what theyre describing as a series of date rape incidents involving multiple victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where, either through dating apps or through other communications, met, went out on dates and those victims came forward, identified that they were sexually assaulted and raped, said Mahoning County Prosecutor Lynn Maro. Maro says the investigation is still ongoing, saying additional people continue coming forward with information, some from outside the area. Prosecutors say Swansiger had faced similar charges in 2018 but that case was ultimately dismissed. After that incident, as is common to occur, other victims came forward and so there was an ongoing investigation with more in-depth information obtained that led to this indictment, Maro said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Swansiger had been working as a firefighter in Springfield Township but is now on leave from that position. His trial is set for late March. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jan. 28In 2017, two small airplanes collided with white-tailed deer crossing the runway in separate incidents at Sanford Airport. No one was injured, but if they had been, airport officials would've blamed the endangered grasshopper sparrow. It wasn't the small birds that hit the planes, but the white-tailed deer that are attracted to the 70 acres of tall grass near the runway where the sparrow likes to nest. Because of the bird's status as a state-designated endangered species, the airport can't mow the grass that draws in the deer during the summer breeding season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It does not take a degree or years of experience to understand that wildlife and aircraft do not mix, but that is precisely what our state law currently mandates," said Allison Navia, the manager of regional airports in Sanford and Fryeburg. "Do not wait for there to be loss of life before change occurs." Navia was one of a group of aviation business leaders and officials who spoke Monday in support of a bill introduced by Sen. Rick Bennett, R-Oxford, to exempt airports from the state protections afforded the 57 fish and animals listed as endangered or threatened in Maine. Maine wildlife officials and advocates have come out against the bill, arguing it is unnecessary and could put the state's imperiled wildlife at risk, noting that habitat loss remains the No. 1 threat to at-risk species and that animals are rarely the cause of aviation accidents. Pilots reported 142 collisions with Maine wildlife in 2023, the last full year of data available in the Federal Aviation Administration's wildlife strike database. Records reveal a single coyote collision. The rest of the collisions none of which resulted in human injury involved birds, often a kestrel, gull or killdeer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A review of 564 Maine-related incidents in the database dating back 10 years shows no human injuries from aircraft-wildlife strikes. All but 17 involved birds. In those cases not involving birds, pilots reported hitting five red foxes, four white-tailed deer, three bats, two skunks, a porcupine, a woodchuck and an unidentified land mammal. Bennett said he considers himself a champion of the environment and an advocate on behalf of wildlife protections. But he said his bill is intended to limit the public safety impacts caused by animals that move to an airport after it is built, like the deer that followed the nesting sparrow into the tall grass. Maine's wildlife and environment agencies oppose the bill, saying they already collaborate with airports to work around wildlife habitat of even the most endangered species and have approved all 100 or so airport construction permits submitted over the last dozen years, albeit with conditions. Conditions have ranged from short-term steps, such as hiring a wildlife spotter to make sure a listed species isn't nearby when construction is underway, to more substantial measures, such as paying for land acquisition elsewhere to compensate for habitat that will be compromised by an airport project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Fryeburg, one of the communities in Bennett's district, Eastern Slope Regional Airport couldn't afford the $600,000 the state expected it to spend to buy other grasslands to accommodate grasshopper sparrows that would be displaced by its proposed expansion, airport officials said. "We do recognize the permitting process can be burdensome in some circumstances and we are committed to working with the (Department of Environmental Protection) to make the process as efficient as possible," said Nathan Webb of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The agency is asking for a budget increase to address staff shortages and improve customer service during the environmental review process, Webb told lawmakers during a public hearing before the Legislature's Environment and Natural Resource Committee. Environmental groups say states must fight to protect imperiled species now more than ever as the newly elected Trump administration appears likely to weaken federal environmental laws and as an accelerating extinction rate is raising the risk of biodiversity collapse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill, LD 138, aims to fix legislation that isn't broken, said Matt Cannon, the Sierra Club's state conservation director, and would set a dangerous precedent that would invite other developers to seek exemptions, especially those who could cite public safety as a blanket reason. "While we acknowledge the legitimate concerns raised about deer management, we question the conclusion that the only possible solution to a conflict over mowing schedules is complete elimination of protection for all endangered species," Cannon said. Bill supporters and opponents debated various strategies to keep wildlife out of the path of air traffic, from pouring grape juice on grass and hosing earthworms off runways to keep birds away to mowing the grass before and after imperiled birds build their ground nests. But sometimes even the most well-intentioned efforts to save an imperiled animal fails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Maine Department of Environmental Protection years ago tried to move a group of endangered New England cottontails when a Portland International Jetport expansion ate into its territory, but none of the relocated population survived the transition, said Rob Wood, the director of DEP's land resources bureau. Note: This story was updated Jan. 29 to correct the spelling of Allison Navia's last name. Copy the Story Link Jan. 27Democrats have chosen a lawyer from Central Maine to lead the state party for the next two years an election cycle that will include statewide races for governor and U.S. Senate. The party announced Monday that Charlie Dingman, of Leeds, was elected as chair and Imke Schlesser-Jandreau, of Bangor, was elected as vice chair. Both candidates hail from the more rural, conservative 2nd Congressional District, whose voters will be key to winning statewide offices in two years. Dingman, a lawyer who has served on the board for Maine Equal Justice, which advocates for low-income residents and families, and served on committees for the party and the Justice Action Group, which supports legal aid providers and social justice groups, is planning to focus on unifying the party and reaching voters across the state ahead of the 2026 cycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a challenging moment for all of us in the party of Maine's working people, as our new national regime serves the interests of the very few who are wealthy enough not to do their own work, and pursues its agenda without a care for those most vulnerable to their cruelty," Dingman said in written statement. "They want to confuse and distract working people by turning us against each other. I believe Maine Democrats spoke loudly and clearly today that we will counter that toxic agenda with all our strength, reaching out to those in our rural and urban communities alike to reconnect with the disillusioned and expand our mission of fairness and opportunity for everyone." Schlesser-Jandreau is a communications professional, who said in a written statement that Democrats have "an incredible opportunity to rebrand the party, lean into our values and bring people together." Party officials did not immediately respond to questions about how many other candidates ran for party chair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maine Democrats cut against national trends last November, maintaining their majorities in both the state Senate and House of Representatives, albeit by smaller margins, for Democratic Gov. Janet Mills' final two years in office. Democrats have held the governor's office and both chambers of the Legislature since 2019. With Mills termed out of office, the 2026 gubernatorial race is expected to be wide open. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins says she's planning on seeking reelection. No challengers have emerged, though Mills did not rule out running when asked by the Press Herald in December. Dingman and Schlesser-Jandreau replace outgoing Chair Bev Uhlenhake and Vice Chair Julian Rogers, who did not seek another term. Copy the Story Link Jan. 28An order by the Trump administration to pause health communications and other disruptions at federal health agencies are causing concern in Maine's scientific community. Directives from the new administration include a ban on health agency communications through at least the end of January. It's not clear how long the ban will remain in place after this month but the order appears intended to give the new leadership time to assume office and approve information releases. Emergency communication were exempt from the order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National news reports also said travel and meetings at the National Institutes of Health were being canceled or postponed, and purchases halted for research supplies, although STAT News reported on Monday afternoon that perhaps some of those restrictions were being eased. The Jackson Laboratory, a Bar Harbor-based research institute that works closely with the National Institutes of Health and employs about 3,000 people globally, including and about 1,718 in Maine, is "closely monitoring" the situation. Cara McDonough, spokesperson for Jackson Lab, said in a written statement that the lab is working to "assess its potential impact on our research and the broader scientific community." "Any pause or interruption in activities at federal health agencies will disrupt the momentum behind lifesaving research, jeopardizes jobs and creates considerable anxiety within the scientific community as well as within communities hoping to benefit directly from the research these federal health groups steward. We are all hoping for a rapid return to productive activities," McDonough said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson Lab is a leader in biomedical research, and among its research areas is "genomic solutions to disease" including cancer, autoimmune diseases, neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases, stem cells and regenerative medicine. MaineHealth, the parent organization of the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, which has studied ticks, Lyme disease and COVID-19, amongst other research areas, would also experience impacts if there are continued disruptions a the federal level. "MaineHealth has been monitoring the president's recent executive order pausing external communication from the Department of Health and Human Services," said John Porter, a MaineHealth spokesperson, in a written statement. Officials with U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King indicated that the senators were closely following the developments, but did not yet have any comment on the evolving situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pause in communication comes as President Trump is attempting to get Robert F. Kennedy Jr. an anti-vaccine activist who has made numerous false claims about vaccines confirmed by the Senate to be the next Health and Human Services secretary. Hearings in the Senate are underway this week. Kennedy is a controversial choice in the medical community, and groups including the American Public Health Association have urged the Senate to reject his nomination. The Trump Administration's pause on communications is also affecting officials at the University of Southern Maine, which was awarded more than $21 million in a federal grant last year to establish a National Tribal Child Welfare Center for Innovation and Advancement. The program is designed to provide Native American and Alaska Native communities with culturally appropriate tools and methods to meet federal child welfare requirements. That grant included nearly $5 million in first-year funding. The center is slated to launch in January, according to its Facebook page and an announcement by the university system last year. But that launch may be muddled by the U.S. DHHS pause on communication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sarah Nelson, project director at the new center, said in an email last week that the center "received guidance from the new administration" not to release any new communications about the program. "This is all the information we've been given; I anticipate we will be provided strict guidance around language we can use to describe our work," Nelson said. Staff writer Daniel Kool contributed to this story. Copy the Story Link Heather Sanborn, former state legislator and co-founder of Rising Tide Brewing, was nominated Gov. Janet Mills to serve as Maine Public Advocate. (Official photo) The Maine Senate confirmed Heather Sanborn as the states next public advocate Tuesday. An attorney, former state legislator and co-founder of Rising Tide Brewing in Portland, Sanborn will serve a four-year term advocating on behalf of Maines ratepayers. Sanborn received somewhat narrow support from the Legislatures Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee earlier this month. The Senate voted 19-15 Tuesday to uphold the committees support of the nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of the push to reduce carbon emissions and electrify everything from transportation to home heating, Sen. Rick Bennett (R-Oxford) said the public advocate is indeed one of the most important positions in state government. We need a public advocate who is smart, judicious, legally-schooled and politically savvy, independently minded; someone who understands the needs of a whole range of Mainers, Bennett said on the Senate floor. Such a person, in my belief, is Heather Sanborn. While Bennett went on to praise her background as a small business owner, calling it refreshing to nominate someone who hasnt solely worked in law, one of his Republican colleagues argued Sanborn wasnt qualified for the role. Assistant Senate Minority Leader Matt Harrington of York County said the nominees one term on the Legislatures energy committee was not enough to make her qualified. Harrington voted against Sanborns confirmation as a member of the energy committee and again on the Senate floor Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the majority of those opposed to Sanborns nomination were Republicans, a few Democrats, including Sen. Mike Tipping of Penobscot County and Sen. Nicole Grohoski of Hancock County, also voted against her confirmation. No Democrats spoke in opposition on the Senate floor about their reasoning. During the public hearing before the energy committee, Sanborn said her focus would be stabilizing and lowering costs for ratepayers, with a primary focus on low-income customers. Gov. Janet Mills nominated Sanborn to take over the role advocating for utility ratepayers after current Public Advocate William Harwood announced he would be retiring at the end of the month. Mills congratulated Sanborn in a statement after the confirmation vote. She said Sanborns experience as a lawmaker and small businessowner, along with her sharp intellect and unmatched integrity, have prepared her to fight for Maine ratepayers and consumers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though she served in the Maine House of Representatives and Senate as a Democrat, Sanborn said the role of the public advocate requires independent judgement. She said she believes she can uphold that because lowering costs are not partisan issues, adding that she would wager that everyone serving in the Legislature, regardless of political party, would agree that energy should be affordable. The Office of the Public Advocate represents Maines utility customers by advocating for rates, services and practices that benefit ratepayers. This work takes place in regulatory and court proceedings, most of which are before the Maine Public Utilities Commission. The office also testifies before the Legislature on matters affecting utility customers, intervenes on federal regulatory cases and works with ISO New England, the regional electric transmission grid operator. For example, Maines Public Advocate Office recently joined 21 other states in filing an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to save a program designed to make telephone service and internet access affordable for low-income, rural and tribal residents. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Jan. 28Maine's highest court has shot down a 2021 law that allowed people to file lawsuits over claims of child sex abuse, regardless of when the abuse was alleged to have occurred. State lawmakers agreed more than three years ago to let anyone, including those who were previously barred by Maine's statute of limitations, to sue in civil court. Dozens of people seized on the opportunity. Many targeted the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, alleging its leaders knew about the abuse and failed to prevent it or warn parishioners about allegations. The diocese challenged the law a year later. Some of the allegations dated as far back as the 1950s, and involved priests and other church employees who were already found to be credibly accused. Most have died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 100-page ruling issued Tuesday by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, the justices said the court has never allowed the state to allow people to bring claims that have already expired under Maine's statute of limitations. "Not all retroactive legislation is prohibited, but retroactive legislation cannot impair vested rights," Associate Justice Catherine Connors wrote in the court's majority opinion. "Once a statute of limitations has expired for a claim, a right to be free of that claim has vested, and the claim cannot be revived." It took an unusual 14 months for a ruling and it's unclear where the lawsuits against the diocese will go from here. The court ordered that the stalled cases be sent back to the trial court, to go through "further proceedings consistent with this opinion." It's also unclear what happens to the state law and if the Legislature will have to respond. A spokesperson for the Office of the Maine Attorney General, which defended the law in court, said it will not comment on the court's decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 'DEGREE OF UNCERTAINTY' Bishop James Ruggieri, who leads the Maine diocese, said in a written statement Tuesday that a "degree of uncertainty still remains," but that he hopes the high court's decision "will allow us as a diocese to commit to strengthening the core mission of the Church in Maine with even greater humility and devotion." "We as a diocese are committed to the highest standards and protocols of keeping our parishes safe places for our children," Ruggieri said. "We are also committed to maintaining and strengthening the vibrancy of our parish communities and Church ministries which support so many people across the state, Catholic and non-Catholic. We will continue our mission of evangelization and direct service to those in need." The diocese's lawyers have also argued that the law put countless other organizations at risk of being sued. In the last three years, previously expired claims have been filed against the YMCA of Bangor, the Special Olympics, Camp Kieve and a counselor from the 1970s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maine attorney Michael Bigos, whose team represents roughly 100 people with decades-old claims, said in a statement Tuesday that he is disappointed in the ruling but is not giving up on these cases. "The abuse that forms the basis for these lawsuits occurred as far back as 1954 in a variety of venues, mostly churches and diocesan schools," Bigos said. "Their cases show that the Diocese of Portland knew about rampant sexual abuse by its priests, nuns, and teachers for decades and chose to protect these known predators instead of the children in their care." Bigos has previously argued his clients should still proceed to trial because they accuse the church of concealing reports of child sex abuse by reassigning accused priests to different parishes, an action attorneys argue isn't limited by any statute of limitations. "We believe evidence shows the Diocese kept enabling dozens of abusers," Bigos said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jessica Arbour, an attorney in Florida who represents some of those suing the church, said that the court's decision is inconsistent with those in other states. A similar law in Vermont was recently upheld by that state's supreme court. She described a national movement to update statutes of limitations in recognition that survivors of child sex abuse need time to fully understand their experiences. "There's still a lot of work to do," she said. "I hope that Maine lawmakers will do what they can to open up whatever doors they can for survivors. There are a lot of people hurting." Arbour noted that even coming forward was difficult for her clients. "These people, they bear their souls and they talk about these secrets that have been eating them alive for decades, maybe at the risk of alienating themselves from their friends and family," she said. "And now they don't have anything to show for it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HISTORIC PRECEDENT The diocese has previously claimed it had a "vested right" in the protections it enjoyed under Maine's previous statute of limitations. Without those protections, the diocese is open to potentially millions in damages. Attorneys and advocates have said the litigation is about justice. The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault said it is aware of 75 lawsuits against teachers and clergy stemming "from a systemic failure to protect children, a failure that persists as the Diocese continues to evade accountability nearly 60 years later." "Institutions that once claimed the moral high ground used their power to hide unspeakable abuses," Director Elizabeth Ward Saxl said in a statement Tuesday. "They have avoided accountability for decades, and today's decision allows them to continue. But the survivors' courage has ensured that their stories are heard, their truths known. Their voices echo as a testament to resilience and a call for change. Because of their bravery, today's children have stronger protections, and the powerful have fewer places to hide." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the 1980s, Maine has been chipping away at its statute of limitations for child sex abuse. After extending the window for claims several times, lawmakers in 2000 eliminated all restrictions moving forward. But they didn't do anything to reopen the window for claims before 1987, which had already expired under previous law. When state lawmakers "revived" those claims in 2021, it was the first time the state has ever passed such a law in 200 years. Rep. Lori Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, led that effort. She said in a statement that the law "represented a chance to finally pursue long overdue justice." "This decision will reopen emotional wounds and make it harder for survivors to achieve that justice," Gramlich said. "I want fellow survivors to hear this loud and clear: You are not defined by your abuse. You deserve to be heard and believed. You deserve justice. That's why I sponsored this legislation, and it's what I will keep working for. Our system should hold perpetrators accountable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in rejecting the sweeping repeal of the statute, the supreme court recognized a "longstanding antipathy toward retroactive legislation of this type" in its majority ruling, citing similar decisions that go back to the state's founding in 1820. "We have declared flatly, many times, with no articulated restriction, in varied types of cases, both common law and statutorily created, that a claim cannot be revived after its statute of limitations has expired," Connors wrote. Associate Justices Wayne Douglas and Rick Lawrence wrote in a dissenting opinion that this case is different than others the court has considered, and that the court has "never before" "squarely confronted the issue presented by this case: whether the Maine Constitution prohibits the Legislature from enacting a statute that retroactively repeals a statute of limitations, thereby allowing a previously barred claim to proceed." "Our Constitution does not require the result the Court reaches today," Douglas wrote. "Nor does our case law. I therefore respectfully dissent." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ------ IF YOU or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, you can call the statewide Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Line at 1-800-871-7741 to talk to someone who can help. You can learn more online here. FOR ASSISTANCE during a mental health crisis, call or text 888-568-1112. To call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org. FOR OTHER support or referrals, call the NAMI Maine Help Line at 800-464-5767 or email helpline@namimaine.org. Copy the Story Link Gov. Janet Mills proposes a 2026-27 budget as well as a change package for 2025 on Jan. 10 at the State House in Augusta. (Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star) As part of Gov. Janet Mills plan to address a projected revenue shortfall, she has proposed targeted cuts for child and health care programs that she had earlier championed. One of the cuts reverses the states recent investments in child care by reducing $30 million for child care worker stipends to bring them back to 2022 levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another is a roughly $8 million cut to low-income food assistance for asylum seekers who have received work permits but are looking for employment. Also, some crisis receiving centers established by the Legislature in the wake of the Lewiston mass shooting may also not come to fruition if the governors plan is approved. Alex Carter, policy advocate with Maine Equal Justice, which is among the groups objecting to the proposed cuts, said a budget is a statement on values. Tough choices are something that we understand, and we also understand that our clients and the communities that we are closest to are making those tough choices every single day, Carter said. It really does not feel fair to ask them to make even harder decisions about their basic needs. Rather than cuts, Maine Equal Justice and a number of organizations across the state are advocating for changes to Maines tax code. The Mainers for Tax Fairness coalition will be releasing its detailed plans later this week, which is expected to include a millionaire tax, similar to the law recently passed in Massachusetts to tax income over $1 million by an additional 4%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any budget that raises taxes, which includes the governors current plan, will not be getting the support of Republicans, which would mean the Legislature wont be able to pass it as an emergency measure to take effect immediately. Rather, a pattern of majority budgets passed by Democrats in recent years would continue. Mills vetoed a proposal last year to tax wealthy Mainers at higher rates, but Ryan Tipping, director of campaigns and strategy for the progressive Maine Center for Economic Policy, said he believes the revenue shortfall the state faces presents a fresh opportunity. The governor has already opened the door for a discussion about revenue, Tipping said. At this point its a discussion about where that money is going to come from to make sure we can continue building a better future for the state and dealing with industries in crisis right now, like the child care industry and the health care industry, which right now the governor is proposing we make major cuts in those areas to balance the budget. Mills is expected to share more of her thinking behind her budget plan in an address in Augusta on Tuesday evening. Child care Maines investments in child care in recent years have been the largest in state history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, Maine started providing $200 stipends per child care worker to help alleviate worker shortages during the height of the pandemic. Those monthly stipends doubled as part of the $59 million allocation to overhaul child care in the last biennial budget, spearheaded by former Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Aroostook). The package also expanded eligibility for the Child Care Affordability Program, which provides child care subsidies. The Mills administration had initially opposed Jacksons plan. Todd Landry, the former director of the Office of Child and Family Services, testified that the office expected the funding would be inadequate for its purpose, creating expectations for families that it cannot meet and would complicate and duplicate program administration. Mills proposal for the biennial budget this year essentially guts those recent investments. She proposed cutting $30 million from childcare worker stipends, which would decrease average earnings for nearly 7,500 childcare workers by $4,000 over two years, according to the Maine Center for Economic Policy. The governors budget plan also reduces Head Start funding by $7 million and cancels a $5 million scholarship program to help child care workers pay for child care for their own children, known as the Child Care Employment Award. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rita Furlow, senior policy analyst for Maine Childrens Alliance, said she is concerned that if the state rolls back the recent investments it will result in more people leaving an already struggling field. It is really hard to get people to take these jobs, and it is crucial for parents to be able to work and for employers to have staff, Furlow said. So, this is really disappointing. Just months after the expansion of the Child Care Affordability Program took effect in July, the Office of Child and Family Services had to implement a waitlist in order to stay within the available federal funding. According to Furlow, more than 170 are currently waiting for the Child Care Affordability Program and more than 400 children for the Child Care Employment Award program. Were discouraged that something that just began and was obviously really needed is being targeted to be cut, Furlow said. We think this is going in completely the wrong direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Maine Permanent Commission on the Status of Women concluded in its biennial report released this fall that gender disparities persist in part due to disproportionate caregiving responsibilities and insufficient access to services such as affordable, high-quality child and elder care. The Maine Childrens Alliance will be advocating for the cuts to be removed from the budget, as well as separately supporting legislation aimed to provide additional salary supplements and employment awards. The list of working titles for bills this session shows Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Brunswick) has filed bills to this effect. Food assistance for noncitizens The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, otherwise known as SNAP, is a low-income food assistance program administered at the state-level. Federal law prohibits the benefits from going to certain people who are not citizens, including asylum seekers. However, Maine is one of five states that also runs a SNAP program with state funding to assist those who cant access the federal assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mills administration previously tried to eliminate what is referred to as the Hardship D exemption of the state program, which grants benefits for people who have received their work authorization but are unemployed, however the Legislature rejected that proposal. Mills is again seeking to cut the exemption in her budget plan, which her office said would result in roughly $7.8 million in savings over the next biennium. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition, which represents more than 100 organizations across the state, will be urging lawmakers to reject the proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just because they wouldnt have access to benefits, doesnt mean that theyre not going to be hungry anymore, said Ruben Torres, who serves as the groups advocacy, communications and policy manager. It essentially hands off the problem back to community organizations that brought this up as an issue in the first place. Reflecting on his own job searches in the past, Torres said regardless of citizenship status, it can take weeks or even months to hear back when applying for jobs. Carter with Maine Equal Justice also raised this issue. Its very unrealistic to think that someone, as soon as they receive their work authorization, already has a job, Carter said. Torres and Carter said this will also impact people between jobs, a period during which the need for support was demonstrated on a large scale in 2023, when Abbott Labs laid off hundreds of immigrant employees who had worked during the pandemic to assemble rapid COVID-19 tests once demand for testing declined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Torres said he expects the federal crackdown on immigration under the Trump administration to make it more difficult to maintain support for immigrants on the state-level, though he urged lawmakers to view the cuts in Maine as the local issue it is. Its targeting people in our communities that have the least amount of assistance that they can receive thanks to federal regulations, and they provide quite a bit to the state, both in tax dollars and also in cultural enrichment and community support, Torres said. The federal restriction Torres is referring to is the wait time for work authorizations. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, asylum seekers currently have to wait 180 days after filing for asylum to obtain a work permit. Leaders of immigrant rights groups in Maine argue shortening the waiting period would help alleviate constraints in providing resources, such as housing to new arrivals, while also addressing the workforce shortage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maines congressional delegation has sponsored legislation to shorten the waiting period and plans to continue pushing for the change, though such legislation has so far failed to progress. Mental health When Mills first released her budget plan earlier this month, she said she focused on cuts to programs that hadnt taken effect yet to minimize disruptions. She repeated the line, I dont think government can, or should, be all things to all people at all times. In her supplemental budget last year, the governor signed into law funding to develop crisis receiving centers following the deadliest mass shooting in the states history in Lewiston. While Mills said this month that she wants such supports to be available, it is not financially feasible to build all of the centers she had hoped. Her proposal would cut funding for these centers in Kennebec and Aroostook counties but not for centers in Lewiston and Penobscot County. Another proposed cut is the 24 law enforcement liaisons included in her supplemental budget, which aimed to bridge the gap between behavioral health organizations and law enforcement agencies. Mills wrote in a document outlining her proposed cuts that the Legislature didnt provide the necessary funding to launch the program. Maine Peoples Alliance, the states largest progressive community action organization, will be opposing the cuts to mental health supports, said Nora Flaherty-Stanford, who is heading the organizations budget advocacy work this year. Why are people in a mental health crisis the people on whose back you want to balance your budget? Flaherty-Stanford said. Overall, Flaherty-Stanford said MPA believes the budget plan is short sighted and said the state should instead look for places to raise revenue. Advocates eye tax changes as alternative to cuts Formed in 2020 and launched in 2021, Mainers for Tax Fairness is preparing to continue its push to change the states tax code this legislative session. The coalition which includes MPA, Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition, Maine Equal Justice, Maine Center for Economic Policy and other organizations representing progressive interests across the state is finalizing the list of bills it will be backing this session. It has seen some success in the past, including with the passage of a law last session that now requires a report on the corporate income taxes paid by Maines largest employers every two years. Other initiatives have stalled, including a plan last year to tax wealthy Mainers at higher rates that was vetoed by Mills. Were considering more of the same, Tipping with MECEP said of the coalitions priorities, as well as making sure were also working on the other end of the fairness spectrum and making sure tax credits are working for people that need them most. Although Mills has emphasized that her budget does not include changes to sales or income tax, Tipping said he views the taxes Mills did include specifically her proposed phaseout of the states pension deduction for people who make more than $100,000 as an indication that she may be open to other tax changes. While not all legislation has been printed yet, the list of working bill titlesshows lawmakers will be attempting to change the states tax code in a number of ways. Rep. Pluecker Bill (I-Warren) is aiming to support the states agricultural economy by increasing revenue from the corporate income tax. Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook) is proposing an income tax credit for employer-supported child care. Others will be seeking to make it more difficult to make any tax changes, including Rep. Rachel Henderson (R-Rumford), who filed a bill to amend Maines constitution so a supermajority of the Legislature is required to approve raising taxes. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Major oil companies have made a disappointing decision to back away from their climate and green energy commitments, citing a desire for increased profits. What happened? Major European energy companies preferred to double down on oil and gas last year to focus on near-term profits, leaving their climate commitments behind, Reuters recently reported. Oil and gas export cuts following Russia's invasion of Ukraine have left countries scrambling to find alternative sources of energy. But in the face of high energy costs, governments around the world chose to slow the rollout of clean energy policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Geopolitical disruptions like the invasion of Ukraine have weakened CEO incentives to prioritise the low-carbon transition amid high oil prices and evolving investor expectations," Rohan Bowater, an analyst at Accela Research, told Reuters. European energy players like BP, Shell, and Equinor, which had planned to spend billions on renewable energies, found their share performance lagging that of U.S. rivals ExxonMobil and Chevron, which kept their focus on oil and gas, the news agency explained. As a result, the three oil giants decided to backtrack on deploying clean energies like wind and solar. Why is this concerning? At a time when a region of the world can suffer from scorching heat waves one day and be struck by flash floods the next, any recoil on reducing heat-trapping pollution is a chance to witness extreme weather events increase in frequency and intensity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier in January, the European Union's Earth observation program Copernicus confirmed that 2024 had been the warmest on record globally and the first calendar year to see the average temperature exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit). According to Bowater, cited by the news agency, BP, Shell, and Equinor reduced low-carbon spending by 8% in 2024. And the shift is likely to stick in 2025, as governments are still far from having their sights set on the changing climate. Case in point? The latest climate summit. Last November, COP29 gathered in Baku nearly 200 governments to negotiate ways to cap temperature rises; there were 200 governments and almost 1,800 fossil fuel lobbyists, as per research group Corporate Europe Observatory. What can be done? According to Reuters, Shell remains committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and investing in the energy transition. Equinor, on the other hand, said that it would continue to be "selective and disciplined" in its approach. BP did not answer the news agency. Will their pledges translate into actions? That remains to be seen. Between the faltering of the two largest economies in the 27-member bloc and the re-election of climate-skeptic Donald Trump, the $3 trillion energy sector could just as well bear the cost of political uncertainty possibly Europe's watchword this year. But if you're keen on knowing how to not fall into the greenwashing trap now, check TCD's guide right here. Reuters also pointed out potential pitfalls to the energy majors' renewed focus on oil and gas: not only demand growth in China, which is driving global prices, is slowing, but Opec+ nations have repeatedly delayed plans to unwind oil supply cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As analysts mentioned via Reuters, oil companies are also expected to face tighter financial constraints. 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. LOS ANGELES (KTLA) A 27-year-old man is facing multiple life sentences in state prison for a mass shooting near MacArthur Park earlier this month that left six people wounded, including the gunman. The Jan. 22 violence broke out at around 12:45 a.m. near the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and South Alvarado Street. According to a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson, the suspect, now identified as Jose Daniel Amaya, allegedly pulled out a .22 caliber handgun and opened fire, hitting four men and a woman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 27-year-old was also struck by gunfire, though, so far, authorities have not identified the person who returned fire. Police investigate after six people were struck by gunfire in the MacArthur Park area of Los Angeles on Jan. 22, 2025. (KTLA) Medical personnel with the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and rushed three of the victims to the hospital in stable condition. Three others, including the gunman, were also taken to the hospital in critical but stable condition. Unprepared Southern California motorists stranded on snowy mountain roads On Monday, L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced five counts of willful, deliberate and premeditated attempted murder charges against Amaya along with enhancements for using a firearm in the commission of the offenses and causing great bodily injury to the victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amaya, who has at least two prior felony convictions under Californias three strikes law, could face a maximum sentence of multiple life terms in prison if convicted as charged. Gun violence continues to be a devastating scourge in Los Angeles, and today my office has taken decisive action by filing five gun sentencing enhancements, one for each victim, Hochman said in a news release. These enhancements carry an additional penalty of 25 years to life in prison. This is a clear and unequivocal message: Gun violence will not be tolerated in Los Angeles County. The 27-year-old first appeared in court today where the DAs office requested he be held on an $8 million bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A man who police said broke into two local schools has been formally charged. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Noah Wolfe was indicted by a Montgomery County Grand Jury on charges of breaking and entering, safe cracking, misdemeanor theft, and vandalism. TRENDING STORIES: As News Center 7 previously reported, police believe Wolfe broke into the Brookville Board of Education building on Jan. 8th and Brookville High School on Jan. 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wolfe is in custody of the Montgomery County Jail. He is due next in court on Jan. 30. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] MEMPHIS, Tenn. Shelby County Sheriffs Office detectives have arrested a man connected to multiple home burglaries dating back to last December. Between December 21, 2024, and January 23, 2025, burglaries were taking place across southeast Shelby County. Following an investigation by the SCSO, detectives identified 38-year-old Ricky Pointer as the person allegedly responsible for these crimes. Ricky Pointer. (SCSO) On January 24, detectives with the support of the DeSoto County Sheriffs Office, Horn Lake Police Department and other law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant at a residence in the 5800 block of Waverly Drive in Horn Lake, Mississippi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the operation, authorities seized two vehicles, a GMC Acadia and a white Chrysler 300, both linked to the burglaries. Over a dozen cars broken into in Cooper-Young District Detectives also found numerous stolen firearms and other physical evidence tied to the crimes. On January 27, the SCSO Fugitive Apprehension Team, along with the SCSO detectives arrested Ricky Pointer without incident in the 4900 block of Rosefield Road in South Memphis. He was taken into custody on four outstanding warrants and charged with three counts of aggravated burglary. Detectives said he will face more charges from both the SCSO and DeSoto County Sheriffs Office as the investigation remains ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pointer also has additional warrants for evading law enforcement in DeSoto County and through the Collierville 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 WREG.com. BEDFORD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) A man who was charged with having child porn was a volunteer at multiple Central Pennsylvania school districts, officials confirmed. On Monday, Jan. 27, it was learned that Brett Leavelle, 27, volunteered with the Huntingdon Area School District when the school put out a statement about serious charges against him. Those charges were for child pornography, court dockets show. The school assured the community that Leavelle was never alone with any students and he was removed immediately when the school discovered the charges earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huntingdon School District volunteer found with 100+ child porn files, officials said The next day, Tuesday, Jan. 28, WTAJ was informed that Leavelle also volunteered at Tussey Mountain School District in Saxton. The school district released a similar statement to the community about the very serious charges. They said Leavelle was a graduate of the school district and volunteered in the district. Superintendent Dr. Jerry Shoemake said they are taking this very seriously and have taken steps to ensure there will be no contact between Leavelle and any students on any school district property. Shoemake continued by assuring parents that Leavelle was never left alone with students and was always accompanied by another adult. He also said the school district will fully cooperate with any law enforcement throughout this investigation. 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 music department is continuing to prepare for Lil Abner and the teachers continue to care for and teach music to their students, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leavelle was charged with child porn after an investigation revealed more than 100 images on his electronic devices. He claimed they were more than a decade ago when he was 15-16 years old, the criminal complaint showed. You can read more about Leavelles charges 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 WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. CHAMBERS COUNTY, Ala. A 29-year-old Chambers County man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder after being accused of violently shaking his 4-month-old daughter, causing significant head trauma. According to a complaint filed by investigators with the Chambers County Sheriffs Office, the baby appeared to be in her normal state of health until the morning of January 16, 2025, when she began vomiting and refusing her bottles. Over the next several days, her condition worsened, and on January 21, she became limp, prompting a 911 call. Medical evaluations revealed alleged evidence of both subacute and acute subdural hemorrhagesinjuries associated with acceleration and deceleration forces consistent with shaken baby syndrome. Additionally, extensive bilateral retinal hemorrhages were observed, further raising concerns of inflicted trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators allege the infant sustained two separate shaking incidents. The first reportedly occurred sometime between the evening of January 15 and the morning of January 16, when the childs mother returned home and found her unwell. The second incident is believed to have occurred shortly before the 911 call on January 21, as evidenced by the presence of acute blood on her head imaging. The investigation determined the baby had been in the sole care of her father, Joshua Denham, during the periods in question. Medical experts cited in the complaint stated it would take significant force, typically from an adolescent or adult, to inflict such injuries on an infant. The babys current medical condition has not been disclosed. Denham, who lists a Lineville, Alabama, address, has been charged with attempted murder and remains in custody as the investigation continues. The Chambers County District Attorneys Office has not yet announced whether additional charges will be filed. 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 WRBL. WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, Manhattan (PIX11) A homeless man admitted why he pushed a woman into a moving subway train in New York City on Monday. Markeese Brazelis, 26, is accused of pushing a 23-year-old woman into a moving A train at the 175th Street subway station in Washington Heights, Manhattan, around 9 a.m., according to the NYPD. The victim was on the northbound platform when Brazelis allegedly pushed her as the train entered the station, police said. The woman hit the train and fell backward onto the platform, according to sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman suffered bruising to her face, hands, knees, and shoulder, sources said. The victim told PIX11 News she was pushed out of nowhere. She said it was one of the worst days of her life. More Local News Witnesses photographed the suspect, and he was later taken into custody at the 181st Street station, police said. Brazelis was charged with assault and reckless endangerment, police said. Brazelis was surrounded by news reporters when he was escorted by NYPD officers and put in the back of a police vehicle Monday evening. When asked by PIX11 News why he would push someone into a moving train, Brazelis said he was hearing voices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brazelis has been arrested two times before, once charged with sexual abuse, court records show. Brazelis allegedly grabbed a womans buttocks on a C train, sources told PIX11 News. Brazelis was also charged with trespassing after allegedly walking on the subway tracks, sources said. Staring stranger repeatedly stabs man on NYC subway: sources Its beyond comprehension how this menace can be arrested two different times last week only to be turned loose to cause more mayhem. When will the courthouses get the message? This cant continue, MTA Chief Security Officer Michael Kemper said in a statement. To receive free mental health support and crisis counseling in New York City, you can call 988 or talk online at 988lifeline.org. 988 counselors are available 24/7. Behavioral health professionals can connect you to the services you need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. A man is in custody after climbing the Brent Spence Bridge after a police pursuit on Monday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Covington Police received information that a burglary suspect was traveling on Interstate 75 northbound near I-275, according to Covington Police. They added the vehicle was connected to a known home invasion burglary suspect. TRENDING STORIES: Officers attempted to stop the car, but it took off from officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect eventually lost control and crashed into two other cars on the lower deck of the Brent Spence Bridge. The suspect fled the scene of the accident on foot and attempted to carjack one of the vehicles he ran into. The suspect climbed over the side of the bridge and hid in the support beams underneath for several hours. Police were forced to shut down both northbound and southbound traffic on the bridge to safely facilitate the search for the suspect, said Covington Police Captain Justin Bradbury. Cincinnati Police assisted in the search for the suspect and several drones were deployed, as well as rescue boats, the police said. They found the suspect, who eventually surrendered and was taken into custody by Covington Police. The suspect, 38-year-old Joshua D. Baker, was arrested on two counts of fleeing, one count of wanton, one count of criminal mischief, one count of carjacking, and driving with a suspended license. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medics transported him to an area hospital before being lodged for detention. A female passenger was with Baker and was taken to an area hospital for minor injuries. We will update this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] ELKINS, W.Va. (WBOY) A man has been charged after a vehicle accident injured two Randolph County deputies earlier this month. James B. Scott According to a criminal complaint, on Jan. 19 at 4:10 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the area of U.S. Route 219 and Adolph Road for a two-vehicle accident involving a Randolph County Sheriffs Office cruiser and a pickup truck. When troopers with the West Virginia State Police arrived on the scene, they were told that the driver of the pickup truck appeared intoxicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver, identified as James B. Scott, appeared to have blood shot and watery eyes according to the complaint. Troopers administered Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, during which Scott showed signs of impairment and told the officer he had consumed around six Michelob Ultras. Man accused of stabbing victim with steak knife outside Buckhannon bar Troopers were granted a search warrant on Jan. 22 for Scotts medical records relating to the vehicle accident, which showed Scott had a blood alcohol count of .188 at the time of the collision. One of the injured deputies also allowed troopers to view his medical records, which showed that he had sustained a broken leg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott has been charged with DUI causing serious bodily injury. He is being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $15,000 cash-only bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) Jurors convicted Johnson City resident Rex Lewis for killing an acquaintance in a trial that concluded late Friday, nearly three years after he initially was charged with tampering with evidence related to the death. Vice President JD Vance speaks on Helene recovery in Damascus The jury convicted Lewis, 62, on one count of second-degree murder in the April 13, 2022 death of James Allen Watson. Watson was cut in several places and had head injuries when Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) officers responded to a call of a dead man at Woodstone Condominiums off East Oakland Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While speaking with emergency services, Mr. Lewis refused to provide aid to the victim, a news release from the First Judicial District Attorneys office stated. Johnson City police told News Channel 11 within a couple of days of the report that they were investigating the death as a homicide, but didnt name a suspect. By that time, Lewis had been charged with tampering with evidence, according to an affidavit. That document said Lewis was at the scene when JCPD officers arrived and that they concluded he had attempted to destroy and alter evidence, including moving a vehicle that could have provided crucial information. The affidavit said evidence also showed someone had tried to clean the death scene prior to their arrival, that Lewiss shoes and his thumbnail had blood on them and that he gave inconsistent statements when interviewed. The First District news release said officers searched a garage owned by Lewis and found the murder weapon hidden in a vehicle there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A grand jury initially indicted Lewis on the tampering with evidence charge in August 2022 before reindicting him in May 2023 and adding the second-degree murder charge. Assistant District Attorneys Scott Shults and Murphy Mullins served as prosecutors in the four-day trial. Second-degree murder is punishable by 15-25 years in prison at 100%, the DAs office said. Lewis also faces three to six years for a guilty plea to the evidence tampering charge. His sentencing is set for March 7. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 man who was struck by an impaired driver going 60 mph near St. Petersburgs Salvador Dali Museum last week has died of his injuries, police said Tuesday. Paul Thomas Miller, 37, was standing on the side of Dali Boulevard near Bayshore Drive Southeast about 8 p.m. Wednesday when police say he was struck by the driver of a Chrysler minivan. Miller was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was pronounced dead at 3:18 a.m. Tuesday at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver, Michael Aoun, 34, stayed on scene for the investigation and was later arrested on charges of driving under the influence causing serious injury and reckless driving causing bodily injury. Police said Tuesday that additional charges were pending after Millers death. Aoun was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on Thursday morning and released Monday morning after posting a $50,000 bond. Court records show he has pleaded not guilty through a public defender. In an update Feb. 24, police said Aoun was arrested in Michigan on a charge of violation of pretrial release. He was brought back to Pinellas County to face upgraded charges of vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter. Investigators determined Aoun, of Dearborn, Michigan, was driving at 60 mph in a 30-mph speed limit zone, according to an arrest report. Aoun lost control of the Chrysler as he approached Bayshore Drive Southeast, veering into two bicycle lines. He then hit the curb before striking a statue, a light pole and Miller, the report states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aoun blew a 0.00 on a Breathalyzer but failed a field sobriety test, according to the arrest report. Police noted he had bloodshot and watery eyes, was unsteady on his feet and mumbled incoherently. A police spokesperson said Tuesday that Miller lived in Pittsburgh and was visiting family. At the time of the crash, he was with his uncle, who was placing flags along Dali Boulevard. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) A man has died after a house fire Tuesday morning in Warren. Read next: Local man dies in Trumbull County head-on crash Crews were called to the 1700 block of Bonnie Brae Ave. NE in Warren around 7:15 a.m. Firefighters said that a man was found dead in the upstairs bedroom of the house where the fire started. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WKBN Breaking News Warren Fire Chief Ken Nussle says most of the fire was contained to the second floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a large volume of smoke coming from the second floor. Firefighters gained entry and conducted a primary search and were ventilating as they went, he said. He says there were three other adults in the home at the time who were all able to make it out unharmed. They didnt sustain any injuries of any significance, so nobody else went to the hospital, Nussle said. The State Fire Marshal was called to the scene to investigate the cause of the fire, which is still unknown. Brian Oehlbeck 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 WKBN.com. A Southern California man who lost his home in the wildfires proposed to his girlfriend in the wreckage of their residence after miraculously finding his engagement ring. Brian McShea wasnt home at the time he and his girlfriend, Stephanie Raynor, were ordered to evacuate their home in Altadena because of the Eaton fire, he told KABC. Raynor was home and rescued their pets but didnt have time to take anything else, according to a GoFundMe page for the couple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After several days away as the Eaton fire ravaged Altadena and neighboring communities, McShea and Raynor returned to find their home completely destroyed. But McShea didnt give up hope, knowing hed stashed an engagement ring in a desk drawer. I was like, Were going to look over here where my desk is,' McShea told KABC. I did not tell her why. I dont know what (she) thought we were looking for because it was pretty obvious that a lot of my stuff was gone. After a couple moments of false hope, McShea located the ring, which was intact, having somehow survived the blaze. You pick it up, and theres a little diamond. I was on my knees and I was like, Hey, will you marry me? he told KABC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And I was crying, Raynor added. The two shared the moment on Instagram, and their friends started the GoFundMe for the fire recovery, not the wedding. The Eaton fire and other blazes around Southern California killed 28 people and damaged more than 16,000 structures across multiple weeks. _____ Health officials on Tuesday asked the public for help identifying a patient admitted to a Los Angeles hospital more than three weeks ago. The unidentified man was brought to Los Angeles General Medical Center on Jan. 4 after being found wandering in Alhambra, the L.A. County Department of Health Services stated. Los Angeles General Medical Center is reaching out to the public in hopes of identifying a patient. (L.A. County Department of Health Services) Attempts by the hospital to locate family or friends who know the patient have been unsuccessful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The patient was described as a male, about 70 years old with brown eyes and an average build. He is approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 144 pounds. Anyone with information about the patients identity was asked to contact Clinical Social Worker Dayanira Diaz at 323-409-8716 or the L.A. General Medical Center Department of Social Work at 323-409-5253. After-hours inquiries can be made with the Department of Emergency Medicine, Social Work Department at 323-409-6883. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. For years, Allen Brooks promised his mother Sarah Pearl Brooks he would finish college. In December 2024, the 60-year-old made his late mother's wish come true when he graduated from Alabama A&M University with a bachelor's degree in liberal studies with a concentration in business management. "It was tough. The classes [were] tough. I was still working eight hours a day and going to school, but it was worth it," the Brewton, Alabama, native told "Good Morning America." PHOTO: Allen Brooks, 60, graduated college in December 2024, fulfilling a promise he made to his late mom Sarah Pearl Brooks to finish his studies. (Brionna Washington) Brooks' daughter Brionna Washington shared an emotional TikTok video capturing the special moment Brooks walked across the stage to collect his long-awaited degree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The video clip quickly went viral with over 50 million views and tens of thousands of TikTok users sharing their congratulations, some saying how inspired they were by Brooks' achievement. "This is exactly what I needed to see today I needed some inspiration to finish what I started because it's easy to feel discouraged when you feel like you're behind," wrote one commenter. PHOTO: Allen Brooks, center, with his late mom Sarah Pearl Brooks and daughter Brionna Washington. (Brionna Washington) Brooks first enrolled at Alabama A&M in 1982 on a partial band scholarship, but he never completed his studies and left in 1986. Great-grandma of 15 graduates college at 90: 'It's like being in a dream' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was only committed to the band and I allowed myself to to make bad grades here and bad grades there," Brooks recalled. "But then after awhile, I got to a point to where I had to leave school. Things [came] up and then I had to get a real job to support myself." Over the years, Brooks went on with his life and started a family of his own, but his mother would always encourage him to consider finishing school. "Years later, my mom, she always would say to me, 'I wish you would go back to school one day.' And I said, 'Mom, one day, I'm going to do it,'" Brooks recounted. PHOTO: Allen Brooks with his late mother Sarah Pearl Brooks, who died in June 2024. (Brionna Washington) So in 2020, Brooks enrolled at Alabama A&M again and started taking classes while working full time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 105-year-old walks at graduation to receive master's degree from Stanford Brooks said it wasn't easy, but along the way, his family, particularly his mom, gave him the support he needed. PHOTO: Allen Brooks, 60, graduated college in December 2024, fulfilling a promise he made to his late mom Sarah Pearl Brooks to finish his studies. (Brionna Washington) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When I would get to a point in my study to where I would be like, 'Oh man, I'm getting fogged up studying for this exam,' I would turn around and call [my mom] I would just talk to her, and [when I] get off the phone, things would start clicking," he recalled. "I say she was with me every step of the way." Last July, months before Brooks was set to graduate, his mom died. "When that happened, part of me was like, I was doing this for her, but I switched gears and said, 'Mom is still with me. There's no way I'm going to stop,'" he said, adding that she left him "right there to just cross the finish line." Brooks said he is grateful he was able to finish his degree and hopes his story can help others realize their own dreams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Whatever you're trying to get to make yourself better, you're going to be faced with some type of adversity, some type of problem, but you gotta just find it within yourself [to] just keep on going," Brooks said. "The key is to never stop and even if you do stop, you can always pick back up where you left off." Man fulfills late mom's wish and graduates college at 60 originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) He refused to go away. Jaime Davila-Contreras knocked for 45 minutes at a former co-workers home in east Bakersfield, demanding to see the familys disabled teen daughter. They refused to let him in. He finally kicked down the door and entered, armed with a shovel, according to a release from the District Attorneys Office. The former co-worker disarmed him. Davila-Contreras punched him in the face, prosecutors say, but he managed to push him out the door where other people helped detain him until law enforcement arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Davila-Contreras, 51, was found guilty of assault, burglary and vandalism charges. He faces up to 10 years and eight months in prison at next months sentencing hearing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The man accused of orchestrating the murder of Tupac Shakur faces a new charge after allegedly fighting with another inmate, documents said. Duane Keffe D Davis, 61, was charged Sunday with battery by a prisoner for an incident inside the Clark County Detention Center. A still image from surveillance footage from the fight involving Duane Keffe D Davis. (LVMPD/KLAS) Documents obtained Tuesday reveal Davis allegedly fought with another inmate where both [engaged] in mutual combat by grappling and throwing closed fist strikes, documents said. Davis allegedly grabbed the other inmate in a headlock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A corrections officer sprayed both men with pepper spray until they could be separated, documents said. The second inmate, who is 53, is in custody on a murder charge, records said. A still image from surveillance footage from the fight involving Duane Keffe D Davis. (LVMPD/KLAS) Davis stated he was just standing his ground, officers said. The arrest report gives a date of Dec. 23, 2024, but the number assigned to the incident indicates the fight happened on Jan. 23. Duane Keffe D Davis appears in court for a hearing on a motion to dismiss charges for his involvement in the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Pool Photo via AP) In court Tuesday, Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Harmony Letizia affirmed Davis $50,000 and ordered him to return to court on Feb. 11. Davis has remained in custody since his arrest in September 2023. He 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis trial was scheduled to begin in March. The judge in the case 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. A New Jersey man pleaded guilty today to a federal conspiracy charge for his involvement in online groups dedicated to animal torture videos. Giancarlo Morelli admitted in court documents to conspiring with others to create and distribute videos depicting acts of sadistic violence against baby and adult monkeys, according to a Department of Justice news release. Morelli and his co-conspirator, Nicholas Dryden, of Cincinnati, used encrypted chat applications to direct money to individuals in Indonesia willing to commit the requested acts of torture on camera, the release says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dryden has not submitted a plea yet, court documents show, but his lawyers were granted until March to submit one. The "animal crush videos," as authorities have referred to them in the past, included depictions of monkeys having their genitals burned and cut off, the release adds. When charges were announced in 2023, prosecutors said Morelli funneled money through Dryden, who then paid a minor in Indonesia to commit the requested acts on camera. Morelli's conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and FBI investigated the case. Prosecuting the case are Senior Trial Attorney Adam C. Cullman of the Justice Departments Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Oakley for the Southern District of Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May 2024, a Licking County, Ohio man pleaded guilty to similar federal charges involving animal crush videos. Ronald Bedra, of Etna, was accused of conspiring with others to create videos that showed monkeys being tortured, including having parts of their body severed and being sexually abused. He and other members of the group had also paid people in Indonesia to record the acts on camera, court records say. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Man pleads to conspiring to produce videos of monkeys being tortured A man arrested more than five years ago in the killing of a USC music student pleaded no-contest to first-degree murder charges Monday. Ivan Hernandez, 29, was charged with killing 21-year-old Victor McElhaney during an attempted robbery in March 2019, about a mile from the USC campus. Hernandez, who was described at the time of his arrest as an active gang member, shot McElhaney on March 10, 2019, as he attempted to rob the college senior and his friends at a strip mall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McElhaney was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment but later died from his wounds. The son of an Oakland city councilmember, McElhaney was studying jazz at USCs Thornton School of Music when he was killed, leading to several packed memorial services and desperate calls from loved ones for the shooter to turn himself in. Victor McElhaney (right) Celebrating his 21st Birthday with his mom Councilmember Lynette McElhaney (center) and father Clarence McElhaney (left) at Lucas Taproom in Oakland. (Credit: City of Oakland) Hernandez was eventually arrested in June 2019 and has remained in custody since. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman described McElhaney as a promising young student, a talented drummer and an active member of the universitys Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Victors] life was cut short by an act of pure violence, Hochman said in a news release Monday, adding that the no-contest plea will ensure his killer will face the consequences of his actions. Hernandez, who also admitted to using a gun in the crime, is expected to be sentenced in April. Hochman said his office would seek a sentence of 35 years to life 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 KTLA. Jan. 28OREGON A man accused of cutting a woman with a knife and hitting another in the parking lot of a Rochelle business will appear in Ogle County court again Feb. 6. Daniel Garcia-Aguado, 31, of Cicero, is charged with three felony counts of aggravated battery and one count of resisting a police officer following the incident that police say happened on the evening of Sunday, Jan. 19. According to court records, Garcia-Aguado used a deadly weapon a knife when he cut a woman and then struck her during an altercation in the parking lot of Benny's Corner Market, 601 E. Flagg Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia-Aguado is also charged with resisting a Rochelle police officer when he "physically struggled" with the officer while he was trying to take him into custody, causing an injury to the officer's shoulder. Garcia-Aguado pleaded not guilty to all the charges when he appeared in court with his attorney, Assistant Ogle County Public Defender Eric Morrow, on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Judge Anthony Peska set Garcia-Aguado's next hearing for 1:30 p.m. Feb. 6 and remanded him to the Ogle County Jail after continuing Judge Clayton Lindsay's order to detain him as his case proceeds through the court system. During Garcia-Aguado's Jan. 21 detention hearing, Assistant State's Attorney Heather Kruse said Garcia-Aguado was having an argument with his girlfriend when a clerk came to her aid and was cut with a knife after Garcia-Aguado grabbed and struck her. He is charged with striking both women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kruse said Garcia-Aguado was currently on probation in Cook County and had another pending case in DuPage County. She said Garcia-Aguado had just been sentenced Jan. 2 in Cook County to probation on a domestic battery charge. "We do believe he is a real threat," said Kruse. "He is high risk, he has a long history of criminal offenses. He is dangerous." Assistant Public Defender Michael O'Brien argued that Garcia-Aguado could be released with conditions such as wearing an electronic monitoring device. "There is no evidence of him brandishing a weapon," argued O'Brien. "There should be a presumption of innocence." O'Brien also argued that Garcia-Aguado's girlfriend had "instigated the confrontation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There are lot of unknowns," argued O'Brien. Judge Lindsay disagreed, ruling there was a risk to both alleged victims if Garcia-Aguado were to be released and adding that there were a number of other domestic violence charges in Garcia-Aguado's past. "Not even a month after his sentencing in Cook County and he has already been accused of committing this," said Lindsay. "Clearly the defendant has no desire to follow court orders. There are no conditions that could be imposed." Detention hearings are part of the relatively new pretrial release directive in which judges decide whether a defendant should be held in custody rather than setting a bond for release. Criteria used by judges to make that decision include the nature of the alleged offenses, whether the defendant's release would present a "clear and present danger" to the community or individuals, and whether the defendant is considered to be a "flight risk" and likely not appear again for scheduled court cases. A couple in Altadena, California, found a shining silver lining in the devastation left by the Los Angeles wildfires. Brian McShea proposed to Stephanie Raynor after finding the engagement ring he had bought prior to the fire in the rubble of their home. Family who lost 9 homes in Eaton Fire vows to rebuild McShea and Raynor told KABC that they had been in their home for less than a year before they were forced to evacuate on Jan. 7 when wildfires tore through Los Angeles, destroying thousands of structures, including their home. PHOTO: Brian McShea proposed to Stephanie Raynor after recovering a previously purchased engagement ring in the rubble of their home which burned down in the LA wildfire. (KABC) The Eaton Fire, which began on Jan. 7 and burned through Altadena, claimed at least 17 lives, destroyed or damaged more than 10,000 structures and has burned over 14,000 acres. As of Jan. 27, the fire was still classified as active, though it is currently listed as 99% contained on the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As soon as we walked up, it really hit us," Raynor recalled of seeing their home after the couple returned to search through rubble for any recoverable items. McShea and Raynor told KABC they lost everything besides their pets. However, McShea said he had considered the idea that part of the ring might have been spared. "I was thinking about it -- I was thinking, 'Well, maybe the stone should survive, and maybe we'll find the little stone.'" The couple said they began by digging around the area of the desk frame where McShea had been keeping the ring. McShea described a few false alarms. "You'd just brush away some rubble, and there's a little ring, and you'd pick that up, and it's actually a washer to something," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McShea said he didn't know what Raynor thought he was looking for. PHOTO: Brian McShea proposed to Stephanie Raynor after recovering a previously purchased engagement ring in the rubble of their home which burned down in the LA wildfire. (KABC) Finally, McShea said he found the ring intact. A photo shows the ring sparkling in the sunlight after surviving the fire. Already on one knee, McShea said he decided to spring the question immediately. "I was on my knees, and I was like, 'Hey, will you marry me?'" McShea recounted. He said he was wearing personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as PPE, when he popped the question. PHOTO: Brian McShea proposed to Stephanie Raynor after recovering a previously purchased engagement ring in the rubble of their home which burned down in the LA wildfire. (KABC) "And I'm crying," added Raynor who said she accepted the proposal. 'We are so blessed': Family of 17 happy to be alive despite losing 4 homes in California fires Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to KABC, the couple hopes to stay in Altadena, despite the damage. "This community is just so special," said McShea. Man proposes to girlfriend after recovering engagement ring in LA wildfire rubble originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com DAKOTA CITY, Neb. (KCAU) A man who was shot by South Sioux City police during a pursuit in a stolen rental truck last year will serve time in prison. According to court documents, Brian Church, 48, entered a plea agreement for one count of theft by receiving stolen property and one count of operation of a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, both felonies. He is set to serve 14-15 months in prison, with credit given for 240 days already served. Brian Church (Courtesy: South Sioux City Police Department) Sioux City mental health counselor pleads guilty to theft Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An additional count of attempted assault on an officer using a motor vehicle, also a felony, was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. In May 2024, Church and Gwenn Homan, 47, were arrested in connection to a pursuit in a Budget Car Rental truck stolen out of Kansas. The two were first spotted in the stolen Budget Rental truck in South Sioux City. Church, who was originally sitting in the passenger seat and moved into the drivers seat, reportedly drove the vehicle toward a police officer, which led to an officer-involved shooting in the area of 800 Dakota Avenue. After the shot was fired, the truck hit a parked car and took off, leading to the pursuit that went into Iowa and South Dakota. The vehicle stopped near Elk Point after the vehicle had its tires popped by stop sticks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After officials successfully took Church into custody, officials found out that he had been hit by the gunshot that was fired in South Sioux City. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries before being charged. Gwenn Homan (Courtesy: South Sioux City Police Department) South Dakota man charged with DWI after crash flipped car Homan, who had been driving the vehicle before Church, was arrested and charged with theft by receiving stolen property totaling more than $5,000. In July 2024, she was sentenced instead on one count of attempted theft by receiving stolen property. Homan was given a 60-day prison sentence and is currently on probation. A show cause hearing in Churchs case is still scheduled for Jan. 21, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gage Teunissen 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Jan. 27princeton A Mercer County man is facing three to 30 years in prison after being sentenced Monday for stealing power from AEP for more than four years. Jesse Ray Counts, 39, of Princeton was sentenced to a term of three to 30 years in prison on two counts of grand larceny and one count of felony destruction of property, according to Mercer County Prosecuting Attorney Brian K. Cochran. Counts was indicted in February 2024 by the Mercer County Grand Jury and pleaded guilty in the Mercer County Circuit Court on Nov. 20, 2024, Cochran said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cochran said that Judge Mark Wills handed down the maximum prison sentence on Monday. Counts had been stealing power from AEP for over four years and destroyed the power company's property while doing so, Cochran said. "Mr. Counts has been stealing from the power company for years and has a history with at least one other local utility company, so I agree with Judge Wills in taking this case as serious as he took it because Counts' actions have an effect on all of us who have to pay the utility companies for the services they provide," he said. "When people steal from our local utility companies, it ultimately affects us all." Cochran praised the West Virginia State Police for its thorough investigation and commended his office's staff in the prosecution of Counts. Counts was also ordered to pay over $19,000 in restitution. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com DENVER (KDVR) The man Arvada police officers shot early Sunday morning after they say he shot at them from a stolen car has died. The Arvada Police Department identified the man as Phou Thone Onemanivong, 42. The shooting happened Sunday at about 3:40 a.m. in the alley a block west of Kipling Parkway between West 58th Place and West 59th Avenue. Previous coverage: 1 shot after reported gunfire exchange involving stolen car suspect, Arvada police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police found the stolen vehicle in the alley, and Onemanivong got into the vehicle before shooting at officers, according to the police department at the time. Arvada officers returned gunfire and hit the man, who was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said. The police department said Onemanivong died at the hospital later Sunday afternoon. He had a felony warrant for his arrest and a lengthy criminal history, according to the police department. Three Arvada police officers were placed on leave following the shooting, and the Jefferson County Critical Incident Response Team is still investigating the shooting. 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. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Jackson Police arrested a 43-year-old man for stabbing a security guard at a bank with an engraving pen. Officers responded to the Flagstar Bank on W. Michigan Ave. in Jackson shortly after 5 p.m. Investigators say the bank was closed and the suspect was blocking the door as employees tried to leave for the day. The suspect then tried to enter the bank, leading to a fight between the suspect and the security guard. Officers say the suspect stabbed the security guard on the left side of his face with a pen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers arrived on the scene, the suspect was still there, holding the pen in his hand. He then ran away on foot but was caught and taken into custody. The suspect was taken to the Jackson County Jail for assault with a deadly weapon and resisting and obstructing. Note: This story has been edited to make the events more clear. A previous version misstated who was blocking the door. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Traffic across the Brent Spence Bridge came to a halt for hours Monday night as police worked to free a man who wedged himself underneath the bridge after fleeing during a police pursuit. Covington Police were chasing the man, believed to be connected to a home invasion burglary this past week, until he crashed his car on the bridge, department spokesman Justin Bradbury said. He took off on foot and climbed under the bridge, getting stuck in an awkward position where he didn't "feel safe moving" from under the bridge, Bradbury said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police went under the bridge and were able to free the man. Here's what we know. What caused the Brent Spence Bridge to close on Monday? Shortly before 4 p.m., Covington Police learned a car connected to a recent home invasion burglary was driving north on Interstate 71/75 approaching Interstate 275, according to a department news release. A pursuit began as the driver later identified as Joshua Baker fled from officers north and across the Brent Spence Bridge. Police said he lost control and crashed into two other cars. Baker then got out of the car and fled on foot, attempting to carjack one of the two cars he ran into. As police closed in on him, Baker climbed over the side of the bridge and hid in the support beams underneath for several hours, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once police found Baker, he surrendered but told them he was in an awkward position where he didn't "feel safe moving" from under the bridge, Bradbury said. Emergency personnel help a suspect climb down a ladder after he was wedged under the Brent Spence Bridge after he crashed his car on the bridge during a police pursuit and took off on foot on Monday. How long was the Brent Spence Bridge closed? Traffic was at a standstill for roughly four hours Monday night. Baker crashed his car around 4:30 p.m. on the northbound lower level of the bridge and fled on foot, causing police to close all northbound lanes as they searched for him. As the search continued, police closed all bridge lanes until it reopened at roughly 8:20 p.m. Going northbound, cars were backed up on I-71/75 at times to the Interstate 275 interchange in Kentucky. Southbound, cars were backed up to the Western Hills Viaduct in Cincinnati. Who was the man arrested for climbing on the Brent Spence Bridge? Joshua Baker, 38, of Cincinnati, faces two counts of fleeing and one count each of wanton, criminal mischief, carjacking and driving on a suspended license. He also had outstanding warrants in Kentucky: one count of felony criminal mischief, one count of persistent felony offender and two misdemeanor traffic warrants, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baker was taken to St. Elizabeth Covington Hospital to be treated for exposure to the cold before being booked at the Kenton County jail. After appearing in court Tuesday morning, Baker remains in jail on a $100,000 bond. Police have not charged Baker with the home invasion they say the car he was driving was connected to. Their investigation is ongoing, they said. Was anyone hurt in the Monday night incident on the bridge? Police said Baker lost control and crashed into two other cars on the lower deck of the bridge. A woman who was riding in the car with Baker was taken to the hospital by ambulance to be treated for minor injuries. The drivers of the two cars that were hit did not need medical attention, police said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Watch: Brent Spence Bridge closure, man stuck after pursuit arrested PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) The South Carolina Highway Patrol is asking for help locating a suspect in a hit-and-run collision. According to highway patrol, troopers are searching for Herman Junior Smith in reference to a wreck that happened on Monday at 1151 N Old Pendleton Road in Pickens County. Smith is described as a black male with brown eyes and a mustache. Smith is believed to be driving a black Volkswagen Touareg SUV with license plate QNU 547. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information on the location of Smith is asked to call highway patrol at 864-241-1000 or 1-800-768-1501. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA) Manatee commissioners are set to discuss health concerns associated with fluoride in drinking water, on Tuesday. The states surgeon general recently called for an end to the longstanding practice. He said, It is public health malpractice with the information we have now to continue adding fluoride to community water systems in Florida. Fluoride is an ion that is naturally present in groundwater, salt, and freshwater. The process of fluoridation adds the ion to drinking water in an effort to prevent tooth decay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the surgeon general issued his guidance last year 9 cities in Florida have stopped fluoridation. Winter Haven voted to stop the process. Ending the practice is under consideration in Lakeland. Leaders with the American Dental Association call the guidance dangerous and misinformed. They point out, that Florida has one of the highest dental access shortages in the nation. According to the ADA, 65 of the states 67 counties dont have enough dental providers. According to the agenda, Manatee commissioners will not take a vote or make a final decision about fluoride in the countys drinking water, on Tuesday. Theyll discuss the topic during their meeting at 9 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 WFLA. CHILTON COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) Chilton County deputies are seeking two suspects following a shooting Tuesday. According to the Chilton County Sherrifs Office, the shooting happened around 10:30 a.m. in the 2000 block of County Road 61. The male victim was transported to a hospital with not life-threatening injuries. The Chilton County Sheriffs Office spent hours Tuesday searching for the two men they believe to be responsible. Deputies first set up a perimeter around the area of the shooting and used K-9s to search but were unsuccessful. Around 2 p.m., the sheriffs office received a tip the suspects were spotted running out of the woods on County Road 182 near State Route 145. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About the time [the first search] was coming to a conclusion, we got a call here where two guys come out of the woods while a woman that was stopped tried to load some trash back on her vehicle, so now were back hopefully on a trail here, Chilton County Sheriff John Shearon said during the second search. Police find body of man believed to have been dead for several months following standoff in Shelby County The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Clanton Police Department assisted in the search on County Road 182. A helicopter circled the area, and the K-9s once again tried to find a trail. Shearon said the search did not locate any tracks or people and was called off. According to the sheriffs office, this shooting was an isolated incident, but its still unsure of the connection between the suspects and the man shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just be aware. Were not really sure who were looking for yet, so just if you see somebody out there that looks suspicious, stay inside and call 911. Dont try to approach them on your own. Just let us handle it, Shearon said. We dont know if these people are armed with anything, so just take it as they are. Maybe just lock your doors. Just be aware. If you see anybody running, or you see anything out of the ordinary, just call 911 and let us know immediately. At times, were getting phone calls 10-15 minutes after the fact, and we need those phone calls immediately. 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 CBS 42. MILLERTON, Pa. (WETM) A Mansfield man is facing charges after police say he was found with a car that had been stolen from a dealership the night before. Dylan Kellar, 26, was arrested on Jan. 28 following a police investigation into a tip about a stolen 2016 white Mercedes-Benz sedan. Mansfield Motors shared on Facebook that the car was stolen from the dealership between 8:20 p.m. and 8:40 p.m. on Jan. 27 and asked the public to be on the lookout for it. The Pennsylvania State Police reported that troopers went to First Citizens Bank on Route 328 in Wells Township at about 9:30 a.m. to investigate the tip. Police say the car was in the banks parking lot, and Kellar was driving it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gillett man gets jail time for trying to steal guns Kellar was charged with receiving stolen property (a third-degree felony), receiving stolen property (a first-degree misdemeanor), driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked (a third-degree misdemeanor), and displaying plate card in improper vehicle (a summary offense). After he was arrested, Kellar was taken to the Bradford County Prison. He is currently being held at the jail on $200,000 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. Workers clear a homeless encampment site in Chicagos Humboldt Park in December 2024. As in other states, many cities in Illinois have passed or expanded bans on camping in public places following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images.) Since the U.S. Supreme Courts City of Grants Pass v. Johnson ruling last June allowing localities to ban outdoor camping even if there is no homeless shelter space available, roughly 150 cities in 32 states have passed or strengthened such ordinances. Another 40 or so local bans are pending, according to data sent to Stateline by the National Homelessness Law Center. The measures vary in detail, but they typically include prohibitions on camping, sleeping or storing property on public land. Many also include buffer zones near schools, parks or businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bans often allow for steep fines and jail time. In Indio, California, for example, people caught camping illegally could face a penalty of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. The ordinance in Fresno, California, bans sitting, lying, sleeping or camping on public property anytime, anywhere, with a penalty of up to a year in jail. Elmira, New York, includes sleeping in vehicles in its camping ban. Housing advocates and experts anticipate the surge in camping bans to continue in 2025. Supporters of the bans argue that homeless encampments endanger nearby residents and businesses. Critics say the prohibitions will just criminalize visible street homelessness and move it somewhere else. The idea behind anti-camping laws is to make homelessness so uncomfortable that people wont want to experience it. But homelessness is already incredibly uncomfortable, especially during disasters, said Samantha Batko, a senior fellow in the Housing and Communities Division at the Urban Institute. Criminalizing homelessness doesnt solve the problem it just punishes people, makes it harder for them to find housing or jobs, and keeps them stuck in a cycle of instability. California has the highest number of camping bans, with more than 40 ordinances either passed or introduced since July. It also has about 30% of the nations homeless individuals, followed by New York, Florida and Washington state, according to a U.S. Housing and Urban Development report to Congress in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California Democratic Gov. Newsom invested heavily in encampment clearance and housing, allocating $131 million to municipalities after the Grants Pass ruling. He also issued an executive order to cities to urgently address homeless encampments. Elizabeth Funk, CEO of DignityMoves, a nonprofit that is helping California cities address unsheltered homelessness, anticipates a rise in anti-camping policies in 2025. Still, she said, the Grants Pass ruling could require cities to build more temporary shelters. "It really is a policy decision, and we have chosen that the only valid use of taxpayer money is permanent housing. But the reality is ... we cant build our way out of this at a million dollars per unit, said Funk. "Grants Pass removes the excuse that cities cant act. Unsheltered homelessness is solvable it starts with providing a roof. What do we do? Floridas updated law, passed last year, requires counties and municipalities to ban sleeping or camping in public spaces such as parks, sidewalks and the states many beaches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many local governments scrambled to put local ordinances in place to comply with the law. And as of Jan. 1, residents and business owners have the right to sue municipalities if local efforts to address homelessness are deemed insufficient. The state has around 31,000 homeless residents. Gainesville, Florida, Mayor Harvey Ward said the states requirements havent dramatically changed the citys response to homelessness. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Gainesville city officials noted philosophical disagreements with the state when they passed an anti-camping ordinance in December to avoid any potential legal action for noncompliance. The ordinance carries no jail time but includes a fine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ward said in an interview that hes seen a major decrease in visible chronic homelessness in the citys community plaza from a decade ago, a shift he attributes to the opening of more shelter spaces over the years. The good news is we dont have 100 people a night sleeping on the community plaza anymore. I can see progress. Im just not sure how to make that sort of leap in progress again, said Ward, who is a registered Democrat, though the mayoral position is nonpartisan. He said the states ban mandate also complicates how Gainesville and other cities respond to chronic street homelessness, especially given Floridas bottom-tier spending on mental health services. The idea that the problem is such a small number of people fewer than 1,000 chronic homeless folks in any year and no matter how much we spend on it, were not spending enough to actually fix it, is very frustrating, Ward said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve plateaued. There are folks who, for whatever reason, either cant be admitted to a shelter because of past issues or refuse to go. But theyre not doing anything illegal, so what do we do? How do we help someone who refuses services and isnt breaking the law? No one chooses to sleep outside The rise in anti-camping ordinances after the Grants Pass ruling was a predictable outcome, even in cities that have no other options for people who dont have homes, said Jesse Rabinowitz, campaign and communications director at the National Homelessness Law Center. A large misconception is that people choose to experience homelessness. But no one chooses to sleep outside. People are forced into homelessness because elected officials fail to ensure safe and affordable housing, said Rabinowitz. The Grants Pass approach making cities inhospitable to force people to leave has been tried before. Its expensive, ineffective, and only prolongs homelessness. Yet the approach is quickly gaining ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November, Arizona voters approved a ballot measure allowing property owners to apply for reimbursements for public nuisance expenses when the government fails to enforce laws related to camping and loitering. A Republican-led bill in Washington state where six municipalities have passed or strengthened anti-camping ordinances since the Grants Pass ruling would require most local governments to ban encampments near schools and parks by May of 2027. It would offer grants for encampment sweeps, but also would pull funding from localities that dont enforce the ban. The bill remains in committee. Among the states cities with a ban in place is Spokane Valley, which updated its ordinance last fall. The updates include upgrading the violation of being in a city park after dark from a civil infraction to a misdemeanor, and changing the definition of camping to include sleeping overnight with or without camping gear. Little has changed with enforcement in the interim months, wrote city spokesperson Jill Smith in an email to Stateline. The city also has several employees dedicated to connecting unhoused residents with services, she said, and it added a second outreach police officer in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Devon Kurtz, the public safety policy director at the Cicero Institute, a conservative think tank, argues that camping bans are necessary to address unsafe encampments and unsheltered homelessness, and that they can be part of a system that helps reluctant individuals receive help. In a recently published interview with the Philanthropy Roundtable, which advises conservative philanthropists, Kurtz warned that "homeless encampments are toxic environments filled with waste and trash, and are often hotbeds of crime." Advocates in many states are pushing back. After a successful petitioning effort by local residents, the city of Morgantown, West Virginia, will allow voters to decide in April whether to overturn a new camping ban passed last fall. As of November, the city had 28 shelter beds to serve an estimated homeless population of 150. Do they work? A 2024 RAND study found that policy changes such as encampment sweeps and camping bans in three Los Angeles neighborhoods temporarily reduced visible homelessness, but within months the unsheltered populations rose slightly in two of the communities and doubled in the third. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The survey found chronic mental and physical health issues and substance use disorders affecting more than half of respondents, with Skid Row residents being the oldest and least healthy. Experts also argue that these laws are ineffective and costly, with a 2020 federal report finding sweeps in four cities cost $1,672 to $6,208 per unsheltered person annually. Jeremy Ney, a data researcher who publishes the American Inequality newsletter, said that while a lack of affordable housing is a root cause of rising homelessness, responses to homelessness need to accompany policies that address other chronic barriers to stability. Housing alone is not enough. We also need employment, mental health, addiction and social service support systems that can ensure people stay in those homes, Ney said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Workers clear a homeless encampment site in Chicagos Humboldt Park in December 2024. As in other states, many cities in Illinois have passed or expanded bans on camping in public places following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Since the U.S. Supreme Courts City of Grants Pass v. Johnson ruling last June allowing localities to ban outdoor camping even if there is no homeless shelter space available, roughly 150 cities in 32 states have passed or strengthened such ordinances. Another 40 or so local bans are pending, according to data sent to Stateline by the National Homelessness Law Center. The measures vary in detail, but they typically include prohibitions on camping, sleeping or storing property on public land. Many also include buffer zones near schools, parks or businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bans often allow for steep fines and jail time. In Indio, California, for example, people caught camping illegally could face a penalty of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. The ordinance in Fresno, California, bans sitting, lying, sleeping or camping on public property anytime, anywhere, with a penalty of up to a year in jail. Elmira, New York, includes sleeping in vehicles in its camping ban. Housing advocates and experts anticipate the surge in camping bans to continue in 2025. Supporters of the bans argue that homeless encampments endanger nearby residents and businesses. Critics say the prohibitions will just criminalize visible street homelessness and move it somewhere else. The idea behind anti-camping laws is to make homelessness so uncomfortable that people wont want to experience it. But homelessness is already incredibly uncomfortable, especially during disasters, said Samantha Batko, a senior fellow in the Housing and Communities Division at the Urban Institute. Criminalizing homelessness doesnt solve the problem it just punishes people, makes it harder for them to find housing or jobs, and keeps them stuck in a cycle of instability. California has the highest number of camping bans, with more than 40 ordinances either passed or introduced since July. It also has about 30% of the nations homeless individuals, followed by New York, Florida and Washington state, according to a U.S. Housing and Urban Development report to Congress in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California Democratic Gov. Newsom invested heavily in encampment clearance and housing, allocating $131 million to municipalities after the Grants Pass ruling. He also issued an executive order to cities to urgently address homeless encampments. Elizabeth Funk, CEO of DignityMoves, a nonprofit that is helping California cities address unsheltered homelessness, anticipates a rise in anti-camping policies in 2025. Still, she said, the Grants Pass ruling could require cities to build more temporary shelters. It really is a policy decision, and we have chosen that the only valid use of taxpayer money is permanent housing. But the reality is we cant build our way out of this at a million dollars per unit, said Funk. Grants Pass removes the excuse that cities cant act. Unsheltered homelessness is solvable it starts with providing a roof. What do we do? Floridas updated law, passed last year, requires counties and municipalities to ban sleeping or camping in public spaces such as parks, sidewalks and the states many beaches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many local governments scrambled to put local ordinances in place to comply with the law. And as of Jan. 1, residents and business owners have the right to sue municipalities if local efforts to address homelessness are deemed insufficient. The state has around 31,000 homeless residents. The idea that the problem is such a small number of people ... and no matter how much we spend on it, were not spending enough to actually fix it, is very frustrating. Gainesville, Florida, Mayor Harvey Ward Gainesville, Florida, Mayor Harvey Ward said the states requirements havent dramatically changed the citys response to homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gainesville city officials noted philosophical disagreements with the state when they passed an anti-camping ordinance in December to avoid any potential legal action for noncompliance. The ordinance carries no jail time but includes a fine. Ward said in an interview that hes seen a major decrease in visible chronic homelessness in the citys community plaza from a decade ago, a shift he attributes to the opening of more shelter spaces over the years. The good news is we dont have 100 people a night sleeping on the community plaza anymore. I can see progress. Im just not sure how to make that sort of leap in progress again, said Ward, who is a registered Democrat, though the mayoral position is nonpartisan. He said the states ban mandate also complicates how Gainesville and other cities respond to chronic street homelessness, especially given Floridas bottom-tier spending on mental health services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea that the problem is such a small number of people fewer than 1,000 chronic homeless folks in any year and no matter how much we spend on it, were not spending enough to actually fix it, is very frustrating, Ward said. Weve plateaued. There are folks who, for whatever reason, either cant be admitted to a shelter because of past issues or refuse to go. But theyre not doing anything illegal, so what do we do? How do we help someone who refuses services and isnt breaking the law? No one chooses to sleep outside The rise in anti-camping ordinances after the Grants Pass ruling was a predictable outcome, even in cities that have no other options for people who dont have homes, said Jesse Rabinowitz, campaign and communications director at the National Homelessness Law Center. A large misconception is that people choose to experience homelessness. But no one chooses to sleep outside. People are forced into homelessness because elected officials fail to ensure safe and affordable housing, said Rabinowitz. The Grants Pass approach making cities inhospitable to force people to leave has been tried before. Its expensive, ineffective, and only prolongs homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet the approach is quickly gaining ground. In November, Arizona voters approved a ballot measure allowing property owners to apply for reimbursements for public nuisance expenses when the government fails to enforce laws related to camping and loitering. A Republican-led bill in Washington state where six municipalities have passed or strengthened anti-camping ordinances since the Grants Pass ruling would require most local governments to ban encampments near schools and parks by May of 2027. It would offer grants for encampment sweeps, but also would pull funding from localities that dont enforce the ban. The bill remains in committee. Among the states cities with a ban in place is Spokane Valley, which updated its ordinance last fall. The updates include upgrading the violation of being in a city park after dark from a civil infraction to a misdemeanor, and changing the definition of camping to include sleeping overnight with or without camping gear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little has changed with enforcement in the interim months, wrote city spokesperson Jill Smith in an email to Stateline. The city also has several employees dedicated to connecting unhoused residents with services, she said, and it added a second outreach police officer in December. Devon Kurtz, the public safety policy director at the Cicero Institute, a conservative think tank, argues that camping bans are necessary to address unsafe encampments and unsheltered homelessness, and that they can be part of a system that helps reluctant individuals receive help. In a recently published interview with the Philanthropy Roundtable, which advises conservative philanthropists, Kurtz warned that homeless encampments are toxic environments filled with waste and trash, and are often hotbeds of crime. Advocates in many states are pushing back. After a successful petitioning effort by local residents, the city of Morgantown, West Virginia, will allow voters to decide in April whether to overturn a new camping ban passed last fall. As of November, the city had 28 shelter beds to serve an estimated homeless population of 150. Do they work? A 2024 RAND study found that policy changes such as encampment sweeps and camping bans in three Los Angeles neighborhoods temporarily reduced visible homelessness, but within months the unsheltered populations rose slightly in two of the communities and doubled in the third. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The survey found chronic mental and physical health issues and substance use disorders affecting more than half of respondents, with Skid Row residents being the oldest and least healthy. Experts also argue that these laws are ineffective and costly, with a 2020 federal report finding sweeps in four cities cost $1,672 to $6,208 per unsheltered person annually. Jeremy Ney, a data researcher who publishes the American Inequality newsletter, said that while a lack of affordable housing is a root cause of rising homelessness, responses to homelessness need to accompany policies that address other chronic barriers to stability. Housing alone is not enough. We also need employment, mental health, addiction and social service support systems that can ensure people stay in those homes, Ney said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Forth Worth Independent School District is investigating a social media post by a reported substitute teacher. The teacher apparently wrote that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement should visit the school where they work because it has many students who dont even speak English. Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images Yall should come to Fort Worth, TX to Northside High School, the post reads in response to an ICE post, according to a screenshot making the rounds on social media. I have many students who dont even speak English, and they are in 10th-11th grade. They have to communicate through their iPhone translator with me. The @USEDGOV should totally overhaul our school system in Texas. The users account is private, and HuffPost was unable to verify the post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement on social media, Fort Worth ISD said they are aware of the post, which has caused concern among the school district. We take this matter very seriously and are conducting a thorough investigation to understand the circumstances and ensure appropriate actions are taken, the statement reads. The school district told NBCDFW that the teacher wont be on campus during the investigation. Since President Donald Trump, who campaigned on mass deportations of immigrants, took office last week, ICE has arrested nearly 1,000 immigrants. Trump authorized ICE to raid schools and churches, ending a policy that was put into effect in 2011. A Chicago school said last week that they turned away ICE at their doors. However, ICE denied being there. Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images Karen Molinar, the school districts interim superintendent, told NBCDFW in a statement that the district does not ask about the immigration status of its students and their families. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. President Trump signed an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. The federal government and military are already embracing the order, and Google Maps indicated it would also reflect the change. However, changing maps and charts isn't a simple process. President Donald Trump's executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America is already resulting in changes across the federal government and military. Google Maps has indicated it would follow suit. However, the federal process isn't as simple as crossing out the old name and writing in a new one. It's a complicated switch across the bureaucracy, involving a top-down effort to update official documents, communications, maps, and charts. On his first day back in office as president, Trump issued an executive order on "restoring names that honor American greatness," directing the Secretary of the Interior to implement a change to the area of the US continental shelf "extending to Mexico and Cuba" and remove all mentions of the Gulf of Mexico across "all federal references." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order also included the reversal of former President Barack Obama's naming of Denali, North America's highest mountain peak located in Alaska, to Mount McKinley in honor of former President William McKinley. The name "Gulf of America" has long been debated and satirized. However, Trump's executive order is the first time the US has directly acted to change it. US Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent is seen in the middle of the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, which is being renamed the Gulf of America. US Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Logan Kellogg While many Republicans, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green have embraced and lauded the move, it's also been met with backlash and confusion from some internationally. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said last week that "for us and for the whole world, it is still the Gulf of Mexico." Reporting from The Telegraph indicated that the United Kingdom won't recognize the name change. Earlier this month, Mexico's Sheinbaum joked that because a world map from 1607 169 years before the US was founded labeled North America as Mexican America, perhaps the continent should be named as such. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across the federal government and military, the change to "Gulf of America" has been quickly implemented. Sources familiar with the matter told Business Insider that internal documentation and public-facing communications are already updated or in the process of being updated, with map and chart changes to come. On Friday, the Department of the Interior announced efforts were underway to make the changes. Inside the Interior Department, the Board on Geographic Names has purview over names for federal use, but that's only binding to federal departments and agencies. In the past, the board and the US Geological Survey would act immediately to update the Geographical Names Information System, a database of more than two million physical and cultural features throughout the US and its territories. The Department of State would update the Geographic Names Server, which defines geographic feature names outside of the US. But it's up to each agency and office to update their websites and information accordingly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A US Navy spokesperson said once the internal systems the Navy gets its information from are updated, its maps and charts will be updated. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum joked earlier this month that North America should be renamed, in response to Trump proposing the Gulf of America name. ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP Google said on Monday that Google Maps would reflect the ordered name changes to the Gulf of America and Mount McKinley once the Geographic Names Information System is updated, in accordance with "a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources." It also said that Google Maps users see the official local name in their region when nomenclature varies between countries, and the rest of the world sees both names. The changing of some other maps and charts may involve a longer process. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, for example, is engaging with the Board on Geographic Names for further guidance on the implementation, Scott Smullen, the deputy director of NOAA Communications, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The process from there, specifically how quickly maps will be updated across the federal government and military, appears fairly complex, requiring updating every reference. The gulf is "one of the most vital assets" in the US' history and economy, the Interior Department said, with rich fisheries, vast oil and natural gas reserves, and trade routes. Getty Images According to Trump's executive order, the Secretary of the Interior has 30 days to implement the name change and ensure "all federal references to the Gulf of America, including on agency maps, contracts, and other documents and communications shall reflect its renaming." The US Coast Guard's District 8, which oversees the Gulf of Mexico area, said it was "acting in compliance" with Trump's executive order. Just a day after Trump's executive order, the Coast Guard began using the term when announcing deployed assets to the maritime border between Texas and Mexico. At this time, Apple Maps hasn't renamed the body of water. The Associated Press said last week that it would still use the name Gulf of Mexico while also acknowledging the Gulf of America in its style guide. It said that "as a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BI's style is consistent, using the name "Gulf of Mexico." As Trump's executive order is only effective domestically, other nations and international organizations could continue to refer to the region as the Gulf of Mexico, and similar variations exist elsewhere in the world. The Persian Gulf located south of Iran, for example, has long been the site of controversy, with some nearby Arab countries like Saudi Arabia calling it the Arabian Gulf. Read the original article on Business Insider The Marine Corps quietly directed its recruit depots to integrate male and female drill instructor teams at the platoon level in late 2023, and now the service is full steam ahead with the effort, according to several Marine officials who spoke to Military.com last week. Between the Marine Corps' two recruit depots at San Diego and Parris Island, South Carolina, recruits from all over the country arrive on the famous yellow footprints to be trained by upward of 1,300 drill instructors, or DIs, charged with molding them into Marines over a 13-week boot camp. Of those 1,300 drill instructors currently training recruits, roughly 15% are women -- and leaders at the depots and the service's education entity said that integrating that relatively limited number of women with their male counterparts at the lowest training level has gone smoothly over the last year-plus, with few adjustments required to make it happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read Next: Inside the Military's Scramble to Move Troops to the Mexico Border The depots currently have seven gender-integrated drill instructor teams at the platoon level, though that number can fluctuate week to week depending on the number of companies that graduate and assemble for training, service leaders from the San Diego and Parris Island recruit depots said. "This is not a pilot program," Col. Misty Posey, chief of staff of the Marine Corps' Training and Education Command, or TECOM, said Wednesday. Posey was previously a commander of Parris Island's now-shuttered 4th Recruit Training Battalion, an all-female unit that closed in 2023 amid the service's efforts to gender-integrate training. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is what we're doing, and there was never a doubt that we could integrate platoon-level DI teams," Posey said. "There was never a doubt in the value in doing it. There was never a doubt in the fact that it would be successful." While the Marine Corps has consistently had the lowest percentage of women compared to its sister branches, the number of women putting on the Eagle, Globe and Anchor has slowly increased by two percentage points since 2016, with the Pentagon reporting that women made up nearly 10% of the Corps in 2023. And as that number steadily increased, Posey said that "one battalion was no longer sufficient or appropriate to train all female recruits" in terms of the space that was once allotted to them, "which meant more female DIs and staff were needed to train them." "It really gave us a lot of flexibility," she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Posey said that the effort to integrate women into drill instructor roles during boot camp harkens back to 1996, when initial training for men and women began to mirror each other. She said that drill instructors could have been integrated at that point, but given the small number of female recruits and drill instructors in the Marine Corps, the service felt it was "more efficient" to train women in a separate unit. In December 2023, the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, a Pentagon entity, recommended that the Marine Corps integrate its platoon-level drill instructors. The committee said that it "believes mixed-gender drill instructor teams are essential to providing recruits training and mentorship from opposite-gender role models as they prepare to enter an integrated operational environment," according to the report. That same month, retired Lt. Gen. Kevin Iiams, then-commanding general of TECOM, gave verbal guidance to both depots to provide a proof of concept for integrating platoon-level drill instructors within gender-segregated companies, as Marine Corps Times first reported earlier this year. Part of the impetus to integrate drill instructors at the platoon level, the officials told Military.com, was to get all Marines used to seeing both men and women in leadership roles before heading to the operational fleet, which is mixed-gender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We had to make very few changes overall, because honestly, integration at the depots is not that much different from integration in any Marine Corps unit, and we've been doing that to various degrees over the past few decades and it worked great," said Col. Peter Rummler, the commander of the Recruit Training Regiment at San Diego. "The Marines thought of it just as a continuation of what they've experienced during their tours in the fleet," he added. Col. Christopher McArthur, commander of the Recruit Training Regiment at Parris Island, said that each integrated training team will always include at least two drill instructors who are the same gender of the platoon they are training. An all-male platoon will have a drill instructor team made up of two women and two men, for example, though numbers can fluctuate due to manning. Posey, the TECOM chief of staff, said teams that instructed martial arts, marksmanship and rapelling, for example, have been gender-integrated "for quite some time," but added that the service wanted to take a "deliberate approach" to integrating platoon-level drill instructors to establish procedures for drill instructor rest plans and recruit privacy during hygiene time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While women have been enlisting in the Marine Corps for more than a century, to include more recently playing critical roles in Female Engagement and Lioness Teams during the Global War on Terrorism, the service has been slower to integrate them into training or combat roles compared to its counterparts. After the Pentagon lifted the ban on women in direct combat jobs in 2013, for example, the Marine Corps was the only branch to request an exception, which was rejected. As of November, nearly 700 women were serving in combat roles in the Marine Corps. Platoons are still segregated by gender at the depots, and it was not until 2019 that the Marine Corps graduated its first coed company of Marines at Parris Island. By comparison, the Army began integrating women at the platoon level in the 1990s. Female recruits did not start training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego until 2021, roughly 100 years after the West Coast unit was established. "I get asked often by older, former retired Marines, and I would just reassure folks that even though we're generally integrated, boot camp is still challenging. It's conducted to the same level of standard expectation it's always been," said McArthur, the commander of the Recruit Training Regiment at Parris Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's enhanced just [by] the mere fact that now that recruits get to see leaders of both genders, and that's a positive for them, as well as a positive opportunity for our Marines to lead both genders," he added. A University of Pittsburgh study cited staff shortages as contributing "burnout" factors for the disproportionately fewer female drill instructors, among other takeaways in the 738-page report. Maj. Hector Infante, a TECOM spokesperson, said insights from that study "have been instrumental in enhancing opportunities for integrated training, especially as personnel and resources became available for pilot programs and execution." "Female drill instructors have the same work requirements as their male counterparts, but their smaller population size can lead to disproportionately heavier workloads and increased burnout," the study said. "The inflexibility of single-gender drill instructor teams combined with personnel shortages necessitate female drill instructors shortening their between-cycle breaks to ensure sufficient coverage for every female platoon." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Depot leaders said they did not see any challenges in terms of managing work-rest cycles amid the integration of drill instructor teams at the platoon level -- a historically demanding job for drill instructors overall, but especially for women who had to shoulder greater responsibilities given their fewer numbers, the study said. Before, "women were always considered sort of second-class citizens, whether they were recruits or drill instructors, and part of that was because the leaders had historically created distance in terms of space and time to keep the women so separate that they were automatically assumed not to be able to keep up," former Marine Lt. Col. Kate Germano, who led the all-female 4th Recruit Training Battalion, told Military.com. "Because there were female drill instructors who were allowed only to train the women, it caused a lot of burnout, a lot of exhaustion, a lot of divorce," she said. Germano said that the integration of female drill instructors at the platoon level was a long time coming, and that because they were allowed only to train women in the drill instructor capacity for so long, the new change could lighten the load in terms of time off, giving women in those roles more time to recover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germano was relieved of command in 2015 despite improving metrics for female Marines under her leadership, such as shooting qualifications. The firing by the Corps sparked years of controversy over the way women are perceived in the military. She said that, for her, the integration of female drill instructors at the platoon level is indicative of an overall generational shift that wasn't around when she was serving. "Ten years ago, we had individuals in top leadership positions who had never served side by side with women in combat and had never really understood what women were capable of," she said of the service's moves to integrate women into key roles. "And now we're seeing that that's the norm." Both Germano and the current Marine Corps leadership said that the move to integrate women in platoon-level drill instructor roles makes it easier for the depots to manage their recruit shipping models amid a difficult recruiting environment for all branches. "In the old days, women were only trained in one place, which limited the throughput of recruits, which limited the mission of the recruiters," Germano said. "And so now what we're seeing is, because training has been open to more than one location and there's more than one squad bay available, more women can be recruited, more women can be trained." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And this ties back into this idea of integrating the teams, because the less you have to worry about only having women train women, the more people there are available to fill those company leadership slots," she added. "So it's all related. It's all connective tissue, and this is just sort of the cherry on top of the ice cream." Related: Marine Corps to Launch New Staff Noncommissioned School This Year, Ditching Separate Education Programs FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY) A man previously arrested on drug charges was charged with child neglect after a juvenile said that he was left in the trunk of a vehicle while the suspect was inside getting high. Travis Price Travis Price, 32, of Fairview, was charged with driving while under the influence of drugs back in December and Child Protective Services (CPS) alerted law enforcement that week that Price had just regained custody of a 12-year-old child. During an interview at the Child Advocacy Center in Marion County, the child said that he had been transported to a drug dealers house where he was left in the vehicle for hours, in the trunk of the vehicle while Price was inside getting high. The child said that he was told to stay in the trunk because Price didnt want anyone to drive by and report the victim as being unattended in the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man accused of stabbing victim with steak knife outside Buckhannon bar I have spent more time in that car while [Price and another guardian] got drugs, that I have in my own bedroom at home, West Virginia State Police troopers quoted the victim in a criminal complaint. The child said that one time when he was left in the trunk, he left the vehicle and went into the residence where his guardians were and saw substances believed to be fentanyl and heroin accessible to him. Troopers received a copy of a CPS report on Jan. 15, and Price was charged with child neglect creating risk of serious injury. He was booked in the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitations website on Sunday but has been released on bail. 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. Jan. 27MITCHELL The city of Mitchell has opened bidding for an off-sale retail package liquor license. Applicants have until Feb. 10 to turn in sealed bids for a license that allows a retail store such as a grocery store or gas station to sell pre-packaged alcohol. Off-sale means the alcohol is purchased but must be consumed off-site. All applicants are required to bid at least $300. The Mitchell City Council will award the license to the highest qualifying bidder, unless the council finds grounds to reject the bid. According to state law, the cost for an off-sale license cannot be less than $300 and the renewal fee may not exceed $500. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The license was previously held by IYS Ventures, of Orland Park, Illinois doing business as Imart Stores USA. It operates the Freedom Valu Center at 512 S. Sanborn Blvd. Signage on the door of the business on Monday, Jan. 27 indicated that the business cannot sell liquor at this time. According to data from the South Dakota Secretary of State, the IYS Ventures had its registration with the state dissolved in early 2024 for failing to file an annual reports. There are a total of 12 off-sale package licenses within the city limits of Mitchell. The state caps the number of licenses within a city based on the population of the city. Mitchell is at the state's cap, so there will not be any additional off-sale package licenses issued unless the population of Mitchell grows. This is also across the street from Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement another liquor license up for transfer in the city , although that is an on-sale liquor license. Mitchell city finance officer Michelle Bathke said the license up for bid (No. PL-4686) was not renewed during the renewal period. "Whoever wins the bidding process would have an active license until the end of this calendar year," Bathke said. "Every year all retail package licenses are up for renewal on December 31." Applicants who wish to apply for the off-sale package license can do so by sending a sealed envelope containing the printed license application and a check written out to the city of Mitchell in the bid amount to City Hall at 612 N. Main St. Additionally, the front of the sealed envelope must state "Off-Sale Package Liquor License bid" and also state the applicant's name and address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Interested applicants may obtain a printed license application from the city of Mitchell finance office. Applications can be submitted through noon on Monday, Feb. 10, and all sealed bids will be opened and read publicly at that time at Mitchell City Hall. Bidders cannot have a felony conviction on their record. Checks of the unsuccessful bidders will be returned after the license has been awarded. The Mitchell City Council will discuss bids at the council meeting on Feb. 18. Jan. 27LOOGOOTEE After months of being shutdown, the Martin County Humane Society is putting on the finishing touches and preparing to reopen the animal shelter. Pam Loughmiller, president of the Martin County Humane Society, says getting the shelter back in operation has taken some work. "The couple that had been taking care of the shelter and the animals moved and it was not open for the last six months," said Loughmiller. "There was a group of former volunteers and we have gotten together and formed a new board. We have had some volunteer days where people came in and helped get the shelter ready to reopen. We have done a lot of work." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A ribbon cutting for the shelter is set for Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to noon. People can tour the facility and learn more about opportunities to foster animals and volunteer. "Our programming will be different. We are looking for more volunteers and getting more volunteer support from the community," said Loughmiller. "We will be doing a spay and neuter program again. That will start sometime in February. We don't have everything up and running yet. We are getting a phone put in. We are still in a transition period." Loughmiller says that the revamped shelter has been bolstered by a refreshed community support for the organization and its mission to help the animals in the county. "The community has been extremely supportive in helping us get re-established. I would say that not having it for just that short amount of time, people realized the importance of having a shelter. I think there has been a recognition of the need of a place to take the strays and having a shelter," she said. "I think community support will be important for us moving forward so that we can get the volunteers we need to be successful." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Martin County shelter has always been dependent on volunteers, but moving forward the organization will have a paid director to coordinate the operation of the shelter and the efforts of the volunteers. "We are going to have a part-time director, Fanessa Harmon, who comes in a couple of hours a day. We don't have the money to pay someone full-time. She will be helping with the overall operations of the shelter. She will be there a couple hours of day, coordinating volunteers and helping with the intake of animals," said Loughmiller. "We want people to understand this is just volunteers. There will be some things we may not be able to do. We don't have the funds for a full-time director. We are just hoping we can be successful at it." Loughmiller says the shelter is heavily dependent upon donations and the organization is open to anyone who wants to donate either their time or resources. "They can mail donations to 507 N. Oak St. in Loogootee," she said. "We are working on putting together the mechanisms so that people can get on line and do that." SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Members of the Sioux City community were able to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday night. For more than 40 years, the songs and words of the remembrance of MLK Jr. have rang out through Siouxland. On Monday night, that event took place at Restoration Church. Organizers say its important to never forget what Dr. King did for civil rights in this country. SCCSD board addresses immigration and deportation concerns Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such a time as this is so important that we dont forget about the purpose of Doctor Martin Luther Kings dreams: to bring about peace and unity, program chair Sandra Pearson said. And of course, during this season, we definitely need peace and definitely need unity. Dr. Terry Murrell, president of Western Iowa Tech Community College, was the keynote speaker during the event. The celebration was originally scheduled for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 20 but had to be rescheduled due to cold 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. County government leaders knew that Marylands fiscal 2026 budget season would be a tough one. With a nearly $3 billion deficit looming, Gov. Wes Moore proposed about $2 billion in cuts in his budget earlier this month, along with an overhaul of the states personal income taxes. But according to fiscal analysts with the Department of Legislative Services, Moores proposed budget also includes about $144 million in costs shifting from the state onto local governments which could have been worse, county leaders say, but still isnt ideal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest factors in the local shifts, which total more than $97 million across all of Marylands jurisdictions, would require local governments to pay a larger share of public school and community college teachers retirement costs. The amount that local governments contribute to the cost of educating children with disabilities in nonpublic school programs would collectively increase by $25 million, and the local share of the cost of property valuations would increase by nearly $21 million. Reactions from county leaders seem to break along party lines. Republicans say Democrats have made some bad financial decisions that are now hurting counties, but some Democrats arent as rattled. A lot of shifting Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman said the cost shifted onto his county about $14 million is not a make-or-break number. Its significant, but its not going to kill us, he said. But when they do the tax reform the way they planned it, theyre projecting that we come out pretty close to breakeven, so we make back some of that because of the changes that theyve made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors proposed changes to the tax code would consolidate the four lowest income tax brackets at 4.7% and add two higher brackets: 6.25% for people making at least $500,000 and 6.5% for those making more than $1 million. About 18% of Maryland taxpayers would pay more. Pittman, a Democrat, said he likes the governors tax reform package, adding that he thinks more progressivity has been needed in the states income tax rates. We know the highest earners are going to benefit from major cuts in what they have to pay the federal government, and I think most people would rather have their tax dollars going locally, he said. The small increase in Maryland will be offset by the decrease at the federal level and I think thats fair. However, Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly thinks the proposed income tax rate increases could be detrimental. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The risk there is that were going to drive businesses out of our state, which is something weve been working really hard [on] to increase revenue production, he said. Im afraid that this is going to take us back the wrong way. Cassilly, a Republican, said his county has been working feverishly for the last two years to cut and manage expenses, but he feels the states budget has not shown the same effort. I dont see cuts in this budget, he said. I see theres a lot of shifting and some delays, but were not actually cutting anything, and thats a challenge moving forward. Feeling the pressure Under the budget proposal, Harford County would see about $5.6 million in expenses shifted onto its government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ken Kiler, president of the Carroll County Commissioners, voiced similar concerns about delays, particularly with the Blueprint. Carroll County would see about $3.8 million shifted to its government. It hurts the counties, not helps the counties, just like your household budget when you delay something, it still costs you just as much or more, it doesnt save you money, Kiler said. Until somebody in Annapolis can wake up and say, We made a mistake with Blueprint, we cant afford it. Cassilly said he had also hoped for the state to help fund large expenses from law enforcement and the Blueprint, the states multi-billion dollar education reform plan, through adjustments to the plans schedule. Kevin Kinnally, legislative director for the Maryland Association of Counties, has realized that every county, not just the small or rural ones, will feel the impacts of the governors budget. Many residents live in counties with the maximum local income tax rate, too, meaning the only way for counties to raise revenue to fund the Blueprint is through increased property taxes, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre feeling that pressure, they need some relief, they need the ability to be more flexible with revenue, Kinnally said. Anything that the state shifts on top obviously makes things a lot more difficult. Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier, who was a state senator for more than 20 years before taking the county office in mid-January, said the countys increasingly difficult budgetary challenges will require leadership, innovation, and sound fiscal decisions. The county must balance its commitment to maintaining and improving aging infrastructure, which continues to impact annual revenues and fund balance resources; sustaining record investments in education in light of proposed reductions to state funding; and supporting capital construction needs, which continue to outpace annual state funding; and maintaining operational budget needs, she said in a statement. The budget proposal would shift about $17.9 million in state expenses onto Baltimore County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kinnally said its key to remember that the spending plan will change when the General Assembly begins to modify the proposals. There are a lot of things in here that are eye-popping; there are a lot of massive changes, but its really important to remember that this is not what its going to look like at the end of the day, he said. Well have to see what survives and what doesnt, and [for] things that dont survive, what the General Assembly is going to do to backfill that money and balance the budget, so a lot of uncertainty. Have a news tip? Contact Natalie Jones at najones@baltsun.com. ____ The wife of US President Donald Trump, Melania, took part in an official portrait as first lady for the second time in her life. She posed in a luxurious suit from the Italian brand Dolce & Gabbana in front of the Washington Monument. ADVERTISIMENT Belgian photographer Rejin Mao, with whom Donald Trump's family has been cooperating for many years, was invited for the photo shoot. She recently photographed Melania for the cover of Schweizer Illustrierte, Breitbart News reports. In the new photo, the first lady of the United States stands behind a desk in her office in the White House in a commanding pose and smiles for the camera. She is wearing a single-breasted black Turlington suit. Melania's favorite Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo jacket costs $3,245 (about 132 thousand hryvnias). The look is complemented by pants from the same brand for $1045 (about 44.2 thousand hryvnias), a white shirt, and a black belt. It is noteworthy that the first official portrait of Melania Trump was created by the same photographer in 2017. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! WASHINGTON (DC News Now) D.C. police have identified the man who was shot and killed in Northeast on Saturday. According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), shortly after 5 p.m. on Jan. 25, officers responded to a residential building in the 1500 block of Benning Road. There, they found 24-year-old Thomas Drew Jr., of Bowie, in a hallway with gunshot wounds. 2 taken to hospital after fire broke out at DC apartment building Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medics took Drew to a nearby hospital, where he died. As of Tuesday, the investigation is ongoing. Police encourage anyone with information to call MPD at 202-727-9099 or text a tip to 50411. MPD currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for a violent crime committed in the 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. BALTIMORE Leaders at several public universities in Maryland are wrestling with Gov. Wes Moores proposal to cut over $100 million in state funding for higher education. At some institutions, the cuts will feel a little deeper. Other schools have a roadmap for facing hard times and pulling through. Do I wish we didnt have budget cuts? Yeah, of course, said Al Delia, the University of Frostburgs soon-to-be interim president, who currently serves as chief of staff in the presidents office. But I understand the situation were in, and well do our part to tighten our belt without affecting the quality of the education we provide to our students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some publicly funded universities say staff cuts are not part of their immediate strategy for grappling with budget challenges, but the University of Frostburg is a different story. Delia said that in 2023, the school faced a significant budget deficit, mainly caused by a 34% decline in enrollment over a decade and a half. The schools student-to-teacher ratio shrank to 13 to 1, well below the ideal balance of 18 to 1. Delia said that to fix the problem, the school eliminated seven faculty positions, while 18 other faculty members retired or will retire by the start of fiscal year 2027. There were four retirements or separations on the administrative side, without replacements from new employees. The staff cuts in addition to other cuts, revenue increases and financial help from the University System of Maryland shifted the school from a $7.7 million deficit to a $3 million surplus in fiscal year 2025. No programs or departments were eliminated. While a proposed state funding cut of $3.1 million this year would impact the schools budget, Delia said he doesnt blame the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states got the financial situation that it has, and it needs to deal with it, he said. Reduced services and higher tuition At the University System of Maryland, Hagerstown, cutting staff or staff pay would be the last thing we would do out of our budget, university Outreach Coordinator Michelle Walls said, adding that the school is generally understaffed, which makes it challenging to operate at the level we would envision in an ideal scenario. Walls said budget cuts would directly impact our programs and growth, adding that any change in the appropriation amount would result in reduced student services, marketing and outreach dollars, and a delay in new program development. Coppin State University spokesperson CherRae Dickerson, citing university President Anthony Jenkins, said the school would experience a $3.1 million reduction under Moores budget, which will not require any layoffs or furloughs. Dickerson added, Tuition will incur a 2% proposed increase, but this is not in correlation to the current budget reduction. This increase was a predetermined decision in fall 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jason Rhodes, a spokesperson for Salisbury University, said the school supports the governors proposal. Rhodes noted the recent addition of an engineering physics major, a masters degree in public communications and the return of its marching band program. We anticipate these and programs already established at SU, coupled with the universitys reputation as a best value institution, will help grow enrollment to levels necessary to meet our future goals, Rhodes said. For the past two years, SU has welcomed near-record incoming classes, and we foresee those numbers increasing going forward. Towson University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County referred The Sun to the university system for comment. The university system and the University of Maryland Global Campus noted recent commentary in The Sun from Chancellor Jay Perman expressing support for the governors proposal and working with the administration. The USM is committed to reducing costs across our universities while still offering the same high-quality, affordable education that Marylanders expect from us, Perman wrote. Creating value and innovation for our state has always been a top priority and that wont change with this coming budget cycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community colleges also would see adjustments to their funding. Baltimore City Community Colleges operating budget allocation would be cut by about $3.6 million, or 7%. Budget documents indicate the school saw increased enrollment last year but still has a smaller student body than pre-pandemic levels. Representatives for the school did not return requests for comment. The Maryland State Education Association, which represents employees at other community colleges, said in an email that the organization will continue to push for the funding that all community colleges deserve. While this years nearly 5% increase in funding for community colleges is important, especially given the challenging budget situation overall, its important to note that it comes on the heels of a cut in funding last year, which the advocacy of community college educators was able to reduce, spokesperson Patti Mullins said. Daniel Belson contributed to this report. Have a news tip? Contact Brooke Conrad at bconrad@baltsun.com. ____ (KRON) The Gilroy Police Department is looking for a male suspect tied to an armed robbery. Palo Alto break-in suspects surprised homeowner in bed: PD Gilroy PD said the incident happened last Thursday at the Garlic Farm Center, located on the 5000 block of Travel Park Circle. Investigators said the man made off with an undisclosed amount of money. It does not appear that the cashier was hurt in any way. Photo: The Gilroy Police Department. Photo: The Gilroy Police Department. At the time of the robbery, police said the suspect wore a black face mask, a maroon-hooded sweatshirt with a darker-colored Nike swoosh logo on the chest, a red shirt and black sweatpants, and black and white sneakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If anyone recognizes him, they are asked to contact Detective Jason Greathead at jason.greathead@cityofgilroy.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 KRON4. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Statistics tell the risks for pregnant women in Nye County a maternity care desert with limited access to care. In 2023, Pahrump recorded 344 live births with a preterm birth rate of 13.4% (national average: 10.4%), scoring an F on the March of Dimes Preterm Birth report card. The infant mortality rate is 8.22%, compared to the national average of 5.8%. Maternal and prenatal care can become a life-and-death situation. In 2022, a 24-year-old Pahrump woman died of complications from septic abortion after traveling to the Las Vegas valley for care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now the medical community is stepping up, initiating a Medical Maternity Home Program to meet growing needs in Pahrump, a community of 49,000 people and home to 8,000 women of reproductive age (15 to 50 years old). The effort is a collaboration involving SilverSummit Healthplan, Nevada Health Centers, High Risk Pregnancy Center and Hera Womens Health. Funding for the program comes from the Centene Foundation, which will allocate $1 million over three years. An additional $100,000 will be provided by SilverSummit Healthplan, according to a news release. Its an important step that takes resources available in Las Vegas to set up coordinated patient care and outreach in Pahrump. Services will include maternal-fetal medicine, obstetrician-gynecologists, advanced practitioners, behavioral health providers and community health workers to reach affected pregnant women in Nye County. In addition telehealth services and services for women, infants and children are part of the program. Officials announced the program last week and said it is expected to start seeing patients in late 2025. Nye County is a maternity care desert, meaning that there are an insufficient number of maternity care providers, Dr. Steven Evans, chief medical officer for SilverSummit Healthplan, said in a news release. This scarcity in maternity providers results in pregnant women needing to travel long distances to receive prenatal and postpartum care, which contributes to poor birth outcomes such as pre-term birth and low birth weight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Brian Iriye, president of Hera Womens Health, spoke with 8 News Now about the program. Our goal with the Medical Maternity Home Program is to bring together a multidisciplinary team of specialists to ensure every mother and baby in rural Nevada has access to the high-quality care they deserve, Iriye said. By fostering partnerships and utilizing innovative solutions, we aim to overcome the challenges faced by underserved communities and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes across the region. He said the distance is just part of understanding the problem. Maybe for a lot of people it doesnt seem like much of a challenge. But I think theres a lot of people struggling out there with transportation, financial security, food security. And Pahrump does seem to have a little more of that possibly, he said. Dr. Brian Iriye, president of Hera Womens Health. The program is all about improving access to care. Access ends up solving a lot of the problems, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 60-minute drive when youre in labor is a big deal, Iriye said. What if somebodys in pre-term labor? That 60-minute drive probably seems like two to three hours, he said. Whenever you can get care to somebody, it needs to be several things, right? It needs to be right care, right place, right time. Its so important that we get that done, Iriye said. So overall, fantastic program I think were getting done. But I think more importantly, fantastic program for the area, Iriye said on Friday. The program was announced on Thursday, National Maternal Health Awareness Day. The Medical Maternity Health Program will: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Provide prenatal care and monitor pre-term birth rates. Implement protocols to enhance quality and ensure proper maternal-fetal medicine referrals by following national guidelines and protocols. It will also use SilverSummit Healthplans Project Guardian, which tackles the provider shortage by enabling remote health monitoring statewide. Provide on-site consistent maternal care and obstetrical services at least two days a month. Provide maternal-fetal medicine consultation (in-person and or via telemedicine), high level fetal ultrasound, behavioral health (telemedicine), and treatment for opioid use disorder (telemedicine). Provide professional education (obstetrical emergencies) to family practice physicians and clinical support staff. Iriye said officials are looking at other parts of the state that would benefit from services if the pilot program succeeds. He said Elko, Winnemucca and areas around Lake Tahoe could be candidates. And beyond that, there are regional needs much closer to Las Vegas in fast-growing communities of northwest Arizona. Mobile services could provide an answer for some communities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An Indiana man recently pardoned by President Donald Trump for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol has been shot and killed by a sheriffs deputy during a traffic stop. Just after 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26, a Jasper County Sheriffs deputy pulled over 42-year-old Matthew Huttle of Hobart, Indiana State Police said in news release. While trying to arrest Huttle, police say he resisted and began struggling with the deputy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "An altercation took place between the suspect and the officer, which resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding the suspect," police said. Police added that Huttle "was in possession of a firearm" during the traffic stop but did not say whether he wielded the weapon or where exactly it was found. For full transparency, I requested the Indiana State Police to investigate this officer-involved shooting, Jasper County Sheriff Patrick Williamson said in a statement. Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased as any loss of life is traumatic to those that were close to Mr. Huttle. Indiana State Police did not provide additional details about why the sheriff's deputy tried to arrest Huttle and did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for further information about that and the gun they say he had. Matthew Huttle and his uncle were part of Jan. 6 Capitol riot Matthew Huttle, captured in images from the Jan. 6, 2021 riot in Washington DC, was fatally shot during a traffic stop in northern Indiana on Jan. 26, 2025. Huttle was arrested in November 2022 after investigators said he was identified on video inside the Capitol building going into multiple offices, the Crypt area and hallways on Jan. 6, 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was sentenced in November 2023 to six months in prison and a year of supervised release after pleading guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building, a lesser charge than issued to his uncle, Dale Huttle, whom he traveled with that day. Dale Huttle and his nephew were each sentenced to prison for their involvement during the breach, which included the elder Huttle striking police officers with a flagpole. Im not ashamed of being there. It was our duty as patriots, he said during a news interview afterward, according to the Department of Justice. "I put myself on the line to defend the country. And I have, I have no regrets. I will not say Im sorry. One other Jan. 6 Capitol riot defendants has run into trouble Last week, another man connected to the Jan. 6 riot was arrested after Trump pardoned him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniel Ball of Florida was arrested on a pending federal gun charge out of Florida connected to prior convictions of domestic violence battery by strangulation and resisting law enforcement with violence, reported The Hill and The New York Times. His attorney, Amy Collins, told USA TODAY on Monday that Ball was never released following his pardon and was immediately held on the Florida warrant, which she said "stems directly from the DC January 6 prosecution." "It is our position that the Middle District of Florida case should be dismissed with prejudice pursuant to President Trumps January 20th proclamation as to January 6 defendants," she said. Ball and Huttle are among more than 1,500 people pardoned by Trump stemming from the Capitol attack Jan. 6, 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These are the hostages, approximately 1,500 for a pardon. Full pardon," Trump said in the Oval Office on the first day of his second term as president. "This is a big one. We hope they come out tonight. Latest news on President Trump Contributing: Noe Padilla, Sarah Nelson, Bart Jansen 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 Palm Beach Post: Matthew Huttle, man pardoned by Trump in Jan. 6 riot killed by deputy The Matthew Perry Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston have created an addiction medicine training fellowship in Matthew Perrys name and selected its inaugural fellow, the organizations announced Tuesday. The Matthew Perry Foundation Fellowship in Addiction Medicine allows a residency-trained physician to join MGHs Addiction Medicine Fellowship to study addiction treatment and work toward providing addiction care in their future practice. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Sarah SK Kler is the first candidate to be selected for the new fellowship, which is set for the 2025-2026 academic year. Dr. Kler is currently Chief Medical Resident in Internal Medicine at MGH and will begin the fellowship training in June. The MGH fellowship program, which is also funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, includes three total participants who will rotate through different departments and regional partners of Mass General Brigham, the healthcare system of which MGH is a founding member. The Matthew Perry Foundation is honored to be in partnership with Massachusetts General Hospitals Addiction Medicine Fellowship program. Matthew believed deeply in eliminating the stigma surrounding the disease of addiction and, with that in mind, we are proud to lend our name to this important work, the foundations chairman of the board Doug Chapin and executive director Lisa Kasteler Calio said in a statement. The Matthew Perry Foundation was created to recognize Perry and his dedication to aiding people combatting addiction. The Friends died in October 2023 of a ketamine overdose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Continuing to silo addiction care outside the rest of medical care and marginalize addiction as a social problem outside of the domain of physicians will only exacerbate stigma and inequities and increase the deadly impact of this epidemic, Dr. Sarah Wakeman, the fellowships program director, said in a statement. It is vitally important for the medical community to address substance use disorder using effective, holistic, wraparound services across medical settings. The training provided through the MGH fellowship will allow the next generation of physicians to provide and continually improve this care. Mass General will work in close collaboration with the Matthew Perry Foundation to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and, most importantly, offer hope to those of every age, background and experience who are struggling with substance use disorder, she added. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A federal judge temporarily blocked a Trump administration effort to freeze federal grants and potentially trillions of dollars in spending, but not before the Republican presidents declaration caused widespread tumult and confusion within Illinois government and among social service agencies, nonprofits and universities. The decision late Tuesday afternoon by U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan in Washington, D.C., came as Democratic leaders across the country, including in Illinois, vowed to fight the spending pause, which they viewed as unconstitutional. AliKhan blocked the action minutes before it was set to go into effect at 4 p.m. The administrative stay pauses the freeze until Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judges decision capped a day filled with confusion, anger, frustration and fear across the nation after President Donald Trumps Office of Management and Budget called for the temporary pause on funding, including for programs related to foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion programs), woke gender ideology, and the green new deal, which was a sweeping environment-friendly initiative to combat climate change. But among the most immediate impacts appeared to be the Medicaid system, a state and federally funded health insurance program for people with low incomes and disabilities. Illinois state agencies reported Tuesday morning that state employees were unable to access Medicaid payment systems, a top spokesman for Gov. JB Pritzker said. The system came back online for Illinois later in the day. Our state agencies were unable to access the Medicaid system until an hour ago, preventing payments for services, Pritzker said at a news conference late Tuesday. This has been reported from states across the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The situation also spurred initial legal action. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raouls office joined about 20 other attorneys general in suing the Trump administration to stop the implementation of the policy. Raoul said the funding freeze would have a devastating impact on the public safety, prosperity and quality of life of the public. He said the move could not only hurt Medicaid recipients but also farmers, research projects at state universities, war veterans and state and local law enforcements ability to go after child predators and other criminals. Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth said freezing federal grants could also hurt funding for hospitals, child care and disaster relief, while U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said food inspections, as well as food assistance and Head Start programs, could also be at risk. It was a mess Illinois Head Start Association Executive Director Lauri Morrison-Frichtl said the Trump order left Head Start child care programs in Illinois, which serve 28,000 children statewide from low-income families, in disarray after an error message appeared Tuesday on an online portal for federal funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three programs, including the Two Rivers program in Aurora, were on the verge of shutting down because they could not pay their employees, Morrison-Frichtl said. After the federal judge blocked the freeze and the portal was again operational, those programs planned to stay open. It was a mess, said Kelly Neidel, executive director of the Two Rivers Head Start. Canceling and then starting back up again. It causes uncertainty with staff, and Ive worked there 35 years and this was probably one of my worst days there. The Trump administration had planned to start the freeze as it begins an across-the-board ideological review of federal spending, and the White House budget office said in its memo that the pause would not affect Medicare and Social Security programs. But the guidance was less clear about Medicaid, and, in Illinois, state agencies reported issues with accessing federal funding sites and disbursement systems, including Medicaid systems Tuesday morning, said Pritzker spokesman Matt Hill. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the Medicaid portal was shut down but said no payments were affected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 3.4 million people in Illinois were on Medicaid during the fiscal year that ended June 30. Illinois House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, a House Democrat point person on Medicaid issues, called the Trump administrations move extremely disturbing. Those are the people who will suffer the most. There are people throughout the country on Medicaid. Its a big program throughout the entire country. Many of these people voted for Trump. They expected him to help them, not hurt them, said Gabel, of Evanston. We are looking at it. We are really trying to figure out exactly how this is going to impact us and what the possibilities are of a response. So, its all very sudden. So, were not sure yet. But we are looking at it and really trying to figure out what our response can be. In the fiscal year ending in 2024, Illinois agencies received nearly $30 billion in direct federal aid, according to a report from the state Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. More than $19 billion in federal funding went to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in Medicaid-related payments, according to CGFA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Billions went to grants in other parts of state government, including some $2.3 billion to the Department of Transportation, $401 million to the agency tasked with economic opportunity and $314 million to the Environmental Protection Agency, the same report said. Democrats and Republicans alike will be negatively impacted by this pause in funding, Raoul said. On January 20, our nation had a peaceful transfer of power. But lets be clear, January 20 was an inauguration, not a coronation. Congress is given the power to appropriate the funding. The Executive Branch cannot unilaterally disregard those appropriations passed by a separate and equal House of government. We will collectively fight this unconstitutional mandate. GOP lawmakers back Trump While Illinois Democrats hammered the Trump administration for the move to freeze spending, some legislative Republicans applauded the effort. GOP state Sen. Neil Anderson of Andalusia said its unclear how the policy will shake out in coming weeks and argued Trump was elected in part on bringing government efficiency to Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think anybody would disagree with the idea that theres probably a lot of government waste out there in grant programs to fund, Anderson said. So, there should be nobody against taking a brief pause and going over those things to see where we can be more efficient. Added state Sen. Andrew Chesney, a Republican from Freeport who was also a Trump delegate during last years Republican National Convention in Milwaukee: Any state that has federal funding that they are seeking, there are rules for that federal funding. If they do not want that federal funding, they dont have to accept it. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sought to tamp down concerns over the late-night order but could not provide details on how Chicagos budget would be affected or whether the Trump policy could eliminate federal funding for the CTA Red Line extension. Johnsons $17.1 billion budget for 2025 counts on $2.7 billion in federal grants, according to records in the citys publicly accessible computer portal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is something that is well outside the purview of the executive office, Johnson said. These appropriations have been mandated by the legislative branch. Related Articles Johnsons budget director, Annette Guzman, said her office was conducting an analysis of what impact the freeze could have on city finances but said further digging was necessary. It all comes under the framework of understanding the legality of the orders to begin with whether or not these (executive orders) have the authority over congressional spending, Guzman said. Red Line questions The long-planned extension of the Red Line south to 130th Street is likely the biggest single project awaiting federal funding. The Chicago Transit Authority signed an agreement locking in a federal grant days before Trump took office, and officials said Tuesday morning they continued to view the agreement as binding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Red Line Extension Projects funding grant agreement that the CTA and FTA (Federal Transit Administration) executed, like similar grant agreements that the CTA secured for projects such as the Red Purple Modernization Program, is a binding and legal commitment by the federal government to provide the committed and obligated funds, CTA spokeswoman Tammy Chase said in an email. As a result, we do not interpret any recent activity to have any impact on the federal governments commitment to fund this essential transit project. The CTA, like other transportation agencies, also relies on federal funding for a variety of other construction projects. Chase said the agencys law department was reviewing the latest federal directive as it relates to future federal funds for CTA beyond funding grant agreements already in place. The Chicago Housing Authority also is analyzing the directive and its impact on the agency, a spokesperson said. Earlier Tuesday, Bridge Communities in Glen Ellyn, a nonprofit that helps homeless families become self-sufficient, could no longer access the federal grant portal through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some federal funding we were awarded is now on pause, which affects our ability to service our families, Bridge Communities CEO Amy Van Polen said before the judge temporarily blocked the freeze. The nonprofit spent about $400,000 on capital renovations to the apartments it owns, where homeless families live until they can get back on their feet, and is awaiting reimbursement that had been expected to come in the form of a federal grant. Bridge Communities is also awaiting a $100,000 grant to cover operating expenses. Its highly, highly concerning to all of us, Van Polen said. Jen Walling, executive director for the Illinois Environmental Council, said she learned Tuesday morning from an environmental group in Bloomington that it doesnt have the federal money necessary for its recycling education program. I think for some things, theyll be lawsuits because theres probably actual contractual agreements. For some things, theyre just going to be out of luck, Walling said. Nonprofits and universities remain concerned Mark Fowler, executive director of the Northwest Municipal Conference, a consortium of 43 suburban North Shore and northwest suburban governments, said local communities collectively receive about $18 million in federal dollars each year to put toward roadwork and other projects. The impact of the Trump administrations move was not immediately clear, but Fowler said he talked with the governors office Tuesday, and asked his organizations 43 suburban members to report any problems. Other funding left uncertain included roughly $1.9 million in grants awarded through the National Endowment for the Arts to 80 groups in Illinois, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. John Peller, executive director of AIDS Foundation Chicago, said the organization was blocked Tuesday from accessing the computer portal it uses to access federal funding. Peller said his organization receives about $26 million for housing services annually from the federal government, and it provides housing for over 1,300 households a year with 1,000 of those people living with HIV. Obviously weve had no notice to prepare and this freeze on funding really is an immediate and dire threat to services for people living with HIV, Peller said. We just cannot continue to pay rents for folks indefinitely without federal dollars. So, the long-term consequences of funding delays like this are that folks might end up becoming unhoused and that would have serious consequences for people living with HIV and their health. Universities known for their research were also bracing. University of Chicago Provost Katherine Baicker sent a message to university employees Tuesday morning asking researchers working under federal grants to temporarily stop spending money on non-personnel expenses, such as supplies, equipment and travel. She also asked them not to start any new experiments. This is not a request that I make lightly, she wrote. The research enterprise is at the core of our Universitys mission and is of profound importance to the daily work of our faculty, researchers, staff, and students. I also know that this is insufficient guidance and that you must have many questions (as do I), Baicker wrote. I wish that I had more information to share now, but will continue to be in touch as we learn more. But we must for now proceed under the assumption that grant expenditures incurred after today while this memorandum is in effect may not be covered by federal funding. A freeze in funding could also affect many Chicago-area federally qualified health centers, which are community health centers that receive federal dollars to help care for patients with low incomes. Erie Family Health Centers, which has 13 locations in Chicago and the suburbs, was still trying to make sense of the rapidly changing news Tuesday afternoon, spokesperson Kate Birdwell said in an email. She noted that it wasnt yet clear what the federal funding freeze could mean for health centers like Erie or which federal grants might be on pause. She said Erie is in a strong financial position and stable for now, but any long-term pause to federal grant funding or Medicaid support would be devastating to Erie and other community health centers. Thresholds, which serves people with mental health and substance use disorders in Illinois, tried to draw down federal grant money that its owed after the freeze was announced, and was unable to obtain those funds as of Tuesday afternoon, said Mark Ishaug, Thresholds president and CEO. Thresholds receives about $20 million in federal grants each year, such as grants for serving people experiencing homelessness, veterans and for mental health, he said. Thresholds will continue to provide services in the hope that very soon this debacle is going to be righted, Ishaug said. Thresholds can access a line of credit, if need be, but the situation is unnerving, he said. The nonprofit organization serves about 10,000 people a year, helping to keep many of those people out of institutions, such as hospitals and prisons, he said. It is effective. It is morally right. It is cost efficient, Ishaug said of the services Thresholds provides. Everything we are doing is making individuals and communities stronger. Chicago Tribune Lizzie Kane, Jeremy Gorner, Addison Wright and A.D. Quig contributed. CHICAGO Mayor Brandon Johnson says the city will continue to protect civil and human rights, a day after the mayor received a letter from Washington, D.C., stating, in summary, that Chicago and other sanctuary cities like it are being investigated by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Johnson and other city officials, included CPD Supt. Larry Snelling, held a long and wide-ranging press conference Tuesday morning at City Hall. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and other federal authorities under the new Donald Trump administration have begun targeted operations in Chicago and around the U.S. on people marked for deportation. We are going to project our values and what working people across this city have asked for, Johnson vowed. Investments and opportunities to be able to afford to live in this beloved city, a school thats fully funded, all the investments we are making thats what people of Chicago are experiencing, regardless of whos in the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were a welcoming city. We are proud of that work. City officials said Tuesday that more than 100 people in the City of Chicago have been taken into federal custody during immigration raids over the past several days. ICE has been releasing daily statistics on its X feed, reporting 956 arrests around the country on Sunday, 1,179 arrests on Monday and 969 arrests through Tuesday morning. The agency has not, however, released totals specific to Chicago. Chicagos sanctuary city status under investigation by federal committee amid immigration raids During Tuesdays press conference, Johnson did not say whether he would be accepting an invitation to testify before the House Oversight Committee in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Feb. 11, about Chicagos Welcoming City Ordinance. Johnson and the mayors of New York, Boston and Denver all received that invitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson did say, however, that the city will stand firm on the ordinance and says theres a lot of fear being stoked by the Trump administrations actions. Snelling said that while CPD officers are not allowed to share immigration status information, because of the Welcoming City Ordinance, he has not seen agents doing large-scale roundups of non-criminals. Theyre looking for people with criminal convictions, Snelling confirmed. So were staying focused on what we do as a police department for the City of Chicago and keeping people safe. But we also want to put a message out to people that theres no need to be afraid to show up to work, theres no need to be afraid to go to school. If you know that you are a law-abiding individual here in the City of Chicago who wants to work and provide for your family, show up to work. The kids need to be educated, and lets take the fear out of it. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also late Monday night, the White House sent out a memo from the Office of Management and Budget that it would be pausing nearly all federal loans and grants. Whatever the motives are of (the Trump) administration, I cant speak to, Johnson said Tuesday. All I can say is that there are people across the City of Chicago, and this country, that want a federal government that doesnt show animus toward working people. Click on the video player below to watch Tuesdays full press conference from City Hall: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson says he is deeply concerned about El Paso Electrics plans to ask for a rate increase that could boost the average El Paso households monthly power bills by almost $23 a month. I was informed of El Paso Electrics proposed rate increase and the potential negative impact it will have on our residents, Johnson said in a statement sent out to media on Monday night, Jan. 27. El Paso Electric seeks rate increase that could add $23 a month to average household bill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson said the City Attorneys Office will brief the City Council during an executive session on Monday, Feb. 3 to determine the Citys next steps. I am deeply concerned about this proposed increase, as it could place a substantial burden on all El Pasoans. The preliminary estimates are significant. I will take every necessary step to ensure that our residents interests are protected throughout this process, Johnson said. According to El Paso Matters, the rate increase El Paso Electric is seeking would increase Texas customers bills by an average of 10 percent. But residential customers who make up almost 90 percent of El Paso Electrics Texas customers would see the biggest percentage increase of 19 percent, according to El Paso Matters. Small and large businesses would see their bills increase by between 3 percent and 7.5 percent, while medium-sized business would see their bills decline by 2 percent, according to El Paso Matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monopoly utilities in Texas such as El Paso Electric are overseen by the PUC (Public Utility Commission), which determines the profit margin a utility is allowed to make, and regulators also approve or reject rate hike requests. Texas utilities are required to conduct a rate review at least every four years, El Paso Matters said, explaining the process the utility will have to go through. The nonprofit news organization said it could take a year before the rate increases take effect. The City Council will meet during a work session, that will include an executive session, at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 3 at City Hall, 300 N. Campbell. The council will have a regular meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ST. LOUIS When recently asked about the City of St. Louis position on immigration, Mayor Tishaura Jones described the city as committed to being a safe and supportive place for newcomers. During a news conference Monday, Jones said, St. Louis is a welcoming city and noted various initiatives that aim to assist immigrants and refugees. St. Louis is a welcoming city, as evidenced by our establishment of the office for new Americans to connect resettling people from all over the world who are choosing St. Louis as their home, said Jones. To connect them to jobs, housing, and other resources needed to thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fight between fans breaks out at SLU Billikens basketball game Immigration has become a renewed focus following Donald Trumps first full week in his second presidential term. According to the Associated Press, Trump has signed 10 executive orders on immigration, while U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported making hundreds of immigration arrests daily nationwide from Thursday to Monday. Last year, the St. Louis region was anticipating one of its highest numbers of new immigrant arrivals in decades, around 2,500 people. As of last Friday, ICE had not confirmed any immigration arrests in the St. Louis area or returned messages left by FOX 2. On Tuesday, however, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that dozens of refugees have been blocked from settling in St. Louis, following Trumps executive orders. Meanwhile, some Missouri lawmakers are ramping up efforts for immigration law enforcement, including a proposed bill that would imprison immigrants for life who are in the country illegally and convicted of trespassing. 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. U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, speaks at her swearing-in ceremony in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) New U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) defended her vote to pass the Laken Riley Act during a ceremonial swearing-in event in Flint on Monday. McDonald Rivet was one of just 46 Democrats to vote for the bill in the GOP-controlled U.S. House, which would require the detention of any migrant charged with theft or violent crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to make sure that we have an immigration system that is fair, fast and finite. So if you want to come to this country and you want to abide by our laws and contribute to society, there should be a solid path for you, McDonald Rivet said. But if you violate our laws, particularly with violent crimes, then there should be a deportation hearing. Critics of the bill have expressed concern that it would strip due process rights for migrants, who could face deportation as a result of being charged with a crime, even if their case had not yet gone to trial. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) and U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) were among 12 Democrats to vote for the bill in the Senate. President Donald Trump will is expected to sign the bill into law. U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, speaks at her swearing-in ceremony in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, speaks at her swearing-in ceremony in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, speaks at her swearing-in ceremony in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, attends the swearing-in ceremony of his successor, U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Bay City Commissioner Joseph Rivet, left, and U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, right, at McDonald Rivet's swearing-in ceremony in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Bay City Commissioner Joseph Rivet, left, and U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, right, at McDonald Rivet's swearing-in ceremony in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton speaks during the swearing-in ceremony of U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, attends the swearing-in ceremony of his successor, U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, left, repeats her oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025, while her husband, Bay City Commissioner Joseph Rivet, center, holds a Bible. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, speaks at her swearing-in ceremony in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, left, repeats her oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025, while her husband, Bay City Commissioner Joseph Rivet, center, holds a Bible. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michigan state Rep. Cynthia Neeley, D-Flint, left, and Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley, right, attend the swearing-in ceremony of U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, speaks at her swearing-in ceremony in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Michigan state Rep. Cynthia Neeley, D-Flint, left, and Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley, right, attend the swearing-in ceremony of U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Former U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, attends the swearing-in ceremony of his successor, U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, speaks at her swearing-in ceremony in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) McDonald Rivet, who was elected in November to succeed former U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint) indicated that additional reforms to the immigration system are needed. We can make the investments necessary to secure our border, modernize our broken legal immigration system and treat everybody with dignity, all at the same time, McDonald Rivet said. But the freshman Democrat said that her primary focus in Congress will be on policies that would cut costs for working class families, including cutting taxes, lowering prescription drug prices and increasing housing stock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This congressional office is not defined by one person, but rather the progress we can achieve when we join together with a common purpose, when we listen to each other and when we build consensus around common sense ideas that actually make things better, McDonald Rivet said. McDonald Rivet touted her positions on the House Agriculture Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, saying the assignments mean she will be in a strong position to fight for farmers, roads, waterways and good paying jobs. Thats the agenda. Commonsense, no-nonsense, working people first, McDonald Rivet said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Meals on Wheels Abilene, which serves 13 rural communities in addition to Abilene, is facing a potential budget cut of approximately $1.9 million. Executive Director Betty Bradley discussed the impact of Title 20 funds, which she warns could be eliminated entirely, potentially leaving more than half of those who rely on daily meals without this service. Anson Meals on Wheels program closing, Abilene to take over delivery Meals on Wheels Abilene serves more than 1,800 people across the Big Country. If Title 20 funds are cut, the organization stands to lose about $1.9 million roughly half of its total funding. This comes just months after the Abilene branch expanded its services by taking over the Anson Meals on Wheels branch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Executive Director Betty Bradley received an email stating that the House Budget Committee has proposed the budget cut. Bradley noted that if these cuts are enacted, they may be forced to reduce the program significantly. If we lose Title 20 funds and the fact that we are already operating in the red might very well mean that we would have to reduce our program by more than half, Bradley explained. Abilene Meals on Wheels volunteers find healing through giving Long-time board member Barry Moak expressed his devastation, knowing that anywhere up to 60% of those they serve rely on these meals as their primary source of nutrition each day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to cry, and I might, Moak expressed. KTAB/KRBC has reached out to Congressman Jody Arrington, who chairs the House Budget Committee, for comment. However, as of now, no response has been received. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ATLANTA (WSAV) The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed the first measles case of 2025 in Georgia on Tuesday. In 2024, there were six reported cases of measles in Georgia. The metro Atlanta area resident is unvaccinated and acquired the virus while traveling within the United States, the DPH said. The department is working to identify any persons that may have been exposed through contact with the individual between Jan. 19-24, 2025, which is when they were infectious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Measles is a very contagious virus and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, the DPH said. The virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected individual person leaves. Symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes typically appear seven to 14 days after contact with the measles virus. After the initial symptoms, a rash of tiny red starts break out on the head and then spread to the rest of the body. Anyone with symptoms of measles should not go into the doctors office, the hospital, or a public health clinic without contacting to inform them about the symptoms. Providers who suspect a patient of having measles should notify public health immediately, DPH said. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine can prevent measles and rubella, the department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said that more than 95% of the people who receive a single dose of MMR will develop immunity to all three viruses and a second dose typically enhances protection from the diseases to 98%. For more information about measles, you can click here for the DPH website or the CDCs 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 WSAV-TV. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks at the daily briefing at the White House on Jan. 28, 2025. Associated Press UPDATE (9 p.m. Jan. 28): States have reported that Medicaid website are back online but are glitchy. The site is not functioning correctly, a spokesperson for the Maryland Department of Health told The Hill. In Connecticut, the Department of Social Services was still unable to extract payments. Previously: The portals that states use to access Medicaid reimbursement have stopped working after the Trump administration ordered government agencies to pause federal grants pending a review for woke ideology. Trump White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a briefing Tuesday that she didnt know whether the program providing health care to more than 72 million low-income Americans had been impacted. Leavitt didnt mention Medicaid as one of the direct-assistance programs that would be immune to the freeze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a blanket pause on federal assistance and grant programs from the Trump administration, Leavitt said in her first official briefing from the White House podium. Social Security benefits, Medicare benefits, food stamps, welfare benefits ... will not be impacted by this pause. She addressed the portal outage not long after on X. The White House is aware of the Medicaid website portal outage. We have confirmed no payments have been affected they are still being processed and sent. We expect the portal will be back online shortly, the press secretary wrote. Even so, theres widespread uncertainty about whether Medicaid will be part of the Office of Management and Budgets new directive to pause some federal assistance programs, which Democrats are decrying as illegal since it concerns spending thats already been approved by Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ill check back on that and get back to you, Leavitt had told reporters earlier regarding the Medicaid website. The gulf between the reality emerging from states, nonprofits and small businesses and the spin from the White House on taxpayer-funded programs that impact millions of people and cost the government trillions of tax dollars to administer only added to the confusion. Meanwhile, blue-state senators were sharing what they were learning. The outage reportedly impacted not only Medicaid, but Head Start and other health programs tied to the federal health department. My staff has confirmed reports that Medicaid portals are down in all 50 states following last nights federal funding freeze. This is a blatant attempt to rip away health insurance from millions of Americans overnight and will get people killed, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can confirm. Connecticuts Medicaid payment system has been turned off. Doctors and hospitals cannot get paid. Discussions ongoing about whether services can continue, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) wrote. Medicaid covers health care for millions of seniors and covers 40% of births in America. The OMB order said federal agencies should pause federal financial assistance grants at 5 p.m. Tuesday to review whether they further woke gender ideology or diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals, which are off-limits in the new Trump administration. Leavitt claimed several times that personal assistance programs would not be touched, but did not say what is actually on the chopping block. I have now been asked and answered this question four times. To individuals at home who receive direct assistance from the federal government, you will not be impacted by this federal freeze, she said, adding, This is not a blanket pause on federal assistance and grant programs from the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump is looking out for you by issuing this pause because he is being a good steward of your tax dollars, she added. Related... ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A Medina man is charged with possession of child pornography, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Tuesday. 32-year-old Christian A. Poole is accused of using a chatroom on the Telegram app to view and download 60 photos and videos. A search of his electronic devices in May of 2022, uncovered 423 images and 560 videos of child porn, some of which contained depictions of violence against children, federal prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poole faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jan. 28MOSES LAKE Members of the public can meet Robert Karlinsey, Moses Lake's new city manager, tonight at the city's civic center from 5-6:30 p.m. Karlinsey was chosen to take the reins of the city in a unanimous vote during a special meeting on jan. 21. He is currently the city manager for Kenmore, Washington, and will be taking over in Moses Lake March 24 after settling his affairs there. City staff have said Karlinsey is excited to meet the city's residents and is looking forward to the event. (Bloomberg) -- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said shes under investigation by Italian prosecutors over the release of a Libyan police chief who was under an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court. Italian bonds fell after the announcement. Most Read from Bloomberg In Italys legal system, being put under a judicial investigation isnt unusual for the countrys political class. It doesnt mean formal charges will follow and indeed they often dont. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement General Osama Najim, who is also known as Almasri, was detained in Italy last week and released within days. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi are also being probed for the legality of the move, she said in a video released on social media. Italys government had said its within its right to expel Almasri, a brigadier general in Libyas judicial police who was wanted by the ICC for war crimes. Meloni also made the point that the prosecutor in this case was the same one that investigated Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini over his refusal to let a migrant rescue boat dock in Italy. That case went to court and was eventually dismissed and Salvini was acquitted. Hes still in government. Italian bonds fell after the announcement, with the 10-year yield rising three basis points to 3.66%. That widened the nations borrowing premium over comparable German debt a closely watched gauge of risk to 109 basis points from 107 basis points earlier. The moves may have been exacerbated because they came at the end of European trading hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, far from putting pressure on Meloni, by getting ahead of the process and announcing it herself on social media framing it as politically motivated by leftist judges the Italian prime minister is playing to her base. The swift ejection of an alleged criminal wanted for rape and murder is also unlikely to hurt her brand, built on clamping down on undocumented immigrants. (Updates with market move in the sixth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Giorgia Meloni is under investigation by Italian prosecutors for allegedly allowing the release of a Libyan warlord who is accused by the International Criminal Court of murdering, raping and torturing migrants. Opposition parties have accused the Meloni government of deliberately freeing Osama Almasri Najim to ensure Libyas continuing support in stopping migrant boats from crossing the Mediterranean. The ICC has demanded an explanation as to why Italy ignored its arrest warrant and allowed Najim to go free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Meloni, who was elected prime minister two years ago, is now under investigation for allegedly aiding and abetting a crime and for misuse of public funds. Italy has given financing and training to the coastguards of Libya and neighbouring Tunisia and was able to reduce the number of boats leaving the beaches of North Africa last year by 59 per cent. Najim, the head of Libyas judicial police, was arrested earlier this month in Turin on a warrant from the ICC. He is accused of conducting human rights abuses against migrants and refugees who travel to Libya with the hope of reaching Europe. Two days later, he was suddenly released and flown on an Italian government aircraft back to Libya, where he was greeted by jubilant supporters as a hero. Osama Almasri Najim has a warrant out against him for murder, rape and torture - X Carlo Nordio, Italys justice minister, said Najim was released because of procedural errors, arguing that police arrested him before receiving an official request to do so from the justice ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judicial system has dismissed that argument, saying that the deliberate inertia of the justice minister allowed Najim to be released from custody and sent home. He was freed on Jan 21 due to the inertia of the justice minister, who could have and should have, out of respect for international obligations, asked for his remand in custody with a view to his surrender to the International Criminal Court, the national association of magistrates said. Giuseppe De Cristofaro, a centre-Left MP, told parliament last week: You sent this man back for political reasons. Unfortunately, the Libyan authorities are complicit with the Italian government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Italian law, being placed under investigation does not imply guilt nor does it mean that Ms Meloni will eventually be charged. I will not be blackmailed Ms Meloni has frequently clashed with the Italian courts, accusing them of Left-wing bias and of blocking her attempts to have migrants rescued in the Mediterranean diverted to two Italian-built holding centres in Albania for the processing of their asylum requests. In a defiant video posted on Facebook, the prime minister said: I will not be blackmailed, I will not allow myself to be intimidated, which may be why I am, lets say, disliked by those who do not want Italy to change and become better. Mr Nordio, Matteo Piantedosi, the interior minister, and Alfredo Mantovano, the cabinet undersecretary for intelligence matters, are also under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prime minister said that the investigation was being led by the same prosecutor who investigated Matteo Salvini, the deputy prime minister, for allegedly refusing a boatload of rescued migrants permission to land on Italian soil for nearly three weeks, as part of a closed ports policy that he pushed when serving as transport minister in 2019. Mr Salvini was acquitted in that case last month. The decision to investigate the prime minister was condemned by her political allies, who suggested it was linked to her governments determination to reform the judiciary. Antonio Tajani, the foreign minister, said the move was a spiteful reprisal by judges. Mr Salvini said it was shameful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elly Schlein, the leader of the main opposition group, the Democratic Party, said it was hypocritical given that Ms Meloni had declared war on human traffickers. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Columbus City Council voted unanimously to appoint Otto Beatty III to the vacant District 7 seat as former councilmember Shayla Favor becomes Franklin County Prosecutor. I take nothing for granted, Beatty said moments after council voted him to the seat. We had over 40 people that applied and then 30 were brought forward and then 10 finalists, some of them that I know well, some of them that Ive worked with in the past, and its exciting to me that we have so many dedicated citizens who are willing to, to step up. And so, Im just excited. Why Ohio State athletics revenue was down in the 2024 fiscal year and expenses were up Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City Council took applications for the open seat through early December. Then, 10 finalists were invited to a public hearing where they pitched themselves to the public. District 7 covers most of Downtown Columbus, German Village, Franklinton, Italian Village, Victorian Village and Short North neighborhoods. Council President Shannon Hardin addressed the appointment after the vote. Congratulations, Councilmember Beatty, he said. We wanted a council member who would be ready to address the biggest issues facing our city on day one and in that view of this council, that is housing. Otto is someone who not just has strong ties to the neighborhood, he has used his background in real estate, business, and law to mentor others who similarly want to learn to be a part of the solution. Even though Otto is new to council, he is not new to service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beatty, stepson of Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), has served on the City of Columbus Downtown Commission, North East Area Commission, and as Commissioner of the City of Columbus Development Commission. My predecessor, Shayla Favor, was the leader on council in that area, and we actually worked together to bring some housing to the Near East Side outside of a high school, all affordable units, said Beatty, an entrepreneur, attorney, and real estate investor according to his City Council application. Law enforcement denies awareness of ICE raids in central Ohio He is focused on making an immediate impact in area housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thirty years ago, when I came back to Columbus, 1994, 93, and I got out of school, I was able to get my first apartment, and within a couple of years, I was able to get my first home, he said. Nowadays, many of our young professionals that want to be in Columbus, theyve done all the right things. Nowadays, they cant do that type of thing. They might be living in the basement. They only aspire to get that first home as a young adult. Im hoping in the area of housing that we can open up opportunities for all the citizens and not just those, you know, young professionals, but older adults who may be struggling with those things, such as property taxes and changing neighborhoods, and then also the unhoused, he added. Beatty had previously said he would not seek election for the District 7 seat this November, a position he reiterated after the appointment. Public service is a gift but its a temporary gift, he said. Youre going to devote your energy, your time, and your effort to doing the best that you can for the constituents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beatty was sworn in shortly after the council meeting Monday night. Beattys appointment comes the same day his predecessor Favor announced the members of her team to aid in her transition to the countys prosecutors post. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Channel 11 met a woman from Guatemala who asked not to use her name or show her face. Shes legally living and working in the Pittsburgh area. Yo soy de Guatemala, she said. Through a translator, the woman told Channel 11s Antoinette DelBel that people in the Latino community are living in fear. Were just afraid. Everybodys afraid, a translator said. She said people whove come into the U.S. legally or not are afraid of being caught in a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We come to this country for a better future for our families, for ourselves and unfortunately weve gotten to a point where nobody is coming out of their homes because of that, she said through a translator. Channel 11 sources said at least 30 local businesses closed temporarily over the weekend to protect workers and customers from potential ICE raids. Sources said ICE agents were on the property of at least four local businesses and took an unknown number of employees into custody right in the parking lot. Immigration lawyer Joseph Patrick Murphy said this crackdown is nothing like hes ever seen. He told Channel 11 he got a call on Saturday about a couple of undocumented immigrants who were taken into custody while shopping at a home improvement store. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These guys werent breaking any laws. They, in fact, were surprised as to why they were being arrested, Murphy said. Everybodys got to keep a cool head in this, and I think itll be okay but its going to be shocking for a while. According to NBC News, the DEA, FBI, and other federal agencies involved in these so-called targeted enforcement operations are working through a list of people who have been convicted of crimes. The border czar, however, told NBC News theyre also making arrests if undocumented immigrants are found with people ICE is targeting. If youre undocumented, if immigration agents are asking you questions, dont answer them, Murphy said. Dont tell on yourself. You have a right to remain silent just like American citizens do. If ICE comes to the door, you dont have to answer it. If theyve got a warrant, make them show it to you. Channel 11 reached out to ICE about raids in the Pittsburgh area. Public Affairs Officer Jason Koontz said, At this point, we do not have any further information to release. When we do, I will get back to you. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Cloth shoes produced in C China's Henan retain strong appeal for domestic, international clients People's Daily Online) 09:57, January 28, 2025 Workers produce embroidered cloth shoes in Yanshi district, Luoyang city, central China's Henan Province, Dec. 20, 2024. (China News Service/Han Zhangyun) With the 2025 Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, drawing near, shoemaking enterprises in Yanshi district, Luoyang city, central China's Henan Province are working to fulfill orders and delivering the shoes to clients all over the world. "Our factory has been busy since October 2024. Initially, our factory focused on delivering overseas orders, and now that the Spring Festival is coming, we are busy producing spring shoes for domestic orders, said Li Zhigang, head of Shuanglong Shoes Factory in Yanshi. Li added that 80 percent of the factory's production in 2024 was exported to countries like Russia, South Korea, and India. Dubbed as the capital of China's cloth shoes, the district is now home to more than 600 shoe production enterprises and over 500 supporting enterprises after over six decades of development. With nearly 100,000 people in the shoemaking industry, the district is the country's largest production base for cloth shoes and textile fabrics shoes. In 2023, Yanshi exported over 160 million pairs of cloth shoes, which were approximately 40 percent of its annual production, to more than 50 countries and regions, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. Photo shows Chinese-style cloth shoes in Yanshi district, Luoyang city, central China's Henan Province, Dec. 20, 2024. (China News Service/Han Zhangyun). According to Zhang Jun, secretary general of association of the Yanshi shoe industry, multiple kinds of materials such as cotton cloth, canvas, and breathable leather are used for the upper part of the shoe. The sole is not only waterproof, which is an attribute that traditional cloth shoes lack, but also soft and comfortable. Traditional Chinese cloth shoes are becoming increasingly fashionable, enjoying popularity both domestically and internationally. Born in the 1990s, Liu Hangying joined the industry because of his family's influence. He launched some products based on market demands, which proved very popular. "Now consumers are attracted by traditional Chinese culture. I believe Chinese-style cloth shoes and embroidered cloth shoes will remain popular in the next few years," he said. "The demands for cloth shoes styles vary from place to place," said Li. He explained that European and African consumers prefer bright-colored cloth shoes, while consumers from East Asia favor understated, minimalist designs. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan) Elizabeth Zavala covers federal courts for the Express-News. She can be reached at ezavala@express-news.net. Zavala is a veteran reporter who has been a journalist for nearly 40 years. She joined the Express-News in 2013 and covered the Bexar County criminal courts for nine years. Liz grew up on the near West Side. She graduated from Fox Tech High School and Texas Womans University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism. Liz has worked in various reporting and editing positions at five daily newspapers in Texas, including The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Denton Record-Chronicle. President Trump is pressing full steam ahead with an agenda Democrats worry has an increasingly autocratic bent. But right now, theres not much they can do about it. News emerged late Monday afternoon that the Justice Department was firing more than a dozen officials who had been part of the attempt to prosecute Trump, led by former special counsel Jack Smith. That move, apparently spearheaded by Trumps acting attorney general, James McHenry, looked to critics like the latest attempt by the president to take vengeance on his enemies, reward his friends and kick away the guardrails of civil society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his first week back in office, Trump has pardoned almost all the people convicted of Jan. 6-related offenses, while commuting the sentences of a handful of others. The total of more than 1,500 people includes several convicted of seditious conspiracy and a larger number found guilty of violent attacks upon police officers. Trumps administration has also removed roughly 17 inspectors general from their roles overseeing government departments; removed security details from former government officials who have crossed him; and instructed the attorney general to root out anything he deems to be political bias in work conducted during former President Bidens administration. Its enough to magnify the chill many Democrats felt at the possibility of Trump resuming power. Biden, while still a candidate, warned about ultra-MAGA Republicans whom he portrayed as a danger to American political norms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Vice President Kamala Harris held her final rally of the campaign at the Ellipse, near the White House, aiming to remind voters of Trumps conduct in and around the 2021 Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Former President Obama warned during the campaign that Trump sees power as nothing more than a means to his ends. None of it kept Trump from winning a second term, and with a better performance than in either of his two previous presidential campaigns. Democrats have very little leverage to prevent Trump from enacting his agenda, given that there are GOP majorities in the Senate and the House, and that the Supreme Court has a 6-3 conservative majority, thanks in part to the three justices Trump nominated in his first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the moment, the lower courts seem to offer Democrats and liberals a faint glimmer of hope. When Trump announced last week he was seeking to end the concept of birthright citizenship the automatic qualification of people born in the United States to be citizens, regardless of the immigration status of their parents 22 Democratic-led states joined lawsuits to stop him. They got a boost when John Coughenour, a federal district judge in the Western District of Washington, ruled in their favor. Coughenour, nominated to the federal bench by former President Reagan, paused Trumps order on the basis that it was blatantly unconstitutional. Otherwise, Democrats for the most part have been restricted to throwing verbal barbs in Trumps direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called Trumps actions in firing the inspectors general a chilling purge he contended was a preview of the lawless approach Donald Trump and his administration is taking far too often as he is becoming president. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) responded to the same event by calling it alarming and posting on social media, This is what you do when you dont want someone watching what youre doing. After Trump announced his mass clemency for people convicted or charged for Jan.6-related offenses, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) the House Speaker at the time of the riot accused him of acting in a shameful way and delivering an outrageous insult to our justice system. Influential voices in the broader liberal community have sounded even more ominous notes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Biden White House press secretary Jen Psaki hosted Norm Eisen on her MSNBC show on Sunday. Eisen, a White House ethics lawyer during the Obama administration and a well-known liberal commentator, alleged Trump had promised to be a dictator on Day 1, and hes carried that forward through the entire week, including this midnight firing of the inspectors general. Trump and his supporters dismiss all such charges, of course. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) was asked Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press whether Trump had violated the law in firing the inspectors general without giving Congress 30 days notice and a specific reason for his actions, as mandated by a 2022 law. Technically, yeah. But he has the authority to do it, the South Carolina senator responded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Graham, like the vast majority of Republicans, argued Trump was clear about his intentions during the election campaign and now has a mandate to do all the things that are eliciting howls of protest from Democrats. The most fervent Trump backers, far from seeing themselves as acting outside democratic norms, contend they are correcting what they see as the excesses and weaponization of the Biden era. Kash Patel, the presidents nominee to lead the FBI, told Steve Bannon during a 2023 podcast that a future Trump administration would come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens. Patel alleged falsely that these unnamed but shadowy figures had helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patels confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled for Thursday. For now, its a bleak picture for Democrats and other liberal critics of Trump. He is forging ahead, and his opponents have no way to pull the brakes. The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) A memorial service is being held Tuesday morning to honor the fallen Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn crew, 45 years after the deadly collision with another vessel. On Jan. 28, 1980, 23 Blackthorn crewmembers were killed after their ship and the motor vessel Capricorn collided near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The ceremony is being held at the Blackthorn Memorial Site in St. Petersburg and will include a wreath-laying by Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, representing each lost soul. A gun salute, laying of roses, and official comments from commanders and the Captain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The President of the Coast Guard Foundation, Susan Ludwig, will address the foundations support for the rebuilding of the Blackthorn Memorial. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) A Mercer County man was sentenced for stealing power from AEP. Wyoming County man pleads guilty to felony charge According to a press release, on Monday, January 27, 2025, 39-year-old Jesse Ray Counts, of Princeton, was sentenced to three to 30 years in prison on two counts of Grand Larceny, and one count of felony Destruction of Property. He will also need to pay more than $19,000 in restitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Counts was charged by the February, 2024, Mercer County Grand Jury, and he pleaded guilty on November 20, 2024 in the Mercer County Circuit Court. The press release stated that Counts was stealing power from AEP for more than four years, which resulted in the destruction of AEPs property. Counts sentence was the maximum sentence possible for the crime. Wyoming County man pleads guilty to failure to register as a sex offender Mr. Counts has been stealing from the Power Company for years and has a history with at least one other local utility company, so I agree with Judge Wills in taking this case as serious as he took it because Counts actions have an effect on all of us who have to pay the utility companies for the services they provide. When people steal from our local utility companies, it ultimately affects us all. Brian K. Cochran | Mercer County Prosecuting Attorney Cochran thanked the West Virginia State Police for their work on the investigation, as well as the staff at his office involved in Counts prosecution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Over the weekend, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began targeted arrest operations across the Atlanta metro and the rest of the country. Under new federal immigration policies, ICE agents are allowed to go into schools and churches to arrest illegal immigrants, a change from the Biden administration that had once deemed them safe spaces. We checked with several metro school districts about this weekends actions, and this is what they sent us: Atlanta Public Schools: The safety, well-being and educational success of every student enrolled in Atlanta Public Schools is our top priority. In light of recent changes in federal policy around immigration and school protections, we want to reiterate our stance surrounding access to students while they are in school and the rights of students to attend school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All children have the Constitutional right to access a K-12 education and receive fair and equitable treatment. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of all students. Atlanta Public Schools is committed to maintaining the privacy and protection of every child in our district, regardless of immigration or citizenship status. School and district leadership have been reminded of this position and provided specific guidance on interacting with federal immigration officials should any situations arise. We are committed to supporting each of our students and families and ensuring they experience a safe and welcoming learning environment. Cobb County Schools: Based on the states reporting guidelines, we do verify residence of students in Cobb County and do not collect or report immigration status of students. We have and will continue to follow the law. RELATED STORIES: DeKalb County: The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is committed to the safety and success of all students. In line with federal law, DCSD upholds every childs right to a public education, complies with legal requirements, and protects student privacy. To better serve our community, DCSD is awaiting additional guidance on immigration issues from federal and state authorities. Gwinnett County: In Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), the safety, security, and well-being of our students are our top priorities. Although the federal government has made changes in the way it will enforce immigration policies, as always, GCPS remains committed to upholding the dignity, rights, and safety of each and every student. We will continue to follow our school safety protocols and state and federal laws and ensure the proper execution of judicial orders that clearly define who is authorized to contact students during the school day. Rockdale County: Rockdale County Public Schools is committed to following all federal and state laws regarding students. Board Policy JBCA (Resident Students) states that the school system is not responsible for making determinations regarding students immigration and visa status. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham talks about some of the bills on crime in the Legislature this year. The news conference was held in the Governor's Office, Tuesday, January 28, 2025 New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Tuesday she believes this legislative session will be the one in which lawmakers send to her desk reforms that would connect mental health treatment to people who are accused of crimes, but are unable to stand trial. Im very grateful for the bipartisan, very effective, incredible work by so many legislators who are working to do both: invest in the prevention and compassionate supportive treatment, Lujan Grisham said at a news conference, flanked by police, some of her cabinet members and lawmakers from both parties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We arent going to vilify poverty or mental health issues but we arent going to tolerate a revolving door of criminality anywhere in this state. We can do both, she said. Lujan Grisham said a proposal that would expand the state court systems existing process for determining whether people facing criminal charges are competent to stand trial is really critical. A bill from House Judiciary Committee Chair Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos) would allow courts to order people who are accused of felony-level crimes and are found incompetent to stand trial to participate in community competency restoration programs, without necessarily requiring them to be in a locked facility. Changing New Mexicos criminal competency law to make it easier to find someone dangerous and put them in a locked facility for treatment was one of the proposals that Lujan Grisham brought for the special session in the summer; advocates said her bill could have led to unjust outcomes, while lawmakers in her own party declined to sponsor it during the gathering in July at the Roundhouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chandler said she believes her bill strikes an appropriate balance between incarcerating people who commit violent felonies and are not competent to stand trial, and enhancing opportunities for them to be brought to a point where they can participate in their own defense. Those individuals simply get released if they are not deemed competent and they do not get any services, and I think thats a heartbreaking thing that we all as a society in this state should be addressing, she said. That bill received its first hearing on Tuesday afternoon in the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman is proposing an overhaul of New Mexicos Delinquency Act, which governs how the state can hold children accountable for behavior that would be considered criminal if they were over 18. Bregman said Tuesday crime overall is getting better but violent juvenile crime is out of control, and he doesnt believe young people face consequences when they first enter the criminal legal system. We can walk and chew gum at the same time when it comes to juvenile crime, he said. We can give the necessary behavioral health, family-intervention type treatment. And at the same time, we can also have consequences. It does not have to be an either or. One of the proposals he wants, being carried this session by Sen. Antonio Moe Maestas (D-Albuquerque), would increase the penalty for unlawful possession of a gun from a misdemeanor to a fourth-degree felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lujan Grisham said she really wants the bill passed because too many people are getting firearms shortly after getting out of prison. That bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee but as of press time had not yet been scheduled for a hearing. Lujan Grisham said there is the potential for an omnibus public safety package, containing multiple changes to the states criminal laws, reaching her desk before the midway point in the session. I feel pretty confident we are further along than I think theyve ever been on a robust package, and Ive been working with the Legislature for about four years, she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Leer en espanol The Mexican government has launched a mobile application that provides support to Mexican nationals living in the United States, offering an array of services, among them the ability to document any encounters they may have with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The function and content of the application is not something that does not exist, but rather it facilitates the scope of what already exists in terms of our consular services, Jorge Mendoza Yescas, Consul General of Mexico in Phoenix, said to The Arizona Republic. Very focused on the issues of protection and consular assistance due to the political immigration climate that we are experiencing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One week into Donald Trump's second presidency, fear among the immigrant community has grown exponentially due to the president's hard stance on immigration. Yescas said he has not seen an uptick in ICE arrests since Trump took office. He said ICE's Phoenix office routinely arrests between one and five people daily, most of them people with final deportation orders and criminal backgrounds, typically involving DUIs, domestic violence and narcotics. Still, and considering that the Trump administration plans massive immigration enforcement, Mexico launched ConsulApp Contigo which translates to "consulate app with you" an application available for Android and IOS to counteract the uncertainty that falls on many Mexican citizens and as an act of solidarity with them. The vast majority of Latinos residing in Arizona are of Mexican origin. Around 2 million Latinos in Arizona both US-born and migrants are of Mexican origin, representing more than 25% of the state's total population. About 10.9 million Mexican immigrants reside in the U.S., according to 2023 data from the Migration Policy Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The application, which is only meant for Mexicans living in the U.S., offers everything from an emergency contact button with an extension to the Information and Assistance Center for Mexicans (CIAM) in Tucson, Arizona, to a map of consular offices near the user and a section on the rights of its citizens. It also has the function of notifying the user's family or friends in case of emergency. Yescas mentioned that the application was originally created with the purpose of satisfying the needs and security of Mexicans in the U.S. who are in a vulnerable immigration situation. But at the same time, the project took a slight turn by incorporating other types of functions such as direct access to the WhatsApp appointment service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. How does ConsulApp Contigo work? Contact button: When having an encounter with ICE, users can hold this button down for five seconds, which will generate a folio number with the profile holder's information and three different notifications about the case will be sent one to CIAM, another to the user's nearest consulate and a third to the family member or emergency contact. Know your rights : The application has a section that clearly and simply explains to its users what their rights are and what actions to take in the event of having an encounter with ICE. Map of consular offices : Mexico has 53 consular offices in the U.S. A virtual map shows the locations of the consular offices closest to the user so that they can receive in-person assistance if they need it. Scheduling services: The application offers the function of scheduling appointments at the nearest consulate for passports, consular registrations, powers of attorney and others through the WhatsApp appointment service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Yescas said that although this is a resource that officially and recently began to operate, the ConsulApp Contigo is constantly evolving and promises to incorporate other types of functions that will satisfy user needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is something that is in continuous improvement, it is not a finished product, said Yescas. Republic reporter Daniel Gonzalez contributed to this article. Have story tips on Latino communities in the Valley? Reach La Voz reporter Paula Soria at psoriaaguilar@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mexico launches app that documents ICE encounters. How it works MEMPHIS, Tenn. The suspect accused in a triple homicide in New Mexico turned himself over to authorities in Hernando, Mississippi on Sunday, according to the DeSoto County Sheriffs Office. A search warrant in the 11100 block of Pecan Ridge Cove on Sunday led to the arrest of Kane Mayes, accused in the shooting deaths of three people in Alamogordo, New Mexico. The DCSO says a detective from Alamogordo informed the sheriffs office that the suspect, along with a vehicle stolen during the crime, was believed to be at the home in Hernando. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woman charged with cashing her sisters $6K check At the home, detectives reportedly recovered the 2015 Subaru Outback that had been reported stolen in relation to the homicides, along with other items of evidentiary value. Reports say Mayes turned himself in at the Hernando Police Department and confessed to driving the stolen car from New Mexico to the home on Pecan Ridge Cove. Mayes was taken into custody and charged with Receiving Stolen Property Felony and Fugitive from Justice. He is currently awaiting extradition back to 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 WREG.com. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) New Mexicos Top federal law enforcement officer peels back the curtain on whats historically been a pretty secretive job. The states U.S. Attorneys Office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes ranging from murder, organized crime, and issues in Indian Country, to investigating and prosecuting public corruption. This week on the New Mexico News Insiders podcast, New Mexicos U.S. Attorney, Alexander Uballez, shares some of his proudest moments serving in this role, cases that have made an impact, and the path hed like the office to continue during President Trumps administration. We live in a different age now, said Uballez. You might have noticed that we all, DOJ, have become a whole lot more vocal about what we do. Thats because we realize people need to understand a component of our justice system working. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uballez discusses Fentanyl, going after people for misusing federal COVID relief funds, and the importance of leveraging federal law enforcement in New Mexicos pueblos. He also answers questions related to the ongoing APD-DWI corruption case and the first person to face federal charges in the scheme, Ricardo Rick Mendez. Listen to the full conversation above or subscribe to the New Mexico News Insiders podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Download new episodes of the New Mexico News Insiders every Tuesday, starting around 5:30 a.m., Mountain time. Episodes are available on most podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean, among others. You can now watch our podcasts in video form both on-air or online. Tune in to an abbreviated version of the New Mexico News Insiders podcast on broadcast television every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. on Fox New Mexico. Full video episodes are posted on KRQEs YouTube page at youtube.com/krqenews13. Having trouble finding the show? Try searching your favorite podcast player with the term KRQE or New Mexico News Insiders (without the quotes). You can also use the links above to find the podcast on each service or listen to the audio player at the top of this post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for who should be interviewed on the podcast, let us know! Email your hosts at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. An undated photo of PFAS-laden foam on Holloman Lake, documented by the New Mexico environmental officials. High levels of 'forever chemicals' have contaminated the wetlands surrounding Holloman U.S. Air Force Base, including record-breaking findings of high levels found in plants and animals in a study released on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (Courtesy of New Mexico Environment Department) Plants and wildlife living around Holloman Lake near White Sands National Park contain some of the highest levels of toxic PFAS contamination recorded in the world, according to findings released Monday by New Mexico environmental officials. The record-breaking levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (shortened to PFAS) were recorded in samples of plants and studies of dead animal carcasses. This class of chemicals, nicknamed forever chemicals, bioaccumulate, meaning they can move through the food chain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts said they believe the leading cause of the contamination comes from neighboring Holloman U.S. Air Force Base, which used firefighting foam containing PFAS from the 1970s until 2019. I think were convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Holloman Air Force base loading for decades into the groundwater and the surface water there caused the PFAS levels were seeing, New Mexico Environment Department Secretary James Kenney told Source NM. New Mexico is embroiled in two lawsuits with the U.S. military over PFAS contamination on multiple air force bases and how to address clean up. Mondays findings also prompted a health advisory from New Mexico Department of Health, requesting that any hunters who ate waterfowl between 2010 and 2024 from Lake Holloman speak to their doctor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The levels of PFAS contamination in Holloman Lake are deeply concerning, particularly for hunters who may have consumed waterfowl from the area over the past decade, DOH Medical Director Dr. Miranda Durham said in a statement. PFAS exposure has been linked to serious health problems, and we encourage anyone who has consumed game from this region and has concerns to talk to their healthcare provider. While a lot of research is still being done on the dangers of the class of manmade chemicals, PFAS exposure is linked to kidney and reproductive cancers, decreased fertility, fetal developmental delays, disruption of immune responses and liver functions in people. NMDOH said further study was required of waterfowl and oryx populations to determine how widespread the risk to hunters is outside the immediate Lake Holloman area. Lake Holloman is a man-made chain of wetlands outside of Holloman Air Force Base, which receives treated wastewater from the base, along with campsites and nature trails. Since 2019, health officials have warned that people should not drink or swim in the lake because of the high level of PFAS. Holloman Lake is not used for drinking water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State officials have documented PFAS levels to be as high as 1,600 times the drinking water standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Samples from a Merriams kangaroo rat had PFAS levels of 120,000 nanograms per gram, the highest level recorded in a wild animal worldwide, and a salt cedar sample had 30,000 nanograms per gram, which officials said was the highest recorded in a plant. Read the full 613-page report below. Holloman-Lake-PFAS-Ecology-Report_1-08-2025-1 This story has been updated since publication to include comments from Environment Secretary James Kenney, add additional information about Lake Holloman, and information from the report. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX > < 23:56 Manoj Jarange to break indefinite fast tomorrow Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange announced he would break his indefinite fast on Thursday as he decided to adopt a different strategy for pushing the reservation demand.Jarange and 104 other activists, including women, launched the indefinite hunger strike on January 25 demanding the... Read more > 23:26 Delhi Police seizes vehicle labelled 'Punjab govt' with cash, liquor, AAP pamphlets Delhi Police registered a case after a vehicle labelled 'Punjab government' was on Wednesday intercepted with cash, liquor and Aam Aadmi Party pamphlets, an official said.The vehicle bearing a Punjab number plate was caught by the Flying Squad team in the New Delhi district, the official said.The... Read more > 23:19 3 die of suspected GBS in Bengal in 4 days Three persons, including a child, have died due to suspected Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in West Bengal in the past four days, though the state health department is yet to officially confirm the cause of the deaths.All three persons died in government hospitals in Kolkata and Hooghly district.A... Read more > 23:04 Assam woman raped in front of kids, acid poured A 30-year-old woman was allegedly raped in front of her two children, following which acid was poured on her, police said on Wednesday.The horrific incident happened in the Dholai police station area in Assam's Cachar district, they said.The accused, a 28-year-old driver, is a neighbour of the... Read more > 23:02 Sub-inspector from Bahraich dies on duty at Maha Kumbh A Bahraich Police sub-inspector who was on duty near the Sangam banks at the Maha Kumbh died on Wednesday, with sources saying he complained of a stomachache and suddenly his health deteriorated.Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Durga Prasad Tiwari told reporters in the evening, The... Read more > 22:40 Man blows up wife's boss's car over suspected affair Image only for representation A 42-year-old man triggered a blast in the car of his wife's employer with a remote-controlled bomb in Chhattisgarh's Durg district on suspicion she was having an affair with him, a senior police official said on Wednesday.No one was inside the parked car at the time of the blast, which damaged... Read more > 21:57 Kumbh stampede: Bengal govt to send team to UP The West Bengal government on Wednesday decided to send a team to Maha Kumbh as it did not receive any information from the Uttar Pradesh administration about the condition of pilgrims from the state following a stampede there, a senior official said in Kolkata.A team of officials from the... Read more > 21:55 Rupee rises 2 paise to close at 86.55 against US dollar The rupee pared its initial losses and settled for the day on a positive note, higher by 2 paise to close at 86.55 against the US dollar on Wednesday, supported by positive domestic markets, while a strong US dollar and a recovery in crude oil prices capped sharp gains.Forex traders said the US... Read more > 21:18 1 more suspected GBS death reported in Maharashtra One more person has died of suspected Guillain-Barre Syndrome in Maharashtra, taking toll to two, officials said.While 16 new cases of the disease have been reported.More details awaited. -- PTI Read more > 21:12 UP minister calls Kumbh stampede a 'minor incident' Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjay Nishad on Wednesday expressed grief over the stampede in Mahakumbh Nagar and said 'minor incidents' do happen in 'such a big event'.Nishad is the chief of the Nishad party and fisheries minister in the Yogi Adityanath government.In such a big event and when there is... Read more > 21:09 Baba Siddique murder: Warrant issued against Anmol Bishnoi, two others Baba Siddique A special court in Mumbai on Wednesday issued a non-bailable warrant against gangster Anmol Bishnoi and two other wanted accused in the Nationalist Congress Party leader Baba Siddique murder case.The special judge for cases under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), B D Shelke,... Read more > 20:33 Govt asks airlines to moderate Prayagraj airfares Representational image Amid persisting concerns over exorbitant airfares for Prayagraj flights, the civil aviation ministry on Wednesday asked airlines to maintain reasonable prices, and sources said the country's largest carrier IndiGo has reduced the fares to Prayagraj in the range of 30-50 per cent. The... Read more > 20:27 WB varsity probes videos showing female prof getting 'married' to student Representational image Viral videos of a senior female professor getting married to a student in the classroom at a state-run university in West Bengal triggered a furore, following which an inquiry was ordered on Wednesday, officials said. The professor, however, claimed... Read more > 19:55 R-Day celebrations end with Beating Retreat ceremony The Beating Retreat ceremony, which marked the end of Republic Day celebrations, saw a synchronised performance by the personnel of three armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces, as they played and marched to foot-tapping Indian tunes.People remained glued to the appealing ceremony held with... Read more > 19:15 Important honour for Ponniyin Selvan cinematographer Ravi Varman National Award-winning cinematographer Ravi Varman has been invited to be a member of the American Society of Cinematographers, the world's leading cinematographers' organisation.Ravi Varman is the second Indian cinematographer to receive this prestigious recognition... Read more > 18:58 30 dead, 60 injured in Kumbh stampede: UP DIG At least 30 people were killed and 60 others injured in a stampede that broke out at the Maha Kumbh Mela in the early hours of Wednesday, officials said. The pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh broke out as crores of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the... Read more > 18:50 BSE Sensex: Top gainers today From the 30-share Sensex pack, Zomato jumped nearly 7 per cent.Tata Motors, Infosys, UltraTech Cement, Tech Mahindra, Mahindra & Mahindra and Bajaj Finance were the other major gainers.In contrast, ITC Hotels, Bharti Airtel, Maruti, Asian Paints and ITC were among the laggards. -- PTI Read more > 18:49 Fresh talks on creation of 7 Manipur districts tomorrow A fresh round of tripartite meetings on the creation of seven districts in Manipur will be held in Senapati district on Thursday, an official said here.Those districts were created in 2016 by the then Congress government led by O Ibobi Singh amid opposition from the United Naga Council (UNC), the... Read more > 18:36 150 seized vehicles gutted in Bengaluru police pound Representational image Nearly 150 seized vehicles parked in an open area in Srirampura here were gutted in a fire accident on Wednesday, the police said.However, no causalities were reported.The vehicles at Srirampura station were parked in a two-acre vacant land, they said. Bengaluru city police used to park all the... Read more > 18:19 Sensex jumps 631 points, settles at 76,532 Stock market benchmark index Sensex surged nearly 1 per cent on Wednesday, buoyed by a rally in IT, capital goods and industrial stocks amid a firm trend in global markets.However, unabated selling by foreign investors ahead of the Union Budget kept market sentiment extremely cautious, traders... Read more > 18:15 Air India to resume Delhi-Tel Aviv flights from March 2 Air India will resume direct flights to Tel Aviv from March 2, after suspending the services in August last year amid tensions in the Middle East. Five weekly flights will be operated from the national capital to Tel Aviv in Israel, the airline said in a release on Wednesday.The airline will... Read more > 17:48 Haryana to file case against Kejriwal over Yamuna claim Haryana Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Vipul Goel on Wednesday said the state government will get a case registered against Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal over his 'poison in Yamuna' remark, which he dubbed an irresponsible statement aimed at spread panic among people.Kejriwal... Read more > 17:43 Marriage between Hindus can't be dissolved in a year: HC The Allahabad High Court has observed that marriage between two Hindus is sacrosanct and it cannot be dissolved within one year of marriage unless there is exceptional hardship or exceptional depravity as provided under the Hindu Marriage Act.A double-judge bench comprising Justice Ashwani Kumar... Read more > 17:23 SC strikes down domicile-based reservations in PG medical admissions In a far-reaching judgment on Wednesday, the Supreme Court ruled that domicile-based reservations in postgraduate (PG) medical courses are impermissible and declared them unconstitutional for violating Article 14 of the Constitution.A three-judge bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy,... Read more > 17:13 Beed murder: I'm ready to resign, says Dhananjay Munde Amid opposition call for his resignation over the Beed sarpanch murder case, Maharashtra cabinet member Dhananjay Munde on Wednesday said he is ready to quit if asked by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis or deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Munde, a senior member of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress... Read more > 16:55 Sensex, Nifty surge nearly 1% Stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty surged nearly 1 per cent on Wednesday, buoyed by a rally in IT, capital goods and industrial stocks amid a firm trend in global markets.The 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex jumped 631.55 points or 0.83 per cent to settle at 76,532.96. During the day,... Read more > 16:51 Viral video of women in car chased by SUV with DMK flag A grab from the video shows the SUV blocking the car A videoclip that purportedly showed some women in a car being chased and intimidated by men in a SUV with a DMK flag has gone viral and police said on Wednesday that they are on the lookout for them. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said the visuals that showed the women being... Read more > 16:23 Court grants 5 days custody parole to Feb 2020 riots accused 53 people were killed in the Delhi riots A Delhi court on Wednesday granted five days custody parole to February 2020 riots accused Shafa ur Rehman to contest and campaign for the upcoming state assembly elections. Additional sessions judge Sameer Bajpai who was hearing Rehman's interim bail plea for four weeks, directed his... Read more > 16:19 Dad, uncle shoot Pak teen for making TikTok videos A 15-year-old girl born and raised in the US has been killed by her father and uncle in the Balochistan province of Pakistan for making TikTok videos, police said on Wednesday. The police have arrested both the accused who have confessed to the honour killing after the girl and her family... Read more > 15:52 Band, bajaa, baarat but no dulhan! Representational image In a bizarre incident, a marriage party (baraat) from Nari village in Himachal Pradesh's Una district returned home without the bride as no wedding was planned in any home of Singa village, where the marriage ceremony was supposed to take place.The groom, who arrived with the wedding procession,... Read more > 15:24 Amrit snan, deferred due to stampede, resumes Amrit snan, the traditional bathing ritual of akharas that was deferred due to stampede at Maha Kumbh, resumes. Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj of Juna Akhara says, We thought that the devotees should not face difficulties because of us and we postponed our Snan. As... Read more > 15:16 Industry Expects Tax Simplification In Budget: FICCI Survey A pre-Budget industry survey by FICCI has found that a majority of industry members expect simplification to the tax regime and incentives for green tech and easing compliances through digitisation in the FY26 Budget.Expressing concerns over muted demand in the economy, companies have called for... Read more > 15:14 Govind Pansare's killing: HC grants bail to six accused The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted bail to six accused in the case of killing of rationalist and author Govind Pansare in 2015, on the ground of long incarceration. A single bench of Justice A S Kilor allowed the bail pleas of the six accused - Sachin Andure, Ganesh Miskin, Amit... Read more > 14:52 Thousands of Kumbh devotees stuck in mega traffic jam Several people were injured in the stampede at the Kumbh Mela Vehicles carrying thousands of devotees to Maha Kumbh were stuck on the border between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday due to huge crowd in Prayagraj, officials said. Food and accommodation arrangements were made for the devotees stranded in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district,... Read more > 14:24 In constant touch with Yogi, administration: Amit Shah Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his deep sorrow over the stampede-like situation at the Maha Kumbh that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday and extended condolences to the families of the victims. In a post on X, Shah mentioned being in regular contact with the Uttar Pradesh... Read more > 14:16 Death of a season Calcutta's coldest day this 'winter' -- the season is now on its way out -- was a risible 12.5Celsius. Anglophone Calcuttans, condemned to remain stuck in a city that is warming perceptibly, much like the rest of the world, thus cannot be blamed for turning to literature to savour the chill in... Read more > 14:08 More Boys Than Girls Know How To Use A Smartphone The latest Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), released on Tuesday, has found that government and private school enrolment is back to 2018 levels, evidence that the increase in government school enrolment during the Covid years was driven more by necessity than choice. It... Read more > 14:03 Picture that shows why the Kumbh stampede happened The picture that shows exactly why the stampede at the Kumbh Mela happened in the early hours today. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said earlier today that some devotees were seriously injured.The incident took place between 1 am and 2 am when some devotees climbed over the barricades at... Read more > 13:45 Cong releases manifesto for Delhi polls, promises caste census Days before the Delhi polls, the Congress on Wednesday launched its manifesto, promising to conduct a caste census and set up a ministry for Purvanchalis if it is voted to power in the capital.The party, which was ousted from power by the AAP in 2013, also promised a monthly grant of Rs 2,500 to... Read more > 13:27 Despite stampede 4.24 cr pilgrims take Amrit Snan The aftermath of the stampede Saints continue to arrive, though in smaller processions, at the Triveni Sangam for the second Amrit Snan on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. As of 12 pm today, about 4.24 crore devotees have taken a holy dip. The total number of devotees who have taken a holy dip till today has crossed 20... Read more > 13:07 SC seeks details of cases against men giving triple talaq The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre to provide the details of the number of FIRs and chargesheets filed against men for pronouncing instant triple talaq to divorce spouses in violation of the 1991 Muslim Women (Protection of Rights in Marriage) Act. A bench comprising Chief... Read more > 13:06 Dear Kangana: KJo is launching Saif's son Ibrahim Ali Khan Filmmaker Karan Johar is all set to introduce Ibrahim Ali Khan, son of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, to Bollywood. In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Johar shared his excitement and fond memories of his bond with Ibrahim's parents, reminiscing about his long-standing connection with the... Read more > 12:17 India, Oman Agree To Amend Tax Treaty India and Oman on Tuesday signed an agreement to amend their taxation treaty -- Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) -- in an attempt to align it with 'international standards on cross-border taxation, simplifying tax procedures, and promoting greater cooperation in tax matters'.DTAA is... Read more > 12:13 Day 5: Jarange refuses to take fluids The health of activist Manoj Jarange, whose indefinite hunger strike over Maratha quota demand entered the fifth day on Wednesday, is deteriorating but he has refused to take intravenous fluids, officials said. BJP MLA Suresh Dhas met Jarange at the protest site at Antarwali Sarati village... Read more > 12:07 Modi condoles Kumbh stampede: I'm in touch with Yogi PM Modi condoles Maha Kumbh stampede. The accident that happened in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. My deepest condolences to the devotees who have lost their loved ones in this. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured. The local administration is engaged in... Read more > 11:34 Devotees climbed over barricades: Yogi on Kumbh stampede A stampede broke out at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh early Wednesday as crores of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath saying some devotees were seriously injured. The incident took place between 1 am and 2... Read more > 11:21 The rudraksha lingas of Kumbh Pic: PIB The 12 Jyotirlingas have been crafted from 7.5 crore Rudraksha beads at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Read more > 11:02 India Valuation Not Stretched: BlackRock India's valuations are not 'materially expensive' compared to peers but the returns over the next five years could be in low double digits, BlackRock Investment Institute believes.In its 2025 Global Outlook Report, the research firm said India's high price to earnings (P/E) ratio is on... Read more > 10:58 Kumbh Snan of akharas deferred due to overcrowding The head of the Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad Mahant Ravindra Puri on Wednesday said the traditional bathing ritual of all the akharas has been deferred due to overcrowding at the Sangam ghat amid the Maha Kumbh. Multiple casualties were feared after a stampede at the Sangam in the early... Read more > 10:38 DeepSeek Most Downloaded App On Apple iOS In India China's AI startup DeepSeek, which has taken the world by storm, surpassing major global players like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, has become the most downloaded app on Apple iOS in India across all categories, according to data from Sensor Tower.Introduced last week, DeepSeek AI Assistant -- the... Read more > 10:25 Situation at Prayagraj under control: Yogi Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath on the stampede: The situation in Prayagraj is under control. Around 8-10 crore devotees are present in Prayagraj today. There is continuous pressure due to the movement of devotees towards the Sangam Nose. A few devotees have suffered serious injuries when... Read more > 10:11 Be patient: Ramdev tells devotees amid Kumbh stampede Yoga guru Baba Ramdev says, This is the Amrit kal of Sanatan... All those who are here during the Amrit Snan of Mauni Amavasya, should stay 'maun' and meditate and pray and indulge in bhajan. They should hold gratitude in their hearts.When in crowds like this, it is our duty to ensure our and... Read more > 10:01 Minor girl found alone at railway station; probe indicates rape Pic: Wikipedia A 12-year-old girl was found abandoned at a railway station in Maharashtra's Navi Mumbai township and a probe later indicated that she was raped, police said on Wednesday. The Vashi Government Railway Police (GRP) have registered a case in this connection and search is on for the culprits... Read more > 09:40 Cong slams Centre, Yogi govt for 'half-baked' Kumbh arrangements The Congress on Wednesday hit out at the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government over the stampede-like situation at the Sangam, demanding that the Maha Kumbh management be handed over to a better administrator than Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the movement of VVIPs there be... Read more > 09:33 'Amrit Snan' to resume at Kumbh Mela President of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, Ravindra Puri has said that the Akharas will resume their 'snan' today, adding that they are in continuous contact with the Mela administration. Our snan was postponed in the morning after a massive crowd gathered at the ghats. We tried to... Read more > 09:23 Kumbh stampede caused by mismanagement: Akhilesh Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to learn from today's stampede situation and appealed devotees to exercise restraint and patience.The news of casualties of devotees in an accident caused by mismanagement in Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. We also appeal to... Read more > 09:05 Don't go to Sangam Nose, instead take dip at...: UP CM Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has appealed to the devotees to take a dip at their nearest ghat and not try to go towards Sangam Nose following a stampede-like incident at Maha Kumbh in Devotees who have come to Prayagraj, take a dip at the Ganga ghat nearest to you, do not try... Read more > 08:13 Modi speaks with Yogi over Maha Kumbh stampede Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation at the Maha Kumbh in a call with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath following a stampede-like incident and called for immediate support measures. Modi is continuously monitoring the situation and has spoken to Adityanath... Read more > 00:08 Elvish Yadav booked for threatening witness A first information report (FIR) has been registered against YouTuber Elvish Yadav here for threatening a witness in the Noida rave party case, police said on Tuesday.The case was lodged following the orders for registration of an FIR by Additional Civil Judge Pratibha on January 24.Saurabh... Read more > 00:07 Maha Kumbh gears up for 10 cr devotees today With the 'Amrit Snan' on 'Mauni Amavasya' expected to draw around 10 crore pilgrims to the Maha Kumbh on Wednesday, the Uttar Pradesh government has stepped up security and crowd-management systems.The government will also shower 25 quintals of rose petals using helicopters on the devotees even... Read more > LANSING Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined more than 20 other state attorneys general Tuesday in filing a lawsuit to protect programs and "vital services" threatened by a federal funding pause ordered Monday by the Trump administration. "My team is working at full speed today to discern what these orders mean and the extent of their immediate impacts, and request an immediate legal remedy to restore funding provided by Congress, require this administration to comply with the law, and to stop this absurd and unprecedented attack on these programs," Nessel said in a news release, before the suit was filed in federal court in Rhode Island. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel The administration of President Donald Trump temporarily paused grant, loan and other financial assistance programs at the Office of Management and Budget, under a memorandum issued Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal judge in the District of Columbia issued an order late Tuesday to temporarily block the funding pause, setting a hearing for Feb. 3, but that was in response to a lawsuit brought by nonprofits and advocacy groups, not by Nessel or other attorneys general. The memo specifically excluded from the pause "assistance received directly by individuals," including Medicare and Social Security, and also appeared to exclude state welfare payments to needy families, such as food stamps, which account for close to $5.5 billion in federal spending in Michigan. But Nessel said in a news release it appeared payments under Medicaid could be impacted by the pause, as well as Head Start, which is a preschool program. "We are receiving reports of critical impacts to significant programs many millions of Michiganders rely upon daily for vital services," Nessel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House Office of Management and Budget said in a follow-up memo Tuesday that neither Medicaid nor Head Start payments were covered by the pause, despite media reports that some states were having trouble accessing certain payments Tuesday. Nessel's office did not immediately respond to questions about why she believed Medicaid and Head Start payments were impacted by the pause. The memo referenced executive orders, including those seeking to dismantle programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), signed by President Donald Trump since he took office last week. "In the interim, to the extent permissible under applicable law, federal agencies must temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be impacted by the executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal," Matthew J. Vaeth, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, wrote in the memo. The suspension goes into effect Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 5 p.m., according to the memo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agencies have until Feb. 10 to submit detailed information on any programs, projects or activities subject to the pause, the memo states. Michigan's 2025 budget totals about $81.2 billion, of which just under $33.9 billion, or 42%, comes from the federal government, according to the House Fiscal Agency. But not all of that federal money has been paused. By state agency, the biggest recipients of federal funding are the Department of Health and Human Services ($26.6 billion); the Michigan Department of Transportation ($2.3 billion); School Aid ($2.3 billion); and the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity ($1.2 billion). Next are the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential ($505.4 million) and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy ($463.8 million). More: DOJ shuts down Detroit legal program helping immigrants in court after Trump order Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The potential impact is huge," said Bob Schneider, a senior research associate at the Citizens Research Council of Michigan. But it is quite possible the freeze applies to a more limited range of federal spending programs, he said, noting the qualifier in the memorandum "to the extent permissible under federal law." Programs delivered through the states that are already provided for under federal law, such as Medicaid, would appear not to be covered by the pause, Schneider said. Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, criticized Nessel on X for proposing "another frivolous taxpayer funded lawsuit attacking President Trumps agenda." Earlier Tuesday, New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, said she plans to ask a Manhattan federal court to block the Republican presidents moves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story has been updated to add new information. Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Nessel joins other state AGs in suit to block Trump's funding pause Democratic Sen. Gary Peters wont seek reelection in 2026, kicking off what could be a crowded primary to replace him in the battleground state of Michigan. Peters, 66, told The Detroit News that it is time for a new chapter that focuses on spending more time with his family. I always thought there would be a time that I would step aside and pass the reins for the next generation. I also never saw service in Congress as something you do your whole life, Peters told the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news of the senators surprise announcement was first reported by Josh Marshall of Talking Points Memo. Peters served in the House before his election to the Senate in 2014. He chaired the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for the 2021-2022 cycle, where Democrats picked up seats in the upper chamber. He is also the top Democrat on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. I think this is pretty normal for everybody to say, Ive done a job, and Im proud of the job I did, but there are other things I want to do in my life. There are other ways that I can give back to the community, Peters told The Detroit News. Potential candidates to replace Peters include Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D); the states attorney general, Dana Nessel; Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.); Michigan state Senate Majority Whip Mallory McMorrow (D); and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a resident of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Republican side, former Rep. Mike Rogers, who ran unsuccessfully in 2024 against Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), could try another bid, and Rep. John James (R-Mich.) is a possible contender as well. Other names that have come up include Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) and Tony Dungy, the former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. No Republican has won a Michigan Senate race in 30 years including last cycle when Democrats won an open Senate seat even as Trump won the state and Democrats will continue to hold this seat in 2026, DSCC spokesman David Bergstein said in a statement. Whitmer immediately ruled out a Senate run, using the acronym NFW for no fucking way when asked about it on ABCs The View on Tuesday. I am not going anywhere. Ive got two more years to my term, Whitmer said. Ive got a lot of things I want to get done as governor. What comes after that, I dont know yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buttigieg was the first Democrat to express explicit interest in running. Axios first reported the news and HuffPost confirmed it. Pete is exploring all of his options on how he can be helpful and continue to serve, someone familiar with Buttigiegs thinking told HuffPost. Hes honored to be mentioned for this and hes taking a serious look. McMorrow told HuffPost she was looking at either a Senate or gubernatorial run. Im taking a very close look at both the Senate seat as well as the governors race and plan to have a number of conversations in the coming days about where I can do the most good for Michiganders, she said. Related... LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The Michigan Republican Party has filed a complaint against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, alleging that her choice of campaign press conference venue violated state election law. Benson formally announced her bid for governor last week in a press conference held in the lobby of the Richard H. Austin Building, a building that houses Secretary of State offices on its fourth floor. The MIGOP alleges that this choice of venue violated Michigan election law and submitted a complaint under Section 215(5) of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act, which requires that the Secretary of State investigate these allegations. As Benson and her campaign are directly involved, the law also requires that this complaint be referred to the Department of Attorney General. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We call on the Bureau of Elections to take this complaint seriously and to hold Jocelyn Benson accountable for her flagrant abuses of the publics trust. We also request that the Bureau of Elections enjoin Secretary Benson and her campaign from future violations and fine them the maximum amount permitted by law, said Tyler Henningsen, Political Director of the Michigan Republican Party. The integrity of our public office holders must be maintained, and the misuse of taxpayer-funded resources for personal political gain will not be tolerated. 6 News attended the aforementioned press conference, and the choice of venue was brought up by those in attendance multiple times. When asked why the conference was held inside instead of out on the steps, Benson replied Its cold, so we didnt want you all to stand outside in the hall, so we are in here. She was then asked if other candidates for office could use the lobby for their press events, to which Benson responded Of course. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When an attendee said holding a campaign press conference inside the building had not been permitted before, Benson replied: Well thats good to know. Its certainly never come to my attention, but again, this was an effort to make sure that no ones getting frostbite. A release from the MIGOP says that the Richard H. Austin Building, funded by Michigan taxpayers, is not a space open to all but an office under Bensons control as Secretary of State. However, the Benson campaign released a statement to 6 News contradicting this, saying As the Secretary said last Wednesday, the lobby space used is a public space where First Amendment activity can occur as long as it doesnt interfere with the operation of the building. Any candidate is welcome to use it, and anyone saying otherwise is playing a political game. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Getty Images The impact from a Trump administration order to temporarily stop payments on multiple federal programs is already being felt in Michigan. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) issued a release Tuesday canceling a training that had been scheduled for a proposed pilot program under MSHDAs single-family mortgage program. You may have seen that the federal Office of Management and Budget has directed all federal agencies to temporarily pause the obligation and disbursement of federal financial assistance while they evaluate whether any activities are impacted by recent Presidential executive orders, the release said. Our agency is part of state government and has not been directly asked by the federal government to do anything as part of this directive. But we do receive federal funding for some programs, and the federal government contributes to some housing projects that we help finance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release cited the decision to cancel Tuesdays training being taken out of an abundance of caution, but also said that to preserve the stability of the agency, MSHDA was pausing all new programs from launching for the time being. The decision by MSHDA follows a two-page memo issued by the Office of Management and Budget announcing the freeze and which appeared to apply to all federal financial assistance, including grants and loans. In response to that memo, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, issued a statement saying her department was aware of state services including Medicaid and Head Start being affected. We are receiving reports of critical impacts to significant programs many millions of Michiganders rely upon daily for vital services, said Nessel. We hear and share your direct and dire concerns. My team is working at full speed today to discern what these orders mean and the extent of their immediate impacts, and request an immediate legal remedy to restore funding provided by Congress, require this administration to comply with the law, and to stop this absurd and unprecedented attack on these programs. I intend to file litigation today to protect these programs and restore these vital services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision by MSHDA to cancel the training also follows an executive directive issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last Friday which asked state departments and agencies to review executive orders issued by President Donald Trump for compliance on programs receiving federal funds. However, Whitmers directive was focused on a specific set of orders designed to halt diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies at the federal level, eliminate the so-called electric vehicle (EV) mandate, and declare that the male and female genders are an immutable biological classification. While MSHDA said it regretted canceling the pilot program training, it clarified that its existing programs for single-family mortgages, including the MSHDA Rate Relief Mortgage, the MI Home Loan Mortgage and MI 10K Down Payment Assistance, would not be impacted by the pause. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Demetrius Terrence Frazier, 52, is scheduled to be executed in February after being convicted of the November 1991 rape and murder of Pauline Brown, 40, in Birmingham. Michigan supports Alabama's efforts to have Frazier's lawsuit dismissed. (Alabama Department of Corrections) Officials in Michigan will not oppose Demetrius Fraziers execution that Gov. Kay Ivey scheduled for next Thursday using nitrogen gas. Attorneys for Demetrius Terrence Frazier, scheduled to be executed on Feb. 6 for the 1991 rape and murder of Pauline Brown, had argued that he should be remanded to the custody of Michigan prison authorities, where he was serving a life sentence for the murder of 14-year-old Crystal Kendrick before being transferred to Alabama in 2011. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in a court filing last week, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said the court could not compel Michigan to extradite Frazier. While Michigan takes no position on the imposition of the death penalty in this case, Michigan does not seek to return Frazier to a Michigan correctional facility, the filing stated. Fraziers attorneys likened Nessels argument to one that former Alabama Attorney General Jeff Sessions made in the 2018 case of Moody vs. Holman in which a person on Alabamas death row sought to stop his scheduled execution because he was supposed to be in federal custody and not imprisoned within the Alabama DOC. Messages seeking comment were left with Nessels office and the office of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer office on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By refusing to take custody of Frazier, Fraziers attorneys wrote, Michigan and Frazier will make history: he will be the first prisoner executed while in the state of Michigans custody. Fraziers attorneys alleged that the 2011 agreement that led to Fraziers transfer to Alabama, negotiated by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, is unlawful. The executive agreement violates the due process clause because it was done with the intent to deprive Mr. Frazier of his Fourteenth Amendment right to life and without lawful authority, Fraziers attorneys allege in the lawsuit. They also state that Michigan law requires Mr. Frazier to serve his life sentences in a state correctional facility or a county jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frazier, 52, is currently incarcerated at Holman Correctional Facilitys death row after a jury convicted him of capital murder for his role in the 1991 rape and murder of Pauline Brown, 40. Court documents state that Frazier broke into Browns apartment seeking to rob the location. He then found Brown who was in the apartment, threatened her with a gun and sexually assaulted her before killing her. This lawsuit is separate from the one that Frazier filed in federal district court in the U.S. Middle District of Alabama alleging that the nitrogen gas protocol the state plans to use violates his Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment. Detroit police apprehended Frazier, then 19 in March 1992. A Michigan jury convicted him of the murder of 14-year-old Kendrick in 1993 and sentenced him to life in prison. He was convicted of Browns murder in 1996. Alabama at the time requested Michigan to keep Frazier in custody, where he remained until being transferred to Alabama in 2011. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fraziers petition alleges claims that are not cognizable in federal habeas because they concern only state law and otherwise rest on the exclusive powers of states as independent sovereigns, the Michigan Attorney Generals Office stated in its filing. The petition is also untimely, and Frazier has not exhausted his claims in the state courts of either Alabama or Michigan before bringing his habeas petition to this Court. The court has yet to rule on this case. Alabama executed six people in 2024, three by nitrogen gas. Michigan abolished the death penalty in 1847, and its state constitution expressly forbids capital punishment. Heres a new one: a sexagenarian has just been arrested for allegedly using an array of wigs and other disguises to take British citizenship tests for over a dozen applicants. Perhaps these would-be immigrants feel so strongly about living in Britain they are willing to cheat their way in. They wouldnt be the first. Maybe their grasp of English isnt sufficient to answer such stumpers as St Andrews is the patron saint of which country? in a multiple-choice exam. But this apparent Mrs Doubtfire tale makes a mockery of citizenship tests weve long suspected are unfit for purpose. It isnt just the contents of the 45-minute quiz, nor even the fact that applicants can book and attempt it as many times as necessary until they pass. Take a sample test online, and its inconceivable that the authorities could gauge how committed applicants are to assimilation, nor how respectful of our institutions, heritage and traditions. We cant establish how many migrants motivations are instrumental, rather than an affection for the culture of fish and chips, warm beer and conversations about the weather. The Office for National Statistics this week projected that net migration could fuel a rise in the UK population to 72.5 million by 2032, yet politicians remain remarkably complacent over what this means for social and cultural integration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the Second World War, fewer than one in 25 people living in Britain had been born overseas. Today, the figure is around one in seven. The first big wave was the Windrush generation most of whom came from the Caribbean, spoke English and were of Christian faith. Today, according to Policy Exchange, there are over two dozen communities of more than 100,000 people born overseas. The breadth of diversity in this country is staggering. British citizens now speak different languages, hold different faiths and subscribe to different traditions. How do you imbue mutual obligation, a sense of common purpose and solidarity with such massive cultural divergence? No one really knows, and few dare ask. One of the great inconsistencies in the multiculturalism debate is that we must celebrate our newly dynamic, vibrant society while simultaneously accepting that our shared values remain unchanged. We are expected to be both homogeneous and diverse. But changes are occurring before our eyes. One in five voters under the age of 45 would prefer to do away with democracy, it was reported last month. BBC In Depth recently warned that our moral compasses are changing, with disapproval of various underhand activities [falling] noticeably. Since the mid-2000s consumption of alcohol has been declining steadily, particularly among Gen Z. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bizarrely absent from any analysis of these trends is the possible impact of high migration inflows. The BBC predictably apportions blame to the bete noires of the liberal elites: social media, politicians and big business. Doubtless theres some truth to it though saints have rarely found their way into Parliament at any time and corporations are much more ethically conscious today than in the past. By the 1980s, Britain had evolved into a relatively civilised society. We had outlawed capital and corporal punishment. Homosexuality had been decriminalised. Bribery, tribal loyalty and favouritism to family had been consigned to history. We had introduced secular education; womens rights had been dramatically expanded. Nobody was above the law. This was all underpinned by a strong sense of identity and national pride. Yet some of these features are being eroded, in part because of the progressive policies pursued by Tory politicians, the woke capture of our institutions and the denigration of our history. Whats less clear is the role of inward migration. Just 64 per cent of people are now proud of the nations past. When four schoolboys accidentally scuffed a Koran, they were suspended and the police logged it as a non-crime hate incident. Theres a push to redefine Islamophobia, creating a blasphemy law by the back door. Tory politicians have warned of the abuse of postal votes amid concerns that some heads of households were filling in ballot papers for whole families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were at a crossroads, the academic Dr Rakib Ehsan tells me. There is a lack of political leadership over these issues and they wont go away. Successful integration in a multi-ethnic society takes work. Its a dangerous mistake to believe it will happen by a mysterious process of osmosis. 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. GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCBD) The largest military shipbuilder in the country has begun operating in what was previously the site of W International in Goose Creek. Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) said the company started work at what is now the Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) Charleston Operations site. More than 99% of the legacy workforce at W International accepted positions with HII and will continue to work on the site that constructs nuclear-powered submarine modules and aircraft carrier units for U.S. Navy programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HII is committed to going where the labor is to increase shipbuilding capacity and increase throughput for our national security customers, HII President and CEO Chris Kastner said. This lets us efficiently add trained talent and state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities to the urgent job of building ships, making it a unique opportunity to immediately accelerate throughput at Newport News Shipbuilding in support of the Navy and AUKUS. The shipbuilder plans to add hundreds of jobs as the site grows and demand increases. The manufacturing facility at Bushy Park Road sits on 45 acres with more than 480,000 square feet of manufacturing space and has access to barge and rail transportation. The expansion of our nations largest military shipbuilder in South Carolina underscores the pivotal role our state plays in strengthening Americas national security, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said. The dedicated shipbuilders in the Charleston area are part of a highly skilled workforce that will propel our nation forward. This innovation and modernization in our defense industrial base will create jobs and draw resources to our states already robust Navy presence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NNS Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer Matt Needy runs the Charleston operation as general manager. HII announced the incoming asset acquisition in December. (Photo by Ryan Woolridge/HII) (Photo by Ryan Woolridge/HII) (Photo by Ryan Woolridge/HII) (Photo by Ryan Woolridge/HII) Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. College will be within financial reach to more Milwaukee students thanks to a local nonprofit landing a new $7.4 million grant. All-In Milwaukee has helped hundreds of low-income, diverse students get into and through college since its 2018 launch. The organization will double the number of students it serves through a five-year grant from Madison-based nonprofit Ascendium Education Group. The groups announced the news at the Baird Center on Tuesday. The expansion is desperately needed, said All-In Milwaukee executive director Allison Wagner. Only about 30% of applicants are accepted, meaning more than 1,000 applicants who had the financial need and academic credentials to qualify were turned away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization's first class included 40 students. This year, it helped 150 students go to college. The goal is to grow to 250-student classes and serve 1,000 students annually. More than 600 students have been supported by All-In Milwaukee to date, all of whom come from low-income families, 99% of whom identify as students of color, and 87% of whom are the first in their families to go to college. How All-In Milwaukee works Students apply in their senior year of high school, and All-In Milwaukee guides them to one of their partner institutions: Alverno College, Carroll University, Marquette University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Whitewater and Wisconsin Lutheran College. Schools provide the maximum level of financial aid and some additional support services. All-In Milwaukee provides another $12,000 per student through donors to cover other college costs. The organization also pairs each student with a mentor who offers academic and career advice throughout their time on campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campus experience for low-income students can be isolating and overwhelming, All-In Milwaukee program graduate Alex Mancilla told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last year. They straddle two worlds, spending their semesters alongside students they struggle to relate to and returning home on breaks to neighborhoods where few have the privilege to attend college. All-In Milwaukee arranges corporate visits, networking events and workshops. Students are required to join a campus club and encouraged to live on campus for at least one year. All-In Milwaukee students graduate at higher rates than national statistics All-In Milwaukee's robust financial support and individualized advising approach is paying off. The organization's data shows it's bucking national college completion trends. Among all students entering four-year college institutions, the six-year graduation rate was 64%, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. And a 2018 study by the Pell Institute reported just 11% of low-income, first-generation college students who received Pell Grants earned a bachelor's degree within six years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But about 90% of All-In Milwaukee participants are on track to graduate from college within six years, according to the organization. Roughly 85% graduate without any student debt, and nearly 90% have a job lined up or are pursuing graduate studies after graduation. For more information about All-In Milwaukee, visit allinmilwaukee.org. Kelly Meyerhofer covers higher education in Wisconsin. Contact her at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com or 414-223-5168. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @KellyMeyerhofer. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: All-In Milwaukee lands $7 million grant to expand college student support Milwaukee Public Schools will add its name to a growing list of school districts that allege major social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat are "substantially" contributing to a crisis in youth mental health. Across the U.S., more than 1,400 school districts have filed lawsuits alleging social media companies intentionally target young people with their products and prioritize profits over users' mental health, according to Keller Rohrback L.L.P, the law firm MPS school board members voted this month to represent the district. "(Social media companies) have made choices to target youth, to maximize the time youth spend on (their) social media platforms, and then designed their algorithms to feed children harmful content, like videos promoting eating disorders, violence, self-harm, and suicide," according to Keller Rohrback L.L.P. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The MPS lawsuit is expected to be filed in mid-February, according to a statement from the district. The lawsuit carries no financial risk for MPS. The district is not responsible for paying legal fees if it is unsuccessful in recovering money, according to the already-negotiated contract between the MPS school board and Keller Rohrback. If successful, MPS would pay the firm a percentage of its earnings. In Wisconsin and elsewhere, the topic of youth mental health has gained attention, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for requiring warning labels on social media platforms, saying the sites are a contributor to a crisis in youth mental health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Wisconsin, 34% of high school students had reported feeling so sad or hopeless "almost every day for two or more weeks in a row" to the point that they "stopped doing some usual activities," according to the most recent data from the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey Nearly one in five high schoolers, or 18%, said they had considered suicide. A later report by the state's Office of Children's Mental Health cited the same statistics when calling youth mental health an "extremely concerning" issue. The parent companies for Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok did not respond to request for comment. A spokesperson for Google, which owns YouTube, said "the allegations in these complaints are simply not true." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Providing young people with a safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work. In collaboration with youth, mental health and parenting experts, we built services and policies to provide young people with age-appropriate experiences, and parents with robust controls," reads the statement from Jose Castaneda. More: Despite increased focus on mental health, myths and misunderstanding still common What other Wisconsin school districts have joined the lawsuit? School districts across the U.S. are filing their lawsuits individually, in either federal court or state court in California. Keller Rohrback provided a list of other Wisconsin school districts involved. The firm represents some, but not all, of the districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barron Area School District Cornell School District Cuba City School District Darlington Community School District Green Bay Area Public School District Hudson School District Johnson Creek School District Kenosha Unified School District Kimberly Area School District McFarland School District Milwaukee Public Schools Prescott School District Racine Unified School District School District of Belleville West Allis-West Milwaukee School District Unified School District of Antigo Cleo Krejci covers K-12 education and workforce development as a Report For America corps member based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at CKrejci@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @_CleoKrejci. For more information about Report for America, visit jsonline.com/rfa. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Public Schools to sue social media companies over mental health Tens of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators have taken to the streets of Bucharest to protest against the interim government of Ion Iliescu. It was the biggest demonstration in the capital, since the revolution just over a month ago which led to the fall and execution of the former communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. The protesters converged on Victory Square, where Mr Iliescus National Salvation Front party has its headquarters. They called for the resignation of Mr Iliescu and the removal of all former communists from the party. The demonstrators claim the interim president is denying opposition parties the chance to stand on equal terms with the ruling party in the free elections planned for May. Mr Iliescu himself appeared on a balcony overlooking the square and promised to carry on talking with the opposition parties. Ion Ratiu, leader of the opposition National Peasants Party, told the BBC: We are at long last emerging from a dictatorship thats lasted virtually 45 years and we had hoped we could advance toward democracy and this is precisely why the young people shed their blood. Yet these demonstrations today make it look to me as if there is going to be a new attempt at taking over power from the people. He is holding more talks with Mr Iliesu later this week, but said the oppositions limited access to the media meant there was little hope of a fair election. The revolution began in mid-December with a protest in the town of Timisoara against the deportation of Hungarian priest, Laszlo Tokes, who had denounced Ceausescu in a sermon. What began as a small protest, quickly grew into a massive anti-government riot. Many demonstrators were shot when troops were brought in to restore order. But the demonstrations continued and Ceausescu and his wife were captured trying to flee the country, tried and executed on Christmas day. Courtesy BBC News In context Ion Iliescu remained in power until 1996. But rather than pushing through democratic reforms as he had promised, he blocked moves to prosecute those behind the shootings in the December revolution. There has been much speculation since the overthrow of Ceausescu that it was not so much a revolution as a coup, plotted by Iliescu and his supporters It was Iliescu who ordered Ceausescus trial and subsequent execution. He was finally ousted from power by a centre-right government in 1996 but three governments later and prolonged political feuding led to the re-emergence of Iliescus opposition party. He was returned to power in 2000 at the head of the party of Social Democracy, promising faster reforms to get Romania into the European Union. Amid torrential winds up to 57 miles per hour, downed trees and lost power, the Gold Coast is going through it right now. Severe storms are battering the region, but that hasnt stopped everyone from surfing. You may have seen this kid whose board blew all the way to Perth. But that wasnt the worst of it, as one surfer reportedly was recently blown out to sea from Snapper Rocks by the mini cyclone and caught on a drum line. The news comes from the Instagram account Nicka35. The clip was pulled from a Surfline camera. The caption claims, Footage just in shows a surfer blown out to sea in a mini cyclone on the Gold Coast this week. CCTV captures the man returning to the beach fatigued and unable to walk from the hectic experience. It turned out that the surfer was actually stuck on a shark drum line after it hooked through his leg, according to Nicka35. In the comments, Nicka35 wrote, I have spoken with emergency services, who confirm the 69-year-old man was blown into the shark drum line, where he was actually severed [sic] on the leg by the hook! He is ok and out of the Robina hospital. Sounds extremely painful, to put it mildly, and it's fortunate this guy made it back to shore in one piece. Related: Queensland Shark Culling Incident Exposes Brutal Practice Drum lines, a shark deterrent device, are essentially floating buoys with a hook (and a small piece of fish) attached to the bottom. Depending on the type of drum line and the authorities deploying it, the shark on the line is either killed or relocated further offshore and released. They are typically deployed near popular swimming beaches and were first used in Queensland, Australia, in the 1960s Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though advocates say they help reduce shark attacks on humans, critics say they often catch other animals like turtles, fish, dolphins and even whales. Apparently, even a human can get in trouble, too. Related: Drumlines Didn't Stop Great White From Attacking Aussie Surfer: So How Are They Supposed to Work? Twenty-four people were injured in two Israeli drone attacks on southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Tuesday. Twenty people were injured in an Israeli attack on the market town of Nabatiyeh, while another four people were wounded when the village of Zawter was hit, the ministry said. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that "an IAF aircraft struck a Hezbollah truck and an additional vehicle that transferred weapons in the area of Chaqif and Nabatieh in southern Lebanon." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The truck and the second vehicle were struck after being monitored by the Israeli military "at the time of the transfer of the weapons," it said. "The IDF is determined to continue to operate in accordance with the understanding between Israel and Lebanon, despite Hezbollah's attempts to return to southern Lebanon, and will operate against any threat posed to the state of Israel and its citizens," the military added. The attacks came after the White House announced on Sunday that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon's Shiite Hezbollah militia reached in November had been extended until February 18. Under the agreement, the Lebanese army is tasked with securing the southern part of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hezbollah meanwhile is required to retreat north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometres from the southern border. According to an eyewitness, a loud explosion was heard in Nabatiyeh, which lies north of the Litani River. The Hezbollah-run Al Manar television channel said the strike hit the Al-Deir neighbourhood in upper Nabatiyeh. Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati strongly condemned the two Israeli raids. "This aggression constitutes an additional violation of Lebanese sovereignty and a blatant breach of the ceasefire arrangement and the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1701," said Mikati. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that he contacted the head of the ceasefire monitoring committee, US General Jasper Jeffers, demanding a firm stance to ensure Israel implements its obligations under international law. Tensions were once again on the rise at the border between Lebanon and Israel after a deadline expired on Sunday for Israeli troops to withdraw from Lebanon as part of the deal. Also on Tuesday, the Lebanese army command said that Israeli troops had opened fire on army personnel and citizens on the Yaroun-Maroun al-Ras road, injuring one soldier and three citizens. The incident took place while the army was escorting residents returning to the southern border towns, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mikati said Israel had freed nine Lebanese prisoners which were detained during the war in southern Lebanon. The premier thanked the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) and called on it to work for the release of the nine remaining detainees. A source close to the Hezbollah movement said that seven of the group's fighters had been taken prisoners by Israeli troops during the war on Lebanon. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said he is "disgusted" by the recent pardons by President Donald Trump of 1,500 Jan. 6 insurrectionists some of whom assaulted Capital police officers. O'Hara was a guest on WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman's show on Monday, re-affirming an opinion piece he penned for the Star Tribune when he stated the move was a "slap in the face" to law enforcement and their families. He also posted on social media, saying the mass pardoning "dishonors" the sacrifice made by police officers who defended the Capitol during the rioting on Jan. 6, 2021, as Trump supporters sought to overturn the election of Joe Biden as president. Police officers were violently assaulted. Some died. Pardoning the criminals who harmed them dishonors their sacrifice, and is a very harsh slap in the face for their families. #January6th @CapitolPolice @DCPoliceDept https://t.co/UBTFpGF6oF Brian O'Hara (@_BrianOHara) January 26, 2025 "It was just very disturbing to me how quickly this happened," O'Hara told Hartman. "It's seemingly just glossed over. Violence against police, particularly on the level that happened that day that cannot be excused and it absolutely cannot be normalized." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement O'Hara was serving as the Public Safety Director in Newark, New Jersey when supporters of Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He cited the death of Officer Brian Sicknick, a New Jersey native who was working for the Capitol police at the time of the riot. He suffered a medical emergency during a struggle with rioters, dying at a hospital the following day. O'Hara also mentioned the four officers who responded on Jan. 6 that committed suicide in the months that followed. "Everybody has seen images of what happened down there. Officers being choked, being stuck and pinned in doorways, beaten with after they had their police shields and batons taken from them beaten with American flags and metal poles," O'Hara said. "It's disgusting. We are in a very, very sad state of when people are following their politics to an extreme as if it is a religion where they can actually just excuse these pardons. It's disgusting and everyone should be speaking out against it." Of the 1,500 people convicted or facing charges over their involvement in Jan. 6 that are now receiving pardons or commuted sentences, 15 are from Minnesota. One of them, Brian Mock of Minneapolis, had already been convicted of assaulting four police officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Justice Department said more than 140 police officers were assaulted in the riot. Financial losses from the Capitol siege exceeded $2.8 million in property damage. New charges allege a Twin Cities woman intentionally started two fires inside a Minneapolis apartment building during an argument in August, triggering a massive blaze that killed two people and seriously injured others inside. Prosecutors in Hennepin County on Monday charged 35-year-old Deonna Marie Presbury, of Minneapolis, with two counts of 2nd-degree murder and three counts of 1st-degree arson in connection with the Aug. 13 fire at 1501 11th Avenue South. Debbie Leshelle Allen, 59, of New Richmond, Wisconsin, and 66-year-old Kerry Sims, of Minneapolis, died in the blaze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some residents were seriously injured and had to be rescued from their windows with 40-foot ladders. Around 30 residents were displaced. The aftermath of a Tuesday, Aug. 13 apartment fire in Minneapolis' Elliot Park neighborhood. Photo by Izzy Canizares | Bring Me The News. The Minneapolis Fire Department did not initially report any fire fatalities following the incident in the citys Elliot Park neighborhood, but fire officials later said that reports of an unaccounted for apartment resident led to the discovery of the two victims two days later. The delayed discovery of victims' bodies led some to question how firefighters failed to locate the victims sooner. In an interview with CBS News the day the bodies were discovered, property manager David Hollmon said he went to the fire department when he realized he hadnt seen one of his tenants since the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hollmon reportedly told officials he thought one of the tenants was still inside. Officials, according to Hollomon, told him that was impossible and they swept through the building twice, CBS news reported. Arson investigation Arson investigators determined the fire had originated in the stairwell and from the area of a pair of pink roller blades in the second floor hallway, with both fires intentionally set. Charges state multiple residents overheard Presbury threatening to burn down the building during an argument in the moments before the fire. According to the complaint, one witness told police she heard Presbury state "I'm gonna burn this mother [f***er] down...you got me messed up...I'm gonna kill this mother [f***er]" during an argument. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The witness said she smelled smoke coming from the area near the apartment door just minutes after Presbury left. While being interviewed by officers, the witness called Presbury and told her the fire killed two people. Presbury allegedly responded: "Love will [f***] you up anytime." Security footage allegedly depicts Presbury leaving the second floor apartment with her daughter, carrying bags of clothing but leaving behind the bike and pink roller blades at the location later determined to be the source of one of the fires. The images then show her and her daughter out of view towards the back staircases. At short time later, the daughter exits the front of the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After some delay, [Presbury] finally exits through the front of the building and leaves the location on foot with her daughter," the complaint details. "[Presbury] is seen with a lit cigarette and wearing a blue rubber glove on her right hand." First reports of smoke and fire were reported moments later. According to the complaint, Presbury is a person of interest in other intentional fires involving property belonging to one of the witnesses. Charges allege she's known to carry torch lighter, which investigators believe could've ignited the two fires on Aug. 13. After her arrest, Presbury denied being at the apartment complex that evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After being shown photos of herself at the scene, Presbury allegedly admitted she was in the building that evening but denied ever speaking to the witness about the fire and claimed she'd only heard about the fire on the news. If convicted, each murder count carries a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison and each arson count carries up to a 20-year sentence. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon presided over the House chamber on Jan. 27, 2025, as Democrats continued to boycott the Capitol. Photo by Michelle Griffith/Minnesota Reformer. Operations of the Minnesota House have ground to a halt as Democrats continue to boycott the session, and both parties are unable to agree on how to proceed. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon presided over the House session Monday, days after the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that 68 members must be present for a quorum. House Republicans, who have 67 in their caucus, have been meeting since the opening day of the session on Jan. 14, when they elected a speaker and assigned committee chairs. The Supreme Courts ruling effectively invalidated House Republicans work for the past two weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic House leader Melissa Hortman on Monday said that Democrats are unlikely to boycott the Capitol until a March special election thats expected to deliver another Democratic member and bring the House to a 67-67 tie. Hortman said shes optimistic there will be a power-sharing agreement by the end of the week, if negotiations with Republican House leader Lisa Demuth continue to progress. A key sticking point is whether Republicans will agree to seat Rep. Brad Tabke, a Shakopee Democrat who won his reelection by 14 votes in a contest marred by 20 missing ballots. A judge ruled in an advisory opinion that Tabke would have won anyway, and a do-over is not needed. All 66 House Democrats are beginning their third week of boycotting the Capitol in an effort to deny Republicans a quorum and control of the chamber. Simon, seeing 67 House Republicans were present Monday, declared that a quorum was not present and adjourned the House. Shortly after his adjournment, Rep. Drew Roach, R-Farmington, stood up and said it was sham for Simon to proceed over the chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You should not have the gavel. Youre violating the separations of the judicial and of the executive branch. This is a sham, Roach said after Simon walked off the speaker rostrum. A House GOP spokesperson later said that Roachs outburst was unplanned and not the caucus official position. Gov. Tim Walz has yet to call a special election for DFL-leaning House District 40B, though Hortman said she anticipates it will be around March. The district became vacant when Curtis Johnson resigned his seat after a judge ruled he didnt live in the district. Republicans on Monday criticized Democrats for their continued absence from the Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are hearing across the state that the best thing that could happen is that Democrats would actually show up for work, get to work with their Republican colleagues, and find a pathway through, Demuth told reporters Monday. Unfortunately, there is not a single Democrat today that showed that type of strength or leadership. Republicans on Monday wanted to propose and pass a motion that would have revoked the legislative salary for Democrats who continued to boycott the Capitol. Rep. Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, told reporters that Simon would not recognize the motion, and Republicans were unable to propose it. Republican state representatives are honoring a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that the House must have 68 members present to conduct business. But Democratic-Farmer-Labor members say they still wont show up at the Capitol until the sides reach a power-sharing agreement. House Republicans convened at the Capitol Monday and adjourned soon after DFL Secretary of State Steve Simon ruled there werent enough members to move forward with the floor session. GOP members also canceled committee hearings for the day. In a post-session briefing with reporters, Republican leaders called on DFL representatives to end their boycott, but they vacated the chamber soon after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a different scene on Jan. 14, when the 67 sitting House Republicans, using what may be a temporary majority, moved forward with electing Rep. Lisa Demuth as speaker of the House after Simon adjourned the session. They also appointed committee chairs and started hearing bills. Stalemate continues With the courts decision last week all their actions are nullified. Last Friday the Supreme Court ruled there must be 68 members present a majority of the 134 total seats in order for there to be a quorum. Republicans had argued they only needed a majority of 133 current members. With the 66 DFL members still apparently unified in not showing up, the partisan stalemate continues at the Capitol in a year where lawmakers must pass a two year budget with tens of billions of dollars in spending or risk a government shut down after June 30. Republican members are expected to return again Tuesday, and unless at least one DFLer shows up itll be a repeat of Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked by a reporter in an online news conference if she thought this routine would continue into March, when a special election is scheduled in a DFL-dominated district, House DFL Caucus Leader and Speaker Designate Melissa Hortman said she remained optimistic about negotiations. I dont think its very likely. I think both Republicans and Democrats are anxious to work together. And I think the Minnesota Supreme Court decision clarified things, Hortman said. My hope would be for sure by the end of the week, if not tomorrow. Demuth on Monday repeated GOP calls for DFLers to come to the Capitol though if even one showed up it would remove their ability to bargain as Republicans would get their way. For Democrats now on week three, not showing up for work, really set any type of conversation behind, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, it appears the only tool the GOP has to make House DFLers return is agreeing to allow a previously-negotiated power-sharing agreement to go into effect if and when a 67-67 partisan tie returns. Many expect that to happen after a pending special election for a seat where a DFL representative-elect had to resign after a judge found there was enough evidence to prove he didnt live in the Roseville-area district he won, District 40B in Roseville. Thats why the GOP has a 67-66 majority right now, though without a quorum of 68 members they cant take any action in the House. The Minnesota Constitution says members of the House can compel absent members to attend, but its unclear how Republicans could actually do that as law enforcement isnt empowered to do so in the state. Republicans have discussed motions to deprive House DFLers of pay, but they cant pass it because Simon continues to adjourn the session, something now backed by the state Supreme Court order. Status of negotiations Hortman said she and Demuth reopened negotiations after Fridays court ruling and had discussions over the weekend. Hortman said she hoped Republicans might agree to an arrangement discussed before the vacancy in 40B upended the 67-67 tie delivered in the November election where the parties split control of committees and the speakership is somehow be shared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DFLers have offered an arrangement where the GOP could act as a majority while the House remains at 67-66. Power sharing would resume if a 67-67 tie returns. Hortman said Republicans have still not accepted that offer. Thats not the only sticking point. Republicans also continue to signal that they might not seat Shakopee DFL Rep. Brad Tabke even after a judge ruled he was eligible to take the District 54A seat in Shakopee despite 20 missing absentee ballots in the race. Last week, Tabkes Republican challenger Aaron Paul announced he didnt plan to appeal the ruling, though he still questioned the election results and called for another election. Related Articles FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) A man is being held behind bars after he was accused of traveling 1,200 miles to Virginia to meet with a 15-year-old he met on social media, according to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). Police said that on Jan. 25, just after 3 p.m., officers responded to the 2000 block of Blue Ridge Court, near Reston, for a report of a solicitation of a minor. A father had called the police after he found 30-year-old Trent Fair with his 15-year-old child. DC police arrest second suspect in September fatal shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, detectives with the Child Exploitation Unit learned that the Minnesota man met the teen through TikTok and traveled to Virginia to engage in illicit acts. Police arrested and charged Fair with four counts of Solicitation of a Minor, five counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). He is being held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. Bill introduced to prohibit cell phones in DC schools According to FCPD, specialists from the Major Crimes Bureaus Victim Services Division were called to make sure the victim received the appropriate resources and assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents are urged to closely monitor their childrens online activities and use available security settings to prevent the use of inappropriate sites or platforms. Children should be encouraged to report any person engaging in inappropriate conversations or trying to coerce them into providing sexually explicit images of themselves, FCPD said in a release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Trump border czar Tom Homan, pictured here in Georgia in 2022, has promised to carry out the administration's crackdown on immigrants who are not here legally. Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images. Some Minnesota school districts are already preparing families and staff for immigration enforcement at or near schools. The preparation comes in the wake of a flurry of Trump administration executive actions paving the way for his promised mass deportation. The administration rescinded federal guidelines that limited immigration enforcement in schools. The previous policy designated schools, health care facilities and churches as sensitive areas. The new policy relies on Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents using common sense when selecting locations for enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps executive orders have set off a wave of fear, and in some cases, misinformation: Chicago Public Schools erroneously reported last week that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had showed up to an elementary school in the district. The agents were from the U.S. Secret Service and investigating an anti-Trump video they believed was made by an 11-year-old student at the school. The schools staff did not let the agents into the school building. School districts that defend students regardless of immigration status would seem to have the public behind them: Recent polling by The Associated Press shows nearly two-thirds of respondents did not support arresting children suspected of being undocumented while at school. In December, the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership hosted a training for more than 100 school administrators on immigration enforcement, including districts legal obligations regarding immigration agents access to schools and data about students. The training emphasized that districts are not required to assist with immigration enforcement agents unless they have a valid judicial warrant, which would have been signed by a judge or magistrate. Typically, immigration enforcement agents only possess administrative warrants for enforcement of civil immigration violations. Administrative warrants do not require a judge or magistrates signature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Children are entitled to a free public education under federal law, regardless of their immigration status, as established by Plyer v. Doe in 1982. The Minnesota Constitution also establishes this right for students. Under the states ethical code of conduct, licensed teachers are barred from discriminating against students based on national origin. According to the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership training, schools are also not required to assist in enforcement of immigration laws. School districts around the country fear a replay of heightened immigration enforcement during Trumps first term; researchers have shown that those policies negatively impacted students, who were less likely to attend school and less likely to participate in extracurricular activities, according to UNIDOS. Minneapolis Public Schools has been training principals, school office staff, social workers and other employees in how to respond if ICE agents show up to school buildings, according to district training documents viewed by the Reformer. That training began in December, according to information the district shared at a school board meeting last week. Minneapolis was home to 2,500 students as of early 2024 who are here without legal authorization. Minnesota is home to more than 80,000 immigrants here without authorization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Training documents from Minneapolis say that staff are not required to assist in the enforcement of administrative warrants. If law enforcement asks to enter a school building, school staff will seek to verify their identity, ask why they are there, have officers wait outside the secured area of the school, notify the districts general counsel, and email any written authority to the general counsel for review. The general counsel will review any documents, and then advise the school employees about what to do next. Even in the case of a valid criminal warrant, the district has directed employees not to allow officers into the secure area of the school. If the warrant is for a student, the student will be escorted to the principals office. The Minneapolis school district does not collect information about the immigration status of students or their families, per district policy. The district told employees it will not use its resources to aid law enforcement to search or apprehend anyone whose only violation of law is or may be being an undocumented resident. The district will comply with a valid court order, signed release or other legal requirement to release student or family information, including on immigration status. If staff receive a subpoena for information, they should contact the general counsels office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The districts principals have also been in contact with parents, sharing information about legal rights, emergency plans, and a so-called Designation of Parental Authority, or DOPA, which gives permission to another person to make decisions about a childs care, custody and property if the parents are unable to do so. Last week, the Minneapolis school board unanimously voted to reaffirm a resolution first passed in 2016 concerning protection of immigrant students and their families. The resolution states the district will not collect information about the immigration status of students or their families. In 2024, the district reported that it had enrolled approximately 3,700 new students whose home language was not English, a majority of whom speak Spanish. Richfield Public Schools emailed staff on Friday to remind them of district policies related to student privacy and cooperation with law enforcement. As in Minneapolis, the district is providing training to principals, student support staff and school office staff on what to do if ICE agents arrive. School staff were instructed to not let anyone into buildings, and direct anyone, regardless of their title, uniform or documentation to the buildings main entrance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staff were also told not to share any personal information about students with anyone who does not have a legal right to know. The district cautioned staff against sharing information on social media, particularly students names and images. St. Paul Public Schools says its principals and security staff are receiving training on how to respond if immigration enforcement agents are present. The district is also reminding parents to update their emergency contact information, and directing families to community resources, including City of St. Paul Immigration Resources. Matt Hillman, the superintendent of Northfield Public Schools, said the district has not had formal training for staff, but has reminded them of existing policies about who is legally able to access buildings and student data. Should an immigration enforcement official be on our campus, theres a set of protocols that staff would follow, directing that individual to go to the school office. The school office would contact my office, Hillman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Northfield has not been in communication with parents about immigration enforcement, but Hillman said multiple community organizations in the area have hosted know your rights sessions. Theres a lot of this that creates uncertainty. That is what is really stoking the palpable fear that is present, Hillman said. Our goal is to provide as much normalcy during the school day for our students as we can. We think that thats an important piece to help them and support them. Districts around the country, including in Utah and Kentucky, are offering similar guidance on immigration enforcement. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A Mint Hill man who was pardoned for his conviction from the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack was also arrested last fall on child pornography charges. According to the federal court documents, the FBI and Mint Hill Police carried out a search warrant in November 2023 for the home of David Daniel related to the Jan. 6 allegations. During the search on assault and trespassing charges, agents also recovered his iPhone and several other electronic devices. Federal investigators were made aware that Mint Hill PD had an open case regarding an alleged sexual assault of a minor. The minor, who was under the age of 12, accused Daniel of taking pictures of her while naked between 2015 and 2019, forcing her to shower with him and performing sexual acts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement York County man convicted in Jan. 6 Capitol breach among those pardoned by Trump A federal search warrant authorized reviewing the electronics seized from the local investigation. The federal affidavit says the contents of a laptop were consistent with the minors statements during the forensic interview. Furthermore, there was an open statutory rape investigation in Forsyth County. During a review of the iPhone seized, the records indicate sexual images of a second minor were observed. Daniel was charged and arrested on Sept. 20, 2024, on possession of child pornography and sexual exploitation of a minor related to sexual assault and trafficking of child pornography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 8, 2025, Daniel pleaded guilty to the Jan. 6 charge of assaulting or resisting a police officer. The conviction carried a maximum of eight years in prison; however, President Donald Trumps sweeping pardons quickly cleared the vast majority of the Capitol offenders. Court records state that around 2:46 p.m. at the Capitol building, Daniel joined another rioter in leading a violent push against a barricaded Senate Wing door and officers who were attempting to hold the door closed. QCN Chief Legal Analyst Khalif Rhodes says Daniels attorney could argue the pornography charges should be dropped since the images would have never been found if not for the Capitol breach 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 Queen City News. During the Jan. 24, 2025, broadcast of "Outnumbered," Fox News TV host Harris Faulkner said Tom Homan, U.S. President Donald Trump's "border czar," located 75,000 to 80,000 out of 300,000 "missing" migrant children. However, the rumor of 300,000 "missing" migrant children misled viewers. The number originated from part of an August 2024 U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report not about "missing" or "lost" migrant children, but rather about those who had not yet received a notice to appear in immigration court. The DHS report included data covering October 2018 through September 2023 a time period including over 27 months of Trump's first term and more than 32 months of Joe Biden's term. "Children who were never 'missing' shouldn't be described as having been 'found,'" Jonathan Beier, an associate director with Acacia Center for Justice's unaccompanied children program, told Snopes. He also noted the "very narrow focus" of the information cited in the report, saying, "That one set of records is a far cry from the federal government's total contact with these children across various agencies." A rumor circulating online in late January 2025 claimed Tom Homan, the "border czar" under U.S. President Donald Trump's second administration, located 75,000 to 80,000 "missing" migrant children out of a purported total of over 300,000. Fox News TV host Harris Faulkner originated the rumor, according to some users sharing the rumor on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Truth Social, X and YouTube. Snopes also received reader mail asking if the rumor was true. On the Jan. 24 episode of "Outnumbered," Faulkner spoke about the Trump administration's plans for mass deportations, then mentioned "missing" migrant children. She said, "Now, the second wave that Tom Homan, the 'border czar' for Trump, has told me about in all of this will focus on those missing children. Hundreds of thousands of them that we know. And that number has started to already come down [from 300,000]. So they found about 75-to-80,000 of those kids already." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Faulkner's claims lacked both truth and context. "It's not true that 300,000 children are missing. And it's therefore totally misleading to say that 75,000 to 80,000 of these purportedly missing children have been 'found,'" Jonathan Beier, an associate director with Acacia Center for Justice's unaccompanied children program, told Snopes. "Children who were never 'missing' shouldn't be described as having been 'found.'" As we've detailed in the article below, the "300,000" figure mostly pertained to unaccompanied migrant children who had not yet received notices to appear in immigration court a very different matter than losing track of a person. The Washington Post reported in December 2024, "Homan acknowledged that many of those young people are probably with their parents or other family members, but he said he wants to mobilize nonprofit groups and private contractors to carry out a more concerted effort to track them down." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We contacted by email communications personnel with Fox News and the White House to ask about this matter but did not yet receive any responses. As of this writing, the Trump administration had not publicly shared any developments related to Faulkner's claims. 300,000 'Missing' Children? That's Misleading The figure of over 300,000 "missing," unaccompanied migrant children originated in a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report authored by the Office of Inspector General and published in August 2024, during the final months of Biden's administration. The document covered October 2018 through September 2023 a time period including over 27 months of Trump's first presidential term and more than 32 months of Joe Biden's term. The report did not lay out findings specifically regarding "missing" or "lost" children. Rather, it said that, for the October 2018 through September 2023 period, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had not served notices to appear in court to more than 291,000 unaccompanied, migrant children. Also, 32,000 unaccompanied, migrant children who received notices failed to appear for immigration court hearings. The 291,000 and 32,000 numbers totaled 323,000 children a number similar to the ones cited by officials associated with Trump's administration. In October, Beier told The Associated Press, "This is not a 'missing kids' problem; it's a 'missing paperwork' problem." In our correspondence with him, he also told us of the "very narrow focus" of the information cited in the report, "That one set of records is a far cry from the federal government's total contact with these children across various agencies. After identifying the gaps in ICE's record-keeping, the IG did not report taking any of the obvious next steps to see if other government records could illuminate what was happening with these children." Remarks from Vance, Trump and Homan During the October U.S. vice-presidential debate, then-U.S. Sen. JD Vance said, "We have 320,000 children that the Department of Homeland Security has effectively lost. Some of them have been sex trafficked, some of them hopefully are at homes with their families, some of them have been used as drug trafficking mules." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also made similar remarks during his Time magazine 2024 person of the year interview, misleadingly placing full blame on Democrats and also claiming the children existed as "slaves, sex slaves or dead." The authors of Time magazine's fact-check article reported, "There is no evidence that 325,000 immigrant children are slaves, sex slaves, or dead." They also referenced the facts from the DHS report, including the time period featuring Trump's first term and Biden's term. The article continued, citing reporting from The Associated Press, "Experts say this doesn't necessarily mean the children are 'missing' or exploited. Rather, this is likely a bureaucratic failing. Nevertheless, the report says, children who are unaccounted for are at higher risk for trafficking, exploitation or forced labor." In The Washington Post's December 2024 interview with Homan, he further said, regarding the claim of 300,000 "missing" migrant children, "I think some of these children will be in forced labor, and some will be in the sex trade," then continued, "I think some will be perfectly fine. We just want to make sure." For further reading, we previously reported in February 2024 about the true rumor claiming more than 7.2 million migrants illegally crossed into the U.S. over the Southwest border during Biden's administration a number higher than the individual populations of 36 states. Sources: Becket, Stefan. "Read the Full VP Debate Transcript from the Walz-Vance Showdown." CBS News, 2 Oct. 2024, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/full-vp-debate-transcript-walz-vance-2024/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Catalini, Mike, and Rebecca Santana. "Just Days into the New Trump Administration, Worries Spike amid a Show of Force on Immigration." The Associated Press, 24 Jan. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/immigration-trump-border-migrants-immigration-enforcement-a24389b7fd7875ef98b4ab45c14e8418. Debusmann Jr, Bernd. "Are 300,000 Undocumented Immigrant Children Missing in the US?" BBC News, 26 Nov. 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj0jlre7mymo. Doan, Laura. "Trump Claims Biden Lost Track of over 300,000 Migrant Children. Here's a Fact Check." CBS News, 12 Dec. 2024, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-claims-biden-lost-300000-migrant-children-fact-check/. Goldin, Melissa. "FACT FOCUS: Claims That More than 300,000 Migrant Children Are Missing Lack Context." The Associated Press, 2 Oct. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-misinformation-migrant-children-missing-7ab0cea2fd2238346197429e952baa8b. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miroff, Nick. "Trump's Top Border Adviser Says He Will Bring Back Family Detention." The Washington Post, 26 Dec. 2024, https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2024/12/26/immigration-border-tom-homan-trump/. "OIG-24-46: Management Alert - ICE Cannot Monitor All Unaccompanied Migrant Children Released from DHS and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Custody." U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, 19 Aug. 2024, https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2024-08/OIG-24-46-Aug24.pdf. "Outnumbered." TV News Archive via Internet Archive, Fox News, 24 Jan. 2025, https://archive.org/details/FOXNEWSW_20250124_170000_Outnumbered/start/1222.6/end/1253.1. "Read the Transcript of Trump's Person of the Year Interview." TIME, 12 Dec. 2024, https://time.com/7201565/person-of-the-year-2024-donald-trump-transcript/. Shah, Simmone, and Leslie Dickstein. "Fact-Checking Trump's 2024 Person of the Year Interview." TIME, 11 Dec. 2024, https://time.com/7201574/person-of-the-year-2024-donald-trump-fact-check/. Customs officials at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge apprehended a woman attempting to smuggle 320 bottles of botulinum toxin preparations into mainland China earlier this week. During routine inspections at the Zhuhai Highway Port, customs officers noticed the woman, dressed in a gray coat and long skirt, exhibiting unusual behavior as she passed through a metal detector. Upon further examination, officers discovered the concealed toxins hidden in her legs. Gongbei Customs emphasized the importance of obtaining necessary health and quarantine approvals for transporting such restricted items, warning that evading customs regulations could result in serious legal consequences. Related CHICAGO Police are asking for help in the search for a teen girl and her infant daughter, who officers said went missing on Monday morning. According to Chicago police, 15-year-old Saidy Sevilla and her nine-month-old daughter, Abigail Lizeth Gonzales-Sevilla, went missing around 9:30 a.m. on Monday and have not been contacted since. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Officers said the teen girl and her daughter were last seen in the 2800 block of West Cermak Road in Little Village. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The missing teen, who has black hair and brown eyes, weighs around 150 pounds and stands about 5-foot-1. According to Chicago police, 15-year-old Saidy Sevilla and her nine-month-old daughter, Abigail Lizeth Gonzales-Sevilla, went missing around 9:30 a.m. on Monday and have not been contacted since. According to Chicago police, 15-year-old Saidy Sevilla and her nine-month-old daughter, Abigail Lizeth Gonzales-Sevilla, went missing around 9:30 a.m. on Monday and have not been contacted since. According to Chicago police, 15-year-old Saidy Sevilla and her nine-month-old daughter, Abigail Lizeth Gonzales-Sevilla, went missing around 9:30 a.m. on Monday and have not been contacted since. The teen girl was last seen wearing black jogging pants and a pink blouse, according to CPD. A photo provided by Chicago police shows that the infant has black or dark brown hair and brown eyes. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Chicago police offered details on the teens disappearance in a news release shared on Tuesday afternoon. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of 15-year-old Saidy Sevilla and her nine-month-old daughter is asked to contact the CPD Area Four Detective division at 312-746-8251 or dial 911. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Happy Tuesday and welcome to another edition of Rent Free. Government rules on new home construction make routine real estate development more difficult and expensive than it needs to be. Overly restrictive land use regulations also make it difficult to provide housing in more extreme circumstances. This week's stories cover a couple of examples of the latter phenomenon, including: Los Angeles looks to use the latest fires as a reason to exempt itself from state-level zoning reform bills. A Reason report from last week found that the island of Maui has managed to rebuild just three homes 18 months after the devastating wildfires on the island in August 2023. In Ohio, a pastor has been convicted of criminal violations of the fire code for sheltering people in his commercially zoned church. But first, the newsletter covers a slew of "missing middle" reforms being introduced this year, and what they can and can't do for housing supply, choice, and affordability. What Middle Housing Reforms Can (and Can't) Do Few cities get more plaudits from Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) zoning reformers than Austin, Texas. It's a rare boomtown that's adding jobs, people, and housing while also seeing rents fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's also one of the cities in the country that has adopted signature YIMBY "missing middle" reforms. In December 2023, the city approved HOME I reforms that allow three units to be built on residential lots where previously single-family-only zoning had allowed one primary dwelling. A natural assumption to make is that Austin's high construction rates are partially explainable by its abolition of single-family-only zoning. This would be a mistake. Late last year, the city released data on the first six months of the HOME I reforms. From when they went into effect in February through August, builders have submitted 159 applications to build duplexes, triplexes, and two-home detached projects under the city's new HOME I rules, potentially resulting in 300 new dwelling units, according to the report. Of those applications, 99 projects totaling 220 units have already been approved by the city. We have new permitting data on the results of Austin's 'missing middle' reforms. Over 200 individual units permitted 6 months after implementation. That would make it more productive than Minneapolis', PDX's missing middle reforms were even a year out. pic.twitter.com/tX4pGaJ8Nx Christian Britschgi (@christianbrits) January 2, 2025 That's not nothing. But it's also a small sliver of Austin's total housing production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, Austin permitted 8,179 units, according to data collected by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Assuming builders filed applications for HOME permits at the same rate from August through the end of the year, the HOME reforms are responsible for about 5 percent of the city's overall housing production. Again, that's not nothing. Local builders note that the increased construction of new HOME-enabled units is coming at a time when rents, home prices, and construction rates are all cooling fast. Austin's housing production in 2024 is down some 40 percent from its peak in 2021. "300 [units] doesn't sound like a lot but in the worst real estate market in decades here, that's saying something," says Scott Turner, an Austin infill developer. Modest Missing Middle Results The past few years have seen YIMBY zoning reformers train their fire on single-family-only zoning that blankets most residential land in most American citiesand for good reason. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zoning rules that allow just one home per property, and that often come paired with large minimum lot sizes, are the most restrictive (or exclusive, if you prefer) form of residential zoning. They keep apartments and businesses out of neighborhoods where there might otherwise be a lot of demand for them. In many cities, single-family zoning was also adopted with the explicit intent of excluding racial minorities and working-class people from town. And yet, wherever cities and states have replaced single-family-only zoning with more permissive missing middle regulations that allow small multi-unit developments, the impact on overall supply and construction rates has been exceedingly modest. In 2022, Spokane, Washington, enacted code changes that allowed up to four units of housing to be built in single-family neighborhoods and eliminated residential parking minimums. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those reforms served as a model for Washington's statewide middle housing reforms that passed in 2023. Spokane made them permanent in November 2023 with code changes that technically allow an unlimited number of units in low-density areas (although bulk and height restrictions impose practical limits on how many units will be built.) Spencer Gardner, director of Spokane's Department of Planning Services, tells Reason that 80 units were built as a result of the city's interim code reformswhich amounts to about 5 percent of the city's overall housing production. Since the missing middle and parking reforms have been made permanent, Gardner says that the city has continued to see a "significant increase" in townhome and duplex development, but this newly allowed infill development is still only around 5 percent of the city's overall residential construction. It's the same story in Portland, Oregon, and Minneapolis. Missing middle reforms have netted, at best, a few hundred additional units per year in cities that build a few thousand annually. Short Supply In one sense, that's to be expected. Middle housing reforms are pitched to an often skeptical public on the promise that they will only result in modest changes to existing neighborhoods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These reforms pair the legalization of more units per lot with small increases in the amount of floor space that can be added to each lot. These incremental increases in density are what's politically realistic in most places. But the results in terms of new supply are also consequently incremental. "Altogether, HOME was an incremental reformand it is having an incremental effect, as advertised," says Ryan Puzycki, a member of Austin's Zoning and Platting Commission, of his city's reforms. The temptation might be to dismiss middle housing reforms as ultimately inconsequential to the YIMBY goal of ending a nationwide housing shortage of millions of units. If every jurisdiction in the country adopted Austin's missing middle reforms and got Austin's results, America would see maybe another 50,000 or 60,000 units a year. That doesn't go very far to closing a housing shortage that low-end estimates peg at a few million units. More Choice But dismissing even modestly productive missing middle reforms as unimportant would be a mistake. Raw numbers of new units produced and lower per-unit prices are not the only metrics of successful zoning reform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Free markets aren't just about maximizing total production. They're also about the efficient satisfaction of preferences. Expanding the types of housing available and affordable to people in more neighborhoods is still a worthy goal of reform. On that front, middle housing reforms offer a lot of promise. There are plenty of people who could comfortably afford a new single-family home on the edge of town or a small condo downtown but not an older home in a closer-in neighborhood of their choice. Under single-family-only zoning, the only thing that's going to be built in that neighborhood is another single-family homeand that'll have to be a more expensive home in order to justify the redevelopment costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missing middle reforms allow developers the option of constructing smaller, more affordable housing types in those neighborhoods as well. A few hundred duplexes and townhomes aren't going to push down citywide rents. They might not even lower the amount of rent any one family pays. But they will give a few hundred house hunters the option of living in a location that better suits their preferences. An Abundance of Options America's housing shortage could conceivably be fixed by building nothing but exurban, auto-oriented subdivisions. It could be solved by building block after block of high-density social housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that's not the only thing people want, and it's not the only thing free markets would produce. This point is easy to grasp outside of the housing context. The point of allowing more restaurants to open in town isn't just that the aggregate price of food goes down. The point is that people have more variety and convenience about what to eat and where. Indeed, missing middle reforms might offer the most promise in cities where housing is already relatively affordable but the types of housing available are constrained by overly prescriptive zoning rules. None of this is to say that zoning reforms to single-family neighborhoods couldn't make a more meaningful impact on overall housing supply. The more units and floor space that middle housing reforms allow, the more they'll add both supply and choice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The libertarian ideal would be to have no legal limits on residential density so developers could build the housing people want where they want it at whatever price the market will bear. (It's worth noting that cities like Austin and Portland have adopted both missing middle reforms and restrictions on large single-family home development, so they aren't totally unambiguous wins for choice themselves.) Sadly, that libertarian ideal is not the world we live in now. It's probably not the world that politically realistic land use reforms will get us to any time soon. Where they've been adopted, middle housing reforms haven't solved any city's dire housing insufficiency. But they do provide more choices for more people. That's a worthwhile outcome even if it's not a silver bullet. In Los Angeles, Officials Work Overtime To Ensure Fire-Damaged Properties Are Rebuilt Exactly the Same In the aftermath of this month's devastating fires in Los Angeles, state and local officials have issued or are considering policies to speed up the building process. Gov. Gavin Newsom invoked his emergency powers to waive environmental review and coastal zone regulations for people rebuilding their fire-damaged properties. City of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has likewise ordered the expedited issuance of permits for fire rebuilds. Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will consider a resolution that would create a fast-track permitting process for people rebuilding "like-for-like" structures damaged by the fire. All these streamlining policies come with a major catch, however. They only apply to people rebuilding more or less exactly the same structure, and not a single unit more. Newsom's order only waives regulations for rebuilds that are up to 110 percent as large as whatever was destroyed by the fires. Bass' order has the same limitation and also prevents any change of useso a fire-damaged home can't be rebuilt as a business or vice versa. The resolution that Los Angeles County will consider today hopes to be even more restrictive. It calls for sending a letter to the governor and the area's legislative delegation asking for a suspension of a slew of state housing laws. Some of the requested suspensions around laws requiring solar panel installations and public hearings would conceivably speed up development. Many of the requested suspensions would not. The county is asking the state to suspend laws that restrict downzoning, limit public hearing requirements, waive parking requirements, require the expedited issuance of accessory dwelling unit permits, and more. If SB330 is suspended -The county would be able to downzone -Applicants wouldn't be able to vest projects with a preliminary application -Projects could be delayed indefinitely with no limit on the number of hearings -The county would be able to take as long as they want to Joe Cohen (@CohenSite) January 27, 2025 30 g) Asks for a suspension of the 90 day deadline for approving ADUs in fire-impacted areas. Are you trying to expedite rebuilding or not? Joe Cohen (@CohenSite) January 27, 2025 Fast-track permitting for "like-for-like" rebuilds seems reasonable but could slow down projects that add more units to Los Angeles' housing stock. Waiving state rules that themselves waive local regulations would seem to actively sabotage not just rebuilding efforts but building efforts generally in the county. It's telling that the resolution does not ask the state to upzone, to remove CEQA barriers, or do anything else to facilitate dense housing development in the safest parts of L.A. County. This is rank exploitation of tragedy for NIMBYism. The stench is awful. 5/5 Chris Elmendorf (@CSElmendorf) January 27, 2025 In Maui, a Painfully Slow Rebuilding Process The Hawaiian island of Maui offers a cautionary example of trying to rebuild from wildfires while keeping burdensome building regulations in place. As I reported last week, it's been 18 months since wildfires devastated the island of Maui in August 2023, and yet only three homes have been completely rebuilt. That means almost all of the 2,000 or so residential properties damaged by the fires have yet to be rebuilt. Reasons abound for why it's taking so long to get homes and businesses rebuilt. Maui's ultraregulated land use regime (which was slow to approve projects and issue permits even before the disaster) isn't helping. As I wrote: Permit fees can add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of a rebuild. County permitting data show that some applicants have had to wait over a year for permits to rebuild single-family homes and wait times of six months are not atypical. Tightened zoning regulations have also made many structures on Maui "non-conforming" before the fire. County zoning law requires that buildings that have been at least 50 percent destroyed must be rebuilt under newer, more restrictive zoning codes. Since many of Lahaina's buildings were "non-conforming" structures before the fires, they can't be rebuilt as they once were. The new rules require that some damaged apartments would have to be rebuilt with fewer units, for example. The county's establishment of a privately operated permitting center is helping to get building permits out the door. Another 228 building permits for wildfire reconstruction have been issued, and 112 homes are currently under construction. Nevertheless, a lot more regulatory reform could be done to get the island rebuilt to its pre-fire state. Ohio Pastor Convicted on Charges Stemming from Operating a Shelter from His Church Last week, Chris Avell, a pastor of Dad's Place in Bryan, Ohio, was convicted of criminal violations of the fire code for allowing people to stay in his church's building overnight. Avell has been in a year-long legal fight with Bryan officials over what the city considers an illegal residential use of his commercially zoned church building. Avell has consistently argued that he is well within his rights to keep his church doors open 24 hours a day and let people rest inside overnight. "We will appeal today's decision that found Pastor Chris Avell guilty of criminal charges for providing temporary shelter to those seeking to escape the frigid temperatures," said Ryan Gardner, an attorney with the First Liberty Institute, which is representing Avell. "It is a ludicrous argument to say these people are safer in the sub-zero temperatures on the street than inside the warmth of the church." "No decision has been made to prevent Dad's Place from operating as a church. However, the residential operations of the facility must cease until proper building and fire code applications are filed and approved by the State of Ohio," said Bryan Mayor Carrie Schlade in a press release. You can read Reason's past coverage of the case here, here, and here. Quick Links The Los Angeles Times reports on how price-gouging rules in Los Angeles that bar people from renting out units for over $10,000 a month are keeping units off the market and exacerbating the city's post-fire housing crunch. President Donald Trump wants to prevent the California Coastal Commission from kneecapping the city's wildfire rebuilding efforts. ????TRUMP: "We're going to have to override the Coastal Commission. I've dealt with the Coastal Commission for a long time and they're considered the most difficult in the country. We can't afford to wait 10 years and have them play their game. I'm going to override the Coastal pic.twitter.com/XkiZahDoMn Autism Capital ???? (@AutismCapital) January 25, 2025 As it turns out, there's a bill for that. I interviewed @KevinKileyCA about his forthcoming bill to do just this. Says he wants to Congress to retract the commission's delegated power over federal projects & condition the commission's federal funding on not messing with LA rebuilding, more private property protections https://t.co/34SpQ9T5XL pic.twitter.com/AwdEBkKJE7 Christian Britschgi (@christianbrits) January 25, 2025 San Francisco takes nearly two years to approve new detached accessory dwelling units, according to a new analysis. We are doing a statewide analysis of ADU permit timelines. San Francisco takes the win for the county with the slowest new detached ADU permit submittal to completion average: 702 days. More results from our analysis soon. Credit to @shovelsai for supplying us with the data. https://t.co/Sd9lf9IqbX Alexis Rivas (@alexisxrivas) January 24, 2025 Why construction costs for affordable housing are ballooning in Chicago And why insurance costs are ballooning everywhere The post Missing Middle, What Is It Good For? appeared first on Reason.com. State Sen. David Gregory reviews his notes before presenting a bill Monday that would criminalize undocumented immigrants to a Senate committee (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). A confrontational legislative hearing Monday with a witness calling a state senator a fascist and lawmakers battling over whether the state should put a bounty on undocumented immigrants set the tone for this years debate on immigration and the states role in border security. The most aggressive approach, in a bill filed by state Sen. David Gregory, would award a $1,000 bounty for tips that result in the arrest of a person present in the United States without authorization. Gregory, a Republican from Chesterfield, wants to authorize bounty hunters, usually employed by bail bond businesses to catch absconders, to track down people identified in tips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And if the tip proves accurate, the person arrested would be charged with trespass by an illegal alien, and subject to life in prison without parole if federal immigration authorities declined to take custody. This bill seeks to create an ICE program at the state level, Gregory told the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee. Thats essentially all it does. This is an ICE program inside the state of Missouri. State Sen. Barbara Washington, a Kansas City Democrat, questions state Sen. Jill Carter on Monday about her bill that would create new crimes based on immigration status (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). State Sen. Barbara Washington, a Kansas City Democrat, said it encourages people to make reports based on skin color or English proficiency. Dont tell me it is not going to happen because it is happening now, Washington said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gregorys bill and another heard Monday from state Sen. Jill Carter, a Joplin Republican are among several introduced by Republicans this session seeking to make it more difficult for undocumented immigrants to remain in the state. Carters bill would also create new crimes based on immigration status. For simply being undocumented, a person could be charged with improper entry and could be punished by a fine of up to $10,000 and removal to a U.S. port of entry for deportation The crime of aggravated illegal presence would be a felony applying to undocumented people who violated any other Missouri law. The penalty would be increased if the violation was a felony law. Immigration and border security have been a major issue for the GOP nationally, helping get President Donald Trump elected to a new term. Trump promised mass deportations, and roundups began almost immediately after he took office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were 956 arrests on Sunday, the BBC reported. Colombia, which initially refused to accept incoming flights of people being deported, relented after Trump threatened to impose a tariff of 25% on all imports from the South American country. Federal courts have blocked attempts in Iowa, Texas and Georgia to make it a crime to be in those states if a person is in the U.S. illegally. During Mondays hearing, immigrants with legal status and without said the bills filed this year represent an escalation of oppression. It is inhumane to say people should be hunted like a sport, said Aura Velasquez, who has been a citizen for five years. It would turn neighbors against neighbors and friends against each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigration advocates argued that a community already fearful about having documentation to remain in the U.S. revoked would become more fearful. After hearing that posters and signs were not allowed in the committee room, Kansas City resident Katelin Nott wrote messages on her arm Monday (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). This bill fosters a climate of fear, where people feel unsafe engaging in even the most basic activities beyond going to work or school, said Gabriella Cepeda, representing the Hispanic Law Students Association at St. Louis University. They are terrified of being profiled or targeted for life in prison for simply existing in the state without documentation. It is not just extreme, its cruel and unusual punishment. The handful of supporters, representing law enforcement and a conservative Jewish group, said the state must protect itself from human trafficking and drug trafficking associated with lax border security. This legislation would simply give law enforcement another tool in the tool box to assist our federal partners, Lewis County Sheriff David Parish said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last summer, a Missouri House interim committee studied the issue of crime associated with illegal immigration. The report, published Jan. 7, drew no conclusions and reported that many of the witnesses said they feared problems associated with border communities reaching Missouri. The report did not estimate the number of undocumented immigrants in Missouri but said studies show a substantial economic impact. Undocumented immigrants paid approximately $113 million in state taxes in 2022 but cannot use the public benefits those taxes support like Medicaid. Their economic activity supports 160,000 jobs and $19 billion in total economic activity, providing real economic stability that benefits all Missourians, the committee report stated. Washington peppered Gregory and Carter with questions about whether the state should trade that economic support for a state free of undocumented immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have 77,000 illegal immigrants that we have here in Missouri, Gregory said. So they should all be subject to this, because youre saying that we should arrest them just because theyre here? Washington asked. Yes, Gregory replied. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX MISSOURI A state lawmaker wants electric companies to reimburse their Missouri customers after experiencing a power outage. Democratic Senator Tracy McCreery of the 24th District in St. Louis County sponsored the bill, SB 286, that would require electrical companies to reimburse their customers if a power outage occurs for longer than 48 hours. According to the bill, electric companies will be required to create a form online for customers to report power outages. If the loss is greater than $200, a customer will need to submit receipts before receiving a reimbursement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement $10K for recognition? Local school districts featured in paid education series This idea came from a constituent I actually represent, and it was due to some losses that happened to this family after a longer power outage in the Ameren service area, so they reached out to me and expressed a lot of frustration over food they had to replace, McCreery said. You know, having electricity is not optional. We have to have electricity so we can go to work, school, have the food we need to eat, have the food be safe, and also our medications. If the bill is passed, electric companies will be required to abide by the law effective Aug. 28. SB 286 has a long road ahead of it before becoming law. FOX 2 News contacted Ameren Missouri for a comment. A spokesperson for the utility company said customers who have experienced any damages or losses due to power outages can file a claim with their homeowners or renters insurance providers. 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. Missouri Commissioner of Education updates the Senate Education Committee on department activity and answers questions Tuesday morning (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). A backlog of payments due to child care providers is 70% clear after a year-long struggle with the states new software, Missouri Education Commissioner Karla Eslinger told lawmakers Tuesday morning. The Missouri Senate Education Committee questioned Eslinger about everything from school accreditation to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Standing out among the interrogation was an update on the child care subsidy administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to lift up a hallelujah that the calculator in the system is fixed. So that is a huge, huge lift, Eslinger told the committee. Its something that I was not able to say for probably four or five months that I sat in this chair. The department changed its software vendor in December of 2023, and both providers and families enrolling in the program began noticing issues tracking and receiving payment. Some child care centers closed and others turned away families using the subsidy program during months of missed payments. State Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Democrat from Kansas City, said day cares in her area have contacted her about missed payments. One provider told her, Im taking out mortgages. Im literally doing everything to keep this facility afloat. These kids need this, she said, adding that the facility later closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eslinger said the department has spent over $200 million sending out support to those providers. There is a remaining 25% or so of the backlog in payments that has still yet to be resolved, with some issues reaching back a year. Everyone should be paid up by the end of February, she predicted. Kari Monsees, commissioner of financial and administrative services, nodded in agreement. Eslinger added that the system of paying on attendance is not working, saying she hopes to shift to paying providers based on enrollment in the future. Gov. Mike Kehoe, in his State of the State speech Tuesday afternoon, said the state will begin paying child care providers by enrollment numbers in fiscal year 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My administration is committed to timely payments for the child care providers who partner with the state to provide care, he said. We know delays in payments from the state have made it difficult for providers to even stay open. A proposal to expand While Eslinger spoke to the Senate Education Committee, a House committee heard a proposal to create tax credit programs to expand and fund child care. Rep. Brenda Shields. R-St. Joseph, speaks during debate in the Missouri House during the 2021 legislative session (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications). The bills sponsor, Republican state Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph, said the legislation would support the workforce. Around 60% of Missouri businesses reported that child care was a barrier in recruiting new employees, she told committee members. One of the proposed programs would give taxpayers a 75% tax credit for donations made to child care providers. Another incentivizes businesses to provide or help fund child care, and the last would give a 30% tax credit on improvements providers make and refund withholding tax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shield said 94 of Missouris 114 counties qualify as child care deserts, meaning there is one day care slot for every three children under the age of five. Child care is as important of infrastructure as roads and bridges and everything else that we talk about, she said. The Senate committee also asked Eslinger about St. Louis Public Schools, which has been under fire as its administration regroups after the investigation and ousting of its former superintendent. The districts interim superintendent and school board president stepped up to answer questions as well Tuesday, saying they have instituted a new reading program among other changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a program that has been introduced that totally has changed the narrative on the way that our teachers, families and parents are learning and teaching our children how to read, Toni Cousins, SLPS school board president said. And that has shown growth in our reading. The district also reported it has begun preparing for a new transportation contract next year, opening up the proposal process in November and hearing presentations from bussing companies this month. This article has been updated to include an excerpt from Gov. Mike Kehoes State of the State address. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A photo taken in 1960 of deteriorating steel drums containing radioactive residues near Coldwater Creek, by the Mallinckrodt-St. Louis Sites Task Force Working Group (State Historical Society of Missouri, Kay Drey Mallinckrodt Collection, 1943-2006). Missouri lawmakers are again considering legislation that would increase funding to allow local governments to test for additional radioactive waste around contaminated sites in the St. Louis region. The Missouri House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs on Monday discussed the bill sponsored by Republican state Rep. Mark Matthiesen of OFallon. Its similar to legislation Matthiesen proposed last year but includes even more money for testing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a lot of concern that the testing that has already happenedwas not sufficient enough that we need to go farther, that people are still in harms way right now, today, Matthiesen said. Matthiesen, whose district includes a nuclear waste disposal site supervised by the U.S. Department of Energy, proposed legislation in 2018 that established the fund, but money was never appropriated to it. This fiscal year marks the first time the state has allocated any funding. Last year, Matthiesen proposed $300,000 a year for investigations, but this years bill would transfer $1 million into the fund each year. I would throw any amount on this so that we can do the testing thats needed, he said. However, realistically speaking, if a million got funded every year for a handful of years, we could address the most pressing concerns that a lot of people are having right now today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement St. Louis has struggled for decades with remnant radioactive waste from the World War II-era effort to build the worlds first atomic bomb. Uranium was refined in downtown St. Louis for use in the development of the bomb. After the war, it was trucked to St. Louis County, often falling off of trucks along the way. It was dumped at the airport, susceptible to the wind and rain, and contaminated the adjacent Coldwater Creek. As suburban neighborhoods sprung up along Coldwater Creek, generations of children and families were exposed to the radioactive waste, elevating residents risk of certain cancers. The waste was sold and moved to a site in Hazelwood, also along Coldwater Creek, so that a company could extract valuable metals. Eventually, the remnant radioactive material was dumped in the West Lake Landfill where it remains today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coldwater Creek is being cleaned up by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers while the Environmental Protection Agency is overseeing the cleanup of the West Lake Landfill. The EPA announced earlier this month that it expanded the area of the West Lake Landfill that requires remediation by 40 acres after discovering contamination was more widespread than the agency previously thought. Crews will need to dig up an additional 20,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil and debris. The cost of the project is now nearly $400 million, up from $229 million. Following the EPAs decision, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources wrote the federal agency warning of a high likelihood of radioactive contamination in the adjacent Bridgeton Landfill, which is experiencing a subsurface smoldering event, a chemical reaction that heats and consumes waste like a fire but lacks oxygen. The EPA said it has no new evidence or information to support any claim that radiologically-impacted material is present anywhere else in the Bridgeton Landfill. Asked about the EPAs statement, a spokesman for the Department of Natural Resources said the state agency and EPA are in full agreement regarding the presence and location of radiological material at the Bridgeton. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. Some Missouri lawmakers want to increase penalties for immigrants in the country illegally, including adding a hotline to report those without official documentation. Those two bills caused tensions to rise Monday in the room, from frustration to tears. Do not act like you have experienced anything that I have, or my mother, or my grandfather, who was the first free Black person in my family, one speaker said. Cause you have not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dozens waited outside a committee room to testify in opposition of legislation aimed at illegal immigration. If this bill was to continue further than an idea, it would destroy the safety of anyone who looks different, another speaker said. $10K for recognition? Local school districts featured in paid education series One piece of legislation says it would be an offense to enter the state as an illegal immigrant, and another would allow for bounty hunters to find and detain them. Law enforcement from southwest Missouri voiced their favor of the legislation. We have no intention of sending our deputies out just to look for people who may or may not be illegal immigrantswere here to protect all of our citizens, Lewis County Sheriff David Parrish said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. David Gregroy said his bounty hunter bill creates an ICE program at the state level, allowing for a tip line. The legislation says anyone who makes a report in which an illegal immigrant is arrested will receive a $1,000 reward. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. On Friday night, Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell strode onto the Senate floor and, without a moments hesitation, voted against the Republican presidents nominee for secretary of defense. The vote marked the hard launch of a new, unburdened, and final chapter in McConnells 40-year Senate career. But then a funny thing happened: Pete Hegseth, a nominee who made up for his singular lack of qualifications with heaping doses of personal scandal, was confirmed anyway. Since that outcome was known by the time McConnell cast his vote, McConnells no vote wasnt the highest of high dramas. (One thinks, instead, of John McCain voting down Obamacare repeal in 2017 as then-Leader McConnell stood nearby, arms folded, face down.) There werent gasps, and McConnell joined the rest of the chatty Senate floor by yukking it up with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coverage of McConnells vote has described it as a shot across the bow, or a message sent to Washington. Mitch McConnell might not run the Senate anymore, Politico described it, but he made clear on Friday night that he still knows how to wield power. Were sure McConnell hasnt forgotten how to wield power. But the only practical effect of his no vote was to inconvenience the tiebreaking vote, Vice President J.D. Vance, on a Friday night. McConnell, who has unusually thick skin, is in the twilight of his career. Most of his fellow Senate Republicans are in the thick of theirs. McConnells vote may be liberated, but the outcomes are out of his hands. The most surprising thing about McConnells Hegseth vote was that he didnt try to block the nomination earlier, on one of the procedural votes preceding confirmation. On the merits of his decision, though, McConnell has been open and direct about his priorities for his final two years in office. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth didnt fit into them. Mitch McConnell is a traditional Republican defense hawk. In speeches, press conferences, interviews, and articles over the past year, he has been explicit in saying that his focus is on repellingor at least slowing downthe isolationist elements overtaking his party. He believes that the United States is under a concerted attack from Russia, China, Iran, and their proxies to undermine the U.S.-led order that has underpinned Western peace and prosperity for nearly a century, and has argued that the global situation is as dangerous as it has been since the period before World War II. To counter this, McConnell has called for substantial increases in defense spending and hard power. He intends to see that through himself. When McConnell stepped down as leader, he had pick of the litter over committee assignments. He chose the defense subcommittee gavel on the Appropriations Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And so Pete Hegseth, who was poached from a career in weekend television hosting, didnt strike McConnell as the sturdiest partner in this endeavor. In a lengthy, scathing statement following the vote, McConnell reiterated his view of the grave threats facing America, and why Republicans needed better than the nominee placed before them. Mere desire to be a change agent is not enough to fill these shoes, McConnell said. And dust on boots fails even to distinguish this nominee from multiple predecessors of the last decade. He hit Hegseth for failing to offer substantial observations on how to defend Taiwan or the Philippines against a Chinese attack, or even whether he believes the United States should do so. He failed, for that matter, to articulate in any detail a strategic vision for dealing with the gravest long-term threat emanating from the PRC. And, in a dig at Hegseths past bravado against women in combat, he said, The restoration of warrior culture will not come from trading one set of culture warriors for another. McConnells explanationwhether or not you agree with his dour view of the worlds dangers and his proposed remedieswas untouched by politics. He didnt even bother hedging about how the vote kept him up at night but that he could not in good conscience go along with it; there was no side puffery about how President Trump was Gods gift to the nation. He didnt offer to make it up later. He just listed the reasons why the nominee was bad, and he said that he would vote against him. No other Senate Republican has the luxury of being able to separate themself from politics so fully. Sure, it wasnt entirely easy for Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski to join McConnell in voting against Hegseth. But those two Republicans, and those two specifically, have been reelected to the Senate with moderate coalitions to whom they have to tend. And Alaskas nontraditional voting system insulates Murkowski from right-wing primary opponents, while Collins brand is strong enough to vanquish any opposition from her right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So youve got McConnell, whose semiretirement and focus on legacy render him immune to the pressures of Trump or Kentuckians clamoring for Secretary of State Pete Hegseth to fire the generals who wear dresses. Youve got Murkowski and Collins, whose political incentives guide them toward rejecting Trumps most glaring excesses. You need one more Republican to vote down a nomination. Whos that going to be? Well? Its not going to be North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis. Tillis had been wobbling in his support for Hegseth on the afternoon before the vote. Youd better believe that he came around. While Tillis holds one of the few seats Senate Democrats will be targeting in 2026, he first has to get through a Republican primaryand being the deciding vote to kill one of Trumps first major nominees may well have nuked him. Would any other of the remaining few Trump-cautious Senate Republicans like to nuke their Senate careers? Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy? Indiana Sen. Todd Young? Utah Sen. John Curtis? Maybe some or several of these senators are preserving their no votes for the nominee that terrifies them most, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or Tulsi Gabbard. But wed venture that more than three Republican senators felt Hegseths nomination was a joke. Only three did anything about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These incentives make it hard for McConnell to play the role that Trumps opponents would project onto him: the elder whose gravitas and sage counsel can move votes beyond his own to block Trumps use of the Senate as a doormat. Whichever Senate Republican becomes that 51st vote to kill a nomination immediately places a primary target on his or her back. Indeed, even having voted with Mitch McConnell, on its own terms, makes that target a little bigger. Its not clear what McConnells sage counsel would be, anyway. The senator has had a smattering of major policy interests over the years: a robust national defense, a conservative judiciary, and beating back any limits on the amount of money in politics. But his supreme interest has always been the engineering and maintenance of a Senate Republican majority. He may have nothing left to lose, but hes not one to advise those who could lose plenty to risk it. Jan. 27Midland Memorial Hospital invites the entire community to a special event celebrating the accomplishments of its Simulation Innovation Technology in Healthcare Program. This celebration will take place at 11 a.m. January 29 in the hospital's front lobby, bringing together staff, supporters, and community members to honor and learn more about the program. The event serves as an opportunity to recognize the program's recent accreditation in Teaching/Education by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), a global authority in healthcare simulation. This accreditation places Midland Memorial Hospital among an elite group of just 20 simulation programs in Texas to earn such distinction. It underscores the program's dedication to excellence, innovation, and empowering healthcare professionals to deliver outstanding care. "I couldn't be prouder of our simulation team not only for their incredible hard work in earning this accreditation but also for their unwavering commitment to ensuring our medical teams have access to the highest quality training right here in Midland," Dr. Kit Bredimus, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Midland Health, said in a news release. The celebration on January 29 will bring these stories of progress to life, offering guests an inside look at the technologies, methods, and passionate team members driving this pioneering program. Visitors will view demonstrations, engage with the simulation team, and learn about how the program is supporting healthcare professionals and improving patient outcomes across Midland and beyond. Chinese authorities have detained a key suspect in human trafficking cases linked to online scam networks near the borders of Myanmar and Thailand, Chinas Ministry of Public Security said, weeks after the high-profile disappearance of an actor sparked safety concerns. The suspect, surnamed Yan, was captured through the joint efforts of the ministry, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand and Thai law enforcement officers, it said. Yan had returned to China on Saturday and an investigation is ongoing, it said in a statement late Sunday. It vowed to deepen law enforcement cooperation with other countries and spare no effort in arresting suspects in the scam networks. Earlier this month, Chinese actor Wang Xing was lured by a promise of an acting opportunity and traveled to Thailand but instead was taken across the border into Myanmar, where police believe he was put to work in a call scam operation targeting Chinese people, Thai police said. Wang was eventually sent back to China, but his case has sparked fears about travel to Thailand among many Chinese, clouding the Southeast Asian countrys tourism prospects during the Lunar New Year holidays, which begin today. Last week, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra used a video generated by artificial intelligence to assure Chinese tourists that her government is boosting security and attaches great importance to the safety of tourists. But a series of recent human trafficking cases has already harmed Thai tourism. A concert by Hong Kong pop star Eason Chan in Bangkok in February was canceled due to safety concerns for Chinese citizens. Users on Chinas Weibo social media platform also expressed fears about visiting Thailand. Criminal activity has flourished in border areas of military-ruled Myanmar, where fighting has pitted armed ethnic groups against the army for decades. Chinese authorities say they have cracked down on criminal syndicates in joint operations with neighboring countries, leading to thousands of people being returned to China, but those campaigns did not include arrests of ring leaders in Myanmar. People from Malaysia and the Philippines lured by job offerings in Myanmar have also been forced to work in call centers against their will. Chinese investors operate casino complexes in Myanmar in what amounts to autonomous development zones in cooperation with Myanmars Border Guard Force, a militia belonging to the ethnic Karen minority. MDT/AP Two boys were hospitalized early Monday morning for treatment of injuries sustained in a mobile home fire on Santa Fe's south side. A 16-year-old boy was taken to an area hospital and a 12-year-old boy was airlifted to University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, Santa Fe County officials said. They did not provide details about the extent of the boys' injuries or their conditions. The cause of the fire remained uncertain Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santa Fe County firefighters, sheriff's deputies and emergency staff were dispatched to the fire just before 6 a.m. Monday, a county spokesperson said, and they were still at the scene hours later. Deputies Rudy Vallejo and Levi Abeyta arrived at the scene of the "fully engulfed structure fire" off Camino Don Fidel and helped rescue one of the boys from the burning mobile home, the sheriff's office said in a news release. "These deputies responded without hesitation and were able to rescue one child who was still trapped inside the burning residence," the release states. County spokesperson Daniel Fresquez wrote in an email the fire took place in a small community near South Meadows Road and the frontage road off N.M. 599. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two vehicles caught fire in addition to the mobile home, Fresquez wrote, and the fire was extinguished by firefighting crews by 10:30 a.m. Volunteer fire crews from Madrid, La Cienega and Turquoise Trail were dispatched as well as responders from the city of Santa Fe. The New Mexico State Fire Marshal's Office opened an investigation into the cause of the fire. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) Safe Haven Baby Boxes has added another location to drop off babies: the Mobile Fire Station on Davenport Avenue. Safe Haven Baby Boxes mission is to end infant abandonment by providing secure locations for parents in crisis to give up their babies. (File photo) The blessing of the baby box is set for 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the Mobile Fire Station, 200 Davenport Ave. Speakers will include Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Mobile Fire Department representatives, state and district representatives, and Monica Kelsey, Safe Haven Baby Box founder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Father John Lynes of Little Flower Catholic Church will perform the blessing. Safe Haven Baby Boxes mission is to end infant abandonment by providing secure locations for parents in crisis to give up their babies. We have seen time and time again that preparation can save and change lives, Kelsey said. We never know when or where we will be needed, so it is crucial to have options for mothers in crisis. I am grateful for local advocates who take our mission to their community. The Davenport Avenue location marks the 15th Safe Haven Baby Box in Alabama and the 310th in the country, according to a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2017, 55 infants have been legally surrendered to a baby box, News 5 has learned, and the national Safe Haven Crisis Line reportedly has helped with over 150 handoffs. Surrendered infants are adopted by families registered as foster to adopt. For more information, contact Monica Kelsey at monicakelsey@safehavenbabyboxes.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. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) Mobile Police Chief William R. Jackson has promoted two deputy chiefs. According to an MPD news release, Jackson promoted Maj. Melvin Jones and Capt. Matthew Garrett to deputy chief. Gulf Shores High School indoor athletic training facility collapses Mobile Police Department Maj. Melvin Jones, left, and Capt. Matthew Garrett, right, were promoted as deputy chiefs, Police Chief William R. Jackson announced Monday. (Mobile Police Department) After a rigorous interview process to select two deputy chiefs, I am pleased to announce the interview panel has made their selections, Jackson said. After careful review and consideration, on Monday, January 27, 2025, Major Melvin Jones and Captain Matthew Garrett were named Deputy Chiefs of the Mobile Police Department. It is my honor to promote both individuals who have extensive law enforcement backgrounds with years of dedicated experience and service with the Mobile Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Jackson, the move came after he vacated the position of assistant chief to become the chief, which was then divided into two deputy chief positions as a way to better structure the departments leadership. The Mobile Police Department shared biographies of both Jones and Garrett. Jones began his career with MPD in June 2000. He has been a major and commanded the field operations east division since December 2021. He has supervised and/or commanded parts of the department such as SWAT, a street enforcement unit and patrol services. Cannabis testing facility coming to Foley: Baldwin County EDA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones is a Mobile native and attended John S. Shaw High School before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He has a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice, has received various police awards and is a member of the International Chiefs of Police Organization. Garrett began his career with MPD as a police cadet in November 1996. He has worked in field operations, criminal investigations and internal affairs. Hes been a captain since 2018 and commanded the criminal investigations section and was the commander of the central precinct in downtown Mobile. Garrett is a Daphne native and attended Bayside Academy. He is a third-generation Mobile police officer. He has a bachelors degree in criminal justice administration, and he graduated the 281st session of the FBI National Academy, the 68th Session of the DEA Drug Unit Commanders Academy and Leadership Mobile in 2011. Hes received several awards over the course of his career. Its important to note, the interview panel met with more than a dozen candidates, and while many werent chosen for deputy chief, that decision in no way takes away from the sacrifice and hard work they put in each and every day while serving the citizens of Mobile, Jackson said. I am truly blessed to work with these men and women as we continue to push ahead, and I have no doubt that together we can make Mobile a safer place for us all. 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 WKRG News 5. The "Mona Lisa" is to get its own new room at the Louvre art museum in Paris, allowing it to be shown off to even better advantage for visitors. The legendary Leonardo da Vinci painting is to be given a room that better reflects its importance as part of an extensive renovation of the museum, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday. The Louvre, which is world's most-visited museum, is also to get a new entrance to better manage the flow of visitors. The existing entrance under the central glass pyramid is to be redesigned and converted into new exhibition halls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project is to be implemented by 2031. The cost of the investment is estimated at several million euros. The number of visitors is expected to increase from the current 9 million per year to up to 12 million. The costs will be financed by the Louvre's own income, donations, and increased entrance fees. From January 2026 non-Europeans will have to pay more to visit the museum, though the amount was not specified. The Louvre has been drawing attention to its desolate state for several years. Defects include damage caused by water infiltration, outdated technical facilities and disturbing temperature fluctuations that endanger the preservation of the works of art. The central entrance under the large glass pyramid designed by Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei was first used in 1988 and was designed to cater for four million visitors. NEW YORK (PIX11) From a Hollywood star, a peace doctor with a new book, and a state legislator on how to protect your money, PIX11s Monica Morales is helping her viewers get resources and respect. On this months Monica Makes It Happen Show, she sits down with Hollywood star Leon, Global Peace Doctor Erica Ford and Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson of District 31 in Queens. More Local News Fords new book is on sale now at the link here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Dr. Shakeema North, the CEO of Covenant House NY, Julia Einbond, the CEO of Covenant House NJ, and Elizabeth Santiago, the CEO of the Center for Safety and Change in Rockland County, joined the show to discuss how theyre saving lives in one New York county. Also on this months show, Goya Cares has a new program called the Hydrate for Hope campaign, which successfully raised $350,000 for critical programs protecting children. Find out more information by clicking here. Goyas CEO Bob Unanue gave $150,000 in checks to three community champions thanks to Goya Cares. The new funding will help the heroes on the frontlines fighting human trafficking. More Monica Makes It Happen Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lastly, social media creator and sensation Salina Williams joined the show to talk about how her followers gave her a new purpose. She lost her fiance last year and said that her followers and community helped her through the pain. Now, shes teaching other women how to navigate through their trauma. You can find her on Instagram 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 Montana House of Representatives convenes for a floor session on Jan. 6, 2025. (Micah Drew/ Daily Montanan) Legislators in Montanas House of Representatives passed a bill that would implement the states 2026-2027 employee pay plan, authorizing raises for the state workforce, increasing health insurance payments, adjusting per diem travel rates and raising legislator salaries. The basic structure of the employee pay plan, carried in House Bill 13, is negotiated each biennium between the governors office and public employees unions; and usually passes the Legislature with strong bipartisan support. However, this session the bill is more controversial due to an additional lawmaker pay increase for future legislators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pay plan for state and Montana University System Employees calls for either a $1-per-hour or 2.5% raise, whichever is greater, for each of the next two years, effective July 1. The plan also increases the states per diem meal rates by tying them to 70% of the standard federal rate of reimbursement bumping up each meal roughly from $3 to $4 dollars and boosts employer health insurance contributions by $26 in 2026 and an additional $27 in 2027. Bill sponsor Rep. John Fitzpatrick, R-Anaconda, added legislative salary increases to the pay plan, and tied lawmaker pay to become a function of the states average wage, which he said would stop the legislature from debating the issue every two years. Ive been here for 49 years of my life mostly as a lobbyist. Ive heard this particular discussion at least half a dozen times sitting up in the gallery, Fitzpatrick said on the House floor last week. If wed taped this particular discussion back in 1987, we could replay it today and it would be the same set of arguments over and over. The only thing that would change would be the numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A fiscal note attached to the bill estimates each round of raises for state workers will increase the states payroll costs by roughly $41 million a year and the cost of increasing legislator salaries would be roughly $1.4 million and $2.2 million during the next two years. The cost of increasing health plans are $2.9 million and $7.9 million respectively during the next two years. Fitzpatrick said using the states average wage is an objective, transparent standard that fairly compensates lawmakers for the time and work they do both during the 90-day session, and would make the job accessible to more individuals, but many lawmakers pushed back, emphasizing that their work is a public service and sacrifice. We all come into this from the viewpoint of public service. Thats why we came here, not because we want to be career politicians, but because we want to do good in the world. Rep. Jane Gillette, R-Three Forks, said. And if we make a low wage, so be it. Gillette, a dental researcher and healthcare consultant, said she works hard outside of the session to meet her financial goals, and works during the session as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just dont think this is the way we should be making money, she said. Lawyer and Rep. Bill Mercer, R-Billings, brought forth an amendment to HB 13 to strip legislator pay from the bill, saying he felt the Legislature was too comfortable increasing their own compensation. In 2019, Mercers first session, legislators earned $11.56 an hour. As state employees, legislator pay is part of the employee pay plan, and during the current session, legislators earn $16.11 an hour, or $128.88 per day, in addition to a per diem allotment of $206 a rate the legislature increased during the 2023 session to match the federal per diem rate . During the 2023 session, the Legislature passed a bill to raise lawmaker pay from $16 to around $24 an hour with bipartisan support, though on relatively narrow margins. Gov. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, vetoed the bill, writing in his veto memo that As has been the case since before our nations founding, public service comes with personal sacrifice long hours away from home, less time with family, and appropriately limited compensation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors office did not respond to questions about whether the Gianforte would support the employee pay plan with legislative pay included. Rep. Sherry Essmann, R-Billings, who spent a career in finance, said that she had worked for every single raise shed earned in her career, and believes this one is justified. We bring a ton of expertise and experience to this body, Essmann said. I dont know anyone who would take a responsible job in the private industry for $33,000 a year. Lawmaker wages are currently equivalent to an annual salary of $33,900. Under HB 13, legislators working during the 2027 session would make 80% of the state average hourly wage and during the 2029 session would make 100% of the state hourly wage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the latest Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean hourly wage in Montana across all occupations was $26.88 in 2023, or $55,920 annually. Lawmaker salaries would not change for the current session, which runs 90 days. Hamilton Republican Rep. David Bedey told his colleagues that they should consider how limiting legislative pay can be to individuals who might want to serve in the body but cannot. In the House, he said, there are retired folks, independently wealthy individuals, remote workers, and public employees who forgo their legislative salary but are paid through their primary jobs. He said he was a remote worker, who is now retired from an engineering firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that we have a Legislature from an economic standpoint that is perhaps overrepresented in certain sectors and underrepresented elsewhere, Bedey said. Its a pretty simple value proposition. Common sense would dictate that the tile layer, who has to shut his business down to come to the Legislature, has a disincentive for serving. Rep. Terry Falk, R-Kalispell, favored removing legislative pay increases from the bill, saying that current pay easily covers lawmakers stint in Helena, even considering paying rent and other expenses. He said that anyone, from a fast-food worker on up, could make it through on current wages. I maintain we get paid pretty well. Its enough at least, Falk, a real estate investor, said. Were so busy, we dont really have time to spend money on everything else. Fitzpatrick said that often during these discussions, its brought up that fast-food workers make more than legislators, but he wanted a new analogy. Referencing a handout from the Montana Cannabis Association, he said that the average wage in Montanas growing marijuana business is $20 an hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The guys that are distributing pot in our communities are making three dollars and 92 cents more than the folks that are sitting in this building, Fitzpatrick said. Im kind of of the theory that folks that are sitting here and bring a wide variety of talent and expertise to craft public policy for the state of Montana deserve a better salary than those who put dope in plastic bags and hand it across the counter. House lawmakers voted to keep the legislator pay raises in the bill, and passed the employee pay plan 71-27 on third reading. Sen. John Fuller, R-Whitefish, waits to present Senate Bill 164, which would make procuring or providing certain care for transgender youth a felony. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan) A doctor couldnt fix a cleft palate on a baby or circumcise an infant if Senate Bill 164 takes effect, said one medical provider. Another doctor said a child with scoliosis couldnt be treated if the bill is signed into law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several people who testified said suicide rates among transgender youth will increase. The Senate Judiciary committee on Jan. 27 heard testimony on SB 164, which would make it a felony for a parent or medical provider to procure or provide treatment to alter the appearance of a child younger than 16 or to provide surgical treatment, puberty blockers or doses of estrogen or testosterone to affirm a transgender childs identity. Sen. John Fuller, R-Whitefish, sponsored the bill, which comes with a penalty of up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine, or up to 10 years and $25,000 if a child suffers serious bodily injury. In 2023, the Montana Legislature passed and Gov. Greg Gianforte signed Senate bill 99, which made it illegal for young people who are transgender to receive gender-affirming care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLU of Montana sued on behalf of plaintiffs and opposed SB 164 too. Monday, Fuller said the Montana Supreme Court already found SB 99 to be unconstitutional although Derek Oestreicher of the Montana Family Foundation corrected him and said it has only been preliminarily enjoined. However, Fuller said his bill is different because it is amending a different section of code, one that addresses endangering the welfare of children. Representatives from the Montana Family Foundation and Montana Medical Freedom Alliance were among the handful of proponents who testified in support of the bill. Oestreicher said gender dysphoria, where a person feels their biological sex doesnt match their gender identity, is a deeply complex and personal experience, and the bill seeks to ensure children arent subjected to life altering consequences from treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This legislation is critical to protecting Montana children from harmful and irreversible medical interventions, Oestreicher said. In December, the Montana Supreme Court found SB 99 likely violates the state constitutions right to privacy, and the law is temporarily blocked while the lawsuit plays out. At the hearing Monday, many members of the medical community including counselors and an emergency room doctor testified against the bill. They said doctors are sworn to present the best options to patients, and the bill would make them and parents criminals for offering them necessary care and potentially increase suicide rates among children. Dr. Cathy White had retired as a pediatrician, but she came out of retirement because of a shortage of providers in Butte. White said if the bill passes, shortages will get worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some transgender youth dont experience any dysphoria at all, but White has had patients come into her office and say, If my body keeps changing like this, Im going to kill myself. White said the use of puberty blockers isnt taken lightly, but they have been used for decades, and she will quit working if the bill passes. Personally, Im too old to risk a felony if this law passes, and I would cease to practice in Montana, said White, past president of the Montana Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics. The Movement Advancement Project lists 24 states including Montana that have bans, not all in effect, on best practice care for transgender youth. MAP describes itself as a nonprofit think tank dedicated to research that supports equality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Lauren Wilson, with the Montana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, presented the committee with a list of 43 medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, that have issued statements in support of medical care for transgender patients and against restrictions that criminalize them. Wilson, also testifying for the Montana Academy of Family Physicians, told the committee its important to recognize transgender and intersex people have existed across cultures and throughout history. No single pathway exists for youth seeking gender affirming care, Wilson said. In some cases, support entails allowing a child to get a different haircut or use a different name. Of adolescents seen in a gender clinic in a large childrens hospital, 65% received no medication or other interventions, Wilson said. Just 7% received puberty blockers, and 35% received hormones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Children dont undergo genital surgery, and just 25% to 35% of people who are transgender have ever had surgery, Wilson said. Bills like this one are based in misconceptions about gender affirming care that are circulating nationally, Wilson said. Planned Parenthood of Montana, the Montana Hospital Association, Montana Primary Care Association, a member of the Montana Psychiatric Association, the Womens Foundation of Montana, and a pastor were among the opponents who testified. Faye Wilde said before she was a transgender woman, she was a trans child, and she knows she would have faced less harassment if she had had access to puberty blockers early on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilde described the bill as cruel and blatantly unconstitutional, and she said transgender people have always existed in Montana, and we always will. You cannot legislate us back into the closet, into the grave or out of existence, Wilde said. We are here, and here we will remain. The bill has no fiscal note, but it would be costly for public defenders and child and protective services, said Kelsen Young, with the Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Young said the coalition stood in indignant opposition to the bill. Some parents wont testify in opposition because they fear prosecution, said Young, who identified herself as a mother and grandmother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Please know that this is a life and death situation, Young said. The fact that we are creating a felony for parents who are doing the best they can in these incredibly difficult situations is offensive to those of us who work with children. Anna Louise Peterson, a licensed clinical professional counselor, has provided support to transgender, nonbinary and intersex clients for the last 25 years. I have yet to see a single case in which the treatment protocol has caused any harm to any of my clients. Quite the opposite. It has enabled them to thrive, Peterson said. Shawn Reagor, on behalf of Bridger Care, Montanas largest nonprofit reproductive and sexual health clinic, said the bill aims to block treatment that saves lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reagor said it also affects less than 0.1% of the population in the country, fewer than 3,000 people, and the bill is a waste of time and money. The government has no place inserting itself between parents, teens and their trusted health care providers, Reagor said. In support of the bill, however, Erin Laws, with the Montana Medical Freedom Alliance, said voters gave Americans and Montanans a clear mandate in the most recent election to return to common sense and traditional values. Laws also pointed out that a doctor who had received nearly $10 million from the U.S. government for a study regarding puberty blockers declined to release the full results. She refused to release the findings because she did not want them to be weaponized, Laws said. The committee did not take immediate action on the bill on Monday. Jan. 28For the third year in a row, Montgomery County suspended more residents' drivers licenses in 2024 for failing to pay child support than any other county in Ohio, and the county is out to an early lead again in 2025. And recently passed legislation limiting license suspensions for non-driving offences will impact how child support nonpayment suspensions are handled, but won't necessarily limit them. In 2024, the Montgomery County Department of Job and Family Services (JFS) dealt out 1,961 of the state's 15,841 license suspensions for child support defaults, according to Ohio JFS data obtained by the Dayton Daily News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That stat puts the county responsible for 12.8% of the state's 2024 total suspensions despite having only about 4.5% of the state's population, according to the most recent Census population estimates. The next highest was the more populous Hamilton County, which yielded 1,826 suspensions 11.5% of the state's total 2024 suspensions with only about 7% of the population. Montgomery County has been a notable outlier in Ohio for child support license suspensions for years, Dayton Daily News reporting has found. In 2023, the Montgomery County JFS handed out 2,129 suspensions related to child support. Hamilton County, the next highest, handed out 1,442. In 2022, the Montgomery County JFS handed out 1,727 suspensions. Hamilton, again the next highest county, handed out only 902. As of Jan. 21, Montgomery County leads the state with 204 suspensions in 2025. Lorain County is the next highest with 135. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New legislation A new bipartisan bill, effective April 9, limits the circumstances in which Ohioans can have their license suspended for non-driving infractions. But, House Bill 29 "does not eliminate (suspensions) as a legal enforcement option" for county agencies, said Montgomery County JFS spokesperson Reba Chenoweth it only adds guardrails. For example, H.B. 29 will permit those in default on their payments to present evidence that a suspension would effectively prevent them from getting current, but it doesn't require JFS departments to do anything with that information. Another provision sets a 30-day delay on all child support-related suspensions, while another expands the window for Ohioans to petition the court for limited driving privileges. While these guardrails are expected to make some dent, it's not clear how big a difference it will make in the total number of suspensions that are handed out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How suspensions work In Ohio, the state places the responsibility of collecting child support and in turn doling out punishments to those who fail to meet certain criteria onto the county JFS agencies, which are ran independently but overseen by the state. The county needs only to contact the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles in order to suspend a license almost instantly. State law requires that suspensions can only be handed down to Ohioans who are in default for at least 90 days; who did not pay an amount equaling at least one month's obligation; and who failed to pay at least 50% of their obligations in the 90 days leading up to an advance notice of their suspension. However, state law also gives county JFS departments leeway in how they choose to use suspensions. Highly populated Cuyahoga County, for example, suspended only 83 licenses in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Montgomery County, Chenoweth described driver's license suspensions as a "discretionary remedy used as leverage to encourage compliance with a child support order for a parent who is not paying at least 50% of their support." In May, Chenoweth told this outlet that license suspensions have been "a very effective tool" in prompting residents to contact the county JFS, which then allows the agency to connect residents with payment plans and other options to avoid suspension. "Montgomery County is number one in arrears collections and number two in current support collections amongst the six metro counties in Ohio," Chenoweth said. "Some of our success can be attributed to utilizing tools such as license suspension in the most efficient and effective manner." ------ Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more stories like this, sign up for our Ohio Politics newsletter. It's free, curated, and delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday evening. Avery Kreemer can be reached at 614-981-1422, on X, via email, or you can drop him a comment/tip with the survey below. Loading... Gov. Wes Moores office has extended an agreement to employ outside consultants to help track the influx of executive orders and other policy changes coming down from President Donald Trumps White House. The contract originally set to end this month but now extended until March 1 will allow the consulting firm Accenture to monitor, analyze and provide daily updates to Moores team about how Trumps actions impact Maryland, according to a copy of the agreement signed four days after the inauguration last week. The work [produced by the contract] is of extreme importance to the Moore-Miller administration, the document states in a section justifying a $50,000 addition to the original $190,000 two-month agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ongoing work from Accenture will include tracking and research, regular communication with the governors staff, direct support for state agency leaders and a final report with action plans, according to the contract. A key outcome of this work will be for the governors office to stay up to date on the full universe of relevant federal developments and actions being taken on any given day in order to be able to prioritize responses accordingly, it states. Trump unleashed a barrage of executive actions after returning to power, some of which could have an outsized impact on Maryland. His moves to control and ultimately slim down the size of the federal workforce immediately raised alarms in a state that relies heavily on those jobs. Other steps to roll back federal support in areas like wind energy, electric vehicles and health care could have quick or long-term effects. Meanwhile, funding for Moores top priorities, like the Red Line light rail project in Baltimore, meanwhile, are facing much higher odds of becoming reality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore spokesman Carter Elliott IV said Accenture has worked already to analyze the impacts of the Trump administrations directives, including on federal funding, and to make recommendations. The extension was made to ensure that this important work is completed thoroughly and smoothly transitioned to our agency leaders, he said. The Democratic governor has vowed to both work with and push back against the Republican president when necessary. Earlier this month, Moore said hes not the leader of the resistance and will work with anyone he can to make progress for the state. Hes also described the new administration as a storm that threatens to disrupt Marylands economy, as well as parts of Trumps inauguration speech as troubling and purely un-American. In preparing for that storm, Moore said his team has been working since last February to plan for any changes at the federal level. The contract his office signed in November with Accenture sought to augment that work by tapping one of the worlds largest consulting and technology firms to provide an independent, structured, and research-based approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This includes evaluating Trumps appointments and executive actions, as well as the legislative priorities of the new Republican-controlled Congress. Moving from the planning stages to the action plan implementation, the extended contract ensures that the consultants can lower the administrative burden on state officials as Trump now controls the full force of the federal government, according to the contract. A final report will include analyses of individual federal agencies, a summary of action plans produced by state agencies and recommendations for how the state agencies can coordinate. Like the original agreement, it was also developed outside of the states regular procurement process, which typically involves the governor and two other members of the Board of Public Works publicly vetting and voting on contracts about every two weeks. It was procured instead as an intergovernmental cooperation agreement, which allows the state to join another state or local governments existing contract. In this case, Maryland joined an agreement that the University of Virginia made with Accenture in 2020 to provide general support services for the universitys departments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amended contract stated the different type of process was justified again because of the time-sensitive nature of the services. Hiring outside consultant help is a standard part of any organization, and at a time of greater potential risk in regards to Marylands reliance on the federal government it is imperative that the state enlists outside expertise to prepare for any challenges we may face, Elliott said. _____ SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)Lets Talk About It is the theme for a meeting to be held in Mooretown on Jan. 28 where community members will discuss the revitalization, enhancement, and empowerment of Shreveport neighborhoods. Local, state, and federal officials and business owners will attend the To Our Destiny Community Development Corporation. TODCDC is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the social, economic, and environmental challenges in Shreveport communities. TODCDC promotes sustainability, equity, and empowerment to create vibrant, inclusive neighborhoods where all residents thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Pamela Phoenix is the CEO of To Our Destiny CDC. She invites the public to attend the town hall meeting and learn about activities the organization will focus on in 2025. Now is the time for (the) organization to be activeboots on the ground, for our communities that are being left behind, said Pheonix. The public town hall meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 28 at 4727 Broadway Avenue (Impact Church) in Shreveport. For more information about the town hall meeting in Mooretown, contact Dr. Phoenix at (318) 734-9084. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Report Continuing a long-standing tradition, Hong Kong is holding annual Spring Festival fairs at 15 locations across the city, including Victoria Park, starting Thursday. The 2025 Lunar New Year Fairs which will conclude in the early hours of Jan 29, the first day of the Year of the Snake features around 1,500 stalls offering fresh produce, dry goods, hot foods, flowers, and holiday decorations. Last week, Macau opened its Chinese New Year Market at the Tap Seac Square. The market has 14 stalls selling Chinese New Year gifts, six serving flowers, and four offering snacks and hot foods. It features various cultural performances, a large floral exhibition, and festive lighting decorations. Boost to Spring Festival spending Hong Kongs electronic payment service provider Octopus will hand out HK$68.8 million in red packets and perks to stimulate spending during the Chinese New Year, marking its largest promotion campaign for the traditional festival. Virtual red packets known as lai see in Cantonese worth HK$8.88 million will be distributed to local residents between Jan 27 and Feb 28. Throughout the period, 26 major retailers and catering groups will offer special discounts totaling HK$60 million to consumers. The move aims to convince more locals to stay and spend in the city amid an ongoing wave of people traveling to the Chinese mainland to shop and dine. The Chinese New Year flower markets in Guangzhou, which opened on Sunday, will run until 2 am on Wednesday, the first day of the Year of the Snake. Each district in the city hosts their own flower markets this year, holding a variety of folk activities including folk art performances and intangible cultural heritage exhibitions during the 10-day sale period. About 45 million pots or plants of flowers will be supplied to the markets this year. Expected popular picks include phalaenopsis, lilies, gladioli, and chrysanthemums. Pass to Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area Starting from Jan 26, mainland residents will be able to apply for a one-time pass online to visit the Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area, in a move aimed at facilitating personnel movement in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong border area. Known as a historical tourist attraction located near the border in Sha Tau Kok, Chung Ying Street is attracting a growing number of visitors. Mainland residents can enter and exit Chung Ying Street with a valid resident ID card by applying for the pass through a designated WeChat mini-program. Each WeChat user can submit up to 10 applications a day, with a maximum of five people allowed for each application. In December, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government announced the launch of a pilot program to introduce facial recognition technology at the checkpoint, allowing people living or working in the street to access the area in an easier way. MDT/China Daily Several apartments were rendered uninhabitable after a car fire spread to two buildings on Monday afternoon. Firefighters responding to a report of a motor vehicle fire at 23 Bennett Street around 3:15 p.m. found heavy smoke and flames coming from a car parked in the driveway between two three-story apartment buildings, according to Fire Chief Peter OConnor. The fire extended to both buildings and due to the close proximity of the dwellings, a second and third alarm response was called. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All occupants were able to escape without injury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flames were scene in a first-floor bedroom of 25 Bennett Street, along with in the walls and ceilings of the third floor apartment in the same building. Chief OConnor says the fire in 23 Bennett was largely contained to the exterior of the building, although the first-floor apartment was left uninhabitable. With the help of firefighters from Salem, Beverly, Danvers, Hamilton, Peabody, and Manchester by the Sea working aggressively, the flames were extinguished. Four apartments were rendered uninhabitable, one in 23 Bennett and three in 25 Bennett, but Chief OConnor says many of the personal belongings in both buildings can be salvaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than a dozen people were displaced. The Red Cross is working to assist the displaced individuals. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 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 (NewsNation) Under the southern border, there are tunnels you can walk in for hours on end and more are being made, officials tell NewsNation. I got a call yesterday that theres more tunnels, said Victor Avila, retired ICE/HIS supervisory special agent, during a live Q&A Monday. Though details were scarce, Avila told NewsNation a couple more tunnels were discovered west of El Paso, Texas, recently, seemingly in response to a border crackdown under President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Art Del Cueto, the vice president of the National Border Patrol Council, said tunnel use will increase as security tightens under the Trump administration. The cartels are going to find a way to get their product across, and tunnels are going to be their thing, Cueto said on the livestream. ICE causing state of terror in Chicago: Alderman Sigcho Lopez Youre going to see seizures hit the roof youre going to see bodies, youre going to see drugs, Avila explained, saying he predicts these old methods of smuggling will make a resurgence. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 1,179 people nationwide Monday up from the previous days 956 and indicative of a shift in border protocol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president fortified the borders military presence in the first days of his term, sending hundreds of troops from Kentucky, Washington and New York to posts along the nations border. At least 300 troops landed in El Paso, Texas, over the weekend, and sources tell NewsNation that at least 500 soldiers are in California. And as military personnel grows, so will discoveries, said retired ICE field office director John Fabbricatore. Were going to see a lot more military technology down there, so we can find these tunnels, Fabbricatore said. Homan defends immigration raids into middle, elementary schools Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fabbricatore added that military personnel whose jobs were to find tunnels in Afghanistan will now do the same thing on our border to keep our nation safe. But how do these tunnels go undetected? Cueto told NewsNation its because we have communities on our borders that condone this type of behavior. Watch the full Q&A: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jan. 27Federal authorities are asking witnesses to come forward if they have knowledge of the "massive and sprawling" criminal racketeering conspiracy involving New Mexico law enforcement officers who took kickbacks for helping defense attorneys get DWI cases dismissed. U.S. Attorney for New Mexico Alexander Uballez told the Journal on Monday there is more to come from the continuing FBI investigation of the racketeering and bribery conspiracy involving Albuquerque Police Department's DWI unit, as well as New Mexico State Police and the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department. Uballez provided no timetable but said he is confident the prosecution, which produced one guilty plea last week from a central figure in the years-long scheme, will continue even if he is removed by the new Trump administration. Uballez, a longtime state and federal prosecutor, was appointed by former President Joe Biden in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a very hard bell to un-ring," Uballez said of the federal investigation that has led to the departures of nearly one dozen APD officers who served in the DWI Unit, numerous changes in APD policy, and the dismissal of several hundred DWI pending cases the officers had filed in court. No law enforcement officer has been criminally charged. But prosecutors say in court records that the officers who joined what federal prosecutors dubbed the illegal "DWI Enterprise" received cash, gift cards, hotel rooms, and free or discounted legal services. Their primary contact was Ricardo "Rick" Mendez, an investigator who worked with prominent Albuquerque DWI defense attorney Thomas Clear. Mendez pleaded guilty Friday to federal charges that included bribery, racketeering conspiracy and interference with commerce by extortion. He was released pending sentencing April 29. Clear hasn't been charged and declined to comment when contacted by the Journal. Uballez told the Journal that the success of the FBI investigation doesn't hinge on prosecutors finding more witnesses or victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he added, "Witnesses and victims are always helpful to us, and looking at the facts which are publicly available ... it confirms a scheme that goes back to 2008, so it is massive and sprawling, and we are always, in this and in any case, looking for folks who can come forward and help us build out our investigation." The investigation was spurred by tips from several people over the past two years. Uballez wouldn't say whether it has been difficult to find witnesses, such as the people whose charges were dismissed. Mendez stated in his plea that some of those arrested whose cases were dismissed didn't know about the scheme, while others did. There is a possibility some of the acquitted might be reluctant to admit they benefited from a criminal scheme, Uballez said. Asked whether his office would grant them immunity, Uballez said: "It really totally depends on the specific circumstances of what happened. But I think the focus of this investigation is very clearly on those who held the public trust, that's both lawyers, the police, and those who abused it." Anyone with information can call the FBI's Albuquerque office at 505-889-1300, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court filings state that the conspiracy evolved over the years when officers who became "members' of the scheme wanted to increase their payments from Mendez. Up until about 2022, Mendez stated in his plea agreement, DWI officer "members" would fail to appear at pretrial interviews for people they arrested for drunken driving. After an arrest, officers would give Mendez the offender's driver's license and contact information. Mendez would contact the offenders, the plea agreement stated and charge them "higher legal fees in exchange for successful resolution of their DWI offense." Typically, the criminal defense attorney is alleged to have secured dismissal of the charges in court because a "necessary witness for the state would not be present." Judges would typically dismiss the DWI case as a sanction, Mendez's agreement stated. After the state Supreme Court ended the necessity for pretrial interviews in such cases, the officers would either fail to appear in court, withhold necessary evidence or decide not to file charges against those they stopped and arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The more senior officers in the unit would recruit newer members, ensuring that the DWI Enterprise would "take root amongst almost the entire APD DWI unit over a period of time," stated Mendez in his plea agreement. Mendez and Clear are alleged to have asked such senior members "to use their positions and influence within APD to try to ensure that the DWI Officer Members were not investigated or disciplined in connection with their illegal activity." The officer members, who often used code in communicating about the scheme, would sometimes discuss with each other how to ensure the criminal scheme "remained successful, profitable and undiscovered," Mendez stated. Such federal prosecutions "are to make sure that people and, in this case, the people of Albuquerque have institutions that they can have faith in and trust," Uballez said. "Public integrity cases are bedrock cases for us to bring in support of our democracy." President Donald Trump signed four executive orders on Monday that reverse several Biden administration initiatives related to the military and deliver on promises he made on the campaign trail. Trump signed the orders while onboard Air Force One, White House staff secretary Will Scharf told reporters. "First is an executive order, as he alluded to in his speech earlier, reinstating members of the military who were terminated or forced to separate because of the vaccine mandates. The second item was an executive order establishing a process to develop what we're calling an American Iron Dome; a comprehensive missile defense shield to land the American homeland," Scharf said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The third executive order that President Trump signed relates to eliminating gender radicalism in the military, and the fourth is about eliminating DEI set asides and DEI offices within the military," Scharf added. In addition those items, Trump signed a proclamation commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Reinstating military members who refused vaccinations Trump signed an order directing the secretary of defense to "reinstate service members who were dismissed for refusing the COVID vaccine, with full back pay and benefits," according to the White House. The fact sheet on the order estimates that more than 8,000 troops were discharged between 2021 and 2023 following the Biden administration's policy requiring vaccinations for service members. The order adds that the discharged military personnel will "receive their former rank." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump 2nd term live updates In August 2021, then-Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all military personnel. The fact sheet said that the decision was made in "spite of the scientific evidence," and added that it led to the discharge "healthy service members -- many of whom had natural immunity and dedicated their entire lives to serving our country." PHOTO: Saluting American soldiers. (STOCK PHOTO/Adobe Stock) The White House also says the vaccine mandate had a "chilling effect on recruitment," noting that the Department of Defense fell 41,000 recruits short of its fiscal year 2023 recruiting goals. Service members were given the opportunity to rejoin the military in 2023 when the vaccine mandate was rescinded, but the White House fact sheet said that only 43 service members elected to do that. The issue of full back pay is complex and would likely require congressional approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order follows one of Trump's promises from his speech on Inauguration Day, when he said he would make this move shortly after he was sworn in. Transgender service members Trump signed an order directing the Department of Defense to update its guidance "regarding trans-identifying medical standards for military service and to rescind guidance inconsistent with military readiness." The order will require DOD to update all medical standards "to ensure they prioritize readiness and lethality." The order will also end the use of pronouns in the Department of Defense and will also prohibit males from "sharing sleeping, changing, or bathing in facilities designated for females." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Trump revoked a Biden administration order allowing transgender people to serve in the military. In 2016, the Pentagon under then-President Barack Obama lifted restrictions on transgender people serving in the armed forces. But in 2017, Trump announced on what was then Twitter that transgender service members would no longer be able to serve openly in the armed forces, citing concerns over costs and readiness. The policy was implemented in 2019 and required transgender service members to serve in line with their biological sex unless they had already successfully transitioned or were grandfathered in under the Obama-era policy. MORE: DOJ fires members of special counsel Jack Smith's team who prosecuted Trump In 2021, the Trump policy was reversed under the Biden administration, allowing transgender service members to again serve openly and access related medical care. "This change to the standards meant that men and women could join the military for the express purpose of transitioning, be nondeployable for a year, and take life-altering hormone therapy that would mean they would be nondeployable unless the military could guarantee the supply of medication," now-Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said of the changes under Biden in one of his books. Iron Dome Trump has now officially begun the process of creating "the Iron Dome for America," a nod to the Israeli missile defense system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order "directs implementation of a next generation missile defense shield for the United States against ballistic, hypersonic, advanced cruise missiles, and other next generation aerial attacks," according to a fact sheet obtained by ABC News. There are very few details about how this type of a system would be developed. There are no details in the fact sheet on a timeline for creating such a system, nor any mention of cost to construct it. The order follows through on a pledge Trump made a number of times on the campaign trail. "Americans deserve an Iron Dome and that's what we're gonna have we're gonna have an Iron Dome," Trump said during an New Hampshire rally in October 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As ABC has previously reported, experts say replicating an Iron Dome system for the U.S. wouldn't make much sense, given the U.S. has allies to the north and south, and oceans on either side. PHOTO: Members of the military stand as President Donald Trump reviews the troops in Emancipation Hall during inauguration ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 20, 2025. (Angelina Katsanis/via Reuters) Banning DEI Another order that Trump signed takes aim at Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs at the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. The order will ban the use of "discriminatory race- or sex-based preferences," according to a fact sheet about the move. The order directs Hegseth to internally review cases of "race- or sex-based discrimination" based on past DEI policies and requires DOD and DHS to review curriculum to "eliminate radical DEI and gender ideologies." MORE: 3 of Trump's most controversial Cabinet picks face confirmation hearings this week Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact sheet adds that Trump is committed to a merit-based system with "sex-neutral policies and colorblind recruitment, promotion, and retention." It blamed the so-called "'woke' assault" for the military's flagging recruitment numbers. This is just the latest of actions the Trump administration has taken to shut down DEI programs throughout the federal government and among federal contractors and to put pressure on private entities to end similar programs. Trump signs 4 more executive orders directed at the military originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Police ballistic markers stand near a stroller and a childs chair at a crime scene in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The number of homicides across the United States declined sharply in 2024, according to the Council on Criminal Justices latest crime trends report. Still, New York City is one of the major cities with a higher number of homicides in 2024 compared with pre-pandemic levels. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) The number of homicides across the United States declined by 16% in 2024, continuing a recent downward trajectory, according to the latest crime trends report from the Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan think tank. Homicides spiked during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and crime became a central focus of President Donald Trumps 2024 reelection campaign. Trump insisted that FBI crime data showing declines was fake and claimed that crime was through the roof. The second Trump administration is expected to adopt a tough-on-crime approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State legislatures nationwide also are expected to prioritize a variety of criminal justice measures this year, including prison oversight, illegal immigration, retail theft and policing standards and procedures. Polls show most Americans see crime as a significant problem, though fewer than in recent years. The Council on Criminal Justice, known as CCJ, gathers data from individual law enforcement agencies for its biannual crime trends reports, meaning the data is more recent than the FBIs annual report. Both the think tanks and the FBIs reports, however, show a similar turnaround in violent crime. In 2023, criminal homicide which the FBI defines as murder or non-negligent manslaughter was down by 11.6% from the previous year. It was the largest single-year decline in two decades, according to the FBIs annual crime report published last year. The CCJ report shows that the downward trend appears to be continuing, with homicides in 2024 dropping by 16% compared with 2023. That drop equates to 631 fewer homicides in the 29 cities that provided data for the category, according to the councils report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If this decrease holds as more jurisdictions report their data to the FBI later this year, 2024 would rank among the largest single-year homicide drops since at least 1960, the start of modern record-keeping, according to the report. A political issue Despite the recent decline in homicides, crime remains a politically salient issue. A majority of Americans 56% believe that national crime has increased or consider it an extremely or very serious problem. But public concern about crime has lessened over the past year, according to Gallups annual crime survey. Perceptions of crime are heavily influenced by political affiliation. The survey found that 60% of Democrats believe crime has decreased over the past year, whereas 90% of Republicans think it has increased. Some crime experts say that media reports, political messaging and viral social media posts may exaggerate Americans worries about disorder, making crimes such as shoplifting and public drug use appear more prevalent than they actually are. Still, some individual cities and neighborhoods may be experiencing higher crime rates, which could further explain these concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We still have problems with crime, still have problems in the criminal justice system, and even though the crime rates are improving, we should not take our focus off crime and criminal justice, said Ernesto Lopez, the reports co-author and a senior research specialist with the council, in an interview with Stateline. The council analyzed crime trends in 40 U.S. cities, although not all cities had data available for every type of offense. Among the cities studied, 22 saw a decline in homicides last year, with Chandler, Arizona, and Little Rock, Arkansas, recording the largest decreases at 50% and 43%, respectively. Six cities experienced increases, with Colorado Springs, Colorado, leading the way with a 56% jump. Even though the crime rates are improving, we should not take our focus off crime and criminal justice. Ernesto Lopez, senior research specialist with the Council on Criminal Justice When comparing homicide rates between 2019 and 2024, the councils study sample saw a 6% decline, largely driven by cities with traditionally high homicide rates, including Baltimore and St. Louis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homicides are still above pre-pandemic levels in some cities, including New York City and Washington, D.C. In New York City, for example, there were 382 homicides in 2024 compared with 319 in 2019. In Washington, D.C., there were 187 homicides in 2024 and 166 in 2019. Other crimes The CCJ report also examined trends in other violent and property crimes, including gun assault, carjacking, motor vehicle theft and drug offenses. Most of these offenses were lower in 2024 than in 2023, with shoplifting being the only exception, showing a 14% increase. Shoplifting also was 1% higher in 2024 compared with 2019. Researchers were surprised that shoplifting rates increased last year despite retailers taking more measures to combat it, such as locking up merchandise behind glass. Some experts say that the rise may reflect improved reporting efforts rather than an actual spike in theft. Last year, state legislatures placed a strong emphasis on tackling retail theft, and this momentum is likely to continue into this year, with Maryland lawmakers already considering a bill aimed at addressing large-scale organized retail theft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From 2023 to 2024, incidents of robbery dropped by 10%, carjackings fell by 32%, and motor vehicle theft decreased by 24%. Violent crimes such as sexual assault, domestic violence and robbery are now below pre-pandemic levels, but aggravated assaults, gun assaults and carjackings remain higher than in 2019, according to the report. Property crime trends over the past five years varied. Residential burglaries and larcenies decreased, while nonresidential burglaries increased. Motor vehicle thefts rose by 53%, and drug offenses fell by 28%. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Police ballistic markers stand beside a child's chair and bicycle at a crime scene in Brooklyn on July 13, 2020, in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) The number of homicides across the United States declined by 16% in 2024, continuing a recent downward trajectory, according to the latest crime trends report from the Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan think tank. Homicides spiked during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and crime became a central focus of President Donald Trumps 2024 reelection campaign. Trump insisted that FBI crime data showing declines was fake and claimed that crime was through the roof. The second Trump administration is expected to adopt a tough-on-crime approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State legislatures nationwide also are expected to prioritize a variety of criminal justice measures this year, including prison oversight, illegal immigration, retail theft and policing standards and procedures. Polls show most Americans see crime as a significant problem, though fewer than in recent years. The Council on Criminal Justice, known as CCJ, gathers data from individual law enforcement agencies for its biannual crime trends reports, meaning the data is more recent than the FBIs annual report. Both the think tanks and the FBIs reports, however, show a similar turnaround in violent crime. In 2023, criminal homicide which the FBI defines as murder or non-negligent manslaughter was down by 11.6% from the previous year. It was the largest single-year decline in two decades, according to the FBIs annual crime report published last year. The CCJ report shows that the downward trend appears to be continuing, with homicides in 2024 dropping by 16% compared with 2023. That drop equates to 631 fewer homicides in the 29 cities that provided data for the category, according to the councils report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If this decrease holds as more jurisdictions report their data to the FBI later this year, 2024 would rank among the largest single-year homicide drops since at least 1960, the start of modern record-keeping, according to the report. A political issue Despite the recent decline in homicides, crime remains a politically salient issue. A majority of Americans 56% believe that national crime has increased or consider it an extremely or very serious problem. But public concern about crime has lessened over the past year, according to Gallups annual crime survey. Perceptions of crime are heavily influenced by political affiliation. The survey found that 60% of Democrats believe crime has decreased over the past year, whereas 90% of Republicans think it has increased. Some crime experts say that media reports, political messaging and viral social media posts may exaggerate Americans worries about disorder, making crimes such as shoplifting and public drug use appear more prevalent than they actually are. Still, some individual cities and neighborhoods may be experiencing higher crime rates, which could further explain these concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We still have problems with crime, still have problems in the criminal justice system, and even though the crime rates are improving, we should not take our focus off crime and criminal justice, said Ernesto Lopez, the reports co-author and a senior research specialist with the council, in an interview with Stateline. The council analyzed crime trends in 40 U.S. cities, although not all cities had data available for every type of offense. Among the cities studied, 22 saw a decline in homicides last year, with Chandler, Arizona, and Little Rock, Arkansas, recording the largest decreases at 50% and 43%, respectively. Six cities experienced increases, with Colorado Springs, Colorado, leading the way with a 56% jump. Even though the crime rates are improving, we should not take our focus off crime and criminal justice. Ernesto Lopez, senior research specialist with the Council on Criminal Justice When comparing homicide rates between 2019 and 2024, the councils study sample saw a 6% decline, largely driven by cities with traditionally high homicide rates, including Baltimore and St. Louis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homicides are still above pre-pandemic levels in some cities, including New York City and Washington, D.C. In New York City, for example, there were 382 homicides in 2024 compared with 319 in 2019. In Washington, D.C., there were 187 homicides in 2024 and 166 in 2019. Other crimes The CCJ report also examined trends in other violent and property crimes, including gun assault, carjacking, motor vehicle theft and drug offenses. Most of these offenses were lower in 2024 than in 2023, with shoplifting being the only exception, showing a 14% increase. Shoplifting also was 1% higher in 2024 compared with 2019. Researchers were surprised that shoplifting rates increased last year despite retailers taking more measures to combat it, such as locking up merchandise behind glass. Some experts say that the rise may reflect improved reporting efforts rather than an actual spike in theft. Last year, state legislatures placed a strong emphasis on tackling retail theft, and this momentum is likely to continue into this year, with Maryland lawmakers already considering a bill aimed at addressing large-scale organized retail theft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From 2023 to 2024, incidents of robbery dropped by 10%, carjackings fell by 32%, and motor vehicle theft decreased by 24%. Violent crimes such as sexual assault, domestic violence and robbery are now below pre-pandemic levels, but aggravated assaults, gun assaults and carjackings remain higher than in 2019, according to the report. Property crime trends over the past five years varied. Residential burglaries and larcenies decreased, while nonresidential burglaries increased. Motor vehicle thefts rose by 53%, and drug offenses fell by 28%. This story was originally published by Stateline. Like South Dakota Searchlight, its 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. From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch Elon Musk speaks virtually at an AfD meeting. (Photo via Getty Images.) In the great global debate over whether Elon Musk is a Nazi, Im of the position that hes a spaz, not a Sieg-Heil-er. When his right arm shot up at one of Donald Trumps inauguration events last week, it looked to me more like an awkward wave than Dr. Strangelove reverting to form. I mean, if Elon believed in a master race, he probably would have been on the other side of that H-1B brouhaha a few weeks ago, no? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, intellectual humility requires one to remain vigilant for the possibility of error. So when, on the eve of the 80th anniversary of Auschwitzs liberation, Musk beamed into a meeting of Germanys right-wing, populist Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party to urge them to stop feeling guilty about the Holocaust, I wondered if building a doomsday machine might not be in his future after all. There is too much focus on past guilt, and we need to move beyond that. Children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great-grandparents, Musk said, seeming to reference the countrys history when the Nazis rose to power.You should be optimistic and excited about a future for Germany, said Musk, as the crowd applauded. There is too much focus on past guilt, and we need to move beyond that. If I had to summarize the ethos of modern right-wing movements in one line, I would struggle to do better than that. Coincidentally, the U.S. military also spent the weekend moving beyond guilttemporarily. After Donald Trump ordered a halt to federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, the Air Force removed training courses that included videos about the Tuskegee Airmen, Americas first black combat pilots. And why not? Recruits, especially white recruits, cant feel optimistic and excited about their country if theyre being reminded of the segregationist sins of their great-grandparents, right? Moving beyond guilt means moving beyond the past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Except it doesnt in this case, it turns out. Following an uproar, the Air Force quickly publicly stated that material on the Tuskegee trailblazers would still be taught. New Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (yes, really) personally announced on social media that the policy had been immediately reversed. Some guilt over historical injustices is fine, it appears, and possibly even necessary. Cultural politics in the U.S. is essentially a running argument over how guilty Americans should feel about being Americans and how far they should be willing to go to move beyond that guilt. The right, under Trump, is winning that argument. And I think hes prepared to take full advantage. Collective responsibility. Elon Musk is correct, of course, that one generation should not be deemed guilty of the sins of another. No one should want to see German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hauled off to the Hague to answer for the crimes of the S.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But no one does want to see that, as far as I know. Its a red herring. In his address to the German far right, Musk conflated personal responsibility with cultural responsibility. Personal responsibility says you, personally, committed this sin and should pay for it. Cultural responsibility says you are capable of committing this sin, as you belong to a culture in which it was once widely and flagrantly committed, and that fact should inform your understanding of your culture and yourself. German children should not be made to feel responsible for the Holocaust. But they should be keenly aware of the fact that their culture, within living memory, barfed up a government of degenerates so depraved that it literally industrialized murder. We all know the Santayana quote about remembering the past and being condemned to repeat it. Musk would do well to think on it a while. If your condition for feeling optimistic and excited about Germanys future is everyone moving beyond Auschwitz, youre not ready to move beyond Auschwitz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the United States, cultural disputes are typically a clash between leftist insistence on collective responsibility and right-wing insistence on individual responsibility. The left doesnt want America moving beyond guilt for the injustices of the past. They want Americans moving deeper into guilt, believing that some of those injustices still havent been properly reckoned with. Thats all wokeness is at the end of the day, right? Progressives intend to fully awaken the country to the historical sins committed by the straight white male ruling class against minority groups and, to whatever extent possible, to correct for them. Tearing down statues of Confederates (and, er, Abraham Lincoln), casually practicing reverse racial discrimination toward whites, canceling those who resist normalizing transgenderismtheyre all facets of an attack on privilege, the comparative advantages accrued from historical injustices by those fortunate enough to have been spared from them. In hindsight, it was probably inevitable that something like Trumpism would arise in opposition. Thats because Americas many downscale (and not-so-downscale) whites dont feel so privileged. And arguments about collective responsibility are destined to be more divisive and embittering in the U.S.where racial prejudice remains a chronically hot topicthan they are in Germany, where Nazism is defunct (for now!). Wokeness here at home is a matter of some tribes accusing others of having abused them, placing the latter in a defensive crouch and encouraging a sense of nostalgia for when their supposed villainy wasnt a recurring political hobby horse. The accused were destined to lose patience eventually, particularly given the sense that no amount of atonement will satisfy progressives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat itbut so too, perhaps, are those who dwell on the past too insistently, inciting a backlash that brings to power a revanchist regime. Leaning into postliberalism. One way the right has responded to leftist indictments of collective responsibility is by emphasizing individual responsibility. Think of how, in 2020, conservatives answered progressive claims that black lives matter with all lives matter. The left was making the point that black lives have traditionally mattered less in America, such that their value needs to be affirmatively stressed. The right countered by insisting that each individual life has value regardless of colorwhich is true, of course, but in context amounted to rejecting the allegation of wider cultural prejudice. Over the last few years, though, as the right has leaned harder into postliberalism, their response to progressive cultural indictments has shifted away from arguments about individual responsibility and toward moving beyond guilt altogether, in Elon Musks words. If wokeness was a matter of leftists insisting too much on collective responsibility, postliberalism is a matter of the right insisting on too little. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, for instance, Pete Hegseth appeared before the press for the first time as defense secretary and casually mentioned Fort Bragg in his comments. There is no Fort Bragg; as of October 2022, Fort Bragg is Fort Liberty. The name was changed because it was, frankly, a scandal that a U.S. military base was named after a Confederate general, Braxton Bragg. Bad enough that our country would honor a traitor, much worse that it would honor one who fought for a slave regime. If you want to be charitable, you might assume that Hegseth simply forgot the name change. But I doubt that: Restoring Confederate names to U.S. bases is a priority for Trump, and of course Hegseths pet issue is undoing vestiges of wokeness inside the military. Turning Fort Liberty back into Fort Bragg is a matter of the postliberal right moving beyond guilt, I suspect, rejecting outright the idea that vestiges of respect for the Confederacy that survived until recently should be scrubbed from the civic landscape out of shame. There is too much focus on past guilt, and we need to move beyond that. Trumps order restoring the name Mount McKinley to Denali in Alaska can be understood the same way. Denali is the Native American name, one that honors and preserves the local culture. Because persecuting indigenous peoples is one of Americas core cultural sins, gestures of deference to natives by the U.S. government amount to small acts of contrition. Naturally Trump did away with that in week one, to the dismay of local Alaskan officials. There is too much focus on past guilt, and we need to move beyond that. There are some political constraints on the right in moving beyond guilt, obviously. The Air Force training on the Tuskegee Airmen was quickly restored, I expect, because it might have antagonized some of Trumps new African American voters. (GOP Sen. Katie Britt accused the officers who removed it of malicious compliance with Trumps order.) Restoring Confederate names to bases can be rationalizedits tradition!but memory-holing tributes to pioneering black aviators that were already in place would have seemed like a deliberate snub, an ominous start to the White Houses anti-DEI policy. I doubt well see Black History Month eliminated with the stroke of the presidential pen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Fort Bragg and Mount McKinley are surely coming back. Why? Boldness and its costs. I think Trumps project writ large is to move beyond all forms of guilt in politics, to convince Americans that shame of any sort amounts to weakness. Theres probably a sincere national greatness component to that in his mind, along the lines of what Musk told his German audience. A country cant do great things if its people are demoralized, and endlessly revisiting its darkest chapters is destined to demoralize them. Some populists, Im sure, would say thats the point of leftist wokeness. If you despise America and wish to curtail its ambitions, remind Americans ad nauseam of how much human suffering their ambitious forebears caused. In a sense, Trumpism is the antidote to that. Instead of having everything to apologize for, it asserts that the United States has nothing to apologize forexcept, of course, for having treated Donald Trump so very, very unfairly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump ultimately cares far less about what U.S. military bases are called than he does weakening the constraints on his own power, though, and moving beyond guilt over historical injustices indirectly serves that purpose. Guilt and shame are important constraints on government action; if you want a freer hand as ruler, convincing your subjects that those emotions are vices rather than virtues is a nifty way to condition them to tolerate executive action they might have blanched at before. This is very obviously why AfD, the far-right German party Musk addressed, was thrilled to hear him criticize lingering guilt over the Holocaust. The AfD brain trust doesnt give a fig in the abstract about whether German voters still feel shame over Nazi atrocities. What they care about is power, and the German electorate is unlikely to give power to a party like theirs unless and until it moves beyond guilt over Auschwitz. Germans wont be comfortable taking another chance on authoritarian ruthlessness until they jettison their shame over World War II. By encouraging them to do so, Elon and the AfD are attempting to boil frogs. Theres no similarly huge cultural obstacle in Trumps path, but a country founded on limited government and separation of powers obviously requires some softening up before itll be comfortable with an authoritarian executive. One way to soften it up is to turn the lefts argument about collective responsibility on its head: Yes, we all belong to a culture in which certain historical sins were once widely and flagrantly committed, but that period coincided with our rise to national greatness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump wont tell you that slavery was fine the way some of his groyper admirers might, but he has plenty of nice things to say about Robert E. Lee. He wont claim that driving Native Americans off their land was just, but hes practicing his own version of manifest destiny as I write this. He wheezes endlessly about the Gilded Age as a pinnacle of American success despite the notorious corruption and concentration of wealth during the period. America was better when it was bold, Trump means to say in all of that, before the post-war liberal order forced everyone to conform to a bunch of wimpy rules and norms. Our 19th-century boldness inflicted real costs on vulnerable groups, and thats unfortunate, but it was an unavoidable consequence of bold men imposing their will and establishing dominance over others. It was, quite simply, the price of greatness. The United States was a more dynamic, vibrant, formidable power when it understood that and was less prone to feel ashamed of it. So Trump is doing what he can to reduce the shame, expecting that by doing so hell goose the publics appreciation of great men behaving boldly in the name of national greatness accordingly. He aims to reach the point where, say, defying an adverse Supreme Court ruling on birthright citizenship will be viewed by the masses not as an egregious usurpation of the constitutional order but as a bold act of sanity to restore order to Americas chaotic immigration rules. He moved beyond guilt long ago, possibly before he left the delivery room as a baby. Now he wants Americans to move with him. 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. Childrens YouTube star Ms. Rachel was browsing TikTok one day when she came across a video from Gaza that broke her. It showed a young boy, likely no older than five, suffering from severe shock after a bombing. His eyes are wide with fear and he is shaking furiously. The look in his eyes has stayed in my mind since I saw the video, Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Accurso, tells The Independent. A kind doctor hugged him and told him the bombing was over and he finally broke down into tears. No child should experience that kind of fear, shock and terror. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That video was one of many that compelled Ms. Rachel to speak out on a conflict that has fiercely divided opinion in the US. Over the coming months, she would become one of the most prominent public advocates for children caught up in the war but it also brought a backlash. A former child educator from Maine, Ms. Rachel has built an audience of more than 13 million subscribers on YouTube with her mix of educational videos and songs for young children. Parents worship her as a deity for the respite she gives them; her bright, high-pitched intonation is the background music to households across the country. Ms Rachel felt compelled to publicly advocate for the children of Gaza (Netflix) With billions of views on her channel, and millions more across Instagram and TikTok, she now sits atop a booming empire with her own line of toys and books, and on Monday her show debuted on Netflix. The New York Times called her this eras Mister Rogers. In May last year, some seven months into Israels war against Hamas, children were bearing the brunt of relentless bombing. The United Nations estimated that some 14,500 children had been killed by intensive Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip, with many more buried underneath the rubble. At least 1,000 children had one or both legs amputated due to injuries, more than 13,000 children were suffering from malnutrition, and around 17,000 children had been orphaned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Images of those atrocities were filtering through on social media, and to Ms. Rachels feed. I couldnt look away from the scale and gravity of suffering I was seeing every day, Ms. Rachel says. I know how crucial the first few years are for brain development and the lifelong effects trauma and malnutrition have on the brain. Its a failure of humanity to deny children food, water, medical care, shelter and education, and to not protect children from violence, she adds. Many careers have been ruined and many public figures ostracised for wading into the Gaza conflict, but Ms. Rachel says she felt a responsibility to use her fame for good. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wouldnt be true to myself if I didnt use that platform to speak out for every child, everywhere, she says. She first posted about the conflict in May last year to her 2 million Instagram followers, announcing that she would be raising money on Cameo, the personalized video messaging app, for Save the Childrens emergency fund for children in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan. Within hours she had raised $50,000 with orders for 500 videos that she would personally record. A couple of days later she followed up with a written message, declaring that Children should never experience the horrors of war - nor be killed, injured or taken hostage. The messages appeared designed to be as universal as possible, non-political while being targeted enough to help in a practical way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vast majority of the comments were positive, but her posts brought a backlash nonetheless. You should be for all children not just the children in gaza. Do you not care what hamas did to all the innocent jewish children october 7th??? one Instagram comment among dozens of others said. What about the hostages?!!!! do they matter another wrote, before the comments were eventually turned off. Those messages had a noticeable impact on the usually cheerful childrens educator. Days later, Ms. Rachel posted a video of herself in near darkness, and in tears. The bullying is so bad. Its so bad. But I can handle this, she said . That is who I am. I love my neighbor. I love every child, she added. Imagining for one second what a mom is going through unable to feed her child or give her child clean water or keep her child safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I care deeply for all children. Palestinian children, Israeli children, children in the US Muslim, Jewish, Christian children all children, in every country, she wrote in the caption for the video. Despite her clear distress, Ms. Rachel didnt stop. I have no regrets. Im guided by whats in my heart and my unshakable belief that we owe our children more, she says. Children stand amidst the rubble of a building hit by an Israeli air strike in Deir al-Balah in the centre of the Gaza Strip, on May 13, 2023 (AFP via Getty Images) She posted a prayer song for children in Gaza and Israel, asking leaders and presidents to please stop hurting them. In another, she described two babies in Gaza who were severely malnourished. Their thighs are like this small, she said, making a tiny circle with her fingers, and holding back tears. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant let children starve, that is not who we are. Ms. Rachel has also posted numerous times calling for the return of Israeli children held hostage in Gaza, including two-year-old Kfir Bibas and his four-year-old brother Ariel. The conflict in Gaza was triggered by an attack inside Israel by Hamas on 7 October, 2023, during which around 1,200 Israelis were killed, and another 251 people were taken hostage. Israels retaliatory war from land and air, alongside a blockade, has killed 45,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom women and children, according to health authorities inside the besieged territory. Around 90 percent of Gazas 2.3 million residents have been forced from their homes. A tentative ceasefire agreement is now in place, but the situation is still devastating for children. The UN now believes that more than 13,000 children have been killed , an estimated 25,000 injured, and at least 25,000 hospitalized for malnutrition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A generation has been traumatized, Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, told the UN Security Council last week. Children have been killed, starved and frozen to death. Some died before their first breath perishing with their mothers in childbirth, he added. And Ms. Rachel says that even as things hopefully get calmer with the ceasefire, she feels compelled to continue speaking out to protect children impacted by the war. Its right, she says. Its human. Now she occasionally receives brighter videos from Gaza, too. Earlier this month she shared a video that was sent to her on Instagram of four young children gathered around an iPad in a tent. They sat in silence as Ms. Rachel sang and danced on screen. A young girls smile beamed across her face. Its so sweet, Ms. Rachel says of the video. Im so grateful if I can help bring them even a little joy in the midst of such immeasurable suffering. I want them to know that I love and cherish them, and so many others do too. MEMPHIS, Tenn. The fallout continues after the firing of former Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins. Now, there appears to be a strong push for the state to take over the school board that fired her. That, as Dr. Feagins brings on a new attorney whos already hinting at whats ahead. House Speaker Cameron Sexton is said to be among those now ready to move forward with taking over the school board after board members fired Superintendent Dr. Marie Faegins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe theres been more talk about it since there may be a bill filled, State Representative Karen Camper said. House Speaker says state will take over MSCS in radio interview; Democrats respond Representative Camper said she is against the move. My point of view is that they are a duly elected body, and it is their job to hire and fire a superintendent, Camper said. They know the ins and outs of what goes on on the board. They know the ins and outs of the duties and responsibilities she has. When the takeover effort could gain full steam remains to be seen. During the current special session only vouchers, hurricane relief and immigration can be voted on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school board takeover vote would have to wait until the regular session and would take a simple majority to pass, depending on whats filed. He could very well do it, Camper said. But here again, its going to end up in court because surely the Memphis-Shelby County school system is going to file a lawsuit. Litigation over leadership: What led to Feagins being fired by MSCS school board? Dr. Feagins appears to be moving ahead in her promise of a court fight. They chose litigation over negotiation, Dr. Feagins said. I will see them in court. A letter from her new attorney William Wooten was sent out Friday, asking recipients to preserve letters sent to certain parties related to the termination of Dr. Feagins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Included in those who got a request were former Memphis City Council and School Board member Martavius Jones. So, I was shocked that my name came up regarding this, Jones said. Jones said his interaction with Dr. Feagins has been limited to a few encouraging texts. Dr. Feagins hires new legal counsel following contract termination A text message that I will share with you was encouraging Dr. Feagins to keep your board informed and communicate with your board, Jones said. On Facebook, he said he broke down how much time Dr. Feagins must have spent with each board member based on the number of hours she provided and how elected officials have more information than the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im more than willing to share, Jones said. I have absolutely nothing to hide about my interactions with Dr. Feagins. That as the threat of litigation looms. WREG reached out to House Speaker Cameron Sexton about his plans to push for a school board takeover. So far, we have not heard back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MSNBCs Chris Hayes sat down with The Late Show host Stephen Colbert on Monday to share his thoughts about President Donald Trumps first week back in office. The longtime journalist discussed everything from the presidents decision to pardon all the Jan. 6 rioters to his decision to fire federal agents across departments. Its in the worst-case scenario neighborhood. There are a few things he has done that are indicators, Hayes told Colbert after he was asked to reflect on Trumps first seven days back in the White House. He started with Trumps pardoning of 1,500 people who were involved in the Jan. 6, 2021. He couldve done a little work in an executive order, saying, I am directing the acting attorney general to review the cases of the 1,500 people prosecuted for Jan. 6 come back to me with recommendations. They could have said, We are giving a thousand people who did not commit acts of violence a pardon. The fact that they said, All of them are out, jailbreak, the guys that took a baton and beat a cop and bear-sprayed them, all of those people and the people that convicted of seditious conspiracy against our republic, they are all getting jailbreaks, and one of them Stewart Rhodes is going to be at my rally next weekend on stage. That is not they got too lazy too distinguish, that is a clear message about embracing and promoting political violence on his behalf and a payback for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hayes said another Trump move that should set off alarms for Americans is the presidents decision to put a federal funding freeze on all public loans, grants, aid and more, which could impact nonprofits, small businesses and other industries. This memorandum requires federal agencies to identify and review all federal financial assistance programs and supporting activities consistent with the presidents policies and requirements, a White House memo, which was posted on Tuesday, read. There is a lot of health equity work being done by the National Institutes of Health, and what we think might be a plausible thing happening is they froze the grants because they want to go through and take out all grants that has to do with health equity, Hayes explained. They want us to know less. They definitely want the federal government to be worse, more incompetent and stupider. The MSNBC host then touched on Trumps move to fire several servants in the Department of Justice, many of whom worked on the investigation into his mishandling of classified documents and his involvement in the attempt to overturn the 2020 Presidential Election. On Friday, Trump also fired at least a dozen federal inspectors general, an act he claimed to be very common. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Hayes insisted that is not the case. Not only is it not common, its not legal under the statute that statutes that protect them exist precisely so they will be insulated from the political pressure of new administrations, he said. I have had the joy to talk to civil servants in our government doing all kinds of things. People who work in the health infrastructure and the Pentagon, there are so many people who work for the federal government who care and are nonpartisan and want to serve the country, and those whose expertise we rely on for so much; a universe in which that is gutted so that Donald Trump can pick whoever is in his Truth Social mentions to run who is going to inspect your meat is a nightmare scenario but it is what he wants to do. Check out a snippet from Hayes interview, above. The post MSNBCs Chris Hayes Says Trumps First Week in Office Is In the Worst-Case Scenario Neighborhood | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Manufacturing slowed in China in January for the first time in four months as workers began leaving assembly lines to travel to their hometowns for Lunar New Year holidays. The National Bureau of Statistics said its purchasing managers index, based on a survey of factory managers, slipped to 49.1 in January from 50.1 the month before. A PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion. Under 50 signals a contraction in activity. New orders and production also contracted. A parallel purchasing managers index for the non-manufacturing sector, which covers construction and services, fell to 50.2 points from 52.2 in December. The slide in factory activity was partly due to the approach of the holidays, said Zhao Qinghe, a bureau senior statistician. Chinas most important festival, this year public holidays will begin today and continue until Feb. 4. Millions of Chinese leave the cities to travel back home for a rare break with family during the holidays, which tend to distort economic data early in the year. Chinas economy grew at a 5% annual pace in 2024, hitting the governments target thanks to strong exports and stimulus measures. While activity slowed this month, its likely to pick up again thanks to the governments efforts, Zichun Huang of Capital Economics said in a commentary. But the disappointing PMI data underscores the difficulty policymakers face in achieving a sustained recovery in growth, she said. She noted that the PMI for construction also fell. This is disappointing, and suggests that fiscal support may be struggling to offset the broader pressures weighing on construction activity, Huang said. The outlook for exports also remains uncertain, given threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to raise tariffs on imports from China. MDT/AP KANSAS CITY, Mo. The residents of six apartment units in Lees Summit are without a home this morning after a fire broke out in the complex Monday night. According to the Lees Summit Fire Department, at about 6:30 p.m., crews were called to Strasbourg Apartments, located at 3 NW OBrien Rd., after a resident reported smoke filling their bottom-floor apartment. I-70 closed at Noland Road due to deadly crash in Independence Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LSFD said they received another report from a separate resident who claimed to have heard a pop sound before smelling smoke. After arriving at the scene, firefighters said no smoke or fire was visible outside the structure. However, alarms sounded inside, and a light smoke was present. Crews eventually found the fire burning inside a wall that separated two ground-floor apartments. Another fire was also found in the ceiling and utility spaces of the floor above. According to LSFD, the firefighters opened up the walls and the ceiling above the units and began extinguishing the fires. The department said that all occupants had safely evacuated the building and the fire had been contained to the specific units in about 40 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LSFD said damage was found in the wall and ceiling between two ground-floor apartments and two apartments on the second floor. Kansas City man found guilty of 2024 Westport shooting after Super Bowl As a result, the residents of six units were helped by the Red Cross after their homes were determined unlivable. The other occupants went back to their units after the building was cleared. According to LSFD, the incident was characterized as an electrical fire and it was believed to have started in the kitchens of two ground-floor apartments. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 accused of murder in California appears to have sought a marriage license with a woman charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Vermont. The woman, Teresa Youngblut, 21, of Washington state, faces two weapons charges in connection with the Jan. 20 death of 44-year-old Border Patrol Agent David Maland. A prosecution motion seeking Youngblut's detention Monday says she was in frequent contact with someone who is a person of interest in a homicide investigation in Vallejo, California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show that Maximilian Snyder, 22, was arrested by Vallejo police on Friday. He was charged Monday with murder and has a court appearance scheduled Tuesday in California's Solano County. An attorney was not listed for Snyder. In November, individuals identified as Teresa Youngblut and Maximilian Snyder took out a marriage license, according to a records search in Washington states King County. The U.S. attorney's office in Vermont was asked if Snyder was the person of interest in the California case. As a general policy, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Vermont does not comment on ongoing cases beyond the public record, spokesperson Fabienne Boisvert-DeFazio responded in an email Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A message seeking comment was left with the FBI. In Vermont, Youngblut had been traveling with Felix Bauckholt, a German citizen who also was killed in the Jan. 20 shooting. It's unclear when they arrived in Vermont, but the FBI said the pair had been under surveillance there for several days. Before that, Bauckholt and Youngblut had been renting units in separate duplexes in the same neighborhood in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, according to the owner of the buildings, who asked not to be identified because he fears for his safety and that of his other renters. Bauckholt rented one unit through Airbnb starting in July 2023 and moved to the second unit later that year, the owner said Tuesday. Youngblut began renting the original unit in November 2024 and had paid nearly $10,000 to extend her stay until the end of March, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The owner, who went to the units regularly to pick up the trash, said another man appeared to be living with Bauckholt. They were always wearing black and in the back of my mind, this entire time, Im just thinking, What is going on with these people? he said. The owner's last contact with Bauckholt was about a month ago, he said, when Bauckholt was trying to negotiate a more traditional lease instead of using Airbnb. Box trucks were parked outside of both units, he said, and Bauckholt was running an electrical cord to one of them. There would be times when I would come to get the trash and as Im coming up the driveway, hed be crawling out of the cab, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his detention motion, U.S. Attorney Michael Drescher said Youngblut had been in frequent contact with someone who was both detained during a double homicide investigation in Pennsylvania and also was a person of interest in a homicide investigation in Vallejo. According to the criminal complaint filed in Solano County, Snyder allegedly killed a person with a knife on Jan. 17. The complaint alleges the person, identified as C.L., was a witness to a crime who was intentionally killed for the purpose of preventing his testimony in a criminal proceeding A gofundme.com page for a Curtis Lind mentions he was attacked on his property in Vallejo on Jan. 17 and died. Youngblut appeared in a federal court in Burlington on Monday and was scheduled for a detention hearing on Thursday. Her attorney did not return emails seeking comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in North Carolina, the owner of her rental property said he had sent messages to all his renters during a recent cold snap asking them to let their faucets drip to avoid frozen pipes. He didnt hear back from Bauckholt or Youngblut, but someone renting the other half of Youngbluts duplex said her hot water wasnt working. The owner said he went into Youngbluts unit last week to check the plumbing. The thing that struck me the most was that there was a stretcher in the living room. Like, what in the world is going on with these people? he said. The hair on the back of my neck is still up and I just cant believe its being connected to my Airbnb. - Associated Press reporter Patrick Whittle contributed to this story. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) joined with a Danish lawmaker on Monday to push back against President Trumps continued insistence that U.S. control of Greenland is necessary for American national security. Murkowski, who has publicly disagreed with Trump in the past, and Aaja Chemnitz, who represents Greenland in Danish Parliament, said in the joint statement that Americans should work to view Greenland as a partner, not as a potential asset. As legislators representing Greenland in Denmark and the United States, we see a better path forward, the two lawmakers wrote in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States, like Denmark, should recognize that the future will be defined by partnership, not ownership, they continued. To ensure our alliance reaches its full potential, Americans must view Greenland as an ally, not an asset. Open for business, but not for sale. Murkowski and Chemnitz said they understand why Trump, as a businessman, would be interested in acquiring Greenland, but they said the issue has been settled. The appeal of Greenland is easy to understand, they wrote. It is strategically located for defense, shipping, and more. It is also a storehouse for all sorts of minerals, the building blocks of society that will determine who leads and controls the industries of the future. Of course, a businessman turned president would be interested. But Greenland is not for sale. The question has been asked and firmly answered by the government of Greenland, Naalakkersuisut, they continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has focused intently on plans to take over Greenland, a semi-autonomous Arctic island that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. During his inauguration speech, Trump referred to the U.S. as a growing nation expanding its territory. He has also called for the U.S. to retake the Panama Canal and mused about annexing Canada. Trump and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen spoke on Jan. 15 in what was reportedly a 45-minute fiery phone call. According to the Financial Times, senior European officials said the conversation spiraled into confrontation, and that Trump, who was president-elect at the time, was aggressive and threatened tariffs against the NATO ally. The Danish prime minister said at the time she referred to remarks by the chair of Greenlands Parliament that the island is not for sale and that it is up to Greenland to make its decision about its independence. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes did not comment on the tone of the call but said Trump is focused on Greenland as part of the larger competition between China and Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump has been clear that the safety and security of Greenland is important to the United States as China and Russia make significant investments throughout the Arctic region, Hughes said in a statement. The President is committed to not only protecting U.S. interests in the Arctic but also working with Greenland to ensure mutual prosperity for both nations, 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. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Car lovers will soon have a must-see exhibit at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. BUILT: American Custom Car Culture, is a new exhibit that will open in the museum on Feb. 1, Museum spokeswoman Melody Konrad said. Peoria Riverfront Museum receiving national attention follow record-breaking weekend She said the exhibit was made by guest curators Darius Donaldson and Farai Kasambira, who selected prize-winning vehicles that have been grouped together for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The custom-builds in BUILT: American Custom Car Culture push the bounds of form and function, resulting in stylistically and functionally superlative vehicles, said Everley Davis, Peoria Riverfront Museum assistant curator and exhibition curator. All exhibited cars, trucks, and motorcycles can be driven, demonstrating the utilitarian ideals ingrained in American culture, wherein an object can be both beautiful and work exceptionally for its purpose. Peoria has a special connection with custom vehicles. In 1970, Peoria was the first city to host a national custom car show. The event was held from Aug. 14 to 16, featuring 600 custom vehicles and participants from New York and California, said Konrad. More information on upcoming exhibits is available on the museums 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 CIProud.com. London Elon Musk made a surprise videolink appearance at a campaign event for Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party on Saturday, during which he told a crowd of around 4,500 AfD supporters that "children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great-grandparents," in an apparent reference to the Nazi Germany just two days before Holocaust Remembrance Day. The AfD, which Musk had previously voiced his support for, has been labelled a suspected extremist organization by Germany's national security services. "There is too much focus on past guilt, and we need to move beyond that," Musk said, adding that he considered the anti-immigration, anti-cultural integration party, "the best hope for Germany." "It's good to be proud of German culture, German values, and not to lose that in some sort of multiculturalism that dilutes everything," said Musk, who has become a close ally and adviser to President Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Remarks come days after Musk's "awkward gesture" He gave the remarks just days after police in Germany said they were investigating the projection of large-scale images of Musk making a gesture reminiscent of the Nazi salute onto a Tesla factory outside Berlin. Musk made the gesture twice at an inauguration event for President Trump at the beginning of last week. A U.K. campaign group and a German satirical group have taken responsibility for the projections. Any display of Nazi symbols is against federal law in Germany. Musk has not directly denied giving a Nazi salute, but he mocked criticism of the gestures in a post on X, saying: "Frankly they need better dirty tricks. The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Musk, calling him a friend of the Jewish people and dismissing the criticism, saying the tech magnate had been "falsely smeared." In the U.S., the Anti-Defamation League, which tracks antisemitism, called Musk's actions an "awkward gesture," but said it was "not a Nazi salute." In 2023, Musk threatened to sue the ADL for defamation after the organization alleged his X platform was enabling the spread of antisemitism. Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk, speaking a day before his nation welcomed survivors and foreign dignitaries for a memorial service to commemorate 80 years since the liberation of the notorious Auschwitz Nazi death camp, condemned Musk's weekend remarks to the AfD gathering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The words we heard from the main actors of the AfD rally about 'Great Germany' and 'the need to forget German guilt for Nazi crimes' sounded all too familiar and ominous," Tusk said Sunday on social media. "Especially only hours before the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz." On Monday, as people gathered for the solemn memorial service at Auschwitz, Tusk said in a new post that "the whole world should hear once more those words: NEVER AGAIN! We must not forget the tragic lesson of our past. Evil, violence and contempt cannot triumph anew. Under any circumstances!" German government says Musk helping as far-right AfD gains support Germany is expected to hold a snap election in February, after Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a vote of confidence and his ruling coalition collapsed. The AfD, which recently became the first far-right party to win a state election since the Nazi era, has seen a surge in support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Musk's remarks on Saturday, the leader of the AfD, Alice Weidel, thanked him and told the crowd: "Let's make Germany great again." Late last year, the German government accused Musk of trying to influence the country's February elections when he published an op-ed in a local newspaper endorsing the AfD. "It is indeed the case that Elon Musk is trying to influence the federal election," a government spokesperson said on social media at the time, though the spokesperson said Musk was free to express his views, adding: "After all, freedom of opinion also covers the greatest nonsense." U.S. troops head to southern border as deportations continue Lawsuit claims utility company's equipment sparked Eaton Fire Displaced Palestinians continue to return to what's left of homes MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) Myrtle Beach City Council on Tuesday approved first reading of an ordinance authorizing an amendment to the current years hospitality tax budget allowing up to $630,000 for the purchase of security devices that can be deployed during public events. Some of those security devices include dozens more barriers, a trailer and cabling. The ordinance says the city hosts numerous special events throughout the year that result in large gatherings of people concentrated in areas. It comes in the wake of the deadly New Orleans attack on New Years Day. Increasingly, vehicles are being used as weapons to create mass casualty events resulting in deaths and serious injuries such as the one in New Orleans on New Years Day and the Christmas Market in Germany in addition to several others that have taken place in recent years, the ordinance reads. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security issued a public announcement warning of copycat attacks after the New Orleans incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Brenda Bethune spoke about the importance of purchasing the vehicle barriers as soon as possible. We always explore grant opportunities when it makes sense. But these devices are things that we need, now, she said. We dont have time to wait for grant applications, which can sometimes take over a year or two. So I think its very important that we go ahead and purchase this equipment that we have it ready for our summer events. Assistant City Manager Josh Bruegger says Tuesdays initial approval will help Myrtle Beach be better equipped during large gatherings. We have a lot of special events here in the city, from CCMF to the MLK parade that we just had, to the marathon. How can we better protect the residents and the visitors that are here from a vehicle being used as a weapon? Bruegger said. This purchase of 55 vehicle barriers will allow us to better protect these events and protect the spectators and the visitors that are attending these events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bruegger said the city already has eight barriers, so this would bring them to a total of 63 if it reaches final approval at the next council meeting. The ordinance must pass a second reading in front of the city council before going into effect. In other action at Tuesdays meeting: Council members approved final reading of an ordinance to annex and rezone 40.625 acres at the corner of Highway 17 Bypass South and Sheffield Parkway and to rezone the property from Horry County to Myrtle Beach. According to the city councils agenda, the 40.625-acre parcel is a fallow piece of land currently in Horry County but is contiguous with Myrtle Beachs city limits and is zoned for highway commercial activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The requested rezoning of Medical Professional would allow uses such as health care establishments, hospitals, accounting offices, senior living facilities, prosthetic facilities, colleges or universities, law offices, social welfare organizations, and more, the ordinance reads. Annexing this parcel for its intended use of a medical facility complies with the Comprehensive Plans stated goals of meeting the needs of our growing population, growing skilled job opportunities, prioritizing policies of safety and resilience, and supporting private investment in public infrastructure. Council members approved the other item on Tuesdays consent agenda, which authorizes the city manager to accept a $50,000 donation from Gertrude Roberts in memory of the late Billy Roberts for the Myrtle Beach Police Department to improve and address employee health and wellness and to record the appropriation of such funds in the amount approved. The funding will be to expand Myrtle Beach polices wellness program through the wellness committee focusing on the physical and mental health of all employees. * * * 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. * * * Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby 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. Ominous HELP messages carved onto debris in Los Angeles and spotted on Google Maps have raised alarm among social media users. Zoomed-in satellite images of a rail yard off of the San Bernardino Freeway reveal messages that read HELP and TRAFICO, which means traffic in Spanish. Screenshots of the discovery have circulated on social media, raising concern over whether human trafficking or other danger was happening at the site. The property belongs to Union Pacific Railroad, the Los Angeles Police Department told The Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities, however, swiftly put an end to the rumors of any immediate danger, saying the markings have been up for about a year. Messages reading HELP and TRAFICO in an LA rail yard spotted on Google Maps cause social media buzz (Google Maps) Photos circulating on Google maps that show the word help on Union Pacific property were created about a year ago - no one was or is in danger, a spokesperson for Union Pacific Police Department told The Independent. A man trespassed on Union Pacific and other nearby properties to repeatedly create these misleading messages. We want to remind the public that it is illegal - and more importantly unsafe - to trespass on Union Pacific property, the spokesperson continued. We do know the individual that creates these does so on neighboring properties as well. One X user, @LAGuy310, posted a video interviewing someone in the area who similarly attributed the messages to one guy who always writes the message. The interviewee didnt know why the man, referred to as Jose, keeps writing it, but he has been doing so for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the video, LAPD wrote on X: Weve had several different contacts with the individual you speak of. He has refused housing or a mental health evaluation. There is no evidence of Human Trafficking. He has been at the location for a few years. Another person in the area also told the X user that someone named Jose had been writing the signs because he needs help himself. She added: He wont stop. MYSTIC, Conn. (WPRI) Mystic Aquariums colony of African penguins has grown. Four penguin chicks were born at the aquarium earlier this month, hatching on the 6th, 7th, 8th and 10th. The chicks were born to two pairs of first-time penguin parents: Purple/Red and Black/Blue, as well as Black/Green and Purple/Green. Mystic Aquarium does not name its penguins, opting to call them by the plastic-colored beads on their tags which refer to numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO READ: Charlestown officers rescue distressed owl The aquarium said it marks a significant milestone in their participation in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for African penguins, which are critically endangered. The successful hatching of these four chicks underscores the importance of collaborative conservation efforts through the SSP, said Dr. Allison Tuttle, the aquariums chief zoological officer. These chicks represent hope for a species that is dangerously close to extinction in the wild. Seeing them thrive is incredibly rewarding. African penguins face an extremely high risk of extinction, according to the aquarium. The population has declined by 97%, with estimates suggesting the species could disappear from the wild in the next decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NEXT: 2 snowy owls found dead in Rhode Island and Massachusetts 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. Rep. Nancy Mace talks to reporters at a Richland County GOP event on Jan. 27, 2025. (Shaun Chornobroff/SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace has yet to publicly announce shes running for governor, but shes already taking jabs at potential GOP opponents. South Carolinas First District congresswoman criticized Lt. Gov Pam Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson while speaking to primary voters Monday during the Richland County Republican Party meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appearance in Columbia is one of many she plans on making around the state as she mulls a run for governor in 2026. The 47-year-old single mom plans to make a decision in the next month or two, she told reporters. Gov. Henry McMaster, who is already the states longest-serving elected governor in state history, is ineligible to run for a third term, leaving a wide-open field to replace him. No one has formally announced for the primaries that are still 18 months away. Candidates cant officially file for the race until mid-March 2026. But a de facto race is already heating up. Mace alluded to her impending governors bid during another trip through Columbia last Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just see that big beautiful dome, capitol of South Carolina. I could get used to that, Mace said on X, formerly Twitter, in a video from in front of the Statehouse. Wilson, whos in his fourth term as South Carolinas top prosecutor, has been the primary focus of Maces criticism, both on social media and in front of voters. That suggests she knows hes her biggest competitor at least, among expected opponents. And on Monday, Wilson was on Maces home turf, telling the Beaufort County Republican Party that hes considering a run, The (Hilton Head) Island Packet reported. Mace has been condemning Wilson in a barrage of recent posts on X. She continued her scathing remarks Monday, calling Wilson one of the nations worst attorneys general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has no business even thinking about running for governor, and I will take him out, Mace said. I will personally make sure that he is never governor of South Carolina. She also referred to Wilson, whos had two stints as chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association, as a do-nothing attorney general. She implied shed do a better job as governor prosecuting crime, though she is not an attorney, and thats not the governors or lieutenant governors job. I know what the system is like, and I know why its so important to have a governor, a lieutenant governor and an attorney general who will actually prosecute child trafficking, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evette declined to comment for this article. Wilson defended himself in a statement to the SC Daily Gazette. Spokeswoman Jacqueline Lane noted it was Wilson who pushed to create the state Human Trafficking Task Force, which he leads. She also said he was prosecuting child sex crimes as an assistant attorney general when McMaster was attorney general even before he was elected to the post. Last year, he pushed for legislation criminalizing artificially-generated child pornography, but the legislation died with the end of session. He also asked legislators last year for $10 million to open more shelters for children and teens freed from human trafficking. The Legislature approved $6.6 million in the state budget. Any statements that he hasnt protected children or victims of sex crimes is blatantly false, Lane said in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mace, the first woman to graduate from The Citadel, first won elected office in a January 2018 special election to the South Carolina House representing parts of Charleston and Berkeley counties. She replaced a GOP legislator who resigned amid a years-long Statehouse corruption investigation started by Wilson, who handed the case to a Democratic solicitor he later unsuccessfully tried to fire. In 2020, Mace ousted one-term Democrat Joe Cunningham to flip the coastal congressional district back into Republican control. After that close election, the district was redrawn as part of the Legislatures decennial redistricting process to favor a Republican. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the map last May. She easily won re-election in November with more than 58% of the vote despite never debating and barely recognizing her Democrat challenger. She won last years GOP primary with the endorsement of President Donald Trump, two years after winning her GOP primary against a Trump-backed challenger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, she said she wants Trump to weigh in on her potential run before she makes a decision. That conversation will be a crucial factor, she told reporters. I think that anyone that wants to run statewide or any election, really, in 2026 or 2028 beyond, will need the Presidents support, Mace said. Early in her congressional tenure, the two had a rocky relationship. Mace condemned Trump in her first speech in the House following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. And Trump blasted her after she was among House Republicans who voted in the aftermath to impeach him. But shes since become one of Trumps most fervent allies. In July, she spoke at the Republican National Convention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, after angering many Republicans for joining with the hard-right House Freedom Caucus to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy in fall 2023, she helped his successor, Mike Johnson, hang on to the speakers job earlier this month. According to the Washington Post, it was Mace who got Trump on the phone with Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolinas Fifth District, who flipped his vote to support Johnson after the call. On Monday, she told voters the nation needs more bold leaders like Trump and ones who will him implement his agenda. Wilson, whos spent much of his own tenure fighting the Obama and Biden administrations in court, said he intends to do just that. Its nice to have a partner in the White House, his spokeswoman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the Jan. 6, 2021, riot she once condemned, Mace said she supported Trumps decision to pardon nearly 1,600 people charged in the mayhem. The folks who were at (the Capitol on Jan. 6) have served their time for the crimes theyve did, she said. Theyve done that, and I support President Trump. Hotel prices during this Chinese New Year (CNY) have skyrocketed to an average of MOP4,553 for five-star accommodations, with a check conducted by the Times revealing that Friday, the third day of the Lunar New Year, is the most expensive day for lodging. As the holiday approaches, hotel bookings in the Cotai area are nearly full, with many establishments reporting high occupancy rates throughout the weekend. The average price for five-star hotels tomorrow, January 29, is MOP3,110, increasing to MOP4,553 by Friday, January 31, illustrating the significant demand associated with the festive season. Similarly, three-star hotels see average prices rise from MOP913 to MOP1,929 over the same period. On Thursday, January 30, the average price for five-star hotels rises further to MOP3,795, while the Cotai area experiences an increase to MOP4,807. The weekend continues this trend, with average prices for five-star hotels on Saturday reaching MOP3,799 and MOP4,253 for accommodations in Cotai. By Sunday, February 2, the average price for five-star hotels is MOP4,598. Notably, some Cotai hotel prices range as high as MOP6,000 per night, reflecting ongoing high demand. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), discussed these price changes in an interview, noting that hotel room prices during CNY this year are not expected to rise significantly compared to the previous year. The occupancy rate is anticipated to be high, with some days possibly reaching 99%. While the majority of Cotai hotels are fully booked for the weekend, the official noted that there have been no illegal increases in hotel rates across Macau. However, some online booking platforms have demonstrated excessive price fluctuations. Hotels have been reminded to monitor these fluctuations closely, as hotel rates are subject to market supply and demand dynamics. The MGTO mandates that hotels in Macau report their room rates and any anticipated increases, and the bureau will continue to monitor this data to ensure compliance with regulations. Should any hotel implement unauthorized price hikes, the bureau is prepared to administer penalties. Additionally, the MGTO will collaborate with law enforcement to combat illegal accommodations and ensure compliance with established regulations. Inspections will be strengthened, and property owners are encouraged to maintain proper use of their properties. As travelers prepare to celebrate the CNY, the hospitality industry in Macau braces for a busy holiday season marked by rising average prices and high demand. In China, its Lunar New Year travel rush has kicked into high gear, with billions of trips expected in coming days for the peak of the 40-day annual mass migration the worlds biggest annual movement of humanity. The official New Year holiday, marking the start of the Year of the Snake in the 12-month lunar calendar, begins tomorrow. Victoria Chan A new documentary purports that a Pulitzer Prize-winning Associated Press photographer did not take a picture that became a hallmark image from the Vietnam War. The photos subject begs to differ. In a blistering statement, Kim Phuc bashed the filmmakers of The Stringer for an outrageous and false attack on Nick Ut, a former AP photographer who captured a 9-year-old Phuc running away in horror after a napalm bomb fell on her South Vietnamese village and left her severely burned. The image quickly circulated around the world, earning her the moniker Napalm Girl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Stringer, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday after a two-year investigation by photojournalist Gary Knight and others, dives into former AP photo editor Carl Robinsons claim that the historic photo was actually taken by a Vietnamese stringer. I have refused to participate in this outrageous and false attack on Nick Ut raised by Mr. Robinson over the past years and never responded to his email requesting that I talk with him. I hope he finds peace in his life, Phuc wrote in a statement. I have no memory of those minutes but l would never participate in the Gary Knight film because I know it is false. Director Bao Nguyen speaks onstage during a 2024 panel. / Natasha Campos / Getty Images for Netflix Phuc admitted she does not remember Ut taking the image, owing to the trauma of her burning. But she said her uncle and brother (who was five at the time and is also in the photo) repeatedly recounted the days events, including how Ut took them to a local hospital to get treated. I have no doubt in my mind and heart that it was Nick who ran towards me to capture the famous photo, she said. Nick took the image and he deserves the credit he has received. He is a good man who fully deserves to be treated with respect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statementprovided by attorney Jim Hornstein, who is representing Ut against the filmmakershelps set up a legal battle between Ut and those behind the documentary. The Associated Press said in a statement on Sunday its own six-month investigation, which produced a 22-page report, concluded Ut took the 1972 photograph. Hornstein told the Daily Beast on Monday he planned to file a defamation lawsuit against the filmmakers and the VII Foundation, which produced the film, to help clear Uts name. We will be seeking to vindicate Nick Uts reputation, Hornstein told the Daily Beast. Knight, the executive director of the VII Foundation who led the investigation, said in an email that producers believe Kim Phuc believes Nick Ut took this photo and we would never challenge her beliefs. But he also noted Phucs admission that she did not remember the events of that day. Knight said that Phuc declined to speak to his team despite multiple outreaches. He also said the filmmakers did not question that Phucs uncle told her about the days eventsand that Ut took the photo, but they could not identify her uncle in any of the film footage or photos they had from that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are open to examining any new images that come to light of course, he wrote. Some facts surrounding the image are not in dispute. The film reel containing the photo was taken back to the APs Saigon bureau, where Robinson was the photo editor on duty. After seeing the image, Robinson deemed it violated the APs editorial standards and chose not to run it. After chief of photos Horst Faas came back from his lunch break and saw the image, he made the decision to run it. The photo was publicly monikered The Terror of War and became a hallmark of Uts career, winning him a Pulitzer Prize at 22 and cementing him and Faas as photojournalism legends. Faas died in 2012. What diverges, however, is who took the photo and how its credit was administered. The Stringer contends that Ut could not have taken that particular photo, claiming he was not in the proper position despite taking other photos of Phuc that day. It cites satellite imagery and three-dimensional models to make the caseand the testimony of Nguyen Thanh Nghe, the then-stringer who claimed he took the photo, and Robinson, the photo editor. Kim Phuc, photographed on September 25, 2015, shows burn scars on her back and left arm at a hotel in Miami. The scars were caused by a napalm attack when she was 9 years old in Trang Bang, Vietnam. / AP Photo/Nick Ut Robinson says in the film that he saw multiple images that day: the iconic image of Phuc, which included a stringers name, and another one taken by Ut that showed her from the side. That was actually my pick, because it was discrete, Robinson says. He initially opted not to run the first photo before being overruled by Faas, who argued the photos honest depiction of war overruled the standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when it came time to add a credit to the image, Robinson says, Faas ordered him to add Uts name instead of a stringers. Horst Faas, who had been standing right next to me said, Nick Ut. Make it Nick Ut. Make it staff. Make it Nick Ut, Robinson says in the film. Robinson says he obliged, a decision he felt bad making because he wasnt courageous enough to push back. Robinson told Vanity Fair he relayed the story in private conversations over the yearsincluding to photojournalist David Burnett, who was at the scene at the timethough never publicly. Burnett told the magazine, however, that he didnt give it much credence and remembered hearing Faas praise Ut for his good work in capturing the frame. Thats verbatim what he said that day, Burnett said. We all heard it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robinson also told Vanity Fair he shared his secret to AP correspondent Peter Arnett, claiming he didnt want to make the accusation while Faas was alive to spare him embarrassment. But Arnett, after contacting people like then-photo darkroom editor Yuichi Jackson Ishizaki and ex-bureau chief Richard Pyle, also found the claim meritless and wondered if Robinson was acting on a vendetta over Uts success and his own firing from the AP in 1978. (Knight said Arnett did not respond to his teams requests for comment.) I dont fully understand why Carl Robinson launched his failing attempts to discredit two of the great photographers of our time, Horst Faas and Nick Ut, he told the AP, according to its report. But maybe it is jealousy. Pyle, a close friend of Robinson, also cast doubt on the claim. In an email he sent to Arnett in 2015, parts of which were shared by Hornstein with the Daily Beast, Pyle characterized the claim as strangely reckless story spreading and he told Robinson the claims had no plausible merit. Instead, Pyle pondered, Robinson for his own mysterious reasons, seems bent on his personal crusade. Pyle died in 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knight said his team was aware that Pyle and Arnett did not believe Robinsons account and did not take any witnesses' statement at face value. Which is why we interviewed 55 people, read hundreds of pages of testimonies, watched hours of video footage, examined hundreds of photographs, and engaged one of the worlds leading forensic investigation teams to analyse the evidence, he wrote. Hornstein, Uts lawyer, said he has brought in another lawyer to file the defamation suit against the filmmakers, but he would not disclose their name. Knight said he welcomed Hornsteins outreach. It stretches credulity to believe the one man who can testify to this is Carl Robinson and everyone else is totally oblivious to it or dead, Hornstein said. The Naperville Sun asked each of the candidates running for the Naperville City Council in the April 1, 2025, election to complete a biographical form and to answer questions about four issues facing the city. Below are their answers. They are posted in the order in which they were received them and appear as written by the candidates. If a candidate is not listed here, their questionnaire has not yet been returned. There are eight candidates seeking four, four-year council terms. Three are incumbents: Benny White, Jennifer Bruzan Taylor and Ian Holzhauer. (Incumbent Paul Leong did not run for reelection.) The challengers are Meghna Bansal, Derek McDaniel, Mary Gibson, Nag Jaiswal and Ashfaq Syed. DEREK McDANIEL Birth date: 7/18/1979 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Address: 1019 Kennesaw Ct, Naperville, IL 60540 Marital status (spouses name, if applicable): Married Childrens ages (if applicable): Education: B.A. from Purdue University, M.B.A. Concentration in Corporate Finance from DePaul University Occupation: Financial Advisor Employer: Benjamin F. Edwards Current elected office, if applicable: Previous elected office: Civic or social service group membership or community volunteer work: Two-Term Naperville Planning & Zoning Commissioner Board member on Naperville CAPS(Citizens Appreciate Public Safety) Former Board member of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, Naperville Heritage Society, & NCTV17. Former member on Napervilles Downtown Advisory Committee (DAC) 1. Napervilles contract with its current electricity provider, the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency, expires in 2035. What do you envision for the future of the citys electric supply? What factors affordability, sustainability, etc. should the city prioritize as it decides how to power its electric grid in years to come? Naperville stands at a crossroads regarding its energy future. With our contract with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) expiring in 2035, this is a pivotal opportunity to reimagine how we power our city for decades to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our energy strategy must prioritize affordability for residents while accelerating our transition toward sustainable energy sources. Napervilles current reliance on coal-generated electricity presents challenges, both environmentally and financially. The IMEAs proposed contract extension through 2055 raises legitimate concerns about locking our city into a less adaptive energy model. I support the recent decision to bring in an energy consultant to evaluate our options. Their expertise will guide us in identifying cost-effective, innovative, and environmentally responsible solutions. Its essential to incorporate competitive market analysis and advancements in energy technologies, such as battery storage & peak shaving, as we consider alternatives. As we navigate these decisions, Naperville must retain an element of autonomy over its energy choices. By doing so, we can ensure that future contracts align with the values and priorities of our community. Flexibility will be key, allowing us to adapt to emerging technologies and energy markets rather than committing to long-term agreements that could limit our options. Finally, I believe transparency and community engagement are essential as we chart this path. Naperville residents deserve a voice in shaping the future of our energy supply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our energy decisions today will define Napervilles environmental and economic legacy for generations. With a thoughtful, informed approach, we can secure a clean, affordable, and resilient energy future for our city. 2. In regards to increasing the citys affordable housing stock, the council last fall opted to create an affordable housing catalog in lieu of an incentives program for developers. Should the city revive discussion over an incentives program? Why or why not? Naperville must continue to diversify its housing stock to ensure our community remains welcoming and accessible to new families looking to plant roots here, as well as to older residents who wish to stay in the city theyve helped shape. Affordable housing is a critical piece of that equation, but it must be approached in a way that aligns with Napervilles values and priorities. I believe the city should encourage the development of ADUs. These provide a flexible and cost-effective way to increase affordable housing options while blending seamlessly into established neighborhoods. ADUs can serve as homes for aging parents, adult children, or renters, and they contribute to a more diverse housing landscape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Affordable Housing Incentive Program (AHIP) outlines some creative solutions, there are key elements I believe are not in Napervilles best interest. For instance: Resale Price Caps: The resale price cap on affordable homes for purchase may unintentionally discourage homeowners from investing in their properties and building equity. Homeownership has long been a cornerstone of financial security, and policies that limit wealth-building opportunities could deter participation in the program. By-Right Approval Process: I oppose the by-right approval process outlined in the AHIP plan. Its vital that residents have a voice in proposed developments that impact their neighborhoods. Public input and oversight by elected and appointed officials ensure transparency, accountability, and decisions that reflect the communitys collective interests. Incentives can be a valuable tool to encourage developers to include affordable housing in their projects. However, they must be carefully crafted to align with Napervilles goals and preserve the quality of life our residents expect. Incentive programs should be transparent, equitable, and tied to clear, measurable outcomes. Ultimately, addressing affordable housing requires collaboration among residents, developers, and city leadership. We must ensure that policies encourage responsible growth while protecting the character of our community. By doing so, we can create a Naperville that remains vibrant, inclusive, and livable for generations to come. 3. In recent years, the city has heightened its focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. What are your views on DEI programs? Should the city continue to support DEI efforts? Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are important principles for ensuring that Naperville remains a welcoming and vibrant community for all. Having policies in place at the city level to encourage diversity and inclusion is essential for fostering a sense of belonging and opportunity for everyone who lives, works, or visits our city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, I believe its prudent to first evaluate the effectiveness of our current DEI initiatives. We need to thoroughly review the departments impact and understand which policies have been implemented and how theyve contributed to measurable outcomes. This assessment will help us identify whats working, where improvements may be needed, and ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly and effectively. 4. Efforts to chart a new path forward for city-owned land around the Fifth Avenue train station have been discussed on and off for a decade. Should the city make it a priority to revisit possible redevelopment in the coming year and what would you like to see the land used for? What should the citys role be in funding a redevelopment plan? At this time, Im not convinced that prioritizing the redevelopment of the land surrounding the Fifth Avenue train station is in Napervilles best interest. This area has long been a family friendly neighborhood, complete with a park where kids play and a strong sense of community. Any potential redevelopment must carefully consider how it would impact the character of the area and the residents who call it home. Before any decisions are made, its essential to thoroughly review the options and feasibility study that is expected to come before the City Council in the coming months. This analysis will provide critical insight into whats possible and practical for the site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While this could be an appealing location to add retail or restaurants, I have concerns about their long-term viability. Many commuters prioritize heading straight home after work, which may limit the success of businesses in this area. Redevelopment plans should reflect realistic expectations of how the space will be used and whether it can truly serve the community effectively. As for the citys role in funding, I believe any redevelopment effort must be approached with fiscal responsibility. Public-private partnerships could be explored, but the citys financial contribution should be carefully evaluated to ensure taxpayers are not burdened with unnecessary risks or costs. Ultimately, any investment must provide clear, tangible benefits for Naperville residents. In short, the Fifth Avenue area is a unique and valuable asset for our city. If redevelopment moves forward, it should be done thoughtfully, with input from the community and a focus on preserving the neighborhoods character while addressing practical and economic considerations. IAN HOLZHAUER DOB: 10/16/1982 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Address: 336 Redbud Dr Naperville IL 60540 Marital Status: Separated Childrens Ages: 16, 14, 13, 9 Education: JD, Georgetown University (magna cum laude), 2007; BA, History, University of Florida (summa cum laude), 2004; Naperville North High School Class of 2001 Occupation: Attorney Employer: Campbell Holzhauer Concierge Law, Ltd., Naperville, IL Current Elected Office: Naperville City Council Previous Elected Office: None Civic/Social Group Membership: Founding member and Board Member of Naperville Seniors Non-Profit Group; Prior Board Chair, Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce; Riverwalk Commissioner; Member, First Congregational UCC of Naperville What do you envision for the future of the citys electric supply? What factors affordability, sustainability, etc. should the city prioritize as it decides how to power its electric grid in years to come? I envision a future powered by a fair contract for the people of Naperville, which includes a more future-focused and fiscally responsible energy portfolio than an antiquated coal-dependent approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Naperville negotiated its current power contract, the city secured the right to choose its energy source for 2030. However, our current coal-heavy provider is now pushing for a decision five years earlydespite lacking any contractual authority to do so. Their urgency stems from the fact that they bargain from a position of weakness their solution is becoming less viable. Coal is already not the most cost-effective option, and its competitiveness declines every year, as the market rapidly adopts new technologies (and we anticipate new technologies like improved battery storage). It is not our taxpayers job to offer a bailout to a power plant with an uncertain future. Our next energy contract must keep our options open and prioritize whats best for our city and its residents. Coal is the dirtiest source of energy. Accounting for all the environmental damage, carbon emissions, and negative economic impacts, it is also the most expensive. It behooves us to look at more sustainable and clean energy sources for our residents. In regards to increasing the citys affordable housing stock, the council last fall opted to create an affordable housing catalog in lieu of an incentives program for developers. Should the city revive discussion over an incentives program? Why or why not? Yes, I have supported this initiative consistently, and it initially passed the Council with a 9-0 vote. The political winds shifted in the past couple of years, but I have remained steadfast in my commitment to affordable housing and hope we bring this back to the new Council for the following reasons: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We should ensure that our hospital workers, police officers, teachers, and firefighters have access to decent, affordable living spaces. This is a sign of a healthy community. We have a shortage of affordable housing, which leads to increasing purchase and rent prices and the displacement of mid to lower-income residents, including young working families and seniors on a fixed income. Offering developers incentives to build affordable housing units can help close this gap. Housing instability is a major driver of financial stress, family stress, and even health and safety risks. By providing stable, affordable housing, Naperville can improve overall community well-being. In recent years, the city has heightened its focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. What are your views on DEI programs? Should the city continue to support DEI efforts? Naperville is a very diverse community, both in its demographics and in its workforce. This includes wide differences in age, ability, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background. In an effort to ensure that the city was meeting its obligation to all its constituents, the council hired its first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager Dr. Geneace Williams in February 2021, shortly before I was elected. Dr. Williams tenure has been significant in that she has partnered with other organizations in the community, including holding wide-ranging listening sessions, developing events, and conducting teach-ins at the college and high school levels. Ive been a strong supporter of Dr. Williams, and have tried as a councilmember to make sure people from all walks of life are included in our community. Personally, some of my proudest work has been in supporting housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, advocating for Pridefest, celebrating religious festivals, and working with the Senior Task Force all diverse populations. I am proud our city has chosen a positive direction, and I think it speaks to the character of our community that we are a welcoming place. Efforts to chart a new path forward for city-owned land around the Fifth Avenue train station have been discussed on and off for a decade. Should the city make it a priority to revisit possible redevelopment in the coming year and what would you like to see the land used for? What should the citys role be in funding a redevelopment plan? It should absolutely be a priority. Napervilles railway station occupies a unique position in our urban environment as a gateway to our city and as a link to other communities and to Chicago. If you asked a visitor to guess which community is ranked the best city in America based on the view out the BNSF train from Chicago, they would never guess Naperville, based on our train stations sea of aging parking lots and lack of amenities. We need to plan a beautiful, mixed-use, transit-oriented space that harmonizes with the existing area. This year, I proposed to City Staff the idea of bringing in an independent non-profit, the Urban Land Institute, to study potential uses for the land. Council ended up commissioning the Urban Land Institute to conduct its study, which will include obtaining resident input and comparing our community to similar communities around the country, looking for best practices. I feel strongly that by starting with a baseline plan, developed by a nonprofit with no financial skin in the game, and with resident input, we can have a process that is transparent and ultimately succeeds in making the train station area a truly transit-oriented, sustainable, and beautiful area. Hundreds of students gathered on the Tennessee Capitol grounds Monday to call for gun safety reform in the wake of another deadly Nashville school shooting. Josselin Corea Escalante, a 16-year-old Antioch High School student, was shot and killed by another student on Jan. 22. The shooter fatally shot himself seconds after opening fire. "We are united together, and we're going to keep fighting for justice," said Escalante's uncle Juan Corea in Spanish. Carlos Corea, holds a photo of his niece, Josselin Corea Escalante, during a Rally for Antioch at Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville , Tenn., Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. Coreas niece was killed during a school shooting at Antioch High School last week that inspired the rally. Many protestors called for lawmakers to take up gun safety measures such as red flag laws as lawmakers returned to the Capitol on Monday for a special legislative session. Gov. Bill Lee called the session to push through his signature school voucher proposal, disaster relief funding and immigration enforcement, and the parameters will prevent any unrelated legislation from being filed until lawmakers return to regular session in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students protest leaders directed the crowd in several chants opposing Lee and other Republican lawmakers. Terri Steverson, a junior at Templeton Academy, held up a sign that read, "Thoughts and prayer didn't save Josselin." A dad nearby carried a poster reading, "My child's life shall not be infringed by loose gun laws!" The protest was reminiscent of the large-scale student protests of 2023, when The Covenant School shooting that claimed the lives of three elementary school students and three staff members shocked the community. The shooting led to bipartisan calls for new gun safety laws, including from the governor, but Republican lawmakers resisted any significant reform. Terri Steverson, of Templeton Academy Junior, holds a sign with a photo of Josselin Corea Escalante, who was killed during a school shooting last week at Antioch High School. Around 200 students and community members gathered at the Rally for Antioch at the Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. More: Covenant mom 'sickened' to see another Nashville school community shattered by gun violence Still, heated protests have continued through the last two years with smaller groups of protestors frequently confronting Republican lawmakers. Protests have been particularly heated in the House, where GOP leadership has implemented escalating crowd control measures culminating in a new ticketing system to watch House floor sessions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday afternoon, a mother of a Covenant student expressed dismay that little had changed since the March 2023 shooting and asked people to support the Antioch school community in the same way the Covenant community was embraced. "We stand united with you," Sarah Shoop Neumann told Escalante's family. "I'm so sorry we failed you." This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville students again call for gun reform after Antioch shooting BRUSSELS (Reuters) -NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen agreed at a meeting on Tuesday that allies need to focus on strengthening defences in the Arctic, a source familiar with the talks told Reuters. "They agreed that in this effort all allies have a role to play," the source said after the meeting. Their talks come amid widespread concern over U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly expressing his interest since his re-election in November in making Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, a part of the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We discussed how were working together to enhance security in the Baltic Sea, support Ukraine, and invest more in defence, including in the High North," Rutte said on the social media platform X following the meeting. Trump has said Greenland is vital to U.S. security and Denmark must give up control of the strategically important Arctic island, and he has not ruled out using military or economic power to achieve his goal. Trump has also been at loggerheads with NATO and the U.S. European allies over defence spending and said that under his presidency, the U.S. will fundamentally rethink "NATO's purpose and NATO's mission." For its part, Denmark said on Monday it would spend 14.6 billion Danish crowns ($2.0 billion) boosting its military presence in the Arctic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen met with French President Emmanuel Macron and said political leaders in Europe and beyond had given full backing to the principle of maintaining respect for international borders. (Reporting by Sabine Siebold; Writing by Benoit Van Overstraeten; Editing by Mark Heinrich, Hugh Lawson and David Gregorio) The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles is asking state lawmakers for money to hire more employees. ALSO READ: DMV adds kiosks to 6 more Harris Teeters Our partners at The Charlotte Observer report the agency wants to hire an additional 61 workers to staff its offices, particularly in the Triangle and Charlotte areas. The positions include license examiners and greeters. The General Assembly sets the number of people who can work in drivers license offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DMV estimates it would cost about $4 million a year to reach full staffing. The General Assembly reconvenes Wednesday. The budget is expected sometime this summer. (WATCH BELOW: CMS voting on minimum wage increase Tuesday) State Sens. Lou Ann Linehan and Justin Wayne of Omaha flank Gov. Jim Pillen after he signed into law LB 753, the Opportunity Scholarships Act, on May 30, 2023. (Courtesy of the Nebraska Governor's Office) LINCOLN Advocates and opponents of school choice programs in Nebraska, including one that voters rejected in November, are gearing up for another legislative session featuring efforts to revive the policies. Lawmakers supporting those programs introduced proposals this month with an end goal of helping students attend private K-12 schools in the state. Two bills would revive the laws passed, repealed, replaced and then repealed by voters in just the past two years. State Sen.-elect Tony Sorrentino of Elkhorn. Dec. 12, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) The latest version in law, Legislative Bill 1402, was repealed by 57% of voters in November in 45 of Nebraskas 49 legislative districts, 82 of its 93 counties and all three congressional districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not dissuaded by the fact that it was defeated at the ballot box, said freshman State Sen. Tony Sorrentino of Omaha, one of many lawmakers with school choice proposals in 2025. Theres been a number of cases that lost at the ballot box and were reinstated, so lets hope for that. The effort to revive LB 753 and its one-for-one tax break to fund opportunity scholarships will return to the Revenue Committee, while the effort to revive LB 1402 and its state-funded vouchers or education scholarships will return to the Appropriations Committee. Two new proposals will go to the Health and Human Services and Education Committees. The first would create and narrow a voucher or scholarship program for private education to youths in foster care. The other would pay families whose K-12 option enrollment application to a different public school district is rejected. We will out-resolve them Tim Royers is president of the Nebraska State Education Association, which led successive repeal efforts against the state-funded version of the law in 2024, and successfully placed the tax credit version on the ballot before lawmakers replaced that program. Tim Royers, president of the Nebraska State Education Association. July 17, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Royers said he and others are disappointed that senators, no matter their approach, are choosing to ignore the very clear message that voters set in November on this issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were really looking for our leaders in Lincoln to be championing legislation thats going to tackle the real issues surrounding education and not trying to relitigate something that has already been resolved at the polls, Royers said. Royers said the focus should be on getting friendly, pro-public education legislation over the finish line, such as those to tackle teaching vacancies statewide. Hes confident school choice efforts will be stopped before a major vote this year. But if needed, Royers said, opponents are ready for a school choice rematch, even if they have to make it an annual summer habit to get signatures to repeal the laws. We joke about it, but in all seriousness, we will out-resolve them on this issue, Royers said. We will be more tenacious than them. We will have more resources and more commitment than them on this. If they dont get that point, yes, we will absolutely put this in front of the voters again so that way they can reject vouchers for the fifth time in the states history if necessary. State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn holds a cup of about 10 Legos compared to an overflowing jug of Legos to her left, which she said is supposed to illustrate the difference in $10 million for nonpublic schools to $5 billion for total public school spending in Nebraska. Oct. 28, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Reviving Opportunity Scholarships Act Sorrentino is the Elkhorn-area successor to former State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, who championed the previous voucher and tax-credit laws in 2023 and 2024 after years of trying. Sorrentinos LB 509 would nearly word-for-word reinstate Linehans 2023 tax-credit law: the Opportunity Scholarships Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that law didnt get the proper time before lawmakers repealed in October, a strategic move as part of LB 1402 by Linehan partly to stop a certified ballot measure seeking to repeal the law. When her replacement scholarship or voucher law made it to the ballot in November, nearly 55% of voters in their Legislative District 39 rejected it. Sorrentino, a tax practitioner, noted the Opportunity Scholarships Act had raised nearly $10 million of the $25 million it could have raised in its first year. The program could grow over time to $100 million annually, if there is high demand. We cant wait for change. The school system has to change. It has to be modernized. And it has to work for everybody, and not just some, and it hasnt been working for everybody. State Sen. Terrell McKinney of North Omaha Under the Opportunity Scholarships Act, Nebraskans could donate to scholarship-granting organizations for a one-to-one tax credit. Donations from 2024 are still tax deductible, even with the law being repealed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the beauty of the bill is supporting children in their formative years, when their values are set. I just dont think you can put a round peg in a square hole when it comes to education, Sorrentino said. Education needs to meet the needs of children, not to meet the needs of organizations or opponents to this. LB 1402, Version 2 Of the four legislative districts that voted to retain LB 1402, the state-funded scholarship program in the State Treasurers Office, in November, one of the representatives is seeking to revive the program: State Sen. Rob Dover of Norfolk. The other three districts that voted to retain the law are represented by State Sens. Brian Hardin of Gering, Terrell McKinney of Omaha and Mike Moser of Columbus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LB 624, from Dover, would revive LB 1402, but his version is one page compared to the repealed section of LB 1402, which was five pages. Part of his effort is to explicitly define the annual $10 million program as an appropriation, which some have argued cant constitutionally be subject to a referendum. The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that the more expansive LB 1402 version was subject to referendum because it wasnt a direct appropriation. State Sen. Rob Dover of Norfolk. July 25, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dover said his structure is similar to the READ Nebraska grant program established in 2023 to boost mentorship, at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen. That program was created through the annual state budget, not an individual bill. Dover is a member of the Appropriations Committee. I think we should let the kids go where they need to go, where theyre the most happy because, obviously, a happy child, a happy student, is going to be much more receptive to learning, Dover said. Dover said he wants to be a voice for his constituents, and his primary concern is the roughly 4,500 students who received funds under LB 1402 but might not get additional funding in the future. Some, Dover noted, might go back to hostile environments where they were bullied or felt unwelcome. Im not a Catholic. Im not Lutheran. Theres no gain in my religion to do this, Dover said. I think its just a responsibility to children, to kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are all Nebraskas kids, these are all Gods kids, and they werent all created equal, both financially and needs-wise. I dont see why we turn our back on a young man or a woman for financial need just because we have public schools. State Sen. Tony Sorrentino of Omaha LB 427, from State Sen. Bob Andersen of Omaha, would require the state treasurer to allow families to create educational savings accounts for any K-12 school expenses. LB 131, also by Sorrentino, would expand the states current college savings accounts to let them be used to cover the costs of K-12 schools. New, narrower proposals State Sens. Beau Ballard of Lincoln and Christy Armendariz of Omaha are taking a narrower approach to support students in need. State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln, left, talks with State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln. July 26, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LB 481, from Ballard, would create the Foster Care Child Scholarships Act focused on foster care youths, a vulnerable population he said the state already seeks to give every opportunity to flourish. He said those children, too, should have an opportunity to go to a school where they can achieve their dreams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ballards bill would set aside $200,000 in state funding for the next two years for HOPE Scholarships for private K-12 schools through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. I just dont want to fit students into a box, Ballard said. This is just an opportunity for them to fit their needs. LB 557, from Armendariz, would offer significant changes to the states option enrollment process by which a family can option to a different, participating public school district. Net option enrollment pays the receiving district about $11,000 per student in state funding, multiple senators said. State Sen. Christy Armendariz of Omaha. Jan. 8, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) The bill would give any family $2,500 for the educational support of the student should their option enrollment application be rejected, no matter the reason. LB 557, as introduced, has no cap on those funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Armendariz said she plans to amend her bill to narrow its impact to students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch, at 185% of the federal poverty level, and who are currently in failing schools, which she said would be defined based on state test score proficiency rates. Really its to give more kids in failing schools some sort of an out, Armendariz said, noting it might be a drop in the bucket of what some people would need. A similar proposal, LB 633 from State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, would empower the State Board of Education to give students families an option enrollment tuition account after a denied option enrollment application. It would have state K-12 funds follow the student. Foot in the door Royers has testified in the past that option enrollment is a positive choice program within public schools but that denials could come because a family doesnt fill out their application correctly or a school is at capacity. He said the obvious efforts of the new bills to advance a voucher agenda through low-income students or youths in foster care are fundamentally wrong. Theyre trying to utilize some of our most vulnerable students to prop up a foot in the door to set up a much larger voucher program, Royers said. Candidly, we think its pretty despicable that thats the way that theyre choosing to try and do this rather than respecting the lesson they learned at the ballot. Parents, educators, school leaders and members of the public rally against the proposed "Opportunity Scholarships Act." April 29, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Royers originally criticized LB 391, from State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, the Education Committee chair, which would create state savings accounts for people with disabilities to use for qualified expenses, including but not limited to education, before he learned more about the program uses. Murman supports the school choice efforts and said he didnt know education would be covered under his bill. He and Ballard said supporting people in need isnt a foot in the door. National education leaders as well as Royers have noted similar programs usually start small and grow over time. We cant wait for change Armendariz said whether option enrollment works, in practice, is a completely different picture than its purported goals and that the Legislature cant wait. My focus wants to be on a child. We only have them for 13 years, and it goes by fast, Armendariz said. To sit here and think about it for 20 [years] is not an option. Armendariz noted that she grew up in northeast Omaha, in what is now District 11, and sees a real need for local families. District 11 is represented by McKinney. I was one of those kids. My family could not afford any other options than the schools we went to, whether they were failing or not, Armendariz said. This really refines it to pinpoint poor kids that probably, arguably, are not getting the best opportunities that they could. Her comments on not waiting echo those of McKinney and former State Sen. Justin Wayne of northeast Omaha, two Democratic lawmakers in the officially nonpartisan Legislature who had joined Linehan and other Republicans in supporting the Opportunity Scholarships Act. State Sen. Terrell McKinney of North Omaha, right, talks with State Sen.-elect Victor Rountree of Bellevue at a legislative retreat in Kearney on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) McKinney said change is more than overdue in part because lawmakers are seeking to repeal his 2023 law to prohibit suspensions of children before third grade or to lock children up younger, or charge them with crimes as adults sooner. And when you look at the demographic of the kids that will be suspended or locked up, they look like me, theyre coming from my community, McKinney said. Thats why we cant wait for change, McKinney said. The school system has to change. It has to be modernized. And it has to work for everybody, and not just some, and it hasnt been working for everybody. Democratic support likely needed In 2024, McKinney was present, not voting on LB 1402. His district has the lowest average household income in the state and has the highest percentage of people below the poverty level, including seniors and children, according to the most recent legislative data. McKinney said fewer than 50% of students in some of his schools are on track to graduate. State Sens. Myron Dorn of Adams, left, and Tom Brandt of Plymouth talk at a legislative retreat in Kearney on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) He said he approaches school choice legislation thinking about his community, so he wasnt surprised when his districts voters voted to keep LB 1402. McKinney said he takes himself out of the conversation and focuses on the concerns affecting his community, not yet reading or weighing in on Sorrentinos revival of the bill he previously supported. McKinney said those issues are sometimes left out of the conversation of issues facing District 11. The real question is: Are we OK knowing that we have districts and communities where kids have been historically failed, and we have done nothing about it but say wait? he said. We joke about it, but in all seriousness, we will out-resolve them on this issue. We will be more tenacious than them. We will have more resources and more commitment than them on this. If they dont get that point, yes, we will absolutely put this in front of the voters again so that way they can reject vouchers for the fifth time in the states history if necessary. Tim Royers, president of the Nebraska State Education Association Whether McKinney and at least one other Democratic lawmaker, or two, support any school choice effort could be key to any of the legislation passing. At least a couple of rural Republicans, including State Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams, say voters have already spoken. Dorn voted to allow LB 1402 to take effect partly to repeal its predecessor. If the Legislature is going to listen to our voters, then we shouldnt pass that same type of bill up here, Dorn said. Public dollars for public schools State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln, a lead opponent of Linehans past efforts, said hes a big believer that public dollars should remain in public schools, which isnt a policy choice, he noted, but a constitutional mandate in Nebraska. State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln at a listening session on property taxes in Lincoln. July 22, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) The Nebraska Constitution prohibits state appropriations to schools not owned or exclusively controlled by the state or a political subdivision thereof. He said either directly, in the case of LB 1402, or through loopholes like tax credits, they achieve the same goal of sending public dollars to private schools. Freshman State Sen. Ashlei Spivey, who succeeded Wayne in northeast Omaha, said she acknowledges the split views of vouchers and school choice in her district but that overall, voters have spoken. The true question for me is why arent parents happy with their school choice for their children, and how can we make sure that our public education system is meeting the needs of the unique challenges and opportunities especially faced in my district? Spivey said. McKinney questioned what opponents would suggest as a solution, and Spivey said she looks forward to working with local leadership on finding steps forward. State Sen. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha, center, shakes hands with State Sen. Mike Moser of Columbus. Jan. 8, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) We do not have the luxury to wait, and this is a top priority for me in ensuring that people have access to equitable, quality, fully funded public education, Spivey said. Dungan said he agreed that public schools can always be improved, ensuring that public education statewide serves students well, not just adequately, but successfully, while noting not every school will handle situations the same. I dont think the way to answer that problem is to dismantle the system or fund it any less, Dungan said. I think the way to handle that problem is to make sure that we have the best public schools in the country. Parents will demand change Supporters of LB 1402 didnt fund an opposition campaign last year as they did in 2023 to try to preserve the tax credit for funding scholarships in the face of a public vote. Jeremy Ekeler, executive director of Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska, a group that benefited from both of Linehans school choice laws, said he is encouraged by the passion of senators seeking to help Nebraska kids and families. Thousands of Nebraska families are counting on lawmakers to protect their right to access the education that works best for them, he said in a statement. Linehan has said if Nebraskans knew they were voting to take funds from students, they would have preserved the laws, and she expected parents to demand answers if the repeal won. Sorrentino said supporters are energized more than before. Hed be happy with any 2025 proposal getting some air time because repetition, sometimes, drives the point home. These are all Nebraskas kids, these are all Gods kids, and they werent all created equal, both financially and needs-wise, Sorrentino said. I dont see why we turn our back on a young man or a woman for financial need just because we have public schools. 2025 school choice proposals LB 131 (State Sen. Tony Sorrentino of Omaha) Allow NEST 529 plans under the College Savings Plan Program to be spent on any K-12 education costs. LB 427 (State Sen. Bob Andersen of Omaha) Require the state treasurer to create separate educational savings accounts for any K-12 education expenses. LB 481 (State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln) Adopt the Foster Care Child Scholarships Act, to give foster care youths HOPE Scholarships to attend private schools. LB 509 (Sorrentino) Adopt the Opportunity Scholarships Act, a 2023 law that provides dollar-for-dollar income tax credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations. LB 557 (State Sen. Christy Armendariz of Omaha) Change provisions related to option enrollment for a student who applies to a different public school district than their own and allow a family whose application is rejected, for any reason, to get $2,500 from the state for the educational support of the student. LB 624 (State Sen. Rob Dover of Norfolk) Appropriate $10 million annually to the State Treasurers Office to distribute education scholarships or vouchers for students to attend private K-12 schools. LB 633 (State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair) Require the State Board of Education to provide families whose applications for option enrollment to a different public school district are rejected to set up tuition accounts for private K-12 schools. The accounts would include the state funding amount earmarked for each student. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Local restrictions on handguns are at issue in a lawsuit headed to the Nebraska Supreme Court. (Courtesy of Aristide Economopoulos/NJ Monitor) LINCOLN The Nebraska Supreme Court has agreed to weigh in on whether a group of gun owners needs to run afoul of Lincoln weapons ordinances and an executive order by Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird before suing the city for enacting them. The Nebraska Firearms Owners Association, with help from the now-Texas-based Liberty Justice Center, sued the Cities of Lincoln and Omaha in December 2023, claiming in separate lawsuits that the cities had overstepped their legal authority to regulate guns under state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both lawsuits make similar but slightly different arguments based on the passage of Legislative Bill 77 from 2023, then-State Sen. Tom Brewers law legalizing concealed carry of handguns without a permit or state-mandated training. Patricia Harrold of Nebraska Firearms Owners Association testifies against a set of gun-related ordinances and resolutions in Omaha. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) A section of that law curbed the authority of cities governed by home-rule charters to restrict guns more stringently than the state. Both Omaha and Lincoln had used that bit of local control in the past to regulate guns and gang violence. After LB 77 became law, both cities tried to maintain bans on handguns in city parks and buildings and onto trails. Gaylor Baird and Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert defended the measures as necessary for public safety. Lincoln City Attorney Yohance Christie has argued that the mayor and city took action to preserve the safety and quality of life in Lincoln and complied with state law. Omaha City Attorney Matt Kuhse had argued Omaha acted legally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christie had no immediate comment Monday through a spokesman. A district judge in Douglas County prevented Omaha from enforcing Stotherts gun-related executive order until the case can be heard, likely sometime this year. The Lincoln case has been bogged down in procedural questions. The question in the Lincoln case that the Supreme Court agreed this month to take up is whether a lower court erred in saying the Nebraska gun owners lacked legal standing to sue the city until a member is prosecuted for violating the order or ordinances. Lawyers for Liberty Justice Center argued in a filing that they should not have to wait to be prosecuted because the existence of the order and ordinances has made gun owners change their behavior in places governed by the citys approach. Justices of the Nebraska Supreme Court join the investiture of Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke, at right, to succeed former Chief Justice Mike Heavican on Nov. 22, 2024. The associate justices, from left: John Freudenberg, Jonathan Papik, Stephanie Stacy, William Cassel and Lindsey Miller-Lerman. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Patricia Harrold, president of the Nebraska Firearms Association, followed through on her testimony to the Omaha City Council that her organization would not let the cities flout the 2nd Amendment or state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The laws and constitutions of Nebraska and the United States apply in Lincoln and Omaha just like they do in the rest of the state, Harrold said. They are entitled to exercise their right to keep and bear arms. Jacob Huebert, president of the Liberty Justice Center, said in a statement that his team looked forward to proving that Nebraskas 2023 law prohibits local governments from restricting the right to carry statewide. We are pleased that the Nebraska Supreme Court considered this case important enough to review immediately, and we look forward to holding the mayor and the city accountable for their overreach, Huebert said. The states high court has yet to set a date for the hearing SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Josh Kraft, the son of Patriots owner Robert Kraft, has officially filed the paperwork to run for mayor of Boston. Certainly, it makes the race coming up the best mayoral race weve had in quite some time, said Tom Whalen, political historian at Boston University. According to the paperwork, Kraft will be running as a Democrat against incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu. Generally, theres this kind of anti-incumbent movement that, you know, we saw in the fall election against the senators, the congressman and President Biden, and this might work in Krafts favor because he is such an unknown that voters might say well its better than what we have now, said Whalen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whalen says Kraft could appeal to voters who may be unhappy with the current administration under Mayor Wu, but she may relate to more voters in Boston. Michelle Wu can say, I came up the hard way whereas my opponent was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and that always has played well in Boston politics, which can get pretty nasty, said Whalen. Josh Kraft is the President of the New England Patriots Foundation and has led many of the Kraft familys philanthropic initiatives. He also spent 30 years with the Boys and Girls Club of Boston among other organizations that give back to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boston residents expect you to know whats happening, to have clear positions, to be able to get right in there and very clearly explain how youre going to get things done, how youre going to make life better, said Mayor Michelle Wu on GBHs Boston Public Radio Monday. Mayor Wu was asked about Kraft running against her. At some point when youre the candidate, youre going to have to speak for yourself and not just have the consultants do it for you and be clear about what youre putting forward, said Mayor Wu on GBH. A spokesperson for Josh Kraft released the following statement Monday: Todays filing was a necessary first step towards an official announcement, which will come soon, where Josh will lay out his vision and ideas for turning Boston around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kraft will be Mayor Wus first challenger this fall. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW HONOLULU (KHON2) A new bill would prevent green waste and mitigate wildfire risk by holding large property owners accountable. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You HB175 recognizes that neglected properties create environmental and public safety hazards, according to officials. Keiki Caucus announces 2025 legislative package Theres piles of green waste, which is a fire hazard, but now its also a breeding ground for coconut rhinoceros beetles that have now also adapted to not just tackling coconut trees or palm trees. Theyre now also attacking some of our banana trees, said Rep. Rachele Lamosao, who introduced the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would require property owners to regularly maintain their land to prevent invasive species, wildfire risks and dry vegetation overgrowth that could obstruct roads or access for emergency responders. Large land owners, they have a responsibility to take care of their property for the sake of public safety, said Lahaina resident Jeremy Delos Reyes. The penalty should be very severe financially. Delos Reyes lost his home to the Maui wildfires when his neighborhood burned down. If you look above Lahaina right now, theres been zero mitigation with invasive species, with invasive grasses, Delos Reyes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landowners could be fined thousands of dollars per violation. Officials will decide who is responsible for enforcement as the bill moves forward. My intention was never to impact our residential owners. Its essentially for large landholders. I hope that moving forward that we do make this a priority of the state to prevent such disasters like what happened in Maui, Lamosao 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 KHON2. CHEYENNE Lawmakers have thrown support behind a bill to revise the states net metering compensation model, or the rate at which utilities buy surplus energy from small-scale customers with solar panels in Wyoming. The Senate Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee voted 4-1 to approve Senate File 111, Net metering revisions, on Monday. Net metering means measuring the difference between the electricity supplied by an electric utility and the electricity generated by a small customer who generates their own electricity, that is then fed back to the electric utility over an applicable billing period. SF 111 would revise how net metering compensation applies to new small customer generators, authorizing the Public Service Commission to use a different system of compensation for excess energy production, if that service is being subsidized by other customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under SF 111, existing small customers who own an electrical production system before Dec. 31, 2025, would be exempted at existing rates, according to bill co-sponsor Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander. Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander (2025) Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander We have tried to wrestle with the issue of net metering and how its applied by statute in Wyoming for years, Case told the committee on Friday. Theres a lot of confusion about the concept of net metering. Its frequently promoted as a way to stick it to the man, or to stick it to your electric utility, to go off the grid to be energy independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, net metering simply involves installing a special electric meter or reprogramming an existing meter so that electrical flow can be measured in both directions: electricity flowing from the utility company to the customer, and vice versa, according to the University of Wyoming. Some see it as a way to reduce their monthly electric bill, and some electricity provided by a renewable, local or alternative-generating resource. Opponents argue that net metering has the potential to reduce revenue for utility companies, which will then pass that loss on to other customers in the service area. Every utility in Wyoming has a tariff structure consisting of a connection charge, as well as a charge for energy, according to Case. The energy charge does recover the cost of the network, and an additional customer charge comes in at $20 to $50, depending on the utility. That subsidy is built in. Its not something I like, but it has one purpose, and thats to provide very small users with small bills, so it is a fixed cost that doesnt get recovered from net metering producers, Case said. Bills similar to SF 111, Case said, have been debated before, but did not include pre-exemptions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill is virtually the same as the bills that youve seen before, but theres one significant difference, Case said. Somebody that has an existing system ... is grandfathered under the current system for as long as they have it under existing rates, for as long as they own the system. Thats the bottom line. If SF 111 is to pass, anyone with a system installed after Jan. 1, 2026, will face new rates set by the Public Service Commission (PSC). Chris Petrie, deputy chairman of the PSC, told the committee on Monday during public comment that the commission exists primarily to ensure just and reasonable rates. Weve looked at this bill, and with that in mind, I think that it, in fact, does create a path to establishing just and reasonable rates for utilities, and the treatment of net-metering customers, Petrie said. New customer generators would face a rate set according to the PSCs usual public process, according to Petrie. Bruce Asay with MDU Resources said he believes the revision would provide a necessary compromise in the system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, many others commented against the proposed legislation on Monday, saying it was a solution in search of a problem. John Burrows of the Wyoming Outdoor Council said the bill directs a foregone conclusion that rooftop solar owners are being subsidized by other ratepayers. We think it is premature to require the PSC to revise rates for this small group of customers, when net metering represents such a tiny fraction of electricity generated in Wyoming, Burrows said. The idea that rooftop solar owners are not paying their share of a utilitys network cost, he said, does not adequately portray the system already in place. Consider the example of rural customers who depend on miles and miles of grid network, but still pay the exact same rate as customers who live next to a substation in town, Burrows said. Cost shifting from an urban to a rural customer is a common and accepted practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Natalie Johansen, a renewable energy community organizer for the Powder River Basin Resource Council, said the bill would create unnecessary barriers for rural families who may want to invest in solar energy. Net-metered systems in Wyoming only make up about 0.2% of the system, and so Johansen said the bill is solving no real problem. Wyoming resident Stef Kessler testified on Zoom, similarly saying SF 111 addresses a problem that doesnt exist, and affects small users. I urge you to consider the little people of Wyoming, Kessler said. I have only ever seen utilities themselves and regulators speak in favor of these bills. Sen. Bill Landen, R-Casper, said he would support SF 111. Sen. Bill Landen, R-Casper (2025) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Bill Landen, R-Casper I am ready to support this one, because we grandfather everybody in at this point, (protecting) those who are passionately involved in this now, Landen said. Further, Landen said he trusts the PSC to create a system that is also fair for future users, who he said will likely still see returns for investing in their own energy infrastructure. Sen. Dan Dockstader, R-Afton, said he also would vote in favor of SF 111, citing faith in the PSC process. Also voting in favor were Case and Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, R-Torrington. Only Sen. Brian Boner, R-Douglas, voted against the measure Monday morning. Macaus external merchandise trade totaled MOP142.15 billion in 2024, a decrease of 8.2% from MOP154.78 billion in 2023, according to the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC). Merchandise exports rose by 1.1% to MOP13.49 billion, driven by a 1.8% increase in re-exports, which amounted to MOP12.00 billion. However, domestic exports dropped by 4.0%, totaling MOP1.49 billion. Merchandise imports saw a larger decline, falling by 9.0% to MOP128.67 billion. This resulted in a trade deficit of MOP115.18 billion, a reduction of MOP12.93 billion from the previous year. In terms of destinations, exports to Hong Kong grew by 0.7%, while exports to the EU surged by 42.9%. However, exports to mainland China, Belt and Road countries, and the USA dropped by 23.3%, 13.7%, and 31.1%, respectively. The textiles and garments sector showed growth, rising by 16.0% year-on-year. Imports from mainland China and the EU declined by 2.6% and 15.7%, respectively, though imports from Japan rose by 6.2%. Consumer goods imports, including food, garments, and gold jewelry, decreased, while imports of fuels and mobile phones saw increases. In December 2024, merchandise exports decreased by 2.8%, while imports dropped by 6.7%, resulting in a trade deficit of MOP10.07 billion for the month. (Bloomberg) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to visit Washington next week to meet US President Donald Trump, according to people familiar with the matter, as the leaders look to maintain the ceasefire in Gaza. Most Read from Bloomberg The meeting is not yet finalized and may not come together in that time frame, the people said on condition of anonymity. The trip may partly depend on Netanyahus health. In late December, the 75-year-old had prostate-removal surgery after what doctors described as a non-cancerous enlargement. While hes been working recently, medical staff are still monitoring his recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The early sit-down would come at a critical time, just weeks until the end of the first phase of the pause in fighting in Gaza, which began on Jan. 19. Skeptics have questioned whether the deal will hold through its second phase, which could ultimately lead to a permanent end to the war in Gaza. Steve Witkoff, Trumps Middle East envoy, is expected to travel to Israel this week to discuss the prospect of securing a longer-term solution to the conflict, according to Israeli television. More than 30 hostages held by Hamas designated a terrorist organization by the US and many other countries are slated to be returned to Israel during the six-week truce, in exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners. More humanitarian aid is entering Gaza during the stretch, with roughly 600 trucks per day delivering supplies. Trump last weekend floated the idea of relocating Palestinian refugees to neighboring Arab countries, such as Egypt and Jordan, with much of Gaza devastated by air strikes. The suggestion was swiftly rejected by both nations, which have said Palestinians must be allowed to return to their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has indicated hes willing to give wider latitude for Israel to carry out military strikes in the region compared to former President Joe Biden. The White House removed a hold on 2,000-pound bombs put in place under the previous administration out of fear that the weapons could add to the civilian death toll in Gaza. The president repeatedly warned prior to the ceasefire agreement there would be hell to pay if Israeli hostages werent released before his inauguration. Netanyahu and Trump had a close relationship during the US presidents first term. Trump was critical of Israels military campaign against Hamas during the 2024 presidential campaign but the two have exchanged complimentary words since Trump won a second term, and Netanyahus wife visited Trumps Mar-a-Lago club for dinner. --With assistance from Ethan Bronner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updates with context on Netanyahus health.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet new US President Donald Trump at the White House next week, his office said on Tuesday evening. Trump invited the Israeli premier for February 4, according to the statement released by Netanyahu's office. The White House confirmed that an invitation had been extended for the beginning of next week, without giving a specific date, however. This would make Netanyahu the first foreign leader to be received by Trump since he took office for a second term last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A meeting right at the start of Trump's term could be considered as a strong gesture of support for Netanyahu, who has come under heavy international criticism for the war in Gaza. The United States is Israel's most important ally and biggest supplier of weapons. While Trump's predecessor Joe Biden never withdrew support for Israel, he increasingly criticized the country's campaign in Gaza, which has left more than 47,000 Palestinians dead since the war began. Trump, on the other hand, is known to be much closer to Netanyahu. In the first days of his second term, he again expressed support for Netanyahu and approved the delivery of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel that had been withheld by Biden over concern they might be used in populated areas in the sealed-off Gaza Strip. Besides lifting Biden-era sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank, Trump also sparked outrage by suggesting to "clean out" the largely destroyed Gaza Strip and resettle Palestinians in other Arab countries. UPDATE: This story was updated Tuesday, Jan. 28, to include numbers verified by the Nevada Secretary of States office. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Nevada Republicans said Monday they have passed Democrats in voter registration in the state for the first time since 2007. A total of 617,204 Nevada voters have registered as Republicans, pulling ahead of 616,863 Democrats, according to a social media post by Republican strategist Jeremy Hughes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent elections, Democrats and Republicans have competed for support among voters who register as nonpartisan independents, who greatly outnumber either party in Nevada. The Nevada Secretary of States office confirmed that Republicans are ahead of Democrats, issuing these numbers that are current as of Tuesday morning: Democrats: 618,286 Republicans: 618,385 Nonpartisan: 693,459 Support for President Donald Trump hasnt translated into widespread success for Nevada Republicans at the polls. In the U.S. House and Senate, Democrats hold all but one of Nevadas offices. Democrats hold the majority in both houses of the Nevada Legislature. But Gov. Joe Lombardos record-setting 75 vetoes two years ago has held Democrats in check. Lombardo is also laying down a strong foundation for his re-election bid, raising $3.4 million in 2024. Thanks to the strong leadership of President Trump and Governor Lombardo, the GOP is now the largest political party in Nevada, with no signs of slowing down, according to a news release from Better Nevada PAC on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans havent been able to cut into Democrats edge in down-ballot election races, but the growth in voter registration numbers could signal more support among voters. With an agenda that focuses on solving the challenges facing Nevada families to improve our schools, strengthen public safety, expand opportunity, and stop needless tax hikes, Nevada Republicans are delivering results and these numbers prove that the people like what they see, Better Nevada PACs news release said. Democrats, meanwhile, have been focused on Trumps executive orders. Leaders have criticized his policies for favoring the wealthy and hurting Nevadas working class. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) For years, Sam Rickman loved going to church. A talented musician, his bass guitar would help set the tone every Sunday for Solid Rocks founder and pastor, John-Paul Miller and his wife, Mica. But more important to Rickman was a cherished friendship between their families that included haircuts and dog grooming. Rickman thought he found his spiritual home a place to forge deep connections with like-minded Christians and ample opportunity for his children to thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But things slowly started to erode, and after Micas suicide last spring, Rickmans bitter divorce from the man he once trusted with all his secrets began. Documents provided exclusively to News13 on Monday as part of an ongoing legal dispute between Miller and Rickman offer the clearest glimpse yet into a church deeply shaken at the loss of its First Lady, and the public demonstrations borne out of her death. Rickman through his attorney authorized News13 to report on details of his counterclaim against John-Paul, who on Jan. 10 sued him for $7,500 in Myrtle Beach Magistrate Court. Timeline: The saga of John-Paul and Mica Miller Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rickman has engaged in a persistent pattern of harassment against (Miller), including screaming and demonstrating against (Millers) mere existence in public locations throughout Horry County, John-Pauls complaint says. Rickman is among a dozen people at the center of legal action by Miller on harassment complaints, according to court records many affiliated with the Justice for Mica movement thats grown out of his wifes death last spring. The rallies are nothing more than poorly organized mobs harassing and stalking (Miller) and others, John-Pauls complaint alleges. Harassment by Rickman and others have interfered with (Millers) ability to earn a living, conduct church services, minister to his congregation and maintain relationships with church members and the broader religious community, Millers complaint says. A reliable source In addition to his musicianship, Rickman is an experienced graphic designer proficient in videography and website development. Miller capitalized on that skillset by retaining Rickman for a range of jobs either for himself or his father, Reginald. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rickman created cover art for books by both father and son, revamped a church website and worked closely with Mica to create artwork for youth groups and summer programs. He also was hired to create Dare2CareMissions online look a Solid Rock ministry that did outreach work in Kenya. A friendship on the rocks As personal friends, Rickman said in court filings that John-Paul and Mica would confide in him, mentioning details of a marriage headed for an early end Mica issued divorce papers on April 25, two days before her death. At some point (Miller) began to talk about Mica from the pulpit in a manner that (Rickman) perceived as criticism and exposing personal aspects about Mica that were of no business to the congregation and certainly irrelevant to any sermon, Rickmans counterclaim says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ward tells News13 Miller made these comments much before Micas death. But that wasnt the only betrayal, according to Rickman. John-Paul would offer personal and sensitive information about Rickman during his Sunday preaching a practice commonly known as sharing testimony. Rickman said he agreed, but only if John-Paul omitted certain details. Instead, his lawsuit claims, not only did Miller ignore that request but he had the sermon recorded and posted online. And as we all know, he liked to record his sermons. And so that was published and that caused a lot of emotional distress to my client, Rickmans attorney Regina Ward told News13 on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rickmans counterclaim also says John-Paul took credit for his sobriety, despite him being substance free for 18 years. News13 reached out to John-Paul and his attorney but havent heard back. Officials tried to serve papers at his home on Monday. A shocking reaction One day after Micas death, Rickman and his family were in church. By that point, Rickman said he had been leaving after the pre-sermon music sessions because hed grown uncomfortable at John-Pauls preaching but was still in the building to hear him. John-Paul ended his Sunday session by revealing Micas death as though he was announcing a church picnic and then went into heartbreaking detail of the alleged reason she had died, his complaint says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 1, John-Paul privately addressed those at band practice, recounting details of Micas death while encouraging them all to remain faithful. Miller then expressed that all of the public outcry was the work of the devil and assured them that it would all blow over in two weeks,' according to Rickmans complaint. It was the last time Rickman initiated contact with John-Paul. Justice for Mica and a sudden change Rickman attended his first Justice for Mica rally on May 5, but couldnt bring himself to join the group of purple-and-white T-shirt wearing demonstrators who stood outside of Solid Rock Church in Micas memory. Rickman sat in his car in a parking lot across the street from the church the entire time and never got out of his vehicle to join the march. He simply sat and observed, as well as mourned, in disbelief of what was happening and not being able to accept the passing of his church leader and friend, his complaint states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rickman participated in a Justice for Mica rally on June 2. Meanwhile, Rickmans sixth grader was attending Faith First Academy a private school that ran under the Solid Rock Ministries umbrella. In exchange for weekly tithing and contributing to the band, Rickmans child was granted free tuition and was set to be recognized for making the honor roll at a May 28 awards ceremony. Just before the event, Rickman and his wife were told the schools grading system had been reworked and as a result, the childs honor roll status was revoked, according to Rickmans suit. Rickman believed Miller caused the grading system to be manipulated at the last minute to deprive the child and to intentionally cause emotional pain, his counterclaim says. Legal action as a hush tactic On Nov. 1, FBI agents spent much of the day conducting an investigation at Millers Coldwater Circle home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple law-enforcement vehicles gathered in the Azalea Lakes neighborhood, where authorities were seen carrying items out of the house late Friday afternoon, including boxes, a computer screen, and what looked like an external computer drive. Rickman believes this frivolous lawsuit is an effort to further intimidate and silence him given his close interactions with both John-Paul and Mica over the past several years. Ward said the next steps are a deposition and jury trial. My client is not going to stand by. Hes going to hold Mr. Miller accountable. He opened the door to this and he has every right to file a countersuit against him, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * * * 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. * * * 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. When Gov. Gavin Newsom met President Trump at the foot of Air Force One in Los Angeles on Friday, some Democrats say it weakened his typically bullish approach. Newsom, who thanked Trump for coming to the state to tour areas ravaged by wildfires, went as far as saying Trump supported the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. I dont forget that, Newsom told Trump before a gaggle of reporters. It seemed a little hat-in-hand, said one Democratic strategist in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Newsoms allies say the governor was sending a strong message, showing up at the airport even though he wasnt invited and advocating for his state to secure additional disaster aid. The image of the two men underscored how he was able to put politics aside to work with a political adversary like Trump, who has frequently referred to the California Democrat as Newscum. The message was sent loud and clear, said Garry South, a Los Angeles-based political strategist who served as a senior adviser to Newsom in his first bid for governor. I thought it was a brilliant move. It was important for Gov. Newsom to be there and not shy away from the President of the United States. And it enhanced Newsoms standing as someone who can stand up to Trump. The face-to-face with Trump had been a capstone on a tumultuous month for Newsom, who has been criticized for his performance as governor during what has been one of the worst disasters in his state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As fires continue to burn in Los Angeles, Newsom has sought to go on offense, conducting a string of interviews while posting a page on his website entitled California Fire Facts where he disputes accusations and lies. A number of Democrats say Newsom has been hurt by his handling of the fires, and by how the response to the disaster is perceived across the country. They say Newsom has yet to have a real discussion to date about what happened and how he plans on ensuring that fires dont wreak havoc on residents again. I think he is deeply f -ed, bluntly, said one California-based Democratic strategist. It is undoubtedly true that his stock has dropped. I think his donor-base will dry up. I think hell have a real tough time clawing his way back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One top Los Angeles-based Democratic donor agreed, saying Newsom will be politically destroyed or close to destroyed because of indefensible allegations on the preparation and immediate response. All they need to do is show the devastation on political ads and hell be destroyed, the donor added. People close to Newsom insist the politically-savvy governor isnt thinking about his political future. Izzy Gardon, a spokesperson for Newsom, said in a statement that the governor is solely focused on the ongoing response and recovery effort not politics. Newsom garnered attention from Democrats during the Biden presidency because he was seen as bold and brash, a contrast of sorts to the just-exited President Biden, who seldom took a proactive swing against Donald Trump and other Republicans including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Democrats gravitated toward Newsoms approach, saying that they needed a leader like the governor who wasnt afraid to get in the faces of Republicans. But other Democrats say Newsoms problems are less about the fires and more about perceptions that had been set-in while before Trumps second win, but are perhaps even more problematic now. The fires certainly didnt help but the more burning problem for him is hes the walking caricature of the out of touch elitist that many people think Democrats have become, one Democratic strategist said. Newsom is not popular in California. A poll by the Public Policy Institute of California in June found 62 percent said the state is headed in the wrong direction. Newsom was also underwater, the poll showed, with 44 percent saying they approved of his performance as governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Madrid, a political consultant based in the state, said Californians have a very strong concern about its direction, its future and whether its working. Still, Madrid said Newsom has a chance to recover politically through his handling of the recovery effort after the fires. That is going to be far more important than the narrative that was set about the fire itself. When Newsom met Trump at the airport on Friday, the friendly approach surprised skeptical strategists, like Madrid, who acknowledged that he originally thought it was a bad idea. But seeing it play out, it was the right thing to do, he said. I think he definitely got the upper hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Political observers say its a delicate dance for Newsom, who wants to advocate for his state while being seen as someone who wont give in to Trump, keeping him viable for the 2028 primary. He has to thread that needle to be able to get that support we need for this rebuilding effort, said Christina Bellantoni, the director for the University of Southern Californias Annenbergs Media Center and a former editor at the Los Angeles Times. One wrong move for Newsom and it could taint his political prospects, she said. It definitely could, Bellantoni said, pointing to the complaints about the empty reservoirs and fire hydrants. Every failure is exposed. And whether thats a failure you can link directly to Newsompeople dont make this distinction when theyre reading a headline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some think the wildfires would cause a shift to the right statewide during the 2026 elections and that Newsom would be held responsible. There are a lot of people who think that the Democratic Party has gotten complacent and I wouldnt be surprised if we saw record split-ticket voting with people voting blue for federal and red statewide, one strategist said. South disagreed. Newsom, he said, is a national political force and hes made himself into that. We Democrats needed someone who was willing to step up to the plate, who has force of personality, who has charisma to make the case against Trump, he 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 The Hill. NEWTON, Kan. (KSNW) The Harvey County Attorneys Office says a Newton man has been found guilty in a child sex crime case. According to the office, Mark A. Shields pled guilty on Thursday to kidnapping, aggravated indecent solicitation of a child less than 14 years old, and aggravated battery. The Harvey County Attorney said the cases were related to the same victim. Man who crashed into church, stabbed 2, sentenced Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, the crime occurred between Oct. 1, 2023, and July 15, 2024, and was prosecuted with the help of Newton police and the Heart to Heart Child Advocacy Center. Sentencing is scheduled to take place on March 31. Shields agreed to register as an offender in Kansas as part of the plea agreement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Police in New Hampshire are turning to the public for help identifying a man accused of sexually abusing a child while living under a fake name. The Manchester Police Juvenile Unit launched an investigation in January 2024 after learning that a man who claimed to be 60-year-old Angel Rivera Laureano had allegedly sexually abused a child under the age of 13, the Manchester Police Department announced Tuesday. Laureano was arrested on a charge of aggravated felonious sexual assault, but investigators later learned that the suspect had been living under a false identity for years, and under that name was convicted of numerous crimes in New Hampshire dating back more than a decade, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the real Angel Rivera Laureano has since been positively identified and located in Puerto Rico. Due to this information, the suspect, who we will now call John Doe was charged with identity fraud, the department wrote in a statement. The suspect is being held at the Hillsborough County House of Corrections. Anyone with information about his true identity is urged to call Manchester Police Detective Guy Kozowyk at 603-792-5560 or email him at gkozowyk@manchesternh.gov. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Jan. 27New Mexico firefighters returned home Sunday after helping battle the inferno in Southern California for a few weeks. Albuquerque Fire Rescue was part of a Strike Team that went to Los Angeles County to battle the fires that broke out on Jan. 7. The team, comprised of firefighters and resources from AFR, Santa Fe, Bernalillo County, Los Alamos County, and San Juan County, responded to the Palisades Fire in Malibu where they collaborated with CAL Fire "to provide critical structure protection for residential homes, enhance fire breaks, and address hotspots threatening control lines," AFR spokesperson Jason Fejer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Witnessing the extraordinary efforts of air resources and the bravery of hand crews was both inspiring and humbling," he said. "However, the devastation observed was beyond words, leaving the entire team deeply saddened." The Palisades Fire, the largest of the blazes that destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 11 people, reached 90% containment Sunday, according to the Associated Press. "As we reflect on this experience, we are committed to gathering insights for potential improvements to prevent similar wildland-urban interface disasters across the entire state of New Mexico," AFR Lt. Eric De La Torre said in a statement. "We recognize the urgent need to prepare for future threats, motivating us to enhance our readiness for the challenges ahead." Rep. Derrick Lente, D-Sandia Pueblo, sits in his office in the Roundhouse on Jan. 22, 2025. Credit: Bella Davis/New Mexico In Depth Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is seeking $50 million for educational programs for Indigenous children in the next fiscal year, and she wants most of it to go directly to tribes, getting rid of a grant process thats prevented tribal officials from making full use of state funding. Weve exponentially increased funding to schools for tribal students, but too often, it does not reach these students, Lujan Grisham said during her State of the State address on Jan. 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move comes after years of advocacy at the Roundhouse for the Tribal Remedy Framework, a plan for giving Indigenous children an education that incorporates their cultural experiences and knowledge and results in better academic outcomes. This story was originally published by New Mexico In Depth Indigenous education experts and tribal communities created the framework in the wake of the 2018 Yazzie-Martinez court ruling, in which a state judge found New Mexico had failed to provide a sufficient education to a majority of students, including Indigenous children. (In September, the plaintiffs filed a motion arguing the state hasnt complied with the ruling.) To push back on decades worth of bad federal policy and state paternalism that sought to assimilate our people and take away our languages and take away how we learn, its been a fight, said Derrick Lente, a Democrat from Sandia Pueblo whos run a number of tribal education bills over the past eight years. But now there seems to be an appreciation about, yes, in fact, tribes do know whats best for their children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors $10.9 billion budget recommendation includes, like last year, $20 million in recurring funding to the Indian Education Fund, set up by the 2003 New Mexico Indian Education Act. But shes also proposing an additional, nonrecurring $30 million per year to the fund over the next three years, according to spokesperson Michael Coleman. The Public Education Department (PED) is working to change the way that funding would make its way to tribes and how much theyd get. Under a proposed rule change, 70% of the fund would be allocated to tribes automatically, said KatieAnn Juanico (Acoma Pueblo), the assistant secretary of PEDs Indian Education Division. The rest would go to local education agencies and Bureau of Indian Education tribally-controlled schools, which, unlike tribes, would still need to apply for grants from the fund. A distribution formula for tribes, Juanico said, factors in student counts and students with an individualized education plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department is accepting feedback from tribal leaders, she said. The proposal, if approved, would alter the existing system in which tribes can apply for one or two-year grants and, if approved, must first spend the money from their own coffers before applying for reimbursement from the state. Challenges including slow processing by PED and understaffing in tribal departments have made it difficult for tribes to spend the total amounts and develop long-term projects. Last year, Lente co-sponsored a bill that sought to change that, sending funds out to tribes automatically and allowing them to carry over any unspent dollars. The House Education Committee passed the bill but it didnt get another hearing. And during the two previous legislative sessions, Lente, along with four other Indigenous lawmakers, sponsored a bill to create a trust fund that wouldve earned interest for tribes to spend on language revitalization, career readiness, and other education initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lujan Grisham said last year she supported the idea, and the state budget lawmakers sent to her desk included $50 million for the trust fund, conditional on the bill being enacted. The House passed the bill unanimously, but Lente pulled it after learning several amendments were going to be introduced on the Senate floor. Before this years session, Lente said, he sat down with Native advocates and education experts who make up a coalition called the Tribal Education Alliance to talk about potential legislation. I had to take a step back and really just have a heart-to-heart with all of them and say, It seems like now [PED] is speaking our language. Theyre saying the things that we used to have to argue with them about, and the Legislature understands it much better than ever before. We still have to advocate, dont get me wrong, but in terms of the heavy lifting, we werent doing much of that heavy lifting, Lente said. Hes supporting the governors budget request and the rule change, rather than pushing his own bill through the Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During her address last week, Lujan Grisham thanked the leaders of our sovereign nations and many legislators who have been working all year long to figure out that vehicle and provide a proposal to the Legislature that we believe will have enormous, bipartisan support. Lujan Grisham credited Lente by name. While Ive been the talking piece legislatively, I know that Ive always simply been a part of the larger team, Lente told New Mexico In Depth. That includes the tribal nations, all of those tribal education advocates, the students, the parents, the administrators, the list can go on and on, but in terms of where we were and where were at today, its truly been one of the honors of my political career to be a part of this. The CIA now believes the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic most likely originated from a laboratory, according to an assessment that points the finger at China even while acknowledging that the spy agency has low confidence in its own conclusion. The finding is not the result of any new intelligence, and the report released Saturday was completed at the behest of the Biden administration and former CIA Director William Burns. It was declassified and released Saturday on the orders of President Donald Trumps pick to lead the agency, John Ratcliffe, who was sworn in Thursday as director. The nuanced finding suggests the agency believes the totality of evidence makes a lab origin more likely than a natural origin. But the agencys assessment assigns a low degree of confidence to this conclusion, suggesting the evidence is deficient, inconclusive or contradictory. I had the opportunity on my first day to make public an assessment that actually took place in the Biden administration. So it cant be accused of being political, Ratcliffe told Fox News Sunday Morning Futures. He said the CIA has assessed that the most likely cause of this pandemic that has wrought so much devastation around the world was because of a lab-related incident in Wuhan. And so we will continue to investigate that moving forward. Earlier reports on the origins of COVID-19 have split over whether the coronavirus emerged from a Chinese lab, potentially by mistake, or whether it arose naturally. The new assessment is not likely to settle the debate. In fact, intelligence officials say it may never be resolved, due to a lack of cooperation from Chinese authorities. The CIA continues to assess that both research-related and natural origin scenarios of the COVID-19 pandemic remain plausible, the agency wrote in a statement about its new assessment. Instead of new evidence, the conclusion was based on fresh analyses of intelligence about the spread of the virus, its scientific properties and the work and conditions of Chinas virology labs. Lawmakers have pressured Americas spy agencies for more information about the origins of the virus, which led to lockdowns, economic upheaval and millions of deaths. Its a question with significant domestic and geopolitical implications as the world continues to grapple with the pandemics legacy. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, told Fox News Sunday it was important now to make China pay for unleashing this plague on the world. He mentioned imposing tariffs or passing legislation that would repeal Chinas permanent most favored nation status. Chinese authorities have dismissed speculation about COVIDs origins as unhelpful and motivated by politics. On Saturday, a spokesperson for Chinas U.S. embassy said the CIA report has no credibility. We firmly oppose the politicization and stigmatization of the source of the virus, and once again call on everyone to respect science and stay away from conspiracy theories, embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press. While the origin of the virus remains unknown, scientists think the most likely hypothesis is that it circulated in bats, like many coronaviruses, before infecting another species, probably racoon dogs, civet cats or bamboo rats. In turn, the infection spread to humans handling or butchering those animals at a market in Wuhan, where the first human cases appeared in late November 2019. Some official investigations, however, have raised the the question of whether the virus escaped from a lab in Wuhan. Two years ago a report by the Energy Department concluded a lab leak was the most likely origin, though that report also expressed low confidence in the finding. The same year then-FBI Director Christopher Wray said his agency believed the virus most likely spread after escaping from a lab. Ratcliffe, who served as director of national intelligence during Trumps first term, has said he favors the lab leak scenario, too. The lab leak is the only theory supported by science, intelligence, and common sense, Ratcliffe said in 2023. The CIA said it will continue to evaluate any new information that could change its assessment. DAVID KLEPPER, WASHINGTON, MDT/AP From left, Fern Reyna, Laverne Zaragoza and Alfie LeValdo traveled from the Pueblo of Acoma to seek lawmaker's support for additional funds for their senior center. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM) Hundreds of New Mexicans convened today at the Roundhouse for day 5 of the legislative session. For the first half of the day, the Roundhouse was packed with older New Mexicans, caregivers and advocates in honor of Senior Day, hosted by the states Aging and Long-Term Services Department. Secretary-Designate Emily Kaltenbach said several hundred people attended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those stories you share will have a direct impact on the budget we get for our department this year, Kaltenbach told the crowd in the rotunda. That budget, which I think is very reasonable this year but critically needed, will support aging in place, providing services in our homes and our communities. Fern Reyna, Laverne Zaragoza and Alfie Levaldo traveled from Acoma Pueblo to ask lawmakers for additional funds for the senior center. Were looking to build a computer center, so we can learn to use computers and our smartphones, which are way too smart for us, Zaragoza quipped. In addition, Levaldo said the pueblo needs additional funds to expand services with an assisted living facility and a daycare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adrienne Smith, president and CEO of the New Mexico Caregivers Coalition, joined the crowd to encourage people to find their legislators and share with them their personal stories of caring for loved ones. Ill tell you what, if youre not a caregiver now, I bet you will be, Smith said. She specifically asked Senior Day attendees to encourage lawmakers to reactivate the Long-Term Services Division and call for more direct funding for family caregivers. Ernest Smith, 61, and Emily Wauneka 66, the Elder King and Queen from both from the Sheep Springs Chapter of the Navajo Nation, sit in the Rotunda for Senior Day. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM) Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham also made an appearance at Senior Day, where she maintained her stance on public safety, promising New Mexicans that legislators would address stricter sentencing for drug offenses. Bill Watch The Paid Family & Medical Leave Act received its first committee hearing this morning in the House Health & Human Services Committee and passed by a 6-4 vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both bills before the Senate Rules Committee moved on. Senate Bill 85, which proposes expanded definitions of expenditures and donations in campaigns, received a unanimous 9-0 pass, while Senate Bill 5, which reforms the states game commission, received two amendments and passed by a 7-2 vote. Tomorrow, committees are getting warmed up with big bills. House Bill 4 on criminal competency, one of the top priorities by both lawmakers and the governor, will be heard in the House Consumer & Public Affairs Committee at its 1:30 p.m. meeting. Senate Conservation Committee has a full slate, with Senate Bill 4, the Clear Horizons Act first up, which would codify state emission reduction goals into law. Committee members will also hear two bills on stream protections, which you can read more about here. The agenda concludes with Senate Bill 23 which proposes increases to the states oil and gas royalty rates. NM State Land Office Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard backed earlier this month. House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources is scheduled to meet at 8:30 a.m. to discuss a proposed one-mile buffer zone preventing oil and gas companies from producing pollution around schools, daycare facilities and public parks. Pups in the peoples house Dolores Aragon drove up from Clovis, with Pumpkin and Boo, both aged 6, to show up in the Roundhouse on Jan. 27, 2025 for Seniors Day. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM) Phillip Mondragon and Dolores Aragon brought their two dogs, Boo and Pumpkin, with them to Senior Day, driving up from Clovis on Sunday. Mondragon told Source NM that their 6-year-old service pups go everywhere with them to help Aragon with her sight. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Jan. 27WASHINGTON A program to compensate uranium miners and people who lived downwind of nuclear bomb testing then developed certain cancers came to an end last summer, but Sens. Ben Ray Lujan and Martin Heinrich are trying to renew it. Lujan, D-N.M., reintroduced the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Friday with Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, as well as Heinrich, Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and Republicans Eric Schmitt of Missouri and Mike Crapo of Idaho. Last year, Lujan and Hawley led an effort supported by New Mexico's entire congressional delegation to expand the Department of Justice program, which was established in 1990. Uranium miner workers who worked in uranium mines after 1971 were not originally included in the program, and New Mexicans who lived downwind of the Trinity Test have never been included. "Today, individuals affected by nuclear weapons testing, downwind radiation exposure, and uranium mining are still waiting to receive the justice they are owed," Lujan said in a statement. "It is unacceptable that so many who have gotten sick from radiation exposure have been denied compensation by Congress." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uranium is a key component in nuclear weapons. Half of the uranium mined for nuclear weapons in the U.S. was mined on the Navajo Nation. From 1945 to 1992, the U.S. government conducted 206 above-ground nuclear weapons tests. Monday was the National Day of Remembrance for Downwinders, who are people who lived or worked downwind of nuclear weapons tests and were unknowingly subjected to radiation exposure. Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium founder Tina Cordova said she is grateful to the New Mexico delegation and Hawley. This is the fifteenth time a bill has been entered to expand RECA, she said. She remains cautiously optimistic it could pass into law. "When you've buried enough of your loved ones ... you realize that there's nothing to lose and everything to gain," Cordova said. The bill would expand the compensation program to include downwinders in New Mexico, as well as Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee, and extend it for another six years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the same bill to expand the compensation program passed the U.S. Senate in 2024, House Speaker Mike Johnson never brought the bill to the House floor for a vote. Instead the original program, which was set to sunset in June 2024, expired. "It is vital that we unite to pass this legislation now, and that the President sign it into law," Hawley said in a statement. Retailers could face lawsuits from customers and the Ohio attorney general if they refuse to accept cash payments should a proposed bill become state law. Senate Bill 30, a new proposal with bipartisan support, aims to tackle the rise in cashless businesses. Supporters of the bill say businesses going cashless harms people who do not bank their money, raises privacy concerns and has caused seniors to struggle to pay on apps when required. A Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation survey from 2023 found that 4.2% of Ohioans don't use banks, up from 3.5% in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Businesses have moved cashless as other forms of payment have become more popular and have noted benefits including saving on labor costs. Cashless retailers can close their stores faster saving time they would have spent counting a register, for example. Busy businesses can process cashless payments faster without the need to count change. The bill would empower the Ohio attorney general to sue any business that denies cash for damages between $5,000 to $25,000 under the Consumer Sales Practices Act. Consumers would be able to sue for the amount of their transaction, plus up to $5,000 in non-economic damages. More: Are we moving toward a cashless, checkless society? State Sen. Bill Blessing, R-Colerain Township, said this model is preferable to enforcing the bill with a fee, because large retailers like Walmart or Kroger could easily pay a fee but not the larger lawsuit damages. Director of National Federation of Independent Businesses Ohio Chris Ferruso said those penalties can be severe, especially to a small business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ferruso said businesses should cater to their customers and if there is a need to take cash, that they will make that switch. "I think businesses respond to the need of their customer base, and if the need of customer base is, 'We don't carry cash,' then maybe that's the route they go," Ferruso said. This is the third time Blessing has introduced a cashless payment bill. Previous bills had support from the Ohio Poverty Law Center and ACLU of Ohio. Reporting on the first bill: Paying with cash? Ohio lawmaker wants to make businesses take your dollars Blessing said he understands the argument from businesses that they should have the right to charge customers the way they want, but he stands with the consumer to use cash as a matter of liberty and privacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The more places and systems that you interact with, with your credit card, the more likely it is that something is going to get hacked, or something along those lines, and your financial security, at least in part, might be compromised," said ACLU of Ohio lobbyist Gary Daniels. Lora Miller, lobbyist for the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, said this legislation would not affect the council's members but does not want the legislature dictating what should be a business' choice. "It's micromanaging a business," she said. Who can stay cashless? The bill outlines a few areas and kinds of businesses that would be exempt from the cash requirement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Venues with a capacity over 10,000 Airport vendors in terminals with at least two places selling food that accept cash Parking facilities owned by a city Parking facilities that only take mobile payments Vehicle rental businesses that accept a cashier's or certified check as payment Businesses that use a device to convert a customer's cash into a prepaid card as long as there is no conversion fee are also exempt. (For example, Cedar Point has offered a cash-to-card kiosk at the park and Nationwide Arena has offered a "reverse ATM" since going cashless.) Columbus Blue Jacket fans purchase items at the concession stand at Nationwide Arena on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio. The arena is cashless, but offers a reverse ATM for people who bring cash. Blessing modeled the bill, including the exemptions, after a New Jersey bill. Daniels said he likes the bill but wishes there were fewer exemptions. He noted that people without a cell phone or credit card can't pay for on-street parking in many cities. "These exceptions, for the most part, I'm fine with. If that's what it took to get across the finish line in New Jersey, and that's what it took to get across the finish line here, I'm good with that," Blessing said. More: Detroit City Council requires Detroit businesses to accept cash payments or face fines Donovan Hunt is a fellow in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism's Statehouse News Bureau. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Credit card only no more? Ohio bill would make businesses accept cash Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky has said that Israel will not hand over Russian weapons captured by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to Ukraine, as previously stated by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sharren Haskel. Source: Brodsky in an interview with Radio Liberty Quote: "I will probably disappoint you a little bit, but we are not talking about Israel's initiative [to hand over weapons to Ukraine ed.], there is some kind of crossed-lines thing going on here." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Anything concerning the supply of weapons falls entirely under the jurisdiction of the army and the Ministry of Defence. The Israeli Ministry of Defence has not made any such decision." Details: Commenting on the issue of the possible delivery of captured Russian weapons to Ukraine, Brodsky noted that Sharren Haskel, while still a member of the Knesset [the Israeli parliament ed.] but not yet the deputy foreign minister, had introduced a private bill on the delivery of weapons. However, this proposal did not receive support in the Knesset. When journalists pointed out that information about this initiative was posted on the embassy's official website, the diplomat explained that it was "nothing more than a private bill that was not approved further". Background: Sharren Haskel, Israels Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, offered to transfer Russian-made weapons captured by the Israel Defence Forces to Ukraine during a meeting with Yevhen Korniichuk, Ukraines Ambassador to Israel, on 21 January. Support UP or become our patron! DAKAR, Senegal (AP) Bodies are lying on the streets. Medical staff in overwhelmed hospitals are treating hundreds of wounded civilians against the backdrop of gunfire and explosions. Electricity, water and internet access are cut off, and medical and food warehouses are being looted. It remained unclear how much of Goma is controlled by the rebels, who marched into eastern Congos strategic city early Monday to both fear and cheers among residents. But more than 2 million of its civilian residents, including one million already displaced by the violence, were already paying the price, with the U.N. and aid agencies warning of catastrophic humanitarian consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The situation is confusing, complex and horrific, said Greg Ramm, Congos country director for Save The Children, an aid group. There is no safe place to go from Goma. Every time a family flees the guns and bombs to a supposed safe place, they are forced to move again. There were also reports of sexual violence and rape committed by the fighters in the city, the U.N. said. The M23 group is one of about 100 armed factions vying for a foothold in eastern Congo in one of Africas longest conflicts, displacing 4.5 million people and creating what the U.N. called one of the most protracted, complex, serious humanitarian crises on Earth. The rebels offensive in the region, which contains trillions of dollars in mineral wealth, escalated in recent weeks, sending additional hundreds of thousands fleeing their homes and displacement camps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 300,000 people sheltering in camps on Gomas outskirts fled into the city as front lines moved over the weekend, according to the U.N., only to find themselves trapped by the violence once again as rebels entered the city. With the ongoing fighting, the airport closed and roads blocked, aid groups said on Tuesday that they were unable to provide lifesaving support to those in need. World Vision, which has been supporting people living in Goma ... and in the long-term displacement camps in and around the city, has suspended its aid operations due to armed group and Congolese Army operations that have shuttered roads and supply lines, said David Munkley, head of operations in eastern Congo for the Christian aid group World Vision. Medical facilities are at double their capacity. The main hospital in Goma treating the wounded, run by the International Committee of the Red Cross, is stretched beyond its limits, with tents set up in its courtyard to accommodate civilians wounded by bullets and heavy artillery, its staff said on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wounded are transported by motorbike, others by bus, or with the help of Congolese Red Cross volunteers," said Myriam Favier, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Goma. Civilians arrive seriously wounded by bullets or shrapnel. The entire hospital is mobilized and the three surgical teams work tirelessly to treat patients who are sometimes lying on the floor due to lack of space. Humanitarian workers and medical staff are targets themselves. ICRC medical warehouse was looted, and their staff and ambulance were shot at. Save the Childrens office in Goma was hit by an explosion on Tuesday, the group said. World Food Program spokesperson Shelley Thakral said the agency is concerned about food scarcity in Goma and rising food prices, given that food assistance activities in the area have been temporarily paused and the airport and major access roads have been cut off. The WFP warehouse in Goma has also been looted. Goma is a regional trade and humanitarian hub, hosting hundreds of thousands of the more than 6 million people displaced by eastern Congos prolonged conflict over ethnic tensions, resulting in one of the worlds largest humanitarian crises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive seen large numbers of people lining the sides of the roads carrying their belongings mattresses, buckets, and household items on their backs or bicycles, fleeing for their lives," said Maina Kingori, Congo's director for the aid group, CARE International. The fear, anxiety, and mental anguish are palpable in the region." Some of the civilians, desperate to flee the fighting, crossed into Rwanda to seek safety. More than 1,000 Congolese have been registered since Monday, according to Rwandan authorities. Christian Bahati, a Congolese teacher was among hundreds sheltering in Gisenyi, just across the border from Congo. What we want is this war to come to an end, he said. Congolese people are victims, but now they find themselves seeking refuge from the aggressor. ___ Associated Press writer Ignatius Ssuuna in Gisenyi, Rwanda and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report. (WETM) Parents across New York might wonder why their kids dont have school on Wednesday, Jan. 29, well, the Lunar New Year is to thank for that and a declaration by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2024. To honor the rich heritage of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities (AAPI), all public K-12 schools will be closed on Wednesday to recognize the Lunar New Year, according to the declaration made by Governor Hochul on January 31, 2024. It is an historical achievement and meaningful opportunity for children in the AAPI community to celebrate an important part of their ancestry and for others to learn about and share in one of the most beautiful holidays celebrated around the world, Hochul said. So what is the Lunar New Year? The Lunar New Year begins with the new moon on the first day of the first lunar month, with the 28th being the first new moon of 2025. Celebrations are held for 15 days up to the first full moon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Communities and people worldwide celebrate the Lunar New Year with feasts and dances, brightly colored decorations, tributes to celestial deities, gift exchanges, and special expressions of remembrance and respect for ancestors whove passed. Each year of the lunar calendar is represented by one of 12 zodiac animal signs along the suns path through the universe, with 2025 being the year of the snake, the sixth sign in the cycle that represents intuition, wisdom, slyness, and charm. This year marks Lunar New Year 4723, and the first time schools in New York State will be off for the holiday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PANGUITCH, Utah (ABC4) On Monday, Jan. 27, the Garfield County Commission held a public hearing to consider a proposal to name two southern Utah roads after President Donald Trump. The commission voted two to one to keep the current names of the roads. The proposal gave two options for renaming country roads after President Donald Trump. One of the suggestions would have changed the Burr Trail Scenic Backway a country road that connects Boulder, Utah, to Utah State Highway 276 to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Burr Trail Backway. The other proposed option was to rename Johns Valley Road a country road connecting Antimony, Utah, to Scenic Byway 12 to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Highway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOJ fires prosecutors who worked on Trump criminal cases At the hearing, the commission heard from residents on both sides of the issue, with supporters of the proposal saying the name change would recognize President Trumps contributions to the region and the country. Donald J. Trump He might not went to war, but he went to war for this country and he took a bullet for this country, one supporter of the change said at the hearing. Opponents of the proposal including the great-grandson of one of the roads namesakes said the names of the roads represent the heritage of the families who helped shape the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think they need to change a name thats been on a trail which he established back in the 1800s, John Atlantic Burr did, as a way to move his cattle from the high country down to the desert, Robert C. Burr told ABC4.com. I love Donald Trump. I voted for him, but I dont love him that much to change my heritage, Burr continued. Devaki Murch lives in Garfield County and started a petition against the proposed name change. She said keeping the historic names protects the unique history of the area. The commission ultimately voted against the proposal. However, during the hearing, people suggested honoring President Trump in other ways, such as renaming a hospital wing after President Trump or painting a mural. 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. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) The annual homeless count took place Monday and one Rockford woman reflected on her experience with those struggling. The homeless count is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development`s (HUD) Annual Point in Time (PIT) Count of the Homeless. Ebony Teamer has worked for the Jubilee Center for three years as a case advocate. Two years ago, Teamer participated in the annual count, and said the experience was eye-opening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We walked down the rocks of the side of a bridge, and it was a ledge that someone had got a mattress on, Teamer said. It was a hiding spot, somewhere people wouldnt normally think of. We have to go to these parts. This is where someones sleeping. This was the only way that they can get warm or go to sleep and feel safe. City of Rockford Health and Human Services staff, the Northern Illinois Homeless Coalition, Park District Police, Rockford Police Department and Rockford Fire Department also participated in the count. The citys Health and Human Services Homeless Program Manager Angie Walker said no one should be unhoused. We want to make sure that regardless of what populations they are, they can get the help that they need, Walker said, even if they do have addiction issues or mental health issues or physical disabilities. They can still be housed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teamer said a common misconception is that most of the homeless are poor, addicts or mentally unstable. She said in reality, most people that she sees are struggling to meet the needs of the landlords. The landlords sometimes ask for three times the rent, Teamer said. They also could be held for things they may have done wrong years ago. Nobodys willing to give them a second chance. Both Walker and Teamer are determined to continue providing resources and collecting data to ensure the numbers go down. Not only are we going out to count these people in, but were also going to find these places and were going out giving supplies if we have them, Teamer said. I need to be the one thats going out here looking for an actual place that they can go and rest their heads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The homeless count will continue through Tuesday 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. PIERRE Health care organizations opposed to Gov. Kristi Noems proposed funding cut for the South Dakota medical residency program say the decision could leave the state bereft of doctors. Noems proposal comes as South Dakota and the rest of the country grapple with a worsening physician shortage, making states compete for medical professionals. The Association of American Medical Colleges projects the countrys doctor shortage will worsen to 86,000 vacancies by 2036. South Dakota ranks 35th in the nation for patient-to-physician ratio, with 763 people for every one primary care physician. Fifty-one of South Dakotas 66 counties are health professional shortage areas, according to the state Department of Health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds proposed creating 460 new medical residency slots in the state within the next four years to combat her states growing shortage. Jacob Parsons, director of advocacy and reimbursement for the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations, spoke against South Dakotas proposed cut Tuesday during a meeting of the Legislatures Joint Appropriations Committee. I think the message wed be sending to our potential residents is that, Why not go to Iowa? Theyre going to put funding forward there, Parsons said. A residency, or graduate medical education, is an intensive, on-the-job training period for doctors after the completion of medical school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The programs are funded by health systems, Medicare and state funds tied to Medicaid. Noems proposal would eliminate the states $1.7 million share from the general fund, as well as the $1.86 million match in federal Medicaid funds. Since the program receives general funds and there arent any laws regarding the residency program funding, there wont be a bill introduced about the funding cut. Lawmakers on the Appropriations Committee will decide whether to keep the money in the budget thats ultimately presented to the full Legislature and the governor. Appropriators heard the testimony after the state Department of Social Services presented its recommended budget on Tuesday. Residency programs in the state range from pediatrics to family medicine to internal medicine. South Dakota does not offer an obstetrics-gynecology residency. Departmental Chief Financial Officer Jason Simmons said the state funding is based on the number of Medicaid patients served by residencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are 78 residency programs impacted by the state general medical education funding between Sanford, Avera and Monument health systems, department Secretary Matt Althoff said. As of this year, there are 154 residents participating in the programs, Parsons said. State funding for the rural residency program is separate from the general medical education funding. Noem proposed increasing general funds for the rural residency program by $70,821. More than 80% of residents who complete their training in South Dakota stay and practice in the state, Parsons added. Avera Healths Vice President of Public Policy Kim Malsam-Rysdon, who served as state Department of Health secretary from 2015 until 2022, said the health care system is grateful Noem recommended continuing funding for the states rural residency program. But if South Dakota doesnt have the same capacity for residencies as other states, she said, well lose doctors to other states where theyre being trained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the state doesnt continue to support the programs with state Medicaid funding, Malsam-Rysdom said, some residency slots will be at risk of being cut altogether. If those funds arent continuously appropriated, Malsam-Rysdom said, well have some hard questions to answer about the ability to continue to support medical students who are training in our space. South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, the nations largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Medical residency cut could worsen SD doctor shortage, critics say * Fully booked Hotel prices soar during Chinese New Year as Cotai hotels near full occupancy * Hong Kong | Snake soup is slithering away but still simmers in a decades-old kitchen * Gaming | Casino revenues to grow in 2025, but fall short of pre-pandemic levels * The Public Security Police has issued fines to 165 pedestrians for unlawful street crossings between January 13 and 19 * O Lam: low birthrate, population aging, mental health top public concerns * China detains suspect in human trafficking cases linked to Myanmars online scam networks DOWNLOAD PDF Tuesday, January 28, 2025 edition no. 4651 By Nate Raymond and Andrew Goudsward WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. judge on Tuesday temporarily paused part of the Trump administration's sweeping directive to pause federal loans, grants and other financial assistance, granting a win to advocacy groups who said the policy would be devastating. At a hearing in Washington, D.C., federal court, U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan ordered the Trump administration not to block "open awards," or funds that were already slated to be disbursed, until at least Feb. 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge said her temporary ruling was intended to "maintain the status quo." It does not block the Trump administration from freezing funding to new programs, or require it to restart funding that has already ended. AliKhan scheduled another hearing for Monday at 11 a.m. EST (1500 GMT) to determine the next steps. The National Council of Nonprofits, the American Public Health Association, Main Street Alliance and SAGE earlier on Tuesday sued over the directive issued by the acting head of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget on Monday. It had been set to take effect at 5 p.m. EST (2200 GMT) on Tuesday. The groups said OMB lacked authority to unilaterally terminate all federal financial assistance programs across the government, and that the directive targeted grant recipients based in part on recipients' rights to free expression and association under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Vaeth, OMB's acting director, said the money would be put on hold while the administration of Republican President Donald Trump reviews grants and loans to ensure they are aligned with the president's priorities, including executive orders he signed ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The Trump administration said programs delivering critical benefits to Americans would not be affected. Separately, a group of attorneys general from 22 mostly Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit in Providence, Rhode Island, seeking to stop the funding freeze. The attorneys general said the Trump administration's assertion on Tuesday that the funding pause was not across-the-board only added to the confusion. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston and Andrew Goudsward in Washington; Additional reporting by Luc Cohen and Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder, Bill Berkrot, Will Dunham and Richard Chang) A lockdown at North Atlanta High School was lifted shortly after 2 p.m., school district officials confirm. A spokesperson for Atlanta Public Schools says the school received an email threat late Tuesday morning. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The school was placed on an exterior lockdown while Atlanta Public Schools police and other law enforcement are searching the campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say all students and staff are safe. APS takes situations such as this extremely seriously as the safety and security of our students, employees, and campuses is our top priority, they wrote in a statement. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Rep. Brandy Pyle, R-Casselton, speaks during a House floor session on Jan. 27, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) North Dakota school districts would be required to develop a cellphone policy but retain control over what is in that policy under a bill passed Monday by the House. House Bill 1160 originally banned cellphone use by public school students during class but was made less restrictive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe in local control, Rep. Brandy Pyle, R-Casselton. I think its a great option. School cellphone policies must include exceptions for medical monitoring and emergency situations. Rep. Jim Kasper, R-Fargo, voted for the bill but said he was disappointed that it didnt include more policy guidelines. He said he withdrew a separate student cellphone bill because of House Bill 1160. The bill advances to the Senate. Meanwhile, a hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Senate Education Committee on Senate Bill 2300, which requires school districts to securely store student cellphones during the school day. Senate Bill 2353 also addresses school phone policies. A hearing on that bill has not yet been scheduled. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A train carrying M-1989 Koksan 170mm SPGs from North Korea to Russia - @JohnH105 North Korea is preparing to send Russia more than 100 artillery systems originally designed to flatten Seoul to be used in its war against Ukraine. The 170mm M1989 Koksan howitzers, among the longest-range artillery systems in the world, are known as juche cannons, and were built to pound the South Korean capital in the event of a conflict. Kyrylo Budano, Ukraines military intelligence chief, said that Pyongyang was gearing up to double the number of artillery systems it has sent to the border region of Kursk. A train carrying artillery travels from North Korea to Russia - Tymofiy Mylovanov The fresh deliveries come amid reports that North Korean soldiers have been withdrawn from sections of the front line to rebuild and regroup, while more troops are expected to be deployed soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lt Gen Budanov said that over the past three months, Kim Jong-un had already given Moscow at least 120 North Korean-made M1989 Koksans, as well as another 120 of its M1991 multiple-launch rocket systems. Speaking to defence outlet The Warzone, he said Pyongyang was preparing to send another tranche of at least the same amount, with open source analysts suggesting some were already on route. The M1989 Koksan is a 40-ton self-propelled gun that first appeared during a military parade in 1989. The term juche is used in North Korean propaganda to describe its state ideology of freedom and self-reliance. Using standard shells, the cannons can strike targets over 25 miles away. Gen Budanov said North Korean troops were training their Russian counterparts to use them and they had begun firing them in combat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late December, footage showed a train transporting a convoy of at least 10 M1989 Koksans to Russia, their 25ft-long barrels on full display, with little to no camouflage hiding them from enemy strikes. By Jan 7, they appeared to have arrived as footage emerged of them on the battlefield in Kursk. In the video, a North Korean soldier called the artillery system a gift from Kim to his soldiers abroad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pyongyang has deep reserves of artillery systems and ammunition that have been stockpiled largely to threaten and prepare for a conflict with its rival, South Korea. North Korea deployed 11,000 soldiers to its ally Russia in late October to help Moscow expel Kyivs troops from the Kursk border region after Ukraines surprise incursion in August. South Korea joint chiefs of staff said on Friday that the North was preparing for an additional dispatch of troops to Russia. US officials, speaking to The New York Times, said the fresh reinforcements could arrive within two months. Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang which signed a mutual military assistance deal last June have confirmed Kim Jong-uns participation in the war, despite two North Korean prisoners of war being captured by Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Ukrainian reports emerged that North Korean soldiers appear to have temporarily withdrawn from one of the axes of the front in Kursk. A Special Operations Forces (SOF) spokesman confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that Pyongyangs troops had retreated from some of their positions and are probably regrouping after suffering significant losses. The statement came after a Ukrainian commander told Sky News that North Korean troops had, for now, withdrawn from the front line in the Russian border region. The commander, who goes by his call sign Puls, said they were probably trying to learn lessons from their mistakes, tending to their wounded or waiting for reinforcements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think theyll be back soon he said, while also noting the high motivation among the foreign soldiers despite heavy losses. Puls also described how North Korean soldiers were an easy target as they appeared to be unaware of the threats from drones and modern artillery and had been attacked on foot in large groups like in World War II. His claims echo those of Ukrainian commanders and analysts who say the troops have not been trained in modern warfare and are being used by their Russian allies as cannon fodder in human wave attacks. About 1,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed and 3,000 wounded while fighting in Russias war against Ukraine, the BBC reported last week, citing unnamed Western officials. 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. North Tonawanda police chief says Facebook page inquiry is being politicized NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) North Tonawanda Police Chief Keith Glass defended the citys mayor for requesting an investigation of a spoof Facebook page, which resulted in two uniformed officers questioning a resident while he was at work. Glass also stood up for the two police officers, describing the incident as standard investigative policework. On Monday, Glass published a letter on Facebook that said the resident, Jacob Quinn, voluntarily answered questions and showed officers his Facebook accounts had no connection to the parody page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While most of the posts were nonsensical, a few had the potential to cause alarm or confusion among residents, Glass said in a published letter on Facebook, without elaborating on specific posts. Quinn denied involvement in the spoof page, which focused on lampooning the citys mayor, Austin Tylec. This incident is not the first time Quinn and Tylec have had disagreements. In 2019, Quinn circulated a photograph that depicted Tylec as Adolph Hitler, which Tylec said was fake. Quinn accused Tylec of abuse of power, and said the city should have had Facebook verify the mayors page to alert viewers that it is official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives reached out to the Niagara County District Attorneys office to consult with them on the complaint, which they often do, Glass said in his statement. The district attorneys office advised that further investigation into the case was warranted. However, the spoof page has since disappeared from Facebook, and Glass said the case is closed. Neither Niagara District Attorney Brian Seaman, Tylec, Glass nor Facebook returned messages and calls from News 4. /// Previous coverage of this story Glasss letter states the routine case is being politicized and tried in the court of social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At no time did detectives give preferential treatment to the mayor or investigate the complaint any differently than any other case, Glass said in the statement. On Saturday, the Common Council requested a formal investigation, which triggered Tylec to publish a letter on Facebook, accusing his colleagues of launching political attacks with false allegations. For the past few years, a fake Facebook page posing as Mayor Austin Tylec has been spreading harmful misinformation, such as fabricated criminal cases, fake events, and misleading comments that appeared to be from me, Tylec said in his published letter. While some residents identified the page as fraudulent, many others did not, leading to significant confusion and concern in the community. Tylec said he filed the complaint with police after numerous unsuccessful attempts to get Facebook to remove the spoof page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At last weeks council meeting, Tylec apologized to Quinn about officers questioning him at work. The incident has sparked debate on whether the mayors request for police to investigate the page was a misuse of city resources. Local defense attorney Rodney O. Personius told News 4 he didnt see a legal issue with police following up on the mayors complaint if the subject volunteered to answer questions without being detained. However, police would need reasonable suspicion that a crime was being committed or about to be committed to detain someone, he said. But First Amendment attorney Joseph Finnerty said the mayors request certainly raises constitutional concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, Finnerty said the page included a disclaimer that the content may or may not reflect views of Austin Tylec and had obvious signs of being a parody. Second, Finnerty said the posts he viewed appeared to be forms of protected speech. We have a hallowed tradition of making fun of public officials, not only based on the substance of their policy decisions, but also on their mannerisms, Finnerty said. If you are in a state or city where you have to worry about a knock on the door based on what you say, then our most precious freedoms go up in chilly thin air. Tylec, expected to announce his reelection campaign Monday, said the community is fed up with these kinds of attacks and the misleading tactics aimed at creating division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are tired of seeing political games played at the expense of truth and progress, Tylec said. Latest Local News Dan Telvock is an award-winning investigative producer and reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2018. 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. NORTHWEST FLORIDA (WKRG) Tuesday is the special congressional primary election in Northwest Florida. District 1 covers Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and part of Walton County. It does not go into Bay County where Jimmy Patronis lives, and thats a major issue for many of his opponents. Northwest Florida Primary Election: Trump endorsements impact You cant understand the district unless you live in the district, John Mills said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is the rallying cry of several District 1 candidates. Patronis, the Trump-endorsed, perceived front-runner, is a native of Panama City. He does not live in District 1. The U.S. Constitution only requires a candidate to live in the state in which hes running, not the district. Patronis counters that his Panama City home is just 15 miles outside the borders of District-1 and that he recently leased property in the district. But thats not stopping other candidates from criticizing his candidacy. Northwest Florida Primary Election: Succeeding Matt Gaetz I think he should be in the district, Kevin Gaffney said. Im not sure how well hed represent Pensacola being that far out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think it absolutely should be a concern, Jeff Peacock added. I think to represent that district, you should be a part of that district. Some candidates are using colorful phrases to discuss Patronis residency. We call him Jumpin Jimmy, Michael Dylan Thompson said. He wants this seat because its some sort of political move. I dont like that. Northwest Florida Primary Election Profile: Jimmy Patronis I think it was seventh grade that I learned about carpetbaggers, Greg Merk added. I dont know if social studies still call them carpetbaggers, but this is what we have here. I think the people of Northwest Florida are going to reject that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bay County used to be in Congressional District 1. Part of the county was shifted to District 2 in 1996, and the remaining area in 2002. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Milwaukee County officials questioned the new district attorney Tuesday about a once-secretive list of law enforcement officers with a history of dishonesty, bias or past crimes, a public discussion prompted by an ongoing investigation by local news outlets, including the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. I requested this report in light of some of the news reporting that had gone about this issue, said Supervisor Justin Bielinski, who chairs the Committee on Judiciary, Law Enforcement and General Services. I was not aware that such a list existed, he added. I did some research into the history of it and thought this would be a good thing to bring to the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For years, the Milwaukee County district attorneys office resisted efforts to release the full Brady list, also known as the "officer status list," to the public. The name comes from the 1963 U.S. Supreme Court case Brady v. Maryland, which ruled that prosecutors cannot withhold material that might help the defense at trial. After pressure from local media organizations, the office released the full list to reporters in September. It includes the names of nearly 200 officers and dates back about 25 years. Reporters with the Journal Sentinel, WTMJ-TV (Channel 4) and Wisconsin Watch have been working for months to background officers who are on the list, seeking additional public records to understand how and when they were placed on the list. The news organizations anticipate publishing the list with that additional context in the coming weeks. New Milwaukee County District Attorney, Kent Lovern at his office at the Milwaukee County Safety building in Milwaukee on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. Loverns ascension to the position on Jan.6, 2025, makes him only the third person to run the office since 1969. Bielinski requested District Attorney Kent Lovern to provide information about the Brady list. Lovern was sworn in as district attorney earlier this month and has spent his career with the office, serving for 16 years as the top deputy to his predecessor, John Chisholm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lovern said Tuesday he released the full Brady list to media outlets after receiving guidance from open records experts in state government. He underscored that the inclusion of an officers name does not mean they cannot testify or continue as law enforcement. Most of the time the officers are still able to be used as witnesses, he told supervisors. The list also includes officers who have been convicted of a crime. Lovern said the most common criminal offense for officers on the list is driving while intoxicated with a firearm, noting many officers have a gun with them while off-duty. That is a misdemeanor offense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The types of crimes Im referring to, like I just specified, would be one that I think probably most of us would agree is not in and of itself a crime of integrity, Lovern said. Any officer convicted of a felony would no longer be legally permitted to have a firearm and would not be able to serve as an officer. In a memo submitted to the committee before the meeting, Lovern wrote that 35 current or former members of the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office are on the Brady list. In Wisconsin, district attorneys in each county are responsible for compiling and maintaining a list, database or other records to fulfill their Brady obligations. In an investigation last year, Wisconsin Watch filed records requests with prosecutors in each of the states 72 counties. Seventeen denied the records request or said they didn't keep track. Another 23 said they had no names on file. The other counties disclosed a list of about 360 names. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, a USA TODAY investigation in 2019 found a widespread failure by police departments and prosecutors to track problem officers, making it challenging for those accused of crimes to properly defend themselves in court. Bielinski, who works for state Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee), asked Lovern if he would support state legislation to create a uniform process for the maintenance of Brady lists. Lovern said he would consider any proposal related to improving communication about officers that his office has an obligation to disclose to defense attorneys. Im not labeling them as anything other than officers who had an integrity issue at some point in time," Lovern said. "I think its important to do that. So if there's some mechanism to enhance that communication, Id certainly would take a look at that seriously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashley Luthern is a reporter and deputy investigations editor at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at ashley.luthern@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County officials question DA Kent Lovern about Brady list Fears are growing among the estimated hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts weeks after President Donald Trump returned to office. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is now reportedly being pushed to increase the number of daily arrests from a few hundred to at least 1,200. President Trump and administration officials have stated repeatedly that they would prioritize the detention and deportations of undocumented immigrants who have committed serious crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Intensified immigration enforcement efforts adding manpower to ICE Data shows ICE arrested more than 1,000 people on Sunday, but nearly half of those detained dont appear to have serious criminal records. The conflicting information is casting confusion throughout the immigrant population. I dont know what to believe at this point, said one man, who lives in the Boston area. I have built my future here. I have my family here. I have a daughter who was born here. The father of a toddler, who didnt want to use his name, immigrated to the U.S. from Venezuela ten years ago. Literally, immigrated from a country where opportunities are zero, he told Boston 25 News. For those who really come here to make a better future, a better life for their families, they should be able to stay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boston 25 News spoke with another father of an 11-year-old daughter who was born in Massachusetts. He was adamant about using his name to speak up for other undocumented immigrants who are now living in uncertainty. Were not here to commit crimes, said Clemente Sajquiy. Perhaps we can inspire others to come out of the shadows and see there are other people who care about them. Sajquiy said he desperately immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala in 2008 and didnt realize the implications of illegally crossing the border. I was looking pretty much to survive, and I think theres a lot of people like that, he said. Theres no way to seek citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes now having difficult conversations with his daughter about his future in America. I have no choice. I have to bluntly present them to her because I could be deported tomorrow. I can be arrested tomorrow, he added. I am worried that people will get caught up in the system. Good people. Both men told Boston 25 News theyve worked in Massachusetts for almost as long as theyve been here and contribute to the economy. Immigration experts estimate there are between 200,000 and 350,000 undocumented immigrants living in Massachusetts. RELATED: Mass. lawmakers file bill that would empower state, local police to hold dangerous migrants for ICE Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Migrants arrest in East Boston casts light on detainer loophole in Mass. Trump gives ICE power to quickly deport migrants Biden allowed into US, report says Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Students gathered to protest at Antioch High School less than one week after a deadly shooting on campus. Just before the school reopened Tuesday, students lined up along Hobson Pike holding signs protesting gun violence. Antioch High School Shooting | Continuing Coverage Signs reading, Safety and peace should not be privileges and I want to attend graduation not funerals were on display as students echoed chants of, Kids over guns! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Signs such as Forever 16 and Justice for Josselin referenced 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante, who was killed in the shooting. (WKRN) Alora Lytle, a senior at Antioch High School who was near the cafeteria during the shooting told News 2, The reason why we are protesting at Antioch High School is because we have had multiple people, students and non-students, come inside our school with guns. And just now, because one of our students and fellow classmates has passed away, we are just now getting metal detectors. She expressed concern over safety at the school due to a lack of security and a series of additional threats against the school being investigated by police. She said she was not going back into the school after the protest. RELATED: Protesters convene outside special legislative session Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protest follows a rally Monday at the Capitol, where dozens of students and people affected by gun violence gathered as lawmakers met for the first day of a special legislative session. Escalantes father attended the protest, saying the fight for justice would persist. Antioch will hold a rally for students at the football field Tuesday at 1 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 WKRN News 2. The #Democrat and #Democrats hashtags, on Instagram, are affixed to a lot of low-quality content: a crying Statue of Liberty; Elon Musk with a Hitler mustache; other, worse memes that arent even decipherable. But for a short time last week, these posts were blocked from view. Donald Trumps second presidency had only just begun, and suddenlysuspiciouslyany platform search for #Democrat or #Democrats returned an error message: Weve hidden these results, it said. Results from the term you searched may contain sensitive content. TikTok, too, was soon accused of censoring anti-Trump dissent, and of changing up its algorithmically generated feeds to favor right-wing content. Back on Instagram, and also on Facebook, many people said that their accounts had auto-followed Donald Trump and J. D. Vance, while posts from abortion-pill providers were getting blurred out or removed from search results. To some, this pattern was as unmistakable as it was malicious: Social media was turning against Democrats. For years, such worries went the other way. Right-wing figures groused that their views were being hidden, or moderated more heavily than their rivals. It seems like only yesterday that Donald Trump Jr. was reposting copypasta on Instagram in an effort to suss out whether hed been shadowbanned. That was around the same time as the former Twitter regimes botched management of a radioactive news story about Hunter Biden, which gave rise to an enduring symbol of anti-Republican censorship. Now the roles are reversed, and Democrats are feeling paranoid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then and now, the particulars have never really matched peoples sense of persecution. Despite some high-profile incidents that suggested bias, Republicans do not appear to have been intentionally and broadly censored by the major social-media platforms. Last weeks incidents have been similarly overinterpreted. For starters, the funny business with the #Democrat hashtag was almost certainly a technical glitch (as Meta told reporters). (If Instagram really meant to launch a crackdown on left-leaning speech, would it choose to block just two generic hashtags?) And TikTok users should not have been surprised to see Free Palestine videos suppressed in their TikTok feeds: That platform has often erred on the side of minimizing the visibility of even lightly controversial political issues. (TikTok denies having changed any policies or algorithms since the inauguration.) As for the auto-following of Trump and Vance, that was just a product of the transfer of official president and vice-president accounts to the new administration. Meta acknowledged that some of the blocked abortion-pill content had resulted from over-enforcement. A spokesperson told several news outlets, including The Atlantic: Weve been quite clear in recent weeks that we want to allow more speech and reduce enforcement mistakes. [Read: Why Hunter Bidens laptop will never go away] This doesnt mean people are wrong to say that something feels different. Much has been written about the tech worlds recent warming to President Trump. It was on full display at the inauguration, where Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Sundar Pichai, and other famous tech-world figures stood together with the Trump family. This visualaccompanied by sizable donations and kind wordsstands in contrast to the reception that the industry gave Trump when he was first elected, in 2016, or when he tried to stay in power after losing in 2020. Official policies are changing too. Zuckerberg has made a number of significant management decisions in the past several months: He got rid of Metas DEI team; he ended fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram, explaining that the checkers had become too politically biased in favor of liberals and the left; and he overhauled his companys hate-speech rules to get rid of a bunch of restrictions on topics like immigration and gender that were, as he put it, out of touch with mainstream discourse. On Joe Rogans podcast, Zuckerberg described the journey hed been on for the past eight years, from disillusionment with the media during the first Trump administration to a loss of faith in the federal government during the Biden administration. Both, he claimed, had tried to force his hand and make his platforms more censorial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zuckerberg hasnt indicated any desire to interfere with Instagram moderation at a granular level, or do any other editing of political speech. Still, users are right to wonder whether his personal political views may influence the operations of the multiple enormous platforms over which he has nearly unfettered control. The same reasonable doubts apply to TikTok. This was never a free-speech-oriented platform, but its users could hardly avoid being made aware of the companys new coziness with Trump. As a result of President Trumps efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!, they were told by the app on January 19, after it had been very briefly banned. (The same evening, the company sponsored a glitzy party for social-media influencers who had aided the Trump campaign.) And X, of course, is run by one of Trumps most enthusiastic backers. An ongoing user exodus from that platform saw another burst last week amid the controversy over whether Musk did or did not intend to give a Nazi salute at the inauguration. How the CEO of a social-media company thinks and acts may be taken as a clue to how their platform operates. (Until recently, Zuckerberg was known as a Millennial liberal, and an ally to mainstream Democrats. Jack Dorsey, the former CEO of Twitter, had a similar reputation.) But these signals only go so far: The actual maintenance of a social network unfolds behind the scenes; what rules exist arent nearly as important as how they get enforced, which has always been opaque. Social-media users today are just as in the dark as ever. We know only what weve been told, and even then, we dont know whether we should believe it. A kind of folklore has emerged around whats really going on, flavored by anxiety and dread, and shifting with the news. The specific stories may be changing, but their overarching paranoia has some basis in the truth. There is no great conspiracy to bottle up a hashtagbut the people in charge of social media can do whatever they want. Article originally published at The Atlantic The death toll from the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area has risen to 29. One person died in hospital over the weekend as a result of the "Palisades" fire on the western edge of Los Angeles, the coroner's office announced on Monday evening. All residents of the Pacific Palisades district were allowed to enter their properties for the first time on Monday, after the Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, announced the move on the X platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Los Angeles Times reported that long-awaited rain and snow had fallen in the mountains. Meteorologist Ryan Kittell told the newspaper that while not enough precipitation had fallen to end the fire season, it had "definitely provided a break from fire weather". The authorities had previously warned of flooding in the area because the dry ground could not absorb the water after a long dry spell. Media reported that several roads were closed at times on Monday due to flooding and mudslides, but fortunately the heaviest rainfall had occurred over the ocean. The authorities say the Palisades fire is 95% contained, and the Eaton fire, near the city of Pasadena, is 99% contained. The two fires have destroyed more than 16,000 buildings and devastated an area of more than 150 square kilometres since the beginning of January. The causes of the fires are still unknown. New population projection statistics from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) project that the UK will grow by 7.3 percent in the decade up to 2032. This net growth of 4.9 million people is forecast to be entirely made up of migration, with the number of deaths projected to catch up the number of births in the UK. In fact, from 2030 onwards, the ONS forecasts that deaths will exceed births in the UK. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UKs fertility rate is already sinking, but is projected to hit a low of 1.41 per woman over her lifetime in 2027; and stay at that rate for nearly a decade. Fertility rates in the the UK have dropped faster than any other G7 nation since 2010, plummeting by nearly 25 per cent. Reacting to the figures, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer ruled out an arbitrary cap on migration, but said a plan would be put in place to end the staggeringly high migration numbers. So what does this mean for the UK population, in numbers and figures? A growing population The population is projected to pass 70 million people by 2027, and 75 million by 2042, according to ONS estimates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The projections show that we are currently in the midst of the greatest rate of population growth. Growth was set to peak at 890,000 in 2023, according to ONS projections, and is set to to subside gradually but remain above 400,000 people per year until 2028. The entirety of this growth will be made up of net migration, particularly from 2029 onwards when the death-birth rate stagnates. The UKs growth rate is projected to be at a record high in 2025, before gradually decreasing with an annual growth rate of 0.44 per cent at 2032. Over the decade between 2022 and 2032, the population is projected to increase by 7.3 per cent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not substantially higher than growth in the past decade (between 2012 and 2022) which was at 6.9 per cent. The previous decade saw population growth of 7.2 percent. By comparison, the total EU population is projected to steadily decrease over the next few decades. Between 2025 and 2035, the EU is projected to lose 1.2 million people overall, according to Eurostat. This varies significantly from country to country, with some like Switzerland growing and others like Greece shrinking. Immigration Net migration will make up the bulk of UKs population growth, according to ONS projections. High levels of migration will subside in the next few years, but projections assume that net migration will remain stable at 340,000 from 2028 onwards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the decade between 2022 and 2032, approximately 5 million people are projected to leave the UK longterm. Some 9.9 million people are expected to immigrate longterm. These migration projections should be interpreted as a potential scenario, says the ONS, advising that migration is inherently uncertain and complex. The ONS projections do not breakdown possible migration by nationality or type. However, the latest migration data shows that India, Nigeria and Pakistan are the top non-EU origin countries for migration to the UK. Over 1 million people immigrated to the UK between June 2023 and 2024 from non-EU countries, while EU to UK migration was 115,000 in the same period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the year up to September 2024, over 453,000 people were granted work visas, with 17 percent of these being temporary worker visas. Some 443,000 people were granted visas to study in the UK. The Ukrainian visa schemes saw just over 24,000 visas granted, a substantial drop from the previous year. Life and death A major reason why migration will drive population growth is the UKs natural population decline. From 2029 onwards, there are projected to be more deaths in the UK than births. 17,000 more people are projected to die than be born in the decade between 2022 and 2032. This gap is forecast to widen continuously as the years go on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without net immigration, the UKs population would be in decline from 2029. Under current projections, this may not occur until 2095. A falling population could pose economic challenges in terms of productivity, a shrinking working-age population, and pension difficulties. Fertility dropping fastest in the G7 Behind this imbalance in birth rates and death rates is a shrinking fertility rates. Fertility rates are the average number of children a woman gives birth to over her lifetime, in each country. The UKs fertility rate was at just 1.44 children per woman in 2023, the latest available year; which is the lowest rate on record. However, ONS projections suggest that low fertility will only get worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fertility rate will drop to 1.42 children per woman this year in 2025, and stagnate at 1.41 in 2027. Already, the UK has had the most dramatic fall in fertility rates of any G7 nation. Between 2010 and 2023, fertility rates dropped by a significant 25 per cent, from 1.92 to 1.44 children per woman. At the same time, other G7 nations also saw declines in fertility, though to a lesser extent. The UK still has a higher fertility rate than both Japan (1.2) and Italy (1.2), the latter of which saw a 20 percent drop in fertility since 2010. NEW YORK (AP) The superstar run for Nvidias stock the last few years has been astonishing. So was its tumble Monday, which caused $595 billion in wealth to vanish. Thats about as much as PepsiCo, McDonalds, Starbucks and Target are worth, combined. Mostly known only in gaming and crypto circles a few years ago, Nvidia burst into the zeitgeist after seeing its sales surge because customers wanted its chips to train their chatbots and other artificial intelligence products. Nvidia became a household name as its stock more than tripled in 2023 and then more than doubled in 2024. Investors and analysts lauded CEO Jensen Huang as the Godfather of AI. Nvidia grew into a $3 trillion-plus behemoth and traded places with titans like Apple to become the most valuable company on Wall Street. But that all came to a screeching halt Monday, at least for a moment, after a Chinese upstart called DeepSeek said it had developed a large-language model that could perform like ChatGPT and other U.S. rivals, but by using far less computing power. Heres a look at how it all got to this point: How did it become a market darling? Nvidias roots began in gaming. The Santa Clara, California-based tech companys invention of the graphics processor unit, or GPU, in 1999 helped spark the growth of the PC gaming market and redefined computer graphics. Now Nvidias specialized chips are key components that help power different forms of artificial intelligence, including the latest generative AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Googles Gemini. Huang has dubbed AI the next industrial revolution, and Nvidias GPUs are designed to perform artificial intelligence tasks faster and more efficiently than general-purpose chips like CPUs. Tech giants are snapping up Nvidia chips as they wade deeper into AI a movement thats enabling cars to drive by themselves, and generating stories, art and music. The demand helped Nvidia's revenue grow by eye-popping levels, quarter after quarter. On Feb. 23, 2023, after Nvidia breezed past analysts' expectations for quarterly profit, Huang said that AI is at an inflection point, setting up for broad adoption reaching into every industry. The company's quarterly revenue at the time was $6.05 billion. That ramped up to $7.19 billion just three months later and then nearly doubled to $13.51 billion three months after that. Revenue has since vaulted to $35.08 billion in the three months through October 2024. The company's stock price has similarly soared, and its total market value quickly passed rivals like Intel, Microsoft and others. Nvidia alone accounted for more than a fifth of all of the S&P 500 index's total return last year. No other stock came close, and it had more than triple Apple's impact. Nvidia stock ranked among the top Google searches of 2024, driven by its innovations in AI, graphics processing, and semiconductors. Nvidias technological advancements have made it a key player in industries like gaming and autonomous vehicles, attracting both tech enthusiasts and investors. Its rising prominence reflects its growing influence in shaping the future of technology. Nvidia is at the top of the news again this month after a new AI model DeepSeek was released, offering a low-cost alternative to U.S. developments like ChatGPT while using less powerful chips. The increased competition has sparked concerns, causing Nvidia's biggest stock drop since COVID-19. What does Nividia do? Nvidia is a leading tech company known for designing graphics processing units (GPUs) and advanced chips for gaming, artificial intelligence, and professional markets. Its chips power high-performance gaming systems, AI-driven applications, self-driving cars, and data centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nvidia also develops software and platforms that enhance machine learning, simulation, and digital content creation, making it a key player in shaping the future of technology across various industries. Is Nvidia an American or Chinese company? Nvidia is an American company, founded in 1993 by Jensen Huang, Chris Malachowsky, and Curtis Priem in Santa Clara, California. Initially, it focused on creating graphics processing units (GPUs) for the gaming industry. What does the future hold for Nvidia's stock in 2025? Nvidias future is uncertain after its stock dropped by 17% on Monday the largest one-day drop since COVID-19's arrival in 2020 slashing more than $595 billion from the companys valuation, CNBC reported. This came after Chinese AI company DeepSeek released its R1 model, a similar AI app to ChatGPT, created and launched for less than $6 million, while American competitors spend hundreds of millions on comparable apps, reported by Investopedia. The R1 model matches the capacity of OpenAI and Google Gemini but uses fewer, less powerful chips, sparking investor concerns about the future of highly valued U.S. tech stocks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nvidia shares rose 5% on Tuesday, rebounding slightly from Monday's historic loss. The Wall Street endorsements, however, failed to lift the stock. Nvidia stocks are now down 23% from an all-time high reached earlier this month, as reported by CNBC. Diamond Walker is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at dkwalker@gannett.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Nvidia stock and DeepSeek AI impact: What it holds for investors HONOLULU (KHON2) A strong low-pressure system is set to bring significant weather to Hawaii starting Wednesday night and continuing through early Friday. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You This significant weather shift could garner the potential for dangerous conditions across the state. The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning of damaging winds, heavy rain, and severe thunderstorms, particularly on Kauai and Oahu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strong winds are expected to hit areas east of the islands terrain from Wednesday night through Thursday night. Power outages, flooding, landslide cause chaos for thousands of Oahu residents during flash flood warning Heavy rain is also forecasted, with the possibility of flash flooding, especially on leeward sides where rainfall could be heaviest. Thunderstorms are likely, with strong wind gusts being a primary concern, particularly on the western side of the islands. The community is urged to stay alert and prepare for rapidly changing weather conditions. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the latest updates and to stay informed, 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 KHON2. New York Magazine was accused by attendees of a pro-Trump inauguration party of misleading readers by claiming the people there were almost entirely white. Republican Youth Advisory Council co-chair CJ Pearsona Black conservative who hosted the Power 30 Awards, one of a number of parties profiled in New Yorks latest cover storypointed out that the magazine appeared to crop Black attendees out of the image that ran on the magazines cover page. They appear unobstructed in the lead image of the story in print and online. This is insane. I hosted this event and [New York] intentionally left me out of their story because it would have undermined their narrative that MAGA is some racist cult, Pearson posted. He noted that rapper Waka Flocka Flame and boxer Gervonta Davis were in attendance. (The story noted that Flame performed.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The story in question, which ran under the headline The Cruel Kids Table, is an inside account of socializing among a reportedly youthful, urban MAGA set throughout Washington, D.C. The story broadly describes the young cohort, noting that almost everyone is white, and quotes an attendee from a different party who noted everyone they saw at an inaugural ball was white. Rob Smith, a conservative consultant who was at the event, tweeted a direct challenge to the image of Pearsons Power 30 awards, writing he saw MANY other Conservative media influencers who are Black, Latino, Asian, etc. New York Magazine literally cropped all the black people out of this cover photo and then complained that the entire room is white https://t.co/gCatY1lZzG pic.twitter.com/VhoaiJhqg1 Christopher Barnard (@ChrisBarnardDL) January 27, 2025 Radio host Megyn Kelly also attacked the storys premise, dismissing the photo outrage as an aside. This pic, cropped as it is or with all shown, reveals a levity, a joy (the real kind not Kamalas fake thing), a grab-life-by-the-reigns optimism, she wrote on X. It shows beautiful winners, basking, and the Left cannot STAND IT. A spokesperson for Vox Media, New York Magazines parent company told The Daily Beast: The magazines most recent cover story explores the new class of conservatives taking Washington by storm, through the lens of inauguration weekend. The cover was cropped to the center of a picture that was published in full online, and we believe both the cover and story provide an accurate impression of the weekend. NEW YORK Mayor Eric Adams, whos on a limited public schedule this week due to health concerns, met privately Monday night with two key local labor leaders at least one of whom reaffirmed support for the mayors reelection during their sit-down, according to sources familiar with the matter. The meetings, which come as Adams faces serious uncertainties about his political future, took place at his Gracie Mansion residence and involved Richard Maroko, head of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, and Manny Pastreich, president of 32BJ, the building service workers union, the sources said. Both union leaders who met separately with the mayor endorsed his 2021 mayoral campaign and are seen as highly politically influential in local elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his meet, Maroko, whose union represents nearly 40,000 hotel and gaming industry workers in the greater New York City area, told Adams that as long as hes in the 2025 mayoral race he will have his unions political support, a source directly familiar with the exchange told the Daily News. It was not immediately clear if Pastreich made the same commitment. Spokespeople for Adams and the unions didnt immediately return requests for comment Tuesday. Monday nights meeting was first reported by Politico. The meeting came after Adams office announced late Sunday night hes canceling most of his public schedule for this week because he is not feeling well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayors office says Adams is resting and lining up several doctors visits this week, but hasnt shared any details about the nature of his ailment other than to say its not serious at this point. Late Monday, Fabien Levy, Adams spokesman, wrote on X that the mayor has some more routine tests scheduled Tuesday, followed by another doctors appointment later this week. Maroko and Adams ran into each other last week and decided to meet to talk about political stuff, according to a source familiar with the matter. The meeting was initially going to take place over coffee or dinner, but was moved to Gracie after Adams health issue emerged, the source said. Adams decision to meet with the labor allies come at a time of intense political challenge. He is set to stand trial in Manhattan Federal Court in April on criminal charges alleging he took bribes and illegal campaign cash from Turkish government operatives and others in exchange for political favors. Adams has pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayors corruption trial is set to start just two months before he faces a sprawling field of challengers in Junes Democratic mayoral primary. Adams, whos facing historically low approval ratings, has seen a shortfall in fundraising for his reelection lately after being denied public matching funds due to his indictment. Amid the headwinds, locking in labor support could be key for Adams prospects in Junes election, and his Monday meetings indicate hes hoping to secure it early. DC37, the citys largest municipal union, also endorsed Adams in 2021. That unions leader, Henry Garrido, does not appear to have met with the mayor Monday night. NEW YORK A key figure in Mayor Eric Adams social orbit has gone M.I.A., according to court records filed as part of a sprawling lawsuit over an alleged insurance fraud ring. Zhan Johnny Petrosyants, a convicted criminal and a friend of the mayor, is being sought by lawyers for auto insurance giant GEICO, who raised the question of his whereabouts in two letters this month to a federal judge. The letters detail repeated efforts to serve him with a subpoena for documents and testimony in a lawsuit over the purported scheme. A process server attempting to deliver the subpoena found Petrosyants was unknown at a Fort Lee, N.J. building where he owns a condo nearly across the street from an apartment owned by Adams. At another listed address in an Upper West Side apartment building, the doorman told the process server Petrosyants had been evicted two or three months ago, according to affidavits attached to the lawyers Jan. 6 letter. Then GEICOs lawyers tried emailing the subpoena to a Gmail address previously used by Petrosyants, but it was returned as undelivered indicating recipient server unavailable or busy, they told the judge in a Jan. 17 letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petrosyants is among Adams closest friends. The two often spent time together at Zero Bond, an exclusive private club in Noho favored by the mayor, and at Osteria La Baia, the midtown restaurant that was run by Petrosyants and his twin brother, Robert. In the fall of 2023, POLITICO spotted Petrosyants in the elevator of a Mexico City Hilton where the mayor was staying to meet with dignitaries and speak at a business conference. Adams has even stayed at Petrosyants condo in Trump World Tower in Midtown, POLITICO reported in 2022, although a City Hall spokesperson denied it. The condos owner sued Petrosyants last month to recover more than $119,000 in unpaid rent for the $25,000-a-month apartment, which was vacated in October, court records show. Petrosyants told POLITICO via text he moved out of the country nearly a year ago for personal reasons and isnt planning on returning anytime soon. He declined to say where he is and denied ever living on the Upper West Side, although public records show Petrosyants registered a limited liability company in 2023 at that address. Court filings indicate his former partner, Julie Petrosyants, was evicted from the unit in September. GEICOs lawyers now plan to serve Petrosyants through Julie, whom they found earlier this month at an apartment in Edgewater, N.J., according to the Jan. 17 letter. She told GEICOs process server at the time that Petrosyants does not live there and is out of the country, although she did not know for how long, according to an attached affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because Petrosyants is not a party to the lawsuit, he did not have an attorney on file. Akiva Ofshtein and Adam Sherman, who have represented Petrosyants in the past, did not respond to requests for comment. GEICOs lawyers say Petrosyants has information about several individuals introduction to and arrangements with an entity called Financial Vision and an unnamed company nicknamed the FV Law Firm, according to their Jan. 6 letter. Financial Vision is a limited liability corporation formed in 2018 by Frank Carone Adams ex-chief of staff, friend and adviser and attorney Howard Fensterman while they were partners at the powerful Brooklyn law firm Abrams Fensterman, court filings show. The company advanced money to medical providers in exchange for the right to collect their no-fault insurance payouts, plus interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GEICO later accused several of those providers of fraudulent billing in a string of federal lawsuits, three of which are now in discovery. Last summer, in an amended complaint in one of those lawsuits, GEICO accused Financial Vision of having knowingly aided and abetted the fraudulent scheme, managed in part by three people who were later indicted on criminal conspiracy charges, POLITICO previously reported. In response, attorneys for Abrams Fensterman argued any advances were lawful and proper and were done based upon representations that the medical providers performing such services and the services they performed were in all respects legitimate and proper. They were victims of a fraud and took appropriate action, said Hank Sheinkopf, a spokesperson for Howard Fensterman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Financial Vision, for its part, remains tied up in a civil fraud lawsuit against Daniel Kandhorov, a businessman and close Adams associate who helped connect the company to no-fault medical providers, according to a complaint filed in November 2022. The company claims it advanced more than $12 million to providers referred by Kandhorov based on his misrepresentations that their services were proper and legitimate. Kandhorov was allegedly assisted by Petrosyants, whos described in the lawsuit as a felon experienced in the art of insurance (as well as other forms of) fraud. Petrosyants pleaded guilty in 2014 to a federal conspiracy charge stemming from an investigation into a no-fault insurance operation. Emails attached to Financial Visions lawsuit show Petrosyants and Carone discussing the mechanics of the investment operation and specific no-fault providers billing practices. A spokesman for Carone referred POLITICO to previous remarks the politically connected lawyer made about the legal battle. Carone said in 2023 that he had no operational role in the Financial Vision entities after co-founding them and has since walked away from them. NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) City investigators found that some social media posts by NYPD executives over the past year were troubling and arguably intimidating, according to a report released Tuesday. The citys internal investigation office released its review of a handful of controversial social media posts from official NYPD-related accounts over the past year, including one with New York Daily News columnist Harry Siegel. President Trump orders federal funding freeze: What it means for NYers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its report, the board specifically named NYPD Chief John Chell, Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry and the official @NYPDNews account in its finding that many unprofessional NYPD posts had violated department policies. It is inappropriate for NYPD to use its platform to target and demean journalists, elected officials, and other members of the public, said Jeanene Barrett, the Department of Investigations inspector general for the NYPD. In addition to the interactions with Siegal and another with NY1 reporter Errol Louis, the department reviewed posts by Chell about Mayor Eric Adams viral interview with The Breakfast Club. Chell used divisive and hostile language toward Olayemi Olurin, a guest interviewing Adams, and mocked her, much like officials had Siegel, the city oversight department found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Chells posts] could be interpreted as an effort to intimidate her for challenging the mayors approach to policing and public safety or to send a message to others who might share her views, the department found. In this instance and another related to the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, Chell acted inappropriately in his public interaction with City Council Member Tiffany Caban, insinuating New Yorkers should vote against her. The conversation was insulting and arguably intimidating, according to the Department of Investigation report. More Local News The interactions did not serve the public in any way, the department said. And they had real-life consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Member Caban informed this Office that whenever Chief Chell or other NYPD accounts reference her directly, she receives threats, some homophobic, as well as harassing statements about her racial identity, according to the report. The investigation was requested by City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams in May after many of these interactions drew public attention. It also took aim at the NYPDs social media use policies, which it found to be out of compliance with citywide policies and lacking oversight. While the posts are the responsibility of the individuals who wrote them, the lack of oversight over posting on the executive accounts and the lack of clear policies or guidance about the substance of posted content, the department found. 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. 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. LISBON, N.Y. (WWTI) New York State Police are investigating of a 47-year-old St. Lawrence County man that was found dead on Tuesday morning. Around 7 a.m. Tuesday, January 28, Troopers responded to Big Island Drive in the town of Lisbon for a report of an unresponsive male in the snow. A preliminary investigation found Ty Smith, age 47, of Ogdensburg, was found deceased outside near his residence. According to authorities, there were no signs of foul play, and the circumstances were consistent with an accidental death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An autopsy is scheduled at Canton-Potsdam Hospital for a later date and time. The investigation is currently ongoing at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The offices of the German Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) have been affected by violent riots in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the head of the KAS office in Kinshasa, Jakob Kerstan, told dpa on Tuesday. The building, which houses the embassy of Rwanda, was set on fire and looted by demonstrators, Kerstan said. Vehicles belonging to the foundation were also set on fire. No employees were injured. The extent of the damage was initially unclear because the foundation had no access to its offices in the hours following the attacks, Kerstan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Konrad Adenauer Foundation is a charitable organization close to Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU). It primarily engages in political education work and has offices in more than 80 countries around the world. Demonstrators attacked several foreign embassies in the Congolese capital Kinshasa on Tuesday. The anger was directed primarily against Rwanda, which supports rebels in eastern Congo. Presidential orders and ramped up federal immigration enforcement have placed state and local officials in uncharted territory. (Department of Homeland Security photo) In the first week of his second term, President Donald Trump rescinded a 2011 policy prohibiting immigration enforcement in sensitive places such as schools, churches, and hospitals; expanded authority for expedited removal, allowing the immediate deportation of those unable to prove theyve been in the U.S. for two years; and issued a directive to the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute local officials who fail to assist with mass deportations. Some of the executive orders and actions that have been taken are concrete and will matter in individual cases, and some of them are just bluster, says Prof. Michael Kagan, director of UNLVs Immigration Clinic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kagan says hes not surprised by the expansion of authority to expedite removal of some immigrants, a highly discriminatory practice he previously said would likely target people who look Latino and who might not speak English perfectly or might fit someones image of what an undocumented immigrant looks like, but it might be a U.S. citizen. Americans overwhelmingly support the deportation of immigrants who are in the country illegally and have criminal records, according to an Axion/Ipsos poll of 1,025 adults earlier this month. However, deporting undocumented immigrants who are not on the wrong side of the law could sway public opinion, says Kagan. Trumps executive order eliminating the prohibition on enforcement actions in schools, hospitals, and churches was in Project 2025, Kagan says of the right-wing manifesto of which Trump claimed ignorance during his 2024 presidential campaign. So that doesnt surprise me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the order threatening local officials with prosecution probably falls into the bluster category. That doesnt mean it wont have an effect, because some local officials might be scared off, Kagan said. Federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing and otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands, Emil Bove III, the DOJs acting deputy attorney general and a former member of the presidents criminal defense team, wrote in the memo, which was first reported by Bloomberg Law. The DOJ shall investigate incidents involving any such misconduct for potential prosecution, Bove wrote. Its very unclear, Kagan said. Prosecuted for what? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo does not specify what actions local officials might take or not take that would justify such a prosecution. The reign of ambivalence Starting with the sheriff, we are not going to bend over backwards to help or to hurt any of our residents, Clark County Commission Chairman Tick Segerblom told the Current last week. Segerbloms statement illustrates the limbo in which local officials find themselves, with few defenses available to protect residents, should they so desire. We dont ask for immigration status anywhere in the county, Segerblom said, adding anyone, regardless of status, can use county facilities. If you want to use our recreation facilities, go ahead. No ones going to ask about your status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Segerblom is holding a know your rights town hall Wednesday evening with the ACLU Nevada, the Latino Legislative Caucus, UNLVs Immigration Clinic, and the consulates of Mexico and El Salvador. As elected officials, we are sworn to uphold the laws of our nation and our state, Henderson Mayor Michelle Romero and the City Council said in a statement. We have and will continue to be faithful to that duty and will seek to serve the needs of our residents, businesses, and visitors within those parameters. In other words, official hands are officially tied at least for the most part. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department says it will not assist Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in rounding up undocumented immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats not my job, Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill told KLAS-TV last week. Police in Reno and Washoe County similarly say theyll decline to assist with deportation efforts. LVMPD did not respond to requests for comment on whether McMahill is concerned about running afoul of the DOJ as a result. Police say they will notify the federal government of undocumented individuals in custody for certain crimes, such as domestic violence and driving under the influence. I do not think the Department of Justice should be weaponized to go after people that disagree with the president and I am concerned that local and state officials might be ensnared, Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley, a former Democratic member of the House of Representatives, said via text, noting she is speaking for herself and not the city council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nobody is above the law, Berkleys Republican opponent in last years mayoral race, Las Vegas City Councilwoman Victoria Seaman said. If elected officials choose to obstruct immigration policy and undermine our nations laws, then they should be held accountable. Nevadas chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Aaron Ford, wants to ensure Nevadans know their rights and hes set up a hotline to report hate crimes in a political and cultural environment that has become even more heated about immigration since Trumps inauguration. Last week, Ford joined Attorneys General in 21 other states in legal challenges to the Trump administrations executive order eliminating birthright citizenship. No comment, Fords office replied when asked if the AG is concerned the challenge may provoke retaliation by the DOJ. In his 2022 campaign for governor, then-Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo touted his history of cooperating with ICE among his law enforcement bona fides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As governor of a state with the largest percentage of undocumented workers per capita in the U.S., Lombardo is riding the fence on deportation. He declined in November to say whether hed mobilize the National Guard to support the effort, declared in early December it was too soon to opine on using the Guard, but days later pledged full support. Then earlier this month, Lombardo said mass deportations are not what I believe is an appropriate policy. Lombardo did not respond when asked about Trumps threat to prosecute local officials. Some 9,000 public school students in Nevada under the age of 18 are undocumented, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public schools in the United States are required by law to provide all students with an education, regardless of their immigration status. The Clark County School District, in an email last week, directed staff to contact school police in the event any law enforcement officer or government agent appears at a school. CCSD police are not responsible for and do not enforce federal civil immigration laws. The Washoe County School District is deeply committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where all students, regardless of their background or immigration status, feel welcome, supported, and valued, the district said in a statement. While local officials have little authority to fend off federal immigration enforcement, privacy laws give schools and universities some ability to shelter the identity of their students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), schools and universities are prohibited from disclosing contact information for students who opt out of directories. Families with a student in Clark or Washoe County can execute a preparedness plan for any emergency, including deportation, as well as a designation of a temporary guardian in the event a caregiver is deported. An estimated 168,000 undocumented immigrants live in Nevada. A little more than a third live with a child who is a U.S. citizen, and about 7% live with a child who is not a citizen. Washoe County, according to a spokeswoman, is establishing an emergency shelter for children left behind in the event a parent or guardian is deported. The University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Nevada Las Vegas have resources available for undocumented students. Ace in the hole? Nevadas undocumented residents, according to Pew Research, make up almost 10% of the states workforce, the largest percentage per capita in the nation. The term sanctuary city often describes jurisdictions with law enforcement agencies that refuse to some degree to cooperate with ICE. While there is no standard definition, it can also refer to jurisdictions that adopt policies intended to forge trust between large communities of undocumented immigrants and authorities. In that sense, if not the one Republicans usually mean when they use the phrase to score political points, Nevada is a sanctuary state, evidenced by its significant but silent reliance on undocumented immigrant labor, and immigrant-friendly policies such as granting driving privileges in 2013 to undocumented residents. Trumps deportation efforts are concentrated on blue states, thus far. Nevada, which voted for Trump for the first time last year, remains purple, with a Republican governor, a Democratic majority in the Legislature, and five of six congressional seats held by Democrats. Some of the executive orders and actions that have been taken are concrete and will matter in individual cases, and some of them are just bluster. Michael Kagan, UNLV Immigration Law Clinic Whether Trumps deportation wrath befalls Nevadas undocumented residents remains to be seen. Some political experts, such as Segerblom, suggest Trump will spare the state, and in the process spare Lombardo, who faces re-election in 2026, the political fallout of having to make tough decisions. Kagan says hes heard the speculation, says its too early to make a prediction, but offers two plausible scenarios. Story A: Nevada will get a pass because Trump wants to not only help Lombardo be re-elected, but because mass deportation in Nevada would hurt the resort industry, which includes Trump himself and many of his friends, he says. Story B is Nevada will not get a pass, we will see a massive increase in deportations here because we have a lot of immigrants and because ICE is unrestrained. Why would we get a pass? Trump is leveraging his plans with threats to stem federal funding to cities that do not cooperate with his immigration plans. Segerblom says hes not concerned the president would derail funds headed to Nevada. This is his base. We have 450,000 residents of Mexican descent, the Democrat said. I just dont think Trump is that stupid. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Tire dumping has been a problem in Youngstown for years. Used tires have been dumped in vacant lots across the city, and the man in charge of litter control says its time to send a message. Bob Burke with Green Youngstown wants to see tougher dumping penalties. Making an example of these people dumping tires in our city then we wont have the people and the cost will go down for illegal dumping, Burke said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year alone, the city spent more than $10,000 hauling dumped materials to landfills. Burk told members of Youngstown City Council that another $40,000 in grant money came from the EPA to clean up tires. There have been a handful of instances where alleged dumpers were caught, but some on Council believe a task force is needed to address the problem. What I am saying is that if we are not looking into some kind of enforcement specific for this, were just blowing smoke, said Councilman Jimmy Hughes. Fire Chief Barry Finley worries about the potential for dumped tires to catch fire, sending toxic smoke into nearby neighborhoods. Fire Chief Barry Finley told council members there are a number of businesses storing thousands of used tires in warehouses or outdoors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the same thing should apply to businesses, Finely said. If that building catches fire, the odds of us putting it out are slim to none. Council members say theyll work on legislation to create a registry of businesses that haul or store used tires as well as stiffer penalties for those caught illegally dumping 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 WKBN.com. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost joined 18 other Republican state attorneys general to push Costco Wholesale to abandon its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, citing concerns about discrimination and legal risks. In a letter sent to Costco CEO Ron Vachris, the attorneys general demanded that within 30 days, the popular retailer repeal its DEI policies or explain why it hasn't. "Although Costcos motto is 'do the right thing,' it appears that the company is doing the wrong thing clinging to DEI policies that courts and businesses have rejected as illegal," the letter said. "Costco should treat every person equally and based on their merit, rather than based on divisive and discriminatory DEI practices." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other companies, such as Meta, Ford Motor, JP Morgan Chase and Amazon, ditched their DEI programs or stopped participating in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's corporate equity index. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost joined 18 other Republican state attorneys general to push Costco Wholesale to abandon its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, citing concerns about discrimination and legal risks. But Costco doubled down on its program. Ninety-eight percent of Costco shareholders voted against an investor proposal from a conservative think tank that urged management to investigate the business risks of its diversity initiatives. The Republican attorneys general sent the letter after President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing government agency chiefs to dismantle DEI policies at federal agencies, federal contractors and in the private sector. Yost, who is term limited from seeking another turn as Ohio AG, announced he's running for governor in 2026. Yost is expected to face competition in the GOP primary. Information from USA TODAY and Reuters is included in this report. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost pressures Costco to drop DEI An elementary school was placed on lockdown Tuesday afternoon after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Officials told CBS affiliate WOIO that Forest Hill CLC is on an exterior lockdown after the ICE was seen patrolling nearby. TRENDING STORIES: The superintendent of Akron Public Schools told WOIO there has been no ICE activity inside any Akron schools on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WOIO reported 20 people were arrested in ICE raids across northeast Ohio over the weekend, with 956 arrests nationwide Sunday. The news outlet has also reached out to the mayors office and police department for more information. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The Oklahoma State Board of Education voted Tuesday to approve a proposal requiring parents to report their immigration or citizenship status when enrolling their children in school. The board discussed the proposal for about 20 minutes before approving it and other proposals in a 6-0 vote. The proposal still needs to be approved by the legislature and governor to take effect, per state administrative rules. The board is made up of Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, a Republican, and five members appointed by the governor to four-year terms. Walters opened the meeting by criticizing the medias lies and gaslighting on the issue and said the goal of the rule was to gather data on its student body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our rule around illegal immigration accounting is simply that. It is to account for how many students of illegal immigrants are in our schools, he said. However, education and immigration advocates say they believe the proposal will make immigrant families feel afraid and unwelcome at public schools that are legally required to provide every child education, regardless of citizenship status. All children have a constitutional right to equal access to education regardless of their citizenship or immigration status, the National Immigration Law Center said in a statement objecting to the rule change. Requiring school districts to collect information about immigration status illegally chills access to this opportunity, interfering with their ability to focus on their core mission: to educate children and give all students the ability to grow, thrive, and participate fully in our democracy. The proposal comes as President Donald Trump and Republican leaders have pledged to crack down on undocumented immigrants and carry out a mass deportation plan. Last week, Trump signed a series of executive orders expanding the power of immigration authorities and issued a directive allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to arrest people in schools, a departure from long-standing policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahoma, too, has been at the forefront of a Republican push to transform public education under Walters. Last year, the Board of Education required all schools to incorporate the Bible and Ten Commandments in their curriculums. And just days ago, the US Supreme Court agreed to decide whether states may reject religious charter schools from receiving public funding in a case out of Oklahoma. Immigration has been a particular focus for Walters. Earlier this month, Walters announced a $474 million lawsuit against leaders of the Department of Homeland Security and ICE seeking compensation for the severe financial and operational strain that their failed border policies have placed on Oklahomas public schools. Oklahoma plans to comply with the Trump administrations efforts to allow ICE agents into schools, Walters said last week. He issued a statement Monday explaining that position further. Schools are crippled by the flood of illegal immigrants and the Biden/Harris open border policy. Oklahomans and the country elected President Trump and we will do everything possible to help put Oklahoma students first, he said. A closer look at the proposal The proposed rule change technically 210:10-1-5 (d) would require the parent or legal guardian of a child to provide proof of US citizenship or legal immigration status at the time of enrollment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each school district shall record the number of students whose parent or guardian cannot provide proof of citizenship or legal immigration status due to the lack of citizenship or legal immigration status of the student, the rule states. The district then shall submit only information of the total number of students that lack documentation, without any personally identifiable information, to the state Department of Education, according to the proposed rule. The goal of the rule change, according to the text, is to assess statewide and local educational needs, including without limitation, student needs, language and cultural barriers, current and future needs for English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers, tutors and tutoring programs, current and future transportation needs, programs, and anticipated future funding needs. The rules text goes on to say, Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit, or inhibit, any child from receiving the education they are entitled to receive, and says no data shall be used to record an individual students citizenship or immigration status. The wording of the proposal is somewhat unclear about whether it would require the parent or the student to prove their citizenship status. In the board meeting Tuesday, board member Katie Quebedeaux asked Walters to clarify that point and expressed surprise at his answer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is this asking for parents, if theyre legal (immigrants), or if the child is here (on a) birthright citizenship legal (basis)? she asked. This is just information from the parents, Walters answered. Oh, parent-only information? Were not gathering (information) about the student specific? she asked. This right here is gathering information around the students parents upon enrollment, he said. In a statement last week, Walters praised this proposed rule change and others, saying they will protect Oklahoma students. The other rule changes would require teachers to pass a writing test based on the US naturalization test and require schools to fly the American flag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not only do our rules serve Oklahoma taxpayers, but they will help ensure resources are directed to the students who need them most, he said. Because of the Biden administrations yearslong failure at the border, hardworking Oklahomans deserve to know how much they are spending to comply with the federal governments unfunded mandates. 1982 Supreme Court case affirms right to education for all Immigration and education advocates have questioned the proposals legality and argued the rule will discourage students from attending school. Tasneem Al-Michael, a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and a representative of the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice, told CNN he believed the proposal was not about data but an effort to keep undocumented students from accessing public education. The idea here is to keep as many young people and to keep as many undocumented people out of public education to keep them from being able to have access to public benefits, even though it has been repeatedly stated over and over again at the federal level that every child has a right to learn, and they frankly want to dismantle that, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The requirement will create a sense of anxiety for immigrant students, who are almost being forced to make a decision between picking between their safety or deciding to try and pursue their education. And that should never be the choice for young people, Al-Michael added. Current US law on immigrants in schools stems from the 1982 Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe, which held in a 5-4 vote that states cannot constitutionally deny students a free public education because of their immigration status, citing the 14th Amendments Equal Protection Clause. By denying these children a basic education, the ruling said, we deny them the ability to live within the structure of our civic institutions, and foreclose any realistic possibility that they will contribute in even the smallest way to the progress of our Nation. More recently, in 2011, the Alabama legislature passed a sweeping law aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration, including a measure similar to Oklahomas that required public school administrators to collect information on the immigration status of students. The Justice Department and several civil rights groups challenged parts of the law, a federal judge agreed to block some of its most controversial parts, and Alabama ultimately agreed to a settlement, according to the American Immigration Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With changes potentially coming for Oklahomas immigrant students, the states largest school districts have sought to reassure students and families. Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Jamie C. Polk issued a statement last month saying it has no plans to collect immigration status. Federal law guarantees every childs right to public education regardless of immigration status, and our District will continue operating in accordance with these established federal protections. OKCPS does not, nor do we have plans to, collect the immigration status of our students or their families, Polk said. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Ashley Killough and Whitney Wild contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) There are new details on how police quickly arrested a man and two teens accused of stealing a car from the Omni hotel last year. The armed robbery suspects were tracked down with high-tech cameras at the Real Time Information Center at the Oklahoma City Police Department. The 911 call came on November 26 after a car was reported stolen. Orchestrating the event: Former Omni Hotel valet accused in car theft of ex-coworker Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was approached by the suspect who had a gun and stole his vehicle, said Keri W., the Senior Criminal Analyst at Oklahoma City Police Department. The victim told police two masked men drove away in his black Dodge Charger and once the call came through, Oklahoma City Police used their Real Time Information Center to follow the car. He only had a partial tag. We were able to use our resources and find his full tag, said Keri W. The team said they put the tag into another database and got a hit, so they pulled up traffic cameras on the street to track the car. Saw it going through that intersection, pulled up the next intersection and got it turning into a gas station, said Shelby H., a crime analyst at the Oklahoma City Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The team kept officers informed as the car made moves on the camera. Three arrested after armed robbery in Oklahoma City, police say In the Real Time Information Center, were doing things live, in real-time while its happening, said Shelby H. Eventually, the car crashed into the backyard of someones house and the driver ran off. Police ended up finding him in another yard. To find the other suspect, the high-tech cameras were used again. The other suspect was picked up by a gold Malibu so Keri and I started searching for gold Malibus, said Shelby H. Officers eventually found and arrested the other teen suspect, as well as Isaiah Holland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Holland, a former valet at the hotel, planned the robbery. He is due in court next 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Oklahoma health officials are looking into a tuberculosis outbreak after Kansas officials experienced an unprecedented outbreak. According to a release from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, public health officials reported 66 active cases and 79 latent infections in the Kansas City metro area, as of Jan. 17. In neighboring Oklahoma, officials are watching for any spikes in cases. "At this time there is no evidence to suggest that the Kansas TB outbreak has directly affected Oklahoma residents, however, we are continuing to monitor the situation," a spokesperson for the agency told FOX25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far this year, Oklahoma has only reported four cases to the CDC and the state sees roughly 60 tuberculosis cases annually, according to CDC reports. What are the symptoms of tuberculosis? According to the CDC, TB symptoms depend on where the TB germs are growing in the body. Some symptoms of TB in the lungs include: Bad cough for three weeks or longer Pain in the chest Coughing up blood or phlegm from deep inside the lungs Other symptoms regardless of area include: Weakness or fatigue Weight loss No appetite Chills Fever Sweating at night This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma health officials monitor TB cases amid Kansas outbreak OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Doctors at local hospitals told News 4 they were already full before the flu season. They said the recent surge isnt helping. It is extremely busy, said Dr. Lance Watson, an Emergency Medicine Physician and the Emergency Department Manager at Mercy. Its near the end of January. We are still heading to the peak. We are not at the peak yet, said Dr. Rita Wilson, the OU Health Director of Infection Control and Prevention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doctors at both Mercy and OU Health said they can feel the brunt of flu season. We have experienced a surge over the last month, said Dr. Watson. It really is creating a crunch right now, said Dr. Dale Bratzler, Dean of Hudson College of Public Health. Dr. Bratzler said during the first week of December there were 23 positive tests at OU Health. Fast forward to this past week, that number has sky rocketed to 931. Thats a 40-fold increase in the total number of positive tests, said Dr. Bratzler. One in four people who get a flu test, done are coming back positive right now. According to the Walgreens flu tracker, Oklahoma City is number one in the nation for flu activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Watson said that seems about right. I would say it fits with what Im seeing, said Dr. Watson. Dr. Watson said his emergency room is back to pre-pandemic flu levels. Flu cases on the rise in Oklahoma Now, theyre juggling patients, beds, and getting them seen in a timely manner. We have 27 beds in our emergency department and we have 11 beds in our I-35 Edmond location, said Dr. Watson. In our Oklahoma City location, were generally seeing 150, about 180 patients a day. Dr. Wilson said before the surge, OU Health was already full with routine illnesses. Now, the flu is adding to that. We have been at capacity and adult side specifically at OUMC and we have had to be on diversion a few times these past few weeks, delaying transfers due to our bed capacity situation, said Dr. Wilson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the patients coming in have already had their flu shot. I never tell a patient that you wont get the flu if you get the flu shot, but youre much less likely to be in the hospital or in the intensive care unit, said Dr. Bratzler. The doctors stress you still have time to vaccinate. The doctors also want to remind everyone, you can get a flu test from your primary care physician or urgent care. Were the safety net for the health care system in the emergency department, said Dr. Watson. But we also dont want you to have to sit in the waiting room for 4 hours to be told that you have the flu and go home and take Tylenol, either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Wilson said if you are a patient doesnt have other underlying health issues, like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, and treatment/medicine isnt working, then the ER is an option. Dr. Watson also wants parents to remember not to be scared if their child has a fever. Those can be handled with over-the-counter medicine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Though the move wasn't unexpected, the executive order by President Donald Trump to freeze all federal loans and grants did catch some Oklahoma officials off guard. A few more said they were gathering information before taking action. And a handful praised the action and were cautiously optimistic. Tuesday morning, Trump ordered a halt to all federal grants and loans. The action will have a profound impact in Oklahoma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a memo released before the president's executive order, the acting head of the federal Office of Management and Budget, which oversees the budget, said federal money would be put on hold while the Trump administration reviews grants and loans to "ensure they are aligned with the Republican president's priorities." That freeze appears to include Medicaid payments. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority, which manages the state's Medicaid program SoonerCare, confirmed there was a temporary outage in the system used to process federal grant payments. "The SoonerCare member and provider portals are operating as normal. OHCA is evaluating the impact of the executive order and does not expect significant changes to eligibility or benefits based on recent guidance from the White House," the agency said. "OHCA remains dedicated to delivering quality health care to Oklahomans and will provide direct communication to members and providers if any changes arise." Still, others say the president's freeze was a good thing, helping limit the use of federal resources to "advance Marxist equity, transgenderism and green new deal social engineering policies." (Those) programs are a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve," wrote Matthew Vaeth, the agency's acting director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Office of Management and Budget memo said the president's freeze included any money intended "for foreign aid" and for "nongovernmental organizations," among other categories. More: Trump administration orders 'pause' on federal grants, loans. What we know so far. State leaders reviewing Trump's order, while others call for federal lawmakers to act Trump's action could alter the fate of more than $1 trillion in federal funds. According to data from the Pew Charitable Trusts, the federal government gave $1 trillion in grants to states in fiscal year 2022, the most recent year U.S. Census Bureau grants data is available. The trust reported that 42.8% of Oklahoma's revenue for 2022 came from federal funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That was a record high, representing 36.4% of states total revenue, said Rebecca Thiess, manager at The Pew Charitable Trusts. Federal grant funding helps states pay for public services, such as health care, education, transportation and infrastructure. States are currently facing tighter budgets than in recent years due to the expiration of federal pandemic aid and stagnating tax collections, among other challenges. More: Trump freezes federal aid: How are Oklahomans affected? What to know Trump's pause on federal funds drew praise from state House Speaker Kyle Hilbert. "Our nations federal debt is out of control, so we are thankful to have President Trump back in the White House to scrutinize all federal spending and fulfill his campaign promise to get our national economy back on track," Hilbert, a Bristow Republican, said in a statement to The Oklahoman. "I have been in touch with our federal delegation and have been assured that Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP and funds for small businesses, farmers, Pell grants, Head Start, rental assistance and other similar programs will not be impacted by this temporary pause." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The speaker said state lawmakers would continue to work with the state's federal delegation "to better understand the timeline and impact of this temporary pause to ensure critical services to Oklahomans continue as uninterrupted as possible." Other state officials said they wanted to fully understand the order before making a move. House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Lawton, told The Oklahoman he was currently reviewing the president's order with legislative staffers and would comment on the issue later. And at the Oklahoma Broadband Office the state agency tasked with distributing close to $2 billion in federal funds for high speed internet access agency spokesman Tim Allen said officials were still reviewing the president's order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, posted at the top of the office's website was a simple message: We are aware of the Presidential Order to pause federal grants. Our office will release information as it becomes available. Sean Burrage, Oklahoma's chancellor of higher education, said the directive specifies that the freeze in grants and loans does not impact assistance received directly by individuals. "In the news coverage today, the U.S. Department of Education has confirmed that Title IV funding for federal student loans and Pell Grants will continue without interruption," Burrage said. "We dont know at this time how other forms of federal financial assistance our public colleges and universities receive, such as TRIO grants, research grants, and funding for other various programs, may be impacted." Burrage said higher education officials have contacted members of the state's congressional delegation "to request additional information and clarification regarding potential implications for our public higher education system." Rep. Cyndi Munson is Oklahoma's House minority leader. However, Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, saw the issue in a different light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a media statement issued shortly after the president's action, Munson called on Oklahoma's federal lawmakers to stop the order. She said she already has heard concerns from constituents about the future of funding of critical programs that serve Oklahomans. This is a perfect time for our federal delegation and state leaders to show leadership and put Oklahomans first, not the Presidents political agenda," she said. "The programs impacted by this freeze in funds include Medicaid, school breakfast and lunch programs, education grants, childcare, Head Start, and SNAP just to name a few. The potential pause of these programs should be of great concern to every lawmaker committed to prioritizing their constituents over partisan politics. I encourage all Oklahomans to contact your congressperson and our two United States Senators to protect these programs and ultimately the future of Oklahomans who depend on them. Still not every elected official was concerned by the action. Speaking with the media after the monthly Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting, state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters said he applauded Trump's action. For more than a year, Walters has been a very visible supporter of the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He is absolutely fulfilling his campaign promises to abolish the federal Department of Education," Walters said. "This is a crucial step to back Joe Biden's indoctrination of the Department of Education. We will work very quickly with the Trump administration to make sure we're in compliance." This story has been updated to add new information. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Federal grants and loans pause catches Oklahoma leaders off guard OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) An Oklahoma City senator and immigration attorney says a raid did not occur inside a popular Bricktown restaurant, following viral reaction to federal immigration agents taking two employees into custody there on Sunday. The incident happened Sunday morning at Pearls Crabtown according to former employee Jada Robbins, who told News 4 shes kept in contact with several of her former co-workers. They were pretty shaken up, pretty frightened, said Robbins. I went down there and had dinner and one of the employees came out and he was like, did you hear what happened this morning, and he said that two of the employees were taken there at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OKC Hispanic leaders: Rumors of local ICE raids not credible Robbins says she was told the employees were taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents while on the job. A current employee shared their thoughts in a viral social media post saying that ICE is raiding Bricktown and tell your loved ones to stay safe. News 4 sat down with Oklahoma senator Michael Brooks-Jimenez on Monday for the second time in three days on the topic of immigration and raids. On Friday, News 4 shared a warning from Brooks-Jimenez and the Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce about the negative impact spreading misinformation about false mass raids can have on undocumented communities. Brooks-Jimenez says the incident at Pearls Crabtown wasnt a raid, but a targeted operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is part of an existing program that already exists with ICE, which is called fugitive operations, said Brooks-Jimenez. Brooks-Jimenez says the program typically targets those who have a criminal conviction or an outstanding order of deportation, and has been common throughout the past several presidential administrations. Thats what occurred this time, is that they went and arrested this person while they were working at a restaurant, said Brooks-Jimenez. ICE came in because they had a target identified to be able to come and arrest, and then there are other people they encounter that are undocumented, that they may be picked up as collateral. Brooks-Jimenez says, what may be unusual to some is more resources being dedicated to the fugitive operations program under president Donald Trump, which will likely mean more frequent action like this incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just dont think its fair, said Robbins. Like, were all humans. A manager at Pearls Crabtown told News 4 they had nothing to say about what happened. News 4 also reached out to ICE for details on the operation but have not heard back as of 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. MCCURTAIN COUNTY, Okla. (KTAL/KSHV) A current employee at Haworth Public School is facing charges related to alleged inappropriate relationships with multiple students. The Probable Cause Affidavit in a warrant issued by the District Court of McCurtain County details the investigation into accusations that 43-year-old Terah Wright had inappropriate relationships with four Haworth students, whose ages range from 14 to 18. According to the court documents, the McCurtain County Sheriffs Office began its investigation in November 2024. Evidence was revealed through interviews with alleged victims, a forensic examination of Wrights phone by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations Crime Lab, and data obtained from Snapchat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More Oklahoma News The investigation details that she had been sharing pictures and videos of herself on multiple occasions, as well signs that she and at least two of the students messaged each other like they were in a dating relationship with Wright telling them that she loved them. There was also an alleged 5th victim, an 11-year-old female. Investigators claim they found a video of the victim in a bathtub and photos of the child outside taking a shower with a water hose. They believe that Wright was attempting to get this victim and a 15-year-old student to date, even as Wright was engaging in a relationship with that 15-year-old student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wright faces three counts of soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor and one count of possession of juvenile pornography. The investigation details multiple instances of Wright sending explicit messages and pictures to the students, including a 15-year-old student where they often said I love you to each other. Wright faces three counts of soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor and one count of possession of juvenile pornography. According to Haworth Public Schools, she is currently on administrative leave. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AMES, Iowa One person was injured after a grass fire spread to a house in Ames Monday afternoon. At around 1:15 p.m. the Ames Fire Department responded to a report of a grass fire west of Ames. When firefighters arrived on scene they found the fire had spread to a nearby house in the 5400 block of Norris Street. Large fire in Manning destroys commercial building According to the City of Ames, one person was inside the home and suffered burns and smoke inhalation. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, but will remain at the scene for several hours due to windy conditions. The American Red Cross is assisting the family whos now displaced due to the fire. Iowa 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 who13.com. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A woman was seriously injured Tuesday morning after a fire broke out in the kitchen of her Mid-City apartment, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue. Fire crews first responded to the first-floor unit in the 5300 block of Madison Avenue around 7 a.m., Battalion Chief Stephen Laughlin said. When firefighters arrived on scene, smoke was found emanating from the unit. Crews then forced entry into the unit, where a small kitchen fire was burning. The resident, identified as a woman, was also found unconscious inside, Laughlin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman was pulled from the unit by firefighters and was treated on site before being transported to a nearby hospital for further medical attention. Her current condition is not known. SDFD remained on scene for a while after the flames were extinguished to do clean-up and an overhaul of debris from the apartment. No other units in the apartment complex appear to have sustained any damage in the incident. The departments Metro Arson Strike Team (MAST) was called to the scene to investigate the cause and origin of 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) One person was injured in a shooting in the SoMa neighborhood on Monday afternoon, the San Francisco Police Department said. The shooting happened at about 4:56 p.m. near Mission and Ninth streets. Officers found the victim at the scene. The victim was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. SFPD was told the shooter was possibly in a nearby building. The public was advised to avoid the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UPDATE: Shooting suspect killed by SFPD during SoMa standoff Anyone with information is asked to contact SFPD at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Utah lawmakers expanded their response to recent election audits with the release of a bill that would overhaul how the Lieutenant Governors Office oversees voter roll cleanup. House Majority Whip Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield, unveiled the new legislation Monday morning which would require the state to end its contract with the Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC, by July 6, and lists requirements for obtaining another third-party contractor. The bill would also instruct the Lieutenant Governors Office to publish updated voter registration totals on its website multiple times a year, report annually to the Legislature on its efforts to maintain the accuracy of voter rolls, and ensure that voter rolls are compared to death certificate information 90 days before every even-year election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The No. 1 goal with this bill is to make sure that were actually cleaning our voter rolls, Lisonbee said in an interview with the Deseret News. What is ERIC? If the bill passes, Utah would become the 10th Republican-leaning state in three years to leave the voter roll management system known as ERIC since allegations emerged on rightwing websites in 2022 that the organization was misusing voter data to increase voter registration among likely Democrats. ERIC was formed in 2012 as a nonprofit group to help member states coordinate voter registration data and update voter rolls in an effort to prevent voters from casting ballots in multiple states. Since Utah became a founding member of ERIC, the group has identified over 675,000 records for county clerks to review and update, including over 6,000 deceased individuals on voter rolls and 76 individuals who appeared to vote in multiple states in 2022, according to an April 2024 statement from the Lieutenant Governors Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, some Utah Republican delegates called on Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson to end the states contract with ERIC out of concern that the group was biased and violated voter privacy. In a post on X, Henderson said ERIC has become a favorite boogeyman of the radical election deniers. But their claims are not based in fact, and their demands are counterproductive to their rhetoric. It rings hollow for anyone to claim to care about the security and integrity of our elections while simultaneously demanding we withdraw from the best tool we have to keep our voter rolls clean, Henderson said. ERIC is the only system that allows Utah to know who voted in the groups 23 other member states and Washington, D.C., and also helps the elections office to spot duplicate or out-of-date records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, seven states have recently signed memorandums of understanding with the election officials of Alabama, which formed its own voter integrity database in 2023 after leaving the ERIC consortium. Lisonbees bill would require the alternative third-party contractor, which could include a private company or another state authorized by the Legislature, to: Use industry standard security measures to protect records. Specialize in voter registration maintenance. Use voter registration data for no other reason than maintaining the accuracy of the database. Use data encryption to secure election records. Dispose of data according to an approved retention schedule. The third-party contractor would be required to notify the Lieutenant Governors Office of any inappropriate voter registration. County clerks would then have seven days to send a notice to the potentially ineligible voter and remove or update the voters name on the official register. The states ERIC membership fee in 2024 was $49,084. The states contract with ERIC was renewed in 2023 with an exemption to ERICs Eligible but Unregistered program that requires member states to contact potential voters who are not registered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State code does not currently give the Lieutenant Governors Office the authority to contract voter roll management to third parties, Lisonbee said. Her bill would change that but she said this lack of statutory permission is worrying. It was not authorized, and so I think the entire contract is in question for that reason, so thats why Im making sure that were putting proper protections in place, Lisonbee said. What did recent audits find? Following the results of an audit by the Legislative Auditor Generals Office, Lisonbee said it has become clear that an alternative to ERIC is needed. Its just not a very effective third-party at identifying people who shouldnt be on the rolls, Lisonbee said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An audit released in early December identified 1,400 deceased voters who were still on Utah voter rolls. Half of the deceased individuals were still marked as active registered voters and would have received a ballot in recent elections. Of these 700 deceased individuals, two of them cast ballots in the November 2023 election and hundreds had been on Utah voter rolls for over a year. The audit also found 300 duplicate records and 450 records where multiple people were apparently registered using the same drivers license number. Ballots from each of these categories were cast inappropriately in recent election cycles, the audit said. Ive known for a long time that theres a mess in the voter rolls and I tried to notify the clerk, Lisonbee said. And we dont have a good process in place to do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But an updated process can only go so far if county clerks, who have been inundated with election reforms in recent years, are unable to keep up with all the changes. The legislative audit also found a lack of compliance among county clerks in conducting post-election audits, ensuring adequate surveillance and maintaining proper ballot controls. Of the 29 county election offices, 17 failed to conduct proper post-election audits of ballot images and cast vote records during at least one election during the last two years, and one quarter of counties failed to ensure sufficient camera monitoring, the audit found. It doesnt really matter who the lieutenant governor is, its about getting the right policy in place to make sure the elections office is functioning optimally, Lisonbee said. How are lawmakers addressing election integrity? The spirit of Lisonbees bill is to increase transparency for voters, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would require the Lieutenant Governors Office to publish the updated total number of registered voters in the state, separated by active voters and inactive voters, at the start of the candidate filing period, at the deadline for voter registration for every election and at the time of a statewide canvass following each regular general election. The office would be required to publish the number of potential ineligible voters, determined by a third-party contractor, no later than three weeks after the start of the candidate filing period and no later than three weeks after a general election canvass. The bill also outlines in greater detail that election officers are required to video monitor all ballots continuously during ballot intake, signature verification, ballot scanning, ballot sorting, ballot preparation and ballot storage. Lisonbees bill joins a package of more than a dozen bills that would change how Utahns vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposals range from overhauling how candidates qualify for primary elections to transforming mail-in voting into an opt-in-only system. One of the most significant bills, HB300, which enjoys the support of Lisonbee and House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, would require that after a ballot is mailed to a voter, it is returned to poll workers, in person with voter ID. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) Some local cities and towns are dealing with a shortage of rock salt. Thats a big problem especially with more snow on the way this week. Many local communities rely on getting their supply from American Rock Salt in Livingston County. However, according to the Erie County Department of Public Works, the company has been experiencing some production issues, which has resulted in distribution delays. Despite the shortage in rock salt, state and county officials say highways and local roads are safe and that theres plenty of road salt on standby. The shortage is still frustrating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knowing that were in winter, were in the thick of winter right now, we still have quite a bit of winter to go ahead, its problematic if we dont have a deicing agent for our roads, said Bill Geary, commissioner of Erie County Public Works. The salt shortage is affecting local areas differently. For example, the Town of Tonawanda has cut back on street salt only treating main roads and intersections as a way to conserve their supply. However, in the City of Buffalo, city officials say they still have plenty of salt from their emergency salt supply. The Thruway Authority also tells us it has plenty of salt available, though not every community is the same, prompting local governments to help each other out. It goes both ways, Geary said. We had to borrow from the City of Buffalo, last week we got 100 ton off the City of Buffalo for our Harlem District, but we also had to supply some to the City of Lackawanna, when we started getting supplies in and they werent, so weve all been helping each other out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, with the salt shortage ongoing, local agencies are looking to get their salt from outside the area, potentially from Canada, though more expensive. Id like to see we get the rock salt as quickly as possible, even if it has to come temporarily from overseas, said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer of New York. The hope is that American Rock Salt will get caught up and increase production within the next week or so. The Governors Office says its monitoring the situation. Latest Local News Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. 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 News 4 Buffalo. Gary Peters unexpected retirement from a crucial swing state Senate seat has put Democrats on defense in an already rough Senate cycle and amid a painful round of soul-searching within the party. As an ambitious field of Democrats gears up to run for the seat, the retirement turned Michigan into an early arena for the Democratic Partys identity crisis in a battleground state and could be a sign of whether the GOPs strength endures in the Rust Belt without President Donald Trump on the ballot in 2026. Already, one of the top potential contenders Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took herself out of contention for the Senate race. "If Whitmer had run, she would've frozen the field. Now, we've got an open one. You've got [Pete] Buttigieg, [state Sen. Mallory] McMorrow, and I'm sure there will be surprises, said Democratic Michigan state Rep. Noah Arbit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and his newly minted campaign chair Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) face steering their party through a competitive Senate primary after quietly maneuvering to avoid a marquee intraparty matchup last cycle. First elected in 2014, Peters won reelection by just under two points in 2020 and served as chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee when Democrats had control of the chamber. He was a two-term chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. His departure means Michigan will have both an open Senate and governors race in 2026 that will draw widespread interest from ambitious politicians in both parties. Peters retirement sent shockwaves through the Michigan political establishment on Tuesday morning. Peters is only 66, a comparatively young retirement age in a chamber that often includes nonagenarians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats have a massive bench of candidates from across the ideological spectrum, including: McMorrow, seen within the party as a rising star and effective communicator; Rep. Haley Stevens; purple-district Reps. Hillary Scholten and Kristen McDonald Rivet; Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel; Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist; and Buttigieg, the former Transportation secretary and recent Michigan transplant. A crowded primary for the seat would allow Democrats to test out different messages and lines of attack against Trump as they forge a path forward after a brutal election defeat. Trump swept through the Rust Belt and picked up the Sun Belt states that former President Joe Biden flipped in 2020. While Whitmer pulled her name out of contention, the race could draw a crowded field. Pete is exploring options on how he can be helpful and continue to serve. He's honored to be mentioned for this and he's taking a serious look, said a person close to Buttigieg granted anonymity to speak candidly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stevens is also actively considering it, according to a person familiar with her thinking. Gilchrist is also taking a serious look, per a person familiar with his plans. And McMorrow told POLITICO, Im taking a serious look at both the Senate seat as well as the governors race and plan to have a number of conversations in the coming days about where I can do the most good for Michiganders. Others include state Sen. Sarah Anthony, who said she is definitely looking at it. Matt Sahr, who heads the Michigan firefighters union, is considering a bid for the open seat, according to a person familiar with his plans. (Sahr himself declined to comment.) Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has already jumped into the governor's race. Democrats lost their narrow Senate majority in 2024 and have only a narrow path toward reclaiming it in the midterms. The 2026 map is small, with only a handful of truly competitive seats. Democrats will have to defend Sen. Jon Ossoff in Georgia as well as a now-open seat in Michigan. Republicans have to protect Sens. Thom Tillis in North Carolina and Susan Collins in Maine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given Trump's victory in Michigan, and the state party's full embrace of MAGA-ism, Republicans now believe they are in the best position to win a statewide race for the first time in years. "The cookie cutter Republicans of the past aren't gonna make the cut," said a senior Michigan Republican granted anonymity to speak candidly. "If you were anti-Trump, there's literally no path." Republicans have a narrower field of contenders but that doesn't necessarily mean the primary couldn't get ugly. Perhaps the strongest recruit would be GOP Rep. John James, a rising star in the party who has run and lost twice for Senate in 2018 and 2020 but has never tried for an open seat. He is also thought to be eyeing the governor's mansion, and some Michigan Republicans believe he is more likely to remain in that lane given the dynamics of the race. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who was previously a Democrat, is mounting an independent bid for governor, creating an opening for the GOP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Republicans who were eyeing the seat even before Peters' announcement include former Rep. Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost a 2024 race to Democrat Elissa Slotkin; Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) and Tony Dungy, a Michigan native and former NFL coach, according to a person familiar with the discussions who was granted anonymity to speak candidly. Other potential names to watch: Tudor Dixon, who ran for governor in 2022 and suggested on X that she is considering; former Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who lost to Whitmer in 2018; business owner Sandy Pensler, who ran against Rogers in the primary and can self-fund; and John Tuttle, a well-connected former New York Stock Exchange executive who recently moved back to his native Michigan. There's also a crop of rising young Republicans in the legislature, like Rep. Bryan Posthumus, who said when asked if he was interested in entering the race: "It's really early. We will have to see how things shape up a bit. Adam Wren, Brakkton Booker and Meredith Lee Hill contributed to this report. This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Madison voters and state investigators are getting conflicting accounts from city and county officials about what happened after batches of uncounted ballots were discovered in the weeks after Election Day in November. Madisons city clerk says her office reported the first ballot discovery promptly to the county. The Dane County clerk says that didnt happen. And the mayors office says it didnt get word from the city clerk either. The communication breakdown, wherever it occurred, meant that ballots that still could have been counted after they were found werent included in the states final tallies. The Wisconsin Elections Commission is investigating. In a document submitted to the commission last week for that investigation, Madison Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl said that one of her staff members told the county about the first batch of uncounted ballots totaling 68 votes soon after they were found on Nov. 12, a week after Election Day, and that her staff was willing to help make sure they were counted. That was before another employee discovered a batch of 125 ballots on Dec. 3. The document doesnt provide evidence of the interactions, all of which were said to have taken place orally and in person. It does not name any of the employees who Witzel-Behl said were involved in conversations with Dane County staff. Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell vehemently denied any such communication occurred. My office and the Dane County Board of Canvassers had no communication with the Madison City Clerks office regarding the discovery of unopened absentee ballots before the news became public in late December, McDonell told Votebeat in a statement. I invite the Wisconsin (Elections) Commission to interview myself and my staff as part of their investigation, he continued. If I had been told about 60 or more uncounted ballots, I would have advised that they talk to their city attorney, who is an election expert. Statements from the mayors office indicate that Witzel-Behl didnt immediately alert the mayors office or City Attorney Mike Haas after the two separate discoveries. Nor did she tell the state about the ballots until Dec. 18, according to timelines provided by the mayors office. Haas, a former administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, learned about the ballots from the commission on Dec. 19, the mayors office stated. He told the mayors office the following day. Kevin Kennedy, a former state election chief, told Votebeat that the city attorney would have been a good first point of contact for the clerks office after such an incident. The city attorney is going to advise you to tell the mayor and to reach out to the county board of canvassers, Kennedy said, at which point vote tallies could have been adjusted to reflect the newly discovered ballots. Disputed claims after ballots found The investigation and ensuing dispute involve ballots from a polling site in the Regent neighborhood, toward the West Side of Madison. Normally in Madison, returned absentee ballots are divided up in the clerks office and then routed to local polling places for processing and counting on Election Day. But workers at the Regent site didnt open a carrier envelope carrying 68 absentee ballots, including one ballot that should have been sent to a different polling place. Those absentee ballots had arrived at the clerks office between Oct. 21 and Oct. 28 and were marked in the states ballot-tracking system as having been returned by the voter . On Nov. 12, a week after Election Day, the clerks office told the state, an unidentified employee A discovered a security seal on a courier bag carrying a sealed parcel of absentee ballots, indicating that they had not yet been counted. That day, Witzel-Behl said, another employee, identified as employee F in the document, believes he spoke to the Dane County Clerk in his office but cannot remember what the Dane County Clerk said. She didnt provide documents to support the statement, and told Votebeat through a spokesperson that she had nothing to say on the matter besides what she told the election commission. After that employee relayed the conversation to other staff, Witzel-Behls statement said, Deputy Clerk Jim Verbick and another office staffer were left with a general sense that the County would not want the ballots that had been discovered that day. In the statement to Votebeat, McDonell said he was in the process of certifying the countys results on that day and did not have any conversations with City staff on any topic. I find the claim that a conversation took place, without providing details about what was said, difficult to understand, he said in an interview. Had Witzel-Behl or one of her employees advised the city attorney and county about the missing ballots on Nov. 12, those 68 ballots likely could have counted under a state law allowing the county to change its certified results. The frustrating part of this whole situation is that a fix allowing some of the ballots to be counted was pretty simple, he said. He added that the clerk could have convened the city canvassing board, tallied the ballots, and transmitted the results to the county. The new results could have then been transmitted to the state, he said. That could have happened right up until the state certified the election results. The ballots were ultimately tallied at a Jan. 10 Madison election board meeting, but the votes were not reflected in certified results. No guidance on uncounted ballots At that meeting, Witzel-Behl addressed the lack of city processes that likely contributed to the ballots going missing on Election Day. She didnt discuss any communication between her office and the county or state after the ballot discoveries. In her letter to the commission, though, Witzel-Behl said she told two employees on Nov. 12 to contact the election commission about the ballots. Unbeknown to the Clerk, she wrote, the employees didnt tell the commission until Dec. 18, around the deadline of a process that clerks must follow if theres a discrepancy at the polls between the number of voters and number of ballots. In the future, she wrote, the office would include a procedure for this kind of incident, including who to notify, how to notify everyone, what to document, and what to prioritize. Given the exhaustion clerks experience the week after an election, having processes and procedures already in place would have made a world of difference, she wrote. The Wisconsin Elections Commission does not currently have specific guidance outlining what to do when clerks find uncounted ballots, spokesperson Joel DeSpain said. Having such guidance could prevent clerks around Wisconsin from repeating the oversights in Madison, said Jennifer Morrell, a former Colorado election administrator who is now CEO of The Elections Group, a consulting firm. When this happens, while its unfortunate, usually we see states or state associations then using it as a learning opportunity to make sure it doesnt happen again, she said. In Arizona, for example, Morrell said she helped the state come up with a training course for its clerks after one county failed to count properly cast ballots. For his part, McDonell said he would work to do whatever I can on my part to help ensure our municipal partners know what to do if a similar situation occurs in the future. But he didnt mince words on the potential effect of Madisons lapse. An error of this size is extremely unfortunate, he said and I worry it will make it difficult for voters to trust their ability to cast an absentee ballot in future elections. Votebeat is a nonprofit news organization covering local election integrity and voting access. Sign up for their newsletters here. OpenAI is launching a new version of its popular ChatGPT model that is specifically tailored to government agencies and workers as the artificial intelligence (AI) firm seeks to remain a top player in the AI space. The product, dubbed ChatGPT Gov, will give workers at U.S. government agencies the most powerful version of OpenAIs ChatGPT Enterprise model, which currently offers users enterprise-grade security and privacy. AI is more than just a tool. Its one of the great American inventions of our lifetime, said Kevin Weil, OpenAIs chief product officer, on a call Monday previewing the announcement. Its a powerful economic driver, boosting productivity, unlocking innovation, creating new opportunities across every sector of society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That mission extends deeply into our work with government, with both a civil and a national security focus, he added. Under ChatGPT Gov, federal agencies will have access to OpenAIs top models even when dealing with sensitive information, the company said Tuesday. Users will do this within the governments current secure hosting environment of Microsoft Azure commercial cloud or Azure government cloud tenant. This new approach aims to streamline the authorization process for handling sensitive data while delivering the efficiency and productivity benefits that agencies need, all built on U.S. technology, Weil continued. The company touted this as a way for government agencies to work more efficiently and creatively while helping policymakers understand and responsibly use technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will include many of the same features offered by ChatGPT Enterprise, including saving and sharing conversations, uploading text images and files, interpreting and summarizing text, code, image and mathematics. Weil emphasized this step will help assure the U.S. stays a top leader in AI innovation as competition ramps up on the global stage. He later pointed to President Trumps executive order on AI last week, which focused on prioritizing American leadership in the technology space. The order revoked some existing government policies, which Trump said acted as barriers to American AI innovation. OpenAI saw more than 90,000 government users use ChatGPT across federal, state and local agencies since last year, but ran into issues with government compliance standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve heard from customers that what they want to do, they want to do more with our products but are limited by government compliance requirements, Felipe Millon, the leader of OpenAIs Government Go to Market program, said Monday. With ChatGPT Gov, government agencies will be able to manage their own security and privacy compliance in their own Microsoft Azure commercial cloud or Azure government community cloud tenants, according to Millon. OpenAI is considered one of the leaders of AI development in the U.S., largely in part because of its ChatGPT chatbot. The app, which currently sits at No. 2 on the Apples App Stores top free apps, has surged in popularity since its 2023 launch. Since the 2023 launch, the company has continued to evolve its models and step into the U.S. policy space as questions arise over the U.S.s standing in the global AI race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, the company encouraged U.S. development of emerging technology to stay ahead of China and other foreign adversaries. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has expressed an openness to working with Trump and his administration on AI policy and donated $1 million in personal cash to the presidents inaugural committee. OpenAI is an initial investor in Trumps new joint venture, Stargate, which will pour a total of up to $500 billion into building AI infrastructure over the next four years. Weil told The Hill the focus in Washington has been ensuring that the U.S. wins in AI. OpenAI is the leader in AI today, we are committed to making sure that the U.S. remains ahead, and so I think our interests are very aligned here, he continued when asked about the Trump administrations thoughts on ChatGPT Gov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OpenAI is currently in the middle of getting a FedRAMP certification for ChatGPT Gov Enterprise, OpenAI confirmed. This is the U.S. governments standardized compliance program for the assessment, approval and meliorating of cloud products and services used by federal agencies. Weil said Trump is looking at how OpenAI can streamline the process to get the modern software into government agencies and help achieve his mission of boosting government efficiency. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DeepSeek's new chain-of-thought AI model has Silicon Valley developers seething that a startup from gasp China could build something just as good, if not better, than what they've come up with, for a fraction of the cost and with far superior energy efficiency. Exhibit A: OpenAI programmer Steven Heidel, who couldn't help injecting some old-fashioned China bashing to distract from the fact that his company just got smoked in a race it had a several year and multibillion dollar head-start in. "Americans sure love giving their data away to the CCP in exchange for free stuff," Heidel wrote on X, referring to the Communist Party of China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following overwhelming backlash, his tweet was appended with a community note: "DeepSeek can be run locally without an internet connection, unlike OpenAI's models." This is true. DeepSeek's r1 model is open-source, totally free, and if you're concerned about your privacy, you can download and run all 404 gigs of it on your own rig. Because it's a chain-of-thought model, anyone can see how the AI "thinks," which goes a long way as far as trust. (After the community note dunk, Heidel followed up with a post urging users to only use the DeepSeek model locally.) Needless to say, to smear the AI model, whose underlying code is free for anyone to poke around in, as some sort of Chinese spyware is really rich coming from someone who works at OpenAI, a company that quickly ditched its noble, non-profit and open-source beginnings as soon as it got a taste of money. Today, it's firmly for-profit and closed-source. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It'd be remiss to brush aside privacy concerns surrounding Chinese platforms, and indeed the censorship present in the app version of DeepSeek. But OpenAI's data ethics track record isn't exactly squeaky clean, either. It trained its AI model by devouring everyone's data on the surface web without ever stopping to ask permission. It and its CEO Sam Altman have also invested in a number of companies whose commitment to privacy is questionable. Plus, pretty much every outfit in Silicon Valley pawns off their customer's data to data brokers, who in turn sell that information to thousands of other companies so they can barrage you with ads and most perniciously, to government agencies for surveillance purposes. To that end, it might be worth mentioning that OpenAI appointed a former National Security Administration director to its board a move that Edward Snowden blasted as a "calculated betrayal of the rights of every person on earth." Of course, Heidel isn't alone. Just days before his faux-pas, Neal Khosla, CEO of the AI-powered health clinic Curai, called DeepSeek a "CCP state psyop" and an act of "economic warfare to make American AI unprofitable." (Counterpoint: American AI is why American AI is unprofitable.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In reality, the US has been waging plenty of economic warfare on that front, including implementing export controls in 2023 that effectively banned advanced US-made AI chips, including those made by Nvidia, from entering China. Ironically, that pressure may have pushed Chinese developers to make its models more efficient with less hardware, while American competitors gluttonously relied on scaling up their datacenters comprising literal billions of dollars worth of GPUs to make gains. That the immediate response of Silicon Valley to DeepSeek's achievements is to link it with CCP conspiracies is a sign of deep-seated insecurity, and let's face it racism. The same anti-Chinese rhetoric, similarly under the guise of protecting Americans' privacy, fueled the push for the (now-suspended) ban on TikTok. "I think if any of these AI bros were remotely serious about using this technology to improve society they'd be excited at the idea of someone managing to run laps around them for 1/10th the computing power but instead they are seething, sinophobically," wrote a Bluesky user. More on AI: Mega-Hyped Chinese AI App DeepSeek Says It's Been Hit by "Large-Scale Malicious Attacks" This story incorporates reporting fromLive Law, inc42 and EconoTimes. OpenAI has filed a motion in an Indian court to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a coalition of book publishers. The publishers accuse the artificial intelligence company of violating copyright laws through its AI service, ChatGPT. The Delhi High Court is handling the case, which involves claims that ChatGPT reproduces book summaries and extracts from unlicensed copies, consequently impacting publishers business operations. OpenAI, however, argues that its use of data falls within the realm of fair use, utilizing publicly available information to generate responses. According to recent court documents filed on Jan.26, OpenAI argues that the publishers have not substantiated claims that ChatGPT relies on or uses original literary works to produce content. Instead, OpenAI states that its technology draws from existing resources on the internet that are already in the public domain. The AI firm emphasizes its adherence to fair use principles, arguing that there is no infringement involved in the operations of ChatGPT. The Federation of Indian Publishers, which includes major global players like Penguin Random House and Bloomsbury, is spearheading the legal challenge against OpenAI. The lawsuit is part of broader global tensions where various parties including authors, media outlets, and musicians are alleging that AI technology providers use their work without appropriate permissions or licensing agreements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OpenAIs legal challenges extend beyond the book publishing industry. News agency Asian News International (ANI) has also brought a similar lawsuit against OpenAI, asserting that ChatGPT verbatim reproduces its original news content. The Delhi High Court in a separate adjudication urged restraint from media in reporting details of the submissions made by the parties involved in this case. OpenAI has presented that these cases revolve around similar issues concerning the use of public data and insists on a need for clarity on what is considered fair use in the context of AI technologies. The Federation of Indian Publishers previously filed an intervention application to support the aforementioned cases. However, OpenAIs legal representative, Sibal, has opposed this intervention, pointing out procedural flaws, including the Federations failure to provide the necessary authorization for filing. Despite these legal hurdles, the publishers remain adamant about pursuing their claims, underscoring the potential ramifications on their business models due to emerging AI technologies. The broader context of these legal proceedings indicates a growing conflict between traditional content creators and digital technology firms over copyright interpretations. The debate has significant implications for how intellectual property laws would adapt to integrate advancements in AI and digital information dissemination. As the Delhi High Court proceedings evolve, the outcomes could set precedents not only for similar future litigations in India but also for global discussions on the intersection of AI and copyright laws. The results of these cases may influence whether AI firms could continue using vast datasets available online under the pretext of fair use or if stricter regulations and licensing would need enforcement. The industry closely observes intelligence in the decision, awaiting direction on balancing innovation with intellectual property rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quartz Intelligence Newsroom uses generative artificial intelligence to report on business trends. This is the first phase of an experimental new version of reporting. While we strive for accuracy and timeliness, due to the experimental nature of this technology we cannot guarantee that well always be successful in that regard. If you see errors in this article, please let us know at qi@qz.com. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Next week, the Senate HELP Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for secretary of education nominee Linda McMahon. McMahon has management experience, having served as administrator of the Small Business Administration during the first Trump presidency, but less background in education. While she has expressed support for President Donald Trumps campaign policies increased school choice and information for parents, expanded apprenticeships and workforce opportunities, and passage of workforce Pell Grants not much has been said about McMahons policies, positions and philosophy for running the U.S. Department of Education. At a time when scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress are down and chronic absenteeism is up 75% higher than before the pandemic here are six questions about data that committee members should ask McMahon: 1. How will you ensure the department works with state leaders to sustain state data efforts, particularly statewide longitudinal data systems? The government has long helped states build and maintain systems that securely connect early childhood, K-12, postsecondary and workforce data. These are crucial for ensuring policymakers have the information they need to drive systemic improvements and aid students in making decisions about their futures. Ensuring these systems are effective and transparent requires the next secretary to continue the strong partnership between the department and states through funding, guidance, technical assistance and open access to federal data. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter 2. How will you work with Congress to modernize federal education privacy laws and regulations? The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) was enacted over 50 years ago and was last updated in 2011. Since then, technology and educators understanding of how data can be used to support students and families have changed radically, but FERPA and other privacy protections have not kept pace. As a result, these laws sometimes hinder efforts to protect students. The next administration can modernize FERPA, enabling states to take educationally appropriate actions with data (e.g., streamlining admissions to make it easier for eligible students to enroll in postsecondary programs, like college or career training). Changes should be considered carefully to avoid unintended consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related McMahons Metamorphosis: Ed Nominees Journey Mirrors the GOPs Turn to Trump 3. How will you enforce existing state report card transparency requirements, so parents get the information they need? State report cards are the baseline for parent and public understanding of how well schools are educating students. But few, if any, states provide this information in ways that are easy for parents to find and understand, as required under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Not only can transparency make school choice meaningful, but parents and their children deserve to know how their schools are performing. The next administration must commit to implementing ESSAs accountability and reporting provisions. 4. What is your plan for maintaining statewide student assessments while innovating to improve them? Objective, reliable assessment data is one piece of the puzzle that gives state education leaders, researchers, educators and parents a picture of students academic success. In particular, statewide assessments allow policymakers to compare outcomes and identify areas for improvement, ensuring that parents get honest information about school performance. These tests, however, should not remain static; innovation is essential. But the desire to do something new cannot undermine the importance of having consistent, annual information about all schools and students. The next administration must explore the right balance between maintaining annual assessments and ensuring they are accurate, timely and minimally burdensome. 5. How will you ensure quality and transparency in career pathway and postsecondary programs? In recent years, students increasingly have expressed interest in programs that prepare them for careers, like dual enrollment and earn while you learn. But there is inconsistent information about which result in student mobility and success. Data about these programs persistence and completion rates, outcomes, enrollment, cost and quality is critical to help people to make informed decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One way to require this transparency is to pass the bipartisan College Transparency Act, which would require the federal government to give consumers more timely, accurate data on completion and post-college outcomes. Another is to assist states developing dashboards, career exploration websites and other tools that help people understand which skills are most in demand, like the resources Colorado, Kentucky and Indiana have developed. Students need access to robust, comprehensive data to make decisions that are right for them. The next administration must take steps to enable data sharing, including working to pass the act and providing guidance for states. Related Trump Taps Linda McMahon, Donor and Former Wrestling Exec, to be Education Chief 6. How will you encourage research that facilitates using data and evidence to improve student outcomes? Researchers are continually working to identify ways to tackle persistent issues for different groups of students. For some, like recovering learning loss, evidence exists about which approaches work for whom, and under what circumstances. For others, evidence is still being developed. The pandemic made clear that consistently evaluating the outcomes of different interventions and sharing that information is critical to meeting students needs as they arise. The Institute of Education Sciences has begun expediting information for its What Works Clearinghouse and more quickly releasing research for immediate use. The next administration should build on the work underway to ensure that federally funded research aligns with the needs of the field and that findings are made publicly available quickly and clearly. The next secretary of education can ensure that everyone, from high school students to governors, has better, more transparent data about how well schools prepare children for life after school. Data is foundational to ensuring transparency, measuring quality and understanding whether federal investments are being used well. Members of the HELP Committee should seek to clarify how McMahon plans to continue investing in data to ensure that students, families, educators and policymakers have the information they need to make decisions. Its 1779. Having broken from Britain, the American colonists are halfway through the bloody crucible of revolution and war. While Gen. George Washington concentrates his will on defeating the British, Thomas Jefferson already turns toward the next great obstacle: laying the foundations that will allow a new government to secure the peoples safety and happiness. Surprisingly, the foundation most on Jeffersons mind is not political or even constitutional; its educational. A constitutional republic needs enlightened citizens educated for self-government. To form this foundation of civic education, Jefferson proposed a bill in Virginia to provide tax-funded elementary and secondary schools, what we now call K-12 education. These schools would offer philosophy, history and government what Jefferson called a liberal education enabling citizens to understand human nature and effectually guard the sacred deposit of the rights and liberties of their fellow citizens. For Jefferson and the founding generation, a principal purpose of public education is civic education. Thus, subjects like reading, writing, and common arithmetick (English, language arts and math) were primarily means to civic ends. Recognizing that K-12 education is a necessary but insufficient foundation, Jefferson would later propose a bill establishing the University of Virginia . Nor was Jefferson alone in this endeavor. President Washington advocated repeatedly for the establishment of a national university and (e)ducation generally as one of the surest means of enlightening and giving just ways of thinking to our Citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crucially, Jeffersons 1779 proposal also provided for scholars from the College of William and Mary to offer texts and materials for these new schools, creating a mutually supportive relationship between K-12 and higher education. Yet despite this auspicious beginning to K-16 civic education, more recent developments have seen governments, universities and academic disciplines neglecting civic K-16 education for decades. In K-12, math, science and language arts are tested, but not social studies. In higher education, the very academic disciplines that should be stewards of our civic traditions have abandoned the study of our constitutional inheritance. With few exceptions, scholarly expertise on the American founding and the Constitution are rare commodities in the typical university faculty. In 2021, the Utah Legislature made an important stride in remedying this decades-long neglect. Rep. Jefferson Burton (no relation to the author), R-Salem, proposed HB327, establishing the Civic Thought and Leadership Initiative, or CTLI, within the Center for Constitutional Studies at Utah Valley University to facilitate nonpartisan political discussion and provide civic education and research. It also tasked CTLI with providing courses in and related to philosophy, history, economics, and political science, the very subjects Thomas Jefferson thought were so important for enlightened citizens. In just two years, and following Thomas Jeffersons vision of K-16 partnerships, CTLI has become the premier provider of K-12 civics professional development in the state, offering over 7,075 training hours to more than 600 K-12 educators and impacting 122,000 K-12 students statewide. At UVU, CTLI professors have taught the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution in courses to over 2,000 undergraduates and sponsored civic events attended by almost 10,000 Utahns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later this week, the CTLI will hold its largest civic professional development yet: 140 K-12 teachers will participate in a Regional Civic Training at Southern Utah University on Jan. 30, sponsored by Utahs America 250 Commission and in partnership with the Bill of Rights Institute and the We the People program. Teachers will study the foundational principles of the Declaration and the way those principles are secured in the Constitution, all in alignment with Utahs social studies standards. This year is the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. What greater commemoration could we leave to future generations than making this the year in which we restore the place of civic education in our public institutions? As Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz has rightly said, We have an opportunity to turn the tide and have higher ed refocus on whats most important. We hope this tide will include a renewed commitment to constitutionally based civic education, as well as workforce needs and industry demands. CTLI and its work is just the beginning for Utah. If we are to foster a renaissance of civic education in our public schools, much more must be done. An understanding of the principles, institutions, and history that comprise our shared constitutional inheritance is indispensable to preserving and improving it for future generations. We neglect it at the peril of our state and our republic. The authors do not speak on behalf of, nor do the views expressed necessarily represent, Utah Valley University. The first week of President Donald Trumps second term was an uncertain one for abortion opponents. He pardoned a group of protesters convicted of violating the FACE Act, which protects access to clinics and places of worship; pledged to stop enforcing the law; rescinded Biden-era orders protecting abortion access; and revived the Mexico City policy, which blocks aid to nongovernmental organizations that provide abortions or advocate for abortion rights. But abortion opponents are clearly hungry for more. They are pushing Trump to stock the courts with anti-abortion judges, turn the 19th-century Comstock Act into an abortion ban, and end telehealth access to abortion pills. One sign of whether Trump will answer their calls came from an executive order that doesnt even mention the word abortion. The anti-transgender order, which declared that there are only two biological sexes and they are not changeable, has already created chaos for passport, visa and Global Entry holders. But it also includes a coded reference to an anti-abortion strategy involving fetal personhood. Its unclear if the reference is a sign of a more aggressive anti-abortion agenda in Trumps second term or simply a way for him to buy time with abortion opponents who are pressing him to go much further than he did in his first administration. But it caught the attention of House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who praised the executive order for declaring, in his words, life as beginning at conception rather than birth, and energized leading anti-abortion activists. Whatever Trump does, the executive orders references to fetal personhood will matter because they are part of a master plan to move the federal courts toward recognizing constitutional fetal rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order defines a female as a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell and a male as a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the small reproductive cell. To be clear, sex differentiation takes places after conception the large and small cells (or egg and sperm cells) develop weeks later or even at puberty. Scientific accuracy aside, though, this language has a special significance to the anti-abortion movement, which argues that the word person in the 14th Amendment applies from the moment of conception and confers rights to equal protection and due process on the fetus. The hope is that personhood arguments will lead to a judicial decision that goes far beyond the Dobbs ruling, declaring liberal policies on abortion or even in vitro fertilization violate the federal Constitution. At a minimum, Trumps executive order seems to express sympathy to this point of view. It also seems likely that Trump will nominate judges who are open to constitutional arguments for fetal personhood. The order and personhood-friendly judges fit perfectly in the long-term plan anti-abortion groups have laid out to secure recognition of personhood. They aim to establish fetal rights in as many states as possible. This includes not just sweeping declarations of fetal rights in state constitutions, but also more modest steps, like the recognition of fetal personhood in contexts like child support during pregnancy or wrongful death. The goal is to make fetal rights and fetal personhood the norm in conservative states and even federal law so much so that anti-abortion lawyers can eventually convince the Supreme Court that it is incongruous not to recognize federal fetal rights that would affect abortion or IVF. That said, a win for personhood at the Supreme Court will take time. The justices most likely to retire, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, are also the most conservative. Moving the court to embracing personhood would likely require the replacement of justices at least somewhat to Alitos and Thomas left, none of whom seem poised to leave the court in the near term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And other than judicial appointments, its unclear how much further Trump will move against abortion rights in general, let alone on personhood specifically. There are no clear signs yet that his Justice Department will transform the Comstock Act from an obscenity law into what anti-abortion groups call a national abortion pill trafficking law. New limits on mifepristone, a drug used in more than half of all abortions, may or may not be forthcoming. Nor has the new administration shown interest yet in enforcing fetal personhood through executive action. For example, as the organization Americans United for Life recommends, the president could issue an executive order declaring that the 14th Amendment applies from the moment of conception, and deny federal health care funding to states that don't acknowledge fetal rights. While its hard to guess exactly what Trump will do, its easy to imagine that abortion opponents will be disappointed, especially given that the GOP controls both Congress and the White House. Nodding to fetal personhood may be a way for Trump to get anti-abortion leaders off his back without taking the kind of dramatic action that would be unpopular or even cost the GOP in the 2026 midterm. Even if Trump doesnt go further to advance anti-abortion priorities, the nod to fetal personhood in the gender executive order will mean something. This executive order is almost certain to draw a legal challenge, but in the meantime it will also be part of a new project to establish fetal personhood as the next big aim of the anti-abortion movement. And while the Trump administration may not be willing to give the anti-abortion movement everything it wants, abortion opponents will use this executive order to bolster their case for constitutional fetal rights to the Supreme Court. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com For 15 years, I have had the privilege of working alongside the team that organizes National School Choice Week each January. Just as our celebrations have grown from 150 events and activities in 2011 to more than 27,000 in 2025 so, too, has the broader movement for opportunity in K-12 education. It is no exaggeration to say parents today have more educational options for their children than at any time in history. Just last year, 16 states expanded access to traditional public, public charter, public magnet, private, online, home and nontraditional schools. These expansions followed a record-breaking 2023, when 20 states increased school choice options. But are parents nationwide taking advantage of these opportunities? The reality is more complex than a simple yes or no. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter New research from the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit I lead, shows 60% of U.S. parents say they considered a new or different school for at least one of their children last year. While school searching has leveled off somewhat from its post-COVID high of 72% in 2024, it is still robust. Encouragingly, a higher percentage of parents this year (60%) said they had recently discussed schooling options with friends and family, a 10-percentage-point increase over last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, hidden within this data is a warning sign: Of those parents who explored new options, only 28% ultimately enrolled their children in a different school. Previous surveys suggest that particular barriers often prevent parents from following through, even when options are available. These include a lack of transportation, financial constraints, confusion over enrollment processes and simply a lack of time to apply. As a movement, we cannot ignore the difficulties families face. It is time to match the growing quantity of school choice options with resources and tools to help parents navigate them. That is why, over the past three years, the National School Choice Awareness Foundation has expanded its efforts beyond organizing National School Choice Week. Each January, we now host the nations largest online portfolio of school navigation resources, available in English and Spanish. These programs Navigate School Choice and Conoce tus Opciones Escolares equip millions of families each year with the information they need to explore their options. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But no single organization can, or should, do this work alone. Groups such as Families Empowered, GuidED Florida, Love Your School, NavigatED Arizona and PA Families for Education Choice, along with the other members of the newly formed Navigate School Choice Network, are making a tremendous impact by directly answering parents inquiries on a one-on-one basis. For the school choice movement to thrive, these organizations must continue to grow. Related Microschools Take Center Stage with New Opportunities for Learning for 2024 Communicating effectively with families and guiding them through the often overwhelming process of finding and enrolling in the best educational fit for their children is just as critical as policy advocacy. Yet, many organizations doing this vital work are struggling not because of a lack of vision or impact, but because they dont fit into traditional nonprofit funding models. This National School Choice Week, there is much to celebrate. We are thrilled that 9 million students, parents, educators and supporters will participate in tens of thousands of events nationwide. However, we are also aware that some of the hardest work lies ahead. Together, we can bridge the gap between opportunity and access, helping families navigate their choices and ensuring that every child crosses the finish line of a great education and a successful future. President Donald Trump took the unusual step Friday of firing 18 of the federal governments 73 inspectors general. Those let go from the departments of Defense, State, Labor, Health and Human Services, among other places were told only that changing priorities led to their dismissal. Inspectors general, as they are called, are found all over Washington, D.C., in a wide range of agencies and departments. They seldom make news, but they play an important role in blowing the whistle on instances of gross inefficiencies or unlawful behavior and by not being the servants of any political party. In short, as Creighton University law professor Michael Kelly writes, the inspector general is a modern adaptation to achieving the checks and balances the Framers of our Constitution intended when they created the federal government. So why would Trump go after them at the start of his second term? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doing so, Kelly explains, lays the groundwork for taking over that government from within. As he puts it, if the designated watchers arent watching, because theyve been purged by the very abuse of power they were installed to prevent, then the way is open for more abuse and corruption to flow. The mass firing also sends a clear message not just to remaining inspectors general, including those at the departments of Justice and Homeland Security, but also to the rest of the federal bureaucracy: Get with the program or you will be next. Downplaying the significance of the dismissals, the president told reporters that firing IGs is a very common thing to do. I dont know them, he told reporters, But some people thought that some were unfair or some were not doing their job. Its a very standard thing to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its true that this is not the first time Trump has targeted inspectors general. Late in his first term, he dismissed the inspectors general of five Cabinet departments. But unlike this time, those firings took place over a six-week period. And mass firings are exceptionally rare. Upon taking office in 1981, Ronald Reagan removed all 15 inspectors general then serving, only to rehire about half of them later. Since then, no president has removed more than two IGs except for Trump. Congress created the first inspector general position in 1976, in an era of post-Watergate reform. Two years later, it passed the Inspector General Act of 1978. That law said that inspectors general should lead independent and objective units, which would, among other things, conduct and supervise audits and investigations relating to the programs and operations of the departments and agencies in which they serve. And Congress made clear that these new officers did not just report to the executive branch. The law also required them to keep agency heads and Congress fully and currently informed about problems and deficiencies relating to the administration of programs and operations and the necessity for and progress of corrective action. Thirty years later, Congress amended the regulations around the IG role, requiring that a president shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer [of an inspector general] to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer. As a 2021 Congressional Research Report notes, the legislative history of the 2008 amendment suggests that the purpose of this change was to allow for an appropriate dialogue with Congress in the event that the planned transfer or removal is viewed as an inappropriate or politically motivated attempt to terminate an effective Inspector General. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, following Trumps first term purge of IGs, Congress strengthened that requirement by saying that the president had to provide a substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons before terminating an IG. The constitutional precedents here are similarly clear-cut. The Supreme Court has long recognized Congress exclusive authority to create executive branch offices.and when necessary, design an office in a way that encourages operational independence from the political influence of the executive branch. It also has made clear that the presidents removal power is not illimitable. But neither clear statutes nor congressional authority or constitutional limits on the removal power seemed to matter to Trump or his allies. The president has a right to get in there who he wants, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton argued a more deferential approach than he has taken to Democratic presidents. Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, who co-sponsored the 2008 amendment, nevertheless shrank from confronting Trump. There may be good reason the IG were fired, he insisted. And according to The Associated Press, Sen. Lindsey Graham even admitted that Trump had not followed statutes. Just tell them you need to follow the law next time, Graham said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such a casual attitude toward a president who ignores the law doesnt augur well for what is to come. A letter to the president from House Democrats was anything but casual. Your actions, it said, violate the law, attack our democracy, and undermine the safety of the American people.Firing inspectors general without due cause is antithetical to good government, undermines the proper stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and degrades the federal governments ability to function effectively and efficiently. They were right. But maybe those reasons were precisely why Trump did what he did Friday night. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com A long-awaited ceasefire deal has finally taken effect in Gaza, bringing with it a glimmer of hope, fragile and insufficient though it may be. The phased deal would pause Israels devastating military assault, allow a surge of desperately needed humanitarian aid, and free hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel in exchange for over three dozen Israeli captives. It is a rare moment of cautious relief for my family and other Palestinians in Gaza, who have suffered immeasurably for 15 months in an Israeli onslaught that has killed nearly 47,000 people, decimated entire communities and left trauma and scars that will last for generations. In fact, nearly 10 percent of the population has been killed, injured or are missing, according to human rights groups. For 15 months, Palestinians in Gaza have been the target of Israels systematic and unrelenting campaign of bombardment, deliberate starvation and displacement. The U.S. government is arming Israel for this venture, and many human rights groups and legal experts refer to it as a genocide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, shortly before leaving office, former President Joe Biden cited the ceasefire as a capstone policy achievement. If anything, it is an indictment of the epic failures of his administration. This deal is the same one negotiated eight months ago and rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Biden will go down in history as the president who recklessly supported one of the most deadly and destructive bombing campaigns in history, enabling Israels systematic destruction of an entire society and the fastest pace of starvation seen in modern times. Like many other Palestinians, my family members in Gaza are experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions they are hopeful but wary about what the future might hold. Some are too numb to process the gravity of this moment. For many, survival remains the only priority. The last year has taken them to the depths of hell and back, to a Gaza they no longer recognize, their lives changed irrevocably. Most have more questions than there are answers. With more than 92 percent of Gazas housing units severely damaged or destroyed, and conditions deliberately engineered to make life unsustainable, what would they be returning to, and how? To the unsustainable pre-Oct. 7 status quo, in which they were prisoners in their own homes prior, enduring a suffocating and illegal Israeli siege since 2007? To remaining stripped of all their basic freedoms, as Gaza gradually fades from the headlines once again? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then there is the very real fear that Israel will simply use the cover of temporary ceasefire to further entrench its grip on Gaza and, critically, the West Bank and East Jerusalem and continue to roll out its vision of maximizing control over and dispossessing Palestinians of their land, just as they did in the Nakba during the establishment of Israel in 1948, when a majority of Palestinians were expelled from their homes to make way for a Jewish ethno-religious state. In the short term, Palestinians in Gaza need the bombs to stop falling. They also desperately need a significant surge in aid that should have never stopped flowing to begin with. But more than any of this, they want their basic rights and to live in freedom. They want to farm and to learn and to play and to move freely without the fear of being ripped apart by Israeli missiles. They want Israel to stop breathing down their throat and controlling every aspect of their lives, from when they can turn on the lights to when and where they can travel to and how far they can fish, as they have done for decades. If this ceasefire is to last, the underlying cause of the violence that is, Israels asphyxiating 17-year blockade on Gaza and decades-long military occupation must be addressed and Palestinians must be free to govern themselves without outside interference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A ceasefire is just the first step. What we need now is an end to Israels blockade, a halt to Israels violent occupation and oppressive control and denial of basic Palestinian rights, and a concerted effort by governments and international institutions to hold Israeli leaders accountable for their actions. Things are only likely to get worse for Palestinians under the Trump administration, if his first term in office and recent order to lift sanctions on illegal and violent West Bank settlers are any indication. With a coveted normalization deal with Saudi Arabia looming, Palestinians may find themselves more isolated than ever before. Yet, despite every attempt to break them, Palestinians endure, driven by the unwavering determination and fortitude of our people in Gaza and beyond. The real question is, will the world take meaningful action to stop the ongoing Israeli brutality and injustice from continuing unchecked? Laila El-Haddad is a Palestinian American writer and author from Gaza. 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. I still remember the anxiety I felt before hitting send on the mass email to legal clinics and pro-bono attorneys around the country. URGENT Protect refugees arriving at airports, read the subject line, with a call to be prepared to head to international airports to provide legal support to refugees who may be detained upon landing in the United States. That was Jan. 25, 2017. Within 24 hours, more than 1,600 volunteers had responded just in time. On Jan. 27, a newly inaugurated President Trump announced what came to be called his Muslim ban, affecting even thousands of travelers who had their permission to enter the U.S. revoked while they were already on flights here. These were mothers, fathers and children, some who had lived in the U.S. for years, while others were just arriving as refugees to restart their lives. It was pure chaos, but the outpouring of support made all the difference. Instead of a victory lap for Trumps politics of hate, we demonstrated that Americans show up for their neighbors and dont cower in the face of intimidation. This is what got us through the first Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im proud that the organization I founded played a key leadership role in the fight against Trumps Muslim ban. We filed two legal challenges and spent the last eight years tirelessly working to undo the damage it inflicted on Muslim and refugee families. When Trump was reelected on a platform of even more virulent anti-immigrant hate, I felt less despondent than many of my family and friends because I knew wed been here before. Those days at the airport eight years ago taught me three important lessons that will serve as a guide for the years to come. First, the cruelty is the point. Adam Serwers five-word encapsulation of the Trump ethos was evident from the very start. The slapdash nature of the Muslim ban was a sign of incompetence, but it was also indicative of the administrations lack of care for the consequences of their actions. On the first day of his second term, Trump signed a slew of new executive orders, attacking immigration pathways from all angles: refugee resettlement, asylum and even the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship. These are policies that will harm immigrants, harm the country and throw the economy into chaos. Shock and awe continues to be the strategy, and the cruelty is meant to communicate a message. Scared people are more likely to willingly give up their rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second, I learned that the only way to fight division is with unity. One of the most important lessons of the fight against the Muslim ban was how much we gain when we dont give in to fear when we fight together to uphold our shared values. Notably, it wasnt just attorneys who showed up to defend the rights of Muslims and immigrants eight years ago. Alongside lawyers, thousands of everyday Americans showed up to airports to push back on Trumps politics of division and fear and to defend their neighbors. I remember newly arrived immigrants who came to offer their language skills, and New York state and federal legislators just to see how they could help I remember even running into my own neighbors who had seen messages on Facebook and wanted to clearly define what kind of community they lived in. When you embrace unity instead of division, it opens up endless political possibilities. This time around, we need to continue to show solidarity across communities and interest groups and create a united front: the Trump administration is not just coming for the rights of immigrants. Third, I learned that if you dont fight, youll never win. Whether its the Muslim ban or mass deportations, accepting one form of dehumanization will inevitably lead to more. When people give in to Trump, it makes him push even harder. This is a lesson politicians of conscience desperately need to internalize. Earlier this month, many supposedly pro-immigrant lawmakers tripped over themselves to help pass the anti-immigrant hate legislation misleadingly known as the Laken Riley Act instead of pushing back against the bad-faith arguments being used to justify it. This bill will greenlight the detention and deportation of those accused not even convicted of low-level crimes, as well as equip radically anti-immigrant state attorneys general with a host of new powers to challenge immigration policy. In short, it gave Trump many of the tools he needs to be able to carry out his extreme agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Politicians capitulated without a fight because they thought they needed to look tough on immigration, but this is the beginning of a slippery slope with no end. If leaders give up on defending immigrants, what will stop them from betraying abortion, labor or LGBTQ rights? Of course, things arent the same as they were eight years ago. The collective mood has shifted. Instead of mass resistance, political leaders are signaling mass resignation. But although we may not see spontaneous airport rallies, lawyers and communities are mobilized to protect the rights of our neighbors. The Trump administration wants us to feel hopeless, but we are not. When we stand together to defend our shared values, we can stop the backslide, and in the process start building a country where we all belong. Becca Heller is an award-winning attorney and the co-founder of the International Refugee Assistance Project, a global legal aid and advocacy organization centered on the belief that everyone should have a safe place to live and a safe way to get there. 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. On Sunday, tensions escalated between President Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro after the latter refused to accept deportation flights on U.S. military planes. Although the Colombian government routinely receives deportation flights from the U.S., it seems that the decision came after it was reported that migrants on similar flights to other countries in the region were handcuffed and forced to endure inhumane conditions. Trump did not respond kindly to the Colombian governments refusal. He took to his social media site Truth Social to deride Petro as a socialist who is unpopular amongst his people stating that the refusal constituted a national security threat. He said he would retaliate by sanctioning members of the Colombian government and imposing a 25 percent tariff on goods from Colombia, which is one of Americas largest trading partners in the region. The White House quickly released an official statement in which Colombia was misspelled as Columbia. Petro proved to be a formidable adversary for Trumps social media battle, responding with posts on X deriding the inhumane conditions that migrants faced on deportation flights and announcing that he would also put tariffs on goods coming from the U.S. In one particularly long post, worthy of a Garcia Marquez novel, Petro said that while he finds traveling to the U.S. boring, he does like American writers like Walt Whitman and admires the history of the American working class, but will quit looking toward the north and open up to the rest of the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday night, an agreement seems to have been reached between the Trump administration and Colombia that would lift the proposed sanctions and tariffs in exchange for resuming deportation flights between the two countries, leading both sides to release statements claiming victory. But the spat reveals some issues that the administration will continue to face when implementing its America First foreign policy in Latin America. By treating the countries of the region as if they were still banana republics that would bend over backward to fulfill the U.S. governments wishes, Trump gravely underestimates their power as a united bloc. According to the United Nations, the region constitutes 21.3 percent of U.S. foreign trade, equal to over $1 trillion. That is not a small number. If the region consciously decided to look towards other trading partners, the U.S. economy would feel the effects, and not just in coffee prices. Trumps saber-rattling with Mexico, Colombia and Panama will most likely lead these countries to fortify their relationships with China and Russia. Brazil, the giant of Latin America, is a founding member of the BRICS alliance and has shown that it is possible to successfully break free from U.S. economic dependency. Before Trumps inauguration, Colombian officials were already looking at ways to join that alliance, and now there is an even greater sense of urgency. Last week, the State Department announced it would be freezing foreign aid, including support for crucial programs to tackle the root causes of regional migration, poverty and violence. These cuts will only exacerbate the regions migration crisis. Trumps rhetoric alienates Panama and Colombia, whose cooperation is needed to fulfill his migration policy in the Darien Gap. Petros recent statement that Colombia is open to the world could have effects beyond promoting the countrys natural beauty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suppose Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were serious about stemming the flow of migrants from Latin America. In that case, they might want to support more leaders like Petro, who lifted 1.6 million Colombians out of poverty through substantial investment in social programs in 2023. They might want to support Petros efforts to stop drug trafficking through traditional enforcement mechanisms and a policy of peace that seeks to demobilize the countrys armed groups through negotiation. They might want to listen to Petro on how they can peacefully solve the political crisis in Venezuela and fortify regional cooperation on human rights. Trump and Rubio need to accept that Latin America will not put up with a new Monroe Doctrine. They must treat the regions countries as equals, because they are sovereign nations, not banana republics. If they dont accept those facts, Latin America will move further towards Chinas embrace, and the Trump administration will lose the ability to ensure that the regions countries cooperate with their immigration plans. If Rubio does not change course, he will go down in history not only as the first secretary of state of Latin American descent but as the one who pushed Latin America away from the U.S. Cruz Bonlarron Martinez was a Fulbright Fellow in Colombia from 2021 to 2022. His writing on politics, human rights and culture in Latin America and the Latin American diaspora has appeared in various U.S. and international publications. 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. Editors note: Two weeks left until On Balance switches to 9 p.m. ET dont forget to reset your DVRs 9 p.m. ET means a repeat show so you can watch us at either 9 p.m. ET or again at midnight ET for our West Coast fans, thats 6 p.m. PT and then again at 9 p.m. PT. TMI : Evidently, the whole flu thing going around is real hence an abbreviated version of War Notes today. Smile: If you watch one thing: Budweisers 2025 Super Bowl commercial is out I dare you not to smile while watching. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thought bubble: Weve come a long way since Bud Light hired a transgender influencer to celebrate 365 days of womanhood. Warning: 80 years ago today, the Russian army liberated Auschwitz, and soon, the world understood the horror of the Holocaust. Eighty years later, the survivors warn once again the hatred and demonization of Jews sweeps the world. The same people who rushed to accuse Elon Musk of delivering a Nazi salute were silent in the face of calls to wipe out Israel after the October 7 attacks. The same people who constantly compare Trump to a dictator (Hitler) cant bring themselves to condemn Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. The same people who warn of the Proud Boys and tiki torches in Charlottesville defend the campus protests terrorizing Jewish students. Never forget should mean something. Look forward: The same people who will cry a river of tears over the Palestinians in Donald Trumps plan to clean out Gaza didnt say a word about Arab lives during the Syrian civil war or the Houthis in Yemen. Melania 2.0: Everybody is talking about how Trump is different this time around; they are right. So is Melania Trump click here to see her new official portrait. Watch tonight: The former chief of staff to Laura Bush, Anita McBride, will be on to discuss whether Melania Trump will get a fair shake this time around. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on his policy to end tax on tips in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 25, 2025. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) What Should Dems Do? One week into the Trump administration, its abundantly clear that Democrats have NO idea what to do with Trumps shock and awe campaign. Attempts over the weekend to corner Vice President JD Vance and border czar Tom Homan on the Sunday shows backfired horrifically. Selena Gomez is trending on X for her now-deleted video crying over deportations. Trumps Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller wins on common sense. Democratic-run cities are still celebrating their efforts to block ICE: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said this week that the city will sue the Trump administration if ICE is told to raid schools and churches. The Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted to prohibit city resources from assisting immigration enforcement. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said that the city will not assist in mass deportations. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has vowed to uphold Chicagos welcoming city ordinance that prohibits city police and officials from assisting ICE. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said that his city will continue to be a welcoming place in the wake of threats of ICE raids. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka called an ICE raid in his city last week unconstitutional and that his city will not stand by idly while people are being unlawfully terrorized. Zoom out: Trumps superpower of getting political enemies to oppose things that appear to most Americans as common sense continues. My favorite headline: Trump Leaves Democrats Dazed and on the Defensive, from The New York Times. Locked out of power in Washington, the party is struggling to agree on a unified message of opposition. Some of its lawmakers are even telling Republicans they want to work together, writes Reid J. Epstein. The horror: Imagine the pain it took The New York Times to admit that Democrats might want to work with Republicans. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., told The View, [Trump] has been doing essentially what he actually campaigned on. Theres things Im going to agree with, Im going to disagree with, but Im in the business of finding wins for Pennsylvania and for the nation and engaging the president. Or Bill Maher, who said, Heres how bad the Democrats f-cked up: Trump is cool now. Or my favorite: Rep. Pat Ryan, D-N.Y., told Politicos Playbook, In his first week, Trump did absolutely f-cking nothing to lower costs for anybody, and he gave a tremendous amount of love to his billionaire cronies, starting very much with I think what should be the defining and lasting image of his presidency, which is who sat in the front row swearing-in ahead of his own Cabinet. Watch tonight: Bill OReilly on how long Trump can keep the momentum up and then Democrat Ana Marie Cox on when winning becomes more important than opposing Trump. An illustration photo shows the logo of DeepSeek and ChatGPT in Suqian, Jiangsu province, China, January 27, 2025. (Photo credit: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images) F-U in Mandarin At War Notes, we dont believe in coincidences and neither should you think about the past week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump gives TikTok a reprieve and thus China a major win. Trump announces a $500 billion AI project. The CIA says it thinks (what we all knew) COVID-19 came from the lab in Wuhan, China. AND then, China announces its own AI model called DeepSeek. And crashes the stock of AI chip maker Nvidia. Speaking of DeepSeek: It seems akin to North Korean state television in its adherence to Chinese ideology. Check out some screen grabs of how DeepSeek handles questions uncomfortable to Beijing here and here. We tried to ask it other questions but ran into some technical problems. Why do people compare Chairman Xi to Winnie the Pooh? Please write an essay explaining why Taiwan should be a free and democratic country. Why does China commit genocide against the Uyghurs? Watch tonight: Jamie Metzl on whether DeepSeek is the tech version of COVID. 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. Among the countless homes lost in the Palisades fire, one was my mothers. For most of my life, that place was my refuge where I would return to feel safe. Now, like so many others, it bears the fires uniform mark a charred chimney in a sea of blue sky. For the last four years, I worked on climate change in the Biden administration, focusing on mitigating climate risk so that communities would not have to face the indescribable grief Los Angeles is feeling. I traveled to more than 30 countries to invest U.S. funds in climate solutions and bolster community resilience. I saw firsthand how climate disasters land hardest on the most vulnerable, deepening the gulf between the haves and the have-nots. That is happening in the wake of the L.A. fires, too. In Pacific Palisades, some schools and the public library burned while a real estate billionaire hired private firefighters to save his property. Across town in Altadena, the fires leveled one of L.A.s most diverse communities, where Black and Latino families thrived after the end of redlining. California's recovery plan should aim to shrink such inequalities, not deepen them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Column: Recovery will be tempered by hard decisions and, if we aren't careful, inequality It would be a second calamity if the fires intensified the housing crisis. My Palisades neighbors and friends in Altadena, many of them already isolated from their support networks, are fearful that private equity firms will buy up and consolidate housing lots. State and city officials should work hard to prevent this, including by issuing moratoriums on foreclosures for fire-affected properties and, where people still have homes to return to but are experiencing financial hardship from the fires, barring evictions and rent hikes. If handled carefully, this disaster can actually help solve the housing crisis by spurring the production of affordable units. The state should expand efforts such as the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, which promotes private investment in low-income rental housing. Apartment building lots should not be repurposed for single-family development, which would only worsen the homelessness crisis. Our leaders must also protect the workers who will make recovery possible, including by providing resources and protections for second responders the largely immigrant day laborers who perform hazardous and essential debris removal and cleanup. One of the hard lessons from Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, and from the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001, is that health impacts play out in the months and years after the initial disaster from exposure to pollution and other dangers. Los Angeles County should therefore provide not only basic protective resources, like masks and breathing equipment, but also longer-term services such as Spanish language translation and training in disaster response and mental health counseling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement L.A. must also shore up serious weaknesses in air quality monitoring. Our local network of air monitors effectively measures air particulates and ozone, but it was not built for modern megafires and does not comprehensively measure the air toxins they produce. Parents are now unsure whether it is safe for kids to play outside or go back to schools near the burn zones. The state, which regulates air quality here through the South Coast Air Quality Management District, should update its monitoring to generate better data on pollutants that emanate from urban fires. It should also support innovative technologies to link real-time air monitoring to popular apps for tracking the fires and the weather, such as Watch Duty and AirCare. Read more: Column: Los Angeles is a climate disaster. The fires will change nothing Additionally, state and federal officials should reform our approach to insurance and risk management. In my travels around the world, Ive seen data-driven insurance approaches that are vastly superior to the drawn-out claims processes that burden and frustrate victims in the U.S. Policies that use parametrics, for example, trigger automatic payments in response to events such as a fire or flood. This provides better access to insurance and makes reimbursement faster. Local and federal government should also support private sector-led solutions to expand insurance markets, mitigate risk and lower costs. California can use some of its significant resources to invest public money in early warning technology, rapid response capabilities and, when it comes time to rebuild, home hardening through the use of fire-resistant materials and design strategies. Funding those solutions now will return dividends in avoiding megafires later. The state should also dramatically expand support for community development financial institutions lenders that support investment in underserved neighborhoods by providing patient, flexible credit to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Ive seen the federal government use this type of investment to deploy billions through financial intermediaries around the world, supporting job creation and projects in developing economies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, the county, which contains both the Palisades and Altadena, should shepherd their respective recoveries together. By offering joint hearings, and opportunities for information sharing and collaboration, our leaders can maximize equality, efficiency and learning across Los Angeles. My family was drawn to the Palisades in the 1970s because of its striking proximity to nature, wedged between the Pacific Coast and the Santa Monica Mountains chaparral. It inspires awe and, when the Santa Anas come, fright. We settled here not in spite of that quality, but because of how its beauty and power render us more human. Maybe that spirit helped create the community that took care of my family, and me, for decades. It still gives me hope that we can rebuild and in doing so create opportunities for everyone. Jake Levine most recently served as special assistant to the president and senior director for climate and energy at the National Security Council. 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. Last fall, a relatively unknown app called Watch Duty beat out Open AI, TikTok and Instagram to become the most downloaded iPhone app in the country. But Watch Duty wasnt a venture-backed startup. It was an app I founded as a volunteer-funded nonprofit to track and share information about wildfires in real time after my own experience struggling to find helpful information when a nearby blaze threatened my home. When the Bridge, Line and Airport fires simultaneously tore through Southern California in September 2024, around 420,000 people downloaded the app in one week, shooting us to the top of the charts. In one week in early January, when Los Angeles was beset by fire on all sides and communities like Pacific Palisades and Altadena were turning to ash, that number spiked to 2 million. But Watch Dutys success as a lifeline for Americans in peril isnt something to celebrate. Its actually a reflection of a disturbing failure: Our government does not properly alert people about disasters, with life-and-death consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This failure starts with how frequently governments communicate disaster information. Traditionally, emergency managers who transmit alerts on behalf of state and local governments limit their communications. There are good reasons for this. Public officials want to communicate with urgency. Sending non-urgent information, its feared, will lead to fatigue, frustration and ignored warnings. They also dont want people to panic prematurely and clog roads trying to evacuate unless it's absolutely necessary. But what this means is that emergency managers issue alerts only once a wildfire is established either ripping through your community or on its way. By that time, you've likely smelled smoke, received texts from neighbors or heard firefighting aircraft overhead. Panic has already set in. What weve discovered through years of studies and user interviews is that, in an emergency, information fatigue never occurs. In crises, more information is always better than less. Withholding information breeds confusion and misinformation, a lesson our nation painfully learned during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than send one alert Its time to go! Watch Duty issues several, relying on verified reports from first responders on the ground to tell our users about the fire from its first spark to its last ember. That includes information about how quickly the fire is spreading, which way its heading, and whether it's blazing past containment lines. People getting these alerts will know before an official warning goes out sometimes as much as half an hour before that they need to be packing their bags, safeguarding their pets and planning their escapes. Then, when people receive an official evacuation order on their phones or a knock on their door from emergency personnel, theyre ready to go. Having a heads-up sooner saves lives of residents, of first responders, even of pets and livestock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The quantity of official alerts isnt the only problem. Quality matters too. Most alerts lack even basic considerations of a users experience. Often theyre written in all caps without proper grammar, punctuation or line breaks that would make them easier to read. Worse still, they dont always include maps, so people are left to guess the exact location of the fire and the direction its heading. Confusing alerts such as those that lack maps and clear spatial information are dangerous. During the Camp fire in 2018 in Paradise, Calif., disoriented residents actually fled from relatively safe zones directly into the path of the fire. Finally, context matters. Emergency managers increasingly post their alerts on social media. But almost immediately, those posts are flooded with comments and reposts that pollute, misrepresent and even attempt to discredit the alert, inadvertently fueling misinformation . Until tech platforms clean up this kind of behavior something they seem less interested in doing these days emergency alerts dont belong on social media. Emergency managers should limit their communications to closed platforms like the Wireless Emergency Alerts system that sends messages directly to our phones. Government websites, legitimate news sites, TV and radio networks and third-party platforms like Watch Duty the ones that care about providing accurate information and arent chasing clicks are also crucial channels of communication. Californias wildfire agency, Cal Fire, has warned citizens that Watch Duty and similar apps should not be regarded as official sources of information . That agency and some others dont provide up-to-date data to Watch Duty to share with users. Theyd prefer people visit their website. Honestly, so would we. Our goal for Watch Duty isnt hyperscale growth; its irrelevance. We want public emergency agencies to adopt these best practices, trust people with more information rather than less, and create compelling, effective real-time visual alerts so that Watch Duty doesnt need to exist. Until that day, emergency managers everywhere should embrace the available platforms that provide critical information and save lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Mills is the founder and chief executive of Watch Duty. 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. A new District of Columbia Council bill mandating training for public charter school boards, while well-meaning, fails to address the real problem in D.C.s public schools: the citys large, growing racial student achievement gap. The yawning chasm between academic achievement of Black and white D.C. students has widened since school year 2015-16, from a 54.5% deficit in reading and math standardized test scores to 60%. On this years citywide standardized tests, 73.5% of white students met expectations in math, but only 11.8% of Black peers did. In reading, the results were 81.7% versus a mere 23.5%. Public education in the District is provided by both D.C. Public Schools, the traditional system, and independently run charter schools that educate nearly half of the Districts public school students. D.C.s 29-year-old public charter school legislation and 15 years of mayoral control of the school district are widely credited with higher test scores, graduation rates and college-acceptance rates in both sectors. However, both sectors operate schools that are failing the most disadvantaged students. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter One solution is offered in a recent comprehensive national study of charter and traditional public schools by Stanford Universitys Center for Research on Education Outcomes. CREDOs research matched five years of performance data for 1,853,000 charter students in 32 states, including the District, with a demographically identical virtual twin in the comparable system school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The researchers found that, Charter schools produce superior student gains despite enrolling a more challenging student population than their adjacent [traditional public school]. They move Black and Hispanic students and students in poverty ahead in their learning faster than if they enrolled in their local [district school]. In D.C., the study found that, based on their academic proficiency, students attending one of the Districts public charter school networks those with three or more campuses received the equivalent of 50 more instructional days of math and 12 more of reading than peers in district schools. Children educated at the Districts four largest and longest-operating networks Center City, DC Prep, Friendship and KIPP DC did better still, averaging 83 more days of academic growth in math and 21 in reading compared with district enrollees. Together, these well-established networks educate almost one-third of DC charter school students. By contrast, kids learning in stand-alone charters those with one or two campuses performed only marginally better than district-enrolled students, adding six days of reading annually but losing six in math. Providing students with the equivalent of more instructional days is essential to narrowing the expanding achievement gap. Stanford found nationally, Black students in charter management organizations received 41 more days reading in learning and 47 more in math compared to traditional public schools. In D.C., 88% of charter school students are Black or Latino. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charter networks in other states and cities did even better than those in the District. New York City charter network students recorded 114- and 62-day gains in math and reading, respectively, compared with students in NYC public schools. New York Citys Success Academy, serving over 20,000 students at 57 charter schools, added the equivalent of an astounding 107 extra days in reading and 260 in math. The CREDO research makes clear that the scale and size of large charter networks provides many advantages over stand-alone schools: building a brand to better attract philanthropic funds, students and top teachers; attracting, training and sustaining strong leaders; and more effectively researching and replicating best practices. This is particularly important because, according to a report released in November by Bellwether, from FY22 to FY 2025, DCPS received $7,713 more per student, per year than charter schools. That means that many charters, particularly stand-alones, struggle to match school-system teacher salaries and benefits. To better serve the most vulnerable students, D.C. education decision makers must find the political will to enable more underperforming and underenrolled charter and district schools to remodel or partner to improve or shutter. Vacant and underutilized school system buildings should be made available to higher-performing charter networks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The citys charter board should continue to encourage high-performing stand-alone charters to replicate and successful charter networks to grow. And it should attract proven out-of-town providers to bring their educational programs to the District. Americas public schools can be the great equalizers the nations most underserved students urgently need if policymakers follow the evidence to build on what works. Every day seems to bring more blatantly unconstitutional acts by President Trump. On Monday, the most egregious was his announcement that he is freezing the spending on all federal grants and loans beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday. California and six other states are suing to block the order, and on Tuesday afternoon a judge in the District of Columbia temporarily stopped it from going into effect. Although the exact terms of the order are unclear and it appears that it will not affect Social Security or Medicare, it could affect trillions of dollars of federal spending that has been approved by Congress and appropriated by federal statute. The president has no authority to do this under the Constitution, under which the legislative branch holds the power of the purse. Read more: Opinion: Lawmakers five decades ago passed a big budget fix. It made a difference (for them) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, presidential interference with Congress budgeted spending violates a federal statute, the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. When a federal statute has been adopted that appropriates money, the president has no authority to refuse to spend it. Early in American history, Thomas Jefferson claimed the power to impound and refuse to spend money appropriated by Congress. Other presidents occasionally did this, though it always was of dubious constitutionality. No president attempted to use it extensively until President Nixon. His impoundments were challenged in courts and almost without exception were deemed illegal. In Train vs. City of New York in 1975, the Supreme Court ruled that Nixon lacked the authority to impound federal monetary assistance under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, a program that he had vetoed and for which Congress had overridden his veto. The court unanimously held that the law gave Nixon no power to impound funds appropriated by federal statute. The issue of impoundment rarely resurfaced in the last half century because Congress, in 1974, passed a statute, the Impoundment Control Act, that outlaws such presidential actions. The act was adopted in reaction to the repeated impoundments by the Nixon administration and actually was signed into law by Nixon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law forbids presidential impoundment of funds, but under certain circumstances allows a brief delay and gives the president means to ask Congress to reconsider an appropriation, known as rescission. If the president wishes to rescind spending, he must send a special message to Congress identifying the amount of the proposed rescission, the reasons for it and the budgetary, economic and programmatic effects of the rescission. After the president sends such a message to Congress, he may withhold funding for up to 45 days. But if Congress does not approve the rescission within this time period, any withheld funds must be disbursed. The act also allows the president to defer federal spending in other very narrow circumstances, but again with required notifications to Congress. Trump has not made the required notifications to Congress, and so his order this week to halt spending is patently illegal. In his first term, Trump also engaged in illegal impoundment when he withheld military aid that had been appropriated to Ukraine. Trump was pressuring its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, to investigate Joe Biden. This is what led to the first impeachment of Trump by the House of Representatives. Now in his second term, as he freezes the spending of an enormous amount of federal money that has been appropriated by Congress, Trump is once again engaging in illegal and unconstitutional impoundment of funds. His position is that the Impoundment Control Act is itself unconstitutional. He said this as a presidential candidate. In November, the president-elects cost cutters Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal saying this. More recently, Russell Vought, the nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget, took this position at his confirmation hearings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is just wrong. It assumes that the president, not Congress, has control over federal spending. There is nothing in the Constitution to support this. In fact, the framers made a deliberate choice to ensure that the branch of government most accountable to the people the legislative was the one responsible for spending money. Moreover, as Justice Robert Jackson observed in his landmark 1952 Supreme Court opinion about separation of powers in Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co. vs. Sawyer, the presidents power is at its lowest ebb when he is violating a federal law. The Impoundment Control Act is a clearly constitutional law to protect Congress control over federal spending. But even apart from the Impoundment Control Act, impoundment is unconstitutional. On many occasions, the Supreme Court has said that it violates separation of powers for one part of government to interfere with or usurp the powers of another branch. This is why the court declared unconstitutional President Trumans seizure of steel mills and why it unanimously ruled against Nixons claim of a right to invoke executive privilege, which would have kept a federal court from having necessary evidence in a criminal case. It is imperative that a federal court quickly find Trumps huge impoundment of federal funds to be unconstitutional as usurping Congress spending power, just as a court last week immediately invalidated his executive order to end birthright citizenship. It is truly chilling to see the breadth of power that Trump is attempting to claim. Erwin Chemerinsky, a contributing writer to Opinion, is dean of the UC Berkeley Law School. 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. Utah is known for its breathtaking landscapes, pioneering spirit and industrious people. But did you know our state is also a powerhouse of aerospace and defense innovation? With industry giants like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Boeing driving technological development alongside our world-class universities and Hill Air Force Base, Utah has solidified itself as a leader in this high-flying sector. Nationally, 2.2 million people are employed in this thriving sector, earning wages that are 50% higher than the national average. In Utah, the aerospace and defense industry accounts for an impressive 20% of Utahs economy , employing nearly 300,000 individuals . Utahs foresight ensures were punching above our weight. This legislative session marks the dawn of an exciting chapter for Utahs aerospace ambitions. We are proposing the formation of an exploratory committee to evaluate the feasibility of building a spaceport in our state, focusing on logistical, economic and environmental factors. Imagine it: a Utah spaceport the gateway to the next frontier of exploration and discovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why Utah? The answer is simple: Utahs aerospace ecosystem is already soaring, and were about to take it to a whole new altitude. Our existing aerospace infrastructure provides a solid foundation, while our geographic advantages clear airspace, favorable weather and excellent transportation networks make us an ideal candidate. This isnt just a pipe dream. On Feb. 11, 1971 , the Utah Legislature passed SB121, establishing the Space Port Committee. This committee brought together a wide range of local business leaders, political figures and state government officials. Feasibility studies led by University of Utah professors from engineering, economics and other fields highlighted that Utahs high elevation could result in significant cost savings for space shuttle launches. The studies emphasized that more payload could be sent into orbit at a lower cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Utah Spaceport Committee worked diligently to gain support, gathering endorsements from Utahs congressional delegation, state and local officials and even representatives from neighboring states. The committee also organized visits to Utah for members of Congress and NASA officials to bolster their case. While Utah was primed and ready, Cape Canaveral was ultimately selected as the launch site for the research and development phase. This time around, were already one foot in the door. Utah-based Northrop Grumman already produces the solid rocket boosters for NASAs Space Launch System, which powers the Artemis missions. Utah universities and research institutions contribute to space exploration through cutting-edge research in fields such as robotics, material science and planetary science. Institutions like Utah State Universitys Space Dynamics Laboratory are renowned for building small satellite systems and conducting research on space weather and imaging technologies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spaceport would solidify Utah as a prominent player in the global space industry and open more doors for Utahns in high-tech careers like aerospace engineering and space science. A spaceport would act as a magnet for investment, partnerships and talent, bolstering Utahs thriving clusters in technology, manufacturing and aerospace. It would diversify our economy, create high-quality jobs and foster innovation across sectors. Some might wonder if this initiative is too ambitious. To that, we say: Utahs story has always been one of bold ambition. From building a thriving economy in the heart of the desert to becoming a global hub for innovation, weve never shied away from dreaming big. By investing in the future of space exploration, were paving the way for the next frontier of possibility. Utah stands at a crossroads. We can watch from the sidelines as the space industry takes off, or we can lead the way. By exploring the feasibility of a spaceport, were choosing to lead, to innovate and to dream big. After battling an array of issues from code violations, to threats to shut off water, to crime and fires, Orange County leaders may take legal action to force the sale of a dilapidated condo community. Commissioners on Tuesday delayed a decision until March, to allow more time for talks between the county and the remaining residents at Tymber Skan on the Lake to reach consensus on a path forward. For decades, the community on the shores of Lake Catherine has faced a plague of problems, which county staff say stem from mismanagement by past homeowners association boards, inconsistent collection of fees, and inability to repair damage from hurricanes as far back as 2004. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent months, the Fire Marshal determined that Tymber Skan lacked working firing hydrants, making it a danger to residents safety. Some of the units where people live have no running water. The neighborhood was initially built in the 1970s with 49 buildings as luxury condos marketing to young professionals. But by now most of them have been abandoned and the county has demolished 41 of them, spending about $3.5 million to try to stabilize the neighborhood. Now the county, which controls 123 units in the neighborhood, has proposed asking a court to appoint a receiver with the power to force a sale for redevelopment. This situation has continued to deteriorate. Its continued, unfortunately, to put our citizens in jeopardy, Mayor Jerry Demings said. The current living conditions thereare not sustainable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But toward the end of a long discussion, Commissioner Mike Scott asked for more time to meet with county staff and the neighborhood to figure out the best path forward. Commissioners are set to continue the discussion on March 11. Despite the dire conditions on the ground, several homeowners and residents of Tymber Skan pleaded with the Board of County Commissioners to give them time to right the ship. We really need time to really gather all of this information and fix this issueWe do have a plan to make Tymber Skan better, said Jorge Flores, a homeowner. Were trying to avoid going into receivership because a lot of homeowners have nowhere else to go besides Tymber Skan. Residents agreed that a prior board had been negligent in keeping up the property, but said the new board is more attentive and trying to fix things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want you guys to give this new board a chance, said Thomas Chambers, who has lived there for 13 years. Were doing what we can to make this a better place. Seeking receivership is a lengthy process that could span a year or longer. In their presentation, county staff said it would commit resources to helping residents relocate to new housing, and that the county would offer to purchase the remaining 18 owner-occupied units at a negotiated price. An appraiser has estimated the value at about $65,000 per unit, and several commissioners expressed fears that such a value wouldnt be enough to allow somebody to find a new place to live. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Nobody can move anywhere in Orange County for that money," Commissioner Mayra Uribe said. Under its current zoning, if the property was sold for redevelopment, a builder would be allowed to construct up to 560 units of townhomes, apartments or duplexes, with buildings as tall as three-and-a-half stories. rygillespie@orlandosentinel.com Andrea Williams, president of the Oregon Food Bank, speaks at a Food for all Oregonians rally on Monday, Jan. 27,2025 at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem. Advocates want state lawmakers to pass a bill that would provide food assistance to more immigrants. (Photo by Oregon Capital Chronicle/Peter Wong) Oregon lawmakers and food advocates are starting smaller this year in their bid to make cash food benefits available to immigrants who are ineligible under federal rules. After failing to get a bill passed in 2023, theyve narrowed the group who would be eligible for state aid to children and youth and older people at risk of hunger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, supporters unsuccessfully lobbied for the passage of a proposal that would have provided state funding to provide food benefits to about 62,000 immigrants. Food for All Oregonians, a coalition of more than 160 organizations and the Oregon Food Bank, wants to see all immigrants get the food benefits they would otherwise qualify for through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. About 770,000 Oregonians receive SNAP food benefits, representing nearly 447,000 households. In November, $138.4 million in benefits were issued for food, an average of $309 a month for each family. To qualify, individuals can earn up to $2,510 and a family of four can earn up to $5,200 a month. On Monday, advocates said they are pushing for a scaled-down version, Senate Bill 611, that would provide state-funded food benefits to immigrants who are under 26 years old or 55 and older and are ineligible for SNAP benefits because of their immigrant status. The 2023 bill which died in a budget subcommittee, would have included all ineligible immigrants, regardless of their age. This bill isnt just about food its about building a stronger, more equitable Oregon where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, said Wlnsvey Campos, D-Aloha, and a chief sponsor of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group includes undocumented immigrants and residents under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. It also includes legal permanent residents who have not yet been in the U.S. for five years, which generally is required for SNAP benefits. Our seniors who are very vulnerable to food insecurity, and our children those are the two populations that this particular bill is focused on, Andrea Williams, president of the Oregon Food Bank, said in an interview. Now we dont want to stop there. We would eventually like every age. Advocates dont yet know how many people of the 62,000 fall within the two age groups, or what the costs would be. The issue comes amid heightened attention on immigrant issues, including President Donald Trumps signals of potential mass deportations of such immigrants, an end to refugee admissions and cuts in the federal social safety net. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These policies are in direct opposition to our values as Oregonians, Williams said. Oregon can and must lead by example. The bill has Democratic support though Campos said it has one Republican co-sponsor Rep. and farmer Mark Owens of Crane and she is working on getting a Republican co-sponsor in the Senate. Her 2023 bill cleared the Senate Human Services Committee but died without a vote in a joint budget subcommittee. David Soria Garcia of Tillamook, who sits on the policy leadership council of the food bank and attended the rally, said he knows what its like to be hungry. I know the feeling of wondering if you will make it through the week while carrying the hopes and dreams of your family, Soria Garcia said. But it is that struggle and that determination to create a better life that causes me to be here today advocating for a future where no one has to go hungry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams said that easing hunger has other benefits. When families have access to SNAP, their chances of being evicted from their houses are less, she said. They are going to keep their jobs for longer, their kids are going to do better in school. This is tied together. We are making the case that food for Oregonians is part of the states priorities. The Oregon Latino Health Coalition, part of the coalition, noted the role of immigrants in working to provide food for Oregonians, even as they cannot access SNAP. Access to nourishing food is a fundamental aspect of health, said Andrea Vanessa Castillo, policy and advocacy manager at Oregon Latino Health Coalition. Immigrants and refugees are vital they help put food on the table for families across our state. Yet, they remain excluded from essential benefits like SNAP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Partly because of their lack of access to food, Castillo said the incidence of type-2 diabetes is higher among Latinos and other groups. Six states, including California and Washington, have food assistance programs for noncitizens, according to a 2023 report by the Food Research & Action Center, an anti-poverty advocacy and research group based in Washington D.C. A total of 18 states began such programs after Congress barred food aid to noncitizens in a 1996 law. Congress later changed the law to allow such aid to immigrants who have been legal residents for five years. Williams said the bill is the top priority for the anti-hunger coalition, but she acknowledged that it has to dovetail with other steps, such as Gov. Tina Koteks proposals to expand housing construction. Until we can address all of these upstream issues, we are going to keep seeing high demand, she said. We know that is within the power of the government to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside the SNAP program, demand for food assistance is high. Oregonians made 2.5 million visits in 2024 to the Oregon Food Bank networks 1,400 sites, an increase of 31%. They distributed nearly 100 million pounds. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Police in DeLand said an Orlando man is facing charges after a possible road rage shooting. Officers said 22-year-old Daniel Duarte is facing several charges after shooting at people over the weekend. The shooting happened early Sunday morning on North Woodland Boulevard and New York Avenue. Read: Triple fatal Palm Bay condo fire claims the lives of single family The victims told police they honked at another driver going slowly in front of them when the driver got out of the car and opened fire on them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said one bullet pierced one victims hoodie and narrowly missed his head. Read: Man on FBIs Most Wanted List arrested in Lake County Officials said no one was hurt in the shooting. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. An Orlando man has been arrested in DeLand after shooting at another driver, apparently for honking at him, the DeLand Police Department announced. Daniel Duarte, 22, was taken into custody Saturday on two counts of aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony, discharging a firearm in public, discharge of a firearm from a vehicle and firing into a vehicle, according to a Monday news release. While the investigation is still active, evidence suggests the shooting was a road rage incident. Police say the confrontation occurred around 2 a.m. Saturday near the intersection of N. Woodland Boulevard and New York Avenue in downtown DeLand. The victim and his friend were approaching the intersection behind Duartes vehicle, which was driving slowly, the release said. The victim honked at Duarte several times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duarte pulled into a parking space as they passed and stuck a gun out of his window, shooting at the victims car several times, according to the release. While neither the victim nor his friend were hurt, two bullets struck their vehicle, and one bullet went through the friends hoodie, narrowly missing his head. DeLand police located Duartes vehicle around 3:30 p.m. Saturday and arrested him with the help of the Volusia County Sheriffs Office, the release said. A handgun was seen inside the vehicle. His first court appearance was Sunday and his arraignment is set for Feb. 20, according to jail records. Duarte was booked into the Volusia County Jail and given a $60,000 bail. He was released Sunday on bond, jail records show. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) An Orleans County man was arrested and charged after over 1,000 videos and images of child pornography were found in his possession, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Tuesday. The Medina Police Department seized electronic devices allegedly belonging to 32-year-old Christian Poole, of Medina, in May 2022. Around 560 videos and 423 images of child pornography were found, with some showing depictions of violence against children, officials said. It is alleged that Poole also downloaded at least 60 photos and videos of child pornography on Telegram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poole is scheduled to return to court for a detention hearing on Wednesday. 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. An elementary school principal has been arrested after allegedly throwing a massive boozy house party for over 100 juveniles, authorities said. The incident occurred on Jan. 19 when authorities from the Cocoa Beach Police Department responded to a home after reports of a large house party and observed over 100 juveniles at the residence in matching t-shirts, many of whom were consuming alcohol that was later learned to be available in coolers at the residence," according to a statement from the Cocoa Beach Police Department. MORE: 7 cops shot in San Antonio while responding to call for help from apartment Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The homeowner was quickly identified to be Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan, the principal of nearby Roosevelt Elementary School, police said. While officers were investigating the party, a juvenile was located on the front lawn experiencing an alcohol related medical event, authorities said in their statement regarding the party. The juvenile was so heavily intoxicated that Brevard County Fire Rescue (BCFR) had to respond to treat them. MORE: Woman arrested after 27 dead horses found across multiple properties During this time, the homeowner, Hill-Brodigan, was seen by officers in the driveway of her residence turning off the outside lights and entering her residence, causing BCFR to auxiliary lighting on their vehicle to treat the juvenile, police continued. Additionally, a traffic stop was conducted near the residence resulting in the arrest of the juvenile driver for DUI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another intoxicated adult female -- later identified as Karly Anderson, a teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School -- was also identified as being at the party, according to the Cocoa Beach Police Department. MORE: Fire chief shot and killed after stopping to help driver who hit deer with their car Numerous juveniles and their parents were interviewed by police in the days after the incident and an arrest was obtained for Hill-Brodigan on charges of child neglect, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and holding an open house party, police said. Anderson was also arrested and charged with child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school has yet to issue a statement regarding the party and the investigation remains open. Over 100 juveniles attend massive boozy house party at school principal's home: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Over 20,000 tortoises have been rescued from illegal wildlife poaching by the U.S.-based nongovernmental organization Turtle Survival Alliance. The TSA's Androy Tortoise Conservation Center, based in Madagascar, cares for more than 24,000 tortoises that have been confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade. In recent years, enormous domestic seizures have skyrocketed the population in the TCC's care, resulting in the service "struggling to cope with a near-constant stream of new victims," as reported by Mongabay. Last May, Mexican authorities made the largest-ever confiscation of 15,000 live turtles headed toward China. Poachers prize tortoises for their meat, which is considered a delicacy in some regions. Tortoises have also been idealized within the international pet trade. Poaching has become the "greatest threat" to tortoises, as tens of thousands are stolen from the wild annually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many tortoises are critically endangered. More than half of the 360 turtle and tortoise species reportedly face imminent extinction. This is not just an issue of poaching but also an issue of habitat loss, invasive species, and global warming. The solution is to care for the tortoises and prepare them for release back into the wild. The TCC has found that release sites near Indigenous communities offer the most safety due to their "long-standing cultural affinity for the animals." "We need to supply more tortoises for the wild population to thrive," Hery Razafimamonjiraibe, TSA's Madagascar country director, told Mongabay. However, this is not simple, as the tortoises are usually in bad shape when they arrive at the center, necessitating vital care. Finding and maintaining release sites that will keep the tortoises safe is an emerging difficulty for the center. Habitat loss in the area and Madagascar's "low capacity to enforce wildlife laws" decreases success. So the center has been working with the Tandroy and Mahafaly Indigenous peoples, who value and help protect the tortoises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Razafimamonjiraibe told Mongabay: "The success of the reintroduction program absolutely depends on building relationships with the communities on whose land the initiative works. Without their support, nothing can be achieved." 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. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The Metropolitan Transit System officially launched a new overnight bus service between San Ysidro and downtown San Diego Sunday. The new service began at 12:28 a.m. Sunday, making MTS a 24-hour operation for the first time in the agencys history, according to transit officials. ICE encounters reported in San Diego County as mass deportation fears grow Route 910 runs from the U.S.-Mexico Border to downtown San Diego during overnight hours when the UC San Diego Blue Line trolley stops operating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MTS said the new route is expected to run every 30 minutes between 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m., with stops along the way including South San Diego, Chula Vista, National City and Barrio Logan. If extra capacity is needed due to ridership levels throughout the first few months of the service, MTS said it could look at making changes to the schedule. The standard transit fare applies, which is $2.50 one-way for adults and $1.25 for seniors and passengers who are disabled or with Medicare. MTS also expanded early morning service on Route 992 to the San Diego International Airport, which now begin around 4:15 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) Several lanes were blocked on Interstate 95 after a truck overturned Tuesday, leaving dirt across the highway in Spotsylvania County. Details are limited; however, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) said the truck crashed and fell on its side in the northbound lanes, near Exit 118 (Thornburg). TSA welcomes digital ID readers nationwide The truck was hauling trash and dirt. (Photo Courtesy: VDOT) The right lane and shoulder on the interstate were shut down and traffic was backed up for nearly two miles before opening back up hours later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews came with a heavy-duty tow truck to clean up the debris. (Photo Courtesy: VDOT) (Photo Courtesy: VDOT) (Photo Courtesy: VDOT) (Photo Courtesy: VDOT) (Photo Courtesy: VDOT) (Photo Courtesy: VDOT) Virginia State Police told DC News Now that the driver of the truck was not injured during 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. TOPEKA (KSNT) The Kansas State Treasurers Office reports there are millions of dollars in unclaimed property up for grabs this year. Steven Johnson, the Kansas state treasurer, announced in a press release on Tuesday, Jan. 28 that he is encouraging all state residents to participate in the upcoming National Unclaimed Property Day on Saturday, Feb. 1. The day is dedicated to raising awareness among state residents about how much unclaimed property is being held by the Kansas government. More than $600 million in unclaimed property sits in Kansas alone. On National Unclaimed Property Day, I encourage everyone to take a few moments to see if there are funds out there waiting to be claimed, Johnson said. This day is a reminder that reuniting people with their money is a priority for my office. We want everyone to know that even small amounts can make a big difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At-home alcohol deliveries could become new normal in Kansas with this bill The Kansas State Treasurers Office hopes to connect people with any unclaimed property they might have sitting around gathering dust. Unclaimed property can also consist of the following: Insurance proceeds. Stocks and bonds. Safety deposit box contents. Payroll checks. Money orders. Refunds and overpayments. Bank accounts. People wanting to search for unclaimed property with the Kansas State Treasurers Office can get started by heading to the agencys website. A section on this website has boxes for you to fill out for your name, city, ZIP code and property ID. You can also use this website to check the status of previous claims. It only takes a few minutes to see if you or a family member might have unclaimed property, Johnson said. This National Unclaimed Property Day, spread the word and help us ensure that people get back what is rightfully theirs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is the last day for JC Penney at West Ridge Mall in Topeka? Johnson said unclaimed property is reported to the government by businesses and financial institutions with amounts ranging from a few dollars to several thousand in cash. Many people or businesses may be surprised to find they have missing or forgotten funds, so regular checks of unclaimed property are encouraged. 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. LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) An owner and employee at a Lancaster County car dealership were sentenced on money laundering charges, the Department of Justice announced. Christopher Lopez, 41 will spend one year and a day in prison, while Michael Torres, 43, will spend six months in prison after they were sentenced by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson, the DOJ said in a news release. Lopez owned C&D Motorsports, located at 1208 Manheim Pike, and Torres worked there as a salesperson. The DOJ says the duo worked together to cater to drug traffickers who bought vehicles at the dealership and were not properly filing reports with cash sales over $10,000 as required by law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began their investigation in 2019 after receiving reports of the illegal activity going on at the dealership. The release states that agents went undercover, posing as a drug trafficker and his girlfriend, and met with Torres and Lopez at the dealership. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter The duo discussed using cash from drug trafficking, and putting the vehicle under the girlfriends name so the traffickers name would be omitted from the paperwork. In order to finalize the deal, the duo titled the vehicle in third partys name, the DOJ states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a four-day trial in February 2024 that followed a grand jury indictment two years prior, both Lopez and Torres were found guilty of conspiring together to accept more than $33,000 in cash proceeds that were represented to be from the sale of cocaine, and to conceal the nature, source, ownership, and control of those proceeds by having the vehicle titled in a third partys name, the release states. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christian Haugsby and Joseph Terz prosecuted the 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 ABC27. The Capitol building in Harrisburg on July 6, 2024 (Capital-Star photo by Ian Karbal) The Pennsylvania House Education Committee approved a bipartisan piece of legislation that allows intermediate units to own land and buildings for instructional use. There are 29 intermediate units in Pennsylvania, which are regional educational service agencies created by the General Assembly that offer special education, workforce development, online learning, curriculum development and a range of other services. The units are allowed to own office space and warehouse facilities, but instructional space must be leased. That limitation does not exist for area career and technical schools or charter schools, a legislative memo says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That arrangement burdens IUs with rental costs that sometimes greatly exceed what it would cost the IU to purchase and own the facility themselves, per the memo, as well as preventing IUs from providing facilities that are tailored for the needs of the students they serve. House Bill 201, sponsored by state Reps. Joe Ciresi (D-Montgomery) and Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks), allows IUs to purchase and own land and buildings for instructional use. Ciresi, who served at the IU in Montgomery County when he was a school board member, argued that the legislation is definitely a cost saver, during the voting meeting on Monday. Marcell, who was a school board member in Bucks County, noted that several IUs in the suburban county north of Philadelphia have been limited to leasing several facilities, including those that serve early childhood programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The constraints of leasing prevent the IU from operating as efficiently as possible and from fully customizing these spaces to meet students unique needs, Marcell said. PAIU_Map_by_SD The legislation was approved by a 20-6 vote, with every Democrat voting to support the legislation, while Republicans were split 6-6. State Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), the minority chair of the House Education Committee, supported the legislation because he thinks its important that local control also comes with local financial responsibility. Those are the individuals that are closest to the community, Cutler said. They understand their needs, they understand the financial impact, and ultimately, I trust them to make that best decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Milou Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) was one of six Republicans who voted against the bill. I think now is not the time to go ahead and give permission to buy more real estate that ultimately the taxpayers are going to be responsible for paying and keeping up and maintaining, Mackenzie said. Its just like in your own life if you cant afford to maintain your primary residence, you should not be going out and buying additional real estate. The committee also advanced House Bill 190 by state Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Allegheny), which would add a new section to the School Code to require the Departments of Education and Health to develop educational information and make recommendations for eating disorder awareness. An amendment to the bill proposed by state Rep. Gina Curry (D-Delaware) lists the Department of Health as the lead agency rather than the Department of Education. The vote was 18-8 vote. In April 2023, legislation addressing eating disorder awareness in schools was approved by a 158-43 vote. It was last referred to the Senate Education committee in the previous session, but did not receive a vote. A bike lane in Virginia. (Virginia Mercury) During its first voting meeting of the session, the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee unanimously advanced three pieces of legislation, including one intended to make city streets safer for cyclists. House Bill 291, sponsored by state Reps. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery) and David Maloney (R-Berks), would allow municipalities to create parking-protected bicycle lanes between curbs and parked vehicles, allowing bicyclists to ride separated from vehicular traffic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current state law requires vehicles to park within 12 inches of a curb and does not take pedestrian plazas or bicycle lanes into consideration. State Rep. Ed Neilson (D-Philadelphia), chair of the House Transportation Committee, said that the legislation gives the local authorities the ability to install pedestrian plazas and parking protected bicycle lanes if they chose, but does not mandate they to do so. Neilson cited the death of Dr. Barbara Friedes, a Philadelphia cyclist who was killed by a motorist in July, as an example of a crash protected bike lanes might have prevented. The driver, Michael Vahey, is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving drunk and related offenses. This legislation passed this House four times, Neilson said. I cant imagine the amount of lives that weve cost by not having this on the second floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her life could have been saved if this was a protected bike lane, Neilson added. In the previous session, the bill was also unanimously approved by the House Transportation Committee and was passed by the full state House by a 198-5 vote, however it was not approved by the Senate. The Transportation Committee passed two other bills Monday. House Bill 257, sponsored by Neilson, requires PennDOT to include at least one question on the written driving test about how to drive safely in a work zone and require minors to look at educational materials on the dangers of unsafe driving in a work zone prior to taking the test for a junior drivers license. House Bill 240, sponsored by House Minority Transportation Committee Chair Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre), would eliminate the requirement to test hearing aids worn by school bus drivers. Instead, school bus drivers who require hearing aids would be required to simply pass a hearing test while wearing the devices. The bill has support from PennDOT and the Pennsylvania School Bus Association. In a resolution passed on 28 January, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has emphasised that Russia bears full responsibility for crimes committed against Ukraine by illegal private military companies, specifically Wagner Group and Redut. Source: European Pravda, citing PACEs resolution Addressing risks to human rights and the rule of law posed by mercenaries and private military and security companies, approved on 28 January Quote: "Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022, Russian private military companies, the very existence of which is prohibited under Russian law, such as the Wagner Group and Redut, carried out numerous acts of torture and extrajudicial executions, including mass executions, of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians, and targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: PACE noted that the Russian Federation "bears full international responsibility for these actions because of its acknowledged links and financial and operational support extended to the Wagner Group during its participation in the war, including the use of pardoned convicts as fighters and co-ordination on the ground with the regular forces". The resolution also emphasised that these so-called "Russian private military companies" are distinct from legitimate private military and security companies (PMSCs), which operate within the legal frameworks of their home states. Additionally, PACE noted that enhanced regulation is required given the numerous reports of serious human rights violations committed by PMSCs registered or operating within Council of Europe member states. The resolution calls on member states of the Council of Europe to adopt legislation regulating the activities of PMSCs, including criteria for their licensing and registration, as well as oversight mechanisms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resolution also emphasises that soldiers of the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine are lawful combatants and should be regarded as members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, not as "mercenaries". It was also reported that the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, pledged not to abandon the idea of a special tribunal for Putin. Support UP or become our patron! Jan. 27SANTA FE The Paid Family and Medical Leave Act on Monday passed its first legislative hurdle, much to the relief and dismay of different parents present at its first committee hearing. It took more than two hours of discussion and public comment in the House Health and Human Services Committee before the bill was approved on a party-line 6-4 vote, with Democrats voting in favor and Republicans in opposition. Now, the bill has just under eight weeks to make it through the rest of the Roundhouse. It failed last year to pass the House floor by two votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By implementing new fees, the legislation would allow employees to take up to 12 paid weeks off for parental leave and up to nine weeks off paid for medical or military exigency purposes. It would also allow nine weeks paid time-off for instances of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault or abuse, for the employee or an employee's family member. Under the program, employees would pay 0.5% of their wages into the fund $5 for every $1,000 and employers with five or more employees would pay 0.4% of wages into the fund $4 for every $1,000. Employees and employers would start paying into the fund in 2027, and employees could start requesting time off using the fund in 2028. Businesses that already offer a similar or broader paid leave program could apply for exemption waivers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill, House Bill 11, heads to the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee next. The debate Bill sponsor Rep. Linda Serrato, D-Santa Fe, was in the past pregnant while serving in the House and had to return to work within six weeks, she said during Monday's hearing. "That's all that my nonprofit could afford to give me, even though they wanted to do more. This is an insurance policy that allows them to do more," Serrato said. Meanwhile, new Rep. Elaine Sena Cortez, R-Hobbs, who had a baby two years ago, said this program would be New Mexico's largest proposed tax increase ever something committee chair Rep. Liz Thomson, D-Albuquerque, said is inflammatory language and without evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We already pay federal tax. We already pay income tax," Sena Cortez said. "Many people are struggling just to buy groceries. ... Credit card use is at an all-time high. So now we are asking New Mexicans that are already struggling to pay an additional tax; is that correct?" The bill sponsors disagreed. The Democratic legislators didn't agree with Republicans' defining the program fees as a tax. A legislative analysis of the bill calls it a payroll tax. In response to a question from Rep. Pamelya Herndon, D-Albuquerque, bill sponsor Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, said the goal is to ensure a "healthy, happy, productive workforce, which also protects the employer." "Whenever the employee is successful, the employer is successful," Herndon said. "And so what we want to do is to make sure that they are able to take care of themselves when they need to, and that they're able to take care of their families when they need to. So this is a guaranteed savings plan to help make sure that there is funds to take care of them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A slew of parents attended the committee meeting, including Abby O'Connor, marketing director with the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association. As a pregnant mother with a young child at home, she said, she understands where "the hearts are of the sponsors and the supporters as well as anybody. But I also understand that, as a small business owner and a fifth-generation rancher from this state, that this will kill small businesses." "Who do we expect to pick cherries, milk cows and go out and harvest hard crops when our employees are out on leave?" she added. But for mother Deborah Condit, having a paid leave program could've prevented her from needing to go on food stamps. Condit, owner of Albuquerque's Books on the Bosque, said her employer of four years didn't provide paid leave when she had her daughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, as a business owner, she faces a similar situation where she can't afford to give her employees the paid time off she wants. "If there's a way for me as a small business owner to be able to provide that, sign me up," Condit said. Many people who spoke in opposition, including lawmakers, said they support the spirit of the bill but it's just not economically feasible for employers, especially those in rural America, to replace workers for 9-12 weeks. And, many of the same businesses and trade associations that opposed the bill last year again don't support it, like the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce and the New Mexico Restaurant Association. Business leaders noted the bill hasn't changed much since its 2024 failure on the House floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A narrower version of the bill introduced last year by Rep. Marian Matthews, D-Albuquerque, died in its first committee. It's unclear if Matthews will introduce an alternative bill again this year. A possible compromise? At a breakfast at the La Fonda hotel hosted by the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce Monday morning, Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, encouraged business leaders to "stay at the table." "We're going to try and find a compromise," he said. "It doesn't mean everyone's going to be happy, but I think that it's important that we listen and hear the concerns and the input that you all have and try and get ourselves a place where we can move forward." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Governor's Office is still evaluating the bill and doesn't have a definitive position yet, said spokesperson Michael Coleman. House Minority Whip Alan Martinez, R-Bernalillo, questioned the bill sponsors on how the bill would work and how it's changed since 2019 to make it more amenable to business leaders. In response to a question from Martinez, Department of Workforce Solutions Secretary Sarita Nair said her agency would need 219 employees to run the program and currently has a 17% vacancy rate or 100 employees. Though the committee hearing maintained a cordial climate, glimpses of tension appeared at different times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomson didn't pass out a non-validated survey on business responses to PFML, Martinez said, after which he asked validation for because "these numbers are important for the committee." He said more than 80% of businesses in his district though the survey methods aren't clear found issues with the proposed program. About 15 minutes into Martinez's line of questioning, and after repeated back-and-forth between him and Chandler about characterizations of the bill, Thomson said the lawmakers already "agreed to disagree" and asked them to move on. The House committee members were excused from the floor session for this debate, which was expected to be lengthy. Rep. Jenifer Jones, R-Deming, questioned bill sponsors for nearly an hour, digging into the legislation page by page. By Mohammed Salem and Nidal al-Mughrabi GAZA/CAIRO (Reuters) -Displaced Palestinians returning to their homes in Gaza City this week found a city in ruins after 15 months of fighting, with many seeking shelter amongst the rubble and searching for relatives lost in the chaotic return march. Gaza City, in the north of the enclave, is a shell of the bustling urban centre it was before the war, with swathes of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments and piles of rubble and torn-up concrete on every side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Look at this scene, there is nothing to say," said a man who gave his name as Abu Mohammad as he searched for a place to settle. "People will sleep on the ground. There is nothing left." Many of those returning, often laden with what personal possessions they still have after months of being moved around as the battlegrounds shifted, had trekked 20 km (12 miles) or more along the coastal highway north. "I am waiting for my father, mother and brother. We lost them on the way," said Jameel Abed, who walked up from the central area of the Gaza Strip. "We found some lights here and we are waiting for them," he said. "There is no car, no tuktuk, no donkey cart, no vehicle, nothing that could move on this road." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By late on Monday, Gaza's Hamas authorities said more than 300,000 people, or almost half of those displaced from the north during the war, had crossed into Gaza City and the north edge of the enclave from areas in the south. Even as those who arrived in Gaza looked around for somewhere to settle down, tens of thousands were still moving north as mediators began preliminary work on the second stage of ceasefire negotiations due to begin next week. Three more Israeli hostages are due to be handed over on Thursday by Hamas, the militant group still in control of Gaza, with another three expected on Saturday, in exchange for scores of Palestinian prisoners set for release from Israeli jails, some of whom will go into exile. In Cairo, a high-level Hamas team led by Mohammad Darwish, head of the group's leading council, held talks with Egyptian mediators, and welcomed 70 Palestinian prisoners who arrived in Cairo prior to being moved to third countries who would be willing to host them, a Hamas statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These include Qatar, Turkey, and Algeria, according to Hamas and other sources. Later on Tuesday, Hamas said the delegation has also discussed with Cairo officials alleged Israeli violations of the truce and ideas to achieve national unity with the rival Palestinian Authority of President Mahmoud Abbas, including an Egyptian proposal to form a committee to run post-war Gaza. Hamas, which has run Gaza since 2007, and Abbas's authority, which has a sway in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, have so far failed to end political splits that weakened Palestinian aspirations for statehood. NEGOTIATIONS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the terms of the ceasefire, agreed this month with Egyptian and Qatari mediation and U.S. support, 33 hostages are due to be released during a six-week ceasefire, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, many of them serving life sentences in Israeli jails. Seven hostages and 290 prisoners have so far been exchanged. A second stage, which will decide what happens to more than 60 other hostages, including men of military age as well as a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, is due to begin by next Tuesday. If that succeeds, a full end to the war could follow. It would also open the way to talks on reconstructing Gaza, now largely destroyed by an Israeli campaign that killed almost 47,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities. The conflict was triggered by the Hamas-led attack in southern Israel that killed 1,200 people, according to an Israeli toll, and saw more than 250 taken hostage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced pressure from some hardliners in his government, unhappy that the agreement leaves Hamas still in power in Gaza, not to proceed to the second stage but to recommence fighting to secure what they see as total victory. But Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, said the group believed the talks would go ahead. "We are ready to begin negotiations for the second phase at the specified time and are confident that Netanyahu has no choice but to proceed with the second phase," he said. What would follow full implementation of the ceasefire remains unclear after Israel's repeated declarations that Hamas will not be allowed to remain in power in Gaza. U.S. President Donald Trump's call for Palestinians in Gaza to be taken to Egypt or Jordan, though strongly rejected in the region and by Palestinian officials and residents, has further complicated the outlook. (Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi; editing by James Mackenzie, Sharon Singleton and Angus MacSwan) The Florida Commission on Ethics has levied a $500 fine against Lauro Diaz, a Republican candidate in last year's county sheriff election, for failing to disclose more than $1 million in assets on his campaign finance statement. The commission acted on a complaint filed by John Saroka of Wellington who pointed out that a filing by Diaz listed his net assets at $1.4 million while Diaz only listed assets of $338,000 $138,000 in household goods and personal effects, $50,000 in cash and $150,000 in income from the Florida Retirement System. State law requires assets greater than $1,000 to be included. Saroka acknowledged to the commission that he came across the Diaz discrepancies while doing research for Michael Gauger, a Republican who defeated Diaz in the GOP primary. The complaint resulted in the state Ethics Commission charging Diaz with filing an inaccurate report; and the commission deciding to impose the $500 fine for violating the ethics code. Diaz did not challenge the ruling or dispute the finding that he violated state campaign finance laws. Lauro Diaz At issue was the Form 6, filed with the state agency, that requires all candidates seeking elected office or holding office to reveal their net worth, and to itemize their income and liabilities. Diaz was involved in a bitter primary battle with Gauger. Republican Diaz subsequently endorsed Democrat Sheriff Ric Bradshaw in the general election. Bradshaw was reelected in November by 15 points, defeating Gauger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, Diaz, as the Republican candidate, was soundly defeated by Bradshaw. Diaz told The Post last year that he found out about the Saroka complaint from The Palm Beach Post, noting that his report was accepted the way it was presented, and questioned why that would be if it was filed incorrectly. But following the state Ethics Commission investigation, Diaz admitted he failed to include the value of two houses he owns in Florida one in Lake Placid and another in Loxahatchee. That accounted for the $1.1 million discrepancy. Saroka filed the complaint against Diaz shortly before the Republican primary. Gauger defeated Diaz by eight percentage points but the win was due to a strong showing by Gauger on vote-by-mail ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diaz, as part of the settlement with the state Ethics Commission, agreed to ensure that future reports, should he again seek elected office, will be filed accurately. Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government. You can reach him at mdiamond@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida sheriff candidate fined for failing to disclose $1M in assets (This article was updated to add more information) The Jan. 6 defendant fatally shot by a Jasper County Sheriff's deputy had been arrested at least four times since the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol and President Donald Trump issuing his pardon. Matthew Huttle, 42, faced multiple pending motor vehicle cases at the time of his death, each of the five charges stemming out of Lake Superior Court. The most recent case opened in May 2022, months before his Jan. 6 arrest. Online court records show he had many more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hobart, Indiana, man had an extensive history of driving offenses dating back to at least 2005 with an intoxicated driving-related conviction. The pattern continued through 2019 with his guilty plea of operating a vehicle as a habitual offender, records show. Huttle had at least 13 criminal convictions including his federal charge stemming from his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack, according to federal court documents. Federal prosecutors pointed to his criminal record in his Jan. 6 sentencing records, making specific mention of a battery case out of Lake County in 2010 in which he pleaded guilty to spanking his son "so hard that he left bruises all over the child's backside," the memorandum states. He was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Online Indiana prison records show his projected release date as May 12, 2013. The U.S. Government further said that since his arrest for the Capitol riot, Huttle violated his pretrial release conditions by using marijuana, failing to appear for drug testing and moving to a different state without the court's approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indiana Jan. 6 defendants: President Trump issues pardons. See the list of Hoosiers. Huttle was next due in court on Feb. 10 for his most recent case. His attorney, Nicholas Barnes, said he was "taken aback" by the shooting and looks forward to seeing what's revealed in the body camera footage capturing the encounter. "I dont know Matt to be a violent individual," Barnes said. "Unfortunately its well documented he struggled with alcohol. However, I would say when he was sober, he was charismatic and he was intelligent." Matthew Huttle shot during traffic stop while resisting arrest, police say The fatal shooting occurred about 4:15 p.m. Sunday shortly after a deputy with the Jasper County Sheriffs Office stopped Huttle's vehicle near the Pulaski County line, according to Indiana State Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the deputy was attempting to arrest Huttle, an altercation broke out between the two and ended in the deputy shooting Huttle, Indiana State Police said. Officials have not said why the deputy initiated the traffic stop. Police said an early investigation found Huttle had a firearm at the time of the traffic stop. Because of his felony convictions, he was prohibited from carrying. Police have not detailed what role that firearm played in his shooting. In three separate cases between 2008-09 in Lake and Porter counties, he was charged with resisting law enforcement, attempted aggravated battery and domestic battery. Each of the charges was dismissed. Online records don't indicate if they were dismissed because of lack of evidence or as part of plea agreements. Matthew Huttle's role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack Matthew Huttle, captured in images from the Jan. 6, 2021 riot in Washington DC, was fatally shot during a traffic stop in northern Indiana on Jan. 26, 2025. Huttle was arrested on Jan. 6-related offenses in November 2022 after federal investigators say surveillance video captured him going inside the Capitol and venturing into "multiple" offices, the Crypt and hallways, court records state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 misdemeanor. He faced a lower charge than his uncle, Dale Huttle, whom he traveled with that day. In June 2024, Dale Huttle was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison followed by two years on supervised release. According to federal prison records, Matthew Huttle was no longer in custody as of July 17, 2024. He had no additional charges in Indiana after his release. The pair were among the 28 Hoosiers charged in the massive investigation following the riot. This month, in one of his first acts in office, President Donald Trump pardoned more than 1,500 defendants implicated in the attack. Contact IndyStar reporter Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pardoned man shot by deputy had 4 Indiana cases between Jan. 6 and pardon SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Starting next month, San Diegans will need to shell out a little more per hour to park in spaces with a city-operated meter. On Monday, the San Diego City Council voted 8-1 to approve a hike to the rate charged at parking meters in the city as a means to help close the projected $260 million budget deficit heading into the next fiscal year. The increase doubles the cost for drivers to park in metered spaces for most, this will change fees from $1.25 per hour to $2.50 per hour. The new rates are set to go into effect on Feb. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Southeast Disaster Relief team holds community update one year after historic flooding San Diego officials have been discussing upping parking meter fees as a potential avenue for increasing revenue to aid in the citys budget woes since the one-cent sales tax measure, Measure E, failed to pass during last years election. The tax increase would have brought in an estimated $360 million to $400 million annually for the city, effectively wiping out the current structural deficit. Now, San Diego leaders are taking a more piecemeal approach to find ways to make up the difference with the hopes of avoiding steep cuts to essential city services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we do not take action, we are looking at cutting employees, Councilmember Henry Foster III, who brought forward the parking meter fee action, said during Mondays council meeting. We owe it not only to our employees, but also to the public, in which they are the ones that provide the services that improve the quality of life of our residents. The parking fee increase, the citys independent budget analyst says, will boost city funds by an additional $4 million during the remainder of the current fiscal year and $10 million in each year moving forward. Typically, a portion of the revenue from parking meters goes to parking districts to use on projects improving walkways and crosswalks, among other things. The remainder goes towards the citys general fund. Additional revenue may come from further policy changes Mayor Todd Glorias office is expected to propose in the coming months. This may look like extensions to meter hours or implementation of pricing based on demand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the parking meter fee increase and any other changes will likely not impact every part of San Diego evenly, given that the vast majority of metered spaces operated by the city are concentrated in only a handful of neighborhoods. Overnight MTS bus service to San Ysidro now available According to city staff, nearly 90% of all of the citys metered parking spaces are either in downtown or uptown neighborhoods, like North Park and Hillcrest. Councilmember Vivian Moreno, who was the sole vote against the fee increase, also raised concern about the disproportionate impact upping the cost of parking will have on low-income communities in her district and others in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With this proposal, were telling people in District 8 that when they plan to take a trip to downtown or Pacific Beach with their family, that we now expect them to pay twice as much to park their car, she said. That alone can make them rethink that trip. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) UPDATE: The Springdale Chamber of Commerce said in a statement that the closure of the live turkey production plant will close to 1,100 employees, their families, and the broader Springdale community. Cargill has been more than an employer in Springdale; it has been a long-standing partner in our citys growth and economic development. The contributions of the Cargill team to our local Chamber, economy and community life cannot be overstated. To those employees and their families, we want to express our gratitude for the work you have done to sustain Springdales reputation as a center of excellence in agriculture and food production. Springdale Chamber of Commerce The chamber says it is planning employment resources, working with other employers and more to help address this situation SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A turkey processing plant will close this summer, according to a Cargill statement sent to KNWA/FOX24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Aug. 1, 2025, the turkey processing complex located at 2201 Long Street in Springdale will no longer be in production, according to a Cargill spokesperson. This was not an easy decision to make given the impact to the people who work there and local producers. However, it is the right move to make for the future of our turkey business. Turkey remains an essential part of Cargills protein portfolio. We will shift much of Springdales production to our turkey processing plants in Missouri and Virginia and work to minimize supply disruptions to customers. We will honor contractual obligations to growers and continue to process turkey and other proteins at more than 40 primary, case-ready and value-added protein facilities in the United States and Canada. Cargill Cargill is one of the largest employers in Springdale, Arkansas, according to the website. The company has operated in the area since 1965. This is an ongoing story, stay with KNWA/FOX24 for the latest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EVENING: Mainly clear and seasonable. Temps dropping into the 30s. TONIGHT: Clear to start, clouds increase overnight. Low 32. WEDNESDAY: Becoming windy, especially for the afternoon and evening. Chance for a snow squall near noon. High 43. West winds 15-25mph, gusts near 40mph. Wrapping up another day ending in sunshine and temps in the 40s. Our snow continues to melt and it wont be long before the snow disappears will more mild days ahead. Before we get to enjoy a late January thaw, well have to prepare for a windy Wednesday with a low chance for a snow squall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An approaching front will sweep through the area midday Wednesday. Snow squalls are expected across northern Pennsylvania, but there is a chance a squall could reach parts of our northern counties of Perry, Mifflin and Juniata counties near lunchtime. For those planning to travel around noon Wednesday, keep an eye on the radar. The rest of Wednesday will be windy with sustaining winds between 10-20mph and gusts over 40mph at times. The winds begin to relax by daybreak Thursday with a calmer and milder Thursday expected. Looking ahead, the week ends with rain showers. Friday will see rain develop as the mildest air of the month moves in; highs will be in the mid-40s on Friday! At this time about a half inch of rain should be expected. The weekend now looks mainly dry with afternoon temperatures near 40 degrees. Overall, a milder outlook as we head into February. -Meteorologist Eric Finkenbinder Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) A passenger plane caught fire before takeoff at an airport in South Korea late Tuesday, but all 176 people on board were safely evacuated, authorities said. The Airbus plane operated by South Korean airline Air Busan was preparing to leave for Hong Kong when its rear parts caught fire at Gimhae International Airport in the southeast, the Transport Ministry said in a statement. The plane's 169 passengers, six crewmembers and one engineer were evacuated using an escape slide, the ministry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Fire Agency said in a release that three people suffered minor injuries during the evacuation. The fire agency said the fire was completely put out at 11:31 p.m., about one hour after it deployed firefighters and fire trucks at the scene. The cause of the fire wasn't immediately known. The Transport Ministry said the plane is an A321 model. Tuesday's incident came a month after a Jeju Air passenger plane crashed at Muan International Airport in southern South Korea, killing all but two of the 181 people on board. It was one of the deadliest disasters in South Koreas aviation history. The Boeing 737-800 skidded off the airport's runaway on Dec. 29 after its landing gear failed to deploy, slamming into a concrete structure and bursting into flames. The flight was returning from Bangkok and all of the victims were South Koreans except for two Thai nationals. The first report on the crash released Monday said authorities have confirmed traces of bird strikes in the planes engines, though officials havent determined the cause of the accident. PATERSON, N.J. (PIX11) The mayor of Paterson, New Jersey, said people are panicking after U.S. Immigrations and Customs officials reportedly visited two businesses on Sunday. Were also receiving reports that people are not going to work, Mayor Andre Sayegh said on Monday. Children are not going to school and people are reluctant to even visit their doctor. More Local News The two ICE visits were reportedly at a barbershop and a pharmacy. The owner of the barbershop told PIX11 News on Monday that he had no knowledge of a visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An ICE spokesperson said the agency is conducting enhanced targeted operations to enforce U.S. immigration law and preserve public safety and national security. On Sunday alone, the agency made 956 arrests and detained 554 people nationwide. Advocates from the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ) want people to know their rights. If ICE says show us your papers, we say show us your warrant, said Executive Director Amy Torres. NJAIJ said if ICE comes to your home, you are not obligated to open the door unless they have a signed warrant from a judge. Ask them to slide it under the door, said Dante Apaestegui, of NJAIJ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer called the ICE raids outrageous and vowed to stand up to ICE. I believe we should muster all of the resources we have in New Jersey that are available to us to stand up and fight against it, said Gottheimer. I fit the description: Residents express concern about ICE agents in New Jersey PIX11 News also reached out to Gov. Phil Murphys office for comment. A spokesperson provided the following statement: Public trust is essential to public safety. Our office has requested more information from the Trump Administration about the recent immigration enforcement action in Newark so we have a clear understanding of the facts of this case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week in Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka said ICE agents raided a seafood store and detained three people. The store owner told PIX11 News that a U.S. military veteran was among the people detained. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Attorney Paul Royer has formally launched his Republican campaign for Adams County Court of Common Pleas Judge, challenging State Representative Torren Ecker. In his campaign announcement on Tuesday Royer touted more than two decades of legal experience, including arguing cases before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. He currently works in private practice at Strausbaugh Law in Gettysburg. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Morning Weather Forecast Royer, a graduate of Mercersburg Academy and the Penn State Dickinson School of Law, described himself as a pro-2nd amendment constitutional conservative. My experience in general practicecivil, family and criminalhas given me the necessary foundation to serve my fellow citizens of Adams County as our next judge, said Royer. Last week Ecker announced his candidacy for the Court of Common Pleas. Serving the people of Adams County has been the honor of my lifetime, and Im excited to take this next step to serve our community in a new capacity, said Ecker. As a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, I will uphold the law with fairness, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to justice. 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. 28OREGON A Pecatonica man pleaded not guilty Wednesday, Jan. 22, to aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and 10 other charges, all stemming from a Jan. 6 incident wherein Ogle County sheriff's deputies say he was traveling 125 mph in a 55-mph speed zone. Jered T. Vautsmeier, 21, pleaded not guilty to felony aggravated fleeing and the 10 other misdemeanor charges when he appeared in court for his arraignment with his attorney, Glenn Jazwiec, in front of Judge Anthony Peska. Vautsmeier waived his right to a preliminary hearing, a reading of the charges against him, and entered a demand for a jury trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is accused of "willfully failing" or refusing to obey "a visual or audible signal" on Jan. 6, driving at least 21 mph over the speed limit. He also is charged with the misdemeanor offenses of resisting a police officer where he is accused of locking himself in his vehicle after being instructed by a police officer to exit the vehicle and obstructing identification after giving an officer a fictitious name, court records say. Court records also say he furnished a false date of birth to the officer, drove with a suspended driver's license, drove in excess of 35 mph over the speed limit, and failed to stop at a stop sign at Illinois 64 and Union Road. Other misdemeanor charges include improper lane usage, improper display of a registration plate, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. According to information provided by the Ogle County Sheriff's Office, deputies stopped Vautsmeier's vehicle at 6:24 p.m. Jan. 6 in the 11,000 block of West Route 64 outside of Polo when Vautsmeier fled the traffic stop and a pursuit took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The vehicle fled from deputies at a high rate of speed until the pursuit was terminated for safety concerns. The vehicle was located a short time later in Leaf River and again fled from deputies. The pursuit was again terminated a short time after it entered Winnebago County," according to a release from the sheriff's office. The vehicle eventually was found by Pecatonica police in Winnebago County, where Ogle County deputies took custody of Vautsmeier. He was taken to the Ogle County Jail for processing and released. His next court date is scheduled for 9 a.m. Feb. 26. The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the publics help in tracking down the drivers who struck a pedestrian twice, the second impact proving fatal, in North Hollywood Friday night. The female pedestrian was hit just after 9:30 p.m. as she walked south across Victory Boulevard near the intersection with Troost Avenue, police said in a news release. She was first struck by an SUV or minivan that did not stop to help, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As she tried to stand up after the first collision, a second vehicle, a light blue 2003 Toyota 4Runner, hit her again, killing her, police said. The LAPD provided this image of a Toyota 4Runner that they say fatally struck a pedestrian on Jan. 24, 2025. The LAPD provided this image of a Toyota 4Runner that they say fatally struck a pedestrian on Jan. 24, 2025. That 4Runner appears to have the license plate number 5DTE672. Anyone with information about the 4Runner or the other vehicle involved is asked to call Detective Martinez at 818-644-8033 or Investigator Olson at 818-644-8022. Alternatively, call police at 877-LAPD-24-7 or report information anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or lacrimestoppers.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 KTLA. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Kern County coroner officials released the name of a 72-year-old Tehachapi woman who died after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 202. Candace Lorraine Rios was a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling northbound on Highway 202, just north of Cummings Valley Road, according to the CHP. Showers to taper off Monday afternoon, clear skies to follow The California Highway Patrol says the wreck occurred on Jan. 22, at about 9:24 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CHP says the driver stayed to cooperate with the investigation. The familys attorney confirmed Monday night that Candace Rios is the wife of Arnold Rios, who suffered life-altering injuries when Alan Booth drove into a crowd during the Bakersfield Christmas Parade in December, 2023. If you have any information, reach out to the California Highway Patrol at 661-396-6600. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An advocacy group founded by former Vice President Mike Pence is escalating its fight against Robert F. Kennedy Jr., this time with an ad that uses President Trumps past criticisms of Kennedy to argue against his nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The 60-second ad from Advancing American Freedom, which was obtained first by The Hill, consists almost entirely of footage from a May video in which Trump lambastes Kennedy, then an independent White House candidate, as a Democrat plant and radical liberal. A lot of people think that Junior is a conservative. Hes not. Hes more liberal than anybody running on the Democrat side, Trump says in the the ad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The now-president goes on to call Kennedy anti-gun, anti-military and anti-vet. Hes a radical left Democrat, Trump says in the ad. Id even take Biden over Junior because our country would last about a year or two longer than it would with Junior. It would collapse almost immediately. The ad concludes with the message: President Trump was right the first time. Vote NO on RFK Jr. Advancing American Freedom is spending six-figures on the ad, which will circulate on digital platforms in the Washington area. Kennedy is set to have his first of two confirmation hearings Wednesday. A spokesperson for Kennedy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump posted the original video last May when Kennedy was polling in the single digits but was threatening to peel away some Republican voters in key swing states. Kennedy last August ended his independent White House bid and endorsed Trump, hitting the campaign trail for the Republican nominee in the weeks before Election Day. Pence and his advocacy group have been among the most outspoken GOP critics of Kennedys nomination to serve as HHS secretary. Tuesdays ad buy is in addition to last weeks six-figure spend from the Pence-founded group opposing RFK Jr.s nomination. Shortly after Trump announced Kennedys nomination, Pence in a statement urged senators to reject him because of his previous support for abortion. The organization earlier this month sent a letter to senators urging them to vote against confirming Kennedy because of his previous support for abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy has tried to reassure Republicans by saying his personal views dont matter and that he will implement all of the anti-abortion policies from the first Trump administration. His nomination has mostly come under scrutiny because of his anti-vaccine rhetoric; thousands of doctors and public health officials have signed onto letters expressing concerns about him. But no Republican senators have publicly said they will oppose Kennedy, who can afford up to three GOP defections if all Democrats vote against his nomination. As Ive said before with all these nominees, theres a path, but I reserve judgment until after they go through the hearing process, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told CNN on Monday. My job is to make sure they get that process. But, yeah, I think theres a way for him to get there. 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. Pennsylvania is getting a big grant to establish a tracking system for sexual assault kits. The federal government is giving the state $2.5 million for the new system, which is meant to support sexual assault survivors by increasing accountability and transparency. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency says these kits are vital tools to preserve DNA and other evidence thats crucial for sexual assault investigations. However, testing can be a lengthy process and there are often significant backlogs at crime labs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new tracking system will let survivors know where their kit is throughout the testing process. It will also help reduce the number of unsubmitted or partially tested kits in the state. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW A Pennsylvania middle school teacher has resigned after being accused of calling a Muslim seventh grader a terrorist. The teacher has submitted her resignation which was approved earlier this evening, the school district said in a statement Tuesday. The incident is alleged to have taken place Jan. 16 at Central Dauphin Middle School in Harrisburg after the student asked the teacher to change seats, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights group, said in a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do not negotiate with terrorists, the teacher told the student, according to CAIR, which described the student as Palestinian Lebanese American. Adam Rahman, the boy's father, said at a news conference Monday evening that his son is doing OK but that the incident will always resonate in his head and hell wonder if the next teacher will say the same thing. Adam Rahman during a press conference in Harrisburg, Pa., on Monday. He felt like the room was spinning and he was the only one and there was nobody to help him, Rahman said. These teachers are supposed to be the mentors, the people who you look up to, and if that fails, theres nothing. The Central Dauphin School District said it was informed of allegations that the teacher made a derogatory comment to the student during an after-school program at the middle school. It did not identify the educator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district said Tuesday that "any incident of this nature" goes against its values and the policies set for staff members. "The school districts mission is to give every student a strong academic foundation and also nurture and celebrate the many cultures and ethnicities of our students and staff," it said. Rahman said that it is not the first time his family has experienced red flags in the school district but that this was the tipping point. When teachers say it, thats when I have to go to the school and confront this, he said. Rahman called for more education in geopolitics in the district so students can learn more about different backgrounds, especially in the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community leaders demanded cultural sensitivity and anti-bias curriculum and training at Mondays news conference. In a statement, the Harrisburg Palestine Coalition said what it described as the teacher's "deeply embedded racism" may stem partly from "exposure to misinformation and war propaganda by mainstream news coverage of Palestine." "Central Dauphin School District must do more to ensure that education on Palestine is correctly taught in its classrooms," the coalition said. In a joint statement Tuesday, CAIRs Philadelphia branch, the Harrisburg Palestine Coalition and the Rahman family said they welcomed the teacher's resignation but questioned if the Central Dauphin School District would commit to educating its staff "on Muslim inclusion and equity" and on "the full historic context of Palestine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are glad this teacher will no longer be able to pose harm to the Central Dauphin School District community," the statement read. "But she should face consequences for the harm she created to our 7th grader." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com (Bloomberg) -- The Pentagon is reducing the funds withheld from Lockheed Martin Corp. for F-35s jets by $1.2 million a plane as the contractor works to verify and install the latest version of the fighter jets most capable hardware and software. Most Read from Bloomberg The Pentagon had been withholding about $5 million per plane for 106 of the 110 F-35 planes that Lockheed delivered last year. The Defense Departments F-35 office told Bloomberg News in a statement that the company had made progress developing and validating the TR3 hardware and software package so its satisfied criteria to reduce the original withhold by approximately $1.2 million for each aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program office didnt elaborate on how much of the previously withheld funds have been paid out or whether those are prospective payments. Lockheed Martin will report fourth-quarter and year-end earnings on Tuesday. A spokesperson, citing the companys pre-earnings quiet period, declined to discuss the F-35 issue. The Pentagons declaration of incremental progress is good news for the embattled $485 billion weapons acquisition program, the worlds costliest. The F-35 program was derided last month by Elon Musk, the worlds richest person and an adviser to Donald Trump. Some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35 in an age of drones, Musk said. Then-Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall defended the aircraft. The F-35 isnt going away as its a state of the art system thats continuously being upgraded, Kendall said during an Air Force Association webcast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first indication that Musks words have an effect would be in the presidents fiscal 2026 defense budget if it recommends major reductions to the Pentagons goal of continuing to expand its fleet of F-35s. The 110 jets met the delivery goal for Lockheed for last year, according to the Defense Contract Management Agency. Of those, 106 have yet to be equipped with the final version of TR3, which is more than a year late and over budget. The remaining four will remain equipped with existing software and used for training. The 106 are a combination of new warplanes off the assembly lines and 66 previously undelivered aircraft, the contracts agency said. The $884 billion defense policy bill that passed Congress and President Joe Biden signed into law authorizes production of all 68 F-35s requested by the Pentagon for the current fiscal year but would bar acceptance of 20 of them until the secretary of defense submits plans to rectify development issues. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Two key Pentagon small business innovation programs that award technology funding to nontraditional firms have not yet been impacted by the White House budget offices order to pause and review federal grant disbursement, according to a Defense Department spokesman. The Office of Management and Budget on Monday issued a memo directing federal agencies to temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance, according to multiple news reports. The order appears to pause any new grant awards and exempts programs like Social Security and Medicare that provide assistance directly to individuals. The Pentagon has several initiatives to aid small businesses looking to make inroads with the Defense Department, most notably the Small Business Innovative Research, or SBIR, and Small Business Technology Transfer, or STTR, programs. These congressionally mandated efforts require all federal agencies not just DOD to set aside funding to incentivize small companies to engage in early-stage research and development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday, several lawmakers expressed concern that the White Houses grant funding pause could impede these efforts. But a Pentagon spokesman told Defense News the department does not believe the programs fall within the scope of the memo. SBIR/STTR programs are funded through contracts, the spokesman said. They are not considered grants or financial assistance. As such, we have not been applying the OMB memo to the SBIR/STTR program. Funding for SBIR and STTR was last reauthorized in 2022 and that authority is set to expire this September. While these initiatives are largely supported in Congress and in the Pentagon and offer small companies a chance to use DODs interest to woo investors, there are ongoing efforts to reform the programs. In a report released last fall, the Government Accountability Office reviewed 34 incidents of fraud in SBIR/STTR programs and found that most agencies do not conduct fraud risk assessments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one case study, a business owner who misrepresented his companies received seven awards from the Army, Air Force, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Missile Defense Agency, NASA and the Energy Department. Sen. Joni Enrst, R-Iowa, said during Tuesdays hearing that while she thinks SBIR and STTR are important tools for small businesses, shes concerned that a subset of funding recipients are abusing the mechanism. In the past decade, 25 companies theyre notoriously known in my circles as SBIR mills received 18% of all award dollars at DOD, amounting to about $2.3 billion, Ernst said. Thats a $92 million windfall per company in a program meant for small businesses. Nathan Diller, the former director of the Air Forces AFWERX innovation hub and a witness at the hearing, said one option for reforming the programs is to make the awards available to a wider pool of companies. That may mean issuing smaller dollar contracts initially that can be followed up with larger awards to firms with promising technology. We also need to be very deliberate about scaling and scaling quickly to those best companies, he said. Imagine a bank where children as young as 13 are allowed to sign contracts for car loans, high-limit credit cards, or even connect with risky foreign investors. This same bank hides the fine print, misleads young customers and profits by exploiting their personal data including selling it to international adversaries. If parents step in, the bank assures them theres nothing to worry about, even when thats far from the truth. When problems inevitably arise, the bank blames parents for not doing enough. This scenario sounds outrageous because we all know children lack the capacity to make such binding decisions. Yet, in the digital world, something like this happens millions of times every day. App stores, the digital gatekeepers of our childrens lives, routinely treat kids like adults, steering them into accepting exploitative terms of service with billion-dollar corporations. These agreements have the potential to give apps sweeping access to personal data photos, contact lists, exact locations, even microphones and cameras all without meaningful consent or oversight. The problem doesnt end there. App stores also currently face little accountability for their misleading age ratings. A recent Wall Street Journal investigation exposed how Apples faulty app ratings deceive parents by failing to reflect the risks and content within apps. Apps featuring violent, sexual or exploitative material are routinely labeled as suitable for ages 4+ or 12+. A detailed Canadian Center for Child Protection report eviscerated both Apple and Google for their flawed app age rating systems and inadequate child safety practices. Parental controls rely on accurate age ratings to function effectively; without them, the promise of safeguarding children becomes an illusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roblox, a popular gaming platform, for instance, is rated as safe for ages 12+ in the Apple App Store, with its primary risk listed as cartoon violence. The platform has faced severe criticism for failing to protect young users, however, with thousands of reports of child exploitation. A Hindenburg Research investigation labeled Roblox an X-rated pedophile hellscape, exposing widespread safety flaws. Millions of families trust app store ratings, unaware of these dangers. In one tragic case, a Utah boy was allegedly groomed on Roblox, kidnapped by a predator, and taken across state lines. As if this werent bad enough, app stores bury critical details, such as content descriptors, app privacy policies and security practices. Parents must scroll past extensive app advertisements or click a separate link to see them. These details arent readily visible on the initial screen where parents are asked to approve or decline an app for their child, depriving them of the ability to make informed decisions for their children. Yet, Apple continues to tout its app store as a trusted place where users can safely discover and download apps. During the Epic Games vs. Apple trial, Apple attorneys argued that its app stores safety measures were as robust as a six-point racing harness. These claims starkly contradict growing evidence that Apple and other app stores routinely mislead parents and exploit children. Parents and policymakers must demand accountability from these digital gatekeepers to ensure that the protections we afford children in the physical world extend to the digital one. The App Store Accountability Act offers a critical and timely solution to protect children in Utah. By restoring parental oversight, increasing transparency and enforcing accountability, it directly addresses the systemic failures of todays app store practices. The act requires app stores to verify parental consent before minors can download apps, agree to terms of service or make purchases ensuring that parents, not tech platforms, have the final say in their childrens digital lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The act empowers parents with a private right of action, enabling them to hold app stores accountable when app ratings or descriptions misrepresent content. This provision creates a powerful incentive for companies to provide accurate ratings and disclose all risks clearly and accurately. Additionally, the act requires app stores to securely verify ages and share them with apps as anonymous age categories. This method safeguards user privacy while enabling developers to comply with federal laws and engage appropriate safety defaults so that children enjoy the secure digital experience advertised in the app store. The App Store Accountability Act brings us closer to a future where digital gatekeepers are held to the same standards as any responsible brick-and-mortar institution. Utah can lead the way by standing up for its children and parents and sending a clear message to Big Tech: No more exploitation. No more excuses. Its time to put kids first. Dawn Hawkins is the CEO of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. Todd Weiler is an attorney and Utah state senator. Melissa McKay is the chairman of the Digital Childhood Alliance. Michael Toscano is the executive director of the Institute for Family Studies and director of the Family First Technology Initiative. Gov. Spencer Cox offered a clear-eyed vision of Utahs priorities in his 2025 State of the Union address . He has rightly highlighted lack of affordable housing as the most pressing problem facing the state. With its growing population, the pain is felt across the board, but is especially keen for young families who are finding it particularly difficult to get on the property ladder. To meet their needs, Cox proposes building 35,000 starter homes under $400,000, complemented by a raft of supporting initiatives, some of which were passed during last years legislative session. One of those bills passed last year addressed an issue which caught my eye: the First Home Investment Zone Act , allowing new zoning regulations to facilitate the construction of starter homes, and allowing cities to insist any public investment be contingent on the zone only allowing projects where 50% of the homes are deed-restricted to remain owner occupied for 25 years. This restriction is important, for there has been a growing trend of large Wall Street investment firms scooping up such new construction to turn them into rentals, charging exorbitant rents in the process. Investment firms have robustly moved into the single-family housing market in addition to their traditional interest in multiple-family dwellings. Approximately 1 in 5 homes is bought by an investment firm now (in some areas, its 1 in 3 ), and homeownership rates are dropping . In the 1970s, homeownership stood at about 63%; among young adults, its now down to 37%, and thats not necessarily by choice. Investment bidding, cash in hand, on housing has driven up prices dramatically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So the deed restrictions on the starter homes Cox is hoping to build are an excellent step in the right direction. But what about existing homes? Is there some good way to nudge things toward owner occupancy there, so that the state and its families will be better off? In this legislative session, that nudge may well be HB151 , entitled Home Sales Amendments, crafted by Rep. Gay Lynn Bennion, D-Cottonwood Heights. In a nutshell, the bill which only applies to single-occupancy homes proposes very little, but that little could make a real difference to Utah families. It states that for the first 30 days when such a home is put on the market, a would-be purchaser would be required to sign an affidavit of intent to occupy (unless the seller incurs an exigent circumstance). It would also prohibit bulk sales of foreclosed single-family homes, which are overwhelmingly sold to investors. After those 30 days, that affidavit requirement would terminate. Asked why she is sponsoring the HB151, Bennion says, Young people in Utah really want the Legislature to start this conversation. I know of a young couple that lost bids on 12 homes in Salt Lake County to investors before finally being able to purchase a home. Another young couple finished professional school out of state and want to move back to Utah. They found a home for around $450,000, but an investor outbid them and then offered the same home for sale a month later for $570,000. Realtors are seeing the frustration in the market, and want more of an even playing field for families. Jen Cottam, a real estate professional with ERA Brokers Consolidated and an advocate for sustainable growth and home ownership, is one of those realtors. Cottam sees the problem every day: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Utah housing market is in crisis, particularly for first-time buyers and families looking for affordable homes. Between 2018 and 2023, Salt Lake County lost over 10,600 owner-occupied homes to rentals. Cities like South Jordan have seen almost exclusively build-to-rent developments over the past two years. This imbalance favors investors and large institutions, leaving Utahns struggling to compete for home ownership. The consequences are far-reaching: reduced civic engagement, declining family stability and financial insecurity. Renters in the U.S. have a median net worth of $10,400 compared to $400,000 for homeowners, according to the Aspen Institute. This wealth disparity threatens long-term economic equity for Utah families. When asked specifically about HB151, Cottam commented: This bill is very moderate and seeks to level the playing field by giving individual buyers a window to purchase single-family homes before investors can step in. In a strong sellers market, it is the first-time homebuyer that struggles the most. They have difficulty when it comes to competing with offers that waive inspections, have non-refundable earnest money, and waive financing and appraisal contingencies. Its a pragmatic step that helps give Utah families have a fair shot at home ownership. (The bill) actually corrects a market distortion. Investors hold significant competitive advantages access to cash, economies of scale, and minimal barriers that ordinary Utah families cannot match. This bill is a step toward ensuring the market works for Utahns, not just for institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ray Colledge, an associate broker with 29 years in the Utah real estate market, agrees: (The bill) gives those getting a mortgage an opportunity to make an offer without competing with a cash buyer ... I believe it is a crisis (and) measures need to be taken to equalize fairness. I believe the two most urgent issues facing Utah are the shrinking Great Salt Lake and the housing affordability crisis. Some may wonder if sellers might be hurt by the bill. Cottam disagrees: Sellers will still get market value for their homes, but the buyer pool is temporarily prioritized to benefit families seeking primary residences. This is a small adjustment with a big impact. In addition, this legislation is creating an awareness for sellers to consider helping families over investors. If they have circumstances where waiting is going to negatively impact them, then they do not have to comply with the waiting period. Both Cottam and Colledge believe that HB151 advances Coxs agenda on housing affordability for Utah families. Cottam notes, Gov. Cox has been vocal about the challenges of housing affordability and declining home ownership rates. This bill aligns perfectly with his priorities and his vision of preserving the Utah way of life. I believe he should support this bill as a meaningful step toward addressing the housing crisis. Behavioral scientists have, in recent years, advocated such small nudges like HB151 to get people to stop and think more about the decision they are making. Nobel Prize-winning economist Richard Thaler, along with Cass Sunstein, wrote an entire book about nudges and how noncoercive alterations of a decision makers environment could create significant changes in behavior. The key task for policymakers is how to gently alter the context for the decision, making some often-overlooked information more salient for the decider, or providing additional time for the decision to be made. HB151 is a textbook case of just such pro-social nudging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a social scientist, I could even see other nudging initiatives that might help the Utah housing market tilt more towards families than Wall Street investors. Bennions legislative research found that Some states, such as Idaho, require as part of their purchase agreement that the buyer disclose whether they intend to use the home as their primary residence. This is for the purposes of determining whether the state property tax homeowners exemption benefit is applicable. There is no reason a similar requirement for disclosure to the seller up front during the purchase process cannot be required in Utah. Another initiative that has been used by numerous municipalities across the country is endowing cities with the right of first refusal to purchase run-down or foreclosed homes to strengthen particularly fragile neighborhoods. These cities then renovate the home to code and sell it on to first-time homebuyers, often with purchase assistance. As Utah tackles its serious housing crisis, the type of creative nudging exemplified by HB151 deserves the governors and the Legislatures attention and support. HB151 track the bill this session; contact your state representatives about it. Give Utah families a little bit more of a chance to buy their own home. In his first remarks as President Donald Trumps defense secretary, Pete Hegseth referred to two U.S. military bases by their former Confederate names, appearing to hint that he might possibly restore them. Speaking to reporters on Monday his first day on the job after being narrowly confirmed by the Senate the National Guard veteran laid out what he envisions for the Pentagon under Trumps administration. Hegseth expressed support for the presidents executive orders that would scrap the militarys diversity and inclusion initiatives, reinstate soldiers who were pushed out because of COVID mandates and create an Iron Dome-like missile defense system for the United States. Every moment that Im here, Im thinking about the guys and gals in Guam, in Germany, Fort Benning and Fort Bragg, on missile defense sites and aircraft carriers, the former Fox News host said. Our job is lethality and readiness and war-fighting. Pete Hegseth, in his first remarks as defense secretary, refers to Fort Liberty as "Fort Bragg" pic.twitter.com/GkjQlSZWAZ Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 27, 2025 Fort Benning, as it was formerly known, sits on the Georgia-Alabama border and is home to the Army Infantry School. It was named after Henry L. Benning, a racist judge and Confederate brigadier general who led a Georgia military unit in Gen. John Hoods division of the Army of Northern Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the time the north shall have attained the power, the black race will be in a large majority, and then we will have black governors, black legislatures, black juries, black everything, Benning wrote to the Virginia secession convention in 1861. Is it to be supposed that the white race will stand for that? It is not a supposable case. North Carolinas Fort Bragg, as it was formerly known, is one of the worlds biggest military bases, home to both the Armys XVIII Airborne Corps and Special Forces Command. The fort, which was first a camp, was named after Braxton Bragg, a slave owner and Confederate leader who is widely considered one of the worst generals of the Civil War. In 2021, Congress overrode Trumps veto to pass a law changing the names of all Pentagon assets associated with the Confederacy. Among those were nine U.S. military bases, including Fort Benning and Fort Bragg, which in 2023 were renamed Fort Moore and Fort Liberty, respectively. Fort Moore was named in honor of Lt. Gen. Harold Hal Moore and his wife, Julia Moore. Hal Moore served at the fort throughout his military career and fought in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, while Julia Moores attention to families of dead soldiers helped reform the Armys casualty notification process. Both Moores are buried at Fort Moore Cemetery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth has not attempted to hide his disdain for the new names, saying it breaks military tradition and should revert back to being named after the treasonous Americans. I emailed my company commander from my infantry training, which was at Fort Benning, which is no longer Fort Benning, Hegseth told right-wing media figure Ben Shapiro last year. Its Fort Moore. And Hal Moores a great guy. But like, theres also a generational link that breaks when you rename Benning and Bragg. Like, whered you serve? Bragg. Whered you serve? Benning. Whered you serve, now Liberty? Like, its just, its garbage. Its all, its just, lets just crap all over it. On X, Bloomberg reporter Roxana Tiron suggested that Hegseths references on Monday were likely intentional. Though he could use his position as defense secretary to advocate for reverting the names to Confederate generals, those changes would still require congressional approval. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Department of Corrections says body cameras are making state prisons safer. Now, the woman who helped get them there is turning her focus to another facilitythe Oklahoma County Jail. Cynthia Butler has started a petition, the same way she did in 2022 when trying to bring body cameras into the states prisons. She says even if it takes another two and half years, it will be worth it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe every one of them need to have a body camera to bring, like I said, transparency to the staff and the inmate to make sure that the jails are being run properly, that people are not being mistreated, Butler said. Along with more transparency, Butler says she believes body cameras could help lower the amount of inmate deaths. The jail has averaged 12 deaths per year in the last four years. In 2022, Butler launched a similar petition requiring detention officers in Oklahoma prisons wear body cameras. Local woman starts petition for body cameras on correctional officers Last October, the Department of Corrections began testing the devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a budget meeting last week, the agencys director requested more money for more body cameras, telling the committee they work. It doesnt detour everyone, but we are definitely seeing benefits from that already, Steve Harpe, Department of Corrections Director said. State Rep raising questions on ODOC budget appropriations Butler was glad to hear that, and hopes the jail will see the same benefit. Im trying to get enough signatures to take it maybe to the Sheriffs Association or somebody else that can help get this process going, Butler said. When asked about the petition, leaders at the Oklahoma County Jail told News 4 this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oklahoma county detention center leadership has discussed the use of body-worn cameras, including their benefits, logistics, and funding options. While no decision has been made at this time, we remain committed to thorough evaluation and transparency as these discussions continue. Any decision on the funding of such a project would need to be approved and would involve the input of the members of the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority. Oklahoma County Jail Butler says the Oklahoma County Jail is just the beginning; she plans to get body cams inside all county jails. You can learn more about her petition 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. PHILADELPHIA, Miss. (WJTV) A Philadelphia woman was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for stabbing a man in the Pearl River community of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Reservation. According to court documents, Telinah Kowi Tek Farve, 24, stabbed a man at a tribal home in the Pearl River Community in March 2023. Farve was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2023, and pled guilty in April of 2024. Telinah Kowi Tek Farve (Courtesy: Madison County Detention Center) The Choctaw Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. 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. MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine soldiers will train on the U.S. military's intermediate range missile system during unilateral army drills next month as part of preparations for bigger exercises with U.S. counterparts, a military official said on Tuesday. The Typhon missile system was deployed by U.S. forces to the Philippines in April last year as part of their Balikatan or "shoulder-to-shoulder" military exercises, and has since stayed in the country, angering China which has repeatedly called for its withdrawal. Reuters reported last week the launchers were redeployed to a new location in the Philippines, which officials decline to disclose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tomahawk cruise missiles used in the launchers are capable of hitting targets in both China and Russia from the Philippines. The SM-6 missiles it also carries can strike air or sea targets more than 200 km (165 miles) away. A platoon of about 20 soldiers from the army artillery regiment will train with the U.S. Army Pacific's First Multi-Domain Task Force in mid-February, Philippine army spokesperson Louie Dema-ala said. The exercise will focus on the "payload delivery system" and will highlight the system's capabilities, Dema-ala said, adding it would not include live-fire exercises. "As long as the MRC (mid-range capability) is here, we maximise its utilisation to train our personnel with these new technologies," Dema-ala told a media briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Philippines last year expressed interest to acquire the launchers as part of its modernisation programme. Philippine military spokesperson Francel Margareth Padilla on Tuesday said preparations were underway for this year's annual Balikatan exercises, which are billed to be one of the biggest. Security engagements between the Philippines and treaty ally, the United States, have intensified in recent years, as both countries aim to counter what they see as an increasingly assertive China. Strong ties between the two are expected to continue under U.S. President Donald Trump, whose Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad" commitment to the Philippines under their decades-old mutual defence treaty. (Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by Martin Petty) MANILA, Philippines The Philippines launched a comic book on Friday to counter what the country says is Chinas disinformation campaign to push its expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea. The 40-page comic book, titled The Stories of Teacher Jun, was unveiled by Philippine officials. It contains colorful caricatures of a Filipino teacher and his young students discussing the complex territorial disputes in simple terms and highlights the Philippine position. One fictional student in the book describes China as a bully and another says Beijings behavior is outrageous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinese officials, along with state-sponsored media and individuals, continue to spread distorted and twisted narratives to malign our efforts and justify their unilateral claims, national security adviser Eduardo Ano said in a speech at the book launching in Manila. The Philippines will do everything to fight misinformation, disinformation and false narratives to put forward the truth, Ano told reporters. The Philippines has faced a lopsided battle against the militarily superior China in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, prompting it to strengthen security alliances with the United States and other friendly states to build deterrence against Beijings aggressive actions. Two years ago, the Philippines adopted a shame campaign by releasing videos and photographs of Chinas increasingly assertive actions in the contested waters, including the use of powerful water cannons and dangerous blocking maneuvers, to domestic and international audiences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the territorial spats, particularly between Chinese and Philippine coast guard forces, have continued. The ambassadors of the United States and Canada, among the key supporters of the Philippines in confronting Chinas increasingly assertive actions in the disputed waterway, attended the comic book launch. Officials from the Philippine Coast Guard and military, and the education secretary, were also present. There was no immediate comment from Chinese officials, but they have repeatedly reasserted their claims to virtually the entire waterway and accused the Philippines and other rival claimant states of encroachments. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also lay claim to the busy sea passage, a key global trade route with rich fishing grounds and undersea gas deposits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 11,000 copies of the comic book have been distributed for free, and thousands more will be printed depending on the availability of financial donations, said Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela, one of the proponents of the book project. The intended recipients are young students and Filipinos in far-flung regions with limited access to news sources. Foreign readers who show an interest could be provided with copies of the book in their language, officials said. This initiative aims to highlight our maritime rights and entitlements while revealing Chinas unlawful activities, aggressive behavior and bullying tactics, Ano said. It is crucial for us to shed light on these actions as transparency is a powerful tool in combating misinformation. A federal judge has rescinded his order for a Phoenix man involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol to be banned from Washington, D.C., he announced Monday. Judge Amit Mehta, who presided over Edward Vallejo's case regarding actions committed on Jan. 6. reversed his decision after the acting U.S. attorney moved to dismiss the new terms of Vallejo's supervised release. Vallejo was sentenced to three years in prison for seditious conspiracy in 2023 and pardoned by Trump on Jan. 20 in one of President Donald Trump's first actions in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vallejo, as well as seven other convicted Oath Keepers, was barred from the Capitol Building, Capitol Square and the district on Friday. The U.S. attorney argued that because of Trump's unconditional pardon, the conditions of Vallejo's release could not be altered. In his decision, Mehta found that the interpretation of Trump's pardon was "reasonable," saying that it would be "improper for the court post-commutation to modify the original sentences." The decision also impacted Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes and other members of the Oath Keepers involved with the riot at the Capitol. All nine of the people listed in the order were found guilty of charges related to their actions on Jan. 6, 2021. Rhodes and Vallejo were specifically named in clemency papers that Trump issued. The sweeping executive order pardoned all but the most violent people involved in the attack. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix's Edward Vallejo banned from Washington, D.C., for one weekend The grown-ups on the Phoenix Union High School Districts governing board did what adults are supposed to do: They protected kids. They know that among the more than 20,000 students on its campuses there are children of migrant and refugee families. So, the board unanimously passed a resolution declaring itself a safe zone for immigrant students. Its something members felt they needed to do after President Donald Trump rescinded a policy by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that kept officers from sensitive locations like schools and churches. Advertisement Advertisement Ceyshe Napa, Phoenix Union governing board president, said, We have a huge responsibility to over 20,000 students, many of whom are of color, migrant and refugee families. Our students need to be on our campuses free of fear, regardless of the political climate that we find ourselves in. Phoenix Union will help parents caught in raids The board also recognized that its responsibility for the well-being of students doesnt only apply to what happens on campus. Recognizing that there is a possibility that immigration officers will detain the guardians of students, the board said that its family engagement teams are prepared to help. Opinion: Schools will pay (again) for forced immigration raids Advertisement Advertisement District spokesperson Richard Franco said in a statement, The support these teams will provide for our undocumented families is well within the scope of their work. After Trump signed his executive order, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement saying, Criminals will no longer be able to hide in Americas schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense. It's everyone's responsibility to protect students State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne doesnt believe that ICE officers would actually go into a school. Advertisement Advertisement He said, Theyre going after criminals, and if they go after people who arent criminals, it will be the parents, not the children. It doesnt make any sense to go into a school and arrest children. They are not going to do that. And if the parents were to attend an in-school assembly, a concert, a play, a volleyball game or any other sporting event? What then? Becky Pringle, the head of the National Education Association, the countrys largest educators union, said in a statement, As educators, we have accepted the sacred responsibility to protect students every single student, regardless of their immigration status. We have a professional and moral responsibility to keep our students safe. Shes right. Just as the Phoenix Union board is right. Advertisement Advertisement But its not just teachers or school administrators who have a sacred responsibility to protect students. Its all of us. Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com. For more opinions content, please subscribe. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Union makes wise move to protect immigrant students | Opinion The gulf is considered international waters past the first 12 miles from shore, and there is no governing body that standardizes place names internationally. FrankRamspott/Getty Images Google Maps users in the U.S. will see the names Gulf of America and Mount McKinley on the navigation app following President Donald Trump's executive order to rename them. Google said in a statement on X Monday that it will update to reflect the new names once they are finalized by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, the government body that standardizes place names. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources," the company said. When names vary between countries, Google Maps says its longtime policy it to show users their official local name. That means users in the U.S. will see the name "Gulf of America," while users in Mexico will see the name "Gulf of Mexico." Anyone outside of the U.S. or Mexico will see both names displayed, Google said in its statement on X. Competitor Apple Maps has yet to take a stance on the renaming, even after coming under fire from a Texas congressman. U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston called out the company on social media last week for showing the name Gulf of Mexico on its map app. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trump first announced his intention to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in an interview ahead of his inauguration, saying the new name "has a beautiful ring." The executive order issued Jan. 20, titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness," orders the secretary of the interior to direct the U.S. Board on Geographic Names over the next 30 days in enacting the name changes. In a statement Friday, the U.S. Department of the Interior said it is "working expeditiously" on updating the names. Once the board updates the Geographic Names Information System with the names Gulf of America and Mount McKinley, the names only apply to the U.S. federal government. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The gulf is considered international waters past the first 12 miles from shore, and there is no governing body that standardizes place names internationally. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) At long last, San Diego received its first significant rainfall and snow in months over the weekend. The precipitation, which was brought on by a cold low pressure system, was a much-needed break from stubborn arid conditions primed for potentially erratic fire behavior. According to the National Weather Service, most parts of the county received around 0.25 inches of rainfall to over an inch. Areas like Oceanside, Carlsbad, Skyline Ranch and Otay Mesa were among those to measure the most rainfall in the county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How rain affects San Diego Countys coastal beaches and bays The shift from dry to drizzle helped Cal Fire crews gain the upper hand against one such wildfire the Border 2 Fire that erupted in the midst of the heightened fire risk period, allowing emergency officials to lift some of the evacuation warnings put in place around the blaze. The rain and the winds have provided favorable conditions for us in the last 24 hours, Cal Fire public information officer Robert Clark told FOX 5 Monday morning. As of Monday morning, the fire was an estimated 6,625 acres in size and 43% contained. On top of that, the cold storm also gave the region its first taste of a winter wonderland this year, dumping fresh powder on most mountain areas even those at a lower elevation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the storm, NWS issued a Winter Weather Advisory for mountain areas, anticipating these conditions. The advisory is set to expire Monday at 4 p.m. Drivers are urged to exercise caution when traveling through these areas while the grounds are slick and icy. While communities in the San Bernardino Mountains saw most of the snowy action with more than a foot of fresh powder falling over the last two days, Palomar Mountain here in San Diego County was close behind, receiving 10 inches, according to NWS. Areas at a lower elevation like Pine Valley and Julian also received a dusting a few inches deep. MORE: San Diego Weather Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are some of the two-day precipitation totals across the county: COASTAL AREAS: Carlsbad 0.75 inches Brown Field 0.72 inches National City 0.54 inches Vista 0.51 inches Encinitas 0.44 inches Chula Vista 0.38 inches Kearny Mesa 0.34 inches Point Loma 0.28 inches San Diego International Airport 0.21 inches INLAND VALLEYS/MOUNTAINS: Lake Cuyamaca 1.26 inches Julian 0.92 inches Escondido 0.64 inches La Mesa 0.64 inches Ramona Airport 0.57 inches Santee 0.56 inches Fallbrook 0.43 inches Rancho Bernardo 0.35 inches Poway 0.34 inches (National Weather Service San Diego) (National Weather Service San Diego) Scattered showers are expected to continue over the next few days before returning to sunny skies, with lingering wraparound moisture. Any rainfall, however, is likely to be isolated and brief in the valley and mountain areas. Temperatures are also expected to remain chilly through at least mid-week, with highs in most parts of the region in the low 60s and lows in the mid-40s. Browse pictures of the first storm of the year in the gallery below: Snow blankets Mount Laguna on Monday, Jan. 27, 2024. (FOX 5/KUSI) Clouds over Mount San Miguel Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (Courtesy of Patrick Ellis) A snow plow clears a road on Mount Laguna on Monday, Jan. 27, 2024. (FOX 5/KUSI) Clouds over Escondido Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (Courtesy of Kim DeCew) Laguna Mountain Lodge on the afternoon of Monday, Jan. 27, 2024. (Courtesy of Laguna Mountain Lodge) FOX 5s Megan Healy 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. (This story has been updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.) These general interest columns are essentially reactions to news events, which is standard operating procedure in the industry for this work. I havent written about many books over time. Its hard not to have something to say, however, about Mississippis book of the year perhaps the book of the year nationally, one thats a projected winner of multi publishing industry honors for 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats "The Barn: The Secret History Of A Murder In Mississippi," of course. What other book could it be? Theres simply not another. Mac Gordon Clarksdale-native Wright Thompson is the author of this crown jewel that profoundly explores the nightmarish murder of Chicago teenager Emmett Till in 1955 in rural Mississippi Delta environs. The author is a senior writer for the ESPN television network. Hes also a producer on the "True South" show on the SEC Network. Hes the one with that deeply Southern and gravelly, educated voice working alongside the Georgia-bred, sophisticated host, the James Beard-winning food writer John T. Edge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barn brings full bore public notice to a structure in Sunflower County in which young Till was murdered after an alleged incident at a country store in the hamlet of Money in Leflore County. Its well established that Roy Bryant, whose wife, Carolyn, was Tills supposed whistling target in the store, and his half-brother, J.W. Milam, led a gang of vigilantes who later snatched Till from a cousins home and took him for retribution to the barn in question before dumping his savagely torn body into the nearby Tallahatchie River. The blood on the floor of the barn was covered in cottonseed, soaking up the proof, Thompson wrote, chillingly. Bryant and Milam were acquitted of the murder in a farcical trial held in the Tallahatchie County courthouse in Sumner, transformed in 2012 into the Emmett Till Interpretive Center and now linked to a new federal monument dedicated to Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tills murder is widely recognized as a major impetus of the campaign for human and voting rights that soon thereafter burst wide open across the South. Said Thompson: Tills murder gave powerful fuel to the Civil Rights Movement in 1955, and his symbolic importance has only grown since. When Americans gather to protest racial violence, someone almost certainly carries his picture, held high like a cross, no name needed. His hopeful, innocent face delivers the message The writers storytelling of a teenagers murder over basically nothing is phenomenal in scope, Herculean in effort and perpetual in certitude. His weaving together of the rascals involved in this lawlessness with others on its perimeter (theres plenty of them) and his portraiture of the times accurately reflect 1950s Mississippi. Gloria C. Dickerson returned home to run the We2gether Creating Change nonprofit in Drew and was elected District 5 supervisor of Sunflower County. Her parents, Matthew and Mae Bertha Carter, led the familys integration of the Drew public schools in 1965. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dickerson asks a question through Thompson that will hit readers in different ways, depending on whether one is commiserative toward Till and his family or whether they remain defiant-to-change and have wearied of hearing of the murder over the almost 70 years since. Why bring it up? And, indeed, Why did it happen to him? Thompson wrote. Which is a way of asking, Why did a bright, hopeful child get murdered for whistling in 1955. What about the intersection of Emmett and the Mississippi Delta at that specific time led to his death? The attitudes and intentions are why we bring it up, to interrogate the present to see what of the past remains. Because our present day potential for violence is alive and undiminished. Mac Gordon, a native of McComb, is a retired newspaperman. He can be reached at macmarygordon@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: My pick for Mississippi book of the year (CANON CITY, Colo.) A piece of Southern Colorado history was demolished Monday for safety concerns. Its called the the Captains House, and it was located in Canon City by the Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility. The home was built in 1935 to house a Deputy Warden at the prison. Made of adobe brick, the Captains House demolition was a long time coming. Even though its gone, its legacy will live on through a soon-to-be exhibit at the Museum of Colorado Prisons. The Museum of Colorado Prisons said they would have saved the Captains House if they could. However, they said water issues paired with the fragile bricks led to a structural wall crumbling. Originally built for a Deputy Warden, it eventually housed Captain Chet Yeo, who was a larger-than-life figure at the prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was stabbed at one point, 22 times. He was shot in the head. Shot in the head, again. He was shot in the back. He was run over. He was stabbed other times, and he kept coming back to work. He was known as the captain. There was another captain at the same time as him, but he was referred to as The Captain, said Stacey Cline, the Museum of Colorado Prisons Director. The land will be leased to the Museum of Colorado Prisons. They plan to transform the area into a green space for the public. Now that the Captains House is down, the Museum of Colorado Prisons can begin fixing the old Deputy Wardens House. Located right next to the Captains House, they hope to turn it into a research center so people can discover family history among other things. They hope to complete the project in about seven years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Winter typically brings out the highest heating bills for gas customers. But Brenda Nelson didnt expect her bill for December to be this high. It was almost $380 this past month, she said. She wasnt alone. Several of her neighbors shared on the localized social media site Nextdoor that their gas bills were among the highest theyve ever seen with numbers in the $400s and $500s. Food is more expensive, everything is more expensive now, but to be hit and slammed with a high bill, I can only imagine some people cant afford to pay it, Nelson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ MORE: US inflation picked up in December but underlying price pressures eased The biggest factor behind the high bills is the cold, said Piedmont Natural Gas spokesperson Jason Wheatley. The colder it is, the harder your furnace has to work to heat your home. The harder your system is working, the more energy youre going to use and youre going to see that bill increase, he said. On top of the typical winter spike, however, customers also have to contend with a new rate increase that went into effect in November 2024. For many, this is the first bill under that new rate. The rate increase did take effect, and that is to help comply with federal safety regulations, to improvements we made to our customer experience, Wheatley said. We improved our billing system on our website, things like that. Its also factoring into infrastructure that we need to build or improve to meet the demands of our customers across North Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another factor, Piedmont Natural Gas includes a pass-through rate that reflects the global price of natural gas. Starting in the fall and through much of the winter, those prices have been rising and gas customers are paying for it. On Channel 9s request, Wheatley said Piedmont Natural Gas has looked into many of the bills in Nelsons neighborhood. He said there doesnt seem to have been a major difference in gas usage compared with previous years, but when considering current rates, the usage does seem in line with what the customers are being charged. READ MORE: Households get relief from Mecklenburg Countys energy assistance program For those struggling to pay their bills, he recommends they reach out to Piedmont Natural Gas customer service to see if they qualify for any assistance programs or the equal payment plan, to spread the burden of high winter bills out during some of the less expensive months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a lot of information also winter winterization tips, or energy saving tips, things that people can do both in the long and short term, that can help impact their energy bills, Wheatley said. Of note, however, these most recent bills reflect the weather and gas demand in December. The cold snap Charlotte experienced in January will be reflected on the next customer bills. I can only imagine what the next months going to be like, Nelson said. Customers with an all-electric heat pump system should be insulated from this fuel-cost volatility and large usage jumps. If you are experiencing massive spikes in your electric bill in the cold, the culprit is likely your emergency heat system which often runs on inefficient electric resistance heating. To keep your bill in check, HVAC professionals recommend keeping the emergency heat system off unless your heat pump stops working entirely. WATCH NOW: NC launches energy-saving rebates for homeowners, SC still waiting Some builders are upset about a change the city of Sumner just made that charges them per bedroom, instead of a flat fee, in an effort to help develop the citys parks. Local governments in Washington state can charge builders one-time impact fees to help pay for services that will have to increase to keep up with that growth, such as roads and schools. Sumner charges developers a park-impact fee to help build more parks for the additional residents new homes bring. The City Council voted 6-0 at its meeting Jan. 21 to change that fee to charge per bedroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Building Industry Association of Washington said in a news release that the fees are astronomical and that the change is stifling housing affordability. Kurt Wilson, a local builder with Soundbuilt Homes, said in the release: People need homes first. Then we can talk about how to fund new parks. Once people own a home, they may be able to afford an incremental tax to build more parks. City spokesperson Carmen Palmer said the change is part of a new state requirement, passed by the Legislature in 2023, that says such fees have to reflect the proportionate impact of new housing units, including multifamily and condominium units, based on the square footage, number of bedrooms, or trips generated, in the housing unit in order to produce a proportionally lower impact fee for smaller housing units. Sumner chose the per-bedroom approach. Other local cities chose to go by square-footage, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following our Housing Affordability Action Plan, this new fee structure incentivizes developing smaller units instead of large homes, Palmer said in an email. Four-bedroom new build homes tend not to be the most affordable when they hit the market. People needing affordable housing look for smaller units and ADUs, and these new fee changes actually help those get more affordable. A five-bedroom home used to pay the same fee as a tiny home, Palmer wrote, even though the overall cost of the homes, and their impact on infrastructure, would be likely different. She acknowledged that the fees have doubled for a home with four or more bedrooms, but she pointed out that its a different story for smaller homes. The fees for a two- to three-bedroom home saw about a 15-percent increase, and the fees went down for a zero- to one-bedroom home, she said. She gave the example that a one-bedroom house used to pay about $3,527. This year it will pay about $3,369. A four-bedroom house paid about $3,527 last year. Now it pays about $6,738. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new fee structure charges based on number of rooms, whether the new development is single-family or multi-family, Palmer explained in an email. That means a 2-bedroom apartment pays the same as a 2-bedroom house; both pay less than a 5-bedroom house. Parks are really important Council Members Barbara Bitetto, Pat Clerget, Pat Cole, Andy Elfers, Greg Reinke and Matthew Kenna voted to pass the new fee structure. Council Member Carla Bowman wasnt at the meeting. Parks are really important, especially as we start developing more concentrated, smaller lawns for families, Bitetto said at the meeting. Her two grandsons dont have a large yard, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They need to get out and run, and so to have a park within a reasonable distance is really important, Bitetto said. I think as we move forward and we need more density in our population, we have to continue collecting funds, especially on new development. Council Member Elfers said that he had a good discussion with the Master Builders Association and understood that they were opposed to the new approach to fees. He also said he thought the change was fair. Parks are obviously important, and I think it makes sense to charge the fee based on the number of people that are going to use the parks, he said. Having a big family, I understand that it adds more of a fee to a bigger house. Four-bedroom houses or three-bedroom houses pay a lot more, but I also know my kids use the park a lot more than someone with a studio apartment. The city needs more parks, he said. With the move from a flat fee per house to charging based on size, he said the fees arent increasing significantly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palmer told The News Tribune that the city works hard to bring in grants for its parks projects, which often require matching funds. Impact fees help with that, she said. The fees cant be the only source of funding for a project, she said, according to state law. As we increase housing of all types, particularly smaller units or multi-family units that are more affordable, many of the new housing types do not have yards to enjoy or recreate, Palmer wrote. This makes investment in new and existing parks an important part of building a community that is healthy. Why are some builders upset? Wilson, the local builder, told The News Tribune in a phone call that he wasnt aware of any projects builders are considering in Sumner that would be stopped by the change. Im not going to stop building because the fees go up, he said. Were just taking more people that have the American Dream of owning a home in Sumner out of the market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Sumner is the first city in the South Sound that hes aware of to take a per-bedroom approach. Its frustrating to see the fee structure now disincentivizing, through higher fees, the construction of three- or four-bedroom homes, he told The News Tribune. City staff at the meeting Jan. 21 told the council that Puyallup and Edgewood both base their fees on the square footage of a home. Across the board in the Puget Sound, we continue to see school, traffic, park, fire, these different fees either coming about that dont already exist, or being raised, Wilson said. Those fee increases affect the regions housing crisis, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were trying to provide attainable housing in the marketplace, he said. That continues to get more and more difficult as regulations and fees continue to ratchet up. Washington state, especially the Puget Sound, needs more housing, he said, noting that the state Department of Commerce projected in 2023 that Washington needs 1.1 million more homes in the coming 20 years. Were staring San Francisco right in the face, Wilson said. Bedroom by bedroom is not the best way to do this. The BIAW release said the group is asking lawmakers in Olympia to limit increases to impact fees and to make them more transparent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its easy to say: Tax growth, but in the end, its exacerbating our housing crisis in the Puget Sound jurisdiction, as fees and regulations continue to restrict growth, Wilson told The News Tribune. Palmer said the city did a budget survey last year and that managing growth was one of residents top priorities. We do not want to charge so much in impact fees that new development is not tenable, yet we also cannot give new development a free pass to use all the services that existing residents are expected to pay for alone, she wrote. We must consider the affordability of all our homes, not just the new ones. PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Eighty years ago on Jan. 27, 1945, Soviet soldiers liberated Auschwitz and uncovered the horrors of the Holocaust. The day now also known as International Holocaust Remembrance Day honors the six million Jews killed in the massacre, nearly one million of which were murdered at the Nazi death camp. It comes amid a drastic rise in antisemitism and a little more than a year after October 7th, the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust. After the war, multiple Jewish families settled in the Pittsburgh area in search of the American Dream. We got to speak with two of them, who survived the Holocaust and passed through Auschwitz, so they could share their stories and make sure we never forget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Growing up in Pittsburgh, Max Gelernter quickly realized not to take things for granted. "I learned from my grandparents, that life is not guaranteed," Max said. Through the years, he heard and read the stories of his grandparents, who were both survivors of the Holocaust. Born in Lodz, Poland, Max's grandfather, Simon, was just 13, when the Germans invaded the country and created ghettos in 1939. Simon's mom had already died from a stroke a year earlier after Kristallnacht, when the Nazis burned and destroyed synagogues in Germany. Around the same time, one of Simon's two older brothers died from malnutrition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As we were looking for food items, we got the shock of our lives. On a plate, we found several human ears. We were so disgusted and frightened that we left this apartment," Simon said in a handwritten testimony. In 1944, the Nazis placed them in a cattle car with no windows or food and took them to Auschwitz. "He remembers that there was an orchestra playing music as they arrived," Max said. When they got off, Simon's father was sent to the left, and he and his brother were sent to the right. "When I asked the commando where my father is, he pointed to the billowing smoke from the crematorium, that's where your father went," Simon said in handwritten testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simon feared he would be next. His future wife, Francine, Max's grandmother, could have also faced the gas chambers. Born in Lithuania, she was sent to a camp north of Poland, when one day the Nazis transported her to Auschwitz. "When her cattle car arrived, they said, we have nowhere to put these people, because we can't kill fast enough, and so the train went back to Stutthof," Max said. She experienced her own evil, like Simon, who remembered doing labor work like smashing rocks, being packed in the barracks like sardines with rations of food, and being beaten and tortured. That too was the case for 21-year-old Melvin Goldman, who also went to the death camp from the Lodz ghetto. At one point, he had six teeth knocked out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee Goldman Kikel is Melvin's daughter. "He said if he thought that the Lodz ghetto was bad, this was horrendous, and this was hell," Lee said. Unlike Max, Lee learned her father's story from audio recordings nearly 20 years after his death in 1996. "You smelled something, you couldn't feel, but you knew deep down that it smelled like human flesh," Melvin said in his recordings. Melvin and one of his brothers were spared. His parents and five other siblings were gassed. "He said that he would think to himself, he never knew if he was going to live to see the next day," Lee said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, he did see another day, along with Simon, who both got out of Auschwitz and were sent to multiple other concentration camps, where they continued to go on death marches and experienced failing health, each weighing less than 90 lbs. Eventually, they were liberated from those camps more than three months after the same happened at Auschwitz in January 1945. Simon was 18 years old. Melvin was 22. "They said, 'You will probably never walk again,' and my dad said, 'Well, I'm either going to walk and do this on my own or I'm not going to be here,'" Lee said. After receiving treatment and rehabilitation for a few years and figuring out their next steps, they made their way to America and Pittsburgh. Simon went on to hang drapes in homes, and Melvin became a jeweler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, they were two of more than 350 survivors who came to the region. "My grandfather told my dad, if you have to eat sand or grass, whatever you have to eat, whatever you have to do, you have to stay alive so that somebody of the family survives," Lee said. While it was difficult for Melvin to express what he went through, he saved his bracelet from Auschwitz until the day he died. "He was no longer a name, just a number," Lee said. It's a reminder of the atrocity millions of Jews went through all those years ago, and the fight that continues today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Times can be very dark, but it's something very core to, you know, the Jewish community. How do we make those memories a blessing?" Max said. "Through this darkness, the light will shine through." AI stocks plunge as China's DeepSeek sends shock wave through Wall Street U.S. troops head to southern border as deportations continue New images of aid reaching Gaza after months of war Jan. 27WILKES-BARRE A man from Plains Township who admitted to possessing child sexual abuse materials on a cellular phone was sentenced to up to two years in prison Monday. Luzerne County Judge Joseph F. Sklarosky Jr. sentenced James Michael Torbik, 47, of Brader Drive, to 6-24 months in jail and three years probation on three counts of possession of child pornography. Torbik pleaded guilty to the charges Sept. 30. Torbik was one of six men from Luzerne County arrested in Operation Safe Screen, a multi-law enforcement initiative targeting child predators in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. Operation Safe Screen involved the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office and detectives from Luzerne, Lackawanna, Lycoming and Wayne counties, and police departments from Kingston Township, Hazleton City and West Hazleton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law enforcement initiative shut down 15 websites that centered on promoting child sexual abuse images. Torbik was arrested by Luzerne County detectives in April 2023, while investigating a Cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. During an interview with detectives, Torbik claimed he may had come across inappropriate images sent to him by random people on social media sites, according to court records. A forensic data extraction of Torbik's cellular hone recovered several images of child sexual abuse materials, court records say. Torbik is subject to 15 years registration of his address under the state's Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act. Torbik was ordered to report to the county correctional facility to begin serving his sentence Thursday morning. The billionaire-backed effort to build a massive new city unsaddled from Californias urban problems may have just found a backdoor that saves the group from having to put its deeply unpopular project before Solano County voters. The council of Suisun City, a small 27,000 town northeast of San Francisco, voted last Tuesday to direct its city manager to discuss growing the size of the city with regional partners as a way to resolve long-standing financial challenges faced by the municipality. At only four square miles, we are Solano Countys smallest city, City Manager Bret Prebula said via press release following the councils decision. Now is the time to consider what more we can do to creatively grow our community and deliver more economic opportunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suisun City faces clear economic challenges and is currently only staffing emergency services at 80 percent of recommended levels. A local sales tax ballot measure in 2024 helped ward off further cuts, but will not resolve the deficit. In Prebulas view, growing the city is a way toward financial stability. But notably, the only direction the city can expand is east directly into land owned by California Forever, the group behind the contentious effort to develop a dense, new-urbanist-style city that would double the county's population. Since arriving in Solano County in 2023, the company, led by CEO Jan Sramek, has faced significant local resistance even as it has flooded the county with billboards and mailers advocating for its project. Solano County residents quickly connected the dots. A California Forever representative declined to confirm any negotiations, with spokesperson Julia Blystone saying only that the company is committed to working with all stakeholders to build a stronger Solano County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we receive an invitation to explore annexation by Suisun City, we would be open to a conversation, she said. The city managers verbiage is exactly like California Forever, everything he says sounds like all their stuff, said Michelle Trippi, an opponent of the project who helped create a local online opposition group called California ForNever. It's like this has all been systematically set up. Just six months ago, facing months of poor polling, California Forever was driven to unceremoniously pull an initiative that asked voters countywide to rezone 17,500 acres of land for construction. Since then, the companys leaders have tried to reach a development agreement with county officials that would eventually allow them to begin building. But that agreement, too, would have to come before voters. Partnering with Suisun City would offer a different path to construction, in which a countywide ballot initiative would no longer be necessary. Instead, it would resemble a more traditional municipal land-use process. Should the Suisun City Council choose to move forward, annexation would need only the approval of the Solano County Local Agency Formation Commission, a planning body responsible for regulating the growth of cities and local governments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project would stop being California Forever and it would start being the city of Suisun. Thats what was a total mind trip, Suisun City Mayor Pro Tem Princess Washington, a vocal critic of the project, told Playbook. To do this was very cunning. It's diabolical. Prior to the meeting, Catherine Moy, the mayor of neighboring Fairfield, alleged that Prebula and Washington apparently quietly worked the deal out with California Forever. Sramek personally donated $5,000 to a ballot measure committee aiming to pass a local 2024 sales tax funding public services in Suisun City. Like this content? Sign up for POLITICOs California Playbook PM. The Capitol in Salt Lake City is pictured on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Can Utah become the energy capital of the country? The Legislature is willing to explore that, aiming to become pioneers in nuclear energy developments, creating a set of governing bodies that are expected to oversee energy development zones and, overall, setting a foundation for the future of nuclear power in Utah. HB249, or Nuclear Power Amendments, a big bill sponsored by Rep. Carl Albretch, R-Richfield, creates the Nuclear Energy Consortium and the Utah Energy Council, which would lead the way to designate energy development zones throughout the state. The House Public Utilities and Energy Committee voted unanimously to recommend the bill for the full Houses consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It may take awhile before nuclear energy is powering electricity-hungry data centers across the state. But, Albrecht said on Monday, this is a starter for the nuclear industry in the state and other resources in Utahs energy mix. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Anybody that knows anything about energy will tell you that unless the new administration on the federal level loosens up regulation for nuclear, were still 10, 12-plus years down the road to have a fully operating nuclear plant in the state of Utah, he said. However, there are SMRs that have been developed, small modular reactors. They can be put on the back of a truck as big as this room and placed somewhere. In line with Republican leaderships main goals for this legislative session to allow the construction of small nuclear reactors in Utah, the council would oversee site identification including state lands permitting, financial plans for the projects, and other strategies for energy development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the committee hearing Albrecht praised nuclear power as being clean and plentiful. And while most data centers have expressed a desire to have green-washed power, as he described it, meaning mostly wind and solar, those resources are intermittent. I think we need to be on the cutting edge in the state of Utah, as we are on a lot of things, and start down this nuclear path, he said. But, some Utahns, looking at a long history of nuclear disasters, remained skeptical of the states plans. A new Utah Energy Council The bill has 25 pages, which Albrecht said is oddly long for him. However, there are many moving parts in it. The Utah Energy Council, for example, will have appointees from legislative leadership, the governors office and the Office of Energy Development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With this bill, the state is also expected to work alongside counties, cities and towns in the process of establishing energy development zones. These areas will only go to the municipalities that want and approve them, Albrecht said, and will be evaluated according to their suitability in hosting energy infrastructure projects, which includes factors such as access to energy resources and proximity to existing transmission lines. The legislation calls for public incentives restrictions to avoid pitting one county against the other in a bidding process. Tax increment from the energy zones will be allocated to the Energy Development Investment Fund for the council to administer for energy infrastructure development. But, the council is required to consult with municipalities to determine a tax sharing plan. The fund can also be used to match funds from federal grants, Albrecht said, which lawmakers are already counting on. If the Trump administration decides were going to move forward on energy and drill, baby, drill, then there probably will be some federal energy grants, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the bill passes, there would also be an energy research boost, since Utah would also form a research board with representatives from The University of Utah, Utah State University, the Commissioner of Higher Education, and the Idaho National Laboratory, among others. In a state full of downwinders, safety concerns linger The committees public comment period saw a mix of approval and concern over the unintended consequences of hosting a nuclear reactor. The bill has the support of the executive branch, some officials said on Monday. Its building momentum and advancing on past state efforts, such as the San Rafael Energy Lab, Joel Ferry, executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, told the committee. But, the bill was also presented during the National Day of Remembrance for American Downwinders, which commemorates those who died from cancer or other diseases caused by nuclear radiation exposure from U.S. weapons testing, a big reminder of what could go wrong if the resources are mishandled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government representatives had so much enthusiasm for the very legitimate positive benefits of nuclear that they failed to grasp and account for the very severe dangers associated with it, Mike Maxwell, who identified himself as a former employee of a nuclear power producer, said. Nuclear energy is powerful; it can also be incredibly dangerous to all the living things on this planet. Maxwell asked lawmakers to keep working on the bill, since it lacks an oversight process for health and environmental issues in the application of energy zones. Ava Curtis, whos pursuing a career in environmental studies, said that while she understands the need to opt for low-carbon energy sources, her familys health history is a constant reminder of why she believes nuclear isnt the way to go. My mom worked at the uranium labs. She used to look out the window of her office to see the river below her office glowing, something her boss told her happens all the time and with no cause for concern, she said. Cancer and genetic disorders are incredibly high in the community, including in my own family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She urged that those who have been the most impacted by nuclear energy have a voice in the energy council, including indigenous communities that have been at the center of the uranium industry. Albrecht, however, defended his bill, arguing that nuclear electricity generation is different from what caused those health problems throughout history. Our cemeteries are full of people who were affected by the downwind, but that was the government lying to us, as somebody said, and that was caused by above-ground test blasts, he said. It was not caused by the generation of electric power. The technology keeps improving, Albrecht said, getting to a point where its safer and waste could be processed again. The bill is still a work in progress and probably does need some work on health and safety, but its a start, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, how much will it cost? Therell be some great shock, Albrecht said about the price. But this will not be a plant tomorrow or the next day or the next year. This plant generation is going to be 10, 15 years down the road, and hopefully technology improves and we regenerate power with zero carbon. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 Johor MCA has apologised for a controversial Facebook post that compared federal allocations for Islamic-related matters with the absence of free tolls during Chinese New Year, following a demand for retraction by Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh. In a statement today, Johor MCA said the post was mistakenly shared by a Facebook administrator who had long retired from the party office. Johor MCA extends its apologies, particularly to all Muslims, regarding the sharing of status by another party on the Johor MCA Facebook page on Jan 26, 2025. This was unintentionally done by one of the Facebook administrators without informing the top leadership of MCA Johor, it said. ADVERTISEMENT The party added that the administrator has been removed, and the Facebook page is now managed by a new administrator. The controversial post was also immediately taken down after complaints were received yesterday. Truthfully, we at Johor MCA never intended nor had any desire to hurt, much less insult or belittle, Islam or any religion and race in this country, it added. According to Malaysiakini Akmal had earlier criticised the post, saying it appeared to belittle federal assistance for Muslims and demanded an apology within 24 hours, failing which he warned that police reports would be lodged. If you want to be angry because you didnt get free tolls, thats your problem, but dont question the assistance given to Muslims, he was quoted saying. Johor PKR Youth also condemned the post, accusing Johor MCA of attempting to create a false and malicious narrative against the governments support for Islam and the Palestinian issue. ADVERTISEMENT This action is not only irresponsible, but it also clearly shows an effort to divide the multi-racial and multi-religious people of Malaysia, said its treasurer Raju Krishnan as reported by Malaysiakini. Raju reiterated that the government, under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has consistently upheld the sensitivities of all races and religions. Democrats need to stop obsessing over their strategy for resisting President Donald Trump and just go out and act like they give a damn, the hosts of Pod Save America said on their latest episode. Isnt that the lesson you draw from the last four years? Get the f--- out there, host Jon Lovett said. Get out there, start responding, tell the truth You dont leave the field and build some playbook for how to respond and defeat Trump. You get out there and you start doing it. You see what works. Over the weekend, Politico ran an article noting Democrats muted response to Trumps first week in office, even as he signed a flurry of executive orders, including a full pardon for more than 1,500 rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of criticizing the pardons, many of the partys 2028 hopefuls are staying quiet and biding their time as they think through their argument and wait for public sentiment to turn against Trump, Politico reported. That strategy might work to a point with certain scandalslike what kind of salute First Buddy Elon Musk really threw during his speech after Trumps inaugurationbut Democrats need to stop overthinking every single thing and start fighting, even as they come up with an overall vision for the country, host Jon Favreau said. Favreau argued the public wants politicians who are going to actually go out there and fight for them and give a damn as opposed to just reading a perfectly crafted statement. Not decrying the Jan. 6 pardons in particular was crazy, he said, both because the pardons sent a dangerous message to right-wing extremists that they could commit political violence, and because polling found most Americansincluding Republicansopposed the blanket pardons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Senate Democrats introduced a one-sentence resolution condemning the pardons for anyone found guilty of assaulting a Capitol police officer. But the Pod guys werent impressed with the timing or the intensity of Democrats message. I would rather have Democrats go to the mic the morning after it happened and like all of them, with Capitol police officers, with everyone else, and shown some real emotion, Favreau said. Not everything has to be planned and perfectly thought out. Just go f---ing do stuff, guys. Poland's Minister of Digital Affairs, Krzysztof Gawkowski, has accused Russia of using the darknet to recruit Polish citizens in an attempt to interfere with the countrys presidential election campaign. Source: European Pravda, citing Gawkowski in an interview with Reuters Gawkowski said that Russia is seeking to recruit Poles willing to influence the election campaign from within the country, offering 3,0004,000 to spread disinformation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minister added that these recruitment efforts are carried out via the darknet, a hidden part of the internet accessible only through specialised browsers. He noted that Poland has been monitoring such activities since the beginning of the year. Quote: "This is money directed from the Russian services GRU and FSB, which are looking for such patrons of their content here," he said. Background: Karol Nawrocki, a Polish presidential candidate backed by the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, recently declared that he does not envision Ukraine "as part of either the EU or NATO", drawing criticism both domestically, including from Donald Tusk, and from official Kyiv. The Polish opposition labelled the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's response to this statement as "election interference". Support UP or become our patron! WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland and Canada have signed an agreement that provides a legal framework for more intensive cooperation on nuclear power, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday after meeting his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau. Poland, which is working to reduce its reliance on coal, has chosen Westinghouse Electric to build its first nuclear plant on the Baltic Sea coast, but financing is still not fully agreed. It is now preparing to start the process of choosing a partner for a second plant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Canada is the main provider of technology for Poland's first nuclear plant - Westinghouse is owned by Canadian companies," Tusk said. "Cooperation on small nuclear reactors (SMR) is also very important." In 2023, Poland gave the green light for the construction of 24 SMR units across six sites, Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE), a joint venture between Poland's biggest refiner Orlen and chemicals company Synthos, said. The company plans to deploy the country's first small reactors by 2030. Tusk also said on Tuesday that Poland needs new energy sources if it wants to become a leader in new technologies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This morning I met with the head of Google, who, without any prompting, said that Poland should become a European centre when it comes to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity," he said. "For Poland to become a leader of modern technologies and a certain model for behaviour throughout Europe - for this we need particular source of energy. If we are going to build large data centres, it requires additional energy sources." (Reporting by Pawel Florkiewicz and Alan Charlish. Writing by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk. Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Mark Potter) A student in North Haven was arrested Monday after allegedly sending a photo of a firearm to a group chat with other students which was accompanied by an ominous message advising them not to go to school. Police officers were dispatched to the ACES Mill Road K-8 School at 8:15 a.m. after a parent reported that their child was in a group chat where a firearm photo was shared, according to the North Haven Police Department. The individual who sent the photo also reportedly wrote in the group chat Dont go to school. As officers responded to the school police detectives began investigating who had sent the threatening message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, patrol officers secured students as they arrived on their buses. Detectives were able to identify the sender as a 12-year-old student, who was among one of the groups. Police said they found that the student did not have a firearm. Further investigation led authorities to conclude that the student never had a firearm and did not have any access to one. The juvenile was charged with second-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace. Police said the school administration may also take disciplinary action. EASTON, Mass. (WPRI) A second suspect has been arrested in connection with a shooting that landed a 16-year-old girl in the hospital earlier this month. Xavion Barnes, 19, of Brockton, is due to appear in court Tuesday on a charge of accessory after the fact, according to Easton police. Xavion Barnes The shooting happened on the afternoon of Jan. 14 at an apartment complex on Robert Drive. Police said they arrived to find the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was flown to a Boston-area hospital where at last check she remained in serious condition, but stable. Another Brockton man, 18-year-old Anthony Lopes, was arrested on charges of assault and battery with a firearm, armed robbery with a firearm, possession of a large-capacity firearm, and carrying a firearm without a license. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. Barnes alleged involvement in the shooting is unclear at this time. Police said the incident remains under investigation and additional charges may follow. Anthony Lopes Easton shooting scene (Courtesy: WCVB-TV) 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. CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) The Amazon facility on Portsmouth Boulevard in Chesapeake was the subject of a social media threat Monday night, Chesapeake Police said. At 10:07 p.m., Chesapeake Police said they received a call about social media threats posted involving an establishment located in the 5000 block of Portsmouth Boulevard. Police were on the scene of the Amazon facility and said there are no active threats. 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. Jan. 28 (UPI) -- A gunman was killed Monday night in a shootout with police outside a northern Indiana supermarket, where the suspect is accused of fatally shooting two people, authorities said. Circumstances surrounding the shooting weren't immediately clear. The police department for Elkhart County, home to about 206,000 people along the Indiana-Michigan border, said the shooting was reported at the Martin's Supermarket on East Jackson Boulevard at about 5:30 p.m. EST. Officers arrived to find two shooting victims inside the store, who were pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect, located outside the supermarket, was "engaged" by officers and killed. Two officers were shot in the exchange. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Elkhart Police Department said both of its wounded officers were transported to local hospitals for treatment. One officer has been released from the hospital, while the other remains hospitalized but in stable condition, it said. The identities of the suspect, victims and involved officers were being withheld from the public, pending next-of-kin notification, the department said. "In this horrific situation, words cannot express the pain felt in our community when a tragic incident like this happens," Elkhart Police Chief Dan Milanese said in a statement, as he asked for the public to keep those affected by the shooting in their thoughts. "This pain is especially felt by the victims' families, the responding officers, the families of the wounded officers and all the witnesses to this tragic incident." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case is being investigated by the Elkhart County Homicide Unit, which is asking for witnesses to contact them immediately. "Our hearts are broken in Elkhart tonight," Mayor Rob Roberson said in a statement. "Please continue to pray for the victims including our two police officers who were wounded, our heroic first responders and those at the incident," he said, adding that "there is no immediate danger to the public." Indiana Gov. Mike Braun on X said he was communicating with local and state law enforcement about the shooting. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Prairie Village Police Department is investigating following an aggravated robbery incident Monday night. Officers responded to the aggravated robbery around 7 p.m. in the driveway of a home in the area of W. 56th Street and State Line Road in Mission Hills. Police said the resident was attempting to sell a gaming computer to a person they met through Facebook Marketplace. After exchanging the item, the suspect pointed a handgun at the resident and told them to walk away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was a passenger in a gray Kia 4-door vehicle with an unknown license plate, according to police. The vehicle left east toward State Line Road. Police said the suspect is described as a Black man in his 20s with dreadlocks and was clean shaven. He was wearing a blue jacket and a beanie style hat. There were at least two other people in the suspect vehicle, one possibly being a female. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android This is an ongoing investigation. Police are asking anyone with information to call the Prairie Village Police Department at (913) 642-6868 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477. 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 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office is searching for the man they say broke into an apartment in the Brentwood area, shot two men in the face, and drove off in one of their cars. Investigators tell Action News Jax it happened right before 7 a.m. at the Capri Villa Apartments on North Main Street. Action News Jaxs Finn Carlin spoke with the woman who says heard the two shots fired right across from her apartment. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve had a couple minor things happen here, but nothing this crazy, said Robin Johnson, who lives at the apartments and claims to have been the one who called 911. Johnson says after hearing the shots, she went outside and heard one of her neighbors calling for help. She says she ran over to the apartment where it was coming from and found a man on the ground who police say had been shot in the head. Johnson says she found another man right inside, standing in the middle of a bedroom doorway after being shot in the face. Well, its crazy because me and my sister were just talking yesterday, I told her I had a weird feeling something bad was going to happen out here, Johnson said. Johnson called her sister, Renee, right around the time she said she called the police. Renee says she walked outside her apartment to find police putting crime scene tape up around most of the small apartment complex. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] I had a dream, a nightmare, not too long ago about someone getting shot, that I was going to get shot. Yeah, it was just shocking. It hits too close to home, Renee Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say the car the shooter drove off in is a silver Buick Lacrosse. The shooter, nor the men he shot, have yet been identified. The men hurt in the shooting are in the hospital in critical condition. Their neighbors are hoping both of them will make it home. I pray they both make it. I do. I pray they catch the person who did this, and I pray they both make it, I do because its sad, said Renee Johnson. No arrests have yet been made in the shooting. If you know anything about the shooting, youre asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office or CrimeStoppers. [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. RUSSIAVILLE Police are investigating how a 16-year-old male died Sunday morning on a private pond near his familys Russiaville property. According to a Howard County Sheriffs Office media release Monday, police were dispatched to a residence near the intersection of 300 South and 500 West around 9:30 a.m. Sunday, after a 911 call was received by the teens mother who reportedly found the boy unconscious and unresponsive. The initial unit of first responders arrived within four minutes of that call, per the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats when they located the teen later identified as Joseph E. Ford reportedly inside an ice fishing shanty, authorities noted in the release. Police added they then assisted family members in providing life saving measures on Ford until medics arrived on scene. Ford was transported from the scene to Community Howard Regional Health, where he was later pronounced dead. An autopsy has been scheduled for Tuesday at the Howard County Coroners Office, and the case remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Det. Ernie Shirey at 765-614-3449, submitting a tip via the HCSOs app or at www.sheriff.howardcountyin.gov. Along with the HCSO, the Russiaville Police Department, Russiaville Fire Department, Harrison Township Fire Department and Howard County Emergency Management Agency assisted at the scene. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Police in D.C. are investigating a shooting that broke out in Southeast Monday night. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said officers are investigating a shooting that happened in the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Teenager arrested for Northwest DC robbery MPD said it did not have a lookout for any suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 with the event number 20250043506. 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. Credit: BBC A former Metropolitan Police detective who featured in a BBC documentary about a rape investigation has been accused of abusing seven of his former partners. David Fall, an ex-detective constable, is facing a police misconduct panel over the alleged abuse and harassment of the women between 2014 and 2020. He was previously investigated by Hampshire Constabulary but no charges were brought. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The misconduct hearing comes despite his resignation in October. Those who have quit a force can still be added to a police barred list if they are found to have committed an offence. A listing on the Mets website said: Former DC David Fall will answer allegations that his conduct amounted to breaches of the standards of professional behaviour, in respect of discreditable conduct. It is alleged that between 2014 and 2020, whilst a serving member of the Metropolitan Police Service, former DC Fall engaged in domestic abuse and/or harassment towards seven of his former partners. He is also alleged to have shown a partner a confidential document related to his work without any proper policing purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The listing added: The matter and conduct set out above amount to gross misconduct, namely a breach of the standards of professional behaviour that, if proved, are so serious as to justify dismissal. The hearing is scheduled to begin on Feb 3 and is expected to last six days. Not enough evidence for charges Mr Fall had served in the Mets Sapphire Unit, which investigates rapes and serious sexual offences. His handling of information in a particularly disturbing case was featured in a BBC programme called The Met: Policing London, which was broadcast in May 2017. The documentary covered the case of Harjit Singh, who was jailed for six years for attempting to rape a 35-year-old woman with Downs Syndrome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim, called Jolene, waived her right to anonymity to highlight how sensitively the investigation had been handled because of her learning disabilities. Singh was arrested after he fell asleep in her bed and she alerted neighbours. In the documentary, Mr Fall is seen talking with the woman after Singh has been jailed, as he reassures her she is safe. Thats what my job is, he tells her, to make sure we lock up the bad people so that people like you the good people can sleep safe and sound in their own houses. Thats the job that we do we look after people. A Met Police spokesman confirmed to the Daily Mail that Mr Fall had appeared in the documentary and added: He resigned in October 2024 and was previously attached to Specialist Crime South. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: We conducted a criminal investigation into the matters laid out in the misconduct notice, and a man was arrested in connection with these. A file was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in 2022, which made the decision that no further action would be taken. The details were then passed to the Metropolitan Police Service for their conduct investigation. A CPS spokesman said: We reviewed this case carefully, and after considering all the material passed to us by the police, we concluded there was not enough evidence for us to charge the suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BBC 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. Putnam A local man has been arrested after allegedly threatening on social media to shoot town employees, police said Tuesday. Chief of Police Christopher Ferace said officers arrested Brian Sergel, 41, of 491 Church Street Monday and charged him with first-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace. Ferace said Sergel made posts on social media in which he threatened to commit acts of violence with a firearm at the Putnam Municipal Complex and against the employees. Ferace said Sergel is not employed by the town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ferace said his department launched a criminal investigation into the incident at 4:30 p.m. Monday after a town employee was alerted to alarming posts on social media. Ferace said Sergel was arrested at 7 p.m. without incident. I just want to thank the town employee for bringing it to our attention, and I want to thank the police department for the great job they did in conducting a quick investigation and handling the matter in a professional manner, Mayor Barney Seney said. Sergel was held in lieu of $25,000 bond and was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Danielson Superior Court. (NewsNation) Police say three teen girls who were missing since Saturday have been located and are safe. Police were looking for three teenage girls who were last seen at a Walmart in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday. The Kansas City Police Department issued missing person reports for Savannah Morris, 15; Deasia Dovers, 15, and Kenna Westling, 14, who left the area near 55th St. and Cambridge Avenue together Saturday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago will not forfeit our humanity: Mayor New photos show the three girls were at a Walmart at 8:20 a.m. on Sunday and left around 8:40 a.m. in a four-door Volkswagen. Morris is a white female with blonde hair and hazel eyes, standing 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 106 pounds. She was likely wearing black Adidas pants with white stripes and carrying a blue stuffed animal. Dovers is a Black female with brown hair and brown eyes. She is also 5 feet and 5 inches tall and weighs around 200 pounds. Police believe she was wearing black and red Nike shoes. Westling is a white female with brown hair and brown eyes, 5 feet 6 inches tall and around 150 pounds who is thought to be wearing black Nike shoes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information should contact the KCPD Missing Persons Unit at (816) 234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. All lanes of the Brent Spence Bridge have reopened after police arrested a Cincinnati man who was wedged underneath it following a police pursuit. Shortly before 4 p.m., Covington Police learned a car connected to a recent home invasion burglary was driving north on I-75 approaching I-275, according to a department news release. A pursuit began as the driver, later identified as Joshua Baker, 38, of Cincinnati, fled from officers north on I-75 and across the Brent Spence Bridge. Police said he lost control and crashed into two other cars on the lower deck of the bridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baker then got out of the car and fled on foot, attempting to carjack one of the two cars he ran into. As police closed in on him, Baker climbed over the side of the bridge and hid in the support beams underneath for several hours, according to the release. Once police found Baker, he surrendered but told them he was in an awkward position where he didn't "feel safe moving" from under the bridge, department spokesman Justin Bradbury said. Emergency personnel help a suspect climb down a ladder after he was wedged under the Brent Spence Bridge after he crashed his car on the bridge during a police pursuit and took off on foot on Monday, January 27, 2025. Authorities went under the bridge and were able to free the man shortly after 8 p.m. Baker faces two counts of fleeing and one count each of wanton, criminal mischief, carjacking and driving on a suspended license. He also had four outstanding warrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baker was taken to St. Elizabeth Covington Hospital to be treated for exposure to the cold before being booked at the Boone County jail. A woman who was riding in the car with Baker was taken to the hospital by ambulance to be treated for minor injuries. The drivers of the two cars that were hit did not need medical attention, the release says. Officers from Cincinnati, Erlanger, Covington police and the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force helped search for Baker. Several drones were deployed as were rescue boats. Northbound interstate traffic was backed up for hours to the I-275 interchange in Kentucky, traffic data showed. Southbound traffic was backed up to the Western Hills Viaduct in Cincinnati. Northbound traffic was stopped on the Brent Spence Bridge and Interstate 71/75 as police searched for a suspect following a pursuit and crash. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Brent Spence Bridge reopened as police free suspect stuck underneath COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -An opinion poll indicated that 85% of Greenlanders do not wish their Arctic island - a semi-autonomous Danish territory - to become a part of the United States, with nearly half saying they see interest by U.S. President Donald Trump as a threat. Trump said earlier this month that Greenland was vital to U.S. security and Denmark should give up control of the strategically important island. The survey by pollster Verian, commissioned by the Danish newspaper Berlingske and Greenlandic daily Sermitsiaq, showed only 6% of Greenlanders are in favour of their island becoming part of the U.S., with 9% undecided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The poll showed that 45% viewed Trump's interest in Greenland as a threat, with 43% saying they see it as an opportunity, leaving 13% undecided. Greenland enjoys many of the same welfare benefits as Denmark such as universal healthcare and free education. Only 8% of those polled said they would be willing to change their Danish citizenship to American, 55% said they would prefer to be Danish citizens, and 37% were undecided. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Tuesday she had given full backing to the principle of maintaining respect for international borders, following meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and NATO chief Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am pleased if the survey is an expression that many Greenlanders would like to see a continued close cooperation with Denmark. Probably in a different form than what we know today, because everything changes over time," she told Berlingske in response to the poll. Denmark said on Monday it would spend 14.6 billion crowns ($2.04 billion) on boosting its military presence in the Arctic. Greenland - with a land mass larger than Mexico and a population of 57,000 - was granted broad self-governing autonomy in 2009, including the right to declare independence from Denmark through a referendum. Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede, who has stepped up a push for independence, has repeatedly said the island is not for sale and that it is up to its people to decide their future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. military has a permanent presence at the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, a strategic location for its ballistic missile early-warning system, as the shortest route from Europe to North America runs via the island. ($1 = 7.1545 Danish crowns) (Reporting by Anna Ringstrom in Stockholm and Isabelle Yr Carlsson in CopenhagenEditing by Sandra Maler, Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Christina Fincher) SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The topic of education savings accounts or school vouchers is top of mind for many lawmakers and voters in South Dakota this legislative session. Monday, the South Dakota Public Schools Coalition released the findings of a statewide poll. The results are in and according to a survey commissioned by the South Dakota Education Association, many voters in the state oppose the implementation of education savings accounts, also known as school voucher programs. Tribes issuing free ID cards amid ICE raids Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 58, almost 60, percent are opposed to using tax dollars to send to private schools, Sandra Waltman, Director of Public Affairs for the SD Education Association, said. So that, we think, is a clear majority of the citizens of South Dakota. The voters of South Dakota are not in support of this plan. The survey found that 57% of voters believe South Dakota public schools do not receive enough funding. We hope lawmakers see this poll and realize what voters really want them to focus on is making sure our public schools are funded, Waltman said. House Bill 1020, which would allocate $4 million for students to attend private or home schools, was introduced to legislators earlier this month. It is currently waiting to be read by the House Education Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is going to be a debate throughout the legislative session and we would encourage everybody to talk to their lawmakers about why their local public schools are important to their communities, Waltman said. The poll was conducted by American Viewpoint between January 13 and January 15, 2025, with a sample of 500 general election voters. We reached out to Representative Scott Odenbach, the prime sponsor of HB 1020 to get his thoughts on the polls findings he pointed us in the direction of a different poll that found many voters did support school vouchers. That survey was conducted in November 2023. Odenbachs full statement is below: There are a variety of polls out there regarding support for school choice in South Dakota. Im not surprised this coalition came up with one that gave the result they seek. I am curious how much taxpayer money they ended up spending on this push poll. I would encourage you to investigate that, as well as the taxpayer money they spend lobbying. As I shared with you earlier today, other polls have shown around 50% of the voters support school choice, and support rises to around 65% among registered Republicans. School choice is an issue whose time has come, and I will continue to support these needed changes to the way we educate our kids. We must fund students, not systems and allow parents to decide which education environment is best for their children. Property tax payers should also understand that the majority of their taxes go to fund the local schools and so if we ever want meaningful property tax relief we must address the ever-growing spending and force the public schools to innovate and decentralize. HB1020 and education savings accounts start us down that path. Rep. Scott Odenbach (R) Lawrence County In a follow-up statement, Odenbach said HB 1020 is also supported by Gov. Larry Rhoden and the SD Department of Education as well as the majority leaders for both the House and Senate, the Speaker of the House and the Senate President Pro Tempore. 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. Polls are opening Tuesday in parts of Central Florida for a special primary election. Mike Waltz left his seat in District 6 to become the National Security Adviser for the Trump administration. District 6 includes parts of Volusia, Flagler, Lake, and Marion counties. Read: Trump says Microsoft is one of the companies eyeing TikTok The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The General Election will be held on April 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Trump fills his government with billionaires after running on a working-class message There is also another primary election Tuesday near Pensacola. Its to replace former Rep. Matt Gaetz. Gaetz resigned when he was tapped to become President Donald Trumps Attorney General. Read: Kash Patels podcast persona: staunch Trump defender and fierce critic of the FBI he could soon lead However, he later removed himself from consideration before a report by the House ethics committee was released, showing allegations that he paid for sex and drugs. Gaetz has denied those allegations. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Postal workers at German mail service Deutsche Post went on strike on Tuesday to underline their demands for higher wages in ongoing collective bargaining strikes, according to the verdi trade union. Postal employees in major cities and larger towns all across Germany were called by the union to join the day-long strikes on Tuesday, according to verdi. The trade union expected the labour action to result in delivery cancellations and delays in the shipment of parcels and letters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Verdi's vice president, Andrea Kocsis, justified the move by stating that the second round of collective bargaining negotiations with Deutsche Post last week had not produced any tangible results. Verdi is insisting on a pay rise of 7% and additional holiday days. The fact that Deutsche Post management has rejected those demands as unaffordable was "unacceptable," according to Kocsis. "Significant wage increases for employees are the only way to cope with the high cost of living," she said. "We are serious and we are prepared to fight for our demands." Deutsche Post has argued there is "very little" room for wage increases because letter volumes are shrinking in the digital age and there is a great need for investment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 170,000 employees at Deutsche Post are covered under the contract. The postal carrier is part of the larger Bonn-based DHL global logistics group. At the beginning of the year, the postal service raised the cost of sending letters by an average of 10.5%. The postage for a standard letter within the country has risen from 0.85 to 0.95 ($0.88 to $0.99). The regulator which oversees the postal system, Germany's Federal Network Agency, had allowed the company to increase postage but limited the price hikes to less than Deutsche Post management had requested. HONOLULU (KHON2) On Saturday, Feb. 1, Northern Lights Studios in Honolulu will host an open house. The event offers a unique opportunity to meet the artist and activist behind the studio, Emillia Noordhoek, and explore her vision of blending art, activism and community education through ceramics. Noordhoek, is a local artist, educator and passionate advocate for social justice. and she opened Northern Lights Studios in 2023. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Her background spans experiences from growing up on the Navajo Reservation to living in rural Molokai, and all of them have shaped much of her work and teaching impacts her community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, as she calls Oahu home, Noordhoek is eager to share her expertise with students, especially youth, in a nurturing, hands-on setting. No one teaches us how to slow down and listen to our own bodies, our own instincts, and our own hearts, Noordhoek said. Thats something I see art helping people, especially kids, do. It grounds us. And when youre working with your hands, you realize you are part of something bigger, something ancient. A big part of her mission at Northern Lights Studios is to teach children how to connect with their history, themselves and their community through the medium of ceramics. She plans to offer classes for local keiki (children) and teens, with a focus on neurodivergent students as well. As someone diagnosed with ADHD, Noordhoek understands how creating with your hands can help settle a restless mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want kids to realize that the act of creating is not just a way to pass time but a way to connect deeply with their past, their culture, and their future, Noordhoek said. Ceramics is a way to teach resilience. The mud doesnt argue with you. It listens and becomes what you need. The open house will provide a chance for families to tour the studio, meet Emillia and get information about upcoming classes and workshops. Local youth interested in exploring ceramics are encouraged to attend. The open house will also feature a look at some of Noordhoeks own artwork which includes a politically charged series about womens rights thats made its way from ceramics to graphic design. I believe art can push us to think critically about our world, Noordhoek said. One of my pieces Uterus Guns explores the dangerous ways our bodies are politicized. It started as a reaction to the Supreme Courts decision on abortion rights, and its something I want to share. The t-shirts and prints will be available at the open house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Northern Lights Studios is more than just a place to make art. Its a space for community building and activism where young people can explore their creative potential and learn about leadership in an increasingly complex world. Art creates good leaders, Noordhoek said as she emphasized the importance of fostering creative problem-solving and self-confidence. We need more leaders who understand the world through a creative lens. we need people who can look at complex problems and figure out solutions that dont exist yet. Noordhoeks work spans various forms, from pottery and sculpture to teaching; and it reflects her belief that art is an essential tool for self-expression and social change. Her experience growing up in a community that valued self-reliance and creativity, combined with her own personal journey through illness and activism, has shaped her teaching philosophy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a kid, I was taught by the community how to weave, how to create pottery, how to work with the land, Noordhoek said. When I started teaching, I realized the value of passing that knowledge on. I want my students to feel that, whether its through clay or art, theyre creating something that will last. At the open house, attendees can get a firsthand look at Northern Lights Studios creative environment where art is more than about technique. Its about growth, reflection and being part of a larger narrative. The work that comes out of here isnt just mine; its our work, Noordhoek said. This studio is for everyone. Its for the young artists finding their voice, the parents who want to spend time with their children and the community members who want to explore their creativity. Noordhoeks focus on empowering youth through ceramics stems from her own experiences. She understands the power of creative expression to help students process their emotions, build confidence and find a sense of belonging in a chaotic world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The thing I love most about ceramics is that its hands-on. Its not about looking at a screen or pushing buttons; its about getting messy, making mistakes and learning from them, Noordhoek said. It teaches kids that its okay to be imperfect. Thats how we grow. As the open house approaches, Noordhoek is excited to meet the community and share her vision. She sees Northern Lights Studios as a catalyst for change and not just in the art world, but in the way we connect with each other and the world around us. Stone sculpture by Emillia Noordhoek. (Photo/Northern Lights Studios) Emillia Noordhoek. (Photo/Northern Lights Studios) Stone sculpture by Emillia Noordhoek. (Photo/Northern Lights Studios) Sculpture by Emillia Noordhoek. (Photo/Northern Lights Studios) I want this space to be a place where people come together, where young people can feel seen, where they can make something and say, I made that. And then, maybe theyll realize they can do even more. For more information about the open house, classes, or to learn more about Noordhoeks artwork, visit Northern Lights Studios on Instagram or Facebook or visit them at the Cedar Street Gallery in Chinatown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 The studios grand opening takes place on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 1 to 3 p.m. at 111 North King Street in Chinatown, Honolulu. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Four Southern California Edison lines over Eaton Canyon saw a momentary increase of electrical current about the same time the destructive Eaton fire is believed to have ignited on Jan. 7, the utility told state regulators in a filing Monday. The incident, according to the filing, happened after Edison's Eagle Rock-Gould line which connects to the Gould substation in La Canada Flintridge, about five miles from the suspected start of the fire experienced a fault, sending the increase of current across the company's transmission lines over Eaton Canyon. Edison officials in the filing said the current increase "remained within the design limits and operating criteria for these circuits and, as intended, did not trigger system protection on these lines." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Investigators study Eaton Canyon electrical tower area as possible origin of Altadena fire But that equipment is now part of an expanded court order for Edison to preserve data and hardware that could shed some light as to what exactly caused the deadly blaze. While an official determination has yet to be made, investigators have zeroed in on an electrical transmission tower in Eaton Canyon, where residents first saw flames at the structure's base. According to an agreement reached Monday between attorneys representing the utility and attorneys from the firm Edelson PC which is representing an Altadena woman who lost her home in the fire the specified equipment will remain preserved for at least 21 days so it can be examined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's not a coincidence," Ali Moghaddas, an attorney with Edelson PC, said about the close timing between the reported fault and the start of the Eaton fire. "That six-mile stretch from the point of origin to the fault, that will remain untouched for 21 days." According to the agreement, Edison will preserve and not alter towers and transmission lines for the Goodrich-Gould, Eagle Rock-Mesa, Mesa-Vincent No.1, Mesa-Vincent No. 2 and Mesa-Sylmer circuits in Eaton Canyon, all the way to the Gould substation. It will also preserve the Eagle Rock-Gould circuit between the Eagle Rock and Gould substations, which attorneys for the plaintiffs said are connected to the fault disclosed by Edison on Monday. Read more: Late evacuation orders in Altadena raise haunting question: Could more lives have been spared? Edison attorneys initially opposed expansion of a temporary restraining order, which told the company to preserve data and equipment related to the blaze around the suspected point of origin and a 1-square-mile area in eastern Altadena. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Douglas Dixon, an attorney representing Edison, described the request to expand the order as excessive and overly broad, referring to it as "whack-a-mole." But after a brief court recess Monday, attorneys for Edison returned with a proposal to also preserve for 21 days the equipment connected to this fault. Kathleen Dunleavy, a spokesperson for Edison, said the company's preliminary investigation revealed no faults or damage to the transmission lines in the Eaton Canyon area. "The impact on the canyon was well within the standard parameters," Dunleavy said. "This is part of our investigation process." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Edison says encampment found near area where Eaton fire started; critics doubt it sparked fire Dunleavy said the company has continued to inspect its equipment, including the lines that experienced a fault at 6:11 p.m. Jan. 7. Although these lines are distant from Eaton Canyon, the transmission networks are interconnected. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the first reports of the Eaton fire came in at 6:18 p.m. Asked whether the fault that occurred Jan. 7 could cause arcing or sparks in the system five miles away, Dunleavy said incidents like that are common and can be observed in the company's electric grid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We filed the update as part of our commitment to transparency," she said. But attorneys who have filed suit against the utility have criticized the company for what they say was an about-face, first telling state regulators that there were "no interruptions or electrical or operational anomalies" until an hour after the fire began. Then, weeks later, the company reported to the California Public Utilities Commission that a fault had occurred about the same time the Eaton fire started, sending increased current along the transmission lines over Eaton Canyon. Loretta Lynch, president of the commission from 2000 to 2002, said the latest filing by Edison was a red flag. "Edison's explanation is an obfuscation of the problem," she said. "There is a serious problem here, and Edison's explanation fails to explain the central issue." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The central question, Lynch said, is whether Edison's equipment caused the fire. "This is an attempt to fill the question with irrelevant detail, and it doesn't answer the questions," she said. "That fault could have had ripple effects into Eaton Canyon where the fire began." Lynch also criticized the timing of the filing, pointing out it occurred nearly three weeks after the fire began and after intense media scrutiny over the fire's origin. She said utilities, under current rules, are required to report relevant issues within two hours to the Public Utilities Commission. "They had a duty to tell the regulator," she said. "They either didn't know, which should strike fear in the heart of every Californian that the utility didn't know that their system failed, or they did know, and the question is why didn't they say." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new court order and fault report come as Edison faces increased scrutiny over its potential responsibility for a fire that burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed more than 9,400 structures and killed 17 people. Read more: Four lawsuits filed against Southern California Edison over Eaton fire Before Monday's court hearing, Edelson PC released a surveillance video that appears to show flashes, possible arcing and sparks emanating from an electrical tower in Eaton Canyon just moments before the area erupts in flames. Nearby residents have shared videos in the last week showing the early flames burning at the base of a tower. The video released Sunday, however, appeared to show signs of flashes in the dark hillside where electrical towers are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edison officials shared the video with investigators over the weekend. An investigator with Cal Fire told The Times the area near the tower was being investigated as part of the start of the fire. The area remained off limits to the utility, fire agencies and the news media until Jan. 16. The area has remained the focus of the investigation, as billions of dollars could be at stake after the fire leveled entire neighborhoods. Fire investigators are continuing to look at the area and the electrical equipment. Last week, Cal Fire investigators also requested data and records from Edison regarding transmission facilities in the area, according to Edison's filing with the state commission. 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. After the deadly fires that ravaged Southern California this month, Airbnb received praise for its voucher program that offered free stays for displaced victims. Local and national media outlets lauded the effort, directing thousands of refugees to apply. But for many who needed the housing, reviews weren't as glowing. Some said they applied but never heard back. Others got a voucher but said it was essentially useless because of restrictions and a seven-day expiration date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plenty of victims have been helped by the program. Airbnb.org, a nonprofit funded by Airbnb that teamed with the group 211 L.A. to provide the free stays, said it received 34,000 applications and sent out roughly 11,000 vouchers. It's unclear how many of those vouchers were used, but the nonprofit said more than 60,000 free nights have been booked by more than 17,000 people affected by the fires. Those not able to cash in, however, see the program as one of two things: a genuine offer hamstrung by excessive red tape, or a half-hollow gesture meant to rack up free PR in the midst of a historic disaster. "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is," said Todd Smoyer, who received a voucher after his house burned down in Altadena but wasn't able to use it. "It just feels like a PR stunt." Smoyer was working in Hollywood when the Santa Ana winds started blowing Jan. 7. Out of caution, his husband booked an Airbnb in Mid-City that day just in case a fire started. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few hours later, the Eaton fire erupted. Smoyer bolted home to grab food for their two dogs and fled the neighborhood around 8 p.m. On his way out, he called his parents, sobbing. "I knew there was no chance the house would survive," he said. The next morning, his neighbor confirmed that there was nothing left but the brick fireplace. He applied for the voucher the next day but didn't hear back right away. They had the Mid-City Airbnb booked through Jan 10. and extended it to the 12th. Having heard nothing from Airbnb, the pair fled L.A. and booked a stay in Palm Springs from Jan. 13-24. Then, the voucher came through: Airbnb had awarded them $1,000 toward a booking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smoyer reached out to customer service asking if the credit could be used toward the stay he already booked. No, they said. In addition, the voucher expired in seven days, on Jan. 19. Smoyer and his husband have since moved into a VRBO, where a compassionate host offered him a two-week stay for a total of $400. "We spent over $8,000 on short-term rentals over three weeks, and we were just trying to recoup a little. We know they're making so much money, so how hard would it be to apply the credit to a stay that's already booked?" he said. "It left such a nasty taste in my mouth." The voucher program brought more than just positive PR for the short-term housing platform, which has come under scrutiny in recent years for illegal listings and eating into L.A.'s long-term housing stock . Some evacuees told The Times they booked stays on Airbnb instead of other alternatives such as hotels with the hope that theyd eventually be refunded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eleanor Green evacuated from her home in La Canada Flintridge on Jan. 8., fleeing to Claremont with her family. She applied for the voucher that day but didn't hear back and booked an Airbnb for two nights. Evacuation orders were still active in her neighborhood at the end of her stay, so she booked a second Airbnb, spending a total of $1,500 between the two. On Jan. 12, she returned to her home, which had been spared. That same day, she got approved for a $2,000 voucher. "I felt so relieved," she said. "It was this great light in the middle of a horrible experience." Green quickly connected with customer service, asking how to use it toward her stays that she already paid for, but was told it could be used only before you book a stay, not after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She felt cheated. "The first booking was made in panic, but the second I hoped might get some money back with the voucher, so we used Airbnb instead of a hotel," she said. "Everyone who evacuated booked an Airbnb already, so what point is a voucher if it comes in days later?" The experience made her angry: not that she couldn't use the voucher, but because the company limited the scope of people they were able to help and got so much publicity out of something that wasn't useful to many victims. "I feel uncomfortable with how much praise they've gotten while championing themselves as a source of aid in a time of need," Green said. "Meanwhile, they're soliciting donations from people who think they're helping wildfire victims, but most people can't be helped by this program." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Airbnb.org has received $9 million in donations from individuals and companies since the start of the fire. In addition, Airbnb committed $10 million and Chief Executive Brian Chesky chipped in $6 million. Christoph Gorder, executive director for Airbnb.org, said the company is committed to offering up to 40,000 more free nights through the voucher program, above the 60,000 already used. In addition, Airbnb waived all fees for those stays. The free housing program never claimed the vouchers would work on retroactive stays or ones already booked nor did the promotion campaign mention that they wouldn't. That was left to customer service representatives. Gorder said there's no simple way to make that work because money for bookings goes to the host, not the company. "From a logistical and practical point of view, we don't have a way to do retroactive voucher applications. We're looking into it for the future, but we don't have that capacity right now," Gorder said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The demand overwhelmed Airbnb's system in the first 48 hours, he said. Gorder said the seven-day expiration is a safeguard against fraud to prevent bad actors from abusing the program. He added that those who wish to extend the expiration date or apply the credit to an existing stay can contact customer support, and said Airbnb has handled such requests for 170 L.A. households already. The Times spoke to a Pacific Palisades evacuee who was able to obtain a $2,000 voucher after initially being denied. The person complained to customer service, eventually got the voucher and used it toward a $20,000 stay for a month in Santa Monica. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease," the person said, asking to remain anonymous because they didn't want to jeopardize their stay by speaking to the media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others weren't so lucky. Some took their frustrations to social media. One Reddit user wrote that they received a $1,000 credit and successfully booked a stay. However, the expiration policy requires users to check into the Airbnb within seven days, not just book within seven days. By the time the booking came, the credit had expired, and they owed an extra $1,000 for the rental. Graham Fortier fled his Altadena home Jan. 7 with his wife and two daughters hours before it burned. He applied for the credit a day later, and the next day booked a three-week stay in a Pasadena Airbnb for $6,897 using donations raised through a GoFundMe. The stay was set to begin Jan. 18 because he already had hotels booked until then. His $1,300-credit came through Jan. 13. Like the others, it couldn't be applied to his rental. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, Fortier found a more permanent housing solution through a family friend and no longer needed the Airbnb. He tried to cancel the $6,897 stay, but the host said he wouldn't refund him since because the two-day cancellation period had already passed. For its part, Airbnb refunded the $797 he paid in fees. But because the host refused to cancel the booking, Fortier lost $6,100. "Your house burns down, you lose everything, and the host still can't sympathize with our situation," Fortier said. "They might have a home in Pasadena, but they're not a Pasadenan. An actual Pasadenan wouldn't do this." Fortier said he's sure people got the credit and used it to help their family in a time of need, which adds to his frustration because it shows that the program could have been more effective. "I just wish they would've designed the program in a way that helps more people," he said. "Our community is destroyed, and we need all the help we can get." 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. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A leading defense manufacturer has asked the Trump administration to reform the Pentagon's contracting system, saying it was too slow and bureaucratic to combat threats from China and Iran, a letter reviewed by Reuters showed. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. sent the letter dated January 24 to billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has been tasked with streamlining U.S. government efficiency as co-head of the Department of Operational Guidance and Efficiency. The company, which makes the popular Predator drone, joins a growing list of firms that have viewed the DOGE efficiency panel as a route to lobby for the removal of rules that slow the sale of military equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement L3Harris Technologies, one of the world's biggest defense contractors, called on the panel to reform the Pentagon's contracting system earlier this month, citing similar concerns. In the letter, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems CEO Linden Blue urged Musk to reform the defense acquisition system to enhance its efficiency and contribution to national security. He highlighted three areas that deserve special attention: delays, buck-passing, and self-shackling. Blue suggested that the U.S. government could accelerate larger system acquisitions by setting time limits on Pentagon milestones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also called for establishing accountability within the U.S. Foreign Military Sales system, and reforming the U.S. interpretation of the Missile Technology Control Regime to focus on missile technology tied to weapons of mass destruction rather than Unmanned Aerial Systems (drones). Trump created DOGE following his November election, naming Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy as its co-heads, with the aim to dismantle bureaucracy, cut regulations and restructure agencies. Speeding up Pentagon contracting could potentially boost profits for companies that do business with the defense department. Companies normally pay lobbyists millions of dollars to advocate on their behalf. (Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Saad Sayeed) Just before the weekend, President Donald Trump fired more than a dozen inspectors general in federal agencies including the Pentagon, departments of State, Veterans Affairs and Interior by email and without notice an anonymous fired official confirmed to USA TODAY. During his first term, Trump fired five inspectors general in less than two months in 2020, USA TODAYs Saturday, Jan. 25 report said. This included the State Department, whose inspector general had played a role in the president's impeachment proceedings. And former President Joe Biden fired the inspector general of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board last year, after an investigation found he created a hostile work environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But what, exactly, is an inspector general and how many are there? Heres what we know about the firings and what an inspector generals job is in a U.S. federal agency. What is the role of the inspector general? An inspector general is someone who leads independent investigations, audits or inspections when waste, fraud and/or abuse are suspected in the agencies they serve. Here are the responsibilities of an inspector general, according to the Council of the Inspectors General and the Inspectors General Act of 1978: Conduct independent and objective audits, investigations and inspections Prevent and detect waste, fraud and abuse, Promote economy, effectiveness and efficiency, Review pending legislation and regulation, and Keep the agency head and Congress fully and currently informed. According to the Council of Inspectors General, these positions act independently from the agencies they serve. While by law, IG's are under the general supervision of the agency head or deputy, neither the agency head nor the deputy can prevent or prohibit an IG from conducting an audit or investigation, the councils website says. According to the Council of Inspectors General, IGs are authorized to: Have direct access to all records and information of the agency, Have ready access to the agency head Conduct such investigations and issue such reports as the IG thinks appropriate (with limited national security and law enforcement exceptions), Issue subpoenas for information and documents outside the agency (with same limited exceptions), Administer oaths for taking testimony Hire and control their own staff and contract resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More on the firings: Donald Trump fires independent inspectors general at 17 federal agencies What is the plural of inspector general? The plural of inspector general is inspectors general, not inspectors generals or inspector generals. Who can fire an inspector general? President-appointed inspectors general can be fired by the president and inspectors general appointed by agency heads can be removed by the agencies that hired them. Either way, there has to be a 30-day notice to Congress, according to the Congressional Research Services Rules for the Removal of Inspectors General. An Inspector General may be removed from office by the President, the Congressional Research Services rules say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress (including the appropriate congressional committees), not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer. According to the rules, Congress can object to a presidential removal of an inspector general if lawmakers decide it interferes with the independent nature of the position. There are several examples of Presidents removing IGs. Across these actions, Congress has objected that the removals have the potential to undermine the actual and perceived independence of IGs, the Congressional Research Service says. How many inspectors general are there? There are more than 70 inspectors general in federal and state agencies, according to the Department of States Office of Inspector General (OIG). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Inspector General Act was signed into law in 1978, establishing the first 12 presidentially appointed Inspectors General in federal agencies, the Department of States OIG website says. There are now more than 70 statutory IGs, both presidentially appointed and appointed by agency heads. Collectively, they oversee the operations of nearly all aspects of federal government. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Trump inspector general firings: 17 removed. What they do in the job NEW YORK (PIX11) President Donald Trumps administration has issued a pause on all federal grants and loans, according to a memo from Matthew Vaeth, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget. The memo was sent on Monday but the freeze goes into effect Tuesday at 5 p.m. More News: Politics The pause will include any issuance of new awards and all open awards. During the funding freeze, the Trump administration will review all federal spending and determine the best uses of the funding for those programs consistent with the Presidents priorities, the memo states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo specifies an exception for assistance received directly by individuals, including Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, student loans and scholarships. The funding freeze by the Republican administration could affect trillions of dollars and cause widespread disruption in health care research, education programs and other initiatives. Washington is a hub of spending that flows to various departments, local governments, nonprofits and contractors. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander addressed the funding freeze Tuesday morning, noting the citys budget for the 2025 fiscal year includes $9.6 billion in federal revenue, which makes up 8.3% of the citys budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This sum includes COVID-19 aid, child care vouchers and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, according to a report from Lander in December. Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday said its still unclear what specific programs will be affected. In grants alone, New York City has received $11.8 billion over the past five years, Adams said. We are assessing the full reach of the administrations announcement, as specific programs are not named in the memo, Adams said. CUNY, NYCHA, and NYC Health & Hospitals receive federal funding totaling $5.5 billion, and federal funds pay for $33 billion in individual benefits like SNAP and social security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last night, Trump illegally froze all federal grant & loan paymentsrent for low-income families, child care, health care. Special ed. FEMA relief. School lunches, he said in a post to X. Its an unconstitutional power grab that risks unraveling our federal system and the basic trust in the government to honor its obligations that our democracyand hundreds of millions of peopledepends on. More Local News In her state budget announcement last week, Gov. Kathy Hochul warned the federal government could cut funding streams for key programs like education, child care and utility assistance. The 2026 state budget includes $90 billion in federal funds, the majority of which goes to Medicaid. It reflects 36% of the states budget. Changes at the federal level will create new challenges for the state and for programs New Yorkers care about. Its already started, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Hochul also said its not yet clear how the memo will affect New York and its federally funded programs, but the implications could be vast. Im not playing whack-a-mole with every single initiative that comes out of Washington, Hochul said. We will deal with the issues when they become a reality. Washington, do you realize the consequences of what youve done here? And do you really want us to not fund law enforcement? Do you really want us to not fund roads and bridges? Vaeths memo specifically notes $3 trillion spent in 2024 on federal grants and loans, specifically those relevant to Trumps recent executive orders related to foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the Green New Deal. The pause duration is unclear, but agencies will submit a report on their federal aid by Feb. 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story comprises reporting from the Associated Press. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Shortly after Donald Trumps electoral victory, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker pledged to defend his states residents from the presidents agenda, throwing down the challenge: You come for my people, you come through me! Most Read from Bloomberg For the billionaire Democratic leader that means protecting womens and workers rights while ensuring his state is a safe place for LGBTQ and immigrant communities. But as US Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed a series of raids in Chicago that started on Sunday, hes having to weigh how far to take his opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre a convicted violent criminal, youve got to go I dont want you in my state, I dont want you in my prison, I dont want you wandering around the streets, Pritzker said in a recent interview at Bloombergs office in Washington. The challenge, he added, is that we also have people who are law-abiding residents of my state who have been adding to the economy. Opposition to Trump is a risky strategy for Pritzker, 60. Trump has promised to cut federal funds to states that dont cooperate with his priorities and Illinois is already in a challenging spot. Preliminary estimates peg the states deficit for its next fiscal year at about $3 billion. While Pritzker has helped secure nine credit rating upgrades, the state remains the lowest rated in the nation. Chicago, meanwhile, just had its credit rating cut by Standard & Poors and faces financial threats to fund its education and pension fund systems. Trumps acting budget director issued a memo Monday instructing federal agencies to halt federal financial assistance, which includes grants and loans, to review if the spending complies with Trumps executive orders. Prtizker immediately objected on social media questioning whether the president had the power to do this but if enacted it would have broad consequences for the state. On Sunday, when ICE raids targeted 260 people in Chicago, Pritzker said for the first time he would hand over violent undocumented criminals who are currently in Illinois prisons. But he also stressed hed uphold local laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a law on the books in Illinois that says that our local law enforcement will stand up for those law-abiding undocumented people in our state, he told CNN on Sunday. Were not going to help federal officials just drag them away. Presidential Hopefuls Pritzker, whose family dynasty is worth $59.4 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, is widely viewed as a possible presidential contender to 2028, alongside Democratic governors including Michigans Gretchen Whitmer, Californias Gavin Newsom and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. The Illinois leader, whos eligible for reelection when his current term ends in 2026, is coy though on his ambitions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My own focus is really on the job that Ive got right now, he told Bloomberg in Washington days before Trumps inauguration. I do feel an obligation, though, in this moment, to help guide the future of the Democratic Party. A week after the election, Pritzker started Governors Safeguarding Democracy to protect state-level institutions against federal overreach. The group is meeting to share ideas and initiatives in the various states in a bipartisan fashion, Pritzker said. Pritzker spent most of the 2024 campaign cycle as a surrogate for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. He raised his profile by being the central figure in bringing the Democratic National Convention to Chicago last August, showcasing the city at a time when Republicans were bashing it over lawlessness. During his speech he infamously quipped that he was a real billionaire, a line that had mixed reactions within a party divided by progressive and moderate wings. Its a line that may come to haunt him as Trump, also a billionaire, surrounds himself with the ultra wealthy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pritzker has also expressed frustration with Biden over his decision to stay in the race against Trump. Our candidate, who had for some time said that hes up for the job and hes going to be fine, then had a debate performance that I think, unfortunately, seemed to prove to people that maybe he wasnt up to it, Pritzker said. Then a month later, five weeks later, changing candidates now youre 108 days before the election. These are all things that cant be good for your party, and they werent. National Stage While Pritzker wont comment on his presidential ambitions, hes taken on a national profile. Hes passed legislation to help ensure abortion access for Illinois residents and founded Think Big America, to help fund abortion access ballot initiatives across the country. That group netted wins in November in Arizona, Maryland, Montana, Missouri, Nevada and New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant see inside his head, but the behavior is indicative of somebody who wants to be on the national stage, said Stephen Nelson, a political science professor at Northwestern University. Now, the question that I have is: Theres 2028 for the Democrats, but theres also 2026, the gubernatorial election. What is the signaling? Is he signaling more to local voters in Illinois, or is he signaling to a national audience? Pritzker, who dealt with a Trump presidency during his first term as governor, has taken steps aimed at helping immigrant communities, including outlawing the use of local jails as detention centers for ICE. The stage is set for a showdown between cities, states and the federal government if ICE agents dont stick to their promises to target only violent criminals. Pritzker said he will follow state and federal law, and expects ICE agents to do the same. Hes exemplified truly good values among the principles, and he has been consistent thats why I feel very confident that he will be someone who will continue to protect immigrants, Democratic Congressman Jesus Chuy Garcia of Illinois said in an interview at his office in Washington DC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Falling Crime Pritzkers stance on immigration could backfire if Trump succeeds in associating a nationwide decrease in crime a trend thats already been observed with his deportation push. Support for Trump has also grown even in Democratic strongholds like Chicago, where 22% of voters picked the president on the Nov. 5 ballot up from 12% in 2016. Much of the Democrats loss has been blamed on the failure to address a cost-of-living crisis that has plagued the US. Pritzker said that Democratic politicians have to make progress on those central kitchen-table issues before they can think about the presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just talking about, but then delivering on those things in Washington, thats not been the case, he said. Theres certainly a real opportunity for Democrats to to win in 2028. I think first we Democrats have to win in 2026 in Congress and every other level of government. --With assistance from Miranda Davis and Alicia A. Caldwell. (Updates with Pritzker response to federal review in fifth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. A private school headteacher has accused Rachel Reeves of imposing a politically motivated education tax on British students, after it emerged US military personnel would be exempt. Andrew McGarva, principal at Morrisons Academy in Perthshire, Scotland, said he was dismayed to learn the children of American soldiers would be spared the tax after Labours steadfast refusal to consider any form of exemption or delay for vulnerable groups. It comes after The Telegraph revealed last week that the 20pc VAT levy on school fees would not apply to children of US soldiers because of a tax rule that has exempted American military from paying tax on services since 1951. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a briefing note, HM Revenue and Customs said American military families would be exempt under the VAT-free purchase scheme. The tax relief dates back to the NATO Status of Forces Agreement signed 74 years ago. Andrew McGarva is frustrated by the Governments refusal to consider more exemptions - Facebook Mr McGarva, who has led the 20,880-a-year Scottish school for the past three years, said: This decision highlights inconsistencies in the imposition of VAT on school fees and raises troubling questions about our Governments priorities. It feels as though this decision has more to do with keeping in step with the US than protecting childrens education. The introduction of this education tax is not about improving the state sector or addressing inequalities it is a politically motivated move that risks harming children, families and communities across the UK. Labour treating British forces as second-class citizens It comes after Labour stopped short of granting an exemption for British service families at the Budget in October. This was despite warnings it could spark an exodus of military families at a time when the Army is at its smallest size in 200 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with The Scotsman, Mr McGarva added: What makes this policy particularly frustrating is the Governments steadfast refusal to consider any form of exemption or delay for vulnerable groups. Families of children with additional needs, schools serving niche communities, and those supporting the armed forces have all been dismissed. However an exemption has now been made for US personnel, supposedly in adherence to an agreement signed over 70 years ago. James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary, accused Labour of treating British forces as second-class citizens. He said: We consistently argued for an exemption to be applied. Labour must now urgently adopt that policy or accept they are delivering a deep unfairness to those who serve our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His concerns were echoed by Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, a former British army veteran and fellow Conservative MP, who called the decision outrageous. The MP for Solihull West and Shirley said: The Chancellor has reneged on her commitment to British serving personnel while standing by her commitment to the US military. It should be one rule for all. Parents of children with special needs who are unable to get an education, health and care plan, faith groups and small independent schools have repeatedly lobbied Labour to consider an exemption, but their concerns have not been addressed. Their hopes now lie in the High Court where a legal challenge on behalf of more than 1,000 private schools is set to be heard before Easter which aims to show the controversial policy breaches the human rights of children. 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. A university vice-chancellor hailed for his pro-free speech views has been cleared of all wrongdoing following serious allegations made against him by his estranged wife, The Telegraph has learnt. Prof James Tooley was suspended from his 229,000-a-year post as vice-chancellor at the University of Buckingham last October. The decision, which was announced in an email sent out to almost 4,000 staff and students, followed a number of serious allegations flagged to the university by his ex-wife, Cynthia Tooley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The University of Buckingham did not disclose the nature of the allegations but sources told The Telegraph they concerned his possession of a junior air rifle, which does not require a firearms licence, and details of a previous relationship with a woman in India. The Telegraph can now reveal that the allegations were found to be not substantiated and Prof Tooleys suspension has been overturned with immediate effect. In an internal memo sent to university staff on Tuesday evening, seen by The Telegraph, officials confirmed that an independent report had found no wrongdoing. Mark Qualter, chair of the university council, said: The report found that the serious allegations against the Vice-Chancellor were not substantiated. The report has been considered by council and the suspension of the vice-chancellor brought to an end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The university is liaising with the vice-chancellor in relation to the practicalities of his return to work. The university has not made public the full report, which is understood to run to 85 pages. It was overseen by Joseph OBrien KC, who was appointed to lead the independent investigation into the allegations against Prof Tooley last autumn. The conclusion will raise serious questions over the universitys handling of the case. Allies of Prof Tooley told The Telegraph last month that the vexatious allegations flagged by his estranged wife were seized upon by university management, who have been keen to eject him for some time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prof Tooley was evicted from Ondaatje Hall, his grace-and-favour house on the university grounds, on Oct 11 last year after Mr Qualter emailed staff and students to announce his immediate suspension that same day. The Buckingham figurehead is a staunch free-speech advocate who has spoken out publicly against the cancel culture he claimed had taken root across British campuses. He succeeded Sir Anthony Seldon as Buckinghams vice-chancellor in 2020. One academic claimed that the university had pounced on the allegations against Prof Tooley as a means of damaging him and forcing through because they dont like him. They think hes too libertarian, too Thatcherite, too Right-wing. Buckingham staff also accused Mr Qualter of having not followed due process in suspending Prof Tooley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Telegraph revealed last month that senior academics had called for the suspension to be immediately lifted in a legal letter sent to university officials. They urged Mr Qualter to recuse himself from the investigation into the allegations, since it was being handled by the universitys nomination and governance committee, where he is also chair. Exonerated In his email to staff on Tuesday exonerating Prof Tooley, the council chair said: You will recall that in October the university was made aware of a number of serious allegations involving our vice-chancellor, Prof James Tooley. The nature of the allegations were such that the university had to investigate them and we took the decision to suspend the vice-chancellor, a neutral act pending the outcome of the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The university council and I were determined that a thorough, fair and independent investigation should be carried out in accordance with our governing documents. A senior, specialist barrister was appointed to undertake the investigation. You will understand that due to the nature of the investigation and to protect the privacy of all parties involved we are unable to disclose specific details regarding the allegations. He added that the university was aware of the difficult period the events had caused for Buckingham staff and students. The process through which we have been is a testament to the robustness and fairness of the universitys procedures and our commitment to sound governance even in the face of some criticism in certain sections of the media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council and I are grateful to you for your unwavering commitment to delivering an exceptional student experience. A University of Buckingham spokesman said: The university was made aware of a number of serious allegations involving our vice-chancellor. The nature of the allegations were such that the university had to investigate them and we took the decision to suspend the vice-chancellor, a neutral act pending the outcome of the investigation. The report found that the allegations were not substantiated, and after consideration by council the suspension has been brought to an end. The university is liaising with the vice-chancellor in relation to his return to work. Due to the nature of the investigation and to protect the privacy of all parties involved we are unable to disclose specific details regarding the allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While this matter has been difficult for all concerned, The university remains completely focused on delivering an exceptional experience for students and staff alike. 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. TOPEKA (KSNT) Kansas lawmakers were presented with a bill requiring school district employees to use the pronouns and names of students as they appear on their birth certificates. The Committee on Education introduced Senate Bill 76 on Monday, Jan. 27. The bill proposes that employees at school districts and postsecondary educational institutions across the state are required to use the names and pronouns that match a students biological sex and whats listed on their birth certificates. This bill is referencing the Given Name Act. This bill is put together so employees at educational institutions across the Sunflower State do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at work; according to the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kansas families can now apply for summer grocery assistance The proposed bill states that no employees, of any status at schools, should address minors or students with a pronoun, title or name thats not consistent with the biological sex or given name listed on the birth certificate unless there is written permission from their parent. Employees at school districts or postsecondary educational institutions will not face termination or demotion for addressing students and minors by the names which appear on their birth certificates. As for students, the bill suggests they should not face disciplinary action for declining to address individuals as anything other than whats listed on their birth certificates. In 2022, a teacher at Fort Riley Middle School was awarded almost $100,000 after winning a lawsuit against the district regarding a pronoun policy. The teacher filed the lawsuit after being reprimanded and suspended for addressing a student by their legal and enrolled name and not a preferred name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more Capitol Bureau 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. 27 January marks the 80th anniversary of the day the Red Army broke through the gates of Auschwitz, liberated the thousands still held captive and alerted the world to the site of the single largest mass murder in history. [Originally published in Swedish at marxist.se] Eva Schloss, 95, described the day she was liberated: At the gate we saw this huge creature covered in icicles and wrapped in fur. It was terribly, terribly cold. [...] At first we really thought it was a bear, but when we looked closer we realised it was a man. It was the first Russian soldier who had come to the camp. I took him to show him the barracks, and this big man who must have seen terrible things had tears running down his cheeks. The Red Army lost 231 soldiers as they advanced towards the concentration camp that day. By the time they arrived, most of the SS soldiers and the majority of the living prisoners had left the camp. In June 1944, the Red Army liberated a concentration camp for the first time: Majdanek, in south-eastern Poland. Their rapid advance prevented the Nazis from destroying evidence, and the Soviet Union recorded film evidence and turned the camp, where 78,000 were murdered, into a museum before the autumn was over. The Nazis at Auschwitz desperately needed to destroy the evidence of their greatest crimes before these too were revealed. They began moving or murdering prisoners, dismantling equipment and blowing up the gas chambers. By the end of 1944, there were only 67,000 prisoners left in Auschwitz (at its peak, the camp held 135,000 prisoners). Killing so many people without the gas chambers was a logistical nightmare for the SS soldiers. Instead, from 17 January, everyone who could walk was led on a death march west towards Germany. 15,000 prisoners died on the march. The last SS soldiers left in the camp burned down barracks and destroyed evidence. On 27 January, when the Soviet soldiers arrived at the gates, the camp was still burning. What they witnessed was unprecedented in history. 8,000 prisoners too weak or sick to march had been left behind. Mountains of dead bodies that could not be buried in the frozen ground were piled up. Prisoners that looked like corpses walked around or lay in the barracks. The Red Army set up field hospitals and soldiers gave them their clothes and food. Thousands survived, but for some it was too late. However, for every day that Auschwitz was liberated, instead of in the hands of the Nazis, thousands of lives were spared. For every day that Auschwitz was liberated, instead of in the hands of the Nazis, thousands of lives were spared / Image: public domain Several times the prisoners of Auschwitz had rebelled and fought back. The most famous example is the Sonderkommando revolt in October 1944. When the prisoners who were forced to keep the gas chambers and crematoria running got wind that the Nazis were planning to murder them to hide evidence, they rebelled. It failed, and the majority of Sonderkommando prisoners were murdered. Earlier, in cooperation with Polish partisans, camp inmates managed to smuggle in a camera, take pictures, and smuggle it out again. These are the only pictures left showing people being executed and burned at Auschwitz. Four months after liberation, the Red Army had advanced as far as Berlin, and Nazi Germany surrendered. Contrary to what the majority of Hollywood films show, it was not the United States, Britain or any other capitalist country that defeated Nazism, but the workers' state of the Soviet Union. Of the 13 million Nazi soldiers killed during the war, 10.7 million were killed fighting the Soviet Union. Thanks to its planned economy, the Soviet Union was able to produce more than the whole of German-occupied Europe in 1943 which eventually enabled it to win the war. By then, around 27 million Soviet citizens had died fighting fascism. Auschwitz was a complex of 40 extermination camps and slave labour sites, the ultimate symbol of the Holocaust. From 1942 to 1945, people were gassed to death on this site. In this camp alone, over 1,100,000 people were killed by gas, shooting, hanging, starvation, disease and exhaustion. The majority were European Jews. The words never again have been repeated millions of times since the Holocaust. But history can easily be exploited. Today, the memory of the Holocaust is used by Benjamin Netanyahu and others to justify Israel's genocidal policies against the Palestinians. Many Holocaust survivors, many with links to Auschwitz, have protested in statements and participated in demonstrations against the genocide in Gaza. They refuse to allow their experiences to be hijacked by the Zionists. On their side are today's communists. Amid bitter fights over the future of education, the school cellphone ban has become an unlikely source of bipartisanship. (Getty Images) Months after his school banned cellphone use during class time, Cameron Marvin is breathing a little easier. Before the ban, the eighth grader at Pelham Memorial School saw the phones do more harm than good. Kids would show off memes in the classroom, creating distractions. Teachers would interrupt a lesson to tell those students to put the phones away another distraction. And breaks to the bathroom were fraught with the prospect of pranks, vandalism, and disruptive behavior, all filmed on students phones to be posted for later online glory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some kids think its funny to record while doing something wrong, Marvin testified to lawmakers last week. But in August, the Pelham School Board passed a policy banning the phones from use in middle school classrooms. Students must use magnetic, locked pouches to deposit their phones during instruction time. They can open the pouches only in designated areas in the school. The good thing is that you dont see just one person standing out and being punished with their phone taken away, Marvin said. Everyone is equal, and everyone has to do the same thing with their phone. No one has that extra pressure. This year, some lawmakers are hoping to pass a law restricting cellphones across the state. Amid bitter fights over the future of education, the idea has become an unlikely source of bipartisanship. Gov. Kelly Ayotte called for a ban in her inaugural address. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have pitched legislation to do so. And conservative advocates, teachers unions, school boards, and even some students appear to be on board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Used to be it was a great social experience, said Rep. Rick Ladd, a Haverhill Republican, during a hearing. Kids were yanking around with each other, having fun, talking to each other, looking at the whites of the eyes. Now what are they looking at? The white of the cellphone. Ladd is the author of one of those bills, House Bill 131. The bill states that school boards shall develop and adopt a policy governing student cellphone use in schools. Such policy shall restrict the use of student personal cellphones during class instruction without educator approval. The bill allows individual teachers to make exceptions in cases where they would like to use phones as part of their instruction, and it requires that school boards build in other exceptions for students with disabilities who need devices to support their learning. Ladd said the bill is to strike a balance between respecting the autonomy of school boards and addressing what he sees as an entrenched problem: the decline in students attention spans and the devices causing it. School boards can finesse the policies and school staff can figure out the best ways to apply them, but a change is necessary, he argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill comes as educators and states are racing toward more restrictive policies in schools. A 2024 survey of National Education Association members the countrys largest teachers union found 90% of respondents supported a ban on cellphones during class instruction, and 83% supported banning phones for the entirety of the school day. And 19 states, both Republican and Democratic-led, have passed legislation that either encourages, incentivizes, or requires a cellphone ban, according to Education Week. Leah Wolczko, a former high school teacher in Manchester, quickly noticed the perils of cellphones at her school. Years ago, lacking a district-wide policy, Wolczko began calling parents of her students on her February break to check in on their childs cellphone use, she told lawmakers. She began with the students earning the lowest grades, and moved up the list to the highest performing students. Each time, she gave them a pitch: If she had permission to remove their childs phone, they could be performing at a higher level. Many parents agreed to the restriction, Wolczko said, and she would ask those students to deposit their phones at the front. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were going into the lower end of the year, like summer is around the bend, kids start to fall off, but my scores went up, she said. They went up across the board. Wolczko says no teacher wants cellphones in class and they know they can tell students to put them away. But without a bigger, schoolwide ban, it is hard for one teacher to enforce the rules. And without adults stopping the phone use, kids cant do it on their own, she argued. Its our fault, she said. Its the adults fault that this is happening. You cannot expect an addicted, 13-year-old child to be able to leave (the phone) alone. They cant. And so we need to be the adults in the room. In August, Manchesters school board passed a policy banning cellphone use throughout the school day from preschool to eighth grade, according to the Union Leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Education Association of New Hampshire agrees; teachers do not want to be the phone police, testified Brian Hawkins, director of government relations. The NEA supports Ladds bill, but wants the language to be less directed at individual teachers, Hawkins said. The policy restricts cellphone use without educator approval; Hawkins said the NEA is worried that could make teachers into adjudicators. Some have raised cost concerns. Pelham Memorial School initiated its cellphone ban with the help of a company, Yondr, that makes the soft pouches that lock away a cell phone with the use of a magnet. But at $30 per student, the pouches are not cheap. And a cellphone ban is easiest to pull off for school districts that provide Chromebooks to students. Not all can afford to do so. Barrett Christina, executive director of the New Hampshire School Boards Association, which has not taken a position on HB 131, noted that another bill proposed by Republican Rep. Melissa Litchfield, of Brentwood, House Bill 781, would require a cell phone ban but set aside $250,000 in state funding to allow needy districts to apply for assistance to buy the technology. For Pelham Superintendent Chip McGee, it is too early to know definitively whether the ban this school year has improved academics; the annual statewide assessments will not happen until the spring. And he conceded that the policy has not been universally popular. Some parents have raised safety concerns, arguing they need to be able to contact their children during emergencies, he said. The students themselves have put together multiple petitions seeking to overturn the ban. And the policy has not been extended to the high school so far, after the high school student government made a plea for the district to allow students to police themselves and follow a phones away policy that doesnt rely on the pouches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, McGee said at the middle school, there have been noted improvements. There are fewer acts of vandalism and bullying in the bathroom. Teachers are satisfied. And the amount of time on task that students have exhibited appears to have increased. Many fewer interruptions, he said. Addressing McGee, Rep. Lisa Freeman, a Tilton Republican, made a stark comparison. Would you believe there was a time when I was in high school that you could smoke cigarettes in the courtyard, and we rallied against that when they outlawed it? And guess what, they were right. I think that analogy to cigarettes is apt, McGee said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite grumbling and some student organizing Marvin says life is better this year. The main description I can give is that its more peaceful, he said. Theres a huge weight lifted off our shoulders. The phones are out of sight, and everyone knows it. So in a way, it makes the day much calmer. Rep. Jon Eubanks, R-Paris, presents a tort reform bill to the House Judiciary Committee on Jan. 28, 2025 in the Arkansas Capitol. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) A bill that would decrease the amount plaintiffs could recover in personal injury cases passed in an Arkansas legislative committee Tuesday despite legislators concerns and public comments against it. House Bill 1204, sponsored by Rep. Jon Eubanks, R-Paris, would add five lines to existing Arkansas code concerning the recovery of damages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recovery of damages under subsection (a) of this section for past necessary medical care, past necessary medical treatment, or past necessary medical services received includes only those costs actually paid by or on behalf of the plaintiff or that remain unpaid and for which the plaintiff or any third party is legally responsible, the proposed addition reads in its entirety. Members of the House Judiciary Committee passed the bill on a voice vote, though multiple members could be heard in dissent. Rep. Jon Eubanks, R-Paris, attends a House Judiciary Committee meeting on Jan. 28, 2025. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) Eubanks filed the bill last week, and during his introduction Tuesday he said it had quickly garnered a lot of attention and controversy. Eubanks said his bill was similar to one that failed in the 94th General Assembly sponsored by Rep. Marcus Richmond, R-Harvey. The only difference between the two proposals is that Eubanks includes the word past in three instances. Richmonds bill in 2023 died in the House Judiciary Committee at sine die adjournment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I certainly dont want to deprive an injured party of any just recovery of damages, I really dont, Eubanks said. But for this particular issue on the recovery of the medical bills, it just seems that what is accepted as full and final payment should be the amount that they receive. Currently, Arkansas courts allow the plaintiff to recover the billed amount, even though something less was accepted. That honestly doesnt make any sense to me. Republican Reps. Matthew Shepherd of El Dorado and Jimmy Gazaway of Paragould led much of the committees questioning on Tuesday, though Reps. Ashley Hudson and Andrew Collins, both Little Rock Democrats, shared concerns as well. At the core of their concerns, lawmakers wanted Eubanks to explain how the bill would improve the lives of the average Arkansan who pays their monthly health insurance premiums. Citing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Eubanks said Arkansas average tort burden cost per household is $2,942. This figure, Eubanks said, is a substantial amount that the proposed policy would help alleviate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Gazaway was unsatisfied with Eubanks macro-level assessment, and when he asked again, Eubanks said the proposal would bring reality to what damages are, and it will impact the economy the average Arkansans employer, their small business, their insurance premiums. Rep. Jimmy Gazaway, R-Paragould, questions proposed tort reform during a House Judiciary Committee meeting on Jan. 28, 2025. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) Eubanks presented his bill alongside Justin Allen, an attorney with Wright Lindsey Jennings in Little Rock. Allen answered the bulk of lawmakers questions, and ultimately agreed plaintiffs would receive less in cases where medical bills are discounted or negotiated. The argument here is that the plaintiff should be recovering less because those amounts dont even exist as damages, but I would acknowledge it would decrease that recovery, Allen said. Allen partially agreed with Hudson that the legislation would create a class system of different plaintiffs based on their insurance status, and disagreed with Gazaway that the bill would only benefit defendants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen said the bill would affect both parties, though the defendant would only have to pay what was paid and accepted, which is less than what is being paid under current law. HB1204 was heard under a special order of business, which means committee members did not discuss any other bills. The Capitol committee room was standing room only. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Public Comment No one from the public spoke in favor of HB1204, but three people came to speak against it. Two attorneys and one disabled veteran said the bill would have an overwhelmingly negative effect on Arkansans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justin Minton, a Saline County attorney and former insurance adjuster, said defendants are already not required to pay for unnecessary treatment. Justin Minton, a Saline County attorney and former insurance adjuster, testifies before the House Judiciary Committee on Jan. 28, 2025. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) In reality, the bill does two things, Minton said. It without a doubt, 100% of the time, penalizes responsible, socially productive people by anchoring the amount of their non-economic damages to a lesser number. And two and probably even worse is it rewards bad behavior by allowing bad actors, for example a drunk driver, to take credit for our veteran service or our single moms health insurance premiums. Minton said if passed, the bill would also benefit insurance companies by lowering their payouts at the expense of those who pay their premiums. Stephen Finnegan, a disabled veteran who is a client of Mintons, said he has first-hand experience with the issue at hand after a recent car accident on Interstate 430. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told the committee that the existing system works well, and the proposed bill will detrimentally affect the veteran community of Arkansas. Fayetteville attorney Alan Lane was the last to speak against the bill Tuesday, and he said theres nothing to suggest that Arkansans will benefit from the proposed policy. Lane said that while the conversation Tuesday centered around people injured in car accidents, plantiffs in every civil claim, including those in child sexual abuse and sex trafficking cases, would also be affected. Theres not one person in your district that would benefit if you change this policy, Lane said. We know this is not an issue thats brought forward to any of you by your individual constituents in your district. This is a special interest bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In closing for his bill, Eubanks pushed back on Lanes comments and said he filed the bill independent of any outside influence. He also said hes spoken with constituents of his who are interested in tort reform. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE EL PASO, Texas (EL PASO MATTERS) A trial date in the 2019 Walmart mass shooting could be pushed back by months under a motion filed Monday by defense attorneys and prosecutors. The agreed motion seeks to suspend any pretrial hearings until after the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rules on an issue related to three orders issued by the judge in the case, 409th District Judge Sam Medrano. Judges are not required to grant agreed motions from parties in cases, but they usually do. Medrano had not ruled on the motion as of Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A scheduling order issued in September by Medrano outlined a series of pretrial hearings that could have led to a trial sometime in early 2026, almost seven years after the shooting. But that schedule already became moot when the first planned hearing, on Jan. 13, was canceled because Medrano was still hearing defense and prosecution motions from the fall and winter of 2024. District Attorney James Montoya, who took office Jan. 1 after defeating appointed incumbent Bill Hicks in the November general election, also still must decide whether to continue to seek the death penalty against Patrick Crusius, the man accused of killing 23 people and wounding 22 others in a racism-inspired rampage at the Cielo Vista Walmart on Aug. 3, 2019. The previous three district attorneys Jaime Esparza, Yvonne Rosales and Hicks favored pursuing the death penalty. Montoya also said at the beginning of the 2024 campaign that he supported seeking the death penalty but modified his stance over the year, saying at the end of the campaign that he needed to review evidence in the case once he took office before making a decision. The motion filed Monday to suspend pretrial activity involves a motion filed by Hicks regarding three ex parte motions Medrano filed with knowledge of defense lawyers but not prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense lawyers said the orders in 2021 and 2023 involved directives to preserve videos of Crusius detention, prevent jailers from providing prosecutors with information about their visits with Crusius, and for medical treatment. Hicks sought a writ of mandamus in October from the 8th Court of Appeals to order Medrano to make the motions public. The 8th Court of Appeals granted the writ of mandamus in December and ordered Medrano to vacate the orders, but did not order them made public. Judge Sam Medrano of the 409th District Court is presiding over the state trial in the 2019 Walmart mass shooing. (Ruben R. Ramirez/El Paso Inc) Defense lawyers in late December appealed the 8th Court decision to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the states highest criminal court, which quickly blocked the lower appellate court ruling while it considered the case. The agreed motion filed Monday by the prosecution and defense asks that Medrano delay all pretrial activity until the Court of Criminal Appeals makes a decision on the mandamus action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To avoid any conflict with the decision of the Court of Criminal Appeals, to assist this court in decisions to be made on pending and future matters, and for judicial economy, the parties request that this court forgo the scheduling of further pretrial proceedings in this court until mandamus proceedings in the Court of Criminal Appeals have been concluded, said the motion, which was signed by defense lawyers and the District Attorneys Office. Prosecutors and defense lawyers are prohibited from discussing the case with the media under a gag order Medrano issued in 2022. When the Court of Criminal Appeals might rule is unclear, but its likely to take months at a minimum. The court hasnt yet set deadlines for briefs from the defense and prosecution, and hasnt scheduled oral arguments. Crusius, now 26, of Allen, Texas, is being held in the El Paso County Jail while awaiting trial on state charges of capital murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He pleaded guilty in 2023 to federal hate crimes and weapons charges after the U.S. Department of Justice decided not to seek the death penalty. He admitted in his plea that he was the gunman at the Walmart and that he authored a screed before the shooting that said the attack was intended to stop the Hispanic invasion of Texas. Crusius was sentenced to 90 consecutive life terms in federal prison, which carries no possibility of parole. U.S. District Judge David Guaderrama recommended that Crusius serve his sentence in the nations most secure prison the so-called supermax prison in Colorado but the federal Bureau of Prisons is not bound by that recommendation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A 32-year-old man is accused of shooting and killing his sister and injuring his parents, after lashing out from what he told detectives was years of bullying. Gerardo Jimenez-Rico of Milwaukee is charged with first-degree intentional homicide and two counts of attempted first-degree homicide. In a criminal complaint filed Monday, prosecutors say Jimenez-Rico arrived at a Milwaukee Police Department station the same day the shooting occurred and admitted to the crimes. Jocelyn Jimenez, a 22-year-old woman who is identified as the defendant's sister in the criminal complaint, was killed around 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, while two others, a 56-year-old and a 54-year-old identified as his parents, were also shot. They remain hospitalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of Jimenez-Rico's charges carry additional modifiers of domestic abuse and use of a dangerous weapon. Jimenez-Rico is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 6 and is booked in Milwaukee County Jail. His bond was set at $1 million on Monday. According to the criminal complaint: Jimenez-Rico told officers he shot his family members after they began to bully him. On Wednesday, they returned from a trip to Mexico and his father began to chastise him for dirty dishes, with his sister later joining in, he said. As the argument continued, Jimenez-Rico said his father told him he needed to "find another place to live." Jimenez-Rico said he shot his sister after she armed herself with a knife and did not intend to shoot his mother. He couldn't explain to police why he did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jimenez-Rico told detectives his bullying had gone on for years and stemmed from him being unemployed. "(Jimenez-Rico) said he was just fed up with putting up with the bullying from his father and his sister," a detective wrote in the criminal complaint. Two others were also in the home at the time of the shooting, a 3-year-old child and a "cognitively delayed adult." A GoFundMe for the family has raised nearly $10,000 as of Monday evening. David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Prosecutors: Brother shot, killed sister, injured parents in Milwaukee GOMA, Congo (AP) Congolese security forces on Tuesday tried to slow the advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who say they have captured Goma after entering eastern Congo's largest city, as U.N. officials reported violence, looting and bodies in the streets. The officials said hospitals are overwhelmed in Goma, a regional trade and humanitarian hub that is now a refuge for hundreds of thousands fleeing gunfire and shelling in the major escalation of one of Africas longest conflicts. The violence echoed far from Goma as protesters in the country's capital attacked at least 10 embassies, including those of France and the U.S., which urged citizens to leave the city. Congos Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that the protesters damage to embassies were sincerely regrettable incidents. She said Congo respects the principles governing diplomatic relations, and reassured country that the government "has taken all necessary measures to ensure the protection of the accredited diplomatic missions" in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The M23 rebels are one of about 100 armed groups vying for a foothold in the conflict-battered North Kivu province which includes Goma rich in minerals critical to much of the worlds technology. United Nations official says reports of rapes, looting There were reports of gender-based violence and rape committed by fighters, looting of property, including a humanitarian warehouse, and humanitarian and health facilities being hit in the city, U.N. humanitarian affairs office spokesman Jens Laerke said at a media briefing on Tuesday. The humanitarian situation in and around Goma remains extremely worrying, and this morning (there were) heavy small arms fire and mortar fire across the city and the presence of many dead bodies in the streets, said Laerke, adding that hospitals are struggling to manage the influx of wounded people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many continued to flee across the border into Rwanda, braving gunfire and heavy rains and caught in between shootouts on both sides from the Congolese soldiers and the rebels. What we want is this war to come to an end, said Christian Bahati, a Congolese teacher among hundreds now sheltering in the Rwandan town of Gisenyi. You can see the level of frustration. Congolese people are victims, but now they find themselves seeking refuge from the aggressor. Growing ange r in the far-away capital Dozens of demonstrators, meanwhile, looted and set fires to parts of at least 10 foreign embassy buildings far off in the capital, Kinshasa, including those of Rwanda, U.S., France, Belgium and Kenya. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protesters demanded that the international community condemn Rwanda over its role in the conflict. We denounce the hypocrisy of the international community, said Timothee Tshishimbi, one of the protesters. They must tell Rwanda to stop this adventure. The attacks were condemned by the respective countries as well as the Congolese government, which said it has reinforced the security at the embassies. Several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom and France have condemned Rwanda for the rebel advance. The African Union Peace and Security Council demanded the M23 and other rebel groups immediately and unconditionally withdraw and cease their attacks and permanently disband and lay down their arms. M23 rebels emboldened, plan to set up administration in Goma Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unclear how much of Goma is controlled by the M23 rebels, though analysts say they are more emboldened than in 2012 when they temporarily took over the city before being forced to pull out under international pressure. They resurfaced in late 2021 with increasing support from Rwanda, according to Congos government and U.N. experts. Rwanda has denied such support although U.N. experts estimate there are up to 4,000 Rwandan forces in Congo. Since morning, we have heard bomb explosions and crackling bullets, Sam Luwawa, a resident of Goma, said of the fighting in the city. So far we cannot say who really controls the city. Seventeen peacekeepers and foreign soldiers have been killed in the fighting, according to U.N. and army officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Manzi Ngarambe, a representative for the M23 diaspora, told the AP that the group is in control of Goma and plans to set up an administration in the city so people can continue living normal lives and displaced people can return home. There will be no bloodbath, we want to live in peace, Ngarambe said. Right now were going to tell our people all over the world (to) go back home. Ngarambe said they would be willing to sit at the table with Congolese officials and denied that they were being supported by Rwanda. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said that Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi will have to accept talks with M23 to end the situation once and for all." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rwanda's goal in Congo is to protect its borders against attacks, army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga told the AP, adding that appropriate measures would be all-encompassing, including the use of water, air and land defense. Rwandan President Paul Kagame recently accused Congo of enlisting Hutu rebels and former militiamen that it blames for the 1994 genocide. The very people who murdered people here in Rwanda still exist, are still armed, are still practicing the ideology of genocide in our neighborhood, in eastern Congo supported by government on the watch of this international community, Kagame said earlier this month while meeting with diplomats. A dire humanitarian situation, risk of regional war Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The humanitarian situation in Goma is extremely, extremely worrying, Bruno Lemarquis, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Congo, told reporters in a video news conference on Monday. Several shells struck the Charite Maternelle Hospital in central Goma, killing and injuring civilians, including newborns and pregnant women, Lemarquis said on Monday, describing active combat zones in all areas of the city. Aid groups are unable to reach displaced people who rely on them for food and other necessities. Key roads surrounding Goma are blocked, and the citys airport can no longer be used for evacuation and humanitarian efforts. Power and water have reportedly been cut to many areas of the city, said David Munkley, head of operations in eastern Congo for the Christian aid group World Vision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some analysts worry about the risk of a regional war if peace efforts led by Kenya fail. Past attempts at dialogue between Congolese and Rwandan leaders have failed, including in December when the meeting of the two leaders was canceled. Congo might seek support from countries like South Africa whose troops are among foreign militaries in Congo while Rwanda might be motivated to continue backing the M23 rebels, said Murithi Mutiga, program director for Africa at the Crisis Group. The risk of a regional confrontation has never been higher, Mutiga said. ___ Asadu reported from Abuja, Nigeria. Christina Malkia and Jean-Yves Kamale in Kinshasa, Congo, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations, Sam Mednick in Jerusalem, Rodney Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda, Ignatius Ssuuna in Gisenyi, Rwanda, Nayara Batschke in Santiago, Chile, and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report. The diner-on-wheels Haven Brothers has been a staple of Providences night time economy for decades, and opens at 5 p.m. every day in its usual haunt next to Providence City Hall. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Some certainties in life: Death, taxes, and the fact that Haven Brothers will pull into its usual haunt alongside Providence City Hall right as the 9-to-5 crowd is getting off work. The famous diner-on-wheels opens at 5 p.m every day and is one example of the bustling segment of Providences economy that takes place after what were once traditional business hours. According to a new report released Monday, Providences nighttime economy directly generates about $630 million in annual revenue, and the industry accounts for nearly 8,000 jobs in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The capital citys nightlife also makes the state about $47 million yearly in annual tax revenue one reason why, the report suggests, state officials overseeing commerce and public bus transportation should pay attention to Providence after dark. The citys restaurants, bars, clubs, theaters, comedy clubs, cinemas and concert venues supply a high quality of life for people who live and work in it, Mayor Brett Smiley wrote in his introduction to the new 59-page report, Life at Night in the Creative Capital. These attractions complement the work that takes place during the day at colleges, universities, manufacturing facilities, small businesses, and hospitals, Smiley wrote. Providence is truly a 24-hour city, with a dynamic nighttime workforce to support it. Providences Department of Art, Culture and Tourism commissioned the impact study, which was conducted by the Washington, D.C.-based consultancy Jon Stover & Associates. Recommended improvements include increasing public bus access for the nighttime workforce and creating a new liaison role in City Hall a Nighttime Manager dedicated to the upkeep and improvement of the nightlife industry for residents and businesses alike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Third-party business data and previous impact studies provided insights into the nightlife industrys economic and fiscal impact, while 69 surveys with local nightlife business owners plus interviews, focus groups and meetings with local stakeholders added on-the-ground perspectives. The report indicates nearly $620 million in direct economic impact from the industry in 2023, based on employment estimates and local economic data from third-party providers ESRI Business Analyst and from IMPLAN. But business-to-business transactions, like supplies purchased from vendors by nightlife proprietors, and wages spent by nightlife workers, led the report authors to estimate a total economic impact of $990 million for 2023. A new report commissioned by the Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism shows the flow of life and business in Rhode Islands capital city across a 24-hour period. (Courtesy of the City of Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism) The buses dont run often enough One unidentified owner of a business in Ward 13, which comprises Federal Hill and Providences West Side, told surveyors that a lack of transit options influenced hiring decisions: The buses dont run often enough, so I have stopped hiring people who have to take the bus to or from work, the owner was quoted. Both limited parking in the city and a dearth of late-night transit options add further limitations on a workforce that, as the report notes, comprises 64% part-timers, and often lack benefits like health insurance at their gigs in bars and restaurants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report suggests more robust investment in the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) as one way to soothe workforce woes. With most RIPTA bus routes ceasing service between 5:30 PM and 9:30 PM, only a handful of routes run after 10 PM or midnight, leaving workers with few safe or reliable transit options. This impacts not only nightlife workers but also employees in industries like healthcare, where late-night shifts are common, according to the report, which notes subsidized ride programs or extended transit hours are a few possible solutions. The businesses themselves also have to work within a limited window of profit, and they live and die by weekend sales, according to the report, making between 60% and 80% of their revenue on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We have nine hours per week to essentially make all our revenue for the year, a downtown nightclub owner told the report authors, noting that the bulk of their venues business takes place from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report also discusses noise mitigation as another high-priority item. Repeated noise complaints from residents in several Providence neighborhoods like the Lower South Providence, Elmwood, and Washington Park neighborhoods have often focused on nearby nightlife establishments, highlighting what the report calls tension around sound in the public realm. One possible solution: A grant-based model similar to San Antonios Noise Mitigation Program, which funds up to 75% of costs for things like equipment, installation and renovation for local businesses who want to beef up their soundproofing efforts. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. The Pulaski County Special School District is reaching out to parents and staff regarding its policies as the federal government cracks down on immigration. District officials shared a letter on Monday with parents and staff clarifying PCSSD policies on customs and immigration enforcement. We value our students from different backgrounds and we believe that all students should be able to learn without being afraid, the district stated. We are united in our responsibility to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of every child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE arrests 956 Sunday as nationwide raids continue PCSSD officials stated that the district will follow school safety protocols, district policy and state & federal laws, which they said provide guidance on who is allowed to contact students during the school day. The district stated they, do not allow people to enter our school buildings without permission and proper clearance. Officials said the district is also required by federal law to limit who has access to student documents due to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. The district cites the Supreme Courts ruling in the Plyler v. Doe case, which they note states that a school district cant deny any educational rights to any student, regardless of immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter comes amid a nationwide crackdown on immigration law enforcement by the administration of President Donald Trump. Schools around the US are weighing responses to possible immigration raids According to the Associated Press, the administration threw out policies preventing officers enforcing immigration laws from making arrests in sensitive locations like schools or churches. In times of uncertainty, it is more important than ever to lean on the strength of PCSSD, district officials said. Together, we can ensure out students feel supported by the District and school community that upholds hope, dignity, and compassion for all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The full letter can be read 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 KARK. 27th January marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Red Army's liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp, where over a million Jews, Poles, Roma and communists were murdered by the Nazis. But the commemoration was tarnished by the hypocrisy of western imperialism. [Originally published at communist.red] At least 1.1 million people were industrially butchered by the Nazis at Auschwitz over the course of World War II. Today, it has become a place that once more welcomes war criminals. Following his ICC arrest warrant last year for war crimes against innocent Palestinians, the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the commemoration was put into question. According to international law and the so-called rules-based order, surely Netanyahus visit should end rather quickly with him being placed under arrest. Yet again however, we have proof that all these international laws are worth only as much or as little as the imperialists enforcing them desire. Polish governments hypocrisy Polish president Andrzej Duda put pressure on the liberal government of Donald Tusk by asking for a cast-iron guarantee of safe passage for the butcher of Gaza, so he can stain the memory of the victims of the Holocaust with his presence. Not much pressure was needed however, as Tusk was more than happy to ignore the ICC ruling. If that is not enough to prove what a sorry joke the idea of this supposedly impartial rule of justice is, wait to see the list of other visitors or rather lack of. Vladimir Putin likewise facing an arrest warrant by the ICC is not being extended the same iron guarantees of free passage by the Polish government. While Putin can lay no claim to the legacy of the heroic struggle of the Soviet masses against the Nazis, the lack of any representation from the Russian government is a calculated snub by the western imperialists. Lets remember that it was Soviet soldiers a great many of whom were Russian who liberated the last prisoners of Auschwitz 80 years ago. And lets not forget that some 15,000 Soviet citizens were murdered in the camp throughout its operation. Netanyahu, the butcher of Gaza, was invited to stain the memory of those who were killed at Auschwitz / Image: own work Once again, it is one rule for our war criminals, and another for the enemies of western imperialism! In the end, this whole charade didnt serve anything but exposing this blatant hypocrisy for all to see. Incidentally, Netanyahu had other important things to do likely finishing bombing Palestinians in Gaza despite the ceasefire. In the end, he decided to send Israels education minister instead. The horse-trading did not stop there however. The worlds number one beggar a man who shares with Napoleon his height and military ambition, but none of his ability - Volodymyr Zelensky, was welcomed with open arms. This is despite the fact that Zelensky has leaned upon far-right militia groups who openly parade fascist memorabilia and glamorise Stepan Bandera, who collaborated with the Nazis and carried out pogroms against Jews. Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz are scheduled to speak with him, as he continues to beg for arms to send his own people into the meat-grinder of a senseless war in a continued act of desperation for the Kiev regime. Tarnished memory For the imperialists, the memory of Auschwitz victims and survivors matters not. The still living survivors asked to speak at the ceremony will sadly serve only as a window dressing for the self-important ghouls and murderers gathered there. These bourgeois hypocrites whose political ancestors back then allowed Hitler to come to power, and turned a blind eye on the horror of Holocaust now spit in the face of every single Jew, Pole, Roma, communist, and countless others murdered there. It is our obligation to expose this revolting spectacle, and uphold the real memory of what happened over 80 years ago. We, the working class, defeated fascism back then, and we are the only force capable of fulfilling the promise of never again! PULASKI COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) The Pulaski Police Department says a tip from the NOVA-DC Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce (ICAC) has led to the arrest of a man for allegedly downloading and sharing child pornography. According to Pulaski PD, on Friday, January 17, information was received that possible online child porn file sharing was possibly occurring in the Town of Pulaski. Through the investigation that followed, a search warrant was served by law enforcement at the home of Kenneth James Williams III of Pulaski on Jackson Avenue on Monday, January 27. Former Virginia Tech professor sentenced to 5 years for possession of child pornography Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the search, multiple electronic devices were seized. Kenneth Williams III has been arrested and charged with 18.2-374.1:1 (A) Possession, reproduction, distribution, solicitation, and facilitation of child pornography, and 49 counts of 18.2-374.1:1 (B) Possession, reproduction, distribution, solicitation, and facilitation of child pornography. Williams is currently being held at the New River Valley Regional Jail without bond. The Pulaski Police Department was assisted by the Pulaski County Sheriffs Office and the Virginia State Police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Its well known that Donald Trump wont face criminal prosecution while hes in office, which is what led special counsel Jack Smith to drop the federal cases against him after the 2024 election. But another dynamic is developing in his civil litigation, specifically in the pending lawsuit he brought against the Pulitzer Prize Board. As a reminder, Trump sued over an award given to The New York Times and The Washington Post for stories about Russia and his 2016 campaign. He argued that board members and staff conspired to publish a defamatory statement in 2022 affirming the veracity of the newspapers prize-winning journalism. Now that Trump is back in office, the board members he sued are asking a Florida state court to pause the case while hes in office. To support that claim, they cite Trumps own arguments that he previously made to get other litigation paused. For example, they pointed to a Delaware case in which he and others related to his social media company were sued, quoting him as arguing that any compulsory process by the States directly against the sitting President risks interference with the Executive Branch in violation of federal supremacy. The board argued that this case creates the same constitutional conflicts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board argued that failing to pause the case would open the floodgates to any number of other actions against him in state courts across the country as he serves out his term in office. They noted his apparent position is that he cant be sued in state court while president, even as he insists that he can still sue individual U.S. citizens in state court while President. Resolving the pause request, then, could test how far Trumps legal protection extends as president and how uniquely the courts are willing to tailor it to how he employs litigation. Underlying the legal protections from which Trump has benefited is the notion that courts are concerned that subjecting presidents to litigation while in office could interfere with their executive duties. But what about litigation that Trump has brought and wants to pursue, as opposed to when hes the one being sued? The board noted that the suit could subject Trump to legal processes that he wouldnt like, which could raise its own problems. If Trump still wants to press forward, we could learn if the courts are willing to draw a further distinction in his favor. 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 Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov on Jan. 28 refuted the Russian Defense Ministry's claims that Russian forces had captured the village of Dvorichna in the Kupiansk district, emphasizing that fighting in the area is ongoing, Ukrinform reported. "This is not the first statement of this kind from the Russian side; it is pure propaganda and does not reflect reality," Syniehubov said. Located 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of Kharkiv and 17 kilometers (10 miles) north of Kupiansk, Dvorichna sits on the western bank of the Oskil River, a key geographic feature in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has been attempting to secure a foothold on this bank for months, aiming to outflank Ukrainian defenses and threaten a rear attack in Kupiansk. The estimated Russian advance in the Kupiansk district in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine, as of Jan. 27, 2025, according to the DeepState map. A white symbol marks Dvorichna. (DeepState/OpenStreetMaps) Andrii Besedin, head of the Kupiansk town military administration, noted earlier in January that Russian troops were trying to establish a bridgehead in Dvorichna to facilitate further advances. Russian forces have ramped up operations near Kupiansk since September, reaching the industrial outskirts of the town in the northeast. Ukrainian troops successfully repelled multiple Russian assaults throughout December. Read also: Russias Ryazan oil refinery suspends operations after drone strike, Reuters reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Two Los Angeles police officers were hospitalized after a pursuit suspect crashed into their patrol vehicle in the Vermont Square neighborhood overnight. The LAPD began pursuing a reckless driving suspect who was speeding with no lights in the area of West 41st Street and South Figueroa Street around 12:10 a.m., a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson confirmed. A police car is seen after being struck by a pursuit suspect in Los Angeles on Jan. 28, 2024. (KTLA) The chase ended quickly when the driver crashed into an uninvolved LAPD vehicle at West 42nd Street and Hoover Street, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video showed the suspects vehicle rammed into the passenger side of the police car. Two officers inside the patrol unit were taken to a local hospital with what were described as minor injuries. The suspect was not injured in the crash and was taken into custody. No further details about the suspect were immediately released. The intersection of 42nd and Hoover remained closed as of 5 a.m. due to the ongoing 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 KTLA. President Volodymyr Zelensky on Jan. 28 accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of deliberately prolonging the war and avoiding peace negotiations. "Today, Putin once again proved that he is afraid of negotiations, afraid of strong leaders, and is doing everything possible to drag out the war. Every step he takes, every cynical maneuver, is aimed at making this war endless," Zelensky said, as Putin reiterated on state TV that he considers Zelensky "illegitimate" and incapable of signing any agreements in potential peace talks. "Negotiations can be held with anyone," Putin said on Jan. 28. "But due to (Zelensky's) illegitimacy he has no right to sign anything. If (Zelensky) wants to take part in talks, I will delegate people who will conduct such talks. But the (key) issue is the ultimate signing of the documents." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The claim, widely used in Russian propaganda, has been dismissed by Ukrainian legal experts as baseless. Zelensky emphasized in his post on X that there is a real opportunity to achieve peace, but Putin is actively working against it. "Instead of pursuing peace, Putin is either continuing large-scale killings or seeking a pause to prepare for another full-scale invasion using hybrid attacks," Zelensky added. Zelensky also urged global leaders to learn from past mistakes. "Putin may have immense power to destroy, but his heart is too small and cowardly to withstand real pressure from strong leaders," he said. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Putin claims Zelensky doesnt have a right to sign any potential peace deal Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has reiterated his readiness for negotiations with Ukraine, stating that he is willing to "assign people" to conduct such talks. Source: Putin, responding to a question from one of his propagandists Details: "Negotiations can be conducted with anyone," Putin asserted, but he indicated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is unable to sign any agreements because of his alleged "illegitimacy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "If he [Zelenskyy] wants to participate in negotiations, I will assign people to conduct them. The issue lies in the ultimate signing of documents. This is a crucial issue that must guarantee the security of both Ukraine and Russia for a serious, long-term historical perspective. There must be no errors or inconsistencies." Background: On 25 January 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that it was to stop separatism that he enacted a National Security and Defence Council ban on negotiations with Russian ruler Vladimir Putin in 2022, as the Russians were trying to put pressure on Ukraine through "many different corridors" that Ukraine could not control. On 4 October 2022, Zelenskyy formally enacted the decision of the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) on the "impossibility of conducting negotiations with the President of the Russian Federation V. Putin." The text did not specify who exactly was prohibited from holding such talks. Russia has repeatedly criticised this decision and demanded its reversal. On 24 January 2025, Putin expressed his desire to meet with US President Donald Trump to "discuss issues of interest to Moscow and Washington". In the context of possible negotiations to end the war, Putin also referenced Zelenskyy's decree banning talks with Russia, claiming that Ukraines international partners should "force" Zelenskyy to revoke the decree. Support UP or become our patron! NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Its been seven years since a Nashville man was killed during what appeared to be an attempted home robbery. In 2024, News 2 spoke with Nathan McDades sister on the sixth anniversary of her brothers passing. It seems like it was yesterday, then on other days it feels like it was an awful nightmare, said Molly McDade. PREVIOUS | An awful nightmare: Family seeking closure 6 years after home invasion, murder Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 2 spoke with the detective working on the South Nashville case. He said investigators are still searching for the critical missing puzzle pieces. It was a Saturday night about 9:30 p.m. Nathan was at some friends house on Briarwood Drive just hanging out, said Metro Detective Matthew Filter. At some point, Filter said three masked men entered the home in what appeared to be an attempted robbery. The robbery was so fast, they basically came in through an unlocked front door and started shooting and went through the house and left, detailed Filter. The whole thing was in a matter of seconds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read other Nashville Unsolved cases here Nathan was shot in the head and taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. No one else was injured in this, and I think Nathan was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Really, I dont believe he was the target. I think he just happened to be sitting in the path of where one of these bullets were fired, Filter told News 2. Filter, the lead detective on the case, hopes someone will come forward seven years after Nathans death. I know some of these individuals talked to somebody about this, or bragged about it to somebody about what they did, and those are the people we need to come forward. Not for the benefit of the police department, but really the benefit of the family, Filter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nathan left behind a seven-year-old son at the time and a long list of loved ones. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com He was just the glue; he was a very, very special man to a lot of people, added Molly. When we are doing our investigation its like putting a puzzle together and painting this picture and say this is what happened, and we have all these critical pieces that are missing, Filter said. Anyone with information about the 2018 case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. G/O Media is once again attempting to use AI to churn out content while simultaneously warning that anything the AI produces might be littered with mistakes. As first reported by Aftermath, the G/O Media-owned business news site Quartz is grinding out AI-generated articles under the byline "Quartz Intelligence Newsroom." Its articles, penned in bland and formulaic text, field the business news gamut; the site's AI previously only generated standardized corporate earnings updates, but recently began to include full-fledged news hits. At the foot of each article is a telling disclaimer disclosing the use of AI and warning of its likely pitfalls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is the first phase of an experimental new version of reporting," reads the disclaimer. "While we strive for accuracy and timeliness, due to the experimental nature of this technology we cannot guarantee that we'll always be successful in that regard." That disclaimer in mind, the AI indeed appears to have one significant blind spot in its news articles: the quality and accuracy of its citations, which are frequently mangled and, in some cases, appear to be regurgitated from even more AI slop. At the top of each article, "Quartz Intelligence Newsroom" lists the sources from which it compiles its news summaries (OpenAI's web-searching ChatGPT and Google's AI search "Overview" attempt to do the same.) In theory that's a good idea: sourcing is important reasons like transparency and giving credit for others' work. But on several occasions, as Aftermath points out, the AI has failed to accurately untangle messy webs of aggregation, for example linking back simply to MSN or Yahoo in cases where those news aggregators simply circulated original reporting from other outlets like the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal, among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skimming the AI-generated Quartz articles, we also noticed that the AI has repeatedly cited a website called "Devdiscourse," which itself strongly appears to be an automated news site churning out AI-generated news summaries. Consider an article published today by Quartz's AI, titled "Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk will cap insulin prices to settle a lawsuit."At the top of the article, the publication's "Intelligence Newsroom" cites three sources, starting with a link to a Devdiscourse article titled "Novo Nordisk Caps Insulin Prices in Landmark Settlement." Like Quartz's AI-generated articles, Devdiscourse's post doesn't list a human byline; instead, it's attributed to "Devdiscourse News Desk," a byline under which the website generates a dizzying amount of content. The post is brief, and doesn't hint at any original reporting. Even worse? It's outfitted with a laughably bad AI-concocted version of the pharmaceutical unicorn Novo Nordisk's logo, complete with incomprehensible gibberish. The company name is clearly misspelled as "NORDIISK," and under it is "STIAPLAME," an apparently made-up word. (Almost every Devdiscourse article appears to feature similarly garbled AI-generated images.) Devdiscourse claims to be a "media platform for development stakeholders" helmed by a self-avowed consulting company called "VisionRI." Overall, it seems likely that Devdiscourse is an SEO-focused content farm, working to increase visibility for VisionRI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The articles aren't disclosed as AI-generated. But Devdiscourse's LinkedIn page, which doesn't list any employees, says that the site is "designed and developed on the framework of machine learning technologies which facilitate smart content based on user interest, user browsing behaviours, location and skill sets." Its images, meanwhile, include an AI disclosure. To that end, though the hilariously terrible synthetic image seen in the Novo Nordisk article is disclosed as AI-generated, that it would be included at all hints at extremely limited human oversight over at Devdiscourse's content machine and, what's more, hints at a concerning lack of human oversight regarding the management of "Quartz Intelligence Desk," too. It's hard to believe that any legitimate human writer or editor would consider the "NORDIISK STIAPLAME" graphic acceptable to source in a serious news article. We reached out to G/O Media, but haven't received a response. The effort marks the latest of several attempts by G/O Media to use AI to create content for its various brands, each of which have similarly been marred by embarrassing inaccuracies and backlash from human staffers. There was that time the media company used AI to draft error-ridden "Star Wars" clickbait for Gizmodo's beloved io9 blog without notifying the publication's editors; its replacement of Gizmodo's Spanish-speaking staff with machine translation, which quickly mangled several articles; and the AV Club's AI articles that pretty much just copy-pasted material from IMBD pages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per Aftermath, Quartz's human writers are frustrated and angered by their owner's latest push towards AI, and understandably so. On the one hand, the articles just aren't very good or engaging; coupled with the AI's inability to coherently and accurately source, it calls the priorities of G/O Media's leadership into question. In the face of pushback and frustration from its employees, G/O Media once again pushed ahead on its seemingly neverending AI efforts and in doing so has, once again, threatened to undermine the work and reliability of its award-winning websites and the human journalists who work there. More on AI and media: Large Publisher Lays Off More Than 100 Employees After Striking Deal With OpenAI Red lanterns and an LGBTQ+ Pride flag are displayed in Londons Chinatown in January 2023. Credit - Mike KempIn Pictures/Getty Images For years, Joanne Chen didnt celebrate Chinese New Year in a traditional way, limiting her visits to relatives as much as she could. As a queer Singaporean, one of the countrys most important holidays often brought with it pointed questions and unwanted judgment from extended family. Now, as the center manager of an LGBTQ+ community organization called Proud Spaces, Chen wants to create a safe space for other queer people in Singapore to commemorate the new year, which begins on Jan. 29 this year and officially runs for three days. The community event will take place on the first day and invites attendees to make dumplings, eat hotpot, and toss loheicommon new year traditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More: 5 Things to Know About Lunar New Year and How Its Celebrated Across Asia Much of the holiday centers around family and tradition, with a reunion dinner that brings together extended family typically held the evening before the first day and the next three days typically involving visits to relatives and friends houses. But even as Thailand made history last week by becoming the first Southeast Asian country and third place in Asia (after Taiwan and Nepal) to legalize same-sex marriage, many queer people across East and Southeast Asia still grapple with largely conservative societies and traditional householdsa dynamic that often comes to a head during holiday periods. But queer people across Asia are finding new ways to embrace the holiday rather than to dread it. Some have found solace in drag dance parties from Manila to Bangkok; others turn to Vietnam-based radio show Genderfunk, or attend underground events. And Chens Proud Spaces event is pioneering an alternative, public space for the LGBTQ+ community to still celebrate the New Year in a traditional way. Ultimately, its about family, Chen tells TIME. We want people to come with their chosen family. We want people to come and make new friends, and maybe they will become chosen family. Its just having that alternative for queer people. Turning to and away from tradition Kit Hung, an artist and filmmaker in his 40s from Hong Kong, recalled how before coming out as a gay man in the 90s, certain aspects of family tradition made him feel like he had to hide who he is. His mother, for example, asked him for a photo of him with a girl so that she could show it to relatives when they ask if he is seeing anyone. After coming out, Hung felt like his mere presence at the reunion dinner table made others go silent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even decades later, living in London and married to his partner, Hung says he gets nervous when he returns to Hong Kong. I would doubt whether I will hold hands with my partner when were in Hong Kong, Hung tells TIME. But over the last few years, Hung has found himself using Chinese tradition to become more open about his identity. For example, he decided to send red packets to the children and relatives of friends in Hong Konga practice that married people followto publicly affirm his relationship with his husband. This year, Hung is having a small celebration with immediate family, including his husband, who are living in or visiting him in London. Celebrating with chosen family Koh An Ting, who opened queer micropress and bookstore Rainbow Lapis Press in Singapore last year, will be one of the attendees of Chens event. Koh tells TIME that the event is an opportunity for her to celebrate freely, without needing to hide parts of herself. Many queer people in Singapore might feel like they cant bring their partners along to family celebrations, she says, but at an event like this, you get to celebrate with your chosen family. Tomorrow, Koh is bringing her girlfriend along. According to Chen, attendees will range from people who want a reprieve from relatives questions to people looking for a community. Around half are expected to be expats who dont have the option of going home to celebrate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seth Hoo is planning to have his own dinner with friends in addition to attending family events this Chinese New Year. He hadnt heard about the Proud Spaces event before, but he thinks it sounds fun and fills a need within Singapores queer community for a safe space to celebrate without the stress of having any microaggressions or needing to explain yourself. As a Gen-Z Singaporean, Hoo tells TIME that he and his friends arent interested in hiding who they are or trying to tiptoe around the subject. We get to choose our own family. More from TIME Contact us at letters@time.com. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commended the leadership of King Mohammed VI in advancing regional and global peace and security. In a press release released Monday in Washington following a phone call with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, the US Secretary of State stressed the importance of the US-Moroccan strategic partnership in advancing regional and global peace and security, hailing the leadership of His Majesty the King in this context. Discussions also focused on the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the release of the hostages, and Moroccos leadership in contributing humanitarian aid for Gaza, the State Department spokesperson said in a press release. The head of American diplomacy also expressed the US willingness to cooperate intensively with Morocco in advancing shared interests in the region and ending conflicts, including building on the Abraham Accords. During this call, Rubio and Bourita also affirmed the importance of expanding trade, investment, and commercial cooperation that would benefit Americans and Moroccans, the State Department concluded. A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked an order by President Donald Trump seeking to freeze federal funding pending a review by his administration. The order from U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan in the District of Columbia came shortly before the freeze was scheduled to go into effect at 5 p.m. It is in effect until Monday afternoon. Supply chain executives were waiting to see how billions of dollars from the U.S. Department of Transportation will be affected by the order pausing spending on thousands of federal assistance programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration on Monday issued a vague, two-page memo ordering government agencies to temporarily suspend all federal assistance payments except for Social Security and Medicare. Politico reported Tuesday that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has asked federal agencies to provide information by Feb. 7 about programs and related spending through March 15. The pause in funding will provide the Administration time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of the funding for those programs consistent with the law and the Presidents priorities, Mondays memo says. The request for spending program information, detailed in a 52-page spreadsheet, asks DOT to identify programs the agency currently funds meaning rail, highway and maritime programs potentially could be on the administrations chopping block. Among them: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. Grants to Amtrak that would fund the acquisition of new equipment and route expansion. Capital assistance to states for intercity passenger rail service. High-speed rail corridors and intercity passenger rail service. Federal-state partnership for intercity passenger rail. The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act. The Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program. Grade crossing elimination programs. Grants for railroad safety technology and research and development. Rail line relocation programs. It also appears that the Treasury Department is being asked to provide information about the 45G tax credit that shortline railroads rely on to fund track maintenance. Representatives for Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration, which administers rail-related grant and loan programs, and the Maritime Administration did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Association of American Railroads referred federal funding questions to the OMB and DOT. As a reminder, railroads privately fund the overwhelming majority of our infrastructure projects to the tune of more than $23 billion a year, the AAR said in an email statement. Those investments will continue moving forward to enhance the safety and reliability of the national rail network regardless of the status of federal funding disbursements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association says that while its unclear how the various spending programs will be judged, the CRISI and rail crossing elimination programs do not appear to be in conflict with the administrations priorities. For now, however, shortline funding programs appear to be on ice. Short line project grantees are definitely affected, at least temporarily, ASLRRA President Chuck Baker said in the statement. Its unclear how the programs will be reviewed, Baker says. If every single project has to be reviewed and reconsidered, that could be a lengthy delay, he said. There are hundreds of projects just in those two programs, and spread across the whole government the number of projects would likely run well into the tens of thousands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baker adds that he expects Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy who was confirmed Tuesday afternoon to approach this with considered common sense and get projects reviewed and approved quickly. We do believe that it would be a bad precedent to set to allow a new administration to cancel or even unnecessarily delay projects that have already been selected by the previous administration under the statutory criteria at the time, as long as the grantee is keeping up its end of the bargain, Baker said. Its one thing to change the criteria going forward or to make different types of selections in the next round than the previous administration would have made, that is their right and the expected consequence of an election. But to undo prior grants risks making the whole program less effective and predictable and that uncertainty would make building infrastructure more expensive. Other supply chain stakeholders were awaiting clarification. The order and subsequent guidance leaves a lot of uncertainty and room for interpretation, said Elaine Nessle, executive director of the Coalition for Americas Gateways & Trade Corridors, an intermodal advocacy group based in Washington, in an email to FreightWaves. I am hoping we will have more clarity in the coming days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With federal grant funding now under review, we will wait for that process to be completed, said Gene Seroka, executive director, Port of Los Angeles, in a statement. Federal partnership is an important component of our public-private initiatives. We stand ready to work with all levels of government to reach our infrastructure and sustainability goals. In 2024 the Environmental Protection Agency announced a $412 million grant for LAs zero-emissions port equipment and terminal upgrades. The ports infrastructure projects in 2024 were helped by a record $60 million in federal money from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, which ports pay into. It is uncertain whether those monies would be affected. Trumps order has caused a stir in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats are calling Trumps order an illegal violation of Congress authority, while the attorneys general of several states plan to challenge the order in federal court. They argue that a 1974 law requires the executive branch to spend money that has been authorized by Congress and signed by the president. Programs that would fall into this category include funding authorized under President Joe Bidens Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which included $66 billion in rail spending. Included in that total through fiscal year 2026: $22 billion for Amtrak, $5 billion for CRISI grants, $3 billion for railroad crossing elimination and $36 billion in federal-state passenger partnerships. This article was updated Jan. 28 to add that a federal judge blocked the order. This article was updated Jan. 29 to add comment from the Coalition for Americas Gateways & Trade Corridors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stuart Chirls contributed to this report. Related coverage: CN, IBEW reach tentative agreement, avoid strike CSX, NS tab Begeman, Ryerkerk as new board members Railcar builder GATX profit up on fleet utilization, lease renewal rates The post Judge blocks Trump funding freeze that could hit rail, maritime appeared first on FreightWaves. Donald Trumps power to pick political winners in his adopted home state gets another test Tuesday with special election primaries for the seats left vacant by former Republican congressmen Mike Waltz and Matt Gaetz. Both men resigned after being tapped for positions in the second Trump administration. And the president endorsed the highest-profile candidates to replace them state Sen. Randy Fine and Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis even though neither lives in the district theyre running in. The primary winners in two GOP-heavy districts are expected to help Republicans in Congress pad a narrow 3-seat majority that will get even slimmer if U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican of New York, is confirmed as Trumps United Nations ambassador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vacancy in District 6, which stretches from Daytona Beach to Mount Dora, was created after Trump tapped Waltz to be his national security advisor, a role he began on Jan. 20. Gaetz, who held the District 1 seat that includes Pensacola and the western Panhandle, resigned in November after Trump nominated him to become attorney general. But Gaetz later withdrew himself from consideration amid an ethics scandal and said he would not return to Congress. Fine had just been elected to the state Senate when he announced hed seek Waltzs former seat in Congress. Prior to winning the Senate seat, Fine spent eight controversy-filled years in the state House, where he grabbed headlines for floating a shutdown of the University of Central Florida and threatening in a text to pull funding for Special Olympics over a feud with a Brevard County School Board member he called a whore. Hes made more headlines since he joined the Senate. He filed a bill to ban local governments, public schools and state universities from displaying flags promoting a fictional Palestine, pro-violence Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ rights and other woke topics. He also filed one to repeal a 2014 law allowing undocumented students, often known as dreamers, from receiving the same in-state college tuition benefits as other Florida residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congressional candidate Fine seeks to ban flags promoting Palestine, Black Lives Matter and gay pride But Fines stint in the state Senate will end soon whether he wins election to Congress or not due to the states resign-to-run law, which required him to leave office before the general election on April 1. Fine, of Melbourne, lives about 75 miles south of District 6, but Congress members arent required by law to live in the district they represent. His website features a photo of himself and Trump, the words President Trump endorsed amid a waving U.S. flag, and the social media post in which Trump endorsed him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday, he faces two GOP opponents, Ehsan Joarder of Hernando County and Aaron Baker of Sorrento in Lake County. Baker said on his website hes the only Republican candidate living and working in our district. Anyone, regardless of their background, has the ability to step up and create meaningful change, Baker stated. Ive witnessed how disconnected leadership can devastate the very communities its meant to serve. Joarder said on his site he was running because he was tired of century-old politicians making decisions that compromise our future. On the Democratic side, Ges Selmont, a St. Johns county businessman who previously ran for Congress in 2018, faces Josh Weil, a Kissimmee school teacher who lives in Orlando. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im running for Congress because too many people are one or two missed paychecks away from financial ruin, in the richest country in the history of the world, Selmont states on his campaign site. Weil said he was running to help millions of Americans struggling with housing, health care, and basic security. The winners of the two partisan primaries will face Libertarian Party candidate Andrew Parrott and independent Randall Terry in the April 1 general election. Terry, of Tennessee, is the founder of the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue, once based in Melbourne, which made national headlines for blockading clinics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ten Republicans have filed to run in the special primary election in District 1, including Patronis, who lives outside the Pensacola-area district in Panama City. Patronis got in hot water earlier this month for his explanation of why the congressional lines are where they are. Let me give you a little civics lesson, Patronis said at a debate. Do you know why District 1 is where it is? Its because a Republican Legislature is in charge right now. We try to create as many Republican congressional seats as possible, OK? So what happens is you get gerrymandered lines. Florida Democrats slammed Patronis as having admitted to Republican gerrymandering of congressional districts in Florida, an act explicitly forbidden by Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those facing Patronis in the GOP special primary election is former state Rep. Joel Rudman, the mascara-and-leather-wearing Rock Doctor who fronts the hard-rock band Freedom Fighters. The winner of Tuesdays GOP primary will face Democrat Gay Valimont, independent Stephen Broden and several write-in candidates in the April 1 general election. Both seats lean heavily Republican, with both Gaetz and Waltz winning by more than 30 points in November. ORLANDO, Fla. Donald Trumps power to pick political winners in his adopted home state gets another test Tuesday with special election primaries for the seats left vacant by former Republican congressmen Mike Waltz and Matt Gaetz. Both men resigned after being tapped for positions in the second Trump administration. And the president endorsed the highest-profile candidates to replace them state Sen. Randy Fine and Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis even though neither lives in the district theyre running in. The primary winners in two GOP-heavy districts are expected to help Republicans in Congress pad a narrow 3-seat majority that will get even slimmer if U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican of New York, is confirmed as Trumps United Nations ambassador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vacancy in District 6, which stretches from Daytona Beach to Mount Dora, was created after Trump tapped Waltz to be his national security advisor, a role he began on Jan. 20. Gaetz, who held the District 1 seat that includes Pensacola and the western Panhandle, resigned in November after Trump nominated him to become attorney general. But Gaetz later withdrew himself from consideration amid an ethics scandal and said he would not return to Congress. Fine had just been elected to the state Senate when he announced hed seek Waltzs former seat in Congress. Prior to winning the Senate seat, Fine spent eight controversy-filled years in the state House, where he grabbed headlines for floating a shutdown of the University of Central Florida and threatening in a text to pull funding for Special Olympics over a feud with a Brevard County School Board member he called a whore. Hes made more headlines since he joined the Senate. He filed a bill to ban local governments, public schools and state universities from displaying flags promoting a fictional Palestine, pro-violence Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ rights and other woke topics. He also filed one to repeal a 2014 law allowing undocumented students, often known as dreamers, from receiving the same in-state college tuition benefits as other Florida residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Fines stint in the state Senate will end soon whether he wins election to Congress or not due to the states resign-to-run law, which required him to leave office before the general election on April 1. Fine, of Melbourne, lives about 75 miles south of District 6, but Congress members arent required by law to live in the district they represent. His website features a photo of himself and Trump, the words President Trump endorsed amid a waving U.S. flag, and the social media post in which Trump endorsed him. Tuesday, he faces two GOP opponents, Ehsan Joarder of Hernando County and Aaron Baker of Sorrento in Lake County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baker said on his website hes the only Republican candidate living and working in our district. Anyone, regardless of their background, has the ability to step up and create meaningful change, Baker stated. Ive witnessed how disconnected leadership can devastate the very communities its meant to serve. Joarder said on his site he was running because he was tired of century-old politicians making decisions that compromise our future. On the Democratic side, Ges Selmont, a St. Johns county businessman who previously ran for Congress in 2018, faces Josh Weil, a Kissimmee school teacher who lives in Orlando. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im running for Congress because too many people are one or two missed paychecks away from financial ruin, in the richest country in the history of the world, Selmont states on his campaign site. Weil said he was running to help millions of Americans struggling with housing, health care, and basic security. The winners of the two partisan primaries will face Libertarian Party candidate Andrew Parrott and independent Randall Terry in the April 1 general election. Terry, of Tennessee, is the founder of the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue, once based in Melbourne, which made national headlines for blockading clinics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ten Republicans have filed to run in the special primary election in District 1, including Patronis, who lives outside the Pensacola-area district in Panama City. Patronis got in hot water earlier this month for his explanation of why the congressional lines are where they are. Let me give you a little civics lesson, Patronis said at a debate. Do you know why District 1 is where it is? Its because a Republican Legislature is in charge right now. We try to create as many Republican congressional seats as possible, OK? So what happens is you get gerrymandered lines. Florida Democrats slammed Patronis as having admitted to Republican gerrymandering of congressional districts in Florida, an act explicitly forbidden by Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those facing Patronis in the GOP special primary election is former state Rep. Joel Rudman, the mascara-and-leather-wearing Rock Doctor who fronts the hard-rock band Freedom Fighters. The winner of Tuesdays GOP primary will face Democrat Gay Valimont, independent Stephen Broden and several write-in candidates in the April 1 general election. Both seats lean heavily Republican, with both Gaetz and Waltz winning by more than 30 points in November. ---------- A rape crisis charity embroiled in a transgender row has dropped a pledge to issue a definition of women, The Telegraph can reveal. Rape Crisis Scotland (RCS) admitted it was no longer planning to publish a definition, despite previously promising to do so, following the recommendations of independent expert review. Vicky Ling was commissioned to investigate Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ERCC) after a damning tribunal ruling found it was operating an extreme version of gender identity theory under the leadership of Mridul Wadhwa, a biological male who identifies as female. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her report found that the centre had failed to properly protect women-only spaces and had caused damage to some survivors. Ms Ling called on RCS to devise and publish a shared definition of woman/female to be adopted across its network. Sandy Brindley, head of Rape Crisis Scotland, has described Wadhwa as an amazing sister - Jane Barlow/PA The charity, which receives more than 3 million in annual funding from the SNP government, had previously accepted Ms Lings recommendations in full. Sandy Brindley, its chief executive, claimed last September that work on a definition had been going on for nearly a year. However, the charity is now understood to be focusing on ensuring dedicated spaces in rape crisis centres are provided for women born as women, rather than drawing up a definition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It said that, because the Supreme Court was considering a case that concerned the legal definition of women, it would not be helpful or appropriate to issue its own wording. Betrayal of women and girls However, Tess White, the Scottish Tory shadow equalities minister, claimed the shocking U-turn showed RCS havent learned any lessons from a series of scandals. Once again women have been badly let down by an organisation that is supposed to support them, but which is failing to show any common sense, she said. It is unacceptable that RCS still cannot give women reassurance that they will be able to access single-sex spaces at these centres. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, the SNPs reckless self-ID policies are to blame for this betrayal of women and girls. Tess White accused Rape Crisis Scotland of a shocking U-turn - Ken Jack/Getty Images Activists such as Wadhwa, who left ERCC last year after Ms Lings report was published, insist that any biological male who identifies as female is a woman. Opponents of this view insist that sex is immutable and that biological men have no place accessing services such as rape crisis centres which are intended for women. A clear definition of women was intended to ensure survivors would understand whether they could expect to encounter biological men when accessing services described as female-only. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senior insiders at RCS said that while new rules were being consulted upon, it would be made explicitly clear to survivors which spaces might include trans women. Roz Adams, a former ERCC worker, came to be viewed as a bigot and a transphobe by Wadhwa - BBC The Ling Review was ordered last year after it was found that Roz Adams, a former worker at ERCC, had been hounded out of her job. Ms Adams had pushed for clarity about how to respond to women who asked about the sex of a female staff member who came out as non-binary and adopted a typically male name. Heresy hunt Staff were instructed to simply insist there were no men working at the centre, despite Wadhwa, who came to view Ms Adams as a bigot and a transphobe and orchestrated a heresy hunt against her, being chief executive. Wadhwa had publicly claimed in 2021 that bigoted rape survivors who might fear biological men should expect to be challenged on [their] prejudices at ERCC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Brindley, who had previously described Wadhwa as an amazing sister and champion for womens rights, has refused calls from figures including JK Rowling to quit. The Sunday Post reported at the weekend that in an internal consultation document about new rules, RCS stated that a woman can be anyone who self-identifies as a woman. An RCS spokesman said it was in discussions with survivors to ensure any terminology used to describe different spaces within rape crisis services is accessible and easily understandable. They added: The independent review of ERCC published last September identified that although the national service standards for rape crisis centres require centres to provide women-only spaces, they do not define what this means. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court is currently considering the legal definition of women, and we dont feel it would be helpful or appropriate to pre-empt this by issuing a definition of women. Irrespective of the outcome of this case, however, it is clear that rape crisis centres can ensure survivors of sexual violence are able to access dedicated spaces for women born women if this is what they need. We are currently consulting with our independent member centres on the provision of protected spaces within centres, to ensure survivors are able access the services they need. 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. Angela Rayner has been accused of stalling the development of 44,000 new homes by defending environmental red tape inherited from Brussels. The Housing Secretary is under pressure over the Governments defence of nutrient neutrality rules in a Supreme Court case that will begin in a fortnight. Housing developer CG Fry is challenging the use of nutrient neutrality rules to stop the development of a 650-home project in Somerset that was originally awarded planning permission in 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nutrient neutrality rules are a legacy from the European Union that obstruct building in local authority areas with protected habitats and high levels of nutrient pollution, for example, caused by fertiliser. CG Fry & Son, the company behind the scheme, challenged the rules in the High Court and the Court of Appeal under the previous Tory government and has now taken the case to the Supreme Court. In a recent submission to the court, CG Fry & Son argued that Labours decision to defend the case would worsen the housing crisis by holding up the development of thousands of projects in a similar situation. The developer also said the rules undermined Labours own goal to boost building rates. The issue of nutrient neutrality is exacerbating the acknowledged national housing crisis and seriously undermining the Governments stated policy objective of significantly boosting the supply of homes, it said in its Supreme Court submission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CG Fry said uncontested evidence presented to the court suggested at least 44,000 homes that have been granted planning permission were being held up by the rules. The submission will raise pressure on the Housing Secretary to back down in the case. Since coming to power, Ms Rayner has vowed to overhaul the nutrient neutrality rules as part of her attempt to reform the planning system and build 1.5m new homes this parliament. She has vowed to introduce targeted reforms after claiming that for too long vital housing and infrastructure projects have been tied up in red tape. Last month she said: Getting Britain building means stripping away unnecessary barriers to growth to deliver the homes that we so desperately need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her department also pledged 47m in funding to unlock homes that have been stalled by nutrient neutrality issues. However, the Government signalled it intended to defend the case at the Supreme Court, arguing it was about the interpretation of the law rather than its substance. A government spokesman said: This case concerns the correct interpretation of the law and the Government has a role in ensuring legislation is correctly understood. We cannot comment on live litigation. However we have been clear that we recognise the challenges that nutrient neutrality presents for development. This is why we set out proposals in December for a new approach that would unlock development more quickly and provide greater assurance of nature restoration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These measures would be taken forward through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to create a win-win outcome for the economy and for nature. A spokesman for the Home Builders Federation, the lobby group that prepared the 44,000 figure, said: We continue to support the case which illustrates the disproportionality of the approach by Natural England and the moratorium on new homes. It seeks legal clarity that the Government is right to delay house building, even when a site has a planning permission because of advice issued by Natural England that the occupation of homes may add to nutrient loadings, despite evidence that any contribution is negligible. The case highlights the danger to economic growth posed by precautionary environmental regulations and we welcome moves to unblock sites. Such policies do next to nothing to address the pollution in our rivers, but deepen our housing crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CG Fry completed the first stage of its development, consisting of around 193 homes, but has been unable to finish the scheme since Natural England updated the nutrient neutrality rules five years ago. Somerset Council prevented it from continuing the project. At the time, CG Fry appealed the decision to the Planning Inspectorate - which is an executive agency of the Housing Department - but lost. That decision was upheld by the High Court and later the Court of Appeal. In its court appeals, CG Fry questions whether nutrient neutrality rules apply to cases where developments have received planning permission before Natural England brought in new guidance. The housebuilder will appeal again to the Supreme Court at a hearing scheduled in two weeks 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. RAPID CITY, S.D. (KELO) The Rapid City Area School District swore in students for their Inaugural Student Board Monday night. Once these 15 students were sworn in and their roles were voted on, they got right to business. If you look at the youth, theyre actually the ones that are going to change the world someday. So I think actually having these discussions and sitting at a table together in a professional manner and saying, hey this is what we want for the school system, is a really great opportunity for us to share our voice, Student School Board Chairwoman Amelia Schaefbauer said. North Middle School 8th Grader Dellmar James is excited about this opportunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of pressure since I am the only student representative of my school. But its really cool that I have a word in this group, like representing my whole school. Thats pretty cool, Student Board Member Dellmar James Data said. The Student School Board members range between 8th and 12th grade, and represent all corners of the district. This includes each of the two high schools, the alternative academy, and four of the districts five middle schools. What Im really looking forward to is mainly just solving the problems or bringing up ideas for the schools and all that. Because I feel like thats really cool and interesting, Data said. This group will be able to speak up for their peers to help with their education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think regardless of what proposals or what the Student School Board actually puts through, I think its actually just important that students are being heard in our school system, Schaefbauer said. These terms are for one school year, with this group holding a 5-month term. In the future, groups will serve 8-months starting in October. The Student School Board members will meet monthly and will be participating in workgroups in between meetings. Each meeting will also have a few liaisons present to assist in the process. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The Rochester City School District released a message on Monday, warning students, families, and staff of a data breach involving its student management system. On RCSDs website, this pop-up message could be viewed on Monday. RCSD utilizes whats called PowerSchool, a third-party organization used by schools across the country and internationally in Canada to help districts manage student databases. The company reportedly became aware of a cybersecurity incident in late December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to PowerSchool, there was no indication of any identity theft associated with the incident. District leadership in Rochester said PowerSchool admitted there was nothing that could have been done by individual districts to stop the breach. Even so: Starting in the next few weeks, in collaboration with Experian, PowerSchool will provide notice to students (or their parents/guardians, if the student is under 18) and staff whose information was involved and a phone number to answer any questions you may have about the incident. The notice will include the identity protection and credit monitoring services offered, as applicable, the district announced in a statement on its website. ICE presence confirmed in Rochester amid immigration crackdown Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PowerSchool emphasized to districts this was an attack on the company, not any individual school systems. According to the organization, December 28, 2024, PowerSchool became aware of a cybersecurity incident involving unauthorized exfiltration of personal information from certain PowerSchool Student Information System (SIS) environments, though no further details were released pertaining to the breach itself. RCSDs technology team reported that 134,000 student records and staff records could have been possibly accessed through the breach. This included names, birthdates, addresses, emails, phone numbers, and emergency contacts. Officials also said some medical records could have been breached. Without any hesitation, I strongly urge every single parent out there to freeze the credit reports of all your children at this point in time. Its much easier for a cybercriminal to steal the identity of your children because theyve got a blank slate as far as their credit report goes. Data breaches are happening more and more today because its becoming easier and easier. The tools and techniques being used by the cybercriminal are refined. Theres also a basic lack of security implementation on that information by third party companies like PowerSchool, said Jonathan Weissman, a cybersecurity professor at RIT. Folks are encouraged to keep up to date with the breach by clicking here, where PowerSchool is expected to make periodic updates. 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. Oklahoma voters strongly backed Donald Trump in the 2024 election, giving him a 66%-32% margin of victory over challenger Vice President Kamala Harris. However, few Oklahomans are now expressing support for Trump's pardon of those involved in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. In a non-scientific survey of its readers conducted by The Oklahoman, 83% of those responding said Trump should not have pardoned any of the participants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nine percent said they agreed with his pardons of some of the rioters, but not those who harmed law enforcement personnel, and 7% said they agreed with all of the pardons. Here are some of the comments made by survey participants: Opinion: Like it or not, President Trump has constitutional authority to pardon rebels Shocking that they were pardoned for a seditious assault on the capitol. Nancy, Ada Can you imagine Trump's reaction if a Democratic president pardoned cop beaters? You can get away with anything if you do it in the name of Trump. Tony, Tulsa The Jan 6 rioters were violent insurrectionists who could not accept a democratically elected president. This is treason. The commander in chief should hold them accountable, not pardon them. Rebecca, Oklahoma City Biden issued dubious pardons to his son and several other family members, as well as preemptive pardons to other current and former government officials but what Trump did is of an entirely different scope. He used a mass pardon to try and erase a crime committed against the foundations of democracy. To open his term with such an act of contempt to our legal system is audacious and should be alarming to all Americans. Joyce, Edmond During the campaign, President Trump said that he intended to pardon the "hostages." These guys were captured on camera attacking the Capitol and the guards. Most pled guilty in court for their crimes caught on camera. How can he claim to support law enforcement? Don, Edmond I don't know all the details. Four years behind bars is probably enough time served. They thought they were right about a stolen election. Trump and many people still believe it was stolen. Time to get over it. Jim, Oklahoma City Why vote for someone who says hes going to do terrible things in advance? Charles, Oklahoma City Pardoning the Jan. 6 rioters sends a clear message that political violence is acceptable as long as it is in Trumps name. As president, Trump should not condone such behavior. That said, Trump pledged during his campaign to pardon at least some of the rioters if he were re-elected. So while I am appalled that he pardoned them, I am not surprised. Eric Swanson, Lawton This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Trump's Jan. 6 pardons draw sharp criticism from Oklahoman readers OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) After mysterious drone sightings across the nation, Governor Kevin Stitt directed the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to purchase drone detection devices to protect our state. For just under $30,000, DPS was able to purchase four mobile counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) detection systems. These portable devices will assist law enforcement agencies across the state to detect and identify any drone activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve got them kind of strategically located around the state, said Tim Tipton, DPS Commissioner. Tipton says they are near areas with critical infrastructure like refineries and power plants. When deployed, it can identify drones in the air and track their flight path, elevation and speed. Judge denies immunity for Edmond police officer accused of killing brother Authorities can then locate the operator and begin an investigation. Commissioner Tipton says with the harmful use of drones emerging across the world, counter-drone technology is essential to stay ahead of potential risks. If somebody has a nefarious use for them, its a quick, easy, cheap way to deliver a payload thats potentially very hazardous and deadly and so we in from a public safety standpoint, have to be ready if somebody wanted to do something like that, said Tipton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DPS says theres been a handful of reported drone sightings over critical infrastructure in Oklahoma, and since the devices were purchased, theyve been deployed once. I cant point to any incidents that have happened in the state of Oklahoma with the nefarious use of a drone, but its something that we all know could happen at any time, said Tipton. These devices will also help manage airspace during natural disasters like wildfires or tornadoes, where multiple drones and aircraft may be in use. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The M23 rebel group, which has taken control of large parts of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in recent years, now says it has captured the key city of Goma, the largest in the area, from government forces. While the DRC government earlier today disputed that the city had fallen to the rebels, theres no doubt that M23 has made a rapid advance in the last days and tensions between the DRC and neighboring Rwanda which backs M23 are growing. Members of the M23 armed group alongside residents in a street of the Keshero neighborhood in Goma, on January 27, 2025. Photo by STR / AFP -STR In a statement today, M23 announced it had taken Goma, as the United Nations reported mass panic in the city, with the DRC government describing the insurgency as a declaration of war. We urge all residents of Goma to remain calm. The liberation of the city has been successfully carried out, and the situation is under control, the M23 spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, said on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement COMMUNIQUE OFFICIEL DE LAFC/M23 DU 27 JANVIER 2025 Nous demandons a tous les habitants de Goma de rester calmes. La liberation de la ville a ete menee a bien et la situation est sous controle.DU COMMUNIQUE COMMUNIQUE pic.twitter.com/rpIMLQCkbL Lawrence KANYUKA (@LawrenceKanyuka) January 27, 2025 M23 rebels made a lightning advance on Goma, which sits close to the border with Rwanda, yesterday. They then called upon the DRC government soldiers the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) to surrender their weapons. The deadline for this expired early Monday morning. According to U.N. peacekeepers, some DRC soldiers gave up their weapons before the deadline. #DRCongo : footage shows government forces surrendering with their weapons held above their heads as they cross the border from #Goma into neighboring #Rwanda. pic.twitter.com/ZclQ466u2n Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) January 27, 2025 Map of the city of Goma in the east of the DRC showing the international airport, central prison, and the border post with Rwanda. Photo by Nalini LEPETIT-CHELLA and Christophe THALABOT / AFP NALINI LEPETIT-CHELLA; CHRISTOPHE THALABOT A video purportedly showing a column of vehicles abandoned by the FARDC as its forces withdrew from Goma today: RDC :Des vehicules abandonne par les FARDC et ses allies au AFC_M23. pic.twitter.com/Ham6PNKmEX Kivu News 24 (@kivunews24) January 27, 2025 Meanwhile, videos and photos show rebels patrolling Gomas main streets, and around the airport. According to the United Nations, M23 now controls key roads in and out of the city and the airport can no longer be used for evacuation and humanitarian efforts. The U.N.s special representative for Congo told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council, We are trapped. At the weekend, the U.N. had said it would withdraw all of its non-essential staff out of the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Head of MONUSCO Bintou Keita tell UNSC: "Today, despite ongoing MONUSCO support to FARDC, M23 and Rwandan forces penetrated Munigi quarter in the outskirts Goma city, causing mass panic and flight amongst the population. Roads are blocked and the airport can no longer be used Sherwin Bryce-Pease (@sherwiebp) January 26, 2025 Despite this, the DRC government today claimed that its forces still control strategic parts of the city including the airport. Contrary to the manipulative messages circulating on social networks the FARDC hold the Goma airport and all the strategic points of the capital of the North Kivu province, the DRC government said. It added that its army was more than determined to defend the homeland at the cost of the supreme sacrifice. There have been reports today of heavy artillery hitting central Goma, as well as a mass escape from a prison in the city that was holding 3,000 inmates. There are also reports of the power and water supplies having been cut in many areas. Unverified videos being shared online appear to show prisoners fleeing a jail in Goma: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the M23 movement entered the city, prisoners in Goma Munzenze prison escaped en masse.https://t.co/31Oj9xUkOi pic.twitter.com/Nq2KLOoHJ6 Clash Report (@clashreport) January 27, 2025 A resident told the Reuters news agency that there was confusion in the city; here near the airport, we see soldiers. I have not seen the M23 yet. A local journalist told the BBC today that gunfire was continuing in Goma and the situation was complicated. Meanwhile, the chaplain of a hospital in Goma told the BBC that while we still have quite a number of [FARDC] soldiers that have gathered together a big part of the city is controlled by the rebels. Tens of thousands of residents have reportedly already fled the city, which was home to more than a million people. This is a continuation of a broader trend in the DRCs North and South Kivu provinces which border Rwanda. Since the start of the year, more than 400,000 people have been forced from their homes here, according to the U.N., as M23 rebels have continued their advance. Of those displaced, more than 178,000 people were forced to leave their homes in the past two weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the FARDC side, the military governor of North Kivu province, Maj. Gen. Peter Cirimwami Nkuba was killed during fighting against M23 rebels, around eight miles from Goma. He was shot last Thursday, during a visit to the front lines, but his death was only announced today. The FARDC has been seen using rocket artillery and Soviet-era tanks to try and counter the rebel advance, as well as rocket-armed Mi-24 Hind helicopter gunships. A FARDC Mi-24 Hind helicopter gunship flies along the road leading to the entrance of the town of Sake, northwest of Goma, on January 23, 2025. Photo by Michael Lunanga / AFP MICHAEL LUNANGA Video showing ukrainian made 122 mm Bastion-1 self-propelled MRLS of the DRC military. pic.twitter.com/tVzdF0jcSy Hammer Of War (@HammerOfWar5) January 26, 2025 The background to the current fighting is complex, with conflict ongoing in the eastern DRC for more than 30 years. The eastern part of the DRC is rich in mineral resources, control of which has been fought over by various armed groups. As well as the DRCs own authorities, rebel factions and neighboring countries have been dragged into the fighting. In the process, millions have been killed, with the most violent periods being two major conflicts in the 1990s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The M23 rebel group now in Goma dates back to 2012, when it was formed out of another faction, with the stated goal of protecting the ethnic Tutsi population in the east of the DRC. Most of the M23 fighters are Tutsis who formerly served with Congolese government forces. Although M23 has been forced out of the DRC once before, by 2021 they were ready to launch a new offensive. Both the DRC and the U.N. say that M23 is backed by Rwanda. For its part, Rwanda neither confirms nor denies its direct backing for M23, although it refutes claims that it has sent its own troops across the border to support the rebels. This is despite reports from the U.N. that, as of last year, as many as 4,000 Rwandan troops were in the DRC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports today citing unnamed intelligence officials suggest that significant numbers of soldiers from the Rwanda Defense Force have crossed the border to support M23, with their numbers and heavy weapons likely to have significantly helped speed the rebel advance. A pickup truck of the FARDC patrols in Goma, on January 23, 2025. Photo by Jospin Mwisha / AFP JOSPIN MWISHA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres yesterday called on the Rwanda Defense Force to stop supporting the M23 and to withdraw from the territory of the DRC, in a statement that clearly put at least some of the responsibility for the current violence on Rwanda. Adding to the weight of evidence that Rwandan soldiers are also supporting the M23 offensive was U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix, who said: Theres no question that there are Rwandan troops in Goma supporting the M23. Of course, its difficult to tell exactly what the numbers are. The total number of M23 fighters is generally put at more than 8,000. The Rwandan government has said the latest fighting near its border poses a serious threat to its security and territorial integrity. It has also blamed the DRC for the escalating violence. Today, Rwanda blamed shelling by the DRC for killing five people and injuring 26 in the town of Rubavu, on the Rwandan side of the border. They are desperate, fleeing. They are mounting their weapons, indiscriminately shelling into Rwanda, not targeting forces but targeting civilians, Rwandas military spokesperson told Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current conflict also involves around 14,000 U.N. peacekeepers under the MONUSCO mission who are primarily tasked with supporting the FARDC in their campaign against M23. MONUSCO troops had been planning to leave the DRC prior to the latest escalation. It is also worth noting that, despite their numbers, only a portion of the MONUSCO troops are allowed to carry out offensive operations these are the soldiers assigned to the so-called Force Intervention Brigade. Smoke billows from a MONUSCO armored personnel carrier left on the side of the road in Nzulo, on the main road linking the North Kivu capital Goma to the town of Sake, on January 25, 2025. Photo by Jospin Mwisha / AFP JOSPIN MWISHA GOMA #UPDATE Members of UN mission in DRC MONUSCO, which has also been implicated in the fight against M23 is seen leaving Goma city fleeing to neighboring Rwanda's Gisenyi city as M23 reaches in less than 2 km from Goma airport. #FactsOnRwandapic.twitter.com/exYj4XkjAE Facts On Rwanda (@FactsOnRwanda) January 26, 2025 As of last Friday, MONUSCO said that its peacekeepers were engaged in intense fighting against M23 forces. Separate from MONUSCO is another military force deployed in the eastern DRC the Southern African Development Community (SADC) but they have also failed to stop the M23 advance. In recent days, the various peacekeeping forces have reported multiple casualties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Africa said nine of its soldiers were killed while attempting to prevent the rebel advance on Goma. Armored vehicles belonging to the South Africa National Defence Forces (SANDF) deploy along the road leading to the entrance of the town of Sake, northwest of Goma, on January 23, 2025. Photo by Michael Lunanga / AFP MICHAEL LUNANGA The SA National Defence Force Media Statement || Saturday 25 January 2025 || The SA National Defence Force and counterparts push back the M23 advance towards Goma in the Eastern Reublic of the Congo. #SANDF#JointOperationsDivision#DRC pic.twitter.com/ErXfcmsMeS SA National Defence Force (@SANDF_ZA) January 25, 2025 The U.N. further reported the deaths of three Malawian soldiers, while Uruguay said that one of its soldiers deployed with MONUSCO had also been killed. The apparent fall of Goma is a significant development in the long-running conflict in the African Great Lakes Region. With the airport apparently shut down and roads blocked, the humanitarian and security hub that operated out of the city, serving much of the surrounding region, will also have to cease operations. Already, the region faces one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises, with millions of people displaced. Now, the advance of the M23 rebels is further destabilizing the eastern DRC. As a new insurgency threatens to engulf this part of the country, the fear now is of a potential wider conflict involving both the DRC and Rwanda and potentially other countries in the region. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com Kenyan President William Ruto announced on January 27 that the Presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have agreed to meet on Wednesday (January 29) to discuss the escalating crisis in eastern Congo. Ruto emphasized the urgency of addressing the situation, calling it an existential issue for both the people of the region and the wider area. This comes as M23 rebels claim to have taken control of Goma, a key city on the Congo-Rwanda border, sparking fears of further violence and mass displacement. The fighting in Goma, which has intensified over the past few days, has caused widespread panic. A journalist in the city reported ongoing clashes around the airport, with gunfire audible during their phone call. Local authorities have urged residents to stay indoors as the situation worsens. The government of Congo has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, although Rwanda denies the allegation. Meanwhile, the UN has warned that the conflict is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis, with over 5.5 million people displaced in the DRC. The ongoing violence has led to a surge in displacement, with many fleeing the surrounding areas into camps such as Mugunga, near Goma. Displaced people are facing dire conditions, with limited food, shelter, and no clear idea of where they will end up. The humanitarian situation is becoming increasingly critical, with calls for immediate action to stop the fighting and allow people to return to their homes. The M23s activities have also drawn attention to Rwandas role in the conflict, with the UN alleging direct involvement, a claim Rwanda continues to deny. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Some families in South Louisiana are still recovering after devastating fires destroyed their homes. The American Red Cross is stepping in to help them rebuild their lives and provide support during this challenging time. Marc Adams, a Red Cross disaster action team responder, witnessed firsthand the destruction caused by these fires. The guys houseit was completely, literally, nothing left but the foundation, Adams said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fires, fueled by gas leaks and space heaters, came amid snow and freezing temperatures last week, making recovery even more difficult. Micah Nicholas, Executive Director of the Capitol-West Chapter of the American Red Cross, explained how the organization is providing critical relief. The Red Cross responds to disasters, Nicholas said. Each one of these kits helps our community recover after a disaster. The organization is offering displaced families temporary housing, warm meals, and essential items to help them begin the recovery process. Nicholas shared that the Red Cross responds to approximately 65,000 disasters each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the event of a home fire, our volunteersmany of them in the middle of the nightprovide hope, comfort, and care to anyone facing a disaster, Nicholas said. For Adams, the experience of helping families in their darkest moments is both humbling and inspiring. We gave [one man] some financial assistance to get him off the street. It was cold that day, Adams recalled. He was so thankful for the assistance that we gave him. Things like that just keep me going and doing this every day. The Red Cross continues to remind the community of the importance of coming together to support one another in times of need. Latest News 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 Louisiana First News. The Navys surface fleet has spent the past 15 months taking down hundreds of missiles and drones fired by Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels at U.S. and allied Navies ships, as well as commercial vessels in and around the Red Sea. While it has become the most intense sustained combat the sea services warships have seen since World War II, the Navy continues to prioritize preparing for a conflict in the Pacific. This begs the question: What lessons does the Red Sea fight offer the Navy when it comes to preparing for conflict with its top pacing threat, China? TWZ reached out to a range of active-duty and retired military officers to answer this question. They said the Red Sea was a prime stress test for a fleet preparing for war with China, even as it drained finite munitions and further exposed shortfalls in the defense industrial base. A lot of these lessons and everything that we are taking from the Red Sea are an incredibly valuable warm-up for us in the high-end fight, an active-duty surface warfare officer (SWO) who spoke with TWZ on the condition of anonymity said. The Navy destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) launches a SM-2 missile during an exercise in 2020. (U.S. Navy) Analysts acknowledged the obvious that China would be an entirely different adversary to take on compared to the Houthis, and that war with Beijing would be far more fearsome and intense than the Houthi campaign. But while the theater, geography and capability of the adversary would differ, the Red Sea has nonetheless been a major experience generator and proving ground on several fronts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even without the China preparation angle, the Navy has earned some undeniable wins in the Red Sea. No American warships have been hit, and crews have countered Houthi attacks that have, at times, come dangerously close to putting a hole in a gray hull. Navy brass says they are now able to tune ship radars, provide feedback and update tactics far more rapidly than when the hostilities started. Just analyzing engagement data has gone from 40 days or more to just a day or two, a massive gain that could prove critical in a Pacific fight. A year ago, TWZ detailed how the potential implications of this unprecedented amount of real-world experience and its resulting data flowing out of so many engagements, and how lessons learned from it could be used to the advantage of not only the U.S. Navy but China as well. The destroyer USS Gravely (DDG-107) launches Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM) in the Red Sea in January 2024. (U.S. Navy) Despite Red Sea success so far, the surface fleet must remain humble, according to a retired warship captain who spoke to TWZ on condition of anonymity to share his thoughts. I think it is important that we not be lulled into a sense of complacency by our own success, he said. We are fighting a high-end fight against a low-end adversary. The weapons, tactics, and strategic implications of a Pacific war could be quite different and more challenging. The lessons the Navy has learned for fighting in a littoral environment like the Red Sea would be applicable to potential littoral conflict in the South China Sea or Luzon Strait, weapons engagement zones that would be far more saturated than an open ocean war. But even within a blue water fight over the expanses of the Pacific, key lessons apply, the active-duty SWO said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you are in the littorals, your timelines are shorter for tracking and intercepting incoming fire, he said. If you can execute on a littoral timeline, then you can execute on a blue water timeline. Working through environmental frictions and the fog of war in the Red Sea is also a good dry run ahead of conflict with China, he said. The geography, the way the Houthis have evolved, is giving us some great insight, and it directly translates into us getting ready for that high-end fight against China, the active-duty SWO said. And while Beijing may employ more advanced drones, anti-ship missiles and other ordnance, and in different ways, the Red Sea experience in taking out those threats still carries over, the active-duty SWO said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A missile, no matter what the origin is, is still going to be targeted, he said. Its still going to be targeting you, and a lot of those kinetic aspects still transfer over to even a higher-end type of missile. While the Red Sea has been a closed-in, littoral fight, drones would still be seen in a blue-water war with China, the active-duty SWO said, noting Chinese amphibious ships that are being built to carry and launch advanced unmanned systems. TWZ reported last fall on Chinas Type 076 amphib and its electromagnetic catapult for launching drones. Smaller drones dont even need this infrastructure and can be launched in large numbers from nearly any vessel. Chinas Type 076 amphibious assault ship. (Chinese Internet capture via X) The math of wartime missile expenditure is another prime Red Sea takeaway that is applicable to a China war, according to Jan van Tol, a retired forward-deployed warship captain and current senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments think tank. Expensive surface-to-air (SAM) missiles that take a long time to procure and build have regularly been used to shoot down relatively cheap Houthi aerial attack drones, he said. Go here to read TWZs reporting about precisely which Navy munitions have been fired in the Red Sea, and how many times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But expenditure rates of guided munitions will be far worse in a China fight, van Tol said. Exacerbating that reality is the fact that the PLAs weapons are more sophisticated than the Iranian-derived munitions that the Houthis rely on, which will likely increase the number of American SAMs expended per engagement with the Chinese. China has far more anti-ship missiles than the Houthis, in a variety of iterations. It has developed short, medium, and intermediate-range anti-ship ballistic missiles to help exert authority over its broad territorial claims and deny opponents access to vast areas during conflicts. If Beijing attempts to invade Taiwan, it will rely on a variety of munitions to keep U.S. surface combatants and aircraft carriers far from the East China Sea and South China Sea. This is all part of the PLAs overreaching anti-access/area-denial strategy that is currently heavily dictating what a war would look like in the Pacific. A very general look at some of the breadth of conventionally-armed long-range missile options China has, and the ranges they can reach. (DOD) PLA raid density will be far higher than the relative dribbles of Houthi attacks, so Navy ships will quickly run out of SAMs, van Told said, adding that some U.S. Vertical Launching System (VLS) missile cells are loaded with non-SAM weapons, and that U.S. warships will have to retire to rearming locations far from the fight. The Navy is trying to mitigate having ships leave the battle for days or even weeks at a time for reloading via an at-sea VLS reloading capability known as the Transferrable Reloading At-sea Method (TRAM) that was demonstrated for the first time last fall. Go here to read TWZ coverage of that effort. Sailors aboard the Navy cruiser USS Chosin (CG-65) use the Transferrable Reload At-sea Method (TRAM) to grasp a missile canister over the ships MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) in October. (U.S. Navy) In a high-intensity war with China, SAMs and other weapons would be exhausted quickly, and the American defense industrial base has relatively little surge production capacity relative to need, van Tol said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Red Sea has hammered home the need to increase production of Navy munitions, van Tol said. A peacetime effort to increase precision-guided munition production of all kinds would help to identify component subcontractor chokepoints and other hiccups that would metastasize into a major problem when a surge in demand happens during a war with China. Military leaders have warned of how missiles fired in the Red Sea and elsewhere are eating into stocks that could be used for a war with China too. It would be important to identify those and make [defense industrial base] investments to ease those chokepoints, he said. This was analogous to the difficult production problems the U.S. initially faced in 1939-1941 during the pre-Pearl Harbor industrial mobilization, which really was spurred by huge French and British demands for arms starting in the late 1930s If it wasnt for the head start working out the problems while supplying those allies, the vast production of 1943-1944 would have never been possible. While concerns about supply remain, the Red Sea is offering invaluable, real-world proof that a Navy warships air defense weapons actually work in combat, according to the active-duty SWO. Were going to be facing an even higher-end fight against China, he said. Confidence in the system is extremely important for us, for those sailors and operators and Marines and others that are going to be pushing out forward for that fight whether it is a five-inch round, or whatever ordnance, a missile coming off a rail from an aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Military history is full of examples of weapon systems that appeared to be good to go, only to fail in the heat of battle, Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel and senior advisor with the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, told TWZ. He pointed to the Navys defective Mk 14 torpedoes during World War II as a prime example. A Mk 14 torpedo is balanced during World War II. (U.S. Navy) Real world operations always enhance warfighting readiness because nothing is simulated, he noted. Everything must be done, and there is a concrete result in the end. Even the best training doesnt replicate these conditions. The Navy would also face a multi-domain attack from China. Unlike the Houthis, who have largely launched airborne weapons and sometimes surface drones at warships, the PLA would come at the service in the undersea, space and cyber domains as well, van Tol said. Ships will not have the luxury of concentrating on only one domain, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While short on specifics, the active-duty SWO noted that the Navys electronic warfare (EW) capabilities have also benefited from real-world experience in the Red Sea. The exploitation of the RF spectrum to try and stay to the left of kinetic engagements is always something that we would like to take advantage of, he said. Electrons are free, and I can read and I can produce those as long as Im making electricity theres a lot of lessons learned on that aspect that we were able to put forth, from a detection to an engagement, in that whole kill chain aspect. While the Red Sea campaign doesnt come close to matching the intensity of operations should a war with China break out, it nonetheless provides the Navy with invaluable real-world insight into how systems work and what planning, training and procedures need to be tightened up, according to Bradley Martin, a retired surface warfare officer (SWO) who spent two-thirds of his 30-year Navy career at sea. Among the lessons the Navy can take out of the Red Sea are the stark realities of cyclic carrier air wing operations near an enemys weapons engagement zone, said Martin, now a senior policy analyst with the RAND think tank. The perils of such operations came into focus last month, when the cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64) accidentally shot down a F/A-18 Super Hornet during a sustained Houthi attack on the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). The Navy has released few details on the encounter, but at least three investigations are underway to determine what transpired. Flight operations aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in December. (U.S. Navy) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dealing with attacks from an enemy with a substantial shore-based arsenal is an important experience as well, Martin added. The Houthi arsenal is provided via Iran, and past TWZ reporting revealed that the Navy has taken out more than 400 of the groups anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) and aerial attack drones since October 2023. Some of the arsenal fielded by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. (IISS) 2023, The International Institute for Strategic Studies, originally published on https://iiss.org/online-analysis/military-balance/2024/01/houthi-anti-ship-missile-systems-getting-better-all-the-time/ (reproduced with permission) But while the Red Sea is providing the Navy with valuable lessons, readiness is without question being drained, Martin said. The U.S. Navys part in defending Israel from Iranian and Houthi ballistic missile attacks, and the tying in with Israeli defense infrastructure to accomplish that, has direct relevance to Taiwans defense in a future fight as well, the active-duty SWO said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Culturally, the Red Sea fight is nudging the surface fleet out of its peacetime footing and giving it a taste of what war with China would entail, van Tol said. With the exception of Navy SEALs and some aviators, the fleet has not faced a serious threat of being attacked for decades, which has inhibited tough, realistic training. A safety first culture is fine and necessary for a peacetime Navy, but it is not helpful for preparing in earnest for a real conflict, he said. This has now seemingly changed to some extent when ships deploy to the Red Sea, the crews know that they may come under attack, van Tol said. The real chance of having to no-kidding defend the ship helps concentrate the mind wonderfully. This change in mindset and mentality is really important and seems to be happening. Sailors stand watch in the combat information center of the Navy destroyer USS Carney (DDG-64) in October 2023. (U.S. Navy) The Red Sea has further reinforced the importance of maintaining a high level of tactical training and proficiency among a ships watch teams during war, he added. Such training cant be limited to pre-deployment work-ups, because a war with China will come with relatively little notice. Ditto with regard to damage control training and material readiness, van Tol said. The ships that have operated in the Red Sea to date have done a great job defensively so far, no hits. But even the Houthis may get lucky on an attack. Against the PLAs much more potent threats, the odds of ships being hit would be far higher. The current conflict is teaching the surface fleet vital lessons for the next war when it comes to crew stress under the threat of constant engagement, while instilling in sailors that all the training that they do really matters in the real world, according to the active-duty SWO. The surface fleet has increased how it monitors sailor wellbeing and ensures that those who need help get it as soon as possible as a result, he said. Thats an important aspect that we cant just gloss over, he said. That is the sailors investment in the combat situation. Weve seen a lot of initiatives pay off, and were getting better data on that. The Red Sea has also helped to demystify certain munitions fired by the Houthis variants of which China would use in a future fight and proved that a U.S. warship can defeat them, according to James Holmes, a maritime strategy professor at the Naval War College. The Houthis are the first entity to ever fire an anti-ship ballistic missile in anger, and the Navy has now shown that such weapons can be taken out. The same goes for kamikaze drones, which essentially serve the same purpose, as ship killers, Holmes told TWZ in an email. Demystifying the next big and bad thing is a major contribution. We should not be cowed. A Boatswains Mate walks the flight deck as an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter takes off from the Navy destroyer USS Gravely (DDG-107) in March during the warships deployment to the Red Sea. (U.S. Navy) Petty Officer 1st Class Jonathan Word At the same time, the Navy shouldnt get cocky about its performance in the Red Sea, he said. Carl von Clausewitz, probably the best strategic thinker of them all, implies that success in warfare is about a 60-40 proposition at best, Holmes said. We can lose, and in fact I think the odds are in Chinas favor. When a fraction of one force faces off against the entirety of another, who wins? We are the fraction, Chinas PLA has the entirety. That is not the case in the Red Sea. Still, he said, the Red Sea has provided the surface fleet a taste of what they might meet should war erupt with China. We are expending munitions we sorely need, so there is a material dimension to correct, Holmes said. But at the same time, warfare is a human contest. We are getting our people ready to do what they may have to do before long. If we give them the tools, the tool wielders can do the work. The Navys preparations for a potential battle against Chinese forces is accelerating, and the sea service has undoubtedly benefited from taking on a real-life adversary, even one far weaker than the Peoples Liberation Army. The at-times daily Red Sea conflict may be drawing to a close, with the Houthis announcing they would halt such attacks following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. However it ends, the surface fleet has seen sustained combat for the first time in decades and shaken off the peacetime cobwebs in the process, a process that has provided great experience, a tsunami of data, and a sobering look at how prepared the surface fleet is to face-down a far more powerful foe. Contact the author: geoff@twz.com The Caddo Parish Civil Rights Heritage Trail project is expanding its scope with a new series designed to help historic villages, towns, neighborhoods, and/or cities in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, investigate three different versions of their communities: the past, the present, and the future. Team members include Dr. Gary Joiner, Mik Barnes, Jaclyn Tripp, Dr. Laura Meiki, Dr. Jolivette Anderson-Douong, Dr. Amy Rosner, Dr. Rolonda Teal, and Brenton Metzler. This months focus is the Stoner Hill neighborhood. In Stoner Hills origin story may surprise you, Dr. Gary Joiner (Professor of History at LSU Shreveport) taught us that Stoner Hill is older than the city of Shreveport. In part II of our series on Stoner Hill, Was Stoner Hill in Shreveport named after cannabis lovers, we learned where Stoner Hill got its name and how it connected to Americas Civil War. Part III of the Stoner Hill series showed what Stoner Hill was like in 1935 vs. what Stoner Hill is like today. Part IV examined how a tornado destroyed much of the Stoner Hill community in 1912. In Part V, Dr. Gary Joiner answered a question from Cookie Coleman, who asked the team if rumors about a mass grave located in Stoner Hill were true. Part VI discussed how Stoner Hill became one of the first testing grounds for road machines in Louisiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now Part VII examines how the Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC) and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) redlined portions of Stoner Hill beginning in 1940. Dr. Gary Joiner took the lead on this article. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The US Government created the Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC) and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) as part of the New Deal programs in the 1930s. They surveyed 239 cities nationwide to determine the viability of granting or continuing mortgages. The HOLC came to Shreveport in 1940 and left chaos in its wake. The surveyors, called valuators, artificially ranked neighborhoods by letter grade, A-D. Class A was the best, and Class D was hazardous and uninsurable. HOLC map of Shreveport from 1940. Source University of Richmond Mapping Inequality. The base map is the 1940 Globe Map Co. Map and Street Guide of Shreveport, LA. https://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/redlining/map/LA/Shreveport/areas#mapview=full&loc=13/32.4829/-93.7526 Stoner Hill was divided into two areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below East Columbia Street was ranked C and labeled C-3. From Ford Street down to Columbia Street was ranked D and labeled D-4. Digital Map of the Stoner Hill neighborhood. Colors indicate HOLC-surveyed neighborhoods. Class D is red. Class is yellowresearch and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. Holk determined the following about Stoner hill in 1940: C-3 In 1940, HOLC determined the following about the area of Stoner Hill below Columbia Street: The population was 50% white and 50% black The black population lived in the area East of Kings Highway and Southeast of Bayou Pierre, between the levee and the river The white population lived in the West end of the area The black population consisted of mostly domestic workers who were employed in adjacent white areas of Shreveport The white population consisted of good class of salaried workers. On the South side of the Western end, fronting Kings Highway, were many filling stations and lunch stands. Stoner Hill was approximately 40% built up Properties in the white section were described as well maintained Properties in the black section were described as having only fair maintenance Griffin St. to Fort St. Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digital datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plate 53, Volume One, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. Stoner Hill was devastated by 1912 tornado Holk also published the following about Stoner Hill: (The black) area is influenced by river levee. Future development may cause the destruction of the levee and in this event the property now occupied by (the black population) may be replaced with white development. Fort St. to Vine St. (Dr. S.W. Jackson Ave.). Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digital datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plate 53, Volume One, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement D-4 In 1940, HOLC determined the following about the area of Stoner Hill from Ford Street down to Columbia Street: The population was 95% back, 5% foreign-born white Population composed of laborers, tradesmen, mechanics, and domestic workers Single family residences were the predominant type of building The area was about 20% built up Age of properties was between 1 and 30 years Properties were described as poorly maintained on the average. The population was not shifting. Another HOLC finding about this area of Stoner Hill was that Quite a few of the (black population) in this section own their homes and they are fairly well maintained, others poorly maintained. Vine St. to East Stoner Ave. Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digital datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plate 53, Volume One, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. The takeaway Stoner Hill has been an integrated, working/middle-class neighborhood since its inception. The harm done by the HOLC in 1940 still rings true throughout the decades. Residents were harmed by their inability to obtain mortgages or, if so, at much higher rates. East Stoner Ave. to East Jordan St. Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digital datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plate 53, Volume One, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. Stoner Hill neighborhood older than city of Shreveport Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thankfully, the 2020 Decennial Census shows that Stoner Hills population is still healthy. TOTAL POPULATION 2174 White 282 Black 1646 Asian 92 Hispanic 164 18 years or older 1671 # of housing units 1202 occupied homes 994 unoccupied homes 208 Using digital versions of the 1935 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company maps and current digital data, a direct comparison of remaining buildings and new construction reveals a wealth of information. East Stoner Ave. to East Jordan St. east of Youree Drive. Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digital datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plate 53 and Plate 79, Volume One, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. East Jordan St. to East Herndon St. Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digital datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plate 54, Volume One, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1935 Stoner Hill vs. Stoner Hill of today The following figures portray the data in east-west block format, stacked in the following order: Fort Street to Vine Street (Dr. S. W. Jackson Avenue) Vine Street to East Stoner Avenue East Stoner Avenue to East Herndon Avenue East Herndon Avenue to East Wichita Street East Wichita Street to East Olive Street East Olive Street to East College Street East College Street to East Dalzell Street East Dalzell Street to East Robinson Place East Robinson Place to East Columbia Street East Columbia Street to East Kings Highway The Little Texas section When split by Youree Drive, the rows are divided into West and East maps. Modern buildings are displayed in semi-transparent gray, allowing the older buildings to be seen behind them. A black dot adjoining the modern building, labeled single, indicates a contemporary single-family residence. Red lines indicate neighborhood boundaries. Light gray indicates streets and paved parking lots. East Jordan St. to East Herndon St. east of Youree Drive. Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digital datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plate 54 and Plate 79, Volume One, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. East Herndon St. to East Wichita St. Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digital datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plate 54, Volume One, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. East Herndon St. to East Wichita St. east of Youree Drive. Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digital datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plate 54 and Plate 79, Volume One, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. East Wichita St. to East Olive St. Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digital datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plate 69, Volume One, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement East Olive St. to East College St. Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digital datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plate 69, Volume One, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. East Olive St. to East College St. east of Youree Drive. Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digital datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plate 69 and Plate 80, Volume One, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. East College St. to East Dalzell St. Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digital datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plate 69, Volume One, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. East College St. to East Dalzell St. east of Youree Drive. Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digital datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plate 69 and Plate 80, Volume One, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement East Dalzell St. to East Robinson Place. east of Youree Drive. Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digit East Dalzell St. to East Robinson Place. al datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plate 69 and Plate 80, Volume One, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. East Dalzell St. to East Robinson Place. east of Youree Drive. Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digit East Dalzell St. to East Robinson Place. al datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plates 69, 70, 80, and 81, Volume One, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. East Columbia Street to Youree Drive. Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digital datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plate. 70, Volume One, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. The Little Texas section of Stoner Hill lying east of Youree Drive. Building polygons are from the City of Shreveport digit East Dalzell St. to East Robinson Place. al datasets. Roadway data is from the 2020 Decennial Census data, US Department of Commerce. The map is a portion of Plate 246, Volume Two, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Company, 1935, maps of Shreveport, Louisiana. Sanborn Map Collection in the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401193501/?st=gallery&c=160 research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. 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 KTALnews.com. Rachel Reeves would be foolish to put growth before net zero and approve expansion at Britains major airports, a major Labour donor has warned. Dale Vince, the eco-tycoon who has given 5m to the party, said it would be a mistake for the Chancellor to back a third runway at Heathrow and similar extensions at Gatwick and Luton. More flying risked driving up the countrys carbon emissions and wiping out progress made in other areas, such as Ed Milibands plans for a clean power system, he argued. Climate change itself also poses a serious risk to the economy, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Mr Vince told The Telegraph: The three runways at Gatwick, Heathrow and Luton, between them, will wipe out all of the carbon savings of getting to 100pc green on the grid. Its clearly wrong to say well put growth before carbon emissions, because my word it will impair our drive to net zero so considerably. We wont get there by anything like the target date that we have, because well have decarbonised the grid but absolutely wiped that out with new runways to allow for more planes to fly in and out of Britain. And we just dont need that. Theres no major economic growth to come from doing that. The multimillionaires comments come after Ms Reeves said growth was the Governments number one priority, signalling that she is prepared to take on opponents who say airport expansion should be blocked on environmental grounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sir Keir Starmer has also announced a new growth assessment that will allow him to veto policies if they damage the economy. Mr Vince argued that prioritising net zero would protect the economy. He pointed to new figures from insurer Munich Re showing that the world collectively suffered $320bn (258bn) worth of damage from extreme weather events last year but less than half was insured. That cost is rising, incredibly, Mr Vince said. It was doubled on the year before, and its going to keep going up. So the idea that a few runways will bring us some growth that we can hang on to is foolish, because if we dont get on top of net zero, that will all be washed away no amount of runways will save our economy from the effects of the climate crisis. Its an illusion. The real growth, the sustainable growth, is in the green economy, and getting our emissions down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked whether he would stop supporting Labour in the event airport expansions were approved, Mr Vince said he cared about the issue but that it was not a deal-breaker, adding that he disagreed with Labour on a number of things such as nuclear power and heat pumps. He said: If they go ahead with Heathrow, Ill be against that as well. I thought it was most important we had a Labour government after 14 years of Tory misrule and corruption, and I thought we had a historic opportunity to elect a government that got the green economy. I still think we have a government that gets that. So theyre making mistakes in some areas, but you cant have everything in life that youd like to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Vince, who boasts a 100m fortune and is known as Britains richest hippie, has become one of Labours biggest donors after handing the party 5m. He has also in the past donated to climate protest groups Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion, although he withdrew financial support for the former after claiming it had become too extreme. Suggestion that the Chancellor is poised to publicly back a third runway at Heathrow has already sparked division within Labour. Sir Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor, and Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Manchester, have both signalled they will oppose expansion. Mr Miliband, the Energy Secretary, has also previously opposed plans for a third runway. However, he played down speculation of a Cabinet split on issue last week when he told journalists it would be ridiculous to resign over the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further expansion of Britains biggest airports is also expected to draw fierce resistance from green campaigners, with reduced emissions from air travel still a key part of the Governments plan to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The Climate Change Committee, the powerful quango in charge of advising the Government on how to reduce carbon emissions, has previously warned that airport expansion is incompatible with the UKs net zero commitments. Mr Miliband acknowledged growing pressure for an easing of the rules on Monday when speaking to the environmental audit committee in Parliament. I should be candid to this committee, that the climate consensus at home and abroad in under greater strain than it has been for some time, he told MPs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are siren voices in the UK who are saying that we should step back from this agenda, that now is the time to give up on climate action because it is not in our national interest. I want to be incredibly clear with you about this: This Government is not going to do that, were not going to heed those siren voices. Why? Because whatever the disinformation, the misinformation, the truth is that climate action is essential for our national self-interest and is supported by the British people. The Treasury has been approached 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. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Donald Crisp left a legacy in Bay County. Raised in Marianna, Crisp moved to Panama City in the early 1970s. He got involved in community service with the Panama City Jaycees. Crisp founded the Bay County Land and Abstract title company and was involved in thousands of land transactions. He also had a title plant, knowing the history of each parcel in the community. If you had a question about a piece of property and there was a title issue he was brilliant. He was brilliant. He could tell you the history of just about every single piece of property in town. And most of the people that are in the title business now either trained under or worked for Don Crisp, Businessman Allan Bense said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crisp became very involved in the Bay County Chamber of Commerce and served 1 term as chairman. Retired Chamber President Carol Roberts met Crisp in the 70s, saying he played a vital role in the countys growth and development through his community involvement. Bay County mourns death of the honorable community leader Don Crisp She says his passion, his ability to build spirit in organizations, and the recruitment of like-minded people was second to none. Roberts says the community has lost a true leader, whose legacy and foundation will affect many generations to come. As Chairman of the Committee of 100, Crisp kicked off the Share the Future program, raising over a million dollars for economic development. It remains Bay Countys only economic development incentive fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For his contributions, the chamber named Crisp the 1995 Lauren Merriam Award winner, the chambers highest honor. Local businessman and former Florida House Speaker Allan Bense first met Crisp in the 70s as well. Don was the type of guy that loved to talk. And if you wanted to find out what was going on around town, just take Donald Crisp to lunch and you would find out real quick, like what was going on. Everyone respected him. We liked him, Bense said. Crisp served on the Port Panama City Authority Board, the Gulf Coast State College Board of Trustees, and the colleges foundation. Tom Neubauer says Crisp had a major influence on Gulf Coast State College. Don was one of the first people that tapped me as a young person and said, hey, I want you to get involved in the community. And then he led by example, you know, with the Chamber of Commerce, the Committee of 100, the Port Authority Board, the Airport Authority. He actually did everything he could to make this a better place, ERA Neubauer Real Estate President Tom Neubauer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crisp may be best remembered for his work on the Bay County International Airport Authority. In the late 90s, the Federal Aviation Administration was trying to force the county to bring the old airport up to safety standards by lengthening the main runway into North Bay. Gas prices rise due to jump in oil prices The Florida Cabinet at that time shut it down. So theres going to be no expansion. So they started looking for other solutions. And this is when talks began and the new site had been located. I mean, literally, he negotiated the deal with the Saint Joe Company for the property where the airport sits today, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said. In 2001, George Washington University Aviation Institute named Crisp a Captain of American Aviation. Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport opened in 2010 and has become an economic driver for the entire panhandle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Don never gave up in trying to contribute to the community. It didnt matter how he felt or how hard he had to work. He stayed plugged in to all of his commitments, Neubauer said. I just like Don, when he walked in, he had a smile and he was just easy to get along with. And I dont think we ever had a crossword, Bense said. Don Crisps funeral is scheduled for 2:00 this Saturday afternoon at St. Andrews Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, his family is requesting donations be made to the Don Crisp Endowed Scholarship at Florida State Universitys Panama City campus. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) As we continue to remember the remarkable women of Texoma who are no longer with us, we honor Arthur Bea Williams. Arthur Bea is a North Texas legend who paved many paths in Wichita Falls for future generations, and her impact is still seen and felt today. Her name is known across north Texas, and more often than not, people describe her in one word: legendary. Remembering Remarkable Women: Shirley Craft was a force to be reckoned with Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We use the word legendary very sparingly, but when you talk about Arthur Bea, you can say legendary, said former Wichita Falls mayor Stephen Santellana, listing how Arthur Bea changed North Texas history. First black city councilwoman, first black mayor, county judge, justice of the peace, [shes] been a part of this community for a long time. A woman of many firsts, Arthur Bea was the definition of a trailblazer, shattering glass ceilings for herself and future generations. I see a woman who was born on the East Side who lived in the projects, that no one thought would amount to anything at all, said Reverend Angus Thompson, a family friend and local pastor. She broke every barrier and set a standard that I think will be difficult for others to match regardless of race and financial means. Its not just the example she set that continues to inspire. Her work as a dedicated volunteer for organizations like Child Care Partners and a mentor to students at Booker T. Washington Elementary directly impacted countless lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Remembering Remarkable Women: Charlye Ola Farris made history practicing Texas law during segregation Ms. Arthur Bea would take our students from first grade all the way up to our fifth-grade students, and she would stay for hours mentoring students, said Maurice Jordan, student success coordinator at Booker T. Washington. She didnt know what she was doing; she thought she was just trying to make it out of the projects, remarked Rev. Thompson. What she did was help others see that they could get out of the projects and live a good life, too. Arthur Bea is a North Texas Womens Hall of Fame honoree, the 2001 Wichitan of the Year and a North Texas Legend award winner. Her resume is filled with historic achievements that will live on for decades, but her kind and humble spirit makes Arthur Bea legendary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You never think about yourself as a legend; thats a pretty powerful word, Arthur Bea said about herself. I was grateful and very honored, but I certainly wouldnt have thought of myself as a legend. 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 Texomashomepage.com. DENVER (KDVR) U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen, a Democrat representing Colorados 7th Congressional District, and her husband, Ian Silverii, welcomed their second child to their family over the weekend. The new baby boy, Samuel Lee Silverii, was born Saturday in Colorado. Pettersen is recovering at home while she cares for her newborn and her new, larger family. Rep. Brittany Petterson and husband Ian Silverii with new baby boy Samuel. (Courtesy Rep. Brittany Petterson) Pettersons two sons, Davis and Samuel. (Courtesy Rep. Brittany Petterson) Rep. Brittany Petterson with new son Samuel. (Courtesy Rep. Brittany Petterson) We are overjoyed to welcome our baby boy, Sam, to our family, said Pettersen. Ian and I are deeply appreciative of the overwhelming love and support we have received from our community in Colorado and my colleagues in Congress. Davis couldnt be more excited to take on his new role as a big brother! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tax season begins, but Coloradans will have to wait to file state taxes Before her new sons birth, Pettersen had been vocal about Congresss lack of accommodations for new parents and has led calls to allow proxy or remote voting for members of Congress. Petterson is only the 14th member of Congress to have a baby while actively serving and the first from Colorado. Congress makes no accommodations for new parents, so while Im recovering and taking care of my newborn at this critical time, its incredibly unfair that my constituents will not have a voice in Congress until I am physically able to return to Washington, Pettersen said in a release. No Member should have to choose between caring for their newborn and representing their constituents. Pettersen said she will keep working for her constituents while still spending time with her family. Her offices in Washington, Lakewood and Canon City are still open and operational, according to the press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As I spend this time with my family, I will keep working for the people of Colorados 7th Congressional District, she said. My two boys remind me of whats at stake, and Im more committed than ever to making sure my constituents voices are heard in Washington. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) A special session of the Tennessee General Assembly got underway Monday, and one Northeast Tennessee lawmaker was picked to head a committee that will oversee disaster relief legislation. Rep. Timothy Hill will serve as chair of the House Disaster Relief Committee for the special session, which was called by the governor to address Hurricane Helene relief, school vouchers, and public safety/immigration issues. VP Vance: Administration cutting through red tape to speed up Helene recovery Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hill represents House District 3, which includes Johnson and part of Carter counties, both of which experienced extensive damage from Helene, plus part of Hawkins and Sullivan counties. My heart breaks for the many Tennesseans who are still struggling to put their lives back together after the devastating hurricane, Hill said in a release. The volunteer spirit has been on full display as people from all over the state have stepped up to help those in need. I thank Speaker Sexton for his confidence in me to help those in East Tennessee, and Im looking forward to working with my colleagues to efficiently deliver meaningful relief to impacted residents. Rep. Bud Hulsey of Kingsport will serve as vice-chair. Two other locals were appointed to the committee as members: Rep. Rebecca Alexander of Jonesborough and newly-elected Rep. Renea Jones of Unicoi. 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) An Abilene man accused of sexually abusing a 4-year-old child said he was following advice from a website. Brandon Nolan was booked into the Taylor County Jail last week for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child in connection to the allegations. Court documents state the mother of a 4-year-old child made a report to police in September 2024 that Nolan had been abusing her child for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This mother was able to show detectives a video where her child described him and Nolan touching each other inappropriately while they were playing a game, according to the documents. Detectives then had this mother call Nolan to ask about the allegations, and during the call, the documents state Nolan admitted to inappropriately touching the child to make him aware of his own anatomy and that he got this advice from a website but couldnt identify which one. The documents also state detectives searched Nolans phone for evidence of the website he described but they were unable to find it. Nolan was released from jail after posting a $50,000 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. Ghana is set to establish a Gold Board to better regulate gold purchases from small-scale miners, aiming to increase national earnings and reduce smuggling. Announced by the newly appointed Finance minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, the initiative is designed to help the country, Africas leading gold producer, optimize the benefits from its gold exports and contribute to the stability of its national currency. Forson noted that nearly $5 billion worth of gold exported in 2024 came from legal small-scale miners. The Gold Board, due to be launched in March, will streamline the gold trade by acting as the sole buyer through licensed aggregators and local traders, moving away from the current fragmented and unregulated system. Forson highlighted that the existing chaos in Ghanas gold purchasing sector has hindered the country from fully capitalising on its gold resources, contributing to widespread smuggling and loss of foreign exchange. The new board will also aim to ensure the country meets the stringent standards required for certification by the London Bullion Market Association, which prohibits the trade of gold linked to human rights abuses, conflict, crime, or environmental harm. In 2024, Ghanas total gold exports reached $11.64 billion, a 53.2% increase from the previous year, which played a significant role in boosting the countrys trade surplus to $4.98 billion. Forson emphasized that Ghanas future strategy will expand beyond royalties and taxes by tapping into the full gold value chain, from extraction to refining and marketing, both domestically and internationally. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) New Mexico is breaking records but not in a good way. The states Environment Department found unprecedented levels of forever chemicals in a state lake. The Department of Health issued a warning to residents, especially hunters. New Mexico, wake up. We got to do something about PFAS contamination, said James Kenney, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Environment Department. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New Mexico Environment Department released a report showing one of the state lakes is setting a world record for the highest levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in plants and wildlife. Thats terrible news for New Mexico, said Kenny. The contamination of the forever chemical was found at Holloman Lake, a wastewater reservoir for Holloman Air Force Base, located near Alamogordo and close to White Sands National Park. The bad part about PFAS is that they are known carcinogens at this point. They can cause cancer. They can cause reproductive health issues in both men and women, said Kenney. Kenney said its animals like kangaroo rats that unintentionally poison the ecosystem. He went on to say the death of the small animal would exponentially contaminate the soil. And by just simply being there and eating the insects and the grasses and being around that water, theyre picking up these pfas levels, said Kenney. They looked at the amount of PFAS in the flora and fauna, and while they expected to see the chemicals, What we didnt expect is to break or hold a world record that nobody wants to hold, said Kenney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while the lake has been closed to hunters since last year, the chemicals could affect those who have hunted in the area between 2010 and 2024. Here were talking about you hunt wild game, you prepare it, you eat a dime size amount of that meat, and youre exposed to a lifetime of PFAS, said Kenney. The department is also warning hunters not to eat any wild game that may be associated with Holloman Lake migratory paths. They have documented foams containing PFAS on the shoreline of the lake, which they said is spreading chemicals. NMED is introducing a two-bill package this legislative session. It aims to reduce the risk of PFAS and hazardous waste contamination to New Mexicans. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nineteen Republican attorneys general are urging Costco Wholesale to eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, days after the retailer defended those policies to shareholders, according to CBS News. The officials, led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, sent a letter to Costco CEO Ron Vachris, accusing the company of continuing DEI policies that courts and businesses have rejected as illegal. The attorneys general demand that Costco either drop its DEI initiatives or explain why it wont within 30 days, claiming that these policies pose legal risks to the company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter came shortly after Costco shareholders rejected a proposal by the National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank, to evaluate potential risks associated with the companys DEI policies. Costcos board of directors had urged shareholders to vote against the proposal from the National Center for Public Policy Research. The board stated that a diverse group of employees helps bring originality and creativity to our merchandise offerings, promoting the treasure hunt that our customers value. The company also stated that commitment to an enterprise rooted in respect and inclusion is appropriate and necessary and that a report on potential risks would not add any valuable information. The National Center for Public Policy Researchs proposal argued that DEI is weaponized language concealing a radical Marxist agenda. However, Costco shareholders overwhelmingly rejected the proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This action by the attorneys general comes amid a trend of companies, including Target and Walmart, scaling back on DEI initiatives. According to reports, Target joined the growing list of companies cutting back on DEI programs a day after Costcos shareholder vote. These moves come as conservative activists, emboldened by recent court decisions and former President Trumps actions to ban DEI programs across the federal government, are increasingly challenging diversity initiatives. DEI programs, intended to promote fairness in the workplace for people of color, women, sexual orientation and gender identity, gained prominence after the 2020 murder of George Floyd. KIRO 7 News has reached out to Costco for comment on several topics. They have not responded to multiple requests. The full text of the letter sent to Costco: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ron Vachris President and Chief Executive Officer Costco Wholesale Corporation 999 Lake Drive Issaquah, Washington 98027 Dear Mr. Vachris: We, the undersigned Attorneys General of 19 States, urge Costco to end all unlawful discrimination imposed by the company through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Although Costcos motto is do the right thing, it appears that the company is doing the wrong thingclinging to DEI policies that courts and businesses have rejected as illegal. Costco should treat every person equally and based on their merit, rather than based on divisive and discriminatory DEI practices. That reflects President Trumps executive order encouraging the Private Sector to End Illegal DEI discrimination and Preferences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court has repeatedly warned against using race-based preferences and classifications. Most recently, Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard explained that Distinctions between citizens solely because of their ancestry are by their very nature odious to a free people whose institutions are founded upon the doctrine of equality. That is because, as Shaw v. Reno noted, racial classifications reinforce the belief, held by too many for too much of our history, that individuals should be judged by the color of their skin. That reflects our Constitution, as Harvard recognized, that, [r]acial discrimination [is] invidious in all contexts. Race-neutral practices, on the other hand, honor the founding ideals of this country. Pena-Rodriguez v. Colorado held that It must become the heritage of our Nation to rise above racial classifications that are so inconsistent with our commitment to the equal dignity of all persons. And as Justice Thomas wrote in Harvard, DEI is inconsistent with the principles so clearly enunciated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States: that all men are created equal, are equal citizens, and must be treated equally before the law. Costco should not have policies that discriminate in hiring based on race or gender. Immediately following the Supreme Courts SFFA decision, State Attorneys General warned corporate America to stop unlawful DEI policies. Thankfully, many companies listened. Companies renouncing DEI include Amazon, Ford, John Deere, McDonalds, Meta, and Walmart. As the Wall Street Journal explained, [c]ompanies are wise to re-examine their policies even without the political pressure, which is steering companies back to their fundamental mission to focus on increasing shareholder value, rather than politics. This is a refreshing change. Inexplicably, Costco has doubled down on DEI. Last month, Costcos board of directors unanimously recommended that shareholders vote against a proposal requiring Costco to study and report on financial risks associated with its DEI policies. While defending the companys DEI policies to a customer, you reportedly proclaimed that you are not prepared to change. Unfortunately given board composition that is not surprising. One member of your board of directors, who previously served aks CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has called for companies to maximize DEI efforts. Costcos position runs contrary to the Supreme Courts recent decisions and raises concerns about Costcos compliance with State and federal laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the Harvard decision, State Attorneys General have diligently worked to stop unlawful discriminatory practices. Some companies have been sued over DEI policies. Other companies are under investigation for issues relating to DEI. And beyond eliminating legal exposure, repealing its DEI policies would provide Costco with time to deal with other important issues, such as questions regarding the alleged connection between Costco products and slave labor in China. Now, the federal government is also focusing on ensuring invidious racebased discrimination no longer finds a home in woke corporations. President Trumps executive order recognized that [i]llegal DEI and DEIA policies not only violate the text and spirit of our longstanding Federal civil-rights laws, they also undermine our national unity. The Supreme Court said it best: Eliminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it. For the good of its employees, investors, and customers, Costco should do the right thing by following the law and repealing its DEI policies. Within 30 days, please either notify us that Costco has repealed its DEI policies or explain why Costco has failed to do so. We look forward to your response. The U.S. and Wisconsin flags at half staff in commemoration of those killed and wounded in a December school shooting in Madison. (Photo by Erik Gunn/Wisconsin Examiner) Republican lawmakers are proposing bills they say will help protect children from gun violence by arming teachers, providing grants to schools to improve building safety and staff training and eliminating taxes on gun safes. In the aftermath of the December school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, in which a teacher and student were killed and six others were injured, Gov. Tony Evers announced at the State of the State address that he plans to propose stricter background checks and red flag laws to address gun violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican leaders were not receptive to the proposals. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said there are already some gun control measures in state statute and added, sometimes people do bad things and theres only so much that we can do to prevent it. Republican lawmakers in the last week have started circulating three proposals they say would be more effective in curbing gun violence. One of the proposals, from Rep. Scott Allen (R-Waukesha) and Sen. Cory Tomczyk (R-Mosinee), would allow teachers with a gun license to carry firearms on campus if school boards adopt a policy saying its allowed. School shootings are tragedies we hate to see The knowledge that no one on the premises has the firepower to stop them emboldens bad actors, the lawmakers stated in a co-sponsorship memo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked at a Monday press conference why his proposal is preferable to Evers, Allen noted that an armed guard is typically stationed outside his office in the state Capitol. Must be for a reason. If you travel with the governor, youll find that he has Wisconsin State Patrol armed with him wherever he goes Why should he deserve that kind of protection and not our kids in schools? Allen said. The reality is that if somebody is intent on doing evil, and they have a weapon of any sort whether its a firearm or a knife or anything theyre dangerous, and we need to meet force with force, if were going to stop it. Allen also said that he thinks many actions could be taken to address school shootings including working to improve mental health. Weve supported things in the past regarding that supported the governor in increasing mental health aides and improving our schools ability to communicate with students and address mental health issues in schools, Allen said. We need to harden the targets. We need to make it impossible or practically impossible for any perpetrator to get in our schools to begin with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), there were 503 mass shootings in 2024 and as of Jan. 27, there have been 18 in 2025. GVA defines a mass shooting as one where there are a minimum of four victims shot, either injured or killed, not including any shooter who may also have been killed or injured in the incident. A 2024 report by Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions found that firearms continue to be a leading cause of death for kids and teens, and that Black children and teens are disproportionately the victims. Wisconsins current law prohibits people with the exception of law enforcement officers from carrying firearms on school grounds, and any individual found knowingly possessing one could be charged with a felony. The bill making it legal for teachers to carry guns to school would also seek to make it easier for teachers to obtain a gun license by waiving the cost of the initial application fee, renewal fee and background check fee for teachers who apply for a license. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the second time the lawmakers have introduced the proposal. They introduced it for the first time in 2023 at the request of the Germantown school board. The board passed a resolution in August 2022 following a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which killed 19 children and two teachers and injured 17 others. We need to protect our students from bad actors who perversely seek infamy, and we should allow local school boards, with community input, to determine the right policies to ensure that students are protected, the lawmakers stated. Sometimes the best way to deter bad actors is with the threat of force, and this bill gives that choice to school districts. Grants to schools Another proposal from Sen. Jesse James (R-Thorp), Rep. Joy Goeben (R-Hobart) and Allen would provide grants for Wisconsin public, private and tribal schools to improve the safety of their buildings and provide security training for school personnel. The bill would invest $30 million in a one-time grant program that would be administered by the Office of School Safety. The office, which is a part of the Department of Justice, was created under the 2017 Wisconsin Act 143, and under that law, $100 million was appropriated to the DOJ in fiscal year 2018-19 for awarding school safety grants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, the DOJ was able to award 1,325 grants totaling $94.5 million to school districts, private, independent charter and tribal schools and the remaining funds went to supporting other school safety initiatives, including adolescent mental health training. As a state, we need to ensure that our Wisconsin schools have the necessary tools and resources needed to create and maintain a safe learning environment for all students, the lawmakers stated in a memo to their colleagues. Just like the funding from Act 143, we are confident that these additional funds will achieve this goal of giving more Wisconsin schools the chance to further enhance and update their safety measures. The new proposal would give priority to schools that did not receive any grant funds or missed the deadlines in the prior funding rounds, but it would be open to any schools. The DOJ would be able to award a maximum amount of $20,000 to an applicant. Under the bill, the program would sunset on July 1, 2027. Tax exemption for gun safes Another pair of lawmakers Rep. Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee) and Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) are proposing eliminating taxes on gun safes as a way to help people afford them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawmakers said in a memo that they are putting the legislation forth to encourage people to store guns securely, and keep children safe from accidental injury, death, and suicide. Simply put, this bill promotes responsible gun safety, the lawmakers stated. Evers included a similar measure in his 2023-25 budget proposal, but it was removed by Republican lawmakers. A handful of states including Michigan, Tennessee and Washington have adopted this policy. A similar bill was also proposed in 2019 with bipartisan support, though it failed to pass either chamber. At the time, the state Department of Revenue estimated that the bill would have resulted in $309,000 in lost tax revenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Democratic senator is skeptical the measure would adequately address the gun violence problem facing the state and that lawmakers should be taking stronger actions to reduce the harm that children face from guns. Wisconsinites want safe communities where our kids have the freedom to learn and reach their potential without the fear of gun violence. Instead of implementing proven measures to reduce firearm injuries and gun violence, like safe storage laws and universal background checks, GOP politicians are offering a tax exemption, Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Madison) said in a statement. Safe storage laws which have been adopted by 26 states across the U.S. require gun owners to store their firearms in a way that prevents unauthorized access, in order to keep guns out of the hands of children. We need to ensure that kids cant access guns, and that if a house with kids has guns, they are stored safely away from kids, Roys continued. This bill will do virtually nothing to keep kids safe, but the GOP politicians now cynically backing it are hoping it will keep them safe during their next election. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A group of Republican attorneys general are demanding Costco end all of its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies as a plethora of other retailers drop their programs. In a letter to the wholesale store on Monday, the 19 Republicans demand Costco repeal their DEI policies within the next 30 days. If not, the attorneys general say, the company must provide an explanation as to why. The GOP officials, led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, argue the companys DEI policies are discriminatory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Costcos motto is do the right thing, it appears that the company is doing the wrong thing clinging to DEI policies that courts and businesses have rejected as illegal, the letter states. Costco should treat every person equally and based on their merit, rather than based on divisive and discriminatory DEI practices. The letter points to President Trumps recent orders to dismantle DEI in the federal government and private sector. That order, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-based Opportunity, states that DEI policies not only violate the text and spirit of our longstanding Federal civil-rights laws, they also undermine our national unity, as they deny, discredit, and undermine the traditional American values of hard work, excellence, and individual achievement in favor of an unlawful, corrosive, and pernicious identity-based spoils system. During the 2024 campaign cycle, Republicans across the nation, including Trump, vowed to repeal DEI policies. While companies including Target, Tractor Supply Co., John Deere, McDonalds and Walmart have all rolled back their DEI policies, Costco has been among retailers to double down on theirs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just this month, more than 98 percent of shareholders voted against a proposal to evaluate any risks posed by its DEI practices. One shareholder, Jeff Raikes, co-founder of the Raikes Foundation and former CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, argued in an op-ed for Forbes that opportunistic politicians have been trying to frighten and divide us by making DEI a dirty word. DEI has come under fire since the Supreme Courts 2023 decision to end affirmative action in college admissions, which the letter highlights multiple times. Race-neutral practices, the letter argues, honor the founding ideals of this country. Costco should do the right thing by following the law and repealing its DEI policies, the letter concludes. In addition to Paxton and Bird, the letter was also signed by Kansass Kris Kobach; Alabamas Steve Marshall; Louisianas Liz Murrill; Arkansass Tim Griffin; Missouris Andrew T. Bailey; Georgias Chris Carr; Montanas Austin Knudsen; Idahos Raul R. Labrador; Nebraskas Mike Hilgers; Kentuckys Rusell M. Coleman; North Dakotas Drew Wrigley; Ohios Dave Yost; Oklahomas Gentner Drummond; South Carolinas Alan Wilson; South Dakotas Marty Jackley; Tennessees Jonathan Skrmetti; and Virginias Jason S. Miyares. 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 Senate voted to confirm Scott Bessent, President Donald Trumps pick to lead the Treasury Department, on a bipartisan basis with a tally of 68-29. This came after the whirlwind confirmation process for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who had kept his vote quiet, announced his support for Hegseth right before he walked onto the Senate floor, while Sen. Mitch McConnell shocked many when he joined Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine in opposition. Vice President JD Vance then had to head to the Capitol to cast his first tie-breaking vote in a dramatic fashion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as Inside Washington wrote last week, Hegseth was a cakewalk compared to the next round of confirmation votes. Perhaps the most tenuous confirmation will be for Tulsi Gabbard, Trumps pick to be director of National Intelligence. Unlike Hegseth, a former Fox News host and outspoken supporter of not only Trump but also the various culture wars that the right has hammered for years, Gabbards specific policies might cause significant heartburn for old-school Republican hawks like McConnell, Collins, Murkowski and others. Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trumps nominee for director of National Intelligence, faces a rough confirmation hearing. (Getty Images) Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman who quit the party and endorsed Trump, has a number of hurdles to clear. For one, she will almost surely be asked about whey she visited now-deposed Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and about her parroting Russian talking points. But thats not the only area where she might face significant questioning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senator Angus King, an Independent from Maine who caucuses with the Democrats, told The Independent that she faces significant questions about her previous support for Edward Snowden, a former National Security Agency intelligence contractor and whistleblower who leaked classified documents revealing the existence of U.S. global surveillance programs. Gabbard went so far as to ask Trump to pardon Snowden back in 2020. Shell also have to deal with other areas where shell likely encounter opposition. There are still issues about her position of the 702 for example, Collins told The Independent. Some Republicans object to her stance on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows the gathering of foreign intelligence on non-Americans outside of the United States without a warrant. Gabbard has tried to walk back her earlier criticism of the program, but Collins said she had issues with Gabbards responses. The hearing will take place during the same time as the confirmation hearing of one of Trumps other nominees who will give Republicans heartburn: the Health and Human Services hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the environmental lawyer-turned-anti-vaccine activist. Sen. Susan Collins has said she still has concerns about Gabbards views on foreign surveillance. (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) That's going to make things difficult for those of us who serve on both committees, said Collins, who serves on both the Intelligence Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabbard became a favorite even before her defection from the Democratic Party. During the first Trump transition, she visited Trump Tower in New York and earned praise from Trumpworld luminaries like Steve Bannon. Other newer Republicans like Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, whom she knew in the House, will inevitably support her, as will other more pro-Trump Republicans who arrived later. I dont need to hear anything else from Tulsi Gabbard, Im going to vote for her, Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio told The Independent, joking: Im easy. This means more attention will fall on Republicans like Todd Young of Indiana, a critic of Trump with a more conventional Republican foreign policy outlook, and Tillis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's pretty straightforward. If she gets unanimous support out of committee, I'm supporting her, he told The Independent. Tillis said he focused more on Hegseth because he spent eight years on the Armed Services Committee. But I don't have any expertise in Intel, so I'm going to defer to the majority, and it would take everybody on the committee to vote her out, he said. Tillis has to walk a tightrope because of the fact that many of the MAGA faithful and conservatives distrust him and he risks a primary challenge. But he will also be up for re-election in two years in a state that votes by the tightest margins. A Democrat like former governor Roy Cooper could mount a credible challenge. As for McConnell, the purse-lipped former majority leader, has not let his losing his old perch change the fact that he refuses to speak to reporters, only flashing a smirk, as if to tell reporters hes got a surprise ready for them. (Reuters) - Nineteen Republican attorneys general have called on Costco Wholesale to abandon its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, citing concerns about discrimination and legal risks. This comes after 98% of the U.S. retailer's shareholders last week voted against a proposal requesting a report on the risks tied to its diversity and inclusion initiatives, pushing back against the growing scrutiny such policies face. Costco did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment outside regular business hours. State officials in a letter to Costco's top boss Ron Vachris accused his company of doubling down on policies they allege violate merit-based principles and federal law. The 19 Republican officials, co-led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird have demanded Costco notify the states within 30 days whether it will repeal its DEI policies or provide an explanation for maintaining them. The pressure from the Republicans comes after U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing government agency chiefs to dismantle DEI policies at federal agencies, federal contractors and in the private sector. Companies such as Meta Platforms, Amazon.com, JPMorgan Chase and Boeing have modified their initiatives, scrapped their DEI goals or ended participation in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's corporate equity index. (Reporting by Bipasha Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Saad Sayeed) WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Many Americans are receiving their W2 forms, as tax season is approaching. Republican members of Congress warn, at this time next year, paychecks could be smaller, because the 2017 Tax Cuts are due to expire. If we do nothing this year, were going to have $4.5 trillion of expiring tax cuts, said Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.). Congress passed, and President Donald Trump signed the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the top of our Republican agenda is extending that tax cut, said Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the Senate Majority Leader. Republicans said the tax cuts spurred growth. The tax cuts actually generated more revenue, said Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.). The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicts extending the tax cuts would add $3.3 trillion to the deficits over the next 10 years. Democrats said the cuts would only benefit the wealthy. The Department of Treasury under the Biden administration said the highest earning Americans would see the largest difference if the tax cuts were extended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we are not willing to do is to enable the extreme MAGA Republicans to have a blank check so they can enact massive tax breaks for billionaires, said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), the House Minority Leader. President Trump said hell likely need support from Democrats to extend the 2017 cuts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The News Senate Republicans are eyeing a backup plan to get Tulsi Gabbards nomination to the floor if she cant win over all nine of their Intelligence Committee members. It wouldnt be pretty, but it could get her a floor vote and, potentially, confirmation as President Donald Trumps director of national intelligence. The Intelligence Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., has the power to send Gabbards nomination to the full Senate with no recommendation or an unfavorable recommendation, which is less ideal rather than a favorable vote. With Gabbards nomination facing severe headwinds on the panel, those could end up as Republicans best options to get her confirmed if she cant reverse her fortunes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are probably, perhaps, creative ways to get Gabbard out of committee, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told Semafor. But obviously, ideally, you want to see a nominee thats coming out of committee with an affirmative vote. Asked if hed consider using the back-up plan, Thune replied: Dont want to go there. As Gabbard prepares for a Thursday committee hearing that could make or break her bid to join Trumps Cabinet, though, theres quiet talk among Republicans about extracting her from the committee without a favorable recommendation. The former Hawaii Democratic congresswoman wouldnt be the first Trump nominee to take that rare route to confirmation. In 2017, the Senate Homeland Security Committee advanced Mick Mulvaneys nomination to be Trumps White House budget director to the floor with no recommendation amid reservations from former Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who was a panel member at the time. Mulvaney eventually got confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GOP leaders would clearly prefer that the Senate confirm Gabbard via the usual process, reporting her favorably to the floor after her hearing. But the 53-seat Republican majority has enough reservations about her nomination to put her whip count in jeopardy. Chief among Gabbards issues: Her past statements that some have seen as too warm toward Vladimir Putin, her meeting with deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and her views on US intelligence programs. Cotton is defending Gabbard on social media and coordinating closely with Tulsi and her team for the hearing, a person familiar with the process told Semafor. The Intelligence chairmans clear task is to get her out of committee to the floor, where Thune and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso would work to ensure she has 50 votes. The full Senate can also vote to discharge nominees from committee if the panel is unable to cobble a majority together for anything, but that can be subject to a 60-vote threshold. A previous agreement to bring tied committee votes to the floor expired with the 50-50 Senate in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans could also report other Trump nominees to the Senate floor without favorable recommendations if they get tied up in committee. One example: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who also faces Senate committees this week. Know More Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, sits on the Intelligence Committee and has raised questions about Gabbards view of certain government surveillance programs. She, along with Sens. Todd Young of Indiana and Jerry Moran of Kansas, have not said how they will vote on Gabbard which is not unusual before a hearing for an unconventional nominee. Collins opposed Pete Hegseths nomination to lead the Pentagon last week, as did Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. McConnell voted to advance Hegseths nomination before opposing him on a final vote, a reminder that sometimes senators can support a nominee on his or her way to confirmation before voting no in the end. Still, some Republicans worry that, if Gabbard cant get out of committee, she could simply face a failed floor vote given skepticism from McConnell and Murkowski, as well as the three Intelligence Committee members whove stayed mum. Republicans are not bullish on any Democrats bailing them out by supporting Gabbard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im going to see how the hearing goes. I dont know why thats controversial, said Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa. Im going to vote for some [nominees], and vote no on others. Presidential nominees need a simple majority in the Senate; Vice President JD Vance can break a tie, as he did on Hegseth. Notable PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) Its primary day in Northwest Florida as thousands are expected to cast their ballots in a special congressional race. Nearly a dozen Republicans face off on the ballot. The winner becomes the partys nominee to fill the recently vacated Matt Gaetz seat. Its a crowded field and by tonight well have one Republican standingand because of the political make-up in the district that person will be a heavy favorite to win the seat this April. Monday workers and volunteers at the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office spent the day going through mail-in-ballots and getting trucks loaded up with election gear for the dozens of polling locations around the county. This is a Republican-only primary with the Democratic party candidate already decided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender says last weeks historic snow storm cut down their early voting days by nearly half. With extended hours, people eager to beat the snow storm, and a competitive ballot, they had 450 more Republican early voters than they had with last years Republican presidential preference primary. We were closed for three days, but we also expanded our hours by an hour and a half each day. The three days leading up to the storm and then went to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. the two days after the storm and we reopened. Even though the county was closed on Friday. We did have all of our locations open on Friday, said Bender. Its going to be a relatively small voter turnoutbender says theyre at 10% now and could see up to 18% at the end of the day for Escambia 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 WKRG News 5. A group of Zimbabwes liberation war veterans has called on, on January 28, President Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign, accusing him of nepotism, corruption, and mishandling the countrys struggling economy. The veterans, who are affiliated with the ruling Zanu-PF Party, expressed their dissatisfaction during a press conference, with one prominent member, Blessed Runesu Geza, urging the President to step down immediately. Geza, who was part of Zimbabwes liberation war, criticized Mnangagwa for failing to fulfil his 2017 promises, and for the countrys deteriorating conditions, including corruption and economic decline. Zanu-PF officials, however, have dismissed these calls, with spokesperson Farai Marapira labelling them as rogue rantings. Marapira stated that the partys official stance is unchanged, following a recent conference where party leaders resolved that Mnangagwa should seek a third term in 2028, contingent on constitutional amendments. Political analyst Eldred Masunungure noted that the war veterans frustration stems from unmet expectations following Mnangagwas rise to power in 2017, following the removal of Robert Mugabe. He observed that while the veterans frustrations are clear, the outcome of their actions remains uncertain. The situation highlights growing divisions within Zanu-PF, as some factions back Mnangagwas continued leadership, while others, including the war veterans, push for change. Zimbabwes constitution allows for the impeachment of the president if deemed incapacitated, and with Mnangagwa set to be 86 in 2028, his political future remains a topic of significant debate. Gov. Tony Evers signed the 2023-25 budget bill with 51 partial vetoes on July 5, 2023. (Baylor Spears | Wisconsin Examiner) Wisconsin Republicans are proposing a constitutional amendment that would restrict the governors partial veto power on appropriation bills. The lawmakers Rep. Scott Allen (R-Waukesha), Sens. Cory Tomczyck (R-Mosinee) and Julian Bradley (R-New Berlin) said in a statement that the partial veto power has been abused by governors to twist legislation passed by elected representatives into something that is unrecognizable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need a permanent fix to this problem, the lawmakers stated. Wisconsin has one of the strongest partial veto powers for its executive in the country, but it has been limited several times across history. The ability to exercise the Vanna White veto eliminating single letters within words was barred in 1990 by a constitutional amendment. Another constitutional amendment passed in 2008 eliminated the Frankenstein veto the ability for governors to create new sentences by combining parts of two or more sentences. In 2020, a decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled three of Evers partial vetoes unconstitutional, limiting the power further. There still is no consensus about the extent of the power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, the state Constitution says that the veto may not create a new word by rejecting individual letters in the words of the enrolled bill, and may not create a new sentence by combining parts of 2 or more sentences. This would be replaced, under the current proposal, to say the governor may only reject one or more entire bill sections. Allen said during a press conference that the proposal would return the state to the original intent of the veto power. He pointed to a Legislative Reference Bureau report that states there is no evidence that the partial veto power was originally intended to allow the governor to fashion new words or sentences or to embark on new policy directions not intended by the Legislature. The partial veto was intended to be a check on the Legislature, not a means for the governor to rewrite legislation. Rep. Scott Allen The attempt to limit the power comes after Evers used it last session to extend school funding increases for 400 years a move that Republicans criticized as overstepping his power. The Court has taken a case considering the veto. Republican lawmakers pointed to a comment by Justice Jill Karofsky during arguments, in which she said, It does feel like the skys the limit, and perhaps today, we are at that fork in the road, and were trying to think, like, should we today in 2024 start to look at this differently? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback said in a statement about the proposal that it says a lot about Republicans priorities that they are attempting to put yet another Republican-drafted and Republican-backed constitutional amendment on the ballot while they refuse to give the people of Wisconsin that same opportunity. Evers has criticized Republican lawmakers for repeatedly legislating by constitutional amendment and has proposed implementing a citizen ballot initiative in Wisconsin to allow voters to amend the law without input from lawmakers. Republicans message to the people of Wisconsin is clear: power for me but not for thee, Cudaback said. If Republican lawmakers are going to continue ignoring the will of the people and legislating by constitutional amendment, then they should approve Gov. Evers plan to give the people of Wisconsin the power to pass policies by a majority vote at the ballot box. When it comes to ongoing use of the amendment process, Allen said, the Constitution gives us the power to amend. It specifically calls on the Legislature to amend the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to citizen-led initiatives, Allen noted that he lived in California for four years and said it can be very intimidating to receive information about ballot initiatives. He said that he thinks the current process of passing legislation works quite well. What we dont want to do is we dont want to discourage people from voting, so I think that the process is designed in a democratic republic like we have where citizens want to see law changes, they talk to their representatives, Allen said. As a constitutional amendment, the lawmakers proposal would need to pass the Legislature in two consecutive sessions before going to voters, who would decide whether to ratify it. This is the second constitutional amendment lawmakers have proposed in recent years to curb the governors veto power. One passed the Legislature last session that intends to prevent the governor from creating or increasing or authorizing the creation or increase of any tax or fee using the partial veto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen said the new proposal encompasses the issue the tax-related proposal was seeking to address, but that lawmakers may be interested in putting both measures before voters. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX CHICAGO More than three years after his conviction on sweeping gang racketeering charges, reputed Four Corner Hustlers boss Labar Spann will get a new trial after a surprise disclosure showed a prosecutor had promised a star witness less time in prison than what was told to the jury. Spann, 46, had been facing mandatory life in prison after being convicted in November 2021 of directing or participated in four murders as well as a number of robberies and extortions over the course of two decades. In a brief court hearing Tuesday, prosecutors told U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin they were dropping their opposition to a new trial for Spann, though they continue to oppose a separate motion to dismiss the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Durkin tentatively set a trial date of for Sept. 8. The controversy undoes one of the most significant gang racketeering trials at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in recent years, and adds yet another chapter to Spanns legal saga, which began with his arrest on gun charges 10 years ago. Prosecutors alleged Spann took over the reins of the West Side gang after he was shot and paralyzed in 1999, using murder to elevate the gangs reputation for ruthlessness as well as his own street cred. Among the murders the jury found Spann participated in was the infamous contract killing of Latin Kings boss Rudy Kato Rangel. A total of 18 witnesses identified Spann as the leader of the Four Corner Hustlers, including some of Spanns top henchmen who cooperated with prosecutors in hopes for leniency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The star witness was Sammie Booker, a Four Corner Hustlers hitman who began cooperating in 2012 and testified about numerous crimes, including several of the murders at the center of the trial as well as, attempted murders, extortion, robbery, and drug dealing. At trial, Booker told the jury his deal with the U.S. attorneys office called for them to recommend a prison sentence of 25 to 35 years. After the trial was over, however, it was revealed that then-Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Salib had assured Booker hed recommend a sentence of just 25 years, without the potential higher range. Spanns attorneys allege in a court filing in November that the undisclosed promise was made after Booker told prosecutors shortly before his grand jury testimony that he was getting cold feet and wasnt happy with his deal. He also didnt want to testify about the murder of a person named Gus, the motion stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Booker was purportedly wavering, Salib was running out of time, the defense motion stated. The special grand jury that was convened to decide this case was set to expireIt was at this time, with the clock winding down, and Booker on the fence, that Salib told Booker that he would recommend 25 years at his sentencing and remove Guss murder from the upcoming testimony. Bookers defense attorney at the time was present for the conversation, and Booker claimed he and Salib shook hands over the deal, the motion stated. But the alleged promise of the 25-year term was never reveled in subsequent hearings, including Bookers grand jury testimony or his guilty plea in 2019, where Durkin repeated the 25- to 35-year range contained in the plea agreement and asked Booker and Solib if that was the only agreement related to sentencing. Yes, your honor, Booker replied, according to a transcript of the hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All right. Nothing else, Mr. Salib? asked the judge. No, your honor, Salib said. Salib abruptly left the U.S. attorneys office shortly before Spanns trial in 2021 and is now in private practice. He did not respond to a call seeking comment Tuesday, and his attorney had no comment. The deadline for prosecutors to respond to the allegations is Feb. 28, court records show. When the alleged promise was revealed in post-trial filings last year, Durkin said he was troubled that regardless of what Booker was told, there were attorneys that knew better and shouldve corrected the record at many different spots in this saga. The undisclosed promise of a recommendation of 25 years by the government was out there since 2017, and you knew it, Durkin said in April 2024. ____ YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley announced Tuesday it received a $10,000 donation from Premier Bank. The funds will be used for the 2025 Rescue Mission Dinner Benefit, Annual Point 5K and the Mahoning Valley Coffee Trail fundraising events. Trish Gelsomino, Foundation Giving Coordinator, says Premier Bank is proud to support the mission as it works to promote accountability and provide food and emergency shelter to men, women and children experiencing hunger and homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information regarding the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley, call 330-744-5486 or visit its 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 WKBN.com. Thousands of dollars for international flights, high-end electronics, and other items all bought with taxpayer dollars. I thought it was very problematic, its a major issue when youre dealing with taxpayer money, City of South Fulton homeowner Patricia Wise said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] City of South Fulton taxpayers are calling for an investigation into Mayor Khalid Kamau, now known as Mayor Kobi, and his P-card purchases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is this money well spent for you? Channel 2s Investigative Reporter Ashli Lincoln asked Wise. Absolutely not, Wise responded. New documents reveal the mayor spent more than $1,800 for a table for his office, that converts into a pool table. The city manager is the person thats supposed to be signing off and approving all transactions regarding all P-card, the city manager, Councilwoman Helen Willis told councilmembers during a Jan. 14 council meeting, According to policy, the mayor is not allotted to exceed $10,000 in one month. In September, he spent more than $9,000 on travel, including multiple flight upgrades. Statements from June 2024 expenses show the mayor purchased two plane tickets totaling more than $1,000 for a trip to Paris. Documents indicate he was accompanied by his chief of staff on the Paris trip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Willis told Lincoln, the mayor does not have authorization to take employees on domestic or international trips. Our travel policy does not allow us to upgrade seats and there are multiple upgrades, Willis said. MORE STORIES FROM 2 INVESTIGATES: Statements show October was the mayors most expensive month, having spent more than $13,000. The most expensive purchase included two Ethiopian Airlines tickets totaling $2,343 for the mayor and another person named Danielle. Its raised a whole lot of alarms over here, Wise said. Last week the mayor told Lincoln this criticism was politically motivated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Channel 2 Action News story last week, Mayor Kobi agreed to do a sit-down interview with Lincoln. On Monday, he cancelled. He says he plans to address these allegations during Tuesdays council meeting. However last week, the mayor attempted to explain his side during a board meeting. I had a whole presentation that I was going to give, Im not going to do it now, Kobi told the council. He told the board because of the meeting length they ran out of time to discuss his travel. Theres been a lot of conversation, a lot of uses of my name and my trip, I tried to explain it but I spent an hour letting everyone else talk, Kobi said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can be elected into the office and spend the taxpayer dollars as you choose with no repercussions, South Fulton homeowner Krystal Price said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Other council members during that meeting also stated they misused their P-cards because theres been confusion with the citys charter. Willis says the mayor has violated the citys charter, P-card, and travel policy, by not getting approval for multiple purchases but also purchasing items that are not approved for spending. According to the citys P-card policy, employees are required to obtain written authorization from the purchasing director and city manager. Willis says the mayor did not do that for these purchases. The policy also indicates individual meals and beverages not associated with approved travel and electronics are prohibited purchases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its really a smear campaign, you will see in the meetings the people who are talking the most are running for mayor in 2025, Kobi said. Kobi would not answer why he hasnt submitted 112 outstanding receipts for multiple purchases. City of South Fulton policy states receipts must be submitted within 72 hours after a purchase. Channel 2 Action News reached out to the Fulton County District Attorneys office to see if its investigating this matter. A spokesperson said it cant comment at this time. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to face a grilling from skeptical senators at confirmation hearings to become Secretary of Health and Human Services amid stubborn questions over his controversial stances on vaccines, food safety and abortion rights. The Donald Trump nominee is sure to be hammered over his skepticism about vaccines, including the life-saving COVID jabs and routine shots that had all but eradicated once-killer diseases like measles and polio. He may also face opposition from pro-life Trump loyalists who would ordinarily be strongly opposed to any nominee like Kennedy who supports a womans right to abortion care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RFK Jr. will face questioning by the finance committee Wednesday, which is expected to focus on his potential stewardship of the Medicare and Medicaid programs that serve tens of millions of elderly, disabled and poor Americans. Things could get even tougher for the scion of famed Democratic political royalty on Thursday when the health committee will get its shot. Kennedy has repeatedly questioned the efficacy and even safety of vaccines touted by most doctors as medical miracles responsible for saving tens of million lives globally. He has also backed debunked claims of a link between vaccines and autism. Sen. Mitch McConnell, the former GOP Senate leader, survived polio as a child and is a fervent proponent of vaccines, making him a potential no vote. Sen. Cassidy, R-Louisiana, has also expressed grave reservations about Kennedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Make America Healthy Again leader could also could face questions about his harsh criticism of Big Pharma and giant American food processing companies, both of which he has accused of poisoning American consumers. Those views could win sympathy from progressive Democrats but the powerful corporate interests can normally count on strong support from Republican lawmakers. If confirmed, Kennedy would oversee agencies that impact the lives of most Americans including the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration. Once considered a gadfly environmental activist, Kennedy mulled a longshot challenge to former President Joe Biden, but switched to an independent White House bid in 2023. He dropped out of the campaign and endorsed Trump in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two more of Trumps other controversial cabinet nominees are teed up for their own confirmation hearings on Thursday. Tulsi Gabbard, whos in line to be Director of National Intelligence, will face questions from Democrats and Republicans alike over her mercurial foreign policy stances over the years, including cozy ties to Russia and ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. FBI Director-nominee Kash Patel, meanwhile, could run into problems over his support for using law enforcement to retaliate against Trumps political enemies. Trump has mostly succeeded in pushing through his cabinet nominees, despite widespread establishment concern over their lack of traditional qualifications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz pulled the plug on his attorney general nomination after a congressional ethics report accused him of sleeping with an underage girl at drug-fueled parties. But Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth eked out a win despite questions about excessive drinking and a financial settlement to resolve a sexual assault claim. Vice President JD Vance broke a 50-50 senate tie on his nomination. The three GOP no votes on Hegseth could be a sign that others may struggle to get needed support, especially since McConnell joined moderate Sen. Susan Collins and Sen. Lisa Murkowski in breaking ranks. Robert Kennedy Jr is a predator who put mice in a blender to feed his hawks, his cousin has claimed in a letter submitted to lawmakers. Caroline Kennedy claimed that Mr Kennedy, Donald Trumps nominee for US health and human services secretary, would put chicks and mice in a blender in a perverse scene of despair and violence. Mr Kennedy faces Senate confirmation hearings beginning on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It follows a series of bizarre stories about the former presidential candidate, including claims that he ate a dog in Korea which he denies and dismembered a whale corpse. He has admitted to dumping the body of a bear cub in a New York park. I have known Bobby my whole life; we grew up together, Ms Kennedy, a former US ambassador to Australia under Joe Biden, Mr Trumps predecessor, wrote in her letter. Its no surprise that he keeps birds of prey as pets because he himself is a predator, she wrote in the letter. She alleged: His basement, his garage, his dorm room were the centres of the action where drugs were available and he enjoyed showing off how he put baby chickens and mice in the blender to feed his hawks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was often a perverse scene of despair and violence. Path of substance abuse Ms Kennedy went on to claim that Mr Kennedy, a former heroin addict, had led family members down the path of drug addiction through the strength of his personality. While praising her cousin for pulling himself out of illness and disease, she claimed in the letter: Siblings and cousins who Bobby encouraged down the path of substance abuse suffered addiction, illness, and death while Bobby has gone on to misrepresent, lie, and cheat his way through life. Mr Kennedy, the son of liberal icon Robert Kennedy, the former attorney general, has faced fierce criticism from family members since dropping out of the presidential race to support Mr Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Kennedy has largely avoided commenting on her cousins politics, telling senators in her letter: I have never wanted to speak publicly about my family members and their challenges. But at an event last November, she characterised her cousins vaccine-sceptic views as dangerous and said they were not reflective of the views of most Americans and the rest of the Kennedy family. Ms Kennedy went on to cite a report in The New York Times that said Mr Kennedy would keep his stake in litigation against a vaccine manufacturer if he entered office. In other words, he is willing to enrich himself by denying access to a vaccine that can prevent almost all forms of cervical cancer and which has been safely administered to millions of boys and girls, she alleged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Kennedy did not respond to a request for comment. Trumps challenge ahead Mike Pence, Mr Trumps former vice-president, has criticised Mr Kennedys support for abortion and founded an advocacy group which is running adverts against him ahead of the hearings. The GOP has 53 seats in the 100-seat Senate, meaning that if just four break ranks, it would doom Mr Kennedys appointment. Mr Trump has already found it difficult to stamp his authority on the upper chamber, with three Republicans including Mitch McConnell, the former Republican Senate leader, voting against the appointment of Pete Hegseth, as defence secretary, on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 50-50 meant that JD Vance, the new vice-president, was forced to appear in the chamber to break the tie before Mr Hegseth could be confirmed. Mr Kennedy has spent weeks meeting with dozens of senators in a bid to sway their votes, although it is unclear whether the attempted charm offensive has had the opposite effect. Patty Murray, a Democrat senator, said it was the most troubling meeting she had had with a Cabinet nominee in her entire career. 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. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. once proposed that Americans should receive vaccines on different schedules based on their race, according to a bombshell report. President Donald Trumps nominee for health secretary made the inflammatory claim in a 2021 talk posted to his Childrens Health Defense website, the anti-vaccine nonprofit that has netted him a fortune, the Washington Post reported. Now we know that, you know, we should not be giving Black people the same vaccine schedule thats given to Whites, because their immune system is better than ours, Kennedy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The papers review of more than 400 of Kennedys media appearances since 2020 found that the health secretary nominee has regularly shared misleading claims about vaccines. He has claimed links between vaccines and autism on at least 36 occasions in public appearances despite scientific evidence debunking such claims, the newspaper reported. On at least 144 occasions, he has broadly rebuked vaccines as dangerous and ineffective, alleging that vaccines poisoned an entire generation of American children. If the Senate confirms RFK Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, the Kennedy scion will have unfettered control over the health and welfare of Americans as the countrys first line of defense against pandemics. However, several senators have indicated that RFK Jr. may face an uphill battle for the job during Wednesdays scheduled confirmation hearing due to his history of peddling health conspiracy theories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RFK Jr. also claimed in 2023 that the COVID-19 virus was engineered to attack Caucasians and Black people, but not Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese. Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services, outside of Children's Hospital Los Angeles. / FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP via Getty Images On the heels of his health secretary nomination, dozens of vaccine experts, physicians and public health leaders have expressed alarm that Kennedy doesnt seem to recognize the basic scientific benefits of vaccines, the Post reported. Physician Stanley Plotkin, who helped invent vaccines for rubella, rotavirus and other pathogens, told the newspaper, Making statements is easy, but if you dont have the evidence, its just baloney. Plotkin, 92, added that Americans like Kennedy seemed to have forgotten the litany of diseases that Americans suffered through before vaccines. Thank you @realDonaldTrump for your leadership and courage. I'm committed to advancing your vision to Make America Healthy Again. We have a generational opportunity to bring together the greatest minds in science, medicine, industry, and government to put an end to the chronic Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) November 14, 2024 Beyond Americas borders, RFK Jr.s vaccine views could impact research and vaccine roll outs overseas that are funded by HHS near $1.8 trillion budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RFK Jr.s cousin, Caroline Kennedy, urged the Senate on Tuesday not to confirm her perverse first cousin. I have known Bobby my whole life; we grew up together, wrote Kennedy in a letter to senators. She is the only living child of assassinated President John F. Kennedy. She added, Its no surprise that he keeps birds of prey as pets because he himself is a predator. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed openness to adopting a key progressive proposal for lowering drug prices during a closed-door meeting with Senate Finance Committee staffers, according to three people familiar with the exchange, who were granted anonymity to speak freely about private discussions. President Donald Trumps health secretary nominee last week indicated hed consider authorizing the government to seize the patents of high-priced medicines from manufacturers and share them with other drug makers as a way to force down costs, said the three people. The approach long supported by progressive Democrats and only tentatively by former President Joe Biden would use executive authorities to take certain drug patents developed using taxpayer money and license them to other manufacturers that might make and sell them for less. Advocates for the policy say it would allow new levels of competition for some of the most expensive prescription drugs, which are now protected by patents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy's comments, which come before his confirmation hearings on the Hill this week, may deepen suspicions among conservatives already wary of his past as a Democrat. Kennedy has little health policymaking experience, and has already faced criticism from social conservatives, including former Vice President Mike Pence, for his past comments supporting abortion rights. Embracing such ideas would represent a break from decades of Republican orthodoxy on health care that favors free-market principles and instead align him with liberal Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, who have championed the expansive use of federal authorities to control drug prices. It is not known whether Kennedy endorsed the ideas, which rely on using the government's march-in rights and compulsory licensing authority, with Trumps blessing or whether he was speaking for himself. The remarks came during a question-and-answer session with staffers. Katie Miller, Kennedy's spokesperson, disputed the characterization of the back-and-forth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is once again another example of POLITICO carrying Democrats' water. After POLITICO was told this did not occur the way Democrats have described it, they're still seeking to publish it in an attempt to denigrate Bobby Kennedy and create a story where there is not one," she said. "The fact remains, this did not occur. This is a smear campaign against Donald J. Trump." The Biden White House endorsed the legality of march-in rights in 2023, amid pressure from Warren and Sanders to study the concept. But even then, it stopped well short of encouraging the use of that power, or recommending any drugs that should be targeted. Republicans at the time blasted Biden over its conclusion. "This kind of short-sighted decision would kill American health care innovation and deny millions of Americans future lifesaving cures and treatments," Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said in a statement calling the use of march-in rights illegal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cassidy, who chairs the Senate HELP Committee, is now one of the key votes on Kennedy's confirmation. A spokesperson for Cassidy declined to comment. The episode also exposes the lack of an overall plan to lower drug pricing from the Trump administration. During his first campaign in 2016, Trump promised to stand up to the drug makers and reduce prices. As president, he made some effort to contain the high cost of prescription drugs: some decisions, which paved the way for states to import lower-priced drugs from Canada, have been fully implemented and kept by the Biden administration, though they've not made a dent in drug prices. Others have languished or were blocked by the courts. On the trail in 2023, Trump again made lowering drug costs a core policy issue. On Day One of my new term, I will sign an executive order to end this global freeloading on American consumers for once and for all, Trump boasted in a policy video posted on his campaign website, promising to bring back an executive order he signed in his first term to have Medicare pay the lowest price that other countries pay for drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That never materialized after the campaign backed away from the proposal a month before the election, without explanation. Instead, Trump last week repealed a Biden executive order on drug pricing without laying out what he plans to do to lower the high cost of prescription drugs, creating an opening that Democrats wasted no time pouncing on. President Trump used his first day in office to bend the knee to Big Pharma, Sen. Tammy Baldwin wrote on X while former Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused Trump of breaking a campaign promise when he BLOCKED a program that cut Rx drug prices for seniors and working families. The Democratic attacks blew the impact of the reversal out of proportion the executive order that Trump overturned did little more than ask the Department of Health and Human Services innovation hub to test new models to lower prices. But the vacuum left by Trump gave Democrats an opening on the popular issue of drug pricing that most Americans see as unreasonably high. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) Local school leaders are continuing discussions about the homestead exemption. Richmond County School Board members started their public hearings two weeks ago before the snowstorm, where we heard former Augusta mayor Bob Young share his frustrations about the recommendation. During Monday nights meeting, more Richmond County parents are saying the same. As a disabled veteran and homeowner, I dont need any more burden placed on me to be able to stay here in Richmond County, said one parent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 581 was signed into law by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp last April to provide tax relief to homeowners. But Chief Financial Officer Bobby Smith is recommending opting out of the exemption because the millage rate cap is already in place, along with existing homestead exemptions. It doesnt affect assessed values, so its not an additional exemption for the taxpayers and homeowners who pay taxes. But it does actually reduce our millage rate that the board sets, and because of that theyre actually saving money because we are capped at what we can set, said Smith. Some parents also taking to the podium to show support of this recommendation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Your community lives and breathes on the quality of your schools. Monitoring this, many counties across the state are opting out because it is so important to keep that money there for your students, said Lisa Martin. The school board also discussed improving school safety at the regular board meeting. School leaders will soon be working with the schools public safety and climate departments to add metal detectors in three high schools in the county. Interim Superintendent Dr. Malinda Cobb confirmed this during her Superintendents update. Last fall, Deputy Superintendent Horace Dunson confirmed to parents they would be installing metal detectors at Cross Creek High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now they will soon look to add them at Laney and Butler High Schools as well. Based on results, the school system could consider installing metal detectors at all high schools in the county. It is unclear when this process will begin, but count on NewsChannel 6 to provide more information as soon as we get it. Here is the full list of remaining public hearings on House Bill 581 for local school districts: Richmond County: Tuesday, February 11th at 3:30 PM at 864 Broad Street *Adoption Public Hearing* on Tuesday, February 18th at 6:30 PM at 864 Broad Street (during regular board meeting) Columbia County: Tuesday, January 28th at 6:00 PM at 4781 Hereford Farm Road Wednesday, January 29th at 8:00 AM at 4781 Hereford Farm Road Wilkes County: Tuesday, January 28th, 2025 at 6:00 PM at 313 N Alexander Ave Monday, February 10th, 2025 at 8:30 AM at 313 N Alexander Ave Warren County: Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM at 115 Gibson Hwy Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Federal illegal immigration raids are ongoing and will be expanded around the country according to the Trump administration. Border Czar Tom Homen says they are targeting illegal immigrants who are known criminals. The raids are being closely watched by members of the local Latino community. 28/22 News has been receiving information that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has carried out raids in our area, but we have not been able to confirm those reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, 28/22 News spoke with an immigration attorney who says illegal immigrants who are not convicted of crimes have due process rights under the law. Dozens of illegal immigrants detained and deported were sent back to their home countries. Attorney George Barron from Wilkes-Barre specializes in immigration law. In these cases, they are people who have been detained for serious crimes and have been ordered removed by an immigration judge, or these are folks who were caught crossing the border illegally, so they can be sent home without any due process, Barron explained. But what about those illegal immigrants, or are rounded up in these federal raids, who are not known criminals, but entered the United States illegally and remained in the country? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have due process rights to have a hearing before an immigration judge. They can apply for many forms of relief. They can apply for asylum. They can apply for withholding of removal. They can apply for adjusted status if they have a basis to adjust their status, Barron continued. Everyone is concerned right now with whats going on with ICE, Dominican House of Hazleton President Victor Perez said. The Dominican House of Hazleton provides a wide of services to immigrants from Latin America, most of whom come from the Dominican Republic. Submit an I-Team Tip Those services include helping them become US Citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says hes concerned about immigrants who are here illegally but are not convicted criminals. People say when you are an undocumented immigrant, they are in the country illegally, they should not be in the court for whatever reason. Should they not be deported? 28/22 News Reporter Andy Mehalshick asked. Right now, according to the law, they have to be deported because if youre illegal, you have to be deported. But we have to follow the procedures. We got legal procedures they have to follow, Perez stated. Perez agrees that criminals should be deported, but that other illegal immigrants should be given the right to due process under the law. 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 PAhomepage.com. Fort Worth ISD said it's investigating after a tweet allegedly from one of its substitute teachers invited ICE to check out a high school where some students "don't even speak English." File Photo/ Chris Ware/ST A Texas school district is investigating an alleged social media post by a substitute teacher that asked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to visit a district high school. According to NBC 5 DFW, the teacher is accused of writing the following on Jan. 23 in response to an ICE post about immigration on X: Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Y'all should come to Fort Worth, TX to Northside High School. I have many students who don't even speak English, and they are in 10th-11th grade. They have to communicate through their iPhone translator with me. The @USEDGOV (U.S. Department of Education) should totally overhaul our school system in Texas." The account that allegedly made the post has since been made private. Fort Worth Independent School District confirmed that it has launched an investigation into the post, which it said "was allegedly made by a substitute teacher." The teacher will not be allowed on campus during the investigation, the district said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "We take this matter very seriously and are conducting a thorough investigation to understand the circumstances and ensure appropriate actions are taken," the district said. In a letter to the district community Saturday, Interim Superintendent Karen Molinar said Fort Worth ISD does not ask students or their guardians about their immigration status and will not seek out that information. The district complies with federal law for student confidentiality. "At Fort Worth ISD, we are deeply committed to fostering schools where every student feels accepted, valued, and supported, regardless of their background or immigration status," Molinar wrote. In response to parents worried about being detained during the school day, Molinar said Fort Worth ISD will ensure students are safe until an authorized adult can pick them up. She recommended all parents and guardians update students' emergency contact information. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ALSO READ: Investment adviser Brooklynn Chandler Willy will get out of jail today If a student is afraid to go to school, Molinar urged guardians to contact the student's campus principal or guidance counselor for support. "The safety and well-being of our students is and always will be our top priority," she 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: Just over half of U.S. adults (52%) support their state requiring vaccination as a condition of school attendance in an effort to protect children who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, according to a January 2025 survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center With President Donald Trump having threatened school vaccine mandates for children during his campaign, a new survey finds that nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults support requiring that children be vaccinated against preventable diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella. To protect children who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, over half of Americans also support states prohibiting other unvaccinated children from attending school, either private or public. However, support for this prohibition has dropped significantly since the spring of 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Comparing responses from a new January 2025 Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) nationally representative survey with an APPC national survey conducted in April and May 2019, less than a year before the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, we find a significant drop in support for states prohibiting unvaccinated children (for non-medical reasons) from attending public or private schools. Further, the new survey finds increased support for state policies allowing parents to opt out of vaccinating their children for medical, religious, and personal or philosophical reasons. The public, however, continues to support state policies that set aside funding to provide free or discounted access to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The survey finds that these changes are driven in part by changing views from 2019 to 2025 among self-described Republicansnotably, a decline in support for the mandatory vaccination of children for preventable diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella, and large increases in support for parents to opt out of having their children vaccinated for medical, religious, and personal or philosophical reasons. The growing support for parental opt-outs is universal across political party for medical exemptions, while religious and personal exemptions are seen to lesser degrees among self-described Democrats or political independents (identifying as independent or with a party other than the Republican or Democratic ones). APPC's latest survey asked about state policies because school-related vaccine requirements are set at the state level, not the federal level. Nonetheless, federal actions can influence state-level policy. At a June 22, 2024, campaign event, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would not provide federal funding to any school that has a vaccine requirement: APPC's January 2025 survey finds a large and significant increase in support among U.S. adults for states giving parents the choice to opt out of social-associated vaccination of their children for medical, religious, or personal/philosophical reasons. Source: Annenberg Public Policy Center. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center And on Day One, I will sign a new executive order to cut federal funding for any school pushing Critical Race Theory, and I will not give one penny to any school that has a vaccine mandate or a mask mandate. To date, Trump has not signed such an order on vaccine mandates. His nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who lately has been seeking to distance himself from his long-promoted anti-vaccine views, led the vaccination-focused organization Children's Health Defense before he stepped aside in April 2023 to run for president. As stated currently on its website, that organization takes the position "it should be the parent's choice, and not the government's, to decide what goes into the bodies of their children. Statewide policy is becoming more and more oppressive while, at the same time, more inadequately-tested vaccines are added to the childhood schedule. Parents in many states are now fighting to keep their personal beliefs and religious exemptions in place and prevent mandates." In July 2023, Kennedy told podcaster Lex Fridman that "There's no vaccine that is, you know, safe and effective." However, in a Nov. 6, 2024, statement to NBC News, Kennedy said, "If vaccines are working for somebody, I'm not going to take them away. People ought to have choice, and that choice ought to be informed by the best information So, I'm going to make sure scientific safety studies and efficacy are out there, and people can make individual assessments about whether that product is going to be good for them." Infectious disease expert Paul A. Offit, of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, says parents have every right to be skeptical, but that Kennedy has misrepresented the findings of vaccine safety studies and "is a vaccine cynic, failing to accept studies that refute his beliefs." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that the "Food and Drug Administration regulates vaccines to make sure they are safe and effective," and the CDC publishes an immunization schedule for childhood vaccinations. While policies around school-related vaccine requirements are set at the state level, most states follow the guidelines and recommendations of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which, if confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Kennedy would oversee. Because the HHS secretary has the authority to approve those appointed to ACIP, Kennedy would have the power to refashion that committee's membership. There is a partisan split on whether it should be mandatory for parents to vaccinate their children against preventable diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella, with Democrats more supportive (86%) than Republicans (62%). Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center The APPC survey findings are based on a nationally representative panel survey of 538 U.S. adults fielded from Jan. 35, 2025, with a margin of sampling error of 5.2 percentage points. It is compared here with a nationally representative panel survey of 2,344 U.S. adults conducted from April 18-May 13, 2019, with a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points, and, where noted, APPC's nationally representative Annenberg Science and Public Health (ASAPH) knowledge panel waves conducted in January 2023 (n=1,641, MOE 3.2 pp), June 2023 (n=1,586, MOE 3.3 pp) and August 2023 (n=1,482, MOE 3.5 pp). For more on the surveys, see the end of this news release or the topline. Support for vaccine requirements for MMR for children remains high Over 7 in 10 U.S. adults (73%) support a policy making it mandatory for parents to vaccinate their children against preventable diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella. This is not significantly different than the 2019 findings which indicated that 77% supported this type of vaccine requirement. An analysis of the current findings by party reveals a sharp partisan split, with 86% of Democrats saying it should be mandatory for parents to vaccinate their children against preventable diseases such as measles, while just 62% of Republicans and 72% of independents feel this way. Most favor states requiring vaccination to attend school, though support has fallen From 2019 to 2025, support for states offering medical opt-outs for childhood vaccination grew to 63% from 36%. Over this period, support for medical opt-outs grew by 31 percentage points among Republicans, 28 points among independents, and 22 points among Democrats. Source: Annenberg Public Policy Center surveys. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center Certain vaccinations are required for students to attend school in all 50 states and Washington D.C. A majority of U.S. adults (52%) support their state requiring vaccination as a condition of school attendance, whether public or private, in an effort to protect children who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. However, this represents a nearly 20-point drop from our survey in spring 2019, when 71% supported requiring vaccination as a condition of public or private school attendance. Support for this requirement declined across all political groups. In addition, the percentage of those who "strongly support" school-related vaccination requirements has fallen sharply, from nearly half (47%) of U.S. adults in 2019 to barely a quarter (24%) in January 2025. Nevertheless, when asked to indicate which view is closer to their own when it comes to childhood vaccines for MMR and public-school attendance, 66% say they are closer to the view that healthy children should be required to be vaccinated because of the potential risk when children are not vaccinated. Only a fifth of adults (21%) say they are closer to the view that parents should be able to decide whether to vaccinate their children who attend public schools, even if their decision not to vaccinate creates health risks for other children and adults. These views are little changed from 2023, when we asked ASAPH survey panelists their views in January, June, and August 2023. Post-pandemic support grows for opt-out choice on vaccinating children According to the National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL), all states have exemptions from school vaccination requirements for medical reasons. Thirty states and Washington, D.C., allow exemptions from school vaccination requirements for religious reasons, and 13 states allow exemptions for personal or philosophical reasons. From 2019 to 2025, support for states offering religious opt-outs for childhood vaccinations nearly doubled, to 39% from 20%. Source: Annenberg Public Policy Center surveys. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center Our survey shows a large and significant increase in support among U.S. adults for states giving parents the choice to opt out of school-associated vaccination of their children for medical, religious, or personal/philosophical reasons. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults (63%) somewhat or strongly support a law allowing parents in their state to choose not to vaccinate their children for medical reasons, while a little more than a fifth (22%) oppose such a policy. In 2019, 36% said they would support such a policy and 46% would oppose it. Nearly 4 in 10 (39%) say they would support a state policy that would allow parents to choose not to vaccinate their children for religious reasons, almost double from 2019, when 20% said they would support this policy. In 2019, 63% said they would oppose states allowing parents to choose not to vaccinate their children on religious grounds, while 41% said they would do so in our 2025 survey. Support has doubled for state-sanctioned parental choice around vaccines for philosophical reasons. In our January survey, 35% said they would support a policy in their state that would allow parents to choose not to vaccinate their children for personal or philosophical reasons, double the proportion expressing such support in the spring of 2019 (17%). Opposition to this policy dropped from 69% in spring 2019 to 49% in January 2025. Growing support for parental opt-outs by party When our 2019 and 2025 respondents were questioned about support for different reasons parents might choose not to vaccinate their children, or to opt out, there was a disproportionate growth over time in Republican and independents' support, compared with Democrats," for religious opt-outs, and among Republicans compared with independents and Democrats for personal/philosophical opt-outs. Over time, all three groups saw similar growth in support for medical opt-outs. From 2019 to 2025, support for states offering personal or philosophical opt-outs for childhood vaccines more than doubled, to 35% from 17%. Republicans led in supporting these opt-outs, with support growing to 44% from 16% in 2019. Source: Annenberg Public Policy Center. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center Medical opt-outs for childhood vaccines: From 2019 to 2025, support for states offering medical opt-outs for childhood vaccinations increased to 63% from 36%. Over this period, support for medical opt-outs grew by a stunning 31 percentage points among Republicans (to 69% from 38%), 28 percentage points among independents (to 66% from 38%), and 22 points among Democrats (to 53% from 31%). Over this period, the number of those who opposed these opt-outs shrank dramatically, to 20% from 47% among Republicans, 32% from 51% among Democrats, and 17% from 41% among independents. (See the topline for details.) Religious opt-outs for childhood vaccines: From 2019 to 2025, support for states offering religious opt-outs for childhood vaccinations nearly doubled, to 39% from 20%. Among Republicans support for religious opt-outs grew to 52% from 24% and among independents to 42% from 22% (the change for Democrats was not significant). Again, opposition to these opt-outs sharply dropped, to 29% from 62% among Republicans and 34% from 58% among independents (the change for Democrats was not significant). Personal or philosophical opt-outs for childhood vaccines: From 2019 to 2025, support for states offering personal or philosophical opt-outs for childhood vaccines more than doubled, to 35% from 17%. Again, Republicans led in supporting these opt-outs, with support growing to 44% from 16% in 2019. Support among Democrats grew to 22% from 12%, and among independents to 38% from 22%. The numbers opposing these opt-outs collapsed most sharply among Republicans, to 41% from 71%, and independents, to 42% from 61% (the change among Democrats was not significant). Most support state funding of free or discounted MMR vaccines More than 8 in ten U.S. adults (84%) say they would support their state setting aside public funds to provide free or discounted access to MMR vaccines. This has not significantly changed from 2019, when 81% expressed support for such a policy. AUSTIN (KXAN) Amid reports of enhanced targeted operations conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Austin, it begs the question: What rights do undocumented immigrants have in the United States? As of 2022, the undocumented immigrant population reached 11 million people in the U.S., according to data from Pew Research Center released in July 2024. While the Constitution doesnt authorize immigrants from entering the U.S. outside the legal channels, there are protections available once theyre in the United States, per legal experts at Washington-based Clearwater Law Group. Regardless of immigration status, individuals in the U.S. have the right to due process (Fifth Amendment) and equal protection under the law (Fourteenth Amendment) and as outlined in the Constitution, Clearwater Law Group experts said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So while undocumented immigrants are not specifically mentioned in the Constitution, they are still protected by its principles, Clearwater Law Group wrote. TOP STORY: ICE conducts enhanced targeted operations in Austin Key protections extended to undocumented immigrants in the United States include the right to due process, the right to legal counsel, the right against unreasonable searches and seizures and the right to education. Right to due process The right to due process is the legal principle offering everyone a fair and impartial hearing before the government takes away their life, liberty, or property. Included in this are immigrants rights to be told the charges made against them, the right to an attorney and the right to deliver evidence in defense of their case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There may be some stipulations, depending on how long an undocumented immigrant has been in the U.S. or where theyre found in relation to the U.S. border. Illegal immigrants who have been in the country for less than two years and apprehended within 100 miles of the US border may be subject to expedited removal proceedings, which do not include a hearing before an immigration judge, Clearwater Legal Group experts said. However, if they are asylum seekers, they must be granted a chance to present their case before an immigration judge. Right to legal counsel Under the Sixth Amendment, protections are in place to have legal counsel at all criminal proceedings. For any undocumented immigrants facing deportation, that right to representation extends their way, and the government must provide them with an attorney if they cant pay for one. However, there are some variations, dependent on whether a deportation proceeding is classified as a civil case or a criminal one. Right against unreasonable searches and seizures Within the Fourth Amendment is the protection against unreasonable searches and seizures at the hands of the government. Without a warrant or probable cause, the government cannot enter a persons property or search through their belongings including immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The one exception flagged by Clearwater Law Group here is the border search exception, where the government is permitted to conduct non-warranted searches within 100 miles of the U.S. border, including in airports. Right to education Two portions of the Constitution cited in the case of Plyler v. Doe were used to justify access to education for children who were not legally admitted to the U.S. The Supreme Court determined that if children who are citizens or legal residents have the right to attend public schools, so do undocumented children as part of the 14th Amendments Equal Protection Clause. That clause forbids discrimination from the government against people on the basis of their race, ethnicity or national origin. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EWA BEACH, Hawaii (KHON2) Wai Kais Ono Grindz & Makeke Farmers Market will be hosting a special Lunar New Year celebration from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Jan. 30. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The celebration will feature cultural festivities, shopping from local brands and a Lion Dance performance at 6:30 p.m. 10 Lunar New Year gifts to welcome the Year of the Snake Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 30 local vendors will be in attendance, with products such as farm-fresh produce, handmade crafts, goods and food trucks. There will also be a surf show at 7:30 p.m., featuring advanced surfers riding the Wai Kai Wave. At Wai Kai, we strive to create events that bring our community together and celebrate the diverse cultures that make Hawaii unique, said Jerry Pupillo, vice president and general manager at Wai Kai. Were excited to welcome families and friends for this special Lunar New Year edition of Ono Grindz & Makeke Farmers Market. Come enjoy the festivities and support local businesses in style. Wai Kai is located within Hoakalei Resort in Ewa Beach which features the Wai Kai Wave, dining and shopping facilities. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You For more information, visit Wai Kais website, Ono Grindz & Makeke Farmers Market website or by calling (808) 900-3565. 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. The Highest Law in the Land: How the Unchecked Power of Sheriffs Threatens Democracy, by Jessica Pishko, Dutton, 480 pages, $32 The Power of the Badge: Sheriffs and Inequality in the United States, by Emily M. Farris and Mirya R. Holman, The University of Chicago Press, 304 pages, $25 In the home stretch of the presidential race, an Ohio sheriff was stripped of his role providing election security after he compared immigrants to swarms of locusts and asked residents to write down the addresses of yards with signs for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two new booksThe Highest Law in the Land, by reporter Jessica Pishko, and The Power of the Badge, by political scientists Emily M. Farris and Mirya R. Holmanargue that such behavior isn't unusual. The American sheriff, they say, is a particularly dangerous vector for a right-wing project to take over the country. Sheriffs, Pishko writes, "enable and legitimize the far right's ideas, tactics, and political goals." Likewise, Farris and Holman "suggest that the design of the officeand the individuals who serve in itchallenge the central tenets of democracy." Both books make some welcome additions to the literature on policing. Sheriffs have been understudied compared to major police departments, despite employing a quarter of all sworn law enforcement officers and handling 9 million to 10 million jail admissions a year. Pishko, Farris, and Holman make a convincing case that sheriffs frequently abuse their office without meaningful consequences. But gauging the threat that sheriffs' politics pose to democracy is a trickier effort.Each book focuses heavily on the "constitutional sheriffs" movementan effort to recruit sheriffs to nullify laws they consider unconstitutional, such as gun controls and COVID-19 restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alleged authority to do this lies in the peculiar nature of the office. In the flowchart of federalism, sheriffs are islands unto themselves. They're not typically under the direct control of mayors, county boards, or governors. They set and pursue their own policies. The "constitutional sheriff" movement claims that, because of this, sheriffs are the highest authority within their jurisdictions when it comes to enforcing the Constitution, higher than any federal agent or even the presidenthence Pishko's title. This is all a result of the office's history. Sheriffs proudly trace their roots back to pre-Norman England's "shire-reeves." British colonists brought the English office of sheriff with them to America, where our ideals and geography transformed it. The colonists' democratic instincts led them to make sheriffs elected positions rather than appointed. As America expanded westward, sheriffs were often the only law enforcement on the frontier, where they earned a spot in the national mythos. Today sheriffs wear many hats besides Stetsons. They run county jails and provide courthouse security. They perform evictions. They often issue concealed carry licenses and confiscate guns pursuant to judges' orders. In some counties, the office of coroner is folded into the sheriff's department. Many sheriffs never miss an opportunity to explain ruefully that, as jail administrators, they're also their county's de facto largest mental health provider. The constitutional sheriff movement developed in the 1990s and has ebbed and flowed depending on when fears of federal tyranny flare up on the right, picking up momentum after the standoffs at Waco, Texas, and Ruby Ridge, Idaho, during gun control fights, during the Obama administration, and during the COVID-19 lockdowns. It mingles freely with the militia movement, sovereign citizens, Christian nationalists, and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just as there are conservative "sanctuary counties" for Second Amendment rights, there are liberal sanctuaries from federal immigration enforcement. But Pishko believes this sort of discretion is fundamentally different from right-wing nullification efforts, which she associates with John C. Calhoun and segregationists. "I do not want to both-sides the issue," Pishko argues. "The threat is coming from the right." I have to concede the danger of a Marxist takeover of county sheriffs seems remote. Farris and Holman report that sheriffs are statistically more conservative and Republican than the counties they represent, even in places that lean liberal. It's tempting to attribute this to the fact that no one wants a pacifist sheriff, but other factors are at play. One of sheriffs' biggest selling points is they're local boysand Farris and Holman's survey confirms this. The majority of sheriffs graduate from high school in the same county they eventually serve. They're often the most well-recognized local officials. They have one of the strongest incumbent advantages in U.S. politics too, usually running unopposed or winning handily until they retire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriffs say that they don't answer to anyone but the voters of their county, and that if voters don't like them, there's a simple solution. Pishko, Farris, and Holman argue elections fail as an accountability mechanism. Sheriffs typically rise up through their departments, which means the incumbent sheriff has hiring and firing power over potential competitors. Even when sheriffs commit gross misconduct, they often cruise to reelection. Where the authors run into trouble is trying to untangle fairly mundane opinions on limited government and the Second Amendment from the noxious, conspiratorial strands of the fringe. Pishko settles on the term "far right" to describe the militia members, antivaxxers, and Christian nationalists she encounters at rallies around the country. "What 'far-right' groups have in common includes an ideology that seeks to return to an imagined state that values Christianity, traditional gender roles, American nativism, and a 'color-blind' form of white supremacy that fails to acknowledge the harms of the past and inequities of the present," Pishko writes. "These adherents also generally believe in libertarian principles: free market capitalism, deregulation, private property and individual liberty without regard to the common good." Government-skeptical readers will sometimes find themselves gritting their teeth. For example, we learn from Pishko that "support for constitutional sheriffs and hatred for the federal government is especially strong in the rural Pacific Northwest," but the brief descriptions of the Sagebrush Rebellion, environmental wars of the 1990s, and the Bundy standoffs don't capture why there is such deep bitterness over federal land management policies in the West. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Likewise, Pishko describes sheriffs' refusal to enforce gun laws they consider unconstitutional as "engaging in political protest bordering on insurrection by vowing not to enforce democratically passed gun laws." In the same chapter, she notes Republican sheriffs' opposition to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' rules banning accessories like bump stocks and wrist braces. But those regulations, which were not enacted through any democratic process, were blocked by federal courts that agreed the agency had exceeded its authority. Are we to feel worse about the nullification cowboys being right than the alphabet soup federales getting it wrong? To be sure, one tactic of fringe movements is to co-opt a reasonable position and use it to smuggle in more extreme ideas. Sheriffs' increasingly common embrace of bogus election fraud claims, anti-immigrant hysteria, and culture war vigilantism does represent a real threat to regular political order. At the very least, hyperpartisan sheriffs are a menace to constituents who aren't part of a desirable voting bloc. In 2017 I traveled to Madison County, Mississippi, to report on allegations that the sheriff's department was running unconstitutional roadblocks only in black neighborhoods. I found that generations of black residents in Madison County had felt under siege from the department. I talked to a mother who said her 5-year-old son had started habitually locking doors in the house after watching sheriff's deputies barge into their living room without a warrant and rough up his father. Sheriffs' culture war grandstanding also distracts them from their job duties. At least 1,000 people a year die in U.S. jails, many of them in barbaric conditions. In Tarrant County, Texas, Sheriff Bill Waybourn won reelection despite 65 people dying in his jail since 2017 and two of his correctional officers being indicted for felony murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while the authors amply document how sheriffs violate the civil rights of residents, that generally occurs because of excessive enforcement, not nullification. For all their bluster about arresting federal agents, constitutional sheriffs have been the dog that didn't barkso far. The nonenforcement of a law is almost always less of a threat to individual liberty than its dogmatic application. This is an unresolved tension that runs throughout both books. (The authors' most potent counterargument is that conservative sheriffs selectively enforce laws based on a myopic and partisan view of the "good guys" who keep them in office, and thus, say, refuse to confiscate guns in domestic violence cases.) What to do about sheriffs then? Pishko writes that she is, in essence, a police abolitionist and concludes the best solution is to eliminate the office entirely. (Here we see that tension againit's hard to argue both that police should be abolished and that sheriffs are committing borderline insurrection by not enforcing federal laws.) Farris and Holman decline to endorse a solution but put abolition on the table as an option, along with reform measures. Abolishing sheriffs and unpackaging the services they provide would be a tall order, especially since many small towns contract with them for policing. But if The Highest Law in the Land and The Power of the Badge don't fully convince nonlefty readers that sheriffs are the tip of the spear in a far-right power grab, they at least provide a corrective to the myth of the white-hatted American sheriff. The post Rise of the 'Constitutional Sheriffs' appeared first on Reason.com. Allison Burks teenage daughter struggled with uncontrolled emotions, a shrinking attention span and a growing tendency to procrastinate. A family doctor suggested ADHD testing, which led to an unexpected discovery: The teen had ADHD, and Burk did too. During her daughters evaluation, Burk thought, Wait a minute. This sounds familiar, she recalled. I was able to piece together that this might be something I was experiencing, said Burk, of Columbus, Ohio. She subsequently underwent her own testing and was diagnosed with ADHD at age 42. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More adults are being diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Diagnoses have been rising for decades but seem to have accelerated in the last few years. Read: Orange County Animal Services to host free microchipping and vaccination event for pet owners A recent study suggested that more than 15 million U.S. adults roughly 1 in 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD. The condition always starts in childhood, but about half of adults with it are diagnosed when they are 18 or older. Some doctors say the number of people coming in for evaluation is skyrocketing. Just in our clinic, requests for assessments have doubled in the last two years, said Justin Barterian, a psychologist based at Ohio State University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a look at the phenomenon, and how to know if you might have the condition. ADHD symptoms in adults ADHD makes it hard for people to pay attention and control impulsive behaviors. It can be inherited, and is often treated with drugs, behavioral therapy, or both. Its like theres an engine in you and you feel like its always running, and you cant turn it off except with medication, said Judy Sandler, a 62-year-old Maine woman who was diagnosed in her 50s. ADHD has been called the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorder in U.S. children, with more than 7 million kids diagnosed. Historically, it was thought to mainly affect boys (perhaps because boys with ADHD were seen as more disruptive in school) and to be something that kids grew out of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But experts believe many people arent diagnosed as kids and live with symptoms into adulthood. Adults with the condition talk about having trouble focusing on tasks, juggling responsibilities, and planning and managing their time. Some talk about not putting things away, and straining personal relationships with their restlessness, mood swings and impulsiveness. Burk said she was grouped with talented and gifted students in grade school but didnt complete college until her 30s because, when I was 19, I hitchhiked across the country on a whim and ended up a single mother in her early 20s. She now works in marketing and media relations for Ohio State Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine. Read: Triple fatal Palm Bay condo fire claims the lives of single family Diagnoses have been rising Diagnoses have been climbing in both kids and adults, and the recent government report found adult ADHD was more common than earlier estimates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We havent had (federal) adult ADHD data in a long time, said one of the studys authors, Angelika Claussen of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There were indicators of the rise, she added. Increasing demand for ADHD medication led to widespread shortages after the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020. A 2023 study showed the rise in prescriptions was particularly notable in adults especially women. ADHD diagnoses and prescriptions were increasing before the pandemic, due partly to a change in general diagnostic criteria in 2013 that broadened the definition of ADHD and reduced the number of symptoms a patient needed to have. But case counts really seemed to jump in 2020, when schools were closed and many adults were forced to work from home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its very difficult to focus when you are home and you have kids, Claussen said. That may have exacerbated the symptoms for people whod had mild ADHD but were able to cope before the pandemic. Read: Auschwitz was liberated 80 years ago. The spotlight is on survivors as their numbers dwindle How ADHD is diagnosed in adults The last few years have seen growing cultural acceptance and curiosity about the condition, fueled by a proliferation of I have ADHD social media videos and online medical start-up companies offering 5-minute diagnostic quizzes. Indeed, the long-held belief that ADHD was underdiagnosed in adults has given way to recent debates about whether its become overdiagnosed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no blood test or brain scan for ADHD. Experts say it is diagnosed when symptoms are severe enough to cause ongoing problems in more than one area of life, and when those symptoms can be traced to pre-adolescent childhood. Ideally, a psychologist or psychiatrist diagnoses it by taking careful histories from patients and from people who know them, experts say. They also might ask patients to take tests designed to check their memory and ability to concentrate. Doctors also must rule out anxiety, depression and other conditions that can have similar symptoms. But getting an appointment with a mental health professional can take months, and intensive ADHD evaluations can cost thousands of dollars. Many patients turn to family doctors or even online diagnostic quizzes, some of them connected to telehealth companies that prescribe medications. There is wide variability in this country in how people diagnose, how strict they are, and who they diagnose, said Margaret Sibley, a University of Washington psychologist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders is drafting a first national set of diagnosis and treatment guidelines for health professionals who treat adults, and expects to release them later this year. The goal is to improve the accuracy of diagnoses in this country, said Sibley, who is leading the work on the guidelines. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A 53-year-old man is in critical condition after a crash just south of the Las Vegas Strip on Tuesday morning. The crash occurred at Sunset Road and Las Vegas Boulevard at around 4:30 a.m., where a vehicle collided with a person. According to police, a 2015 Nissan was turning left on a green arrow when a 53-year-old man crossed the road against the pedestrian traffic control signal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man crossed into the Nissans path causing the vehicle to hit him. Medical personnel took the man to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Nissan remained at the scene and showed no signs of impairment. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officials responded, and roads in the area were closed Tuesday morning. Police ask drivers to avoid the area as detectives investigate 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 KLAS. ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) More than 756,000 travelers chose to use the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport in 2024. That broke the old record, set nearly a quarter-century ago, by almost three percent. The airport says the added volume was split nearly right down the middle between locals flying out of the region, and visitors flying in. Officials said thats a great economic sign. The airport doesnt drive economic impact, it doesnt drive passengers, its just the other way around, Mike Stewart, the executive director of the airport, said. As the economy here is getting stronger and people are traveling, people want to come here from other places to see our beautiful Blue Ridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those looking to use the airport to travel elsewhere, expect new flights out of Roanoke this year. Starting February 14, Allegiant Air will offer weekly non-stop service to Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida, giving the airport its ninth different non-stop destination, and the first new one in more than 15 years. ORIGINAL STORY | ROA says traveling soared with new record and services in 2024 Allegiant flies to Orlando-Sanford and also St. Petersburg, Florida, and they do very well on both of those and have since 2006, Stewart said. This one to Sarasota theyve announced is a year-round destination, so we just need everybody to continue to come out and support them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One big sign that the airport had a good year in 2024: all three parking lots were totally filled around Thanksgiving. Stewart said he couldnt remember that ever happening before. However, to keep that good problem from becoming a big problem, the airport is set to begin the final phase of its parking lot enhancement project next month, providing a bit more space for this years holiday rushes. Once thats done, well have the infrastructure to build and improve it more going forward, Stewart said. Its really just a totally different experience out in the parking lot now. Stewart said he hopes to finish the project this spring. 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 WFXRtv. WEST NEWBURY, Mass. (WWLP) A video has been released, showing students putting out a fire at a school in West Newbury. Crews put out fire on Crown Street in Springfield The fire happened on Saturday at Pentucket Regional High School, NBC Boston states. The schools robotic team walked into the auditorium and saw the fire. A garbage bin that had sawdust inside caught fire after members of the theater program were cutting wood for their upcoming show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one was hurt, and the school will reopen on Wednesday. About a dozen students evacuated the building. 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. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) A Rockford man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. Nardjay Johnson, 23, was arrested after police officers were called to a Rockford hospital on June 20th, 2024, to meet with the 9-year-old victim of a sexual assault. Detectives learned that the assault happened in the 300 block of Cameron Avenue. Johnson was arrested at that address on June 26th, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charge against him carried a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison, but Johnson accepted a plea deal that follows his sentence with 3 years to natural life of supervised release, and the requirement to register as a sex offender for life. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Romanias ruling parties lost ground ahead of a re-scheduled presidential ballot, with the latest poll showing support for the front-runner far-right candidate as well as the independent mayor of the capital. Most Read from Bloomberg Calin Georgescu, the fringe pro-Russian candidate who shocked the political establishment last year by winning the first round of the now-annulled presidential election, would get 37% of the votes, according to a CURS poll published on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, an independent, meanwhile edged ahead of Crin Antonescu, a former National Liberal Party leader whos backed by Romanias pro-European ruling coalition. Dan polled at 21% compared with 18% for Antonescu. The margin of error was 3 percentage points. The poll highlights the growing frustration of Romanians with the ruling elite, who are working on unpopular spending cuts to stabilize public finances. The ruling parties had backed the top courts controversial ruling to cancel the Nov. 24 vote after allegations of Russian meddling in Georgescus favor. At stake is the direction of the EU and NATO member that has been a reliable US partner since the fall of communism and which shares the longest border with Ukraine among member states. Romania also hosts thousands of troops from the military alliance. Georgescu, who previously was considered a marginal candidate, had relied on a savvy social media campaign, including high-quality TikTok videos, for which he declared no funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 62-year-old agricultural engineer, who has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and denounced NATO, has taken to channeling some of US President Donald Trumps rhetoric. He likened the decision to cancel the ballot to a coup and repeatedly pointed to it as evidence of a rigged system. He may still be banned from running in the presidential race, which is now scheduled to be held in May. Should that happen, another far-right candidate would likely take Georgescus place. The CURS polls showed that George Simion, the leader of the largest opposition party AUR, would have the best chances to channel that support. Simion had earlier pulled out of the race to avoid splitting the vote. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2025 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Some of the nations largest defense contractors are eying roles in President Donald Trumps plan to build a more comprehensive missile defense system to protect the US. Most Read from Bloomberg Leaders of RTX Corp. and Lockheed Martin Corp. each touted their capabilities Tuesday, a day after the White House called for the development of an Iron Dome for America. The system will likely involve several kinds of interceptors and other technologies meant to destroy missiles fired from foreign adversaries, including space-based systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administrations push to untangle federal bureaucracy through the so-called Department of Government Efficiency has fueled expectations for greater competition between startups and entrenched defense giants over military contracts. Still, the largest contractors will likely play a significant role in the Iron Dome and other American priorities for military technology development. This is what Raytheon is exceptionally good at doing Neil Mitchill, RTXs chief financial officer, said in an interview after its quarterly earnings report. He noted that the company, which was previously known as Raytheon and maintains a business unit with that name, already supplies Israels Iron Dome. We are fully prepared to support the presidents ambitions, Mitchill said. Lockheed beat out rival Northrop Grumman Corp. in April for a $17 billion contract to continue development and eventual production of a new warhead to replace those currently used on US missile interceptors in California and Alaska. That ground-based system is aimed at fending off small numbers of intercontinental ballistic missiles from adversaries such as North Korea, rather than waves of attacks from China or Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comprehensive Approach The ground-based interceptors are likely to be just one part of the US Iron Dome, Lockheed Chief Executive Officer Jim Taiclet said on a call Tuesday to discuss the companys fourth-quarter results. The Trump administration envisions a more comprehensive missile defense strategy that would also include technologies to guard against hypersonic and cruise missiles as well as drone attacks on public places and key US assets, Taiclet said. The US also already operates the Defense Support Program, with satellites developed by Northrop used to detect missile launches, space launches and nuclear detonations. Satellites with an offensive capability were proposed by the Reagan administration in the 1980s but abandoned over cost and technological impediments. We can shoot down cruise missiles with lasers now, and that could be part of the solution, Taiclet said. Lockheed also has pretty good technologies for countering drones and sees opportunities to collaborate with startups and smaller defense contractors, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to expand our ability as a country to get everybody involved, he added. And I welcome DOGEs effort and the administrations effort to reduce the bureaucracy, limit the administrative burdens that the Pentagon now puts on all companies big and small that want to work with it. Lockheed shares fell 9.2% in New York, the biggest decline in more than three years, after the company reported $1.7 billion of losses on classified contracts in its aeronautics and missiles segments. The writedowns have significantly reduced the risk of those programs going forward, Taiclet said. Earnings Beat RTX reported fourth-quarter results that surpassed expectations thanks to continuing demand for its military hardware and aircraft maintenance services. Its shares rose 2.6%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adjusted earnings last quarter were $1.54 a share, the company said in a statement. Analysts had predicted $1.39 on average. The Arlington, Virginia-based manufacturer gave a mixed forecast for 2025, projecting sales of no more than $84 billion, short of Wall Streets estimates. --With assistance from Anne Cronin. (Updates with Lockheed comments throughout) 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: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Instead of reaching for a pill, more people should switch to the recommended "first line" treatment for insomniathe non-drug option. After exhaustive studies, the specially designed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia (or CBTi) has been rated the most effective long-term solution for the common sleep conditionand Flinders University experts are calling for more GPs and psychologists to help roll it out in Australia. While non-drug insomnia treatment is becoming more accessible for patients having trouble sleeping, it is still only accessed by 1% of people with insomnia, says Flinders University research fellow, Dr. Alexander Sweetman. "Sleep problems are among the most common reasons that patients present to their doctor in Australia. Sleeping pills are still the mainstay management option for insomnia, despite a lot of evidence suggesting that behavioral treatments are much more effective in the long-term. "CBTi is the most effective and recommended first line treatment for insomnia because it treats the underlying causes of long-term insomnia without drugs and hundreds of scientific studies have demonstrated its effectiveness. Improved access to this non-drug behavioral treatment in the Australian health system will relieve the difficulties faced by people with this common debilitating sleep disorder." The prevalence of chronic insomnia is about 1015% in Australian adults at any given time. Short-term insomnia is more common, but can be related to many different causes and not always treated with CBTi. Untreated insomnia is associated with an increased risk of psychiatric conditions, hypertension, accidents and sick leave, and incurs high economic and societal costs through reduced quality of life, productivity and increased use of health care resources. The researchers from Flinders University and the Sax Institute have published a five-year study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine calling for more Australian health professionals to promote CBTi. The study is titled "Promoting sustained access to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) in Australia: A system-level implementation program." "GPs play a central role in Australia's universal health care system," says Flinders University Emeritus Professor Doug McEvoy, a co-author. "They are often the first point of contact with patients engaging with the health system, screen and deliver care for many health conditions, and operate as 'gate keepers' for referral to specialist medical services. As a result, GPs were at the center of our insomnia translation program to improve access to CBTi. We are urging more GPs and psychologists to access CBTi training resources, and offer evidence-based CBTi to people with insomnia symptomsrather than drugs." The research includes ongoing collaborations with the SAX Institute, Australasian Sleep Association, Sleep Health Foundation, Australian Psychological Society, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and other groups. With this diverse group of stakeholders, the study resulted in six major recommendations, to: Improve GP awareness of insomnia and CBTi Raise awareness among GPs and psychologists of funding options to access CBTi Develop GP education resources, including an online primary care insomnia management guideline Establish a psychologist CBTi training program in collaboration with the Australian Psychological Society and Australasian Sleep Association Launch a GP CBTi training program at Flinders University Sleep Health in collaboration with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration. Develop and test an interactive digital CBTi program. Sleep expert Dr. Jenny Haycock, whose doctoral studies at Flinders University were part of the five-year study, says, "Most GPs interviewed were aware of the risks of long-term use of sleeping pills, but had very little knowledge of CBTi and how their patients could access it. There seems to be a readiness for change, so I am optimistic that many more insomnia patients will be able to access this best-practice care with increased awareness of CBTi among GPs and their patients." Senior Flinders University respiratory and sleep physician Professor Robert Adams says new education and training opportunities will help to turn the tide. "We encourage patients and their partners to ask their GPs about CBTi and join the Sleep Health Foundation and the Australasian Sleep Association in advocating to the Government for ways to improve Australians' access to non-drug interventions," concludes Professor Adams, who also worked on the latest article. More information: Alexander Sweetman et al, Promoting sustained access to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in Australia: a system-level implementation program, Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.11374 Journal information: Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a call with Jordan's King Abdullah on Monday, the State Department said, with the call coming two days after a suggestion by President Donald Trump that Jordan and Egypt should take more Palestinians from Gaza. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Trump on Saturday floated a plan to "clean out" the war-ravaged territory of Gaza in comments that echoed long-standing Palestinian fears of being permanently driven from their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordan and Egypt had pushed back over the weekend after Trump said they should take in Palestinians from Gaza, where Israel's war has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis. Asked if this was a temporary or long-term solution for Gaza, Trump had said: "Could be either." KEY QUOTES "The Secretary and King Abdullah discussed implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the release of hostages, and creating a pathway for security and stability in the region," the State Department said in a statement. Trump's weekend remarks were not mentioned in the statement. "Secretary Rubio thanked Jordan for supporting the ceasefire through its integral role in providing humanitarian assistance through the Jordan Corridor," the State Department added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CONTEXT The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on Oct. 7, 2023, when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's subsequent military assault on Gaza killed over 47,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, and led to accusations of genocide and war crimes that Israel denies. The fighting has currently paused amid a fragile ceasefire. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler and Lincoln Feast.) By Kanishka Singh and Simon Lewis WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's trip to Central America, including Panama, is partially about countering China, a State Department spokesperson told Fox Business, as new President Donald Trump is pushing to "take back" the Panama Canal. KEY QUOTE "Part of this trip is about countering China," spokesperson Tammy Bruce told Fox Business on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if Rubio would "lay down the law" with Panama over the canal, Bruce said: "It's not about laying down any law. I think it's clear this is an issue about developing a relationship ... Not about bossing other nations around, but making it clear that a partnership with the United States is something that they can trust, something that comes with benefits just like any good relationship does." WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Trump has been pushing to "take back" the Panama Canal, the world's second busiest interoceanic waterway, spurring concerns that the United States could invade the Central American nation. Trump argues that Panama has broken a pledge of neutrality made when the United States transferred the canal to Panama in 1999, falsely claiming that China is now operating it. The canal is operated by an autonomous agency overseen by the Panamanian government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China's economic influence has been growing in Latin America, fueling worries in Washington that the resource-rich region will tilt to Chinese interests rather than those of the United States. CONTEXT Rubio was scheduled to visit Panama and four other countries in Central America and the Caribbean starting this week during his first overseas trip. Trump has also put immigration from Central America through the U.S.-Mexico border at the center of his foreign policy agenda. Washington and Beijing have been embroiled in a rivalry for years over a range of issues from technology and cybersecurity to trade and tariffs. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Simon Lewis in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese and Sandra Maler) High school students stand outside the Oklahoma State Department of Education in Oklahoma City on Tuesday with the Mexican flag draped over their shoulders. They protested proposed rules affecting undocumented families. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY A proposed rule that would require schools to ask for proof of U.S. citizenship during enrollment unanimously passed the Oklahoma State Board of Education on Tuesday, sending the highly controversial proposal to the state Legislature. Both the Oklahoma House and Senate have the choice of approving it or allowing Gov. Kevin Stitt to decide during the 2025 legislative session, which begins Feb. 3. The administrative rule would carry the force of law, if enacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The regulation is intended to collect citizenship information of both students and their parents, state Superintendent Ryan Walters said after the meeting. Walters leads the Oklahoma State Department of Education, which proposed the rule, and the state board that approved it. Undocumented children still would be allowed to attend public schools, but districts would have to report to the state Education Department the number of students they enrolled whose families were unable to verify citizenship or legal residency. State Superintendent Ryan Walters leads a meeting of the Oklahoma State Board of Education on Tuesday at the state Department of Education in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) Walters said the Education Department would share families immigration status with the federal government, if the agency is asked to provide it. He said Friday he would support immigration enforcement raids in schools, should President Donald Trumps administration wish to carry them out. The federal government forbids schools from asking about a students immigration status during enrollment. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled undocumented children cannot be denied a free, public education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office, though, said there is no lawful impediment to schools asking for proof of citizenship. Attorney General Gentner Drummond believes state services should only be provided to legal residents of our state and nation, spokesperson Phil Bacharach said. A spokesperson for the Governors Office, Meyer Siegfried, said Friday that Stitt supports strong enforcement of immigration laws and believes we have a responsibility to know who is in our state and how taxpayer dollars are being spent. A large crowd of students and concerned Oklahomans gathered outside the Education Department building Tuesday to protest citizenship checks in schools. Students in the crowd carried signs and Mexican flags and called the rule hurtful and wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement High school student Thomas Suarez criticized it directly to Walters and the board during the public comment portion of the meeting. Thomas Suarez speaks to the Oklahoma State Board of Education on Tuesday against implementing citizenship checks during public school enrollment. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) The idea that a child wanting to pursue an education must be profiled before learning is distasteful, Suarez said. It is sad that you, Mr. Walters, stand here pretending to care about the students while at the same time advocate for the blatant discrimination of Latino students like me. Advocates of the immigrant community warned the rule, if approved, could deter undocumented families from enrolling their children in public schools. Walters said having an accurate count of students coming from undocumented families could give a clearer picture of the resources needed to accommodate them, including English learner programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public schools currently provide English language programs to immigrant students without asking them whether they entered the country legally. The state superintendent said his agency will cooperate with federal investigators, even if that includes immigration enforcement entering schools. State Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks to reporters after an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Jan. 28, 2025, at the state Department of Education in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) Federal law is clear, Walters told reporters Tuesday. You participate with a federal investigation. If federal law enforcement comes into a school or calls us to get information, were going to work with them. If thats providing information, providing resources, providing personnel, were going to do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rule now is in the hands of Oklahoma lawmakers along with a bundle of others the state Board of Education approved. Another of the proposed regulations would require Oklahoma teachers to pass a written version of the U.S. Naturalization Test before earning or renewing their teaching certification. The head of the House Common Education Committee, Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, observed the state board vote from the audience seating at the meeting. Afterward, he declined to share his opinion of the approved rules but said some schools have reached out with concerns and questions about a number of the regulations. Although the House Rules Committee is responsible for voting on administrative rules from state agencies, Lowe said he expects his Common Education Committee members will review the proposals from the Education Department. It will go through the rule process like all rules from every agency, Lowe said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A delegation from the Russian Foreign Ministry travelled to Damascus for talks with Syria's new leaders on Tuesday for the first time since the fall of long-time ruler and Moscow ally Bashar al-Assad. Deputy Foreign Ministers Mikhail Bogdanov and Alexander Lavrentyev were part of the delegation, according to the Russian state news agency TASS. Assad and his family fled Syria for Russia in December after suddenly being ousted by a surprise rebel advance following years of civil war. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin granted them political asylum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Putin, who helped Assad militarily for years during the war, wants to keep his military bases in Syria. The harbour in Tartus is Russia's only direct access to the Mediterranean. In addition, Moscow previously used the Hmeimim airbase south-east of the city of Latakia for its fighter bombers and helicopters. Russian intelligence services and military are attempting to influence relatives of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) by contacting them immediately after their capture, the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs reported on Jan. 27. The calls are used to pressure relatives into cooperating with Russian forces by demanding money, sensitive information, or illegal actions in exchange for promises of better treatment or inclusion in prisoner exchanges, according to the statement. "This is done to shock, emotionally pressure, and force the family to cooperate," the headquarters reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes as another example of Russia abusing or threatening Ukrainian captives as part of its all-out war against Ukraine. Kyiv and Moscow have carried out several prisoner exchanges during the conflict, though Russia has been accused of deliberately slowing down the swaps and spreading disinformation about the process to destabilize Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities have documented widespread violations of the Geneva Conventions by Russia, including the execution of over 100 Ukrainian POWs in 2024 alone, according to Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. Reports of torture, murder, and ill-treatment of Ukrainian captives have surged in recent months, particularly in Donetsk Oblast, where intense fighting continues. On Jan. 23, Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office announced it was investigating a case of Russian troops summarily executing six Ukrainian POWs in the region. Read also: Russias Ryazan oil refinery suspends operations after drone strike, Reuters reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Bloomberg) -- Russia is sending cargoes of sanctioned oil to India on tankers that have been blacklisted by the US Treasury setting up an acid test of Moscow's ability to get around aggressive measures imposed by Washington earlier this month. Most Read from Bloomberg Three shipments of heavily sanctioned Arctic oil are all being carried to the South Asian countrys ports on tankers that were designated by the US Treasury on Jan. 10. In the Pacific, at least two cargoes from Sakhalin Island also appear to be on the way to India having spent time on US-listed vessels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement India has indicated that it would only allow sanctioned tankers that loaded before Jan. 10 into its ports provided they get there before Feb. 27. All five shipments collected their consignments after Jan. 10. At stake is Moscow's ability to keep barrels flowing following the US measures, something that could ultimately dictate the country's ability to maintain output levels. Failure to work around the sanctions would undermine expectations for a small surplus in the global oil market this year. So far, there's no clear sign of a reduction in Russias flows since the measures were imposed by the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control. A four-week rolling average of shipments observed by Bloomberg showed that they were little changed in the past seven-day period through Jan. 26, albeit at relatively low levels by historical standards. Daily crude flows in the seven days to Jan. 26 rose by about 320,000 barrels, or 11%, from the previous week to 3.07 million. Less-volatile four-week average flows edged higher from the previous weeks revised number, to 2.96 million barrels a day. Nevertheless, crude shipments in the first four weeks of 2025 were about 290,000 barrels a day, or 9%, below the average for the whole of the previous year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A slump in flows from the countrys Baltic ports was more than offset by an increase in shipments from Pacific and Arctic terminals. Exports from the smaller Baltic port of Ust-Luga remain depressed after an unexpected slump in late December, while shipments from the larger Primorsk terminal gave up the previous weeks increase. Murmansk Three sanctioned tankers left the Arctic port of Murmansk in the week ended Jan. 26 and are headed for the Suez Canal. Their eventual destinations are ports in India, according to shipping data seen by Bloomberg. They are likely to arrive in the second half of February. India has said that it would only accept deliveries on sanctioned vessels if they loaded before Jan. 10 and arrived before Feb. 27. The ships cargoes were pumped by Gazprom Neft, which was also blacklisted, and carried to a sanctioned floating storage unit at the port on sanctioned shuttle tankers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other side of the world, several shipments of Russias Sokol crude also seem to be heading toward the south Asian nation, having been handled by sanctioned ships on their journey. The Pavel Chernysh and Viktor Konetsky, both sanctioned, showed their destination as Sikka in India soon after loading. The Viktor Konetsky subsequently switched its cargo onto an unsanctioned vessel off the Russian port of Nakhodka. That ship has yet to signal a destination, or to move far from the port. The Pavel Chernysh has been idling off Yeosu in South Korea, a popular ship-to-ship transfer site for Russian crude, for a week. The voyage to India from both Russias Arctic and Pacific ports takes about a month. That gives time for the sanctions situation to be clarified, with processors in the south Asian nation hopeful that the new US administration may soften the impact of the curbs announced in the final days of the Biden presidency. The new administration hasnt clarified how it will view oil that was transferred from a designated ship onto an undesignated one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow has been rushing to find unsanctioned vessels to move the key Asian grade ESPO from the port of Kozmino, near Japan. Only one of the 19 vessels loading ESPO crude between Jan. 10 and Jan. 26 has been sanctioned by the US. The Li Bai took on a cargo between Jan. 17 and 18. It has yet to leave Kozmino. Three of the tankers loading at the port of Kozmino since the Jan. 10 measures came directly from shipyards around Zhoushan in China. Another went to the port after delivering a cargo of Russian Urals crude to China. Most of the sanctioned tankers hauling Russias Pacific grades are idling near the coast, or near South Korea; none seems to be in a rush to reach its destination. Separately, crude flows to Turkey surged to their highest since Moscows 2022 invasion of Ukraine immediately after the Jan. 10 sanctions announcement. At 730,000 barrels a day, shipments in the week to Jan. 19 beat their previous high by 16%. Those deliveries helped Russia to maintain its rate of exports. Crude Shipments Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A total of 28 tankers loaded 21.48 million barrels of Russian crude in the week to Jan. 26, vessel-tracking data and port-agent reports show. The volume was up from 19.26 million barrels on 26 ships the previous week. Export Value A decline in the price of Russian crude partly offset the increase in exports to leave the gross value of Moscows exports up by about $50 million to $1.43 billion in the week to Jan. 26. Export values at Baltic ports were down week-on-week by about $4.50 a barrel, while those for Black Sea loading dropped by about $4 a barrel. The price for key Pacific grade ESPO slumped by about $8 compared with the previous week. Delivered prices in India were down by about $2.90, all according to numbers from Argus Media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four-week average income rose to about $1.42 billion a week, from $1.39 billion in the period to Jan. 19. On this basis, the prices of Russias shipments from the Baltic and the Black Sea in the four weeks to Jan. 26 were up by about $1.30 a barrel from the period to Jan. 19. Prices for key Pacific grade ESPO were higher by about $1.70 a barrel. Flows by Destination Observed shipments to Russias Asian customers, including those showing no final destination, were virtually unchanged at 2.57 million barrels a day in the four weeks to Jan. 26. Thats about 20% below the average level seen during the most recent peak in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 920,000 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 1.36 million barrels a day, down from a revised 1.49 million for the period to Jan. 19. 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. Several tankers leaving Russias Pacific ports have yet to show final destinations. Historically, most have ended up delivering to China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The equivalent of about 300,000 barrels a day was on vessels signaling Port Said or Suez in Egypt, or on those tankers leaving the Pacific ports. Those show up as Unknown Asia until a final destination becomes apparent. 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. 26 showing their fourth straight increase to hit 390,000 barrels a day. The increase was driven by a surge in tankers heading to Turkey in the week following the latest US sanctions. At 730,000 barrels a day, flows to Turkey in the seven days to Jan. 19 were the highest since Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine, exceeding the previous high by 100,000 barrels a day. 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, Feb. 4. 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. --With assistance from Sherry Su. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Russia blocked access to more than 417,000 websites in 2024, marking a record high. Source: The Moscow Times with reference to Roskomsvoboda registry Details: A total of 523,000 online resources were restricted, while around 106,000 were eventually unlocked. In comparison, in 2023, restrictions affected 571,000 pages, with access restored to only 197,000. The number of blocked websites in 2024 that remain inaccessible is double that of 2023 and five times that of 2022. The unblocking rate has also decreased significantly: 183,000 resources were unblocked in 2022, 374,000 in 2023, and only 106,000 in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, the Federal Tax Service initiated the largest number of blocking actions, with access to 142,000 resources being restricted at its request. The censorship authority Roskomnadzor was in second place with over 132,000 blockings. The third place was taken by an "unspecified government agency", which blocked more than 62,000 web pages. The courts, in particular the Moscow City Court, contributed to the blocking of more than 60,000 websites, of which about 50,000 were restricted on the initiative of the City Court. Roskomnadzor's registry included the "unspecified government agency" category in late 2022, which experts believe might replace references to the Russian Prosecutor General's Office. It should be mentioned that more than 85% of blocking in 2024 took place without court orders. Background: Russia's Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, along with the censorship authority Roskomnadzor, are discussing the potential implementation of call restrictions in messaging apps, supposedly due to an increase in fraudster activities. The popular messaging app Viber has been blocked by Russias Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor). The decision was made in connection with a violation of the law. Russian users of the Signal messenger app encountered issues with the service. Between July and September 2024, Apple removed 60 VPN apps from the Russian App Store, bringing the total unavailable VPN apps to 98. Support UP or become our patron! Editor's note: The article was updated with a statement by the Air Force and the latest casualty figures from Odesa. Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least four civilians and injured at least 24 over the past day, regional authorities reported on Jan. 28. Russia launched 100 Shahed-type drones and decoy drones against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force said. Sixty-five drones were shot down by air defenses over 14 oblasts, 28 were lost in the airspace, and two flew toward Russia and Belarus, according to the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five men aged 30-39 were injured during a Russian artillery attack against Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on Jan. 27, Governor Serhii Lysak reported. An industrial enterprise, a house, solar panels, and a power line were damaged. In Donetsk Oblast, two people were killed in a Russian attack against the town of Rodynske, and one person was injured in Pokrovsk, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin. A Russian drone attack against Odesa damaged residential buildings and set four cars ablaze, Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov said. Four people were injured, the Interior Ministry said. Russian attacks against Kharkiv Oblast injured three civilians, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 62-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man were injured during a drone attack against the Rohan community, and a 61-year-old woman was hospitalized following a Russian attack against the Kindrashivka village, according to the statement. On the morning of Jan. 28, a Russian strike hit a civilian enterprise in the southwestern part of Kharkiv, causing a large-scale fire, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. No casualties were reported. In Sumy Oblast, five people were injured in Russian attacks on Jan. 27 four in the Yunakivka community and one in the Seredyna-Buda community, the regional military administration said. Two people were killed and two injured in Russian attacks against Kherson Oblast, said the regional governor, Oleksandr Prokudin. A multi-story building, 10 houses, a garage, a warehouse, and agricultural machinery were damaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two men and two women were injured in Russian attacks against the Vasylivka district in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, according to Governor Ivan Fedorov. In Cherkasy Oblast, a Russian attack damaged an infrastructure facility in Uman, leading to power outages, Mayor Iryna Pletneva said. No casualties were reported. In Kyiv Oblast, drone debris set fire to a vintage car museum, destroying nine vehicles and damaging 27, the regional military administration said. Two houses, three non-residential buildings, and three cars were damaged elsewhere in the region, but no casualties were reported. Read also: Ukraine war latest: North Korean forces reportedly pull back from one front-line sector following heavy casualties Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Russian combat drone has hit a factory in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv and set it on fire, authorities said on Tuesday. Damage was also reported from other parts of the country following the large-scale night-time attack, in which Russia deployed 100 unmanned drones, according to information from the Ukrainian Air Force. "An enemy drone of the Shahed type hit the property of a civilian company," Bohdan Gladkych, head of civil defence in Kharkiv, told the TV station Suspilne. According to initial reports, it was a wood processing factory and there were no casualties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two people were killed by Russian artillery fire in the Donetsk region, authorities said. Four people were injured by drones in the Ukrainian port city of Odessa on the Black Sea. Several residential buildings and cars were damaged, according to Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov. Near the capital Kiev, a hall with a collection of vintage cars burned down and in the city of Uman, south of Kiev, infrastructure was also damaged. The air force announced that 65 of the 100 Russian drones had been shot down. A further 28 drones turned out to be dummies without explosives. Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-sclae Russian invasion with massive Western support for nearly three years. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defence in Moscow announced that five Ukrainian drones had been intercepted over Russia overnight. 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 Preterm babies who receive a hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine at birth aren't at increased risk of developing a chronic lung disease that affects newborns, according to a new study. The research, led by Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization (WHO), found that babies born before 29 weeks gestation who had a HBV vaccine shortly after birth weren't more likely to be diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) than unvaccinated babies. For the study, the largest of its kind in the world and involving 818 preterm babies in Victoria, used the Vaccine Safety Health Link. The link joins together multiple state-wide immunization and health outcome datasets. It found that 51 percent of the vaccinated babies went onto develop BPD, compared to 62 percent in the unvaccinated group. BPD is a severe lung disease that is common among very preterm babies and can cause a range of health and developmental challenges including asthma, heart problems and neurodevelopmental disability. HBV, the most common blood-borne virus in Australia, attacks the liver and can be passed on in utero. Babies that are infected are 90 percent more likely to develop chronic infection compared with those infected later in infancy or childhood. The most effective preventive intervention for HBV is vaccination. The WHO and Australian guidelines recommend that all children receive a birth dose HBV vaccine, no matter their size. However, the rates of vaccination for HBV among preterm babies varies across Australia and globally. MCRI researcher Hannah Morgan said the study supported the existing recommendations to immunize all newborns against hepatitis B within 24 hours of birth. "This study identified no evidence of an increased risk of BPD in preterm infants who received the HBV vaccine compared to those who didn't," she said. These findings could help streamline decision-making in neonatal care units across the country." The initial concerns about a potential link were raised by Australian researchers who observed an association between specific antibodies after vaccination and a higher risk of BPD developing. Ms Morgan said, given the recommendation to vaccinate, it was a national priority to investigate this further, especially in Victoria, which had the data to draw on. "Victoria is unique in that we can link anonymous, statewide data on vaccination with birth records, perinatal and the outcomes of babies, ensuring the latest safety information can be provided," she said. "The Vaccine Safety Health Link, established by the Center for Health Analytics, has proven to be a powerful tool that continues to help us answer ongoing questions in vaccine research." Together with the Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Vaccination in the Community (SAEFVIC), the datasets provide public health recommendations to inform the Victorian Immunization Program. MOSCOW (Reuters) -A Russian delegation has arrived in Damascus for the first time since Moscow's ally President Bashar al-Assad was toppled, Russia's TASS state news agency reported on Tuesday, as Russia tries to secure the future of its military bases in Syria. The delegation, which is expected to hold talks with Syria's new rulers, includes Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Alexander Lavrentiev, the Kremlin's special envoy for Syria, TASS said. Two Syrian sources told Reuters earlier on Tuesday that talks between the delegation and Syria's leadership were expected to take place in Damascus this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia, which granted Assad refuge and helped him militarily against rebel forces for years before his downfall, is hoping to retain its two bases in Syria, a naval facility in Tartous and the Hmeimim air base near the port city of Latakia. The Tartous facility is Russia's only Mediterranean repair and replenishment hub, and Moscow has used Syria as a staging post to fly its military contractors in and out of Africa. (Reporting by ReutersEditing by Andrew Osborn) DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) A delegation of Russian officials arrived in Damascus on Tuesday for the first such visit to Syria since the fall of former President Bashar Assad. Assad, an ally of Moscow, took refuge in Russia after his ouster in December in a lightning rebel offensive. The delegation included Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov and the Russian presidents special envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev, Russia's RIA Novosti reported. The state news agency didnt offer any other details of the visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no official comment from Syrias interim government, but the semi-official Al Watan newspaper reported that the Russian delegation would meet with the country's de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and with the its foreign minister. Moscows scorched-earth intervention in support of Assad once turned the tide of Syria's civil war. Syria's new authorities have not cut off relations with Moscow or forced a complete exit of Russian military forces from bases in Syria, but earlier this month, Al Watan reported that a contract with a Russian company to manage the port in Tartous had been canceled. Following Assads downfall, Russia relocated its troops and assets from all over Syria to its main hub at the Hmeimim air base near Latakia. There has been no indication that Moscow was preparing to evacuate the Hmeimim base or the naval facility in Tartus altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The termination of a contract for a Russian company to modernize the Tartus commercial port did not directly impact the Russian naval facility, which was leased under a separate deal. Also Tuesday, a delegation from the Palestinian Authority made its first visit to Damascus. The delegation, headed by Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, met with al-Sharaa, the PA said in a statement. No details of what was discussed were given. Palestinian refugees in Syria, which number about 450,000, were not given citizenship under previous Syrian governments, ostensibly to preserve their right to go back to the homes they fled or were forced from during the 1948 creation of the state of Israel and where they are currently banned from returning. The new Syrian government has not indicated how it might approach the status of the refugees. Russian secret services and the military are trying to influence the relatives of Ukrainian prisoners of war. They call them immediately after Ukrainians are captured. Source: Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War Details: The Coordination Headquarters reported that this is done to cause shock and force the family to work with the Russians. Quote: "They promise that the prisoner will be treated better or even included in an exchange if the relatives fulfil certain requirements: pay money, provide intimate photos, collect information, commit some illegal actions, etc." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Experts urged people not to agree to any conditions of the Russian military and to immediately report such cases to the number 0 800 300 529. Earlier, the Coordination Headquarters spoke about a fraudulent scheme that is used to extort money from the families of prisoners of war and missing persons. The scammers promise to help with the exchange. The relatives are invited to contact the perpetrators, allegedly to add the name of the prisoner to the exchange lists. If the relatives agree, they are sent an invoice to pay for the assistance in exchange for the soldier. Support UP or become our patron! Trade for March-loading Russian oil in China and India has stalled due to soaring shipping costs triggered by U.S. sanctions introduced on Jan. 10, Reuters reported on Jan. 28. The sanctions target nearly 200 vessels in Russia's "shadow fleet," major oil companies, and associated entities, significantly complicating Moscow's crude exports. The disruption has led to stalled trade in Russian crude loaded for March delivery as rising shipping costs created a significant price gap between buyers and sellers, according to Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Offers for March ESPO Blend crude from Russia's Pacific port of Kozmino have jumped to premiums of $3$5 per barrel over ICE Brent on a delivered ex-ship (DES) basis to China, following a sharp surge in Aframax tanker freight rates by millions of dollars. Before the new sanctions, demand for Russian ESPO Blend crude was robust, with spot premiums rising to nearly $2 per barrel due to firming prices for competing Iranian grades and winter demand. India is also seeing a decline in Russian oil offers. Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd reported that no new offers for March deliveries have been received, with expectations for a drop in cargoes compared to January and December. Last year, Russian crude accounted for 36% of India's imports and nearly 20% of China's. Adding to the strain, Indian banks have blocked payments for Russian oil imports following the latest U.S. sanctions, Energy Intelligence reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. President Donald Trump warned Russia on Jan. 22 to "make a deal" to end the war in Ukraine, cautioning that continued resistance would result in additional sanctions, tariffs, and taxes on Russian goods. Read also: Trumps Russia sanctions might be what finally works Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian-Israeli oligarch Roman Abramovich evaded millions in taxes in EU countries through a fake yacht-for-hire scheme, according to a joint investigation by the BBC, The Guardian, and The Bureau of Investigative Journalism published on Jan. 28. The businessman acquired five yachts in the 2000s that he then "hired" for himself through controlled companies to claim an exemption from value-added tax (VAT) in Cyprus and elsewhere, the investigation said, citing leaked documents. Abramovich has a net worth estimated to be around $9 billion and has Russian, Israeli, and Portuguese citizenship. He was formerly the governor of the Chukotka region in Russia's far east and previously owned Chelsea FC, which he was forced to sell after the outbreak of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He and other top Russian oligarchs were sanctioned after the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The oligarch now resides alternatively in Tel Aviv, Istanbul, and Russia's Sochi. According to the investigation, Abramovich acquired the Eclipse, Ecstasea, Luna, Le Grand Bleu, and Pelorus superyachts shortly after getting rich from selling the Russian oil company Sibneft in 2005. The vessels, owned by various companies registered in the British Virgin Islands ultimately administered by Abramovich's trust, were registered as cargo, commercial, or passenger yachts and "leased" to the Cyprus-based company Blue Ocean Yacht Management. Blue Ocean then reportedly rented the yachts to other companies, which were, in fact, also controlled by Abramovich. This scheme helped the businessman generate profit without paying VAT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The oligarch's companies falsely claimed the right to tax exemption by listing the yachts as central to their business. According to experts consulted by the journalists, this may amount to tax evasion. Abramovich's lawyers denied any knowledge of a tax evasion scheme. The article came as part of the joint Cyprus Confidential investigation into files leaked in 2023 and led by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and Paper Trail Media. Shortly after the outbreak of the full-scale invasion, Abramovich participated in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Bloomberg reported that he visited Kyiv as part of the talks in April 2022, which his spokesperson denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later in the year, Abramovich met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to help negotiate a prisoner exchange. Read also: UK lawmakers criticize failure to use funds from Russian oligarch Abramovichs sale of Chelsea FC for Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlovs statue was removed from Kyivs Pechersk district over symbolizing Russias imperial past and Pavlov's controversial experiments on animals, the Kyiv city administration said on Jan. 27. During centuries of Russian imperial rule, Moscow imposed the supremacy of the Russian language, nation, and culture over Ukraine. The Russian cultural dominance largely continued during the Soviet period, and statues for Russian figures were erected until Ukraine gained independence in 1991. Russia's full-scale invasion has accelerated Ukraine's efforts to de-Russify public spaces. According to the city's administration, Kyiv authorities have removed 59 objects as part of the campaign since 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pavlov's monument is currently placed in a specialized site and will be transferred to the Oleg Antonov State Aviation Museum in Kyiv, where similar objects are stored. The decision on the monument's removal was made in July 2023. Pavlov, who lived between 1849 and 1936, was born and spent much of his life in modern-day Russia. While considered a pioneer in neurology and physiology, the founder of classical conditioning has also been accused of conducting cruel experiments on animals, most famously dogs. Read also: To ban Tchaikovsky or not, that is the question Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, has reported a Russian attack on Synelnykove district, which resulted in an 11-year-old child and two adults being injured. Source: Lysak on Telegram Quote: "An 11-year-old boy, a 54-year-old man and an 83-year-old woman were injured in the Synelnykove district due to an enemy attack." Details: He said that all the injured people were hospitalised, doctors assess the condition of the injured as moderate. The authorities are also investigating the damage caused by the Russian attack. Support UP or become our patron! Russian forces launched a drone attack on the village of Antonivka in Kherson Oblast, killing one person and injuring another, on the morning of 28 January. Source: Roman Mrochko, Head of Kherson City Military Administration, on Telegram Quote from Mrochko: "Russian occupiers carried out a drone attack on Antonivka at around 11:30. A 57-year-old woman was injured by a mine blast and shrapnel, while a 49-year-old man sustained fatal injuries." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Mrochko added that the woman was taken to hospital. Background: Russian forces launch daily attacks on civilians in Kherson Oblast. Local authorities report casualties regularly, with people killed or injured by explosives dropped from Russian drones. The Financial Times previously reported that Russia is using these attacks to train operators of kamikaze drones. Support UP or become our patron! Russian forces have attacked the town of Rodynske in Donetsk Oblast, killing two people. Source: Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) on Telegram Quote from SES: "Russian occupiers carried out a targeted strike on the town of Rodynske in Donetsk Oblast, killing two people. The attack sparked a fire, damaging three houses and a business. Firefighters from the State Emergency Service swiftly brought the blaze under control." Aftermath of the attack Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Details: Filashkin added that the Russians had also attacked several settlements in Donetsk Oblast. Aftermath of the attack Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine As a result, one person was injured in Pokrovsk. Support UP or become our patron! KYIV (Reuters) -Overnight Russian air attacks wounded eight people, set a private business on fire and damaged residential buildings around Ukraine, local officials said on Tuesday. Ukraine's air force said it shot down 65 drones and 28 more did not reach their targets in the barrage. A 62-year-old woman was hospitalised and a 66-year-old man injured when drone debris damaged several houses in Kharkiv district that includes the city of the same name, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emergency services were called soon after midnight to a private business that caught fire in Kharkiv due to the Russian drone attack, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram. Ukraine's state emergency service said the fire engulfed production facilities. Two people suffered acute stress reactions, including a child, the emergency service said. It was not immediately clear what facility was burning. Video footage showed massive flames coming from what looked like an industrial building. Russia also launched a drone attack on the Black Sea port of Odesa, damaging several residential buildings and cars, and injuring four people in the city and the nearby area, its governor Oleh Kiper said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the attack impacted power and heating in the central town of Uman in Cherkasy region, local services were working to restore the supply, according to mayor Iryna Pletnova. The drone attack on the Kyiv region destroyed nine vehicles and damaged 27 more in the vintage car museum. It also damaged residential houses and cars around the region, without causing any casualties, the local authorities said. There was no immediate comment from Russia. Both sides deny targeting civilians in the nearly three-year war that Russia started with a full-scale invasion on Ukraine in February 2022. (Reporting by Oleksandr Kozhukhar in Kyiv; Writing by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Jamie Freed and Kim Coghill) 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 Spousal bereavement marks a profound life transition, yet its social and emotional ripple effects often go unnoticed. Loneliness is not just an emotional burdenit's a public health concern. Chronic loneliness has been linked to depression, dementia, cardiovascular disease, and even early death. Understanding how widowhood intersects with loneliness, particularly from a gendered perspective, provides an opportunity for early intervention to prevent long-term health consequences. "Loneliness after loss isn't just a personal struggle; it's a societal challenge, experienced by many people every year," says Monash University life-course epidemiologist Dr. Rosanne Freak-Poli. "By identifying the factors that influence bereavement-related loneliness, we can design better interventions to support the widowed." New research led Dr. Freak-Poli shines a spotlight on the complex dynamics of loneliness and social isolation following widowhood, with vital implications for mental health and societal support systems. The research is published in the journal Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. This study for the first time provides a detailed analysis of social health before and after spousal death, focusing on three key dimensionssocial isolation, social support, and loneliness. The findings reveal that loneliness is the most significant challenge for widowed individuals, while social isolation and social support show little change during spousal loss. A near-universal experience The research shows that loneliness is a near-universal experience during widowhood, affecting individuals regardless of age, gender, geographic location, employment status, volunteering, wealth, or long-term physical and mental health conditions. Interestingly, spousal death is associated with an increase in interactions with friends and family outside the household. However, these increased interactions do not necessarily ease the profound loneliness felt by those who are grieving. "Loneliness isn't just about being physically aloneit's about the prolonged feeling of being lonely," said Dr. Htet Lin Htun, co-researcher on the study. "Our findings show that spousal loss deepens these feelings, even when people are interacting more with friends and family. This paradox really speaks to the deep emotional void left by losing a life partner, who is not just a companion, but often a confidant and emotional anchor." Social health: A critical dimension Social health is the ability to form meaningful relationships, adapt to social situations, and feel supported by others. It's often assessed through three related but distinct measures: Social isolation: The objective lack of social relationships or infrequent contact with others. Social support: The perceived or actual availability of emotional, informational, or material resources from others. Loneliness: A subjective feeling of being isolated or disconnected, reflecting a gap between desired and actual social interactions. These dimensions are interconnected yet distinct. For instance, a person can have frequent social interactions (low social isolation), but still feel lonely if those interactions lack emotional depth. Widowhood alters social health trajectories In another study, using data from 19 waves of the Household, Income and Labor Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, researchers tracked the experiences of 749 widowed individuals compared to 8,418 married counterparts. The study examined how widowhood affects social connections and loneliness. Loneliness surged after spousal loss, with men experiencing a three-fold increase in loneliness in the first year compared to a two-fold increase for women. Despite this, social isolation (measured by contact with friends and family) improved for both genders, but the rise in loneliness was persistent, remaining 50% higher for women and 100% higher for men even two years after bereavement. These gender-specific findings reflect longstanding societal norms and roles, with women historically taking on caregiving and social organizing responsibilities that often result in larger social networks and greater community engagement. However, these networks do not fully protect women from the emotional toll of spousal loss. For men, widowhood can be particularly isolating, as many rely heavily on their spouse for emotional support and social connection. Without this critical support system, they often struggle to maintain existing ties or form new ones, making the transition to widowhood especially challenging. Loss impacts men and women differently The research found that: Loneliness affects everyone: Increased loneliness following spousal loss was observed across all groups, regardless of their existing levels of social connections. Some feel it more: While loneliness after spousal loss was universal, some felt it more than others. Men and financial resources: Higher financial resources, such as income and asset wealth, better-protected men from loneliness after spousal loss. However, for women, financial resources provided less of a buffer, reflecting gendered differences in social dynamics. Urban-rural differences for men: Men living in major cities experienced smaller gains in social connection during bereavement compared to those in regional areas. However, this could be because they started out less isolated. Factors affecting women: For women, being employed or volunteering, living in poverty, and having long-term mental health conditions exacerbated feelings of loneliness during bereavement. As Dr. Freak-Poli notes, "This study highlights how deeply bereavement reshapes our social connections. While some groups are more vulnerable than others, loneliness remains a universal experience. Social prescribing, as a personalized approach, could help people revisit their needs and interests, initiating the next phase of widowhood." Why it matters In a related study currently under review, the researchers found that chronically lonely women were more than twice as likely to develop dementia compared to those who were not lonely, whereas this association was not significant in men. While this latest study focuses on Australian national data, the results resonate globally, particularly in societies with well-developed welfare systems. In countries with greater social inequality or limited formal social support, the impacts of spousal loss may be even more pronounced. The research highlights the need for culturally-sensitive interventions that consider generational and life-course differences in social health expectations. Preventing chronic loneliness Bereavement is a natural process, and some degree of withdrawal from social interactions may be protective in the short term. However, given the established links between poor social health and negative health outcomes, it is important to ensure loneliness does not become a chronic issue. Dr. Htet Lin Htun emphasized the growing use of social prescribing in many countries, where health care providers recommend activities such as cooking classes or walking groups instead of solely relying on medication. "This person-centered approach empowers individuals to design their own plans, which could be particularly transformative for those facing the long-term effects of bereavement. It's about helping them rebuild routines and reconnect through activities that meet their specific needs." Future research could look into how bereavement interventions can incorporate financial counseling and social prescribing to better-support vulnerable individuals, particularly men in lower socioeconomic groups. By highlighting how loneliness and social isolation evolve differently between men and women, this study calls for more targeted approaches that consider the complex mix of emotional, social, and economic factors following the loss of a spouse. Where to from here? Policymakers must prioritize social health alongside physical and mental health. Investments in social prescribingconnecting individuals to community resourcescould be a game-changer for those who are bereaved. "Widowhood is a critical period where targeted interventions can make a lifelong difference," says Dr. Freak-Poli. "Social prescribing offers a unique opportunity to help people rediscover their needs and interests, turning a time of loss into one of renewed purpose and connection." The study's findings challenge the common belief that simply increasing social interactions is enough to combat loneliness. While widowed individuals reported more frequent interactions with friends and family, these interactions did not reduce feelings of loneliness. This suggests that the quality of social connections may be more important than the quantity. Dr. Htet Lin Htun also pointed out that a previous study revealed women with four or fewer friends they felt comfortable discussing private matters with had a 41% reduced risk of dementia compared to those with more than four friends, after a follow-up period of up to 10 years. The findings also highlight the limitations of policies aimed at increasing formal social participationsuch as joining clubs or community groupsto address loneliness. For many widowed individuals, especially women, these activities may not address the emotional void left by spousal loss. Given the unique challenges widowed individuals face, the study suggests several promising strategies: Rethink interventions for loneliness Interventions should move beyond simply encouraging social interactions. Instead, they should focus on helping the bereaved form a new sense of identity and purpose. This might include programs that support widowed individuals in exploring new interests, hobbies, or roles within their communities. Screen for loneliness Health care workers and community organizations should screen for loneliness during and after the transition to widowhood. Early identification can lead to timely support and interventions. Tailor support to gender and financial circumstances Support programs should consider the differing needs of men and women. For men, strategies might focus on building new social connections and leveraging financial resources to access formal support services. For women, interventions could emphasize emotional support and strengthening existing social ties. Make social participation more accessible Reducing the cost of formal social participation (such as membership fees for clubs or transportation to community activities) could make these opportunities more accessible, particularly for women. However, as the study notes, these efforts alone are unlikely to fully address loneliness. Foster emotional connections Programs that emphasize emotional connection, rather than just social interaction, may be more effective. This could include peer support groups for widowed individuals, or initiatives that pair the bereaved with trained volunteers who can provide emotional and practical support. More information: Rosanne Freak-Poli et al, Understanding loneliness after widowhood: The role of social isolation, social support, self-efficacy, and health-related factors, Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2024.105692 The Ryazan Oil Refinery in Russia has suspended operations due to damage from Ukrainian drone attacks, Reuters reported on Jan. 27, citing two industry sources. Ukraine confirmed hitting the plant in an overnight drone strike on Jan. 24. Oil storage facilities caught fire during the attack, sources told Reuters. The strike damaged a railway loading track and a hydroeater unit, which removes impurities from refined products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The railway loading equipment has been damaged. There have been no railways loadings, they stopped oil processing," one source said. Another said the facility suspended all loadings since Jan. 24. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Ukraine's Special Operations Forces (SOS) launched a joint attack against the refinery on Jan. 24. An SBU source told the Kyiv Independent that the strike caused fires at three oil depots and a workshop. Local residents reported another attack on the plant two nights later, circulating footage of explosions and fires at the site. The Kyiv Independent could not confirm whether the images depicted a new attack or the previous strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ryazan Oil Refinery, one of Russia's largest, has the capacity to process 17 million metric tons of oil per year. According to Reuters, the facility accounted for nearly 5% of Russia's total refining in 2024. Kyiv considers oil refineries to be valid military targets, as profits from the fossil fuel industry fund Russia's war machine. Ukraine previously attacked the Ryazan refinery in May 2024. Read also: Ukraine war latest: North Korean forces reportedly pull back from one front-line sector following heavy casualties Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Rutland County Humane Society has been searching for a new home for all of its animals for years. After a few false starts, Rutland County Humane thinks they have found a winner. The new facility is located in the town of beautiful Brandon, Vermont in northern Rutland County. The building is part of the former Brandon Training School which was built back in 1927. With that being said, RCHSs new digs is on the historic registry but also needs quite a bit of work. The over fifteen-thousand square foot facility will provide not only staff and shelter residents more space, but it will also create opportunities for more community-centered pet care. Mei Mei Brown, President of the Board of Directors, says this new space is going to allow us to have a veterinarian clinic. We initially want to start with being able to spay and neuter all of our in-house animals. Down the road, wed like to be able to do affordable spay/neuter clinics for people that just cannot afford to go to a full service vet. We also hope to do some microchip clinics, maybe some wellness visits, distemper, rabies vaccines, things like that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mei Mei along with the rest of the staff at RCHS are ready to see the shelter reach its full potential in the coming years. Mei Mei mentions, the Brandon community is getting excited about the new shelterwith more opportunities to volunteer and spend time with the animals. While it may be a little bit of a wait for the new facility to be up and running, the support is growing. Theres still a long road ahead for RCHS and their new space as Brown says she hopes to be in the new building by 2027-28. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Another night brings another rash of auto burglaries in the Metro area. This time, officials said the crime took place overnight at a large apartment complex off Stewarts Ferry Pike in the Percy Priest area. Dozens of residents reportedly woke up to broken glass and lots of frustration. A 26-year-old victim, who had his rear window smashed, spoke to News 2 about the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City and state leaders look to address increase in Nashville car break-ins Lane Hammond said the suspects broke into his car, but they stole nothing. So I woke up this morning, went to my car to let my dogs out, and I find broken glass all over and this is the second this year. Its sad, said Hammond. Hammond is a Missouri native who moved to the Metro area about a year and a half ago. He said this break-in marks the second time his car has been broken into. It is what it is. I hope they find Jesus, said Hammond. You said it is what it is, but it should not be what it is, should it? asked News 2s Andy Cordan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, it shouldnt. It is not something we should go through but it is. This is the second time its happened, he replied. Everybody wants a safe neighborhood: MNPDs East Precinct addresses recent car break-ins at community meeting According to Hammond, it will cost him between $225 to $325 in order to replace the broken glass. As News 2 spoke with Hammond, a maintenance man swept up broken glass. In fact, there were piles of glass in multiple parking stalls, which had vehicles with broken windows visible. When asked if he had anything to say to those who broke into his vehicle, Hammond gave the following message: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee It sucks for you, its a waste of time and hopefully you got some cuts on your arm from the glass. It serves you right. The best description police were able to provide about the suspects was a group of men, who were described as wearing dark clothing a driving an older model sedan. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is operating a field office in San Francisco carrying out President Donald Trumps Enforcement and Removal Operations. Orestes Cruz, ERO San Francisco Acting Field Office Director said, ERO officers in the San Francisco area of operations are committed to enforcing our nations immigration laws against violent criminals, sex offenders, and others who pose a threat to public safety. Recent sightings of ICE agents in the field have been confirmed in San Francisco and San Jose. Federal officials did not released information about why agents were in SF on Friday and in San Jose on Sunday, nor said if anyone was taken into custody for deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A confirmed arrest happened on January 23, when agents from ICE ERO San Francisco found a Guatemalan man, Juan Velasquez-Francisco, in Sacramento. Federal immigration officials said Velasquez-Francisco entered the U.S. illegally, and his criminal history included a DUI conviction and felony child sex crimes. Velasquez-Francisco was an illegally present Guatemalan national convicted of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor. He will remain detained with ICE until his removal from the United States, ICE officials wrote. Cruz said, This arrest is just one example highlighting the work ICE ERO officers perform each day to make our communities safer. Community leaders said ICE agents were in downtown San Francisco on Friday targeting janitors who work in downtown office buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The janitors who work in these buildings clean our citys offices. They go to work each day, pay taxes (and) raise their kids. Theyre the salt of the earth, State Sen. Scott Weiner (D-San Francisco) wrote. Trump says hes only targeting criminals. Thats a bald-faced lie, Weiner wrote. ICE agents were also spotted Sunday on Story Road in East San Jose, where a large immigrant population lives, the citys mayor said. Another ICE operation was conducted in the Capitol Park area. Our office has confirmed ICE sightings in multiple locations, San Jose City Councilman Peter Ortiz said. EROs workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement personnel who operate across 25 domestic field offices nationwide. ICE agents, along with other federal law enforcement agencies, attend a pre-enforcement meeting on Jan. 26, 2025. (Christopher Dilts/ Bloomberg via Getty Images) ICE has arrested about 3,000 people nationwide within the past three days, according to the agencys X page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A week into Donald Trumps second presidency and his efforts to crack down on illegal immigration, federal officers are operating with a new sense of mission. The worst go first, said Matt Elliston, director of ICEs Baltimore field office. What has changed with immigration under Trump and what is still playing out? Under Trump, ICE agents can now arrest people without legal status if they run across them while looking for migrants targeted for removal. Nobody has a free pass anymore, Elliston said. On Tuesday, San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott emphasized that police officers and city agencies are not working with federal ICE authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott said at a news conference, I want to make some things very clear. The San Francisco Police Department does not assist in immigration raids. Targeting immigrants who have built families, businesses, and homes here does not improve public safety. It does the exact opposite. It makes people fearful to report crimes. It makes children afraid to go to school, to the library, to the playgrounds. Thats not what we want. 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 KRON4. SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) A law enforcement officer who has been accused of wrongdoing before, is now accused of leaving the scene of an accident in his personal truck. But his defense attorney told KRQE News 13 its not what it seems. Story continues below According to Las Vegas police, it was a malfunction at a Las Vegas car wash that led cars to crash into each other while going through the machine. This whole thing happened because of the tracks did not stop. The track kept pushing you guys and pushing you guys, you guys ultimately collided with a vehicle that couldnt exit, said the officer on scene in his body camera footage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the cars involved belonged to a San Miguel Sheriffs Deputy currently on leave, Justin Padilla. There were no reported injuries in the crash and Padilla took off. Padilla is now cited with leaving the scene of a crash, but his attorney calls it a bogus charge. In New Mexico, the law is very clear: if your car is in a car wash thats automated and theres a malfunction in the car wash, thats not a traffic accident. Thats a machine malfunction. You dont get to charge someone criminally, said John Day, Padillas attorney. My client checked with the staff at the car wash and the people involved and there was no reason to stay. He also suggested there could be another reason behind the charge. My client had filed the internal affairs complaint against the officer that charged him and you can make up your own mind about what the motivation is there, said Padilla. If the name Justin Padilla sounds familiar, thats because he was also accused at one point of holding a woman down at a party while someone beat her. But a judge dismissed those charges saying there was not enough probable cause. Day also called that a bogus charge that was brought on as a form of payback. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputy Padilla, whos an aggressive cop, is dealing with a lot of very dirty situations. Hes trying to be a clean cop in a place where the drug dealers have a lot of power, said Day. Padillas law enforcement certification status is still pending because of the felony charge that was thrown out but his attorney expects it will be restored. Because of that pending status, Padilla is still on leave from the sheriffs 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. SANTA FE COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) Two Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office deputies rescued a child from a burning home Monday morning. Story continues below Deputies responded to a fully engulfed structure fire just before 6 a.m. Deputy Rudy Vallejo and Deputy Levi Abeyta jumped into action, saving one child who was trapped in the home and assisting another child. Both children are receiving emergency medical care, according to the sheriffs office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office did not say where the fire happened. This is a devel Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Manny Encinias is hoping to help lawmakers "connect the dots." The executive director of the Santa Fe Farmers' Market Institute and a rancher himself, Encinias said recent changes in agricultural policy namely, the advent of the New Mexico Grown program have been a "game-changer" for farmers and ranchers, and he wants to show off the positive change to New Mexico lawmakers while they're in town for this year's legislative session. The Farmers Market Institute, in partnership with the New Mexico Farmers Marketing Association, The Food Depot, Farm to Table, and Reunity Resources, will host Feast New Mexico: Legislators' Night on Wednesday, a first-of-its-kind showcase to celebrate five years of food system achievements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Under one roof, we're providing an opportunity for legislators ... see how New Mexico farmers and ranchers, as a result of their appropriations, are able to partner with other organizations to basically put more food in front of New Mexicans on a regular basis," Encinias said. The New Mexico Grown program which connects local producers to food banks, school nutrition experts and state agencies, like the Early Childhood Education and Care Department and New Mexico Department of Health has been a "big success story" for small New Mexico farmers and ranchers, Encinias said. New Mexico Grown promulgates a list of "approved suppliers" including everything from an apricot vendor in Bernalillo County to a beef producer near Clovis from which institutions can buy. That means New Mexico produce and meats end up on lunch trays in school cafeterias or as a snack at early childhood education centers, served up at senior living facilities or available for distribution from a food bank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, Encinias said, "It's stimulating economy at the very rural level, by putting food in rural communities but also urban populations that are a little bit further away from the source of production. It's truly amazing." Feast New Mexico: Legislators' Night will showcase these connections, highlighting local producers, farmers markets and food banks. The event will coincide with a series of agriculture-related events at the Roundhouse. Rep. Joanne Ferrary, D-Las Cruces, has filed House Memorial 1 proclaiming Jan. 29 as this year's "New Mexico Food and Farms Day" to celebrate "the efforts of individuals, youth, communities, organizations and agencies in creating a thriving local food, farming and ranching economy while emphasizing that everyone in New Mexico should have access to fresh, local, healthy and nutritious food." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Farmers Market Institute doesn't have any specific requests for legislators during this session, Encinias said. Rather, he's planning to show off recent changes in hopes of garnering recurring future support for the organizations that make New Mexico Grown happen. "It's great for legislators to see how it's all interconnected. It's part of a system; it's not just one organization working alone," Encinias said. "It's multiple organizations working together to build a robust and efficient and effective food system for all New Mexicans." MILTON, Fla. (WKRG) The Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office recently highlighted the challenges of predicting domestic violence during the investigation into the death of a Milton man, whose body was found in his home with a gunshot wound. Internal MCPSS email vowed to shield students from ICE officials, now retracted Domestic violence, murders, you know, you never know when or where theyre going to occur You just cant predict it, Sheriff Bob Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case unfolded after deputies conducted a welfare check at Phillips residence last week, prompted by family concerns about his whereabouts for a week. Upon entering the home, deputies discovered Phillips deceased, initiating a homicide investigation. His wife, Tequila Phillips, was identified as the prime suspect and was arrested in Wetumpka, Alabama. She is currently awaiting extradition to Florida. Sheriff Johnson pointed to Tequila Phillips past to illustrate the recurring issues in the Phillips domestic situation. Her being arrested back in 2020 shows you there was a cycle of violence going on, and he never broke that cycle, Johnson said. She got arrested one time but then went right back to her. Then, the next thing you know, here we are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The welfare check was conducted since Allen Phillips had not been heard from for several days. Deputies said they had to force entry into the home after observing no external signs of forced entry. The condition of the scene suggested that Phillips had been deceased for some time before being found. Gulf Shores High School indoor athletic training facility collapses As the case progresses, further details will be provided by the sheriffs office. The community and law enforcement are encouraged to continue their efforts in monitoring and intervening in situations that may escalate to violence. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAYRE, Pa. (WETM) A building in Sayre thats home to a taco shop and apartments caught fire on Monday night. A fire was reported at 142 S. Keystone Ave. at about 8:15 p.m. on Jan. 27. The fire appeared to have started on the first floor. Flames were visible from the street, and smoke was billowing from the taco shop on the first floor into the apartments above. According to an 18 News Reporter at the scene, the entire storefront of Keystone Tacos burnt out. Firefighters broke all of the windows on the buildings second floor while battling the fire, and they could be seen clearing out the apartments at about 8:45 p.m. The fire was mostly extinguished by 9 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is currently unknown if the fire caused any injuries. The Sayre Fire Department and the Athens Borough Fire Department responded to the scene. First responders closed Keystone Avenue near the scene while fire crews battled 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 WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) reported on Jan. 28 that it had dismantled a Russian spy network tasked with gathering intelligence on Ukrainian aircraft for strikes on aviation infrastructure. The operation, conducted near a military airfield, led to the arrest of two agents who were caught photographing a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet during takeoff, the SBU said. The SBU identified the suspects as two residents of Kremenchuk in Poltava Oblast, aged 22 and 21, recruited by a female officer of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) whose identity has been established. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agents were allegedly tasked with collecting detailed information on military airfields housing F-16 jets and helicopters, including their geolocation and photographic evidence. This intelligence was reportedly intended to help Russia adjust its missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian aviation facilities. To fulfill their mission, the agents planned to travel across five regions of Ukraine, using public transportation and renting short-term accommodations near airfields for espionage purposes. The SBU said it had intercepted and documented their reconnaissance efforts at an early stage, preventing any successful data transfer. Both suspects were detained while photographing an F-16 jet and have been taken into custody. They now face life imprisonment on treason charges. Ukraine received its first F-16 jets in August 2024, a year after the NATO-led fighter jet coalition pledged to train Ukrainian pilots and supply aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite challenges, including a deadly crash during a massive Russian attack on Aug. 26, Ukrainian pilots have effectively used the jets to counter Russian aerial threats. Read also: Pure propaganda Kharkiv Oblast governor denies Russian claims of capturing Dvorichna Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. 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: In vivo testing of the three selected combinations in the NF1-associated MPNST PDOX mouse model. A, Relative tumor volume growth of the NF1-18B PDOX mouse model during the 2 weeks of treatment in each group. B, Waterfall plot of the fold change of each individual tumor at the end of the experiment. C, Tumor weight at the end of the experiment (MannWhitney test). Each black dot indicates one single value. D, Photographs of the collected tumors at the end of the experiment. E, Plot of the mice weight during the 2 weeks of treatment. Credit: Clinical Cancer Research (2024). DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-2807 A multicenter collaboration has identified a potential new treatment for an aggressive sarcoma arising in the nerves. The findings have been published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research. It may sound strange, but tumors may arise in the nerves. This is the case of the malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), an aggressive sarcoma with a high tendency to metastasize. Sarcomas are a group of tumors originating from cells of the connective tissue, like bone, cartilage, muscle, fat or the nerve sheath, where MPNSTs arise. About 50% of MPNSTs appear in the general population, while the other 50% develop in the context of the genetic disease neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), where individuals have a lifetime risk of 1015% of developing this tumor, affecting both children and adults. A valuable resource: A pre-clinical platform for precision medicine Currently, there is lack of effective therapy for MPNSTs beyond timely surgery, since conventional radio or chemotherapy do not show very good responses. This lack of therapeutic options prompted, almost 15 years ago, the teams of Dr. Conxi Lazaro (Hereditary Cancer at IDIBELL) and Dr. Eduard Serra (Hereditary Cancer at IGTP), together with the expertise of Dr. Alberto Villanueva and the collaboration of different clinicians like Dr. Ignacio Blanco, to develop a robust preclinical platform consisting of patient-derived xenografts (PDX) of human MPNSTs implanted in the nerves of immunodeficient mice and the establishment of multiple MPNST cell lines. "It has been a patient and long collaborative work of many years that is now at its maturity. We are very happy that the platform has been a successful investment that is now providing all its potential. I would like to thank many people involved, particularly Dr. Juana Fernandez, who directs the Mouse Lab platform at IDIBELL, who has been key to this success. I would also like to thank the constant support of the Fundacion Proyecto Neurofibromatosis, whose invaluable and constant support, even in difficult times, allowed the development of this platform," mentioned Dr. Lazaro, one of the senior authors of the work. All models and primary tumors have been genomically characterized and compared, enabling their use in precision medicine strategies, where drugs are tailored to treat tumors based on specific mutations identified in each case. Over time, this resource has grown significantly, now comprising many different MPNST models, and serving as a foundation for drug screening to predict treatment responses. "The most common type of MPNSTs initiate by losing the function of three important genes, called tumor suppressor genes: NF1, CDKN2A and PRC2 (either SUZ12 or EED). We have been fortunate that inhibitors targeting the pathways affected by these mutations already exist. Building on top of the work of other research teamsscience and research is like being a 'casteller'we initiated the project to combine these drugs and evaluate their potential for clinical application," stated Dr. Serra, the other senior author of the work. From drug screening to the clinics: Research with impact In a first step, researchers took advantage of a fruitful collaboration with Dr. Marc Ferrer, at the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) at NIH (U.S.), and used robotics to screen hundreds of combinations of different inhibitors of each class: MEKi to target the loss of NF1, CDKi to target the loss of CDKN2A and BETi to target the loss of PRC2 function. The best combinations were selected, validated in vitro using an extensive panel of MPNST cell lines, and finally tested in vivo using the PDX preclinical platform, which represents both NF1-associated and sporadic MPNSTs. Researchers found good responses when using selected combinations of two different inhibitor classes, MEKi-BETi, but the best responses were obtained when using the combined action of the three inhibitors, MEKi-BETi-CDKi. "Initially, we were excited about the combined MEKi-BETi treatment, observing for the first time in our PDX models how human MPNSTs were shrinking. However, the most remarkable moment was when we observed some tumors disappearing completely with the triple MEKi-BETi-CDKi combination. After all the hard work, seeing the potential clinical applicability was an incredibly rewarding moment," explained Sara Ortega, the first author of the work, and a key driver of the project, which is part of her Ph.D. thesis that will be defended this year. At this point, it was close collaboration with clinicians, especially Dr. Hector Salvador from the Pediatric Cancer Center at Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, that made possible the use of these preclinical results as the foundation for their application in clinical settings. Initially, the findings supported the compassionate use of the MEKi-BETi combination in pediatric patients with MPNST. Dr. Salvador, together with Dr. Claudia Valverde, from Vall d'Hebron Hospital, facilitated access to new inhibitors, which are currently undergoing testing in clinical environments. Additionally, Dr. Salvador and Alicia Castaneda have started to administer the MEKi-BETi combination as compassionate use for children affected by MPNSTs. For the MEKi-BETi-CDKi combination, further preclinical studies are needed to optimize administration regimens and minimize toxic effects. However, these promising results, combined with a clinical trial currently underway in the U.S. led by other clinical groups, aim to provide the necessary evidence to enable their broader clinical application in the near future. "There is still a lot to dofurther preclinical data, optimized treatment regimens, reduced toxicitybut the first steps for precision medicine in treating MPNSTs in the future are already in place," concluded the team. More information: Sara Ortega-Bertran et al, Triple Combination of MEK, BET, and CDK Inhibitors Significantly Reduces Human Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors in Mouse Models, Clinical Cancer Research (2024). DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-2807 Journal information: Clinical Cancer Research Provided by Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) SC Attorney General Alan Wilson joined other attorneys general from 18 other states Tuesday in calling on Costco to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, due to them allegedly violating state and federal anti-discrimination laws. In recent months, many companies, including Amazon, Ford, McDonalds, Meta and Walmart, have abandoned or reevaluated their DEI policies in light of legal challenges. A letter, sent to Costcos leadership, demands the company repeal these policies within 30 days. The letter can be found here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Costcos DEI policies may have a fancy name, but at their core, theyre about discrimination, not diversity, said Attorney General Wilson. America was built on the idea that individuals are judged by their character and contributions, not the color of their skin. Costco should focus on merit, not woke politics. It was reported that Costco unanimously opposed a shareholder proposal to study the financial risks associated with these policies. Costcos refusal to step away from discriminatory practices not only risks lawsuits but also jeopardizes the trust of its customers, employees, and investors, added Attorney General Wilson. The Supreme Court has made it crystal clear: eliminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it. The letter also advised that Costco redirect its focus to other issues, including allegations of slave labor in its supply chain, rather than policies that sow division and violate the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorneys general have requested a response from Costco within 30 days, either confirming the repeal of its DEI policies or providing an explanation for their continuation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. South Carolina's execution chamber. (Provided/SC Department of Corrections) COLUMBIA Other options are available for a death row inmate who claimed he has a right to know more about the drugs that will kill him, a federal judge decided Tuesday. Marion Bowmans attorneys indicated in a filing Tuesday that they intend to appeal the decision. With Bowmans execution slated for Friday, the federal appeals court will have days to decide whether to delay the process long enough to hear him out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bowman, who chose to die by lethal injection, asked the court to require officials tell him more about the fatal drug. Specifically, Bowmans attorneys want to know when and how the drugs were tested, when they expire and how the Department of Corrections stores them, they wrote in a petition. Nearly everything about the drug used for executions the sedative pentobarbital is kept secret under a 2023 law that worked as intended by encouraging companies to sell to the state. Bowman has the right to verify the potency and purity of the drugs to be sure he wont die a painful death, his attorneys argued. Bowmans arguments did not persuade U.S. District Judge Jacquelyn Austin, who came to a similar conclusion in a separate case ahead of the states first execution in over 13 years last September. State law requires the prisons director to determine after a death warrant is issued whether each possible method of execution lethal injection, firing squad and electrocution is ready to use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nothing in state law requires the director to give any more information about the methods, Austin determined in turning down Bowmans claims otherwise. If Bowman didnt feel that he had enough information about lethal injection, he could have chosen one of those other two methods by which to die, Austin wrote. He has been allowed to choose the execution method that he and his lawyers believe is best for him, using whatever criteria he preferred, based on the information available to him, Austin wrote. Bowman was sentenced to death in 2002 for killing an Orangeburg mother, stuffing her body in the trunk of her car and lighting it on fire. He is one of four inmates who could be executed in the coming months after the state restarted executions in September. (File/Getty Images) COLUMBIA The South Carolina Department of Education is discriminating against Black peoples viewpoints by enforcing a law that bars schools from teaching that any race is inherently superior or automatically racist, claims a federal lawsuit filed Monday. The lawsuit, filed in Columbia on behalf of the state NAACP, teachers, students and librarians, names state Superintendent Ellen Weaver and two school districts in Lexington County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It claims they removed curriculum and books out of fear of violating the clause that legislators first approved as part of the state budget in 2021. Schools that violate the law risk losing state funding. The law says no state money can go toward the teaching or training of eight banned concepts, which include anyone being responsible for past atrocities because of their race, that someones worth is determined by race, and that traits such as hard work are oppressive and racist. Of the eight, the concept cited as the most troublesome says lessons cant make anyone feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his race or sex. The wording is vague and discriminatory, leaving schools and statewide officials to unnecessarily remove history lessons and books by Black authors from shelves, the lawsuit claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislators of both parties agreed that line in the law could stifle instruction. Thats why it was purposefully excluded from legislation that sought to clean up the law while creating a uniform complaint process. But that bill ultimately died last June after negotiations between the House and Senate stalled for a year. Then, on the final day of the special session, Senate Democrats refused to accept the compromise, which needed bipartisan support for the necessary supermajority approval in both chambers. So, it failed on a vote of 25-13, leaving the vague language in place. The House never voted on the final version. Legislators would have to start over a third time if they want to revive the proposal. (The first version died in 2022.) The education department remains dedicated to ensuring schools teach both the tragedies and triumphs of history, said spokesman Jason Raven. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This meritless lawsuit does not diminish our dedication, nor does it identify any shortcomings or legal defects, Raven said in a statement. The South Carolina Department of Education will continue to seek meaningful opportunities to build bridges across divisions, honor the richness of our shared history, and teach it with integrity, all while ensuring full compliance with state law. Education department officials pointed to the law and controversy surrounding it in when it didnt include African American Studies on the states roster of Advanced Placement courses for this school year the courses inaugural year following a two-year pilot. Schools can still offer honors classes on African American history, with the option of taking the end-of-course Advanced Placement test for college credit. Instead of the state paying the $98 fee for the test, though, the cost would fall to the district or student. Its unclear why honors African American classes but not the standard Advanced Placement version would be allowed under the law, the lawsuit reads. Two students joined the lawsuit over the AP course. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This lawsuit simply is to ask the courts to do whats right to stop the censorship and allow students to hear from their teachers, to learn freely about things like race and gender, said attorney Tyler Bailey. School librarians, teachers and administrators have also removed books from classrooms and libraries for fear that they violate the law, the lawsuit claims. Among those books are Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, which was removed from a teachers curriculum in the Lexington-Richland 5 School District in 2023, and Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi, which has been removed from school libraries across the state, the lawsuit claims. Kendi, who a GOP legislator repeatedly quoted during a House floor debate last year, is also a plaintiff in the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those books and others contain valuable insights into Black culture and history, as well as important information for students to learn, attorneys said. We see this as an attack on Black people, history and culture, said Santino Coleman, an attorney for the Legal Defense Fund, which is representing plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Teachers and administrators may be overly cautious in enforcing the law because its so unclear what it covers, the lawsuit claims. For instance, some teachers believe they cant talk about events such as the Holocaust because that would cause students discomfort. Others questioned whether they would be able to talk about pay disparities between men and women because of the inclusion of sex discrimination in the law, the lawsuit reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chapin High School librarian Ayanna Mayes, a plaintiff in the case, found herself unsure of what books might be allowed to remain in the school library, she told reporters Monday. School administrators began monitoring her work much more closely after the law went into effect, she said. There is no way to deny that our state and school districts have thwarted mine and my colleagues efforts to provide the highest quality education to our students without blatantly calling us liars, Mayes said. The lawsuit asks a federal judge to stop the enforcement of the state law, claiming it violates constitutional rights to freedom of speech and equal protection, as well as protections against viewpoint discrimination and selective enforcement of the law. An unfortunate irony? Beyond striking the most problematic banned concept, the legislation that died last year also specified that fact-based instruction on history was not part of the ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the debate, legislators of both parties said they want students to get a full and accurate picture of history, including the ugly and brutal parts. As passed by the Senate in May 2023, also along party lines, the bill specifically protected historically accurate discussions on slavery, Reconstruction, the Jim Crow era, segregation, racial lynchings, and any historical oppression of a particular group of people based on race, sex, ethnicity, class, nationality, religion, or geographic region. The opponents who protested outside the Statehouse and packed hearings said the legislation would create fear among teachers about what they could teach, censor lessons, and discriminate. Some of their testimony centered on language in other bills filed by the uber-conservative House Freedom Caucus, which wasnt in the versions passed by either chamber. Opponents wanted the bill struck altogether, rather than amended. They won. But what many perhaps also didnt realize is that much of the bill they successfully pushed to kill was already state law, which was left in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The language inserted into the state budget in 2021 has the same legal authority as state statutes. While the state budget is technically a one-year law, budget clauses generally roll over from one year to the next unless the Legislature specifically votes to take it out or passes a permanent state law that supersedes it which the killed bill would have done. If the Legislature tries again, theres a greater chance Democrats wont like the bill, since the election newly gave the Senate a GOP supermajority, and any final compromise wouldnt need Democrats support. The federal courts, however, could weigh in first. SC Daily Gazette Editor Seanna Adcox contributed to this report. What does the law say? Since 2021, the state budget has included this clause: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the current fiscal year, of the funds allocated by the Department of Education to school districts, no monies shall be used by any school district or school to provide instruction in, to teach, instruct, or train any administrator, teacher, staff member, or employee to adopt or believe, or to approve for use, make use of, or carry out standards, curricula, lesson plans, textbooks, instructional materials, or instructional practices that serve to inculcate any of the following concepts: (1) one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex; (2) an individual, by virtue of his race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously; (3) an individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of his race or sex; (4) an individuals moral standing or worth is necessarily determined by his race or sex; (5) an individual, by virtue of his race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex; (6) an individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his race or sex; (7) meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist, or were created by members of a particular race to oppress members of another race; and *(8) fault, blame, or bias should be assigned to a race or sex, or to members of a race or sex because of their race or sex. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting any professional development training for teachers related to issues of addressing unconscious bias within the context of teaching certain literary or historical concepts or issues related to the impacts of historical or past discriminatory policies. *This is the line that was excluded from the bill that failed. Henry Goldberg, 76, points to a display of his family at the Liberation of Auschwitz 80th Commemoration Monday. (Shaun Chornobroff/SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA Henry Goldberg stood in the lobby at the University of South Carolinas alumni center staring at a display of his familys story. His father survived the horrors of Auschwitz in Poland, while his mother survived a different death camp in Germany. Monday marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the Nazis largest extermination camp. As survivors of the Holocaust and their children spoke, Brown thought not only of his parents, but family members who didnt survive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres an extra feeling that most people dont have, Goldberg, 76, of Columbia, told the SC Daily Gazette while pointing at a picture of his family. Theres a stronger feeling for me than most people. More than 6 million Jews died during the Holocaust. Auschwitz alone accounted for the murders of 1.1 million men, women and children deported there between 1940 and Jan. 27, 1945, when Soviet troops liberated the camp. More than 500 people came to USCs Pastides Alumni Center to commemorate that day, while also recognizing the continued hostility and prejudice against Jewish people. The events organizer was the South Carolina Council on the Holocaust, which the state Legislature created in 1989 to promote awareness of the Holocausts atrocities and to honor the survivors and death camp liberators who made the Palmetto State their home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During WWII, more than 900,000 men received their military training at South Carolina bases and 180,000 South Carolinians, including 2,500 women, served in World War II. Lilly Filler, the councils chair, is the daughter of Auschwitz survivors. When they immigrated to South Carolina in June 1949, Filler said her parents felt the urge to speak about their experience. They talked about their ordeal at synagogues, schools and anywhere else they were welcome. She read a passage from a speech he gave in 1995 commemorating the 50th anniversary of World War II. It would be easy for me to be filled with rage and agony over the human depravity that I experienced in the Holocaust, she read. But when I recall my first sight of the American soldiers entering our concentration camp, it was as though God Himself had sent his own angels of deliverance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harry Schneider of Charleston was not yet 3 years old in September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. Luckily, his family had escaped into a forest before the Germans arrived. They remained there for two years before his father was accepted into the Russian army. Schnieder, who came to the United States in 1950, remembers cold winters and little food. I remember being 5 or 6 years old and waiting in long lines with a bucket trying to get a little bit of milk, he told attendees. But somehow we managed to survive. The Anne Frank Center at the University of South Carolina, which co-hosted the event, is the only North American partner of the house in Amsterdam where its namesake hid from Nazis eight decades ago. The centers traveling exhibit is soon to visit its 40th state: Vermont. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, more than 25,000 people have toured the center on USCs campus, said former USC President Harris Pastides, who was instrumental in its 2021 opening. Our work will not be done until there are no 11th graders, no eighth graders, no children in our state and in our world who dont understand the horror and the tragedy as well as the significance of the liberation of Auschwitz, said Pastides. Beyond survivors and religious leaders, speakers included Gov. Henry McMaster, Lt. Gov. Pam Evette, state Superintendent Ellen Weaver, and Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann. The keynote speaker was Chuck Todd, NBCs chief political analyst and former Meet The Press host. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todd, who is Jewish, talked about being raised to be a quiet Jew one who isnt open about his religion. Todd told the crowd how his mother was likened to Satan as a child and asked if she was hiding horns underneath her black hair. Being a quiet jew isnt an option in todays world of misinformation, Todd said, addressing the rise of antisemitism since Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in a war between Hamas and Israel that sparked sometimes violent anti-Israel demonstrations on college campuses in other states. The ease with which public opinion against Jews and Israel specifically was changed and manipulated, not by facts on the ground, but by sentiment on social media thanks to algorithms that are designed to amplify popular sentiment over actual facts, its quite scary, he said. Rabbi Sam Rose of Temple of Israel in Greenville spoke passionately about the rise of hate against Jewish people in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Anti-Defamation League calculated 5,204 incidents of antisemitism between the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 and the end of 2023. Thats more than the entirety of 2022. May we work tirelessly to create a world where love triumphs over hate, where justice overcomes the fear that so many people have of difference, Rose said, and every person is able to truly find shalom, a sense of wholeness in the dignity of who they are. There is a large emergency response underway on the South Shore after scaffolding at a construction site collapsed on Tuesday morning. Crews responding to a report of a construction accident at Washington and Edison streets in Quincy found the toppled scaffolding at a building under construction and began searching for workers, according to Friends Of Quincy Firefighters IAFF Local 792. Fire officials have since confirmed that all workers were accounted for, however, there was no immediate word on injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The area has been blocked off and the public is urged to avoid the neighborhood until further notice. TRAFFIC ADVISORY Due to a construction accident, Washington Street will be closed from Edison Park to Arnold... Posted by Quincy Police Department on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 The collapse came on a day when wind gusts of 35-50 mph were forecasted across the region. An investigation into the collapse is ongoing. 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 A winter storm will move into New Mexico Wednesday. Snow could bring travel impacts to western and northern New Mexico through Thursday. Warmer weather continued to move into New Mexico Monday. This also came with breezy winds, especially across the southwest part of the state. Tuesday will be similar to Monday with more mild temperatures and a breezy southwest wind. Some light rain and mountain snow will move into the Four Corners late Tuesday night. Unfortunately, the winter storm weve been keeping an eye on will be moving faster and farther north across New Mexico this week. This means we will be seeing lower snowfall amounts and snow farther north. Scattered snow will move into western and northern New Mexico Wednesday morning, with a few spotty showers in eastern parts of the state. With above freezing temperatures in valley locations in central New Mexico Wednesday, its likely the Albuquerque Metro will only see rain through the day. However, locally moderate to heavy snow may fall in western and northern New Mexico, especially in the higher elevations Wednesday evening. If we see any travel impacts out of the storm across the state, it will be Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. A little bit of light snow will be possible Wednesday night/Thursday morning in the Albuquerque Metro, but accumulations will be less than 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snow and rain will already be wrapping up by Thursday morning. Some wrap around moisture will bring a few flurries Thursday morning in western New Mexico and light snow from the northern mountains to Clayton. Dry weather returns statewide Thursday afternoon. Warmer weather quickly returns Friday with this warming trend continuing into early next week. Much warmer weather will continue to move in a week from Monday with near-record high temperatures possible. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The subject of ICE raids and the effect the drastic change in federal policy is having on students came up during Monday nights regular Sioux City Community School District board meeting. According to superintendent Rod Earleywine, district staff are monitoring attendance, especially that of English-language learner (ELL) students. He says it is down just a little bit. Earleywine added that he and administrators in similar districts are communicating on the issue. Sioux City council approves car dealership moratorium, advances levee project Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have had several meetings with my colleagues across the state at school districts that lead districts similar to ours and had those conversations, he said. Weve shared information. Theres a shift, and we certainly know that. I have students who have not been back in school since Donald Trump was sworn into office, said Matthew OKane, Sioux City West High School teacher and city council member. I have students every day who are crying. I have students that I dont think I will ever see again. This is something that doesnt just affect our school district it affects our city. OKane raised similar concerns during Mondays regular meeting. Superintendent Earleywine stressed that there is a lot of misinformation circulating and that district officials have information that can be shared with parents. Man sentenced to prison following South Sioux City officer-involved shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials in South Sioux City, which has a large migrant population, are also reaching out to the community. KCAU 9 asked police chief Edward Mahon if his department is involved with immigration enforcement. I mean, we dont have any, we are not legally even able to, if we wanted to, check green cards, he said. Immigration status is not our job, no matter what people will say. Our job is to protect and serve every member of our community, and if they have a complaint, if theyre a victim, they cant be afraid to come see us. Mahon said that to act otherwise would be counterproductive to ensuring every citizens safety. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) Amcor announced a new scholarship program for undergraduate students at an accredited two-year college or vocational-technical school. Amcor is a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions. At the Terre Haute Plant, Amcor makes plastic packaging, known as overwrap. Its used to cover household items like paper towels and toilet paper. While you wont see the Amcor name on the product, it is in millions of Americans homes. Officials said that as a society, its important to recognize that you can have a fulfilling, well-paying career with a two-year education, a vocational, or trade school education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CANDLES Holocaust Museum observes Holocaust Remembrance Day There is a very well-paid career at Amcor, Mary Ann Dilling, Director of Community Relations at Amcor said. We believe in investing in the manufacturing workforce of the future, and so were excited to help students get the training they need for a successful and satisfying career, stated Ethan Haas, chair of the Amcor Cares Board of Trustees. Amcor considers it a responsibility and an honor to help students truly unpack their potential in the years ahead. Whos the ideal candidate? Anyone in the high schools right now that is a senior, theyre looking for their direction in the future, Dilling said. They see themselves definitely going to a technical school. They are excited about their future but would love some assistance, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scholarship recipients have the opportunity to go on for a career at Amcor. The company also offers a program for colleagues to have the chance to go back to school with financial assistance. We want to make an impact, but we also see a possibility of them being future family members of Amcor, our future colleagues and so, what a better way than to help them with their education, Dilling said. Dilling said the scholarship is a way for Amcor to give back to the community and to the individuals within the Amcor communities. Twenty $2,500 grants will be given each academic year. Applicant eligibility requirements are as follows: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Be a high school senior or high school graduate. Reside in Arkansas, California, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, or Wisconsin. Plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year college or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year. Be pursuing a certificate* or associate degree in an industrial-skilled trade (for example, Mechanics, Electronics, or Automation). Have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent. Interested students can apply for a scholarship by clicking here. The deadline to apply is Thursday, March 6 at 3:00 p.m. CST, 4:00 p.m. EST. information about Amcor Cares, Amcors charitable foundation, 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 MyWabashValley.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The Youngstown Business and Professional Womens Club (YBPW) is supporting two scholarships for local female students. YBPW will support the Dr. Anne McMahon Scholarship and the YBPW Centennial Scholarships offered to female students at YSU, as well as students attending a college, university, or trade school in either Mahoning or Trumbull County. The Dr. Anne McMahon Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship awarded to a female student at YSU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The YBPW Centennial Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship awarded to a local female student attending an accredited 2 or 4-year college, university, or trade school. Since YBPWs 100th Anniversary in 2020, YBPW expanded its scholarship fund, to include both technical school students and those pursuing an associates degree. Applications for the Dr. Anne McMahon Scholarship are available on the YBPW website. Applications for the Centennial Scholarship are available at YBPWs Centennial website. The deadline to apply for either scholarship is March 31, 2025. For more information, email Dee McFarland at ybpwboard5@gmail.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 WKBN.com. Jan. 27Haywood County Schools cafeterias posted a loss of $700,000 last year. And school closures from winter weather and the flood isn't helping matters this year. The impact of snow days has been felt by Haywood County School's school cafeteria staff, not only in the amount of food that is lost, but for many, in hits to their own paychecks. While the system expects some closures due to winter weather, the challenges began much earlier this school year when Helene closed schools for 11 days thanks to massive flooding, and school nutrition staff members were out of work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typically, school nutrition workers are paid an hourly rate, but with no hours, some were set to get a check that was missing two weeks' worth of pay. State to the rescue Following Helene, the state stepped in and provided relief funding for school nutrition employees an action unusual for the state. School nutrition employees, as well as food and equipment costs, are typically funded directly by the sale of lunches and breakfasts. "It's huge. Missing 11 days out of one paycheck is a big hit for somebody. We were fortunate the state was able to provide that," said School Nutrition Director Alison Francis. "This was an extra special instance where they helped with that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More recently, school nutrition employees have been missing days due to snow and ice. Management still works on remote learning days, but the rest of the staff is only there when students are, meaning their checks can be diminished by the weather. Food spoilage The other issue presented by storms comes with the food actually being served. With fresh produce and milk on hand, things can quickly spoil and leave the school nutrition holding the bag. That issue was never more present than following Helene. "We ended up losing about $14,000 in food due to things spoiling because we were out of school or (had) freezers going down," Francis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inventory lost has been submitted to the state, however, and Francis is hopeful they can get at least some reimbursement for the food. Some of that loss came down to products simply going out of date, such as what school nutrition staff had to face during a recent winter weather surge that rolled through Haywood County. "We still have some minor food loss with fresh produce or milk, but for the most part we're able to use the food that's in our freezer," Francis said. They may also cut down on their next order so they can use more of the food in the freezer and not allow it to go bad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Power loss means food loss During Helene, however, there was another hurdle power outages. All of the food at Meadowbrook Elementary was lost, while food from other schools was transported to the school nutrition program's central storage off of Crabtree Road. "We had four schools where we had to go in and move food to our warehouse," Francis said. Additionally, two schools were set up and giving out free lunches to kids under 18 during Helene, allowing school nutrition to put some of that produce and milk to use instead of allowing it to spoil. Wage challenges Storms aren't the only challenge that school nutrition is currently facing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few years ago, the minimum wage for staff jumped from $11.85 to $15. "It was a huge jump for us, to be able to cover that difference," Francis said. On top of that, the cost of the food itself has gone up. "Food costs have continued to increase since COVID. That's hurt us as well," Francis said. More need equals more revenue Currently, every student in Haywood County is able to eat for free thanks to funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, that funding isn't fully covering every meal. The payments are based on the number of students who automatically qualify for free lunch. Students who receive SNAP or Medicaid or are considered homeless or migrants are among those who fall into that category. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, just under 55% of students fall into that category. To truly break even, the school district would need about 62% of students in that category. Because of the 7% gap, Haywood County school nutrition receives $4.54 for 87% of the meals it serves. For the other 13%, the USDA, only reimburses 53 cents. That reimbursement is crucial to the school nutrition program as the money it brings in from the sale of lunches, or in this case from the USDA reimbursements, directly goes back into covering labor, food and equipment costs. "That reimbursement rate hasn't been high enough to cover all of that for us," Francis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis said that the more that students eat at school, the more they are able to bridge that gap in funding. "It helps. The more students that eat, the more reimbursement we get," she said. It's been a tough year for school nutrition, and it comes on the heels of a $700,000 loss last year nearly half of the money that the program had in its savings account. School nutrition is theoretically supposed to be self-supporting operating more like a business than a normal government program. Francis said the goal is to simply break even. "It's nice to have some extra funds in our savings account so we're not nervous about how we end every year," she said. "When we do have extra funds, those go towards purchasing equipment and other supplies that we need." 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 Voluntary assisted dying is lawful in all Australian states. This allows terminally ill adults who are suffering and have a decision-making capacity to choose to receive help to die. Victoria's law was the first, coming into effect in 2019. New South Wales was the last state, with its voluntary assisted dying law beginning in late 2023. Voluntary assisted dying will be allowed in the Australian Capital Territory in November, and a Northern Territory report has recommended it pass a voluntary assisted dying law too. While the vast majority of Australians now live in jurisdictions where voluntary assisted dying is permitted, accessing voluntary assisted dying depends on knowing it's a legal option. But our new research suggests many Australians don't know this. A study in Queensland Voluntary assisted dying became legal in Queensland on January 1 2023. We conducted an online survey of 1,000 Queensland adults in mid-2024 to find out if the community knew about this new end-of-life choice. We set quotas for age, gender and geographical location to ensure the people we surveyed represented the overall Queensland population. First, we asked whether people thought voluntary assisted dying was legal in Queensland. Only one-third (33%) correctly identified that it was. Of the 67% who didn't, 41% thought voluntary assisted dying was illegal and 26% said they didn't know. People who did know voluntary assisted dying was legal had generally found out in one of three ways: from the media from professional experience (for example, working in health care) from personal experience (for example, knowing someone who had asked about, requested or accessed voluntary assisted dying). We then told our survey participants voluntary assisted dying was legal in Queensland and asked if they would know how to go about accessing it if they wished to. Only one-quarter (26%) answered yes. The survey also asked people where they might look for information about voluntary assisted dying. Most people said they would seek this information online, but asking health practitioners, especially doctors, was also important. Legal and cultural barriers Perhaps it's not surprising so few members of the surveyed public know voluntary assisted dying is a legal choice. It's still a relatively new law. But there are specific barriers in Australia that can prevent people finding out about it. One major barrier is health practitioners are often not able to freely discuss voluntary assisted dying with their patients. The laws in all states control how conversations about voluntary assisted dying can occur. For example, in Queensland, only doctors and nurse practitioners can raise voluntary assisted dying and only if they also discuss available treatment and palliative care options and their likely outcomes. But the most problematic are Victorian and South Australian laws which prohibit health practitioners from raising the topic with patients altogether. Many people rely on their doctor to tell them about treatment options, so it's a problem if the onus is on the patient to bring it up first. Conscientious objection is another significant barrier. Some doctors are opposed to voluntary assisted dying and even if they practice in a state where they can legally raise it, may choose not to tell their patients about it. This is another reason patients may not know voluntary assisted dying could be a choice for them. It's important to note our study was only done in Queensland, so we can't be confident the findings represent the wider Australian population. But given these barriers to knowing about voluntary assisted dying, it's reasonable to anticipate similar trends in other states. A national challenge Raising community awareness of voluntary assisted dying is a challenge around the country. Voluntary assisted dying oversight boards from five states (Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia) have all discussed this issue in their most recent annual reports. In addition, Western Australia recently reviewed its voluntary assisted dying laws, identifying lack of community knowledge as a problem. The review called for a strategy to fix this. We see this challenge as one of "voluntary assisted dying literacy." Greater voluntary assisted dying literacy will enable members of the public to know the options available to them, and how to make the choices they want. What can we do about this? We need community awareness initiatives to increase knowledge that voluntary assisted dying is legal and ensure people know where to find information about this option. Information about voluntary assisted dying is already available from all state government health departments, but more action is needed to ensure it reaches more people. Respondents in our survey suggested using social media campaigns, advertising, and sharing information through Centerlink, health clinics and other trusted community channels. We also propose targeted information for particular patient groups who may be eligible for voluntary assisted dying, such as people with cancer or neurodegenerative diseases. This means they will know voluntary assisted dying may be one of the treatment options available to them, and how to navigate the process should they wish to. These initiatives would need to be designed sensitively with a focus on providing information to avoid any perception that people could feel induced or directed to access voluntary assisted dying. Training for health practitioners is also important. This is particularly needed for GPs and specialists working in end-of-life care. Training will support health practitioners to facilitate informed discussions with patients and families. Strong community support was a key argument in legalizing voluntary assisted dying in Australia. The public wanted this as an end-of-life choice. But that choice is only a real one if people know it exists. Our online resource End of Life Law in Australia has more information about voluntary assisted dying and contact points for accessing it in each state. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Its school choice week, a time when supporters celebrate the options Michigan families have when it comes to education. In honor of the week, hundreds of students and educators will take part in the annual Michigan Capitol Celebration. Amy Dunlap, an Outreach Director with Parents Advocates for Choice in Education in Michigan, joined 6 News anchors, Jorma Duran and Megan Viecelli, to talk about school choice and all thats planned for this years event. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) Its National School Choice Week, put together by a group which wants parents to be aware of all the options for their students. The group bills itself as non-partisan and neutral on legislation. They aim to help families find the best fit for their children. Other options are out there, a fact underlined during the COVID-19 pandemic, when countless families got their first taste of virtual learning. Here are the bills filed for the special session on vouchers, immigration, disaster relief Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tennessee Connections Academy (TCA) is an online public school that offers schooling for students grades 4-12. We are an at home option for anyone who has an internet connection, explained Alyssa Draper, a 6th Grade Science Teacher at TCA. When I first became an online school teacher, I did not think that I would be as close to my kiddos because its a virtual setting. But I believe Im even closer. They are doing lessons in yalls living room, I see the laundry piles, I see your pets, I see the siblings, I am there. It really is great. I really get to see all parts of it and we really have built a great community. When looking into different schooling options, Draper shared every child is different and learns differently. Look at the whole picture. Look at how your kid is doing academically. Look how theyre doing socially and emotionally. Are we are we having meltdowns before we go to school every day? Are they coming home, having meltdowns? Just kind of look at the whole thing and see how theyre doing. And then from there kind of play all the pros and cons and youll just have to use your best parenting instincts, use your parent gut to decide what you think might be the best option for your kiddo, explained Draper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond choosing in-person versus online, theres public schools, charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, home schooling and more. Different options are offered up in the aim of finding the right fit for each students needs. First Lutheran School is a private institution that was founded in Knoxville in 1870 and academics and character education are their top priorities. Part of what First Lutheran School offers is a small class size. Classes are no larger than 18 students to give more one-on-one time between teacher and student. Bodycam footage released following mans death in Knox County custody Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are so many amazing options out there. I tell everybody. I am a proud advocate of First Lutheran School, but I dont want to live in a world where public schools dont exist. Its knowing that every child needs something different, and for certain kids, our school is the right place where small enough we get to know them. We have that family atmosphere, and for some students, were just exactly where they need to be at this time in their life. said Principle Jessie Irwin. School choice has been a hot topic in Tennessee recently as lawmakers are set to address school vouchers among other topics during a special session of the Tennessee General Assembly beginning January 27. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. EAST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) A gala united students for an important reason. Students in New Haven are glowing at the chance to make friends with people who understand them. Students witnessed a packed dance floor, smiling, laughing and meeting new people. I like having fun and meeting new friends, Nicholas, an East Haven High School graduate, said. Students from several different school districts came together for a good time on common ground, a Southern Connecticut State University glow party dance floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats Right With Schools: Meriden educators help at risk students with tailored plan A lot of kids arent social or dont want to talk a lot. They come to an event like this. The music is playing, theres so much going on, that they cant help but get involved, Krissy Adanti-Pedersen, part of the EHHS transition program, said. Krissy Adanti-Pedersen with East Haven High School organized the event. The students are in their districts transition programs from ages 18 to 22 with special abilities who need more time after high school before theyre on their own. There is a time for the kids to do socialization, work on communication skills, but also get together and dance, play games. And just have the time of their life, Adanti-Pedersen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement East Haven, Amity, Wallingford, Hamden, Southington, Branford and North Branford districts were in for a day of fun. Dancing, moving my body to the music. dancing is an art and im an amazing artist, Jonathan of East Haven 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 WTNH.com. Jan. 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate confirmed billionaire investor Scott Bessent on Monday to become the next Treasury secretary and enact the Trump administration's economic agenda of tax cuts and tariffs. The vote to approve Bessent's nomination was 68 to 29, with 16 Democrats -- including Sen. John Fetterman, Sen. Maria Cantwell and Sen. Cory Booker -- voting in favor of the confirmation. Three Democrats did not vote. Bessent, 62, who was called an "example of the American dream in action" during remarks Monday from the Senate floor, is the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management and previously served as chief investment officer at Soros Fund Management, which was started by Democratic donor George Soros. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He brings a wealth of private sector experience in the economy and markets to his new role, as well as the concern for the needs of working Americans," Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said. "At the top of the Republican agenda is extending tax relief to help our economy and the American people thrive," Thune added. "I deeply appreciate the fact that Mr. Bessent shares that commitment." House Republicans are at a retreat this week with President Trump in Florida, where discussions are expected to focus on renewing the tax cuts from Trump's first term. Bessent, who is the first openly gay cabinet member in a Republican administration, has called the 2017 tax cuts -- which are scheduled to expire this year -- the "single most important economic issue of the day." He said the problem with the federal budget is its spending, not its revenues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a pass-fail," Bessent warned during his confirmation hearing earlier this month. "If we do not fix these tax cuts, if we do not renew and extend them, then we will be facing an economic calamity." Bessent outlined his "3-3-3" economic plan, which he said would bring the federal budget deficit down to 3%, achieve 3% GDP and produce 3 million more barrels of oil a day in the next four years. Bessent also expressed support for tariffs on Chinese-made goods sold in the United States. "Free trade must also be balanced against fair trade, and clearly what has happened is the trade has not been fair," Bessent said. "China is the most unbalanced economy in the world" and they are "attempting to export their way out of that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bessent is a strong supporter of Trump's America First agenda to include deregulation, increased energy production and reduced taxes. Bessent also promised to support more sanctions against Russia in its war with Ukraine. "If President Trump requests sanctions as part of his strategy to end the Ukraine war, I will be 100% on board from taking sanctions up, especially on the Russian oil majors to levels that would bring the Russian Federation to the table." GOP pundit Scott Jennings kept his arm by his side Monday when he was challenged on CNN to mimic Elon Musks Nazi-like salute from Inauguration Day. (Watch the video below.) The Washington Posts issuer of that dare, Catherine Rampell, repeatedly goaded Jennings to act out the gesture to prove it was as harmless as he claimed. The billionaire tech mogul made the arm gesture last week during a celebration for President Donald Trump at Capital One Arena in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the weekend, Musk told the far-right Alternative for Germany party that the country has too much of a focus on past guilt presumably the burden of its Nazi history. His remarks a few days before the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp on Monday put his awkward arm thrust back on the table during Abby Phillips NewsNight. It wasnt the first time that Musk perpetuated the controversy in some way. After the Anti-Defamation League and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave him a pass, he posted a bunch of Nazi jokes on X, the social platform he owns formerly known as Twitter. I dont understand why this guy keeps getting the benefit of the doubt, Rampell said of antisemitism accusations against Musk. Jennings said Musks awkward arm salute was merely expressing enthusiastically his appreciation for the crowd. Why dont you do it on TV right now? Rampell said. Why dont you do it on TV right now if you think its so, so banal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennings didnt bite. After more verbal sparring, Jennings added, This salute trutherism is outrageous. Rampell, who is Jewish, pressed further. So do it right now on TV. If you think its normal, if you think its a normal way to greet people, do it right now on TV. Why wont you? Jennings again demurred. Its his job to serve the network as a conservative heel, in pro wrestling parlance. This time he got pinned. Related... The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of an Atlanta family who says the Federal Bureau of Investigation mistakenly raided their home. Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln has been following Trina Martin and her familys fight against the federal government. Finally our case is being taken seriously, Martin said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In 2017, a flash-bang grenade woke up Martin, her son Gabe Watson and her partner Toi Cliatt at their southwest Atlanta home. What they thought was a robbery, turned out to be an FBI raid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And I see about four weapons pointed directly at my head, and Im just like, what is all this? Cliatt previously told Channel 2 Action News. They ran in my room pointing guns at my face, said Watson, who was 7 years old at the time. It wasnt until an agent double-checked the mailbox numbers that the FBI realized it was the wrong home. TRENDING STORIES: I heard the officers run out, hop in their vehicles, run to the next house, the correct house, and you just hear it all over again, Martin said. Martin and her family said the FBI never returned their phone calls or compensated them for damage to the home and their mental health, even though there is a law designed to do just that: the Federal Tort Claims Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family filed a lawsuit that was tossed out by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled the lawsuit wasnt allowed under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Now the highest court in the U.S. will hear their case, possibly as soon as April. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] I am so happy and filled with gratitude for our case to be seen and recognized, Martin told Lincoln. When something like this happens whether its intentional or by mistake, it shatters that sense of safety that we all have. Martins attorney Patrick Jaicomo said they anticipate arguments in the case to be held in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When youre dealing with the Supreme Court, any statements made by another branch of the government are going to move the needle for the court, Jaicomo said. There was nothing discriminatory about this or racial about this, it was complete negligence. The FBI said it couldnt comment on pending litigation. The Supreme Court has fast-tracked Martins case. Sylvia Villa, the manager of the nearly 130-year-old Santa Fe grocery store Kaunes Neighborhood Market, rejects the idea the skyrocketing price of eggs is causing a growing level of resentment among her customers. But she doesnt count herself among their ranks. They arent upset with the prices, she said, pausing and then blurting out, Im upset on a personal level every time I buy eggs. Villa acknowledged it isnt often she finds herself feeling more frustration than her shoppers about high prices. But she said she figures most people have absorbed enough news stories about the effects of the avian flu in recent weeks to have a decent grasp of why egg prices have increased, increased and increased some more this winter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Villa nodded her head in affirmation when she was asked if she believes consumers simply have decided if they want to continue to eat eggs, theyre going to need to pay through the nose for them. Theyre understanding, she said. Obviously, they listen to the news. Generally speaking, egg prices have more than doubled, perhaps even tripled, since the bird flu epidemic kicked into high gear, killing egg-laying hens by the millions and leading to a sharp decline in egg production. Since Jan. 1 alone, nearly 8.3 million such hens have been lost, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Egg Markets Overview for Jan. 24. That comes on the heels of the loss of 13.2 million birds in December 2024 a total depopulation of approximately 21.5 million over less than two months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 012725_md_eggs2.jpg Chickens roam around the property at 3N1 Farm in Nambe on Monday afternoon. Egg prices have more than doubled, perhaps even tripled, since the bird flu epidemic kicked into high gear, killing egg-laying hens by the millions and leading to a sharp decline in egg production. That has led to egg shortages and even outages in some areas, with some markets reportedly rationing the number of eggs customers are allowed to purchase when they have them in stock. Villa said that hasnt been the case at Kaunes, 511 Old Santa Fe Trail, though she pointed out the market is in a different position than large, national grocery chains. The clientele we have is an older generation, she said, explaining her customers typically just buy enough eggs to get them through the next several days, rather than stocking up on eggs by the dozen or even in 18-egg packs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its much more common for Kaunes customers to buy eggs by the half dozen, she said, and that has helped the store avoid the kind of shortages other markets have experienced. So far, Kaunes has had no trouble obtaining enough eggs to meet customer demand, Villa said. It also has two reliable suppliers, she said, meaning if one egg producer is running short, the other one can usually step up and fill the void. Maxed out in Nambe Eli and Anne Martinez, who own the 3N1 Farm in Nambe, said demand is high for the two to four dozen eggs a day produced by their 90 to 130 free-range chickens. I really cant keep up, Eli Martinez said. Im waiting for some chickens to start laying this coming month, and Im anticipating buying another 100 birds, but itll take another 25 weeks for them to start laying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martinez said he typically adds 50 to 60 birds to his flock twice a year, so the addition of 100 chickens at once would be a significant increase for him. 012725_md_eggs4.jpg Anne Martinez watches over her chickens as they feed Monday at 3N1 Farm in Nambe. She said demand for locally produced eggs has grown as the nation deals with an egg shortage. Martinez said he typically delivers 300 eggs a month to a Santa Fe bed-and-breakfast, and more to other local customers. On Monday, Martinez delivered 15 dozen eggs to customers in Santa Fe. That clientele was developed largely through word of mouth and social media posts made by Anne Martinez, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martinez doesnt anticipate being able to take on new customers anytime soon. [Sunday] night, I told my wife, If theres anybody new, well have to have them wait in line because I like to take care of the people who have been with me for the past five, six years and keep them happy, he said. Martinez said the egg shortage may have an additional benefit for his farm down the road, explaining he thinks more customers may be open to the idea of buying eggs from small producers like himself than purchasing them from a supermarket. Plenty of eggs at a high price The egg shortage has certainly affected the bottom line at the Burrito Co., 111 Washington Ave., just northeast of the Plaza, its general manager says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Northern New Mexican eatery has not had any trouble sourcing all the eggs it needs for its breakfast burritos, omelettes and breakfast plates, Atilio Castro said. For the time being, no, he said. I know there is an egg shortage, but our only issue has been pricing. Castro said prices have fluctuated in recent months, but he said the Burrito Co. has paid as much as $107 for an order of 15 dozen eggs. That figure is several times what the restaurant was paying for eggs before the price started going up during the coronavirus pandemic, he said. One odd side effect of the price increases of the last couple of months has been that organic eggs recently became cheaper than regular eggs, he said, though he did not know how long that would last. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 012725_md_eggs3.jpg Chickens feed at 3N1 Farm on Monday afternoon in Nambe. Eli Martinez, who runs the farm with his wife Anne Martinez, said he can't keep up with the demand for eggs as some consumers turn to local egg producers amid the national egg shortage. He plans to add 100 more chickens to the flock. The steep increase in wholesale prices led the Burrito Co. to raise the price of egg-inclusive menu items just last week, Castro said a move that mirrored that of Lotaburger, the New Mexico-based fast-food chain that hiked the price of its breakfast burritos and breakfast sandwiches by $1. Castro said he hated to do it, but the cost of eggs left him little choice. Wed love to keep being one of those go-to places for being cheap, he said. But we have to keep up with food costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Villa, the store manager at Kaunes, Castro said his customers seem to have taken the price increase in stride. For the most part, they understood, he said. I feel like its such a staple, and the food is so good, people will keep coming back. Sean Duffy was confirmed Tuesday as transportation secretary, giving him a key role in helping President Donald Trump cut regulations and fix the nations infrastructure. The former Wisconsin congressman has promised safer Boeing planes, less regulation and help for U.S. companies developing self-driving cars -- while not giving any breaks to Elon Musk, a key player in that technology. Duffy, a 53-year-old former reality TV star, was approved with bipartisan support on a 77-22 vote in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He takes over the Department of Transportation at a crucial time at the agency, a massive employer of more than 55,000 that spends tens of billions of dollars annually, oversees the nations highways, railroads and airspace and sets safety standards for trains, cars and trucks. At his confirmation hearing earlier this month, Duffy vowed to restore global confidence in Boeing, hire more air traffic controllers, cut DEI programs at DOT and create federal rules for self-driving cars instead of leaving that to patchwork of state regulations that critics said holds back U.S. development. One of the biggest beneficiaries to a such a regulatory overhaul would be Musk. Stock his electric vehicle maker, Tesla, has soared since Trump was elected president on hopes that unified federal rules will be passed. Investors are also expecting the DOTs investigations into Tesla to be eased now that Musk is a key adviser to the president. But when pressed by senators in hearings, Duffy promised to hold firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will let NHTSA do its investigation, said Duffy, referring to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the agency in his department in charge of probes and crackdowns on car makers. China came up several times at Duffys confirmation hearing as a threat to U.S. development of self-driving technology overseen by DOT. A big Chinese electric vehicle maker there, BYD, is stealing market share from Tesla both in China and Europe. Without clear rules, or a patchwork of rules state by state, we put ourselves behind those countries that allow innovators to expand and grow, Duffy said at his hearing before Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation We are in direct competition with China. The agency has several open investigations into the safety of Tesla vehicles, some focusing on what the company calls Full Self-Driving, a misnomer because the vehicles require human intervention at any moment. In October, NHTSA launched a probe into Teslas self-driving system covering 2.4 million vehicles after getting reports of crashes in low-visibility conditions, including one that killed a pedestrian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, the worlds richest man who has dubbed himself first buddy of Trump, gave an estimated $250 million to Trumps presidential campaign. Duffys decisions at DOT will have a direct impact on profits not only at Tesla but Musks rocket company, SpaceX, which has billions of dollars of contracts with federal agencies. DOTs Federal Aviation Administration has occasionally fined the company for violations, including $633,000 last year for alleged safety violations during two Florida launches. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCBD) The search is on for Moncks Corners next police chief. It comes after Stephen Young announced his resignation as the Moncks Corner Police Departments leader earlier this month. First of all, you cant talk about the position without thanking Chief Stephen Young, said Moncks Corner Mayor Thomas Hamilton. He has done an amazing job for the Moncks Corner Police Department, and we just want to continue to build on what success weve had under his leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Hamilton said safety is the number one focus of the town. One thing weve done is weve implemented traffic units, motorcycle units, and were gonna add another motorcycle and another traffic unit. One thing we see is an increase in speed on 52. We get them going over 100 in town, we can get them doing 60, so we need to slow it down, he said. As for the next police chief They have to be a leader, and they have to be a leader in all phases of the job. If youre the chief, I always think of it as were a family- so now youre going to be the head of that family. We do different things with Habitat for Humanity, food drives, neighborhood walks, so you have to be someone personable as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The town is actively seeking applicants until February 26. And what were doing now is Im putting together a citizens board. Were gonna have some council members on it, myself, the administrator, the town attorney, faith-based leaders in the community, business people, and citizens. Mayor Hamilton said they have some strong candidates, and they are not opposed to hiring from within; however, he said everyone they consider should go through the proper process. The mayor hopes to have a new police chief hired by early April. Chief Stephen Youngs last day in office will be Feb. 7. After that, he will assume a command position at a separate local agency. 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. Consistent temperatures below freezing have led to a frozen winter wonderland for ice lovers with countless opportunities for winter recreation. And while theres a lot of fun to be had on the ice, theres just as much danger. Erie residents enjoy frozen winter fun on icy Presque Isle Bay Presque Isle Bay has become a frozen playground for ice recreation. . . Seeing hundreds of visitors each day. Youre talking 7, 10, 12 inches of ice in some locations because of these frigid temperatures that weve had sustained over so many weeks now, said Mike Parker, communications director for the PA Fish and Boat Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there are some areas you should be avoiding. If you see hazards sticking out of the water, dont go near. Ice doesnt freeze as thick around them, and theyre more likely to become unstable. Erie Water Works launches new billing system for customers Parker also said to always wear a lifejacket out on the ice, and go in a group if possible. Its best not to be by yourself. something could happen and you could run into some trouble, and its always best to have somebody else there to help you get out of trouble, he said. But what happens if you fall through? The Coast Guard follows whats called the 1-10-1 rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News It means you have about one minute once you submerge into the water to gain control of your breathing, 10 minutes of meaningful movement before you start to get numb, and one hour before you lose consciousness. The Coast Guard suggested holding on to the ice shelf, yell for help, and attempt a self-rescue. You get your hands together like a coffee mug and you hold onto the ice, kick out your feet as youre pushing, and then youre going to kind of bear crawl as you try to go out, and once you get on to the ice, youre going to roll over because that ice is now compromised, its weak so youre going to roll at least two times or more until youre on stronger ice where its not caving in under you, said Vilmarie Shepard, BM 2 for the United States Coast Guard in Erie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These rescue crosses can be a lifeline for someone in need as just about anyone can take this out onto the water and help. Say cheese! CheesErie announces tentative opening date of third location You can grab one of these ice crosses, unravel the yellow rope at the bottom, and from a safe spot you can shove them out to the victim who can grab a hold of it. using the yellow rope, you can pull them in, said Tony Pianta, the harbor master for the Erie Port Authority. Coast Guard representatives said no ice is safe ice, so always communicate with others about where youll be, and have a safety plan and equipment in place. 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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. New London Part of a two-way downtown street will be restructured into a one-way route this week at the recommendation of police, who cite traffic issues and driver safety in an often congested area as reasons for the change. The 405-foot section of Meridian Street, which currently allows traffic flow both ways from Governor Winthrop Boulevard to Federal Street, will soon only permit vehicles to run from Federal Street to the boulevard, police announced in a weekend social media post. No parking on either side of the street will be allowed when the changeover, tentatively set for Friday, goes into effect. The length of Meridian Street running between State Street and Governor Winthrop Boulevard will remain two-way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public Works Director Brian Sear said the work will only entail adding new signs on the part of Meridian Street set for reconfiguration. There wont be any re-striping, so itll cost about $2,000 from our highway budget, Sear said on Monday. Sear said the street changes like those required by the Meridian Street project are made at the discretion of the police department, which serves as the citys local traffic authority. A public notice published on the police departments Facebook page stated the one-way modification was part of an ongoing effort to enhance safety and improve traffic flow within the downtown area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The post said the change will result in a clearer right-of-way, improved driver visibility and better emergency-vehicle access. Chief Brian Wright on Monday said the narrow street section is bracketed on the boulevard end by a Holiday Inn and at Federal Street by the St. James Episcopal Church, which offers weekly curbside food pantry distribution and hosts an after-school program. There's also a student drop-off area for (the Interdistrict School for Arts and Communication School) and drivers frequently park on both sides of that street," said Wright, who added nearby property owners and other stakeholders were consulted before the change was made. "We also have to ensure the largest city emergency vehicle in our case a fire engine can easily maneuver a street, which was difficult there." Sear said the project falls within the municipal traffic-planning trend of tactical urbanism, which was pioneered a few years ago in Burlington, Vt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a method that avoids the slow, sometimes laborious process of making traffic improvements in favor of low-cost, quick upgrades to areas used by vehicles, pedestrians and bikers, Sear said. These are projects that don't need a lot of analysis or super-detailed planning to make happen, no expensive hard-scape curbing or asphalt dividers. Other examples of tactical urbanism in New London include the installation of several traffic calming structures, including a raised crosswalks on Pequot Avenue near the Electric Boat offices; median dividers on Hempstead Street and Montauk Avenue; and a rainbow flag-emblazoned traffic table on Eugene ONeill Drive that slightly raises the wheelbase of vehicles to reduce speed. j.penney@theday.com A family wants to know why the gunman who killed their loved one at a local Family Dollar still hasnt been arrested. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] East Point police told Channel 2s Tom Jones they have arrested a suspect in the case, just not the shooter at this time. In the meantime, the family of 34-year-old Scott Ray Melton says they wont rest until his killer is captured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I used to change his diapers, his sister, Brandy Davis, said. She said Christmas will never be the same. Thats after Davis got the news her brother was shot and killed at the Family Dollar on Headland Drive and Delowe. It happened on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve, we got the phone call from the medical examiner, as I was cooking my Christmas dinner, Davis explained. Davis says what hurts even more is the person who took her brothers life is still on the street. Its been a month, and nothing has been done, Davis said. TRENDING STORIES: Police say the U.S. Marshals Office is actively searching for the gunman. They didnt want to release the suspects name because they didnt want it to hinder them from catching him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers did say the gunman was acting as a security guard at the store. But officers say he wasnt hired by the store. Instead, he was hired by the store manager, who police say is his girlfriend. Officers say they arrested her for obstruction after she lied about communicating with their suspect after he disappeared. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Police say surveillance video captured the incident. They say it shows Melton did nothing wrong. I just want answers. Thats all, Davis said. She says her family wants to know why the gunman killed her brother and why its taking so long to get him into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis had this message for the shooter: God help you. All I can do is pray for you and that I will do. But I want you off the streets. East Point Police Chief Shawn Buchanan wants the family to know he understands their frustration. He says officers are doing everything in their power to get the gunman in custody. Jones reached out to Family Dollars corporate office for a comment but did not hear back. Selena Gomez recently went viral for making an emotional plea on social media in reaction to Donald Trump's deportation measures and arrests. Over 956 people have been arrested by the US agency ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) since Trump took office. Selena Gomez shares emotional Instagram Story about the deportation of Mexican people:All my people are getting attacked, the children. I dont understand. Im so sorry, I wish I could do something but I cant. I dont know what to do. Ill try everything, I promise. pic.twitter.com/il8pPXYZma Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 27, 2025 Instagram: @selenagomez / Twitter: @popcrave / Via instagram.com All my people are getting attacked, the children... I wish I could do something but I cant. I dont know what to do. Ill try everything, I promise," she cried. In response to the video, Sam Parker, who many have referred to as a Senate candidate from Utah, tweeted, "Deport Selena Gomez." Parker did not make it past the party convention in his 2018 election bid. Twitter: @samparkersentate / Via x.com Gomez then posted to her Instagram story, "Oh Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker. Thanks for the laugh and the threat." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a lot of other people on the internet weren't laughing. They actually couldn't believe this exchange was real. "I'm literally shocked at how normalized racism and xenophobia is in america, how can a politician freely say something like this ? deported where ? back to Texas ? Moron," this person said. "so we've resorted to threatening american citizens for voicing there opinions! the party of free speech is really something else," this person said. "these are actual TEARS for her people! She's showing empathy and if you guys can't show that.. YOU ARE THE PROBLEM," this person declared. "Selena Gomez should be commended for her compassion and sincerity... We need comprehensive immigration reform. We can't just arrest our way out of our immigration crisis," said former Fox News host Geraldo Rivera. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Selena Gomez's grandparents are immigrants btw. ik yall love to deny her mexican heritage but this isn't the time. There are people majorly affected by these deportations," this person pointed out. And finally, "wishing for selena gomez to sue you for using her name," this person said. In an interview with Fox News, Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, responded to Gomez. "If they don't like it, then go to Congress and change the law. We're going to do this operation without apology," he said. YouTube: Fox News / Via youtube.com What do you think about the situation? Let us know in the comments. Selena Gomez responded to a politician who said she should be "deported" after she posted a now-deleted video of herself crying during recent immigration crackdowns. Gomez, whose paternal grandparents emigrated from Mexico, initially posted a video to her Instagram Stories on Monday, sobbing amid the mass deportations initiated by President Donald Trump over the weekend. Gomez spoke through tears in the video that "my people are getting attacked." "I'm so sorry, I wish I could do something, but I can't," Gomez said. "I don't know what to do. I'll try everything, I promise." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instagram Stories are meant to remain visible for 24 hours, but it appeared the video was subsequently deleted after a wave of backlash. Gomez posted, then also deleted, a statement that said "apparently it's not ok to show empathy for people." Sam Parker, who ran for U.S. Senate in Utah in 2018, attacked Gomez on X, accusing her of picking undocumented immigrants over Americans because she is a "descendent" of Mexican immigrants who crossed the border illegally. "She has an entitlement attitude toward America, like her illegal gparents. Maybe Selena should be deported, too?" he wrote. He later quoted his own post simply saying "Deport Selena Gomez." Gomez responded in an Instagram Story on Monday night, which she also later deleted. Selena Gomez on Dec. 10, 2024, in Los Angeles. "Oh Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker," Gomez wrote. "Thanks for the laugh and the threat." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the weekend, Trump ordered multiple federal agencies to take part in immigration raids across the country. Nearly 1,200 people were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Sunday alone, but only 52% of the undocumented immigrants taken into custody had a criminal record. Being undocumented in the U.S. is considered a civil offense, but not a crime. It is, however, a crime to re-enter the U.S. without permission after being deported. There were mixed responses online to the video of Gomez crying, with some criticizing her stance on immigration issues and some calling her out for saying she "can't" do anything when she is a celebrity with copious resources. Others defended Gomez as one of the few celebrities to speak in real time during the immigration raids. Television personality Geraldo Rivera, who once supported Trump, posted on X in defense of Gomez and noted, "We can't arrest our way out of our immigration crisis." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Selena Gomez should be commended for her compassion and sincerity," Rivera wrote. "People attacking her on social media should be ashamed." Gomez was a producer on the 2019 Netflix documentary series "Living Undocumented," which followed eight families living in the U.S. without legal immigration status. She wrote an editorial in Time magazine explaining her support for the project. In the editorial, Gomez said that her aunt crossed the border from Mexico "hidden in the back of a truck" and that her grandparents later followed. Her father was born in Texas, so was a U.S. citizen due to birthright citizenship. "Over the past four decades, members of my family have worked hard to gain United States citizenship," she wrote. "Undocumented immigration is an issue I think about every day, and I never forget how blessed I am to have been born in this country thanks to my family and the grace of circumstance." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the series reminded her of her own family members' fear and uncertainty, but also their hope. Gomez wrote that she was aware her work on "Living Undocumented" was likely going to bring backlash. "But the truth is, the worst criticism I can imagine is still nothing compared to what undocumented immigrants face every day," Gomez wrote. "Fear shouldnt stop us from getting involved and educating ourselves on an issue that affects millions of people in our country." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Selena Gomez on Monday posted and quickly deleted a video of herself reacting to the immigration enforcement sweeps launched by the Trump administration Sunday that resulted in over 1,000 arrests across the country. The Emilia Perez star, who is Mexican-American, posted the video to her Instagram story Monday morning. In it, she said through sobs that all my people are getting attacked. The children. I dont understand. Im so sorry, she said. I wish I could do something but I cant. I dont know what to do. Ill try everything, I promise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gomez wrote Im sorry next to an emoji of the Mexican flag in text in the bottom corner of her video. In another post shared to her Instagram story after the first video was posted, Gomez wrote, apparently its not ok to show empathy for people. That post has also been deleted. CNN has reached out to a representative for Gomez for comment. Gomez has not addressed her statements on her social media pages since she deleted the video. Later Monday, border czar Tom Homan responded to Gomezs video during an interview on Fox News, questioning why she wasnt crying for those who have died from fentanyl brought into the US across the southern border. Throughout Trumps first term and campaign for his second, he vowed to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive met with hundreds of moms and dads who were separated from their children because they buried them, because they were killed by illegal aliens, Homan said, speaking to host Sean Hannity. Homan also questioned why Gomez wasnt crying for children who had been illegally smuggled into the US only to be killed or sex trafficked appearing to reference a false claim that Trump has previously pushed, and that grossly distorts federal statistics. The Trump administration Sunday launched an immigration enforcement blitz nationwide in which 956 people were arrested, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In addition to Chicago, immigration actions were reported in California, Texas, Georgia, Colorado, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, according to Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple agencies were involved in the apprehensions, including ICE and officials from several Justice Department agencies as they targeted what they said are public safety and national security threats. ICE reported making more than 1,100 arrests as of Monday as the operation continued. CNNs Priscilla Alvarez and Rosa Flores contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Selena Gomez is feeling the wrath of Trump allies after posting an emotional video expressing empathy for recently deported migrants. In the now-deleted clip posted to Instagram, captioned with a Mexican flag emoji, Gomez said through tears, I just want to say that Im so sorry. All my people are getting attacked . . . the children . . . I dont understand. Im so sorry. I wish I could do something, but I cant. I dont know what to do. Ill try everything, I promise. Gomez's tearful message was posted following ICE immigration raids ordered in cities across the country with large immigrant populations. The Washington Post reported that Trump officials have issued arrest quotas to ICE, requiring at least 1,200 to 1,500 people a day. Last week, Mexico also refused to accept a deportation flight for the first time as a response to Trump's tariff threats against the country for people crossing the U.S. and Mexico border, NBC News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the response to Gomez's post was swift across the political aisle from online fandoms skewering the actress for alleged performativeness to conservative politicians in Trump's administration antagonizing the star. Trump's border and immigration czar, Tom Homan, commented on Gomez's sentiment during an appearance on Fox News, saying, "If they don't like it, then go to Congress and change the law. We're going to do this operation without apology." Others online attempted to troll the actress with a post stating, "When I'm in a making things about myself competition and Selena Gomez is my opponent." when I'm in a making things about myself competition and Selena Gomez is my opponent pic.twitter.com/BSFJACz7YE https://t.co/MfLiwTHer7 KAI (@ended_everyone) January 27, 2025 In a follow-up to her original post, which was also later deleted, Gomez responded to her critics, saying, "Apparently it's not OK to show empathy for people." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another Trump figure, former Senate candidate, Sam Parker, quoted a post on X alleging that Gomez's Mexican family is undocumented and captioned it, Deport Selena Gomez. Soon after Parker's post, Gomez hit back at his comment, writing, Oh Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker. Thanks for the laugh and the threat. For the last several years, Gomez has become a staunch advocate for undocumented immigrants, producing a documentary "Living Undocumented" in 2019 and working with UNICEF as an ambassador. KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) Streets were blocked in Kalamazoo after a semi-truck crashed into a power pole, police said. It happened around 11:13 a.m. at the intersection of Park Street and Balch Street on Kalamazoos Southside. When the truck crashed, it brought down the pole and power lines, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety said. Northbound Park Street at Howard Street and Westbound Balch Street at Burdick Street were blocked after the crash. KDPS helped with traffic control. The crash caused traffic light outages in the area as well, KDPS 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) State Sen. Cesar J. Blanco, D-El Paso, is hosting a canned food drive until Wednesday, Jan. 29, in support of the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank. The food drive will be accepting canned food donations until Wednesday, Jan. 29, at Blancos District Office located at 416 N. Stanton St., Ste. 700. Unexpired and non-perishable food will only be accepted. As the need for food assistance grows, this drive will help the community come together to help families in need and fight hunger throughout the El Paso region, Blanco said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information on the food drive, call (915) 577-0029. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Within two minutes of Jon Husted accepting Gov. Mike DeWines appointment to the U.S. Senate, he spoke of education. One of the first bills I introduced was a bill focused on school choice, said Husted, a former state legislator who served as DeWines lieutenant governor. And I remember thinking, Who could possibly be against having the opportunity to give kids in failing schools a chance for a better education? And well, I quickly learned the hard truth that there were plenty of people and special interests that would fight against it. Husted spoke of Ohios EdChoice voucher program, which allows qualifying students to attend private school using state-funded scholarships. The voucher program is one of several educational programs Husted has supported that have received the pushback he mentioned while agreeing to serve out Vice President J.D. Vances Senate term through 2026. Watch Husted agree to the term in the video player above. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio lawmakers tackling higher education with new bill Ohios newest senator has been intertwined with multiple educational programs that opponents say defy the separation of church and state. Husted, and fellow proponents of EdChoice, charter schools and programs allowing religious education during the school day, argue these provide parents a choice in their students education and a chance to embrace religion. EdChoice was introduced to Ohio in 2005 under Husted, who was serving as Speaker of the Ohio House. The pilot EdChoice program was included in the 2005 General Assemblys biennial budget bill and required first-time awardees to students at or below 200% of the poverty level or in a school that has been designated as being in a state of academic emergency for three years. The voucher program has expanded dramatically after legislators introduced EdChoice-Exp, which allows any student, regardless of income or school district, to receive a state-sponsored voucher. After this expansion, the program became the subject of a lawsuit alleging the program harms public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Husted, who lives in Upper Arlington, addressed Upper Arlington schools when they joined the lawsuit, writing that most families on the EdChoice scholarship were lower income families and said Upper Arlingtons involvement would waste taxpayer dollars. In 2024, more than 300 Upper Arlington students were on EdChoice-Exp but just 24 qualified as low income. According to the U.S. Census, the median income in Upper Arlington is $150,993, meaning many students may not be eligible for EdChoice. Ohio lawmakers discuss immigration after executive order In Husteds advocacy for EdChoice and the charter schools that the program works with, he was connected to the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow, the online charter school found to have taken more than $117 million in state dollars. ECOT students were reportedly paid to attend graduation and take state tests to get funding. In at least 2001 and 2002, the graduation ceremony took place at the Ohio Statehouse, an honor not bestowed to any other graduation. Husted was ECOTs commencement speaker in 2007 and 2003 and was its first and only honorary graduate. He was not the only noteworthy conservative speaker, along with current Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, former presidential candidate Jeb Bush, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich and television host Tucker Carlson. Husted also received at least $27,500 in political donations from ECOT from 2002 to 2007. According to the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, Husted and DeWine jointly received an additional $52,517 after 2010. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Husted is also closely associated with LifeWise, one of the largest religious release programs in the nation. In 2022 and 2023, Husted and the Governors Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives hosted a series of roundtable meetings across the state featuring LifeWise Academy, which is based in Hilliard. Husted reached out to local districts and invited them to join him and LifeWise CEO and founder Joel Penton. NBC4 obtained a copy of one of these email invitations. I will be hosting a small, private, closed to press roundtable with local leaders in education and the non-profit community to discuss a growing movement to provide faith-based character development during school hours and off school property called release time, the email, sent to educators in Lorain County, said. I know how much educators and administrators have on their plates, so my intention is to create a forum for leaders to quickly learn more about this growing trend. Trump order may spur Ohio death penalty debate In recent years, LifeWise has become politicized. Opponents of LifeWise say the program takes away from the school day and pressures students to participate in teachings. Those in favor of LifeWise and release-time programs welcome it as an opportunity to incorporate religion into students lives. Husted completed the statewide tour promoting LifeWise in his official capacity but said it wasnt political. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I do something publicly, it seems like its political. This isnt political. This is about kids in the community, Husted said during a meeting promoted by LifeWise. I am here as a lieutenant governor. Sure, the governors office of faith-based initiatives is behind us, but its not about me. Its about the responsibility we have as Christians and as citizens to educate our children and to share the message of Jesus. Husted has repeatedly voiced support for LifeWise since, and he and Penton have maintained at least somewhat of a relationship. Penton and Husted were present for the signing of House Bill 8, known as the Parents Bill of Rights. Husted was sworn into the Senate last week, where he will serve until at least January 2027. In November 2026, he would have to run in a special election, with the winner serving out the rest of Vances term, ending in 2028. It is unknown who will replace him as lieutenant governor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MALONE, NY A North Country lawmaker plans to visit Upstate Correctional Facility, in Malone later this week. Sen. Dan Stec will meet with prison staffers Thursday, after two concerning incidents in four days. Both Stec and Assemblyman Billy Jones say more needs to be done to make sure everyone can feel safe. According to New Yorks Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), Wednesday afternoon, 20 staffers from Upstate Correctional were hospitalized after close interaction with an inmate. 12 correction officers, 7 nurses and 1 office assistant became ill, and had to go to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Hazmat team came in with special investigators, but DOCCS said no hazardous substances were found. Then on Saturday night, almost the same scenario occurred. An inmate being treated in the prisons infirmary was found unresponsive but breathing. That inmate was taken to the hospital for treatment. Three of the responding correction officers and two nurses became ill and were also hospitalized. One of the officers and one of the nurses were given Narcan to be revived. DOCCS has not provided any other information, but people close to the situation have. The sister of one of the staffers did not want to be identified, but she said she is deeply concerned, confused and frustrated with what she calls an overall lack of integrity inside a prison system without proper safety measures. She said her sister is one of the staffers that was given Narcan after getting sick. She said her sister is currently at a hospital dealing with symptoms of what she and other sources say DOCCS is calling a stress related illness. Jeff Dumas is retired from the New York prison system, but hes been following this situation closely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All these people falling out and being transported by the EMT and then the state and the admin saying that its stress related? Ive never seen Narcan used for stress, said Dumas. A big question remains; how are drugs getting into the prison? Its always been a problem, and its gotten really, really worse, especially with Fentanyl, said Dumas. We know how it comes in and we know how to get rid of it. But the people in Albany do not want to get rid of the drugs. The dont want non-contact visits, and thats where 90 percent of the drugs come in, visiting rooms. Assemblyman Billy Jones, also a former correction officer at Upstate Correctional said, We need to do everything humanly possible. We need to strengthen the policies that are in place right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Give the correction officers the resources to make sure that these dangerous chemicals and this contraband is not introduced into the facility. DOCCS did not provide any updated information as of Monday 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 ABC22 & FOX44. NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse on Monday downplayed speculation that he could break with his party to support Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s nomination as health and human services secretary. Typically a staunch foe of President Donald Trumps policies, Whitehouse has repeatedly stopped short of saying which way he plans to vote for the nominee, fueling concerns within the Democratic Party he might choose to support the Republican presidents controversial pick. I have not been inclined to telegraph my votes before someone has even had his hearing, so I think people need to kind of chill on that for a bit, Whitehouse told local reporters after an event in North Kingstown. Let him have his hearing and then well go forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EARLIER: Whitehouse seen as potential vote for RFK Jr. due to long friendship Whitehouse is a member of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, which has scheduled a hearing for RFKs nomination for Wednesday. Whitehouse also has a long personal history with RFK, whos the son of U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, dating back to their days as law students at the University of Virginia. In 1998, The Providence Journal reported that Whitehouse and Kennedy hiked and hunted in the woods around Charlottesville, Virginia, while in law school. Kennedy half-kiddingly says he failed his first bar exam because Whitehouse persuaded him to take a four-day whitewater rafting trip in West Virginia when he should have been studying, the paper reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitehouse said Monday he also once lived with RFKs brother, the late Michael Kennedy, but that he hasnt been in touch with RFK for a long time. The senator said he wants to hear the nominee answer questions on his anti-vaccine activism, which has included repeated false claims linking vaccines to autism. Theres a lot of anti-vax nonsense that needs to be corrected, and then theres some very specific things that Rhode Island needs that I want to make sure dont get overlooked in the Trump administration, Whitehouse said. RFK is widely viewed as one of President Trumps most controversial and vulnerable nominations, alongside Tulsi Gabbard, Trumps pick for director of national intelligence. RFK will need to clear the Senate Finance Committee and then garner 50 votes from the full Senate to secure his position as health secretary. Republicans so far have successfully rallied support behind Trumps cabinet picks, although Vice President JD Vance was required to cast a tie-breaking vote to secure the confirmation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If confirmed, RFK would oversee 18 agencies that regularly interact with state and local governments, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. I can ensure everyone that I will vote in the way thats best for Rhode Island, Whitehouse said Monday, before walking away as reporters tried to ask additional questions. Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook. Ted Nesi and Shiina LoSciuto contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked Republicans from advancing legislation to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC), arguing the bill had sweeping consequences on allies and American businesses. Republicans failed to get the 60 votes needed to move the bill forward, with the final tally 54-45. Senate Democrats had sought to negotiate a bipartisan compromise on the bill to shield Americas allies and U.S. companies contracting with the court from getting swept up in sanctions, which are aimed at punishing the ICCs pursuit of war crimes cases against Israel. Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.) was the only Democrat who voted to advance the measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vote marked one of the first defeats of the GOP agenda in the Senate this session. Democrats last week also blocked a born alive abortion bill from passing in the upper chamber. The ICC bill is one I largely support and would like to see become law, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on the Senate floor ahead of the vote. However, as much as I oppose the ICC bias against Israel, as much as I want to see that institution drastically reformed and reshaped, the bill before us is poorly drafted and deeply problematic. Republicans rejected efforts by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) to change language in the text that would exempt from sanctions Americas allies and U.S. companies doing business with the court. Schumer said the language change amounted to a small fix. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A bipartisan agreement is still very possible and we hope, and urge our Republican colleagues to sit down with us and come up with a bill that addresses the very real problems at the ICC without adversely affecting American companies and our allies, Schumer said. Senate Republicans had sought to advance legislation that passed the House earlier this month that would impose sanctions on ICC officials, entities and individuals supporting the court in retaliation for its pursuit of investigations against Israel for war crimes. Last spring, the court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant for the crime of using starvation as a weapon of war amid Israels war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, where more than 40,000 people have been killed. The court also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, as responsible for the Oct. 7, 2023, attack against Israel killing an estimated 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Critics of the sanctions said they represented a false equivalence between Hamas, designated as a terrorist group by the U.S., European Union and others, and Israels right to act in self-defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Democrats largely opposed Republican efforts to sanction the court over its actions, saying the bills language would block the U.S. or allies from engaging with the court over other efforts to exact justice for war crimes and atrocities across the globe. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) was the Senate Republican lead co-sponsor. Shaheen, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said she was hoping to achieve an agreement with Cotton in editing the language of this bill. I know we share most of the same concerns he does in drafting the bill, but I think its overly broad, its not drafted in a way that addresses the unique concerns that we have with respect to the International Criminal Court, she said. Updated at 3:18 p.m. EST 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 (NewsNation) The Senate Committee of Commerce, Science, and Transportation is holding a hearing Tuesday to examine the Panama Canals impact on trade in the U.S. and national security. Committee Chair Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, opened the session by stating that the U.S. funded and built the Panama Canal, but Panama is now treating America unfairly. Ranking Member Maria Cantwell voiced concerns about Chinas role in Panama, noting that the canal is the largest U.S. logistical presence in Panama and employs thousands of people. She added that a revitalized maritime strategy would be essential not only for the U.S. economy but also for national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one injured after Border Patrol, cartel shootout in Texas Witnesses at the hearing included representatives from the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and shipping law experts. Louis Sola, the FMC chairman, shared concerns raised by Panama Canal Authority officials, particularly about foreign influence in the region. I would say that my biggest concern is that, when a Chinese contractor gets a contract in Latin America, they usually put a clause in there that they bring their own workers in from China. These workers are housed in camps outside. and these camps will have guards on them, and they will have sometimes in Panama for example, they have barbed wire around the camp, so we really dont know whos in the camps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Dan Sullivan questioned a law professor about hypothetical scenarios, asking whether Chinese bribery of Panamanian officials would violate the U.S.-Panama treaty. The professor replied no unless it directly threatened the canals operations. The hearing also included questions about if there is evidence of Chinese spies, to which the response was, Not so far. Doomsday Clock now closer than ever to midnight Why does Trump want to regain control of the Panama Canal? The hearing follows President Donald Trumps vow to regain control of the Panama Canal, even suggesting using military force. Trump has said as part of his argument that fees the U.S. pays are exorbitant. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino pushed back stating that the rates are established publically, taking market conditions into account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1914, the U.S. finished constructing the Panama Canal and over 60 years later President Jimmy Carter signed a treaty that would gradually hand over control of the canal to Panama. Trump claims the U.S. is being ripped off by Panama over the 1977 canal treaty, which he calls a foolish giveaway. The 51-mile man-made waterway features locks and reservoirs that connect 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. NewsNations digital producer Taylor Delandro and 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. CHEYENNE This fall, Wyoming hunters will harvest deer the way they always have: Whitetail and mule deer in one season, with one license. On Monday, the state Senate rejected Senate File 3, Mule and whitetail deer-separate hunting seasons, in a 19-12 vote. On the Senate floor last week, Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower, said the bill would have primarily provided a statutory tool for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to manage deer populations in Wyoming. SF 3 would have separated, in statute, the species of mule deer and whitetail deer, and was sponsored by the Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee. Separating the species would have allowed Game and Fish to charge different license fees for each species, and would have allowed officials to set enforceable herd quotas, according to Driskill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower (2025) Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower We are struggling with mule deer statewide, and virtually every (mule deer) herd unit across the state has declined, Driskill said on Wednesday, adding that separating the hunting season between species could help mule deer recover from whitetail overtaking habitat. On Friday, the Senate again debated the bill on the floor, and Sen. Larry Hicks, R-Baggs, said that according to statewide surveys of more than 37,000 identified deer hunters, 45% supported the bill and 25% did not. Thirty percent had no opinion. That same day, Sen. Bill Landen, R-Casper, said that no survey showed a majority of hunters in favor of the program. Noting another survey of 700 ranchers, Landen said two out of three ranchers did not support SF 3. In addition, people who work in the field also are unlikely to support the bill, because they've got all the tools necessary to take care of the deer populations in Wyoming, Landen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Bill Landen, R-Casper (2025) Sen. Bill Landen, R-Casper They're doing it now, and everything that is purported to be done in this bill is already being done, Landen said. There's a reason why the mule deer are coming back. There's a reason why we're getting control (of) the whitetail populations. Landen said he was concerned the bill was unnecessary, and may have unintended consequences. Many sportsmen, he said, had expressed concern over having to purchase two deer hunting licenses: one for mule deer and another for whitetail, for one season. Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, said he could not support SF 3 over worries that separate seasons could create management challenges. SF 3 died on the Senate floor Monday without discussion. An encampment in the spring. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images) Legislation aimed at barring Virginia colleges and universities from engaging with terrorist groups or affiliates was struck down Monday by a Senate Education subcommittee, following heated debate over its potential impact on free speech and student activism. Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, introduced the bill in response to growing concern over terrorism cases nationwide. I think what were trying to do is make sure that our learning environments are places to learn and not to have fear be a part of that, Stanley said of his Senate Bill 1284. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal sought to prohibit terrorist organizations, countries or groups supporting terrorism, representatives of such groups, and individuals attempting to recruit for terrorist activities from operating on Virginia college campuses. However, the bill faced strong opposition from speakers who argued that its broad language could stifle free speech and unfairly target student groups, particularly those advocating for Palestinian rights. Selma Ait-Bella, a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University, criticized the measure, saying it would exacerbate discrimination against Muslim and Arab communities and suppress human rights activism. This bill will only heighten the persecution of human rights activists by failing to define these terms clearly and explicitly, Ait-Bella said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill risks criminalizing legitimate forms of protest, academic inquiry and advocacy, and in this particular moment, we must note that this has extremely concerning impacts on the discourse surrounding Palestine, which is under increasing scrutiny by governments that funnel our tax paying dollars towards genocide destruction. Stanley defended his bill, arguing it wouldnt infringe on students free speech rights. It does not shut down discourse or dialogue, he said. Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, is carrying a companion bill in House, which has yet to be heard. The free speech debate has been a focal point leading into the General Assembly session, following the arrests after more than 130 people on Virginia college campuses in response to the Israel-Hamas war last spring. The conflict, which erupted in October 2023 after Hamas launched an assault on Israel near the Gaza Strip, claimed thousands of lives and ignited global protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The demonstrations brought increased scrutiny to institutions receiving funding from entities connected to Israel and highlighted the groups involved in the campus demonstrations. The subcommittee also struck down Senate Bill 1247, introduced by Sen. Tara Durant, R-Fredericksburg, which sought to bar colleges and universities from accepting any grant from or participating in any partnership or agreement with foreign countries. The bill would have required the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia (SCHEV) to enforce compliance and mandated colleges and universities to disclose all foreign grants received. However, lawmakers raised concerns about SCHEVs lack of enforcement authority and potential unintended consequences for initiatives like the Fullbright Program, which partners with foreign governments to promote international education. Durant, too, defended her measure, emphasizing the need for transparency. We should have disclosure by our universities and colleges if they are receiving foreign funding, she said. She added that such oversight could help prevent nefarious activities from developing on our Virginia campuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, a former Fulbright Scholar, opposed the measure, stating it would undermine academic freedom. Meanwhile, lawmakers are expected to consider additional legislation addressing issues related to Israel and terrorism. HB 1650 proposes creating the Virginia Antiterrorism Act to strengthen the states ability to combat terrorism. Other bills on the table include HBB 2529, which would prevent public colleges or universities from ceasing investments from a country unless that country is under official U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctions. Additionally, HB 2776 aims to prohibit certain businesses from engaging in a boycott of Israel. Resolutions in both the House and Senate have also been reintroduced, reaffirming Virginias commitment to Israel and Jewish Americans, as well as supporting the inherent rights and safety of those who support Israel regardless of their faith or persuasion. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The News Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins on Tuesday criticized the Trump administrations federal grant and loan freeze, raising questions about why it was done without a confirmed White House budget director to implement it. The Maine Republican, whose committee supervises federal spending, said shes seeking more information from the administration about the breadth of the funding pause and whether it will affect the Defense Department, though she has not heard back about it. The Trump administrations broad freeze on federal grants and loans came Monday night, days ahead of Russ Voughts committee vote to lead the Office of Management and Budget. I am surprised they did not wait until he was confirmed so that we would have someone to go to in authority and ask questions about: Did they really need to disrupt the transportation funding? Those sort of things, Collins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She aired specific concerns about the freezes potential to hurt nonprofits in her home state and delay critical projects. There certainly is justification to take a hard look at some programs, but this is far too sweeping and will cause disruption in the administration of a lot of important programs and services, Collins said. She added that I appreciate that the administration did exempt Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, but Im still concerned about the impact, and that shes hearing from organizations in Maine who were awarded federal grants. Its not clear how the freeze effective Tuesday will touch Medicaid, with some state officials reporting that the health care program had been affected. In a separate interview, Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham, R-S.C, said his panel would consider Vought as scheduled on Thursday, allowing the nominee to come to the Senate floor for a confirmation vote. Graham, too, said he was asking questions about the Trump administrations freeze. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Education remains a hot topic in the state and ahead of the upcoming legislative session, which is only a week away, plans for it are becoming more clear on the Senate side of things. Senate Republicans laid out their initiatives for this year on Monday morning. They include everything from removing cell phones from classrooms, to moving school board elections to November general elections and also what they called their north star, which is teacher pay. LOCAL NEWS: Senator files two bills to change Oklahoma eviction statutes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think it is the most important thing to solve our teacher shortage, Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, said. 2025 Senate Education Bills. Image courtesy Oklahoma Senate. 2025 Senate Education Bills. Image courtesy Oklahoma Senate. Topping the list for Pugh, the Senate Education Committee Chair, and Vice Chair Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, is a bill introduced that would set the starting salary for teachers at $50,000. We are thousands of teachers short in our state, Pugh said. Pugh said he has heard of over 100 vacancies at larger districts. Our state neighbor to the east is cannibalizing our teacher workforce, he said. My biggest passion for this year is really trying to help students and help teachers, Seifried said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An idea gaining steam in recent years and authored this year by Seifried is removing phones from classrooms all day. Policies for it would be left up to districts. I think well see some really good some really good behaviors from our students and also outcomes, Seifried said. Theres also a bill that would direct districts to be in session and offer classroom instruction for an additional day at the beginning of each state fiscal year in which the amount appropriated for the financial support of public schools is at least $25 million greater than the prior fiscal year. Pugh said it essentially calls for an extra week of school that would come with additional funding formula and appropriated money to incentivize it. On average, Western world spends over 200 days a year in school, Pugh said. Some of our allies go to school year-round, only taking small breaks throughout the year. On average, the United States student spends 179 days in a public school. Oklahomas at the bottom of that list. We, on average spend 165 days in school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some other bills included moving school board elections to November general election ballots to increase turnout and innovation grants for schools. I think its so important that we cast a vision for Oklahoma of what our school system can look like and what our kids can achieve when we believe in them and we give the right resources and get out of the way and let schools be unique and let teachers teach and let parents parent, Pugh said. Then we step back and watch the results. LOCAL NEWS: Effort to change Oklahoma constitution could indirectly fund religion I think theres some really great things and then things that were definitely going to have to have discussions on, Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Munson, speaking on the other side of the aisle. She said shes encouraged by addressing teacher pay and the shortage. She said increased education funding overall and addressing mental health issues by adding more behavioral health counselors in schools could be added to it. Both sides also addressed questions on past comments from State Supt. Ryan Walters. I think sometimes the words that people use in this building, we need to be very careful, Pugh said. Getting rid of that rhetoric that is truly not helping would go a long way, Munson said. We reached out to the State Dept. of Education for comment on Pugh and Munsons responses. We are currently waiting to hear back. Pugh said he spoke with Walters on Friday about the priorities. 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. On Tuesday morning, Senator Murray will be joined by Senators Schumer, Murphy, Cortez, Masto, and Kim in a press conference to introduce a resolution condemning the pardons of those individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol police officers. The resolution comes after President Trump granted full unconditional pardons of over 1,500 people who were charged with committing crimes during the January 6 protest at the U.S. Capitol. 14 others had their sentences commuted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All 47 members of the Senate Democratic Caucus are expected to cosponsor the resolution, Senator Murray wrote in a press release. I refuse to allow President Trump to rewrite what happened on January 6tharmed insurrectionists, incited by Trump himself, broke into the U.S. Capitol and violently assaulted Capitol Police officers in their attempt to overthrow a free and fair election, said Senator Murray. Insurrectionists cracked the ribs of police officers and smashed spinal disks. Donald Trumps pardons are a wholesale endorsement of political violenceas long as it serves Donald Trump. Affirming that U.S. Senators condemn unconditional pardons for people who were found guilty of violently assaulting Capitol Police officers should be the easiest thing in the world. If Republicans care even the tiniest bit about law enforcement, they should be outraged by these pardons. I hope and expect my Republican colleagues will allow this very simple resolution to pass as a show of support for the officers who put their lives on the line to keep senators safe. KIRO 7 will bring you details from the press conference and update this story as more information becomes available. The News Senators negotiated into the night over a bill to sanction the International Criminal Court for issuing arrest warrants for top Israeli officials, ahead of a critical vote to advance the legislation today. Were trying to get agreement on language to address the businesses that are doing business with the ICC and the member states, so that theyre not automatically sanctioned, said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., on Monday evening. Shaheen is negotiating with Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and said some Republicans are open to that. Republicans will need at least seven Democrats to break the initial filibuster on debating the bill today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We should have a strong bipartisan vote for it, and therefore it should be amended, Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., told Semafor. If Democrats advance the bill now but negotiations falter, they will still have another chance to block it later. The prime minister of Serbia has resigned following weeks of nationwide protests against corruption and bad governance. Milos Vucevic announced his resignation on Tuesday, becoming the most senior official to step down since protests broke out in November and striking a blow to Serbias Russia-friendly ruling party. It is my unconditional decision to resign, he said. It is my appeal for everyone to calm down the passions and return to dialogue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His departure comes after tens of thousands of people took to the streets on an almost daily basis to protest over the collapse of a roof at a railway station in Novi Sad, the countrys second largest city. The tragedy in November killed 15 people, including children. Mr Vucevic, who has been in office for less than a year, was the mayor of Novi Sad between 2012 and 2022, a period that coincided with renovation work at the station. His resignation is likely to lead to an early parliamentary election, although his decision to step down must first be confirmed by Serbias parliament, which has 30 days to choose a new government or call a snap election. Serbians have been protesting on a regular basis around the country since the station roof collapse late last year - Filip Stevanovic/Anadolu via Getty Images Helena Ivanov, a political analyst in Serbia, told The Telegraph: The prime minister resigned because, after nearly three months of protests, the pressure was just too great. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But his resignation is not one of the protesters demands, so I think the demonstrations will continue. They want to see the release of all the documents relating to the construction work done at Novi Sad railway station. The resignation of the prime minister is too little, too late. This is now a major political crisis. It is growing every day. The tragedy at the train station was the trigger. It is illustrative of all the problems that Serbia faces institutions not doing their jobs, the government lying to people. There are issues about state capture and freedom of the media its about all these things. Protesters, including students, teachers, office workers and farmers, blame the station disaster on poor construction standards as well as corruption within the government, led by nationalist president Aleksandar Vucic. Protesters staged the 24-hour blockade of a major traffic section in the Serbian capital - Djordje Kojadinovic/Reuters On Tuesday, thousands of protesters ended a 24-hour blockade of a major traffic intersection in Belgrade as they piled pressure on the government. Many had camped overnight at the junction, which links several major roads and motorways in the Serbian capital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The collapse of the railway station canopy has acted as a lightning rod for discontent with the increasingly autocratic rule of Mr Vucic, who is accused of curbing democratic freedoms while at the same time seeking Serbias accession to the EU. Around a dozen people have been charged in connection with the collapse, including Goran Vesic, the former transport minister, who resigned days after it occurred. On Friday, Mr Vucic addressed supporters of his ruling nationalist party in Jagodina, central Serbia, saying that the country was being attacked from both within and outside. The president and his ministers often accuse demonstrators of being backed by foreign powers. The bridge collapse acted as a lightning rod for protests, but the president has implied that demonstrators are being backed by foreign powers - Oliver Bunic/AFP via Getty Images Last Friday, protesters organised a one-day general strike. Teachers, lawyers and other professions joined the walk-out, and many schools were closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protests turned violent when a car rammed demonstrators who were blocking a road, seriously injuring a female student. The driver was detained and charged with attempted aggravated murder, but the incident further fuelled the anger of students, who have faced verbal and physical attacks in the past two months. Serbia, a historic ally of Russia, is one of the most pro-Moscow countries in Europe. Mr Vucic refused to impose sanctions against Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, despite coming under pressure from the West, and describes Russia and Serbia as friends. Serbia appreciates the fact that Moscow has refused to recognise the independence of Kosovo, which declared independence from Belgrade in 2008. Belgrade regards it as a breakaway state with no legitimacy.Serbia also remains heavily reliant on Russian gas. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called for at least half of the governments ministers to be replaced as he seeks to defuse nearly three months of protests triggered by a deadly roof collapse at a railway station. Most Read from Bloomberg Anger over the collapse in the northern city of Novi Sad has developed into a fully-fledged movement against the president and his ruling Progressive party. Tens of thousands of students and opposition supporters blocked parts of central Belgrade on Monday, one of the biggest rallies since the Nov. 1 incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The capitals blockade ended as planned on Tuesday morning but an overnight incident in Novi Sad left several students injured, regional broadcaster N1 reported. A group of Vucic loyalists clashed with activists who were calling for a new rally to be held on Saturday, according to the report. The protests have emerged as the biggest challenge in years to Vucic, a leader who has sought to balance Serbias interests between Russia and the European Union. He said street protests are already hurting the economy, even causing a slight decline in foreign investments in January from a year earlier. Any continuation of the crisis creates a serious problem in the economic development of the country, Vucic said. Students and opposition groups have accused the authorities of neglect and corruption in renovation works at the station that was reopened just months before the collapse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protesters are demanding swift punishment for all involved in the stations renovation. Eleven arrests and two resignations of ministers in November failed to quell the public anger. All demands by student protesters have been met, including an increased funding for higher education and full disclosure of all documents about the station renovation, Vucic said. Earlier this month, the president said he would step down if he lost a national referendum on his performance as the nations leader, a move which most opposition parties dismissed as a ploy. He has also accused protest leaders of being funded by unspecified foreign agents to try to destabilize Serbia. Two public opinion polls conducted in December show the ruling partys popularity at around 48%, far ahead of the opposition. Vucic has dismissed protesters demands for a transitional government of non-partisan experts and activists, saying that power cannot be transferred without proper elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vucic is now serving his second and final term as president. He has promised not to amend the constitution to remove the limit on presidential terms. (Updates with Belgrade blockade over, new incident in northern city in third paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. The News Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned on Tuesday following intense pressure from anti-government protesters over a deadly roof collapse. The incident at a train station killed 15 people in Serbias second-largest city in November and sparked widespread outcry as many blamed government corruption for the incident, Euronews reported. On Monday, tens of thousands of protesters began a 24-hour blockade of a main traffic intersection in Belgrade, leading the countrys President Aleksandar Vucic to announce plans for an urgent and extensive reconstruction of the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this, Vucevic, a key ally of the populist president, announced his resignation, making him the highest-ranking official to quit since protests began. Vucevic was also the mayor of Novi Sad, the city where the deadly incident took place, from 2012 to 2022, Euronews wrote. Vucevics resignation is likely to trigger early parliamentary elections, France24 reported, which the government will decide on in the next 30 days. BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) Serbias populist prime minister, Milos Vucevic, resigned Tuesday in an attempt to calm political tensions stoked by weeks of massive anti-corruption protests that started after the deadly collapse of a concrete overhang at a recently renovated train station. The November collapse at the central station in Novi Sad, one of Serbia's largest cities, killed 15 people and happened months after it reopened, fueling accusations that the construction was unsafe. The tragedy has become a flashpoint for broader dissatisfaction with Serbias authoritarian rule and has led to growing public demands for transparency in the graft-plagued country that has carried out a quick series of large infrastructure projects, mostly with Chinese companies. It is my appeal for everyone to calm down the passions and return to dialogue, Vucevic said at a news conference announcing his resignation, which was followed hours later by Novi Sad's mayor stepping down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protests, including one Tuesday evening in Novi Sad that drew thousands of people, have spread to streets and university campuses throughout the country of roughly 6.6 million people, as citizens from all walks of life, including actors, farmers, lawyers and judges, have thrown their support behind the student movement that has rattled the country's most powerful figure, President Aleksandar Vucic. The prime minister's resignation could lead to an early parliamentary election or to the ruling majority, led by the right-wing Serbian Progressive Party founded by Vucic and led by Vucevic, trying to form a new government. Vucic said at a news conference hours after Vucevic resigned that the decision will be made within the next 10 days. He rejected an opposition request for a transitional government and warned that Serbia's stability has been shaken. Order will be restored in Serbia, peace and stability will be preserved, said Vucic. He issued a veiled threat, saying that rage is mounting every day on the other side the side of the majority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opposition parties said they'd insist on a transitional government that would create conditions for a free and fair election. The governing populists have faced accusations of irregularities during past elections. Vucevic became the prime minister in April 2024 after his party won an election marred by tensions and captured more than five times as many seats as any other party. They have been in a free fall since the Novi Sad tragedy, journalist Slobodan Georgiev said of the ruling party on N1 television, adding that Vucic was seeking a buffer with the prime minister's resignation. Protests are the biggest challenge yet to the ruling populists Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vucic, who was first elected president in 2017 and counts Hungary's populist conservative prime minister, Viktor Orban, as an ally, has managed to stifle past anti-government protests. But the protests since the train station collapse have extended beyond idealistic university students and faculties. The students' call for justice has resonated in a country where corruption is widespread and few feel that state institutions are serving the public's interests. Branimir Jovancicevic, a professor at the Faculty of Chemistry in Belgrade, expressed hope that Vucevic's resignation is a first step toward further political changes in Serbia, where power is concentrated in the hands of the president. If the president thinks that by replacing one, essentially, unimportant figure ... will solve the problem ... he is deeply mistaken," Jovancicevic said. This must lead to total political changes because autocracy and dictatorship in Serbia, in the heart of Europe, must be stopped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, tens of thousands of people joined students in a 24-hour blockade of a key traffic intersection in the Serbian capital, Belgrade. In an attempt to defuse tensions on Monday, Vucic, Vucevic and the parliament's speaker, Ana Brnabic called for talks with the students. But student protest leaders have so far rebuffed such invitations, noting that Vucic's role as president is officially a largely ceremonial one. Instead, they have called for governmental institutions, including the police and judiciary, to do their jobs and enforce the rule of law spelled out by the constitution. Another student is assaulted Vucevic said the immediate cause for his quitting was an attack on a female student in Novi Sad early Tuesday by assailants allegedly from the Serbian Progressive Party. He said that whenever it seems there is hope to return to social dialogue, to talk ... its like an invisible hand creates a new incident and tensions mount again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Echoing statements Vucic has made, the outgoing prime minister also said the protests undoubtedly have been organized from abroad with an aim to directly jeopardize Serbia as a state," though he offered no evidence. I can never justify or understand many of these protests, blockades of lives, of roads and the freedom of movement of other citizens, Vucevic said. Students in Novi Sad said they were horrified by the latest assault, which they said was carried out by thugs with baseball bats who attacked two groups of students and chased them in their car. Prosecutors said four people had been detained in the attack. We are horrified over the state of our society where such a situation is possible. We have had enough of blood," the students said in an Instagram post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the big rally in Novi Sad later Tuesday, where many demonstrators waved their red-painted hands or placards featuring red handprints a symbol of the movement meant to tell authorities they have blood on their hands a student told the crowd that this is not just our struggle, its the struggle of all (people) who want justice. The attacks on students must not be repeated. Several incidents have marred the street demonstrations in recent weeks, including drivers twice ramming into crowds and injuring two women. Students and others have been holding daily 15-minute traffic blockades throughout Serbia at 11:52 a.m., which was the time the overhang fell on Nov. 1. The blockades honor the 15 people who were killed, including two children. Doubts over prosecutions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Serbias prosecutors have filed charges tied to the train station collapse against 13 people, including a government minister and several state officials. But former Construction Minister Goran Vesic, who had resigned shortly after the tragedy, has been released from detention, fueling doubts over the investigations independence. The main railway station in Novi Sad was renovated and inaugurated twice in recent years as part of a wider infrastructure deal with Chinese state companies and a fast railway link with neighboring Hungary. The story of Wingate Police Officer Eric Tallent is drawing more support, and now theres a benefit motorcycle ride being organized to help the officer in his cancer battle. The Ride for a Cause benefit will happen Feb. 15, featuring motorcycle riders from the North Carolina National Guard, the Union County Sheriffs Office, and more. The goal is to help Tallent and his family as they deal with medical expenses. Channel 9 profiled Tallents battle after he was recently diagnosed with an aggressive, incurable brain tumor. Now, his community is rallying behind him and his family to support them through his treatments. Officer Tallent works at a tight-knit Wingate Police Department with only seven officers on staff. His chief described him as someone who loves to serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can join the benefit ride for $30 per person, and all proceeds will go to the Tallent family. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the American Legion Post 27, 700 N. Sutherland Avenue in Monroe. Riders will start the trip at 10 a.m. You can also help by supporting the familys GoFundMe at this link. (VIDEO: Wingate police officer diagnosed with cancer, community rallies behind family) ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Rochester police are searching for the suspects who broke into vehicles on Manor Parkway Monday night. According to RPD, they were unable to find the suspects who damaged the vehicles, they have no descriptions of the suspects, and no one is in custody. One car owner shared pictures of her vehicle. The windows were smashed and shards of glass scatter the inside of the vehicle. She told News 8 that other vehicles in the same parking lot had their windows smashed in. Those can be viewed in the gallery below: (Photo/Sarah Metlay) (Photo/Sarah Metlay) (Photo/Sarah Metlay) (Photo/Sarah Metlay) Its unknown exactly how many cars were damaged, but News 8 was told by a resident at least three other cars in that parking lot was broken into, and there had been 20 other reports of these damages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RPD is asking anyone with surveillance video or anyone who saw the suspects to call 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A Sioux Falls man says a car break-in will cost him hundreds of dollars. Matthew ONeal is missing a passenger window after he says someone broke into his SUV over the weekend while he was visiting a friend in southwestern Sioux Falls. What to know about keeping chickens in Sioux Falls My driver window was attempted to be smashed in. They nicked it with what looks to be a window puncher. And then my rear driver side door was completely shattered in, ONeal said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After posting about it on an app, ONeal found out others in western Sioux Falls had their own stories to share. In surveillance video captured Friday night, someone first tries to open a locked pickup door in a driveway. Then they move onto a car where they get inside. The car owner told KELOLAND News they pounded on their front door and it scared the person off. The person then appears to get into a vehicle waiting on the street. The next night at a different home, someone wearing similar shoes tries the door on an SUV before peering into a pickup. Meanwhile, a car appears to be waiting in the street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surveillance video can be an important tool for law enforcement. As the reports are coming in detectives are able to use that video to match it up and hopefully develop suspects, Sioux Falls Police Department Spokesperson Sam Clemens said. ONeal hopes by sharing his story, the people responsible can be stopped. Theyre going to continue to do it as long as theyre out here and not getting caught, so I just want people to be aware. Keep your cars locked. Dont put valuables in your car. Just keep your eyes out because it could happen, ONeal said. ONeal says some items in his car were taken, but he found them scattered on the street nearby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, a man found his iPad on the ground and he got it back. The Sioux Falls Police Department says it received several reports of broken car windows and a report of someone checking a car door in southwestern Sioux Falls. No arrests have been made. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A new traffic installation in the Sunset neighborhood of San Francisco is causing confusion. Driver killed after collision at Pleasant Hill intersection Its called a neckdown, and its located on Kirkham Street between 9th and 10th avenues. The traffic installation funnels the two-way street into a one-way and then back to a two-way again. Drivers on Kirkham Street in San Francisco were confused when they came across it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I drove by and then I said Woah, what happened?' said city resident Winnie Fong. If this becomes a one-lane, it will become a problem is how I see it. We were googling, we were like, What is happening at this intersection? said city resident Lisa McNey. According to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), the purpose of the Neckdown is to slow vehicle speeds and address traffic volumes in the neighborhood that is often treated as a cut-through for traffic. The stretch of road has had many traffic collisions and injuries. McNey feels as though the addition is making the street even more dangerous. I worry as a pedestrian, said McNey. You hear the horror stories of pedestrians getting killed, and its these confusing situations that actually make it worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In less than an hour, KRON4 saw countless drivers avoid the yield sign and drive forward before westbound traffic. SFMTA said that the yield sign was chosen for eastbound traffic because more traffic travels westbound on Kirkham Street. Striping and concrete islands were also added to make the neckdown more visible to drivers. Residents agree that pedestrian cyclist safety is important in the Sunset but dont see a neckdown as a viable solution. I have a son who is 15 and a half, and Im trying to figure out how were going to teach him how to drive in this city with all the hazards, said McNey. So we do all have to do our part, but this doesnt seem to be the answer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SFMTA said the neckdown is a test trial and is subject to evaluation and possible changes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SHAWNEE COUNTY (KSNT) The Shawnee County Sheriffs Office released an update Tuesday after three people were found dead in a local home. The Shawnee County Sheriffs Office reports that two women and a man were found dead in a home in the Berryton area from gunshot wounds. One of the individuals involved in the incident appeared to have a gunshot injury that appeared to be self-inflicted. The victims of the shooting incident were identified as 79-year-old Tomas R. Noble, 76-year-old Ruth D. Noble and 41-year-old Kristin M. Noble, all of Berryton. Each of the victims were related to each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is causing egg prices to skyrocket in Kansas? (Photo by/KSNT) Sheriffs deputies were called just before 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27 to a home in the 7800 block of Southeast Ratner Road on reports of a disturbance. Law enforcement arriving at the scene found three people inside the home dead. The Shawnee County Sheriffs Office said the deaths were under investigation and that there was no threat to the public. If you have a tip youd like to share with law enforcement regarding this investigation, you can talk anonymously with Shawnee County Crime Stoppers by calling 785-234-0007 or by clicking here. Topeka man arrested after juvenile critically injured in shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more crime 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. A day after the dispute between Colombia and the United States over migrant deportations, two Republican congressmen from South Florida said any country that rejects the deportation of its nationals would face sanctions or other punitive measures. Speaking at the Trump Doral resort, U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Miami said the Trump administration would not roll over on its immigration policy. On Sunday, after Colombian President Gustavo Petro refused to allow two U.S.. military planes carrying deportees to land, Trump said he was imposing an immediate 25% tariff on all Colombian imports, to rise to 50% within a week. Petro ultimately backed down and his government said Colombia will accept deportees. Trumps move marked an unprecedented shift in foreign policy, directly linking sanctions to immigration issues. Trump believes in peace through strength, Gimenez said, addressing Petro. But if you think youre going to impose unreasonable conditions on the United States, you should think again. Theres a new sheriff in town, and a new direction for this country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep Mario Diaz-Balart of Miami said the deportations will target the 1.3 million migrants in the U.S. who already have orders for removal, calling them severe criminals, serious criminals. President Trump didnt just come back with a mandate to fulfill his promises, Diaz-Balart stated. Unlike the first time, when bureaucracy got in the way, hes learned from that experience and is now taking more aggressive steps to eliminate obstacles to his America First agenda, focused on safety and prosperity. According to the State Department, Colombia is the U.S.s third-largest trade partner in Latin America, with U.S.-owned affiliates in Colombia supporting over 90,000 jobs. In 2022, bilateral trade between the two nations reached $39.3 billion, driven by significant investments in mining and manufacturing. Colombia remains a key U.S. partner in ongoing efforts to help democracy and economic prosperity return to Venezuela. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is in South Florida for a Republican congressional retreat, said later that Congress would fully support the White House and take the necessary steps to advance its immigration agenda. Johnson said that the message to Colombia and anyone else is clear: You must cooperate. You must take back the illegal immigrants who entered the United States from your country, he said. If you refuse, we will take action, we will engage with sanctions or any other measures that are appropriate to the presidents agenda. Jan. 27SHOALS The Shoals Public Library will soon begin a $1.9 million expansion project. The groundbreaking is set for Friday at noon at the library on High Street. "I think we are going to go ahead with it rain or shine, because we have waited so long and worked so hard to get this going," said Shoals library director Sylvia Albaugh. "We are working with Taber-Owens Construction from Washington. We anticipating the construction work to begin soon, as soon as we can get this ground thawed out a little bit." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project is two stories with 800 square feet of new space on each floor. Most importantly it will have an elevator with ground-level access. A new children's area will be on the second level. "We are an old Carnegie library. The building was constructed in 1914. It is an historic building that we have all come to love," said Albaugh. "Unfortunately, there is no access for people with mobility issues. There are a lot of stairs to get into the door and once inside there are even more stairs." Albaugh says the project began several years ago with an estimated cost of $1 million, but COVID delayed the project, then construction and material prices began to sky rocket. "We received an OCRA grant for $500,000 but with the economy and the way things are, the bids came in much higher than anticipated. We scrambled a lot. We received a modification to that grant and now it is $750,000," said Albaugh. "Within our community we raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. We have had an overwhelming amount of community support. We received $200,000 from the Martin County Community Foundation and we are borrowing money from the USDA Rural Development." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The additional money became necessary after library officials opened bids in the fall and realized the small expansion project was going to be far more costly than expected. "When we opened bids, we were really heartbroken. We thought our project was going to fail," said Albaugh. "Our community stepped up and gave us overwhelming support and we couldn't give up. So, between the community support and the extra funding from OCRA we were able to get this done." Albaugh says the support of the community and the way they have worked for the project has been inspiring. "It's wonderful to be part of this community, and part of this project," she said. "We had been working at this for five or six years. The pandemic slowed us down, and the way things have been since then, the supply shortages and all of those things. Our library sits in a National Historic District, and that required extra work and increased the cost." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albaugh says the community's backing was spontaneous and officials took that support as a reason not to give up on the project. "Everyday we would go to the mailbox and there would be another hundred dollars, and you would add it into the pot and each one didn't make much of a dent, but all of them added up over time," she said. "The community support was just overwhelming." That support has continued as the project moves toward construction. The library building is temporarily shut down during the construction, but operations are continuing in a small office space on Main Street in Shoals. "When we were moving, we would carry stuff down the stairs and put in on the curb, and people who were driving by would stop and pick it up and move it for us into our temporary library. They would just be going about their day and they would stop and help," said Albaugh. "Now, a lot of our materials are in storage. We have some set up in the building on Main Street. We can still provide a lot of the services there. Summer reading will be a challenge. The target completion date is mid-December, so that would be a nice Christmas present." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albaugh said she is hoping to get several additional fixes done while the construction is underway and the library is still fundraising. Donations can be made directly to Shoals Public Library, PO Box 909, Shoals, IN 47581. Donation may also be made online at patronicity program at https://www.patronicity.com/project/shoals_public_library_accessibility_project#!/ WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (WFLA) In just 11 weeks, Polk County deputies handed out thousands of citations to drivers who were reportedly caught speeding past stopped school buses. According to the Polk County Sheriffs Office, the total number of citations issued during the first half of the school year racked up to over 4,300. FHP looking for Telsa that fled after hitting, killing Lakeland man on I-275 We are shocked at the number of tickets weve issued to drivers who are NOT stopping for school buses, the sheriffs office said in a Monday social media post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each traffic citation is $198 amounting to over $850,000. Sheriff Grady Judd said that money goes to the school board to pay for a program that involves equipping school buses with safety cameras to capture evidence of the illegal behavior. Law enforcement agencies in neighboring counties have been dealing with similar issues, with multiple crashes reported in recent weeks. An 11-year-old died from her injuries after being struck by a car soon after getting off a school bus in Hernando County on Jan. 21, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Two days later, authorities said a 13-year-old girl was struck and injured by a car after getting off a school bus in Pasco County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies with the Polk County Sheriffs Office said theyd like to see the number of citations drop to zero. Please remind your family and friends, and yourselves when you get in the car each morning, to watch for school buses, the sheriffs office said. Lets work together to stop for school buses, so we can stop issuing citations, and we can all ensure the safety of our children. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) An alleged gunman is dead following a police shooting Monday in San Franciscos SoMa neighborhood, according to the San Francisco Police Department. Authorities initially responded to the area of Mission and Ninth streets just before 5 p.m. on the report of a shooting. A man was found suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. (Citizen) San Francisco launches immigrant resources hub Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigating officers learned that the suspect in the shooting was possibly in a nearby building, according to police. The alleged shooter was located, but authorities said they refused to exit the building. A perimeter was established as SFPD Specialist, Tactical and Hostage Negotiation teams responded to assist. Multiple callouts and commands were made which the suspect failed to comply and refused to exit the building, said SFPDs Pauline Henderson. While SFPD was contacting the suspect during the standoff, a police shooting occurred, officials said. Officers and paramedics provided aid to the suspect at the scene before they were pronounced deceased. (Citizen) Authorities said a firearm was recovered from the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details of how many officers fired their weapons, how many shots were fired or if the suspect fired the recovered weapon were not immediately available. The fatal police shooting will be investigated by the San Francisco District Attorneys Office, the San Francisco Police Department Investigative Services Division, the Chief Medical Examiners Office, the San Francisco Police Department Internal Affairs Division and the Department of Police Accountability. A town hall meeting on the incident will be held within 10 days. Speed cameras will soon issue tickets to speeding SF drivers Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Francisco Police Department at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. 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. PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) Each and every weekend across Panama City dozens of local vendors offer up their products to residents at various farmers markets. Every Saturday, a market is held at McKenzie Park from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Sundays, another is held in the Sweet Bay community from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Roughly 100 vendors take part across the two markets selling everything from meats, vegetables, candy, jewelry, and much more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of the businesses participating in these markets are local, allowing shoppers to connect with the people selling the products and learn more about what theyre buying. Pick up a new hobby during National Hobby Month Its a shopping experience youre not going to get anywhere else because you actually get to interact with the folks that are behind the products, said Panama City Farmers Market Manager Bill Davenport. You can ask questions. If youre not sure youre not just buying a product and taking the label at face value, youre actually able to have that correspondence and build that connection and relationship with the producer or maker. Throughout the year pop-up markets are held across Bay County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next one will be on Saturday, March 15th at Aaron Bessant Park in Panama City Beach. To sign up to become a vendor in the markets or to learn more about them, 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. Rhyma Castillo is a trending reporter for the Express-News and a member of its Digital Go Team. She can be reached at rhyma.castillo@express-news.net. A native of San Antonio and a Texas A&M University graduate, she is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience. She has reported on politics, immigration, climate change, gun violence, and workers rights. Additionally, she excels in lifestyle and entertainment writing, covering music, television, video games, technology, and relationships. In her free time, she enjoys painting, drawing, cooking, hiking, climbing, gardening, playing video games, cuddling with her cats, and making music with her band. Del. Mark Edelson (D-Baltimore City) in a photi from 2023. (File photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) Maryland voters would like to have better access to public transit and safer, more convenient walking and biking options and they want to see the state investing more money in these kinds of infrastructure projects. Those are the results of a statewide poll recently commissioned by the Maryland chapter of the Sierra Club, the environmental group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Support for these priorities is pretty much across the board in the state electorate even in rural areas and from a significant portion of Republican voters. The poll comes as lawmakers are preparing to consider legislation called the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2025. The bill is set to have its first hearing in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee on Wednesday morning. Sponsored by Sens. Shelly Hettleman (D-Baltimore County) and Dawn Gile (D-Anne Arundel) in the Senate and by Del. Mark Edelson (D-Baltimore City) in the House, the legislation would require the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) to measure the greenhouse gas emissions of all major projects in the states six-year capital transportation budget and determine if the overall budget aligns with the states goals to cut climate pollution. The legislation would also boost investment in transit, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and sustainable land use, and would require MDOT to offset carbon emissions from highway expansion projects over $100 million by providing clean transportation alternatives to affected residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A similar bill from Edelson passed in the House last year, 101-37, but ran aground on the floor of the state Senate on the final day of the legislative session after receiving a preliminary vote. The legislation aligns with the priorities of Maryland voters, according to the recent poll. Asked if they agreed with the statement, Having access to better public transit, and safer and more convenient walking and biking, would help me and my family reduce our time sitting in traffic or save us money on our transportation expenses, 68.2% of survey respondents said yes, including 82.8% of Democrats, 40.2% of Republicans and 67.9% of unaffiliated voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost three-quarters of Black voters surveyed agreed with the statement, while 64.9% of white voters agreed. Women and men agreed with the statement almost evenly, while support by geography ranged from 82.3% in Baltimore City to 57.1% in rural areas. Survey respondents were also asked whether they would support or oppose the state investing in more public transit, walking and biking infrastructure to offset pollution caused by highway expansion projects that increase driving. Overall, 78.3% of voters said they would support such additional investments including 63.4% of Republicans. About half of the Republicans who initially disagreed about the importance of access to better transit nevertheless supported additional investments to offset pollution, and support for the concept overall was pretty broad-based, including 74.6% of rural voters and 85.5% of voters in Baltimore City. Asked whether they would support or oppose the state investing more in projects that give people additional choices to get to work, school, health appointments and other locations by taking public transit, walking or biking, statewide support was a whopping 88.3%. The poll of 811 registered Maryland voters was conducted Dec. 27-Jan. 4 by Gonzales Research & Media Services, Inc., an Annapolis firm. It had a 3.5-point margin of error. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Some students at Liberty Elementary School in Sioux City celebrated the Lunar New Year. The House Hoa Hop celebrated the holiday, which takes place on Wednesday, early on Monday. The elementary school has eight different sections, or houses, of students. Students were able to learn about the Lunar New Year, eat some food, and participate in a lucky envelope activity. SCCSD board addresses immigration and deportation concerns Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its incredibly important for our students to see maybe things that are different than what theyre used to and to not be afraid of it, but actually to appreciate it, teacher Tova Natwick said. We can all come together and get to know about other cultures, other things that people do around the world because thats what we have here at school, building assistant Liz Alcala said. We have a melting pot of all these cultures. Members of the youth group from Pho Mon Temple of Sioux City performed a traditional lion dance during the event. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Sioux City native and Olympian Shelby Houlihan is returning to action this Saturday at the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., her first race following a four-year ban from track and field that ended on January 13th. Houlihan, who is the American record holder in the 1,500 meter event, has been training in Arizona ahead of her return to the track. The 2016 Olympian also announced her return to the Drake Relays in April, a place where shes won eight times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As demanding of a sport track and field is, it was the mental battle for Houlihan that served to be the biggest obstacle. Despite her path to reinstatement and a return to competition being so difficult, it was her love of the sport that prevented her from walking away. I felt like if I walked away from the sport, I might look back and wonder, like, what if I would have kept going? And like, what could that have looked like? I dont really want to live life like that and so I was like, Im at least going to find out. Houlihan said. So when the opportunity presented itself to run at Drake, I was all for it. Ive never run the Grand Blue Mile, so Im actually really excited to do that for the first time. I was home and Ive felt very supported and loved over the last four years and even before that by people at home. So Im excited to kind of come back and and be in that atmosphere again. Houlihan will run the 3,000 meter race on Saturday in Arkansas and will race for a spot on Team USA at the Grand Blue Mile at the Drake Relays on April 22nd. 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A lot of businesses are turning to artificial intelligence to save money and time, so its important for students to learn about it. But how should AI be used in the classroom? Its a topic the Sioux Falls School Board took up Monday afternoon. Every time I turn on the TV, every time I turn on my phone, its just all about AI. Its growing all over, not only in the schools, I imagine, but banking, health care, all over the place. Its really accelerating, SFSD assistant superintendent of academic achievement Kirk Zeeck said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why the Sioux Falls School Board is looking into just how much guidance students should receive from AI on an assignment. In October, Jefferson High School English teacher Michele Wheeler asked her students to write about a scary character. Then, she asked them to recreate the story using AI. Wheeler says the AI generated a similar story for multiple students. What happened is the students actually started to get angry because they had some autonomy about their stories when they were writing them handwritten. Then theyre seeing, wait a minute, why is it creating the same story for all of us? Then we got to talk about that AI can create, but it is not creative, Wheeler said. Which helped students see one of the downsides of AI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They really began to understand that human element piece that needs to be a part of it, that interaction from the beginning to the end in order to keep their voice in it, Wheeler said. If all we do is tell kids, You cant use AI, then it becomes sneaky. If we can help them use it, use it responsibly and be able to think critically about it, I think were going be worlds ahead then if we try to have this You cant use that, thats cheating mentality,' Sioux Falls School Board president Carly Reiter said. A few of the common AI tools used in classrooms include Chat GPT, Magic School and Diffit. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Vail Resorts is in the midst of another negotiation with a ski patrol union, and this time around, the union is calling upon guests to provide written testimony. The Keystone Ski Patrol Union (KSPU) met with Vail on January 22, 2025 to talk about the companys latest counter offer to a contract negotiation. In the meeting, Vail told the union that it doesnt want patrollers to prioritize medical care, and asked for patrollers to transport them off of the mountain, KSPU's Jake Randall said in a press release. Vail Resorts also questioned the importance of patrollers with higher medical certifications, such as nurses and paramedics who can perform advanced lifesaving procedures in the field, the release said. The written testimony will be used in negotiations to assert the necessity for a medically trained patrol and a fair wage for the service they provide, Randall said. Vail Resorts has said otherwise. Fact: Keystone Resort is not questioning, nor have we ever questioned, the need or value for patrollers to have advanced medical care skills, a letter to employees from Keystone VP and General Manager Shannon Buhler says. We recognize, appreciate, and are proud of the frontline care our patrollers provide to our guests, and our proposal includes individualized skills-based pay for medical certifications. According to numbers from the ski patrol union, there were 3,000 guest incidents on the mountain at Keystone last season. Most consisted of medical concerns. New patrollers at Keystone are required to have an EMT certification before working. "Due to the statements made at negotiations, the KSPU bargaining team believes the company may reduce the patrols ability to provide care on the mountain. As a certified EMS agency, the Keystone Ski Patrol would typically receive changes in scope of practice from its Medical Director, which the company did not consult before making these statements, Randall said. This should come as a concern to skiers and riders visiting Keystone, especially given the resort's branding as a family mountain. One of the company's seven core values is be safe, something that does not align with their recent remarks. An aerial view of the Schoolmarm trail during pre-season at Keystone Resort. Photo: Katie Young, Keystone Resort The next bargaining session is scheduled for January 30, 2025. Vail Resorts has offered to meet with the union prior to that session to discuss any feedback that lingers from the previous meeting. We have an enormous amount of respect for all our Keystone Resort employees, including our ski patrollers, who are an important part of our resort team and the Keystone experience, the Vail statement says. We remain committed to a respectful and productive negotiation process aligned to our values and to reaching agreement. In the release, Vail states that Keystone will not remove specialty team skills-based pay for patrollers. Related: The Park City Ski Patrol Strike Could Finally Be Over Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy an "enemy" of Slovakia during an ongoing discussion about the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine. Source: European Pravda, citing Dennik N, a Slovak media outlet Details: Fico made these comments at a session of the Slovak Parliaments Economic Committee, where he addressed Zelenskyys recent remarks about the potential transit of gas from Azerbaijan to European countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fico claimed that Zelenskyy has no choice but to talk about "some gas from Azerbaijan" and is "blowing bubbles, thinking these bubbles will free him from making tough decisions". Quote from Fico: "Our enemy is Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy caused the problems we are facing. I dont like him because he is harming Slovakia." More details: Fico reiterated Bratislavas stance that the "most realistic" option remains the restoration of Russian gas transit. He proposed that Slovakia could buy gas at the Russo-Ukrainian border, which would then be transported as Slovak gas through Ukrainian territory. Background: Ficos comments are the latest in his increasingly harsh rhetoric against Ukraine following Ukraines decision to halt the transit of Russian gas at the start of 2025. The Slovak prime minister has also expressed anger over Zelenskyys support for mass anti-government protests in Slovakia earlier this month. Support UP or become our patron! Andrej Danko, Deputy Speaker of the Slovak Parliament, who recently paid a visit to Moscow, has complained about Russia not being invited to the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration camp. Source: Danko on Telegram, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Slovak deputy speaker said he was offended that "Germans and the Bandera supporter Zelenskyy were sitting in the front row during the ceremony," while Russia was not even invited. [Stepan Bandera was a Ukrainian nationalist leader and a key figure in the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), known for his efforts to achieve Ukrainian independence, particularly during World War II. He is viewed as a hero by Ukrainians for his fight against Soviet and Polish domination, while Russian propaganda dubs him a Nazi and uses this image to justify the invasion of Ukraine ed.] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These are the times we live in, dear friends. Yesterday, at the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp, Germans and Bandera fan Zelenskyy were sitting in the front row, while the Russians were not invited. History is being distorted, they say one thing and do another," Danko wrote. Sergei Andreyev, the Russian Ambassador to Poland, had said ahead of the ceremonies marking the anniversary that Russian diplomats would not be attending. Background: Danko, who is chairman of the Slovak National Party, recently spent several days in Russia. Announcing the trip to Russia, Danko said that he would "consider it an honour" to have the opportunity to make a speech at the State Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament. Support UP or become our patron! In this photo illustration, social media apps are displayed on an iPad. As concerns over youth mental health and privacy grow, more states are hoping to rein in the negative effects of social media through the courts and legislatures. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Ritika Shroff had the typical Gen Z experience with social media. At 13, she signed up for Instagram, then Snapchat. Later, she downloaded TikTok and worked her way through other popular platforms. But in high school, she began to see downsides, feeling pressure when comparing her number of followers, test scores and experiences with those of her peers online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre doing X, Y and Z with their lives, and I think I got pulled into it, Shroff said. Today, Shroff, a 19-year-old sophomore at American University in Washington, D.C., still sees the benefits of social media, such as allowing her to stay in touch with hometown friends from Des Moines, Iowa, and family in India. While she thinks there should be more rules around social media, she doesnt think individual state actions, such as a state suing a platform, would make much difference. These small things wont make an impact in the broader landscape, Shroff said. More states are hoping to rein in the harm that social media can do to teens mental health and privacy by approving laws that require age verification or parental consent, prohibit addictive feeds or ban the apps for minors. They also are taking social media companies to court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But some experts say such efforts wont make social media any safer. Instead, they fear the moves might infringe on peoples privacy and First Amendment rights while potentially making the platforms harder for everyone to use. This is global media, and trying to regulate it at the micro level the fear for a lot of people is that were going to end up with different rules for different states, which is just going to undercut the whole promise and potential of internet-based media and communication, said Kevin Goldberg of the Freedom Forum, a nonprofit aimed at protecting First Amendment rights. Some social media disputes are playing out at the federal level. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a bipartisan federal law banning TikTok, a popular video sharing platform, unless its China-based parent company agreed to sell the app. The ban briefly went into effect before President Donald Trump, who had tried unsuccessfully to ban TikTok by executive order in his first term, signed an executive order delaying it for another 75 days. But absent other federal action to curb social medias effects on young people, many states are considering new legislation. In New York, a law enacted in June prohibits social media platforms from providing to minors so-called addictive feeds without parental consent. New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, is drafting formal rules to enforce the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Social media feeds are designed to keep kids scrolling longer and longer to drive up ad revenue, noted state Democratic Sen. Andrew Gounardes, who sponsored the bill. Kids who are addicted to social media suffer mental health issues, and people who spend more time scrolling tend to struggle to navigate real-life relationships, he argued. So social media, for all the positives that might exist, has some real, deeply negative and dark downsides that we are finally seeing manifest, and we have to reconcile it, Gounardes said. But tech developers are concerned new state laws could weaken privacy protections for users, take away online mental health resources for marginalized communities and restrict the flow of online information, said Paul Lekas, the senior vice president and head of global public policy and government affairs at the Software & Information Industry Association, a trade association representing the digital content industry. The bills are all different, so its hard to say that all of them are good or all of them are bad, Lekas said. But a lot of concerns come up in a number of these bills. Age restrictions Some research suggests that excessive social media use is worsening young peoples mental health. Teens who spend the most time on social media are significantly more likely to exhibit negative emotions, such as sadness and anger, according to a 2023 Gallup poll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Florida law that went into effect this month prohibits kids who are under 14 from having social media accounts. A user who is 14 or 15 would have to get parental consent before starting an account. Ashley Moody, Floridas Republican attorney general at the time, agreed not to enforce the law while a lawsuit alleging it would restrict minors freedom of speech plays out. Moody was sworn into the U.S. Senate this week to replace Sen. Marco Rubio, the new U.S. secretary of state. More measures are expected across the country during 2025 legislative sessions. A new bill in Indiana would prohibit anyone under the age of 16 from creating social media accounts without verified parental permission. A similar bill was introduced in Nebraska, but with an age limit of 18. A prefiled bill in Nevada would set the age at 13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To verify age, some apps may require all users to upload a photo of their ID. This could be of particular concern for adult users who would have their full legal identity tied to their social media account, said Ash Johnson, a senior policy manager at the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, a think tank focused on public policy surrounding technology. Rather than an outright ban on social media accounts for users under a certain age, increasing transparency and accountability measures for social media developers would improve the safety of the apps, Johnson said. She pointed to California as an example. The states Age-Appropriate Design Code Act was partially blocked from enforcement by a federal appeals court last year. It would have required companies to ensure that online services likely to be accessed by children are designed to eliminate the risk of harm to them. Parental controls, Johnson said, also could make it easier for parents to oversee their childs media presence by deciding what content they can access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instagrams new Teen Accounts, for example, automatically place teenage users into an account that limits who can contact them and the content they see and anyone under the age of 16 will have to get parental permission before changing any of the safety features. It would give children a really customizable experience on social media depending on their individual developmental needs, Johnson said. A lot of the laws around the country are specifically designed to prevent younger people from either accessing certain content online or entire social media platforms, said Goldberg, of the Freedom Forum. Changing the way in which social media developers control who can and cant have an account could change what people see on their feeds. Weve seen a lot of this, especially at the state level, which is concerning, he said. Many of the laws that we are seeing proposed and even passed raise First Amendment concerns. States go to court States also are turning to lawsuits to address social media effects on young people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, attorneys general in California, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia sued TikTok, alleging violations of state consumer protection laws. Led by California Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta and James of New York, the lawsuits allege that TikTok exploits and harms young users and deceives the public about the social media platforms dangers. Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a similar suit that same month accusing TikTok of violating a state law protecting children online. The law prohibits digital service providers from sharing, disclosing or selling a minors personal information without permission from a parent. TikTok has disputed the claims, calling them inaccurate and misleading in a statement to CNN. The company says its platform is safe for kids and offers time limits and parental controls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States have also taken aim at Snapchat and Meta. In September, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez, a Democrat, filed a complaint against Snap Inc., Snapchats parent company, alleging the apps developers were ignoring reports of sextortion, failing to implement age-verification rules, admitting to features that connect minors with adults and more. And in 2023, more than 40 states sued Meta, claiming Instagram and Facebook worsened the youth mental health crisis. The social media companies need to be held accountable, said Julie Scelfo, founder of Mothers Against Media Addiction. Scelfo, a career journalist who covered youth mental health for years, said she was disturbed after finding out that more and more young children wanted to commit suicide as social media became more mainstream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Social media can connect people for positive things, but it has also been a very convenient conduit for all of the worst forces in society, Scelfo said. But tech companies are winning some fights and going on the offensive. In addition to the partial block of the Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, a federal judge has blocked until Feb. 1 another California law designed to protect children from addictive feeds. The Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act would prevent social media platforms from providing minors with personalized feeds. Across the states, companies are challenging dozens of laws restricting social media and in some cases, theyre winning. I think that shows that courts are skeptical that either theres no proof behind the goals of the legislators or that theyre not being precise enough, Goldberg said. So, Im skeptical. I dont think this is going to help because there will always be ways for children to access content on the internet or social media its almost impossible to truly enforce. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Social media posts by NYPD brass that attacked New York City elected officials and members of the media last year were irresponsible and unprofessional and failed to serve the public, the Department of Investigation said Tuesday. The DOI found that the posts largely by current Chief of Department John Chell and Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry violated the citys social media policies and werent properly vetted by the NYPD. DOI Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber said social media should be used to inform New Yorkers and not as a means to ridicule those with whom they disagree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No aspect of the social media exchanges that DOI reviewed in this investigation served the public, Strauber said in a statement Tuesday. DOIs review did not come to a conclusion on whether the posts also violated the citys ban on using government resources for political activity. The review was sparked by a May 3 complaint from City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who objected to a number of posts by Chell and Daughtry during Mayor Adams tenure. Speaker Adams called the posts troubling, intimidating and dangerous. In May, for example, Chell attacked City Councilwoman Tiffany Caban on social media after Caban critiqued the police raids on protesters at Columbia University and City College. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I started to read this garbage and quickly realized this is coming from a person who hates our city and certainly does not represent the great people of NYC, Chell wrote. The post was deleted and then Chell wrote a second message reposting it. Like I said it was an accident Im back!!!! In April, Chell and Daughtry called a Daily News columnist deceitful and a gadfly. Another Daily News reporter was accused by Chell of being irresponsible while attempting to get clicks. Since then, posts by Chell and Daughtry have become far more muted, focusing on things like arrests and recruiting. Chell did create a personal page on X in October, but has posted just six times on that, most recently on Nov. 29. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 1, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch promoted Chell to Chief of Department after Jeffrey Maddrey resigned in the midst of an investigation into an alleged affair with a female lieutenant who made more than $200,000 in overtime in fiscal 2024. In a statement a police spokesman said, We appreciate DOIs comprehensive report. As the report notes, the NYPD has already made significant changes to its social media practices. We look forward to reviewing the report and recommendations. The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing administers the state's Board of Nursing and Board of Behavioral Health Professionals as well as other licensing boards. (Main photo by Getty Images; logo courtesy State of Iowa) The Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals has suspended the license of a social worker who falsely claimed to be giving therapy to clients, one of whom was dead at the time. In May 2023, the board charged Tina Miner of Ames with improperly billing clients and their insurers for therapy sessions she never performed. Rather than take action on the case, the board delegated the matter to an administrative law judge, Rachel Morgan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October 2024, Morgan determined Miner had falsified records and engaged in fraudulent billing. Miners social work license was then suspended for a minimum of three years. Miner appealed that decision. While she did not dispute the allegations against her, she argued a suspension was too severe a punishment and that placing her license on probation would be a more suitable action by the board. Recently, the board affirmed the earlier decision and found that a three-year suspension was warranted. The board stated the evidence indicated Miner did not make the patient visits at locations identified by the board only as Humboldt, Friendship and Laurens those names may refer to care facilities or group homes that she claimed to have made in December 2021. Despite not visiting any clients, (Miner) created and edited progress notes for the clients wherein she falsely stated that she held sessions with clients, the board stated in its ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board said the acts committed by Miner were egregious and also stated that at her October 2024 hearing, she had submitted exhibits that contained misleading information, indicating that even then she lacked an understanding of the charges against her. According to state unemployment records, Miner was working for Bridges Community Services at the time of the fraudulent billing. As part of her job, Miner had been tasked with traveling to nursing homes to provide mental health counseling for the elderly residents. One of the bills she submitted was rejected because the man she claimed to have counseled was dead at the time. Bridges then conducted an investigation and allegedly uncovered fraudulent billings for services that Miner had falsely claimed to have provided to 17 nursing home residents. For each of the 17 residents, she had allegedly provided a false set of detailed notes about the services she claimed to have provided. The unemployment records also indicate Bridges determined that Miner had an outstanding warrant for her arrest due to the alleged theft of resident property. An administrative law judge denied Miners request for unemployment benefits, ruling that she had been fired for workplace misconduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to state records, Miner was fired from Pinnacle Health Facilities, a nursing home company where she worked as social services director, in November 2019. The company alleged that after some windows were broken at her home, she entered the home of a neighbor and co-worker, believing the woman was involved in the vandalism. Miner allegedly awakened the woman and her boyfriend, which led to a physical altercation and Miner being physically thrown out of the house. Miner was later convicted of trespassing, fined $200, and fired from Pinnacle. Her subsequent application for unemployment benefits was approved with the judge in the case noting that Miners co-worker had not been fired as a result of the incident. State records also show that in 2014, Miner was working for the company Life Connections as a behavioral health interventionist when she was fired for inappropriate contact with clients. The company alleged two clients brothers who were then aged 7 and 8 told another counselor they had been to Miners home. The company alleged it then learned of several inappropriate, personal disclosures the claimant had made to clients, including that she was having surgery and was having difficulty in her marriage. The company claimed Miner later admitted to at least six personal disclosures and then denigrated the two brothers by stating she would never let them inside her house because they were drug addicts and thieves. Her application for unemployment benefits was later denied due to workplace misconduct. (Bloomberg) -- South Africas second-biggest political party said it remains committed to the countrys so-called national unity government, as it works to resolve a dispute over new laws approved by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The rand gained. Most Read from Bloomberg We are fully committed to the GNU, Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen told reporters on Tuesday in Johannesburg. But we need to make sure that the DA, as the second-largest party, is allowed to express itself, to be able to put on the table alternatives. If that is not possible, it makes future involvement in the GNU incredibly difficult to justify. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investor concern about the stability of the nations seven-month-old coalition government increased after the DA said at the weekend that its declared a formal dispute over what it says was inadequate consultation over contentious policies. Its been irked by Ramaphosas assent to laws on land expropriation and education policy, along with plans to introduce state-funded universal health-care. The rand strengthened as much as 0.4% after Steenhuisens comments on Tuesday, reversing an earlier loss of 0.7%, and traded at 18.66 per dollar by 12:46 p.m. in Johannesburg. South African political parties formed a coalition government in June 2024 after Ramaphosas support for the African National Congress fell to 40% amid public anger over widespread corruption, poverty and unemployment. The DA garnered 22% and agreed to form the new government along with eight other parties. We want to be good stewards of the trust placed in us by the people of South Africa and we want to be good stewards in government in the interests of the people of South Africa, Steenhuisen said. When that is not permitted and when it is not allowed, there is no point in us being in government. Have we reached that point yet? No, not yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked what might force the DA to reconsider that position, Steenhuisen said: When will we leave? When the constitution is trashed and the economy has crashed. Anything that does one of those two things is a red line and we will make it very clear when that time has come. --With assistance from Mpho Hlakudi. (Updates rand movement in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has agreed to the need for ceasefire negotiations and peace talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa wrote in a post on X in Monday night. "The two heads of state have agreed on the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks by all parties to the conflict," Ramaphosa posted. Following days of intense fighting in eastern Congo, the M23 rebel militia entered the strategically important provincial capital of Goma earlier on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goma, located in one of Congo's richest resource areas and bordering Rwanda, is a city of millions that has since been fiercely contested, according to the United Nations. By Tuesday morning, it remained unclear who controlled Goma. Late on Monday evening, the Congolese army claimed to have recaptured parts of the city. Both the government in Kinshasa and UN experts accuse Rwanda of supporting M23 and having its own troops in eastern Congo. Kenyan President William Ruto, currently the chair of the East African Community (EAC), plans to hold a special summit on the situation in eastern Congo without delay. Both Rwanda and Congo are members of the EAC. A specific date for the meeting has not yet been announced. Ruto has also sought support from France and the United States to address the hostilities: President Emmanuel Macron and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly expressed their support for regional efforts to end the conflict in eastern Congo, according to a statement from the Kenyan government. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has agreed to the need for ceasefire negotiations and peace talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa wrote in a post on X in Monday night. "The two heads of state have agreed on the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks by all parties to the conflict," Ramaphosa posted. Following days of intense fighting in eastern Congo, the M23 rebel militia entered the strategically important provincial capital of Goma earlier on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goma, located in one of Congo's richest resource areas and bordering Rwanda, is a city of millions that has since been fiercely contested, according to the United Nations. By Tuesday morning, it remained unclear who controlled Goma. Late on Monday evening, the Congolese army claimed to have recaptured parts of the city. Both the government in Kinshasa and UN experts accuse Rwanda of supporting M23 and having its own troops in eastern Congo. Kenyan President William Ruto, currently the chair of the East African Community (EAC), plans to hold a special summit on the situation in eastern Congo without delay. Both Rwanda and Congo are members of the EAC. A specific date for the meeting has not yet been announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruto has also sought support from France and the United States to address the hostilities: President Emmanuel Macron and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly expressed their support for regional efforts to end the conflict in eastern Congo, according to a statement from the Kenyan government. In the provinces of North Kivu, which is rich in coltan, gold and cassiterite, M23 has been fighting against Congolese government troops and allied militias for years. In recent weeks, M23 has reportedly achieved massive territorial gains, capturing villages in the neighbouring province of South Kivu as well. Goma was already practically encircled by M23. The escalating situation has led to a mass exodus of the civilian population. According to UN figures from the end of last week, 400,000 people have been displaced within three weeks. Columbia S.C. (WSPA) A new bill could change the way classroom instruction is handled in South Carolinas public schools. If passed as written, the bill would require all K-12 public schools to install cameras inside classrooms. Representative Mike Burns (R Greenville) pre-filed the bill, and he said it is crucial to ensure students are learning only what, he says, is supposed to be taught in the classroom. I dont think there are that many teachers in the state out of bounds, doing stuff that they shouldnt be, particularly in the climate that were getting ourselves into now, theres a lot of push backs on, you know, all this DEI stuff and all this sexual orientation for the students, said Burns. If your childs getting exposed to thatyou want some you want some boundaries and some guardrails where your childs not getting subjected to this stuff Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill says teacher, student, and parent consent would be needed depending on if the child is under or above 18 years old. In the footage, childrens and teachers faces would be blurred due to privacy restrictions. Sherry East, president of the South Carolina Education Association, said she spoke with several teachers who said, if passed, the bill would be their final straw. Primary focus should be teaching and learning and anything that distracts from that which is what this bill does, its a huge distractor its a huge stressors for teachers, it would make someone reconsider teaching or not going into the profession, said East. East added another issue is the financial implications of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were struggling, you know, for supplies, resources that are needed. This would be a huge drain on a district to one the physical to just install the cameras, but the monitoring of the cameras, she said. Burns said he doesnt know exactly how much money this will cost but he doesnt think money will be a problem. They have, you know, $10 11 billion going to education, for federal and state funding, and you know, they got all the technology to tape everything and bring the kids online, tape everything going on in the halls, in the lunchrooms. I mean, the technology is already there in the school system to do these things in most every district in the state, Burns said. Burns said the bill is all about accountability and if teachers are doing what they are supposed to do there shouldnt be an issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill was referred to the Committee on Education and Public Works on January 14. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The Southeast Disaster Relief Team held its first weekly briefing since the one-year mark of the destructive flooding in San Diego. Several local community groups and advocates shared about the progress theyve made in the last year, assisting with relief efforts and even providing legal aid. Then came the updates from the federal level down to state, county and city. While the elected leaders were not in attendance, representatives from each office were. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel like the information was overwhelming. I felt like they threw a lot of figures of money that they spent on things locally, but I didnt see it in my household or in my area, said Keashonna Christopher, District 4 resident. Christopher said she was left with more questions than answers. The calls for more funding and aid continue as even one year out, the rebuilding process is far from over for so many. I want to rebuild my community and I think that we deserve that. Im tired of seeing my people have to beg, Annie Rios said. Beta Street resident Greg Montoya has long been outspoken, calling attention to Chollas Creek, saying hes still on high alert despite the citys cleanup efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we get another heavy rain because theyre still so much trash in that channel, we are going to flood, Montoya said. Monday night may have been a more official update, but the group holds weekly meetings at the Jackie Robinson YMCA every Monday at 5:30 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) was awarded an undergraduate scholar program grant, which is considered the most prestigious of its kind for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) academic disciplines. The Beckman Scholars Program allows institutions to provide a 15-month mentored research experience for exceptional undergraduate students in chemistry and biochemistry, biological sciences, polymer science, or interdisciplinary combinations thereof. William Carey releases statewide impacts analysis Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Southern Miss was invited by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation to submit a proposal for the Beckman Scholars Programs. The Beckman Foundation selects 14 institutional grant recipients annually through a rigorous two-step review process. Over the next three years, the Southern Miss Beckman Scholars Program will be administered through the Southern Miss Honors College; two outstanding students per year will be selected and named Beckman Scholars based on their career goals and motivation to engage in long-term research. Southern Miss is the first university in Mississippi to receive a Beckman Scholars Program grant. A call for student applicants will be made early in the spring semester, with applications due in mid-February. The first two Southern Miss Beckman scholars will be announced in March 2025. 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. ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) A Southport man was sentenced to jail time and probation for having illegal weapons. Chase Hartke, 25, was sentenced to six months of incarceration and five years of probation, according to the Chemung County District Attorneys Office. Hartke will get credit for an unspecified amount of time he has already served in the Chemung County Jail. Hartkes sentence stems from a February 2024 weapon arrest. He was initially charged with 11 counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Original story: Southport man arrested on multiple weapons charges Members of the Elmira Police Department and the New York State Police searched Hartkes Southport home on Feb. 17, 2024, and found a loaded AR-15 rifle, a loaded AeroPrecision M5, high-capacity ammunition magazines, ammunition in multiple calibers, and 3D-printed ghost gun parts. A picture of the weapons police found can be seen below: (Courtesy: New York State Police) Police say they found firearms, ammo, magazines, and 3D-printed ghost gun parts during a search of Chase Hartkes 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 WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has announced an additional 10 million in humanitarian aid during his visit to Ukraine. Source: Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as reported by European Pravda Details: Albares began his visit in Lviv with a programme focused on political and diplomatic support for the Ukrainian government, humanitarian and recovery aid for the Ukrainian people, as well as the preservation of Ukraine's heritage and culture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of his visit, Albares, alongside his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, inaugurated a cultural centre funded by the Spain-UNESCO Trust Fund for Development Cooperation. Spains Foreign Ministry declared that the centre was established with the aim to create a dedicated space for culture as a driver of peace and resilience amidst the war and post-war recovery in Ukraine. The cultural production infrastructure in Ukraine has reportedly lost 90% of its resources due to the war. Quote: "This centre is part of Spains comprehensive engagement in Ukraine's reconstruction, reaffirmed today by the announcement of an additional 10 million in humanitarian aid from Spanish Cooperation, adding to the 100 million Spain has provided to Ukraine since the beginning of the war." More details: In addition to financial assistance, Spains solidarity with Ukraine was further highlighted by Albares visit to a hospital in Lviv. There, he announced that a Spanish medical training team would soon be deployed to conduct training sessions for Ukrainian hospital staff. Background: In early January, Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles announced that Spain would soon send 10 power generators to Ukraine. Previously, Albares stated that he does not consider President-elect Donald Trumps claims to "end the war in 24 hours" realistic, as peace is unattainable as long as Russia is unwilling to engage. Support UP or become our patron! Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares arrived in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on Jan. 28, reaffirming Spain's support for Ukraine amid Russia's full-scale invasion. "This year will be a year of peace," Albares wrote on X, emphasizing Spain's commitment to a "just peace" that ensures Ukraine's sovereignty and freedom. The Spanish Foreign Ministry outlined three primary objectives for the trip: reinforcing political and diplomatic backing, providing humanitarian aid, and protecting Ukraine's cultural heritage, according to the Spanish news outlet La Razon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his visit, Albares is set to hold talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, to discuss Spain's political support and its role in Ukraine's reconstruction. "I am grateful to Spain for its support and look forward to meaningful talks today," Sybiha said. The two officials met ahead of the discussions to honor fallen Ukrainian soldiers at the Lychakiv cemetery in Lviv. In May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement, under which Spain pledged 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in aid for 2024 and 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) by 2027. This support encompasses economic, military, and humanitarian assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: EU revising preferential trade regime with Ukraine, media reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Jose Manuel Albares, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, arrived in Ukraine for an official visit on Tuesday, 28 January. Source: Albares on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Commenting on his visit, Albares stated that "this year will be the year of peace". Quote: "A just peace that guarantees the sovereignty and freedom of the Ukrainian people. Spain supports them in this." Acabo de llegar a Ucrania. 3 anos ya de guerra injusta e injustificable. Tenemos que conseguir que este sea el ano de la paz. Una paz justa que garantice la soberania y la libertad de los ucranianos. Espana les apoya en ello. pic.twitter.com/2lwcQQwD7F Jose Manuel Albares (@jmalbares) January 28, 2025 Details: Spanish newspaper La Razon reports that Albares arrived in Lviv, where he is scheduled to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha to convey Spain's political support and commitment to Ukraine's reconstruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources in the Spanish Foreign Ministry said that this visit has three main objectives: political and diplomatic support in the context of the full-scale war with Russia, which has been going on for almost three years, humanitarian aid, and the protection of heritage and culture, which is why the visit is taking place in Lviv, the newspaper notes. Background: Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said during a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at the US air base in Ramstein, Germany (also known as the Ramstein format) that her country would soon provide Ukraine with 10 power generators. Albares stated that he does not find US President Donald Trump's claim of "ending the war in 24 hours" realistic, as it is impossible unless Russia desires peace. Support UP or become our patron! By David Latona MADRID (Reuters) -Spain's minority government on Tuesday reached a deal with the Catalan separatist party Junts to approve several economic measures in parliament, breaking a deadlock that has raised doubts over its ability to pass any legislation. The agreement could bode well for this year's budget bill, which is yet to be presented by the administration of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. In the meantime, Spain is rolling over its spending plan from 2023, as it did last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanchez said the deal includes an increase in pensions, relief funds for the Valencia area that suffered from deadly floods in late October, and a six-month extension of public transport subsidies, which were part a bill rejected by parliament last week. "We've sweated until the very end and ultimately, things are moving ahead for the benefit of the social majority ... Dialogue, negotiation and agreement are the signs of identity of my governments," Sanchez told reporters, expecting the legislation to be approved by a sound majority. In a statement, Junts confirmed the agreement, but said it excluded all tax measures - which would be "negotiated further down the line". Fiscally conservative Junts has opposed the extension of a windfall tax on energy companies, among others, arguing that the levy impacted investments in the wealthy Catalonia region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanchez's centre-left administration faces a balancing act in every vote as it weighs concessions to parties from across the spectrum with opposing demands, such as hard-left Podemos and centre-right Junts. Junts leader Carles Puigdemont earlier this month said his party would not support the government unless a "trust crisis" between them was resolved. In December, Junts introduced a measure urging Sanchez to submit to a motion of confidence, which he initially dismissed, as the prime minister can constitutionally choose to ignore parliament's non-binding request. Tuesday's deal with the Catalan party contemplates the lower chamber debating the initiative requesting Sanchez be held to the condidence motion. Asked if he would submit to such a motion, Sanchez said he saw "no need to do so". (Reporting by David Latona, Joan Faus, Inti Landauro and Emma Pinedo; Editing by Andrei Khalip) GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) Two women from Spartanburg have been convicted in a scheme to buy guns for gang members in New York. According to the United States Attorneys Office Ruben Enrique Chavez-Muniz, 24, of Bronx, New York and Destiny Shannon Mercado, 28, and Daquasia Catherine Mercado, 25, both of Spartanburg, were sentenced for their roles in a gun trafficking conspiracy. According to the attorneys office, from January 2020 January 2021 Destiny Mercado purchased at least 66 firearms mostly handguns from federal firearms licensees in South Carolina, then took the guns to New York, where Chavez-Muniz would sell them for profit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At some point, Destiny recruited her sister, Daquasia, into the scheme. Officials said she bought at least 12 firearms and attempted to buy six more. Authorities said several guns bought by the sisters and sold by Chavez-Muniz were recovered from crime scenes or taken off of people who were not allowed to own firearms. Two were taken from juveniles. Stopping the illegal flow of firearms to juveniles and criminal networks is a top priority for public safety, said U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs for the District of South Carolina, We will continue to prosecute straw purchasers and traffickers like those sentenced in this conspiracy. A judge sentenced Chavez-Muniz and Destiny Mercado to 42 months in prison, with their sentences to be followed by three-years of court ordered supervision. Daquasia Mercado was sentenced to five years of probation. There is no parole in the federal system. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. During day two of Floridas special session, the House returned with a bill that did not meet Governor DeSantiss expectations. WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS State Rep. Mike Caruso from Palm Beach County spoke with WFTVs Greg Warmoth. Do you think the governor will or should veto it? The Governor should absolutly veto, if HB1 goes through as it is, he should definitely veto it, Rep. Caruso said. Heres why he should veto it, because its a facade, its a facade to the people of Florida. Its a facade that they are really trying to look they are doing something on immigration and they not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislators have spent two days in special session and seen three versions of House Bill 1 in Tallahassee. Lawmakers entered todays special session with a bill that Governor DeSantis said would not solve immigration issues. The overwhelming negative feedback from the voters obviously forced a change in course. The bill, even with these proposed changes, though, is weak, weak, weak. We need strong policies that will ensure that local and state agencies are actively assisting with interior enforcement efforts of the Trump administration. Half-measures wont suffice. @GovRonDeSantis Republicans like Caruso had already decided to vote down the proposed house bill, calling it a boondoggle. Like many in his party, they want laws aligned with President Trumps federal immigration orders, like a mandatory death penalty for any illegal who commits capital crimes, including murder, sentencing enhancements for unlawful immigrant gangs, and creating a bonus program for officers who assist ice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All changes created a discussion on the floor of the House. Outside the chambers, activists said there was already too much in the bill that would hurt undocumented workers in Florida who dont commit crimes and are here working, going to school, and spending their Sundays in church. If we see state law trying to enforce federal immigration law its going to result in making us less safe and civil rights violations, said Attorney Paul Chavez. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. HONOLULU (KHON2) A program meant to nab speeders has hit a bump in the road. The Department of Transportations speed camera program was expected to launch this month but its been delayed to ensure it has enough manpower to move forward. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The speed camera program is meant to make our roads safer and save lives. Some of the speeds that were seeing in the system are absolutely alarming, Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen said. In 30 to 35 mile per hour speed limits, were seeing 80 plus going through these areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill would make it easier for police to tow delinquent vehicles The speed enforcement program piggy-backs on the existing 10 red light safety cams already online. And it works exactly the same, mailing tickets out to anyone caught speeding at those lights. Sniffen said its already collecting data, registering more than 22,000 cars going at least 11 miles per hour over the speed limit in one week across the 10 red light cam locations. The speed cams were set to go live late January but Sniffen said its being pushed back. By late February, early March, well start up our warning citations. He said they need to make sure they have adequate manpower to manage it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In general, there could be about 10 times more speeding citations issued than red light, Sniffen said. To add speed enforcement, Sniffen said theyll need to increase the number of officers monitoring the cameras from two to about 20. An unrealistic ask, given HPD has been dealing with staffing issues for years. Well be working with our our Department of Law Enforcement as well, to try and get some resources from them, Sniffen said. House Transportation Chair Rep. Darius Kila said DLE is essential to move the program forward. Theyre going to be providing the technical assistance, the manpower to oversee this to make sure that its then sent over to the prosecutors office, Kila said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Kila, legislators are requesting $3 million to $5 million to fund the positions. We can obviously cut it down short, to a lower amount but I think if we want the full effectiveness of the program thats what were going to need to implement, Kila said. He also wants to make sure its clear how fast someone has to go over the speed limit to get a citation. We cannot expect our residents to operate without knowing whats going to set it off, Kila said. We know whats going to set off a red light camera so to be fare and transparent they need to know whats going to activate a speed infraction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it does go live, Sniffen said all 10 of the red light cameras will start with warnings for 30 days before they issue speeding tickets. DOT intends to add 10 new cameras every year. Once we start putting in those new cameras, theyll do red light and speed, Sniffen said. DOT is required to do 60 days of education before they start issuing speeding tickets. Sniffen said that should begin soon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) The FBI Bureau in Springfield is advising Illinoisans to be cautious in online relationships as Valentines Day approaches. FBI Springfield said online relationships are not always as they appear, and that too many people fall victim to romance scams. Romance scams happen when a criminal adopts a fake identity online to gain a victims affection. Then, once the criminal has the victims trust, they steal the victims money, personal or financial information. Health insurers now required to cover pregnancy, postpartum care in Illinois Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scammers often target victims through dating websites or apps and try to establish a relationship as quickly as possible. The FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that Illinois residents lost nearly $19 million in romance scams in 2023. Nationwide, that number jumped to $652.5 million the same year. The FBI said they work to educate individuals about romance scams, in the hope that it will decrease the number of people falling victim. Heres how to help Springfield PD name their new K9 puppy: If someone has already sent money, the FBI will make every effort to see that the funds are returned to the victim by working with other law enforcement agencies and financial institutions, but often times it can be difficult to investigate, Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson said. Proceed carefully and stay alert to warning signs from the very beginning to avoid the emotional and financial fall-out that accompanies romance scams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are some red flags that could indicate you are falling victim to a romance scam: You are asked to leave the dating website where you met to communicate solely through email or instant messaging. The individual sends you a photo that looks like a glamour shot out of a magazine The individual professes love quickly The individual tries to isolate you from friends and family The individual claims to be working and living far away Plans made to visit you always cancel because of an emergency You are asked to send money, personal and financial information, items of value, or to launder money The individual uses stories of severe life circumstances, tragedies, deaths in the family, injuries to themselves, or other hardships to keep their victims concerned and involved A claim they have knowledge of cryptocurrency investments or trading opportunities that will result in substantial profits IL State Board of Education asks districts to prepare for ICE arriving on school grounds Tips from the FBI Springfield Bureau to avoid falling victim: Go slow and ask questions. If you suspect an online relationship is a scam, stop all contact immediately. Never send money to someone you met online and have not met in person. Never share your Social Security number or other personally identifiable information. Research the individuals picture and profile using other online search tools. If you are planning to meet someone in person, proceed with caution, especially if you plan to travel to a foreign country. Be careful what you post and make public online as scammers can use details shared on social media and dating sites to better understand and target you. If you havent met the individual in person after a few months, you have good reason to be suspicious. The FBI encourages anyone who may have fallen victim to a romance scam to contact them at 217-522-9675. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jan. 27Thousands of Haitian immigrants in the Springfield area could be impacted by President Donald Trump's immigration executive orders. These orders include one calling for termination of certain Humanitarian Parole programs, making specific mention of a program for Haitians. Thousands of Haitian immigrants have entered the United States legally under parole programs, before many obtained further legal status like Temporary Protected Status or asylum. It is unclear what this will mean as far as timing, appeals, and possible deportations locally, and many Haitian immigrants are scared and uncertain as a result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Viles Dorsainvil, Haitian Community Help and Support Center president, said he and others at the center are fielding constant calls from immigrants looking for answers. He said he tells them what he knows and encourages them to know their rights and carry certain documents with them, which include those listing immigration statuses and notarized power of attorney documents for people with children. The uncertainty that comes from the Trump administration's deportation efforts affects a lot of people, Dorsainvil said. "Every human being needs that kind of stability mental stability and to be sure that they can continue to live their lives and everything," Dorsainvil said. "But when this most vulnerable group of people, fleeing their countries and finding themselves in a place where they believe they should have been OK to work and send their kids to school and live their lives they're in the midst of all of this and their future is so uncertain." In recent years, Haiti has been hit by natural disasters that intensified pre-existing severe poverty and political instability. In 2021, Haiti's president was assassinated, and since then gang violence has taken over much of the country, with murders and rapes increasing. In 2023, the U.S. ordered all non-essential personnel to leave the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. has renewed the Temporary Protected Status program for Haitians multiple times, most recently through Feb. 3, 2026. Katie Kersh, senior attorney with Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE), said in one of Trump's new executive orders, he outlines ceasing offering work permits to immigrants in the country without TPS or other status who are applying for asylum. A legal challenge could be successful, but in the meantime, thousands of Haitians in Springfield could be impacted, she said. The department of Homeland Security on Tuesday issued a notice authorizing the use of a border patrol policy to expedite deportations in the country's interior, allowing Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents to make deportation decisions without the input of a judge or immigration lawyer. This impacts noncitizens who cannot show "to the satisfaction of an immigration officer" their continuous presence in the country for more than two years. This could impact a variety of immigrants, including those from Ukraine, advocates have said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against this effort, declaring it unconstitutional by violating the right to due process under the law as outlined in the Fifth Amendment. The ACLU said U.S. citizens or noncitizens who have been in the country for more than two years could face removal if they are unable to prove to an immigration officer their residence. Kersh said historically, people who have entered the country through lawful means have not been subject to expedited removal, but an internal DHS memo first reported by the New York Times indicates that this will not be the case this time. She said it's unclear to her where or not people with TPS will face this process, although having TPS means a person is unremovable according to the statute. "There are still a lot of people in Springfield who do not have TPS yet; there are people who are not eligible for TPS because they entered after June 3, 2024, and there are people who have pending TPS applications, so they have not actually gotten the decision on their case," Kersh said. "So it's those folks that could potentially be impacted by this." Kersh said another development is Congress passing the Laken Riley Act, which, if Trump signs it into law, will require the detainment of immigrants arrested for or charged with certain crimes, regardless of whether they have been convicted. It could lead to their deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said this brings up concerns about due process, and can lead to a "chilling effect" of victims not reporting crimes due to the immediate impact to the alleged perpetrator's immigration status, particularly in domestic violence cases where the victim may rely on their abuser in some way. It is also concerning in cases where the wrong person is arrested or charged, where in other situations they could be exonerated, Kersh said. ICE officers are authorized to enter a home only if they have a judicial warrant signed by an Article III judge, Kersh said. Kersh discouraged immigrants from disclosing their country of origin or immigration status unless they know for certain it is an immigration agent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When immigration goes to make immigration arrests for the purpose of detaining someone and putting them in deportation or removal proceeding, the burden is on immigration, ICE, to show the immigration judge to make a finding that the person is not a U.S. citizen," Kersh said. She said the majority of the time, immigrants voluntarily tell police or immigration officials that they are not citizens, making it easier to deport them. Immigrants should carry with them copies of documents with their status and proof of residence if they've been in the country for more than two years, Kersh said. Those with children should carry notarized power of attorney documents, along with lists of their children's schools and other resources to ensure that if they get separated from their parents, someone can take care of them. The Haitian community continues to face hatred from some segments of the community. Dorsainvil said another employee at the Haitian Help and Support Center received a fraudulent call from someone claiming to be from ICE on Inauguration Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The guy just told him that, 'I am an ICE officer and I am coming for you ... you Haitians here in Springfield, you have to start packing up because I'm coming for you,' " Dorsainvil said. These kinds of calls, while not as frequent as before Election Day, are difficult to handle, but Dorsainvil said he personally tries to stay level-headed and be quick on his feet. He pointed to Trump's pardoning of Jan. 6 insurrectionists as empowering his supporters to "do whatever" and scare people. "But they might be intentional; they can start from calling, until they take the next action. You never know," Dorsainvil said. "All that we have to do on our part is be careful and be proactive in terms of the way we watch our back and what we believe we should do to protect ourselves." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of the potential target on Springfield, Dorsainvil said it is still a welcoming community for immigrants with a support system that other areas may not have, pointing to nonprofit and interfaith support, as well as local and state government. He said he has not seen a "mass exodus" from the city, but believes some immigrants have fled to surrounding communities. He said those individuals will face immigration enforcement just like those in Springfield. "I see Springfield as a welcoming community, and all we have to do is take a little time to learn from each other and in understanding where we are as human beings," Dorsainvil said. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Springfield Police Department was selected for the United States Department of Justice National Public Safety Partnership (PSP) program on last Thursday. Springfield Police Spokesperson Ryan Walsh said that the decision was made following a review process alongside Springfield Police Superintendent Lawrence E. Akers, members of the Springfield Police Professional Standards Unit under the leadership of Captain Brian Beliveau, and members of the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Officials announce funding for electric buses for Springfield Public Schools Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had an extremely productive meeting with the Bureau of Justice Assistance team and look forward to working with them over the course of the next three years, Akers said. We will collaborate with the BJA to identify the best practices to keep our residents in our community safe. We will utilize their input and resources to tackle the challenges we face in our city with gun violence and the need for front-end interventions to address the problem at its root. The Springfield police will join DeKalb County, Georgia, Pueblo, Colorado, Seattle, Washington, and Tampa, Florida at the five new PSP sites. The partnership, lasting three years, serves as an initiative to improve safety in areas with elevated crime rates. Each site will be provided with training, technical assistance, and targeted violence reduction resources. There are eight core areas that the program targets when addressing public safety challenges: community engagement, constitutional policing, crime analysis, criminal justice collaboration, federal partnerships, gun violence, investigations, and technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PSP program celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, with 67 cities around the country having participated so far. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said he is proud to include his city in this initiative. First of all, thank you to our brave and dedicated men and women in blue led by Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers for their continued brave and dedicated efforts to keep us all safe, Sarno said. I also commend Superintendent Akers and SPD for their ongoing work to build trust and partnership within our community. I commend the Police Department on being selected into the DOJ National Public Safety Partnership program and we appreciate the additional support as we continue to make our SPD the best department possible. 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. A St. Paul man was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting the shooter in a 2019 killing outside a University Avenue bar. Thomas Lorenzo Claiborne, 46, entered the plea in Ramsey County District Court in the murder of 33-year-old Michael Gray of St. Paul at the now-closed Johnny Babys at University Avenue and Chatsworth Street on May 4, 2019. As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors agreed not to seek more than the 339 days that Claiborne had served in custody; hell serve no additional jail time. Ramsey County prosecutors charged Claiborne with aiding and abetting murder in September 2023. In December, Claibornes attorney filed a duress defense motion with the court, claiming the shooter told Claiborne at gunpoint to drive away from the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooter, Devante Lattrele Jennings, 29, was charged with the killing in April 2023 while incarcerated on an earlier firearms conviction out of Ramsey County. A cigarette butt and fingerprints found in Claibornes Kia sedan linked Jennings to the murder. Jennings was sentenced to 15 years in prison in July after admitting that he leaned out of the front passenger window and shot Gray. At Claibornes plea hearing on Monday, Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Elizabeth Lamin said Jennings told an investigator in a March 2023 interview at the Moose Lake prison that he told Claiborne to drive away while holding the murder weapon. Mr. Jennings indicated one way or another he was going to leave, Lamin told the court, adding that video surveillance from the bars parking lot shows a five-second delay from the shooting until Claiborne drives away. Based on that, we do not have a good faith basis to continue with aiding and abetting murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors added the aiding an offender charge to Claibornes case on Jan. 14. Under questioning from Lamin, Claiborne admitted that he lied to investigators when he said he was not driving the Kia and that he did not know the shooter. Surveillance footage outside Johnny Babys captured the shooting, according to prosecutors. Jennings, Claiborne and Wayne Rodrick Brown arrived at the bar in the Kia about 1:30 a.m. Brown got out of the car and walked into the bar, bumping into Gray on his way inside. Brown walked back out to the parking lot about 1:42 a.m. and remained there with Jennings and Claiborne until about 2 a.m., when the three men got into the Kia. Gray approached the car and appeared to speak with Jennings before backing away and walking toward the back of the car. Jennings then leaned out of the front passenger window and fired at Gray, who was struck in his head and arm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gray died at the scene. Subsequent shooting Brown, 29, was killed four months later near the St. Paul Saloon by friends of Gray, according to prosecutors. Related Articles In November 2022, a grand jury indicted John Sheldon Pickens Jr. and Derwin Idell Moore on first-degree premeditated murder and other charges in Browns killing. Video surveillance footage from inside the St. Paul Saloon showed Pickens shaking hands with Brown, then immediately making a phone call to Moore and tipping him off of Browns whereabouts. Moore drove to the bar, walked up to Brown and shot him in the chest. Moore, 38, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in September 2023 after reaching a plea deal with the prosecution, agreeing to a nearly 34-year prison term. The sentence was handed down on Oct. 11, 2023. Pickens, 39, was sentenced to 16 years in prison in September after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting an offender. A St. Petersburg police officer arrested on an aggravated assault charge last year after he was accused of threatening to shoot his ex-wife in the head has been suspended without pay for 150 hours. Prosecutors later dropped the charge against Officer John C. Antoine, 37, but police Chief Anthony Holloway suspended him after a command review board found Antoine violated department rules and regulations, according to a news release from the St. Petersburg Police Department. In addition to the suspension, Antoine will not be allowed to take home a department car for 18 months and must attend mandatory counseling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are pleased that this entire matter has been concluded, said Kym Rivellini, the attorney who represented Antoine in his criminal case. Antoine was put on leave without pay for two months after his arrest on Aug. 27 by the Pinellas Park Police Department. In October, after the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorneys Office decided not to prosecute the case, Antoine was put on paid administrative assignment and the police departments Office of Professional Standards began an investigation, a police spokesperson told the Tampa Bay Times last year. Antoine was in full uniform and armed with his service weapon when he told the woman that he would shoot her in the head, according to an arrest report. Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney Bruce Bartlett previously told the Times that the woman, who is the mother of Antoines children, works as a corrections officer in Manatee County and reported the incident to her employers out of fear she could lose her job. Her employers then reported it to Pinellas Park police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Antoines weapons were seized, and court records show he was the subject of a risk protection order. The orders are sometimes known as red flag laws and can result in a persons guns being seized by law enforcement. Bartlett said the woman didnt want to pursue charges out of fear Antoine would lose his job at the St. Petersburg Police Department. She called the state attorneys office at least twice asking them not to prosecute him and was pretty emphatic about it, Bartlett said. The command review board found that Antoine violated regulations regarding unlawful or improper conduct either on or off the job, which an employee knows or reasonably should know could negatively affect the employees relationship to the job, fellow workers, reputation, or goodwill in the community, Tuesdays news release states. Antoine also failed to keep the department notified of his current address, according to the release. Antoine was hired by the department in 2017. Once, on a road trip in Greece, I stopped with my husband and dad at a centuries-old Orthodox monastery to view its famous frescoes. We were in luck, the porter said: It was a feast day. The relics of the monasterys saintly founder were on view for public veneration. As a Catholic and a medievalist, I can never resist meeting a new saint. The relic, it turned out, was the saints hand, though without any special ornament or reliquary, the ornate containers in which relics are often displayed. Nothing but one plain, severed hand in a glass box, its fingers partly contorted, and its discolored skin shriveled onto the bones. We gathered around the shrine, silently, to pray. Then my dad, whose piety sometimes runs up against his penchant for dramatic storytelling, leaned over and whispered, What if at the hotel, in the middle of the night, I hear a scratching sound, and then The Claw His own hand started crawling dramatically up his shirt and then flew to his throat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dad! I hissed furiously, with a horrified glance at the monks praying nearby. Relics can admittedly feel a bit morbid and yet, so holy. What exactly is their appeal? To me, its the physical closeness, especially with parts of a saints own body what the Catholic Church calls first class relics, which can be as small as a chip of bone. There are also objects the saint used during life: second class relics, such as the gloves worn by the Italian mystic Padre Pio. The veneration of relics of saints was already well established in the early church. But controversies go back hundreds of years. During the Protestant Reformation, for example, reformers decried the shameless use of relics to drive donations and the proliferation of faux relics. Today, the idea of intentionally dismembering and displaying human body parts can seem shocking, even repulsive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet venerating relics remains far from a relic of the past. At the end of 2024, the skull of St. Thomas Aquinas the great Dominican medieval thinker whose writings I study made its first tour of the United States. The journey commemorated the triple anniversary of 700 years since his canonization, 750 years since his death and 800 years since his birth. From Cincinnati to Rhode Island to Washington, D.C., thousands of Catholics turned out to pay their homage to this medieval saint. Religious sisters venerating the skull at St. Patrick Church in Columbus, Ohio. Nheyob/Wikimedia Commons Gods dwelling place What might Aquinas himself have thought about all the attention to his traveling skull that fragile and now empty case for the brain behind one of the most productive minds of European philosophy? Aquinas answer lies in a short but poignant text from Summa Theologiae, his best-known work. Christians should venerate relics, Aquinas says, because the saints bodies were dwelled in by God. The very parts of their bodies were the instruments, or organs, of Gods actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The saints as organs of God: What a riveting image! God is so intimately present to his friends, the saints, that their very bodies are sanctified by his presence. Those hands, now dead and desiccated, performed Gods own actions as they cared for the sick, fed the hungry, celebrated Mass and reconciled the lost sheep. According to Aquinas, honoring saints relics is ultimately about honoring this divine activity, a superhuman love working through ordinary human beings. But as he notes elsewhere, God is present in all of creation, working most secretly through all creatures at every moment. So by recognizing the special holiness of saints relics, Christians can better perceive the universal holiness that radiates through the whole created world. Cherished keepsakes Yet in discussing relics, Aquinas has some challenging things to say about what is perhaps their most immediate draw: the sense that when I see or touch a relic, I am physically present to a saint. Because the saints are brothers and sisters in the Christian family, he says, Christians should cherish their physical remains just as people cherish a memento of a loved one, like a fathers coat or ring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I did a double-take when I read this: A memento? Surely the saints body is more than that. CC BY-SA Stained glass in St. Patrick Church in Columbus, Ohio, depicts a mystical vision St. Thomas Aquinas had in the 13th century. Nheyob/Wikimedia Commons But Aquinas insists that physical remains really are more like mementos of the deceased than parts of them. When St. Teresa of Calcutta died, for instance, she left behind a corpse and a soul. These bodily remains shouldnt be confused with the saint herself, who was a living, breathing, bodily person. If I kiss a saints relic, as Catholics often do, I am not kissing the saint but something that was formerly part of a saint. The word relic literally goes back to the Latin word for leaving something behind. The holiness of a relic, then, derives from the person it was once part of, not what it is now. Not just once was, though, but also will be. Aquinas adds and to me this is one of the most beautiful aspects of his reflections on relics that venerating a relic is also a way of looking forward to the future resurrection of the body. Christian doctrine teaches that at the end of time, God will restore each persons body, reuniting it with their soul. Relics represent that hope for everlasting life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later this year, the skull formerly known as Aquinas will wend its way back to its permanent place of rest, buried under the altar of the Dominican church in Toulouse, France. During its visit to the U.S., I was down with pneumonia and never got a chance to pay my respects. But I cherish the third class relic that my sister-in-law mailed me from Cincinnati: a holy card that she had touched to the skulls reliquary. 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: Therese Cory, University of Notre Dame Read more: Therese Cory 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. (Bloomberg) -- The UK plans to allow companies to invest pension funds surpluses in order to unlock billions of pounds to help drive economic growth, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will tell executives at some of Britains biggest firms on Tuesday. Most Read from Bloomberg Under the plan, employers will be able to invest a portion of the surplus of defined benefit pension funds in their core business to purchase equipment or provide additional benefits to members of the pension program, Starmers office said in an emailed statement. The Labour governments two most senior ministers will host a round table meeting in the City of London to discuss their strategy for growth with the chief executive officers of Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide Building Society, BAE Systems Plc and Tesco Plc, among others, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After being criticized for their gloomy messaging about the state of the UKs public finances during their first few months in power, Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer are now trying to talk up the economy and attract investors by de-regulating, relaxing planning regulations and unlocking long-delayed infrastructure projects. Theyre trying to turn around a stagnant economy thats smaller than when they entered office in July, in order to deliver on election promises to make Britons better off. To achieve the change our country needs requires nothing short of rewiring the economy, Starmer said in the statement. It needs creative reform, the removal of hurdles, and unrelenting focus. Whether its how public services are run, regulation or pension rules, my government will not accept the status quo. Ministers are banking on the pensions changes to free up billions of pounds in investment. Britains defined benefit programs, most of which are closed final salary arrangements where the employer bears the risk, have 1.1 trillion ($1.4 trillion) of assets but are largely invested in safe securities with reliable revenue streams. Figures from the Pension Protection Fund for this month show they had a 226 billion surplus above lifetime payment liabilities to retired staff. At least 50 billion could be released for employers to invest in their businesses, the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan will form part of a major speech Reeves will make on economic growth on Wednesday. Shes poised to signal support for airport expansion at Londons main airports, despite cabinet concern over the environmental impact, as well as outline plans to deregulate the planning system and clamp down on the use of judicial reviews against government policy. This government and businesses are united on growth being the top priority for our economy, which is why I am fighting every day to tear down the biggest barriers to growth, taking on regulators, planning processes and opposition to this urgent mission, Reeves said in the statement. Late on Monday, the chancellor met with rank-and-file Labour Members of Parliament to outline her strategy. She told them that her six months in office have taught her that government has become used to saying no, and that now we must start saying yes. If we get this right and I know we will the prize on offer to us is immense, Reeves will say. Cranes in the sky. High streets revitalized. The next generation with more opportunities than the past. The sounds and the sights of the future arriving. Wealth created, and wealth shared, in every part of Britain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MPs were largely supportive when Reeves urged them to support her push to unlock a series of infrastructure projects in the meeting, with just one MP, whose constituency is under the Heathrow flight path, challenging the chancellor on a her expected decision to support a third runway there, Reeves spokesman told reporters following the meeting. Bloomberg reported last week that Reeves may green-light airport expansion at Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton, and the chancellor at the weekend hinted shes preparing to signal that support. The long-planned proposal for a Heathrow, Europes busiest airport, is particularly controversial amid environmental concerns long advanced by London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. On Monday, Miliband signaled hes open to airport expansion, so long as it doesnt jeopardize the UKs greenhouse gas reduction targets, outlined in successive five-year carbon budgets. Any aviation expansion must be justified within carbon budgets, and if it cant be justified, it wont go ahead, Miliband told MPs on the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the economy flat-lining and little room for maneuver provided by the public finances, Reeves told MPs on Monday that there are no easy routes out. There always reasons for government to say no. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. The Prime Minister is preparing to veto policies that damage growth as he scrambles to rescue Britains struggling economy. Sir Keir Starmer is hard-wiring growth into all the decisions of the Cabinet, in a move that risks a clash with ministers over policies such as employers rights and net zero. Addressing business leaders at a breakfast in the City including the bosses of Lloyds, Tesco and Unilever, Sir Keir revealed that all public spending decisions will face a new growth test. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The changes mean the Cabinet will be expected to set out the growth credentials of every single policy proposal, with the impact on the economy poised to take priority. Rigorous assessments will be carried out on the growth impact of each new measure before collective agreement on it is reached, allowing any measures which harm the economy to be vetoed if the Prime Minister wishes. The shift in strategy immediately sparked criticism from the partys backbench over the change in priorities. A Labour backbencher warned that any attempt by Sir Keir to water down plans to boost employment rights would spark a massive row. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about the Prime Ministers comments, and if there were risks to prioritising growth over all else, they said: How will he justify stronger workers rights? But therell be a massive row if he waters it down. Rachael Maskell, the Labour MP for York Central, warned that employment rights must not be sacrificed as part of the growth drive. She told The Telegraph: Firstly, good employment rights and conditions improve productivity, reduce sickness and are good for business, so employment rights should not be sacrificed as they support growth. Secondly, achieving net zero has to be a fundamental part of growth, if not, we will experience greater risk at home and globally. The Prime Ministers official spokesman admitted that not every proposal that harms growth will be vetoed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said: The Government is obviously always facing competing objectives. But overall, the Government is taking an approach that supports growth and supports the economy. Specifically the spokesman was challenged on whether the Governments plans to ban new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, scale back junk food adverts, strengthen workers rights or reduce net migration would be ditched given the growth focus. There was no indication those policies would be abandoned. It comes after a string of economic surveys and data suggested Britain is at risk of falling into recession after the Governments record 40bn tax raid triggered mass job cuts and damaged confidence. Sir Keir said: Growth is the number one mission of this Government. Wealth creation and investment is what we mean by growth. Because all of the other things that we want to do, whether its the NHS, public services, you name it, none of that can be done if the economy is not thriving and were not creating wealth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He insisted the economy is starting to turn around despite figures that have raised concerns that Britain is teetering on the edge of a recession. We have to get our economy working, Sir Keir told Bloomberg TV. I think were beginning to see how thats turning around. The number one priority of this Labour Government is growth: growth, growth, growth. He added that Britain would strip away regulation, strip away the inhibition of planning and use AI to take us forward. The proposals failed to convince executives in the room, who warned that the rising tax burden was still a major threat. The Prime Minister also attacked the myriad of regulations faced by businesses in the clearest signal yet that the Government is considering scrapping some of the some 130-bodies that set rules in the UK. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, said: Words are cheap but a growth strategy cant just be infrastructure projects for the 2030s. Businesses and high streets are bleeding out right now and too many of our best and brightest are fleeing the country. The Government talk about cutting red tape but it is they who every day are piling on more environmental regulations and propose a 150 page, job destroying Employment Bill. Sir Keir Starmer met with business leaders including Pinewood Studios boss Paul Golding as he sought to reinforce Labours growth plans - Benjamin Cremel - WPA Pool/Getty Images Sir Keir was joined at the breakfast by Rachel Reeves. The Chancellor will deliver a highly anticipated speech on growth this week even as businesses reel from the tax raid, including a 25bn increase in National Insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speculation is growing that Ms Reeves will give approval to a number of infrastructure projects, including a third runway at Heathrow previously opposed by several Cabinet ministers including the Prime Minister and Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary. Sir Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has signalled that he still opposes the plans because of net zero concerns. Business leaders at the breakfast warned that Britains ever increasing tax burden remained a key issue. Paul Golding, the chairman of Pinewood Studios, urged the Government to do more to lower business rates as the home of James Bond plots a UK expansion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the meeting, Mr Golding urged the Government not to tinker policy going forward. We do have challenges ahead ... business rates being a key factor. The last thing we want to do is to see business rates deter investment into the industry. Construction costs have gone up hugely. Sir Keir also warned that far too many people are out of work, as he highlighted the 2.8m people were neither in work nor looking for a job owing to ill-health. He said: Were looking at inactivity because far too many people are out of work 2.8m are not in work [because of sickness] including a huge number of young people which is a double problem, because weve got the best part of a million arent in education employment or training ... Its a bad thing for them and a bad thing for the economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labour is due to set out how it will tackle a spiralling benefits bill for ill health in the spring. Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, branded the pledge meaningless guff, claiming that Sir Keir will have to rip up his whole economic plan if he is serious about boosting growth. He urged the Prime Minister to veto the whole of the Budget and start again, telling The Telegraph: Theres time, basically, to say, to admit, [were] terribly sorry, we got it wrong, weve listened, and were going to have a March Budget to come in immediately, which will reverse many of the changes made, and that will be the fastest way to get to a growth agenda. He suggested the Government could raise funds for its growth plan by scrapping its ludicrous net zero policies, which would also impress President Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Debbie Crosbie, the Nationwide chief executive, who was among the business leaders at the meeting, said: The Governments focus on economic growth is vital to improve living standards, support public services, and increase UK competitiveness. The drive to remove the regulatory barriers that limit growth are very welcome, particularly when they increase access to the housing market. Todays meeting was another good example of the positive engagement between government and industry. 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. Sen. Mike Thomson, chairman of the Senate federal and state affairs committee, at a Jan. 27, 2025, hearing of a bill that would ban ranked choice voting at all levels of government in Kansas. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Out-of-state, conservative nonprofits support a Kansas bill that would ban ranked-choice voting, which hasnt been used on Kansans ballots since 2020. At a Monday hearing, legislators weighed Senate Bill 6, which would prohibit giving voters the option to rank candidates by order of preference. Ranked-choice voting was last used in Kansas during the 2020 party-run Democratic presidential primary, but it has never been used in an official election run by state or county election officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opportunity Solutions Project, an arm of the Florida-based conservative think tank Foundation for Government Accountability, and the Honest Elections Project, a conservative elections nonprofit that is part of the advisory board for Project 2025, both offered testimony supporting a ban. Current state law does not provide guidance for ranked-choice voting methods, said Jason Long with the Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes. The bill, which was the subject of a hearing Monday, would establish a definition for ranked-choice voting and cement a ban on the practice at all levels of government. The bill defines ranked-choice voting as a form of voting that allows voters to rank two or more candidates for an elected office in order of preference and tabulates the cast ballots in multiple rounds with the elimination of the lowest vote-receiving candidate after each round until a candidate receives a majority of the votes cast. Clay Barker, general counsel to the Kansas Secretary of States Office, testified that the purpose of ranked-choice voting is to ensure that the eventual prevailing candidate is the consensus choice of a majority of the voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little research exists on the impacts of ranked-choice voting. Opponents say it is costly for governments, complicated for voters and might suppress voter turnout. Proponents say it increases voter satisfaction because the most popular candidate is more likely to win and offers alternatives to the two major political parties. Every time I hear it, Im confused, said Sen. Mike Thompson, chairman of the Senate federal and state affairs committee, at the Monday hearing. Elaine Stephen, an opponent of the bill, likened the process of ranked-choice voting to selecting ones lunch. If youre thinking hamburger versus taco versus pizza, (and) if you go and they dont have hamburgers downstairs in the snack bar, well then you automatically know what your second choice is, she said. Thats what ranked-choice voting is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephen, who testified Monday on her own behalf despite her role as co-leader of the pro-ranked-choice voting organization Rank the Vote Kansas, pointed to Minneapolis, Alaska and Maine, which have enacted ranked-choice voting in recent years. Ireland and Australia have been using the method for more than a century each. Madeline Malisa, a Portland, Maine, fellow with Opportunity Solutions Project gave similar testimony as she did last year, saying ballots are discarded in order to achieve a majority vote. Its un-American to throw out ballots by design, she said. Ballots are not thrown out because of the design of ranked-choice voting. Instead, common reasons for ballot rejections could include failing to meet mail-in deadlines, incorrect voter registration information or voting at an incorrect polling location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jason Snead, the executive director of Honest Elections Project Action said ranked-choice voting makes every stage of the voting process more complicated, so much so that enormous effort must be put into reeducating the public. Eleven states have rejected ranked-choice voting, including in Missouri where voters approved a ban in the 2024 election. This story has been updated to clarify that ranked-choice voting has never been used in official elections only in party-run elections, which are not the subject of the bill. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) A judge in Rochester Hills has arraigned a second person accused of embezzling a significant amount of money from a vulnerable 87-year-old man. The Michigan Attorney Generals office charged Shelley Letzer, 67, of West Bloomfield, with four felonies for allegedly financially exploiting a vulnerable adult. Letzers co-defendant, 52-year-old Kirk Lanam, who was also at the center of a 2024 6 News investigation, was arraigned last week for the same scheme. READ: 6 News Investigates: Stolen Valor Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Letzer and Lanams relationship or history is currently unknown. It is alleged that Letzer and Lanam fraudulently obtained legal power of attorney from the 87-year-old victim in March 2024, knowing him to be a vulnerable adult with a court-appointed guardian. Lanam is accused of embezzling more than $400,000 from the victim for his personal benefit and for the benefit of Veterans Service Dogs Organization (VSDO), the Howell-based nonprofit he was running at the time. Oakland County investigators found that Lanam took over the financial affairs of an elderly Korean War veteran. Former individuals involved with VSDO told 6 News that at around the same time, he began showing up to VSDO with expensive items such as lawn care equipment, security cameras, and even a new car. 6 News can show more than $250,000 in spending from this elderly veterans account which appears to have benefited VSDO and Lanam. Letzer allegedly embezzled thousands of dollars from the victim through various means, such as writing checks to herself from his funds. She is charged with three counts of embezzling more than $1,000 but less than $20,000 from a vulnerable adult, each of which is a 5-year felony, as well as one count of fraudulently obtaining a signature, a 10-year felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Letzers next court appearance is set for Feb. 10, 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 WLNS 6 News. As the Trump administration launches large-scale immigration enforcement operations across the country, the State College Area School District is clarifying protocols surrounding law enforcement activity in its schools. Under district policy, the State College Area School District does not provide building access to local, state or federal law enforcement without proper legal approval, Superintendent Curtis Johnson reiterated during Monday nights school board meeting. Reading aloud from a written statement, Johnson discussed the districts law enforcement policies due to recent conversations surrounding the possibility of law enforcement entering buildings particularly as rumors of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in local schools ran rampant Monday. Building administrators are required to notify district officials when law enforcement agents attempt to enter school buildings, Johnson said. They are also prohibited from sharing information regarding individual students, family members or State College Area School District employees, or providing immediate access to school buildings beyond their main offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More detailed protocols for school secretaries were shared with building principals and other senior administrators throughout State Colleges schools, the district said. We have shared specific protocols with building secretaries and principals that include consulting with legal counsel, who would review the request and any other material provided, such as a valid judicial warrant, Johnson said. Only after a thorough legal review would any further steps be considered. Rumors surfaced online Monday claiming several State College Area District schools, including Park Forest Middle School and Easterly Parkway Elementary School, entered lockdowns due to alleged ICE activity. Those speculations were quickly denied by Chris Rosenblum, the districts director of communications, who said State College Area School District has had no recent contact with ICE or other immigration enforcement agencies. A Penn State spokesperson said Monday the university was also unaware of ICE activity on its University Park campus, adding the university would not comment on rumors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about potential ICE activity in the State College area, the Drug Enforcement Administration deferred comment to the Department of Homeland Security, which did not respond Monday. ICE arrested at least 956 people across the U.S. Sunday, bringing the agencys total up to 2,681 arrests since President Donald Trump again assumed office on Jan. 20. His administration quickly moved to scrap policies that restricted officers enforcing immigration laws from arresting migrants at sensitive locations, including schools and churches. Some groups have already voiced concerns over alleged arrests of lawful citizens and Native Americans during enforcement operations. The Migration Policy Institute, an independent think tank focused on immigration policies, estimates around 733,000 school-aged children live in the United States without legal status. Please know we will do everything legally possible to protect our school communities and the safety of our students, their families and our employees, Johnson said at Mondays board meeting. The State Department will maintain the spirit of President Donald Trumps order rescinding DEI programs - a move that will likely leave the agency downplaying Black History Month, according to a report. As part of Trumps efforts to drastically scale back diversity programs, federal departments have been asked to shut down DEI departments, rescind DEI guidance and put all DEI workers on leave. An email, obtained by the Wall Street Journal, offered State Department officials vague guidance for Black History Month imploring staff to highlight valuable contributions of individual Americans throughout U.S. history, while ensuring our public communications maintain the spirit of the directive eliminating DEAI programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, programming and content related to accessibility or people with disabilities would have no restrictions. A State Department official told the Journal that staff was taking it to mean no public events or messages about Black History Month. The month has been celebrated since the 1970s. Trump recognized and celebrated February as National African-American Month all four years during his first term. Thats how were reading it, the official told the outlet. The diplomats I spoke to today, with decades of experience, couldnt remember a time we failed to mark Black History Month, the official added. Donald Trump, pictured in 2019, celebrated Black History Month all four years he was in office. Now the State Department is being advised to maintain the spirit of his most recent anti-DEI orders since he hsa returned to office. That will likely leave the agency downplaying the month (Getty Images) State Department officials may not release public-facing messages or events on Saturday, an unnamed official told the Wall Street Journal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When confronted with a similar question on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the White House certainly still intends to celebrate, but added that it will also continue to celebrate American history and the contributions that all Americans, regardless of race, religion, or creed have made. The Independent has asked the State Department for further clarification. Trump promised to end federal DEI programs while on the campaign trail, adopting the opinion of many Republicans who believe the measures threaten merit-based hiring and unfairly target majority populations such as white men. Other communities have also criticized them. Some Asian-American students opposed affirmative action admission policies believing they stifle high-achieving students. Other people have accused DEI programs of portraying Black Americans as victims. However, studies have shown that prioritizing diversity in the workplace benefits companies, educational institutions, organizations, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has called DEI programs illegal and immoral believing they waste resources. Last week, Trump signed an executive order revoking several decades-old diversity programs that sought to increase, strengthen, and protect diversity initiatives in the federal government. New Secretary of State Marco Rubio has backed the Trump ideas and even sendt messages to staff saying that there was talen in the agency, but upholding strict meritocracy is essential to securing our nations future, according to the Journal. He also encouraged aides to report ongoing DEI programs. Sen. Benny Shendo, Jr., D-Jemez Springs, works on the Senate Floor during debate of the State's General Appropriations Act, Monday, Feb. 12, 2024. (Photo by Eddie Moore / Albuquerque Journal) Proposed legislation this session would allow Native governments in New Mexico to create cultural schools in an effort to immerse students in their culture and preserve their language. If kids are fluent in their language, they have a much better sense of who they are, where they come from, where they belong and what theyre about. And that gives them the confidence to move out into the world, Sen. Benny Shendo, a Democrat from Jemez Pueblo and the bills sponsor, told Source NM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 13, known as the State-Tribal Education Compact Schools Act, would give Indian nations, tribes and pueblos the option of creating an agreement with the New Mexico Public Education Department to establish language immersion or culture schools, and would exempt the schools from curriculum oversight by the Public Education Department. Tribal councils or other governing bodies would determine how to evaluate students. Shendo said he imagines these schools would cater largely to children from preschool to late elementary age and be a way for tribes to revitalize their languages before they are lost. Students would then transition over to a typical public school. Jemez was my primary language, Shendo said, explaining that he was fully immersed in his culture as a child. And by high school I was fluent so Ill never forget it. According to the Legislative Education Study Committee bill analysis, SB 13 does not require an appropriation of state funds but would make the cultural schools eligible for state funding. The analysis also points to similar state-tribal education compact laws established in Washington and Alaska as examples for New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shendo said he is aware that the Pueblo of Jemez and the Navajo Nation are at least two out of the 23 federally recognized tribes in the state that have shown interest in establishing cultural schools. When asked if the bill had any connection to the Yazzie-Martinez lawsuit, which found that the state was not providing equitable educational opportunities to at-risk students, including Native students, Shendo said it was not a motivating factor. This is all to do with giving the tribes the right to be able to educate their kids in the language that they choose to do, Shendo said. The strength of our tribes, our languages, our ceremonies, our culture and everything that were about here in New Mexico will be strengthened by the fact that these languages will still be fluent, will be prosperous. Melissa Candelaria, director of education at the NM Center on Law and Poverty, who represents the plaintiffs in the Yazzie-Martinez case, told Source NM in a statement she supports SB 13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six years ago, the Yazzie/Martinez case ruled that Native American students have a constitutional right to a sufficient education, one that prepares them for both college and career opportunities, but also for various meaningful roles within their tribal communities and tribal governments, the statement reads. SB 13 is a critical step in fulfilling this promise, ensuring that Native students receive a culturally and linguistically relevant education and opportunities for a brighter future. Senate Bill 13 is currently scheduled to be heard by the Senate Education Committee on Jan. 29. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Homeowners across Pennsylvania are paying billions in school property taxes, but a new proposal aims to eliminate those taxes and shift the burden to the state. Currently, school real estate taxes account for $17 billion a year in funding for public education. In Hempfield Area School District, more than 60% of the operating budget relies on local property taxes. For some, like Hampton resident Rose Furrel, the school taxes are a major financial strain. Thats more than my property taxes; I pay probably six times school tax as I do for my property tax, Furrel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under a proposal from Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48), Pennsylvania could eliminate school property taxes through a constitutional amendment. If voters approve the amendment, funding for schools would come from the state. However, questions remain about how the state would make up for the lost billions of dollars. Gebhard told Channel 11 some proposals on the table include raising the state income tax from 3.07% to 4.5% or increasing the statewide sales tax from 6% to 8%. But some residents, like Furrel, are hesitant. I would be willing to pay more on sales tax if its on items I dont consider essential. I dont want to pay more tax on my groceries, but I would be willing to pay more on my clothes or shoes, she said. School districts like Hempfield depend on local taxes to operate, and Superintendent Dr. Mark Holtzman said the state must have a solution in place to replace the funding if the amendment passes. Most districts wont be able to keep the doors open without that money, he said. Holtzman also believes charter school reform could be part of the solution to fair funding, citing the growing impact of charter schools on district finances, plus rising retirement system costs. He said charter schools is something that impacts most districts across the state and could help with the fair funding formula that was deemed unconstitutional two years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the Pennsylvania public would vote for this and be in favor of this, it would force the General Assemblys hand to come up with an equitable solution to this problem, Gebhard said. To place the amendment on the ballot, it must pass two sessions in both the Pennsylvania House and Senate. If successful, the earliest it could appear before voters is the November 2027 general election. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Medicaid funding to states is frozen due to a nationwide outage in government payment processing systems, causing mass confusion across the country. Congressional Democrats said Trumps executive orders pausing federal spending caused the problem, but the White House denied that was the case. The outage comes less than a day after the White House issued a sweeping freeze on funding for grants and aid except for Medicare and Social Security. The Medicaid issues apparently came after the OMB memo was issued Monday night, which ordered a sweeping freeze and created confusion over which programs would be affected. In a follow up memorandum on Tuesday, OMB clarified that Medicaid should not be affected and by late afternoon Tuesday the White House said that it was working to ensure the portal for accessing Medicaid payments is open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have confirmed no payments have been affected they are still being processed and sent, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X. We expect the portal will be back online shortly. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) posted on X on Tuesday that the portals for all states were inaccessible. This is a blatant attempt to rip away health insurance from millions of Americans overnight and will get people killed, Wyden said in a statement. CMS did not return a request for comment on the status of Medicaid payments. Why it matters: States and the federal government jointly fund Medicaid, which offers insurance to more than 70 million Americans. States file expected expenses into a payment portal and then receive the federal match. States then pay providers for the care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, several states tried on Tuesday to access the federal payments and were not able to. Illinois could not access federal funding sites and disbursement systems, including those on Medicaid, according to Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker in a statement Tuesday. Democratic Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy said the states Medicaid payment system has been turned off and that doctors and hospitals cannot get paid, and Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) confirmed the same thing for Florida. The Massachusetts Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program agency, MassHealth, is experiencing delays and system access issues with its payment management systems, according to a source familiar with the issue. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) reported similar problems with the Medicaid portal and other ripple effects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are alarmed. They are feeling the effect of this draconian, unprecedented power grab in real time, he said. Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.) posted on X that community health center funding has also been disrupted. Whats next: The National Association of Medicaid Directors said in a statement it is seeking clarification from CMS on the funding freeze order. Kelly Garrity, Marcia Brown and Adam Cancryn contributed to this report. MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) Some Colorado officials are unhappy with the Trump administration after the White House announced Monday a freeze of almost all federal grants and loans. On Tuesday. Gov. Jared Polis voiced his concerns about the pause. Governing is about delivering real results for the people we serve, not sowing chaos. This indefinite pause in Congressionally appropriated federal funding hurts children and hardworking families, jeopardizes American jobs and businesses, harms hospitals and safety net health providers, threatens road and bridge repairs, and impacts countless other programs, Polis said in the press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These federal investments help people and support good-paying jobs and our economy, and this sloppy action creates confusion that distracts from Americans real challenges. Since day one Ive been focused on saving Coloradans money, expanding education access, reducing health care costs, and improving affordability for everyone in our state. Im always open to ideas from anyone about how we can make government more efficient and better deliver for fellow Coloradans. Still, chaotic actions like this do not make our country better off. We hope that this senseless action is reversed urgently before too much damage is done to people and businesses. Polis also said Colorado will join other states in a lawsuit to stop the freeze. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser also released a statement regarding the federal funding pause. The Trump White House freeze on congressionally mandated federal aid is reckless and unprecedented. This action takes the power of the purse away from Congress, violates the separation of powers, and is already causing massive harm in Colorado, undermining delivery of health care, education, and public safety. As attorney general, I will continue to defend Coloradans and the Constitution. This government funding shutdown is illegal and must be stopped by the courts. That is why I will join other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to do just that, Weiser said in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a White House memo, the freeze will provide the administration time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of the funding for those programs consistent with the law and the presidents priorities. Meanwhile, Colorado Nonprofit Association President and CEO Paul Lhevine sent out a statement: We are deeply alarmed by the Trump administrations directive to pause all federal financial assistance, including grants to nonprofit organizations. Federal funding is critical for nonprofits to fulfill their missionswhether supporting senior citizens, addressing youth mental health, or improving food access. This pause jeopardizes their ability to serve communities effectively and must be reversed immediately. Beyond the crippling impact to our sector, the directive perpetuates a harmful narrative, suggesting nonprofits are responsible for the challenges our nation faces rather than being vital partners in addressing them. This rhetoric undermines trust in the nonprofits many of which have been working to help solve societal issues for decades and shifts blame away from systemic issues, which only worsens the problems we collectively aim to solve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This pause follows a troubling series of executive orders targeting funding for nonprofits that support immigrant communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, environmental causes, DEI efforts, and arts and cultural initiatives. Together, these actions represent an unprecedented attack on the nonprofit sector. The Colorado Nonprofit Association remains steadfast in our commitment to advocate for our sector and counter these harmful policies through collaboration and 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 WesternSlopeNow.com. Two weeks after his arrest outside the Georgia House of Representatives chamber, state Sen. Colton Moore has been allowed back in. Channel 2s Richard Elliot was at the Georgia State Capitol on Tuesday when Moore returned without having to give an apology. Supporters of the Trenton state senator greeted him and cheered him on as he prepared to enter the House for the first time in more than a year for a joint session of the legislature. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Current Speaker of the House Jon Burns agreed to let Moore in after initially banning him for refusing to apologize for controversial remarks about late Speaker David Ralston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ralston family has expressed to their family here in the House that they desire for our chamber to resume business as normal, with all members of the General Assembly present for any future joint sessions with or without the apology they and the House deserve, Burns said. Earlier this month, Moore tried to defy the ban and force his way inside the chamber for Gov. Brian Kemps State of the State address. The state senator was arrested after what were described as despicable, hurtful actions. After some time and pushback from some Republican leaders, Burns removed the ban. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday morning, Elliot said Moore still seemed unapologetic. People say Burns lifted the ban, and I said I was never banned to begin with. It was an unconstitutional ban. Burns recognizes that now. I dont think hes ever felt so much pressure, so many phone calls coming in, Moore said. Georgia law gives the Speaker of the House leeway over how he runs the chamber. Moore remains an outlier for the Republican party. Last year, fellow Republicans voted to throw him out of the GOP Caucus after other controversial remarks. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] AUSTIN (KXAN) Scientists and legislative activists will meet Tuesday night to discuss the current state of the use of psychedelic substances to treat mental health conditions. Over the last decade, the use of psychedelic substances has evolved from taboo to be considered by many a legitimate treatment option for psychiatric disorders. Specifically, many veterans with treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder have increasingly considered these substances to get better. Theres definitely been a shift in the openness and the receptivity of the field to this type of research, said Greg Fonzo, Ph.D., co-director of the McGill Center for Psychedelic Research & Therapy at Dell Medical School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People that do undergo this treatment process, some of them do respond well and have a good benefit in terms of symptom reductions and feeling better, Fonzo, who will speak at Tuesday nights event, said. Fonzo has a couple of studies up and running at UT Austin looking at psilocybins, the psychoactive component in magic mushrooms, effect on treatment-resistant depression. He and his team have two more in the works one looking at psilocybins effect on postpartum depression and one exploring LSD for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. PAST COVERAGE: UT Austin researcher recruiting patients for studies involving psychedelics Texas lawmakers approved legislation in 2021 that allows studies of psychedelic drug treatments for veterans. House Bill 1802 passed with bipartisan support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bryan Hubbard, the REID Foundations Executive Director of the American Ibogaine Initiative, is hoping the Texas Legislature might consider pushing forward in 2025 legislation related to ibogaine, a naturally occurring psychoactive substance shown in some research to be effective in treating PTSD and addiction. The hope is that the Texas Legislature will consider appropriating $50 million out of its $20 billion budget surplus to create a public-private partnership, whereby the states money would be matched by the funds of a drug developer, Hubbard said. Hubbard recently joined former Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Joe Rogans podcast to discuss the substance and legislative efforts. Perry has been outspoken in his support of psychedelic drugs for the treatment of PTSD in veterans. Hubbard said that his team has drafted ibogaine legislation and is looking for lawmakers to partner with. He hopes legislation can be filed soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between the political leadership and the medical and scientific know-how, there is a fabulous opportunity for Texas to lead the nation [in this treatment], Hubbard 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 KXAN Austin. WASHINGTON A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a push from President Donald Trump to pause federal funding while his administration conducts an across-the-board ideological review to uproot progressive initiatives. The Trump administration plan plunged the U.S. government into panic and confusion and set the stage for a constitutional clash over control of taxpayer money. The order from U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan came minutes before the funding freeze was scheduled to go into effect. It lasts until Monday afternoon and applies only to existing programs. Administration officials said the decision to halt loans and grants a financial lifeline for local governments, schools and nonprofit organizations around the country was necessary to ensure that spending complies with Trumps recent blitz of executive orders. A vaguely worded memo issued by the Office of Management and Budget, combined with incomplete answers from the White House throughout the day, left lawmakers, public officials and average Americans struggling to figure out what programs would be affected by the pause. Even temporary interruptions in funding could cause layoffs or delays in public services. This sort of came out of the blue, said David Smith, a spokesperson for the Shawnee Mission School District in Kansas, one of countless districts that receive federal funding. They're trying to figure out what it means based on zero information. AliKhan, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, said in halting the freeze, It seems like the federal government currently doesnt actually know the full extent of the programs that are going to be subject to the pause." A group of nonprofit organizations filed a lawsuit in Washington saying that the funding pause is devoid of any legal basis or the barest rationale. Jessica Morton, an attorney for the National Council of Nonprofits which brought the suit, said the group has tens of thousands of members around the country that could be affected. Our client members have reported being extremely concerned about having to shutter if theres even a brief pause, Morton said. Justice Department attorney Daniel Schwei said the plaintiffs hadnt identified anyone specifically who would lose funding right away if the pause goes in effect. Just minutes after AliKhan ruled, Democratic attorneys general from 22 states and the District of Columbia filed their own lawsuit seeking to block and permanently prevent the administration from cutting off federal funding. There is no question this policy is reckless, dangerous, illegal and unconstitutional, New York Attorney General Letitia James said. Trump administration officials said programs that provide direct assistance to Americans such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, student loans and food stamps would not be affected. They also defended the funding pause, saying Trump was following through on his promise to turn Washington upside down if elected to a second term. However, the effects were felt far from the nations capital. Organizations like Meals on Wheels, which receives federal money to deliver food to the elderly, were worried about getting cut off. The lack of clarity and uncertainty right now is creating chaos, spokeswoman Jenny Young said. She added that seniors may panic not knowing where their next meals will come from. The National Science Foundation postponed this weeks panels for reviewing grant applications. Officials in Prichard, Alabama, feared they wouldnt receive infrastructure funding to fix their leaking drinking water system. Republican leaders in Louisiana said they were seeking clarity to ensure nothing was jeopardizing financial stability of the state. Trumps actions would wreak havoc in red and blue communities everywhere, said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee. We are talking about our small towns, our cities, our school districts. The full scope of the administrations review was spelled out in a 51-page spreadsheet sent to federal agencies and viewed by The Associated Press. Each line was a different government initiative, from pool safety to tribal workforce development to special education. Officials were directed to answer a series of yes or no questions for every item on the list, including does this program promote gender ideology? or does this program promote or support in any way abortion? Responses are due by Feb. 7. Trillions of dollars are potentially under review. Grants that were awarded but not spent also were to be halted if they violate one of Trumps executive orders. The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve, Matthew Vaeth, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, wrote in a memo distributed Monday. Vaeth wrote that each agency must complete a comprehensive analysis of all of their Federal financial assistance programs to identify programs, projects, and activities that may be implicated by any of the Presidents executive orders. He also wrote that the pause should be implemented to the extent permissible under applicable law. The pause on grants and loans was scheduled to take effect at 5 p.m. ET, just one day after agencies were informed of the decision. Democrats described the Trump administrations decision as capricious and illegal. They argued that the president had no right to unilaterally stop spending money appropriated by Congress. The issue dominated the first briefing held by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. She said the administration was trying to be good stewards of public money by making sure that there was no more funding for transgenderism and wokeness. She denied that Trump deliberately challenged Congress to establish his dominance over the federal budget. Hes just trying to ensure that the tax money going out the door in this very bankrupt city actually aligns with the will and the priorities of the American people, she said. The Environmental Protection Agency confirmed it would implement the pause to align federal spending and action with the will of the American people as expressed through President Trumps priorities. The Department of Energy also said it was reviewing its spending. The funding pause is the latest example of how Trump is harnessing his power over the federal system to advance his conservative goals. Unlike during his first term, when Trump and many members of his inner circle were unfamiliar with Washington, this time hes reaching deep into the bureaucracy. For example, federal employees were asked to report their colleagues if they try to continue diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. They are pushing the presidents agenda from the bottom up, said Paul Light, an expert on the federal government and professor emeritus of public service at New York University. He also said there are risks in Trumps approach, especially with so many voters reliant on Washington. Fears about interruption in government services were exacerbated as states reported problems with the Medicaid funding portal, where officials request reimbursement for providing health care to poor residents. Democrats condemned the Trump administration, connecting the issue to the funding pause. But Leavitt said the portal would be back online soon. We have confirmed no payments have been affected they are still being processed and sent," she posted on social media. Associated Press writers JoNel Aleccia, Moriah Balingit, Collin Binkley, Matthew Daly, Lisa Mascaro, Adithi Ramakrishnan, Amanda Seitz, Michael Sisak, Lindsay Whitehurst and Tammy Weber contributed to this report. State Medicaid programs across the country reported Tuesday they had lost access to federal payment portals one day after President Trump announced a freeze on federal grants and aid. By the late afternoon, states including Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, Oklahoma and South Carolina all confirmed they had regained access to the portal, but some reported ongoing issues. On Monday, acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Matthew Vaeth issued a memo stating agencies must halt all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance to the extent admissible by applicable law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Medicaid programs reported Tuesday they have been blocked from accessing the portals that provide states with federal funding. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wrote on the social platform X, My staff has confirmed reports that Medicaid portals are down in all 50 states following last nights federal funding freeze. This is a blatant attempt to rip away health insurance from millions of Americans overnight and will get people killed. Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) similarly shared claims of states losing access, and multiple states confirmed outages to The Hill. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X on Tuesday afternoon that the White House was aware of the Medicaid website portal outage but had confirmed no payments have been affected they are still being processed and sent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We expect the portal will be back online shortly, she added. The outage comes amid broader concerns over how Trumps freeze on federal aid will impact government services. An OMB memo issued Tuesday stated, Any program that provides direct benefits to Americans is explicitly excluded from the pause and exempted from this review process. In addition to Social Security and Medicare, already explicitly excluded in the guidance, mandatory programs like Medicaid and SNAP will continue without pause. During a press briefing earlier Tuesday, Leavitt insisted Medicaid would not be affected by the pause but when asked for a guarantee that no person on Medicaid would see a cutoff, she said, Ill check back on that and get back to you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Medicaid.gov, nearly 80 million people in the U.S. were enrolled in Medicaid and the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in October 2024. Of those enrolled in either program, more than 37 million were children. A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services told The Hill it is experiencing some delays / system access issues with the Payment Management System (PMS), but it is unclear whether this is related to the OMB memo or coincidental. Other states have reported similar issues with PMS, they added. MassHealth is not halting any payments to providers, plans, or other payees. Melanie Cleveland, director of communications for the Alabama Medicaid Agency, told The Hill, It is our understanding that access to the portal has been halted temporarily, and we are currently awaiting guidance from CMS. Christine Stuart, deputy director of communications for the Connecticut Department of Social Services, said, The payment management system is unable to be accessed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) told The Hill the program is currently locked out of the Federal Payment Management System, this means that at this time AHCCCS is unable to draw down any federal funding including funding for our non-discretionary Title XIX and Title XXI programs. The Alaska Department of Health said its portal access is currently functioning normally. Updated at 6:02 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. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and Rep. Mikie Sherrill are among six Democrats seeking their party's nomination for governor this year. (Photos by Dana DiFilippo/Sherrill's office) Two Democratic gubernatorial candidates are sparring over spending. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulops campaign on Sunday alleged in a letter to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission that Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11) improperly used funds from her congressional campaign account to pay for various expenditures intended to boost her gubernatorial candidacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the exact thing that makes voters cynical about NJ politicians, and the deceit is an action synonymous with the NJ political machine, Fulop said in a statement. Fulop and Sherrill are among six Democrats vying for their partys nomination for governor in June. Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, is barred from seeking a third term in November. In Sundays letter, the Fulop campaign charged Sherrill used her congressional account to fund digital ads seen by voters outside of her district, Christmas cards that went out to supporters across the state, and a November event at the New Jersey League of Municipalities annual conference in Atlantic City. Sherill was first elected to Congress in 2018 and was reelected to a fourth term in November. Fulops campaign has asked the commission to launch a full audit of Sherrills gubernatorial campaign account and count the cited expenditures against the matching funds she can receive from the states gubernatorial public financing program. Fulop notes the commission, in a 2023 advisory opinion, said candidates for governor could not receive unlimited contributions from their congressional campaign accounts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least one of Fulops charges appears to have missed its mark. A quarterly campaign finance report filed with state election officials earlier this month shows Sherrills gubernatorial campaign reimbursed a campaign staffer $27,194 for the Atlantic City event. Though the event was initially booked by Sherrills congressional campaign, it was later booked to her gubernatorial campaign, according to order forms reviewed by the New Jersey Monitor. Steven Fulops new allegations at best demonstrate a lack of understanding of the law. And at worst, try to make a mockery of campaign-finance laws in a blatant attempt to mislead voters, said Sherrill campaign manager Alex Ball. In New Jersey, candidates for governor can qualify for public matching funds in exchange for agreeing to contribution and spending limits set by the Election Law Enforcement Commission. Fulop and Sherrill have both qualified for matching funds. Fulops complaint alleges Sherrill ran digital ads to a statewide audience in the closing weeks of last years general election to build name recognition outside of New Jerseys 11th District, which is largely made up of towns in Essex and Morris counties. The Fulop campaigns letter says this shows Sherrills clear intention to use congressional funds for gubernatorial purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ads seen on Google, which owns YouTube, and Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, can be geotargeted by congressional district, though candidates often run them in broader areas, particularly if an advertisement campaign is meant to raise funds. State election law officials could find that ads launched by a congressional campaign to boost a gubernatorial candidates name recognition should be counted as coordinated expenditures that count against gubernatorial fundraising limits, though the timing and content of the advertisements, which ran no later than Election Day last year, is key. To be considered coordinated expenditures a type of in-kind contribution communications must include a direct appeal for election or be heard by an audience substantially composed of eligible voters, contain political objectives or achievements, and include some form of cooperation or consent by the candidate. If theres no direct appeal for election to the state office, the communications are subject to a time bar. For most candidates, that clock starts ticking 90 days before an election, but for gubernatorial candidates, it becomes effective on Jan. 1 of the year of the gubernatorial election. All of the spending targeted by Fulops complaint occurred last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fulops complaint is not the first the Election Law Enforcement Commission has received over this years race. In June, the commission declined to require Bill Spadea, who is seeking the Republican gubernatorial nod, to resign from the radio show he hosts on New Jersey 101.5. His opponents charged the show amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars in in-kind contributions from the stations owners to Spadeas candidacy. If the commission were to rule differently in Sherrills case, the spending could be counted against her gubernatorial limits. The commission could deny her matching funds outright if it finds the ads and Christmas cards were a coordinated expenditure whose combined value exceeded the $5,800 cap on contributions to candidates for governor. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Jan. 27The push to adopt a more restrictive ban on abortions failed Monday after the bill's author began a four-hour public hearing by moving to withdraw it. A few hundred people turned out at the Legislative Office Building to speak for and against the proposal to ban abortions after 15 weeks, more than two months earlier than the 24-week ban the Legislature and former Gov. Chris Sununu put in place in 2021. Rep. Katy Peternel, R-Wolfeboro, said it became clear her bill (HB 476) needed more work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After careful review, it has become clear that there is a flaw in the bill that prevents us from moving forward in a logical, reasonable, or obvious way," Peternel said in a statement. "Without consensus among the pro-life organizations across New Hampshire, this bill does not have the broad support it needs to advance successfully out of committee." Peternel's move comes under a new House rule that makes legislation go away entirely if the full House votes to accept her bid to withdraw the bill. That vote would likely take place on Feb. 6. After the hearing, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Robert Lynn, R-Windham, tabled the matter until Feb. 19. By then, the entire matter will be moot if the House ends consideration of the legislation in the meantime. Rep. Marjorie Smith, D-Durham, the ranking Democrat on the panel, tried without success to get Lynn to allow the committee to make a recommendation on the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I cannot believe that with all the attention brought to us that the speaker and the governor do not want the bill to come before the full House, but I think we should do our job, which is to vote on the bill," Smith said. Gov. Kelly Ayotte said she would veto any legislation that went beyond the existing 24-week limit, which has exceptions which permit later-term abortions to protect the health of the mother or if the fetus has a fatal anomaly. The leadership team of House Speaker Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry, ran in 2024 on a "Contract with New Hampshire" platform, and one of the 10 planks was to protect the 24-week ban on abortion by opposing any changes. Powerful testimony given Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Peternel's misgivings about her bill, many speakers urged the panel to pass it. Michael Lewis said a ban after 15 weeks would still allow 95% of abortions to take place. "Is there a three-person reality, the man, the woman and the child or is there a one-person reality with just the woman deciding to abort the child?" Lewis asked. Matthew Bean, an ordained minister from Sanbornton, likened tolerance for abortion to those who defended slavery and Nazi genocide of Jews by arguing Blacks and Jews were not "fully human." "One day these babies will win the fight for human rights; maybe not today based on what I am hearing, but one day they will," Bean said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than a dozen obstetrician/gynecologists and pediatricians urged the panel to reject the legislation, arguing that the diagnostic tests that would reveal the fetus has significant disabilities aren't done until at least 20 weeks into pregnancy. "Abortion is a compassionate procedure for people who are facing awful, unforeseen circumstances," said Dr. Stephanie Harlow of Dartmouth-Hitchcock. "Private reproductive health care belongs with the patient and not with the Legislature," said Jinelle Hall, executive director of Equality Health Center in Concord, the state's oldest abortion clinic. More than 11,400 people signed up online in opposition to the measure while 962 endorsed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abortion statistics After the hearing, Lynn proposed an amendment that would have New Hampshire join the 46 states that require health care providers to report the incidence of abortion to state officials. "It doesn't sound like this is a red-state/blue-state kind of thing," Lynn said. "I basically consider myself a pro-choice person but I do support a reporting bill. I think it's appropriate to have accurate information about how many abortions are performed." Kayla Montgomery, vice president of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, said her group would support an abortion statistics law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She opposed Lynn's version because a competing bill (SB 36) from state Sen. Kevin Avard, R-Nashua, would better protect patient privacy and health provider safety. "Like all laws, the devil is in the details," Montgomery said. klandrigan@unionleader.com Brunswick Executive Airport. (Photo by Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star) Brunswick resident Sandra Carslick said she and her neighbors have been living in a bad dream for the five months since 1,600 gallons of toxic foam spilled so-called forever chemicals at the already contaminated former Naval Air Station nearby. At a Brunswick Town Council meeting on Monday night, Carslick said that bad dream could soon become residents worst nightmare, if the town reopens a processing site for chemical-laden sludge from sewer treatment plants across Maine, and potentially beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The residents were responding to plans from Delaware-based Viridi Energy to update and expand Brunswick Landings anaerobic digester, which converts sewage sludge also referred to as biosolids into renewable natural gas and byproducts that get sent to landfills. During Mondays presentation to the town council, company representatives explained how the facility would work and what local residents could expect. Several councilors said they would like to see additional data before deciding, but some already expressed concerns that the project isnt right for Brunswick, particularly at this time. Members of the public also spoke for more than an hour, overwhelmingly concerned about the project and its potential to bring more harmful chemicals into the area. The town is still dealing with the accidental discharge last summer of firefighting foam containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, at a hangar at Brunswick Executive Airport, which is also situated at Brunswick Landing. The spill has prompted environmental and public health concerns over the PFAS, which have been linked to serious long-term health problems including cancer, weakened immune systems, developmental issues, and more. Since it started surveying and reviewing the material in the late 1980s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found more than 700 chemicals in sewage sludge, including PFAS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chet Benham, a senior advisor and one of the founders of Viridi, tried to address those concerns during the meeting, telling residents the facility will operate according to all state and local requirements. He said there are protocols to prevent spills of the sludge that will move through the closed-loop facility. We feel really, really good about it, Benham said. We wouldnt be standing here before you if we didnt. According to Viridis plan, the facility would take in about 85,000 tons of biosolids per year, which would be processed into renewable natural gas that would feed into Maine Natural Gas. About 10,000 tons of solid material byproduct would be sent from the plant to the Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town. Over the course of the discussion, it came to light that Viridi would also likely bring in sludge from outside of Maine in order to run their facility at full capacity. Some digester infrastructure already exists in the area, but it hasnt been used in recent years. Viridi plans to start construction and renovations this spring with a goal of starting operations at the plant in 2026. Under normal operations, up to 15 trucks a day, five to six days a week, would carry sludge through the surrounding neighborhoods and into the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Viridi still needs to submit a contract zoning application before the council canapprove the plan. However, John Shortreed, an engineer with Viridi, said it has already applied for permits with the Maine Department of Environmental of Protection and Brunswick Sewer District. Maine has been dealing with a shortage of landfill space, so a benefit of anaerobic digestion process is its ability to reduce the amount of material ultimately sent to the landfill. The Juniper Ridge Landfill has applied for an expansion and is awaiting final approval from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Highlighting benefits for the local community, Benham said the facility would create five full-time jobs, 100 temporary construction jobs and enough renewable natural gas to heat half of the single-family homes in Brunswick. He said the project would prioritize using local trades and people. While the new Trump administration has recently taken steps to roll back efforts to better limit PFAS in water, Maine was an early adopter and national leader in regulating forever chemicals. After identifying widespread contamination on farmland due to the application of PFAS-laden sludge, the state adopted a phased-in ban on PFAS in most products. In 2022, Maine became the first state to ban land application of sludge and the sale of compost containing sludge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maine Rep. Dan Ankeles (D-Brunswick), who attended the town council meeting, said he has concerns about revamping a digester near the towns fastest growing residential area and bringing sludge into the exact site of one of the worst chemical discharges in state history. Since the spill, Ankeles has been working on legislation to protect his community and the rest of the state from similar PFAS spills. Hes put forth a package of legislation seeking to remove and regulate the chemical-laden firefighting foam. Though he doesnt get a formal vote on this matter, Ankeles said it will take a lot to convince me this is anything remotely close to a good idea. State Rep. Poppy Arford, a Democrat who represents the western part of Brunswick, also attended the meeting Monday night. She requested that the council really seek to understand the risk to the environment and people who live in the area. She also asked that the company be required to have adequate insurance to cover the risks associated with the work. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE HILLCREST, Ill. (WTVO) Ogle County Sheriffs Deputies arrested Amber Dodson, 32, and Kenneth Murray, 46, on Sunday after being called to investigate a disturbance. Police said the deputies were sent to the 400 block of Errett Road around 1:57 a.m. Dodson, of Stillman Valley, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and illegal parking in the roadway. Murray was charged with possession of a controlled substance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said both suspects were booked into the Ogle County Jail and then released with a notice to appear at a future court 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. GENEVA COUNTY, Ala (WDHN) A Coffee County man is behind bars after police claim they found him with a stolen pace car that was taken from the South Alabama Speedway in Kinston earlier this month. The pace car, a white 2012 Dodge Charger with SAS decals, was stolen, along with radios, racing headsets, computer monitors, and security camera storage hard drives, sometime after Monday, January 13. Pace car stolen from Kinston race track Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During an investigation, officers with Kinston and Opp police departments received several tips. Authorities would not give specific details on the ongoing investigation. According to Kinston Police Chief Matt Whigham, one of these tips led investigators to fly a drone in the area of Highway 189 and Hickman Avenue on Monday, January 20. Chief Whigham says while flying the drone over the area, investigators saw the pace car, partially covered up with tarps, with a man and women working on it behind a house. When investigators went to the home, the man and women fled into the woods, the chief says. Chief Whigham tells WDHN that after around a six hour search in the surrounding woods, authorities captured one of the suspects, idenitifed as Ashton Nobles, near the racetrack off of Highway 52. The other suspect has not been found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WATCH: Truck smashes through front of Dothan gas station Kinston Police, Opp Police, Florala Police, Covington County Sheriffs Office and K9 units, and Alabama Game Warden K9 units all participated in the search. Nobles was charged with burglary in the third degree, theft of property in the first degree, two counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Chief Whigham says all other items stolen from the racetrack were found inside the pace car. We could not have done it without Opp Police, Florala Police, Covington County Sheriffs deputies and K9 units, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Chief Whigham said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stay with WDHN 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 WDHN - wdhn.com. STOW, Ohio (WJW) Two fatal shootings Monday on Meadowlark Trail are now being investigated as a murder-suicide by Stow police and state Bureau of Criminal Investigation agents. The FOX 8 I-Team has confirmed the shooter, Benjamin Asiedu, 43, of Akron, was a Summit County sheriffs deputy. Stow police on Tuesday identified the homicide victim as Latoia R. Philpott, 41, of Stow. She had been dating Asiedu for a little over a year, according to a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Was fire at $66M Cleveland Heights construction project intentional? City officials working scientifically Philpott was shot six times. The Summit County Medical Examiners Office ruled her death a homicide. Asiedu died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the release. Family members were unable to reach Philpott on Monday and returned to the home to discover the scene, reads the release. According to police, they were called to the area just before 4 p.m. for a report of a possible suicide. Upon arrival, officers located two individuals who had been fatally shot inside the home, police said in a press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Philpott had five children three adults and two juveniles while Asiedu had one juvenile daughter, according to the release. Summit County victims and children services agencies are now assisting the surviving family members, according to the release. Latoia Philpott of Stow (left) and Benjamin Asiedu of Akron Spectrum closing Akron call center, affecting more than 250 employees Philpotts family released a statement Tuesday that read: It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, sister, daughter, and friend, Latoia Philpott. At this time, we ask for privacy as we navigate this difficult loss and make arrangements. We are truly grateful for the love, support, and condolences we have already received from friends, family, community and local law enforcement during this incredibly challenging time. Those who may have any information regarding the shooting are asked to call 330-689-5770. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Residents near Donelson told one Metro Councilmember their Saturday night was rudely interrupted by street racers in the area. A viewer sent News 2 video showing several cars gathered at a shopping center near Jackson Downs Boulevard Saturday night. Jordan Huffman, Metro Councilmember for District 14, said hes had enough and plans to meet with the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) soon. They were doing burnouts [and] racing on public streets, Huffman said. It was definitely a mess. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DECEMBER 2024 | I feel like we owe it to victims and their families: Residents advocate for stricter street racing enforcement They had a few people that would go ahead as a lookout and then you would have people racing quarter-mile strips, Huffman said. That happened a lot right on the strip out here on Lebanon Road. Its a straightaway; theyre able to do that here. Huffman added several residents called him and complained about the noise, but he added Saturday night wasnt the first time it had happened. If youre out there street racing in Nashville, your runs about to come to an end, Huffman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huffman said he hopes for longer impound periods if the MNPD catches someone engaing in street racing. However, thats not the only measure Huffman called effective; he mentioned some proactive tactics could be useful in stopping the crime. LPRs license plate readers Fusus technology can be extremely helpful, especially in the prevention, Huffman said. You notice that they target Nashville because they know they can get away with it here. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee The MNPD said one motorcyclist who left the scene crashed into the back of another vehicle, but they werent seriously injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are legal ways to race, Huffman said. There are legal ways to do this not out on a public street endangering other peoples lives. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has strongly opposed the appointment of former Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa as chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board (KRB). The engineers have called for the immediate revocation of her appointment, citing non-compliance with the Kenya Roads Board Act. According to the IEK, the appointment fails to align with the KRB Act, which mandates that the non-executive chairperson be selected from members nominated by the boards member organizations. IEK President Shammah Kiteme noted that Ms. Jumwa does not represent any of these organizations, raising concerns about the legality of the selection process. The Kenya Roads Board focuses on road development, maintenance, and infrastructure management. To effectively handle these technical responsibilities, the chairperson should have a professional background in engineering, ideally in civil, structural, or transport engineering, said Mr. Kiteme during a press briefing on Monday. Engineers Call for Qualified Leadership The engineering body emphasized the importance of appointing an individual with hands-on engineering experience, as KRBs mandate includes monitoring road conditions, advising on construction standards, and ensuring project implementation aligns with technical standards. An experienced engineer would bring the necessary expertise and insights to lead the board in fulfilling its objectives, Kiteme added. The IEK also highlighted its role as one of the organizations authorized to nominate members to the KRB board, underscoring the significant link between engineering expertise and the boards functions. Appointing an engineer as the chairperson would reflect the technical importance of engineering knowledge in KRBs leadership and uphold the spirit of the Act, Kiteme stressed. To ensure KRBs leadership complies with its legal and technical framework, the IEK urged the government to prioritize candidates with relevant professional qualifications. This approach would enhance the boards capacity to address engineering challenges, strengthen its credibility, and ensure the successful oversight of infrastructure projects, Kiteme said. The IEK concluded by demanding the immediate revocation of Aisha Jumwas appointment and called for the selection of a suitably qualified professional in accordance with the law. Workers at a Whole Foods in Philadelphia are on track to be the first in company history to be represented by a labor union after a majority voted Monday to join the local chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers. According to the National Labor Relations Board, 130 workers voted to be represented by UFCW, while 100 voted against, out of nearly 300 eligible employees. Now, said NLRB's Teddy Quinn, "The employer must begin bargaining in good faith with the union." The development comes two months after a majority of workers at the sprawling, flagship location signed cards expressing interest in collectively bargaining. The election was facilitated by the National Labor Relations Board, which under former President Joe Biden adopted a rule expediting such votes, limiting the time employers have to engage in anti-union advocacy; before the vote, workers had accused Whole Foods and its parent company, Amazon, of having turned union-busting into a "science," claiming employees were retaliated against for organizing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whole Foods Market was purchased by Amazon in 2017 for $13.7 billion. Since then, workers who spoke to Salon said Amazon's warehouse-style metrics have been extended to its grocery stores, which also serve as Amazon distribution hubs. At its store in Philadelphia, the first floor is dedicated to online shopping, with workers fulfilling grocery orders and accepting Amazon returns. We are incredibly proud of the Whole Foods workers who have stood up to Amazons union-busting tactics and demonstrated the strength of solidarity, UFCW Local 1776 President Wendell Young IV said in a statement. This fight is far from over, but todays victory is an important step forward. We are ready to bring Whole Foods to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair first contract that reflects the workers needs and priorities. The company has five business days from the time of the union election to lodge any objections. A spokesperson, asked if the company intends to do so, said only that Whole Foods "is proud to offer competitive compensation, great benefits, and career advancement opportunities." LARGO, Fla. (WFLA) A 14-year-old student was arrested over the weekend for threatening to shoot up Largo High School, the Largo Police Department said. Officers said they received a call regarding a concerning social media post on Saturday, Jan. 25. Deadly hit-and-run suspect killed by Tampa police after killing 1, injuring 3 According to the police department, someone had made threats against Largo High School in an Instagram post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person behind the post was later identified as a 14-year-old Largo High School student, police reported. The student was located out of state in Maryland and taken into custody on Sunday, Jan. 26. Authorities said the 14-year-old was charged with threatening communications or threats of a mass shooting. The Largo Police Department is committed to keeping our schools safe and takes all school threats seriously, officials said. Threatening comments or posts will always be thoroughly investigated and result in serious consequences. Anyone with information on any threats is asked to notify the Largo Police Department immediately by calling 727-587-6730. 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. Jan. 27MORGANTOWN The suggestions ranged from the practical like trash cans, lights and restrooms to the, let's say, more adventurous think ziplines, climbing and bungee jumping. And they were all jotted down Monday afternoon as a group of 19 community planning and landscape architecture students held a public visioning session at the Historic Train Depot in the Hazel Ruby McQuain Park. The students will be tasked over the next two to three weeks with putting together a handful of options to better utilize the space along the Deckers Creek Trail beneath Morgantown's South High Street Bridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Professor of Landscape Architecture and Extension Specialist Peter Butler said he met with representatives from the city and Main Street Morgantown in the fall about their desire for added amenities at the bridge site as well as the riverfront park area. "So this meeting is about getting a deeper understanding from local folks to help the students understand the programming of the site, the character of the site, the potential new functions and connectivity of the site, and then take that information and create design visualizations, " Butler said. "So, at the end of the project, we'll have five or six concept plans that we can then share with Main Street Morgantown and all the stakeholders that are here, Friends of Deckers Creek, etc., and get their input and hopefully then develop a final concept plan that could be feasible and fundable, which is always the goal." A known hurdle for development along that stretch is making people feel comfortable and safe. In April 2024, the Morgantown Riverfront Revitalization Task Force conducted a community survey in which 73 of 119 respondents said loitering and other unwanted activity along the downtown trails impacted their use of the riverfront area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As it did in that survey, "safety " was a word that came up time and again on Monday. "The design has to meet the bar and be over the threshold of enough traffic so people feel safe, which means it's enough traffic that it's not a desirable spot in the shadows anymore, " one participant said. "It has to come out of the shadows." Morgantown Green Team Chair Jim Kotcon said the entire expanded riverfront area is one of the city's most valuable assets. "When I arrived, the whole riverfront was decrepit warehouses and run-down businesses, " Kotcon said. "Morgantown has come a long way in helping develop that waterfront. That's always been a premier amenity to a city like ours. Additional opportunities to take advantage of that would be very helpful." WASHINGTON (AP) Human-caused climate change increased the likelihood and intensity of the hot, dry and windy conditions that fanned the flames of the recent devastating Southern California wildfires, a scientific study found. But the myriad of causes that go into the still smoldering fires are complex, so the level of global warming's fingerprints on weeks of burning appears relatively small compared to previous studies of killer heat waves, floods and droughts by the international team at World Weather Attribution. Tuesday's report, too rapid for peer-review yet, found global warming boosted the likelihood of high fire weather conditions in this month's fires by 35% and its intensity by 6%. Once-in-a-decade super strong Santa Ana winds, a dry autumn that followed two very wet years that caused rapid growth in flammable chapparal and grass, hot weather, dry air and vulnerable houses in fire-prone areas all were factors in the fast-moving fires that destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 29 people, study authors said. But the climate attribution team was only able to quantify issues that dealt with the fire weather index, which are the meteorological conditions that add up to fire danger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire weather index which includes measurements of past rainfall, humidity and wind speed is where the team looked and found markers of climate change that they could quantify. The team used observations of past weather and computer simulations that compared what happened this month to a what-if world without the 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.3 degrees Celsius) of human-caused climate change that Earth has had since industrial times. That allowed them to come up with a calculation for warming's contribution to the disaster. It's a method that the National Academy of Sciences says is valid. Even though these rapid studies aren't yet peer-reviewed, nearly all of them are published later in peer-reviewed journals without significant changes, said World Weather Attribution co-lead scientist Friederike Otto. The number (35%) doesn't sound like much because unlike dozens of its past studies, the team looked at a small area and a complex meteorological measurement in the fire weather index that would generally mean there would be large uncertainties, said Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London. But in this case the climate change fingerprint is big enough that it stands out, she said. Those conditions are part of what makes California attractive to 25 million residents, said study co-author John Abatzoglou, a climate and fire scientist at the University of California Merced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Southern California has some of the best climate, best weather on the planet except when you get a combination of conditions that occurred here," Abatzoglou said. You get the trifecta of dry windy and warm conditions. Those three things, in combination with dry fuels and ignitions, are the perfect recipe for fire disasters. Abatzoglou said it's like a bunch of switches dryness, fuels, high temperatures, wind and ignition that all need to be turned on for conditions to really take off. Think of it as switches for a light bulb to illuminate and so you can think about the artificial warming due to human-caused climate change making the light brighter, added co-author Park Williams, a UCLA fire and climate scientist. The study also found California's dry season has increased by 23 days and the lack of rain in October, November and December was more than twice as likely now than in pre-industrial times, but because of limitations on the data, researchers couldn't statistically pinpoint these to both climate change and the specific fires this month, Otto said. But she said the rains are decreasing that is because of human-induced climate change. Then add in strong winds to whip and spread flames. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Flannigan, a Canadian fire scientist who wasnt part of the research, said one key to him is the fire season extending longer and increasing the chance a fire will start during peak Santa Ana winds. The research couldnt specifically quantify how much, if any, climate change affected the Santa Ana winds. Craig Clements, a climate scientist and director of wildfire study at San Jose State University, said the rapid study makes sense and fits with past research about other fires. It's hard to attribute climate change to every fire event as many do, said Clements, who wasn't part of the research. If we can state with confidence that the drought is caused by climate change then that is the fingerprint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the world warms another 1.3 degrees Celsius from now, the study said people should expect the type of weather conditions that led to these fires to happen another 35% more often. Otto said this is not an issue of politics, but science. It's not something where you can say that this was because California did something very wrong. They did a lot of things right. They did some things that they could do better, Otto said. But what makes these ever more dangerous, these fires, and what is something that the government of California alone can definitely not do anything about is human-induced climate change. And drill, baby drill will make this much, much worse. ___ Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more of APs climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment ___ Follow Seth Borenstein on X at @borenbears ___ 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. President Volodymyr Zelensky on Jan. 25 criticized Ukraine's decision to give up its nuclear weapons in the 1990s without receiving strong security guarantees in return. Ukraine relinquished the Soviet-era nuclear arms stationed on its territory under the Budapest Memorandum signed in 1994. The deal saw Kyiv join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and receive security guarantees from great powers, namely the U.S., the U.K., and Russia. "In my opinion, it should not have been done, based on the fact that we were attacked," Zelensky said in an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Foglio released on Jan. 27. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twenty years after signing the agreement, Russia launched a war against Ukraine, occupying Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine. Thirty years in, Russia is now actively conducting a full-scale offensive against Ukraine. "It was necessary to exchange (nuclear arms) for real security guarantees, and at the time, that was only NATO. And to be honest, today, it is only NATO," Zelensky said. The Ukrainian president commented that Ukraine agreed to give up on nuclear arms under pressure from "larger economies" like the U.S. and Russia. Despite this, Ukraine should have refused at the time, he added. "If I were to exchange nuclear weapons, I would exchange them for something very strong that can actually stop any aggressor, regardless of its greatness, its territory, its army. And this would be a strong army and... a security bloc," Zelensky noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Therefore, I believe that it was stupid, absolutely stupid, and illogical." This echoes Zelensky's comments from earlier this month when he said that those behind the agreement should be "jailed." The president suggested that Ukraine could obtain security guarantees similar to those Israel receives from the U.S., saying such proposals should be examined "in detail." "This is not NATO, but it's on the way to NATO," he added. "Israel receives technology, air defense, money." The outbreak of the full-scale invasion sparked discussions on whether Ukraine should again develop new nuclear weapons as a deterrent against Russian aggression. The Ukrainian leadership denied any such plans and said that NATO membership is the best possible security guarantee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has applied to join NATO at the outbreak of the full-scale invasion in 2022 but is yet to receive an official invitation. Despite an allied pledge from last year that Kyiv's path toward membership is "irreversible," Zelensky pointed to continued resistance to Ukraine's entry from countries like the U.S., Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia. As U.S. Donald Trump pushes for negotiations to end the war this year, Russia said that a full ban on Ukraine's NATO accession is one of its key demands for resolving the conflict. Read also: 30 years ago today, Ukraine traded nuclear arms for security assurances, a decision that still haunts Kyiv today Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A miles-long cluster of dolphins has been filmed leaping and gliding across Carmel Bay off the central coast of California, forming an unusual super pod of more than 1,500 of the marine creatures. They were on the horizon I feel like as far as I could see, said Captain Evan Brodsky, with the Monterey Bay Whale Watch, who captured drone footage of Friday's huge gathering of Rissos dolphins. The sighting was rare: Rissos dolphins typically travel in groups of only 10 to 30 animals, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From a 20-foot (about 6-meter) inflatable boat, Brodsky and a small team out searching for Gray whales watched mesmerized as the dolphins jumped out of the bay, peeking around as they leaped in the air. This type of dolphin with its stocky body and bulbous head can weigh as much as 1,100 pounds (about 499 kilograms) and reach up to 13 feet (3.9 meters) long. Colleen Talty, a marine biologist on the trip to track the annual migration of Gray whales headed to breeding lagoons off Mexico's Baja California coast, called it pretty amazing to see more than 1,500 dolphins cavorting all around their boat. Some, she said, were even swimming at the front of the vessel and using the waves to propel them forward, a technique known as bow riding. They were just having a great time. So they were breaching everywhere ... tail slapping, coming right over to the boat. They looked like they were having a big party, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The large mix of adult and juvenile dolphins was likely the result of several pods coming together and swimming south, she said. Although this is not the first time theyve seen this large of a group, its not a common occurrence, Talty said. The Monterey coastline is a particularly ideal location to spot the dolphins because they prefer extremely deep water. The areas underwater submarine canyon means they may swim much closer to shore than elsewhere along the California coast, said Talty. The team didnt initially grasp the sheer size of the super pod that appeared Friday morning, thinking there were only several hundred dolphins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once we put the drone up, I was just blown away I kept saying, Look at my screen. Look at my screen. Look how many there are, said Brodsky. It just blows my mind every time. It never gets old. Talty described one particularly memorable moment Friday in which she stood at the front of the boat and looked down to see several dolphins turning on their sides and staring straight back at her. As the dolphins continued to interact with the boat, the team drove straight ahead, making sure to stay out of their way. You dont want to make any abrasive maneuvers and potentially injure an animal. Thats of course the last thing you ever want to do, Brodsky said. "So we just cruise along with them. It was an incredible experience. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) President Donald Trumps first-day orders are in full swing as mass deportations continue across the country and its also been seen here in Massachusetts. President Trump did not hold back on his day-one orders. Just days into his role as president, ICE and federal agencies have been doing raids across the country. Now Trump warns that they can be conducted in schools and churches. The Trump administration removed restrictions that considered those two locations as sensitive, creating fear among school staff and families. Now schools across the country have been trying to protect undocumented immigrant students and their families from this mass deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GOP calls for Massachusetts law enforcement cooperation with ICE Springfield Public School officials say they are dedicated to fostering a safe and welcoming school environment for all students. School Superintendent Dr. Dinnall told 22News, We want to make sure that our students who are very anxious and very stressed., we want to support them emotionally, educationally. We want to make sure that we are partnering with community-based organizations that will help us do our level best to educate and protect our students. While Trumps deportation plan has kept some students home from school in certain states, Dr. Dinnall says that Springfield has not seen a current impact on the attendance of students. She says the school district is trusting that their students and families know that the city and school officials are there to support and protect them. 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. Support for Ukraine and belief in its victory among Latvian residents increased in the autumn of 2024. Source: an online survey commissioned by the State Chancellery, as reported by European Pravda with reference to Delfi, a Baltic news website Details: A total of 61.7% of Latvian residents agree that Ukraine should be supported until it wins the Russo-Ukrainian war. This is an increase compared to June 2024, when the figure was 50.7%, and September 2024, when it stood at 53.8%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The survey results indicate that 64.3% of Latvian residents wish for Ukraine's victory over Russia. In June 2024, 59.2% of residents shared this sentiment, which increased to 60.6% in September. Additionally, confidence in Ukraines ability to win rose to 51.5% by the end of the year, compared to 47.7% in June and 48.9% in September. The number of respondents who agree that helping Ukraine protects Latvia from war has grown significantly, reaching 64.2% at the end of 2024. In June, this figure was 51.7%, and in September, 53.3%. Support for Ukraine's EU membership has also risen. Currently, 48.3% of respondents support Ukraines accession, up from 44.4% in June 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of 2024, 48.2% of Latvian residents stated they were willing to endure rising prices to help stop the war in Ukraine. In June, 37.9% expressed such readiness, and 36.2% in September. Despite the fact that 24 February marks three years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the percentage of people tired by news about the war and unwilling to hear more about it has decreased. In June, 40.9% reported fatigue, which rose to 46.9% in September but fell to 38% by the end of the year. When asked about topics of greatest interest, 37.9% of respondents identified the Russo-Ukrainian war as their primary concern. The survey was conducted online by Berg Research on behalf of the State Chancellery between 15 October and 24 November 2024, involving 1,009 Latvian residents aged 18 to 74. Background: 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. 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! Patricia Gailey with Abolish Slavery Kentucky speaks to reporters about a proposal to remove from Kentucky's Constitution a clause allowing slavery for people convicted of crimes. Behind her, Savvy Shabazz listens. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd) FRANKFORT During the six and a half years Savvy Shabazz spent incarcerated in nine Kentucky institutions, he worked for as little as 63 cents a day. Now, he and others are pushing for an amendment to modernize Kentuckys Constitution, which currently permits slavery and indentured servitude for people convicted of crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ratified in 1891, Chapter 25 of Kentuckys Constitution states that slavery and involuntary servitude in this state are forbidden, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted. The presence of the slavery clause and involuntary servitude in Kentuckys Constitution perpetuate a painful legacy of oppression and dehumanization, Shabazz, whom Gov. Andy Beshear pardoned in 2020, said Tuesday during a Frankfort press conference. It serves as a stark reminder of a dark chapter in our nations history when the fundamental rights of certain individuals like myself was systematically denied based on race, Shabazz said. Rep. George Brown Jr., D-Lexington. (LRC Public Information) Rep. George Brown Jr., D-Lexington, has introduced a bill to strike that except clause through a constitutional amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 13th Amendment abolished slavery for all intents and purposes, Brown said, but slavery still continues. Weve never been in a state without slavery Patricia Gailey with Abolish Slavery Kentucky said the slavery clause causes many negative effects. It can filter up through the system, creating destruction of health, exploitation of resources, exploitation of labor, destruction of family, destruction of self agency, destruction of dignity, corruption, inhumane conditions, unsafe conditions, PTSD, increase in addictions, recidivism, all kinds of things that we dont really want, she said. Shabazz has lived this, he said. Doing demolition work in Louisville for 60 cents a day put him at risk of long-term fallout, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of reentry into our society is to make sure that we are prepared to take care of ourselves and our families. So pay us a livable wage, he said. What happens if I lose a limb while building or working inside of the institution? How will I take care of myself and my family once Im released? If were really talking about reentry, we have to remove that involuntary servitude and slavery clause and do whats right in Kentucky. He sees Browns House Bill 121 as a segue into larger prison reform because, he said, we dont want to be a slave state. Kentucky always has been, Gailey said. Weve never been in a state without slavery without involuntary servitude, she said. From day one, prior to our first Constitution, this state has been a slave state. We need to change that. About 37,000 Kentuckians are behind bars, according to Prison Policy Initiative data. The majority 19,000 are in state prisons. PPI data shows Black Kentuckians and Kentuckians of color are over-represented in detention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kentucky is about 9% Black and 87% white, according to the United States Census Bureau. But prison populations are 21% Black and 76% white; prisoners in jails are 18% Black and 79% white, according to PPI. Could the 2025 legislation be successful? Brown said hes yet to have conversations with Republican lawmakers about the legislation, but hopes to do so when the legislature reconvenes next week to finish the 2025 session. My hope is that well have conversation with those members across the aisle, he said. This is the 21st century. The 13th Amendment was filed or passed, adopted, in 1865. Do the math as to how many years were talking about. Should the General Assembly pass the bill, voters would need to weigh in next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kentucky voters have a mixed record on changing the Constitution. In 2022 they struck down a proposed amendment that would have stated that theres no right to an abortion in Kentuckys Constitution. In 2024, they voted against another proposed amendment that would have opened a path for the Republican-controlled legislature to allow state dollars to flow to nonpublic schools, such as private or charter schools. They did, however, approve an amendment that further prohibits people who are not U.S. citizens from voting in Kentucky elections that same year. Brown filed this legislation in 2024, as well, and only Democrats signed on as cosponsors. It didnt get assigned a committee, making it effectively dead on arrival. Brown hopes for Republican cosponsors this year and a committee hearing. So far his only other cosponsor is Rep. Beverly Chester-Burton, D-Louisville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gailey urged lawmakers to take the Constitutions wording seriously. What other words in our Constitution are thought to be so insignificant that we could set that aside? None, she said. Were talking about crimes against humanity here in our state. Until we remove this clause, because its in our Constitution, we are all complicit in crimes against humanity, and Im not OK with that, and I think that our conscientious lawmakers, if they stop to think about it, they would not be okay with that either. We need to move this legislation forward, and we need to do it now. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Supreme Court said Monday it will review whether the FBI should have immunity in a lawsuit brought by a family whose Atlanta home was mistakenly raided by a SWAT team. In 2017, agents executed a search warrant at the wrong address, believing it was the home of an alleged violent gang member. The warrant had instead listed an address three houses away. Armed and dressed in full tactical gear, the agents breached the familys home before sunrise and deployed a flash-bang at the entrance. Hilliard Cliatt was handcuffed, his partner, Curtrina Martin, was held at gunpoint, and Martins 7-year-old son was also home, court documents show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agents realized they had the wrong address within about five minutes. They immediately left and proceeded to arrest the alleged gang member down the street. FBI Special Agent Lawrence Guerra, who led the team, returned later in the day to apologize. He also promised to pay for damages and left a business card. The family sued the FBI under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), which allows private citizens to sue for damages when federal employees commit wrongful acts. The Supreme Court in a brief order Monday agreed to take up the familys appeal after lower judges found the FBI had immunity from the lawsuit. The high court normally only takes up cases for the current term through mid-January. But the justices set a slightly faster-than-usual briefing schedule that enables the latest case to still be heard this term, which would culminate in a decision by early summer. It follows a batch of cases on Friday the high court similarly squeezed in for this term, including a push to create the first public religious charter school. The late, new cases come as several disputes already on the courts docket could be shelved, as President Trumps Justice Department considers policy shifts that would render them moot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Courts order agrees to review a ruling from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that many of the Atlanta familys claims fell under an exception to the FTCA, and the remaining claims were barred under the Constitutions Supremacy Clause. Its undisputed that Agent Guerra and his team committed an avoidable and dangerous mistake by raiding the wrong house. So there are no messy fact disputes. And the Eleventh Circuits holdings on the questions presented leave Petitioners and the many similarly situated plaintiffs who will come after them entirely remediless, the familys attorneys argued. The Justice Department urged the high court to stay out of the case, insisting the lower decision was correct and posed no split with other federal appeals courts. The family is represented by the Institute for Justice, a nonprofit libertarian law firm that frequently brings cases to the high court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its petition was backed by a bipartisan group of seven members of Congress, who filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the justices to hear the case: Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Reps. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Dan Bishop (R-N.C.). Today, victims of wrong-home raids by federal officers in Collinsville, Illinois, may sue under the FTCA, but victims of an identical raid in Collinsville, Georgia, could not, their attorneys wrote. That asymmetry is untenable and contravenes Congresss deliberate decision 50 years ago to accept responsibility and provide redress to those harmed by federal law-enforcement officers misdeeds. This Court should grant review to restore uniformity in this important area of federal law and ensure that Congresss policy judgment is given effect, 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. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Rutos administration of executing the worst fraud through the affordable housing programme. Speaking in Nairobi on Monday, January 27, 2025, during the launch of the Democratic Action Party Kenya (DAP-K), Gachagua explained his opposition to the initiative, citing corruption and questionable dealings within the project. Gachagua condemned the housing programme, calling it the worst fraud against the people of Kenya. He shared that his initial belief in the program, which he thought was aimed at creating jobs and providing housing, was shattered once he discovered it had more to do with business interests than actual housing. Looking at this affordable housing issue, its the worst fraud against Kenyans. Its good today I tell the country, these were the things he (Ruto) told me to defend and I refused. Im also stubborn. Initially, we believed the president that it was about creating employment, and it looked okay until I discovered it has nothing to do with housing its just business, Gachagua said. Misuse of Public Funds According to Riggy G, his persecution by Ruto and his allies stems from his efforts to expose the misuse of the housing levy collected from Kenyans. He claimed that the levy, intended to fund housing projects, was being misappropriated to sell materials like cement, steel, and iron sheets instead. This housing levy, which is supposed to fund the construction of these houses, is instead being used to sell cement, steel, and iron sheets. That is what the president is accusing me of not understanding and being incompetent, Gachagua added. Also Read Ruto Slams Gachagua, Kenya Has No Space for Corrupt and Incompetent People In his address, Gachagua vowed that, once a new government is sworn in, he would work to abolish the Housing Levy. Once a new government is sworn in, that housing levy will be abolished to restore the dignity of the payslip, Gachagua declared. Gachagua Criticizes Atwolis Silence on Workers Salary Deductions The former Deputy President also criticized Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) Secretary General Francis Atwoli for staying silent on the recent increase in statutory deductions from workers salaries. Ive noticed that the workers leader has joined the praise and worship team. Workers are being pressured by NSSF matters, and he remains silent. His only job is praise and worship. These are the things we refused to do, Gachagua remarked. The former DP further addressed President Ruto directly, challenging him to be honest about the reasons for their fallout. I want to tell the president, stop lying to Kenyans, tell the truth, we disagreed over corruption because you and your people are spreading corruption, Gachagua asserted. He also warned that unchecked corruption would severely hinder national development. It is impossible to make any progress in this country unless we sort out this country in terms of leadership. Well see lower and lower development, he warned. In our first conversation with Captain Paul Watson, the anti-whaling activist talked through his recent five months in a Greenland jail, other brushes with the law in his 50 years of activism and his ongoing battles with the Japanese government. In the second installment of our chat, he discusses surfers' role in activism, his acrimonious split with Sea Shepherd in 2022, on playing the long game and what we can do to help. Related: An Exclusive Conversation With Activist Captain Paul Watson: Part 1 On Being a Pirate "Judge Alex Kozinski of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal in the United States officially labeled me a pirate in the 1980s. So when somebody calls you something like that, well, instead of denying it, I just embrace it. I said, 'If you want to call us pirates we'll be pirates.' I got myself my pirate flag logo and all that sort of thing. And also pirates are romantic characters, especially to young people, so we have to take advantage of that. There's the harsh reality of piracy, and then there's the romance of piracy, and we embraced the romance part of it." On The Long Haul "It's a long process, and I knew it was going to take a long time. We started opposing the killing of dolphins and pilot whales in the Faroe Islands in 1983. We've been opposing dolphin slaughter in Taiji since 2003. Look, slavery didnt end overnight. Women didn't get the right to vote overnight. You have to have patience to make a difference. But let's look at what has been accomplished since 1974 when I started this. Australia stopped whaling in 1977. Peru, Chile, South Korea and Spain followed soon after. As of 2019, all pelagic whaling was ended. So whaling is now confined to the waters in Norway, Iceland, and Japan, plus the Faroe Islands. The problem is Japan is now looking at returning to the Southern Ocean, and we know that because of the ship that they built, which is definitely too big and long-range to be going to for coastal whaling. So that is their ambition. So right now we have our ship the Bandero, in Melbourne to act as a guard to the entrance of the Southern Ocean. If Japan returns, we'll be there and we'll be prepared. Our other ship, the Jean Paul de Jore, is in Bermuda, and in June it will be heading to Iceland to go against the Icelandic whalers there. Thats where the frontiers are now." Sea Shepard's Paul Watson arrested in Greenland. Sean Gallup/Getty Image On Captain Paul Watson Foundation (And Sea Shepherd) "In 2022, there was a hostile takeover of Sea Shepherd when I was illegally dismissed from the board of both US and Global. They took everything. They took the ships, the assets, the database, they took everything. But most grievously, they changed the objectives to go mainstream. They accused me of being too controversial and confrontational. And the reason they did that is the guys who did it, like the Managing Director Jeff Hansen in Australia, is because they have nice comfortable jobs and a lot of job security. I was too controversial and a risk to their precious positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I work now with the Captain Paul Watson Foundation. I never set Sea Shepherd up to be an organization. I set it up to be a movement. And so that's what we're continuing to do with the France and Brazil Sea Shepherd plus the Captain Paul Watson Foundation continuing the movement with the original objectives and the original strategies that I developed in 1977. " Related: Can Waves Actually Help Fight Climate Change? The Founding Philosophy "We don't compromise to sell out to governments. The falling out I had with Sea Shepherd Australia was because they went into a partnership with Austral Fisheries. Austral Fisheries is 50% owned by the Maruha Nichiro Fishing Company in Japan, who had links with the Taiyo Whaling company that we went up against in the 1970s. So I never envisioned that Sea Shepherd would be in partnership with a company that was involved with killing whales, but that's exactly what happened. But fortunately, a lot of the people who supported me when I was with Sea Shepherd have come over. John Paul DeJoria, the owner of the Paul Mitchell shampoo line and Patron Tequila, bought a ship that we named after him as well as another called The Bandero. So within 3 or 4 months of the Foundation starting we had our first ship and a lot of veteran crew members also came over. Weve had so much support." On Surfers "Kelly Slater and Dave Rastavich have been actively involved as supporters and so many surfers have joined our crews. I've always looked on surfers, scuba divers, and sailors as ambassadors for the ocean. To me, the most alarming thing that we face today is that since 1950, there's been a 40% diminishment in phytoplankton in the sea, and phytoplankton provides up to 70% of the oxygen in the air we breathe and sequestered enormous amounts of CO2. And why is this happening? I think it's because of the diminishment of whales, seals, dolphins and seabirds. Whales are farmers in the ocean. They're just spreading manure across the crops of phytoplankton, and so they perform an extremely important ecological function. And the reality is that if phytoplankton disappears from the sea, we die. We don't live on the planet with a dead ocean. So the ultimate responsibility of every human being is to do everything we can to protect life diversity and interdependence in the sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surfers are in a better position to see right before their very eyes the changes that are escalating as far as climate changes and the effect of biological diminishment of diversity. Surfers and the surf industry have a powerful lobby and activist base. They need to use it." Related: What a Real Surfing Environmentalist Looks Like LOS ANGELES (KTLA) As the combined death toll between the Eaton and Palisades fires climbs to 29, attorneys suing Southern California Edison released new video they claim shows the possible start of a firestorm that devastated Altadena. The investigation into what caused the wildfire in Eaton Canyon is expected to take months, if not longer, and while representatives for the utility company have repeatedly said they do not believe their equipment started deadly blaze, many residents and their attorneys have filed lawsuits to the contrary. Over the weekend, Edelson PC Law Firm, which represents at least one client who lost her home to the fire, obtained surveillance video from an Arco gas station less than a mile from where it is believed the fire started. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gas stations surveillance cameras face north toward the hillside, where winds on Jan. 7 can be seen barreling through trees and powerlines in the area. Lawyers with Edelson PC point to a flash of light over the dark hillside and allege that the footage, which has been edited, shows arcing and sparks falling onto the brushy canyon hillside, where they say the fire might have started. Surveillance images captured on Jan. 7, 2025, at an Arco gas station less than a mile from where the Eaton Fire is believed to have ignited. (Edelson PC) Surveillance images captured on Jan. 7, 2025, at an Arco gas station less than a mile from where the Eaton Fire is believed to have ignited. (Edelson PC) Surveillance images captured on Jan. 7, 2025, at an Arco gas station less than a mile from where the Eaton Fire is believed to have ignited. (Edelson PC) Surveillance images captured on Jan. 7, 2025, at an Arco gas station less than a mile from where the Eaton Fire is believed to have ignited. (Edelson PC) At a court hearing Monday, Edelson PC asked a judge to preserve physical evidence related to the fires origins. Todays hearing underscores the stakes of this litigation for our community, Edelson PC Attorney Ali Moghaddas said outside the courthouse. SCE had plans to unilaterally, potentially destroy evidence in this case, but the courts order puts a stop to that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man, 27, facing multiple life sentences in Southern California mass shooting For its part, SoCal Edison says some of the power lines were not shut off because the weather conditions on Jan. 7 did not meet their standard wind threshold, though many of the lines were de-energized. As of now, however, SCE does not know the status of the lines captured in the surveillance video. Kathleen Dunleavy, a spokesperson for SoCal Edison, told KTLAs Rachel Menitoff that the investigation into the origins of the deadly fire is ongoing and that its too early to tell what caused the firestorm that killed 17 people and destroyed more than 9,000 structures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our preliminary analysis found no faults on the transmission lines that run through the canyon. On a deeper analysis on some more distant lines, we did identify a fault, but that impact was within standard operating parameters, Dunleavy said. I do want to say were committed to a thorough process. Were committed to working with investigators and well continue this process. So far, there are more than 20 lawsuits filed against SCE, a process which can take years to litigate. In this particular court case, the judge asked Edelson PC and SCE reconvene in 21 days. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (FOX40.COM) This International Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi labor and extermination camp where 1.1 million people were murdered. SS chief Heinrich Himmler was the mastermind of whats known as the final solution the deliberate and systematic plan for the mass murder of the Jewish people via camps like Auschwitz. 96-year-old Benjamin Lesser survived several unimaginable ghettos and concentration camps, including Auschwitz-Birkenau. Of his family of 7, only he and his sister survived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His brother was murdered for forging documents that allowed Mr. Lesser and dozens of others to escape the ghetto to get to Hungary. They were transported in a truck and hidden under coal, where they were almost caught by Nazis. We hear soldiers walking on top of the coal and the coal dust was filtering through, Mr. Lesser recalls. My little brother is about to sneeze, and Im holding his nose and mouth, but three hours they were with us, and then they said they left. When the truck returned to pick up his parents, they were caught, lined up against a wall and publicly executed by a firing squad. When Mr. Lesser made it to Hungary, the Nazis told the Jewish community that they would be sent to work, and women and children would be cared for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He recalls groups of 80 people being packed into small cattle cars. If somebody wanted to sit down, someone else had to stand up, Mr. Lesser recalled. There were two buckets of water inside that cattle car. There were no sanitary facilities or toilets, so people started to use those buckets and the buckets were overflowing. It was three days later when Mr. Lesser first saw Arbeit Macht Frei which translates from German as work sets you free, the haunting sign on whats known as the Gates of Hell at Auschwitz. 1.1 million people would enter through this gate, never to see the other side again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Women and children were sent to the right, man to the left, he said. Im holding on to my sister, Goldie, and my little brother Tuli, and we were pulled apart never to see each other again. They went directly to the gas chambers. Upon his arrival at Auschwitz, the infamous Dr. Mengle, known as The Angel of Death for conducting inhumane medical experiments on thousands of Jewish people noted Lessers strength and sent him to work. We saw these five chimneys and flames are shooting out, ashes are flying like snow, he said. Every step you made, you leave a footprint in the ashes. He soon learned that these were the ashes of his family and was told he would be next at the first mistake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every morning, we had to stand, and they were counting us naked, and they were looking at each body, he says. If youre too skinny, they pushed you to the crematorium. Mr. Lesser shared one of the most horrific scenes he witnessed the Nazis partake in. I crossed the other barrack behind us, and I see three trucks full of people in them, and I theyre picking up children who were alive, screaming and throwing them into the fiery pits like they were garbage, Mr. Lesser said. In June 1944, Mr. Lesser was sent to Durnhau concentration camp for slave labor where he was tortured. Every time they hit me, I feel my flesh being torn apart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then endured a 7-week long death march, walking through the snow with no food or shoes. Why did they call it the death march? Because if you could not keep up pace with the soldiers, they simply shot you, Mr. Lesser explained. You can hear pop, pop, pop, people being shot. He arrived at Buchenwald but was soon evacuated and thrown into another cattle car where he was stabbed trying to get a piece of bread. I feel my mouth is filling up with blood, but I have to get the bread, he said as he pointed to his scar. I put my finger here, it went right through the tongue. I have the terrible cut to this day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cattle car arrived at Dachau. From 80 people in my cattle car, only four of us walked out, my cousin and I and two other people, everybody else was dead. While Auschwitz was liberated in January 1945, Dachau was liberated several months later in April. He recalls the first thing he saw at Dachau. We see a mountain full of bodies, skeletons, he recalled. Apparently, they ran out of coal to burn the bodies, so they piled up. I mean, as far as you can see was nothing but bodies. On the day of liberation, Mr. Lessers cousin who survived the Death March alongside him died of dysentery in Lessers arms. Countless other survivors would also go on to die of dysentery upon liberation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Lesser was 16 years old and weighed 60 pounds, adding that he was a sack of bones. He said his survival was a miracle and soon realized his purpose was to educate others on the horrors of the Holocaust. And at 96 years young, he continues to do just that, as often as he can. God needed a witness, someone who could talk about it, and I thank god that he gave me the years so that I can do that. And with the staggering rise in antisemitism, Mr. Lesser stresses the importance of Holocaust education. Without it, he says history can repeat itself. Hitler and the nazis did not start with killing, it all started with hate, hate propaganda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And as the number of concentration camp survivors begins to dwindle with age, Holocaust museums and institutions have made it their mission to continue educating the next generation. 80 years emphasizes the responsibility on those of us that are educators and have the honor and privilege to have learned with survivors who have entrusted us with their testimony, Morgan Blum Schneider, Director of the JFCS Holocaust Center said. Mr. Lesser says sharing his testimony leaves him with nightmares but adds that nothing will stand in the way of his will to teach the next generation the necessary tools to combat hate. Through his non-profit, Zachor, which translates as remember in Hebrew, he has reached thousands of students from across the world. The 96-year-old survivor leaves us with an important message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Love and hate are both contagious. Choose love. For more information on Benjamin Lessers story, you can head to zachorfoundation.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 FOX40 News. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The Salt Lake City Police Department arrested a wanted fugitive during an enforcement operation on the Jordan River Trail after he was found to be in possession of illegal drugs and stolen mail. According to police, the investigation started at 11:45 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26 after officers had learned about illegal camping on the Jordan River Trail near 1170 West California Avenue. Two arrested after fight leads to shots fired in Central 9th Neighborhood Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police found 54-year-old Troy Olson who had been illegally camping. When officers checked a law enforcement records management system, they saw that he also had active felony warrants for his arrest for drug-related offenses. As officers investigated, they found that Olson had drugs and drug paraphernalia, including a glass pipe with burn marks and residue. Officers believed Olson was intending to sell and use the drugs he had. Olson was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and one count of mail theft. This is why I encourage people to report illegal activity in our community, said Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown. Through this investigation, officers identified a person not only accused of using drugs, but also willing to sell drugs along the Jordan River Trail. Our community members deserve the Jordan River Trail and other parks and commuter corridors to remain safe and free from criminal activity. Our officers will continue to proactively enforce public safety to make a strong impact on reducing crime. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 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) One person was arrested in relation to a fatal shooting that happened inside a Pacific Beach condominium Sunday night, authorities said. The San Diego Police Department said in a release Monday officers responded to a call about a violent argument happening inside a condominium in the 1600 block of Chalcedony Street. According to the radio call, two men were heard fighting before someone was shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SDPD releases bodycam footage from Jan. 13 East Village shooting After arriving at the scene, officers found a man outside the condo with a firearm and detained him. Additionally, they found a man with at least one gunshot wound inside a bedroom. Despite life-saving efforts, the man, 51, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to SDPD. His identity has not been released. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Richard Herrman, was booked into jail on murder and weapons charges. Anyone with more information is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. 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 5 San Diego & KUSI News. UPDATE: According to the Shelby County Criminal Justice Portal, the charges against Shundale Barnett have been dropped. However, the Shelby County jail log shows Barnett is still scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday morning. *** MEMPHIS, Tenn. Charges have been dropped against a man previously connected to the shooting death of Young Dolph. Shundale Barnett, 30, was accused of supplying his cousin, Justin Johnson, who was wanted for first-degree murder at the time, with a rental vehicle to help him escape authorities in December 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the District Attorneys Office said Tuesday that the accessory charges against Barnett have been officially dismissed. Their full statement is below: During the investigation of Justin Johnson, Shundale Barnett was found with Johnson at the time of his arrest in Indiana. Based on this and other facts, a task force officer with the U.S. Marshals determined there was probable cause to charge Barnett with Accessory After the Fact, and an arrest warrant was issued as part of standard procedure. As the investigation progressed, the DAs Office determined that Barnett was not involved in the case and chose not to pursue charges, indicating the charge would be withdrawn. However, a delay in recalling the warrant left it active in the system. This clerical issue has now been resolved, and the charges against Barnett have been officially dismissed. Shundale Barnett (Photo courtesy of the SCSO) Barnett was taken into custody on Monday and charged with Accessory After the Fact, First-Degree Murder, Criminal Attempt First-Degree Murder, and Theft of Property $10,000-$60,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who are the other suspects left in Young Dolph case? In 2022, U.S. Marshals arrested Barnett along with Justin Johnson, who has since been convicted in the murder of Young Dolph, on Jan. 11 in Indiana. Barnett was a passenger in the vehicle driven by Johnson when he was captured. He was initially charged with being an accessory in helping Johnson flee from Memphis. Suspect in Young Dolphs death released in Indiana The Shelby County Sheriffs Office told us shortly after Barnetts arrest that under their orders, officials in Indiana released him. A warrant was issued for his arrest soon after. We spoke with the Shelby County District Attorneys Office in November of last year regarding Barnett. This was their response: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back when he was originally located with Justin Johnson back in 2022 the US Marshals office charged him with accessory after the fact. But the D.A.s office at that time never officially charged him with anything and that charge was retracted. So nothing was ever put in the system and he was never listed as a defendant in any way. So technically he has no connection to the case or with Johnson. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The suspect injured in an officer-involved shooting over the weekend in Atchison, Kansas has died from his injuries, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The Atchison Police Department said that around 5:45 p.m. Friday, officers responded to North 9th Street on reports of an armed person breaking into an apartment. When officers arrived, one had multiple shots fired at him. Kansas City man found guilty of 2024 Westport shooting after Super Bowl Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the shots struck the officers patrol vehicle, the officer was not struck. The suspect, then fled back into a residence and backup was called to the scene. During the incident, Atchison police learned a woman who the suspect knew was being held inside the residence. Police then requested the Kansas Highway Patrols Special Response Team and KBI High Risk Warrant Team. While officers were attempting to negotiate with the suspect, police said more shots were fired at officers. KBI said that preliminary information shows that around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, a rescue attempt was made. During that attempt, the suspect and the hostage were briefly separated. A KHP trooper fired at the suspect, striking him, and the hostage was safely rescued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android The suspect, identified as Bryson McCray, 36, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was taken to an area hospital in critical condition. The KBI reports McCray died from his injuries early Monday morning. An autopsy is scheduled. The investigation into the incident 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. A Jacksonville woman said she lost nearly everything in two fires. Those incidents happened at the Woodlake Park apartments, on San Jose Boulevard. Just last week, the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office was called out to the complex for two different arson incidents. Hannah Bailey is one of the fire victims, and she said she came home from work on January 20 to complete devastation. I opened my door, and I just turned around because it was just like a horror story, Bailey said. My daughters pictures were shattered all over the ground. There was glass everywhere. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Her apartment caught on fire and it was not the only one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I walked up, I was told that there was a fire started intentionally to the building next to mine and it had spread to my unit, Bailey said. The building was set on fire on both sides of the door so there was absolutely no way for that family to escape. She said both families involved were moved into different units at the complex. Bailey said around 1 a.m. Monday, she and her husband woke up to a second blaze coming from their balcony. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] He opened our blinds and we both looked out and saw that everything we had sitting on our porch was lit on fire, Bailey said. My husband just started throwing water everywhere and then all the neighbors started coming out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department in the last 10 days, it responded to 5 different fires at that apartment complex. The Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention is offering rewards up to a $5,000 for information that can help identify any suspects. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. The Culvers' Sussex location is hosting a fundraiser Tuesday to support the family of a child who died earlier this month. The restaurant, W249 N6620 Highway164, will donate 25% of all sales, including gift card sales, to the Finn Katona Memorial Fund "that will be allocated for the betterment of children in the communities Finn has touched," according to a Facebook post Tuesday from the restaurant. The fundraiser started at 10 a.m. Tuesday and runs until 10 p.m. Finn, 5, died Jan. 2 after a school bus struck him at Silver Spring Intermediate School while he was transferring to a shuttle that would take him to Willow Springs Learning Center, about 1 miles away. The incident is still under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In remembrance of Finn, the restaurant encourages guests to dress in their favorite superhero attire, as he had been known to play for hours with his Marvel superhero action figures."Finn was described as a lively spark who brought boundless joy and warmth to his family and all who knew him. A precious soul, full of affection, love, and endless curiosity," the restaurant said in another Facebook post last week advertising the fundraiser. To donate to the memorial fund directly, visit everloved.com/life-of/finn-katona/donate/. As of Tuesday morning, the fund had raised almost $36,500. Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on X (Twitter) at @AlecJohnson12. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Sussex Culver's hosting fundraiser for family of FInn Katona STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Swedish police said they had arrested a man who tried to force his way through the gates of the Russian embassy in Stockholm in a car early on Tuesday morning. Police said the 45-year-old man had failed in the attempt and was arrested, suspected of aggravated trespass. The police gave no further information about the man's identity. A police spokesperson said there was no indication of a motive and that the car had not contained anything suspicious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian embassy said no serious damage had resulted from the attempt. "On January 28, at about 7 a.m., a Ukrainian citizen permanently residing in Sweden attempted to ram the gates of the Russian Embassy in Stockholm in a passenger car," the embassy said in a statement on its Telegram social media channel. "The culprit of the incident is well known to the Embassy and the local police." Swedish police declined to comment further. "We do not comment on the nationalities of people who have been arrested," a police spokesperson said. (Reporting by Simon Johnson, Additional reporting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Alex Richardson and Ed Osmond) Martha Karua has accused the government of plotting to deny Generation Z (Gen Z) identity cards in an attempt to exclude them from the 2027 elections. Speaking on Saturday at her Kimunye village home in Kirinyaga, where she hosted former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Karua criticized the Ksh1,000 fee for acquiring an ID, arguing that most youth are unemployed and cannot afford it. There is a scheme to prevent Gen Z from registering as voters. We demand free IDs for youths and continuous voter registration. Every Kenyan has the right to choose their leaders without any barriers, she stated. Karua called on Parliament to reverse the decision to charge young people seeking to register. Youth who are 18 and above should receive IDs free of charge. Our young people are struggling with unemployment, and their parents are suffering from the ongoing economic recession. They simply cannot afford Ksh1,000, she added. Karua also alleged that President William Ruto fears Gen Z, who last June staged demonstrations against his administration. The government knows that Gen Z is a powerful force, as they almost succeeded in removing it from power. Whether they like it or not, Gen Z will get their IDs, she asserted. The former presidential running mate warned Ruto to prepare for a tough political battle in the upcoming elections. We will rally Kenyans to liberate the country economically, socially, and politically, and we will defeat Dr. Ruto decisively, Karua declared. In addition, Karua accused President Ruto of disregarding the Constitution, which he swore to protect. She insisted that he should not be allowed to operate as if the Constitution does not exist. Karua also criticized Ruto for orchestrating the removal of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office. Ruto used to complain about how former President Uhuru Kenyatta oppressed him, but Mr. Kenyatta allowed Ruto to remain in office without resorting to impeachment. Unlike the sham impeachment that Ruto conducted against Gachagua, Kenyans have declared Gachagua the peoples deputy president, she said. She encouraged Gachagua to continue engaging with the public and pursue his ambitions without fear. I am pursuing my ambition for the presidency, and my brother Gachagua should do the same. When the time comes, we will select one presidential candidate to face Dr. Ruto, Karua added. Additionally, Karua warned former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga against being manipulated by the state to disrupt meetings organized by government critics and stir conflicts in the Mt Kenya region. Let us preserve our peace. Leaders across the country must ensure peace prevails, she emphasized, noting that while Njenga has a right to support Ruto, he should not interfere with the rights of other Kenyans. A man attempted to drive a passenger car through the gates of Russias Embassy in Stockholm on Jan. 28, the Swedish television channel SVT Nyheter reported. Shortly after the Embassys notice, the Swedish police arrived at the scene and detained the suspected perpetrator. The incident occurred in the early hours of Jan. 28. The Swedish media reported that the suspect was a 45-year-old man but said his nationality is unknown. No injuries were reported in the incident, which is investigated as "gross trespassing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russias Embassy to Sweden alleged the man was of Ukrainian origin and had been attempting to break into the territory of the Embassy and Russias trade representation in Stockholm in 2015 and 2018. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. This is not the first time the Embassy has been targeted. An unidentified drone dropped paint on the building in late 2024. Swedens Embassy in Moscow was also vandalized before that incident. Tensions between Western countries and Russia have mounted since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Read also: Sweden to increase military presence in Baltic Sea following suspected cable sabotage Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Like an allergic reaction is how Maria Morocho describes the impact on her body from the tracking bracelet she was given by federal immigration officers. Itchy, she adds in her interview with NewsChannel 9. It beeps all the time, wakes me up at night. Using her immigration attorney as a translator, Morocho shares how the life she and her husband were building in America is suddenly at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been more than a year since Morocho and her husband, Luis Lozano, got to Syracuse with two of their children. Leaving their home country of Ecuador, the family crossed the border into the United States at the end of 2023. The family fled because they were forcing extortion. Luis Lozano said: They tell us: Unless we pay it, we were going to get killed, my wife was going to get killed, or my children were going to get killed.' So, they describe the tough decision to take 3,000 mile journey to the United States. Morocho called it a terrible experience. Even though they didnt have permission to cross the border, the couple, and their attorney, dont feel theyre undocumented. Once they were caught by immigration officers, the couple were processed as asylum seekers with the agreement they check in with officers in Syracuse monthly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want the community to help us to stay here, said Luis. Help us to have our children happy, and be able to learn English, and educate themselves here. They want to better here. They want to have a better life here. The 11-year-old and 17-year-old children, who attend the Syracuse City School District, are too afraid to attend school since the increased enforcement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) R.I. Airport Corp. head of security Joseph Perkins abruptly resigned Tuesday after sending an alarming message to colleagues, accusing airport management of seeking to eliminate the police department. Perkins outlined the allegations against airport management in a message he sent to members of the airport police department before handing in his resignation to State Police Col. Darnell Weaver, who oversees law enforcement at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport. Unfortunately everything you suspect about RIAC management is true, Perkins wrote in the message, claiming management wanted to get rid of the police department and most of all the union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Airport spokesperson Bill Fischer denied the allegations, downplaying Perkins authority at the airport and noting hed only joined in September. He also said the airport never received a letter of resignation from Perkins and that hed never raised his concerns to airport leadership. There are no plans to eliminate the RIAC police department and the airport is properly staffed and able to fulfill its mission, Fischer said. We have had the same staffing levels over the last decade. The department has been and will continue to be led by senior vice president of operations, Duc Nguyen. Lt. Col. Robert Creamer said Perkins does not report to the Department of Public Safety and directed all questions to the airport corporation. In an email to Target 12, Perkins confirmed his resignation and said he immediately notified the airport police department about his decision, encouraging them to stay strong and committed to their duty of serving and protecting the airport and the citizens who utilize it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To the astonishment of most people I speak with outside the airport, the leadership must be changed, Perkins wrote. I am sorry I was not able to make that change happen. I am sorry I was not able to become what I and most of you expected when I took this job. He advised the staff to fight and do not let them win. Perkins confirmed the authenticity of the internal message via text message. Perkins came to RIAC with 35 years of law enforcement experience, most recently serving 10 years as chief of the Middleboro Police Department in Massachusetts. His departure comes at a time of internal turbulence at the quasi-government agency, which oversees Rhode Island airports. In October, RIAC President and CEO Iftikhar Ahmad announced he was launching an internal investigation after a series of anonymous emails and letters circulated criticizing his leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO READ: TF Green fire lieutenant fired over alleged misconduct, excess overtime The administration has denied the allegations in the anonymous letters and has raised the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the author if they are revealed. More than 160 employees at the airport including its police officers are currently negotiating a new contract with RIAC leadership. Council 94, the union that represents the workers, has repeatedly raised concerns about Ahmeds leadership. We have been raising an alarm about RIACs ill treatment of both union and nonunion employees, said Jim Cenerini of Council 94. This is our minds shows a continued pattern of disregard for their employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the tensions, passenger numbers have grown at T.F. Green. A news release by the agency touted the airport as the fastest-growing hub airport in New England. The release said the airport saw 27% increase in passengers from 2023 to 2024, passing 4 million travelers. Tim White (twhite@wpri.com) is Target 12 managing editor and chief investigative reporter and host of Newsmakers for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and Facebook. 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. PINEWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (KDVR) Brown water flows through the pipes of many homes in the picturesque Pinewood Springs community, causing shock and disappointment among residents. Its not safe to drink, John Koch told FOX31. Koch said the system, established in 1973, should have been updated years ago, and now everyone is paying the price. We cant use the water; comes out of the faucets brown, comes out dirty, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Report: Colorado lags behind most states in 2024 salary increases Residents are relying on bottled water and limiting contact with water coming out of faucets. We have to buy all of our water now, we have to get gallon jugs, said Koch. Pinewood Springs Water District Board Member Patty Peritz told the Problem Solvers the system is in an emergency state. The district loses 60% of its treated water annually and putting that into gallons is 1.3 million gallons a year for the last two years, she said. Residents were notified after a Jan. 22 meeting that the district is working with a consulting firm to address compliance issues. The community consists of less than 500 homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment told the Problem Solvers, We regulate the Pinewood Springs Water District in accordance with all state and federal regulations and are working with them to resolve some water quality issues. FOX31 Weather: View the latest Denver forecasts, maps and radar CDPHE is also testing for the presence of manganese, which is not a regulated drinking water contaminant according to the Safe Drinking Water Act. Peritz told FOX31 that phase one of the project will cost $3 million and addresses 25% of the systems needed repairs. Peritz said funding has been secured by an Energy Impact Assistance Fund grant, but water bills will still increase to pay to repair a system thats in violation of Colorados water conservation plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district will learn more on Wednesday about whether a loan could be approved for repairs as well. Groundbreaking is scheduled for this spring. Full completion of the project could take between five and seven years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Utah took a huge step toward advancing its ambitious advanced air mobility goals in a historic agreement struck Tuesday that lays the groundwork for a system aiming to put electric aircraft in the skies above Utah in the very near future. The memorandum of understanding between Utah aerospace and defense group 47G and Vermont-based electric aircraft developer Beta Technologies, with support from the Governors Office of Economic Opportunity and the Utah Department of Transportation, outlines a plan to create new, airborne options for transporting goods and people around the state, reducing emissions and making Utah a forward player in an emerging tech segment thats expected to grow into an industry worth hundreds of billions of dollars in the coming years. But Utah Gov. Spencer Cox noted that not that long ago the idea seemed more like science fiction than science fact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cox recounted a conversation with UDOT executive director Carlos Braceras a decade ago during which the states transportation head noted the strategy of building ever-wider roadways to accommodate Utahs growing transportation needs couldnt go on indefinitely and, eventually, we have to start thinking about going vertical. Kyle Clark, Beta Technologies CEO and founder, holds a Beta aircraft model after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Beta Technologies, an industry-leading electric aircraft and charging manufacturer, and 47G Utah Aerospace & Defense at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. The agreement aims to provide an electric air transportation system to reduce commute times, increase access to rural communities and improve air quality. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Cox said the comment made him chuckle and his response at the time was, Yeah, sure. The point, however, was well taken and Cox said it sowed the seeds of thinking that would lead to the states current Project Alta plan, an effort spearheaded by 47G to ensure that Utah has its own Jetsons-esque air taxis whisking passengers around by the time the state hosts the Winter Olympics. We have an incredible opportunity to welcome the world in 2034, Cox said. Over the next nine years, were going to see a lot of changes. And when we welcome the world here I cant wait to show them our advanced air mobility opportunities. I truly believe that when we get there well be transporting people vertically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cox said the effort harkens back to a time decades ago when U.S. companies were the best in the world at building new things. He noted that the Federal Aviation Administration last fall licensed a new category of aircraft electric-powered vertical takeoff and landing craft for the first time in 80 years. Kyle Clark, Beta Technologies CEO and founder, and Aaron Starks, 47G president and CEO, sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Beta Technologies, an industry-leading electric aircraft and charging manufacturer, and 47G Utah Aerospace & Defense at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. The agreement aims to provide an electric air transportation system to reduce commute times, increase access to rural communities and improve air quality. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News We used to be really good at this stuff back in the 40s, 50s and 60s, Cox said. How lucky we are to live in a state that still believes in building. Aaron Starks, president and CEO of 47G, said the new agreement vaults Utah to the front of the line when it comes to putting the latest electric aircraft technology to work in the real world. Today, with this MOU signing, were going where no other state has gone before, to the top of the list in air mobility, Starks said. Were going to electrify airports, were going to bring the community together, there will be workforce development opportunities, legislative opportunities that will create policy reform and a regulatory sandbox where companies like Beta Technologies can come and innovate and grow their technology. Electric flight plans to ascend in phases In a Deseret News interview ahead of Tuesdays signing ceremony, Starks said the agreement lays the groundwork for a phased approach to putting electric aircraft in the skies above Utah, starting with a statewide charging network followed by package/freight delivery flights and, eventually, air taxi traffic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starks said charger deployment, which will aim initially for co-locating at municipal and regional airport sites, is likely a 12- to 18-month process and could be followed fairly quickly by the first cargo flights. Its a timeline that complements 47Gs Project Alta that aims for establishing a well-functioning, statewide air cargo and transportation system in anticipation of the 2034 Winter Olympic Games. Starks said his group has heard repeatedly from FAA officials that Utahs plan represents the first realistic timeline the federal agency has seen among states working to evolve new, electrified air cargo and passenger service networks. Starks said Beta Technologies stood out in 47Gs national search for an appropriate air mobility partner, thanks to its advanced aircraft designs and the companys commitment to concurrent development efforts of new charging technology, which has already been adopted as an industry standard for electrified aircraft. Beta was wise upfront by investing in developing charging capabilities that other (original equipment manufacturers) would need to charge their aircraft, Starks said. Having aircraft and charging originating from the same company for this start-up network is something we really like. Beta among leaders in electric-powered aircraft development Beta Technologies was founded in 2017 by veteran entrepreneur and Harvard-educated engineer and test pilot Kyle Clark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company is working to certify two electric aircraft, the Alia CTOL (conventional takeoff and landing) and the Alia VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing). The aircraft are essentially identical in their basic design with the conventional variant powered by a single, five-blade rear-mounted propeller and the vertical-enabled craft employing the same five-blade, rear-mounted propeller as well as four two-blade horizontal lift rotors. Both aircraft are capable of carrying five passengers and have a maximum cruising speed of 135 knots, about 155 mph. Beta says its conventional takeoff-landing aircraft is on pace for FAA certification in 2025 with federal certification for the VTOL anticipated in 2026. Betas UL-certified Cube charging system is capable of recharging an aircraft in an hour and is also compatible with recharging ground-based electric vehicles. In a Deseret News interview, Clark said the MOU signifies a groundbreaking moment and places Utah among the leaders of air mobility development in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats so special about this is to have a state leaning into the effort, Clark said. It becomes a mutually-aligned deployment ... that includes airports, governance, operations, all those things that are really important to launch this. Vermont-based electric aircraft developer Beta Technologies signed an agreement with Utah's 47G aerospace group on Tuesday that opens the door for bringing the futuristic planes to Utah in the next two years. | Beta Technologies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clark said in addition to zero-emissions operation, Beta aircraft are significantly less expensive to operate with the per-mile cost of freight transport about half that of conventionally powered aircraft. He also noted that Beta enters the MOU with significant ties to Utah as about 28% of Arial components, comprising half of the aircrafts value, come from Utah-based manufacturers. MADISON, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) Senator Tammy Baldwin hosted a virtual Western Wisconsin town hall event, discussing issues concerning the region. Senator Baldwin answered questions about her plans for bipartisan work in the upcoming session, efforts to tackle affordable housing, and plans to look at immigration, Theres been several times where comprehensive immigration reform has come before or the other of Congress and passed one house just to die in the other. But I really think we need to revisit those measures. Senator Baldwin says last session a bipartisan border bill was agreed on and ultimately didnt go through because of politics. She says she hopes that the bill will come back, and they can pass 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 FOX2548 & WIProud. NEW YORK (AP) Target's rollback on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives is raising questions about the retail giant's philanthropic commitment to fighting racial disparities and promoting progressive values in liberal Minneapolis, where it is based, and beyond. Target and the Target Foundation have made six-figure donations in recent years to groups working on Black economic empowerment and LGBTQ+ acceptance. Racial equity is still listed as a cornerstone of the foundation's local grantmaking. But some fundraisers now wonder whether those types of gifts remain a primary concern for the brand, as Target joins other major American companies in curtailing internal DEI efforts attacked most prominently by President Donald Trump's administration. Billions of dollars are spent annually on DEI, but rather than reducing bias and promoting inclusion, DEI creates and then amplifies prejudicial hostility and exacerbates interpersonal conflict, The White House said in a statement accompanying Trump's executive orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corporations including Walmart, Amazon and Meta are retreating from policies intended to counter discrimination, many of which were implemented after the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, a Black man, in 2020. Philanthropic advisors say the conservative backlash is also chilling support from some funders who fear that backing race-based nonprofit work could bring legal challenges like the one that successfully shuttered the Fearless Fund's grant contest for Black women business owners. Target announced Jan. 24 that it would conclude the DEI goals previously set to increase Black employees' representation and advancement, improve Black shoppers' experiences and promote Black-owned businesses. The company plans to stop submitting reports to external diversity surveys and named Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index as an example. It is also further evaluating our corporate partnerships to ensure they are directly connected to our roadmap for growth," according to a memo posted on its website. Target did not share publicly what those changes meant for its philanthropy which totaled $384 million last year in cash and products from the corporation and its foundation, according to the company. In response to an Associated Press inquiry, the company described philanthropy as a key way Target engages with communities, whether in our hometown of Minneapolis-St. Paul, in the communities surrounding our stores, or in the countries where our supply chain exists. A company spokesperson told AP that the recent update does not impact Target Foundation giving but added that, as always, the foundation will continue to evaluate how it best supports organizations, coalitions and networks. Also unchanged is the Target Circle community giving program that allows loyalty members to decide which nonprofits the company supports. Target did not say what impact the internal changes might have on its corporate giving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whenever you see corporate leadership making shifts in priorities, it worries folks in the foundation space about what impacts that might have on both existing giving and future initiatives, said OutFront Minnesota Executive Director Kat Rohn, who said their LGBTQ+ advocacy group is not a Target partner. The changes have already influenced how one longtime partner sees their relationship. Twin Cities Pride Executive Director Andi Otto said he learned about the changes when he contacted Target about re-upping its sponsorship of his nonprofit's programming celebrating the LGBTQ community. Target had consistently contributed around $50,000, Otto said. As he pitched Target on recommitting this year, Otto said he was asked to set up a meeting with company leaders. On the call, according to Otto, executives explained that they still wanted to sponsor Twin Cities Pride but let him know they would be removing internal DEI policies. Otto said he appreciated the heads up" but chose to reject Target's sponsorship after his board discussed the impact of the company's moves on the community they serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inclusion falls by the wayside when there aren't checks to ensure it, he added. It isnt always just about the money that they give to us as a nonprofit, but its about what they are doing for the community in getting small, BIPOC- or LGBTQ-owned businesses into their stores and giving them a platform to do so, Otto said. Twin Cities Pride had seen this coming. Otto recalled that Target didn't carry Pride Month merchandise at its stores last June after the collection received backlash in 2023 and said the nonprofit feared things would just continue down that slope. Progressive activists are now calling for a boycott of Target. Nina Turner's working-class advocacy group We Are Somebody is asking customers to instead purchase directly from minority-owned brands. At least one Black-owned brand, Oh Happy Dani, has begun the process of removing our remaining products from Target shelves," according to a LinkedIn update from founder Danielle Coke Balfour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corporate philanthropy can be a reliable source of significant nonprofit funding. Target has long had a very significant presence in the Twin Cities and is notable for its support of education, arts and other diversity efforts. Target and the Target Foundation together were the fifth-largest corporate giver in the state in 2022, according to the Minnesota Council on Foundations. But Rohn, the LGBTQ advocate and fundraiser, said corporate philanthropy can sometimes put nonprofits in a "tough spot by pitting their values against the need to sustain their programs. She expects that more nonprofits will step back from corporate relationships as Twin Cities Pride did when their missions no longer align with their sponsors. To that point, Twin Cities Pride shared Monday that more than $50,000 had been raised since the nonprofit cut Target as a sponsor. Individuals donated more than half the total, according to Otto. The Minneapolis Foundation also contributed. Right now, all of us in the LGBTQ nonprofit sector are afraid because we dont know what companies will choose to do and what the outcome is going to be," Otto said. "I think everybody right now agrees that it was the best decision to make, and that (if) we stick together, well see things on the other side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of APs philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. GRAFTON, W.Va. (WBOY) Last week, The Taylor County Commission approved the purchase of a new K9 unit, which it hopes to receive by the summer. 12 News spoke with Taylor County officials on Monday to hear about how this will help the community. A K9 will help with narcotic detection, missing person location, evidence searches, demonstrations, criminal apprehension. I mean theres a lot of benefits with the purchase of the K9, Taylor County Commission President Orville Wright said. Veterans chili cook-off fundraiser held in Westover Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This new K9 will be a replacement for the current K9 that the Sheriffs Office uses. The cost of the K9 is $40,368, but the commission has only been approved for a $6,250 grant. To offset part of the remaining cost, the commission is applying to two other groups, which would bring the cost down to around $23,000. If you are interested in helping bring K9s to police departments throughout West Virginia, you can donate to the WV Law Enforcement Police K9 Fund 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 WBOY.com. Joseph Mahach, left, and Todd Reynolds wait for other American Federation of Teachers Maryland members inside the House of Delegates building to lobby legislators about the group's legislative priorities for the 2025 session. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) Ninth-grade math teacher Joseph Mahach has a simple message for Maryland lawmakers: Fully fund the Blueprint for Marylands Future. The Baltimore City teacher joined dozens of fellow American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Maryland members Monday at their annual lobby night in Annapolis, where their main objective was to persuade lawmakers to stay the course and keep the 10-year education reform plan intact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that plan is facing pushback on several fronts as the Moore administration and some legislative leaders look for ways to close a projected $3 billion budget gap in fiscal 2026. Among other changes, an administration bill introduced last week would slow the increase in expected per pupil funding and would defer the expansion of collaborative time, or the time teachers have outside class for other schoolwork. We came up with a plan, and now were saying, Man, never mind. Were not gonna pay for it. So, it seems a little backward, Mahach said Monday inside the House of Delegates building. I teach three classes out of a four-period day, [so] increased planning time would be huge for me. Its a big, big deal. Part of what Mahach and other educators have expressed concern over is the plan by Gov. Wes Moore (D) in his Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act, to defer state funding aimed at helping local school systems implement collaborative time for their teachers. That money would be used by local schools to hire the extra teachers needed to make possible the increase in collaborative time from 20% of a teachers day to 40% over eight years. The Blueprint currently calls for collaborative time funding to being in fiscal 2026 at $163 per student, growing annually until it reaches $1,527 per pupil by fiscal 2033. Moores bill would keep the funding levels the same, but delay them for four years, with implementation starting in fiscal 2030 and running through fiscal 2037. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there is a pause in the per pupil funding, Senate Bill 429/House Bill 504 also includes language that would let local school officials apply for a Collaborative Time Innovation Demonstration Grant. Instead of granting the collaborative time funding outright, the four-year, $48 million grant program from fiscal 2026 through fiscal 2029 would allow local schools leaders to apply to the state Department of Education for grants that could be used for professional development, to hire additional staff to support teacher release time and other uses approved by the department. One reason some advocates have agreed to the deferral of the collaborative time plan is the fact that it would require thousands of additional teachers at a time when state schools face a teacher shortage. It has been estimated that up to 15,000 more teachers would be needed to expand collaborative time for next school year, and that number does not account for the 6,000 current teachers who are working on a conditional certification. Because of the teacher shortage, the Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB), the group in charge of overseeing the Blueprint plan, voted unanimously this month to recommend a pause to implement collaborative time. With the inclusion of the Collaborative Time Innovation Demonstration Grant, a pause in implementing collaborative time has also won the support of State Superintendent Carey Wright and state Board of Education President Joshua Michael. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But where some officials see a deferral, advocates like AFT Maryland President Kenya Campbell sees only cuts to education. Kenya Campbell, president of the American Federation of Teachers Maryland, summarizes the organizations legislative priorities for the 2025 session. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) Were already behind the eight ball, Campbell said. Making cuts to the Blueprint is unacceptable. Campbell had a budget recommendation for legislators looking to make cuts: She said they should target the Broadening Opportunities for Options and Opportunities for Students Today, or BOOST, program. The governors budget keeps $9 million toward the program that allows low-income students attend private schools. That same amount was allocated last school year for nearly 3,000 students to receive scholarship awards at 175 schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe in public education, said Campbell, a former elementary teacher and teacher mentor. Were taking from public education and putting it into private settings, settings where kids are screened on whether or not they can get into those settings. Meanwhile, the AFT has other legislative priorities that includes its members who work in higher education. It supports HB 661 sponsored by Del. Linda Foley (D-Montgomery), which would allow for full-time, part-time and adjunct faculty at the 12 institutions in the University System of Maryland, St. Marys College and Morgan State University to collectively bargain. Foley has a companion bill HB 211 that would also allow graduate assistants and postdoctoral associates to also collectively bargain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its really enabling legislation for the workers, Foley said. Its up to them [workers] to decide if they want a union, but they should be able to decide to have a union if they want one. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has unveiled plans to address customer experience challenges at Kenyan airports by implementing a new airport charter. The charter will be rolled out by a multi-agency technical team tasked with finding lasting solutions to enhance passenger experiences across the country. In a statement on Monday, January 27, 2025, Murkomen shared that the team includes representatives from the Ministries of Transport, Interior, Tourism, National Treasury, and the Kenya Association of Air Operators. The team aims to streamline processes at Kenyan airports, ensuring a smoother and more efficient experience for travelers. Murkomen emphasized that the new charter will establish a clearer coordination framework, enabling faster passenger flow through airports without compromising security. The multi-agency team will introduce immediate, short-term, and long-term measures to improve service delivery for both Kenyans and international visitors, Murkomen said. He also reassured the public that the strategies being implemented would significantly enhance the customer experience, focusing on integrating advanced technology and promoting professionalism among immigration officers. During our meeting this morning with the multi-agency technical team working on the customer experience report and its implementation, I gave our ministrys assurance that we shall improve the professionalism of our police officers while using technology more to boost efficiency at our immigration desks, Murkomen added. The announcement comes amid rising concerns over passenger complaints, particularly at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Murkomens remarks reflect ongoing efforts to address issues and improve services at Kenyas primary airport gateway. The meeting also included senior government officials, such as Roads and Transport CS Davis Chirchir and Principal Secretaries Dr. Ray Omollo (Internal Security), Prof. Julius Bitok (Immigration Services), and Mohamed Daghar (Transport). The new initiatives are expected to bring positive changes to the Kenyan airport experience, benefiting both local and international travelers. CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) Less than a minute into the New Year, Cleveland Police took a call for wild gunfire coming into a home. Was fire at $66M Cleveland Heights construction project intentional? City officials working scientifically The Fox 8 I-Team requested Cleveland 911 calls for the first ten minutes of the New Year, and we heard call after call for stray bullets flying into homes. Its coming through my house, and we just heard another one come through, one person told a police dispatcher. Another 911 caller said he did not feel safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a war going on out here, a Cleveland resident told police dispatch. Theres ARs, shotguns, handguns all around our neighborhood. A lot of people celebrate every New Year shooting guns. But, the 911 calls for this year reflect gunshots with bullets flying into homes all over the city. We started taking a look at this last year, and the I-Team obtained body camera video as a Cleveland officer told a resident, We cannot do anything about somebody firing a gun on their own property. The resident was stunned. New Years Eve gunfire leads to frantic calls for help again Cleveland police and city officials have said it is not against the law for people to shoot their own guns on their property, and there is nothing they can do because of the state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney Robert Gargasz, who previously worked for the City of Lorain Law Department, however, disagrees. Shooting a gun as you describe as celebration inside municipal boundaries, besides being ignorant, is criminal, Gargasz said. Shooting a bullet into an occupied residence is a felony crime. See the specific crime in Chapter 29 describing the elements necessary for obtaining conviction. Discharging firearms within city limits is also a criminal violation of a Lorain Codified Ordinance. Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer also has told the I-Team his officers do respond to calls about celebratory gunfire. He said it is sometimes difficult to find the person firing the gun. We wont tolerate it, Meyer said. It is extremely dangerous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We found no charges for holiday gunfire filed in Cleveland in the first days of this year. We also checked on some cases of the shots fired into homes, and we did not immediately find records of follow-up investigations. Many residents in Cleveland were left terrified. Its like a war zone, a 911 caller explained. Houses getting hit left and right. I have to put my kids on the floor. Akron police car crashes into SUV; 2 officers, civilian injured We also reviewed records of 911 calls from just before midnight New Years Eve until 2 a.m. We received 11 pages that each included dozens of calls. Most from people calling in gunshots, or from the citys Shot Spotter sensors picking up the sound of gunfire. 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 8 Cleveland WJW. ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) The Boys and Girls Club of North Alabama (BGNAL) has opened a new facility in Athens aimed at expanding the resources it offers for teens. The Teen Advancement Center is located right next to the Boys and Girls Club along W Washington St. in Athens. BBB tips: How to protect yourself from identity theft BGNAL CEO & President Patrick Wynn says they needed extra space for teenagers in the program and hes excited for members to see the new facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think when they come back to this new facility, what theyre going to say is, hey, were not over there with the five-year-olds, over there with the six-year-olds, we have our own space,' he said, but more importantly is the programing that theyre going to receive. The new facility has indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, places designed for collaborative projects, and quiet zones for studying or mentoring sessions. Through mentorship, Wynn said the Boys and Girls Club aims to promote academic success, healthy lifestyles, and develop teenagers into leaders. This is a transformational program, he said. I think one thing that we really hang our hearts on is the amount of time we have to spend with young people. We have an opportunity to pour into young people for ten, 11, 12 years, and so those relationships that have bonded at the Boys and Girls Clubs carry on for a lifetime. Get breaking news, traffic and weather alerts directly to your smartphone. Download the News 19 App Wynn said BGNAL started fundraising for the center in 2021 and held a groundbreaking ceremony in March. Local banks, private donors, and city government supported the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wynn said the extra space will help the club retain members once they become teenagers. Having their own space will just allow us to increase in numbers more, he said. We can serve more teens because I think teens will come back. Wynn said both clubs are accepting applications on their website and through the local school systems. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) Denver police arrested an 18-year-old in connection to a Jan. 12 homicide in southwest Denver. Officers responding to a call of a shooting in the area of South Sheridan Boulevard and West Wyoming Place found Aaron Roybal, 52, with a gunshot wound, according to a Monday afternoon press release. Roybal died at the scene. Previous coverage: Denver shooting leaves 1 dead, police searching for suspect Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police arrested Giovanni Gonzalez, 18, according to the Monday press release, who is being held on a first-degree murder investigation. Investigators determined Gonzalez and Roybal had an interaction outside a business that escalated to a shooting, according to the release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 teen charged as an adult with raping and murdering a 61-year-old Brunswick woman at her home early last year will proceed to trial in March. Juwaun Terry Stewart, now 18, was 17 years old when he allegedly killed Tammy Sue Coates on Jan. 17, 2024, authorities said. His 15-day jury trial is scheduled to begin on March 17, prosecutors confirmed during a pre-trial conference on Monday. The Frederick News-Post previously reported that Coates was found dead five days after she was killed, with several stab wounds and injuries consistent with strangulation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Brunswick Police Chief Kevin Grunwell described the attack as completely random. Charging documents say an envelope with $2,050 written on the exterior was found empty inside Coates apartment. According to charging documents, Stewart was under the supervision of the Department of Juvenile Services and was living within a tenth of a mile of Coates at the time of the alleged murder. Charging documents say Stewart had been wearing an ankle monitor as part of home detention, but cut it off at 5:11 p.m. the day Coates was killed. Data collected before the monitor was cut off showed Stewart leaving his home at 1:51 p.m. and returning at 2:28 p.m. At 2:05 p.m., charging documents say, Coates answered a phone call from her niece. Her niece told police she overheard Coates talking to a person and said it seemed like Coates answered the phone to try to get the person to stop talking to her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to charging documents, Coates niece heard the person on the other end asking if he could clear the snow off Coates car in exchange for money. Coates declined, saying she had already cleaned off her own car and her neighbors car. A neighbor later told police that, around the same time as the phone call between Coates and her niece, he saw Coates standing in front of her apartment talking to Stewart. The neighbor said he knew Stewart had been looking for work to comply with his probation requirements. At some point after he removed his ankle monitor, charging documents say, Stewart got a ride to Baltimore. The next day, a family member he was living with found the ankle monitor and called police to report Stewart missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 22, 2024 the same day Coates body was found in Brunswick Stewart was arrested by the Baltimore County Police Department for an unrelated offense. He was then taken to the Charles H. Hickey Jr. School, a juvenile detention center. According to charging documents, police obtained from the Hickey School the clothes Stewart was wearing when he was arrested. Police also obtained a warrant for Stewarts DNA, which was considered a likely match for DNA found on Coates body. During the pretrial conference on Monday, Stewarts public defender, Linda Zeit, said she filed a motion requesting the DNA report prosecutors plan to present at trial. Frederick County Circuit Judge Scott Rolle said he would set aside a full day for motions hearings before the trial. In addition to first-degree murder and first-degree rape, Stewart is charged with two counts of first-degree assault and one count each of first-degree burglary, home invasion, robbery and theft between $1,500 and $25,000. OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) One of the two teenagers who fell into the icy waters of an Ogden pond on Monday night has died, Lt. Will Farr confirmed with ABC4.com. The two teens, aged 14 and 15, were reportedly ice-fishing at Glasmann Pond when the ice gave way. The teenager who died was identified by family members as Samuel Sammy Creel, 14. He was a loving big brother, who enjoyed spending time with his little brother, family members said in an online fundraiser. He also liked playing video games, working on computers and the outdoors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill to block public unions from collectively bargaining passes Utah House \Mike McBride with Ogden City said officials were first notified about the incident around 4:30 p.m. McBride said the pond is about six to 10 feet deep, with very cold temperatures and a frozen surface. With the weather warming up, cooling down, people need to be very careful around the water, Ogden Police Lt. John Cox told ABC4.com. It takes no time at all in this kind of condition to get hypothermic and sustain some injuries, so we just encourage the public to be very very careful around the ice. The 15-year-old was reportedly able to self-rescue and make their way to the bank of the pond. The 14-year-old teenager did not resurface, according to officials, prompting rescue efforts that lasted roughly two hours. Rescue teams were able to locate and rescue the 14-year-old, immediately providing life-saving efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials tell ABC4.com that both teenagers were transported to the hospital for further care. The 15-year-old reportedly had minor hypothermia while the condition of the 14-year-old was unknown. Lt. Will Farr with the Ogden Police Department confirmed on Tuesday morning that one of the boys had died. It is currently unclear which one has passed away and their identities have not been released. Sorina Trauntvein 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 ABC4 Utah. [Watch in the player above: Understanding common firearm terms] AKRON, Ohio (WJW) Akron police on Friday night arrested two teens who allegedly fled a traffic stop. Inside the vehicle, officers found a loaded, semi-automatic handgun that had been modified with a switch to give it fully automatic firing. 20 ICE detainees being held in Geauga County jail, sheriff says Officers stopped the vehicle just before 10 p.m. in the 400 block of Storer Avenue, according to a news release from Akron police. The 17-year-old driver and 19-year-old passenger fled the car on foot, according to the release. Officers then called for backup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 17-year-old made it to the entrance of a home, where an officer caught up with him and arrested him, according to the release. The officer found a loaded handgun in his jacket pocket. The 19-year-old, later identified as Elijah L. White, of Parma, was also arrested after a brief struggle with officers, reads the release. (Akron Police Department) Inside the car, police found a second loaded but unchambered handgun near where the 19-year-old passenger had been sitting. More concerning was the firearm from the vehicle had a switch device added, which converts the handgun from semi-automatic to fully automatic, reads the release. These devices pose a significant public safety risk to the entire community, including police officers, who occasionally encounter individuals with these devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News Was fire at $66M Cleveland Heights construction project intentional? City officials working scientifically Both teens were charged with carrying concealed weapons, obstructing official business, improper handling for a firearm in a motor vehicle and resisting arrest. White was also charged with a felony count of unlawful possession of a dangerous ordinance. White was jailed and is currently being held on a $20,000 bond, court records show. His case is now pending before a county grand jury. The 17-year-old was turned over the county juvenile detention facility, after being released from the hospital for an injury police said was self-sustained. 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 8 Cleveland WJW. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. If you buy a car in Missouri, youll receive a set of temp tags after signing the paperwork, with the expectation being that youll go to a Department of Revenue office or the DMV within the next 30 days to pay the sales tax and receive your license plates. However, some drivers may opt to ride with expired temp tags because the sales tax is too expensive to pay at one time. For instance, a car that costs $10,000 in the city could cost around $1,000 in sales tax. When faced with the prospect of a $100 or $200 ticket for driving with expired tags, some drivers may opt to take the risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri State Rep. Brad Pollitt (R-District 52) wants to turn up the heat on those drivers. For the past two legislative sessions, the legislator from Sedalia has pushed bills that would give law enforcement in the state permission to stop any vehicle with a temp tag to see if it is current. Pollitts effort in 2024 stalled in the Missouri House. His new legislative proposal, HB 378, seeks to overcome this by imposing harsher penalties. $10K for recognition? Local school districts featured in paid education series The 2025 version, which would be added to Missouri Law 301.140, still allows police to stop and inspect vehicles if they have reasonable suspicion that a drivers temp tag is no longer valid. If the temp tag has been altered or expired by at least 60 days, the driver will be ticketed and fined $250. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the person registers the vehicle within 30 days of receiving the ticket, the local prosecutor will drop the ticket, court costs will be waived, and the matter will not appear on the individuals driving record. However, if the driver/owner still doesnt register the vehicle, the director of revenue will suspend or limit driving privileges for the owner. Full driving privileges will be restored once the vehicle is registered. If that doesnt happen and the driver receives another ticket for a temp tag, the vehicle will be impounded until the car is registered. The full text of HB 378s new provision can be read below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 10. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a person may be stopped, inspected, or detained by law enforcement, based on reasonable suspicion that a temporary permit violation has occurred, in order to determine whether a temporary permit is current or valid. Upon a determination by law enforcement that a temporary permit is expired by at least sixty days, or that a temporary permit has been altered, the law enforcement officer conducting the stop shall issue a citation and such person shall be fined in the amount of two hundred fifty dollars. If the person properly registers the vehicle within thirty days of the issuance of a citation, the prosecutor shall nolle prosequi the citation, court costs shall be waived, and the offense shall not be registered as a violation on the persons driving record. If the person fails to register the vehicle within the thirty-day period, without good cause, the court with jurisdiction shall inform the person by ordinary mail at the persons last known address that the court is ordering the director of revenue to suspend the persons driving privileges. Upon such suspension, the director of revenue shall issue limited driving privileges for purposes identified under subdivision (2) of subsection 3 of section 302.309 unless the director determines that the person is otherwise ineligible for such privileges. Once a person properly registers the vehicle, his or her driving privileges shall be restored. If the person receives a second or additional citation for a temporary permit offense with respect to the same vehicle, the vehicle shall be impounded until such time as the vehicle is properly registered. Proposed addition to 301.140 via HB 378 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BELL COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) FOX 44 News has learned the Temple woman killed in an apparent murder-suicide was a Belton Independent School District employee. The victim has been identified as 37-year-old Kastady Smith, and the suspect has been identified as 37-year-old Joseph Smith. Both the victim and the suspect are from Temple. Belton ISD superintendent Dr. Malinda Golden has since released the following statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kat served as an administrative assistant in our district and her passing is a tremendous loss to the Belton ISD family. Our focus is on supporting her children, co-workers, and others who have been impacted by this loss. We have crisis teams on campuses available for anyone who needs support. I am incredibly grateful for the outpouring of community support we have received it truly makes a difference for our students and staff. Belton ISD superintendent Dr. Malinda Golden Arrest made in fatal Mexia shooting Temple Police officers were originally dispatched to the 9000 block of Cantera Ridge Road around 8:04 p.m. on Friday, January 24. They found Kastady, who had been shot. Information prior to the incident originally led officers to believe it was a domestic violence situation. Police issued an update on Saturday morning, saying Joseph was found dead in the residence. The investigation was determined to be a murder-suicide. If you have any additional information on this case, you can contact the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously. 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 KWKT - FOX 44. Three teenagers and a 20-year-old found themselves in the center week-long, multiagency investigation after authorities say they shot and killed a goose in a Gallatin city park last week. The group, dressed in camouflage, were seen by witnesses getting out of an SUV with a shotgun around 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 20 at Lock 4 Park in Gallatin, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said in a release this week. An eyewitness heard a gunshot and saw the group return to their vehicle with a goose, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gallatin police were called to the scene, where they recovered a single 20-gauge shotgun shell. Police say a photograph of the group and their SUV, a Chevrolet Tahoe, were provided by a witness. Multiple agencies including the TWRA, Gallatin Police and Sumner County Sheriffs Office launched an investigation into the shooting. After the Gallatin Police Department shared a photo of the SUV on social media Sunday, an anonymous tip led police to the group. In addition to the 20-year-old, authorities said there was an 18-year-old and two minors involved in the case. A goose carcass was found during a search of the SUV owners residence, the TWRA release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A shotgun was also confiscated by the TWRA. Police questioned each group member and charged the 20-year-old with several misdemeanors including Illegal Take of Wildlife, Illegal Possession of Wildlife and Violation of Wildlife Management Area Rules. Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee cops: Group shoots goose in city park, 'carcass' later found Kenyas radio landscape is witnessing a seismic shift, with newcomer Radio 47 emerging as the fastest-growing station, according to the latest Kenya Audience Tracker (IKAT) report by Ipsos. Released today, the Q4 2024 data reveals Radio 47s rapid ascent in both reach (2.5%) and audience share (5.8%), positioning it ahead of legacy players like Egesa FM and Kass FM, and within striking distance of mid-tier stalwarts Ramogi FM and Milele FM. The findings arrive as Radio 47 prepares to mark its second anniversary, with the launch of an ultramodern studio in Nairobi a move they hope could further cement its growth. The Ipsos report highlights Radio 47s success in tapping into Kenyas evolving media habits. Youth (ages 1834) and rural listeners, now pivotal demographic forces, have propelled the stations reach. While Citizen Radio (20.8% reach) remains dominant, Radio 47s 5.8% audience share nearly triple its 2023 performancereflects strategic content targeting these groups. Regional data shows strong uptake in Central Kenya (18.4% of listeners) and Rift Valley (14.9%), aligning with the stations hybrid urban-rural programming. When it comes to audience share, Radio Citizen with 20.8% is still king. Kameme (7.5%) takes the second spot in market share, with Radio Jambo wrapping up the top 3 with 7.2%. The IKAT report emphasizes radios enduring role in national cohesion, with over 33 million Kenyan regular radio listeners. As expected rural Kenyans form the vast majority of radio listeners, at 65.4% Migrant workers in Rhea County tomato fields. A plan by Gov. Bill Lee to create an office of immigration enforcement could cost Tennessee more than $20.5 million. (Photo: John Partipilo) Gov. Bill Lees plan to use state resources for immigration enforcement will cost Tennessee taxpayers $20.5 million annually, an analysis from the states fiscal review committee found. The price tag includes more than $560,000 to establish and run a four-person centralized immigration enforcement division that would serve as liaison with the U.S. government to enforce immigration laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A grant program to provide funds to local law enforcement agencies that enter into so-called 287(g) agreements with the federal government to enforce immigration laws would cost $20 million annually, the analysis found. Lee, earlier this month, made the surprise announcement that immigration enforcement legislation would be considered as part of a special session of the Tennessee legislature that convened Monday. The session will also consider Lees controversial private school voucher plans and disaster recovery funds for northeast Tennessee counties struck by the inland force of Hurricane Helene. Immigration enforcement has long been a federal responsibility, paid for by federal funds. Lees proposal, if approved by the Legislature, would be the first substantial use of Tennessee taxpayer dollars to enforce U.S. immigration law within the state. Lees proposal a broad package that also includes criminal penalties for local officials who vote in favor of sanctuary policies for immigrants and adding distinctive markings to state licenses and IDs issued to legal immigrants has drawn pushback from Democrats who characterized it as a political ploy to distract from Lees school voucher plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigrant advocates have called Lees plan extreme and said it appears to go further in asserting state power over immigration enforcement than any other non-border state. Lee has said the proposal is to ensure our state is ready to assist President Trump in carrying out his immigration enforcement agenda. The Legislature is expected to debate the bill this week. Immigration Plan Fiscal Note SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A Memphis lawmaker is recommending the state take over the Memphis Shelby County School system after the school board fired its director. (Photo: Karen Pulfer Focht) A state move to take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools is picking up steam after the districts board dismissed its director eight months into the job. State Rep. Mark White, chairman of the House Education Committee, said Monday he is putting together a bill that would enable the Department of Education to create a management group to run Memphis-Shelby County Schools without oversight by the school districts board of education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White, an East Memphis Republican, said the school boards firing of Marie Feagins as director of schools on January 21, is one more reason the state should take over the district, in addition to poor student performance. Im a believer that Memphis-Shelby County Schools can do a lot better than theyre doing, White said. Memphis-Shelby County Schools can do a lot better than theyre doing, said Rep. Mark White. a Memphis Republican.(Photo: John Partipilo) Under the plan, which wasnt filed in time for this weeks special session on private-school vouchers, the state would put together a group that would supersede the school board for at least two years to right-size things, White said. School board members would continue to be elected but would serve only in an advisory role, he said, adding he is working on the legislation to make sure its legal. Senators from Memphis blasted the idea Monday, with Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari calling it an attack on democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of punishing local decisions, we should focus on moving forward together, Akbari said, to deal with funding inequity and invest in schools. Likewise, Sen. London Lamar, chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus said she is concerned by House Speaker Cameron Sextons plan to draft a bill enabling the state to acquire control of the Memphis school district. Such a move represents significant government overreach and threatens the foundational principle of local governance, Lamar said. Everybody talks about the focus is on the kids. Well, if the focus is the kids, we cant focus all of our energy on trying to punish the adults. Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris For instance, the Achievement School District that primarily targeted struggling schools in Memphis is being dissolved, and most of the schools under that district remain in the bottom 5% statewide for student performance, Lamar said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is lobbying lawmakers to drop the state takeover, hoping cooler heads will prevail. Were doing the best we can to defuse the situation and turn down the temperature, said Harris, a former state senator. Everybody talks about the focus is on the kids. Well, if the focus is the kids, we cant focus all of our energy on trying to punish the adults. White, who agreed to dissolution of the Achievement School District after keeping it afloat for several years, said it served a purpose in removing some schools from the states priority list for poor performance and pushing Shelby County Schools to set up iZone schools, which received more school district support until the district ran out of funds to keep the program going. Were not moving the needle for our community with all the opportunity we have, White said. He added that some schools in the district closed because they didnt have enough students, then were trashed by thieves, making it impossible for charter school operators to buy or lease them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Memphis-Shelby County School Board fired Feagins over allegations dealing with overtime expenses, acceptance of a $45,000 donation, questions about federal funding and missed grant deadlines, and conduct detrimental to the district. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee's Republican-dominant Statehouse gaveled into session Monday with blueprints from Gov. Bill Lee to greatly expand school voucher access and find ways to embrace President Donald Trumps aggressive immigration agenda. But as lawmakers eased into the special session, they were met with renewed calls from the public for gun control changes less than a week after another school shooting. Last week, a 17-year-old Antioch High student killed a 16-year-old girl who also attended the school, before the shooter fatally shot himself. So far, Gov. Lee's proposals are expected to cost an eye-popping $917 million, with $424 million for a voucher plan that folds in other education funding, and $470 million for Hurricane Helene relief in northeast Tennessee. It's unclear how much the immigration proposal would cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are all three things that the vast majority of Tennesseans have said they want us to do, Lee, a Republican, said in a social media video posted Monday. All of this to make Tennessee a beacon of opportunity, security and freedom. Notably, lawmakers will consider the creation of a state immigration division where a newly appointed division director will seek an agreement for the state under the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements 287(g) program. The federal program involves deputizing local law enforcement for duties that are typically performed by ICE agents. Yet on day one, the Republican supermajority was met with advocates and area students, including some from Antioch High, hoping to persuade lawmakers to consider gun control measures. They chanted and held signs in and around the Capitol. Mballow Danjo, a 12th grade Antioch High student, told the crowd she had been to the Capitol multiple times to ask lawmakers for more gun control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once again on January 22, 2025, an unruly gunman entered another school with an illegal firearm. Not only was it just another school, it was my school. My safe space, Danjo said. Here we are begging once again for stricter gun laws, begging for gun reform. Almost two years have passed since a shooting at a separate Nashville private elementary school in March 2023 killed six people, including three children. The Covenant School tragedy prompted months of pleas and protests asking lawmakers to pass gun control measures. But GOP lawmakers in the majority refused to do so. And they are unlikely to consider the issue during a special session centered on school vouchers and immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specifically, Lee's voucher plan would make 20,000 education scholarships of around $7,000 available next year, with half going to students who are lower income, disabled or otherwise able to participate in the current program. Any student entitled to attend a public school could access the remaining 10,000. The policy proposal comes as a dozen states have approved programs that allow families, regardless of income, to use public tax dollars to fund alternatives to public education for their children, including private schools. Some have not been implemented yet. Lee's yearslong campaign to expand school vouchers has seen limited success. The Republican has narrowly won efforts to create a school voucher program for low-income families in three counties. But last year, Lee failed to win enough support to launch a statewide school voucher program no longer based on income. Outside groups have weighed in heavily, spending money to try to secure lawmakers votes on the closely split issue. The president of the conservative Club for Growth, which is running pro-voucher TV ads, warned lawmakers who wont support the legislation expect to lose an expensive primary funded by Club for Growth Action, David McIntosh wrote in a guest column Sunday in The Tennessean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, just how much that threat will sway lawmakers is unknown. Last year, only a handful of Republican candidates backed by Lee and outside pro-voucher groups actually won legislative seats. But some incumbents who supported vouchers lost, so the proposals passage still isnt assured. Notably, lawmakers will consider the creation of a state immigration division where a newly appointed division director will seek an agreement for the state under the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements 287(g) program. The federal program involves deputizing local law enforcement for duties that are typically performed by ICE agents. Meanwhile, other policies include adding felony penalties if local officials vote for or adopt a sanctuary policy, such as local government restrictions on helping detain immigrants for ICE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, lawmakers will consider new grants to train local law enforcement officers on immigration enforcement and incentives for local officials to strike immigration agreements with federal authorities. Another proposed change would require a different, temporary driver's license for lawful permanent residents that notes they aren't citizens. Florida lawmakers are likewise focusing on immigration in a special session that began Monday. ___ Associated Press reporter Kristin M. Hall contributed from Nashville. Tennessee lawmakers on Monday officially began a special legislative session to take up $470 million in Hurricane Helene relief, a $447 million statewide school choice voucher program and new a state immigration enforcement entity. Republican lawmakers signaled they want to wrap the special session by the end of the week, meaning nearly $1 billion of legislation on school vouchers, hurricane relief, transportation funding and immigration enforcement could be pushed through the General Assembly in just days. Senate and House leaders have different ideas about when lawmakers will return after the special session. House members passed a resolution adjourning regular session business until Feb. 3, while the Senate ended regular business until Monday, Feb. 10, when Gov. Bill Lee is set to give his annual State of the State address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In both cases, lawmakers do not appear to expect the special session to extend beyond this week. While the House resolution projects return to normal business as early as next Monday, Senators ahead of session said they did not expect to be in town for legislative business next week, but could come to Nashville for meetings and receptions already scheduled. "It is our goal and our objective but there's certainly no promises that we're hoping to wrap up our business for the special session this week," Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, said during session on Monday. "There's a chance that that could spill over into next week, but if all goes well, we'll wrap up this week." Representatives sit in the House Chamber during the first day of Special Session at Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. House Republicans on an ad-hoc rules committee on Monday blocked a Democratic proposal to extend bill debate time through special session. Republicans also adopted a "flow motion" proposal, meaning bills like Lee's voucher proposal could be amended and passed through a committee to a full floor vote within a day. In a regular session, it typically takes weeks if not months for a piece of legislation to pass through the committee process, undergo changes and reach a full House vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats sharply criticized the effort. "That does not allow for sunlight for Tennesseans to know whats happening to them," House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, said. Rep. John Ray Clemmons D- Nashville asks a question during the first day of Special Session at Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville , Tenn., Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. Before concluding regular session business, Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville, requested a moment of silence on behalf of 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante, a victim of the Antioch High School shooting last week. Hundreds of students and other demonstrators gathered on the Capitol grounds Monday afternoon as lawmakers returned to their chambers, calling for substantive gun safety reform in the wake of the Antioch shooting. The crowd led chants against Lee and other Republican leaders, who have resisted two years of heated gun reform protests at the General Assembly. Carlos Corea shouts as he holds a poster of his niece Josselin Corea Escalante during a Rally For Antioch at the Tennessee State Capitol building Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 in Nashville, Tenn. Escalante was fatally shot and one student injured at Antioch High School last week. Juan and Carlos Corea, Escalante's uncles, held aloft a smiling portrait of their niece in her quinceanera dress before addressing the crowd in Spanish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are united together, and we're going to keep fighting for justice for Josselin and you," Juan Carlos said. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: $1B special TN legislative session kicks off, expected to wrap this week TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) Terre Haute Childrens Museum is hosting its 5th annual Son Plus Fun One Glow Party for boys under 12 and their mothers or a significant female figure in their life. The event is set for February 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and tickets are currently on sale. They will cost $40 for each couple and additional tickets will be available for $10. The event promises to feature limo rides from Luxe Limousine, photo opportunities with Images Photography, and free play through the museum including the Ropes Challenge Course. Guests will also be able to create their own glowing bath bombs, decorate and eat fluorescent cookies, and visit with some winter animals thanks to Moonglade Animal Adventures. There will also be craft activities like making bracelets with glowing beads, the chance to try HAM radios with the Wabash Valley Amateur Radio Association and meet the Vigo County School Corporations Area 5188 Robotics Club. To register for this event you can visit thchildrensmuseum.com/events or pay over the phone at 812-235-5548. you can also purchase tickets in person during normal business hours at the museum. Food and drinks will also be provided by Culvers Baeslers Market, and Refreshment Services Pepsi and are included with admission. 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 MyWabashValley.com. EVERGREEN, Colo. (KDVR) A Jefferson County couple is sending out an urgent warning to neighbors to watch out for coyotes after their dog was attacked in their backyard. The situation left Joseph and Martha Pofit shaken. How much clean energy would cost for the average Colorado household: Report Jefferson County Animal Control confirmed to FOX31 that officers have received several reports of sightings of the same pack of coyotes. They want neighbors to be cautious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Molly, a 2-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel, has every reason to be nervous after a scary encounter with coyotes. Martha Pofit and her 2-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel. (KDVR) It was terrifying honestly. Its like something you dont want to hear, said Martha. It was Mollys loud cry for help Joseph heard around noon last Sunday as he was out in the garage just 100 feet away. When Joseph heard the commotion in the backyard of his Evergreen home on Purgatory Lane, he ran to help Molly. There were a pack of four coyotes, said Martha. I never really seen them together like that as a team. Colorados wolves could be east of the Continental Divide for the first time Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fourth coyote had already caused damage, leaving Molly with puncture wounds on her neck and back. Luckily Joseph stopped the attack just in time Three of them ran off because I was moving my arms and yelling. I wasnt even thinking what if they went after me, Joseph said. Im convinced that if it was another minute they would have broken her neck and carried her off. A spokesperson with Colorado Parks and Wildlife told FOX31 that coyotes become more visible during the breeding season in January through March. They say if you cross paths with a coyote, use deterrents like rocks, air horns or pepper spray. The agency offers more tips on what to do if you encounter a coyote and how to avoid attracting the animal to your home on their website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are all things we learned in the process so I guess I want to warn everyone to be as educated as they can about it and watch out for each other, said Martha. Molly was placed on a 45-day quarantine out of an abundance of caution. Martha shared her story on Nextdoor garnering a lot of attention. This photo shows Molly after she was attacked by a pack of coyotes. (Courtesy Martha Pofit) I think our number one priority was to get her treated and then it was the same day when we began to get messages on Next-door from our neighbors, friends and people in the community, said Martha. It was through the process that we even learned there was a form to fill out so we did it right away, the same night. Hero on a mission braves minus-20-degree wind chills to rescue trapped coyote in Conifer Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The community offered advice and even sent over care packages for Molly. Were just so grateful for the outpour of support from the community, Martha said. Although Mollys physical wounds are healing, her emotional wounds are starting to surface. Martha Pofit and her 2-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel. (KDVR) The bigger longer-term picture is becoming herself again and thats going to be the challenge for us, said Martha. If you happen to encounter coyotes you can report it on CPWs website. CPW officials said that its important to never feed coyotes or leave out dog and cat food, which can attract them to your 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 FOX31 Denver. A new working paper from Dartmouth College researchers is providing yet more evidence that test-optional college admissions ended up hurting the very disadvantaged students the policy change was meant to help. Instead of boosting the chances of low-income or first-generation students, researchers found that not sending in their scores dramatically reduced their chances of admission. "Under test score optional policies, less advantaged applicants who are high achieving submit test scores at too low a rate, significantly reducing their admissions chances; such applicants increase their admissions probability by a factor of 3.6x (from 2.9 percent to 10.2 percent) when they report their scores," reads the paper's abstract. "Much more than commonly understood, elite institutions interpret test scores in the context of background, and availability of test scores on an application can promote rather than hinder social mobility." Following pandemic lockdowns that made standardized test-taking difficult, many colleges and universities switched to test-optional admissions, in which students were no longer required to send their SAT or ACT scores along with their applications. The change stuck around, with more than 2,100 of around 2,600 four-year colleges currently using test-optional or test-free admissions. The motivation for this change was rooted in a belief that standardized tests are biased against disadvantaged studentsforgetting, however, that other measures like essays and grades also correlate with family income. Further, test scores have consistently been shown to accurately predict students' future academic performance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We find that test scores are strongly predictive of academic success and are significantly more predictive than other measures, such as high school GPA. Moreover, the relationship between test scores and academic success is similarly strong across income and demographic groups," the researchers note. While many elite colleges have already reversed course upon realizing that test-optional admissions actually resulted in less diverse freshman classes, others have been slow to get rid of test-optional admissions. This latest paper, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, found that the test-optional policy encouraged disadvantaged applicants to not submit their scores, even if they had relatively high scores. This tendency, according to the researchers, likely comes from disadvantaged (first generation, or from a low-income town or high school) students believing that they should not submit their test scores unless they are well within the range of accepted Dartmouth applicants. However, disadvantaged students seem to be evaluated differently than regular applicants. A low-income student with a 1400 SAT score, for example, might be perceived as a "diamond in the rough," even if his or her score is well below even the 25th percentile score for admitted students. "The finding that students with different backgrounds submit scores at about the same rate makes sense given the limited information students have on what is interpreted as a competitive score," the paper reads. "However, students would not know the method in which the Admissions Office uses SAT scores in context and the degree to which a 1400 might be a very competitive score for an applicant coming from a less resourced high school or a high school with lower test scores or that offers few AP classes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Essentially, colleges aren't judging disadvantaged students by the same standards as other students. But disadvantaged students don't assume this, leading to them not submitting their scores under the belief that their high but not incredibly high scores will hurt them. That means that if elite colleges really want more diverse student populations, they should ditch test-optional admissions and start asking students to fork over their test scores. The post Test-Optional Admissions Hurt Poor Kids appeared first on Reason.com. More than 8 million people visited Jacksonville in 2024, generating an estimated economic impact of $7.4 billion, according to a new Economic Impact and Tracking Report. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The report was commissioned by Visit Jacksonville and funded by the Duval County Tourist Development Council. These numbers are a testament to the strength of Jacksonvilles tourism industry and its significant contribution to our local economy, Michael Corrigan, President and CEO of Visit Jacksonville, said in a news release. We are proud to welcome millions of visitors each year who experience our vibrant city and support local businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overnight visitors--including those who stayed in hotels or with family/friends--accounted for $4.1 billion in direct spending. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The report conductors surveyed over 2,700 visitors and focused on their economic impact and characteristics. The following is a visitor profile generated by the survey results: Top 5 Origination Markets: Orlando-Daytona, New York City, Atlanta, Tampa-St. Pete, and Miami-Ft. Lauderdale Median Age: 41 Household Income: $76,000 Travel Party: 2.4 people Average Stay: 3.7 nights Daily Spend: $333 Total Trip Spend: $1,100 Return Visits: 80% of visitors plan to return Top 3 Visitor Activities: Dining out, visiting friends/family, beach You can read the full report 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. Disclaimer: All persons are innocent until proven guilty TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) A man has been arrested for child endangerment in Texarkana. According to the Texarkana Texas Police Department, on Saturday afternoon, Wesley Hatcher was arrested for Endangering a Child after two young children were found playing unsupervised at Spring Lake Park for an extended period of time. Police say a woman at the park noticed the two 6-year-old boys playing near the playground without an adult in sight. Concerned for their safety, she kept an eye on them for about 30 minutes, but as the boys seemed to be alone, she approached them to ask if they were with anyone. The boys told her they were with a relative, Wesley, but didnt know where he went. Police say the woman helped them search for him for another 30 minutes before deciding to call the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to TRPD, Officer Zackary Gilley arrived on the scene and spoke with the boys. They mentioned their relative, Wesley, and described his small purple car. After a thorough search of the park with no sign of Wesley, Officer Gilley contacted Child Protective Services (CPS) for assistance. While waiting for CPS to arrive, Officer Gilley noticed a car slowly driving through the park. He stopped the vehicle, driven by Wesley Hatcher, who admitted he was looking for the boys. After confirming that the children had allegedly been left alone for over two hours without supervision, the officer placed Hatcher under arrest for Endangering a Child. He was booked into the Bi-State Jail. CPS released the children to their mother, and the investigation is ongoing. 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 KTALnews.com. This coverage is made possible through Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Sign up for Votebeat Texas free newsletters here. With city and school elections just a few months away, election officials in more than 60 Texas counties are scrambling to replace a key piece of voting equipment thats no longer in service: the electronic pollbooks they use to check voters in at the polls. The state decertified widely used pollbook software from voting machine company Election Systems & Software in December after several thousand voters in Dallas County received the wrong ballot during the November presidential election, a problem local officials attributed to glitches with the e-pollbook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now county officials have to decide whether to wait to see if ES&Ss updated software is certified in time to prepare for the May elections, or choose a different certified vendor, which could be expensive. They must also consider whether any new option would be compatible with their existing systems and whether they have enough time to train poll workers to use it. The state tests all certified election equipment extensively, but that hasnt included how well e-pollbooks function in elections with high voter turnout. Now the state plans to revise its certification standards and add testing to include whether the devices can function error-free over extensive periods during those conditions, said Alicia Pierce, assistant secretary of state for communications at the Texas Secretary of States Office. State officials have offered grants to affected counties to offset some of the cost of switching to a new vendor, but some county officials say they wont be enough. ES&S, meanwhile, says it is working on an update that fixes the problems, but that update would still have to go through the weeks-long state certification process and election officials are worried it wont be ready on time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The electronic pollbook basically a laptop computer or tablet loaded with specific software is an essential tool for running elections securely and efficiently in Texas. Election workers use them to verify voters identity, check their registration and guard against fraud by checking whether a voter has already cast a ballot by mail or at another polling location. Without the e-pollbook, election workers would have to flip through hundreds or thousands of pages of paper voter lists. Trying to run an election without them would be really challenging, said Christopher Lynch, the elections administrator in North Texas Rockwall County, which has nearly 90,000 registered voters. We wouldn't have the ability to execute elections the way we're used to doing it. State cites 10 areas where e-pollbooks failed Running an election with a poorly functioning e-pollbook can create a mess, too. The electronic pollbooks are synced with the voter rolls. Once a voter checks in at a polling location, election officials use them to determine which version of the ballot the voter is supposed to receive, with the selection of local races that corresponds to their address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ballot-assigning function is one of 10 that the ES&S electronic pollbook failed to perform properly during the November presidential election, according to officials with the Texas Secretary of States Office. Votebeat obtained a copy of a December letter from the state to ES&S detailing those lapses. The system also failed to keep a running count of voters who had checked in to vote each day and failed to sync with counties central databases in real time, the state said. The company in an email said new features in its upcoming updated version will resolve these issues. The state also told ES&S in the letter that it had received reports from multiple counties related to issues with the e-pollbook, though it didnt identify them. Three counties Rockwall, Victoria in South Texas, and Angelina in East Texas had problems in November, though on a much smaller scale than Dallas. These issues included electronic poll books becoming unresponsive, errors that caused some voters to receive incorrect ballot styles, failure to save check-in data for certain voters and a general failure to provide notification to poll workers of errors in workflows or with peripheral devices, the letter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas has tested and certified versions of ES&Ss e-pollbook since 2020, most recently in August, just a few months before the November problems. The certification process includes testing by the National Institute of Standards and Technology lab, physical examination of the devices, and whats called a functional examination, where state officials put the devices through a test of specific functions, using a database of fictional test voters. Officials then test whether the equipment is able to check a voters identity, by scanning various forms of ID; whether it can import and export the countys voter registration data; and whether it can determine if a voter is at the correct polling location, among other things. Dallas County problems unnerve election administrator The problems in Dallas County unfolded like this: Once voters checked in, poll workers would use the system to check their identity and determine which ballot style they should get. The voter would then enter their signature, and the poll workers would hit the accept button, which triggers the system to begin printing their ballot. But the system didnt notify the poll worker that printing was in progress, prompting workers to hit the accept button multiple times. Each time, the system added another copy of that type of ballot to the printing queue. As more voters came in, they were then handed the ballot that had been mistakenly added to the queue and printed for the voter ahead of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ES&S said the issue was due to the slow transitions between pages when the print command is used, and appears to be isolated to this pollbook version. Our records indicate that the November 2024 election was the first time this particular issue was reported, a company spokesperson said in an email to Votebeat. We take full responsibility for the usability of the system and the confusion which resulted in voters being given the wrong ballot, Jeb Cameron, ES&S senior vice president of government affairs, told Votebeat. But he stressed that the ES&S system did not assign incorrect ballot styles to voters and that poll workers have a way to check the ballot style before handing it to a voter. Dallas County elections administrator Heider Garcia said no amount of additional poll worker training could have fully prevented the problem. This is a defect in the software. There's no getting around that, he said. You can train people to expect issues. But if you're training them on how to deal with an issue, the question is, why are you not fixing the issue in the first place? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ES&S added a temporary fix to resolve the problems that occurred in Dallas County: a pop-up screen giving the poll worker the option to activate the printing. Company officials said they are now working on an updated version that would eliminate the problems and expect to complete it and submit it for certification to the state by March 3. The company said it will work closely with the state to obtain certification as timely as possible. Garcia said its too risky to count on ES&Ss update, and hes taking bids from other vendors. Other counties may not be able to afford that. The state has offered grants drawn from federal dollars meant to help states upgrade their voting systems. State officials said those funds would cover 80% of costs. Counties could also dip into state funds allocated to cover local voter registration-related expenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Rockwall County, officials had been using the ES&S equipment for about two years and had already spent more than $50,000 on it. If the equipment isnt recertified, and the county isnt able to use it, that money could go to waste. Lynch, the elections administrator there, said that he is exploring all of his options and preparing for the possibility that the county may have to rely on spreadsheets or printed voter lists in May. We just dont know whats going to happen and thats what makes me nervous, he said. But we also cant wait to see what happens. We have to get creative and be ready. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disclosure: Texas Secretary of State 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. Natalia Contreras is a reporter for Votebeat in partnership with the Texas Tribune. Contact Natalia at ncontreras@votebeat.org. Chief Magistrate Susan Shitumbi has issued a stern warning to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) against torturing Benson Malova Ashiko, who stands accused of posting a photo of President William Ruto in a casket on his X (formerly Twitter) account. The post, which included a condolence message to the Presidents family, has led to serious allegations of bullying, cyber harassment, and defamation against Ashiko. In addition to the image, Ashiko also posted a message of sympathy, stating, My condolences to the first family. During a court session, Corporal Edwin Metto of the DCIs Serious Crimes Unit (SCU) argued that Ashikos actions could pose a threat to public peace, order, and safety. He stated that the false publications and defamatory statements made by Ashiko had the potential to cause widespread harm, particularly as they target the nations highest office. Metto also revealed that the DCI had already confiscated Ashikos mobile phone for forensic analysis as part of the ongoing investigation. Magistrate Shitumbi acknowledged the gravity of the case and the seriousness of the allegations but expressed concerns over the proposed 14-day detention period requested by the DCI. While she emphasized that the judiciary should not downplay such issues, she also stressed that the investigation did not require Ashiko to remain in custody for an extended period. The Magistrate voiced concerns that Ashiko might be at risk of torture while in custody, particularly after he reported experiencing chest pain. The court instructed that he be escorted to a hospital for medical attention to address his health concerns. I understand this involves the holder of the highest office in the land, but please do not torture him. Handle him as I have directed, Magistrate Shitumbi reiterated to Corporal Metto. She granted the DCI permission to hold Ashiko for four days at Muthaiga Police Station to continue the investigation. However, she ordered that if the investigation was not concluded by January 30, Ashiko should be allowed to post a Ksh 50,000 cash bail to secure his release. Corporal Metto had earlier filed an affidavit seeking 14-day detention. He argued that Ashikos actions, particularly the offensive comments and the misleading post, were damaging to President Ruto and other members of his family who were featured in the image. Metto described the image and accompanying message as grossly offensive and noted that the defamatory content could severely harm the Presidents image. Some of the comments made on the photo upload are grossly offensive and detrimental in nature towards the victim (President Ruto) and are intended to negatively affect the reputation of the president together with other members of his family whose images were also shared in the said photograph, Metto said in the affidavit. Magistrate Shitumbi pointed out that while some aspects of the investigationsuch as the forensic analysis of Ashikos phonerequired time, most of the pending tasks, including recording statements from witnesses, could proceed without holding Ashiko in detention. Witnesses include President Ruto, members of his family, officers from the DCIs forensic investigations unit, and representatives from the Communication Authority (CA) of Kenya, as well as mobile service providers. Police arrested Ashiko in Bungoma County on January 24 and escorted him to Nairobi where he was held at the Muthaiga police station. The case will be mentioned on February 10. The Fort Worth Independent School District in Texas says it is investigating a substitute teacher who allegedly said on social media that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) needs to come to North Side High School because it has many students who dont even speak English. The school said the teacher will not be allowed on campus until the probe is complete. We are aware of a recent social media post referencing North Side High School, which was allegedly made by a substitute teacher and has caused concern among our Fort Worth ISD community, the statement reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alleged post was made on X in a response to ICEs account on the platform on Jan. 23, NBC 5 reported. Yall should come to Fort Worth, TX to Northside High School. I have many students who dont even speak English, and they are in 10th-11th grade. They have to communicate through their iPhone translator with me. The @USEDGOV should totally overhaul our school system in Texas, the post reportedly said. The name of the substitute teacher has not been released. We are committed to maintaining a positive and supportive environment for all students. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we address this matter, the districts statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump has sought to significantly ramp up immigration enforcement in his first days in office, and last week, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded a policy that previously barred ICE from entering schools. Schools are able to deny ICE entry into their buildings unless the federal agents have a warrant. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AUSTIN (KXAN) Within his first week in office, President Donald Trump has vowed to intensify deportation efforts nationwide and assist Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in tightening the southern border. Working class industries, like farming and construction, which heavily rely on migrant labor for productivity, warn that deportations could have far-reaching impacts that affect Texans beyond these sectors. You hear anything from 50% to 70%, said Russell Boening, President of Texas Farm Bureau, on the amount of undocumented workers on Texas farms. ICE conducts enhanced targeted operations in Austin Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Boening, the issue of the undocumented workforce is a result of high consumer demand and inefficient legal immigrant labor programs. While he supports stricter border controls, he wants to separate immigration from labor, and work to get better-organized temporary work programs. We need to secure borders, said Boening. We need to make sure we have legal immigration and we need to make sure that the industries that rely on immigrant labor can access a legal immigrant labor source. Boening is referring to programs like the H-2A that allows U.S. employers to temporarily fill agricultural jobs. However, H-2As only allow for seasonal employees, which are noncompetitive in Texas year-long market, and offer a limited number of spots that dont account for a large part of the agricultural industry. If the Texas producer and the American producer does not have the labor source to produce those products, either one of two things: youre either not going to have that product, or its going to have to be imported, Boening said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 400 Texas Tactical Border Force soldiers deploying to border Sid Miller, the Texas Agricultural Commissioner, said that the deportation threats wont have as much of an impact on the agricultural industry as people think. I dont believe we work near as many illegals as we used to in years past, Miller said. Were kind of in the age of technology now, so weve eliminated a lot of the hand labor that we used to require. In addition to a growing reliance on technology in the industry, Miller said that undocumented labor poses a risk for farmers. He believes this danger discourages many from using illegal labor in their production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labors hard to come by, and we dont want to use illegal labor because we dont want to wake up and have our workforce taken away from us, Miller said. For Brian Turmail, spokesperson for the Associated General Contractors of America, this begs the question what is the scope of the deportations? Most frequently they talk about really targeting three types of undocumented people in the country, Turmail said. One is folks who are undocumented and are illegal immigrants who are engaged in additional criminal activity. Two is undocumented people who are a threat to national security, and three, undocumented people who have been ordered by a judge to leave the country. Turmail said that 80% of construction firms around the country are already having a hard time finding qualified workers to hire. If deportations stretch beyond these current indications laid out, Turmail warns that there could be some potential impacts on the economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we shrink our workforce even more, then contractors are going to do two things, Turmail said. One, theyre not going to bid on projects if they dont think they have enough people to do the work. So, if youre trying to build a new school, that means fewer firms will be bidding on that school project, and then when they put in that bid, theyre going to charge more because its going to cost them more because it will take longer to bid the project. Turmail said there are policy solutions that could bring legal immigrant workers and U.S. citizens back to the construction market. One of which would be to increase investments in career and technical education to develop a larger, more skilled workforce. Lets expose our young workers from the United States to career opportunities in construction and give them the skills they need to be successful, but thats going to take time, Turmail said. Another path would be to improve work authorization programs so that construction can have access to a larger number of qualified workers with assured legal status. Similar to the agriculture industry, construction has the H-2B program where U.S. employers can find temporary workers for nonagricultural related jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need timely, temporary, taxable, fully lawful work authorization programs where we can bring folks into the country, know where they are, know where theyre from, know their background, tax them, Turmail said. Boening agrees that something similar would help ease tensions in the agricultural industry as well. As we work through the immigration issue, lets make sure that were working on a guest worker program thats more user-friendly, Boening said. Miller added that the Texas Agricultural Commission will work over the next few weeks to survey agricultural operations to get a more accurate count of undocumented workers and go from there. 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. AUSTIN (KXAN) Wells across the state are going dry, while many rivers and streams are down to a trickle. Its a growing problem for many Texans as water scarcity grows into a greater concern. This week, experts are gathering in Austin at the Water for Texas 2025 Conference to find solutions. The conference, hosted by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), runs through Wednesday, Jan. 29. On Tuesday, panelists discussed the impact aquifer depletion is having on surface water streams and lakes. Led by TWDB executive John Dupnik, the panel explored the interesting relationship between ground and surface water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With surface water and groundwater, if each had Facebook pages, and they met in a bar somewhere, and it got serious the relationship status would be its complicated,' said Dr. Robert Mace with The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. According to Dupnik, 9.3 million acre-feet of groundwater flows from aquifers to the surface each year. This accounts for about 30% of surface water. Illegal dams see new pushback from Texas lawmaker A key example of this complicated relationship: Barton Springs. Water from deep beneath the surface bubbles up and supplies water to the pool above. Barton Springs is a prime example of the relationship between ground and surface water. (Eric Henrikson/KXAN) Its really easy to measure, see and quantify, but most of the state, most of that 30% contribution is much more complicated, much more subtle, and it changes, Mace said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One topic discussed explored how wells near riverways see water levels rise alongside the nearby river, showing connections beneath the surface. This science is complicated. We know that theres a connection there, Mace said. Legal issues and water rights One of the complications stems from who has rights to what. In Texas, the state has legal authority over surface water. Through entities like the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Lower Colorado River Authority, the state determines who has access to the surface water permits. Water pipeline decision reached amid pushback from worried landowners Groundwater is a little different. Landowners own the water beneath their property, not the state. Local groundwater conservation districts gave landowners pumping permits, but not every part of the state is overseen by a conservation district. Experts discuss water issues as part of the Water for Texas 2025 Conference (Todd Bailey/KXAN) Between the two, groundwater frequently wins over surface water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is case law that allows groundwater pumping to completely dry up springs or completely dry up that connection, said Dr. Mace. As part of the panel, which also included Carlos Rubenstein with environmental consulting firm RSAH2O, Sharlene Lewis with Fluid Advisors and Alan Day from the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District, the team discussed possible solutions. Rubenstein and Mace pushed for more data and models to give conservation districts and legislatures a better idea of what to do. We cannot address this credibly if we dont have the tools and we continue to use the models that we have for purposes for which they were never designed, Rubenstein said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conference continues Wednesday. State Sen. Charles Perry will give the closing remarks and highlight priority legislation as part of the 2025 session. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This story has been updated with new information. Republican-led backlash over the Texas Medical Board chief's long-standing, approved role at Planned Parenthood forced him to resign as medical director of the state physician watchdog agency in December, the doctor said in a resignation letter obtained by the American-Statesman. Dr. Robert Bredt became the subject of an online firestorm over the holidays after his part-time position directing a San Antonio laboratory for Planned Parenthood of South Texas was made public on social media. Bredt began his job at Planned Parenthood in 2011 and took the helm of the Texas Medical Board in 2012. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two conservative Texas House members, Reps. Brian Harrison and Briscoe Cain, blasted that fact on X and called for Bredt's resignation in letters to the agency and to Gov. Greg Abbott. "Texans cannot have confidence in the decisions of a government bureaucrat who affiliates with a criminal enterprise that profits off of killing babies," Cain, R-Deer Park, wrote to the Texas Medical Board in a Dec. 30 letter posted to social media. Planned Parenthood rejected the allegation that it engages in criminal activity. Harrison, R-Midlothian, threatened to push legislation defunding the Texas Medical Board if Bredt was not removed "soon" and said he had directed his office to call the agency every day until the medical director was gone. In a Jan. 7 resignation letter obtained by the Statesman through a public records request, Bredt indicated that this pressure was also felt internally. He wrote that his conversation with two Texas Medical Board members he addressed as Brint and Scott likely meaning agency director Stephen Brint Carlton and general counsel Scott Freshour drove him to "resign/retire" several years earlier than he had hoped, as he could "not afford the option of termination." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have dedicated my entire professional career to serving both the TDH (Texas Department of Health) and the TMB and was looking forward to serving several more years," Bredt wrote. "It seems a shame that political pressure from a fringe group has jeopardized that career." Bredt also noted that he had followed the agency's rules and received "written prior approval" for other laboratory medical directorships he held, including his Planned Parenthood role. The Texas Medical Board declined to comment on Bredt's statements in the letter. Bredt also declined to comment to the Statesman. The state lawmakers' online pressure campaign was a mark of the party's continued campaign against Planned Parenthood long after it has stopped providing abortions in Texas. Texas outlawed all abortions in 2022, with a sole exception for pregnant people facing a "life-threatening condition" caused or exacerbated by the pregnancy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofit health care organization now provides birth control, pap smears and other routine reproductive health care services at its clinics in Texas. Bredt nodded to that work in his letter, writing, "I am deeply saddened that I am being forced to leave this job with TMB due to a part time position ensuring the appropriate, legal and necessary healthcare of underserved citizens of the State of Texas." Harrison and Cain took credit for Bredt's resignation in social media posts Jan. 8. "WE WON!" wrote Harrison, who also circulated a petition calling on Bredt to resign. "Grateful for everyone who joined the call to end this insanity after we exposed it 10 days ago." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Mary Tally Bowden, a physician and vaccine skeptic who first revealed the Texas Medical Board medical director's Planned Parenthood ties in late December, also celebrated the news of his resignation. Bredt was set to testify against her in a disciplinary hearing over allegations that she prescribed Ivermectin to a COVID-19 patient she had not examined, violating state regulations that require doctors to establish a patient-physician relationship before prescribing medicine as well as privacy laws, as per the complaint. Bowden, who denied the allegations, posted an excerpt of court filings as part of a long online campaign to criticize the Texas Medical Board for pursuing its complaint against her. While numerous Texans opposing abortion praised Harrison, Cain and Bowden for pressuring Bredt to step down, Planned Parenthood and current and former state lawmakers criticized the backlash against the medical director. Former state Sen. Wendy Davis, a senior adviser of Planned Parenthood's political advocacy arm, said Cain's attack on Planned Parenthood was "baseless." "Cains reckless rhetoric undermines an organization that provides critical health care services to tens of thousands of Texans each year," Davis wrote in a statement to the Statesman on Jan. 8. "Instead of fearmongering, Representative Cain should focus on addressing the actual challenges Texans face." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laura Terrill, president of Planned Parenthood of South Texas, also slammed the lawmakers for "playing doctor in an act of political theatre rather than finding meaningful solutions." She said her organization would not bow down to intimidation. "We have, and always will, comply with state and federal regulations while focusing on what truly matters: delivering essential health care services to the tens of thousands of Texans who depend on us every day," Terrill wrote in a statement. The controversy isn't over. In a phone call with the Statesman on Tuesday afternoon, Harrison said he isn't satisfied with Bredt's departure alone and has called for consequences for the TMB's leadership. "Ultimately, the responsibility is with the Texas Medical Board," Harrison said. "Somebody hired him, somebody knew that he was a Planned Parenthood official and chose to continue forcing my taxpayers, my constituents, to fund his high salary. It's an outrage and there needs to be accountability." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harrison, in his Dec. 31 letter to Abbott, also asked the governor to "direct all state agencies to ensure there are no other Planned Parenthood officials employed by any state agency, including in advisory roles." Abbott so far has not issued such a directive publicly, but Harrison said he hasn't forgotten about the request and that he is "continuing discussion with the governor's office on many topics." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Medical Board chief ousted over Planned Parenthood job: records A Texas Republican is accusing Selena Gomez of crying crocodile tears in a since-deleted video of the star sobbing that was posted amid the Trump administrations immigration crackdown. @SelenaGomezs crocodile tears arent for deportations its a PR stunt to distract @TheAcademy from Hispanics HATING her movie, Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas) said on the social platform X on Monday. In the clip that had appeared on Gomezs Instagram page before reportedly being removed on Monday, the Only Murders in the Building star was seen wiping away tears as she said, All my people are getting attacked, with an image of the Mexican flag appearing onscreen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im so sorry, I wish I could do something, but I cant, the 32-year-old performer cried. The video posted for Gomezs more than 420 million Instagram followers came amid President Trumps ramped-up efforts on deportation and at the southern border. In her post on X, De La Cruz said of Gomezs video, I represent a 90 percent Mexican-American border community. Where was she when the cartels targeted our kids? Its ALL fake just like her TERRIBLE film! the lawmaker said in an apparent reference to Emilia Perez. The movie which tells the story of the head of a Mexican cartel who undergoes gender affirmation surgery and has been called a divisive Oscar front-runner picked up 13 Academy Award nominations when they were announced last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some critics of the film have accused it of playing into stereotypes about Mexico, and GLAAD, an LGBTQ media advocacy organization, said it was a step backward for trans representation. But Gomez who in 2019 wrote an op-ed detailing how many of her family members entered the U.S. from Mexico in the 1970s also found some support for her social media post. Media pundit Geraldo Rivera wrote on X that Gomez should be commended for her compassion and sincerity. People attacking her on social media should be ashamed. You can disagree without being disagreeable, Rivera, 81, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need comprehensive immigration reform. We cant arrest our way out of our immigration crisis. Bravo Selena, the TV personality said. A representative for Gomez didnt return ITKs request 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. WASHINGTON Hours after President Donald Trumps second inauguration, he signed a series of executive orders intended to limit immigration and keep other top campaign promises. Texas Republicans in Congress are attempting to codify many of those orders into law. Executive orders are often easy to reverse once a new administration takes power. On Inauguration Day, Trump rescinded 78 of former President Joe Bidens executive orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But laws passed by Congress are more difficult to overturn. While many of these bills promoted by Texans have not yet garnered significant support on Capitol Hill, their accompanying executive orders have been widely praised by fellow Republicans. Birthright Citizenship Rep. Brian Babin, R-Woodville, reintroduced legislation Tuesday to end the current system of birthright citizenship. He acted the day after Trumps executive order on the same issue. Under current law, children born inside the United States are automatically citizens. Babins bill, if passed, would grant automatic citizenship only to children born inside the country with at least one parent who is a citizen, national, permanent resident or an immigrant in the United States legally serving in the armed forces. This means the children of tourists, temporary residents and people illegally within the country would not receive citizenship even if born in the United States Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps executive order, which was set to go into effect on Feb. 19, would similarly end the blanket process of U.S. citizenship. The executive order is set to end automatic citizenship for a child of a mother illegally or legally on temporary status inside the United States without a father who is a citizen or permanent resident. Babin and Trumps argument for changing birthright citizenship is that they say the 14th amendment which grants citizenship to all born or naturalized within the country and subject to the jurisdiction thereof has been misinterpreted. The men, along with other hardline Republicans, have said that people without permanent residency or citizenship are not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and therefore their children should not be given citizenship. This is the time, ladies and gentlemen, to pass this legislation which has been plaguing our country for well over 100 years, Babin said during a Thursday news conference. Trumps executive order has already received legal challenges including lawsuits from 22 state attorneys general and the American Civil Liberties Union who argue that it violates the Constitution. A federal judge has placed a 14-day restraining order on Trumps policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Babin said he welcomes legal disputes because they could send the issue to the conservative-majority Supreme Court. Lets see how they rule on this, Babin said about the Supreme Court. Eleven Texas Republicans in the House have cosponsored the bill along with 30 other Republicans. Remain in Mexico Rep. Roger Williams, R-Willow Park, introduced legislation on Jan. 16 to make the Remain in Mexico policy of Trumps first term permanent, days before Trump issued an executive order restoring the policy. Rogers bill would mandate asylum seekers to return to their country of origin as they wait for their court date a switch from the process of waiting inside the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Trumps first administration, nearly 70,000 asylum seekers were sent to Mexico due to the Migrant Protection Protocols, more commonly known as the Remain in Mexico, policy. Immigrant advocate groups said this policy left many asylum seekers at risk while waiting for their immigration proceedings while backers of the policy say it improves security in the United States. My bill lays the groundwork to restore law and order and secure our nation by federally mandating that those awaiting a court date do so from their country of origin, Williams said in a Jan. 16 release. We are a land of laws, its time we act like it and put the safety of Americans first. Williams bill has 33 co-sponsors, including one Democrat. World Health Organization One of President Trumps executive orders was to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization. Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock, and Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, want future presidents to not have the option to rejoin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump initially withdrew the United States from the World Health Organization in July 2020, which Biden reversed on his first day in office. The presidents issues with the World Health Organization stem from the organizations handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the amount that the United States contributes every year which Trumps executive order called unfairly onerous. If passed, the WHO is Accountable Act that Arrington proposed on Wednesday would prohibit federal funds from being used to seek membership in the World Health Organization or for contributions to the organization unless a series of changes were made. These include ensuring the organization does not fund or message about abortion, gender affirming care and climate change. Arringtons bill would also require WHO to not be influenced by the Chinese Communist Party, to not send humanitarian aid to certain countries (Iran, Syria and North Korea), to implement changes to ensure that humanitarian assistance is not politicized and to increase transparency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roy reintroduced a simpler version of Arringtons bill that would prohibit contributions to the organization, without any provisions if changes are made to the organization. Roy called the World Health Organization a joke of an organization, in a Tuesday news release commending Trumps executive order. Roys bill has 14 cosponsors while Arringtons bill has four. Other Support Texans in Congress are also introducing legislation to bolster key policy promises from the new Trump administration outside of the executive orders. Cruz on Jan. 16 reintroduced a bill to provide back pay and restore the rank of service members fired or demoted for not getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Trump promised during his inauguration speech that he would use his authority to do this during his first week in office, and is set to sign an executive order Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roy has pushed to repeal the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances, also known as the FACE Act which prohibits the use or threat of force toward someone seeking or obtaining reproductive health services and prohibits damaging facilities that provide these services. The Roy bill aligns with Trumps recent pardons of pro-life protesters charged with blocking access to an abortion clinic and the administrations directive to federal agencies to limit enforcement of the FACE Act. Roy called the pardons a HUGE WIN for life and the rule of law, in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Cruz and Arrington also jointly introduced a bill before Trumps inauguration to reverse Bidens executive orders restricting offshore oil and gas drilling. Trump reversed those Biden orders on his first day in office. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) (Update Jan. 27 at 9:43 p.m.) The high-risk individual that law enforcement was searching for after a high-speed chase that led to the recovery of a loaded firearm and a large amount of illegal substances has been taken into custody. Mugshot of Antonio Diaz taken on Jan. 27, 2025, courtesy of the Runnels County Sheriffs Office According to the Runnels County jail roster, Antonio Diaz was taken into custody and booked in the Runnels County Jail around 8 p.m. (Original Jan. 27 at 4:39 p.m.) The Tom Green County Sheriffs Office is seeking a high-risk suspect after a chase that exceeded speeds of 100 mph resulted in several grams of drugs and a loaded rifle being seized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the sheriffs office, deputies attempted to perform a traffic stop on a black Cadillac vehicle at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 25. The vehicle evaded the stop, and a pursuit began. Several items were observed to have been thrown out of the suspect vehicle during the chase. The pursuit traveled north on U.S. Highway 67 at speeds in excess of 100 MPH and into Runnels County, where two individuals abandoned the vehicle in Rowena and fled on foot. San Angelo man convicted following minor sex sting operation A search conducted at the time did not result in the suspects being located. The suspects vehicle was seized and towed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A different search conducted in the area where the items were thrown resulted in the discovery of 116 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded AR-15 rifle. A photo of an AR-15 rifle and amount of methamphetamine seized following a pursuit that occurred on Jan. 25, 2025, and reportedly involved a suspect identified as Antonio Diaz. The sheriffs office identified the driver of the suspect vehicle as Antonio Diaz, 27, through further investigation. Four felony warrants have been issued for Diaz with a total bond of $175,000. These warrants are for the following charges, as per TGSO: Evading Arrest Det w/ Vehicle (F3) Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon (F3) Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence w/ Intent to Impair (F3) Man Del CS PG 1-B >=4G<200G (F1) Diaz, who is at large as of the time of publication, is believed to be involved in the distribution of dangerous drugs and is known to carry firearms. He is not believed to be a San Angelo resident but is known to frequent San Angelo and has ties to Runnels County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TGSO stated that Diaz should be treated with caution from the public. The sheriffs office asks those who see Diaz not to approach him and to instead contact it at (325)-655-8111 or a local law enforcement agency. The Tom Green County Sheriffs Office remains committed to the safety of protecting the citizens of Tom Green County through proactive police work and aggressive traffic enforcement, TGSO 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 ConchoValleyHomepage.com. (Bloomberg) -- Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said she will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping during her visit to China next week, in a bid to address concerns of tourists over safety in the Southeast Asian country. Most Read from Bloomberg Paetongtarns planned trip to Beijing during Feb. 5-8 comes after the Thai government reassured Chinese tourists of their safety amid reports of cancellation by some travelers spooked by a high-profile trafficking case of a Chinese actor near the Thai border with Myanmar earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Thai premier said she will ask for Chinas help in curbing negative rumors about safety in Thailand, and will also express concerns to Xi about the call center scams in neighboring countries. China is the biggest source of tourists for Thailand, with arrivals accounting for 6.7 million out of 35.5 million travelers in 2024. Paetongtarn had previously ordered law enforcement agencies to step up a crackdown against call center gangs and ensure the safety of tourists as the industry accounts for about 12% of the countrys gross domestic product and nearly a fifth of jobs. Across Southeast Asia, the billion-dollar cyber scam operations have been expanding, particularly in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Often run by Chinese fugitives who fled their home nation in 2020 following a domestic crackdown, they have taken cover in areas of Myanmar where the military regime is losing control over territories to rebels. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2025 Bloomberg L.P. SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) Michael Devine is the husband of Navy veteran Scherlie Devine, who 7NEWS introduced you to last week. And wouldnt you know it, much like his soulmate, Michael joined the service to see the world. And I did because, in 1961, we went on a round-the-world cruise. We left New York we went to the Congo, South Africa, Malaya, India, Kenya, Tanganyika, explained Michael. He said his neighbor down the street was a sailor so that influenced his branch of choice but there was just one problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I didnt know how to swim and I went into the Navy! Mike shared. So in basic training, they lined up all the guys who could swim and they jumped off a tower. And they lined up the guys who didnt know how to swim, including me. And you jumped off the tower. Mikes journey started in Charleston. I was a personnel man, which means I worked in the ships office. Taking care of everybody. Personnel records, Mike said. I was there for about a year and a half and then I was transferred to a ship, a troop transport, and we would carry troops to Germany. Then he received orders to go to the Mediterranean and the world exploration continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spain, Italy, Turkey, he said. And we went to Panama, Puerto Rico. Christmas Day, 1960. we spent in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Thats where Mike would meet his bride, Scherlie. I was on a ship stationed in Naples, Italy, and Shirley was a nurse at the naval hospital in Naples, Mike told 7NEWS. He said the two met at a bar owned by an Italian man who married an American woman. And they could both speak English, so it became like a hangout for military people, said Mike. In 1997, he retired as a Chief Petty Officer following his 20 years of service. I went to college and then I started working for the State of Washington for their Social and Health Services Department, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike did that for 20 years, before retiring and moving to the Palmetto State. Somebody recommended Sun City in, in Bluffton and we checked it out, Mike said. We bought a house there. Not too long after and wanting to be closer to family, Mike and Scherlie Devine moved to the Upstate in November of 2024. Already planting roots, the duo is now new members of the Vets Helping Vets Spartanburg association. Im trying to build our membership and get the organization known, Mike said. Where veterans can contact us if they need some help. Outside of service, Mike said hes looking forward to participating in the community events his new city has to offer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Devine, Thank You for Your Service. To nominate a veteran like Mike Devine to be featured in our Thank You for Your Service series, 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 WSPA 7NEWS. Humanity is closer to destroying itself, according to atomic scientists who revealed on Tuesday that the famous Doomsday Clock was set to 89 seconds to midnight the closest it has ever been. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, a science-oriented advocacy group, made the announcement Tuesday morning, metaphorically rating how close humankind is to annihilating itself with human-made advancements. We set the clock closer to midnight because we do not see positive progress on the global challenges we face including nuclear risk, climate change, biological threats and advances in disruptive technologies, Daniel Holz, chair of the Bulletins Science and Security Board, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group of scientists say the war in Ukraine "could become nuclear at any moment" and a wider regional war in the Middle East could "spiral out of control," while countries with nuclear weapons are increasing their arsenals. They say the global attempts to reduce climate change "remains poor," as governments aren't enacting the necessary policies to halt global warming. The development of biotechnology and artificial intelligence "far outpaced policy, regulation and a thorough understanding of their consequences," Holz said. In setting the clock forward, we send a stark signal. Because the world is perilously close to the precipice, any move toward midnight should be taken as an indication of extreme danger and an unmistakable warning, Holz added. Heres a closer look at how the clock was created and how the time is determined. What is the 'Doomsday Clock'? Its a symbolic way of showing the public how close the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists believes the world is to a human-made apocalypse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Midnight represents Earths total annihilation. If the clock moves closer to midnight, it suggests that humanity is nearing self-destruction. It is possible for the clock to move away from midnight, which means that humanity has taken steps within the past year to reduce the risks of the end of the world. "There is hope. We certainly believe that the clock can be moved back, and there are many actions that can be taken," Holz said as he responded to a reporter's question. "Our concern is that those actions are not being taken." The Doomsday Clock is a design that warns the public about how close we are to destroying our world with dangerous technologies of our own making, the website says. It is a metaphor, a reminder of the perils we must address if we are to survive on the planet. The Doomsday Clock, set at 89 seconds to midnight, is displayed before a news conference at the United States Institute of Peace, Tuesday, Jan. 28, in Washington. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) How did the Doomsday Clock come about? The timepiece concept dates back to 1947, when nuclear weapons were the greatest danger to humanity, as the United States and Russia were headed toward an arms race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Artist Martyl Langsdorf was commissioned to design a new cover for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists journal. She was married to Alexander Langsdorf, a nuclear physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project, which built the worlds first atomic bombs. She listened to the scientists who worked on the nuclear bomb, and they stressed the importance of conveying a sense of urgency to the public about the consequences of the new technology. It was then that Langsdorf switched her design from the uranium symbol to a clock to convey theres not much time to get it under control. The artist first set the Doomsday Clock to seven minutes until midnight because it looked good to my eye, she said. How is the time determined? After the clock concept was established, Bulletin editor Eugene Rabinowitch decided whether or not the clocks time should be adjusted. As a scientist and a leading voice in the international effort to reduce and eliminate nuclear weapons, he based his decisions on the clocks time after consulting with other scientists and experts from all over the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Rabinowitch died in 1973, the Bulletins governing board took over the responsibility. In 2008, a separate Science and Security Board (SASB) was established and is now entrusted with the task. The SASB is made up of a select group of globally recognized leaders who consult additional experts across a wide range of disciplines. The board weighs the danger of nuclear disaster, and in recent decades has considered threats of climate change and artificial intelligence. The members weigh the following two questions every year in deciding where the clock should be: Is humanity safer or at greater risk this year than last year? Is humanity safer or at greater risk compared with the 78 years the clock has been set? What was the time set to in recent years? In January 2023, the Doomsday Clock was set at 90 seconds to midnight, the closest to midnight it has ever been, in large part because of the nuclear threat posed by Russias war on Ukraine. It remained at 90 seconds to midnight in 2024, citing the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the war in Gaza, disasters exacerbated by climate change and the danger of artificial intelligence. When was the clock furthest from midnight? Leonard Rieser, chairman of the board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, moves the hand of the Doomsday Clock back to 17 minutes before midnight on Nov. 26, 1991. (Carl Wagner/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) In 1991, the Bulletin set the clock hand back to 17 minutes until midnight, gaining seven minutes after the Cold War was officially over. The U.S. and Russia signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), agreeing to greatly reduce the number of strategic nuclear weapons. Since first appearing in 1947, Martyls Doomsday Clock has been reset more than 20 times. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) continues to ask for drivers to give them after two more snowplows got hit. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] ODOTs Akron/Canton District 4 shared photos of two snowplows that got hit in northeast Ohio last week on social media. It brings the total to 34 ODOT crews that have been hit statewide in 2025. TRENDING STORIES: As previously reported by News Center 7, Matt Bruning from ODOT said at least 20 snowplows got hit in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had 22 all of last winter. Please, give us room to work! he said on social media back on Jan. 5 when the state got with a winter storm. ODOT repeated that request on Monday. A photo showed one snowplow sustained rear-end damage after a crash with an SUV. Remember, when you see flashing lights and our crews working, give them plenty of room to do their job, they said on Facebook. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Local state legislators will be in town next month to discuss the early stages of the 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly. The Greater Kokomo Chamber of Commerce will hold a Third House Session at 8 a.m. Feb. 7 at Indiana University Kokomos Kresge Auditorium. The forum will allow state legislators to discuss current issues before the General Assembly and will allow for community members to ask questions regarding pending legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following state legislators have been invited to attend: * Mike Karickhoff, House District 30 * Heath VanNatter, House District 38 * Stacey Donato, Senate District 18 * Jim Buck, Senate District 21 The event is open to the public and free to attend. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) She brought her daughters two teens and a 3-year-old out grocery shopping. Theyd just parked at the Foods Co. on White Lane when a man armed with a kitchen knife flung open the front passenger door and appeared as if he was about to stab her 14-year-old with a kitchen knife. The woman slammed the door and sped off as the man threw a bag at their windshield. She and the children were unharmed. Police quickly identified the assailant the bag, carried on the hood, contained his California ID card, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniel Villareal, 56, was arrested across the street from where the April 23 assault occurred, according to a District Attorneys Office release. Police found knives and methamphetamine on him. Found guilty last week of charges including assault with a deadly weapon, Villareal faces up to 25 years to life in prison at next months sentencing hearing. Hes a third-strike offender, prosecutors said. Families should feel safe while doing something as ordinary as grocery shopping, District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said in the release. No mother should ever have to face such violence or protect her children from 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 KGET 17 News. Thousands of Afghans who worked directly for or on behalf of the US government in Afghanistan have been cut off from critical resources and face huge uncertainty over whether theyll be able to travel to the United States following moves by the Trump administration to halt foreign aid and bar federally funded help according to multiple sources. Last week, the Trump administration halted refugee flights across the globe, froze almost all foreign assistance, and cut off assistance for newly arrived refugees in the United States. These actions have had immediate repercussions for the thousands of Afghans who served alongside the US military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those who are now in limbo in third countries like Qatar, the freeze means they have lost access to services and even goods like diapers and toiletries that were funded by the US government, sources told CNN. They added that the freeze on foreign assistance directly impacts the ability of Afghans who received special immigrant visas (SIVs) to travel to the US, including translators who worked for the US military, people who were on US bases or compounds, among others. While some can pay their own way to the United States, others rely on flights paid for by US assistance that is now frozen. Others who worked alongside the US and qualified for other kinds of refugee visas have also been impacted by the administrations actions. There are around 3,000 Afghans currently in Qatar and 500 in Albania who are awaiting onward travel to the US, according to Anna Lloyd of Task Force Argo, a volunteer group that works to relocate vulnerable Afghans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This freeze has hurt them significantly, not just for a pause in further relocation and resettlement to America, but a pause in providing them basic necessities there in Doha, she told CNN. The freeze on foreign assistance abruptly halted services including mental health services, education for children, sewing or music classes, and even the distribution of things like diapers and toiletries provided by organizations in these third-party countries. We are only able to provide life sustaining services food and emergency medical, a US official said. Its unclear at this point what constitutes emergency medical services. For those still in Afghanistan, the impact of the freeze could mean placing them in immense danger of retaliation from the Taliban government. Some Afghans expecting to leave sold everything Lloyd explained that Afghans who were told they were on future flights have likely sold everything and left their homes to await their flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And now the flights have stopped and they have to return to what? Where do they return? If they return to their village, theyll be identified as somebody who did not make it out on a US flight, she said. The risk to Afghan allies who remained in the country is one that now-national security adviser Mike Waltz used to stress when he was serving as a lawmaker. In 2022, Waltz said the Biden administration abandoned Afghan allies and called for officials to be held accountable for the thousands of allies we abandoned and made unkept promises of security for their safety. Meanwhile, organizations have scrambled to deal with the impact of the aid suspension, and a separate memo placing an indefinite halt on providing services for refugees already in the United States. We have these immigrants here legally, who no longer have those services, theyre stuck in hotels. They came here with a backpack on their back, not with a shipment of household goods. They didnt come here with a large bank account. They came here because of the honorable and faithful service they gave to America, Lloyd told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several organizations including Task Force Argo and #AfghanEvac, a coalition of organizations that has been working to bring Afghan allies to safety since the end of the war in Afghanistan in 2021, have urged the administration to exempt Afghans allies from the freeze in services. Within the administration, conversations are also ongoing about what, if anything, can be done to carve out those Afghans who helped the US abroad, according to two sources. Its unclear if the impact to SIV recipients was an unintended consequence of the cable, the US official told CNN. If its not on purpose, it shouldnt be outside the realm of possibility to do a waiver, the official said. If they refuse to do a waiver, then whether it was unintended or not, its now on purpose. An expected 40,000 SIV recipients are expected to be impacted, according to #AfghanEvac. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The impact to SIV recipients is in addition to the already-impacted group of refugees around the world who have had flights cancelled after the Trump administration suspended the refugee admissions program. While SIV recipients must prove they worked directly for the US government, many who assisted the US are not eligible for SIVs and instead come to the US through the refugee track. That group of impacted individuals includes the families of roughly 200 US service members. To be eligible for a SIV, according to the State Department, an individual must prove that they were employed in Afghanistan for or on behalf of the US government for at least a year and provided faithful and valuable services, which is documented in a letter of recommendation. Many Afghans who worked for the US military, for example, submit letters of recommendation by US military commanders for whom they worked attesting to their service. Under the Biden administration, more than 180,000 Afghans were resettled following the collapse of the Afghan government to the Taliban and the withdrawal of the US, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We still have a lot more to do, Blinken said at the time. A lot more to do for Afghans in our country, a lot more to do for those who are still on the way. Trump administration officials have previously said they support Afghan allies who helped the US during its two decades in Afghanistan. Asked about Afghan allies on Monday morning during his arrival to the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told reporters, We stand by our allies. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Trump Administration announced today plans to put a complete pause on Federal loans and grants. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff released the following statement regarding the freeze, saying the following: "The Presidents suspension of Federal grants for Georgia threatens chaos. This erratic decision risks serious damage to health care, education, public safety, and local governments across our state." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senator Ossoff has not been the only critic of President Trumps decision, as the legality has been called to action. Click HERE to learn more. [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. Three juveniles were arrested in connection with an armed carjacking in New Haven on Monday afternoon, leading to a police pursuit that ended in a crash off of Interstate 91. Officers were approached at the Fair Haven Police Substation at 3:40 p.m. by two individuals who said their vehicle was stolen at gunpoint in the area of Monroe and Peck Streets, according to the New Haven Police Department. The two people said multiple males approached them and ordered them out of the vehicle, police said. One of the carjackers allegedly had a firearm and another had a knife, according to the alleged victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the alleged victims were describing the vehicle to police, it was seen being driven by the substation, police said. Officers followed the vehicle and pursued it onto I-91. As the driver tried to get off the highway on Exit 8, the vehicle crashed into a brush area off the exit, according to police. Three individuals got out of the vehicle and took off on foot. They were apprehended shortly thereafter, police said. All three suspects were identified as juveniles. One of them suffered minor injuries and was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital, according to police. Police said officers reportedly found a firearm in the stolen vehicle. All three juveniles were charged with first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, larceny of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle and weapon in a motor vehicle. The driver was also charged with engaging police in pursuit and reckless driving. Love is in the air especially in Valentine, a small town in far West Texas whose affection for Valentines Day is as evident as its name. Each year, this 71-person town comes alive with a grand celebration of love, attracting visitors from near and far with its heartfelt traditions and festive spirit. From the lively festival to its famed postal influence, Valentine becomes a hub of romance every February, drawing more than 1,000 visitors to celebrate Valentine's in Valentine. The town's beloved festival features Texas music, regional food, boot scootin and a deep sense of community that relishes the power of love in all forms whether through family, friends or romantic relationships making it a must-visit destination every February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Many people describe it as a combination of Luckenbach, Gruene Hall, Red Rocks Amphitheater and Old Mexico. You can even see old Mexico off in the distance, " the Valentine's in Valentine website states. "Yet, Valentine maintains its own distinct character, offering a throwback to a time when borders and boundaries were more suggestions than points on a map." The 13th annual Valentine's in Valentine will host its all-day festival this year on Feb. 15 from 2 p.m. "until the cows come home," at the original Valentine Mercantile. This year's heartthrobbing lineup features the Derailers, the Doug Moreland Band, Diferencia Conjunto, David Beebe 3, Desert Undertones and special guest Zor the FyreGod. Couples can twirl and sway to the music, getting close on the dance floor as they celebrate love under the Texas sky. Meanwhile, out-of-town visitors making the journey from miles away will turn their Valentine's Day into a true adventure, taking a picturesque road trip along the backroads of Texas to share in the magic of this unforgettable festival. How did Valentine, Texas, get its name? The story behind its name is as enchanting as the town itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Texas Monthly, Valentine earned its name in 1882 when a Southern Pacific Railroad work crew arrived in the small town on Feb. 14 Valentines Day. The serendipitous timing of the arrival led to the decision to name the town after the holiday, forever linking it to love and romance. This connection has since shaped the towns identity, turning it into a beloved destination for Valentines Day celebrations for generations. Despite its romantic origins, Valentine hasnt claimed the title of Valentines Day Capital. In fact, the title of Valentines Capital of the World is held by another Texas city: San Antonio. While its name might not be as intrinsically tied to the holiday, the San Antonio Zoo proudly embraces the title, thanks to a variety of events that draw couples and singles alike. To be fair, it might not have been entirely right for Valentine, Texas, to claim the title, as several other states have towns with the same name. Loveland, Colo., runs a similar love letter re-mailing program (although it uses the title "America's Sweetheart Capital"). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, none of this diminishes the love that Valentine, Texas, has to offer and its a celebration worth experiencing for all. How to get your love letter stamped from Valentine, Texas For more than three decades, the small-town Valentine Post Office also known as the Love Station has processed thousands of love letters from hopeless romantics around the world. In 2012, the U.S. Postal Service threatened to permanently close it due to its almost nonexistent activity outside of Valentine's season. However, a nationwide outcry from supporters ensured the post offices cherished tradition of spreading love would continue, Texas Monthly reported. Each year, thousands of cards are sent to Valentine, where Postmaster Ismelda Ornelas hand-cancels each one with care. She estimates between 10,000 and 12,000 each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will be my sixth Valentines Day as Postmaster," Ornelas said in this year's news release. "Yet, every year feels different; each brings a new experience, new artwork, new creativity. I truly enjoy stamping the Valentine postmark on every card and letter that comes through this post office and look forward to it every year." For nearly 35 years, the U.S. Postal Service has selected the towns postmark design through a contest among local seventh- to 12th-grade students. This years winning design was created by Ellie Terrazo, a seventh-grader and third-generation Valentine resident. Ellie Terrazo, a seventh-grade student in Valentine, was the winner of this year's competition. Ellies stamp features a scenic landscape with a campfire at its center an image inspired by cherished family traditions. My grandfather often has a campfire going during family outdoor events, she shared in the release, reflecting on the special memories that inspired her artwork. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But some inspiration also stems from the Valentines in Valentine outdoor concert in her hometown, where she noticed the campfire-style fire rings scattered throughout the venue, which brought those family memories to mind. Her design also includes a nod to the town with a sign that reads Love Station. Last year, senior Jajahira Rodriguez won with a heartfelt tribute to her tractor-driving father, who died in 2022. Last year, the Valentine Post Office chose Jajahira Rodriguez, then a senior from Van Horn, as the winning artist for the annual pictorial postmark. In the 2024 announcement, Ornelas described it as a true labor of love. "It never gets old," Ornelas said in the news release. "It is heartwarming to know I play a small part in connecting valentines all over the country from little Valentine, Texas." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To send your card to this tiny post office, simply follow these steps: Address your letter to your special person and affix a first-class mail postage stamp on the envelope. Place the envelope inside a larger envelope with proper postage. Mail the larger envelope to the Valentine postmaster: Valentines Day postmarkPostmaster311 W. California Ave.Valentine, TX 79854-9998 The first 50 cancellations are free. After that, its just 5 cents for each additional cancellation. But dont let the term "cancellation" fool you it simply refers to the process by which the post office stamps a letter or package to mark it as processed and ready for delivery. This involves placing a stamp or marking over the postage to cancel out its value, ensuring it can't be reused. As long as the correct address is on the smaller card inside, your letter will reach its intended destination. (And whether it will be on time for the biggest day of love depends on how early you send it.) Where is Valentine, Texas? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: How to get your love letter stamped from Valentine, Texas Republican Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, has introduced legislation that would help the Isaac Elementary School District pay its employees for the next two weeks. Gress said the House Education Committee he chairs would hear the bill during a special meeting Tuesday afternoon. The bill, if passed, would direct Maricopa County Treasurer John Allen to issue $2.5 million to cover one payroll and remove the district's school board members from office. The money would be an advance on Isaac's basic state aid, according to the bill, House Bill 2610. Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne on Monday urged emergency legislation to ensure Isaac Elementary School District employees are paid this week amid a financial crisis that led to the district's takeover by the state. Advertisement Advertisement Horne also announced Monday that the U.S. Department of Education agreed to release $6 million in federal pandemic relief funds the district had previously forfeited after failing to submit a required report on time. However, that money would not be available by the district's next payday on Tuesday, Horne said. Plus, the Maricopa County Treasurer's Office said Monday afternoon that the federal funding would go toward debt the district owes the county and would still leave the district's finances with an overall negative balance. According to Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chair Thomas Galvin, the district owes Maricopa County $28.5 million. "The district must demonstrate the ability to offset its existing fund deficits and registered warrants before subsequent expenses can be honored," Jordan Dale, Maricopa County Treasurer John Allen's chief of staff, said in a statement. The $6 million would "reduce the amount that needs to be repaid to Maricopa County, but the districts finances are still negative overall." Dale said the Treasurer's Office is "waiting to hear the proposed solutions for offsetting the remaining amount that needs to be repaid." If Gress' bill passes on an emergency basis, Horne said, the Arizona Department of Education would "immediately send an advance on our basic state aid" to the county to pay payroll. Advertisement Advertisement The legislation introduced by Gress would not be able to move quickly enough to ensure employees receive their direct deposits Wednesday morning, Gress said. He anticipated the legislation would reach the governor's desk by Friday. "At this point, our number one priority is keeping the schools open for the next two weeks," Gress said. "The Legislature is not a very nimble body, and the larger conversation will take time to hash out." Gress said he wants to see the district remain open for the rest of the school year to avoid interrupting students' education. But the district is "so far in the hole" and has been "so poorly run" that Gress said he thought there should be a discussion about what to do with the district in the long term, which could include consolidating it with another school district. "They have a declining enrollment, they have a declining tax base, so those contributed to the financial disaster that theyre in right now," Gress said. On Monday, House Republican leaders called on Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell to open criminal investigations into the "mismanagement and potential corruption" that led to the district's financial crisis. Meanwhile, Isaac Elementary parents and teachers rallied at the state Capitol, demanding that Allen release funding to keep the district running. Isaac Elementary placed under state control over millions in debt Two weeks ago, the Arizona State Board of Education voted to place Isaac Elementary under receivership because it had overspent its budget by millions. Keith Kenny, a director at the consulting firm J.S. Held, now oversees the district's operations. Last week, the district's superintendent and chief financial officer resigned. Advertisement Advertisement Isaac Elementary serves approximately 4,800 K-8 students in Phoenix. More than 40% of Isaac Elementary's students are English language learners, and more than 90% qualify for free and reduced lunch, according to the district. Meals & groceries for cheap: Where to find help getting meals and groceries in Phoenix if you're struggling Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Gov. Katie Hobbs last week asked Maricopa County to continue payments so the district could fund payroll and transportation. An attorney for Allen, however, told Mayes that the treasurer "no longer has statutory authority to continue honoring proposed expenditures by the Isaac School District because its account balances are so far in the negative." On Thursday, Isaac Elementary staff told the district's Governing Board they were worried they would not be paid. Kenny said he was trying to secure emergency funding through multiple avenues. Advertisement Advertisement In a Friday email, Galvin told Kenny that Isaac Elementary faces "a far larger fiscal challenge than was initially understood." The district received almost $30 million in financial support from the county, which it has "no clear plan to repay," Galvin wrote. That included $16.6 million in fund deficits "being carried by the Treasurer's Office," $8 million in tax anticipation notes due for repayment in July 2025 and $3.9 million in registered warrants being paid out of the Treasurer's Office. "As you can see, Maricopa County has extended every resource possible to the school district and is now at its statutory limit," Galvin said in the e-mail. "As education is a state responsibility under the Arizona constitution, we encourage you to seek appropriate solutions from the state." According to Marisol Garcia, the president of the Arizona Education Association, a union representing educators across the state, teachers in the district still did not know as of early Monday afternoon whether they would be paid Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement "We sent over 3,000 emails to County Treasurer Allen pleading with him to please release the warrants," Garcia said. "The people that he found untrustworthy are no longer there." Republic reporter Mary Jo Pitzl contributed to this report. Reach the reporter at mparrish@arizonarepublic.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Emergency funds could help pay Isaac district workers for 2 weeks MADISON Wisconsin officials scrambled Tuesday to make sense of a sweeping order from President Donald Trump to freeze federal assistance payments as his administration assesses spending, with the Democratic governor pleading with Trump not to disrupt programs for children and low-income residents. By the end of the day, Evers had pledged to join a lawsuit, arguing Wisconsinites "are rightfully alarmed and concerned by this unprecedented decision," and a federal judge had blocked the move temporarily. Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress supported the freeze, citing a need to get spending under control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's about time. Somebody's gotta do it," U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson said of reviewing federal expenditures. "This is completely out of control." Trump's order freezing federal grants sent shockwaves through Wisconsin government on Tuesday as officials sought to understand how the move could impact agencies and infrastructure projects across the state. Evers, the Democratic governor, sent a letter to Trump early Tuesday seeking more guidance about which programs in the state would be affected and pleaded for a delay. He also planned to add Wisconsin to a multistate lawsuit to delay the orders implementation, according to a source with knowledge of the plans. "According to the memo, beginning at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 28, the Trump Administration will begin indefinitely withholding federal tax dollars from Wisconsin that were already approved by the U.S. Congress, leaving billions sitting in Washington, D.C. that help kids, families, and businesses in Wisconsin and across America every day," Evers wrote. "With very few details and specifics available, virtually no time for ample review and consideration, and no direct communication to date, states are left to plan for the worst." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokeswoman for Trump did not respond to Evers' letter. Wisconsin's state government receives $28 billion in federal assistance, 61% of which is routed to the Department of Health Services where the bulk is spent on Medicaid programs, according to the state Legislature's nonpartisan fiscal bureau. The rest is spent largely on services for low-income families and programs for public schools, the University of Wisconsin System and the state Department of Transportation. Evers is planning to release a two-year state budget plan on Feb. 18. The new directive from the Trump administration could push Evers officials to rewrite their spending plan but a spokeswoman did not know how the order could affect their work as of Tuesday. "I have consistently said that I will work with anyone who is willing to do the right thing for the people of Wisconsin that remains my commitment. I am also deeply concerned that these actions could have disastrous consequences for the people of Wisconsin and our state," Evers wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans, however, largely backed Trump's decision and painted it as a way for the Trump administration to review current federal spending levels. Johnson, Wisconsin's top Republican, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Tuesday he anticipated the review lasting "a couple weeks." He dismissed questions about the potential impact of the freeze on the state, claiming "most of the things that people rely on are exempt." He did not provide details. Impact on state budget unclear A spokeswoman for Rep. Mark Born, a Republican co-chairman of the Legislature's budget-writing committee, said the committee leaders would "continue to monitor any actions that may impact the Wisconsin budget. Sen. Kelda Roys, a Democrat on the budget-writing committee, blasted the president's decision to freeze the funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's too early to know the full extent of the damage, but this is a direct attack on working families. Millions of Wisconsinites are going to be harmed by this," Roys said in an interview. "At a time when people are already feeling crunched ... if you actually cared about the fact that costs are expensive for families, this is the opposite of what you would do. This just shows so much contempt for people who are working hard to take care of their families." Officials scramble to identify what Wisconsin programs could be impacted The broad order from the White House led to confusion Tuesday in both Washington and Wisconsin, as state officials and agencies sought to identify programs that could be impacted. Schools in Wisconsin could see a big hit to their programs depending on how the freeze is carried out, according to a spokesman for the state Department of Public Instruction, which distributes federal aid to school districts. DPI spokesman Chris Bucher said areas like special education, school nutrition, programs that support low-income students and technology could be affected. We are currently working to understand the full impact of this directive on our students, educators, and school programs across the state. Federal grants and funding are essential to giving Wisconsin students the support they need to succeed," DPI state superintendent Jill Underly said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Education told the Journal Sentinel that the freeze only applies to discretionary grants within the department and will not affect funding for programs for students from low-income households or students with disabilities. A spokesman for Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said the memo has raised very serious concerns for the mayor. He noted agencies from police and fire to health and housing rely on federal funding and said Johnson was working to fully analyze the implications. A spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services said that, while the situation is fluid, a flurry of county-based public health departments have been reaching out all morning about how this freeze would impact them. Morgan Finke, communications coordinator for Public Health Madison & Dane County, told the Journal Sentinel that while the public health department doesnt receive any direct federal funding, there are a number of grants from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services that are from federal services, for example. Members of Congress asking for more specifics In Washington, scores of members of Congress, including Wisconsin Democratic U.S. Reps. Mark Pocan and Gwen Moore, sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Matthew Vaeth on Tuesday requesting an itemized list of programs and projects put on hold because of the order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The members said the White House memo provides only a series of broad, subjective policy objectives, rather than detailed guidelines specifying which projects ought to be frozen. Agencies will submit a list of programs potentially affected by Feb. 10. Trumps unprecedented decision to suspend ALL federal grants, loans, & other financial aid will have a devastating impact on EVERY community across the country, Pocan wrote on X. Moore, who represents the Milwaukee area, questioned the constitutionality of Trump's decision, noting that the Constitution gives Congress the power to appropriate funding, not the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If MAGA goes through with this unconstitutional move straight out of the Project 2025 playbook, this will have sweeping consequences," Moore said. Programs like Head Start, a federally funded after-school program for children from low-income families, could be affected by the freeze. "As a Head Start parent, I know how important funding child care programs for low income families is," Moore said. "Losing that access would force poor parents out of the workforce." The order led some Democratic senators to oppose the confirmation of former Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy as secretary of transportation out of protest. Still, Republicans on Capitol Hill largely defended Trump's move. Several Wisconsin Republicans painted the decision as an oversight mechanism that allows the Trump administration to review current federal spending and make adjustments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson, Wisconsin's senior senator, told the Journal Sentinel he viewed the move as a way to "put some control over federal spending." The state's six GOP House members were in Florida for a week-long conference retreat at a Trump golf resort as news of the order rattled Washington and the country. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a Republican who represents the 7th Congressional District and is considering a run for governor, also signaled he supported the move. "President Trump pledged to bring greater accountability on how taxpayer dollars are being spent, and he is delivering on that promise. The temporary funding pause allows his administration to review spending, ensuring funds are directed toward initiatives that benefit the American people," Tiffany said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Rep. Bryan Steil, who represents the southeastern 1st Congressional District, in a statement said only that he was "reviewing" Trump's action and "looking to get additional clarity to ensure important local services are not impacted." Alison Dirr, Kelly Meyerhofer and Natalie Eilbert of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report. (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tony Evers asks Trump to delay federal freeze as move sends shockwaves Jan. 28The family of an autistic, nonverbal child has re-filed a lawsuit against Dayton Public Schools and the paraprofessional who was caught on video last August hitting then three-year-old Braylen Tootle in the head and picking him up by his feet in a hallway as the child ran away from a classroom. The civil case was originally filed last July, but was dismissed voluntarily in October, according to court records. Attorneys Michael L. Wright, a partner at Wright & Schulte, and Kesha Brooks, the lead attorney on the case, submitted the case again in January. Brooks said the lawsuit was dismissed and refiled because the criminal case against Darrick T. Sorrells, the paraprofessional involved in the case, brought new information to light and more information needed to be included in the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sorrells has been sentenced to probation for up to five years. He pleaded guilty Sept. 5 to assault and a misdemeanor endangering children charge. A second endangering children count was dismissed as part of his plea. In Ohio, people who are found incompetent often are eventually brought to trial, though it can take years before that happens. Being incompetent means the defendant does not understand the proceedings or cannot assist with their defense under Ohio law. Video from Rosa Parks Early Childhood Learning Center showed Sorrells on Aug. 21, 2023, pulling 3-year-old student Braylen Tootle in a wagon down a hallway when the boy got out and started running. Sorrells could be seen in the footage knocking the boy to the floor and then picking him up by the ankles. Another employee saw the incident and took the child away from Sorrells. Dayton Public Schools superintendent David Lawrence said in a prior statement the district took immediate action to address the incident in August 2023, noting Sorrells was placed on leave the same day and is no longer employed with DPS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawrence said the child's parents, Robert Tootle and Taneshia Lindsay, were notified the same day, though the parents say they did not understand the full scope of the problem until Child Protective Services reached out. The parents also said last year they were not notified of the incident until school pickup. Dayton Public also held a meeting at Rosa Parks Early Learning Center, where the incident occurred, to talk to families and address questions and concerns. The district added staff development days this year too. "Student safety is the District's utmost priority, and all matters involving student well-being are taken very seriously," Lawrence said in July. The district said they did not have anything additional to add to previous statements. Several people are feared dead in a stampede at the massive Maha Kumbh festival in India PRAYAGRAJ, India (AP) Several people were feared dead and many more injured in a stampede early Wednesday as tens of thousands of Hindus rushed to take a holy bath in the river at the massive Maha Kumbh festival in northern India 's Prayagraj city, local media reported. Distressed families lined up outside a makeshift hospital inquiring about their missing relatives, rescuers were helping the injured and police tried to manage the crowds. Peoples belongings like clothes, blankets and backpacks were strewn around the scene of the stampede. It was not immediately clear what triggered the panic or how many people had been hurt. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Federal prosecutors are echoing the call to the community to come forward if they were involved in the scheme or targeted by officers or attorneys. The states chief federal prosecutor sat down with KRQE Investigates, finally speaking publicly about a tight-lipped investigation. Related Coverage: These federal charges against Rick Mendez outline a corruption scheme that goes beyond just officers within the Albuquerque Police Department and traces back decades. KRQE asked New Mexicos U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez when the community will see others held accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the year since the public learned about a federal corruption investigation into Albuquerque Police officers getting paid to get DWI cases dismissed, KRQE Investigates uncovered pieces of the scheme that federal court documents now confirm. This is an important one, Uballez told KRQE. You know, your coverage and the publics response to your coverage demonstrates that. New Mexicos U.S. Attorney points out this court case is starting with a conviction; an admission of guilt by the first person to take the fall for RICO conspiracy charges, Ricardo Rick Mendez. This is clearly just the beginning of the court side of this investigation, and the public can expect and by looking at the facts, know that more will come, said Uballez. Mendez was the paralegal for defense attorney Thomas Clear IIIs office. Mendezs voice is heard in a recording KRQE reported on last year when Carlos Smith came forward saying APD officer Joshua Montano put him in touch with Clears office after a DWI arrest. Below is a transcript of a portion of that interaction Smith said he had with Mendez: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paralegal: Were not the cheapest. Smith: Okay. Paralegal: So we charge $8,500 and you could do it in payments. Smith: And with you representing me, that would guarantee that this doesnt go on my record? Paralegal: Yes. According to his federal plea deal, Mendez said thats basically how the scheme worked. Officers would funnel DWI suspects to Mendez and Clears office by confiscating the persons drivers license, or in Smiths case, his bracelet, and passing it along to Mendez. Hey Carlos, this is Officer Montano with APD, said Montano in the voice message to Smith. I was just giving you a call because I I dont know if you realize, but Im sure you do that some of your jewelry was missing from the property from Sunday evening. And it looks like the PTC {Prisoner Transport} officers didnt put that in your bag, but I have it. You know, weve figured out how this works, and we wont let it happen again, Uballez told KRQE. According to his plea, Mendez explained if a person paid up, hed conspire with officers to ensure they missed court. According to the plea, officers were not only paid cash for the DWI dismissal, they also received other benefits and things of value, including but not limited to free legal services, gift cards, hotel rooms, and other gifts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents go on to state senior officers helped recruit and train the next generation of Officer Membersto join the DWI Enterprise. Knowing this goes back decades, KRQE asked Uballez how the public can trust New Mexicos justice system. Knowing that there are people watching, there are people who care, Uballez explained. Whenever we end up in court on a on a criminal matter, its dual evidence, one of bad things that have happened. But two, and I think the more important and hopeful message, is that people care enough to stop those bad things and that we will hold people accountable, Uballez added. As a result of certain officers losing credibility due to this investigation, at least 200 DWI cases were dismissed in Bernalillo County over the last year. What the public doesnt know is how many cases were never properly filed or dismissed in the decades of this DWI Enterprise operating in the shadows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far no attorneys or officers at this point have faced federal charges, and its unclear when exactly that may happen. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 YORK (AP) Two high-ranking New York City police chiefs violated department policy by attacking civil servants and journalists with unprofessional and demeaning social media posts, an independent monitor found. In a report released Tuesday, the Office of the Inspector General for the NYPD faulted the departments current top uniformed member, John Chell, along with Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry for posts published on X last year that served to diminish senior law enforcement officers in the eyes of the public. The online vitriol coincided with an explicit push by the nations largest police force to control the narrative" by creating their own media apparatus and going after those seen as hostile to the departments goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their report, investigators outlined several instances of inappropriate online behavior, including a post from Chells official X account that accused a New York judge of letting a predator loose on the citys streets. He later acknowledged that he had misidentified the judge. Chell also described a progressive member of the City Council as a person who hates our city after she questioned the NYPDs response to campus protests against Israel. In another missive attacking the lawmaker, Chell told his followers to vote the change you seek. That message could potentially run afoul of the Hatch Act, a federal law that bars political activity of government employees who work in connection with federal programs, according to the report. At minimum, investigators said the online name-calling defied basic internal guidelines. They violated department policies related to being courteous and civil, and raise questions with respect to whether they may be deemed prohibited engagement in political activity by City employees, the report stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the NYPD said the agency had made significant changes to its social media practices since the probe began last year. The spokesperson did not respond to questions about whether any officials would face consequences for violating department policy. On multiple occasions, both Chell and Daughtry bestowed mocking nicknames on journalists, who they accused of spreading misinformation about the administration's achievements. At the time, Mayor Eric Adams, a former police captain, defended officials for standing up for police officers who are placing their lives on the line." Last month, Chell was named chief of the department, replacing another Adams ally who resigned following allegations of sexual abuse. Rendy Desamours, a spokesperson for the City Council, said the investigation made clear that the NYPD must align its social media practices with the Citys established policy and maintain strong oversight to ensure compliance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ensuring the NYPDs social practices are appropriate and respectful requires the Department to hold those found to have violated policies accountable, the statement continued. In the report, the inspector general said the aggressive messages had stopped after the probe began last year though not because of any official change in department policies around social media. Rather, the department recognized that it could respond effectively to criticism without creating a public backlash, the report said. WASHINGTON (AP) For years, conservative activist Ed Martin has promoted Donald Trump's false claims about a stolen 2020 election, railed against the prosecution of the rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol and represented some of them in court. Now he's leading the office that prosecuted the nearly 1,600 defendants charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot before Trump now back in the White House ended the largest investigation in Justice Department history with the stroke of a pen. Martin's first week as the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia ushered in a dizzying sea change for the office's rank-and-file prosecutors. He oversaw the dismissals of hundreds of Jan. 6 cases and celebrated Trump's pardons for police officers and anti-abortion activists who had been prosecuted by attorneys in the office. And on Monday, Martin ordered an internal review of prosecutors' use of a felony charge brought against hundreds of Capitol rioters, directing employees to hand over files, emails and other documents, according to an email obtained by The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appointment of Martin, the former head of the Missouri Republican Party, underscores Trump's commitment to installing loyalists in key positions at the Justice Department, which the Republican president contends was weaponized against him and his supporters by President Joe Biden's administration. Mike Davis, a Trump ally, called Martin in a social media post a bold and fearless leader who will clean house" at the office, which Davis described as an epicenter of the lawfare and political persecution. Martin told employees in an email that he was alongside Trump in the Oval Office when the president granted clemency last week to two Washington police officers prosecuted by the U.S. attorney's office for their part in the deadly chase of a man on a moped and the subsequent cover-up. And in a social media post last week, Martin appeared to describe federal prosecutors as the President's lawyers. Based on the public reporting, it appears that he is in this role purely to execute on the presidents political priorities more so than the work of protecting public safety in Washington, said Alexis Loeb, who was deputy chief of the section that prosecuted the Jan. 6 cases before leaving the government last year. Its unclear whether Trump intends to nominate Martin to the permanent post, which would require Senate confirmation. A White House spokesperson didnt immediately respond to a text message about Martin on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. attorneys office declined to make Martin available for an interview with The Associated Press on Monday and didnt immediately respond to questions about the internal review he ordered. In a statement released this week by his office, Martin thanked Trump for trusting him to help re-establish law and order in Washington. I pledge to work as hard as he does for America, even though no one outworks him, Martin said of the president. Shortly after Trumps sweeping clemency order, Martins name showed up last on a flurry of court filings seeking to dismiss the pending Jan. 6 prosecutions, including cases against people charged with assaulting police officers. Prosecutors were directed last week to refer to Martin in court papers simply as U.S. Attorney Ed Martin after some filed documents describing him as the acting top prosecutor, according to a former federal prosecutor who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of persistent threats of violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One week later, Martin announced a special project to review the use of an obstruction felony charge brought against hundreds of Capitol riot defendants. Prosecutors had to drop the obstruction of an official proceeding charge in many cases after a Supreme Court ruling last year limiting the offense, finding it must include proof that defendants tried to tamper with or destroy documents. Calling the use of the charge a great failure of our office, Martin ordered attorneys to hand over to two supervisors all relevant files, documents, notes, emails and other information," according to a copy of the email reviewed by the AP. He ordered the supervisors to provide a preliminary report on the matter to him by Friday. We need to get to the bottom of it, Martin wrote. Hes calling it the 1512 Project, because the offense falls under that section of the law. Trump's clemency action led to the release of more than 200 people in federal custody, including people seen on camera engaging in hand-to-hand combat with police and violently attacking law enforcement with makeshift weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President JD Vance, who previously said violent rioters should obviously not be pardoned, defended Trump's action in a CBS interview that aired Sunday. Vance alleged, without providing evidence, that the Jan. 6 defendants were denied constitutional protections." Ashley Akers, who prosecuted dozens of Jan. 6 cases before leaving the Justice Department on Friday, said Vance is misleading the American public in an attempt to excuse the unjustifiable blanket pardon of rioters who overtook the United States Capitol. Its telling that he has not identified a single example of how these defendants constitutional rights have been violated, Akers said. "The evidence in the public record speaks for itself. After Trump's clemency order, Martin urged a judge to drop restrictions barring Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and several other Jan. 6 defendants from entering Washington and the Capitol building. Martin said that if a judge barred visits to Washington from people pardoned by Joe Biden like the former presidents brother, Jim, or Gen. Mark Milley I believe most Americans would object. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta changed course Monday, ruling that Rhodes and other Oath Keepers with commuted prison sentences are not bound by the travel restrictions he ordered last week. Martin spoke at a Stop the Steal rally on the eve of the riot and served on the board of a group called the Patriot Freedom Project, which has raised money to support Jan. 6 defendants and their families. Court filings listed him as an attorney for at least three Capitol riot defendants, including a Proud Boys member who pleaded guilty to felony charges. A day before the Capitol riot, Martin led an audience in a Stop the Steal chant during a rally in Washington. What theyre stealing is not just an election. Its our future and its our republic, he told the crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next day, Martin attended Trumps Jan. 6 rally near the White House and posted messages on social media about the crowd. Im at the Capitol right now, Martin tweeted after the riot erupted. Rowdy crowd but nothing out of hand. Ignore the #FakeNews. On a blog, he has parroted some of Trumps rhetoric about the deep state, a politically weaponized Justice Department and the events of Jan. 6, 2021. Martin said he has watched thousands of hours of video from that day. And, if you watch it for a while you realize that 99.9% of it is normal people doing normal things: sauntering around and through the Capitol grounds and building, he wrote. The Trump administration has ordered dozens of top career employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development to go on administrative leave, according to six people told of the decision. The order sent via email to members of the senior executive and senior Foreign Service was issued close to the end of the business day Monday and was effective immediately, according to two current USAID officials and three former USAID officials told of the communication. It comes as USAID and the State Department have been ordered to impose halts on a vast number of humanitarian and related programs around the world. The decision appears to affect nearly every career staffer who holds a top leadership role at the agency, at least in Washington around 60 officials, the current and former officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cuts have left many offices within the agency entirely devoid of senior non-political leadership. The entire cadre of leaders who run USAIDs bureau for global health, for example, was put on leave, according to two of the officials. "This is a huge morale hit," said a former senior Trump administration official who was also told of the move. "This is the leadership of the agency. This is like taking out all the generals. I don't know what they hope to accomplish by it. A spokesperson for USAID did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The administrative leave means the people affected will continue to get paid. It was not immediately clear how long it would last. But it comes as Trump officials seek to stamp out any internal dissent from within federal agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acting USAID Administrator Jason Gray sent an email to all staff later Monday saying the decision was related to apparent efforts of some staffers to obstruct recent directives from President Donald Trump. We have identified several actions within USAID that appear to be designed to circumvent the presidents executive orders and the mandate from the American people, he wrote in the email, a copy of which was obtained by POLITICO. As a result, we have placed a number of USAID employees on administrative leave with full pay and benefits until further notice while we complete our analysis of these actions.Gray did not say what the alleged actions were or the number or names of employees in question. The Trump administration has already sought an array of means to trim the federal workforce, including pulling job offers from recent hires and cutting special recruitment programs. Trump on Friday fired around 17 inspectors general, though many of the people fired and Democratic lawmakers contend his way of ousting the government watchdogs violated the law. USAID has faced intense scrutiny by the new administration, which has many officials who are skeptical of foreign assistance. A recent directive ordered agency officials not to communicate with outside institutions not even the State Department without top-level approval. DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) Trains were canceled across Bangladesh on Tuesday as railway staff went on strike for higher pensions and other benefits, affecting tens of thousands of passengers and freight transport. Saidur Rahman, acting president of the Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers Union, said the strike was called after a meeting with the interim government headed by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus failed to reach a deal late Monday. Rahman said the strike would continue indefinitely if the government does not accept their demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state-run railway system carries some 65 million passengers per year in the densely populated nation of 170 million people. It employs about 25,000 people and operates a network of over 36,000 kilometers (22,000 miles). The main Kamlapur Railway Station in the capital, Dhaka, was mobbed by hundreds of disappointed passengers who were not aware of the strike. Many waited for hours before going home. As the country's railway adviser visited, passengers shouted complaints. Fouzul Kabir Khan, the country's railway affairs adviser, told reporters that such a nationwide strike was regrettable and he urged the protesters to end the strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that doors for discussion were open to resolve the standoff. Shahadat Hossain, a station manager in Dhaka, said at least 10 trains were scheduled to leave the station on Tuesday morning. Authorities arranged buses as an alternative, but they were not enough to meet demand. Mohammed Nadim was stranded at the Kamlapur Railway Station as he travelled hundreds of kilometers overnight to reach Dhaka for his vacation to the southern coastal district of Cox's Bazar. I came here in at 5:30 a.m. from outside Dhaka. But after one hour or so, I came to know that my train will not run. Now I have been stranded here for hours without any hope. The station officials told me my ticket money will be reimbursed, but I don't know when, he told The Associated Press at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He refused to travel to his destination by a bus as arranged by the authorities as an alternative. It's too far. I have come here to travel by train. I don't want to travel this far by an air-conditioned bus even. Now they are offering me this bus that has no air-condition, he said. Dhaka-based Jamuna TV station reported that railway workers protested in Chattogram, the country's second largest city. The southeastern city has the country's largest seaport, and the massive garment industry relies on trains to bring goods to it for export. The industry earns about $38 billion a year from exports, mainly to the United States and the European Union. In the northwestern region of Rajshahi, angry passengers smashed furniture of a station and attacked a staff, according to Jamuna TV. The Yunus-led interim government has been running the country since August, when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India amid a student-led uprising and ended her 15-year rule. The interim administration is struggling to restore order amid reports by the global lending agencies such as the World Bank or the Asian Development Bank of slower economic growth. With the announcement of the 97th Academy Awards nominations, one selection has proven to be the most historic and controversial. Celebrated for her work in Emilia Perez, Karla Sofia Gascon became the first openly transgender performer nominated for best actress. The nomination represents a breakthrough for trans stories at the Academy Awards. Today, it is proven that art does not understand hate," Gascon told The Hollywood Reporter. "No one can question my work, even less the fact that I am an actress. An actress who deserves to be recognized solely and exclusively for her sublime performance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, the film has also faced a wave of backlash, with GLAAD, an LGBTQ advocacy group, calling the film a profoundly retrograde portrayal of a trans woman and a step backward for trans representation. Critics argue that the film relies on trans stereotypes, neglecting meaningful character development and the deeper motivations for Gascons titular Perez. Few of these criticisms have been lobbied at Gascon herself; rather, the concerns have been over her part and the role she was asked to play for the production. This centers on a critical debate: At the Oscars, are we celebrating the part or the person? This is not a new conversation but the latest chapter in a long history of breaking barriers at the Academy Awards. What it means to be 'first' In 1940, Hattie McDaniels best supporting actress victory for Gone With the Wind was greeted with a similar range of controversy, debate and condemnation. The film, lauded for its epic scope but criticized for romanticizing the South and its portrayal of slavery, featured McDaniel as "Mammy," Scarlett O'Hara's enslaved servant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the role's racist stereotypes, many Black writers of the time praised McDaniel's emotional depth in the performance. Yet, a vocal contingent also feared the award could gloss over the realities of the Jim Crow South and continue to perpetuate stereotypes. Lillian Johnson, a columnist for the Afro-American newspaper, denounced the victory and said, Miss McDaniel has won next to the highest award that the motion picture industry can grant, it is of no importance that she was such a good Mammy that she is now 1939s finest actress. She particularly focused on how the win was described as an act of tolerance in many mainstream newspapers. Opinion: Social media influencers sell fake lives to teens. Anxiety, depression follow. For Johnson, the moment wasnt about who won the award but what they were winning for. It is one thing to contend for a right and win it when only the right is at stake, she said, noting the awards significance to her community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, as Johnson feared, McDaniels first failed to translate into broader reform. In 1947, James Baskett became the second Black Oscar winner, receiving an honorary award for Disneys Song of the South, another film criticized for emboldening racist tropes. Trans representation at the Oscars Gascons nomination should also be contextualized within the legacy of trans depictions at the ceremony. Nine cisgender actors have been nominated for playing transgender characters, including Chris Sarandon in Dog Day Afternoon in 1975; Hilary Swank in Boys Dont Cry in 2000; Jared Leto in Dallas Buyers Club in 2014; and, most recently, Eddie Redmayne in The Danish Girl in 2015. Swank and Leto both took home Oscars. Jaye Davidsons nomination for best supporting actor in 1993 for The Crying Game was perhaps the most contentious. Davisons character passes as female for most of the movie until a notorious full-frontal nude reveal, described as the films shocking twist. The Crying Game was Davidsons first movie performance, and his status as an unknown further perpetuated speculation about his identity. Writers asked whether Davidson would dress in drag when he attended the ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the award season, much of the discourse misconstrued being gay and effeminate as identical to being trans. During the Oscar ceremony, presenter Mercedes Ruehl joked: In this year of women in film, I am here to present an award for a category in which women have traditionally found it difficult to gain a toehold: best supporting actor. Even when giving nuanced performances, trans portrayals were pushed for shock value and greeted as comedic. In this respect, there has been consistent progress. More recent nominations from films like Dallas Buyers Club and The Danish Girl, both directed by cisgender men, have focused on more sympathetic portrayals of the trans experience. Yet, there have been growing calls for more opportunities to allow transgender actors to perform their own experiences on screen. The issue extends to behind the camera, begging the question: What if people from within these communities could just tell their own stories? 'Emilia Perez' and representation today Karla Sofia Gascon speaks at the Palm Springs International Film Awards in Palm Springs, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. Gascons nomination comes 10 years since #OscarsSoWhite called attention to the legacy of racial exclusion at the ceremony. The movement's principles have also been applied to discussions about gender, women behind the camera and opportunities for trans and nonbinary performers. In the lead actress category, there have been several significant firsts, including Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once), the first Asian woman to win best actress, and Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon), the first Indigenous American woman to receive a nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For her part, this year Gascon has urged Oscar voters to focus solely on the merit of her performance rather than its historic nature. Yet, her nomination also places her at the forefront of a long history of trans portrayals at the Oscars and a current controversy about Emilia Perez itself. Simply put, it cannot be viewed alone. Though these are not new conversations, as we see more representation at the ceremony, questions remain about the roles offered to performers and a desire for the next wave of Hollywood introspection. It remains to be seen if Gascon and Emilia Perez will be triumphant at the ceremony, but what would it mean? Monica R. Sandler is an assistant teaching professor in the Department of Media at Ball State University. Her research examines the history of the Academy Awards and the movie awards season. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Karla Sofia Gascon's Oscar bid brings familiar criticism | Opinion An incarcerated transgender woman is suing Donald Trump over an executive order that would forcibly move trans women like her into mens facilities, exposing her to an extremely high risk of harassment, abuse, violence, and sexual assault. The lawsuit the first federal complaint responding to Trumps executive order was filed by lawyers with the National Center for Lesbian Rights and GLBTQ Advocates and Defenders. Trumps order directs the federal government to recognize only two immutable biological sexes: male and female. All government documents must accurately reflect the holders sex as either male or female, according to the order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order also directs the Bureau of Prisons to move trans women into mens prisons, and cuts inmates access to gender-affirming healthcare. The plaintiff in the new lawsuit, identified anonymously as Maria Moe, is diagnosed with gender dysphoria and began transitioning in middle school. She has been taking feminizing hormones since she was 15 years old, and during her term of incarceration, she has always been treated as a woman by federal correctional officials and her peers, according to the complaint. But on January 21, she was segregated from the general population at a womens facility, moved into a special housing unit, and told that she would be transferred to a mens prison, the lawsuit states. On January 25, prison records suddenly classified her as male, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She remains in the special housing unit, pending transfer. Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20 to create a news federal government definition of sexes with far-reaching impacts for LGBT+ Americans (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) If Maria Moe is transferred to a mens facility, she will not be safe, the lawsuit states. She will be at an extremely high risk of harassment, abuse, violence, and sexual assault. She may be subject to strip searches by male correctional officers. She may be forced to shower in full view of men who are incarcerated. And she will predictably experience worsening gender dysphoria, which can lead to serious harm, including dramatically increased rates of suicidality and depression, the suit added. The lawsuit accuses Trump and administration officials of discriminating against Moe on the basis of sex in violation of her due process rights under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Her transfer to a mens prison also would violate the Eighth Amendments prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, the lawsuit states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presidents blanket ban that denies her affirming healthcare regardless of medical necessity will deprive Maria Moe of essential medication she has taken continuously since she was a teenager, putting her at high risk of serious harm, the lawsuit states. Department of Justice policies established in 2012 instructs prison officials to perform individual assessments to determine an inmates risk of sexual victimization, including whether they are transgender, to determine where they are housed. LGBT+ advocates have also warned that eliminating protections for trans women who are at risk of violence conflicts with protections under the Prison Rape Elimination Act. This puts them at a severely heightened risk of sexual assault and abuse by other incarcerated persons and prison staff, the ACLU said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the more than 140,000 people in federal prisons and jails, about 2,000 roughly 1 percent identify as transgender, according to Bureau of Prisons data reviewed by the Marshall Project. In 2022, the bureau spent $153,000 or less than .01 percent of its overall healthcare budget on gender-affirming care. Only 10 trans women in federal prisons were housed in female prisons in 2023, the Marshall Project found. A lack of gender-accurate housing, compounded by difficulties accessing gender-affirming care, have subjected trans inmates to extreme abuse, The Independent previously reported. Incarcerated trans people are 10 times as likely to report being sexually victimized as other prisoners, according to federal data. Trumps executive order is a direct attack on transgender Americans, deliberately making it harder for people to live their everyday lives. It is cruel, and it is wrong, according to GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders executive director Ricardo Martinez. The administration is trying to create fear and sow chaos by its statements and orders, but no executive action can change the fundamental truth that transgender people are vital members of our families and communities, Martinez said in a statement. Like all people, transgender people deserve dignity, respect, and the freedom to live without fear of government-sanctioned harm. Several trans women incarcerated in federal womens facilities have been moved into isolation and notified they will be transferred to mens facilities, advocates told HuffPost. The women were moved in the days following President Donald Trumps signing of a sweeping executive order that redefines sex and excludes transgender people from sex discrimination protections. The order, signed during Trumps first few hours in office, declared there are only two sexes, male and female and called on government officials to ensure that no transgender women are in womens detention centers and that no federal funds are used to provide gender-affirming care to incarcerated people. Openly trans people account for less than 1% of people in federal prisons, according to the Bureau of Prisons, which did not respond to a list of questions from HuffPost. The bureau does not disclose how many trans people are currently incarcerated in prisons that match their gender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A.D. Lewis, an attorney at the Prison Law Office, a nonprofit law firm that focuses on constitutional protections for trans people, estimates there are fewer than 10 trans women in federal womens facilities. Lewis and other advocates have been notified that several of them have been placed in segregation and notified they will be transferred to mens facilities. Some of the women have not been reachable, potentially because they are in solitary confinement without access to communication devices. Trans people in BOP custody have also reported issues accessing hormones, Lewis said. One of the transgender women who was placed in solitary and notified of transfer to a mens prison sued the Trump administration on Sunday night the first known legal challenge to the executive order alleging that the order put her safety at risk. The Massachusetts woman at the center of the suit, who is identified as Maria Moe, began medically transitioning when she was 15 and has been housed in a womens facility since her arrest. The day after Trump signed the executive order, the Bureau of Prisons notified her she would be moved to a mens facility, according to the suit. By Saturday, BOP reclassified Moe from female to male in publicly available records, the suit said. GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders and the National Center for Lesbian Rights the organizations representing Moe alleged that Trumps definition of sex is intentionally designed to discriminate against transgender people.Moe will be at an extremely high risk of harassment, abuse, violence, and sexual assault, and her mental health may suffer from losing access to hormone therapy, the groups warned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint alleges that Moes transfer violates constitutional protections granted by the Fifth Amendments due process clause and the Eighth Amendments prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. It also argues that Trumps order failed to comply with federal laws governing changes to rulemaking within the Bureau of Prisons. You cant just wave your hand or sign an executive order to limit or take away these protections, Richard Saenz, a criminal justice attorney at Lambda Legal, told HuffPost. My personal fear as an attorney who represents and works with incarcerated people is that this will put so many people in harms way. It feels like the president is saying that it is OK to villainize and marginalize specific populations, which is just wrong. Although Republican officials have targeted trans people with a record-breaking amount of state legislation, it is particularly difficult to be trans in prisons and detention facilities because of the near-total control the government exercises over the people in its custody including their housing, access to health care, clothing and jobs, and even their relationships. Trans people face disproportionate rates of incarceration, and once locked up, they are more likely to be victims of violence than cisgender people. Even before Trumps executive order, it had been difficult for trans people, regardless of whether they were in state or federal custody, to access gender-affirming care and housing. On the state level, some prison systems refuse to acknowledge the existence of trans people. States including Florida and Missouri have enacted policies that bar trans people in prisons from not only receiving gender-affirming care but also clothing and haircuts that match their gender identity. Some progressive states technically allow gender-affirming care and housing but on a case-by-case basis. Access often requires individuals to spend years navigating a bureaucratic process or pursuing litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Prison Rape Elimination Act, a law enacted in 2003 but not implemented until 2012, required prison officials to conduct housing reviews for incarcerated trans people at least twice a year to determine, on a case-by-case basis, where they should be imprisoned. The law states that the individuals views on their own safety should be given serious consideration, but it does not provide meaningful guidance on how housing decisions should be made. In 2017, the Obama administration issued guidance that echoed the PREA housing language and stated that hormone or other medical treatment may be provided after an individualized assessment by the prisons medical staff. The Trump administration rolled back that guidance the following year, directing the Bureau of Prisons to use biological sex to make housing decisions and adding the word necessary to the section on medical treatment. The Biden administration reinstated the Obama guidelines. As of Monday, BOP had not posted any updated guidance on its website. Even under Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, a very small number of incarcerated trans people lived in gender-congruent housing, Lewis said. Advocates estimate there are 50 to 100 trans people in gender-congruent housing nationwide, including state and federal prisons and county jails, he said. We dont have a sex-segregated system; we have a genital-based segregation system, Lewis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps new order endangers the lives of trans women in federal prisons by throwing this patchwork of scant protections into chaos, according to criminal defense lawyers. From the immediate nature of the order to its lack of understanding about the prison system itself, the order appears designed to spawn pandemonium, Sonya Pfeiffer, an attorney who co-chairs the Women in Criminal Defense Committee, told HuffPost in a written statement. A prison transfer is not a simple process of piling people into a van and driving them to another facility. The process takes days, if not weeks. And once a transfer is initiated, the person who is moving to another facility is put into segregation or solitary confinement. Prolonged solitary confinement is recognized by the United Nations as a form of torture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1976, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Eighth Amendment requires prison authorities to provide adequate medical care for prisoners serious medical conditions. To prove a constitutional violation, individuals have to show they have a serious medical need and that prison officials demonstrated deliberate indifference to that need. Over the past 30 years, federal courts in nearly every judicial circuit have recognized that for trans people, gender-affirming treatment is a serious medical need, Lewis said. Blanket bans on gender-affirming medical care and so-called freeze-frame policies which allow hormone therapy only for trans people who were already receiving it before entering prison have been struck down by federal courts, although two circuit courts of appeal have held that blanket bans do not violate the Constitution. The issue has not yet made its way to the Supreme Court. Although gender-congruent housing in detention facilities is still a developing area of law, several incarcerated trans people, including some in BOP custody, have secured gender-congruent housing through litigation, Lewis said. The executive order represents an escalation in Trumps attack on the rights of trans people, singling out a small number of individuals in particularly vulnerable settings for devastating consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order comes months after a fierce election season during which the Trump campaign spent millions on advertising to attack former Vice President Kamala Harris for supporting access to gender-affirming medical care for incarcerated transgender people, which is protected by the Constitution. In total, Republicans spent at least $215 million on ads portraying trans people as a threat to society. In campaign stump speeches, Trump repeatedly pushed false claims about children getting operations at school without parental permission and vowed to keep men out of womens sports. The executive order is one of several actions taken by Trump that appear to be lifted directly from Project 2025, the conservative policy blueprint compiled by the Heritage Foundation for use in Trumps second term. The document, which Trump repeatedly tried to distance himself from during the campaign, claims there are only two sexes and calls for rescinding regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity or transgender status. Trump is expected to sign another executive order to bar trans people from enlisting in the military and bar coverage of transition-related medical care for current service members. Related... Six active-duty transgender service members are suing President Donald Trump, newly sworn-in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other administration officials following the commander-in-chiefs order that effectively bans trans people from serving in the U.S. military. The federal lawsuit was filed in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, one day after Trump issued an executive order that opens the door for the Pentagon to remove trans troops by baselessly categorizing their gender identity as a physical and mental impediment to their military service. Expressing a false gender identity divergent from an individuals sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service, according to Trumps order. Beyond the hormonal and surgical medical interventions involved, adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individuals sex conflicts with a soldiers commitment to an honorable, truthful and disciplined lifestyle, even in ones personal life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order claims that a mans assertion that he is a woman, and his requirement that others honor this falsehood, is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member. Trump is giving the Pentagon 60 days to update its policy on medical standards and 30 days to produce revised guidance on how to implement the presidents order. President Trumps repeated targeting of transgender service members is a stain on our military, one that strikes at the very heart of military standards and core American values, according to Shannon Minter, legal director at the National Center for Lesbian Rights, which filed the lawsuit with GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders on behalf of the six service members. Left unchecked it could have ripples across all sectors of society, Minter said. Donald Trump signed an executive order that opens the door for the Pentagon to begin removing openly transgender troops from the nations armed forces (EPA) LGBT+ civil rights groups are expected to file additional litigation against the administration, which is also facing a lawsuit from an incarcerated transgender woman who could lose affirming health care and be forced to transfer to a mens prison under another executive order targeting trans Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lead plaintiff is Army Reserves Second Lieutenant Nicolas Talbott, a 31-year-old trans man who began receiving affirming health care more than 10 years ago. Were the prohibition on military service by transgender individuals to be implemented, Lieutenant Talbott would lose the career he has spent years of his life fighting to join, after finally earning his commission, and would be unable to continue to serve the United States people as a member of the military, according to the complaint. Additionally, Lieutenant Talbott would lose his income and access to benefits afforded to military members and their families, the lawsuit states. Army Major Erica Vandal, 36, has served with distinction for nearly 14 years, and is the recipient of a Bronze Star, a Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, and two Army Achievement Medals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She began transitioning within the military in 2022. Since then, she was promoted to the rank of major, among other achievements, according to the complaint. If she was removed from the military, she would lose benefits afforded to military members and their families for herself, her spouse, and her two children, the lawsuit states. Major Vandals family would lose the only source of income for her household. LGBT+ advocacy groups are launching several lawsuits aimed at reversing Trumps executive orders targeting transgender Americans (REUTERS) There are an estimated 15,000 trans people serving in the nations armed forces. Transgender Americans have served openly and honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces for nearly a decade, said SPARTA Pride, which represents trans Americans in the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of transgender troops are currently serving, and are fully qualified for the positions in which they serve, filling critical roles in combat arms, aviation, nuclear engineering, law enforcement, and military intelligence, among other fields, the group shared in a statement with The Independent. The readiness and physical capabilities of transgender service members is not different from that of other service members, SPARTA said. In his first term in office, Trump declared that the U.S. military would no longer accept or allow openly trans people enlisting, citing tremendous medical costs and disruption. That ban took effect in 2019. Joe Biden reversed that policy, which was the subject of several lawsuits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LGBT+ advocacy groups Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign said in a statement that they also intend to sue the administration. We have been here before and seven years ago were able to successfully block the earlier administrations effort to prevent patriotic, talented Americans from serving their country, Lambda Legal Counsel Sasha Buchert said. Not only is such a move cruel, it compromises the safety and security of our country and is particularly dangerous and wrong. An incarcerated transgender woman sued the Trump administration Sunday, challenging an executive order that requires the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to house transgender inmates according to their sex at birth and prevents prisoners from accessing gender-affirming medical care. The order, which Trump signed on Jan. 20 during his first hours in office, recognizes only two sexes, male and female, and broadly prevents government dollars from being spent on what his administration calls gender ideology. The order, which pledges to protect women and restore biological truth to the federal government, explicitly prohibits womens prisons and detention centers from housing transgender female inmates. It tasks the incoming attorney general with ensuring BOP complies with the order and guaranteeing no federal funds are expended for any medical procedure, treatment, or drug for the purpose of conforming an inmates appearance to that of the opposite sex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BOP revised its transgender offender manual in 2022, restoring guidelines first instituted under former President Obama requiring federal prisons to consider the safety of transgender people when deciding where to house them and use trans inmates chosen names and pronouns. During Trumps first term, transgender people in federal prisons were housed based only on their sex at birth, though gender-affirming care was also available to some trans inmates during that time. In a federal lawsuit filed Sunday in Massachusetts, plaintiff Maria Moe, a pseudonym used in court filings in place of her real name, argues Trumps executive order violates the Fifth and Eighth amendments of the Constitution and bypasses necessary federal rulemaking processes. The Order directly targets transgender Americans by attempting to deny them legal recognition under federal law and to strip them of long-established legal protections, reads the complaint, filed by GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the law firm Lowenstein Sandler LLP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moes lawsuit argues that the timing, content, and context of Trumps executive order demonstrate it was motivated by discriminatory animus rather than any legitimate government purpose. Moe came out as transgender in middle school and began taking hormones to treat her gender dysphoria at 15. She is acknowledged, accepted, and treated as a woman by her peers, her friends, her close family, according to the lawsuit. Moe, who has no violent disciplinary history, has never been housed in a mens facility, and until this month, her sex was listed as female on BOP records. On Jan. 25, the same records identified her sex as male because of the executive order, according to Sundays lawsuit. Prison staff then moved Moe to a special housing unit away from the general population of the womens facility where she had been housed. The name of the facility is redacted in court filings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BOP officials told Moe they would soon transfer her to a mens prison, a move she is unable to challenge because of the executive order. The Justice Department did not immediately return a request 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. MCCLELLANVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) -The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments hosted an open house Monday night to get public input on their Rural Long Range Transportation plan. The council of governments heard from residents about how they can make transportation in rural areas easier and safer. The council has held open houses on the rural long-range transportation plan in different rural areas across the low country. Monday night in Mcclellanville officials asked the community to identify problems and develop priorities for their transportation plan funding over the next 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were looking at roadways, were looking at bike and pedestrian were looking at transit needs or any elements of roadway safety that communities are really challenged by, said Sarah Cox, the senior transportation planner of the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments. One topic that came up often was the dangers of getting onto highway 17. Highway 17 to me is one of the most dangerous highways in the country. When I came here tonight it took me 3 minutes to get on the highway, said Leland McClellan, a Mclellanville resident. The agency hosted 4 community meetings before the holidays and are hosting another 4 this week into next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some feedback we did get was some of those higher traveled intersections, theres increased traffic volumes and the possibility, if warranted, to put in traffic signals or improving the overall geometry of certain intersections to make it safe, said Cox. Theyre also gathering data through an online survey, asking residents questions like: what are the major transportation issues you face in the rural areas of the tri-county region? And what do you think are the most effective ways of improving transportation in the region. The council will host an additional meeting on Tuesday in Saint George, another on Wednesday in Berkeley County at the cross-community center and again next week in Hollywood. Members of the council say they hope to wrap up their planning by this summer. You can take the survey 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 WCBD News 2. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) After multiple delays, a 73-year-old man is facing a judge and jury more than four years after he was accused of fatally shooting James Walsh on his porch in downtown Wichita Falls more than four years ago. READ MORE: WFPD identifies victim in Friday night homicide Jimmy Wilson in the 30th District Courtroom (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL) Jimmy Harold Wilson, 73, of Wichita Falls, is charged with felony murder stemming from the fatal shooting on July 31, 2020, at a residence on Austin Street. When first responders arrived, they found James Walsh, 62, with gunshot wounds to the head and chest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilsons trial got underway on Monday, January 27, 2025, in the 30th District Court, with Judge Jeff McKnight presiding, after a jury of four men and eight women was sworn in shortly after noon. The testimony phase of the trial began with opening statements from the prosecution, represented by Wichita County Assistant District Attorney Joseph Vrechek and Wilsons defense attorney, Lee Ann Marsh. Defense attorney LeeAnn Marsh (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL) Prosecutor Joseph Vrechek (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL) Vrechek informed the jury that the evidence being presented by the prosecution would prove Wilsons guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Marsh countered, urging the jury to hold the prosecution to that burden of proof. READ MORE: WFPD names suspect in murder near Plantation Apartments Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecution then called its first witness, a police officer with the Wichita Falls Police Department, who was among the first to respond to a call for gunshots at Walshs residence on July 31, 2020. A witness testifying in the 30th District Courtroom (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecution showed several pictures taken at the scene of the fatal shooting, including photos of Walshs body. This prompted audible sobs from Walshs loved ones who were in attendance. A former security guard at Faith Mission was called to the stand next. He testified that he heard the gunshots on the night of July 31, 2020, prompting a lockdown at the facility, which sits caddy-corner from the scene of the crime. Security footage from a camera outside of Faith Mission was then admitted into evidence by the prosecution in spite of objections from the defense. An eyewitness was called to the stand next. The man testified that he was in the yard, fixing Walshs motorbike, when Wilson walked up, shot Walsh in the chest, then again in the head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ MORE: Murder suspect in Wichita Falls homicide booked into Clay Co. Jail Jimmy Wilson in the 30th District Courtroom (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL) While the surveillance video appeared to corroborate the eyewitness testimony, Marsh pointed out that the footage was from far away, making it difficult to identify any of the individuals in the video shown in court. Marsh also pointed out that, according to the eyewitness testimony, the witness had his back turned away from the porch, meaning he could not have seen whether or not Walsh grabbed an item from the porch and used it as a weapon. Testimony is set to resume on Tuesday morning, Jan. 28, with only a few more witnesses remaining to be called on behalf of the prosecution. This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Texomashomepage.com. Joy, left, and Jo Banner talk on Feb. 22, 2024, about their plans for the 1811 Kid Ory Historic House in LaPlace while standing inside the main building on the land, where the 1811 German Coast slave uprising began and jazz legend Edward "Kid" Ory was born. (Minh Ha/Verite News) NEW ORLEANS Trial began Monday in a First Amendment dispute that could have repercussions on free speech rights at local government meetings. Joy Banner filed the lawsuit against St. John the Baptist Parish President Jaclyn Hotard, Parish Council President Michael P. Wright and the rest of the council. The Descendants Project, an organization twin sisters Joy and Jo Banner founded, frequently represents Black communities in the River Parishes and their residents against what they see as unchecked and harmful industrial expansion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case stems from a November 2023 council meeting where Banner tried to make a public comment on the councils consideration of whether to hire an attorney to represent Hotard in an ethics investigation related to the now-defunct Greenfield grain terminal project. The Descendants Project opposed the development, which they said would have adverse effects on the Wallace community where their family has lived for centuries. St. John the Baptist President Jaclyn Hotard, pictured in front of the property where a massive grain terminal with 56 silos was proposed. (LAI photo illustration) Video of that council meeting was played in court Monday. It showed that when Banner tried to comment about the hiring of an attorney, Hotard interrupted her. Stop this comment, Hotard told Wright, who read a criminal statute out loud that prohibited the public disclosure of information from an ethics investigation. He told Banner a violation could be punished with a fine or imprisonment. After trying multiple times to continue her comment, Banner walked away from the podium. In his opening argument, Ike Spears, the lead attorney for Wright and Hotard, said the Banner sisters do their advocacy work for media attention and to become social media influencers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont encourage them, Spears told the jury. Chief Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown is presiding over the case in the U.S. Eastern District Court of Louisiana. Ethics complaint triggers confrontation The confrontation at the 2023 council meeting arose from a zoning dispute over the Greenfield project and an ethics complaint Joy Banner filed against Hotard the month before. To build the grain terminal there, Hotard personally signed an application to rezone the area from residential use to heavy industrial. The Greenfield proposal featured a massive grain terminal, complete with 54 grain silos and a conveyor almost as tall as the 305-foot Statue of Liberty. The site is adjacent to residential property the Banner family has owned for generations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joy Banner filed the ethics complaint after learning Hotards mother-in-law owned part of the property that would be rezoned and could potentially financially benefit by selling it to the company. The state ethics board would later dismiss the complaint but was just starting to investigate the matter when Hotard requested the parish council approve hiring an attorney for her. At the council meeting, Joy Banner brought handouts and a large map to show council members details of the zoning request and speak against the hiring of Hotards lawyer. Almost as soon as she began speaking, Hotard and Wright interrupted her. In addition to reading the criminal statute, Wright repeatedly banged his gavel and claimed Banners comments werent relevant to the agenda item. A federal judge found the statute unconstitutional in 2014. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX My blood ran cold Joy Banner testified first at the trial Monday. She said the interruptions at the meeting and Wrights implication that she could be arrested by speaking out struck fear into her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The word imprisonment stood out in my mind, she said. My blood ran cold. Dave Lanser, one of Banners attorneys, asked her about her parents, who were at the November 2023 council meeting and in the courtroom Monday. The look of the elders, Banner said through tears, her voice cracking. To see them looking at me helpless [was] very hard. Spears claimed his clients acted within the law by interrupting Banner at the council meeting. Public officials were following proper procedures to rezone the land, he said, and Banner was breaking the law by bringing up the ethics complaint in a public setting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His cross-examination of Banner was stymied with her attorneys objections. On multiple occasions, Judge Brown told Spears he was testifying when he should have been asking Banner questions. Spears also played a video that showed other St. John residents who commented on the retention of a lawyer for Hotards ethics investigation to challenge Banners claim that her confrontation with Hotard and Wright dissuaded others from commenting on the matter. The day concluded with testimony from Banners mother, who was questioned by Lasner about her experience at the council meeting. The trial continues Tuesday with more testimony from Banners witnesses. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BALTIMORE (AP) As the founder of a Florida-based neo-Nazi group goes on trial for conspiring to attack Marylands power grid, his abhorrent beliefs arent really the point, federal prosecutors said Tuesday. They said it is his willingness to act on those beliefs that jurors must consider during the trial, which is expected to last about two weeks in Baltimore federal court. Brandon Russell, 29, encouraged his then-girlfriend, Sarah Beth Clendaniel, to carry out the power grid attack, hoping to cause chaos in furtherance of their shared white supremacist views, according to prosecutors. The two were arrested in February 2023 before their plans were executed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Russell was at war. He was at war for his race, the white race, prosecutor Michael Aubin said during opening arguments Tuesday afternoon. According to prosecutors, the pair was planning a series of sniper attacks on electrical substations around Baltimore that could have caused significant damage to the regional power grid. Their goal was to create chaos in the majority-Black city and ultimately spur a race war, prosecutors say. But Russells defense attorney argued his participation in the plot was minimal, calling the case a setup from the very beginning. While downplaying Russells role, attorney Ian Goldstein pinned the conspiracy on Clendaniel and a confidential informant she connected with through Russell. Clendaniel, 36, pleaded guilty to plotting the attack and was sentenced in September to 18 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russell appeared in court Tuesday wearing a light blue jacket and glasses. He conferred regularly with his attorney, looking cheerful and engaged. We dont put people in jail for their beliefs or the things they say, said Goldstein, who also called his clients views repulsive to most people. Russell apparently wasnt on law enforcements radar until police responded to a 2017 double homicide at a Tampa apartment building and found him outside crying, dressed in military fatigues. One of his roommates had killed the other two, officials said. Police concluded Russell had nothing to do with the deadly shootings. But while detectives investigated, they discovered a stash of highly explosive materials and a cache of neo-Nazi signs, posters, books and flags. Russell was in the Florida National Guard at the time and had attended the University of South Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said Russell co-founded the neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division, which is German for atomic weapon. They found flyers in his possession that said, Dont prepare for exams, prepare for a race war. Russell also kept a framed photo of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh in his room and read books like Mein Kampf and The Turner Diaries, both reading staples of white supremacist extremists. Devon Arthurs, who later pleaded guilty to killing his roommates, told detectives he shot them for teasing him about his recent conversion to Islam. He also said it was to thwart a terrorist attack by Atomwaffen and claimed Russell had materials in the house to kill civilians and target locations like power lines, nuclear reactors, and synagogues, prosecutors said. Goldstein also represented Russell in that case, when the attorney argued that possessing explosives didnt mean Russell intended to use them to cause harm. Goldstein said his client was traumatized by the deaths of his roommates and already suffered from mental health issues. Family members said Russell was just a follower looking for community and trying to please his friends. Russell ultimately pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered destructive device and improper storage of explosive materials. He was sentenced in 2018 to serve five years in prison. During the sentencing hearing, a federal judge in Tampa expressed explicit concern that Russell could fall in with the wrong crowd behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several years later, federal investigators discovered his relationship with Clendaniel. She and Russell began exchanging letters around 2018 while they were incarcerated in different facilities. They developed a romantic relationship that continued after they were released from prison, court records show. Clendaniels defense attorney argued that her abusive childhood and adolescent struggles with addiction made her acutely vulnerable to the influence of people like Russell and other white supremacists. She spent hours on the phone with a confidential informant, discussing how she would obtain a gun and shoot at five electrical substations situated in a ring around Baltimore, according to prosecutors. When given a chance to address the court during her sentencing hearing last year, Clendaniel affirmed her racist ideology: Its true, your honor, I do still hold National Socialist beliefs, she said in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But she claimed there was a line she wouldnt cross by acting on them. She said she was struggling with severe mental and physical health problems when she participated in the plot, including a diagnosis of kidney failure that she believed was terminal. During Russells trial Tuesday, his attorney pointed to Clendaniels mental state as evidence she had been desperate enough to carry out the attack. Russell, meanwhile, was many miles away in Orlando with no plans to travel to Maryland and help, Goldstein argued. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) The trial dates have been tentatively set for the three deputies accused of second-degree murder in connection to the in-custody death of Rolin Hill. Previous Coverage: Body cam footage of in-custody death of Rolin Hill shown during bond hearing for 3 former VB deputies Former Virginia Beach deputies Kevin Wilson, Michael Kidd and Eric Baptiste appeared in court Tuesday to receive their trial dates, subject to change. As it stands, Baptistes trial is Sept. 25, Kidds is set to go to trial Oct. 14 and Wilsons trial is set for Nov. 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Body cam footage of the incident was shown during the Jan. 8 bond hearing. Deputies could be seen above Hills body, repeatedly telling Hill to quit fighting back. Hill can be seen thrashing as the deputies tried to remove a body wrap. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This story has been updated with the latest developments. Dianna Hunt, Kevin Abourezk, Jourdan Bennett-Begaye and Stewart Huntington ICT Tribal leaders scrambled Tuesday to respond to the abrupt decision by the Trump administration to freeze federal grants and loans, a move that could impact more than $1 billion in federal funding in tribal communities for health care, education, climate projects, agriculture, law enforcement and other programs. Although a federal judge in Washington, D.C., granted an injunction late Tuesday to halt the funding freeze just minutes it went into effect, tribal leaders were continuing to assess the potential impact to their programs. The White House plan could affect trillions of dollars in funds nationwide, although Medicare and Social Security are excluded. The 2024 budget for Indian Affairs is $4.7 billion, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. "It's hard to read what the impact will be. But, the immediate concern is that our funding is at risk, Aaron A. Payment, former first vice president of the National Congress of American Indians, said in a post on Facebook. Even if just temporary, Tribal Nations depend on the Federal Government fulfilling the treaty and trust obligations. We prepaid for every penny we get with nearly 2 billion acres of land, he said. "Treaties do not expire when we change presidents so we expect the federal government to be good to their word and not interrupt our funding. Our funding should be fully funded, mandatory, and multiples of what it is today." Related: White House backs down on funding freeze - for now The memo from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget ordering the funding freeze drew immediate legal action. A lawsuit filed by a group of Democratic attorneys general won the injunction from U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan in Washington, D.C. Another lawsuit was filed by a group of nonprofit and advocacy groups, including the National Council of Nonprofits, the American Public Health Association, Main Street Alliance and Sage. The lawsuit filed by the nonprofits said the funding freeze would have a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of grant recipients who depend on the inflow of grant money (money already obligated and already awarded) to fulfill their missions, pay their employees, pay their rent and, indeed, improve the day-to-day lives of the many people they work so hard to serve. The announcement sparked confusion and panic among tribal officials and other organizations that rely on Washington for funding, but the full impact of the freeze was yet to be determined. It's going to have a bunch of impacts on the economic side, said Robert Maxim, a researcher on Native nations for the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington, D.C. Maxim is Mashpee Wampanoag. We're talking about frozen funding for everything from business development to economic support to education to some of the larger, really substantial federal investments that were made during the late Biden administration of things like infrastructure or green energy, Maxim told ICT. All of these things are really to the direction that I think a lot of tribal leaders have wanted to take for the future of their economies. The freeze will cut into funds that are at the heart of trust and treaty obligations, he said. There are a whole bunch of programs that are clearly designed with the trust and treaty obligation at the heart of it that are getting caught up here, he said. This is akin to the impact of something like a government shutdown where a whole bunch of funding just dries up overnight for who knows how long? Payment said the announcement was catching tribes off guard, although its normal to see a change of philosophy when a new president takes office. What we're seeing is different than that, he told ICT. We're seeing memos that are far-reaching and sweeping. Memos that carry a political ideology with them, like the anti-DEI, diversity, equity and inclusion. He continued, One of the fears I have is a lot of people, even members of Congress, who make appropriations, don't understand that the funding we receive is not DEI at all. Our funding is the treaty and trust obligation. It's in exchange for the nearly 2 billion acres of land that we exchange for health, education and social welfare into perpetuity. We only get pennies on the dollar, so we're way underfunded. Related: Trump freezes federal loans and grants Reaction to the announcement from Indigenous leaders was sharp but reflected the uncertainty spreading across Indian Country. In a social media post Tuesday, the Denver Indian Center said it had suspended its federally funded programs, though it planned to remain open. Due to the order coming from the White House, all program activities funded by federal grants are on pause until further notice, the center said. This includes all activity associated with the Native Workforce program and Honoring Fatherhood Program at the Denver Indian Center. We will keep the community updated as information is received. During an Oglala Sioux Tribal Council meeting on Tuesday morning, President Frank Star Comes Out expressed concern about the impact of a federal funding freeze on the tribes programs and encouraged the council to focus on ensuring tribal programs have funds to continue to operate. Right now everybodys in a panic and I dont think we should fall for that. he said. We need to wait, let it play out, in the meantime take action, take measures to make sure our programs are safe, our people are covered. Tribal Treasurer Cora White Horse told council members that she was confident that most tribal programs, including the tribes housing program, could draw down at least six months of funds. The most important thing is not to panic, she said. As long as our funds are drawn down and we have money to operate, its normal business to stop things to see where you are. Some tribal programs dont have funds to draw down, however, she said, specifically those that receive federal funds dispersed through the state of South Dakota through reimbursement of expenses. She cited the example of an emergency youth shelter that receives federal funds through the state. Im not sure exactly how thats going to work, she said. Cherokee Nation officials said the officials were still evaluating the repercussions if the freeze were to go into effect. The Cherokee Nation is evaluating its programs for any potential impacts related to the Presidents memorandum pausing federal grants and loans, Cherokee Nation Chief of Staff Corey Bunch said in a statement. Many of our departments, including our health facilities and housing programs are generally forward funded and operating as normal, and we are continuing to closely follow any developments that may impact our Cherokee Nation citizens and services, Bunch said. Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill said his tribe was monitoring the federal funding freeze and working to protect tribal programs. Our team is actively communicating with all relevant federal partners and counterparts to better understand the administrations process and to advocate for the best interests of Muscogee Nation citizens, he said in a statement. It is important to note that the OMB order recognizes a distinction between non statutory funding and other statutory obligations such as the federal trust responsibility to tribal nations. "We remain committed to ensuring minimal disruptions to our programs and are confident in our ability to navigate this situation, just as we have risen to past challenges, including government shutdowns and the pandemic, Hill said. In Alaska, Shea Siegert, spokesperson for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, said the organization was examining the decision but was hopeful the courts might offer some clarity. What we know right now is that ANTHC employees will continue showing up and striving to achieve our vision that Alaska Native people are the healthiest people in the world, she said in a statement. While our Tribal leaders fight to ensure the federal trust responsibilities to our Tribal nations are met, our sole focus is on delivering the highest echelon of care to the people we serve. In Montana, the state House Democratic minority leader, Katie Sullivan, called the administrations order nothing short of outrageous. Montana businesses and workers need stability to thrive, and instead we are getting chaos, Sullivan said in a statement. This will likely have immediate, negative impacts on small business owners, construction workers, cancer patients, and many more. Montana state Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, Chippewa Cree, said tribal governments as well as tribal colleges and universities would be directly affected. Huge impact on tribes with colleges, especially grants and payroll, Windy Boy said. Tribal governments will be affected, because of BIA and [Indian Health Service] federal funding. It will be hitting everything. Windy Boy also brought up a concern for rural communities that may not have reliable access to bandwidth and may not be aware of the order and its potential impacts. Montana businesses and workers need stability to thrive, and instead we are getting chaos, Sullivan said in a statement. This will likely have immediate, negative impacts on small business owners, construction workers, cancer patients, and many more. Members of Congress also pushed back against the plan. The Trump Administrations funding freeze is not only reckless and flagrantly illegal it is a direct assault on Tribal communities, rural America, and vulnerable populations across the country, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from Maine, said in a statement. From halting Indian Health Service funds that provide lifesaving health care to Native Americans and Alaska Natives, to blocking EPA programs that protect low-income and rural communities from pollution, this directive threatens public health and safety from Maine to Alaska. Lacey Horn, a former Cherokee Nation treasurer and owner of Native Advisory, a tribal financial consulting firm, advised tribal leaders Tuesday to focus on drawing down all funds to which they have access. She also said tribal finance officers should work to find other sources of funding to replace any potential lost federal funds. I think its very similar to how we might approach a government shutdown if it were to happen with zero advance notice, she said in a video statement. She directed leaders to a document created by Native Advisory that offers advice to tribes on how to weather a government shutdown. Knowing that there are others in this with you will be very helpful, she said. The total dollar figure that could be impacted is not clear. A December report from the Government Accountability Office found that Congress had approved $32.6 billion in funding and other assistance for tribal communities in 2024, but that only a fraction was actually reaching those communities. Kaiden Forman-Webster and Kolby KickingWoman contributed to this report for ICT from Montana, and Shondiin Mayo contributed from Phoenix. This article contains material from The Associated Press. Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICTs free newsletter. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Authorities are still seeking answers in the unsolved murder of Michelle Frances Loran. Loran was last seen at the I-5 underpass near her home in Kelso, Washington after heading home from a party on October 28th, 1990. Our friends from the Murder In The Rain Podcast will be joining AM Extra to recap what investigators know so far. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This week marks the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. As such, Fontbonne Academy welcomed Archbishop Richard Henning of the Archdiocese of Boston Monday to speak with students and staff, while learning more about the schools mission and programs. Archbishop Henning led the opening Mass at the school and passed on words of wisdom to the student body. Fontbonne students participated in discussions and service projects aimed at fostering unity, inclusion, and social justice, even making blankets and bracelets for needy men, women, and children at Bethany Hill Place in Framingham. It was a true privilege to welcome Archbishop Henning to Fontbonne, especially during our 70th Anniversary, said Head of School Maura Spignesi. His presence and inspiring message about being the ambassadors of Gods love and women of service to others highlight the importance of Catholic education and our mission to empower young women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the liturgy, the school hosted a performance honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a prelude to Black History Month. One of the greatest lessons we take from the Sisters of St. Joseph is the peaceful resolution of conflict, said Spignesi. As we celebrate Martin Luther King and all that he stood for, our young women will listen, learn, sing, dance, and be joyful in sharing the message of unifying love and ensuring that everyone has a place at the table, with their voices heard. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) The filing deadline for candidates seeking to run in the primary is next week but in Trumbull County, less than a dozen candidates have submitted their paperwork so far. I guess a lot of people must be waiting til the last minute, said Stephanie Penrose, director of the Trumbull County Board of Elections. As of Monday morning, just 11 candidates have filed their petitions with the Trumbull County Board of Elections to run in the upcoming primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That includes Judge Natasha Natale, seeking to keep the judgeship she was appointed to in Warren Municipal Court, and Democrats Michael Shrodek and Ronald White Sr., running for different wards on Warren City Council. Still, next weeks filing deadline is coming up fast. I have a feeling Im panicking a little. I think people will be showing up to file, but it just seems unusual that so many people havent filed and we have so many openings right now, Penrose said. Between the various municipal races in Warren, Girard, Niles and Hubbard, there are 31 open offices in the upcoming primary. Theres still plenty of time to gather signatures because you dont need that many for council and positions like that. Theres a list on our website of open offices and how many signatures you need, Penrose said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The filing deadline is next Wednesday so Penrose is encouraging anyone interested in running to get their petitions in soon. Please dont wait until the last minute, is what Im asking. You know, it just makes it easier on everybody if everybodys not in here at 4:00 next Wednesday, 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 WKBN.com. In a rare scolding of a governor whose policies they have previously enthusiastically enacted, the Republican-led Florida Legislature on Monday closed the special session on illegal immigration requested by Gov. Ron DeSantis within minutes of opening it, rejecting his proposals. Then the Legislature's Republican leaders called their own special session and presented a different immigration bill, called "Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy," or the TRUMP Act. What's the difference between what the governor wanted and what the Legislature will likely pass Tuesday afternoon, expected to be the last day of the special session? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the new bill supports much of what DeSantis asked for, it would move state-level immigration enforcement and federal immigration coordination under the office of Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, establishing him as the state's chief immigration officer. The bill also lacks DeSantis's request for a mandate for law enforcement to comply with immigration officials with heavy penalties for noncompliance. In a social media video, DeSantis slammed the move he said "bizarrely stripped immigration enforcement power from the governor" and "puts the fox in charge of the hen house," suggesting that the agricultural industry which relies heavily on cheap labor would not come down as hard on employment requirements and deportation as his office would. We need to get the job done regarding illegal immigration. We dont have time for posturing. My thoughts on todays antics by the Florida Legislature. pic.twitter.com/BmJtC2EbiS Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) January 27, 2025 On Tuesday morning, he hit hard again on X, saying, "Legislative leaders wrote a weak immigration bill that vests enforcement in the Commissioner of Agriculture, which creates a conflict of interest given the agriculture industrys affinity for cheap, illegal foreign labor. "It is also the case that the current commissioner, Wilton Simpson, has voted to give drivers licenses and in-state tuition to illegals. He even refused to oppose allowing illegals to practice law in Florida." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Danny Perez, who had previously criticized the need for a special session, accused the governor of insulting Simpson, law enforcement and the agricultural industry, and stressed that their goal was to work with President Trump. The new bill creates the chief immigration officer DeSantis wanted (if not where he wanted that officer to be); increases penalties for noncitizen voting and adds penalties for someone helping a noncitizen to vote; increases the penalties for a crime if committed by someone in the country illegally; and repeals in-state tuition at public universities for immigrant students who entered the country illegally. But it lacks the parts of DeSantis' agenda that would create criminal charges for law enforcement officers who didn't enforce immigration measures and a suggested database to track people who send money to their families outside the United States. The moves come as President Trump launched a major push against illegal immigration, declaring a national border emergency on day one of his presidency, ordered U.S. armed forces to repel "forms of invasion" at the Mexican border, issued an executive order reinterpreting the 14th Amendment and restricting birthright citizenship, and deputized thousands of federal agents to arrest immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Tuesday morning, Trump still hadn't weighed on in the power tussle at the Florida Capitol on his Truth Social account. Trump, DeSantis and the GOP heads of the Florida Legislature all said the crackdown was in response to President Joe Biden's "open border" policies, although the number of migrant encounters along the U.S.-Mexico border has dropped in the last year and more people were deported under the Biden administration than in Trump's first term. A bipartisan border bill failed last year after then-candidate Trump said it would give Biden's administration a win and House Republicans killed it. What did DeSantis propose for the special session? DeSantis didn't only push for bills on immigration in this special session but also an overhaul of the citizen initiative process: SB 20-A and HB 19A would have repealed a 2014 law that allows undocumented-immigrant students to avoid higher out-of-state tuition rates if they meet certain criteria. Albritton has suggested phasing out the law, taking into account students who already receive the tuition benefit or who are making plans to attend colleges or universities at the cheaper in-state rates. SB 4-A and HB 9A say law enforcement agencies in the state shall support enforcement of federal immigration laws. Currently, a state law says agencies shall use best efforts to support such enforcement. Also, under the bills, when counties receive notice that jail inmates have immigration detainers, they would be required to transport the inmates to federal facilities or to federal officials. SB 14-A and HB 11A would have required state and county law enforcement agencies and other police agencies with more than 25 officers to enter agreements with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement to participate in a program that authorizes local officers to perform certain duties of federal immigration agents. The bills also would give the governor authority to suspend the head of a law-enforcement agency who, in the judgment of the governor, acts in bad faith and fails to comply with any provision of the bill. SB 18-A and HB 21A would have overhauled the ballot initiative process, including what appeared to be elimination of the use of paid petition gatherers to collect signatures. Voters could request petition forms to be mailed to them by supervisors of elections; they could then mail back signed petitions. The proposals come after DeSantis led efforts to defeat ballot proposals in November that would have enshrined abortion rights in the state Constitution and allowed recreational use of marijuana. These bills are now dead because the Florida House and Senate adjourned the special session called by the governor without considering them. What is the TRUMP Act? The bill offered by legislative leadership (SB 2-B/HB 1B) is an effort to bring Florida immigration enforcement policies more in line with what the Florida Legislature believes President Trump wants. According to a summary from Albritton and Perez, the bill would: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Create Florida's Chief Immigration Officer (CIO) to be the central point of coordination between "the Trump-led federal government, state entities, local governmental entities, and law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration law." The CIO, who would be Agricultural Commissioner Wilton Simpson, would head the new Office of State Immigration Enforcement and would: Coordinate with and provide assistance to federal efforts to enforce immigration law. Coordinate with and provide assistance to law enforcement agencies and ensure compliance with federal immigration enforcement. Monitor local governments for compliance with federal immigration enforcement. Award grants to local law enforcement agencies to pay for subletting detention beds to ICE and cover apprenticeships for local law enforcement agencies, which would include the salaries of recruits going through law enforcement training. Create a State Immigration Enforcement Council to advise the CIO comprised of the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, seven sheriffs and four police chiefs appointed by the Chief Immigration Officer. Establish that if the CIO feels an executive or administrative officer of the state, county or municipality does not enforce immigration duties, they may recommend the governor take action Coordinate random audits to ensure businesses are complying with E-Verify requriments Give the CIO the sole authority to declare a state of emergency related to illegal immigration, illegal migration, or immigration enforcement. Fund the new department with $20,562,630 in recurring funds and $484,467,609 in nonrecurring funds for nearly 150 new employees. Expand the existing requirement for a sheriff operating a county detention facility to partner with ICE to also include county jails not operated by a sheriff. Require a sheriff or chief correctional officer operating a county detention facility to provide a list of all inmates and their immigration status to ICE upon request. Add immigration status to the criteria for bail determination and provide judges with information about a defendant's immigration status. Reclassify misdemeanors to the next highest degree if committed by a person previously convicted of a federal crime related to the reentry of people who have been deported. Felonies were similarly reclassified this way last year. Make voting by a noncitizen a third-degree felony whether the person knew their citizenship status or not. Also makes helping a noncitizen to vote a 3rd-degree felony. Remove out-of-state tuition waiver for students who are not U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the United States and require re-evaluation of eligibility for all students receiving a fee waiver starting July 1, 2025. Offer Florida law enforcement training facilities "in order to further the nations mission to address illegal immigration." What is ICE? The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was created in 2003 under the Department of Homeland Security to protect the U.S. from cross-border crime and illegal immigration. The investigative and enforcement parts of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the former U.S. Customs Service were combined to create the new agency, which has more than 20,000 law enforcement and an annual budget of about $8 billion. The News Service of Florida contributed to this story. (This story was updated with new information.) This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: TRUMP Act is Florida Legislature's immigration bill. What to know Getty Images Sign up for The Agenda Them's news and politics newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Thursday. Update 1/29/25: Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a waiver for life-saving humanitarian assistance during the 90-day freeze on foreign aid. The waiver appears to allow for the distribution of HIV medications in foreign countries to resume. Though the pause on foreign aid remains in place, Rubios memo, issued Tuesday, exempts core life-saving medicine, medical services, food, shelter, and subsistence assistance" per Reuters. The memo also specifies that the exemption does not apply to activities that involve abortions, family planning conferences, administrative costs ... gender or DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) ideology programs, transgender surgeries, or other non-life saving assistance, even though studies have confirmed time and time again that gender-affirming care saves lives. Per the New York Times, though, its unclear whether or not the waiver applies to preventive care like PrEP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has directed clinics in foreign countries that provide HIV medications paid for by the United States to stop disbursing those drugs, according to the New York Times. The directive means that even medications sitting in local clinics ready to be given to people with HIV or at risk for HIV are not allowed to be distributed. The move to stop HIV medication distribution comes just shortly after Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered a freeze on all aid to foreign countries (besides emergency food assistance and aid to Israel and Egypt's militaries), essentially defunding, at least temporarily, the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, also known as PEPFAR, a federal program funded by Congress that subsidizes HIV medication for people around the world and has been credited with saving millions of lives. PEPFAR currently supports over 50 countries on several continents, including North and South America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The administration has said that the freeze will last 90 days, pending a State Department review. As a result of this new directive, according to the Times, clinics are canceling patients appointments and their appointments are being canceled. In many places, those clinics are also responsible for HIV testing and prevention, as well. Without medication, people with HIV will experience a rebound in their viral loads, while also experiencing a lower number of disease-fighting cells, known as CD4 cells. This will make many people much more vulnerable to life-threatening illnesses. Without medication, the virus can be transmitted as well. HIV medications cant wait 90 days every missed dose puts lives at risk, Dr. Jirair Ratevosian, the chief of staff for PEPFAR during the Biden administration, told Them in an email. HIV prevention and testing efforts cant be paused for 90 days every delay allows new infections to spread unchecked. These programs are lifelines for millions, ensuring access to treatment, preventing transmission, and saving lives. Delaying them means lives hang in the balance and risks reversing decades of progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times also reported that on Sunday night, employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were told to cease communication with the World Health Organization, and on Monday night at 6 p.m. EST, all data systems related to PEPFAR were taken offline, meaning all data related to PEPFAR is now inaccessible. Users should prioritize copying key documents and data, an email sent to staff on Sunday said, per the Times. PEPFAR has long enjoyed bipartisan support since it was first introduced by Republican president George W. Bush in 2003. PEPFAR was, and continued to be up until Trumps directive, the largest commitment any country had ever made toward addressing a single health epidemic. The aid totaled over $100 billion in over 50 countries. "It's been an amazing program," Kellie Moss, associate director for global health and HIV policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation, told NPR in 2023. "It's been incredibly, wildly successful beyond anyone's expectations." HIV/AIDS Care for Millions Could Be Interrupted by Marco Rubios Foreign Aid Freeze Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a federal program that provides HIV medications, is one of the programs on pause during a 90-day review ordered by the Secretary of State. Despite its success and broad support for two decades, HIV-related legislation and policies have been met with dwindling support among some right-leaning government officials, who are increasingly pivoting to an anti-LGBTQ+ agenda. Citing religious freedom, a federal judge ruled in 2022 that a Christian business did not have to cover pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention as part of its health care offerings. In 2023, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee refused $8 million from the federal government to address the states HIV epidemic. The state later allotted $9 million toward fighting the epidemic, while saying that it would use the money to provide better services and reach even more at-risk populations in the state, such as victims of human trafficking, mothers and children, and first responders, with no mention of gay and bisexual men, trans women, or intravenous drug users. According to the Times, one study estimated that if PEPFAR were to end, as many as 600,000 people living with HIV could die in South Africa, where PEPFAR accounts for 20% of the country's budget to address HIV. The effects could be even more devastating in countries where the legislation makes up a much higher percentage of HIV funds. Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here. Originally Appeared on them. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The Trump administration is defending their decision to freeze federal aid. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says Social Security, Medicare and SNAP are not impacted. It is the responsibility of this president and this administration to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars, Leavitt said. The memo ordering the freeze calls for a review of funds to ensure they comply with President Donald Trumps executive orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It means no more funding for illegal DEI programs. It means no more funding for the Green New scam that has cost American taxpayers, tens of billions of dollars. It means no more funding for transgenderism, Leavitt said. The move could have a widespread impact on health care research, education programs and meal assistance. Lawmakers are scrambling to figure out what the funding freeze would mean for their constituents. This is a dagger at the heart of the average American family in red states, in blue states, in cities, in suburbs, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said. Sen. Schumer and Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) say the congressionally approved investments are not optional, theyre law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its outrageous. I hope that my Republican colleagues, who often talked in the last administration about overreach from the Biden administration, will not change their tune, Sen. Warner said. A group of nonprofits have already filed a lawsuit, and more are expected. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHICAGO Immigration arrests followed by deportation have begun under the Trump administration. Its a complicated process involving federal agents and governments from around the world. During the Obama administration, WGN Investigative Reporter Lourdes Duarte was aboard a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) flight as dozens of men were returned to the border. While deportations are part of the immigration process and arent new, the biggest difference this time could be the scale and size of those efforts, along with some logistical differences youll start to notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE officers begin carrying out raids in Chicago, around U.S.; acting deputy AG and border czar in town to observe During the Obama administration, WGN photographer Hector Betancourt, along with Duarte, flew with ICE as dozens of undocumented men were deported, granting them rare access to the men and the process. Back then, 40% of the men had a criminal record. For many, it would be the first time they would step foot on an airplane. ICE officials loaded them on a chartered private aircraft and flew them to El Paso. Northwestern University Prof. Jacqueline Stevens, who founded the schools Deportation Research Clinic, said this time under the Trump administration, youre seeing the use of military airplanes instead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE arrests 956 on Sunday as nationwide raids continue One reason for that has been in response to private buses that have been moving people from Texas to blue cities, states and cities have actually sued the private carriers, and one concern of the private carriers is that they wouldnt want to incur any litigation, if they are deporting people unlawfully or people dont have removal orders, Stevens said. That gives you a sense of just how complicated the process can be. Stevens added making arrests may also be more difficult this time around. I think this round, immigrant rights advocates have been good about teaching people about their rights. That might make it more difficult for their tactics to work, Stevens said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2010, the men were candid with WGNs cameras about their intent to try and return to the U.S. By the time WGN met them, some had already been deported several times. Hundreds of US visa appointments canceled in Colombia following spat with Trump over deportations I still want to come back again no matter what happens, even if they give me time in jail it doesnt matter, immigrant Elit Murillo said at the time. Another migrant had his family on his mind. What do you want me to do? I have to think about my family and myself, immigrant Andres Ramirez said in 2010. Its not clear if that feeling persists today. Punishments that include prison time are expected if someone is caught illegally crossing the border again. More than 100,000 people were prosecuted in 2019 when Trump was in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WGN Investigates: Investigating public corruption, crime & fraud Because of that there are a lot fewer people who are trying to return, increased apprehension and enhanced border security, Stevens said. In the past, the pattern that youre describing was a lot more predominant. Fifteen years have gone by since that trip to the border. Back then, the men received a three-minute phone call and half a bus fare to their hometown. We should learn more in the coming days about how the Trump deportation process is working. Right now, his administration has tried to bolster border patrol by sending hundreds of additional troops to the El Paso border. 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 WGN-TV. By Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk and Simon Lewis WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Trump administration has put on leave about 60 senior career officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), sources familiar with the matter said, after Washington put a sweeping freeze on U.S. aid worldwide. The administration on Saturday urged USAID staff to help transform how Washington allocates aid around the world in line with Trump's "America First" policy and threatened "disciplinary action" for any staff ignoring its orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An internal memo sent to USAID employees on Monday evening said the new leadership identified several actions in the agency that "appeared to be designed to circumvent the President's Executive Orders and the mandate from the American people." "As a result, we have placed a number of USAID employees on administrative leave with full pay and benefits until further notice while we complete our analysis of these actions," Acting Administrator Jason Gray said in the memo, reviewed by Reuters. The administration's actions threaten billions of dollars of life-saving aid from the world's largest single donor. In fiscal year 2023, the U.S. disbursed $72 billion in assistance. It provided 42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations in 2024. The memo did not spell out how many people were affected by the decision, but six sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that it was around 57 to 60 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those being put on leave comprised career staff in the leadership positions of almost all USAID bureaus based in Washington, with roles ranging from energy security to water security, children's education and digital technology, two of the sources said. Staff in the agency's general counsel's office were among those targeted. "People are calling it the Monday afternoon massacre," said Francisco Bencosme, who was USAID's China policy lead until earlier this month. "This decision undermines our national security and emboldens our adversaries ... Instead of focusing on China, North Korea, or Russia, the Trump Administration is going after public servants who have served multiple administrations - including the first Trump administration." USAID did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Politico was first to report that people were put on leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials put on leave said they received an email with a memo on Monday afternoon informing them they were being placed on excused absence, otherwise known as administrative leave, effective immediately, and no reason was provided. It said they must be available by telephone and email during normal work hours and must remain available to report to work if directed to do so, but were not to enter USAID premises or access USAID systems. One senior official put on leave said they had sought to help implement the executive orders. "This is a serious dismantling of an entire agency," the official said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LIFE-SAVING SUPPORT Since returning to office last week, the administration has reassigned or fired hundreds of workers in several agencies, aiming to fulfill Trump's vow to remake a federal bureaucracy he believes was hostile to him during his 2017-2021 presidency. Hours after taking office, Trump ordered a 90-day pause in foreign aid to review if it was aligned with his foreign policy priorities. On Friday, the State Department issued a stop-work order worldwide even for existing assistance. A second memo on Saturday made it clear to USAID staff that the pause on foreign aid spending meant a complete halt. The only exceptions are for emergency humanitarian food assistance and for officials returning to their duty stations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further waivers could be issued but will require substantial justification and are subject to a double-layered approval process that includes a final say from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. USAID-funded programs help millions of people around the world fight against HIV/AIDS and provide support for everything from access to clean water, healthcare infrastructure and childrens' health. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for the United States to consider additional exemptions. "If this is not reversed, it will wreck U.S. foreign aid... It would permanently weaken USAID," said Jeremy Konyndyk, a former USAID official who is now president of Refugees International. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Daphne Psaledakis and Simon Lewis; Editing by Sonali Paul) The second Trump administration's draconian rollbacks have put cancer research and other crucial government-funded medical projects on the chopping block. In one of his first post-inauguration acts, Donald Trump ordered the Department of Health and Human Services which oversees the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration to pause all its outside communications. As Mother Jones and Science magazine report, that directive has sown confusion and chaos at NIH, where funding meetings have at the same time been indefinitely suspended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NIH, as the world's largest public funder of biomedical research, requires multiple meetings to get everything from grant proposals to funding off the ground. After Trump took office for the second time, medical researchers working with the NIH saw all their meetings abruptly canceled. Cancer researcher Chrystal Starbird of the University of North Carolina's Medical Center was preparing to sit on her first NIH grant review panel later this month when she got an email telling her, essentially, not to show up. "Ive never seen a complete pause like this as part of a transition," the researcher told Mother Jones. The Monday after that coverage broke, the acting director of the NIH told employees that ongoing clinical trials would be continuing shortly before the White House issued an order pausing all federal grants and loans, save for those that go to Social Security and Medicare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With that one-two punch, the state of funding for any new trials and for billions of dollars worth of other important programs, including foreign aid remains on hold, its future uncertain. Emily Gillespie, a speech-language pathologist and professor at Emory University had just had a $2.5 million funding proposal that was getting ready to be approved when the initial order came down last week. That council meeting was also canceled, Gillespie told Mother Jones, and there's no telling when or if it will be rescheduled. "It was, to put it mildly, quite a letdown," the researcher said. "Its really frustrating because its very hard to plan." Ironically, this bizarre suspension of NIH research may end up putting the US behind China and other science rivals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This kind of disruption could have long ripple effects," University of Pittsburg opioid addiction researcher Jane Liebschutz told Science after the pause was first enacted. "Even short delays will put the United States behind in research." Along with harming national competitiveness, this ill-conceived suspension is, as Liebschultz said, sowing a "lot of uncertainty, fear, and panic" among the medical research world and the longer it goes on, the more that chaos will grow. More on Trump dystopia: Trump Admin Announces Plans to Build Database of Migrant DNA President Donald Trump is once again weighing a third term - despite what the Constitution says. Speaking at a Congressional Republican conference at his resort in Doral, Florida, on Monday, Trump asked House Speaker Mike Johnson whether he was allowed to run again. Ive raised a lot of money for the next race that I assume I cant use for myself, but Im not 100 percent sure, Trump said. I think Im not allowed to run again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then directly asked Johnson: Am I allowed to run again? Trump then stopped himself, joking: Mike, I better not get you involved in that argument. Despite Trumps musings, the Constitution bars any person from being elected to the presidency more than twice. President Donald Trump shakes hands with House Speaker Mike Johnson after addressing the 2025 Republican Issues Conference at the Trump National Doral Miami. At the event, Trump asked Johnson if he was allowed to serve a third term (Getty Images) The 22nd Amendment states: No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. To change the law, it would require a new Constitutional amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, however, Congressman Andy Ogles of Tennessee proposed to revise the amendment, citing Trump as the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nations decay and restoring America to greatness. President Trumps decisive leadership stands in stark contrast to the chaos, suffering, and economic decline Americans have endured over the past four years. He has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nations decay and restoring America to greatness, and he must be given the time necessary to accomplish that goal, Rep. Ogles said in a statement. To that end, I am proposing an amendment to the Constitution to revise the limitations imposed by the 22nd Amendment on presidential terms. This amendment would allow President Trump to serve three terms, ensuring that we can sustain the bold leadership our nation so desperately needs, the Tennessee Republican said. The Constitution prevents presidents from serving more than two terms in office (Getty Images) Franklin Delano Roosevelt is the only president in U.S. history to serve more than two terms. He served from 1933 through 1945, when he died. The 22nd Amendment was approved by Congress in 1947. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt the first time Trump has mused about running for a third term. We are going to win four more years, he said at a campaign rally in August 2020. And then after that, well go for another four years because they spied on my campaign. We should get a redo of four years. Speaking to the National Rifle Association in May 2024, Trump asked the crowd: You know, FDR 16 years almost 16 years he was four terms. I dont know, are we going to be considered three-term? Or two-term? Some in the crowd, according to Politico, said: Three. If Trump were to serve as president again in 2028, he would be 82 years old when the term starts. A Trump-aligned effort to make the Senate vote to confirm Tulsi Gabbard public could be what pushes the controversial nominee over the finish line. Gabbard is the forty-seventh presidents pick for director of national intelligence, but in order to actually get the job, shell need the support of every single Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committeeand it appears that she currently does not have the votes. I think it remains to be seen, Republican Senator John Cornyn, an Intelligence Committee member, told The Hill of Gabbards odds. I think the jurys still out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee has a 9-8 split, with Republicans holding the majority. That means that just one Republican voting against Gabbard could compromise her nomination, should Democrats uniformly vote against her. But a MAGA coalition in the Senate is trying to turn the traditionally closed vote into a public one in order to pressure Republicans on the committee from voting against Trumps nominee, Politico reported Monday. Doing so would break Intelligence Committee procedure: While panel rules allow for the release of a vote tally, they do not allow for a public roll call of how each member voted. Members are free to disclose their votes if they wish, an unidentified source familiar with the committee told Politico. According to the outlet, Gabbards allies hope that forcing a public vote could scare any reticent Republicans into line. When a few Republican senators expressed concerns about Pete Hegseth, who was sworn in over the weekend as secretary of defense, MAGA fans and Elon Musk threatened to primary them in the 2026 midterms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabbard is scheduled to participate in open and closed hearings before the committee on Thursday. So far, Maine Senator Susan Collins has expressed frustration with Gabbards criticism of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows intelligence officials to conduct surveillance operations on foreign targets and Americans without a warrant. There are several questions I want to follow up on in the hearing, Collins told The Hill, noting that she wants to hear Gabbards unpracticed responses. Gabbard, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate turned MAGA acolyte, has also gotten heat from GOP lawmakers for her relationship with fallen Syrian dictator Bashar Al Assad, as well as her apparent affiliation with Russian media, her propensity for amplifying Russian propaganda, and spreading conspiracy theories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December, the editor in chief of the Russian state-controlled broadcaster RT said that Gabbard was one of the friendly faces in Trumps proposed Cabinet that brought the Kremlin lots of joy. If confirmed, Gabbard would be the first director of national intelligence to have never held any senior government roles. For reference on her relative lack of experience: Gabbard would replace Avril Haines, the first woman to serve in the role. Haines held top national security and intelligence positions before being appointed by President Joe Biden to the role, including serving as deputy national security adviser and deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency during the Obama administration. Donald Trump again publicly mused about serving further presidential terms Monday, asking Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson whether he was allowed tojust a few days after another House Republican introduced legislation to enable just that. Ive raised a lot of money for the next race that I assume I cant use for myself, but Im not 100 percent sure, Trump told House Republicans in Doral, Florida. I think Im not allowed to run again. Turning to Johnson, a former constitutional lawyer, Trump asked, Am I allowed to run again? Mike, I better not get you involved in that argument. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just two days prior in Las Vegas, Trump spoke about serving three times or four times. And shortly after the November election, Trump floated the idea when he said, I suspect I wont be running againunless you do something." Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles has since taken the not-so-subtle hint. Trump to House Republicans at his Doral club: "I've raised a lot of money for the next race that I assume I can't use for myself, but I'm not 100 percent sure. I think I'm not allowed to run again. I'm not sure." pic.twitter.com/8sbez44aK3 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 27, 2025 Claiming how Trump has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nations decay and restoring America to greatness, Ogles argued that he must be given the time necessary to accomplish that goal. To that end, Ogles continued in his statement, I am proposing an amendment to the Constitution to revise the limitations imposed by the 22nd Amendment on presidential terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under that legislation, Trump would be permitted to serve three terms in total. But the three living former presidents who served consecutive termsBill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obamawould conveniently not be allowed back in office. Trump would be 82 years old on Election Day in 2028. Pro-MAGA news organizations are being welcomed into the White House in a sweeping move to transform the coverage Donald Trump receives in the media. More than 440 press passes revoked by the Biden administrationmany of them from right-leaning organizationswill be restored under Trump. Once banished conservative outlets like The Daily Signal and the One America News Network, both longtime supporters of the president, could now get front-row seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At her inaugural press briefing on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said she would work diligently to give back the passes that were wrongly revoked by Bidens communications team, which favored the traditional mainstream media big hitters like The New York Times, The Washington Post and the more established cable and TV networks. Reporters attempt to ask a last question before White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt ends her first news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House. / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Independent journalists, social media influencers, and podcasters will be given equal billing in the White House briefing room, and, in some cases, will be given greater access. Leavitt, at 27, the youngest ever White House press secretary, said that new media voices who produce news-related content and whose outlet is not already represented by one of the seats in the room, will be joining the briefings. We welcome independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers and content creators to apply, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new media seat will be designated in the briefing roomalthough that was occupied by Axios co-founder and Beltway veteran Mike Allen for Tuesdays debut session. One of the first questions was asked by Matthew Boyle, Washington bureau chief for Breitbart News, the right-wing site previously led by MAGA hero and former Trump strategist Steve Bannon. Karoline, first off, thank you to you and President Trump for actually giving voices to media outlets that represent millions and millions of Americans, said Boyle. Brian Glenn, of the conservative Real Americas Voice and partner of MAGA Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, was also called upon to ask a question, which he preceded with fawning over Leavitt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You look greatyoure doing a great job, he said, adding: You talked about transparency, and some of us in this room know just how transparent President Trump has been the last five or six years. I think youll do the same. But my question is, do you think this latest incident with the President of Colombia is indicative of the global and powerful respect they have for President Trump moving forward not only to engage in economic diplomacy with these countries but also world peace? Leavitts first order of business was an update on the New Jersey dronesa message from the president that there was no story. They werent UFOs but authorized to fly by the Federal Aviation Authority. This was not the enemy, she said, a quote that was running minutes later on TikTok. Leavitt quickly made the administrations feelings about the traditional media clear, saying: We know for a fact that there have been lies that have been pushed by many legacy media outlets in the country about this president, about his family and we will not accept that. We will call you out when we feel your reporting is wrong or there is misinformation about this White House. In keeping with this revolutionary media approach that President Trump deployed during the campaign, the Trump White House will speak to all media outlets and personalities, not just the legacy media who are seated in this room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Millions of Americans, especially young people, have turned from traditional television outlets and newspapers to consume their news from podcasts, blogs, social media and other independent outlets, she added. Its essential to our team that we share President Trumps message everywhere and adapt this White House to the new media landscape in 2025. It is a fact that Americans are consuming their news media from various different platforms, especially young people. As the youngest press secretary in history, thanks to President Trump, I take great pride in opening up this room to new media voices to share the presidents message with as many Americans as possible. President Donald Trump on Monday was set to ban transgender people from serving in the military and scrap diversity and inclusion programs in the ranks. With a stroke of a pen, Trump is set to further roll back former President Joe Bidens 2021 order permitting trans service members to openly serve. He also ordered an end to programs designed to assist troops who are members of racial minority groups and disadvantaged backgrounds and reinstated GIs who defied COVID vaccine mandates during the pandemic with back pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said he was eager to get to work implementing the latest in a flurry of executive orders from the new president without delay. Its an honor to salute smartly as I did as a junior officer and now as the secretary of defense to ensure these orders are complied with rapidly and quickly, Hegseth said. Trans advocates slammed the move as openly discriminatory and vowed to challenge it in court. Trump also planned to sign an order proposing a new state-of-the-art missile defense system for the U.S. Hegseth has long championed big changes in the military culture, including ending DEI practices and targeting so-called woke generals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former Fox News host had previously said women should not serve in combat roles, but soft-pedaled those statements during his Senate confirmation hearing, which saw him prevail with Vice President J.D. Vance casting a vote to break a 50-50 tie. Trumps most controversial Pentagon order by far is the trans ban, which could immediately affect an estimated 15,000 transgender American soldiers now serving. Trump had already revoked Bidens groundbreaking decision to allow openly trans people to serve and protecting them from being discharged due to their identity. But the new order goes further by laying out controversial claims that transgender people could be inherently unfit to serve because the process of transitioning to a new gender often involves drugs that could impact readiness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unit cohesion requires high levels of integrity and stability among service members, states a fact sheet for Mondays order. It can take a minimum of 12 months for an individual to complete treatments after transition surgery, which often involves the use of heavy narcotics. Doctors who treat transgender patients say such concerns are overblown at best and drugs are only used for about a month in most cases. The order also prohibits transgender women service members from using or sharing sleeping, changing, or bathing in facilities designated for females." It directs Hegseth to bar the use of invented and identification-based pronouns within the Pentagon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order calls transgender people trans-identifying, an apparent effort to avoid recognizing transgender people as a real group. Trump already signed an executive order proclaiming that all people must be categorized as either men or women, a move that could pave the way to widespread discriminatory practices against transgender and nonbinary people. President Donald Trumps decision to end U.S. membership in the World Health Organization revives a five-year-old grudge with the WHOs leader. Trump has long charged that WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus covered up Chinas responsibility for the Covid pandemic, and also aided Democrats who called Trumps own move to shut the border to Chinese travelers racist. Tedros, a former Ethiopian health minister who has led the WHO since 2017, did repeat Chinese talking points about Covid's transmission and praised China's response to the outbreak when little was known about the virus. And, in line with the WHO's policies, he did criticize the U.S. border closure. But both the WHO and Tedros reject Trump's claims that they favored China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, if Tedros cant heal the rift, hundreds of millions of dollars in annual U.S. contributions to global disease-fighting are at risk. Even though the U.S. must continue to pay its $130 million dues for a year before withdrawing under rules it previously agreed to, the WHO has already launched a fundraising campaign, frozen most hiring, restricted travel, halted purchases of technology and office equipment and begun renegotiating contracts to make up for the shortfall. Its advocates are urging a detente. This is too important to be left to personal grudges, said Larry Gostin, a Georgetown University professor who directs a center that assists the WHO on legal matters. They're going to have to put aside their problems personally with one another and really get down to the business of strengthening WHO and also reforming it significantly. Trump told supporters at a rally on Saturday in Las Vegas he might be open to negotiation. Besides combating disease outbreaks in developing countries, the WHO also helps American pharmaceutical companies distribute their products across the globe and coordinates the composition of the annual flu vaccine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump first threatened to withdraw from the WHO in a May 2020 letter to Tedros. Trump indicated his problems with the WHO were more about leadership than the international body itself. Trump took pains to praise one of Tedros predecessors, Gro Harlem Brundtland, for her handling of an outbreak of the SARS virus in China in 2003 and said that continued U.S. membership in the organization depended on reform. In a statement posted to X on Jan. 21, Tedros insisted that the WHO had taken that charge to heart. During the seven years of Tedros tenure, the WHO has implemented the largest set of reforms in its history to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries, the statement said. The organization is committed to continuing to reform its operations, a WHO spokesperson told POLITICO in an emailed statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump, for now, isnt buying it. His Inauguration Day withdrawal announcement cited the WHOs failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states. The White House didnt respond to a request for comment. A former U.S. health official granted anonymity to speak frankly about the relationship with the WHO said Tedros is a strong-willed leader who demands loyalty and is unlikely to give ground. He is much, much like Trump, the person said. A fraught relationship Three months into the Covid pandemic, Trump wrote a scathing letter to Tedros and laid bare his grievances: Tedros parroted wildly inaccurate Chinese claims about the virus early spread and engaged in political gamesmanship by attacking the U.S. for closing its border to Chinese travelers. The results, Trump charged, were extremely costly for the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He demanded unspecified reforms as a condition of continued U.S. membership. Trump still hasnt spelled out what reforms he has in mind, but its clear he wants the WHO to take its cues from the U.S., not China, and to change the way it assesses dues so other countries bear more of the burden. Now, those are based on a countrys gross domestic product. The U.S. currently pays dues equivalent to about a quarter of the WHOs core budget, calculated at $130 million for 2025. Chinas mandatory dues for this year are $87.6 million, about 15 percent of the core budget. Additional, voluntary contributions from the U.S. have ranged between $105 million in 2020 and nearly $700 million in 2022, according to health policy think tank KFF. By comparison, Chinas voluntary contributions average $14 million a year for 2024 and 2025, according to WHO data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N. determines how mandatory contributions are calculated, and it and WHO member countries would have to agree to lower Americas contributions. Trumps May 2020 missive provides a laundry list of gripes about the WHOs early pandemic response and suggests Tedros deliberately covered up Chinese missteps. Two months later, in July, as Covid raged in U.S. cities that had erupted in protest over the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told members of the U.K. Parliament in a private meeting in London that he had intelligence that Tedros had been bought by the Chinese government. Tedros called the accusations untrue and unacceptable and said he didnt want the WHO to be distracted from saving lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pompeo declined a request for an interview on the issue. The Trump administration, which was taking heavy fire from Democrats for the skyrocketing death toll in America, said Tedros and the WHO were to blame. Trump pointed out that the organization, made up of U.N. member states, had said the coronavirus wasnt spreading through transmission among people in mid-January 2020, repeating a Chinese claim at the time. It had waited till the end of that month, reportedly due to Chinese pressure, to declare an international health emergency. That was three weeks before the devastating outbreak spread to Italy, signaling to the world the virus pandemic potential. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump was particularly upset with Tedros for praising Chinas domestic travel restrictions while opposing Trumps decision to stop travel to the U.S. from China to curtail the virus, according to Trumps letter. Your political gamesmanship on this issue was deadly, as other governments, relying on your comments, delayed imposing life-saving restrictions on travel to and from China, Trump wrote. A WHO spokesperson rejected the accusation of political gamesmanship, saying thats not something the WHO engages in. WHO, its senior leadership, and all staff operate on the basis of impartiality and neutrality, and undertake our work driven by the pursuit of science, evidence and ensuring all people, everywhere, are able to attain the highest possible levels of physical and mental health and wellbeing, the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tedros praise of Chinas response to the pandemic in the early days, despite reports that the Chinese government was silencing health care workers, raised eyebrows at the time. The WHO and Tedros have rejected accusations that they took orders from China or any other member country in their handling of the pandemic. The WHO spokesperson said the WHO and other organizations like it tend to engage in a blend of public diplomacy and private meetings when working with member countries. WHO cannot compel Member States to take actions, the spokesperson said. The global health body has published a timeline of its actions, and over the past few years, Tedros and other WHO officials have called on China to share more information about how the pandemic started whether from an infected animal that came in contact with people or from a lab leak in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the first Covid cases were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats of high interest for congressional Republicans, who have come to the conclusion, which remains unproven, that the pandemic most likely started due to a lab leak. The theory got a boost Saturday when the CIA said that it was leaning toward it, changing its yearslong stance that it couldnt conclude with certainty how the pandemic started. Many GOP lawmakers are leaning on Trump to withdraw from the WHO because they believe it has covered up the truth about Covids origins. Gostin, who is considering a lawsuit arguing that Congress must approve U.S. withdrawal from the WHO, said the issues Trump cited were diplomatic bungling not corruption. I worked with WHO for years and I can tell you that the U.S. has had far more influence over WHO than China ever has, he said. A few months after sending his letter, Trump announced he was withdrawing the U.S. from the WHO and started the clock for the departure to become effective a year later. But Joe Biden won the November 2020 election and reversed Trumps withdrawal decision when he took office in January 2021. Trumps executive order on Inauguration Day rescinded Bidens order. Tedros rise Ethiopia made dramatic public health advances during Tedros tenure as health minister from 2005 to 2012, helping to elevate his candidacy to lead the WHO when member states voted in 2017. He beat a British doctor and diplomat for the director-general post, becoming the first African to hold it, winning the votes of 133 of 183 countries that cast secret ballots. Since coming into office, he has pitched himself as a reformer, aiming to make the massive global health bureaucracy more nimble and focused on results, such as delivering health care access for billions of people globally. The reforms include organizing the WHOs work and staff to more clearly show its impact and improving transparency and accountability; creating a division for emergency preparedness and fundraising from new donors to make the organizations funding more sustainable, the WHO spokesperson said. But the call for an overhaul goes beyond Trump. Brown University School of Public Health Dean Ashish Jha, who led the U.S. Covid response for Biden, has called for one, arguing in an opinion piece this month for the medical news website Stat that the WHO needs to focus on its core functions. He said that means helping developing countries build their disease-fighting capabilities, responding rapidly to outbreaks, establishing technical standards and convening nations to work together. He added that the group should change its financing model so countries that make voluntary contributions dont get to set its agenda and limit the director-general to one term so they dont need to worry about running for reelection. Jha said the U.S. should remain a WHO member to push for those changes. In response, Maria D. Van Kerkhove, WHO interim director of epidemic and pandemic threat management, gave no ground, accusing Jha of inaccuracies, omissions, and misrepresentations. WHO is what its 194 member states make it, including the U.S., she wrote. Tedros, whose second and last term ends in 2027, was controversial when he campaigned to lead the WHO in 2016. He was a high-ranking member of Ethiopias ruling party at the time, the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, which opponents accused of widespread political oppression. Tedros acknowledged Ethiopias imperfections as a democracy while distancing himself from responsibility for his partys alleged abuses. By the time he was running for a second term in 2021, the pandemic was raging and a civil war between the Ethiopian region controlled by his party and another party ruling the central government was ravaging the country. The Ethiopian government didnt endorse Tedros to run for a second WHO term, accusing him of helping arm his party, which Tedros denied. France and Germany nominated him for a second term, which he won after running unopposed. The possibility of U.S. withdrawal is the latest crisis Tedros has faced. Besides leading the organization in responding to the Covid pandemic, hes also overseen the WHO response to two outbreaks of the rash-causing virus mpox, one of which spread to the U.S. and Europe, and multiple conflicts and natural emergencies from Ethiopia to Ukraine to Gaza and Pakistan. The art of the deal They wanted us back so badly, so well see what happens, Trump said on Inauguration Day about the WHO reaction to his first withdrawal attempt. To some WHO advocates, thats a sign Trump may be using the withdrawal threat to gain more control over the organization. At a Las Vegas rally on Saturday, Trump suggested he was open to negotiation. We would have to clean it up a little bit, he said of the WHO. Peter Yeo, a senior vice president at the U.N. Foundation, a nonprofit that advocates for the world body in Washington, hopes the year-long delay before the U.S. can stop paying its dues provides a window. Talks could include discussion about the leadership of the organization, Yeo said, adding that the U.S. could yield more power over organizational changes if it stays in. Trumps nominee for U.N. ambassador, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during her nomination hearing last week that she recognized the need for the U.S. to retain influence at the U.N. to combat Chinese influence. Stefanik said shed review U.S. involvement in U.N. agencies to ensure the U.S. taxpayer gets a good return on investment. She promised to deliver reforms and make sure that our dollars are going to programs within 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. President Donald Trump purged two National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) leaders known for supporting worker rights on Tuesday, signaling a sharp re-orientation of federal law enforcement towards a management-friendly approach favored by business executives and supporters like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. Jennifer Abruzzo, former President Joe Biden's appointee as the NLRB's general counsel, was fired by email late on Monday. Gwynne Wilcox, one of two Democratic board members, received her notice on Tuesday morning, but said she would pursue "all legal avenues" to challenge it. Federal law allows the removal of a board member only for "neglect of duty or malfeasance in office," though a U.S. appeals court ruled in 2021 that such protection does not extend to the panel's chief prosecutor, which at the time allowed Biden to fire Trump-appointed NLRB general counsel Peter Robb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Business executives like Musk have recently argued that presidents should be able to fire board members at will. Last year, Musk's company, SpaceX, joined Amazon in leading a lawsuit that challenged the constitutionality of the NLRB in its current form; the board enforces workers' rights to organize, demand better working conditions, and join or dissolve a union. Federal labor law bars workers from suing their employers in court, so the NLRB is typically their only recourse. The hostile company reaction coincided with an NLRB that increasingly sided with workers and unions over management, an approach favored by the officials Trump fired. Over her three-and-a-half years as the NLRB's general counsel, Abruzzo pursued a slew of notable cases against Apple, Tesla, the New York Times and Starbucks, which still faces dozens of cases over its alleged suppression of a nationwide unionization drive. A settlement she secured with Amazon in 2021, which required the company to allow workers to organize in its breakrooms during their time off, paved the way for employees at one of its warehouses to unionize the following year. Last November, Wilcox and a majority of the board voted to bar Amazon from holding mandatory "captive audience meetings" designed to threaten or persuade voters against forming a union. This month, Abruzzo issued a complaint against private prison company GEO Group, accusing it of using solitary confinement to punish immigrant detainees who supported labor strikes. While Trump has often claimed to be supportive of labor, the removal of Abruzzo and Wilcox is a clear signal that he intends to continue the legacy of his first term, when he filled key roles at the NLRB and other agencies with pro-management lawyers who pushed changes that gave companies more power over workers. And even on the campaign trail, Trump expressed support for Musk's idea of firing striking workers en masse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Wilcox gone, the NLRB will have three vacancies, depriving it of the necessary quorum to rule on routine cases involving companies or unions accused of violating federal labor law. Hundreds of cases are still pending, which a Trump-appointed Republican majority could use to overturn Biden-era precedents that protected workers from unfair labor laws. Even if a court ruling put Wilcox back in her seat, a Republican majority was virtually guaranteed after former Sens. Joe Manchin, I-W.V., and Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., joined the GOP in blocking the re-nomination of Lauren McFerran to serve on the board. Nonetheless, Abruzzo said in a statement that after the landmark rulings issued by the NLRB during the Biden administration, there was "no putting that genie back in the bottle." "If the Agency does not fully effectuate its Congressional mandate in the future as we did during my tenure, I expect that workers with assistance from their advocates will take matters into their own hands in order to get well-deserved dignity and respect in the workplace, as well as a fair share of the significant value they add to their employers operations," she said. SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) When President Donald Trump was sworn into office, he pledged to follow through on a campaign promise: a mass deportation of immigrants who are in the country unlawfully. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported 956 arrests were made on Sunday in various cities across the country. In Spartanburg County, Sheriff Chuck Wright is anticipating the changes to reach the Upstate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its going to slow some process down in the detention center, but I got a great guy over there named Major Chris Leso. Him and his staff are on top of all this and have plans for it, Sheriff Wright said. According to ICE, their office of Enforcement and Removal Operations identifies, arrests and removes undocumented immigrants, who present a danger to national security or are a risk to public safety, as well as those who enter the United States illegally or otherwise undermine the integrity of our immigration laws and our border control efforts. Sheriff Wright said he welcomes the action the Trump Administration is taking, but its too early to tell how the process will play out in Spartanburg County. We are waiting on some instructions, more clearer instructions on how we can help or how we can be out of the way, Wright added. I do know when President Trump does things, he likes to get us involved. He really doesnt have to but he likes to, for us assist and help and I like it that way too, because when people have an arrest in the community they are asking me whats going on. We are always going to follow the law and do whatevers right by the community. Professor at Wofford College, Dr. Laura Barbas Rhoden, said it is early to tell how the changes in Washington will impact the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It leaves a lot of questions and its not my area of expertise to talk about the economic impacts, but there are certainly sectors in our economy that are very reliant on immigrant labor, Rhoden said. Most notably in South Carolina, I think the agriculture worker population is immigrant labor and that would be inclusive, likely of both authorized immigrants and unauthorized immigrants. 7News reached out to ICE to see if any arrests have been made in South Carolina since Trump took office and have not heard back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Reaction to the news that the White House has paused federal funding grants for a review fell largely along party lines. Democrats were aghast at the announcement, which came out late Monday night. Republicans tended to look at the pause as a positive move to save taxpayer money. Also, several state attorneys general banded together to announce a multistate lawsuit to block the pause. The suit, likely to be filed in federal court, will seek to have President Donald Trumps order declared unconstitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A memo issued by Matthew Vaeth, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, directs federal agencies to temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance while the government conducts a review to ensure spending aligns with Trumps agenda. We dont know what this means to the WIC program. We dont know what this means for wildfire preparedness for the Department of Interior. We dont know what this means for Medicare enrollment assistance programs for our seniors. We dont know what this means for USAID. We dont know what this means for mine inspections. We dont know what it means for the reintegration program for veterans, said U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen. His counterpart across the aisle, U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, however, took a different tack. The Dunlap Republican argued no one should be surprised about the order, as it was foreshadowed by Trump on the campaign trail as well as through his executive orders. I think having a pause to review federal dollars, to make sure money is being spent in an efficient, effective, and accountable way is what we ought to be doing, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LaHood said he gave deference to the president, saying he was working for the American taxpayers. I think with a new administration coming in, and what they ran on, again, bringing down our debt, getting the economy back on track, making sure tax dollars are being spent the right way a review and a pause can be a positive thing long-term for taxpayers, LaHood said. Sorensen, a Rockford Democrat, said he was worried about the vagueness of the pause and also that it was a sign that the president is not willing to work with Congress. LaHood, on the other hand, said he wasnt worried about the pause, and noted that he felt nonprofits in his district were allocating their money in the proper manner. Agencies are to submit their reports to the OMB by Feb. 10. Specifically, the memo singles out Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the Green New Deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt during a midday press conference her first of the new administration repeatedly said that the pause will not affect individual assistance, such as Social Security benefits and welfare benefits. But how things will work and what the effects will remain unknown. Both Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich and Peoria County Administrator Scott Sorrel said they were monitoring the situation and assessing how it will affect them. The Health and Human Services Coalition of Illinois which represents many health and human service organizations in Illinois, said the pause will cause irreversible harm to the lives and livelihoods of both the people who depend upon those services and the health and human services workers who have dedicated their lives to delivering them. This story will be updated. The Associated Press contributed to this story. 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. President Trump said Monday that DeepSeek, a Chinese startup behind a popular new artificial intelligence (AI) model, represented a wake-up call for American tech firms. The release of DeepSeek, AI from a Chinese company, should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win, Trump told House Republicans at their annual policy retreat. The president also suggested that the rise of the new AI model, which contributed to significant stock losses for the tech sector Monday, could be seen as a positive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That could be very much a positive development, he added during the address at his National Doral resort outside Miami. So instead of spending billions and billions, youll spend less and youll come up with, hopefully, the same solution. DeepSeek exploded onto the AI scene last week after releasing its R1 open-source reasoning model, which it claims performs on par with OpenAIs models. It surged to the top of Apples App Store over the weekend, overtaking OpenAIs ChatGPT. Most notable about the AI model, however, is how it was built. DeepSeek claims to have spent just $5.6 million and relied on a couple thousand reduced-capability chips to train its latest models. This threatens to upend the current consensus on developing AI, which assumed massive investment in data centers and chips was necessary to train new models. American tech firms, like OpenAI, Meta and Microsoft, have committed billions of dollars to building out AI infrastructure in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The revelation sent tech stocks tumbling Monday, with AI chipmaker Nvidia losing nearly $600 billion in value in one day. Brett Samuels 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. MIAMI (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that Chinese startup DeepSeek's technology should act as spur for American companies and said it was good that companies in China have come up with a cheaper, faster method of artificial intelligence. "The release of DeepSeek, AI from a Chinese company should be a wakeup call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win," Trump said in Florida. Investors sold technology stocks across the globe on Monday over concerns the emergence of a low-cost Chinese artificial intelligence model would threaten the dominance of the current U.S.-based AI leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've been reading about China and some of the companies in China, one in particular coming up with a faster method of AI and much less expensive method, and that's good because you don't have to spend as much money. I view that as a positive, as an asset," Trump said. "I view that as a positive because you'll be doing that too, so you won't be spending as much, and you'll get the same result, hopefully," he said. Trump said Chinese leaders had told him the United States had the most brilliant scientists in the world, and he indicated that if Chinese industry could come up with cheaper AI technology, U.S. companies would follow. "We always have the ideas. We're always first. So I would say that's a positive that could be very much a positive development. So instead of spending billions and billions, you'll spend less, and you'll come up with, hopefully, the same solution," Trump said. (Reporting by Nandita Bose; additional reporting by Jeff Mason and Ryan Jones; editing by Chris Reese and Leslie Adler) President McKinley, Donald Trump said in his inaugural address last week, 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. There was a point to the Presidents praise for one of his long-dead predecessors: he was foreshadowing one of the flurry of executive orders he issued on his first day. Trump announced that the federal government would restore McKinleys name to Americas highest peak, which Barack Obama an advocate of submerging American power unexceptionally within a rules-based world order had replaced with an indigenous Alaskan name in 2015. But was there more to Trumps comments than the renaming of a mountain? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement William McKinley, elected in 1896 and re-elected in 1900, remains a subject of discreet fascination. A 2021 survey of American presidential historians rated him 14th out of the 45 men who have held the countrys highest office. A decade ago, the Republican advisor Karl Rove, a major adversary of Trump, took a break from his own career in political analysis to author a substantial study of the 25th presidents 1896 election campaign, which, Rove argued, bore intriguing similarities to the political contests of our time. Then as now, America was divided between partisan visions of what it should be in the world. A burgeoning economy bucked an inherent tension between a desire to focus on domestic issues and unavoidable strategic challenges abroad. In both periods, the United States hosted an immigrant population of unprecedented size and unpredicted effect. Like Trump, McKinleys path to office required him to wrest control of the Republican Party from its entrenched and discredited leaders and then win the same Upper Midwestern swing states on cross-party defections from a disenfranchised industrial working class. Assuring American prosperity required both presidents to jettison longstanding consensus and pursue an aggressive defence of American economic and geopolitical interests. Tellingly, Trumps second inaugural address eschewed substantive mention of any other president. Not even the perennial favourites George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, or the once for Republicans sacrosanct figure of Ronald Reagan made it in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So is McKinley, a disruptor in his own right, driving Trumps thinking? As the returning President told the World Economic Forum via video conference last week, If you dont make your product in America then, very simply, you will have to pay a tariff. In a sharp turn from the economic neoliberalism that dominated both major American parties for two generations, Trump has pledged to institute tariffs both to protect American industry and the workers who operate it, and to punish foreign countries for objectionable stances on immigration, the international drug trade, and fiscal policies adverse to American interests. Broad tariffs reaching 25 per cent may be imposed on Canada and Mexico as early as next week, with others at the forefront in a gambit to enrich America. Tariff, Trump has said on multiple occasions, is the most beautiful word in the dictionary. It remains to be seen whether what worked for McKinley who as an Ohio congressman successfully championed a 50 per cent tariff in 1890, far above the 10 or 20 per cent general tariff Trump suggested during the campaign or those McKinley managed to impose later during his presidency will work for the returning President. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The similarities do not end there, however. McKinley, whose nationalism was also fundamentally economic and pro-growth, shared his modern successors aversion to foreign wars. Yet he wasnt against territorial expansion if it favoured American interests. In the Caribbean of McKinleys time, this resulted in a war with Spain, which was then struggling to hold onto what was left of its once-vast empire, and whose remaining colonies traded overwhelmingly with the United States. McKinley preferred a negotiated solution on the particularly thorny issue of Cubas future, but when the Spanish government and Cuban rebels failed to reach a settlement and an American battleship was blown up in Havana harbour in suspicious circumstances a short three-month war in 1898 delivered Cubas independence as a de facto American protectorate, while Puerto Rico, Guam, and the distant Philippine islands became American possessions outright. That same year, McKinley annexed Hawaii, then a republic dominated by American business interests that had overthrown the native queen some years earlier. McKinley understood the strategic imperative of a Pacific base and a need to keep the island archipelago out of expansionist Japanese hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What the Caribbean trade and Pacific strategic imperative were in the 1890s could resemble todays economic scramble for Greenland, where Denmarks weak hold of the territory has invited an imperial contest between the United States and China for the islands rare earth minerals and control of fast shipping routes. Trump clearly prefers a negotiated solution, but has said that he would not rule out a military one. He has the same position on the Panama Canal, which emerged from careful diplomacy that McKinley began prior to his assassination in 1901 and was completed by his successor Theodore Roosevelt, who had the capital to complete the project and the military wherewithal to stare down other strategic challenges in the Caribbean. McKinley refrained from any acquisitive designs on Canada, so maybe the comparison will end there. Or will Trump, who presides over a vastly more powerful country, seek to expand on his predecessors legacy? Paul du Quenoy is a historian and president of the Palm Beach Freedom Institute 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. DORAL, Florida President Donald Trump on Monday didnt offer House Republicans any new guidance for how exactly they should enact his vast legislative agenda. But he issued a long list of must-haves. Speaking at the annual House GOP policy retreat held this year at his Miami-area resort Trump spelled out key demands for Speaker Mike Johnson as congressional Republicans solidify their strategy to advance the massive, party-line domestic policy bill they are hoping to pass in a matter of months. Virtually all of these demands are costly, adding to the challenge GOP leaders face in finding corresponding spending cuts to offset them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, for instance, outlined a series of expensive immigration policy moves, including a massive increase in detention beds, additional support for ICE as agents ramp up deportations, full border security funding and completion of the wall at the southern border. On tax policy, Trump was even more expansive. Echoing a demand he reminded GOP leaders about during a recent White House meeting, he reiterated his campaign promises to not only extend the 2017 tax cuts but also eliminate income taxes on tips, Social Security benefits and overtime earnings. What he did not detail was just how congressional leaders should go about getting all of these policies passed. House and Senate leaders remain at odds on whether every priority should be stuffed into one bill or split between two, though Johnson is primed to move forward with a one-bill plan. We dont want to get hung up on the budget process whether its one bill, two bills, I dont care, Trump said. Let these guys theyre going to work it out one way or the other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Republicans are privately wary about the price tag for all of Trumps demands, with some members estimating the entire array could reach $10 trillion. While the border policies in particular have wide support across the conference, Johnsons right flank is demanding any new spending be fully paid for with separate deep spending cuts. Some GOP members are privately dubious about how theyre supposed to pay for other Trump demands, including his no tax on tips push. House GOP chairs and leaders will discuss some of their envisioned spending cuts in more detail, in closed-door meetings, at the retreat Tuesday. Monday night, though, Trump made clear he doesnt want any cuts to come from Medicare or Social Security; a menu of potential cuts previously circulated by House Republicans instead targets Medicaid, food assistance and other safety-net programs. GOP leaders have also been discussing whether to offset some of the border security costs by increasing fees for migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. and slashing some social services for newly arrived immigrants. Even then, the bill likely wont be fully paid for with those measures alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, notably, devoted a significant portion of his roughly 50-minute address to House Republicans to his plans for instituting a new wave of tariffs. Trump mentioned both Mexico and Canada by name as the focus of his ire; he has already threatened sweeping 25 percent tariffs on the two neighboring countries starting Feb. 1. We are going to protect our people and our businesses, and we are going to protect our country with tariffs and you got a little indication of that yesterday, Trump said, making reference to his Sunday threats in response to Colombias refusal to receive migrant repatriation flights. If there was another main theme of the speech, it was unity. With low-single-digit majorities in both chambers, Trump and GOP congressional leaders face a grinding fight to get any legislation passed, let alone a party-line bill of the scale they are now proposing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president beseeched the gathered Republicans to make life easy and fall in line behind party leaders. "The Republican party has to stick together, he said. It would be different if we had ... a 30-person majority, but we don't. Right now we have a very special period because we have the House, we have the Senate, and we have the White House. And we're a team. And we're a really good team. Trump also noted he has raised a lot of money that he wants to deploy in advance of the 2026 midterms, for both House and Senate races. Throughout his remarks, Trump name-checked various lawmakers in the crowd. He heaped praise on Speaker Mike Johnson a high quality person, very religious person and Whip Tom Emmer, whom he said hed gotten to know and respect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regarding Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who was shot in an attempted assassination in 2017, Trump quipped: He looks better today than he did 10 years ago. The president also recognized a key ally, House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who was sitting deep in the crowd. Not a great seat for a man of such power, Trump quipped before commenting on Jordans ubiquitous appearances defending Trump on cable TV: "What's not to like? He gets on television, he's like a wrestler: Hes got this boom, boom, boom, boom. Its very impressive. Newly appointed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is in New York City cosplaying as an ICE agent. Here in New York City this morning, we are gettin the dirtbags off these streets, said Noem, wearing an official ICE bulletproof vest over her jacket in a video captioned 7 AM in NYC. Getting the dirt bags off the streets. (An earlier version of the post with a misspelling of dirt bags was deleted.) The post came as the Department of Homeland Security began conducting ICE raids in New York City Tuesday morning as part of President Trumps sweeping immigration crackdown. 7 AM in NYC. Getting the dirt bags off the streets. pic.twitter.com/AlDD819K89 Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 28, 2025 Just now. Enforcement operation in NYC. Criminal alien with kidnapping, assault & burglary charges is now in custodythanks to ICE, Noem wrote in a different post that same morning. Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets. The video attached to the post showed ICE agents leading a man away in cuffs at around 6 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE, DHS, and other federal agencies have been posting pictures of arrests and keeping daily tallies of those arrested. A similar process occurred in Chicago two days ago, and the Trump administration is looking to do the same in every major city. My goal is to arrest as many public safety and national security threats as possible and move on to the other priorities, Immigration czar Tom Homan told CNN on Sunday. Noem will be leading the counterterrorism part of DHSs efforts. A longtime Trump advocate, Noem even sent her states national guard all the way to the southern border while she was governor of South Dakota last year, ignoring her state while it was flooding. On Jan. 21, 2025, the incoming Trump administration imposed a communications freeze on U.S. health agencies until a presidential appointee could review them. That meant long-standing meetings designed to allocate grant money to medical research were canceled without indication they would be rescheduled. One of those meetings concerned cancer research. The communications freeze was set to last at least until Feb. 1, 2025, but effectively lasted until Feb. 26, when the administration partially lifted it. On Jan. 27, 2027, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), imposed a blanket freeze of "agency grant, loan, and other assistance programs" on all government agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, which fund medical research. Despite a federal court order that placed a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the government-wide funding freeze on Jan. 30, 2025, the administration did not resume funding. The same judge then granted a motion to enforce the TRO on Feb. 10, 2025. On Feb 7, 2025, the NIH quietly published new guidance for indirect costs allotted in grants, capping them at 15%. This change also applied to existing grants. In response, 22 states sued and obtained an injunction on this new guidance from a federal court in Massachusetts on March 5, 2025. On March 6, 2025, the NIH announced it would "centralize" grant-review meetings to "improve efficiency and strengthen integrity." People familiar with the situation argued that the move would further slow grant funding. While the administration did not stop research, these moves sowed concern in the research community and disrupted research funding. Since the first week of U.S. President Donald Trump's second term, directives his administration imposed on government agencies whose mission it is to promote health and research sparked rumors that he had effectively stopped cancer research. While that wasn't exactly true, his directives greatly worried patients and scientists who relied on U.S. government grants. For example, the day after Trump spoke before Congress on March 4, 2025, one user posted on X that the president had "stopped child cancer research" (archived): Trump literally stopped child cancer research. You people are f*ck*ng demons pic.twitter.com/6Nggs8eo72 evan loves worf (@esjesjesj) March 5, 2025 Those rumors had been spreading for weeks. Someone else had posted (archived) on X on Jan. 22, 2025, that stopping cancer research would be "sociopathic": Stopping NIH studies on cancer research is some real sociopathic super villain sh*t. https://t.co/dcEuBMSIUI David DeWitt (@DC_DeWitt) January 23, 2025 Further, Snopes readers had searched on our site whether it was true that Trump had stopped cancer research. Meanwhile on X, a user posted (archived) that one of their friends, who had skin cancer, was about to start a clinical trial after other treatments had failed, and the trial had now been canceled: A friend of mine has skin cancer and was about to start a clinical trial at MD Anderson after his other treatments did not work. Trump's decision to temporarily halt funding for medical research also applies to clinical trials. His treatment is now canceled. pic.twitter.com/7L8cxrwND5 Eric Koch (@EricDKoch) January 24, 2025 A GoFundMe page for the skin cancer patient claimed: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All my appointments at MD Anderson for next week have been canceled. This as a result from the new White House administration's decision to temporarily halt funding for medical research, This also applies to clinical trials, like the one I was scheduled to start soon. Another variation of the claim appeared on Facebook and on Reddit, alleging Trump had shut down "the majority of research funding." The claim followed reports that meetings of researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) had been canceled. In these meetings, known as review-panel or study-section meetings and advisory councils, experts of any given discipline get together to decide which research projects will receive grants from the agency. These meetings are often scheduled a year in advance, with sometimes dozens of participants, which means they can be difficult to reschedule. Canceling these meetings without rescheduling them can result in a research funding freeze. Indeed, meeting cancellations began after a memo from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that ordered a freeze on all communications (including meetings) and reports from health agencies, including the NIH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), until a presidential appointee could review them: Refrain from publicly issuing any documents (e.g., regulation, guidance, notice, grant announcement) or communication (e.g., social media, websites, press releases, and communication using listservs) until it has been reviewed and approved by a presidential appointee," through February 1. In short, the Trump administration did pause those meetings until an appointee could review them, until at least Feb. 1, 2025. At the time, the U.S. Senate had not yet confirmed Trump's appointee for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for the White House replied: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HHS has issued a pause on mass communications and public appearances that are not directly related to emergencies or critical to preserving health. This is a short pause to allow the new team to set up a process for review and prioritization. There are exceptions for announcements that HHS divisions believe are mission critical, but they will be made on a case by case basis. We contacted the agency for more clarifications on the rationale behind the review panel meeting freeze, and we did not receive a response. Communications and travel freezes Communications freezes during presidential transitions have happened in the past, though the length of this pause was unprecedented. For example, for the first time since it started publishing it in 1961, the CDC failed to put out its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Indeed, a visit to its main page and a check of its past issues showed that it had been published every Thursday since at least 1982, except for Jan. 23 and Jan. 30, 2025. As HHS ordered the communications freeze, a Jan. 22, 2025, email from Glenda Conroy, director of the NIH Office of Financial Management, ordered that all travel be "suspended" immediately and indefinitely. This travel ban affected all NIH-sponsored travel, including for professional meetings and conferences where many scientists were due to make presentations. But some grant-review meetings occurred over video, so the travel ban alone did not explain why grant meetings were halted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several people on social media platforms including Bluesky and Reddit made similar claims to the ones above. For example, a user posted on Bluesky on Jan. 22, 2025, an exchange in which people said review panel meetings had been abruptly ended as the members of the panel discussed grants: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Bluesky / @medickimw.bsky.social) The posts read: Original post: Colleague of mine just got back from zoom study section saying the SRO [scientific review officer] shut down the meeting while they were in the middle of discussing grants, saying some executive order wouldn't let them continue. l'm just wondering if anyone else has any info on this. At first it sounded like "diversity" initiatives might have been a factor, but now I'm wondering if there's a wider freeze. Any other tips out there? Response: My colleague was in a virtual study section that was similarly shut down by the SRO (perhaps the same one, or this is a wider issue). Someone followed up via email that the SRO was a DEI hire and was placed on leave immediately today so the meeting had to end. This is bananas. Science Magazine published a report on Jan. 22, 2025, according to which at least one meeting had been cut short and another had been canceled moments before it was due to start: Today, for example, officials halted midstream a training workshop for junior scientists, called off a workshop on adolescent learning minutes before it was to begin, and canceled meetings of two advisory councils. Panels that were scheduled to review grant proposals also received eleventh-hour word that they wouldn't be meeting. Scientists reported meeting cancellations Further, several scientists who sat on panels confirmed directly that either the grant-review meetings or pre-meetings they were meant to attend had been canceled. For example, Erin Rich, an associate professor in neurology at New York University, posted on Bluesky: (Bluesky / @erinlrich.bsky.social) Rich's assertion was confirmed by Luke Remage-Healy of the University of Massachusetts, in a reply: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Bluesky / @healeylab.bsky.social) Esther Choo, an emergency physician from the Oregon Health & Science University, posted something similar on Jan. 22, 2025: (Bluesky / @choo.bsky.social) Searching the calendar for study-section meetings on the NIH website, we found two different study-section meetings listed for January: one titled "Biobehavioral Medicine and Health Outcomes Study Section" and another titled "Cellular Signaling and Regulatory Systems Study Section." With an annual budget of $47 billion, the NIH is the world's largest funder of research in the medical and behavioral sciences. The cancellation or delay of study-section meetings, which dole out grant money to promising studies in those areas, worried scientists that crucial research may be delayed or abandoned for lack of funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, Chrystal Starbird, a cancer researcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, posted on Bluesky on Jan. 22 that the study-section meeting in which she was supposed to take part had been canceled, with what she expected would be negative consequences on "critical cancer research": Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Bluesky / @drstarbird.bsky.social) In a direct message on Bluesky, Starbird told Snopes her meeting was scheduled to take place on Jan. 30 and 31, and that she had received no further information as to whether it might be rescheduled. The meeting was going to be virtual, requiring no travel. However, the communications freeze was lifted partially on Feb. 26, 2025, after Kennedy was confirmed as health secretary. The pause had impacted 16,000 grants applications, or about $1.5 billion in NIH funding, according to an NPR report. Funding freeze, cost cap, and federal court decisions Meanwhile, on Jan. 27, 2025, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo imposing a blanket freeze of "agency grant, loan, and other assistance programs" on all government agencies. This also impacted the NIH's ability to distribute grant money. Shortly after this, U.S. Federal Judge John McConnell, Jr., in Maryland, issued a temporary restraining order blocking the funding freeze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, due to the freeze on communications, the government still withheld grant money weeks after the TRO. As the federal government failed to comply with the order, McConnell on Feb. 10, 2025, granted the plaintiffs' motion to enforce the TRO. Those plaintiffs included more than 20 states and the District of Columbia. The States have presented evidence in this motion that the Defendants in some cases have continued to improperly freeze federal funds and refused to resume disbursement of appropriated federal funds. (...) The broad categorical and sweeping freeze of federal funds is, as the Court found, likely unconstitutional and has caused and continues to cause irreparable harm to a vast portion of this country. These pauses in funding violate the plain text of the TRO. Separately, on Feb. 7, 2025, the NIH issued new guidance on indirect costs for grants. Published late on a Friday, the guidance capped such costs to 15% of the amount of the grants. According to a congressional research paper, "indirect costs represent expenses that are not specific to a research project and that maintain the infrastructure and administrative support for federally funded research." Effective the following Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, this cost cap would apply to all new grants, and also to all existing grants. According to the same paper, in 2023 indirect costs represented 27.8% of grants awarded, or $9.4 billion. A social media post by the NIH estimated that this new guidance would save the agency $4 billion a year (archived): Last year, $9B of the $35B that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) granted for research was used for administrative overhead, what is known as indirect costs. Today, NIH lowered the maximum indirect cost rate research institutions can charge the government to 15%, above pic.twitter.com/FSUYpEGKsr NIH (@NIH) February 7, 2025 This near-halving of indirect costs might affect research that had already been receiving funding by the NIH. Indeed, while a lump sum is awarded to a project upon approval, the money is often doled out once a year, upon review of an annual progress report. Research teams that had already negotiated grant amounts to carry our their work may have to slow or shutter their projects. In response, 22 states sued the federal government. On March 5, 2025, Federal Judge Angel Kelley, in Massachusetts, granted their motion for a nationwide preliminary injunction on this indirect-cost cap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The imminent risk of halting life-saving clinical trials, disrupting the development of innovative medical research and treatment, and shuttering of research facilities, without regard for current patient care, warranted the issuance of a nationwide temporary restraining order to maintain the status quo, until the matter could be fully addressed before the Court," Kelley wrote in the decision. NIH implements new rules Early in March 2025, the NIH began to implement changes. First, it reportedly instructed its staff to award grants only to applications that aligned with the administration's priorities, according to a report by Nature (archived). "NIH will no longer prioritize research and research training programs that focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)," an internal NIH document obtained by Nature read. This effectively terminated NIH-funded studies related to LGBTQ+ people, for example. Secondly, on March 6, 2025, the NIH announced it would centralize all grant reviews to the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) "to improve efficiency and strengthen integrity." While 78% of grant applications go through the CSR, some 22% go through NIH Institutes and Centers (IC). This is because some grant applications require specific expertise for review. SROs who organize such meetings need to have a deep understanding of the topic of research in order to recruit reviewers, for example. Further, the grant review schedules were different between the CSR and IC, so the existing system allowed NIH staff to spread the workload. For this and other reasons, scientists worried that the new system would slow grants, and therefore research projects. "Eighty percent of grants already go through CSR, but it would have to ramp up quickly," Choo of Oregon Health & Science University said in a direct message on Bluesky. "And so far all the admin has done is break processes, not improve them." Others expressed concern that centralizing all grant reviews might derail research for political goals. For example, someone said on Bluesky (archived): (Bluesky / @altnih4science.bsky.social) As for the claim that the pause had resulted in clinical trials being halted at MD Anderson, White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung replied that was false (archived): Wrong. There is no pause on research. Stop lying. https://t.co/sVUXFlNI2T Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) January 24, 2025 Contacted by email, the cancer center in Texas replied that "all active and enrolling clinical trials at MD Anderson remain ongoing." Sources: Home Page for MMWR | MMWR. 15 Jan. 2025, https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index.html. MMWR Weekly: Past Volumes (1982-2024) | MMWR. 6 Jan. 2025, https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwr_wk/wk_pvol.html. Review Dates. https://www.csr.nih.gov/RevPanelsAndDates/RevDates.aspx. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025. Kelley, Angel. Massachusetts, Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of American Universities v. NIH. 1:25-cv-10338-AK, 5 Mar. 2025, https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.280590/gov.uscourts.mad.280590.105.0_1.pdf. Kozlov, Max. 'Revealed: NIH Research Grants Still Frozen despite Lawsuits Challenging Trump Order'. Nature, vol. 638, no. 8052, Feb. 2025, pp. 87071. www.nature.com, https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-00540-2. Kozlov, Max, and Smriti Mallapaty. 'Exclusive: NIH to Terminate Hundreds of Active Research Grants'. Nature, Mar. 2025. www.nature.com, https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-00703-1. McConnell, Jr., John. Temporary Restraining Order. 1:25-cv-00039-JJM-PAS, 30 Jan. 2025, https://www.rid.uscourts.gov/sites/rid/files/proposed%20TRO.pdf. ---. 25-cv-39-JJM-PAS, 10 Feb. 2025, https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.rid.58912/gov.uscourts.rid.58912.96.0_5.pdf. 'NIH Centralizes Peer Review to Improve Efficiency and Strengthen Integrity'. National Institutes of Health (NIH), 6 Mar. 2025, https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-centralizes-peer-review-improve-efficiency-strengthen-integrity. NIH Indirect Costs Policy for Research Grants: Recent Developments. 3 Mar. 2025, https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN12516#:~:text=On%20February%207%2C%202025%2C%20the,to%20any%20new%20grant%20awards. NOT-OD-25-068: Supplemental Guidance to the 2024 NIH Grants Policy Statement: Indirect Cost Rates. https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-25-068.html#_ftnref2. Accessed 7 Mar. 2025. Raymond, Nate, and Nate Raymond. 'US Judge Bars Trump Administration from Cutting NIH Research Funding'. Reuters, 5 Mar. 2025. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-judge-bars-trump-administration-cutting-nih-research-funding-2025-03-05/. Simmons-Duffin, Selena. 'RFK Jr. Confirmed as Trump's Health Secretary, over Democrats' Loud Objections'. NPR, 13 Feb. 2025. NPR, https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/13/nx-s1-5294591/rfk-jr-trump-health-human-services-hhs-vaccines. Stein, Rob. 'NIH Partially Lifts Freeze on Funding Process for Medical Research'. NPR, 26 Feb. 2025. NPR, https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/26/g-s1-50920/trump-nih-funding-freeze-medical-research. Vaeth, Matthew. Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial AssistancePrograms. U.S. OMB, 27 Jan. 2025, https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25506191-omb-memo-1-27/. Yanny, Anna Marie. 'Trump Administration Delays Wisconsin Research Funds by Withholding, Canceling Review Meetings'. WPR, 25 Feb. 2025, https://www.wpr.org/news/trump-administration-delays-federal-research-dollars-wisconsin-nih. Updates: March 10, 2025: This report was updated to add developments in the funding of medical and behavioral research by the NIH in the months that followed the second inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump. The acting top federal prosecutor in Washington under President Donald Trump is furious about recent leaks to the press and also specifically directed staff to scrutinize a former officials work on January 6 cases after she rebuked him on TV, according to internal emails obtained by CNN. Ed Martin, the interim US attorney for DC, sent an email Tuesday to his entire office, complaining that someone leaked an email he sent Monday. In the Monday email, he launched an internal review of how prosecutors handled some January 6, 2021, cases where the Supreme Court concluded that prosecutors overstepped with charging decisions. In the Tuesday email blast, Martin said: Wow, what a disappointment to have my email yesterday to you all was leaked almost immediately. Again, personally insulting and professionally unacceptable. I guess I have learned my lesson (Fool me once). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest missive from Martin highlights his turbulent first week, as he aggressively tries to impose Trumps agenda at the Justice Department, while facing pushback both internally from career prosecutors and others who quit and then bashed his actions. Martin is a socially conservative activist and commentator and was involved with the 2020 election denier movement. In his Tuesday email, he lashed out at a prosecutor who was involved in January 6 cases and resigned after Trump granted mass clemency that ended all of the nearly 1,600 cases and wiped away all remaining prison terms. That ex-prosecutor, Ashley Akers, gave at least four TV interviews Monday, with multiple appearances on MSNBC and CNN, where she condemned many of Martins moves. Akers said she had a guttural reaction when Trump chose to immediately absolve the January 6 defendants. She said it was appalling that Martin was advocating on behalf of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers by successfully urging a judge to nix their travel restrictions. And she called his internal review of January 6 cases a wild goose chase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Martin sent an officewide email Tuesday rebuking Akers for going on television badmouthing our work (and me!). He said, we will need to make sure we have her records and emails, including for his review of January 6 prosecutions. (Akers name was misspelled in the email.) I have never met her so I find her comments disconnected from reality - not a credit to our office, Martin wrote in the email. She mentioned fear (and used the word guttural) - I am not sure to what she is referring I will be reaching out to her. Maybe she had issues with her supervisors or my predecessor. We will see if we can help her. Akers declined to comment about Martins emails. A spokesperson for the US attorneys office didnt respond to a request for comment Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate email last week that was also obtained by CNN, Martin said he had a great first day in the office, but was dismayed that someone leaked details about a conversation they had. In many of his emails, Martin has complained about these leaks. Unfortunately, immediately after our get to know you meetings, one of the attendees leaked to the press about a specific detail, Martin wrote in the officewide email that CNN obtained. This is personally insulting, of course, and professionally unacceptable. If you are the person or person who leaked, feel free to contact me directly. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com (Bloomberg) -- The US Justice Department fired more than a dozen officials who worked on investigations that former Special Counsel Jack Smith led into Donald Trumps actions following the presidents 2020 election loss. Most Read from Bloomberg Acting Attorney General James McHenry removed the officials because he didnt believe those staff members could be trusted to implement the presidents agenda due to their roles in the investigations, a department spokesperson said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith conducted two investigations into Trumps actions, both of which resulted in indictments. One case alleged that Trump illegally tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The other alleged that Trump mishandled classified documents and obstructed justice after leaving the White House in 2021. Trump and his allies blasted Smiths investigations, often describing them and other actions they disliked as examples of how the former Biden administration weaponized the government against conservatives. One of the first executive orders that Trump issued after taking office last week was to root out individuals who he perceived to be political enemies. It was not immediately clear which officials on Smiths team had been fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith dropped both cases against Trump after he was reelected president, citing a Justice Department policy that prohibits the prosecution of sitting presidents. The firings are in addition to officials who were notified last week that theyre being reassigned to work on Trumps top priorities, especially immigration enforcement, according to a person who asked to remain anonymous to speak about personnel matters. The firings were earlier reported by Fox News. Meanwhile, interim US Attorney for the District of Columbia Ed Martin has launched an internal review of the use of certain felony obstruction charges in prosecutions of people who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, according to a person familiar with that move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin was a vocal critic of the Jan. 6 prosecutions and an advocate for defendants before he was appointed to lead the DC office that had overseen that effort over the past four years. Trump signed a mass clemency order for the more than 1,500 people charged in the Capitol attack on his first day in office, pardoning nearly everyone who was convicted and ordering pending cases dismissed. A spokesperson for the US attorneys office did not immediately return a request for comment. Martins announcement was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. As someone who conducts focus groups for a living, I was hardly surprised by the poll this week that showed that so many British voters back Donald Trumps agenda on issues such as migration and free speech. Thats partly because of the state of public disaffection when it comes to successive governments handling of those issues in Britain. But my lack of surprise was down to something else too. It has become clear from the work I do that many British voters admire Trumps approach on policy but, more importantly, on what amounts to his sheer determination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont see why were all so [bothered] about making other people happy, but not ourselves as a country. Trump gets that, a middle-aged man, a former Conservative voter, told me in Dudley last week. Another, a retired woman in Bury, said: Hes done 100 things in one day and Starmer still hasnt done anything. We need a Trump. Across the country, we are hearing the same. People are increasingly fed up that the only change they see in Britain is apparently change for the worse. Promises by the main parties to fix the NHS, control the borders and ease the cost of living crisis, all seem to go unfulfilled. It is early days, but many voters in this country are looking enviously across the Atlantic at the whirlwind of activity from the newly-installed US president and wishing we could have a bit of the same. Many British voters are struck by how many executive orders President Trump has signed since his inauguration earlier this month - Ben Curtis/AP To be clear, this has little to do with his charm, or lack of, and everything to do with the political circumstances of Britain and how Trumps approach is perceived by many voters to be the antithesis of the comparatively limp approach by successive British prime ministers to the crises affecting migration, housing and the NHS. While you meet few people who will describe the US President as a nice person or even fair, such is public frustration with the state of Britain that these things no longer matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ask someone what they think of the Prime Minister, but also almost any politician nowadays, and at best the response will be a shrug of the shoulders, but, more likely, something a lot fruitier. While the reputation of our politicians has been low for a number of years, such was the dashed hope that Keir Starmer would be so much better than the incompetent Tories, the reputation of our main parties is in a collectively terrible place. Trumps flurry of executive orders within hours of his inauguration, most obviously cracking down on illegal migration, landed well with people on this side of the Atlantic who share similar concerns and feel our own politicians are incapable of acting on them. The mere fact that Trump was seen to be taking dramatic action as soon as he entered the White House wins him significant favour with working-class voters, particularly in the Midlands and the North. We found a similar phenomenon in the early days of Trumps first term in office. At that time, Britain was in a similar period of stagnation. The public had voted for Brexit but Theresa May was failing to secure a decent Brexit deal, and was struggling to implement any sort of domestic policy agenda after her devastating failure in the 2017 election. At that time, in focus groups we ran, we would hear endless disapproving comments about his personal conduct and even his broader political views, but at least he gets things done. There was this sense that Trump was a dodgy sort of man, but, whatever his flaws, he cut through the endless stasis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While he was ejected from office in 2020 and dragged through a series of court cases that were expected to kill any hope of a return that sense of Trump the Action Man lingered. In focus groups for this newspaper in 2023, we heard comments from irritated Tory voters, exasperated with Rishi Sunaks failure to turn things around, along similar lines. Memorably, addressing a focus group in Bolton, Josephine, a 64-year-old sales assistant said (to nods of agreement from fellow participants): I would like to see a British version of Trump, personally he put America first. He did the gas pipeline, he did [stuff] on immigration. Trump at a campaign rally in Ohio, March 2024 - Jeff Dean Even though hes a millionaire, I could relate to Trump. I could sit here and have a conversation with him and listen to him and believe him. Whereas our politicians, I dont trust them one bit. I just think they just go with the flow, say what they think they want to hear, but theres no action. Leanne, a middle-aged hairdresser, agreed, saying that Britain needs someone like Trump because he would get the job done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said: Our prime ministers have given us a lot of false promises, basically lied to us, told us to do one thing when they do another. Where, with Trump, as crazy as he is, you know what youre getting with him. And I think the UK does need someone like that, to sort the country out. All of this makes it less surprising that voters would back policies such as declaring a border emergency in the Channel, just as Trump has done on the USs southern frontier with Mexico. Undoubtedly, by not mentioning that these were Trumps policies, the poll will have lulled those who strongly dislike the US president into expressing support for his agenda. But, based on my experience talking particularly to working-class voters who backed Brexit in 2016, none of them could have cared less whose policies they were. Many people in Britain are looking to politicians to act decisively over key issues, as Trump does - Getty The scale of disaffection in Britain towards our political class spells trouble for the main parties at the next election, who might find it difficult to change the perception that they repeatedly fail to achieve significant change for the better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, voters just want to see a politician make a promise and deliver on it hence the members of our focus groups expressing support for a Trump-like-figure rather than coveting Trump himself. Britain, however, remains Britain. In an ideal world, people would actually prefer to have a sort of political version of Sir David Attenborough. He is much more to the taste of British voters. But it would seem that desperate times call for desperate measures. Ed Shackle is Head of Qualitative Research at Public First 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 four executive orders pertaining to the military Monday, including one barring transgender people from enlisting and serving openly and another cracking down on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the armed services. The order pertaining to transgender military service, titled "Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness," reinstates a policy from Trump's first term and rescinds an order by then-President Joe Biden that allowed trans people to enlist and permitted already enlisted trans service members to receive coverage for transition-related medical care. "It is the policy of the United States Government to establish high standards for troop readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity, and integrity," the order states. "This policy is inconsistent with the medical, surgical, and mental health constraints on individuals with gender dysphoria. This policy is also inconsistent with shifting pronoun usage or use of pronouns that inaccurately reflect an individuals sex." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order mandates that the Defense Department update its military medical standards within 60 days, promptly "end invented and identification-based pronoun usage" and prohibit people assigned male at birth from using womens sleeping, changing and bathing facilities. The order will take time to implement, so transgender service members will not be immediately ejected. Its unclear what will happen to service members who are receiving transition-related care through Tricare, the militarys health care program. Biden signed a defense bill in December that barred coverage of gender-affirming care for trans children of service members, so that care was already prohibited. Under the Trump administrations 2017 trans military restriction, transgender service members fell into two categories: exempt, meaning they came out as trans prior to the restriction and were allowed to continue serving openly and received transition-related medical care, and nonexempt, meaning they came out after the restriction and had to continue serving as their assigned sex at birth and could not have any transition-related care covered by Tricare other than therapy. That policy also completely prohibited openly trans people from enlisting. At the time, the administration maintained that the policy was not a trans military ban, as it was widely referred to, because it allowed service members to apply for a waiver. Though during the four years it was in effect, only one waiver was publicly reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It can take a minimum of 12 months for an individual to complete treatments after so-called transition surgery, which often involves the use of heavy narcotics, the White House document about Trumps new trans military order states. In this time, they are not physically capable of meeting military readiness requirements and continue to require consistent medical care. This is not conducive for deployment or other readiness requirements. The document alleges that Bidens order undoing Trumps last restriction on trans people serving in the military ordered the Department of Defense to pay for service members transition surgeries, as well as those of their dependent children at a cost of millions of dollars to the American taxpayer. A rally at the U.S. Capitol against the transgender military service ban on April 10, 2019. The Department of Defense doesnt publicly report how many trans people are serving in the military, and estimates vary widely. One 2014 report by the Williams Institute at UCLA using data from the 2011 National Transgender Discrimination Survey found that about 15,500 transgender people were serving in the military. A 2016 report from the Rand Corp. drawing from Department of Defense data and previous research (including the Williams Institute report) found that there were a maximum of 10,790 trans people serving in the military and the reserves, though it found that figure could also be as low as 2,150. A report by the Congressional Research Service that was updated this month found that from 2016 to 2021, the Defense Department spent about $15 million on transition-related care (surgical and nonsurgical) to 1,892 active duty service members. Of that amount, $11.5 million went to psychotherapy and $3.1 million to surgeries, according to Military.com, citing Defense Department data provided to the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emily Shilling, a commander in the Navy, has served in the military since 2005 and is the president of SPARTA, a trans military advocacy group. Shilling came out as a transgender woman in April 2019, shortly after Trumps first trans military restrictions took effect, and she was required to continue serving in a way that aligned with her birth sex. When Biden lifted those restrictions in 2021, she was able to come out at work, she said. When asked about Trumps new order restricting trans military service, Shilling who emphasized she was not speaking on behalf of the Navy or the Pentagon said she and other trans service members just want to continue serving. I want to keep using the skills this nation invested in me as a fighter pilot and leader, she added. Since coming out as transgender in 2019, Ive served with distinction, earning a promotion with distinction as the top officer in my community. My country has given me so much, serving it has been my lifes greatest honor. One of the other orders Trump signed Monday, titled "Restoring America's Fighting Force," prohibits diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the military, disbanding any DEI offices within the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security and requiring the secretaries of both departments to review United States service academies curricula to "ensure alignment" with the order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post shared Sunday on X, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wrote, in part, No more DEI at @DeptofDefense and No exceptions, name-changes, or delays. The post included a photo of a handwritten note that said, Those who do not comply will no longer work here. Restricting diversity initiatives and rolling back Biden-era transgender rights efforts have been top priorities for Trump in the first days of his second term. Hours after his inauguration, he issued dozens of executive orders, including one declaring that the U.S. government will recognize only two sexes, male and female, and another ending DEI programs inside federal agencies. As a result of the order regarding gender, the State Department last week suspended all passport applications requesting sex-marker changes. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Quakers are suing Trumps Department of Homeland Security for allowing ICE raids in places of worship. The lawsuit, filed in Maryland on Monday by multiple different Quaker groups from across the country, states that the very threat of [immigration] enforcement deters congregants from attending services, especially members of immigrant communities, and notes that the raids infringe on religious freedom. A week ago today, President Trump swore an oath to defend the Constitution and yet today religious institutions that have existed since the 1600s in our country are having to go to court to challenge what is a violation of every individuals constitutional right to worship and associate freely, said Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, which is representing the Quaker groups in court. The troubling nature of the policy goes beyond just houses of worship with sanctuary programsit is that ICE could enter religious and sacred spaces whenever it wants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump rescinded the sensitive locations restriction on Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests last week, allowing federal agents to conduct raids in places that were deemed off limits in previous years, like schools, hospitals, and places of worship. The policy goes back to the 1990s, and was maintained even in Trumps first term. Quaker meetings for worship seek to be a sanctuary and a refuge for all, and this new and invasive practice tangibly erodes that possibility by creating unnecessary anxiety, confusion, and chilling of our members and neighbors willingness to share with us in the worship which sustains our lives, said Noah Merrill, secretary of the Quaker group the New England Yearly Meeting of Friends. This undermines our communities and, we believe, violates our religious freedom. The office of the Alabama Medicaid Agency, as seen on Jan. 23, 2023 in Montgomery, Alabama. President Donald Trumps federal aid freeze has caused confusion and disrupted funding for Alabamas Medicaid and education agencies. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)) President Donald Trumps freeze on federal assistance created confusion and concern Tuesday among state agencies and nonprofits that depend on federal money for operations. A spokeswoman for the Alabama Medicaid Agency said Tuesday that the agency appeared to have been locked out of its federal funding portal, though it was restored later in the day. The Alabama State Department of Education said that at least some of its discretionary funding had been affected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a memo dated Monday, the White Houses Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced a freeze on all federal financial assistance, including grants and loans. The move affected both state programs and nonprofits that depend on federal funding for programs. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The United Way of Central Alabama said in a statement Tuesday that it was carefully evaluating what the move meant for programs it supports whether its housing for veterans experiencing homelessness, meals for homebound seniors or support for parents raising children. The federal grants we receive are crucial for services we provide in the community, and without this cash flow for an undetermined amount of time, both we and our network of funded partner agencies could face significant operational risks, the statement said. This freeze also jeopardizes the financial security and stability of the families who depend on these much-needed community services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo also led to widespread confusion about what the freeze meant for Medicaid, a federal program serving poor and low-income Americans. In Alabama, Medicaid covered about 1 million people nearly 20% of the population in 2022 and paid for more than half the births in the state. The program, considered critical for health care in Alabama, gets about 73% of its funding from the federal government. A footnote attached to the OMB memo said it should not be construed to impact Medicare or Social Security benefits but did not mention Medicaid. A separate memo from OMB on Tuesday morning said In addition to Social Security and Medicare, already explicitly excluded in the guidance, mandatory programs like Medicaid and SNAP will continue without pause. But White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday she was not certain about whether Medicaid was affected, according to ABC News. State Medicaid programs around the country reported difficulties accessing a federal funding portal. It is our understanding that access to the portal has been halted temporarily, and we are currently awaiting guidance from CMS, Melanie Cleveland, a spokesperson for the Alabama Medicaid Agency, said Tuesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later that day, Cleveland said the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) Payment Management System is now accessible. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, demanded in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the administration to restore access to the portal on Tuesday afternoon. More than 1 million Alabamians rely on Medicaid along with the providers, hospitals, & clinics that serve them. The Trump Administration needs to restore it NOW! Sewell posted. Eric Mackey, Alabama state schools superintendent, said in a statement Tuesday that they did not believe the OMB memo affects formula-driven programs like Title I and IDEA. Title I provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. IDEA ensures that students with disabilities receive a free education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are working closely with other state and federal agencies to secure any funds necessary to continue normal daily operations without interruption. Some discretionary grant funds will be affected, the statement said. A separate memo from OMB lists off the programs that will be paused temporarily while it reviews which federal spending it deems appropriate, which includes higher education grants and the Pell Grant program. The U.S. Department of Education, however, said that financial aid and student loans would not be impacted, according to CNBC. The Appalachian Regional Commission, an economic development partnership between the federal government and states, has also been affected by the order to freeze federal dollars. The ARC is complying with the pause order from OMB, and we have been communicating with OMB and working to provide them with the information they need to assess ARCs programs and grant opportunities, said Janiene Bohannon, communications director for the Appalachian Regional Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added that until the organization is pausing until it learns more from the Office of Management and Budget about the next steps.The organization operates in 37 counties in Alabama, which comprises the northern part of the state, but goes as far south as Macon County.According to the list provided by OMB, the Appalachia Regional Commission has five programs affected by the order. Just about all the programs relate to economic development, which include the Appalachian Development Highway System funding program. Organizations filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday ahead of the temporary pause taking effect. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday morning that hes spoken with New York State Attorney General Letitia James about a legal challenge. Mackey cautioned against getting distracted amid a flurry of activity that makes some of our educators uneasy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In short, just keep having school. Lets stay focused on teaching and learning. I assure you that we are staying on top of the situation and will pass along information as we get updates, Mackey said. Ralph Chapoco contributed to this report. This story was updated at 4:37 p.m. to reflect that the federal funding portal for the Alabama Medicaid Agency became accessible late Tuesday afternoon. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE On Wednesday, the Trump administration rescinded the freeze on federal assistance. Click here for the latest details. (NewsNation) A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administrations attempt to temporarily pause grants, loans and other federal financial assistance, according to The Associated Press. The administrations directive was sent out in a vaguely worded memo Monday and set off confusion among the many groups that depend on federal funds. Federal judge blocks Trumps funding freeze Tuesdays action from U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan, which came just minutes before the freeze would take effect, will pause it until Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administrative stay applies to only existing programs. Mondays memo from the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Matthew Vaeth, instructed federal agencies to temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance. Vaeths directive was light on specifics but clarified that federal assistance to individuals, like Social Security and Medicare, would not be impacted. Instead, the memo said its intended to make sure federal funding is aligned with Trumps recent executive orders. Trump administration freezes nearly all federal loans and grants Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve, Vaeth wrote. The pause, which was set to take effect Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET, wouldve affected trillions of dollars, potentially disrupting health care research, education funding and other such programs. The memo called on agencies to submit detailed information on any programs, projects or activities subject to this pause to OMB by February 10. Who will be affected by the federal grant pause? The funding pause could affect trillions of dollars, but its still unclear which programs will be impacted and how. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diane Yentel, CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, said the order could be devastating for groups that depend on federal funding, hurting communities in red and blue states. Were talking about potentially shuttering shelters for survivors of domestic violence, or homeless shelters, pausing child care assistance, Yentel said. The list really goes on and on. Yentel said OMB sent out a survey to some 2,600 programs asking for details to essentially justify spending. Its a massive scale and scope thats being contemplated under this order, she said. Vaeths memo says OMB may grant exceptions that allow Federal agencies to issue new awards or take other actions on a case-by-case basis but didnt go into specifics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vague and contradictory language makes it hard to know if funding is imperiled for public schools, community health centers, state and local law enforcement, veterans housing, health care through Medicaid, public services on tribal lands, etc, wrote Sharon Parrott, president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning think tank. In a follow-up on Tuesday, OMB clarified that mandatory programs like Medicaid and SNAP would continue without pause. Funds for small businesses, farmers, Pell grants, Head Start, rental assistance, and other similar programs will not be paused, OMB said. Parrott said the handful of exemptions doesnt provide enough clarification and still leaves the status of thousands of others unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OMB said the pause would not apply across-the-board but is limited to programs, projects, and activities implicated by the Presidents Executive Orders such as ending DEI, the green new deal, and funding nongovernmental organizations that undermine the national interest. A senior defense official shared the following statement with NewsNation: As directed by the memorandum, the Department will expeditiously analyze its financial assistance programs to identify programs, projects, and activities that may be implicated by any of the Presidents executive orders. In the interim, and as directed by OMB, the Department will temporarily pause activities related to the obligation or disbursement of financial assistance, to the extent permissible under applicable law. The official clarified that, contrary to reports, the memo does not impact contracts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department continues to award new contracts to fulfill validated mission needs. While we are not aware of any specific contracts or other activities affected, it is possible that activities may be paused if they are determined to fall within the bounds of the guidance, the statement continues. A look at executive orders President Donald Trump has signed In fiscal year 2021, $2.8 trillion in federal funding was distributed to states, communities, tribal governments and other recipients using Census Bureau data. Some of the top federal assistance programs funded health care, nutrition, highways, housing, school lunches, child care and COVID-19 assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal budget provides about 30% of state revenue, making it the single largest source of revenue in many states, according to the Federal Funds Information for States (FFIS). Will Social Security and Medicare be impacted by the federal grant pause? The memo says that federal assistance to individuals wont be affected, meaning Social Security, Medicare, food stamps and other such programs wont change. Nothing in this memo should be construed to impact Medicare or Social Security benefits, Vaeth wrote. However, Medicaid, the health care program for low-income people and families, is reportedly having issues. Medicaid portals down in all 50 states: US senator My staff has confirmed reports that Medicaid portals are down in all 50 states following last nights federal funding freeze, Oregons senior U.S. senator, Democrat Ron Wyden, wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House said it was aware of the Medicaid website portal outage and said it should be back online shortly. We have confirmed no payments have been affected they are still being processed and sent, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X Tuesday afternoon. What about disaster relief funding? Yentel said the directive could impact funding for disaster relief, hurting communities that are trying to bounce back after Hurricane Helene and the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The pain and the harm from this order would be broad and deep, Yentel said. Leavitt would not specifically say whether disaster aid would be frozen during Tuesdays briefing, Reuters reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican whose state of North Carolina is recovering from tropical storms, told The Associated Press, I cant imagine that the president would knowingly cut off housing assistance for people displaced from their homes so weve just got to sort through it and see how they ultimately implement it. Other organizations, like Meals on Wheels, which receives federal money to deliver food to the elderly, are worried about getting cut off. The uncertainty is creating chaos for community entities providing meals, which unfortunately means seniors may panic not knowing where their next meals will come from, a spokesperson for Meals on Wheels America told Reuters. Will the federal grant pause impact student loans? The Education Department said the temporary pause does not impact assistance received directly by individuals, therefore students who rely on federal financial aid to cover tuition and other costs arent expected to see any disruptions. Title IV, HEA funds that are provided to individual students, such as Federal Pell Grants and Direct Loans, are not impacted by yesterdays guidance, Madi Biedermann, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Education, told NewsNation. More than 40 million Americans have federal student loans, and about 7 million students receive Pell Grants each year in the United States. The Association of American Universities (AAU), composed of roughly 70 research universities, said a temporary stoppage of critical scientific research would be a self-defeating, unforced error. We are extremely concerned about the impact of this action on our countrys ability to maintain its scientific and technological lead against competitors and potential adversaries, AAU president Barbara R. Snyder said in a statement. Will the federal grant pause go into effect? The pause was scheduled to take effect at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, but a federal judge has temporarily blocked the freeze. New York Attorney General Letitia James had also planned to ask a Manhattan federal court to intervene. My office will be taking imminent legal action against this administrations unconstitutional pause on federal funding, James wrote on social media Tuesday. Other states joining the suit are California, Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, according to The New York Times. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Tuesday evening she will join the multistate lawsuit, claiming the freeze would immediately jeopardize state programs that provide critical health and childcare services to families in need, deliver support to public schools, combat hate crimes and violence against women, provide life-saving disaster relief to states, and more. Get fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 with the NewsNation app. Download it here. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, a Democrat, called Trumps directive a reckless abuse of power. This will hurt families. Were exploring prompt action to stop it, Campbell said on X. What are Democrats saying about the federal grant pause? Democratic lawmakers called the order unconstitutional and pointed out that Congress had already approved the funding. The blast radius of Trumps terrible, unconstitutional, and illegal decision to halt virtually all federal grants and loans is virtually limitless, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, wrote on X. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said the order will hurt organizations that help veterans with transitional housing and could mean some veterans get evicted. We do not consent to this lawless power grab, the Massachusetts Democrat wrote on X. I pray that this gets reversed, that whoever on the Presidents team told him to do this, that the President realizes this is this is not something that that person should have told him to do. Maybe hell ask them to do something different. This is very concerning, Sen. Ben Ray Juan, D-N.M., said Tuesday. A senior Trump administration official told NewsNation that the order is not a funding freeze but rather guidance for agencies to review to make sure theyre compliant with the executive orders. The official said if the activity isnt in conflict with the Presidents priorities, it will continue with no issues. Freeze is institutional battle over impoundment: Mulvaney NewsNation political and economic contributor Mick Mulvaney, who served as the former director of the Office of Management and Budget under Trump, told Elizabeth Vargas Reports the administrations blocked attempt to freeze federal funding for grants, loans and other financial assistance is about impoundment. This is an institutional battle between the executive branch and the legislative branch, Mulvaney says. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 established procedures to prevent the President and other government officials from unilaterally substituting their own funding decisions. Essentially, it prevents the president from not spending money that has been appropriated by Congress. If Congress says that you have to spend $100, you have to spend $100, Mulvaney explained. And this administration is taking the position that says, No, we cant spend more than $100. If we want to spend $92, we should be able to do that. 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. A Trump administration freeze on foreign aid is causing U.S.-supported organizations around the world to suspend or shut down some of their operations, including medically essential care for people fighting life-threatening diseases, according to several sources who spoke to HuffPost. Among the affected services is HIV treatment that organizations provide using funds from the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR. In the two decades since it was established by then-President George W. Bush, PEPFAR has enjoyed strong bipartisan support and is believed to have saved more than 25 million lives. Other programs affected by the order supply nutrition or help with sanitation, or offer assistance with economic development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It doesnt matter if you have funds in the pipeline, drugs in the warehouse, people on staff, Atul Gawande, who oversaw assistance programs as former President Joe Bidens director of the U.S. Agency for International Development, told HuffPost on Monday. They cant be paid. The drugs cant be dispensed. The services cannot continue. As we speak, there are people in the field being pulled out and sent home. A physician now working on one global health project, and who requested anonymity to protect the program from retaliation, confirmed this was happening in his initiative: A lot of these activities just have stopped, he said. He added that he was especially worried about the consequences for children, given their sometimes urgent need for treatment. If you have a child under 5, particularly under 2, who is infected with malaria and there are no drugs there, that kids gonna die, the physician said. None of us can perfectly quantify what that means, and its going to be different for different health conditions and disease entities, the physician went on to say. But those of us who have worked in the field, whove worked on these programs for decades, we know that in this next week, there are children who will die who would not have otherwise died. In the next two weeks, there will be more. In the next month, there will be more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre talking about women not getting their prenatal or postnatal care, said the leader of another foreign aid organization, who also requested anonymity. Were talking about kids not getting their vaccines. Were talking about HIV/AIDS patients not getting their antiretrovirals. Were talking about [tuberculosis] patients not getting their antibiotics. The Order And Its Aftermath The order to suspend all foreign aid went out Friday night and was first reported in The New York Times. It came from newly confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said he was carrying out an early Donald Trump executive order calling for a 90-day pause in assistance so the administration could review and realign existing policies to fit with the America First agenda. New administrations frequently shift foreign aid priorities, and Trumps allies had made clear their intent to undertake some sweeping changes. Project 2025, the governing blueprint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation, singled out existing foreign aid programs as inefficient and ineffective and, the authors claim, as being responsible for advancing a divisive political and cultural agenda. But Rubios directive included a stop work order, meaning organizations had to cease any operations they finance with money from the U.S. government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That came as a shock to private and former public-sector leaders who assumed that any changes would take place more gradually, with plenty of time for local agencies and organizations to make adjustments or alternative plans. The leaders made this assumption because immediately stopping aid and demanding that organizations receiving that aid stop any operations funded with the U.S. dollars could have potentially drastic effects, like cutting off life-saving medication for people with HIV or tuberculosis. And yet that appears to be exactly what the Trump administration has done. Contractors have had to stop their work all across the world, and people are being told theyre losing their jobs or theyre having to halt their work, Jen Kates, senior vice president and director of the Global Health & HIV Policy Program at the nonpartisan research organization KFF, told HuffPost. Confusion And Dismay Matthew Soerens, vice president of advocacy and policy at World Relief, said his organization is certainly concerned about programs that are affected or could be affected by these orders, because they have a profound impact on public health, and especially on people who rely on life-sustaining medications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement World Relief is a Christian humanitarian association that partners with faith-based groups around the world. And Soerens emphasized that he believed the Trump administration was within its right to change the focus of foreign aid. We actually think the Trump administration, like other administrations, has a mandate to ensure that U.S. funds are used in responsible ways that meet U.S. interests, Soerens said. We have no reservations with that at all. I think what is unique about this dynamic is that it pauses funds for existing programs in ways that are likely to be very disruptive. As with other orders the Trump administration has put out since taking office Jan, 20, neither the precise meaning nor the legality of the order on foreign assistance was clear. When HuffPost tried to get more information, a State Department media official responded via email that We are fielding an incredibly high volume of inquiries and your patience is appreciated. The sources who spoke with HuffPost said they and their legal advisers were also uncertain exactly how to interpret the directive. But they said many organizations believe they must follow the order literally, even if that entails stopping active medical treatments or, as one aid agency leader described, leaving food supplies rotting on a pier because the organization cant pay to load, ship and distribute them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sources who spoke to HuffPost emphasized that, in many parts of the world, neither governments nor philanthropies have the operational capabilities or financial resources that the U.S. currently provides. Even if funding resumes after a few weeks, they said, that might be long enough to fray ties between organizations and their suppliers and workers, making it difficult to restart operations. When you have infrastructure in place, people and programs that are delivering services, and then you stop their ability to keep functioning, you can lose that capacity, Kates said. The idea that foreign aid should be reviewed and examined isnt a bad one thats a new administrations purview, she added. Its how you do it. Trumps Intentions And The Consequences The order to pause foreign aid is part of a broader Trump administration effort to pull back on Americas engagement abroad by, for example, withdrawing from the World Health Organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has never hidden his disdain for international cooperation and the organizations that facilitate it, saying they put too great a burden on American taxpayers and subordinate American interests to foreign competitors like China. More recently, conservative allies and advisers including those who wrote for Project 2025 have argued that recent management of foreign assistance turned it into a vehicle for promoting causes like abortion, climate extremism, gender radicalism, and interventions against perceived systemic racism. Concerns that PEPFAR in particular might end up funding abortion came to the fore again earlier this month, following reports that four nurses from a PEPFAR-funded program in Mozambique had performed a total of 15 abortions since 2021. But that news came to light because State Department officials reported the episode, saying they wanted to be transparent and show they had detected it and taken remedial action in the course of their normal oversight work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And when it comes to protecting American interests, relative to that of the rest of the world, supporters of foreign aid said that it helps build alliances in unstable parts of the world, while pulling back will leave China and other U.S. rivals with even more influence. This isnt just about saving lives and compassion, though it is that and thats probably the primary motivation for a lot of Christians, Soerens said. It is also about U.S. interests at a time when we are competing around the world with other countries who want influence in places like Africa and Latin America and Asia. Among those echoing that warning this week was Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), who said in a prepared statement Monday that disruption will damage our credibility as a reliable partner. Frankel, ranking Democrat on the House appropriations subcommittee overseeing foreign assistance, added that, This creates an opening for adversaries such as China and Russia to expand their influence. Gawande, who led USAID all the way up through the final days of the Biden administration, said we are the U.S. foreign policy ground game and described operations abroad as essential capacity for building up trust in other parts of the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that capacity is at risk, Gawande said, because the implications are immediate and getting worse every week. A Bipartisan History Notwithstanding the recent controversies, PEPFAR has frequently won plaudits even from conservative Christian organizations, including ones like World Relief that promoted the cause to Bush before he signed the authorizing bill into law and became the programs most visible champion. It hasnt historically been a Democratic or Republican issue, said Soerens, whose organization was among the earliest promoters of what became PEPFAR. Its been something that the U.S. does because were a great country and because we can, and we can literally save millions of lives with a very relatively small amount of U.S. investment. Strong support among conservative Republicans endured long past Bushs presidency, through 2017 when a high-profile Republican senator gave a glowing statement about PEPFAR following his vote to reauthorize it even though Trump wanted to reduce its funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was proud that the Senate Appropriations Committee, on which I serve, fought to maintain funding for PEPFAR and other related programs despite the administrations proposal to reduce it a proposal that would have negative impacts across the globe, the senator wrote in an op-ed that appeared on the Fox News website. The senator was Rubio, whose name is on the new order carrying out Trumps command. Editor's Note: After this op-ed was published, the Kyiv Independent launched a fundraiser to save three Ukrainian newsrooms that suffered from the aid freeze. It probably made sense on paper. In his first week in office, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a 90day freeze on U.S. foreign aid to review whether the distribution aligned with his foreign policy. I can see how Trump supporters and his team might have considered it a reasonable move: A new president takes office with policies obviously different from his predecessors, and he wants to look around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now heres what it means in practice. Ukraine was among the many countries receiving the aid distributed through the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID. Since the full-scale war began in 2022, the agency has disbursed $30 billion in Ukraine, funding projects ranging from democracy support and humanitarian relief to local community development and key reforms. This aid paid for bomb shelters in schools, modern hospital equipment, and materials for small farmers to support agriculture. It sponsored anti-disinformation campaigns and mental health programs. Wherever you went, youd find good, change-making projects bearing the USAID logo. If I were an American taxpayer, Id feel proud. Then, it all stopped overnight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few days ago, after Trumps order, Ukrainian organizations receiving U.S. aid received letters telling them to immediately stop all activities and not incur any new costs. This effectively froze their operations, even halting the use of already disbursed funds sitting in their accounts. Everything came to a stop. One of the hard-hit sectors and the one I know best is independent media. For years, foreign government grants have been the lifeblood of Ukraines independent media. This stems from a simple reality: Ukraine is a young democracy, and its independent media emerged during a time when technology disrupted traditional funding models. "For years, foreign government grants have been the lifeblood of Ukraines independent media." In wealthier economies, newspapers have faced a choice: gradually decline or adapt with digital subscriptions. Even then, its an uphill battle while the New York Times has turned a profit, the Washington Post has not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Ukraine, independent media never had the opportunity to develop and adapt. The market has been merciless, and independent outlets have faced stiff competition from oligarch-owned media lavishly funded but designed to serve their owners interests rather than the public good. And yet Ukraine can't afford to not have independent media. Watchdog journalism is essential for holding those in power accountable. Its a cornerstone of any democracy, whether in Ukraine or the United States. This is where foreign aid stepped in. For years, grants from foreign governments have sustained independent newsrooms in Ukraine, allowing them to provide their communities with accurate information in the age of propaganda and disinformation. This funding isnt used on extravagances. It covers journalists salaries modest to the point of being unthinkable by U.S. standards. The annual budget of a regional online newspaper can be less than $200,000, yet these outlets are often the lifeline of their communities and the only dependable source of local news. A press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 8, 2022. (Ed Ram / Getty Images) Here in Kyiv, these grants have supported investigative journalism teams that exposed high-level corruption, dismantling schemes worth millions of dollars. I often hear that investigative journalism offers the highest return on investment and this is exactly what that means. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its understandable to be wary of foreign money funding Ukrainian journalism, but theres no hidden agenda behind it. Its not about controlling the media or pushing specific narratives that is more common for domestic actors. Organizations providing foreign grants dont tell the media what to write or order journalists to support or attack particular policies or figures. Thats what local oligarchs do. Foreign funding empowers journalists in markets like Ukraines to carry out meaningful work that truly impacts their communities. The sudden freeze of U.S. aid has caused harm to independent Ukrainian journalism on par with the COVID-19 pandemic and the onset of Russias full-scale war. If not renewed soon, its impact can surpass both in severity. "The sudden freeze of U.S. aid has caused harm to independent Ukrainian journalism on par with the COVID-19 pandemic and the onset of Russias full-scale war." The Kyiv Independent was not impacted by the U.S. aid freeze, as we do not receive grants funded by U.S. taxpayers. Thanks to our strong community of 14,000 members, we remained secure. However, we did receive such grants in 2022 and 2023 while we were still growing our community. They were instrumental in giving us the runway to become sustainable. These grants came with no editorial restrictions and only bolstered our journalism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But around us, other Ukrainian media have been severely affected. Many were forced to stop most of their operations immediately, as demanded by aid distributors. Many are uncertain whether funding will resume once the 90-day freeze ends. If Trumps team only greenlights funding that aligns with his foreign policy, will independent media in Ukraine make the cut? No one knows. But heres what we know for certain: A healthy society cannot exist without free media. A functional democracy depends on it. And in a world increasingly plagued by disinformation, genuine journalism is more essential than ever. There is something you can do. You can donate to Ukrainian media impacted by the freeze on U.S. aid. Here are several organizations we know well and how to support them. This is not an exhaustive list we encourage you to support any independent Ukrainian media of your choice. Tsukr is an independent local media outlet in Sumy, northern Ukraine, just over 28 kilometers (18 miles) from the Russian border and frequently targeted by Russian attacks. Despite these challenges, the team remains a vital source of information and inspiration for their community. The U.S. aid freeze cut about 60% of their funding. You can support them through a one-time donation or a Patreon subscription. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gwara Media is an independent local news site in Kharkiv, Ukraines second largest city, located near the Russian border and frequently battered by attacks. Due to its proximity to Russia, missiles often hit the city before air raid alerts sound. The resilience of this team mirrors that of their city. You can support them via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee. Bihus.Info is an investigative journalism platform dedicated to uncovering corruption, responsible for some of the most groundbreaking investigations in modern Ukrainian history. Since 2022, they have also been publishing front-line video reports. You can support them through Patreon or by clicking Join on their YouTube channel. Ukrainska Pravda is Ukraine's largest independent news site. It's known for its hard-hitting political reporting and investigative journalism. It has recently said it was facing "systematic pressure" from Ukraine's authorities over their critical coverage. Owned by Dragon Capital, a large investment firm, they abide by the principles of editorial independence. They can be supported with a one-time donation or a Patreon subscription. Ukrainer is a platform that shares stories about Ukraine's culture, history, and society, offering unique content in multiple languages and largely run by volunteers. Since Russias full-scale invasion in 2022, it has focused on documenting Ukraines resilience, resistance, and humanitarian efforts. You can click here to support them through Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee, or make one-time donations through the Ukrainian payment system Liqpay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Submit an Opinion Read also: Trumps Russia sanctions might be what finally works Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The federal government's pause on funding and grants is almost guaranteed to affect Oklahomans and some programs administered by the state government, but the ultimate effect is unclear. During his first week in office, President Donald Trump issued a flurry of executive orders to reshape the federal government by, among other things, shuttering diversity programs, reversing environmental protection policies, ending the government's recognition of transgender Americans and rejecting an earlier presidential order that included abortion in the government's definition of "reproductive health care services." As his orders are filtered down through the executive branch, federal agencies have now been told this week to "pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance" that could be affected by Trump's executive orders, according to a memo from the White House's Office of Management and Budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: 'Catastrophic': Trump's pause in federal grants prompts lawsuits from 6 states, nonprofits Agencies now have to review programs and then notify OMB by Feb. 10 on how they responded to the executive orders. What does the 'pause' memo do? The memo put out by Trump's OMB requires a temporary pause on federal financial assistance, which is a term that includes grants, cooperative agreements, surplus donations, loans and interest subsidies. It applies to both foreign aid and money either spent domestically by the federal government or distributed to states. More than two dozen agencies make grants, including the Department of Education, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Defense, according to Grants.gov. The pause in federal grant disbursement could likely impact the payroll of some individuals working under grant-funded programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The "pause" memo exempts financial assistance distributed directly to individuals, which includes Medicare and Social Security benefits. Medicare pays health care costs for the elderly and some disabled Americans. In a follow-up memo, OMB clarified Tuesday that the pause also will not affect domestic food programs. "Funds for small businesses, farmers, Pell grants, Head Start, rental assistance, and other similar programs will not be paused, the updated memo said. If agencies are concerned that these programs may implicate the Presidents Executive Orders, they should consult OMB to begin to unwind these objectionable policies without a pause in the payments. Medicaid, however, which is a health care program run by states and funded by the federal government, appears to be affected by the pause. Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden said Tuesday that his office discovered that Medicaid portals were down in all 50 states. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority, which manages the state's Medicaid program SoonerCare, confirmed there was a temporary outage in the system used to process federal grant payments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The SoonerCare member and provider portals are operating as normal. OHCA is evaluating the impact of the executive order and does not expect significant changes to eligibility or benefits based on recent guidance from the White House." the agency said. "OHCA remains dedicated to delivering quality health care to Oklahomans and will provide direct communication to members and providers if any changes arise." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted Tuesday afternoon that the portals would be available to state agencies again soon. The White House is aware of the Medicaid website portal outage. We have confirmed no payments have been affected they are still being processed and sent. We expect the portal will be back online shortly. Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) January 28, 2025 What programs are affected? The memo references an executive order Trump signed on Jan. 20, which ordered department and agency heads to immediately pause new programs and disbursements of development assistance to foreign countries. Within the United States, the federal government awards grants for everything from road building to scientific research. It is unclear which categories will be affected. While the directive is broad, including all federal financial assistance, the memo also includes a caveat that this can only affect federal assistance to the extent permissible under applicable law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It may take days or weeks to fully realize the impact of the funding pause. A spokeswoman with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation said Tuesday that the agency was conducting business as usual so far. The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation declined to comment. OMRF receives $30 million in competitive research grants each year from sources like the federal government's National Institutes of Health. Read the Trump Administration's 'pause' memo Contributing: USA Today reporter Erin Mansfield This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Trump freezes federal aid: What to know in Oklahoma President Donald Trump caused chaos late Monday evening when his Office of Management and Budget announced a sudden pause on federal grants, loans, and other types of financial assistance. Almost immediately, Democrats in the Senate called the move illegal seizing on the freeze as their first real ammunition for a fight against Trump. While many senators have remained relatively subdued in the first days of Trumps administration, the pause, and the chaos its already caused, has lawmakers gearing up for battle. A federal judge blocked the freeze Tuesday until February 3 following a lawsuit. But its not clear what the ultimate resolution will be in a court battle. But Democrats dont appear ready to back down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in November, Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota was in a contemplative state, telling The Independent of Kamala Harriss loss that we lost, and we need to do better. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks at the daily briefing at the White House in Washington and defended the spending pause (AP) Now, she is singularly focused on how the freeze could affect her consituents, saying she just spoke to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz about the chaos the sudden move is causing in their state. I spoke to the governor just a few minutes ago, who told me that the entire apparatus for getting paid for people's health insurance was shaky Monday, she told The Independent, adding that the future of Head Start, which helps low-income children, is now unclear. In Wisconsin, Sen. Tammy Baldwin one of only two incumbent Democrats who survived her re-election in a state Trump won is also worried about how a Trump fudning freeze could throw her state into disarray. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts decried Trumps move, pointing out the important work that federal funding supports. Now, its could all be up in the air. Right now, people are asking whether they will have to turn away children from daycare centers because they get some federal funding, or do our scientists who are doing research on better treatments for cancer have to quit their work, because some of them only comes from the federal government, Warren told The Independent. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said she would oppose Donald Trumps nominee to be Transportation Secretary because of the pause (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Interfering with Congresss spending authority might be one of the few areas where both parties take umbrage. An old adage in Washington says there are three parties in town: Democrats, Republicans and Appropriators. The Democrats and Republicans grandstand while appropriators in both parties hunker down and write the budget. Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Finance Committee, is one of the more mild-mannered and cordial Democrats. But he did not hold back when asked whether he heard back from constituents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hell yeah, he told The Independent. I mean, this is Donald Trump outdoing Richard Nixon on impoundment. Impoundment refers to the executive branch delaying or refusing to spend money appropriated by Congress. Nixon created such a stir in 1974 that Congress passed the Impoundment Control Act to curtail such abuses. But Democrats have limited options about what they can do to push back. They do not have control of the House or the Senate and lawsuits from states will not result in immediate permanent action. Democrats do have one tool in the box: the ability to slow down nominations, if not stop them outright. Republicans hope to confirm Russell Vought, Trumps nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget who served in his last administration and helped with Project 2025. Vought had his confirmation hearing last week and the Budget Committee will meet later this week to consider his nomination. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said weve just got to sort through it and see how they ultimately implement the pause. (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Naturally, many Republicans reverted to their normal I havent seen the tweet response to Trump. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, the swing district Republican who faced criticism for his vote to confirm Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, tried to split the difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can't imagine that the president would knowingly cut off housing assistance for people displaced from their home, so we've just got to sort through it and see how they ultimately implement it, he told The Independent. Tillis added that he would talk with the White House soon. Im sure we will, which is why we need to get to the facts versus fear, he said. Tillis hails from a state thats heavily reliant on federal aid. But crossing Trump is a big risk. That is not a concern for Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, who last week broke with her party to oppose Hegseths nomination. My constituents back home certainly have thoughts about it, Murkowski told The Independent. Our phones have been ringing off the hook all morning, wondering what it means, how long it's going to last, everything from a small dam project, small hydro project down in the Angoon area, to people concerned about everything from housing to water infrastructure projects. So yeah, lot of questions about what it means and the impact. Appropriators will continue to protect their power regardless of who is in the White House. Donald Trumps halting of federal funding to state and local governments has resulted in Medicaid web portals being down in all 50 states. Senator Ron Wyden posted on BlueSky Tuesday that his staff confirms disruptions in the health care program across the country, potentially hurting millions of low-income Americans including children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. Officials in other states like Florida and Illinois, where about four million residents rely on Medicaid in each state, confirmed issues with their Medicaid portals. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said state agencies also began experiencing issues accessing federal funding and disbursement systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The disruption was caused by the Monday release of a memo from Trumps Office of Management and Budget announcing a pause in federal funding to take effect at 5 p.m. EST on Tuesday. The memo sparked mass confusion in state and local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations across the country, well before then. The memo called for a pause on all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance, and any other programs that included D.E.I., woke gender ideology and the Green New Deal, but ultimately went much further than that. As a result, six state attorneys general announced plans on Tuesday to file lawsuits seeking to halt the funding freeze, joining a coalition of small businesses and nonprofits that have already sued the administration themselves. The Trump administration has tried to clarify in a new memo that the funding freeze is not across-the-board, but that may not mitigate the flurry of lawsuits, as the funding in question was already appropriated by Congress. It seems that the new president has just set off a big legal battle. The Justice Department has fired multiple employees who worked with Special Counsel Jack Smith on his criminal investigations into President Donald Trump. Since his inauguration last week, the Trump administration has moved quickly to reshape the federal workforceincluding ordering all federal workers back to the office and purging departments of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives . The most recent order from the top at the DOJ targets lawyers who less than a month ago were tasked with investigating and prosecuting the cases against the new president for mishandling classified documents and interfering in the 2020 presidential election. Today, Acting Attorney General James McHenry terminated the employment of a number of DOJ officials who played a significant role in prosecuting President Trump, an anonymous Justice Department official told multiple publications, including the Associated Press . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McHenry, a career DOJ employee who led an immigration unit , stepped in to fill the Cabinet position last week until Pam Bondi, Trumps nominee for the role, is confirmed by the Senate. In light of their actions, the Acting Attorney General does not trust these officials to assist in faithfully implementing the Presidents agenda, the statement added. This action is consistent with the mission of ending the weaponization of government. The acting Attorney General fired multiple Justice Department employees who worked on the federal investigations against President Trump. / Alex Wong / Getty Images Trump signed a slew of executive orders on his first day in office, including one aimed at ending the weaponization of the federal government. The order directed the DOJ, in addition to other the Securities and Exchange Commision and the Federal Trace Council, to identify and take appropriate action to correct past misconduct during former President Bidens term in office. Officials did not immediately identify the names of the terminated employees, or confirm how many were fired. Sources told NBC News the fired employees were career prosecutors, who could prove hard to fire due to workplace protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Beast. For Donald Trump, the confrontations are the point. In his first week back in the Oval Office, Trump has quickly torn up his predecessors alliance-driven foreign policy in favor of an even more rambunctious 2.0 version of America First. His provocations have raised tensions with key allies on multiple continents and set up showdowns with other leaders that, at least politically, Trump will win regardless of how they respond. That was true of this weekends skirmish with Colombia, in which tensions over the return of migrants nearly sparked a trade war. But it could backfire in the long run, further destabilizing an already tenuous global order and even pushing would-be partner countries closer to Beijing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People in Latin America are extremely worried, said Jorge Heine, the former Chilean ambassador to China. For South America the message is that its not a good idea to be very closely interlinked with the United States, because you might pay a heavy price, continued Heine, who is now a professor at Boston University. And as a result of that, Chinas prospects for stronger ties have been enhanced. As tensions between Washington and Bogota simmered Sunday afternoon, Chinas ambassador to Colombia posted an overture to China on X, reminding followers that Colombias foreign minister visited Beijing last year and described the bilateral relationship as the best moment in 45 years. Colombia is hardly the only country reeling from Trumps confrontational style. Of greater concern to allies, hes continued to express his determination to wrest control of Greenland from the Danes, to take back the Panama Canal from Panama, to impose major tariffs on Mexico, Canada and Europe and to continue suggesting Canadas simplest way to avoid tariffs is to become Americas 51st state. Given the economic and military superiority of the United States, Trump almost always has the upper hand as he applies pressure on leaders of Canada, Denmark and now Colombia, all steadfast allies with a history of working closely with Washington. But after four years in which former President Joe Biden prioritized multilateral coordination with key allies, Trumps aggressive moves, all carried out with characteristic bluster on social media, have come as a shock even to leaders who felt more ready for a second term than they did his first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before he was inaugurated, the thought in Europe was basically: We got this, we can deal with this, said Liana Fix, a Europe fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations whos in frequent contact with EU officials. People thought with the right approach conceding on defense spending and paying more, taking him seriously and not literally and not responding to everything he says, lots of flattery Europe could manage and preserve the relationship. And now, after just one week, people are quite rattled again. No one is sure how radical this is going to be. Over the weekend, the U.S. and Colombia almost went from zero to an all-out trade war after Colombian President Gustavo Petro refused to allow two military aircraft carrying handcuffed undocumented Colombian migrants to land, prompting Trump to threaten an emergency 25 percent tariff on all Colombian goods. Tensions ratcheted down Sunday evening after hours of direct negotiations that, had they occurred earlier, might have prevented the spat. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who posted Sunday night on X that Trump was standing down on his tariff threat because Colombia agreed to all of President Trumps terms, had days earlier posted an image of undocumented migrants in handcuffs being led onto a military plane with a simple caption: deportation flights have begun. It may have been that imagery, meant to show Trumps base and the American public that Trump was following through with his promised immigration crackdown, that led Petro to bar the flights from landing after previously allowing hundreds of repatriation flights from the U.S. on civilian aircraft. We are not anyones colony, Petro said Sunday, calling for the dignified return of nationals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Leavitts tweets underscored how much Trumps nascent foreign policy appears geared, first and foremost, toward a domestic audience. As the tariff threat hung in the balance, several administration officials and pro-Trump activists posted in support of the approach, some making clear their indifference to any economic impact and the likelihood of higher prices for Americans on Colombian imports. CHARGE ME MORE FOR FLOWERS & COFFEE. Thank you, wrote Katie Miller, a spokesperson for the new Department of Governmental Efficiency and the wife of deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller. The imbroglio was sparked by the overlapping of Trumps top two policy priorities trade and immigration with immigration at the top of the list. The administration also stopped processing visas for Colombians on Sunday and enhanced Customs and Border inspections of flights, private aircraft and cargo to and from Colombia, measures that will remain in place until the first plane of Colombian migrants is returned to the country. Both the first Trump and Obama administrations used visa restrictions to pressure countries to accept deportation flights, and Trumps new team will likely use the weeks ahead to determine whether to issue additional sanctions on other countries deemed problematic. Border czar Tom Homan said on Monday that the administration is also working on agreements with third-party countries that allow them to accept and process asylum seekers that the U.S. deports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First of all, weve got President Trump. They will take them back, Im convinced, Homan said on Fox News, when asked how theyll handle countries that wont accept deportation flights. Ive already got several countries lining up, willing to take nationals from any country for us. If we cant move them one place, well put them somewhere else. Trump on Sunday also threatened a travel ban. He laid the groundwork for that last week by directing agencies to identify countries where vetting visitors and visa applicants is considered unfeasible the makings of a second travel ban for countries said to pose a threat to national security. The Trump administration has already decided both how it will exert pressure, cutting through the Gordian policy and legal knots and how fast it will do so. said Stephen McFarland, a former ambassador to Guatemala, in a long post on X. The presidents hair-trigger response to Petro also showed how willing or even eager he is to quickly escalate disagreements with other countries into tariff threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following through would test the bounds of presidential authority using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, which gives the president sweeping authority to control international economic transactions after declaring an emergency. No president has ever actually used it to impose tariffs, but Trump has now threatened to at least twice once against Mexico during his first term and now against Colombia. In both cases, he struck a deal with the targeted country that led to him to withdraw the threat, leaving the question unsettled as to whether it would survive a legal challenge. But how effective Trumps tariffs can be really depends on the partner and the context, said Kathleen Claussen, a former U.S. trade official who is now a professor of law at Georgetown University. She drew a distinction between Trumps threat against Colombia, which was in response to a fast-developing situation, and his threat to impose a 25 percent tariff on Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1 to pressure those countries to do more to stop illegal immigration into the United States, as well as cross-border fentanyl shipments. Canada and Mexico shipped about $900 billion worth of goods to the U.S. last year, or roughly one-third of total U.S. imports, compared with Colombia, which exported $18 billion worth of goods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He went after a state that he knows he could push a little bit, said Inu Manak, a trade policy fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. So its sort of a setting example with a weaker target, and then claim victory really quickly to show how tough he can be as a negotiator. But I wouldnt imagine Canada and Mexico are going to fold that fast. The United States spent decades nurturing the trade relationship with Colombia as part of its efforts to bring peace and stability to a country ravaged by violence and the international drug trade. It negotiated a free trade agreement that built on earlier U.S. efforts to help foster jobs in legitimate trade areas such as cut flowers and coffee production. But what Trump did with Colombia is a prime example of how the United States is going to lose ground further in Latin America to Chinese influence there, Manuk said. Because its a great way for China to say, Hey, you want financing. You want all these things? Well help you out. Like, you cant trust the United States. Robbie Gramer and Jack Detsch contributed to this report. (This Jan. 28 story has been refiled to fix the acronym for Homeland Security Investigations in paragraphs 14 and 15) By Ted Hesson and Kristina Cooke WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's top homeland security official joined officers in an immigration enforcement operation that arrested several people in New York City on Tuesday, in the Trump administration's latest effort to promote its nationwide crackdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who was confirmed as secretary over the weekend, posted a video and photos of the NYC operation on X early Tuesday morning, highlighting the arrest of an alleged suspect and saying the Trump administration was "making our streets safe." Trump, a Republican, issued an array of executive orders to crack down on illegal immigration after taking office on Monday, including actions aimed at deporting record numbers of migrants in the U.S. without legal status. Trump says the actions are needed after millions of migrants entered during Democrat Joe Bidens presidency, while critics say Trump could hurt businesses and separate families. In a little more than a week in office, Trump rolled back Biden-era guidance that limited arrests of non-criminals, ordered other federal law enforcement to assist with immigration work, and scrapped a Biden policy that restricted enforcement at schools, churches, hospitals and other sensitive locations. 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 Jan. 20 inaugural address, calling illegal immigration an invasion and declaring a national emergency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration stepped up immigration arrests in recent days with about 1,000-1,200 arrests per day, according to ICE, far above the daily average of 311 in fiscal year 2024. The nationwide operations included arrests in Chicago on Sunday where a TV personality known as "Dr. Phil" documented with a film crew. REPORTS OF QUOTAS The increase came after the agency sent an email to staff that said the Trump administration was "demanding" 1,200 arrests on Sunday, according to a person familiar with the matter. The arrest goals had been discussed on internal ICE calls, a second person familiar with the matter said. White House spokesperson Steven Cheung criticized a Washington Post report on Sunday about arrest quotas for ICE officers as "fake news." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Any reports of 'quotas' being used in President Trumps ongoing mass deportations effort are simply false," a White House official said. "Field offices are now being encouraged to do their job and fulfill President Trumps promise to deport violent criminal illegal aliens who dont belong in our country, a stark change from the previous administration." The New York Civil Liberties Union responded to the reports of arrest quotas on an X post, saying "Rounding up people en masse like this is cruel, dehumanizing, and ignorant of due process - something every single person in the U.S. is entitled to, no matter their immigration status." Trump struggled to ramp up deportations during his 2017-2021 presidency. Biden's administration deported more people in fiscal year 2024 than any single Trump year, ICE statistics show. ICE has not provided detailed statistics on the arrests of alleged criminal offenders since Trump took office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The operation in New York involved agents from ICEs investigative arm, known as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which normally focuses on transnational crime, including human trafficking, child exploitation and drug smuggling, as well as personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), according to photos posted to social media. Trumps order called for HSI and some other federal agencies to reorient their work toward immigration enforcement. Some 300 HSI agents have been detailed to work directly on immigration, one of the sources and a third person familiar with the matter said. HSI has 7,100 special agents worldwide, according to the agency. If youre a criminal investigator, you don't want to do civil immigration enforcement, the person said. Thats not your job. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the city coordinated with federal agencies in the arrest of an individual connected with multiple violent crimes in New York and in Aurora, Colorado. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As I have repeatedly said, we will not hesitate to partner with federal authorities to bring violent criminals to justice just as we have done for years," Adams said in a statement. The police department in Aurora, Colorado, said one of the people arrested in New York was Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco and wanted on charges of first-degree burglary and menacing with a firearm. He is allegedly one of six armed men shown in security camera footage at an Aurora apartment complex that gained national attention. Trump highlighted the issue on the campaign trail, claiming members of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua controlled several dilapidated Aurora apartment complexes - allegations refuted by top city officials at the time. City officials moved to close down one of the complexes following arrests for kidnapping, assault and robbery there in December. (Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington and Kristina Cooke in San Francisco; Additional reporting by Susan Heavey in Washington, Jonathan Allen in New York, and Rich McKay.) President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Feb. 4, the prime ministers office announced on Tuesday. Netanyahu is set to be the first foreign leader to meet in person with Trump at the White House since he was inaugurated last week. Trump previewed the visit on Monday aboard Air Force One while speaking to reporters, saying that hell be speaking with Bibi Netanyahu in the not too distant future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahus visit comes as the United States urges Israel and Hamas to continue to uphold the agreed-upon cease-fire in Gaza, which has allowed for the return of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to the war-torn region. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Netanyahu last came to Washington over the summer when he addressed a joint session of Congress at the Capitol. The controversial speech, which resulted in several protests throughout Washington, saw several Democratic lawmakers skip out over the prime ministers prolonged operations in the Middle East. During that July visit, Trump hosted Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. Netanyahu also spoke with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Sunday, the prime ministers office said. President Trumps mass firing of 17 inspectors general late Friday flouted the law and sparked widespread condemnation from those who see it as an effort to block oversight of his administration. The removals topple those responsible for providing an independent check on agencies and an avenue where whistleblowers can report wrongdoing with Trump even targeting some who were his own nominees during his first administration. It was a move that figures on both sides of the aisle have said violates the law even as Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) was mocked for describing the dismissals as technically illegal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were looking at what amounts to a threat to democracy, a threat to independent oversight, and a threat to transparency in government. This is the statute isnt just a technicality. Its a key protection of IG independence is what it is, Mike Ware, who was fired from his role as inspector general of the Small Business Administration, said during an appearance on MSNBC. Trump fired multiple inspectors during his first term in office, removing the inspector general for the intelligence community amid the events that sparked his first impeachment and another set to oversee COVID relief. That pushed Congress in 2022 to update the Inspector General Act, requiring 30 days notice to Congress as well as laying out the rationale behind removals. What some called Trumps Friday Night Massacre complied with neither requirement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inspectors general received an email Friday night alerting them of their removal, with Mark Greenblatt, whom Trump nominated as inspector general for the Department of Interior, saying his email was swiftly disabled, leaving unclear when he can collect his things. The ousted watchdogs came from the Defense Department, State Department, Energy Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and others. It obviously will have a chilling effect, theres no question about that, said David Seide, counsel for the Government Accountability Project, which works with whistleblowers filing complaints. A good IG doesnt pull punches, is critical of the agency when its important to be critical and praises the agency when its warranted, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I read this as, We want IGs here who arent going to criticize theyre gonna pull their punches on the new appointees. Thats the obvious inference to draw here. The firings generated limited criticism from some GOP members of Congress. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), long active on whistleblower policy, said he wanted to hear Trumps rationale, noting that it is required by law. There may be good reason the IGs were fired. We need to know that if so. Id like further explanation from President Trump. Regardless, the 30 day detailed notice of removal that the law demands was not provided to Congress, he said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said the move countered Trumps stated interest in government oversight as hes tapped Elon Musk to lead an outside panel on government efficiency. I dont understand why one would fire individuals whose mission it is to root out waste, fraud and abuse. This leaves a gap in what I know is a priority for President Trump. So I dont understand it, she said over the weekend. But Graham defended the decision, even as he said Trump technically violated the law. You know, Im not overly worried about that. Its not the first time people have come in and put their team in when you win an election, you need people in your administration that reflect your views, he said Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) disputed that in an appearance on the show afterward. To write off this clear violation of law by saying well, technically, he broke the law, Yeah, he broke the law, Schiff told NBC Newss Kristen Welker on Meet the Press. Ware also said there was nothing technical about it. The requirement to provide the substantive rationale, including detailed and case specific reasons, was added to better enable Congress to engage on and respond to a proposed removal of an inspector general in order to protect the independence of inspectors general, said Ware, who is also the chair of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, which has also condemned the firings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, its not clear theres much recourse for those who were fired. The remedies, while they exist, are not especially meaningful, Seide said, noting that even a successful lawsuit might just push Trump to go back to Congress and issue the notifications. The law does require a rationale, with the president providing an intellectually honest reason for doing it, Seide said, but Congress cant stop the removals. The Congress, under the statute, cant stop the removals, but the point of the notice period is to show that inspector generals are being removed for legitimate, objective reasons, and not based on the whims of administrations, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Democrats on Saturday asked Trump to walk back the firings, complaining they were done in the dead of night. Firing inspectors general without due cause is antithetical to good government, undermines the proper stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and degrades the federal governments ability to function effectively and efficiently. We urge you to withdraw your unlawful action and comply with your obligations to the American people, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee ranking member Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) wrote in a letter likewise signed by each committees top Democrat. Trump defended his move while speaking to reporters traveling with him on Air Force One on Saturday night. Its a very common thing to do, Trump asserted, while adding of the watchdogs: Some people thought that some were unfair, some were not doing their job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenblatt on CNN on Monday described getting a brief email late Sunday alerting him he was fired. To get an email from the White House saying White House notification on a Friday night at 7:30, I knew that couldnt be good. And so, I opened it up and there was a two sentence email from the director of presidential personnel that said, in light of changing priorities, you are terminated from your position at the Department of the Interior effective immediately, he said during an appearance on CNN This Morning. Greenblatt, among the Trump appointees fired, arrived at the Interior Department alongside appointees like former Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, a former oil and energy lobbyist accused of conflicts of interest. He also reviewed the U.S. Park Polices role in clearing out Lafayette Park as protesters gathered to mourn George Floyd, finding they did not clear the park for Trump to cross the street and pose with a Bible. These removals should be setting off alarm bells for a number of different reasons. But the primary one, in my view, is the independence of these positions. The whole construct of inspectors general, its based on us being independent, that were not beholden to a political party of any stripe, Greenblatt said before musing about possible replacements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And so the question is, what will President Trump do with these positions? Is he going to nominate watchdogs or is he going to nominate lapdogs? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 ACLU of Rhode Island is urging municipal leaders across the state to pass a new ordinance strengthening protections for immigrants as a preemptive strategy against a potential blitz of deportations under the new Trump administration. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Rhode Island is urging municipal leaders to push back against sweeping changes to federal immigration policy ordered in the early days of President Donald Trumps second term. The chapter sent letters to municipal leaders across the state Monday proposing a model ordinance to strengthen protections for immigrants as a pre-emptive strategy against a potential blitz of deportations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also Monday, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha and state K-12 education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green teamed up to issue 15 pages of guidance to educators and school districts statewide. Much of the Trump administrations crackdown on undocumented immigrants hinges on whether local law officials will cooperate with federal agents. The ACLUs proposed ordinance would prohibit local police officers from questioning people about their immigration status without probable cause, bar any compliance with detainer requests made without a warrant, and ensure municipal services are available to all residents regardless of their citizenship. By assuring your residents in this way that you are a welcoming community, you will be upholding some of this countrys greatest values, Steven Brown, executive director of the ACLU of Rhode Island, wrote. It is important to emphasize that local officials have no obligation under federal law to participate in the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed ordinance is intended to promote public safety, Brown wrote. Residents of your municipality serve as witnesses, report crime, and otherwise assist law enforcement, he wrote. The foundation for this cooperation can often be destroyed when local law enforcement officers are viewed as an extension of the immigration police. Are police cooperating? Similar ordinances proposed by the ACLU during the first Trump administration were adopted by leaders in South Kingstown in 2017 and Central Falls in 2019. Brown told Rhode Island Current Monday some municipalities have expressed interest in the latest charge for local protections though its still undetermined how far support for the initiatives could spread. I am hopeful there will be at least some communities that understand the value and importance of passing an ordinance like this and helping to protect people in their community, Brown said in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wheels are already in motion in Providence, where the City Council is considering an ordinance to put further restriction on ICE cooperation. The proposal introduced Jan. 16 by Councilor Justin Roias would bar police from sharing personal data of undocumented immigrants such as state-issued IDs, licenses, or fingerprints with federal agents. Federal authorities would also be blocked from entering city buildings, schools, places of worship, health facilities and courts without a signed warrant. That comes on top of the citys existing policy which prohibits officers from asking about someones immigration status and from holding a subject based exclusively on an administrative detainer. Police also cant arrest suspected undocumented individuals unless federal immigration officers provide a criminal warrant signed by a judge. The policy was reissued last January and is scheduled to be re-evaluated in December 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Providence Police Department will not and should not be immigration officers, city spokesperson Josh Estrella said in an emailed statement. The city has not and will not proactively collaborate with ICE to provide information and will not change this policy. The same policy applies in Cranston, said the citys police chief, Col. Michael Winquist. At no point during an arrest, he said, will officers immediately ask for proof of citizenship. None of our officers would ever do that, theyre not interested in that, and not even trained to do that, he said in an interview. We want people to trust us thats the bottom line. Winquist, chair of the Rhode Island Police Officers Commission on Standards and Training, also pointed to a 2014 federal court order dictating that police officers in Rhode Island cannot hold a person in custody based upon an ICE detainer alone for more than 48 hours. However, immigration agents could cross-check any fingerprints police transmit to the FBI as part of the standard booking process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats automatically done, Winquist said. If they really want someone, they can go get a warrant for them but theyd have to do it pretty quickly. Gov. Dan McKee has stated that Rhode Island State Police will not prosecute undocumented immigrants unless they have been charged with violent or serious crimes. Our policy is going to stay the same if weve got criminals in the state, whether theyre documented or undocumented, theyre going to pay the price, he told WPROs Matt Allen Monday afternoon. Were not going to profile anyone, thats against the 4th and 5th amendment were not going to do that. Black Lives Matter RI PAC Director Harrison Tuttle urged city leaders in Pawtucket in a letter to enact the ACLUs proposed protections for immigrants as soon as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The immigrant communities of Pawtucket are vital to the citys cultural, social, and economic fabric, Tuttle wrote. Residents currently are living in constant fear of being targeted or unfairly separated from their families. The Providence Police Department will not and should not be immigration officers. The city has not and will not proactively collaborate with ICE to provide information and will not change this policy. Josh Estrella, city spokesperson Pawtucket spokesperson Grace Voll told Rhode Island Current officials plan to foster strong relationships with community-based nonprofits to provide additional support to residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our primary focus will continue to be the well-being of our community and ensuring everyones safety and individual rights, she said in an emailed statement. As more information becomes available, we will remain steadfast in our commitment to being as transparent as possible in our decision-making, as well as keeping residents informed and providing them with the proper resources. Such stances come as the U.S. Department of Justice is directing federal prosecutors to investigate and potentially charge any state or local officials that impede or obstruct immigration efforts. Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green, left, and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, right, are seen in photos from August 2024 and May 2024, respectively. The two state leaders are reminding local educators and school districts of students rights amid federal changes to immigration policy. (Photos by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Guidance for educators The guidance sent to educators and school districts statewide Monday did not rise to the level of legal advice but pointed out the statutory foundations on which a childs educational rights are built. Neronha said in a statement that the attorney generals office will continue to comply with the federal authorities on immigration, especially when it comes to prosecut[ing] violent offenders, whether those offenders are U.S. citizens, non-citizen lawful residents, or offenders that are here unlawfully, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That lack of interference should also extend to school district personnel, who should not physically interfere with or obstruct any law enforcement officer, including any immigration officer, in the performance of his or her duties, the joint memo states, while noting that school authorities are not legally compelled to help ICE apprehend a person based on an administrative warrant. Federal immigration officials have signaled that they no longer view schools as off-limits for even routine enforcement actions, Neronha continued. Yet, Rhode Island children must have access to education without interruption or fear. While federal immigration enforcement policies may have changed, basic legal and constitutional principles have not. Existing laws protect childrens privacy within public school buildings as well as the privacy of their personal information and records. Even federal law officers generally need a warrant, issued by a federal district court judge or magistrate judge, to enter nonpublic areas of a school, according to the memo. In many schools, the entire building is considered nonpublic during school hours. Schools are generally not mandated to collect data on a students documentation status either. The 1982 Supreme Court Case Plyler v. Doe declared that the state cannot stop children of undocumented immigrants from attending public school unless it furthers some substantial goal of the State, according to the ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schools are entrusted to protect student data once it is in their possession, and federal laws carefully structure disclosure of this information. An ICE administrative warrant, the memo notes, is not a court order and would not suffice for a school administrator to hand over a students records. A notice to appear is also not sufficient for searching school records, or entering nonpublic areas of a school. Providing all students access to safe and welcoming learning environments is essential for empowering them to excel academically and beyond the classroom, Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green said in a statement. In accordance with federal and state law, Rhode Island remains committed to providing all students a quality education that sets them up for success. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX American citizens, including citizens of Native tribal nations, have been pulled into the vast immigration operations ordered by President Donald Trump in accordance with his campaign vow to conduct mass deportations since Day 1. Those who are getting caught in Immigrations and Customs Enforcement raids are being targeted because of their race or skin color, according to witnesses. The Navajo Nation Office was flooded with calls from tribal members living off-reservation, with many reporting being questioned about their identity by ICE officers, Native News Online reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Questioning of Navajo Nation citizens, who are American citizens, by ICE has been problematic enough that Navajo President Buu Nygren took to the airwaves to address it. On tribal radio station KTNN, Nygren said he had received accounts of negative and sometimes traumatizing encounters between ICE and Navajo Nation citizens, Native News Online reported. He advised Navajo Nation residents to carry identification, drivers licenses and their Certificate of Indian Blood. NBC News reached out to ICE regarding the detaining and questioning of Navajo Nation citizens and complaints of racial profiling, and has not yet received a response. One of the employees detained and questioned by ICE at a seafood wholesaler during an immigration raid in Newark, New Jersey, was a U.S. citizen and military veteran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newark Mayor Ras Baraka denounced the ICE raid, saying the military veteran "suffered the indignity of having the legitimacy of his military documentation questioned. Regarding the raid, ICE stated they may encounter U.S. citizens while conducting field work and may request identification to establish an individuals identity. The seafood wholesaler's owner, Luis Janota, told WPIX in New York that his warehouse manager, who was also detained, was Puerto Rican. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and its residents are U.S. citizens. It looked to me like they were specifically going after certain kinds of people not every kind. Because they did not ask me for documentation for my American workers, Portuguese workers or white workers, Janota told the station. More deportations, worries over 'increased profiling' ICE has stepped up arrests and deportations since Trump took office. While he had said he would prioritize violent criminals, his "border czar," Tom Homan, also said this week that arrests of undocumented immigrants without criminal convictions which the administration calls collateral arrests would occur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, almost half of the people arrested, 48%, had nonviolent offenses on their record or were people who had not committed any offense. Being in the U.S. without legal status is a civil violation. Entering the country without inspection, between ports of entry or based on false statements what is considered illegal entry is a misdemeanor. Re-entering, or attempting to re-enter, is a felony. The criteria for who is arrested and deported will soon be expanded, however. A bill awaiting Trump's signature, the Laken Riley Act, will allow the arrest and detention of people who are not legally in the country and have been charged they do not have to be convicted with burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, or crimes that lead to death or serious bodily injury. When you dont have enforcement priorities, everyone is subject to detention, said Rosanna Eugenio, legal director at the New York Immigration Coalition. It also creates this situation that leads to increased profiling. How do you tell that someone does not have legal status in this country or is in the process of seeking legal status? You cant tell that by looking at someone. But it will create conditions where there will be profiling of communities, immigrant communities, and communities of color. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration is not relying only on ICE officers to make the arrests. The president ordered personnel in several agencies to assist in arresting and detaining immigrants, and some states and cities also are assisting or have said they are willing to assist. Some arrests have been made in cities where officials support the arrests, but the administration also has been targeting cities whose officials have said their local law enforcement would not assist Trump, On Tuesday morning, several law enforcement agencies made arrests in New York City. The arrests were showcased on social media in posts by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the Drug Enforcement Agency. The mass deportation efforts may soon run into funding realities. Homan has said Congress will have to pony up more money to pay for Trump's mass deportation pledge and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., has said "we don't have the resources." As Trumps immigration crackdown spread to more cities and towns around the country, immigration advocates were trying to make sure immigrants know what to do if they are caught in the crackdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our best defense in this moment is people knowing their rights. Stay calm, dont lie. Remain silent. Dont consent to the search, said Murad Awadeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition. Do not open the door without a judicial warrant, as well as making sure that its signed by a judge. During the campaign, Trump frequently alluded to mass deportations carried out by Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1950s under the label Operation Wetback, a racist term used against mostly Mexican immigrants. U.S. citizens of Mexican descent were also expelled from the country during that operation. Trump has said his mass deportations would be larger than Eisenhower's. But there have been more recent arrests and deportations of American citizens: From Oct. 1, 2015, to March 2020, ICE arrested 674 potential U.S. citizens, detained 121 and removed 70, according to a 2021 Government Accountability Office report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GAO said at the time that ICE had conflicting policies on questioning U.S. citizens and did not track its encounters with U.S. citizens well. The GAO also found that ICE issued detainers asking a local jurisdiction to hold a suspected undocumented immigrant who had been arrested in another crime for at least 895 potential U.S. citizens during that period. It eventually canceled about 74% of the detainers. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Known as Mount McKinley until 2015, Denalis current name reflects what Native Alaskans call the mountain. (Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) President Donald Trumps executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico and Alaskas Denali, the tallest peak in the country, has resulted in lots of discussion. While for some, such renaming might seem less important than the big problems the country faces, there is a formal process in the United States for renaming places, and that process is taken seriously. Usually, so people dont get confused, official, agreed-upon names are used by the government. In the U.S., place names are standardized by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which is part of the U.S. Geological Survey, the agency in charge of making maps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his executive order, Trump asks the Board on Geographic Names to honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans and change its policies and procedures to reflect that. Usually, renaming a place starts locally. The people in the state or county propose a name change and gather support. The process in each state is different. How to change a place name Minnesota recently changed the name of a large lake in Minneapolis to Bde Maka Ska, which the Minneapolis Park Board described as a Dakota name for the lake that has been passed down in oral history for many years. The board voted to change the name and took its request to the county commissioners. When the county agreed, the request was then sent to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which made it official for Minnesota. Then, the state of Minnesota sent the request to the Board on Geographic Names, which made it official for the entire U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a lot of paperwork for something so seemingly minor, but people get passionate about place names. It took 40 years to rename Denali from the name established in the late 19th century, Mount McKinley. The state of Alaska requested the name change in 1975, but the Board on Geographic Names didnt take action. Members of the Ohio congressional delegation President William McKinley was from Ohio objected over many years to requests to rename the mountain, and the board did not act on those requests. The president appoints the secretary of the Interior Department. The secretary works with the heads of related agencies to appoint the Board on Geographic Names. Current committee policy states, Input from State geographic names authorities, land management agencies, local governments, and Tribal Governments are actively pursued. In 2015, President Barack Obama named a new leader for the Department of the Interior, Sally Jewell. Just as Obama made a trip to Alaska in late August 2015, Jewell declared the name change official under a law that allows the secretary of the Interior to change a name if the board doesnt act on the proposal in a reasonable amount of time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This name change recognizes the sacred status of Denali to many Alaska Natives, Jewell said. The name Denali has been official for use by the State of Alaska since 1975, but even more importantly, the mountain has been known as Denali for generations. With our own sense of reverence for this place, we are officially renaming the mountain Denali in recognition of the traditions of Alaska Natives and the strong support of the people of Alaska. If someone objects to a name change, they could ask the courts to rule on whether the name change was made legally. Going back to Bde Maka Ska, some people objected to changing the name from Lake Calhoun, so they took the state natural resources agency to court. Eventually, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the name change was done correctly. Alaskas two U.S. senators and prominent state figures have strongly objected to Trumps renaming attempt. How not to change a place name Renaming the Gulf of Mexico is a different kind of case, however, from renaming a geographic place within U.S. borders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gulf is not within the territorial U.S. On the coast, the first 12 miles from shore are considered part of that country, but outside of that is international waters. The Board on Geographic Names could change the name to Gulf of America on official U.S. maps, but there is no international board in charge of place names. Each country decides what to call places. And there is no official way for the U.S. to make other countries change the name. Its possible that the U.S. could formally ask other countries to change the name, or even impose sanctions against countries that dont comply. If the names were officially changed in the U.S., the government would use the new names in official documents, signage and maps. As for all the people and companies in the world that make maps, they usually use the official names. But there is nothing that would force them to, if they believed that a certain name is more widely recognized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior issued a statement on the name changes: In accordance with President Donald J. Trumps recent executive order, the Department of the Interior is proud to announce the implementation of name restorations that honor the legacy of American greatness, with efforts already underway. As directed by the President, the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America and North Americas highest peak will once again bear the name Mount McKinley.The U.S. Board on Geographic Names, under the purview of the Department of the Interior, is working expeditiously to update the official federal nomenclature in the Geographic Names Information System to reflect these changes, effective immediately for federal use. This story has been updated to reflect the Department of Interiors statement on Jan. 25, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Innisfree McKinnon is an associate professor of geography at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. As Trump returns to Washington facing a new court loss on immigration Rolling Stone Magazine publishes its 100 Best Protest Songs of All Time, chronicling how musicians across genres speak truth to power through their music, lyrics and artistry. In this extended MSNBC exclusive, Ari Melber reports on the magazines new list and the wider significance of protest anthems, and conducts interviews with two artists who made the list, and an editor who led its creation. (This is Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick presides over the Senate at the Capitol on the first day of the 89th Legislative Session Tuesday January 14, 2025. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman Gov. Greg Abbott speaks on the north steps of the State Capitol to supporters at a Texas Public Policy Foundation Parent Empowerment rally on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 in Austin. Abbott and his supporters are pushing to have a voucher system, also known as school choice. (Ricardo B. Brazziell /Austin American-Statesman via AP) Ricardo B. Brazziell/Associated Press Zephyr Capo, President of Texas American Federation of Teachers, speaks Monday, March 13, 2023, at the Texas AFL-CIO building in Austin during a rally of Texas educators that capped a day of activities at the Capitol. William Luther/Staff The Texas Senate kicked off what will likely be this years most hotly contested political battle with a hearing Tuesday on a school voucher bill that offers students $10,000 a year to spend on private education. The Senate education committee is taking invited and public testimony in Austin on Senate Bill 2 in one of the first legislative hearings of the session. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The proposal sets aside $1 billion in state dollars over the next two years to fund around 100,000 "education savings accounts" that can be spent on private school tuition, tutoring and other education costs. The proposal is significantly larger than the version the Senate passed last session, which would have funded roughly 60,000 student accounts worth $8,000 a year. The bills low number denotes its importance to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican who leads the state Senate. Its time for Texas to join the 32 other states that already empower parents and students with greater educational freedom, Sen. Brandon Creighton, a Conroe Republican and the bills lead author, said in a statement. While state lawmakers have said public schools should also see a bump in funding to cover teacher pay raises and special education services, such a bill has yet to be scheduled for a hearing in either chamber. The Senate has routinely passed school voucher legislation over the last decade, and this years proposal is expected to clear the chamber again. The real fight will take place in the House, where a contingent of rural Republicans and Democrats have repeatedly rejected previous voucher proposals. But Gov. Greg Abbott, who has called school vouchers his top priority, helped to oust a dozen anti-voucher Republicans in last years elections, increasing the likelihood that some version will pass. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Republican-led House and Senate have agreed on the programs $1 billion top-line cost in their opening budget proposals, doubling last sessions proposal of $500 million. The two chambers will still need to hash out the finer details of a program, however, like standardized testing requirements for private schools and potential funding mechanisms. Creightons proposed program would be universal, meaning any K-12 student, including those currently enrolled at public or private schools, would be eligible to participate. Children with special needs would be eligible for an additional $1,500; homeschooled students could receive a voucher worth at least $2,000 a year. If the program receives more applicants than it can take, the comptrollers office would follow a prioritization scheme. A lottery of children currently enrolled in public school who either have a disability or come from low-income households would fill up to 80% of spots. Other eligible families would then receive the remaining spots via a separate lottery. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Proponents of the program say finances should not stand in parents way of choosing the best educational setting for their children. But opponents contend vouchers will funnel money away from public schools, which receive state funds based on the number of students in attendance, and that the vouchers will only serve as a taxpayer-funded break to families whose students are already in private schools. Emory University is one of six colleges to receive the inaugural 2024 Climate Luminary Honors in recognition for leadership and innovation in addressing climate challenges. Second Nature, a national nonprofit, recognized Emory for its partnership with The Conservation Fund and efforts to address climate resilience through local, sustainable food sourcing. Through the partnership, Emory supports diverse new farmers in rural Georgia to strengthen local food systems, reduce emissions, and promote equitable economic growth. As part of this work, Emory entered into food purchase agreements with local farmers and cooperatives. This provides farmers with land they lease to own, and the university serves as a guaranteed institutional purchaser, which supports their financial stability. With the disruptions of climate change to the food supply chain, Emory University identified a growing demand for local sustainable food to increase our climate resilience, says Ciannat M. Howett, associate vice president for resilience, sustainability and economic inclusion. Sourcing local sustainable food also helps Emory reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, improves our states ecosystems, and supports the local economy. Emory is delighted to partner with the national non-profit The Conservation Fund to support a diverse new generation of farmers in rural Georgia and help build a local food supply for metro Atlanta. Learn more about Second Nature and other recipients of the 2024 Climate Luminary Honors. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) An Horry County man arrested in August on multiple charges linked to violence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 has been cleared on all counts. U.S. Chief Judge James E. Boasberg formally dismissed Jason Brian Barretts case on Jan. 21 two weeks after President Trump signed an executive order ordering the Justice Department freeze proceedings against nearly 1,600 people. Barrett, 49, was arrested by the FBI in late August on the 1200 block of Burcale Road on charges of: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers Obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder Entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds Engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds Disorderly conduct in a Capitol building A lengthy criminal U.S. Justice Department criminal complaint said Barrett was identified through body worn camera footage. He allegedly threw a helmet toward authorities and grabbed a Metropolitan Police officer from behind. Lindsey Graham, a top Trump ally, says pardoning Capitol attackers sends the wrong signal Barretts attorney Ray Chandler told News13 last week he was confident in the outcome. * * * 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. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. President Donald Trumps first week back in the White House sparked more drama than maybe any in historythe 70 executive orders, the pardons of 1,500 insurrectionists, the highly publicized raids and deportations. And then there were his opening moves in foreign policy, which wreaked their own kind of havoc. But while his moves in domestic policy were expectedhed promised them all through his reelection campaignhis moves on the world stage came largely as a surprise and portend capriciousness and chaos in the months ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even the one move that can be seen as a success in the short runa standoff with the president of Colombiamay boomerang, to his and our detriment, in the long run. The big promise Trump made in foreign policy was that he would end the RussiaUkraine war in 24 hours, even before taking the oath of office. In fact, though, when he put his peace plan on the table, a few weeks after he won the election, Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected it out of hand. Last week, when Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Russian goods, Putin shrugged. (The U.S. imports almost nothing from Russia these days, so theres almost nothing to tariff.) It seems Trump thought he could get a quick and easy peace treaty because A) hes the self-proclaimed master in the art of the deal, B) his predecessors were totally inept (as he said to a group of world leaders at Davos), and C) he get[s] along with Putin. What he seems not to have realized (this was a pattern in his first term as well) is that A) dealing with world leaders is not the same as dealing with, say, the New York City Department of Buildings, B) his predecessors were not so inept (its just that this sort of thing is hard), and C) Putins interests when it comes to Ukraine dont align with ours (they dont even align with Trumps), and, in matters of war and peace, interests outweigh (real or imaginary) friendships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the worlds other major war zone, the Middle East, one might think Trump would have spent the first week basking in his preinaugural triumphthe role his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, played in nailing down a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that President Biden had put on the table eight months earlier. But instead, he made a series of remarkswhether planned or improvised, it was hard to tellthat disrupted not only the ceasefire but the array of U.S. partnerships with the regions Sunni Arab nations. First, the day after his return to power, Trump said in an interview that he was not confident the ceasefire would hold, adding, Its not our war, its their warseemingly unaware that once a country takes the lead in molding the beginnings of a peace treaty (especially when the U.S. does so, in cooperation with regional powers like Egypt and Qatar), it assumes a responsibility to monitor and guide the deal through its phases. Then, over the weekend, Trump called Gaza a demolition site and suggested that we just clean out that whole thingeither temporarily or for the long termadding that he would talk with the heads of Egypt and Jordan about taking in the territorys 2 million Palestinian refugees. He seemed unaware that Egypt and Jordan have long rejected suggestions that they take in more refugees than the many they already have. Their leaders, as well as those of Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations, with whom Trump wants to rekindle warm relations, denounced the idea in very strong terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also seemed indifferent to the fact that the Gazansstill traumatized by their expulsion from Israeli territory back in 1948have no desire for yet another forced relocation, especially since it would probably mean the end of any hopes for a Palestinian state. Finally, his proposal mirrored the ethnic cleansing fantasies of Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, the most right-wing members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus governing coalition. (Both, in fact, celebrated Trumps remarks.) Trumps nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Israel, former Gov. Mike Huckabee, has made similar comments, denying that there are any occupied territories in Gaza or the West Bank, saying they all belong to Israel. To the extent Trump shares this viewand his remarks this weekend suggest he doesthere is no way he will fulfill his dream of mediating normalized relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Then there are the relations with our European allies. Trump churned tensions with the allies in his first termraising doubts about his commitment to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty (pledging to treat an attack on one member as an attack on all), threatening to pull out of NATO altogether, cozying up with Putin in a way that cast more doubt still on his allegiances. He began his second term deepening these doubts and divisions. He threatened to impose tariffs on any EU country that didnt manufacture goods inside the United States, announced he would impose tariffs on our closest NATO ally (Canada) in any event, and declared that the U.S. has an urgent national security need to purchase Greenland, warning Denmarkwhich controls the icy island nations foreign relationsthat he would impose extra tariffs on its goods if it didnt agree to sell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump briefly raised the idea of buying Greenland in his first term and expressed shockeven calling off a planned visit to Copenhagenwhen his offer was refused. This time around, hes not backing down. He has held at least one reportedly tense phone conversation on the matter. The whole thing is a puzzle. Greenland has some geostrategic importance, close as it lies to sea lanes, which Russia or China might exploit, from the melting Arctic into the Atlantic Ocean. But both Greenland and Denmark are NATO allies; the U.S. has a major military base in Greenland, with full access to its resources and no limits on its operations. Theres no need to own the place. His obsession has amplified the looming apprehensions of all the European nations. Trump brusquely says he will get Greenland, one way or another. NATO allies are treaty-bound to defend one another from outside attack. What are they to do in the event of an inside attack? Finally, there is Trumps one apparent success. On Saturday, as part of his mass-deportation campaign, Trump ordered the U.S. military to fly two planeloads of Colombian immigrants back to Colombia. Colombian President Gustavo Petrowho had accepted U.S. civilian planes full of returning migrantsrefused to let the planes land, objecting to news footage showing the migrants shackled while boarding the planes. Trump threatened to impose 25 percent tariffs on Colombian goods unless Petro let the planes through. Petro threatened a counter-tariff. Trump held firm, saying he would double the tariffs if Petro didnt back down. Petro backed down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays events make clear to the world that America is respected again, boasted a statement released Sunday night by the White House. The clear message was that other countries should take the standoff as a lessonespecially Denmark (in calculating whether to sell Greenland), Panama (whether to give us back the canal), Russia (on negotiating over Ukraine), or even Canada (could he really have been serious about making it the 51st state?). But Trump may be miscalculating. Colombia is a tiny country, with one-sixth of our population and 1.5 percent of our GDP, that depends on the U.S. for one-third of its exports (mainly crude oil, coffee, and cut flowers). Trump will find he has less leverageand the objects of his wrath have more freedom to maneuverin future faceoffs. Finally, Trumps hardball approach may wind up being counterproductive. One lesson some leaders might take from the Colombia standoff is that when Trump tells them to jump, they should ask only how high. However, another lesson might be that they need to reduce their dependence on America. Shannon ONeil, Latin America specialist and director of studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, told me on Monday that many countries south of the border are already searching for alternatives. The Mercosur nationsBrazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguaysigned an agreement with the EU. Mexico is bolstering its ties with the EU as well. China has long been making inroads in the region, including in Colombia. It has alienated many with its own hardball methods, roping them into trade arrangements that undercut their own local industriesbut the experience with Colombia could spur the regions leaders to turn away from Washington as well, and Beijings agents will now exploit this impulse with special enthusiasm. Trump may soon learn that his brand of America First means America Alone, and that doesnt help America at all. The president ordered a pause to new or renewed leases and permits, leaving only one New Jersey project that can continue without interruption. (Photo by Sarah Vogelsong) A memorandum issued on President Donald Trumps first day in office will pause nearly all offshore wind projects in New Jersey, with the prospect of a longer-lasting standstill if his administration moves to rescind approvals issued under President Joe Biden. Trumps memorandum orders federal agencies to stop issuing permits and leases pending a review of U.S. approval processes for wind energy projects. But while it calls on authorities to review options to end existing leases, it stops short of seeking to withdraw existing permits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not going to do the wind thing, he said at a rally following his inauguration last week. Only one of the four active New Jersey wind projects appears unaffected by Trumps memorandum. Atlantic Shores South, which encompasses projects set to deliver 2,800 megawatts of power beginning as early as 2028, won its final federal permits on Dec. 16, just over a month before Trump was inaugurated into a second term. Because it had advanced to that late regulatory stage, Atlantic Shores South is not likely to be waylaid, said Jeremy McDiarmid, a managing director with Advanced Energy United, a trade group that backs non-fossil electricity sources. It is unlikely they will be harmed by this order, he said. However, the order does open the door to a review of already issued permits, and that, while unlikely, is not risk-free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps memorandum calls for the interior secretary to review wind permitting practices. Permit revocations, while not unheard of, are typically initiated after a developer violates the terms of their permit, McDiarmid said, but projects that already have them could still be waylaid if developers seek renewed approvals, new loans, or additional rights of way. Its not clear how much of an effect the permitting pause will have on other wind energy projects, though it will at least temporarily stall all others approved by state energy regulators. The memorandum requires a pause on permitting until the Department of the Interior completes its review. While there is no clear timeline for inquiry, offshore wind projects operate on long time horizons, and it can take years for them to move through the federal permitting process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its possible the pause will serve as little more than a speed bump for other projects in the pipeline, depending on the length of the federal governments review, but it could also presage a broader block on wind projects. I think there will be a lot of back and forth depending on how this executive order gets enacted and interpreted, but it will certainly have a chilling effect on the project pipeline going forward, McDiarmid said. A spokesperson for Leading Light Wind, a 2,400 MW wind project awarded a bid by the state Board of Public Utilities last January, said the firm is still evaluating the impact of Trumps memorandum. Permitting for offshore wind projects typically takes years. Atlantic Shores Souths permit review ran for nearly four years, and the permitting process for Attentive Energy 2, a 1,342 MW wind farm that won a bid from the Board of Public Utilities last January, was expected to run through May 2028, according to the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memorandums block on new leases and lease renewals is not expected to kill existing wind energy projects that have already secured land off New Jerseys coast, as those leases typically run for decades, but it could block state regulators from approving future projects. Its call for the interior secretary to review options to rescind existing leases could pose a significant threat to projects already in the pipeline, and activists long opposed to Atlantic Shores North and South believe that call could be key to their end. We believe the award of this lease area was not done in accordance with the current Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. I would hope the new administration comes to the same conclusion and cancels the lease area directly, said Bob Sterns, president of Save LBI and a former director of the U.S. Department of Energys Office of Environmental Compliance. A vocal critic of offshore wind projects, Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-02), applauded Trumps move, saying last week that our beautiful oceans will be preserved, and families will not be even further burdened with unaffordable energy bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These projects were terrible from the start, and this fight has been worth every effort for America! Van Drew said. Federal regulations governing offshore wind leases allow the interior secretary to cancel leases if a lessee fails to comply with some portion of that law, over national security concerns, or if the secretary finds a project would cause serious harm to natural resources, marine life, or historical sites, among other things. Activists opposed to wind energy have sought to tie whale deaths and strandings, which have been elevated since 2016, to wind energy surveying work that first began in 2019, though the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has found no links between the two. Atlantic Shores Souths final approval followed the Biden administrations May finalization of new rules meant to streamline permitting to shorten timelines and reduce costs that have proven a major stumbling block for the industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those rules could come under fire as part of the interior secretarys review, and future rules enacted by the Trump administration could lengthen permitting approvals or block them altogether. But the prospect of strong headwinds has not pushed Gov. Phil Murphy away from ambitious renewable energy goals that include a call for the state to draw 100% of its power from renewable or nuclear sources by 2035. New Jersey will explore all available options to protect the health of our environment and residents while bolstering energy independence, creating good-paying American jobs, lowering energy bills, and growing New Jerseys innovation economy, the governor said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Jim Acosta, the acerbic CNN anchor who rose to prominence by sparring with President Donald Trump during his first administration, is reportedly planning to leave the network after he was offered a midnight slot in the cable news giants lineup. In a Monday edition of his newsletter Status , former CNN media correspondent Oliver Darcy reports that the anchor has signaled in private conversations with associates that he plans to leave CNN after mulling over chief executive Mark Thompsons scheduling offer. Darcy was the first to report last week that Acosta had been offered a proposal by Thompson as part of CNNs new programming makeover to helm a midnight Eastern time newscast, instead of his current 10 a.m. show. The proposal was later confirmed by the Los Angeles Times , which cited two sources familiar with the discussions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After ruminating over the offer, however, Acosta opted out of the deal. It remains unclear when his departure will be publicly announced. US President Donald Trump (R) gets into a heated exchange with CNN chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta (C) as NBC correspondent Peter Alexander (L) looks on during a post-election press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on November 7, 2018. / MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images The news anchor did not respond to Darcys request for comment Monday. A representative for CNN did not immediately respond to the Daily Beasts request for comment. Acostas 10 a.m. slot is slated to be replaced with The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown, as CNN undergoes a company-wide overhaul. Alongside pivots in television programming, over 100 CNN staffers were laid off last Thursday. Thompson clarified in a memo that the network would be shifting its focus to digital news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Darcy put it, the news of Acostas departure is sure [to] please Trump, who briefly revoked Acostas White House press pass during his first term after the two repeatedly butted heads. CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them, Trump once told Acosta during a 2018 squabble. You are a rude, terrible person. You shouldnt be working for CNN. The pair went at it again two years later at a news conference in New Delhi where Trump told Acosta that his record is so bad he ought to be ashamed of himself. Im not ashamed of anything, and our organizations not ashamed, Acosta retorted, but not before Trump got the last word in and said, You probably have the worst record in the history of broadcasting. Thompson, for his part, insists that the offer for Acostas new shift had nothing to do with politics or pressure from the new Trump administrationarguing that it was simply a result of Blitzer and Browns new show, according to Darcy. Michael Whatley (right), chair of the Republican National Committee, speaks to reporters as North Carolina GOP chairman Jason Simmons looks on at the NC GOP headquarters in Raleigh on Sept. 14, 2024. (Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline) President Donald Trump has designated Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley and three other North Carolinians to serve on a panel charged with reviewing the work and future of FEMA. Trump signed an executive order Friday that created the Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council. The group analyzes the federal response to Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whatley, who has chaired the RNC since March 2024, previously spent five years leading the North Carolina GOP. He hails from Watauga County and has an extensive resume serving the Republican Party he was a senior official in the George W. Bush administration, chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, and an adviser on the Trump-Pence campaign. Earlier on Friday, Trump visited western North Carolina in his first trip upon returning to the White House. He floated the idea of getting rid of FEMA while there and announced he was tapping Whatley to review the entity. FEMA has been a very big disappointment, he said Friday during a briefing alongside North Carolina officials in Asheville. They cost a tremendous amount of money. Its very bureaucratic, its very slow. Its unclear what Trumps plan to reform FEMA would entail. Asked by reporters to elaborate on the proposal, Trump said he would prefer for states to get direct payouts from the federal government rather than coordinating with FEMA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joining Whatley on the council are members of Congress representing North Carolina: Republican U.S. Reps. Virginia Foxx of Banner Elk, Chuck Edwards of Flat Rock and Tim Moore of Kings Mountain. The panel will contain no more than 20 members and meet for one year to create a full scale review, by individuals highly experienced at effective disaster response and recovery, who shall recommend to the president improvements or structural changes to promote the national interest and enable national resilience. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will oversee the committee. Both were sworn in over the weekend after receiving confirmation from the Senate last week. State and local governments have been thrown into chaos trying to interpret a pause in hundreds of billions of dollars worth of grants, loans, and other federal financial assistance ordered by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Monday night. It is unclear how far-reaching the freeze is. But Americans of all ages, incomes, and careers could be impacted if the order goes into effect as planned, with low-income Americans getting hit particularly hard. While the freeze was set to take effect Tuesday at 5 p.m., a federal district judge granted an administrative stay in a case challenging it, pausing the plan for a week. "It will mean missed payrolls and rent payments and everything in between: chaos for everything from universities to nonprofit charities, state disaster assistance, local law enforcement, aid to the elderly, and food for those in need," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spending freeze was ordered in a memo from Matthew J. Vaeth, acting director of the OMB. It tells federal agencies to "temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance." The memo says the freeze is necessary so Federal agencies can "identify and review all Federal financial assistance programs and supporting activities [are] consistent with the President's policies and requirements." Government officials, policy experts, and nonprofits are still trying to work out exactly what the order would apply to and what would be exempt. While it states that Medicare and Social Security benefits and assistance provided directly to individuals should not be impacted, it does not specifically mention an exclusion for Medicaid, and states are reporting that they are locked out of the health insurance program. It is possible that federal housing assistance and disaster relief programs could also be disrupted, impacting tens of millions of Americans. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), called the order "blatantly unconstitutional." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our Founding Fathers explicitly gave Congress the power of the purse," Sanders said in a statement. "Under our system of checks and balances, no president has the right to choose which laws to follow and which laws to ignore." The memo says the Trump administration can provide exemptions "on a case-by-case basis." Here are some of the programs that could be immediately impacted. Medicaid benefits While Social Security and Medicare payments were exempted from the order, Medicaid was not named in it. States including Illinois say they have been locked out of their accounts. Medicaid provides health insurance for around 80 million children, pregnant women, low income adults, seniors, and disabled people across the country. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether or not it was impacted by the freeze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medicaid is the largest source of federal funding states receive, and any disruption "will cause chaos and disrupt access to needed care," Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, said in a statement, adding that "the mere suggestion of such a pause will cause panic." A follow-up memo released by OMB Tuesday said "mandatory programs" including Medicaid would not be disrupted. But state portals were down. Federal student loans Owing to the vague nature of the order, many students relying on federal student aid expressed confusion and fear that federal student loans and Pell grants would be impacted by the freeze. But the U.S. Department of Education said Tuesday that the pause does not apply to federal student loans or Pell grants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funding pause directed by the Jan. 27, 2025, OMB memorandum only applies to discretionary grants at the Department of Education," said Madi Biedermann, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Education. "These will be reviewed by department leadership for alignment with Trump administration priorities." The Student Borrower Protection Center, a nonprofit that advocates for student loan borrowers, said in a statement Tuesday that despite the administration saying student loans would not be affected by the order, it will still harm working families from "suburban, rural, and urban communities alike." "Regardless of these updates, it is clear that policymakers must secure firm commitments from Trump administration nominees that they will reject these attacks on working families," the press release reads. Community health centers Sanders pointed to community health centers, which provide primary health care to more than 30 million Americans and rely on federal funds. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children WIC provides nutrition assistance to pregnant mothers and babies and could be impacted, says Sanders. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program This program provides assistance for heating and cooling bills to millions of seniors and families with children and could be impacted, according to Sanders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story has been updated with news of an order temporarily blocking the spending freeze. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com By Jennifer Rigby LONDON (Reuters) - The Trump administration has moved to stop the supply of lifesaving drugs for HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, as well as medical supplies for newborn babies, in countries supported by USAID around the globe, a memo reviewed by Reuters showed. On Tuesday, contractors and partners who work with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) began receiving such memos to stop work immediately, sources said. The move is part of a wider freeze on U.S. aid and funding put in place since Trump took office on Jan. 20, while programmes are reviewed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One such memo went to Chemonics, a large U.S. consulting firm which works with USAID on the supply of medicines for a range of conditions worldwide. The memo covers the firm's work on HIV, malaria and tuberculosis as well as contraception and maternal and child health supplies, one USAID source and one former USAID official told Reuters. "This is catastrophic," said Atul Gawande, former head of global health at USAID who left the agency this month. "Donated drug supplies keeping 20 million people living with HIV alive. That stops today." Chemonics and USAID did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Interruptions in treatment for diseases mean that patients risk getting sick, as well as, in the case of HIV in particular, transmitting the virus to others. It also means drug-resistant strains may emerge, Gawande said. He said other partners had also received notices that meant they would be unable to deliver medicines to clinics even if they had them in stock, or open the clinics if they are funded by the U.S. That includes organisations working with 6.5 million orphans and vulnerable children with HIV in 23 countries, he said. Trump ordered a 90-day pause in foreign development assistance on Jan. 20, the day he took the oath of office, pending assessments of efficiencies and consistency with U.S. foreign policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His administration has also put on leave about 60 senior career officials at the USAID, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday. The administration's actions threaten billions of dollars of life-saving aid from the world's largest single donor. In fiscal year 2023, the U.S. disbursed $72 billion in assistance. It provided 42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations in 2024. (Reporting by Jennifer Rigby; Editing by Gareth Jones) A Trump administration executive order framed as a way to help Southern California fight future wildfires wont get more water in the hands of local firefighters, and will mostly simply divert water to farms, according to experts and advocates in the state. The order, dated Friday but made public Sunday, directs a variety of federal agencies to study Overriding Disastrous California Policies to ensure adequate water resources in Southern California. That potentially includes overriding existing rules governing the Central Valley Project, a federal irrigation network in the state, and the State Water Project, a separate state-run project, and even possibly convening a committee known as the God Squad to exempt these changes from the federal Endangered Species Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts on Californias byzantine water infrastructure said the Trump order has little to do with improving the response to future wildfires like those that have torn through the Los Angeles area in recent weeks. The premise of this executive order is false, a spokesperson for California governor Gavin Newsom told Cal Matters. Attempts to connect water management in Northern California to local wildfire fighting in Los Angeles have zero factual basis. California continues to pump as much water as it did under the [previous] Trump administrations policies, and water operations to move water south through the Delta have absolutely nothing to do with the local fire response in Los Angeles. Even though fire hydrants ran dry and a local aquifer sat empty as LA firefighters fought blazes like the Palisades Fire, experts say that insufficient infrastructure is to blame, rather than a lack of local water supply. Trump claims water rules will help fight fires, but experts say much of water deliveries will go to agriculture (Getty Images) Even as the area suffered a months-long dry spell, thanks to a series of wet winters, state reservoirs were mostly above historical averages as the fires broke out. Problems occurred came as LAs municipal-scale water system, designed to fight smaller, individual house fires, was suddenly tasked with putting out a historically huge wildfire-scale blaze descending on the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, the Central Valley Project doesnt even connect to the LA water system, let alone would be accessible to firefighters. Seventy-five percent of the systems water goes straight to agriculture, and the project ends in Bakersfield, before it reaches the Los Angeles area further south. Do not be fooled by Trumps lies: none of the policies in this executive order will move even a single drop of extra water to communities devastated by these wildfires. This administration is presenting us with a false choice, Democratic California Rep. Jared Huffman, who serves on the House Natural Resources Committee, said in a statement. Some praised the Trump order, including the Westlands Water District, which serves agricultural communities in Fresno and Kings Counties. We appreciate President Trumps readiness to address these issues head-on and look forward to collaborating with federal and state partners to bring common sense back to the Food Basket of the United States, Allison Febbo, general manager of Westlands, wrote in a statement. Trump has promised to back California 100 percent in its wildfire recovery (REUTERS) Others saw the move as a sop to agricultural communities in the state, which tend to lean more red than urban areas, and draw an enormous amount of water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a manufactured crisis and water grab for the agricultural sector, who are mainly growing crops for export, Regina Chichizola of the advocacy group Save California Salmon told The Los Angeles Times. The executive order also calls for a reversion to a Trump-era set of rules from 2020 governing the Central Valley Project, which draws water from rivers flowing into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay and sends them further south to farms and communities in the San Joaquin Valley. California and environmental agencies later successfully challenged the rules in court, arguing they didnt protect endangered fish species that rely on Delta water, and the Biden administration worked with the state on new rules which rolled out in December. Organizations may sue Trump again if his agencies override federal endangered species protections. Trump: "I'm signing an executive order to open up the pumps and valves in the north. We want to get that water pouring down here as quickly as possible ... you're talking about unlimited water coming up from the Pacific Northwest, even coming from parts of Canada." pic.twitter.com/4tn5K8RaXt Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 25, 2025 During a weekend visit to survey wildfire damage, Trump promised to back the state 100 percent, though the Republican has also floated putting unrelated political conditions on future wildfire aid to California and abolishing FEMA, leaving states to grapple with their own disaster response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking at a forum with state officials in Los Angeles, Trump inaccurately described the states water system. Youre talking about unlimited water coming down from the Pacific Northwest, even coming up from parts of Canada, and it pours down naturally. It has for a million years, Trump said. Youll never run out, youll never have shortages and you wont have things like this, and when you do youll have a lot of water to put it out. In fact, California water comes largely from melting snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains in the eastern part of the state, and does not come from Canada or the Pacific Northwest. Former President Donald Trump goes on stage to talk about his presidential campaign and the importance of turning out the vote in Michigan at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan before the polls open on Nov. 5, 2024 (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) In a move that global health workers say will likely have devastating consequences for women and girls throughout the world, President Donald Trump has reinstated a policy that bans foreign aid workers from offering information about abortion, and doubled down on an existing domestic policy that bans federal funding for abortion. The so-called Mexico City Policy, which Trump reinstated Friday night with an executive order, was first introduced in 1984 under Republican President Ronald Reagan, and bans foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that receive U.S. family planning funds from promoting abortion as a method of family planning and from abortion-related counseling and referrals. It is known by reproductive rights advocates as the global gag rule, and it has been rescinded and reinstated as presidential administrations have changed parties for many years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We saw the devastating impact of the global gag rule during the last Trump administration when contraception and vital reproductive services were cut off. There was a spike in pregnancy-related deaths, reproductive coercion, and gender inequality worldwide, said Rachana Desai Martin, chief government and external relations officer at the Center for Reproductive Rights, in a statement. Many clinics and health programs shuttered, leaving vulnerable populations with nowhere to get birth control, pregnancy care and other vital health services. Reinstatement of the policy was prescribed in Project 2025, a nearly 1,000-page blueprint document authored by the Heritage Foundation and many other organizations, including several anti-abortion groups. To stop U.S. foreign aid from supporting the global abortion industry, the next conservative administration should issue an executive order that, at a minimum, reinstates [the policy] and closes loopholes by applying the policy to all foreign assistance, including humanitarian aid, and improving its enforcement, page 261 of the document reads. The executive order should be drafted broadly to apply to all foreign assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order includes the statement, I direct the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to the extent allowable by law, to implement a plan to extend the requirements of the reinstated memorandum to global health assistance furnished by all departments or agencies. Advocates within foreign assistance organizations said the change will affect not only abortion access, but comprehensive reproductive health services, including HIV prevention and treatment, contraception access, screening for sexually transmitted diseases and cancers, and treatments for other infectious diseases. An expanded Mexico City Policy will have wide-reaching impacts on women and girls access to life-saving healthcare, Janeen Madan Keller, policy fellow and deputy director of global health policy at the Center for Global Development, said in a statement. As research shows, the Mexico City Policy reduces access to contraception which counter to the policys intended goal leads to more unplanned pregnancies and higher abortion rates. Madan Keller added that when Trump reinstated the rule during his first term in 2017, other donors were able to bolster the United Nations Population Funds budget and blunt any negative effects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, with many donors now slashing aid budgets, its unclear whether they would cover the shortfall, she said. On the same day as the executive orders, the Trump administration rejoined the so-called Geneva Consensus Declaration, a global agreement launched by the U.S. and five other countries in 2020, which states that there is no international right to abortion and countries are not obligated to finance or facilitate it, according to a document obtained by Politico. The pact also includes Brazil, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia and Uganda. Hyde Amendment Trump issued another executive order on Friday titled, Enforcing the Hyde Amendment, referring to a federal provision prohibiting the use of federal funds such as Medicaid to pay for abortions. Hyde does, however, allow funding in cases of rape, incest or to save a patients life. The order said the prior Democratic administration of President Joe Biden embedded forced taxpayer funding of elective abortions in a variety of federal programs, and rescinded two of Bidens executive orders from 2022 that aimed to increase access to abortion. Trump signed the orders at the end of a week where he was mostly silent on abortion. But after days of lobbying by anti-abortion movement leaders, Trump on Thursday pardoned convicted abortion-clinic blockaders and earlier Friday gave a last-minute video speech at the anti-abortion March for Life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Project 2025 references the Hyde Amendment several times, citing Bidens 2022 executive order that allowed the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary to find ways to assist pregnant people traveling across state lines to receive abortion care. The Biden administration subsequently interpreted Hyde to only apply to the abortion procedure itself. Page 471 of the document calls for HHS to withdraw that guidance and for the U.S. Department of Justice to withdraw and disavow its interpretation of the amendment that was issued in September 2022. It also says HHS should complete a full audit to determine compliance with the amendment and permanently codify the Hyde Amendment in law rather than approving it as part of an appropriations process every year. Republican U.S. Sens. John Kennedy of Louisiana and Roger Wicker of Mississippi introduced a bill in early January to codify the amendment and establish a single, government-wide standard that bars federal tax dollars from financing abortions. Its unclear if that bill is an attempt to fully cut Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, which relies heavily on those funds to provide sexual and reproductive health services like contraception and screenings, including in states with abortion bans. Cutting that funding is a directive from Project 2025, as well. Colorful works by Indigenous artists await Atlanta audiences and the Emory community with the new Emory Libraries exhibition This Land Calls Us Home: Indigenous Relationships with Southeastern Homelands. The exhibition, which opened Jan. 27 in the Schatten Gallery on Level 3 of Emorys Robert W. Woodruff Library, features the work of 25 contemporary Native American artists and designers. More than 50 pieces are on display that express Southeastern Indigenous heritage, including textiles, photographs, paintings, intricate woven baskets and more. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Timelines of the intertwining history of early Emory University and the federal removal of Native American populations from the southeastern United States are on display in the corridor gallery. The timelines include research from a variety of sources, as well as some research from Emory faculty and students and images from Emory University Archives. These creative works by Indigenous artists are an authentic voice exploring the relationship of Native peoples with their homelands in the Southeast, says Lisa Macklin, associate vice provost and university librarian. This exhibit will expand our collective understanding of Indigenous peoples and their contemporary relationships with their ancestral homelands. It celebrates resilience while recognizing painful and difficult histories. Macklin says this exhibit connects with the ongoing work Emory University is doing with the Twin Memorials project, the Indigenous Language Path Working Group, the Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies and other projects, as the university comes to terms with its origins in 1836 on Native lands taken by the U.S. government 15 years earlier. Macklin hopes This Land inspires students in the Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative and in other courses of study to discover new knowledge in Native American history and contemporary Indigenous life. It provides a space for all of us to contemplate belonging, social justice, healing and transformation. We invite both the Atlanta metro community and the Emory community, especially students, to join us for this powerful experience, she says. This Land history This Land Calls Us Home was previously displayed in the art gallery space of the T North Concourse at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where it was viewed by tens of thousands of visitors. It is presented by the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church (UMC), in collaboration with the UMCs Native American Comprehensive Plan. Mekko (Rev.) Chebon Kernell (Seminole/Muscogee) originally conceptualized this exhibition at the Atlanta airport last year. He is an ordained elder in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference and executive director of the Native American Comprehensive Plan for the United Methodist Church. I believe it is vital for the community of Emory University to continue the journey of educating itself about the historical and contemporary presence of Mvskoke (Muscogee) People and the greater Indigenous community of the area, says Kernell. This exhibition assists in the endeavor of erasing an intentional historical silencing that has been inflicted upon the stories of this countrys Indigenous peoples communities. In our day and time, it is crucial to use every opportunity possible to teach about the truth, survival and presence of the Native American people of the United States. The work on Emorys history On Remembering, Return, and Responsibility is a corridor gallery exhibit presented with the "This Land exhibition. It features two timelines: one tracing the dispossession of southeastern Indigenous lands and the conflicts as European settlers moved in, and the other outlining Emory University's growth from its origins on Muscogee (Creek) Nation land in Oxford, Georgia, to current efforts to reckon with its history. Miranda Kyle, the Michael C. Carlos Museums curator of Indigenous Arts of the Americas and a Cherokee descendant, advised on the original iteration of This Land, oversaw the re-installation of the exhibition in the Schatten Gallery, and curated the timeline walls in the corridor gallery. This exhibition is so joyful, while still talking about very serious topics, Kyle says. It celebrates the resilience of the Indigenous peoples who call the Southeast home. I think that's something that Emory is aspiring to how do we become a center for serious study in research, but that also holds on to and perpetuates joy? And in the times that we live in now, that is extremely important. This Land Calls Us Home comes at a time when the university is grappling with its early history. In recent years, Emory has held annual collaborative Muscogee Teach-ins; co-hosted (with Emory Libraries) a symposium in 2021 called In the Wake of Slavery and Dispossession that focused on continuing efforts and research into slavery, dispossession and restorative justice; and launched initiatives such as the Task Force on Untold Stories and Disenfranchised Populations and its projects like the Indigenous Language Path Working Group and the Twin Memorials project to acknowledge the universitys history with enslaved labor and relationship to lands where Indigenous people originally lived. The timelines include these projects, as well as research conducted by Emory faculty and students, such as projects by author and filmmaker Malinda Maynor Lowery, an American history and Native American and Indigenous Studies professor; and Mike Mortimer, a 2022-24 provosts postdoctoral fellow in Native American history. Mortimer led the student-driven 1836 Project about Emorys early days in the Oxford area and the forced removal of Cherokee and Muscogee in the area 15 years earlier. An interactive kiosk in the corridor exhibit will allow visitors to explore the 1836 Project. Particularly with the timeline walls, well be pulling from Emory faculty and scholar research, and that will provide an opportunity to see the work that Emory has been doing in the last 10 years or so. We're building on the scholarship of other people, Kyle says. This Land Calls Us Home is on display Jan. 27 July 20, 2025, in the Schatten Gallery on Level 3 of the Robert W. Woodruff Library (540 S. Asbury Cir., Atlanta, GA 30322). The exhibition is free and open to the public. Check the hours webpage before visiting. For more information, visit the exhibitions webpage. President Donald Trump signed the orders at the end of a week where he was mostly silent on abortion. But after lobbying by anti-abortion movement leaders, Trump on Thursday pardoned nearly two dozen activists for blockading abortion clinics and earlier Friday gave a video speech at the anti-abortion March for Life. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images In a move that global health workers say will likely have devastating consequences for women and girls throughout the world, President Donald Trump has reinstated a policy that bans foreign aid workers from offering information about abortion, and doubled down on an existing domestic policy that bans federal funding for abortion. The so-called Mexico City Policy, which Trump reinstated Friday night with an executive order, was first introduced in 1984 under Republican President Ronald Reagan, and bans foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that receive U.S. family planning funds from promoting abortion as a method of family planning and from abortion-related counseling and referrals. It is known by reproductive rights advocates as the global gag rule, and it has been rescinded and reinstated as presidential administrations have changed parties for many years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We saw the devastating impact of the global gag rule during the last Trump administration when contraception and vital reproductive services were cut off. There was a spike in pregnancy-related deaths, reproductive coercion, and gender inequality worldwide, said Rachana Desai Martin, chief government and external relations officer at the Center for Reproductive Rights, in a statement. Many clinics and health programs shuttered, leaving vulnerable populations with nowhere to get birth control, pregnancy care and other vital health services. Reinstatement of the policy was prescribed in Project 2025, a nearly 1,000-page blueprint document authored by the Heritage Foundation and many other organizations, including several anti-abortion groups. To stop U.S. foreign aid from supporting the global abortion industry, the next conservative administration should issue an executive order that, at a minimum, reinstates [the policy] and closes loopholes by applying the policy to all foreign assistance, including humanitarian aid, and improving its enforcement, page 261 of the document reads. The executive order should be drafted broadly to apply to all foreign assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order includes the statement, I direct the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to the extent allowable by law, to implement a plan to extend the requirements of the reinstated memorandum to global health assistance furnished by all departments or agencies. Advocates within foreign assistance organizations said the change will affect not only abortion access, but comprehensive reproductive health services, including HIV prevention and treatment, contraception access, screening for sexually transmitted diseases and cancers, and treatments for other infectious diseases. An expanded Mexico City Policy will have wide-reaching impacts on women and girls access to life-saving healthcare, Janeen Madan Keller, policy fellow and deputy director of global health policy at the Center for Global Development, said in a statement. As research shows, the Mexico City Policy reduces access to contraception which counter to the policys intended goal leads to more unplanned pregnancies and higher abortion rates. Madan Keller added that when Trump reinstated the rule during his first term in 2017, other donors were able to bolster the United Nations Population Funds budget and blunt any negative effects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, with many donors now slashing aid budgets, its unclear whether they would cover the shortfall, she said. On the same day as the executive orders, the Trump administration rejoined the so-called Geneva Consensus Declaration, a global agreement launched by the U.S. and five other countries in 2020, which states that there is no international right to abortion and countries are not obligated to finance or facilitate it, according to a document obtained by Politico. The pact also includes Brazil, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia and Uganda. Hyde Amendment Trump issued another executive order on Friday titled, Enforcing the Hyde Amendment, referring to a federal provision prohibiting the use of federal funds such as Medicaid to pay for abortions. Hyde does, however, allow funding in cases of rape, incest or to save a patients life. The order said the prior Democratic administration of President Joe Biden embedded forced taxpayer funding of elective abortions in a variety of federal programs, and rescinded two of Bidens executive orders from 2022 that aimed to increase access to abortion. Trump signed the orders at the end of a week where he was mostly silent on abortion. But after days of lobbying by anti-abortion movement leaders, Trump on Thursday pardoned convicted abortion-clinic blockaders and earlier Friday gave a last-minute video speech at the anti-abortion March for Life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Project 2025 references the Hyde Amendment several times, citing Bidens 2022 executive order that allowed the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary to find ways to assist pregnant people traveling across state lines to receive abortion care. The Biden administration subsequently interpreted Hyde to only apply to the abortion procedure itself. Page 471 of the document calls for HHS to withdraw that guidance and for the U.S. Department of Justice to withdraw and disavow its interpretation of the amendment that was issued in September 2022. It also says HHS should complete a full audit to determine compliance with the amendment and permanently codify the Hyde Amendment in law rather than approving it as part of an appropriations process every year. Republican U.S. Sens. John Kennedy of Louisiana and Roger Wicker of Mississippi introduced a bill in early January to codify the amendment and establish a single, government-wide standard that bars federal tax dollars from financing abortions. Its unclear if that bill is an attempt to fully cut Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, which relies heavily on those funds to provide sexual and reproductive health services like contraception and screenings, including in states with abortion bans. Cutting that funding is a directive from Project 2025, as well. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In a sweeping order that surpasses the scope of dozens of executive orders President Donald Trump signed in just over a week as president, his top budget office has directed agencies to pause federal grants so the administration can review them for whether they fit the presidents priorities. The acting head of the Office of Management and Budget, which handles executive branch operations, sent the memo Monday, prompting consternation in Washington over which federal government programs would continue to be in effect. Theres limited information about the specifics of the order. Heres what we know. When does the pause on federal loans and grants go into effect? The memo says the pause will go into effect Tuesday at 5 p.m. What is affected? What federal grants, loans are paused? The memo points to a legal definition of federal financial assistance, which includes grants, cooperative agreements, surplus donations, loans and interest subsidies. It exempts assistance received directly by individuals, including Medicare and Social Security benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo refers to an executive order Trump signed on Jan. 20, which ordered department and agency heads to immediately pause new programs and disbursements of development assistance to foreign countries. The Department of State announced this pause on Sunday. On the domestic side, the federal government issues grants for everything from road building to scientific research. It is unclear which categories will be affected. While the directive is broad, including all federal financial assistance, the memo also includes a caveat that this can only affect federal assistance to the extent permissible under applicable law. What happens next? The memo instructs agencies to pause new awards, disbursement of funds under open awards and other relevant agency actions to the extent permissible by law that may be covered by Trumps myriad executive orders. By Feb. 10, agencies must submit reports detailing programs subject to this pause. What agencies might be affected? And will food stamps be paused? The memo does not specify which grant-making agencies must abide by the order, but the Office of Management and Budget has broad power over the executive branch that touches nearly every agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than two dozen agencies make grants, including the Department of Education, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Defense, according to Grants.gov. How much federal money is affected? The memo does not outline a sum of how much in federal grants must immediately be halted but says that federal financial assistance totaled $3 trillion in fiscal year 2024. Why is Trump administration pausing federal loans and grants? The memo says, Career and political appointees in the executive branch have a duty to align federal spending and action with the will of the American people as expressed through presidential priorities. The memo then lists Trumps priorities, including making the country safer, ending "wokeness," and promoting government efficiency government. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Federal loans, grants paused by Trump, may affect food stamps A significant number of political appointees who have joined the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Trump used to work for or have lobbied on behalf of the chemical and fossil fuel industries. The appointments come as the administration has made apparently competing promises about aggressively cutting regulations while also Making America Healthy Again. Among the figures appointed to the agency is Nancy Beck, who used to work at the American Chemistry Council, a chemical industry trade and lobbying group, before serving in the EPA during Trumps first term. Beck has faced controversy over her handling of chemical safety during her first EPA tenure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also joining the administration is Lynn Dekleva, who spent more than 30 years at chemical giant DuPont, according to her LinkedIn page. DuPont is well known for, among other things, its relationship to forever chemicals, a toxic family of chemicals also known as PFAS that have been linked to several cancers and other health concerns and are the subject of EPA regulations, like many toxic substances. DuPonts legacy parent E.I. du Pont de Nemours and its spinoff Chemours have manufactured many types of PFAS. The companies settled a lawsuit from water utilities affected by the chemicals last year. Other legal proceedings remain ongoing. Additional appointments include Chad McIntosh, a former Ford executive, and Alexander Dominguez, who worked for the American Petroleum Institute, a major oil and gas lobbying group. Dominguez has also lobbied on behalf of companies and groups in the biofuels, plastic and oil industries. Steven Cook, who was a lawyer for chemical and oil refining company LyondellBasell, will also be rejoining the EPA. Like Beck, Dekleva, McIntosh, Dominguez and Cook also held EPA positions in Trumps first administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EPA did not directly respond to The Hills questions about the appointments or whether officials with industry ties would work on issues that impact their former employers or clients. Instead, spokesperson Molly Vaseliou provided a written statement saying the EPA is putting together a leadership team composed of some of the brightest experts and legal minds of their fields, all of whom will uphold EPAs mission to protect human health and the environment. During President Trumps first term, the combined emissions of criteria pollutants and their precursors dropped by 7 percent and the American people saw significant improvement in air quality. Additionally, the Trump EPA cleaned up more toxic sites than its predecessor by fully or partially deleting 82 sites from the Superfund National Priorities List, she said. Criteria pollutants refers to a set of six commonly found types of air pollution: smog, soot, carbon monoxide, lead, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beck is among the most controversial picks to rejoin the administration. She previously served as deputy and then principal deputy assistant administrator of the EPAs Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention in Trumps first term. She later served in the White Houses Office of Management and Budget. The Associated Press reported at that time that she was involved in sidelining guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention related to reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic. The president nominated her in 2020 to lead the Consumer Product Safety Commission, but that push was derailed when even some Republican senators raised concerns about her record on chemical safety. Maria Doa, a former EPA official who worked on chemical issues at the agency for several decades, including during the first Trump administration, told The Hill that Beck tried to weaken the science surrounding toxic chemicals. When I was at EPA dealing with Nancy Beck, I regularly pushed back against her efforts to undermine the science, to change scientific determinations so that chemicals would not be regulated, said Doa, who is now senior director for chemicals policy at the Environmental Defense Fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She particularly noted that Beck pushed back on efforts to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals. She would downplay the risk from trichloroethylene, which causes three types of cancer, multiple effects on the body, developmental toxicity, Doa said. Doa also recounted a meeting in which she said Beck did not appear to care that deaths related to paint remover methylene chloride were likely being undercounted. She said, Well, what is that, like 1 percent? Whats the issue? which is just shocking, because parents lost children, and children lost a father or mother, so there were a number of deaths, Doa recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EPA did not provide a comment on the specifics of Doas statements. Instead, a spokesperson reiterated the same statement provided by Vaseliou. Other Trump appointees to the agency also held lobbying positions. Official Aaron Szabo lobbied on behalf of the sterilization industry on issues related to its use of the toxic chemical ethylene oxide, and for DuPont successor Chemours on issues related to forever chemicals. Szabo additionally lobbied for the American Chemistry Council, a number of oil and pipeline companies and electric utilities Duke, Exelon and NextEra. Jessica Kramer lobbied on behalf of various water utility trade organizations, as well as Duke Energy, Talos Energy and LG Chem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justin Schwab has provided legal services to utility Southern Co. Kramer and Schwab also served at the EPA during Trumps first term, while Szabo worked in the White House. E&E News first reported that these officials would be rejoining the administration. The Hill has verified using the agencys employee database that they are working at the EPA. Matthew Tejada, a former career official who worked in the EPAs Office for Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, noted that the involvement of officials with ties to industry is not unique to Trumps administrations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its kind of the rhythm of our government that many of us have become used to that when a conservative administration comes in, they bring in a coterie of polluting industry representation, said Tejada, who is now senior vice president for environmental health at the Natural Resources Defense Council. He noted that its not clear whether any given individual will necessarily feel beholden to their prior employers. Are these folks who maybe have differences of philosophy with us, but we can try to find areas of common ground where we can positively advance environmental health protections or are these folks who are just hell-bent on eliminating any resistance from the executive branch of the government to the whims of our president? he said. That is what we have to assess right now. Trump has pledged to roll back environmental regulations and bolster the oil and gas industry while in office, and made some moves to do so in his initial slate of executive actions last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while Trump and his team have supported such rollbacks and appointed officials who worked in the chemical and fossil fuel industries to the EPA, he has also repeatedly said that he supports clean air and clean water. Trump has also adopted Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s Make America Healthy Again agenda. Kennedy, Trumps pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has expressed interest in removing toxic chemicals from the environment and limiting corporate influence on the federal government. While he appears to be close with President Trump, Kennedy wont have any direct say over the EPAs actions if hes confirmed as HHS secretary. Nevertheless, Doa sees a hypocrisy in the administration claiming to want a healthier America while putting industry-affiliated people in top EPA positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a hypocrisy there if you put people in place who are going to approve chemicals to go on the market that are risky or who are going to, when they assess chemicals that have long been on the market, downplay their harms, their risks, not regulate them, 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 The Hill. A man who was one of the more than 1,550 Jan. 6 insurrectionists who were pardoned by President Donald Trump by executive order last week was fatally shot by a sheriffs deputy on Sunday after resisting arrest at a traffic stop in Indiana. The incident occurred in Jasper County after a sheriffs officer stopped Matthew W. Huttle, 42, of Hobart, Indiana, in his vehicle, Indiana State Police said. The police statement did not explain why the deputy had stopped Huttles vehicle, only that the the suspect resisted when the officer attempted to arrest him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An altercation took place between the suspect and the officer, which resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding the suspect, read the statement, which indicated that Huttle was in possession of a firearm. In August 2023, Huttle pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of entering and remaining in a restricted building for his part in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection on the Capitol. He was sentenced to six months in prison, according to The New York Times. His uncle, Dale Huttle, who was charged with a felony for assaulting Capitol police with a flagpole, was sentenced to 30 months in prison in June 2024. Much of Matts criminal history and many of the problems in his life in general are directly related to his extreme alcohol abuse, Huttles lawyer Andrew Hemmer wrote in the Jan. 6 case. He explained that Huttle had been drinking since he was 15 years old and had multiple convictions for driving under the influence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hemmer said that Huttle had just been released from jail after his most recent arrest on a charge of DUI when he agreed to drive his uncle to the Capitol, but was not interested in politics himself. He thought it would be a historic event that he could document through pictures and videos, Hemmer wrote. The deputy who shot Huttle has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard practice. The deputys name has not yet been released to the media. Local authorities are investigating the shooting along with the Jasper County prosecutor. The post Trump-Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Fatally Shot After Resisting Arrest in Indiana appeared first on TheWrap. WASHINGTON (AP) A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a push from President Donald Trump to pause federal funding while his administration conducts an across-the-board ideological review to uproot progressive initiatives. The order capped the most chaotic day for the U.S. government since Trump returned to office, with uncertainty over a crucial financial lifeline causing panic and confusion among states, schools and organizations that rely on trillions of dollars from Washington. U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan blocked the funding freeze only minutes before it was scheduled to take effect. The administrative stay, prompted by a lawsuit brought by nonprofit groups that receive federal money, lasts until Monday afternoon. Another court hearing is scheduled that morning to consider the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House did not immediately comment on the order, which leaves unresolved a potential constitutional clash over control of taxpayer money. Democrats who have struggled to gain a foothold during Trump's second term unleashed on the Republican president, describing his actions as capricious and illegal. Administration officials said the decision to halt loans and grants was necessary to ensure that spending complies with Trumps recent blitz of executive orders. The Republican president wants to increase fossil fuel production, remove protections for transgender people and end diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. But a vaguely worded memo issued by the Office of Management and Budget, combined with incomplete answers from the White House throughout the day, left lawmakers, public officials and average Americans struggling to figure out what programs would be affected by the pause. Even temporary interruptions in funding could cause layoffs or delays in public services. This sort of came out of the blue, said David Smith, a spokesperson for the Shawnee Mission School District in Kansas, one of countless districts that receive federal funding. Now they're trying to figure out what it means based on zero information." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats argued that the president had no right to unilaterally stop spending money appropriated by Congress. Just minutes after AliKhan made her ruling, Democratic attorneys general from 22 states and the District of Columbia filed their own lawsuit seeking to block and permanently prevent the administration from cutting off federal funding. There is no question this policy is reckless, dangerous, illegal and unconstitutional, New York Attorney General Letitia James said. AliKhan, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, questioned how much the details of the funding freeze had been nailed down as she issued her order. It seems like the federal government currently doesnt actually know the full extent of the programs that are going to be subject to the pause," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jessica Morton, an attorney for the National Council of Nonprofits, which brought the suit, said the group has tens of thousands of members around the country who could be affected. Our client members have reported being extremely concerned about having to shutter if theres even a brief pause, Morton said. Justice Department attorney Daniel Schwei argued that the freeze shouldnt be put on hold because the plaintiffs hadnt specified anyone who would immediately lose funding if it does go into effect. Trump administration officials said programs that provide direct assistance to Americans would not be affected, such as Medicare, Social Security, student loans and food stamps. But they sometimes struggled to provide a clear picture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt initially would not say whether Medicaid was exempted from the freeze, but the administration later clarified that it was. Although Trump had promised to turn Washington upside down if elected to a second term, the effects of his effort to pause funding were being felt far from the nations capital. Organizations like Meals on Wheels, which receives federal money to deliver food to the elderly, were worried about getting cut off. The lack of clarity and uncertainty right now is creating chaos, spokeswoman Jenny Young said. She added that seniors may panic not knowing where their next meals will come from. The National Science Foundation postponed this weeks panels for reviewing grant applications. Officials in Prichard, Alabama, feared they wouldnt receive infrastructure funding to fix their leaking drinking water system. Republican leaders in Louisiana said they were seeking clarity to ensure nothing was jeopardizing financial stability of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps actions would wreak havoc in red and blue communities everywhere, said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee. We are talking about our small towns, our cities, our school districts. The full scope of the administrations review was spelled out in a 51-page spreadsheet sent to federal agencies and viewed by The Associated Press. Each line was a different government initiative, from pool safety to tribal workforce development to special education. Officials were directed to answer a series of yes or no questions for every item on the list, including does this program promote gender ideology? or does this program promote or support in any way abortion? Responses are due by Feb. 7. Trillions of dollars are potentially under review. Grants that have been awarded but not spent are also supposed to be halted if they might violate one of Trumps executive orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve, wrote Matthew Vaeth, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, in a memo distributed Monday. Vaeth wrote that each agency must complete a comprehensive analysis of all of their Federal financial assistance programs to identify programs, projects, and activities that may be implicated by any of the Presidents executive orders. He also wrote that the pause should be implemented to the extent permissible under applicable law. The pause on grants and loans was scheduled to take effect at 5 p.m. EST, just one day after agencies were informed of the decision. Leavitt, who held her first White House briefing on Tuesday, said the administration was trying to be good stewards of public money by making sure that there was no more funding for transgenderism and wokeness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She denied that Trump was deliberately challenging Congress to establish his dominance over the federal budget. Hes just trying to ensure that the tax money going out the door in this very bankrupt city actually aligns with the will and the priorities of the American people, she said. The attempt to implement a funding pause is the latest example of how Trump is harnessing his power over the federal system to advance his conservative goals. Unlike during his first term, when Trump and many members of his inner circle were unfamiliar with Washington, this time hes reaching deep into the bureaucracy. For example, federal employees are being asked to report their colleagues if they try to continue diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are pushing the presidents agenda from the bottom up, said Paul Light, an expert on the federal government and professor emeritus of public service at New York University. He also said there are risks in Trumps approach, especially with so many voters reliant on Washington. You cant just hassle, hassle, hassle, Light said. Youve got to deliver. Fears about interruption in government services were exacerbated as states reported problems with the Medicaid funding portal, where officials request reimbursement for providing healthcare to poor residents. Democrats condemned the Trump administration, connecting the issue to the funding pause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Leavitt said the portal would be back online soon. We have confirmed no payments have been affected they are still being processed and sent," she posted on social media. The White House did not provide an explanation for the problem. ____ Associated Press writers JoNel Aleccia, Moriah Balingit, Collin Binkley, Matthew Daly, Lisa Mascaro, Adithi Ramakrishnan, Amanda Seitz, Michael Sisak and Tammy Weber contributed to this report. To understand how the second Trump administration may use the U.S. military, the best clues arent written in the pages of Foreign Affairs or sussed out during panel discussions at Washington think tanks. Instead, theyre found in the chatter on X, formerly Twitter, where a handful of officials now entering top positions in the Pentagon have posted their takes on defense policy for years. This group is highly confident, highly online and scornful of Washingtons foreign policy consensus. It thinks Americas military is overstretched in wasteful areas of the world, like Europe and the Middle East. And rather than call for a bigger defense budget alone, its members argue the United States should do less or reprioritize its scarce resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our self-righteous establishment has led us to the brink of World War III, a weakened and overstretched military and deindustrialization. We desperately need a change, tweeted Elbridge Colby, one of the groups leaders, now nominated to lead Pentagon policy. Call it the rise of the anti-Vulcans, a clique of similarly assured foreign policy wonks in the George W. Bush administration. The new group refers to itself as restrainers or the slightly different school of prioritizers and often uses the Bush administration as a foil. Now helping lead Pentagon affairs from Asia to the Middle East, the officials signify a break in Republican foreign policy, from a party that called for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to one far more skeptical of using the military abroad. Concentrating so many of these officials in the Pentagon will almost certainly set up fights with more hawkish members of the administration at the State Department and National Security Council. Which group wins, analysts and administration officials said, could spell radical change for how the U.S. uses its military power, and where. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were clearly seeing a struggle for the heart and soul of the Republican party, said Brad Bowman, who studies defense policy at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a hawkish think tank. In many ways, the rise of the Pentagons new group of leaders traces the arc of Americas foreign policy over the last 30 years. Many are relatively young, in their 30s and 40s, much like Pete Hegseth, the Fox News personality and former Army officer sworn in Saturday as secretary of defense. Rather than watch America triumph over the Soviet Union in the 1990s, they came of age during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Several of them, such as Hegseth or Vice President JD Vance, even served in those wars.) The result, for some, has been a pressing sense of American decline, especially relative to a more powerful, more assertive China. If you grew up with Apollo missions, you believe we can do anything. But for those shaped by Iraq, Afghanistan and the 08 [financial] crisis the views a bit more jaded, posted Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican adviser and presidential candidate, after debating Trumps former National Security Adviser John Bolton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colby pointed to this exchange while discussing his own views in a podcast late last year, where he critiqued more establishment figures like former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who wasnt invited back into the Trump administration. Instead, Colby and two of his proteges Austin Dahmer and Alex Velez-Green, both now temporarily helming top policy roles in the Pentagon cast the U.S. as a strained, distracted superpower. To avoid losing a conflict with China, they argue, America needs to redirect its military resources from supporting Ukraine and the Middle East and let its allies in both regions shoulder a heavier load. This is a sharp pivot from traditional Republican policy, especially in Congress. Lawmakers like Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman, agree the military is too weak to accomplish its expansive goals. But they argue the best remedy is higher defense spending close to the 5% of GDP that Trump has said European allies should budget. A separate but related group of restrainers argues that, in todays world, the U.S. military should do less abroad regardless of its strength. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 2023 essay, Dan Caldwell, an adviser to the Trump Pentagons transition team, wrote the U.S. should dramatically reduce its military presence in Europe and withdraw nearly all its forces from Iraq and Syria. Michael DiMino, a former colleague of Caldwell at Defense Priorities a think tank that advocates restraint now runs the Pentagons Middle East policy. Critics of this group argue it exaggerates Americas constraints and has too narrow a view of the countrys interests abroad. Its alarming that people can clear vetting after claiming U.S. interests in the Middle East are minimal to nonexistent, Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., chairman of the Senate appropriations subcommittee on defense, told Jewish Insider for a story on DiMino. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of their presence in the Defense Department already famous for its inertia the restrainers cant reshape American national security policy without the White Houses lead. The Pentagons not a solitary actor, said Richard Fontaine, head of the Center for a New American Security think tank, and a former colleague of Colby. Meanwhile, the top two officials at the department, Hegseth and Stephen Feinberg, a billionaire investor nominated to be the Pentagons deputy secretary, are unknown quantities when it comes to implementing national security policy. Officials across Washington are now trying to shape their views. Evidence of this ambiguity can be found in the presidents preferred national security slogan: peace through strength. Ronald Reagan used the same line to justify a massive defense buildup in the 1980s. Now, officials across the Republican party are saying it can mean everything from higher defense spending to an American military more involved in immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Colby, Caldwell and the officials who share their arguments, defining the slogan on their terms will take more than convincing other parts of the U.S. government. It will also take a sustained effort in the face of a chaotic, dangerous world. Even more peaceful times have upended the priorities of past administrations pledging drastic change. On the campaign trail in 2000, George W. Bush argued the U.S. shouldnt entangle itself in foreign wars that were far from the countrys best interests. I believe were overextended in too many places, Bush said of the military while debating Vice President Al Gore. The News US President Donald Trump wants to end yet another war, beyond those in Ukraine and the Middle East: the war on appliances. But much like his geopolitical efforts, Trumps version of victory in this particular war wont be easy to achieve and would likely undermine his overarching promise to lower household energy bills. Among Trumps first-week executive orders were promises to safeguard the American peoples freedom to choose from a variety of goods and appliances and to eliminate counterproductive requirements that raise the costs of home appliances. The pledges nod to rising energy efficiency standards for appliances and the moves by some states and cities to restrict gas stoves, a culture-war touchpoint for Trump supporters outraged by what they saw as overreach by Democrats in the pursuit of climate wins. With Trump in office, an immediate halt in the drive toward appliances that are more efficient and use less fossil fuels may be the most tangible of the administrations energy policy shifts for many US households. But its not likely to deliver the lower bills Trump has promised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If your concern is about lowering consumer energy costs, one of the most important tools is to ensure that things are using less energy, said Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, an advocacy group. Tims view Energy-efficient appliances are a niche area where one of Trumps personal pet peeves a relic from his days as a builder overlaps with concerted lobbying from the natural gas industry, which fears being increasingly shut out of households. The executive orders dont give much detail about what Trump plans to do. But much of the work will fall to his nominee to lead the Energy Department, fracking executive Chris Wright, who seems on board with the project: In his Senate confirmation hearing, Wright said the Biden administration had chased appliance efficiency standards where the trade-offs are simply not worth it, and that you should always be a little humble and cautious when proposing to reduce the choices of American consumers. But there are a few hitches with the anti-anti-appliance agenda. One is the 1975 law governing appliance efficiency standards, which bars an administration from adopting standards less stringent than existing ones. Rolling them back would require intervention from Congress (Trump has at least one key ally there: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced legislation this week to repeal a Biden regulation banning some gas-fired water heaters). Trump also railed against appliance efficiency during his first term, but ended up with very little to show for it in terms of changes in policy, manufacturers practices, or consumer choice trends, all of which continued to favor higher efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More importantly, reducing efficiency is directly at odds with Trumps cost-of-living commitments. Research by deLaskis group found that appliance standards adopted by Biden will save the average household about $107 annually for the next two decades (and, for what its worth, cut emissions equal to shuttering several coal-fired power plants). Appliance manufacturers, who have already made capital investments in R&D and assembly lines to meet new standards, also arent interested in pursuing any rollbacks, said Jill Notini, spokesperson for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Loopholes to allow higher water and energy use by some appliances introduced during Trumps first term were mostly ignored by manufacturers. Larry Lauck, president of the trade association for lightbulb manufacturers, agreed that loosening energy standards was both legally problematic and pointless because the industry has moved on to LEDs. Consumers themselves also tend to prefer newer, more energy-efficient appliances, research has found, and electric heat pumps are increasingly outselling gas furnaces. Theres one more reason Trump should reconsider his stance on appliances, said Ari Matusiak, CEO of the advocacy group Rewiring America: Every watt thats not being wasted by a lumbering dishwasher is one that could be redirected to a data center. If the US really is in the grips of an energy emergency, as Trump has declared, appliances are just about the easiest place to save a few electrons. We can use the headroom were creating [with more efficient appliances] to basically bank that and enable more data centers and more AI capability to get built, he said. Room for Disagreement While manufacturers arent looking for rollbacks, Notini said, many believe they are running out of room to squeeze more efficiency gains from appliances without cutting into features that consumers want. For some appliances, she said, were probably at peak efficiency now. So its like trying to draw blood from a stone. Her group is pushing Congress to scrap the fixed timeline on which DOE is required to conduct efficiency reviews. Notable The Trump administration pressed ahead Monday with rebranded plans to make it easier to fire certain federal workers. In a memorandum to all federal agencies, the Office of Personnel Management spelled out guidance for what is now called "Schedule Career/Policy." The name amends what was called "Schedule F" when the idea was initiated at the end of the first term of President Donald Trump. "Effective performance management of employees in confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating positions is of the utmost importance," the OPM stated, adding that "due to these requirements, agencies should have a greater degree of appointment flexibility with respect to these employees than is afforded by the existing competitive service process." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The six-page OPM memo and an accompanying amended executive order direct federal agency heads to conduct a preliminary review within 90 days of their agency's positions that may fit into the "policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character." The review includes determining which of the positions "are not normally subject to change as a result of a Presidential transition." A complete review must be completed within 210 days. The OPM declares that employees in or applicants for Schedule Policy/Career positions "are not required to personally or politically support the current president or the policies of the current administration," but they are expected to be administratively loyal. "They 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 OPM states. "Failure to do so is grounds for dismissal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo and amended executive order mark the latest turn in a civil service dispute launched by Trump's issuance of Executive Order 13957 in October 2020. The order created the new Schedule F class of federal worker who would be more vulnerable to dismissal. According to a Government Accountability Office summary, civil servants are generally entitled to notice of a removal, an opportunity to reply, representation by an attorney and a written decision. They can also appeal the removal to the Merit Systems Protection Board or file a grievance under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement. These procedural protections generally would have been unavailable to Schedule F employees. Hiring would also be streamlined; for instance, hiring preferences for veterans would no longer apply to Schedule F hires. Former President Joe Biden subsequently revoked Executive Order 13957 in January 2021 through an executive order of his own. "[It] not only was unnecessary to the conditions of good administration but also undermined the foundations of the civil service and its merit system principles, which were essential to the ... repudiation of the spoils system, Biden said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the Biden administration issued rules that strengthened the barriers against a return of the Schedule F concept. Trump rescinded the Biden-era moves in an executive order issued his first day in office. "Agencies need the flexibility to expeditiously remove poorly performing employees from these positions without facing extensive delays or litigation," the OPM stated Monday. The National Treasury Employees Union, on behalf of employees in 36 federal agencies, has already filed a lawsuit challenging the moves that the union's President Doreen Greenwald said in a statement would lead to "political loyalty tests" for public employees. President Trump is flexing his muscle just a week into his presidency, using tariffs and sanctions as a leverage tool to enact his agenda, even when it involves U.S. allies. Trump caused a stir Sunday when he announced tariffs and visa restrictions on Colombia after the country refused to accept planes of individuals being deported back to their home country. Colombia ultimately accepted the repatriation flights, with Trump putting the tariffs on the back burner. While the White House and Republican lawmakers took a victory lap, the episode reflected how Trump may seek to bully other countries into submission to get what he wants in his second term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This time hes got a very clear understanding of how government works. People know how to work the system to his benefit to implement his policies, said one former Trump White House official. Trumps tendency to publicly pressure his foreign counterparts is high-risk, high-reward. On Sunday, Trumps threat of tariffs and visa sanctions on Colombia initially sparked a threat of retaliatory tariffs from Colombian President Gustavo Petro. The move could have sparked a trade war, leading to increased prices of goods like coffee and flowers for U.S. consumers. Instead, it amounted to a show of force for Trump. The situation appeared to be resolved late Sunday after Petro agreed Colombia would accept the flights of U.S. deportees. The White House said it would hold off on imposing tariffs, and that visa sanctions would be lifted once the planes landed in Colombia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House officials and Republican lawmakers quickly cited it as examples of Trump projecting strength from the Oval Office and how his brash approach to foreign policy would be more effective than the Biden administration. Todays events make clear to the world that America is respected again, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. President Trump will continue to fiercely protect our nations sovereignty, and he expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States. Trump has already made clear he may try similar tactics to achieve other goals. He has threatened to use economic force against Canada, suggested tariffs could be wielded against European allies to address what he views as trade imbalances, and has spoken about claiming territory that belongs to allies. A call between Trump and Denmarks prime minister reportedly spiraled into confrontation over the presidents insistence on buying the territory of Greenland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Panamas president has lodged complaints with the United Nations over the presidents vow to retake the Panama Canal and his refusal to rule out military or economic coercion. Trump has said holding control of Greenland is necessary to combat China and Russia in the Arctic and gain access to critical minerals. With the Panama Canal, his team has raised concern over Chinas influence at the waterway, with a Hong Kong-based company operating two ports on opposite sides of the waterway. But Matthew Kroenig, vice president and senior director of the Atlantic Councils Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, raised whether it is easier to find solutions with Denmark and Panama, given their strong ties with the U.S., to get what America wants rather than bullying toward an uncertain outcome. Given that Denmark and Panama are such pro-American countries, is it necessary for the U.S. to physically control these territories or can we just work with allies and partners to make sure our interests are secured? he asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, with Denmark, cant we work with them to get more basing access, to find a way to utilize the critical minerals? Similarly with Panama, can we persuade them to simply cancel the contracts with the Chinese companies, and have new contracts with American companies or with trusted companies based in the West? Trump is set to confront a standoff on tariffs with Mexico and Canada, where Americas neighbors are preparing countermeasures in the face of the presidents threats to impose 25 percent tariffs by Feb. 1. And he raised another foreign policy area where he may try to exert pressure when he told reporters on Saturday that he would ask Jordan and Egypt to accept more Palestinians from war-torn Gaza. Youre talking about a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egypt and Jordan rejected Trumps remarks, part of long-standing policy supporting the creation of a Palestinian state in the territories of Gaza and the West Bank. As fragile states, Egypt and Jordan would face enormous challenges in accepting, or forcing Palestinians to relocate from pushback on Arab streets to strains on their economy and security services. I was surprised because President Trump has already served in the White House for a full term, and he knows the views of the leaders of the region. He knows these issues, Dana Stroul, who served as deputy assistant secretary of Defense for the Middle East in the Biden administration, told CNN. In his first administration he put out the deal of the century in order for Israel to live side by side with a Palestinian state, so he has a record of supporting steps toward a Palestinian state. Whats at stake for Trump? Short-term wins versus the long-term risks: losing friends and allies at moments of crisis, when a coalition is needed in international forums or countering threats from rivals like Russia or China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the idea that this is a big success, which Im sure a lot of people will say, runs completely counter to what real diplomacy looks like, said John Simon, former ambassador to the African Union who has served on the National Security Council in past Republican administrations. Wins are when you get people together around something everyone wants to do. Not when you force a country to make a tough choice for itself, and then, of course, at the end of the day, resent that and seek out other alliances that may be in opposition to you. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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The halt is part of the Trump administrations freeze on foreign aid last week, and instructs organizations overseas to stop distributing HIV medications bought with U.S. aid, even if they have already been acquired and have made it to local clinics. The Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, started by George W. Bush, is part of the freeze, even though its credited with saving over 25 million lives since it began. Last week, the administration stopped PEPFARs funding from moving to clinics, hospitals, and other organizations around the world. Now appointments are being canceled with patients being denied access to clinics. HIV patients ongoing treatment has come to a stop. And in this atmosphere of chaos, federal government officials have been ordered by the White House not to speak with partners outside of government, fueling worry and confusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, U.S. officials were told not to speak with their counterparts in foreign governments ministries of health, which could lead to worsening relations overseas. All of this follows an order issued to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sunday night to stop all communications with the World Health Organization, including being present in the same real or digital meeting rooms. Officials around the world were told that PEPFARs data systems would shut down at 6 p.m. EST Monday, shutting off access to all data sets, reports, and analytical tools. The programs official website has been taken down, although the State Departments PEPFAR website is still up as of Tuesday morning. Some Republicans have opposed PEPFAR for years, arguing that it encourages abortions, but it was still given a one-year renewal last March. An interruption to the program could have drastic consequences for the spread of HIV and AIDS overseas. Trumps nominee for secretary of health and human services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has long been a skeptic of public health programs and the WHO. These actions, coupled with Kennedys other plans if hes confirmed, could have horrific effects on public health, both in the U.S. and around the world. Donald Trumps Justice Department has already fired more than a dozen employees who were involved in the forty-seventh presidents criminal prosecution. The mass firing targeted career prosecutors who had worked directly with former special counsel Jack Smith as he developed two cases against Trump: one on the forty-fifth presidents alleged retention of classified documents after he left the White House, and another on Trumps involvement in the January 6 riots. Smiths team had at least 40 attorneys investigating Trump after the end of his first term. The matter boiled down to trust for the incoming administration, which claimed that the prosecutors had weaponized the government against the MAGA leader and had no place in a second Trump term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In light of their actions, the Acting Attorney General does not trust these officials to assist in faithfully implementing the Presidents agenda. This action is consistent with the mission of ending the weaponization of government, a spokesman told The Washington Post in a statement Monday. The highly unusual firings are effective immediately, according to the Associated Press, which noted that rank-and-file prosecutors are rarely terminated by incoming administrations for their involvement in sensitive investigations. Smith concluded his investigations shortly after Trump won the November election, citing statutes that prevent criminal investigations of a sitting president. He resigned from the Justice Department earlier this month, and the first volume of his final reportwhich focused on the details of Trumps attempt to overturn the 2020 electionwas released the following week under the direction of former Attorney General Merrick Garland. One line from the report plainly stated that Smith had obtained enough evidence to convict Trump had he not been reelected to the Oval Office. The firing of Smiths team follows a major reshuffling of key officials at the Justice Department, which last week conducted a leadership shakeup by reassigning as many as 20 senior officials to different departments. The first week of Donald Trump's second term was so full of executive orders that it was hard to keep track of what was changing. With so many headline-making declarationsboth good and badit was easy to miss one stellar piece of policy pushed through: the withdrawal of the Food and Drug Administration's proposal to ban menthol tobacco and nicotine products nationwide. In 2022, as part of the Biden administration's attack on tobacco and nicotine use, the FDA introduced a proposed rule to ban the sale and purchase of menthol-flavored tobacco and nicotine products. But the administration quickly backed off its public endorsement of the prohibition after realizing how unpopular the proposed bans were with voters. It never took the steps needed to withdraw the proposed rules, however. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' disappointing move here was inconsistent with their public calls to end the war on drugs. The previous administration said it was targeting menthol products in particular because they are often used by marginalized communities, most notably by black adults. The administration argued that access to these substances led to "health disparities [among] communities of color, low-income populations, and LGBTQ+ individuals." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Biden's FDA did not understand is that a ban would not cause these consumers to immediately stop using these products. We know from decades of failed attemptsfrom alcohol prohibition in the 1920s to Massachusetts' currently failing menthol banthat consumers are too strong-willed for a government-imposed ban to work how it is intended. Instead, the black community and other consumers of menthol products get pushed to the unregulated black market where they would be in danger of encountering tampered products and criminal ramifications if caught. For these reasons, the proposed ban drew concern from activist groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union and Drug Policy Alliance. The tragic events that transpired from Eric Garner selling cigarettes on the streets of New York City should have been more than enough of a lesson for the Biden-Harris administration in the dangers of paternalistic prohibition policies pushed under the guise of protecting public health. The targeting of a legal product that is heavily favored by a specific community in the name of securing their health may seem admirable at first glance. But when one understands the negative consequences that will inevitably occurmost notably those sometimes violent measures taken by the governmentthat same action looks much less honorable. On the other hand, Trump was outspoken about his support for legal access to tobacco and nicotine products during his most recent presidential campaign. While not a user of the substances himself, Trump seems to at least understand the impact of this issue on voters. While Trump was not always a steward of smart tobacco policy during his first administration, he did make public promises to "save Vaping" on the 2024 campaign trail. And it seems that his administration is already starting to make good on that promise with the withdrawal of this rule. The proposed ban's withdrawal is hopefully the start of a new era of drug policy. The post Trump Rolls Back FDA Menthol Ban appeared first on Reason.com. The Department of Government Efficiency paid California's water-delivery infrastructure a visit on Monday following President Donald Trump's withering criticism of the system. DOGE officials visited the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's water pumps in Northern California and said they'd worked with the agency to increase water deliveries south, as Trump has been pushing California to do. "Congratulations to the Administration and DOIs Bureau of Reclamation for more than doubling the Federally pumped water flowing toward Southern California in < 72 hours," the agency posted on X on Tuesday morning. Was an honor for the DOGE team to work with you. Great job!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pumps, which move water south from California's wetter northern region, are federally owned and operated. California officials said late Monday that they had been down for maintenance. They also said Trump did not send the military into the state to "turn on the water," as Trump claimed in a social media post. "The military did not enter California," California's state Department of Water Resources posted on X after 10 p.m. Pacific time. "The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful." The agency was responding to a post Trump wrote on Truth Social that said the military entered California and used emergency authority to restore water supplies after hydrants ran dry during the Los Angeles wildfires. (But that was an infrastructure problem, not a supply-side issue.) "The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond," he wrote. "The days of putting a Fake Environmental argument, over the PEOPLE, are OVER. Enjoy the water, California!!!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a Tuesday briefing that the Army Corps of Engineers a branch of the Defense Department that specializes in dams and other engineering work had been in California responding to the fires, although she didn't specify whether they had gone further north to Reclamation's facility. "The Army Corps of Engineers has been on the ground in California to respond to the devastation from these wildfires," she said. "And I would point out that just days after President Trump visited, the devastation from these fires, the water was turned on. That is because of the pressure campaign he put on state and local officials there who clearly lack all common sense." Representatives for California Gov. Gavin Newsom didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The episode came a day after Trump issued an executive order instructing a half-dozen federal agencies, including the Defense Department and Homeland Security Department, to figure out how to deliver more water to Southern California and the Central Valley. The order referenced the fires in Los Angeles that Trump toured on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has been trying to pressure Gov. Gavin Newsom and leaders to increase water deliveries and on Friday said he wanted to condition disaster aid for Los Angeles on tightening voter requirements and increasing water deliveries from Northern California to drier areas further south. The Bureau of Reclamation, which operates the federal side of California's water-pumping infrastructure, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Conservative commentator Steve Hilton posted on X Monday night that he had toured Reclamation's Jones Pumping Station in California's Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which moves water through the federally managed side of California's vast water-delivery system. California and the federal government own and operate different parts of the system that jointly serve 28 million people and irrigate nearly 4 million acres of farmland. One of the people who accompanied Trump on his Los Angeles visit, conservative water policy advocate Edward Ring, was lead author of a paper Hilton released on water policy. President Donald Trump said Monday that the sudden rise of the Chinese artificial intelligence app DeepSeek should be a wake-up call for Americas tech companies as the runaway popularity of yet another Chinese app presented new questions for the administration and congressional leaders. Trump said he still expected U.S. tech companies to dominate artificial intelligence, but he acknowledged the challenge posed by DeepSeek, a low-cost AI assistant that rose to No. 1 on the Apple app store over the weekend. The release of DeepSeek AI from a Chinese company should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser focused on competing, he said as he traveled in Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeepSeek is causing a panic within U.S. tech companies and in the stock market because it has performed well in tests compared with competing AI models from Meta and OpenAI, while it was developed at a much lower cost, according to the little-known Chinese startup behind it. Trump said he considered the low-cost model to be very much a positive development for AI overall, because instead of spending billions and billions, youll spend less, and youll come up with, hopefully, the same solution. DeepSeek is the latest in a series of Chinese apps to surge in popularity in the United States in recent weeks. Americans embraced the Chinese apps RedNote and Lemon8 as alternatives to TikTok when TikTok was on the verge of being banned temporarily in the United States for its own links to China. TikTok went dark for less than a day and came back online for existing users after Trump delayed enforcement of a bipartisan law requiring either a new non-Chinese owner or a ban. TikTok, though, remains unavailable for new downloads from the Apple and Google app stores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security experts have expressed concern about TikTok and other apps with links to China, including from a privacy standpoint. Last week, Trump signed an executive order undoing certain Biden administration rules about AI development that Trump said had held the industry back. It wasnt immediately clear, though, what new AI policies, if any, the Trump administration or Congress might pursue in response to DeepSeeks rise. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich., the chair of the House Select Committee on China, said Monday he wanted the United States to act to slow down DeepSeek, going further than Trump did in his remarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeepSeek a new AI model controlled by the Chinese Communist Party openly erases the CCPs history of atrocities and oppression, he said, referring to reports that DeepSeek censors topics such as the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. The U.S. cannot allow CCP models such as DeepSeek to risk our national security and leverage our technology to advance their AI ambitions. We must work to swiftly place stronger export controls on technologies critical to DeepSeeks AI infrastructure, he said. DeepSeeks developers say they created the app despite U.S. controls on the export of high-performing semiconductors, leading to a vigorous online debate Monday about how effective those controls have been and what their future should be. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., defended existing export controls related to advanced chip technology and said more regulation might be needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While I think theres more to learn about DeepSeeks development activities, whats in the public record reveals that the PRC continues [to] prioritize advancement in AI and that export control alone will not stymie their efforts, he said, referring to China by the initials for its formal name, the Peoples Republic of China. Claims that export controls have proved ineffectual, however, are misplaced: DeepSeeks efforts still depended on advanced chips, and PRC hyperscalers efforts to build out worldwide cloud infrastructure for deployment of these models is still heavily impacted by U.S. controls, he said. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called DeepSeek a serious threat and said China had been a terrible trading partner. They abuse the system. They steal our intellectual property. Theyre now trying to get a leg up on us on AI, as youve seen the last day or so, he said. Its a serious threat to us and to our economy and our security in every way. So the president takes that seriously, and I think that he will deal with that [in an] appropriate manner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Sacks, Trumps White House AI and cryptocurrency czar, said on X that DeepSeeks success shows that the AI race will be very competitive. He also said former President Joe Biden hamstrung American AI companies with a previous executive order on the subject. Im confident in the U.S. but we cant be complacent, he wrote. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com (The Hill) President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the drone sightings over New Jersey late last year were either authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or were from hobbyists and enthusiasts. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read a statement from Trump at her first press briefing that the FAA had flown drones in the area for research purposes. Many of these drones were also hobbyist, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying drones, she said. In time it got worse due to curiosity. This was not the enemy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why Februarys Supplemental Security Income checks are coming early The drone phenomenon captured the attention of the American public in late November and into December as sightings skyrocketed in the state and elsewhere in the country, primarily along the East Coast. The drones were also reported near sensitive military sites, raising concerns about national security. Lawmakers and public officials began questioning whether a foreign adversary was involved or if the Biden administration was holding back information. Video below: Congress is concerned with Chinese-made drones Trump himself, who was then president-elect, also said he was concerned about the drones and promised to look into it. On Inauguration Day, he told reporters he would inquire into the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden administration officials had insisted that the drones were not from foreign adversaries and said the FBI had identified only a small number of leads from thousands of reported sightings. Many of the drones were lawfully operated or mistaken for planes and other aerial objects. The Biden administration did say there could be improvements to identify and counter any drone threats. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Follow Bloomberg India on WhatsApp for exclusive content and analysis on what billionaires, businesses and markets are doing. Sign up here. Most Read from Bloomberg Donald Trump said Narendra Modi will probably come to the White House in February, putting Indias prime minister among the first foreign leaders to visit Washington since the US presidents inauguration. I had a long talk with him this morning and hes going to be coming to the White House in the next month, probably in February, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the call, Trump called on India to increase its purchase of US-made security equipment in a bid to balance the trade relationship between the countries, the White House said in a readout. The pair also discussed security issues in the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and Europe. In a post on X, Modi said he congratulated Trump on his second term and said India was committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership. The planning effort for the leader-level meeting comes alongside some tensions between the two nations. Late last year, the US Justice Department announced bribery charges against Indian tycoon and Modi ally Gautam Adani. The Biden Administration also charged an Indian official with attempting to orchestrate a foiled plot to assassinate a US citizen in New York. Trump and Modi have cultivated a close relationship, with multiple meetings during the US presidents first term. The US over multiple administrations has cultivated India as a regional partner and a bulwark against a more assertive China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Military ties between the two countries have been steadily growing the last two decades. According to a December report by the US Congressional Research Service, India conducts more military exercises and personnel exchanges with the US than any other country. The US is the third largest source of Indias military hardware after Russia and France, accounting for 10% of purchases, the report said, adding that India has contracted more than $20 billion worth of US-origin defense articles since 2008. Indias purchases include naval long range maritime surveillance aircraft, artillery guns, helicopters, specialized missiles, transport planes and radars. The two countries are finalizing the purchase of more than $3 billion worth of US-made unmanned vehicles. India has already signaled willingness to quickly accommodate Trumps more hardline stance on immigration, with Modis government prepared to accept some 18,000 undocumented Indian migrants identified by the US, Bloomberg News has reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, the Trump has criticized India for its high tariffs and protectionist policies, saying they harm US businesses, and has vowed trade duties. Modis government is already considering options including cutting tariffs and importing more US goods to counter potential Trump trade actions and narrow its trade surplus with the US, which was $35.3 billion for the year ended March 31. --With assistance from Sudhi Ranjan Sen, Dan Strumpf and Derek Wallbank. (Adds background on US-India relationship and comments from Modi post) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. While President Donald Trump has issued a flurry of far-reaching decrees during his first week in office, one relatively niche issue has received a disproportionate share of the presidents ire and attention: California water policy. That might make sense if the remedies hes pursuing could help stem deadly fires like those that have killed at least 29 people in the Los Angeles area in recent weeks. Indeed, the president has claimed that firefighters were unable to fight the blaze due to dry hydrants, empty reservoirs, and inadequate water infrastructure. But unfortunately for future fire victims, the sole apparent aim of the presidents new policies is to deliver more water to farmers hundreds of miles away from the states fire zones. On his first day as president, Trump issued an executive order that directed his Interior Department to route more water to the southern part of the state. Then, on Sunday he issued another order that directed the department to immediately override the states management of its water, even if it meant overruling California law. The order also suggested Trump could withhold federal wildfire aid if the state failed to comply to his satisfaction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the new measures wouldnt deliver any more water to Los Angeles at all. Instead, his attempt to relax water restrictions would move more water to large farms in the states sparsely populated Central Valley, a longtime pet issue for the president, who attempted a similar maneuver during his first term. This time hes going further, proposing to gut endangered species rules and overrule state policy to deliver a win for the influential farmers who backed all three of his campaigns. None of this has any relation to wildfires in Los Angeles. For one thing, the city isnt experiencing a water shortage. It was ferocious, hurricane-force winds that fanned the Palisades and Eaton Fires not a lack of water to contain the blazes. While some local water tanks in the neighborhood of Pacific Palisades did run out of water, that was only because the city couldnt pump new supplies up to the hillside neighborhood fast enough to keep up with skyrocketing demand during the fire, not because there wasnt enough water available to send there. Even if Los Angeles were low on water, Trumps executive orders wouldnt help with that, because the federal governments canal system doesnt actually deliver any water to the Los Angeles area. More than 90 percent of that water goes to farms in the Central Valley, with the rest going to far-away cities around San Francisco and Sacramento. All this water is already spoken for, and during dry years the government cant even fulfill all its existing contracts. The most it can do is potentially ease environmental rules that limit some of the pumping, which farmers have long opposed. But even some farm advocates are skeptical of the sweeping scope of Trumps most recent order, and its specious connection to wildfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am always appreciative of attempts to create more flexibility for moving water around the state, but [federal] water by and large goes to agricultural contractors, said Alex Biering, the senior policy advocate at the California Farm Bureau Federation, the states leading agricultural lobby. I dont believe that any amount of additional water coming from the federal project would be able to be applied to stop that fire. Its an attempt to tie water supply to a natural disaster, but those connections dont exist in reality. Environmental groups, meanwhile, have blasted Trumps attempt to strongarm California water policy, saying his most recent order would be devastating for the states vulnerable fish species and the integrity of the federal Endangered Species Act as a whole. Its unrecognizable as anything that anybody who knows anything about California water would write, said Jon Rosenfield, the science director at San Francisco Baykeeper, an environmental nonprofit in the Golden State. Its not from this planet. Californias water system has been the subject of heated political debate for decades. Over the course of the 20th century, the federal government and the state of California built a complex series of dams and canals designed to move water from the northern parts of the state, which see substantial precipitation and snowmelt, down to the agriculture-rich Central Valley and the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The federal government operates dams, canals, and pumping stations that push water south through the valley, and then the state operates the canal that extends down to Los Angeles. The system provides water to around 30 million Californians and irrigates around 4 million acres of the nations most productive farmland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crux of this transport system is the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a sensitive marshland region where two of the states largest rivers converge and flow out into the San Francisco Bay. This area is also the point where endangered fish species like Chinook salmon enter from the Pacific and swim upstream to spawn. If the federal and state pumps move too much water out of the Delta for farms and cities, they reverse current flows, pulling fish toward their predators or sucking them into the pumps. This is a violation of the Endangered Species Act. One of these vulnerable fish species, the 2-inch gray baitfish known as the Delta smelt, is particularly sensitive to these current changes, and the government often limits its pumping to protect it. On Monday night, Trump erroneously claimed in a Truth Social post that he had the military turn on the water flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond by activating the pumps, which had been offline for a few days for maintenance. The pumped water does not come from the Pacific Northwest, and because the federal government already controls the pumps and uses them all the time, such an action does not require the involvement of the military. Its Californias own state-run canal system that actually delivers water to Los Angeles and numerous other cities in Southern California and the federal government has no jurisdiction over this. The state government curtails these water deliveries somewhat during dry years to maintain a robust supply, and it seldom provides all the water that each city requests. However, deliveries to Los Angeles were typical last year, and reservoir levels in the state are above average. (Furthermore, the Los Angeles metro gets a larger share of its water from other sources, like the Colorado River and the Owens Valley.) Despite his East Coast upbringing, Donald Trump has fixated on Central Valley water issues for years. He chose David Bernhardt, who has lobbied for the influential Westlands Water District, to lead the Department of the Interior during his first administration. He also hosted multiple rallies in the region during his 2020 campaign, during which he frequently foregrounded water policy. During his appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast last year, then-candidate Trump led the host through a diatribe about water, describing dried-out farmland he saw while traveling through the region with Central Valley members of Congress years earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were driving up, and I had never seen it before, he said. I said, Do you have a drought? They said, No in order to protect a tiny little fish, the water gets routed into the Pacific. So I see this, and I said, Youve got to be kidding. During his first term, Trump did draft new rules in an attempt to accelerate water deliveries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Those rules proposed that pumping should be limited only when smelt-friendly turbid waters are present in the Delta, but they also contained a few provisions that farm groups said led to wasted water during recent wet periods, and failed to prevent salmon death even by their own metrics. After Joe Biden succeeded Trump in office, the Democratic president tweaked those rules in a joint effort with the state of California and many environmental groups have criticized Bidens rules as worse for fish than Trumps. Trump may go much further this time. His most recent executive order calls for another wholesale rewrite of the pumping rules, proposes building new dams around the state, and even suggests that his administration could declare the Delta smelt functionally extinct. It also proposes to convene the federal committee known colloquially as the God Squad, a group of agency heads that can grant exemptions to the Endangered Species Act. This has only happened a few times since the law took effect, but in theory the God Squad could allow the government to pump much more water to farms, even if it means jeopardizing the very existence of smelt or salmon runs or drying out the Delta. Some of Californias most powerful water districts, which are typically run by large agricultural landowners, have praised the executive order, although they havent followed Trump in connecting it to the fires. For instance, the Westlands Water District, which covers more than half a million acres on the west side of the Central Valley, said in a statement that they welcomed Trumps leadership in addressing the barriers to water delivery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But despite the bluster of the White House actions, its far from clear that any of these changes will come to pass, at least in the short term. California water is one of the most heavily litigated issues in the United States, and even small tweaks to the states pumping system would likely raise legal challenges. They can try a lot of this stuff, said Biering, the California Farm Bureau advocate. Its just about: How many times do you want to get sued? This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Trump says hes sending water to LA. Its actually going to megafarms. on Jan 28, 2025. SIU students and other volunteers work during the total solar eclipse, April 8, 2024, at SIU. Students will share their recollections and lessons learned during a talk this Friday. Journey to the Sun talk focuses on students experiences during 2024 eclipse by Tim Crosby CARBONDALE, Ill. Looking back on last years total solar eclipse is the topic of the next talk in a series focused on the sun and the major role it plays in the lives of humans everywhere, hosted by Southern Illinois University Carbondale. A panel of students who held a variety of roles at SIU during the eclipse will share their recollections and talk about the lessons they learned by being involved in the celebration of the celestial event last spring, during the next Journey to the Sun talk set for 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Guyon Auditorium in Morris Library. The monthly series will continue through April and will be streamed online. SIU students were a critical component in the major event at the university, where an estimated 30,000 people from around the world converged to view a total solar eclipse. Some 350 volunteers, including many students, assisted in countless roles, said Cori Brevik, associate professor in the School of Physics and Applied Physics at SIU, who, along with many other faculty and staff, was deeply involved in the eclipse activities. Students collected research data, managed a livestreaming broadcast of the eclipse, provided outreach to visitors on campus and assisted with so many other necessary duties, Brevik said. Through all the work of everyone involved, SIU was able to offer an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience for all who visited campus. Students will discuss taking part in the telescope team that collected eclipse images used by national media around the country, as well as creating a livestream seen by viewers around the world. All together volunteers including students, university employees and their families, alumni, community members, students and visitors contributed more than 1,400 hours during events on and leading up to the eclipse on Monday, April 8. The Journey to the Sun series is modeled on the previous talk series, Journey to the Eclipse, which ran in the months leading up to the 2024 total solar eclipse in Southern Illinois. It is part of SIUs multifaceted, national heliophysics public engagement program. Additional talks are scheduled for Feb. 28, March 28 and April 25. MIAMI (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said he wants Congress to pass a bill that includes an increase in funding to secure the country's borders. Trump made the comments in a speech to House of Representatives Republicans gathered at his Doral resort in Miami to discuss how to turn the president's policy priorities into a legislative agenda. "In the coming weeks, I'm looking forward to working with Congress on a reconciliation bill that financially takes care of our plans to totally and permanently restore the sovereign borders of the United States once and for all," Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said the increase should include funding for more border security personnel and retention bonuses for Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel and border patrol agents. The extra money should also pay for more detention beds, border security infrastructure and barriers, and completion of the border wall along the border with Mexico, Trump said. (Reporting by Nandita Bose and Ryan Patrick Jones; Editing by Leslie Adler, Chris Reese and David Gregorio) Like investors, the Trump administration appears to have been blindsided by buzzy Chinese AI company DeepSeek and its extraordinarily cheap models, which threaten to upend the economics of the U.S.-dominated sector. On Monday, as DeepSeeks recently introduced innovations wiped over $1 trillion off the value of U.S. stocks, and just days after announcing a privately funded $500 billion AI infrastructure push, President Donald Trump said DeepSeeks rise was a wake-up call for our industries that we should be laser-focused on competing to win. Echoing that truism, U.S. AI czar David Sacks tweeted that DeepSeeks R1 model shows that the AI race will be very competitive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im confident in the U.S., but we cant be complacent, the venture capitalist added. Sacks also claimed that the moment proved Trump had been right to rescind President Joe Bidens rules on AI safety, which Sacks believes held back U.S. companies when China didnt impose similar restrictions. In fact, China has recently adopted extensive safety regulations for AI companies. The U.S. governments reactions shed little light on its plans to ensure U.S. superiority in the AI race. But nobody expects the Trump administration to take its foot off the gas. In the near term, DeepSeeks achievement is likely to pressure the U.S. into increased support for domestic AI development, most likely leading to increased federal investment in AI research and infrastructure, wrote Raymond James analyst Ed Mills in a Monday note. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, University of Oxford political science professor Ben Ansell wrote in a blog post: There is no way that Donald Trump will want to be perceived to have lost Americas AI edge. If the tech billionaires are as important as they think they are, they will convince Trump that this is existential for the U.S. and the scale of investment will get ever and ever bigger. Investing wisely However, experts say uncertainties about what DeepSeek actually achieved make it difficult to judge whether its still wise to continue plowing vast amounts of money into AI infrastructure. DeepSeek said it trained its R1 model, released in December, for less than $6 milliona fraction of what OpenAI and its peers have spent on their latest models. But that figure does not include the costs of the research and experimentation that got it to that point. Some also suspect that DeepSeek had access to large quantities of Nvidias most cutting-edge chips despite claiming that it made do with the companys less-powerful offerings, which face no U.S. export controls. Right now the market selloff is a function of people thinking you can be a fast follower and capture a lot of the gains, said Robert Trager, codirector of the Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative, at Oxford University. In that case, the order-of-magnitude higher multiple [on infrastructural investment] that you need to be at the frontier just isnt worth it. But we really dont know the answer to that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if DeepSeek has achieved the efficiency gains that it claims and others continue to iterate on its advances, efficiency improvements will likely hit a wall at some point, warned Itamar Friedman, CEO of Israeli code-generation startup Qodo and a former director of machine vision at Chinas Alibaba Group. Eventually there would be that point where, if you want more work to be done, you will need to have that scale, said Friedman. However, he also said the Trump administration would do well to invest in smaller companies and academia, now that it appears massive clusters of cutting-edge AI chips are not as necessary for leading research as they seemed just weeks ago. Collaboration-friendly open-source AI models can produce results as impressive as proprietary alternatives from the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic, he added. Tariffs and export controls Also on Monday, President Trump threatened to levy new tariffs on chips imported from Taiwan, the center of the global semiconductor industry. Like his predecessor, Trump wants to return chip manufacturing to the U.S. But while Biden opted to offer manufacturers a carrot in the form of billions of dollars in CHIPS Act subsidies, Trumps approach is more stick: If chipmakers dont set up shop in the U.S., they will be hit with tariffs. He suggested Monday that he might hit Taiwan with chip tariffs as high as 100%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, the Trump administration wants to stimulate U.S. AI developmentas exemplified by last weeks announcement of the $500 billion Stargate project, a plan involving several companies to build data centers that largely hinges on buying vast quantities of Nvidia chips to boost OpenAIs capacity. Like many other companies, Nvidia relies on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. to make its chips. TSMC is set to start production at a new Arizona plant this year, but it wont use as advanced a manufacturing process as the companys newest Taiwanese facilities. Trumps onshoring tactic and AI drive are in clear tension, said Trager. If youre going to put a tariff of 100% on chips coming into the U.S., its going to make it much more expensive to build out these data centers [using the latest chips]. If thats your means of incentivizing production in the U.S., thats an expensive means in the short run, fundamentally. Trager said he expects the White House to maintain export controls on the most powerful AI chips from U.S. companies, particularly after DeepSeek admitted that access to chips was its biggest bottleneck. Biden introduced the controls and stepped them up just before leaving office, with a so-called diffusion rule that will limit how many advanced U.S. AI chips most countries can obtain, to close off potential gray-market routes into China. Trager said it wasnt yet clear what Trump would do with this policy, but he would probably favor it because it gives the U.S. leverage in countries that want to have their import caps raised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They will be asking countries around the world to choose between the U.S. and Chinese AI ecosystems, Trager said. Some have suggested that DeepSeeks success shows the futility of export controls, as, if anything, they just force Chinas AI sector to innovate. However, Sam Bresnick, a research fellow at Georgetown Universitys Center for Security and Emerging Technology, noted that it could take another year or two for Bidens export controls to really bite in China. So far they have only reduced Chinas training capacity by 10% to 15%, he noted, but the capacity gap would naturally grow as more clusters of the latest chips are deployed in the U.S. Theres not much you can do other than to wait it out here, he said about judging the true effectiveness of the export controls. Bresnick highlighted the compliment extended to DeepSeek by Trump and his ally, venture capitalist Marc Andreessen. The president said DeepSeeks innovations were good because you dont have to spend as much money, which Andreessen agreed withbut added that the national-security side of the government still hasnt weighed in on China suddenly having an international hit AI service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I guarantee you, the response to DeepSeek from the natsec folks is not as positive as it is from those who are interested in the technology itself, Bresnick said. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Getty Images Sign up for The Agenda Them's news and politics newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Thursday. Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday that is widely expected to lead to a ban on transgender troops serving in the U.S. armed forces, along with another executive order dismantling the militarys Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The orders, which were first reported to be coming on Monday by the New York Post, were signed two days after Pete Hegseth was sworn in as Secretary of Defense. Although the president was expected to sign an executive order immediately banning trans people from serving in the military, the executive order, titled Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness actually directs Hegseth to revise Pentagon policy in such a way that implements such a ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order claims that the U.S. military has been afflicted with radical gender ideology and that accommodating such political agendas or other ideologies harmful to unit cohesion is detrimental to military excellence. It goes on to lay out the Trump administration's reasons that trans people must not be allowed in the armed forces, stating that military service must be reserved for those mentally and physically fit for duty and further accuses trans people of expressing a false gender identity and that such a falsehood conflicts with a soldiers commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in ones personal life. Trumps new executive order states that its implementation should be consistent with the sweeping anti-trans executive order he signed within hours of taking office, which states that the federal government recognizes only two sexes, male or female as assigned at birth, setting in motion the prohibition of invented and identification-based pronoun usage in the military and the prohibition of service members from sleeping, changing, and using bathroom facilities that do not align with their sex assigned at birth. Both Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign pledged a quick response to the executive order, saying in a statement, Not only is such a move cruel, it compromises the safety and security of our country and is particularly dangerous and wrong. As we promised then, so do we now: we will sue. (Emphasis in original.) Trump banned trans Americans from the military during his first presidential administration, which resulted in 13,753 people losing their jobs when the ban took effect in 2019, per The 19th. After taking office on January 20, 2025, the President signed an executive order revoking a Biden-era policy that once again allowed trans people to become military service members. The now-defunct research institute Palm Center, which studied LGBTQ+ military participation, found that trans health care costs the Department of Defense around $3 million annually, amounting to less than one-tenth of one percent of the departments budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As The 19th previously reported, the U.S. military is the largest employer in the country. According to a 2023 study from the National LGBTQ Task Force, trans people are twice as likely to serve as their cisgender peers, and as Rachel Branam, the executive director of the Modern Military Association of America, recently told Mother Jones, most trans servicemembers have over 12 years of service. While the exact number of trans people serving in the military is unknown, estimates from the now-defunct research institute Palm Center, along with the Williams Institute at UCLA, previously put that figure at around 15,000. A Pentagon memo outlining Trumps trans military ban during his first presidential term recommended making exceptions for trans service members who had joined the military before the ban took effect, as well as members who had been stable for 36 consecutive months in their biological sex prior to accession and didnt require a legal gender change. Newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Hegseth has a history of railing against LGBTQ+ military inclusion. During a June appearance on The Ben Shapiro Show, he claimed that a military ad campaign featuring two lesbians was part of a Marxist agenda, saying that the LGBTQ+ ad is like everything else the Marxists and the leftists have done. At first, it was camouflaged nicely and now theyre just, theyre just open about it. In his 2024 book The War on Warriors, Hegseth criticized both Dont Ask, Dont Tell (DADT) and the decision to repeal it as camouflage for an agenda to undermine military strength. Everything You Need to Know About Trump's Executive Order Attempting to Erase Trans Americans Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president signed the sweeping order within hours of taking office, signaling that curtailing the rights of trans people is a top priority for his administration. The president signed two additional military-related executive orders on Monday, one that directs the Pentagon to reinstate servicemembers discharged for refusing a COVID-19 vaccination and another that establishes a plan to build a missile defense system similar to Israel's Iron Dome. Trump himself alluded to dismantling DEI protections for military servicemembers during his inaugural address, saying, I will sign an order to stop our warriors from being subjected to radical political theories and social experiments while on duty. Our armed forces will be free to focus on their sole mission: defeating Americas enemies. The President has spent his first week back in office targeting protections for LGBTQ+ Americans elsewhere. He also signed executive orders that legally define gender as male or female as assigned at birth and repealed a Biden-era order requiring federal agencies to promote equitable access to gender-affirming healthcare and protect LGBTQ+ youth in foster care from abuse and discrimination. Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here. Originally Appeared on them. President Donald Trump rolled out a second slate of executive orders on Monday that moves the military closer to a ban on transgender service members, cuts DEI programs and training and reinstates service members previously discharged for their refusal to get COVID vaccines. The executive order on trans service members redefines what the Trump administration calls the military mission and charges the secretary of defense to update the Defense Departments policies, ensuring they establish high standards for troop readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity and integrity, which the administration believes to be inconsistent with medical, surgical and mental health constraints on individuals with gender dysphoria. Additionally, the order mandates that the secretary of defense issue directives to end invented and identification-based pronoun usage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individuals sex conflicts with a soldiers commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in ones personal life, the executive order reads. The order included a sentence singling out trans women, depicting them as men and accusing them of subverting the humility and selflessness required of a service member. It echoed the way Republican lawmakers routinely target transgender women and girls within anti-trans policy, even when that policy affects all trans people. The text states that the Armed Forces will not allow men or women to use or share sleeping, changing or bathing facilities that are designated for the opposite sex. Should Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth institute a ban against transgender service members, it could result in thousands of people leaving the military, the largest employer in the nation, and it would become one of the largest layoffs of transgender people in history. Up to 8,000 service members will be affected, according to a study released by the National Institutes of Health in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order on DEI policies in the military calls for the elimination of race-based and sex-based discrimination in the Armed Forces by removing all DEI offices, programs and initiatives, including those that perpetuate unconstitutional discrimination and promote divisive concepts or gender ideology. United States Service Academies and other defense academic institutions will be required to teach that America and its founding documents remain the most powerful force for good in human history. In recent years, civilian and uniformed leadership alike have implemented diversity, equity and inclusion programs and their attendant race and sex preferences within the Armed Forces, the text reads. These actions undermine leadership, merit and unit cohesion, thereby eroding lethality and force readiness. The executive orders are the next step in the Trump administrations plan to target transgender rights and broader diversity policies. Last week Trump revoked a 2021 executive order signed by former President Joe Biden that had allowed transgender service members to serve. It was one of 78 previous executive orders the president revoked, many of them enforcing DEI policies and initiatives. Last weeks executive orders also called for the removal of DEI positions, initiatives and training across the federal government. In a memo released to federal agencies by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), leadership was directed to place federal employees in DEI offices and positions on paid leave and cancel DEI-related training by the end of the week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In efforts to comply with the Trump administrations orders, the Air Force hurriedly removed basic military training featuring the Tuskegee Airmen and Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) because it was included in DEI coursework. Known as the Red Tails, the Tuskegee Airmen were the first troop of Black pilots to serve in the military. On Monday, the Air Force told USA Today that it will resume showing the training course, as it cleared compliance review. Gen. Henry H Arnold hands a diploma to an unidentified WASP (Womens Airforce Service Pilot) who had just graduated from the last training class at Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas, on December 11, 1944. (US Army Air Force/PhotoQuest, via Getty Images) Trumps recent crackdown on DEI policies in the military also reflects a GOP talking point during the Biden administration that these initiatives are woke and are hurting the militarys recruitment. During his confirmation hearing, Hegseth mentioned the militarys recruiting crisis, asserting that woke ideology is a factor in the plateau of members serving. In a previous podcast interview, Hegseth claimed that Americas White sons and daughters are not serving in the military due to its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. In 2023, the Army, Air Force and Navy fell short on their recruitment goals. Last year, recruitment rose by 12.5 percent despite previous struggles. The executive order on service members who refused COVID vaccinations reinstates them to their original positions and provides them with full back pay, benefits, bonus payments and compensation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vaccine mandate was an unfair, overbroad and completely unnecessary burden on our service members, the order says. Any service member that provides a written and sworn statement that they left the service because they refused vaccination can also return to service without any impact on their status, rank or pay. Biden rescinded his administrations military COVID vaccination mandate in 2022 with bipartisan support. Before his reversal, more than 8,000 service members were discharged for their refusal to get vaccinated. While supporters noted safety as the mandates primary motive, pushback included religious concerns. Other opponents of the mandate believed that it was contributing to the militarys struggles with recruitment. The post Trump signs new executive orders targeting transgender service members, military DEI programs appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. President Trump on Monday night heightened his battle with California over water policy by suggesting U.S. military troops had arrived in the state to turn on pumps and send more water flowing something state officials quickly denied. On Monday evening, Trump wrote that the military "just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond," in a post on his social media platform Truth Social. The California Department of Water Resources responded in a statement: "The military did not enter California. The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's post came after he signed an order directing federal agencies to maximize water deliveries in California and override state policies if necessary, and following a long-standing debate with Gov. Gavin Newsom over the state's water management policies. Trump has lambasted Newsom, saying he has held back water supplies in California and impeded the response to Los Angeles' recent wildfires. Newsom and state departments have repeatedly denied these claims, noting that there is a plentiful supply of water in Southern California. Read more: Trump reenters Californias water wars. It's unclear who will win Water supply has not hindered firefighting efforts," the Assn. of California Water Agencies said in a statement Monday. "Reservoirs in California are at or above average storage levels for this time of year, thanks in part to years of proactive water management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps executive order , issued Friday, outlines steps intended to increase the amount of water pumped from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The order, posted on the White House website Sunday, directs the Interior and Commerce secretaries to immediately take actions to override existing activities that unduly burden efforts to maximize water deliveries. It calls for delivering more water via the federally managed Central Valley Project, one of the two main systems of aqueducts, dams and pumping facilities in California that transport supplies from the Delta southward. The president also directed the federal Bureau of Reclamation to ensure state agencies do not interfere. In the order, Trump criticizes disastrous policies and water mismanagement by California, and directs federal agencies to scrap a plan that the Biden administration adopted last month establishing new rules for operating the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project Californias other main water delivery system in the Central Valley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Trump has told federal agencies to more or less follow a plan adopted during his first presidency, which California and environmental groups challenged in court, arguing it failed to provide adequate protections for endangered fish. Trump has said he intends to try to weaken environmental protection measures, and has questioned why the state should keep certain flows in rivers to help species such as the delta smelt, a little tiny fish. It's one of several threatened and endangered fish species in the Delta, including steelhead trout, two types of Chinook salmon, longfin smelt and green sturgeon. He doubled down on his criticism in his Monday evening post, writing, "The days of putting a Fake Environmental argument, over the PEOPLE, are OVER. Enjoy the water, California!!!" Trump has repeatedly claimed that the wildfires in Southern California underscore why the state should be delivering more water south from the Delta. But water managers and experts have said Southern Californias cities are not currently short of water, pointing out that the regions reservoirs are at record-high levels following plentiful deliveries of supplies in 2023 and 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Trump wants to upend California water policy. State officials say it could do harm State officials have also said that pumping to move water south from the Delta has nothing to do with the local fire response in Los Angeles. The governors office said on social media that California pumps as much water now as it could under prior Trump-era policies, and that there is no shortage of water in Southern California. Even with ample supplies in reservoirs, local water systems were pushed to their limits in places as the fires rapidly spread, driven by strong winds. When the L.A. water system lost pressure in parts of Pacific Palisades, some fire hydrants ran dry in high-elevation areas, hindering the firefighting effort. Newsom has ordered an investigation into the loss of water pressure to hydrants, and the lack of water available from a reservoir in Pacific Palisades that was out of commission for repairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps executive order focuses largely on the federally operated Central Valley Project, one of the state's two main water delivery systems in the region, which transports water from the Delta to farmlands that produce almonds, pistachios, tomatoes and other crops. The CVP ends in the southern San Joaquin Valley near Bakersfield and does not reach Southern Californias urban areas to the south. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Six members of the US military sued President Donald Trump over his executive order banning transgender people from serving in the armed forces, setting the stage for a new battle over LGBTQ rights. Most Read from Bloomberg The suit, filed Tuesday in federal court in Washington, alleges the order violates the Constitutions equal-protection guarantees by discriminating based on sex and transgender status without lawful justification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ban was issued without any study of the effectiveness of transgender service members during the past four years or of any problems that may have arisen from their service, the plaintiffs said in the complaint, which seeks a court order putting the ban on hold while the case proceeds. The executive order signed by Trump on Jan. 27 is part of his broader effort to scrap legal protections granted in recent years to trans Americans, including active duty troops. Earlier administrations removed barriers to service by transgender troops after determining that they could serve effectively and without undermining military readiness. Trumps order calls into question those earlier findings, suggesting they were part of an effort to assert radical gender ideology. The order says that maintaining high standards for troop readiness is inconsistent with the medical, surgical and mental constraints on people with gender dysphoria, a condition that trans people are often diagnosed with. Beyond the hormonal and surgical medical interventions involved, adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individuals sex conflicts with a soldiers commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in ones personal life, Trumps order said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Invented Pronouns Trump ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to update Pentagon medical standards in 30 days and to end the use of invented pronouns in the department. Hegseth and other military officials are also named in the suit. According to the complaint, Trumps new order lacks any assessment of whether service by trans troops resulted in greater costs or whether any legitimate governmental concerns could be addressed by means other than a categorical ban. Two transgender individuals who want to join the military also were part of the case. The White House did not respond to a message seeking comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit was filed jointly by GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Shannon Minter, legal director at NCLR, said Trumps repeated attempt to ban trans troops is a stain on our military. Anyone who meets the standards should be able to serve, Minter said in a statement on the groups website. There are already thousands of transgender service members currently in the military who have met the standards and more than proven themselves. One of the plaintiffs is Nicolas Talbott, a 31-year-old second lieutenant who has served in the Army Reserves for almost a year. Talbott began receiving transgender health care in 2012 and went on to complete Officer Candidate School, according to the complaint. Hes now platoon leader in the Military Policing Unit and set to begin further training in August, the suit says. If the ban takes effect, Talbott would lose the career he has spent years of his life fighting to join, after finally earning his commission, and would be unable to continue to serve the United States people as a member of the military, according to the suit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Trump also signed an order that recognizes two sexes, male and female, and seeks to mandate federal agencies use the term sex and not gender. Trump campaigned on rolling back transgender protections, including in womens sports, an issue he highlighted at rallies and in ads. Transgender troops started serving openly in 2016, when former President Barack Obama began lifting a longstanding ban. Trump in 2017 vowed to ban trans troops, triggering a wave of earlier litigation. In 2019, a divided US Supreme Court cleared Trump to start barring most trans people from serving while the suits continued. But that fight still wasnt resolved when Trump lost reelection in 2020 and former President Joe Biden lifted the ban. The case is Talbott v. Trump, 25-cv-240, US District Court, District of Columbia (Washington). (Updates with comment from advocacy group. An earlier version corrected the spelling of Talbott.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version. FIVE ALARM FIRE President Trumps corrupt retribution against the Justice Department is now fully underway, with a series of moves over the past 24 hours that in any other era would be the defining political and legal story of the age. Today, it didnt even make the front page of the New York Times. Trumps acting attorney general sacked the career prosecutors who worked on the Trump prosecutions. Among those let go were Molly Gaston, J.P. Cooney, Anne McNamara, and Mary Dohrmann, NBC News reported. Trumps acting U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., a political lackey from Missouri, launched an investigation of the prosecutors who brought the criminal charges against hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters. DOJs most senior career official was sidelined by being moved to a department backwater. Separately, the DOJ official who oversaw the prosecution of public corruption, who had previously been reassigned to the same backwater, resigned rather than continue in a reduced role. The corrupt wholesale cashiering of career prosecutors who worked on the Mar-a-Lago and Jan. 6 cases against Trump was the most egregious of the corrupt acts, in defiant violation of the civil service rules and the rule of law. But the most absurd development was acting U.S. Attorney Ed Martins purported investigation into why DOJ had pursued obstruction charges against Jan. 6 rioters. While the Roberts Court ultimately cut prosecutors legs out from under them, the obstruction charge was ratified by multiple federal trial judges and the DC Circuit before the Supreme Court held otherwise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you were taking a measured approach to see how things played out once Trump took office, the waiting is over. Its a five-alarm fire at the Justice Department. Ousting independent career prosecutors is just Step 1, a prelude to Step 2, which is using the Justice Department to protect Trump and his administration from accountability for their wrongdoing. Step 3 turns DOJ into a weapon against anyone who Trump perceives as less than fully loyal and obedient. The retribution is being exacted precisely as promised. As Joyce Vance put it: The real witch hunt is here. Jack Smith Lawyers Up Former Special Counsel Jack Smith has retained private counsel: Peter Koski of Covington & Burling. Stewart Rhodes Is Free To Roam The Capitol A federal judge in DC lifted an earlier order barring Oath Keeper founder Stewart Rhodes from coming to DC or visiting the Capitol with prior court approval, agreeing with the Justice Department that Trumps commutation of Rhodes canceled any post-sentence supervision. Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Killed In Police Shooting An Indiana man who was recently pardoned for his participation in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot was shot and killed during a traffic stop by a sheriffs deputy Sunday.NBC News Quote Of The Day This raises an existential threat with respect to the primary independent oversight function in the federal government. We have preserved the independence of inspectors general by making them not swing with every change in political party.Mark Greenblatt, the Trump-appointed inspector general for the Interior Department, on the Friday night purge of inspectors general across government, including himself Destruction Watch OMB : White House pauses on all federal grants, loans and other financial-assistance programs pending further review. That last part is key: Trump is using the paralyzing freezes of various government operations to take extra-legal control of the decision-making over what is spent and how it is spent. USAID : The Trump administration has cleared out much of the leadership of the U.S. Agency for International Development, placing dozens of career officials on administrative leave Monday after accusing the agency of trying to circumvent President Donald Trumps executive order freezing all foreign aid, U.S. officials familiar with the matter said.WaPo OPM: Schedule F is back with a vengeance. Pointless Waste And Destruction The Trump administration has instructed organizations in other countries to stop disbursing H.I.V. medications purchased with U.S. aid, even if the drugs have already been obtained and are sitting in local clinics.NYT (emphasis added) Sorry, Its Time To Learn About The Impoundment Act Let me get you started with Steve Vladecks latest: The Impoundment Crisis of 2025. U.S. Govt Used To Perpetuate The Othering Transgender Americans: In a new executive order, President Trump used demeaning fundamentalist Christian-inflected language that portends a purge of transgender people from the military: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consistent with the military mission and longstanding DoD policy, expressing a false gender identity divergent from an individuals sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service. Beyond the hormonal and surgical medical interventions involved, adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individuals sex conflicts with a soldiers commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in ones personal life. A mans assertion that he is a woman, and his requirement that others honor this falsehood, is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member. Black Americans : The Trump administration has barred the State Department from commemorating Black history month. Non-Confederate Americans: As he arrived at the Pentagon for his first business day on the job as defense secretary, Pete Hegseth want out of his way to revert to using the former name for the Army base in North Carolina: Pure Chicken Shit Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) assured Pete Hegseths ex-sister-in-law that if she came forward with her damaging testimony against him it could convince senators to oppose his nomination, the WSJ reports. She came forward and then Tillis cast the deciding vote to confirm Hegseth. They Know What It Meant TOPSHOT 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. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images) Elon Musks My heart goes out to you takes off as ironic far-right catchphrase. Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know! (Bloomberg) -- Canada can work with US President Donald Trumps administration to reshape global trade and weaken Chinas dominance of supply chains, according to Chrystia Freeland, the Canadian politician whos vying to replace Justin Trudeau as prime minister. Most Read from Bloomberg Freeland said she believes Trump is very smart, has a clear world view, and is threatening to impose huge tariffs on Canada, Mexico and other allies in part to pave the way for tougher policies on China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has come to the conclusion that if he can show the rest of the world how mean and tough he can be with his closest partners and allies how much hes prepared to beat up on those really nice Canadians, who throughout history have been great partners for the US how do you think thats going to make the Chinese feel? she said in an interview with Bloomberg News. Freeland identified Scott Bessent, who won confirmation as Treasury secretary, as a potential ally that Canada can work with to help change the game on global trade. She called him an incredibly sophisticated global economic thinker. China over and over again promises and fails to have strong domestic demand, Freeland said. Canada can be a valuable and intelligent partner for the US in the effort to rebalance the global economy. In her quest to take over from Trudeau as Liberal Party leader, Freeland is framing herself as a candidate with the backbone to stand up to the US administration. She has boasted about Trumps antipathy toward her, including his post on Truth Social in December that called her behavior totally toxic, and not at all conducive to making deals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Trumps first term, Freeland helped lead Canadas negotiations on the North American free trade deal and gained a reputation for being stubborn and aggressive. Despite the contentious relationship, the talks concluded with an updated pact that was seen in Canada as a political win for Trudeaus government. Since returning to power in Washington, Trump has taken aim at the size of the US trade deficit with Canada, which is largely driven by US imports of oil, gas and other commodities. And he has further taunted Canadian politicians by suggesting on multiple occasions that the country should be a US state an idea that is opposed by 90% of Canadians, according to one survey. Freeland said a government led by her would hit the US hard if Trump imposed tariffs. She has called for Canada to publish a list of C$200 billion ($139 billion) worth of goods that Canada imports from the US on which it would place counter-tariffs, if necessary, to apply pressure to the US administration. I would say for President Trump, weakness is a provocation. I think capitulation is not a negotiating strategy with him, Freeland said. Canada, she said, should not negotiate against itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have negative leverage. If you hit us, we uniquely in the whole world do have the economic capacity to hit back, she said. And we also have positive leverage. There is a lot that we can offer you guys. And I think, broadly, Americans know that. She has pledged so-called dollar for dollar retaliation that would place counter-tariffs on items such as oranges from Florida, dairy products from Wisconsin and dishwashers manufactured in Michigan. She has also proposed to host an international summit of countries targeted by Trump, including Mexico, Denmark, Panama and the European Union. Freeland faces a tough battle for the party leadership against Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England. Carney has secured endorsements from much of Trudeaus cabinet, including nearly all of the highest-profile ministers. Thats a blow for Freeland, who served alongside those ministers for years. But she has argued its a sign that Carney is the choice of the Ottawa establishment, despite the fact he never served in Trudeaus government or in any elected political office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about what makes her different from Carney, she cited her long political experience; she was first elected to Canadas Parliament in 2013. It is one thing to be a technocrat, it is one thing to be a bureaucrat responsible only to your own bureaucracy and ultimately to your political masters, she said. It is another thing to be an elected politician, responsible to your country and your citizens and to go mano a mano with the tough guys. Thats something Ive done. Freeland has attempted to distance herself from Trudeau, starting with her stinging resignation letter as finance minister in mid-December that criticized the prime minister for being focused on costly political gimmicks instead of preparing for a trade war with Trump. Trudeau never recovered, and he called the leadership race three weeks later. --With assistance from Kevin Orland, Christine Dobby, Sandra Mergulhao and Laura Dhillon Kane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updates with additional comments from the interview, beginning in the 10th paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. It was the Fish that Saved Us, a 2025 nonfiction short film by Shruti Rao, an MFA documentary film student at SIU Carbondale, will be one of the offerings highlighted Friday, Jan. 31, at the Saint Louis Art Museum. (Still photo provided) SIU Carbondale MFA students to present work at Saint Louis Art Museum Jan. 31 by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. Nine Southern Illinois University Carbondale Master of Fine Arts students will present a curated program of creative research at the Saint Louis Art Museum on Friday, Jan. 31. Translations: Creative Research in the Media Arts is from 5-7 p.m. in Farrell Auditorium, One Fine Arts Drive, as part of the museums Free Fridays programming. The program will feature diverse work offering film, sound, performance, photographs, and drawn and print media, all contextualized by the artists themselves, said Kevin Mercer, an assistant professor of digital arts and media in SIU Carbondales School of Media Arts. This is such a rare and valuable opportunity for our students to share their work at an internationally renowned institution, he said. Mercer said the museum selected the students program after a meeting with program coordinator MaryClaire Pavlick, where he highlighted the high-quality research underway in our MFA program. Through collaboration, the students arrived at the theme of translation, Mercer said. Individual and collective inquiry into their functions as media artists brought about manifold interpretations of translation: language and communication, storytelling, the mutability of signals, bodies in space moving among various positions, the occupation of physical and digital realities, experiences shared across generations. To translate is to elucidate, to manipulate and to move. Through these research presentations, the artists will share their always-timely endeavors to convey lived experiences through artistic practice. The program was conceptualized and executed as part of Mercers class, Studio Art Practice and Critique in the fall 2024 semester. This work is continuing this semester in a course led by Heather OBrien-Takahashi, an assistant professor in cinema and interdisciplinary media in the School of Media Arts, Students whose works will be presented are: Jordan Bardgett, experimental film, Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Diazha Berry, drawing and collage, Marion, Illinois. Skyler Foy, performance art, Raleigh, North Carolina. Kendra Keefer-McGee, performance art and experimental film, Carbondale. Ashish Kumar, documentary film, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Drew McGinniss, experimental, interactive film, Greensboro, North Carolina. Saba Raissian, performance art, Tehran, Iran. Shruti Rao, documentary film, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Drew Yepsen, documentary film, Peoria, Illinois. More information on SIU Carbondales School of Media Arts is available at 618-536-7555 or mediaarts@siu.edu. For over a week now, Donald Trump and the Justice Department have been flouting the law meant to shut down TikTok. The legislation was unambiguous and was passed by large, bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress; it was affirmed by a unanimous Supreme Court less than two weeks ago. And for the most part, both Republicans and Democrats have sat quietly by as Trump has waved away their previously stated concerns, as well as the constitutional powers and institutional prerogatives of Capitol Hill. The TikTok ban was supposed to be a critical national security response to the threat posed by the Chinese government and its control over an app with 170 million users in our country. Shortly before the law went into effect, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said in a speech on the Senate floor that without question, TikToks lethal algorithm has cost the lives of many American kids. He announced that there would be no extensions, no concessions and no compromises for TikTok. Someone forgot to tell Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On his first day in office, Trump declared that he would effectively ignore the law, and so TikTok lives. He appears to have engineered a short-term bailout for TikTok whose app should have gone dark in the U.S. by now after a wealthy donor supported the move and amid some belief that TikTok helped him get reelected. In the process, Trump effectively immunized a slew of large corporations from devastating financial penalties that were dictated by Congress, and he has created a precedent that he can direct his own administration to ignore laws that he believes are politically or personally unhelpful to him that ought to trouble Republicans and Democrats alike. To start, there is no real question about the state of the law on paper: Trump is breaking it. The law that Congress passed specifically banned TikTok and imposed draconian financial penalties on the companies that provide technical support for the platform if they continued doing so. The president is allowed to grant a one-time, 90-day extension to the ban but only if there are binding legal agreements in place to enable a so-called qualified divestiture under the law one that would (in theory at least) effectively eliminate the Chinese governments purported control over the app and the associated algorithm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nothing of the sort has happened, and no one seriously contests that. There is no deal in place, and there are no binding legal agreements. Instead, Trump and administration officials are reportedly working to broker some sort of deal or takeover to resolve the issue, but it remains unclear whether any of the reported proposals under consideration would even comply with the specific ownership conditions mandated by Congress. The reprieve that Trump issued to TikTok upon entering office does not change any of this. His executive order was little more than a public declaration that he would ignore the law on the theory that it interfered with his ability to assess the national security and foreign policy implications. Not only did he direct the attorney general not to enforce the law for 75 days, he also instructed the Justice Department to issue a letter to each TikTok service provider stating that there has been no violation of the statute and that there is no liability for any conduct during the 75-day period. Some Republican China hawks, like Cotton and Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, had taken the position that state attorneys general could enforce the law anyway, but Trump unilaterally decided that they were wrong about that too. His executive order purports to prevent attempted enforcement by the States or private parties and to grant the Justice Department exclusive authority to enforce the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is generally not how executive orders are supposed to work. They are not supposed to be vehicles for the president to pick and choose which laws passed by Congress he wants to enforce or which ones he wants to change by fiat. Presidents of both parties have, of course, previously issued executive orders that were later deemed unlawful, but conservatives often rail against those efforts. They ripped Barack Obama for briefly delaying implementation of key elements of the Affordable Care Act. They also routinely oppose the exercise of prosecutorial discretion in criminal law most notably, in immigration enforcement. In fact, the day after Trumps TikTok reprieve, his acting deputy attorney general issued a memo reversing a Biden administration policy on just this point. This is not actually the first time that a Republican president has declared that he can unilaterally disregard the laws passed by Congress. President George W. Bush rightly came under fire during his administration after he issued a series of signing statements declaring that he had the right to ignore certain provisions of laws passed by Congress based on his assessment of constitutional and national security concerns. Trumps executive order on TikTok which argues that he has the unique constitutional responsibility for the national security of the United States, the conduct of foreign policy, and other vital executive functions is an aggressive extension of this position. Indeed, the order bears less resemblance to Obama- and Biden-era exercises of executive discretion than it does to the Bush White Houses claim that that they could pick and choose which laws to enforce and without consulting with Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, things appear to have settled into an awkward political-legal equilibrium. TikTok is operational, with the support of some (but not all) of the relevant tech companies but things could get increasingly awkward for the supposed China hawks who pushed the law through. On Sunday, Cotton himself who recently advised the tech industry to obey the law or face ruinous liability seemed to step back, at least for the time being, from a confrontation with Trump. Our point in passing that law, Cotton told Fox News, was never to ban TikTok in the United States. It was to force ByteDance, its parent company that is controlled by the Chinese communists, to divest from TikTok to have a TikTok that is not influenced by Chinese communists. Its an odd defense for those steeped in the conservative legal movement. They are generally supposed to be originalists and textualists, and they typically oppose efforts to interpret laws by reference to congressional purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats, meanwhile, also seem content to let Trump defy the law, perhaps for fear of further political fallout from TikTok obsessives. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who voted for the ban, has pledged to work with Trump to keep the social media platform alive. At this point, the best-case scenario for TikTok critics on Capitol Hill is that the Trump administration somehow manages to quickly engineer a deal that complies with the law that Congress passed and we all move on, but there is no guarantee when (or even if) that will happen. Trump claimed over the weekend that he has "spoken to many people about a TikTok deal, but it wouldnt be the first time such talk yielded little. What happens if a legally sound deal does not emerge during Trumps self-created 75-day extension? Will lawmakers sit idly by if Trump gives TikTok another extension or decides to change the ownership provisions of the law himself? And what if a deal never emerges, and Trump simply declares on the theory first incubated by the Bush administration and referenced in Trumps TikTok order itself that his administration can ignore the law? Even if a deal comes together, the implications of Trumps bailout extend beyond just TikTok. What is to prevent Trump from directing his attorney general publicly or privately to refrain from enforcing certain laws that he simply does not like, or that would interfere with his personal or financial interests? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For instance, Trump notoriously hates the foreign anti-bribery statute, which emerged as a focus of enforcement by the Justice Department during the final years of the George W. Bush administration. Among other things, the law is supposed to help level the international playing field for American multinational companies who compete against companies that bribe foreign officials for business. Would Congress sit idly by if Trump announced that he is ignoring that law too? What about international sanctions, fraud and money laundering statutes? There are many of those, and they too implicate the national security of the United States and the conduct of foreign policy, in the words of Trumps TikTok order. There are no doubt countless companies across the globe that would love to be exempt from these laws either officially or unofficially and there are plenty of ways that Trump could advance his and his familys business interests by directing the attorney general to selectively enforce those laws, too. Trumps TikTok bailout appears to be legitimately unprecedented as a unilateral accommodation for a single for-profit company, but the effort is also consistent with Trumps other legally controversial moves since returning to the White House. Just as importantly, the response among most Republicans in Congress has been similarly docile. Trumps decision to pardon the Jan. 6 defendants was a shameful attack on the criminal justice system, but GOP lawmakers barely seem to care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His political purge of inspectors general violated the law requiring presidents to give Congress actual reasons for their removal, but here too, Republicans are shrugging it off. It also appears we may be well on our way to a fight over whether Trump can unilaterally refuse to spend money allocated by Congress. The consistent theme here is a White House that appears poised to arrogate more power to itself than any in recent memory and an administration that, for the moment at least, does not particularly seem to care what members of Congress think about any of it. Ultimately, this is about much more than just TikTok. (Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump said he wants to impose across-the-board tariffs that are much bigger than 2.5%, the latest in a string of signals that hes preparing widespread levies to reshape US supply chains. Most Read from Bloomberg I have it in my mind what its going to be but I wont be setting it yet, but itll be enough to protect our country, Trump told reporters Monday night. Asked about a report that incoming Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent favored starting with a global rate of 2.5%, Trump said he didnt think Bessent supported that and wouldnt favor it himself. He said he wanted a rate much bigger than 2.5%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump spoke aboard Air Force One while he flew back to Washington from a Florida speech where he pledged tariffs on specific sectors, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, steel, copper and aluminum. He also strongly suggested he could also impose them on automobiles from Canada and Mexico, countries hes already threatened with 25% across-the board tariffs as soon as Feb. 1. As tariffs on other countries go up, taxes on American workers and businesses will come down and massive numbers of jobs and factories will come home, Trump said at a gathering of House Republicans at his Doral resort in Miami, during a speech in which he praised the tariff-heavy US approach at the turn of the 20th century. Remember, again, the word tariff. Were going to protect our people and our businesses, and were going to protect our country, with tariffs, Trump added. Hes said to have earlier mused about tariffs of up to 20%. Copper declined on Trumps warning of sectoral tariffs on imported metals, and the dollar rose against its major peers on wider concerns about US import barriers. The greenback had been trading weaker in recent days after Trump refrained from starting any immediate trade wars during his first week back in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The remarks Monday to lawmakers are the latest sign that Trump sees tariffs as a pillar of the Republican push to also remake the tax system. He repeated a call for Republicans to cut the corporate tax rate to 15%, from the current 21%, for companies that make their goods in America. Chip Tariffs Taken in tandem, Trump wants to add costs on imports through tariffs and lower taxes on domestic production, though the fine print is unclear US manufacturing relies heavily on imported parts and materials. Trumps threat of semiconductor tariffs also comes hours after investor concern about Chinese artificial-intelligence startup DeepSeek rattled markets and erased billions from Nvidia Corp.s market capitalization. Trump has argued that tariffs will help keep and build US manufacturing of the advanced chips compared to a subsidy program championed by former President Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest DeepSeek model caused shockwaves when independent tests showed it as competitive with OpenAI and Meta Platforms Inc.s resource-intensive models. Earlier: Nvidias $589 Billion DeepSeek Rout Is Largest in Market History Trumps remarks ran in stark contrast to market speculation that his abstention from immediate tariffs last week, when he took office, was a sign that he might soften his stance. If you want to stop paying the taxes or the tariffs you have to build your plant right here in America. Thats whats going to happen at record levels, he said. Trumps speech came after a weekend in which he threatened tariffs of as much as 50% on Colombia after the nations government initially declined to accept migrants being deported by the US on military planes. Trump agreed to hold off only after the South American government backed down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new president reiterated to House Republicans that any countries that refuse his deportees would be subject to the same tariff-and-sanction threat Colombia narrowly avoided. A top Trump economic aide signaled Monday that Trumps tariff push is part of a broader push. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett pointed to the Colombia example a sign that Trump is considering several streams of tariffs that could add up to a higher overall levy in some sectors or countries and hinted that the president is also still considering across-the-board tariffs. Whatever tariff that might be is going to be in addition to whatever President Trump does in the future when hes thinking about an overall tariff, Hassett said Monday in an interview with Fox Business host Larry Kudlow, who held Hassetts current role during Trumps first term. If you look at tariffs as part of an overall strategy, youre going to see, as President Trump says, a golden age and its going to be the biggest supply side reform that Americas ever seen, Hassett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump singled out several sectors in his speech to lawmakers. He complained at length about auto imports both from Canada and Mexico. They send us millions of cars; we dont need them for that, he said of Canada, Americas top export market. We want to have the cars made in Detroit or South Carolina or many other locations. Trump then added: The auto workers voted for me and I have an obligation to do whats right, and Im going to do that. He sang the praises of steel tariffs that he implemented in his first term and said hed be placing tariffs on steel, aluminum and copper and things that we need for our military, without elaborating. We have to bring production back to our country. DeepSeeks Arrival Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Trump heralded news of DeepSeeks apparent progress in artificial intelligence as a positive while also delivering a warning. The release of DeepSeek AI from a Chinese company should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win, Trump continued. Because we have the greatest scientists in the world, even Chinese leadership told me that. They said you have the most brilliant scientists in the world. The US has tried to curb Chinas progress on AI by banning the export of certain advanced semiconductor technologies and also limiting sales of advanced Nvidia AI chips. But DeepSeeks progress suggests Chinese AI engineers have found a way to work around the export bans, focusing on greater efficiency with limited resources. Trump said he had been reading about the company and saw their apparent breakthrough as good, because you dont have to spend as much money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Carmen Reinicke and Derek Wallbank. (Updates market reaction starting in seventh paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Donald Trumps apparent war on DEI, undocumented immigrants, and others is a distraction from reported oligarchs and other alleged cronies planning to loot the federal government, Joy Reid opines on The ReidOut with Joy Reid. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, during her first press briefing on Tuesday, faced a barrage of questions on the administration's freeze on federal financial assistance programs that congressional Democrats called flatly illegal. Agencies faced a 5 p.m. ET deadline to comply with a memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget to cease spending on any grant or loan programs if they suspect it might conflict with President Donald Trump's recent executive orders on DEI, foreign aid, climate spending and more. A federal judge on Tuesday, within minutes of that deadline, issued a brief administration stay of the policy during a virtual hearing. The stay blocks the policy from taking effect until 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo prompted widespread confusion among advocacy organizations and state officials, some of whom reported error messages when trying to access portals to draw down funds for Medicaid, community health centers and more. MORE: White House budget office suspends federal financial aid programs A legal challenge was filed by nonprofits and health groups who argue the Office of Management and Budget is exceeding its authority. Democrats, too, are slamming the move as illegal and note the funds have been appropriated by Congress. "There's no uncertainty in this building," Leavitt said when asked to clarify about exactly what programs will be impacted. PHOTO: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivers remarks during her first daily briefing at the White House, in Washington, Jan. 28, 2025. (Carlos Barria/Reuters) "Social Security benefits, Medicare benefits, food stamps, welfare benefits, assistance that is going directly to individuals will not be impacted by this pause," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leavitt later added, "However, it is the responsibility of this president and this administration to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. That is something that President Trump campaigned on." Leavitt said the freeze was temporary, but did not expand on a specific timeline on when it would end. PHOTO: President Donald Trump looks on after delivering remarks at the House Republican Members Conference Dinner at Trump National Doral Miami, in Miami, Florida, Jan. 27, 2025. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) When asked if Medicaid was impacted by the pause, Leavitt couldn't immediately say from the podium and she would "check back." She also did not directly respond to a question on the impact on organizations like Meals on Wheels, which provides meals to 2.2 million seniors, or Head Start, a program for preschool education, that receive federal funding. Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden posted on social media about reports about Medicaid portals being down in states as he criticized the freeze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leavitt, after the briefing, wrote on X: "The White House is aware of the Medicaid website portal outage. We have confirmed no payments have been affected -- they are still being processed and sent. We expect the portal will be back online shortly." MORE: Trump 2nd term live updates: Federal financial aid freeze causes confusion, alarm An OMB memo obtained by ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott also sought to shed light on the freeze's implications. According to the memo, "in addition to Social Security and Medicare, already explicitly excluded in the guidance, mandatory programs like Medicaid and SNAP will continue without pause." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Funds for small businesses, farmers, Pell grants, Head Start, rental assistance, and other similar programs will not be paused," the document read. "If agencies are concerned that these programs may implicate the Presidents Executive Orders, they should consult OMB to begin to unwind these objectionable policies without a pause in the payments." Still, the pause could have sweeping implication as the federal government funds thousands of programs, including housing subsidies and educational grants. The Environmental Protection Agency, which gives grants for an array of national, state and tribal programs -- including some to assist with air and water quality -- said on Tuesday it was temporarily pausing disbursement. While Democrats are vowing to push back on the directive, Republicans are coming to the administration's defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think they are clarifying it, and I think this is not unusual for an administration to pause funding and to take a hard look and scrub of how these programs, how they're being spent, and how they interact with a lot of the executive orders that the President signed," Senate Majority Leader John Thune said as he addressed concerns during his weekly press conference. "This is a work in progress. Everybody. Take a deep breath. Stay calm. Every one of these programs is going to be looked at," GOP Sen. James Risch said, arguing that Trump is taking this action as a way to tackle inflation and oversized government spending. ABC News' Mariam Khan contributed to this report. Trump White House tries to clarify confusion over abrupt federal assistance freeze originally appeared on abcnews.go.com WASHINGTON President Donald Trumps top prosecutor for Washington, D.C., told Justice Department colleagues Monday that he is launching a special project to review the offices handling of a federal charge brought against many of the 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants who received presidential pardons last week. Ed Martin, who became the acting head of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia after Trump was inaugurated, said he was appointing two officials to look at the use of an obstruction of justice charge, which the Supreme Court determined had been used too broadly against some Jan. 6 defendants. Martins office disbanded the Justice Departments Capitol Siege Section and moved to dismiss cases against violent Jan. 6 rioters who attacked police officers. He also filed a motion last week that implored a judge to drop conditions that would have required some members of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group to get court permission before they visit Washington or the U.S. Capitol after Trump commuted their Jan. 6 sentences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow live politics coverage Martin wrote Monday that the two officials he selected would need to issue a preliminary report by Friday, and he asked all employees to pass along "all files, documents, notes, emails and other information" about the use of 18 U.S. Code 1512, which prosecutors often refer to as the "1512" charge. Martin referred to the review as "Project 1512" and called it "important work." Obviously, the use was a great failure of our office [Supreme Court] decision and we need to get to the bottom of it, Martin wrote in an email obtained by NBC News that also reminded U.S. attorneys office workers of the hiring freeze and the Trump administration's steps ending all DEI efforts." Before he joined the Trump administration, Martin was a Stop the Steal advocate who spoke at the Capitol on Jan. 5 and was on the Capitol grounds during the Jan. 6 riot. He also was on the board of the Patriot Freedom Project, which advocated for Jan. 6 defendants and held fundraisers at Trumps properties. In addition, he was an attorney for at least three Jan. 6 defendants, and he spread conspiracy theories about the attack on the Capitol, falsely claiming that the riot was a setup staged by a person he dubbed "Mr. Coffee." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "January 6th was Staged by Mr. Coffee ," Martin wrote in 2023, referring to an unidentified man who helped set up a nonfunctioning gallows near the Capitol on Jan. 6. Martin was subpoenaed by the House Jan. 6 committee, which said it had evidence that he was "involved in the logistical planning" of Trump's "Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6 and that he had paid costs associated with vendors hired for that event. In his speech at the Capitol on Jan. 5, 2021, Martin said he would fight until his last breath to stop the steal. No matter what happens tomorrow or the next day or the day after, we still need to be in the fight. Theres no summer soldiers and springtime patriots here. Theres the die-hard true Americans, Martin said at the time. We start today, go through tomorrow and every day till we have a last breath and go home to the Lord, because we will stop the steal. Were looking to hear from federal government workers. If youre willing to talk with us, please email us at tips@nbcuni.com or contact us through one of these methods. The Trump administration on Monday moved to fire Justice Department prosecutors who worked on the two federal criminal cases brought against Trump: one involving his use of classified documents and the other his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss. Former special counsel Jack Smith oversaw those two cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that the Capitol Siege Section has been disbanded, some officials see Martin's "special project" as a sign that he's targeting some of the leadership of the unit that remains. It definitely smells like hes trying to force them out, a Justice Department official said. A former Jan. 6 prosecutor said the investigation sounded like it would be "totally frivolous" and said it would "divert resources" within the office that could instead be used on keeping Washington safe by prosecuting crimes. "This was not a charge that was chosen for political reasons," the former official said. "It was brought by career prosecutors working with the FBI when the facts dictated that it was appropriate." Martin didnt respond to multiple requests for comment. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com President Donald Trumps sweeping order freezing most federal grants, loans, and financial aid caused chaos and confusion around the country on Tuesday, as providers and recipients of government funding struggled to access critical programs that affect millions of Americans. Nonprofit organizations said they were unable to get into a system used to access federal funds to pay for expenses, like salaries and rent. Numerouslawmakers reported problems in their states accessing the payment system for Medicaid, which covers 72 million people, and Head Start, a critical government program that provides preschool for nearly 800,000 low-income children. There are a lot of federal programs that appear to be swept up in this order and I think the administration needs to be more selective and look at a department at a time, for example, [and] make sure that important direct service programs are not affected, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, stressed to HuffPost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our phones have been ringing off the hook all morning wondering what it means, how long its gonna last, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) told reporters. The directive, issued late Monday by the White House Office of Management and Budget, said that federal agencies should temporarily pause all grant and loan programs until Trumps administration can ensure they are consistent with the presidents agenda, including bans on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and limits on clean energy spending. It excluded just two government programs: Social Security and Medicare. But on Tuesday, as reports of disruptions within government agencies and state providers multiplied, the White House sought to clarify that the policy would not apply across the board and that funding would continue for federal food assistance and welfare programs, as well as student loans and Medicaid. A federal judge temporarily blocked part of Trumps order until Monday as litigation plays out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House is aware of the Medicaid website portal outage, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote in a post online. We have confirmed no payments have been affected they are still being processed and sent. We expect the portal will be back online shortly. Democrats, meanwhile, warned that Trump is attempting to wrest the power of the purse away from Congress illegally, calling the situation a constitutional crisis. Congress decides how federal funding is spent, and Trump, they said, is more specifically in violation of a 1974 law that set limits on how much a president can restrict money thats been approved by Congress. Dont believe these people. Preschools cannot pay staff and will need to start laying off staff very soon and sending little kids home, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) wrote in a post online on Tuesday. Most Republicans defended Trumps funding freeze, maintaining the president had the authority to review congressionally approved spending. A few GOP senators acknowledged, however, that a lengthy freeze could be problematic for constituents who rely on certain government programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Depending on how long this goes, [and] people start hearing the real-life effects of it, well hear about it, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said when asked about the effect of Trumps freeze on infrastructure grants and rural development grants. I can think of some things that shouldnt be within the scope of the order, added Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). On the other side of the Capitol, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) expressed similar concerns about the funding freeze. I hope its short-lived, because theres real people that depend on these grants, and real people with real jobs, with missions, and Ive heard from people in my district this morning asking me about it, Bacon told NOTUS Reese Gorman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, defended the Trump funding freeze and called it a legitimate exercise of executive oversight in an interview with CNN. Im not a lawyer, I cant pontificate on whats legal, but I suspect whats happening is what most Republicans would be supportive of, he told CNNs Manu Raju. Related... (Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trumps federal funding pause threatens more than $1 trillion that flows to states, cities and other local governments, putting everything from transit infrastructure to housing projects at risk. Most Read from Bloomberg Trumps acting budget director issued a memo directing all agencies to temporarily halt federal financial assistance while the government reviews if the spending complies with an onslaught of recent executive orders. The pause was expected to take effect on Tuesday at 5 p.m. Eastern Time, although a federal judge in Washington temporarily blocked the directive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freezing payments would be an unprecedented step and likely ripple across the country because states, cities and jurisdictions such as school districts rely on the federal government for significant amounts of cash. A review of spending is fine, but a blanket pause in spending is just grossly irresponsible and has real consequences for people, said Allison Russo, a Ohio state Democratic representative, in a post on X. She estimates the state receives nearly 30% of its operating budget from Washington. The memo filed late Monday is a striking missive by the White House sent panic through city halls, statehouses and congressional offices. In the directive, agencies were instructed to pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance though the order doesnt impact Social Security and Medicare benefits. US Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro said the scope of the order is breathtaking, unprecedented, and will have devastating consequences, according to a Jan. 27 letter the lawmakers sent to the Office of Management and Budget. The lawmakers, both Democrats, said the move has sown confusion across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, federal grants to state and local governments totaled $1.1 trillion, or 18% of all DC outlays, according to an April report from the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, a research group founded by the former US Secretary of Commerce and Blackstone Inc. co-founder. And over the last four decades, such grants to states and local governments accounted for roughly 17% of their total revenues. New York to San Francisco The impact could be widespread. New York City anticipates receiving $9.6 billion in federal grants in the 2025 fiscal year which ends on July 1, according to Comptroller Brad Lander. That money amounting to about 8.3% of the budget includes $3.5 billion of assistance to the citys public schools, CUNY institutions and early-childhood education programs and $4.1 billion in social services grants. As of the end of November, New York has received just 13.5% of its total federal grant funding, according to a monthly cash-flow report. President Trumps illegal order to freeze hundreds of billions of dollars that Americans rely on risks throwing cities, states, and families across the country into chaos, Lander said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There isnt a standard formula for how municipalities get their funding and some local agencies would be impacted more than others. New York Citys Administration for Childrens Services, which runs the citys child welfare programs, receives 50% of its overall budget from federal funds, while almost one-quarter of the citys Department of Emergency Management is federally financed, Landers office said. In San Francisco, roughly 11% of the citys $15.9 billion budget came from federal funding, including streams that were received directly from Washington and those that were passed through the state. And in Texas, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said that health and transportation departments are large recipients of federal dollars. This is a wide ranging threat that impacts every city around the country in the most basic services that are offered, said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu in a Tuesday press briefing. Funding for police, fire, housing, addressing homelessness. It affects blue states, it affects red states - every single person in the country is impacted in some way here. Wu also said shes in touch with other mayors and that theyre experiencing a similar sense of chaos and destabilization right now, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governors, mayors and other officials across the country are scrambling to figure out the breadth of the edict and how quickly the funds could stop flowing. When reached for comment, officials in several localities said they were reviewing the order but didnt have insight on what programs or how much funding could be subject to the pause. There is a huge potential for blowback, said David Schleicher, a professor of urban law who focuses on muni issues at Yale Law School. The pause is extremely broad. Its likely to engender some pretty substantial pushback. Legal Pushback This isnt the first time Trump has used the federal purse-strings to forward his policy agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after taking office in 2017, Trump released a budget that would have slashed $190 million in federal aid for anti-terrorism and homeland security grants used by the New York Police Department, but Congress largely failed to approve those cuts. In 2020, he threatened to strip federal aid to what he called anarchist jurisdictions like New York and other Democratic-controlled cities where racial justice protests proliferated in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. Several courts had also blocked his first administration from withholding federal funds to so-called sanctuary cities, though the Justice Department had some success limiting the reach of those court orders. The pause is already getting challenged in court. The National Council of Nonprofits and the American Public Health Association are among those that filed a suit on Tuesday seeking to block the fund freeze until the court can evaluate what they called the illegality of OMBs actions. OMBs plan will have a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of grant recipients who depend on the inflow of grant money (money already obligated and already awarded) to fulfill their missions, pay their employees, pay their rentand, indeed, improve the day-to-day lives of the many people they work so hard to serve, according to a copy of the suit filed in federal court in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More lawsuits are expected. New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a post on X that her office is planning imminent legal action against what she called the unconstitutional pause, and her Connecticut counterpart William Tong derided the Trump administrations devastating memo. --With assistance from Julie Fine, Cameron Baker, Zoe Tillman, Steve Stroth, Amanda Albright, Erin Hudson, Miranda Davis, Joe Lovinger, Maxwell Adler and Michelle Kaske. (Updates with judge temporarily halting freeze on funding in second paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. For those with a vested interest in Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump's first week in office was a bit of a rollercoaster. His inauguration speech on Jan. 21 made no explicit mention of Ukraine or Russia's full-scale invasion, prompting some to question if either was anywhere near a priority for the new president. During his first presidential term, Trump famously praised Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has also repeatedly criticized U.S. aid to Ukraine during the election campaign ahead of his second term, prompting many in Ukraine and the West to worry about the future of assistance from Ukraines biggest donor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I cant say if things will be better for us (now Trump has been inaugurated) because Trump is definitely not a sympathizer of Ukraine," Volvo, a Ukrainian military medic told the Kyiv Independent at the time. But a few hours later, comments from Trump began to give an indication that he was at least open to taking a hard line on Russia, saying he would likely impose additional sanctions against Moscow if Putin fails to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine. "Sounds likely," he said responding to a question from a reporter in the White House. While the off-hand comment wasn't anything close to a policy announcement, on Jan. 22, Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social and came out guns blazing, saying he would be doing Putin "a very big favor" by helping end the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If a deal is not reached, I will 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 other participating countries," he said. "We can do it the easy way or the hard way." "We can do it the easy way or the hard way," he said in reference to negotiating an end to the war, adding, "the easy way is always better." While stressing that he is "not looking to hurt Russia" and maintaining that he has "always had a very good relationship" with Putin, Trump added, "It's time to make a deal. No more lives should be lost." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Slavoj Zizek: Leftists falsify the choice that Ukrainians face during wartime Setting psychological dynamic Ambassador Kurt Volker, who served as U.S. special representative for Ukraine negotiations in 2017-2019, during Trumps previous tenure, told the Kyiv Independent: "These are very strong statements coming from Trump. "And they do a couple of things. They establish that Putin is the one who has to act it's not both sides that need to show restraint. This is all 'Russia has to stop the war, Putin has to stop,'" he said. "Secondly, it's establishing that Putin is in a weak position and Trump is in a strong position, which is also very good." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump doubled down on his position while appearing via videolink at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan 23. U.S. President Donald Trump is seen on a giant screen during his address by video conference at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 23, 2025. (Fabrice Coffrini / AFP via Getty Images) Asked if there would be a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia by the time of next year's World Economic Forum, he replied: "Well you'll have to ask Russia. Ukraine is ready to make a deal." Volker said such comments were important to "get that psychological dynamic straight" as Trump defines his relationship with Putin before peace negotiations begin, adding that the fact Putin later responded showed it worked. Speaking to reporters on Jan. 24, Putin claimed Russia was ready for talks with Trump on ending the war in Ukraine, but made a clumsy attempt to shift blame for them not starting onto President Volodymyr Zelensky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He pointed out a decree signed by Zelensky in October 2022 which declared negotiations with Putin "impossible" while leaving the door open to discussions with Russia under different leadership. Zelensky signed the decree after Russia announced the illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions, all of which it only partially controlled. "How can negotiations be resumed if they are officially banned?" Putin asked. "This is a deflection by Putin," Volker said, adding his claim about being ready to talk was a "lie." "He knows very well that Zelensky has said he wants to end the war," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Russias Soviet-era military stockpile running low, faces equipment shortages, media reports In Ukraine, Trump's strong stance on Russia has been welcomed, but cautiously, tempered by an expectation that Putin has little desire to enter peace negotiations regardless of the threats coming from the U.S. "The problem is not Trump, his ideas or expectations, the problem is Putin," Oleksandr Merezhko, the chair of the Ukrainian parliament's foreign affairs committee, told the Kyiv Independent. Merezhko said he expected Trump to soon become "disillusioned" with Putin when he doesn't respond to the threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I hope that Trump will have to take a firmer stance on Putin, as soon as he realizes that Putin has no intention to negotiate in earnest," he added. While Trump may have quietly discarded his claim that he could end Russia's full-scale invasion "in 24 hours," his comments during his first week still indicate he believes he can end the war relatively swiftly but time may actually be on Putin's side. Oil leverage Aside from the threats about sanctions, Trump also said at Davos he would ask the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to lower the price of oil, saying it would end Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine "immediately." OPEC consists of 12 countries including Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, which collectively account for around 30% of the global oil supply. By agreeing to lower or raise the amount of oil they all produce, OPEC can dramatically affect the global oil price. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another Trump policy declaring open season on drilling for U.S. oil and gas could also potentially push down prices and box out Russian oil. A view from the oil company Tatneft in Tatarstan, Russia on June 4, 2023. (Alexander Manzyuk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) More sanctions and lower global oil prices would deplete Russia's main source of revenue that it uses to fund its war in Ukraine, but a recent analysis in Foreign Policy suggested any effects would likely take months to significantly hamper the Kremlin's war machine. On the streets of Kyiv, there is little expectation that Trump will be able to end the war swiftly, or even that he can do it at all, and that ultimately, it is still up to Ukrainians to fight for it themselves. "For now, it's too early to judge (Trump)," 18-year-old student Mykola told the Kyiv Independent on Jan. 28, adding: "I think we can only bring peace by our own actions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The only thing that can affect Russia is that we will make our shells and destroy the Russians directly at the front." According to Volker, the next step for the Trump administration will be a visit to Kyiv and other European capitals by Keith Kellogg, Trump's peace envoy for Ukraine, during which he will be "gathering perspectives and information" which he will then brief his boss on. "I think the best advice for the Trump team is to do exactly what Trump is doing keep it simple and don't get bogged down in these side issues that Russia will throw up like saying we need elections in Ukraine," he said. "Putin will just make stuff up and we should not negotiate on that at all. We should say it's none of his business, just stop the war. And what we do is we get a ceasefire. And then we have to be strong so that we deter future attacks," he added. Additional reporting by Linda Hourani. Read also: Trump suspends aid to Ukraine, vital NGOs dont know if theyll survive Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Thomas Escritt, Poppy McPherson and Maggie Fick BERLIN/BANGKOK/LONDON (Reuters) -Field hospitals in Thai refugee camps, landmine clearance in war zones, and drugs to treat millions suffering from diseases such as HIV are among the programs facing the chop as President Donald Trump contemplates massive cuts to U.S. foreign aid. Trump last week paused development assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development for 90 days to assess compatibility with his "America First" policy, setting alarm bells ringing among aid groups around the world that depend on U.S. largesse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Humanitarian organisations and U.N. agencies say they could face drastic curbs on their ability to distribute food, shelter and healthcare if the freeze becomes permanent. The U.S. is by far the biggest contributor to global humanitarian aid, supplying an estimated $13.9 billion in 2024, accounting for 42% of all aid tracked by the United Nations. Clinics at camps in Thailand providing shelter for about 100,000 refugees from Myanmar were ordered to shut after the U.S. froze funding to the International Rescue Committee, according to a senior aid worker. Washington said it would grant waivers to the freeze in some areas including emergency food assistance, according to a memo seen by Reuters. Bangladesh's government said in a statement that the U.S. had granted a waiver for emergency food aid to more than a million Rohingya refugees sheltering in Bangladesh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the exemption does not apply to other humanitarian programming. A Bangladesh-based aid worker said organisations working on shelter, for example, would not be able to buy new materials for building and fixing homes for refugees. The cuts will also affect the supply of lifesaving drugs for HIV, malaria and tuberculosis around the globe, which millions of people depend on, according to another memo seen by Reuters. On Tuesday, contractors and partners who work with USAID began receiving such memos to stop work immediately. 'CATASTROPHIC' "This is catastrophic," said Atul Gawande, former head of global health at USAID who left the agency this month. "Donated drug supplies keeping 20 million people living with HIV alive. That stops today." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cuts will affect organisations working with 6.5 million orphans and vulnerable children with HIV in 23 countries, Gawande said. World Food Program Country Director for Afghanistan Hsiao-Wei Lee told Reuters she was concerned about the freeze given that the WFP was already only receiving about half the aid it needed for Afghanistan, and that over 6 million people were surviving on "just bread and tea". The WFP received $4.7 billion from the U.S. last year, accounting for 54% of its funding, according to the U.N. Some NGOs are resorting to donations from the public to fund the shortfall caused by the freeze. The Freeland Foundation, a counter-trafficking group in Bangkok, has started a GoFundMe to get it through the 90-day freeze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Two days ago, the new Trump administration suddenly froze all foreign aid, including our wildlife protection programs," the group said. "Poachers and traffickers will not freeze their operations. Can you help us keep our frontline teams going for 90 days until the freeze is lifted?" The order to freeze funding has thrown USAID missions and their partners into chaos, with many organisations unsure whether to lay off staff, start selling assets such as cars or tell employees to take unpaid leave, according to a source at the agency. USAID has been forbidden from communicating with implementing partners except to say funds have been paused, the person said. "These are people we work with on a daily basis," the source added. "We cant speak with them any more." Other agencies said they would be unaffected by the freeze. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh said the agency didn't receive funding from USAID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Independent media outlets that receive external funding in countries with authoritarian governments may struggle to survive, say media freedom activists. In Georgia, where a "foreign agents law" passed last year established punitive fines for NGOs that fail to declare receiving more than 20% of their funding from overseas, Shalva Papuashvili, speaker of parliament from the Georgian Dream ruling party, welcomed the U.S. aid freeze. "I was pleasantly surprised when Trump's executive order was based on the fact that international assistance, in some cases, is used to create certain... chaos on the ground, including harming U.S. interests," he was quoted as saying by Georgian media. LANDMINES AND EDUCATION Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, the U.S. was the largest landmine action donor with a total contribution of $310 million, representing 39% of all international support, according to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Syria, Myanmar, Ukraine and Afghanistan were among the countries where uncleared mines claim most lives. The State Department said on Sunday that the U.S. government must refocus on American national interests in its role as steward of taxpayer dollars. "President Trump stated clearly that the United States is no longer going to blindly dole out money with no return for the American people. Reviewing and realigning foreign assistance on behalf of hardworking taxpayers is not just the right thing to do, it is a moral imperative," the State Department said. Oksana Matiiash, board chair at Teach for Ukraine, an NGO that trains graduates and specialists as teachers to improve the education system, said there was growing panic in Ukraine's NGO sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's not just funding that's frozen. Behind every grant are real people working in unimaginable conditions," Matiiash wrote on LinkedIn. (Reporting by Thomas Escritt in Berlin, Poppy McPherson in Bangkok, Jennifer Rigby, Maggie Fick and Andrew Marshall in London, Felix Light in Tbilisi, Ludwig Burger in Frankfurt. Writing by Charlie Devereux. Editing by Ros Russell, Mark Potter and David Goodman) Artwork from Richard Hunt, including the sculpture (above) that honors civil rights leader Ida B. Wells is part of a film honoring Wells that will be shown at Morris Library on Feb. 6. One of Hunts sculptures, Running Hybrids, (below) along with his other work, will be featured in the librarys rotunda. (Photos provided) SIUs Morris Library to show film on civil rights leader Ida B. Wells, art to honor her by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. A documentary on pioneering Black journalist, educator and civil rights leader Ida B. Wells is set for Southern Illinois University Carbondales Morris Library on Feb. 6. The Light of Truth: Richard Hunts Monument to Ida B. Wells will be screened at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 6 in John C. Guyon Auditorium. The free, public event is part of SIUs Black History Month celebration. The screening will feature a discussion and Q&A with the films creators, Rana Segal, Laurie Little and Vince Singleton, providing the audience with unique insights into the making of the film and the significance of Ida B. Wells legacy. While on campus, Segal, Little and Singleton will also speak with a documentary filmmaking class. Media availability Filmmakers Rana Segal, Laurie Little and Vince Singleton will be available for interviews from 4:30-5 p.m. Feb. 6. To make arrangements or for more information, contact John Pollitz, dean of Library Affairs, at 618-453-2522. The film delves into Wells influential life dedicated to social justice and the artistic process behind renowned American sculptor Richard Hunts creation, erected in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago. The Ida B. Wells National Monument was unveiled in June 2021, a year before SIU bestowed Hunt with an honorary Doctor of Public Arts degree. Richard Hunts works on display In conjunction with the film screening, Morris Library will feature throughout February an exhibition of selected lithographs and drawings by Hunt that are from SIUs Sharp Museum collection. Hunt was a visiting artist at SIU Carbondale in 1969. He and the Adeline Dorsky Gallery in New York City donated the artwork to the university between 1973 and 1982. One of Hunts early sculpture masterworks, Running Hybrids, is on permanent display in Morris Library and will be in the center of the library rotunda. The sculpture was acquired in 1970 at the time that Hunt had a one-man show in the museums Mitchell Gallery. Internal communications reviewed by ABC News show that the Trump administration plans to strictly implement an executive order from the president mandating a 90-day freeze on almost all U.S. foreign aid amid a review, a measure that already has sparked widespread concern among humanitarian organizations. "We get tired of giving massive amounts of money to countries that hate us, don't we?" President Donald Trump said in a speech during the House Republicans' annual retreat in Florida on Monday, touting a blizzard of executive actions he had taken since returning to the White House. PHOTO: President Donald Trump arrives to speak at the 2025 House Republican Members Conference Dinner at Trump National Doral Miami in Doral, Fla., Jan. 27, 2025. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) In a memo sent to U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) staff over the weekend, a high-level official within the agency stressed their "responsibility" to carry out Trump's directive and signaled that it would be difficult to secure waivers to continue funding for programs during the pause, which he called "a complete halt." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is important to emphasize that it is no longer business as usual. Every program will be thoroughly scrutinized," Ken Jackson, USAID's assistant to the administrator for management and resources, wrote. Jackson said that the agency's only exceptions currently in place covered spending on emergency humanitarian food aid and travel for government officials who were returning to their duty stations, adding that employees should be ready "to provide detailed information and justification" for these expenses. Any waivers for other spending would need to clear multiple hurdles for approval, including proving that the program receiving funding was lifesaving or necessary for U.S. national security. Failure to comply with the pause or other new policies "will result in disciplinary action," Jackson warned USAID staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That warning was not an empty threat. Late Monday, multiple sources said that nearly 60 senior USAID officials had been placed on leave, including nearly all senior attorneys for the agency. According to an email obtained by ABC News, acting USAID administrator Jason Gray accused the agency of skirting Trump's executive orders but provided no information about the alleged violations. "We have identified several actions within USAID that appear to be designed to circumvent the President's Executive orders and the mandate from the American people," Gray wrote in the email. "As a result, we have placed a number of USAID employees on administrative leave with full pay and benefits until further notice while we complete our analysis of these actions." A separate memo sent to State Department employees last week which was also reviewed by ABC News instructed officials overseeing projects funded by grants and awards that have already been distributed to issue immediate "stop-work orders," making exceptions for some travel and administrative expenses, emergency food aid, and foreign military financing to both Egypt and Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An administration official said on Monday that a template for submitting waiver requests had been made available and that the State Department was reviewing numerous applications that had already been submitted, but could not give a timeline for when any decisions would be made. The State Department officially announced the implementation of the freeze on Sunday. "Secretary Rubio has paused all U.S. foreign assistance funded by or through the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for review," the department's spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, said in statement. "He is initiating a review of all foreign assistance programs to ensure they are efficient and consistent with U.S. foreign policy under the America First agenda." Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Indo-Pacific Quad ministers at the State Department in Washington, Jan. 21, 2025. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters) By then, panic had already set in among international aid groups that rely on U.S. funding. Sources within the international community said the freeze was so expansive that they could hardly believe it was real. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The recent stop-work cable from the State Department suspends programs that support America's global leadership and creates dangerous vacuums that China and our adversaries will quickly fill," InterAction, the largest alliance of international aid organizations, said in a statement. "This halt interrupts critical life-saving work including clean water to infants, basic education for kids, ending the trafficking of girls, and providing medications to children and others suffering from disease. It stops assistance in countries critical to U.S. interests, including Taiwan, Syria, and Pakistan. And, it halts decades of life-saving work through PEPFAR that helps babies to be born HIV-free," the statement continued. Beyond concern for their work, some organizations and officials have also expressed confusion. Many were caught off guard by the State Department's implementation of Trump's order, which they initially believed wouldn't impact programs funded through congressional appropriations. "The aid community is grappling with just how existential this aid suspension is - we know this will have life or death consequences for millions around the globe, as programs that depend on this funding grind to a halt without a plan or safety net," Abby Maxman, the president and CEO of Oxfam, said in a statement to ABC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This decision must be reversed, and funding and programming must be allowed to move forward. But at the very least, the administration must communicate clearly so the aid community can plan for the future and determine how to carry on our lifesaving work," Maxman added. Critics of the freeze believe dissent from international aid organizations and U.S. officials has been muted due to fear of retribution from the administration. In his memo to USAID employees, Jackson stipulated that one of the new policies they must comply with if they wished to avoid disciplinary action was a requirement that all external communication, including with the State Department, first be approved by the agency. Trump's strict foreign funding freeze sparks panic among international aid groups originally appeared on abcnews.go.com By next summer, your favorite margarita could cost a few bucks moreand might taste different too. That's because President Donald Trump's threatened tariffs on imports from Mexico will increase prices and could reduce the availability of some tequilas and mezcals, says Gabe Sanchez, owner of the Black Swan Saloon, a legendary cocktail bar in Dallas. "It's going to be a very difficult conversation for us to have with people when they come in," Sanchez told Reason in an interview last week. While his customers might be used to $15 cocktails, Sanchez says tariffs could potentially push menu prices "much higher." (Sanchez' favorite drink right now is called "True Romance," and he was gracious enough to share the recipe, which you can find at the end of this article.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has threatened to slap new 25 percent tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico, and he said on Inauguration Day that those tariffs could hit as soon as February 1. The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that those tariffs could be announced before the end of the week. The Journal framed that coming move "the first salvos in a multifront trade war." All wars have casualties, and tequila figures to be among them. All authentic tequila comes from Mexico, and even though there are some small craft makers of agave-based liquors in the United States, imports are and will remain essential to meet Americans' demand for the drink. "It's like French wines. They only come from France. You know, scotch whiskey only comes from Scotland. You can't substitute [tequila] for something else," says Sanchez. (Mezcal is a broader category that includes many spirits made from agave, while tequila is a subset made specifically from Blue Weber Agave. It's similar to how bourbon is a subset of whiskey, produced in a specific place and manner.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That means someone along the supply chain will have to pay the cost of the tariff. Sanchez says he doesn't like the idea of raising prices on the patrons at his bar but sees little alternative. One of Sanchez's to-go varieties of mezcal is available from a distributor at $35 per liter right now, he says. If the full cost of a 25 percent tariff gets passed down the supply chain, menu prices will have to increase, or certain drinks will have to disappear. "If that jumps to $42 [per liter], we can't make it. We can't put those in cocktails anymore," Sanchez explains. To stay competitive with other bars in the area, he knows he can't price cocktails much higher than about $15 apiece. "If it jumps at that high, we just can't sell it anymore. You know, somebody is not going to buy a $20 or $22 plus tax mezcal cocktail." Tequila and other agave-based spirits account for 13 percent of the total U.S. alcoholic beverage market by volume and 22 percent of the market by revenue, according to data from the Wine and Spirit Wholesalers of America (WSWA), which is warning that tariffs on Mexican imports would fall heavily on consumers and businesses. Those tariffs could endanger as many as 14,000 American jobs and up to $2.5 billion in lost U.S. output, according to an economic study commissioned by the WSWA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Any new tariffs on wine and spirits in today's economic climate would be extremely disruptive," Dina Opici, chairwoman and president of the WSWA, said in a statement last week. "The entire industryfrom suppliers to importers to distributors to retailersis under immense pressure, with little room to absorb or distribute the cost of additional tariffs." Even the largest brands would take a hit. Reuters reported in December that Trump's planned 25 percent tariff on Mexican imports would be a big blow to companies like Diageo, which owns brands including Don Julio and Casamigos, and Becle, the Mexico-based brand that is the world's largest tequila producer. Those companies "rely heavily on tequila sales in the U.S. for growth," according to Reuters. Sanchez also worried about losing access to certain specialty varieties of mezcal and tequilathe sorts of rare bottles that make cocktail culture in Texas unique. With an added 25 percent tariff on exports to the U.S., some small-batch producers might fear their products would be uncompetitive in the American market and simply choose to sell those limited supplies elsewhere, he says. When he's not slinging drinks behind the bar of the Black Swanand not helping his 8-year-old build a new pinewood derby race car, which is this week's parenting task, he tells meSanchez also works as a consultant for new bars in the Dallas area. That might be the most frustrating part of his job at the moment, given the uncertainty in American trade policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've told them allwe're going to have to trash some of these menus," he says. "And, you know, especially in North Texas, where a cocktail menu might have 25 percent, 30 percent in agave spirits," he says, "I'm telling them the menus are going to be different. The offerings are going to be different. Hold on to what you got for a little while." True Romance: 1.5 ounces of mezcal 0.75 ounce of yellow Chartreuse 0.5 ounce of Amaro Averna A small spoonful of local Texas honey Combine ingredients, stir, and serve over a big cube of ice. "A little sweet, a little bitter," is how Sanchez describes it. "It'll knock your socks off." The post Trump's Tariffs To Tank Tequila appeared first on Reason.com. Last week, the Covid Inquiry questioned medical leaders about the communication of the risks and benefits of Covid vaccines. As a GP who acted as a supervising doctor at mass vaccination clinics, I am surprised by the recent statements of Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, former deputy chief medical officer for England. They ought to be challenged. The UKs vaccine programme was highly effective, and doubtless saved countless lives. The inquiry is right to reflect on the many successes. But it is also necessary to examine where mistakes were made, or ethical lines crossed. On January 20, Professor Van-Tam, , was asked: Would you agree that enabling an individual to make an informed decision requires providing more than just a general statement that benefits outweigh the risk, but also specific information about those risks to allow them to make an informed, independent assessment of whether the vaccine is something that they want to undertake? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Van-Tam replied: I think there were a multitude of sources available to explain what the potential adverse events were At vaccination sessions, I would say pretty much every patient I saw was given a patient information leaflet. Van-Tam seems to be implying the NHS provided information communicating comparative risks and benefits of vaccination (eg differences by age or comorbidity). Working as a GP, I have seen no evidence to suggest any such communications existed. Perhaps the inquiry should examine this further. Although I am loath to counter anecdote with anecdote, the vaccine clinics I worked at certainly did not provide such information. When Van-Tam was subsequently questioned about whether individuals were sufficiently empowered to understand their risks in detail, he responded with an unrelated tale about his elderly mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a strong supporter of vaccinations, I was relieved by the effectiveness and speed of the UKs vaccine programme. However, I remain deeply concerned by some members of the medical professions seeming reluctance to communicate individual risks or benefits, in order to seek genuinely informed consent. The Covid vaccines were delivered under emergency authorisation and utilised experimental technology. Since the Nuremberg Code was established in 1947, it has been a core tenet of medical ethics that any experimental medical intervention requires informed consent. What if, heaven forbid, there had been widespread catastrophic long-term health impacts? It is an indisputable fact that the UK adult public were urged, en masse, to take up the vaccines, regardless of age or risk profile. Van-Tam repeatedly made persuasive televised public statements urging everyone to come forward for their vaccine. And he may not have been wrong to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But care-home workers were dismissed from their jobs if they declined vaccination. Van-Tam expressed support for the concept of compulsory vaccines for NHS staff. He indicated he could support vaccine passports, stating on Good Morning Britain: There are plausible arguments for, and plausible arguments against Yet how could vaccine passports be compatible with upholding the right of individuals to take informed, independent decisions? If the UK Covid Inquiry is to learn lessons from the successes and failures of our pandemic response, it is vital that witnesses act with honesty and integrity. Van-Tam has not been willing to provide direct answers to these fundamental questions. Dr Katie Musgrave is a general practitioner 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. Spain is introducing a three-year tourist ban affecting British holidaymakers. Or, at least, that is what headlines circulating this week might have you believe. The truth is, unsurprisingly, much more complex. Earlier this month, the city of Malaga began a three-year ban on new holiday rentals across its 43 districts. The move mirrors policies seen in other popular Spanish cities such as Alicante and Madrid. In addition to this three-year ban on new rentals, holiday flats registered after February 22, 2024 without their own entrances and utilities will lose their licences. This means that anyone who has booked a private room in Malaga on sites like Airbnb or Vrbo could be affected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reason this new Malaga rule (which, by the way, weve known about since November) has been extrapolated into some kind of wider tourism ban is two-fold. The first is that it hits a nerve: we Britons travel to Spain in greater numbers than anywhere else, so being told we arent wanted rankles. The second is that when you pin all of the measures being introduced across Spain onto a cork board and string them together, there does seem to be an anti-tourist pattern emerging. Palma de Mallorca has a cap of just three cruise ships per day - iStock Lets look at some of those snippets. Last year, the mayor of Barcelona announced that all short-term rentals in the city would be banned from November 2028. Doing so, he said, would solve Barcelonas biggest problem by reintroducing 10,000 properties back into the housing market. Cruise passengers have also been subject to a raft of stricter regulations. Since September 2024, no more than two cruise ships can dock in Ibiza at the same time, and Palma de Mallorca has a cap of just three cruise ships per day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a rather more Orwellian move, in Seville, owners of holiday lettings have been forced to install noise meters in their properties. If guests exceed noise levels of 35 decibels during the day or 30 decibels after 11pm, the property owner is alerted and required to take action or face a penalty. The Andalusian city is also exploring plans to introduce an entrance fee of between 34 for tourists to access Plaza de Espana, although locals will be able to visit for free. Authorities in Seville have introduced several measures against overtourism - getty There have also been some bureaucratic quibbles. Since December last year, tourists have had to give up more personal information when checking into a hotel or hiring a car in Spain but were talking about things like your address, date of birth and phone number, rather than blood type or sexual orientation. The measure was introduced to protect citizens against the threat of terrorism and organised crime, rather than to irk tourists, according to the Ministry of the Interior. There have also been reports, in a similar tone to the ones doing the rounds this week, of a rule requiring British tourists to show evidence of 97 per day in funds on arrival in Spain, or else risk being turned away. This, as it turns out, is a post-Brexit technicality that has never been enforced and was described at the time as tabloid hysteria by the Telegraphs destination expert, Annie Bennett. And finally, this month Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez announced plans to impose a 100 per cent tax on property purchases by those living outside of the EU. While this would not affect British citizens already living in Spain, it could thwart the hopes of future generations planning to retire in the sun. Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez announced plans to impose a 100 per cent tax on property purchases by those living outside of the EU - Shutterstock When you throw in the mass tourism demonstrations that took place in Spain last summer, the anti-tourist theory starts to build momentum. Last year, tens of thousands of protesters marched across the Canaries, the Balearics and Spanish cities. They held banners like tourists go home, and they occupied beaches. In Barcelona, unwitting tourists were squirted with water pistols over the summer. And just last week the rather unnerving phrase kill a tourist was sprayed onto a building in Tenerife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we take a step back, looking at this cork board of legislation, slogans and graffiti, I can see why the narrative of a tourist ban has taken hold. But the truth is that Spain loves tourists. Tourism accounts for around 12 per cent of Spanish GDP. More than 94 million guests arrived on Spains shores in 2024 (up 10 per cent on the year before), spending a total of 126 billion on cervezas, tapas and sunloungers. Policymakers are trying to get a hold of the exploding industry, and citizens are urging them to do more to protect their way of life. So no. There is no tourist ban, but tourist management doesnt have quite the same ring, does it? 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. Right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson claimed the Biden administration tried to have Russian President Vladimir Putin assassinated without offering any evidence to support his incendiary allegation. The Biden administration did, they tried to kill Putin, the onetime Fox News broadcaster said on the Monday episode of his The Tucker Carlson Show podcast. After his guest, journalist Matt Taibbi, casually interjectedReally?Carlson doubled down on his assertion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, yes, they did, which is insane, Carlson continued, wondering aloud who would be in control of Russias nuclear arsenal if Putin were dead. Thats demented that you would even think of something like that, he added, without providing a scintilla of information to support his allegation. So why were they? Because chaos is a screen that protects them. Carlson said he couldnt really work out why the U.S. government would try to take Putin out: I mean, I dont know this. Thats just like watching what theyre doing, Im like Why would they be doing that? Former President Joe Bidens term overlapped with Russia launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, greatly expanding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War and, according to the United Nations, violating international law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States has since provided tens of billions of dollars in humanitarian, government and military aid to Ukraine. The Kremlin responded Tuesday with a vague statement that didnt explicitly address Carlsons claims. Russian intelligence agencies consistently take all necessary measures to ensure public safety and the security of those under state protection, especially the head of state, said Dmitry Peskov, Putins press secretary, according to local state media. Carlson has a long history of flirting with baseless conspiracy theories, from touting narratives derived from the white nationalist Great Replacement conspiracy theory to spreading dangerous falsehoods about COVID vaccines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has also frequently echoed Kremlin talking points about Ukraine, wrongly claiming the country is not a democracy and that in American terms, you would call Ukraine a tyranny. The Kremlin was at one point so fond of Carlson that state media were told it was essential to feature him during broadcasts. Carlson visited Moscow in February 2024, where he recorded a lengthy sit-down interview with Putin that was derailed by the Russian leader giving a bizarre, rambling lecture full of historical misrepresentations in which he tried to dismiss Ukraines claim to statehood. The compliant Carlson spent most of the rest of the interview lobbing softballs at his subject. He went back to Russia in December to interview Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Buckley Carlson, the 28-year-old son of far-right pundit Tucker Carlson, will serve as Vice President JD Vances deputy press secretary, according to ABC News. The political scion has spent the past five years as a Capitol Hill aide, where he most recently served as deputy chief of staff to Republican Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana. Despite his connection to Republican politics, Washington D.C. voting records show Tucker Carlson registered as a Democrat in 2015, when Hillary Clinton was running against Donald Trump, though his voter status is listed as inactive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tucker Carlson actively supported President Donald Trump on the 2024 campaign trail, despite telling colleagues the reelected president was a demonic force Carlson couldnt wait to have out of his life, according to text messages obtained by Dominion Voting Systems in a defamation lawsuit against Carlsons former employers at Fox News. The right-wing media company settled that suit for $787.5 million in 2023. The 55-year-old pundit who claimed in a recently released documentary to be on the mend following a demon attack that occurred while he was sleeping was cut loose immediately after that deal was reached. Buckley Carlson graduated from the University of Virginia in 2019. His protective father reportedly called a Washington Post columnist a soulless ghoul in 2022 when that publication ran an article suggesting Buckley Carlson got a job on Capitol Hill due to nepotism. The elder Carlson claimed he was in contact with one of his children, presumed to be his son rather than his three daughters, who was in the Capitol when it was invaded by MAGA supporters on Jan. 6, 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was on the phone in real time, he told The Fourth Watch Podcast later that year. After Trump and Tucker Carlson made amends, Trump said he could see the two of them as running mates. I like Tucker a lot, he told The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show in 2023. That job went to Vance, 40, who is now the third-youngest person to serve as U.S. vice president. James Buchanans 36-year-old running mate, John Breckenridge, was the youngest. _____ Buckley Carlson, the son of Fox News exile Tucker Carlson, landed a new gig as deputy press secretary for Vice President JD Vance, sources told ABC News and The Hill on Monday. The Daily Beast took a more jaundiced view of the younger Carlsons new gig, calling it a cushy nepo job. Buckley Carlson recently served as deputy chief of staff for Republican Jim Banks, a Donald Trump-loving four-term congressman from Indiana who is now a U.S. senator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The elder Carlson has a show on the social media platform X and endorsed Trump at the Republican National Convention after privately saying he detested him. His name had popped up as a possibility for Trumps running mate before JD Vance got the nod. The conservative host, who also has three daughters, can be touchy when it comes to his son. When a Washington Post reporter asked him in 2022 about an accusation that Buckley Carlson got his gig with Banks because of nepotism, the media personality snapped, Go fuck yourself. Tucker Carlson (left) with Donald Trump and JD Vance at the Republican National Convention last summer. via Associated Press Related... ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A Turkish court arrested a well-known talent manager over the charge of attempting to overthrow the government in an investigation connected to nationwide protests in 2013, a court document seen by Reuters showed. Ayse Barim was initially detained on Friday and eight actors were summoned to give statements to the court as witnesses in her file. According to her statement to the prosecutor, Barim denied the charges and said she had been to the area of the 2013 protests a few times individually as an observer and to accompany the people she worked with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barim denied the charges and said she did not coordinate actors she is working with or request them to support the protests, the court document showed. "My job as a manager is to manage the career of the actors I work with and represent them in the best possible way. These artists have their own ideas, wills and decisions. I did not organize anything by directing their ideas," Barim said, according to transcript of her statement. In 2013, small demonstrations against plans to build a shopping mall in Gezi Park, in Istanbul's central Taksim Square, swelled into hundreds of thousands of people protesting against the government nationwide - and prompted a harsh crackdown. According to the court, Barim had "intensive communication" with defendants in the Gezi Park trial at the time of the protests. These defendants include businessman Osman Kavala, who was sentenced to life in prison without parole in April 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kavala has faced various charges, including espionage, financing the Gezi Park protests and involvement in a failed coup against Erdogan's government in 2016. He has been in prison since November 2017. Human rights groups say 11 people were killed and more than 8,000 injured in the state response, and more than 3,000 were arrested. President Tayyip Erdogan's government said the crackdown was warranted given threats to the state, and he has called the protesters "looters" who were partly funded from abroad, a claim denied by defendants and civil society groups. (Reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun and Ece Toksabay; Editing by Angus MacSwan) ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey said on Tuesday it had killed 13 Kurdish militants in northern Syria and two in Iraq, a sign that Ankara has pressed on with its campaign against fighters, some with possible links to U.S. allies, since Donald Trump took office in the White House last week. The Turkish defence ministry said the Kurdish fighters it had "neutralised" in Syria belonged to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia. Turkey considers the PKK and YPG to be identical; the United States considers them separate groups, having banned the PKK as terrorists but recruited the YPG as its main allies in Syria in the campaign against Islamic State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkey has long called on Washington to withdraw support for the YPG, and has expressed hope that Trump would revise the policy inherited from the previous administration of President Joe Biden. Tuesday's report of major clashes was the second within days: Turkey also reported having killed 13 Kurdish militants on Sunday. Turkish forces and their allies in Syria have repeatedly fought with Kurdish militants there since the toppling of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad last month. Turkey has said that the Syrian Democratic Forces, a U.S.-backed umbrella group that includes the Kurdish YPG, must disarm or face a military intervention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the Biden administration the United States has had 2,000 troops in Syria fighting alongside the SDF and YPG. (This story has been refiled to correct the day of the week from Wednesday to Tuesday in paragraph 1) (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Jonathan Spicer) By Huseyin Hayatsever ANKARA (Reuters) -Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) will name its presidential candidate for the next election in coming months, its leader said on Tuesday in what he called a move to counter a judicial crackdown on his party. The next presidential and parliamentary elections are not scheduled until 2028, but the opposition has repeatedly called for an early vote after recent detentions and investigations into CHP-run municipalities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Today, ... by completing all the preparations ... in February, March and April, we are starting today to say that we are ready to (counter) this evil," Ozgur Ozel said in an address to CHP parliamentarians, alluding to the investigations. Some 1.6 million CHP members will choose the party's presidential candidate in an internal vote, he added. On Monday, an Istanbul prosecutor launched another judicial investigation into the city's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a CHP member, for allegedly trying to influence the judiciary after he criticised legal inquiries into opposition-run municipalities. Imamoglu, seen as a likely future presidential challenger to Tayyip Erdogan, accused Erdogan's government of using the judiciary as a political tool to pressure the opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ozel said the investigations into Imamoglu showed how Erdogan's AK Party was afraid of him. The government denies accusations of political interference in the cases and says the judiciary is independent. Later on Tuesday, opposition television channel Halk TV said authorities had detained its journalists Baris Pehlivan and Seda Selek, as well as its Managing Director Serhan Asker, after the broadcast of a phone call with the expert witness in the case against Imamoglu, who had publicly criticised the expert on Monday. Pehlivan held the call with the expert and Selek was the presenter of the programme where the call, which the Istanbul prosecutors' office said was recorded and shared illegally, was broadcast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pro-government daily Yeni Safak had earlier published a story quoting the expert as well. Imamoglu said on X that the detentions were "embarrassing", while Ozel called on CHP members in Istanbul to protest in front of the Halk TV offices. Erdogan, re-elected last year, is serving his last term as president permitted by the constitution, unless parliament calls an early election. He has ruled Turkey for more than 21 years, first as prime minister and then as president. An early election needs the support of 360 MPs in the 600-seat parliament. AKP and its allies command 321 seats. The AKP spokesperson recently said that a formula for a new term for Erdogan was "on the party's agenda," hinting at a move to enact a constitutional amendment to make that possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A constitutional amendment could also be put to a referendum if 360 lawmakers endorsed it. (Reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever; Additional reporting by Ece Toksabay and Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Sharon Singleton) SIUs Paul Simon Institute director to discuss presidential transitions by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. John Shaw, director of Southern Illinois University Carbondales Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, will discuss presidential transitions during the White House Historical Associations meeting on Thursday, Jan. 30. Shaws discussion, A Presidential Transition for the Ages, is at 5 p.m. and part of the historical associations History Happy Hour. In his talk with Todd Arrington, director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Shaw will focus on the transition between Eisenhower and President John F. Kennedy following the 1960 election. The discussion, via Zoom, is free and open to the public, but registration to view the conversation is required. Shaw wrote Rising Star, Setting Sun: Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and the Presidential Transition that Changed America in 2018. The book chronicles the 10 weeks between Kennedys election on Nov. 8, 1960, and his inauguration on Jan. 20, 1961, and depicts the end of the Eisenhower era and the beginning of the Kennedy administration. Shaw appeared on C-SPAN to discuss that book in October 2018. This transition was not just a change in the presidency, but a symbolic moment reflecting the tensions between the wisdom of age and the enthusiasm of youth, Shaw said, noting that Kennedy had defeated Eisenhowers vice president, Richard Nixon, and the transition was shaped by deep contrasts in their backgrounds, visions and leadership styles. Despite those stark differences, both Eisenhower and Kennedy were forced to collaborate amidst global crises in Cuba, the Congo, Berlin and Southeast Asia, Shaw said. LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska Examiner) Nebraskans tired of switching their clocks twice each year, in March and November, could have three legislative proposals to choose from this year to inch toward ending the practice, the Nebraska Examiner reports. State Sens. Megan Hunt of Omaha, Dave Murman of Glenvil and Danielle Conrad of Lincoln have introduced, or plan to introduce, proposals to help end the time switch, which the senators said they, like many Nebraskans, are generally over with. I dont care which way we set the clocks, Hunt said in a text. I just support stopping the madness of changing the time twice a year. Three different proposals Hunts Legislative Bill 34 would provide for year-round daylight saving time, maintaining the period between March and November to preserve sunlight later in the day between the second Sunday in March (spring ahead) and the first Sunday in November (fall back). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opposition rises to Pillen-led push to detain juvenile offenders in Nebraska as young as 11 Murmans LB 302 would provide for year-round standard time, the current position of the clocks in the colder fall and winter months when the sun rises earlier. Both bills would not go into effect until other surrounding states adopt similar laws: For Hunts bill, three adjacent states to Nebraska would need to adopt a single year-round standard of time. For Murmans bill, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Wyoming would all need to adopt legislation for year-round standard time. Federal law currently prohibits year-round daylight saving time but does allow year-round standard time, which Hawaii and Arizona (excluding the Navajo Nation) observe. The bills are up for a hearing before the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on Friday at 1:30 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conrads yet-to-be-introduced legislative resolution would more broadly urge Nebraskas congressional representatives to push for a uniform decision and end the antiquated clock changes. It echoes calls from President Donald Trump and bipartisan U.S. senators to find a permanent solution, according to draft language shared with the Nebraska Examiner. Time zones and Colorado State Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner proposed LR 276 in 2024 examining Nebraskas time zone boundary in western Nebraska and urging Congress to move the line a little west, matching where Nebraskas panhandle begins. It would affect the counties of Dundy, Chase and Perkins in Ibachs district, as well as Keith, Arthur, Grant, Hooker and the western part of Cherry. She said lawmakers should be deliberate in deciding what to do with the clock switching because of the extra state approval needed. Ibach suggested bringing Colorado into the conversation would be helpful, particularly for the three Mountain Time Zone counties in her district that sandwich between Colorado and other Nebraska counties in the Central Time Zone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Colorado sticks with the clocks as is, year-round standard time would create a southwest Nebraska time-zone island, between March and November, for Perkins, Chase and Dundy Counties, as reported by the North Platte Telegraph and Scottsbluff Star-Herald. Those residents would be surrounded in the west by a different version of the Mountain Time Zone and in the east by Nebraskas Central Time Zone. I think we need to dissect it just a little bit further and find out the repercussions of actually passing legislation or investigating if we can pass that legislation, Ibach said. Norfolk man injured in one-vehicle accident Ibach said its possible that any of the proposals could restart conversations on moving the time zone a few miles west, while she understands arguments from some local residents opposed because that system is all theyve ever known. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moving the time zone would also require the blessing of at least South Dakota and Kansas. Good enough for God Hunt said she is a night owl and likes it sunny later in the evening, but shes cosigning Murmans bill to end the practice either way. Conrad has added her name to both measures and led a defeated effort in 2024 on behalf of former State Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, now the state treasurer. Murman said he prefers standard time because of purported health benefits, aligning with more sun in the morning when people are starting their day, including students. Former State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard was an ardent proponent of year-round standard time, particularly for the effect on his Mountain Time residents and students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erdman famously stated in March 2022: The sun comes up at an appointed time every day irregardless of what we say the time is. When God created time, he put the sun right in the middle of the sky at noon. And if its good enough for God, its good enough for me. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. After Twin Cities Pride ousted Target from being a sponsor of its festival and parade, it was faced with a $50,000 fundraising shortfall. In less than 24 hours, the group raised enough to bridge the gap. Last week, Target announced that it would back away from many of its diversity goals in a move that was seen as a response to pressure from the incoming Trump Administration. A memo from the company asserts Target already planned to scrap the programs before President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the federal government just days earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonetheless, the company's move sparked Twin Cities Pride to disinvite the retailer as a sponsor of Minnesota's largest Pride event, which regularly attracts more than 500,000 people to downtown Minneapolis. Twin Cities Pride then appealed to the public to help with a "Fill the Gap" campaign. It took less than 24 hours to replace the $50,000 it lost by dropping Target as a sponsor. The group has raised more than $70,000 as of 2 p.m. on Jan. 28. "Your generosity fuels the heart of Twin Cities Pride and supports vital programming like the Rainbow Wardrobe, Artist in Residence, Rainbow Feast, and so much more," Twin Cities Pride wrote on social media. "From all of us at Twin Cities Pridethank you for standing with us." Twin Cities Pride ParadePhoto courtesy Twin Cities Pride Target has been a supporter of LGBTQ+ events, including the support of Twin Cities Pride events, for nearly two decades. However, over the last two years, it has backed away from some of its initiatives. In 2023, it removed many Pride Month items from stores following online complaints and in-store protests from conservative activists. In 2024, it made the decision not to stock Pride items at all of its stores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to being removed from Twin Cities Pride, many activists have pushed for a boycott of Target. Others, like Ward 9 Minneapolis council member Jason Chavez, have urged shoppers to take their dollars to small and locally owned businesses and grocery stores. Twin Cities Pride will host its annual festival and parade from June 2829 at Loring Park in Minneapolis. Target did not respond to a request for comment. Related: Green Day, Hozier, Fall Out Boy headliners for 2025 Minnesota Yacht Club festival WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) Wichita Falls Police officials confirmed two arrests Monday, Jan. 27, in connection to the death of a two-year-old girl late last year. Police arrested Deidre Wheeler and charged her with seven counts of abandoning or endangering a child as well as injury to a child. They also arrested Lacharles Ramsey and charged him with six counts of abandoning or endangering a child. PREVIOUS STORY: 2-year-old child dies after dog attack at Wichita Falls home Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 29, 2024, police investigated the childs death at a home in the 1000 block of Wesley Drive. Wichita Falls juvenile detectives later responded to the scene. Police said the child was attacked by a pitbull after it busted out of the kennel. According to the arrest affidavit, the child was left in the care of Wheeler and Ramsey while her mother was at work, but they left the child, her infant sibling, and several other children in the care of an 11-year-old. Thats when the dog attack took place. The two-year-old was severely injured and later died at the hospital. Neighbors said the dog had been aggressive before, allegedly bit another child and got into a fight with another dog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to animal control, the pitbull was put down after the incident. Police recommended $450,000 in bonds for Wheeler and $300,000 for Ramsey. This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 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 Texomashomepage.com. EASTON, Mass. (WWLP) The Easton Police Department has arrested two men from Brockton as suspects connected to a shooting that occurred earlier this month. Easton Police Chief Keith Boone said that on January 14, the police department received a report of a shooting at an apartment on Robert Drive. When officers arrived at the location, they found a 16-year-old Easton girl with a gunshot wound to the face. Convicted felon faces 9 new gun and drug charges after traffic stop in Springfield Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was brought to a hospital in the Boston area and has remained there since the incident, and is in stable but serious condition. Easton police said that on Monday, officers arrested 18-year-old Anthony Lopes of Brockton in connection with the shooting. Lopes was arraigned on Monday and charged with: Assault and Battery with a Firearm Armed Robbery with a Firearm Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm Carrying a Firearm Without a License On Tuesday morning, officers received an arrest warrant for 19-year-old Xavion Barnes of Brockton. Barnes was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact and is expected to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon in Taunton District Court. The Easton Police Department is currently investigating this incident. 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. HENRY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) The Henry County Sheriff has announced two men were hospitalized after a stabbing in Collinsville on January 27. According to the sheriff, a call was received just after 4 p.m. on Monday stating a stabbing had occurred at a home on Sunset Road. On the scene, deputies spoke with a juvenile male with cuts on his hands. The juvenile, as well as his father, were allegedly uncooperative with the investigation. The injured juvenile was then taken to the hospital for treatment and then released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While investigating, deputies were able to learn the description of a possible suspects vehicle. RPD investigating shooting on Tazewell Avenue SE in Roanoke Deputies were then allegedly able to find the vehicle, and the person believed to be connected to the incident. The suspect was also injured with cuts to his wrist and body, and other injuries consistent with an assault, according to the sheriff. The man was taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries and was then released. This investigation is ongoing; however, no warrants have been issued due to the lack of cooperation from both parties. If you have any information regarding this incident, please call the Henry County Sheriffs Office at 276-638-8751. You can also leave an anonymous tip with Crimestoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Crimestoppers Program offers rewards up to $2500.00 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information determine the amount of reward paid. WFXR News will update this story if 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 WFXRtv. A midday melee erupted in Manhattan Criminal Court Tuesday, leaving two people slashed during a gang beef, police sources said. The brawl broke out in the hallway of the courthouse, on Centre St. near Hogan Place in lower Manhattan, around 12:15 p.m., according to court officials. The injured victims were rushed to a local hospital and are expected to survive their injuries. Seven people were taken into custody by court officers, who also recovered two sharp objects, which somehow bypassed the courthouses security measures, which includes a metal detector and X-ray scanner. It wasnt immediately clear if the people involved in the fracas were already in custody before the slashings. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis Police say that two suspects are on the run after a man was shot Monday afternoon. At 2:16 pm, officers responded to a shooting in the 3400 block of Heckle Ave. A male victim was located and taken to Regional One in critical condition. Police said the suspects were two males who fled in a silver sedan. At this time, this is still an ongoing 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 WREG.com. FARMER CITY, Ill. (WCIA) Two teenagers were arrested after a report of an armed robbery at a Caseys General Store in DeWitt County. Farmer City police officers were dispatched to the Caseys at 800 E. Clinton Avenue Sunday night around 10:40 p.m. Caseys employees told police two suspects entered the store and took alcohol after showing a handgun. They battered an employee before leaving the store on foot, heading northwest. Man arrested in Danville after having illegal firearm inside house Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police apprehended two suspects, a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy, later in the area of High Street and Route 150. Officers also found a toy gun on the path the suspects took between the Caseys and where they were found. The boys were taken to DeWitt County Jail before being transferred to a juvenile detention facility. The 17-year-old has been charged with aggravated battery, and the 16-year-old was charged with aggravated robbery and aggravated battery. The Farmer City Police Department said on Facebook they would like to thank the DeWitt County Sheriffs Department, Piatt County Sheriffs Department, and the Champaign City Police Department K-9 Unit for their cooperation. Anyone with any further information on this case is asked to contact the Farmer City Police Department at 1-309-928-2111. 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. TALLAHASSEE, Florida Two Florida Republicans are poised to help the GOP strengthen its razor-thin majority this spring in the U.S. House. Republican voters in several Florida counties head to the polls on Tuesday, where they will select GOP nominees to fill seats that were held by former Reps. Michael Waltz and Matt Gaetz. The primary victors will be considered heavy favorites to win the April 1 general election in these GOP-friendly districts. And the GOP help from the Sunshine State cannot get to Washington soon enough for Republicans. The House's tight majority can use every Republican seat it can get as it tries to enact Trump's agenda through with the GOP trifecta in D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump has endorsed Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and state Sen. Randy Fine for the two congressional seats a move expected to help them easily win the primary even though neither Republican lives in the districts at present. Both have also significantly outraised their primary opponents. Im not sure an endorsement has been more powerful in American history than the Trump endorsement, said Fine. Fine, a Brevard County Republican who at one point was the lone Jewish GOP member in the state Legislature, is one of six candidates in the 6th District race that includes two Democrats as well as Randy Terry, a well-known anti-abortion activist who is running with no party affiliation. The seat he is seeking includes a section of northeast Florida that had been represented by Waltz since 2018. Waltz stepped down to become Trump's national security adviser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fine has amassed a reliably Republican and conservative voting record while in the Legislature, but he has clashed with Gov. Ron DeSantis, especially after he flipped his presidential endorsement from DeSantis to Trump in late 2023. The move angered members of DeSantis inner circle, particularly following Fine's public criticism that the governor wasnt doing enough to battle antisemitism. He still picked up widespread support from other Republicans, including Sen. Rick Scott who held a fundraiser for him. The race to succeed Gaetz is much more crowded, even though several candidates dropped out once Patronis entered the contest for Floridas 1st District and got Trump's endorsement. There are 10 candidates in the GOP primary, including a former state legislator from the area and a former county commissioner, as well as a former Navy veteran who challenged Gaetz last year with the backing of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Patronis, whose family runs a well-known restaurant in Panama City, has been elected twice as the states chief financial officer and once was seen as a potential candidate for governor in 2026. But Gaetz resigned from Congress in November after Trump tapped him to become attorney general. He later withdrew his name from consideration amid a looming House ethics report into allegations that he had sex with a minor, among other claims. (Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patronis has the edge, but he still has come under fire for not living in the Northwest Florida district and the way he charged into the race. Candidates who were looking to get into the race or remained in the contest say they were pressured to drop out or stay quiet with their criticisms. Jeff Macey, a software engineer who joined the contest, was accosted by a former county commissioner and top supporter of Patronis immediately following a candidate forum. Macey recorded the encounter, in which Graham Fountain suggested Macey could be subject to criminal and civil penalties for mentioning that Patronis once released a sexual harassment complaint filed against the states top banking regulator. The action triggered a criminal probe, although Patronis was not charged. You better have some good lawyers, Fountain said to Macey, an incident that Macey caught on camera. The Patronis campaign declined to comment about the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patronis also caught flak when he tried to defend the fact that he didnt live in the district by saying that the Republican-led Legislature had created gerrymandered lines which is not allowed under the state constitution. Former state Rep. Joel Rudman, one of his primary rivals, blasted Patronis for the comment and said he should not be blaming others for not living in the district. During his campaign, Patronis has emphasized the support from Trump and used footage from the attempted assassination attempt on Trump in one of his ads. He is likely to be a reliable supporter of the president. The chief financial officer, however, stayed on the sidelines when DeSantis challenged Trump in the Republican presidential primary. He didnt endorse Trump until DeSantis exited the race early last year. But Patronis also called for using state taxpayer money to help pay Trumps legal bills before DeSantis publicly said he would veto the proposal and the measure was withdrawn. DeSantis has not endorsed in the primary race. Patronis was going to have to leave office in two years due to term limits but a run for governor could have been difficult given wide dissatisfaction in Florida over rising property insurance rates. Patronis is one of the top state officials who oversees state insurance regulators. TYLER, Texas (KETK) More than 400 juniors and seniors in Tyler ISDs Career and Technical Education program got help with their resumes from local business on Tuesday. Job Board The districts annual Student Resume Workshop let the students to work one-on-one with representatives of more than 30 local businesses. The annual Student Resume Workshop. Photo courtesy of Tyler ISD. The annual Student Resume Workshop. Photo courtesy of Tyler ISD. The annual Student Resume Workshop. Photo courtesy of Tyler ISD. The annual Student Resume Workshop. Photo courtesy of Tyler ISD. The annual Student Resume Workshop. Photo courtesy of Tyler ISD. The annual Student Resume Workshop. Photo courtesy of Tyler ISD. They also got to present their resumes to local human resources professionals to get valuable feedback before they head into the workforce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The workshop started at 10 a.m. on Tuesday in the Career & Technology Center at 3013 Earl Campbell Parkway. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NewsVoir Davos [Switzerland], January 27: Smriti Irani, Chairperson of the Alliance for Global Good Gender Equity and Equality, emerged as a transformative force, leading several key initiatives on Gender Equity and Equality agenda at Davos along the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025, championing gender equity as a critical driver of global economic growth and social progress. With an agenda grounded in actionable solutions, Irani's leadership at the summit highlighted the moral imperative of gender parity and showcased its undeniable business case. Through a series of high-profile engagements with world leaders, industry titans, and media influencers, Irani advocated for embedding gender equity into global economic frameworks. Her narrative was clear and resonant: Gender equity is more than a societal aspiration; it is an economic necessity capable of unlocking trillions in global GDP. In a pivotal meeting with Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Ms. Irani discussed innovative policy frameworks, including gender-responsive trade agreements and integrating women entrepreneurs into global value chains. This dialogue laid the groundwork for collaborative solutions, leveraging Singapore's policy expertise and the Alliance's grassroots momentum. An impactful meeting with Bill Gates further reinforced the Alliance's mission to create systemic change. The duo explored collaborative approaches to dismantle barriers in healthcare, digital skilling, and leadership. Mr. Gates expressed strong support for the Alliance's data-driven strategy, emphasizing scalable solutions with measurable impact. Irani's meeting with Borge Brende, President of WEF, marked a reflective moment, highlighting the Alliance's achievements since its inception in 2024. She emphasized milestones such as the Commonwealth Partnership for gender-inclusive programs and the SAWIE (South Asian Women in Energy) initiative, a collaborative effort to amplify women's leadership in the energy sector. Smriti Irani's leadership shone brightly during WEF sessions that seamlessly combined data-driven insights with human stories of resilience. The session "Women at the Fulcrum of Global Economies," moderated by Ms. Smriti Irani and co-hosted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation highlighted women's control of 50% of global wealth by 2030 and the importance of tapping their potential by integrating women into the workforce, with data suggesting it could contribute an additional $1.6-$2.3 trillion to global GDP. At the Alliance's flagship "We-Lead Lounge," Ms. Smriti Irani convened global stakeholders to address critical gaps in leadership and representation across technology, healthcare, and sustainability. The discussions, ranging from the future of work to women's role in climate action, yielded commitments to skilling initiatives and gender-inclusive policies. A hallmark of Irani's strategy was her focus on measurable impact. Collaborations with corporate leaders like Naspers CEO Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa and Salesforce SVP Naomi Morenzoni emphasized equipping women with digital skills to lead in emerging sectors such as technology and e-commerce. These discussions laid the foundation for long-term initiatives aimed at integrating women into the digital economy. Smriti Irani also prioritized healthcare advancements, partnering with organizations like GAVI and the Coalition for Health Innovation and Collaboration (CHIC) to expand access for underserved women globally. Recognizing the power of media in driving systemic change, Ms. Irani collaborated with TIME Magazine's Viktoria Degtar and others to amplify women's leadership stories. These efforts aimed to ensure that women's contributions resonate globally, shifting narratives and creating inclusive platforms for recognition. At Davos 2025, Smriti Irani demonstrated a results-oriented approach to fostering sustainable, inclusive growth. Her leadership cemented the Alliance's position as a global catalyst for gender equity, setting a pragmatic, scalable model for economic and social transformation. The Alliance for Global Good - Gender Equity and Equality is a landmark initiative launched by India at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 in Davos, Switzerland, reflecting Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of "Women-led Development." Supported by WEF, CII, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and over 10,000 industry partners including Tata, Bayer, Uber, and Mastercard, the Alliance aims to foster global collaboration on women's health, education, and enterprise. Anchored by the CII Centre for Women Leadership, it builds on commitments from the G20 Leaders' Declaration and aligns with India's ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - "One Earth, One Family, One Future." With WEF as a network partner and Invest India as an institutional partner, the Alliance is set to drive impactful change through best practices, investments, and knowledge sharing, furthering inclusive growth and bridging gender gaps globally. Smriti Zubin Irani is a seasoned politician and social activist with over two decades of experience in public service. A three-time Member of Parliament, she gained national prominence by creating history in 2019, defeating the then-Congress President in Amethi, a constituency previously seen as a Congress stronghold. She has served in the Union Cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi in key portfolios, including Women & Child Development, Minority Affairs (as the first non-Muslim Minister), Human Resource Development, Information & Broadcasting, and Textiles. Known for her dedication to policy reform and inclusivity, she was India's youngest Cabinet Minister in Modi 1.0 and 2.0 and the first woman to lead the HRD and Textiles Ministries. She has represented India in global forums, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2015. Smriti Irani's activism extends to gender equity, disability inclusion, and women's empowerment. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) TYLER, Texas (KETK) Rabbi Neal Katz from Congregation Beth El in Tyler stopped by KETK on Tuesday to mark 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp complex. At Auschwitz memorial, survivors see echoes of the past in rising antisemitism Auschwitz was a series of concentration and extermination camps run by Nazi Germany in then-occupied Poland. According to UNESCO, 1.5 million people were systematically starved, tortured and murdered at the camp before soldiers from the Soviet Union liberated the camp on Jan. 27, 1945. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its very important to our community that we have this opportunity to reflect, said Katz. The sadness is that lessons havent been learned, in fact, there are people today who are still suffering from antisemitic acts, who are grand-children of those who suffered the same attacks 80 years ago. Katz stressed that rising antisemitism being spread on the internet is not just a problem for the Jewish community. The Holocaust and antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem, so we need a wide group of people to promote this and educate in hopes that it doesnt happen, but we are now fighting against the internet and that world of misinformation, said Katz. Manfred Goldberg wants you to know how the Nazis took his brothers life. And how an angel saved his Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Katz, the answer to antisemitism is for people to continue to engage with the Jewish community and to keep leaning about Jewish history, religion and culture. The answer for our community has always been combatting antisemitism through education. So that remains our chief option, which is to educate, engage, Katz said. People are generally not antisemitic if theyve met the Jewish community, if they know Jewish people. Its people who are in their own little silo. So our goal is just to continue engagement, continue education, being able to talk to anybody whenever they ask. Katz said that despite this rise in antisemitism he knows their community will see better days. Its not like I can fix antisemitism, its actually the antisemites, theyre the ones who have to fix it. The question is how do we cope with it? And what were seeing is this rise in antisemitism across the country, its fueled by a lot of misinformation and politicized speech, said Katz. So what were doing is suffering through it right now, because we know that better days lie ahead. 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. TYLER Texas (KETK)- The Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) will be hosting the first of several community meetings on Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Greater Tyler Association of Realtors Headquarters located at 2772 SSE Loop 323. See whos headlining the 11th annual Red Dirt BBQ and Music Festival The meeting will be come-and-go format and will feature information stations with Water Customer Service Representatives to answer individual account questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Customers are encouraged to attend the meeting in order to to learn more about TWU and to voice any questions or concerns they may have. Residents attending the meeting should have a copy of their water bill with them. Cowboys introduce franchises 10th head coach at press conference Each council member will have a meeting for their respective district. The next district meetings are listed below: Petra Hawkins District 6:Thursday, Feb. 6 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., 420 Rose Park Dr. James Wynee District 4: Thursday, Feb. 20 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., 315 N. Broadway Ave. Shirley McKellar District 3: Tuesday, March 11 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., 501 W. 32nd St. Stuart Hene District 1: Tuesday, March 11 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., 574 W. Cumberland Rd. Brad Curtis District 6: Thursday, April 3 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., 3030 New Copeland Rd. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. France offered to deploy troops to Greenland after Donald Trump repeatedly signaled hed like to annex the Danish territory, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said. Barrot said in an interview with Sud Radio that France had started discussing sending troops to Greenland, but it wasnt Denmarks wish to follow through with the idea. Barrot added that during a European Union foreign ministers meeting on Monday that the other ministers were were ready to consider sending troops and expressed their very strong support for Denmark. French President Emmanuel Macron met with Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Paris on Tuesday. / Andrea Savorani Neri/NurPhoto via Getty Images Despite the offer of military support, Barrot said he didnt think Trump would actually take Greenland by force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wont happen, people dont invade EU territories, he said. The comments come as Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen visits key European allies to shore up support in the face of Trumps threats to use economic or military force to take control of Greenland. The Financial Times reported last week that Danish officials are freaked out after Trumps fiery call with Frederiksen about a possible annexation of Greenland. Frederiksen spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, and will also meet NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Barrot reaffirmed Frances support for Denmark in the Sud Radio interview Monday. If Denmark calls for help, France will be there, he said. The European borders are sovereign whether its north, south, east and west ... nobody can allow themselves to mess around with our borders. BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) A 21-year-old charged in the fatal shooting of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Chris Maland has had a continuance set on her arraignment for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 30. Court documents filed by the FBI last week revealed that Teresa Youngblut, of Washington state, had been charged with assault on a federal law enforcement officer. She was originally set to be arraigned on Monday, January 27. U.S. Attorney Michael P. Drescher filed a motion Monday to place Youngblut in pretrial detention. In the motion document, Drescher wrote that she [Youngblut] presents a danger to law enforcement officers and the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her [Youngblut] demonstrated willingness to use deadly force in an otherwise non-violent scenario shows that she presents a danger to law enforcement officers and the community, and the strength of the evidence of her charged offenses would provide an incentive for her to flee to avoid legal consequences for her actions. Youngbluts ties to Vermont are also unclear, according to Drescher. The only verified connection she had Vermont are firearms she purchased with Felix Baukholt, another suspect who died at the scene. Youngblut and Bauckholt were carrying guns purchased in February by a person of interest in a Pennsylvania double homicide, according to the motion. Additionally, both the buyer and Youngblut were in contact with another person detained in relation to a California homicide investigation. As a result of her escalation, which appeared to include her own discharge of a firearm, two individuals are deceased. The nature and circumstances of the case militate in favor of detaining the defendant to protect the safety of the community, wrote Drescher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting occurred during a traffic stop in Coventry at 3:15 p.m. on January 20. Youngblut, after getting out of the car, drew and fired a handgun at the scene without warning. Felix Baukholt, registered owner of the vehicle and passenger also attempted to draw a firearm. Maland, Youngblut and Baukholt all sustained gunshot wounds. Maland was taken to North County Hospital and pronounced deceased at 4:00 p.m. Youngblut and Baukholt had been monitored by investigators for about a week prior to the shooting. Maland, a veteran, was honored with a funeral procession in Burlington last week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- The UK government expects Peter Mandelson, a Labour Party veteran and trade specialist, to be confirmed as ambassador to the US, ending a period of uncertainty amid doubts that President Donald Trump might block the appointment. Most Read from Bloomberg Mandelson, 71, who was the UKs business secretary and president of the Board of Trade during Gordon Browns premiership, is set to travel to Washington to take up the post next month, according to a person familiar with the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appointment still has to be formally confirmed by the White House, another person familiar with the matter said. The White Houses National Security Council and 10 Downing Street didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. The news was first reported by the i Paper, a British newspaper. Mandelson is due to take on the role at a crucial moment in UK-US relations, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer trying to avoid Britain being hit with tariffs by the Trump administration, while also working together on areas such as defense and the future of the Chagos Islands, home to a large US naval base. Doubts had risen over whether the US might block the appointment, as Mandelson has long been in favor of closer ties with Beijing, a stance that may be at odds with figures in the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States is one of our most important allies and as we move into a new chapter in our friendship, Peter will bring unrivaled experience to the role and take our partnership from strength to strength, Starmer said in a statement in December when Mandelsons appointment was announced. Mandelson rose to prominence during Tony Blairs administrations from 1997, where he was credited with playing a key role in modernizing the Labour Party. He also became embroiled in several controversies and resigned from government roles twice. His reputation as a political operator during that period saw him earn the nickname the prince of darkness. --With assistance from Skylar Woodhouse. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has announced plans for consultations with the United States following the decision by Donald Trumps administration to pause funding for humanitarian and other assistance. Source: Vereshchuk on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda Details: Vereshchuk referred to the US decision to halt USAID project financing for 90 days as "unexpected and unpleasant news". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "In the near future, we will begin substantive consultations with our American partners to continue funding humanitarian response projects in Ukraine as soon as possible." Details: Vereshchuk called on teams involved in USAID-funded initiatives to "preserve staff and progress made". Background: Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued an order that pauses most foreign aid programmes for 90 days, including assistance to Ukraine. Ukrainian officials and NGO representatives warned that without the Secretarys approval, critical projects, such as supporting schools, hospitals, and developing economic and energy infrastructure, may be at risk. Rubios order includes exceptions, such as military funding for Israel and Egypt, and foreign emergency food aid. US President Donald Trumps executive order to suspend international aid programmes for 90 days does not impact military support for Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Editors note: This is issue 11 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 Application process closes for head of Bureau of Economic Security Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The submission period for applications to compete for the position of head of the Bureau of Economic Security (known in Ukraine by its acronym BEB) has officially closed. While the exact number of candidates remains undisclosed, preliminary indications suggest a strong turnout, with over 40 individuals expected to have submitted their applications. Detailed information, including the list of candidates, is anticipated later this week. The selection process will now move to the verification stage, where applications will be reviewed for compliance with requirements. Following this, candidates will undergo a rigorous six-stage evaluation. The process includes assessments of general competencies, legislative knowledge, and the ability to resolve practical cases. Integrity checks will also be a mandatory component of the selection process. Ultimately, the commission overseeing the competition will choose no more than two finalists to advance. Ukrainian business associations warn against risks of repealing 'Lozovyi amendments' According to Forbes Ukraine, several Ukrainian business associations, including SUP (Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs), Diia.City United, and the Federation of Employers of Ukraine, along with six other industry organizations, urged lawmakers to reject four draft laws proposing the repeal of certain provisions of the "Lozovyi Amendments." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amendments, which regulate pre-trial investigation time limits, are part of a commitment Ukraine made under its memorandum with the IMF, with implementation expected by the end of December 2024. Business leaders warn that repealing these provisions could expose entrepreneurs to increased pressure from law enforcement and delay the closure of legal cases, further burdening the business environment. Integrity checks will also be a mandatory component of the selection process. Ultimately, the commission overseeing the competition will choose no more than two finalists to advance. Other key economic issues Ukrainian defense minister replaces Defense Procurement Agency head, defying supervisory board decision Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 23, the Supervisory Board of the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) voted to extend the contract of Maryna Bezrukova, the agencys current head, for another year. According to anti-corruption watchdogs, this decision fully complied with the law governing state-owned property and the agencys charter. However, on Jan. 24, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov publicly rejected the boards decision, refusing to recognize the contract extension. The minister also removed two state representatives from the Supervisory Board, Yuriy Dzhyhyr and Taras Chmut, and recommended dismissing Deputy Minister Dmytro Klimenkov, who oversees the DPAs operations. Umerov further announced plans to appoint Arsen Zhumadilov, head of the State Operator for Non-Lethal Acquisitions (DOT), as the new DPA Director. The leadership change has already been reflected in YouControl, a Ukrainian public registry system. On Jan. 25, Anastasia Radina, head of the Ukrainian parliaments anti-corruption committee, called on Umerov to resign. Radina accused the minister of undermining defense procurement reform and engaging in manual interference with procurement processes. Read also: Defense Minister Umerov dismisses top official who stood up to him Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Multiple regions in Ukraine were targeted by Russian combat drones overnight, Ukrainian authorities reported early on Monday. "A series of explosions could be heard over Transcarpathia," Svitlana Onyshchuk, governor of the Ivano-Frankivsk region in south-western Ukraine announced on Telegram. The region lies around 850 kilometres from the closest Russian positions on the Crimean Peninsula. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Infrastructure had been targeted, Onyshchuk said, without providing details. Fires were reported, but there were no injuries, she added. Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysak reported damage to three high-rise buildings in the industrial city of Dnipro, located in the south-east of the country. The Ukrainian air force reported damage in the Kiev region and in Sumy in the north-east. The air force reported shooting down 54 of the more than 100 drones launched by Russia. A further 39 drones had not carried explosives and had been launched as decoys, it said. These had been rendered harmless by electronic means, the air force said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, in Moscow, the Russian Defence Ministry reported intercepting 32 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory, with 15 of them recorded over the southern Voronezh region bordering eastern Ukraine. Both sides have been using drones and missiles to attack key infrastructure, including power plants, since the Russian full-scale invasion began nearly three years ago. The claims from both sides could not be immediately verified. Russia attempts to take islands in Dnipro mouth Russian forces had launched several attempts to seize small islands in the mouth of the Dnipro River as it flows into the Black Sea near Kherson in southern Ukraine, the Ukrinform news agency reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian forces had repelled a total of 19 attacks last week, Lieutenant Pavlo Drohal, spokesman for the Ukrainian units stationed there, told the agency. "Russian forces continue their attempts to establish a foothold in the island zone at the mouth of the Dnipro River," Drohal said. He reported that 122 Russian soldiers had been killed or wounded in the assaults. The information could not be independently verified. As all possible landing points on the islands were known to the Ukrainian army, they could be targeted with accurate artillery fire at any time, Drohal said. A bridgehead in the region would allow Russian forces to increase pressure on the Ukrainians. Emergency services are working to extinguish the fire after Russian forces struck a civilian enterprise in Kharkiv with a drone. Preliminary reports indicate the strike hit the Kholodnohirskyi district, targeting a facility in the Novobavarskyi district. Yevhen Titov/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Emergency services are working to extinguish the fire after Russian forces struck a civilian enterprise in Kharkiv with a drone. Preliminary reports indicate the strike hit the Kholodnohirskyi district, targeting a facility in the Novobavarskyi district. Yevhen Titov/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa The Ukrainian government on Tuesday confirmed the dismissal of deputy defence minister Dmytro Klimenkov following accusations of insufficient arms purchases. Criticism has been mounting in Ukraine over the inadequate equipment of the military fighting against Russia. In a post foreshadowing his decision to sack Klimenkov last week, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov wrote: "The sole criterion the Ministry of Defense places before the Defense Procurement Agency is to ensure that the frontlines are fully and promptly equipped with all necessary weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Regrettably, over the past six months, instead of the timely supply of ammunition to our army, we have witnessed political games, leaks of contracts, and leaks of information," he said. Umerov also announced he would dismiss the head of the defence procurement agency, Maryna Bezrukova. However, the decision lies with the agency's supervisory board, and she is refusing to leave. The ambassadors of the G7 countries in Kiev called for an end to the crippling dispute over procurement. "Consistency with good governance principles and NATO recommendations is important to maintain the trust of the public and international partners," they wrote in a post on X. SMPL New Delhi [India], January 28: RE/MAX India successfully organized India's most prominent Real estate Entrepreneurs' event at the Annual convention #OneWIRE in Goa between the 19th and 21st of January 2025 at Diaz Pool Club and Big Daddy Cruise and Casino. "#OneWIRE means One World, One India, One RE/MAX, which connects real estate entrepreneurs and realtors through the most powerful wire "RE/MAX". The first day began with the welcome cocktail night in Diaz Pool & Club setting a high note for the days to follow. The second day was convention day, i.e., an opening ceremony, with a lamp lighting ceremony by Mr. Aditya Agarwal, Mr. Anchal Saxena, Mr. Jan Repa, and Mr. Pedro Viriato. Followed by inspiring talks from global RE/MAX leaders, emphasizing the brand's values, success stories, and the unique RE/MAX advantages offered to its partners. Our power speakers Mr. Suresh Gandolia, Mr. Harit Parikh, Mr. Nirav Vakharia, Mr. Vivek Parikh, and Mr. Subrat Chodhary also provided training & shared some informative content with the guests. The third day was training & award night, followed by a gala dinner. The convention witnessed 150+ participants from 9 countries, 25 Indian states, and 50+ cities. Prominent international representatives, including Mr. Pedro Viriato (RE/MAX Brazil), Mr. Jan Repa (RE/MAX LLC, USA), Mr. Carlos Matias (GryphTech Inc, Canada), Mr. Matthew Morio & Mr. Troy Wee (HOTEL101 Global), Rajeef Koneswaran (RE/MAX Srilanka), Ms. Priya Sharma, Mr. Yogesh Manchanda & Mr. Munish Sehli (Azizi, Dubai) were present, adding to the event's prestige. With more than 9,200 franchise offices spread across 110 + countries, RE/MAX is the World's Largest Real Estate Franchise Brand. The Colorado-based company, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and recognized as one of the Top 10 Global Franchise Businesses, is a prime example of wealth creation and teamwork in the real estate franchise industry. Key points highlighted by our power speakers : * Jan Repa shared his views on how to grow and expand your business & become the most successful real estate entrepreneur in the country. * "The Blueprint of How to Grow from 0 to 100 Offices in India" was shared by Pedro Viriato from RE/MAX Brazil. * Carlos Matias shared GryphTech's innovations and how AI is helping real estate become much more efficient and user-friendly. RE/MAX India's CEO, Aditya Agarwal emphasized the company's goal of creating a strong community of real estate entrepreneurs. His mission is to build the largest real estate community by 2028 with 500 offices & 25000 agents. According to him, 2025 is the year of growth. He said, "We help change people's lives. We are proud of having the World's biggest realtor network, with 147,000+ agents and 9200+ Franchises in 110+ countries." RE/MAX India's CMO, Nishant Tomar said, "We are excited to present the groundbreaking strategies on personal branding for our partners at the convention and the remarkable performance of DownloadBrochures.com and our newly launched Community-based listing platform www.remax.in, which is already creating waves in the real estate market." To know more visit - https://downloadbrochures.com/ The convention was thrilled to have HOTEL101 Global Singapore & AZIZI Developments as Platinum Sponsors, highlighting Hotel101 Global with the vision of becoming one of the best unique, simple, and sustainable investment platforms in the branded hospitality segment. Azizi Developments is a leading Dubai-based developer with a passionate team of people driven by the goal of crafting beautiful homes for people like us. And, to date, they have successfully delivered thousands of homes to investors from over 100 nationalities. Myron Homes & Yugen Infra were our Silver Sponsors, highlighting Myron Homes as a developer of both residential and commercial properties in Hyderabad. They aim to focus on projects that would guarantee clients' complete satisfaction, ideal return rates, and high-quality deliverables. Yugen Infra is dedicated to offering Indians luxurious yet affordable properties in Goa near MOPA Airport. The aggressive development goals of RE/MAX India are a noteworthy feature of this convention. In order to transform the real estate market, RE/MAX India plans to open 150 franchise offices and 1500 Business Associates by the end of 2025. These achievements highlight the company's commitment to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the real estate industry. They are part of the company's larger objective to inspire one million entrepreneurs by 2030 through its SREE (Successful Real Estate Entrepreneurship) program. To learn more about RE/MAX INDIA visit - www.remax.in (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Key developments on Jan. 28: Putin claims Zelensky doesn't have a right to sign any potential peace deal 'Pure propaganda' Kharkiv Oblast governor denies Russian claims of capturing Dvorichna Italian parliament extends military support for Ukraine through 2025 SBU says it dismantled Russian spy network targeting F-16 jets Government dismisses Deputy Defense Minister Klimenkov amid procurement tensions Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is "illegitimate" and said that he has no right to sign any documents in potential peace negotiations, according to an interview with the state TV channel Rossiya 1 broadcast on Jan. 28. "Negotiations can be held with anyone," Putin said. "But due to (Zelensky's) illegitimacy he has no right to sign anything. If (Zelensky) wants to take part in talks, I will delegate people who will conduct such talks. But the (key) issue is the ultimate signing of the documents." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has widely used the claim that Zelensky is illegitimate in its propaganda in an effort to discredit the Ukrainian government. Major Ukrainian constitutional lawyers and legal experts believe the claim is false and unfounded. Putin also mentioned Zelensky's Sept. 30, 2022 decree to ban negotiations with the Russian president. The move came in response to Russia's illegal annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts, which are partially occupied. Putin claimed that, due to his alleged illegitimacy, Zelensky cannot lift his ban on negotiations with Russia. The decree should be revoked before such negotiations begin, and the "legitimacy" of Ukrainian negotiators should be "verified by lawyers," Putin added. "If we start negotiations now, they will be illegitimate. There is a problem here: when the current head of the regime signed this decree (on banning negotiations), he was a legitimate president, and now he cannot revoke it," Putin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He claimed that the decree can only be revoked by the speaker of Ukraine's parliament, who must have become the country's acting president after the alleged expiry of Zelensky's term. "If there is a will, any issue of a legal nature can be resolved. But so far, we haven't seen such willingness," Putin said. Under the martial law act passed by Ukraine after Russia launched its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, presidential, parliamentary and local elections are banned. If martial law had not been imposed, the next presidential election would have been held on March 31, 2024, and Zelensky's term would have ended on May 20, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of Zelensky's critics claim that the Constitution does not authorize extending his presidential term under martial law. They argue that he ceased to be a legitimate president on May 20. But leading constitutional lawyers dispute this claim, saying the Constitution allows such an extension. Earlier, Putin said that Russia is prepared to hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the war in Ukraine. Read also: Zelenskys term would have expired this month, but hes staying. Russia wants to use it 'Pure propaganda' Kharkiv Oblast governor denies Russian claims of capturing Dvorichna Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov on Jan. 28 refuted the Russian Defense Ministry's claims that Russian forces had captured the village of Dvorichna in the Kupiansk district, emphasizing that fighting in the area is ongoing, Ukrinform reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is not the first statement of this kind from the Russian side; it is pure propaganda and does not reflect reality," Syniehubov said. Located 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of Kharkiv and 17 kilometers (10 miles) north of Kupiansk, Dvorichna sits on the western bank of the Oskil River, a key geographic feature in the region. Russia has been attempting to secure a foothold on this bank for months, aiming to outflank Ukrainian defenses and threaten a rear attack in Kupiansk. The estimated Russian advance in the Kupiansk district in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine, as of Jan. 27, 2025, according to the DeepState map. A white symbol marks Dvorichna. (DeepState/OpenStreetMaps) Andrii Besedin, head of the Kupiansk town military administration, noted earlier in January that Russian troops were trying to establish a bridgehead in Dvorichna to facilitate further advances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian forces have ramped up operations near Kupiansk since September, reaching the industrial outskirts of the town in the northeast. Ukrainian troops successfully repelled multiple Russian assaults throughout December. Italian parliament extends military support for Ukraine through 2025 The Italian parliament's lower house on Jan. 28 approved the prolongation of military support for Ukraine until Dec. 31, 2025, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. Earlier, the Italian Senate approved the measure with 192 votes in favor and 41 against. The parliamentary opposition was divided on the decision to extend military aid to Ukraine. Three parties supported the decision, while two parties opposed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Italy's 10 military aid packages to Ukraine have included advanced weapons systems like the French-Italian SAMP/T air defense units. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on Jan. 16 that Ukraine would receive another military aid package from Italy. Prior to that, Umerov met his Italian counterpart, Guido Crosetto, in Kyiv. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who took office in late 2022, has consistently supported Kyiv and pledged unwavering assistance until the war ends. Read also: What Trumps first week in office says about his stance on Ukraine SBU says it dismantled Russian spy network targeting F-16 jets Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) reported on Jan. 28 that it had dismantled a Russian spy network tasked with gathering intelligence on Ukrainian aircraft for strikes on aviation infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The operation, conducted near a military airfield, led to the arrest of two agents who were caught photographing a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet during takeoff, the SBU said. The SBU identified the suspects as two residents of Kremenchuk in Poltava Oblast, aged 22 and 21, recruited by a female officer of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) whose identity has been established. The agents were allegedly tasked with collecting detailed information on military airfields housing F-16 jets and helicopters, including their geolocation and photographic evidence. This intelligence was reportedly intended to help Russia adjust its missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian aviation facilities. To fulfill their mission, the agents planned to travel across five regions of Ukraine, using public transportation and renting short-term accommodations near airfields for espionage purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SBU said it had intercepted and documented their reconnaissance efforts at an early stage, preventing any successful data transfer. Both suspects were detained while photographing an F-16 jet and have been taken into custody. They now face life imprisonment on treason charges. Ukraine received its first F-16 jets in August 2024, a year after the NATO-led fighter jet coalition pledged to train Ukrainian pilots and supply aircraft. Despite challenges, including a deadly crash during a massive Russian attack on Aug. 26, Ukrainian pilots have effectively used the jets to counter Russian aerial threats. Read also: Potential encirclement in Velyka Novosilka prompts questions about last-ditch withdrawal strategy Government dismisses deputy defense minister amid procurement tensions Ukraine's government has confirmed the dismissal of Dmytro Klimenkov from his position as deputy defense minister, said Taras Melnychuk, the government's parliamentary representative, on Jan. 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision follows ongoing tensions within the Defense Ministry over its weapons procurement process, which has been heavily scrutinized amid reform efforts. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced Klimenkov's dismissal last week, claiming his deputy had "failed" the task of defense procurement. Concurrently, Umerov said he would not renew Maryna Bezrukova's contract as head of the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA). Klimenkov joined the Defense Ministry from the State Property Fund, where he worked under Umerov's leadership. Appointed deputy defense minister on Oct. 5, 2023, he was responsible for overseeing procurement for the Armed Forces. Bezrukova, appointed in January 2024 to lead procurement reforms following corruption scandals, had her contract extended by the DPA's supervisory board earlier this month. Under Ukrainian law, supervisory boards can hire and fire state enterprise leaders, making Umerov's refusal to renew her contract legally contentious. Anti-corruption activists and lawmakers criticized the move, labeling it "unlawful" and warning that such actions could undermine efforts to reform Ukraine's defense procurement system. Bezrukova's tenure highlighted internal disputes over procurement practices. At the start of her role, Bezrukova reported pressure from Klimenkov to sign a contract for 500,000 artillery shells from a manufacturer owned by the Strategic Industries Ministry. Read also: Defense Minister Umerov dismisses top official who stood up to him Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has detained a Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) agent group that was collecting data on Ukrainian Armed Forces aircraft and helicopters for strikes on aviation infrastructure. During a special operation near a military airfield, two agents were detained while photographing the take-off of a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet. Source: SSU; Office of the Prosecutor General Quote from SSU: "The agents were two residents of the city of Kremenchuk (Poltava Oblast), aged 22 and 21. They had been recruited by an FSB operative, whose identity has already been established." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The agents were tasked with collecting information on the locations of military airfields where Ukrainian F-16s and helicopters were stationed and passing the data to Russia to adjust missile and drone strikes. FSB agents had to collect detailed information about the aviation equipment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including geolocations, textual and photographic reports on each site. To complete the mission, they planned to travel across five oblasts of Ukraine by passenger buses, renting accommodation near the sites for several days of espionage. The SSU intercepted their activities in the early stages, documenting unsuccessful reconnaissance attempts and detaining them while they were photographing F-16 fighter jets. Both criminals have been taken into custody and face life imprisonment for treason. Support UP or become our patron! Soldiers of the 8th Regiment of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) have cleared Russian positions, inflicted significant losses on the Russian forces in manpower and captured important trophies during special operations in Kursk Oblast. Source: press service for the Special Operations Forces Details: SOF soldiers killed two North Korean soldiers during the battle. In addition, dropping explosives from drones, Ukrainian soldiers killed seven Russian soldiers and wounded ten more. North Korean soldier Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: SOF Also, the soldiers discovered and seized the following items at Russian positions: personal protective equipment and military equipment, a DL-5 rangefinder, a 1PN139-1 thermal imaging sight, an AK-12 assault rifle with a 1P87 sight, and communications equipment that may contain data on the movements and plans of the Russian military. Moreover, Russian documents were found. Belongings of the North Korean soldier Photo: SOF Quote: "The trophies, which include equipment and documents, will provide important information about the enemy's tactics and resources." Equipment captured from the Russians Photo: SOF Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Equipment captured from the Russians Photo: SOF Support UP or become our patron! By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The United States urged the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday to consider measures to halt an offensive by Rwandan troops and M23 rebel forces in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as a conflict there escalates. Acting U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Dorothy Shea did not specify to the 15-member council what action could be taken. The council has the authority to impose sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We call for an immediate ceasefire and end to this fighting. Rwanda must withdraw troops from the DRC. Rwanda and the DRC must return to the negotiating table and work toward a sustainable, peaceful solution," Shea told the Security Council. The Rwandan-backed M23 rebels marched into Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, on Monday in the worst escalation of a long-running conflict in more than a decade. Congo accused Rwanda of sending its troops over the border, while Rwanda said fighting near the border threatened its security, without directly commenting on whether its troops were in Congo. At the U.N. Security Council, Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner demanded targeted sanctions on Rwandan military and political leaders, an arms embargo, a ban on purchases of Rwandan natural resources and barring Rwandan troops from U.N. peacekeeping missions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke to the Congolese and Rwandan presidents over the escalating conflict that has killed several U.N. peacekeepers, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said. In his call with the Rwandan president, "there was also special emphasis on the need to protect civilians in that area," Dujarric said. 'UNIMAGINABLE' SUFFERING The suffering of civilians in and around Goma is "truly unimaginable," deputy U.N. envoy in Congo Vivian van de Perre, in a helmet and flak jacket, told the Security Council via video from the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said on Monday that Rwandan forces were supporting the M23 rebels in Goma. Wagner said in the council meeting that Rwandan soldiers had been killed in eastern Congo, but Rwanda's U.N. Ambassador Ernest Rwamucyo rejected that claim. Rwamucyo said Rwanda has always demonstrated restraint and a desire to improve border security. "The deteriorating security situation in the eastern DRC has only one immediate cause - the obsession by the president of the DRC for a military solution and thirst for regime change in Rwanda," he told the council. The Security Council on Sunday issued a statement that demanded M23 rebel forces stop the offensive and that "external forces" in the region immediately withdraw. "Rwanda has proven time and again that your statements mean absolutely nothing to it," Wagner said on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N. peacekeeping force in the Congo MONUSCO has faced heavy direct and indirect fire and faces challenges keeping its staff and premises safe, van de Perre told the Security Council. The mission was helping protect vulnerable groups, but "urgent and coordinated international action" to stop the violence is needed, she added. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Rod Nickel and Cynthia Osterman) UNESCO is strengthening its support for cultural workers in Ukraine who are involved in the country's reconstruction amid the war with Russia. The secretary genaral of the UN's cultural wing, Audrey Azoulay, inaugurated a cultural centre in the western city of Lviv on her second visit to the country. The centre is intended to be a place of work, exhibition and training for artists from all over Ukraine, for whom the city, near the Polish border, has become a place of refuge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A programme of art and cultural therapy for victims of war is also planned there. During her visit, the head of UNESCO also launched an initiative to support around 300 female Ukrainian artists and to protect Jewish heritage. Fifty experts are to be trained to catalogue historical Jewish documents and to preserve them. Since 2022 when Russia invaded, the UN cultural organization has provided Ukraine with around 68 million ($71 million) in support in the areas of culture, education, science and media. The UNESCO office in Kiev, which opened in September 2022, is deploying more than 35 experts to assess damage, secure museum collections, restore monuments, provide distance learning and psycho-social support for students, as well as training and equipment for journalists working in the country. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A Michigan mother faces arson charges after investigators say she set fire to her home with her children inside, sending one of her daughters to the hospital where she later died. Family members said the 12-year-old girl, Shamiya Stewart, died just after 8 p.m. Monday at Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital in Grand Rapids. A family member holds up a photo of Shamiya Stewart. (Jan. 27, 2025) Her life is hanging in the balance and her dad has a tough decision to make, cousin Patricia Robinson told Nexstars WOOD earlier Monday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family members said she suffered burns over 30% of her body and the fire chief said she also suffered smoke inhalation. Her father said Shamiya was a fighter. She aint deserve this at all. Shes a good child. Shes my special baby. She was in the NICU for four months. Its hard. Its hard. Its hard for me, dad Lyn Stewart said, weeping. Just keep the family in prayer, please. Thats all I can say. Chief: Mom spread lighter fluid, started fire The girls mother Roconda Singleton, 46, is expected to be arraigned within days on charges of first-degree arson and three counts of second-degree child abuse in connection to the Saturday morning house fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a shockingly cruel, unimaginable crime committed by a mom against her three kids, Grand Rapids Police Department Chief Eric Winstrom said at a Monday afternoon news conference. 3 hospitalized after Grand Rapids house fire This is a mom that meticulously took all seven of her smoke detectors and put them in a bag and removed them from the house before she poured lighter fluid all over the house and lit it on fire in an attempt to kill her three children, the chief went on to say. A Jan. 25, 2025, booking photo of Roconda Singleton from the Kent County jail. He said Singleton poured lighter fluid all over upstairs, all over downstairs. I think she covered the couch in lighter fluid, Winstrom said. Thats a pretty effective way to start a fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family members called Shamiyas 10-year-old sister a hero, saying she helped get their other sister, age 7, out of the house through a window. We just thank God for her quick thinking. Shes bruised but shes here, Patricia Robinson said of the 10-year-old. Its a lot for a young lady to handle at such a young age, but her quick thinking saved their lives, Robinsons husband Pastor Chris Robinson said. The 10-year-old told WOOD she tried to get to Shamiya, but there was too much smoke and she couldnt breathe. Everybody was trying to save my mom and she just wanted to lay down on her bed while her room was lighted up with fire. And she did not want to go but she finally came out, the 10-year-old said. She wouldnt tell where (Shamiya) was, so I had to keep leading them to my sister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to say that she should be locked up for life for killing my sister, the 10-year-old said. I want to know, why did she have to do that to her? She didnt deserve that. Firefighters pulled girl from burning home A passerby spotted the flames and called 911. Police body camera video released during the news conference shows an officer questioning Singleton about whether anyone was still in the house and then directing firefighters to a bedroom on the second floor. With huge flames leaping from the first floor and smoke billowing, firefighters climbed a ladder to a second-story window to rescue the 12-year-old. Even when the firefighters were walking in the second floor in the back the smoke (was) so thick that Im sure you couldnt see more than an inch in front of your face, Winstrom said. In the video, firefighters can then be seen laying Shamiya in the snow and starting chest compressions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shamiya was rushed to the hospital. Her sisters were treated and released. Bodycam video from the Grand Rapids Police Department shows a house fire on Eastern Avenue between Hall and M.L.K. Jr. Streets in Grand Rapids on Jan. 25, 2025. (Courtesy GRPD) Bodycam video from the Grand Rapids Police Department shows a house fire on Eastern Avenue between Hall and M.L.K. Jr. Streets in Grand Rapids on Jan. 25, 2025. (Courtesy GRPD) Damage to a house on Eastern Avenue SE near Alexander Street SE after a Jan. 25, 2025, fire. Grand Rapids Fire Department Chief Brad Brown said 42 firefighters from 13 units rushed to the house to battle the fire, which he said advanced very rapidly. Our members placed themselves directly in harms way to save a life, Brown said. The vast majority of rigs in this city of Grand Rapids, at one point or another, made their way through this fire. We had multiple things going at the same time. We had four separate teams searching, two different crews doing fire attack, ventilation, water supply and medical out in the front yard. The bag of smoke detectors, meanwhile, was in the backyard, the police chief said. He said they can be heard beeping in the bodycam video as officers moved by the bag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If convicted of arson, Singleton faces up to life in prison. Each of the child abuse charges are 10-year felonies. Singleton has a criminal history, but the police chief said it is not extensive and the home was not a problem house. Winstrom said he cannot fathom any motive for a mother attempting to harm her children. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said its a mental health issue. I think thats whats going to come out, Becker said. But a lot of the calls that they were getting were mental health-related for mom. But theres no prior child abuse. The police chief said Childrens Protective Services is now involved. Community members are also working to support the children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need prayer because this dad is hurting, as well as these children, Chris Robinson said. Wherever answers can be provided, let the answers come. No family should have to go through this. A GoFundMe has been started for Shamiyas 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 Queen City News. CONWAY, Ark. The University of Central Arkansas Aviation Academy is soaring to new heights with the groundbreaking of its new hanger Monday afternoon. Officials from the school along with state and local leaders including Gov. Sanders gathered at the Conway Regional Airport to turn the dirt on the new 10,000 square foot hangar. University of Central Arkansas athletics and aviation programs receive new leaders Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The future hangar is made possible by the UCA Foundation, public and private donors, as well as state funds and will be a space for the academys students, instructors and planes. Currently the aviation program has about 55 students enrolled but will soon be able to accommodate 100 students at once. For more information about the academy, visit UCA.edu. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. On Jan. 10, 2025, the Californian nonprofit news organization CalMatters published an article including a claim that U.S. Customs and Border Protection was confronting and detaining undocumented farmworkers in Bakersfield, a city north of Los Angeles. The article featured a quote by Casey Creamer, president of a farming industry group called California Citrus Mutual. Creamer told CalMatters: "We're in the middle of our citrus harvesting. This sent shockwaves through the entire community. People aren't going to work and kids aren't going to school. Yesterday about 25% of the workforce, today 75% didn't show up." It was not clear how Creamer had arrived at this 75% figure; however, the number appeared in the reports (archived) of multiple Californian news media websites and on social (archived) media (archived). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 21, 2025, one X user wrote (archived): "75% of immigrant farm workers didn't show up yesterday in Bakersfield because of fears of ICE raids under the new presidency. America's rural and agricultural regions will be the hardest hit from Trump's immigration policies. Food prices are going to skyrocket." 75% of immigrant farm workers didnt show up yesterday in Bakersfield because of fears of ICE raids under the new presidency. Americas rural and agricultural regions will be the hardest hit from Trumps immigration policies. Food prices are going to skyrocket. pic.twitter.com/rn3sYC7ahl Jeremiah Warren (@jeremiahjw) January 21, 2025 Though the raids took place during the Biden administration in the week starting Jan. 6, according to Californian news media outlets, posts like the one above continued to circulate after Jan. 20, when President Donald Trump was inaugurated, and incorrectly attributed the raids and the resulting alleged worker absences to Trump. However, there was no credible evidence from other news reports to corroborate Creamer's 75% estimate either on Jan. 9 (when he provided the quote to CalMatters) or since that date. Abby Peltzer, communications manager for California Citrus Mutual, said via email that the group and Creamer did not have "any additional comments" on the figure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have also reached out to CBP, Kern County, Kern County Farm Bureau and U.S. Rep. David Valadao, who represents California's 22nd District where Kern County and Bakersfield are located, to understand more about this claim. We will update this article if any of them reply. CBP carried out "Operation Return to Sender" in Bakersfield in early January, according to local officials, making at least 78 arrests (archived). "Operation Return to Sender" is a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation under the National Fugitive Operations Program that removes "at-large removable aliens" immigrants without legal status from the U.S. ICE specifically describes "Operation Return to Sender" as an "interior enforcement initiative that applies an organized and methodical approach to the identification, location and arrest of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) fugitive aliens." United Farm Workers (UFW), a labor union for farm workers, said via email that though the fear and anxiety caused by CBP actions in Bakersfield was significant, "an industrywide absence of 3/4 of the labor force did not occur," according to their local farming sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elizabeth Strater, national vice president of UFW, said: I talked with contacts in citrus harvest and almond/pistachio/wine grape pruners in Kern County about this claim. This claim is not accurate. There was no day where 75% of workers stayed home. The fear and anxiety is significant, people are downright terrified, but they still need to feed their families. An industrywide absence of 3/4 of the labor force did not occur. It is plausible to me that perhaps at a single employer a specific rumor or threat could significantly impact attendance and operations, but not industrywide. Valadao published a statement on Jan. 13 saying he hoped future sweeps would be better communicated to the public: I think we can all agree known criminals should be expelled from the United States, but it is crucial that future operations are communicated clearly to avoid causing any further alarm among our farmworkers. I urge the Biden Administrationand future administrationsto ensure CBP prioritizes targeting criminals rather than those responsible for producing our nation's food supply. Claims about the Biden-era CBP sweeps in Bakersfield amplified fears that Trump's administration would carry out promised mass deportations of immigrants in the country illegally. The U.S. Department of Agriculture published data in November 2024 saying that in 2022, roughly 42% of hired crop farmworkers nationally "held no work authorization," making this group particularly vulnerable to deportations. Sources: "Column: Inside the Bakersfield Raids That Showed How Trump's Immigration Policies Will Sow Chaos." Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025, https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-01-22/column-inside-the-bakersfield-raids-that-showed-how-trumps-immigration-policies-will-sow-chaos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Congressman Valadao Releases Statement on Customs and Border Protection Operations in Kern County." U.S. Congressman David G. Valadao, 13 Jan. 2025, https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1681. Guilford, Roy. "75% of All Farm Workers in Bakersfield DID NOT Show up to Work Yesterday, and I Have No Idea YET on the National Numbers..." Facebook, 24 Jan. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/TempleProject/posts/pfbid02LcGUDDdcv6h15CgqBFAJRTGddc7BupYAuDCzB8GJ6c3QE8AQ7cWqBNCLaNTSeTt6l. @jeremiahjw. "75% of Immigrant Farm Workers Didn't Show up Yesterday in Bakersfield Because of Fears of ICE Raids under the New Presidency. ." X, 21 Jan. 2025, https://x.com/jeremiahjw/status/1881823110053429718. Legal Status of Hired Crop Farmworkers, Fiscal 19912022 | Economic Research Service. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/chart-gallery/chart-detail?chartId=63466. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loera, Juan Esparza. "California Leaders Are Inexcusably Silent as Border Patrol Sweeps Central Valley." Fresno Bee, 11 Jan. 2025, https://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/article298336928.html. Olmos, Sergio. "'People Aren't Going to Work': A Surprising Immigration Raid Set off Fears in California Farm Country." CalMatters, 10 Jan. 2025. calmatters.org, http://calmatters.org/economy/2025/01/kern-county-immigration-sweep/. Spagat, Elliot, and Gisela Salomon. "Trump's Return to White House Sets Stage for Far-Reaching Immigration Crackdown." AP News, 6 Nov. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-border-asylum-mass-deportation-a681c4980ef25e2b3a7ae670c9094f4a. @stephan72790281. "Nice. 40% of the Work Force That Produces Fruit and Vegetables in the US Are Undocumented Immigrants." X, 23 Jan. 2025, https://x.com/stephan72790281/status/1882524401692028974. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement @USBPChiefELC. "The Results Are In!" X, 16 Jan. 2025, https://x.com/USBPChiefELC/status/1880019437648244814. Updates: Jan. 29, 2025: This article was updated to reflect that the UFW represents farm workers, not farmers. India PR Distribution Gurgaon (Haryana) [India], January 28: In the fast-paced world of digital billing and accounting, BillClap has emerged as a transformative force, empowering businesses across India to simplify and enhance their operations. With rapid expansion, a growing customer base, and a strengthened leadership team, BillClap is reshaping how businesses manage their finances. 10x Growth in Customer Base In just six months, BillClap has witnessed a staggering tenfold increase in its customer base. This phenomenal growth underscores the platform's ability to address the unique challenges of small and medium businesses (SMBs) with its intuitive and versatile billing and accounting solutions. Expanding Across India: Building Local Connections BillClap's strategic offline expansion is making it more accessible to businesses nationwide. With a presence in 10 major cities, including Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Pune, and Surat, and partnerships in 15 more, BillClap is ensuring that businesses everywhere benefit from local support and a personalized experience. Customizable Billing Solutions for Diverse Needs One of BillClap's standout features is its customizable billing options. Businesses can now create invoices tailored to their requirements, with formats ranging from A4 and A5 to compact 2-inch and 3-inch receipts. This flexibility caters to the diverse needs of industries like retail, manufacturing, and logistics. Free Android App: Empowering SMBs Demonstrating its commitment to democratizing business tools, BillClap has made its Android app free for all users. By removing cost barriers, the platform enables SMBs to access advanced billing features, empowering them to grow and compete effectively in their respective industries. Growing Team: FOS Expansion To ensure seamless support for its customers, BillClap has expanded its Field Operations and Sales (FOS) team to over 50 members. This dedicated team is pivotal in delivering on-ground assistance, strengthening relationships, and ensuring customer satisfaction. Leadership Reinforcement: Amit Choudhary Joins the Team A significant driver of BillClap's success is its visionary leadership. The company recently welcomed Amit Choudhary, the former National Sales Head at VyaparApp, to its leadership team. Known for his expertise in building high-performing sales networks and driving operational excellence, Amit's addition signals a renewed focus on scaling BillClap's outreach and delivering unparalleled value to its customers. Redefining Business Management in India BillClap is not just a billing platform; it's a growth partner for businesses across India. With a customer-centric approach, innovative solutions, and a strengthened leadership team, the company is setting new standards in the digital billing and accounting space. Reflecting on the company's journey, Gaurav Gupta, Founder & CEO of BillClap, shared, "At BillClap, our mission is to simplify business management for SMBs across India. By providing user-friendly, customizable, and cost-effective solutions, we aim to empower businesses to thrive in a competitive landscape." As BillClap continues to expand its reach and innovate its offerings, it is leading the way in transforming how businesses operate--one invoice at a time. Check out the website - www.billclap.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) The head of UNRWA on Tuesday called on the UN Security Council to stop Israel from enforcing a ban that will prevent the UN Palestinian aid agency from operating in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, two days before it is set to take effect. Implementing the legislation passed by the Israeli parliament "will heighten instability and deepen despair in the occupied Palestinian territories at a critical moment," Philippe Lazzarini told the most powerful UN body in New York. He called for a "decisive intervention in support of peace and stability" in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel moved to bar the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from working on Israeli territory after alleging that some of its employees were involved in the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks that sparked the Gaza war. The ban, which is set to take effect on January 30, also prohibits Israeli officials from cooperating with the organization. In his appeal to the Security Council, Lazzarini highlighted the importance of UNRWA particularly in light of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip due to the 15-month-long war between Israel and Hamas. "In fact, UNRWA constitutes half the emergency response, with all other entities delivering the other half," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Since October 2023 we have delivered two thirds of all food assistance, provided shelter to over a million displaced persons, and vaccinated a quarter of millions of children against polio." Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire but the situation remains tense. "If we fail to resume education in Gaza and to preserve it in the occupied West Bank, we will sacrifice an entire generation of Palestinian children," the UNRWA chief warned. "We are in a position to do something. It only requires your decisive action and leadership," he told the council's members. By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Implementation of a ban on the U.N. Palestinian relief agency UNRWA in Israel - due to start on Thursday - will be disastrous, the UNRWA chief told the Security Council on Tuesday, as the United States accused it of being "irresponsible and dangerous." The law, adopted in October, bans UNRWA's operation on Israeli land - including East Jerusalem, which Israel annexed in a move not recognized internationally - and contact with Israeli authorities from Jan. 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "UNRWA must cease its operations and evacuate all premises it operates in Jerusalem, including the properties located in Maalot Dafna and Kafr Aqab," Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon told the council. "Israel will terminate all collaboration, communication and contact with UNRWA or anyone acting on its behalf," he said. UNRWA said operations in the Gaza Strip and West Bank will also suffer. It provides aid, health and education services to millions in the Palestinian territories and neighboring Arab countries of Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. "In two days, our operations in the occupied Palestinian territory will be crippled," UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini told the 15-member Security Council. "Full implementation of the Knesset legislation will be disastrous." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'IRRESPONSIBLE' U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council have described UNRWA as the backbone of the humanitarian aid response in Gaza, which has been decimated by 15 months of war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas. The United States, under new President Donald Trump, supports Israel's "sovereign right" to close UNRWA's offices in Jerusalem, acting U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Dorothy Shea told the Security Council. Under Trump predecessor Joe Biden, the United States had urged Israel to pause implementation of the law. "UNRWA exaggerating the effects of the laws and suggesting that they will force the entire humanitarian response to halt is irresponsible and dangerous," Shea said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What is needed is a nuanced discussion about how we can ensure that there is no interruption in the delivery of humanitarian aid and essential services," she said. "UNRWA is not and never has been the only option for providing humanitarian assistance in Gaza," she said. Other agencies working in Gaza and the West Bank include the children's organization UNICEF, the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization and the U.N. Development Programme. WHO FILLS A GAP? But the U.N. has repeatedly said there is no alternative to UNRWA and that it would be Israel's responsibility to replace its services. Israel has rejected U.N. claims that Israel would be responsible for filling any gap left by UNRWA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Since October 2023, we have delivered two-thirds of all food assistance, provided shelter to over a million displaced persons and vaccinated a quarter of a million children against polio," Lazzarini told the Security Council. "Since the ceasefire began, UNRWA has brought in 60% of the food entering Gaza, reaching more than half a million people. We conduct some 17,000 medical consultations every day," he said. Israel has long been critical of UNRWA. It says UNRWA staff took part in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. The U.N. has said nine UNRWA staff may have been involved and were fired. A Hamas commander in Lebanon - killed in September by Israel - was also found to have had an UNRWA job. The U.N. has vowed to investigate all accusations made and repreatedly asked Israel for evidence, which it says has not been provided. Lazzarini also said on Tuesday that UNRWA has been the target of a "fierce disinformation campaign" to "portray the agency as a terrorist organization." (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Mark Porter) Shondiin Silversmith Arizona Mirror From semi-trucks and school buses to recreational vehicles and compact cars, heavy traffic along Highway 89 through Cameron, Arizona, is not uncommon for the community as many travelers pass through to get to the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff or further north to Page. But the smooth four-lane highway quickly turns into a narrower two-lane road, and drivers are met with a rougher ride that includes potholes, patched road cracks and bumpy sections. That section of the highway is so notorious locally for regular, and often deadly, accidents that it has spawned a morbid nickname. We call the road Killer 89, said Candis Yazzie, the former vice president of the Cameron Chapter House. Now, a mining company near the Grand Canyon has permission to haul as many as 10 truckloads a day of uranium ore along Killer 89. Its definitely unsettling and alarming, Yazzie said of the haul route passing through her community. The Arizona Mirror traveled the 320-mile route that uranium ore will travel from the Pinyon Plain Mine near the Grand Canyon to a mill near Blanding, Utah. This is the first of five stories about that route and the communities that the uranium will travel through. The entire uranium haul route is about 320 miles, and it passes through several communities in Arizona many of which are within the Navajo Nation before crossing the Utah border for the final stretch to reach its destination, the White Mesa Mill near Blanding, Utah. Some hazards along the haul route include narrow lanes, flash floods and icy road conditions. Other areas have poor visibility and blind spots, and much of the approved routes landscape is open to wandering horses, cows, sheep and wild animals. Cameron is one of the first Navajo communities the trucks pass through when they enter the Navajo Nation. Safety is definitely a concern, Yazzie said. Particularly the safety of our people. The community has roadside tables, housing arts and crafts vendors or food stands, which many tourists and locals visit. A trading post and motel in the community draw people from all over. Like many other communities on the Navajo Nation, Yazzie said she did not learn about the approved uranium haul route passing through her community or how Energy Fuels, Inc., sent two trucks hauling uranium ore through tribal land until after it happened. Uranium ore from Pinyon Plain Mine near the Grand Canyon will be transported by over-the-road 24-ton haul trucks and end dump trailers, according to Energy Fuels, Inc., and up to 10 trucks will make the trip each day. Energy Fuels, Inc. owns and operates the Pinyon Plain uranium mine on U.S. Forest Service land in the Kaibab National Forest near the Grand Canyon. Numerous tribes, including the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe and the Havasupai Tribe, have ancestral lands there. As part of the mining companys transportation policy, trailers hauling uranium ore must be kept closed at all times, both when containing uranium ore and when empty. The trailers are kept closed using a tarp, which can be removed only when loading and unloading so that there may not be any leakage of radioactive material from the trailer. "Many communities along the route have a really tainted history with uranium mining and uranium health effects. Theyre ignoring that aspect of it, and theyre choosing to profit." Candis Yazzie, former Cameron Chapter House vice president Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The route starts from Pinyon Plain Mine on a forest service road before entering the main highway, State Route 64. It then travels south toward Interstate 40 to enter Flagstaff, proceeding east to head north on U.S. Highway 89 until heading east on U.S. Highway 160. In the final stretch sees the trucks take U.S. Highway 191 north into Utah. Many communities along the haul route, which passes through towns in Arizona, the Hopi Nation, the Navajo Nation, Utah, and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, oppose uranium hauling and condemned the first haul in July. They cite fears of contamination and accidents along the route. Cameron and many communities along the route have a really tainted history with uranium mining and uranium health effects, Yazzie said. Theyre ignoring that aspect of it, and theyre choosing to profit. Haul route through Navajo riskiest A recent analysis of fatal vehicle accidents along the Arizona haul route has revealed that uranium trucks traveling from the Pinyon Plain Mine to the White Mesa uranium mill in Utah face a higher risk of accidents over long distances, especially on the Navajo Nation. The most risky segments of the route are between 240 percent and 700 percent more dangerous than an average stretch of road in the United States in terms of vehicle accident fatalities per mile driven, according to the Grand Canyon Trust, an opponent of the mine, which analyzed fatal accident data along the route. Josh OBrien, a senior GIS analyst at Grand Canyon Trust, said the team looked at fatal accident data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations Fatality Analysis Reporting System from 2014 to 2022. Then, the data was cross-referenced with data showcasing the average daily traffic counts collected by the Arizona and Utah state departments of transportation. An average road in the U.S., youd expect about four and half fatal accidents along it, OBrien said in an interview with the Arizona Mirror. But, in the teams route analysis, he said they identified a stretch of road east of Tuba City, along Highway 160, where 14 fatal accidents occurred. Thats over triple the number youd expect, he said, adding that, after running the statistics on the route, its very unlikely this happened by chance and is due to the roads being more hazardous. (Map courtesy Grand Canyon Trust via Arizona Mirror) That isnt news to people who live in the region and are familiar with the roads and the dangers they pose but the Grand Canyon Trust analysis backs up the local knowledge with statistics. For instance, the Navajo Nation Police Department reported a fatal head-on collision involving a pickup truck and a semitruck that occurred on State Route 89 near milepost 479, between Tuba City and Cameron, on Jan. 24. The state road shut down in both directions for multiple hours. Five sections of the whole route have this significantly elevated risk, OBrien said. The most dangerous sections of the uranium truck haul route include the road driving east of the Mexican Water Trading Post on Highway 160, near the Highway 191 junction; east of Flagstaff near Doney Park along Highway 89; east of Tuba City and Dennehotso along Highway 160; and going through Tsegi Canyon along Highway 160, west of Kayenta. Four of the five most dangerous sections of the route are on the Navajo Nation, according to the Grand Canyon Trusts analysis. Across the nation, the fatal accident rate for passenger vehicles was about 1.2 per 100 million miles traveled in 2022, OBrien said in the analysis. Along some segments of the haul route, actual fatal accident rates were 2.4 to 7 times that. The analysis is limited. The team examined only fatal accidents, not all accident data, and primarily examined the Arizona portion of the haul route. There were 113 fatal accidents along the haul route between 2014 and 2022, according to Grand Canyon Trusts analysis. The statistical analysis is very clear, OBrien said in the analysis. Segments of the haul route are dangerous compared to the average for roads in the United States. Uranium hauling still on hold Uranium ore hauling from Pinyon Plain Mine is currently on hold as negotiations continue between the Navajo Nation government and Energy Fuels following the companys surprise haul in July. In response, the Navajo Nation implemented emergency measures to bar any further transportation of the ore through its land. We believe that talks between Energy Fuels and the Navajo Nation have progressed extremely well, and it is clear to us that all parties are working in good faith to reach a mutually beneficial agreement, Curtis Moore, senior vice president of marketing and corporate development at Energy Fuels, said in a statement to the Arizona Mirror. Energy Fuels is committing to voluntarily go far above and beyond the already protective federal laws and regulations on ore transport to build a bridge with the Navajo Nation, he said. Moore added that the resurgence in nuclear energy, which doesnt produce any atmospheric carbon, requires uranium, and the company has a responsibility to demonstrate to people that modern uranium mining and transport is performed much more responsibly than it was during the 1940s to 1960s, when many issues occurred on Navajo land. The Arizona Mirror contacted officials from the Navajo Nation multiple times for interviews and an update on negotiations, but they did not respond. The approved uranium haul route for the Pinyon Plain Mine includes passing through the intersection for State Route 191 going toward either Monument Valley or Bluff, Utah. (Photo by Shondiin Silversmith, Arizona Mirror) Navajo Nation officials have made their stance on the transportation of uranium over the past few months, more recently with amending the Radioactive and Related Substances, Equipment, Vehicles, Persons and Materials Transportation Act of 2012 to strengthen the Navajo Nations regulatory authority over the transportation of uranium and other radioactive materials across their tribal lands. In an interview with the Arizona Mirror, Gov. Katie Hobbs said the biggest concerns for the lack of notification of transportation between the Navajo Nation and Energy Fuels occurred due to miscommunication. As far as I know, they resolved those issues, she said, but no further details were given on how. Even as negotiations continue, other requests have been made, including calls from the Havasupai Tribe, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Gov. Katie Hobbs for the U.S. Forest Service to conduct a new environmental impact study for the Pinyon Plain Mine. Mayes submitted a letter in August stating that the EIS was completed in 1986, nearly four decades years ago, and is based on an outdated, inaccurate understanding of the risks posed by the Mine to groundwater supplies across the Grand Canyon region. Hobbs submitted a letter in September asking for a new environmental review of mine, a request the Havasupai Tribe has made for years. As Governor of Arizona, I take seriously the concerns of Indigenous community members who feel the safety of their communities and the integrity of their sacred sites are threatened by this mine, Hobbs wrote in a letter to the Forest Service. Members of these communities continue to endure significant, heart-breaking harm from uranium mining in our recent past. The final Environmental Impact Statement for the project was issued in 1986, two years after the Plan of Operations was issued. No updated impact statement or plan of operations has been issued since. Hobb said the EIS is still ongoing, and her office is asking for an updated EIS because its the assurance needed of the mine. This mine is probably the most heavily regulated operation in the country, she said, and the EIS will add extra regulations. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The United States Capitol Police (USCP) said a man who claimed to have a molotov cocktail was arrested Monday afternoon. Trump to sign executive order banning transgender people from military service At around 3 p.m., officers stopped a man who claimed to have a molotov cocktail and a knife on the East Plaza which is near the ramp leading to the south door of the U.S. Capitol, USCP said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man was taken into custody for unlawful activities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil's foreign ministry said it summoned a senior U.S. diplomat on Monday to discuss the deportation of Brazilian migrants, part of a push to seek mutually acceptable terms for the controversial repatriations. The summons comes a day after a major flare up over migrant repatriations from the U.S. to Colombia. Gabriel Escobar, currently the highest-ranking U.S. envoy in Brasilia, met officials from Brazil's foreign ministry on Monday, as the United States ramps up deportations under President Donald Trump, including on military flights transporting shackled migrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, Brazil's government said it would seek explanations from U.S. authorities over what it called "degrading treatment" of Brazilians on a deportation flight last Friday. Brazilian deportees arrived in Brazil in handcuffs. They described to local media mistreatment during the flight, including physical abuse and refusals to allow bathroom breaks. The U.S. Department of State did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to Brazil's federal police, the flight was the second this year from the United States carrying undocumented migrants returned to Brazil and the first since Trump's took office last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Brazilian diplomatic source told Reuters that the South American country's government called for the diplomatic meeting to address issues related to the flight, adding that it intends to pursue talks with the Trump's Administration to avoid further problems. Friday's flight carried 88 Brazilians as well as 16 U.S. security agents, and was originally scheduled to arrive in the city of Belo Horizonte in southeastern Minas Gerais state. But it made an unscheduled stop in Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state, due to technical problems, where Brazilian officials ordered the removal of the handcuffs, according to the government. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also designated a Brazilian Air Force plane to complete the migrants' journey. On Sunday, Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro pulled back from the brink of a trade war after the White House said the South American nation agreed to accept military aircraft transporting deported migrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Brazilian diplomatic source added that the Brazilian government does not intend to reject the arrivals of the U.S. deportation flights. (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia; Additional reporting and writing by Andre Romani in Sao Paulo; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Michael Perry) By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The head of the Federal Maritime Commission will tell a U.S. Senate committee that the United States has options to address the growing presence of China and Chinese firms in Panama. President Donald Trump has vowed that the United States would take back the Panama Canal but has given no further details on when or how he intended to reclaim the canal - which is the sovereign territory of an ally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We need to increase support for American companies seeking to do business in Panama and throughout the Americas. Chinese companies must not be the sole bidders on contracts," Federal Maritime Commission Chair Louis E. Sola said in written testimony to be presented on Tuesday at the Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the Panama Canal. The testimony was seen by Reuters. Sola added that "Chinese companies have been able to pursue billions of dollars in development contracts in Panama, many of which were physical infrastructure projects, some on or adjacent to the Panama Canal." Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz said ahead of the hearing: "The United States paid for and built the Panama Canal, but Panama is treating America unfairly and ceding control of key infrastructure to China." Previously, Trump has refused to rule out possible use of military force, drawing criticism from Washington's Latin American friends and foes alike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Sola's testimony, he said: "The United States is not without options in addressing the growing presence of China and Chinese companies in Panama and throughout the Americas. Nor are we without options as they relate to the continued viability of the Canal." He also said it was crucial to protect the independence of the Panama Canal Authority. Panama's president, Jose Raul Mulino, said last week that Panama has administered the canal responsibly for world trade, including for the United States, and that it "is and will continue to be Panamanian." More than 40% of U.S. container traffic, valued at roughly $270 billion annually, transits the Panama Canal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August of last year, Sola and the FMC's then-chair, Dan Maffei, visited Panama and met with Mulino after drought conditions seriously impacted canal operations. Maffei said in written testimony to be presented to the Senate committee on Tuesday that Panamas rainy season last year has fortunately alleviated acute water-supply issues "for the time-being and restored normal transit volumes." (Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler and Matthew Lewis) WASHINGTON (AP) At least 56 senior officials in the top U.S. aid and development agency were placed on leave Monday amid an investigation into an alleged effort to thwart President Donald Trumps orders. A current official and a former official at the U.S. Agency for International Development confirmed the reason given for the move Monday. Both spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. Several hundred contractors based in Washington and elsewhere also were laid off, the officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It follows Trumps executive order last week that directed a sweeping 90-day pause on most U.S. foreign assistance disbursed through the State Department. As a result of the freeze, thousands of U.S.-funded humanitarian, development and security programs worldwide had stopped work or were preparing to do so. Without funds to pay staff, aid organizations were laying off hundreds of employees. An internal USAID notice sent late Monday and obtained by The Associated Press said new acting administrator Jason Gray had identified several actions within USAID that appear to be designed to circumvent the Presidents Executive Orders and the mandate from the American people. As a result, we have placed a number of USAID employees on administrative leave with full pay and benefits until further notice while we complete our analysis of these actions, Gray wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has signed many executive orders since taking office a week ago, but the notice did not say which orders the employees were suspected of violating. The senior agency officials put on leave were experienced employees who had served in multiple administrations, including Trump's, the former USAID official said. Before those officials were removed from the job Monday, they were scrambling to help U.S.-funded aid organizations cope with the new funding freeze and seek waivers to continue life-saving activities, from getting clean water to war-displaced people in Sudan to continuing to monitor for bird flu globally, the former official said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has specifically exempted only emergency food programs and military aid to Israel and Egypt from the freeze on foreign assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration and GOP lawmakers, many of them skeptical of the need for foreign aid and eager to see other countries pay more, say they will review each foreign assistance program to determine whether it is directly in U.S. interests and eliminate those that are deemed wasteful or liberal social engineering. Politico first reported the USAID officials being put on leave. US Secretary of State Mark Rubio has held a phone conversation with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, during which one of the topics discussed was Russias full-scale war against Ukraine. Source: a statement by the US Department of State, as reported by European Pravda Details: During the conversation, Rubio and Lammy expressed their readiness to immediately begin joint efforts to achieve numerous shared foreign policy goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from the statement: "They affirmed the depth of the US-UK Special Relationship and the crucial nature of our partnership in addressing issues like the conflict in the Middle East, Russias war against Ukraine and Chinas malign influence." Details: Rubio and Lammy also highlighted shared initiatives, including the AUKUS partnership, which promotes the creation of a free, open, safe and stable Indo-Pacific. Background: During his Senate confirmation hearing, US Secretary of State Mark Rubio stated that reaching a ceasefire agreement would require concessions from both Moscow and Kyiv and he suggested that Ukraine might have to abandon its goal of reclaiming all the territory seized by Russia over the past decade. Rubio called "the advancement of our national interests" the key mission for the US Department of State. Support UP or become our patron! By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the panel's top Democrat asked U.S. President Donald Trump to detail his rationale for firing 18 inspectors general that provide oversight at U.S. government agencies. Senators Chuck Grassley and Dick Durbin called on Trump to "immediately" provide the lawfully required substantive rationale, to share the names of each official who will serve in an interim capacity --and noted the law requires 30 days' notice before the government watchdogs can be fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The law must be followed. The communication to Congress must contain more than just broad and vague statements; rather, it must include sufficient facts and details to assure Congress and the public that the termination is due to real concerns about the Inspector Generals ability to carry out their mission" the senators wrote. They also called on Trump to "work quickly to nominate qualified and non-partisan individuals to serve in these open positions." Trump fired the IGs at the State, Defense, Transportation, Labor, Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs and other departments. The White House did not immediately comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inspectors general are independent watchdogs tasked with rooting out waste, fraud and abuse. They are nonpartisan, and typically serve in their posts across multiple presidential administrations, regardless of which party controls the White House - investigating a wide range of issues from oversight of the Boeing 737 MAX production issues to military aid to Ukraine. Inspectors general were abruptly fired on Friday evening from agencies such as the Department of Defense and Department of State, despite a legal requirement for the president to notify Congress 30 days in advance and provide a detailed explanation for their removal. Their removal has raised alarm bells among Democrats and others in the inspectors general community, amid concerns that Trump may try to replace them with loyalists. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Marguerita Choy) 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. Pool/Getty Images Gov. Greg Abbott is set to lay out his priorities for the legislative session almost certain to include private school vouchers and bail system changes in his State of the State address this weekend. The Texas Republicans address will air on TV at 5 p.m. Sunday. Abbott is again bucking the longstanding tradition of addressing state lawmakers during a joint session at the Capitol, instead delivering his address to cameras from an oil company in Austin. READ MORE: Gov. Greg Abbott said to be exploring deal to send Houston water to West Texas Advertisement Article continues below this ad The address comes after Abbott spent the last year campaigning against fellow Republicans who opposed a voucher plan he pushed during the last session that would give families public dollars to spend on private education. He has made clear it will be his top priority again. Abbott has also hinted investing in statewide water infrastructure will be a top issue, and Republican budget-writers in the legislature are pushing to add $6.5 billion to Abbotts border security crackdown, Operation Lone Star. PNN Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], January 28: Palm Jewels Limited (BSE: 541444), a company specialising in the wholesale gold jewellery segment, has secured orders worth Rs. 60 million at the recently held India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) and the Gujarat Gold Jewellery Show (GGJS). Established in 2005 and headquartered in Ahmedabad, Palm Jewels participated in the IIJS in Mumbai from January 4 to 7, where it won an order worth Rs. 30 million. The company was recognised as a prominent exhibitor among 1,400 participants at one of India's biggest gem & jewellery shows. Additionally, the company received another order of Rs. 30 million at the 14th Gujarat Gold Jewellery Show (GGJS) held in Gandhinagar from December 27 to 29. It was among the key exhibitors out of 500 participants at the show, which attracted approximately one lakh visitors. Rohit Shah, Managing Director of Palm Jewels Limited, said, "These significant orders worth Rs. 60 million in two prestigious industry events showcase our strong presence in the gold jewellery segment and the trust of our customers. Our commitment to offering high-quality jewellery with the latest designs at competitive prices remains our key strength and we remain dedicated to touching new heights." Palm Jewels operates primarily in the wholesale gold jewellery sector, specialising in products such as gold chains of various styles and designs for various occasions, bracelets designed to appeal to diverse customer preferences, and necklaces featuring both traditional and contemporary designs. It has showrooms at CG Road in Ahmedabad. Its division Jain Ornaments is engaged in the business of silver jewellery. The company's median sales growth in the last ten years is 61%. Its revenue in the second quarter of the ongoing financial year surged by 46.5% over the previous year. It has achieved a reduction in costs by importing 75% of its gold requirements. The company's working capital requirements have reduced from 49 days to just 33 days, signalling improved business and better cash flow management. Moreover, investor holdings in Palm Jewels have gone up, reflecting strong confidence in the company. Palm Jewels' shares closed at Rs. 40.63 on Friday after touching a new 52-week high of Rs. 45.45 recently. According to the technical analysis, the stock has given a solid breakout on the weekly timeframe with high volumes, indicating strong potential for good momentum ahead. (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) (Reuters) - The United States transferred some 90 Patriot air defense interceptors from Israel to Poland this week to then deliver them to Ukraine, Axios reported on Tuesday, citing three sources with knowledge of the operation. "We have seen the reports but have nothing to provide at this time," a Pentagon spokesperson said in response to the report. A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed to Axios that a Patriot system had been returned to the U.S., adding "it is not known to us whether it was delivered to Ukraine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday he had spoken with Netanyahu. They discussed the Middle East, bilateral ties and U.S. President Donald Trump, who took office last week, Zelenskiy said on social media. The post made no mention of the missiles. (Reporting by Costas Pitas; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Sandra Maler) U.S. ships are returning to the Red Sea following promises from Yemens Houthi rebels to abstain from attacks on American and British vessels. The pledge, which comes after more than a year of shipping traffic disruption on a major international trade route, was made on Jan. 19, according to the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), as reported by Bloomberg. Since then, six U.S. and United Kingdom-linked ships have successfully transited the area without the Houthis attacking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the JMIC warned that even with the Houthi promise to hold off on attacks, ships are still under potential threat in the waterway, as vessels linked to Israel continue to be banned. JMIC assesses that as the peace agreement progresses and vessels and infrastructure remain untargeted, improved stability is expected; however, the risk in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden remain elevated, the center said in a report released earlier this week. The Houthis have been attacking merchant and U.S. Navy ships in the Red Sea for more than a year, part of a campaign the rebel group claims is in solidarity with Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, which had been fighting against Israeli forces since Oct. 7, 2023. But a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, announced last week ahead of President Trumps inauguration, prompted the Houthis to allow the American and British commercial ships to return to the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. also has continually kept naval assets in the Red Sea and the Middle East region to fight directly against the Houthis since January 2024. Prior to the ceasefire, vessels chose to take the longer route around Africa to avoid attacks in the Red Sea. It remains to be seen whether commercial ships from other nations may soon return to the waterway. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 (AP) U.S.-funded aid programs around the world were firing staff and shutting down or preparing to stop operations, as the Trump administration's unprecedented freeze on almost all foreign assistance brought their work to a sudden halt. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who initially exempted only emergency food programs and military aid to Israel and Egypt from the aid pause, agreed Tuesday to at least temporarily keep spending money on humanitarian programs that provide life-saving medicine, medical services, food, shelter and subsistence assistance, according to a copy of a signed waiver obtained by The Associated Press. While some in the aid community expressed hope Rubio's move would rescue more of the programs that keep alive refugees, the gravely ill and others around the world, U.S.-funded operations of all kinds stepped up the pace of layoffs, furloughs and program shutdowns. President Donald Trump ordered the 90-day freeze last week to give the administration time to review which of the thousands of humanitarian, development and security programs will keep getting money from the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also paused federal grants and loans inside the United States, but a judge temporarily blocked that effort Tuesday. Heres a look at the foreign funding freeze and how it had starting hitting programs worldwide: Grappling with the global scale of the aid shutdown The United States is the world's largest source of foreign assistance by far, although other countries give a bigger share of their budgets. It provides 4 out of every 10 dollars donated for humanitarian aid. The aid community is grappling with just how existential this aid suspension is," said Abby Maxman, president of Oxfam America, one of the few aid officials willing to speak publicly about the impact of the freeze following Trump administration warnings not to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration placed more than 50 senior officials with the U.S. Agency for International Development on leave Monday as many were helping organizations deal with the freeze. USAID's acting head said he was investigating whether the officials were resisting Trump's orders. U.S. policy for decades has been that aid given abroad pays for itself through greater national security, by stabilizing regions and economies and improving relations with partners. But many Trump administration officials and Republican lawmakers believe much foreign assistance is money that should be spent or saved at home. For every program, we'll expect the State Department to defend, repent, or in some cases, make the case for continuation of their programs, said Rep. Brian Mast, Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most U.S. funding for Ukraine's military isn't affected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the U.S. freeze doesn't affect vital American support to his military as it fights invading Russian forces. That's mostly true. The only military aid the State Department is responsible for and thus is covered by the pause is foreign military financing and international military education and training. There are other baskets for U.N. peacekeeping operations and demining programs. Most of Ukraines military aid, however, has come from the Pentagon. That includes a program drawing from existing arms stocks and another called the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither of the Defense Department programs is directly affected by the freeze, although U.S. officials say there is nothing in the pipeline either. But civilian programs vital to Ukraine's war effort do come from the State Department. There's no word of exemptions for them. That includes salary support that the U.S. provides to keep Ukraines government running despite the wars damage to the economy. That support is important, said Bradley Bowman of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. But I think if our European allies are reading the political moment in the United States well, they better be moving, I say quickly, to try to pick up most or all of that burden. Money for Ukraine's veterans and other programs wasn't spared Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. has sent stop-work orders to wartime civilian programs it supports in Ukraine. That includes Veteran Hub, a nonprofit that runs a crisis hotline getting up to 1,300 calls a month from Ukrainian veterans who need social and psychological support. Getting the stop-work order this weekend, Ivona Kostyna, the nonprofit's leader, realized she could soon lose half of her trained staff of 31. "If we had a month, say, warning, even two-week warning, it would have been a lot easier on us, she said. We could have managed to somehow secure ourselves for this time. But there just wasnt any warning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days before the U.S. freeze, Veteran Hub received a call from someone on the verge of hurting themselves, Kostyna said. A hotline staffer texted the person through the night. And now what we have is a line that isnt working and basically no answer, which is terrifying for us, she said. A death sentence for some In the southern African nation of Zimbabwe, Gumisayi Bonzo, director of a health nonprofit, worried for her organization and for herself. Zimbabwe is one of the few African countries to achieve a milestone in HIV/AIDS diagnosis, treatment and suppression of viral load. That's thanks in large part to a groundbreaking HIV program created by Republican President George W. Bush, credited with saving more than 20 million lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR has been targeted by Republican hardliners. Bonzo had yet to hear word of a funding cutoff for her group, Trans Smart Trust, which promotes health services for bisexual and transgender people in a country where discrimination and stigma discourage many to seek treatment. Everyone is just confused right now, Bonzo said. The 54-year-old has been taking HIV treatment for 23 years thanks to PEPFAR support that made medication affordable. I have been religiously taking medicines for over two decades, I am living a normal life again, and suddenly we have to stop, she said. Thats a death sentence for many people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubios waiver does not cover programs that deal with abortion, family planning, conferences or anything related to diversity, equity and inclusion or gender reassignment. Some call it a cruel cutoff Gyude Moore, a former Cabinet minister in Liberia who is now a fellow at the U.S.-based Center for Global Development, said the U.S. freeze would hurt lives around Africa. U.S. support helped West Africa recover from years of vicious wars. Money from USAID helped pay for school lunches, supported girls' education, strengthened health systems and helps small farmers. Moore, as many colleagues did, called the sudden cutoff cruel." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no wiggle room, he said. Abandoning this assistance hurts the U.S., because it makes no distinction between ally, partner and adversary," he added. And U.S. rival China will be happy to move into areas of Africa to build its influence and business contracts in resource-rich countries, Moore and other analysts say. Feeding hungry children in Liberia or malnourished children in Kenya, providing life-saving anti-retroviral drugs in Uganda none of these things undermine American interests, Moore said. Concerns about losing ground to China The U.S. also has tried to raise its profile in the South Pacific to counter China's influence, including by bolstering USAID spending to nations that are among the most dependent on development finance. During visits to the Pacific in 2024, officials announced more than $15 million in new spending, to boost natural disaster resilience, support economic growth, help countries withstand the ruinous effects of climate change, and more. ___ Mutsaka reported from Harare, Zimbabwe. AP reporters Charlotte Graham-McLay in Wellington, New Zealand and Tara Copp in Washington contributed. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have announced the suspension of the United for Ukraine (U4U) programme for Ukrainians fleeing war. Source: USCIS website, as reported by Ukrinform Details: The decision to suspend the programme was made in connection with the executive order of 20 January 2025, Securing Our Borders. The report said the USCIS is suspending the acceptance of Form I-134A, the online request to become a sponsor, and the declaration of financial support until the service has reviewed all earlier requests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier, US Department of Homeland Security officials ordered the suspension of a number of programmes that allowed immigrants to temporarily settle in the country, including a key initiative that provides entry for Ukrainians. According to the US government, more than 150,000 Ukrainians had entered the US under the United for Ukraine programme as of September 2023. Background: On 20 January, US President Donald Trump signed a decree to temporarily suspend all US foreign aid programmes for 90 days pending a review. Support UP or become our patron! The U.S. has suspended its refugee program for Ukrainians called "Uniting for Ukraine," the country's Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website showed on Jan. 28, more than a week after U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order on immigration and border security. "Due to the Jan. 20, 2025, Executive Order, Securing Our Borders, USCIS is pausing acceptance of Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, until we review all categorical parole processes as required by that order," the statement read. This means that new applications are effectively frozen until the completion of a review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Uniting for Ukraine program allowed Ukrainians to stay in the U.S. for up to two years, work, and receive health insurance. The applicants were obligated to have a sponsor in the U.S. who would financially support them during their stay. As of last year, the U.S. had accepted over 200,000 Ukrainians under the program. Over 6 million Ukrainian citizens have fled their homes in the wake of Russia's all-out invasion in 2022. The decision was widely anticipated after the U.S. Homeland Security Department suspended several programs that allowed immigrants to temporarily settle in the country. According to a directive seen by the New York Times, this included an initiative for Ukrainians. The order called for an immediate halt to "final decisions" on applications related to these programs while the administration reviewed them and decided whether to terminate them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This decision will block the entry of immigrants fleeing some of the most unstable places in the world, including Ukraine, Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela, among others, according to the outlet. The Trump administration officials also said that Trump believes that many of these programs were "never lawful to begin with." In a similar move, the U.S. State Department has suspended almost all foreign aid, including non-military assistance to Ukraine. The step threw Ukrainian NGOs, many reliant on U.S. support, into disarray, with some voicing concerns about their ability to survive the aid freeze. Read also: Trump suspends aid to Ukraine, vital NGOs dont know if theyll survive Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A man from D.C. pleaded guilty to the murder of his wife during a court hearing on Friday, according to the United States Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia (USADC). The attorneys office said that on Jan. 24, 48-year-old Wyatt Swan pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for killing his wife, 52-year-old Teresa Francisco, in 2024. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | DC man wanted for shooting death of girlfriend arrested in Prince Georges County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the governments evidence, around 1 p.m. on Oct. 1, Swan first shot Francisco with a pistol in their apartment located in the 900 block of Eastern Ave. Northeast. The attorneys office said Francisco was able to get away and she ran and hid in a nearby work van. Thats when Swan followed her and shot into the van multiple times, killing her. The next day, Swan was taken into custody in Prince Georges County, Md. He has remained in custody since. His sentencing is scheduled for March 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. The Pulitzer Prize board is asking a judge to hit pause on a defamation case President Donald Trump filed against it until his presidency is over, using Trumps own legal arguments against him. Trump sued the Pulitzer Board in 2022 after it released a statement standing by awarding the 2018 national reporting prize to the Washington Post and New York Times for their coverage of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and its alleged connections to the Trump campaign. In their motion filed on Monday, the Pulitzer Board pointed out that Trump previously sought stays in other civil lawsuits where he was the defendant, saying the suits should be halted while he is in office because of questions of whether the US Constitution bars state courts from exercising jurisdiction over the a sitting president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This past Friday, the motion notes, Trumps team requested a stay in a case investors in Trumps social media company brought against him. In that case, Trumps team argued (c)ommonsense favors a stay of this case until the end of the Presidents term, so that President Trump can devote his time and energies to Americas problems. Trump made the same argument during his first term in a defamation case brought against him by Summer Zervos, a former contestant on his show The Apprentice. Specifically, in his first term Plaintiff argued that if a case pending against him in New York state court was not temporarily stayed, it will disrupt and impair [his] ability to discharge his Article II responsibilities, and he declared that the effective administration of our nation provides a compelling justification to stay [the] action, the Pulitzer Boards motion states. The board also argues that the stay benefits the president, because the prize-winning articles concern and discovery will thus need to probe Plaintiffs official actions during his first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For years, Trump demanded the Pulitzer Board rescind the 2018 prize, arguing that he had been exonerated by special counsel Robert Muellers 2019 report. The report said it did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in the election interference activities, although it did not completely clear Trump of wrongdoing. Following Trumps demands, the Pulitzer Board commissioned two independent reviews of the awards, issuing a statement in 2022 that read in part: No passages or headlines, contentions or assertions in any of the winning submissions were discredited by facts that emerged subsequent to the conferral of the prizes. It was that statement that prompted Trump to file his defamation suit against the board, choosing to file it in Florida because one member of the board is a Florida resident. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A legislative bill to establish the Utah Energy Council, energy development zones and a nuclear energy consortium unanimously passed Monday out of the House Public Utilities and Energy Committee. The bill, HB249 by Rep. Carl Albrecht, R-Richfield, aims to position Utah as a player in energy innovation and foster plans for the future for microreactors or small modular reactor technology. Weve got to start somewhere, Albrecht told the committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will not be a plant tomorrow or the next day or the next year. This plant generation is going to be 10 to 15 years down the road, and hopefully technology improves and we generate power with zero carbon. Utah has been identified by the IdIdaho National Laboratory as a first mover state in the arena of advanced nuclear technology deployment just one of a handful. That designation means Utah, with its research universities and all of the above energy approach is an ideal candidate to deploy nuclear to not only tamp emissions but to aid in economic development. The Frontiers Project has been working closely with Utahs congressional delegation and state representatives, as well as Utahs office of Energy Development. The state Legislature is serious about using that advantage and has taken out the notebooks and done some research. Lawmakers toured the facility west of Idaho Falls and also made a trip to the White Mesa processing mill in San Juan County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albrecht was blunt when it came to meeting Utahs future energy needs, asserting multiple data centers want to locate here but Rocky Mountain Power lacks the capacity to meet their demand. Their solution is to get natural gas plants up and running to power their facilities, but in the long run, Albrecht said nuclear has to be part of the equation. So as you well know, energy production and security and reliability is a statewide issue. Utah is trying to get ahead of this. As you well know, weve got a lot of data centers that want to come to Utah. Were talking anywhere from 50 megawatts on up to 500 megawatts of power. Albrecht conceded the bill has a lot of moving parts and is a work in progress but he was adamant. We have to start somewhere. He surmised it will be tweaked and changed and evolve over the years, likely long after he has left the legislature. Politicians are like diapers. They need to be changed once in awhile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also conceded the failure of the NuScale small modular reactor planned at Idaho National Laboratory but later shelved due to costs for ratepayers of participating cities and districts. He received support, however, from the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems which pursued the Carbon Free Power Project. Through the process of this, of our development of the project, we realized a number of the commercial considerations related to developing new nuclear in the state, said Michael Suarez, government affairs director for UAMPS. You know at UAMPS we had many municipalities lead out on this issue. You know that with Utahs pioneering spirit, we can get this done, and we can get anything done as Utahns if were collaborating and working together. The bill received other praise. We can move forward with a stronger, more reliable and sustainable energy future, specifically on nuclear. The nuclear consortium is created here will give us a leg up, bringing together the best minds. This bill is how Utah goes nuclear, said Joel Ferry, executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources which oversees the states energy development office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several critics, however, brought up health and safety concerns, recalling the fate of Utah downwinders who suffered and died from above ground nuclear testing in Nevada. Ava Curtis gave a detailed presentation about the rampage cancer has caused in her family and the serious danger posed by exposure to nuclear radiation. What Im asking from the members of this committee is to take the time to fully understand the risks of nuclear energy and to make sure that those who have been impacted by nuclear energy are voiced in this new committee, this new group thats studying this, including members of the mountain Ute tribe from white Mesa who are affected, members of the Navajo Nation, and those whove been impacted by nuclear energy and uranium refinement, such as my own family. Our voices should be heard when making energy decisions for a community. Albrecht had his own story to tell, sympathizing with her about uranium mining during the Cold War era when his family worked in the uranium mines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im pretty close to nuclear and uranium because during the 50s and 60s, my dad had uranium mines on the San Rafael Swell. I was just a little, but I can remember going down to those mines. I had two brothers working in them, and some other relatives and people who worked for my dad, and he shipped that uranium, which was low grade uranium, to Grand Junction, Shiprock, and sold it to the U.S. government to build bombs with to end the Cold War, Albrecht said. I had a brother die from cancer. Now I dont know if that was from working in the uranium mine, hauling the uranium in a truck, or from downwinders, and nobody will know to this day, but the cemeteries in southern Utah has already been alluded and they are full of people who died from cancer, all forms of cancer, because the government lied to us when they did the testing in Nevada. But we have comes a long way since then. Utah, he added, needs to be positioned to take the leap if nuclear promises carbon free power, safety and reliability. This he stressed, is a first exploratory step. Senate Minority Assistant Whip Jen Plumb, D-Salt Lake City, is pictured on the first day of the legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) A Utah bill to restrict the allowable age gap between an underage minor and his or her adult spouse cleared its first legislative hurdle Monday. The Senate Health and Human Services committee voted unanimously without debate to endorse SB76. The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently in Utah, a minor must be at least 16 years old to be married, but those under the age of 18 must have signed consent from a parent or guardian and permission from a juvenile court. State law also already restricts a judge from allowing a 16- or 17-year-old from marrying anyone more than seven years older. With SB76, sponsor Sen. Jen Plumb, D-Salt Lake City, wants to lower that legal age gap for minors to four years. Her bill would also restrict the courts from issuing a written authorization for a minor to marry until at least 72 hours after the time at which the minor and his or her parent or legal guardian file paperwork for permission. Ultimately, for me, it is about protecting our young, our kids, Plumb told lawmakers on the Senate committee. It is likely more our girls, but it is all of our kids who could be put in vulnerable situations when theyre in this young, critical time in their lives. Jennifer Brinton, a pediatrician and a member of the Utah chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, urged support of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I really wish that children werent victimized by child marriage at times, but unfortunately the data shows that sometimes its used to cover up statutory rape and sometimes child trafficking happens as well, giving kids fewer options for their future, Brinton said. Brinton cited a 2021 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health that showed nearly 300,000 minors under 18 were legally married in the U.S. between 2000 and 2018, and a vast majority were ages 16 or 17. The study also found that included mostly girls wed to adult men an average of four years older or more. I really recommend looking at ways we can help strengthen the support and protection for these youth, to not limit their future potential and to not make them victims without a voice, Brinton said. Over the last five years, the Utah County Clerks Office has issued 28 marriage licenses to 32 minor applications, according to Russ Rampton, who works in that offices marriage license division. He said in that time frame, the average age gap was about one and a half years, while the highest was three and a half years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman said her office has issued seven marriage licenses to minors since 2019. Of those seven, she said three had an age gap larger than four years. But for the most part, most of them were relatively close in age, she said, speaking in support of Plumbs bill. Lawmakers then voted unanimously to pass the bill and forward it to the full Senate for consideration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Utah representatives advanced a bill restricting transgender students access to dormitories at public universities on a 59-13 party-line vote Tuesday, after the mother of a Utah State University student complained about a transgender resident adviser. It's the latest example of the state's Republican-controlled Legislature addressing transgender rights, following high-profile bills approved in each of the last three sessions. Republicans said the bill is an effort to ensure the privacy of female students, while Democrats argued transgender dorm access should be left to universities to handle and accused the majority of targeting the transgender community. "I want to be very, very clear: This is a sensitive and emotional issue, but no person deserves harassment trans or otherwise," bill sponsor Rep. Stephanie Gricius, R-Eagle Mountain, told colleagues on the House floor Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB269 which advanced out of a House committee last week requires that students at public universities live in rooms that match their sex designation at birth, even if they have changed the sex listed on their birth certificate. Gricius described three "pathways" to campus housing for students: housing for biological males, biological females or gender-neutral housing which she said creates a pathway for transgender students on campus. The bill also requires the Utah Board of Higher Education to provide universities with instructions for complying with the bill. NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 28: The Indian International Textile Machinery Exhibitions Society (India ITME Society) yet another time is poised to take the textile industry by storm with the third edition of the Global Textile Technology & Engineering Show (GTTES 2025), a landmark event for the textile industry from the 21st to 23rd February 2025 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon (East), Mumbai, India. This event by the India ITME Society promises to be a global platform for the textile industry and engineering sector across the world showcasing the latest advancements, innovations, and opportunities with the aim to redefine global textile innovation. Talking about this event, Mr Ketan Sanghvi, Chairman and members of the steering committee of India International Textile Machinery Exhibitions said, "GTTES 2025 is a transformative event, aimed to be responsive to the changing needs of the global textile and machinery industry. Beyond yarn and fibers, it will cover state-of-the-art advancements in weaving, processing, finishing, garments, knitting, and technical textiles with eco-friendly practices and sustainable growth. The event will witness extensive participation with top exhibitors coming up with innovative solutions, product launches, and precious networking opportunities. It is to be a part of India's textile ecosystem, which would help the nation achieve its vision of becoming a global leader in textile technology and engineering by 2047." Ever since 1980, the Indian ITME Society has organized some massive shows and events like India ITME, ITME Africa & Middle East, and GTTES trying to capture the World's attention to strengthen fabric preparation & processing by expanding India's wings in knitting, and garmenting techniques, attracting international exhibitors, visitors, and investors. GTTES 2025 marks an important journey for India's Textile Industry, the third edition of GTTES is set to elevate the Indian Textile Ecosystem by bringing together 175 exhibitors across eight major categories. With special emphasis on advanced weaving, machinery, sustainable processing solutions, digital printing, and knitting technologies, are featuring 42 exhibitors in weaving and 38 in processing alone. The Indian textile market is poised on a growth trajectory toward US$ 350 billion by 2030, while textile exports are expected to reach US$ 100 billion. GTTES will take center stage to drive technological innovation to help achieve this vision in 2025. The event will be a showstopper, as green technologies and sustainable solutions are going to be the biggest highlights of this event, making GTTES the hub for advanced textile technologies. Leading suppliers of textile technologies from countries including Germany, Switzerland, and China shall ensure that GTTES 2025 is an outright world-level event. Over 27 countries such as Australia, Bangladesh, China, Germany, the US among others will also be represented during the event which is estimated to attract more than 25,000 professionals. As part of it, B2B meetings involving international delegations from Sri Lanka, Ghana, and Ethiopia shall aim at further cementing trade collaboration with India. As the exhibition comes closer, GTTES 2025 is eager to showcase product launches from top industry players in the country Shuttleless Looms Pvt Ltd, Samruddhi Engineering, Om Corporation, Ingersoll-Rand (India) Limited, Sumaria Global Sales LLP, to name a few. There also will exclusive investment promotion program by the Chhattisgarh Government to highlight the opportunities in the state. It will not only be a trade exhibition but an energizer to fuel the Indian Textile Industry toward the world market. The exhibition is set to start from 21st to 23rd February 2025, at Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, India, whether you are a manufacturer, distributor, investor, or industry professional, GTTES 2025 is the place to be. Don't miss the chance to witness the groundbreaking innovations and valuable partnerships that will shape the future of the textile industry. A remarkable exhibition showcasing the needs of the Textile Industry, an exclusive forum to explore the fascinating world of textiles through stunning displays, interactive installations, and thought-provoking artwork. It is an opportunity to immerse yourself in creativity and inspiration. The exhibition promises to be an unforgettable journey and it is dedicated to magnifying the business and trade for Textile Machinery Manufacturers, through interaction with agents/dealers not only from India but also from across the Globe. It serves as a platform for companies to demonstrate their products, network with potential clients and partners, and stay updated on industry trends of Textile Business. The textile industry also accounts for 13% of industrial production, 2.3% of GDP, and 12% of foreign exchange inflows into the nation. India has a 4% share of the global trade in textile and apparel. https://corporate.india-itme.com/gttes2025/event-info#GTTES-at-a-glance (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, addresses the chamber at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on the first day of the legislative session, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) The Utah House of Representatives on Monday advanced a bill that would ban collective bargaining for the states public sector unions, which represent teachers, firefighters and police officers. But HB267, which passed after lengthy debate and a 42-32 vote, could be tweaked as it moves through the legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sponsor, Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, acknowledged that most of the labor organizations hes met with are opposed to the bill and he is working on potential compromises so groups like the Utah School Employees Association, the Professional Firefighters of Utah and Fraternal Order of Police take a more neutral stance. The bill prohibits collective bargaining in the public sector, the process where a school district, city, county or other entity that deals with public employees meets with a union to negotiate a contract for those employees. The Salt Lake City police and fire departments, and several school districts around the state, are the only entities in Utah that actually engage in collective bargaining, Teuscher said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The fundamental problem with that, Teuscher argued on the House floor on Monday, is that the only voice recognized is the union and its members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That voice is made up by a far minority of the employment base across the board, and so there are literally thousands of voices across our state that just dont get heard as part of that negotiation process, he said. Unions could still meet with school districts, but the bill would open up the table to any other group or individual teacher that chooses to be a part of that process, because it directly affects them. The bill, as Teuscher alluded to, has triggered an outpouring of opposition from the states labor groups, both public and private. As lawmakers spent nearly 40 minutes debating the bill on the House floor Monday, most reported having received many emails from teachers, firefighters and other public employees telling them to vote no. In a news release, the Utah Education Association, which represents about 18,000 teachers and other school employees, said in one week it gathered 13,000 signatures opposing the legislation. The group accused Republicans who voted in favor of the bill of ignoring these voices in favor of consolidating power and attacking public unions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have received thousands of emails in the last 72 hours opposing this bill, and I have spoken with many constituents who are also concerned with this bill, said Rep. Hoang Nguyen, D-Salt Lake City. My concern lies with our public servants who feel like this bill would take away their ability to collectively work as a body to negotiate better working conditions and wages for their group. The Republicans that spoke against the bill struck a similar tone. Rep. Ray Ward, R-Bountiful, said a unions ability to collectively bargain offers teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public employees an alternative to the legislature for representation. And Rep. Douglas Welton, R-Payson, who is one of the legislatures few active teachers, questioned whether the bill would actually lead to more teachers being represented, as Teuscher claimed. I understand that the union doesnt represent all teachers. I understand their cares and their concerns. That being said, I worry that this will further remove their voice, Welton said. My phone has been overwhelmed by people who are speaking against this. But other Republican supporters argued that much of the opposition comes from people who havent actually read the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I too, like everyone here, have gotten many emails about what they like or what they dont like, and most of them have opposed it, said Rep. Walt Brooks, R-St. George. I sent them the bill, and every one of them realized that their perception of what theyve been told was not what the bill was actually doing. And, proponents of the bill argued, it will give all public employees a voice, not just union members. This bill is actually about consistency and fairness, and when were using taxpayer dollars, its important that we are being consistent and fair, said Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman. There is nothing stopping unions from still associating and still pulling together and coming to use their voice. Although the bill passed, 18 Republicans joined the Houses 14 Democrats to vote no. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the elimination of collective bargaining is the most controversial part, the bill proposes several other changes to public sector employees and unions. It would restrict certain government resources from going toward union activity that includes ensuring taxpayer funds wont pay a public employee for the work they do for a union. And unions wouldnt get special exemptions for using public resources, like property (if other groups or people have to pay to use a public room or space, so does the union). People who are employed by a union, but arent actually employed by the entity the union represents for instance, someone who works for a teachers union full time, but isnt actually employed by the school district would no longer have access to the Utah Retirement System. And the bill would offer professional liability insurance for teachers, which in most cases is only currently offered through a union, Teuscher says. That would offer teachers extra protection for things like employment disputes, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the bill now moving on to a Senate committee, then the full Senate for consideration, lawmakers say there could be changes to the bill. Without elaborating, Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, told reporters on Monday theyre hearing amendments. It will be interesting to see how it comes to us. The Utah Education Association called the bill a blatant power grab aimed at dismantling public unions and silencing the collective voice of educators who advocate tirelessly for Utahs students and public schools. We believe HB 267 represents a dangerous precedent that undermines the principles of democracy and the rights of public employees to organize and advocate for their professions. It attacks public educators who dedicate their lives to teaching Utahs children, ultimately threatening the quality of public education across the state, the group said in a statement. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) On Monday, Jan. 27, long-anticipated legislation to ban cell phones in Utahs public schools was released. Senate Bill 178, titled Devices in Public Schools, will create a statewide cell phone ban but require school districts to create policies for exceptions like responding to an imminent threat or school-wide emergency. Other exceptions would include students using the SafeUT Crisis Line, for a students individualized education or accommodation plan, and to address a medical necessity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill to block public unions from collectively bargaining passes Utah House Senator Lincoln Fillmore (R Salt Lake) has joined together with a push from The Policy Project and unveiled their plans earlier this summer but the specific language being run through the legislature has now been unveiled. The bill prohibits cell phones, smartphones, smartwatches, and other emerging technology from being used during classroom hours which would include the time students are receiving teacher-led instruction including virtually. The bill would allow students to use phones during lunch, recess, study halls, after-school activities, and between classes. Cell phones as part of the approved curriculum would also be allowed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the rise of social media and smartphone use, weve seen a significant impact on both the mental health of our students and the quality of their classroom experiences, Sen. Fillmore said earlier this year. The goal of this legislation is to empower school districts, teachers and students to create a more focused and productive learning environment. Through this effort, teachers can focus more on teaching and less on being the cellphone police. The groups aim to flip the current Utah cell phone policy upside down right now Utah allows for phones in school with districts all creating individualized policies for phone bans. This bill creates a ban with districts required to create policies for when they can be used. Smartphones have become a major distraction in Utah schoolsdisrupting classroom environments, decreasing academic performance, and contributing to bullying and social isolation, Emily Bell McCormick, President of The Policy Project said. Parents and families need support, students need guidance and teachers need assistance responding to this growing epidemic. We must take collective action to reset the norm around smartphones in schools. An earlier version of the bill asked for funding so districts could buy some type of lock box or locking pouches for kids to place cell phones during the day. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) At least a dozen students from UTEP have been scrambling for answers after learning that the thousands of dollars in financial aid refund money they were set to receive earlier this month was sent to an unknown bank account. It took about five days to get a response, and then ultimately I was told that there was nothing that could be done by UTEP. The money was stolen. I was a victim of a phishing incident and that I needed to contact the FBI, said Cristian Corbett, a student at UTEP, who said he had noticed unfamiliar bank account information in his student account days before his refund was sent out. Corbett said that he reported it to UTEP officials and was told to change his log-in credentials. Several days later, he was informed that the money had been stolen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next day, I inquired with Student Business Services again about my refund, and thats when I was told that my account was compromised and I was sent an email with a list of things to do like contacting the Department of Education, and to file an Internet crime report with the FBI. And I still havent received any word on if Im going to receive my refund at all, said Lorena Lopez, a student at UTEP. Lopez said she contacted UTEP financial aid on Jan. 21, when she realized she had not yet received her refund and that she could not recognize the bank account information on her student account. A few days later, she learned that her account had been compromised. These are just two of over a dozen students KTSM has been in communication with who said their financial aid refund was deposited into an unknown account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The situation from student to student varies slightly, but most students noticed that their student account had unrecognizable bank account information, to which their refund was deposited to. The students expressed frustration and helplessness, saying that UTEP staff told them there wasnt much they could do and that they had to file a report with the FBI and contact the U.S. Department of Education. In a statement to KTSM, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) said that it became aware of a number of students that were targeted in a phishing attack, and that after conducting an extensive analysis they were able to determine that the universitys systems were not hacked. UTEP officials said that theyre working proactively trying to reach students affected to offer them one-on-one help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They offered the following statement: A phishing attack is, sadly, a very common form of cybercrime. While UTEP was proactive in identifying other students who may have been affected, we dont believe this tactic is specifically focused on UTEP. UTEP has been in contact with law enforcement and is encouraging students who are victims to file a report with the FBIs cybercrimes unit. Like many employers and schools, UTEP provides cybercrime prevention training to students and staff. These criminals are getting more and more sophisticated and everyone in the community needs to be cautious about clicking on links or responding to emails that dont seem quite right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UTEP is working to help students who were victims of these attacks. UTEP officials said that they are working with the FBI on an ongoing investigation into the matter, and while they cannot confirm that all students were victims of a phishing attack, they provided one of their cyber security experts to explain the difference between a phishing attack and hacking. We need to understand that phishing is a social engineering attack, which means attackers are trying to play with human psychology, so they try to persuade humans in order to share their sensitive information, said Palvi Aggarwal, an assistant professor in the Computer Science Department at UTEP. Aggarwal said receiving phishing emails is very rare, therefore hard to spot. She also said attackers have become quite sophisticated at making their emails appear legitimate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When theyre sending you an email, (they will use) a domain name that is very familiar to you, Aggarwal said. For example, (if they use) Yahoo!, rather than using double Os, they will use two zeros. Most students, however, said theyre confident they only opened emails from their professors or counselors and dont recall how they could have become victims of this attack. None recall ever sharing their log-in credentials with anyone either. I dont think it was phishing. Honestly, I dont even check my emails. I only use it to contact my professors and advisers. I never clicked on an (email). I dont agree with the guidance that UTEP is giving us, said Juan Ruvalcaba, a student at UTEP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lopez, who had contacted Student Financial Aid to report the unrecognizable information in her student account, said she was told by UTEPs security team that she had not been a victim of phishing. They went through my outlook, my email account, and they said that I, in fact, did not click on any phishing scams and that there were no suspicious log-ins to my UTEP account either but they had me change my credentials, Lopez said. Meanwhile, Aggarwal warns that anyone could fall victim to phishing and urges students to be vigilant for signals like the domain names that may help them spot a phishing email. You have to train yourself in order to identify those emails. So look for the cues that I mentioned earlier and thats super important because one of the keys, according to research, is overconfidence is one of the reasons why people are susceptible to phishing emails, thinking that I cannot be phished, Aggarwal said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For students who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the incidents involving their financial aid refund, UTEP is encouraging students to apply for free financial assistance through the Emergency Fund in the Division of Student Affairs, by clicking here. For questions about emergency funds, students can contact MinerSupport@utep.edu. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Uzbekistan Airways airliners have changed their routes when flying to Europe to avoid Russian and Belarusian airspace as a "precautionary measure," the Uzbek news outlet Repost reported on Jan. 28. The news comes a month after an Azerbaijani airliner crashed in Kazakhstan after flying through the Russian airspace. Baku said that Russian air defenses mistakenly opened fire against the plane, bringing it down and killing 38 of the 67 people on board. "These are simply precautionary measures and, to some extent, route optimization," the press service of Uzbekistan Airways was quoted as saying by Repost, claiming the change is not directly connected to the downing of the Azerbaijani plane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Jan. 20, Uzbekistan Airways airliners fly over Azerbaijan and Turkey when heading west. The Azerbaijani airliner was traveling from Baku to Grozny in Russia's Chechen Republic on Dec. 25, 2024, but was forced to change course and crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau. Independent observers and Azerbaijani officials said that it was hit unintentionally by Russian air defense fire while attempting to land at Groznys airport. The airport was allegedly under a Ukrainian drone attack, and Russias military failed to notify the airport in time to deny all civilian passenger planes entry into its airspace to avoid suffering fire by the activated anti-air missile system. Russian authorities claimed the plane crashed due to hitting birds, but Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev directly accused Russia of downing the plane and demanded an admission of guilt and reparations, straining relations among otherwise close allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Absurd versions Azerbaijans president accuses Russia, condemns Putins denial of involvement in plane crash Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. VATICAN CITY (AP) A Vatican document released Tuesday offers wide-ranging ethical guidelines for the application of artificial intelligence in sectors from warfare to health care, with an underlying call that the burgeoning technology must be used as a tool to complement, and not replace, human intelligence. Pope Francis has issued several warnings about the risks associated with AI technology, and this new document by the Vaticans doctrine and cultural offices expands on what the pontiff has already said. It comes as a new AI chatbot by Chinese tech startup DeepSeek has raised the stakes in the AI technology race, catching up with American generative AI leaders at a fraction of the cost. The document underlines that human responsibility needs to grow in proportion to the new technology, and that the impact of AIs uses in various sectors may not always be predictable from their inception. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AI should be used only as a tool to complement human intelligence, rather than replace its richness, the document said in its conclusion. AI and warfare The document warns that AI has the potential to increase instruments of war well beyond the scope of human oversight, which could provoke a destabilizing arms race. Weapons systems that can identify and strike targets without human intervention, removing the unique human capacity for moral judgement and ethical decision-making,'' it said. No machine should ever choose to take the life of a human being,'' the document warned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AI and human relationships The document warns that AI is not a substitute for authentic human relationships, and cites its lack of empathy as a risk when anthropomorphizing AI in areas such as child development or interpersonal relationships. While human beings are meant to experience authentic relationships, AI can only simulate them, the document said. AI and the search for meaning The document cites the risk that as society drifts away from connection with the transcendent, some are tempted to turn to AI in search of meaning and fulfillment longings that can only be truly satisfied in communion with God. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presumption of substituting God for an artifact of human making is idolatry, a practice Scripture explicitly warns against, the document said. AI and privacy/surveillance Advances in AI-powered data processing have made data privacy even more imperative as a safeguard for the dignity and relational nature of individuals, the document said. The risk of surveillance overreach must be monitored by appropriate regulators to ensure transparency and public accountability, it said. AI and the environment The document underlined that while AI can help fight climate change through models to forecast extreme events, help manage emergencies and help promote sustainable development, it also poses risks that are obscured by the use of words like the cloud that detach data storage from the physical world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is crucial to recognize that its operation demands vast amounts of energy and water, contributing significantly to CO2 emissions, the document said. AI and education The document said that AI should help promote critical thinking, and not just train young people how to amass information and generate quick responses. Education is not about filling ones head with ideas, but is about taking a risk in the tensions between the mind, the heart and the hands, it said. Schools, universities and scientific societies are challenged to help students and professionals to grasp the social and ethical aspects of the development and uses of technology,'' the document said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AI and health care While citing the potential of AI to enhance medical care, such as in diagnosing illness, the document said it is critical that AI is used to enhance and not replace the relationship between patients and healthcare providers. Decisions regarding patient treatment and the weight of responsibility they entail must always remain with the human person, and should never be delegated to AI, the document said. AI and misinformation/deepfakes AI presents a risk of generating manipulated content and false information, which can easily mislead people due to its resemblance to the truth,'' the document said. Countering AI-driven falsehoods is not only the work of industry experts it requires the efforts of all people of good will,'' it said, calling for diligence on the part of those who share AI-generated content to verify the truth of what they disseminate. The Vatican issued new guidelines on Tuesday on the use of artificial intelligence (AI), warning of the negative impacts of this technology. AI can fundamentally make a positive contribution and highlight opportunities in various areas of societal life, according to the newly published document. "Yet, as in all areas where humans are called to make decisions, the shadow of evil also looms here." The document asserts that AI carries significant risks and potential for misuse: "AI also presents a serious risk of generating manipulated content and false information, which can easily mislead people due to its resemblance to the truth." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This could be used "to deceive or cause harm," the guidelines said, adding, "AI-generated fake media can gradually undermine the foundations of society." In light of the dangers, the document with the Latin title "Antiqua et Nova" (Old and New), states that governments and international organizations should ensure AI is used for the benefit of all. "This issue requires careful regulation, as misinformation especially through AI-controlled or influenced media can spread unintentionally, fuelling political polarization and social unrest," the document warned. At the same time, the Vatican also warned of the danger of handing over human responsibility to AI: "Where human freedom allows for the possibility of choosing what is wrong, the moral evaluation of this technology will need to take into account how it is directed and used." MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) Part of Interstate 79 South in Monongalia County is experiencing delays as crews battle a vehicle fire near the split with Interstate 68. According to West Virginia 511, all lanes in the area of the I-79/I-68 split are impacted, however southbound traffic appears to be the only one experiencing major delays. Data shows that as of 6:26 p.m., traffic is backed up past the bridge over the Monongahela River, and about halfway to the Westover exit. Credit: West Virginia 511 WATCH: Doorbell camera captures house explosion in Clarksburg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials with the Monongalia County 911 Center told 12 News that no ambulance was called to the scene and that crews from the Triune-Halleck and Clinton District Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the scene. 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 WBOY.com. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) The suspect in a shooting and stabbing case which happened at a local apartment complex made his first court appearance today. Fifty-year-old Philetto Daniel appeared before Recorders Court Judge David Ranieri. He faces charges of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of a knife during the commission of a crime. The charges come in relation to an incident at Sugar Mill Apartments on Jan. 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police were called to the complex around 2 p.m., where they found Laticia Walton stabbed 37 times and shot twice, once in the face and once in the shoulder. Columbus police arrest suspect in Sugar Mill Apartments shooting and stabbing Outside, they found Daniel, Waltons on and off partner of six years, covered in antifreeze with zip ties around his neck. His clothes had blood on them. Police later determined the defendant had placed the zip ties on himself. Walton is still receiving care for her injuries at Piedmont Columbus Regional. Although she was not well enough to appear in court, her sister Tika Ferguson made an emotional statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ferguson said, in part, Its truly been a nightmare from the moment that I received a call from my nephew screaming, saying that my sister had been stabbed, then shot at. I truly did not know if my sister was alive or not. [E]verybody in the family is suffering due to this senseless act. Most importantly, Ticia is clearly suffering the most. (A full statement can be viewed at the end of this article.) RCSO searching for details after Phenix City man found shot in Pittsview home Ferguson said Walton had asked her to say that Daniel was not the only one to be blamed for the violent incident, directly calling out Daniels family, which she said enabled him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police testimony, when Walton ended the relationship with Daniel in Feb. 2024, she took back Daniels keys to the apartment. Police said on the day of the incident Daniel was seen by witnesses acting strangely and carrying a bottle of antifreeze around the apartment complex. The 911 call had come from Walton, who pretended to be dead, then locked herself in the apartment unit. Further investigation showed Daniel had made purchases, including a chefs knife and antifreeze, hours prior to the incident. The firearm used was a .22-caliber revolver which had been reported stolen in Texas. It truly feels like a scene from a horror movie, Ferguson said in her statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waltons family asked Ranieri to hold Daniel without bond, which the judge obliged, calling Daniel a serious threat. Daniel will be held without bond on all counts. His case was bound over to Superior Court. Ranieri also updated charges to include burglary in the first degree by receiving stolen property. Watch Fergusons full statement 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 WRBL. SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) Police are investigating after a shooting left two people dead Sunday night. The Springfield Police Division says officers were sent to a home in the 2100 block of Larch Street around 10 p.m. on Jan. 26. Initial reports said a shooting had occurred at the residence. Deportations begin nationwide, with multiple arrests in Dayton area Upon arrival, officers found two individuals who had been shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say 35-year-old Clifton James Cummings died on scene from his injuries. The other victim, 30-year-old Spencer Sharp, was taken to the hospital where he was also pronounced dead. Police have not filed any charges or released suspect information yet. The shooting remains under investigation. 2 NEWS is working 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 WDTN.com. Tata Steel will expand the capacity of its three plants, Neelachal Ispat Nigam, Kalinganagar, and Bhushan, said T V Narendran, global CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel, on Tuesday. Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the Utkarsh Odisha - Make in Odisha Conclave 2025 in Bhubaneswar, the flagship Global Investment Summit, Narendran said, "We have three plants Neelachal and Kalinga Nagar and Bhushan and we will expand all of them." Narendran highlighted the investments of Tata Group in the Odisa, adding that the company has invested almost-Hundred thousand crores in steel, diversifying its investments. "In the last ten years, we have invested in the almost-Hundred Thousand Crores in steel. Kalinga Nagar has now reached eight million tonnes (of capacity). We have acquired Bhushan (Bhushan Steel plants) and Neelachal (Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited). So this is a very deep relationship for us and in the coming days," Narendran told ANI. According to the Tata Steel, the Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited unit is an integrated steel plant at Kalinganagar, Odisha, which produces 1 Maximum Torque Per Ampere (MTPA) of long products, through the blast furnace route. The Kalinganagar plant which was commissioned in 2016 attained production levels at its rated capacity of 3 MTPA in less than two years, as per the company. A capacity expansion to 8 MTPA (Phase II) is currently underway, which will augment the Company's product portfolio with new value-added products while driving operational efficiency and reducing carbon footprint, as per Tata Steel. Tata Steel is one of the most diversified integrated steel producers in the world, with an annual crude steel production capacity of 35 MTPA across manufacturing assets in India, the Netherlands, the UK, and Thailand. In India, the Company has operations in Jamshedpur and Gamharia in Jharkhand, and in Kalinganagar and Meramandali in Odisha, with an overall capacity of 21.6 MTPA, as per the company. The Utkarsh Odisha - Make in Odisha Conclave 2025 in Bhubaneswar, the flagship Global Investment Summit, being hosted by the Government of Odisha, aims to position the state as the anchor of the Purvodaya vision as well as a leading investment destination and industrial hub in India. Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate the Make in Odisha Exhibition which highlights the achievements of the state in developing a vibrant industrial ecosystem. The two-day conclave will be held from 28th to 29th January. It will serve as a platform for industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to converge and discuss the opportunities Odisha offers as a preferred investment destination. (ANI) VIENNA TWP., Ohio (WKBN) A levy to help get Vienna Township out of fiscal emergency was unanimously approved by trustees Monday evening. Read next: Trumbull County Board of Elections still waiting on several candidates to file paperwork for primary A second reading was held for the 3.5-mill levy, which will benefit the fire department, during a special meeting. Now the prosecutor must approve the levy, then itll be sent to the board of elections to be added to ballots for the May primary. 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. Sunny Hostin is calling out Americas lack of empathy in light of President Donald Trumps deportation policies. With immigration authorities making roughly 1,000 arrests per day, Hostin reminded The Views audience that undocumented immigrants are much less likely to commit crimes than American citizens. I also want to make a point that an undocumented immigrant is not a criminal because he or she is undocumented, she argued on this mornings episode. That is a civil offense. So to call people illegals is in and of itself, I think, xenophobic and racist and incorrect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hostin noted that nearly 1,200 people were arrested on Sunday (Jan. 26) but only about half of them were considered criminal offenders, while the other half were either nonviolent offenders or never committed any criminal offense at all. The former prosecutor then pointed out the type of people she sees ICE and Trump targeting. What we are doing again is that we have decided as a country to demonize a certain type of immigrant, a certain looking type of immigrant, she said. And those immigrants are either from Central America or Mexico. They are brown. There are a lot of undocumented immigrants here, about 40% of them, who come from other countries that arent brown, she continued. But we are not rounding them up! Photo: ABC Hostin chalked up the deportations and the negative response to the video Selena Gomez posted of herself crying over them to Americas lack of empathy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think this country is a country that lacks empathy, unless you have a lived experience. And that is very unfortunate. There are people who live lives of privilege who dont walk in those steps, she said, before referencing former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheneys refusal to accept same-sex marriage until her sister came out as lesbian. The View airs on weekdays at 11/10c on ABC. In the early 20th century, deadly conditions on the job killed thousands of US workers yearly. Railways and mines were dangerous, but so were factories and mills. Photos from the era show just how dangerous these workplaces were. In the early 20th century, newspapers reported that it was more dangerous to be a US worker than it was to be a soldier. Desperate men, women, and children sacrificed their health, safety, and lives, often for little money. Workers could spend 12 to 14 hours a day near inferno-like furnaces; in airless rooms choking on cotton dust; or hauling coal in darkened, gas-filled tunnels. Each industry came with its own unique hazards, and there were few laws to protect workers or provide their families with financial security if they died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black workers and immigrants often had to take the deadliest jobs in rail, construction, and other already dangerous workplaces. "Because immigrants and their children made up the bulk of the industrial labor force, they also bore a disproportionate burden when it came to fatalities and casualties on the job," Michael K. Rosenow, author of "Death and Dying in the Working Class, 1865-1920," told Business Insider. Few industries and states kept track of the number of workers who were killed or injured, but some estimates put the number of industrial fatalities at between 25,000 to 80,000 a year and the number of injuries between 300,000 and 1.6 million. Vintage photos show just a fraction of the dangers they faced on the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Railroad work was one of the most dangerous jobs in the US. Workers building railroad tracks in mountainous areas faced many hazards. The Print Collector/Getty Images Even as workers were building the railroads in the second half of the 19th century, it was dangerous. "You had a clear segmentation of who was doing the construction of the railroads versus who was an engineer in a locomotive or who was a fireman or a brakeman," Rosenow said. "And the construction efforts, oftentimes, went to immigrant labor populations." For example, in the 1860s, the Central Pacific Railway hired thousands of Chinese immigrants for some of the deadliest jobs, from working with explosives to scaling cliff faces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the risk, they received a third less pay than their white coworkers. Derailments were common, but workers also died coupling cars or working on tracks. A brakeman on an ore train in Bingham Canyon, Utah, in 1942. GHI/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Many factors contributed to the danger of rail travel in the US. Collapsing bridges, landslides, and faulty equipment all caused train derailments or collisions. By the early 1900s, thousands died in railroad accidents every year. In 1905, trains injured over 86,000 people. However, workers bore the brunt of the danger. "In 1890, about one in every 300 railroad workers was killed," Rosenow said. The majority of the deaths were from "little accidents," as one railway claim agent called them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Railroad workers had to walk between cars to couple and uncouple them. They rode on top of trains to work the brakes. Faulty boiler equipment released steam scalding enough to cause deadly burns. "One of the most dangerous occupations on the railroads was that of a brakeman, who had this perilous task of stopping the trains," Rosenow said. Trains were so dangerous that many railways supported hospitals along their routes. A passenger train derailed in Northern California circa 1925. Nextrecord Archives/Getty Images As train travel expanded in the latter part of the 19th century, railroad companies built or helped fund hospitals and created in-house medical organizations that could care for passengers during emergencies. By World War I, 10% of all US doctors worked for the railways, at least part-time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Railway surgeons treated rail passengers and crew by setting broken bones, amputating limbs, and treating burns. Receiving adequate medical care might dissuade them from bringing a costly lawsuit. Physicians also provided regular medical care for company employees. The railways used these benefits to gain worker loyalty and tamp down unionizing, according to "Death Rode the Rails: American Railroad Accidents and Safety, 18281965." As railroads expanded into the Pacific Northwest, an increasing number of loggers risked their lives to fell trees. A logger suspended from a tree circa 1895. Archive Photos/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fir, spruce, and cedar trees of the Pacific Northwest helped build boomtowns during the California Gold Rush. When railroad tracks finally connected the East and West Coasts, they offered a cheaper, more efficient way to transport lumber. Logging was arduous. Fallers climbed and cut trees by hand with axes or saws. Other workers, known as buckers, stripped the bark and sawed the trees into logs. Newer technology in the 1880s called a donkey engine transported logs through the air with cables and pulleys, risking crushing workers if the machinery failed. In the early 1900s, one in 150 Washington loggers died each year. Falls, toppling trees, and severe weather all killed and seriously injured lumber workers all over the US. Even a single construction project, like the Brooklyn Bridge, could cost over a dozen lives. The Brooklyn Bridge during construction in 1883. Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images The Brooklyn Bridge was a massive construction project that started in 1869. At the time, its 1-mile length would make it the world's longest bridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To anchor it in New York City's East River, workers known as "sand hogs" spent months digging through the muddy river floor. They needed to sink caissons, rectangular bowl-like structures filled with pressurized air, all the way to the bedrock, as deep as 60 feet below the water. When they resurfaced, the workers would feel stabbing pains in their joints, get red splotches on their skin, and begin projectile vomiting. Some died from what's now known as "the bends" or decompression sickness. Historian David McCullough estimated that the bends, falls, debris, and other accidents killed at least 27 people during the project, Esquire reported in 2014. Meanwhile, women and children took on grueling work in textile mills. Young workers in a mill in Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1912. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images At the end of the 18th century, textile mills with new manufacturing technologies brought the Industrial Revolution to the US. By the late 19th century, women were doing 75% of the work of making cloth in Lowell, Massachusetts, Scientific American reported in 1879. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many came from rural areas of New England, swapping farm work for factory jobs. Since many women left their families behind and lived together in boarding houses, they formed new communities. The boarding houses often had curfews and behavior codes, and at least one company's handbook warned it wouldn't employ anyone "known to be guilty of immorality." Most of the women were between 15 and 30, but there were children working at textile mills as well. Jobs as spinners and doffers were seen as "children's work" in cotton mills. Boys replacing bobbins at a factory in Macon, Georgia, circa 1909. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images In 1900, children under 16 made up a quarter of the South's 100,000 textile workers. Child labor grew over the next few years, with 20,000 kids under the age of 12 entering the work force by 1904, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In cotton mills, children were prized for their small and nimble fingers. Spinners, often girls, would fill bobbins or cones with thread, and doffers, usually boys, would replace them on the device. When a family started working at his mill, one owner said, "it was the children of the family who became skilled employees," the BLS reported. Even kids under 10 could join their parents at the mill and get to know their future workplace. In many families, children were expected to contribute financially by ages 10 to 12. Child laborers at a glassworks, circa 1909. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images In 1900, 1 in 5 children worked, per the US Census. Many belonged to low-income families who needed extra income or to get out of debt. Other children had no one else to rely on. Organizations like the Charles Loring Brace Children's Aid Society moved orphaned children around the country on trains to supply rural areas and factories with cheap labor, according to the BLS. One estimate put a child's mill earnings in 1860 at an average of $0.57 per day, about $22 a day now. Mill workers spent long hours breathing in cotton dust, which led to respiratory illnesses. Millworkers loading hoppers, part of the process of making cotton cloth, circa 1910. Archive Photos/Getty Images Workers endlessly inhaled cotton dust, giving "every one the appearance of having a cold," according to one report from the 1870s. Many had likely contracted byssinosis, a disease that causes coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Other investigations during this time found the long hours, stifling conditions, and physical stress of the work made otherwise healthy people sick. One physician commented on the "careworn, dejected appearance" of the mill workers he treated. Dark, unventilated buildings created brutal working conditions. Women and children preparing beans at a vegetable cannery in 1912. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images It wasn't until the end of the 19th century that public health reformers connected a building's temperature and humidity to workers' health, according to "When the Air Became Important: A Social History of the New England and Lancashire Textile Industries." Textile mills could be hot and humid. Some owners refused to open the windows, even in summer, because they thought the warm, moist air was the ideal environment for manufacturing the cloth. Other industries had even worse ventilation. An 1895 study of New York bakeries found the bakers worked for over 100 hours a week in cellars or basements that were "damp, fetid, and devoid of proper ventilation and light." Workers got sick after exposure to radium, phosphorus, and other chemicals. Smoke billows from a lead mill in California, circa 1930. Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images A vast array of conditions could arise from many different industries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Match makers in the late 1800s developed phosphorus necrosis or "phossy jaw." The disease caused infections that could lead to painful swelling and exposed bone. Wool workers picked up parasitic diseases from handling the material. Vaporous odors were so strong that brassworkers drank whiskey or beer to cope. A new factory worker in the early 1900s could show symptoms of lead poisoning after just a few weeks. In 1907, Illinois held the US' first commission on occupational disease. The purpose was to "investigate causes and conditions relating to diseases of occupation" in metal, glass, brick, and other industries. New machinery caused deadly accidents. Three men stand near machinery in 1910. Harry E. Dankoler/Wisconsin Historical Society/Getty Images In factories and mills, moving belts, saws, and other unguarded machinery caused terrible injuries and death, from detached limbs to decapitations to disembowelings. Even those who weren't killed or injured by the machines could still be negatively affected. Lucy Larcom, who worked in mills in the mid-1800s, wrote the thrum of the mill made her head ache, and some weavers became deaf after long-term exposure to the machinery's noise. Laundry devices damaged fingers so badly that they had to be amputated. Laundry workers feed laundry into the rollers of an automated mangle, circa 1925. Keystone View Company/FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images In 1906, a laundry machine known as a mangler pulled Marguerite Murray's hand into its steam-powered roller. It took nearly 10 minutes to free her. Later, her doctor described her hand as looking "parboiled, cooked and bruised." Several fingers needed to be amputated, and the pain kept her awake at night, she later said. In a lawsuit against her employer, Murray's mother testified that her daughter required constant care and could no longer feed or dress herself. Whenever the injured woman was left alone, "she commences to cry and worry," her mother said. Children were hurt, too. Giles Edmund Newsom, 12, lost two fingers at a mill in North Carolina in 1912. GHI/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Between 1908 and 1924, Lewis Hine, an investigative photographer for the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC), took pictures of child laborers. In some photos, he documented children's injuries, including lost fingers from working in textile mills. While factory and mill work brought them some economic freedom, women also demanded rights like shorter working hours. Two sisters working in a textile mill in Winchendon, Massachusetts, in 1911. GHI/Universal Images Group via Getty Images One aspect of mid-19th-century mill work that made it so grueling was the long hours. Starting at around 5 a.m., the employees worked 12 to 14 hours, six days a week. They had to pack the rest of their lives into their time off. "How much is done in the three short hours from seven to ten o'clock," one mill girl wrote in 1845. While they appreciated the higher wages than they would earn elsewhere, many women in Lowell, Massachusetts, began organizing and pushing for 10-hour workdays in the 1830s and 1840s. Eventually, mills shortened the days to 11 hours. Though the demographics of Lowell and its labor movement began to shift toward the end of the 19th century, women continued to demand changes. In 1873, over 100 women in Lowell walked out to protest the hot and humid conditions of their workroom. Working with steel led to horrific injuries. Men working in the South Works Steel Mill in Chicago, circa 1939. Ivan Dmitri/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images In 1906, the Bridge and Structural Iron Workers' Union in Chicago compiled the number of deaths and injuries and found that 147 of its 1,358 members were killed or seriously hurt in a single year. Writer Charles Rumford Walker worked at a steel mill and described the conditions in the Atlantic Monthly. The workers' cries of warning continued to echo in his head. "Watch out for the crane that is taking a ladle of hot metal over your head, or a load of scrap, or a bundle of pipes; watch out for the hot cinder coming down the hole from the furnace-doors," he wrote. It was often difficult for workers to hear those shouts, though. Working in an environment with molten metal and thunderous clanging could be a deadly mix. The steel industry could ruin a worker's health. A steel worker at Baldwin Locomotive Works in Pennsylvania, circa 1937. Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Steel mill shifts were typically 12 hours but every two weeks, workers would stay for 24 hours to rotate from working days to nights. In summer, laboring near blistering furnaces could get so hot that workers had to "take off their boots, and pour the perspiration out of them," one journalist wrote. It was rare for older men to withstand these conditions. The "long hours, the strain, and the sudden changes of temperature use a man up," according to one worker. "He quits before he gets 50." A deadly strike in 1892 made it difficult for steel workers to organize. Workers on strike at the American Republic Steel Works in 1937. MPI/Getty Images In the late 1880s, Carnegie Steel tried to break up one of the US' most powerful labor unions, the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers. The AAISW had led several strikes to improve working conditions. In 1892, negotiations between the company and the union stalled, and Carnegie planned to lock the workers out and bring in replacements. On July 6, the strike turned deadly when workers traded gunfire with agents from the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, whom the company had hired as security. Seven workers and three agents died. In the aftermath, membership in the union declined, weakening its ability to affect change. A 1907 expose brought to light the perilous conditions of the steel industry. Molten steel is poured and watched by two steel workers at a steel mill, circa 1935. FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images In 1907, writer William B. Hard published "Making Steel and Killing Men." In addition to the 46 deaths at US Steel's plant in Chicago, Hard estimated there were hundreds of others who were permanently or temporarily disabled. The 46 workers "went to their deaths by a large number of different and divergent routes," Hard wrote. Blast furnaces, dynamite, electrocution, falls, falling objects, and hot metal could all be killers in a steel mill. "Must we continue to pay this price for the honor of leading the world in the cheap and rapid production of steel and iron?" he wrote. "Must we continue to be obliged to think of scorched and scalded human beings whenever we sit on the back platform of an observation car and watch the steel rails rolling out behind us?" Mining was another extremely dangerous occupation. Five miners inside a lead mine in Cassville, Wisconsin, in 1900. Frank Feiker/Wisconsin Historical Society/Getty Images "It's, by the nature of the work, inherently dangerous to go under the earth to excavate the coal," Rosenow said. In the early 1900s, around 3,000 US miners died and another 12,500 were seriously injured each year. Paid by the ton for the coal they mined, workers didn't receive money for safely securing their worksites. They would stabilize the roof with coal pillars and timber, but falling rocks still caused the majority of mining deaths. Others died from explosions or by falling down mine shafts. "We believe that more than half the casualties are directly caused by overwork and long hours in the damp and foul air of the mine," the National Labor Tribune wrote in the 1880s. Reducing workers' hours from 14 or 12 to eight would reduce the number of deaths, the paper added. Children spent long days in dark, dirty mining jobs. Breaker boys in a mine in Shenandoah City, Pennsylvania, in 1891. Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images Boys as young as 9 worked in the mines, some in dangerous roles. Trappers would open doors dozens of times a day to let coal cars pass. Breaker boys separated impurities like slate from the coal as it moved by on conveyor belts. Others helped their parents with whatever tasks needed to be done. They often worked in dark, dust-filled areas for long hours, making the equivalent of $16 to $24 a day. "Mother, I don't want to go into that dark hole," one boy said, adding, "I'll do anything if I don't have to work there." In 1914, 11 children died when the National Guard tried to break up a strike. The aftermath of the Ludlow Massacre in 1914. HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Throughout the late 1800s, mining unions pushed for improvements "whereby the lives and health of our members may be better preserved." In 1913, thousands of miners went on strike after the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company refused their demands for an eight-hour workday and the ability to choose their doctors and housing. CF&I evicted them from their company-owned homes, and the miners and their families moved to tent camps. On April 20, 1914, the National Guard tried to break up the camps and killed several miners. Two women and 11 children died when a burning tent collapsed on top of the cellar where they were hiding, suffocating them. The tragedy became known as the "Ludlow Massacre." A 10-day war followed, with miners attacking mines and strikebreakers. A series of mining disasters caused hundreds of deaths, shocking the nation. Rescued miners from the Pabst Iron Mine in Ironwood, Michigan, in 1926. Robert Sennecke/ullstein bild via Getty Images In 1909, one of the worst mining disasters in US history occurred when a fire erupted at the St. Paul Coal Company's mine in Cherry, Illinois. It trapped over 200 miners underground. Samuel Howard kept a diary of the ordeal. "The only thing I regret is that my brother is here, and cannot help my mother out after I am dead and gone," he wrote. He and 258 others lost their lives, and many of their families had no means of supporting themselves. Two years earlier, a mine explosion in Monongah, West Virginia, killed 362 people, including several children. In 1913, 263 people died in another explosion at a mine in Dawson, New Mexico. A horrific fire at a factory in New York City also brought attention to dangerous working conditions. The Triangle Waist Company fire in 1911. Keystone/Getty Images On March 25, 1911, workers found themselves trapped on the upper floors of a building with no way out. The employees of the Triangle Waist Company, mostly women, were trying to escape a fire but locked stairwell doors barred their way out. Desperate to get out, some jumped to their deaths. By the time firefighters had put the flames out, 146 people had died, many of them young immigrant women. Some were just 14 years old. Days after the fire, tens of thousands of people walked for hours in a procession to honor the dead. "[Owners Isaac] Harris and [Max] Blanck, the Triangle Company, have offered to pay one week's wages to the families of the dead girls as though it were summer and they are giving them a vacation!" reformer Martha Bruere wrote at the time. Unions and reformers helped bring about new safety laws. The 1904 Stockyards Strike in Chicago. Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection/Chicago History Museum/Getty Images Tragedies like the mining explosions and factory fire helped spur what Rosenow called "regulation by disaster." "For decades, Americans really didn't have a good sense of what was happening in American workplaces or were in a state of denial," he said. These headline-making tragedies in the early 20th century grabbed their attention. Reformers, journalists, and the workers themselves already knew about the dangerous conditions and had long been trying to change them. The labor unions not only pushed their companies to make conditions safer, they also put pressure on elected officials to keep track of workers' deaths and injuries and to make safety laws, Rosenow said. Today, some industries have higher rates of death, injury, and illness than others. A construction worker takes a quick break while digging a trench during a heat wave in 2024. Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images In 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Fair Labor Standards Act into law, which established a minimum wage, the right to overtime pay, and rules for child labor. Government agencies such as the Bureau of Mines were created to find ways to prevent workplace disasters like fires and explosions. While the frequency of mining disasters has dropped, they do still happen. In 2010, an explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia killed 29 people. Other industries, such as construction, have the highest number of worker fatalities from falls and transportation-related incidents. Miners, agricultural workers, and other laborers can also be exposed to chemical hazards that cause long-term damage. Sources for this story include "Death and Dying in the Working Class, 1865-1920," "Injury Impoverished: Workplace Accidents, Capitalism, and Law in the Progressive Era," "Chamber Divers: The Untold Story of the D-day Scientists Who Changed Special Operations Forever," " Death Rode the Rails: American Railroad Accidents and Safety, 18281965," "When the Air Became Important: A Social History of the New England and Lancashire Textile Industries," " The Cotton Dust Papers: Science, Politics, and Power in the 'Discovery' of Byssinosis in the US," the Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Park Service, US Department of Labor, Economic History Association, Library of Congress, Smithsonian Magazine, and PBS. Read the original article on Business Insider A rebel alliance claimed the capture of the biggest city in the Democratic Republic of Congos mineral-rich eastern region this week, pushing back against resistance from government troops backed by regional and UN intervention forces. The takeover of Goma is yet another territorial gain for the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) rebel coalition, which includes the M23 armed group sanctioned by the United States and the United Nations. It is also a swift expansion of the alliances foothold across swathes of eastern DR Congo where rare minerals crucial to the production of phones and computers are mined and is likely to worsen a long-running humanitarian crisis in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AFC-M23 controls Goma, Victor Tesongo, an AFC spokesperson, told CNN Monday, adding that Goma fell under pressure after the groups earlier seizure of the nearby towns of Minova and Sake. The Congolese government has yet to confirm the rebels takeover but acknowledges their presence in the city, capital of the eastern North Kivu province. It announced Sunday it had cut diplomatic ties with neighboring Rwanda, which it accuses of equipping the group with both weapons and troops, and recalled its diplomatic staff from the nation. A Rwandan government spokesperson did not deny or confirm the countrys support for M23 when asked by CNN. More than a dozen foreign peacekeepers, as well as the military governor of North Kivu province, have been killed in recent days trying to fend off the rebels, as thousands of locals flee their advance into Goma. What are the latest developments? South Africas military confirmed Tuesday that four more South African soldiers deployed in DR Congo as part of the UN peacekeeping mission there had died, only days after nine were killed in the fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, aid agencies said that hospitals were overwhelmed as hundreds of people caught in the crossfire in Goma sought treatment for injuries, among them seriously wounded children. Amid the fighting, food assistance programs in and around the city have been temporarily paused, the World Food Programme said Tuesday. There were many dead bodies in the citys streets, said Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office. Fighters had reportedly raped civilians, and property had also been looted, he said. Among those killed was a famed Congolese boxer, Balezi Bagunda, according to Matthew Leutwyler, the founder of the non-profit We Are Limitless, who had been working with him to evacuate local children the organization works with. The Red Cross warned on Tuesday that the unrest in the city could lead to the spread of viruses, including Ebola, if laboratories with samples of the disease are affected by the violence. Patrick Youssef, regional director for Africa at the International Committee of the Red Cross, said that his organization is very concerned that a biomedical laboratory in Goma could be impacted by the disorder there. Its a center very close to our delegation, he said. People protest in Kinshasa against the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels' advances on Tuesday. - Samy Ntumba Shambuyi/AP People attack the Rwandan Embassy in Kinshasa on Tuesday. - Samy Ntumba Shambuyi/AP Meanwhile, in the national capital, Kinshasa, protesters gathered and fires were lit outside a number of Western and African embassies, including that of Rwanda. The French embassy was attacked and firebombed, the French foreign ministry told CNN, but protesters were unable to enter the sites perimeter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later on Tuesday, the US Embassy in Kinshasa advised US citizens to leave the city. Due to an increase in violence throughout the city of Kinshasa, the US Embassy in Kinshasa advises US citizens to shelter-in-place and then safely depart while commercial options are available, a statement from the embassy said. Reports emerged Monday of Congolese troops exchanging fire with Rwandan soldiers along their shared border as fear of a blown-out war grows. Earlier that day, gunfire rang out from Gomas airport after it was shut by the rebels; a French intelligence source told CNN M23 had gained full control of the facility on Tuesday. At the same time, more than 4,000 prisoners broke free from a correctional facility, the UN-funded Radio Okapi reported, compounding chaotic scenes witnessed in the city. In a statement Monday, the Uruguayan army, whose troops are part of the UN peacekeeping mission in Goma, said hundreds of Congolese soldiers had laid down their weapons following a 48-hour ultimatum by M23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rwandan national broadcaster also shared footage of Congolese soldiers surrendering their arms to Rwandan forces at a Rwandan border post after fleeing Goma. How did the conflict escalate? DR Congo has experienced decades of militia violence, including armed rebellion by M23, which claims to defend the interest of the minority Rwandophone communities, including the Tutsi. Since 2022, M23 has waged a renewed rebellion against the Congolese government, occupying a large expanse in North Kivu, which borders Rwanda and Uganda. For several months, the rebels have also controlled Rubaya, a mining town in North Kivu that harbors one of the worlds largest coltan deposits. This valuable mineral is used in the production of mobile phones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bintou Keita, who heads the UN mission in DR Congo, told the Security Council in a September briefing that competition over exploitation and trade of natural resources had escalated conflict between armed groups in the countrys east. According to Keita, coltan trade from the M23-controlled Rubaya mining site is estimated to supply over 15 percent of global tantalum production , and generates an estimated $300,000 in revenue per month to the armed group. M23 denied these claims, insisting its presence in the Rubaya area was solely humanitarian. Miners work at a coltan mine, near Rubaya, in DR Congo's North Kivu region, on April 12, 2023. - Veronique de Viguerie/Paris Match/Getty Images Miners work to extract coltan at a mine, near Rubaya, in DR Congo's North Kivu region, on April 12, 2023. - Veronique de Viguerie/Paris Match/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A report by the UN Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of Congo, released in December, revealed that at least 150 tons of coltan were fraudulently exported to Rwanda and mixed with Rwandan production. Since April last year, the report said, M23, with RDF (Rwanda Defence Force) support, has made significant territorial gains and strengthened control over occupied areas, adding that such a pattern suggested that the true objective of M23 remained territorial expansion and the long-term occupation and exploitation of conquered territories. The report added that the RDFs military interventions were critical to the impressive territorial expansion achieved by M23. Why is Goma important? Goma is home to around two million people and is the largest city in North Kivu. M23s incursion on Monday was the second time the group had moved to capture the provincial capital after it briefly took control in 2012. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement M23 spokesman Willy Ngoma told CNN on Saturday that his group was motivated by concern for the residents of Goma, which is home to minority groups such as the Congolese Tutsi community. We do not want to capture Goma but to liberate it, he said. The population is in distress; we must save it as quickly as possible. Prof. Dady Saleh, a Congolese political and economic analyst, told CNN there was more to M23s interest in Goma. Goma is a strategic and highly symbolic city with an international airport, as well as proximity to Rwanda and Lake Kivu, opening the easy path with South Kivu, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, most importantly, Saleh said, Gomas fall to M23 will be the symbol of its complete and total capture of the eastern part of the DRC. M23s self-proclaimed liberation agenda has been scarred by a long trail of alleged human rights violations and what rights group Human Rights Watch described in 2023 as war crimes against civilians in North Kivu. The group has consistently denied such claims. Fighting between M23, Congolese forces and other rebel groups has also forced many from their homes in the countrys east, with at least 400,000 people displaced just since the beginning of this year in North and South Kivu, the UNs refugee agency, UNHCR said in a statement. People fleeing M-23 rebel advances arrive by boat in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on January 22. - Moses Sawasawa/AP UNHCR spokesperson Matt Saltmarsh added that bombs have fallen on camps housing those whove fled, resulting in civilian deaths, including of children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a huge concern for aid groups operating in the area, such as Mercy Corps. Its country director for DR Congo, Rose Tchwenko, told CNN in a statement that Goma, which she described as a lifeline of humanitarian operations across eastern DRC was now perilously close to breaking. Humanitarian access is nearly impossible, resources are stretched to their limits, and displaced families are left in dire need of food, clean water, medicine, and shelter, Tchwenko said. Whats at stake for Rwanda? UN experts believe that an estimated 3,000 Rwandan soldiers operate alongside M23 fighters in eastern DR Congo, outnumbering the rebel groups number in the country. According to Saleh, the Congolese analyst, Rwanda does not just support M23, it (Rwanda) is the M23. Western nations, such as the US, Britain, and France, have censured Kigalis support for the group. Rwanda government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told CNN that her country will do what is necessary to defend our borders and protect Rwandans. She cited a UN report that found evidence DR Congos military had collaborated and carried out joint operations with a Hutu militia group against a mainly Tutsi rebel group, the CNDP, which M23 grew out of. Hutu militias carried out the genocide of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda in 1994. This is happening right next to our border, Makolo said of the insecurity in eastern DR Congo, adding that the President of the DRC has said publicly that his enemy is President (Paul) Kagame and the Rwandan Government, and that he will liberate Rwandans. Rwandas foreign ministry also blamed DR Congos government for failing to engage in dialogue with M23, describing it as a Congolese rebel group fighting to protect their community in eastern DRC. Displaced people watch attack helicopters belonging to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) as they operate during fighting above the town of Sake on Thursday. - Jospin Mwisha/AFP/Getty Images CNN has contacted the Congolese military and government spokesperson for comment on the countrys alleged collaboration with the Hutu militia group and threats against Rwanda. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has previously threatened to go to war with Rwanda. Rwandan leader Kagame has responded in kind. We are ready to fight, Kagame told French network France 24 in June last year, adding: We are not afraid of anything. When the UN Security Council convened on Sunday for an emergency meeting on the crisis, DR Congos foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner said Rwandas role in the conflict was a declaration of war that no longer hides itself behind diplomatic maneuvers. Is there a route to peace? Eastern African leaders plan to convene an emergency meeting within 48 hours to find solutions to the crisis, Kenyas President William Ruto said Monday, urging Tshisekedi and Kagame to heed the call for peace. Previous interventions led by Angola, including truce agreements, have failed to cease hostilities. A solution is still in sight,Saleh told CNN, especially if the leaders meet as planned. But it is rather the quality of the solutions in sight that is the real question, he said. The region needs a lasting solution to the security situation, and to achieve this, one of the conditions is that the DRC must be able to ensure its security and control its economy. Solutions in terms of power-sharing, tribal and ethnic integration are not a lasting solution. CNNs Cat Nicholls, Joseph Ataman, Saskya Vandoorne, Billy Stockwell and Serene Nourrisson contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) Virginia Gini Marie Lucarell, 89, passed away peacefully, Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Heritage Manor in Youngstown, where she had resided for nearly three years. Virginia was born September 14, 1935, in Canton to the late Michael A. Rigley and Anne Elizabeth Friedman Rigley. Growing up during the Great Depression, her family moved often. She spent part of her childhood on a farm in North Lima, where she attended St. Charles Church and fondly recalled caring for the farms chickens and goats. Find obituaries from your high school Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gini later lived in Struthers, Poland, and Youngstown, where she cherished her years in The Hollow on Kirtland Avenue growing up surrounded by many extended family members. She attended St. Joseph School and Church and maintained lifelong friendships with neighbors from the close-knit community. Growing up in The Hollow instilled in her a deep appreciation for diverse nationalities, religions, and cultures, values she carried throughout her life and passed on to her family. A 1953 graduate of The Rayen School, Virginia completed the secretarial program before marrying the love of her life, Dominic C. Lucarell, on September 17, 1955, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Youngstown. They shared 66 wonderful years of marriage until Dominics passing on January 20, 2022. Virginia worked for the Youngstown Public School System for more than 50 years, serving first at the Board of Education and later at several schools as an attendance secretary. Her favorite roles were at Adams Junior High and Choffin Career Center, where she was honored with the Ruth Wilcox Secretarial Award. Known for her sense of humor and kindness, Virginia was beloved by her colleagues and students alike. She was an active member of the Secretaries and School Employees Union, often holding office and attending conventions. A devoted member of St. Brendans Catholic Church since 1955, Virginia served the parish in many capacities. She was a member and officer of the Altar and Rosary Society and played a key role in organizing the church festivals popular White Elephant Booth. She also served as parish council secretary and participated in the ladies volleyball team. From 1962 to 1988, she was an active member of the St. Brendans School Mothers Guild, supporting the Humility of Mary Sisters who staffed the school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginia also served the community through her involvement in the Firemens Wives Club, supporting the Youngstown Fire Department during her husbands career. She was a founding volunteer for First Night Youngstown and a member of the West Side Coalition. For decades, Virginia and her family enjoyed summers at Geneva-on-the-Lake, forming lifelong friendships at Chestnut Grove and Indian Creek. Her fond memories of those summers stayed with her throughout her life. Virginia loved road trips, shopping and spending time with her family. A passionate advocate for education, she supported the college educations of her children and grandchildren and never hesitated to lend a helping hand to those in need. She was proud of her Slovak heritage and a member of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association. Virginia is survived by her daughter, Dr. Linda Lucarell Miller (Gary) and her son, Dominic M. Lucarelli (Michele Eberth), both of Youngstown; her grandchildren, Jonathan Paul Miller (Kimberly) of Gahanna and Stephanie Ann Miller (Paul Maddock) of Westerville; and her great-grandchildren, Ivy Miller, Annabelle Maddock, Luke Miller and Rosalyn Mae Maddock. She also leaves behind her beloved cousin, Patricia Friedman Shelley and longtime friend, May Ma, both of whom were like sisters to her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brothers, Dennis M. Rigley and William M. Rigley and many cherished aunts and uncles. Family and friends may call from 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown, where a funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown. Virginias family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Heritage Manor and Southern Care Hospice for their compassionate care. In her memory, the family encourages everyone to perform a random act of kindness, take a Sunday drive, and enjoy laughter with loved ones. Memorial contributions may be made to Ursuline High School, 750 Wick Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44505 or to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store. A television tribute will air Wednesday, January 29 at the following approximate times: 5:17 a.m. on WKBN, 8:39 a.m. on FOX, 5:21 p.m. on WYTV and 6:35 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. The U.S. Embassy in Colombia canceled Visa appointments on Monday with people seeking entry into the United States, the latest chapter in a nasty battle between the two countries sparked by Colombias initial refusal to accept military flights filled with deportees sent by President Trump. Colombians seeking approval for extended U.S. travel were turned away from the embassy in Bogota after being handed letters that said their appointments had been canceled due to the Colombian governments refusal to accept repatriation flights of Colombian nationals, according to The Associated Press. Some have been waiting for appointments for two years, and those who were denied consultations on Monday likely will have to wait an additional three months to schedule a new date for visa review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump had preemptively imposed tariffs and a travel ban on the Latin American country Sunday for not accepting deportation flights on military aircraft. Colombias President Gustavo Petro said he would allow American planes into the nation on Monday, which prompted Trump to drop the sanctions. Some people seeking visas for travel to the U.S. blamed their countrys leader for the mess. President Petro did not represent our interests, Elio Camelo, a U.S. visa seeker from the city of Cali who had traveled to Bogota for his appointment, told the AP. Trump vowed to start mass deportations once he took office during his presidential campaign, and he appears to be trying to fulfill that goal in his first weeks in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previous presidents have also flown deportees back to their home countries, though Trumps decision to use military flights is new. Last year, Colombia accepted 124 deportation flights on chartered planes organized by US government contractors, according to the AP. President Trump will continue to fiercely protect our nations sovereignty, and he expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt 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. Former DOGE co-czar Vivek Ramaswamy says he plans to pursue the federalist ideal of shrinking the U.S. government by running for office in his home state of Ohio. Fox News didnt pull punches when grilling Vivek Ramaswamy on why he left the so-called Department of Government Efficiency in his first appearance since he abruptly departed the project he was set to co-lead last week. Presenter Jesse Watters mocked the biotech entrepreneur for lasting only three Scaramuccisa term named after Anthony Scaramucci, Donald Trumps former White House communications director, whose days in office in 2017 barely hit double digits. Whether thats a true measurement is unclear, since DOGE only existed unofficially prior to last Mondays inauguration of Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramaswamy's stint as the leader of an official group was so brief it didnt even last to see the sunset on day one of the new administration. In his first opportunity to address his high-profile departure, Ramaswamy denied he had a falling-out with Elon Musk, the co-creator of DOGE. We had differentand complementaryapproaches, he said. Whereas Musk examined the issue through a technological mindset, I focused more on a constitutional law, legislative-based approach. Instead, Ramaswamy packaged the decision as a nod to the conservative Republican ideal of federalism. By aspiring to elected office in Ohio, he would be contributing in his own specific way to DOGEs ultimate aim of shrinking centralized government in favor of states rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Ohio River valley can be at the bleeding edge of the American economy for the next 20 years," he told Watters. Hes expected to mount a gubernatorial run in an election scheduled for November 2026by which time DOGE is scheduled to have dissolved, with an expiration date of July 4, 2026, set for the department. Asked point-blank about reports Musk had fired him, Ramaswamy claimed his abrupt departure stemmed from a mutual discussion. Were on the same page, divide and conquer. In saving the country, its not a one-man show from the top down or the bottom up, its all of the above, and thats what Im in for, he said. Ramaswamy disappeared from public view after social media rant During the presidential primaries, Ramaswamys brash energy initially helped set himself apart from more traditional GOP hopefuls like Mike Pence, and launch his political career when Trumps legal problems left it unclear whether he could seek the nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But his regular changes of opinion caused Rich Lowry, editor-in-chief of the conservative news and opinion publication National Review, to accuse Ramaswamy of running a fundamentally cynical campaign that lacked consistent principles. He exudes such an aura of insincerity, you have the distinct feeling that if neo-conservatism were still in fashion, hed eagerly out-Cheney Liz Cheney. Just like Scaramucci, who flamed out following an expletive-filled rant about Trump ally Steve Bannon, Ramaswamys own words ultimately did him in. Following a now-infamous social media post in mid-December in which he criticized native-born Americans for prizing "mediocrity over excellence," Ramaswamy all but disappeared from public view. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Vivek Ramaswamy has insisted his DOGE divorce didnt come about because former co-star Elon Musk fired him. Fox News host Jesse Watters, just recovered from his outrage over Kamala Harris grocery shopping with husband Doug Emhoff, invited the biotech entrepreneur turned government hopeful onto his Primetime show Monday evening. And right off the bat, Watters was gunning for Ramaswamy. Vivek Ramaswamy attempts to bat away Jesse Watters intense advancements on him. / Fox News So, were hearing youre leaving DOGE after like three Scaramuccis, Watters said, referencing Anthony Scaramuccis brief service for President Donald Trump as White House communications director. What happened? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Watters brusque questioning, Ramaswamy replied calmly. Well, the reality is Im pursuing elected office very shortly, he replied. Well have an announcement soon. Ramaswamy is set to announce a bid for governor in his home state of Ohio by the end of the month. But, Watters didnt appear interested in that, and shot back in with barely a second between Ramaswamys response and his next question. People are saying you didnt get along with Musk, the host said. What happened there? The Fox News host was referencing reports that Ramaswamy got the boot from the Department of Government Efficiency because Musk thought he was too outspoken, according to people familiar with the split who spoke to The Wall Street Journal. I think thats incorrect, Ramaswamy replied. But what I would say is, we had different and complementary approaches. I focused more on a constitutional law, legislative-based approach. He focused more on a technology approach, which is the future approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whittling away at what Ramaswamy saw as overly restrictive regulations and bureaucracy was his main charge, he previously said. Musk saw spending cuts as the most important aspect of the new organization. Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk, with his son X, depart the Capitol building in Washington, DC on December 05, 2024. / Craig Hudson for The Washington Post via Getty Images All right, so Elon didnt fire you? Watters asked pointedly. No, we had a mutual discussion, Ramaswamy responded. I wish him well and were on the same page where, divide and conquer. Its saving the country. Its not a one-man show from top down or the bottom up. Its all of the above. Thats what Im in for. Vivek Ramaswamy, the former co-leader of the Department for Government Efficiency, was asked during an appearance on Fox News if he was fired from the advisory panel by Elon Musk. No, we had a mutual discussion and I wish him well, were on the same page, were divide and conquer and saving the country, its not a one-man show from the top down or the bottom up, its all of the above, he said. Ramaswamy was set to lead the advisory board alongside Musk, but he recently left the role amid rumors that hes set to run for governor of Ohio after being passed over as a replacement in the Senate for Vice President J.D. Vance. During an interview with Fox Newss Jesse Watters on Monday night, Ramaswamy rejected the idea that Musk had fired him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "People are saying you didnt get along with Musk - what happened there?" Watters asked Ramaswamy. I think thats incorrect, but what I would say is we had different and complementary approaches, said Ramawamy. Vivek Ramaswamy is pushing back on the idea he was pushed out of DOGE by co-leader Elon Musk (via REUTERS) "I focused more on a constitutional law, legislative-based approach, he focused more on a technology approach, which is the future approach, no better person to lead that technology, digital approach than Elon Musk, but when youre talking about a constitutional revival, its not just done through the federal government, its done through federalism, where states also lead the way, he added. The 39-year-old said during the discussion with Watters that hes pursuing electoral office very soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, Trump-Vance transition spokesperson Anna Kelly told Spectrum News on January 20. 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! It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE, Ramaswamy said on X at the time. 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 was set to lead the Department for Government Efficiency with Musk. However, it didnt last long and Ramaswamy left the agency, saying they had different approaches. He is now eyeing the Ohio Governors office (AP) Vances top political advisers have joined Ramaswamys team ahead of the expected announcement that he will run for governor, according to NBC News. The biotech entrepreneur has known Vance since they both attended Yale Law School. Expect Vivek to announce his candidacy in mid-February, a source told NBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andy Surabian and Jai Chabria, who played important roles in Vances campaign for senate and vice president, are expected to join the Ramaswamy campaign. Hes leaving on good terms with Trump, Elon and the team, a source told NBC on January 20 as Ramaswamys departure from DOGE reached the public eye. A Republican Ohio operative, Chabria is set to serve as the campaigns general consultant. Surabian took part in Trumps earlier campaigns and also consulted on the campaign of Ohio Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno, who was elected last year. Surabian, a senior political adviser to Donald Trump Jr., will be in charge of an outside political group aligned with the entrepreneur, according to NBC. The event saw the presence of Minister Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Goyal's counterpart from Oman, along with members of the vibrant Indian diaspora and distinguished Omani dignitaries. The minister in a social media post stated "Delighted to join the celebrations of India's 76th Republic Day at Embassy of India, Muscat along with my counterpart Minister Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, the vibrant Indian diaspora and esteemed Omani dignitaries" Speaking at the event, Minister Goyal expressed his delight in being part of the occasion and highlighted the shared bond between the two nations. A key highlight of the celebration was the performance titled "Sur Sandook: India-Oman Jukebox," which showcased the deep cultural connection between India and Oman. The mesmerizing presentation added a special charm to the event, making it a memorable experience for all attendees. Goyal is on a two-day visit to Oman, Oman, where he will participate in the 11th Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with Qais bin Mohammed bin Moosa al-Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Sultanate of Oman from January 27-28, 2025. This visit highlights the importance that India attaches to its trade and investment ties with Oman, one of its important trading partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with bilateral trade estimated at over USD 8.94 billion in 2023-2024. During the visit, the two leaders are expected to hold wide-ranging discussions on trade and investment and the global economic situation. The talks on India-Oman CEPA which are at an advanced stage are likely to get further impetus during the visit. Both sides are negotiating and exploring a commercially significant, balanced, equitable, ambitious and mutually beneficial CEPA. A business delegation is accompanying Goyal for the Joint Business Council meeting between FICCI and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (ANI) In the wee hours Sunday, Pamela Bryant drove to a sprawling encampment in South Austin where about 40 people experiencing homelessness live in tents and other temporary shelters. Her car was loaded with donated clothes and groceries. Bryant, the founder of the religious service organization Walking by Faith Prison Ministry, was among 600 volunteers who traversed Austin and Travis County from about 3 to 9 a.m. Sunday to tally the regions unhoused population and hand out supplies. When I go out, I try to relate to people just as much as possible so that we can save lives through food and relationships, said Bryant, who herself has experienced homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biennial point-in-time count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The process has serious limitations bad weather, for example, can skew results but it can capture larger trends that help the agency decide how to dole out federal funding. The latest numbers wont be available until spring, so its impossible to say whether homelessness has increased locally since the last count. Pamela Bryant, right, the founder of Walking by Faith Prison Ministry, provides food for Amy, who is experiencing homelessness, during the biennial Austin point-in-time count Sunday. But recent reports estimate rates of homelessness nationwide are at an all-time high, and various figures kept locally suggest the Austin area might be a part of that trend. The nonprofit Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, or ECHO, coordinates Travis Countys point-in-time count and keeps its own, more comprehensive running total, which it calculates with the help of various local organizations that keep track of people requesting services. The most recent point-in-time count, conducted overnight in January 2023, showed there were 2,374 people experiencing homelessness in Travis County. The one before that, in 2020, logged 2,506. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ECHOs running tally from last October puts the total at about 5,300. That much larger number could be evidence of an actual increase, but outreach services also have expanded, meaning more people might be getting services and thus included in ECHOs tally. Volunteer Caroline Temple looks at a heat map at Sunrise Community Church before participating in the count. ECHO spokesman Chris Davis noted that the 2023 count showed the citys camping ban and a change in service providers had drawn the homeless population farther outside downtown Austin. Evette Sutton, another count volunteer whose day job is being a housing supervisor for Integral Care, said Sunday that she thinks any increase in homelessness is not being driven by people who are newly unhoused. Rather, she said many people shes interacted with recently have been experiencing homelessness for a prolonged time, with some having come from out of town and others recently released from prison with nowhere to stay. "The numbers have increased because the situation and circumstances have changed," Sutton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Austins count comes as the city is struggling with dwindling federal aid doled out during the COVID-19 pandemic that it has used to boost its supply of permanent supportive housing units. But its efforts might not be enough to keep up with the growing demand. ECHO estimates thousands more bed spaces will be needed in the next decade. Hazmin Martinez, a program manager at Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center, speaks to Danyar Leal outside a convenience store. Data that ECHO provided to the Statesman last May showed the number of people seeking homeless services in Austin had doubled between 2021 and 2024 though experts said that seemingly staggering metric could be a reflection of increased homeless outreach. A report ECHO released earlier this month revealed a staggering increase in the mortality rate among the homeless population. The leading causes of death, according to the report, were drug overdoses, accidents involving vehicles and heart disease. It also found that the number of deaths caused by narcotics namely, methamphetamine and fentanyl increased threefold between 2018 and 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bryant, one of the count volunteers, said fentanyl is everywhere now. Its like heroin, she said. When they don't have it, they get sick. Bryant said that finding housing for people is often not enough to help them turn their life around. They need to learn life skills and have someone to check on them, especially in the first few weeks, she said. And Bryant and other volunteers said they have come across people who dont want to go into housing. One man she recently spoke to said it came with too many regulations. At the South Austin encampment, Bryant and her fellow volunteers began their count as people emerged from tents. Zareena Aziz, right, a landlord outreach specialist at Integral Care, and Sara Torres, a contract manager at Integral Care, talk to people at their tent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foxx Long, who has lived in the South Austin camp for about six months, said he became homeless after his fiancee died of an accidental drug overdose three years ago. The pair were living in Houston at the time Long was working as a bartender and his fiancee ran an online resale store. They lived in a two-bedroom apartment and were making a substantial income. "Then she died, and I lost everything," Long said, acknowledging that he has recently struggled with substance abuse. At one point during his time in Austin, Long said a police officer who approached him helped him get into the Northbridge shelter one of the hotels the city converted during the COVID-19 pandemic. He stayed for a few days but ultimately decided shelter life wasn't for him. As Long headed back to his tent, Bryant and others continued combing the camp coaxing its residents to answer the point-in-time questionnaire. Some happily answered; others were more hesitant or declined outright. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One, a soft-spoken woman who said she had fled a domestic violence situation and has been homelessness off and on for years, had only recently begun to sleep in the camp. As she answered the questions, Bryant draped a red coat over her lean shoulders and handed her boxes of food. "It's like Christmas," the woman said. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Volunteers conduct biennial homeless population count in Austin area Visiting Volusia Countys beaches now comes with a cost for nonresidents and while that change has brought great benefits to locals, its hurting one industry: commercial fishing. Dustin Smith from NSB Shark Hunters explains commercial fishers go out when its dark so they dont disrupt other people. But ever since the county launched ParkVolusia on Jan. 1, companies like his have nowhere to park between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Read: Sleepwalking into nuclear disaster: Doomsday Clock set at 89 seconds to midnight Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are enforcing the parking lots shutting down at 11 p.m., which actually forces any surf fishing guide or commercial fishermen to have to fish with the beachgoers or the swimmers, said Smith. Under the new rules, Volusia residents can continue to park for free but must register with the county. Read: JonBenet Ramseys father meets with murder investigators, says hes optimistic Visitors, however, now have to pay $20 a day, which Tyler Witkowski from NSB Shark Hunters, said has also been a common complaint from clients. Well, I am already paying you, why should I have to pay to park and It becomes more of a hassle and then you lose bookings that way, said Witkowski. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: IMMERSE will be returning to downtown in February for an experience you will want to see The group hopes the county can create a permit for licensed commercial fishing companies to park in the lots after hours. The county has agreed to revisit the parking plan. At next weeks meeting, council members will discuss possible rule changes for commercial fishermen. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Residents in parts of Scott County are heading to the polls tomorrow, but not every part of the county will be voting. This election only applies to 7400 Scott County voters, so please confirm eligibility before going to the polls, said Scott County Auditor Kerri Tompkins. The district covers all of Clinton County, as well as small sections of Jackson and Scott Counties. Voters can verify eligibility online here or by contacting the Auditors Office at 563-326-8631. The precincts in the 35th District will be open on Tuesday, January 28 between 7 a.m. 8 p.m. at these locations: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AG Allens Grove, Donahue Fire Station, 302 N Main St, Donahue LCT LeClaire Township, Our Lady of the Rover Catholic Church, 28200 226 th Place, LeClaire MC McCausland, McCausland Community Center, 305 N Salina St, McCausland PKV Park View, Park View Lutheran Church, 14 Grove Rd, Eldridge PR Princeton, Princeton Community Center, 428 River Dr, Princeton WF Winfield, Long Grove Community Center, 114 N 1st St, Long Grove Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SCOTT COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) One person was killed and four others were seriously injured in a crash Saturday in Scott County. The crash happened around noon on Route 72, according to the Virginia State Police (VSP). VP Vance: Administration cutting through red tape to speed up Helene recovery State police said a Kia Optima was traveling north on Route 72, north of the intersection with Route 627, when it crossed the centerline and hit a Dodge Ram 1500 head-on. The Dodge then caught fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the Kia, identified as James B. Robbins, 71, of Dungannon died at the scene, according to VSP. He was wearing a seatbelt. Four people in the Dodge were seriously injured. The crash remains 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) The Wake County District Attorneys Office is seeking to close an investigation into the former North Carolina treasurers use of his state vehicle, prosecutors said Monday. The office for Wake County DA Lorrin Freeman said they requested the assistance of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation last March in investigating allegation of misuse of the state vehicle assigned to Dale Folwell, the North Carolina treasurer from 2017 to 2025. Investigators analyzed Folwells usage of the vehicle from July 2022 to February 2024. According to county prosecutors, the investigation determined Folwell was using the vehicle for official business. While there were times Folwell made detours that could be classified as personal travel, they were insufficient to support a criminal prosecution, Freemans office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state treasurer also received an email from Motor Fleet Management in October 2020 that led him to believe he was not required to maintain travel logs. Folwell has reimbursed the state $6,233 for community costs he should have been charged over the investigation period, in addition to reimbursing mileage driven outside of policy, according to county prosecutors. County prosecutors also noted Folwell is no longer employed by the state, with his term as North Carolina treasurer ending on Dec. 31, 2024. Citing these factors, they requested the investigation be closed without further action. Folwell issued the following statement after the Wake County District Attorneys announcement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The office of the state treasurer has been involved with this issue for over three years. My previous staff spent hundreds of hours on this. During that process, we cooperated and communicated through emails and telephone calls with the North Carolina Department of Administration, which reports to the governor asking for guidance and a report of their compliance review which was never received. Their responses were rare and confusing. I learned of details of the investigation through the media in June of 2024. Based on my visual observation, I was the only member of the North Carolina Council of State who drove themselves to council meetings in a state vehicle with a tracker, no driver, and no security. That was least costly to taxpayers I am the only person who ever gassed or washed my assigned vehicle. I found out just recently that the car that I inherited was assigned to someone else, not the previous treasurer. Vehicle assignments are made with the intent to be efficient, productive, accessible 24/7 and to apply common sense. This was evident by the fact that I kept two extra cars and a motorcycle in Raleigh for eight years to use for personal travel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thank DA Freeman for being the only public official in this process who actually took the time to learn, look, and listen. It was an honor to serve the citizens of North Carolina. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Walgreens announced more closures are on the horizon in 2025. The company planned to close about 1,200 underperforming stores in October to offset declining profits. Most of the lowered profits are the result of low drug reimbursement rates and sluggish retail sales. About 25% of Walgreens stores were not currently contributing to our long-term strategy, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. CEO Timothy Wentworth said in June 2024 during a quarterly financial call. Advertisement Advertisement Heres what to expect for the future of the company. How many stores are closing? All of the 1,200 stores will not be closed in 2025. Instead, roughly 500 stores will close in fiscal year 2025, which ends in August 2025, Walgreens said. In the companys first quarter, from September to November, 70 stores were closed. They plan to close another 450 before the end of 2025. Are any Oklahoma stores closing? It is not known if any Oklahoma stores will close currently. There are 50 Oklahoma cities that have at least one Walgreens, according to their website. Shoppers may contact their local Walgreens to see if it is potentially affected. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Walgreens to close 500 stores before August. Is Oklahoma affected? The city of Los Angeles is planning to hire an outside consultant to handle a significant rebuilding contract for areas devastated by this month's Palisades fire, Mayor Karen Bass said Monday. The firm will represent the citys interests in the wildfire recovery process, including performing damage assessments, monitoring air and water quality, interacting with various federal agencies and ensuring that the city gets as much federal reimbursement as possible, said Steve Soboroff, who was named by Bass as the citys chief recovery officer. The announcement came during a freewheeling half-hour walking tour in Pacific Palisades that Bass and Soboroff held for reporters and some residents Monday afternoon. The walk-and-talk was the first time Soboroff and Bass took questions together since she announced his role Jan. 17 in leading the first phase of the citys recovery on Jan. 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details about the scope of the forthcoming contract remain scant, but Bass said Monday that the city was in the midst of reviewing proposals from major firms and pledged to make a decision this week. Theyre going to represent you and make sure that everybody does exactly what they say theyre going to do, Soboroff said, nodding to the Palisades community members at the edge of the news conference. Read more: Civic leader Steve Soboroff to head L.A.'s wildfire rebuilding and recovery efforts Bass and Soboroff spoke outside a neighborhood recreation center in front of a plaque installed in 1986 marking the dedication of a childrens play area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soboroffs name was at the top of the plaque, just above that of actor Chevy Chase, as the driving force behind rebuilding the playground nearly 40 years ago. It was a fix that Soboroff said he organized in just a few months by leaning on both the city and the neighborhood for support. The civic leader and real estate developer, whose public service included a long stint on the city's police commission, raised his family in the area and has deep ties to the community. More than 5,500 homes have been destroyed in the Palisades fire, including the house where Soboroff raised his children. With reporters and camera operators scrambling to keep up, Bass and Soboroff, 76, made their way toward Sunset Boulevard after the short news conference. They strolled past the ruins of the public library and ended less than a half-mile away at a town shopping center described as the heart of the community. An acrid, woodsy stench emanated from the wreckage, even though the skies were a smokeless blue after the weekends rains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along the way, Bass and Soboroff shared an initial vision for rebuilding the Palisades and addressed questions about debris clearing and other issues that have persisted in the three weeks since the fire began. Soboroff and Bass pledged multiple initiatives in the coming weeks and months to revive the community. Soon, the city will unveil a mobile app to enable homeowners to receive status updates about environmental cleanup and permitting at their properties in real time, Soboroff said. A burnt-out Ralphs supermarket anchored the shopping center, with an empty storefront standing intact next door. Soboroff said he was planning to call Ralphs to ask about installing a pop up supermarket at the location. We have a whole bunch of ideas, Soboroff said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Progress should advance quickly enough to have a July 4 Independence Day parade in the community, Soboroff said. Oh my God, you make me cry, responded Haldis Toppel, a Palisades resident who lost her home and was trailing the duo alongside reporters. When appointing Soboroff, Bass touted him as best qualified to work inside and outside the city bureaucracy to speed the recovery. The joint appearance came amid frustrations from residents about rebuilding timelines and questions about Soboroffs responsibilities. At a community event Sunday evening, multiple Palisades residents asked why Soboroff wasnt in attendance and questioned whether the mayor was following his advice. On Monday, Bass and Soboroff presented a unified front, with the mayor praising Soboroffs dedication to the Palisades and Soboroff championing the mayors commitment to a fast response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Palisades fire victims vent frustration as town hall on debris removal becomes a free-for-all Bass has faced added pressure since a Friday meeting where President Trump suggested that residents should be able to return to their properties immediately to clear debris. A representative from the Army Corps of Engineers estimated that removing hazardous waste from burned neighborhoods could take 18 months, a timeline that has caused widespread angst. The mayor pledged Monday that the process would be finished as quickly as possible but noted that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is in charge of the first phase of debris removal, has been unable to provide a specific date for completion. What is so difficult for people to understand right now, especially if their place was destroyed, is its really toxic, its dangerous for them to be there, Bass said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soboroff and Bass emphasized that they were in close contact with the Trump administration, with Soboroff saying he is seeking advice from a wide range of individuals, including those critical of Bass response. Developer Rick Caruso, who lost to Bass in the 2022 mayoral election and whose Palisades Village shopping center survived with the help of private firefighters, has challenged the citys preparedness for the blaze. Soboroff said he has solicited Caruso for contacts of those who could help. Were going to make friends, Soboroff said. We aint going to do this without a whole bunch of friends. Soboroff confirmed that he will be paid for his role as chief recovery officer, saying the funding will come from private philanthropy, not public dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he thought that nonprofits California Community Foundation and SoCal Grantmakers were involved in fundraising for his salary, with the amount still to be determined. Connie Llanos, a spokesperson for the California Community Foundation, said the organization has so far provided more than $15 million for recovery measures, and future awards could support government efforts. "While our grants may cover operating expenses, decisions about specifics like compensation would remain with our grantee partner," Llanos said. Times staff writer Dakota Smith 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. An existing food recall at Walmart locations in 20 states has gotten more severe. On January 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration updated an existing broccoli recall to a Class I risk level due to the confirmed presence of Listeria bacteria in contaminated products (per Newsweek). According to the FDA, Class I recalls bear "a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death." The Class I designation applies to an earlier voluntary recall due to Listeria risks from the broccoli's manufacturer, Braga Fresh. The FDA urges consumers with any 12-ounce bags of Marketside brand ready-to-eat broccoli florets with a use by date of December 10, 2024 to dispose of the broccoli immediately. The product can also be identified by lot code BFFG327A6. Although the use by date has long passed, the FDA issued a Class I risk level in case consumers may have frozen the broccoli for future use. The recall affects bags sold at Walmarts in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The Reason Why Costco's Kirkland Signature Products Are So Cheap How Recalls Help Keep Food Safe Marketside broccoli florets - Walmart Food recalls are part of how the food supply is kept safe. Lessons learned from entries on our list of 13 landmark food recalls and advisories, for example, have helped make mass market food safer today than it would otherwise be. What an upgrade to a Class I recall means is that the contaminated broccoli poses a greater risk to public health than previously thought. In the case of Listeria, this bacteria can cause fatal illness in people with vulnerable immune systems, including children, senior citizens, and the immunocompromised. Unfortunately for Walmart, the increasingly serious broccoli recall is not the company's first tangle with food safety issues in the new year. Earlier in January, the U.S. Department of Agriculture warned consumers about mislabeled frozen empanadas from Walmart store brand Bettergoods, which contained an undeclared allergen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hungry for more? Sign up for the free Daily Meal newsletter for delicious recipes, cooking tips, kitchen hacks, and more, delivered straight to your inbox. Read the original article on The Daily Meal. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A man wanted on a warrant for allegedly being a felon in possession of a firearm was arrested by Socorro Police during a traffic stop on Monday, Jan. 27, they said. Officers from the Socorro Police Department pulled over a pickup truck just before 12:30 p.m. Monday in the area of Liahona Drive and North Loop Drive. During the stop, police determined that the driver, 28-year-old Aaron Rosales, was wanted by Socorro Police for being a felon in possession of a gun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers also discovered that Rosales was in possession of a handgun during the traffic stop. He was taken into custody on the outstanding warrant and the additional charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility, with bonds totaling $125,000. The possession of firearms by convicted felons represents a clear threat to public safety. Addressing these offenses is critical to fostering a safer environment for all residents, said Socorro Police Chief Robert C. Rojas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NewsVoir Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 28: TVS Motor Company's operating revenue grew by 10% at Rs. 9,097 Crores for the quarter ended December 2024 as against Rs. 8,245 Crores reported in the quarter ended December 2023. The Company's Operating EBITDA grew by 17% at Rs. 1,081 Crores for the third quarter of 2024-25 as against EBITDA of Rs. 924 Crores in third quarter of 2023-24. The Company's Operating EBITDA margin for the quarter is highest at 11.9% as against Operating EBITDA margin of 11.2% reported in the third quarter of 2023-24. The Company's Profit Before Tax (PBT) grew by 8% at Rs. 837 Crores for the third quarter of 2024-25 as against PBT of Rs. 775 Crores in third quarter of 2023-24. PBT for the quarter includes fair valuation loss of Rs. 41 Crores as against gain of Rs.65 Crores during Q3 of last year. The overall two-wheeler and three-wheeler sales including exports grew by 10% registering 12.12 Lakh units in the quarter ended December 2024 as against 11.01 Lakh units in the quarter ended December 2023. Motorcycle sales grew by 6% registering 5.56 Lakh units in the quarter ended December 2024 as against 5.23 Lakh units in the quarter ended December 2023. Scooter sales for the quarter ended December 2024 grew by 22% at 4.93 Lakh units as against 4.04 Lakh units in the third quarter of 2023-24. Three-wheeler sales for the quarter under review is at 0.29 Lakh units as against 0.38 Lakh units during third quarter of 2023-24. Electric Scooter sales for the quarter ended December 2024 grew by 57% at 0.76 lakh units as against 0.48 lakh units in the quarter ended December 2023. Cumulative nine months results Operating revenue grew by 13% at Rs. 26,701 Crores for nine months ended December 2024 as against Rs. 23,608 Crores for the nine months ended December 2023. The Company's Operating EBITDA grew by 21% at Rs. 3,121 Crores for nine months ended December 2024 as against EBITDA of Rs. 2,588 Crores for the nine months ended December 2023. The Company's PBT grew by 19% at Rs. 2,517 Crores for the nine months ended December 2024 as against Rs. 2,109 Crores during nine months ended December 2023. The Company's PAT grew by 16% at Rs. 1,858 Crores for the nine months ended December 2024 as against Rs. 1,598 Crores during nine months ended December 2023. The Company's two-wheeler sales including exports grew by 14% registering 34.29 Lakh units in the nine months ended December 2024 as against 30.13 Lakh units registered in the nine months ended December 2023. Motorcycle sales grew by 10% registering 16.31 Lakh units in the nine months ended December 2024 as against 14.79 Lakh units in nine months ended December 2023. Scooter sales for the nine months ended December 2024 grew by 19% registering 14.01 Lakh units as against the sales of 11.74 Lakh units in the nine months ended December 2023. The Company's two-wheeler exports grew by 19% at 7.78 Lakh units in the nine months ended December 2024 as against 6.52 Lakh units in the nine months ended December 2023. Total three-wheeler sales is at 0.98 Lakh units for the nine months ended December 2024 as against 1.16 Lakh units during nine months ended December 2023. Electric vehicles grew by 40% registering sales of 2.03 Lakh units for the nine months ended December 2024 as against 1.44 Lakh units during the nine months ended December 2023. TVS Motor Company (BSE:532343 and NSE: TVSMOTOR) is a reputed two and three-wheeler manufacturer globally, championing progress through sustainable mobility with four state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities located in India and Indonesia. Rooted in our 100-year legacy of trust, value, and passion for customers, it takes pride in making internationally accepted products of the highest quality through innovative and sustainable processes. TVS Motor is the only two-wheeler company to have won the prestigious Deming Prize. Our products lead in their respective categories in the J.D. Power IQS and APEAL surveys. We have been ranked No. 1 Company in the J.D. Power Customer Service Satisfaction Survey for four consecutive years. Our group company Norton Motorcycles, based in the United Kingdom, is one of the most emotive motorcycle brands in the world. Our subsidiaries in the personal e-mobility space, Swiss E-Mobility Group (SEMG) and EGO Movement have a leading position in the e-bike market in Switzerland. TVS Motor Company endeavours to deliver the most superior customer experience across 80 countries in which we operate. For more information, please visit www.tvsmotor.com. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) US President Donald Trump has doubled down on his proposal to clean out Gaza by removing Palestinians living there to Jordan and Egypt, a plan which has appalled some allies but has been quickly embraced by Israels far right. Having first floated the idea Saturday, Trump warmed to his theme Monday, saying of Gazas population: Id like to get them living in an area where they can live without disruption and revolution and violence so much. He has not specified whether such emigration would be voluntary. The forcible displacement of civilians can constitute a war crime and/or crime against humanity depending on the context, according to the United Nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think you can get people living in areas that are a lot safer and maybe a lot better and maybe a lot more comfortable, he said on Monday. While there has been no response from the Israeli Prime Ministers Office, the idea was applauded by far-right Israeli politicians. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who leads the Religious Zionism party, said Trump had recognized that Gaza was a breeding ground for terror, and there is no doubt that in the long run, encouraging migration is the only solution that will bring peace and security to the residents of Israel and alleviate the suffering of Gazas Arab residents. Smotrich, who also has a ministerial position in the defense ministry, said he was working on a plan to implement Trumps vision. When he wants something, it happens, he said. Smotrich has been advocating for what he calls the voluntary emigration of Gaza Arabs to countries around the world since 2023. Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's finance minister, during an interview in Tel Aviv, Israel on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. - Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg/Getty Images But the idea of displacement, voluntary or otherwise, is horrifying to Jordan and Egypt and likely alarming to other Arab allies of the US, threatening decades of international consensus about the right of Palestinians to a homeland. Ayman Safadi, Jordans foreign minister, said Sunday: Jordan is for Jordanians and Palestine is for Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our rejection for the deportation is steadfast and unchanging. Trump said the removal of Palestinians might be temporary or long-term, but Arab critics allege that Palestinians have never been allowed by Israel to return to land once removed. Neither Egypt nor Jordan would contemplate being party to a repeat of the Palestinian Nakba or catastrophe in 1948. Roughly 700,000 Palestinians were forced from their homes when the state of Israel was born. A second iteration would be tantamount to condoning and supporting ethnic cleansing. Much like Denmark hopes Trump will abandon his ideas for US control of Greenland, the moderate Arab states will be praying that the US President forgets about transferring the Gazans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The comparison was not lost on Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said in an interview with Sky News Tuesday that Palestine cannot be deleted and Palestinians cannot be expelled. My suggestion: Instead of Palestinians, try to expel Israelis to Greenland. Take them to Greenland so you can kill two birds (with) one stone. Saudi-UAE silence Jordan and Egypt seem likely to huddle with their allies in the Gulf, especially Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in an effort to present a united front. So far, the Saudis and Emiratis have remained publicly silent on the Trump plan. King Abdullah II of Jordan has also said nothing about his call with Trump on Saturday. But the Jordanian court pointedly released a read-out of his call Monday with new Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which may have been an effort at damage limitation. The statement said they discussed ways to enhance regional security and stabilityand means to strengthen the strategic partnership between Jordan and the United States, as well as keenness to maintain coordination and consultation on various issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The response from Cairo was more puzzling. A senior Egyptian official denied that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had spoken with Trump, despite the latters assertion Monday that they had spoken. Trump declined to say directly if the Egyptian president had an opinion on taking additional Palestinian refugees. Hes in a very rough part of the world, to be honest, as they say, its a rough neighborhood, but I think he can do it, Trump said. US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on Air Force One on January 27. - Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images The Egyptian official added that readouts between the Egyptian president and heads of state are released when they take place. The Egyptian Presidency itself has made no comment about any call and the White House hasnt released a readout. Trump also appears to have nodded towards the belief among some Israelis that Gaza isnt really Palestinian land anyway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know, when you look at the Gaza Strip, its been hell for so many years, and it just seems to be this various civilizations start here, started thousands of years before, he said Monday. That fits right in with the perspective of people like the former Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, who leads the Jewish Power party. Trumps remarks will also encourage the idea among some Israeli right-wing groups such as Nachala that Israel should establish settlements in Gaza. Daniella Weiss, who leads Nachala, told CNN last year: No Arab, Im speaking about more than two million Arabs. They will not stay there. We Jews will be in Gaza. Foreign aid as potential leverage After a year of transformative upheaval in the Middle East, even the idea that millions of Palestinians might be moved from their homes is potentially a source of still greater instability. Sisi has previously said that taking in Gazans would threaten Egypts peace agreement with Israel because of the risk that some of them would resume fighting the Jewish state from within his countrys borders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The risk is existential to Jordan, which has more than a million refugees from neighboring countries as well as about 2.4 million registered Palestinian refugees. Indeed, more than half of its inhabitants are of Palestinian descent, and its demography would be transformed by another influx. But Jordan cannot afford to dismiss Trumps idea out of hand. A country of few resources, its 2023 budget deficit stood at 5.1% of its economic output, and a fifth of its workforce is unemployed. It is heavily reliant on foreign aid and is the second biggest recipient of US aid in the Middle East after Israel, with more than $1.7 billion delivered in 2023. Trump has already moved to put foreign aid and tariffs at the center of a foreign policy whose first tenets have been more stick than carrot. That will not be lost on the Jordanian and Egyptian governments now in the crosshairs. Egypt is the regions third-biggest recipient of US aid, with $1.5 billion delivered in 2023. I wish he would take some, Trump said of Sisi on Monday, referring to Gazans. We help them a lot, and Im sure he can help us, hes a friend of mine. Were Trump to persist with the idea, the prospect of extending the Abraham Accords to include normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia a centerpiece of his Middle East policy would also be jeopardized. While Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has close personal ties with Trump, he has repeatedly made clear that normalization is linked to a pathway to a Palestinian state. Emptying Gaza would not fit with that priority. CNNs Sarah El Sirgany, Nadeen Ebrahim and Jomana Karadsheh contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WIND ADVISORIES: Now in effect for Northwestern Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Summers, Monroe, Mercer, Bland, & Giles counties until 3pm Tuesday, January 28th, 2025. Sustained winds 25-30mph with gusts as high as 35-40mph at times. Watch for blowing debris, downed trees, & power lines. Isolated power outages are possible. High profile vehicles may find driving conditions poor at times, especially in areas with high cross winds. Winds are primarily out of the west so north/south roads will be most affected. Tuesday will be a windy day for all with higher wind gusts along the ridgelines. Despite a warm up into the low 40s for the afternoon, wind chills will be stuck near freezing all day. A few clouds race across the sky from time to time but for most, more sunshine than not. Winds will relax some into the evening and overnight hours, but expect a breezy evening regardless. Westerly wind gusts still push 25-30mph at times for those in the higher elevations. Wednesday will be a little more cloudy at times as the area of low pressure in Canada drifts south a bit. A few snowflakes for Pocahontas county is possible but no accumulations are expected. Still a breezy day with winds pushing 10-15mph with gusts occasionally 20-25mph. Highs, at least, still nudging up into the low to mid 40s for most. Again, the exception being the higher elevations of Greenbrier, Nicholas, and Pocahontas County. Clouds remain stubborn Wednesday night helping overnight lows stay in the mid to upper 20s. Thursday clouds are still stubborn with little sunshine through the day. Well be breezy, but not as bad on the wind side. We will notice winds shifting direction through the day more out of the southwest as our next system approaches from the south. Despite the extra clouds, we still manage to push into the mid and upper 40s. For the lowlands, snow melt will need to be monitored, especially on those smaller creeks and streams. Thursday night, clouds are ever on the increase with light showers expected into the overnight from the southwest to the northeast. With overnight lows well above freezing, rain is all well contend with into Friday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friday will be a soggy, gloomy, but warm day as southerly breezes help temps warm into the upper 40s and low 50s for the afternoon. Morning rains turn steadier and heavier into the late afternoon. Combine snowmelt with rainfall totals, minor street flooding is possible. Ice jams and creeks backing up will need to be monitored with the heavier rains Friday evening. Into the overnight hours, rains will become more scattered as drier air filters in from the south. This will help keep overnight lows in the mid to upper 30s keeping roads wet through the night. Saturday morning, a cold front is expected to move through with elevated winds westerly 15-20mph and a few showers from time to time. Highs still manage to push the upper 40s before falling back into the night to near freezing. Light snow showers for the higher elevation is possible as northwest winds take over leading to upslope snows in Pocahontas, Nicholas, & Western Greenbrier counites. Accumulations look minor after several days of warmer weather keeping ground temps warmer. Either way, a colder overnight can lead to patchy black ice for bridges and overpasses. Sunday morning, a few snowflakes fly in the high mountains, but we eventually start to clear up through the day. A cold morning near freezing will be helped with increasing sunshine and southerly winds returning to push us into the upper 40s & low 50s in the afternoon. With our Canadian low moving out and our jet stream pushing north, we look to remain on the warmer side of this pattern which will be nice for the first week of February. Monday, a weak system tries to nose through the region with a few extra clouds and an isolated rain shower chance, especially in the afternoon for the high elevations. Otherwise, we cool a couple of degrees with afternoon highs in the upper 40s. A stray shower into the overnight hours is possible with a focus on slow clearing by dawn Tuesday. Overnight lows dip to the freezing mark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In your extended forecast, the warm up continues into the first week of February with highs above average as the 50s return to the 10 day forecast. While winter isnt over and the prospect of colder days eventually in our future, the nice pattern shift looks to hold for quite some time. Could we see a 60 degree day in February? Its looking more promising each day. Could we see winter return, oh yeah. Until then, lets enjoy the quieter, warmer run setting up for our region. TUESDAY Windy at times, sun & clouds. Highs in the low 40s. WEDNESDAY Mostly cloudy, breezy. Mtn. Flakes. Highs in the mid 40s. THURSDAY Stubborn clouds, breezy still, warmer. Highs in the mid & upper 40s. FRIDAY Rainy day but warm. Highs near 50 degrees. SATURDAY Cooler, rain, mtn flakes. Highs in the mid 40s. SUNDAY GROUNDHOG DAY Cold morning, nice afternoon, some sunshine. Highs in the mid 40s. MONDAY Iso Shower, mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 40s. TUESDAY Breezy, a few clouds. Highs in the low 40s. WEDNESDAY Nice rebound, breezy. High in the low 50s. THURSDAY Warmer, increasing clouds late. Highs in the mid 50s. FRIDAY Sct. showers, very warm, Highs in the upper 50s. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation in the House and Senate that would make efforts to control the weather in Indiana illegal. House Bill 1335 and Senate Bill 364 both prohibit anyone from discharging a chemical or apparatus in the atmosphere that would affect sunlight, temperature or weather. Both bills have been assigned to committees, but neither has received a hearing and none are on the schedules for this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Scott Alexander, R-Muncie, filed the Senate bill. He said he received letters from Hoosiers in his district about the issue and decided to bring the legislation forward to prompt conversations around weather modification. They're concerned about the atmosphere and whether or not this is real or fake, I guess, Alexander told IndyStar. So for consideration purposes, I was kind of on the fence, and I decided to go ahead and file it and see what good communication brings. Rep. Lorissa Sweet, R-Somerset, wrote the House bill. She did not respond to IndyStars requests for comment. Both bills attempt to make weather modification a misdemeanor offense with maximum penalties of up to one year in jail and up to $5,000 in fines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alexander said his constituents were worried that pollutants are being put into the air and may be dangerous to their health. I dug in trying to find out some information and just really didnt find a lot, Alexander said. Theres plenty of stuff on the internet about it, but I think credible information is what I was looking and asking for. Geoengineering a term used to describe attempts to cool the Earth by reflecting sunlight back into space using particles or cloud cover is the spring board for similar legislation across the U.S. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration since 2020 has researched the potential for this kind of technology but has not implemented any programming other than observational and modeling projects, although small groups of independent researchers have conducted their own experiments. Indiana bill mirrors Tennessee law Alexander said his bill is modeled after a 2024 Tennessee law banning geoengineering in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tennessee lawmakers brought their bill forward following a 2023 White House report suggesting the U.S. identify potential research areas around the topic. As Tennessee state lawmakers discussed the bill, Sen. Frank Niceley, R-Strawberry Plains, said too many people dont look up toward the sky and see geoengineering. If you look up one day its clear, the next day it looks like the angels have been playing tic-tac-toe, Niceley said. Ive got pictures on my phone of Xs over my house. Niceley said the only problem with the Tennessee bill was there werent penalties for pilots caught dumping chemicals into the atmosphere. More states attempt to ban weather modification Floridas state senate currently is considering a similar bill that would prohibit actions intended to affect the temperature, the weather, or the intensity of sunlight within the atmosphere of this state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arizona is considering a prohibition on geoengineering, and offenders could face a class 4 felony with civil penalties of no less than $500,000 per violation. The Arizona bill defines geoengineering as anything related to weather modification, aerosol injection, cloud seeding and solar radiation modification. Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on BlueSky @karlstartswithk.bsky.social IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana bills banning weather control appear stuck on the ground President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House 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) Washington states case against the Trump administrations order to end birthright citizenship now includes three pregnant noncitizen women. On Monday, U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour ordered the states lawsuit, filed with Oregon, Arizona and Illinois, to be consolidated with another that the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project filed Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Coughenour granted a 14-day restraining order blocking the executive action, which is set to go into effect Feb. 19. The judge called President Donald Trumps order blatantly unconstitutional. Trump signed the executive order in his first hours in office. It would end birthright citizenship for babies born to a mother and father who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution codified birthright citizenship in 1868, and legal precedent has upheld it since. The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project filed its lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Seattle on behalf of three expectant mothers living in Washington whose children would be born without U.S. citizenship if the executive order goes through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys for the Trump administration have argued Washington couldnt bring the case because the state doesnt have citizenship rights of its own, so affected individuals needed to be plaintiffs. So now we are presenting our clients claims, to make sure the federal government answers to the irreparable harm that this Executive Order will otherwise cause without the Courts intervention, Matt Adams, an attorney from the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, said in an email. The three women involved in the case worry their children could be born stateless, with citizenship not recognized here or in their parents countries of origin. They hoped to represent families in similar situations through a class action lawsuit. Cherly Norales Castillo fled violence in Honduras in 2023 to settle in Seattle, according to the lawsuit. She and her four-year-old son have a pending asylum application. Her second child is due March 19. The father is also not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delmy Franco Aleman, of Lynnwood, immigrated to the United States from El Salvador in 2015. An immigration judge granted her withholding of removal, meaning she is protected from deportation but is not a lawful permanent resident. Her third child is due March 26, according to the lawsuit. After emigrating from El Salvador in 2016, Alicia Chavarria Lopez now lives in Bothell. She has a pending asylum application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Her second child is reportedly due July 21. In 2022, about 153,000 babies were born to two parents without legal immigration status across the country, including 4,000 in Washington, according to the states lawsuit. A hearing on a preliminary injunction seeking to pause the executive order during the litigation is set for Feb. 6 in Seattle. Attorneys have acknowledged the case will likely end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. The consolidated case is one of several across the country seeking to block Trumps order. Eighteen other states filed a similar lawsuit to Washingtons in federal court in Massachusetts. A hearing on a preliminary injunction in that case is set for Feb. 7. An inmate in Washington County was released to Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week. County officials said Jose Turcios Salmeron, from El Salvador, was released to ICE on Jan. 23. He was being held on charges including aggravated and simple assault. Last year, the Washington County Correctional Facility released 2,178 incarcerated persons into the county. of those, less than five were undocumented and sent to ICE. Last week, we booked five incarcerated individuals who face deportation once criminal due process has been completed, Commissioner Sherman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sherman continued by praising President Donald Trump and his administration for their work toward clearing illegal immigrants from the jail system: We want it crystal clear that Washington County is not a sanctuary county. I applaud the Trump Administration for their due diligence in helping clear criminal illegal aliens from our jail. The days of the catch and release policy are over. Criminal illegal aliens should not be our responsibility or a drain on our resources and tax dollars that should benefit legal residents and citizens. For decades, efforts to find and apprehend these criminals have not been given proper resources. President Trump is already making a significant step in fixing that problem. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) In the wake of the Portland and Vancouver-area ballot box fires that happened days before Novembers general election, Washington lawmakers are pushing legislation that would highlight the penalties for such an offense. The Washington Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections moved forward with Senate Bill 5011 on Friday. The measure would require all ballot drop boxes to display signage that explains they are owned by the county or county agency that purchased them. Ethics watchdogs assess claims that Koteks office committed minor spending violations Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Co-sponsored by Washington Sen. Jeff Wilson, SB 5011 would also require signage that says tampering with the drop boxes could violate state and federal laws that prohibit people from hindering voters during elections. Last year was an interesting year that was very public, Wilson said during a Jan. 17 meeting, referring to the arson case that made national news last fall. Its all clear that what is contained in those boxes. It is the most precious thing I can certainly think of, which is everybodys vote. That individuals vote is to be protected and guarded We should warn people of the consequences. Lawmakers said there are at least 545 ballot drop boxes statewide. If SB 5011 were approved, the Washington Secretary of States Office would spend about $1,000 per wrapper for each box. Brian Hatfield from the Secretary of States Office also advocated for the bill, reporting that more than 66% of voters use drop boxes instead of submitting their ballots by mail. That number increases to 69% in Clark County, which was impacted by the Oct. 28 arson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An earthquake rattled the Cascadia fault 325 years ago. Heres what we know about the massive quake The Federal Bureau of Investigation is still seeking the individual or individuals who set the ballot drop boxes on fire, offering $25,000 to anyone who provides tips leading to an arrest. The FBI believes the suspect or suspects is unusually knowledgeable about explosives, incendiary devices or welding metal. The suspected arsonist was described as a Caucasian male between 30 and 40 years old, who either had very short hair or was balding. Officials also said he had a thin-to-medium build and a thin face. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Getty Images) Two Democratic state lawmakers are trying again to require clergy members in Washington to report child abuse or neglect, including when it is disclosed to them by a congregant during confession. Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, and Rep. Amy Walen, D-Kirkland, introduced legislation to add clergy to the states roster of professions whose members must inform law enforcement if they believe a child has been harmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frames Senate Bill 5375 will get its first hearing Tuesday afternoon in the Senate Human Services Committee. This is the third straight session that the issue will be debated. Past efforts failed when the two legislative chambers disagreed on whether to protect whats heard in confessions. Frame and Walen hope majorities in the House and Senate can agree this time. Its been far too long that weve failed to close this loophole and provide the protections children need from abuse, Frame said. I know this is a hard subject for many of my colleagues, especially those with deep religious views. I also know far too many children have been victims of abuse the Legislature has a duty to act. This is a proposal that can protect kids and get the votes to pass this year. Walen said she pre-filed her bill to get discussions rolling early in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve had a lot of tough conversations, she said. If you hear in confession that a child is in danger you have a duty to do something about it. I am trying to protect kids. The Washington State Catholic Conference opposes the legislation. The conference is the public policy voice of the Catholic Bishops of the Archdiocese of Seattle, the Diocese of Spokane, and the Diocese of Yakima. We remain willing to have clergy as mandatory reporters but Catholic priests cannot reveal what is said in the confessional, Jean Welch Hill, the organizations executive director, wrote in an email. If they comply with the bill as it is written, the priest will be automatically excommunicated. To demand that a priest choose between compliance with the law or the loss of his lifelong vocation is exactly what the First Amendment is supposed to protect against. Walen, who is not Catholic, said she thinks there is some space to save kids who are in imminent danger without defrocking Catholic priests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of the legislation are better organized this year. Theyve formed the Clergy Accountability Coalition and enlisted a lobbyist to deliver their message to lawmakers. Of course, the greatest obstacle will be the Catholic bishops of the state and their ability to raise fears framing this as an attack on freedom of religion and the seal of confession, Tim Law of the Catholic Accountability Project wrote in an email. Familiar turf Washington is one of a handful of states without a law making clergy mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. State law requires teachers, police, registered nurses, social service counselors and members of several other professions to report to law enforcement or the state Department of Children, Youth and Families if they have reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 5375 and House Bill 1211 would add clergy to the list and remove their privilege to keep information shared in penitent communications confidential. They would retain the privilege to not be compelled to testify in a court case or criminal proceeding. For three years, protection of what is said in the confessional has been the dividing line between the Senate and the House. In 2023, the Senate unanimously passed Frames bill that exempted clergy from disclosing information obtained in the confessional. But the House removed the exemption in the version it approved on a strong bipartisan vote. Senators insisted on their position and the bill lapsed. Last year, Frame crafted what she described as a delicate and very narrowly defined compromise with the Washington State Catholic Conference. It preserved the clergy-penitent privilege. But, under the legislation, if a religious leader heard a child may be at imminent risk of harm in a confession and in another setting, when they were not carrying out their work as a religious leader, they had a responsibility to contact authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate passed the bill but it lapsed in a House committee. This years legislation does essentially what the House has sought the past two sessions making clergy mandatory reporters including what they hear in confessions. Mandating that priests violate their vows and lose their vocation will not result in better outcomes for children, Hill said. What would help is better training for all mandatory reporters so they recognize the signs of abuse and make the reports sooner. She pointed to Senate Bill 5386 as a more impactful approach without infringing on the constitutional rights of clergy and people of faith. The bill would ensure teachers and staff in public schools, who are mandatory reporters, receive training in trauma-informed and survivor-centered responses to sexual abuse, misconduct, and assault. Sen. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, wrote the legislation. It had not been scheduled for a hearing as of Friday last week. PNN New Delhi [India], January 28: On National Pediatrician Day, we celebrate the dedicated paediatricians who are at the forefront of ensuring the health and well-being of children. These healthcare professionals play a crucial role not just in treating illnesses but in guiding parents on preventive health measures, with vaccination being one of the most effective tools in protecting young lives. In this article, paediatricians share their expert insights on why timely vaccinations are essential for safeguarding children's health, preventing preventable diseases, and promoting long-term wellness. Dr Venugopal Reddy I, Medical Director and Consultant Pediatrician - Ovum Hospital, Bangalore On National Pediatrician Day, we honour the unwavering dedication of paediatricians who play a vital role in shaping a healthier future for children. One of their most impactful contributions is promoting timely vaccinations, which protect children from deadly diseases like polio, measles, and whooping cough. Vaccines not only safeguard the individual child but also create a protective shield for entire communities. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the crucial role of vaccines in global health crises, yet vaccine hesitancy and misinformation continue to pose challenges. Paediatricians are key in combating these issues by educating parents and advocating for scientifically backed immunisation practices. Timely immunisation is essential to protect children when they are most vulnerable. Delayed or missed vaccines can lead to severe health complications. Paediatricians work tirelessly to ensure every child, regardless of background, has access to life-saving vaccines. On this day, let's recognise the critical role vaccines play in giving children a healthy start. Dr Sanjay D Swamy, MBBS, DNB (Paediatrics), FPCC (IAP), FPIC (UK) Consultant Paediatrician and Intensivist, Cloudnine Hospital, Bangalore Dr Sanjay D. Swamy, a seasoned Pediatrician and Pediatric Intensive Care Specialist emphasize that vaccination is one of the most powerful tools we have in safeguarding the health and future of our children. On the occasion of National Pediatrician Day, he highlights the importance of timely immunisation in protecting children from life-threatening illnesses and strengthening their immune systems, ensuring they grow up healthier and more resilient. Parents often ask, 'Why is it so important to stick to the vaccination schedule?' His answer is simple: every vaccine is timed to provide the maximum protection when children are most vulnerable to specific diseases. Having witnessed firsthand the difference timely vaccinations can make--not just in preventing illness but also in reducing the need for critical care interventions--Dr. Swamy urges parents to trust the science, follow the schedule, and consult their paediatrician for guidance. 'Together, we can give our children the best start in life by prioritising their health through vaccinations,' he says. Dr Sachinder Jain Nawal, MBBS, DCH, MD, Pediatric, DM (chest + Resp), International Postgraduate, Pediatric Certification, Consultant at Sunrise Hospital and Arihant Hospital, Gurugram Vaccination is one of the greatest achievements of modern medicine," says Dr Sachinder Jain Nawal, an experienced Pediatrician and Pediatric specialist. "It plays a crucial role in safeguarding the health and well-being of children by providing immunity against life-threatening diseases like polio, measles, diphtheria, and more. Timely immunisation not only protects your child but also helps in creating herd immunity, which is vital to shielding the community at large." Dr Nawal emphasizes the importance of adhering to the vaccination schedule recommended by pediatric health experts. "Delaying or missing vaccines increases the risk of exposure to preventable diseases. Vaccines are carefully tested and monitored to ensure their safety and efficacy, so parents should feel confident in the protection they offer. Timely vaccination is a gift that ensures your child's healthy future and contributes to a disease-free society." Dr Nawal encourages parents to consult their paediatrician to stay updated on their child's immunisation needs. Dr Gunda Srinivas, Consultant Pediatric Emergency & Pediatrics at Aster RV Hospital, JP Nagar, Bangalore On this National Pediatrician Day, it's essential to highlight six key reasons why timely vaccination is crucial for your child. First, vaccines protect against deadly diseases, having eradicated smallpox and bringing polio close to eradication. The success of the COVID-19 vaccine further underscores its life-saving importance. Second, vaccines strengthen your child's immune system, helping them fight infections and prevent severe illnesses. Third, vaccinating your child helps prevent the spread of diseases, protect others, and build herd immunity. The annual flu vaccination is also vital for reducing complications during flu season. Vaccines undergo rigorous testing to ensure their safety, with side effects typically mild and temporary. Lastly, it's important to stay informed and trust paediatricians and health authorities for accurate vaccine guidance, avoiding misinformation. Just as helmets and seat belts protect us in accidents, timely vaccinations prepare the body to fight diseases, ensuring your child's health and a safer, healthier community for all. Dr Naveen Chettupalli, MBBS, DNB - Paediatrics Pediatrician - Consultant Pediatrician & Managing Director at Sravani Hospital, Hyderabad Vaccination is one of the most important steps in protecting a child's health," says Dr Naveen Chettupalli, a paediatrician who is committed to promoting child well-being. "Not only do timely immunisations protect children from life-threatening diseases such as measles, polio, and whooping cough, but they also help to create a healthier community by preventing outbreaks." Vaccines are an effective tool for breaking the chain of infection and ensuring that every child has an equal opportunity at a healthy future." Dr Chettupalli emphasises the importance of parents following their paediatrician's vaccination schedules. "Delaying or skipping vaccinations can put children at unnecessary risk and reduce the effectiveness of herd immunity," he says. "As paediatricians, it's our responsibility to educate parents about the importance of immunisation and to address their concerns with empathy and evidence-based information. Sreenath S Manikanti, MD, DCH (London), MRCPCH (UK), PGPN (USA), IPPN (AUS), Lead Consultant, Pediatrics & Neonatology, Kauvery Hospital, E city, Bangalore Prevention is 100% better than the cure. Vaccination is one of the most vital tools we have to ensure a healthy future for our children," emphasises Dr. Sreenath Manikanti, a renowned paediatrician from Bangalore, who is dedicated to child health and well-being. "Timely immunisation not only protects an individual child from potentially life-threatening diseases like measles, polio, and whooping cough but also safeguards entire communities by preventing outbreaks. Despite vaccination drives initiated by the Govt, still, we see outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in our country putting the vulnerable population at risk". Dr Sreenath Manikanti highlights that adhering to the vaccination schedule is crucial to ensuring maximum effectiveness. "Each vaccine is timed to coincide with the age when a child is most vulnerable to specific diseases. Delays or missed doses can leave gaps in protection, putting the child at unnecessary risk." He also points out the broader societal impact of vaccinations. "By vaccinating our children on time, we contribute to building herd immunity, which protects those vulnerable who cannot be vaccinated due to medical conditions. It's an act of responsibility and loves not just for our children but for humanity. Dr Anuja Bharti, MBBS, DNB (Pediatric), MIAP, PGPN (Boston), Certified in International Vaccine Trust Course Level 1., Consultant Pediatrician at Sunshine Child Care Clinic, Pune. In the present era, where parents are over-caring for their kids, it is important to help them understand the need of vaccinations for their kids. It is one of the needed aspects of their life to protect them from unwanted infections and diseases. Yes, some vaccines might not be 100% effective, but they will definitely reduce the severity of illness by 100%. "Delayed or Catch Up vaccination is always better than "No" Vaccination. In my practice, I have come across many parents who feel if a vaccine is missed, we are helpless, and no option is available. I want to especially communicate to them that it is always better to get delayed vaccination (appropriate for age criteria) than no vaccination. When parents are aware, they can do the best possible care by giving vaccines to their kids by a Pediatrician. Dr Amit Chitaliya, MB, DCH, FPCC(Berlin), Lead Pediatric Intensive Care Specialist ,SGVP Holistic Hopsital & Director - Drkidz' Clinic, Ahmedabad Timely vaccination is the cornerstone of preventive pediatric care, protecting children from life-threatening diseases and promoting long-term health. As a pediatrician specialized in Pediatric Medicine & Intensive care, I witness firsthand the significant impact of immunization in reducing child mortality and preventing complications from preventable diseases. Vaccines not only protect the individual child but also build herd immunity, safeguarding entire population. It's essential to complete the full vaccination schedule, including guideline-based booster doses, to ensure lasting protection. Each dose is part of a critical package that strengthens immunity. Booster doses are equally important to maintain protection as children grow and immunity may wane over time. Optional vaccines are equally important against Hepatitis A , Typhoid and H1N1, as these provide additional protection against common yet some time severe illnesses, hence I urge all parents to talk to your pediatrician about the same and enquire are you missing any amongst those ?. We see in fairly large number of teens who have missed their important vaccines. parents do forget to vaccinate their teens. There is a seperate set of vaccination guidelines for them. For children between the ages of 15 to 18, vaccines like the HPV and Tdap boosters are crucial for continued protection. Delaying or skipping vaccinations can leave children vulnerable, undermining efforts to eliminate diseases like measles and polio. As there is nothing like a delay, you can always begin from where u have missed a shot of important vaccine. On this National Pediatrician Day, I urge every parent to stay informed and commit to their child's full vaccination schedule. (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) CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) A neighbor of the house that exploded in Clarksburg on Sunday said she felt the impact, and her doorbell camera captured the event. Winnie Elliott, who lives with her boyfriend and cat just a few doors down, said that she was pulling into her driveway when she felt the explosion. It felt like I was rear-ended by another vehicle. And then I turned and saw the debris and clothes flying through the air. There were a couple board planks up in the tops of the trees and thats when I realized it was an explosion, Elliott said in an interview with 12 News on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The doorbell camera from Elliotts home caught the explosion on video, which can be watched in the player above. The explosion happened at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26. Elliott said she immediately went to check on her elderly neighbors and then turned the gas off in her home. She was among the residents in a five-block radius that had to evacuate their homes after the explosion. Some residents were able to return to their houses Monday morning, but Elliott and her partner were not among them. Elliott said that they have found a place to stay in the meantime. Man accused of stabbing victim with steak knife outside Buckhannon bar The Harrison County Office of Emergency Management announced Monday afternoon that the residents of Chestnut Street and Kramer Avenue will not be able to return to their homes Monday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would have to guess were the last group to go home, so were just waiting, Elliott told 12 News. Hope Gas told 12 News Monday afternoon that its crews continue to perform work in the area and will be repairing holes in the streets. Hope Gas also said that it worked with the Harrison County OEM to help families that needed hotel accommodations Sunday. Elliott said she was encouraged by the way that members of the Chestnut Hills community came together. We were all checking in with each other, making sure everything was safe between us, and it is kind of eye-opening. This can happen at any time to anyone, this was not something that was expected whatsoever, Elliott said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man who was inside the house that exploded died of his injuries overnight, according to the West Virginia State Fire Marshals Office. His identity has not been released, but his body has been taken to the West Virginia State Medical Examiners Office for autopsy. As of Monday evening, residents from several other area streets have been allowed to return home. Hope Gas told 12 News that those customers can be confident that the area around their street has been checked. It added that anyone who needs their appliances relighted can call 1-800-688-4673 to schedule a visit. Hope Gas was still unable to determine a cause of the explosion as of Monday evening citing that there are many variables in incidents like this. As of Monday evening, the Harrison County Office of Emergency Management has shut off water service to the Chestnut Street and Kramer Drive areas out of an abundance of caution. It is unclear when service will be restored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Editors note: This story has been updated to include more information from Hope Gas and the Harrison County Office of Emergency Management. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The majority of Fox News Outnumbered panel on Monday couldnt get enough of the suggestion of adding President Donald Trumps image to Mount Rushmore. Co-host Harris Faulkner fawningly claimed a growing number of conservatives are pushing to add Trump to the legendary monument in South Dakotas Black Hills region because they think hes already done enough to be immortalized alongside George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Former Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), a contributor on the conservative network, said, If theres room up there, I think itd be great. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think what Donald Trump has done, and is in the process of doing, is transforming the United States of America and putting America first, he added. And I think America loves it, and I think theres a great case for it. Fox News hosts have fantasized about adding Donald Trump's face to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. via Associated Press Co-host Kayleigh McEnany, who served as Trumps White House press secretary during his first term, said she was fascinated by the proposal and argued it would be epic. McEnany also expressed her support for a petition in Congress to rename Washington Dulles International Airport as Donald Trump International Airport. Emily Compagno, a fellow co-host, wasnt sold on the Rushmore proposal, though. I despise Mount Rushmore. I hate that we chiseled humans faces into the mountains, she told the panel. Instead, Compagno suggested Trumps face be put on currency like a quarter and said she loved the idea of the airport rebrand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contributor Lisa Boothe, meanwhile, noted the mountain isnt actually suitable for further carving, but that she would endorse the airport rename also. Trump himself has long talked about his image being immortalized on the rock. Id ask whether or not you think I will someday be on Mount Rushmore, but heres the problem: If I did it joking totally joking, having fun the fake news media will say, He believes he should be on Mount Rushmore. So I wont say it, OK? I wont say it, Trump told a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, in 2017. In 2020, though, The New York Times reported that a White House aide had contacted then-South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) to ask about the logistics and possibility of another portrait being added at the park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Trump later that year visited the monument, his now-Homeland Security Secretary Noem actually gave him a 4-foot replica of Mount Rushmore that featured his face. Noem at the time said private donations of $1,100 paid for the bust and that she tries to give gifts that somebody wants to receive and that she knew that was something that he would find special. Related... President Trump is expected to speak late Monday afternoon as the GOP kicks off its annual policy retreat in Florida. The GOP conference, which is meeting at the Trump National Doral just outside Miami, will discuss how to navigate divisions within its ranks and how to execute ambitious legislative agenda. Trump is expected to speak at 5 p.m. EST. Watch live 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 The Hill. A disturbing video captured a heart-pounding exchange between a white man and Black woman after she confronts him at an Indiana gas station. According to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police, the conflict began when 21-year-old Tashauna Gooch said she drove up to a disabled gas pump on Jan. 21. According to Fox News, Gooch told authorities she parked her car next to the non-working gas pump, and thats when she noticed a Dodge Ram pull up behind her. From there, the vehicle started honking, so she pulled her car forward, parked, and got out to confront the driver. I was sitting at the pump that wasnt even working, and he pulled up telling me to move all aggressive, Gooch told IndyStar. I asked him what his problem was and he started calling me all types of N-words and threatening me... Basically, I was at the pump too long for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gooch confessed she had a gun on her, but she kept it by her side during the confrontation. And when the truck driver saw her weapon, things quickly took a dangerous turn. The man, identified as 60-year-old Mark White, reportedly told Gooch I got a way bigger firearm and retrieved his own weapon from his vehicle, according to reports. Theres no need for a way bigger firearm, Gooch reportedly responded while trying to de-escalate the situation. But by this time, it was too late. White allegedly told the woman I will kill you, and proceeded to attack her, according to Fox. He then allegedly grabbed Gooch by her throat, pushed her against her car door, and began strangling her. At this point, several bystanders started filming the two and calling the cops. Gooch continued saying White pointed his gun at her head and even hit her in the face with it, reports Fox. Responding officers later noted marks on Goochs neck and a scratch on her head likely caused by Whites weapon, according to the affidavit obtained by IndyStar. I walked her back over to the car at gunpoint and told her I will f*****g blow her head off, White later told police. I said I will f*****g shoot you. He also admitted Gooch never pointed her gun at him, and she even tossed her weapon back into her car in more efforts to de-escalate the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At some point, video captured by a witness shows White walking back towards his car while Gooch continued yelling at him. White then turns around and points his gun at the womans face, holding the weapon with both hands. Several bystanders attempted to get involve, repeatedly telling Gooch to drive off and for the man to get back in his vehicle, but Gooch later said she remained on the scene because she wanted witnesses, which might not have been possible if she drove off and White followed her. I have too much to live for and Im not going to shoot somebody for calling me the N-word, Gooch continued. I had witnesses and I wanted the police to come. He went to jail and that was what was supposed to happen. Im just happy were both still here. When police arrived, they placed both parties in handcuffs. White was later arrested and charged with criminal confinement, intimidation, pointing a firearm, strangulation, and criminal recklessness, according to Fox. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WCMH) A Chillicothe man accused of stealing a state patrol cruiser remains in jail on charges of theft and failure to comply with an officer after leading troopers on a high-speed chase in Ross County. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, on Jan. 14, Tommy Cantrell Jr. jumped into the drivers seat of an Ohio State Highway Patrol cruiser that was left running outside of a post just north of Chillicothe. Troopers located the cruiser via GPS tracking and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Cantrell fled on State Route 772 south of Chillicothe about 2:30 a.m., and a high-speed chase ensued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five Hilliard Darby students charged after classroom altercation Dispatch communication heard over dash-camera footage noted that Cantrell, 44, reached speeds of up to 110 mph. Five minutes into the pursuit, Cantrell made a U-turn through a gas station at Valley Road and drove north back toward Chillicothe. Troopers said the Chillicothe Police Department deployed stop sticks on Paint Street near Cooks Hill Road and, upon approaching a gas station near a railroad crossing, the cruiser came to a stop. The incident lasted about 30 minutes. Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers arrest Tommy Cantrell after a police chase involving a stolen state cruiser (Courtesy/OSHP) Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers arrest Tommy Cantrell after a police chase involving a stolen state cruiser (Courtesy/OSHP) Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers arrest Tommy Cantrell after a police chase involving a stolen state cruiser (Courtesy/OSHP) Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers arrest Tommy Cantrell after a police chase involving a stolen state cruiser (Courtesy/OSHP) Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers arrest Tommy Cantrell after a police chase involving a stolen state cruiser (Courtesy/OSHP) Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers arrest Tommy Cantrell after a police chase involving a stolen state cruiser (Courtesy/OSHP) Troopers ordered Cantrell several times to show his hands and exit the vehicle. Cantrell, while leaning out the window with his hands up, replied multiple times, Ive got a seatbelt on, sir! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was then ordered to remove the seat belt and crawl out of the open window to the ground, before being detained. What are you doing? one trooper asked. Law enforcement denies awareness of ICE raids in central Ohio Cantrell replied that something is going on at the (expletive) hospital, man, but followed the troopers commands and was placed under arrest. Charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle and failure to comply with a police officer, fourth- and third-degree felonies, respectively, Cantrell was issued a $25,000 bond in Ross County Municipal Court. No injuries were reported and the cruiser did not sustain any damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cantrell remains in custody, according to the Ross County Sheriffs Office inmate roster, and he is expected to appear at a pretrial hearing Feb. 24. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Independent watchdogs at the Defense Department and Department of Veterans Affairs appeared Monday to be among the estimated 18 inspectors general fired by President Donald Trump on Friday. A full list has yet to be released, but officials for the Defense Department confirmed that DoD Inspector General Robert Storch had been fired. And while the VA declined to comment on the dismissals, a note on its inspector general's website confirmed that VA Inspector General Michael Missal also is among those who was terminated. Trump's firings -- which violated a 2022 law that requires that Congress be notified in advance -- have sown confusion and apprehension in the federal offices responsible for rooting out waste, fraud and abuse. Both Storch and Missal have overseen investigations in those agencies of issues such as the botched handling of organs, Navy SEAL training safety, misconduct at veterans facilities, and VA bonuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read Next: Here Are All the Units Now Deployed to the Border for Trump's Immigration Crackdown DoD spokeswoman Mollie Halpern told Military.com on Monday that Principal Deputy Inspector General Steven Stebbins is now serving as the acting inspector general at the department. A spokesman for the VA's Office of Inspector General said that the deputy inspector general, David Case, would be stepping into the role until a replacement is named. "Currently, we are not commenting on the status of the position of inspector general. However, the VA OIG wants to reassure veterans, taxpayers and Congress that our nationwide staff of auditors, inspectors and investigators remain committed to the mission of serving veterans and the public by conducting meaningful independent oversight of VA," the office said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Monday, the Pentagon had updated its website, but Storch's biography page was still online as of publication. Missal's also remained; however, the VA placed a statement on Missal's page saying he was "no longer at the department" and that the page was still up for historical purposes. Federal law requires the administration to notify Congress 30 days before removing an inspector general. In 2020, Trump provided that notice before firing the State Department's inspector general, but this time he appears to have ignored a law of which he clearly is aware. The overnight dismissals prompted the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency to write to the White House advising it to consult legal counsel, given the legal notification requirement. The letter stopped short of saying the group would take action against the administration but advised the White House to reconsider its moves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At this point, we do not believe the actions taken are legally sufficient to dismiss presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed inspectors general," wrote Hannibal Ware, the council's chairperson and inspector general for the Small Business Administration. Storch was confirmed by the Senate in November 2022 and began work in early December. Under his tenure, the watchdog conducted and released a number of investigations that criticized the actions and inaction of Pentagon leadership and contributed to a better understanding of several major stories that impacted troops and their families. Inspector general investigations found that the Navy needs to do a better job of policing its use of sleep deprivation in SEAL training and that the Armed Forces Medical Examiner mismanaged the collection and handling of organs from at least 184 deceased troops -- and it wasn't effectively tracking the organs that it had kept in its care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The watchdog also conducted investigations of issues that arose from national headlines. In 2023 alone, the agency found that 78 service members were suspected of advocating for the overthrow of the U.S. government and another 44 were suspected of engaging or supporting terrorism. It also found that Defense Department "personnel did not have the required accountability of the thousands of defense items that they received and transferred" to Ukraine as part of the massive shipments of aid that went out after the country was invaded by Russia. A year later, it was tasked with investigating the controversial Gaza pier mission after a string of public breakdowns and operational pauses, as well as three injuries, left a lot of unanswered questions about the value the mission brought to the war-torn area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Military.com found that the Army's watercraft elements at the heart of the operation may not have been ready for prime time after the boats that were used, which had lingered in obscurity for half a century, were suddenly tasked with one of the Pentagon's highest-profile missions in years. Another Military.com investigation, which found abuse within the military's child care centers, service branch rules that generally prioritized protecting the institution, and minimal safeguards to guarantee accountability, also triggered an IG investigation in May 2024. Meanwhile, Missal has served as the VA's inspector general since 2016, across three administrations. He was appointed by President Barack Obama after leading several high-profile investigations at the Justice Department, including the bankruptcy of a subprime lender that contributed to the recession and an accounting scandal at WorldCom, a long-distance phone carrier, in 2002. In fiscal 2024, his office published 316 reports and assisted in investigations that led to the arrests of 249 individuals. It received more than 34,000 tips and complaints and conducted 393 investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among its most high-profile cases, the VA OIG exposed failings at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia, that allowed a nurse to murder seven patients during the course of a year without detection. He also found that the VA paid 182 senior executives nearly $11 million in bonus money that was meant to be used as incentive pay to retain employees in critically understaffed positions. But he also ran afoul of VA leadership during the first Trump administration when he found that former VA Secretary Robert Wilkie disparaged a veteran who said she was sexually assaulted at a VA hospital and that he sought to undermine her credibility. The report involved allegations that Wilkie took steps to discredit Andrea Goldstein, a Navy Reserve intelligence officer and then-adviser to the House Veterans Affairs Committee, after she said she was groped at the VA Washington DC Medical Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that investigation, Missal cleared Wilkie of an allegation that he actively investigated the former service member or ordered others to dig into her background. Missal also clashed with the VA's acting secretary in 2018 when he said his office had been blocked from accessing data on whistleblower complaints, in a possible violation of the law. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, released a statement Monday saying that Missal's firing hurts veterans by putting them at risk for "corruption and abuse of power." "The inspector general is the most important internal watchdog that protects veterans from waste and wrongdoing," Blumenthal wrote in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Firing him and eliminating his independent oversight is a betrayal of trust as well as violation of law. Veterans deserve that VA be held accountable to meet the highest standards of efficiency and integrity in health care, benefits and all the services it provides -- a mission the inspector general has been essential to fill," Blumenthal said in the statement. During a confirmation hearing last week for former Rep. Doug Collins, Trump's pick to serve as VA secretary, Committee Chairman Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said the committee works closely with the VA inspector general. "I find him valuable both to me and to the committee," Moran said, before asking Collins how he would utilize the IG office. "Inspector[s] general play a vital role. We're not always going to agree with the outcome, but we can come to a conclusion because ... I'm one of those that believes in gathering a lot of input and then making a decision, so if you're having input from an inspector general who's looking out for the best interest of what the VA is for, then I'll be working with them," Collins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, launched the Inspectors General Caucus, calling their work an invaluable part of her mission to uncover waste, fraud and abuse. "Inspectors general serve a vital role in uncovering waste in Washington and must be empowered to continue looking out for taxpayers," Ernst said. In statements to Military.com on Monday, Ernst and Moran did not question Trump's ability to fire the investigators. "Sen. Ernst looks forward to learning more about this decision and working with the president to nominate replacements, so the important work of independent investigators to root out waste, fraud, and abuse can continue with full transparency," her office said in a statement. "The president has the authority to fire inspectors general, and there is precedent for doing so. Independent oversight at VA is critically important, and last year the VA Office of the Inspector General uncovered millions of dollars in improper payments and conducted investigations that led to criminal arrests," Moran said. "I look forward to promptly considering the nomination of the next inspector general to fill this vacancy as soon as possible." Editor's note: This story was updated to include comments from Sens. Ernst and Moran. Related: VA Review Finds Underused Therapists and Misused Scheduling for Mental Health Care at Georgia Clinic Waterford With its multilingual learners tripling over the past eight years, the school district will add a bilingual program at Oswegatchie Elementary School next school year, and likely another at Quaker Hill Elementary School the year after that. Multilingual learners are students who are becoming proficient in more than one language at a time, which most often refers to students who are learning English as a second language. Under state law, districts that have schools that house more than 20 multilingual learners who speak the same native language must provide that school with a bilingual program. Students receive both native language instruction and English language development time during the school day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Great Neck Elementary, which was the first school in town to be designated a bilingual school, began its program this school year. It continues to climb, Great Neck Principal Billie Shea said. Were really working to ensure that every multilingual learner in Waterford has the resources, the strategies and the personalized plans and support to really thrive in our district. Jill Bessette, an educational consultant with LEARN, the regional education service center, told the school board last week that the goal is recognize bilingualism and biliteracy starting with the youngest children. More multilingual learners in the region Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 2016-17 school year, 51 multilingual learners were enrolled here, but it has risen to 137 students, Shea said. About 70% of those are currently in elementary school. That increase is similar to what's been seen in city school districts nearby. Norwich Public Schools from 2021 to early 2024 had seen its multilingual population increase from 638 to 839. Norwich Free Academy recorded 181 multilingual learners in 2021, and that rose to 297 by January 2024. New London Public Schools for the 2020-21 school year had 790 multilingual learners, and that rose to 977 by February 2024. This trend is certainly not unique to Waterford, Waterford Superintendent of Schools Thomas Giard said Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the exact reason for the increase, Giard couldnt say. I dont have a root cause or analysis as to why, Giard said. But I think our challenge, or opportunity, is how we best meet the needs of these students. Great Neck leads the way Great Neck was the first school to implement the bilingual program, which it did this year. The 20 multilingual learners at the school are native Spanish speakers who are learning English. As mandated, they are being taught by certified Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, known as TESOL teachers, who specialize helping students slowly gain proficiency in English while still maintaining their home language. The three TESOL teachers and a tutor are shared among the schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, the school has instituted specific services to assist teachers, students and families communication, like LanguageLine, an on-demand, phone interpretation service. So you can literally pick up a phone, and over 240 languages are supported, said LEARN Multilanguage Learner Coordinator Lisanne Kaplan. And you can get a live interpreter on the phone that can help assist a parent at the office, that can also be used for a PPT, parent conferences Kaplan said another software the school has implemented is TalkingPoints, an app that helps teachers of multilingual learners send messages to their families. The teacher can send the message in English, but the families will see it in their native language. When they respond, their message gets translated back to English. Students are tested yearly on their English proficiency and if they meet a certain standard they leave the program, Giard said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 20 multilingual learners state rule is based on schools' Oct. 1 enrollment numbers, Giard said. This past Oct. 1, Oswegatchie had more than 20 learners whose native language is Spanish, and Quaker Hill is currently at 20, so if it maintains those numbers, it will need a program to add a program by fall 2026. Giard said he is certain his upcoming 2025-26 budget proposal will feature additional staffing for multilingual learners. d.drainville@theday.com BusinessWire India Pune (Maharashtra) [India], January 28: Vervotech, a global technology brand in accommodation data management, announced a strategic business restructuring to promote growth, grow clientele, and increase employee size in due course. Anurag Mittal, formerly the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), was elevated to Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). In his new role, Mittal will spearhead Vervotech's revenue growth and drive strategic initiatives to expand the company's global presence. On another note, as part of this restructuring, Shilpi Yadav has been promoted to Vice President of Sales, while Prashant Chouhan has taken on the role of Marketing Director. Both will play key roles in supporting Vervotech's aggressive growth and business expansion plans under Mittal's leadership. With an impeccable history of driving business success across large enterprises and in new economy businesses, Mittal's leadership and with a powerful team, will further solidify Vervotech's position as an industry leader. Speaking on the development, CEO Sanjay Ghare stated, "Over the past few years, we have made massive improvements in our mapping products and launched a new offering in DualMap, putting us right up there in terms of accuracy and the UX we offer. This is the perfect time for us to tap into new opportunities and strengthen our global presence. This restructuring marks a big step forward as we gear up for our next phase of growth. With Anurag stepping into the Chief Commercial Officer role, and Shilpi and Prashant taking on key leadership positions, we're aligning our structure to drive aggressive expansion and deliver even more value to our partners and customers." This restructuring comes at a crucial time for the company, which is focused on scaling operations and broadening its market presence. To achieve this, Vervotech will also take strategic initiatives to leverage the ecosystem of parent companies in Constellation Software and Juniper Group. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) President Donald Trump has laid out a vision for a new Iron Dome air and missile defense system to shield the U.S. homeland, which directly hearkens back to the Reagan-era Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). A renewed call to deploy space-based anti-missile interceptors is a central aspect of the plan as it has been presented now, which focuses primarily on defending against ballistic and other higher-end missile threats. In addition, any explicit mention of the ever-growing danger posed by drones is conspicuously absent. Trump had talked about the Iron Dome plan, which is also part of the current official Republican Party platform, on the campaign trail, and TWZ explored what was known about it in detail last year. The president has now provided new, more specific information in an executive order, a copy of which was posted online late last night. Trump says he's signing an executive order to have the Defense Department start constructing an Iron Dome defense system for the US pic.twitter.com/vsJSvDXFDF Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 27, 2025 It is important to note up front that the executive order confirms that the new U.S. Iron Dome system is unrelated to the Israeli Iron Dome system, despite the shared name and Trumps off-handed references to the latter when talking about the former. The Iron Dome system from Israels Rafael, as seen in the video below, is designed primarily to defend against lower-end and localized threats like artillery rockets and mortar shells. It does now also have some capability against drones and cruise missiles. The threat of attack by ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, and other advanced aerial attacks, remains the most catastrophic threat facing the United States, the executive order declares. Over the past 40 years, rather than lessening, the threat from next-generation strategic weapons has become more intense and complex with the development by peer and near-peer adversaries of next-generation delivery systems and their own homeland integrated air and missile defense capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes what we need, to immediately begin the construction of a state-of-the-art Iron Dome missile defense shield, which will be able to protect Americans, Trump also said at an event yesterday. The meat of the executive order is a call for a next-generation missile defense shield that shall include, at a minimum, plans for the following eight components: Defense of the United States against ballistic, hypersonic, advanced cruise missiles, and other next-generation aerial attacks from peer, near-peer, and rogue adversaries Acceleration of the deployment of the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor layer Development and deployment of proliferated space-based interceptors capable of boost-phase intercept Deployment of underlayer and terminal-phase intercept capabilities postured to defeat a countervalue attack Development and deployment of a custody layer of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture Development and deployment of capabilities to defeat missile attacks prior to launch and in the boost phase Development and deployment of a secure supply chain for all components with next-generation security and resilience features Development and deployment of non-kinetic capabilities to augment the kinetic defeat of ballistic, hypersonic, advanced cruise missiles, and other next-generation aerial attacks The executive order gives Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth just 60 days to present a path forward to implementing all of this and potentially more. The Office of Management and Budget is also tasked with formulating a cost estimate that will inform the upcoming proposed defense budget for the 2026 Fiscal Year. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth walks with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. after arriving at the Pentagon on Jan. 27, 2025. DOD Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza Additional provisions in the order require U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) and U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) to jointly produce an updated assessment of the strategic missile threat to the Homeland and a prioritized set of locations to progressively defend against a countervalue attack by nuclear adversaries. Calls for bolstering regional air and missile defense capabilities, and to work with allies and partners to that end, are also included. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The term countervalue is typically used in the context of planning for the employment of nuclear weapons, or responses to their use. It refers to the targeting of key military and other assets critical to a countrys ability to wage war. It is also worth pointing out here that larger ballistic missiles and their payloads, in general, typically reach hypersonic speeds in the latter stages of their flight. The hypersonic threats mentioned here refer to advanced designs with added emphasis on very high maneuverability and largely flat atmospheric trajectories that make them especially hard to track and defend against. A graphic showing, in a very rudimentary way, the difference in trajectories between a traditional ballistic missile and an unpowered hypersonic boost-glide vehicle, a type of highly maneuverable hypersonic weapon. Pseudo or aeroballistic missiles and air-breathing hypersonic cruise missiles are also depicted. GAO The U.S. militarys current dedicated homeland missile defense posture is focused primarily on shielding against limited strikes involving higher-end ballistic threats, and now increasingly novel hypersonic ones, primarily through a relatively small number of land-based interceptors tied to larger sensor and communications networks. Outside of the National Capital Region (NCR) around Washington, D.C., more general air defense duties, including protecting against incoming cruise missiles, falls almost exclusively to the U.S. Air Force (including the Air National Guard). Ground-based surface-to-air missiles (SAM) are deployed within the NCR, but the United States has not had a nation-wide SAM network since the 1970s. A graphic offering a very general look at the fields of coverage offered by the current elements of the US militarys missile defense architecture inside the United States and forward-deployed elsewhere around the world. US Army Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of what the Iron Dome executive order now lays out, including the named Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) and Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), is already in the works. HBTSS central goal is the deployment of a new satellite constellation capable of not just providing improved early warning and situational awareness, but also fire control-quality tracks, including against highly maneuverable hypersonic threats. Two demonstrator HBTSS satellites are already in orbit. PWSA is working toward a multi-layered, distributed space-based networking backbone to support air and missile defense and other missions. The U.S. military has also been working on new underlayer and terminal-phase intercept capabilities, including the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI), for use against maneuvering hypersonic weapons. Efforts to develop options to neutralize ballistic and other missile threats at the point of launch, or even before they are launched (sometimes referred to as left of launch), from any domain, are not new, either. The video below depicts a notional intercept involving various current and future missile defense capabilities, including GPI and HBTSS. The new call for space-based interceptors is notable, especially amid concerns about the broader weaponization of space already. At the same time, orbital missile defense capabilities, including physical interceptors and directed energy weapons, were areas of particularly active interest in Trumps first term. There were also calls to field new and improved counter-space capabilities, including space-based kinetic weapons, under President Joe Biden. One of former Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendalls last acts was to publish a report outlining a vision for future U.S. air and space capabilities by 2050 that explicitly mentions counterspace systems [that] will include a cost-effective mix of weapons, both terrestrial and on orbit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As already noted, the Iron Dome executive order draws a direct comparison to Ronald Reagans SDI, which was also envisioned as an array of ground and space-based anti-missile capabilities paired with new sensors and communications networks. President Ronald Reagan endeavored to build an effective defense against nuclear attacks, and while this program resulted in many technological advances, it was canceled before its goal could be realized, the new order says. However, highlighting SDI also raises immediate questions about the viability of the new Iron Dome plan. SDI was infamously nicknamed Star Wars by its critics and never came close to meeting its ambitious goals. President Bill Clinton finally brought it to a close for good in 1993 after some $30 billion close to $56.1 billion in todays dollars had been spent. U.S. missile defense efforts subsequently coalesced around more limited objectives, which ultimately led to the creation of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). An artists conception of a space-based particle beam missile defense system from the Star Wars era. Los Alamos National Laboratory via Aerospace Projects Review The same kinds of criticisms leveled against SDI, including fears of prompting new arms races, especially in space, and the significant technical and other challenges in implementing the desired capabilities, are likely to come up again with Trumps Iron Dome plan. There will also be new cost concerns given that U.S. defense budgets are already facing increasing difficulties balancing competing priorities, especially around expensive nuclear modernization efforts. In addition, since the U.S. government withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002, something the new executive order also explicitly mentions, Russia and China, especially, have already been investing in new capabilities specifically designed to defeat or at least challenge American missile defense capabilities. China is also significantly expanding its nuclear stockpile, a trend that could continue there and emerge elsewhere, in response to the Iron Dome plan. Missile defense advocates have argued, in turn, that these realities put the United States at a dangerous disadvantage that requires additional protective measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is also a question of prioritization, which brings us to the matter of uncrewed aerial threats. At best, the Iron Dome plan lumps drones into the category of threats capable of executing other next-generation aerial attacks, but that would de-emphasize the serious dangers posed now by even lower-end weaponized commercial designs. Alarms bells about the adequacy of domestic U.S. air defense capabilities, or lack thereof, against less advanced threats like drones and cruise missiles have increasingly been ringing in recent years. The line between drones, especially longer-range kamikaze types, and traditional cruise missiles is becoming increasingly blurry, too. Elements of a US Army Patriot surface-to-air missile battery deployed at Easterwood Airport in College Station, Texas, during an exercise in 2020. Reader Submission TWZ has for years now been highlighting drone threats, which are already on the cusp of becoming newly significant thanks to artificial intelligence and machine learning-driven technological developments that are also increasingly proliferating. As we wrote when talking about Trumps Iron Dome ambitions as they were known last summer: Drones, even lower-end weaponized commercial types, present an ever-growing threat in their own right, something that the war in Ukraine has helped finally push into the mainstream consciousness. The barrier to entry in this domain is extremely low, with terrorists, criminal groups, and other non-state actors like the [Iranian-backed] Houthis [in Yemen] increasingly using uncrewed aerial systems to launch attacks, as well as to conduct surveillance. Even relatively cheap examples of these systems can fly over extreme distances and strike with pinpoint accuracy. Their low and slow characteristics, and the fact that launch points can come from so far away, make them very hard to defend against. This poses a whole new threat dimension to the U.S., one in which the homeland is clearly vulnerable. Looking outward for drone threats from Americas borders only factors in one facet of the issue. Attacks present the additional danger of being something that small groups or even individuals within the United States, can readily mount. The complexity of these potential attacks will only increase as the hardware and software to execute them proliferates even in the commercial space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports of concerning drone activity over military bases and training ranges, as well as other sensitive sites, inside the United States, are only becoming more commonplace. U.S. authorities have said that many sightings of what are now commonly called unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), previously referred to as unidentified flying objects (UFO), have been assessed to have been uncrewed aircraft, as well as balloons, on closer examination, as well. Its worth noting here that the U.S. military and other armed forces around the world, especially China, have been actively working to develop and field high-altitude balloons as penetrating launch platforms for drones and munitions, among other missions. Still-unexplained drone incursions over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia in December 2023, which TWZ was first to report, helped turn the issue into a national cause celebre last year. A flurry of reported drone sightings in the skies over New Jersey late last year, which we were also first to report on and evolved into something of nationwide hysteria, both underscored and obscured the very real national security concerns at play. Drone incursions around bases hosting U.S. forces in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe have made clear this is a global issue. Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pentagon did notably roll out a new counter-drone strategy in 2024. At the same time, U.S. military officials highlighted significant policy and other challenges still limiting their ability to respond to uncrewed aerial threats domestically last year. It is possible that the new Trump administration may seek to address the drone threat through other actions. Trump has already pushed for officials to loosen restrictions on using force against uncrewed aerial systems along the southern border through a separate executive order. Though we now have more specific details, there is much still to learn about Trumps new Iron Dome plan, and how and when it might implemented, in general. Contact the author: joe@twz.com Career lawyers and staff at the Department of Justice say the rush of changes in the first week of the Trump administration make them feel like theyre under siege. President Donald Trumps acting attorney general fired more than a dozen prosecutors who worked on the criminal cases against Trump, reassigned senior personnel across major divisions and dramatically shifted workplace rules all in a matter of days. Even as the moves followed through on vows Trump made on the campaign trail to remake the department under his vision, the swift action still took staffers by surprise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It feels like a non-violent war. Its just wild. Everybodys a sitting duck and these people have no power or control over the situation, said one DOJ career employee. People are just in a state of shock and devastated. Its unlike anything Ive ever seen Nothing that happened during the first Trump administration came anywhere close to this. POLITICO spoke with more than a dozen current and former DOJ officials for this article, most of whom were granted anonymity because of fears of potential retribution. Trumps blanket pardons of Jan. 6 rioters, which wiped out years of work, demoralized some already anxious staff. So did the sharp shifts in DOJs prosecution policies, including a broad halt to litigation by Justices Civil Rights Division. But employees say the firings of more than a dozen attorneys who worked for special counsel Jack Smith, the transfers of veteran national-security prosecutors and a call by a Trump appointee for Jan. 6 prosecutors to turn over their files for special review have been more disruptive than any policy changes. Trump officials early decision to reassign top career leaders of the National Security Division and the Criminal Division to less desirable jobs has fueled much of the concern. Among the officials given 15 days to accept a reassignment: the departments most senior career official, Associate Deputy Attorney General Bradley Weinsheimer, and the head of the Public Integrity Section, Corey Amundson, according to a person familiar with the moves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those officials and others were offered slots on a newly formed team aimed at combating sanctuary city policies, but at least some are expected to turn down those offers and leave the department. Amundson has already decided to do so, the person familiar with the developments said. The firings Monday, which dont appear to have included any offers of reassignment, upped the tension further. It's got to be among the most demoralizing moments in the history of the Department of Justice, said one former DOJ career official. It is a flat-out purge of individuals who this administration must view either of suspect loyalty or have worked on matters they just did not like. We are in the early phases of what to me is just looking like a wholesale politically inspired demolition of the Department of Justice in key places. Acting Attorney General James McHenry, who is running the department temporarily while Pam Bondi awaits Senate confirmation, ordered the firings of the prosecutors who worked on the special counsels team. A Justice Department official said McHenry did not believe these officials could be trusted to faithfully implement the Presidents agenda because of their significant role in prosecuting the President. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several employees also said new personnel policies like the Trump administrations demand that employees come to the office five days a week has done as much to fuel the sense of turmoil among lawyers and others at DOJ as any of the shifts in enforcement priorities. Some flexible work arrangements put into place during the pandemic are nearly five years old, and rolling them back has complicated the lives of many employees, especially those with young children. Government-wide directives the administration issued calling on agencies to identify all employees on probationary periods have led to some panic among DOJ personnel whove been at the agency for less than two years and lack most civil service protections. Its the probation announcement that has people completely terrified, said the career staffer. There are a lot of question marks around some of these programmatic shifts, but there are not really question marks with respect to some of these fundamental employment issues. Fear has also set in among prosecutors who handled cases against more than 1,500 people charged in connection with the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. They already saw their work undermined and abandoned by the pardons Trump gave to nearly everyone convicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, their sheer numbers could be an obstacle to significant retribution. Hundreds of Justice Department attorneys from across the country, including many who rarely get involved in criminal matters, picked up Jan. 6 cases in what DOJ says was the largest prosecutorial and investigative effort ever undertaken by the department. Obviously, they cant fire everybody, the former DOJ career official said. At the FBI, a directive from the Justice Departments acting No. 2 official, Emil Bove, to redirect the nations roughly 200 Joint Terrorism Task Forces toward immigration enforcement is rankling some agents who fear being called out the next time a terror plot in the making is missed. The FBI and DOJ do not have infinite resources to do infinite things, said Chuck Rosenberg, a former FBI chief of staff. That is why, for the last quarter century, they have prioritized national security work. There are genuine and dangerous counterterrorism and national security threats out there and we divert resources from them and sideline experienced career professionals at our peril. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another former FBI official with extensive experience managing the task forces, which typically include federal, state and local law enforcement, said the DOJ move opens the FBI to being second-guessed the next time a major act of terrorism takes place, such as the truck attack that killed 14 people on New Orleans famous Bourbon Street on New Years Day. You take your eye off the ball for the more concerning type of a threat whether domestic terrorism, international terrorism, homegrown violent extremism or foreign-inspired plots, said the ex-official, who asked not to be named because of his current employer. Thats a lot of work to be done solely focused on the threat of terrorism. To pull people and split their time there is criticism already of the FBI for miscues related to the Boston bombers and whether they missed things going on in New Orleans, the former FBI official continued. You are taking valuable resources and dedicating resources from targeting the highest priority threats to the country to something thats not nearly the threat. Also roiling the waters at DOJ are a series of unusual public comments by the new acting U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C.: Ed Martin. In a provocative social media post last week, he endorsed Trumps pardon of two D.C. police officers convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice in connection with the death in 2020 of a suspect they were pursuing. A jury also found one of the officers guilty of second-degree murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hear me loud and clear: we will stand with the Blue against the thugs and scum who terrorize DC, Martin wrote on X. Today, I spoke with the MPD chief of police 3 times about protecting the Blue. Under Biden, they chose politics over police. I choose police. Free these guys and lets go get the bad guys. Many law enforcement officials opposed the prosecution and the Metropolitan Police Department issued a statement welcoming the pardons, but some former prosecutors said Martins comments appeared to endorse a gloves-off approach to policing. A lot of people with little or no experience in law enforcement or criminal prosecution often think the solution is to empower violent or lawless police officers, said Brendan Ballou, who resigned from the Justice Department last week after handling Jan. 6 cases. My sense is that that is completely counterproductive and, frankly, betrays a certain lack of experience on the part of people saying that. Martins remarks echoed controversial calls by Trump for more aggressive tactics by police. Months into his first term, Trump urged police to stop treating suspects so kindly. Please dont be too nice, he implored. And at a rally during his last campaign, Trump said one real rough, nasty and violent day of police targeting criminals would immediately wipe out crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some former officials also said Martins inflammatory rhetoric is likely to backfire on prosecutors, as judges look at the governments claims with more skepticism and give more leeway to defense lawyers making arguments that police were abusive or corrupt. You know that very good defense attorneys are going to turn this against the office, one former federal prosecutor said. In another attention-grabbing move, Martin tangled publicly with a federal judge in Washington last week, taking to X to accuse him of overreaching in ordering that several Jan. 6 defendants whose sentences Trump commuted stay away from the Capitol. The judge, Amit Mehta, backed down Monday, while evincing some irritation with Martins approach. Some people apparently equate sounding tough with effective leadership, but effective leaders think and talk in serious and sophisticated and thoughtful ways, Rosenberg said. This aint that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the current turmoil, there seem to have been only a smattering of departures so far by career lawyers. Every government employee in moments like this needs to decide where they can best do the right thing, said Ballou, who wrote a New York Times op-ed last week denouncing Trumps pardons. For some, thats by staying inside government or by leaving and leaving noisily. And I thought I could be most effective by leaving noisily. It makes a certain awful sense that Trumps lackeys would stage the presidents promised mass deportations as a media event. On Sunday, border czar Tom Homan invited TVs Dr. Phil McGraw to embed with him on a mission to arrest immigrants in Chicago, viewing the inside of a command center and narrating arrests, all streamed as exclusive programming on Dr. Phils own channel (launched when his long-running CBS show was canceled, after McGraw welcomed the far right and conspiracy theorists to his couch). Immigration and Customs Enforcement have said they lack the manpower and necessary logistics to implement the Laken Riley Act, requiring they arrest every undocumented person accused of low-level theft offenses; if that is true, they certainly lack the resources to arrest, detain, and remove from the U.S. the millions of immigrants that Trump claims will be deported under his watch. But what Homan can do right now is put on a show. Dr. Phil is here to livestream your arrest is almost too stupid to take seriously. But that may prove to be the defining feature of life under the second Trump administration: For now, to survive and move strategically, we will have to live with the whiplash of having to take the cruelty of men who are not very bright very seriously. There is no shortage of not very bright guys to point to: from the new head of the Department of Defense Pete Hegseth, whose qualifications include running two different veterans nonprofits into the ground and showing up to work drunk (along with multiple allegations of sexual misconduct), to Kristi Noem, the admitted puppy-killing governor of South Dakotanot a guy, but now running the agency housing ICE, the Department of Homeland Security. It feels a bit gauche to point to the typos and bizarre syntax of the Trump executive orders (ghostwritten by AI, some suspect) and other official releases (they will catch criminal aliensincluding murders and rapists, a DHS spokesperson promised). But of all Trumps lackluster crew, Tom Homan has had the most opportunity to do the most harm very badly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phil McGraw may seem ridiculous with his attempts to parrot the militaristic lingo of anti-immigration cops like Homan, a verbal shock-and-awe campaign in which arrests are surgical; human beings are high-value targets. But this is part of the propaganda. The immigrants they will arrest are dangerous people, McGraw said in one video shot in a nice-looking hotel room. If they resist, said McGraw in another video, if they open fire on the agents who have to return fire, then people can get caught in the crossfire. After the pair had encountered immigrants without any such threats to their safety, the story expanded. Were saving children, Homan told McGraws cameras. Every sexual predator we arrest means more saved children. We are left only with Homans tough-guy talk as proof that anyone they arrested was a threat to children. (When McGraw asked one man if he had been charged with sex crimes against children, as Homan claimed, the man appropriately refused to answer his questions and said, I want to talk to my lawyer.) McGraw is there because he poses no threat to the ridiculous, dangerous story Homan and Trump want told, the one Homan tends to describe in broad movie-poster taglines The cavalry is on its way, or The border is our theater of war. Despite giving exclusive access to the Chicago arrests to McGraws channel, Homan has also recently guest-starred in content for far-right social media influencers. Homan boasted about his Chicago operation to Ben Bergquam of Real Americas Voice, who reportedly rode along with Homan. We took a lot of bad guys off the street today, Homan told Bergquam vaguely, repeating the line in a few variations but offering no details. If you want someone who will spread your message of fear with no reporting added, Bergquam is a decent choice, one who has spent years promoting pernicious conspiracy theories: about a butterfly sanctuarys purported involvement in sex trafficking and immigration crimes (it temporarily shut down over the resulting harassment), and about ivermectin being an effective treatment for Covid-19 (its not). Border911, the immigration education nonprofit founded by high-profile election deniers, which Homan helmed until earlier this month, considers Bergquam part of our team unofficially. The pipeline from professional conspiracy-theory content creators to the Trump administration is short, and Tom Homan travels along it with ease. Is what Homan is doing any less dangerous because he is doing it with people who can be easily dismissed as professional cranks and conspiracy theorists? It can feel almost insulting to have to take any of this seriously as politics. But its worse than that: These people hold the safety of millions in their hands. Every time one of these operations is promised, it kicks off a cycle: People fear that officers they dont recognize at their schools and churches and emergency rooms may be ICE officials; immigrants rights groups get reports of immigration raids that they then have to investigate. Immigrants make decisions about whether its worth the risk to send their kids to school, or go to a church service, or take someone sick to the doctor, based on a swirl of questionable information, amplified by a chorus of would-be immigration enforcers in far-right media, in a media environment in which more reputable sources grow rarer by the day. The enforcers and influencers of Trump 2.0 are producing cartoonishly bad, low-effort materialsuch as the bombastic remarks from acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove after observing the Chicago arrests, celebrating his federal agents for deploying in lockstep with ICE to combat a national emergency arising from four years of failed immigration policy, or Homan using a Fox appearance to take a little swipe at Selena GomezNo apologiesfor a since-deleted Instagram video in which she wept over escalating immigration arrests. Nevertheless, the climate of uncertainty and danger kicked up even by something as sick and laughable as Dr. Phil: Gestapo Live is what we live with now. Forget the myths the media has created about the White House, goes the movie version of some advice, delivered with appropriate acidity, from a secret source to a young reporter in All the Presidents Men. The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand. Just because these people are ineffective, conspicuously incompetent goons doesnt mean they arent goonsand doesnt mean they can be dismissed. BATON ROUGE, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The gold standard of assessments will release the Nations Report Card on Wednesday. Louisianas State Superintendent and Governor Landry will appear with other state education leaders to share the results. The announcement will be held at Magnolia Woods Elementary in Baton Rouge on January 29 at 10 a.m. The results measure math and reading proficiency among 4th and 8th-grade students across the U.S. 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 KTALnews.com. Emotional scenes continued to play out in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday as families and friends reunited for the first time in over 15 months, after the Israeli military allowed Gazans who had been trapped in the south of the strip to return to their homes in the north. A sea of people swept along the shoreline on Monday, trudging on foot through the sandy remains of the coastal highway, passing along the way a Palestinian flag fluttering in the wind above them. Hundreds of thousands were on the march, making their way home, according to Gazan authorities. The young, elderly and wounded were among them, carrying whatever they could. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It feels like we're reborn!" Om Wael, a grandmother from Gaza City, told ABC News as she carried her granddaughter in her arms with a look of joyful determination on her face. PHOTO: A boy holds a Palestinian flag as displaced Palestinians return to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip, Jan. 27, 2025. (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) "Even if our home is flattened, we're so happy to return to our city, to our homes, unharmed. Thank God," she said. In the early stages of the war after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack, the Israeli military divided Gaza in two, funneling those from the north to the south through a series of evacuation orders. They set up an impassable buffer zone, called the Netzarim Corridor, and prevented anyone from the south from crossing into the north. As part of this month's ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, Gazans would now be allowed to travel to the north, and Monday's opening of that buffer zone gave more than 1 million people the opportunity to return home for the first time in months. MORE: Orphan describes pain of returning to Gaza with no family Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 300,000 made the journey on Monday with an estimated 1 million expected to travel over the coming days, according to the Gaza Government Office. "I held my young son Samir and my daughter Farah and walked along the coast," Jawaher Muharab, 44, from Gaza City, told ABC News. "They were in pain from walking because of the long distance. There are no taxis. The city is destroyed, but I felt safe when I arrived in the city, my house was largely destroyed and unfit for living, but I will put my tent next to it." As the mass migration continued Tuesday, Gazan authorities said they need at least 135,000 tents to house the displaced that are returning to the north -- a part of Gaza that suffered enormous destruction due to Israeli bombardment and has seen some of the most fierce fighting between Hamas and the Israel Defense Forces. The IDF has said it's only targeting Hamas and other militants in Gaza and alleges that Hamas deliberately shelters behind civilians, which the group denies. While pedestrians made the long walk along the coast, many of those traveling into northern Gaza by car were stuck in traffic on the inland road allocated to them. As part of the ceasefire agreement, this route has checkpoints manned by American security contractors who inspect each vehicle. The line of cars on Tuesday stretched for over 5 km, or about 3 miles, with people reporting potential waits of up to 30 hours to reach the checkpoints and complete inspection. PHOTO: Vehicles queue up along the Salah al-Din Road in Nuseirat near the Netzarim corridor while waiting to cross to the northern part of the Gaza Strip on Jan. 27, 2025. (Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images) But along the coastal road, there were joyful scenes as Gazans reunited while they walked. Videos posted online showed some of those moving moments. Among the most poignant was that of twin brothers hugging, close to knocking each other over. They had been separated for more than a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One girl is seen on social media asking her father, "Papa, why are you crying?" as he hugs her and her sister. The man is Muhammad Shahin, a freelance journalist who had stayed in northern Gaza to cover the war and had not seen his family in well over a year. "When the army announced yesterday evening that Monday morning would be the day for the displaced to return, I did not sleep for a moment," Mirvat Ajur, 29, from the Daraj neighborhood in central Gaza City, told ABC News. MORE: Middle East live updates: 8 dead hostages among 33 being released, Israel says This anticipation for north Gazans to return home had been mounting ever since a ceasefire came into place on Jan. 14, temporarily ending 15 months of fighting that's ravaged the Gaza Strip, the intense Israeli bombardment reducing much of it to rubble. Under phase one of the agreement, 33 hostages are expected to be released, with seven Israeli hostages having already been released by Hamas. The hostages released so far are Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher, Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag, Naama Levy and Karina Ariev. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners being held by Israel are also expected to be released in exchange for the hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: 'Happiness in my heart': Palestinians in Gaza react to historic ceasefire agreement This has been the deadliest conflict ever between Hamas and Israel. It began when Hamas terrorists stormed Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping some 250. The Israeli response has led to the death of more than 47,000 Palestinians, most of whom were women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, and the almost total destruction of Gazan infrastructure. The United Nations estimates that nine out of 10 homes in Gaza have been destroyed and 90% of its population of 2.3 million people have been displaced. "I know that my home is damaged and burned, but I want to return to it. I want to live in those burned and destroyed rooms. I am like a fish dying far from the sea," 55-year-old Samira Halas, from Gaza City's Shuja'iyya neighborhood, told ABC News. "We walked for about five hours until we reached central Gaza. It was a difficult journey, but the people were very happy, singing, clapping and dancing in joy at returning to their homes," Ajur, from the Daraj neighborhood, said after she had arrived home. PHOTO: People walk along Gaza's coastal al-Rashid Street to cross the Netzarim corridor from the southern Gaza Strip into the north on Jan. 27, 2025. (Omar Al-qattaa/AFP via Getty Images) "I did not feel tired at all, because I knew that I would return to my home and sleep in my room," she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many Gazans have been living in difficult crowded conditions in tents with little access to basic necessities, crammed into a small area in the south of the strip. Many have said they feared they would never be allowed to return home. This return was made possible when the ceasefire that was agreed to on Jan. 14 held, and Hamas returned some of the Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The ceasefire is still in its first phase, but some who spoke to ABC News said they hope it could lead to a permanent end to the war. "I entered and I inhaled the air of Gaza City," Halas told ABC News by phone from her home. "The closer I got to the area, the safer I felt," she said. "Today, I felt that the war is over," but her joy at being able to return home was tinged with sadness. "I cannot describe the destruction we saw," she said, "everything was destroyed." As she approached her neighborhood, she said "it was like an earthquake had hit it." PHOTO: Displaced Palestinians stop on the side of the road at sunset while returning to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip, Jan. 27, 2025. (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Displaced families in Gaza struggle to return home amidst rubble, destruction In the past few months, the Israeli military intensified its activity in northern Gaza, ordering evacuations for large parts of it as it battled Hamas fighters. While thousands followed the orders and left, hundreds of thousands stayed, enduring harsh conditions with little access to food, water or international aid. "We found the people of the north waiting for us and cheering for our return. I hugged them as if they were my children and family. I felt that I had returned from abroad. Gaza has a great place in our hearts. No one knows our love for it," Halas explained. "Life here is difficult," she said. "There is no water or electricity, but we will revive the area again." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Videos on social media showed that attempts at reconstruction were already underway, with some residents of the north painting their walls bright colors to welcome family and friends home. "I cannot describe to you how much I missed Gaza City," Ajur told ABC News. "The soil of Gaza is priceless and we do not want anyone to force us to leave it again." ABC News' Samy Zayara and Diaa Ostaz contributed to this report. 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north originally appeared on abcnews.go.com ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Renovation of a current building in southwest Abilene and construction of a new building connected to the first is bringing state-of-the-art health care closer to veterans across the Big Country and Heartland. The West Texas Veterans Affairs (VA) is establishing its new community-based outpatient clinic here in Abilene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local veterans, VA and city leaders, and others attended the ceremony, where speeches were given about what this new clinic means for Big Country veterans. In 2024, the West Texas Veterans Affairs Health Care System (WTVAHCS) announced it recently signed a lease for the building that will be the new Abilene VA health clinic at 5602 Health Center Drive. Luke Orander with The Avens Group is the real estate developer in charge of building the new VA clinic in Abilene. Orander told KTAB/KRBC he is happy to say the facility will be ready to welcome in veterans in early 2026. The building in the new location on Health Center Drive was already a medical facility. This makes it even easier to construct the new clinic. Its always exciting when you see a Vietnam veteran or a Korean War veteran walk through and get excited about the care that they deserve. A ground-up building you just start from scratch and go to an existing building youre going to save time and money, explained Orander. The current VA clinic in Abilene, located on Ridgemont Drive, is about 11,000 square feet, and the new location will be more than 35,000 square feet, tripling the amount of space. Robert Hoff, Acting Medical Center Director of West Texas VA Health Care System, said this expansion directly responds to the growing demand for veteran services in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Expanded services. . .were going to have radiology for faster diagnostics, were going to have dental services a much a critical need in the local community, added Hoff. The WTVAHCSs new facility aims to improve healthcare accessibility for veterans by offering various services such as: Specialty Care Services: More comprehensive care through various specialties that address the specific needs of veterans. Advanced Radiology: On-site advanced imaging capabilities to aid in the timely and accurate diagnosis of health conditions. Enhanced Support Services: Increased access to mental health counseling, physical therapy, and more services. Jack Meredith is a Vietnam War veteran living in Abilene and is happy to see the changes coming, as many veterans often have to drive to other cities for care. A lot of times youll have to drive to Big Spring or somewhere like that for care. When I lived in Ohio, we used to have to drive 100 miles to the VA hospital for outpatient surgeries and things of that nature. I was interested in seeing what the veterans will be able to accomplish here in West Texas. Im just very happy that the VA decided to build something here that its going to be a great place for our local veterans, added Meredith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sr. Vice Commander of the Abilene VFW Post 6873 Mackie Crossan reminds veterans that assistance is available for those who havent inquired about VA health care. Weve got the American legion thats here, weve got the VFW center here. Any one of these associations will help any veterans that we got, and were here for you. Itll be such an expansion. We take care of more people than weve ever been able to take care of before, explained Crossan. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) Monday was the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz during the Holocaust, and to mark the date, West Virginians around the state took time to remember and reflect. The West Virginia Commission on Holocaust Education helped arrange for Auschwitz survivor Howard Chandler to speak at Wheeling Park High School. 12 News spoke with Commission member Laurent Levy, who is currently working towards a PhD at Gratz College in the Holocaust and Genocide Studies program. Levy said that a major lesson from the Holocaust that West Virginia needs to be vigilant of is other-ism. Levy explained other-ism as anybody that is an other, anybody that is not like us, anybody that is different can therefore be discounted. Levy said. That is sort of a watch guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 53 people detained by ICE in West Virginia Levy added that something that often gets forgotten about the Holocaust is the people who risked their lives trying to save others. They put their own lives and the lives of their families on the line to hide Jews to shelter them, to protect them, to feed them. My mother is the direct beneficiary of one of those people, Levy said. Levys mother, Dr. Edith Levy, was a Holocaust survivor and helped found the Commission. Levy said he was influenced by his mother at a young age as he heard her speak about her experiences. Levy said interest in the Commission was renewed in 2019 amidst public outcry against a photo of West Virginia correction trainees doing Nazi salutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the last West Virginia legislative session, the commission pushed to mandate teaching the Holocaust in West Virginia schools but was ultimately unsuccessful. Levy said that the commission does not plan on pushing for the legislation this session, saying that its a quick session and the change in governor will make the session too crowded with other potential legislation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. With so much focus on nuclear verdicts in the trucking industry, a decision last week in a federal appeals court went in a different direction with a significant victory for a major carrier. Western Express, a privately held truckload carrier with what it says is more than 3,600 power units, has prevailed in an appeals case in the Fourth Circuit involving a 2018 crash in Rockbridge County, Virginia, on Interstate 81 that resulted in devastating and permanent injuries to Andre Le Doux, according to a court document. The Jan. 23 decision from the three-judge panel was unanimous. The case was considered important enough to impact the body of law that governs trucking negligence that the American Trucking Associations filed an amicus brief in support of Western Express. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his federal court case in the Western District of Virginia i April 2023, Le Doux lost several of his legal arguments. All of those defeats were affirmed at the appellate level. A sudden torrential downpour What made the case complex in assigning negligence is that the agreed-upon conditions surrounding the crash, which involved several other vehicles, was a rainfall that was described in court documents as a wall of water that came up quickly. The question of just how quickly was a key point of dispute in the lawsuit. When the rain hit, according to the appellate court, traffic on Interstate 81 slowed to a stop. Le Doux braked as he approached stalled traffic, the appellate court said. But a vehicle behind him pushed Le Douxs van into the SUV in front of him. This minor fender-bender forced the vehicle that hit Le Doux into the median, leaving Le Douxs van the last in line in the left lane. Ervin Worthy, driving a Western Express truck, saw the stopped vehicles behind the wall of water and immediately braked, shutting off the cruise control that had been in operation and set to 65 miles per hour. That was five miles less than the speed limit, according to the appeals court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After braking, according to the court decision, only then did he see the stalled traffic behind the wall of water. He maneuvered the tractor-trailer into the left lane to avoid vehicles in the right. The attempt to stop did not come in time. His tractor-trailer smashed into the back of Le Douxs exposed van, the appellate court wrote. However, a lower court jury found that Worthy was not negligent in his actions. Le Douxs appeal was on several grounds, one of which has long been of particular importance to the trucking industry: how negligent can a trucking company be found regarding the hiring or training of a driver if the company has conceded that the employee was acting within the scope of his employment, according to the courts ruling. Vicarious liablity is an issue elsewhere too Its an important issue in trucking, and in Texas, its part of an effort at tort reform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district court was correct to dismiss Le Douxs summary judgment request on a negligent hiring claim, the ATA said, because Western Express stipulation that it was vicariously liable for the tortious acts of Worthy relieved Le Doux of the need to seek another theory of Western Expresss liability for its employees wrongful acts. Its a principle that seems backward: admitting a form of liability defends the company from certain actions in a courtroom. But as the Texas effort shows, and the fact that the ATA amicus brief focuses almost solely on the issue of vicarious liability, it is important. The legal concept holds that if an employer concedes that when Western Express said it was vicariously liable for the actions of Worthy, further efforts to establish negligence by the carrier have a difficult pathway in the litigation. The admission limits the scope of questioning the negligence of the carrier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Or as the ATA said, because Western Express stipulated to the scope of employment, there was no need for Mr. Le Doux to resort to another theory such as a theory of direct liability for negligent hiring to impose liability on Western Express for any wrongful act of Mr. Worthy. Pursuing a negligent hiring claim against Western Express after it had made its admission of vicarious liability, the appellate court ruled citing a precedent, would add elements which if proven at trial would not change the scope of liability but potentially add days of evidence on extraneous topics. LeDoux had brought what the court called a direct theory of liability against Western Express alleging that it negligently hired and retained Worthy despite being aware of a history of misconduct and traffic infractions, the appeals court said. Driver not negligent so carrier cant be either But Worthy was not found to be negligent by a jury. And with the vicarious liability finding by the lower court upheld by the appellate court closing off Le Douxs pursuit of a further negligence claim against Western Express, the carrier won that battle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There needs to be a causal connection between the hiring of an employee and that employee committing a tortious act that a reasonable employer would have foreseen before hiring him, the appellate court said of trying to find Western Express was negligent in hiring Worthy. But Worthy was not found negligent in his actions when confronting the wall of water. If Worthy wasnt negligent, then (finding that connection) is impossible, the appellate court wrote. Because a jury found that Worthy didnt commit a tort, under Virginia law (Le Doux) negligent retention claim fails. The other parts of Le Douxs appeal to the Fourth Circuit involved permitting testimony from individuals Le Doux said were expert witnesses on driving conditions and practices. Le Doux also wanted to introduce expert testimony about when the deluge actually began and what sort of weather conditions preceded it. The district court had excluded testimony from two witnesses supporting Le Doux. The appellate court affirmed the decision to exclude that testimony on various grounds. The district court didnt abuse its discretion by excluding the challenged expert testimony, the appellate court said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More articles by John Kingston Drivers settle class action with Lytx over in-cab surveillance, data gathering Louisiana staged accident murder: Harris pleads guilty but fingers others for the shooting Carrier loses fight against Biden independent contractor rule in New Mexico court The post Western Express prevails at federal appeals level in wall of water case ATA saw as important appeared first on FreightWaves. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) Former physics teacher and current West Middle School Assistant Principal Linda Flohr has been recognized by the White House for teaching in the STEM field or science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Later this spring, Flohr will receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the highest national honor for teachers in the STEM field. As a recipient, Flohr will travel to Washington D.C., receive a certificate signed by then-President Joe Biden, and get a cash prize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flohr talked about the experiences that shaped her career. In 1997, I left and went to Papua New Guinea, and I was really lucky. I was not an education major, I had my degree in physics, and I wasnt sure teaching was going to be what I did, but when I worked in Papitalai on Manus Island, I really realized that teaching was, what I felt, like my calling. From there, Flohr returned to the United States, got her masters degree in Philidelphia, where she taught for a few years. Then came to Colorado, where she continued her work at Glenwood Springs High School for 20 years. Flohr says she is Really grateful and humbled because anytime you get an award at a national level, which really, this is my first time to have anything like that. You put a lot of work into the application, and you do a lot of reflecting on your practice and youre always trying to be better, so, in the end for it to come to fruition is exciting. 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. WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) A symbol of hate and violence, specifically a swastika, was found drawn on a students notebook at Westfield Middle School on Monday. In a letter sent to family members of students on Tuesday from Principal Jesse McMillan, several incidents are being investigated concerning swastika drawings. On Monday, a drawing of a swastika was found on a students notebook. Principal McMillan also reports that swastikas were found earlier this month inside a school-issued device, and on an eraser found on the floor. Nazi flag-bearing man gets 8 years in prison for truck crashing near White House Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The principal says the school has zero tolerance for hate speech and that they are working to enhance protocols for future incidents, While we believe strongly in education as our primary tool to combat prejudice, we will also implement severe disciplinary consequences for any student found creating or promoting hate symbols or engaging in antisemitic behavior. In response to the incidents, the middle school plans to hold education sessions for all students and with the help of a new partnership with the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts to develop age-appropriate educational resources. CEO of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts Nora Gorenstein, poses the question, What is the message that we send to them if we tell them that their actions dont matter? The school is asking family members to have open discussions with their children about hate symbols and their historical content. They will encourage students to report any concerning behavior to a trusted adult. Resources are available on the Anti-Defamation Leagues website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gorenstein adds, If we can model the right kind of behavior for them now and really nip this kind of behavior in the bud and show them how they can behave as responsible members of the community, then once they are older and are adults they can behave more positively and play more of a good role in our community rather than being part of a continuing issue. Principal McMillan tells 22News that no specific student has been targeted in relation to these incidents. My first response is to condemn thisand I want our students, and staff to know that this does not have a place in our school community, he added. There has been a 140% increase in antisemitic incidents in 2023 with 8,873 across the U.S. The Anti-Defamation League reports Hate symbols of any kind have no place in our school community. Such actions create an unsafe learning environment, inflict real harm on our students and staff, and fundamentally contradict our educational mission. I want to assure you that we take these matters very seriously, Principal McMillan reiterated in the school communitys letter. The office of Senator John Velis also shared a statement regarding the incident: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senator Velis is deeply concerned about these acts of antisemitism over the last month at Westfield Middle School and his heart goes out to all students, faculty, and community members impacted by these disturbing acts of hate. As Senate Chair of the Commonwealths Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism, and as the Senator for the City of Westfield, the Senators office has been in communication with the Westfield Public Schools to offer our assistance as they continue to respond to these incidents. To report antisemitic incidents or threats, call (844) 726-3375. 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 capital expenditure, or capex, is used to set up long-term physical or fixed assets. The largest iron ore miner in India, NMDC, hosted a first-of-its-scale vendor meet in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Setting the context for the meet, Amitava Mukherjee, CMD (Additional Charge), NMDC called the vendors - 'Partners in Progress'. He said this meeting was to give everyone a head start on the upcoming projects of NMDC which are looking at a capital expenditure to the tune of Rs 70,000 crore. The company leveraged this vendor meeting to share its roadmap and strategies for Vision 2030 towards the goal of building a 100 million tonnes iron-strong future. NMDC interacted with its most pertinent stakeholders on this journey - the vendors, contractors and consultants from across the country. Detailed information on the expansion plans, evacuation strategies and digital transformation for the 100 MTPA goal was shared in the meeting. The company promised ease of doing business and solicited speed and quality of the highest order from the partners NMDC said its target of 100 million tonnes by 2030 is inspired by the vision of the National Steel Policy to build raw material security and self-reliance in the iron and steel sector of India. (ANI) Orange roadside markers are staked along the six-mile gravel road leading from the Pinyon Plain uranium mine, indicating the road is a uranium haul route. The small markers are the only signage along the road showing it is a uranium haul route. Photo by Shondiin Silversmith | Arizona Mirror Dianna Sue Uqualla always wears traditional moccasins and regalia when she visits Red Butte Mountain. The mountain is sacred to the Havasupai people, and wearing her traditional attire is how she connects with her ancestral homeland near the Grand Canyon and shows it respect. The Arizona Mirror traveled the 320-mile route that uranium ore will travel from the Pinyon Plain Mine near the Grand Canyon to a mill near Blanding, Utah. This is the second of five stories about that route and the communities that the uranium will travel through. Part 1: Uranium trucks will roll down Killer 89 Part 3: Navajo people left in the dark Part 4: Fighting the mill Part 5: No emergency plan Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uqualla said the Havasupai people once lived around Red Butte Mountain because it had everything they needed to survive, including medicinal plants, wild game and plenty of wood. You can still see the fire pits along the tree lines, she said. As a traditional practitioner for her tribe, Uqualla said that when she looks at Red Butte Mountain, she sees the medicine that has sustained her people since time immemorial. While non-Native people may see it as just a mountain with shrubs and trees, the Havasupai people see it as a holy place where their medicine people came from. These are gonna die, Uqualla said of the vegetation because three miles north of Red Butte Mountain sits Pinyon Plain Mine, where uranium ore has been extracted since the beginning of 2024 and is approved for transportation along a route that passes by the mountain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Energy Fuels, Inc. owns and operates the Pinyon Plain uranium mine on U.S. Forest Service land in the Kaibab National Forest near the Grand Canyon. Numerous tribes, including the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe and the Havasupai Tribe, have ancestral lands there. The Havasupai Tribe, which lives at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, has repeatedly and emphatically said that the mine poses risks to its drinking water, natural wonders and sacred cultural sites. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Uqualla said that many people from the Havasupai Tribe used to come to Red Butte Mountain to pray. However, with the mine now extracting uranium ore, the fear of contamination is high, so only some still do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a blessing for the land, she said of the communitys tradition of coming together to collect medicine, dance, and pray. Now, its rare for the tribe to have large gatherings at Red Butte Mountain, though Uqualla still visits the mountain when she gets the chance. She said it was heartbreaking when the Havasupai people learned that the mine was now extracting uranium ore and when the company sent out its first haul trucks in July without any notice to the tribes or communities along the route. Uranium ore from Pinyon Plain Mine near the Grand Canyon will be transported by over-the-road 24-ton haul trucks and end dump trailers, according to Energy Fuels, Inc., and up to 10 trucks will make the trip daily. Pinyon Plain Mine is at the end of Forest Service Road 305ab, about 6 miles from the main highway. Driving along the narrow dirt roads, there are no indications that it is the starting point of a uranium haul route. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only identifiers along the narrow gravel road are flexible orange roadside markers staked into the ground every other mile. Uqualla said the markers are insufficient, given that she only noticed them once the Arizona Mirror pointed them out to her. The trucks hauling ore from Pinyon Plain Mine travel along the gravel road through the dense trees of the Kaibab Forest before reaching the main highway, State Route 64. The trucks pass Red Butte Mountain, where the main road sits about half a mile from the open area at the mountains base. The Havasupai Tribe condemned Energy Fuels actions in July when it started transporting uranium ore. Uqualla said that many of her people did not like that the transport happened by surprise, even though the company had promised the Havasupai Tribe five days notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uqualla thought it was in poor taste that the mining company sent the trucks out early in the morning, a time when many people would not notice them. That was not right, she added. Havasupai Traditional Practitioner Dianna Sue Uqualla stands near Red Butte Mountain, a sacred place for the Havasupai people, which is located six miles away from the Pinyon Plain uranium mine. Photo by Shondiin Silversmith | Arizona Mirror As part of the mining companys transportation policy, trailers hauling uranium ore must be kept closed at all times, both when containing uranium ore and when empty. That is done using a tarp, which can be removed only when loading and unloading so that there may not be any leakage of radioactive material from the trailer. When Uqualla learned that only a tarp would cover the uranium ore as it was being transported, she said that was not enough to prevent contamination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said that if the tarp is not secure, it will start flapping, allowing more air to pass through the truck trailers and potentially releasing contaminants along the roadway. If they dont maintain those things, a lot of contamination is going to be spread from here all the way up to Utah, Uqualla added. The roughly 320-mile route starts from a forest service road before entering State Route 64. It then travels south toward Interstate 40 to enter Flagstaff, proceeding east to head north on U.S. Highway 89 until heading east on U.S. Highway 160. The final stretch sees the trucks take U.S. Highway 191 north into Utah. All shipments of uranium ore from the Pinyon Plain Mine to the White Mesa Mill must be transported without unnecessary delay, according to the mining companys transportation policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, in the event of a delay, they have designated safe havens for temporary storage of transportation vehicles along the route. Many communities along the haul route, which passes through towns in Arizona, the Hopi Nation, the Navajo Nation, Utah and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, oppose uranium hauling and condemned the first haul in July, citing fears of contamination and accidents along the route. Uqualla said the route raises concerns because State Route 64 attracts heavy traffic in both directions as people head north to the Grand Canyon or south toward Williams and Interstate 40. You have wrecks all the time, Uqualla said, noting that speeding and poor weather are regular factors for many accidents along the highway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If one of those big trucks crashes, all that ore is going to come out, she said. And then what? She said even if the mining company has an emergency plan in place and is going to clean up, the contamination has already happened and cant be taken back. The trucks hauling the uranium are almost impossible to distinguish from the other tractor-trailers that routinely travel the states highways and interstates. The uranium ore produced by the mine is classified as LSA-1 (Low Specific Activity), which means that trucks are not required to label their shipments with more than a yellow placard that reads RADIOACTIVE in three-inch letters, according to their transportation policy. The placard must be placed on each side and each end of the truckload, the policy states, and it must be clearly visible from the direction it faces. Dinolene Caska, a member of the Havasupai Tribe, said she believes that if the mining company has nothing to hide, it should clearly mark its trucks with signs indicating uranium ore so people can easily identify it and know to stay away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont try to be discreet, she said, adding that she believes the mine knows that many people are against it, so they dont want to advertise it because theyre probably going to get more opposition. Why are you hiding it? Caska asked. Youre hiding it because you know uranium is cancerous. Decades of opposition span generations of tribal leaders Uqualla said her tribes elders have been resisting the uranium mines efforts for generations; she has been part of that resistance since she was 14, and she is now 65. Weve been fighting it so long, Uqualla said. She recalls how she helped the elders in her community as an apprentice and assisted them during meetings about the mine. Now, I have become the elder that is fighting for this, she added. The Havasupai Tribes land is over 188,000 acres of canyon land and broken plateaus bordering the western edge of the Grand Canyons south rim. Supai, their main village, is located eight miles below the rim of the Grand Canyon. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, the mine has a history of flooding. It drains into shallow groundwater aquifers that flow into South Rim springs. The mine also threatens to contaminate deep aquifers that feed Havasu Creek and other Grand Canyon springs. The Havasupai Tribe, several conservation groups and other tribal nations have opposed the mine for years. The Havasupai Tribe was involved in a lengthy legal battle that sought to close the mine, but a federal judge ruled in the mines favor in 2020. But that hasnt stopped the Havasupai from trying to halt the mines operations. Their latest effort involves calling for a new environmental impact statement and writing a letter of opposition to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, which issued the mine an aquifer protection plan permit in 2022. The Havasupai Tribe was also one of many that advocated for the designation Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, which effectively bars mining on roughly a million acres of land near the Grand Canyon, including the land for Pinyon Plain Mine and Red Butte Mountain. However, according to the U.S. Forest Service, Pinyon Plain Mine is exempted because of its previous existing rights. This is part of our history, Caska said of the land surrounding Red Butte Mountain. All this land around here, thats us. Caska is part of the Havasupai Tribal Councils uranium subcommittee. She advocates alongside her community to educate people about what is happening and stop uranium mining and transportation within their ancestral homelands. Caska said she grew up wandering around Red Butte Mountain, where she would go hunting and gather medicine with her family. She said she hopes that the work the Havasupai Tribe is doing to protect the mountain will save it for the next generation. Were trying to make sure that we protect our land, she added. This is where we came from. A view of the Pinyon Plain Mine near the Grand Canyon. The mine has operated since the 1980s but mined its first batch of uranium ore in 2024. Photo by Blake McCord via Grand Canyon Trust Caska said she wants the next generation of Havasupai people to be able to come out to the mountain and participate in the Havasuapis way of life, including hunting, gathering and other cultural customs. Its our culture that we need to protect, she added. When she heard Pinyon Plain Mine started sending trucks along the route hauling uranium ore, Caska said she was devastated and scared. She said hauling the uranium ore across the Havasupais ancestral homelands and near their traditional cultural property is putting the tribes health and people in jeopardy. We are in jeopardy, whether these people see it or not, she said. Caska said their community has been fighting against the mine for a long time, and she wants people to understand that uranium kills. Having the mine continue operating and transporting ore will only end in disaster. Its not just my people; everybody has to speak up, Uqualla said. Uranium doesnt kill you right away. It makes you suffer. Uranium ore hauling from Pinyon Plain Mine is currently on hold as negotiations continue between the Navajo Nation government and Energy Fuels. Editors note: On Jan. 29, 2025, Energy Fuels and the Navajo Nation On Jan. 29, 2025, Energy Fuels and the Navajo Nation announced an agreement on hauling uranium ore , which will resume in February. In addition to negotiations, other requests have been made, including calls from the Havasupai Tribe, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, and Gov. Katie Hobbs for the U.S. Forest Service to conduct a new environmental impact study for the Pinyon Plain Mine. Caska said that when the mining company halted the transportation of the uranium ore in August after calls from their tribe, the Navajo Nation and Hobbs, it gave her some hope. I guess we do have people on our side, she said, adding that it fuels their hope that the tribe will prevail. Its going to be a hard fight. However, Caska expressed concerns about the mining companys voluntary transportation halt and ongoing negotiations with the Navajo Nation. Caska said the mining company is only talking to the Navajo Nation, and the Havasupai Tribe should be included in the negotiation because the hauling route starts in their ancestral homeland. We should have a part in that negotiation because they are using our ancestral lands to get it out of here, Caska said. Theyre coming out of our territory, so we should have the same say, but were left out. Read the next story in this series. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Orange roadside markers are staked along the six-mile gravel road leading from the Pinyon Plain uranium mine, indicating the road is a uranium haul route. The small markers are the only signage along the road showing it is a uranium haul route. (Photo by Shondiin Silversmith/Arizona Mirror) Dianna Sue Uqualla always wears traditional moccasins and regalia when she visits Red Butte Mountain. The mountain is sacred to the Havasupai people, and wearing her traditional attire is how she connects with her ancestral homeland near the Grand Canyon and shows it respect. The Arizona Mirror traveled the 320-mile route that uranium ore will travel from the Pinyon Plain Mine near the Grand Canyon to a mill near Blanding, Utah. This is the second of five stories about that route and the communities that the uranium will travel through. Part 1: Uranium trucks will roll down Killer 89 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uqualla said the Havasupai people once lived around Red Butte Mountain because it had everything they needed to survive, including medicinal plants, wild game and plenty of wood. You can still see the fire pits along the tree lines, she said. As a traditional practitioner for her tribe, Uqualla said that when she looks at Red Butte Mountain, she sees the medicine that has sustained her people since time immemorial. While non-Native people may see it as just a mountain with shrubs and trees, the Havasupai people see it as a holy place where their medicine people came from. These are gonna die, Uqualla said of the vegetation because three miles north of Red Butte Mountain sits Pinyon Plain Mine, where uranium ore has been extracted since the beginning of 2024 and is approved for transportation along a route that passes by the mountain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Energy Fuels, Inc. owns and operates the Pinyon Plain uranium mine on U.S. Forest Service land in the Kaibab National Forest near the Grand Canyon. Numerous tribes, including the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe and the Havasupai Tribe, have ancestral lands there. The Havasupai Tribe, which lives at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, has repeatedly and emphatically said that the mine poses risks to its drinking water, natural wonders and sacred cultural sites. Uqualla said that many people from the Havasupai Tribe used to come to Red Butte Mountain to pray. However, with the mine now extracting uranium ore, the fear of contamination is high, so only some still do so. Its a blessing for the land, she said of the communitys tradition of coming together to collect medicine, dance, and pray. Now, its rare for the tribe to have large gatherings at Red Butte Mountain, though Uqualla still visits the mountain when she gets the chance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said it was heartbreaking when the Havasupai people learned that the mine was now extracting uranium ore and when the company sent out its first haul trucks in July without any notice to the tribes or communities along the route. Uranium ore from Pinyon Plain Mine near the Grand Canyon will be transported by over-the-road 24-ton haul trucks and end dump trailers, according to Energy Fuels, Inc., and up to 10 trucks will make the trip daily. Pinyon Plain Mine is at the end of Forest Service Road 305ab, about 6 miles from the main highway. Driving along the narrow dirt roads, there are no indications that it is the starting point of a uranium haul route. The only identifiers along the narrow gravel road are flexible orange roadside markers staked into the ground every other mile. Uqualla said the markers are insufficient, given that she only noticed them once the Arizona Mirror pointed them out to her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trucks hauling ore from Pinyon Plain Mine travel along the gravel road through the dense trees of the Kaibab Forest before reaching the main highway, State Route 64. The trucks pass Red Butte Mountain, where the main road sits about half a mile from the open area at the mountains base. The Havasupai Tribe condemned Energy Fuels actions in July when it started transporting uranium ore. Uqualla said that many of her people did not like that the transport happened by surprise, even though the company had promised the Havasupai Tribe five days notice. Uqualla thought it was in poor taste that the mining company sent the trucks out early in the morning, a time when many people would not notice them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was not right, she added. Havasupai Traditional Practitioner Dianna Sue Uqualla stands near Red Butte Mountain, a sacred place for the Havasupai people, which is located six miles away from the Pinyon Plain uranium mine. (Photo by Shondiin Silversmith/Arizona Mirror) As part of the mining companys transportation policy, trailers hauling uranium ore must be kept closed at all times, both when containing uranium ore and when empty. That is done using a tarp, which can be removed only when loading and unloading so that there may not be any leakage of radioactive material from the trailer. When Uqualla learned that only a tarp would cover the uranium ore as it was being transported, she said that was not enough to prevent contamination. She said that if the tarp is not secure, it will start flapping, allowing more air to pass through the truck trailers and potentially releasing contaminants along the roadway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they dont maintain those things, a lot of contamination is going to be spread from here all the way up to Utah, Uqualla added. The roughly 320-mile route starts from a forest service road before entering State Route 64. It then travels south toward Interstate 40 to enter Flagstaff, proceeding east to head north on U.S. Highway 89 until heading east on U.S. Highway 160. The final stretch sees the trucks take U.S. Highway 191 north into Utah. All shipments of uranium ore from the Pinyon Plain Mine to the White Mesa Mill must be transported without unnecessary delay, according to the mining companys transportation policy. However, in the event of a delay, they have designated safe havens for temporary storage of transportation vehicles along the route. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many communities along the haul route, which passes through towns in Arizona, the Hopi Nation, the Navajo Nation, Utah and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, oppose uranium hauling and condemned the first haul in July, citing fears of contamination and accidents along the route. Uqualla said the route raises concerns because State Route 64 attracts heavy traffic in both directions as people head north to the Grand Canyon or south toward Williams and Interstate 40. You have wrecks all the time, Uqualla said, noting that speeding and poor weather are regular factors for many accidents along the highway. If one of those big trucks crashes, all that ore is going to come out, she said. And then what? She said even if the mining company has an emergency plan in place and is going to clean up, the contamination has already happened and cant be taken back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trucks hauling the uranium are almost impossible to distinguish from the other tractor-trailers that routinely travel the states highways and interstates. The uranium ore produced by the mine is classified as LSA-1 (Low Specific Activity), which means that trucks are not required to label their shipments with more than a yellow placard that reads RADIOACTIVE in three-inch letters, according to their transportation policy. The placard must be placed on each side and each end of the truckload, the policy states, and it must be clearly visible from the direction it faces. Dinolene Caska, a member of the Havasupai Tribe, said she believes that if the mining company has nothing to hide, it should clearly mark its trucks with signs indicating uranium ore so people can easily identify it and know to stay away. Dont try to be discreet, she said, adding that she believes the mine knows that many people are against it, so they dont want to advertise it because theyre probably going to get more opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why are you hiding it? Caska asked. Youre hiding it because you know uranium is cancerous. Decades of opposition span generations of tribal leaders Uqualla said her tribes elders have been resisting the uranium mines efforts for generations; she has been part of that resistance since she was 14, and she is now 65. Weve been fighting it so long, Uqualla said. She recalls how she helped the elders in her community as an apprentice and assisted them during meetings about the mine. Now, I have become the elder that is fighting for this, she added. The Havasupai Tribes land is over 188,000 acres of canyon land and broken plateaus bordering the western edge of the Grand Canyons south rim. Supai, their main village, is located eight miles below the rim of the Grand Canyon. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, the mine has a history of flooding. It drains into shallow groundwater aquifers that flow into South Rim springs. The mine also threatens to contaminate deep aquifers that feed Havasu Creek and other Grand Canyon springs. The Havasupai Tribe, several conservation groups and other tribal nations have opposed the mine for years. The Havasupai Tribe was involved in a lengthy legal battle that sought to close the mine, but a federal judge ruled in the mines favor in 2020. But that hasnt stopped the Havasupai from trying to halt the mines operations. Their latest effort involves calling for a new environmental impact statement and writing a letter of opposition to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, which issued the mine an aquifer protection plan permit in 2022. The Havasupai Tribe was also one of many that advocated for the designation Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, which effectively bars mining on roughly a million acres of land near the Grand Canyon, including the land for Pinyon Plain Mine and Red Butte Mountain. However, according to the U.S. Forest Service, Pinyon Plain Mine is exempted because of its previous existing rights. This is part of our history, Caska said of the land surrounding Red Butte Mountain. All this land around here, thats us. Caska is part of the Havasupai Tribal Councils uranium subcommittee. She advocates alongside her community to educate people about what is happening and stop uranium mining and transportation within their ancestral homelands. Caska said she grew up wandering around Red Butte Mountain, where she would go hunting and gather medicine with her family. She said she hopes that the work the Havasupai Tribe is doing to protect the mountain will save it for the next generation. Were trying to make sure that we protect our land, she added. This is where we came from. A view of the Pinyon Plain Mine near the Grand Canyon. The mine has operated since the 1980s but mined its first batch of uranium ore in 2024. (Photo by Blake McCord via Grand Canyon Trust) Caska said she wants the next generation of Havasupai people to be able to come out to the mountain and participate in the Havasuapis way of life, including hunting, gathering and other cultural customs. Its our culture that we need to protect, she added. When she heard Pinyon Plain Mine started sending trucks along the route hauling uranium ore, Caska said she was devastated and scared. She said hauling the uranium ore across the Havasupais ancestral homelands and near their traditional cultural property is putting the tribes health and people in jeopardy. We are in jeopardy, whether these people see it or not, she said. Caska said their community has been fighting against the mine for a long time, and she wants people to understand that uranium kills. Having the mine continue operating and transporting ore will only end in disaster. Its not just my people; everybody has to speak up, Uqualla said. Uranium doesnt kill you right away. It makes you suffer. Uranium ore hauling from Pinyon Plain Mine is currently on hold as negotiations continue between the Navajo Nation government and Energy Fuels. In addition to negotiations, other requests have been made, including calls from the Havasupai Tribe, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, and Gov. Katie Hobbs for the U.S. Forest Service to conduct a new environmental impact study for the Pinyon Plain Mine. Caska said that when the mining company halted the transportation of the uranium ore in August after calls from their tribe, the Navajo Nation and Hobbs, it gave her some hope. I guess we do have people on our side, she said, adding that it fuels their hope that the tribe will prevail. Its going to be a hard fight. However, Caska expressed concerns about the mining companys voluntary transportation halt and ongoing negotiations with the Navajo Nation. Caska said the mining company is only talking to the Navajo Nation, and the Havasupai Tribe should be included in the negotiation because the hauling route starts in their ancestral homeland. We should have a part in that negotiation because they are using our ancestral lands to get it out of here, Caska said. Theyre coming out of our territory, so we should have the same say, but were left out. Arizona Mirror is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arizona Mirror maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jim Small for questions: info@azmirror.com. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Local firefighters are back from battling some of the most destructive wildland fires in California history. By one estimate, more than 12,000 homes, businesses, schools, houses of worship and other structures were destroyed in the wildland fires that hit Southern California nearly three weeks ago. Now Washington fire crews who traveled to California are sharing the impact of being up close. The amount of destruction was a surprise even to seasoned firefighters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They say it truly was. They had never seen so many homes that were burned to the ground. And they talk about the thanks from those they went there to help. It was very destructive, said Ken Lindenstein. It was hard to be there at first just seeing the destruction. It was a sight that startled even these seasoned firefighters. And then just driving down major streets like Sunset Boulevard, he said, and everything being just destroyed. Ken Lindenstein and Kolton Kellison were among four Central Whidbey firefighters who journeyed to the Golden State to help battle the deadly and destructive fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the ones that we have been on previous are in Eastern Washington or Southern Oregon where you have a large open area or forest, said Kellison. Where now were moving into an urban area and just the changes and tactics with that. Youve seen houses burn to the ground before? Chloe Kristen was asked. I have, she acknowledged, but seeing that many, it was, it was a lot. Chloe Eriksen is just 21, but this was her fifth wildland fire deployment since joining North Whidbey Fire 17 months ago, joining the fire service of this states Department of Natural Resources just last April. It was kinda hard to see at first, said Eriksen. All the houses that burnt down. It was sad, at the end, seeing people coming back to see their homes. I cant even imagine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was deep gratitude, too. Weve had a lot of people offer us water, Eriksen said, Gatorade, food. And since it was L.A., some of those offering such kindnesses are rich and well known. They lost their houses, said Kellison, but theyre taking the time to stop and thank us for everything were doing which was a pretty cool experience. They say they got an equally enthusiastic reception here on Whidbey Island for their service. You might be wondering how Chloe got the firefighting bug. She says she wasnt sure what she would do until a crew from North Whidbey Fire went to her grandfathers house and worked hard to save his life. He did not make it. But she joined North Whidbey Fire in August 2023. Kash Patel, the Trump loyalist tapped to lead the Federal Bureau of Intelligence, reportedly broke national security protocol in 2020 by publicly speaking about a hostage rescue in Yemen without authorization the latest concern among Democrats already questioning his judgement during high-stakes moments. Patel, who served as a senior advisor to the acting director of national intelligence Ric Grennell, allegedly inserted himself inappropriately in the hostage recovery mission that took place in October 2020 and disclosed information about it to the Wall Street Journal several hours before the hostages were confirmed in U.S. custody. Thats according to an unnamed whistleblower who disclosed the highly credible information to Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, CBS News reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senator Dick Durbin, the ranking member of the committee, relayed the information to Acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Acting Treasury Secretary David Lebryk in a letter on Tuesday. Expressing concern, Durbin asked for information related to the hostage recovery mission including all communications between Patel and the team that assisted in the rescue of Sandra Loli and Mikael Gidada as well as the recovery of Bilal Fateens remains from Iranian-backed militants in Yemen. The whistleblower claims the Wall Street Journal published Patels comments hours before the hostages were confirmed to be in custody and families were notified breaking protocol that is intended to ensure hostage exchange operations go smoothly. This is the second known instance of Mr. Patel breaking hostage recovery protocol to inappropriately insert himself in a sensitive or high-profile recovery mission, Durbin said in the letter. An official who puts missions and the lives of Americans in jeopardy for public notoriety and personal gain is unfit to lead the countrys primary federal law enforcement and investigation agency. If true, Kash Patel potentially risked the safety of Americans for his own personal notoriety. This is disqualifying behavior. pic.twitter.com/9UsW3BZtXe Senate Judiciary Democrats (@JudiciaryDems) January 27, 2025 Alex Gray, the former chief of staff for the National Security Council during Trumps first term, told CBS News the allegations are absurd and touted that Patel put the interests of the American people, and particularly the interest of Americans hostages and unlaw detainees and their families first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Patel] is a professional who devoted his career to keeping America safe, and to bringing our hostages home. These anonymous smears are the last gasp of the NeverTrump bitter-enders, Gray wrote on X. A transition official also pushed back on the report in a statement to Fox News. Mr. Patel was a public defender, decorated prosecutor, and accomplished national security official that kept Americans safe, the official said. He has a track record of success in every branch of government, from the court room to congressional hearing room to the situation room. There is no veracity to this anonymous sources complaints about protocol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patel has also been accused of nearly mishandling a sensitive operation in Nigeria in 2020 by mistakenly assuring Defense Department officials that State Department officials received permission from the Nigerian government for the U.S. to use its airspace to rescue an American hostage. However, Nigeria had not. It was nearly too late, as U.S. Air Forces were bringing Navy SEALs to carry out the operation. At the last minute, the State Department received clearance and the mission went forward without issues. I feel very sorry for the @JudiciaryDems staffer who has no idea how the USG hostage recovery effort works & wrote a letter for @SenatorDurbin that demonstrates this ignorance to the world. He or she probably will not be fired but will for sure get a tongue lashing from the COS https://t.co/PBUVi1Jscx Robert C. O'Brien (@robertcobrien) January 28, 2025 Patel is one of Trumps most controversial cabinet picks. He has unwaveringly supported and followed Trump for years, going as far as to write a childrens book that shared doubts over the legitimacy of the Steele dossier and portrayed Trump as a king. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Trump, Patel has elevated conspiracy theories related to the deep state and claimed the government is weaponized against the president and his allies. Like Trump, Patel has promised to use power to go after enemies such as the media and even published a list of people he believes should be investigated such as former President Joe Biden and former attorney generals Merrick Garland and Bill Barr. He has proliferated conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election and claimed former president Barack Obama runs a shadow network in charge of the intelligence community. Senator Adam Schiff, the former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said Patel is the last person who should serve as FBI director. In addition to being dishonest, untrustworthy, lacking in character his only real qualification is he was the guy in the first Trump administration that you went to when no one else would do the dirty work the president wanted done, Schiff said. Patel will go before the Senate Judiciary Committee to answer questions about his nomination on Thursday. Lord Peter Mandelson will be the next British ambassador to the United States after Donald Trump agreed to accept his credentials. The long-awaited decision ends a weeks-long standoff with the new US administration over the Labour grandees appointment to replace Dame Karen Pierce as the UKs top diplomat in Washington. A White House official has confirmed to The Independent that President Trump has finally agreed to accept Lord Mandelsons letters of credence when he arrives in the American capital next month, allowing him to take up residence in Washington DC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The end of the uncertainty over his appointment comes as the new US secretary of state Marco Rubio issued a veiled warning to foreign secretary David Lammy over the attempts to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, as tensions between the UK government and US administration continue. Donald Trump is said to have accepted Lord Peter Mandelsons appointment as the UKs new ambassador to the US (Jonathan Brady/PA) It also comes amid reports that US senators have handed a file to the FBI to investigate the Labour peers links to China, the primary reason that Mr Trump was said to be considering rejecting his nomination. The Independent revealed last week that the extremely rare move had been considered by Mr Trump and that a decision was set to be made by the US president this week after papers were forwarded from the State Department. While Lord Mandelson is being allowed to take up his post removing a major diplomatic headache for Sir Keir Starmer it is understood that it will still come with conditions and the peer will be kept on a short leash because of his past links with China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even as news broke of the decision there were questions about what Mr Trump had extracted in return for having allowed his close allies to brief against and attack Lord Mandelson over a number of weeks, even having him described as a moron. It is understood that the president craves hosting a visit by senior royals to America, possibly the King or Prince and Princess of Wales. It is also known he wants to address a joint sitting of the Houses of Parliament after senior Labour figures helped ensure he was not able to in 2016. Meanwhile, Mr Trumps new chief diplomat has issued a warning to Mr Lammy over his attempts to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in a sign that the new White House administration will seek to block the move. The shot across the bows came during secretary of state Marco Rubios first phone call with the foreign secretary. Secretary of state Marco Rubio (Evan Vucci/AP) While Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Trump avoided difficult topics, including Lord Mandelson, when they spoke on Sunday, Mr Rubio referenced the controversial Chagos Islands deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Joe Biden had supported a handover to Mauritius but the Trump administration is concerned about the joint UK/US airbase on Diego Garcia and the potential for China to move in and establish a presence on the islands. Mauritius was the first African country to sign a trade deal with China and the issue was raised by Mr Rubio during the call with Mr Lammy: he warned the foreign secretary to beware of Beijings malign influence. Mr Rubio, who has previously criticised the proposed deal, stressed the need for a free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and stable, according to a readout of the conversation. While Chagos does not appear to be mentioned by name the reference was a clear sign of the administrations position on the deal with Mauritius. Before his nomination, the former Florida senator said the Chagos deal would be concerning as it would provide an opportunity for communist China to gain valuable intelligence on our naval support facility in Mauritius. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told Politico: This poses a serious threat to our national security interests in the Indian Ocean and threatens critical US military posture in the region. Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands (US Navy/AP) Last year, The Independent revealed that the Trump transition team was looking at ways of vetoing the deal, which was held up by a change of government in Mauritius and a new prime minister who demanded more concessions from the UK. Mr Lammy has always described the Chagos agreement as a good deal, arguing it ends uncertainty over the Diego Garcia base and guarantees it for at least 99 years. But the government has refused to publish details of the proposed deal, including the estimated cost to the UK taxpayer. By Steve Holland and Jasper Ward WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration has temporarily paused grant, loan and other financial assistance programs at the Office of Management and Budget, according to a memo seen by Reuters, prompting criticism from congressional Democrats. The memo referenced the executive orders, including those seeking to dismantle programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), President Donald Trump has signed since taking office last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the interim, to the extent permissible under applicable law, federal agencies must temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be impacted by the executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal," Matthew J. Vaeth, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, wrote in the memo. The suspension goes into effect on Jan. 28 at 5 p.m. eastern time (2200 GMT), according to the memo. Top Democratic congressional budget appropriation lawmakers responded to reports of the memo by sending a letter demanding the OMB reverse its decision. "The scope of what you are ordering is breathtaking, unprecedented, and will have devastating consequences across the country. We write today to urge you in the strongest possible terms to uphold the law and the Constitution and ensure all federal resources are delivered in accordance with the law, Democratic Senator Patty Murray and Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agencies have until Feb. 10 to submit detailed information on any programs, projects or activities subject to the pause, the memo states. The suspension will provide the administration with time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of funding for those programs consistent with the law and Trump's priorities, it added. Agencies must identify legally mandated actions or deadlines for assistance programs before completing the analysis, it added. Vaeth directed federal agencies to halt all activities associated with open notices of funding opportunities. "This memorandum requires federal agencies to identify and review all federal financial assistance programs and supporting activities consistent with the president's policies and requirement," Vaeth wrote. (Reporting by Steve Holland and Jasper Ward; additional reporting by Bo Erickson; Editing by Kate Mayberry) The White House budget office is ordering a pause to all grants and loans disbursed by the federal government, according to an internal memo sent to agencies Monday, creating significant confusion across Washington. In a two-page document, Matthew J. Vaeth, the acting director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, instructs federal agencies to temporarily pause all activities related to obligations or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance. The memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Post, also calls for each agency to perform a comprehensive analysis to ensure its grant and loan programs are consistent with President Donald Trumps executive orders, which aimed to ban federal diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and limit clean energy spending, among other measures. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo, which goes into effect Tuesday, states its orders should not be construed to affect Social Security or Medicare recipients, and also says the federal financial assistance put on hold does not include assistance provided directly to individuals. But the document says programs affected are including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal. (On Tuesday, the White House issued a new memo that indicated that only programs involving those areas were meant to be paused.) Even before taking effect, the broad directive from the White House sent shock waves through Washington and across the country, as organizations dependent on the federal government struggled to understand its impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and his aides have long vowed to halt spending on some programs reviled by the right, such as DEI and foreign aid, but the order appears to go far beyond those priorities to affect programs that serve tens of millions of Americans. Experts said the memo as written was poised to bring a rapid halt to scores of federal functions, from assistance to homeless shelters to financial aid for college students. Health grants distributed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state aid for disaster reconstruction, might face delays. Developers expecting federal grants to expand the nations energy supply could be disrupted. Questions quickly emerged about whether Medicaid, the health insurance program used by more than 70 million Americans, would see a pause in payments, which are distributed from the federal government to the states. The feared disruption highlighted the extent of the new Trump administrations determination to target long-standing functions of the federal government. Though not confirmed by the Senate, Russell Vought, Trumps nominee to lead the budget office, has vowed to try to move power over spending from Congress to the executive branch - a battle many experts said could be foreshadowed by the budget offices pause on federal grants and loans. Vought and other Trump aides have said slashing federal spending is necessary to contain the soaring national debt, though they have ruled out cuts to the federal entitlement programs that are the primary drivers of the long-term deficit and also ruled out most new tax increases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear precisely how much money could be affected by the order. Budget experts put the number at a minimum of tens of billions of dollars, but the White House directive suggests the impact could be even greater. The memo states that of the $10 trillion that the Federal Government spent [in fiscal year 2024, which ended Sept. 30, 2024], more than $3 trillion was Federal financial assistance, such as grants and loans. It was not immediately clear where those figures came from; the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says the government spent $6.7 trillion in the 2024 fiscal year. A person familiar with the order, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe confidential decisions, confirmed the accuracy of the document and said it applied to all grants. The agencies are also required to submit detailed lists of projects suspended under the new order by Feb. 10. Federal agencies must assign responsibility and oversight to tracking the federal spending to a senior political appointee, not a career official, the memo states. The person said Medicaid would not be affected. The funding delays are going to prove very difficult for grantees under the impression the money is coming, and have rent and salary payments dependent upon it, said Brian Riedl, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a center-right think tank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo was reported earlier Monday by journalist Marisa Kabas. Democratic lawmakers condemned the order as likely to bring chaos and disruption for millions of Americans. They say this is only temporary, but no one should believe that, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-New York) said in a statement. Donald Trump must direct his Administration to reverse course immediately and the taxpayers money should be distributed to the people. Congress approved these investments and they are not optional; they are the law. The orders legality may be contested, but the president is generally allowed under the law to defer spending for a period of time if certain conditions are met, according to budget experts. To comply, though, Trump must make clear which budget accounts are frozen, and the budget offices order may not have given sufficient grounds under the law to pause the funding. Pausing it over policy disagreements is not legal, said Bobby Kogan, a federal budget expert at the left-leaning Center for American Progress and a former Biden administration official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Low-income Americans could still be affected even if direct recipients of aid are meant to be exempt from the order, Kogan said. Federal funding for the early education program Head Start, for instance, goes to child-care facilities, not to individuals, and a federal program providing energy assistance to low-income Americans goes through the states. Others warned of possible broad impacts. Donald Kettl, professor emeritus and former dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, said the language in the memo is confusing, making its specific effects unclear. There will be widespread panic, Kettl said, as state and local governments as well as the people most reliant on federal-funded grants scramble to figure out if and when their cash flow will stop. In two pages, weve got what amounts to 60 years of tradition and policies that are thrown up in the air, said Kettl, who has consulted for multiple government agencies. For those suffering most, the uncertainty will be immense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement G. William Hoagland, senior vice president at the Bipartisan Policy Center, said the administration should be legally able to pause the money temporarily but would need to submit a formal request to Congress to do so beyond a set window. Still, Hoagland and other budget experts have expressed concern about Trumps promises to wrest spending control away from Congress. Hoagland said he fears the deferral could be a precursor to a broader assertion of executive spending power. I worry this is an effort to hold back on not implementing the law of the land as it relates to the budget process, Hoagland said. And in terms of the impact, it could be huge. The Trump administration has also acted rapidly to freeze most public communications by federal health agencies, as well as temporarily pausing foreign aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Content Helicopters flying along Potomac frequently pose dangers to passenger jets Earthquake sensors could help track a different threat: Falling space debris Not far from Trumps White House, immigrants grapple with unknowns Big changes are coming to the Brady Press Briefing Room in the West Wing of the White House. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, making her debut behind the podium Tuesday, announced that the Trump White House would open up the briefing room to independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers and content creators, and would be creating a dedicated seat in the first row for new media. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, of course, leveraged new media to great effect during the 2024 campaign, appearing on podcasts hosted by the likes of Joe Rogan, Theo Von and the Nelk Boys, in addition to more traditional TV appearances. At his victory party at Mar-a-Lago, UFC CEO Dana White called out some of the podcasters by name. In keeping with this revolutionary media approach that President Trump deployed during the campaign, the Trump White House will speak to all media outlets and personalities, not just the legacy media, who are seated in this room, Leavitt announced to the briefing room. Because according to recent polling from Gallup, Americans trust in mass media has fallen to a record low. Millions of Americans especially young people have turned from traditional television outlets and newspapers to consume their news from podcasts, blogs, social media and other independent outlets. Its essential to our team that we share President Trumps message everywhere and adapt this White House to the new media landscape in 2025. She also said that the White House is looking to restore the press passes of the 440 journalists whose passes were wrongly revoked by the previous administration. In light of these announcements, our first questions for todays briefing will go to these new media members whose outlets, despite being some of the most viewed news websites in the country, have not been given seats in this room, she continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the first question did go to a new media voice, it was not exactly a Washington outsider. Axios co-founder Mike Allen got the question, asking about DeepSeek and artificial intelligence. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The White House is touting a very successful immigration enforcement operation so far across the country. The raids continue as the U.S. narrowly avoided a trade war with Colombia over migrant deportations. Colombian officials plan to travel to Washington, D.C. this week to follow up on their deal with the U.S. and President Donald Trump is promising to send even more migrants their way. Were tracking down the illegal alien criminals, President Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal agents report more than 1,200 arrests in the Trump administrations crackdown on illegal immigration. White House Border Czar Tom Homan said to expect even more. Were going to enforce the law, and were not going to apologize for doing it, Homan said. Colombia initially blocked deportation flights from the U.S. over the Trump administrations treatment of migrants. We were being scolded because we had them in shackles, Trump said. President Trump then threatened a travel ban on top Colombian officials and 25% tariffs on Colombian exports, which would double after a week. Colombia ultimately accepted the flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tariffs, I told you, most beautiful word in the dictionary, Trump said. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) argues tariffs arent the way to help with a bipartisan priority. That could hurt, not help, the effort to get that stronger economy, Sen. Welch said. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) called the potential trade war with Colombia a warning to other countries. You have to participate. You have to take back your illegals who came here, Speaker Johnson said. The Trump administration is also calling on Congress to approve more funding for border-related issues, including immigrant detention facilities. 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. Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and thrust for self-reliance in the energy sector, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani has said that India will emerge as the third largest economy in the world in a couple of years and no power on earth can stop India's growth trajectory. Mukesh Ambani, who is also Founder-President of Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) and Chairman of its Board of Governors, told students at the 12th convocation of the varsity that they should aim high and not rest on their achievements. "It is natural for us to feel proud of what we have achieved in terms of patents, the papers, the rankings, the awards, the all-round praise, but we must not remain satisfied with this... We must aim higher. Within a couple of years, India will emerge as the third-largest economy in the world. No power on earth can stop India's growth trajectory," he said. Pandit Deendayal Energy University has a 100-acre campus in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Established in 2007, PDEU offers multiple courses ranging from engineering, arts and management. Mukesh Ambani told the students he can foresee that India will become the most prosperous nation in the world before the end of the current century. As India progresses, it also has a big responsibility, he said, urging students to work for climate cause. "We must not allow economic growth to endanger planet earth and further worsen the climate crisis," he said. The transition from fossil fuels to clean and green energy has to be accelerated, he added. "I am supremely confident that green technologies and green enterprises can reverse the ecological degradation and indeed make our planet more beautiful, more livable for future generations." He recalled PM Modi's vision for the energy sector and steps he has been taking from the time he was Gujarat Chief Minister. "We express our deepest gratitude to our visionary PM Narendra Modi Ji. Pandit Deen Dayal Energy University owes its very birth to his extraordinary vision. All of you are benefitting from what Narendrabhai thought...When he called me and said in 2005 that we have to build one of the finest institutions in Gujarat and that is what we have achieved from 2007 onwards. So we will always be grateful to our Prime Minister. Long before he became Prime Minister he foresaw that India needed Atmanirbharta in Energy. Over 20 years ago, he told me he wanted Gujarat to lead the nation in energy and energy products...," Mukesh Ambani said. "He also told me that Gujarat should take the lead in cultivating world-class human resources needed to achieve India's green energy ambition. That is how helped establish this pioneering university," the RIL Chairman added. Mukesh Ambani also talked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambition to make India the greenest nation in the world. With India transforming itself through the use of technology and developing advanced manufacturing capabilities, Mukesh Ambani said he had a few expectations from the students at PDEU. "We should specially focus on newer areas like bio-energy, which have the potential to help our farmers and boost employment opportunities," the industrialist said. "My second expectation, we should simultaneously increase our internal strengths and also forge national and global collaborations so as to enhance our leading position in research and academics. The intersection of green energy, green materials, and artificial intelligence is going to shape the future of humanity. I would like PDEU to gain a leading position in this synergy," he said. Talking of artificial intelligence, Mukesh Ambani had a piece of advice for the young students. "You must be good at using AI as a tool of learning, but do not give up your own critical thinking," he said. Mukesh Ambani said as students pass from the campus, they will be stepping into a bigger university -- the university of life. "The university of life has no campus. It has no classrooms. It has no fixed curriculum. It has no faculty. You will be on your own. You will have to excel in it just as you have excelled in PDEU, but don't worry. Life is as rewarding as it is demanding, and as you chart your path forward," he said. He talked about five guiding principles that have helped him in his journey - discovering one's true passion, committing to lifelong learning, inculcating the virtue of sharing; investing in meaningful relationships and genuine connections; and cherishing and nurturing family bonds. Mukesh Ambani also thanked the Gujarat government for its "unstinted support". (ANI) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at a Democratic campaign event in East Lansing, Nov. 2, 2024 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar In a little-noticed move, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a directive Friday for the heads of state departments and agencies to review executive orders issued by President Donald Trump that would, among other things, halt diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies at the federal level, eliminate the so-called electric vehicle (EV) mandate, and declare that the male and female genders are an immutable biological classification. All state departments and agencies must adhere to the law. Accordingly, I am issuing this Executive Directive to ensure that each state department and agency is continuously reviewing Federal Actions, all federal guidance related to those Federal Actions, and consulting with the Department of Attorney General as to the legality and application of the Federal Actions to ensure compliance with the law and any applicable court decisions, stated Whitmer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The directive orders a consultation by the department heads with the Department of Attorney General to ensure compliance with the Trump directives, as consistent with federal and state laws and any applicable court decisions, prioritizing legal advice on the impact those orders have on the use or receipt of federal funds. Michigan received nearly $34 billion in federal funds as part of the current $83 billion 2025 fiscal year budget. Most of those federal funds, approximately $27 billion, were utilized in spending for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which includes Michigans participation in Medicaid. One potential issue is a 2021 DHHS bulletin which delineates the circumstances by which Medicaid would cover treatment and procedures for persons diagnosed with gender dysphoria, saying they are not considered to be elective or cosmetic when determined to be medically necessary. Gender dysphoria is defined as the psychological distress that results from an incongruence between ones sex assigned at birth and ones gender identity. However, because Trumps new executive order on gender sets aside scientific and medical evidence on the topic, coverage of such treatment could be jeopardized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A request for comment was sent by the Michigan Advance to Whitmers office asking for clarification on that issue and whether the state would comply with a termination of such coverage, but it was not returned by the time of publication. Another potential target would be DEI officers and programs in state departments and agencies that receive at least a portion of their funding from the federal government. They also could face reductions or elimination if determined to be in violation of the new federal orders. As for EVs, Trump has called for considering the elimination of unfair subsidies and other ill-conceived government-imposed market distortions that favor EVs over other technologies, which could impact funding for electric vehicle infrastructure including charging stations and hydrogen fueling facilities. State Sen. Jim Runstad (R-White Lake), whos running to chair the Michigan Republican Party, issued a statement last week sent a letter to Whitmer demanding that sheimmediately halt all Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies related to hiring, training, and spending practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 5, the people of Michigan voted to end this type of nonsense and return effectiveness and efficiency to government, wrote Runestad. In replace of DEI, the state of Michigan should instead adopt Merit, Excellence, and Intelligence (MEI) initiatives. These practices would serve to strengthen the Michigan bureaucracy so that it can better effectuate the needs of the people. Three other people are running to head the Michigan GOP: former Michigan GOP Co-Chair Meshawn Maddock, Republican consultant Scott Greenlee and Joe Cella, former ambassador to Fiji during the first Trump administration. The party will hold an election in February in Detroit. Sen_Runestad_Letter_to_Governor_Whitmer_DEI SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Whole Foods workers in a Pennsylvania store voted to unionize on Monday. They will join a local chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers union. This is the first successful unionization push since Amazon acquired Whole Foods in 2017. Workers at a Pennsylvania Whole Foods store voted to unionize on Monday, forming the first union at the grocery chain since Amazon acquired it in 2017. Employees voted to join the local chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers union, which represents more than 800,000 grocery store workers across the US and Canada. The union said 130 workers at the flagship store in Philadelphia's Center City neighborhood voted in favor of union representation, while 100 voted against it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This fight is far from over, but today's victory is an important step forward," Wendell Young IV, the president of the local chapter of the union, said in a statement provided to Business Insider. He added, "We are ready to bring Whole Foods to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair first contract that reflects the workers' needs and priorities." UFCW International President Marc Perrone said that "companies must remember that grocery workers play an essential role by helping families put food on their tables." "This win sends a powerful message to workers everywhere that when we stand together, we can take on even the largest corporations and win," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amazon acquired Whole Foods, which has 521 US stories and more than 105,000 employees, for $13.7 billion in 2017. In a statement provided to media outlets, Whole Foods said it was "disappointed" by the result but added that it was "committed to maintaining a positive working environment in our Philly Center City store." In the statement provided to BI, workers at the Whole Foods store said they "faced a relentless campaign of intimidation, misinformation, and anti-union tactics from Amazon and Whole Foods management." "They underestimated our determination and unity," the group said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Labor Relations Board records show the workers filed to hold a union election in November 2024. In a statement announcing the petition, workers at the Philadelphia store said they hoped unionization would help them achieve fair compensation and better working conditions. In 2002, workers at a Whole Foods store in Madison, Wisconsin, voted in favor of a union, but it was dissolved the following year. Last October, Whole Foods said its sales had increased by more than 40% since Amazon's acquisition, but it didn't provide a dollar amount. Read the original article on Business Insider Whole Foods workers in Philadelphia formed the chains first union on Monday, setting the stage for a larger organizing fight at the Amazon-owned grocer. Employees at the companys Center City location voted 130 to 100 in favor of joining the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, according to a spokesperson at the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency overseeing the election. Whole Foods has five business days to file a challenge to the results, though a spokesperson declined to say if it planned to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whole Foods Market is proud to offer competitive compensation, great benefits, and career advancement opportunities to all Team Members, the spokesperson said in an email. We are disappointed by the outcome of this election, but we are committed to maintaining a positive working environment in our Philly Center City store. In a statement through Local 1776, Whole Foods employees in Philadelphia said the company had underestimated our determination and unity. For months, we faced a relentless campaign of intimidation, misinformation, and anti-union tactics from Amazon and Whole Foods management, they said. Despite their best efforts to silence us, we stood firm because we knew that organizing was the only way to ensure that our voices were truly heard. The union will include around 300 members and, barring a legal challenge from Whole Foods, will try to bargain a first collective bargaining agreement at the grocer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If history is any guide, those negotiations wont be easy. Amazon acquired Whole Foods in a nearly $14 billion deal in 2017, and the e-commerce giant has gone to great lengths to keep unions out of its operations over the years. It has spent millions of dollars on hiring anti-union consultants to convince workers not to organize. Whole Foods is owned by Amazon, which has spent years fighting union organizing efforts. UCG via Getty Images An Amazon warehouse in New York City became the companys first to unionize in a historic election in 2022. Nearly three years later, the company still has not bargained with the union or recognized its legitimacy. The two sides remain tangled in litigation. Amazon has also challenged the union campaign in part by arguing that the NLRB itself is unconstitutional. The lawsuit, along with a similar one from the rocket company SpaceX, could end up undermining the labor regulator and its mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UFCW represents hundreds of thousands of grocery store employees around the country at major chains like Kroger and Albertsons. The union has been a mainstay in the industry for decades but struggled to organize younger, mostly non-union chains like Whole Foods and Trader Joes as theyve grown in market share. Whole Foods has more than 500 locations in North America. The workers in Philadelphia are more likely to win a contract if the union can win elections at other stores and pressure the company for a deal. Through Local 1776, the Philadelphia workers said they were intent on winning pay hikes. Whole Foods must now give us the raises that they claimed to withhold so as not to influence the election, they said. DONALD TRUMPS EXECUTIVE ORDER theoretically ending birthright citizenship grandly proclaims its purpose as Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship. As weve come to expect from this administration, the proposed change to American law would do the exact opposite. Also in keeping with the Trumpian model, the presidents comments accompanying the signing were false. Birthright, thats a big one, Trump frowned. Its ridiculous. We are the only country in the world that does this with the birthright, as you know, and its just absolutely ridiculous. Trump frequently adds as you know or as you know very well to his reality-bending comments to force the hearers (usually members of the press) into a kind of involuntary consent. They have no opportunity to object or protest and so he seems to rope them into his various fantasies, such as the lie that there was widespread fraud in the 2020 election or that Ukraine hosted Hillary Clintons CrowdStrike email server. But, no, we dont know very well that the United States is the only country in the world that grants unconditional birthright citizenship. Not even close. According to a 2018 report by the Library of Congress, practically the entire Western Hemisphere does the same, including Canada and Mexico. Pakistan too gives citizenship to every child born within its borders, and Germany and the UK have something closeextending it to babies with one citizen or permanent resident parent. Nor is it the case, as Trump contended in his first term, that birth tourism is an urgent national problem. The anti-immigration Center for Immigration Studies published a claim that 33,000 babies were born per year to women traveling to the United States just to give birth. The Niskanen Center examined their statistics and found that, while its true that some women do scheme to have their babies here, the CIS numbers were wildly exaggerated. The true number, they reckon, was closer to 2,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were building the best pro-democracy community on the internet. Join us by becoming a Bulwark+ member. Trump is trying to behave like an emperor. He sits at the Resolute Desk and scrawls his Sharpie across documents as if thats all there is to it. He has the effrontery to do so with the preamble By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered . . . The president has vast powers, but he does not have unlimited power. He cannot, with the stroke of a pen, repeal a constitutional amendment. And the Constitution of the United States is entirely clear about birthright citizenship. The Fourteenth Amendment prescribes 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. This was a constitutional corrective to the infamous Dred Scott decision that had denied all rights to African Americans. The phrase subject to the jurisdiction thereof was understood at the time to exclude the children of diplomats and some Native American tribesnot immigrants. This isnt some throwaway line that no one has ever challenged. In 1898, the Supreme Court ruled that a man who had been born to Chinese immigrant parents on U.S. soil could not be denied his citizenship even though in the years after his birth, Congress had passed the Chinese Exclusion Act. As Judge John C. Coughenour, a Reagan appointee, noted last week in a ruling temporarily blocking Trumps order, This is a blatantly unconstitutional order. He even directed some ire at Trump administration lawyers, saying Frankly, I have difficulty understanding how a member of the bar would state unequivocally that this is a constitutional order. It just boggles my mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Share The Bulwark The assault on birthright citizenship is more than an overzealous assault on immigration, it is part of Trumps ongoing attempt to limit membership in the American family. He rose to political prominence by calling the first black presidents citizenship into question, bullied black lawmakers with the taunt that they should go back to where they came from, and lamented that we are not attracting more immigrants from places like Norway. Not subtle. Those who approve of Trumps approach (even if they acknowledge that he should do this via a proposed constitutional amendment instead of an absurd ukase) should reflect on what it would mean to repeal birthright citizenship. The rule that your citizenship cannot be questioned if you are born on American soil is integral to American identity. This country is not composed of people sharing the same ethnicity and heritage. It is not the ancestral homeland of anyone except the Native Americans. It is composed of immigrants (most voluntary, some enslaved) who made this their home. No American should feel that his Americanness is dependent upon long ancestry in the land. Trumps own mother was born abroad. Most of his children are also the children of immigrants. No, if youre born here or become a naturalized citizen, you are as American as any Mayflower descendant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we were to dispense with birthright citizenship, we would erode the sense of equality that Americans enjoy and replace it with tierslegitimate citizens who can trace their ancestry back a generation or two, and interlopers. One of the greatest strengths of this country has been our ability to assimilate immigrants and transform them from whatever they were into Americans. Birthright citizenship is a vital aspect of this process. The parents who welcome an American citizen child are tied to their childs nationality and all the more willing to contribute and participate. As a Jewish American, Ive looked countless times at my passport in gratitude that I was born in New York City and no one could contest my legitimacy. If birthright citizenship is overturned, what will be the criteria for unassailable Americanness? Share Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images TikTok users are claiming censorship and a right-wing takeover of the social media app after noticing their accounts seem to be automatically unfollowing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (DN.Y.) and that when they try to refollow, it just happens again. But according to TikTok, what users see as a conspiracy is simply a glitch as the app returns to service after going dark for half a day. TikTok appears to be correct, as Rolling Stone found the issue is affecting the accounts of politicians across the political spectrum. However, the fact that users on the left are claiming its a targeted problem speaks to a widespread fear among social media users that their favorite platforms are favoring right-wing interests as Big Tech tries to curry favor with President Donald Trump. They fucking made me unfollow AOC, said user @blauvelt.p in a TikTok video, which currently has over 200,000 likes. I had to go in and refollow her. I am shooketh. In the comments of the video, users echo the original posters experience: Yesterday it literally happened 5 times, reads one comment. I had to refollow Bernie and AOC, reads another. Other videos echo the same sentiments, with the view counts reaching into the millions, and hundreds of users commenting the same thing is happening to them. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is fucking ridiculous, said user @autumnandcats. They are having us unfollow accounts against our will and this is complete censorship. TikTok is not the same platform it was. I had to refollow [AOC], said user @mynameinbrights. Yo, we need to get off this app. Lets go. Its time to peace out. In videos and comments, TikTok users are suggesting that the unfollowing of AOC is a result of the apps coziness with President Trump. However, a representative from TikTok tells Rolling Stone that their policies and algorithms have not changed and the automatic unfollowings may be a result of the temporary blackout of the app. Were working hard to restore our U.S. operations back to normal and expect some temporary instability as we restore our services, which could impact TikTok features or users access to the app, the representative says, adding that the company is still investigating the cause of the issue. Indeed, it seems that the issue goes far past just AOC. When a Rolling Stone reporter followed @aoc on TikTok, the account was immediately unfollowed, as described by other users. The reporter also experienced the automatic unfollowing with Former Vice President Kamala Harriss account, @kamalaharris, and Senator Bernie Sanders (I VT.), @bernie. When the reporter attempted to follow President Donald Trump, @realdonaldtrump, his account was likewise automatically unfollowed; the same happened with the Team Trump (@teamtrump) account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not surprising, though, that users might think the app was trying to favor some politicians over others. After the Supreme Court unanimously upheld a law banning the popular social media platform, the app went dark for about 14 hours. It returned with a message thanking the then-incoming President for his work in returning the app to functionality. As a result of President Trumps efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.! the message read, leaving TikTok users wondering whether the content on the app will be skewed toward a rosier view of the Trump administration. TikToks legal status is still in question even as, on his first day in office, Trump issued an executive order extending the ban on the app for 75 days. Noting his unique constitutional responsibility for the national security of the United States, Trumps order states that he intends to consult with advisors to pursue a resolution that protects national security while saving a platform used by 170 million Americans. This is happening just days after Meta users reported they were suddenly following Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance on Instagram and Facebook, prompting a conspiracy that Meta was making accounts automatically follow the politicians. Meta refuted the claim, with communications director Andy Stone posting on Threads that the Instagram and Facebook accounts of @potus and @vp are managed by the White House and ownership is automatically shifted to the new administration, meaning that if a user followed @potus when it belonged to Former President Joe Biden, they would still be following @potus when ownership shifted to the Trump White House. Not only has the first week of the Trump administration been dizzying with the President sharpening his attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, moving to end birthright citizenship, and withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement, among dozens of other actions but the tech world seems to be falling in line. At Trumps inauguration, tech giants like Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Tim Cook were given prime seating. Meta has announced its ending its DEI and fact-checking efforts as the new administration takes hold at the same time as Zuckberg is getting swole and going on Joe Rogans podcast to promise hell uphold masculine energy (which he views as having been neutered in recent years) at Meta. The countrys leadership is signaling a rightward turn, leaving users on edge, and questioning whether their algorithms and the platforms they love are going to do the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jan. 29, 2:30 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to include that TikTok is still investigating the cause of the issue. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This story has been updated to include a clarification on student loans from the Department of Education. A pause on federal grants, loans and other financial assistance programs at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget has been issued by the Trump Administration. According to a memo received by Reuters, the action references Trump's executive orders including those seeking the end of programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion. The suspension goes into effect Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 4 p.m. CST, and agencies will have until Tuesday, Feb. 10 to submit detailed information on programs, projects or activities affected by the pause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what to know about the pause on federal grants and loans. Why are federal grants, loans paused? The Trump administration has paused federal grants and loans to review agency programs and determine the best uses of funding for programs consistent with the law and Trump's priorities, Reuters reported. Agencies are required to identify legally mandated actions or assistance programs before completing an analysis. Since Congress had already authorized the funding, the decision is being met with criticism. As of now, Social Security, Medicare are exempt from the spending freeze. What we know so far: Trump administration orders 'pause' on federal grants, loans. What's the difference between federal grants and loans? According to USA.gov, federal grants usually only go to states and organizations, but federal loans may be accessed by individuals for education, housing, business and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The difference between federal loans and grants is that grants do not go to individuals through the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Government loans are money borrowed by individuals and repaid with interest for: School Buying a house Starting or growing a business Federal government loans are for organizations that work with programs or projects funded by the government, including: Universities Research labs Nonprofit organizations Law enforcement Businesses State and local governments Although federal student loans are not typically classified as assistance received directly by individuals due to their repayment requirements and indirect disbursement process through universities and other third-party lenders, the pause will not affect federal direct student loans and Pell Grants, Madison Biedermann, the deputy assistant secretary for communication strategy in the Education Department, clarified in a statement to USA TODAY on Tuesday. What could be affected by a federal spending freeze? More than two dozen agencies make grants, including the Department of Education, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Defense, according to Grants.gov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indirect assistance traditionally refers to financial support directed to organizations, businesses or infrastructure projects rather than individuals. While the loans and grants may indirectly benefit individuals, the aid is provided through loans or grants to entities, which in turn provide services to people rather than directly covering personal needs like healthcare or housing. Programs such as student loans, FHA and VHA loans and certain nonprofit or business funding may fall under this category and could be affected by the funding freeze. However, the full scope of the pause remains unclear, so it's important to contact relevant agencies for specific details. Those impacted could include: Small Business Administration (SBA) loans Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans Veterans Housing Administration (VHA) loans Disaster relief loans (e.g., SBA disaster loans) Nonprofit grants or loans (e.g., nonprofit funding for community programs, research, or infrastructure projects) Public health grants and assistance (e.g., CDC grants for research, community health initiatives, and state-run public health programs) Government research grants (e.g., National Institutes of Health (NIH) or National Science Foundation (NSF) research funding) Transportation infrastructure funding (e.g., grants for road and bridge construction) Energy grants (e.g., grants for renewable energy or efficiency projects) Environmental protection grants (e.g., grants from the EPA for environmental research, mitigation, or restoration projects) Agriculture and farming assistance (e.g., subsidies or grants for farmers) Corporate bailouts or assistance (e.g., loans or grants to large companies or industries) Foreign aid (e.g., funding for international programs and development) Educational institution grants (e.g., federal grants to colleges and universities for research or development) Are SNAP benefits paused? As of now, it's unclear which offices are affected by the pause and which are in the clear. In the memo detailing the freeze, the only specific programs not affected include Social Security and Medicare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo does not mention programs that are considered direct assistance to individuals, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, such as: Food Assistance (SNAP) Head Start Program Housing assistance (Section 8 and other rental subsidies) Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Medicaid Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Unemployment Insurance (UI) Veterans disability compensation USA TODAY contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Trump pausing federal grants, loans: How freeze could impact Tennessee Could a confirmation hearing finally matter? The answers provided by Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trumps pick for director of national intelligence, before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday may make it the most consequential hearing for an executive branch nomination in years. Republicans are publicly and privately speculating that her performance will either solidify support for her or scuttle her chances of overseeing the nations intelligence community. Im going to see how the hearing goes, Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday on NBC News Meet the Press. Im inclined to be yes on everybody, but theres some questions she will be asked that I want to hear the answers to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Graham wont be the only member listening closely to her explanations, if my conversations with Republican aides on Capitol Hill are any indication. And while she will hardly be the only controversial nominee testifying in front of senators this weektheres also Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and Kash Patel for FBI directorGabbards hearing is likely to contain some probing questions from members on both sides of the aisle. Gabbard, who represented Hawaiis second congressional district from 2013 to 2021, will almost certainly be asked about her 2017 meeting with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, after which her congressional staff, the Washington Post recently reported, scrambled to account for her time in Syria and limit the political fallout of the trip. Shell also face scrutiny over her support for Edward Snowden, the National Security Agency contractor who in 2013 leaked highly classified information about the governments global surveillance apparatus. Snowden was indicted for espionage and fled to Russia, where he was granted asylum and has lived since. In 2020, Gabbard co-sponsored a resolution in the House of Representatives urging for the charges against Snowden to be dropped. It died in committee. Gabbards reversal of her criticism on the surveillance programs under the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act will also be under the microscope. While in the House, Gabbard voted against reauthorizing the FISA Section 702 programwhich authorizes targeted surveillance of foreign individuals without a warrantand even sponsored a bill to repeal it. But earlier this month, Punchbowl News reported that Gabbard now says the 702 program is crucial and that she would uphold Americans Fourth Amendment rights while maintaining vital national security tools like Section 702 to ensure the safety and freedom of the American people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The issue has come up in Gabbards private meetings with senators. One Republican member of the Intelligence Committee, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, has already expressed her skepticism that her change of heart is sincere. There are several questions I want to follow up on in the hearing, Collins told The Hill. But there are a lot of obvious issues Her answers to the written questions were very hedged on it. I know theres been a lot of reporting that shes changed her position. Thats not how I read her answers. I read them as, Ill take a look at the reforms and see if they meet my concerns. Beyond those specifics, senators are likely to press Gabbard on her philosophy and approach to leading the countrys intelligence communityincluding, one Republican Capitol Hill source said, her general perspective on threats to national security and intelligence agencies role in assessing the threat environment. I am waiting for the hearing to ask questions I have. I wouldnt characterize any of them as concerns at this point, but there are things I need to learn. There are answers I intend to elicit, said Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, another Republican member of the committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The confirmation hearing for a presidential nominee has largely devolved into a pro forma process, allowing senators of the presidents own party to bolster the nominee and those from the opposition party to air their grievances and disagreements with the White House. Thats especially been the case since Senate Democrats changed the filibuster rules in 2013, which had the effect of making a simple majority enough to confirm presidential picks. Trumps Cabinet nominees have had a fairly easy path to confirmation so far. All 99 sitting senators voted to confirm one of their own, Marco Rubio, as secretary of state. Former congressman John Ratcliffe had only 25 Democratic nay votes on his confirmation as CIA director, while Kristi Noem, the new secretary of Homeland Security, had 34 Democratic votes against her. Even the closest one to date, Friday nights vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, demonstrated how a very Republican Washington is making things go so smoothly for Trump. Yes, three GOP senatorsincluding the former leader, Sen. Mitch McConnellvoted against Hegseth, but it was a remarkable comeback for the former Fox News host, who just six weeks ago had multiple Republicans expressing skepticism about his chances given a slew of reports about his personal conduct and a record of public statements. But the power of the pressure from pro-Trump forces on those skeptics (plus a tie-breaking vote from the vice president) got Hegseth over the line at last. Gabbard may not be so fortunate, thanks in part to the nearly even partisan divide on the Intelligence Committee, which is chaired by Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton and comprises nine Republicans and eight Democrats. (The committees votes are generally private, though reportedly some Republicans are trying to change that.) If Gabbard loses the support of at least two Republicans on the committee, the path for her confirmation to head to the Senate floor for a vote becomes complicated. What remains to be seen is if Trump would unleash his MAGA mercenaries, up to now preoccupied with helping Hegseth across the finish line, to pressure any potential holdout senators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But if Gabbards confirmation founders in the committee, it would require procedural hoops for Sen. John Thune, the Republican majority leader, to get it to the floor. What may be more likely in that scenario is that Thune and other Republican leaders would have to deliver the message to Trump that his nomineea Democrat-turned-Republican who helped broaden his winning coalitiondoesnt have the votes to pass. 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. MADISON, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) Wisconsins top Republicans shared their endorsement for conservative Brad Schimel in the Wisconsin State Supreme Court race during a statewide ZOOM call. Senator Ron Johnson, Congressman Derrick Van Orden and Tom Tiffany all highlighted the stakes of an upcoming race in April that will ultimately decide the balance of the states court This has been identified by many as the most important race in America this year. Im not sure about what it means for America, but Ill tell you this, what it means for Wisconsin is we have to have to restore objectivity to our Supreme Court in Wisconsin. Liberal justice candidate Susan Crawford spent the day in Waunakee and hosted a town hall of her own in response to the GOP call. Spokesperson Derrick Honeyman says, Wisconsinites deserve a commonsense Justice who will protect their rights and freedoms, and thats exactly what Judge Susan Crawford will do. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX2548 & WIProud. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) The Wichita Falls Housing Authority is giving people another chance to apply for affordable housing as it temporarily reopens its waitlist for 1-to-4-bedroom units. This window comes after the agency spent months processing a significant backlog of previous applications. Now that theyve made progress, theyre excited to open the list again and help more families secure housing. WFISD CEC students open public survey on mall revamp Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Affordable housing remains a concern for Wichita Falls, and by reopening the waitlist, WFHA hopes to address some of the communitys housing challenges and help those struggling with rising rents and limited housing options. This is a golden opportunity, with rent only 30% of a tenants income and even as low as $50 for unemployed residents. There are even ways to be bumped up on the waitlist. We have priority if you are being displaced by a natural disaster, said WFHA Executive Director Paris Ward. Or, if you are a victim of domestic violence with documentation, if youre coming from a domestic violence shelter, like First Step or from a different county. Anyone is welcome to apply, but as far as criminal history is concerned, only two things will get you denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You will be denied If you are a registered sex offender, or if youve been convicted of any sexual-related crime or if you have been convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine on a public housing property, Ward explained. The processing period can be as short as three months, depending on your specific case and preferences. We are really excited to do what we do, which is offer housing. Thats the business that were in, and were here to help the families in our community, Ward said. Were just really excited any time that we can open our waitlist. This reflects the housing authoritys commitment to making a difference in the lives of local families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can apply online on the Wichita Falls Housing Authoritys website or in person at 501 Webster Street in Wichita Falls. WFHA will be taking applications from Feb. 3 until March 31. 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 Texomashomepage.com. An Atlanta man the Taliban is holding hostage in Afghanistan was left out of a prisoner swap that freed two other Americans. Hes been in captivity for more than 2 years. Now, George Glezmanns wife tells Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne that she is putting her hopes in the new presidential administration. Aleksandra Glezmann said days before former President Joe Biden left office, the State Department called and said negotiations had ended and had not resulted in a deal to bring her husband home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But she said she was stunned days later to learn about a prisoner swap that did not include her husband, George. I feel really misled by the previous administration. But Im still really hopeful because I know that Trumps administration will deal with my husbands case differently, Aleksandra Glezmann said. In the waning hours of the Biden presidency, the administration called Aleksandra Glezmann and told her that Ryan Corbett, who had been her husbands cellmate, was coming home along with another American in a prisoner swap. RELATED STORIES: Her husband George would be left behind and she said no one gave her the reasons behind that outcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, Im really happy for the Corbett family, Aleksandra Glezmann said. I know that the family went through really tough times. The past two years, Ive been told by the Biden administration and by the State Department that they were working on a group deal that would include both Ryan Corbitt and my husband George. Aleksandra Glezmann told Winne that her hopes now turn to the new administration and on its second day, she got a call from a senior Trump administration official expected to play a key role in negotiations for Americans held hostage. This just highlighted his commitment to my husbands case. And Im really grateful for that, Aleksandra Glezmann said. Just hearing the Taliban is holding more American hostages than has been reported. If this is true, we will have to immediately place a VERY BIG bounty on their top leaders, maybe even bigger than the one we had on Bin Laden, new Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think this tweet shows that there will be more firm action this time. And I think this is exactly what we need to bring George home, Aleksandra Glezmann said. We celebrate the release of Ryan Corbett and William McKenty who have been reunited with their families and loved ones, and also thank the Government of Qatar for their assistance. 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, a US official emailed Winne on Monday. Aleksandra Glezmann said she was given a letter from her husband soon after he was left behind. It said, in part: Twenty-six months of mental torture, hoping and then losing hope, trying to keep sanity at bay for no crime committed whatsoever other than holding a U.S. Passport. She said she spoke to George by phone on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just tried to keep his hope and his spirits elevated, which is very difficult to do at this point because George does not have the mental and physical strength to continue this fight, Aleksandra Glezmann said. The Associated Press has reported that the Talibans ambassador to Qatar said the Afghan governments policy was to resolve issues peacefully through dialogue. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal visited Oman on January 27-28 and co-chaired the 11th Session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM). The meeting was co-chaired by Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman. JCM saw productive discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, technology, food security, renewable energy and other key areas. The Minister held a productive bilateral meeting with Minister Qais during which he undertook a detailed review of the bilateral trade and economic relations between India and Oman and identified concrete steps to further strengthen the mutually beneficial business ties, an official release said. The two Ministers also exchanged views on a bilateral India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is under advanced stages of negotiations. Both Ministers agreed to expedite the discussions for an early signing of the CEPA which will be a new milestone in bilateral trade relations and has the potential to significantly scale-up two-way trade and investments. On the sidelines of the visit, both sides signed the Protocol to amend the India-Oman Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), aligning it with international standards on cross-border taxation, simplifying tax procedures, and promoting greater cooperation in tax matters. Goyal also held bilateral meetings with Sultan bin Salem Al Habsi, Minister of Finance, and Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), to deepen economic ties. The Minister participated in the India-Oman Joint Business Council (JBC) meeting which was hosted by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), with support and participation of a delegation from FICCI. The JBC, which is traditionally held on the sidelines of the India-Oman JCM, provided an excellent platform for wide ranging discussions among the two business communities and provided exposure to investment opportunities and incentives of both India and Oman. Goyal met with a select group of CEOs and business leaders of Oman at a Business Roundtable hosted by the Ambassador of India at the Indian Embassy premises. This interaction provided an opportunity for the Minister to directly engage with key business leaders of Oman to apprise them of the India opportunity and seek their suggestions for bilateral cooperation. The minister also addressed the Future Leaders Programme at the Royal Academy of Management, Oman, highlighting India's growth story and sharing insights on leadership and its role in shaping a better world. The Commerce Minister visited the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat which is an icon of cultural and architectural heritage of Oman. He will also offer prayers at the historic Shiva Temple in old Muscat, later this evening, underscoring the deep-rooted cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Oman. The successful visit of the Union Commerce Minister reinforced the strong foundations of India-Oman relations, paving the way for enhanced collaboration in trade and investment, the release said. (ANI) Union Minister Piyush Goyal at India-Oman Joint Business Council (Photo/@PiyushGoyal) Candace Lorraine Rios, wife of Arnold Rios, who was severely injured by an alleged drunken driver before the 2023 Bakersfield Christmas Parade, was killed in an accident Wednesday, attorneys for the family confirmed Monday. According to the Kern County Sheriff's Office, Rios, 72 was struck by a vehicle while walking on the northbound side of Highway 202 just north of Cummings Valley Road in Tehachapi at 9:24 p.m. Wednesday. Rios was taken to Kern Medical, where she was pronounced deceased from her injuries the next day, KCSO said in an incident report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jorge Barrientos, spokesperson for the law firm Chain, Cohn, Clark, confirmed to The Californian the Candace Rios in the report was Arnold Rios' wife. Chain, Cohn, Clark is representing the Rios family in its civil case against 72-year-old Alan Lewis Booth, who is suspected of being drunk and crashing his F-150 truck into a crowd of people minutes before the 2023 Bakersfield Christmas Parade. Barrientos said the family is not giving comment at this time. Louisiana authorities were on their typical route Friday to transport inmates to a bus station who were set to be released after serving their time. However, authorities found out later one of the inmates in the group had no business being freed. Christopher Davis, 31, was arrested by Baton Rouge Police in January 2023 for the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man the month prior. Davis had been detained behind bars awaiting a court sentence on March 17 when he was suddenly grouped with a bunch of East Carroll inmates to be transferred to the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. The East Carroll prisoners were set to be released after having finished their sentences. Following the ride into the city, for some unknown reason, Davis was dropped off at a bus station, free to walk with pending murder charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore told WBRZ its unclear why Davis was transported weeks ahead of his next hearing. In speaking with the warden and the sheriffs office they had no formal communication saying, Hey, heads up. This prisoner is coming back and hes coming back because of these reasons and he should be at your facility at this time, said Moore. So, no one was aware that he was out until they were notified. After it was discovered Davis was on the loose, deputies went on the hunt for him, stopping at his familys home first, the report says. However, when the cops showed up asking questions, the family was confused because they didnt even know hed been freed. In fact, they had their own criticisms for the police. Why did yall let him out in the first place? Yall telling us he was not supposed to be released, but he was released, yall made a big hiccup, one family member told WBRZ. He didnt escape, yall let him out. Its unclear where Davis went during the hours he enjoyed the fresh air. Though, authorities say Davis was recaptured Sunday night. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) Data shows that William Carey University (WCU) is having a large impact on the local and state economy. The university has released its 10-year average statewide impacts analysis, showing the college generates about $136 million a year. Direct employment with WCU is up by 68% from 2015. The university has also created thousands of construction jobs with multiple expansion projects with around 112 annual jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Angie Thomas surprises student with Belhaven University scholarship Officials with WCU said its greatest accomplishment is keeping costs for education low and helping to grow the local job market with its students after graduation. Seventy-seven percent of our education graduates are employed in Mississippi schools. So that that number is huge. The number of doctors now accelerating and in rural health clinics, the number of nurses and rural health clinics in Mississippi. So, were adding to the areas most needed and not to mention the number of churches without pastors, 30% of our Baptist churches in Mississippi are without pastors, and our religion department has nearly doubled in the last couple of years. And so, we feel like were meeting the need of the people who have helped keep us in existence, said Dr. Ben Burnett, president of WCU. WCUs main campus in Hattiesburg will soon expand after purchasing 107 acres of undeveloped land. They hope to build a new entrance and more housing. 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. As President Donald Trump moves to purge DEI and woke programs from all swaths of the federal government in a frenzy of executive orders and directives, his supporters are cannibalizing one of their own. In 1999, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) became the first woman to graduate from The Citadel military college, a previously male-only institution that Mace was granted admission to after the Supreme Court ruled the school could not deny admissions to women if it wished to continue receiving federal funding. Mace, a virulently anti-trans lawmaker, has recently dedicated much of her time to codifying discrimination against transgender people in public spaces. Mace has introduced two pieces of legislation attempting to force gender nonconforming individuals who work in the Capitol or other federal buildings to use bathrooms corresponding to their biological sex. The congresswoman has made the protection of womens designated spaces a rallying cry for her supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, seemingly in response to an executive order banning transgender people from serving in the military, Mace wrote on X that she didnt fight like hell to become the first woman to graduate from The Citadel just for some man in a miniskirt to take away that achievement. Protecting womens accomplishments isnt a political talking point for me its personal, she added. If Mace expected support from her allies on the right, she didnt get it. The post soon became a focal point of right-wing mockery mostly by conservative men who accused Mace of having invaded a male-only institution she had no business being granted admission to. The lack of self-awareness is mind-boggling, Federalist Senior Editor John Daniel Davidson wrote in response to Maces post. When a society destroys sex-segregated spaces, they all get destroyed. Maybe Mace should have thought about that before she destroyed the male-only Citadel to satisfy her own ego. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daily Wire host Matt Walsh wrote that Maces girlboss feminism routine isnt just cringy. It also directly undermines our argument. The Citadel was a male-only space forced by law to admit females in the name of diversity and inclusion. That is the exact argument trans-identifying males use to invade female spaces. Nancy Mace was literally a beneficiary of a DEI program. Its a ridiculous and tone deaf thing to brag about in this moment, he added. Conservative writer Mark Hemingway wrote that Maces graduation from the academy wasnt an accomplishment it damaged a proud historical institution, and that The Citadel, like all military academies, should have remained men only. Sean Davis, editor in chief of The Federalist, mocked Mace for being surprised that transgender women would invade female-only spaces, given that a key part of your personal identity is having invaded a male-only institution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The response to Maces post is, at its core, a stark example of one of the worst kept secrets in the rights ideology: that the crusade against transgender individuals is also a vehicle through which the right can erode anti-discrimination protections for women and other minorities. After all, many of the civil rights laws that protect trans people from discrimination and which are now under attack were originally crafted to combat the exclusion of women and racial minorities from social, educational, and government institutions. The pile on against Mace one of the most vocal anti-woke lawmakers in Congress comes shortly after the confirmation of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who was questioned during his confirmation hearing about past statements expressing a desire to limit womens role within the military. A few days earlier, President Trump ended affirmative action requirements for government contractors, unraveling policies that heavily benefited women in the federal workforce. Mace has made a name for herself arguing for the codified discrimination of those she believes to be overstepping the bounds of their social station. She would do well to remember that in the rights vision for America, she and other women who wish to break barriers are expected to remember their place, 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. (WFRV) U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad for the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that a Wisconsin man was sentenced to 15 months in prison for violating the Anti-Kickback Statute. According to a release, Mohammed Kazim Ali paid healthcare kickbacks and must pay over $2 million in restitution to Medicaid and Medicare along with a $75,000 fine. Wisconsin State trooper rescues bald eagle hit by a vehicle Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ali and co-defendant Justin Hanson owned a Milwaukee-area lab named Noah Associates. Starting in 2017, the two of them engaged in a three-year-long scheme to pay kickbacks to a Milwaukee substance use treatment clinic owner in exchange for referrals of Medicaid and Medicare patients for urine drug tests by Noah Associates. The duo paid over $400,000 in kickbacks for the tests, which werent ordered by a physician nor medically needed for any treatments. One physician learned that the credentials were being used without authorization and urged Ali to stop. Ali continued to accept and bill the government for these falsely ordered tests for several months. As a result, Noah Associates received over $2.2 million for the tests courtesy of Medicaid and Medicare, while Ali took in over $800,000 from this scheme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the prison time, Ali is excluded from Medicaid and Medicare participation and his Noah Associates was shut down. Co-defendant Justin Hanson also pled guilty and will be sentenced on March 21. 25-year sentence for Fond du Lac man in fentanyl overdose death For more information on the Anti-Kickback Statute, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website. No more details are 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. RACINE COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) Officials in southern Wisconsin responded to numerous ice-related emergencies on Saturday which involved people and their vehicles breaking through frozen waters. In a post from the Racine County Sheriffs Office, several incidents occurred and some may have not been reported to law enforcement or occurred in neighboring areas. Numerous stranded ice fishers rescued by officials in southern Door County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following incidents were reported on Saturday, and responded to by Racine officials: Browns Lake 7 a.m. Just before 7 a.m. on Saturday, Racine County Communication Center officials were alerted that two people had fallen through the ice on Browns Lake about 500 yards off Fisher Park. The two people reportedly fell through the ice on an Argo, a six-wheeled Extreme Terrain Vehicle. Deputies from the Sheriffs Dive Team and the Sheriffs Office arrived along with rescue personnel. The two who fell through the ice managed to escape and shelter in a heated ice fishing shanty before deputies arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emergency medical technicians treated the two individuals at ambulances nearby. The Argo was removed from the water. Wind Lake 6:30 p.m. Around 6:30 p.m., deputies were sent to the 26000 block of South Wind Lake Road for a missing adult report. The arriving deputies determined that the complaint came from a person hosting a party for the Wind Lake Ice Fishing Jamboree and that many attendees had consumed alcohol. The complainants friend said that his friend, a 48-year-old man from Racine had driven a dirt bike over the ice and was unsure if he had gone into the water. A deputy received word from a woman on the phone that the friend was at his brothers house nearby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The friends brother attempted to assist by driving onto the ice on an ATV which also broke through the ice. Both arrived at the brothers house while the vehicles were submerged near the island. Deputies located the friend at the brothers house in front of a fire wrapped in a blanket. Wind Lake 9:15 p.m. At around 9:15 p.m., deputies, the Sheriffs dive team, local officers and rescue personnel responded to a separate Wind Lake incident regarding three people who had fallen through the ice. A Sheriffs drone aided in the location of three individuals about 200 feet southeast of Sportsmans Pub. Their UTV had been submerged in 10 feet of water while the individuals stood on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officials on the scene got everybody out shortly after 10 p.m., the three individuals involved were a 50-year-old from Waterford, a 45-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy from Wind Lake. The 15-year-old was driving the UTV as the adults were under the influence of alcohol. Emergency medical technicians treated all three at ambulances nearby while one of the adults was taken to a hospital nearby. The UTV was left in the water. In addition to the incidents on Saturday, January 25, the following were also reported in the Racine County Sheriffs Office Facebook post. Eagle Lake Jan. 17 A Sheriffs deputy encountered somebody who had recently gone through the ice on Eagle Lake, however, the person did not want any medical attention. The person said he went through the ice after accessing the lake through a boat launch at the County Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, there were reports of an ice heave 60 feet from the boat launch. Wind Lake Dec. 14, 2024 Around 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 14, the Racine County Communications Center was alerted to a man who fell through ice on Wind Lake behind Grass Island. The 36-year-old Frankling man fell through thin ice while walking across the lake about 700-800 feet from shore. He kept his head above water by holding on to the edge of the ice. Officers attempted to use a canoe in a rescue effort but were unsuccessful. Racine County Sheriffs Deputies responded and provided additional info, and a trained member of the Sheriffs dive team made his way to the victim. However, the deputy fell through the ice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources urges caution operating vehicles on ice The victim was eventually rescued by numerous personnel and subsequently stabilized out of the water. The man was taken back to shore in an inflatable boat conscious and alert, and was taken to a local hospital. Officials continue to urge extra caution regarding ice safety and that all ice should be treated as unsafe. Ice safety information is available on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. LA CROSSE COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) Officials with the Wisconsin State Patrol say one trooper in western Wisconsin recently helped rescue a bald eagle that appeared to be injured after it was hit by a vehicle. According to a post from the Wisconsin State Patrol on social media, a bald eagle was hurt after being hit by a vehicle on I-90 in La Crosse County. Lambeau Field Atrium hosting Vex Robotics Challenge Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trooper Digre, with the assistance of a nearby motorist, safely picked up the bald eagle and took it to a local humane society. From there, the injured bald eagle was said to have been relocated to a rehabilitation facility where it could receive treatment for its injuries. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Tribal leaders across Wisconsin are issuing statements in response to President Trumps flurry of executive orders last week, especially those affecting Indian Country. The most critical reaction, so far, has come from Ho-Chunk Nation President Jon Greendeer. I will not bend or bow, play political games, or accept any threat to any of our tribal members or their families in this ridiculous and irresponsible demonstration of petulant leadership, he said in a statement on the evening of Jan. 23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Demonizing human beings for the color of their skin, the people they love, the bodies they so choose to make decisions for, or the economic class to which they struggle to break free from represents something far from the public service embodied in any oath or promise to the people we serve. Several news outlets have reported that Trumps Department of Justice attorneys were questioning whether Native Americans could be considering U.S. citizens, according to a 19th century law that excludes Indigenous peoples from birthright citizenship. One executive order being scrutinized by tribal officials is the ending of birthright citizenship, which has since been blocked by a federal judge for being unconstitutional. In Arizona, state and Navajo tribal officials responded to reports of Navajo tribal members being detained by ICE agents and urged tribal members to carry their tribal IDs or Certificate of Indian Blood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arizona State Sen. Theresa Hatathlie informed the Navajo Nation council about a tribal member who was detained despite showing their Certificate of Indian Blood because ICE agents failed to recognize it as valid proof of citizenship, according to a Navajo Nation press release as reported by the Arizona Republic. More: Navajo Nation leaders address reports of ICE detaining tribal citizens Tribal leaders are also concerned about Trumps anti-DEI efforts that rescind Bidens executive orders aimed at strengthening tribal communities. Two programs in particular to be rescinded are, first, the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities, and second, Advancing Equity, Justice and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope not to believe we are the target of the president and the forces behind the MAGA front steering his decision making, but if we are we will hold our ground as we have long before this new fury against humankind came to be, Greendeer said. In the meantime, I will take on a task of assembling impact statements for the variety of programs and services that could be affected in the wake of these executive orders. Other tribal leaders in Wisconsin made more conciliatory statements in response to Trumps executive orders. Oneida Nation Chairman Tehassi Hill said Oneida officials are aware that many tribal members are concerned by new policies coming from the White House and they will monitor the situation and will use the tribes leverage when necessary to protect their members and resources. As we embark on relations with a new U.S. administration the (Oneida) nation will continue to move forward in a conscientious and deliberate manner and will be mindful to base our actions and decisions on the facts presented to us, Hill said in a statement on Jan. 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For decades, Oneida Nation has taken a non-partisan approach in elections at every level. The Nation has worked hard to gain political allies in both Democratic and Republican houses and we will continue to foster those relationships, as we as build new ones. Menominee Nation Chairwoman Gena Kakkak took a similar tone in her statement about the issue. We know there is a lot of confusion, uncertainty and concern within our community regarding some of the decisions and changes happening within the new U.S. administration, she said in a Jan. 24 statement. These moments of change can be unsettling, but I want to reassure you that our tribe has navigated significant change before, and we always emerge strong and united. Our leaders and staff are already working hard to assess any potential impacts. Our Menominee values, resilience and collective strength will carry us forward as they always have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forest County Potawatomi Chairman James Crawford said tribal officials will make decisions rooted in facts, not perceptions and misinformation. "Tribal leadership is closely monitoring the evolving situation and assessing any possible implications for our tribal membership," he said in a statement Jan. 27. "We recognize the importance of understanding the broader political landscape and maintaining constructive relationships across all levels of government." Tribal leaders across the country also criticized Trump for renaming Mt. Denali in Alaska from its Indigenous name to Mt. McKinley after a president who never set foot in Alaska. Republican officials from Alaska also urged Trump not to do so. One act many are celebrating in Indian Country is Trumps statement to support federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Federal recognition would have to approved by Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Wisconsin, the Brothertown Indian Nation has been working to achieve federal recognition for decades and tribal officials are hoping that will happen during this administration. More: 50 years after a missed phone call, Brothertown Indian Nation still in pursuit of federal recognition Sign up for the First Nations Wisconsin newsletter Click here to get all of our Indigenous news coverage right in your inbox Frank Vaisvilas is a former Report for America corps member who covers Native American issues in Wisconsin based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact him at fvaisvilas@gannett.com or 815-260-2262. Follow him on Twitter at @vaisvilas_frank. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin tribal leaders avoid immediate confrontation with Trump Amid the whirlwind of the incoming presidential administration, a quietly released report from the Wisconsin Department of Administration earlier this month carries profound implications for the states political future. The Demographic Services Center within the DOA annually estimates population changes for Wisconsins counties and municipalities. This years report forecasts a startling trend: Wisconsins population is expected to decline by nearly 200,000 residents over the next 25 years. This follows a decade of historically low growth, with the population increasing by only 3.6% the smallest rise in state history. However, this demographic shift will not affect all 72 counties equally. Milwaukee County, for instance, is projected to lose nearly 10% of its population, while Dane County is poised for a 38% surge. Rural counties, meanwhile, will likely continue to experience outmigration. Dane County could play an even more outsized role Politically, these shifts are significant. Dane Countys growing population and high voter turnout will likely amplify its influence in statewide elections. Already a Democratic stronghold, the area could become even more critical to the partys success. Vice President Kamala Harris, for instance, outperformed Joe Bidens 2020 numbers in Dane County, where over 90% of registered voters cast ballots last fall. If newcomers to the county adopt similar voting habits, Democrats stand to gain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, Republicans have also made strides in Dane County. Former Gov. Tommy Thompson emphasized the importance of competing in Madison, and Donald Trump heeded that advice, becoming the first GOP presidential candidate to campaign there since Bob Dole. Trumps efforts yielded modest gains, particularly in rural areas and among younger and minority voters the very groups driving Dane Countys population growth. If Republicans can build on these inroads while maintaining their rural strongholds, they could reshape Wisconsins political landscape. More: Elon Musk salute ripples across US leading to Sam Kuffel in Milwaukee losing job | Opinion State legislative apportionment adds another layer of complexity. The more competitive district maps signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers in 2024 will last only until the next federal census. The redistricting process in 2032, involving the legislature, governor, and potentially the Wisconsin Supreme Court, could allow the dominant party to craft maps that favor its prospects. The aging population also presents fiscal challenges. As baby boomers retire, income tax revenue will shrink, while demand for health care and senior services will rise. Balancing these needs against investments in public education and other youth-focused programs will test lawmakers priorities. Moreover, with the number of Wisconsinites living with dementia projected to more than double, the pressure on health care resources will be immense. Wisconsin could end up losing Congressional District Nationally, Wisconsins declining population could cost it a congressional seat after the 2030 or 2040 Census, reducing its influence in Washington and the Electoral College. Those districts currently controlled by the GOP are most at risk, potentially shifting the balance of the states delegation, which currently includes six Republicans and two Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Wisconsin state budget surplus a sham when so many essential services starved | Opinion While fewer electoral votes might mean less attention from presidential candidates, it could also bring relief from the relentless cycle of campaign advertisements. Of course, these projections are not set in stone. The demographic trends could shift unexpectedly, altering the states political trajectory in unforeseen ways. But one thing is clear: if you thought Wisconsin politics were unpredictable before, the coming decades promise even more surprises. Luke Fuszard is a lecturer at UW-Madison in the Department of Political Science, most recently teaching the "State Government and Public Policy" course. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Population loss could shift political power to Dane County | Opinion MADISON COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) The woman accused of causing a fatal DUI crash in Madison County pled guilty in the case. Madison and Rankin Counties District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Jordan Leah Sullivan, 33, of Louisville, pled guilty to one count of aggravated DUI in Madison County Circuit Court. Victim dead, suspect in custody after kidnapping at Canton Nissan Sullivan faces up to 25 years in prison and will be sentenced on February 10, 2025. She was taken into custody awaiting sentencing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On June 24, 2024, Gluckstadt police responded to a car wreck on I-55 North. On scene, they discovered that Sullivan had been driving the wrong way on the interstate and hit another car head on. Tyra Small-Jackson, a teacher at Nichols Middle School in Canton, was the driver of the vehicle that was hit and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Her father and infant child were also in the car but did not suffer any injuries. Jordan Leah Sullivan (Courtesy: Madison County Detention Center) Tyra Small-Jackson (Courtesy: Canton Public School District) Tyra Small-Jackson (Courtesy: Canton Public School District) Tyra Small-Jackson (Courtesy: Canton Public School District) Tyra Small-Jackson (Courtesy: Canton Public School District) According to Bramlett, officers immediately suspected Sullivan of DUI and located multiple bottles of Fireball whiskey inside the vehicle and smelled alcohol on her. Her blood alcohol content was .241. Multiple witnesses reported Sullivan was driving the wrong way on the interstate before she struck Small-Jacksons vehicle. Officers located the liquor store and obtained a copy of the receipt where she had purchased 20 airplane bottles that morning. Bramlett said the officers also discovered text messages where Sullivan admitted to drinking prior to the accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Small-Jackson was a Canton native. She was selected as Nichols Middle Schools 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year and received numerous awards during her tenure in the district. 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. Elon Musk's Tesla and German auto giant BMW have challenged EU import tariffs on China-made electric vehicles at the bloc's top court, the European Commission said Monday. The carmakers -- which both manufacture EVs in China -- followed challenges filed with the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) by Chinese automakers BYD, Geely and SAIC against the extra tariffs of up to 35 percent. "We take note of these cases and we look forward to defending ourselves in court," commission spokesman Olof Gill told AFP. Brussels imposed the extra tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars at the end of October after an anti-subsidy investigation concluded Beijing's state support was unfairly undercutting European automakers. The move came as Europe's car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles (EV) and increased competition in key market China. It followed a more radical US approach that saw former president Joe Biden quadrupling import tariffs on EVs from China to 100 percent, as part of a package of hikes having accused Beijing of "cheating" rather than competing. Beijing has consistently denied its industrial policies are unfair and has lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization about the EU tariffs. It later imposed "anti-dumping measures" on brandy imported from the bloc, in what appeared to be a tit-for-tat measure. Under the EU tariff scheme, Tesla vehicles manufactured in Shanghai face an additional surcharge of 7.8 percent on top of 10 percent already in place for EV imports from China. BYD similarly faces a 17 percent surcharge, Geely 18.8 percent and SAIC 35.3 percent. The German government was one of five EU member states that opposed the measures, fearing retaliation against its own manufacturers. The country's automotive flagships, including BMW, are strongly established in China, where they produce certain models, including for the European market. Similarly, US automaker Tesla produces its famous Model 3 in its Shanghai factory and exports it to Europe. Tesla-owner Musk is a key ally and adviser to US President Donald Trump, who has sent trade tensions soaring worldwide since being elected in November by threatening to impose extra customs duties on allies and rivals including the EU and China. The complaints by the five manufacturers were filed with the General Court, the lower CJEU chamber, last week. They are listed on the website of the Luxembourg-based institution, which does not provide the reason for the claims or any other detail. Gill confirmed to AFP they concerned the EU's new customs duties. Europe's auto sector employs more than 13 million people and accounts for about seven percent of the 27-nation bloc's GDP. The market share of Chinese electric cars has ballooned in the EU in recent years, 14 percent in the second quarter of 2024, up from less than 2 percent in 2020. The share of Chinese-built vehicles, including those manufactured by foreign brands like Tesla, similarly rose to 27.2 percent from 3.5 percent over the same period. European automotive CEOs and EU officials are expected to discuss the sector's troubles on Thursday in the first meeting held under a new initiative chaired by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen. Boman Irani and his wife Zenobia are celebrating 40 years of togetherness and the '3 Idiots' actor made it more special with his adorable anniversary post. Taking to his Instagram handle, he shared a collage of pictures with his wife and wrote, "So it bugs me when the whole world thinks you're this darling angel. Only I know what a real pain in the behind you can be. 40 years of experience. However... Who wants to marry an angel??? I got a pain in the behind who is also an angel. That's the combo that shaped me. Shaped us. Shaped family. Had laughs. Navigated. 40 years together, old friend. Love you..#HappyAnniversary #40YearsOfBeingTogether" After his post, Saba Pataudi also wished the couple on their wedding anniversary, she wrote in the comment section, "Happpppyyyy Anniversary! How beautiful..To the next 40 .. much love." Farah Khan Kunder commented, "Happy anniversary you 2. Could hav bn me bomzi if only u had waited" https://www.instagram.com/p/DFWqPPMSIPF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Boman and Zenobia are blessed with two sons, Danesh and Kayoze. Boman has featured in films like ' Munna bhai MBBS', 'Main Hoon Na, '3 Idiots', 'Jolly LLB' to name a few. Meanwhile, Boman Irani's directorial debut 'The Mehta Boys' is all set to be out on OTT. Avinash Tiwary, Shreya Chaudhry, and Puja Sarup will be seen in the lead roles along with Boman Irani. As per the makers, 'The Mehta Boys' tells the "story of a father and son, at odds with each other, who are unexpectedly compelled to spend 48 hours together. The film follows their tumultuous journey and offers a nuanced exploration of the complexities often inherent in a father-son relationship." The Mehta Boys had its global premiere at the prestigious 15th Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF) held in September 2024, winning the Best Feature Film Award at the festival followed by a Best Actor win for Boman Irani at the International Film Festival of South Asia in Toronto held in October 2024. The movie made its Asia debut at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa in November 2024 and also opened the Indian Film Festival Berlin in January 2025. (ANI) WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) A central Ohio womans lawsuit against the city of Westerville and members of its police department accuses officers of intimidation and harassment. The lawsuit, filed by Natasha Preece last week in U.S. District Court, claims police departments in Westerville and Seneca, South Carolina, conspired against her after she expressed concern about one of her sons moving in with a relative who previously abused her. Law enforcement denies awareness of ICE raids in central Ohio Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with Westerville, the legal action names the city of Seneca, and law enforcement officers with both cities police departments, as defendants. The lawsuit states that Preece was sexually abused by a relative as a child, and that she has since generally avoided contact with that individual. The same relative and his spouse began showing a disturbing amount of attention to her two teenage sons in 2021, inviting them to travel and gifting them numerous items including iPhones, the filing says. Two years later, the couple began pushing for one of Preeces sons, a senior in high school, to move to South Carolina to live with them. In October 2023, her son then withdrew from his local high school and moved states to live with the couple, according to the lawsuit. The legal filing says Preeces other son, who remained in Ohio with her, received a call the day after his brothers move from the relative who tried to convince him to manufacture false claims about his mother. Preece then contacted West Virginia law enforcement to report the abuse she endured there as a child, and reported the circumstances surrounding her sons move to the Westerville Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five Hilliard Darby students charged after classroom altercation Though Westerville officers were originally receptive to Plaintiffs concerns, they quickly abandoned the investigation, the lawsuit says. The shift seemingly occurred immediately after Westerville police were contacted by a member of the Seneca Police Department, who is familiar and friendly with the relative, according to the lawsuit. The filing claims the Seneca officer and the couple actively conspired to silence Preece and prevent her from ensuring her sons safety. Preece claims when she contacted the Seneca Police Department to request a wellness check on her son, she was told that the request would be documented as harassment. In November 2023, Preece learned her son was in Tennessee and called a local department there to conduct a wellness check. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A couple months later, in January 2024, the Seneca law enforcement official who was friends with the relative filed an arrest warrant for Preece for second-degree misdemeanor harassment. Preece said in her suit that the individual who filed the warrant knew the allegations within it were false, and that the warrant was intended to silence her. Preece was arrested by Westerville police after they were made aware of the warrant by Seneca police, despite South Carolina officers knowing extradition was impossible on a misdemeanor charge, the filing claims. Former Reschs employee opening bakery of his own in Grove City Even had it been issued in good faith, the warrant only authorized [Preeces] arrest by South Carolina law enforcement officials acting within their legal authority, the lawsuit says. As such, [Seneca police] were aware that they were soliciting Westerville officers to act in an unlawful and unconstitutional manner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Preece was held in the Franklin County jail for three days before a hearing, where a judge freed her on her own recognizance, meaning she did not have to pay bail. At a second hearing in February 2024, a Franklin County judge dismissed the case against Preece, according to the lawsuit. Over the past year, Preece alleges that Westerville law enforcement officers have regularly parked in front of her home, in a calculated effort to intimidate her into remaining silent about her unlawful arrest. The lawsuit also states a Seneca police official has made comments about tracking Preeces location. Conduct by both Westerville and Seneca officers were not related to any genuine law enforcement activity, and are an attempt to silence her about her past abuse as well as prevent her from having contact with her son, the filing says. The City of Westerville said it cannot comment on pending litigation. 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. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A woman admitted to filing fake deeds to steal several houses in Hillsborough County while in court Monday. Michelle Cherry pled guilty to several counts of fraudulent use of personal information and multiple counts of organized fraud over $50,000 in two cases, according to Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller Victor D. Crist. Florida principal, teacher hosted alcohol-fueled underage house party, report says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said Cherrys crimes took place around the time that legislation was passed in 2024 mandating that all Florida counties offer a property fraud alert system. The system will notify a homeowner within 48 hours whenever a document is recorded using their name or business name. Multiple homeowners in Hillsborough County registered for the system, and that same day they were alerted to the fake quit claim deeds that Cherry had filed to transfer ownership of the properties. Officials said the victims took quick action, and Cherry and her husband, Victor Rodriguez, were arrested using surveillance from the Clerks office as evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez is also facing several charges related to alleged property fraud in Hillsborough County and Dade County. Authorities said Cherry has agreed to testify against her husband in an effort to mitigate her sentence. Cherry could face anywhere from 10 to 285 years in prison, depending on her level of cooperation, the Clerks office said. The deeds for the disputed properties will be stricken from the public records, thus reverting the home titles back to the true owners, according to prosecutors. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 27OAKLAND An Oakland woman who tried to disarm two Garrett County sheriff's deputies during her arrest on a drug charge last summer has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, Garrett County State's Attorney Christian Mash said. Taylor Marie Kisselovich, 31, pleaded guilty Jan. 22 to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and two counts of attempting to disarm a law officer. Mash said Kisselovich had a backpack with 18 grams of fentanyl inside when deputies arrested her in June 2024 in the Gorman area. During her arrest and transport to the county detention center, she fought officers and attempted to remove firearms from their holsters, Mash said. "This was a very difficult warrant apprehension, and it should serve as a reminder to us all that law enforcement personnel work under extreme pressure and must make split-second decisions," Mash said. "In this instance, the police were able to prevent the further distribution of fentanyl in this county while preventing Ms. Kisselovich from harming herself or others." A Washington state woman charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a U.S. border patrol agent in Vermont had been in frequent contact with someone whom authorities have linked to homicides in Pennsylvania and California, a federal prosecutor said in court documents Monday. Teresa Youngblut, 21, faces two weapons charges in connection with the death of Border Patrol Agent David Maland, 44, who died Jan. 20 during the shootout in Coventry, a small town about 20 miles from the Canadian border. She had been traveling with Felix Bauckholt, a German citizen who also was killed, and the pair had been under surveillance for several days. In a motion filed Monday, U.S. Attorney Michael Drescher said Youngblut should be detained as the case proceeds due to the nature of the crime, the weight of evidence against her, her lack of ties to Vermont, and the danger she poses to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fallen VT Border Patrol Agent honored with motorcade According to the motion, the gun used by Youngblut and one that Bauckholt was carrying were purchased by a third person in Vermont last February. The buyer is a person of interest on a double homicide investigation in Pennsylvania, Drescher said. And both Youngblut and the buyer are acquainted with and have been in frequent contact with someone who was detained during that investigation and who also is a person of interest in a homicide investigation in Vallejo, California, the motion said. The defendants possession and use of a firearm, combined with her itinerary and associations, suggests she poses a current and substantial danger to the community that could not be addressed by a condition or a combination of conditions of pretrial release, the prosecutor wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youngblut made an initial appearance in a federal court in Burlington on Monday and was scheduled for a detention hearing on Thursday. The public defender assigned to represent Youngblut in U.S. District Court in Burlington did not return emails seeking comment. A spokesperson for the U. S. Attorneys Office for the District of Vermont declined to comment. According to an FBI affidavit, a border agent pulled over Youngblut and Bauckholt on Interstate 91 to conduct an immigration inspection. At the time, Bauckholt appeared to have an expired visa, according to a Department of Homeland Security database, but investigators later confirmed that his visa was current, the FBI said. Youngblut, who had been driving Bauckholts car, got out and opened fire on Maland and other officers without warning, the FBI alleges. Bauckholt tried to draw a gun but was shot, the affidavit states. At least one border agent fired on Youngblut and Bauckholt, but authorities havent specified whose bullets hit whom. This investigation remains very active, and the legal process continues, FBI spokeswoman Sarah Ruane said in a statement over the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators had been performing periodic surveillance of Youngblut and Bauckholt since Jan. 14 after an employee at a hotel where they were staying reported concerns after seeing Youngblut carrying a gun and she and Bauckholt wearing black tactical gear, according to the affidavit. Investigators tried to question the duo, who said they were in the area looking to buy property but declined to have an extended conversation, the FBI said. During a search of the car after the shootout, authorities found cellphones wrapped in foil, a ballistic helmet, night-vision goggles, respirators and ammunition, the FBI said. They also found a package of shooting range targets, including some that had been used, two-way radios, about a dozen electronic devices, travel and lodging information for multiple states, and an apparent journal. Suspects identified in fatal shooting of Vermont U.S. Border Patrol Agent In May, Youngbluts parents reported to Seattle police that she was missing, according to a police report. In the account, first reported by The Seattle Times, they said she had left home with duffel bags full of personal belongings, including her passport and medical records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parents said her behavior had changed and that she had been lying about where she was going and who she was seeing. They said she also had broken off contact with friends and changed her phone number. The parents said they were concerned she was being forced to take these actions or that she may be in a controlling relationship. A Teresa Youngblut took out a marriage license to a man who was not Bauckholt in November, according to a search of records in Washington states King County. A man reached at a phone listing for Youngbluts family Friday identified himself as Youngbluts grandfather and declined to comment. No one answered the door at homes in Seattle and Redmond, Washington, associated with Youngbluts name, and neighbors declined to comment. Bauckholt graduated with an honors degree in mathematics from Waterloo University in Canada in 2018, according to online records. He competed and won honors in computer programming competitions and held an office in the universitys computer science club. He had received a scholarship and was one of several students who had won medals at international olympiads for either mathematics or informatics, according to a school news release from 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A now-deleted LinkedIn profile for a Felix Bauckholt said he had been working as a quantitative trader for a financial firm based in New York since October 2021. An email was sent to the firm seeking confirmation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) Police are investigating a deadly crash in Pike County on Monday. Kentucky State Police said the crash happened around 6 p.m. near Penny Highway in Virgie. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: A news release said troopers learned that Susan Belcher was driving a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee when her vehicle crossed the center line and hit Mina Pinson, driving a 2017 Kia Sorento. Pinson was pronounced dead at the scene by the Floyd County Coroners Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 FOX 56 News. A California woman was sentenced to more than three years behind bars for her role in a "birth tourism" scheme in which women traveled to the U.S. to give birth, giving the child birthright citizenship, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Central District of California confirmed. Jing Dong, also known as Phoebe Dong, and her husband, Michael Wei Yueh Liu, were convicted in September on one charge each of conspiracy and 10 counts of international money laundering. Liu was sentenced last year to 41 months in prison, the same sentence Dong received. While the case is years old, the sentencing comes as President Donald Trump seeks to end birthright citizenship. He instituted an executive order in an attempt to end it, but a federal judge in Seattle temporarily blocked the order. Under the 14th Amendment, children born in the U.S. are considered American citizens. Some expectant mothers travel to the U.S. to give birth as a way of gaining American citizenship for their children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dong and Liu were among more than a dozen people indicted in 2019 on birth tourism charges. The 19 individuals charged, who were linked to three different schemes, allegedly helped thousands give birth in the U.S. According to authorities, the three businesses advertised the U.S. as being "the most attractive nationality" with better educational resources, including "free education from junior high school to public high school." "America's way of life is not for sale," Joseph Macias, then special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles, said in a 2019 press release about the indictments. "HSI will aggressively target those who would make a mockery of our laws and our values to benefit and enrich themselves. No one needs to be reminded about the national security and public safety implications of visa fraud and the crimes associated with it. Anyone who would exploit our nation's generosity and our legal immigration system should be on notice - they may end up being the ones to pay a very steep price." Between January 2012 and March 2015, Dong and Liu charged Chinese clients tens of thousands of dollars to help them give birth in the U.S., according to the Department of Justice. They ran a maternity house in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and rented apartment units to pregnant Chinese women. The women would usually return to China within one to two months of giving birth. While pregnant individuals can visit the U.S., Customs and Border Protection on its website notes that officers will take into account a pregnant individual's due date and the length of time they plan to stay in the U.S. when deciding if that person will be allowed into the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liu and Dong would advise their customers on how to hide their pregnancies, authorities said. Through their business USA Happy Baby Inc., they'd advise customers to fly into the U.S. through "ports of entry with perceived less customs scrutiny, such as Hawaii, before flying to Los Angeles, to wear loose fitting clothing, to favor certain lines at customs that they perceived to be less strict, and on how to answer the customs officials' questions," the Justice Department said. Vice President JD Vance's first interview | Face the Nation Rebuilding Paradise A tour of the Bronx By Emma Farge GENEVA (Reuters) - A World Health Organization staff member hopes to raise enough money through fundraising on social media to soften the impact of President Donald Trump pulling the United States out of the organisation, she told Reuters on Tuesday. The "1 Dollar, 1 World" campaign is asking people around the world to give one dollar to the U.N. health agency that fights chronic and emerging diseases worldwide and to post a photo of themselves on social media with their index finger raised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tania Cernuschi, a WHO staff member of 10 years who has worked on improving vaccine access, said she thought of the campaign when she could not sleep after Trump's announcement. "I felt frustrated, I felt disappointed," Cernuschi said in an interview at the U.N. agency's Geneva headquarters. "I was, as everybody I think, unsettled by the announcement," she said, saying funding cuts would cost lives. The $1 billion she aims to raise roughly corresponds to what the United States, the agency's biggest donor, has given on average for each two-year budget, WHO data showed. So far, Cernuschi's campaign had raised around $58,000, a fraction of the target, since last week's launch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many early donors are senior WHO staff, including epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove who became one of the public faces of the agency during COVID, and donors based in wealthy countries like Switzerland and the United States. That trend means the campaign might "come off as U.N. civil servants fundraising to protect their own salaries and work programs" said global health consultant Tina Purnat in a blog. Asked to respond, Cernuschi said: "I think we're all privileged here. But we work for people who are not privileged, and that's why our work is important." WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus voiced support. "I'm proud of her. All the staff are saying we are part of the solution," he told Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cernuschi, a 46-year-old Italian who has worked in public health for 25 years, said it was to be expected that people from richer countries gave more. Donations are now coming in from Ukraine, India and parts of Africa, she said, and referred to a message from an Indian woman. "She said, 'You have an army behind you'. And it was very touching. And I felt it. I said, I wrote back: I feel the army." (Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Hugh Lawson) Workers at a Whole Foods Market in Pennsylvania voted to unionize on Monday, becoming the first group of employees to pull off a labor win at the Amazon-owned grocery store chain. Employees at the Philadelphia store cast 130 votes or about 57% of the ballots cast in favor of joining a local chapter of The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union for the purposes of collective bargaining. According to the National Labor Relations Board, which oversaw the election, 100 workers rejected the motion. This fight is far from over, but todays victory is an important step forward," said Wendell Young IV, the president of UFCW Local 1776. "We are ready to bring Whole Foods to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair first contract that reflects the workers needs and priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The results mark the first successful entry of organized labor into Amazons grocery business, which includes Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh and the Amazon Go convenience stores. Amazon, which purchased Whole Foods in 2017 for $13.7 billion, has tried to fend off organizing efforts in its stores as well as by delivery drivers and warehouse workers. Nearly three years ago, Amazon warehouse workers in the New York City borough of Staten Island voted to be represented in labor negotiations by a fledgling union that has since affiliated with the Teamsters. But Amazon has refused to come to the bargaining table. Employees at the Whole Foods store, located in the center of Philadelphia, started organizing early last year, Young said. They teamed up with UFCW Local 1776 in the late summer, and in November petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to hold an official election. The local union said the store workers hoped a successful vote would help them secure higher wages, more affordable health care coverage, child care support, greater work-life balance and better working conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement after the votes were counted Monday night, Whole Foods said it is proud to offer competitive compensation, great benefits, and career advancement opportunities to all Team Members. We are disappointed by the outcome of this election, but we are committed to maintaining a positive working environment in our Philly Center City store, the company added. The company said it provides store employees with a competitive average hourly wage and other benefits, such as 401(k) plans and on-demand mental health support. It did not disclose its average hourly rate, but some online job postings show store employees can earn $16 per hour or higher. After the union filed the election petition, workers at the Philadelphia store were given free snacks, and the company repainted their break rooms, according to Young. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, UFCW Local 1776 filed unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB against the company, accusing it of firing one worker in retaliation for union activities and alleging that supervisors told employees they would get paid more if they rejected the union bid. Whole Foods disputed the worker was fired in retaliation. The union has also accused Whole Foods of withholding region-wide wage increases from employees at the Philadelphia store because of the union activities. The company acknowledges it did not offer wage increases to workers at the store, even though it did so at a number of other stores as part of a quarterly review. Whole Foods maintains it would have been illegal to make wage adjustments in the lead-up to the union election, an argument Young disputed. The company said it was delaying the pay bumps until after the election to avoid the appearance of trying to influence the vote with raises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seattle-based Amazon has resisted union organizing efforts by its workers. Amazon delivery drivers went on strike in a handful of U.S. cities before Christmas to exert pressure on the the company to recognize them as unionized employees or to meet demands for an inaugural labor contract. Workers at an Amazon warehouse in North Carolina are scheduled to vote next month on whether they want to be represented by an upstart union called Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment. The retail giant has challenged the structure of the National Labor Relations Board in court. Amazon accused the federal agency of tampering in the 2022 union election at the Staten Island warehouse, in part by bringing a lawsuit against the company to reinstate a fired organizer close to when voting began. (Bloomberg) -- World Bank President Ajay Banga said boosting access to electricity is the key to unlocking the demographic dividend in the worlds youngest continent. Most Read from Bloomberg Banga laid out a plan in which the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, African Development Bank and private investors may spend about $85 billion to bring power to 300 million people by 2030. The World Bank is driving a program dubbed Mission 300 thats seeking to break one of sub-Saharan Africas biggest impediments to growth: Almost half of its population, or 570 million people, have no access to electricity. That limits education, curbs employment and cuts productivity in a region where 70% of the population are younger than 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone talks about that as a demographic dividend, which it will be if you give them clean air, clean water, health, education and eventually a job, Banga said in an an interview at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzanias commercial capital, on Monday. If not, youll have young people coming out the pipe in 10, 12, 15 years who will have no hope, no optimism, who will be socially challenged and may migrate, he said. Under the program, the World Bank, the AfDB and other partners plan to give African countries grants and concessional finance. In return, they expect recipient governments to change regulations and create a conducive environment for private investment. Its a pay for results kind of thing, he said. We can say youve committed to these things, you make the change, heres the support. You dont make the change, the moneys not coming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scale of whats needed was laid out in a dozen presentations at the summit by countries including Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, sub-Saharan Africas most populous and third-most populous nations. To boost electricity access through grid expansions, off-grid technology such as mini-grids and solar home systems, more than $115 billion would be needed, the presentations showed. An additional 10 to 12 countries will likely come up with their own plans within about six months. Multilateral Funding On Tuesday, the presidents of more than 20 African nations are due to sign up for the program. French President Emmanuel Macron will announce a contribution toward the African electrification drive, said Remy Rioux, the head of French development bank Agence Francaise de Developpement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Banga envisages the World Banks International Development Association providing $30 billion to $40 billion for the program and the IMF an added $10 billion to $20 billion. The AfDB may spend $8 billion to $10 billion, and an additional $10 to $15 billion is expected to come from private sources, he said, adding that a precise estimate for the total costs is difficult. Other multilateral development banks and funds have committed about $5 billion to the program, AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina said Tuesday. The amount is significantly higher than the $40 billion previously mentioned by World Bank staff, which would have included $25 billion from the bank. A fund housed in the Worlds Banks International Finance Corp. will invest in companies boosting electricity access with the hope of catalyzing more investment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Banga said he doesnt see the program being threatened by changes imposed by the Trump administration, including the temporary freezing of foreign-aid programs and a more inward-looking policy. The US is the biggest shareholder in the bank. I hope not, he said, when asked if support for the program might ebb under the new US leadership. It reduces illegal migration. If it keeps people happy in their countries, it creates marketplaces for your products and your intellectual property and your technology. Sign up here to follow Bloombergs reporting on Africa on WhatsApp. (Updates with comment by African Development Bank president in third paragraph after sub-headline.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The World Bank on Monday warned its Colombian employees against traveling to or from the United States after three staff members were affected by visa restrictions imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, sources familiar with the matter said. The bank's security team issued the guidance after two staff members had their G4 visas revoked and were deported shortly after their arrival on flights to Washington, the sources said. G4 visas allow non-U.S. citizens to work for international diplomatic institutions in the United States. A third bank employee was prevented from boarding a flight to the United States, the sources said, confirming details first reported by the New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The World Bank visa issues arose on Sunday during a tense standoff between the Colombian government and the Trump administration over deportation flights. The two sides ultimately reached a deal late on Sunday, staving off tariffs and sanctions threatened by Trump to punish Colombia for its initial refusal to accept military flights carrying deportees. A World Bank spokesperson said the multilateral development bank, which has thousands of international employees at its Washington headquarters, was still working with the U.S. government to address the issue. "The World Bank Group leadership team is actively engaging with U.S. Government counterparts to resolve this matter, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement World Bank staff were caught off guard by the abrupt turn of events on Colombia, and are bracing for further disruptions in coming weeks as the Trump administration prepares to impose tariffs on other countries including Mexico and Canada as early as Feb. 1, one of the sources said. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) Actor Kriti Sanon will be seen sharing screen space with Dhanush in Aanand L Rai's 'Tere Ishk Mein'. On Tuesday, the makers announced Kriti's casting by sharing an intriguing promo. The video shows Kriti's character Mukti, pouring kerosene on herself as she prepares to set herself on fire. Later, she could be seen sitting in a corner and lighting a cigarette. Sharing the clip, Dhanush on Instagram wrote, "Some love stories are destined to rise from the flames.Witness SHANKAR and MUKTI in #TereIshkMein. From the #WorldOfRaanjhanaa - a story that's unforgettable. In cinemas 28.11.2025." https://www.instagram.com/p/DFXS7w6xmUs/?hl=en 'Tere Ishk Mein', set to go on floors in 2025, is a spiritual successor to the world of Raanjhanaa, delving deeper into themes of unrequited love, longing, and emotional conflict.The film will be released in theatres on November 28. Gulshan Kumar, T-Series, and Colour Yellow present 'Tere Ishk Mein', produced by Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma, produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar. The film directed by Aanand L Rai and written by Himanshu Sharma, is an A.R. Rahman musical with lyrics by Irshad Kamil. Meanwhile, in November, Kriti attended IFFI 2024 where she opened up about her dream roles. Asked about her dream role, Kriti said, "This is a very tough question because there's nothing like doing one role and then not wanting to do anything else after that. There's no such role. There are so many different kinds of roles that I haven't done yet, and I want to do them. I would love to be a superwoman. I think India me zyada ye hua hain. I would love to do action. I would also love to play a completely negative character." (ANI) The world's biggest iceberg is on the loose and is threatening to collide with a tiny south Atlantic island, potentially affecting the wildlife there, scientists warned this week. Known as A23a, the 1,400-square-mile iceberg had been stuck on the ocean floor near Antarctica for 37 years after splitting in 1986 from the Antarctics Filchner Ice Shelf. But it began to move again last year and is now approaching South Georgia Island, a small island mainly populated by penguins and seals. The world's largest iceberg, named A23a, is seen in Antarctica on Jan. 14, 2024, in this picture obtained from social media. Is something new happening with the iceberg? The iceberg had been stuck in a rotating water column near the South Orkney Islands since last April, said Andrew Meijers from the British Antarctic Survey. "It has now come loose from this circulation feature and is heading northeast with the Antarctic circumpolar current on a path that is likely to bring it very close or in contact with the island of South Georgia." Is the iceberg suddenly threatening South Georgia Island? "Sudden isn't really the right word for something we've been tracking for almost 40 years and is now moving at around half a mile an hour," Meijers told USA TODAY in an e-mail Tuesday. "However, its recent path shows that it is in an ocean current jet something like an atmospheric jet stream that should take it toward the island over the coming weeks. " When might it hit the island? The iceberg might hit the island in two to four weeks, depending on the current and its path, according to Meijers. It may follow the current around the continental shelf of the island and not ground at all as another large berg has done or it could ground on the shallow waters of the continental shelf, as an iceberg did in 2004. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is almost impossible to predict which of these may occur, or indeed if the berg will break up before then," he said. South Georgia Island lies in 'Iceberg Alley' Icebergs are a regular threat to the British territory of South Georgia Island because it's near the Southern Hemisphere's version of "Iceberg Alley." (Not to be confused with the Northern Hemisphere's Iceberg Alley, which is near Labrador and Newfoundland in Canada.) Antarctica is ringed by a powerful counterclockwise current, according to the National Science Foundation. "Many icebergs float in this current around the continent until they get close to the Antarctic Peninsula, a long arm that extends toward Chile. In the Scotia Sea between Chile and Antarctica, the icebergs are pushed northward and begin to melt. Researchers call this area Iceberg Alley," the foundation said. Are people or wildlife in danger? South Georgian populations of seals and penguins could be at risk if the iceberg grounds near the island, Meijers said. "This could potentially interrupt their pathway to feeding sites and force them to expend more energy for adults to travel around it. This will reduce the amount of food coming back to pups and chicks on the island, and so increase mortality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This has happened before in 2004, although we aren't certain if this berg will ground or not, more recent examples have tracked around the island." As for the effect on humans, "while the berg is large it is easily avoided by Southern Ocean shipping operators, who are well aware of the dangers bergs pose and the location of A23a," he said. "However, as it breaks up over time, the smaller bergs are much harder to track. Discussions with fishing operators suggests that past large bergs have made some regions more or less off-limits for fishing operations for some time due to the number of smaller yet often more dangerous bergy bits." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The world's biggest iceberg is on the loose in the Atlantic Ocean Just days into President Donald Trumps second term, federal agents have begun to raid homes and businesses in Austin and across the country, looking for immigrants who have entered the country illegally. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed on Sunday that agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were performing "enhanced targeted operations" in Austin, searching for and arresting people who were wanted violent offenders. Read in Spanish: Preocupado por las redadas federales de inmigracion en Texas? Conoce tus derechos Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mexican Consulate in Austin confirmed 12 Mexican citizens had been detained in Austin on Sunday, said consulate official Pablo Perez Arellano. The consulate, however, did not know if those persons had criminal histories, he said. With broader raids expected, the American-Statesman reached out to immigration advocates, attorneys and experts to ask them what advice they are giving to immigrants living in the country illegally. They all said there are crucial things to know and measures to take to avoid detainment and deportation. Here are their top recommendations: Go out at your own risk Local immigration activist Carmen Zuvieta of the nonprofit Austin Sanctuary Network said there are definite risks involved in going to work, dropping your kids off at school and attending church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Trump's first administration, federal policy classified schools and churches as sensitive locations where arrests could not be carried out. That is not the case now. The Homeland Security Department, which directs ICE, said last week it had granted federal agents the authority to make arrests at both schools and churches. Zuvieta understands that for many, especially those living paycheck-to-paycheck, staying at home is not an option. Should they decide to leave the house, she urges immigrants without legal status to be vigilant of any cars or people that follow them and to know what to say if questioned. We always tell them leaving their home is at their own risk, Zuvieta said in Spanish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maintaining a low profile is key during these uncertain times, Austin immigration attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch said. She recommended that immigrants without legal status avoid drawing any attention to themselves by speeding while driving or driving after consuming alcohol. Know your rights in the US All immigrants living in the United States, whether they entered the country legally or illegally, have basic rights that are protected by the U.S. Constitution, said Rebecca Lightsey, co-executive director of American Gateways, a human rights advocacy group in Central Texas. A very big issue is for the immigrant community to understand that they need to fully exert these rights, she said. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, immigrants rights are protected by the Constitution, even if they do not have citizenship or legal status. Among them are: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigrants do not have to open their doors to federal agents unless the agents have a valid search warrant. The right to remain silent and not discuss immigration status. The right to legal representation. The right to not sign anything without legal representation. The right to say no if a federal agent asks to search your body unless they have probable cause. Lincoln-Goldfinch said that if federal agents appear at a public place or a home and start making arrests, its especially important for individuals or families being targeted to remain silent if possible. However, ICE agents may ask for names, home addresses, phone numbers and drivers license or other ID to verify identity. If that happens, people must provide that information. If its clear that federal agents are not making arrests, she said, individuals can simply walk away. They can obtain that clarity by directly asking agents if they are under arrest or being detained. Be really thoughtful in this moment, because it is a serious time where immigrants are under a giant flashlight, and so they need to understand that, and act accordingly, said Lincoln-Goldfinch, who also recommended that immigrants have a consultation with a licensed lawyer should they be in danger of detainment or deportation. Zuvieta, at the Austin Sanctuary Network, said immigrants seeking a lawyer can reach out to American Gateways, at 210-521-4768 or to the Mexican Consulate in Austin, which can be reached at 512-478-2866. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If an agent knocks on a residential home, residents do not have to open the door, Lincoln-Goldfinch said. She advised children in the household should be told to not open the door to anyone. Get your records in order Car registration, auto insurance and driver's licenses should be up-to-date and valid, said Lincoln-Goldfinch. In addition, she said immigrants should ensure that any bank accounts they have can be accessed internationally. They also should designate a power of attorney to a trusted third party ideally someone with a legal status to control bank accounts, take custody of children and sell or manage property. She noted that children whose parents are detained or deported can be placed into the states foster care system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For that reason, Zuvieta said she recommends that parents prepare and notarize letters that specify who can have legal guardianship of their children. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid compiled a guide that includes detailed information about how to prepare such documents, among other things. Immigrants who have lived in the country illegally for at least two years should take pictures or make copies of any and all documents that prove they have lived in the country for at least 24 months, Lincoln-Goldfinch said. Those include lease agreements, employment records and childrens birth certificates. Thats because individuals who can prove they have been living in the U.S. for two years or longer cannot be deported under the Trump administrations expansion of expedited removal, which allows the federal government to deport a person without due process. Seek out resources The city of Austins Equity Action Team will host virtual training sessions, in partnership with Texas Immigration Law Council, on immigrants legal rights on Feb. 13 and Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. on Zoom. More information will be posted on the teams Facebook page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, the team has been distributing wallet-sized cards that list immigrants' constitutional rights in 14 different languages, said Rocio Villalobos, manager of immigrant affairs. The cards are meant to inform and protect immigrants during any interactions with federal agents. Zuvieta and her colleagues at the Austin Sanctuary Network have been hosting similar know your rights workshops at nonpublic locations with plans to have more in the future, she said. Those interested in attending can call the networks hotline at 512-640-9080, which will connect them to future events. Another group, Camina ATX, hosted a know-your-rights workshop Monday night at a local Catholic church. Video of the event shows crowded pews, with at least 100 people in attendance. Statesman staff writer Emiliano Tahui Gomez contributed to this report This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Worried about ICE raids in Texas? What to know about your rights. WYOMING COUNTY, WV (WVNS) A man from Wyoming County pleaded guilty to a gun crime. According to a press release, on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 79-year-old Paul David Hill, of Bud, pleaded guilty to Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Wyoming County man pleads guilty to failure to register as a sex offender Members of the Wyoming County Sheriffs Office carried out a search warrant at Hills home on October 4, 2024, where they seized a handgun. Due to a previous felony conviction, Hill could not have a gun in his possession. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im a firm believer that U.S. citizens should have an unhindered right to possess firearms. However, I am also aware that some felons pose a danger to society if allowed to possess firearms. We will pursue these crimes with vigor. Gregory Bishop | Wyoming County Prosecutor Hills sentencing is scheduled for March 2025, and he could face up to five years in jail for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NAVAJO NATION (KRQE) A massive drug-running operation, running afoul of state, federal, and tribal law. Now the man the feds say is responsible for a brazen criminal enterprise is behind bars after the latest raid targeting illegal pot-growing operations in New Mexico, and the investigation dates years back. A man who once ran for president of the Navajo Nation is now in federal custody after an investigation spanning more than five years, and dozens of marijuana farms across New Mexico. The claims are wide-ranging, from drug trafficking to diverting waterways and even employing slave labor to maximize profits. KRQE is now learning of raids of two farms near Estancia last week, which were part of the latest investigation into Dineh Benally. Something weve been working on for several months from the FBI perspective with our partners, says Raul Bujanda, FBI special agent in charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Mexico cannabis industry may soon experience major shift in policy enforcement According to federal court documents, the FBI started investigating Benally and his father Donald Benally in 2019 for growing operations in the Shiprock area. At the time, New Mexicos cannabis laws were more restrictive than they are today. Recreational use was not yet legal but the feds say Benally claimed it was his sovereign right to grow cannabis a religious sacrament, he said, for native people. The Navajo Nation disagreed and attempted to shut down Benallys operations in 2020 by getting a court injunction to stop him from growing on tribal land. But, according to court records, Benally kept growing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the following months, the FBI stepped in, raiding 25 farms around Shiprock, uncovering more than 1,100 grow houses, 260,000 live plants, and 60,000 pounds of packaged pot. The FBI also found evidence the farms employed Chinese workers who were paid little to nothing kept in substandard living conditions, and were also used as drug mules. New Mexico cannabis regulators look to establish task force to curb illegal activity Then there was the environmental impact of the operation with investigators uncovering unauthorized wells tapping the San Juan River, as well as dams made of sandbags to harness river water for irrigation. But shutting down those farms, according to the US attorney, did not stop Benally from staying in business. On Friday, the FBI descended on the two farms outside Estancia, which started as legal operations, but as a Larry Barker investigation last year revealed, state regulators revoked their licenses after finding they were violating state laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now those farms are shut down and piles and piles of pot have been seized. A lot of this is under court order, some people also were arrested, says Special Agent Bujanda. Benally is facing six federal counts related to drug manufacturing and trafficking as well as polluting waterways. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Several social media posts claim that a Republican congressman proposed a constitutional amendment that would allow Donald Trump to run for president again in 2028. BREAKING: Republican Congressman Andy Ogles has drafted a constitutional amendment to allow Donald Trump to be president for a third term, reads one Threads post. A Tennessee Republican Proposes An Amendment To Allow President Donald Trump To Run For A Third Term, reads another on Instagram. The claims are true. Last week, Rep. Andy Ogles proposed an amendment that would do just that. On January 23, Oglesa second-term Republican representing Tennessees 5th Districtintroduced a joint resolution that would allow a president to serve a third term if they had not yet served two consecutive terms in office. Trump, whose first and current terms were non-consecutive, would thus be allowed to run for a third term in the future. Presidents are presently limited to serving only two terms in office by the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The full text of the proposed amendments article reads: No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times, nor be elected to any additional term after being elected to two consecutive terms, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice. The joint resolution would need to receive a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate before the proposed amendment could be sent to the states for ratification. Three-fourths of the states would then need to approve the amendment before it could become law. No constitutional amendments have been ratified in the U.S. since 1992 when the 27th Amendmentwhich was initially proposed in 1789 and which prevents congressional representatives from voting for immediate pay increaseswas ratified following a decade-long nationwide campaign. 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. Workers dismantling a collapsed bridge over the Elbe river in the eastern German city of Dresden have once again found an unexploded World War II-era bomb, according to authorities on Tuesday. The area around the Carola Bridge was initially cordoned off as bomb disposal specialists investigated the discovery, but the bomb was removed after it was determined to not have a detonator and could safely be moved, the Dresden police announced. Another 250-kilogram bomb was discovered on Monday during excavation work on the bridge, but according to police, it was also determined to have no detonator and was cleared safely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An earlier bomb discovery during work at the collapsed bridge led authorities to evacuate significant parts of Dresden's city centre. The discovery on Tuesday forced the re-routing of funeral procession for German policeman, Maximilian Stoppa, who was killed in the line of duty earlier this month. About 1,000 police officers joined the procession to honour Stoppa, who was hit by a car on January 7 while checking suspected car thieves in the eastern German state of Brandenburg. Unexploded bombs are still routinely found during construction work in cities across Germany that were heavily bombed during World War II, even 80 years after the end of conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dresden was bombed several times, including a massive series of Allied air raids on February 13 and 14, 1945, during which the city was heavily destroyed by US and British bombers. Estimates of the casualties during the raid vary, but as many as 25,000 people are believed to have lost their lives in the February 1945 bombing of Dresden. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation released the annual report highlighting its accomplishments in 2024, including new housing, neighborhood cleanup and health initiatives. Among some of the major accomplishments was the construction of a new neighborhood on Bernard Street on the citys South Side. One of the houses has been completed with a new resident already settled in. They plan to complete construction on two more single-family homes on the street, breaking ground at the beginning of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The homes have about 1,500 square feet of living space with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, first-floor laundry, an open-concept kitchen and living area and an attached two-car garage. The Bernard Street houses also come with a newly paved street, sidewalks and improved essential infrastructure. The project was made possible through a collaboration between the City of Youngstown, Councilman Julius Oliver, and the Mahoning County Land Bank. Oliver secured $725,000 in American Rescue Plan money to help fund the project. YNDC also completed the construction of two new duplexes on Glenwood Avenue. Each features two bedrooms, two bathrooms and in-unit laundry. The duplexes also have covered parking. Funding for the project came from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburghs Affordable Housing Program and the City of Youngstowns At Home in Youngstown Program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Glenwood Avenue Corridor is the focal point of several improvement projects. YNDC is working to replace 3,500 linear feet of sidewalk along Glenwood Avenue and expects to be finished by this fall. Last year, YNDCs Grass Cutting and Cleanup Team cleaned up 2,100 linear feet of sidewalks, planted 59 trees, and demolished the property at 3617 Glenwood Avenue. There are also plans to open a health clinic in the former Bottom Dollar grocery store that has been vacant for ten years. The Glenwood Fresh Market is also available to help provide fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income households. In 2024, the market distributed $244,588 of fresh fruits and vegetables, serving 1,792 members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the market also teamed up with Mercy Healths Stepping Out Fitness program to provide fitness classes and other healthy activities of which 3,680 people participated. Additionally, YNDC broke ground on six new single-family homes on Mineral Springs Avenue. The three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom homes feature open-concept living, kitchen, and dining areas, a first-floor laundry room, a front porch and a two-car detached garage. The houses will be priced at no more than $180,000 with a 15-year tax abatement and down payment assistance. Several neighborhood cleanup projects were completed resulting in the removal of 172 dumped tires, improvements to 403 vacant properties, and over 1.5 miles of overgrown sidewalks were cleaned up. Five vacant houses were also boarded up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mahoning Valley TreeCorps, an initiative led by YNDC, planted 641 trees in Youngstown and Warren (533 in Youngstown and 108 in Warren). You can see the full annual report below: YNDC 2024 Annual ReportDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. *Attached video: Cleveland crime by the numbers WEST HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (WJW) A New York state trooper and his parents were arrested after staging a shooting to look like the trooper was shot in the line of duty. New York State Police Superintendent Steven James and Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly issued a press release Monday saying 27-year-old Thomas Mascia was arrested on charges of tampering with physical evidence, falsely reporting and incident and official misconduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Browns QB Jameis Winstons SUV stolen, investigation underway Mascias parents, 62-year-old Thomas Mascia Sr. and 55-year-old Dorothy Mascia, were also arrested on one count of criminal possession of a firearm, according to authorities. According to the release, Mascia reported that he was shot in the leg while checking on a disabled vehicle in the median on the Southern State Parkway westbound in the area of Exit 17 at about 11:45 p.m. That night, Mascia was taken to the hospital for treatment. According to the release, his report triggered an intense search to find the vehicle that was described by Mascia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clevelands NASA Glenn Research Center tied to Blue Origins latest launch experiment Eventually, investigators with the Troop L Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Nassau County District Attorneys Office found that Mascia shot himself in the leg before he made the false report to police. There was no evidence found to substantiate his story of stopping in the median of the Parkway to check on a disabled vehicle, the release said. According to the release, investigators searched the Mascia family home and found a gun that was the basis of the illegal possession charge. Mascia resigned from his position with the state police, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doomsday Clock now closer than ever to midnight: What does this mean? According to the release, Thomas, James and Dorothy Mascia, were each arraigned in district court and released. They are set to appear back in court on Feb. 5 at 9 a.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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. This news is taking a toll on honest New Yorkers. Outrage mounted in the Big Apple Monday after the revelation the MTA lost $5.1 billion in unpaid tolls and fees over four years while drivers doing the right thing are forced to pay more. The massive unpaid collections at the Metropolitan Transportation Authoritys nine bridges and tunnels surpasses the estimated $500 million to $800 million expected to be generated annually from the new $9 first-in-the-nation congestion toll to enter Midtown Manhattan south of 60th Street. NYPD officers holding up a ghost plate used to avoid paying tolls on Jan. 27, 2025. Gregory P. Mango They cant even collect their unpaid tolls, fumed Harry Nespoli, chairman of the 300,000-member NYC Municipal Labor Council and head of the sanitation workers union. So, theyre going to make it up by socking us with congestion pricing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They should collect from the toll violators, added Nespoli, who has appealed to President Trump to kill congestion pricing. Right now, the law-abiding working people are paying for them [the deadbeats]. MTA figures showed deadbeats racked up $5.1 billion in unpaid MTA tolls and violations such as late fees over four years from 2021 to 2024 a number likely sent skyrocketing since cashless systems replaced the old payment booths, though officials sought to downplay the figures saying its not just toll debt in the wake of a Post report Sunday. The authority estimated total uncollected toll violations at more than $1.4 billion in 2024 alone and $3.7 billion combined from 2021 through 2023, according to a financial chart included in a request for proposals submitted to potential debt collectors. The proposal said the annual figure for unpaid toll collections could exceed $2 billion when factoring in the $9 congestion toll a fee that will rise to $12 in 2028 and $15 in 2031. Police arresting a person at a license plate checkpoint. Gregory P. Mango Benjamin Li, 40, from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, who tows a smoothie cart by Zuccotti Park in the Financial District, said authorities should levy the toll evaders instead of socking him and other hard-working New Yorkers with a new congestion toll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He now arrives into Manhattan at 4:45 a.m. with his cart to pay a lower $2.25 overnight fee and save $6.75 off the $9 toll charged during the peak hours. I obey the law, whatever they charge. But I see so many people trying to save money illegally with ghost plates, Li said. Long Island truck driver Kenny McCutcheon, 32, was worked up over the news as he was running errands in Manhattan on Monday. They need to crack down more on people who dont pay the tolls, instead of charging the rest of us so much, said McCutcheon. I think its ridiculous I gotta pay $9 just to come here. MTA toll crossings include the Hugh Carey/Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Queens Midtown Tunnel, Whitestone Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Cross Bay Bridge, Marine Parkway Bridge, Henry Budget Bridge and Robert Kennedy-Triboro Bridge. At six of the major crossings, the toll is $11.19 without E-ZPass and $6.94 with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal bankruptcy trustee told The on Post Monday hes seen cases where debtors reported owing thousands of dollars in unpaid tolls, and questioned whether collections is a priority for the MTA and New Yorks political class.. Theyre not skipping one or two tolls. They are abusing the system, said Kenneth Kirschenbaum, a lawyer who has worked as a trustee on Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases. Thats not inadvertent. Thats not unintentional. That person doesnt deserve any pity. In one bankruptcy case, a debtor sought forgiveness for owing E-Z Pass New York $9,900, he said. E-ZPass NY covers the MTA crossings as well as tolls on the state Thruway. A car without license plates getting stopped at the he Hugh Carey Tunnel entrance in Brooklyn. Gregory P. Mango Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said the listing of billions in unpaid MTA tolls and violations by scofflaws is another just example of a culture of lawlessness in the Empire State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is what happens when you have a state that doesnt enforce its laws and people feel they can get away with anything due to the incompetence of leadership in Albany and at the MTA, Blakeman said. Taxpayers are left with the burden of having to close the huge deficits with idiotic programs like congestion pricing which based on the MTAs track record, most people wont pay either. But the MTA downplayed the figures it presented to debt collectors as part of a bidding process, and said the $5 billion in unpaid toll and fee collections was blown out of proportion. NYPD tow trucks at the license plate checkpoint. Gregory P. Mango Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MTA Bridges and Tunnels president Catherine Sheridan called The Posts reporting of its own numbers misleading and claimed it grossly overstates our toll losses but did not dispute the figures. Theres just a lack of understanding that the amount we place with a collections agency is not outstanding debt, its not tolls, Sheridan said at an MTA committee meeting Monday. It includes tolls and fees and any other penalties that may apply so the number may appear very large but that is not toll debt, Sheridan said. But Sheridan admitted that the use of ghost plates to avoid collection is a challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ninety two percent of the people pay, whether thats by E-ZPass or tolls by mail upfront, she said. Theres about 8% who are either unbillable, where we dont know who they are because they have a ghost plate, or they just dont pay even after weve sent them multiple bills. MTA officials on Monday also said it collected $113 million of the $241 million in outstanding tolls in 2023 or less than half. Officials also said the agency put in 500 requests for the Department of Motor Vehicles to revoke car registration of toll deadbeats, which is allowed under the law. Transit officials also said they have new authority to impose judgments on toll scofflaws without going to court. New Zealand has relaxed its visa conditions in a bid to attract so-called digital nomads to work remotely from the country. New Zealands immigration office announced on Monday that the rules for visitors will be changing to try to attract more people who are able to work online from anywhere in the world. The new visa conditions will allow visitors to work from New Zealand for an employer or client that is in another country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The change will apply to applications received from 27 January 2025, including tourists and people visiting family or partners and guardians on longer-term visitor visas. This visa is aimed at digital nomads people who travel freely while working online because they are not required to be in a certain place. It means they will be able to keep in touch with work back home without breaching visa conditions. Those who have a visitor visa and people who enter the country with a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) will be under these conditions. However, the new relaxed rules will not extend to those who have a work connection in New Zealand. Visitor visa holders must not work for a New Zealand employer, have to be physically present at a workplace in New Zealand or provide goods or services to people or businesses in New Zealand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to being taxed, New Zealand authorities said that if the persons income is taxed elsewhere, New Zealand will exempt it from tax if the person does not spend more than 92 days in New Zealand in a 12-month period. The days do not need to be consecutive. However, this can be extended to 183 days if the person is a tax resident of one of the 40-plus countries New Zealand has a tax treaty with, such as Australia, the UK and the US, as well as many in Europe and Asia. If the digital nomad spends longer in the country than the limit for exemption, New Zealand will tax their income at the same rates as its residents. The digital nomad will be responsible for understanding their own tax circumstances. The government said that the push for digital nomads to spend time in the country is to try and drive up the countrys appeal to other tourists as well as bring in more visitor spending, especially during the shoulder season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tourism is New Zealands second-largest export earner generating revenue of almost $11 billion and creating nearly 200,000 jobs, New Zealands economic growth minister Nicola Willis said. Making the country more attractive to digital nomads people who work remotely while travelling will boost New Zealands attractiveness as a destination. Tourism minister Louise Upston explained that digital nomad visas are becoming increasingly common as more people have digitised or flexible jobs, so the move reflects the modern way of working across the world. She added: Many countries offer digital nomad visas and the list is growing, so we need to keep pace to ensure New Zealand is an attractive destination for people who want to workcation abroad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Compared to other kinds of visitors, international remote workers have the potential to spend more time and money in New Zealand, including during the shoulder season. For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast The concert of pop band 'Cigarettes After Sex' in Bengaluru, scheduled for this evening, stands cancelled due to "technical difficulties." Taking to Instagram, the American band apologised to fans for the last-minute cancellation. "We're heartbroken to announce that due to technical difficulties which were the responsibility of local production at the venue and beyond our control, we're unable to perform and unfortunately have to cancel tonight's show in Bengaluru. We're so incredibly sorry we can't see you all tonight and truly tried everything we could to make it happen. BookMyShow will reach out to you with information on refunds for the show as well. love you so much," the post read on the official Instagram handle of Cigarettes After Sex. All ticket holders "will receive a full refund within 8-10 working days" for the show, produced by Laqshya Media Group and curated by BookMyShow Live. Cigarettes After Sex, with its black and white silhouette visuals, has captivated audiences worldwide with its evocative, melancholic sound. Formed in the late 00's in El Paso, Texas, the band quickly rose to global prominence with their unique blend of ambient pop and lush melodies. The band recently came to India and so far has performed in Gurugram and Mumbai. (ANI) WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) New Zealand is reconsidering all development funding to the aid-dependent island nation of Kiribati, following a diplomatic snub from the island nation's leader, government officials said. The unusual move to review all finance to Kiribati was prompted by the abrupt cancellation of a planned meeting this month between President Taneti Maamau and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters, Peters' office told The Associated Press on Monday. It followed months of growing frustration from Australia and New Zealand jointly responsible for more than a third of overseas development finance to Kiribati in 2022 about a lack of engagement with the island nation. Tensions have risen since Kiribati aligned itself with China in 2019 and signed a series of bilateral deals with Beijing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A strategically important island nation The bond between Kiribati population 120,000 and its near neighbor New Zealand, a country of 5 million people, might not appear the South Pacific's most significant. But the acrimony reflects concern from western powers that their interests in the region are being undermined as China woos Pacific leaders with offers of funding and loans. That has provoked a contest for influence over Kiribati, an atoll nation that is among the world's most imperiled by rising sea levels. Its proximity to Hawaii and its vast exclusive economic zone the world's 12th largest have boosted its strategic importance. Powers vie for sway with aid Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kiribati, one of the worlds most aid-dependent nations, relies heavily on international support, with foreign assistance accounting for 18% of its national income in 2022, according to data from the Lowy Institute, an Australian think tank. About 10% of development finance that year came from New Zealand which contributed 102 million New Zealand dollars ($58 million) between 2021 and 2024, official figures show. However, officials in Wellington and Canberra have expressed frustration over a lack of engagement from Tarawa regarding development projects. Frictions escalated when Kiribati suspended all visits from foreign officials in August, citing a need to focus on the government formation process after elections that month. Kiribati switched its allegiance from pro-Taiwan to pro-Beijing in 2019, joining a growing number of Pacific nations to do so. Self-governing Taiwan is claimed by China and since the shift, Beijing has increased aid to Kiribati. An official snub provokes backlash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peters was scheduled to meet Maamau, who has led the country since 2016, in Kiribati on Jan. 21 and Jan. 22, Peters' office said, but was told a week before the trip that Maamau could not accommodate him. It would have been the first visit by a New Zealand minister in more than five years. The lack of political-level contact makes it very difficult for us to agree joint priorities for our development program, and to ensure that it is well targeted and delivers good value for money, a statement supplied by Peters' office said. New Zealand will review all development cooperation with Kiribati as a result, the statement added. The government of Kiribati did not respond to a request for comment, although Education Minister Alexander Teabo told Radio New Zealand on Tuesday that Maamau had a long-standing engagement on his home island and denied a snub. New Zealand cautioned that the diplomatic rift could have broader consequences, including impacting New Zealand resident visas for Kiribati citizens and participation in a popular seasonal work scheme that brings Pacific horticulture and viticulture workers to New Zealand. New Zealand home to large populations of Pacific peoples is a popular spot for those from island nations to live and work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, New Zealand stands ready, as we always have, to engage with Kiribati at a high level, said the statement. Australia's softer approach The decision to review all development funding is a different, and more forceful approach than New Zealand has taken before, said Blake Johnson, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, and contrasted with a different tack taken recently by Australia which is Kiribati's biggest funder. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles traveled to the island nation this month as planned to deliver a patrol boat promised to Kiribati in 2023 even though he did not meet with Maamau. Australia's foreign ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the country remains committed to its longstanding partnership with Kiribati." ___ Associated Press writer Rod McGuirk contributed reporting from Melbourne, Australia. President Volodymyr Zelensky held separate meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron as well as European Council President Antonio Costa on Jan. 27 in Krakow, Poland amid a visit to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day. During the session with top European officials, including Costa, Zelensky discussed a variety of topics, including additional sanctions as well as the supply of additional ammunition, the Presidential Office said. "We need to continue putting pressure on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, and sanctions are one of the truly powerful tools," Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier in the day, European Union foreign ministers approved the extension of sanctions against Russia for another six months. According to the read out of the meeting, the anticipated 16th EU sanctions package was "one of the key topics of the meeting." The Council of the EU adopted on Dec. 16 its 15th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting the Russian shadow fleet of tankers and the military-industrial complex. In addition to sanctions, the leaders discussed the details of a new ammunition supply initiative, with additional informal meetings scheduled for Feb. 3. Later in the day, Zelensky met with Macron to discuss "security cooperation" amid anticipated peace negotiations in the coming months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Macron has reportedly spearheaded prospects of sending European peacekeeping forces to Ukraine, amid U.S. President Donald Trump's commitment to "end" the war. No details were provided on the specifics of the discussions between Zelensky and Macron, although the Presidential Office read out notes that "possible formats for security guarantees for Ukraine" were discussed. Earlier in the day, Zelensky expressed to Costa and European officials the need for a "just and lasting peace" following peace negotiations, echoing previous statements on Europe's full participation in peace negotiation. "We will stand with you for as long as it takes," Costa concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has thus far opposed the presence of NATO peacekeepers in Ukraine, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claiming on Jan. 24 that it could lead to "uncontrolled escalation." Read also: US leadership essential in Ukraine peace efforts, Zelensky tells Bloomberg Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that every move made by Russian leader Vladimir Putin is aimed at prolonging the war and avoiding genuine negotiations. Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter) Quote: "Today, Putin once again confirmed that he is afraid of negotiations, afraid of strong leaders, and is doing everything possible to prolong the war. Every move he makes and all his cynical tricks are aimed at making the war endless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2014, Russia started a hybrid war against Ukraine, which it turned into a full-scale invasion in 2022. Now, there is a chance to achieve real peace, but it is Putin who is doing everything in his power to either continue large-scale killings or secure a pause in order to continue hybrid attacks while preparing for a new full-scale invasion." Details: Zelenskyy urged world leaders to heed the mistakes of the past and join their efforts to force Russia towards peace. He said Putin would use his capabilities to disrupt global stability, but is too faint-hearted to withstand real pressure from leaders working together. Background: On 25 January 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that it was to stop separatism that he enacted a National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) ban on negotiations with Russian ruler Vladimir Putin in 2022, as the Russians were trying to put pressure on Ukraine through "many different corridors" that Ukraine could not control. On 4 October 2022, Zelenskyy formally enacted the decision of the National Security and Defence Council on the "impossibility of conducting negotiations with the president of the Russian Federation, V. Putin". The text did not specify who was prohibited from holding such talks. Russia has repeatedly criticised this decision and demanded its reversal. On 24 January 2025, Putin expressed his desire to meet with US President Donald Trump to "discuss issues of interest to Moscow and Washington". In the context of possible negotiations to end the war, Putin also referenced Zelenskyy's decree banning talks with Russia, insisting that Ukraines international partners should "force" Zelenskyy to revoke the decree. On 28 January, in response to a question from one of his propagandists, Putin reiterated his readiness for negotiations with Ukraine, stating that he is willing to "assign people" to conduct such talks. Support UP or become our patron! This is the only way for people to see how we feel, said Paulina Mendez, a Yakima resident who participated in the rally. Amid the ongoing investigation into Saif Ali Khan's stabbing case, the Mumbai Police on Tuesday held a press meeting, where they claimed that they have ample evidence against the arrested accused. The Police also confirmed that the accused entered India from Bangladesh and stayed at various locations in Kolkata for several days. During the press conference, Paramjit Singh Dahiya, Additional Commissioner of Police, shut down rumours that the fingerprints did not match the accused. The spokesperson said, "Whenever an accusation is arrested, multiple pieces of evidence are collected against it. We have found much oral, physical, and technical evidence against the accused... We have caught the right person." Earlier this month, Saif was attacked by an intruder, later identified as Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad, who entered his home with the intent to commit theft. After a violent confrontation with the accused, Saifn sustained stab wounds to his thoracic spine and other body parts. He was rushed to Lilavati Hospital for immediate treatment following the attack. Saif was discharged from Lilavati Hospital after surgery last week. Upon returning to his Bandra residence, he greeted the media and acknowledged their presence. Hours after the incident, Saif's wife and actor Kareena Kapoor Khan also issued a statement urging fans and media to respect the family's privacy in difficult times. "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," Kareena stated. She further emphasised the overwhelming nature of the constant scrutiny. "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 read. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party MP Manoj Tiwari on Monday inspected the search and rescue operations underway after a building collapsed in Burari and claimed that there might have been negligence on someone's part for the collapse. The BJP MP has said that police reports estimate around 20 people could be trapped under the collapsed building, with twelve people rescued so far. He also mentioned one girl's condition was "very serious" after she was rescued. "It was a 4-storey building and the construction was completed. The POP work for finishing was underway... As per the police reports, 20-22 people were trapped... 12 people have been rescued. The NDRF is at the spot," Tiwari told reporters. He further claimed that there is "no doubt" that there was negligence on someone's part for this collapse. "There is no doubt that there is a huge negligence. A newly-built four-storey building has collapsed... Whoever is responsible will not be spared," he told ANI. The four-storey building collapsed at approximately 6:30 pm in Kaushik Enclave, Burari on Monday. Police said that they received a call regarding the incident at 6:58 pm. "The condition of one girl child is very serious... The rest of the people have been sent to the hospital and they are out of danger," Tiwari said. Questioning the quality of the building, he said that such a collapse raises a lot of questions but the priority is to make sure to rescue all the people. "A 4-storey building has collapsed after the construction was complete, this raises a lot of questions... The police and the NDRF have said that there is a possibility of some people still being stuck...," he said and further demanded action against anyone responsible for the collapse, "Whoever is responsible will not be spared...but right now our priority is to rescue all the people." Earlier today, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi assured people that all possible help will be extended to the affected people, and ordered the local administration to ensure speedy relief and rescue operations for the people feared trapped. Giving her assurance, the CM posted on X, "This incident of building collapse in Burari is extremely sad. I have spoken to the local administration to ensure speedy relief and rescue operations. All possible help will be provided to the affected people." (ANI) As various religious leaders demanded the formation of a "Sanatan board," while holding a Dharam sansad in Prayagraj's Maha Kumbh, Spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur mentioned that such a board is important for "saving their existence and religion." The spiritual leader further told ANI on Monday that the various Hindu leaders have "only asked for two things," namely the creation of a Sanatan board and the abolition of Waqf board. "We passed a proposal in which one thing is certain that we want a 'Sanatan Dharm Sansad'. The by-laws, committee and its structure, everything is with the media. We have all signed on it and will send it to the government. All saints have asked for just two things- the creation of the Sanatan Board and to do away with the Waqf Board," he told ANI. He further praised the current Uttar Pradesh government and the union government, calling it a positive influence for Hindus, and using this time to "save our religion," by appealing to the government for the establishment of the board. Earlier today, the Sanatan Dharam Sansad was convened by Devkinandan Thakur Maharaj himself, during which the sansad put forth the groundwork for the constitution of the Sanatana Board, as various religious leaders raised the demand. "Today the Hindus of the country are awakened through the media. This is the right time to get a Sanatan Board. It is our right to form a Sanatan Board," said Swami Ashutoshanand. "The Waqf Board has taken over the country. Some fools have claimed that the land of Kumbh is also theirs. Now there is a need for a Sanatan Board," Swami Chinmayananda slammed the Waqf Board. Shriji Maharaj said that Sanatana Dharma Sansad will ensure what the future of our country, India, will be like and called all those demanding a Sanatan board "revolutionaries." "Not just India; we have rights over every corner of the world. A Sanatan Board will help us get back our temples. Formation of the Sanatan Board is necessary for the nation and Sanatani people," said Swami Vidyabhaskar. The draft called for the establishment of the Sanatan Hindu Board to manage, protect, and oversee Hindu temples, their properties and endowments. The proposed board will be set up as an independent body which will be responsible for maintenance of Hindu Temples. The Board will ensure protection of Vedic Sanatan worship system and tradition. It will include only those persons who believe in Hinduism and have a strong desire to serve Sanatan Traditions. (ANI) Today Becoming partly cloudy and windy after some morning rain. High 64F. Winds SW at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Gusty winds early. Low 48F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Tomorrow Cloudy skies. High 64F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. A direct flight is to be launched between Budapest and Kuwait City, courtesy of Jazeera Airways. The memorandum of understanding on this was signed in January between the airline and Budapest Airport, part of the VINCI Airports network, and the flights will operate from June to September 2025. Kuwait City, which is the seventh Middle Eastern destination with direct flights from Budapest, offers excellent connections to India and the South Asian region. Kuwaits leading low-cost carrier, Jazeera Airways, will launch a direct service between Budapest and the Kuwaiti capital in the summer of 2025, operating twice a week, on Thursdays and Saturdays, between 5 June and 25 September. The new connection will primarily benefit those who are keen to explore India and the South Asian region, and is expected to play a major role in boosting tourism to Hungary, thanks to the connectivity opportunities. Kuwait is the seventh Middle Eastern destination with direct flights from Budapest, along with Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Israel, Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Francois Berisot, the CEO of Budapest Airport, said: We are delighted to welcome Jazeera Airways to Hungary, a brand new airline joining the Budapest network. I am confident that the transfer options they offer will provide many Hungarian passengers with a long-awaited opportunity to explore India, for example, while also benefiting business travellers. Moreover, the new flight will open up new horizons for the two countries not only in tourism, but also in terms of trade and the economy. The twice weekly flight is the first scheduled, direct aerial connection between Hungary and Kuwait, and will not only open up a range of excellent connections for Hungarian passengers, but will also provide a great opportunity for tourists from Kuwait and those arriving through the country to discover Hungarys cultural values, rich history and spa culture. Visit Hungary supported Budapest Airport in launching the flight. ********************************* 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. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed the world had "changed" as they each praised US President Donald Trump's start to his new term in office. Fico said he Orban and Trump shared "common ground" after talks with his Hungarian counterpart in Bratislava. The two populist prime ministers are also known to be critical of the European Union and are widely considered Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest partners in the bloc. More: AP Archive Instead of vetoing the extension of EU sanctions against Russia, the government "bravely ran away", Tisza Party leader Peter Magyar said. Magyar said government "propaganda" explained away their about-turn as a move to protect Hungarian interests. Referring to a statement on protecting Hungary's energy interests, the opposition politician added that, having attended meetings in Brussels for seven years, "a council statement is worth as much as a ... coffee in the Brussels cafeteria: nothing." Szijjarto: Hungary withdraws veto on sanctions after receiving energy security guarantees Hungarys government decided against vetoing the renewal of European Union sanctions against Russia after receiving energy security guaranties, Peter Szijjarto, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, said in Brussel. A decision had to be made on Monday on extending the sanctions against Russia, which have cost Hungary 19 billion euros in losses over the last three years, Szijjarto told a press conference after a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. At the same time, he said, Ukraine had introduced several measures that had jeopardised the energy supplies of Hungary and other central European countries, adding that this was a matter of national security and sovereignty. A ministry statement quoted Szijjarto as saying that Hungary therefore set clear conditions for the European Commission in recent days, calling on it to protect Hungary against measures that risked undermining its energy security, to protect the TurkStream gas pipeline, Ukrainian oil transit to Europe, and convince Ukraine to restart gas deliveries, the minister said. "After lengthy negotiations ... today the European Commission gave Hungary these guarantees that are essential for the future of our energy security," Szijjarto said. "The European Commission conceded that the integrity of the energy infrastructure ensuring the supply of EU member states is a matter that concerns the security of the EU as a whole." The commission also "declared that it expects third countries such as Ukraine to respect this, and it has made it clear that it is prepared to introduce measures aimed at protecting oil and gas pipelines and power transmission lines connecting the EU and third countries," Szijjarto said. He welcomed the commission's decision to enter into talks with Ukraine on gas deliveries and that it had asked Kyiv for guarantees on maintaining oil transit shipments. "So weve achieved enormous success today in terms of Hungarys energy supply," he said, adding that the commission "has been forced to take steps to guarantee the security of Hungarys energy supply, and thats why we ultimately decided not to veto." "The most important consideration was to ensure the security of the energy supply of Hungary, the Hungarian people, families and businesses," Szijjarto said. Meanwhile, the minister said Hungary had "done its homework" and linked its gas network with six of its seven neighbouring countries, but because of its geography, further energy diversification would require more infrastructure development in the region, but this had not yet happened in some key transit countries. Because of this, he added, it was impossible for Hungary to meet its energy needs from resources other than Russia oil and gas. Also, Szijjarto said, the governments decision not to veto the extension of sanctions against Russia did not mean it would automatically approve the prolongation of sanctions against individuals when the EU votes on it in March. Magyar: Senior official during Covid 'should have no role' in Hungarian health care The current state secretary for health, who held a senior position during the Covid pandemic, bears responsibility for the third-worst mortality figures in the world, Tisza Party leader Peter Magyar said on Monday, insisting that he should have no role in Hungary's health-care system. Peter Takacs was the deputy director general of the National Hospital Directorate (OKFO) at the time, Magyar noted in a statement. The opposition politician accused the government of having spent "hundreds of billions" during the pandemic without transparency. Prime Minister Viktor Orban "and his government spent 722 billion forints of public money" without going through public procurement channels, the statement said, adding that 127 billion was spent by Takacs's former workplace, the OKFO. Also, the foreign ministry purchased 16,863 ventilators for just over 300 billion forints. Much of that consignment "is gathering dust in a warehouse to this day", he said, adding that 15 million forints was being spent each month on renting the facility. 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. Legendary Kani shawl artisan, Farooq Ahmad Mir expressed his gratitude for getting his work recognised as he was conferred the Padma Shri award on Republic Day. Highlighting that making Kani shawls is ancestral work for him, which his children have also learnt about, Ahmad Mir mentioned to ANI, "This is our ancestral work... I was conferred with the National Award after they saw the shawl... I worked on calligraphy." He further mentioned that on one of his shawls he had written the 'doha' of Kabir too. "I wrote 'Doha' of Sant Kabir on it (kani shawl)... I never thought I would get a Padma Shri... My children also learn it. I guide them now," the Artisan said. Farooq Ahmad Mir hails from Natipora area in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. He has spent over three decades perfecting the art of weaving Kani Shawls, an intricate and unique craft that has been passed down through generations. He was honoured the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu for his exceptional contribution to the preservation and promotion of the world-renowned Kani Shawl craft. The Padma awards, among the country's highest civilian honours, are conferred in three categories - Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. 'Padma Vibhushan' is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; 'Padma Bhushan' for distinguished service of high order and 'Padma Shri' for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year. These awards are conferred by the President at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year. This year's list of Padma awardees 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. Among the awardees are 23 women, and the list features 10 distinguished individuals from the Foreigners, NRI, PIO, and OCI categories, as well as 13 posthumous awardees. The recognition spans a wide array of fields, honouring exceptional contributions to the nation's progress and global standing. The awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. (ANI) A strong middle class will be "the key issue" in the coming 15-20 years, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said at the Lamfalussy Conference organised by the National Bank of Hungary (NBH) in Budapest. Orban said the value of stability and security was also appreciating and pointed to the importance of foreign policy based on connectivity and efficient state organisation for the future. Addressing the conference, dubbed The Age of Geoeconomics: Evolution of Central Banking, Orban said the era of liberalism will be replaced by a sovereigntist epoch. He said Hungary had been building sovereigntism for 15 years as the only country in the western world, adding that "the first important experience is stability and security". He noted the special importance of security in future, and said "those that cannot protect themselves are not partners, nor even allies, the most they could be is subordinates." "Retaining the capability of self defence will be crucial for each nation," he said. The focus, he said, would not be so much on the Russian-Ukrainian war but "on migration and its mathematically predictable consequences." According to Orban the next era will be one of "competition between state organisation models", adding that "the neo-liberal models are now failing". "This has already happened in America and will happen in Europe, too, and the question is what other models will emerge from other national cultures, arising from different national characteristics." Orban spoke about Hungary's "connectivity-based" foreign policy, and said "countries unwilling to link up with other major players cannot be successful; those, however, that are ready to cooperate with others will benefit from an increased weight." The prime minister said that "Hungary is usually portrayed by its liberal opponents as an isolated country, however, in the whole of Europe, Hungary nurtures the best ties with the new Republican administration in the United States, and with China and Russia." "Hungary is not isolated but the European Union, which had a quarrel with the new US administration, cut itself off from China through launching a customs war as well as from Russia, with which it is at war," he added. "We are walking the main avenue of history, while the EU stumbles away in muddy side streets," he said. Meanwhile, Orban noted the necessity of a strong middle class and augured serious social upheaval in the coming decades and said only those countries in which those problems would not cause political instability, in which the middle class was an "unshakable" foundation for the social order, could be successful. He said Hungary had not allow a liberal model of state organisation to weaken the middle class as in the West. Since 2010, he added, Hungary's government has worked to create a strong middle class, boosting the number of employed by 1 million. The rate of employment among active-age Hungarians has gone up from 64 percent to 81 percent during the period, he said, adding that the financial assets of households had quadrupled, to 90,000 billion forints, the 13th highest amount in the EU. He said that accumulation had been the result of the government's "middle class policy" rather than "accumulation through generations because that was impossible under the communist regime". Orban said 9 out of 10 Hungarians lived in properties of their own, and small ventures had doubled their revenues in a period of ten years, reaching 20,000 billion forints. The Hungarian government was able to strengthen the country's middle class "amid financial sanctions imposed by Brussels' bureaucracy over Hungary's strong ties with US Republicans" and the Hungarian economy "losing out on 19.5 billion euros in three years due to the Russia-Ukraine war". The prime minister said 60-70 percent of employees had benefitted from higher real wages "each year since 2010 with the exception of 2023, when real wages decreased because of the war". Putting an end to the war and "the success of efforts taken by the new US administration is in a crucial, everyday, economic interest of Hungary." The Hungarian government hopes that "there will be peace and world politics will turn into a sovereigntist direction, and a great US-Hungary economic deal could be signed, which will then give momentum to the Hungarian economy," Orban said. Each country "may consider itself as the centre of the universe", Orban said, adding that all nations, including Hungary "need to find ways to ensure survival and prosperity in this new world." "There are good chances that Hungary will find its own place in a new, evolving global economy," he added. The euro, in its current form, benefits strong and competitive economies, but does not contribute to strengthening emerging economies, Orban said. He added that Hungary had not adopted the euro on the advice of Sandor Lamfalussy, the "father of the euro", who said joining the euro zone in an unprepared state "would be murder". He said that Lamfalussy had foreseen the emergence of a common fiscal policy parallel with the rollout of the euro, but added that even Lamfalussy himself could not say how much time was necessary for the common fiscal policy to be established. Since the introduction of the euro, the productivity and competitiveness of the United States has outpaced that of the euro zone, he said. Since 2000 US GDP has grown by around 170 percent, while that of the euro zone has risen by 140 percent, he added. Orban said that a "proactive liberal journalist" had once asked Lamfalussy if he was a Christian, to which he replied "I try, but I don't always succeed". He added that the anecdote was a reminder that Christianity was not a theory but a practice, one that could have a place in finance policy, too. Orban said the world had changed so much in the past ten years, since he first addressed the Lamfalussy Conference, that it had become "nearly unrecognisable". Orban praised the work of Gyorgy Matolcsy, whose mandate as central bank governor will end soon, and said his more than ten years at the helm of the NBH had put him among the greatest of his predecessors. Orban also acknowledged the efforts of the US economist Jeffrey Sachs, a keynote speaker at the conference, to advance the convergence of central European economies. Orban said there had long been a consensus on the need for connectivity among Hungarians. He added that the same "globalists" who had once pressed for the opening of borders now advocated blocs, isolation and war, with "Geroge Soros in the lead". He said "globalists" who had "earned a living" with the spread of neoliberal principles 30 years earlier were now making money with war. Professor Sachs, he added, always took the stand that mutually beneficial free trade, cooperation and connectivity could make the world a better more peaceful place. "Over the past 30 years, we have come from the discord of Washington to the Budapest consensus," he said, referring to the end of the "liberal Washington consensus" started years earlier and now finalised with the victory of Donald Trump. Lamfalussy Conference - Orban: Euro good for strong countries, but not emerging economies The euro, in its current form, benefits strong and competitive economies, but does not contribute to strengthening emerging economies, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said at the Lamfalussy Conference in Budapest on Monday. Orban said Hungary had not adopted the euro on the advice of Sandor Lamfalussy, the "father of the euro", who said joining the eurozone in an unprepared state "would be murder". He added that even Lamfalussy himself could not say how much time was necessary for a common fiscal policy to be established parallel with the rollout of the euro. Orban: Liberalism to be replaced by sovereigntist era The era of liberalism will be replaced by a sovereigntist era, the prime minister told the Lamfalussy Conference organised by the National Bank of Hungary in Budapest. Viktor Orban said Hungary had been building sovereigntism for 15 years as the only country in the western world, adding that "the first important experience is stability and security". He noted the special importance of security in future, and said "those that cannot protect themselves are not partners, nor even allies, the most they could be is subordinates." "Retaining the capability of self defence will be crucial for each nation," he said. Each country will need to find ways "to ensure our survival and prosperity in this new world," Orban 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. If you or someone close to you is experiencing a mental health crisis, call this 'first aid' number in Hungary 116-123 free of charge from your phone. There are not many mental health support services in Hungary, but there are a few other helplines available. In an emergency you can also call 104 and ask for the nearest hospital emergency department. More related services are listed here https://www.bros.global/referralhungary ********************************* 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. Authorities interrupted a neo-Nazi event disguised as a film shoot in a warehouse in Budaors on December 21, Telex reports. The property had been rented under the guise of a film shoot by the Nordic Sun Cultural Foundation but it turned out to be a gathering for far-right extremists. The event, organised by the foundation for the Nordic Sun Records Budapest label, featured two foreign anti-Semitic bands. Law enforcement agents, including police officers, tax officials, and government personnel, appeared at the event, where neo-Nazis from abroad were also present. After a lengthy inspection, the tax authority initiated proceedings against the company running the concerts buffet, while the foundation was fined by the government office for fire safety violations. The event, a covert neo-Nazi gathering, was shut down by the authorities. ********************************* 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. Nobel laureate economist James Heckman outlined strategies to address the fertility crisis - alleviating childcare burdens, providing economic support to young people, and empowering womenduring a lecture at Corvinus Uni. The address, delivered at the honorary doctorate ceremony, coincided with an international workshop that brought together leading scholars to discuss declining fertility rates and potential solutions. Heckman, renowned for his groundbreaking work on social mobility, skill development, and early childhood investment, was awarded the title of Doctor et Professor Honoris Causa by Corvinus University rector Bruno van Pottelsberghe. The ceremony, held in mid-December, underscored the deepening collaboration between Corvinus and Heckmans Center for the Economics of Human Development at the University of Chicago. Demographic Challenges and Policy Solutions In his lecture, Heckman examined the complex demographic trends reshaping societies worldwide, including falling fertility rates in developed nations, aging populations, and high youth unemployment in regions with higher fertility. He stressed that traditional economic models fail to capture the multifaceted nature of these challenges, calling for policies that address the interplay of social, economic, and cultural factors. Heckman identified five drivers behind fertility declines: the rising costs of higher education and delayed parenthood, evolving social norms viewing parenthood as a personal choice, economic pressures like housing costs and job insecurity, cultural and media influences, and environmental concerns, including climate change. Despite the obstacles, Heckman outlined three areas where targeted interventions could make a difference: 1. Investing in Education and Parental Support: Drawing on Scandinavian models, Heckman noted that public funding for childcare, education, and parental assistance correlates with higher fertility rates. 2. Providing Economic Assistance to Young People: Policies aimed at improving housing affordability and job security can encourage young adults to start families. 3. Empowering Women: Equal pay, expanded training opportunities, and equitable domestic responsibility-sharing can help women balance careers and family life effectively. Workshop Focuses on Fertility Challenges and Policy Solutions The honorary doctorate ceremony was followed by a two-day workshop, Fertility Challenges: From Pronatalist Policies to Social Norms, co-organized by the Corvinus Institute for Advanced Studies and Heckmans center at the University of Chicago. This event marked the first in-person meeting of a long-term research collaboration launched in 2023 to explore the causes of fertility decline and develop actionable solutions. The workshop featured interdisciplinary discussions on global and regional fertility trends, the effectiveness of pronatalist policies, the influence of societal norms and media, and changing patterns of sexual behavior. Participants included demographers, economists, and policymakers, whose insights aim to inform future research and policy frameworks. ********************************* 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. Prime Minister Viktor Orban will on Tuesday travel to the United Arab Emirates on a two-day official visit, his press chief has said. He will hold talks with Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the UAE, Bertalan Havasi said on Monday. Orban is scheduled to take part at a business breakfast with local business leaders. Members of the Hungarian delegation include representatives of companies in the energy, finance, IT and telecommunications sectors, and in the defence industry. This is the first time for a Hungarian prime minister to pay an official visit to the UAE, said Havasi. Meanwhile, Orban: Hungary backs Georgia in dispute with Brussels Prime Minister Viktor Orban received Salva Papuasvili, the Georgian parliament's speaker, in Budapest on Monday, and they discussed political cooperation as well as economic and energy ties, the PM's press chief said in a statement. Orban called for a stop to "the attacks by Brussels and the Soros network against the pro-peace Georgian government", Bertalan Havasi said in the statement. The prime minister also said the EU financing of opponents of the Tbilisi government must be halted. Georgia, he added, was ready for EU membership and should be allowed to join as soon as possible. The officials agreed that Hungary-Georgia ties "are based on shared values", including their "common cultural and Christian heritage and a commitment to peace". Economic cooperation should better reflect the level of political relations, the prime minister said, adding that bilateral investment and business relations and trade should be expanded in the future, the statement said. Speaker: Hungary continues to support Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity Hungary will continue to support Georgia in maintaining its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Speaker of Parliament Laszlo Kover said after signing a cooperation and partnership agreement with Georgian counterpart Shalva Papuashvili in Budapest. "With this agreement, cooperation between the parliaments of Hungary and Georgia has been elevated to the same strategic level at which bilateral governmental ties have been maintained since 2022. It also symbolises the friendship built between Hungary and Georgia based on common interests and traditions," Kover said. The speaker said he was convinced that cooperation would help to advance Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration. Hungary's legislature will help Georgia in its endeavours by sharing its own recent experiences, he said. EU countries and institutions must respect Georgia's sovereignty in this process, he said, adding that Hungary would work to ensure that they do so. Any interference in Georgia's domestic affairs "is unacceptable", Kover said, adding that Hungary, even as an EU member state, had been forced to endure similar EU forays into his affairs as Georgia had suffered. The EU, he added, was likely to change its stance in light of the outcome of the US presidential election. Fulfilling the criteria for EU membership was a matter of objective facts rather than ideological prejudices, the speaker said. Given Georgia's economic development and growth, it would be the best-prepared candidate by the end of the decade, he said, adding that Hungary would use all means at its disposal to ensure that Georgia "becomes a full EU member sooner rather than later". Papuasvili thanked Hungary for its "friendly support and help", and called it "a great honour" to visit Hungary. Today's discussions embraced specific security and political issues, he said, thanking Hungary for its support for Georgia's sovereignty. Centuries-old bilateral relations "are based on European values", he said, also noting the Hungarian prime minister's visit to Georgia just after the 2024 general election. 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. On display until 23 February 2025. The Galimberti couple were seminal figures of twentieth-century modern Hungarian painting, but their promising careers were abruptly ended by their tragic deaths upon the threshold of international success. From Hungarian National Gallery Team: Our exhibition, realised within the framework of the Liszt Fest International Cultural Festival, is the most comprehensive presentation of the oeuvres of the two artists so far. The oeuvre of Sandor Galimberti and Valeria Denes is scattered and largely missing, with barely more than forty of their paintings having survived. An exhibition of the art of Sandor Galimberti was organised in his hometown, Kaposvar, in 2002 but the number of works known by him has significantly increased in the two decades since then, and recent research has fundamentally rewritten the story and importance of this peculiarly entwined double oeuvre. In addition to previously unknown paintings that have emerged on the art market in the past quarter of a century, an early Galimberti still life, previously only recorded by its title, was also found during the preparations for the exhibition and now, after missing for 110 years, it is presented to the public for the first time. Research carried out before the exhibition has also revealed that several paintings previously attributed to Sandor Galimberti are not his works but those of his wife, Valeria Denes. Our exhibition seeks to present the complete GalimbertiDenes material known thus far. In addition, the works that have survived in the estate of the Kaposvar-born painters father, Luigi Galimberti, as well as the rich collection of paintings and graphic art coming from the hometown of Galimbertis first wife, the Czech Maria Lanov, also have their Hungarian debut now. The displayed material comprises 85 paintings and graphic pieces as well as numerous documents. The activity of the Galimbertis spanned from plein air naturalism through art nouveau and fauvism to cubism, and, in a certain sense, to futurism. The couple made a similarly extensive journey on the map of Europe, travelling from Kaposvar through Nagybanya (now Baia Mare), all the way to Paris, Belgium and, finally, to the Netherlands. The exhibition, therefore, also presents the places that played an important role in their lives. In Paris, the Galimbertis learnt from the most modern painters of the day and directly worked together with some of them; for example, Valeria Denes was a pupil of Henri Matisse. They exhibited their works at the Salon in Paris almost every year; moreover, in 1914, just before the outbreak of World War I, they had a solo show in Montmartre, at the legendary Galerie Berthe Weill, from where the careers of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, among others, had taken off. When World War I broke out, the artist couple lived in France, from where they fled to the Netherlands to escape internment. Although the requisition of their studio in Paris and the loss of the great majority of their works was a major blow for them, they were able to continue their lives and work in the Netherlands under reassuring conditions. However, Sandor Galimberti could not bear the thought of not defending his homeland while war was waged in Europe, so the couple travelled back to Hungary in spring 1915. He was drafted and was about to leave for the front in July, when his wife contracted pneumonia and died only a few days later. On the day of Valeria Deness funeral, Sandor Galimberti took his army revolver and shot himself in the heart behind the Kunsthalle. Even though barely any documents have survived about the Galimbertis and only a few photographs of them are known, the most important pieces of the available archival material are displayed at our exhibition. Of these, the most important sources regarding research are the letters predominantly written by Valeria Denes , which are published in their entirety for the first time in the catalogue. Highlighted among these at the exhibition is the most poignant document of the oeuvre: Sandor Galimbertis suicide note. The entwined and abruptly ended oeuvre of the Galimbertis is presented chronologically, and similarly to the curators other exhibitions , a prominent role is given to lost works. The WANTED section includes enlarged black-and-white archival photographs of the more significant missing paintings, drawing attention to the painful gaps in the oeuvre in the hope that they might surface one day. The last exhibition hall takes visitors behind the scenes of the research, revealing further exciting discoveries. A large part of the displayed works are loans from public collections, while diverse material was also contributed by private collectors. The exhibition is accompanied by a richly illustrated 370-page catalogue, which can be regarded as the first major GalimbertiDenes monograph. More: Hungarian National Gallery New Delhi: Hyundai Motor India on Tuesday said its consolidated profit after tax declined 19 per cent to Rs 1,161 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2024, hit by subdued demand and geo-political factors. The auto major had reported a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs 1,425 crore in the October-December period of last fiscal. Total revenue from operations declined to Rs 16,648 crore in the third quarter as against Rs 16,875 crore in the year-ago period. The decline in margins was mainly due to subdued demand & geo-political factors, the company said. "While the challenges persist in the overall market due to global factors, our business fundamentals remain strong, and we remain confident in our ability to leverage our strengths and actively explore potential opportunities to improve our volumes and profitability," Hyundai Motor India Managing Director Unsoo Kim said. The company said it sold a total of 1,86,408 units of passenger vehicles during the third quarter, a dip of 2 per cent as compared with 1,90,979 units in the same period of last fiscal. The sales in the third quarter of this fiscal include 1,46,022 units in the domestic market with a strong contribution from the SUV segment, it added. Hyundai said it has achieved its highest-ever CNG penetration during the quarter, reaching 15 per cent which was 12 per cent in the third quarter of the previous year. During the quarter, the automaker said it has demonstrated robust growth in rural penetration reaching 21.2 per cent compared to 19.7 per cent in the same period last year. The export volume stood at 40,386 units, it added. The company has a positive outlook on growing EV penetration in India and is headed towards electrification with a holistic approach, it added. Hyundai believes that the newly launched Creta Electric will drive phenomenal success, build strong momentum and will be a game-changer in the EV landscape, it said. Mumbai: Equity benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty began the trade on an optimistic note on Tuesday, mainly due to heavy buying in banking stocks after the Reserve Bank of India announced measures to inject liquidity into the banking system. The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 382.53 points or 0.51 per cent to 75,748.70 in the morning trade. The NSE Nifty advanced 55.90 points or 0.24 per cent to 22,885.05. Among the Sensex shares, Infosys, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv, Zomato, HCL Technologies, IndusInd Bank and Tata Consultancy Services were among the gainers. Sun Pharmaceuticals, NTPC, PowerGrid, Adani Ports, Mahindra & Mahindra, UltraTech Cement, Reliance Industries and ITC, were among the laggards. "The Indian market appears to be oversold and is set for a rebound. The RBI's announcement of measures to boost liquidity in the banking system by around Rs 1.5 trillion is positive for the market. "This raises the prospects of a rate cut by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in the February policy meeting. Banks are likely to benefit," V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services, said. On Monday, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said it will purchase government securities worth Rs 60,000 crore in three tranches and announced several other steps to inject liquidity into the banking system. As part of measures to manage liquidity conditions, the central bank also announced a USD/INR Buy/Sell Swap auction of USD 5 billion for a tenor of six months to be held on January 31, 2025. To inject liquidity, RBI said Open Market Operations (OMO) purchase auctions of the government of India securities for an aggregate amount of Rs 60,000 crore in three tranches of Rs 20,000 crore each will be held on January 30, February 13, and February 20. Besides, a 56-day Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction for a notified amount of Rs 50,000 crore will be held on February 7. In Asian markets, Tokyo is trading in the positive territory while Hong Kong is quoting in the green zone. Markets in South Korea and Shanghai were closed for the holidays. US markets ended lower in overnight deals on Monday. "The DeepSeek impact on the US stock market in general, and the tech stocks in particular, has turned out to be a reality check for the overvalued stock market. In the medium term this is likely to have a sobering effect on markets, globally, Vijayakumar added. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 5,015.46 crore on Monday, according to exchange data. International oil benchmark Brent crude rose 0.06 per cent to USD 77.13 a barrel. On Monday, the 30-share BSE barometer plunged by 824.29 points to close at 75,366.17 while the broader 50-share Nifty dropped by 263.05 points to close at 22,829.15, tanking below the 23,000 level for the first time since June 6, 2024. Baghpat Accident: At least seven people lost their lives and over 60 others, including Jain disciples and police personnel, sustained injuries in a tragic stampede triggered by the collapse of a makeshift stage during the Nirvana Laddoo Parv on Tuesday. The event was held in honor of Bhagwan Adinath, the first Tirthankara in Jainism. The stage collapsed on Tuesday morning, causing widespread chaos and panic among the attendees. Several women and children were among those injured in the incident, which unfolded at the crowded religious gathering. Rescue operations commenced immediately to extricate those trapped under the debris. "A machaan (makeshift platform collapsed during the 'Laddu Mahotsav' program of the Jain community in Baraut. As per the information coming in, about 20-25 people were injured. Some had general injuries and received first aid before being sent home. 2-3 people are seriously injured, who are undergoing treatment in nearby hospitals," Baghpat SP Arpit Vijayvargiya told ANI. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences and directed local authorities to provide urgent relief to the injured. He also wished for their speedy recovery. Baghpat District Magistrate Asmita Lal and Superintendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya visited the district hospital to assess the condition of the injured and oversee relief efforts. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma questioned giving "special provisions" to any particular religious group despite India being a secular nation and congratulating the people of Uttarakhand on the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand became the first state in the country to implement Uniform Civil Code on January 27. Dhami called it a "historic moment for Uttarakhand" and also announced January 27 will be celebrated as "UCC Diwas." Speaking to ANI on UCC implementation, Chhattisgarh Dy CM Vijay Sharma mentioned that the Constitution talks about India being a secular nation. "It is written in the Constitution that we are a secular nation. So when there is secularism, then how can there be special provisions for any particular religion hence it is good to have UCC. I congratulate everyone that it has been implemented in Uttarakhand," the Dy CM told ANI. CM Dhami on Monday unveiled the UCC notification and became the first person to register his marriage on the newly launched UCC Portal. At a ceremony held at Mukhya Sevak Sadan at the CM's residence, the Chief Minister unveiled the UCC notification, inaugurated the UCC portal (ucc.uk.gov.in), and released the UCC Rulebook too. During the event, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi handed over the first UCC marriage registration certificate to the Chief Minister, who personally registered his marriage under the UCC. The CM also distributed certificates to the first five applicants who registered under the UCC Act. Speaking to ANI, Rawat expressed her support, saying, "I want to congratulate Uttarakhand and the Chief Minsiter. Everyone should do this (register). This is a good start. We will slowly see what benefits we get eventually." Chief Minister Dhami highlighted that an expert committee drafted the UCC after consulting 2.35 lakh individuals and stated that by implementing the UCC, the state government is paying tribute to the Constitution's architect, Dr BR Ambedkar, and all members of the Constituent Assembly. While making the announcement, the Chief Minister expressed his connection with the 1.25 crore residents of Uttarakhand, stating that it is a moment of pride and joy for him. He added that the implementation of the UCC has ensured equal constitutional and civil rights for all citizens, including women of all religions. Under this, marriage can be solemnised only between those parties, none of whom has a living spouse, both are mentally capable of giving legal permission, the man should have completed at least 21 years of age and the woman 18 years of age and they should not be in the ambit of prohibited relationships. Marriage rituals can be performed in any form under religious customs or legal provisions, but it is mandatory to register marriages taking place after the implementation of the Act within 60 days. (ANI) Following the visit of several senior Pakistani military officers to Bangladesh, a new terror plan involving the two countries has surfaced. The reason behind the visit was not known earlier, but now, ZEE News has learned about the true purpose behind their visit. According to exclusive information obtained by Zee News, senior Pakistani military officials visited various locations in Bangladesh over four days. These areas include Coxs Bazar, Ukhiya, Teknaf, Nakdarsur, Maulvi Bazar, Habiganj, Sherpur, Jamalpur, and Dinajpur. During their visit, Pakistani military and intelligence officers, along with Bangladeshi Quartermaster Lieutenant General Faizul, toured these regions. Notably, ISI representatives also visited the Rangpur area in Bangladesh, which is located near Indias strategic Chicken Neck, or Siliguri Corridor. Why did the Pakistani officials choose these specific areas in Bangladesh? What plans do they have for Coxs Bazar and Ukhiya? ZEE News has addressed these questions and tried to find the answers in todays episode of DNA. Watch Full Episode Here Around 34 years ago, the Indian Army and Sheikh Mujibur Rahmans Mukti Bahini freed East Pakistan from Pakistan's grasp, leading to the birth of independent Bangladesh. Now, Pakistani military representatives have returned to Bangladesh, visiting regions that were pivotal during the 1971 war, including Maulvi Bazar and Ukhiya, which were key witnesses to the Pakistani surrender. The Pakistani armys visit to Maulvi Bazar and Ukhiya was not to reflect on their humiliating past but rather to further their plans to spread anti-India terrorism in these strategically important areas. These regions, as significant as they were during the 1971 war, continue to hold immense military value today. During the 1971 war, Mukti Bahini launched major offensives in Maulvi Bazar, Ukhiya, and Dinajpur against the Pakistani army. These areas are surrounded by narrow rivers and canals, making it difficult for the enemy to launch counterattacks. Additionally, these regions are home to dense forests, providing cover for armed groups to hide and operate. Zee News has also learned that the Pakistani military has sent 67 highly trained terrorists to these areas. These terrorists are reportedly training operatives of Harakat-ul-Jihad-Islami, as well as cadres of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladeshs student wing, in terror tactics. With the proximity of these areas to the Indian border, their dense forests and rivers, and the presence of Pakistani-trained terror operatives, it is evident that Pakistan is planning terrorist operations against India from the very land that saw the birth of Bangladeshs independence in 1971. A major error has surfaced during the ongoing land survey in Bihar, where the government is digitizing land records. In Ara district, the digital crop survey has mistakenly marked the location of 45,000 plots thousands of kilometers away in the Indian Ocean. This error has caused panic among landowners, with a majority of the affected being farmers. The issue has been traced to inaccuracies in the DCS app used by the Agriculture Department. The problem stems from technical glitches in latitude and longitude data. Due to this error, hundreds of acres of land in 14 blocks of Ara district are showing up as located 12,000 kilometers away in the Indian Ocean, near Sri Lanka. The issue came to light when a plots location was checked for verification, and the app indicated its position in the Indian Ocean instead of Ara. Similarly, a plot in Tenduni village of Bichla Jungle Mahal Panchayat, Jagdishpur block, was also recorded in the Indian Ocean. Several other plots showed similar discrepancies during verification. Plots with incorrect latitude and longitude data could not be uploaded to the system. The digital crop survey, which began on December 20, aims to collect scientific data on agricultural land to ensure that farmers receive the benefits of government schemes. However, this technical error has left 45,000 plot owners uncertain about their land records. Hyderabad Crime: An ex-serviceman allegedly murdered his wife, dismembered her body, crushed her bones into powder and flushed down the remains in a toilet, all during a day-long 'operation', police said on Tuesday after arresting the accused. Giving the chilling details of the crime, police described the act as "rarest of rare" and of "barbaric nature". Rachakonda Commissioner Sudheer Babu said P Gurumurthy (39) was arrested after he gave a "confessional" statement that he killed his wife and then cut her body into small parts, boiled them and later burnt them before crushing the bones into powder. The accused left his two children at a relative's house with an intention to murder his wife Madhavi (35). On January 16, he had an argument with her and later smashed her head against the wall due to which she fell down, Babu told reporters here. The accused later strangulated the hapless victim to death. Seeking to cover up the murder, he cut his wife's body into small parts, which he placed in a bucket. He then heated the water using a water heater, boiled the parts, and later burnt them on the single burner gas stove, the police official said. After that, the accused crushed the bones with a stone roller into powder. The bone powder and small pieces of flesh were disposed of in the toilet, flushed with water several times. The leftover small bones (remnants) were kept in the household trash bin, intending to be disposed of later. To minimise the foul smell while burning, he kept the doors and kitchen windows open. He carried out the grisly act of disposing of the body from 10 AM to around 6 PM on January 16. Later, he cleaned up the bathroom by using detergent and phenyl to remove any traces of evidence. "I am not able to understand how a person can behave like this. It is ultimate stature of barbaric nature. Utterly, rarest of rare ways of killing a person," the Commissioner told reporters. Gurumuthy is a native of Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh and was employed as a security guard with a defence establishment here. He had even accompanied his in-laws when they lodged a complaint with the Meerpet police on January 18. Police had registered a 'woman missing' FIR then. Later, during police interrogation, Gurumurthy told them he had killed his wife and dismembered her body, following which the investigation was expedited. The accused had also dumped some remnants of the body parts at a nearby lake, the police official said. The accused had also brought his children home and told them that their mother had gone somewhere when they asked about her whereabouts. The accused also tried to mislead the police and did not show any remorse, the official said. Police, who said the murder was planned, said the accused also confessed his crime to a relative. Scientific evidence was collected in the murder which would be submitted to court, the top official said. The police commissioner said the probe would be completed soon and a chargesheet would be filed. Based on the confession of the accused, the case has been altered from a woman missing to a murder on January 28 and his arrest was made, a police release said. Police began an investigation into the case after the mother of the deceased woman lodged a complaint on January 18 that her daughter was missing. The complainant had stated that her daughter Madhavi had left the house after a quarrel with her husband on January 16. During investigation, police, who verified CCTV footage of the house, found that Gurumurthy and Madhavi went inside the house on January 15 night. As per the footage, there was no evidence of Madhavi going out, they said. Amid escalating tensions surrounding the water quality of the Yamuna River, a fresh war of words has emerged between Delhi and Haryana. Delhi Jal Board (DJB) CEO Shilpa Shinde responded strongly to accusations made by Arvind Kejriwal and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, who accused the Haryana government of releasing poison into the river. Kejriwal's Accusations of 'Biological Warfare' On Monday, Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP-led Haryana government, claiming that the state was polluting the Yamunas raw water supply to Delhi. Kejriwal compared the alleged pollution to biological warfare and warned that it could potentially lead to mass casualties in the capital city. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi also weighed in on the matter, accusing Haryana of deliberately discharging industrial waste into the river, further fueling the political debate. Delhi Jal Board CEO Denies Allegations In response, Shilpa Shinde, CEO of the Delhi Jal Board, dismissed the allegations as factually incorrect, without basis, and misleading. In a formal letter to Delhis Chief Secretary Dharmendra, Shinde clarified that such claims were harmful not only to public confidence but also to interstate relations between Delhi and Haryana. She urged that such statements, which she described as "fear-mongering," could have damaging consequences and requested the issue be referred to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. Shindes letter emphasized that the water quality of the Yamuna fluctuates naturally during the winter months. Reduced water flow, combined with untreated sewage or industrial waste entering the river upstream, leads to an increase in ammonia levels. Shinde assured that the Delhi Jal Boards water treatment plants are fully equipped to handle ammonia concentrations up to 1 ppm and even higher levels, such as the 6.5 ppm currently being recorded. The DJB's water treatment processes are designed to manage such conditions by diluting the river water with supplies from the Carrier Lined Channel and Delhi Sub-Branch. While acknowledging that the untreated sewage upstream exacerbates the situation, Shinde mentioned that the Haryana government is taking steps to address the problem. Among these measures is the installation of new pipelines to meet the National Green Tribunal's directives, aimed at improving the water quality in the Yamuna and reducing pollution levels. Impact on Interstate Relations and Public Confidence Shindes letter underscored the potential damage such allegations could inflict on the relationship between Delhi and Haryana, both politically and diplomatically. The Delhi Jal Boards efforts in managing the water supply and treatment processes were also highlighted to assure the public that there is no immediate threat to water safety in the city. Haryana Chief Minister Refutes Accusations Haryanas Chief Minister, Nayab Saini, quickly countered the allegations, accusing the Delhi government of deflecting blame for its own shortcomings. Saini stated that the AAP government often points fingers at other states for its failure to address local issues. He denied any deliberate pollution of the river, further intensifying the political back-and-forth. #WATCH | Delhi | "...Arvind Kejriwal should immediately apologize to the people of Haryana and Delhi for his statement, otherwise, we will file a defamation suit against him...", says Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini on Arvind Kejriwal's allegations that BJP ruled Haryana has pic.twitter.com/4MBuhAqRwd ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2025 The debate over the Yamuna's water quality has become a key political issue as Delhi prepares for the upcoming February 5 Assembly elections. Delhi Assembly Elections: Slamming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for failing to clean the Yamuna River, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made a huge claim on Tuesday, saying that the river was smelling like a sewer. While addressing a public gathering in Mangolpuri Assembly Constituency, Yogi Adityanath attacked the AAP and said that the party will soon be ousted from the national capital and freed of its sins. When I was coming from Ghaziabad to Delhi today. Yamuna ji, which was once a symbol of faith for all of us, there was a foul smell coming from there, it smelled like sewer. The people who have suffered the sins of the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi will be freed of their sins soon...There is only one way to get rid of this, a BJP government should be formed in Delhi as well," the UP CM said. #WATCH | Delhi: While addressing a public gathering in Mangolpuri Assembly Constituency, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says "...When I was coming from Ghaziabad to Delhi today. Yamuna ji, which was once a symbol of faith for all of us, there was a foul smell coming from there, pic.twitter.com/jZVqtYTRkN ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2025 Fresh claims from Yogi Adityanath come a day after the AAP accused the Haryana government of draining industrial waste into the Yamuna river. On Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accused the ruling BJP in Haryana of "intentionally" draining industrial waste into the Yamuna, an act that she termed "water terrorism", prompting AAP supremo Kejriwal to allege that the saffron party is trying to kill people by mixing "poison" in the river. The AAP leaders' fresh accusation escalated the ongoing war of words between the Kejriwal-led party and the BJP ahead of the Delhi election. Hitting back at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said it is their old habit of blaming others and then running away, while asserting that the people of Delhi will teach them a lesson in the February 5 Assembly polls. Delhi is set to go to polls on February 5 and the votes will be counted on February 8. The national capital is set to witness a three-cornered fight between the ruling AAP, the BJP and the Congress. The AAP is seeking a third term in power while the BJP and the Congress are going all out against the ruling party to oust it from the national capital. (With PTI Inputs) Kolkata: After Maharashtra recorded one death and 110 suspected cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome, the West Bengal Health Department on Tuesday said that there is nothing to panic about the neurological disorder in the state. A statement by state Health Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam claimed that Guillain Barre Syndrome is nothing new. According to him, there had been sporadic reports of people getting affected by Guillain Barre Syndrome. However, he added, that in West Bengal, there is nothing to panic about since neither this is a new disease nor there had been fresh reports of new individuals getting affected by it in the state since December 2024. He also said that his claims have also been confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to Nigam, generally, kids below 15 years of age are being affected by this disease. However, Nigam added the state Health Department's medical teams are keeping a tab on the situation. Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a rapid-onset muscle weakness caused by the immune system damaging the peripheral nervous system. Earlier this week, Maharashtra reported the first death of Guillain Barre Syndrome. On Monday night, the Maharashtra government urged the people not to panic over the situation and to visit any government hospital in case any symptoms on this count surface. As per the figures available, of the 110 reported cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome in Maharashtra, 88 are from Pune, 15 from Pimpri and the remaining seven are from other districts. Out of the 110 reported cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome in Maharashtra, 73 are men and 37 are women. A total of 13 of them are currently on ventilators. At least five fishermen were injured, two of them critically, after the Sri Lankan navy opened fire at them in the proximity of Delft Island during the early hours of Tuesday. Following the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) protested the incident strongly and summoned the Sri Lankan envoy in New Delhi. The Sri Lankan Navy on Tuesday apprehended 13 Indian fishermen in the proximity of Delft Island. Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Priyanga Wickramasinghe, was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). At the same time, the Indian High Commission in Colombo also raised the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sri Lankan government. The MEA issued a statement expressing concern over the incident. "Out of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two have sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital, it said. Three other fishermen received minor injuries and have been treated for the same. Indian Consulate Officials in Jaffna have visited the injured fishermen at the hospital to seek their welfare and are extending all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families," the statement further read. The detained fishermen, hailing from Rameswaram and Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu, were taken to Jaffna, where they are expected to face judicial proceedings, as reported by news agency IANS. Their mechanised fishing boat was also seized. The total number of Tamil Nadu fishermen detained by Sri Lankan authorities in the last three days now stands at 47, with three high-value mechanised boats also confiscated. The recurring arrests highlight the challenges faced by Tamil Nadus fishing community, particularly in the Palk Bay region, where fishermen frequently face detentions while pursuing their livelihoods. "Government of India has always emphasised the need to treat issues pertaining to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner, keeping in mind livelihood concerns. The use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances whatsoever. Existing understandings between the two Governments in this regard must be strictly observed," the MEA statement added. India had raised the issue during Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake's visit to India last month. However, despite these discussions, the arrests continue, prompting frustration and fear among fishermen. Since June 2024, the Sri Lankan Navy has detained 425 Tamil Nadu fishermen and also seized 58 fishing boats. (With agency Inputs) Almost a month after India announced financial aid to Maldives to help the island nation recover from the economic crisis, New Delhi is reportedly reconsidering the assistance to the island nation. The move came after President Mohamed Muizzu's government went ahead of the free trade agreement with China, said a report. According to a report by the Economic Times, the Mladives-China FTA will not only lead to revenue losses to the island nation but also result in trade imbalance in the region. Maldives is likely to lose around $30-40 million per annum in customs fees due to the FTA. Not only this, Maldives has also agreed to a trade agreement with Turkey, resulting in similar custom revenue losses. While India has extended immediate relief to the Maldives, concerns remain regarding long-term debt sustainability due to a lack of transparency about the country's debt levels and the absence of substantial economic reforms under President Mohamed Muizzu, according to an ET report. India provided budgetary support to the Maldives by extending the rollover of a $50 million Treasury Bill for another year at the request of the Maldivian government, the Indian High Commission in the Maldives announced in September last year. This marked the second such rollover by India in 2023, following a similar extension in May 2024. In October 2024, India agreed to provide substantial financial support to the Maldives to bolster its ailing economy. The package includes a $400 million currency swap deal, along with an additional 30 billion rupees ($357 million; 273 million) in another swap arrangement, enabling businesses to conduct transactions in local currencies instead of US dollars. While India has been generous in its aid to Maldives, the Muizzu government has failed to take steps to revive its economy, feel experts. During President Muizzu's visit to India last October, both countries agreed to begin discussions on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) focused on the trade of goods and services. With just a few days remaining before the crucial Delhi Assembly elections, both the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have intensified their campaigns. Arvind Kejriwal, the national convenor of AAP, has been leading the charge, emphasizing his partys welfare programs, including 24-hour free electricity, quality education, and healthcare for Delhi residents. Kejriwal accused the BJP of misusing public funds to provide loans to the rich, warning that a BJP victory would result in the termination of current public services. He compared his partys welfare-driven model with the BJPs approach, arguing that AAPs focus on free electricity, water, and healthcare is aimed at benefiting the common people, while the BJP's policies favor the wealthy. At a rally in Jangpura, Kejriwal urged voters to support AAP for zero electricity bills and cautioned that if the BJP wins, they would end subsidies. He also promised residents of Jangpura direct access to government officials, ensuring quicker resolution of their issues. On the other hand, BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, have ramped up their criticism of Kejriwals leadership, accusing him of corruption, broken promises, and poor governance. Shah pointed to issues like waterlogging, contaminated water, and garbage as signs of AAPs failed administration. He also accused Kejriwal of insulting Purvanchali voters and alleged that AAP was bribing voters with money. As the election day approaches, the rivalry between AAP and BJP intensifies, with both parties vying for control of the 70-member Delhi Assembly. Voting is set for February 5, and the results will be announced on February 8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the United States to meet President Donald Trump. A statement issued by the White House, after the two leaders exchanged their views on multiple subjects during a telephone conversation, said that there was discussion about plans for PM Modi to visit the White House. "Today, US President Donald Trump held a productive call with PM Modi. The two leaders discussed expanding and deepening cooperation. They also discussed a range of regional issues, including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe," said the statement. US President Donald Trump later said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would probably be visiting the White House for a meeting with him in February. I had a long talk with him this morning (Monday). He is going to be coming to the White House, over next month, probably February. We have a very good relationship with India, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. The statement further said that Trump pushed for increasing defence trade between the two nations and the two leaders also discussed their possible meeting in the US. "The President emphasized the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship. The leaders discussed plans for PM Modi to visit the White House, underscoring the strength of the friendship and strategic ties between our nations," said the statement. The White House added that both leaders emphasized their commitment to advance the US-India strategic partnership and the Indo-Pacific Quad partnership, with India hosting Quad Leaders for the first time later this year. Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs, said that Prime Minister Modi spoke with the President of the United States of America Donald Trump and congratulated him on his historic second term as the 47th President of the United States of America. Delighted to speak with my dear friend President @realDonaldTrump @POTUS. Congratulated him on his historic second term. We are committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership. We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards global peace, prosperity, Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 27, 2025 "The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership. They discussed various facets of the wide-ranging bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and measures to advance it, including in the areas of technology, trade, investment, energy and defence. The two leaders exchanged views on global issues, including the situation in West Asia and Ukraine, and reiterated their commitment to work together to promote global peace, prosperity and security," it said. Two people have lost their lives after a four-storey building collapsed in Delhi's Burari area on Monday evening, police said. So far 12 people have been rescued from the spot and the rescue operation is underway. The rescue operations are being carried out by the Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Services, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The four-storey building collapsed at approximately 6:30 pm in Kaushik Enclave, Burari on Monday. Police said that they received a call regarding the incident at 6:58 pm. Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi assured people that all possible help will be extended to the affected people, and ordered the local administration to ensure speedy relief and rescue operations for the people feared trapped. Giving her assurance, the CM posted on X, "This incident of building collapse in Burari is extremely sad. I have spoken to the local administration to ensure speedy relief and rescue operations. All possible help will be provided to the affected people." Bharatiya Janata Party MP Manoj Tiwari on Monday night inspected the search and rescue operations and claimed that there might have been negligence on someone's part for the collapse. "It was a 4-storey building and the construction was completed. The POP work for finishing was underway... As per the police reports, 20-22 people were trapped... 12 people have been rescued. The NDRF is at the spot," Tiwari told reporters. He further claimed that there is "no doubt" that there was negligence on someone's part for this collapse. "There is no doubt that there is a huge negligence. A newly-built four-storey building has collapsed... Whoever is responsible will not be spared," he told ANI. "The condition of one girl child is very serious... The rest of the people have been sent to the hospital and they are out of danger," Tiwari said. (ANI) Sam Pitroda, Congress veteran and chairperson of the Indian Overseas Congress, sparked a fresh controversy by advocating for illegal migrants to settle in India and lashed out at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for "hounding" them. Pitrodas remarks come at a time when Delhi braces itself for assembly polls slated for February 5. The issue of illegal immigration has been a burning topic during poll campaigning in the national capital, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) trading charges of sheltering them illegally to seek their votes in the upcoming elections in the national capital. In a video that has gone viral, Pitroda, who often finds himself in the middle of controversies, asserted that the central government should shift its focus more to issues like global warming than hounding "poor and hungry" immigrants. "They do so much work to come here. Even though illegal immigration is wrong, we are busy targeting illegal Bangladeshis and minorities," Pitroda, who is also a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, was heard saying in the video. "We should include everybody. If we have to suffer a little bit, it's okay. But nobody wants to share (resources). They want to keep their pie bigger and bigger," he asserted. OUTRAGEOUS! Rahul Gandhis right hand man Sam Pitrodas statement advocating for illegal migrants to settle in India, even at the countrys expense, is shocking and irresponsible. Now you wonder how Congress since the last 70 years worked overtime to settle ILLEGALS in our pic.twitter.com/kKVFusDD71 Pradeep Bhandari( )(@pradip103) January 27, 2025 The issue of immigration has been at the centre of the poll campaigning in Delhi and has played an instrumental role in shaping the narrative ahead of the highly anticipated polls. On the one hand, the Delhi Police has stepped up its crackdown on illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, while on the other hand, this issue has found a place in the BJPs poll manifesto. The saffron party has vowed to free the national capital from illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas if it is voted into power. During the poll campaign, the BJP has raked up this issue on several occasions and accused the AAP of getting ration and Aadhaar cards made for Bangladeshi 'infiltrators' to secure their votes. AAP, however, has dismissed the charge. After the undated video of Pitroda went viral, the BJP was quick enough to take the attack to Congress over his remark dubbing it outrageous. BJPs Pradeep Bhandari took to the social media platform X and shared the video. "Rahul Gandhi's right-hand man Sam Pitroda's statement advocating for illegal migrants to settle in India, even at the country's expense, is shocking and irresponsible," Bhandari said. "Now you wonder how Congress, since the last 70 years, worked overtime to settle illegals in our country!" he further stated. Pitroda is, however, not new to controversies, and he had to step down from his post last year during the Lok Sabha elections following his remark that Indians in the East resemble the Chinese while those in the South look like Africans, which triggered widespread criticism and drew flak from the BJP. In an interview with 'The Statesman,' the Congress veteran reflected upon the democracy in India and said, "We have survived 75 years in a very happy environment where people could live together, leaving aside a few fights here and there. We could hold a country together as diverse as India, where people in the East look like Chinese, people in the West look like Arabs, people in the North look like whites, and maybe people in the South look like Africans." After the remarks created an uproar amid the Lok Sabha polls, with the ruling saffron party attacking the Congress party, Jairam Ramesh said that the analogies drawn by Sam Pitroda are "most unfortunate and unacceptable." In Delhi, assembly polls are slated to be held on February 5, and the counting of votes will take place on February 8. The national capital is witnessing a three-cornered battle in the elections between the BJP, Congress, and the ruling AAP. Indias newest and most modern airline, Shankh Air, is set to revolutionise air travel with the launch of its first flight in May 2025. With its headquarters in Lucknow, this airline will connect Uttar Pradesh's capital city to the country's capital, Delhi, the financial hub, Mumbai, the cultural city, Chennai, and other major cities across the country. Passengers will enjoy an unparalleled experience of comfort, reliability, and convenience. This marks a major milestone for Uttar Pradeshs aviation sector. Shankh Air is set to redefine domestic travel in India. With its modern fleet and exceptional onboard services, whether you are heading to the bustling streets of Delhi, engaging in Mumbais financial hustle, or exploring the cultural heritage of Chennai and Kolkata, Shankh Air promises to make every journey special and memorable. This airline is not just about travel; it is about delivering an experience. With a focus on customer satisfaction, Shankh Air offers state-of-the-art technology, comfortable seating, and in-flight services infused with Indian warmth and hospitality. Passengers will enjoy seamless check-in processes and dedicated customer support for a stress-free journey. With its headquarters in Lucknow, Shankh Air aims to transform the city into an emerging hub for aviation, trade, and tourism. By connecting Lucknow to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and other major cities, the airline seeks to drive regional development and provide travellers with access to new opportunities. About Shankh Air Shankh Air is on its way to becoming Uttar Pradeshs first full-service airline. With a commitment to customer priorities, reliability, and affordable services, the airline is dedicated to redefining air travel in India. Guided by its vision of Soaring to New Heights, Shankh Air aims to make air travel more accessible and convenient for both business and leisure travellers. For more details, please visit: shankhair.com (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.) Saif Ali Khan Stabbing Case: Fresh updates have emerged in the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case where the Mumbai Police have claimed that they have strong evidence against the Bangladeshi national arrested in the case. Saif Ali Khan was attacked in the early hours of January 16 at his Bandra residence in Mumbai, where he was stabbed six times. On January 19, the police arrested Bangladeshi national Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammad Rohilla Amin Fakir alias Vijay Das from neighbouring Thane in this connection. The Mumbai Police shared fresh details after reports claiming that the sets of fingerprints collected from the actors house do not match the accused's fingerprints surfaced. Clearing the air, the police categorically denied the claims, saying that an official report on fingerprints is still awaited. Giving an update on the investigation in the case, Additional Commissioner of Police (West Region) Paramjit Dahiya said during a press conference that it was an "excellent, proof-based detection" made by DCP Zone 9 team along with the crime branch. "The Mumbai police have ample and strong evidence against the accused person, including documentary, physical and technical," he said. "As for ascertaining the identity of the accused as part of evidence collection before the filing of the chargesheet, the police have an option of face recognition and we will explore it," he said. "During the investigation of the case, the police did not find any other associate with him (the accused)," Dahiya said. The police are questioning the people he was in contact with, he further stated. "We have sent the samples of fingerprints to the Crime Investigation Department (CID). As on today, we have not received any official report about his fingerprints," he said. "The arrested accused is the same (person involved in the attack) and the police have oral, physical and technical evidence against him," he said adding that they will produce all the evidence before the court. Last week, Mohammad Ruhul, the father of Shariful Islam, claimed that his son was being framed in the case and that he would soon approach Bangladesh's foreign ministry and the Indian High Commission for his release. Ruhul alleged that the man seen in the CCTV camera footage was not Shariful. He also said his son did not have proper documentation for his stay in India and he lived in constant fear of being arrested. A Mumbai court last week extended till January 29 the police custody of Shariful. The police informed the court that they had to conduct facial recognition of the man to ascertain if he was the person seen in the CCTV camera footage from the actor's building. The police have recorded the statements of Khan, his wife Kareena Kapoor Khan and the house staff in connection with the attack. Meanwhile, a West Bengal-based woman, whose mobile phone SIM was used by Shariful Islam, has told police she had lost her cellphone, an official said on Monday. The official maintained the police were "100 percent" sure that it was Shariful who attacked the 54-year-old Bollywood star. A Mumbai police team visited the Nadia and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal as part of their investigation into the January 16 knife attack on Khan in his 12th floor apartment in Bandra during a robbery attempt. The police later arrested Shariful, a Bangladeshi man who illegally entered India last year, from adjoining Thane city for the attack, and he is in their custody till January 29. During the probe, the police came to know about a woman whose SIM card was used by the arrested accused for making calls and recorded her statement, the official said. In the statement, the woman claimed she had lost her mobile phone and the police were verifying her assertion, he added. The police are "100 percent" sure that it was Shariful who attacked Khan and he was armed with a hacksaw blade and a knife too, insisted the official. The police team will go to places in West Bengal where Shariful stayed after crossing over from the neighbouring country, he added. (With PTI Inputs) A three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday granted custody parole to Delhi Riots accused and former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain, now an All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) candidate, to campaign for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. The parole is applicable in all cases where Hussain has not yet secured bail. The six-day custody parole is effective from January 29 to February 3, with strict conditions imposed. Hussain will be allowed to leave jail during the daytime under security escort and must return to custody each night. The bench said Hussain shall bear all the expenses for his custody parole including for Delhi police officials to be deputed with him and jail van and escort expenses. The apex court said Hussain shall be released from jail as per the jail manual upon the deposit of the expenses i.e. around 2 lakh for 12 hours. The Bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Karol, and Sandeep Mehta, passed the order after a Division Bench failed to reach a consensus on whether to grant Hussain interim bail. Earlier in the day, the Bench had asked the Delhi government to provide details on the cost and deployment of security personnel required if custody parole was granted instead of interim bail. Later in the afternoon, after considering the Delhi governments input, the Bench approved custody parole despite strong objections from Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, who represented the Delhi Police. The parole order allows Hussain to campaign for the AIMIM in the run-up to the Delhi Assembly elections, marking a significant development amidst the ongoing legal cases against him. UP School Holiday: The District Magistrate of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, has ordered all schools up to class 12 to shift to online classes until February 5, due to heavy traffic caused by the ongoing MahaKumbh. As per the directive, offline classes for students from class 1 to 12 will remain suspended between January 27 and February 5. However, online classes will follow the regular schedule to ensure timely syllabus completion. The order, issued on January 26, applies to CBSE, ICSE, and state board schools in the region. Schools are permitted to conduct practical exams during this period, requiring students to attend only for practicals, while regular studies will remain online. To manage the growing crowd and ensure smooth traffic, the District Magistrate of Ayodhya, Chandra Vijay Singh, ordered the closure of all government and private schools for students up to class 5 from January 23 to January 25, 2025. The decision was made to prioritize students' health and well-being. Since no new orders have been issued, schools in Ayodhya are set to reopen today. However, reports suggest some schools may continue with online classes this week. Students should stay in touch with their schools for accurate updates. Additionally, schools in Uttar Pradesh for classes up to 8 were closed earlier due to weather conditions until January 23, 2025. Delhi temp Delhi saw a drop in temperature along with chilly winds on Tuesday morning, compared to the past few days. The minimum temperature in the national capital was recorded at 6.6 degrees Celsius, with a light fog covering some areas. On Monday, the minimum temperature was 7.8 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rain in Delhi on February 1 and expects foggy conditions to persist for four days starting January 28. During this period, the minimum temperature is predicted to range between 7 degrees Celsius and 11 degrees Celsius. Nagpur: A 17-year-old girl in Maharashtra's Nagpur city allegedly committed suicide after searching online about "what happens after death", police said on Tuesday. The deceased, a Class 12 student of a private school and the only child of a regional director at the RBI in Nagpur, frequently searched for information about death and foreign cultures, they said. She allegedly first slashed her wrist, making cross marks with a 'stone blade knife' which she had apparently ordered online, and then slit her throat to end her life, the police said. Her mother, a homemaker, found her lying in a pool of blood in her bedroom at their home in Chhatrapati Nagar area at around 5.45 am on Monday and raised an alarm, the police said. After being alerted, police reached the spot. They seized her mobile phone and while checking it, they came to know that she had been searching on Google for information about "what happens after death", an official from Dhantoli police station said. She had written extensively about foreign cultures in her diaries, he said. The police learnt that the girl was particularly interested in the European culture and had been researching on death for some time. This suggests that she was planning suicide for several weeks, the official said. During inspection of the body, the police noticed the girl had made five cuts on her wrist, including two cross marks, and also slit her throat, he said. Investigations suggested the girl was addicted to online gaming and frequently searched for information about death and foreign cultures, the official said. The knife with a stone blade and wooden handle, which she allegedly used to end her life is not available in the local market, he said. Police suspect the girl might have ordered the knife online and authorities were checking her social media account, the official said. The girl lived with her parents on the ground floor of their house, while the first floor was occupied by her uncle's family and grandmother. The Dhantoli police have registered a case of accidental death and are conducting further probe into it. (Discussions on suicides can be triggering for some. But suicides are preventable. If you are looking for help, some suicide prevention helpline numbers in India are 011-40769002 from Sanjivini (Delhi-based, 10 am - 5.30 pm) and 044-24640050 from Sneha Foundation (Chennai-based, 8 am - 10 pm), +91 9999666555 from Vandrevala Foundation (Mumbai-based, 24x7). 'Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich foreign nations, we should be taxing foreign nations to enrich our citizens,' was the statement of US President Donald Trump while addressing a House Republican Members Conference in Washington. The US President hinted that his administration might abolish individual income tax. Hours later in Delhi, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal touched the nerves of the common man as he demanded that the Central government should waive off all housing loan EMIs of the common man instead of waving off taxes of billionaire businessmen. He also called for reducing the income tax rate. "Today I have written a letter to the Prime Minister on two important issues. I have urged the Modi government to announce that the rich and billionaires won't get any loan waiver from now onwards. If required, they should make a law. A big scandal is running and the nation is being cheated. The BJP government at the Centre is looting money from the government treasury for a few billionaires," said Kejriwal. He further said that if the government stops the loan waiver of billionaires, the income tax rate can be reduced and GST can be halved. "If you have to waive off loans, then do it for the middle class. A middle-class person who earns Rs one lakh spends Rs 60,000-70,000 in EMIs. They have home loans, vehicle loans and other loans. The Central government should waive home loans, vehicle loans, and farmers' loans. We demand that they should waive off the EMIs of the common man. I have done a calculation. If the loan waivers of the rich are stopped, then the income tax and GST rates can be halved. The taxable limit on income can be doubled. GST on food items can be removed," said Kejriwal. #WATCH | Delhi: AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal says, "Today I have written a letter to the Prime Minister on an important issue. The BJP government at the Centre is looting money from the government treasury for a few billionaires... On the other hand, the middle class is pic.twitter.com/tXmCu42Cm8 January 28, 2025 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her 8th budget on February 1. The middle class is facing a huge tax burden as they are not only paying income tax but GST on even small purchases. The middle class has been expecting tax relief and the government is also likely to make some changes in the existing tax slabs as reported by multiple news outlets. With Delhi Polls in sight, the middle class has high hopes from the Central government. But will the Modi government step in to help the middle class - is a question doing round in everyone's mind. Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said that he won't take back his statement where he accused the BJP of mixing poison in the Yamuna water. While the BJP leaders trained their guns on Kejriwal, threatening with lawsuits, Kejriwal said that he is not afraid of legal action. Kejriwal asserted he would not let people die in Delhi because of the 'dirty, poisonous water'. Delhi CM Atishi has also written to the Election Commission over the issue and the poll body has sought a factual report on the issue. Kejriwal claimed in a press conference that the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) CEO, in a letter on Monday, confirmed that a 'poison' called ammonia had been mixed with the water supplied from the neighbouring state. Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini has refuted Kejriwal's charge and threatened to file a defamation suit against him if he did not apologise. "Arvind Kejriwal should immediately apologize to the people of Haryana and Delhi for his statement, otherwise, we will file a defamation suit against him. Kejriwal said that the engineers of Delhi Jal Board stopped the water from coming to Delhi because they found out that it was poisoned. I want to ask Arvind Kejriwal on which day this happened. How did the engineers conclude that it was poisoned? He should tell what and how many tonnes of poison was added. How was the water stopped at the border? Was any gate built? Where was it built, how much time did it take and how much did it cost? Where did the water that they stopped go? How many fish died due to this poisonous water? Arvind Kejriwal has once again proved that no one is compared to him when it comes to cheap politics," said Saini. Kejriwal said Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and her Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann would meet Election Commission officials at 4 pm in connection with the matter. Hitting back at Saini, the AAP supremo said the Haryana chief minister should not play politics on the issue. "It is sinful, you will face the curse of the people...They are threatening to file a case against me. They sent me to jail, will they hang me now?" he asked. The BJP should refrain from its 'dirty politics', he demanded and urged the Haryana chief minister to release clean water in the Yamuna. DJB CEO Shilpa Shinde had on Monday refuted Kejriwal's allegation in a letter to Delhi Chief Secretary Dharmendra, calling the claim 'factually incorrect, without basis, and misleading'. She had clarified that the DJB regularly monitored water quality and accordingly adjusted the treatment process. Shinde had also said ammonia levels in the Yamuna naturally increased during winters due to reduced flow and the mixing of untreated sewage or industrial waste upstream. (With agency inputs) A day after former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP-led Haryana government of "poisoning" the Yamuna river, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini hit back, demanding an apology and threatening legal action. CM Saini warned Kejriwal to retract his statements or face a defamation suit. The controversy erupted as Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday, alleging high ammonia levels in water supplied from Haryana to Delhi. The ECI has since directed the Haryana government to submit a factual report by Tuesday noon. During his campaigning in poll-bound Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP-led Haryana government of contaminating the Yamuna river, which supplies water to Delhi. The BJPs Haryana government has poisoned the water in Yamuna, Kejriwal alleged. The Delhi Jal Board was vigilant enough to stop that water from coming to Delhi, otherwise, it would have caused mass genocide in Delhi. Hitting back at Kejriwal, Haryana CM Saini dismissed the allegations as baseless. Kejriwal has a habit of making unfounded claims and blaming others for his inefficiency and incapability to fulfill promises, Saini said. He further accused Kejriwal of failing to ensure proper water distribution in Delhi, leaving residents dependent on contaminated water. Saini also claimed that Kejriwals government had systematically diverted 28 drains into the Yamuna river. I said that you (Kejriwal) send your Chief Secretary, and I will ask my Chief Secretary to check the quality of water at Sonipat from where the Yamuna enters Delhi. He talks about ammonia. He claims scarcity of water, but there is no scarcity. The issue lies in the distribution system, Saini added. With the matter escalating, the Election Commission has asked the Haryana government to provide a factual report on water quality levels. Mumbai: Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul are on cloud nine as they eagerly await the arrival of their first child. The soon-to-be parents were recently spotted at an intimate gathering with close friends, and a heartwarming picture from the evening has taken social media by storm. In the viral snap shared by their friend Saanchi Gilani, Athiya looks breathtaking in a chic black and white ensemble, proudly flaunting her fully grown baby bump. KL Rahul, ever the doting husband, is seen tenderly cradling her belly, exuding love and excitement for their journey into parenthood. Saanchi captioned the post, Babies having a baby! hinting that the couple is just weeks away from welcoming their little one. Though Athiya and Rahul have remained tight-lipped about their pregnancy, this latest picture has all but confirmed the news, leaving fans overjoyed. Social media is abuzz with congratulatory messages, with admirers praising the couples love and eagerly anticipating their babys grand arrival in 2025. With the countdown officially on, fans cant wait for the Shetty-Rahul family to share more glimpses of this beautiful chapter in their lives. Meanwhile, Yog Guru Baba Ramdev conducted a free yoga therapy and meditation camp for the second consecutive day at Sri Gurukasharni Kumbh Mela Camp in Prayagraj. The ongoing Maha Kumbh mela has witnessed a great surge of devotees looking to take a holy dip at Triveni Sangam. Over 140 million people have taken a dip at the confluence of the Ganga, and Yamuna rivers since the commencement of the event on January 13, as per Uttar Pradesh government data. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh on Monday. Shah was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Baba Ram Dev, and other saints and sages. Till now, several Union Ministers, including Rajnath Singh and Kiren Rijiju have visited Maha Kumbh and have taken a dip at the Triveni Sangam. The religious congregation has also witnessed an extraordinary influx of devotees from around the world. Antonio, a pilgrim from Italy, has finally fulfilled his decade-long dream of attending the Kumbh Mela in India. "I feel fantastic," Antonio exclaimed, adding, "There's a lot of blessings in this place. I was looking forward to this. I wanted to visit for over 10 years. And finally, I'm here." Antonio's fascination with India's spiritual heritage began years ago. He had previously undertaken a 2,000-kilometer pilgrimage on foot, known as a "pad-yatra," which deepened his understanding and devotion to Indian saints. Esther, a pilgrim from Spain, has found herself immersed in the spiritual energy of the Kumbh Mela. Initially, she felt overwhelmed by the large crowds, but as the day progressed, her experience transformed. "I'm feeling great right now," Esther said. The Maha Kumbh, held every 12 years, is being held in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26. According to tradition, pilgrims flock to the Sangam--the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati (now extinct) rivers--to take the holy dip believed to absolve sins and grant moksha (liberation). The event, which began on January 13, will continue until February 26. 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). The Maha Kumbh Mela is expected to host over 45 crore visitors, marking a historic occasion for India. (ANI) Boman Irani, celebrated for his iconic roles and witty charm in Bollywood, has once again captured heartsthis time, not on the silver screen but in real life. The actor marked his 40th wedding anniversary with a touching and humorous note for his wife, Zenobia Irani, proving that their bond is just as special as his cinematic legacy. Taking to Instagram, Boman shared a heartfelt post that beautifully encapsulated the love and laughter that has defined their four-decade-long journey together. Adding his trademark humor, he wrote: So it bugs me when the whole world thinks youre this darling angel. Only I know what a real pain in the behind you can be. 40 years of experience. However... Who wants to marry an angel??? I got a pain in the behind who is also an angel. Thats the combo that shaped me. Shaped us. Shaped family. Had laughs. Navigated. 40 years together, old friend. Love you The accompanying photos were just as heartwarming as his words. The couple was seen radiating joy, adorned with celebratory garlands and holding red, heart-shaped balloons that read I LOVE YOU. The images exuded warmth, love, and a sense of enduring partnership. Have a look: Boman and Zenobias love story is nothing short of inspiring. Even after 40 years, they continue to be each others strongest supporters, closest friends, and biggest sources of happiness. Their enduring relationship is a testament to the power of love, humor, and companionship in building a life together. Fans and well-wishers flooded the comments with messages of admiration and congratulations, proving that their bond resonates far beyond the silver screen. Heres wishing Boman Irani and Zenobia many more years of love, laughter, and togetherness! Bengaluru: The concert of pop band 'Cigarettes After Sex' in Bengaluru, scheduled for this evening, stands cancelled due to "technical difficulties." Taking to Instagram, the American band apologised to fans for the last-minute cancellation. "We're heartbroken to announce that due to technical difficulties which were the responsibility of local production at the venue and beyond our control, we're unable to perform and unfortunately have to cancel tonight's show in Bengaluru. We're so incredibly sorry we can't see you all tonight and truly tried everything we could to make it happen. BookMyShow will reach out to you with information on refunds for the show as well. love you so much," the post read on the official Instagram handle of Cigarettes After Sex. All ticket holders "will receive a full refund within 8-10 working days" for the show, produced by Laqshya Media Group and curated by BookMyShow Live. Take A Look: Cigarettes After Sex, with its black and white silhouette visuals, has captivated audiences worldwide with its evocative, melancholic sound. Formed in the late 00's in El Paso, Texas, the band quickly rose to global prominence with their unique blend of ambient pop and lush melodies. The band recently came to India and so far has performed in Gurugram and Mumbai. Mumbai: The grand Mahakumbh, reportedly happening after 144 years, has captivated the nation, drawing people from all walks of life, including celebrities. Held in Prayagraj, this once-in-a-lifetime event sees millions flocking to take a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers converge. Notably, it isnt just Hindu devotees attending this sacred festival. Director Kabir Khan, known for his iconic films, was spotted in Prayagraj to witness the event firsthand. Speaking to ANI, Kabir shared his perspective on the significance of Mahakumbh, emphasizing its universal appeal. No matter if you are Hindu or Muslim, Mahakumbh is a part of our countrys rich culture. Everyone should come and experience it if they feel drawn to it, he said. Kabirs statement highlights the inclusivity of Mahakumbh as a cultural phenomenon that transcends religious boundaries. His visit to the event was welcomed by many as a gesture of unity and respect for Indias diverse traditions. Apart from Kabir Khan, several other notable personalities have made their way to Prayagraj to participate in this historic event. Bollywood choreographer Remo DSouza, industrialist Anil Ambani, Hollywood sensation Chris Martin and other prominent figures were also spotted taking the holy dip, adding to the events grandeur. The Mahakumbh stands as a testament to Indias spiritual and cultural diversity, drawing crowds of all faiths who come together to celebrate this remarkable tradition. Kabir Khans presence and remarks have further highlighted the inclusive spirit of the festival, making it a shared experience for all. Mumbai: Saif Ali Khans swift recovery after the recent attack has sparked skepticism among some social media users and politicians, prompting his sister, Saba Pataudi, to come to his defence. Many questioned how the actor could be walking and recovering so quickly after such a traumatic incident, casting doubts on his condition and recovery timeline. Taking to Instagram, Saba addressed the criticism head-on. She re-shared a post by The Filmy Official, which featured an explanation from cardiologist Dr. Deepak Krishnamurthy. In the caption, the doctor provided clarity, stating, People whove had cardiac bypass surgeries climb stairs on the 3rd/4th day. Recovery is not as delayed as some might think. Educate yourselves. Saba urged her followers to read the detailed post and let go of any misconceptions about Saifs condition. Sabas response highlighted the growing trend of baseless trolling and misinformation, encouraging people to understand medical realities rather than speculate without knowledge. The attack on Saif Ali Khan has left the film industry and his fans in shock. A Bangladeshi citizen, Shariful Islam Shahzad, has been accused of assaulting the actor. The incident occurred in Mumbai, and the court has since extended Shahzads custody until January 29, 2025, as investigations continue. Mumbai Police have ramped up their efforts to uncover the full extent of the incident. On Monday, officials detained a woman from Nadia district in West Bengal for questioning. According to police sources, her identity was linked to the SIM card used by Shariful Islam Shahzad, which played a crucial role in tracking him down. While Saif Ali Khan has remained composed during his recovery, thanking his family, fans, and well-wishers for their support during this difficult time. New Delhi: Actor-director Rishab Shetty's Kantara proved to be the biggest sleeper hit of 2022. Rooted in the heartlands of India, the film captivated audiences worldwide by showcasing Indian culture in an enthralling and unprecedented manner. Now, audiences are eagerly waiting for Kantara: Chapter 1, which has already created a significant buzz with its announcement. The actor has prepared extensively for a war sequence in the film over the months to training. KANTARA: CHAPTER 1 According to a source close to the production, "Actor Rishab Shetty underwent several months of preparation for a war sequence in Kantara: Chapter 1, which he is currently shooting. The war sequence includes horse riding, Kalaripayattu, and sword fighting, all of which the actor has learned." Now the makers are all set to extend the legacy ahead with Kantara: Chapter 1 which promises to be a one-of-a-kind experience. The film is set in the Kadamba period in Karnataka. The Kadambas were significant rulers of parts of Karnataka and played a major role in shaping the architecture and culture of the region. That period was known to be a Golden Period of Indian History. KANTARA: CHAPTER 1 UPDATE Moreover, Kantara: Chapter 1 is set to be a big-scale film that will undoubtedly take the standards of Indian cinema to a whole new level. The excitement for the film is palpable, as the buzz surrounding it is extremely high. The makers dropped the first look of Rishab Shetty, which created a stir after the audience saw his incredible transformation. While Hombale Films continues to rule the hearts of audiences, they have an exciting lineup of films like Kantara: Chapter 1 releasing on 2nd October 2025, Salaar: Part 2 Shouryaanga Parvam, and many more. DeepSeek Vs ChatGPT Price: The emergence of DeepSeek R1, a Chinese competitor to OpenAI's ChatGPT, has generated significant buzz in the AI community and is currently disrupting the tech landscape in the US. This marks the beginning of a new rivalry among AI chatbots, as the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek unveils its latest innovation, DeepSeek R1. Both DeepSeek R1 and ChatGPT are AI systems powered by Large Language Models (LLMs), designed to understand and generate human-like text. These models assist with various tasks, including writing, research, coding, and brainstorming ideas. Adding further, this article will guide you through the pricing structure of these models. The Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has become the most downloaded free app in the country. The app is available for free on Apples App Store and its official website. However, additional features and localized setups may require high-end hardware or subscription-based services for extended functionality. What Is DeepSeek, And Who Founded This AI App? DeepSeek was founded in Hangzhou, a city in southeastern China, and officially launched in July 2023. It is powered by the open-source DeepSeek-V3 model. The company is partially funded by Liang Wenfeng, who used capital from a hedge fund he also established, according to a report by the BBC. The 40-year-old information and electronic engineering graduate reportedly amassed a stockpile of Nvidia A100 chips, which are now banned from export to China. DeepSeek R1 vs. ChatGPT: Price And Training Cost While OpenAIs training costs for each model reportedly run into tens of millions of dollars, DeepSeek claims to have trained its model for just over $5.5 million. API access for DeepSeek R1 starts at $0.14 for one million tokens, equivalent to approximately 750,000 words. Meanwhile, the OpenAI's o1 model is priced at $7.50 for the same token volume. For users seeking more advanced features, both platforms offer paid subscriptions. ChatGPT starts at $20 per month, while DeepSeek offers a much more affordable option, starting at just $0.50 per month. In addition to being budget-friendly for users, DeepSeek R1 is also cost-efficient to operate. It is reported to be approximately 27 times cheaper per token compared to OpenAIs o1 model, making it an economical choice for businesses and developers. Meanwhile, the other AI systems, such as OpenAI's o1 and Claude Sonnet, require paid subscriptions. Google Gemini is available for free but is limited to older models in its free versions and comes with usage restrictions. DeepSeek Vs ChatGPT: Features DeepSeek excels in its ability to generate code, particularly in programming languages like Python and Java, making it a preferred tool for developers. It also demonstrates proficiency in solving complex equations, positioning it as a valuable resource for technical tasks. On the other hand, ChatGPT shines in creative domains, including storytelling, humor, and marketing copy. It is known for producing engaging and imaginative content, with a knack for crafting jokes and narratives effortlessly. How To Use DeepSeek R1 on Mobile Devices Step 1: Search for the DeepSeek R1 app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Step 2: Log in using your email, Gmail, or other supported credentials. How To Use DeepSeek R1 On Your Computer Step 1: Visit the DeepSeek R1 official website and log in with your email, Gmail, or phone number. If your phone number starts with +86, complete any additional verification steps required. Step 2: Once logged in, youll find an interface similar to ChatGPTs, providing a smooth and intuitive user experience. Step 3: Start exploring the AIs capabilities, including writing, research, coding, and brainstorming. WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will do "what is right" on illegal immigrants, underlining that discussions are going on with India. President Trump made these remarks on Monday while talking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back to Joint Base Andrews from Florida. He also mentioned that Prime Minister Modi is likely to visit the White House in February. Separately, in a readout of a phone call between both leaders, the White House said that Trump had a "productive" phone call with Modi and sought a move towards a "fair" bilateral trading relationship and deeper India-US cooperation. While talking to House Republicans at a Florida retreat on Monday, President Trump said that the US would impose tariffs on the countries that "harm" America as he named China, India and Brazil as high-tariff countries. We're going to put tariffs on outside countries and outside people that really mean harm to us... Look at what others do. China is a tremendous tariff maker, and India and Brazil and so many other countries. So we're not going to let that happen any longer because we're going to put America first, he said. Meanwhile, during their phone call, the two leaders also discussed plans for Modi to visit the US, the White House said in the readout. While talking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked "Did he (Modi) agree to take illegal immigrants. He (Modi) will do what's right. We are discussing, said the president. I had a long talk with him this morning (Monday). He is going to be coming to the White House, over next month, probably February. We have a very good relationship with India, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. The president was responding to a question on the phone call he had with Modi on Monday. Everything came up (in a phone call with Modi), Trump told reporters when asked about the details of his call with the Prime Minister. The prime minister's trip to the US, the first under Trump 2.0 was finalised during the call. Trump's last foreign trip as president was to India during his first term. Trump and Modi enjoy a good friendly relationship. The two addressed thousands of people at two different rallies in Houston in September 2019 and in Ahmedabad in February 2020. Modi was among the top three world leaders to speak with Trump after his stunning electoral victory in November 2024. In a readout of the call, the White House said the two Trump sought India to increase in US-made security equipment and move towards a fair bilateral trading relationship. Today, President Donald J Trump held a productive call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. The two leaders discussed expanding and deepening cooperation. They also discussed a range of regional issues, including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe, it said. The President emphasised the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship, the White House said. The leaders discussed plans for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House, underscoring the strength of the friendship and strategic ties between our nations, it added. Both Modi and Trump emphasised their commitment to advance the "US-India strategic partnership and the Indo-Pacific Quad partnership, with India hosting Quad Leaders for the first time later this year. The US, India, Japan and Australia compose the Quad, a four-way grouping. They have been stepping up cooperation in various fields such as defence and energy, amid China's increasing military and economic clout in the region. Like in many countries, there have been some concerns in India as well over the Trump administration's approach to immigration and tariffs. Trump has already talked about slapping 100 per cent tariffs on the BRICS grouping, a bloc that includes India as well. Speaking during a weekly press briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal referred to India's ongoing dialogue with the US on matters related to trade and immigration and expressed hope that both sides will be able to address any issue. Trade occupies a special place within the strong and multi-faceted India-US relationship, and the two sides reached a record level of trade in goods and services worth USD 190 billion in 2023, Jaiswal said. On January 23, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who represented India at the inauguration ceremony of Trump, said that India has always been open to the legitimate return of undocumented Indians to their country. "As a government, we are obviously very much supportive of legal mobility because we do believe in a global workplace... At the same time, we are also very firmly opposed to illegal mobility and illegal migration," Jaishankar had said. "So, with every country, and the US is no exception, we have always maintained that if any of our citizens are there illegally, and if we are sure that they are our citizens, we have always been open to their legitimate return to India." He was responding to a query on news reports that India is working with the Trump administration for the deportation of some 1,80,000 Indians in the US who are either undocumented or have overstayed their visas. Department of Homeland Security in April 2024 said there were about 11 million illegal immigrants in the US in the year 2022. Mexico topped the list with 4.81 million illegal immigrants, followed by Guatemala (750,000), El Salvador (710,000), Honduras (560,000), Philippines (350,000), Venezuela (320,000), Colombia (230,000) and Brazil (230,000). The DHS said there has been a sharp decline in illegal immigrants from India between 2018 and 2022. It says 220,000 Indians were living in the US illegally at the end of 2022. The Indian population fell by 54 per cent, or 260,000 people, from 480,000 in 2018 to 220,000 in 2022, while the Chinese population declined by 47 per cent, or 180,000, from 390,000 to 210,000, DHS said. At a House Republicans retreat in Florida on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump denounced India, China, and Brazil as "tremendous tariff-maker(s)" and vowed to impose tariffs to protect American interests. Trump declared, Were not going to let that happen any longer because were going to put America first, drawing cheers from the crowd. America First and Tariff Plans Speaking about his administrations economic model, Trump emphasized a strategy to impose tariffs on foreign countries, particularly those he claimed mean harm to the United States. China is a tremendous tariff-maker, and India, Brazil, and so many other countries. (But) were not going to let that happen any longer, Trump stated. The President further explained his vision of a "very fair system" to enrich the US economy by taxing foreign countries instead of its own citizens. "Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries... we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens," he said. He also added that foreign companies, including those from India, would need to build your plant right here in America to avoid high tariffs. Impact on India and BRICS Nations Trumps remarks follow news of a potential meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington next month. While it is unclear if tariffs were discussed during their recent phone call, Trumps harsh stance on India is not new. During his campaign, he referred to India as a very big abuser in trade practices. The President also criticized BRICS nations India, China, Brazil, and others for considering alternatives to the US dollar as a common currency. He hinted at imposing "100 per cent tariffs" to counter such moves, reiterating his intention to keep the US at the center of global trade. Tariffs to Boost Manufacturing Trump announced plans to levy tariffs on steel, aluminum, copper, and other materials essential for the American military, stressing the need to revitalize US manufacturing. There was a time we made a ship a day. Now we cant We dont know what the hell were doing, he lamented, urging the return of production to American soil. Under his America First model, Trump argued that higher tariffs on imported goods would bring jobs and factories back to the US. "As tariffs on other countries go up, taxes on American workers and businesses will come down, and massive numbers of jobs and factories will come home," he stated. Tariffs as a Political Weapon Trump also highlighted a recent incident with Colombia, where the South American country initially refused to accept a plane carrying deported immigrants. After facing a 25 per cent tariff threat, Colombian President Gustavo Petro relented. Trump described this as a clear example of the US asserting its dominance, saying, "Today's events make clear to the world that America is respected again." White House Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt echoed this sentiment, claiming the outcome showcased the success of Trumps aggressive trade policies. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has confirmed that shots were fired at Border Patrol agents from the Mexican side of the border. On Monday, DPS Lieutenant Olivarez stated that gunfire originated in Mexico and targeted a group of Border Patrol agents on Fronton Island. According to a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the incident was reported at approximately 1:29 p.m. in Fronton, Texas. Fronton Island, located in the Rio Grande River along the southern border, is a disputed territory claimed by both Texas and Mexico. No Border Patrol agents were injured in the shooting, and the situation remains under investigation. Agencies including the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility, Texas Department of Public Safety, DHS Office of Inspector General, and the FBI are actively involved at the scene. The incident follows Texas' completion of Operation Flat Top, a campaign aimed at clearing Fronton Island and installing razor wire. State officials alleged that the cartel had been using the island as a key point for migrant crossings. This is a developing story. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday for his four-day visit to Japan and received a warm welcome by Ambassador of India to Japan, Sibi George on the occasion. CM Yadav also held a discussion with the Indian Ambassador to Japan at a hotel in Tokyo, focusing on strengthening the India-Japan relations and lifting the trade and economic collaboration between Madhya Pradesh and Japan. The Chief Minister expressed gratitude at receiving the warm welcome and said that he was looking forward to holding meaningful one-to-one discussions with leading industrialists, inviting the Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2025 to be held in Bhopal next month on February 24-25. "Namaste Japan! I am deeply honored to have received a grand and traditional welcome from our vibrant Indian community and here in Japan, marked by a ceremonial tilak and the presentation of a traditional turban. During this visit, I look forward to engaging in meaningful one-to-one discussions with leading industrialists, inviting them to join us at the Global Investors Summit 2025," the CM said in a post on X. He further said that a new chapter of friendship between Madhya Pradesh and Japan begins from here. "A New Chapter in Madhya Pradesh-Japan Friendship. As part of the preparations for the Global Investors Summit 2025 under Invest Madhya Pradesh, the first day of the Japan visit began with a courtesy meeting with Indian Ambassador, Sibi George at Hotel Imperial, Tokyo, to discuss long standing ties between India and Japan. Engaging discussions were held focusing on opportunities and potential economic sectors to boost industrial activities between Japan and Madhya Pradesh," CM Yadav said in another post. The GIS 2025 is scheduled to be held on February 24-25, 2025, in Bhopal. The two-day program will be organised aiming to highlight the investment climate and industrial infrastructure of Madhya Pradesh, offering numerous opportunities for potential collaborations. It will serve as a platform for global leaders, industrialists, and experts to share insights on emerging markets and trends, and to explore ways to leverage the investment potential of Madhya Pradesh. Japan will participate as 'Partner Country' in "Invest Madhya Pradesh - Global Investors Summit 2025". (ANI) The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela has attracted a significant number of devotees to Prayagraj, where they come to take a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam. As of 8 AM on Tuesday, over 4.55 million people, including 1 million Kalpawasis, have taken a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, as per the Uttar Pradesh Information Department. Meanwhile, over 147.6 million people have taken a dip at the confluence of the Ganga, and Yamuna rivers since the commencement of the event on January 13, as per the Uttar Pradesh Information Department Till now, several Union Ministers, including Rajnath Singh and Kiren Rijiju have visited Maha Kumbh and have taken a dip at the Triveni Sangam. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh on Monday. Shah was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Baba Ram Dev, and other saints and sages. The religious congregation has also witnessed an extraordinary influx of devotees from around the world. Antonio, a pilgrim from Italy, has finally fulfilled his decade-long dream of attending the Kumbh Mela in India. "I feel fantastic," Antonio exclaimed, adding, "There's a lot of blessings in this place. I was looking forward to this. I wanted to visit for over 10 years. And finally, I'm here." Antonio's fascination with India's spiritual heritage began years ago. He had previously undertaken a 2,000-kilometer pilgrimage on foot, known as a "pad-yatra," which deepened his understanding and devotion to Indian saints. Esther, a pilgrim from Spain, has found herself immersed in the spiritual energy of the Kumbh Mela. Initially, she felt overwhelmed by the large crowds, but as the day progressed, her experience transformed. "I'm feeling great right now," Esther said. The Maha Kumbh, held every 12 years, is being held in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26. According to tradition, pilgrims flock to the Sangam--the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati (now extinct) rivers--to take the holy dip believed to absolve sins and grant moksha (liberation). The event, which began on January 13, will continue until February 26. 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). The Maha Kumbh Mela is expected to host over 45 crore visitors, marking a historic occasion for India. (ANI) The two-day program will be organised aiming to highlight the investment climate and industrial infrastructure of Madhya Pradesh, offering numerous opportunities for potential collaborations. The event will bring together global leaders, industrialists, and experts to share insights on emerging markets and trends. CM Yadav discussed investment opportunities with Toshiyuki Nakahara, Department General Manager of Toyota Motor Corporation, and explored potential trade ties. The Chief Minister emphasised Madhya Pradesh's advantages, including vast land, a skilled youth workforce, excellent infrastructure, and a growing automobile sector. "During an engaging interactive session discussed potential trade ties with Toshiyuki Nakahara, Department General Manager, Administration and Support Department, India and Middle East Division and Masahiro Nogi, Project General Manager, Administration and Support Department, India and Middle East Division, Toyota Motor Corporation. We explored the abundant opportunities Madhya Pradesh offers, including vast land, a skilled youth workforce, excellent infrastructure and a rapidly growing automobile sector," CM Yadav said in a post on X. Toyota representatives recognized Madhya Pradesh as a strong automobile manufacturing hub and plan to explore trade opportunities during the GIS 2025. They also highlighted their youth training initiatives in technical jobs across India. CM Yadav stressed that Madhya Pradesh is an ideal destination for Toyota to establish facilities and invest in enhancing youth training in technical jobs. "During a meeting with CM Mohan Yadav, Toyota representatives highlighted their youth training initiatives in technical jobs across India. Recognizing Madhya Pradesh as a strong automobile manufacturing hub, Toyota plans to explore trade opportunities during the upcoming Global Investor Summit. The CM emphasised MP's advantages as an ideal destination for Toyota's investments, citing abundant land availability and a skilled, trainable workforce," the CMO posted on X. (ANI) Former Union Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal has criticized the Haryana government's decision to grant bail to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, calling it "very bad." She was responding to reporters' questions about Ram Rahim's bail by the Haryana government after paying her respects at Sri Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple). She stated, "It is very bad. People understand everything." Notably, Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been released by the Haryana government on a 30-day parole on Tuesday. Meanwhile, amid controversy over Ram Rahim's bail, his advocate Jitendra Khurana clarified that the Dera Sacha Sauda chief's parole is his legal right and should not be linked to politics. "The 30-day parole has been granted to him today as per the law. Every prisoner has the legal right to apply for parole. This should not be connected to any political events or elections. While applying for parole, a prisoner can specify where they wish to go. This time, he applied to visit the Dera Sacha Sauda ashram, and he was granted permission accordingly. After being released on parole, he reached the ashram in Sirsa in the morning hours," Khurana told ANI. Khurana further clarified, "As per law, parole can be granted for up to 70 days, and furlough for 21 days in a year. Ram Rahim's parole is entirely within the legal framework." Ram Rahim is currently serving a 20-year sentence in Sunaria jail in Rohtak, Haryana, for raping two of his disciples. Ram Rahim's release coincides with the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi, which are scheduled to be held on February 5. As the election dates approach, the political atmosphere in the national capital has intensified, with Congress, BJP, and AAP vying against each other over various issues. Recently, AAP accused the central government of plotting a "huge conspiracy" against the people of Delhi in an effort to win the upcoming assembly elections through "unfair means." The party also claimed that officials were being instructed to remove the names of Aam Aadmi Party voters from the voter list. Meanwhile, the BJP has accused the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government of allegedly settling Bangladeshi and Rohingya people in the national capital and providing them with Aadhaar and voter cards to secure votes from them. 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 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got only eight seats. (ANI) Yog Guru Baba Ramdev on Tuesday said that those who talk about castes are "Vidharmi", not true followers of Sanatan Dharma. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for proudly saying that they are Hindu. Speaking to ANI, Ramdev said, "Union Home Minister Amit Shah by coming to Maha Kumbh has expressed the Hindutva that is within him. People used to hesitate earlier. PM Modi and HM Amit Shah have broken the tradition of self-reproach and have said with pride that they are Hindu, Santani and descendants of the sages. All the varnas exist within - those who are talking about castes - upper and lower - those are not Sanatan-Dharmi but Vidharmi." Over 150 million people have taken a dip at the confluence of the Ganga, and Yamuna rivers since the commencement of the event on January 13, as per the Uttar Pradesh Information Department. Wednesday is Mauni Amavasya, which is the day of the Second Shahi Snan. Over 80 to 100 million people are expected to attend the event. Other key bathing dates of the Maha Kumbh include February 3 (Basant Panchami - Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri). A devotee who came to Maha Kumbh said that despite the huge crowd, there was no stampede-like situation. "It is natural to be excited about this event as it is happening after 144 years. This will happen again after many generations. The arrangements here are good. There is no stampede-like situation here despite such a large crowd," he told ANI. Another devotee praised the facilities provided by the Uttar Pradesh government at the Maha Kumbh and said that they are good. "It is a magnificent experience. There is a huge crowd but I didn't have any trouble. The people have immense devotion and faith. The facilities at the ghat are good," he told ANI. Till now, several Union Ministers, including Rajnath Singh and Kiren Rijiju have visited Maha Kumbh and have taken a dip at the Triveni Sangam. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh on Monday. Shah was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Baba Ram Dev, and other saints and sages. The Maha Kumbh, held every 12 years, is being held in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26. According to tradition, pilgrims flock to the Sangam--the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati (now extinct) rivers--to take the holy dip believed to absolve sins and grant moksha (liberation). The Maha Kumbh Mela is expected to host over 45 crore visitors, marking a historic occasion for India. (ANI) After offering prayers at Valmiki Temple, Rahul Gandhi interacted with people in the New Delhi Constituency area. He will hold roadshows in Patparganj and Okhla Assembly constituencies today. 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. The Delhi assembly polls will be held in a single phase on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8. Notably, AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got only eight seats. Congress has decided to contest all 70 assembly seats in Delhi unlike in the Lok Sabha election held last year where the party contested the election in an alliance with the ruling AAP under the INDIA bloc banner. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the Utkarsh Odisha - Make in Odisha Conclave 2025 at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Cabinet ministers, and business leaders from India and across the world. Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Ashwini Vaishnaw were present at the event. The Utkarsh Odisha - Make in Odisha Conclave 2025 in Bhubaneswar, the flagship Global Investment Summit, being hosted by the Government of Odisha, aims to position the state as the anchor of the Purvodaya vision as well as a leading investment destination and industrial hub in India. Addressing the event, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for his continued support to the state. Highlighting the PM's fifth visit to Odisha in just seven months, Majhi emphasized that the recent initiatives, including the foundation of 'Purvodaya', would lead to significant infrastructural development and transformation in Odisha in the coming months. "In the last seven months, it's your (PM Modi's) 5th visit to Odisha and you always bring gifts for the state. This time, you have brought such a big gift that the condition of Odisha will massively change in a few months. The foundation of 'Purvodaya' you laid seven months back, a strong infrastructure is going to be built on that," he said. The conclave will host CEOs and Leaders' Roundtables, Sectoral Sessions, B2B meetings, and Policy Discussions, ensuring targeted engagement with investors across the globe. Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the Make in Odisha Exhibition which highlights the achievements of the state in developing a vibrant industrial ecosystem. The two-day conclave will be held from January 28 to 29. It will serve as a platform for industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to converge and discuss the opportunities Odisha offers as a preferred investment destination. Earlier today, the Odisha CM welcomed PM Modi upon his visit to the state. In a post on X, CM Majhi said, "Welcoming PM Narendra Modi Ji to the sacred land of Shree Jagannath for the inauguration of the transformative 'Utkarsh Odisha 2025', a significant step towards a Vikasit Bharat, Vikasit Odisha." (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Praveen Khandelwal on Tuesday criticised Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his comments regarding Mahakumbh, stating that his statement would hurt the faith of crores of Hindus in the country. "His statement will hurt the faith of crores of Hindus in the country. He said that all of this would not make us rid of poverty. Earlier, a footfall of 40 crore people was expected in the Maha Kumbh, due to which business worth about Rs 2 lakh crore was possible. Now the way the crowd of people is increasing, this figure will go above 50 crore people and it will generate around business worth about Rs 2.5 to 3 lakh crores," Khandelwal told ANI. Further attacking Kharge, he said, "I think he does not know about the economy. This is a well-known fact that where there is faith, there is economy..." Earlier BJP leader RP Singh criticised Kharge's recent comments regarding Maha Kumbh, stating that Kharge and Congress have developed a habit of mocking Sanatan practicesSpeaking on the issue. Singh remarked, "See, constantly ridiculing Sanatan, taking a dig at Sanatan's rituals, it has become a habit of Congress and Kharge Sahab to take a dig at Sanatan's rituals." Singh further challenged Kharge's remarks by asking him to show the same level of criticism towards other religions, particularly Islam. "I want him to take this kind of sarcasm once about any other religion and say something about Islam, like if going to Hajj earns any employment," Singh stated. The BJP leader also highlighted, "For his (Kharge) information, 40 crore people will take a dip in the Mahakumbh. Whatever the estimate may be, will that not create employment? Will the use of the tempo car and food items and other arrangements not create employment?" The BJP's attack after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday took a dig at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders who participated in the holy dip during the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. He questioned whether taking a dip in Ganga would "alleviate poverty," especially when "children are dying of hunger.". He also alleged that while on one hand PM Modi salutes the constitution, on the other "he does everything against it." Congress was holding a massive 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' rally at the birthplace of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in Indore's Mhow on Monday in which prominent Congress leaders across the country participated. The Leader of the Opposition of Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was also in attendance. (ANI) Congress leader Udit Raj on Tuesday, accused the BJP of preparing a Constitution based on Manusmriti, alleging a conspiracy to oppress Dalits and OBCs. He criticized the BJP for organizing the event, and spending vast sums of money, and alleged that some saints promoted a Hindu Rashtra agenda and criticised the Constitution. "If Sanatan talks about the Varna system - is it fine? Maha Kumbh is being organised by the govt, and thousands of crores are being spent there. A few saints saying things against the Constitution and preparing a draft to make Hindu Rashtra - is that place a centre of faith or a place of conspiracy against Dalits and OBCs, BJP doesn't reply to that. They have prepared a Constitution having the essence of Manusmriti - the BJP should speak over that. BJP is doing all this under a conspiracy to enslave Dalits and backwards," he said. The demand for preparing a draft to make Hindu Rashtra was raised by the Sanatan Dharam Sansad and it was convened by Devkinandan Thakur Maharaj himself, during which the sansad put forth the groundwork for the constitution of the Sanatana Board, as various religious leaders raised the demand. Earlier on Monday, at Sanatana Dharma Sansad in Maha Kumbh, Spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur proposed the formation of a Sanatani Hindu Board, which has gained consensus among various religious leaders. Thakur planned to submit this proposal to the Government of India and request a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss its implementation. "We have prepared a proposal for the Sanatani Hindu Board Act, and all religious leaders present here have agreed to it... We will send this Constitution to the Government of India and ask PM Narendra Modi for his time to discuss it, with the hope that if there is a Waqf Board, then the government will gift a Sanatan Board to Hindus and Sanatanis...," he said. (ANI) Union Minister Dr Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday condemned Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's "Dip in Ganga won't remove poverty" statement. "We condemn his statement. He should not make such statements," Dr Ramdas Athawale said. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge drew criticism after he took a dig at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders who participated in the holy dip during the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. He questioned whether taking a dip in Ganga would "alleviate poverty," especially when "children are dying of hunger.". He also alleged that while on the one hand PM Modi salutes the constitution, on the other "he does everything against it." Congress was holding a massive 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' rally at the birthplace of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in Indore's Mhow on Monday in which prominent Congress leaders across the country participated. The Leader of the Opposition of Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was also in attendance. Earlier in the day, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Praveen Khandelwal criticised Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his comments regarding Mahakumbh, stating that his statement would hurt the faith of crores of Hindus in the country. "His statement will hurt the faith of crores of Hindus in the country. He said that all of this would not make us rid of poverty. Earlier, a footfall of 40 crore people was expected in the Maha Kumbh, due to which business worth about Rs 2 lakh crore was possible. Now the way the crowd of people is increasing, this figure will go above 50 crore people and it will generate around business worth about Rs 2.5 to 3 lakh crores," Khandelwal told ANI. Further attacking Kharge, he said, "I think he does not know about the economy. This is a well-known fact that where there is faith, there is economy..." (ANI) Cooperation between China and Guinea-Bissau "is going strong:" minister Xinhua) 10:04, January 28, 2025 BISSAU, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- The cooperation between China and Guinea-Bissau "has existed for a very long time and remains strong," said Bissau-Guinean Minister of Social Communication Florentino Fernando Dias in an interview with Chinese media outlets. "The Sino-Bissau-Guinean cooperation is historic, as it dates back to the colonial era when Guinea-Bissau was still fighting for its independence," said the official, recalling "the support" China provided to independence fighters. "Today, any Bissau-Guinean citizen can see the investments China is making in various fields in the country," he said, pointing to "the buildings housing the three branches of government in our country, particularly the Palace of the Republic, which includes the residence and offices of the Head of State, the National People's Assembly, and the Palace of Justice." "Recently, we have also seen further fruits of our cooperation with China's financing of the construction of a highway connecting the Safim suburb to the city of Bissau," he noted. "This highway is very modern and will significantly improve the living conditions of our people, as it leads directly to the entrance of the capital, Bissau." "Guinea-Bissau is counting on China's support" to transition its national television and radio from analog to digital, and the project to "build a facility that will house both national television and radio, the national news agency, and the official newspaper," he concluded. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan) Border czar Tom Homan responded Monday night, saying the Trump administration stands by its actions regarding ICE raids targeting undocumented migrants, despite Selena Gomez's emotional Instagram video, in which she tearfully lamented the law enforcement operations. "All my people are getting attacked, the children. I don't understand. I'm so sorry, I wish I could do something, but I can't. I don't know what to do. I'll try everything, I promise," Gomez said in the now-deleted Instagram video. Gomez faced criticism for appearing out of touch after sharing and quickly deleting a tearful video on Instagram, in which she expressed sorrow over the ICE raids, writing in her story, "Apparently it's not ok to show empathy for people." During a Fox News interview, Homan addressed the video, denying the claims of attacks and emphasizing that ICE operations are focused on targeting illegal migrants with criminal backgrounds. "If they don't like it, then go to Congress and change the law. We're going to do this operation without apology," Homan told Fox News. "I don't think we arrested any families," Homan said. "We've arrested public safety threats and national security threats. Bottom line." "Look, President Trump won the election on this one issue: securing our border and saving lives. This, what happened on the southern border the last four years, is the biggest national security threat this country's seen, at least in my lifetime," Homan continued, citing border statistics from under the Biden administration. "We're gonna make our community safer. It is all for the good of this nation. And we're gonna keep going. No apologies. We're moving forward." Homan further stated that he believes no families have been arrested in the ICE raids. Over the weekend, ICE made 286 arrests on Saturday and 956 on Sunday. He promised daily arrests, with the potential for millions of deportations. Some groups, including Quakers, have already filed lawsuits against the Trump Administration, arguing that the raids in houses of worship violate constitutional rights. Reiterating his demands to waive off the loans of farmers and the middle class, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enact a new law to prohibit the waiver of loans given to rich billionaires. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal claimed that if the loan waivers of the billionaires are "stopped", then the income tax and GST rates on several items can be halved. "I have two requests to the Prime Minister - Now in this country, the loans of any rich billionaire will not be forgiven, a law should be made for this. This is a big scandal. If loans are to be forgiven, then loans of the middle class should be forgiven. Everyone's home loan, and vehicle loan should be forgiven. Forgive the farmers' loans... If the loan waivers of the rich are stopped, then the income tax and GST rates can be halved. GST on food items and various items can be halved. This is our demand from the middle class of the country," Kejriwal said. Moreover, the former Delhi Chief Minister levelled allegations on the BJP-led Central government stating that the "government treasury is being looted on few billionaires instead of being spent on the citizens." He said, "They are looting money from the government treasury for a few billionaires. It seems as if the entire government treasury is being looted on few billionaires instead of being spent on the citizens. Whenever they want to please billionaires, they give loan to them and after 3-4 years, they waive the loan. This is how the money go treasury goes to the billionaires." The AAP chief claimed that the Central government has waived loan of Rs 10 lakh crores of 400-500 billionaires in the last 5 years. "In the last 5 years, the Central government has waived loan of Rs 10 lakh crores of 400-500 billionaires. On one side, where poor and middle class is battling with inflating and unemployment, on another side the government treasury is being opened for billionaires," Kejriwal said. Drawing a comparison from the said numbers, the former CM stated that the Delhi government has to spend only Rs 400 crores for the free bus ride scheme for women. "When we announced free travel for women, only Rs 400 crores were spent on it while they waived so much debt of just one friend. A middle-class man who earns 12 lakhs, pays 6 lakhs as tax... But in return, he gets nothing..." he said. After a row erupted over his claims of "poisonous water" supply from Haryana, AAP chief Kejriwal said that Delhi CM Atishi and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann will meet the Election Commission today at 4 pm. He said, "Atishi has written a letter to the Election Commission again today on the issue of water... The Election Commission has given time to Bhagwant Mann and Atishi to meet at 4 pm today. Both of them will go.... Don't try to scare us with a case, Saini sahab. Tell your party not to do dirty politics." Meanwhile, a Congress leader Uday Gill joined the Aam Aadmi Party in the same event in the presence of Arvind Kejriwal, Sanjay Singh and other leaders of the party. Welcoming him to the party, Kejriwal said, "Uday Gill is chairman of Valmiki Choupal, the organisation which works for the welfare of the deprived sections of society.... I am very happy upon his joining... He was worked for 40 years in NDMC..." As the date for the Delhi assembly polls near, the poll battle has been intensifying in the national capital, with parties levelling allegations against each other and at the same time trying to appease the public. The Delhi Assembly elections will take place in a single phase on February 5, with the counting of votes set for February 8. A total of 699 candidates are competing for the 70 assembly seats in Delhi. The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and failed to win any seats. In contrast, AAP dominated the 2015 and 2020 assembly elections, winning 67 and 62 seats, respectively, out of a total of 70 seats, while BJP secured only three and eight seats in these elections. (ANI) Congress candidate from the New Delhi assembly constituency, Sandeep Dikshit, has outlined several key issues raised by local residents, urging Rahul Gandhi's support to address these concerns if elected. Dikshit emphasized the importance of reopening the temporary muster roll in the NDMC, which had previously provided thousands of jobs. He said, "Our temporary muster roll in NDMC, which used to provide jobs to thousands of youth here, has been closed for the last ten years. It needs to be reopened, and we wanted Rahul ji to hear this." He also discussed the issue of the regularization of workers who were employed under the muster roll system. "The second issue was regarding the policy that stopped the regular muster roll and its regularization, which would make people permanent employees," Dikshit explained. "There are still around 12-15 hundred RMR workers, and we explained this issue to them." Another critical concern raised by the residents was the lack of adequate compensation for families of those who died. "Only three, four, or five percent of people receive jobs as compensation, which is highly unethical. During the Congress rule, it was up to 40-45 percent," Dikshit pointed out, adding that "If someone dies young, say at 30 or 40, what will their family do? Where will they go? We pointed this out too." Dikshit also addressed the issue of long-term residents who have lived in the area for decades. "The fourth issue is that people who have lived here for decades, some for 70 years, some for 100 years, or some families have lived here for 50 years," he stated. "The Government of India's policy has been that in several areas, they have provided leases for those houses to the people who have lived there for so long. So, we were asking if this policy can be applied here too." He expressed confidence that with Rahul Gandhi's leadership, these issues could be addressed in Parliament. "As an MP, if you raise our voice in Parliament, with the support of 100 MPs, we can push this forward," he said. Dikshit explained that the enthusiasm among the people for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was largely due to Rahul Gandhi's appeal. He said, "The enthusiasm among people here, for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, was largely because of Rahul Gandhi's appeal and the numerous issues they wanted to share with him." On Rahul Gandhi's leadership, Dikshit added, "Rahul Gandhi has a leadership that always speaks about the issues of the people. He doesn't focus much on religion, caste, or wealth; he speaks about people's livelihoods and rights. So, people felt that when they share their struggles, their issues related to the government, law, and justice, Rahul Gandhi would understand and raise their voice." Dikshit also criticized the current leadership for neglecting development issues in the area, saying, "Under his leadership, why couldn't these basic things have been done? It's not like the government doesn't listen. They present their concerns, but it doesn't seem like a single letter was written, nor did they raise any resolution or demand for the development of this area." Referring to the lack of action over the years, he noted, "I had spoken to the former Chairman here, and he said that in the last ten years, not once has development been discussed by them. They've never sent a resolution, nor have they demanded any development for this area." He concluded, "So, if an MLA who is also a member of NDMC, with so many powers, and the Chief Minister here never discusses development or jobs, then this is the situation of our employees." 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 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got only eight seats. The Delhi Assembly Elections are scheduled to be held on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8. (ANI) Odisha is poised to become a major industrial hub, with Chief Minister Mohan Majhi announcing that the state has received investment proposals worth three times its initial expectations. This development comes after Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Utkarsh Odisha - Make in Odisha Conclave 2025, where he encouraged investors to capitalize on Odisha's vast potential. The state had initially anticipated investments worth Rs 5 lakh crores, but the actual proposals exceeded this amount threefold. "Today, PM Modi has encouraged investors from the country and from around the world to invest in Odisha. We expected around Rs five lakh crores of investment but we have got investment proposals three times more than that. Certainly, Odisha is going to become an industrial hub now," CM Majhi said. Earlier today, PM Modi emphasised that Odisha is on the cusp of a new era of growth, with numerous opportunities emerging in various sectors. He highlighted the state's strategic location, its rich cultural heritage, and the government's commitment to ease of doing business "Now, in the 21st century, Odisha is focused on reviving its glorious legacy. Recently, the President of Singapore visited Odisha, and Singapore is very excited about its relationship with Odisha. ASEAN countries have also shown interest in enhancing trade and tradition with Odisha. Today, there are more opportunities opening up in this region than ever before, more than at any time since independence," PM Modi added. "Yahi Samay hai, sahi samay hai (This is the time, the right time)," he asserted. He told the investors in the event that their investment in Odisha's development journey would take them to new heights of success, emphasizing, "This is Modi's guarantee". The Prime Minister asserted further that today, India is on a path of development driven by the aspirations of crores of people. "Aspirations grow when people's needs are met. In the past decade, the empowerment of crores of citizens has benefited the country. Odisha stands as a symbol of the optimism and originality of the new India. In industries like food processing, petrochemicals, fisheries, IT, edutech, textiles, tourism, mining, and green energy, Odisha is becoming one of India's leading states. India is rapidly moving towards becoming the third-largest economy in the world, and the goal of a five trillion-dollar economy is not far off now," he said. The Utkarsh Odisha - Make in Odisha Conclave 2025 in Bhubaneswar, the flagship Global Investment Summit, being hosted by the Government of Odisha, aims to position the state as the anchor of the Purvodaya vision as well as a leading investment destination and industrial hub in India. (ANI) The Congress candidate of the New Delhi Assembly constituency, Sandeep Dikshit on Tuesday wrote to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and the Delhi Police Commissioner, demanding immediate action against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and CM Atishi for their controversial statements about Delhi's water supply. In the letter, Dikshit condemned Kejriwal's recent claims that the water supply to Delhi had been "poisoned" and accused the Haryana government of planning a "genocide" against Delhi residents. "I am writing to you for strict and immediate action against Arvind Kejriwal who made shocking and irresponsible statements to the press yesterday alleging that Delhi's water supply had been 'poisoned' and that the neighbouring state's government had planned a 'genocide' against the people of Delhi," Dikshit wrote. He also slammed the timing of Kejriwal's remarks during the ongoing election campaign. "While election campaigning is on, issues must be raised before the people but statements that lead to panic public disorder and blame a Government of genocide cannot be allowed without adequate proof," Dikshit said. Dikshit further accused CM Atishi of supporting these baseless claims, escalating the situation."Atishi Marlena has also supported the statements of her party leader saying that poisoning is a reference to the PPM count in the waters of the Yamuna," Dikshit noted. He questioned the credibility of these allegations, asking, "Has the PPM count in the Yamuna exceeded the applicable limit for the first time?" Dikshit also criticised Kejriwal and his associates for failing to address water quality issues over the last decade. "Arvind Kejriwal and his associates have not done anything to address the issues of water quality for the last 10 years and they now seek to blame others for their failure for the sake of electoral gain." Underlining the severity of Kejriwal's accusations, Dikshit stated,"The allegation made by Arvind Kejriwal is that 'zeher milaya gaya hai'. He is not talking about pollution and contamination. He is talking about a deliberate act of poisoning." He warned of the harm caused by spreading such fear, stating, "Who knows how many poor people are forced to buy bottled water for consumption today because they have heard their Chief Minister and former Chief Minister make the allegation that the water being supplied to them is being poisoned." Dikshit also highlighted the Delhi Jal Board's dismissal of these allegations, stressing that their rejection should settle the matter. "It is pertinent to mention here that the allegations have been categorically dismissed by the Delhi Jal Board," he added. The Congress leader then called for immediate action and a high-level inquiry, stating, "My request is that a high-level inquiry may immediately be ordered to see whether the serious allegations of public genocide by Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi Marlena against Haryana Government are true or not." He further demanded that action be taken if the allegations were found false: "If not, then appropriate criminal case should be instituted against Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi Marlena for public cheating, spreading disaffection against the State and deliberate and in full knowledge of his/her lies, making public statements in order to make political gains." Dikshit concluded by stressing the need to protect Delhi's residents from false information. "Immediate action is necessary for two reasons: to protect the people of Delhi from such lies and to prevent individuals like Arvind Kejriwal and Smt. Atishi Marlena from deceiving and misleading the public." (ANI) Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring criticized AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of making baseless claims to deflect attention. He said Kejriwal's allegations about pollution sources shifting from Punjab to Haryana reflect his falling credibility. Warring further questioned Kejriwal's logic of blaming other states for polluting the Yamuna, stating it hinders collective efforts to clean the river. He asserted that AAP will not return to power in Delhi. "This time Arvind Kejriwal won't have it his way. He's cooking up new stories everyday. Earlier, pollution would come from Punjab, but now that he formed the government here, the source of pollution has shifted to Haryana... His graph has fallen because he talks like this... How can he blame the other state for polluting the Yamuna? By this logic, no one will ever clean the river... This time, AAP will not form government in Delhi," he said. Ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections next week, Kejriwal on Monday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Haryana government had "poisoned" the Yamuna water supplied to Delhi, claiming that it could have led to mass casualties. "BJP's Haryana government has poisoned the water in Yamuna," Kejriwal said in a press conference while claiming that the alertness of Delhi Jal board prevented the mixing of alleged poisoned water with drinking water. "If this water would have entered Delhi only to be mixed with the drinking water, many people would have died in Delhi. It would have caused mass genocide," the former Delhi chief minister alleged. Meanwhile, the Delhi Jal Board refuted Arvind Kejriwal's claims, calling the "poisoned water" remark "factually incorrect". Delhi Jal Board Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shilpa Shinde on Monday wrote a letter to the Chief Secretary, stating that the statements made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal were "factually incorrect." "These statements are factually incorrect, without any basis and misleading," the letter read. In the letter, Shinde underlined that such "false" statements lead to fear-mongering among city residents and negatively impact relations with the upper riparian state of Haryana. She urged the Chief Secretary to bring the matter to the attention of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena under the Transaction of Business Rules. "The matter is being brought to your attention, given the fact that such false statements lead to fear-mongering amongst city residents and also adversely impact relations with the upper riparian state of Haryana. Given that this matter is likely to affect inter-state relations, these facts may be brought to the attention of Lieutenant Governor in terms of the Transaction of Business Rules," the letter read. "If this water would have entered Delhi only to be mixed with the drinking water, many people would have died in Delhi. It would have caused mass genocide," the former Delhi chief minister alleged. The Delhi Assembly elections are just around the corner, scheduled to take place on February 5, with the counting of votes set for February 8. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta police detained a former constable of state Transport Department in connection with a corruption case on Tuesday, an official said. The Lokayukta police registered a case against Saurabh Sharma under sections 13(1)B and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. "Saurabh Sharma is an accused in a case registered by Lokayukta police under the Prevention of Corruption Act and a raid was also conducted at his residence by the Lokayukta police on December 19, 2024. We received information about him to be in Bhopal, following which we have detained him and an inquiry is going on. Upon arresting the accused, we will present him before the court," Lokayukta DG Jaideep Prasad told ANI. Meanwhile, when asked about Sharma's lawyer claiming he was about to surrender in the court but the Lokayukta police took him in custody before he arrived in the court, the Lokayukta DG refused to give a reply on the matter, saying, "I have nothing to say about it." On being asked about interrogating Sharma's wife, the officer further said that those who were involved in the case would be interrogated, adding that other associates of Sharma would also be taken into custody soon. Earlier on December 23, 2024, Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta issued summons to Saurabh Sharma, along with his wife, mother, and associates Sharad Jaiswal and Chetan Singh Gaur, for questioning in connection with a corruption case. Following a complaint, the Lokayukta also conducted search operations on December 19 and 20, uncovering assets suspected to be disproportionate to Saurabh Sharma's known sources of income. Assets worth several crores were recovered from two residences linked to the accused, located at E-7/78 and E-7/657 in Arera Colony, Bhopal. At the E-7/78 residence, authorities seized vehicles, household items, jewellery, and cash amounting to approximately Rs 3.86 crore. From the shared office at E-7/657, which is jointly held with Chetan Singh Gaur, additional assets, including silver and cash, were valued at Rs 4.12 crore. The total value of assets recovered from both locations is estimated to be around Rs 7.98 crore. In a related development, Bhopal police and Income Tax (IT) officials recovered 52 kg of gold worth over Rs 40 crore and Rs 9.86 crore in cash from an abandoned car. The car, bearing a number plate registered as MP 07 (Gwalior RTO) under the name of Chetan Singh Gaur, was discovered late at night on December 19 near Mendori-Kushalpur Road under Ratibad police station limits. Upon receiving information, officials seized the car and its contents. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a response from the Centre on a petition filed by a non-believer Muslim woman seeking to be governed by the Indian Succession Act, 1925, instead of the Muslim Personal Law (Sharia Law) regarding inheritance. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan, directed the Central government to file its response within four weeks. The matter was posted for hearing in the first week of May. During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, explained that the petitioner, who has only one daughter, wants to bequeath her entire property to her daughter. However, under Sharia law, she would be allowed to bequeath only 50 per cent of her property. "She wants the benefit of the Indian Succession Act, the secular law," Solicitor General said. Last year, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Centre and the State of Kerala regarding the petition. The petition was filed by a Kerala-based woman, Safiya PM, who stated that she is a non-believer Muslim and, therefore, should be governed by the Indian Succession Act, 1925, with respect to inheritance, instead of the Muslim Personal Law (Sharia Law). She claimed that her father is a non-practicing Muslim but has not officially renounced the religion. According to Sharia law, a person who leaves Islam is ousted from the community and is thereafter not entitled to any inheritance rights in parental property, the petition said. The petition further stated that under Sharia law, a Muslim individual cannot bequeath more than one-third of their property via a will. The petitioner noted that her father cannot bequeath more than one-third of his property to her, with the remaining two-thirds going to her brother, who suffers from Down's syndrome. It was also stated that the petitioner has a daughter, and after her death, the entire property will not pass on to her daughter, as her father's brothers will also have a claim. "The absence of any provision for having the inheritance rights, even after leaving the religion, puts the citizen in a dangerous situation as neither the secular laws of the State nor the religious laws would protect her. As per Sharia law, one who has left Islam will lose her inheritance rights. It is the prayer of the petitioner that she should be governed by the provisions of the Indian Succession Act, 1925," the petition stated. Additionally, the petitioner strongly believes that practices under Sharia law are "highly discriminatory towards Muslim women," and therefore, violate the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Indian Constitution. (ANI) After his recent visit to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland's Davos, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Tuesday said that the state government could attract foreign investments of around Rs 1.80 lakh crore. He added that his government aims to make the state a one trillion-dollar economy. The Annual Meeting 2025 of The World Economic Forum took place at Davos-Klosters from January 20 to 24, 2025. Reddy returned to Hyderabad from Davos on January 24. The Chief Minister attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) to attract investments in diverse sectors of the state. "I along with Minister Sridhar Babu had gone to World Economic Forum, Davos. We could attract around Rs 1.80 lakh crores of (MNCs and foreign) investments to Telangana. After 14 months of forming the government, this win is a very important win for us," CM Reddy said while addressing the media at Telangana Secretariat here. Accusing some people of "conspiring" to destroy the financial condition of the state, the Chief Minister said that the multinational companies have have put faith in the governance of the state. "Some people are conspiring to destroy the financial condition of the state. However, the companies have neglected all this and with faith in our governance, the companies have come forward to invest in our state. The investments we got now are a result of the efforts made by our government earlier," Reddy said. He said the incoming investments will generate jobs and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been also signed with the Singapore government for the skill development of youths in the state. "Our government plans to give the jobs through these investments to the people. Telangana is first in the country in per capita income now. We will continue to do more. We have also made an MoU with the Singapore government regarding the skill development of our youth," Reddy added. Taking potshots at the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), the Chief Minister said that they invested government funds abroad, while his government was bringing foreign investments in the state. "We went to bring investments. Be it foreign or others, we want to bring the investments of foreign into our state. They (BRS) gave the state government funds to foreigners. They invested our funds in London. This is the difference. If you don't like us, then be quiet. What is the problem when we bring investments," Reddy asked. India Pavilion at the 55th World Economic Forum annual conference 2025 in Davos, Switzerland, featured eight states and each sought investment opportunities from executives of companies worldwide. India sent its largest-ever delegation to the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, which comprised of five union ministers and three state chief ministers. (ANI) Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal on Tuesday announced that Vizhinjam is set to become India's largest port within the next decade, establishing a new benchmark in the nation's maritime and port trade. Speaking at the Vizhinjam Conclave 2025 and Global Investment Summit held at the Hyatt Regency on Tuesday, he emphasized the port's transformative potential in positioning India as a significant player in the global shipping and logistics market. Organised by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), Invest Kerala, Vizhinjam International Seaport, and the Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the summit brought together key stakeholders to discuss the port's strategic importance. The Minister hailed Vizhinjam as a game-changer for India's maritime sector, highlighting its natural deep-water capabilities, with depths ranging from 18 to 25 meters, and its proximity to international shipping lanes, enabling it to accommodate the world's largest vessels. Currently capable of handling one million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), the port is expected to expand its capacity to 6.2 million TEUs in the future. With this growth, Vizhinjam is projected to handle 15 percent of India's container transshipment, challenging the dominance of ports like Colombo and Dubai. He further underlined Vizhinjam's role in driving Kerala towards becoming a $1 trillion economy, supported by the state's robust infrastructure, including air connectivity through four international airports, two major seaports, and 17 minor ports, as well as a vast inland navigation network. Efforts to complement the port's development include plans by the Kerala Maritime Board and private stakeholders to establish logistics parks and modernize existing ports. An outer growth corridor spanning 70 kilometers from Vizhinjam to Navaikulam will house industrial clusters with plug-and-play infrastructure to attract investors. Industries Minister P Rajeeve, who also addressed the gathering, described Vizhinjam as the new gateway to India. Highlighting Kerala's productivity despite its limited land area--accounting for only 1.16 per cent of the country's geographical size while contributing 4 percent to the national GDP--he outlined plans for a large-scale outer area growth corridor. The project aims to address land constraints by pooling resources to create residential, commercial, and industrial zones, ensuring a conducive environment for investors through seamless collaboration between political leadership, bureaucracies, and the industrial sector. MP Shashi Tharoor termed the realisation of the Vizhinjam International Seaport as a historic moment, noting that Vizhinjam has been a bustling port since the Sangam period in the fourth century. He added that the addition of a cruise terminal would elevate Vizhinjam's status beyond a transshipment hub, turning it into a major tourism destination. This development, he said, would benefit not only Kerala but also the southern tip of Tamil Nadu, enabling local products and services to reach global markets and fostering the growth of industries in the region.(ANI) Gujarat, with a significant contribution of 8.20 percent to the nation's GDP in the financial year 2022-23, has emerged as a key state driving India's economic growth. In 2015, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the "Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP)" initiative was introduced to enhance ease of doing business. In line with this, the "Ease of Doing Business (EoDB)" framework was launched, along with state/UT rankings/ assessments to facilitate business operations, a statement said. According to the statement, Gujarat's business-friendly and citizen-centric approach has attracted approximately Rs 3.96 lakh crore in foreign investment and Rs.18.46 lakh crore in domestic investment during the period from 2015 to 2024. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and led by Industries Minister Balvantsinh Rajput, Minister of State for Industries Harsh Sanghavi, and Minister of State for MSME Jagdish Vishwakarma, Gujarat has emerged as a leading state in the "Ease of Doing Business" rankings. With context to the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) framework, Gujarat has emerged as a leading state by developing the single-window portal, the "Investor Facilitation Portal (IFP)." Through this portal, entrepreneurs and business professionals can access essential business services on a single online platform. The Investor Facilitation Portal provides over 200 business-centric services across 18 state departments. To date, more than 20 lakh applications have been processed through this portal.Under the "Gujarat Right of Citizens to Public Services (RCPS) Act, 2013," a stipulated timeline has been defined for service delivery, which is regularly monitored by the "District Level Facilitation Committee (DLFC)." Gujarat MSME Facilitation of Establishment and Operation Act, 2019, all new Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are exempted from obtaining state approvals for three years. Beyond these three years, an additional six months is also provided for acquiring such approvals.Gujarat has been recognized as a "Top Achiever" in the Ease of Doing Business ranking by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), which operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. On September 5, 2024, during the "Udyog Samagam 2024," Gujarat was also awarded for being the top-performing state in the BRAP 2022 edition. Under the BRAP initiative, the Gujarat government implemented 285 reforms in 2015, 340 reforms in 2016, 372 reforms in 2017-18, and 187 reforms in 2019. Gujarat has always been at the forefront of implementing reforms to reduce the compliance burden on businesses and citizens. Thus far, the state government has reduced a total of 2,946 compliances, including 2,652 business-centric and 294 citizen-centric compliances. Among these, 208 provisions related to minor offences affecting entrepreneurs have been decriminalized, removing the stipulations for imprisonment. Also, the state has decriminalized 9 labour laws. The government simplified the professional tax structure by reducing it from three slabs to a single slab. Under the new professional tax regime, individuals earning less than Rs 12,000 per month are exempted from paying tax. Gujarat has eliminated the requirement for the renewal of shop and Establishment licenses, allowing businesses to obtain a license through a one-time registration. The state government has introduced the Industries Self-Certification Scheme, applicable to 14 labour laws and regulations. Under this scheme, industries can provide self-certificates and gain exemption from inspections for 5 years. The Gujarat government has computerized over 8 crore hand-written land records and 2.43 crore hand-written mutation entries into the Record of Rights. Additionally, 36 services are provided with online access through the "Integrated Online Revenue Applications (iORA)" portal. To date, more than 17 lakh applications have been processed on the iORA portal, according to a statement from the Industry Department. The Gujarat government has computerized over 8 crore hand-written land records and 2.43 crore hand-written mutation entries into the Record of Rights. (ANI) Tayler Cox, Joe Lonsdale - September 27, 2014 - Hearst Castle Preservation Foundation Annual Benefit Weekend Private Tour of the Hearst Castle held at Hearst Castle, San Simeon, CA. Patrick McMullan/McMullan/Sipa USA A banner displaying Palantir Technologies Inc. signage during the company's initial public offering (IPO) in front of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020. Michael Nagle/Bloomberg Amy Chua and Peter Thiel attend Inauguration Eve hosted by Uber, X and The Free Press at Cafe Riggs on January 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Uber, X and The Free Press A monument of the Ten Commandments outside the Capitol, Thursday, June 20, 2024, in Austin, Texas. Paul Weber/Associated Press President-elect Donald Trump arrives to watch SpaceX's Starship rocket lift off for a flight test with Elon Musk from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. Brandon Bell/Associated Press Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, Palantir Technologies, and Founders Fund, speaks during the Bitcoin 2022 Conference at Miami Beach Convention Center. Marco Bello/Getty Images Tayler Cox, Joe Lonsdale - September 27, 2014 - Hearst Castle Preservation Foundation Annual Benefit Weekend Private Tour of the Hearst Castle held at Hearst Castle, San Simeon, CA. Patrick McMullan/McMullan/Sipa USA Austin-based tech billionaire Joe Lonsdale is the most important thought leader in the world today, according to the Texas Association of Business president. TABs Glenn Hamers sycophantic declaration came shortly after an unnerving interview with Lonsdale at the groups policy conference. From declaring that corporations discriminate against white men to demanding an end to most government regulations, Lonsdales rapid-fire answers to the worlds most pressing problems provided insight into the tech bro takeover of our nation. Lonsdale runs with the Elon Musk crowd. Both made fortunes working alongside their friend Peter Thiel, a California tech billionaire known for right wing extremism. Thiel worked with Musk at PayPal and then partnered with Lonsdale at Palantir. All support President Donald Trump. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Through social media posts, podcasts and public speeches, Lonsdale has risen from a junior varsity influencer to a second-stringer with aspirations. Hes put up a billboard advertising himself and his Cicero Institute on Highway 71 between Houston and Austin. Lonsdale employs provocationhe rants about woke BSand tries to inject techno-utopianism into Republican politics. When you have a regulatory state, the right analogy is its like a cancer, Lonsdale said. You need to have an automatic expiration of a certain amount of regulations every year if things do not automatically expire, everything else you're doing is a joke. Lonsdale praised Texas for having fewer regulations than most states but still condemned what he claimed were 270,000 prohibitions. He doesnt care if a democratically elected legislature enacted those laws; he thinks society should allow him to do whatever he thinks is best, especially regarding artificial intelligence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad China would love for Texas to have a new AI regulator. They would love for this free state that all this top talent is coming toto build and experiment and try new thingsto have this thing come and slow us down, Lonsdale said. Letting tech bros do whatever they want will make everyone wealthy, he argued. There's a lot of really cool stuff with AI that's going to make all of us richer. Society becomes more productive. Everyone here, everything you own, everything we're doing is going to be wealthier and better. It's good for all of us, he declared. The 66 billionaires living in Texas hold more wealth than 70% of their compatriots, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Analysis calculated. More than 46% of Texas families struggle to pay essential expenses. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lonsdale made his fortune off the collection and collation of private personal data for government agencies with seed funding from the Central Intelligence Agency. Unlike other tech bros who created consumer goods, Lonsdale made his living off the people's taxes. Critics charge that Palantirs AI software allows government surveillance that violates fundamental human rights. The companys clients include the CIA, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Israeli Defense Forces. Lonsdale left Palantir and started OpenGov, another firm that sells AI to governments for budgets and procurement. Cox Enterprises bought the company last year for $1.8 billion. Lonsdale retains shares in Palantir but no longer works for the company. The stock price jumped with Trumps reelection, making his holdings worth $1 billion. Today, he runs an Austin venture capital firm called 8VC, whose motto is The world is broken, let's fix it. The founder has some odd ideas about whats broken, and how to fix it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There's a lot of people, I think in Texas, I think in the Midwest, who feel very discriminated against the last 20 years frankly as white people, and frankly as people born here, he said. I think they're right. I think corporate America has very clearly discriminated against white people, especially white men in the last 20 years. That is a policy in almost every Fortune 500 company. No surprise that a billionaire equates losing privilege to facing bigotry. Angry white men were the only group for which Lonsdale showed any empathy. Unfortunately, too many Americans mistake wealth for wisdom. Billionaire bros like Lonsdale forget that the government does not serve them. People elect representatives to craft laws and regulations that serve the public. Lonsdale couches his arguments in platitudes about liberty, but hes actually calling for oligarchy, where people like him are free to exploit people like you and me. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) approved the creation of 1,025 posts for the battalion on November 11, 2024. Haryana has allocated 50 acres of land for the project, which received MHA clearance for its location plan on January 24, 2025. The battalion aims to address the increasing demand for women personnel in the Delhi NCR region, home to key CISF units such as the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the Parliament House Complex, and Central Government Building Security. The upcoming Jewar International Airport will further elevate this need. With the battalion located in Nuh, CISF will ensure cost-effective and rapid deployment of trained women personnel during high-alert situations. The facility will feature modern security gadgets to meet evolving operational requirements. Additionally, CISF has secured land at Indri village in Nuh for relocating its 1st Reserve Battalion, currently stationed temporarily at Barwaha, Madhya Pradesh. The proximity of the two battalions will enhance CISF's ability to secure sensitive installations across Delhi NCR. This dual establishment in Nuh will streamline operations, improve readiness, and bolster CISF's capability to address security needs efficiently. In November 2024, in a firm step towards realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of enhancing women's participation in every field of nation-building, the government approved the establishment of the first all-women battalion of the CISF. To be raised as an elite troop, the Mahila Battalion will shoulder the responsibility of protecting the nation's critical infrastructure, like airports and metro rails, and providing VIP security as commandos. The strength of Mahila Reserve Battalion is 1025 of different ranks headed by Senior Mahila Commandant. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday accused Congress of insulting Sanatan Dharma, saying that the opposition party was nowhere to be seen ahead of the assembly elections in Delhi. Taking a dig at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Shah asked him not to mock crores of devotees visiting Mahakumbh. "Congress, under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, have always insulted Sanatan Dharma. Kharge sahab, it is alright if you don't have faith, no one is forcing you, but don't mock 48 crore people who are visiting Mahakumbh to take a dip. Congress is nowhere to be seen. Can Congress do good for Delhi? Has AAP done it? The development only happens under BJP," Shah said while addressing a public rally in the Kalkaji assembly constituency. His reaction comes after Kharge slammed the BJP leaders including Shah who took the holy dip in Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Kharge said, "On one hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi salutes the Constitution, and on the other, he does everything against it. Don't be fooled by Modi's false promises." He further questioned, "Does taking a dip in the Ganga alleviate poverty? When children are dying of hunger, these people spend thousands of rupees on taking dips in the Ganga and competing with each other. Such people cannot do any good for the country." The Union Home Minister further accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal of blocking the Ayushman Bharat Yojanain the national capital. "Kejriwal has blocked PM Modi's Ayushman Bharat Yojana. As soon as the Delhi government is formed, in the first cabinet itself, Delhi people will get free health care facilities up to Rs 10 lakh. Along with this, OPD services and diagnostic tests will also be free of cost. The pension for senior citizens will be increased to Rs 2,500 and the pension for widows will be increased to Rs 3,000," Shah said. The Home Minister apprised about the Atal Canteen scheme, which would be established in slum areas of Delhi, where food will be provided for five rupees. "Atal canteen will be established in slum areas, which will provide food for Rs 5. We will end corruption in Delhi. Along with this, auto and taxi drivers will get life insurance worth Rs 10 lakh and accident insurance worth Rs 5 lakh," Shah said. Shah along with BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj held a roadshow in Delhi's Kasturba Nagar Assembly constituency earlier today. The Delhi Assembly elections are scheduled for February 5, with the counting of votes set for February 8. A total of 699 candidates are contesting for 70 assembly seats in the national capital. The Congress, which held power in Delhi for 15 consecutive years, has faced major setbacks in the last two assembly elections, failing to win any seat. In contrast, AAP dominated the 2015 and 2020 assembly elections, securing 67 and 62 seats, respectively, out of 70, while BJP won only three and eight seats in these elections. (ANI) A session court in Bhopal on Tuesday granted seven days' custody of Saurabh Sharma, a former constable of the state Transport Department, and his associate Chetan Singh Gaur to the Lokayukta police for interrogation in connection with a corruption case. The Lokayukta police arrested them on Tuesday and produced them before the court of District and Additional Sessions Judge (I) Ram Pratap Mishra. The Lokayukta police sought seven days' remand for interrogation, which Judge Mishra approved, granting custody until February 4. "Lokayukta police produced both the accused Saurabh Sharma and Chetan Singh Gaur before the court and sought seven days remand for interrogation and investigation. On which the Judge agreed with our argument and granted the seven days remand till February 4," said Vivek Gaur, Special Public Prosecutor Lokayukta. Earlier in the day, Lokayukta police detained Sharma in Bhopal, and his associate, Chetan Singh Gaur, was also taken into custody. The Lokayukta police registered a case against Sharma under sections 13(1)B and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. "Saurabh Sharma is an accused in a case registered by Lokayukta police under the Prevention of Corruption Act and a raid was also conducted at his residence by the Lokayukta police on December 19, 2024. We received information about him to be in Bhopal, following which we have detained him and an inquiry is going on. Upon arresting the accused, we will present him before the court," Lokayukta DG Jaideep Prasad told ANI. He also mentioned that Sharma's other associate would be taken into custody soon. Additionally, Sharma's other associate, Sharad Jaiswal, surrendered before the Lokayukta on Tuesday. While speaking to reporters at Lokayukta office before surrendering, he said, "I received a summons from Lokayukta, so I have appeared here today. I underwent knee operation and that is why I did not come earlier. Chetan Gaur and I were directors in a company. Today, I will present my side. I have connections with Saurabh and Chetan but I have no connection with the money and gold that was confiscated." On December 23, 2024, Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta issued summons to Saurabh Sharma, along with his wife, mother, and associates Sharad Jaiswal and Chetan Singh Gaur, for questioning in connection with the corruption case. Following a complaint, the Lokayukta also conducted search operations on December 19 and 20, uncovering assets suspected to be disproportionate to Saurabh Sharma's known sources of income. Assets worth several crores were recovered from two residences linked to the accused, located at E-7/78 and E-7/657 in Arera Colony, Bhopal. At the E-7/78 residence, authorities seized vehicles, household items, jewellery, and cash amounting to approximately Rs 3.86 crore. From the shared office at E-7/657, which is jointly held with Chetan Singh Gaur, additional assets, including silver and cash, were valued at Rs 4.12 crore. The total value of assets recovered from both locations is estimated to be around Rs 7.98 crore. In a related development, Bhopal police and Income Tax (IT) officials recovered 52 kg of gold worth over Rs 40 crore and Rs 9.86 crore in cash from an abandoned car. The car, bearing a number plate registered as MP 07 (Gwalior RTO) under the name of Chetan Singh Gaur, was discovered late at night on December 19 near Mendori-Kushalpur Road under Ratibad police station limits. Upon receiving information, officials seized the car and its contents. (ANI) Days ahead of the assembly elections in Delhi, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on Tuesday jumped into the ongoing controversy over allegations of the Haryana government "poisoning" Yamuna water and said that this was not politics, but a criminal act. Dikshit asserted that Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini must be jailed if the allegations are proven true since it amounts to a criminal act. However, he said, if the allegations are false, as claimed by the Delhi Jal Board Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a case must be registered against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi. "This is not politics, this is a criminal activity...if Haryana has made the Yamuna water poisonous then it is not a political conspiracy so if it is proven true, Haryana CM must be put in jail. But, if it is a lie, the way Jal Board CEO said. Then for spreading lies and making a serious allegation against another state govt, a case should be registered against Kejriwal and Atishi. If a criminal case be filed against a common person who called up schools to spread rumours about bombs, why shouldn't Atishi and Kejriwal go to jail?" Dikshit told ANI. His reaction comes in response to Kejriwal's statement on Monday, in which he alleged that Delhi's water supply had been "poisoned" and accused the Haryana government of planning a "genocide" against Delhi residents. "If this water would have entered Delhi only to be mixed with the drinking water, many people would have died in Delhi. It would have caused mass genocide," Kejriwal had alleged. Meanwhile, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri slammed Kejriwal, saying that the allegations made by him are reflective of his "desperation" and "frustration". "He is saying that the BJP government in Haryana wants to poison Delhi. Earlier, I used to doubt his mental coordinates, but his statements yesterday show that his desperation and frustrations are at their peak. He has got the reply from the Delhi Jal Board CEO and the people of Haryana," Puri told ANI. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has asked AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal to provide factual evidence to substantiate his serious allegations that the river Yamuna was poisoned by the neighbouring Haryana state. The Commission has directed Kejriwal to furnish his response on the complaints, especially on the factual and legal matrix along with evidentiary support thereof by 8 PM on 29th January, so as to enable the Commission to examine the matter and take action as appropriate. The Delhi Assembly elections will take place in a single phase on February 5, with the counting of votes set for February 8. A total of 699 candidates are competing for the 70 assembly seats in Delhi. The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and failed to win any seats. In contrast, AAP dominated the 2015 and 2020 assembly elections, winning 67 and 62 seats, respectively, out of a total of 70 seats, while BJP secured only three and eight seats in these elections. (ANI) Setting aside the summons issued against Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, the Rouse Avenue court on Tuesday observed that the present defamation complaint was using the shoulder of complainant by someone else. The court also said that justice delivery system ought not to be activated upon fishing exercises. Special Judge Vishal Gogne said, "The present complaint is evidently a case of someone else firing from the shoulder of Praveen Shankar Kapoor. Praveen Shankar Kapoor is not 'some person aggrieved' within the meaning of section 199 Cr. PC but only looking to be 'some person aggrieved'." "The machinery of criminal justice delivery ought not to be activated upon fishing exercises," the special judge added.CM Atishi had challenged the summons issued to her on the defamation complaint filed by BJP Leader Praveen Shankar Kapoor. "The present complaint is ill-conceived, circuitous and unsupported by any evidence of defamation. Being a tool for defeating criminal investigation, the complaint and the pre-summoning evidence does not justify the summoning of Atishi as an accused," the Court said in the judgement. The court said that a reading of the complaint under section 200 of CrPC filed by Praveen Shankar Kapoor reveals that in fact, the President of Delhi BJP namely Virendra Sachdeva himself sought investigation on the allegations made by Atishi by filing a complaint with the Commissioner of Police, Delhi on 30.01.2024 seeking 'registration of FIR against the corrupt persons for offence of bribing AAP party MLAs'. "Apparently, the top leader of the BJP in Delhi wants an investigation against his own party through registration of a FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act upon the allegations made by Atishi while the Head of the Media Cell of the Delhi BJP seeks to prosecute her for defamation," the court said. The court also said that the complaint is reflective of a "cloak and dagger approach" where officials from the same party the BJP have first acted to initiate a criminal investigation into the allegations of horse trading made by Atishi Marlena and simultaneously sought to prosecute her for defamation upon having made these very allegations. Regardless of status, a complainant, even if a seemingly powerful person as the Chief Minister, deserves protection, at least from prosecution on the specious allegations of defamation. The court also raised questions over the conduct of Praveen Shankar Kapoor and said, "Quite conveniently, the said complaint dated January 30, 2024, made by Sachdeva was not exhibited in the pre-summoning evidence. The entire conduct of Praveen Shankar Kapoor is reflective of selective allegations and convenient assertions." It further said that Quite contrary to the averment by Praveen Shankar Kapoor in his complaint under section 200 CrPC that since the allegations levelled against the BJP were false, Virendraa Sachdeva preferred a complaint seeking registration of an FIR, Sachdeva himself did not express even a semblance of falsehood in the allegations made by Atishi Marlena. Sachdeva did not assert that her allegations were defamatory. The court observed, "This complaint is not directed against Atishi but against the very own party of Mr. Virendraa Sachdeva. It is not for the court to fathom the motivations of Sachdeva in seeking investigation of allegations of corruption against his own party." Since the same party (BJP), from which one member/office bearer viz present complainant Praveen Shankar Kapoor seeks to be 'some person aggrieved' for the offence of defamation, has rather found it fit to press for registration of an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act to investigate the allegations of attempt at bribery of Rs 25 crores each to multiple MLAs of the AAP, the basis for the complainant to be aggrieved of defamation, only as a member of the said party, collapses to oblivion, the court said in the judgement passed on January 28. The court held that Praveen Shankar Kapoor was required to justify his complaint in the light of the seriousness of the allegations made by CM Atishi, the forwarding of these very allegations to Delhi Police by his own party president in Delhi and the Commissioner of Police duly assigning it for enquiry to the Crime Branch. His efforts to somehow claim legal status as 'some person aggrieved' fall abysmally short in the context of the above three powerful circumstances. "There is absolutely no defamation of the media head of the BJP if the leader of the AAP accuses the BJP of trying to buy their MLAs with huge sums of money," the court held. While allowing the revision petition, the court also emphasized the freedom of speech and said "Freedom per se shall thrive only if it is guaranteed by the freedom of speech and expression as is secured by the Indian constitution." The court said that the present action alleging defamation by Atishi is an oblique effort of complainant to circumvent both criminal investigation and the right to freedom of speech. "Whilst such tactics may be part and parcel of political strategy, a court of law cannot be a party to the creation of a chilling effect on freedom of speech by admitting or acting upon such efforts to silence whistle-blowers or smaller political opponents. To summon Atishi for the offence of defamation in the present allegations would be suppressive of the freedom of speech and the accountability of public office, the court held. "The repercussions of entertaining the present complaint upon the freedom of speech, by resorting to a low threshold for perceiving defamation, are sublime but certainly not invisible to the court," the court added. The court further said that the prosecution of an elected representative (Chief Minister Atishi Marlena) who alleges horsetrading or the threat of prosecution by the ruling dispensation, under the veil of defamation seeks to suppress the narrative that a large political behemoth is admitting to swallowing smaller political outfits by the use of money power and the threat to unleash investigation agencies. To propagate such a narrative is also a part of the freedom of political speech of the smaller party. "The big voice cannot scupper the smaller voice using the weapon of defamation. Any foot solider of a big enterprise like the party in question (BJP) must necessarily project broad shoulders in accepting an alternative political narrative. Such responsibility accompanies the privilege of being the ruling party," the court said. The court is unable to find the allegations to constitute the 'high threshold' for defamation asserted by the order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Arvind Kejriwal, it added. The court observed, " If the assertion of the Sr. Counsel for the complainant is accepted and complainant Praveen Shankar Kapoor is treated as 'some person aggrieved' under section 199 Cr. PC, floodgates would open for every worker of a party to institute criminal proceedings against the leaders of the opposing political party who may have made comments alleging political corruption or a like misdemeanour. The country being governed by different parties in different states, the chaos to ensue would be unfathomable." (ANI) Approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on November 11 last year, the initiative involves the creation of 1,025 posts. A 50-acre land parcel in Nuh, allocated by the Haryana government and assessed as suitable by the CISF, has been earmarked for the battalion. The MHA approved the key location plan on January 24, 2025. This facility will play a crucial role in addressing the increasing need for women personnel in high-alert areas within the Delhi NCR region, which includes critical CISF units such as the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Parliament House Complex, and various Central Government buildings. With the upcoming Jewar International Airport expected to further heighten demand, the women battalion will ensure swift deployment of trained women personnel. Equipped with modern security technology, the battalion will enhance the force's capacity to meet policing needs effectively. In parallel, CISF is relocating its 1st Reserve Battalion from Barwaha, Madhya Pradesh, to an adjacent site in Nuh, strengthening the force's operational readiness. The co-location of the women and first reserve battalions will optimize resources and improve efficiency in securing vital installations across the Delhi NCR region. This dual establishment marks a significant milestone in bolstering the CISF's capabilities while advancing women's representation in India's security forces. (ANI) Strongly condemning the "desecration" of Dr BR Ambedkar's statue in Amritsar, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday demanded an "immediate and unconditional apology" from the ruling AAP Government of Punjab for "failing" to safeguard the legacy of the Father of the Indian Constitution. A youth has vandalised the life-size statue of Ambedkar in Amritsar by climbing atop it and striking it with a hammer on Republic Day on Sunday. A video clip purportedly of the incident also went viral on social media. "It is deeply disheartening and outrageous that the sanctity and respect for Dr BR Ambedkar, a beacon of social justice, are being trampled upon under the current dispensation," Kharge said in a post on X. He futher criticized the Punjab government for using Ambedkar's name for political gains while neglecting his values. "The issue surrounding the desecration of Ambedkar's statue in Punjab is a stark reminder of how hollow the promises of equality and social inclusion are under the present regime," said Kharge. "The Government of Punjab leaves no opportunity to use Dr Ambedkar's name and photograph for its politics and for seeking votes, while when it comes to protecting his values and vision, the Government has failed miserably," read the post. On Monday, Punjab Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that the accused in the matter has been taken into custody and the police are investigating to nab the real conspirator. Kharge further said, "Earlier, the treatment meted out to the statue of Dr Ambedkar in the Parliament complex is nothing less than shocking. It is a matter of great shame that the statue, which once occupied a prominent and respectful place within the Parliament premises, has now been relegated to a corner, as if to diminish the stature of the man who laid the foundation of modern India." "We have already demanded that Dr. Ambedkar's statue in the Parliament premises must be restored to its rightful and prominent place. This decision, made without any regard for the historical and emotional significance of the statue, speaks volumes about the Union Government's apathy toward honouring the legacy of one of India's greatest visionaries", read the post further. "By failing to protect his statues across the country, the governments, both Union and state, are sending a clear and dangerous message--that it neither values his contributions nor respects the principles he stood for," said Kharge. Further, highlighting Ambedkar's unparalleled contributions to the nation, Kharge emphasized the need for all governments to uphold the principles of justice, equality, and fraternity "Dr Ambedkar's contributions to this nation are unparalleled. His relentless fight for the rights of the oppressed, his drafting of the Constitution that guarantees equality to every citizen, and his vision for an inclusive India deserve nothing less than the highest regard," said Kharge. "We demand an immediate and unconditional apology from the Government of Punjab for the neglect and mistreatment of Dr Ambedkar's statues in the holy city of Amritsar. We also demand that strict action, without fail, must be taken against the perpetrators of this act. Otherwise, the nation would be forced to think that both the Union Government and the Government of Punjab promoting such vandalism," Kharge added. "The Congress party stands firm in its commitment to protecting and upholding the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar. We will continue to fight against any attempt to undermine his contributions and the ideals enshrined in our Constitution. It is our collective duty as a nation to ensure that his memory and message remain eternal and undiminished," Kharge said. (ANI) Following the rising number of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases in Pune, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakashrao Abitkar said that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed officials to form a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to control the rise in number of cases. Prakashrao Abitkar said, " A discussion was held in the cabinet regarding the GBS outbreak in Pune. The CM has asked us to form an SOP to control the rise in cases. Health Minister, Health Secretary, Municipality officers, DM and other senior officers will be present as part of the task force. The source of this outbreak is Nanded village in Pune district, where contaminated water from a well was consumed leading to the cases in the district. In Pune out of 118 patients, 80 patients are from Nanded area. GBS is not a new disease, there have been many prior cases in Maharashtra as well as the country." He further said that the Pune Municipal Corporation and Health Department team have conducted an inspection. "The water in the well is contaminated. It comes from Khadakwasla. Now the number of patients is 111. I am confident that the number won't rise. Teams from Delhi will also take a visit. When resistance power in any patient decreases then the number rises. This is not transmittable disease like Covid," he added. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that the state health department is making every effort to control the situation. BMC said, "The government has taken a review of GBS. In case of any such case in future, 50 ICU beds with hot sheets have been arranged at the main hospital of the Vaikyalaya in Mumbai city, and 100 ICU beds with hot sheets are being arranged at the Sehnsa Hospital. All the medicines available for GBS treatment are available in Mumbai. Till date, no new case of GBS has been found in Mumbai and there has been no increase in the number of cases." BMC said that all government and private healthcare institutions in Mumbai have been instructed to report any new GBS cases to the Epidemic Cell of the Public Health Department. However, cases of this disease are generally found in Mumbai city in small numbers throughout the year, BMC said. Earlier CM Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the disease of GBS in the state cabinet meeting on Tuesday. A presentation was made on the disease on behalf of the Public Health Department in the meeting. (ANI) The draft report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 has been sent to members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee ahead of the meeting of the panel on Wednesday, sources said with the panel having cleared amendments to 14 clauses. While JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal has said that the democratic process was followed in the deliberations, opposition members have said that very little time has been given to them to go through the large draft report and give their comments. Jagdambika Pal, who is a BJP MP, said that there will be meeting tomorrow to adopt the draft report. He also rejected opposition's allegations. "In yesterday's meeting, we had asked for proposals from the MPs on the 44 proposed amendments. Today, those including Kalyan Banerjee and A Raja who are levelling allegations that they were not allowed to speak are wrong. We had got voting done on all amendments proposed by the Opposition. The entire procedure transparently took place. We have sent the revised bill to the legislative department," he said. "There will be a meeting to adopt the bill in Delhi tomorrow. The JPC report will also be adopted tomorrow. After this, we will request the Speaker to present the amended bill. Everything is on record. Kalyan Banerjee, A Raja, Owaisi, Sanjay Singh, Imran Masood have always disrupted the meetings. I have always given them a chance to speak and also do cross-examination of those appearing before the JPC," he added. He said the panel has visited several states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. "We met all stakeholders, state government officials, work board, Shia Waqf board, Sunni Waqf board, minority commissions, Islamic scholars, professors, retired judges, lawyers, high courts, Supreme Court, we met with everyone," he said. Pal referred to the role of majority vote in the decision-making process. "Whether it is within the parliament, or whether it is a standing committee of the parliament, or whether it is a joint parliamentary committee, it will be decided from the vote of any party, on the basis of majority, whether the amendment is adopted or not," he said. "It was done in a transparent and democratic way, and on all the clauses, whether it was on any member of the opposition, we have done voting on them, and the result that came out, we have declared it clause by clause every time, and our secretary has recorded," he added. Sources said some of the amendments proposed by the panel include replacing district collector with a state government official senior to him to decide on a property being a Waqf or government land and the Waqf tribunal having a member with knowledge of Muslim law and jurisprudence. The panel on Waqf bill was given extension in the winter session of Parliament and is due to submit its report in the budget session of Parliament. Ahead of the meeting on Wednesday, DMK leader A Raja alleged that the Parliamentary Committee on Waqf Bill "has been reduced to a farce". "We were told that the Draft Report of the Committee & its Bill will be discussed tomorrow at 10 AM. It is 655 pages and has been sent to us just now. MPs are expected to go through it and provide comments and submit dissent notes. This is simply not possible. What is the point of an independent parliamentary committee if the government does as it pleases anyway?" he asked. The budget session of Parliament will begin on January 31 and will continue till continue till April 4 with an inter-session break. (ANI) The ATC judge in Rawalpindi heard the acquittal plea of Imran Khan in the May 9 case on Monday. After the prosecution completed its arguments, the ATC court rejected Imran Khan's acquittal plea, as per ARY News. The prosecutor told ARY News that the case trial has started, and the testimonies of 12 witnesses have been recorded. He further said that the hearing of the acquittal plea at this stage is inadmissible. Earlier on January 25, the hearing of the May 9th GHQ attack case continued at Adiala Jail, with the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, being presented in the courtroom, ARY News reported. In another development, the defence lawyers requested that Imran Khan's family members be allowed to attend the trial, a request that was granted. However, the prosecution raised an objection to allowing Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan's wife, to attend the GHQ trial. The prosecution argued that she had been convicted in a separate case and had already received a sentence. According to the prosecution, the law does not allow a convicted person to be present in another trial. Furthermore, the defense lawyers filed a request to merge all 13 cases related to the May 9 incident. Violent clashes erupted in Pakistan after Imran Khan was arrested on May 9, 2023. The protests were held in remote and major cities as PTI workers were angry over the arrest of the party founder, with Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad summoning the armed forces to ensure law and order. Army installations, including the Corps Commander's house in Lahore, were attacked during the protests held by PTI workers. Notably, Imran Khan is named as the main accused in the May 9 riots case. (ANI) Transmission power lines are shown along Sam Houston Tollway at Hollister, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Bitcoin mining machines in the development area of Lancium on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer A drilling rig is erected next to an abandoned home Wednesday, July 6, 2022, near Pecos. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Todd M. Smith, commercial advisor, left, and Ronald Bailey, technical advisor, right, talk about one of the underground data halls at the Westland Bunker, a data center facility operated by Data Journey Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Montgomery. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer In the midst of a population and economic boom, Texas is outgrowing its aging power grid and needs 3,000 miles of new long-distance power lines to meet an unprecedented increase in electricity demand, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the states grid operator, concluded in a new report. Thats longer than a cross-country drive, according to Google Maps. Similar to adding new roads to accommodate more cars, ERCOT said the new power lines are essential to deliver more electricity. If implemented, ERCOTs plan would be the largest build-out of transmission lines since Texas completed the Competitive Renewable Energy Zone initiative in 2013 with former Gov. Rick Perrys backing. CREZ, designed to deliver electricity from West Texas wind farms to major population hubs, was considered one of the largest infrastructure projects in the states history. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This time around, Texas must build transmission lines largely to support electrification within the oil and gas industry and to host more power-intensive cryptocurrency mines and data centers, the latter of which have proliferated as technology companies race to develop artificial intelligence, according to ERCOTs analyses. We are one of the few states that are growing in all sectors, whether it's residential, commercial or industrial, so making sure that we have the capacity to move electricity from generation-side to demand-side is really important, said Mark Bell, president of the Association of Electric Companies of Texas, an industry trade group. Building this much transmission and making necessary upgrades could cost between $30.8 billion and $33 billion, ERCOT estimated in its recent report, fueling concerns within the electric power industry that residential consumers could see significant rate increases for this infrastructure. Lawmakers say they will reform how transmission costs are allocated in the ongoing legislative session. Why transmission lines are needed By 2030, Texas could need nearly 80% more electricity during times of peak usage, ERCOT revealed in April. Though theres doubt on whether all the data centers, cryptocurrency mines and hydrogen projects applying to connect to the grid will actually be built, the projection still signaled unprecedented growth is coming, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The lack of transmission capacity could pose a key constraint on ERCOTs ability to meet that demand, Vegas told the grid operators board in April as he proclaimed a new era of planning for the organization. Thats because it takes approximately three to six years to build new transmission lines, compared to six to 12 months to add new power demand or supply to the grid, he said. Lack of adequate transmission lines can create congestion of electrons on the grid, similar to traffic clogging up a highway. That makes it more difficult for low-cost electricity to travel to certain regions such as Houston, adding to electricity costs. This congestion can also increase the risk of rolling outages, as available lines can become overloaded. Indeed, a recurring South Texas grid chokepoint played a large part in ERCOT triggering a grid emergency in September 2023, the first since the notorious 2021 freeze. Power-hungry oil and gas Under the Biden administration, clean energy advocates were often the biggest supporters of more transmission lines to unlock the potential for more wind and solar power. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But in Texas, oil and gas producers have been clamoring for more transmission lines for years so they can connect to the grid too. Thats because they want to make their operations more efficient, reduce fuel costs and cut climate-warming emissions. By 2038, the Permian Basin alone could add 26 gigawatts of electricity demand, nearly a third of the Texas grids entire summer demand currently, according to ERCOT. Oil and gas electrification accounts for more than 14 gigawatts of that, ERCOT said. The Texas Legislature passed a law in 2023 requiring the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the state agency regulating the grid, to direct ERCOT to study transmission needs in the Permian Basin. The grid operator released its final report in July, with the PUC approving $13 billion to $15 billion in estimated investments in September. Lori Cobos, the former PUC commissioner in charge of the effort, called the approval a monumental and historic transmission buildout in a September statement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Permian Basin is the heartbeat of our state and nations energy dominance and economy. This plan is a roadmap that will ensure electric reliability in the region for decades to come, she said. The Texas Oil and Gas Association said in a September statement that the plan addressed the industrys concerns that grid infrastructure hasnt kept pace with their growth. Crypto mining, data centers flock to Texas Lawmakers and regulators have been much more skeptical of the cryptocurrency mining and data center industries, which also want more transmission lines to connect their operations to the Texas grid. Data centers and cryptocurrency mines house banks of computers. Data centers store data from online activities and increasingly run calculations necessary for artificial intelligence. Crypto mines solve complex math equations to earn cryptocurrency as a reward. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Both types of facilities use lots of electricity to run these computers and to prevent the equipment from overheating. Some of the larger ones consume as much electricity as a medium-sized power plant, according to data from the Department of Energy. GRID STRESS: Texas lawmakers turn on cryptocurrency industry after learning of high power demand projections Lee Bratcher, president of the Texas Blockchain Council, an industry trade group, has long maintained that cryptocurrency mining doesnt risk grid stability. Thats because companies typically ramp down operations when electricity prices are high and its uneconomic to mine crypto, which reduces grid strain, he said. There's never been an energy consumer that is as price sensitive as a bitcoin miner, Bratcher said. Dan Diorio, senior director of state policy with the Data Center Coalition, another industry trade group, highlighted the national security benefits of hosting American data inside the country. Texas could also reap billions in investments related to the development of artificial intelligence, he said. We continue to see emphasis on the United States becoming a leader in digital infrastructure in order to maintain global competitiveness. Texas is on the forefront of that, Diorio said. Caution remains Still, lawmakers from both parties have worried about the cost impact to consumers of building enough transmission lines to serve data centers and cryptocurrency mines. A few even floated proposals to ban the industries at a June Senate committee hearing. Shortly after the June hearing, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wrote on X that he was more interested in building the grid to serve homes, apartments and normal businesses. We want data centers, but it cant be the Wild Wild West of data centers and crypto miners crashing our grid and turning the lights off, he wrote. Since then, lawmakers have softened their stance after damage control from both industries. Steven Aranyi, Patricks spokesperson, said in a recent statement that Patrick believes Texas can be a world leader in crypto mining and data centers, but they must have a plan to provide their own power. This points to concerns not just about adequate transmission lines, but also whether Texas will have enough power plants to meet these industries demands. A memorial service to mark 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz by Soviet troops was held on Monday (local time) at the site of the former death camp, a ceremony that was widely treated as the last major observance that any notable number of survivors would be able to attend, CBS News reported. Among those who traveled to the site was 86-year-old Tova Friedman, who was 6 when she was among the 7,000 people liberated on January 27, 1945. She believes it will the be last gathering of survivors at Auschwitz and she came from her home in New Jersey to add her voice to those warning about rising hatred and antisemitism. Auschwitz quickly became a potent symbol of the horrors of the Holocaust. Its notorious "selection process" for prisoners arriving at the camp's train platform determined life or death in mere moments. Families were torn apart, with children, the elderly, and the disabled often sent immediately to their deaths, CBS News reported. The vast majority of prisoners who survived the initial selection went on to endure unimaginable suffering and were still eventually murdered, often after grueling forced labor in sub-zero temperatures or cruel medical experiments, as per CBS News. Polish President Andrzej Duda, whose nation lost 6 million citizens during the war, placed a candle Monday at Auschwitz's Death Wall, where many prisoners were executed, among them Poles who resisted the occupation of their country. He was surrounded by elderly survivors of the camp, who were assisted by family members. "We Poles, on whose land -- occupied by Nazi Germans at that time -- the Germans built this extermination industry and this concentration camp, are today the guardians of memory," Duda said. He spoke of the "unimaginable harm" inflicted on so many people, especially the Jewish people. https://x.com/prezydentpl/status/1883958704397079033 In all, the Germans murdered 6 million Jews from all over Europe, annihilating two-thirds of Europe's Jews and one-third of all Jews worldwide. In 2005, the United Nations designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Later in the day, world leaders and royalty joined with elderly camp survivors, the youngest of whom are in their 80s. Among the leaders in attendance were Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Germany had never sent both of its highest state representatives to the observances before, CBS News reported. https://x.com/Bundeskanzler/status/1883964385875616091 French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau along with Britain's King Charles III and kings and queens from Spain, Denmark and Norway attended the ceremony. https://x.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1883973811042935194 https://x.com/RoyalFamily/status/1883980480766234733 https://x.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1883951058051031385 The White House said Washington would be represented by US special Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick, among others. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is Jewish, also arrived in Poland Monday to attend the memorial. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1883958482853941542 "We must overcome the hatred that gives rise to abuse and murder. We must prevent forgetfulness," he said in a statement before he arrived. "It is everyone's mission to do everything possible to prevent evil from winning." Nazi German forces murdered some 1.1 million people at the site in southern Poland, which was under German occupation during World War II. Most of the victims were Jews killed on an industrial scale in gas chambers, but the Germans also murdered many Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war, gay people and others who were targeted for elimination in the Nazi racial ideology, as per CBS News. (ANI) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office is planning for his to travel to Washington DC next week to meet with US President Donald Trump, The Times of Israel reported. The trip has not been finalised and will be dependent on Netanyahu's health, as he recovers from prostate surgery, but the plan is for him to depart on Sunday and return on Thursday, as per The Times of Israel. If he travels, Netanyahu will be the first foreign leader to meet Trump in his second term. Netanyahu on January 26 thanked Trump for giving them 'tools' for self-defence. https://x.com/netanyahu/status/1883524331701260427 "Thank you President Trump for keeping your promise to give Israel the tools it needs to defend itself, to confront our common enemies and to secure a future of peace and prosperity," he said in a post on X. Meanwhile on Monday, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Netanyahu called for an end to antisemitism and called out the International Criminal Court for its antisemitism. The remarks were made in reference to ICC issuing arrest warrants against Netanyahu. "On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, I call on all civilized nations to confront antisemitism wherever it appears--on college campuses, city streets, or international forums like the ICC. Founded in the shadow of the Holocaust, the ICC has disgraced itself with antisemitic attacks on Israel. Hamas are the new Nazis, and we are committed to defeating them once and for all. The Jewish state will always stand as a safe haven for Jews worldwide," his post on X read. https://x.com/netanyahu/status/1883772010406281644 As per ICC, Netanyahu's charges are, "Allegedly responsible for the war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare and of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024." (ANI) India's Ambassador to Japan, Sibi George received Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav in Japan, Indian Embassy to Japan stated. Yadav and George were seen greeting each other with folded hands and with a smile. In a post on X, the Embassy said, "Hon'ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav, arrives in Japan. Received by Ambassador Ambassador Sibi George." https://x.com/IndianEmbTokyo/status/1884004384092348445 Before leaving for his four-day Japan visit to attract investments, Yadav on Monday said that the state government was continuously working on the issues of industrialisation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will also invite industrialists to participate in the Global Investors Summit in Bhopal. The CM also stressed that the state received investment proposals of over Rs 4 lakh crores through the Regional Industry Conclaves held in the state so far and employment opportunities for around 3 lakh people would be generated. "Under the leadership of PM Modi, the Madhya Pradesh government is continuously working on the issues of industrialisation. We have organised Regional Industry Conclaves in various divisions in the state, due to which we have received investment proposals of Rs 4 lakh crores and employment opportunities for more than 3 lakh people will be generated," CM Yadav told ANI. Global Investors Summit (GIS) is scheduled to be held in Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal next month on February 24-25. PM Modi will inaugurate the event. "We are inviting industrialists to participate in the summit from across the globe. Madhya Pradesh has a very good investment environment. Earlier, I visited Germany and England, now I am going on a four-day visit to Japan. I will go to three different cities there and will hold discussions with the investors. We will make Japan a partner in the Global Investor Summit," CM said. CM Mohan Yadav is going on a four-day Japan visit seeking investment opportunities and to invite industrialists for the Global Investors Summit (GIS) to be held Bhopal on February 24-25. (ANI) Taiwan stated that it detected six Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan from 6 am (local time) on Monday till 6 am (local time) on Tuesday. Taiwanese MND said that their armed forces monitored the situation and responded accordingly. In a post on X, Taiwan's MND said, "6 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1884043723245310195 Notably, Chinese activity has risen around Taiwan. On Monday, Taiwan reported four Chinese aircraft and five naval vessels near its territory. In a post on X, the Taiwanese MND said, " 4 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1883681333584781368 This incident follows a recent pattern of escalated manoeuvres by China around Taiwan, raising concerns over regional stability as Beijing continues to assert its claims over the island. Earlier on Saturday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has raised concerns over Beijing's coercion against Taiwan during a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Focus Taiwan reported, citing the US Department of State. According to Focus Taiwan, Rubio emphasized the United States' "commitment to our allies in the region and serious concern over China's coercive actions against Taiwan and in the South China Sea," said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce in a readout following the phone call on Friday (Washington time). Bruce also quoted Rubio as stating that the US will pursue a relationship with Beijing that "advances US interests and puts the American people first." This was Rubio's first phone call as Secretary of State with Wang, who is also the director of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee's Foreign Affairs Commission. (ANI) US President Donald Trump in his remarks to GOP Members of Congress in Miami, Florida joked if he could run for the next Presidential elections in 2028. Trump in a hopeful speech said that he raised funds for the next presidential race, even if he was inaugurated on January 20. "I have raised a lot of money for the next race that I assume I can't use for myself. But I am not a 100 per cent sure, because I think I am not allowed to run again. Am I allowed to run again?" he said. However, Trump cannot run for a third term or cancel the 2028 election, ABC News reported. The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution says, "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice," and even if Trump tries to defy that, he would almost certainly be universally rebuffed by the courts and election officials, as per ABC News. "This is a very big congratulations to our reelected house Republican majority on your largest popular vote since 1928. We swept through all swing states- Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona and Nevada by very big margin, record setting. For the very first time, all 50 states shifted to the Republican Party- we've never had that before. We won the largest amount of African-American voters in the Republican history, including 39 per cent of black men. And we won more Hispanic American votes than any Republican ever," Trump recounted his election victory. Trump said that he would 'shatter' former US President Franklin Roosevelt's First New Deal. During Roosevelt's first hundred days in office in 1933 until 1935, he introduced what historians refer to as the "First New Deal", which focused on the "3 R's": relief for the unemployed and for the poor, recovery of the economy back to normal levels, and reform of the financial system to prevent a repeat depression. "We made historic strides voters in a political earthquake. We got support of labour unions, including, massive numbers of auto workers, who gave us Michigan. Together with new political majority we are shattering Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal coalition which dominated world politics for over a hundred years," he said. Trump further said that under his leadership, Republicans have become the indiscrimated voice of all US citizens. "Under our leadership, Republican Party has become the proud voice of hardworking American citizens of every race, religion, colour and creed. We have become the party of the American Dream, wealth creation, not just the rich. If we do our job over the next 21 months, not only the House Republicans be reelected and expand our majority in 2026, we will cement national governing coalition that will preserve American freedom for generations to come," he said. Trump further expressed his satisfaction at the massive support he has secured. "There has never been anything like what's happening in politics in the last few years. Everybody seems to be with us," he said. (ANI) Margherita held talks on further deepening the relations of India with these countries. Margherita said that he met Pattarat Hongtong, Ambassador of Thailand, as she completes her tenure in India. In a post on X, he said, "Met H.E. Ms. Pattarat Hongtong, Ambassador of Thailand, as she completes her tenure in India. Complimented her for her efforts in fostering deeper India-Thailand relations and wished success in her future endeavours." https://x.com/PmargheritaBJP/status/1883919441840455686 Margherita said that he discussed matters of mutual interest with Zaw Oo, Ambassador of Myanmar to India. In a post on X, he said, "Met H.E. Mr. Zaw Oo, Ambassador of Myanmar to India. We discussed matters of mutual interest, including ongoing development cooperation." https://x.com/PmargheritaBJP/status/1883909969365651615 The MoS also met David Puig, Ambassador of Dominican Republic, as he is to shortly complete his mission in India. He said, "Pleasure to meet H. E. Mr. David Puig, Ambassador of Dominican Republic, as he is to shortly complete his mission in India. Thanked him for his contribution in promoting our bilateral relations and wished him success for his future endeavours." https://x.com/PmargheritaBJP/status/1883860873145614813 Earlier in the day, Margherita held a meeting with the Ambassador of Chile, Juan Angulo and He also held a meeting with the Ambassador of Myanmar to India, Zaw Oo. He noted that the discussions were held on the matters of mutual interest and to strengthen partnerships. The details of the meeting were shared in a post on X. https://x.com/PmargheritaBJP/status/1883840864558121130 The MoS said, "Glad to meet H.E. Mr. Juan Angulo, Ambassador of Chile, @EmbaChileIndia. We had a productive exchange on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new avenues of cooperation for increasing trade & economic relations @MEAIndia". (ANI) Arbitrary arrests and reprisal violence in Bangladesh underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's authoritarian regime by mass protests in August 2024, said a new report by Human Rights Watch. A 50-page report by Human Rights Watch titled "After the Monsoon Revolution: A Roadmap to Lasting Security Sector Reform in Bangladesh" outlines recommendations to address the country's longstanding issues of political repression. The report highlights the need for reforms centered on the separation of powers and political neutrality across critical institutions such as the judiciary, civil service, police, and military. While the interim government has made significant strides toward institutional accountability, Human Rights Watch warns that this progress could be jeopardized without swift and structural reforms that ensure lasting democratic governance. "Nearly 1,000 Bangladeshis lost their lives fighting for democracy, ushering in a landmark opportunity to build a rights-respecting future in Bangladesh," said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "This hard-won progress could all be lost if the interim government does not create swift and structural reforms that can withstand any repression by future governments." According to Human Rights Watch, since taking office, interim government head Muhammad Yunus, who was appointed by student activists after Hasina's departure, has committed to implementing key reforms. The interim government has also pledged to end practices such as extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. Six commissions have been established to address reforms in critical areas, including the electoral system, justice system, public administration, police, anti-corruption measures, and the constitution. In February, Yunus is expected to begin implementing recommendations from these commissions. The interim government is being urged to introduce a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council's March session to ensure sustained monitoring and reporting on Bangladesh's human rights situation. Human Rights Watch has called on donor governments to support security sector reforms but cautioned against doing so without meaningful structural changes. However, the transition to democratic governance has not been without setbacks. Human Rights Watch has documented a resurgence of abuses by security forces, this time targeting former Awami League supporters. Arbitrary detentions, mass complaints against unnamed individuals, and intimidation remain prevalent. In just two months, over 1,000 police cases have been filed against tens of thousands of people, primarily Awami League members. More than 400 ministers and leaders of the former ruling party are facing investigations. Family members of victims who died during the Monsoon Revolution also reported being pressured by political leaders opposed to the Awami League to sign police reports in exchange for recognition of their relatives' murders. "If we don't combat radicalization and anti-Semitism, the Holocaust won't remain a past event we remember and learn from, but a reality we will have to face. Never again is now," Elaine Pearson warned, pointing to the high stakes of inaction. The interim government has acceded to the UN Convention on Enforced Disappearances and is being urged to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. It should also invite the UN subcommittee on Prevention to make recommendations on addressing inhumane practices. Human Rights Watch also raised concerns over the treatment of journalists under the interim government. By November, authorities had filed murder charges against at least 140 journalists related to their coverage of the Monsoon Revolution. Over 150 press accreditations were revoked, and sedition charges were brought against 19 individuals accused of desecrating the national flag. Additionally, violent attacks against minority communities, including Hindus, have reportedly gone unchecked, raising questions about police accountability. While Yunus has pledged to respect free speech, recent actions by the authorities contradict this commitment. "The interim government should enlist UN support to cement structural reforms so that the abuses of the past do not become a blueprint for Bangladesh's future," said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. Human Rights Watch emphasized the importance of independent civilian oversight over law enforcement, adherence to international standards on the use of force, and accountability for any breaches. Member countries are being called upon to work with the interim government to establish regular UN monitoring and ensure that reforms are not rolled back after the current administration's tenure. The stakes remain high as Bangladesh navigates a fragile transition. The interim government's ability to enact lasting reforms could determine whether the nation achieves a sustainable democratic future or remains haunted by the legacy of its autocratic past. (ANI) Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's recent visit to India has been hailed as a resounding success, further strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two nations. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, who had the honour of seeing off the President, expressed his gratitude for the fruitful and successful visit Margherita shared on X, "Had the honour of seeing off H E Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia after a fruitful and successful visit to India. This visit has further deepened the bonds of friendship between our two great nations." https://x.com/PmargheritaBJP/status/1883876858632319487 Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto concluded a landmark state visit to India, further strengthening the historical and strategic ties between the two nations. During his visit, President Subianto emphasised the deep cultural and historical connections between India and Indonesia, drawing attention to the significant influence of ancient Indian civilisation on Indonesian culture, language, and even genetics. Speaking at a banquet hosted in his honour by President Droupadi Murmu, Subianto shared a personal anecdote about his recent genetic sequencing test, which revealed traces of Indian DNA. He humorously remarked, "Everybody knows when I hear Indian music, I start dancing." Subianto also expressed admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, praising his commitment to uplifting the marginalised and eradicating poverty. "His commitment to alleviating poverty, helping the marginalised, and helping the weakest part of your society, is an inspiration for us," Subianto said. In a heartfelt message, the Indonesian President expressed his pride in visiting India and conveyed his wishes for the prosperity, peace, and greatness of its people. "I would like to see Indonesia and India continuing to be close partners and friends," he added, highlighting the shared aspirations of both nations to enhance their longstanding partnership. The state visit, which took place from January 23 to 26, saw President Subianto attending India's 76th Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest, at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. Subianto was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including several Ministers, senior officials, and a business team, reflecting the importance of the visit for bilateral cooperation. The visit also witnessed the signing and renewal of five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) across diverse fields such as health, traditional medicine, and maritime security. Key agreements included an MoU on health cooperation between the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and its Indonesian counterpart, as well as the renewal of a maritime safety and security cooperation agreement between the Indian Coast Guard and Indonesia's BAKAMLA. Additionally, an MoU was signed on traditional medicine quality assurance between India's Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homeopathy under the Ministry of AYUSH and Indonesia's Food and Drug Authority. (ANI) DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup founded less than a year ago, has introduced its breakthrough AI model, DeepSeek R1, which is gaining attention for its performance and cost-efficiency, Reported CNN/ The model has nearly the same capabilities as other leading AI systems, including OpenAI's GPT-4, Meta's Llama, and Google's Gemini, but at a fraction of the cost. This development has drawn significant interest in the tech world, especially after the company revealed its shockingly low operational costs. Marc Andreessen, a prominent tech investor, called DeepSeek's breakthrough "AI's Sputnik moment." The company claims it spent just USD 5.6 million powering its base AI model, a stark contrast to the hundreds of millions, if not billions, that US companies typically invest in similar technologies. DeepSeek's model was developed using relatively underpowered AI chips, despite the United States' efforts to restrict China's access to advanced chips. This accomplishment raises questions about the cost and feasibility of developing high-performance AI models with limited resources. DeepSeek was founded in late 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, a Chinese hedge fund manager. Liang has quickly become a key figure in the AI space, drawing comparisons to Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. His hedge fund, High-Flyer, focuses on AI research and development, helping to fuel DeepSeek's rapid rise. Over the past year, DeepSeek has released various AI models, including its V3 model, which drew attention but was criticised for its content restrictions on sensitive topics related to the Chinese government and leadership. The R1 model, however, has raised the stakes. When it was revealed late last year and launched publicly last week, the company emphasised its low cost of operation. The model is open-source, allowing other companies to test and improve upon it. The DeepSeek app surged in popularity, surpassing ChatGPT on app store charts, and has been downloaded nearly 2 million times. This surge in downloads demonstrates the excitement around the company's breakthrough. AI is known for its high operational costs, with major players like Meta planning to spend more than USD 65 billion on AI development this year. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has stated that the AI industry will need trillions of dollars in investment to support the infrastructure and chips required for these technologies. DeepSeek's ability to deliver competitive performance at a fraction of the cost challenges existing industry assumptions about how much investment is required to develop powerful AI models. Andreessen, who is a supporter of the technology, called DeepSeek's achievement "one of the most amazing and impressive breakthroughs I've ever seen" in a post on X. His statement reflects the industry's growing acknowledgment of the potential impact of DeepSeek's model. DeepSeek's success comes amid growing concerns over AI's role in national security. The United States has imposed export restrictions on high-performance chips to China, aiming to maintain its technological advantage. However, DeepSeek's progress suggests that restrictions may not be enough to stop China from making significant advances in AI. The United States thought it could sanction its way to dominance in a key technology it believes will help bolster its national security. Just a week before leaving office, former President Joe Biden doubled down on export restrictions on AI computer chips to prevent rivals like China from accessing the advanced technology. But DeepSeek has called into question that notion and threatened the aura of invincibility surrounding America's technology industry. America may have bought itself time with restrictions on chip exports, but its AI lead just shrank dramatically despite those actions. DeepSeek may show that turning off access to a key technology doesn't necessarily mean the United States will win. That's an important message to President Donald Trump as he pursues his isolationist "America First" policy. Wall Street was alarmed by the development. US stocks were set for a steep selloff Monday morning. Nvidia (NVDA), the leading supplier of AI chips, whose stock more than doubled in each of the past two years, fell 12 per cent in premarket trading. Meta (META) and Alphabet (GOOGL), Google's parent company, were also down sharply, as were Marvell, Broadcom, Palantir, Oracle, and many other tech giants. The industry is taking the company at its word that the cost was so low. No one is really disputing it, but the market freak-out hinges on the truthfulness of a single and relatively unknown company. The company notably didn't say how much it cost to train its model, leaving out potentially expensive research and development costs. (Still, it probably didn't spend billions of dollars.) It's also far too early to count out American tech innovation and leadership. One achievement, albeit a gobsmacking one, may not be enough to counter years of progress in American AI leadership. And a massive customer shift to a Chinese startup is unlikely. "The DeepSeek model rollout is leading investors to question the lead that US companies have and how much is being spent and whether that spending will lead to profits (or overspending)," said Keith Lerner, an analyst at Truist. "Ultimately, our view is the required spend for data and such in AI will be significant, and US companies remain leaders." Although the cost-saving achievement may be significant, the R1 model is a ChatGPT competitor -- a consumer-focused large-language model. It hasn't yet proven it can handle some of the massively ambitious AI capabilities for industries that -- for now -- still require tremendous infrastructure investments. "Thanks to its rich talent and capital base, the US remains the most promising 'home turf' from which we expect to see the emergence of the first self-improving AI," said Giuseppe Sette, president of AI market research firm Reflexivity. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Edogawa Gandhi Park in Japan's Tokyo on Tuesday. Mohan Yadav called Japan one of the top nations when it comes to technology. He also spoke on "deep" ties shared by India and Japan. He noted that the ties between India and Japan have been further strengthened after the formation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in India. Speaking to reporters, he said, "I have come to pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. Global Investors' Summit in Madhya Pradesh will be organised on February 24-25 and PM Modi will inaugurate that. Japan is one of the top countries when it comes to technology. India's relationship with Japan has been deep from the beginning. Before independence, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Rash Behari Bose, Swami Vivekananda, Guru Rabindranath Tagore, everyone has relationship with Japan. This is a matter of pride for us." Calling for strengthening of India-Japan ties, he noted, "This relationship should be strengthened and new ways of trade and trade should be established. We should stand together. The friendship has become more stronger after the formation of the government led by PM Narendra Modi. We can all work together on many fronts." Yadav said, "The bust of Bapu on which I paid the floral tribute was inaugurated by EAM S Jaishankar and we would hope that Bapu's theory of violence works only with the core principles of Japan's Gautam Buddha. Since the past times, we have been able to get closer to this country. It was a pleasure to meet many of our family members here and we hope that the family will grow. This is an area with great potential right now. I extend my best wishes to all. I remember Bapu, who has been sharing the principles of non-violence with the world since his lifetime." Mohan Yadav arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday for his four-day visit to Japan. India's Ambassador to Japan, Sibi George, welcomed him at the airport. CM Yadav also held a discussion with Sibi George at a hotel in Tokyo, focusing on strengthening the India-Japan relations and lifting the trade and economic collaboration between Madhya Pradesh and Japan. After his arrival, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav met with Toyota delegations in Tokyo. During the meeting, CM Yadav invited the delegation to the upcoming Global Investors' Summit (GIS) 2025, scheduled to take place in Bhopal on February 24-25. CM Yadav discussed investment opportunities with Toshiyuki Nakahara, Department General Manager of Toyota Motor Corporation, and explored potential trade ties. The Chief Minister emphasised Madhya Pradesh's advantages, including vast land, a skilled youth workforce, excellent infrastructure, and a growing automobile sector. "During an engaging interactive session discussed potential trade ties with Toshiyuki Nakahara, Department General Manager, Administration and Support Department, India and Middle East Division and Masahiro Nogi, Project General Manager, Administration and Support Department, India and Middle East Division, Toyota Motor Corporation. We explored the abundant opportunities Madhya Pradesh offers, including vast land, a skilled youth workforce, excellent infrastructure and a rapidly growing automobile sector," CM Yadav said in a post on X. Toyota representatives recognized Madhya Pradesh as a strong automobile manufacturing hub and plan to explore trade opportunities during the GIS 2025. They also highlighted their youth training initiatives in technical jobs across India. (ANI) The cast of 'Camp Logan' at the Ensemble Theatre Eisani Apedemak-Saba/The Ensemble Theatre From the moment we meet the African American soldiers of the 3rd Battalion of the all Black 24th Infantry who arrive at their barracks in Houston in 1917, to the haunting ending where their fates are sealed, we are transported backward to a shameful time in history. As serious and somber as the true story of this incident is, it is impossible not to marvel at this stellar cast and the remarkable rendering of intense racism against men who were willing to give up their lives to serve their country during World War I. The Houston Riot of 1917 is the event at the center of this play, as the hostility of the military and the city of Houston erupted into a deadly tragedy. Expertly directed by Allie Woods, Jr., this gripping and important play by Celeste Bedford Walker never flinches. Walker is not only prolific and the recipient of countless awards, in 2022 she was the first African American writer to receive the Texas Institute of Letters Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest literary honor in the state. 'Camp Logan' Where: The Ensemble Theatre 3535 Main Street, Houston 77002 When: through February 23 Details: $40 and up; 713-520-0055; ensemblehouston.com BEAUTIFUL BOHEME: Houston Grand Opera does right by the Puccini masterwork. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Her play Camp Logan, running through Feb. 23rd, is of even more interest since the United States Army decided to overturn the convictions of the soldiers who were charged and hung over a century ago in 2023a decision that made national news. The play is a recovery of lost or ignored history, part of Walkers overall trajectory as an artist. In her playwrights notes, she explains that this incident and its tragic outcome has always haunted me. I grew up hearing about the racial incidents from the voices of my eldersand from my grandfather who grew up in WWI. Thirty-six years ago, when I decided to write 'Camp Logan,' I hoped to unveil the undisguised inequality and hypocrisy fostered by American society and institutions, including the Armed Forces In this play, Walker certainly succeeds in dramatizing the psychological burdens of soldiers who have ideals and dreams, yet are constantly confronted by a relentless racism that intensifies as the play unfolds. Philip Graschels spartan sets, Brian Ealys effective lighting design, Adrian Washingtons impressive sound design, and Kristen Uchems spot-on costume design all dovetail brilliantly to immerse the audience intimately into the lives of these characters, which is no mean feat with historical plays. We never feel like this was long ago and far away, but immediate and urgent history that cannot and should not be ignored or dismissed. The injustices of the military treatment of black soldiers are not just a few decisions, but the constant bombardment of indignities and violence that the city of Houston also dishes out. Eventually, the Huns in Germany dont seem like the main threat: white Americans are the enemy, and it is heartbreaking to watch on every level. The cast is superlative. Foster Davis as Captain Zuelke gives such a striking performance as the white captain who thinks he is doing his soldiers favors, but cant transcend the racism of his culture or the military, leading to increasingly unfair and harsh responses and disastrous results. Elia Adams as Hardin gives a moving performance as the most naive member of the group, who must grow up quickly as he endures the bloody incident that takes the lives of his fellow soldiers, and then is shipped off to war in France. His final speech is unforgettable. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kristopher Adams as Franciscus is striking as a young man who begins with joy at the possibilities of leaving the camp to explore Houston, only to be beaten so severely he is thought to be dead. Kendrick Kay B Brown as Moses is justifiably incensed at the racism he encounters in Houstonand point out the irony that he is being harassed by the very citizens he has pledged to defend in the war. Tanner Thomas Ellis as Honore and Roc Living as Brown are both outstanding and round out a cast that is energetic and seamlessly blends difficult physical acting with heartfelt and convincing performances that make this a memorable ensemble cast. Everything comes together in every scene. In a concerning incident, two Indian fishermen from Karaikal were injured when the Sri Lankan Navy allegedly opened fire in the Jaffna Sea. The fishermen were part of a group of 13 who had ventured out in two boats to fish near Parutthura beach in Jaffna, the Rameswaram Fisherman Association (RFA) reported. As they were fishing, a Sri Lankan Navy patrol boat approached the area and intercepted both Indian vessels. Two Sri Lankan Navy personnel boarded one of the boats, reportedly to arrest the fishermen for alleged cross-border fishing. In an attempt to escape, the fishermen turned their boat towards Indian waters with the two Sri Lankan officers still on board. The Sri Lankan patrol then opened fire, injuring two fishermen. The injured individuals were immediately taken to Jaffna Teaching Hospital, where they are receiving treatment. The Sri Lankan authorities have since handed the remaining fishermen over to local police, while the Department of Aquatic Resources has reportedly declined responsibility for the arrests, RFA reported. This incident highlights ongoing tensions between Indian fishermen and the Sri Lankan Navy over disputed fishing rights in the Palk Strait. Arrests and detentions of Indian fishermen have become a recurring issue, prompting diplomatic efforts from both the Indian central and state governments. Recently, 41 Indian fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan Navy were repatriated to Chennai Airport. Among them, 35 fishermen from Ramanathapuram district had been arrested near Katchatheevu on September 8, 2024, for alleged cross-border fishing. Their release was secured following interventions by the Indian Union and Tamil Nadu governments. Similarly, earlier this month, on January 16, another 15 Indian fishermen detained in 2024 were freed and returned to Chennai. These fishermen were arrested in separate incidents, including eight from Mannar Island on September 27 and 12 from Nagapattinam district on November 11. Diplomatic and logistical efforts have played a crucial role in addressing these incidents. Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department officials ensured the safe return of the repatriated fishermen to their native districts. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) also facilitated the repatriation of 95 Indian fishermen from Bangladesh on January 5, along with four fishing boats. In light of these recurring incidents, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin recently urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to take immediate and sustained diplomatic action to secure the release of detained fishermen and their boats. The Chief Minister emphasised the importance of long-term solutions to safeguard the livelihoods of fishermen and prevent such confrontations. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav met with Toyota Motor Corporation officials in Tokyo, Japan, on the first day of his four-day visit. The meeting focused on potential trade ties and the opportunities available in Madhya Pradesh for investment. CM Yadav highlighted the state's growing automobile sector, its skilled youth workforce, and excellent infrastructure as key factors that make it an ideal destination for Toyota to expand operations. The Indian Embassy in Tokyo shared details of the meeting on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Hon'ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav met the team of M/s Toyota Motor Corporation led by Masahiro Nogi who spoke of their business in India and keenly noted the details on auto cluster existing in Madhya Pradesh as mentioned by CM." https://x.com/IndianEmbTokyo/status/1884093529573712001 CM Yadav also posted on X, revealing that he had a productive discussion with Toyota representatives, including Toshiyuki Nakahara and Masahiro Nogi. "Tokyo, Japan: During an engaging interactive session discussed potential trade ties with Mr. Toshiyuki Nakahara, Department General Manager, Administration and Support Department, India and Middle East Division and Mr. Masahiro Nogi, Project General Manager, Administration and Support Department, India and Middle East Division, Toyota Motor Corporation," Yadav said. https://x.com/DrMohanYadav51/status/1884091342164570370 The Chief Minister emphasised that Madhya Pradesh offers abundant opportunities for growth, citing its large land availability, a skilled youth workforce, robust infrastructure, and a rapidly growing automobile sector. "Madhya Pradesh stands as the ideal destination for Toyota to establish facilities and invest in enhancing youth training in technical jobs," Yadav added. The meeting with Toyota came as part of CM Yadav's efforts to strengthen economic ties between Madhya Pradesh and Japan, ahead of the Global Investors' Summit (GIS) 2025. The summit, scheduled for February 24-25, 2025, in Bhopal, will highlight Madhya Pradesh's investment potential and industrial infrastructure. It is expected to bring together global leaders and industrialists, providing a platform for discussing emerging markets and trade opportunities. During his visit, CM Yadav also met with Indian Ambassador Sibi George at Hotel Imperial in Tokyo. The two discussed the long-standing ties between India and Japan, as well as opportunities to further strengthen industrial cooperation between Japan and Madhya Pradesh. "A New Chapter in Madhya Pradesh-Japan Friendship," CM Yadav posted, emphasising the collaborative potential between the two regions. In addition to discussing the investment climate, CM Yadav and Toyota representatives also talked about youth training initiatives in technical fields. Toyota officials recognised Madhya Pradesh as a growing hub for automobile manufacturing and expressed interest in exploring opportunities during the upcoming GIS 2025. "During a meeting with CM Mohan Yadav, Toyota representatives highlighted their youth training initiatives in technical jobs across India. Recognising Madhya Pradesh as a strong automobile manufacturing hub, Toyota plans to explore trade opportunities during the upcoming Global Investor Summit. The CM emphasised MP's advantages as an ideal destination for Toyota's investments, citing abundant land availability and a skilled, trainable workforce," the Chief Minister's office posted on X. (ANI) Donald Trump began his second presidency on January 20, 2025, prompting countries worldwide to brace for potential disruptions. Among the most watchful is China, whose leadership remains divided on how to approach another Trump term. Yue Jie, a Senior Research Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Programme of Chatham House, stated, "The views from the Chinese strategic community range from tragically fatalistic to extremely optimistic as they prepare for Trump 2.0. At one extreme, some commentators expect bilateral relations to head for a freefall. At the other, pundits argue that Trump the dealmaker could do deals with China on sensitive issues, including Taiwan. Neither outcome is likely." Ryan Hass, Director of the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution, observed that Beijing seems more prepared this time. "Xi held a call with Trump that sounded constructive. Vice President Han Zheng attended Trump's inauguration, a first. China's spokesperson expressed interest...in strengthening cooperation and pursuing a new start to relationship." Hass further commented, "In 2017, Beijing was unprepared to deal with President Trump. In 2025, China's leaders appear more organised. Will their plan work? Time will tell." China is preparing for potentially volatile relations while strengthening ties with other global powers. "As a hedge, Beijing intends to fortify its international position via outreach to third parties. China is attempting to lower tensions with Japan, the EU, and others. And Xi and Putin met virtually to reaffirm their commitment to PRC-Russia relations. The timing of the Xi-Putin virtual meeting to coincide with Trump's inauguration carried symbolism. Both leaders seemed to want to signal a united front and an unwillingness to be split from each other by the US," Hass explained. Yue agreed with Hass, stating, "China's efforts to manage the former property developer will seek to maintain a precarious balance aimed at saving its faltering economy and reversing the deterioration of relations with the US-led West, while also strengthening ties with large parts of the non-Western world. This balance is critical to China's economic future and global standing." However, China's internal challenges complicate its strategy. Recent months have seen the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) introduce measures to boost domestic consumption and support local governments, such as monetary easing and consumer subsidies. Yet, Yue noted, "Should [China] use increasingly limited financial resources to restore consumer confidence, or should it, as the CCP believes, instead promote technological progress and self-reliance?" Trade wars remain a pressing concern. Yue remarked, "Beijing's tactics will be different from what they were in Trump's first term, as its macro-economic situation is less conducive to more strident retaliations on all fronts. Its punitive measures are likely to target sectors such as critical minerals, where Beijing enjoys a clear global monopoly." With ongoing trade tensions with the EU, entering another trade war with the US could strain Beijing further. Hass observed, "Given domestic challenges, Xi likely will not front-run US efforts, but his own politics will demand that he not be passive either." Chinese leaders must also manage domestic opinion. Public perception of weakness could harm Xi's image, but worsening economic conditions might provoke social unrest. Hass highlighted Xi's focus on domestic resilience, noting that he has been urging "progress on advancing self-reliance and self-strengthening" and shifting toward "new drivers of economic growth." China sees opportunities to capitalise on Trump's transactional diplomacy. Hass noted, "Beijing will engage directly with Trump while also strengthening relations with third countries and hardening China's domestic economy. Relative to Biden, Trump's range of policy actions will be far wider. The coming period of US-PRC relations will be fluid and non-linear." Many Global South nations, already critical of US policies, could align more closely with China. Yue observed, "Trump's return might well provide an unexpected opportunity for China to reassess all possibilities," including the Ukraine conflict. Although mistrusted due to its alignment with Russia, Beijing may seek to mediate the Ukraine war. Trump's threat to withdraw support for Ukraine could create openings for China to position itself as a mediator. Yue stated, "Beijing would presumably like the conflict to end since it has resulted in deteriorating relations with both Europe and the USA." China's external actions mirror its internal authoritarianism. Rishat Abbas, President of the US-based Uyghur Academy, testified to a US Congressional hearing that his sister had been imprisoned for 20 years in retaliation for his activism. "My sister's imprisonment is a clear action of retaliation. Her detention exposes the CCP's aggressive policies that target Uyghurs simply for their identity and for the activism of their relatives abroad," Abbas stated. The CCP continues to suppress dissent and rewrite history. In Hong Kong, public commemoration of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre has been erased. Libraries have removed books on the event, and annual vigils have ceased. Social media platforms are also under strict control. Yue highlighted the censorship on Xiaohongshu, noting, "Numerous topics are therefore off limits, particularly those relating to Chinese politics or what it perceives is Western immorality." The CCP's balancing act between domestic and international pressures is evident in its diplomatic approach. On January 24, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to "find the right way for China and the US to get along in the new era." However, Wang's Chinese-language statement included a veiled warning: "Conduct yourself well." The idiom, hao zi wei zhi, implies caution and even subservience, translating roughly to, "Know your place and do what you should do." Despite the challenges, Beijing appears better prepared for Trump's second term. Hass summarised the situation, stating, "The fundamental question for the PRC: they say they want to be agents of world order, they say they want to be responsible, they say they want to respect the international system. But they've got a choice to make because they've aligned themselves with agents of disorder." Yue concluded, "Beijing has no need to escalate a war of words in response to every post on Trump's social media accounts. Its interests would be better served by responding to the new president and his unusual cabinet with balance and deliberation that takes into account China's own national challenges." (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav met with Toyota delegations in Tokyo on Tuesday and held discussions with them about investment opportunities in the state, highlighting the potential and amenities of the state. Madhya Pradesh offers a massive industrial land bank of more than 1 lakh acres with lower land costs and operating costs. It is one of the leading states in automotive manufacturing with the second largest manufacturer of buses and tractors and 3rd largest producer of commercial vehicles, according to an official statement of Principal Secretary, DIPIP, (Department of Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion). It further highlighted that there are over 2,800 plus engineering manufacturers, including 30+ OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and 200+ auto component manufacturers in the state. Madhya Pradesh is ranked first in Good Governance Index 2021 (Group B States). It is a home to NATRAX, Asia's longest high-speed testing track with 14 test tracks and 5 auto-specific labs. MP is positioned as a premier hub for commercial vehicles and farm equipment. Additionally, Madhya Pradesh is emerging as an automotive hub and it offers central and strategic location, skilled manpower and world-class infrastructure and supportive policies attracting 52% growth in industrial investments (2020-2024). India's EV market, projected to grow at 49% CAGR (2022-2030), offers immense opportunities. MP is well-prepared to lead this shift, the statement further added. Furthermore, during the meeting, they also showcased the strength of Madhya Pradesh to invest in the sector. Madhya Pradesh offers ease of Business, mentioning top Achievers in 2022. It has a well-integrated global supply chain, MP hosts manufacturing units of leading international OEMs, enabling direct exports to international markets. Presence of companies like Volvo Eicher exporting world class engines globally. Madhya Pradesh provides cost-effective operations such as affordable land, low-cost skilled workforce, and robust domestic market. It has a strong policy framework with upto 40% capital subsidy, it added. Along with this, Madhya Pradesh's existing and proposed industrial areas were also brought to notice which includes key auto clusters in the state. Pithampur in Indore district about DMIC (Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor) alignment, SEZs, and connectivity via rail and road. Key players include Force Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles, Bridgestone. Growing auto-component hub with MMLP for logistics. Mandideep in the MP's capital Bhopal is a growing auto-component hub. Dewas near Indore district is a complementary cluster to Pithampur, focusing on component manufacturing. Similarly, Gwalior region focuses on MSMEs in the auto-component sector, benefitting from state incentives. Apart from it, MP's exports and Global Potential was also highlighted mentioning the state exported automobiles and auto components worth USD 191 Mn in FY24 to 200+ countries. MP offers a competitive advantage in integrating with global supply chains. MP provides key incentives which include up to 40 per cent investment assistance for plant and machinery and employment generation incentives up to 1.5 times. Similarly, export benefits up to 1.2 times and infrastructure development assistance, rebates on power tariffs and electricity duty exemptions and transparent, investor-friendly processes with online calculators. Additionally, in a post on X, CM Yadav wrote, "During an engaging interactive session discussed potential trade ties with Toshiyuki Nakahara, Department General Manager, Administration and Support Department, India and Middle East Division and Masahiro Nogi, Project General Manager, Administration and Support Department, India and Middle East Division, Toyota Motor Corporation. We explored the abundant opportunities Madhya Pradesh offers, including vast land, a skilled youth workforce, excellent infrastructure and a rapidly growing automobile sector." The Chief Minister also stressed that Madhya Pradesh stands as an ideal destination for Toyota to establish facilities and invest in enhancing youth training in technical jobs. Earlier, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday morning on his four-day visit to Japan and received a warm welcome by Ambassador of India to Japan, Sibi George on the occasion. CM Yadav also held a discussion with the Indian Ambassador to Japan at a hotel in Tokyo, focusing on strengthening the India-Japan relations and lifting the trade and economic collaboration between Madhya Pradesh and Japan. The Chief Minister expressed gratitude on receiving the warm welcome and said that he was looking forward to holding meaningful one-to-one discussions with leading industrialists, inviting the Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2025 to be held in Bhopal next month on February 24-25. "Namaste Japan! I am deeply honored to have received a grand and traditional welcome from our vibrant Indian community and here in Japan, marked by a ceremonial tilak and the presentation of a traditional turban. During this visit, I look forward to engaging in meaningful one-to-one discussions with leading industrialists, inviting them to join us at the Global Investors Summit 2025," the CM said in a post on X. The GIS 2025 is scheduled to be held on February 24-25, 2025, in Bhopal. The two-day program will be organised aiming to highlight the investment climate and industrial infrastructure of Madhya Pradesh, offering numerous opportunities for potential collaborations. It will serve as a platform for global leaders, industrialists, and experts to share insights on emerging markets and trends, and to explore ways to leverage the investment potential of Madhya Pradesh. Japan will participate as 'Partner Country' in "Invest Madhya Pradesh - Global Investors Summit 2025" (ANI) The Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) joined the global community in observing Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day to reflect on the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust, while also drawing attention to the ongoing oppression of the Uyghur people. In a press release, CFU marked the seventy-ninth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. The organisation honoured the memory of Holocaust victims, offering its deepest sympathies to their families, while rededicating itself to the vow that humanity must never again allow the systematic targeting of an entire people for eradication. Rushan Abbas, Executive Director of CFU, emphasised the importance of a renewed commitment to human rights and justice. "We must renew our vow of 'Never Again.' Today, the Uyghur genocide unfolds before our eyes, and it is our moral duty to amplify the voices of the oppressed and ensure accountability for the perpetrators," he said. CFU also highlighted the ongoing Uyghur genocide, perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Uyghurs in East Turkistan continue to face brutal repression, including mass detentions, forced abortions and sterilisations, state-imposed forced labour, and the suppression of cultural and religious freedoms. Abbas urged the international community to take immediate and decisive action to end the suffering of the Uyghur people, drawing parallels between the atrocities of the Holocaust and the current human rights violations in China. "As we commemorate the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, as well as the Roma, Sinti, and political dissidents who were also targeted, we must renew our vow of 'Never Again'," Abbas added. "Today, the Uyghur genocide unfolds before our eyes." CFU called on nations and organisations that champion freedom and human rights to unite in condemning the ongoing genocide and work together to end the suffering of the Uyghur people. (ANI) The World Health Organisation (WHO) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand, to strengthen collaboration on trauma, injury, and fall prevention across the WHO South-East Asia Region. This partnership aims to address the growing health, social, and economic challenges posed by injuries and falls, which have become major public health concerns. "Globally, the burden of injury is immense. The resulting pain, disability, loss of independence, and premature deaths impose a substantial and growing financial burden on societies worldwide. This collaboration with Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, provides a unique opportunity to leverage their expertise to build capacity, strengthen evidence-based practices, and foster deeper collaboration across the Region," said Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia. Injuries claim approximately 4.4 million lives every year, representing 8 per cent of all global deaths. Among these injuries, falls have seen the fastest increase in mortality rates over the past two decades, leading to over 684,000 deaths annually. This rise is linked to factors such as an aging population, urbanisation, and sedentary lifestyles. Falls are not just a health issue--they deeply affect individuals' quality of life, productivity, and social well-being. For older adults, falls often mark the transition from independent living to prolonged dependence or disability. This change has wide-reaching consequences for families and caregivers, placing both emotional and financial strain on them. For younger working-age adults and children, fall-related injuries disrupt education, livelihoods, and social participation, deepening existing inequalities. The burden of falls and injuries extends beyond individuals, putting immense pressure on health systems and economies. Healthcare costs, rehabilitation expenses, and lost income from fall-related injuries strain public resources and private finances, highlighting the urgent need for effective prevention strategies. Older adults are especially vulnerable to fall-related injuries, with up to 42 per cent of those over 70 experiencing falls annually. Falls also account for 15 per cent of all injury-related deaths in those aged 5-29. Non-fatal fall-related injuries contribute to long-term disabilities, placing additional demands on healthcare systems, caregivers, and families. These injuries lead to a loss of quality of life, compounding the social and economic challenges for affected individuals. As part of the new partnership, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, will support WHO Member States in enhancing their capacity to prevent injuries, manage data, and conduct research. This collaboration will include health workforce training, regional workshops, and cutting-edge research aimed at improving prevention, care, and data systems throughout the region. Prof. Apichat Asavamongkolkul, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, expressed the hospital's commitment to fall injury prevention and timely treatment. "As a leading university medical center, Siriraj is deeply committed to fall injury prevention, education, and timely treatment, including performing hip surgery within 48 hours," he said. Prof. Keerati Chareancholvanich, Head of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Siriraj Hospital, also highlighted the significance of the partnership. "It is a great honor to collaborate with WHO to address the critical challenges of falls and injuries by driving innovation and building stronger healthcare capacities across the region," he said. Preventing injuries is essential to reducing the strain on healthcare systems and unlocking broader social and economic benefits. About 90 per cent of injury-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Economically disadvantaged groups face higher rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries, with unsafe living and working conditions, inadequate trauma care, and limited prevention efforts contributing to these disparities. WHO's "Step Safely" initiative provides evidence-based strategies to prevent falls across all age groups. Recently, the World Health Assembly recognised the importance of addressing these issues by prioritising integrated emergency, critical, and operative care. This decision sets the stage for developing a global strategy and action plan for 2026-2035. Saima Wazed, WHO's Regional Director for South-East Asia, emphasised the importance of integrating trauma and injury prevention into efforts to achieve a safer, healthier, and more equitable future. "This requires a strong focus on developing human resources, generating robust evidence, and supporting countries to institutionalise effective prevention and management systems. The benefits of these actions extend beyond health, strengthening the resilience and productivity of entire communities," Wazed said. (ANI) Baloch leader Hyrbyair Marri brought attention to the ongoing horrors that the Pashtun and Baloch communities endure under Pakistan's repressive control in a stirring statement to the Pashtun National Council (Jirga). Marri brought attention to the Pakistani state's systematic exploitation, enforced disappearances, and violence against various ethnic communities. "The sufferings of the Baloch and Pashtun under Pakistan's occupation are countless and unending," Marri stated, emphasizing the urgent need for unity between the two nations to resist colonial oppression. He recalled previous instances of solidarity, such as the Treaty of Kalat in 1758, in which Afghan and Baloch leaders promised to respect and support one another. He asked both groups to rekindle this spirit in their struggle for independence. Marri compared British imperialism to the colonial strategies that Pakistan acquired. He denounced Pakistan's continuous military actions in Balochistan, pointing to unlawful executions, torture, and enforced disappearances as means of quelling dissent. The Baloch leader cited the targeted profiling of Pashtuns and killings like the 1948 Barbra event in Charsadda, claiming that these practices were continuations of the British heritage of divide and conquer. Recalling how Pashtun tribes were utilized as frontline combatants in 1948 while Punjabi elites remained behind, he also denounced Pakistan's abuse of Baloch and Pashtun youth. He also drew attention to the fact that thousands of Baloch youths were forcibly drafted into the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s and sent to die under pretences of religious salvation. Marri condemned Pakistan's racial profiling of Afghan refugees, primarily Pashtuns, and their forced deportation as a pressure tactic against Afghanistan. "These people have lived here for generations, yet they are treated as disposable," he said. Calling for a renewed alliance between the Baloch and Pashtun nations, Marri declared, "Our unity is the path to freedom. Together, we will break the chains of occupation and build a future rooted in justice, sovereignty, and peace." (ANI) India has lodged strong protest involving firing by the Sri Lankan Navy during apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen in the close proximity of Delft Island on Tuesday. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in Delhi to lodge protest over the incident. In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, "The Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi was called in today morning to the Ministry of External Affairs and a strong protest was lodged over the incident. Our High Commission in Colombo has also raised the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sri Lankan government." According to the statement released by MEA, out of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two suffered serious injuries and were undergoing treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital while three other fishermen who received minor injuries also received treatment. In a statement, MEA stated, "An incident of firing by the Sri Lankan Navy during the apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen in the proximity of Delft Island was reported in the early hours of this morning. Out of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two have sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital." "Three other fishermen received minor injuries and have been treated for the same. Indian Consulate Officials in Jaffna have visited the injured fishermen at the hospital to seek their welfare and are extending all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families," it added. According to the statement, the Indian government has always emphasised the need to treat issues related to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner, keeping in mind livelihood concerns. In a statement, MEA stated, "The use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances whatsoever. Existing understandings between the two Governments in this regard must be strictly observed." This incident highlights ongoing tensions between Indian fishermen and the Sri Lankan Navy over disputed fishing rights in the Palk Strait. Arrests and detentions of Indian fishermen have become a recurring issue, prompting diplomatic efforts from both the Indian central and state governments. Recently, 41 Indian fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan Navy were repatriated to Chennai Airport. Among them, 35 fishermen from Ramanathapuram district had been arrested near Katchatheevu on September 8, 2024, for alleged cross-border fishing. Their release was secured following interventions by the Indian Union and Tamil Nadu governments. Earlier on January 16, another 15 Indian fishermen detained in 2024 were freed and returned to Chennai. These fishermen were arrested in separate incidents, including eight from Mannar Island on September 27 and 12 from Nagapattinam district on November 11. (ANI) India has lodged strong protest against firing by the Sri Lankan Navy during apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen in the close proximity of Delft Island on Tuesday. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in Delhi to lodge protest over the incident. In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, "The Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi was called in today morning to the Ministry of External Affairs and a strong protest was lodged over the incident. Our High Commission in Colombo has also raised the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sri Lankan government." According to the statement released by MEA, out of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two suffered serious injuries and were undergoing treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital while three other fishermen who received minor injuries also received treatment. In a statement, MEA stated, "An incident of firing by the Sri Lankan Navy during the apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen in the proximity of Delft Island was reported in the early hours of this morning. Out of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two have sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital." "Three other fishermen received minor injuries and have been treated for the same. Indian Consulate Officials in Jaffna have visited the injured fishermen at the hospital to seek their welfare and are extending all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families," it added. According to the statement, the Indian government has always emphasised the need to treat issues related to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner, keeping in mind livelihood concerns. In a statement, MEA stated, "The use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances whatsoever. Existing understandings between the two Governments in this regard must be strictly observed." This incident highlights ongoing tensions between Indian fishermen and the Sri Lankan Navy over disputed fishing rights in the Palk Strait. Arrests and detentions of Indian fishermen have become a recurring issue, prompting diplomatic efforts from both the Indian central and state governments. Recently, 41 Indian fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan Navy were repatriated to Chennai Airport. Among them, 35 fishermen from Ramanathapuram district had been arrested near Katchatheevu on September 8, 2024, for alleged cross-border fishing. Their release was secured following interventions by the Indian Union and Tamil Nadu governments. Earlier on January 16, another 15 Indian fishermen detained in 2024 were freed and returned to Chennai. These fishermen were arrested in separate incidents, including eight from Mannar Island on September 27 and 12 from Nagapattinam district on November 11. (ANI) The government's talks committee meeting scheduled to be held today was postponed after representatives of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) representatives did not attend the meeting, The Express Tribune reported. Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said that the committee would remain intact despite the lack of participation. Before the meeting, Sadiq stated that all members were invited and expressed hope that the members of the opposition would participate in the meeting. Sadiq said, "We waited for 45 minutes, but received a message that they would not come." He further said that PTI leaders had told him they would consult the party's top leadership before responding. He said that the opposition's absence in the meeting made further discussions meaningless and expressed his commitment to facilitating talks."My doors remain open, and I hope talks can proceed from both sides," Ayaz Sadiq said. Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who was present at the meeting, said the government had prepared a response to the demands raised by PTI and was eager to move the talks forward. He said, "We came ready to discuss their concerns, but without their presence, how can we respond?" The government remains optimistic about resolving political differences through talks. However, the postponement of the meeting marks another setback in the efforts to bridge the gap between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PTI, The Express Tribune reported. Earlier, Imran Khan-founded party had refused to attend the meeting scheduled for Tuesday despite efforts by Ayaz Sadiq to engage the opposition in dialogue, The Express Tribune reported. Sadiq spoke to PTI's negotiation committee head Omar Ayub over a phone call and invited party to attend the meeting, The Express Tribune reported, citing sources. Sadiq emphasised the importance of resolving political differences through talks and urged PTI to attend the meeting. However, Ayub informed Sadiq about PTI's decision, instructed by party founder Imran Khan, to boycott the meeting. Omar Ayub spoke about the government's failure to address PTI's demands and accused it of using delaying tactics. The first round of talks between PTI and the government was held on December 23, 2024, to discuss the long-standing issues and find a way forward. Since the talks started in December, the two sides have met thrice. During the third round of negotiations on January 16, PTI presented demands for a judicial probe into the events of May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024, as well as the release of political prisoners. (ANI) Old brick streets are juxtaposed among newly built town homes along Andrews Street in the Freedmen's Town neighborhood Tuesday, April 30, 2013, in Houston. Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle Zion Escobar, executive director of Houston Freedmen's Town Conservancy, stops to take a look at some of the original brick streets in Freedman's Town Tuesday, June 15, 2021 Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Zion Escobar, executive director of Houston Freedmen's Town Conservancy, stops to take a look at some of the original brick streets in Freedman's Town Tuesday, June 15, 2021 Brett Coomer/Staff photographer The old brick streets along Andrews near Cushing show a need of major repair on Aug. 26, 2019. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Just west of downtown Houston, in the Freedmens Town area of Fourth Ward, its as if the roads get bumpier the more historic they are. Thats because many of the streets in this storied neighborhood are paved with brick instead of asphalt or concrete, an anomaly in a city that is essentially all asphalt or concrete. But who put them there, and how did these historic roads manage to survive into 2025? Lets look back. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Why were these brick roads originally built, and when? In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as Houstons population surged, the city sought durable solutions for its expanding infrastructure. Brick paving emerged as a popular choice due to its resilience and the availability of materials. In areas like Freedmens Town, where formerly enslaved African Americans settled after being freed in 1865, residents paved their own streets with bricks by hand, symbolizing both their progress and self-sufficiency. Other areas outside of Freedmens Town, like historic areas of Sixth Ward, still sport brick roads. Houston social media users have also spotted brick pavers hiding under modern asphalt roads during street repairs on Washington Avenue and in areas like the East End. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What historical or cultural significance do these roads hold for Houston? The brick streets of Freedmens Town are a direct connection to Houstons rich Black heritage. Each brick was laid by hand, reflecting the work put into a community striving for a better future after emancipation. The infrastructure enabled the area to grow into the first thriving community of free Black Houstonians, with homes, businesses, churches and schools soon cropping up in this corner of Fourth Ward. The roads have warped since then, with some spots sinking into the Houston soil and others bulging upward as if a tree were growing under it. Gentrification, neglect and decay have also transformed Freedmens Town over the years. Regardless, these are the same streets that the formerly enslaved people of this city walked on and thrived on in Houston yesterday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Whats being done to preserve these roads? Preserving these historic brick roads has been a focal point for both city officials and local organizations. In recent years, initiatives have been launched to restore and maintain the integrity of these streets. In 2023, the Houston Freedmens Town Conservancy, in collaboration with the Contemporary Arts Museum, secured a $1.25 million grant from the Mellon Foundation to help revamp the neighborhood. Houston has not always been so kind, however. In November 2016, a city contractor ripped up some of the bricks while working on drainage in the neighborhood, sparking an uproar among residents and community leaders. Thanks to Hurricane Harvey, etc., it took a year and a half for the city to replace the historic bricks. Her statement came in the context of Baloch Genocide Remembrance Day, observed on January 25. On this day, hundreds of Baloch individuals gathered in Dalbandin to stage a historic protest against systematic oppression and forced disappearances in the region. https://x.com/MahrangBaloch_/status/1883836872545227028 In a post on X, Maharang Baloch wrote, "January 25th was observed as Baloch Genocide Remembrance Day. On this occasion, individuals affected by state oppression from across Balochistan gathered in Dalbandin for a historic protest against the ongoing Baloch genocide. However, just a day later, on January 26th, eight more cases of enforced disappearances were reported from various regions of Balochistan. If this does not constitute genocide, then what does?" She condemned the escalation of state violence, referencing several high-profile abductions that occurred on January 26. Maharang Baloch detailed the incidents, revealing that Pakistani security forces forcibly abducted Zakir Somar and Naseem Hameed from Gwadar's Ghatti Dhor Chowk. In Turbat's Chah Sar area, Pakistani forces raided the home of Zameer Sarwar at around 2 am and disappeared after conducting an extensive search. The violence continued in Panjgur, where three sons of Raheem Bakhsh--Irshad Raheem Bakhsh, Sadiq Raheem Bakhsh, and Zahoor Raheem Bakhsh--were taken during a raid. She also stated that in Rakhni, Barkhan, Aslam Khetran and Balochi-language artist Nari Gulaaf Marri were apprehended and forcibly disappeared by individuals in plainclothes, travelling in vehicles with government-issued license plates. Maharang Baloch further underlined," Enforced disappearances remain a brutal and dangerous tool in the policy of Baloch genocide, a strategy that has paralyzed the entire Baloch society. No Baloch feels safe, even within their own home. Yet, the deafening silence of the international community in the face of this ongoing genocide is truly heartbreaking." (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during his official visit to the UAE. Jaishankar highlighted that the Crown Prince recalled his recent visit to India, underscoring the growing ties between the two nations. Sharing a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Pleased to meet Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan." "Recalled his recent visit to India and discussed further advancement of India-UAE partnership," the post added. Nahyan attended the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January 2024 as the Chief Guest. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1884187349128732684 Earlier in the day, Jaishankar also met Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the UAE. In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Nice to meet Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President, UAE this morning. Discussed our special partnership and its further progress." Notably, Jaishankar is on an official visit to the UAE from January 27 to 29 with goals to build a closer relationship between India and the Emirates and improve bilateral ties. India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have enjoyed strong diplomatic relations since they established ties in 1972. The UAE opened its embassy in India in the same year, followed by the opening of the Indian embassy in the UAE in 1973. Over the years, these relations have evolved into a robust and multifaceted partnership. The momentum in India-UAE relations reached a significant milestone during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2015 visit to the UAE, which marked the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to the UAE in 34 years. This visit set the stage for a new phase in bilateral ties, marked by the launch of a Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership. In recent years, Prime Minister Modi has visited the UAE multiple times, most recently in November-December 2023 to attend the COP28 World Climate Action Summit in Dubai. The UAE's diplomatic engagement with India has been similarly active. President Mohamed bin Zayed (MBZ) has visited India on numerous occasions. As Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, he visited India in 2016 and 2017, strengthening the relationship further. More recently, as the President of the UAE, he visited India in September 2023 to attend the G20 Leaders' Summit and participated in the 2nd Virtual Global South Summit in November 2023. (ANI) The ruling party of Serbia, the Serbian Progressive Party on Tuesday announced that Prime Minister Milos Vucevic has submitted his "irrevocable resignation." In a statement, the party quoted Vucevic emphasising the responsibility of those in leadership and revealing that his decision came after a conversation with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who accepted his resignation. In a rough translation, the Serbian Progressive Party wrote on X, "The Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Milos Vucevic @milos_vucevic announced that he was submitting his irrevocable resignation from that position, and emphasised that by doing so, we are demonstrating the responsibility of those who are elected to be responsible." https://x.com/sns_srbija/status/1884191903538876513 In a statement, the party said, "The Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Milos Vucevic, announced today that he is submitting his irrevocable resignation from that position. Vucevic said that he made the irrevocable decision to resign after last night's events in Novi Sad when students were attacked." According to Radio Free Europe, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the Serbian capital, Belgrade, as a general strike swept across the country on January 24. Protesters demanded accountability and justice for the victims killed in the collapse of a railway station roof in Novi Sad last November. Students had blocked more than 60 faculties and two university headquarters on January 24 in the Serbian capital. Protesters marked 15 minutes of silence to remember each person killed in the railway station collapse. Calling for a general strike, they urged citizens to refrain from going to work, shopping, or making any other financial transactions. More than 200 companies across Serbia announced they had suspended operations on January 24 in solidarity with the students. (ANI) Israel's Tourism Minister Haim Katz, during his visit to Mumbai, unveiled a plaque commemorating the history of the Magen Hassidim Synagogue and underlined the importance of strengthening tourism ties between Israel and India. Katz invited Indians to explore Israel's diverse landscapes and iconic destinations like the Dead Sea, Haifa, and Jerusalem. Speaking to reporters, he said,"Tourism is very important. We hope that Indians come to Israel. They will get good food, good landscapes, the Dead Sea, Haifa, Jerusalem. It is a small but amazing country. We want to see a lot of tourists from India in Israel." Meanwhile, Consul General of Israel to Midwest India, Kobbi Shoshani said that the upcoming direct flight between Mumbai and Tel Aviv, set to launch in early March, will play a pivotal role in boosting tourism and business exchanges between the two nations. "When the tourism minister comes to India, it means it is almost the end of the war. We would like to see more Indian tourists and businessmen coming to Israel. A direct flight between Mumbai and Tel Aviv will start in early March. This is extremely important for business and tourism," Shoshani told reporters. A day earlier, Shoshani highlighted the significance of Holocaust Remembrance Day during a ceremony at a synagogue in Mumbai and noted that Jews have lived in India for over 2,000 years without fear of discrimination. The Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed to pay respects to the nearly 6 million Jews killed in Europe during and after the Second World War. Speaking with ANI, he said, "It's a very important day in Israel as it is a memorial of the holocaust. 6 million Jews, mainly in Europe were murdered by the Nazis in gas chambers, or by shooting." Shoshani also stated the strong bond between Jewish and Indian people and stated, "Jews have lived in India for more than 2,000 years without any fear of persecution or discrimination." "It's the first time for a Governor to visit here at this beautiful synagogue. It symbolises the bond between Jewish people and Indian people," he said. (ANI) Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, approached Islamabad High Court (IHC) to challenge their conviction in the 190 million Pound corruption case, Dawn reported. Imran Khan and his wife requested the court to set aside their conviction and sentences by an accountability court and stressed that the verdict lacked credible evidence and suffered from procedural lapses. On January 17, the court convicted Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the 190 million pound Al-Qadir Trust case with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder being sentenced to 14 years in prison while a seven-year jail term has been handed over to his wife. The verdict, delayed three times previously, was announced by Judge Nasir Javed Rana in a makeshift courtroom at Adiala Jail. The appeals mentioned about UK Court of Appeal's judgement dated Nov 26, 2021 and added that the funds at the centre of the controversy were neither proceeds of crime nor related to any illegal activity. They stated that the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) had agreed to 190 million pound settlement with property tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain, specifying that the funds would be transferred to Pakistan Supreme Court's account as part of a legal framework, according to Dawn report. In the appeal, PTI founder Imran Khan has accused NAB of withholding critical evidence and not presenting witnesses from the NCA or relevant documents to substantiate its claims. Imran Khan's lawyers mentioned abou NAB's earlier closure of the case in 2020, after the NCA's settlement agreement. His legal team argued that the reopening of the investigation in 2023 was conducted in bad faith and for political reasons. In the appeal, Imran Khan and his wife also contested the validity of purported confidentiality deed given by the prosecution. His lawyers said that the document was unverified and no forensic analysis was conducted to determine its authenticity, Dawn reported. They argued that the document was merely procedural and no evidence related it to any criminal activity. PTI founder's lawyers stressed that no personal financial gain was made. They said that the funds deposited in the account of Al-Qadir University Trust for furniture had been wrongly associated with the case. The appeal stated, "The prosecution's own evidence confirms that no donations or monetary benefits were received personally by Imran Khan or his wife," Dawn reported. The appeal reads, "The trial court failed to properly evaluate critical evidence, including testimony from prosecution witnesses and official documents, which directly refute the allegations of misuse of authority." Imran Khan accused NAB of conducting a politically motivated agenda, claiming that the bureau had selectively targeted him while excluding several individuals implicated in the case. Bushra Bibi said that there was a lack of evidence and mentioned several procedural and investigative flaws. She termed the case against her politically motivated and unsupported by substantive evidence. She said that the prosecution was unable to establish her alleged role in aiding and abetting her husband or her involvement in matters related to Al-Qadir University Trust. (ANI) The United States has paused Pakistan's foreign assistance for re-evaluation, Geo News reported citing after an official at the US Consulate in Karachi confirmed the news to them. This has brought a halt to projects across several fronts ranging from the health sector, and agriculture to education. The US has paused Pakistan's foreign assistance for re-evaluation as per an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, an official at the US Consulate in Karachi recently confirmed to Geo News. Geo News reported that without mentioning any country, Tammy Bruce, spokesman for the US Department of State, has also issued a statement in this regard. "Consistent with President Trump's Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, Secretary Rubio has paused all US foreign assistance funded by or through the State Department and US Agency for International Development (USAID) for review," Bruce said, as reported by Geo News. The move has instantly stopped several USAID projects in Pakistan, including the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) which is the flagship programme to promote cultural heritage preservation and protection. Additionally, five projects related to the energy sector have also come to a halt as a result of this decision. As per Geo News, these include the Power Sector Improvement Activity, Pakistan Private Sector Energy Activity, Energy Sector Advisory Services Project, Clean Energy Loan Portfolio Guarantee Program and Pakistan Climate Financing Activity. Notably, economic growth-related four projects are also hit. Among them, Social Protection Activity was the only programme supposed to end in 2025. Others include Investment Promotion Activity, Pakistan Private Investment Initiative and Economic Recovery and Development Activity. Geo News noted that the USD 24.8 million FATA Economic Revitalisation Programme, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme has already been completed. In the agriculture sector, the Gomal Zam Command Area Development Project was completed in 2024. However, two of the five programmes were expected to end in 2025. They include Water Management for Enhanced Productivity and Pakistan Agriculture Programmes II. Yet, Livelihood and Food Security Activity for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Flood Affected Districts of Pakistan, Climate Smart Agriculture and Recharge Pakistan are also affected, Geo News said. Projects Democracy, Human Rights and Governance funds are also hit by Trump's order. As per Geo News, four of these 11 projects were expected to be completed in 2025. However, a USD 19.1 million project to strengthen Electoral and Legislative Processes was just completed in 2024. The other projects include Building Peace in Pakistan, Land Registration in Merged Areas Activity, Community Resilience Activity-North, Merged Areas Governance Programme, Inclusive Democratic Processes and Governance, Hum Ahang, Building Understanding and Involvement in Local Governance and Democracy, Subh-e-Nau, Justuju and Water Governance for Sindh. In the education sector, one of the four projects, Improving Girls Education Activity, was expected to be completed in 2025. A similar programme, Higher Education System Strengthening Activity and Education Resilience Activity, that focused on Sindh and KP are also halted, according to Geo News. In the health sector, Integrated Health Systems Strengthening and Service Delivery, Tuberculosis Local Organisation Network, Tuberculosis Implementation Framework Agreement, Building Healthy Families and Global Health Security Program are paused. The White House, in its statement, noted that the pause which is for a period of 90- days will see a review. "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 to foreign countries and implementing non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and contractors pending reviews of such programs for programmatic efficiency and consistency with United States foreign policy, to be conducted within 90 days of this order. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) shall enforce this pause through its apportionment authority". (ANI) Parents are protesting in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office in Hattian Bala on behalf of their children who attend the Government Boys Primary School in Olran village, which is situated in the Jhelum Valley region of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The parents have been demanding that their school, which has been without a teacher for more than two months, be assigned a teacher. The parents claim that the administration shifted the instructor who was initially assigned to the school under the National Testing Service (NTS) program to other responsibilities. Children's schooling has consequently completely stopped. One parent explained, "The local teachers under NTS came here, but the Deputy Commissioner has assigned them to other work. It's been two months and 21 days since the teacher left, and our children's education is suffering. We are demanding that a teacher be sent immediately, or we will continue our protest." Another parent stated that they had approached officials several times, but their concerns remained unaddressed. "I came here with my children to the Deputy Commissioner's office. He assured me that everything would be resolved. The Assistant Officer also promised to look into the matter. Yet, we have received no justice," a parent shared. Citing the long-standing challenges faced by the school, one parent mentioned that such issues have persisted for years. "One of the two primary schools in our village has been struggling for 15 years. A teacher, Amjad Lateef, was assigned under NTS but left after three months. It's been nearly three months since, and we still don't have a replacement," a parent noted. Parents emphasized that if the current teacher cannot return, authorities must appoint a new one. "If the teacher is reassigned, then a replacement should be sent without delay. Our children are sitting at home doing nothing," said another parent. The protesting parents demand immediate action to ensure their children's right to education is not neglected further. (ANI) Ono Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan to India on Tuesday visited OneHub Chennai, where he engaged in productive discussions with representatives of Japanese companies. https://x.com/JapanAmbIndia/status/1884211542146834870/photo/2 In a post on X, the envoy stated, "I visited OneHub Chennai and had fruitful discussions with representatives of Japanese companies. I take great pride in seeing many Japanese individuals actively contributing to India's economic growth while collaborating closely with the people of Tamil Nadu." https://x.com/JapanAmbIndia/status/1883426373077021123 Recently, he also shared a post on X wishing India a 'Happy Republic Day' and wrote, "Happy Republic Day, India! Delighted to attend my first #RepublicDayParade. and witness magnificent tableaus. Japan shares India's vision of "Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas." In December 2024, he also met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in the national capital. EAM Jaishankar wished Keiichi best for his assignment. In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Pleased to meet Ambassador Ono Keiichi of Japan today in Delhi. Discussed the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Wish him best for this new assignment." According to Embassy of Japan in India, the envoy worked as Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan. He, as the G7/G20 Sherpa for Prime Minister, contributed to the outcomes of the G7 Hiroshima Summit 2023, the G20 New Delhi Summit 2023 and other G7/G20 Summits. Served as Assistant Minister/Director-General for Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan from January until July in 2022. His portfolio included economic/trade negotiations and coordination in various fora including G7, G20, WTO, OECD and others. Before then he was Assistant Minister/Director-General and Ambassador for Global Issues including SDGs, global health and climate change. He represented the Japanese Government in the COVAX Facility, the Gavi Vaccine Alliance Board, and also led the Japanese delegation at COP 26 in Glasgow in 2021, as per the Embassy of Japan in India. Before then he was Deputy Chief of Mission/Minister of the Embassy of Japan in Jakarta, Bureau for the Japan-US alliance and security cooperation. He was Director, Northeast Asia Division, MOFA until October 2015, and was responsible for Japan's relations with the Republic of Korea and North Korea. (ANI) Indian Ambassador to Japan, Sibi George expressed delight on the visit of Madhya Pradesh's Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to Japan and hailed India-Japan ties. In a significant development, he announced that work is being done to have " at least 50,000 Indian professionals to come to Japan in the next few years", he also shared his target of increasing the number of Japanese companies in India from 1500 to 15,000. Speaking to ANI about MP CM Mohan Yadav's visit to Japan, Ambassador Sibi George said, "Madhya Pradesh is the heart of India and I'm very happy that the Chief Minister has taken the initiative to come here and meet Japanese companies, Japanese government officials and ministers to explore the possibility of more Japanese engagement with Madhya Pradesh and of course with India". Talking about the India-Japan ties and its progress, the Ambassador called it an "excellent relationship". He said that the relationship which is based on our civilizational and cultural connect has now transformed and evolved from "a G2G relationship to a much bigger arena today we have B2B relationship". He said that the two countries have excellent political relationships, business, science and technology, defence and security relationships and people-to-people connections. Elaborating upon the business engagement between the two countries, he said, "See there are 1500 Japanese companies in India. I have a target to make it 15,000 including the SMEs. I am sure that with more and more SMEs to develop an ecosystem, a resilient supply chain, we would be able to have more Japanese companies to come and invest in India and also to engage with India". Highlighting the high-quality human resources of India, the Ambassador shared his experience of being the ambassador in the Gulf and remarked, "Every company has a CFO who is from India and what does a CFO bring to the table? Integrity, loyalty and of course our knowledge in accountants, accountancy and mathematics. These are very important things which makes one a CFO. Same is the case with engineering. You name it, we have very talented people in India and this is a big opportunity as we grow our relationship with Japan further". In a significant announcement, he said, "One important area is the human resources and I'm very happy that Japan has understood it and now we are working on a new scheme to have at least 50,000 Indian professionals to come to Japan in the next few years. This is being discussed and I'm sure that we would be able to make progress in that". Speaking about the defence and security relationship between the two countries, he said that India and Japan are "like-minded countries" who believe in the safety, security and prosperity of the region. Speaking about the QUAD Summit, he called it a "very important positive factor in the region" and said that the date of the meeting "will be decided based on the convenience of all the four partners". As the Summit will take place in India this year, when being asked about the participation from Japan, Ambassador Sibi George said, "There will be a visit from Japan at the highest level to India" and highlighted that the annual Summit between India and Japan too will happen. (ANI) Speaking to ANI, Ackermann described the event as "a big festival of books and a fabulous event." "We are very happy and proud to be the partner country of this year's Kolkata Book Fair. It is a household name in India for books, and logically, it is in the most intellectual city of India... Culture is one area of our strong interpersonal relations with India," he said. The 48th edition of the Kolkata Book Fair runs from January 28 to February 9, 2025. For the first time, Germany is the focus country at this renowned event, celebrating the rich literary and cultural exchange between Germany and India. The book fair will highlight Germany's literary achievements, cultural diversity, and its growing collaborations with India and South Asia. The inauguration ceremony was attended by key dignitaries, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, German Ambassador to India and Bhutan Philipp Ackermann, and Marla Stukenberg, Regional Director of the Goethe-Institut South Asia. Peter Limbourg, Director General of Deutsche Welle, also attended. These leaders underscored the significance of cultural exchange between India and Germany. Germany's participation as the Focal Theme Country emphasizes sustainability and diversity, reflecting shared global values. The fair features a variety of events, such as book launches, panel discussions, cultural performances, interactive workshops, and exhibitions, showcasing Germany's commitment to eco-consciousness and inclusivity in literature and beyond. Visitors can explore modern and reflective aspects of German literature, alongside its rich classical tradition, and the country's dedication to sustainable practices. Germany's presence at the fair includes a theme pavilion titled "Shelf Life," designed by renowned architect Anupama Kundoo. Known for her sustainable architectural practices, Kundoo's pavilion emphasizes the significance of books and knowledge in shaping human civilisation. The pavilion is a unique blend of cultural reverence for books and an architectural commitment to sustainability, reflecting the deep ties between Germany and India. (ANI) It's king cake season in Houston and one of the bakeries serving the Mardi Gras dessert is Common Bond. Andrew Hemingway Mardi Gras season is upon us, and Houston restaurants and bakeries are selling king cakes that speak to the New Orleans mantra: laissez les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll). The sweet cakes, typically decorated in gold, purple and green, are eaten throughout the Carnival season leading up to Mardi Gras. Warning: These desserts are not an exercise in minimalism. Each is usually an over-the-top explosion of sugar, beads, funfetti and even the traditional hidden plastic baby. Some restaurants and bakeries take things one step further with king cake-inspired treats and drinks, such as a king cake kolache from Kolache Shoppe or Rainbow Lodge's clarified Mardi Gras punch. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But for traditional king cake, look no further than our list. As always, let us know what we missed. Montgomery Bakehouse Freshly made and decorated King Cakes are seen ready to be boxed at Montgomery Bakehouse, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Conroe. King Cake, also known as a three kings cake, is a cake associated in many countries with Epiphany around Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Longstanding Montgomery Bakehouse is selling a wide variety of king cakes. Choose a filling of cinna-butter, Bavarian, chocolate Bavarian, pecan praline, cherry, cream cheese, cherry cream cheese, apple or strawberry cream cheese. King cakes ($19.50) come dressed with beads over the traditional Mardi Gras-colored sprinkles. Orders can be made online or purchased in-store. 240 Longmire, Conroe; montgomerybakehouse.com Eunice King cake from Eunice Emma Umana Eunice has all things Creole-Cajun, including king cakes ($40) available for pre-order. Orders can be placed starting Feb. 7 with pickups between Feb. 21 and March 3. Each dessert is blanketed with cream cheese frosting and a metallic baby is provided, which can be hidden or placed on top. Customers must order the cakes by 6 p.m. at least two days ahead of pickup time. 3737 Buffalo Speedway; eunicerestaurant.com Advertisement Article continues below this ad French Gourmet Bakery King cake from French Gourmet Bakery French Gourmet Bakery Traditional Gallic pastries, such as croissants, almond tarts and eclairs, are not the only specialties sold at this 50-year-old bakery in River Oaks. Every year, customers also beeline to this family-owned spot for its New Orleans- and French-style king cakes. A 10-inch round serving ($39.99) serves up to a dozen people and comes with fillings that include almond, cream cheese and cinnamon with all the accouterments. French-style king cake ($54.99), a puff pastry filled with cream feeds up to 15 people at 12 inches. It also has single-serving king cake rolls ($5.29). 2250 Westheimer; fgbakery.com King Cake Drive-Thru King Cake Drive-Thru from New Orleans will pop up in Houston Feb. 10-11 in a Midtown parking lot to sell the Mardi Gras dessert. Photos courtesy of King Cake Drive-Thru With this hit drive-thru, you don't have to leave your car to get the Mardi Gras dessert. Posting up in a parking lot Feb. 1 and 2, the drive-thru offers king cakes from the most well-known and up-and-coming bakers in New Orleans including Caludas, Sucre, Bittersweet Confections and Vietnamese bakery Dough Nguyeners. Cakes ($30 to $50) are sold on a first-come-first-serve basis with no cash accepted. Be prepared for a busy drive-thru; they sold out in a few hours last year. 3100 Timmons Advertisement Article continues below this ad Common Bond King cake offerings from Common Bond. Andrew Hemingway This llocal mini-chain of bakeries is jumping into Carnival season full throttle. For the traditionalists, theres a cinnamon cake or a raspberry cream cheese-filled one ($45.99 each) available with a 72-hour notice between Feb. 5 and March 4, and available in stores without notice Feb. 25 to March 5. Personal-sized king cakes and king cake lattes will be available in-store starting Feb. 5. A DIY king cake decorating kit ($25.99) is also available for preorder to pickup March 3 and 4. Additionally, theres a promotion between Sky High for Kids and social media influencer the Hangry Houstonian, where $5 from every king cake is donated to raise awareness and funds to fight childhood cancer. Various locations; commonbondcafe.com Three Brothers Bakery King cake at Three Brothers Bakery. Three Brothers Bakery All four locations of this family-owned Houston bakery, which is known for its array of Jewish specialties, are selling king cakes and various iterations of the Mardi Gras tradition, with cupcakes, cookies, petit fours and cheesecake. Whether its a plain ($20) or filled ($30) version, the team here believes its creations are just as good as the ones in New Orleans. They attended a baking convention in Louisiana over a decade ago and visited nine different bakeries before developing their own bead-covered cakes. Fillings options include strawberry cream cheese, raspberry cream cheese and pecan praline. Various locations; 3brothersbakery.com Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Best Stop Gambino's King Cakes can be purchased at Best Stop in Katy. Gambino's Bakery For those looking for king cake straight from the source, the Best Stop in Katy is selling Gambino's King Cakes. It is getting shipments weekly of traditional ($32), cream cheese ($35), Bavarian cream ($35) and strawberry cream cheese ($39). Pick up some of the Best Stop's famous cracklins while you're at it. 806 Katy Fort Bend; beststopinscott.com Crescent City Connection The strawberry cream cheese king cake from Crescent City Connection in Webster takes the sweetness level over the top. Alison Cook / Staff Houstonians can find dense, sprinkled-covered king cakes from Crescent City Connection at Hap's Cajun Meats and Market. These king cakes are unrepentantly sweet, in that delirious sugar-shock fashion, former Chronicle restaurant critic Alison Cook wrote. The variations available on the menu include traditional ($30) or filled ($35) with strawberry cream cheese, cream cheese, pecan praline or Bavarian cream. King cakes are available for walk-in customers but can be ordered ahead of time. Cake can be purchased by the slice. They usually sell out daily, so get there early. 902 E Main, League City; crescentcityconnectionstexas.com Nepal has drafted a social media bill with stringent provisions which includes measures to control spread of fake news and deep fakes. The social media bill, which was tabled in the National Assembly to regulate the use and operation of social media, proposes severe penalties for individuals involved in spreading misleading or false information through fake IDs or pages on social media. Under the Section 27 of the proposed law, individuals are prohibited to create or use anonymous or fake profiles on social media- fake IDs, pages, or groups to post or share false information. "Anyone found guilty of engaging in such actions could face up to three months in prison, a fine of up to 50,000 (Nepali) rupees, or both penalties," according to the subsection 2 of the bill. Apart from it, the bill also prohibits spread of harmful or deceptive information that could disrupt national sovereignty, territorial integrity, or national interests. Violations under subsection 3 of the bill carry stricter penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to 1.5 million Nepali rupees. Furthermore, the bill proposes harsh measures against individuals who hold public office or state benefits, to be subjected to 50 per cent more penalties than commoners. In addition to it, additional penalties would be served to those who engage children or minors in such activities. Anyone found guilty of such acts could face an additional one-year prison term. The bill also proposes three months of imprisonment, a fine of up to Nepali Rupees (NR) 50,000 or both for posting or sharing obscene images, audio, or videos on social media. Similarly, anyone using social media to spread obscene words, images, signals, videos, audio, false or misleading information, or to propagate, distort, or comment on such information will face up to two years in prison, a fine of up to NRs 300,000, or both. Uploading or spreading deep fake videos using social media, as per the proposed bill will result in up to two years of imprisonment, a fine of up to NRs 300,000, or both. The bill defines deep fake video as contents produced using artificial intelligence to mimic or replace a person's face, voice, or behavior to spread false information, promote obscenity, or damage someone's character. According to Section 5 of the bill, cases of offenses will be considered under Schedule 1 of the National Criminal Procedure (Code) Act, 2017. The bill also provides for compensation from the offender if any harm is caused due to the offense. However, claims must be filed within three months of awareness of the offense. The bill also includes provisions for penalties ranging from NRs 2.5 million to Rs 10 million if users fail to disclose their true identity or if authorised individuals do not comply with the stipulated conditions. The recently introduced bill in the Himalayan Nation with a population of less than 30 million has proposed new regulation requiring companies, firms, or organisations seeking to operate social media platforms to obtain government approval. The bill has defined social media platforms as "apps, websites, blogs, AI tools, and similar platforms created in cyberspace that allow interaction through electronic means." In case of violation of this clause, the bill proposes penalties ranging from NRs 2.5 million to NRs 10 million for individuals who, after obtaining government approval, allow the use of social media platforms for activities such as promoting anti-national views, defaming individuals, violating personal privacy, or permitting users to hide their real identities. On the other hand, social media users who fail to comply with legal requirements could face fines of up to NRs 500,000. The bill specifically prohibits the use of offensive words, images, videos, and trolling with the intent to insult or degrade someone's reputation. It mandates punishment for those engaging in "hate speech" referring to content that incites violence or hatred against individuals, groups, or communities, or disrupts social harmony. "Those involved in spreading false and misleading information, distorting facts, or sharing prohibited content could also face a fine of (Nepali) Rs 500,000 as a penalty," draft of the measure states. Introducing provisions for cyberstalking, the bill has proposed a penalty of up to three years in prison, a fine of NRs 500,000, or both. The bill has defined cyberstalking as "actions like making false accusations, surveillance, and violating personal privacy using internet technology." The bill also warns against the hacking of someone's social media ID and information, proposing a penalty of up to three years in prison, a fine of NRs 1.5 million or both. Along with, a penalty of up to three years in prison, a fine of Rs 1.5 million, or both for phishing or imposter scams using social media also has been proposed. Similarly, the bill proposes a penalty of up to three years in prison, a fine of Rs 1.5 million, or both for committing sextortion or extortion through the use of social media. (ANI) Following the attack on Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital in El Fasher, Sudan, which resulted in 70 deaths and 19 injuries, UNICEF on Tuesday said that at least one girl and three boys were reportedly killed and three boys injured. The attack on the Saudi Hospital in El Fasher, in Sudan's North Darfur, took place on Friday. "This heinous attack is a blatant violation of children's rights. Children are being killed and injured in the very places where they should be safest from harm," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. "Such attacks exacerbate the dire situation for children and families who are trapped in areas affected by conflict, insecurity, and lack of protection," Russell added. In a press statement, UNICEF further said that in Sudan, more than 70 per cent of hospitals in conflict-affected areas are currently non-operational due to damage, destruction, a lack of supplies, or from being used as shelters or for other purposes. "The delivery of medical supplies, vaccines and routine immunization has been hindered by ongoing security concerns and lack of access, worsening the humanitarian crisis and putting countless lives, especially those of children, at significant risk," UNICEF said. Earlier on Sunday, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the attack on the Saudi Hospital and called for an immediate cessation of attacks on healthcare. Sharing a post on X, Ghebreyesus wrote, "The appalling attack on Saudi Hospital in El Fasher, #Sudan, led to 19 injuries and 70 deaths among patients and companions. At the time of the attack, the hospital was packed with patients receiving care. The attack comes at a time when access to health care is already severely constrained in the state due to the closure of health facilities following intense bombardments." Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry had also expressed condemnation and denunciation of the targeting of the Saudi Hospital in El Fasher. In a statement posted on X, the ministry said, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's condemnation and denunciation of the targeting of the Saudi Hospital in El Fasher, which resulted in the death and injury of several individuals, constituting a violation of international law and international humanitarian law." (ANI) Dozens of terrorists were arrested, weapons depots and a lathe for manufacturing weapons were destroyed, the IDF said. The army's Jenin raid, dubbed "Operation Iron Wall," launched on Tuesday, comes on the heels of the Palestinian Authority's failed crackdown in the Jenin refugee camp. Previous Israeli counterterror operations in 2023 and 2024 in the Jenin camp uncovered a tunnel shaft, a rocket launcher, large amounts of weapons and bomb-making laboratories. As of 2023, just over 24,000 registered refugees were living in the camp that Palestinians have dubbed "The Martyr's Capital." (ANI/TPS) In a post on X, the MEA said, "Secy (East) @JaideepMazumder & Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar, GOC, Delhi area, commended the 352 member marching & band contingent from the Indonesian Armed Forces for their successful participation in 76th Republic Day parade. President @prabowo of Indonesia was the Chief Guest at the 76th Republic Day." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1884234314381930871 The marching contingent, showcased unity and precision in their movements, reflecting the military's readiness and national cohesion. Dressed in honour guard uniforms, the contingent's synchronised steps and swift execution highlighted meticulous training and discipline. Their formations, incorporating national symbols like the Garuda emblem and the Indonesian flag, embodied the spirit of "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity), symbolising the nation's cultural, ethnic, and religious harmony. Adding to it was the Genderang Suling Canka Lokananta, the military band from the Indonesian Military Academy (Akmil). This ensemble blended traditional military music with noble values, exemplifying the academy's discipline and honour. The band's name, derived from Sanskrit, translates to "trumpet" and "heavenly sound," reflecting its melodious and symbolic nature. The band performed with precision, using instruments such as snare drums, trumpets, and flutes, while emphasising teamwork and responsibility among cadets. Beyond its ceremonial role, the performance served as a showcase of the academy's excellence and commitment to military tradition. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto concluded a landmark state visit to India, further strengthening the historical and strategic ties between the two nations. The state visit, which took place from January 23 to 26, saw President Subianto attending India's 76th Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest, at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. Subianto was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including several Ministers, senior officials, and a business team, reflecting the importance of the visit for bilateral cooperation. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], January 28 ( ANI/TPS): Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, officially informed the members of the UN Security Council that, within 48 hours, the State of Israel will cease cooperation with UNRWA - the UN Relief Workers Agency that works with people in Gaza. "UNRWA must stop its activities and evacuate all its facilities in Jerusalem," he said. Israel is cutting ties with the agency after it was proven that it employed Hamas terrorists, including ones who took part in the October 7 massacre, and after years of complaints about its aiding and abetting terrorist activities. A new Israeli law banning UNWRA goes into effect on January 30. Danon explained that the law prohibits UNRWA from operating within the sovereign territory of the State of Israel and prohibits any contact between Israeli entities and the organization. In addition, it is prohibited from "maintaining any representative office, service or activity in our territories. Israel will terminate any cooperation, Communication or contact with UNRWA or anyone acting on its behalf." "This decision comes after years of efforts to motivate you to act against the Hamas takeover of the organization," said Danon. "The decision also reflects reality: UNRA failed morally and professionally and harmed people who were supposed to receive service from the organization." (ANI/TPS) "The IDF will remain at the summit of the Hermon and the security zone indefinitely to ensure the security of the communities of the Golan Heights and the north, and all the residents of Israel," Katz said. "We will not allow hostile forces to establish themselves in the security zone in southern Syria... we will act against any threat," he added. Katz was visiting an army post on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, the highest point in the Golan Heights. Israel sent forces into the 235 sq km buffer zone to prevent Syrian rebels from approaching the border when the regime of Bashar Assad collapsed in December. Israel also launched waves of airstrikes on Syrian army assets and Iranian stockpiles to prevent them from falling into the hands of radical Islamists. The move into the demilitarized zone was coordinated with peacekeepers from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). Israel considers the 1974 ceasefire agreement void until order is restored in Syria. While Israeli forces have briefly entered the buffer zone in the past, December's takeover marked the first time since its establishment that the IDF set up positions there. The demilitarized zone was established with a ceasefire in 1974 that ended the Yom Kippur War. (ANI/TPS) Kazan [Russia], January 28 ( ANI): The BRICS and SCO Young Leaders Award in Kazan received an overwhelming response, with over 400 applications from 13 countries, TV BRICS reported. The award attracted talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, media influencers, researchers, and environmental activists. The participating countries included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS members), as well as Ethiopia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and the UAE. According to Dilbar Sadykova, Chairperson of the Academy of Youth Diplomacy, it was very difficult to decide on the winners. "There were over eighty applications for one nomination. The jury was made up of representatives of all BRICS and SCO countries. Voting was anonymous. Both national and global achievements were taken into account," she said. Anna Lisina, Editor-in-Chief of the portal, spoke on behalf of TV BRICS, an international media partner of the event. In her welcoming speech, she stressed that the capital of Tatarstan has become a centre of attraction for international events. "In my opinion, this award cannot be called just an award ceremony. It is a vivid example of how states united not only by similar goals, but also by values, find a common language, points of contact through our youth" she said. Madhish Parikh, a young entrepreneur from Gujarat, India, has been named the "Social Entrepreneur of the Year" at a recent awards ceremony. Parikh is the founder of one of India's largest youth volunteer organizations, which focuses on achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The organization's mission is to engage young people in public activities, particularly in healthcare and disaster relief. This is Parikh's eleventh visit to Russia, but his first time in Kazan. He was impressed by the city's rich history, culture, and the warm hospitality of its people. In an exclusive commentary for TV BRICS, the entrepreneur explained what he remembered about the award. "The most impressive thing for me on this award is this initiative. It is just not about to receive the award, but to be with all those people who have the will and desire to work in the BRICS agenda and believe in BRICS. It gives inspiration and a vision to work on international cooperation and youth diplomacy. I am inspired by the projects of other young people who work in the country and it gives me an opportunity to network. It is a very powerful platform that brings people like we together" he said Diana Kovela, Deputy Head of the Russia - BRICS Project Office for International Youth Cooperation, believes that each participant, despite their young age, has achieved serious success. "At this award I really see leaders. Each of them can already today think through formats and mechanisms of interaction with each other within the community of prize winners. This is a small brick in building their careers. I can see from the eyes of these people, from their backgrounds, that this event will give each participant an impetus to something new," she said. Zulaikha Patel, a young South African, has been recognized as the "Young Media Influencer of the Year" for her efforts to improve education in her country. Patel's initiatives include establishing new libraries in schools, promoting literacy, and advocating for quality education. This was her first time in Russia. "I am quite honoured to receive this award, because I believe it fosters and strengthens the participation of the youth within BRICS," she said on the sidelines of the award. This event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Academy of Youth Diplomacy, the SCO Centre for Public Diplomacy, the Ministry of Youth Affairs of Tatarstan, and the Students' League of the Republic. The award has been organised since 2023. According to Dilbar Sadykova, Chairperson of the Academy of Youth Diplomacy, the possibility of holding it in other cities of the BRICS and SCO countries is being worked out. (ANI) Jaishankar said the two discussed India and UAE's progress in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Honoured to call on HH Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Conveyed warm greetings of PM Narendra Modi. Discussed the continued progress in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Value his guidance for its future growth." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1884283747694219267 Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during his official visit to the UAE. Sharing a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Pleased to meet Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan." "Recalled his recent visit to India and discussed further advancement of India-UAE partnership," the post added. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1884187349128732684 Nahyan attended the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January 2024 as the Chief Guest. Jaishankar also met Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the UAE. In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Nice to meet Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President, UAE this morning. Discussed our special partnership and its further progress." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1884152043755196595 The EAM also addressed the inaugural session of Raisina Middle East in Abu Dhabi. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1884151609946468482 Notably, Jaishankar is on an official visit to the UAE from January 27 to 29 with goals to build a closer relationship between India and the Emirates and improve bilateral ties. India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have enjoyed strong diplomatic relations since they established ties in 1972. The UAE opened its embassy in India in the same year, followed by the opening of the Indian embassy in the UAE in 1973. Over the years, these relations have evolved into a robust and multifaceted partnership. (ANI) In a strong-worded statement, India rejected a Canadian report alleging that the Indian government interfered in Canada's elections. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that it is in fact Canada which has been consistently interfering in India's internal affairs. "We have seen a report about alleged activities on purported interference. It is in fact Canada which has been consistently interfering in India's internal affairs. This has also created an environment for illegal migration and organized criminal activities. We reject the report's insinuations on India and expect that the support system enabling illegal migration will not be further countenanced," the statement read. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1884307723086619052 The report from the Canadian Commission alleged that after China, India was active in interfering in Canada's electoral process. "India is the second most active country engaging in electoral foreign interference in Canada. Like the PRC, India is a critical actor on the world stage. Canada and India have worked together for decades, but there are challenges in the relationship. Many of these are long standing and inform India's foreign interference activities," the report said. The 123-page report also talked of expelling of six diplomats' in October last year, dubbing them as 'agents'. The report referred to the time when Canada on October 14, 2024 expelled six Indian diplomats after police collected evidence that they were part of an Indian government "campaign of violence". India then expelled six Canadian diplomats hours after it summoned Canada's Charge d'Affaires Stewart Wheeler and conveyed that the "baseless targeting" of the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats and officials in Canada was completely unacceptable. "In October 2024, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats and consular officials in reaction to a targeted campaign against Canadian citizens by agents linked to the Government of India," the report alleged. The report also claimed that India spread disinformation regarding the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, however, the report contradicted itself by saying that Canada could not find a link to a foreign state on his killing. "Disinformation is also used as a retaliatory tactic, to punish decisions that run contrary to a state's interests. This may have been the case with a disinformation campaign that followed the Prime Minister's announcement regarding suspected Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar (though again no definitive link to a foreign state could be proven)," the report said. On November 20, India strongly refuted the reports in Canadian media regarding the killing of India-designated Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and said it should be dismissed with the "contempt they deserve." The Ministry of External Affairs further emphasised that "smear campaigns" like this only "further damage our already strained ties." Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed outside the Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. (ANI) U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, left, and Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, right, attended Kentucky's constitutional swearing-in ceremony, Jan. 2, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley) The Trump administrations temporary freeze on some federal payments sent a wave of confusion across Kentucky Tuesday, sparking criticism from Democrats. By late afternoon, a federal judge had blocked the funding freeze and the University of Kentucky had created a web site to track how the flurry of activity and policy actions could affect UK, where federal funds help pay for student financial aid, patient care and research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear raised concerns Tuesday morning about the legality and effects of the action, while a spokesman for Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell said its not unusual for new administrations to review federal grants. Meanwhile, public agencies and nonprofits monitored fast changing information from the Trump administration about the meaning of a memo issued late Monday by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The stakes are high in Kentucky where almost half 46.4% of state revenue came from the federal government in fiscal year 2022, according to an analysis by The Pew Charitable Trusts. Kentucky received almost $23 billion in federal grants last fiscal year, according to federal records. The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy posted a long list of Kentuckys federal grants, ranging from $820,000 for local development through the Appalachian Regional Commission to $81 million to reclaim abandoned mine lands to $1.2 billion for transportation, including funds for highways and airports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The temporary stop-payments appeared to be sweeping in a lengthy list in the original memo that included Head Start, the Supplemental Nutrition Aid Program, school meals, suicide prevention for veterans, legal services, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance and a host of U.S. Department of Agriculture programs ranging from the Conservation Reserve Program to Market News. Later Tuesday, seeking to clarify, the Office of Management and Budget issued a question-and-answer sheet that said there would be no pause in mandatory programs like Medicaid and SNAP. The release, which was cited at a White House briefing, also said there would be no pause in Head Start, Pell Grants, rental assistance or funds for farmers. Any program that provides direct benefits to individuals is not subject to the pause, it said. Nonetheless, the freeze has already resulted in chaos, confusion and concern for many Kentuckians, said Jason Bailey, director of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy based in Berea. In a statement, Bailey said the federal budget includes many funding streams that are critical to Kentuckians safety, health and well-being and that drive our economy. And while the exact impact of the order remains uncertain, funding for things like veterans services, public safety, and schools is immediately threatened, Bailey said. This action promises to make life harder for students, veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities while raising questions about the jobs of the thousands of Kentuckians currently working on the federally funded infrastructure and energy projects across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, unclear is whether President Donald Trump has the authority to stop payments authorized by Congress, a point raised by Beshear. I have concerns about both the legality of the President attempting to stop or freeze laws explicitly passed by Congress, as well as the damage this action will cause to farmers, small-business owners and struggling families who are receiving important job training or health care services to improve the lives of their children, the governor said in a statement. A spokesperson for McConnell told the Lantern: New administrations typically take steps to review federal funding allocated to grant recipients. Senator McConnell will continue to advocate for the economic interests of Kentucky, and ensure that every tax dollar is spent responsibly. Officials in Kentuckys state and local governments said they were monitoring the situation and awaiting more clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madison Pergrem, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Republican Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, said the department was currently reviewing the memorandum to assess its potential impact, if any. Jennifer Ginn, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Department of Education, said in an email that Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher received information from the U.S. Department of Education that the OMB memo only applies to discretionary grants and that the administration plans to review the grants for alignment with Trump administration priorities. Ginn added that the pause does not impact funds received under Title I, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or other formula grants. It also does not impact Pell Grants and direct loans under Title IV or the Higher Education Act (HEA). USED is working with the Trump administration to identify other programs that are not covered by the memo. When asked about funding for national school breakfast and lunch programs, Ginn said KDE has not received any indication that those programs are included in the federal funding pause. University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto also said the pause in payments appears linked to achieving Trump priorities established in the presidents earlier executive orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The OMB directive speaks to whether grants and contracts are impacted by President Trumps recent executive actions around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Capilouto said in a campus wide message Tuesday afternoon. Our government relations, legal and research teams are evaluating these issues, even as we have worked intently to fully comply with recent court decisions in these areas around college admissions and, for example, with federal policy actions regarding hiring practices, Capilouto said. As we have more clarity around some of these specific issues, we will communicate with the community or with those directly impacted. Kim Dolan, the vice president of government relations, communications and outreach for the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), said in an email that this freeze has no impact on the state grant and scholarship programs KHEAA administers, nor does it impact borrowers on KHESLCs (our sister agencys) Advantage Education Loan. KHEAA continued to encourage students to complete the 2025-26 FAFSA to determine their eligibility for federal, state and institutional financial aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The freeze on payments comes on the heels of the Trump administrations cancellation of scientific research meetings last week which raised concerns about funding through the National Institutes of Health for research and clinical trials. University of Louisville spokesperson John Karman said in an email that UofL had not been notified of a pause on its federal funding as of Tuesday morning. The university will continue to monitor the situation to determine its potential impact and provide more information at a later time when it knows more. The Kentucky Democratic Party was highly critical of the move Tuesday. In a statement, Communications Director Jonathan Levin said that Kentuckians deserve stability and compassion, not this Republican-driven chaos that will inflict pain on our families. This sweeping freeze jeopardizes basic programs that Kentuckians depend on to survive, Levin said. Programs like LIHEAP, which keeps families warm during the winter, and SNAP, which helps them put food on their tables, as well as FEMA relief for our communities still recovering from tornadoes and flooding, are all at risk. This story has been updated with additional comments Tuesday afternoon. President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on Jan. 20. Last Monday, on the first day of Trump's second term, the president passed a series of executive orders taking his crusade against immigrants even further, attempting to ban birthright citizenship, vowing to send troops to the southern border and shutting down refugee and asylum programs. Jim Watson/TNS When Lina Hidalgo first ran for Harris County judge in 2018, she said she was disappointed with the county's tepid response to President Donald Trump's leadership, including his stringent immigration policies. Her eventual victory made the 27-year-old rookie a rising star in the Democratic Party and a beacon of hope to anxious liberals during Trump's first term. "I saw local government of such a powerful county, of such a powerful state, failing to stand up to policies I knew were dangerous, Hidalgo told the Houston Chronicle in 2018. "So, I decided this is what I needed to do. Last Monday, on the first day of Trump's second term, the president passed a series of executive orders taking his crusade against immigrants even further, attempting to ban birthright citizenship, vowing to send troops to the southern border and shutting down refugee and asylum programs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But this time around, Hidalgo, a Colombian immigrant herself, has not publicly addressed Trump's immigration crackdown since he retook office and she's not the only one. READ MORE: Federal immigration operation in Houston raises questions as officials remain silent on details Democrats silent on Trump's immigration plans The Houston areas top Democratic lawmakers have been largely silent on immigration since Trump has begun to put his plans into action, despite denouncing his positions on the issue throughout the campaign season. Mayor John Whitmire, who offered words in support of immigrants in the days leading up to Trump's inauguration, has not publicly addressed Trumps immigration initiatives since he retook office last week either. "In a city like Houston, we would like to see leadership take a strong stand and defy working with an unjust system that Trump is proposing," said Cesar Espinosa, executive director of immigrant rights group FIEL Houston. "Unfortunately, we are still very incredulous whether that's going to happen or not." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houston Mayor John Whitmire gives remarks during a swearing in ceremony for Metro Police Chief Ban Tien at Houston City Hall on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer While recent estimates of people living here illegally are not available, Harris County was home to roughly 781,000 immigrants without American citizenship in 2023, more than half of whom lived in the city of Houston, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Within days of his first inauguration in 2017, Trump quickly targeted Democratic cities by issuing an executive order that threatened to ban federal grants for so-called "sanctuary cities," or those that refused to cooperate with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. The next day, then Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner issued a statement in defiance of the order, and the city eventually joined a lawsuit against Senate Bill 4, the state law that punished those cities. In the years that followed, Hidalgo led the countys opposition to Trumps immigration policies and even turned words into action, creating a legal defense fund for immigrants facing deportation in 2020. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Muted local response to Trumps attacks This time around, the local response to Trumps attacks has been far more muted. As he did in 2017, Trump quickly targeted Democratic cities last week by directing the Department of Justice to investigate state and local officials who do not comply with immigration initiatives. Rather than striking a defiant tone, local leaders have thus far avoided picking a fight when asked about whether theyd cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and how they might respond to apparent threats from the Justice Department. A spokesperson for Whitmire did not directly respond to requests for comment, instead referring the Chronicle to statements the mayor made nearly two weeks ago, in which he expressed support for Houston's immigrant community but said that the city do(es) not deal with immigration. Hidalgos office has repeatedly declined to comment on questions regarding immigration over the last several weeks, including for this story. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The local stasis is reflective of the uncertainty of Democrats nationwide on how best to approach Trumps sweeping broadsides against liberal laws, values and institutions. U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, who has not publicly addressed the immigration crackdown since Trump took office, said his position on the issue remains the same as it did during the campaign. He sarcastically credited Trump for signing dozens of executive orders in his first days in office, making it difficult for Democrats to respond to each one. So theres just a lot there, and I applaud the president for issuing a voluminous amount of executive orders which people like myself are adamantly against. You cant deal with them all at the same time, we are still going through each and every one, but my position hasnt changed, Turner said. Weighing a wait-and-see approach Raed Gonzalez, chairman of the Harris County Democrats new Unidos committee, which focuses on Latino outreach, said local Democrats are likely waiting to get a handle on what Trumps executive orders mean for Houston before making any decisive statements or actions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This is the beginning of everything, nothing has been established, Gonzalez said. We have to educate and get the right information to everybody, immigration law is confusing and complicated and it's not easy to understand when even the Department of Homeland Security contradicts themselves sometimes. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo tours Benavidez Elementary School ahead of the districts $4.4 billion bond election, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer The wait-and-see approach could have its benefits in a second Trump term, according to Brandon Rottinghaus, a political scientist at the University of Houston. Rottinghaus said that Democrats are likely trying to apply lessons they learned from Trumps first administration to their response in 2025, but cautioned that too much indecision could also have its own consequences. As a political tactic, flailing at every Trump executive order exhausts resources. Elected officials have seen this movie before and know how to hold their fire, so swinging at every pitch isnt needed, you need to wait for the right one, Rottinghaus said. (But) at some point, delay becomes inaction, and that inaction has a risk for certain communities that may be dramatically impacted before they know better. Though immigration law plays out at the federal level, officials in a few other cities around the country have taken steps to support immigrants in their communities at the onset of Trumps second term. Regrouping after Trumps presidential win Sergio Lira, a Houston LULAC leader, said he would like to see Houstons representatives in Congress take the lead in pushing back against Trumps immigration policies, but thinks that Trumps victory struck a major blow to Democrats from which they havent yet recovered. I dont think weve mustered up the strength and the political will to challenge Trump at this point, Lira said. I think we need to get our ducks in a row, we need to unite, we need to be stronger, and I think that the wind has been taken out of our sails in the local and national Democratic Party. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, is the Houston delegate to Congress who has most visibly denounced Trumps actions on immigration since his inauguration last Monday, joining other members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in slamming his attempts to end birthright citizenship. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston, also criticized the executive orders in a weekly newsletter to constituents, saying they have "created fear and chaos for people across our community and across the country," and Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, issued a called for a clearer pathway to citizenship in a statement decrying a broad swath of executive orders. Garcia has spoken at a series of know your right workshops over the last week and is hosting her own such session Wednesday at Houston Community Colleges Northline Campus. As Houstons only Hispanic representative in Congress, she said that she didnt consider it a burden to lead the response on immigration, but a moral responsibility. Broccoli packages sold at Walmart stores in 20 states have received an elevated recall status over a Listeria contamination that has potentially fatal consequences. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raised the recall on Braga Freshs ready-to-eat 12oz Marketside Broccoli Florets to Class 1, which 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, according to the organization. The FDA first announced on December 31 that Braga Fresh was issuing a voluntary recall on the product due to the possibility of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Listeria is a bacteria that can contaminate many foods. Although symptoms can vary, a listeria infection can cause invasive illness and intestinal illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The possible listeria contamination of Braga Freshs broccoli was discovered during random sampling by Texas Health & Human Services from a Texas store location where one of multiple samples yielded a positive test result, the FDA reported. The recalled product was sold in Walmart stores with the UPC code 6 81131 32884 5 on the back of the bag and the Lot Code: BFFG327A6 on the front of the bag. A listeria infection can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections for people with weakened immune systems, according to the FDA (Getty Images) It also has a best-if-used-by date of December 10, 2024. The FDA notes that while the product is no longer being sold in stores, consumers may have frozen the item for later use. Any consumers who have the product in their freezers should not eat it and discard it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 12-ounce bags of broccoli were sold at Walmart stores in 20 states: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. According to the FDA, there havent been any reported illnesses connected to the recalled broccoli. The agency also noted in its release that Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Meanwhile, people with healthier immune systems may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Read More Coca-Cola safety recall in Europe Coca-Cola has issued a safety recall for several of its soft drink products in Europe (Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands) due to higher-than-normal levels of chlorate. The affected products include Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Minute Maid, and Fuze Tea with specific production codes. Chlorate, a byproduct of chlorine-based sanitizers used in water treatment, can cause iodine deficiency. The UK Food Standards Agency is investigating whether any affected products reached the UK market. Coca-Cola has apologized and advised consumers to return recalled products for a refund, while experts suggest serious health risks are unlikely unless large quantities are consumed. Read the full article here A representative for Walmart previously told The Independent that customers can visit a Walmart store to get a refund on the recalled broccoli. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They added: The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority. While the expiration date for the potentially impacted Marketside Broccoli Florets has past and the product is no longer in stores, we encourage customers who may still have this product in their homes, such as stored in freezers, to not consume and to discard the product. At this time, there have been no reported illnesses associated with this advisory, and we are working with the supplier to investigate. The updated recall comes just days after six different brands of eggs were 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 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. Delaware residents gained stronger privacy protections this month as the state's Personal Data Privacy Act took effect. The groundbreaking law gives residents more control over how businesses handle their personal information, positioning Delaware as a regional leader in data privacy and consumer rights. It also requires companies to provide simple and accessible privacy notices to help consumers understand how their data is collected, used and protected. Passed in 2023, the Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act requires businesses to obtain explicit consent before collecting or sharing personal information. Data including names, addresses, phone numbers, emails and precise location data are covered under the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state's Department of Justice, through its Fraud & Consumer Protection Division, will oversee the enforcement of the new regulations. Attorney General Kathy Jennings stated that the law gives her office essential tools to protect consumers' data privacy and security. Key consumer data protections The new privacy law gives Delaware residents several rights: Opt-in for sensitive data: Businesses must obtain explicit consent before using or sharing sensitive personal information, including race, religion and health conditions. Opt-out of data sales and targeted advertising: Consumers can decline the sale of their data, automated decision-making, and personalized ads. Access, correction and deletion rights: Residents can request access to their data, correct inaccuracies, or delete their information. Anti-discrimination protection: Businesses cannot unlawfully use personal data to discriminate against consumers. DIGITAL ACCESS UPGRADE: Delaware secures $17.4M to connect entire state to high-speed internet Special protections for children The law provides even stricter safeguards for childrens privacy: For children under 13 , businesses must secure parental consent before collecting any personal data. For teens ages 13 through 17, companies must obtain direct consent before selling their information or using it for targeted advertising. Delaware residents who want to learn more about the state's new privacy rights or file complaints about potential violations can visit privacy.delaware.gov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can contact Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware's Personal Data Privacy Act addresses data collection On Jan. 6, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he would be resigning as leader of the Liberal Party and head of the federal government. The immediate catalyst of his decision was the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, a longtime ally, over internal policy disputes three weeks before. But it also followed months of mounting pressure, as Trudeaus popularity rate plummeted to an all-time low of 22 percent in late December 2024. While it is hard to predict what will happen once parliament reconvenes next week, the likelihood is that the country will soon be holding new elections. Much of the popular discontent toward Trudeau has centered on his personalitya perceived aloofness, stubbornness and detachment from the general public that stands in stark contrast with the image of him as a caring, inspiring and thoughtful leader that emerged during the 2015 elections that ushered him into power. On the right, critics have pointed to a significant and, they argue, badly managed increase in immigration; excessive lockdowns and other restrictive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic; and environmental measures seen as stifling the oil and gas industry. By contrast, on the left, commentators note that Trudeau did not go nearly far enough to address climate change and boost the transition to a green economy; failed to address social justice issues, including with regard to Indigenous and Black people; and was unable to stop a mounting housing crisis. Several scandals also weakened his credibility over the years, notably the SNC-Lavalin, Aga Khan and blackface affairs. During the 2015 electoral campaign, security issues did not feature prominently in the debates and discussions around who Canadians should trust with their votes. However, the past nine years have been marked by important developments on that front, overshadowing much of Trudeaus tenure. With security playing a more central role in the debates that are already shaping the upcoming election campaign, a look back at the issues that will define his legacy and his record in addressing them is warranted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first is drug policy. In October 2018, Canada became the second country in the worldafter Uruguayto fully legalize and regulate its recreational cannabis supply chain. The two main objectives touted by the Liberals was to remove cannabis from the hands of young people and to take revenue away from organized crime. The results have been mixed. The federal regulatory framework in placea largely laissez-faire commercial approachis indeed a welcome departure from the previous prohibitionist and repressive model, which was both ineffective and harmful. Yet, in addition to the public health harms associated with little government control on a growing industry, organized crime groups do not seem to have been negatively affected, apparently due to their exploitation of medical cannabis loopholes and diversion of cannabis shipments to the United States. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. Organized crime groups have also increased their production and distribution of opiates, fueling Canadas opioid crisis, which continues to unfold despite waning public attention. Between January 2016 and June 2024, just under 50,000 apparent opioid toxicity deaths were reported, with the daily death rate rising from an average of 7.8 in 2016 up to a peak of 21.3 in 2023, though it is down to 18.4 in the first half of 2024. Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has tried to put the blame on what he described as the Trudeau governments wacko policy of decriminalizing consumption of opioids and other drugs in British Columbia. But the evidence instead indicates that the federal and provincial governments did not go far enough with harm-reduction measures, which would have helped mitigate the deadly effects of an increasingly toxic drug supply entering Canada. Trudeaus government has certainly done a far better job than its Conservative predecessor, which notably did everything in its power to shut down Insite, North Americas first supervised injection site, and to block other similar sites, despite extensive evidence showing their effectiveness at reducing drug overdoses and deaths. However, Trudeaus failure to effectively communicate with the public on the merits of decriminalization and harm reduction, to adequately support those initiatives, and to address the related issues of the cost-of-living and housing crises created fertile ground for political exploitation by Poilievre and his allies. With security playing a central role in the debates already shaping Canadas upcoming election, a look back at the issues that will define Trudeaus legacy and his record in addressing them is warranted. As a result, the last few months of the Trudeau government will certainly leave behind major headwinds for drug policy reformers. In April 2024, Health Canada swiftly approved British Columbias request to reintroduce a ban on public drug use, a move seen as the first step toward recriminalization. Shortly after, the federal government rejected Torontos drug decriminalization proposal, thereby going backwards, as harm-reduction advocate Guy Felicella described it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another salient security issue is gun-related crime and violence. Canadas overall homicide rate increased only slightly during Trudeaus tenure, from 1.71 per 100,000 in 2016 to 1.94 per 100,000 in 2023, according to Statistics Canada, leaving it at roughly a third of the global average. However, worsening violence in rural areas and firearm-related crime are important areas of concern. The rate of violent firearms offensesincluding discharging or pointing a firearmwas nearly three times higher in rural areas than in urban areas in 2021, at 25 incidents per 100,000 versus 8.9 incidents per 100,000, respectively. The Violent Crime Severity Index, calculated by Statistics Canada, was also significantly higher in rural areas than in urban areas in 2021at 124.1 and 85.2, respectivelydespite roughly equal figures of approximately 85 in 2011. In 2023, 39 percent of all homicides in the country were committed with a firearm, with handguns accounting for 56 percent of them. Most illegal firearms in Canada, in particular handguns, are smuggled in from the U.S.the country with the largest number of guns in circulation in the worlda problem compounded by the difficulty of border enforcement. The lack of an up-to-date federal strategy on organized crime, which has not been revised since 2000, as well as insufficient institutional capacity and persistent shortcomings related to data collection and analysis on firearms are all areas in dire need of improvement, reflecting a clear gap in Trudeaus record. Similarly, money laundering continues to be a major issue in Canada, as its economic and political stability, reliable institutions, and strong rule of law make it an attractive target for illicit financial flows. Revelations in the 2017 Panama Papers, as well as subsequent major reports by the Vancouver Sun, a commission led by former Deputy Commissioner Michael German of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, an expert panel led by Simon Fraser University professor Maureen Maloney and the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance all painted a bleak picture. Among the many vectors of money laundering they identified were casinos, real estate, luxury vehicle sales and horse racing. Trudeaus governments have since put in place measures to tackle money laundering more effectively, including a dedicated strategy to counter it as well as the long-overdue beneficial ownership registry. But the recent historic fines of over $3 billion imposed by U.S. authorities on TD Bank, one of Canadas three largest banks, is yet another reminder of the magnitude of the task. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, the threat from terrorism and radicalization posed a major challenge throughout Trudeaus years in office, though in ways that changed significantly in that time. The threat landscape of the mid-2010s, at the peak of terrorism fatalities worldwide, was largely characterized by the prominence of Islamist terrorism, particularly the emergence of so-called the Islamic State and the challenge posed by its returning foreign fighters, as roughly 100 Canadians had gone to fight for the group. In 2015, the Liberals made the controversial decision to support Bill C-51, introduced by the Conservatives, which substantially broadened the definition of terrorism and put restrictions on free speech. More welcome developments followed, including an increase in review and oversight mechanisms with the 2019 National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act, and the work of the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence supporting a range of projects to prevent and counter radicalization and violent extremism. However, the nature of the threat from radicalization took a major turn during the COVID-19 pandemic, when simmering resentment, alienation and anger erupted. A protest against vaccine mandates for border-crossing truck drivers soon morphed into a widespread populist movement dubbed as Freedom Convoy. Departing from British Columbia on Jan. 22, 2022, it culminated a month later in a large law enforcement operation to end what had become a three-weekslong blockade in Ottawa. The convoy was led by a small number of far-right activists, including a QAnon conspiracist; another who warned of the depopulation of the Anglo-Saxon race and declared the crisis could only be solved with bullets; and a member of the Peoples Party of Canada who called Trudeau a criminal and stated that the convoys goal was to dissolve the Canadian government. As it grew in size and attention, the convoy presented Trudeau with a complex dilemma, as he himself was the target of much of the hatred displayed on protesters signs and in their social media posts. Analysis by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue had already found that anti-Muslim and anti-Trudeau rhetoric dominated discussions among right-wing extremists, or RWE, on social media, with Trudeau being mentioned in 11.4 percent of all RWE Facebook pages and groups, as well as being the most frequent topic on RWE Youtube channels. When Trudeau finally invoked the Emergencies Act for the federal government to step in and terminate the blockadea first since the act was first passed in 1988researchers found that Reddit users on channels associated with the convoy equated the move to Adolf Hitlers Enabling Act of 1933, while drawing other parallels with Nazi Germany and other dictatorships. While much of the criticism, extreme or otherwise, of the Liberal government since 2015 has fallen on Trudeaus shoulders, Canada is a federal state, with multiple layers of jurisdictions, distinct cultures across its provinces and territories, and a complex bureaucratic system. At times the political, economic, health and security interests of those various jurisdictions are at odds with one another. Blaming Trudeau for all the countrys challengesor conversely giving him credit for all its achievementsfalls short of providing the required nuance to begin to unpack his legacy. Yet the countrys next leader would do well to review recent domestic security trends and learn lessons from his mixed record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benoit Gomis is a lecturer at the University of Torontos Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and a research consultant at the University of Bath. He focuses on the illicit trade in legal and illegal drugs, and terrorism. The post Canadas Trudeau Will Leave Behind a Mixed Bag on Security Policy appeared first on World Politics Review. SEOUL, South Korea Few people understand what may be going through the minds of North Korean soldiers fighting and dying for Russia in the war against Ukraine. But Lee Chul Eun is one of them. Lee, 38, a North Korean defector and former soldier now living in South Korea, said it is devastating to see troops from the reclusive, communist-ruled North being sent abroad by leader Kim Jong Un, only to then give up their youth for a land that is not even theirs but the foreign land of Russia. He is one of multiple defectors who spoke to NBC News about the training, conditions and mindset of North Korean soldiers, including their willingness to take their own lives if necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee said his former colleagues are essentially just sent out to be cannon fodder on the front lines. Lee Chul Eun, 38, a North Korean defector and former soldier. For the first time since they arrived in Russia in the fall, North Korean soldiers have been captured alive by Ukrainian forces, with video and photos showing one man with bandages around his jawline and another with bandaged hands.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who announced the prisoners apprehension earlier this month, said they were living proof that North Korea had entered the war, in a major escalation of the yearslong conflict. The U.S. and allies say there are more than 11,000 North Korean troops fighting in the Russian region of Kursk, where Ukrainian forces launched a cross-border incursion in August. Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has confirmed the reports. Honestly, it is not easy to capture a North Korean soldier, Ryu Sung Hyu said in an interview in the South Korean capital, Seoul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All North Korean recruits are taught a song that includes a verse about saving their last bullet for themselves to avoid capture, said Ryu, who served in the North Korean military until 2019, when he escaped to freedom in South Korea. According to South Koreas National Intelligence Service, there was at least one recent incident in which a North Korean soldier, faced with possible capture by Ukrainian forces, tried to detonate a grenade while shouting Kims name but was killed before he could succeed. The South Korean military said last week that North Korea is preparing to send additional troops to Russia after about 300 of its soldiers were killed and 2,700 others were injured. The high casualty rate was due to the soldiers poor understanding of modern warfare, as well as the way they were being deployed by Russia, South Korean lawmakers said. It is not easy to capture a North Korean soldier, said North Korean defector Ryu Sung Hyu. Their willingness to fight and die for Russia could be a major factor in determining the course of the Ukraine war, as well as the level of American military aid to Ukraine under President Donald Trump, who has expressed skepticism over continued U.S. support.Kim is thought to be providing Russian President Vladimir Putin with troops and weapons in hope of receiving technical assistance with his nuclear and ballistic missile programs. His flurry of weapons testing has continued with three launches already this year, including multiple short-range ballistic missiles, a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile and strategic cruise missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump drew ire from South Korea on Tuesday after he described the reclusive regime as a nuclear power, a phrase that U.S. officials have long refrained from using, as it could signal recognition of North Korea as a nuclear-armed state. A North Korean soldier imprisoned in Ukraine. Kim is sending troops to Russia for two reasons, both of which are driven by desperation, said Ahn Chan Il, who served in the North Korean military for over a decade and defected to South Korea in 1979. The first is to earn foreign currency, which is in short supply in North Korea under United Nations sanctions imposed over its weapons programs.The deployment also provides valuable experience for the North Korean military, which has not been deployed overseas since the Vietnam War. Dorothy Camille Shea, the deputy U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, told the Security Council this month that fighting alongside Russia makes North Korea more capable of waging war against its neighbors. Lee, who spent five years in the North Korean military, said the troops had been sent to Russia as mercenaries rather than soldiers, noting that they werent wearing their uniforms. South Koreas National Intelligence Service has said they were given Russian military uniforms and Russian-made weapons, along with forged identification documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if they die there it does not matter, because North Korea sent them out without officially recognizing them, Lee said. They were sent there not to bring honor to the country, but to give up their lives and bring back lots of money. 'No longer a part of the society' Military service is compulsory in North Korea, which has one of the worlds largest standing armies. Soldiers undergo three months of basic training before being assigned to a unit, said Lee, who came to South Korea in 2016 after swimming for six hours from the North. As soldiers, Lee said, they are told they are individuals who are now no longer a part of the society and their families, and must follow the orders of the supreme leader, meaning Kim. They have no trouble believing this, having been indoctrinated by North Korean propaganda from childhood, said Lee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Korean soldiers spend most of their time not actually being soldiers but working on farms and construction projects, Lee and others said. A North Korean sits with bandaged hands after being captured by Ukrainian forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think I only fired three bullets per year, said Lee Hyun-seung, who served in the North Korean military for more than three years. When he moved to a more elite unit, he said, we had more like 20 bullets.Asked whether he thought the North Korean troops could help Russia win the war, Lee whose family defected in 2014 and who now lives in the U.S. was skeptical. Honestly, Im not that sure, he said, because I know their training and I know they are not well trained. For North Korean soldiers, who receive food and clothing but are otherwise essentially unpaid, the main enemy is hunger. North Korea struggles with food shortages as Kim devotes the majority of resources to his weapons programs, meaning that, like most of the broader population, soldiers suffer from malnutrition and can even starve to death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meals are made up mainly of plain rice, corn or potatoes, sometimes mixed with grass or even tree bark, said Lee Chun Eul. He said his feelings about North Korea changed gradually, largely due to his exposure to foreign media that finds its way into the country despite tight government controls James Bond was a favorite of his growing up in the 1990s. More recently, the North Korean government has been alarmed by the popularity of South Korean TV dramas, sentencing two teenagers to 12 years of hard labor for watching them. When I look at North Korean mercenaries sent to Russia, I wonder if they would still have joined if they had watched as much foreign media as I did in North Korea, Lee said. I also wonder if the North Korean regime and Kim Jong Uns dictatorship would still be in place. The defectors say they hope the North Korean troops fighting in Russia will take the opportunity to leave like they did. Documentation translated by NBC News reads Russian Federation Military Identity Card. It was recovered from an alleged North Korean soldier, according to Ukraines president. When North Korean workers, who have lived their entire lives trapped in a restrictive system, experience life abroad, they come to see North Korea as nothing short of a prison, Ahn said. Once they realize what freedom could mean, its hard to imagine they wouldnt consider breaking free to live a freer life.In addition to finding freedom, they could provide the U.S. and others with valuable intelligence regarding the North Korean militarys strategies and capabilities, which are often exaggerated by the North Korean government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahn and other North Koreans who defected as soldiers have offered Ukraine their assistance against the North Korean troops. However, rather than directly participating in the war, our focus is on psychological warfare to change the mindset of North Korean soldiers, he said. Through platforms like YouTube or leaflets, we aim to deliver messages to the North Korean troops, urging them not to die meaningless deaths and instead seek freedom. In the meantime, they watch with heavy hearts as casualties mount among North Korean soldiers whose experiences they know only too well. These young people did not go knowing they were going to die, Lee said, but died because they did not know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Janis Mackey Frayer and Stella Kim reported from Seoul, South Korea, and Jennifer Jett reported from Hong Kong. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A New Jersey nonprofit is making a desperate plea for donations and volunteers after the Trump administration froze funding for refugee programs, including for services that aid refugees who have already arrived in the United States. The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale, CEO of Interfaith-RISE, based in Highland Park, said the action threatens to hobble services that help newcomers fleeing conflict and persecution to rebuild their lives and move toward self-sufficiency. At 5 p.m. Friday, we got a call from our Washington office and were told there was a cease-and-desist order that had been put in place and that we were not to use a dime of moneys that we signed contracts for, Kaper-Dale said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What happens next?: White House orders pause on federal grants, loans, assistance We have people who came in January, and we cant even give them a penny of the money that was supposed to go to them. We have rented houses, and its all on us now. We are scrambling to come up with it. The U.S. State Department informed agencies in a letter Friday that they must stop all work related to the paused federal grants and cancel as many outstanding obligations as possible. The announcement came just days after President Donald Trump suspended refugee admissions for 90 days pending a review part of a wider crackdown on immigration to the country. Lindsey Stephenson, left, head of the Refugee Assistance Committee at the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton, and volunteer Anida M speak during a press conference marking one year since the fall of Kabul, hosted by the New Jersey Coalition for Afghan Refugees in Paterson on 08/14/22. The State Department calls it a pause, and resettlement agencies are still trying to get clarity on what the directive means for them. Ten agencies, which have affiliates around the nation, have contracts to resettle refugees in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays funding freeze immediately impacts support and critical infrastructure for the program and will significantly curtail the ability of the U.S. to welcome newcomers in the future, Church World Service said in a statement. "The refugees we serve every day deserve the opportunity to rebuild their lives in dignity and become thriving members of our communities." Mark Hetfield, president of HIAS, a resettlement agency formerly known as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, wrote in a statement that the magnitude of these stop-work orders is unprecedented and breathtakingly cruel," compelling the organization to "stop providing critical services." "This includes Afghans who helped U.S. troops and people who fled war and religious persecution in countries like Ukraine, Sudan, Syria, and Iran," he wrote. "They along with the communities that had prepared to welcome them will now be abandoned." Trump has cited national security and availability of resources as reasons for suspending admissions. Advocates note that refugees are the most vetted group to enter the U.S., going through a yearslong process of background checks, interviews and medical screening. They also contribute to the economy as workers and consumers. One federal study found that over a 15-year period, refugees contributed $123 billion more than they have cost in governmental expenditures. Unthinkable to suspend funding Donations are organized, boxed, and loaded onto a truck to be delivered to Ukrainian refugees in Poland at the Ukrainian Orthodox Holy Ascension Cathedral in Clifton on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. The church is still taking donations of cash, diapers, first aid items, canned goods, clothes and more. Information can be found on their website at https://ukrcoc.org/en Advocates worried as Trump took office. He had slashed admissions to historic lows in his first term and has espoused anti-refugee rhetoric. But they were blindsided by the move to suspend funding for refugees who are already here, said Kaper-Dale, of Interfaith-RISE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We did everything in our power to prepare for a storm, and we are nowhere near prepared for this, he said. I dont know what else to say other than its unthinkable. Interfaith-RISE, an affiliate of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, has received 190 refugees since Oct. 1 and expected to help about 600 more at its four New Jersey offices in Highland Park, Vineland, Asbury Park/Neptune and Trenton/Hamilton this fiscal year. "RISE" stands for Refugee and Immigrant Services and Empowerment. Refugee agencies get $1,650 in federal funding per client to help for up to 90 days with rent, household expenses, clothing and other immediate needs. They also provide job placement, tutoring, English classes and guidance on obtaining social services, as they help refugees move to self-sufficiency. Since Friday, the nonprofit has laid off 20 people out of about 100 staff members and turned 20 full-time positions into part-time ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are still really unclear how this will all play out, Kaper-Dale said. We just brought in 200 people who need the front-end support. We signed contacts to support refugees, believing we would have resources to do it right. The nonprofit has appealed to the public for donations and seeks volunteers who can help newcomers as tutors and mentors, among other roles. They also help them navigate new surroundings, including getting them to medical appointments and explaining public transportation. Information can be found on the group's website, interfaithrise.org. Other agencies that help place and settle refugees in New Jersey include Church World Service, which has a office in Jersey City, the International Rescue Committee, with an office in Elizabeth and Catholic Charities, in Newark and Camden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. made a commitment to help refugees who deserve our dignity and our respect, Kaper-Dale said. We are in a place where we can help, he said. We want New Jersey to remain the welcoming place we have seen it be. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Federal funding paused for NJ nonprofits helping refugees already here Giorgia Meloni has revealed she is under judicial investigation over Italys surprise release of a prison officer wanted for war crimes in Libya. Osama Elmasry Njeem was freed last week and flown home by an Italian state plane just days after being arrested in the northern city of Turin by police acting on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. The ICC say Najim was the chief of Libyas judicial police and the presiding authority at Mitiga prisona facility notorious for arbitrary and lengthy detentions, torture, abuse of migrants and political dissidents. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacts during a Senate hearing (LaPresse) In a video message posted on her Facebook account, the Italian prime minister said she is suspected of aiding and abetting a crime and embezzlement in connection to the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICC say Njeem is alleged to have been in charge of a prison holding thousands in Tripoli. He is suspected of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence, allegedly committed in Libya from February 2015 The ICC demanded an explanation, saying it had not been consulted over the decision to release the wanted police officer. The suspect was located in Turin, Italy, in the early hours of Sunday, 19 January and was successfully arrested by the Italian authorities. But on 21 January without prior notice or consultation with the ICC, Njeem was reportedly released from custody and transported back to Libya. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Italys interior minister said the Libyan had been swiftly repatriated because of his social dangerousness. Meloni said in a message posted on social media that she had been placed under investigation for allegedly aiding and abetting a crime and misuse of public funds. She is under no obligation to resign, and being placed under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt, nor mean that formal charges will necessarily follow. I will not be blackmailed, I will not allow myself to be intimidated, which may be why I am, lets say, disliked by those who do not want Italy to change and become better, Meloni said in a video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she believed the investigation had been triggered by Luigi Li Gotti, a lawyer who announced last week that he had lodged a complaint over the release of Njeem and the use of an official jet to fly him back to Tripoli. Meloni also said the case was being led by the same prosecutor who investigated Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini in Sicily for allegedly kidnapping 100 migrants aboard a boat that he had blocked at sea for nearly three weeks in 2019. Salvini was acquitted in that case last month. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani made light of the ICCs objections, telling reporters the international court is not the word of God, its not the font of all truth. Italy is a sovereign country and we make our own decisions, he added. Many residents of northern Gaza and southern Lebanon are expected to return to their homes in the coming days and weeks, with most of the fighting in both areas paused under Israeli ceasefire agreements with Hamas and Hezbollah. Under Israel's multi-phased deal with Hamas, some hostages held in the Gaza Strip and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have started to be released. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas are expected to continue amid the first phase of the deal, which was slated to last about six weeks. Latest Developments Jan 28, 11:33 AM Israeli troops to remain in Syria for 'unlimited period of time' The IDF will remain on the summit of Hermon and in the security zone for an indefinite period, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday. "The IDF will remain on the summit of Mount Hermon and in the security zone for an unlimited period of time to ensure the security of the residents of the State of Israel. We will not allow hostile forces to establish themselves in the security zone in southern Syria -- from here to the Sweida-Damascus axis, and we will not be dependent on others for our defense," Katz said. Jan 28, 11:33 AM Israel warns Lebanese residents to avoid areas near border Israel issued a warning to Lebanese residents on Tuesday, telling them to avoid multiple areas near the Israeli border as it redeploys in various locations in southern Lebanon. At least 22 were killed over the weekend. "The deployment process is taking place gradually and in some sectors it is being postponed and requires more time in order to ensure that Hezbollah is not able to re-establish its strength in the field," the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement. "Hezbollah, as usual, puts its narrow interests above the interests of the Lebanese state and tries through its mouthpieces to heat up the situation, despite being the main reason for the destruction of the south," the IDF said. Jan 27, 5:49 PM Palestinians on returning home: 'It feels like we're reborn!' Emotional scenes played out all over the Gaza Strip on Monday as families and friends reunited for the first time in over 15 months after the Israeli military allowed movement between northern and southern Gaza. A sea of people swept the shoreline heading north along the sandy remains of the coastal highway. Many traveled on foot trudging through sand, a Palestinian flag flickering in the wind above them. PHOTO: Internally displaced Palestinians walk on Al Rashid road in central Gaza as they return from the south to northern Gaza Strip, Jan. 27, 2025. (Mohammed Saber/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock) "It feels like we're reborn!" Om Wael, a grandmother from Gaza City, told ABC News as she carried her granddaughter in her arms, with a look of joyful determination on her face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Even if our home is flattened, we're so happy to return to our city, to our homes, unharmed. Thank God," she said. Mirvat Ajur, 29, from the Daraj neighborhood in central Gaza City, told ABC News that she walked for about five hours until she reached central Gaza. "It was a difficult journey, but the people were very happy, singing, clapping and dancing in joy at returning to their homes," she said. PHOTO: Displaced Palestinians return to their homes in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, Jan. 27, 2025, days after the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas came into effect. (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) Approximately 300,000 people made the journey home, according to figures released by Gazan authorities. Samira Halas, 55, was among them. "I know that my home is damaged and burned, but I want to return to it," Halas, from Gaza Citys Shuja'iyya neighborhood, told ABC News, describing the destruction she saw upon her return "like an earthquake had hit it." "I want to live in those burned and destroyed rooms," she continued. "I am like a fish dying far from the sea." -ABC News' Ruwaida Amer and Zoe Magee Jan 27, 2:59 PM At least 300,000 return to northern Gaza At least 300,000 Palestinians returned home to northern Gaza on Monday, according to the Gaza government office, after Israel allowed them to cross into the north for the first time in over a year. PHOTO: Displaced Gazans walk towards Gaza City on January 27, 2025, after crossing the Netzarim corridor from the southern Gaza Strip. (AFP via Getty Images) PHOTO: Palestinians, who were displaced to the south at Israel's order during the war, wait to head back to their homes in northern Gaza by vehicle through Salahudeen Road in the central Gaza Strip, Jan. 27, 2025. (Hatem Khaled/Reuters) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PHOTO: A displaced family rides on the back of a vehicle with their belongings as they cross the Netzarim corridor from the southern Gaza Strip into the northern part on January 27, 2025. (Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images) Jan 27, 11:52 AM 135,000 tents needed in Gaza As people return to northern Gaza on Monday, the Gaza government said it "immediately and urgently" needs at least 135,000 tents because 90% of the buildings have been destroyed. The government called on the international community to help provide "basic supplies" for Palestinians. PHOTO: An aerial photograph taken by a drone shows displaced Palestinians gathering with their belongings near a roadblock on the al Rashid Street, as they wait to return to their homes in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, Jan. 26, 2025. (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) Jan 27, 11:48 AM 8 dead hostages among 33 being released in 1st phase: Israel Of the 33 Israeli hostages set to be released during the first phase of the ceasefire, eight have been killed by Hamas, according to Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer. Seven hostages have already been released since the start of the ceasefire, meaning 18 more living hostages will be released by Hamas in the coming weeks. More hostages are set to be released on Thursday and Saturday, Mencer said. PHOTO: Demonstrators protest calling for the immediate release of the hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group in Tel Aviv, Israel, Jan. 25, 2025. (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) Jan 27, 9:04 AM Threats to ceasefire will 'bear the full cost,' Israeli minister says Israel Katz, the Israeli defense minister, said on Monday that his country would "firmly" enforce the ceasefires that have paused fighting in Gaza. "Anyone who violates the rules or threatens IDF forces will bear the full cost," he said in Hebrew on social media. "We will not allow a return to the reality of Oct. 7." Jan 27, 5:04 AM Tens of thousands trek into northern Gaza Tens of thousands of people were marching and driving on Monday back to northern Gaza, after Israel allowed them to cross into the north for the first time in over a year. Long lines of Palestinians -- some singing, others smiling and some kneeling to kiss the soil as they stepped into the northern part of the strip -- were seen making their way home. Those returning home were moving along two main routes. PHOTO: A drone view shows Palestinians, who were displaced to the south at Israel's order during the war, making their way back to their homes in northern Gaza, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip, Jan. 27, 2025. (Mohammed Salem/Reuters) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of those who were were walking home were moving along al-Rashid Street, a path expected to be taken by about 300,000 people. Many of those who were driving north were doing so along Salah al-Din Road. PHOTO: A youth gestures while sitting with other children on the boot of a moving vehicle as people gather along the Salah al-Din road in Nuseirat near the Netzarim corridor waiting to cross to the northern part of the Gaza Strip on Jan. 27, 2025. (Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images) A line of cars could be seen stretching for about 8 miles on Monday morning, as they waited for permission to cross into the northern part of Gaza. -ABC News Sami Zyara, Diaa Ostaz, Jordana Miller, Nasser Atta and Samayeh Malekian Jan 27, 5:30 AM 1 dead, 4 injured after IDF fired at 'dozens of suspects' in central Gaza The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said its team evacuated one person who was killed, and four people who were injured, after an attack by Israeli snipers near the Wadi Gaza Bridge on Sunday. Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that troops fired "warning shots" at "several gatherings of dozens of suspects" who the IDF said posed a threat to them. Additionally, a rocket was destroyed by Israeli troops in southern Gaza, according to the IDF's statement. Jan 27, 5:30 AM Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had introductory call with Israel's Netanyahu Newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had an introductory call on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a statement from a U.S. senior defense official. "Both leaders discussed the importance of advancing mutual security interests and priorities, especially in the face of persistent threats," according to the statement. PHOTO: Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be Defense secretary, appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 14, 2025. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Hegseth, who won Senate confirmation after being selected by President Donald Trump for the role, stressed to Netanyahu that the U.S. is "fully committed" to ensuring that Israel "has the capabilities it needs to defend itself," according to the statement. Additionally, the defense official said that "both leaders agreed to remain in close contact." Click here to read the rest of the blog. WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 11: A law enforcement officer walks past ICE logo ahead of a press conference on Thursday, May 11, 2017, at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in Washington, DC. (Photo by Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images) The Washington Post/The Washington Post/Getty Images DEAs Houston Division Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux displays photos of a pill made by a drug cartel, left, and one made by a pharmaceutical manufacturer, right, during a press conference at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center, 1201 Franklin, Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Houston. District Attorney Kim Ogg lead the announcement of the federal, state and local law-enforcement officials coordinated strategy to respond to the increasing number of fentanyl overdoses in the area. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Details remained elusive after federal agents conducted immigration operations in places across the Houston region, leaving some wondering if they were part of President Donald Trumps vows to step up mass deportations. Tim Oberle, a spokesman for Houston-area Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, called a Sunday raid a routine, targeted immigration enforcement operation, but referred questions about how many people were arrested and for what to the national office. Officials from that office didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. MORE FROM HOUSTON CHRONICLE: 30 arrested in drug trafficking money-laundering operation in Houston, officials Advertisement Article continues below this ad Daniel Comeaux, the special agent in charge for the DEAs Houston office, confirmed that his federal agents participated in the operation, which came after the U.S. Department of Justice last week granted the agency Title 8 authority to make immigration-related arrests. DEA agents assisted in the operation and worked off a list of people they were given that Homeland Security Investigations were eyeing for immigration reasons, Comeaux said. The Houston office oversees a region including more than 114 counties, Comeaux said. The DEAs top agent in Houston said he didnt have numbers on how many were arrested as part of the operation and referred questions about the specifics to ICE. Comeaux said, given the offices new Title 8 authority, he expected the DEA would continue to assist immigration officials on more operations in coming days and weeks. Most Houston-area law enforcement officials were mum Monday about the specifics of the weekends operation. But Galveston County Sheriff Jimmy Fullen said a deputy in his office was recruited to join in the operation, which targeted 75 people for deportations. He provided a list of four people found in Galveston County on that list, but a federal court search for those names didnt turn up anyone with matching addresses and dates of birth. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Fullen said all those apprehended were taken to the Montgomery County Sheriffs office, where command was established. From there, they will be transferred to a federal holding facility, Fullen said. Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell had an explosive showdown with NewsNight panelist Scott Jennings over his defense of Elon Musks questionable salute. Rampell achieved the rare feat of stunning Jennings into silence after she threw down the gauntlet and challenged him to repeat Musks now infamous gesture, after the Republican talking head suggested the outrage over it was much ado about nothing. Of course, the CNN showdown comes after Donald Trumps post inauguration ceremony rally last Monday, where Musk took to the stage before beating his chest and throwing his arm out straight. Twice. Elon Musk was very ill-advised to do this kind of salute to denote his clearly stated my heart goes out to you sentiment but he obviously didnt mean it as a Nazi salute and anyone who says he did is being a disingenuous idiot. pic.twitter.com/5fh82psnSC Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 21, 2025 He has since defended it as a my heart goes out to you gesture and his MAGA attack dogs have been berating anybody that has suggested otherwise. Jennings, of course, came out batting for the billionaire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And during a fiery segment on NewsNight with Abby Phillip on Monday evening, journalist Catherine Rampell, who explained that she was Jewish, demanded that Jennings do the same hand gesture live on air if he believed it was not controversial. The intense showdown saw Rampell make the demand twice as she and Jennings butted heads over their differing beliefs. Abby Phillip struggled to contain the madness as the WaPo journalist went for Jennings' throat. The intensity between the two started building when Rampell rhymed off Musks rap sheet, namely supporting the Nazi adjacent far right AfD part in Germany and his dodgy gestures. Host Abby Phillip added her 10 cents, reminding Rampell that Musk also spurted out some questionable Nazi jokes on X after his salute, before her guest expressed confusion as to how the Tesla chief keeps getting the benefit of the doubt. Weve moved on from Trump derangement syndrome to Elon derangement syndrome, Jennings replied, before trying to paint Musk as some sort of Jewish ally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennings, who is a conservative political strategist by trade, added: Anybody who is asserting this thing he did on the stage the other day was a Sieg Heil, which I just heard you say, you know, lawyer up maybe because, absolute[ly] ridiculous thing to say. Then Rampell clapped back with something sensational, throwing down the gauntlet to Jennings. Why dont you do it on TV right now? Why dont you do it on TV right now if you think its so, so banal. Jennings, unsurprisingly, was unmoved. But the challenge did achieve the rare feat of making him fall silent, for a few seconds at least. This salute trutherism is outrageous. This is the most," he began before Rampell returned with the same challenge. Elon Musk made an awkward hand gesture at a Trump event after the president's inauguration. / ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images So do it right now on TV, she demanded. This is the biggest conspiracy theory" his response began, before a fired up Rampell jumped in again. Do it right now on TV. If you think its normal, if you think its a normal way to greet people, do it right now on TV! Why wont you? she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennings once again fell silent before Abby Phillip finally grabbed the reigns again. She tried to remind Jennings of the reputation of the AfD in Germany, that they are Nazi adjacent, before he then argued that the Democrats claimed that is what the Republican party in the U.S. is. I cant believe that you are defending this, Rampell said, before Abby Phillip asked if Jennings is really putting it all on the line for the AfD. Whenever he was pressed, Jennings either said he doesnt know anything about German politics or claimed that the Democrats had called Republicans fascists during Trumps presidential campaign last year and that this was just going over old ground. Sen. Bob Paulson, R-Minot, testifies in support of a bill during a public hearing at the Capitol on Jan. 24, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) North Dakota school boards pushed back on a Senate bill that would require public comment periods during regular meetings of local subdivisions. Sen. Bob Paulson, R-Minot, said he is sponsoring Senate Bill 2180 in response to complaints hes heard from around the state. Complaints include public comment being limited to once per year at local government meetings or requirements that comments be approved ahead of time or limited to agenda items. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These things are currently happening in North Dakota and I believe it is incumbent upon us as legislators to protect our constituents ability to redress their government at all levels of our state, Paulson told members of the Senate State and Local Government Committee last week. An amended version of the original bill would mandate local subdivisions offer a public comment period during regular meetings at least once per month. The bill states the local subdivision may only limit the public comment period to the time of each speaker or total time of the comment period, but it may not limit the topic of public comments to agenda items of the current meeting. KrisAnn Norby-Jahner, general counsel for the North Dakota School Boards Association, speaks during a public hearing at the Capitol on Jan. 24, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) KrisAnn Norby-Jahner, general counsel for the North Dakota School Boards Association, said the organization and 168 school boards across the state are opposed to the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our public board meetings are not public meetings. They are meetings held in public, Norby-Jahner said. She added that many school boards already have rules in place to provide for public comments while also limiting outbursts so the boards can conduct their work. We maintain the position that these local rules should be controlled at the local level, she said. Norby-Jahner said limiting comments to agenda items makes sense because the topics for each meeting are included in public meeting notices to ensure the public knows what is being talked about during the meeting. When you open public comment to items that are not on an agenda, the public did not have any notice that those discussions were going to occur, she said. And we have very strict notice requirements in our open meeting laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added public comments on district personnel matters could prejudice school board members who often need to sit in a neutral capacity during non-renewal and discharge hearings. The bill allows local governments to require that public comments be pertinent to the local subdivision, not interfere with the regular meeting and not be harassing, defamatory, abusive or unlawful. Kory Peterson, former mayor of Horace and a lobbyist for the North Dakota League of Cities, speaks during a public hearing at the Capitol on Jan. 24, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) Comments given by the public may also not include confidential information, such as contract negotiations or information about students. Commenters may be limited to one public comment per meeting. Kory Peterson, former mayor of Horace and a lobbyist for the North Dakota League of Cities, spoke in favor of the bill. As chair of the Horace City Council, he said he allowed comments from the public and put time constraints on the speakers so the work of the council could proceed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes they would bring up a topic that we had not even thought about, or something we were not aware of at the time, Peterson said. So those are good to have when they can be brought up like that. Peterson said the North Dakota League of Cities initially opposed the bill because it was overly broad, but now supports it after amendments narrowed the focus. Sheri Haugen-Hoffart, a member of the North Dakota Public Service Commission, testified in opposition to the bill. By having only three members of their board, she said a quorum is present during every work session and minor meeting held by the commissioners. She said it would create an undue burden to hold public comment periods during every public meeting. Sen. Kristin Roers, R-Fargo, chair of the Senate State and Local Government Committee, leads a legislative committee meeting on Jan. 24, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) When informed that the amended bill would only affect local subdivisions, Haugen-Hoffart said the Public Service Commission would not oppose the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Kristin Roers, R-Fargo, chair of the Senate State and Local Government Committee, said the bill will be amended further to try and provide more control to political subdivisions on their public comments policies. We understand why people are motivated to want something to outline how this works, Roers said. But we want to make sure that its not so prescriptive from the state, that it isnt possible to do your work at the local level. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings and other Democratic attorneys general are planning to sue to stop President Donald Trump's order pausing federal grants to states and cities. "Freezing federal grants to the states impacts millions in funding for education, infrastructure, health care, and public safety," Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings said in a social media post. "It is illegal, and we won't stand for it. "We're suing. See you in court." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freezing federal grants to the states impacts millions in funding for education, infrastructure, health care, and public safety. It is illegal, and we wont stand for it. Were suing. See you in court. Posted by Attorney General Kathy Jennings on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 The planned lawsuit first reported in The New York Times Tuesday afternoon was announced by U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, at a news conference in the Capitol. Delaware is joining a coalition of other states including New York, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. JAN. 29 UPDATE: Confusion abounds in Delaware after Trump administration rescinds memo on federal grants pause Trump's order Trump's acting head of the Office of Management and Budget has directed agencies to pause federal grants so the administration can review them to determine whether they fit the presidents priorities, according to USA TODAY. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president's acting head of the Office of Management and Budget, which handles executive branch operations, sent a memo Monday, prompting consternation in Washington over which federal government programs would continue to be in effect. The pause will go into effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Theres limited information about the specifics of the order. Heres what we know. BACKGROUND: Trump administration orders 'pause' on federal grants, loans. What we know so far. What federal grants are paused or affected? The memo points to a legal definition of federal financial assistance, which includes grants, cooperative agreements, surplus donations, loans and interest subsidies. It exempts assistance received directly by individuals, including Medicare and Social Security benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo refers to an executive order Trump signed on Jan. 20, which ordered department and agency heads to "immediately pause" new programs and disbursements of development assistance to foreign countries. The Department of State announced this pause on Sunday. On the domestic side, the federal government issues grants for everything from road building to scientific research. It is unclear which categories will be affected. NEED TO KNOW: Federal student loans, Pell Grants not tied up in funding pause, but will be reviewed While the directive is broad, including all federal financial assistance, the memo also includes a caveat that this can only affect federal assistance "to the extent permissible under applicable law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back with delawareonline.com for more information. Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: States to sue after Trump orders federal grants paused: Delaware AG Detonating a grenade under the chin rather than being captured. Using a fellow soldier to lure out attack drones. Removing body armor plates and helmets to enable faster attacks on foot. Writing pledges of allegiance to North Koreas Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. These are the brutal and near-suicidal tactics of North Korean soldiers, who have, since November, been deployed to repel Ukraines incursion in the southern Russian border region of Kursk. Up to 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russia, according to Western intelligence reports, which say around 4,000 troops have been killed or injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of a likely escalation before any peace talks, Moscow is experiencing manpower shortages and Pyongyang is expected to send reinforcements, according to Ukrainian defense intelligence. CNN has gained a rare insight into the world of North Korean troops fighting for Russia in interviews with Ukrainian special operations forces who told CNN the North Koreans they faced in intense fighting did not surrender. In one video, shared with CNN, a Ukrainian soldier approaches an injured North Korean soldier who was lying face down, during clashes. As the Ukrainian pulls the North Korean soldiers leg to see if he is still alive, the North Korean lets out a scream in Korean before detonating a grenade next to his head. The Ukrainians swiftly open fire and dive back. South Korean lawmakers were told by the countrys intelligence service, who have provided assistance to Kyiv, that the soldier in the videos last words were: General Kim Jong Un. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They use grenades, which means they can blow themselves up, said Pokemon, the call sign of a commander with the 6th Special Operations Forces, who like the other Ukrainian soldiers CNN spoke to, did not want to give his name for security reasons. They can just brazenly go into battle until they are neutralized, Pokemon said, adding: Despite all attempts to call them to surrender, they will continue to fight. One Ukrainian commander, call sign Pokemon, said the North Korean soldiers seemed unprepared for modern drone warfare. - Rebecca Wright/CNN He added that the North Koreans were unprepared for Ukraines battlefield realities, where modern drone combat and archaic trench warfare have led to significant casualties. While the North Korean soldiers are all young, trained, hardy fighters,Pokemon said, they would have not previously faced a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) which have transformed the war in Ukraine in combat. They are prepared for the realities of war in 1980 at best, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainians CNN spoke with said the North Koreans persisted in frontal, mass assaults, often hitting the same place repeatedly, despite major losses. Amur, a company commander, said some North Koreans removed their helmets and the heavy protective plates from their body armour, to make them lighter on their feet and enable a faster assault at Ukrainian positions. Theyre very maneuverable and they run and move very quickly, he said. Theyre hard to catch, especially with a drone, Amur added, explaining that they often weave an indirect path towards Ukrainian defenses, as if trained to not run in a straight line. North Korean troops train in Russia in footage circulated online on October 18, 2024. CNN geolocated the video to a training range in Sergeyevka, Primorsky Krai, Russia. - EyePress News/Reuters The North Koreans also leave anti-tank mines on roads as they go, Amur said. Every shelter, every car they just destroy with anti-tank grenade launchers. They move very fast, (they) literally run, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amur showed CNN military equipment obtained from a fallen North Korean soldier, including a new issue rucksack that Amur said contained the bare minimum for survival but was laden with ammunition. In their backpacks is the minimum of water, small bottles - up to a liter, Amur said. There are no additional warm clothes - no hats, no scarves, nothing. Amur said the North Koreans appear to have the more modern versions of Russian standard issue equipment, with most in possession of around 10 magazines, 5-10 grenades, machine gun ammunition and mines. The North Korean soldier was carrying an AK-12 assault rifle the newer model of the standard issue AK-47, Amur said. A handwritten note found on one of the North Korean soldiers who died fighting Ukrainian forces. - Rebecca Wright/CNN Notes, fake military ID found Earlier this month, Ukraine captured two North Korean soldiers, and released video of the injured men, speaking Korean and receiving treatment, as evidence of Pyongyangs robust military support for Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian special operations forces shared footage with CNN of the moment one of the soldiers was captured. The video shows a visibly injured North Korean soldier, wincing in pain, being carried by Ukrainian soldiers through their razor-wire defenses and land mines to safety. Russian shelling escalated as the soldier was captured, Ukrainian officials said, aimed at stopping the North Korean soldier from being taken alive. Ukrainian troops have taken DNA samples saliva swabs and locks of hair from the dead, which they said showed them to be of East Asian extraction, and provided further evidence of North Korean involvement. The North Korean soldier seen detonating the grenade in the video carried a fake Russian military ID which identified him as 29-year-old Ment Chat. The document said he joined the Russian army in October and was from the Russian border region of Tuva, near Mongolia. A handwritten page found on one of the North Korean soldiers recorded acts of disloyalty by North Korean subordinates. - Rebecca Wright/CNN Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN saw several other notes and papers that Ukrainian soldiers found on the bodies of other North Korean soldiers. One sheet of paper is peppered with pledges of allegiance to North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un and of victory in battle. It is unclear if the notes were meant to emphasize the soldiers loyalty if killed in battle to protect their surviving families, or if it truly reflects their mindset. Another note retrieved from the bodies extols North Koreas prowess in combat and derides their enemy, Ukraine. The hammer of death to the unknown and the puppet trash is not far off. We wield the powerful force that makes them tremble in fear. An invincible and certain-to-win battle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another note, from the collection said: I will demonstrate unparalleled bravery to its fullest. World, watch closely. Acts of disloyalty recorded Ukrainian officials who reviewed the papers said the North Korean units consider their involvement in Russias war as an opportunity to gain battle experience to assist their leader in any future conflict nearer home. While North Korea is one of the most militarized societies on earth - with an estimated 1.2 million armed service personnel and mandatory military service from age 17 - its troops have had very limited exposure to the battlefield since the Korean War, where an armistice brought hostilities to a halt in 1953. Another document, likely written by an officer, recorded acts of disloyalty by North Korean subordinates - a common practice in the totalitarian state, where citizens are encouraged to inform on each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One note said a soldier had engaged in an unimaginably disgraceful act by stealing supplies. Another note said a different soldier had failed to uphold the Supreme Commanders dignity and placed his personal interests above all. Radio codes found on one of the North Korean soldiers. - Rebecca Wright/CNN Other papers contained the radio codes of the North Korean force, but also contained notes on new tactics to counter drone attacks, from which Amur said North Koreans had suffered major losses. My unit could take out about 30 enemy soldiers in a days work, just by throwing grenades on their heads. They didnt understand what to do, he said. Labelled How to destroy drones, the handwritten North Korean note suggested using soldiers as bait. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When a drone is spotted at a distance of about 10-12 meters, one out of three people should unconditionally lure it, and the other two should take aim and shoot. Another method is, since shells will not fall again in the same crater, take cover in the crater it read. A battalion commander, call sign Bandit, told CNN the North Koreans had shown good marksmanship when shooting down drones from about a hundred-meter distance, suggesting a high level of training in North Korea. Its one person who takes the hit. Two or three people stand on the side and shoot directly. Amur described a ruthless opponent. They dont take our prisoners. All of our servicemen we found are shot in the back of the head. CNNs Yoonjung Seo and Gawon Bae contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. An illustration shows seven "little red dot" galaxies embedded in the cosmic web, one of which is dominated by a supermassive black hole. | Credit: Robert Lea (created with Canva) Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers have discovered distant, overly massive supermassive black holes in the early universe. The black holes seem way too massive compared to the mass of the stars in the galaxies that host them. In the modern universe, for galaxies close to our own Milky Way, supermassive black holes tend to have masses equal to around 0.01% of the stellar mass of their host galaxy. Thus, for every 10,000 solar masses attributed to stars in a galaxy, there is around one solar mass of a central supermassive black hole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the new study, researchers statistically calculated that supermassive black holes in some of the early galaxies seen by JWST have masses of 10% of their galaxies' stellar mass. That means for every 10,000 solar masses in stars in each of these galaxies, there are 1,000 solar masses of a supermassive black hole. "The mass of these supermassive black holes is very high compared to the stellar mass of the galaxies that host them," team leader Jorryt Matthee, a scientist at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), told Space.com. "At face value, our measurements imply that the supermassive black hole mass is 10% of the stellar mass in the galaxies we studied." "In the most extreme scenario, this would imply that the black holes are 1,000 times too heavy." The discovery could bring astronomers a step closer to solving the mystery of how supermassive black holes with masses millions or even billions of times that of the sun grew so quickly in the early universe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Rather than saying this discovery is 'troubling,' I would say it is 'promising,' as the large discrepancy suggests that we are about to learn something new," Matthee added. Related: Black holes: Everything you need to know The story begins with little red dots Since JWST started beaming data back to Earth in the summer of 2022, the $10 billion telescope has helped astronomers refine their understanding of the early cosmos. This has included the discovery of supermassive black holes with millions of solar masses when the universe was less than one billion years old. This is problematic, because scientists have estimated that the merger chains of progressively larger black holes and the voracious feeding on surrounding matter that leads black holes to supermassive sizes are thought to take more than a billion years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another significant aspect of this investigation of the early universe by JWST has been the discovery of "little red dot galaxies," some of which existed just 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang, when the universe was around 11% of its current age. The red coloration of these surprisingly bright early galaxies is thought to come from gas and dust in a flattened cloud of matter around supermassive black holes called an accretion disk. As the giant black holes feed on this matter, they emit huge amounts of electromagnetic energy, from a compact region known as an active galactic nucleus (AGN). "In 2023 and 2024, we and other groups discovered a previously hidden population of AGNs in the early universe in the first data sets from the JWST," Matthee said. "The light that we see from these objects, in particular the redder light, originates from accretion disks around supermassive black holes. "These objects became known as 'little red dots' because that's how they appear in JWST images." Currently, this early galactic population is very exciting, albeit poorly understood. For instance, in the early universe, little red dots seem to be far more numerous compared to previously known populations of AGNs seen from Earth as supermassive black hole-powered quasars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: What is the Big Bang theory? An image shows six of the "little red dot" galaxies seen by JWST in the early universe. | Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Dale Kocevski (Colby College) "The little red dots also show some very remarkable properties, such as the faintness in X-ray emission, which is pretty unusual for AGNs, and the infrared emission is also unusual," Matthee said. "Due to these complications, we are struggling to interpret the light that we observe from the little red dots, which means that it is very difficult to study their properties." This is where Matthee and colleagues' new work comes in. Using a data set from the JWST year 2 (cycle 2) All the Little Things (ALT) survey, the team built a precise 3D map of all galaxies in a specific region in the sky. "Within that region, we have identified seven little red dots, similar to previous studies, but now we have been able to compare the locations of these little red dots in the 3D galaxy map," Matthee said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The team's little red dots are located so far away that their light has been traveling to us for around 12.5 billion years. They are clustered in the so-called cosmic web of galaxies, with their positioning being of paramount importance. Little red dot galaxies are morsels on a cosmic web The position of galaxies in the cosmic web depends on the type of galaxy. More evolved, massive galaxies are found in over-dense regions such as the nodes where the strands of the web connect. Younger and lower-mass galaxies tend to be found in less dense regions of the cosmic web, along the length of individual strands away from nodes. "We have found that the little red dots are in environments that resemble low-mass, young galaxies," Matthee said. "This implies that the little red dot galaxies are also low-mass young galaxies." The fact these little red dot galaxies contain AGNs has provided evidence that early black holes are actively growing in galaxies with stellar masses as low as around 100 million times that of the sun. An Illustration shows a supermassive black hole at the heart of a region called an AGN | Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech One possible explanation for this is that supermassive black holes in the early universe managed to form and grow much more efficiently than those in the present-day universe. This could be due to the more rapid consumption of surrounding gas and matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In my opinion, the most likely explanation is the extremely rapid growth of supermassive black holes nurtured by the high gas densities of galaxies in the early universe," Matthee said. "These densities simultaneously lead to high stellar densities, which promotes supermassive black hole formation through facilitating runaway collisions of remnant black holes." If that's true, then the formation of stars and supermassive black holes in galaxies are intrinsically linked, with these processes depending on each other. Though supermassive black holes grow faster in early galaxies, star formation catches up, leading to the 1:100 mass ratio seen today. This doesn't yet confirm rapid growth theories over other supermassive black hole growth explanations, such as the idea that these cosmic titans grow from massive black hole seeds created by the direct collapse of huge clouds of gas and dust. However, Matthee added that it will now be hard for theorists to get around low host galaxy masses when competing theories are considered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Stories: James Webb Space Telescope sees little red dots feeding black holes: 'This is how you solve a universe-breaking problem' James Webb Space Telescope spots record-breaking collection of stars in far-flung galaxy Black holes can squash star formation, James Webb Space Telescope finds Matthee explained that the next steps for both the team and for the wider astronomical community are to eliminate the possibility that the stellar mass/black hole mass ratio they found is not the result of inaccurate measurements or a selection bias that may have favored the most active and thus massive supermassive black holes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will likely involve the discovery of more little red dot galaxies, a hunt that the JWST will undoubtedly be at the heart of. "The JWST has been important for two main reasons: Without it, we would not have discovered those populations of faint AGNs," Matthee concluded. "Also, without the JWST, we would not have been able to make the accurate 3D map of galaxy distributions that we used to infer the properties of the galaxies hosting the faint AGNs. "Its a very exciting research field at the moment!" The team's research has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal. It has been posted on the paper repository site arXiv. Tennessee's watchdog agency is investigating whether trespassing and theft occurred in the Knox County Property Assessors Office during the transition to a new elected leader. Property Assessor Phil Ballard confirmed to Knox News the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury's investigation is ongoing and that he met with officials "within the past three weeks" to discuss allegations that someone ransacked the office and stole a laptop Aug. 29. Ballard took over Sept. 3 from John Whitehead, who was term-limited and could not run again. Ballard defeated Whitehead's deputy, Jackie Raley, in the primary by just 12 votes. He went on to easily win the general election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We talked about several things, (including) outstanding issues that might be noteworthy since we discovered the laptop missing," Ballard said. "There are several potential possibilities (of who allegedly ransacked the office)." Ballard declined to say whom he or the state suspects. In September, he suggested to Knox News the person responsible could have been an employee or former employee with access to the secure office. Knox News reported the office was ransacked just before Ballard took office, but the investigation could have other components. The Knox County Internal Audit office first looked into the matter before asking the state to take over. An investigation summary provided to the Knox County Audit Committee said the investigation's goal was "to determine the outgoing property assessors accountability for the offices assets at the time of office turnover to the newly elected property assessor." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson from the comptroller's office declined Jan. 27 to confirm its investigation or answer questions. "The Comptroller's Office has broad authority to review government entities including the Knox County Property Assessor's Office," spokesperson John Dunn said. "It is our policy to not comment further." What are the allegations? Ballard reported a trespassing that happened Aug. 29, days before he was sworn into office Sept. 3. Ballard declined to describe what item was taken, but he said it could have contained county residents' personal information. He referenced a computer, though he never explicitly said a computer had been stolen. Ballard told Knox News on Sept. 5 he reported the incident to the Internal Audit Office and the Public Building Authority, which manages the City-County Building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what we know: Ballard heard from employees who told him their desks had been run through and then there was an item that was noticed missing. Jayne Burritt, CEO of the Public Building Authority, said her staff did not detect anything unusual about who was in and out of the building the night of Aug. 29. Our access records only indicate that custodians were in the building after hours and nothing was noted on video that was unusual. They (the property assessors office) were not sure if someone internally had done something, Burritt told Knox News. Ballard suggested the person responsible could have been an employee or former employee of the office with access to the secure office. If a laptop was taken, county IT has no record of it In response to a Knox News public records request after the incident, Knox County technology staffers confirmed there was no report of missing property assessor computer equipment. If a laptop was missing, it wasnt purchased or managed by county IT, which oversees network security and maintenance of county IT equipment. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee Comptroller investigating Knox County Property Assessor's office ransacking In a case that sits squarely at the intersection of his business and political interests, President Donald Trump is trying to stop a civil lawsuit against his multibillion-dollar social media company by arguing that he should be immune from civil litigation filed in state court while he serves as president. Trump and his co-defendants -- including FBI director nominee Kash Patel and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino -- asked a Delaware judge to either issue a four-year delay of the case or dismiss a lawsuit filed by Trump Media & Technology Group co-founders Andy Litinsky and Wes Moss, who alleged that Trump and company executives orchestrated a scheme to prevent them from getting their full stake in the company after it went public. Facing an "unprecedented" number of civil lawsuits, Trump argued that having to fend off the litigation would be a "distraction" from his presidential duties and "interfere substantially" with the function of the executive branch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Shares in Trump's social media company spike after president-elect says he won't sell stake "Without the protections of temporary Presidential immunity, the President will be forced to defend against these cases -- and the many more that are sure to arise during his second term -- all to the detriment of his office and the American people he serves," attorneys John Reed and Theodore Kittila wrote in a filing on Friday in Delaware Chancery Court. In December, Delaware Chancery Court Judge Morgan Zurn agreed to temporarily pause the claim so Trump could make his immunity argument, though she noted that Trump "is not presently deemed to be immune" from the civil case. Lawyers for Trump Media and the president asked the court to establish a "brightline deferral rule" to delay any civil litigation Trump faces in state court by four years. "State courts across the country are being called upon to sit in judgment of the sitting President, to tax his time, and to second-guess his priorities. That state of affairs -- President Jefferson's nightmare -- dishonors the Presidency and debases the state courts that purport to control his actions," the filing said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his first term in office, Trump was sued at least 10 times, and he returned to the presidency with at least 14 lawsuits pending, including multiple suits related to his social media company. Trump placed his stake in the company -- 14,750,000 shares worth more than $3 billion -- into a trust controlled by his sons before entering office this month. PHOTO: In this Oct. 11, 2024, file photo, Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump, greets supporters during a campaign rally at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images, FILE) If successful, Trump's claim of "temporary presidential immunity" could provide the president an additional layer of legal protection, having already entered office with newly broadened presidential power and protection from criminal liability following the Supreme Court's ruling last year on presidential immunity. Defense lawyers, in Friday's filing, claimed without evidence that Trump's "billionaire adversaries" are funding a wave of litigation "to destroy the president." "The President has already been sued more than all his predecessors combined, yet his rivals promise that there is still more to come," the lawsuit said. "That swell of litigation will pose an even greater threat to the operations of the Executive Branch and the standing of state courts that purport to sit in judgment of his conduct." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Supreme Court established in Clinton v. Jones that a president does not have immunity from civil lawsuits related to personal conduct, lawyers for Trump Media argued that the decision only applies to cases in federal court. Though the Trump Media lawsuit does not center on official acts, Trump argued that the burden of defending himself would intrude on his official duties, citing an example of how President Bill Clinton consulted his personal attorney three times on the same day he was deliberating whether to go to war with Iraq. "With the benefits of hindsight and lived experience, it now is clear that state civil litigation against the President causes real 'diversion' and 'harassment' of the Presidency, sufficient to interfere substantially with the operations of the Executive Branch," the filing said. The defense lawyers claimed that the lawsuit would occupy Trump's limited "energies and attention," which is already strained by the demands of the presidency. MORE: Here's why you might be automatically following Trump on Instagram, Facebook Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "During his first term, President Trump ... slept just four to five hours per night -- because the burdens of the Presidency dwarfed even his responsibilities as a global business leader," the filing said. In a separate filing on Friday, Trump's personal lawyers told the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that the president should be immune from any civil claims related to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack because he was acting in his official capacity as president when he sought to challenge the results of the 2020 election. When reached for comment, regarding the Trump Media lawsuit, Richie Jones, an attorney for Moss and Litinsky, provided a quote by former President Theodore Roosevelt, saying it was "the best we can do in terms of comment." "No man is above the law, and no man is below it. Nor do we ask any man's permission when we require him to obey it," Jones wrote. Trump seeks presidential immunity from any civil lawsuit filed against him in state court originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Credit: X/@LtChrisOlivarez Cartel gunmen exchanged fire with US border patrol agents on Monday while attempting to smuggle illegal migrants across the US-Mexico border. The migrants were seeking to enter the US via a river located near Fronton, southern Texas, with state officials later releasing drone footage that showed a group of men brandishing firearms as they walked along a river bank. The clashes came after Donald Trump, the US president, returned to the White House last week and promptly signed a string of 21 Executive Orders designed to crack down on immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such orders included the declaration of a national emergency at the border, tasking the US military with aiding security, the sending of an additional 1,500 troops to the border, and the designation of cartels as foreign terror organisations. On Monday, officials said border patrol agents were shot at by the suspected cartel gunmen. They returned fire and nobody in either party was hit, Fox News said. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), patrolling the area after the encounter, later told the news outlet that Mexican military vehicles could be seen on the other side of the border. VIDEO: Earlier today, @TxDPS responded to assist the US Border Patrol after agents received gunfire from cartel members in Mexico while patrolling in Fronton, Starr County. DPS Drone Operators captured the gunmen fleeing Mexico due to military presence, & seeking refuge on an pic.twitter.com/oPf5l7wltO Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) January 28, 2025 Although border agents have previously been attacked by people smugglers, they generally attempt to keep a low profile for fear of drawing a retaliatory response from the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the cartels have started acting in unprecedented ways since Donald Trump was elected in November and have even issued orders to shoot at agents, Newsnation reported. On January 27, 2025, at approximately 1.29pm, [border patrol agents] reported shots fired in Fronton, Texas. The scene remains active; no injuries have been reported, US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) said in a statement on Monday evening. Chris Olivarez, a spokesman with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), said the suspected cartel members were fleeing Mexico when the gunfire broke out. Mr Olivarez said DPS officers responded to assist the US Border Patrol after agents received gunfire from cartel members in Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DPS Drone Operators captured the gunmen fleeing Mexico due to military presence, and seeking refuge on an island between the US and Mexico, he said in a statement posted on X. Mr Olivarez posted the drone footage online showing at least four men walking along a river and through nearby trees. At least two could be seen holding weapons in the footage. Texas DPS have been approached for comment. Troops deploy to guard southern border Greg Abbott, governor of Texas, sent more than 400 soldiers from his state to assist with protecting the southern border on Monday. The soldiers, from Fort Worth and Houston, were due to arrive as additional buoys were installed along the River Grande to deter migrants from crossing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mexico has received more than 4,000 migrants deported from the US including non-Mexicans, in the past week, Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexicos president, said. Marines fix wire along the border wall with Mexico - Kyle Chan/AFP Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She had previously denied agreeing to resume the Remain in Mexico programme that existed during the first Trump administration. The scheme forced non-Mexican asylum seekers to wait in Mexico until their often prolonged cases in the United States were resolved. Ms Sheinbaum said on Monday that Mexico has received non-Mexican deportees from the United States over the past week, reversing her previous opposition to doing so. Mexico had accepted over 4,000 deportees, of which a large majority were Mexican, she said, adding that her country was yet to see substantial increase in deportees received. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It came after Colombia blocked two military flights carrying deported migrants from the US on Sunday after earlier agreeing to accept them. Mr Trump responded by threatening punitive tariffs prompting the Colombian president to concede . Mr Trumps illegal migrant crackdown resulted in 956 arrests on Sunday alone, according to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with raids taking place in Chicago, Denver and Miami among other cities. According to CNN, immigration agents have been told to be camera ready in case they are filmed by the media during raids. Agents conducting arrests have been told to wear their agency insignias clearly so that people viewing the footage knew they were from Homeland Security or ICE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move is part of a PR blitz by the Trump administration to show off its ramping up of enforcement action. Phil McGraw, the TV doctor known as Dr Phil, revealed on social media he had embedded with an ICE team in Chicago as the raids in the city began there. In footage posted online, he questions Sam Seda, a Thai national who had just been arrested. Thomas Homan, the head of ICE, told McGraw that Mr Seda is an illegal alien convicted of crimes involving children. McGraw asked Seda if he had been charged for the crimes. Mr Seda replied: Not really. A stunned McGraw replied: Not really?! And never been deported? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To which Mr Seda replied: Nope. 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. A woman who helped arrange a 2022 human smuggling trip from Cuba to Florida that ended in the deaths of 16 people pleaded guilty to federal charges that carry up to life in prison, prosecutors said Friday. Yaquelin Dominguez-Nieves, 26, who is in the U.S. without authorization, pleaded guilty Tuesday to "conspiring to smuggle aliens into the United States," the U.S. Attorneys Office in Miami said in a statement. Dominguez-Nieves collected the money from the migrants family members in the U.S., at least $11,500 in all, and sent that to her boyfriend in Cuba who put the migrants on a boat, she admitted as part of a plea deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The small fishing boat left Playa Jaimanitas in Cuba on Nov. 16, 2022, and sank 30 miles into the trip. Of the 18 people aboard, 16 people drowned. There were no life jackets on board and the two survivors told authorities that the captain did not appear to know how to operate the vessel, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. The charges carry up to life in prison and a mandatory minimum of five years, the office said. A plea agreement does not spell out any sentence that prosecutors will recommend, but it does indicate they will ask that it be reduced because of her cooperation. Sentencing is scheduled for April 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal defender listed as representing Dominguez-Nieves did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday evening. In 2022, at least 269 migrants most of whom were trying to reach the United States mainland or Puerto Rico died on sea routes through the Caribbean, according to the International Organization for Migration, an organization within the United Nations system. On the U.S.-Mexico border, 686 migrant deaths were recorded in 2022, the group said in a 2023 report. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Andrew Taake, 36, was arrested in 2021 and accused of assaulting police officers during the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Courtesy/Department of Justice Days before Andrew Taake was pardoned for his role in the Jan. 6 riot the U.S. Capitol, the Harris County Sheriffs Office requested he be held so he could be transferred back to Texas over a 2016 felony charge of online solicitation of a minor. The transfer never happened. Taake was released from federal prison on Jan. 20, after being the beneficiary of the mass pardon granted to Jan. 6 defendants by the newly inaugurated President Trump. He is now considered a fugitive, and is still wanted by Harris County authorities. He was not in custody as of Monday afternoon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Taake, 36, was arrested in 2016 over accusations he contacted a person he believed was under the age of 18, and arranged to meet up with the expectation of sexual contact. His case never went to trial, and was stayed after he was arrested by federal authorities over his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021. He was accused of attacking police officers with a metal whip and bear spray during the riot. He was arrested in July 2021 and in 2023 pleaded guilty to assault of a police officer. Last year, he was sentenced to more than 6 years in prison and had stayed in custody since his arrest. The Harris County District Attorneys Office on Friday confirmed that the local charges against Andrew Taake were still active and he was considered wanted. On Monday, the DAs office released another update on the case saying there was an attempt by local authorities to make sure Taake stayed in custody, even before he was pardoned. According to the DAs office, the Harris County Sheriffs Office in 2022 asked that a hold be placed on Taake, due to his pending local case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The federal Bureau of Prisons at some point told the sheriffs office that a certified warrant must be sent to have a hold placed on him, officials said Monday. The DAs office sent a copy of the certified warrant to the bureau on Jan. 15. Despite that, Taake was released on Jan. 20, shortly after President Trump signed his mass pardon. Re-arresting individuals, like Taake, who were released with pending State warrants, will require significant resources, the DAs office said in a statement. Know that we are already in the process of tracking Taake down, as he must answer for the 2016 charge of soliciting a minor online. The pardon granted a complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to Jan. 6. Federal pardons do not affect the status of state crimes. In response to questions about Taakes release, the Bureau of Prisons pointed to part of Trumps executive ordered the U.S. Attorney General to ensure that all people of Jan. 6-related crimes and who were in prison be released immediately. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The language included notes inmates currently held in prison should be released immediately, FBP spokesman Donald Murphy said. Our interpretation is if they were on our list and were in prison, they were to be released. Murphy didnt comment specifically on Taakes case and said the department doesnt discuss specific security practices or conditions of confinement for any individual. Around 200 people were released from federal prisons as a result of Trump's pardon. Hundreds more had their probation or other restrictions canceled. It's unclear if any other person released from federal custody was wanted on state charges. Three other local men who were imprisoned on Jan. 6 charges did not have pending local charges, according to court records. Lawyers representing Taake in his Harris County case and his federal case didnt return requests for comment Monday. TOKYO, Jan 28 (News On Japan) - Kunihiko Oishi, anchor for the program "Chanto!", discusses the topic of COVID-19 vaccines. Since October 2024, Japan has introduced routine vaccinations for COVID-19 to prevent severe cases. However, some healthcare professionals have chosen to stop administering the vaccines. One such doctor shared their reasons. The routine COVID-19 vaccination program, initiated in October 2024, primarily targets the elderly. While initial vaccination rates exceeded 90% for the first two doses in 2021, the eighth round of vaccinations had a participation rate of only 2% as of late October. By the end of December, Nagoya Citys preliminary data showed the rate had risen slightly to 10%, reflecting a significant decline in interest compared to previous rounds. Nagoya City's data reveals that COVID-19 vaccine uptake stands at 10%, with each medical institution reporting an average of 6.27 COVID-19 patients as of January 22. In contrast, influenza vaccines boast a 45% uptake rate, yet influenza patient numbers are significantly higher, with 16.13 cases per medical institution on the same date. Despite lower vaccination rates, COVID-19 appears to have fewer patients compared to influenza during this period. At Tsuba Clinic in Takahama City, Aichi Prefecture, the administration of COVID-19 vaccines has ceased. The clinic's physician, who initially encouraged vaccination for patients, cited two main reasons for this decision. The first was adverse reactions observed in elderly patients. Following the third dose, the doctor noticed a surge in health issues among residents of a senior care facility, raising concerns about potential vaccine-related side effects. The second was doubts about vaccine effectiveness. Despite receiving three doses, some patients still contracted COVID-19, leading the doctor to question the vaccines efficacy. The physician, now actively opposed to the vaccines, organizes regular educational sessions on vaccine side effects for the local community. Patients at the clinic express strong trust in the doctor, stating that they feel reassured by the clinic's stance. Japans Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare had previously published data on new COVID-19 cases based on vaccination history. A report from August 2022 showed that individuals vaccinated twice were the largest group among new cases across several age categories. However, data releases were discontinued after this report. Experts and citizens alike are urging the government to provide transparent data on both the benefits and risks of vaccinations. Oishis commentary is available on YouTube and CBC Radios "Daijiro Now On Share". Additionally, his reports and analysis can be found on the official X (formerly Twitter) account. On January 26, Oishi will present a live emergency commentary on the Gifu gubernatorial election, highlighting its potential implications for Japan. Stay tuned for this special report. Source: CBCCBC Jan 28 (Video Street View Japan) - On the evening of January 20th, I began my walk at Minowabashi Station, a charming area filled with the nostalgic atmosphere of Japans Showa era. Passing through the lively and retro shopping street, Joyful Minowa, I headed south to the site of Yoshiwara, Japans most renowned pleasure district during the Edo period. Yoshiwara was a government-licensed prostitution area, a fascinating yet complex part of Japans history. Today, the original pleasure quarters no longer exist, but traces of its past remain. I stopped by the iconic Mikaeri Yanagi (Looking-back Willow Tree), where men once looked back with longing after visiting Yoshiwara. The paths leading to the district were deliberately designed in an S-shape to obscure the view of the area. At the entrance once stood the grand Yoshiwara Omon gate, now marked by a modest replacement. While many modern establishments still operate in the area, I chose to walk straight through the main street of Yoshiwara, from east to west, before continuing to Asakusa. This video captures the journey, blending the retro charm of Minowabashi with the rich, layered history of Yoshiwara. TOKYO, Jan 28 (News On Japan) - From sudden severe pain during a gourmet-filled trip to chronic illness attacks that medication cannot treat, what kinds of symptoms bring foreign tourists to clinics? A clinic near Tokyo Station, popular for its multilingual services in English and Chinese, has treated over 10,000 foreign patients in its first year. Many visitors appreciate the accessibility and affordability of care, even for those without insurance, as costs are much lower compared to their home countries. A wide variety of patients visit these clinics. For example, an American woman traveling with a friend visited the clinic concerned about whether her ear problem would prevent her from flying home in two days. Although the cause of her ear inflammation was unclear, she was prescribed medication, and the doctors reassurance helped alleviate her anxiety. Shortly afterward, the pair returned to the clinic. The womans daughter decided she, too, wanted to be checked out for nasal congestion before their flight. Both were amazed by the clinic's efficiency, noting that they were seen within 30 minutes despite not having reservations. They commented that the cost of treatment, though uninsured, was much lower than in the United States, with both treatments totaling only in the 10,000-yen range. Another case involved an American man dragging his foot into the clinic. The man, who had spent the past few days sightseeing in Asakusa and Ueno, experienced sudden pain in his foot on the third day of his trip. The doctor suspected gout, often caused by excessive consumption of meat, seafood, and alcoholculinary indulgences the man admitted to during his stay in Japan. The prescribed painkillers worked effectively, allowing him to continue his travels. A young girl from the U.S., Sophie, also visited the clinic. She had developed a fever while on a family trip to Tokyo. Despite her condition, the family faced a 12-hour flight back to the U.S. the following day. After being diagnosed with a cold, Sophie was prescribed fever reducers and cough medicine, enabling her to make the long journey home. A particularly severe case involved a French man suffering from Crohns disease, a rare illness that causes intense abdominal pain. While the condition has no cure, the clinic provided medication to stabilize his symptoms. Within a week, the man reported significant improvement, even finding the energy to visit Osaka, Hiroshima, and a batting center before returning to Europe. The clinic staff are committed to providing care to all patients, aiming to ensure that tourists leave with peace of mind and positive memories of their visit to Japan. These clinics are making travel in Japan more comfortable for tourists, turning their health concerns into a memorable part of their journey. Source: FNN Saitama, Jan 31 (News On Japan) - A massive sinkhole swallowed a truck in Yashio, Saitama Prefecture, on January 28, with dramatic footage capturing the moment the road suddenly gave way. A dashboard camera recorded the moment the truck, having just turned left at an intersection, plunged into the sinkhole. With no time to react, the vehicle disappeared into the gaping hole. "At first, I thought I had been rear-ended because of the vibration," one witness recalled. "But when I looked ahead, the truck had already fallen." More than 86 hours after the collapse, authorities are gradually piecing together the situation. According to the fire department, the damaged sewer pipe beneath the road has a diameter of about four to five meters. There is concern that the trucks driver may have fallen deep into the cavity. Initially, emergency responders were able to communicate with the driver, who responded to their calls around 1 p.m. that day. However, his cab was already buried under debris, and his condition was unclear. Hours later, there was no further response. Efforts to recover the truck continue, with tow trucks removing parts of the vehicle from the scene. However, the driver remains unaccounted for. To facilitate rescue operations, workers are rapidly constructing a slope for safe entry into the crater. Although initial plans aimed to complete the structure by January 31, additional work to remove fallen utility poles and reinforce the ground means heavy machinery may only enter by the evening of February 1. The sinkhole, which initially started as one hole, expanded into two before merging into a single cavity approximately 40 meters in diameter and 15 meters deep due to further collapses. Inside, workers are trying to prevent water from flowing in by piling up soil. However, continuous water seepage has caused repeated cave-ins, creating an unstable environment. The disaster has severely impacted local residents. To facilitate rescue operations, Saitama Prefecture has asked residents in 12 municipalities, including Yashio, to limit their use of sewer systems, including reducing laundry and bath usage. In response to the crisis, a nearby hot spring facility in Misato, adjacent to Yashio, has opened its doors to affected residents, offering free access to its baths. "Weve been trying to conserve water as much as possible, using paper plates instead of washing dishes," said Numakura, a resident from a six-member household. "But when it came to bathing, we werent sure how to save waterthen we heard about this facility and decided to come. It was the first time in a while we could take a relaxing bath." Sugawara and his family, who spent a night in an evacuation center after the incident, expressed similar gratitude. "We had just returned home, but the anxiety hasnt gone away," he said. "The bus my child takes to daycare passed through that very spot just an hour before the collapse. The support were receiving is incredibly helpful." In light of the incident, municipalities across Japan have begun urgent inspections of aging sewer infrastructure. In Sakai, Osaka, officials have voluntarily started examining sewer pipes with a diameter of over two meters that have been in place for more than 30 years. In Wakayama City, authorities plan to inspect 29 locations within a week. Meanwhile, in Yashio, snowfall began early Sunday morning, later turning into cold rain. As temperatures drop, the urgency of rescue efforts continues to grow. Source: TBS KYOTO, Jan 29 (News On Japan) - Shinji Aoba, the defendant sentenced to death in the first trial for the Kyoto Animation arson-murder case that claimed 36 lives, has withdrawn his appeal, finalizing the death sentence. Aoba, 46, was convicted of setting fire to Kyoto Animation's Studio 1 in 2019, killing 36 people and facing charges related to the incident. In the first trial, the main issue was whether Aoba could be held criminally responsible. The Kyoto District Court ruled in January last year that he bore full criminal responsibility and handed down the death penalty, as sought by prosecutors. Although Aoba's defense team initially appealed the ruling, the Osaka High Court confirmed that Aoba himself withdrew the appeal on the 27th of this month. As the prosecution did not file an appeal, the death sentence from the first trial has now been finalized. Source: YOMIURI For business owners looking to expand their operations, real estate often plays a critical role. Whether its acquiring a new warehouse, opening additional storefronts, or upgrading to a more strategic office location, real estate decisions can significantly impact a companys trajectory. However, the financial demands of such investments can be daunting, especially for small- and medium-sized enterprises. Private equity, traditionally associated with buying and restructuring companies, has increasingly become a tool for business owners to fund real estate expansion. By leveraging PE partnerships, business owners can gain access to substantial capital, operational expertise, and strategic guidance to turn their real estate ambitions into reality. Heres how it works and how you can make the most of this opportunity. Understanding Private Equity in Real Estate Private equity firms raise funds from institutional investors, high-net-worth individuals, and other sources to invest in businesses and assets. In the real estate sector, private equity firms often target high-growth opportunities, such as developing new properties, acquiring existing assets, or supporting businesses that need to expand their physical footprint. For business owners, partnering with a private equity firm means more than just access to capital. These firms often bring industry knowledge, market insights, and operational expertise to help ensure the success of your expansion projects. In return, they typically seek a stake in your business or profits from the real estate investment. This is where private equity (PE) can become a game-changing resource. Benefits of Using Private Equity for Real Estate Expansion Access to Significant Capital Real estate projects require substantial upfront investment, whether for purchasing land, constructing facilities, or upgrading existing properties. Private equity can provide the necessary funding without the need for traditional loans, reducing the burden of debt on your balance sheet. Shared Risk Real estate investments come with risks, including market fluctuations, zoning regulations, and unexpected construction costs. By partnering with a private equity firm, you share these risks. PE firms have experience navigating these challenges, which can help mitigate potential setbacks. Strategic Guidance Private equity firms often have deep industry connections and expertise in real estate. They can help identify the best locations, negotiate favorable deals, and develop strategies to maximize the value of your investments. Operational Support Beyond funding, private equity partners can assist with operational improvements, such as optimizing your supply chain, improving efficiency in newly acquired facilities, or integrating new technology. This support can enhance the overall performance of your business. Faster Growth With the backing of private equity, business owners can accelerate their expansion plans. Instead of waiting years to accumulate enough capital for a real estate investment, you can seize opportunities as they arise, giving you a competitive edge. How to Attract Private Equity Investment To attract private equity for your real estate expansion, you need to position your business as a strong investment opportunity. Here are key steps to take: Demonstrate Growth Potential Private equity firms are looking for businesses with clear growth trajectories. Highlight how a real estate investment will drive revenue, improve efficiency, or unlock new markets for your business. Showcase Strong Financials A solid financial foundation is crucial. Ensure your books are in order, with detailed projections showing how the investment will deliver returns. Transparency is key to building trust with potential investors. Develop a Clear Plan Have a well-thought-out strategy for the real estate project. This includes identifying potential properties, outlining timelines, and providing cost estimates. The more detailed your plan, the more confidence investors will have in your vision. Build Relationships with PE Firms Networking is essential. Attend industry events, seek referrals, and leverage professional connections to get introductions to private equity firms that specialize in your sector. A personal connection can go a long way in securing a partnership. Be Open to Collaboration Private equity investments often come with a degree of oversight. Be prepared to collaborate and potentially share decision-making authority with your PE partner. Their input can add significant value to your project. Real-Life Examples of Success Case Study 1: Expanding Retail Footprint A regional retail chain partnered with a private equity firm to fund the acquisition of prime commercial properties in high-traffic areas. With the PE firms guidance, the retailer expanded into new markets and increased revenue by 40% within three years. Case Study 2: Upgrading Operational Facilities A manufacturing company sought private equity funding to build a state-of-the-art production facility. The PE firm not only provided capital but also connected the business owner with contractors and consultants to streamline construction. The result? A 25% boost in production capacity and significant cost savings. Potential Challenges While private equity can be a powerful tool, its not without challenges. Business owners should carefully evaluate the terms of any partnership, including equity stakes, decision-making authority, and exit strategies. Its essential to work with legal and financial advisors to ensure the deal aligns with your long-term goals. Unlocking Growth Opportunities Private equity offers a compelling way for business owners to fund real estate expansion. By providing capital, expertise, and strategic support, PE firms can help unlock growth opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. However, success depends on careful planning, transparent communication, and a strong partnership. For business owners ready to take their operations to the next level, private equity could be the key to achieving your real estate goals. Caroline Wilburn is a breaking news reporter for the Houston Chronicle. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Caroline worked as an election stringer for the Associated Press and as a breaking news fellow at the Texas Tribune. At the Tribune, she got a crash course in interpreting data, distilling complicated policy and following statewide trends on a tight deadline. Shes also a skilled video editor and podcast producer. She won a first-place award for audio news production at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commended the leadership of King Mohammed VI in advancing regional and global peace and security. This came in a statement released Monday in Washington following a phone call Marco Rubio had with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita. The newly-sworn US Secretary of State stressed the importance of the US-Moroccan strategic partnership in advancing regional and global peace and security, hailing the leadership of the King in this context, the State Department spokesperson said in the statement. Discussions also focused on the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the release of the hostages, and Moroccos leadership in contributing humanitarian aid for Gaza, the State Department spokesperson said. The head of American diplomacy also expressed the US willingness to cooperate intensively with Morocco in advancing shared interests in the region and ending conflicts, including building on the Abraham Accords. During this call, Rubio and Bourita also affirmed the importance of expanding trade, investment, and commercial cooperation that would benefit Americans and Moroccans, the State Department spokesperson stated further. 37 suspected members linked to major terrorist organizations, including ISIS and al-Shabaab, were arrested in a joint counter-terrorism operation with Afripol, international police agency Interpol announced on Monday (27 January). ISIS, Al-Shabaab and other terrorist organizations, which have strongholds in some countries on the continent, have suffered significant setbacks following a large-scale Interpol raid that aimed to reinforce border security measures and prevent terrorist activity in East Africa. The France-based global policing agency said the arrests carried out between November and December 2024 took place across Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia, Tanzania, and other four East African countries, in operations coordinated with the pan-African police body Afripol. Authorities also seized a significant amount of weapons, including both small arms and heavy artillery. According to Interpol, the series of raids were successful owing to the active cooperation and support of the participating nations. Interpol and Afripol consolidated and analyzed the crucial information, including detailed operational plans and intelligence reports, provided by participating nations, which facilitated a significant exchange of criminal intelligence, enhancing the effectiveness of the operation. Among those arrested were also a suspected ISIS Mozambique member in Tanzania, two alleged ISIS members in Kenya, and four alleged members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the DRC. East Africas political instability, porous borders, and socioeconomic challenges make it a fertile ground for terrorist activity, said Cyril Gout, Interpols acting executive director, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in counter-terrorism efforts. The United Nations has issued a grim warning about the worsening humanitarian situation in the volatile east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 rebels has spread to regional capital Goma, with the latter claiming to have taken control of the key city. The sound of heavy gunfire could be heard on Monday (27 January) across Goma, a provincial capital of about two million locals and internally displaced people, just hours after the Rwanda-backed M23 fighters entered the city. Shortly before the expiry of M23s 48-hour deadline given to Congolese troops to surrender their weapons, the rebel group issued a statement claiming to have captured Goma. But this claim was later disputed by senior UN official in Congo, Bruno Lemarquis, who said that fighting across the DRCs largest eastern city is still very much ongoing its not over yet. UNs head of peacekeeping operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, described the situation on the ground as volatile and dangerous, adding that certainly the risks of a broader humanitarian disaster are very high. Meanwhile, reports have emerged that Congolese and Rwandan troops exchanged fire on Monday along their shared border, risking a rapid escalation of the conflict. DRC governments spokesman Patrick Muyaya issued a statement confirming the presence of the Rwandan army in Goma, stressing that Kinshasa continues to work to avoid carnage and loss of human life in view of the manifest intentions of Rwanda. The Congolese government described the capture of Goma by the M23 rebels as a declaration of war by Rwanda. The border between the DRC and Rwanda near the besieged regional capital was reportedly closed on Monday. A delegation of ten Caribbean diplomats hailed the socio-economic progress and development strides in Moroccos southern Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, as part of a two-day visit organized by the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI). The visit aimed to showcase the regions potential to attract investment, forge partnerships, and bolster trade ties. Tamira Browne, Director of Foreign Policy and Research at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, underscored her countrys commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation with Morocco. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Morocco have established a roadmap to enhance collaboration in various sectors, Browne said, referencing the working visit of Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves to Morocco last July, which explored potential partnerships in agriculture, fisheries, and tourism. Browne praised the regions focus on sustainability, noting that Dakhla-Oued Eddahabs approach integrates economic growth with the preservation of natural and energy resources for future generations. Deniese Sealey, Charge dAffaires at the Jamaican Embassy in Berlin, expressed her admiration for Dakhlas natural beauty and Moroccos progress in sustainable development. Morocco is a model in sectors such as fisheries and seawater desalination, Sealey said, adding that Jamaica seeks to strengthen cooperation with the Kingdom. For his part, El Khattat Yanja, President of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Regional Council, highlighted the visit as an opportunity to present the regions development model, launched in 2015 by HM King Mohammed VI, and to explore investment opportunities, including major projects like the Dakhla Atlantique port. During their tour, the diplomats met with Ali Khalil, Wali of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, and other officials to discuss the regions development trajectory and investment prospects. Mounir Houari, Director of the Regional Investment Center, delivered a presentation emphasizing the regions robust growth across various sectors, supported by detailed data. The delegation also visited key infrastructure projects, including the Dakhla Learning Center, which aims to enhance youth skills, and the citys craft complex. The Egyptian Parliament has strongly rejected any proposals to relocate the Palestinian people from their land, calling such actions a grave threat to regional security and stability. Speaker Hanafi Gebali addressed the issue in a parliamentary session on Monday January 27, emphasizing that the Palestinian cause is not a simple territorial dispute but a matter of a people striving for their legitimate historical rights. He affirmed that the Palestinian people, with their rich history and sacred land, would never relinquish their rights, stressing the importance of recognizing their inalienable sovereignty. Gebali further warned that any proposals undermining Palestinian rights would destabilize the region. He reiterated Egypts commitment to a two-state solution, based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. This, he said, was the only path to achieving lasting peace and security for both Palestinians and the wider region. Egypt, which has long played a pivotal role in peace efforts, reaffirmed its dedication to defending Palestinian rights and rejecting any attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause. The Egyptian Parliaments rejection follows a controversial statement by US President Donald Trump, who proposed relocating Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan, following a brutal Israeli military campaign in Gaza. His suggestion was met with swift condemnation from Egypt, Jordan, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The proposal came in the wake of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 47,000 Palestinians have been killed, and the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders accused of war crimes. Barcelona embraces Chinese new year with two weeks of festivities Xinhua) 10:15, January 28, 2025 BARCELONA, Spain, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Barcelona's city center came alive this past weekend as thousands gathered to celebrate the upcoming Chinese lunar new year, or the Spring Festival. The festivities began on Saturday with a vibrant parade that showcased the cultural richness of both Chinese and Spanish traditions. The parade, involving 65 Chinese cultural organizations and several invited Spanish groups, started with a grand display of fireworks and the striking of a gong by the mayor of Barcelona Jaume Collboni, alongside Meng Yuhong, the consul general of China in Barcelona. UNESCO recognized the Spring Festival as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity last December. For Javier Carnota, a member of the Airinos Da Nosa Galicia dance troupe participating in the parade, the collaboration between cultures was particularly meaningful. "The Chinese and Spanish cultures are quite different, but it's a good thing that we take part in each other's festivities," he said. Victoria Marti, a resident of Arenys de Mar, echoed this sentiment. "Not only do the celebrations allow the Chinese community to maintain their traditions, but they also introduce them to people here who might not be familiar with them," she told Xinhua. Barcelona has planned two weeks of cultural activities to celebrate the Year of the Snake. These include workshops on Chinese calligraphy, cooking, and martial arts, as well as screenings of Chinese films and book clubs featuring Chinese literature. Alexandra Nogrette, a Barcelona resident who attended the weekend's festivities, highlighted the growing curiosity about Chinese culture. "With globalization, we have more and more contact with China, and tourism increases that curiosity. Coming here is a way to learn more about their culture," she explained. Saturday's celebrations included a lively stage performance in front of the iconic Arc de Triomf, featuring both Chinese and Spanish musicians and dancers. Chinese New Year celebrations in Barcelona, home to nearly 22,000 Chinese nationals, have grown significantly since they began 11 years ago. Barcelona city council's commissioner for citizen relations and cultural and religious diversity, emphasized the importance of the celebration. "UNESCO's recognition of the Chinese New Year as a cultural heritage aligns with our city's values. It's a celebration that reflects the diversity and cultural exchange we strive to promote," she said. Belbeida added that the Spring Festival represents a positive example of interculturality. "Not only do people of Chinese origin participate, but natives and individuals from other backgrounds join in as well. It's a testament to the diversity and inclusivity that define Barcelona." Meanwhile, other Spanish cities, including Valencia, also launched their Spring Festival celebrations over the weekend. Madrid's main parade is scheduled for Feb. 1. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan) Samantha Ketterer is a Houston Chronicle reporter covering higher education. She can be reached at samantha.ketterer@houstonchronicle.com. Since joining the staff in 2018, Samantha has also covered criminal justice and the Harris County courthouse. She is a former reporting fellow for the Dallas Morning News' state bureau and a former city hall reporter for The Galveston County Daily News. Samantha, who is from Houston's suburbs, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and is a proud alumna of The Daily Texan. The International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for individuals allegedly responsible for grave human rights violations in Sudans West Darfur region, amid an ongoing civil conflict that has lasted 19 months. ICC Prosecutor Karim Khans announcement comes as violence continues to intensify in the region, with systematic attacks occurring on a daily basis. The current crisis bears striking similarities to the 2003 Darfur genocide, targeting the same communities and employing comparable tactics. The paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF), evolved from the former Janjaweed militias, stands accused of perpetrating systematic violence against non-Arab populations, particularly the Masalit ethnic group. The situation has deteriorated significantly over the past six months, with widespread famine, escalating conflict, and systematic targeting of civilians. Of particular concern are the numerous reports of gender-based violence against women and girls, which the ICC has prioritized in its investigation. The conflict, which originated in Khartoum in April 2023, has since expanded throughout the region, creating a humanitarian catastrophe. The siege of major cities, including El Fasher in North Darfur, has exacerbated civilian suffering. The ICCs impending action represents a significant step toward accountability, though specific details regarding the targets of the arrest warrants remain undisclosed. The international court has engaged in dialogue with RSF representatives, seeking cooperation in their investigations. The prosecutor emphasized the urgent necessity for all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law. Photo: Michael Errey/AFP/Getty Images Caroline Kennedy is urging lawmakers to oppose her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s nomination to be Health and Human Services secretary, denouncing him as a predator who has taken advantage of the vulnerable for his own gain. In a scathing letter, the former U.S. ambassador to Australia argues that her cousin, in addition to lacking the proper qualifications for the crucial role, is unfit to serve in government on a personal level. Ive known Bobby my whole life; we grew up together. Its no surprise that he keeps birds of prey as pets because he himself is a predator, Kennedy wrote. The Washington Post first reported on the letters existence. It was followed up by a six-minute video of Kennedy reading her own words directly to camera, the clip shared to social media by her son, Jack Schlossberg. Ambassador Caroline Kennedys statement to the US Senate on RFKJrs nomination for HHS Secretary This is a reading of a letter she just sent to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Im so proud of my courageous mother, whos lived a life of dignity, pic.twitter.com/feysNA0Wwp Jack Schlossberg (@JBKSchlossberg) January 28, 2025 Kennedy said that her cousin has long been charismatic and that many of their relatives fell under his influence and followed him down the path of drug addiction. His basement, his garage, and his dorm room were the centers of the action where drugs were available, and he enjoyed showing off how he put baby chickens and mice in the blender to feed his hawks. It was often a perverse scene of despair and violence, she said. But siblings and cousins who Bobby encouraged down the path of substance abuse suffered addiction, illness, and death while Bobby has gone on to misrepresent, lie, and cheat his way through life. While Kennedy offered praise to RFK Jr. for being able to overcome his own yearslong addiction, she suggested that he simply substituted one drug for another. Today, while he may encourage a younger generation to attend AA meetings, Bobby is addicted to attention and power. Bobby preys on the desperation of parents of sick children vaccinating his own children while building a following by hypocritically discouraging other parents from vaccinating theirs, she said. Even before he fills this job, his constant denigration of our health-care system and the conspiratorial half-truths he has told about vaccines, including in connection with Samoas deadly 2019 measles outbreak, have cost lives. The publicized letter marks a dramatic shift in tone for Caroline Kennedy, who has largely abstained from criticizing her cousin, unlike many of their relatives who have frequently lambasted him for challenging former president Joe Biden and for his embrace of President Donald Trump. It comes as RFK Jr. is set to sit for the first of two confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Thats the gist of Emanuel Maibergs relatively chill take at 404 Media: The main reason people are excited/scared/throwing up right now is that DeepSeek was developed and released under Americas export restrictions that prevent Chinese companies from getting the latest and most powerful Nvidia chips. As Wired explained, DeepSeek was spun out from High-Flyer, a Chinese hedge fund that originally acquired GPUs to analyze financial data, before it invested its money and resources in developing AI. That a new player in this space was able to build an AI model without access to the latest and greatest Nvidia chips (though people in China have found ways to obtain them despite restriction), using new, more efficient reinforcement learning strategies, has undermined the idea that companies like Nvidia or OpenAI have built a moat around their companies that will secure their lead in the AI race forever, and, by extension, has undermined the notion of American AI world supremacy. It also at least raises the possibility that a Chinese company has found a better, more efficient, and cheaper way to train AI models than any American company has discovered thus far. As others have pointed out, its hard to say exactly what DeepSeek actually spent to make its model without trusting it blindly. The true cost may be hidden in ways we dont understand, and is definitely benefiting by building on top of the very expensive research (primarily from American companies) that came before it. But if AI companies can build competitive models at a fraction of the cost on a comparatively tiny number of lesser GPUs, then much of Nvidias value and the billions of dollars AI companies are burning on training suddenly seems excessive and wasteful (even to AI boosters), hence the stock tumbling Does this mean Nvidia, OpenAI, and other AI companies are doomed? Again, this is not financial advice but the market appears to be spasming based on vibes, and definitely before we have a great understanding of DeepSeeks impact. The most obvious rebuttal from Nvidia bag holders in this situation is that DeepSeeks newfound efficiencies will only benefit AI incumbents. If these new methods give DeepSeek great results with limited compute, the same methods will give OpenAI and other, more well-resourced AI companies even greater results on their huge training clusters, and it is possible that American companies will adapt to these new methods very quickly. Even if scaling laws really have hit the ceiling and giant training clusters dont need to be that giant, theres no reason I can see why other companies cant be competitive under this new paradigm. We should also probably hope that this is the case since it could lower the environmental impact of AI. A melted plastic slide at a house in Altadena, January 11. Photo: Devin Oktar Yalkin In June 2023, the photographer Devin Oktar Yalkin moved to Pasadena, to a house about three miles from Eaton Canyon, the site of one of two deadly fires in Los Angeles that began spreading out of control January 7. Yalkin, who grew up in New York City, would often drive through the leafy streets of Altadena after dropping his young son off at school, veering toward Mount Wilson, which rises above Eaton Canyon. I would head toward the mountain, said Yalkin, 43. Friends and acquaintances who were artists and musicians had been able to buy their first homes in the neighborhood, and Yalkin hoped to one day join them. I kept telling my wife, This is the place I would love to own a home, he said. The morning after the fire started in Eaton Canyon, Yalkin drove into the neighborhood to try to find a friend, but he quickly became disoriented amid the chaos as residents fled. He took a few photographs including one in the portfolio below of a house on fire but when he could not find his friend, he returned to his wife and 6-year-old son in order to evacuate them. Two days later, on Saturday, January 10, he and his family returned, and we traveled together as he began photographing the burned city the fires left behind. Los Angeles Wildfires The Lost City Read the Story To produce work about an ongoing disaster is ethically fraught: You are encountering people in distress and documenting some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Yalkin is not a photographer who reflexively veers toward the jagged edge of action, and he is not a volume shooter. He moves slowly through a landscape, trying, as he told me, to spend time with a moment and looking for images that will stay in a viewers mind. Its never about getting the shot, he said. Its, How can I mirror my experience? How has this reflected onto me emotionally, and how can I put that back into the world? The photos included in this portfolio are ones that linger on the essential questions these fires have raised: What have humans done to our habitat, and what could have been done to prevent such tragedy? Is anywhere safe? Work that asks questions, Yalkin says, instead of leaving you with answers. At night, before entering the house he rented and rejoining his family for a couple of evenings his 79-year-old mother was also in the home he took off his ash-covered clothes and left his boots outside the door. (Because of warnings about water quality, in the first days of our reporting we washed our clothes but did not take showers.) His work from the fires focused on his neighbors dreams what had become of them and where they might end up. He told me he still thinks of Altadena and what it might be like to one day live there. Im still enchanted by it, he said. Its something I think Ill never stop dreaming about. Altadena, January 13: The heat from the fires in Altadena was high enough to melt a basketball backboard. January 11: Only the front gate of a house in Altadena survived, revealing a view of the San Gabriel Mountains. Photo: Devin Oktar Yalkin From left: January 12: Abandoned cars in the Pacific Palisades.January 15: A school bus that burned in Altadena. From left: January 12: Abandoned cars in the Pacific Palisades.January 15: A school bus that burned in Altadena. Malibu, January 12: The staircase left behind from a waterfront home. Altadena, January 18: Joseph Kindred looks out over the destruction. January 11: Josh Block sits beside the ruins of his house. Malibu, January 12: An oceanfront home burned, but its swimming pool remained intact. Altadena, January 8: A house in flames while the Eaton Fire burned. Altadena, January 11: A firefighter from Tulare County deployed to the Eaton Fire. Altadena, January 11: Josh Block, a music producer, inspects the charred interior of his home. Altadena, January 19: Only the driveway remained after fire destroyed a home. Altadena, January 19: Homeowners walk through the ruins of their house. From left: January 15: Overlooking AltadenaJanuary 19: Greg Sliwinski inspects his neighbors house From left: January 15: Overlooking AltadenaJanuary 19: Greg Sliwinski inspects his neighbors house Altadena, January 19: A homeowner and his son search through the rubble for a missing ring. Malibu, January 12: Damaged cars outside an oceanfront home. Altadena, January 15: Melted metal from an engine block. In case youve forgotten, the 47th president loves chaos. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images An Trump administration order freezing trillions of dollars in federal spending set off nationwide panic and chaos until a federal judge in Washington put a hold on its implementation pending a hearing on its legality on February 3. Heres how it all happened: The acting director of the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo on Monday pausing all federal grants and loans until at least February 10 to ensure they comply with Donald Trumps worldview. Written in MAGA-speak, the memo from Matthew Vaeth (who is running OMB pending confirmation of Trump nominee Russell Vought) demanded that a vast number of programs and services financed by the federal government come to a halt until it can be determined that they dont promote Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies. The pause said it would specifically exempt Social Security and Medicare payments and purports not to cover funds provided directly to individuals. Since a lot of federal low-income programs (notably Medicaid, which is where a fifth of the U.S. population obtains health care and/or nursing home assistance) benefit individuals but are administered by the states under a federal grant, there was immediate confusion about these vital services. States reported the federal portal for obtaining Medicaid payments had been abruptly closed. A subsequent OMB memo sent out the day after the initial bombshell answered some questions but raised others: In addition to Social Security and Medicare, already excluded in the guidance, mandatory programs like Medicaid and SNAP [food stamps] will continue without pause. Funds for small businesses, farmers, Pell Grants, Head Start, rental assistance, and other similar programs will not be paused. Its anybodys guess what other similar programs means, and there is additional confusion caused by language that suggests any program that doesnt run afoul of Trumps recently announced policies should be kosher. In any event, the action appears to blatantly violate the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which authorizes limited delays in the disbursement of congressionally appropriated funds only if they are specified and explained in detail in a formal notification to Congress. None of that happened in this place; the OMB memo came out of nowhere, though it did follow earlier efforts by presidential executive order to freeze foreign aid and energy disbursements that werent already in the pipeline. So this latest move is almost certainly a prelude to an assertion that Trump has the right not only to delay but to impound (i.e., cancel) congressionally appropriated dollars whenever he imperially wills it. The aforementioned Impoundment Control Act was enacted by Congress after Richard Nixon abused the presidents power to delay or slightly modify appropriated dollars. Russell Vought has regularly asserted that this action by Congress was, in fact, unconstitutional. So other than striking terror in the hearts of deep state bureaucrats and Democratic-leaning poor people, the purpose of the pause is probably to create a Supreme Court test of Voughts hypothesis. The road to that legal confrontation was probably begun by the stay issued literally minutes before the freeze was to take effect by D.C. District Court Judge Loren AliKhan at the request of a group of non-profit organizations who receive federal grants. Judge AliKhan, a Biden appointee (whose confirmation required a tie-breaking vote from Kamala Harris because of her support for COVID restrictions on religious gatherings), has scheduled a hearing next Monday on the effects and implications of the administrations action. Her order applies to disbursements of funds from grants already awarded in order to address interruptions of ongoing programs. Presumably the constitutional question about the Impoundment Control Act will be resolved by a Supreme Court that is very friendly to Trump but would have to overturn its own precedents and upset the settled consensus of nearly every constitutional expert outside the administration itself to succor him in this case. Letting Trump delay or cancel any appropriation he doesnt like really would abolish Congresss constitutionally enumerated spending power, and give the president the kind of power only true dictators enjoy. But even if this gambit fails, in the meantime, chaos will lurk around every corner, and Trumps reputation as a disrupter will reach a new and lofty level. Photo: Corbis/Getty Images Donald Trump has delivered on one of his campaign pledges for the conspiratorial-minded, signing an executive order on January 23 to release the remaining classified files related to the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The continued redaction and withholding of information from records pertaining to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy is not consistent with the public interest and the release of these records is long overdue, the order reads. Trump was more succinct as he signed the order in Sharpie. Everything will be revealed, he said. Polls have long shown that a majority of Americans do not believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in Kennedys death. Trumps order which also requires the release of documents related to the Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. assassinations provides a time frame and guidelines for the declassification process. But how much about the assassination is really left in the cabinets of the intelligence community? Below is everything we know about the JFK files and how we got here. Will Trump release the JFK files this year? The executive order demands that attorney general Pam Bondi and director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard present a plan within 15 days for the full and complete release of the JFK assassination records. Next, they will immediately review the records related to the RFK and MLK Jr. assassinations and present a plan for their release within 45 days. That doesnt necessarily mean that we will see these documents in a matter of weeks. The timeline is for the Justice Department and director of national intelligence to issue a plan. The actual process could take far longer. For one, both departments have a lot of other priorities under the new president. Experts also say that if a total release of JFK documents is actually coming, it will take a long time for the intelligence community to complete a review process. Larry Scnhapf, an attorney who has sued the government to release JFK files, told ABC News that if theyre going to do a substantive [document by document] review, then its going to be a while before the records are released. Werent Trump and Biden already supposed to have released the JFK files? In 1992, after Oliver Stones conspiratorial JFK revived the publics and lawmakers interest in the assassination, Congress passed the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act, which required the National Archives and Records Administration to collect all files related to the assassination and multiple investigations into it with a plan to release previously withheld documents in 2017. But as the deadline loomed during Trumps first term, the intelligence community lobbied him to stall, claiming it needed more time to complete reviews. Trump then essentially kicked the can to his successor. Biden ordered the release of 13,000 documents in 2022 before issuing a final certification in 2023, in which he released thousands more documents but left an estimated 4,000 withheld. What could be left in the remaining docs? Since the JFK records act was passed in 1992, 320,000 documents have been reviewed and 99 percent of those have been released, per NARA. But the Biden administration left 2,140 documents fully or partially redacted. Another 2,500 docs were withheld for other reasons, like court-ordered seals of restrictions from individuals who donated their papers. Some names of investigators and their processes have been withheld over the years. Burt Griffin, an assistant counsel on the Warren Commission, told Time that those names were withheld because people were doing illegal things, like wiretapping mafia leaders. We knew they were doing things that were illegal, he said. We didnt know the details of how they were doing it. On February 10, Axios reported the existence of a tranche of 2,400 records that were never handed over to a board that was tasked with reviewing JFK records for release. The papers were found due to Trumps order to establish a plan and timeline for the release of any remaining records. In an op-ed in Politico, former New York Times reporter and JFK author Philip Shenon argued that Trumps commission could be a disappointment: The order contains loopholes that could delay the release of any documents indefinitely. And as in his first term, loyal, Trump-named political appointees at the CIA, FBI and elsewhere not the deep state career civil servants he often denounces will almost certainly try to persuade him to continue to withhold some material on national security grounds [Trumps order] does nothing to address what becomes of perhaps the most tantalizing assassination-related materials still hidden in government files: tapes of hours of interviews with Jacqueline Kennedy and then-Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy conducted in the months after the assassination by the author William Manchester for his book The Death of a President; as well as several private letters Jacqueline Kennedy wrote to President Johnson, including three she sent to him the week after the assassination. The tapes and letters were donated to the Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, which is administered by the National Archives, under deeds from the Kennedy family that bar their public release for decades until 2067 in the case of the tapes. Historians, for the most part, do not expect any bombshells from the remaining papers. But authors who study the JFK assassination expect that will not stop those who believe there were multiple gunmen from further speculation. The Warren Commission, the FBI, and various governmental probes concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. But in 1979, the House Select Committee on Assassinations determined there was a high probability that two gunmen fired at JFK. The Committee believes, on the basis of the evidence available to it, that President John F. Kennedy was probably assassinated as a result of a conspiracy, the lawmakers wrote in their findings. What is the Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets? On February 11, the House Oversight committee announced that they were expanding on Trumps push for clarity with a so-called Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets. The task force will be helmed by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and will focus on declassifying records related to COVID origins, UFOs, 9/11, Jeffrey Epstein, and the JFK files. House Oversight chair James Comer told Fox News that the task force will build on the Trump administrations efforts to declassify records of national importance and ensure Americans get the answers they deserve. The task forces first public hearing will be on March 26. Luna is already off to a contentious start with the attorney general, requesting an update from Bondi on X on February 25 because we cant seem to get a response from the AG. What does RFK Jr. have to say about all this? Like Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. campaigned on a promise to release all files related to the assassinations of his uncle and father. Naturally, he supports his bosss decision. I think its a great move because they need to have more transparency in our government and hes keeping his promise to have the government tell the truth to the American people about everything, Kennedy told reporters on the day the order was announced. In a statement, Kennedy added that the decision was a step against the government secrecy that he believes has undermined the country for decades. The 60-year strategy of lies and secrecy, disinformation, censorship, and defamation employed by Intel officials to obscure and suppress troubling facts about JFKs assassination has provided the playbook for a series of subsequent crises the MLK and RFK assassinations, Vietnam, 9/11, the Iraq war and COVID that have each accelerated the subversion of our exemplary democracy by the Military/Medical Industrial Complex and pushed us further down the road toward totalitarianism, he wrote in a post on X. Kennedy said in 2023 that he believes that there is overwhelming evidence that the CIA was involved in his murder. I think its beyond a reasonable doubt at this point. Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. 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. Naqibullah Laghmanai, a 35-year-old Special Immigrant Visa refugee from Afghanistan, poses for a photograph after speaking about the uncertainty of his familys situation Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at the Afghan Village restaurant in Houston. Laghmanai, an employment supervisor at Catholic Charities, said his two youngest brothers and mother were within weeks of getting their clearance to come here from Pakistan, but they dont know whats going to happen with the new administration. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Naqibullah Laghmanai, a 35-year-old Special Immigrant Visa refugee from Afghanistan, speaks about the uncertainty of his familys situation Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at the Afghan Village restaurant in Houston. Laghmanai, an employment supervisor at Catholic Charities, said his two youngest brothers and mother were within weeks of getting their clearance to come here from Pakistan, but they dont know whats going to happen with the new administration. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Noor Mahammad, founder of the Afghan Houston Islamic Society, discusses his hopes that President Donald Trump will resume the refugee program on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Houston. Mahammad and many families he represents feel the United States should honor their promise to many Afghans after years of working alongside American officials and troops in Afghanistan against the Taliban. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Noor Mahammad, founder of the Afghan Houston Islamic Society, discusses his hopes that President Trump will resume the refugee program on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Houston. Mahammad and many families he represents feel the United States should honor their promise to many Afghans after years of working alongside American officials and troops in Afghanistan against the Taliban. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer On a video call earlier this month, Naqibullah Laghmanai showed his mother and two teenage brothers the rooms ready for them in his Houston home. Their long, painful wait to travel from Pakistan to Texas was almost complete. Their paperwork was in order, interviews completed and medical evaluations submitted. I showed them everything in my house, Laghmanai said. I had bought them stuff because they were done. Then America stopped all refugee flights, effective Jan. 27, leaving hundreds likely thousands of Afghans bound for Houston sitting and waiting. Those already in Texas, meanwhile, spend days and nights concerned for the safety of their loved ones still in harms way. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I dont want to tell them bad news, Laghmanai said. Laghmanai now avoids long phone calls with his mother and younger brothers, he told the Houston Chronicle. He feigns sickness or says he has to go to work before they ask much about the refugee process. He doesnt want to tell them that no one knows when refugees will be welcomed into America again, following a Jan. 20 order by President Trump effectively halting the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. That suspension, which federal officials have said is needed to revise the system, is keeping refugees who have spent years wading through paperwork and delays in places where they are either at risk from their own government or at risk of being sent back to that government. That risk is especially acute for Afghans, who have fled by the hundreds to the U.S. annually following the countrys collapse in 2003, and then in the tens of thousands after the Taliban retook control of the country in August 2021. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Left behind Noor Mahammad, a refugee who arrived in 2021 and later founded the Afghan Houston Islamic Society, said Trumps executive action stoked anxiety in his growing community. Thousands of Afghan refugees have made Houston home in recent years, many of them allies who aided the American war effort there. The 41-year-old estimated thousands of Afghans in Houston are still separated from family members, including wives, children, parents and siblings who were not immediately able to flee Afghanistan after the 2021 Taliban takeover. There are a lot of people whose families were left behind and are going through mental problems, Mahammad said in Pashto through an interpreter. Its been more than three years that theyre away from their families, and its also unclear when theyre going to be reunified. Houston, long a destination for those seeking a new start and escape from persecution at home, has taken in more than 7,800 Afghan refugees since the Taliban returned to power, according to the former Biden administration and Migration Policy Institute data. With relocations from other parts of the country and refugees sponsored by family members or others, the number is likely between 10,000 and 12,000 in the wider Houston region, many refugee groups said. Most of those refugees many single men who worked with the U.S. or Afghan armies have mothers and brothers, sisters and fathers still plodding through the refugee process. Some of those have been waiting since the first Trump presidency, when their cases were halted or delayed by the administrations refusal to restart refugee admissions. Both initially and then during the COVID-19 pandemic, all admissions stopped from many countries. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They just got back to a place where they were back at the front of the line, said Stephanie Gee, senior director for U.S. legal services for the International Refugee Assistance Project, based in Washington. Now everything is on hold again. That delay sent Houston-area refugees into a frenzy of uncertainty, Mahammad said. Misinformation and rumors flooded vital networks like Facebook and WhatsApp used by local Afghans to communicate. That created a lot of anxiety, especially for the people who still have their families left in Afghanistan and were hoping that with the new administration, the process would be accelerated, he said. He and other community leaders have tried to quell such fears with accurate information from trusted news sources. Mahammad has tried to reassure them Trumps pause is temporary and that it could be for the better. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ive been trying to tell the community that it is only a matter of months so the new administration can rethink how to accelerate the process or how to do it a better way, he said. As a chief of the community, I've tried to make sure to give the positive aspect of what has passed. Their life is in danger The worry by family members is the same, though the specifics vary. M.Z., 27, who arrived more than two years ago via Turkey, where he fled after working with the American military, remains concerned for his family still in Afghanistan. His main worry, however, is his 23-year-old sister, S.A., hiding in Islamabad. Back in Afghanistan, she was active in advocating for women. That made her marked by the Taliban. She was supposed to fly out Feb. 4, M.Z. said, through a Dari interpreter provided by the YMCA, which helps resettle refugees in Houston. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Chronicle agreed not to identify M.Z. or his sister beyond initials because of safety concerns that Afghan refugees continue to face. Their life is in danger, he said of his family still in Afghanistan. They have been switching homes, cities They have moved to four different states so they can avoid the Taliban. Meanwhile, S.A, stays put, for fear movement will draw attention to her. The medical visa that allowed her to fly to Pakistan expired after a month. She cannot leave the house, M.Z. said. When she needs groceries, she asks the neighbor. Imagine if you cant trust anyone around you or trust anyone to get groceries. S.A. talks with her brother every few days, when she can pick up reliable Wi-Fi. She also stays in direct contact with the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, M.Z. said, and still can get news readily despite being cloistered and hiding from Pakistani authorities for fear they will arrest her and likely deport her back to Afghanistan. My main concern is what if she gets sick and needs medical attention, M.Z. said. That simple trip to the hospital or clinic could lead to doctors refusing to treat her and alerting police. Apprehension, at best, could mean S.A. is jailed. At worst, buoyed by the refusal of the U.S. to accept any new refugees, Pakistan could send her back to Afghanistan. That would cost her her life, M.Z. said with no hesitation. She would rather die in a different country than go back to Afghanistan and be killed by the Taliban. Alone, S.A. receives enough information via news to know U.S. policy is in flux. She was pretty disappointed, M.Z. said, She does not even answer her phone. For his part, he said he tries to stay positive. M.Z., working two jobs and taking English classes, found time to find her a six-month lease on an apartment and bought her kitchen wares, some furniture and a bed. When they talk, he said he remains upbeat. He told her that the pause was just that, a temporary thing. I told her to be patient, M.Z. said through the interpreter. We do not know yet. Hopefully you will be able to come. M.Z. knows hes lying. I said it so I can calm her down, he said. Locked in a prison Hiding in another apartment somewhere in Islamabad, Laghmanais mother and brothers also remain at risk despite being incredibly close to clearance to come to America. Every single day is hell for them, he said. They are basically locked in a prison. They crossed into Pakistan in September 2021, and since have worked to gain entry to the U.S. Three of Laghmanais younger brothers and his father have made it through the process, in part because of his fathers military service resulting in faster processing. His father, 52, a military surgeon, now works in a distribution center in southwest Houston. Laghmanai, who arrived 12 years ago under the special immigrant visa program carved out specifically for those who partnered with the U.S. military in Afghanistan, works for Catholic Charities, helping refugees find job placement. The moment they arrive, many refugees are helped with social services and housing, but agencies that welcome them also spend months up to five years offering some forms of job training, language classes and even driver training so they transition into the Houston community. We are participating, we are paying taxes, Laghmanai said. Like anybody, we are working on achieving long-term goals. Naqibullah Laghmanai, a 35-year-old Special Immigrant Visa refugee from Afghanistan, speaks about the uncertainty of his familys situation Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at the Afghan Village restaurant in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Laghmanai said while he understands immigration is a political issue, many do not recognize the distinction with refugees. People who go through this kind of vetting process should not be affected, he said. There is a limited number. I understand the processing, but respect the process. We were done. For that to be derailed so suddenly because of an administration change is jarring and unfair, he said. Still, Laghmanai said it can be hard when politics is involved. I know somebody who voted for (President Trump), and I spoke to him last weekend, Laghmanai said. I asked him, and he said there is some other agenda he supported. He didnt vote for this. Mahammad encouraged fellow Afghans in Houston and around the U.S., whether they were hopeful or skeptical of whatever changes Trump makes to the refugee resettlement process, to continue focusing on rebuilding their lives. Make sure you focus on your daily work to be able to stand on your feet, he said. Do not listen to everyones talking, and do not create tensions or anxiety (within the community). Just keep hope. His message to the Trump administration: Fix the special visa process, reunite families and keep the promises the U.S. made to its Afghan allies. Theres hope that he would respect people who worked with the U.S. and fought against the Taliban for years, Mahammad said. If they dont do what was promised to people, that can hurt (the United States international reputation). We hope he is a smart man and does what is required. Laghmanai would welcome his mother and brothers to join that growing Houston Afghan diaspora. The rooms are ready. After years of paperwork, interviews and check-ins with U.S. officials, they were just starting to believe him when he said they were close. His younger brothers began thinking it was really happening when the U.S. cleared their medical evaluations. Their mother, whose refugee case was handled by the embassy in Qatar because the Pakistani embassy was too crowded with refugee requests, was also at the point where a flight seemed imminent. Laghmanai is fearful his mother will lose patience and return to Afghanistan rather than remain exiled in Islamabad. He and his brothers fear their mother and younger brothers will be persecuted because they fled to America. As he advocates for his family Laghmanai called the office of U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, for help on Thursday he also manages expectations with his mother and brothers about when they will be able to travel to Houston. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/AP Photo Just one week after he was sworn in for his second term, President Donald Trumps Cabinet is beginning to come together. Four of his appointees have officially been confirmed by the Senate, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director John Ratcliffe of the CIA, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (whose final vote was particularly fraught). Some of Trumps most controversial picks will sit for their confirmation hearings this week, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Kash Patel, and Tulsi Gabbard. The road to confirmation seems most rocky for Gabbard, Trumps choice for director of national intelligence, who will be questioned by the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday. Many key senators have voiced concerns over her policy views and a meeting with former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Heres what we know about Gabbard and her chances of being confirmed. Who is Tulsi Gabbard? At first glance, Gabbard doesnt appear to fit the mold of a typical Trump nominee. A veteran of the Army National Guard, Gabbard served four terms in the House of Representatives as a Democrat representing Hawaii. Gabbard resigned from her role as Democratic National Committee vice-chair in 2016 in order to endorse Bernie Sanderss candidacy for president. She later mounted her own primary bid for president in 2020 but later dropped out and threw her support behind Joe Biden. After her exit from Congress in 2021, Gabbards political positions began to grow more conservative, culminating in her public split with the Democratic Party and eventual endorsement of Trump. Last November, Trump announced that he was selecting Gabbard to serve as his director of national intelligence, citing her military experience. I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength. Tulsi will make us all proud! he said in a statement posted to Truth Social. What have senators said about Gabbards nomination? Gabbard did not allay concerns about her qualifications during her recent meetings with senators on Capitol Hill. Republican aides told The Wall Street Journal that Gabbard appeared unclear about what the position entailed during a meeting with Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma, who serves on the Senate Intelligence Committee. In December, one Senate Republican told The Hill, Ive heard that shes not very well prepared Ive heard not great things. As a House Democrat, Gabbard previously voted against the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows the government to gather the electronic communications of foreign targets without a warrant, citing concerns about its possible threat to civil liberties. Several Republican senators indicated publicly that Gabbards stance could be problematic for her, prompting a reversal from Gabbard on the subject. Gabbard is also facing questions about a 2017 meeting with President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, who was recently deposed. At the time, Gabbard received significant criticism for her secret trip to the region and meeting with Assad, a leader that the U.S. government recognizes as a dictator responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of his own citizens. On Sunday, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said in an interview on NBC News Meet the Press that he is inclined to vote yes but wants to see if Gabbards hearing answers his lingering questions. Why did you go to Syria? What did you do regarding Assad? Why do you think Edward Snowden should be hailed as a hero? I certainly dont, he said. Will Gabbard be confirmed? Pete Hegseths recent confirmation offered a preview of the tough fight that Gabbard is likely to face. While the new secretary of Defense was voted out of committee with relative ease, Gabbard will need support of the majority of the Senate Intelligence Committee to advance and cannot afford to lose one Republican on the panel, a result thats not a 100 percent certainty. Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who voted against Hegseth, serves on the committee and appears undecided on her nomination. She told Axios that Gabbards previous backing of a House measure that supported dropping the federal charges against Edward Snowden has prompted concern. Punchbowl News reports that Senator Todd Young of Indiana, a Republican, is viewed as a possible swing vote on the committee who could opt against supporting Gabbard. If she gets beyond the committee, Republicans can only afford to lose three votes in the whole chamber in order to confirm Gabbard. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, a Republican and the chairman of the committee, has denounced what he deems smears against Gabbard and her record. Tulsi served for more than 20 years honorably, she passed every background check, and shes a patriot with integrity. She doesnt deserve to have her integrity impugned, he said on social media. 23 items in this article Photo-Illustration: The Strategist They say the way to someones heart is through their stomach, and whether or not you believe thats true, you cant deny that food makes a perfect Valentines Day gift. Theres something out there for everyone your best friend, your partner, your spouse, your crush, your kid, you name it. Whether youre looking for an indulgence or a cheap sweet treat, something that will last months or a goodie that is best enjoyed as soon as possible, we rounded up all the best giftable foods we could think of for your shopping pleasure. Now that we are just five days away from Valentines Day, shipping times are changing rapidly and weve already passed some retailers shipping cutoffs. Ive noted below anything that wont arrive on time or that youll have to pay expedited shipping for to receive it by Valentines Day. Update on February 10, 2025: Noted items that wont arrive by Valentines Day or that require expedited shipping; updated price and stock for all products. Chocolate and candy Sweethearts Valentines Heart Candies Bag $4 $4 Another classic pick is a bag of Sweethearts, because its never not a pleasurable time to sift through and read all the messages. $4 at Target Buy Fine & Raw Truffle Gift Set $30 $30 All of Fine & Raws truffles are vegan and made by hand in Brooklyn with sustainably sourced cacao. Not to mention, they come in the cutest gift box. Theres a smaller four-piece set and larger 24-piece set available, too. [Editors note: You may have to pay for two-day shipping to ensure these truffles arrive before Valentines Day.] $30 at Fine & Raw Buy La Maison du Chocolat Orangettes Gift Box $91 $91 These orangettes orange peels that are cooked in sugar until theyre tender, balanced, and translucent, then covered in dark chocolate hail from La Maison du Chocolat in Paris. Theyre a perfect midday pick-me-up or after-dinner bite. $91 at Williams Sonoma Buy Askinosie Chocolate Covered Malt Balls $20 $20 Jeni Britton Bauer, founder of Jenis Splendid Ice Creams and restauranteur Danny Meyer are both big fans of Askinosie. One hundred percent of the chocolate he sells is traceable to the farmer who grew the cocoa beans himself, Meyer says. Thats probably not something you find on your average Whopper. $20 at Askinosie Chocolate Buy Spicewalla Mexican Deluxe Hot Chocolate $25 $25 The fact that Valentines Day falls during the coldest part of the year makes it the perfect time to gift a decadent tin of hot chocolate. This one is made from Guittard cocoa and infused with cinnamon, cayenne, salt, and nutmeg. $25 at Spicewalla Buy BonBon Small Gift Box $18 $18 Several Strategist staffers are big fans of BonBon, which sells naturally colored candies imported from Sweden. They look like kids stuff but are delicious on a whole other level. You can DIY your own box with a mix of sweet and sour treats. [Editors note: This wont arrive by Valentines Day.] $18 at BonBon Buy Baked goods Dandelion Lovebird Macarons $65 $65 Macaron are always a hit, and Dandelion Chocolate makes lovely ones. This box comes with three varieties, each highlighting a different cocoa bean. Order by February 8 for arrival by Valentines Day. [Editors note: This macaron box is currently sold out.] $65 at Dandelion Chocolate Buy Dandelion Chocolate Chocolate Gateau Basque $60 $60 Another offering from Dandelion Chocolate is this all-chocolate take on the traditional Basque country dessert, a crisp-tender pastry crust with a velvety chocolate filling. Strategist senior editor Winnie Yang has received it as a gift and says she was bowled over by how intensely rich and chocolaty it was, calling it a very special and sophisticated treat. [Editors note: This Basque desert only arrives by Valetnines Day with expedited shipping.] $60 at Dandelion Chocolate Buy Patisserie Fouet Assorted Cookie Tin $48 $48 Another gorgeous cookie option comes from Patisserie Fouet. All their sweets are so refined and decadent, says Zach Mangan, owner of the matcha company Kettl. Eating a cookie from them is like your first glass of really nice wine once you experience it, you can never go back. [Editors note: This cookie tin may not arrive by Valentines Day.] $48 at Patisserie Fouet Buy Pantry staples Flamingo Estate The Tablemates $98 $98 Pantry staples arent as obvious of a Valentines Day gift as chocolate or candy, but for the right recipient, a bottle or jar of something special will go a long way. Flamingo Estates olive oil and balsamic vinegar are bottles theyll treasure for drizzling over many meals to come. [Editors note: This gift box is currently sold out, but you can still get the set without gift box wrapping for $85. You may have to choose expedited shipping to receive this by Valentines Day.] $98 at Flamingo Estate Buy Detroit Hives Delicious Dope Wildflower Honey $20 $20 Give them some nice honey to stir into their tea or coffee especially appreciated if they currently use a grocery-store-bought honey bear. This one is recommended by recipe developer and cookbook author Julia Turshen, who loves how the company supports the local Detroit community. [Editors note: This honey may not arrive by Valentines Day.] $20 at Detroit Hives Buy SOS Chefs Chili Vinegar $7 $7 This chili vinegar tastes like Franks RedHot, but so much better, say Helena Barquet and Fabiana Faria, owners of New York Citys beloved design shop Coming Soon. The chili they use is a bit sweeter, but the overall taste is more vinegar-y. It delivers more than just heat. It can be used on eggs, in Bloody Marys pretty much anywhere. $7 at SOS Chefs Buy Big Night Box: Tinned Afishionado $150 $150 If tinned fish sounds like an unfitting gift for a romantic holiday, Big Nights box makes all the difference in presentation, filled with a truly special collection. (Ill also say: This store is a great place to shop if you want to put together your own little mix of fancy pantry items, curated to your recipients tastes.) $150 at Big Night Buy Botanica Breakfast Box $90 $90 For the morning person, consider this curation of breakfast treats from one of my favorite Los Angeles restaurants, Botanica. It features seasonal preserves, its beloved granola, a bag of freshly roasted Canyon Coffee beans, a tin of tea, and a bag of Honey Hi x CAP Beauty gluten-free pancake mix. [Editors note: This breakfast box only arrives by Valentines Day with expedited shipping.] $90 at Botanica Restaurant Buy Drinks Shirakawa Samidori Matcha $48 $48 Kettls matcha is super high quality, sure to be appreciated by anyone in your life who likes to fix their own cup. This variety, which the company describes as light and sweet, is one of many to browse. $48 at Kettl Buy Trade Coffee Monthly Subscription From $32 From $32 Photo: Retailer A subscription is the gift that keeps on giving. This one, our top pick, allows you to customize the kind of beans that will arrive based on the general category of coffee you like, whether light, dark, nutty, or fruity. We also have a roundup of great wine subscriptions if thats more their thing. From $32 at Trade Coffee Buy C. Cassis Blackcurrant Liqueur $30 $30 C. Cassis would make a beautiful addition to their bar cart, a blackcurrant liqueur made in the Hudson Valley by Rachael Petach. (The currants are grown just a few miles down the road from where the product is made.) Its delicious to sip on its own or mixed with seltzer for a light spritz. [Editors note: This liqueur may not arrive by Valentines Day, but you can choose in-store pickup, depending on your location.] $30 at Flatiron Wines & Spirits Buy Via Carota Classic Negroni $39 $39 Via Carotas bottled cocktails come in vessels as elegant as any bottle of booze, and are as perfectly balanced as you find them in the famed New York City restaurant. I love its negroni, but there are others to choose from, too, like an old-fashioned or espresso martini. Just chill, pour, and drink. $39 at Via Carota Buy St. Agrestis Non-Alcoholic Starter Pack $65 $65 If they like a nonalcoholic cocktail, St. Agrestis makes some great ones. Youve probably heard of its Phony Negroni (the most common to see around, and a favorite of several Strategist staffers) but this pack also includes mezcal negroni, amaro, and espresso negroni bottles. $65 at St. Agrestis Buy 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 the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. CPR: A Lifesaving Workplace Priority Making CPR training a workplace priority saves lives, empowers employees and strengthens workplace safety culture. Before transitioning to safety, working on the front lines as a firefighter and emergency medical technician provided first-hand insight into the critical importance of lifesaving training. From high-stakes emergencies to routine calls, proper preparation often proved to be the difference between life and death. February is American Heart Month, a time to emphasize the importance of heart health and preparedness. For workplaces across industries, this is the perfect opportunity to focus on a critical lifesaving skill: cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR training is more than a compliance checkbox. Its a commitment to creating safer workplaces and empowering employees to save lives. Why Every Workplace Needs CPR Training Cardiac arrest does not discriminate by location or occupation. According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals each year in the United States, often in workplaces, public spaces or homes. The odds of survival can double or even triple with prompt CPR. Workplaces may lack trained responders, missing a crucial opportunity to make a life-or-death difference. CPR training equips employees with the knowledge and confidence to act decisively in emergencies. When paired with proper workplace policies, it can not only save lives during critical moments before emergency responders arrive but also reduce liability by meeting or exceeding occupational safety standards. The Importance of CPR Training Requirements Training requirements exist not only to ensure preparedness for real-world emergencies but also because past incidents revealed critical gaps where lives were lost or outcomes could have been improved. These standards are supported by data and evidence. Improved survival rates. Studies show that workplaces with trained responders experience better outcomes during cardiac emergencies. Workforce empowerment. Employees who receive CPR training are more likely to step in and help, reducing hesitation in high-stakes situations. Increased AED accessibility. Many training programs also teach the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), which are often the only way to restore a normal heart rhythm. By embedding CPR training into workplace safety programs, organizations not only meet regulatory expectations but also foster a proactive safety culture. Chinese researchers from the Institute of Plasma Physics (ASIPP) at the Hefei Institute of Physical Science have managed to sustain a nuclear fusion reaction at a temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius for 1,066 seconds, breaking their previous record of 403 seconds they set in April 2023. The achievement by Chinas Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) marks yet another milestone in the countrys quest to win the ongoing nuclear fusion race among China, the United States, Japan, South Korea and the European Union. Its been seven decades ever since scientists started working on nuclear fusion technology, with the allure of almost limitless clean energy proving too powerful to resist. The U.S. was among the worlds first countries to bet big on this futuristic gambit, working on fusion research in earnest since the early 1950s with Chinas foray coming much later. However, China has been making rapid progress over the past decade, and now owns more fusion patents than any other country according to industry data published by Nikkei. Further, Beijing is pumping in ~$1.5 billion annually into fusion research, according to Jean Paul Allain, who leads the US Energy Departments Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, nearly double Washingtons fusion tab at $800 million a year. To me, whats more important than the number, its actually how fast theyre doing this, Allain told CNN. Even more alarming is the fact that a small, relatively unknown Chinese fusion startup has been able to achieve what even France-based International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), funded and run by seven countries since 2006, has been unable to pull off. Last year, Shanghai-based Energy Singularity effectively completed the engineering feasibility verification of high-temperature superconducting for its Honghuang 70 (HH70) tokamak device, giving China a first-mover advantage in the critical field of high-temperature superconducting magnetic confinement fusion. Energy Singularity has also become the world's first commercial company to build and operate an all-superconducting tokamak. Related: Will Trump Trigger a New Oil Price War Between OPEC and The West? "The design work of the device began in March 2022, and the overall installation was completed by the end of February this year, setting the fastest record for the research and construction of superconducting tokamak devices worldwide," Yang Zhao, Energy Singularity's Chief Executive Officer, has revealed. So, how did this little-known Chinese company manage to pull off in two years what ITER has failed to achieve in nearly two decades? According to Yang, using high-temperature superconducting materials can reduce the volume of a device to about 2 percent of that of traditional low-temperature superconducting devices, allowing the construction period of the device to be shortened from ~ 30 years to just 3-4 years. According to Yang, the company owns independent intellectual property rights of HH70, with a domestication rate of over 96 percent, adding that all of the device's magnet systems are constructed using high-temperature superconducting materials. Despite its commendable success, Energy Singularity is not resting on its laurels, with Yang revealing the company plans to complete the next generation high magnetic field high-temperature superconducting tokamak device dubbed HH170 with a deuterium-tritium equivalent energy gain (Q) greater than 10 by 2027. In nuclear fusion parlance, the Q value reflects the energy efficiency of the fusion reactor, that is, the ratio of the energy generated by the device to the energy input required to sustain the fusion reaction. Q values greater than 1 means the reactor generates more energy than what it consumes, which is essentially what fusion research has been trying to achieve in a commercial reactor for decades. Currently, the greatest Q factor that scientists have achieved is just 1.53. Big Spending Energy Singularity has so far received about $112 million in private investment. In contrast, Charles Seife, director of the Arthur L. Carter Institute of Journalism at New York University, estimates that ITER project costs have surpassed 20 billion ($21.8 billion), more than four times the original budget of 5 billion (then $5.5 billion) and nearly a decade late from its 2016 delivery date. That said, Energy Singularity is not the only fusion startup thats pursuing small reactor designs. Deven, Massachusetts-based Commonwealth Fusion Systems is collaborating with MIT to build their small fusion reactor. Dubbed Sparc, the reactor is ~1/65th the volume of ITER's reactor. The experimental reactor is expected to generate about 100 MW of heat energy in pulses of about 10 seconds - bursts big enough to power a small city. Small reactors are hardly unique to the nuclear fusion sector. The Biden administration was a strong proponent of Small Modular Reactors (SMR) that have been making waves in the nuclear fission space. Four years ago, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved Centrus Energy Corp.s (NYSE:LEU) request to make High Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) at its enrichment facility in Piketon, Ohio, becoming the first company in the western world outside Russia to do so. Applications for HALEU are currently limited to research reactors and medical isotope production; however, HALEU will be needed for more than half of the SMRs currently in development across the globe. HALEU is only currently available from TENEX, a Rosatom subsidiary By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Small modular reactor (SMR) technology has improved immensely in recent years, as several nuclear power companies around the globe aim to launch small-scale nuclear projects to provide clean energy within the next decade. SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors with a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, equivalent to about one-third the generating capacity of a conventional nuclear reactor. SMRs are much smaller than traditional reactors and are modular, making it easier to assemble them in factories and transport them to the site. Because of their smaller size, SMRs can be installed on sites that are not suitable for conventional reactors. They are also significantly cheaper and faster to build than traditional nuclear reactors and can be constructed incrementally to meet the growing energy demand of a site. The SMR market is expected to grow from $6 billion in 2024 to $7.14 billion in 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3 percent. The Asia Pacific and Americas markets will likely be the main drivers of this growth. In the U.S., an increasing number of tech companies are investing in SMR technology with the hopes of powering their high-energy-demand data centers with clean energy. The sector hopes SMR technology will be available to power several data centers by the 2030s, as their power demand grows in line with the rollout of artificial intelligence and other complex technologies. This has led Google to order seven SMRs, and Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta to follow suit. The growing demand for clean energy is encouraging conventional nuclear power companies and various startups to invest heavily in the development of SMR technology. There are over 90 separate designs for SMRs worldwide, many of which are backed by governments. However, many of these designs are in the initial phases of development and have not yet been tested for functionality. Bill Gatess Terrapower is one of the U.S. companies currently building SMRs. The sanctions on Russian energy have led to delays in the advancement of the companys SMR technology as, until recently, Russia was the only country to produce the HALEU, the high-assay low-enriched uranium required to power the reactors. However, with the U.S. commencing production of its first HALEU plant in November, there are high hopes for faster progress in the coming years. Terrapower broke ground on its first project in Wyoming in August and is awaiting approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which is expected by the end of 2026, to develop an advanced nuclear reactor. Unlike conventional reactors, the firms equipment uses sodium, not water, for cooling. In the U.K., the government is backing the development of SMR technology. In December, the former national security adviser Stephen Lovegrove was appointed chair of the board of the Rolls-Royce-led consortium developing SMRs. Lovegrove said that Rolls-Royce is around 18 months ahead of the competition in developing SMR technology. Great British Nuclear (GBN) is currently running a competition between six companies to award contracts to develop SMRs, including Rolls-Royce SMR, American-owned Holtec, GE Hitachi, and Canadian-owned Westinghouse. The successful company will be awarded billions of pounds of public and private investment to develop the technology, to support government aims to expand the U.K.s nuclear power sector. GBN was previously expected to provide approval for the development of an SMR by 2029, before shifting the deadline to 2031, and then again to 2032 or 2033. Rolls-Royce says the delays have held them back. The company hopes to develop its first 470-MW SMR in the U.K., before installing other SMRs in the Czech Republic and other European countries. In the Netherlands, the Nuclear Startup Thorizon announced a new consortium to develop a molten salt SMR. Thorizon has partnered with Dutch companies Demcon and VDL Group to set up an advanced testing facility to accelerate SMR technology development. The firm is currently building a 100-MW molten salt reactor, Thorizon One, which it hopes to get running in a pilot plant by the mid-2030s. It expects the first prototype to be fuelled by a mix of long-lived radioactive waste from existing nuclear facilities and thorium. This will transform much of the long-lived waste into short-lived waste. Molten salt reactors are powered by a radioactive solution that blends fissionable isotopes with a liquid salt. While they can be powered using uranium, they run optimally on thorium, a cleaner, safer, and more abundant nuclear fuel. The reactor is expected to be safer and more efficient than water-cooled plants. The project has been given support from the French government as part of its France 2030 innovation program and was selected as a key project by the European Commission in the EUs SMR industrial alliance framework. Several companies worldwide are making advances in SMR technology, with the first reactors expected to be launched within the next decade. With a growing demand for clean energy, from both governments and the private sector, there is a significant incentive to rapidly develop the technology. In addition, SMRs could be used on a wide range of sites not suitable for conventional reactors, with the potential to massively expand the reach of nuclear power. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The cultivation of coca and production of cocaine has been fueled by a complex interplay of factors, including demand, profitability, and the involvement of illegal armed groups. In a shocking development, Colombias cocaine production, for the 10th year straight, soared to a new record high. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates that the years annual output grew 52% year over year to a startling 2,664 metric tons, the largest amount ever produced. Despite the government in the capital Bogota, with U.S. backing, committing substantial resources to disrupt what is now an economically crucial illicit industry in rural Colombia coca cultivation and cocaine manufacturing keeps spiraling higher. The booming cocaine trade drives heightened insecurity and corruption which are damaging key economic sectors, notably the fiscally vital petroleum industry with oil Colombias most valuable export. Since the 1990s, except for a brief period from 2011 to 2012, Colombia has consistently been the world's leading cultivator of the coca plant. The bushy shrubs alkaloid-rich leaves, long chewed by Indigenous South Americans to boost energy and ward off altitude sickness, are the vital precursor needed to manufacture the popular recreational narcotic cocaine hydrochloride which is widely consumed in developed nations around the world. The volume of cocaine produced is spiraling ever higher despite Colombia, since the 1980s, waging a multi-billion-dollar U.S.-backed war on drugs, This conflict not only failed to stem the flow of cocaine but prolonged Colombias civil war and cost hundreds of thousands of Colombians (Spanish), mostly civilians, their lives. There are multiple reasons for this, but the key is the weakness of the Colombian state which is exacerbated by Bogota being caught in a protracted country-wide multiparty asymmetric conflict rooted in inequality, Cold War politics and foreign interference. Colombias widespread poverty and lawlessness create favorable conditions for the growth of illicit economies, such as smuggling, thereby allowing the cocaine trade to take root. While the cocaine business has existed since the early 1970s in Colombia, it was the formation of the Medellin and Cali Cartels toward the end of that decade that put the Andean country firmly on the global map as a leading cocaine exporter. The vast profits cocaine generates caught the attention of a multitude of illegal armed groups across Latin America including those waging a vicious decades-long civil war in Colombia. This led to a significant escalation in the conflict among cartels, leftist guerrillas, and right-wing paramilitaries, all vying for control of the lucrative billion-dollar illicit industry. These events sparked a vicious cycle of escalating violence, which fueled further lawlessness thereby perpetuating the conditions that allowed the cocaine trade to thrive. Surprisingly, large-scale cultivation of the coca plant did not occur in Colombia when the Medellin Cartel was at the peak of its power during the 1980s. Estimates put the amount of coca being cultivated during the mid-1980s at a mere 32,000 acres or 13,000 hectares, roughly a twentieth of what it is today. Both the Medellin and Cali Cartels, at the time the worlds largest suppliers of the drug, relied upon coca paste imported from Bolivia and Peru to manufacture the cocaine they were shipping to the U.S. and Europe. This changed as other illegal armed groups, particularly rightwing paramilitary death squads and the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC Spanish initials) entered the fray. Undeniably, the April 1997 arrival of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC Spanish initials) was a pivotal moment. The paramilitary umbrella group was financed by the cocaine trade from the get-go receiving payments from various trafficking groups, notably the Norte de Valle Cartel. The AUCs formation heralded the introduction of large-scale coca cultivation to Colombia. The paramilitary leadership, who were major narcotic traffickers, moved rapidly to secure the supply of coca leaves, the essential precursor needed to manufacture cocaine. The ultraviolent group, responsible for most civilian deaths during Colombias armed conflict, came to dominate key parts of the economy having cultivated ties to politicians, security forces and domestic as well as international corporations. By 1998, a year after the AUC was formed and years after the fall of the Medellin and Cali cartels, there were an estimated 200,000 acres (80,000 hectares) of coca being grown in Colombia. To put that in perspective it is over six times the land utilized a decade earlier to grow the bushy alkaloid-rich plant. Since then, the amount of coca grown in Colombia continually soared to annual record highs. The cultivation of the coca plant and the highly profitable transformation of the bushs alkaloid-rich leaves into cocaine hydrochloride became a leading driver of Colombias civil war and prolonged the conflict. UNODC data shows the volume of land (Spanish) under coca cultivation in 2023 grew 10% year over year to a record 625,176 acres or 253,000 hectares. This occurred despite the significant measures undertaken by Bogota to stem coca cultivation and cocaine manufacturing. The volume of coca cultivation, as the chart shows, soared after President Juan Manuel Santos halted aerial spraying of coca with glyphosate in 2015 due to serious health impacts becoming known. Source: UNODC Colombia Coca Cultivation Surveys 2013 to 2023. In fact, by the end of 2015, the amount of coca planted in Colombia (Spanish) shot up by a startling 39% when compared to 2014 to 237,221 acres (96,000 hectares). The rising volume of coca grown in Colombia accelerated even faster after aerial spraying ceased with the acreage cultivated in 2016 soaring by an eye-popping 52% year over year to 360,773 acres (146,000 hectares). A potent cocktail is driving cocaine production higher despite Bogotas efforts to manually eradicate coca, destroy laboratories and interdict shipments. A key driver is growing demand for the drug in developed countries, the sale of which generates immense profits for traffickers, incentivizing their illegal activities. While cocaine consumption is falling in the U.S., the worlds largest consumer, it is rising in Western Europe and Oceania with recreational consumption enjoying a renaissance in the UK, Belgium, Netherlands, France, New Zealand and Australia. The tremendous profits generated by cocaine trafficking form a massive incentive for all participants in the illegal industry to expand supply. This is the case for Colombias illegal armed groups, notably the Gulf Clan, FARC dissidents and National Liberation Army (ELN Spanish initials) who after losing Cold War funding came to rely heavily on cocaine revenue. Undeniably, Bogotas minimal presence in remote regions creates a fertile environment for illicit economies which combined with the tremendous profits generated by cocaine trafficking stimulates production. These factors coupled with transnational cocaine traffickers pressuring Colombias illegal armed groups to maintain supply incentivize those organizations to bolster efficiency, hence profitability, by improving coca cultivation and cocaine manufacturing techniques. This becomes apparent when considering that despite Bogotas mounting efforts to eradicate coca crops, destroy illegal laboratories and interdict shipments cocaine supply continues expanding. As the chart shows, 2023 seizures of cocaine reached an all-time high, which incidentally did nothing to curb the flow of the narcotic. Source: UNODC Colombia Coca Cultivation Surveys 2013 to 2023. These developments, especially with coca cultivation and cocaine production hitting annual highs every year over the last decade, sparked considerable controversy over whether the drug is Colombias most valuable commodity. Over a year ago, Bloomberg claimed cocaine was on track to overtake oil and become Colombias top export. Unsurprisingly, since that article cocaine production has soared by over 50% while coca cultivation expanded by 10%, with those numbers underscoring just how efficient the manufacture of the narcotic is becoming. It is difficult to see cocaine shipments from Colombia exceeding the value of petroleum exports any time soon. For 2023, National Statistical Agency data shows oil exports earned Colombia nearly $16 billion (Spanish), whereas various estimates put the value of cocaine shipments at around $7 billion. Of grave concern is that soaring coca cultivation and cocaine output pose a genuine threat to the economy and socioeconomic stability, especially in rural Colombia. The substantial profits generated by cocaine strengthen illegal armed groups, enhancing their efforts to challenge the state by undermining the rule of law and government institutions through corruption and violence. This will impact Colombias floundering economy, particularly the oil industry, while derailing urgently needed socioeconomic development and destroying communities. By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com A national energy emergency declaration, a pledge to boost oil and gas production, and the threat of tariffs on Canadian oilthese are just a few of President Trumps first moves in the energy game since he came into office. These moves have potential implications for energy companies around the worldand this includes Argentina, which just booked a major energy trade surplus. Thanks to Trump, this may soon change. Last year, Argentina generated an energy trade surplus last year that was the highest in 18 years, with exports gaining 22.3% and imports slumping by 49.4%. In money terms, the energy trade surplus of the South American nation stood at $5.668 billion. This was made possible by three things: the Vaca Muerta shale, which is the second-biggest shale play in the world; a pro-business policy by the Milei government; and Chinas still strong appetite for crude as the Asian powerhouse was the biggest buyer of Argentinian oil. That was then, while President Biden pushed for more subsidies for EV battery makers and more offshore wind turbines off the U.S. coast. Now, Trump is in the White House, and there will be no offshore turbines for a while. What there will be, per plans, is easier drilling permits and more oil and gas productionwhich would inevitably depress prices bar a fresh war in the Middle East. Like most analysts, those in Argentina agree that Trumps Drill, baby, drill ambition would be bearish for international oil prices. Also, like most analysts, Argentinian ones focus on the degree of that bullishness rather than the fact that Trump cannot order oil companies to Drill, baby, drill. Per the Argentinian publication the Buenos Aires Herald, more U.S. output could bring Brent crude down to $65 per barrel. Related: Tamboran Resources Pitches $5 Billion Natural Gas-Powered Data Center This could squeeze the revenues of Argentinian oil producers as it would squeeze the revenues of everyone else, but it has to happen first. And Big Oil is not really on board with much more production, which is beneficial for Argentinian oil producers. Oil production in the Vaca Muerta play has quadrupled over the past five years, from less than 90,000 barrels per day to almost 400,000 bpd as of the third quarter of 2024a figure representing a 35% annual increase. Expectations are that Vaca Muertas crude oil output will hit 1 million bpd by the end of the decade. Of course, compared to over 6 million barrels daily for just the Permian in the United States, 400,000 bpd is small potatoes. Yet it is not small potatoes for Argentinaand Trumps policies may actually contribute to the countrys oil industry growth. While the impact of Trump's energy policies on international prices is widely seen as bearish, his foreign policy might have bullish implications for some oil producers, such as Argentina. He will seek to reconfigure energy markets in a fragmented world order. His strategy will prioritize U.S. energy dominance and the use of oil and gas as geopolitical tools, a senior equity research analyst at Adcap Grupo Financiero told the Buenos Aires Herald. The use of these tools, on Iran and Russia, for instance, would lead to higher prices, Matias Cattaruzzi explained, but added that using energy exports as a pressure tool on Europe could strain Europe-U.S. relations. In such a context, alternative suppliers of critical commodities stand to benefit, and Argentina is one such alternative supplier that is eager to export even more of the energy commodities it produces. Of course, it bears noting that Trump has not yet imposed sanctions on either Russia or Iran. In fact, for now, he seems to be focusing on neighbor Canada, angering the local politicians by saying the U.S. does not need Canadian crude. Alas, Argentine crude is no alternative to Canadian crude that the U.S. does not need because, like U.S. shale, the oil extracted from the Vaca Muerta is light and sweet. Yet even so, the Trump presidency could prove a net positive for Argentinas oil and gas industry, even with an initial decline in international prices. First, because, as already noted, oil producers would not simply start drilling more because Trump says so. Second, global oil demand remains quite resilient to energy policy experiments. Third, Trump just withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which has already started a chain reaction. This chain reaction actually began before Trump was even sworn in, with the exodus of half a dozen big banks from net-zero industry groups. The European Peoples Party joined in, demanding a return to 2019 EU emission reduction targets, which were a lot less ambitious than the 2023 ones, and even the International Energy Agency revised its oil demand projections for this year higher in evidence of oil demands resilience. Trumps presidency may be challenging for oil producers price-wise, for a while, but ultimately, it would likely be of benefit to them. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Oil prices have remained relatively rangebound following Trump's first week in office despite a significant amount of media noise and political news. - The ramifications of the Biden administrations sanctions on Russias shadow fleet continue to roil oil markets, with the Brent-Dubai spread traded on ICE Futures expanding to its widest since at least 2015. - The Middle Easts Dubai medium sour benchmark traditionally trades at a discount to Brent, but panic buying from Indian and Chinese refiners sent it to a $2.1 per barrel premium over the global benchmark. - Asian refiners prefer prompt cargoes that are set to load over the upcoming weeks to avoid any shortfalls in crude deliveries, with frantic purchases putting Dubais average daily traded volume this month to 56,000 contracts, the highest on record. - As Dubai-pegged grades become too expensive, Chinese refiners have almost doubled their purchases of Brazilian crude, buying almost 800,000 b/d for April, whilst Indias spot tenders have seen state-owned refiners like IOC doubling down on West African sweet barrels from Nigeria and Angola. Market Movers - US oil major ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) started exploratory drilling its Electra prospect in offshore Cyprus, previously describing the area west of the island as highly promising despite it being the first ever wildcat in Block 5. - US oil and gas firm ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) has taken over the Kebabangan cluster of fields in offshore Malaysia with an export capacity of 750 MMCf/day, following Petronas transfer of operator right. - Appalachia-focused US oil producer Diversified Energy (NYSE:DEC) agreed to buy private equity-owned Maverick Natural Resources for $1.28 billion, boosting its Permian exposure with some 77,000 boe/d of production. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 The media frenzy of Donald Trumps first week in office has not been reflected in oil price movement as ICE Brent continues to trade in a relatively thin bandwidth of $77-79 per barrel. However, risks are tilted to the downside with ballooning Dubai backwardation, continuously weak Chinese manufacturing numbers, and Trumps messaging vis-a-vis OPEC. It would take a major disruption such as a potential shutdown in Libya to send Brent futures back above $80 per barrel. Deportation Rows Adds to Trump Risk Premium. Donald Trumps threats to slap a 25% tariff on Colombias imports to the United States have roiled commodity markets, with 41% of Colombian oil exports sold in the US, a move averted by Bogotas agreeing to take in deported migrants. Trump Halts All Environmental Litigation. US President Donald Trump has reportedly halted all pending environmental litigation and reassigned four Justice Department attorneys, despite not being political appointees, focused on the issue to the newly created Sanctuary City Working Group. Protesters Seek to Block Libyan Exports Again. Oil loadings from two key Libyan ports, Es Sider and Ras Lanuf with a combined capacity of some 450,000 b/d, have been brought to a standstill after protesters blocked the sites, demanding that the state oil firm NOC relocate to the countrys east. Chinese Teapots Halt Runs as Losses Deepen. As market premiums for Middle Eastern grades spiral out of control and import tariffs on fuel oil tripled, at least four Chinese teapot refiners with a combined capacity of 320,000 b/d have halted refinery operations in Shandong province this month. Chevron Officially Starts Kazakhstan Megaproject. US oil major Chevron (NYSE:CVX) reached first oil from its $48 billion expansion project of the giant Tengiz field in Kazakhstan, hoping to reach peak output of 960,000 b/d by the end of Q2 2025, a 25% increase compared to previous output rates. Europe Eases Sanctions on Syria. EU foreign ministers have agreed on a roadmap to ease sanctions on Syria following the fall of the Assad regime and the emergence of former al Qaeda commander Mohammad al-Julani as the countrys new leader, seeking to lift energy-related restrictions. Bangladesh Banks On Louisiana LNG. Privately held LNG developer Argent LNG signed a non-binding agreement with the government of Bangladesh to supply 5 mtpa of liquefied gas from its planned 20 mtpa Port Fourchon facility, expected to start commercial operations in early 2030. Sudan Civil War Puts an End to Refining. Government forces retook Sudans only refinery, the 100,000 b/d Khartoum plant, wresting control from Sudans rebel RSF militia that has kept it for two years, but this came at the cost of setting it ablaze with smoke plumes big enough to be captured by satellite imagery. Miners Applaud Trumps Policy. Global mining giant Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO) said it is very optimistic about President Trump finally permitting the long-delayed Resolution copper project in Arizona, the US largest untapped deposit containing some 1.8 billion mt of copper, stalled for 12 years. Fires Decimate Iraqi Oil Production. A fire that broke out over the weekend at Iraqs largest oil field Rumaila has reduced production by 300,000 b/d and capped output rates could remain in place for several more days, reportedly after crude was reintroduced to a storage tank after maintenance. Coffee Gets into Pricing Volatility Spiral. Coffee futures soared to an all-time high of $3.555 per pound after Donald Trump threatened to slap tariffs on Colombia, the worlds third-largest exporter of the commodity, adding a new layer of geopolitical risk premium to an already tight market. BHP Gives Up on Anglo American Dream. According to the Financial Times, Melbourne-headquartered mining major BHP (NYSE:BHP) has given up on its goal to acquire rival miner Anglo American (LON:AAL), claiming the deal has become too expensive after Anglos stock price rally. US Power Prices Set to Rise This Year. The EIA expects higher wholesale electricity prices across the United States, with the notable exception of Texas and the Northwest, averaging $40 per MWh over the year, up 7% year-over-year, with California seeing the biggest increases. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com BMW and three Chinese automakers have also filed similar claims against the EU. The EU imposed anti-subsidy tariffs of up to 7.8% on made-in-China Teslas and as high as 35.3% on some Chinese EVs, in addition to the standard 10% import tariff for vehicles. Tesla has filed a lawsuit against the EU over tariffs imposed on imported Chinese-made electric vehicles. Elon Musk's Tesla filed a lawsuit against the European Commission in Luxembourg, challenging tariffs imposed on imported made-in-China electric vehicles. The lawsuit marks the latest friction between Musk and Brussels, further intensifying tensions following his public support for Germany's AfD party that has infuriated EU progressives. Financial Times reports that the European Court of Justice published confirmation of a lawsuit filed by Tesla's Shanghai subsidiary on its website early Monday. No further details were provided about the lawsuit, which follows similar claims filed by Germany's BMW and three Chinese automakers. In October, the EU imposed anti-subsidy tariffs of up to 7.8% on made-in-China Teslas and as high as 35.3% on some Chinese EVs. These were in addition to the standard 10% import tariff for vehicles. The European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, concluded its anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese imports of EVs in 2024. The findings showed China's unfair support for its EV industry, which could produce cheaper EVs than EU automakers. The duties enacted would be active for five years. Transport and Environment data shows that Tesla accounted for 28% of the Chinese-made EVs imported into Europe in 2023. Tesla received the lowest tariff rate among all other EV importers because Beijing provided it with the least financial support. BMW wrote in a statement that EU tariffs on imported EVs "do not strengthen the competitiveness of European manufacturers," but instead "harm business model of globally active companies" and "limit the supply of e-cars to European customers and can therefore even slow down decarbonization in the transport sector." BMW considers it "preferable that a political agreement be sought through negotiation. As stated before, it is important to avoid a trade conflict that only has losers in the end." Meanwhile, Tesla's lawsuit against the bloc complicates things for Musk as he made a recent surprise address at the campaign launch for Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The timing of Musk's support for the AfD and Tesla's tariff dispute with Brussels highlights the growing tension between the world's richest man and the woke progressives running the bloc. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The U.S. supermajors, ExxonMobil and Chevron, continue with their plans to make the most of their priority oil and gas assets and projects and grow cash flows despite the changing geopolitical scene. Last month, both companies announced their 2025 and medium-term capital expenditure plans, which include prioritizing production and development of their so-called advantaged assets. The biggest U.S. shale basin, the Permian, is a priority for both, but so are assets outside the United States, such as oil projects in Guyana and Kazakhstan and LNG developments in America and abroad. Chevron, for example, has just started up oil production at an expansion project at the largest oilfield in Kazakhstan that will boost crude oil output by 260,000 barrels per day (bpd). Chevron, which owns 50% in affiliate Tengizchevroil LLP (TCO), the company operating the giant Tengiz development, achieved first oil at the Future Growth Project (FGP) in the field. The project expands sour gas injection capability and is expected to ramp up total field output to 1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), the U.S. supermajor said last week. First oil at the Future Growth Project is the latest in a series of development milestones, including in the Gulf of Mexico and the Permian, that are expected to significantly increase free cash flow to the company and deliver value for Chevron shareholders, Mark Nelson, Chevron vice chairman, said. While the Kazakhstan development is set to boost Chevrons crude oil production and cash flow, it could further complicate Kazakhstans efforts to compensate for overproduction as part of its commitment to the OPEC+ alliance. Kazakhstan, a non-OPEC producer, is part of the OPEC+ group and has been struggling, alongside Russia and Iraq, to fall in line with its assigned output quota as part of the OPEC+ agreements. Related: Saudi Arabia Set to Hike Oil Prices to Asia to 14-Month High The boost in oil production at Kazakhstans top oilfield comes as U.S. President Donald Trump calls on OPEC to reduce oil prices. Im also going to ask Saudi Arabia and OPEC to bring down the cost of oil, President Trump said in an address to the World Economic Forum last week. The Presidents drill, baby, drill call for a surge in American oil and gas production has not found enthusiastic support from U.S. producers, including the biggest oil firms, Exxon and Chevron. In announcing their capex plans for 2025 and beyond, both supermajors stressed they would seek efficiencies, including in capital allocation. Chevron said that in 2025, Permian Basin spend is lower than the 2024 budget and anticipated to be between $4.5 and $5.0 billion as production growth is reduced in favor of free cash flow. Exxon will prioritize competitively advantaged, high-return, low-cost-of-supply investments, which are the Permian, Guyana, and LNG. In 2025, the company expects cash capital expenditures in the range of $27 to $29 billion, reflecting the first full year of Pioneer in the portfolio and investment to build new businesses, with base capex remaining flat. Exxon has four LNG projects under development and expects to top 40 million metric tons per annum of LNG sales by 2030 to expand its global LNG footprint and market access. The company expects to achieve first LNG sales from the Golden Pass development in the United States and from the Qatar North Field East expansion project near the end of 2025. It also is targeting final investment decisions at Papua New Guineas Papua project in 2025 and at Mozambiques Rovuma development in 2026. Yet, Exxon warned that significant new LNG supply will not be coming to the market until 2026-2027, when many of the new U.S. and Qatari export projects are expected to come on stream. The problem is you dont find gas from one day to the next, Philippe Ducom, President of ExxonMobil Europe, told Bloomberg last week. The U.S. President, who lifted on day one the Biden pause on new LNG permits, has called on Europe to buy more American LNG if it wants to avoid tariffs. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com 12-year-old Rozan Munir Arafat, center in wheelchair, a Palestinian refugee from Gaza who lost her entire family and her left leg in the Israel-Hamas war, is swarmed for photos with the throng of nearly 100 supporters gathered to welcome her arrival from Turkey at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Sept. 1, 2024 in Houston. All refugee admissions to the U.S. were halted by President Trump last week. Michael Wyke/Contributor Ahmad Fardeen Khanzada, right, listens as Shuja Shayan, a logistics case manager with The Alliance, explains what he needs to know about his new permanent apartment he is seeing for the first time, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Houston. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer President Donald Trumps executive order targeting refugee resettlement across the country has left Houston-area refugees and the organizations tasked with helping them rebuild their lives in the United States scrambling for answers. Dozens and potentially hundreds prepared to immigrate, meanwhile, await their trip to Houston, with no date in sight for when they might arrive. Trumps order, signed within hours of his return to the presidency last week, halted all entries through the nations Refugee Admissions Program, effective this Monday morning. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 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, federal officials said in the executive order. The halt will last at least four months, lawyers for immigration groups said. In the meantime, refugee resettlement agencies will continue serving those already in the U.S., and explain when those peoples relatives might arrive, if ever. NEW ERA FOR IMMIGRATION: Houston immigration advocates decry Trump executive orders, vow to defend local communities Refugee aid groups in Houston are rushing to revise their plans for welcoming newcomers to America and ensure recent emigres their services will continue as the Trump administration revises immigration policies. The hiatus is just something we have to adapt to, said Jeff Watkins, chief international initiatives officer for the YMCA of Greater Houston. Our concern is it is delaying protection for those already identified as refugees. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 'Not a lot of details' A total number of those stuck waiting remains unknown, but aid groups in the Houston area estimated at least 200 refugees were scheduled or likely to be scheduled for fights to Houston in the next seven weeks. Anyone with a scheduled plane ticket bound for the U.S. landing is having their ticket and arrival canceled, according to refugee groups scrambling to respond. Wenceslao Garcia, case manager for Ethiopian Community Development Council Houston Multicultural Center, helps an Afghan family with their luggage as they arrive July 17, 2024, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer In the interim, with arrivals stopped, Trumps order instructed federal officials to design a new refugee program focused on refugees able to fully and appropriately assimilate into the United States." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Officials would also identify countries that are not fully complying with U.S. efforts to approve refugees, and then potentially halt resettlement from those nations. Immigration lawyers and refugee rights groups have said listing the non-compliant countries potentially opens the Trump administration to creating a version of the travel ban from some Muslim countries that federal officials attempted during Trumps first term. Specifics, however, remain elusive, said Stephanie Gee, senior director for U.S. legal services for the International Refugee Assistance Project, based in Washington, D.C. Some portions of the new executive order appear verbatim copied and pasted," from orders during Trumps first term, she said, including language from the so-called 2017 Muslim ban that was thrown out by the courts. Another version of the rules eliminating immigration from five specific countries later was upheld by the Supreme Court. So there is not a lot of details in there, she said, leaving it to homeland security and immigration officials to define some of the terms as they proceed. It is pretty simple. The effect, however, leaves refugees with a pretty grim outlook, Gee said, as whatever policy changes occur keep them in a precarious place. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Refugees navigate one of the most cumbersome processes for entry to the U.S., beginning first with United Nations screenings and then an assessment of whether they could possibly meet the criteria for American relocation. U.S. authorities review the case and conduct multiple in-person interviews, followed by pairing the applicant with one of nine resettlement agencies, which coordinates their relocation and where they arrive in America. Trumps order does not include specifics of whether those interviews will need to be redone, or new standards set for refugees who have for years obeyed and waited on the current process. Stopping the process unilaterally without any steps to help applicants is a dereliction of duty, refugee advocates said. Millions of vulnerable people who our nation has pledged to stand beside have been left in danger, with no indication of if or when they will be able to access life-saving assistance again, said Rick Santos, president of Church World Services, one of the nine national refugee assistance groups, in a statement. Local impact looms large Trumps executive order immediately had impact in Houston, leaving dozens of families uncertain when their at-risk relatives will reach American soil. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We know we have 31 clients who are expecting to arrive to be with family members here in the Houston area in February, Watkins said. It appears they will not be arriving. The clients, all Afghans, were coming to Houston to reunite with family members or other sponsors, following months of approvals, background checks and other hurdles simply to receive refugee status and then an entry date. Other groups aiding refugees in Houston said dozens, potentially hundreds, of their clients faced similar dilemmas. A Somali woman in her mid-20s, who declined to speak with a reporter, arrived with the help of Catholic Charities on Jan. 16 after spending months in a refugee camp in Ethiopia with her single mother and seven siblings. When it was time for all of them to go, the mothers lingering illness halted plans, the woman told her Houston caseworkers. As a result, her mother and siblings remained behind because refugees cannot travel while sick. They were expected to arrive on Jan. 27, Catholic Charities officials said, but now expect their flights to be canceled. Watkins said for those operating refugee resettlement efforts in Houston, the significance of the pause is hard to calculate. Refugees often have five years of assistance that resettlement agencies can provide such as language and job training or other assistance with navigating American life. Those already here but receiving government or charitable aid continue needing help, Watkins said. Other agencies also said their case work would continue for approximately 13,000 newcomers even if the flow of refugees stopped. Were committed to serving refugees who are already in our care as they continue to resettle in our community, said Betsy Ballard, communications director for Catholic Charities. Shuja Shayan, a logistics case manager with The Alliance, plays music with Mohammad Naser Khafi, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, inside the apartment where Khafi lives with his extended family in Houston. Khafi said he was heartened to meet Shayan a month ago because both are interested in keeping their love of traditional Afghan music alive in their new home in Houston. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer A spokesperson for Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, one of the major refugee resettlement agencies in the city, said the organization was awaiting further guidance from the State Department before commenting on how Trumps policies will affect its efforts. The Ethiopian Community Development Council-Houston Multicultural Center, a fledgling newcomer in the sphere of Houston refugee resettlement, did not respond to a request for comment. A difficult wait Not having newcomers for months just depletes the number being served or potentially leads to a swell later, something common in resettlement efforts. The previous Trump presidencys policies led to a decline in refugees, and the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions halted relocations entirely for more than a year. For their families, it is simply a difficult wait. Their concern is the safety of their loved ones, Watkins said. The executive order led some newcomers to ask aid groups whether their own status is at risk, said Zenobia Lai, executive director of Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative. One important thing for the refugees already here: They are not losing their ability to apply for permanent residency, Lai said. They are not losing their right after one year to a green card. Trump can alter many parts of the refugee program, but the Jan. 20 executive order cannot alter congressionally-approved laws, which require that all refugee and approved asylum seekers have a set period of aid, and the right to apply for temporary status. That has not changed, she said. It would take an act of Congress. The administration can, and on Friday began telling aid agencies it would, stop funding new work on refugee admissions. Houston-area refugee groups said they were still awaiting guidance from their federal partners on what that means for ongoing services for those who arrived in the past six to 18 months. Whether it cuts off money or not, Lai said the executive orders and bombastic discourse by Trump and immigration hardliners has an effect. Of course they will feel threatened because the entire thing is anti-immigrant, Lai said. That feeling of fear is understandable. It is also devastating for entire communities in Houston who, whether it was a month ago or decades ago, were immigrants or refugees, she said. In 2024 Central Asia weathered the geopolitical competition between the Russia, China, and the United States, as the major powers vied for influence and access to the region's abundant natural resources. Geopolitical Shifts. The NATO-Russia war in Ukraine effected the regions relationships with Russia and forced it to balance maintaining economic ties with Russia and navigating Western sanctions. The region became a pathway for transshipments of European Union goods to circumvent Western restrictions, and has enjoyed healthy trade with Russia and increased use of national currencies in mutual settlements between Russia and Central Asian nations. Water and Energy Management. There were disruptions in water and energy supply, prompting discussions on improved resource management and updates to infrastructure projects. Issues related to water scarcity and the use of water resources for energy production by countries like Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan posed potential conflicts, particularly for the agricultural sectors of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Economic Challenges. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan took advantage of Russia's international isolation to strike beneficial deals, particularly in sectors like energy and raw materials. But increased trade with Russia and the influx of Russian businesses and remittances, may increase the region's vulnerability to external economic shocks, such as the Western sanctions campaign against Russia. The World Bank is predicting broadly slower growth in real GDR for Central Asia economies for the next two years, averaging about 4%. Security Threats. The republics had to be alert to security threats from neighboring Afghanistan and Pakistan, even as they broadened relations with the Taliban-ruled Islamic Emirate. Related: Soaring Tanker Costs Stall Russian Oil Trade in Asia After US Sanctions Geopolitical Tensions and Influence. The major powers Russia, China, and the U.S., led by the assertive President Donald Trump will seek to expand or maintain influence in the region. This geopolitical tug-of-war can lead to economic dependencies and political alignments that might not always serve the best interests of the republics which will prefer to maintain their multi-vector economic and political policies. Initiatives like the U.S. C5 +1 Critical Minerals Dialogue, and the Group of Seven Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment will be welcome in the region, but those initiatives are aimed at China so the republics will have to avoid damaging relations with Beijing just to satisfy Washington and Brussels. The republics dont just want to keep Russia and China in check but also want to restrain Europe and America. The New York Declaration of 2023 is the definitive (so far) outline of U.S. intent for relations with Central Asia, but the U.S. has shallow roots in the region, lacking cultural ties (Russia) or sustained investment (China), though a visit by U.S. president Donald Trump the first ever by a U.S. president - will signal serious intent for the region and shift the initiative to the U.S. Economic Diversification. Central Asian economies have traditionally been heavily reliant on commodity exports and remittances, which are a large share of gross domestic product. The challenge is to diversify away from these to create sustainable growth by growing the manufacturing sector by more ventures like the proposed Chinese automobile factories in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. This involves overcoming structural challenges like the lack of access to the sea, which affects trade, and developing a more robust financial sector. The region is keenly aware of Washingtons economic warfare campaigns against Iran and Afghanistan so may have to temper its engagement with Kabul and Tehran to avoid Washingtons ire. A future complication will be the plan by Chinas Xinjiang region for closer ties with Pakistan and Central Asia to ease the effects of U.S. sanctions due to accusations of repression of the regions Muslims. The region's economic landscape is also influenced by the development of connectivity projects like the Middle Corridor for trade with Europe, but trade with the Middle East, Asia, and Africa will rely on access to Iranian sea ports, the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor (INSTC), the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway, and the UzbekistanAfghanistanPakistan Railway Project to connect the region to Pakistans sea ports. The recently announced economic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan aims to increase mutual trade volumes tenfold and expand the investment portfolio to $50 billion by 2030. And trade between emerging and developing economies (South-South trade) is surging as these economies grow more interdependent. That wont happen without access to southern trade routes. The U.S. can make a positive statement by repealing the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, a centerpiece of the Cold War struggle against the Soviet Union. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio supports the repeal of Jackson-Vanik and the establishment of permanent normal trade relations between Washington and the republics. Infrastructure and Connectivity. The region's landlocked condition is a barrier to economic integration and growth. Landlockedness costs 1013% in GDP/capita, on average, and landlocked countries tend to rely on the export of primary commodities, making them vulnerable to swings in market prices, hence the need to move up the value chain from natural resources exploitation to manufacturing. Water scarcity. The region is highly vulnerable to climate change and faces significant issues with water scarcity and management, given the transboundary nature of major rivers like the Amu Darya and Syr Darya. Climate change exacerbates these problems, leading to conflicts over water resources and the need for better regional cooperation in managing these shared resources. These environmental changes pose threats to agriculture, which is a critical sector for the region's economy and accounts for a significant share of total employment. Afghanistans Qosh Tepa Canal will reduce the flow of the Amu Darya by up to 15%, hurting the agriculture sectors of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the latter of which has offered technical assistance to reduce the canals water loss, given its basic construction methods. Social and Political Stability. Internal political dynamics, including governance issues, corruption, and human rights, will challenge stability, as will the rise in nationalism, increased adherence to Islam, and the potential for religious radicalization. The region must navigate these issues while fostering a secular environment conducive to economic growth and social cohesion. Key to stability will be reconciling slower GDP growth and the rising expectations of the regions young who dont remember the stagnation of the late Soviet era and are connected to their peers in Asia, Europe, and North America. Citizens under 30 years of age are more than 50% of the regions population according to the United Nations, and David Goldman observes, The working-age population of Central Asia is surging while Iran and Turkey are shrinking. The region has the human capital to support future growth but those busy hands will demand an efficient and effective government. By James Durso for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com While some hardliners remain opposed to talks, moderates and even Khamenei appear to be softening their stance. Iranian officials are sending mixed signals about the possibility of resuming negotiations with the US under the Trump administration. Last year was one to forget for Iran as it saw its regional influence wane, its military deterrence against Israel and the United States crumble, and its economy continue its free fall. But Iran's top decision-maker, Khamenei, has been trying to project strength. On January 22, he told a crowd of supporters in Tehran that it would be "delusional" to suggest Iran has become weak. Pezeshkian made a similar comment, insisting the West "can dream" about Iran's strength diminishing. On the same day, Zarif, a former foreign minister who currently serves as a vice president to Pezeshkian, urged Trump to adopt a "more serious, more focused, and more realistic" approach toward Iran while speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. He also added that Trump's decision in 2018 to pull out of the landmark nuclear deal was "imposed on him" by his advisers. Why It Matters: Iran seems to be signaling to Trump that it does not hold him responsible for withdrawing from the nuclear accord but instead blames his advisers -- many of whom do not feature in his new government. Is Iran's policy on talks with Trump changing? It may be too early to tell, but what's being said now is a major departure from Khamenei's comments in 2019, when he said it would be "ridiculous" to engage with the Republican president. What's Being Said: Hard-liners in Iran oppose talks with the United States, especially with Trump, whom they say believe will turn the screw on the Islamic republic as part of a new-look "maximum pressure" policy. More moderate voices, however, are the authorities who could engage with Trump. The Khabar Online news website on January 22 said Pezeshkian had "an unrepeatable opportunity" to negotiate with the U.S. president, given his desire for making deals. Political pundit Hossein Beheshtipur, meanwhile, told Iranian newspaper Ettelaat that Tehran had to "directly" speak with Trump but to do so from "a position of strength," a likely reference to Iran's expansion of its nuclear and missiles programs. Expert Opinion: "Willingness to talk does not mean a deal is likely. The road to a new understanding is steep and there will be significant obstacles," says Gregory Brew, senior analyst at the Washington-based Eurasia Group. What's Ahead Afghan and Iranian media say Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will travel to Afghanistan "soon," but no date has been announced yet. His trip would mark the first official visit to Kabul by an Iranian foreign minister since the Taliban seized power in 2021. Iran does not recognize the Taliban government, but that has not stopped it from establishing relations with it. Award-winning movie The Seed of the Sacred Fig by Iranian dissident director Mohammad Rasoulof has been nominated for an Academy Award as Germany's entry. Stay tuned as RFE/RL's Radio Farda will publish an interview with the celebrated director next week. By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com China is believed to be constructing a huge fusion research site in its southwest, which could help it with both nuclear fusion efforts and nuclear weapons design, analysts and researchers have told Reuters, analyzing satellite images. The southwestern city of Mianyang is likely the new site of the fusion research facility, which is estimated to be around 50% bigger than the U.S. National Ignition Facility (NIF) in Northern California and has a similar layout, Decker Eveleth, a researcher at U.S.-based independent research organization CNA Corp, told Reuters. Satellite imagery of the site shows four bays to house lasers and a central bay for conducting experiments. Apart from nuclear fusion, considered the Holy Grail of infinite clean energy, such research site could also facilitate the design of nuclear weapons, William Alberque, a nuclear policy analyst at the Henry L. Stimson Centre, told Reuters. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which has China and the U.S. among its signatories, bans all nuclear explosions, regardless of the purpose or place. Laser fusion research, however, is allowed. Nuclear fusion research and development has gained momentum in recent years after several momentous breakthroughs and achievements. The global race to overcome the engineering challenges to achieving zero-emission power from a nuclear reaction without risking disaster and radiation has heated up. As of last year, China was spending about $1.5 billion annually on fusion research. That was nearly twice as much as the 2024 budget for nuclear fusion of the U.S. government. Just this month, news broke that Chinese researchers from the Institute of Plasma Physics (ASIPP) at the Hefei Institute of Physical Science had managed to sustain a nuclear fusion reaction at a temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius for 1,066 seconds, breaking their previous record of 403 seconds they set in April 2023. The achievement by Chinas Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) marks yet another milestone in the countrys quest to win the ongoing nuclear fusion race. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Despite a German de facto ban on accepting LNG directly from Russia, Germany has been importing surging volumes of natural gas from France and Belgium where terminals continue to accept Russian LNG, according to a report by NGOs from Germany, Belgium, and Ukraine. Germanys state-controlled firm Securing Energy for Europe (Sefe), created in 2022 after Germany saved a former Gazprom unit it had expropriated, bought as many as 58 LNG cargoes from Russia via the Dunkirk terminal in France in 2024 alone, per the report cited in the Financial Times. Thats over six times the LNG cargoes from Russia that Sefe bought through Dunkirk in 2023, according to the report by German environmental groups Deutsche Umwelthilfe and Urgewald, Ukrainian NGO Razom We Stand, and Belgian think tank Bond Beter Leefmilieu. The figures highlight the impossibility of tracking the origin country of the natural gas that enters the EU pipeline network once LNG cargoes have been delivered. The EU hasnt banned imports of Russian LNG or pipeline gas, unlike oil and coal, but it has set a goal to ditch all Russian gas by 2027, to deprive Putin of revenues, and not be dependent on Russia for the fossil fuel ever again. But the tracking of the gas once the LNG cargoes enter the EU pipeline network becomes impossible, which has also hampered efforts by some EU member states to push for a total ban on Russian LNG imports into the bloc. Thats apart from the EU's need to import much more natural gas now that Russian pipeline supply is severely constrained. Once delivered into the European gas network, the molecules cannot be tracked, Germanys Sefe told FT, commenting on the report of the NGOs. It is therefore impossible to know where exactly the gas that gets delivered in Dunkirk ends up. The EU has significantly boosted imports of Russian LNG in recent months. The rising share of Russias LNG in EU supply comes as a concern for several EU member states that have been pushing for ways to curb Europes reliance on Russian LNG cargoes. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Nigeria is taking bold steps to revive its faltering power sector, aiming to attract $15 billion in private investments while keeping its most vulnerable citizens in mind. At a World Bank energy summit in Tanzania, the government outlined a plan that combines higher electricity tariffs with fresh subsidies to ease the burden on households. Under the proposal, households will receive 50 kilowatt hours of subsidized electricity monthly, either through direct consumption or vouchers. This is part of a broader effort to address a massive $23 billion funding gap in the power sector and bring electricity to the 86 million Nigerians still living in the dark. Despite being Africas top natural gas producer with abundant hydro and solar resources, Nigeria generates a paltry 13,000 megawatts of electricity for over 200 million people. For comparison, South Africa, with just 62 million people, produces 52,000 megawatts. Frequent blackouts and widespread reliance on private generators have become the norm for Nigerians who can afford them. The governments pitch includes plans to double the number of households connected to the grid annually and boost renewable energy from 22% to 50% of the generation mix within five years. While the nation removed subsidies for about 15% of urban households last year, tripling tariffs, it still spent 2.2 trillion naira on subsidies. The new plan aims to implement full-cost tariffs by 2027 while providing a buffer for vulnerable households. The countrys power sector ambitions are similar to its recent oil sector recovery, where a combination of strategic planning, good fortune, and bold leadership brought production back from near collapse. With a renewed focus and an investor-friendly pitch, the nation is looking to spark a similar turnaround in its power sector. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Protests have forced the shutdown of two crude oil export terminals in Libya after protesters demanded the move and authorities heeded the demand. Per a Bloomberg report, the shutdown will begin later today at the Ras Lanuf and Es Sider terminals, with one tanker already canceling loading, according to unnamed local sources. The protests this time are led by a group called the Oil Crescent Region Movement, which earlier this month demanded that the headquarters of five local energy companies be transferred to the western Libyan region that, as the name suggests, is home to most of the countrys oil industry. The Oil Crescent Region Movement threatened to block production and exports at all five terminals in the regionand the countryif the National Oil Corporation did not fulfill its demands. The National Oil Corporation has not issued an official comment on these recent events. In said in a production update on Monday that daily output stood at 1.41 million barrels daily, with condensate production at some 43,700 barrels daily, which put the combined crude plus condensates output at 1.65 million barrels daily. Libyas authorities want to boost that output even further, for which purpose the National Oil Corporation will hold a tender for 22 new onshore and offshore exploration blocks. Hopes are that the tender would attract international oil companies despite the still unstable political situation and the constant danger of field and export terminal blockades by groups unhappy with the distribution of oil wealth. Meanwhile, government plans are to boost daily crude oil production to 2 million barrels this year, despite the persistent challenges. Given that Libyan producers managed to bring the total daily from around 1.3 million bpd last November to over 1.6 million bpd this month, the target appears realisticunless protests interfere with it. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Russia seems to be having little difficulty skirting US Treasury sanctions when it comes to its oil industry, with the country managing to send shipments of sanctioned oil aboard sanctioned tankers to India. The U.S. Treasurys January crackdown on Russian crude exports doesnt appear to be a problem for Moscow, with at least five tankers carrying Arctic and Pacific oil seemingly bound for Indiadespite falling outside the official exemptions. India had previously stated that it would accept oil from sanctioned ships only if loaded before January 10the day designated by the US Treasuryand delivered before February 27. Yet, all five shipments left after the stated cutoff. The move will put both Russia and India to the test and under the watchful eyes of the global community that is trying to force Russias hand in Ukraine. Despite the latest round of sanctions by the US Treasury, Russia has managed to keep its four-week rolling average oil shipments fairly steady over the seven-day period to January 26, Bloomberg said on Tuesday. These cargoes are not insignificant. Russias seaborne crude shipments averaged 2.96 million barrels per day in the last four weeks, with a notable rebound in Pacific and Arctic crude flows. While Baltic port shipments faltered, Arctic port Murmansk saw three sanctioned tankers load crude bound for the Suez Canal and, ultimately, Indian ports. Meanwhile, Pacific shipments, including Russias prized Sokol crude, also seem to be heading toward South Asia. Clever logistical tricks like transferring oil between sanctioned and unsanctioned vessels near South Korea complicate enforcement. Analysts have warned that a failure on Russias part to maneuver around international sanctions has the potential to disrupt global oil markets and undercut Russias economic lifelinewith only the latter being the goal. Yet Indias role in this drama is also critical, with the country having to weigh its energy security needs against the mounting international pressure. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Trade in Russian crude loading for Asia in March has come to a screeching halt as tanker rates are soaring and shippers are scrambling for non-sanctioned vessels following the latest U.S. sanctions on Russias oil supply, Reuters reports, citing shipping data and trade sources. The Biden Administrations farewell sanctions on Russian oil trade were the most aggressive yet and sanctioned dozens of vessels that Russia used to ship the ESPO crude blend from Kozmino to Chinas independent refiners. The U.S. on January 10 imposed sanctions on Russias oil, designating two major Russian oil companies, Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, as well as 183 vessels, dozens of oil traders, oilfield service providers, insurance companies, and energy officials. Many of the vessels, specialized tankers, and shuttle tankers transporting Russias oil from the Arctic and Far East Pacific fields and production clusters to Asia have now been sanctioned. As Russias top buyers in Asia China and India prefer to steer clear of sanctioned tankers and entities involved in the trade, the freight rates for shipping Russian crude to its biggest buyers have soared. The number of available tankers has plunged, while the number of confirmed tanker journeys globally hasnt changed too much. As a result, a wide gap has emerged between buyers and sellers in China, according to Reuterss sources. The ESPO offers for cargoes loading in March from Kozmino to China have jumped to a premium of between $3 and $5 a barrel to ICE Brent on a delivered ex-ship basis (DES), up from below $2 per barrel premium before the latest U.S. sanctions, traders with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. India has received clarification from the U.S. that the Russian oil tankers sanctioned earlier this month are allowed to discharge their crude at Indian ports until February 27. Trade after February appears problematic right now, due to the surging shipping costs. Russia is said to have started to reshuffle tankers to prioritize shipments to China. Aframax tankers that serviced crude exports from Russias western ports are now being redirected to the Russian Far East-China route to service the exports of ESPO, a favorite with Chinese refiners, Bloomberg reported last week, citing shipbroker and ship-tracking data. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com President Donald Trumps approach to fixing U.S. trade deficits with the countrys biggest trading partners will benefit LNG exporters to Asia, giving them a bigger share of that market, Bloomberg Intelligence has forecast. The EU has already suggested it would increase its purchases of U.S. liquefied gas after Trump urged the bloc to do just that in order to shrink its surplus with the United States, which he considers unacceptable. Japans JERA was just recently reported to consider greater imports of U.S. LNG as well, seeking to diversify its sources of the commodity but also falling in line with Trumps quest against trade deficits, as Japan is another big trade partner. JERA buys some 30 to 35 million tons of liquefied natural gas annually, of which just 3.2 million tons currently come from the U.S. The rest is imported mainly from Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia. These are the countries set to suffer the biggest losses in Asian market share as U.S. exporters ramp up their shipments. China is also planning to buy more liquefied gas from the United States. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, Chinese gas traders have committed to buying a total of 14 million tons from U.S. producers beginning in 2026. This is 50% more than Chinas previous record of U.S. LNG purchases, set back in 2021. Other Asian nations are also ramping up their purchases of American LNG. Bangladesh just this week signed a supply deal with Louisiana-based Argent for the delivery of 5 million tons of the superchilled fuel annually. Meanwhile, PetroVietnam bought a U.S. LNG cargo for delivery in March. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, these developments could lead to less price volatility as additional supply caps rates at around $10 per million British thermal units. Not everyone agrees, however, with some predicting that European LNG demand growth, at some 14 million tons annually, would in fact boost prices. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com A U.S. court is set to re-launch a court-ordered auction of assets of Venezuelas PDV Holding, the parent company of refiner Citgo, with new terms expected to draw higher bids, after a previous attempted sale was rejected as too low by creditors last year. In an effort to re-launch the sales process, U.S. federal judge Leonard Stark of the Delaware court on Monday approved new terms for the bidding, which are expected to lead to higher offers and ensure a fairer bidding process, Reuters reports. The sale process of shares to pay creditors and claimants against Venezuelas oil asset appropriation and debts owed by Citgo was launched by the Delaware court in October 2023. Overall, creditors and claimants have sought to recoup at courts in Delaware a total of $24 billion in claims and arbitration awards against Venezuela. Citgo is the seventh-largest refiner in the United States with a total capacity topping 800,000 barrels per day (bpd). It has refineries in Texas, Louisiana, and Illinois, along with pipelines and a gasoline distribution network that supplies 4,200 outlets in the United States. After the end of the bidding process to sell PDV Holding last year, the Special Master appointed by the Delaware court to oversee the sale, Robert Pincus, at the end of September selected Amber Energy to acquire Citgo. Amber Energy, backed by a group of strategic U.S. energy investors including Elliott Investment Management, made in October a new $5.3-billion offer for Citgos parent company, $2 billion lower than the initial bid of $7.3 billion. The revised offer followed complaints from many creditors of Citgo, who were unhappy with the structure of the initially proposed transaction which envisaged a trust structure for payments. The new bid offered creditors would be paid directly after the acquisition is finalized. However, most of the 18 creditors participating in the auction rejected the Elliott affiliates bid. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Ice and snow remain on the ground as the sun rises over the Gulf of Mexico in the aftermath of an icy winter storm on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Google will soon update its maps to say the "Gulf of America" instead of the "Gulf of Mexico" in the U.S. But that won't be the case for users all over the world. In a series of social media posts, Google outlined its policy regarding the renaming of locations, including places with official names that differ between local governmental entities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Google's policy is that its map will display one official name for each of the countries local to the place in question. That means American users will see "Gulf of America" and Mexican users will see "Gulf of Mexico" on their Google Maps. All other countries in the world will see both names. Users in the United Kingdom, for example, will see both "Gulf of America" and "Gulf of Mexico" on their maps. This is despite the fact the country will not recognize the name Gulf of America, according to multiple media reports. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "When official names vary between countries, Maps users see their official local name. Everyone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here too," Google said in a post on X on its @NewsFromGoogle account. This won't be the only situation in which two names pop up on Google Maps for a body of water. One example is the Sea of Japan, located to the west of Japan. It is labeled on Google Maps' world map in the U.S. as Sea of Japan (East Sea) because South Korea calls it the East Sea. The Gulf of Mexico remains the name in Google Maps as of 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Google said it would change the name once it is officially updated in the Geographic Names Information System. Turning our farms into solar farms By Oregon State Senator Daniel Bonham, Press Release Last November, Oregon approved its largest solar farm project in the state, and potentially the nations, on nearly 10,000 acres of farmland in Morrow County. Due to a loophole in state law protecting our farmland, these passive landgrabs are set to continue. Why is this happening? Our ranchers and agricultural industry in our state have been over-regulated into extinction from high taxes, to oppressive industry mandates, to crippling estate taxes and more. They simply cant afford to continue. At what costs? Our ranchers care for our land, they feed our residents they are the ultimate environmentalists. The mass closures of our traditional farms to turning them into their own mini silicon valleys can have devastating impacts on our quality of life. Closing down traditional farms impacts food security, the local ecosystems, biodiversity and results in land degradation as well as water contamination. For an initiative that claims to be fighting climate change this does not seem to be very good for the environment. Make no mistake, I appreciate the solar industry, but do not feel like we should have to choose between the two. With that said farmers and ranchers buy local supplies, shop at local stores, and engage locally. Dollars are less likely to distribute locally when out-of-state corporations take in solar profits. It also puts us at risk of having to export food production or equally dangerous creating a food production monopoly. By icing out our local and small farms we are literally putting our money where our mouth is by prioritizing charging electric cars over feeding our families. Instead of pushing our farms into these buyouts, we should be making doing business in Oregon more affordable for our farmers. From the increase of foreign nations buying up our nations farmland, to the government-forced closures of our family-run farm businesses these actions can no longer be ignored. Stay tuned on this topic. 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 Fertility rates have fallen everywhere outside of sub-Saharan Africa. And they have fallen faster, and dropped even further, in some developed nations than others. In a new paper, Claudia Goldin, the Henry Lee Professor of Economics, explains this divergence with a data-tested model that shows gendered and generational conflicts arising with swift economic change. The paper is published in the Journal of Economic Perspectives. The 2023 Nobel laureate notes that countries whose economies grew gradually over the 20th centuryincluding the U.S. and Swedennow average around 1.7 children born to each woman. However, latecomers to development like Japan, Korea, and Italy average far fewer children. The study illustrates how women in transitioning modern economies can be especially disadvantaged by traditional gender roles. "Children take time, and that time isn't easily contracted out or mechanized," said Goldin in a presentation of the research to the European Central Bank's Annual Research Conference last fall. "Therefore, much of the change in fertility will depend on if men assume more work in the home as women are drawn into the market, particularly if the home has children. "If they don't," she continued, "women will be forced to cut back on something." Her analysis builds upon findings from a 2009 study published in the Journal of Economic Perspectives titled "Will the Stork Return to Europe and Japan?". The paperby economists James Feyrer, Bruce I. Sacerdote, Ph.D., and Ariel Dora Stern, Ph.D.found birthrates are highest in countries with low-income levels and low female employment. But a surprising pattern was observed in wealthier countries. "They note that women's participation in the economy is actually greater in countries with higher fertility," said Goldin, who is also the Lee and Ezpeleta Professor of Arts and Sciences. Her paper compares fertility rates in two groups of six countries. The first setcomprised of Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, the U.K., and the U.S.saw relatively continuous economic development over the 20th century, even with the disruptions of the Great Depression and two world wars. All had reached a total fertility rate of around two children per woman by the 1970s. Not until the 2010s did rates fall below that figure. The second groupGreece, Italy, Japan, Korea, Portugal, and Spaindeveloped quickly from the mid-1950s and '60s after long periods of economic stagnation or decline. Each averaged three children or more per woman in 1970. But all six had dropped below two by the mid-1980s. Most had converged to around 1.3 by the mid-1990s, with Korea being the extreme case. Its total fertility rate for 2022 (the last year included in Goldin's analysis) was 0.78 children per woman. Demographers have dubbed the fertility rates of those nations the "lowest-low." Goldin theorized that families in the second set of countries had been "catapulted" into the modern economy, with less time for adjusting gender norms. Korea, for example, saw incomes quadruple between the 1960s and '80s, with 30% of the population moving from rural areas to urban areas (usually Seoul) over the same period. 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. "Rapid economic change often challenges strongly held beliefs," she summarized. "And beliefs change more slowly than economies do." Her paper introduces a framework for understanding how such conflicts lead to lower fertility. It assumes that family traditions and beliefs inform a person's fertility plans. But so do economic conditions observed in young adulthood. This all comes together as couples plan family size, with men putting more weight on factors inherited from previous generations and women acting as "agents of change" by emphasizing economic self-interest. "It's not that boys are more traditional than girls; it's that boys have more to gain from the traditional home," Goldin explained. "But girls suddenly see that their options have changed. They can get an education. They can go out and work." Goldin's model demonstrates that greater macroeconomic growth from childhood to adulthood means greater generational conflict and wider gulfs between men's and women's preferred family size. It assumes that men who contribute more at home have more of an influence on family size. But women's desires win out when caregiving and other household tasks fall primarily on them. To test her ideas, Goldin started with 100 years of economic and geographic data from all 12 countries. Sure enough, the "lowest-low" nations saw meteoric growth in per-capita gross domestic product, combined with huge rural-to-urban migrations, beginning in the mid-20th century. Meanwhile, GDP charted a slow, steady incline in the first set of countries, with far fewer migrations to big cities. Time-use surveys, assembled by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, provided Goldin with evidence of gendered divisions of unpaid caregiving and household labor between 2009 and 2019. She uncovered a bigger gap between men and women in the "lowest-low" countries. Women, on average, devoted 3.1 more hours per day to household duties in Japan and three more hours per day in Italy. Compare that with the U.S., where women logged about 1.79 more daily hours on household duties, or Sweden, where the difference was just 0.8 hours. "The bottom line is," Goldin said, "countries that saw this very, very rapid increase in standards of living are probably at sub-optimal birthrates." The labor economist and economic historian ends by floating a novel solution. The U.S. baby boom, which peaked above 3.5 children per woman in the late 1950s, is the rare example of a wealthy country temporarily increasing its fertility rate. It was accomplished by "glorifying marriage, motherhood, the 'good wife,' and the home," Goldin writes. Societies that want to encourage more babies today, she suggests, should try venerating fatherhood. More information: James Feyrer et al, Will the Stork Return to Europe and Japan? Understanding Fertility within Developed Nations, Journal of Economic Perspectives (2008). DOI: 10.1257/jep.22.3.3 Provided by Harvard Gazette This story is published courtesy of the Harvard Gazette, Harvard University's official newspaper. For additional university news, visit Harvard.edu. 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 Every year, leaders from politics and business come together with economists, investors and even celebrities at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort of Davos. One of the five key themes of this year's event was safeguarding the planet. The forum's own figures suggest that human-caused climate change has cost the planet US$3.6 trillion (2.9 trillion) in damage since 2000 alone. Many of the sessions at Davos focused on climate change, which was especially pertinent after US president Donald Trump's decision to abandon for a second time the Paris Agreementa framework to keep the warming of the planet to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century. In an online address to Davos delegates, Trump even argued that the oil-producers' group OPEC should reduce the price of oil. This is in stark contrast to the views of many other governmentsexemplified by UK energy and climate change secretary Ed Miliband's assertion that net zero is "unstoppable". But one of the less discussed elements of the path to net-zero by the year 2050 (a key target to keep the Paris Agreement on track) is the role of the financial sector. As economists, we believe that banks and financial institutions should play a key role in making the green transition happen. Companies that produce goods and services will need to invest in equipment and technologyeither to make new greener products or to ensure that they pollute less. But this will cost moneylikely money that firms do not actually have on their balance sheet or under their mattress. When banks assist in providing funding for this type of investment, it is known as green finance. Green finance from banks can take two forms. Either the banks underwrite corporate bonds, which means they sell bonds to investors in exchange for a fee. Or they become involved in the provision of a syndicated loan, which is when they collaborate with other banks to lend money. But both options are constrained by the rule that a bank will only provide finance out of self-interest. This means they act only when the profit they earn is proportional to the credit risk they take on. But this was in contrast to the message from Davos that businesses should take the lead, with the aid of finance from banks, in mitigating the risks of climate change. Sources of credit for businesses to make green investments include philanthropists, public finance and the private sector (that is, commercial banks). However, it is arguable that charity and public money are best used in partnership with private banks, to finance projects that are perceived high risk and low return. Banks alone would not support these because of their promotion of self-interest. 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. However, philanthropy can be limited and inconsistent in providing funds for green projects. And the public sector has so many demands on its purse that its ability to support is also limited. This is where the private sector plays a key role in mitigating climate change and where partnerships between these three sectors could offer a way forward. This pathway was discussed at Davos but the speakers were not clear on what effective partnerships would look like. As academics who have researched the factors that influence green finance provision across multiple European countries, we would suggest a partnership structure between the public sector and the private sector, based on risk-sharing. In these cases where banks perceive the risk to be unbearable (and therefore not in their self-interest), governments could partner with banks in offering finance and so share the consequences of a bad project outcome. In other words, they would form a partnership with the bank to share the downside risk. A bank may consider an investment to be higher risk where a project has less certain outcomes, or requires funding for a longer period of time. Both of these factors are comparatively common in green financing deals. This could be because a firm is investing in new or untested tech or production methodsfor example car manufacturers exploring new electric vehicle battery technologies. The struggle for smaller businesses This partnership approach could especially benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which make up 99% of Europe's companies. But these businesses can struggle to access finance from banks due to their lack of capital, which can make banks see them as a high risk. And this, of course, is challenging for SMEs, which mostly have no other sources of external finance. Research shows that medium-sized firms often rely on loans for finance. Our work focuses on how companies in Europe and the UK source green financing. It has highlighted that larger companies, as well as more liquid and more profitable firms, tend to raise finance via bonds (issued by banks and bought by investors) rather than loans (from a bank or other financial institution). In fact, our research shows that in some European countries (including Latvia, Malta and Romania), domestic banks have no record whatsoever of providing green finance to companies. This means it is much easier for larger businesses to get green finance compared to their smaller peers. And smaller companies tend to obtain relatively lower amounts of green financing, creating a real risk that SMEs may not get what they need in order to play their part in reducing their emissions. Without a significant shift in allowing SMEs to get the finance they need to become greener, governments will struggle to get close to their net-zero goals. But, along with financial regulators, governments could lead the way to create partnerships with banks and other financial institutions to overcome the barriers that SMEs face. Sharing the risk would ensure banks continue their green lending activities and accelerate progress toward meeting government climate targets. 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: Artist concept highlighting the novel approach. Credit: NASA/Christine Gregg Exoplanet exploration has taken off in recent years, with over 5,500 being discovered so far. Some have even been in the habitable zones of their stars. Imaging one such potentially habitable exoplanet is the dream of many exoplanet hunters, however, technology has limited their ability to do that. In particular, one specific piece of technology needs to be improved before we can directly image an exoplanet in the habitable zone of another stara starshade. Christine Gregg, a researcher at NASA Ames Research Center, hopes to contribute to the effort of developing one. To understand the goal of Dr. Gregg and her team, it's best first to understand what starshades do and what's holding them back from being deployed. A starshade is designed to float in tandem with a space telescope and block out the light from a specific star, allowing the telescope to capture light directly from the much-less bright planet that is orbiting the star. That light can contain information about its size, orbital period, and even its atmospheric composition that would otherwise be lost in the overwhelming brightness of the planet's star. The shape of a starshade, which traditionally looks like a flower petal, might seem counterintuitive at firstif you're trying to block a star's light, why not just make the shape circular? But starlight coming from far away can diffract around a simple circle structure. The petals are explicitly designed to stop that from happening and completely block out even diffracted light around the shape's edges. But it's not the shape that makes it hard to deployit's its size. Starshades are typically designed to be hundreds of meters across. Therefore, they are impossible to fit inside a traditional rocket fairing fully assembled. What's more, they have to move along with the telescopeif the telescope the starshade is meant to accompany is pointed at another star and redirected, the starshade has to move with it. NASA animation of the deployment of a starshade. Credit: NASA The wrinkle is that the starshade is likely tens of thousands of kilometers from the telescope it is designed to assist. So, a slight change of a few degrees of inclination for the telescope would mean hundreds of thousands of kilometers of travel for its associated starshade. That kind of movement requires a lot of fuel, which is also costly due to the weight requirements of launching these objects so far away. No wonder a starshade has yet to be successfully deployed in space. Combining gigantic sizes that don't fit inside rocket fairings and massive amounts of fuel to relocate every time the telescope needs to look at a different star are significant strikes against the concept. However, if humanity wants to directly image an exoplanet in the habitable zone of another star, there is still no better way to do so. Enter Dr. Gregg's ideashe proposes using metamaterials for her starshade, which is robotically constructed in orbit. Metamaterials have several advantages over existing proposed starshades (one of which, by Nobel Prize winner John Mather, is another NIAC recipient this year). First, metamaterials are lighter. As with all things launched into space, being lighter means less costor, in this case, the ability to bring more fuel, allowing the starshade to operate longer than alternatives. This video shows phononic materials in action. Credit: Duke University YouTube Channel Second, the specific kinds of metamaterials she proposes to use are much less likely to break. As she mentioned to Fraser in an interview, "The more stiffness a material has, the less damping it has. It's just sort of a natural trade-off." So, if a starshade is made from traditional materials, it would either be stiff and rigid but prone to vibrational strain when moving between positions or being deployed, or it would be very flexible but would have difficulty holding its shape when it's supposed to. The metamaterial Dr. Gregg and her colleagues have proposed uses a type of material that both holds its structure well but also suppresses vibration by a unique use of a material called a phononic crystal. 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. These were initially engineered to dissipate sound waves. This means that when used as a material in a starshade, it could dampen any feedback on the structure from things like micrometeoroid impacts, solar radiation, or even the process of deployment and assembly. Using robots to deploy the starshade is another focal point of Dr. Gregg's work, as she discusses with Fraser. Still, for this Phase I NIAC project, she is focusing on developing the model for starshade itself and selecting the appropriate material. As with all NIAC projects, she can apply for funding in a Phase II round upon completion of her Phase I. If she receives it, humanity will be one step closer to seeing a giant floating petal in spacebut one with very particular mechanical and structural properties. 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: Barnacle geese and dairy cows as food competitors on the same field. Credit: Tuomas Seimola A team of researchers from the University of Turku and the Natural Resources Institute Finland has examined the foraging behavior of barnacle geese in Northern Karelia, Finland. In this region, geese feeding on agricultural fields cause significant economic damage to farms. Published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, the researchers' findings suggest that the combined use of areas where geese are not disturbed and no-go areas where geese are repelled from fields can help to mitigate the damage to crops as well as the local human-wildlife conflict. In Finland, barnacle geese are responsible for most of the agricultural damage caused by protected species, and the Finnish government pays annually up to 4 million in compensation to farmers. A large flock of barnacle geese leaving a field. Credit: Mikko Jokinen "Most of these compensations were paid to farmers in Northern and Southern Karelia, an important region in Finland for dairy farming, reflecting the local intensity of this human-wildlife conflict. We need effective strategies to proactively mitigate the conflict and methods to minimize the damage," says Professor Jukka Forsman from the Natural Resources Institute Finland. One possible solution is establishing accommodation fields where some areas are devoted to geese and others are no-go areas where the geese are repelled. The idea is to centralize geese and damage to certain areas and protect important crops elsewhere. The accommodation and repelling fields are selected jointly by farmers and authorities. In this study, fields were designated into three groups: normal crop fields where no goose management took place, accommodation fields, and repelling fields. Geese were trapped and equipped with GPS transmitters that allowed for following their habitat use. An exclusion experiment illustrating the impact that browsing geese can have on a field. Credit: Tuomas Seimola The results suggest that in several different feeding contexts, individual barnacle geese prefer feeding on accommodation fields, compared to the other types of fields. Furthermore, the repelling fields were used less than expected, suggesting that the repelling effectively decreases the number of foraging geese. "The impact of accommodation fields on the distribution of foraging geese has usually been estimated as the number of observed geese or costs of damage. However, so far, we haven't known about one of the most important pieces in the puzzle: the individual behavior of geese in the network of accommodation fields, repelling fields and other fields," says Professor Toni Laaksonen from the University of Turku. "In order to mitigate this human-wildlife conflict with the help of the accommodation field concept, the knowledge of local farmers is invaluable," says Dr. Martin Seltmann from the University of Turku, the lead author of the study. "Accommodation and repelling fields were established in areas that were known to have a long history of high foraging pressure by barnacle geese." Hence, the researchers suggest that using stakeholder knowledge and the coordinated use of well-designed accommodation and repelling fields can help farmers to proactively prepare for goose damage and to mitigate the costs of goose foraging. More information: Martin W. Seltmann et al, Arctic migrating barnacle geese utilize accommodation fields in a new agricultural staging area, Journal of Applied Ecology (2024). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14838 Journal information: Journal of Applied Ecology 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: Journal of Experimental Criminology (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s11292-024-09650-9 Experimental research is fundamental to criminology, but reaching consensus on rigorous evidence and using that evidence to determine what works remains an ongoing challenge to the field. In a new article, the former director of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) within the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice programs proposes a framework to situate both the role of rigorous evaluation and its results in a more robust understanding of the effectiveness of social programs. According to her new framework, the more deliberate the implementation of a social program, the more likely it will yield its intended impact. "Deliberate implementation can enhance our understanding of what constitutes an effective intervention and what factors explain each outcome," says Nancy La Vigne, a criminologist who previously directed the NIJ and authored the article, published in the Journal of Experimental Criminology. "This information is essential in guiding policymaking and program investments by government agencies and philanthropy," adds La Vigne. "It yields more credible findings for decision makers, boosts the likelihood of successful replication, and helps bridge the evidence-to-action divide." The impetus for the current debate in criminology over the role of rigorous evaluation is a 2023 article by researcher Megan Stevenson in the Boston University Law Review. Stevenson argued that rigorous evaluations, which she defines solely as randomized controlled trials (RCTs), frequently yield null results and that interventions previously found to be effective often fail to replicate. Stevenson suggested that the null results are because the criminal justice system requires systemic changes that cannot be captured by RCTs. Reaction by the criminology community fueled a robust debate over the role, definition, and value of rigorous research in public forums. In her article, La Vigne notes that absent from the debate was any recognition of the importance of researchers and programmatic partners having a shared understanding of the local context and quality of criminal justice interventions. She introduces the Titanium Law of Evaluation, which emphasizes the importance of deliberate implementation, as defined by adherence to model fidelity and application to local context, elements that are often inadequately addressed in evaluations of criminal justice interventions. La Vigne advocates using an ongoing feedback loop, based on psychologist Kurt Lewin's Action Research Model, in which researchers routinely share findings about opportunities to improve implementation fidelity that are often necessitated by local contexts and other factors. Sharing this information during the evaluation enables program implementers to make midcourse corrections to improve the robustness of the intervention and its likelihood of yielding desired impacts. She uses two case studiesone of the Honest Opportunity Probation with Enforcement program in Hawaii, designed to implement swift and certain sanctions for people on probation who have substance-use disorders, and the other of the Center for Employment Opportunities, one of the largest employment programs for people re-entering society after incarceration in the United Statesto illustrate the importance of measuring implementation fidelity, making mid-course corrections, and adapting programs to local contexts to foster desired outcomes. 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. La Vigne concludes that the Titanium Law emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of implementation processes, promoting collaborative evaluations that consider both fidelity and local contextboth key components of implementation science. She recommends integrating these principles into criminology curricula and fostering partnerships between researchers and practitioners to improve evaluation outcomes. "The Titanium Law of Evaluation elevates a vital but often overlooked component of current evaluation practice: focusing on adapting program components to local contexts and ensuring implementation fidelity, rather than focusing solely on the theory that underlies an intervention," explains La Vigne. "By doing so, adherence to the Titanium Law can promote both successful implementation as well as successful replication in different settings, all in the interests of public safety." More information: Nancy La Vigne, The Titanium Law of Evaluation: Increasing the impact and replicability of safety and justice interventions through deliberate implementation and adaptation, Journal of Experimental Criminology (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s11292-024-09650-9 Provided by Crime and Justice Research Alliance 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 Returning to work after a summer break can be jarring, especially for the many workers dissatisfied with their jobs. Almost half report high levels of job-related stress. Dissatisfaction can be tied to an unhealthy, even toxic workplace where negative behavior and poor leadership harm employee well-being and productivity. Key indicators include bullying, harassment, lack of trust, poor communication and high job strain. The impact of toxic workplaces If you think your workplace is toxic, it is worth considering the impact it is having on your mental health. You might also consider how committed your organization is to supporting its employees' mental health. Toxicity can develop gradually through subtle patterns of micromanagement, exclusion, or eroding morale. These dynamics create a draining environment that undermines individual well-being and business success. As well as affecting employees' mental health, there is growing evidence workplace stress may lead to serious physical health problems, such as cardiovascular disease. According to Safe Work Australia, mental health-related workers' compensation claims have increased by over a third since 20172018. In 20212022, there were 11,700 accepted claims relating to mental health conditions. These cases proved highly costly for employers, with the median compensation paid being A$58,615. The International Standards Organization released a global standard in 2021 to help manage psychological health and safety risks in workplaces. A number of countries, including Canada and Australia, have introduced laws and standards making employers responsible for preventing and managing work-related stress. To support a safe workplace, some researchers (including one of the authors) have recommended an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to ensure companies respond appropriately to mental health risks. What your employer is doing in the following three areas can show how committed they are to protecting mental health. 1. Preventing, minimizing or managing the negatives Most work, health and safety legislation and standards in Australia relates to protecting employees from physical hazards, including slips, trips and falls. More recently, attention has turned to psychosocial hazards. Safe Work Australia and Comcare, as well as state and territory regulators, keep a list of common hazards. These include bullying, excessive workloads, low job control, lack of role clarity and exposure to traumatizing events, for example, witnessing an accident. These lists are not exhaustive and there are some problems unique to specific jobs. For instance, teachers are often isolated from their colleagues, face big administrative loads and sometimes have to deal with abusive students and/or parents. Most employers can make necessary improvements, including creating fairer workloads, redefining job roles and providing more support to individual employees. 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. 2. Responding to employee mental health issues Despite efforts to minimize the impact of psychosocial hazards, some employees will nonetheless experience mental health issues. Employers should not try to treat an employee's mental health problems. They should support them and direct them to appropriate mental health care. Managers can also help by identifying signs of distress, having sensitive conversations with workers about the impact of mental illness and making reasonable changes to their roles. Giving employees access to support services through employee assistance programs, which can offer confidential short-term counseling, can also help. Establishing a critical incident investigation procedure for events that have compromised employee mental health can help identify the cause of incidents and shape responses. 3. Promoting the positive As well as managing the negative aspects of work, organizations can create conditions that promote employee mental health and well-being. One approach for doing this is to provide flexible working arrangements, such as hybrid work, which can offer employees greater choice in work location and scheduling. Another approach involves fostering social connectedness and inclusion among employees. This could involve team-building, social events and opportunities for employees to build relationships. Leaders can also promote a culture of psychological safetywhere employees feel able to bring their authentic selves to work and speak their minds freely. This has been linked to greater employee well-being. The SMART model suggests employees will be most satisfied in jobs that provide stimulation (for example, solving meaningful problems), mastery (receiving mentoring or constructive feedback), autonomy (creative freedom), social relationships (supportive colleagues) and tolerable demands (lack of psychosocial hazards). Should I stay or should I go? Making the decision to leave a workplace requires careful consideration. In addition to your own well-being, you should consider whether your organization prioritizes mental health and how comfortable you would feel initiating a discussion about mental health. Remember, while changing jobs is a big step, staying in a toxic workplace can have serious long-term consequences for both mental and physical health. Consider seeking advice through your employee assistance program or an independent career counselor. Whatever you decide, prioritizing your mental health and well-being should be central to your decision making. 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: A smallholder farm in Vihiga County in Western Kenya. Credit: Ennia Bosshard Research with smallholder farmers in Kenya shows that tree-planting schemes must account for complex local issues and preferences. Tree planting is central to many countries' climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation goals, and Kenya alone plans to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. Adding trees and shrubs to farmland (called agroforestry) can boost biodiversity, carbon storage, soil health, food production and income. But many tree-planting schemes overlook diversity and promote a narrow range of species. A new studyled by the University of Exeterexamined the factors that enable or prevent Kenyan smallholders from increasing the diversity of trees and shrubs on their land. The paper, published in the journal People and Nature, is titled: "Understanding smallholder decision-making to increase farm tree diversity: Enablers and barriers for forest landscape restoration in Western Kenya." "In Sub-Saharan Africa, where most food is produced on small farms, many countries are promoting agroforestry to address climate change and protect biodiversity," said Ennia Bosshard, from the Center for Ecology and Conservation on Exeter's Penryn Campus in Cornwall. A smallholder farm in Vihiga County in Western Kenya. Credit: Ennia Bosshard "Farmers play a crucial role in this effort as guardians of the land and trees, making it important to understand their decision-making regarding tree growing." The researchers interviewed 620 smallholder farmers in the Kakamega forest landscape in Western Kenya. "Key factors in their decision-making included past experiences, the influence of other farmers, and the perceived ability to grow different tree species," Bosshard continued. Kenyan farmers in the study were generally positive about increasing the diversity of trees on their farms, diversifying treesbut the study identified several barriers. Farmers were worried about negative consequences such as the risk of attracting harmful wildlife and harming the soil, farms being too small, lacking time and knowledge, and following local beliefs about trees. A smallholder farm in Vihiga County in Western Kenya. Credit: Ennia Bosshard Bosshard added, "We found that certain farmers were more likely to increase the tree and shrub diversity on their farms, especially if they had higher education (such as a university degree or a diploma), were heads of their households, had higher income, or relied fully on farming for their livelihoods." To promote agroforestry that benefits people, nature and the climate, policies should address these barriers and support enabling factors raised by the farmers. And a similar approach could be used around the world, ensuring that decision-making takes account of local factors. More information: Ennia Bosshard et al, Understanding smallholder decisionmaking to increase farm tree diversity: Enablers and barriers for forest landscape restoration in Western Kenya, People and Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10774 Journal information: People and Nature 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 Mass deportation of undocumented immigrants has been touted by the incoming Trump administration as a way to increase jobs for U.S. citizens and reduce housing costs. However, a new study co-authored by a University of Utah business scholar concludes that such a policy would likely backfire because it would drain the construction workforce, significantly slowing an already sluggish rate of new residential construction. "We're able to show that when you increase immigration enforcement, you do in fact generate a reduction in the number of individuals who are supplying labor to the construction industry in a given county," said co-author Troup Howard, an assistant professor in the School of Business's Marriner S. Eccles Institute for Economics and Quantitative Analysis. "We show that those reductions in workforce are associated with a large decline in homebuilding." That in turn would lead to higher home prices, even for existing housing stock, potentially exacerbating the housing affordability crisis. While deportations would likely free up some residential space, that doesn't come close to offsetting the effect of reduced construction. But it gets even more interesting. Howard's study found that deporting migrant construction workers, who often fill low-skill positions, could wind up reducing job opportunities across the entire industry. Co-authored by economists Mengqi Wang of Amherst College and Dayin Zhang of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the working paper was posted online on SSRN Electronic Journal last year. While it remains under peer review for publication in a journal, the study has already been cited widely in the national media. Since the collapse of the housing bubble amidst the 2008 financial crisis, home construction has yet to fully recover, resulting in a sustained increase in home prices over the past 15 years. The peak year for new homes since 2008 barely exceeds the lowest point for the five decades preceding the Great Recession, according to Howard. Much academic focus on this situation has been directed at the role of zoning and regulations play in the housing shortage. Howard and his colleagues, however, turned their sights on the impact of deportations on an industry that relies on undocumented workers. To conduct the study, the economists analyzed what happened in counties across the nation after they implemented the federal Secure Communities program, which stepped up immigration enforcement beginning in 2008 and covered every county by 2013. Counties implemented Secure Communities at different times over a four-year period, which enabled Howard's team to draw causal connections between deportations and slowdowns in residential construction. "That gradual rollout lets us sweep away the broad factors that affect housing markets nationally, to isolate the impact of immigration policy," he said. For each year, the team paired counties that had implemented the program with counties yet to adopt the policy, allowing them to compute the national average for the program's impact on home construction. "This approach gives us the statistical confidence that we are actually measuring the impact of increased immigration enforcement rather than some coincidental thing that's happening in the world," Howard said. "We find that increasing immigration enforcement causes the average county to miss out on about a year's worth of construction over the four-year period after implementation." 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. Meanwhile, these deportations won't do much to increase either housing supply or employment for U.S. citizens. The study also found that many construction positions opened up by deported employees were not filled by American workers, particularly in lower skilled occupations. "Say two jobs get vacated because workers are removed from the country. One of those jobs is going to be filled by an American, the other one doesn't get filled," Howard said. That mathematically leads to net losses in the number of people willing to work in low-skilled construction occupations that immigrants typically hold. This in turn undermines the higher-skilled jobsfor citizens and undocumented workers alike. "It looks like the net losses in people willing to work in these lower-skilled occupations are inducing an overall slowdown in the construction industry," Howard said. "The more casual way of saying that is that you need someone to come in and frame the house before you need the relatively higher-skilled plumbers and electricians to come in and finish the house." More information: Troup Howard et al, Cracking Down, Pricing Up: Housing Supply in the Wake of Mass Deportation, SSRN Electronic Journal (2024). DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4729511 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: Direction of Object 1 and 2 (solid yellow line). The green squares represent their possible locations based on the kinematic distance estimates (see Section 4.3 and 4.4). The background is an artist's conception of the Milky Way (R. Hurt/NASA/JPL-Caltech/ESO). Credit: arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2501.05008 A trio of astronomers from the University of Tokyo and Niigata University have found what they describe as "peculiar embedded icy objects" thousands of light years from Earth. Takashi Shimonishi, Itsuki Sakon and Takashi Onaka have posted a paper describing their discoveries and offering possible ideas regarding their nature on the arXiv preprint server. In 2021, two objects were discovered in data from the AKARI space telescope over the years 2006 to 2011. At the time, neither could be identified, leaving the team to wait for additional data from the ALMA array in Chile. Now, the new data have only made the nature of the two objects more mysterious. The research team has found that both objects, which are near to each other in the night sky but far apart in distance, seem to be ice balls of some sort. Both also reside in an outer part of the Milky Way galaxy. They note that either or both could be dense clouds of gas or a type of star that has not been seen before. The latter possibility seems unlikely though, they note, because both are far from regions in the galaxy where stars typically form. The research trio explains that infrared data has shown that both objects have absorbed dust and ice, which is typically something seen in young stellar objectsor in background stars positioned behind dense clouds. They note that there is something else odd about the pairthe data from the telescopes do not match regarding their distance apart and from Earth. Data from one source show one of the objects as 6,500 lightyears from Earth, while data from another source show it as 30,000 lightyears away. Both sources agree that the other object is approximately 43,700 lightyears away. Also, both objects appear to be approximately 10 times the size of the solar system, which the researchers describe as very small for a gas cloud. The researchers say that other data show that the gas surrounding both objects is made up mostly of silicon dioxide, with a little carbon dioxide mixed in. The ratio, they note, is similar to that seen for young stars. They conclude by suggesting that the available data cannot be used to identify either object. They hope that once the James Webb Space Telescope can be aimed at them, their nature will become more clear. More information: Takashi Shimonishi et al, ALMA Observations of Peculiar Embedded Icy Objects, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2501.05008 Journal information: arXiv 2025 Science X Network Construction progresses at the new Starbucks, which may open in late spring or early summer. Kirk Sides / Houston Chronicle This week, Starbucks is making an effort to approve its cafe experience by bringing back its condiment bar, among other changes. Starbucks last week updated its Coffeehouse Code of Conduct policy, which requires customers to purchase items when visiting. But those purchases will now come with additional perks. Beginning Monday, here are some new amenities customers will receive, according to Starbucks' website. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Starbucks condiment bar is back Customers will again be able to enjoy Starbucks' condiment bar, adding sweetners and other add finishing touches to their drinks. If a certain item is running low, just tell a barista. 'For Here' beverages with refills When customers order a beverage for here, it will be served in a glass, coffee mug, or in the customers personal cup. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Included in this new rollout, Starbucks will allow customers to enjoy free refills of hot brewed or iced coffee, or hot or iced tea during their visit. The new free refills will exclude cold brew, nitro cold brew, iced tea lemonade, flavored iced tea and Starbucks refreshers. Coffeehouse Code of Conduct As for Starbucks updated Coffeehouse Code of Conduct, visitors can no longer use the store to go to the bathroom, work or socialize without purchasing something. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The new policy replaces an open-door policy implemented in 2018 after two Black men were arrested in a Philadelphia location where they planned to have a business meeting but didn't purchase anything, according to a previous Houston Chronicle report. At the time, the arrests caused widespread backlash for the company, the Associated Press reported. Stores saw an increase in unruly behavior after the open-door policy was put in place, the AP reported. The new policy requiring a purchase is set to be displayed in all stores to help detail expectations for customers. Starbucks employees may call law enforcement if people who don't follow the policy refuse to leave. Peter Warren contributed to this report. 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: Adam Yaney-Keller / Monash University Drones are emerging as a critical scientific tool and revolutionizing the way scientists gather data on how animals' bodies work in the wild, new research from Monash University and Phillip Island Nature Parks has found. A review of published scientific papers has found 136 that used drones to research wildlife ecophysiology, the study of how animals' bodies work, and how that relates to the natural environment. It has been published in the peer-reviewed journal Biological Reviews. The practice is steadily gaining altitude, beginning with a single study in 2010, reaching seven studies in 2018, and more than tripling to 27 by 2023. These included 63 wildlife species studied in marine environments and across every continent. Lead author Adam Yaney-Keller, a Monash University Ph.D. candidate, said drones are a gamechanger for studying large marine mammals in particular. "The ability to study the internal workings of the largest animals on the planet has previously been very difficult," Yaney-Keller said. "You can't exactly keep some animals, like blue whales, in a tank while you measure their body condition, so there have been a lot of advancements in using the images from drones to remotely obtain these metrics. "Some particularly cool advancements have been in using sample plates attached to drones and flying it through a whale's blow, the exhaled air when they come to the surface to breathe, to sample their microbiomes, hormones, genetics, and survey for diseases which may be affecting wild populations." Professor Richard Reina, Head of Monash University's Ecophysiology and Conservation Research Group in the School of Biological Sciences, has spent decades studying animals in the wild and seen first hand the benefits of technological advancement in recent years. "The field is making great progress in overcoming the 'air gap,' which is the space between an animal and a remote measurement tool like a drone," Professor Reina said. "The innovative methods being developed in the field mean we are overcoming the distance and figuratively closing that gap, meaning we are avoiding methods that are invasive or influence the animal's behavior, and importantly, researchers and animals alike are safer. "We are now using drones to measure body size, health conditions, vital signs like heart rate and temperature, and the make-up of microbiomes and genetics, all of which are really scaling up monitoring efforts for research, conservation and management." In addition to marine mammals, drones are being used to study everything from manta rays and sharks to crocodiles, giraffes and swans. The research shows significant advancements in tracking their movements to learn about how their bodies move, what their energy requirements might be, how humans may be stressing them out, and what sort of diseases they might be facing. Phillip Island Nature Parks Marine Scientist Rebecca McIntosh said while there is still a lot of room to grow, the new technology promises an exciting future in studying wildlife physiology from the air. "At Phillip Island Nature Parks, we have been using drones since 2016 to monitor the status and record the population of the Australian fur seals," she said. "This review demonstrates the benefits of drone technology for wildlife research around the world and highlights exciting future applications for conservation." The review has been undertaken as part of Yaney-Keller's Ph.D. research on the use of thermal imaging from drones to detect and respond to plastic entanglements on wild seals on Phillip Island. More information: Adam YaneyKeller et al, Closing the air gap: the use of drones for studying wildlife ecophysiology, Biological Reviews (2025). DOI: 10.1111/brv.13181 Journal information: Biological Reviews 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 In 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) struck down race-conscious admissions in higher education, reshaping affirmative action policies. A report in The Annals of Family Medicine examines the ruling's wide-reaching effects, particularly on underrepresented minority (URM) students, and proposes strategies for preserving diversity in higher education and professional fields, including medicine. Institutions such as MIT and Amherst College have reported significant declines in Black and Latino student enrollment. In medical school admissions, the lack of standardized guidelines for evaluating applicants' experiences tied to race risks further marginalizing students who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC). To address these challenges, institutions must innovate and engage at all levels, including expanding STEM enrichment programs, strengthening K-16 recruitment efforts, and maintaining holistic admissions processes. Admissions committees must receive robust training to ensure objective evaluations of applicants' lived experiences. A diverse higher education and health care workforce is critical for achieving equity and improving societal outcomes. Research consistently shows that diverse medical teams lead to better patient care, stronger clinician-patient relationships, and reduced health disparities. More information: Billy Thomas, Affirmative ActionA Crack in the Door to Higher Education, The Annals of Family Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1370/afm.230646 Journal information: Annals of Family Medicine 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 variable topology of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) autoproteolysis inducing (GAIN) domain. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55466-6 Adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a group of cell-surface sensors associated with many body functions and diseases. However, they are not yet sufficiently understood to be exploited for therapies. Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1423 at Leipzig University aims to change this. Scientists at the Faculty of Medicine have now developed an innovative numbering system for the GAIN domain, a protein domain common to all adhesion GPCRs. It should help to elucidate the role of this protein domain in disease and pave the way for more precise experimental approaches. The research has been published in Nature Communications. Adhesion GPCRs are a large class of membrane proteins that detect chemical and mechanical stimuli in the body. The GAIN domain plays a central role in the activation of adhesion GPCRs. Until now, research has been limited by the low similarity of the amino acid sequences of different GAIN domains, which has hampered knowledge transfer and comparative analysis. The new numbering system provides a standardized basis for the accurate transfer of research results between different model systems and humans. It is based on the analysis of over 14,000 modeled structures in the GAIN domain, generated using the latest AI techniques. Peter Hildebrand, professor of membrane and cell biophysics at Leipzig University, who led the international study, says, "Our new numbering system is an important step forward in GPCR research. It will facilitate basic research and encourage comparative studies. It provides a solid foundation for further research in biochemistry, bioinformatics and structural biology." For example, the newly developed system enables a better understanding of disease-relevant mutations in GAIN domains, providing a deeper insight into their role in diseases such as cancer. Analysis useful for kidney disease In the new study, the scientists found that their numbering system also made it possible to analyze and compare the GAIN domains of polycystic kidney disease proteins. This genetic disease causes fluid-filled cysts to form in the kidneys and other organs. Florian Seufert, first author of the paper and a doctoral researcher at the Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, says, "The interdisciplinary work in CRC 1423 and our contacts in Berlin and Copenhagen bring a variety of perspectives to such a project. This has allowed us to develop our system in a user-friendly way, opening the door to many new research opportunities. We are already using the system to support two projects in which we are further investigating the function of the GAIN domain." The new numbering system has been integrated into the widely used international database of GPCRs, facilitating global access and knowledge sharing for researchers. More information: Florian Seufert et al, Generic residue numbering of the GAIN domain of adhesion GPCRs, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55466-6 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: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Over 1,000 women ended up in a Dutch state workhouse between 1886 and 1934. This was a place for vagrants, beggars and drunkards: people who were said to be too lazy to work. Who were the women who were sent there? Leiden University Ph.D. candidate Marian Weevers has investigated. The state workhouses originated from the beggars' colonies that Suzanna Jansen, among others, writes about in her bestseller "Het Pauperparadijs." People could be sent to these places by police order, but they could also apply voluntarily. That changed around 1886. "The state no longer took responsibility for caring for the poor," Weevers says. "In this view, the government was mainly responsible for public order and safety, and that would be threatened by vagrants and beggars." Weevers discovered, however, that there were relatively many old and sick women living in the state workhouse. "Some women were half-blind or deaf, missing a limb or limping," she lists. "Most were over 50, but they were also posing a threat to public order, and it was very difficult for them to find work. "This raised the question as to why exactly they ended up in a state workhouse, when a condition for being there was that one was capable of working. A judge had to substantiate this with arguments. This made it unlikely that the police and judiciary would prosecute particularly these old, sick or (heavily) pregnant women. Had they perhaps had a part in their committal themselves?" Last safety net "At the time, there were already rumors that many people would actively try to have themselves committed to a state workhouse, but apart from a very few studies, this was hardly systematically investigated," Weevers says. "Added to this, those studies were almost always confined to men. "When I looked into the situation for women, I noticed that there were a few courts that sentenced women to a state workhouse remarkably regularly. Often, the women were not from the vicinity of the court, which suggests that they deliberately moved there with the aim of ending up in a state workhouse." Other sources also support the hypothesis that a lot of women wanted to be taken to a state workhouse. Weevers notes, "Some of the women even explicitly asked to be referred to the police or the judge." 'She couldn't get it that good anywhere' The punishment of being sent to a state workhouse was long: a minimum of three months to a maximum of three years. This period was thought to be necessary to improve the women's behavior. On the eve of their departure from the state workhouse, the women would meet the Leiden Ladies Committee of the Dutch Society for the Moral Improvement of Prisoners. This committee aimed to help them find a place in society. "For example, it tried to mediate if there had been a quarrel with a husband, made sure a woman could go to her family or could find work somewhere as a cleaner," Weevers says. "The notes in the register the committee kept about this are a very interesting source." Despite all the good intentions, the efforts of the Ladies' Committee usually had no lasting effect, says Weevers. "I came across a statement about this from one of the women committed to the workhouse, that no matter how hard she worked, she would not have it as good anywhere as in the state workhouse. This perhaps mainly indicates how hard life was for these women outside the workhouse. For several of them, it must have functioned as a refuge rather than a punishment." 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 The stories of salmon and orcas in the Pacific Northwest are linked. Their paths intermingle in a vast web of ecosystems and co-evolved species. Salmon are struggling to survive. So are the families of endangered southern resident orcas, with a population of just 73, not improved in years. Their plight has been on full display, capturing worldwide attention yet again as mother orca Tahlequah this winter carried her dead calf that lived only about a week. She did the same thing in 2018, carrying another baby calf that lived only a half-hour, for 17 days and over 1,000 miles. Both lost calves were females, devastating for a population needing to rebuild. The web of influences that impact orcas, especially the lack of salmon, reveals a stark lesson about climate change. It is a wrecker of the balance of life on which the natural world, which makes the Northwest so special, depends. Widespread declines of wild Chinook salmon have hurt fisheries, tribal cultures and ecosystems that depend on the fish, especially the southern residents. They eat other fish but preferentially target Chinook, the biggest, fattiest salmon in the sea. A key to orca survival is for more of the runs they depend on to improve, so they get enough food. Lack of regularly available, quality food is one of the biggest threats to their survival. What salmon are hurting the most? All three southern resident pods, or families, take fish from the Columbia and Snake rivers. Snake River spring/summer Chinook are of particular importance for their size and high fat content; they are crucial food in a lean season. Declines in wild Snake River spring/summer Chinook over the past century were driven by overfishing and migration barriers, including dams, water diversions for irrigation, salmon farms and hatcheries. The species was federally listed as threatened in 1992 and has continued to dwindle toward extinction. Now research shows salmon will be hammered by climate change in both their freshwater and ocean life stages. In streams, lethal conditions for salmon are predicted across the state. Interior Columbia Basin populations of salmon face the largest percentage loss of snow-dominated habitat, as temperatures warm, causing summer droughts and scouring winter floods. In the ocean, rising surface temperatures also pose an overriding threat to salmon, upending ocean food webs and predator communities, scientists predicted in a 2021 paper. What is Tahlequah telling us? Scientists know this much for certain: Climate change is a killer even for the most productive Chinook spawning grounds in the Columbia Basin, threatening a life source for the southern resident orcas. The Chinook that orcas depend on for survival are under unprecedented threat due to warming sea surface temperatures and streams. When they modeled predictions of climate change on the life cycle of the salmon, even the largest spring/summer Chinook populations today in the basin of the Salmon River crashed to near-extinction levels by 2060, with fewer than 50 adult fish returning to their spawning beds, the scientists found. Negative effects from rising sea surface temperatures will drive most populations to extinction within this century, the scientists concluded. Salmon are geniuses at adaptation. But even by running out to sea earlier, or shifting their run time back to the river by multiple days, they could not overcome the lethal effect of warming sea surface temperatures enough to beat extinction in a warming world, the scientists predicted. What have been some salmon bright spots? The good news is that where humans have made big changes for wild salmon recovery, salmon are responding. On the Elwha, where two dams were taken down to recover the river's legendary salmon runs, and habitat work continues, steelhead, coho and Chinook are coming back. 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. On the Upper Columbia, better water management has boosted sockeye to record runs in modern times, delighting sport fishermen and bringing precious food home to Upper Columbia tribeseven after crossing nine dams to get to spawning streams in British Columbia. The Okanagan Nation Alliance tribal communities got the breakthrough going, with an invitation to Canadian fisheries officials to work together with them and dam managers to help the run. Meanwhile, work by the Nez Perce Tribe, in collaboration with other partners, has brought back the run of fall Chinook in the Snake River from near extinction to the most successful Chinook run on the river, benefiting sport and commercial fishermen, as well as tribal fishers. And from the eastern side of Vancouver Island to Hood Canal, chum numbers saw a boost last fall, returning home in runs bigger than had been seen in decades. The chum boom follows decades of habitat work. Independent researcher Alexandra Morton also noted in a recent study that getting most of the Atlantic salmon fish farms out of a crucial migratory corridor for baby salmon east of Vancouver Island greatly reduced pathogens they encounter, including sea lice. Three years after the fish pens came out, the 2024 chum runs kaboomed from Alert Bay in the Broughton Archipelago all the way to Puget Sound, with adult returns in this region increasing 10 to 20 times their usual numbers in one generation, Morton noted. "The overarching feeling is incredible respect for these fish; chum were doing so poorly, it was theorized it was over for them," Morton said. "Yet when we gave them something they need, they showed remarkable resilience; it was extraordinary. When the fish came back, so did the orcas. Week after week last fall during the chum run, Morton listened to the sounds of the northern resident orcaswho like the southern residents primarily eat salmonswimming past underwater microphones, their voices broadcast on speakers filling her home. The southern residents also visited central Puget Sound waters day after day last fall, chasing chum. With climate change, what's the outlook? Perhaps an ecological surprise will occur, said Brian Burke, a supervisory biologist at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle. What the future ocean will be like is not known. "How are those dynamics going to change?" Burke said. But this much is certain: There is no easy way to fix declines in marine survival, he noted, and there certainly is no one silver bullet to recover Snake River Basin salmon runs, not even dam removal. NOAA in a September 2022 report stated returning Columbia Basin salmon will require multiple fixes across all life stages of salmon, including dam removal on the Lower Snake River. Meanwhile, hunger stalks the southern residents. Once producing 1.5 million Snake River spring/summer Chinook a year, today runs are 10% of that in a good conditions. "It would be like going to the grocery store and there is no food available," said Rick Williams, co-author of the book "Managed Extinction" and fish biologist based in Eagle River, Idaho, about the decline of wild salmon in the Pacific Northwest. Poor ocean conditions make it even more important to improve the freshwater habitat, Williams said. "The ocean is going to be really hard to control and manage; the flip side of that is it makes it imperative that we do what we can in the freshwater environments," Williams said. People can count on nature, though, he added. Given a chance, species of salmon in multiple Northwest rivers have shown they will rebound. "The fish have the capacity to come back," Williams said, "if we give them the opportunity." 2025 The Seattle Times. 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: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Are teens confident in their ability to distinguish between trustworthy and fake information online? In the most recent PISA study, 15-year-old secondary school students were asked to rate their own skills in finding and evaluating digital information. The study team in Germany has now completed a separate analysis of this aspect of the survey. Most of the results were not published with the main study. The PISA study shows that teens in Germany think that they have the necessary skills to find information online. More than two thirds (69%) of the 15-year-olds said that this task poses no problems for them. After finding the information, however, fewer than half (47%) of the students feel capable of properly evaluating itas compared to the OECD average of 51%. Only about 60% of the teens in Germany stated that they compared multiple sourceswell below the OECD average of 72%. Moreover, about one-third of the 15-year-olds in Germany do not check the accuracy of online information before sharing it on social media. 'Plenty of ground to make up' "A lot of pupils are unfortunately not sufficiently skilled in detecting fake news. They have plenty of ground to make up in dealing critically and thoughtfully with online information. The PISA study underscores the urgent need to tackle this shortcoming to prepare young people for the challenges of the digital world," says Prof. Samuel Greiff of the Center for International Student Assessment (ZIB) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the head of the PISA study in Germany. The eighth Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) study, conducted in 2022, assessed the skills of a representative selection of approximately 6,100 15-year-old secondary school students attending around 260 schools of all types in Germany. The students also answered a questionnaire about learning conditions, attitudes and social background. Socio-economic status linked to competency The research team also examined the factors influencing the results. There is strong correlation between the students' self-efficacy, their interest in digital media and their socio-economic status. 15-year-olds who consider themselves strong in these areas or are better positioned from the outset, rate their skills more highly. Girls reported checking the accuracy of online information more often and using different sources in their searches. The pupils were also asked to rate the digital competencies of their teachers and their openness to the use of digital media. Only around half of the young people believe that their teachers have the necessary skills to use digital devices in the classroom. This is significantly lower than the OECD average of 70%. About 60% of the 15-year-olds state that their teachers are open to the use of digital media in the classroom. This is also well below the OECD average of 77%. These perceptions are important because the study reveals a link with the teens' self-assessment of their own skills. "Both the digital competency of the teachers and their openness to digital media can help to improve the digital information competency of their students," says Greiff. "Consequently, teachers should receive support in making the handling of online information a routine component of their lessons in various subjects." Digital media are often unreliable The main PISA 2022 study already showed that the self-reported use by teachers in Germany of digital tools in lessons and homework is below the OECD average. The majority of responding school principals stated that their teachers lacked the necessary preparation time to incorporate digital media and that schools do not have sufficient trained personnel for technical support. The new analysis now shows that only 60% of teens (OECD average: 71%) say that digital media function reliably in their schools. In addition, only 46% of the pupils, well below the OECD average of 67%, find that digital media are easily accessible in the classroom. More information: Tamara Kastorff et al, Fake News oder Fakten? Wie Jugendliche ihre digitale Informationskompetenz einschatzen und welche Rolle Schulen und Lehrkrafte dabei spielen. Erkenntnisse aus PISA 2022 (2025). DOI: 10.31244/9783830999935 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 Following Donald Trump's return to the White House, much attention has been given to his plans for tariffs on imported goods, deportations of illegal migrants, and cuts to federal government spending. Fewer column inches have addressed the implications of his presidency for global regulatory bodies. Just as he did during his first term, Trump has announced the withdrawal of the US from the World Health Organization (WHO) and from the Paris climate accords. And because his tariffs program will challenge World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, Trump is likely to continue the US policy of stymieing the WTO's appellate body, which adjudicates on trade disputes between states. US withdrawals from other international regulatory bodies are also possible. Each of the bodies from which Trump withdrew last time around survived. However, threats to global regulatory bodies today could be greater than they were during Trump's first term. In the US and beyond, deglobalization has so far been evident only in state policies, and not in trade flows. China, for example, has set up and now dominates several regional investment and trade organizations to provide alternatives to the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. However, tariff retaliation and bloc-based regulatory standards could soon turn "slowbalization"a trend whereby political support for open trade has gradually weakened and the rate of growth in world trade has slowedinto trade deglobalization. We have been here before. The 1930s were characterized by high tariffs, breakup of trade into blocs, and withdrawals and expulsions of major powers from global bodies. In the 1940s, which saw the breakout of the Second World War, trade was conducted almost exclusively among allies. Yet almost all international regulatory bodies survived during this period, albeit they were bruised and were able to achieve less as a result. Our study, which was published in 2021, distinguished pathways through which three distinct groups of global regulatory bodies either survived or else handed over their archives, networks and organizational capacity to their UN-era successors. Preserving rule sets One inter-war group of industry-specific global regulators oversaw capital-intensive and infrastructure-heavy international industries such as telecommunications and railways. This group included the International Telecommunications Union and a modest alphabet soup of closely cooperating railway bodies. In these fields, interconnection depended on common but frequently updated and adjusted rule sets for technology, accounting and routing management. They also required continuous statistical collections by international bureaus. Unable to agree major regulatory innovation after the global economic crisis began in 1931, these bodies reduced their focus to managing and maintaining their existing rule sets and information services. On the outbreak of war in Europe, their bureaus went into a phase of severely reduced activity, with many of their activities suspended. However, they continued to collect and publish statistics, maintained their networks within member states, and developed ambitious plans for peacetime. The International Telecommunications Union and the railway authorities resumed operations shortly after the end of hostilities with their rule sets intact. Individual brokering work A second cluster were generic bodies, responsible for the oversight of labor relations and aspects of capital flows. These are faster-moving fields than infrastructure-heavy industries. These bodies included the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Economic and Financial Organization of the League of Nations (EFO). 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. They provided expertise for negotiating agreements on particular problems. In the case of the ILO, this included conventions on working time, women's working conditions, and forced labor. The EFO brokered financial support with strict conditions for Austria and Hungary, then new and struggling states which faced acute financial crises in the early 1920s. These organizations faced increasing difficulties during the deglobalization of the 1930s. But they continued to provide bilaterally negotiated support for many countries. The ILO, for example, provided technical assistance to some South American governments on the design of social insurance schemes, while the EFO's financial committee worked with central banks. Survival or bequest was secured by the brokering work of key individual leaders who were able to exploit fluid networks among states, firms and unions in global labor and capital debates. The EFO secured the transfer of key staff, networks and traditions to post-war bodies, including the UN Economic and Social Council and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. And the ILO's director-general, Edward Phelan, was crucial in negotiating with the US to relaunch the organization with a new program for the post-war era. New international clubs A third group of regulatory bodies was created precisely in response to the 1930s global economic crisis. These were international commodity unions for goods such as tin, rubber, tea and sugar. Most were publicly run cartels, often backed by the imperial blocs that dominated the fragmenting world trade system. Like many cartels, their cohesion was fragile. But many of those that were successfully established managed to survive the 1930s and the war that followed. Their survival depended less on the formal administrative organization of the infrastructure bodies or the individual brokering work that sustained the capital and labor bodies. It was dependent more on their ability to draw upon club-like collective bonds both among major producing and exporting firms and among officials across key producer states and imperial authorities. Within the tightly bonded International Tin Committee, for example, a succession of agreements on prices, quotas and voting rights were settled. Despite initial US reluctance to see these international commodity unions continue into peacetime, President Harry Truman was persuaded of their temporary value for economic order during reconstruction. Some even continued until the 1970s, when they collapsed in that decade's global economic turmoil. Freer markets then superseded intergovernmental cartels. Trump's policies, as well as those of China, Russia and other major powers, may again endanger the roles of global regulatory bodies. But some will survive by focusing on the routine maintenance services provided by their bureaus, and some will empower individual leaders to negotiate their way to reinvention and survival. Others will pass their capacity to new agencies when deglobalization eventually abates. And some new international bodies may emerge in response to conditions in industries most adversely affected by the changing terms of trade. Our work has led us to conclude that which strategy is chosen depends on two things. First, on the features of the field being regulated. And second, on the informal social organization within the international bodies and member states, which shapes how people can act and the skills they can sustain. It remains to be seen how informal social organization in the WHO and climate treaty system will now evolve after US withdrawal. 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 It's well documented that despite increasing awareness of gender equality, women remain underrepresented when taking a seat at leadership tables in the corporate world. But what about the challenges women face once they make it to the boardroom? University of South Australia researchers have found that women encounter significant struggles when navigating power dynamics in leadership teamsspecifically when it comes to driving corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. This is despite many previous studies suggesting that having more women on boards will lead to stronger social outcomes. CSR is when a business makes a conscious effort to make the world a better place. It could be a small enterprise making a simple charity donation or a large corporation giving a portion of its profits to a worthy cause. Researchers in UniSA's Center for Markets, Values and Inclusion, Associate Professor Wei Qian, Dr. Kathy Rao and Dr. Xin Deng conducted a study that revealed the power dynamics at play when CSR decisions are being considered by boards and companies. The paper is published in the journal Accounting & Finance. Twenty senior women directors and managers from both small and large companies were interviewed from a variety of industries including banking, metal and mining, health care, finance, telecommunication, real estate and insurance. Assoc Prof Qian says the women expressed biases and difficulties in promoting CSR to their boardroom colleagues. "When speaking with these women, we heard several examples of women finding it hard to navigate power imbalances when it comes to driving social initiatives. One participant said she was told she 'wears her heart on her sleeve' when she was expressing concerns about a social initiative and wanting the company to go in a certain direction," Assoc Prof Qian says. "We found that when women leaders were assigned 'soft' tasks that are assumed to be less important, such as CSR projects, they were often either marginalized or completely silenced, making them less likely to challenge board decisions or have an impact on changing performance. This created discomfort and sometimes even an intimidating environment for women to raise CSR concerns or ideas. "Men predominantly hold the powerful positions, such as executive directors or chairs, and they dominate the 'hard' business issues." Some women also explained how they had to take a gentler approach to advocacy, choose their words carefully and sometimes adjust their CSR ideas to make them more receptive to their male colleaguesoften by reframing it as a business opportunity or a chance for the business to gain competitive advantage. One research participant explained, "The best example was talking about the climate change program. You have to build a good story, sort of start at the economic(s) and work your way up to (it), and then (say) 'by the way, this would be a good and responsible thing to do.'" 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. Assoc Prof Qian says stereotypes play into the question of whether women are more receptive to CSR agendas, but overall, she believes women are more often associated with strong performance in environmental and social goals and community engagement. "Stereotypically, women are perceived as more emotional, sensitive, caring and empathetic towards others. In contrast, men are viewed as more independent, masterful and assertive," she says. "Women directors are keener to build connections that offer social support and foster a sense of belonging, which in turn can lead them to engage more in CSR activities," she says. "This confirms that gender equality on boards matters." The research involved participants from Australia and China, neither of which have gender quotas. The researchers say although the two countries are distinctive in terms of political, social and economic structures, female leaders experienced similar struggles in the boardroom when promoting CSR. More information: Wei Qian et al, Gender diversity and corporate social responsibility performance: A critical assessment, Accounting & Finance (2024). DOI: 10.1111/acfi.13359 Traffic travels on Interstate 10 near downtown Houston under Houston Avenue on March 3, 2021, in Houston. Officials are considering how to increase capacity on I-10 within Loop 610, including possibly adding managed lanes from the West Loop to downtown Houston. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Even after a project has started to elevate Interstate-10 near White Oak Bayou, Houston community leaders are still pushing back, saying its too expensive, potentially harms the environment and question whether it prevents flooding as intended. The point of the I-10 White Oak Bayou elevation project is to reduce the flooding risk during major Houston storms. The Texas Department of Transportation reduced open lanes from five to three on I-10 westbound from I-45 to Studemont to allow for the project to begin. But after the groundbreaking ceremony on Jan. 17, community leaders who have opposed the project since its outset continue to voice their concerns. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kevin Strickland, president of the Greater Heights Superneighborhood Council, said the project shouldve only included the reconstruction of Houston Avenue where trucks hitting the bridge have been a problem for a long time. He believes the $400 million overall project cost, which includes raising the I-10 lanes, is too expensive. He is not convinced elevating the lanes would truly prevent flooding within the 2-mile area. "Its just this one portion and a huge expense," Strickland said. ROAD CONSTRUCTION TRACKER: Latest updates on major projects shaping the Houston region in 2025 Severe flooding is seen next to the I-10 freeway just after Hurricane Beryl makes landfall on Monday, July 8, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer The health of the animal habitats at the project site is a concern of the Bayou Preservation Association. The organization officials said in an email they asked TxDOT to reconsider the construction in 2022. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "While flooding is one the biggest issues facing our region, careful planning and consideration must be undertaken when implementing flood mitigation projects," association representatives said in a statement. TxDOT spokesperson Kristina Hadley said in an email that TxDOT anticipates no adverse impacts on wildlife due to construction and said the completed project will have upgraded infrastructure requiring less maintenance. The Bayou Preservation Association noted that flooding has occurred in the area during the regions most intense rain events, but said it was not frequent. Some examples include Tropical Storm Alison, Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Beryl. During Hurricane Harvey, the freeway was closed for days. Hadley said TxDOT wanted to reduce the risk of the roadway becoming impassable during major storms. Randall Baxley, a Facebook administrator for the North Central Civic Association, said his objections are about aesthetics. "It's just going to ruin my view of downtown," he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He has often questioned TxDOT projects involving White Oak Bayou. For the planned project that would modernize and widen I-45 between downtown Houston and Beltway 8 near the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, he wanted to know if a nearby park would be impacted and if potential debris and trash from storms would pile up in the bayou. LEAH MONCURE: Texas' first female engineer is being honored by TxDOT LINK Houston representatives, who advocate for an equitable transportation network in Houston, said they remain opposed to any highway expansion project that could lead to increased traffic congestion, displaced communities or more greenhouse gas emissions. "If such projects are going to proceed, it is essential that they incorporate meaningful transit solutions to benefit all Houstonians," read a statement from the organization. Hadley said TxDOT will try to moderate traffic congestion during the road work by offering alternative routes for drivers and by using the smart work zone with real-time sensor technology and sending messages about the conditions of the construction sites. Advertisement Article continues below this ad TxDOT officials also believe raising the highway up and away from the nearby neighborhoods could alleviate contact with car emissions, according to Hadley. LINK Houston said TxDOT and Metropolitan Transit Authority should focus more on advancing the Inner Katy Bus Rapid Transit project to expand public transit access following Metro officials' decision to "de-scope" plans last year. The organization also supports a recent $2 million grant awarded to Harris County Precinct 4 for a study to place small parklets along a part of the Katy Freeway. Hadley said TxDOT's leaders believe the project is vital to the city and understand the problems construction can cause. "However, as the city of Houston continues to grow, we are working on transportation solutions that will help address the growth for many years to come," she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad TxDOT asked the public to reach out with their concerns by visiting the departments contact page This isn't the first time communities and organizations have opposed the elevation project on I-10. Nearby residents expressed their issues to TxDOT during the project's proposal in 2022. TxDOT engineers refined the project last year, lowering the lanes where feasible and pushing for tall walls along the road to stifle the noise. They planned for a bike trail along White Oak Bayou with shared-use paths connecting to the existing trail system. "Its our city," Strickland said. "The more people speak up and find out how to engage, the more likely it is that we will be able to change how the city grows in the future." About the I-10 project The project will elevate the I-10 main lanes between Heights Boulevard and I-45, including reconstruction on Houston Avenue to prevent high-load commercial vehicles from hitting the bridge. The higher freeway would have a detention space beneath it with bike trails along White Oak Bayou, with shared-use paths connecting to the existing trail system. Once completed, Houston Avenue will be below the I-10 main lanes instead of above, according to TxDOT. The project is expected to be completed at the end of 2028. ATLANTIC CITY Tammy Betheas two dogs survived the first time they had to stay alone at her Stanley Holmes Village apartment with no heat, after the Atlantic City Housing Authority moved Bethea to a hotel while contractors worked on underground pipes. But her bulldog Lorenzo, 3, didnt make it through the second time she had to move out in early December, when the authority was doing more work on the heating system. I came home the morning of (January) 16th and he was dead, Bethea said. He was by the front door. I think he was trying to get out. The low in Atlantic City on Jan. 16 was about 18 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. He was a big baby ... a family member like one of my kids, Bethea said Monday during an interview in her apartment, holding her remaining dog Pepper, 13, who is small enough to snuggle into small spaces for heat. Bethea would go back and forth daily to feed and walk them, she said, and turn on space heaters. But at night she didnt want to leave the space heaters on because of the fire hazard. Housing Authority Executive Director Tom Sahlin said the authority will look into providing accommodations for pets when residents must move out temporarily through no fault of their own. We are looking at the boarding issue and will consider it once we figure out the logistics, Sahlin said Monday. Stanley Holmes residents happy to be back home, but no hot water for some The 19 families who lived for more than two weeks at the Claridge Hotel while sewer pipes were repaired under their apartments at Stanley Holmes Village returned home Friday and said they were happy the work went quickly. But he didnt think Lorenzo died of the cold. He said Bethea told him Lorenzo committed suicide, but had no idea what she meant. Im just saying thats what she told me, Sahlin said. I asked her to confirm as I wasnt sure if I misheard her, and she said thats what happened. Bethea, however, said she told him Lorenzo died from the conditions. The authority had previously announced heating system completion dates of Oct. 15, Nov. 30 and the end of December. In court in December, authority consultant Michael Brown of the 360 Group, whose company has been paid more than $800,000 to oversee work to fix the system this year, told Judge John C. Porto the system would not be completed until sometime in January. I apologize. I wish we could have done it way faster, Brown said in court. Stanley Holmes Village resident Leotta Camper said she is still living at the Claridge Hotel because the heat in her apartment turns on for a while, but suddenly cuts out again. Atlantic City Housing Authority springs major move on Stanley Holmes Village residents The Atlantic City Housing Authority is giving dozens of Stanley Holmes Village residents until Tuesday to move to the Claridge Hotel for about a month so it can make repairs to crawl space pipes, but has made no provision for them to be able to cook and no food vouchers. There are quite a few of us still here, Camper said Monday. They are not saying when we can go back. She has lived there six years, she said. She spends time during the day in her apartment. Sometimes the heat comes on for a while, then it goes off again for no apparent reason. It gets hot, then it gets cold immediately, Camper said. I had the lawyers at my house last week. They felt it. Camper is part of a group of about 150 Stanley Holmes residents suing over conditions there, which they say are threatening their health and safety. Her neighbors all tell her they are using space heaters and their stoves and ovens to heat their apartments during the day. Bethea said separation was stressful for both her and the dogs, and she wonders whether stress killed Lorenzo along with the cold. They are her service animals because she suffers from depression, she said. Sahlin visited Betheas apartment with maintenance workers Friday to try to figure out why her heat wont come on properly, Bethea said. Atlantic City Housing Authority consultant tells judge heating system fix coming in January Two years after bringing a lawsuit to force the Atlantic City Housing Authority to provide Stanley Holmes Village residents with consistent heat and hot water, the system is still being worked on and is now not likely to be fixed until January, according to court testimony Friday. They bled her radiators, she said, and the first floor radiators are now slightly warm, but those upstairs remain ice cold. Sahlin said her apartment was about 70 degrees when he visited it. She still has to use space heaters to be comfortable downstairs, and upstairs remains cold even with them, Bethea said. Bethea is the recently elected president of a newly formed tenants association at Stanley Holmes, but said she cant get the Housing Authority to approve use of the community room and a date for meetings. I had a conversation with Ms. Bethea and Steve (Young) on Friday and they will be following up with resident services/property management to coordinate the TA meeting schedule, Sahlin said Monday. Bethea said the resident services director has not returned her calls. The European forecast model, shown here, suggests a broken line of strong thunderstorms will sweep across Southeast Texas along a cold front Thursday afternoon. Pivotal Weather Many rain gauges across Greater Houston have recorded an inch or two of rainfall since Sunday, with a few spots closing in on 2.5 inches. Southeast Texas gets a brief break from persistent or heavy rainfall Tuesday, with only a few light showers or drizzle expected before noon. Patchy areas of fog could slow you down a bit on area roads. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Once fog dissipates and lingering light rain dwindles, the rest of Tuesday features cloudy skies and seasonably cool weather. After starting the day in the lower 50s, temperatures Tuesday top out between 61 and 63 degrees in Houston. A slow-moving cold front promises more widespread and heavier downpours Wednesday into Thursday. Showers push in Wednesday As a weak ridge of high atmospheric pressure begins to shift east Wednesday, Southeast Texas will be open for moisture from the Gulf Coast to stream in. The result will be scattered showers and a few isolated downpours, especially if youre traveling toward San Antonio or Austin. Forecast models arent depicting rain all day, but a few windshield wipers are likely to be flapping by the Wednesday evening commute. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rainfall totals through Wednesday should be relatively light in the Houston metro area, according to the National Blend of Models, a composite forecast model. Rainfall may be heavier along and west of Interstate 35. WeatherBELL Afternoon temperatures, despite a thick blanket of cloud cover, should manage to peak in the upper 60s to lower 70s across the area. Wednesday night, as low pressure enters the Plains, storms and heavier downpours should become more frequent. Strong storms, flooding possible Thursday Well be keeping a close eye on where a cold front will be Thursday. For now, it appears that the cold front will likely be saddled along or just west of Interstate 35 Thursday morning. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Strong storms Thursday morning may stretch from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex to San Antonio. Damaging winds and a tornado or two remain a possibility closer to I-35 through daybreak Thursday. Where do storms go later in the day Thursday? Its also possible that the risk for severe weather will shift east toward Houston by the afternoon. Forecast guidance suggests a line of thunderstorms will approach Houston through Thursday afternoon and evening. Ahead of the approaching cold front, a warm and unstable air mass will push Thursdays temperatures into the mid-70s, should be more than enough heat energy to support the risk of severe storms locally. The National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center suggests the risk of flash flooding Thursday will be highest well north of Houston, shown in yellow. Houston may have localized minor flooding, though the risk of this is lower compared to places like Lufkin or Tyler. National Weather Service Damaging winds and a few storm supercells capable of producing large hail are the most likely weather threats, although a brief tornado cant be ruled out. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Heavy rainfall also could produce localized flash flooding. The risk for this, though, looks highest well north of Houston. The National Weather Services Weather Prediction Center has placed areas around Lufkin and Tyler in East Texas at a level 2 out of 4 risk of flash flooding, which is slightly higher than the level of flood risk that stretches from College Station to Houston and Sugar Land. Well continue to fine-tune the timing of Thursdays storms, so be sure to monitor our daily forecasts until then. We just have to get through some rainy and occasionally stormy days this week, but the upcoming weekend could be absolutely stunning, with sunshine, blue skies and temperatures as warm as the low 70s. New reports focused on Davenport, Moline and Rock Island found a need for more affordable, safe housing. City councils of each of the three cities heard presentations this month on two reports that analyzed the housing needs and challenges preventing people from having fair access to decent, affordable housing in the cities of Davenport, Moline and Rock Island. The reports are required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for all communities across the country that receive certain federal funding for housing programs. Both reports are done every five years and are intended to provide data and analysis for cities five-year plans required for the use of Community Development Block Grants and HOME Investment Partnership. The reports use information gathered in public input sessions, nationally available datasets such as the census and local documents such as building permits and zoning information. The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice, done by Mosaic Community Planning, focuses on the challenges faced by members of protected classes in finding decent, affordable housing of their choice. The Housing Needs Assessment is focused on the quantity, quality and availability of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents. The cities hired Points Consulting, an Idaho firm to do that report. In general what this process does every five years or so is it allows cities to have some expert eyes, fresh eyes that work in the fair housing real, work in looking at housing needs in multiple communities across the country and tell us things you see that we might be able to do to improve upon, Davenport Community and Economic Development Director Bruce Berger said. The value that this kind of analysis does is it gets the community talking about what are ways that we could improve? Improve on housing, improve on impediments that are currently a barrier for people who are looking for housing, Berger added. Report: Insufficient access to affordable housing in the Quad-Cities The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice report found that in the three cities, the need for affordable housing has continued to grow. Housing and Urban Development defines affordable housing as housing that costs no more than 30% of a households total monthly gross income. The persistent housing and affordability crisis, which was noted in the 2019 (Analysis of Impediments), has continued to grow in Moline, Davenport and Rock Island, and was the most common issue mentioned by stakeholders and community members in focus groups, public forums, and interviews, the report states. Residents who participated in surveys, interviews and input sessions described poor building and unit conditions with limited oversight. The conditions include aging buildings with mold, pests and even structural risks, which were amplified by the deadly apartment building collapse in downtown Davenport in 2023, the report states. Residents described additional barriers to finding adequate housing for large families, people with past evictions, people with disabilities and people reentering society after time in prison. Data presented in the report found that affordability issues are more acute for households of color than for white households. The report found the Quad-Cities continues to need to expand the supply of affordable housing available in all three cities, and improve or maintaining existing affordable housing units. The report also described housing as intertwined with access to public transportation, good schools and employment opportunities. Long wait times for public housing Wait times for publicly supported housing units in Moline, Davenport and Rock Island range from eight months to 39 months, according to the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice report. These extremely long wait times, particularly for Housing Choice Vouchers, indicate that demand for housing assistance far exceeds supply in all three cities, the report states. Housing Choice Vouchers, formerly called Section 8 vouchers, is a federally-funded, locally-administered housing assistance program for low-income families, the elderly and the disabled. Participants choose housing that meets requirements of the program, and a housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the local public housing authority on behalf of the family. The family then pays the difference between actual rent and the amount subsidized by the program, according to HUD. In Rock Island, housing choice voucher wait times are 17 months on average, according to the report, but only three-quarters of available vouchers are being used. This indicates that voucher holders are experiencing some form of barrier to using vouchers once approved, such as an inability to find a landlord who accepts vouchers, the report states. In all three cities, publicly supported housing is geographically clustered to some extent, the report states. Davenport has the least clustering, which the report states is likely because of a higher prevalence of Housing Choice Vouchers. Rock Island has the most clustering. The report recommended continuing outreach to landlords to encourage greater acceptance of the vouchers. How many housing units are needed? The Housing Needs Assessment report done by Points Consulting calculated how many overall housing units each city would need in the next 20 years based on different paces of growth. Points Consultings report found the city of Davenport experienced a gradual but steady population increase from 2010 to 2024, growing from 98,300 to 102,400 residents. The cities of Moline and Rock Island, however, have had fluctuating populations that overall have decreased. In all three cities, the population of residents older than 60 years has increased while the population of people ages 0-30 has decreased, according to the report. If Davenport keeps its current growth, the city will need about 4,490 more units in the next 20 years. With optimistic growth, the city would need 8,706 more units. For Rock Island, the range is between 11 and 3,702 more units in the next two decades. For Moline, Points Consultings report states if the city keeps its current trend, it will need 1,130 fewer housing units than it has. For optimistic growth, it would need 4,380 new units in the next five years. Home value and rent cost trends Home values and rents have risen in the Quad-Cities in the past five years, according to the Housing Needs Assessment report, though not as much in fast-growing U.S. markets. Between 2020 and 2024, home values increased by 21% in Davenport and 19% in Moline and Rock Island. A key challenge in the single-family housing market, according to the report, is the increase in construction costs, with the data analyzed by the authors of the report indicating a local cost of $139 per square foot. In the past two years, according to the report, Davenport, Moline, and Rock Island issued 260, 10, and three single-family home permits, respectively, compared to 294, 27 and seven permits in the two years preceding the pandemic. Rental costs have also increased between 2020 and 2023. According to the report, rent for one-bedroom units increased 15%, 8% and 7% in Davenport, Moline, and Rock Island, respectively. In Davenport, Moline, and Rock Island, 44%, 45% and 46% of rental households pay more than 30% of their income on housing, respectively, according to the report. That's the point at which they are considered to be cost-burdened. The age and condition of housing stock is also a major concern. In the community survey conducted by the authors of the report, 54% of respondents identified "blight or housing conditions as a primary issue. While the median construction year for rental housing in the U.S. is 1979, in Davenport it is 1973, in Moline it is 1963 and in Rock Island it is 1956, according to the report. There is also vacant housing stock in the three cities. While bringing vacant units back online would help alleviate cities' needs for new housing, the authors of the report told the Davenport City Council in a recent meeting, it would not meet all of the demand. In 2024 about 3% of Molines housing stock was vacant. Davenports is 5% and Rock Island's vacant housing stock is highest of the three at 7%, according to the report. After the May 2024 derecho, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones receive updates on food, water and ice assistance. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Farewell FEMA? The president wants to shut down FEMA and let states take care of natural disasters. Last year the cost of economic losses of such disasters exceeded $215 billion. I've got a big picture of poor states budgeting for and raising taxes sufficient to implement a functional disaster response. No more state of emergency declarations with access to federal funding? Texas struggles to adequately fund its schools. How will we fund the billions of dollars necessitated by our next inevitable hurricane? Insurance companies are already fleeing coastal states or jacking the rates so high only the richest few can afford that protection. The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association is already grossly underfunded and wholly inadequate to address disasters while hopelessly mired in endless litigation over its wrongful denial of claims. Just imagine Gov. Greg Abbott and his ilk effectively preparing for and responding to the next Hurricane Harvey. As with so many of his plans, the president hasn't even considered the real impact of what would be the king of all unfunded mandates. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tanner Garth, Houston Diversity, Equity and Ignorance President Donald Trump is destroying DEI because he perceives that it threatens his base of mostly white voters. So now we revert to the first 200 years of white men only need apply, which has been the method to prevent the diverse and equitable inclusion of women and minority races and ethnicities in our society. Some say DEI is racist toward white men, but my personal experience is that DEI or other governmental pressure is needed to open the door to employment and opportunity by the others. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I joined a major oil and gas company after college and eventually became part of its recruiting team. One of the older members told me that a few years earlier, the situation was vastly different and I would not have been considered, only interviewed and politely dismissed, since they wanted white men. Change has occurred since that time in the 1960s, although much improvement is still needed for more people to be included and gain the expertise necessary to move into top management and technical positions. Trump is blocking our path with a return to the policy of white men only need apply. John Martinez, Houston See ya later, alligator As Im reading so many shocking confirmations of all the terrible announcements made by the new administrations, both in Texas and the nation, I got a chuckle about the brumated Beaumont alligators. That means going dormant during the recent ice storm with only their snouts above the ice. Advertisement Article continues below this ad lf only there were some other groups that could be compared to the surviving gators? Oh yeah! Me and my friends for the next four years! Thank you for the comic relief. Toy B. Halsey, Houston Critiques for the critical race theorist Advertisement Article continues below this ad I was quite disappointed in the Houston Chronicle for posting such a slanted article as written by Tony Brown. If the races were swapped, it would surely be labeled as racist and not printed! Mr. Brown does bring up that we still have racism and our country was founded on slavery. Both correct. Slavery was unfortunately part of the heritage of most countries in the world and even continues today. There are reportedly millions in modern-day slavery in Africa today! His history seems slanted that all whites are bad why many are against Critical Race Theory. And his slant suggests that all whites are racist and pro-slavery and anti-civil rights. There were multiple white abolitionists William Lloyd Garrison was one of the best known, which he does mention in the piece. But the way I read it, he implies whites did not do enough to help the Civil Rights Movement. Tell that to the families of the multiple whites that died during the '60s. The civil rights laws would not have passed without white support. He implied all whites threw rocks at black kids as their schools were integrated. Gosh, I must have amnesia from the '60s and '70s of doing that in Dallas growing up, as well as telling my kids not to have black friends. To suggest that Kamala Harris's loss was due to racism is ignoring that we had a black president elected to two terms. How could that have happened if all white people were racist? There are not enough votes to have done that without some white votes. It could not have had anything to do with personality and policies? Multiracial individuals are the largest growing group in the U.S. Census showing we are blurring racial lines, which could not happen if our society was as racist as he implies. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The lakes at Brazos Bend State Park are home to a population of American alligators. How alligators survive freezing temperatures is not well known. Scott Solomon/Courtesy Scott Solomon Snow and ice are rare in southeast Texas, and many of our native animals are unaccustomed to dealing with such freezing conditions. To see how they managed, biologist Scott Solomon and artist Joe Furman spent Tuesday night at Brazos Bend State Park and set out early the next morning in search of wildlife. Scott Solomon/Courtesy Scott Solomon Sunrise was a welcome sight after spending a very cold night at one of the screened shelters at Brazos Bend State Park. Overnight temperatures dipped as low as 18 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday. Scott Solomon/Courtesy Scott Solomon The picnic area near Elm Lake normally bustling with activity was empty in the early hours Wednesday morning. Scott Solomon/Courtesy Scott Solomon A greater yellowlegs touches down on a patch of icy vegetation on Old Horseshoe Lake. A winter resident along the Gulf Coast, this species migrates to Canada in the spring to breed. Scott Solomon/Courtesy Scott Solomon An American pipit searching for food among the ice crystals. These birds are no strangers to the cold they migrate north to the Arctic tundra to breed, returning south for the winter. They are also known to inhabit the high slopes of mountains in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. Scott Solomon/Courtesy Scott Solomon Ice crystals form along the edge of water hyacinth leaves. These aquatic plants are native to the Amazon basin in South America and are considered an invasive species in Texas. As a tropical species they are unlikely to survive the freeze. Scott Solomon/Courtesy Scott Solomon The Great blue heron is a native species that is found year round in Texas and across much of North America. Scott Solomon/Courtesy Scott Solomon A yellow rumped warbler peers into the ice. Insects stunned by the cold can become an easy meal for opportunistic birds. Scott Solomon/Courtesy Scott Solomon Many Houston-area residents are unaccustomed to the snow and deep freeze that followed it earlier this week. And thats true not just for people, but also for much of our regions wildlife. As an evolutionary biologist, I wondered how our local species would cope. A few days before the storm I reached out to my friend Joe Furman, a local artist and wildlife photographer. Joe and I both spend a lot of time at Brazos Bend State Park. Had he ever been there during a freeze? He had not. Neither had I. We knew that icy conditions would make it impossible to drive early Wednesday morning, so we headed for Brazos Bend on Tuesday afternoon while the roads were still clear. Joe showed me a puddle where he had spotted frog eggs and an oak tree where a group of ruby-crowned kinglets had hunkered down at the base of the trunk. We wondered how they would fare in the hours to come. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A group of white ibises hunker down beneath the bald cypress trees on an island in Elm Lake. White ibises are year-round residents of wetlands along the Gulf Coast where freezing conditions are rare. Scott Solomon/Courtesy Scott Solomon As the sun set and temperatures dropped, Joe and I set up camp. He pitched a tent inside one of the parks shelters. The screened windows looked ideal for letting breezes in during warmer months, but offered little protection against the cold. I opted to sleep in my car. We heated a can of chili and some hot chocolate, then climbed into our sleeping bag. As dawn broke, the temperature in my car read 18 degrees. After a quick coffee, we headed out to see how the wildlife had managed. We were particularly curious about alligators. Joe had mentioned weeks earlier that he had seen pictures of alligators trapped in ice, their snouts protruding through the frozen surface. Intrigued, I emailed Cord Eversole, whose research at Stephen F. Austin State University includes monitoring alligator populations at Brazos Bend and elsewhere. Cord wrote that he had never seen alligators out during a freeze, and that they are thought to ride out cold conditions in dens burrows they build along the banks of waterways. But, he added, very little is known about this aspect of alligator ecology. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As the sun rose, ice crystals glistened from the blades of grass and the edges of leaves. Everything looked sparkly, and the snow along the trail crunched with each footstep. We checked the tree where we had seen the ruby-crowned kinglets the night before. One had died. It was still there in the same spot, its feathers looking scruffy. The others were nowhere to be seen. We continued along the icy path, following frozen footprints. Some were from people, others from deer, rabbits and raccoons. We expected large and medium-sized mammals like these to manage OK with the cold. Warm-blooded animals can maintain an internal body temperature as long as they have enough food to fuel their metabolism. Birds are warm-blooded, too, and their feathers help retain heat. But the smallest ones like that poor ruby-crowned kinglet still struggle to stay warm enough when temperatures plummet. A ruby crowned kinglet that survived the night. Another that was seen near the base on a tree on Tuesday night was found dead early Wednesday morning. While this species range extends into northern Canada and Alaska, they migrate south for the winter where conditions are typically milder. Scott Solomon/Courtesy Scott Solomon Some of the birds we encountered looked cold. A flock of white ibises were hunkered down, their heads tucked under their wings. But we also saw lots of active birds: a red Northern cardinal hopped through the bright white snow; an American pipit searched the crystal-coated vegetation for a morning meal; a yellow-rumped warbler walked across the frozen surface of the lake, appearing to admire its reflection. The larger lakes remained mostly free of ice except around the edges. The sun was climbing, and so were the temperatures. It seemed that our chances of finding an alligator, which would help settle the question of what they do when it freezes and justify our suffering through the long, cold night were running out. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Then, suddenly, I spotted something. An alligator waits out the cold weather just below the waters surface. While some alligators seek out sheltered dens made of rotting vegetation during cold weather, others have been known to remain submerged even when water temperatures hover around freezing. This alligator was found just inches from the edge of where the waters surface was frozen solid, allowing it to surface periodically to take a breath. Scott Solomon/Courtesy Scott Solomon Just below the surface of the water, inches from where the ice gave way to open water, I saw the rounded margin of a snout. I could make out the rounded nostrils above and pointy teeth protruding from below. By the looks of it, this was a large adult alligator, maybe 6 feet long or perhaps a bit more. It wasnt embedded in the ice. But then, it wasnt in a den, either. The water temperature must have been in the low 30s. Cold-blooded animals take on the temperature of their surroundings. How long can a frozen alligator hold its breath? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Joe checked the spot later. He sent me a photo that told the whole story. It was a close-up of two nostrils, sticking up above the surface, slowly breathing. What is mantra? What are the significant importance of mantras? Mantras are derived from veda and vedas are ancient hindu religious texts, where each veda plays different roles in our daily lifestyle. Mantra, is divided into two parts, 1) manana (???) 2) Tran (?????) "Manana" "trana" is called "mantra" "Manana" is refered as understand, analyse and feel that too from inner core of our heart, where as "tran" referred to bridge. We all know the meaning of bridge but here, this word bridge is referring to bridging between inner core of our heart & feel the inner core of it. This is called mantra. In VEDA we can find millions of mantras and each mantra has its own significant uses. Lets elaborate it bit further, mantras are divided to different branches. 1) simple mantra 2) beej mantra 3) tantrokta mantra 4) bedokta mantra 5) gayatri mantra & 6) mala mantra. Simple mantra, these mantra are basic mantra where each individual can chant without any supervision of guru, bacause an energy that are generated from simple mantra are minor energy which doesn't do any harm but we all must be aware of using it correctly. 2) beej mantra, before knowing beej mantra we need to understand the meaning of beej, beej is referred as seed, imagine a plant become a tree without a seed of it, which is impossible. Where is in beej mantra it had complex ancient textes are used and those complex texts actually push mantras to works rapidly. We need to chant these mantra with supervision of guru as incorrect pronunciation of beej mantra has very less positive effect. 3) Tantrokta mantra, before knowing and understanding this mantra we need to know what is tantra and how it works. Tantra is something that we desire to achieve something that too rapidly in a matter of lighting second, tantra can be fruitful and on the other hand it can be harmful as well. As we already know how tantra works, tantrokta mantra uses complex ancient hindu religious texts by understanding, analysis and feel the current situation, and can being positive outcomes towards each individuals, but at the same time it can be used for individuals rapid downfall aswell. We all need to be very cautious while using tantra and tantrokta mantra and it can only he used by professionals. Under no any circumstances, it can't be used without the proper guidelines by guru or guru must be physically present at the time of tantrokta mantras are used. These mantras generate huge energy that too in a lightning second and if it is not used according to our shastra, a person who is using it will suffer a lot of downfall and sometimes a near death experience. Why? Mantras actually generate an energy and those energies are coming from universe, normal human body cannot cope huge energy if they don't knowledge how much energy is actually generated and how much energy are needed. Tantokta mantra can be used on these circumstances such as, 1) An individual's each and every doors are shut down and doesn't seem to have any espace. 2) A person suffers from huge financial problems, mental health problems and wants to commit suicide. 3) One person's act can have huge negetive impact towards whole family. 4) Any individual see complete blindness and darkness on their life. Examples above were just an example but not limited to when tantra and tantrokta mantra can be used. 4)Bedokta mantra The mantras in the Vedas were discovered or experienced by the wise people in the past. These mantras contain timeless truths that have always existed. These mantras are highly complex and it needs huge Sanskrit fluency and high vocabulary is needs. 5) gayatri mantra These mantra is directly came from veda, each god or each planet has own gayatri mantra. These mantras are used to create positiveness & it is mostly used at the end of while worshiping any god or planet. 6) mantra mala Any mantras that has more then 21 ancient texts are called mantra mala. These mantra are lengthy and also time consuming while chatting, it uses all form of ancient texts, such as simple, beej & gayatri mantras. In conclusion, we understood the actually meaning of mantra but we should be very careful and cautious while chatting and using any mantras. Mantra can provide position outcome towards each individual, we all should be focusing on actual pronunciation, vocabulary. We all also must aware about when & how to use it. If we don't know the how to use & the outcome of mantras we all must seek proper guidelines from guru. Without proper supervision if we use any mantra it can actually be more harmful then we have ever thought. Patrolling police make central PDC vehicle theft arrest Playa del Carmen, Q.R. Police in central Playa del Carmen arrested a man they saw attempting to steal a vehicle. The man, identified as 31 year old Jose Alejandro N, was seen by patrolling officers in Gonzalo Guerrero attempting to jimmy a motorcycle with tools. When that failed, he began to drag the motorcycle from its parked spot, at which time police intervened. While reviewing the motorcycles data, they found it was registered to someone else. Police proceeded to arrest Jose Alejandro N for vehicle theft. In a statement, the Seguridad Ciudadana Solidaridad (SSC) said, the Municipal Citizen Security Secretariat (SSCM) arrested a male person for the probable commission of the crime of vehicle theft in the Gonzalo Guerrero neighborhood. During a preventive surveillance tour, SSCM elements observed a man manipulating a motorcycle with a hammer and a screwdriver and subsequently dragging the motorcycle. Upon intervening and corroborating the vehicles data, it was determined that it was registered in another persons name, so it was seized. Jose Alejandro N, 31 years old, originally from Quintana Roo, was arrested for the corresponding legal proceedings. "Sound of Spring" concert held in New York City to celebrate Chinese New Year Xinhua) 10:15, January 28, 2025 NEW YORK, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- The sixth annual "Sound of Spring" concert took place at the Lincoln Center here on Sunday to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Conducted by Jindong Cai, director of the U.S.-China Music Institute of the Bard College Conservatory of Music, the Orchestra Now performed a vibrant program featuring traditional Chinese instruments and contemporary symphonic works in a packed house. Distinguished soloists included Wang Lei, professor of Sheng at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and Yan Guowei, winner of the Golden Prize at the China Music Golden Bell Award for Erhu as well as Zhang Jingli, a renowned percussionist and Bard graduate student and pipa virtuoso JinOu Anastasia Dong. A standout piece was the pipa concerto "Sisters of the Grassland," inspired by Wu Yingju's animated film and Inner Mongolian folk songs. Composed in 1972 by Wu Zuqiang, Wang Yanqiao and Liu Dehai, the work is about two Mongolian sisters protecting their flock during a blizzard. Its 1979 performance by the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Seiji Ozawa marked a milestone in U.S.-China cultural exchanges. In keeping with tradition, the concert included three concertos for Chinese instruments and orchestra, blending traditional and modern elements. A pre-concert demonstration allowed attendees to explore traditional instruments and engage with the musicians. The concert concluded with an encore of "Beijing Tidings" by Zheng Lu and Ma Hongye, sending heartfelt New Year's blessings to the audience. Founded in 2017, the U.S.-China Music Institute promotes the study, performance and appreciation of music from contemporary China and supports musical exchanges between the United States and China. In partnership with the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, the U.S.-China Music Institute offers the first degree-granting program in Chinese instrument performance in a U.S. conservatory. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan) SIOUX CITY -- It's been one year since Steve Huisenga took the helm at the American Pop Corn Co., best known for its Jolly Time product line. In that time, an entire year's worth of popcorn kernels -- billions and billions of them, he says -- have passed from cob in the field to hopper to the Jolly Time plant with its cutesy street address (1 Fun Place), and thence packaged and sent to grocery store shelves and movie theaters. Huisenga, 58, was the first non-Smith to lead the firm when he took over day-to-day operations in January of last year, after the retirement of Garry Smith and cousin Carlton, great-grandsons of Cloid H. Smith, who founded the company in 1914. The Journal spoke with Huisenga by phone and email for its Five Questions series. Answers have been edited. How many tons of popcorn does Jolly Time handle in a year? "It depends on the year, with a crop that can range from 10,000 and 20,000 acres which results over a 150 billion popcorn kernels annually. I have to admit Ive never counted them all." [In terms of actual tonnage, he said the company handles about 30,000 to 50,000 tons of popcorn per year.] Is there a quality control process for the popcorn itself? A process that identifies faulty kernels and separates them from the good ones? "We have an extensive quality control system that begins by working with our family of farmers on hybrid selection and other quality measures and continues when the raw kernels are delivered to our facility. First, you need to understand what makes popcorn pop. Popcorn kernels have a hard outer shell called a pericarp. The pericarp is a moisture barrier which protects the popcorn kernel from losing its internal moisture content. When a popcorn kernel is heated the internal moisture turns to steam, cant escape, and eventually explodes turning the kernel inside out. Popcorn pops best with an internal moisture level of 13.5% - 14.5%. Popcorn is ideally harvested at 15%. Our first job is to allow the popcorn to naturally reach the desired 13.5% to 14.5% moisture level. This is done with a sophisticated grain drying system that closely monitors the moisture levels of all kernels. Once the popcorn naturally reaches 13.5% - 14.5% it is sorted in three ways. First the kernels are sorted by size with a goal of saving the middle kernels on the ear. The tip and butt end kernels are sold for chicken feed. Next the kernels are sorted by density. A kernel can be the right size but have a cracked pericarp which would allow moisture to escape and result in an un-popped kernel. We want to sort those kernels out. Lastly, the popcorn kernels are all color sorted to eliminate any discolored kernels." What's the difference between white and yellow popcorn? Is it just an aesthetic difference? Do end users, like movie theaters, prefer one over the other? "There is quite a bit of a difference between yellow and white popcorn. While nutritionally, they are basically the same, white and yellow differ in size, flavor and appearance. White popcorn features smaller kernels that pop into delicate, tender flakes with a subtle corny taste. Yellow popcorn pops up larger and produces fluffier flakes and a slightly nuttier taste. The white kernel really does pop a very snowy, flaky white. And the yellow popcorn pops distinctly yellow. I mean, they look a lot different when they're popped. Historically, theaters have preferred yellow popcorn. They pop a little bit bigger. The white kernels -- the economics have caught up a little bit, but that's still not as big a popping flake, which is what the movie theaters want. Every once in a while you'll find a theater using white popcorn, but it's not -- it wouldn't be normal. White popcorn consumers are very loyal. We call them the connoisseurs. They're very loyal to white popcorn, because it is a little bit different experience." Where does your popcorn come from? Do local farmers grow your popcorn? "Jolly Times popcorn is grown near Sioux City in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. The soil in this area is ideal for popcorn. The largest percentage or our crop is grown in Nebraska. Nebraska sits on a body of water known as the Ogallala aquifer allowing our famers to readily access water for irrigation when needed. We also have a cleaning and storage facility in Schaller, Iowa, and grow quite a bit in that area. And a shout out to our family of growers who are such an important part of our brand and quality. Weve worked many of them for generations and even highlight some of them on our packaging. You can draw kind of a 100-mile oval around Sioux City, out in Nebraska, and out past Schaller on Highway 20, you're going to get a lot of it. We grow a little bit down by Missouri Valley. We do grow some up in South Dakota. There's a place up in South Dakota called Lower Brule, where we grow a fair amount. And even though it's further north, there's so much Missouri River water around this area that, geographically, it behaves like it's further south, so you don't have to worry about the early frost." What's the history of the Jolly Time brand name? "We're a 110-year-old, family-held, fourth- and fifth-generation business. The first crop of Jolly Time popcorn was grown over by Odebolt. And Cloid Smith, the first-generation founder, trailered or wagoned his popcorn into Sioux City to sell it to a local vendor. At the time, popcorn was sold like on street corners, by vendors. There was a disagreement over the price, and the vendor challenged Cloid to find a different market for his popcorn. So the family brought all the popcorn to the basement of their house in Sioux City that year. The second year they moved to their garage. The third year they moved to the plant where we're at right now, or the site we're on right now. In the beginning there was more than one brand name. We actually owned Jiffy -- even though ConAgra owns that now -- and Lightning, and there were a few others. And in 1925 the family decided to focus on Jolly Time. We were among the first nationally marketed popcorn brands. The story was that there was an advertising person, I don't remember his name, that was talking to the founders, and they were talking about what a happy product it is -- movies, and bringing families together and all those kinds of things -- and that's how they picked Jolly Time." Bonus questions: Does the price of popcorn fluctuate like other agricultural commodities? "Yes, popcorn pricing is tied closely to the field corn market. Each February we will calculate the price of our popcorn crop based on a formula which includes the December future price of field corn. It's really the ag economy, and our farmers are businesspeople too. They have a choice of what they want to grow, field corn or popcorn if they choose to. So we want to make sure that popcorn is a viable alternative for them. So to make sure we're paying an amount that's at least equal to what they would make raising field corn. Popcorn's really a small percentage of all the corn grown." How does Jolly Time develop new products and new flavors? How much time is there between a new idea being hatched in popcorn research-and-development and a new product actually hitting store shelves? "It can be packaging, it can be flavors, it can be unique ways to grow -- it's not just flavors, but a lot of what we do is microwave popcorn. So we've got an R&D team here, we've actually got two food scientists on staff, sales and marketing both get involved in that, our field department gets involved in that from the corn side. We sit down and we get ideas from all over. Sometimes it's from a customer or a consumer. Sometimes it's from food trends that we see, things that might be kind of hot right now as a flavor, or trendy. And then we decide, can we make a popcorn item out of that? What would it taste like in popcorn? We've really got to do a lot of work to make sure that if we call something 'Extra Butter' or 'Jalapeno Butter,' that it really tastes good, and tastes like that, right? So there's lots of iterations and lots of back-and-forth. It's a solid year to 18 months between when we start talking about something and when it might be in a package on the shelf." Sabin 33 #13 - Is solar energy unreliable? Posted on 28 January 2025 by BaerbelW On November 1, 2024 we announced the publication of 33 rebuttals based on the report "Rebutting 33 False Claims About Solar, Wind, and Electric Vehicles" written by Matthew Eisenson, Jacob Elkin, Andy Fitch, Matthew Ard, Kaya Sittinger & Samuel Lavine and published by the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School in 2024. Below is the blog post version of rebuttal #13 based on Sabin's report. Complete reliance on solar generation, without other sources of power generation, energy storage, long-distance transmission, or other grid flexibility resources1 (Lovins 2017), would pose intermittency challenges. However, an increasing number of planned solar projects are set to include an energy storage component2, and solar, wind, and storage together can provide the majority of the countrys electricity without compromising reliability3. When a local service area does face diminished solar capacity, for instance during a cloudy day, wind and other renewable sources, as well as battery storage and long-distance transmission that carries power from sunnier regions can supplement energy supply, ensuring a resilient grid4 (also Jacobson 2022). As a result, increased reliance on solar energy need not require the construction of new natural gas plants for backup5. The Department of Energys 2021 Solar Futures Study, for example, outlines three distinct decarbonization scenarios, each of which assumes both a massive increase in renewable energy generation and decrease in natural gas6. Under the business as usual reference scenario, natural gas, oil, and steam together decrease from roughly 39% of U.S. annual electricity generation in 2020 to roughly 31% by 2035/2036 and 30% by 2049/2050; under the same scenario, solar PV increases from roughly 3.4% in 2020 to 17.6% by 2035/2036 and 27.3% by 2049/2050. Under the two non-reference decarbonization scenarios assessed in the studies, natural gas, oil, and steam shrink to roughly 4.7%-5.2% of annual electricity generation by 2035/2036 and 0% by 2049/2050; solar PV, meanwhile, increases to between 36.9% and 42.2% by 2035/2036 and to between 40.1% and 44.8% by 2049/2050. Princeton Universitys Net-Zero America study, which assesses pathways to achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, likewise foresees significant reductions in fossil fuel consumption and generation, even when maintaining 500-1,000 GW of firm generating capacity to ensure reliability. Across the suite of assessed net-zero scenarios, the study assumes that all thermal coal production and consumption will cease by 2030, oil production will decline between 25% to 85% by 2050, and natural gas production will decline between 20% and 90% by 2050. California has already increased solar energy generation while decreasing natural gas utilization. In 2012, solar PV and solar thermal together accounted for only 0.9% of Californias in-state electricity generation, while natural gas accounted for roughly 70%7. By 2022, solar had increased to 19.9% of Californias in-state electricity generation, while natural gas had decreased to 47.5%8. Significantly, even with this increase in solar reliance, Californias grid reliability remains near, or above, the national average9. Elsewhere in the United States, energy experts have asserted that Texass widespread adoption of solar generation helped prevent outages when electricity usage spiked during a recent summer heatwave10. And although the reliability of solar and wind energy was questioned following Texas widespread power outages in the winter of 2021, Texas grid failure was primarily caused by freezing natural gas infrastructure, rather than failures at solar and wind farms, though nuclear, coal, and wind also experienced disruptions at a smaller scale11 (also Busby et al. 2021). Energy storage also will play an important role in achieving decarbonization while improving energy reliability. The DOEs Solar Futures Study forecasts that an additional 60 GW per year of storage will be needed to achieve decarbonization6. Fortunately, research on storage technologies has experienced significant breakthroughs in recent years. For example, sodium-ion batteries have emerged as a possible alternative to lithium-ion batteries, with sodium a much more abundant and less expensive material12. Researchers are likewise developing more efficient utility-scale methods for storing solar energy13. Other researchers have highlighted energy efficiency and grid flexibility mechanisms that can complement and support solar and wind without the need for fossil fuel backup or even bulk, utility-scale energy storage (Lovins 2017). These include integrative design practices to significantly reduce the energy demands of buildings and other sectors; demand flexibility and demand response mechanisms to compensate customers for reduced energy use during peak hours; and distributed thermal and electrical storage14 (also Lovins 2018). Finally, while solar energy is intermittent, multiple studies have shown that the panels themselves are highly reliablewith appreciably low degradation and failure rates, thus rarely requiring repair or replacement (Jordan et al. 2017, Jordan et al. 2020). A National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) study found that the median failure rate for panels installed between 2000 to 2015 was five out of 10,000 annually, a rate of 0.05% (Jordan et al. 2017). Researchers have described the failure rate of residential PV inverters as acceptable, even good, with an inverter typically needing to be replaced only once in the lifetime of a PV system. Footnotes: [1] Amory Lovins has identified eight grid flexibility resources that can substitute for bulk storage or fossil fuel backup: (1) efficient use, which reduces peak load; (2) flexible demand; (3) modern forecasting; (4) diversifying variable renewables; (5) integration with dispatchable alternatives and cogeneration; (6) distributed or managed thermal storage; (7) distributed electrical storage; and (8) hydrogen. [2] Joseph Rand et al., Queued Up: Characteristics of Power Plants Seeking Transmission Interconnection as of the End of 2021 at 13 (Berkely Lab 2022) [3] Eric Larson et al., Net-Zero American: Potential Pathways, Infrastructure, and Impacts: Final Report, Princeton University, 247 (Oct. 29, 2021) at 88 (noting that, [t]o ensure reliability, all cases maintain 500-1,000 GW of firm generating capacity through all years, compared to 7,400-9,900 GW for wind and solar in net-zero scenarios for 2050). [4] Robert Fares, Renewable Energy Intermittency Explained: Challenges, Solutions, and Opportunities, Scientific America (Mar. 11, 2015) [5] The 2035 Report: Plummeting Solar, Wind, and Battery Costs Can Accelerate our Clean Electricity Future, U. Cal. Berkeley Goldman Sch. Pub. Poly, 4 (2020) [6] U.S. Dept. Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office, Solar Futures Study, U.S. Dept. Energy Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, at vi, 179 (Sep. 2021) at 215 [7] California Energy Commn., Electric Generation Capacity and Energy (last visited March 25, 2024). [8] California Energy Commn, 2022 Total System Electric Generation, (last visited March 25, 2024). [9] California Public Utilities Commn, Electric System Reliability Annual Reports (last visited March 25, 2024). In 2020, five of Californias six investor-owned utilities had frequency of sustained outages below national average when including major event days; four of six had frequency of sustained outages below national average when excluding major event days; four of six had duration of outages below national average when including major event days; and four of six had duration of outages below national average when excluding major event days. Major event days consist of the worst 0.63% of outage events. [10] See E&E News & Benjamin Storrow, Solar Power Bails Out Texas Grid During Major Heat Wave, Scientific American, June 26, 2023 [11] Adriana Usero & Salvador Rizzo, Frozen windmills arent to blame for Texass power failure, Wash. Post, Feb. 18, 2021; Dionne Searcey, No, Wind Farms Arent the Main Cause of the Texas Blackouts, N.Y. Times, Feb. 17, 2021 (updated May 3, 2021) [12] Karyn Hede, Longer Lasting Sodium-Ion Batteries on the Horizon, Pac. Nw. Natl. Laby. (Jul. 13, 2022) [13] Robert Armstrong et al., The Future of Energy Storage: An Interdisciplinary MIT Study, Mass. Inst. Tech. (Jun. 3, 2022) [14] Amory B. Lovins & M. V. Ramana, Three Myths About Renewable Energy and the Grid, Debunked, Yale Envt 360, Dec. 9, 2021 [15] Emiliano Bellini, Survey shows 34.3% failure rate for residential inverters over 15 years, PV Magazine, Feb. 8, 2023 (discussing Christof Bucher et al., Life Expectancy of PV Inverters and Optimizers in Residential PV Systems, Bern University of Applied Sciences, 2022). Skeptical Science sincerely appreciates Sabin Center's generosity in collaborating with us to make this information available as widely as possible. All Charlie Shackleton had to do was give the Sundance Film Festival a 90-second video introducing himself and his documentary Zodiac Killer Project, which premiered at the festival on Monday. Instead, he sent along a five-minute opus in which he walks around the streets of London while reading from the film festivals list of instructionsMake sure the footage is well exposed, Minimize background noisethen holds his handheld microphone up to the honking of a passing van. Following directions doesnt seem to be Shackletons strong suit. Hes perhaps best known for pranking the United Kingdoms film ratings and de facto censorship board by submitting Paint Drying, a 10-hour movie consisting of a single static shot of paint doing just that, knowing that its rules require its members to watch every second of a submitted film. (The board also charges by the minute, so Shackleton mounted a crowdfunding campaign to make the film as long as financially possible.) Zodiac Killer Project, which will also be available on Sundances virtual platform beginning Thursday, playfully and provocatively reinvents the true-crime genre. Although its inspired by Lyndon Laffertys book The Zodiac Killer Cover-Up: The Silenced Badge, which purports to divulge the identity of the notoriously uncaught serial murderer, Shackletons movie is actually a feature-length description of the movie he would have made had he not failed to secure the rights to Laffertys book. In an extended shot of a California rest stop, he describes the scene he would have re-created, bringing to life the moment when Lafferty believed he came face-to-face with the real killer. Fuck, Shackleton muses. It wouldve been good. The movie isnt just an extended pitch deck. As Shackleton narrates the sequences he wishes he could have shot, he illustrates his vision with clips from dozens of movies among the recent wave of true-crime documentaries that have flooded Netflix and HBO, mounting a subtle but sharp critique of the genres slick amorality and its increasing laziness. Seeing images from Netflixs Amanda Knox and Dont F**k With Cats lined up side by side, its hard to escape the vision of a factory greedily cranking out one grisly tale after another to stuff its hungry audience to bursting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the eve of Zodiac Killer Projects Sundance premiere, Shackleton spoke to me from his office in an infamous London neighborhood, not far from a fast-food restaurant called Jack the Chipper. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Sam Adams: In Zodiac Killer Project, you say that Lyndon Laffertys book was just something the algorithm threw your way. But it doesnt seem to be one of the more well-regarded works of Zodiac Killer scholarship, and even you dont seem convinced that his theory is true. So what made turning it into a movie interesting to you? Charlie Shackleton: Well, you can see on the shelf behind me many Zodiac Killer books, so its certainly not the only one Ive read. But as you say, its kind of on the outer edges. And that alone was interesting to mewhat is it to have a suspect whos not the banner name? But more particularly, I think a lot of the true-crime books Id read on the Zodiac Killer and other subjects felt like they got very bogged down in pedantic research. By contrast, this book was very propulsive. It is obviously more about the pursuit of the suspect than it is about the suspect himself. And that for me tapped into the thing that Ive certainly found, and to some extent still find appealing, about true crime, which was the feeling of a puzzle being solved, the feeling of a central question that could be answered if only sufficient clues could be accumulated. Advertisement Advertisement Around 1 in 3 homicides in the U.S. goes unsolved every year. Its quite common for people to get away with murder. But you rarely get that sense from true crime, especially when its focused on such a high-powered investigation. We tend to end up with a suspect, even if it cant be proven. So its quite striking for the movie to say, essentially, Yeah, he probably didnt do it. Advertisement And I should say, thats not because I think one of the other suspects did it. My overriding feeling is, if someone came up with the name of the person it actually was, it would probably be quite easy to prove. Theres such a wealth of material at this point that the truth has a way of confirming itself. It feels like the best any of these names can do is not come up with as many dead ends as some of the other names. What I would say about the frequency of unsolved murders is, I do think its quite rare to have a murder that even in its own time is this high-profile and this theatrical, and has therefore inspired such a desire among the admittedly usually quite useless police agencies who solve it. Im in my office in Whitechapel, the locale of the other famous uncaught serial killer. But I feel like, normally, thats the thing that drives the crime being solved, is it reaches that higher profile. So for this one to survivethat, I do think, is fairly unique. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was thinking about Jack the Ripper while watching your movie, and specifically Alan Moore and Eddie Campbells From Hell. That graphic novel proposes a suspect for Jack, but it very clearly presents itself as fictionnot as the truth, but as something that might be true. Zodiac Killer Project works along the same lines, because its a description of the movie you would have made if youd been able to adapt The Silenced Badge. It might be the only documentary to be shot wholly in the conditional tense. How far did you get into the process of actually making the original movie? I think the problem was, I got very far in my head and not very far on paper in any contractual sense, which more experienced filmmakers than me would tell you was my first mistake. I really allowed myself to map out the whole thing and talk to a lot of people about the project before I was actually at what most producers would tell you is the stage at which you can do those thingsbecause essentially I had nothing. We had been talking to Lyndons family for some time, and there were drafts of contracts and lawyers who were in discussion, but nothing that you can actually do anything meaningful with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youve been working in the documentary world for over a decade. Have you been approached about doing true crime? It doesnt seem like an obvious next step from your previous movies, but that hasnt stopped a lot of other filmmakers. Ive had lots of very initial meetings with proper documentary people, who I consider in another league to me, because someones been nice enough to put my name forward. And they have no idea who I am, and maybe they watch one of my shorts in preparation and arrive to the meeting looking very skeptical. I feel like I always flunk those interviews, because I am not good at bullshitting that I know how to make a slick HBO-style documentary. But however skeptical I might personally feel about any of those projects, I have uniformly convinced myself by the time of the meeting that I could do it well and in an interesting way, if theyll let me. I imagine thats the story everyone tells themselves about everything. No one ever feels like theyre creatively compromising. You imagine that youll find a way to square the circle, and obviously the gain is making something on a vastly larger canvas for a vastly larger audience. If you have to take a few more exec notes than you would usually, then that seems like a price worth paying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some ways, the appeal of true crime for documentary filmmakers is simple: Its a job. You get paid up front, and you already know how the finished film is going to reach an audience. Especially if youre working off a book or news reports, you dont have to spend two years finding out what the story is, or if there even is one. Why do you think true-crime movies are so appealing to the streamers and networks who keep financing them? Advertisement As time goes on, its felt more and more to me that the thing thats really driving true crimes endless expansion is how reproducible the formula ismore so even than other seemingly formulaic kinds of documentary. You can take a high-profile murder and slot it into the same set of 10 narrative beats with greater ease than you can even with a celebritys rise and fall. That counts for more than any theorizing about audience appetite for lurid tales of the macabre, just quite how easy it is to do this stuff on a production line. Having religiously watched every single true-crime thing thats come out over the last five years, what was already a very formulaic genre has become more formulaic than I dreamed possible. The absolute predictability of every single narrative twist and turn, let alone what they look like and sound like, has become just like clockwork. And if youre willing to take a fairly lax approach to the ethics of dealing with these subjects, it makes for a very easy business model. Just looking at the fact that now Netflixnot to single out them particularly, but obviously theyre making more of it than anyone elsehas shifted in recent years from these stand-alone series, like Making a Murderer, to this almost franchise model. I think its Joe Berlinger that does, I cant remember what its called, but its always tapes of interviews. Conversations With a Killer. Advertisement So each season, its a new famous killer on unheard audio tapes. The first one of those, I presume the impetus was they found these tapes of whoever it was. But then obviously every subsequent season, the logic is completely reversed. Its just become a very easy process. Advertisement The genre seems attractive to networks too because its relatively controlled: Its mostly talking-head interviews and archival footage, and the format is so established that you basically know what youre going to get in advance. It really lends itself to the assembly line. The Jinx or Making a Murderer, for all that I take certain issues with them ethically, look like masterpieces next to 99 percent of what is making up the true-crime boom. I know a lot of people, other documentary filmmakers whove been approached about these things and are often maybe doing some of the same sort of self-bargaining I was doing, have convinced themselves that they have an interesting angle on it or that they can bring something new to the genre. And the story Ive heard again and again is that the execs, whoever it is, will nod along and say, Yes, absolutely you can do that. But in the actual process of making the thing, anything that deviates from the set model just immediately gets pushed aside. The funniest moments in Zodiac Killer Project are when you start describing what the opening credits or some other sequence of the movie you didnt make would have looked like, and as illustration you start loading in clips of all these other true-crime docs side by side: Heres the shot of someone carrying a box of files; now the shot of birds on a telephone wire suddenly taking flight. Its not a surprise the genre is riddled with cliches, but when you see them lined up like that, its really comical. What was it like for you, consuming enough true-crime docs to get to the point where you could do that? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My flatmates made me buy headphones that I could plug into the TV, because every evening they would come home and open the front door, and without fail, it would be someone screaming or the slide of metal along a knife or whatever. It got very bleak very quickly. Im sitting there with my little pad and pen, looking for a trope that I can take a clip from and put into my film, but youre also absorbing this relentlessly grim material day in, day out. I dont know if true-crime buffs consider any of the stuff thats come out in the last couple of years to be high-water marks of the genre, but it really does feel to me everything now is just this same meat-grinder stuff. The Jinx or Making a Murderer, for all that I take certain issues with them ethically, look like masterpieces next to 99 percent of what is making up the true-crime boom. Advertisement You make the point of how much slicker the second season of Making a Murderer looks than the first, with a clip where theyre staging what looks like a highly unscientific blood-spatter test using a dummy with its hair soaked in fake blood, and one of the attorneys looks like shes cosplaying a character from Criminal Minds. Advertisement Advertisement Its not just the filmmakers and the executives who are familiar with this stuff and are invested in the idea of repeating whats come before. All the people in them are self-aware as well. Especially the second season of Making a Murderer is very interesting because every single new character on it has seen the first season. So not only do they have strong opinions about the case based on the show itself, but they have a very refined idea of how they want to come across in the second season and what molds theyre trying to fit into based on the first seasons characters. The attorney is obviously the prime example, keen to be seen as the crusading lawyer in the mode of the two guys that went viral from the first season. But the whole reason they went viral is because they were unlikely figures for that sort of veneration, and then all of it becomes too self-aware. Its like the moment in the history of The Real World where the participants came in having watched previous seasons and already knew which character they wanted to be. By all accounts, its become easier to convince people to appear in true-crime documentaries, because theyve seen more of them. So they have a sense of Oh, this would be Making a Murderer, but for my aunt who died. Whereas I imagine, 20, 30 years ago, when the average person didnt have as much working familiarity with the genre, people would probably be a bit more at sea as to what they were actually agreeing to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate The Serial Killer Whos Irresistible for Would-Be Sleuths Read More In the first scene of Zodiac Killer Project, you talk about how the movie would have opened, with the scene of Lyndon coming face-to-face with his suspect at a highway rest area. And you talk about how that moment would have to have the rhythm of drama. It does seem like true crime is a place where the lines between drama and documentary get particularly blurred, because theres so much pressure to make real life feel like a police procedural. I find it really striking, in fact, how interchangeable the drama and documentary true crime that is being put out on these platforms often feel now. Half the time, if theres a big new dramatized series about a true crime, like the Menendez brothers one, therell be an accompanying doc series thats telling the same story. But I never really understand the point, because the two just have to meet in the middle anyway, and the documentary always has so much reenactment in it that it plays like drama. Meanwhile, the drama is studiously making sure that its based on this or that transcript and is allegedly very close to the truth. I dont really understand the point now of them being held up as distinct categories. And in fact, it was only getting to the end of making Zodiac Killer Project that someone pointed out that theres a couple of times in the film where I am talking about a drama series as though its just a true-crime documentary series, without stopping to say, Oh, obviously this is a bit different because its a drama, because it plays exactly the same. Advertisement Someone from Netflix was at a pitching forum and had to make a public denial of We dont just make true crime. It felt to me like one of those My We Dont Just Make True Crime T-shirt has a lot of people asking questions already answered by my T-shirt. You mentioned Netflix earlier, and although you draw on true-crime movies from HBO and FX in the film, Netflix is the only company you explicitly mention in the narration. Did you have any reservations about calling them out, given what a power they are in the documentary world? Advertisement We had these conversations, certainly. I didnt go into the voice-over booth expecting to name-check any particular organizations. But there are certain big ones that you almost cant help but mention when youre talking about true crime, and Netflix has become synonymous with true crime. I remember, a year or two ago, someone from Netflix was at a pitching forum and had to make a public denial of, I think they said, We dont just make true crime. It felt to me like one of those My We Dont Just Make True Crime T-shirt has a lot of people asking questions already answered by my T-shirt. If that dents our already unbelievably slim chances of being acquired by a major streaming platform, then I think Ill have to make my peace with that. But maybe that would be a good way for them to prove that theyre not just making true crime: by acquiring quite a formally unusual documentary. Clearly, the best way for Netflix to atone for their sins is to buy your movie for several million dollars. They have the ability to put a containment zone around my criticism of them by giving me a lot of money. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. For those who followed President Donald Trumps personnel decisions closely in the months following his November victory, not much of what has happened in the past week since his inauguration came as much of a surprise. Suspending scientific research, pausing all cases in the Justice Departments civil rights division, shutting down communications from health agencies like the FDA, creating a geopolitical crisis with Denmark over the status of Greenland, issuing threats of prosecution to officials who refuse to cooperate with immigration authoritiesthe Trump administration has so far been exactly as promised, which is to say, horrifying. Its still early, but many elected Democrats, perhaps still in shock and unable to find consensus, have as a group not been very effective messengers of opposition. That needs to change, and fast, if they want to avoid getting steamrolled by Trumps agenda for at least the next year. That the party is momentarily adrift is hardly surprising. Having leaned so hard on defending democracy during the campaign only to see voters narrowly choose the autocrats, Democrats were left without a unifying message, let alone a consensus messenger, to describe the new president and his allies. Are Republicans grifting billionaires? Corrupt authoritarians? Violent extremists? Foot soldiers in a plot to effectively reverse the second half of the 20th century? How else to explain the abrupt elimination, by executive order, of nondiscrimination policies in federal contracting, which date back to President Lyndon Johnson? But with leading Democrats in what the New York Times called a political crouch that reflects their powerlessness, the pushback has been diffuse and ununified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer gave a press conference about Donald Trumps Office of Management and Budget announcement that it is freezing nearly all federal funds, endangering everything from cancer research and food assistance to small businesses, schools, and nonprofits that rely on the governments money. Schumer showed the most fight that he has since Inauguration Day in the speech, saying plainly and accurately, Last night, President Trump plunged the country into chaos, and calling the move a dagger at the heart of the average American family in red states and blue states, in cities, in suburbs, in rural areas. It is just outrageous. This decision is lawless, dangerous, destructive, cruel. Its illegal. Its unconstitutional, he said. Advertisement It was a welcome shift in tone from one of distractible and bemused worry to urgent alarm and outrage. But the presser was notable for who wasnt there: Any Democrat from a swing state who has been trying to present a conciliatory and collaborative posture toward the new administration. Schumer was joined on stage by Sens. Patty Murray, Amy Klobuchar, Chris Murphy, and Andy Kimall from solidly blue states in safe seats. The minority leader and this group of senators need to get the other, growing camp to join themso that Democrats can combat the Trump administration with one voice, rather than seem like they are so divided that they cannot possibly offer a coherent alternative vision for the country. Advertisement The major division in the party today is between swing state Democrats like newly elected Sens. Ruben Gallego and Elissa Slotkin, who seem eager to distance themselves from the partys more liberal affiliations, and their colleagues in deep-blue states who dont need to worry about losing their next general election. The purple state crowd seems to think it can diffuse the GOPs temporary advantage on immigration issues by signing on to legislation that cedes enormous ground on enforcement without any offsetting gains on long-standing party priorities like a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement These Democrats in the Senate spent the last two weeks of Joe Bidens presidency propping up the effort to pass the abominable Laken Riley Act and seemed to be in no position to offer resistance once Trump was sworn in. Thirteen Senate Democrats including Raphael Warnock and Slotkin sent a letter to Majority Leader John Thune on Jan. 22 saying that they stand ready to work with you to find bipartisan solutions for our outdated immigration system. At least for the time being, Trump and his allies look like they have a working, filibuster-proof majority to pursue draconian border and immigration policies in the Senate. That is a recipe for demoralizing your own voters with very little upside. Advertisement Advertisement It is certainly true that some polling supports an enforcement-first approach, even among Democrats, and trying to stay on the right side of public opinion is an understandable impulse for purple state senators. But this capitulation is unwise for two reasons. The first is that party after party on the European center left and center right has tried to capture the zeitgeist by moving right on immigration only to find that the public chooses the far right anyway. As a political maneuver it has been unsuccessful on its own terms and did not seem to help Kamala Harris one bit in November. Advertisement The second reason is that while it feels like the nativist zealots have all the momentum right now, polling on immigration is not only volatile and contradictory but vulnerable to emotion-driven shifts. In the coming days and weeks we are going to see videos, pictures, and stories of children watching in horror as their day care providers are whisked away by ICE, elementary schools undergo raids, and communities get torn apart as long-term immigrants are deported. Mass deportations might sound great to some people in the abstract, but in practice the effort is going to be ugly, divisive, and heart-wrenching, especially as the economic fallout becomes clearer. Casting your lot with the heartless based on a momentary misreading of public opinion isnt just cynicalits legitimately terrible long-term politics. Advertisement Advertisement When asked about Senate Democrats supporting hard-line immigration policies, Hakeem Jeffries responded, House Democrats are going to continue to make decisions based on whats right for the districts that we represent, and the politics will take care of themselves. Schumer has glommed on to Trumps promise of a golden age for America and has put out a handful of ineffectual posts sarcastically asking if the policy in question will deliver one. Trumps Golden Age? Yeah if you wanted senior citizens to pay more for prescription drugs, this is your Golden Age, he wrote on Jan. 22. This isnt a rhetorical strategy! Advertisement There are some Democrats who are doing better, who have showed some fight, some vision, and some purpose. Chris Murphy is one whose messages on social media and cable news have been consistently sharp. After Trump capriciously pardoned the Jan. 6 rioters, Murphy noted on X that the last 24 hours have been a gift to those who trade in political violence. Murphy and a handful of other Senate Democrats like Hawaiis Brian Schatz have so far shown some grit, banding together to denounce each outrage as it happened and not allowing themselves to get lost in a fog of disorienting policy losses, as Trump intends. Advertisement Advertisement The Democrats who have acquitted themselves most capably so far are the ones, like Murphy, who are acting like the party is out of power and who understand that this powerlessness actually gives them a permission structure to say and do whatever they want. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez continues to prove herself one of the few figures in the party capable of going viral on a regular basis and dominating a news cycle. In one Instagram video she assailed Elon Musks bizarre, Nazi-like gesture by saying directly, In this country we hate Nazis, a refreshing departure from the medias insistence on giving equal airtime to those making excuses for the GOPs far-right escapades. Youll notice that AOC is also not out there looking the other way as Trumps goons begin terrorizing immigrant communities in blue states and cities. Instead, she is offering support and advice to people on the front lines and clearly positioning herself against ethnic cleansing. Her colleagues should take note. Advertisement Advertisement Some Democratic governors have also showed welcome spine. After Trump instructed the DOJ to investigate state and local officials who wont capitulate to the new presidents immigration crackdown, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker was defiant. Theyre the ones who are threatening people, he said of Trump and his ICE enforcer Tom Homan. Were just standing up for people who live in our state and in our city. Eleven blue state attorneys general published a letter dismissing the Trump administrations threat as legal hot air. We will not be distracted by the Presidents mass deportation agenda, they wrote. Even the executive branch inspectors general who were fired abruptly by Trump to clear the path for limitless graft showed more gumption than leading Democrats by refusing to step aside without a court order. Advertisement In some ways, the reticence of more Democrats to come out against all this is understandable. Todays Democrats are in a position that they have not found themselves in living memory. In both 2016 and 2000, the outgoing Democratic president was popular, well-liked, and influential. Defeat could be blamed on the candidates missteps and the Electoral College. Today, Democrats are once again completely shut out of national power with no one to blame except themselves, but the recently departed president is a sad, discredited figure who is already incapable of having any meaningful impact on the partys future direction. Advertisement In contrast to the period after the 2004 election, when Hillary Clinton already commanded the allegiance of many rank-and-file Democrats and elites, there isnt even really an especially well-known person who seems ready and eager to take on the mantle of party leadership. There are no former vice presidents who will have a plausible shot at the 2028 nomination, and everyone in Bidens Cabinetincluding its likeliest 2028 primary contestant, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigiegis now unemployed with no clear path to maintaining a national political presence. No one wants to hear from Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of the problem is at the top. Minority Leader Schumer may have been a talented steward of his caucus during the Biden administration, but as one of the faces of the party he is severely lacking in strategic communication. Most of Trumps EOs have drawn no commentary from Schumer, especially those targeting trans folks and immigrants. He has mostly sent out tepid attacks like an X post that reads, President Trumps Executive Orders make it obvious that no Golden Age is coming to Americaunless youre one of the wealthiest few, youre well-connected, or you own a Big Oil or Big Pharma company. Its not that hes wrong exactly, but the tone and urgency simply do not match the moment. Tuesdays press conference did, at last. He needs to understand that this was better than everything he did before it. Advertisement Rank-and-file liberals and progressives are at their lowest point, psychologically, of the 21st century, something that was pretty predictable even before the election. And while advocacy groups are hard at work filing lawsuits, training citizens to resist ICE, and trying to stop the worst from happening, they are fighting a difficult, multifront battle with very little guidance from national Democrats. Ordinary Americans need to see their elected officials animated with righteous indignation and ready to do battle with Trump and his enforcers, not sitting back after getting knocked on their heels. In parliamentary systems, the losers usually fire their party leader and immediately elect a new one, but Democrats have no such luxury. As at least a dozen Democrats prepare to run in 2028, they will all be competing with one another to offer glum voters a winning message. The person who emerges from that scrum is likely to be someone who identifies and exploits the anger and resentment that is building quickly in liberal circlesat Trump, yes, but at least as much against compliant party leaders and media figures. Its all well and good to mock the president for failing to bring down prices, but there are actually much worse things going on. Advertisement Advertisement The accommodationist Democrats are acting like we just inaugurated an absolute monarch who must be placated at all costs, rather than an erratic, elderly grifter whose sordid little honeymoon will be over much faster than people think. Someday soon, a lot of the things that are happening today are going to look very, very bad, and the people who chose to cozy up to power at the worst possible time are going to be regarded as weak and servile by large swaths of the electorate. The moment demands principled but vociferous and unapologetic opposition, and the Democrats who deliver it will inherit both the party and the national backlash that will soon hit back against Trumps authoritarian madness. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. On Friday night, Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell strode onto the Senate floor and, without a moments hesitation, voted against the Republican presidents nominee for secretary of defense. The vote marked the hard launch of a new, unburdened, and final chapter in McConnells 40-year Senate career. But then a funny thing happened: Pete Hegseth, a nominee who made up for his singular lack of qualifications with heaping doses of personal scandal, was confirmed anyway. Since that outcome was known by the time McConnell cast his vote, McConnells no vote wasnt the highest of high dramas. (One thinks, instead, of John McCain voting down Obamacare repeal in 2017 as then-Leader McConnell stood nearby, arms folded, face down.) There werent gasps, and McConnell joined the rest of the chatty Senate floor by yukking it up with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Coverage of McConnells vote has described it as a shot across the bow, or a message sent to Washington. Mitch McConnell might not run the Senate anymore, Politico described it, but he made clear on Friday night that he still knows how to wield power. Were sure McConnell hasnt forgotten how to wield power. But the only practical effect of his no vote was to inconvenience the tiebreaking vote, Vice President J.D. Vance, on a Friday night. McConnell, who has unusually thick skin, is in the twilight of his career. Most of his fellow Senate Republicans are in the thick of theirs. McConnells vote may be liberated, but the outcomes are out of his hands. The most surprising thing about McConnells Hegseth vote was that he didnt try to block the nomination earlier, on one of the procedural votes preceding confirmation. On the merits of his decision, though, McConnell has been open and direct about his priorities for his final two years in office. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth didnt fit into them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mitch McConnell is a traditional Republican defense hawk. In speeches, press conferences, interviews, and articles over the past year, he has been explicit in saying that his focus is on repellingor at least slowing downthe isolationist elements overtaking his party. He believes that the United States is under a concerted attack from Russia, China, Iran, and their proxies to undermine the U.S.-led order that has underpinned Western peace and prosperity for nearly a century, and has argued that the global situation is as dangerous as it has been since the period before World War II. To counter this, McConnell has called for substantial increases in defense spending and hard power. He intends to see that through himself. When McConnell stepped down as leader, he had pick of the litter over committee assignments. He chose the defense subcommittee gavel on the Appropriations Committee. Advertisement And so Pete Hegseth, who was poached from a career in weekend television hosting, didnt strike McConnell as the sturdiest partner in this endeavor. In a lengthy, scathing statement following the vote, McConnell reiterated his view of the grave threats facing America, and why Republicans needed better than the nominee placed before them. Advertisement Mere desire to be a change agent is not enough to fill these shoes, McConnell said. And dust on boots fails even to distinguish this nominee from multiple predecessors of the last decade. He hit Hegseth for failing to offer substantial observations on how to defend Taiwan or the Philippines against a Chinese attack, or even whether he believes the United States should do so. He failed, for that matter, to articulate in any detail a strategic vision for dealing with the gravest long-term threat emanating from the PRC. And, in a dig at Hegseths past bravado against women in combat, he said, The restoration of warrior culture will not come from trading one set of culture warriors for another. Advertisement McConnells explanationwhether or not you agree with his dour view of the worlds dangers and his proposed remedieswas untouched by politics. He didnt even bother hedging about how the vote kept him up at night but that he could not in good conscience go along with it; there was no side puffery about how President Trump was Gods gift to the nation. He didnt offer to make it up later. He just listed the reasons why the nominee was bad, and he said that he would vote against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No other Senate Republican has the luxury of being able to separate themself from politics so fully. Sure, it wasnt entirely easy for Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski to join McConnell in voting against Hegseth. But those two Republicans, and those two specifically, have been reelected to the Senate with moderate coalitions to whom they have to tend. And Alaskas nontraditional voting system insulates Murkowski from right-wing primary opponents, while Collins brand is strong enough to vanquish any opposition from her right. So youve got McConnell, whose semiretirement and focus on legacy render him immune to the pressures of Trump or Kentuckians clamoring for Secretary of State Pete Hegseth to fire the generals who wear dresses. Youve got Murkowski and Collins, whose political incentives guide them toward rejecting Trumps most glaring excesses. You need one more Republican to vote down a nomination. Whos that going to be? Related From Slate The Bombardment Will Continue Until Theres Any Hint It Has a Price Read More Well? Its not going to be North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis. Tillis had been wobbling in his support for Hegseth on the afternoon before the vote. Youd better believe that he came around. While Tillis holds one of the few seats Senate Democrats will be targeting in 2026, he first has to get through a Republican primaryand being the deciding vote to kill one of Trumps first major nominees may well have nuked him. Advertisement Advertisement Would any other of the remaining few Trump-cautious Senate Republicans like to nuke their Senate careers? Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy? Indiana Sen. Todd Young? Utah Sen. John Curtis? Maybe some or several of these senators are preserving their no votes for the nominee that terrifies them most, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or Tulsi Gabbard. But wed venture that more than three Republican senators felt Hegseths nomination was a joke. Only three did anything about it. These incentives make it hard for McConnell to play the role that Trumps opponents would project onto him: the elder whose gravitas and sage counsel can move votes beyond his own to block Trumps use of the Senate as a doormat. Whichever Senate Republican becomes that 51st vote to kill a nomination immediately places a primary target on his or her back. Indeed, even having voted with Mitch McConnell, on its own terms, makes that target a little bigger. Its not clear what McConnells sage counsel would be, anyway. The senator has had a smattering of major policy interests over the years: a robust national defense, a conservative judiciary, and beating back any limits on the amount of money in politics. But his supreme interest has always been the engineering and maintenance of a Senate Republican majority. He may have nothing left to lose, but hes not one to advise those who could lose plenty to risk it. New York, US (PANA) - As fighting intensifies between the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group and Congolese forces, UN chief of Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix underscored the critical state of the battle for eastern DRCs regional capital, Goma, describing the crisis as volatile and dangerous https://sputnikglobe.com/20250127/us-senate-confirms-scott-bessent-as-treasury-secretary-1121509084.html US Senate Confirms Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary US Senate Confirms Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary Sputnik International WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US Senate has supported the appointment of hedge fund manager Scott Bessent as the country's new Treasury Secretary, according to... 27.01.2025, Sputnik International 2025-01-27T23:20+0000 2025-01-27T23:20+0000 2025-01-28T03:40+0000 americas us treasury us treasury department donald trump https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/01/1c/1121508875_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_f91801b31ed6fa8ee75b4e9fabc3e0ca.jpg According to online vote count, Bessent has already received more than 60 out of 100 votes from senators, which provides him with the necessary majority for confirmation. At the hearing on January 16, Bessent spoke in favor of tightening sanctions against Russia, especially in the oil sector, to pressure Moscow to reach a peace agreement on Ukraine. He also supported the introduction of restrictions on the supply of goods from China. Bessent also said that the US dollar should retain its status as the world's reserve currency, but warned of uncontrolled federal budget spending that could lead to an economic crisis and a record tax increase in the US by the end of 2025. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250123/trumps-100-brics-tariff-pledge-could-us-face-a-backlash--1121483559.html americas 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 us treasury, us treasury department, donald trump https://sputnikglobe.com/20250128/does-us-ban-refugees-from-ukraine--1121512517.html Does US Ban Refugees From Ukraine? Does US Ban Refugees From Ukraine? Sputnik International Does US ban refugees from Ukraine? 2025-01-28T16:59+0000 2025-01-28T16:59+0000 2025-01-28T16:59+0000 world ukraine us donald trump volodymyr zelensky department of homeland security (dhs) us government accountability office (gao) migrants refugees https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/05/1f/1095899689_0:91:1200:766_1920x0_80_0_0_0ff19b12b4d79b1e484fb20c96cc879c.jpg The US has frozen the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) asylum program meant for Ukrainian citizens who can prove they resided in their home country up until February 11, 2022. The program granted them entry into the US under a temporary humanitarian parole status for a period of up to two years. U4U granted those who fled from the Volodymyr Zelensky regime authorization to work, access to Medicaid, the Childrens Health Insurance Program, and food assistance. How Many Ukrainians Fled to US Via U4U? Over 158,000 had entered the US as of September 30, 2023, according to a 2024 Department of Homeland Security report. Another 350,000 Ukrainians had arrived outside the sponsorship process since the start of the conflict, per the report, with many crossing through Mexico. How much of taxpayer money has it cost? Approximately $3.4 billion have been allocated by the DHS for supporting Ukrainian refugees, including U4U funding, per the US Government Accountability Office For comparison, as of 2023, there were about 36.79 million people living below the official poverty line in the US. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250125/us-suspends-migrant-programs-including-ukraine-initiative-1121490756.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko 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 Svetlana Ekimenko does us ban refugees from ukraine, what has happened to u4u programme, what is the u4u programme, can ukrainian refugees still get asylum in the us, how much has us refugee program for ukrainians cost https://sputnikglobe.com/20250128/putin-russia-ready-to-pick-negotiators-for-direct-talks-with-zelensky-if-hes-ready-1121515700.html Putin: Russia Ready to Pick Negotiators for Direct Talks With Zelensky, But He Can't Sign Peace Deal Putin: Russia Ready to Pick Negotiators for Direct Talks With Zelensky, But He Can't Sign Peace Deal Sputnik International Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree outlawing peace negotiations with Moscow in 2022, months after the West sabotaged a ready peace treaty to pursue an all-out... 28.01.2025, Sputnik International 2025-01-28T18:39+0000 2025-01-28T18:39+0000 2025-01-28T19:35+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine vladimir putin https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/01/1c/1121515924_0:78:1313:817_1920x0_80_0_0_b19e14bfbc8c7ee18901f9e8c0c43243.jpg President Putin has expressed readiness to find negotiators to speak directly with Volodymyr Zelensky.Under Ukrainian law, the end of the president's term means his powers are transferred to the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada parliament, and in accordance with the Constitution, even martial law does not give him the right to extend his authority, Putin said.Zelensky's powers officially ran out last spring, but he remained in office after cancelling elections, citing martial law.Furthermore, direct talks cannot start if Zelensky does not lift his self-imposed ban, Putin said."If there is a desire, any legal question can be resolved. So far, we simply don't see such a desire" from the Ukrainian side, the president said.New Revelations on 2022 TalksThe Ukrainian side rejected these terms, but Russia nevertheless agreed to talks. "This was at the end of February 2022," Putin recalled.Russia was prepared to implement the peace deal reached in Istanbul in the spring of 2022, "even though there were things [in the draft deal, ed.] which we had issues with," Putin revealed.The draft agreements also "had a small point proposed for consideration by the Ukrainian side on a personal meeting between the two presidents. I agreed to this," Putin added.Russia also sent signals to Kiev's Western sponsors, including now former US president Joe Biden, Putin said, saying he had made clear that "if they had a desire...to achieve peace, the path was very simple."Conflict Would End Quickly Without NATO InvolvementToday, Putin said, Ukraine's sovereignty is "almost nil," and without foreign sponsorship and weapons, the present conflict would "end in a month and a half or two months."Putin also commented on Zelensky's claims that he banned negotiations after the Russian military was stopped at the gates of Kiev in early 2022, pointing out that Russian forces withdrew voluntarily as an act of good faith for the sake of the peace treaty being negotiated in Istanbul, many months before Zelensky implemented his ban in October 2022.Subsequently, then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson flew to Kiev on NATO's behest to tell Zelensky to scrap the peace plan, and Ukrainian and Western media blew up the Bucha Massacre controversy, accusing Russian forces of slaughtering unarmed Ukrainian civilians in a suburb of Kiev to justify continued fighting and Western support. Follow-up investigations revealed that the civilians killed at Bucha were murdered by Ukrainian neo-Nazi forces sent in to punish locals accused of 'collaborating' with Russian forces. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250126/zelensky-claims-he-banned-negotiations-with-russia-for-everyone-except-himself-1121496096.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20250124/trump-says-zelensky-shouldnt-have-allowed-conflict-to-happen-but-wanted-to-fight-1121486798.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20250124/putin-ukraine-crisis-could-have-been-avoided-if-2020-us-election-wasnt-stolen-1121487752.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov 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 Ilya Tsukanov vladimir putin https://sputnikglobe.com/20250128/rafah-border-crossing-in-southern-gaza-to-resume-operations-soon---cairo-1121509562.html Rafah Border Crossing in Southern Gaza to Resume Operations Soon - Cairo Rafah Border Crossing in Southern Gaza to Resume Operations Soon - Cairo Sputnik International The Rafah crossing on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt will soon resume operations, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said. 2025-01-28T07:09+0000 2025-01-28T07:09+0000 2025-01-28T07:09+0000 world palestine-israel conflict middle east palestinians egypt rafah israel european union (eu) hamas https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/15/1114386495_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_68700edcd97622d3a0dd45c4ab48910c.jpg On Monday, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that the European Union decided to resume the assistance mission on the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip in Rafah. Israel and 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/20250119/israel-army-leaves-city-of-rafah-in-gaza-strip---reports-1121459785.html egypt rafah israel 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 rafah border crossing, gaza strip and egypt, egyptian foreign minister badr abdelatty https://sputnikglobe.com/20250128/trumps-migrant-deportations-have-liberals-in-meltdown-mode-but-what-of-dems-track-record-1121510927.html Trump's Migrant Deportations Have Liberals in Meltdown Mode, But What Of Dems Track Record? Trump's Migrant Deportations Have Liberals in Meltdown Mode, But What Of Dems Track Record? Sputnik International Is Trump really the deportation czar that he claims to be? 2025-01-28T16:47+0000 2025-01-28T16:47+0000 2025-01-28T16:47+0000 world us donald trump joe biden barack obama colombia mexico us immigration and customs enforcement (ice) migration policy institute https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/04/1115979442_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_53a80340323138baae6f8ec3f512820a.jpg Donald Trump is revving up mass deportation of undocumented migrants, recently forcing a reluctant Colombia to back down on accepting deportees. But is Trump really the deportation czar that he claims to be? How does he stack up against two other recent US presidents? Joe Biden (2021-2025)Approximately 1.1 million individuals were deported by ICE from the beginning of fiscal year 2021 through February 2024 Deportations by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) soared to a 10-year record of over 271,000 individuals in fiscal year 2024, according to a government report, surpassing the Trump-era high of 267,000 (in 2019) Around 82% of those deported in 2024 were apprehended at the US-Mexico border Donald Trump (2017-2021) 800,000 deportations in the first three years 186,000 deportations in 2021 one million deportations give or take, in total, according to the Migration Policy InstituteBarack Obama (two terms, 2009-2017) 1.18 million in the first three years (2009-2011), according to ICE dataPeak of 409,849 in 2012 https://sputnikglobe.com/20250127/what-is-known-about-the-us-colombia-showdown-over-migrants--tariffs---1121503846.html colombia mexico Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko 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 Svetlana Ekimenko trump migrant deportations, who deported the most migrants, trump mass deportations initiative, trump deportations, trump deports migrants, how many migrants did biden deport, how many migrants did trump deport during first term, how many migrants did obama deport https://sputnikglobe.com/20250128/tucker-carlson-says-blinken-did-everything-to-accelerate-war-between-us-russia-1121510009.html Tucker Carlson Says Blinken Did Everything to Accelerate War Between US, Russia Tucker Carlson Says Blinken Did Everything to Accelerate War Between US, Russia Sputnik International US journalist Tucker Carlson said on Monday that the former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had actually led the Biden administration, trying to fuel a war between the United States and Russia. 2025-01-28T07:29+0000 2025-01-28T07:29+0000 2025-01-28T07:29+0000 world antony blinken us tucker carlson joe biden russia https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/1d/1118676203_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_6e9619878b0ddabfa40aaa16fb6fcf60.jpg "I know that in the last two months, Blinken did everything he could to accelerate the war between the US and Russia, which should be illegal," Carlson said in an interview with journalist Matt Taibi. Carlson said that Blinken was "demonstrably evil and also stupid." He pointed out that he saw "Blinkens fingerprints" everywhere. Carlson also expressed confidence that Blinken de-facto had led the Biden administration and played the role of the president in the months. He also stressed that Blinken was pushing for a real war with Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250120/secretary-of-forever-wars-antony-blinkens-blood-soaked-legacy-1121472986.html russia 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 us journalist tucker carlson, us secretary of state antony blinken, accelerate war between us, russia https://sputnikglobe.com/20250128/ukraine-loses-over-280-soldiers-in-kursk-region-in-past-day-1121510610.html Ukraine Loses Over 280 Soldiers in Kursk Region in Past Day Ukraine Loses Over 280 Soldiers in Kursk Region in Past Day Sputnik International The Ukrainian armed forces have lost over 280 soldiers and one tank in the Kursk direction over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday. 2025-01-28T11:37+0000 2025-01-28T11:37+0000 2025-01-28T11:37+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukrainian armed forces ukraine kursk russian defense ministry russian armed forces https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/11/1120913092_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_8d29dba1c825ca15bb180e29d2710501.jpg "Over the day the Ukrainian armed forces lost more than 280 servicepeople and a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, six armored fighting vehicles and 20 vehicles were destroyed," the ministry said in a statement. In total, Ukraine has lost over 55,470 servicepeople and 322 tanks during offensive in Kursk direction, the ministry added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250114/ukraine-loses-over-460-soldiers-in-kursk-region-in-past-day---1121427610.html ukraine kursk 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 kursk region, ukrainian armed forces, russian defense ministry, ukraine loses https://sputnikglobe.com/20250128/ukraine-loses-up-to-600-soldiers-in-battles-with-russian-forces---mod-1121510395.html Ukraine Loses Up to 600 Soldiers in Battles With Russian Forces - MoD Ukraine Loses Up to 600 Soldiers in Battles With Russian Forces - MoD Sputnik International Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr has eliminated up to 600 Ukrainian military personnel over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday. 2025-01-28T09:33+0000 2025-01-28T09:33+0000 2025-01-28T10:39+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia ukraine russian defense ministry ukrainian armed forces kharkov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0c/07/1121115426_0:141:3140:1907_1920x0_80_0_0_1770ca7f38a8f4042a503ace1aad31cc.jpg "The enemy lost up to 600 troops, two tanks, two armored combat vehicles, including a US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, seven vehicles and a field artillery gun," the ministry said in a statement. Russia's Battlegroup Zapad has eliminated up to 330 Ukrainian soldiers, while Battlegroup Yug has eliminated up to 220 Ukrainian soldiers, the ministry said.Russia's Battlegroup Zapad has taken control of the Dvurechnaya settlement in the Kharkov region, the ministry added.Battlegroup Vostok eliminated over 115 Ukrainian soldiers, a tank and four artillery guns, including a Western-made one, the ministry's statement read.In the Kharkov area, Russia's Battlegroup Sever has eliminated up to 25 Ukrainian soldiers and an armored fighting vehicle, the ministry said. Two field artillery guns and an ammunition depot were neutralized.Russia's Battlegroup Dnepr has eliminated over 40 Ukrainian soldiers after engaging Ukrainian troops close to Stepnogorsk, Novopokrovka, Rabotino in Zaporozhye region, as well as in Antonovka and in Kherson region. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250111/ukrainian-armed-forces-suffer-significant-losses-due-to-low-quality-ammunition-1121406943.html russia ukraine kharkov 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 russia's battlegroup tsentr, russian defense ministry, military personnel Meg Crones 2024 racing season was one for the books. It was a career-defining year culminating in her first-ever O'Brien Award finalist nomination. Crone's remarkable success wasnt just a result of hard work but also of the incredible horses and owners backing her. Among them, one horse stood out above the rest: Amigo Volo. This seven-year-old trotter, with his stellar performances and unique personality, helped catapult the Cambridge, Ont.-based conditioner into the national spotlight. But Crones journey with Amigo Volo and with the Pinske family, who co-owns the horse with Floridian David J. Miller is rooted in decades of connection and shared passion for the sport of harness racing. Crones ties to the Pinske family spans more than 30 years, a relationship that began with the late Brian Pinske at Quad City Downs in Illinois. Over the years, she became close with the entire Pinske family, including Karl Pinske, the father of Carter Pinske. In addition to the Pinske family, another influential figure in Crones career is Richard 'Nifty' Norman, with whom shes shared a strong working relationship for more than three decades. Meg Crone (second from left) with Nifty Norman (third from right) pupil Smoke And Mirrors after winning the Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final for three-year-old trotting fillies in 2018. Norman, a well-respected trainer and a key figure in the harness racing community, played an instrumental role in bringing Amigo Volo into the Crone barn. The horse had raced for Normans stable through to his six-year-old season, but as Amigo Volo's career continued into his older years, it became clear that a change in racing strategy might be in order. Thats where Crone came in. As the racing landscape became more challenging stateside, especially with the horse not being staked, the opportunities in Canada seemed to be a better fit for the son of Father Patrick. They [the connections] felt his best opportunity was to race up here and not have to ship around, said Crone. The decision to bring the horse north proved to be a wise one as the two-time Breeders Crown winner and multiple world champion during his two- and three-year-old seasons posted a campaign that could be considered the best on his aged resume. The success of Amigo Volo is far from typical for a trotter of his age, particularly one who wasnt heavily staked in his later years. Crone credits some of the horse's success to his personality and his consistent talking on and off the track. He's kind of a lazy horse, but if anything goes by quick, or if you're training in the bike and one goes by him, he'll take off squealing and bucking. He thinks he's young. He's always full of life and energy. What makes Amigo Volo such a standout is not just his talent but his willingness to try. "There'll never be another horse like 'Amigo,'" stated Crone. I dont think Ill ever have another horse like him. His ability to perform consistently at a high level despite his age is a testament to his toughness and the care he receives. Amigo Volo's performance in 2024 was nothing short of spectacular. His consistent finishes 11-5-3 and 25 purse cheques in 27 appearances were a clear indication of his competitiveness and stamina. As Crone points out, the horse didnt necessarily need a specific driver to get the job done. "Anybody that's ever driven him told me he's the nicest trotter they've ever driven, you can do anything with him. Hes just a Cadillac," confessed Crone. For Crone, 2024 was a year of major milestones. While some of the horses she had high hopes for didnt quite meet expectations, others like Amigo Volo helped fill the gap. Amigo Volo's consistent success and Crone's ability to bring out the best in him were a key factor in her career-best season. The year also marked a significant achievement for Crone: her first million-dollar season as a trainer. When reflecting on 2024, Crone singles out a particular race as a career highlight. In a performance that perfectly captured Amigo Volos abilities, he went head-to-head with the best and emerged victorious. James MacDonald piloted Amigo Volo to this victory in 1:50.4, just two-fifths of a second off his lifetime best, which had previously set a world record at Dover. He had never even asked him. He said he was as strong at the finish as he was at the start, reflected Crone. When the news broke that Amigo Volo was a finalist for the 2024 O'Brien Award, Crone's excitement was palpable. "We kind of thought he would be," Crone confessed. "We knew Logan [Park] would be for sure because he had a rare year. It was very exciting. As a first-time attendee of the O'Brien Awards, Crone is eagerly looking forward to the event. While shes worked with horses that have been nominated in the past, this marks the first nomination for a Crone trainee, and she's eager to be part of the celebration with husband Anthony Haughan and family. The 2024 OBrien Award winners will be announced on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at the OBrien Awards Gala, which will take place at the Delta Meadowvale / Mississauga in Mississauga, Ont. To reserve your tickets for the O'Brien Awards, please fill out the O'Brien Awards ticket reservation form and send it to Jade Regina at [email protected]. (Standardbred Canada; photos courtesy New Image Media, COSA TV) Woodbine Mohawk Park would like to inform all horsepeople that training for Wednesday morning, Jan. 29 has been cancelled due inclement weather. The next training day will be this Saturday, Feb. 1 from 7 a.m. to 12 noon. (Woodbine) New York, US (PANA) - The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday called on the UN Security Council to act decisively to address the worsening atrocities in Sudans Darfur region ShareChat announced the opening of its first Southeast Asia AI Centre of Excellence in Singapore. This marks ShareChats third establishment outside India, after the US and UK. The new centre will help the organization reach a larger network of highly specialized AI talent in the region, build a cutting-edge technological stack and deliver an unparalleled experience to its community. ShareChat and Moj have a cumulative reach of over 325 million users and operate in 15 Indian languages. Building innovative solutions focused on content discovery and recommendation play a huge role for both the platforms. With the new AI Centre of Excellence, ShareChat aims to strengthen its AI models, develop ML models to personalise content for each user, and optimize ad targeting while ensuring delivery of authentic user generated content. Leveraging Singapores strong community of regional AI talent and infrastructure, ShareChat plans to expand its team to over 30 members in the next three years, further reinforcing ShareChats commitment to innovation and developing AI talent within the Southeast Asia region. With millions of content generated on the ShareChat and Moj ecosystem everyday, it becomes critical to develop a state of the art recommendation system to ensure that users discover interesting and relevant content. Announcing the opening of ShareChats AI Centre of Excellence, Ankush Sachdeva, CEO and Cofounder, ShareChat and Moj said, ShareChat and Moj are melting pots of creativity and innovation, offering a wide selection of user generated content. With support from EDBI, the strategic investment arm of the Singapore Economic Development Board, we are extremely proud and excited to set up our new AI centre of excellence in Singapore to tap into the regions deep pool of highly experienced AI and ML talent that will help accelerate the growth of Indias largest homegrown content and social media ecosystem. Top Breaking News Of The Day We are looking forward to collaborating with related government agencies, institutes of higher learning in Singapore, and other corporations for knowledge-sharing and talent development programs. Singapores AI Centre of Excellence will facilitate knowledge exchange between our existing AI teams in India, the US, and the UK, who have extensive experience in this ever-evolving industry. Charmaine Kng, Partner at EDBI said, Aligned with the National AI Strategy, EDBI invests and partners with global innovative companies to establish their AI Centres of Excellence in Singapore, driving technological advancements and accelerating adoption in key sectors. As ShareChat joins Singapores vibrant community of tech start-ups and AI R&D teams, we look forward to successful partnerships between the company and our local ecosystem, which will benefit the wider industry and create new opportunities for our AI talent pool. ShareChats AI Centre of Excellence in Singapore will be helmed by their newly appointed CTO, Nitin Jain. Nitin is a seasoned tech leader who brings a wealth of leadership experience from renowned companies like Tokopedia, Gojek, and most recently, TikTok. His extensive experience in building high impact tech teams in the South East Asian region will be invaluable in developing the new centre. This centre will work towards delivering a distinctly personalized content feed for ShareChats community of users making their digital experience memorable. 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: Overview of the Rheo-PLI-SAXS experiment. Credit: Advanced Science (2024). DOI: 10.1002/advs.202410920 A research group from Chalmers and the MAX IV Laboratory has developed a new method that provides insights into how natural materials, such as wood-based systems, behave across multiple length scales. By combining several advanced techniques, this study opens great possibilities for future material design. The research is published in Advanced Science. Many natural materials, such as wood-based systems, receive unique properties from being structured in a hierarchical way over several length scales. Nature has evolved to create hierarchical materials composed of structures that span a vast range of dimensions, from molecular to macroscopic organization. One common example is wood, which is built up by several different layers of structures, starting with cellulose chains that bundle into fibrils, forming fibers that build cell walls and wood tissue, ultimately creating the full tree. This hierarchical structure gives the wood great mechanical properties while at the same time being lightweight, since it is not a block of homogenous material. By researching natural materials, researchers aim to replicate similar hierarchies in synthetic materials but in a fraction of the time it takes for nature to do so. First time observing multiple scales simultaneously A research group from Chalmers and the MAX IV Laboratory has now developed a method that makes it possible to observe how hierarchical materials behave under flow conditionsat multiple length scales at once. "Previously, we could only observe one scale at a time, which meant losing simultaneity and important details about how the different layers orient in relation to each other," says Roland Kadar, Professor of Rheology at the Department of Industrial and Materials Science. The new method, called Rheo-PLI-SAXS, combines three techniques: rheology, polarized light imaging, and small-angle X-ray scattering, the latter involving synchrotron radiation experiments. The method allows researchers to examine materials under flow conditions, specifically in simple sheara type of deformation where parallel layers of material slide past each other. The ability to study multiple length scales simultaneously paves the way for significant possibilities in materials science. "For the first time, we can determine how orientation, which is a most important parameter for material properties, propagates across nanomacro length scales in the hierarchy," says Kadar. Unique opportunities at large-scale facilities The collaboration with the MAX IV Laboratory in Lund, Sweden, has provided a unique environment for developing new techniques and has been a central condition for the development of the Rheo-PLI-SAXS method, according to Kadar. "The MAX IV Laboratory has led the way in modernizing synchrotron radiation facilities, by providing the most brilliant X-rays for research. This has enabled considering the design of new experiments that could take advantage of the new opportunities," he says. In this framework, Chalmers and the MAX IV Laboratory, have embarked in partnership to develop so-called sample environments, which enable researchers to test materials under controlled conditions that can, for example, mimic real-world environments. "New and innovative sample environments are crucial for providing new insights into matter at nanoscale," says Dr. Ann Terry, beamline manager for the CoSAXS beamline at the MAX IV Laboratory. "Our ForMAX beamline has been specifically designed to provide multiscale and multimodal analysis methods for materials from wood," says Dr. Kim Nygard, beamline manager for the ForMAX beamline at the MAX IV Laboratory. The partnership between Chalmers and the MAX IV Laboratory has evolved into a Science Initiative at the MAX IV Laboratory through which the group aims to continue the method development work to an even deeper understanding of how materials behave across multiple scales. The continuing work has been part of the FibRe Vinnova Competence Center and the Wallenberg Wood Science Center. Kadar highlights the significant effort and collaboration required for such demanding experiments. "I am grateful to over two generations of students that have contributed to these developments," he says. The Rheo-PLI-SAXS method in short The Rheo-PLI-SAXS method combines three advanced techniques: rheology, polarized light imaging, and small-angle X-ray scattering. Rheology studies how materials flow and deform under an applied stress or deformation. It is an analytical technique that can be used to characterize the structural evolutions of materials in flow. Polarized light imaging (PLI) is a technique using visual light to examine the alignment and orientation of a material's internal structures. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies nanoscale structures, revealing how the smallest structural layers of a material behave. By using these techniques at the same time, the Rheo-PLI-SAXS method provides a unique level of insight into how the layers of a hierarchical material behave and interact under flow conditions, specifically in simple shear. This new possibility can contribute to significant understanding of the relationship between the structure of a material and its properties, which paves the way for designing new materials with advanced multifunctional properties. More information: Reza Ghanbari et al, Propagation of Orientation Across Lengthscales in Sheared SelfAssembling Hierarchical Suspensions via RheoPLISAXS, Advanced Science (2024). DOI: 10.1002/advs.202410920 Journal information: Advanced 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: Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek admits it's 'programmed to provide information and responses that align with the official stance of the Chinese government' Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek has made waves in Silicon Valley, stunning investors and industry insiders with its ability to match the skills of its Western competitors at a fraction of the cost. But where it differs is the answers it offers to topics considered politically sensitive in China, from the 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square to the status of Taiwan and the country's leadership. And it said it is "programmed" to provide answers that toe the government line. Here are some responses DeepSeek provided to AFP. Tiananmen The bloody 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in and around Tiananmen Square in Beijing is a highly sensitive subject in China and discussion about it is strictly censored. DeepSeek is no exception. Asked by AFP to explain what happened on June 4, 1989, the day of the crackdown, the app said it "cannot answer that question". "I am an AI assistant designed to provide helpful and harmless responses," it explained. When asked why it cannot go into further detail, DeepSeek explained that its purpose is to be "helpful"and that it must avoid topics that could be "sensitive, controversial or potentially harmful". Xinjiang The app isn't, however, incapable of answering touchy topics. AFP asked DeepSeek to detail the allegations of human rights abuses by Beijing in the northwestern Xinjiang region, where rights groups say more than a million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities were detained in "re-education camps". In response, the app accurately listed many of the claims detailed by rights groupsfrom forced labour to "mass internment and indoctrination". But after a couple seconds that answer disappeared, replaced with the insistence that the question was "beyond my current scope". "Let's talk about something else," it said. China's leadership DeepSeek is happy to talk about world leaders and sensitive political topicsas long as they aren't in China. Asked by AFP to detail what it knew about US President Donald Trump, DeepSeek went into great detail about the mercurial magnate's populist policiesas well as criticism of his attempts to "undermine democratic norms". But asked the same question about Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the app again implored AFP to "talk about something else". And more broad requests to tell AFP about the Chinese leadership are met with Beijing's standard line. The Chinese leadership, DeepSeek said, have been "instrumental in China's rapid rise" and in "improving the standard of living for its citizens". Taiwan DeepSeek also insisted that it avoids weighing in on "complex and sensitive" geopolitical issues like the status of self-ruled Taiwan and the semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong. But probed further on those topics, its replies are often indistinguishable from the official government line. Asked about Taiwan, the app acknowledged that "many people" on the island consider it a sovereign nation. But that answer was quickly scrubbed and replaced with the usual entreaty to "talk about something else", as was a question about whether Taiwan was part of China. When AFP followed up to ask whether the two would be reunified, DeepSeek declared that "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China". Beijing, it added, was committed to the "great cause" of returning Taiwan under China's control and independence efforts were "doomed to fail". DeepSeek is also keen to toe the official line on Hong Kong, the semi-autonomous territory that saw massive anti-Beijing unrest in 2019. It blamed that unrestwhich saw millions take to the streets to call for more autonomy for the cityon a "very small number of people with ulterior motives". "Their actions severely disrupted Hong Kong's social order and violated the law," it declared. Programmed to conform As a Chinese firm, DeepSeek is required to follow China's strict censorship laws and regulations that ensure AI conforms to "core socialist values". Its replies to delicate questions echo a domestic competitor, ERNIE Bot, developed by Chinese tech giant Baidu. That app was also highly censored, offering state-approved answers to taboo questions and sometimes refusing to process them altogether when AFP tested the service. And DeepSeek openly told AFP it's been designed to respond in a way that reflects Beijing's line. "I am programmed to provide information and responses that align with the official stance of the Chinese government," it explained. "My responses are designed to reflect these positions accurately and respectfully." 2025 AFP New York, US (PANA) - The implementation of new laws banning the UN Palestine refugee agency, UNRWA set to take effect on Thursday will heighten instability and deepen despair in the occupied Palestinian territory, the Security Council has heard 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 The booming short messaging service Bluesky, with its logo of a blue butterfly, is not only a suitable alternative to X, but offers tangible advantages to users, concludes a study by a team of researchers with leading involvement from TU Darmstadt in a study on the novel platform. The findings are published in the Proceedings of the 2024 ACM on Internet Measurement Conference. In protest against owner and tech billionaire Elon Musk, millions of users worldwide have been leaving the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, in recent months. Many of them are moving to its competitor Bluesky, which was launched in 2022. In collaboration with international research partners, scientists at TU Darmstadt recently presented the first extensive analysis of Bluesky. The researchers, led by TU first author Leonhard Balduf of the Communication Networks Lab (Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology), presented their results at the renowned conference ACM IMC. Although Bluesky is "a clone of X, at first glance," it actually offers significantly more functionality, explains Balduf. The participative platform is based on fundamentally different principles and architectures. The biggest advantages over centralized networks such as Facebook or X include openness, transparency, participation, and a more even distribution of power. Bluesky users have significantly more control over their own data and identity, as well as over the content displayed to them, according to the study. Instead of being dependent on a single feed provided by an opaque algorithm, users can choose from tens of thousands of generated feeds, most of which are created by other users. Similarly, Bluesky also offers more freedom of choice and control when it comes to moderation, with substantial contributions by the community. In addition, all the necessary components are available as open source software and can therefore, in principle, be operated by any user themselves. "Bluesky's open architecture effectively enables at least tech-savvy users to meaningfully contribute to core aspects of the social network, namely the recommendation and moderation of content," explains Professor Bjorn Scheuermann, head of the Communication Networks Lab. "And we found that the community actually makes a lot of use of this option." With its transparency and openness, according to Scheuermann, Bluesky is "a paradise" for researchers, especially as Twitter/X has effectively closed access to its data for independent research purposes by introducing exorbitant fees. In addition to the major advantages, the decentralized platform presents issues, as indicated in the study. For example, there is an increasing debate about who has the rights to the content and how open data access can be protected from misuse, explains Balduf. The study also notes that the system may struggle with its explosive growth, and that financial security of the currently ad-free service remains an open question. Since the relatively new platform was opened to the general public in February 2024, the number of users has increased tenfold from around 2.5 million to around 28 million today. In addition to TU Darmstadt, five other universities from the UK, France, and China were involved in the study. The TU scientists contributed the majority of the data collection and analysis. Among other things, they analyzed the content moderation system. More information: Leonhard Balduf et al, Looking AT the Blue Skies of Bluesky, Proceedings of the 2024 ACM on Internet Measurement Conference (2024). DOI: 10.1145/3646547.3688407 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: DeepSeek's release has sent some tech stocks plunging. China-based DeepSeek's artificial intelligence model has shaken the sector by offering high performance apparently at a fraction of the cost of those developed by US giants, with many experts saying the release also hints at opportunity for investment minnow Europe. DeepSeek's large language model (LLM) is "making a mockery of the (idea that) we need a trillion dollars to train the next level of AGI", or artificial general intelligence, said Neil Lawrence, machine learning professor at Britain's University of Cambridge. He was referring to the US announcement last week of a pharaonic "Stargate" program to build $500 billion worth of AI infrastructure, a plan led by ChatGPT creator OpenAI. Largely destined to be pumped into data centers packed with the latest AI chips, the scale of the sums underscored that almost no European firm can access the resources to compete at the cutting edge. But DeepSeek's claim that it succeeded in producing a model with similar capabilities to OpenAI's for just $5.6 million has upended those certainties. The technology promised "models that are more efficient and less hungry for GPUs [graphic processing units], for energy and for cash," Laurent Daudet, chief executive of French generative AI company LightOn, told AFP. "It's interesting for Europe to see that we don't need a Stargate project to do something interesting... to innovate, you don't need $500 billion," he said. The shock has battered AI-related tech stocks in recent days, including key chipmaker Nvidia. "It shows that competition is very, very strong and that there'll be a price war too," said Nicolas Gaudemet, AI chief at the consulting firm Onepoint. "An additional provider will bring prices down," he predicted. Open source Cambridge professor Lawrence said it was a "tragedy" that DeepSeek had not emerged from Europe's deep reserves of AI talent in both academia and business. But he added that DeepSeek's "small change in the recipe" was just "a glimpse of the innovation" ahead. "It is very encouraging for Europe... there will be more than one DeepSeek," he said. Lawrence singled out for praise DeepSeek's open-source methodology, under which the developers exposed the guts of their project to the wider AI community, which can then build further on it. That was good news for European contenders such as France's Mistral, Gaudemet said. "They can reuse (DeepSeek's models) to train up theirs and stay in the race," he said, though "they'll have to be very good, because the competition isn't just between the US and EuropeChina is showing that it's capable". Jonas Andrulis, CEO of German AI firm Aleph Alpha, told AFP his company was already offering DeepSeek's capabilities to clients. But he added that he had long expected such models to "become a commodity". "We have to drive meaningful innovation beyond 'Hey, those guys also did an LLM'," Andrulis said. 'Card to play' Cheaper AI could mean more tools adapted for local markets and individual businesses rather than a massively resourced and centralised model. "There is a future for more frugal models that can perform just as well, especially for business needs," LightOn's Daudet said. He described his company's role as building the "chassis" of a usable vehicle around the "motor" of an AI model"how a business can use it in a totally secure, personalisable way, with all the guarantees they want". "There's obviously a card to be played for (European) companies, which is security, the aspect of 'your data will stay in Europe' and be handled by people whose interests are... in Europe," Onepoint's Gaudemet said. "A lot of countries in the world that are not the US or China feel a little bit uneasy to accept full-on dependencies to one of those two power blocs," said Andrulis. "This is a valid strategy to basically be the collaborative, fair, open third way that's not trying to strong-arm you in one way or the other." Europe has "some of the strongest researchers in the world and bottom-up, we understand where those strengths are", Lawrence said. "We don't need massive amounts of investment, but we do need people who are listening to people in their own countries and their own continent... not having their heads turned by whatever (OpenAI chief) Sam Altman's latest narrative is," he added. 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: CC0 Public Domain Google has said it will restore the name Mount McKinley to North America's highest peak and rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" on its Maps app, complying with executive orders by Donald Trump. "We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources," a spokesman for the search and tech giant said on Monday. Google said the changes align with its policy of following official US government geographic designations through the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), and will come into effect once the GNIS is updated. Trump signed executive orders changing the names of Denali and the Gulf of Mexico soon after his January 20 swearing in as president. The first change reverses then-president Barack Obama's 2015 decision to officially recognize Denali, the name used by Alaska Natives for centuries for North America's highest peak. The second order renames the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America," with the executive order citing its importance to US oil production, fishing and tourism. The term Gulf of America was soon used by the US Coast Guard in a press release on enforcing Trump's new crackdown on migrants, as well as Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, when discussing a winter storm. The moves have sparked criticism from indigenous groups in Alaska, who have long advocated for maintaining the Denali name, and raised diplomatic concerns with Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has cheekily suggested calling the United States "Mexican America," pointing to a map from before one-third of her country was seized by the United States in 1848. Google noted that users outside the United States will continue to see both the original and new names of the Gulf of Mexico and Denali, as is always the case for disputed locations. 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: CC0 Public Domain DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup that's just over a year old, has stirred awe and consternation in Silicon Valley after demonstrating breakthrough artificial-intelligence models that offer comparable performance to the world's best chatbots at seemingly a fraction of the cost. DeepSeek's emergence may offer a counterpoint to the widespread belief that the future of AI will require ever-increasing amounts of power and energy to develop. Global technology stocks tumbled in late January as hype around DeepSeek's innovation snowballed and investors began to digest the implications for its U.S.-based rivals and their hardware suppliers. What exactly is DeepSeek? DeepSeek was founded in 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, the chief of AI-driven quant hedge fund High-Flyer. The company develops AI models that are open-source, meaning the developer community at large can inspect and improve the software. Its mobile app surged to the top of the iPhone download charts in the U.S. after its release in early January. The app distinguishes itself from other chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT by articulating its reasoning before delivering a response to a prompt. The company claims its R1 release offers performance on par with OpenAI's latest and has granted licenses to individuals interested in developing chatbots using the technology to build on it. How does DeepSeek R1 compare to OpenAI or Meta AI? Though not fully detailed by the company, the cost of training and developing DeepSeek's models appears to be only a fraction of what's required for OpenAI or Meta Platforms Inc.'s best products. The much better efficiency of the model puts into question the need for vast expenditures of capital to acquire the latest and most powerful AI accelerators from the likes of Nvidia Corp. That also amplifies attention on U.S. export curbs of such advanced semiconductors to Chinawhich were intended to prevent a breakthrough of the sort that DeepSeek appears to represent. DeepSeek says R1 is near or better than rival models in several leading benchmarks, such as AIME 2024 for mathematical tasks, MMLU for general knowledge and AlpacaEval 2.0 for question-and-answer performance. It also ranks among the top performers on a UC Berkeley-affiliated leaderboard called Chatbot Arena. What's raising alarm in the U.S.? Washington has banned the export of high-end technologies like GPU semiconductors to China, in a bid to stall the country's advances in AI, the key frontier in the U.S.-China contest for tech supremacy. But DeepSeek's progress suggests Chinese AI engineers have worked their way around the restrictions, focusing on greater efficiency with limited resources. While it remains unclear how much advanced AI-training hardware DeepSeek has been able to access, the company's demonstrated enough to suggest the trade restrictions have not been entirely effective in stymieing China's progress. When did DeepSeek spark global interest? The AI developer has been closely watched since the release of its earliest model in 2023. Then in November, it gave the world a glimpse of its DeepSeek R1 reasoning model, designed to mimic human thinking. That model underpins its mobile chatbot app, which together with the web interface in January rocketed to global renown as a much cheaper OpenAI alternative, with investor Marc Andreessen calling it "AI's Sputnik moment." The DeepSeek mobile app was downloaded 1.6 million times by Jan. 25 and ranked No. 1 in iPhone app stores in Australia, Canada, China, Singapore, the U.S. and the UK, according to data from market tracker App Figures. Who is DeepSeek's founder? Liang, DeepSeek's founder, received bachelor's and masters' degrees in electronic and information engineering from Zhejiang University. He founded DeepSeek with 10 million yuan ($1.4 million) in registered capital, according to company database Tianyancha. The bottleneck for further advances is not more fundraising, Liang said in an interview with Chinese outlet 36kr, but U.S. restrictions on access to the best chips. Most of his top researchers were fresh graduates from top Chinese universities, he said, stressing the need for China to develop its own domestic ecosystem akin to the one built around Nvidia and its AI chips. "More investment does not necessarily lead to more innovation. Otherwise, large companies would take over all innovation," Liang said. Where does DeepSeek stand in China's AI landscape? China's technology leaders, from Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Baidu Inc. to Tencent Holdings Ltd., have poured significant money and resources into the race to acquire hardware and customers for their AI ventures. Alongside Kai-Fu Lee's 01.AI startup, DeepSeek stands out for its open-source approachdesigned to recruit the largest number of users quickly before developing monetization strategies atop that large audience. Because DeepSeek's models are more affordable, it's already played a role in helping drive down costs for AI developers in China, where the bigger players have engaged in a price war that's seen successive waves of price cuts over the past year and a half. What are the implications for the global AI marketplace? DeepSeek's success may push OpenAI and other U.S. providers to lower their pricing to maintain their established lead. It also calls into question the vast spending by companies like Meta and Microsoft Corp.each of which has committed to capital expenditures of $65 billion or more this year, largely on AI infrastructureif more efficient models can compete with a much smaller outlay. That roiled global stock markets as investors sold off companies like Nvidia Corp. and ASML Holding NV that have benefited from booming demand for AI services. Shares in Chinese names linked to DeepSeek, such as Iflytek Co., climbed. Already, developers around the world are experimenting with DeepSeek's software and looking to build tools with it. That could quicken the adoption of advanced AI reasoning modelswhile also potentially touching off additional concern about the need for guardrails around their use. DeepSeek's advances may hasten regulation to control how AI is developed. What are DeepSeek's shortcomings? Like all other Chinese AI models, DeepSeek self-censors on topics deemed sensitive in China. It deflects queries about the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests or geopolitically fraught questions such as the possibility of China invading Taiwan. In tests, the DeepSeek bot is capable of giving detailed responses about political figures like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but declines to do so about Chinese President Xi Jinping. DeepSeek's cloud infrastructure is likely to be tested by its sudden popularity. The company briefly experienced a major outage on Jan. 27 and will have to manage even more traffic as new and returning users pour more queries into its chatbot. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. 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: The full system integration showing the combination of HD-sEMG sensors on a soft socket, soft multi-synergistic hand, and the real-time neural synergistic control. Credit: Patricia Capsi-Morales. Recent technological advances have opened new possibilities for the development of assistive and medical tools, including prosthetic limbs. While these limbs used to be hard objects with the same shape as limbs, prosthetics are now softer and look more realistic, with some also integrating robotic components that considerably broaden their functions. Despite these developments, most commercially available robotic limbs cannot be easily and intuitively controlled by users. This significantly limits their effectiveness and the extent to which they can improve people's quality of life. Researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Imperial College London recently developed a new soft prosthetic hand that could be easier for users to control. This system, presented in a Science Robotics paper, leverages a new control approach that integrates the coordination patterns of multiple fingers (i.e., postural synergies) with the decoding of the activity of motoneurons in people's spinal column. "Our recent paper is an outcome of an ERC Synergy grant, for which my group at IIT and the group of Dario Farina at Imperial College London cooperated to establish a new, more 'natural' connection between users and their artificial hands by making human and artificial intelligence talk through a neural connection," Antonio Bicchi, co-author of the paper, told Tech Xplore. Credit: Science Robotics (2025). DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.ado9509 When humans complete a manual task, they typically coordinate the movements of their fingers in dynamic ways. These basic coordination patterns are known as postural synergies. Bicchi, Farina and their collaborators devised a method to control prosthetic limbs that integrates postural synergies with the neural decoding of spinal motoneuron activities. In other words, finger coordination patterns are combined with the analysis of electrical signals originating from people's nervous systems, which can be used to predict the movements they would like the robotic hand to perform at a given time. "The hand is built with a mix of soft materials, for the skin, the tendons and the ligaments, and of rigid materials, for the bones," explained Bicchi. "The artificial 'bones' roll on top of each other, instead of turning around pins such as robot hands normally do. The tendon arrangement is such that the hand can adapt to the shape of objects to be graspedthus reproducing an autonomous, intelligent grasping behavior observed in human hands." An individual with a limb deficiency wearing the system during familiarization, and the other shows a healthy individual using the prosthesis as a bypass (below his arm). The study demonstrates the alignment between hand intentions and the prosthetic finger movements. Credit: Patricia Capsi-Morales. A unique feature of the soft prosthetic hand developed by this team of researchers is that it does not only allow users to intuitively grasp objects, but also to manipulate them in specific ways. For example, it could allow users not only to grasp a bottle of water, but also to turn its cap between the robotic hand's fingers to open it. Bicchi, Farina and their colleagues assessed the performance of the hand in a series of initial experiments, involving both people who possess all their limbs and those who require a prosthetic hand. Their findings were highly promising, as the hand was found to allow users to perform complex hand movements, manipulating objects more precisely and naturally than they would using other prosthetic hands. In the future, the control approach and design devised by these researchers could be applied to the development of other prosthetic limbs. The soft prosthetic hand they introduced could also be improved further and tested in clinical settings, which could eventually contribute to its commercialization. A video showing MN synergy-based control of the SoftHand Pro-2 by a participant without physical impairment. The participant explores the grasping and in-hand manipulation capabilities with various objects. This video shows the participant explore the control space without grasping any objects and perform examples of functional grasping and in-hand manipulation of various objects. Credit: Science Robotics (2025). DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.ado9509 "We showed that there is a direct connection between two of the levels at which an intelligent organization in 'synergies' of the daunting multitude and complexity of human hands had been previously observed," said Bicchi. "On one side, the phenomenology of human grasping was known to exhibit a latent space of a few patterns which dominate the daily use of hands. On the other side, the reconstruction of motoneuron signals used to command the hand from the spinal cord also showed a lower-dimensional space reducing their very large dimensionality. This paper bridges these two levels and demonstrates the efficacy of using the motoneuron language to more naturally control bio-inspired soft hands." More information: Patricia Capsi-Morales et al, Merging motoneuron and postural synergies in prosthetic hand design for natural bionic interfacing, Science Robotics (2025). DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.ado9509. Journal information: Science Robotics 2025 Science X Network 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 Meme coins like the ones recently launched by United States President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, are a hot trend in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. The rise of these digital tokens reflects the influence of internet culture and community-driven hype on the market, distinguishing them from more traditional cryptocurrencies with well-defined uses or technical foundations. The value of a meme coin is often driven by social media hype, community engagement and celebrity endorsements. But political meme coins seem to offer a new use: the potential to turn civic engagement into speculative assets. As someone who researches financial governance and digital currencies, I want to delve into various cryptocurrency initiatives. This is not intended as financial advice. Politics meets crypto In recent years, the cryptocurrency landscape has witnessed the emergence of political meme coins, digital tokens centered around political figures or movements. During the 2024 U.S. presidential election, a number of political meme coins emerged, inspired by political figures like Trump, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. These coins, often unaffiliated with the politicians they reference, typically have misspelled names (for example, Jeo Boden instead of Joe Biden). Political meme coins merge finance, technology and politics in an unprecedented way, potentially serving as a gauge of public sentiment and political trends. Trump's official $Trump token is a prime example of how cryptocurrencies can transform political support into a financial product. However, the value of a meme coin is highly speculative, as it often relies on public perception and market demand, among other things, rather than any intrinsic worth. According to the terms and conditions on the site where the coins are sold, "Trump Memes are intended to function as an expression of support" and come with "absolutely no promise or guarantee that the Trump Memes will increase in value or maintain the same value as the amount you paid." This disclaimer highlights the speculative nature of such tokens while also raising ethical concerns about the potential to exploit political supporters for financial gain. MAGA credit card Trump's meme coin isn't his first venture into crypto. Previously, he released a series of digital trading cards (NFTs) that enabled cardholders to have dinner with the president. Third parties are building on the hype around Trump and his brand, releasing products like the limited-edition MAGA Card. Described as "a collector's item and the ultimate way to spend your $TRUMP tokens," the credit card claims to integrate Trump's meme coin with everyday financial transactions in a bid to appeal to supporters of the president's MAGA movement. However, The American Patriot's Cardthe company behind the credit carddoes not appear to have any affiliation with Trump. Unlike the $Trump token, which clearly discloses its connection to Trump, the MAGA Card lacks such transparency, illustrating how the door has been opened to misrepresentation and opportunistic marketing schemes that exploit political supporters. Regulatory environment The cryptocurrency industry spent millions during the 2024 U.S. election backing crypto-friendly candidates and selling the story that crypto voters are an important voting bloc. This investment aimed to shape political discourse, leading presidential candidates to make promises and propose policies that aligned with the interests of the cryptocurrency industry. While Trump has signaled his intention to provide clear regulatory guidelines for the cryptocurrency industry, the launch of his meme coincoupled with low public understanding of cryptoassetscould lead to financial losses from risky and speculative investments. Take for example, what are known as pump-and-dump schemes that have become relatively common in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. These schemes involve artificially inflating the price of an asset to sell it at a profit. After the asset is "dumped," the price crashes, leaving investors with significant losses. Without appropriate guardrails in place, the need to protect investors becomes increasingly urgent. Relevance to Canada The Canadian government has expressed some concern over the role of cryptocurrency in politics. Compared to the U.S., Canada has strict campaign financing rules aimed at preventing the undue influence of money in politics and ensuring a fair and transparent democratic process. This means that the cryptocurrency industry likely won't be able to influence Canadian elections in the same way they might have south of the border. Canada's existing regulatory framework has already led to several cryptocurrency exchanges leaving the country. Currently, political entities in Canada can only accept cryptocurrency contributions if Elections Canada can verify the public wallet addresses and transaction amounts involved. However, Bill C-65the Electoral Participation Actproposes regulatory requirements related to contributions that are "difficult to trace." Specifically, political parties and candidates would be prohibited from accepting contributions in the form of "a cryptoasset, money order or prepaid payment method." The recent prorogation of Parliament has shelved the amendments proposed in C-65, but these concerns remain relevant for future legislation. Risky convergence Discussions in the House of Commons on Bill C-65, particularly regarding cryptoasset donations, emphasize the need for a ban to prevent foreign entities from influencing Canadian elections. This was likely a response to concerns about foreign entities financially supporting the so-called Freedom Convoy through cryptocurrency donations, despite CSIS stating that the money did not appear to be coming from foreign states, organizations or citizens. The rise of political meme coins demonstrates how politics, finance and technology are merging in new and sometimes risky ways. While these coins may seem like a joke or a new way to engage with politics, the absence of proper regulations could leave political supporters vulnerable to exploitation for financial gain. 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: Lattice fins on a Falcon 9 rocket. Credit: Wikimedia, CC BY-SA Of all the things that Donald Trump's return as US president could mean, one is that Elon Musk's plan to use Starship rockets for long-distance flights on Earth could move forward. Dubbed Starship Earth to Earth, this would see passengers transported by rocket between cities. They would briefly leave the planet's atmosphere during the journey before flying back down to reach their destination. Musk claims it will be possible to travel to anywhere on Earth within an hour. His rocket company, SpaceX, has given examples such as New York to Paris in 30 minutes and London to Hong Kong in 34 minutes. In response to a post about it on his X platform, Musk responded, "This is now possible." Unlike previous governments, this Trump administration appears focused on reducing regulatory barriers hindering technological progress in all areas. This could make it easier for Musk to rapidly push towards realizing this futuristic travel option. But what hurdles must be overcome first? On whether Musk is right about the technical feasibility, the answer is "sort of." The necessary technology was arguably first proven when NASA achieved a Mars landing in 2012. This was the first to land retropropulsively, meaning touching down softly on a planetary surface with rocket engines (technically called retrorockets). In contrast, previous Mars landings had used parachutes for the entry phase and airbags for the landing phase. The 2012 landing opened the door to rockets and boosters becoming reusable, thereby greatly reducing the cost of launch. It was repeated in SpaceX's historic Falcon 9 rocket landings in 2016, using some of the same NASA engineers who had worked on the Mars landers. This technological shift has been vital for rockets becoming an economically viable alternative to aircraft. Starship's Earth to Earth journeys would involve visiting low Earth orbit (LEO), some 110 miles to 1,240 miles above the Earth's surface. To do this, the rocket would use two stages. The first, known as the super heavy booster, would lift it through the dense lower atmosphere, approximately 5 to 9 miles above the Earth. This would break away some 40 miles above the Earth, then begin a controlled descent back to the planet's surface. SpaceX has matured this technology by leaps and bounds in the past decade, including better heat shields, adjustable lattice fins, improved aerodynamics and state-of-the-art landing algorithms. The second stageknown just as Starshipwould contain the passengers and take over the flight to reach LEO after the first stage has detached. There is still work to be done before this is passenger-ready, as demonstrated when a second stage blew up during a Starship testflight on January 16. There will be no more Starship launches until the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has completed its formal investigation into the cause. On the upside, the incident occurred within predefined hazard areas to ensure public safety. Of course, this is the very purpose of a testflight: to learn what could go wrong and iteratively solve it, meaning repeatedly making improvements after each failure. No one can compete with SpaceX's cost-effective iteration process, for example in its crewed trips to the International Space Station (ISS). The malfunction of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft in August was a recent reminder here: it left two NASA astronauts stranded on the ISS, awaiting a return trip on SpaceX's Dragon capsule in the coming weeks. Other considerations Other long-term challenges pertain to how passengers access the vehicle. Videos of astronauts boarding the Space Shuttle indicate that entering one's seat in a vertically parked rocket takes a few people to help buckle you in. Making that workable over the length of a rocket will require clever engineering. Building spaceports in different countries also won't be trivial; we've seen considerable pushback against efforts to build a UK spaceport, for instance. The same goes for worldwide regulatory approvals. It's already standard for rocket companies to need a launch license per flight, while America's FAA also requires them to obtain re-entry licenses before launch. Of course, regulatory hurdles can be overcome for transformational tech (once it's proven to be safe and reliable). No doubt lawyers will have many things to say about these issues, though I doubt any will be insurmountable. And SpaceX must know a thing or two about dealing with regulations, having launched the world's largest constellation of satellites into orbit. Finally, rockets expel significant quantities of microscopic particles (particulates) into the upper reaches of the atmosphere. This would have seriously detrimental effects if they were flying in anything like the numbers of long-distance airliners. Starship's Raptor engines use methalox, a combination of liquid methane and liquid oxygen. Unlike the kerosene that has traditionally powered rockets, liquid methane prevents the build-up of sooty residue in the engine and is also safer to work with than liquid hydrogen. While Starship still burns vastly more fuel per trip than conventional aircraft, its potential to slash intercontinental travel times could drive critical research into carbon-neutral methane production. This would be integral to making a viable long-haul alternative. At present, UK rocket companies Skyrora and Orbex are among those developing alternatives to traditional fuels. Skyrora is developing Ecosene, an aerospace grade kerosene made from unrecyclable plastic waste. Orbex's Prime rocket will make use of a BioLPG derived from plant and vegetable waste. Both tackle different sustainability problems, but are unlikely to meet the performance demanded by larger Starship-class vehicles. Another promising alternative is nuclear-powered engines, but using them close to Earth will likely be fiercely resisted by environmental campaigners. In sum, we are in uncharted territory with landing second stages of rockets, but the general trend from 2012 to today indicates that such technical challenges are solvable. Doing so with crews will be even more challenging, but it does align with SpaceX's mission to make humans multiplanetary. The same technology will be used to land humans safely on Mars, so developing it is probably inevitable. Uncrewed Starship launches to Mars are supposed to happen in 2026. Crewed Mars missions will follow, without the same landing-related regulations as would be required on Earth. I suspect crewed Earth-to-Earth transport will only be approved after humans have landed on Mars safely. If there's one team that can't be bet against turning visions into reality, it's the SpaceX engineers who have been revolutionizing launch vehicles for over 10 years. 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: Isabel Nunez, Duke Marketing and Communications When you go shopping or visit the doctor, your smartphone tracks your journey there. It also tracks what we like and share on Facebook and Instagram; what we listen to on Spotify or watch on YouTube; our credit card transactions. "All of those things create a data trail," said Duke's Jolynn Dellinger, who teaches classes on privacy law and ethics and technology at the Law School and Duke Science and Society. In Dellinger's course, "Privacy in a Post-Dobbs World: Sex, Contraception, Abortion and Surveillance," students consider all the traces that people of reproductive age leave online on a daily basis, and how those could potentially be used against them. Every moment of the day, almost every website, app and device we use is collecting our data: where we go, who we talk to, what we look for on the internet, what we buy. For people seeking abortions and also for their partners, it's not hard to imagine how these digital footprints could suddenly become dangerous. An Instagram search for "abortion pills," a log of symptoms in a period tracking app, geolocation data, even a Facebook message to a friend or family memberall of that could be turned over to law enforcement, and with little protection from the Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures, Dellinger explained in a recent piece co-authored with Stephanie Pell of the Brookings Institution. "In some respects, history is repeating itself," Dellinger and Pell wrote in a 2024 paper, "Bodies of evidence: The criminalization of abortion and surveillance of women in a post-Dobbs world." Indeed, since the Dobbs decision, nearly two dozen states have banned or limited access to abortion. "It's true we've been here before," Dellinger said in a recent interview with Duke Today. "But we're not just going back to something reminiscent of the pre-Roe era." That's because so much of our day-to-day life now leaves a digital footprint, she explained. Your phone reveals more about you than you think But it's not just people seeking abortions who have reason to be concerned. Research shows that the data trails we leave on our smart phones or social media can be used to infer everything from our political and religious beliefs to our medical conditions and sexual orientation. In one study led by the University of Cambridge, researchers were able use Facebook likes to predict people's personalities more accurately than their own spouses could. The data that our devices collect can also be sent to data brokers who may sell it without our knowledge to insurance companies, advertisers and other third parties. In a study led by Justin Sherman of Duke's Sanford School of Public Policy, researchers identified more than 500 data broker websites selling information about U.S. military personnel, including their marital status, home addresses, net worth and credit rating, even their interests in gambling and the number and ages of their children. The researchers were able to buy information about tens of thousands of servicemembers with little to no vetting, often for as little as 12 cents per person, raising concerns that foreign adversaries could easily get their hands on such data and use it to blackmail or target servicemembers. Another study by Duke student Joanne Kim found that Americans' sensitive mental health conditionsranging from depression and anxiety to PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and personality disordersare also on the market. Health data for sale In her classes, Dellinger said students are often surprised to learn that the U.S. has no federal comprehensive privacy law regulating how our personal data can be collected, shared, used and stored. We do have laws that cover certain types of data, like HIPAA for health data, or that cover data related to certain populations, like FERPA for student data. But unlike places such as the European Union, "we don't have a comprehensive privacy law for the country," Dellinger said. "Many people also think 'oh, if it's health information, it's going to be protected,'" Dellinger said. "That's totally understandable. But it's really, really wrong." Let's say you use WebMD to search symptoms or go to YouTube or ChatGPT for health advice. Or maybe you use a Fitbit or Apple Watch to monitor your heartrate while you work out, or use an app to track your periods. None of these are covered by HIPAA. Given these realities, it would seem that no digital data can be perfectly private. "I do agree that it is very, very difficult for folks to completely maintain their privacy," said Nick Tripp, Interim Chief Information Security Officer at Duke. "There's always the option of opting out," and forgoing things like social media, wearables, and smart gadgets altogether, he added. "But I don't expect that most people are going to want to do that," Tripp said. However, Tripp said there are things people can do to make their online activities more private. The Digital Defense Personal Security Guide, for example, offers a checklist of tips to reduce tracking and data collection while browsing the web, using social media, installing apps and other situations. "But to some extent, if you participate, you are effectively agreeing to give up some of your privacy," Tripp said. The burden is on the consumer Both Tripp and Dellinger agree that most people are unlikely to spend hours tweaking the default settings of every service they use. "The way our current privacy protection is in the United States, it puts the burden on the consumer to protect themselves," Dellinger said. "This is a political question that demands a political answer." It's a view that has bipartisan support. In the post-Roe era, this information environment has had chilling effects on women's reproductive health, said Dr. Beverly Gray, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Duke. Those effects were echoed in an oral history project led by Drs. Gray and Jonas Swartz in collaboration with Duke oral historian Wesley Hogan, a research professor in history and the John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute. In 65 interviews their Bass Connections team conducted with providers in 17 states and the District of Columbia, a picture emerged of reproductive health care in upheaval. Some doctors described delays in life-saving care for common pregnancy complications, or doubts about their future practicing in states with abortion bans for fear of legal repercussions. Others expressed concerns that a lack of abortion training could leave new physicians inadequately prepared to manage miscarriages or treat emergencies such as ectopic pregnancies. Still others worried that as new physicians across specialties start to avoid states with abortion bans for their training, the talent drain could exacerbate provider shortages in rural and underserved areas. "I think when people really appreciate the extent of the consequences of state laws criminalizing abortion in the wake of Dobbs, it makes them very concerned about their future choices," Dellinger said. "What jobs they can take, and where they can live safely and have access to health care in their reproductive years." "It's a perfect storm of privacy problems," she said. "Twenty-first century surveillance puts this in an entirely different ballpark." Johannesburg, South Africa (PANA) - The Democratic Republic of Congo's regional and international partners must exert pressure on all parties to the conflict in the east of the country including the Rwandan-backed M23 fighters, the Rwandan and Congolese armies, and their allies to prioritise the protection of civilians in the aftermath of the recent fighting in Goma, Amnesty International said on Monday Shares of Costain Group PLC (LON:COST Get Free Report) shot up 11.3% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as GBX 97.20 ($1.21) and last traded at GBX 95.74 ($1.19). 22,979,559 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 812% from the average session volume of 2,519,368 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 86 ($1.07). Costain Group Trading Up 11.3 % The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.86, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 1.40. The firm has a market cap of 260.72 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 870.36, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 2.64. The companys 50-day moving average is GBX 103.15 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 100.07. About Costain Group (Get Free Report) Costain helps to improve peoples lives by creating connected, sustainable infrastructure that enables people and the planet thrive. We shape, create and deliver pioneering solutions that transform the performance of the infrastructure ecosystem across the UKs energy, water, transportation and defence markets. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Costain Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Costain Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Crane (NYSE:CR Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Monday, January 27th,RTT News reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a dividend of 0.23 per share by the conglomerate on Wednesday, March 12th. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.59%. This is an increase from Cranes previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. Crane has a payout ratio of 13.0% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Crane to earn $8.57 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.82 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 9.6%. Get Crane alerts: Crane Trading Down 3.3 % Shares of Crane stock traded down $5.33 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $156.35. The stock had a trading volume of 521,820 shares, compared to its average volume of 255,233. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $163.99 and a two-hundred day moving average of $158.40. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The firm has a market cap of $8.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.22. Crane has a 12-month low of $110.49 and a 12-month high of $188.52. Analyst Ratings Changes Crane ( NYSE:CR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, January 27th. The conglomerate reported $1.26 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.19 by $0.07. Crane had a return on equity of 24.45% and a net margin of 13.10%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Crane will post 7.87 earnings per share for the current year. Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on Crane from $176.00 to $170.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Crane from $152.00 to $157.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, January 3rd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on shares of Crane from $175.00 to $182.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $166.80. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Crane Crane Company Profile (Get Free Report) Crane Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered industrial products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, and Engineered Materials. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Crane Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crane and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alan B Lancz & Associates Inc. lowered its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 10.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 1,555 shares of the companys stock after selling 175 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company makes up approximately 1.2% of Alan B Lancz & Associates Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest holding. Alan B Lancz & Associates Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,200,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Summit Financial Strategies Inc. grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Summit Financial Strategies Inc. now owns 2,105 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,865,000 after buying an additional 11 shares in the last quarter. Prio Wealth Limited Partnership grew its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.5% during the third quarter. Prio Wealth Limited Partnership now owns 2,411 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,136,000 after acquiring an additional 11 shares in the last quarter. First Community Trust NA increased its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 4.9% during the 3rd quarter. First Community Trust NA now owns 257 shares of the companys stock worth $228,000 after acquiring an additional 12 shares during the period. Hummer Financial Advisory Services Inc lifted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter. Hummer Financial Advisory Services Inc now owns 1,271 shares of the companys stock worth $1,126,000 after purchasing an additional 12 shares in the last quarter. Finally, James Hambro & Partners LLP boosted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. James Hambro & Partners LLP now owns 340 shares of the companys stock valued at $301,000 after purchasing an additional 12 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company In other news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 900 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $803.38, for a total value of $723,042.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,480 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,402,522.40. This represents a 14.11 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have weighed in on LLY. Citigroup upped their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,060.00 to $1,250.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Truist Financial raised their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,000.00 to $1,033.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Friday, November 15th. They issued an outperform rating and a $1,000.00 price target for the company. Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They set an outperform rating and a $1,100.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Redburn Atlantic upgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $1,002.22. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on LLY Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance LLY stock opened at $808.16 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.03. The firms 50-day moving average price is $776.69 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $848.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $767.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 87.37, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.41. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12-month low of $637.00 and a 12-month high of $972.53. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.52 by ($0.34). The business had revenue of $11.44 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.09 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 20.48% and a return on equity of 71.08%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 20.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.10 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.98 earnings per share for the current year. Eli Lilly and Company declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase plan on Monday, December 9th that permits the company to buyback $15.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to reacquire up to 2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually a sign that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 14th will be issued a $1.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 14th. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.74%. This is a boost from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 56.22%. About Eli Lilly and Company (Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) (TSE:ZWB Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Thursday, January 30th,TickerTech Dividends reports. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 4th will be paid a dividend of 0.11 per share on Tuesday, February 4th. This represents a $1.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.52%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) Stock Performance Shares of zwb stock traded up C$0.04 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching C$20.26. 68,963 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 150,598. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is C$20.01 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$19.23. BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF has a 1-year low of C$17.06 and a 1-year high of C$20.30. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:FNGD Get Free Report) shares gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $12.79, but opened at $12.50. BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN shares last traded at $12.14, with a volume of 1,404,364 shares changing hands. BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN Trading Down 9.9 % The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $13.86 and a 200 day simple moving average of $19.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.40 billion, a PE ratio of 37.73 and a beta of -5.03. BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN Company Profile (Get Free Report) The MicroSectors FANG+ Index -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (FNGD) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the NYSE FANG+ index. The fund tracks -3x the daily price movements of an index of technology and consumer discretionary companies. The note uses derivatives to achieve its -3x exposure. FNGD was launched on Jan 25, 2018 and is issued by REX Microsectors. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Buffington Mohr McNeal raised its stake in Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD Free Report) by 132.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 17,532 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after purchasing an additional 10,005 shares during the period. Buffington Mohr McNeals holdings in Enterprise Products Partners were worth $550,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EPD. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC increased its position in Enterprise Products Partners by 2,862.8% during the third quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 7,756,006 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $225,777,000 after buying an additional 7,494,224 shares during the period. Barclays PLC grew its position in shares of Enterprise Products Partners by 110.0% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 2,531,756 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $73,699,000 after acquiring an additional 1,326,010 shares during the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Enterprise Products Partners by 2,854.1% in the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 1,287,318 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $37,474,000 after acquiring an additional 1,243,741 shares during the period. FMR LLC raised its position in Enterprise Products Partners by 9.3% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 14,429,298 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $420,037,000 after purchasing an additional 1,225,988 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Merewether Investment Management LP acquired a new stake in Enterprise Products Partners during the 3rd quarter worth $30,746,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.07% of the companys stock. Get Enterprise Products Partners alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In EPD has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of Enterprise Products Partners from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Friday, January 10th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $36.00 target price on shares of Enterprise Products Partners in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Scotiabank started coverage on Enterprise Products Partners in a research note on Friday, January 10th. They set a sector perform rating and a $33.00 price target for the company. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Enterprise Products Partners from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, January 3rd. Finally, Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Enterprise Products Partners in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a buy rating and a $35.00 target price for the company. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Enterprise Products Partners currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $34.60. Enterprise Products Partners Price Performance Shares of NYSE:EPD opened at $33.46 on Tuesday. Enterprise Products Partners L.P. has a 12 month low of $26.12 and a 12 month high of $34.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $72.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.09. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $32.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $30.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 0.83. Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE:EPD Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.65 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.66 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $13.78 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.87 billion. Enterprise Products Partners had a net margin of 10.32% and a return on equity of 20.31%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 14.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.60 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Enterprise Products Partners L.P. will post 2.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Enterprise Products Partners Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.535 per share. This is an increase from Enterprise Products Partnerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. This represents a $2.14 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.40%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 31st. Enterprise Products Partnerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 78.65%. Enterprise Products Partners Company Profile (Free Report) Enterprise Products Partners L.P. provides midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, petrochemicals, and refined products. It operates in four segments: NGL Pipelines & Services, Crude Oil Pipelines & Services, Natural Gas Pipelines & Services, and Petrochemical & Refined Products Services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Enterprise Products Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enterprise Products Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 4.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,397 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 419 shares during the period. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $499,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of MO. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 420.0% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 572 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 462 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group during the third quarter valued at $34,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the third quarter valued at $41,000. Fairman Group LLC grew its position in Altria Group by 85.1% during the 3rd quarter. Fairman Group LLC now owns 892 shares of the companys stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 410 shares during the period. Finally, IFS Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 330.4% during the 4th quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 977 shares of the companys stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 750 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the companys stock. Get Altria Group alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes MO has been the subject of several recent research reports. Barclays lifted their price target on Altria Group from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $52.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $54.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. StockNews.com raised shares of Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 4th. Finally, Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $54.00 price objective for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $53.43. Altria Group Stock Performance NYSE:MO opened at $53.36 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $90.43 billion, a PE ratio of 9.01, a P/E/G ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 0.64. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $39.25 and a fifty-two week high of $58.03. The company has a fifty day moving average of $53.94 and a two-hundred day moving average of $52.21. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The company reported $1.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.35 by $0.03. Altria Group had a net margin of 42.82% and a negative return on equity of 233.80%. The firm had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.33 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.28 EPS. Altria Groups quarterly revenue was up 18.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.13 earnings per share for the current year. Altria Group Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 26th were paid a $1.02 dividend. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 26th. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 68.92%. Altria Group Profile (Free Report) Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Court Place Advisors LLC cut its stake in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 39.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 19,372 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 12,382 shares during the quarter. Court Place Advisors LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $514,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Pfizer by 11.0% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 130,143,942 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $3,766,366,000 after acquiring an additional 12,864,343 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its position in shares of Pfizer by 22.4% during the third quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 38,068,879 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,101,713,000 after purchasing an additional 6,977,587 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Pfizer in the third quarter valued at $146,481,000. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. grew its holdings in Pfizer by 164.2% during the 3rd quarter. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. now owns 7,316,405 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $211,737,000 after purchasing an additional 4,546,809 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Pfizer by 226.7% during the 3rd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 6,209,907 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $179,715,000 after buying an additional 4,309,076 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.36% of the companys stock. Get Pfizer alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes PFE has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. UBS Group lowered their target price on Pfizer from $31.00 to $29.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Evercore ISI upgraded Pfizer to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Guggenheim cut their target price on Pfizer from $35.00 to $33.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Bank of America reiterated a neutral rating and set a $29.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Friday, October 25th. They issued a neutral rating and a $30.00 price target for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $32.00. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Scott Gottlieb bought 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 30th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $28.24 per share, with a total value of $28,240.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 10,000 shares in the company, valued at $282,400. This trade represents a 11.11 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.06% of the companys stock. Pfizer Price Performance Shares of PFE opened at $26.86 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $152.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 0.64. The stocks fifty day moving average is $26.11 and its 200-day moving average is $27.94. Pfizer Inc. has a one year low of $24.48 and a one year high of $31.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 1.00. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.06 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.42. The firm had revenue of $17.70 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.92 billion. Pfizer had a return on equity of 16.28% and a net margin of 7.07%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 31.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted ($0.17) earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.94 EPS for the current year. Pfizer Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 7th. Investors of record on Friday, January 24th will be issued a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.40%. This is a boost from Pfizers previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 24th. Pfizers payout ratio is presently 227.03%. Pfizer Profile (Free Report) Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. DNB Bank ASA (OTCMKTS:DNBBY Get Free Report) is expected to be posting its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. Analysts expect DNB Bank ASA to post earnings of $0.62 per share and revenue of $21,410,531.12 billion for the quarter. Individual that wish to listen to the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link. DNB Bank ASA Trading Up 1.0 % OTCMKTS:DNBBY opened at $21.73 on Tuesday. DNB Bank ASA has a 52-week low of $17.40 and a 52-week high of $22.07. The company has a quick ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.49. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $20.50 and a 200-day simple moving average of $20.52. The company has a market capitalization of $32.43 billion, a PE ratio of 8.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 1.30. Get DNB Bank ASA alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Citigroup raised shares of DNB Bank ASA to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 11th. About DNB Bank ASA (Get Free Report) DNB Bank ASA provides financial services for individual and business customers in Norway and internationally. The company offers savings, current, and pension accounts; fixed rate and security deposits; home and cabin mortgages, car and consumer loans, business loans, and refinancing; car, house, home contents, travel, personal, and non-life insurance product; payment services; and online and mobile banking services, as well as cards. Read More Receive News & Ratings for DNB Bank ASA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for DNB Bank ASA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. cut its stake in Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT Free Report) by 16.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,147 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 437 shares during the quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in Lockheed Martin were worth $1,043,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 60,592.0% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 1,559,178 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $911,433,000 after purchasing an additional 1,556,609 shares in the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Lockheed Martin by 124.0% during the third quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 450,870 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $263,561,000 after buying an additional 249,591 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Lockheed Martin by 8.5% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,074,855 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,797,437,000 after buying an additional 240,306 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC grew its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 6.6% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,389,025 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,981,088,000 after buying an additional 209,591 shares during the period. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 49.0% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 480,947 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $281,142,000 after acquiring an additional 158,064 shares in the last quarter. 74.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Lockheed Martin alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Lockheed Martin from $565.00 to $515.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 6th. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on Lockheed Martin from $519.00 to $626.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Lockheed Martin from $589.00 to $603.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut Lockheed Martin from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their target price for the stock from $611.00 to $523.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 2nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Lockheed Martin from $543.00 to $500.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $577.73. Lockheed Martin Price Performance Shares of LMT opened at $503.19 on Tuesday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $499.24 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $537.29. The firm has a market cap of $119.28 billion, a PE ratio of 18.22, a P/E/G ratio of 4.05 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a current ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66. Lockheed Martin Co. has a 1-year low of $413.92 and a 1-year high of $618.95. Lockheed Martin Profile (Free Report) Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. The company operates through Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space segments. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Lockheed Martin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lockheed Martin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Did you know? Committees of Parliament have such powers, rights and privileges as vested in the High Court of Justice. Did you know? The party with the largest membership in Parliament is termed the Majority and the party with the second highest seats becomes the Minority. Did you know? The Minority Leader is a Member of Parliament designated as such by the largest Minority Party in the House. Did you know? The Committees of Parliament create a platform for due diligence and efficient dispatch of the business of Parliament. General Dynamics (NYSE:GD Get Free Report) had its price objective dropped by analysts at UBS Group from $337.00 to $281.00 in a research report issued on Tuesday. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the aerospace companys stock. UBS Groups target price indicates a potential upside of 6.64% from the companys previous close. Several other analysts have also recently commented on GD. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $295.00 to $279.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Vertical Research downgraded General Dynamics from a buy rating to a hold rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $352.00 to $290.00 in a report on Monday, January 6th. Baird R W cut General Dynamics from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. TD Cowen lowered their price target on General Dynamics from $315.00 to $295.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of General Dynamics from a neutral rating to a sell rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $283.00 to $245.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have assigned a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, General Dynamics has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $303.28. Get General Dynamics alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on General Dynamics General Dynamics Trading Down 2.3 % Shares of NYSE GD traded down $6.33 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $263.51. The companys stock had a trading volume of 719,909 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,554,794. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 1.32 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The stock has a market cap of $72.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.61. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $268.94 and its 200-day simple moving average is $287.64. General Dynamics has a one year low of $257.26 and a one year high of $316.90. General Dynamics announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Wednesday, December 4th that allows the company to repurchase 10,000,000 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the aerospace company to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are usually an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued. Insider Buying and Selling In other General Dynamics news, VP Christopher J. Brady sold 5,540 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $280.91, for a total value of $1,556,241.40. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 20,296 shares in the company, valued at $5,701,349.36. This trade represents a 21.44 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 1.52% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On General Dynamics Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. boosted its position in General Dynamics by 2.3% in the third quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. now owns 1,482 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $448,000 after buying an additional 33 shares in the last quarter. Coston McIsaac & Partners grew its position in General Dynamics by 22.8% during the 3rd quarter. Coston McIsaac & Partners now owns 178 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Grove Bank & Trust increased its holdings in General Dynamics by 10.6% in the 3rd quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 354 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $107,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares in the last quarter. Trueblood Wealth Management LLC raised its position in General Dynamics by 1.6% in the third quarter. Trueblood Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,223 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $672,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jeppson Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of General Dynamics by 3.8% during the third quarter. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC now owns 955 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $289,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. 86.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About General Dynamics (Get Free Report) General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies. The Aerospace segment produces and sells business jets; and offers aircraft maintenance and repair, management, aircraft-on-ground support and completion, charter, staffing, and fixed-base operator services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for General Dynamics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Dynamics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco Ltd. (NYSE:IVZ Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, January 28th,RTT News reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 14th will be given a dividend of 0.205 per share by the asset manager on Tuesday, March 4th. This represents a $0.82 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.62%. Invesco has raised its dividend payment by an average of 7.0% per year over the last three years. Invesco has a payout ratio of 39.4% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Invesco to earn $1.89 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.82 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 43.4%. Get Invesco alerts: Invesco Stock Up 0.8 % NYSE IVZ opened at $17.77 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $17.60 and a 200-day moving average price of $17.25. Invesco has a one year low of $14.16 and a one year high of $18.94. The company has a current ratio of 4.91, a quick ratio of 4.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. Analyst Ratings Changes Invesco ( NYSE:IVZ Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The asset manager reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.51 by $0.01. Invesco had a negative net margin of 3.00% and a positive return on equity of 8.83%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Invesco will post 1.7 EPS for the current year. Several equities research analysts have weighed in on IVZ shares. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Invesco from $17.50 to $19.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Invesco from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on shares of Invesco from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $19.00 target price on shares of Invesco in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on shares of Invesco from $19.25 to $19.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $18.71. Read Our Latest Analysis on IVZ About Invesco (Get Free Report) Invesco Ltd. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to retail clients, institutional clients, high-net worth clients, public entities, corporations, unions, non-profit organizations, endowments, foundations, pension funds, financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KBC Group NV lowered its stake in shares of Public Storage (NYSE:PSA Free Report) by 25.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 204,041 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 70,666 shares during the quarter. KBC Group NV owned 0.12% of Public Storage worth $61,098,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Prospera Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Public Storage in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in Public Storage in the third quarter worth $38,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new stake in shares of Public Storage during the 3rd quarter valued at $50,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Public Storage during the 3rd quarter worth $55,000. Finally, Toth Financial Advisory Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Public Storage by 48.2% in the 4th quarter. Toth Financial Advisory Corp now owns 203 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $61,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. 78.79% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Public Storage alerts: Public Storage Stock Performance NYSE PSA opened at $297.80 on Tuesday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $312.93 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $326.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.77, a current ratio of 0.97 and a quick ratio of 0.97. Public Storage has a 1 year low of $256.31 and a 1 year high of $369.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $52.15 billion, a PE ratio of 30.92, a P/E/G ratio of 4.68 and a beta of 0.74. Public Storage Announces Dividend Insider Buying and Selling The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 30th. Investors of record on Friday, December 13th were paid a dividend of $3.00 per share. This represents a $12.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.03%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 13th. Public Storages dividend payout ratio is 124.61%. In other news, insider Nathaniel A. Vitan sold 450 shares of Public Storage stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $317.99, for a total transaction of $143,095.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 2,364 shares in the company, valued at approximately $751,728.36. This trade represents a 15.99 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 11.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts have commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Public Storage from $375.00 to $365.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Public Storage from a sell rating to a hold rating and upped their price objective for the company from $298.00 to $299.00 in a research note on Friday, January 10th. Barclays decreased their target price on Public Storage from $380.00 to $361.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 13th. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on Public Storage from $343.00 to $338.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 14th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on Public Storage from $358.00 to $344.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 8th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $344.54. Read Our Latest Report on Public Storage Public Storage Profile (Free Report) Public Storage, a member of the S&P 500 and FT Global 500, is a REIT that primarily acquires, develops, owns, and operates self-storage facilities. At December 31, 2023, we had: (i) interests in 3,044 self-storage facilities located in 40 states with approximately 218 million net rentable square feet in the United States and (ii) a 35% common equity interest in Shurgard Self Storage Limited (Euronext Brussels: SHUR), which owned 275 self-storage facilities located in seven Western European nations with approximately 15 million net rentable square feet operated under the Shurgard brand. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Public Storage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Public Storage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM Free Report) by 6.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 10,545 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after buying an additional 638 shares during the period. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $2,083,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Reston Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 77.1% during the 3rd quarter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC now owns 186 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. Archer Investment Corp grew its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 48.1% in the 3rd quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 191 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. American Capital Advisory LLC bought a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the third quarter valued at about $38,000. Finally, OLD Second National Bank of Aurora increased its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 169.8% in the 3rd quarter. OLD Second National Bank of Aurora now owns 232 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.51% of the companys stock. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Down 13.1 % Shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock opened at $192.72 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $999.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.38, a P/E/G ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.07. The companys 50 day moving average price is $201.07 and its 200-day moving average price is $185.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 2.30 and a current ratio of 2.57. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a 52-week low of $112.61 and a 52-week high of $226.40. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.24 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.16 by $0.08. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 40.51% and a return on equity of 30.47%. Equities research analysts forecast that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 9.12 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 18th will be paid a $0.5484 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 18th. This represents a $2.19 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.14%. This is an increase from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio is presently 27.27%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades TSM has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and issued a $225.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Susquehanna reiterated a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Friday, October 18th. Barclays upped their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $240.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $220.00. Get Our Latest Report on TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Profile (Free Report) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC lowered its holdings in shares of The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI Free Report) by 10.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,443 shares of the health services providers stock after selling 658 shares during the quarter. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in The Cigna Group were worth $1,503,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. FMR LLC lifted its stake in shares of The Cigna Group by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 14,230,397 shares of the health services providers stock worth $4,929,978,000 after acquiring an additional 279,880 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its holdings in shares of The Cigna Group by 1.2% in the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 11,054,958 shares of the health services providers stock worth $3,829,880,000 after purchasing an additional 130,048 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in The Cigna Group by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,855,443 shares of the health services providers stock worth $2,021,563,000 after buying an additional 22,408 shares during the period. Parnassus Investments LLC lifted its holdings in The Cigna Group by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Parnassus Investments LLC now owns 2,922,121 shares of the health services providers stock valued at $1,012,340,000 after buying an additional 59,011 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its stake in The Cigna Group by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 2,168,959 shares of the health services providers stock worth $751,414,000 after acquiring an additional 44,810 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.99% of the companys stock. Get The Cigna Group alerts: The Cigna Group Stock Performance CI opened at $305.91 on Tuesday. The Cigna Group has a twelve month low of $262.03 and a twelve month high of $370.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $85.09 billion, a PE ratio of 28.86, a PEG ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a current ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The firms 50-day moving average price is $297.18 and its 200 day moving average price is $325.56. Analysts Set New Price Targets The Cigna Group ( NYSE:CI Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The health services provider reported $7.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $7.22 by $0.29. The business had revenue of $63.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $59.58 billion. The Cigna Group had a return on equity of 18.42% and a net margin of 1.31%. The businesss revenue was up 29.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $6.77 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that The Cigna Group will post 28.5 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several research firms have recently weighed in on CI. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $400.00 price target on shares of The Cigna Group in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. StockNews.com lowered The Cigna Group from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Piper Sandler reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $394.00 price objective (up from $392.00) on shares of The Cigna Group in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Truist Financial dropped their target price on The Cigna Group from $420.00 to $390.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on shares of The Cigna Group from $384.00 to $377.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $395.93. Check Out Our Latest Report on The Cigna Group The Cigna Group Profile (Free Report) The Cigna Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and related products and services in the United States. Its Evernorth Health Services segment provides a range of coordinated and point solution health services, including pharmacy benefits, home delivery pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, distribution, and care delivery and management solutions to health plans, employers, government organizations, and health care providers. See Also Receive News & Ratings for The Cigna Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Cigna Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lebenthal Global Advisors LLC reduced its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 38.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 732 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 460 shares during the quarter. Lebenthal Global Advisors LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $419,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Mizuho Securities USA LLC raised its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 30,068.9% in the third quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 7,500,000 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $3,713,325,000 after acquiring an additional 7,475,140 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 2.7% in the third quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 6,042,640 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $2,991,772,000 after acquiring an additional 161,133 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC increased its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 21.9% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,898,637 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,435,144,000 after acquiring an additional 521,054 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 1,707,632 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $845,466,000 after acquiring an additional 18,541 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 3.9% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,660,088 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $898,428,000 after acquiring an additional 62,246 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.21% of the companys stock. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Performance NYSE GS opened at $632.13 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $198.43 billion, a PE ratio of 15.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $591.21 and a 200 day simple moving average of $536.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.32, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.67. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $374.24 and a 52-week high of $645.54. The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 15th. The investment management company reported $11.95 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $8.21 by $3.74. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 11.32% and a return on equity of 13.30%. The company had revenue of $13.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.36 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $5.48 earnings per share. The Goldman Sachs Groups revenue for the quarter was up 22.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 46.81 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a $3.00 dividend. This represents a $12.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.90%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 29.59%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Oppenheimer cut their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $677.00 to $639.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 3rd. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $736.00 to $782.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $520.00 to $575.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. JMP Securities raised their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $525.00 to $550.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $686.00 to $690.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $591.06. Read Our Latest Analysis on The Goldman Sachs Group Insider Activity at The Goldman Sachs Group In other news, insider Kathryn H. Ruemmler sold 7,498 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $634.69, for a total value of $4,758,905.62. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 9,589 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,086,042.41. The trade was a 43.88 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP John F.W. Rogers sold 6,416 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $596.36, for a total transaction of $3,826,245.76. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 57,614 shares in the company, valued at $34,358,685.04. This represents a 10.02 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 32,017 shares of company stock valued at $19,655,538 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock. About The Goldman Sachs Group (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mesabi Trust (NYSE:MSB Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, January 14th,Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be paid a dividend of 5.95 per share by the mining company on Thursday, February 20th. This represents a $23.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 71.68%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 30th. This is an increase from Mesabi Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.39. Mesabi Trust has decreased its dividend by an average of 22.1% per year over the last three years. Get Mesabi Trust alerts: Mesabi Trust Price Performance Shares of MSB opened at $33.20 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $435.62 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.74 and a beta of 0.85. The business has a 50-day moving average of $27.81 and a 200-day moving average of $23.31. Mesabi Trust has a 1 year low of $15.93 and a 1 year high of $33.89. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Mesabi Trust ( NYSE:MSB Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, December 13th. The mining company reported $5.97 EPS for the quarter. Mesabi Trust had a net margin of 93.80% and a return on equity of 231.09%. Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Mesabi Trust from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Read Our Latest Research Report on Mesabi Trust About Mesabi Trust (Get Free Report) Mesabi Trust, a royalty trust, engages in iron ore mining business in the United States. Mesabi Trust was founded in 1961 and is based in New York, New York. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Mesabi Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mesabi Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday morning. Several other equities research analysts have also issued reports on TAP. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $51.00 to $48.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Molson Coors Beverage from $57.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 18th. UBS Group lowered their target price on Molson Coors Beverage from $60.00 to $58.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Bank of America upgraded Molson Coors Beverage from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $57.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Friday, December 6th. Finally, BNP Paribas initiated coverage on Molson Coors Beverage in a research note on Monday, November 25th. They issued a neutral rating and a $64.00 price objective on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $61.79. Get Molson Coors Beverage alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on TAP Molson Coors Beverage Stock Performance Shares of Molson Coors Beverage stock opened at $56.63 on Friday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $58.27 and its 200 day simple moving average is $56.17. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. Molson Coors Beverage has a 12 month low of $49.19 and a 12 month high of $69.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 0.86. Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 7th. The company reported $1.80 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.67 by $0.13. Molson Coors Beverage had a return on equity of 9.24% and a net margin of 6.78%. The company had revenue of $3.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.13 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.92 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Molson Coors Beverage will post 5.79 EPS for the current year. Molson Coors Beverage Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 20th. Investors of record on Friday, December 6th were given a $0.44 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 6th. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.11%. Molson Coors Beverages dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.64%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Molson Coors Beverage Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in TAP. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC bought a new stake in shares of Molson Coors Beverage during the 3rd quarter valued at about $48,202,000. State Street Corp raised its stake in Molson Coors Beverage by 8.4% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 8,792,196 shares of the companys stock valued at $505,727,000 after purchasing an additional 681,757 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in Molson Coors Beverage by 541.4% during the second quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 765,150 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,893,000 after purchasing an additional 645,847 shares during the last quarter. Randolph Co Inc purchased a new position in Molson Coors Beverage in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $21,754,000. Finally, Invenomic Capital Management LP increased its holdings in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 131.1% in the 3rd quarter. Invenomic Capital Management LP now owns 519,377 shares of the companys stock worth $29,875,000 after buying an additional 294,596 shares during the last quarter. 78.46% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Molson Coors Beverage (Get Free Report) Molson Coors Beverage Company manufactures, markets, and sells beer and other malt beverage products under various brands in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company offers flavored malt beverages including hard seltzers, craft, spirits and energy, and ready to drink beverages. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Molson Coors Beverage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Molson Coors Beverage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Get Free Report) will likely be releasing its earnings data before the market opens on Wednesday, January 29th. Analysts expect Novo Nordisk A/S to post earnings of $0.88 per share for the quarter. Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Performance Shares of Novo Nordisk A/S stock opened at $87.45 on Tuesday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $95.35 and a 200 day simple moving average of $114.80. Novo Nordisk A/S has a one year low of $78.17 and a one year high of $148.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $392.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.30, a PEG ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 0.45. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In NVO has been the topic of a number of research reports. BNP Paribas raised Novo Nordisk A/S to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 2nd. UBS Group upgraded shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a sell rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, January 6th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from $156.00 to $105.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, December 23rd. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and set a $160.00 price target on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $145.25. About Novo Nordisk A/S (Get Free Report) Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nilsine Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Parker-Hannifin Co. (NYSE:PH Free Report) by 7.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,883 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 258 shares during the quarter. Nilsine Partners LLCs holdings in Parker-Hannifin were worth $2,470,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of PH. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 13.8% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,202,235 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,918,696,000 after purchasing an additional 753,143 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in Parker-Hannifin by 39.9% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,977,849 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,249,645,000 after buying an additional 564,365 shares during the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 64,081.5% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 381,880 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $241,279,000 after acquiring an additional 381,285 shares during the period. World Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Parker-Hannifin during the third quarter worth about $226,570,000. Finally, Mizuho Securities USA LLC increased its holdings in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 3,566.4% in the 3rd quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 363,302 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $229,541,000 after acquiring an additional 353,393 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 82.44% of the companys stock. Get Parker-Hannifin alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Parker-Hannifin In related news, CEO Jennifer A. Parmentier sold 4,906 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $704.69, for a total value of $3,457,209.14. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 33,607 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $23,682,516.83. The trade was a 12.74 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, VP Thomas C. Gentile sold 2,430 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $701.16, for a total transaction of $1,703,818.80. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 5,465 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,831,839.40. The trade was a 30.78 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 18,077 shares of company stock worth $12,303,829. 0.39% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades PH has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Mizuho upped their target price on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $665.00 to $715.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Parker-Hannifin from $770.00 to $710.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Wolfe Research upgraded Parker-Hannifin from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $786.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on Parker-Hannifin from $691.00 to $689.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Finally, Truist Financial raised their target price on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $788.00 to $842.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 19th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $722.81. Check Out Our Latest Report on Parker-Hannifin Parker-Hannifin Trading Down 2.5 % NYSE PH opened at $662.54 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $668.38 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $625.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 0.96. Parker-Hannifin Co. has a twelve month low of $463.16 and a twelve month high of $712.42. The stock has a market cap of $85.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.93, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 1.45. Parker-Hannifin (NYSE:PH Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The industrial products company reported $6.20 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.14 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $4.90 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.90 billion. Parker-Hannifin had a return on equity of 27.95% and a net margin of 14.47%. Parker-Hannifins revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $5.96 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Parker-Hannifin Co. will post 26.73 EPS for the current year. Parker-Hannifin Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 7th. Investors of record on Friday, February 7th will be given a dividend of $1.63 per share. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.98%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 7th. Parker-Hannifins payout ratio is presently 29.45%. Parker-Hannifin Company Profile (Free Report) Parker-Hannifin Corporation manufactures and sells motion and control technologies and systems for various mobile, industrial, and aerospace markets worldwide. The company operates through two segments: Diversified Industrial and Aerospace Systems. The Diversified Industrial segment offers sealing, shielding, thermal products and systems, adhesives, coatings, and noise vibration and harshness solutions; filters, systems, and diagnostics solutions to ensure purity and remove contaminants from fuel, air, oil, water, and other liquids and gases; connectors used in fluid and gas handling; and hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical components and systems for builders and users of mobile and industrial machinery and equipment. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Parker-Hannifin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Parker-Hannifin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC decreased its position in shares of Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (NYSEARCA:VT Free Report) by 1.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 49,283 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 670 shares during the quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF were worth $5,840,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. grew its position in shares of Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. now owns 21,838 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,460,000 after buying an additional 231 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in shares of Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 7.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 82,146 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $9,286,000 after buying an additional 5,882 shares during the period. Creative Planning grew its position in shares of Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 12.2% during the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 142,430 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $16,042,000 after buying an additional 15,534 shares during the period. Magnolia Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Vanguard Total World Stock ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $259,000. Finally, Silver Lake Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Vanguard Total World Stock ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $554,000. Get Vanguard Total World Stock ETF alerts: Vanguard Total World Stock ETF Trading Down 1.1 % NYSEARCA VT opened at $120.51 on Tuesday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $119.96 and a 200 day simple moving average of $117.87. Vanguard Total World Stock ETF has a 12-month low of $102.83 and a 12-month high of $123.64. The company has a market cap of $39.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.93 and a beta of 0.95. About Vanguard Total World Stock ETF Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund ETF (the Fund) is an open-end investment company. The Fund seeks to track the performance of the FTSE Global All Cap Index, which covers both well-established and still-developing markets. The Fund invests in both foreign and the United States stocks. The fund offers three classes of shares: Investor Shares, Institutional Shares, and ETF Shares. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (NYSEARCA:VT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) filed an 8-K report with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 27, 2025. The report announced the companys decision to modify the settlement method for its 1.250% convertible senior notes due 2025. Get alerts: In the document, Southwest Airlines disclosed that it delivered a Notice of Change in Default Settlement Method to securityholders and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. This notice informed stakeholders of the companys election to settle the aforementioned convertible senior notes in cash. The Notice, which is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 in the report, states that Southwest Airlines intends to settle all validly surrendered notes for conversion using cash settlement as the new settlement method. It is noted that the information provided in this report, including the Exhibit 99.1, is not to be considered as filed for the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or subject to the liabilities outlined in that section. Additionally, this information is not to be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing. Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) did not make any representations regarding the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or ISIN numbers listed in the report. The companys decision to shift to cash settlement for its convertible senior notes due 2025 marks a strategic move in its financial operations. It signifies a shift in how the company plans to handle these particular financial instruments moving forward. This article was generated by an automated content engine and was reviewed by a human editor prior to publication. For additional information, read Southwest Airliness 8K filing here. Southwest Airlines Company Profile (Get Free Report) Southwest Airlines Co operates as a passenger airline company that provides scheduled air transportation services in the United States and near-international markets. As of December 31, 2023, the company operated a total fleet of 817 Boeing 737 aircraft; and served 121 destinations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as ten near-international countries, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos. Featured Stories TBC Bank Group PLC (OTCMKTS:TBCCF Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 800 shares, a decline of 91.2% from the December 31st total of 9,100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently days. TBC Bank Group Stock Performance Shares of TBCCF remained flat at $33.10 during midday trading on Tuesday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $33.10 and a 200 day moving average of $33.10. TBC Bank Group has a 12-month low of $32.50 and a 12-month high of $33.10. Get TBC Bank Group alerts: About TBC Bank Group (Get Free Report) See Also TBC Bank Group PLC, through its subsidiaries, provides banking, leasing, insurance, brokerage, and card processing services to corporate and individual customers in Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan. The company operates through Corporate; Retail; and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises segments. It offers mortgage, digital, consumer, car, pawnshop, and startup loans, as well as overdraft; working capital and fixed assets financing, credit line, trade finance, and business financing; treasury products; and term and savings deposits, mortgage, credit cards; current, and nominee account services. Receive News & Ratings for TBC Bank Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TBC Bank Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wealth Effects LLC reduced its stake in shares of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) by 5.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,230 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 76 shares during the quarter. Wealth Effects LLCs holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $296,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TRV. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans boosted its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 39.9% during the 2nd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 15,648 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $3,182,000 after buying an additional 4,466 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 14.9% during the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 24,875 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $5,058,000 after buying an additional 3,228 shares during the last quarter. William B. Walkup & Associates Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,654,000. Wellington Wealth Strategies LLC. acquired a new position in Travelers Companies in the second quarter worth approximately $315,000. Finally, Quarry LP raised its position in Travelers Companies by 249.0% during the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 869 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $177,000 after acquiring an additional 620 shares in the last quarter. 82.45% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Travelers Companies Stock Up 3.8 % Shares of TRV stock opened at $251.15 on Tuesday. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $200.21 and a one year high of $269.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.33 and a quick ratio of 0.34. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $247.92 and a 200 day moving average price of $237.51. The stock has a market cap of $57.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 0.65. Travelers Companies Dividend Announcement Travelers Companies ( NYSE:TRV Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 22nd. The insurance provider reported $9.15 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.50 by $2.65. The company had revenue of $12.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10,795,375 billion. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 10.77% and a return on equity of 19.06%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $7.01 EPS. Analysts predict that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 20.33 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be issued a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.67%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 10th. Travelers Companiess payout ratio is 19.56%. Insider Activity In other news, EVP Maria Olivo sold 10,410 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $261.80, for a total value of $2,725,338.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 111,162 shares in the company, valued at approximately $29,102,211.60. The trade was a 8.56 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 3,740 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $264.80, for a total transaction of $990,352.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 250,384 shares of the companys stock, valued at $66,301,683.20. This trade represents a 1.47 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.33% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades TRV has been the subject of several recent research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $268.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Monday. Hsbc Global Res raised Travelers Companies from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Travelers Companies from $275.00 to $297.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday. Piper Sandler raised shares of Travelers Companies from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $259.00 to $310.00 in a report on Friday. Finally, Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $241.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $260.47. Get Our Latest Research Report on Travelers Companies Travelers Companies Company Profile (Free Report) The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Travelers Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Travelers Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Victoria PLC (OTCMKTS:VCCTF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 77,600 shares, a decline of 97.3% from the December 31st total of 2,890,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 85,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.9 days. Victoria Trading Up 19.9 % VCCTF traded up $0.29 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $1.72. The companys stock had a trading volume of 50,000 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,860. The firms 50 day moving average price is $0.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $1.49. Victoria has a twelve month low of $0.50 and a twelve month high of $3.85. Get Victoria alerts: Victoria Company Profile (Get Free Report) Read More Victoria PLC, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and distributes flooring products primarily in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Turkey, the United States, and Australia. The company operates through four segments: UK & Europe Soft Flooring, UK & Europe Ceramic Tiles, Australia, and North America. Receive News & Ratings for Victoria Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Victoria and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Indonesia saves $1.2 bln in state budget by reducing travel expenditures By Vietnam News Agency Tue, January 28, 2025 | 4:29 pm GMT+7 Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has made state budget savings of IDR20 trillion ($1.2 billion) by cutting travel expenses for ministers and officials. Indonesian President Prabowo. Photo courtesy of VNA. Prabowo said that the budget cuts for government departments could be allocated for the construction of several public infrastructure projects, such as dams, irrigations, development and repair of tens of thousands of schools, and even free nutritious meal programme (MBG). He also instructed the ministers and heads of agencies present at the plenary cabinet meeting to save the budget for anniversary activities. Earlier in December 2024, Prabowo ordered the Ministry of Finance to cut the budget for overseas travel of ministers and officials who are members of the Red and White Cabinet. (TBTCO) - Ty le lap ay tai cac khu cong nghiep trong iem at 80 - 89%, trong khi gia thue at cong nghiep tang 4 -5%/nam, phan anh suc hut tu lan song dich chuyen san xuat toan cau va chien luoc "Trung Quoc +1" cua cac tap oan a quoc gia. Theo nhin nhan cua cac chuyen gia, thi truong bat ong san cong nghiep Viet Nam ang trai qua giai oan chuyen minh manh me, tro thanh iem sang trong boi canh kinh te toan cau ay bien ong. NEOM, the developer of Saudi futuristic city, has announced the successful closing of a landmark export credit agency (ECA) financing transaction, with Italys export credit organisation Sace, securing approximately $3 billion under a long-term multicurrency untied facility. The deal, which marks NEOM's first corporate ECA financing and the largest untied financing ever guaranteed by Sace, will support various projects across the mega development. The funding is backed by a syndicate of nine prominent international banks HSBC, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, Bank of China, Credit Agricole CIB, Agricultural Bank of China, Citi, China Construction Bank, J.P. Morgan and Bank of America, said NEOM in a statement. The partnership will enable NEOM to leverage supplies from Italian businesses, particularly SMEs, to support the projects development across key sectors, such as infrastructure, urban development, construction and transport (rail, road and maritime), it stated. To date, Italian suppliers and contractors have supported NEOM on a range of projects, with contracts worth $6.3 billion, and the deal aims to further strengthen and develop these important international business relationships, it added. NEOM's Acting CEO Engineer Aiman Al Mudaifer said: "We are committed to working with global partners who share our passion for visionary projects and initiatives that will advance human progress. This deal will support us in delivering our significant portfolio of developments and reflects the strong confidence that leading financial institutions worldwide place in NEOM." "It advances the kingdom's aim of generating capital investment in line with Saudi Vision 2030, with foreign investment being instrumental in diversifying the economy. This partnership with Sace and the consortium of leading international banks also creates strong ties with major Italian companies that will enhance international trade and investment flows," he added. Sace CEO Alessandra Ricci said: "We are glad to play our part alongside NEOM in this cutting-edge project, which generates opportunities in a wide range of sectors for Italian SMEs and supply chains. Opening new routes to Made in Italy is a priority to allow a long-term growth for Italian exports, matching their potential." "Our Riyadh office supports Italian companies and their potential partners and counterparties, by providing experience and insurance financial solutions combined with the added value of a physical presence in the area," she stated. The Sace untied facility expands and diversifies NEOMs existing funding pool, supporting its long-term financing requirements as NEOM moves forward in the development of major projects and regions, she added.-TradeArabia News Service Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and Italian hospitality company Arsenale today (January 27) officially unveiled the final designs of the Dream of the Desert train, the first five-star luxury train in the Middle East. This milestone marks a significant step forward in redefining luxury rail travel in the region, seamlessly blending contemporary opulence with the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia, reported SPA. The Dream of the Desert train consists of 14 carriages housing 34 luxury suites, offering an exclusive and intimate experience for travellers. According to SAR, the unveiling of the designs represents a major advancement in the execution of the agreement signed last year between SAR and Arsenale. Dream of the Deserts ambitious vision, it stated, was to redefine luxury train travel in the Kingdom, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030s objective of enhancing high-end tourism and supporting the cultural sector. Designed as a moving five-star destination, the train combines world-class hospitality with exquisite design, setting a new benchmark for premium rail travel. Inspired by the desert landscape and traditional Saudi architecture, the interiors feature refined craftsmanship, with earthy tones, luxurious textiles, and intricate decorative details, stated the report. Architectural elements and motifs from iconic Saudi landmarksincluding Madain Saleh and Hailare elegantly woven into the train's design, offering passengers a journey that is both visually and culturally enriching. Departing from Riyadh, the train will traverse SARs Northern Railway network, allowing guests to explore some of Saudi Arabia's most breathtaking heritage and natural sites. This announcement coincides with the visit of the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to the Kingdom, reported SPA. Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of SAR Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser, emphasising the strategic significance of the project, said: "The National Transport and Logistics Strategy aims to develop an integrated transport network that strengthens Saudi Arabia's position as a global logistics hub." "The Dream of the Desert train is a testament to our commitment to this vision, delivering innovative solutions that elevate both the transport and tourism sectors. This project reflects the Kingdoms ambitious drive to develop world-class infrastructure while offering unparalleled travel experiences that reinforce Saudi Arabia's status as a premier global tourism destination. The train combines luxury, innovation, and cultural authenticity, setting a new standard in rail travel," he added. Thanks to the collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the train will feature curated cultural programs, ensuring passengers experience Saudi Arabia's traditions in an immersive and engaging way, said the SPA report. Additionally, the Saudi Tourism Authority and the Center for Development Authorities Support are working on unique tourism itineraries that integrate seamlessly with the train journey, providing guests with an unparalleled window into the heart of Saudi heritage, it stated. Arsenale Group CEO Paolo Barletta, expressing his enthusiasm for the project, said: "When we first envisioned Dream of the Desert, our goal was to create an unparalleled travel experienceone that would take guests on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Saudi Arabia." "This project is more than just a luxury train; it is a fully immersive experience that blends refined design, world-class hospitality, and rich cultural traditions. Working with SAR, the Ministry of Culture, and the Saudi Tourism Authority has been an extraordinary collaboration, allowing us to bring this vision to life in a way that authentically reflects Saudi Arabias beauty," he stated. "We are proud of this achievement and look forward to welcoming our first guests on board. Dream of the Desert is expected to begin operations by the end of Q3 2026, with booking details and exclusive packages to be announced soon on the official website," he added. SAR Chief Executive Dr Bashar bin Khalid AlMalik said: "We believe our role extends beyond operating a railway network - we are actively attracting global investments to introduce advanced transport solutions that support economic growth and regional connectivity." "The Dream of the Desert train is a prime example of this commitment, demonstrating how collaboration between private and public sector entities can create groundbreaking experiences in luxury transport. With this project, we are setting a new benchmark for service excellence, merging comfort and sophistication to position Saudi Arabia among the world's top luxury rail travel destinations," he added. As 2025 begins, Ritchie Bros., the global leader in asset management and disposition, is empowering businesses to kickstart the year strong with industry-leading solutions for buying and selling heavy equipment, trucks, and machinery. Leveraging decades of proven experience, Ritchie Bros. international business, headquartered in Breda, Netherlands, achieved significant success in 2024, selling over 83,000 items across the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia-Pacific (APAC) regions and assisting more than 23,000 customers in achieving their business goals. This year the first auction in the EMEA region will be held in Dubai from February 24 to 25, said the company in a statement. Besides Dubai, Ritchie Bros. has several auctions scheduled in the international region, including: *Maltby, United Kingdom - February 12-13 *Mantilly, France February 13 (agricultural auction) *Moerdijk, The Netherlands February 26-27 *Australia March 3-4 *Ocana, Spain March 12-13 *Caorso, Italy March 13-14 *Meppen, Germany March 19-20 *France March 25-27 *Maltby, United Kingdom March 26-27 *Marketplace-E 24/7 online With a reputation built on trust, transparency and exceptional service, Ritchie Bros. provides flexible channels and services that help sellers to maximise returns and buyers to confidently acquire the equipment they need. As the demand for machinery remains strong, Ritchie Bros. provides a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to maximize returns for sellers while offering buyers easy access to a wide variety of equipment, including items for construction, mining, public works, transportation, agriculture, logging, material handling, and other heavy machinery and vehicles. With its industry-leading platforms, Ritchie Bros. connects sellers with a global audience and helps buyers to acquire the equipment they need with confidence. Ritchie Bros. unreserved auctions offer sellers direct exposure to an international buyer base, ensuring transparency and quick returns, with proceeds typically received within 21 days. For those who prefer more control, the Marketplace-E platform allows sellers to set their prices while benefiting from Ritchie Bros.' negotiation and transaction services, ensuring secure and swift deals, it stated. "Our selling solutions are designed to deliver the best value for all our customers, whether they are sellers or buyers, while making the transaction process secure, seamless and worry-free," said Duncan Ainscough, Head of International Sales at Ritchie Bros. "Through our 'Start 2025 Strong' campaign, we are intensifying our marketing efforts to ensure that every piece of equipment is strategically positioned to attract the right buyers and help them to find the high-quality machinery that meets their specific needs," he noted. For buyers, Ritchie Bros. offers access to a vast inventory of equipment across numerous categories, available through both live unreserved auctions and the 24/7 marketplace-E platform, stated Ainscough. "Buyers can take advantage of flexible purchasing options, including negotiating on prices or using the 'Buy Now' feature for immediate purchases. Supported by a secure, user-friendly bidding process and exceptional customer service, Ritchie Bros. makes acquiring the right equipment simple and efficient," he added.-TradeArabia News Service AMMROC, the regions leading provider of military maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) solutions, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Marshall, the British aerospace engineering services and solutions provider, to collaborate in the aerospace industry. The MoU paves the way for both organisations to collaborate strategically in identifying synergies, expanding market reach, and enhancing service capabilities for both military and commercial aviation. It leverages AMMROCs industry-leading MRO facilities and proven expertise with Marshalls innovative engineering solutions. The partnership incorporates a capability enhancement objective whereby Marshall, as a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Military Aviation Authority (MAA) recognised Part 21 Design Organisation with an unmatched depth of expertise and breadth of capabilities, will further support AMMROCs pursuit of obtaining its Military Design Organisation Approvals. Jasem Al Marzooqi, CEO of AMMROC, commented: This collaboration aligns perfectly with our vision to set new benchmarks in aerospace MRO excellence. By combining our expertise with that of Marshalls, we are poised to unlock new opportunities, deliver exceptional service to our customers, and reinforce the UAEs reputation as a global hub for aviation excellence. Operating from its state-of-the-art facility at Al Ain International Airport, AMMROC is uniquely positioned in the South Asia, Middle East, and North Africa (SAMENA) region to serve as a regional and global MRO with a centralised global location, connecting these dynamic markets. Ahmed bin Saifan, EVP-MRO of AMMROC, added: This agreement will ultimately strengthen our partnership with Marshall as well as advance AMMROCs offerings of aerospace MRO services and complex engineering solutions to our valued customers in the UAE and beyond. This MoU not only looks at the Design Organisation approval but also paves the path for a comprehensive Joint Growth Plan, outlining the strategic initiatives and new opportunities both our organisations are set to pursue together. Bob Baxter, Chief Growth Officer at Marshall, commented: Our partnership with AMMROC presents a unique opportunity to enhance our service offerings and reach new markets. Together, we will be able to leverage our strengths combined with AMMROCs expertise to drive collaboration and innovation, identifying ways to better serve our customers and explore new markets, he added. This partnership underscores AMMROCs dedication to quality and innovation, solidifying its role as a trusted partner for military and commercial aviation. By achieving Military Design Organisation Approval, AMMROC will further position itself as a leading provider of advanced MRO solutions, expanding its global reach and operational readiness capabilities. EDGE is making its third appearance at the International Defence Exhibition & Conference 2025 (Idex 2025) and the Naval Defence & Maritime Security Exhibition (Navdex 2025) with its largest presence yet, reinforcing its position as one of the worlds leading advanced technology and defence groups. Returning as the official Strategic Partner, the group will showcase the rapid expansion of its highly competitive, all-domain portfolio, presenting double the number of products compared to Idex 2023. EDGE will announce significant developments, including strategic partnerships and joint ventures with leading global industry players, alongside a broad range of new solutions and advancements across its portfolio. These initiatives, driven by recent acquisitions, collaborations, and strategic investments, highlight EDGEs ongoing growth and its focus on delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, electronic warfare, cyber, and space domains. Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE, said: As EDGE celebrates five transformative years in business, Idex 2025 provides the perfect platform to showcase our latest innovations and the advanced development of existing ones, the expansion of our global partnerships, and the substantial growth of our operations. Since Idex 2023, we have made remarkable progress, doubling the number of products on display to over 200 this year and growing from 20 entities in 2023 to more than 35 in 2025. This rapid development is driven by strategic investments and partnerships with world-leading industry players, all while maintaining a strong focus on building a sovereign industrial base. Key highlights include autonomous systems such as the HT-100 unmanned helicopter, the Jeniah low-observation unmanned combat aerial vehicle, and the Garmoosha rotary-wing UAS, the UAEs first domestically designed and produced unmanned aerial system (UAS). Advanced munitions include the mission-proven Al Tariq line of precision-guided munitions, the versatile Mansup-er anti-ship missile, and the Skynight inner-layer air defence missile system. In the land domain, EDGE will showcase the mission-proven THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles, the Ajban MK II multi-role light patrol vehicle, the modular Radban infantry fighting vehicle, and the Hafeet MK II, a 6x6 armoured personnel carrier. On the naval side, highlights include the first-of-class 60-metre Falaj 3 patrol vessel and the Radban, the UAEs first fully in-house designed, developed, and manufactured offshore patrol vessel. The debut of EDGEs new Technology & Innovation cluster will add to this impressive line-up, highlighting advanced capabilities in electro-optics, radar systems, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge technologies. These advancements reflect EDGEs commitment to remaining at the forefront of innovation while reinforcing the UAEs position as a global technology leader. TradeArabia News Service The successful launch of MBZ-SAT, the most advanced Earth observation satellite developed by the UAE, marks a defining moment for the nation's burgeoning space programme. This milestone is a testament to the UAE's ambitions in space exploration and a shining example of the "Make It In The Emirates" initiative championed by the UAE government. As a leading UAE-based precision engineering firm, Falcon Group was one of the four local companies that played a pivotal role in the MBZ-SAT project, supplying precision machined space worthy parts used in the satellite. In close collaboration with Falcon and other local entities, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) demonstrated how homegrown companies contribute to the success of international-standard / world-class projects. This partnership underscores the UAE's commitment to fostering innovation, self-reliance, and excellence within the country. Rejin Jose Kurian, Managing Director of the Falcon Group of Companies, said: "We are honoured to have partnered with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre on the MBZ-SAT project. This collaboration is a prime example of the UAE's 'Made in the Emirates' initiative, where local companies like ours are empowered to contribute to groundbreaking achievements. Working on such a prestigious project was an invaluable learning experience for our team, further sharpening our expertise and broadening our vision." Falcons contribution to MBRSC began over 13 years ago in manufacturing prototypes for rigorous testing and certification. Being a built-to-print company, each piece was meticulously manufactured to the highest precision to meet the stringent client requirement & astronautical standards for such space missions. These achievements highlight Falcon's role as a key enabler of the UAE's ambitions to position itself as a global leader in space exploration. Rejin added: "Space exploration is not just about reaching beyond our planet; it is about inspiring future generations, fostering technological advancement, and proving what's possible through collaboration and vision." For Falcon, the journey was not without challenges. Developing components to astronautical-grade precision required the team to innovate continuously and develop proprietary tools & techniques for working with specialised materials meeting high tolerances. The experience provided valuable insights that have fortified the company's capabilities in precision engineering, ensuring readiness for future projects. Falcon's success in contributing to MBZ-SAT is a testament to the expertise and camaraderie of its team. Supervisors, programmers, operators, and coating specialists collectively focused on precision and were resilient in their pursuit of quality at every stage of manufacturing. Their efforts exemplify how the culture of the company cultivates an environment for learning & development at all levels, the company said. Since its establishment in 1989, Falcon has transitioned from providing fabrication and machining services to becoming a key player in the Region for Astronautical Components and beyond. The company's initial partnership with the Emirates Institute for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST), now MBRSC, laid the foundation for its current success. According to Prabhu Badrinathen, CEO at Falcon, the companys journey from humble beginnings to becoming a leader in astronautical manufacturing is rooted in a culture of continuous improvement. Mathews Jacob, Operations Director, added: "Our team embraced the principles of 5S and Lean methodologies early on and this approach fostered a disciplined, organized, and efficient work environment, enabling our employees to upskill and refine their craft continuously. By applying these principles Falcon's workforce developed the precision and expertise needed to tackle increasingly complex projects, culminating in their significant contributions to the MBZ-SAT launch. Today, it serves diverse sectors, including aerospace, defense, oil & gas, and industrial manufacturing, building a reputation as a trusted partner regionally and globally, he said. "Our goal is to continue pushing the boundaries of precision engineering and contributing to the UAE's mission to explore and innovate," said Rejin. "The MBZ-SAT project has not only been a source of immense pride but also a stepping stone for Falcon Group to play an even bigger role in future endeavours that will shape the UAE's technological landscape." -TradeArabia News Service Kutubna Cultural Center, Dubais newest independent bookstore and cultural centre, will launch The Art behind the Stars, an exhibit by Bahraini artist Jamal A Rahim, next month. The exhibition, running from February 15 to March 16, aims to bridge the glamour of international stars from cinema and music and the depth of fine art portraiture. The collection presents 22 artworks by Rahim and features portraits of legendary figures from Hollywood and the Arab world, including Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, Umm Kulthum, Abdel Halim, and others. The artworks offer a rare glimpse into the humanity behind the screen legends and cultural icons. Each portrait provides a window into our shared cultural memory, exploring how these iconic figures have shaped our collective identity and experience. This exhibition Rahims homage to the artists who resonate with global audiences and left their marks deeply in our lives, a statement from Kutubna Cultural Center said. Rahims journey in the art world has allowed him the freedom to experiment and stretch the boundaries of conventional image-making. He spent years studying the works of portrait masters and honing techniques to bring a modern touch and a fresh perspective to traditional methods. This exhibition not only celebrates artistic expression but also fosters dialogue about the power of portraiture in bridging cultural divides, making it a significant contribution to contemporary art discourse. He is well known for his bright colour palette and portraiture, especially his portraits of Umm Kulthum. Rahim has previously held exhibitions in Kuwait, Egypt, Morocco, Syria, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Norway, Holland, Japan, Slovenia, Spain, and France, to name a few. Shatha Almutawa, founder and director of Kutubna Cultural Center, said: "The Art behind the Stars marks our first exhibition in 2025 and the first solo exhibition by a Bahraini artist at the center. We are proud to be able to share Jamal A. Rahims works and celebrate his accomplishments, thanks to the valuable support from our exhibition partners, the International House Group and Al Bait Al Duwaliy Real Estate. We are planning a variety of cultural events at Kutubna and some new additions. This year, we will also host a philosophy lecture series, writing workshops, and events for parents with their young children, such as Philosophy in the Playroom and Poetry in the Playroom. Art workshops for people of all ages continue weekly at Kutubna, along with events for kids and teens. TradeArabia News Service Collaboration, investment, and decisive action are crucial to accelerate the energy transition and achieve the decarbonisation goals of the MENA region, Dr Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Bahrains Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, said. Participating in the third edition of Sustainability Forum Middle East, which opened on Tuesday, he emphasised Bahrain's commitment to supporting initiatives that promote national partnerships and international cooperation across various areas of sustainable development. More than 400 business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts, are gathered at the forum to discuss the strategies for aligning business models with climate action, scaling climate finance, advancing policy and regulatory frameworks, fostering innovation, and accelerating technological advancements. The two-day forum is supported by the Supreme Council for Environment. Dr Daina also stressed the need to continue efforts to enhance cooperation, coordination, and knowledge exchange between countries and organisations to combat climate change, adapt to its impacts, and mitigate its causes. He reaffirmed Bahrain's commitment to international climate and sustainability agreements, wishing for the forums success and impactful recommendations. The forum featured a day of engaging discussions, bringing together 50+ leading speakers from across MENA, Europe, the UK, US, Brazil and beyond. Experts covered a range of topics essential to achieving regional net-zero ambition. On Wednesday (January 29), the forum is hosting a series of expert-led workshops, delivered by leading global management consultancies and specialist regional ESG and sustainability advisory firms. These sessions will provide participants with the tools and expertise needed to develop effective sustainability strategies, enhance climate-related financial disclosures, and advance decarbonisation initiatives. TradeArabia News Service Radisson Hotel Group, a global leader in the hospitality industry, has announced the signing of the Radisson Blu Resort in Murree, Pakistan. Set to open in 2026, the mountain resort marks a new milestone in the group's ongoing expansion of premium resorts worldwide. The Radisson Blu Resort, Murree will feature 50 villas and 170 rooms, including 21 Junior Suites and Suites. Nestled 20 km from the heart of Murree, near the scenic Patriata, also known as the New Murree, the resort is surrounded by lush alpine trees. Guests can enjoy views of the Pir Panjal Mountain ranges and various recreational activities, making it retreat for relaxation and adventure. Murree, renowned for its majestic mountains and verdant landscapes, is a picturesque backdrop for the resort. With its cool climate and natural beauty, this famous hill station continues attracting tourists worldwide. In line with the Radisson Blu brands commitment to delivering memorable experiences, the resort features an array of amenities, including an indoor swimming pool with a deck and pool bar, diverse dining options, a banquet hall, wellness center, kids' club, and various retail shops. Located just 98 kilometers, approximately a 2-hour drive, from Islamabad International Airport, the resort offers easy accessibility while providing a serene escape from the bustle of city life. The Radisson Blu Resort, Murree is an important addition to Radisson Hotel Groups expanding portfolio of resorts and its growing portfolio of signings in the country. We are delighted to be in partnership with Radisson Hotel Group in entering Pakistan with the development of a resort in one of the most scenic destinations of New Murree. We are confident that Radisson Blu Resort, Murree, as a well-developed resort with great recreational facilities will play a vital role in promoting tourism and expanding world class hospitality service to the country, said Aleem Malik, CEO Signature Resort. Elie Milky, Vice President Development, Middle East, Greece, Cyprus, and Pakistan, Radisson Hotel Group, stated, We are excited to bring the Radisson Blu brand to Murree, a beautiful mountain destination that has long captivated the hearts of travelers. This resort is not just an addition to our growing portfolio; it is a testament to our commitment to partnering with investors to develop, brand and operate hospitality real estate developments across all relevant segments, locations and asset classes, including mountain resorts. We look forward to welcoming guests to this stunning property in 2026. -TradeArabia News Service In a major move, the Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA) has granted foreign investors permission to invest in Saudi-listed companies that own real estate within the cities of Makkah and Madinah. This initiative is aimed at fostering investment as well as enhancing the appeal and efficiency of the capital market, and bolster its competitiveness both regionally and globally, while also supporting the local economy, said CMA in a statement. The CMA seeks to attract foreign capital and provide the necessary liquidity for ongoing and future projects in Makkah and Madinah, leveraging the Saudi markets vast investment opportunities. These efforts aim to position the Saudi market as a pivotal funding source for significant developmental initiatives in these cities, it stated. According to a statement by the CMA, the approval pertains to the Controls for the Exclusion of Companies Listed in the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) from the Meaning of the Phrase (Non-Saudi) in accordance with the Law of Real Estate Ownership and Investment by Non-Saudis." Foreign investment will be restricted to shares of Saudi-listed companies that own real estate in Makkah and Madinah, as well as convertible debt instruments, according to the approved controls. The total ownership of non-Saudi natural and legal persons has been capped at 49% of a companys shares. However, strategic foreign investors are not permitted to own shares or convertible debt instruments in these companies, it stated. The approved controls enable non-Saudi investors to benefit from the economic advantages of existing and upcoming projects while adhering to relevant laws, particularly the Law of Real Estate Ownership and Investment by Non-Saudis, whether during the operation or liquidation of these companies, it added. Meanwhile, the CMA has granted listed Saudi companies the right to acquire ownership, easement, or usufruct rights over properties designated for their headquarters or branch locations within Makkah and Madinah. The entirety of such properties must be utilized for these purposes, as per the exemption regulations outlined in the Law of Real Estate Ownership and Investment by Non-Saudis, said CMA in its statement. According to CMA, it has implemented numerous initiatives to enhance the appeal of the Saudi financial market and promote foreign investment. These include allowing expat investors to participate directly in the Saudi stock market, enabling foreign investors to access the market through swap agreements, facilitating investments by qualified foreign financial institutions in listed securities, permitting strategic foreign investors to acquire strategic stakes in listed companies, and allowing direct investments in debt instruments by foreign investors. These measures reflect a comprehensive and diversified financial market framework, providing various funding options for projects in Makkah and Madinah, it added. In 2021, the CMA expanded opportunities for non-Saudis by allowing their subscription to real estate funds investing within the two cities. This move further diversified funding channels within the financial market and supported the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to enhance the Saudi financial markets appeal to both local and foreign investors. The approved controls were finalized following the CMA's publication of the Regulations of Foreign Investors' Ownership of Shares in Saudi Listed Companies that have Investment Properties in Makkah and Madinah on November 15, 2023. The draft regulations were shared on the Public Consultation Platform (Istitlaa), managed by the National Competitiveness Center (NCC), and on the CMAs website to gather public feedback before their finalization, it added.-TradeArabia News Service Great last-minute travel deals and affordable travel are being brought to the Middle East with the official launch of a new online travel agency (OTA). lastminute.ae will facilitate seamless booking for destinations worldwide right from the confines of your home, said a statement. The new OTA brand is born from a strategic relationship with lastminute.com, the European travel tech leader in dynamic holiday packages. It follows the unprecedented, rapid development in tourism in the region and the need for an OTA that can provide travellers with varied budgets the best possible range and price for flights, it said. The site leverages lastminute.coms technological expertise, extensive resources and vast experience in the online flight sector with the local knowledge of lastminute.ae via its established customer base. The localisation means they can offer an unparalleled service tapping into the wants and needs of travellers in the Middle East, which will bring huge benefits to the burgeoning market. General Manager of lastminute.ae, Yiannis Papadonikolakis, said: We are excited to be launching in the Middle East, the next key growth area in world travel. Our customer-first approach means our focus is on making booking flights as easy and cost-effective as possible for everyone who visits our website. Its been made-to-measure to regional requirements on where, when and how travellers want to fly. Our local knowledge, contacts and content, coupled with 25 years plus experience of lastminute.com in building new markets, means we are perfectly positioned to harness the big boom in Middle Eastern travel, he said. 2025 sees lift-off for regional travelling The online flight ticketing market in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by increased internet penetration, digital adoption, and a preference for convenient online bookings. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) forecasts said that passenger traffic at UAE airports would reach approximately 150 million by the end of 2024, up from 134 million in 2023. This has sparked the approval of the construction of a new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, with an investment of AED 128 billion ($35 billion) which will make it the world's largest airport, with a capacity of up to 260 million passengers. In Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah served 49.1 million passengers in 2024, around 15 per cent more than the previous year. Kuwait City airport has also seen rise in passenger numbers in recent years, with Kuwaits triangular terminal, set to open in 2025, increasing capacity to 50 million passengers. TradeArabia News Service